O Beautiful, For Heroes Proved, In Liberating Strife.

by **The Great state of Joseon** » Sun Apr 16, 2023 6:06 am

North America
New York

When 24 B-90A Condor bombers, 48 F-15K fighters, and 48 F-35A fighters landed at LaGuardia Airport, Air Force soldiers diligently guided the aircraft to the hangar. After arriving at LaGuardia Airport via airports in Singapore, India, Turkey and France, 60 Air Force aircraft began preparing to participate in future air operations in North America.

Hours after the aircraft landed, 4 C-17 transport planes landed at the airport carrying military supplies and personnel. 3 C-17 transport planes had military supplies, and the other one had air force mechanics and General Sung Hanseok on board.

Sung Hanseok, commander of the 17th Fighter Wing, was on his way to New York voluntarily for field command. During the flight, he heard that a meeting between Joseon and Meridon was being held at a hotel in Manhattan, and as soon as the transport plane landed at the airport, he took a K-151 Light Tactical Vehicle to the hotel.

North America
New York, Manhattan

Meanwhile, General Adrian Quaritch, Lieutenant Colonel Lee Gon, and Colonel Joo Seyon got off the helicopter immediately and headed for the executive lounge as the MUH-1 Surion helicopter landed at the heliport on the hotel's roof. They went into the room after proving their identity to the military police.

General Ironwood and his staff were waiting in the room.

General Adrian Quaritch

"General Ironwood. Nice to meet you. I am Lieutenant General Adrian Quaritch, commander of the Joseon Marine Corps and general manager of the Joseon military in this operation."

Adrian Quaritch introduced two people next to him.

General Adrian Quaritch

"This is Colonel Joo Seyon, captain of the flagship of the Joseon fleet. And this is Lieutenant Colonel Lee Gon. He is also the younger brother of the current constitutional leader of Joseon, Empress Lee Dam."

Adrian Quaritch pointed to soldiers installing two monitors in the room.

General Adrian Quaritch

"The Minister of National Defense couldn't come here. So she will conduct a video conference through an Internet connection. Also, there are currently aircraft from three Air Force units in New York, two of which commanders will attend the meeting. One has just arrived in New York, and one will attend a video conference."

Adrian Quaritch continued in a confident tone.

General Adrian Quaritch

"Of course, the decision-making authority of the Joseon military rests with the Minister of National Defense and me. You may speak to the Minister on important matters, or you may speak to me."

Adrian Quaritch asked General Ironwood to shake hands.

With Joseon's second fleet approaching New York via the Panama Canal and a third fleet arriving at the Panama Canal, the government of Joseon decided to use the air force's transport planes to supply supplies to facilitate follow-up support for its troops. To facilitate the operation, the government consulted with the governments of Singapore, India, Turkey, and France, the countries that the planes would travel through.

Meanwhile, a media company in Joseon cooperated with a poll company to investigate public opinion on participation in the war. The poll was conducted through landlines, wireless, and the Internet, with 53% in favor of participating in the war, 32% against it, and 15% saying they were not sure.

There is still more public opinion in favor of participating in the war. But there's quite a lot of opposition, and no one knows how public opinion will change if the war gets longer.

To emphasize the legitimacy of the participation in the war, the government conducted a public statement by the prime minister and distributed materials summarizing Incelastan's atrocities to the public through the government's website. This may quell immediate opposition, but its long-term effect remains unknown.

North America
New York

Joseon's ground troops built temporary barracks and moved equipment into the park. Soon after, armed soldiers began to guard the park's surroundings, and Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Kissena Park became access control areas.

Joseon soldiers took a short break after the construction of the temporary barracks. Of course, even at that moment, the soldiers guarding the parks remained vigilant. They carried non-lethal weapons in case of access by ordinary citizens, but they also carried lethal weapons such as rifles and pistols just in case.

It wasn't just the parks that the soldiers were guarding. The surrounding area of LaGuardia Airport was also guarded by Joseon soldiers, and the airport was more suitable than parks for soldiers because of its large runway and large area. Of course, it was difficult to protect the airport as it was large, so the troops guarding the airport were supported by K1A2 tanks and K22 infantry fighting vehicles.

by **Unoccupied New York** » Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:16 am

New York Hilton Midtown,
Manhattan, New York

The Commonwealth staff were a little behind their counterparts, largely due to last-minute work and such, with Secretary of Defense Arnold Van Nuys finishing up the directives implementing the newly passed conscription act that had been rushed through the General Assembly and signed by Governor Watson into law. All able-bodied citizens, of both sexes, would be subject to this, though with the law now being unisex, pregnancy was added to deferment criteria. While some folks might object to that on grounds of allowing women a loophole, the vast majority of public officials agreed that prenatal care and health made this requirement essential. Postpartum recovery and depression were also included in deferment criteria. Women in these conditions were in no shape for combat, anyway.

First of the Commonwealth delegation, arriving in a Volkswagen, Secretary of the Defense Arnold Van Nuys appeared to be in a great hurry to catch up. He wore a plain, navy blue business suit, a Commonwealth seal pinned to his sports jacket. His dress shirt was pure white, his necktie black and very professional. His shoes were polished brown leather, laced up and orderly. His short, carefully trimmed hair was swept backwards, not hiding his receding hairline in the least. He was clean-shaven to boot. In short, he looked like a standard-issue, classic, mainstream politician or civil servant. That was the precise aesthetic and ethos that he wished to convey, of course. He was...normal. That was the point, that normalcy, which was the message that he intended to present, the correct image of him. His staff mostly copied him, even if a few of his male staffers had mustaches or goatees and some of his female staff had dyed hair or wore pantsuits instead of blouses and skirts. Otherwise, they were a very neat, professional-looking crew.

Both Generals Irving Markowitz and Andrew Reilly dressed in full dress uniform, neat, also professional, officers and gentlemen to the core. While obviously somewhat conservative in their outlook in certain ways than the ostensibly more progressive administration that they served, they didn't appear eager to undercut their boss, the Secretary of Defense. They were clean-shaven, Markowitz had a buzz and Reilly had a crewcut, they only took off their visor caps as they entered the hotel and were ushered inside with their staff. They definitely looked like military brass, no question of that, sharp and serious. Reilly's visual difficulties were covered by discreet readers, nothing visible at first sight. They were, in short, classic American generals from pre-apocalyptic times, a link to New York's past as part of the old Union. The military staff with them were sharp and stern at this time, but not unpleasant.

Vice-Admiral Elaine Kirkwood wore a full Navy dress uniform with a regulation blouse and skirt, though she had bifocals and her hair was pageboy style. She frankly resembled a naval staff or intelligence officer rather than a senior flag officer, probably due to her rise through the Norfolk operations ranks. Yet she was the official superior of these two generals, answering directly to Secretary Van Nuys in her Chief of Staff capacity. She wasn't sure if she would stick out too much as a woman, secretly hoping that at least one other woman would be part of one of those delegations so that she didn't stand out too much. Yet she did her best to convey seriousness, maturity, and professionalism rather than the stereotypical "entitlement" mentality often invoked by the enemy's propaganda. She was a naval officer, after all, had attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, had received her initial commission from Congress, and had been an officer in the United States Navy for most of her career. She had taken her oath of allegiance to the now defunct Constitution of the United States. She was too practical to wear high heels, of course, and those would only counter her serious ethos, conveying the whole "princess" persona that she wished to avoid. Flats were good enough, both for her and for any ladies on her staff who were also very professional.

There was, in short, almost nothing to indicate that these guys were anything different from the old days of the fallen American Republic. Almost. Kirkwood didn't wear pantyhose, though, because she had a runner at the last minute and had to dispose of them. That alone made her self-conscious, but she did her best to act as if nothing was amiss. It was pure bluff and she hoped that she pulled it off. Secretary Van Nuys alone noticed, but said and did nothing to suggest it. He was recently divorced and fond of the ladies, sure, but he would never comment in an unprofessional manner, especially not one that would make a valued, respected admiral feel uncomfortable in the least. He wasn't an incel, after all. He respected the rights of all New Yorkers, men and women alike, but especially an honorable flag officer like that, a helpful member of the team.

And he increasingly thought of it as his "team," including the two line officers as well as the Chief of Staff.

"Thank you for your presence and the invitation, folks. I'm Arnold Van Nuys, Secretary of Defense of the Commonwealth of New York, and this is Vice-Admiral Elaine Kirkwood, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, this is Brigadier General Andrew Reilly, Commander of Second Corps, and Brigadier General Irving Markowitz, Commander of the Third Corps. I appreciate that you agree that such a conference is essential to our mutual cause, and I especially extend the gratitude of the Governor and of the Commonwealth itself for making our war yours as well. Your stand with us at this critical time will never be forgotten," Van Nuys spoke solemnly as he introduced himself and the rest of his delegation.

by **Sombreland** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 2:05 pm

Galador, Sombreland
Now at that time in the Kingdom of Sombreland, King Orian IX lay ill, and some said, dying, in the great Palace of the Ouroboros, where servants moved silently on softly shod feed, and where hoary courtiers waited upon him. That palace was full of shadows, secrets, and whispers. But at the Gray Palace, there was life, light, and activity. At that place, the Princess-Regent, Alavaine, reigned in the stead of the King.

This Princess-Regent, Alavaine, The young princess had been thrust into her position at the early age of 20. Her father, Prince Halibane, died in a hunting accident. While the Prince did have siblings, the direct line of succession made Alavaine the next heir.

Alavaine had black hair, shining as a raven’s wing, and a brilliant complexion; a voluptuous eye, veiled by long lashes; delicate coral lips; a slender neck; a graceful, opulent figure, and concealed in a satin slipper a delicate foot. Even the most envious of the de Cressas are proud to see such a lovely flower flourishing in their soil, and those from the Provinces who returned home dazzled with her beauty if they had but seen her, and amazed at her knowledge if they had discoursed with her; for Alavaine was not only the loveliest, she was also the most erudite woman, having been schooled in the Royal Court by the most eminent scholars that could be obtained. She was known to be gentle in her normal manner, yet to have the quiet resolution and courage that her lineage had often possessed.

It was true that she was young, yet where she lacked knowledge and experience include military matters and law and order. She is well advised, in particular, by the elderly Chancellor, Grand Duke Pofolman, by the Minister of the Left, Prince Shaladew Kadav, and by Grand Admiral Lio Ivo Teroth, who headed the military directorship for the kingdom.

There were many cares before the state. First among them were the agricultural crisis the state had to deal with due to soil erosion and crop failures; the second was the refugee crisis as, over the [ast two decades, hundreds of thousands of refugees had fled the civil wars in Wenchuan. And the issue of modernization of the country was always looming. Since the 1990s there had been accelerated development, and new agreements had had to be forged to make this possible. One of these agreements was with the international organization known as ICON.

The Princess-Regent’s principal advisors now sat with her, with the Lady-Countess Carnelian standing silent in the background. For the meeting, the Princess-Regent wore a red down embroidered richly with gold thread, and gently petted a hyrax who sat in her lap while it munched studiously on carrots.

“Your Majestic Highness,” said the Chancellor in a rasping old voice, “Your reign has thus far met crisis upon crisis with great effectiveness. But it is observed that our involvement in ICON has largely been one of quiet support and great need. For we have received many offers to help with the refugee crisis and the agricultural crisis, and our alliance has been tested. And it is perceived that the Kingdom has needed ICON more than ICON has needed Sombreland. It is thus perceived, and it is therefore feared that this will ultimately be a loss of prestige. Prestige which cannot be underestimated if our country is to not be seen to be holding out a hand when it comes to further foreign investment and support.”

The Princess-Regent, Alavaine, stroked the soft fur of her pet but her lovely brow furrowed, and she looked thoughtful. “I wonder, gentlemen, if you have a recommendation about what to do about this?”

“Majestic Highness,” said Prince Shaladew Kadav, “I believe that Grand Admiral Teroth can explain the situation better than we can, and I shall encourage him to speak in a moment.” This prince was the Minister of the Left, overseeing a cabinet of directors of offices pertaining to dealing with matters outside of the Kingdom, and, in his dual role as Minister of Death, this also included the Director of Military Affairs, of which Grand Admiral Teroth was the head. The two men were in great contrast. Prince Shaladew Kadav was a rather sleepy man, pleasant to look upon, but always bored and tired when dealing with matters of state, which he saw as duty rather than a delight. His great delights were his gardens, the seashore, and his painting. Grand Admiral Teroth was a stern looking balding man with a bold stare, dark brows, and, though in his fifties, still neat and trim in figure and form.

“However,” continued Prince Shaladew Kadav, “I take it Your Majestic Highness has been briefed on the situation in Incelstan, and how it relates to a terrorist attack in Meridon?”

The Princess-Regent, Alavaine, looked very sad, and took in a deep breath. “I am aware. I have been briefed. I have been told of the suffering endured, and the loss of life. I have been searching for a good way to respond.”

“Excellent, Majestic Highness. The Director of Foreign Affairs has taken the liberty of drafting some ideas for statements, subject to your approval,” said Prince Shaladew Kadav, suppressing a yawn. “And now, I beg you to listen to the Grand Admiral.”

How innocent, pensive and calm were the blue eyes that looked upon the Grand Admiral, and how unaware they appeared to be of the impossible love the Grand Admiral held for his acting monarch! The aging sea warrior looked upon her and, as often he did, cursed himself for what he sometimes saw as an adolescent yearning. He had buried a wife five years before, and had felt he would never marry again. Now, as he looked at her, he felt, as he often had, that he must subordinate this yearning to devotion to duty.

“Majestic Highness,” he said, gruffly, “The first great act of state for your government was involvement in the Gyzantian Civil War. In that war, Your Majestic Highness demonstrated the will, compassion, and vision to deploy our forces with a great effectiveness that supported diplomacy and achieving an end to that conflict. I believe it is possible to do so again. I believe that Your Majestic Highness can offer forces to support Meridon, which is supported by Joseon, and that this will show that though it might not work on behalf of ICON directly, that it would be supporting two new ICON allies.

“The forces I think Sombreland can send would consist of the Royal Marine Division as well as the supporting amphibious squadron, of course. As I understand it, coastal positions in the territory of the enemy have been captured, and so there is likely to be port access, but of course that can be determined once Your Majestic Highness’ negotiations have begun. Currently, the Royal Marine Division is part of our strategic reserve, and can be easily prepared to embark. Both of our amphibious ships recently completed exercises and are nearly done rest and refit for their crews. It is a fine time, if I may say so, for such a force to set out.”

