Markion Lore RP Thread[MARKION ONLY-IC]

[Sevevill]

Altos & Stratis Buys 3 Million Tonnes Of Rice From CSD

As the September Conflict rages on and more parties become involved, few have realised the humanitarian crisis currently going on in the region. The Confederate States of Durradon, well known for its mass supplies of food in case of an extended war with Kaltura has recently sold a small part of its stockpile to Altos & Stratis. Some millions of tonnes of grain have been shipped all the way to Placeoderms and is currently being transported via freight trains to the western coast of the well armoured Republic for pick up on the other side by Atosian & Stratisian ships.

The total cost of the supplies has come out at 1.5 Billion Altosian & Stratisian Pecunia, roughly 4.7 billion Durranese Fens. The Confederate government has commented saying that they hope that the situation in September Island and the UCSO comes to a swift end and that little blood is spilt in the fighting.

The government of Sevevill has reacted with outrage to Durradon's backstabbing policies. Under the mask of neutrality, they imported millions of tons of grain into Placeoderms, using the country as a jumping off point to send the food to Altos and Stratis. Sevevill has fought hard to suppress the terrorist government of Oceania and their allies, and will not tolerate other members of the international community supporting these rogue powers.

Sevevill has declared all ships, trains, planes, and other equipment used to transport this Durranese grain to be legitimate targets in the war effort, and today struck the first blow of many against this new threat. Sevevillian SG-57 fighter-bombers, launched from bases in Urilas, struck a Durranese-registered merchant ship moving through the valuable Urilas trade lanes.

A burning Durranese merchant ship, the first of many to be targeted after Durradon's treacherous attempts to aid the pro-Oceania nations

The Sevevillian Imperial Navy has said that this is just the beginning, and has announced the deployment of a fresh carrier fleet to the West Coast of Placeoderms. This comes along with a general increase in forces devoted to the Oceania conflict. To shore up the seven battle groups (three carrier, three battleship, one megacarrier) currently operating around UCSO, the Imperial Navy will be deploying five more groups. Three carrier groups and one battleship group will reinforce the blockade of Oceania, while one carrier group will be sent to patrol south and west, ensuring Rudony and Sjovenia remain neutral.

These efforts will no doubt help to ensure a speedy end to the war.

In other news, KP officials have commented directly and openly towards Sevevill, saying that if they do not cease and desist hostilities towards September Island, its people and KP forces stationed there, they will be forced to pull their support from Diyaristan, potentially destabilising the south and leaving the Mount Kula Administration Zone without adequate support to take on rebel forces in addition to further over extending Imperial forces. As well as this, the KP has stated that if hostilities continue, they will be forced to come out of neutrality and allow pro-UCSO forces to reinforce the island and allow further reinforcements to be stationed on Albatan.

Sevevill has mocked the Kamooko Pact's weak resolve and hypocrisy. They whine and complain about Sevevill taking security risks on September Island, then threaten to stop doing their part to ensure safety and freedom in Diyaristan. If this sort of behavior is what can be expected from the KP, then Sevevill does not need their help in Diyaristan.

As for threats in terms of Albatan, many Sevevillian politicians have actually been reported to laugh when told this news. Sevevill has invaded Albatan twice before, and the tiny island nation simply rolled over in submission. If the Kamooko Pact and pro-UCSO coalition try to threaten Sevevill with Albatan, the same thing will simply happen again.

With the conflict boiling over, many Kamooko Defence Command (KDC) leaders have decided to look elsewhere for military equipment. The KDC was initially interested in purchasing from Sevevillian arms companies but have stated that if the conflict continues after this request for peace, the KDC will potentially buy from pro-UCSO countries or other suppliers.

Many arms companies in Sevevill have been disappointed but ultimately dismissive of Kamooko's pettiness. The KP is a second rate power, and was never a good market for arms to begin with. Still, Sevevillian firms put out the best weapons in Markion, and any attempted boycott will only push the Kamooko Pact further into obscurity as they deny themselves access to superior military equipment.

(Post by Green Union)

[Allanea]

Somewhere in Altos and Stratis

The aircraft was immense. This was the only way to describe it. Its tail towered like a fifteen-story building, taller in fact that the ATC tower that had talked it down. Its vast wings were like the wings of an immense sky-beast, as if an enormous manta ray had taken to the skies. Even to the men who had piloted the plane, the Mother Superior was a source of pride and admiration.

In Allanean military lingo, aircraft over a certain size were sometimes called "sky ships", and in the case of the AN-5K it was clear why. Each of the nuclear-powered cargo craft now landing in Altos and Stratis had a name and an emblem, shown on the plane's nose and near its tail (of course, the tail was long enough from the nose convenience required them to be on both sides). The ones currently on the ground in Altos and Stratis were called the Mother Superior, Frigate Bird, Supergobbler and Sky Pig.

As their cargo ramps opened, the planes disgorged more and more war materiel – heavy and green vehicles with long-range air defense missiles or ground-to-ground missile launchers. Innocuous-looking shipping containers were also being brought in – some held even more weapons, others held military supplies, some were themselves weapons.

Now the Allanean deployment had expanded by a battalion of missile launchers and yet another battalion of long-range air defense. Even more inflatable decoys were being deployed, to make air observation "spot" a lot more vehicles that were actually present.

And of course, soon enough some of those supplies would come into use.

Over the seas, Operation Killbox

The people planning the routes of Sevevillean patrol aircraft would find themselves in an interesting problem. The passage that they had to dart through was about 900 kilometers wide – which meant that they would be either in range of air defenses and fighters from the Altos and Stratis coast, or from the Oceanian coast. And, unlike them, the enemy fighter pilots would be well-rested.

Then there was the fact that they had to accompany AWACS aircraft – which, by principle, carried powerful radar on board, making them about as stealthy as a man running with a flashlight at night.

The Allaneans had done their part – soon enough, heavy air defense missiles would begin to rise from the Western shore of the strait, streaking upwards to whatever AWACS plane had the temerity to venture in the Western half of the Killbox.

Nor were the seas themselves safe.

The Sevevilleans had, in their wisdom, barred all civilian shipping from the area.

Which, of course, meant any major ship detected by satellites could only be a military ship, a carrier or a battleship.

Now the FKS Sea Snake was ascending to launch depth. It had been waiting on the edge of the Killbox for quite a while. Momentarily, the submarine hung at periscope depth, and then fired.

Twenty guided missiles left their launch tubes in less than a minute, and flew forward in a wide front, converging towards a single target – the nearest Sevevillean major surface combatant. Back at its launch post, the Allanean submarine began diving again.


It was called the Killbox for a reason. The Allaneans were about to make a demonstration as to why.

Official Statement from the Free Kingdom Ministry of Allanea

If, in the past, we have expressed doubts about the Empire of Seveville and its ethics, we no longer have those doubts. We now have doubts about the Empire's very sanity. To declare war on its own long-time strategic partner, to attack that partner's obviously civilian shipping of humanitarian aid goods, is not the mark of a sane country, or sane leadership. It is a mark of madness, the very sort of madness that brings countries to ruin and leaves millions dead.

The Empire of Seveville is now at war in September Island, it is at war with Oceania, with Altos and Stratis, with Durradon, and is fighting a war of occupation in Diyaristan. In this context it has no room to be mocking its allies and threatening more and more wars of aggression.

