Loyalist Mektavian diplomat killed in ambush. war inevitable

[Mektavia]

Moments ago, the Mektavian diplomat to meet with rebel members leadership in drakensong valley was killed during a rebel ambush, and as we speak, multiple Mektavian army and armored columns are preparing to deploy. Area's of fighting are expected to be the towns of Westcroven, Norveigen, and Torenten. Katherine Zeit, now embedded with the 4th infantry platoon has more.

Katherine Zeit: I'm currently loaded in a TH-89 "hellcrow" Attack/ transport helicopter, part of a covert task force being deployed as phase 1 of Operation Dust storm, With more on the overall goals of the operation as they develop. In corresponding news, Eastern Mektavian Peoples army leader Cinigrave Tornt played this message over open communication.

"The time for talk has long past, the time for action is now! The plight we have faced has gone ignored for too long! You think you words can fix the centuries of hardship and repression we have faced, while you, you who loved your wealth, prosperity and gluttony can fix this with WORDS!!!"

The army, taking this as a declaration of open warfare has mobilized, bolstering border positions, and preparing to launch operation Dust storm, which will commence early tomorrow morning.

[The Holy Macedonian Empire]

The cowardly rebels must be held accountable for their actions and blood must be spilled for honor to be maintained.

[Virana]

The Mektavian diplomat had just been killed, but the fighters were already in the air.

Intelligence officials from the United Republic Defense Intelligence Division (DID) had been monitoring the site of the peace talks between Mektavia and the Eastern Mektavian Peoples' Army in Drakensong Valley. They had seen the diplomat's convoy get ambushed, and alerted UR military officials instantly.

They had seen this coming. They were prepared. The Mektavian military wouldn't be able to retaliate until the next morning, but the UR knew that they had to place the pressure on the rebels instantly.

Two UR Navy SEAL snipers from SEAL Team 2 and an Air Force Combat Controller from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron were already on the ground miles away, hidden in the mountains near the outskirts of Torenten, a suspected rebel outpost. Although over 1500 meters away from the suspected location of the rebel base, their long-range sniper rifles and scopes could see the location clearly. There they saw several rebels holding second-hand AK-74 rifles in the air, shooting them in what seemed to be celebration. Bright flashes from their muzzles lit the village around them, and distant booms of mortars and gunshots could be heard through the blackness.

"We've got a visual," whispered one of the Navy SEALs on radio. "Several gunmen. Twenty-two. It's them." He paused. "HVT confirmed, requesting clearance for airstrike."

"Copy Bravo 3, you're good to lase target for Viper 2," came a deep voice on radio from mission command.

"Copy, standby," the SEAL responded.

In the air miles away to the west, James Masterson and Pearl Higgins, both F-36 Super Viper pilots in their own jets, were in the air observing the outpost through long-range forward-looking infrared (FLIR) pods.

"There's a lot of them here. Lucky these guys don't have an air force right?" joked Masterson over short-range infrared COMMs to Pearl.

Pearl laughed. "Even if there was it wouldn't be a problem for us. Remember, Fly, Fight, Win," she replied.

Masterson acknowledged, and then he heard another voice over radio.

"Viper 2, this is Bravo 3. We are lasing the target for precision strike, over," said the voice of an Air Force Combat Controller on the ground.

Inside his jet, Masterson received a beep confirming a lock on the target, which was barely in range of the 1000-lb bombs loaded in the F-36. "Bravo 3, Viper 2. Good copy. Standby for airstrike," he announced.

Back on the ground, the UR snipers and CCT waited. It was deathly silent as they lay still in their observation position on the side of the mountain, with their compact assault ghilles breaking up the outline of the DMC combat uniforms and Crye Precision armored vests. Moments passed, soon half a minute; each second felt like an hour as the suspense reached an ultimatum once the airstrike hit in a massive explosion. The lurid, unearthly flames barely illuminated the gravely interested faces of the three special forces operators—all of which seemed to have a satisfied, subtle grin—casting an umbrage upon what was once a bustling rebel outpost now turned to smoldering ruins as eerie echoes of explosions, mortars, gunshots, and anonymous screams could be heard in the distance.

It was beautiful.

Official Message from the United Republic of Virana
Department of Defense

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Sender: Aiden Lawson, United Republic Secretary of Defense

Subject: Operation Eagle Fury

Recipient: Mektavian Military Board

Encryption: Military - Level 5

---

We would like to wish our best condolences on the family, friends, and loved ones of the Mektavian diplomat who was assassinated during the rebel ambush in Drakensong Valley hours ago. Our hearts go out to anyone close to the individual.

In retaliation for the ambush, the United Republic is officially launching Operation Eagle Fury to support your Operation Dust Storm. UR forces deployed in the country will be mobilized to launch operations against the rebels. This includes UR Army STARS, UR Navy SEALs, URMC MARSOC operators, and URAF special operators and fighter pilots. They will be conducting counter-insurgency operations in support of Operation Eagle Fury and Operation Dust Storm. Fighters from the URAF 12th Fighter Squadron have already begun launching precision airstrikes against suspected insurgent positions, with these positions being confirmed and designated by UR special forces on the ground.