“I do not want anyone to get hurt though,” said the Princess[Regent, Alavaine, looking worried. “In Gyzantia, our Royal Marines were able to bravely land, make negotiations possible, and depart without a single casualty on any side. I would like to achieve that this time too.”

The men in the room were immediately making noises and words of agreement, though the Grand Admiral added, cautiously, “It may not be possible this time, Majestic Highness. The principal concerns were over legitimacy of governance, not over belief. This seems to be a more ideological conflict.”

“Yes, Grand Admiral, and so our forces must be prepared to fight, but must not be seeking to do so unless we have no other choice,” said the Princess-Regent, Alavaine. “And of course, they must not take foolish risks. Gentlemen, I must meet with the Death Council to decide on this.”

The Royal Sombreland Death Council met so that the ruler could hear all important views. War was not considered simply a foreign matter, but a domestic one, and a religious one. However, the three men had already spoken to members of the Ministries of Divinity, which concerned all sacred matters in the Kingdom, and to the officials in the Ministry of the Right, which controlled all domestic matters. It was strongly believed that the outcome of Sombreland’s involvement would be similar to what had taken place in Gyzantia, and would increase the Kingdom’s prestige. The plan proposed was well accepted.

To: President William Acton
From: Princess-Regent Alavaine de Cressa
Subject: Support in Time of Crisis
Encryption: Most Secret

Dear President Acton,

Not only as an ally, but also as a person of compassion, I am writing to express my great sorrow at the terrible loss your country has endured. My sorrow goes to all those who lost lives in Tullamarina, Togeta, Kohaku and in Helena Territory. While war is an unfortunate necessity at times, and, at times, it causes great suffering to civilians, to deliberately target them is evil and dishonorable. My government is prepared to help those who have sustained loss of family and property, as well as provide what help it can to the grieving.

My government is also prepared to do two things on behalf of your government as well.

The first is thisL I understand that you have stated that you have a policy of eradication towards the leadership of what is known as Incelstan, which I understand to be a revolutionary leadership intending to govern the country where they exist. I do understand that the dishonour of the conduct of that leadership in its instigation of terrorist attacks means that any promises they might make could not be regarded with trust. However, I would recommend that if they can be persuaded to negotiate, it would require many steps to indicate their surrender and agreement, including leaders being willing to surrender themselves as rebels against their lawful state. On the other hand, if they do not agree to negotiate, that can only support the cause of ending their revolution altogether, as they would have demonstrated that, even when offered mercy and fairness, they refused it. Of course, any terms discussed would naturally involve your government, the government that the revolutionaries are rebelling against, and the Empire of Joseon. My government would merely be making an opening offer to discuss terms of surrender, not leading negotiations.

Also, my government is prepared to offer forces to support yours against the revolutionaries. This would begin with the Royal Marine Division and supporting naval assets, with, possibly, others to follow. Please advise as to whether or not this would be welcome or helpful, and advise my government as to where they would be useful and what efforts they could contribute towards.

Again, my heart and compassion goes to your people.

I look forward to future correspondence,
Princess-Regent Alavaine de Cressa

by **Anagonia** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 8:29 pm

First National Flag of the Confederate States

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE from the PRESIDENT of the CONFEDERATE STATES of ANAGONIA

TO: All Parties Involved in the Incelastan Conflict
FROM: President Mileethus Canisilus; President of the Confederate States of Anagonia
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT CONDEMNATION of INCELASTAN

It has come to my attention following the events of the Battle for Long Island that the terrorist and rogue state known as the Masculist State of Incelastan has knowing conducted and operated in overt terrorist activities that have resulted in the loss of life of civilians within Federal Republic of Meridon. Meridon is an ally of the Confederate States through both non-alliance backroom and public agreements as well as through membership in the International Coalition of Nations. They are a beacon of truth, justice, and democratic principles and have the moral authority to determine the appropriate position in any conflict. After careful review with both the Confederate National Intelligence Agency and the Confederate States Military, my position on this conflict is clear. The Confederate States of Anagonia fully supports the position of the Federal Republic of Meridon and strongly condemns the terrorist and rogue state of Incelastan.

I have ordered the Confederate States Military to begin providing humanitarian relief supplies to our allies in the Federal Republic, to help assist and alleviate the consequences of the recent terrorist attacks. I have also ordered that all overseas bases controlled by the Confederate States be made available within a 24 hours notice to fully support, supply, rearm, and refit all Meridon Military Forces and allied forces assisting them to enable them quick and efficient turnarounds. This will effectively mean that all overseas land, sea, and air bases will stow away our force compliment temporarily to fully assist and the forces of the Federal Republic in their rightful war against this terrorist enemy. Furthermore, I have ordered all carrier task forces near the zones of engagements to begin procedures to allow their decks to make room for any allied air element that needs assistance. At this time I have forbidden the Confederate States Military from any direct involvement, as it appears that our allies in ICON have already stepped up to the plate to provide this assistance.

Let me be perfectly clear: My order to not be involved does not mean we will not be involved. It means we will get involved if required, but that we should take a more supportive role to all allied elements supporting the Meridon cause. Our role in this conflict will be to ensure a strategic victory by our allies by establishing, enabling, and continuing a rotating and active route of resupply to our allied friends and their forces. Any attack on these supply routes, any attack on any element from Anagonia, will be considered an act of war and retaliated against with full force and justice.

To further our commitment to the defense of Meridon and our allied forces, I have activated Naval Battle Fleet Forest Holloway and ordered Commodore Green to have his fleet make best speed to perimeter international waters that border the conflict zone in the former United States. While it will take some time for these forces to arrive, the very mention and suggestion of their intended presence should force enemies of ICON to rethink their involvement. This fleets presence, once arrived, will ensure a fixed commitment of Anagonian deterrence and protection to all supply convoys in the area as well as provisional support to allied forces.

I have further ordered the activation of two additional battle fleets, of which will be chosen by the Confederate States Navy, to assist in protection of anticipated supply convoys that require it. These two fleets will be announced by the Military only on an as-needed basis and I will not state their intentions or directions in this announcement.

The Confederate States of Anagonia stands firmly behind the Federal Republic of Meridon and our allied forces in ICON, as well as any nation that supports the Meridon cause. Our gates are open to you, our friends and allies in Meridon, and we stand ready to assist should you require our intervention. Blessings upon this righteous cause and Godspeed to our allied forces in ICON and Meridon.

With Firm Conviction,
Mileethus Canisilus
President of the Confederate States
Confederate States of Anagonia

by **Legatia** » Fri Apr 21, 2023 7:22 pm

Meridon Defense Forces
Officer Commanding, Combined Task Force Oak Hand (OC CTFOH)
Task Force Headquarters Group
-
The New York Hilton Midtown, New York City, New York- 1045H EST

The delegations of the Commonwealth and Joseon would be met at the door by pairs of officers to lead them in, their chest lapels indicating them to be OF3 and OF4 in ranks- Naval Lieutenants and Lieutenant Commanders, Army and Air Forces Captains and Majors, members of nascent headquarters staff group. From there, they were escorted through cordons of military policemen towards the elevators, thence to the executive lounge.

Guarding the door there were sets of rifle-armed MPs. The first to arrive, Joseon, was greeted by the security lead first, before entering into the room with General Ironwood and his staff. Alongside him were a number of staff officers, and combatant commanders. Not counting aides and adjutants, eleven Meridonian officers beyond Ironwood sat in the room. Army officers, making the plurality of the representation, occupied four seats to Ironwood's right, the Air Forces and Navy officers including the RMC officers sat to his left.

The officers present turned to greet Lieutenant General Quartich, the commanding officer of Joseon's contingent. Expecting that introductions would have to be made, Ironwood met them at the door, to introduce himself personally instead.

"Good morning, General. I assure you, the pleasure is mine. The members of my command staff will be introduced when the delegation from the Commonwealth arrive." Ironwood would turn to the younger officers, a Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel, one of them royalty.

"Colonel Joo Seyon, and Lieutenant Colonel Lee Gon, it's an honor to have you here. And as well, General Quartich, we will be glad to welcome your additional commanders. Our Defense Secretary has left operational control of this matter to my discretion, so I am your go-to for all communications with Meridonian forces and my government. Your seats are provided for at that end of the table, refreshments and light food will be provided by hotel staff."

When they were seated, Ironwood would greet the Commonwealth delegation in much the same manner.

"Mister Secretary, Vice-Admiral, Brigadier General and Brigadier General, it's a pleasure to have you here as well. We look forward to working with you in the aim to liberate your lands and those of New England from the Masculist regime. Please have a seat. Now that all parties are here, allow us a moment to introduce my officers before we begin."

When both parties were fully present and sat, Ironwood cleared his throat to call the room to attention. Lights were dimmed as he gestured out to the table.

"Again- thank you all for coming. I'd like for you to all meet the Meridonian commanders for Operation Oak Hand. I'll go first, obviously. My name is John Ironwood, General, Meridonian Army. The Commonwealth has asked Meridon to lead a joint command against the Masculist regime, and I am that man. My deputy, Air Vice Commandant Warrant, is currently in transit and will not be present for this meeting."

"Leading our ground contingent;" Ironwood began, as a man of average stature and copper-tanned complexion stood from his right. "- is Lieutenant General Joshua Whettic, officer commanding of II Corps. His subordinate formation commanders are also present- Major General Sylvester Perdue, officer commanding 16 Division Infantry, and Major General Alexander Petrios of 9 Division Armored." Both men stood as they were called, Perdue of stocky build, mustached face and English stock, Petrios of African, bald and clean-shaven, stocky in his own stature.

"Additionally with us is Lieutenant General Paul Browning, Officer Commanding, VI Corps Airborne. His subordinates; Major General Peter Hickers, officer commanding of 2 Division Airmobile, and Major General Alexander Laurein, 14 Division Airborne." Paul Browning looked quite similar to Ironwood, with a short crop of black hair and a slightly thicker stubble beard. Alexander Laurein was younger, clean shaven, and had a runner's complexion, compared to the much more well-built superior.
Hicker was a smart-looking, glasses-wearing man with short, gel-covered black hair.

"From the Air Forces as our representative is Air Lieutenant Commandant Grace Springhill." She stood, the only woman wearing a dress uniform along the Meridonian contingent, the entire rest of the formation was in service uniforms or fatigues. Her hair was blonde and pulled into a tight bun. "She is our officer commanding of Air Division Oak Hand, the combatant command of MAF air forces here in the Commonwealth."

His focus then went to the navy. "Vice Admiral Thomas Turei is the commander of our naval forces as well as the direct commander of 1 Joint Carrier Task Group, responsible so far for our successes in the air and at sea. His subordinate, in command of 31 Surface Action Group, Commodore Lindsay Lewis." Turei was a well-built Tangaran man, as composed to the shorter and much younger Lewis, who wore her brunette hair in a bob.

"From the Regiment Marines Commando is Brigadier Kyle Timoti, officer commanding of 2 Marine Amphibious Regiment, and his sole present combatant commander in Colonel Charles Courtemanche of 17 Commando Task Unit. The second Commando Task Unit, 20 CTU, of 2 MAR is en-route and is expected to arrive in theater in about a week." Courtemanche was French in stock and stocky in build, his superior a mixed-race Tangaran-European himself, with a close-cropped buzzcut.

"..With introductions out of the way, let's get down to business. The situation." Ironwood would point to a map of forces deployed. "As it stands, our recent victory in Long Island has secured both the risk of the extant flank and allowed for a launching point of operations all along the seaboard. Meridonian naval forces secured, and are maintaining, complete aerial and naval superiority over the northeastern seaboard. Logistical hubs are being established in New York City, our main base of operations. As we speak, forces are moving to positions in the northern suburbs, naval forces are positioning to support offensive operations, and air assets are being flown in. The battlespace has been prepared over the past few weeks to further mitigate the regime's ability to respond to our movements. The longer we wait, the more we give them to reorganize."

"A quick analysis of our enemy. The ILA, Incel Liberation Army, decently well equipped, and if what our intelligence tells us is accurate, in various states of leadership. If the surrender on Long Island is telling, they lost a good portion of supposedly elite troops there. And if they're quick to surrender there, they might be elsewhere. They have no significant strategic assets remaining including air or naval power, giving us a permissive environment to conduct air operations across the entire spectrum. They face significant civilian resistance, which will make spotting them easy. But they are not pushovers. Expect them to fight formidably until they know the gig is up."

"So, what is the game plan?;" Ironwood proposed rhetorically, as he detailed a map projected onto the flat wall. "In the ground game, Meridon has four divisions- one armored, one infantry, one airmobile, and one airborne. An understrength Marine regiment in the form of two reinforced Commando Task Units is available. Joseon brings four infantry divisions to the table, five armored brigades, and a marine brigade, as well as supporting artillery. The Commonwealth has a number of infantry and mechanized corps. The enemy has 6 divisions facing against us, generally located along the Hudson river. There are other formations of varying significance, but they will be addressed later. "

"I've taken the liberty of composing our movements for the first phase into two separate named operations. The primary effort will be north of the city, and will compose most of our forces. This is Operation White Oak. Now, I've been given numbers but I haven't yet received unit designations- for simplicity, Joseon's infantry divisions are labelled one through five. Their armor brigade will serve as a reinforcement to our armored division. The plan is as follows. 16 Division Infantry will advance up to Yonkers to engage the ILA Marine brigade stationed there and fix them from the south. Joseon's 3rd Infantry Division will maneuver and attack them from the east and north to fix them against the Hudson. Concurrent with this, Joseon's 1st and 2nd divisions will maneuver north to fix and engage the ILA's first infantry division at Nyack. While this is happening, 9 Division Armored will maneuver across the river towards Elmsford and Tarrytown, cutting the ILA's 1st Infantry off from a retreat to the east, and denying reinforcements the ability to maneuver south on the eastern edge of the Hudson. Joseon's remaining divisions- four and five, will conduct movement and assault into territory further north. 4 to the town of Monroe, and 5 to Newburgh, securing the crossing at that town. They will set positions to defend against the two infantry divisions in that neck of the woods from moving further south, allowing everything south of their position to be isolated and engaged."

"As far as our armored division, we expect the ILA's 1st armored division to conduct a movement down south to relieve their positions that are being overwhelmed. Lieutenant Commandant Springhill and Vice Admiral Turei have accounted for this. We have drones flying from bases in the city monitoring their positions from high altitude- pretty hard to miss any of their movements. We also have fighters from the fleet and tarmacs in the city ready to go. Once they begin to stage for movement, we'll have over an hour's window to target and annihilate them while they stage or while they attempt to move south. Our helicopters will be prioritized for direct infantry fire support rather than deep strikes, but whatever forces we have spare will be sent to wipe out these positions. Anything that gets through will have a line of entrenched armor to try and punch through. I can assure you, it won't. Once these forces are eliminated, or better yet, stuck in place, we'll have secured as far north as the I-84 line, potentially further."