We wish to inform members of the Good Will Coalition that help is on the way. The carrier groups lead by the FKS Tsunami and FKS Hurricane have just left harbor. We implore the members of the Good Will Coalition to be patient towards Seveville, and when the Empire is defeated, not to make any unreasonable demands upon them.

That is all. May the Gods continue to bless Allanea.

[Sjovenia]

Official Response from the Autocracy of Slaveška

The Autocratic Government of Slaveška observes the conflict in Oceania with little interest. The needs of the nations involved are no concern to both the people and Government of Slaveška. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of War understand the actions taken by Sevevill are only precautionary measures. The Ministry of the Slaveškan Navy has been ordered to patrol Slaveškan Oceans as per oceanic claim. The MSN Patrols May go no further than 12 nautical miles from Slaveškan Shores. It is hereby stated that the Sevevill Navy May in fact continue on its precautionary course but crossing the 12 nautical mile barrier will be seen as “Proof of Concept”. The Minister of War has authorized two warnings if a violation should occur. All vessels will be escorted with equal show of force back to international waters. Upon the third violation the vessels will be viewed as conducting hostile actions and an escalation of force will be authorized.

- Minister of Foreign Affairs

[Republic of Altos and Stratis]

Retconned

[Rudony]

The Sevevillian Imperial Navy has said that this is just the beginning, and has announced the deployment of a fresh carrier fleet to the West Coast of Placeoderms. This comes along with a general increase in forces devoted to the Oceania conflict. To shore up the seven battle groups (three carrier, three battleship, one megacarrier) currently operating around UCSO, the Imperial Navy will be deploying five more groups. Three carrier groups and one battleship group will reinforce the blockade of Oceania, while one carrier group will be sent to patrol south and west, ensuring Rudony and Sjovenia remain neutral.

These efforts will no doubt help to ensure a speedy end to the war.

Empress of Rudony Furious, Joins Pro-UCSO coalition

The Empress of Rudony has expressed her utmost disappointment and anger at the Sevevillian government for their actions. In a statement, Empress Andraste had this to say:

"My people are dying of plague, we asked Markion for an answer to our plight and so few nations came to our aid. And now, the Empire of Sevevill sends its navy not to assist our people, but they send a fleet to threaten us. I will tolerate this kind of reckless behaviour no longer. From this moment, I officially supporting the freedom of September Island and the UCSO. I will not go to war with Sevevill, but if they attack us we will be ready respond tenfold."

After her speech, the Empress ordered the full mobilization of the Rudon navy at Hewylthelnr Naval Base on Hewyl Island, one of the few islands not affected by the plague. A quick reaction force has been sent out to deal with any Sevevillian ship that enters Rudon waters while the full fleet mobilizes. Some Rudon officials have expressed concern that starting a war with Sevevill will be detrimental to the recovery of the Rudon people during this time of strife. However, the Empress has assured her people that this conflict will be a short one and she hopes Sevevill will capitulate soon.

In other news the fungal plague in Rudony has come to halt as Altos & Stratis aid in addition to help from Allanea arrives in the country. Unfortunately, many residences and buildings are being burnt to combat the fungus but have successfully made cleaning up infected areas far quicker and effective. It is currently looking up, however, no cure or even something to slow the infection has been found. Infection rates are down but the death rate continues to grow. The current death toll is 2000 people. It is likely more support will be needed in the future to combat the infection.

[Guanja]

The Storm Gathers

Guanja had not been at peace long in the grand scheme of things. War was always inevitable, but none knew it would be like this. The Guanjan Royal Navy was readying an expedition force alongside Terestroi into the heart of the storm. After the Great Loss, what some nations were calling the most recent terror attack on Markion, many nations began blaming each other and Sevevill declared war on the UCSO. The UCSO and the NWA were not allies, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend. The Guanjans had amassed a grand fleet of one of its two carriers, several battlecruisers and destroyers, in addition to some submarines and a mass of supply, transport and support vessels, all enroute to Nulaar. Altogether the Guanjan fleet's final count of ships would be thirty-two vessels, in addition, roughly ten thousand Guanjan expeditionary marines would be on board those ships.

Seas south of Nulaar

The United Fleet of Terestroi was departing for Nulaar, the southern most port city on the edge of the Sultanate. With over a hundred and fifty combat vessels and over two hundred in support the fleet was massive. At its core a variety of carriers with destroyers and submarines. With it was a force of around eighty thousand Common Guard. This force had been gathered for many months now since the rising tensions in the world. The terrorist attacks had brought around a shift in political opinion in Terestroi and now a thoroughly hawkish wing of all parties was firmly in control of the democratic levers. While of course those responsible for the attacks would be caught, other plots and machinations began to creep into action. The first step would be the expedition to secure Terestroian interests in UCSO and on September Island. Marshals and Admirals were dismissed and new ones instated. Units were rotated and cults with a more militant and martial mindset encouraged to sign up. Faith leaders had rallied and given speeches to their neighbourhoods. God was with the Fleet and the Fleet was on its way, their Guanjan allies soon to be alongside them.

OC: Post made jointly with Terestroi

International Waters, South of Sevevill

The United Fleet of Terestroi met with their Guanjan allies. Most the fleet was sent home after the September Conference the independence of island secured but a large Terestroian carrier group with a core of Guanjan Himmelsdorf-class frigates still wondered ever closer to Sevevill and now they were skirting around Sevevillian waters as their leaders in politics were about to make a statement. Sevevill would have to capitulate with so many forces uniting against them.

The carrier group consisted of one carrier with a full complement of fighters, two destroyers, two cruisers, four submarines and ten frigates. All this included support vessels and transports carrying a division of 10,000 Guanjan marines. This force was to further guarantee the independence of September Island from imperialistic powers and others. The island would be a free and independent republic by any means.

The Empire of Sevevill of would not jeopardise this, nor would the Arcadians or even the Kamooko Pact.

Statement from the North Western Alliance

"It is in the interest of Guanja, Terestroi and the people of September IsIand that the North Western Alliance hereby declares war on the Empire of Sevevill and denounces the actions of its government. Your imperialism stops here!"

Dieu Protege.

[The United Nations of Urilas]

President Luke Baldwine. Capital Building, Monico City, Monico Island

The United Nations of Urilas officially declares war on all pro UCSO nations and hereby devotes their navy, marine corps and any other assets required by the Imperial Armed Forces. With this they also have officially joined the southwest bloc.

(Sorry for the short post next one will be longer I am on my phone)

[Durradon]

Sevevill has mocked the Kamooko Pact's weak resolve and hypocrisy. They whine and complain about Sevevill taking security risks on September Island, then threaten to stop doing their part to ensure safety and freedom in Diyaristan. If this sort of behavior is what can be expected from the KP, then Sevevill does not need their help in Diyaristan.

As for threats in terms of Albatan, many Sevevillian politicians have actually been reported to laugh when told this news. Sevevill has invaded Albatan twice before, and the tiny island nation simply rolled over in submission. If the Kamooko Pact and pro-UCSO coalition try to threaten Sevevill with Albatan, the same thing will simply happen again.