We currently intend to comply with any military demands you may have. Thank you.


Aiden Lawson
United Republic Secretary of Defense


Luis Castilla
President of the United Republic

OOC: I chose Torenten because it was one of the cities you mentioned. If you don't like the setting, then please give me a different town which more closely fits the context.

[Nakatomi]

We agree with the Macedonian government. You have no choice but to spill some blood.

[Mektavia]

*Katherine Zeits was ducked behind a armored vehicle, all around her, the sound of explosions, gunfire and screams of the injured could be heard, columns of smoke rising up from the background*
Katherine zeits: It's officially begun, with Mektavian military and armored units engaging massive numbers of rebel fighters in WestCraven, additional units are engaged in combat with rebel fighters in Silus town. Moments ago, fighter/ bomber squadrons bombed the center of town, delivering reports of several dozen entrenched positions throughout the town proper. The 5th reaper battalion is preparing to force it's way into the town now, we have reaper battalion commander Ar'shiik tanor here now. Commander, is this battle the first in the coming war, or is it out goal to end the war with a few decisive battles?

Ar'shiik Tanor: It is unfortunate that it had to come to this, but our goal isn't to end this war, it's to win it. This isn't the first person to die at the hands of these rebels, and unless something is done, it won't be the last. The reapers are deployed in full strength, supported by everything from air force squadrons to infantry battalions to armored columns. We will end this war with minimal loss of Mektavian life.

Katherine Zeits: You heard it everyone, a noble man with noble goals. Stay tunes as the conflict developes, MCN will bring you the news, up to date and first to hear.

[Virana]

"We will now go to VNN correspondent Antall Máté reporting live from Torenten. Antall?" said the woman on the left of the screen.

The camera switched to a pale, gray-haired man, dressed up in a faded black striped suit and black necktie standing in an arid town, wearing what seemed to be an unfastened olive drab combat helmet—which showed visible signs of use such as scratches and the number "65" hastily handwritten with white paint on the front—given to him by military personnel. Behind him was a massive pile of brown-gray rubble, rusted and torn up pieces of metal still glowing red-hot, and shattered glass that gleamed in the peaking sunlight of the otherwise grim and cloudy Saturday morning. Anonymous, expressionless soldiers wearing green-brown camouflage fatigues, load-bearing vests, and combat helmets roamed behind him, stopping occasionally in groups and talking quietly to each other. Background explosions, wind, and other interference could be heard.

"Thanks Theresa. I am in a village on the outskirts of Torenten, and this place was the site of a major airstrike last night. As you can tell this is in the middle of a warzone and thus the Mektavian military has ordered me to wear this combat helmet. Here behind me you can see the remains of what I was told used to be a major rebel compound. If you look closely here—" he pointed as the camera panned towards the rubble, "you'll see what is left of an old couch next to what seems to be a vehicle now dilapidated and thoroughly wrecked."

The camera panned back towards him.

"Sources here told me the airstrike was carried out by United Republic fighters, which marks the first major offensive of the UR's Operation Eagle Fury. It was launched shortly after the assassination of the Mektavian diplomat in the Drakensong Valley, where, as you know, he was to meet with the rebels for peace talks.

"It seems to be a grim future for the nation as what is now considered an inevitable civil war is threatening to tear apart Mektavia. We will continue to provide real-time coverage from inside the nation for the duration of the conflict. This is Antall Máté of VNN, alongside cameraman Milla Forssell, reporting live from Torenten, Mektavia. Now back to you Theresa."

The camera switched back to the air conditioned studio in Chaleur, Virana as all background noise of explosions suddenly came to an immediate stop and all that could be heard was the striking voice of the young news anchor as she proceeded to inform viewers of other news.

[Mektavia]

Ar'shiik Tanor: The armor has done there part, cracking the rebel defenses in 3 major areas. the 2nd infantry is taking the left flank, the 4th reaper on the right. Meaning we got the middle, men. An armored unit, codenamed "tower 1" Will push ahead of us, but we can't let them have all the glory, guys. I want bravo taking the lead, with charlie on rear guard.

*The soldiers scattered as 3 tanks rolled over the hill, the camera man with katherine zoomed in on the lead tank as it rolled through the gaping hole of the wall of the city, quickly looking up as 2 fighter jet's passed over the city.*

"This is dust bowl 1, waiting for laser targeting on strike coordinates now, ground units"

*the two craft broke off and veered upward, vanishing into the clouds. The lead tank crashed through the wall, firing immediately at a large 2 story building down the street, 7 soldiers from reaper battalion moved through, staying crouched, they fired occasionally down the road, keeping the enemy in a defensive position*

Ar'shiik Tanor: Tower is through, bravo and charlie advance.