Ironwood paused, and then pointed further down the coastline. "Further to the east, we'll be stirring up another hornet's nest and conducting a movement to pull any potential supplies away from a counteroffensive from the east. We have an understrength regiment's worth of marines, Joseon two brigades. This operation, Red Oak, will see Meridon land its forces tasked to take the town of New London. En route there, Fisher's Island airport will be seized for utilization as a FARP before security forces are flown from Long Island to hold it . Joseon's forces will be conducting brigade-sized movements- one to the town of Westerly to hold a blocking position on I-95 and US-1, and the second landing in Martha's Vineyard to establish another forward base for air and amphibious operations up and down the coastline. They will hold those positions until Joseon's 3rd and our own 9 Armored and 16 Infantry can move to relieve them for follow-on operations. From there, we'll need to play our movements by ear. If Joseon's infantry divisions in the north can hold themselves defensively along the northern axis, it should give maneuver units to the south the ability to punch through to the east of ILA lines- into New Haven, Hartsford, and Springfield from there. With Vermont in a highly disruptive state of civil unrest, denying the enemy Springfield would put a wrench in his logistical movements everywhere west of the city, and either rout them or force them into fighting us where we want them to."

"During this time, the Commonwealth will maneuver to fix anything further north of where Joseon engages, relieving the pressure off of Joseon's two divisions north of West Point by preventing anything from swinging south. The rest of those forces will be kept in reserve, including Meridon's two fast-reaction divisions inside the city for rapid deployment where needed."

Ironwood rested his hands on the table. The maneuver plans would be distributed in sealed manila folders to those who did not have them in the meantime.

"Questions?"

by **Unoccupied New York** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:25 am

New York Hilton Midtown

The Commonwealth delegation arrived last, finding the Meridonians and Joseonites already present in the conference room, the massive staff on all sides now augmented by a considerable number of their own staff. Relatively more junior in rank, because recent events had made promotions a lesser priority and they would have to be approved by the General Assembly, they nonetheless took their place among their more senior counterparts in the two military expeditionary forces. They carefully observed their more professional looking comrades, noting that this was what had been the standard in their own country not that long ago. That such things had fallen by the wayside was a sign of just how weak the once mighty American states had become. Then they listened, nervously, as the Meridonian commander, General Ironwood, laid out his plans for the coming offensive. That was a new thought, heady wine in fact, despite the recent, uplifting victory on Long Island, to be going on the attack for a change.

Generals Markowitz and Reilly had worked closely with Vice-Admiral Kirkwood for a number of tentative plans for offensive operations, more than alterable based upon their orders from the allied supreme commander, Ironwood. Secretary Van Nuys had signed off on them, largely trusting his military brass, of course, but also asked pertinent questions when he thought them relevant. He wasn't just a rubber-stamp. In any case, by now, Those four...and certain other officers entrusted with these plans, knew of these plans, but most of the junior staff knew at most only fragments of these proposals. In the end, it was mostly Markowitz that guided things, though Reilly gave a substantial contribution to it. Markowitz had somewhat more combat experience, though both had some. Now that he heard these plans, he was prepared to speak, having been cleared for it by his colleagues.

"I have not so much questions as three proposals as to specifics in terms of our co-ordination with you. One, that our forces assisting Joseon's, which should be two divisions strong themselves, giving a total of four divisions in that West Point vicinity, stay almost diagonal to them, just south and west of them up until the moment that Joseon engages the foe. At that point, the Commonwealth's two divisions should spring forward around their left flank, advance significantly to the north of them, one division staying to their northwest, the other pushing east in a hurry to get to their northeast and guard their right flank from any kind of ILA counter-attack. Joseon can then comprise a strong center with two decent Commonwealth wings or flanks, as it were, securing their advance from encirclement or envelopment by the foe. The reason for staying south and west up until that point, though you probably guessed, would be to conceal their involvement from any ILA recon until it's far too late to prevent it. However, the Joseon field commander would be in charge and able to alter plans if necessary for this campaign.

"The second proposal is that we dispatch another force, two divisions in strength, to assist the assault on the enemy marines by landing just east of Yonkers, diverting and dividing them by luring at least part of their forces out to meet this threat from just to the east of that city. This force would be subject to the orders and command of the Meridonian field commander, enabling him to alter any of these plans personally and immediately as rendered necessary by conditions on the ground. This would also supplement their strength and the power behind the amphibious assault that way.

"The third and final proposal is a separate Commonwealth landing in Rhode Island, east of the Meridonian operations in Connecticut, striking toward Providence to present an immediate menace to the local ILA forces there, not to mention a very real peril to Massachusetts, which is the heart of New England. At this point, we'll be getting dangerously close to the Masculist capital and heartland. We'll naturally force them to spend blood and treasure to repel the danger to Massachusetts and eastern New England, as well as discourage any attacks on Nantucket...and most of all, to prevent any reinforcement of ILA forces in Connecticut, to say nothing of New York. This will be two divisions in strength, small, yes, but just large enough to probably be able to hold its own against what are likely mostly ILA Militia. It will blood these troops in what is hopefully a morale-lifting fashion, too.

"This will leave only two divisions back home, one on Long Island and one in New York City itself, something that should suffice under the circumstances, and not something that the ILA will ever anticipate. Twenty thousand men and women will have to suffice to defend unoccupied New York territory, especially as the ILA will have bigger fish to fry. I'm eager to restore confidence in our ground forces. They've been kicked around long enough," Markowitz laid out his ideas while Reilly nodded.

"I would like to interject that, while our naval forces are still minimal, I can supply a force of six corvettes, two frigates, and two destroyers to provide naval support to this offensive. That is the sum total of our navy, but we are willing to commit them to the cause, as it is our only hope for a future, anyway. The air force has been, at least temporarily rendered hors de combat, of course. This is a sad reality, but we believe that this naval contribution will succor you significantly. We are prepared to send our ships wherever they are needed, including the popping of those last attack subs in the Masculist fleet," Kirkwood added.

"Yes, those two last subs make me more than a little nervous, especially given that they still have all those cruise missiles and can also sink allied ships as well as our own, not to mention inflict incredible collateral damage with little or no warning," Van Nuys commented as well.

"My sentiments exactly," Reilly broke his own silence, "but don't forget that naval support could really assist in these amphibious operations, no doubt."

They awaited the reaction now from their new allies, as this was a significant update to the situation.

by **Incelastan** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:58 am

Saratoga Springs, New York,
HQ, Counterinsurgency Operations Force,
Major General Robert Owens Commanding

Major General Robert Ingersoll Owens sighed as he read the plans directed at him by that fool Davis back in Masculinium. Nah, he thought, I'm not doing this rubbish. I'm marching home. The problems are at the top. That's where we're losing this war. Incelastan was a lost cause. He had his own ideas of how to govern, as a kind of military dictator for a somewhat less extreme society. Sure, he had been ruthless in carrying out his orders. That was when he had faith in the cause. That faith was gone now. He had seen where letting a bunch of losers, fools, and rapists run things had led. Stupid zealots, if you asked him. Downright crazy. It had been pitched to him as a revolution to cut out the cancer of feminism, and that had appealed to him, of course. But what kind of nonsense was "reparations taxes," for instance, aimed at provoking and punishing "chads" for success when it was the women's fault who they chose, anyway....well, the women and the fools who couldn't seduce them. All that energy wasted on foolish notions and practices, trying to be Nazi edgelords or whatever. A bunch of wannabees who couldn't decide if they were reactionaries or revolutionaries or losers or winners.

Nah, Owens thought, I'm done with this. I went from being Regular Army to this? Was I insane? I must have been. No practical leaders would ever try to organize a society on the basis of gender segregation, anyway. Sure, patriarchy was a worthwhile cause, but the rest of this was just nonsense. Owens was a twice divorced senior Army, highly decorated officer, a combat veteran wounded and even now wearing his Purple Heart, his career having come at a high personal cost in terms of relationships. He had no use for divorce or family courts, but that didn't mean that he thought this alternative made sense, especially having seen it in action. A lot of men had been angered when their marriages were dissolved without their consent, for instance. That was no way to rule a country. Davis and the other fools had practically turned their whole damn fledgling nation into a possible fifth column. No, the man to emulate wasn't Davis. It was Franco. Owens had always secretly admired how the Spanish strongman had overthrown the Second Spanish Republic, kept a cool head at all times, kept a war-weary Spain out of the Second World War, and navigated his way through the Cold War into the Western, American orbit afterward. Despite being named after a famous American infidel and not being pious himself, Owens saw the use of exploiting religion as a tool.

He wasn't going into Vermont...he was going home. Home to Massachusetts, to his native part of New England, he who had been born in Braintree, just miles from John Adams and John Quincy Adams, in fact. Born a Quaker, he chuckled at recalling how he had been disowned by his family and expelled from Meeting for going to The Citadel in South Carolina, far away, and later accepting that Army commission. He had always wondered why his deeply spiritual Quaker parents had named him after an atheist and were surprised when he was the black sheep. To really stick it in their craw, he had gone into the Special Forces and built his career on that foundation. Hence the damn injury that earned him the Purple Heart in Iraq. Those ISIS bastards were effective, though, until they weren't. He didn't share the racism of many of his comrades, either. They were fools. He had seen some brave Iraqi Arabs and Kurds, after all. Smart ones, too. His favorite war buddy had been black, for that matter.

He was going home and he was going to personally kick Davis's rapist ass.

by **Incelastan** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 9:37 am

Fourteen nautical miles due south of New York Harbor,
ILS Minotaur, a Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine

Commander Plato Vargas, the captain of the Minotaur, really wanted a cigarette right then and there, but for now, he would have to be content with that damn nicotine gum. He knew that he wouldn't have access to tobacco on board, so had purchased that gum, as he always did of late. He downed another cup of coffee to steel his nerves, and then cleared his throat. He knew what he had to do. What he was about to do was a war crime, but he never longer cared. If the Navy was going down, he would not do as Fukuda did and go down without a fight. He was going to launch his cruise missiles into New York City. His targets were carefully chosen. The New York Stock Exchange. The Statue of Liberty. Gracie Mansion. Times Square. Madison Square Garden. Central Park. The Empire State Building. He was going to leave a real mark on this world, whatever it took. He was going to deal out blood and death and fire to the enemies of his country.

"Prepare for missile launch, boys. This is not a drill. We are going to launch. These co-ordinates. Do it, folks. I want to make them taste the salty blood in their mouths. Rain fire and brimstone on our foes," Vargas ordered his crew, chuckling to himself as he considered the havoc that he was about to wreak.

"Aye, aye, sir," the XO awkwardly answered and began preparing the launch. The guidance systems were adapted to target the intended destinations of these targets.

It was truly an awesome thing to consider, even as three or four of the crew vomited as they realized what they were about to strike. One of them went to his bunk, found some twine, and garroted himself in his horror. He wouldn't be found until much later, by his bunkmates, of course. Two others wrote down their guilt and complete shock as to what they had been ordered to attack. They knew the significance. They were destroying and desecrating art and history. They were taking probably thousands of innocent civilian lives in these attacks. They were war criminals now, no doubt of that.

When the preparations were complete, the tubes released their 12 Tomahawk cruise missiles, said weapons now hurling toward their targets. The deed was done. It couldn't be undone, to the horror of many on the crew, who were still too terrified of their skipper to resist him. Two more seamen would commit suicide by the end of the day, guilt, anger, and depression overtaking them. It was the only time that an American submarine had ever attacked an American city. Whatever flag they now flew, they had been born and raised as Americans, and it was almost impossible at times to think of New Yorkers as foreigners. And they were human beings in any case. And they would be slaughtered by these sailors, this crew, from this ship. Their ship. Blood wasn't just on their skipper's hands...it was on theirs. And they would never forgive themselves for it.

After that moment, a plan formed...a ghastly, terrible plan, but one that would, they hoped, atone for their atrocities. Four men, including the Chief of the Boat, had decided in secret to scuttle their ship.

by **Incelastan** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 10:25 am

Montpelier, Vermont,
The Governor's Mansion

Colonel Byron March, the self-appointed Governor of the Vermont Free State, lit a cigar as he reviewed the situation, both in reports and in newspapers and other news sources, and met with his new administration and staff. Outside of the Mansion, all over the city, one would scarcely know that such a regime as the Masculists had ever ruled or controlled any part of the state capital. March smirked as he thought of that fact. Whatever else went on in the state, home to Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, who had captured Fort Ticonderoga and brought cannon to the fledgling Continental Army, whatever else happened elsewhere, he had rid Montpelier and a growing part of Vermont, the Fourteenth State admitted to the Union, in 1790, once the Vermont Republic, of this wicked and nefarious incel regime. They were traitors and murderers in March's book, whatever their grievances. It hadn't justified their treasonous conquest of New England, sundering the Union forever, in the wake of the destruction of Washington, DC. In fact, March personally that their decisive takeover of New England with such haste after that fact was more than a little suspicious.

March, after all, was descended from a long line of soldiers and Marines, who had fought for the United States ever since they were liberated from slavery by the Union Army during the Civil War, during Sherman's famous March To The Sea. Sherman's own racism had been immaterial. The boys in blue had set his ancestors free. The United States Government had broken his forefathers' chains, while secesh rebels had kept them shackled and bound. Their ancestor, Cyrus, had taken the surname "March" in honor of Sherman's campaign that had brought the Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln home. March had never forgotten that fact, not once, and he had chosen to live in Vermont, the first state to ever abolish slavery, even before it became a state. That, and he had chosen to serve his country, as his family had always done ever since emancipation.

Today, meeting with Valles and Jackson, who had arrived from Burlington, which they had helped liberate, the agenda was clear...the complete liberation of Vermont...and dealing with the reported threat from General Owens and his troops. They had to be ready, in case Owens showed up with his troops and indeed threatened their recent liberation, their newly independent state. Yeah, March, thought, I seceded...I seceded from a secessionist regime. Just like West Virginia did from Virginia, choosing the Union over the Old Dominion. Like the Confederacy, Incelastan was a treasonous, illegal state. March was done tolerating any sign of it. All incel activists had found themselves at least temporarily arrested whenever they were found on suspicions of being agents of the SSP, a sensible grounds, right?