With the conflict boiling over, many Kamooko Defence Command (KDC) leaders have decided to look elsewhere for military equipment. The KDC was initially interested in purchasing from Sevevillian arms companies but have stated that if the conflict continues after this request for peace, the KDC will potentially buy from pro-UCSO countries or other suppliers.

Many arms companies in Sevevill have been disappointed but ultimately dismissive of Kamooko's pettiness. The KP is a second rate power, and was never a good market for arms to begin with. Still, Sevevillian firms put out the best weapons in Markion, and any attempted boycott will only push the Kamooko Pact further into obscurity as they deny themselves access to superior military equipment.

(Post by Green Union)

With the recent attack of Confederate merchant ships and declaration of war on Durradon, the Prime Minister of the CSD has activated Article 3 of the Kamooko Accords and called for a meeting in Kamooko. The mutual defence clause. For the first time in history, the CSD would call on allies to assist them in war. This was a day to be remembered. The Confederacy would not go into the howling dark alone and return scarred and mangled this time, they would enter with friends and strong allies and return with only cuts and bruises. They would be beaten badly, but this time they might heal.

The Prime Minister mentioned in his national statement that he thought he would do this when Kaltura inevitably invaded, but to his surprise, he was wrong. Now though was the time for mobilisation. Sevevill had declared war on many nations of Markion and was spewing forth legions of imperial soldiers alongside their ally, Urilas. The Confederate Defence Forces need to be careful, however. Signs of Kalturan mobilisation was afoot, an invasion, while some of the Confederate army is away, could spell disaster for the initial defence of the CSD.

[The Green Union]

Sevevill has declared all ships, trains, planes, and other equipment used to transport this Durranese grain to be legitimate targets in the war effort, and today struck the first blow of many against this new threat. Sevevillian SG-57 fighter-bombers, launched from bases in Urilas, struck a Durranese-registered merchant ship moving through the valuable Urilas trade lanes.

(Image)
A burning Durranese merchant ship, the first of many to be targeted after Durradon's treacherous attempts to aid the pro-Oceania nations

The Sevevillian Imperial Navy has said that this is just the beginning, and has announced the deployment of a fresh carrier fleet to the West Coast of Placeoderms. This comes along with a general increase in forces devoted to the Oceania conflict. To shore up the seven battle groups (three carrier, three battleship, one megacarrier) currently operating around UCSO, the Imperial Navy will be deploying five more groups. Three carrier groups and one battleship group will reinforce the blockade of Oceania, while one carrier group will be sent to patrol south and west, ensuring Rudony and Sjovenia remain neutral.

These efforts will no doubt help to ensure a speedy end to the war.

With the recent attack of Confederate merchant ships and declaration of war on Durradon, the Prime Minister of the CSD has activated Article 3 of the Kamooko Accords and called for a meeting in Kamooko. The mutual defence clause. For the first time in history, the CSD would call on allies to assist them in war. This was a day to be remembered. The Confederacy would not go into the howling dark alone and return scarred and mangled this time, they would enter with friends and strong allies and return with only cuts and bruises. They would be beaten badly, but this time they might heal.

The Prime Minister mentioned in his national statement that he thought he would do this when Kaltura inevitably invaded, but to his surprise, he was wrong. Now though was the time for mobilisation. Sevevill had declared war on many nations of Markion and was spewing forth legions of imperial soldiers alongside their ally, Urilas. The Confederate Defence Forces need to be careful, however. Signs of Kalturan mobilisation was afoot, an invasion, while some of the Confederate army is away, could spell disaster for the initial defence of the CSD.

The Kamooko Pact's immediate Article Three meeting has gone essentially as was inevitable, with the council resolving within only a few hours to enact the untested Article Three policy of collective defence. This act by Sevevill, the KP has decreed, is to be seen as not only an attack on one Pact member, but an attack on all.

As a result, Kamooko has authorized the deployment of its centralized assets to protect Durranese commercial shipping. Persistor-Class frigates, a derivative of the Green Union Himmelsdorf-Class, will begin escorting Durranese ships along southern and northwestern Markion trade routes. The main central arteries of trade, which run straight through the Urilas archipelago, are to be avoided for the foreseeable future.

An Persistor-Class frigate departs Placeoderms' East Coast in order to escort Durranese shipping

In addition, the government of Placeoderms and the Kamooko Pact have reacted with alarm at the news of Sevevillian Imperial forces deploying to the country's coast. Placeoderms has warned that, while it does not consider itself to be at war with Sevevill, it will not tolerate any incursions into its territory or attempts to block shipping to and from the country. The KP in Placeoderms has vowed to back Placeoderms' stance.

Placeoderms has not begun any form of mobilization as of yet, possibly out of fear of antagonizing Sevevill. However, some KDC units in the country have begun moving back to the capital from their stations on the Vilhalan border.

Sevevill has mocked the Kamooko Pact's weak resolve and hypocrisy. They whine and complain about Sevevill taking security risks on September Island, then threaten to stop doing their part to ensure safety and freedom in Diyaristan. If this sort of behavior is what can be expected from the KP, then Sevevill does not need their help in Diyaristan.

As for threats in terms of Albatan, many Sevevillian politicians have actually been reported to laugh when told this news. Sevevill has invaded Albatan twice before, and the tiny island nation simply rolled over in submission. If the Kamooko Pact and pro-UCSO coalition try to threaten Sevevill with Albatan, the same thing will simply happen again.

The Kamooko Pact has also reacted in alarm and disappointment at the Empire of Sevevill's callous disregard for their concerns. The Kamooko Defence Command has instructed the KP mission in Diyaristan to halt their combat and combat-assistance activities, from engaging in direct action against anti-Sevevill rebels to advising pro-Sevevill Mount Kula forces in their own combat.

At the same time, the government of the island nation of Albatan has begun debates in its parliament about whether or not to allow forces of the pro-UCSO coalition to enter the country. At present, with no immediate threat and the memory of past Sevevillian invasions, the government is reluctant.

[Sevevill]

For Urilas by Sevevill.

Lt. Luke Franklin Jr. 4th Air wing 55th Airforce. Based on Monico attacking the Gaunjan carrier fleet.

The SG-87 was a fierce bird that could take a beating and put them up. His flight had been loaded up with anti ship and armour. Word had it that the Seveillians had submarines sneaking up but they needed something to distract. As his flight arked through the air he glanced behind him. Five SG-87 fighter bombers and another five a few hundred feet above and behind. The Urilas Army Air force had not been used in a combat role in a long time, In fact the nation itself had not been involved in a offensive war for over eighty years. These would be some of the first dropped bombs of a new fighting era.

The SG-87 is a two seater fighter bomber is a two seat precision bomber with its own defense systems

Not long after taking off they neared the carrier group.
"Mack 1 to all aircraft the targets the carrier. Hit what you can" He said to the other planes in the flight and his bombardier behind him. He pushed the nose down a little bit and large missiles started to fly. Unhooking themselves and flying down twards the carrier group. Then came the fun stuff. Each plane carried a large missile along the middle. This missile was almost like a dud it would fall into the water and sink down into the water. After that they would lock onto heat signatures. They had only been used in testing but so far they had managed to sink whole battleships that had been decommissioned with one of these special missiles. The missiles dropped from the underbellies of the SG-87 fighter bombers as they arked left turning back to base.