March also wanted to organize tours of Camp Elam and other such sites, much as the Germans had been shown Dachau, Buchenwald, etc., in order for people to see at last the atrocities committed by the SSP and Militia. He wanted people to know, for a fact, that these crimes had indeed been committed, and for incelism or "Masculism" or whatever to be repudiated, its name so tainted that it would never be embraced again. He wanted it discarded, much like National Socialism, forever. He wanted it discredited for good. Never again, he swore. Never again. This must never happen again, certainly not on American soil. It must be remembered with disgust and rejected, permanently, so that it never happened, ever again.

In the meantime, he signed off on a conscription act, even as he also authorized the holding of general elections for as soon as the state was completely free of enemy troops. His forces and the others were certainly doing their part to chase the Militia off their soil, or else get them to defect. He ordered the digging of trenches, building of fortifications and bulwarks, etc. He ordered sniper training for anyone ready to take it up. He ordered traps, minefields, etc. Now was not a time to argue the morality of land mines. He had a state to defend, one freshly freed from enemy occupation. He had a fledgling army of sixteen thousand troops so far, mostly ex-Militia and still pretty green, aside from recent street combat in Montpelier and elsewhere. With this, he proposed to repel any invasion from east, south, or west. It was a daunting task indeed.

But the alternative was unthinkable.

by **Sombreland** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 10:46 am

Galador, Sombreland
Grand Admiral Teroth was very practiced at offering advice to leading members of the Courtly Caste while not presuming to actually advise on policy. So he visited the Minister of the Left and Minister of Death, Prince Shaladew Kadav, while that worthy was contemplating a satirical painting of the turtles in the garden of the Grey Palace, and offered that the Royal Sombreland Expeditionary Force would have to be ordered to make preparations to depart for New York immediately. Leaves would need to be canceled, resources and transport allocated, and units coordinated for this, which would take at least three days. The exercises the Royal Marines were on would have to be halted. There were aircraft, planes, helicopters, and drones that would need to be switched to ones on bases, due to maintenance concerns. It would be fortunate if three days was all it took. There was no time like the present.

Efficiency, however, was not the only concern. Clearly, the Princess-Regent, Alavaine, had had much to do with the success of the expeditionary force sent to Gyzantia being so successful. This was believed to be because it had not merely gone to war, but executed, perfectly, the will of the Courtly Caste. And that Courtly Caste did not merely act for its own interest, but on behalf of the divine ancestors and the very land itself, believed to be a living thing in the World Beyond, where existence itself was more perfect and true. And so the Great Oracle and the Oracles-Adjunct read omens, studying the flights of birds and the movements of the fishes, consulted the Archives, and wrote down their observations carefully. The officials and commanders waited as calmly as they could. Many games of distracting chess, many thoughtful walks, many garden visits were required to soothe worried spirits until it was announced that the auspices were excellent for a military expedition. However, it was also pronounced that the Courtly Caste must do all they could to bring about a good outcome without the awful shedding of blood.

Prince Shaladew Kadav, Minister of the Left and Minister of Death, had no choice but to order Grand Admiral Teroth to make all necessary preparations for sending a Royal Expeditionary Force to war against the Masculist Regime of Incelstan. This should consist of the Royal Marine Division, Carrier Task Force Royal Sombreland led by the Royal Navy’s carrier with escorts as well as two amphibious ships and other transport craft, and thus would have sufficient air support for the Royal Marines. And so a series of message has to be sent out to all forces involved. Vice-Admiral Dargon, considered a very steady man, and Major-General Prince Junius were to command this force. These men had commanded the expedition into Gyzantia, and were considered the fittest men to do so.

“From the very ancestors of my caste, I have received instructions to find a peaceful way to end this conflict, for the chief concerns are not that these Masculinists have ideals that are strange, for the ideals of all foreigners are odd. None of them align with the harmony sought by the Kingdom. It is, rather that they have committed acts of terrorism advocated by and not apologized for by their leaders, directly targeting civilian populations deliberately, and that they have, most importantly, rebelled against their monarch and sought to overthrow the very notion of it,” said the Princess-Regent, Alavaine, as she walked by the shores of the Somber Sea with her courtiers and ministerial officials. And they all contemplated the waters of that freshwater sea rolling against the rocky beach, and the flight and movements of wading and shore birds. “Yet the President Acton has said he will not countenance it. What does this mean?”

“The President, Acton, may be bent upon vengeance,” offered the old Chancellor, Grand Duke Pofolman.

“The President, Acton, may believe that the Masculinist Regime cannot be trusted,” offered Prince Shaladew Kadav, the Minister of the Left and Minister of Death.

“The President, Acton, may fear that negotiations will undermine his cause,” offered the Director of Foreign Affairs.

Lovely was the Princess-Regent, rivaling the day of the waters, and her clear brow furrowed, her blue eyes became saddened, and her mouth of invaluable sweetness drooped. “His words were very clear. But would our efforts undermine that of Meridon? After all, the Kingdom is not yet an opponent. If it were offered before there is an open declaration, then how does it undermine?”

“The terms would have to be stiff, Majestic Highness,” replied Prince Shaladew Kadav, Minister of the Left and Minister of Death. “However, there is another concern that we must reasonably have. The President, Acton, and his government have, from the very start, chosen to become involved in another nation’s civil war. The very thing that the Royal Government was against in the Gyzantian Civil War. They…to use a phrase of the Military Caste, ‘drew first blood’.”

“Yes, and it matters less what the President, Acton, thinks of it,” said the Chancellor, Grand Duke Pofolman, “Than what the ancestors and the very divine land itself are concerned with; that no opportunity for honourable peace should be ignored. For as it is said in the very oath of our Military Caste:

“Do not hurt where holding is enough;
Do not wound where hurting is enough;
Do not maim where wounding is enough;
and kill not where maiming is enough;
The greatest warrior is he who does not need to kill”

These words, as always, deeply moved the Princess-Regent, Alavaine, whose soft blue eyes filled with tears, and who then said, “Then I will make the offer. And, if it fails, then we must condemn the Masculists as a rebel organization against their lawful state.”

by **The Great state of Joseon** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 10:57 pm

New York City, Manhattan
OPOH Headquarters

General Adrian Quaritch

"That sounds like a good operation. The 14th Marine Brigade of the 5th Marine Division will be mobilized to secure I-95 and US-1 in Westley. The 15th Marine Brigade will secure Martha's Vinyard. The troops will be airlifted through helicopters and V-22s from Amphibious Assault Ships.“

"The force to engage the enemy Marine Division at Yonkers is the 14th Mechanized Infantry Division. And the 3rd and 19th Infantry divisions will engage the enemy infantry divisions at Nyack. The troops to move to the town of Monroe are the 9th Infantry Division. The 22nd Infantry Division will move to Newburgh."

"And air and naval fighters will step up to support all of our forces and carry out preemptive air strikes against the enemy. Now we have 96 Air Force fighters, 24 Air Force bombers, and 180 Navy fighters in New York. They will support CAS(Close Air Support) to our troops. Fighters will also support our tank brigade, which will advance to the White Plains.“

"And the artillery division will move near Nyack and carry out artillery support for our troops."

"The destroyers and cruisers' ship-to-surface cruise missiles and deck guns will be saved for future attacks on Boston. But our fleet will still provide an air defense umbrella for New York."

Adrian Quaritch smiled at the words of Generals Markowitz.

General Adrian Quaritch

"The suggestion that Commonwealth's troops land on Rhode Island has intrigued me. Of course, the enemy's defense against Rhode Island may be formidable. But the advantage for us is that Air Supremacy is ours. This is our advantage that our enemies cannot offset by any means. We are prepared to assign air force fighters and bombers to support Commonwealth forces. They will pour hellfire on their enemies."

"And it would be greatly appreciated if Commonwealth's fleet could launch anti-submarine operations against enemy submarines. Currently, our Light Carrier fleet is looking for enemy submarines, but it doesn't seem to be paying off yet."

Adrian Quaritch checked his watch for a moment and went on.

General Adrian Quaritch

"Soon our second fleet will arrive in New York. They include the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division. They will stand by to defend New York and carry out attacks on Boston for the time being.“

General Song Yeonju, who was participating in a video conference through a monitor, was listening to Adrian Quaritch. When Adrian Quaritch was finished, she opened her mouth.

General Song Yeonju

"Our air force's bombers and fighters are also ready to carry out the preemptive bombing of the enemy. The targets will be enemy barracks, field posts, and military command facilities. If we launch a pre-emptive bombing of our enemies before we launch the main attack, we may be able to defeat the enemy's fighting power and morale."

New York City

Led by Light Aircraft Carrier KHMS Maisan, Joseon's second dispatched fleet crossed the Atlantic Ocean and finally arrived in New York. Without time to rest, they immediately disembarked their troops at the port and began preparing for their presence in Kissena Park.

Construction of temporary barracks for additional troops was easy, as Joseon's troops had already established a garrison in Kissena Park. The problem was that the park was becoming more and more saturated. In this situation, if additional troops arrive, they will have to stay on the ship for a while.

In this situation, Joseon's third dispatch fleet passed through the Panama Canal and entered the Atlantic Ocean.

New York City
Upper Bay
KHMS Cheo In Seong, Gibeolpo Class Missile Cruiser

"12 subsonic flying objects approaching New York have been spotted!" The bridge became noisy with the sudden appearance of flying objects soaring from the sea.

"What's the distance between the targets and New York?" the captain asked in a calm voice.

"It's 25km! It's too close!"

"GENERAL QUARTER. GENERAL QUARTER. Battle Station. Quickly, intercept the flying objects. Fire SM-2 missiles."

SM-2 missiles were launched from the cruiser at the command of the captain. After a while, other destroyers and cruisers also fired SM-2 missiles and tried to intercept them.

Missiles rising from the VLS quickly approached Tomahawk cruise missiles. A total of 15 SM-2 missiles spewed flames and raced toward Tomahawk missiles at a faster-than-sound rate, and the ship's radars were accurately targeting Tomahawk missiles.

If there's a problem, Tomahawk missiles were launched too close to New York.

SM-2 missiles were able to intercept eight Tomahawk missiles. Missile intercepts took place very close enough to be seen on ships. But four missiles passed by the ships.

That's when the destroyer HKMS Lim Kyoung-up fired CIWS. 20 mm bullets from the Phalanx CIWS were scattered in the air and an additional Tomahawk missile was intercepted.

But the other three missiles have already approached New York. The three missiles approached Times Square and the Empire State Building.

Soon there was an explosion on the New York side.

The Tomahawk missile attack took place close by. Missiles appeared to soar up from the sea, which meant they were launched from submarines.

Now the fleet began to grit their teeth and search the sea for enemy submarines that attacked innocent people in New York. Destroyers and frigates activated SONAR, and anti-submarine helicopters took off from the fleet and began searching the area around where the missile was launched.

The waters near New York
KHMS Chuck Joon-kyung, Sejong the Great Class Destroyer

"Contact! It's supposed to be the submarine's screw voice. The object is underwater 15 nautical miles from New York at a speed of 15 knots." The sound controller of the destroyer HKMS Chuck Joon-kyung whispered quietly, listening to the sound coming from the headphones.

"Is it a whale or a submarine?" said the deputy captain quietly, lowering his voice. Now the sound controller had to pay attention to the sound coming from the sea.

"It doesn't look like a whale. I can definitely hear the submarine screw. The sound is faint, but certain."

"It's an enemy submarine. Call Anti-submarine helicopters. We have found the enemy."

The SONAR controller fixed the SONAR to the target found by the sound controller. An intense – ping would have been heard by the crew of the submarine.

Wolf's call.

It's something the crew of the submarine shouldn't hear to survive.

The two NUH-1 Surion Anti-submarine helicopters moved to the coordinates specified by the destroyer and lowered the dipping SONAR under the sea. After a while, SONAR was able to find the target.

by **Legatia** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 10:49 am

Meridon Defense Forces
Officer Commanding, Combined Task Force Oak Hand (OC CTFOH)
Task Force Headquarters Group
-
The New York Hilton Midtown, New York City, New York- 1045H EST

The General would first respond to the Commonwealth officers.

"As to your first proposal- this sounds excellent. As for the commander of this arc of the battle, the seniormost officer present between you and Joseon's forces will take precedent, whichever officer that might be. Your second.. I don't believe will be necessary, two divisions to take on one seems like more than enough forces considering the outmatch in air and technology. It'd serve our goals faster to have them deployed elsewhere. The third.. risky. Vice Admiral?"

His eyes turned towards the naval commander.

"From the naval standpoint, sir, it's doable, though with operations already spread out and our own amphibious firepower concentrated on New London the amount of support they can expect might be minimal."

"But if we've got another two divisions.. wouldn't we be able to push from the south, as well? General Whettic." The tanned officer stood, and looked over the map pieces briefly.

"..It's doable, sir. We take Providence, Boston's a stone throw away. Will throw them into absolute chaos. I'd recommend we put 2 Airmobile in positions on I-495 to prevent any quick reaction forces from coming down from Boston itself. Their combat teams should be able to hold with enough airpower."

The eyes turned then to MGen Hickers, whose men were now in question. Hickers nodded simply. "We'll get it done."

"Then consider that the working plan. We'll focus our offensive on Providence. Joseon's 14th and the Commonwealth landing force will conduct an assault on the southwestern edge of the town, the Meridonian forces will land on the southeast and punch north from there towards Attleboro and Pawtucket. All other plans remain as briefed."

Ironwood then returned his attention to the Commonwealth delegation. "Our surface action group's major combatants are on station for naval gunfire and coastal air defense, so the dispatch of your own units to hunt the remaining two submarines would be crucial. General Song, as long as you limit your strikes to known military targets; limit our civilian damage, then there should be no issue. I believe that wraps up our business, we'll be kicking this show off shortly. Those who require it, please see my staff for lodging arrangements at the headquarters. For any others, my aides will be handing off contact information."

It would only be minutes later that the building, however, would be thrown into lockdown.

Meridon Defense Forces
Meridonian Air Forces, Air Division Oak Hand
Air Control Wing 13 [ACW 13], 88 Air Control Squadron [88 ACS] "Green Priests"
S4M Watchtower AEWC platform Pastor
-
30,000 feet above New York City

The solitary form of the S4M Watchtower airborne early warning and control aircraft could scantly be seen by its contrails as it conducted a steady orbit over the New York Metropolitan area. A single sweep of its AESA radar covered the entire operational territory of Oak Hand, spare the extreme norths of Maine where scant operational objectives would be found, anyways. Though its radar was detecting targets as far away as Cleveland, its radar scope was limited to those in the 200 nautical mile vicinity of NYC airspace.

The set of 8 mission controllers on the flight deck looked over the radar displays, tracking military and civilian flights from south and north of New York, Meridonian strike flights (who were under the control of a separate Navy AEWC bird), and helicopters buzzing between ship to shore, and sometimes, shore to shore.

At one such console an aircraftman watched over his assigned sector, south of the Manhattan shoreline. There sat the Joseon fleet, whose helicopters buzzed about calmly like bees about their hive. But further south of it, a contact appeared from nowhere. Then two. Then..

The controller's face went pale as he realized immediately what this constituted. Pressing the transmit button on his controller, he nearly shouted into the microphone.

"AIR RAID, AIR RAID! MISSILES SOUTH, MULTIPLE, CLOSE!"

On the shoreline, the sole battery of MERADS surface to air launchers located on MAB Kennedy detected the launch first via datalink, and confirmed it about a second later when its own radar correlated the returns as consistent with the trajectory and signature of a cruise missile strike. Close to 15 miles away from the flight path, however, chances to intercept would be slim.

The battery commander reacted immediately, however, as he had been trained. The launcher doors on his four launchers fell down, and seconds afterwards, white-painted missiles shot out from them one at a time spaced only two seconds apart. He cancelled his fire order seconds later as they began to cross over the Verazzano bridge at the risk of the interceptors striking civilian targets, with a total of five missiles launched. None of them hit.

Back in the air, Pastor made contact with a pair of orbiting F6M2 fighters transiting over the New York airspace with unspent laser-guided ordnance, on their way to land back at LaGuardia.

Meridon Defense Forces
Meridonian Air Forces, Air Division Oak Hand
Tactical Fighter Wing 13 [TFW 36], 8 Tactical Fighter Squadron [8 TFS] "Edgerunners"
Two-ship F6M2 C Wasp flight, callsign "Trevor 3"
-
3,000 feet, on approach to LaGuardia RWY 31

As Trevor 3-1 and his wingman lined up for a textbook landing onto Runway 31, Tower frequency threw a wrench in their plan.

"Trevor 3 flight, cancel approach clearance, depart my airspace to the south and contact with Pastor on button 9."

"Trevor 3, aborting and out south."

Captain Colina, flight leader, cursed as he advanced his throttles and banked his aircraft left, bringing his aircraft over Queens as his wingman followed him in. He had not yet configured his aircraft for landing, so he was at least given that reprieve. As the small dots of houses and highways raced behind him, his nose pointed to the sea, he rotated a dial on his radio control panel. What the fuck were they putting him back with the AEWCS for?

"Pastor, this is Trevor 3 signing in, button niner, two ship F6M2, full guns, 3x GUB-12, playtime's.. call it twenty minutes, SITREP?"

"Trevor 3, Pastor, have you radar contact six south of LaGuardia. Potential enemy sub within two-zero miles of fleet activities in the harbor. Climb immediate angels one two and orbit bulls two ninety for one-one-zero, heavy helicopter and naval traffic within fifteen miles."

That was what it was. What the hell was he going to do against a sub, he wondered? As he signaled for his wingman to follow him, Colina began a right-hand, twenty-five degree turn and fifteen-degree climb, the afterburners igniting behind their aircraft as they climbed to avoid Joseon's helicopters already swarming towards the submarine. The C-model Wasps the two flew were normally oriented towards conducting air intercept duties, but were perfectly capable of conducting strikes as well.

"Trevor 3, Pastor, through twelve thousand, remain my frequency and contact Hibiscus on button twenty two." Hibiscus was the callsign for Joseon's fleet command, who- given they had warships and anti-submarine helicopters directly on top of the sub- would get priority on control.

As the fighters rolled over into a twelve-thousand foot orbit about the site of activity and eased their throttles back, Colina made contact with the Korean destroyers. Ensuring his communications came across clearly, he spoke slowly.

"Hibiscus, this is Trevor 3, two ship flight F6M2 on your frequency, loaded for ground attack, playtime 20 minutes. If the sub surfaces, we can sink it. You have operational command. Over."

by **Sombreland** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:23 pm

Amas, Sombreland

The largest port in Sombreland was full of activity around the naval port and the container port. Warehouses, staging areas and even large roads were packed with Royal Sombreland Marines, Navy sailors, port workers, vehicles, pallets and blivets of supplies. For over a day, men were lining up to ritually wash their faces and hands, to be scented with incense indicating their devotion to their ancestors, and received their blessed gold coins that had been touched by the Princess-Regent, Alavaine, on behalf of her grandfather, King Orian IX.

They had said goodbye to family and friends. Many of them were on exercises ,and lines to make phone calls or submit letters or messages were also long, and this had taken many hours of the previous day, in addition to equipment checks and places all gear in proper places on vehicles before departure. They also had to have other military units keep them separate from activists of the Cult of Thon, who vigorously protested them being sent abroad.

“Better for you, far better for you, that you should all drown at sea, that stain your boots on foreign lands, taking up for the mad causes of foreigners! Far better, far better to remain in Sombreland! Do not go! Do not go!” cried the followers of Thon.

“The ancestors and the very land itself call upon you to remain! If you do not follow the orders of the Courtly Caste, then the Princess-Regent must dismiss her corrupt advisors who love foreign money and prestige! Turn back, turn back to the ways of your ancestors! For the Princess-Regent’s ministers and officials heed the words of evil automata from foreign lands and corrupt, fat and venal foreigners! Turn back!”

Their words were flung like fiery spears, and some struck their mark. Yet a greater fear was given: the officers and non-commissioned officers said to the soldiers as they stood in formation that any man who did not do his duty and embark on the ships, his name would be struck from the rolls of the unit he had vowed to serve and then he should never be buried in sacred ground. Though they feared the warnings of the Thonists, they feared an unhallowed grave more. In spite of this, there were some desertions, and much was made of the striking of the names.

Under the eyes of oracles and archivists from the Ministry of Divinity, the names were removed from the lists of the soldiers by battalion, and dramatically burned by the officer to whom the soldier reported, and burned in a brazier before all. And thus were those who deserted by urging of the Thonists cursed.

As the First Battalion of the Royal Sombreland Marine Landing Regiment rolled down the road in Amas towards the great naval port, the bodies of other Royal Marines hung from an overpass, where they twisted, slowly, to and fro, as though they were corrupted fruit hanging from a tree; the bodies of men who had deserted, and realized they were cursed, and hoped, desperately, that suicide would show before the ancestors and the spirits of the land that they saw their guilt and preferred hardship in rebirth to cruel oblivion and benign forgotten forever.

Sobered by such displays, elements of the Royal Sombreland Marine Regiment started to embark onto the Nipferd Amphibious Ship, better known as the Hippo. A sergeant-major, of the thickset build, with three rolls of fat at the back of his neck, was barking orders on the mouthpiece of his communication system, dictating instructions on what vehicles, equipment and other gear were to be loaded up. Unfortunately, due to misunderstandings in the manifest papers, the first to be brought to the port are the administration battalion which is the Headquarters battalion. Fifty large Ente Amphibious Transports ,37 Wolverine All-Terrain Transports, and 50 Schildkröte AAV/APCs were the first being moved along the pier. This was not unlike a major movement of traffic, and the sergeant-major was helped by logistics and transport staff, by deck force personnel from the ship, and by Royal Marines set to act as guards and men directing where people were to drive. The sound of engine noises filled the air, which was also filled with the tang of hot fuel and oils. Shouts, thuds of heavy equipment being moved, and the rumble of heavy treads and wheels on the ground. The personnel of the administration battalion followed, the men piled in the vehicles as the drivers took both the vehicles and its occupants near the gate of the port, to their points of embarkation.

Asplendid march was played by a full dress band at a stand, while a video recording was made of elements of the Royal Marines marching proudly up gangplanks onto their transport ship, and of cranes lifting vehicles up, and pallets of carefully stacked equipment. Leading them was Vice-Admiral Dargon with some of his staff, wearing the dark blue of the naval dress uniform, and he received much acclaim and applause, for his clever work of landing the Royal Marines and supporting them before the Royal Sombreland Navy even had its splendid amphibious ships. Some of his sailors were dress uniformed men who went on splendidly, and among them were pilots and crew of the air units that would be attached to the carrier and the amphibious ships.

Next came Royal Marines. These included men of the Royal Sombreland Marine Reconnaissance Regiment, men who were trained to deal with rough country, to do reconnaissance in force, to be the first to scout out terrain, and these tanned, hard men went on whistling their marching song. There had been no desertions from this unit, for their comradeship was strong as their hands, hardened by years of experience. Then there were men of the Royal Marine Landing Regiment, the main infantry force of the division, who would go ashore if they must in great armoured treaded vehicles twenty at a time; and the men of the Royal Marine Tank Regiment, in their big growling machines bristling with weaponry. And Prince Jusus, the Major-General commanding the division, came up with them, riding in his command vehicle, standing tall in the hatch, a handsome and fierce man, who raised many cheers simply by the waving of his hand. And a veteran company around him were singing:

When Jusus came to Hatrap
Beside the sea in Hatrap.
Tirra lirra lay,

The Reds came down to Hatrap.
They came to burn in Hatrap.
Downe derie downe day.

But Jusus frightened the Reds
The coarsest meat
They thought to eat
He made them wet their britches
When his boot touched down in Hatrap
And armed his camp at Hatrap
With a roundelaye.

Lines of cheering, and flower throwing and happily waving people of Sombreland were seen encouraging the Royal Marines as they embarked. Royal Marines lined decks where they were not in the way, waving and cheering themselves, fine looking young men in new battledress. The people looked up and oohed and ahhed as a flight of fighter jets screamed overhead in formation. Even Prince Jusus and Admiral Dargon felt themselves flush, felt themselves draw themselves up, eager to show that they would devote themselves to whatever task at hand was required, and all cheered the louder as the Princess-Regent, Alavaine, fair and dark at once, raised her delicate hand holding the Royal Scepter in salute o f their courage, and of that devotion.

In that manner, the Royal Sombreland Expeditionary Force embarked for Incelstan.

by **Regnum Alea Spaceflee** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:26 pm

OOC: Cool, not going to join though

by **Unoccupied New York** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 9:49 am

New York Hilton Midtown
Military Conference

"Very well. I presume that the second group that I mentioned will be held in reserve to support whatever operations require it? That has a definite logic to it. It increases our options as a coalition force, no doubt. As to the West Point vicinity operation, your instructions make sense, regarding seniority and command. 4th and 5th Mechanized Infantry Divisions are the designated units to participate in this operation. 4th is commanded by Brigadier General Thomas Wayne, yeah, yeah, I know...the jokes are obvious. His parents were comic book fiends, apparently. Wayne's a solid man, a West Point graduate himself, served two relatively short tours in Afghanistan. He's got roughly 15,000 troops, of course, most of them only somewhat blooded, but well-trained. Their only combat experience so far was a delaying action, guarding the withdrawal and evacuation from Albany for the state government. Wayne's troops performed admirably, given the circumstances and the abysmal prior performance of the army in general, even if they ultimately had to retreat as well.

"The 5th is commanded by Brigadier General Jack Fisher, a Syracuse University ROTC alum, who served one tour in Syria in support of anti-Assad forces. Like Wayne's troops, his have done reasonably well at covering the retreats of others before having to withdraw as well. This still gives them more combat experience than many of their comrades. Fisher will be assigned to stay on the left flank, Wayne to pivot his forces away to the right once the forward advance begins. Obviously, the 4th's maneuver will be riskier, but it will have real benefits, I believe, especially that of surprise.

"For the amphibious operation near Providence, I have chosen the 6th and 7th Mechanized Infantry Divisions, with Brigadier General Carlos Gutierrez in command of the 6th and Brigadier General Howard Powell in command of the 7th. Gutierrez graduated from San Juan University in Puerto Rico from their ROTC program, and he served with the Puerto Rico National Guard in an operation against Mexican drug cartels in co-operation with regular Mexican Army troops. Powell graduated from Howard University and its ROTC program. He served briefly as commander of a South Carolina National Guard company as part of the Iraqi surge mission in 2007, where he received a Purple Heart after being wounded in his left forearm. His left arm was damaged, but preserved. Both of these divisions have their origins in National Guard and Reserve detachments, and they have gained some combat experience over on Long Island in the recent counter-offensive there.

"These will work very closely with the 14th in attacking the ILA forces near Providence from the southwest as instructed. We believe that we will be facing mostly ILA Militia forces, but they might well have SSP and Youth Brigade troops with them, so bear that in mind. The Militia is likely to be uneven, as are the Youth Brigades, but the latter's zeal is a potential problem for us, even if they thankfully lack combat experience. SSP are paramilitary police, and I doubt that I need to tell you how dangerous that can be, even if they are more keen on atrocities than actual combat. They're war criminals and they know it, so won't be in a mood to eagerly surrender, I fear. On the plus, the numbers of ILA regulars in the area should be minimal, at least until or unless Davis panics and opts to send some our direction to confront us," Markowitz stipulated.

"I offered to take overall command of the two divisions assigned to the reserve, ready to dispatch them whenever necessary to whatever mission they are assigned. Secretary Van Nuys and Admiral Kirkwood, regrettably won't let me come along. Supposedly, I'm too essential to be spared," Reilly mentioned ruefully.

"Brother, I can relate. I've been given the same direct orders, not to go on any operations myself yet," Markowitz chuckled with the same regret.

They both really wanted to fight...understandably so.

Kirkwood smiled sympathetically, but only briefly before reading something that truly alarmed her, which she showed to Van Nuys.

"Gentlemen, I'm afraid that we've just got some...heart wrenching news. Three cruise missiles, launched by an ILN submarine, a Virginia-class fast-attack boat, have struck the Empire State Building and Times' Square. Hundreds, possibly thousands of Manhattanites, have been killed or injured, and the damage has been extensive...fires haven't all been put out by the New York Fire Department yet. Those bastards attacked civilians who hadn't done a damn thing to harm the captain and crew in their lives. I can't prove it, but Davis must have approved of this, right? A skipper wouldn't have just done this on his own. The man's a goddamned war criminal! Governor Watson is set to deliver a special address to the people regarding this attack shortly, probably as soon as her speechwriters can get something together in such a rush. I have been instructed, however, not to depart this conference, same with Admiral Kirkwood. She, Governor Watson that is, has requested personally that somebody, and I quote verbatim, 'sink that damn murderous, terrorist sub, captain, and crew.' I don't blame her," Van Nuys choked back tears to maintain a manly stoicism.

"Folks, one thing is sure. The people of New York are fully invested in this war, even more than before. No one's gonna question why we fight now," Kirkwood steeled herself as well, but her heart was truly broken.