[Guanja]

For Urilas by Sevevill.

Lt. Luke Franklin Jr. 4th Air wing 55th Airforce. Based on Monico attacking the Gaunjan carrier fleet.

The SG-87 was a fierce bird that could take a beating and put them up. His flight had been loaded up with anti ship and armour. Word had it that the Seveillians had submarines sneaking up but they needed something to distract. As his flight arked through the air he glanced behind him. Five SG-87 fighter bombers and another five a few hundred feet above and behind. The Urilas Army Air force had not been used in a combat role in a long time, In fact the nation itself had not been involved in a offensive war for over eighty years. These would be some of the first dropped bombs of a new fighting era.

(Image)

The SG-87 is a two seater fighter bomber is a two seat precision bomber with its own defense systems

Not long after taking off they neared the carrier group.
"Mack 1 to all aircraft the targets the carrier. Hit what you can" He said to the other planes in the flight and his bombardier behind him. He pushed the nose down a little bit and large missiles started to fly. Unhooking themselves and flying down twards the carrier group. Then came the fun stuff. Each plane carried a large missile along the middle. This missile was almost like a dud it would fall into the water and sink down into the water. After that they would lock onto heat signatures. They had only been used in testing but so far they had managed to sink whole battleships that had been decommissioned with one of these special missiles. The missiles dropped from the underbellies of the SG-87 fighter bombers as they arked left turning back to base.

The Sevevillians had been tricked. The Terestroians knew a strike from the mainland would come eventually, and they would make them pay for their attempt. As the Sevevillians fired their missiles and dropped their torpedos, point defence systems across the fleet destroyed the oncoming missile waves with some hitting one or two ships and delivering minor damage that would take some time to repair.

The Sevevillian torpedos hit the water and began to sink and find a target. Fortunately, countermeasures were deployed by Terestroian destroyers and Guanjan frigates. One by one the large ship destroying explosives were destroyed easily by the large anti-submarine force present. Decoys were deployed to shield from any further torpedo attacks.

The Sevs believed their job done and turned to withdraw but were instantly hit by a wave of missiles coming from the direction of their retreat path. The Terestroian admiral had sent fighters around the bombing run, allowing his fighters to fire at them while they were busy with the ships. In addition to this, anti-aircraft from the fleet began to fire at the Sevevillian planes, a combination of CIWSs and missiles.

[Sevevill]

Over the seas, Operation Killbox

The people planning the routes of Sevevillean patrol aircraft would find themselves in an interesting problem. The passage that they had to dart through was about 900 kilometers wide – which meant that they would be either in range of air defenses and fighters from the Altos and Stratis coast, or from the Oceanian coast. And, unlike them, the enemy fighter pilots would be well-rested.

Then there was the fact that they had to accompany AWACS aircraft – which, by principle, carried powerful radar on board, making them about as stealthy as a man running with a flashlight at night.

The Allaneans had done their part – soon enough, heavy air defense missiles would begin to rise from the Western shore of the strait, streaking upwards to whatever AWACS plane had the temerity to venture in the Western half of the Killbox.

A Sevevillian AWAC aircraft has today been shot down near the western coast of Oceania, apparently by a shore-based missile. Sevevillian warplanes have operated increasingly freely over this airspace quite some time, ever since the complete suppression of Oceanian air defenses. This has led the Imperial Air Force to accuse the nearby islands of Altos and Stratis of housing and launching the missiles.

“These people have apparently not cared while we bombed their ports,” President Joseph Henry said in an address, “which makes me wonder if they are trying to make us hit their factories, their farms, their cities.”

Now the FKS Sea Snake was ascending to launch depth. It had been waiting on the edge of the Killbox for quite a while. Momentarily, the submarine hung at periscope depth, and then fired.

Twenty guided missiles left their launch tubes in less than a minute, and flew forward in a wide front, converging towards a single target – the nearest Sevevillean major surface combatant. Back at its launch post, the Allanean submarine began diving again.

At the same time, the Sevevillian Imperial Navy, being stung repeatedly by missile attacks, has withdrawn further east. The latest raid, consisting of twenty surface launched ASBMs, caused minor shrapnel damage to IPN Prince Henry, another Imperial battleship assigned to the blockade of Oceania.

The Sevevillian battle groups have begun maintaining much tighter formation, especially around major combatants, so as to cover the valuable ships with overlapping fighter, missile, and CIWS screens. While ensuring safety for now, this approach has begun to leave large gaps in the blockade net, and some senior commanders are becoming concerned that recent scares are causing the navy to compromise the mission in favour of force protection.

Official Response from the Autocracy of Slaveška

The Autocratic Government of Slaveška observes the conflict in Oceania with little interest. The needs of the nations involved are no concern to both the people and Government of Slaveška. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of War understand the actions taken by Sevevill are only precautionary measures. The Ministry of the Slaveškan Navy has been ordered to patrol Slaveškan Oceans as per oceanic claim. The MSN Patrols May go no further than 12 nautical miles from Slaveškan Shores. It is hereby stated that the Sevevill Navy May in fact continue on its precautionary course but crossing the 12 nautical mile barrier will be seen as “Proof of Concept”. The Minister of War has authorized two warnings if a violation should occur. All vessels will be escorted with equal show of force back to international waters. Upon the third violation the vessels will be viewed as conducting hostile actions and an escalation of force will be authorized.

- Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sevevillian Imperial authorities have publicly responded to the address by Sjovenia in appreciation of the country’s good nature. They promised that, of course, the empire had no intentions of actually entering sovereign Slaveškan waters, and was merely performing a policing action in international waters so as to ensure no other “neutral” powers are smuggling aid to Altos and Stratis.

Not long after the announcement, however, Slaveškan radars lit up. A single Sevevillian SG-80N fighter, lacking weapons, would be seen cruising lazily within the 12 nautical mile boundary.

Empress of Rudony Furious, Joins Pro-UCSO coalition

The Empress of Rudony has expressed her utmost disappointment and anger at the Sevevillian government for their actions. In a statement, Empress Andraste had this to say:

"My people are dying of plague, we asked Markion for an answer to our plight and so few nations came to our aid. And now, the Empire of Sevevill sends its navy not to assist our people, but they send a fleet to threaten us. I will tolerate this kind of reckless behaviour no longer. From this moment, I officially supporting the freedom of September Island and the UCSO. I will not go to war with Sevevill, but if they attack us we will be ready respond tenfold."

After her speech, the Empress ordered the full mobilization of the Rudon navy at Hewylthelnr Naval Base on Hewyl Island, one of the few islands not affected by the plague. A quick reaction force has been sent out to deal with any Sevevillian ship that enters Rudon waters while the full fleet mobilizes. Some Rudon officials have expressed concern that starting a war with Sevevill will be detrimental to the recovery of the Rudon people during this time of strife. However, the Empress has assured her people that this conflict will be a short one and she hopes Sevevill will capitulate soon.

The government of Sevevill has taken Rudony’s protests to signal a hidden agenda. Most likely, the island’s government has been secretly supporting Oceania and its rogue allies for quite some time, and is now panicking that Sevevill will learn of their treachery.