Times Square was always one of her favorite places on Earth, a real melting pot of people of all kinds if there ever was one.

by **Incelastan** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 10:14 am

ILS Minotaur

Commander Plato Vargas was unaware of the discontent in his crew, being more focused on his next plans, which were to locate commercial shipping where possible and sink it. He wanted to hit soft targets right now, ones that would leave a real impact. He wasn't suicidal enough to go after military targets right then and there. Hitting commercial shipping would have a real negative impact on the foe without having to risk his crew and himself. He was resolved, in any case, to make the invaders of Incelastan pay for destroying the great experiment in restoring the natural, patriarchal order of civilization. Vargas was a grandson of a Portuguese secret policeman, a member of PIDE, who had served under fascist dictator Dr. Antonio Salazar, and had been punished later by an angry mob for it before fleeing the socialist takeover of that country.

Vargas was never a big fan of feminism, Marxism, leftism of any kind and was always suspicious of such things. He had voted for the most right-wing candidates from the day that he came of age, being so far right that he gained a reputation in the old U.S. Navy of being what one black skipper had called, "a racist, fascist pig." He had often voted for the Constitutional Party, considering the Republicans to be too liberal at times, though he didn't share the Constitutional Party's prohibitionist leanings on alcohol. He was Portuguese, after all. He liked his Madeira and his rum. Vargas only dissented in some of the bizarre social policies that in his mind went too far. He hoped that sanity would return someday, but he doubted it would now, with abject defeat and capitulation so close. Vargas was, after all, secretly a devout Roman Catholic with traditionalist notions of family and marriage. He only justified his war crimes of late because it was "necessary to demoralize the foe and rescue his country, as well as try to annihilate the New York Zionist pinko regime." Oh, yes, he was also an anti-Semite.

"The Commonwealth is nothing but a Zionist plot," Vargas thought aloud in his stateroom, even as a strange noise reached his ears, "full of feminist, Marxist, Jewish, Masonic policies aimed at destroying family and community."

It was unexpected....and he hoped that it didn't mean what it sounded like....a ping.

"Oh, fuck," he said, just as he rushed out to alert his crew.

He was met with a bullet, a live round, and never lived to know its source. The bullet entered his skull and splattered his brains all over his stateroom. He never had another conscious thought again.

by **Incelastan** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 1:26 pm

To: Prince Shaladew Kadav, Minister of the Left and Minister of Death
From: Dr. Armin Stern
Subject: Negotiated Peace
Encryption: Most Secret

Citizen,

There are certain relevant points or facts which seem to have escaped your attention. Allow me to illuminate the actual situation on the ground here.

1. King Ray I was not a hereditary monarch by any lawful or constitutional means. He was installed originally during the Revolution as the head of state, not a monarch, but usurped a monarchical title and rank shortly afterward, purging political enemies and betraying the Great Incel Revolution of 2021.
2. There was no central government whatsoever in existence at the time that the Great Incel Revolution, resulting in a vacuum or void that had to be filled with something. The Incel Liberation Army gladly filled the void, even if some state governments resisted the necessary transfer of power.
3. The Directorate only ousted King Ray I after he betrayed the Revolution and committed many other crimes besides, even attempting to organize mass castrations of "chads," men who bully incels. He built up a cult of personality and essentially embezzled public finances as well as other such crimes.
4. The Directorate has been attempting to reunify the former United States of America and restore law and order throughout the continent of North America. We are seeking to bring a revolution that will transform North America and revitalize society. The cancers of feminism and Marxism must be stamped out.
5. The cause of secular Masculism must be upheld and we are attempting to move past religious superstition into a post-religious society. This is a true social, economic, and political revolution that will bring North America into the twenty-first century.

Sincerely,
Dr. Armin Stern, Director of Foreign Affairs

by **Legatia** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 10:21 pm

Meridon Defense Forces
Officer Commanding, Combined Task Force Oak Hand (OC CTFOH)
Task Force Headquarters Group
-
The New York Hilton Midtown, New York City, New York- 1130H EST

Ironwood paced down the hallways past the Executive Lounge, with barely five minutes past from when the conference had ended. Accompanied by a pair of adjutants and another pair of close protection personnel with sidearms on their hips, the quintet of them felt their hearts skip a beat as the fire alarm was pulled somewhere in the building.

The PA system rang one second afterwards- "AIR RAID, AIR RAID, SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY! AIR RAID, AIR RAID!"

The General was nearly grabbed by his aides to be rushed down the hallway, but about everyone in the group caught the message. The just-departing delegates would be seized by their escorts or whatever MPs were present and thrown into rooms away from windows and in the center of the building using keycards if possible. Those that couldn't were tackled to the floor and covered.

A pair of MANPADS operators on the building's roof were cued south, their portable radars catching only a glimpse of the targets before the explosions hit multiple blocks south of them. The explosion and ripple wave was imminent, and instinctively the two took cover, before poking their heads up as dust and smoke cascaded over the cityscape south of them.

It took another five minutes for the warning to be tenatively lifted. The delegations were herded by security forces into service elevators and thence, down to the basement, with a veritable horde- nearly a platoon's worth- of MPs and Security Forces present in the under-areas.

Ironwood exhaled as Secretary Van Nuys shared the news- he had gotten the brief only seconds earlier, though not as detailed.

"..You have my condolences, Secretary;" the General shook his head- not in disbelief, he didn't put this past them. Their deployment to New York was already only in its early stages, and a proper defense net had not yet been strung. However, guessing by the lack of reaction time and the amount of assets they did have currently, he correctly assumed the sub was close, and if it was, it wouldn't be alive much longer.

"However, it won't be escaping us. I've ordered our forces to track it down and kill it. That leaves a singular sub out in the wild- we find that, we put the ILN out of commission for good."

Thirty minutes later, the warning was cleared, and the delegates would be released, and escorted should it be deemed necessary, from the Hilton. The 'introductory luncheon' would have to be put off for another time..

Meridon Defense Forces
Meridonian Army, 16 Division Infantry
26 Regimental Combat Team Mechanized (26 RGMI RCT), 11 Battalion Mechanized Infantry
2 Squad, 1 Platoon, A Company
-
Inwood, New York, NYC -Following Day- 0414H EST

Lance Corporal Maxwell "Max" Smith stared at the empty bolt of his IAR rifle, the only one sat in the crew compartment of his section's AMMV infantry fighting vehicle. The vehicle was only two years old, barely any scuff marks or signs of use in the vehicle. His rifle, however, wasn't- it was well used, but well maintained.

Old and new. He was on what would be his final tour with the Army. He had half expected to coast through- but to him, a career was out of the question, with his girlfriend back home now saying a child was on the way. Staring at the helmet that too sat in his lap, a picture of he and her on a Sistine waterfront bar was his foremost reminder of what he was fighting for.

"Load them up! Get a move on, here we go!" From outside, his section sergeant, First Sergeant Rowley, screamed in his hoarse voice at the rest of the section. It was only then that the other three of his fireteam loaded into the vehicle. There were two fireteams to his vehicle, which held eight men. He and his men had been briefed by their company commander over supper, and the Lieutenant in command of the section had given them their jobs soon after that. Everything had been briefed down to the squad level.

Privates Barrett, White and Lowe were the other three members of his team. Barrett was the most experienced of the bunch, serving as team rifleman. White served as the grenadier, and Lowe, the youngest of LCpl Smith's team, served as their Light Support Weapon gunner. All four would be sitting together in the back of the AMMV infantry fighting vehicle.

Sliding past them with a sidearm strapped to their hip was the vehicle gunner, a surly and seasoned Lance Corporal named Sylvat. It was the butt of the platoon that he was the Regiment's 'Staff Corporal', who had held his rank the longest- the man was a solid shot with rifle or cannon, however, and seemed to never tire.

"Aye, fucking morning to you cunts. Wake up yet?"

"Negative. That'll be shortly. Give me the ride to sleep, won't you?" Smith hit the bolt release on his rifle and simultaneously flicked the safety, chambering a round and then lowering the rifle to the steel floor.

"You fucking pansies;" Sylvat jostled with a teasing grin as he clambered into his seat. "Ain't you bunch never seen some excitement before? Fucking get revved up, right?!"

1Sgt Rowley was in shortly after him to take his temporary seat as second in the turret, his mustached face grimacing quietly at the thought of having to sit alongside the section jokester for the length of the trip.

"And a top morning to you, Firssarge."

"Can it, Sylvat, my coffee hasn't kicked in yet;" Rowley replied.

"Doubt anything could kick your ass into gear this early. Figured I wouldn't be the only morning person when I joined the Army."

"Yeah, you and the Lieutenant, both insufferable twats before the sun's up."

"Don't let him catch you saying that, First Sergeant." Lowe joined in, peeking up from a magazine with his soft blue eyes.

"Oh, I've told him, already, he knows." The seat in the turret compartment creaked as the heavyset section sergeant sat, exhaling. "For once, the bastard's right. Look alive, the lot of you. Smith, keep them alive."

The First Sergeant had said it casually, but the words resonated with the Lance Corporal. The lives of these three others were in his hand. He stared at his own.

He wanted all four of them to come back home.

"..Aye, First Sergeant."

* * *
Yonkers-0557H EST

26 Regimental Combat Team was the first infantry formation to make contact with the entrenched Marine Brigade in Yonkers. As AMMV fighting vehicles rolled up Route 9A into Riverdale, the opening shots came not from the infantry themselves, but from aircraft overhead.

Supported by a squadron of D6M5 Adder attack helicopters from above directly, armored targets were spotted and eliminated, laser-guided missiles ripping from their pylons and rocket barrages rippling from rocket pods as infantry formations were spotted and engaged.

1/A 11/26 was brought along the interchange where their convoy formation halted at a long bend in the road. Over Alpha Company's frequency, the first call came.

"Contact! Enemy thermal signatures up the street, about a hundred yards for oh-one-zero!"

"All Saber victors, Saber Sunray, dismount, dismount!"

Flashes of bright white phosphorous detonated ahead of the vehicles as armored rear doors were dropped. From within the smoke, tracer fire from 7.62mm machine guns and the THUMP-THUMP-THUMP of 30mm cannons threw hail down the once-peaceful streets of Yonkers.

Meridonian infantrymen sprinted from the cover of their vehicles to hedgerows, guardrails and the sides of houses as suppressive fire first was thrown down the alleyways. It was followed by accurate fire from rifles and grenade launchers as the men moved to clear the immediate vicinities of the vehicles they'd just came from.

LCpl Smith waved his three subordinates over as gunfire erupted deafeningly up and down the town. The cacophony of war he had only thought he'd heard in exercises was all too real now.

From above, not only were the helicopters putting in work, but supporting them was a number of Wasps sortied from LaGuardia, dropping bombs and launching missiles at anything particularly sore to be hit- armored vehicles, fortifications, and command centers. Smith caught Lowe glancing upwards as one such fighter flared agressively to ward off a MANPAD launched at it, screaming south down the Hudson at low level as he raced to get out of range once more. He grabbed his subordinate and shook him by the collar.

"Eyes on the ground, you can get your fill of airshows back home!"

The tempo was kept harsh, the infantrymen sticking close by their IFVs as they pushed forward into the town. Their Korean allies would begin the pincer to their east soon- but until they met, they would have to keep pushing.

Meridon Defense Forces
Regiment Marines Commando- 2 Marine Amphibious Regiment
17 Commando Task Unit (17 CTU), 17 Battalion Marine Commando
-
South of Mt Hope Bay-Following Day- 0622H EST

Miles to the east and hundreds of miles per hour faster, twenty-four C22M Adjutant tiltrotors crossed the short distance from the Amphibious Ready Groups towards the shoreline of Providence following their rapid redeployment from Ronkonkoma. Now fully blooded, knowing what they were up against, the men of 17 CTU would be the first of the 2 Meridonian Commando Task Units to make assaults against targets here.

Already ahead of them clearing their landing zone in Riverside, southeast of their objectives in Pawtucket, was the full complement of twelve D6M5s flown from the ARG. Their lighter numbers would mean having to hold and establish a beachhead for the rest of the forces to be ferried from the strike group- a process they expected to take just over an hour. Thankfully, significant firepower was allocated to this push, and overhead striking both reactively and proactively against ILA defenses and defenders in Providence and the bay to its south was a pair of Navy squadrons, Lynx and Wasp both, making mincemeat of anything in the open on the ground.

Attack helicopters orbited close to two thousand feet high about the country club that was to be their landing site in Barrington as the first quartet of Adjutants set down. Streaming from their rear decks were the greater portions of a rifle platoon in each, sprinting over the muddy wet ground and throwing themselves prone in a circular defensive arc around their aircraft as it finished offloading.

Once they did, a man stood and waved, and the rotors on each spun up before they lifted back into the sky, darting rapidly back towards the fleet to refuel and take on reinforcements.

It wouldn't be long, however, until the Marines would have to fight to hold their ground. The three companies worth of infantry on the ground from both 17 and 20 CTU spread out to cover the landing zone the country club provided, anchoring themselves between the shoreline and the lakes in close proximity.

"Movement, down the road! Military age... paramilitaries, sir." A Lieutenant took a knee next to one of his Marines, peering through the scope of his rifle.

"No use hiding it. They get any closer with guns up, merk 'em."

"Aye, sir!"

Meridon Defense Forces
Meridonian Army, 9 Division Armored
10 Regimental Combat Team Armored (10 RA RCT), 4 Battalion Armored
-
Northbound on NY-100- 0701H EST

So far, the quietest morning being had was that of 9 Division Armored, whose hundreds of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles were currently roaring northbound on NY-100. Theirs was not a 'hearts and mind' mission. Traffic- whatever there was on the road- would be cleared with warning shots from machine guns from CROWS mounts about the lead section, about ten miles up the road from the main column of Conqueror tanks and AMMV transports in loose formation. They were to serve both as advanced route clearance and bait for any ambush, which was then to be cleared by helicopters as the formation continued to push north.

Escorting the formation was a bevy of helicopters flying ahead, behind, and to the flanks of the miles-long formation, maintaining a solid 40mph pace northbound towards their objective areas of Tarrytown and Elmsford. In trail would be Joseon's own armored brigade, one joining the three Meridonian armored RCTs pushing north on 100 from their staging points in New Rochelle.

Given the formation's scouts, overwhelming air cover, and overhead ISR assets weren't cued onto any ambushes, delays or otherwise- in a little over ninety minutes they would be in position.

by **Unoccupied New York** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:19 am

The Next Morning
Operation Odysseus, the Trojan Horse invasion plan for Connecticut,
Per Brigadier General Irving Markowitz, Commonwealth Army

It was a damn dangerous proposition, of course, approaching Providence, Rhode Island, directly, and risking shelling from coastal batteries the whole damn time as they sailed up from Long Island, so Markowitz devised another plan, one rather bold in fact. He would disguise the landing force as civilian airline passengers and freight coming aboard cargo jets, taking full advantage of the internal confusion in ILA-controlled territory to land at smaller airfields and airstrips rather than wasting time with a seaborne operation. This would not only save time, but reduce the risk of discovery and coastal bombardment, not to mention that third and last submarine. It would completely catch the ILA Militia forces off-guard, as they were sure to expect any Commonwealth forces to arrive by sea...and thus somewhat delayed. A more amateurish paramilitary force like theirs did not seem capable of reacting swiftly and decisively to this kind of assault.

It was a last-minute change, and both Reilly and Kirkwood expressed doubts, the latter more than the former, but in the end, Markowitz's superior combat record won out. The utmost secrecy was maintained as far as possible, smaller airfields and airstrips as well as airports off Governor's Island and other places of that sort being exploited in this case. In this manner, two divisions of Mechanized Infantry of the Commonwealth Army were flown in toward the airfields and airstrips in question, with all of their artillery, IFVs, APCs, and other gear. Markowitz had studied his history and knew of at least one case where this tactic had worked: Prague, 1968, when the Soviet Army had disguised significant forces for their invasion of Czechoslovakia to bring down the Dubcek reformist administration and end the so-called "Prague Spring." Well, if it hadn't been used since the late 60s, Markowitz thought, what are the chances that anyone will expect it now?

The two divisional commanders, with General Powell slightly senior over General Gutierrez due to greater combat experience, both rang their hands nervously and lit cigarettes to calm their nerves, even as their troops drank heavily from thermoses, as it was still cool this early in mid-to-late April. It was the Great Northeast, after all. Yankeedom, General Powell, thought, and now a descendant of slaves liberated by Yankees would liberate them in turn, not from the yoke of slavery or bondage, but from that of pure tyranny. He found that irony somewhat appealing, having studied his history well at historically black college Howard University while also in ROTC. He was no West Pointer, but neither was Gutierrez. They were both "rotsies," the bastard offspring of the Army officer corps. That was okay. They were about to make some serious history, thanks to that bold and ruthless corps commander of theirs. Markowitz....how did his mind conceive of such daring and dangerous exploits, anyway? This was not exactly the coldest of landings, after all. It had all of the potential to be hot as Hell, in fact.

At least once the incel bastards realized what was up, of course. Powell knew that they were green compared to his own men, but his men were somewhat greenish, and more to the point, these guys would be motivated by fighting off an invader. Thank God we have the element of surprise and that these are likely Militia...we're gonna need those two things going for us...both of them. Markowitz had really stuck all of their necks out on this daring plan of his. There was no doubt of that.

Oh, God, please, let this work out.....

So thought Gutierrez as well as he felt them descending to the airstrip in question, an unscheduled flight seeking to exploit the reported breakdown in air traffic control in ILA territory.

by **Unoccupied New York** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:43 am

The Previous Evening,
Manhattan, New York

"Suffice it to say that Manhattan is temporarily under a curfew and a state of emergency. I'm about this close to declaring martial-law, in fact. But not yet, if we can avoid. We need your troops available for defense, not police work. Well, I have addressed the people, reassured them to the best of my ability, and heaped scorn on the foe. Now, of course, you'll have to avenge us. In the meantime, we have crews upon crews of firefighters, police, EMTs, etc. Civilians working hard, just like they did on 9/11, to sort through the wreckage, clean it up, and rescue anyone still trapped under the rubble. This is gonna be one helluva mess to clean up, but at least no one will forget today. April 25th will burn in everyone's memory in the same way and steel our resolve for victory. There's not gonna be any more weasel words about 'accepting things as they are' or any other such crap. Where do some of these spineless fools get such inspiration for such cowardice? Neville Chamberlain's biography? Oh, no, Mister. They started this war...on my watch, no less. I'm gonna finish it, preferably also on my watch. Then my successor can deal with the peacetime headaches. This war has been enough responsibility for me. I feel a century older in just a day. I'm gonna need a serious stiff drink. Want some rum?" Governor Michelle Watson asked Secretary of Defense Arnold Van Nuys as they sat in her office in Gracie Mansion, a residence that she now shared with the Mayor of New York City.

"Oh, incidentally, Mayor Bentham wanted to share this from him. It's a cigar. He suggests that since you're now in a 'Churchill' role as he put it, you should 'act like it.' Want a light?" Van Nuys asked Watson.

The Governor laughed, poured both of them some rum and Coke, and let him light the cigar, and told him, "Here I thought that being a District Attorney and Attorney General would be rough. Being Governor is so much worse. At least in wartime, not a scenario that was on my agenda. This was just a pit stop on the path to the White House, to be the first female President of the United States, or at least a respected Senator in Congress. Or Attorney General of the United States, for that matter. I had a future that seemed a lot brighter than this, or so I thought. But, as the saying goes..."

"If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans?" Van Nuys finished the proverb for her.

"That would be the one, yes," Watson nodded, acknowledging what a kick in the teeth this war had really been. She had wanted to be head of a country, but a much larger, stronger, more prosperous one, the one that had collapsed only two years ago.

"Well, I have at least received assurances that the sub in question won't survive, let alone present a continued risk to us. If that's any satisfaction," Van Nuys observed dryly.

"God, I love you, Arnie! You're a cold fucking fish when you wish to be, but you're quite capable of seeing the pros as well as the cons. Probably why you were such a great chief of staff!" Watson laughed darkly, just before breaking down in tears.

All those people....all those civilians...dead....it didn't seem real, even now....worse carnage even than September 11th....Times Square....Times Square...and the Empire State Building, once the tallest building on Earth. Oh, God help those incel bastards if I ever get them alone...and God save me from doing so, because I've never been a killer and don't wish to start. Still...they deserve to rot in Hell, if it even exists. Being from a fairly liberal, modernist Episcopal parish, Watson was entirely unclear about that, but right now, she wanted there to be a Hell...if only for the likes of Peter C. Davis...and the rest of the damned Directorate! They had blood on their hands.

by **Unoccupied New York** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:18 am

Downstate New York,
En Route to West Point

"Bupkis, you know. We know absolute bupkis about this whole operation! Where are we headed again? I had to skip breakfast because I slept too late and they even rushed me out of the shower, forced me to drip dry and everything! I'll be lucky not to catch a fucking cold!" Private First Class Ian "Buster' Morrell griped as he waited in the APC along with the rest of his crew...and the rest of the 4th Division, the 5th moving right beside them, not that far off.

"Oh, get off it, Buster! At least you got a chance to floss! I didn't even get that! I can feel the fucking gingivitis waiting to take shape in my gums! And who cares where exactly we're going, except up the Hudson, toward the foe! We're going to reclaim the fucking Hudson River Valley for the Great Commonwealth of New York! We got some incels to kill before they can get laid! Let them all die virgins! It's what they fucking deserve! Chads of the world unite!" Private First Class Charles "Chad' Rivera sneered.

In truth, neither of them had been laid since the war began, the former because his girlfriend was caught behind enemy lines in Poughkeepsie and he didn't know what had happened to her, whereas Rivera's abuela had scared off his last two prospects just before he went to basic, and then between that and tech school. His Cuban grandmother meant well, but sometimes, her style cramped his. Rivera had stupidly taken both of them to see his family, and his parents had been decent enough, if perhaps a bit nosy...but his abuela...yikes! Even a half-Cuban, half-Italian like him couldn't catch a break! Even his Sicilian maternal grandmother was easier to take than her!

"What you two kids grousing about, anyway? Don't you want to live forever?" Corporal Sloane Kowalski needled his relative juniors, pulling age as well as rank, that there was a steep difference between PFCs and Corporals in this man's army....still, he was their superior, strictly speaking.

Kowalski was as Polish as one got, from his Polska kielbasa recipe and his "Polish Pride" T-shirt with the flag of Poland in red and white with the eagle emblem proudly displayed to his firm, unabashed Catholicism. He even had a picture of Pope John Paul II in his old barracks. He was the first Pope that the guy remembered, anyway, and he had grown up proud that the Vicar of Christ was a fellow Pole, even if from the Old Country itself instead of by way of the USA. Rivera was somewhat pious, but this guy was "still fasts on Good Friday" pious and everyone knew it. How he didn't have doubts about God in a crazy world like this, though, was a mystery to Rivera...and to Buster, for that matter.

What was Buster's denomination, anyway?

"Hey, Buster, what's your church again?" Rivera suddenly asked him aloud.

"The Church of Nunya," Buster chuckled.

"Nunya?" Kowalski interjected now as they traveled north toward their rendezvous with death.

"Nunya business!" Buster laughed at his own joke, of course.

"Cute...but I don't think that church will save your ass from Purgatory...or mine, for that matter, the way I've been livin'," Rivera admitted.

"Oh, come off it, if you're right, I'm not going to Purgatory, and you know it. It's straight to Hell, don't pass go, don't collect two hundred dollars. It's okay, though. I hear that a lot of sluts are gonna be there, too!" Buster chuckled, his mirth now overcoming his irritation, though not his anxiety about where exactly they were heading now.

"So are a lot of those incels, I think...but I don't think that I want to go there, even to kick their asses all over again," Kowalski proved that he could cuss...sometimes.

"After that damn sneak attack on Manhattan, you can bet your ass that they're gonna go deep south...very deep," RIvera did his best Adam Sandler, Little Nicky impression.

"Yeah, well, first we gotta kick their asses over the brink into the Pit...and that we've gotta do, or else we lose...and I badly want to win...and to find out what the hell happened to Melissa. If she was murdered, there's gonna be Hell alright...Hell to pay!" Buster banged his right fist into his left hand furiously...sure, she had been a bitch at times, spoiled even, but she was his spoiled bitch...his to dump, not the SSP's to detain or worse kill.

"Don't worry, kids. We'll get there....and then we'll see war alright, which is Hell on Earth," First Sergeant Willard Culp, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, told them as he put away his vape.

God, how those things are a help in times like this....especially when I get tired of greenhorns musing on war, which they know nothing about...only that sad business of of a fighting retreat from Albany. I've been to Fallujah. I'll never forget that day.

by **Sombreland** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:34 am

Galador, Sombreland

Prince Shaladew Kadav, Minister of the Left and Minister of Death, sat on a comfortable easy chair working on a painting of the willow trees on his estate, using a sketchbook for reference, and thoughtfully contemplating how to produce the best depiction of how the wind blowing their long thin branches had coincided with the movements of clouds that had also reflected the movement in shadows upon the grass. He was mildly irritated when his secretary advised him that his late appointment had arrived.

“Hm? Oh yes, the Chancellor. Please show him in.” Prince Shaladew Kadav put his easel aside and was still in his painting smock when the Chancellor hobbled in leaning on a cane.

“What is this you’re working on? Your garden?” asked Grand Duke Pofolman, the Chancellor, as he came in and sat down rather heavily.

“Yes. An extraordinary day, the wind blew just so, the clouds cast a shadow just so…” sighed Prince Shaladew Kadav. “I am glad I sketched it. I had also taken a photograph. I have contemplated taking up photography. Black and white, you know. But painting is challenging in an entirely different way…”

“Indeed. You had a reply from Incelstan?” asked the Chancellor.

“In a manner of speaking.” Prince Shaladew Kadav chuckled. “I do not blame this fellow, Stern, for calling me ‘citizen’ since I was careful not to acknowledge his position. Extraordinary, though he does not recognize the opportunity in my letter at all. Just thinks the principal concern is me getting facts wrong. This makes things tricky. However, I have been talking with my officials, who have the bit between their teeth.”

“About what?” asked the Chancellor, twirling his cane slowly.

“About trying a bit harder. Kannick recommended being more clear about the purpose in the letter.” Prince Shaladew Kadav paused. “I think he may be right. Because Teroth wants very badly to show what the Royal Expeditionary Force can do. He is concerned that Meridon and her allies may seize Boston before our forces even get there. And so, Kannick thinks that it would be wise to send another letter, to avoid shedding too much blood, you see, and because he observes that Meridon started this war. He observes that it could look awfully like we are supporting Meridon’s original actions rather than just responding to the terrorism and an attack on a friendly nation.”

The Chancellor bowed his head in thought. “That does put us in a somewhat delicate position. The Princess-Regent will want every possibility that does not bring dishonour exhausted.”

Prince Shaladew Kadav looked sadly at his painting and said, “Yes, I was afraid you’d say that…”

Underway: Palmyrian Ocean, Kali Yuga Region

The Royal Sombreland, the flagship of the Carrier Task Force, moved steadily through dark swells, miles from land, but she was not awake. Three quarters of her crew were asleep in their bunks. They were nestled there, muttering in dreams, or almost unconscious, as though they were the children of the ship, sleeping deep in her womb, lights dimmed all around them. Admiral Dargon slept, the flag captain slept, and many of the officers and men slept.

Despite the sleep of the ship, she moved steadily, and was dimly aware. Deep in her reactor and engine rooms, men who were the cream of the engineering crop of the country laboured and moved. Clicking and ticking, and the hum of machinery surrounded them; they worked almost like a strange group of monks, these men in coveralls, and reported on the activities represented on dials, screens, and displays. Men spoke into sound powered phones and made reports; reports were logged. Hoses were examined; conduits were attended to. All of this was under the observation of men who reported to a kind of Lord of the Underworld: the Chief Engineer. Though he slept, his orders had been given, and governed the division of the ship known as the Black Gang since the days of coal and steam.
The Chief Engineer was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the propulsion boilers, turbines and shafting, electrical generation and distribution, potable water distillation and distribution, air condition and ventilation, chill water for electronics, and interior communications systems. These included telephones, sound powered phones, announcing systems, wind speed and direction sensors, ship's speed sensors and indicators, alarm systems and 400 Hz generation and distribution. Systems from the keel to the masthead, bow to stern. Also included was responsibility for the engines of the small boats, anchor windlass and hydraulic underway replenishment gear. The Chief Engineer was also the Damage Control Officer, with responsibility for training all damage control parties, maintaining fire and flushing pumps and piping, sewage disposal systems and ships welders. But bottom line, the primary responsibility of the Chief Engineer was to ensure that, when the Captain said "...I intend to go in harms' way" he could.

The Royal Sombreland Navy had been training for nearly 20 years for this very moment, from the time of the military reforms; beginning. Many technical skills were required simply to make it move. But how to do this and retain the national character was a great question that had been considered even before the reforms began.