The Imperial government has warned Rudony and its government that a declaration of allegiance with the pro-UCSO coalition will be seen as an act of military aggression, and while they will give the island the benefit of the doubt for now, they will expect a retraction of that statement and an end to further provocations in order to truly respect their neutrality.

In the meantime, two unarmed SG-80N fighters have started slowly flying just within the boundaries of Rudon national waters . . .

(Post by Green Union)

[Allanea]

Official Statement from the Free Kingdom Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The government of Seveville has had the temerity to accuse the government of Altos and Stratis of launching missiles against its genocidal blockade. We cannot make any statements on behalf of that government, however we will make a statement on behalf of the Free Kingdom of Allanea: we have, in fact, launched anti-air and anti-ship missiles against elements of the genocidal blockade. We will continue to launch missiles against elements of the genocidal blockade, and we will continue making attempts to breach the genocidal blockade, to dismantle it, to bring down the ships that are participating in it, until the genocidal blockade ends and food, medication, blankets, children's toys, and so forth flow freely into Oceania.

Even if we assume – which we in no way do – that the government of Seveville had some kind of legitimate grievance against the Oceanian government, it had voided any claims of legitimacy when it engaged in a policy of genocide against that country, by attempting to bring about starvation and death on a massive scale, which is clearly disproportionate in terms of the damage which the Oceanian government has been accused of having inflicted.

No resolution of the conflict is possible without an end to the genocidal blockade of Oceania by Seveville. Until that time, we hope that more of the world's nations, and particularly those of Markion, move out against the Sevevilleans, fire missiles against their aircraft and ships, and hopefully inflict as much damage as possible with those missiles.

* * *

As this announcement was made, the Allanean carrier battlegroups were still en route to the region. They could still not participate in the violence. Yet the submarines – the FKS Sea Snake and its sister ship, the FKS Mongoose were now moving quietly back to the shores of Oceania.

At the shore of Altos and Stratis, fighter aircraft patrolled diligently, each armed with two long-range anti-radiation missiles – to be fired as soon as an AWACS aircraft appeared – and two long-range air-to-air missiles. The Killbox was now even more harshly protected, the three batteries of air defense missiles firing on any hostile aircraft that got into range.

Within the country, the atomic-powered cargo planes continued to shift weaponry into the country – this time, another regiment of fighter planes had been moved in.

All were waiting for the arrival of the carrier battlegroups, which were soon expected to arrive.

[The Green Union]

After being set back one day, the Kamooko Pact’s Exercise: GREEN WEST kicked off today in earnest with the training force of RRF and KP troops now successfully making the maneuver from Mountain Hill to their live fire range in the Greater Albatan woodlands. There they conducted combat training simulating what they would do in the event of a military crisis, including digging trenches, establishing and camouflaging bivouacs, and ambushing a series of static and remotely operated targets. A great deal of the activity was on and around the Albatopolis river, a major North-South waterway running from the Albatanian heartland, through the capital of Albatopolis, and past the Northern Albatanian border. Here the soldiers dug into positions along the banks and engaged a number of plywood, remotely operated gunboats being sailed south.

Kamooko Pact and Rapid Reaction Force officials have commented on the extreme importance of bushcraft skills for any soldiers intending to operate in Albatan. With the main means of transportation between Albatanian cities being the elevated monorail, the small island’s defence doctrine has long relied on putting these exposed bridges out of action and forcing an invader to move via the narrow, winding, often unpaved forest roads. Exercise: GREEN WEST is largely about ensuring the competence of Albatanian and international forces in operating under such conditions.

(Image)
RRF troops on maneuver in Greater Albatan, making use of Parks Service j

Despite the exercise barely having begun, officials are already commenting on the invaluable work done by the Albatanian Parks Service in support of military forces. The APS already has guided regular forces to obscure locations, provided maneuver and logistical support with their dedicated offroad vehicles, and displayed a superior grasp of bushcraft in helping regular forces to establish their bivouacs and fighting positions.

Many reporters observing the exercise have similarly praised the APS for its professionalism and competence in operating through the rough terrain, but alleged that this is in contrast to the regular RRF. The front line Albatanian troops, many have said, are largely [in]competent at operating in their own woodlands. An article by AMPE News, which as an organization has grown more critical of the Albatanian government after the Great Loss, pulled no punches, in one snippet saying:

Our military policemen are lazy kids who hate early mornings, can’t stand little mosquitoes, and find any excuse to avoid manual labor. When they’re standing next to our allies, you have to wonder if it isn’t time to dissolve the RRF altogether, and hand control of our defenses to the Kamooko Pact.

Exercise: GREEN WEST has concluded early today on the island of Albatan, after Rapid Reaction Force soldiers used up their one day supply of live ammunition provided for that portion of the exercise. The rest of the exercise was to be played out using laser training equipment, as RRF, APS, and local police engaged in a scenario pitting them against an imaginary invader. This has been cancelled, however, as the Albatanian government and Kamooko Pact have become more alarmed with the crisis around the island.

Despite a generally critical media response to the exercise, Kamooko Pact officials defended their sponsorship of Exercise: GREEN WEST, saying that, even shortened, it was a valuable capability assessment which will allow the alliance to plot paths for reform and improvement in future.

In the meantime, Rapid Reaction Force soldiers have been placed back on their normal duties, at a heightened state of alert.

[Sevevill]

Lt. John Davis, 1st Kings Own 1st Marines, Southeastern of September Island:

“Come on, you dumb fucks!” Davis yelled, grabbing one of his huddling soldiers and propelling the kid forward, “We’ve got islanders to kill!”

The first fire from the defenders had left his troops scattered, but this Sevevillian lieutenant was no pansy. He had shot his way through too many countries to let himself be beaten by a bunch of backwards island people.

“Fix bayonets,” he yelled, “and follow me!”

Their initial assault was slower than anticipated. So slow, in fact, that Davis half wanted to just stand tall for the enemy machine gunners and spare himself the humiliation of having to engage in such a sad excuse for a charge. Still, esprit de corps can only carry a unit so far, and the hundred meters to the closest seafront houses wasn’t going to be covered at a sprint. They moved slowly, under cover from eachother, launching copious amounts of grenades to suppress the enemy and racking up more than their fair share of casualties in return.

But all that changed when the enemy barricade in front of them suddenly exploded into the sky.

Even before the debris of scrap metal and splintered wood started raining down around them, men were whooping and hollering. “Fuck yeah! Flyboys will always have our backs!”

They approached quicker, as more and more airstrikes hit the enemy defenders. By the time they reached the village’s first line of beachfront houses, there was barely a shot being fired in retaliation. Davis’ troops met up with others from the First Kings Own, and their elite unit, pride of the Sevevillian Empire, swept through the settlement. The local soldiers were thrown into a panic and slaughtered, and pretty soon the troops were on the highest hill in town, watching as one of the lucky privates, still under fire, climbed onto the roof of a house and raised the first Sevevillian flag over September Island soil.

(Post by Green Union)

Lt. John Davis, 1st Kings Own 1st Marines, Southeastern Coast of September Island:

“Let’s go, keep the tanks moving! You’re causing a backup!” Davis yelled over the commotion. These narrow fishing port streets were not built to accommodate an invasion force, and already mere congestion was slowing them down more than the actual defenders.

This wasn’t made much better by the fact that the enemy had erected barricades all over the place. Davis was a bit sceptical as to whether the average local had actually consented to having their furniture, car, and kitchen sink used to block roads and alleys. As far as he was concerned now, the Kamooko Pact had been influenced the islanders to turn against themselves in a desperate bid to hold onto this rock. The sooner Sevevill made it to September City and put an end to this, the better.

A Sevevillian Imperial M1 tank is unloaded onto September Island after the securing of several port towns

(Post by Green Union)

[Republic of Altos and Stratis]

---

To: Kamooko Pact Strategic Communications Office
From: Henricus Maro, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Altos and Stratis
Subject: Kamooko Pact ascension and cooperation talks

---

To whom it may concern,

The Republic of Altos and Stratis would like to express its interest in undertaking talks with the KP (Kamooko Pact) on further cooperation and discuss the ascension of the republic to a full alliance member.

Sincerely,

Henricus Maro
Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Republic of Altos and Stratis

[Durradon]

Cpl. Conner Keller. Atlas Agent. In the penthouse

He looked over
"Oh yes I do, And I fully agree. Change is greatly important... not just for the empire but for your nation and Markion as a whole. This entrance into the KP is one that should unnerve the population of this society. One of great pride and respect. And could possibly affect the trade agreements the Empire already has with your nation. And I hope this partnership will befit both of our nations. "

Ryune, Katno Ward, Zaishazhon Tower
Kei Feng

"Indeed." Feng passed him his drink, dipping his finger in it behind the table before handing it over. Feng then drank from his own drink as did the Sevevillian. "This deal has certainly has been beneficial to the 54i, but I must say, what were you planning to do after we rose to power?" The Sevevillian frowned, not sure what the clan leader meant. "That is, of course, assuming that we aren't already in control." Conner yawned and struggled to keep sat up straight, but he tried to say something in retort although his words slurred. Feng took pleasure in this. "This little secret operation will be safe in the hands of my government, your weapons will be safe in the MKAZ and your money will be safe in my bank. Thank you for doing business with us, Seve, however I'm afraid this deal is no longer beneficial to you." Conner slumped to the ground, unconscious. Feng smiled at the body and then softly said to himself, "Implying it was beneficial, to begin with..." the Durranese man took another sip of his drink.

---

Sevevillian Coup Attempt Uncovered

Early this week, Confederate Security (CONSEC) uncovered a plot to overthrow the current government and replace it with a Sevevillian puppet government. It is unknown at this time how they were to go about this but Sevevillian special forces agents were found in the country which led to the discovery of an entire network of agents, all Sevevillian. Most fled the country or went to ground and CONSEC is currently rooting them out, but one agent was caught and now in CONSEC custody. The Prime Minister commented, saying that it was one thing to attack Durranese merchant ships, but to attempt to attack Durradon on its own soil is truly a great violation. The confederate government will be bringing these concerns to the Kamooko Pact and are encouraging all member states to look to their own nations for Sevevillian agents.

The CSD has further cut trade deals with Sevevill, blocked all flights coming to and from the nation, and have expunged the Sevevillian embassy until further notice. Confederate Defence Forces are on the road to full mobilisation with current forces at 75% capability. Quick reaction forces have already begun to patrol the CSD's coasts in anticipation of an invasion from the South West Bloc, now growing larger with every passing day, finding allies in unlikely places.

The Confederate government is also thanking and congratulating the NWA and Rudony for joining the war against the SWB, surely the more political pressure put under Sevevill will force them to concede.

[Rudony]

Empress of Rudony Furious, Joins Pro-UCSO coalition

The Empress of Rudony has expressed her utmost disappointment and anger at the Sevevillian government for their actions. In a statement, Empress Andraste had this to say:

"My people are dying of plague, we asked Markion for an answer to our plight and so few nations came to our aid. And now, the Empire of Sevevill sends its navy not to assist our people, but they send a fleet to threaten us. I will tolerate this kind of reckless behaviour no longer. From this moment, I officially supporting the freedom of September Island and the UCSO. I will not go to war with Sevevill, but if they attack us we will be ready respond tenfold."

After her speech, the Empress ordered the full mobilization of the Rudon navy at Hewylthelnr Naval Base on Hewyl Island, one of the few islands not affected by the plague. A quick reaction force has been sent out to deal with any Sevevillian ship that enters Rudon waters while the full fleet mobilizes. Some Rudon officials have expressed concern that starting a war with Sevevill will be detrimental to the recovery of the Rudon people during this time of strife. However, the Empress has assured her people that this conflict will be a short one and she hopes Sevevill will capitulate soon.

The government of Sevevill has taken Rudony’s protests to signal a hidden agenda. Most likely, the island’s government has been secretly supporting Oceania and its rogue allies for quite some time, and is now panicking that Sevevill will learn of their treachery.

The Imperial government has warned Rudony and its government that a declaration of allegiance with the pro-UCSO coalition will be seen as an act of military aggression, and while they will give the island the benefit of the doubt for now, they will expect a retraction of that statement and an end to further provocations in order to truly respect their neutrality.

In the meantime, two unarmed SG-80N fighters have started slowly flying just within the boundaries of Rudon national waters . . .

(Post by Green Union)

The quick reaction force deployed to stave off Sevevillian attacks quickly shot down the Imperial invasion of Rudon airspace with little hesitation. The Rudon Empress has stated that any further violation of Rudon airspace, waters or land will be met with force and declaration of war for such transgressions. The Empress also commented that she will allow the Sevevillians back off now and that this situation will be forgiven and forgotten if the Sevevillian fleet backs off now. With enough time now given, the Rudon navy has mobilised and has sent a full-sized fleet of their force towards the Sevevillian fleet, stopping at Rudon national waters.

The Rudon government has further called Markion Union members to a meeting to discuss the current regional crisis.

[Sjovenia]

Autocratic News Source

Early today MSAF fighters scrambled to intercept a lone Fighter Jet from the Sevevillian Fleet. Strike one of two was crossed as the lone jet was escorted back to international Air Space. After much deliberation following a meeting called by the ASAF the Minister of Foreign Affairs declared it would no longer be supporting ASAF goals and missions from a military stand point.

“I am shocked at the lack of a response from the ASAF and expected better from our allies. From this moment forward we will no longer be supporting the ASAF militarily nor shall we expect any military support. The Minister of Foreign Affairs went on to say that despite the shift in alliances terms were relatively good if not neutral. “Our goals were simply not being met” he ended his speech.

In other news, Diplomats from both Genovika and Slaveška celebrated the opening of the “Drejveškan Canal” which was completed in 1932. Shortly after it’s independence in 1926 Genovika set out to make a name for itself. Civil Engineers from both nations pondered at the river between them, at its narrowest a whopping 3 foot creek, and at its widest 37 miles. After much talk and deliberation an agreement was struck and ground breaking work was started. The widening of the Canal was a huge undertaking and was ultimately completed in 1932. Diplomats celebrated the 103rd Anniversary of its completion with Champaign and dinner as well as a private boat outing on the canal.

We’ll be right back after this commercial break to talk to you about the Anavokyan conflict and in an hour find out about what you need to be prepared for this upcoming winter season!

[The Green Union]

Lt. John Davis, 1st Kings Own 1st Marines, Southeastern Coast of September Island:

“Let’s go, keep the tanks moving! You’re causing a backup!” Davis yelled over the commotion. These narrow fishing port streets were not built to accommodate an invasion force, and already mere congestion was slowing them down more than the actual defenders.

This wasn’t made much better by the fact that the enemy had erected barricades all over the place. Davis was a bit sceptical as to whether the average local had actually consented to having their furniture, car, and kitchen sink used to block roads and alleys. As far as he was concerned now, the Kamooko Pact had been influenced the islanders to turn against themselves in a desperate bid to hold onto this rock. The sooner Sevevill made it to September City and put an end to this, the better.

(Image)
A Sevevillian Imperial M1 tank is unloaded onto September Island after the securing of several port towns

(Post by Green Union)

“Hold the harbourfront as long as we can with the forces already there. We can’t sacrifice our heavy weapons this early on.”

Maj. Liso Glace, Souteastern September Island:

Things were beginning to go very poorly on September Island. The Sevevillians had their toehold, and despite their main forces still being bottled up due to the poor infrastructure of their landing sites, a few light infantry units were continuing to advance almost as quickly as they could march. The SIDF was in full retreat, quickly breaking from every hasty battle line even when attacked by inferior enemies. Only the human limitation of their legs and bellies had stopped them coving the entire island by now.

Their jeep convoy raced back as quickly as possible towards September City. Once there, they would need to prepare a defence to buy time. They had to hold out until . . . well, all they could hope for was that something would happen to turn the tide.

“Get me on the line with Captain Brayfield.” Liso muttered, rubbing her eyes. Most of the command had tried to get at least a bit of sleep over the last day and a half of fighting, but their major had had no such luxury. A mix of coffee and duty was the only thing keeping this island from falling.

“Ma’am? Came the steady voice of the Captain across their spotty radio, “The demolitions are almost complete. The fuel stores are primed to blow, and we’ve chopped up, buried, or crushed as many small arms as possible, though a lot of locals have kept coming to take them too.”

“What about the airfields?” Glace tried to suppress a yawn, “You had that job.”

“It’s going to be hard to get them back in operation. We tried digging some holes, but it took too long. Now they’ve got lots of burned out vehicles and other junk nailed into them. Should be out of action for a few days.”

This, at least, was good news “Okay, okay, so finish up with that. Then I need you to get-“

Out of nowhere, three of the vehicles ahead of them exploded. Metal shards shattered glass in their jeep. A spray of blood went everywhere.

“Airstrike!” someone yelled.

“Get us out of here!”

But the police officer driving them did no such thing. He was slumped over the wheel, blood and other bodily materials dripping to the floor. Another bomb landed. The jeep was thrown into the air.

---

Capt. Marcus Brayfield, September City, September Island:

There were screams and then silence. Despite his desperate calls, Major Glace did not speak to him again. The line was dead.

Marc just stared forward, refusing to take the receiver away from his ear. It was the unseeing sort of gaze, devoid of understanding. If he had been awake he may have even enjoyed the sight. The sun was shining in what was shaping up to be a gorgeous morning, with the light reflecting off the nearby brick towers of September City. If he was awake, Marc may have seen some resemblance to the view from his street back in Warm Bay, Urlistan.

Actually, thinking of Urlistan right now may not be ideal either.

The Green Union officer did not know how long he stood there, staring without seeing, before he was lightly touched on the shoulder by someone else. He started.

“Um, sir?” The young soldier said, “New orders?”

“Yes. Blow all the charges. Now.”

His subordinate started at the curtness. “But Major Glace said to only do that if Sevevillians appeared or we lost contac-“

“I know what she said, and we’re following those orders. Now destroy everything of military value on this rock.”

[Allanea]

The Killbox

The Allanean warships were now entering their destination. They were in a hurry now – every day of delay, hundreds would die. They had approached their target in complete radio silence, and it would only be here that they would begin to make their presence felt.

The decoy launchers fired on each ship, and suddenly, around the Allanean ships, inflatable grey objects, for the world like gaming dice, began to appear. If one were observing from a radar satellite, it would be as if the strait began to suddenly fill up with ships of all sizes – dozens of them. On the escort ships, electronic warfare officers put their hands on the grey metal of the dashboards, and soon enough, jammers came alive, broadcasting on every known Sevevillean radio and radar frequency – making it much tougher for planes to communicate with their home bases and detect their targets.

The two air defense cruisers now stood at the entrance to the Killbox, and their launch ranges overlapped firmly with those of the other ships, and of course with those of the Oceanian and Altosian air defenses on the shore. The radar on those ships could detect an AWACS aircraft – even if its radar was off – long before that aircraft could detect the ship itself. And if it did – then, obviously, a ground-to-air missile would be fired.

* * *

Altos and Stratis

The engines of dozens of aircraft howled in concert on a dozen airbases. Cargo planes and fighter jets began taking off, and the enormous nuclear-powered aircraft began their takeoff procedures – first taking off on conventional jet engines, then switching on their reactors when they were a thousand meters in the air. Those planes were now going East. As they approached the Killbox, the planes began to launch decoys – dozens and dozens of decoys.

Even if the Allaneans were not, wisely, jamming the Sevevillean frequencies, a radar operator would be given the full impression that there would be far more planes than there actually were. To add to the confusion, the fighter escorts dropped out chaff – massive clouds of aluminum strips forming over the strait.

To their Aumanii and Altosian allies, the Allaneans sent a simple message:

Let's go.

.



OOC:

Battlegroup composition:

x1 aircraft carrier (FKS Tsunami and FKS Hurricane). Unfortunately I have had an accident consume my Navy ORBATs but please assume these carriers to be about 110 thousand ton displacement each, and broadly similar to US CVNs in size and purpose).
x1 Mogami-class air defense cruiser
x1 Pijl-class arsenal ships
x1 Type 69 Nuclear Powered Frigate
x1 SSN (FKS Kalandia and FKS Stalwart)

[Sevevill]

Seve City Tellagraph

Imperial Forces Declare War on Anavokia as Tensions rise

Today Sevevill has declared war on the nation of Anavokia even during their ongoing battle in the UCSO. General Oyibo Talolc being placed in charge of operations of Sevevillian troops and hostilities in Dyaristan start to dwindle. Imperial soldiers mostly coming from USC will be tasked with de-throneing the communist regime currently in Anavokia. Although the public is starting to wonder if the Empire has bit off more than it can chew.

Imperial Marins loaded into a SG-14 type small troop transport plane.

[Auman]

The call came abruptly and the crews were running with little downtime as it was. The flights were constant and fatigue had set in days ago. Air Base Tarek Byalach was hardly more than a smooth strip of pavement surrounded by bivouacs and portables. A latticework tower served as the air control center for Aumanii operations in the region. Thousands of troops and support personnel were milling around, many of them were without work to do despite the monumental task before them... Supplies just weren't coming in fast enough. Food was sourced from local markets, coming from as far away as the capital. It was expensive, but not a problem. Some of the men went ahead and began pooling cash to buy concrete and lumber, tools, nails and insulation to build small cottages for themselves. Each would pitch in to build a comfortable shack that could house three or four comfortably, they'd rotate out of the beds while they built more. There was some hope that they would be reimbursed, but it was unlikely. All priority was given to the transport missions, administration couldn't worry about Byalachsville now.

The lifters were being run ragged and there was no luxury of anything beyond basic preventative maintenance. They were loaded with bags, handbombed into the hold by lines of troopers, filling every available square inch with rice. The canvas sacks were unadorned aside from 'CCC', denoting the quality of the feed. In less than an hour after work began, the tired crews had emerged from their cat naps taking to the sky once more. Si-22MK air superiority fighters forged ahead and followed behind in wide formations to cover the strategic lifters... Which were at their most vulnerable during aerial refueling, which they needed to do a couple of times during the sortie, once on the way across the kill box and another time on the way back.

The Si-22 was a big plane, meant for range and payload. She wasn't the most maneuverable platform, but she was stable and each one was capable of carrying more than a dozen missiles, and most did, with only a few running light for interception duties. They were relying on their early warning aircraft to give them enough lead time to catch any Sevevillains with their pants down and drive a couple of A-7 Hummingbirds up their tailpipes. It was in the trail position of the air convoy that Captain Denk 'Wizard' Hapsford, mission commander for the air intercept squadron, was located. His backseater had his eye on the scopes, Denk was scanning the sky with a classic detection system, his eyes. Things were quiet so far. The Aumanii air superiority squadron was strong, Denk had a lot of planes around him and his Brother Allanean weren't far off either. He felt confident, but this could be shattered at any moment... Because the only constants in this universe were death and movement, he was sure that those things could play against him at a whim.

Naturally, he wanted a fight. If he were the sort of man that wanted comfort or safety, he'd have gone to a civilian flight school and flew for the airlines. Denk was a warrior and he wanted to be in combat. He wanted to test his mettle against the enemy and kill them. It sounded crazy when you tried to explain it to a civilian, he could never tell his wife why he really liked to fly... God forbid his kids learn too young. So he tended to focus on the freedom he felt behind the stick, which was true. But the reality was, the man yearned for the challenge of an opponent that would face him in the deadliest game. An opponent that he would kill in combat and provide the honor of a good death... Concepts that seemed outdated and barbaric, surely, but had never truly left the human soul, nor did Denk believe that they ever could.

War, conflict, the taking of another man's life in pursuit of freedom, ideals, material gain or even for the sheer pleasure of killing, were intrinsic to humanity. So Denk concealed this truth from the ones who loved him and only dared share it with his brothers in arms who could understand him... Or at least had the clarity to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that these truths, however self evident to them, were the only ones that mattered.

[Treko]

Imperskiy News

News for you

---

Following a week-long deliberation between High-Chancellor Yaroslav Tsvetkov and the Trekkish Parliament, it was announced earlier today that the United Federation of Treko would be leaving the Allied Security and Assistance Force or ASAF. Insiders within the Parliament pointed to the Anavokyan Conflict as a reason for leaving the ASAF. This was confirmed earlier today when High-Chancellor Yaroslav Tsvetkov talked about the matter via a conference at the capital following the end of the week-long deliberation.

"There's no point of skimming around the reason as to why Treko is leaving the ASAF. The response required for the Anavokyan matter was not there nor was it met. The lack of response from the ASAF is astounding when the GRA itself is in charge of it. When it came down to it the real ally of Treko was the Autocratic nation of Slaveška. Our nation will always be grateful to have such an ally on our western borders... From here on out, Treko will no longer be supporting ASAF military operations. On the other hand, I would like to give my thanks to the Empire of Sevevill who took an aggressive approach against the communist nation of Anavokya. Their help is truly appreciated."

[Phoenxia]

It was, 2020, gloomy day at the University of Dreyfus, Jordi Maleov walked into an internet cafe to study for his aerophysics class. He walked in upon none other than his girlfriend, Ecorce, sitting with girls he had never seen before. He snuck up behind her and gave her a peck on the cheek.
She said quietly, in usual nature “Hey Jordi, this is Erika and Rose.”
He sat down, and said “Interesting names, where are we from here?
Rose zealously replied with, “I am a local, Erika is from Pygros.” She then countered the question with, “That is a strange accent, where are you from?”
“You know where Drejveška is, right?”
She nodded.
“I am from a small country called Phoenixia, in a city called Atogrev.”

***

“God whatever happened to Erika and Rose? It has been damn near 15 years,” he thought to himself.
“Oi, Maleov, the Xekkies are attacking OP Kesseat again, gear up!” He saw Sergeant Kiežki out of the corner of his eye waving him to get moving.
Jordi grabbed his rifle and gear rig and ran, there was an APC waiting, a young conscript, no older than 19 pulled him up on top. “First time, kid?”
“Yes, M’sergensk,” Jordi saw the fear in his eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna let those Xekkies hurt you or anyone, I always come back with ALL my men.”
The convoy of mixed vehicles of varying ages moved along the battered street of Vilak Modona. Gunfire erupted as the APC in front of them was hit by a dumbfire rocket. “Sches, Sches!” the platoon leader started panicking over the radio.
“Xekkies, three o’clock,” Jordi yelled to his squad. He started talking to his radioman, Yuri. “If we don’t get shit in here, we will all die, we are obviously outnumbered.”
Yuri’s hands were shaking while punching in the numbers for Air Command, “Yeah, shit, Jesus died upon the cross for this shit.”
For a moment, there was a blank crackle on the radio, it was broken by “Air Command, state your position and callsign.”
“This is eagle black 1-2. We got fuckin’ Xekkies on us in sector bravo-3-4-delta. Requesting immediate air support.”
“Eagle Black 1-2, that is a negative, we have no planes in your sector, you will have to wait,” the crackled voice was broken by Yuri screaming over the radio.
“Many men will die if you don’t get a damn plane over here, do you copy?”
“I will see what I can do, over.” there was a long silence. “We have an X-12 headed your way, ETA is fifteen minutes, copy.”
Jordi called out, “fifteen minutes boys! Just hold em back!” He leveled his sights on the head of a Xekniyan insurgent, he didn’t even look like a man, he looked like Jordi’s kid brother, but in his adrenaline filled rage he let off a burst of five shots, mangling the face of the poor soul.
Within five minutes, screams of the wounded filled the air; somewhat even drowning out gunfire. The ammo stores of an infantry fighting vehicle a little bit ahead exploded a few minutes later as Jordi was struggling to keep his men organized and Yuri kept checking in for status.
Finally, the sound of saving grace had arrived; the droning buzz of an X-12. It strafed the enemy positions and dropped some sort of incendiary device. Jordi could see the wounded insurgents fleeing, but as their own saving grace one raised his rifle, and fired. It hit the young conscript square in the forehead.
The battered convoy returned to the main operating base. Jordi was silent, Yuri comforted him saying, “It wasn’t your fault man.” To Jordi, it was his fault. He had not fulfilled his promise to protect his men.

***

Jordi simply could not sleep that night. He finally broke the barrier and drifted off into a dream. He saw the figure of a woman walking towards him. It was unmistakable; it was Eco.
“It wasn’t your fault, Jordi,” she was stroking his cheek, he could almost feel the sensation of her smooth palm. The words of her voice echoed in his mind.
He leaned in to kiss her, but her image was vaporized in a blinding light. Just before him then, was the private, hole in head saying “Why, sergensk, why did I have to die?”