The key to it all was to see the Navy as a living part of the Kingdom, and to see the ships within it as being vital to the crafts of the Military Caste. Devotions had to be calculations, prayers had to be routine checks on the status of machinery, purification their maintenance.

In every land there are reformers, and men who doubt what has been decided by their elders, and wonder about the future. So it was in Sombreland; there was fear among such men that, confronted with the unexpected, the men of the Military Caste would not react swiftly for the need to re-evaluate orders and would hold to what was last decided by superiors rigidly. They feared that, as they had read of in modern war, there might be a great need for men who could think quickly on their feet. The planners had done their best, however, as they best saw fit, and the doctrine that was decided upon placed responsibility strongly upon each officer and each warrant officer and each sailor for his own area of responsibility.

Such a man was Lieutenant Agonau, on the flag bridge, high above the black sweep of the flight deck. Agonau balanced his binoculars on the port coaming. The night wind combed h is hair, drying sweat from his forehead. Agonau did not like night watches. He spun the focusing knob, setting it by touch, and lowered his face to peer into the absolute darkness of open sea under overcast.

Ahead, one point off the port bow, a single dim star rose steady, glittering int he distance. The Farifey, a destroyer acting as escort. As he searched the night glasses there was only a faint gray where the sea broke and the sky began. A second light, the Galador, another destroyer. He confirmed positions of the vessels providing escort visually, and then asked for confirmations from positioning from one of the quartermasters. All were present but the Borovor, a frigate. In the hurry to get underway her captain had aken her across a shoal in the dark. She had reported no apparent damage, but still had hove to, to check out her bottom, once she was clear.She was coming up in the utter stern of the task force now, at reduced speed. All ill omen for the expedition? Possibly.
He was tired, and very much aware that he had two more hours of watch left. Then the sweetness of his rack, to gaze upon the photograph of his wife and child, and to dream of home and his garden there. But for now, he must remain alert. He began to pace to keep himself awake. Only two hours. Not a good time for coffee; he must wait. Confirmation came from the cruiser Brobdinag of her position aft of the destroyers.

He could imagine the most important vessels in the fleet after the carrier: the amphibious ships, the supply vessels, and the frigate that escorted them. They were not so leek, nor so fast, nor so heavily armed as the cruiser, destroyers and frigates that provided escort and advance for the expeditionary force. They were larger, swelling with displacement curves rather than the fine lines of speed. Their decks were cluttered with helicopter pads and replenishment stations, stacks of containers and nestled landing craft. They bore the Royal Marine Division.

Flung wide across miles of sea, the Royal Sombreland Expeditionary Force moved across the face of the waters with ponderous determination, moving closer, ever closer, to Incelstan.

by **Incelastan** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 11:24 am

OOC: Placeholder for posts tomorrow morning. Ran out of time. Joseon, feel free to post in the meantime, if you wish. It will be interesting to see what comes of this offensive against the ILA. Markowitz is taking a chance, but he believes that the situation on the ground in Rhode Island presents a unique opportunity to pull off this "Red Dawn" kind of attack.

by **The Great state of Joseon** » Thu Apr 27, 2023 4:47 am

The waters near New York

"We detected an enemy submarine. Fire the light torpedoes."

The NUH-1 Surion Anti-submarine helicopter pilot pressed a button on the trigger. One move was enough.

Two light torpedoes separated from the helicopter and fell into the sea. The purpose of the two light torpedoes was only one. The purpose of the torpedoes is to rush and explode at enemy submarines.

North America
White Plains

Captain Kim Han-min was the K2 Tank No. 5 vehicle commander of the 2nd Battalion. He was using Panoramic Sight to watch his monster and his fellow tanks run toward the White Plains. Above their heads, F/A-38A fighters roared away.

Captain Kim Han-min considered it very meaningful to experience his first real battle as a large-scale maneuvering battle in this way. The large-scale plain battle, in which the tank's power is maximized, was an attractive environment for the tank commander. He couldn't hide the smile on his lips.

About 10 kilometers away, explosions were seen by bombs dropped by F/A-38A fighters. Fighters had to carry out the mission of bombing all enemy soldiers and enemy vehicles in sight before tanks entered the White Plains. He didn't know how much work the 24 fighter jets could do, but it wouldn't be a pleasant situation for enemies without the Air Force.

The leading tanks were the M35A2 Cataphract tanks. These tanks are equipped with electro-thermal chemical guns, so they can attack enemies 8km away. The tanks are moving forward, keeping an eyeing forward.

If enemies appear, tanks will shoot their main guns without hesitation. Joseon's tanks placed M35A2 Cataphract tanks at the forefront to take advantage of their strengths. Since the ILA troops inherited the Former U.S. military equipment as it was, Joseon began operations under the assumption that the ILA's main tanks were M1 Abrams tanks. The 120mm guns of the M1 Abrams tanks have a range of 3.5 km. Joseon's tanks will start shooting as soon as the ILA's tanks come within an 8-kilometer distance and will not allow the enemy to fire.

North America
The waters near Martha's Vinyard

The decks of the LHD ships KHMS Geomundo and KHMS Bogildo were crowded with marines and deck crews. Several Marines were veterans of Afghanistan's peacekeeping operations, but this was the first battle for the majority.

Each of the marines on board the helicopters had a different feeling. There were Marines who were nervous, anxious, emotionless, or even excited. Anyway, the Marines were ready for battle, and they were given enough supplies.

Once all the Marines were on board, the MUH-1 helicopters took off one after another, following the deck crew's signal. The helicopters turned to I-95 and US-1 in Westley with 12 AH-1Z helicopters taking off together.

As the helicopters approached the target point, AH-1Z helicopters fired Hellfire anti-tank missiles at a small number of enemy vehicles detected by radar. While AH-1Z helicopters began fighting with the enemy, MUH-1 helicopters put Marines down in open spaces and grasses near the highway.

As soon as they got out of the helicopter, the Marines hid themselves in nearby rocks and grass. Now they're really going into battle.

Around the same time, KHMS Geomundo and KHMS Bogildo spat out several Solgae-class LCACs and Amphibious Assault Vehicles. Each LCAC carries 4 IFVs and 6 armored trucks with fully armed forces.

LCACs headed for Martha's Vinyard. 12 F-35C fighter jets took off from the carrier before LCACs arrived and launched a pre-emptive strike against enemies on the island. Fighter jets dropped 2,000 pounds of JDAM bombs on ILA forces on the island, fired 25 mm autocannon, and tried to create an environment for marines to land.

The LCACs arrived on the island and lowered the lamp door while fighter jets launched an air raid on the ILA. 32 K-21 IFVs advanced by firing 40mm shells, while Marines advanced together with IFVs as shields.

The soldiers and IFVs advanced slowly, taking care not to go too deep into the midst of the enemy line.

The fleet, which includes KHMS Geomundo and KHMS Bogildo, will stay nearby for fire support. Destroyers and frigates in the fleet fired 5-inch shells at coordinates sent by Marines.

North America
Yonkers

The 14th Mechanized Infantry Division moved to Yonkers and began fighting. They had bad conditions to operate in an urban environment, so they had to take advantage of combined arms between armoured vehicles and infantries. K-22 IFVs equipped with Urban Warfare kits began to enter Yonkers with infantries. IFVs are equipped with APS, but nevertheless, enemy anti-tank weapon fire is extremely lethal in Urban Warfare situations.

Infantries are advancing with IFVs to remove enemy anti-tank firearms. In this operation, IFVs and infantries must work closely together. IFVs will protect infantry from enemy fire, and infantries will protect IFVs from enemy anti-tank fire.

Nevertheless, IFVs and infantries alone may not be able to prevent major damage. To compensate for this, the command put unmanned ground combat vehicles into action. Rkpz 401 Stalker vehicles and Rkpz 301 Hammerhead vehicles will take the lead in the unit and face the enemy.

Rkpz 401 vehicles served as infantry, and Rkpz 301 vehicles served as IFVs, entering Yonkers first. Shortly afterward, an Rkpz 301 unmanned vehicle that discovered the enemy fired a 50 mm shell and the battle began.

8 AH-1Z attack helicopters will roam the air and provide air support.

North America
Nyack

3rd and 19th Infantry divisions began to enter Nyack in K808 APCs and armored trucks. Before the infantries entered, 24 F-15K fighters first dropped GBU-39 SDB bombs over the heads of ILA units in Nyack. Each fighter dropped 16 SDBs, and a total of 384 SDB precision-guided glide bombs were dropped on ILA's garrison and troops.

The infantry will receive fire support from one tank battalion from the 14th Mechanized Infantry Division. The command determined that tank battalions would be more useful in combat at Nyack, not Urban Warfare at Yonkers, and sent tank battalions to Nyack, not Yonkers.

At the same time, the 9th Infantry Division began to enter Monroe, and The 22nd Infantry Division advanced to Newburgh. To support them, 24 F/A-38A and 24 F-35A fighters were dispatched over Monroe and Newburgh to launch precision bombing against the ILA.

North America
New York, LaGuardia Airport

General Adrian Quaritch and General Sung Hanseok were commanding operations at LaGuardia Airport. Originally, Sung Hanseok had to direct operations in the A13 Vanguard aircraft, but the A13 Vanguard aircraft he would be boarding had just arrived at LaGuardia Airport and was undergoing refurbishment.

General Adrian Quaritch

"The party has finally begun. How long is the expected operation time?"

General Sung Hanseok

"Originally, all battles are expected to be over within today, but it may depend on how strong the enemy's resistance will be. But if the enemy's reinforcements arrive, the battle may be longer."

General Adrian Quaritch

"Keep the B-90 bombers on standby to take off at any time and be ready to fly and bomb them as soon as the enemy's reinforcements are detected.“

General Sung Hanseok

"Yes, Sir."

by **Incelastan** » Thu Apr 27, 2023 9:37 am

Yonkers, New York,
1st Marine Division

The enemy's powerful air operations more than irritated Brigadier General Sidney Lanier, the commandant of the 1st Marine Division, a force of 11,000 troops, including artillery and support. He was extremely worried, of course, and did his best to commit the maximum number of MANPADs at work in countering the enemy air forces. He responded to enemy armor by ordering the maximum number of anti-tank rockets to be deployed, even at the cost of regular infantry units. Anti-air and anti-tank tactics took priority over all else and that was just how it had to be. He had to engage in serious damage control here in order to prevent much of his force being destroyed in detail by the enemy forces. They took enough damage already from the enemy air assaults, several hundred men killed and wounded, critical destruction of IFVs and APCs as well as some of the MANPADs and artillery. The addition of the Joseon units to the Meridonian ones only intensified his determination to hurl the most anti-aircraft and anti-tank forces at the foe, even if it risked the safety of said troops themselves. That was the nature of war, after all..risk..danger.

The rest of his response was to commit the maximum forces to ambushes in alleys, inside abandoned and condemned buildings, from rooftops...these last with snipers positioned....and almost all APCs and IFVs were kept to minimal crews, serving more as substitutes for light armor so that they could focus on ambushing and killing enemy troops rather than holding more troops inside for movement. Movements of the infantry themselves were to be kept on foot, functioning as light rather than mechanized troops. He also ordered maximum artillery (88 and 101 mm howitzers and mortars) and squad machine deployments wherever he could place them to do the utmost damage to the foe. It seemed pretty textbook to Lanier, the logical thing to do, but most of all, he was steamed...furious that his air cover and sea cover was gone and that he and his men were vulnerable to enemy air supremacy. The men were also to use smoke grenades whenever possible to obscure their positions and confuse and disorient the enemy. They needed every advantage they could get right now.

"I want to bleed those motherfuckers as best as I possibly can. They might take Yonkers, but they're gonna have a butcher's bill that they'll remember for it," Lanier declared, lighting a cigar nowadays...now that he wasn't subject to those stupid Academy rules about smoking at work. He wasn't a professor anymore, even if he looked like one past his uniform, even down to his bifocals.

To be frank, some thought that he looked like the actor Bob Gunton, usually portrayed as an uptight prick and a foil in such movies as Demolition Man, Patch Adams, and The Shawshank Redemption. He reminded some folks of President Woodrow Wilson, if one could imagine Woodrow Wilson in BDUs or with a cigar, for that matter. Lanier's style was very rigid, very ruthless, and very, very glacial. He could fix someone a cold stare that could put shivers up a man's spine. He also firmly believed in some form of patriarchy, though like most in the officer corps, he had real doubts as to the practicality of key features of Masculism per se. He wisely kept that to himself, of course. He couldn't stare an SSP officer out of arresting him, after all, could he?

"So, sponge tactics, as it were. Absorb them and bleed them dry," his XO, Brigadier General Joshua Dolenz asked him.

"Indeed...absorb them...just like a damn sponge....and bleed them white!" Lanier insisted as he put his cigar back in his mouth.

Providence, Rhode Island Sector,
ILA Militia Command

The commander of the ILA Militia in the Providence area, which was all that Davis could spare for what seemed to be a low-risk sector so far, was the commander of the 8th Militia Brigade, Colonel Hiram Stout. Stout was a native Rhode Islander, of course, commanding predominantly local troops who were often either very green citizen volunteers or conscripts, but he had instilled the "fear of God and Stout" in them, as he put it. He had 4,000 troops, or thereabouts, and he positioned them mostly near the coastline, deeming that to be the greatest danger right then. He didn't have much confidence that his forces could dislodge a strong and determined enemy, but he was sure that he could make them remember the fight, if nothing else, for the raw ferocity of his howitzers, mortars, machine guns, and his snipers....especially his coastal batteries, which he trained relentlessly in preparation for the attacks....set up all kinds of traps and obstacles in their path to pry amphibious units apart and make them more vulnerable for his counter-measures.

So, when Stout was awakened in a hurry from a nap by a terrified XO, Colonel Andrew Moorhead, to the news that enemy forces had landed in at least two places by air, he was both livid that his plans had been thwarted and horrified that they were now mostly useless to him. He ordered any MANPAD units into action in haste, but he didn't have that many to spare compared to Lanier in Yonkers, the Militia being the redheaded stepchild of the armed forces. It was already too late, anyway, as reported to Stout as both the Meridonian and Commonwealth troops arrived in force. His forces were in serious danger of being encircled, and he knew it. Even so, what about the Joseon forces...how would they arrive? The worst part was that whenever and wherever they did arrive, he was already badly outgunned and would be in a much weaker position from which to fight them....but fight them he would, gallantly with what pathetic and meager forces he had on hand.

If they killed or captured Stout in this battle, they would at least have to look at him with some grudging respect as the grouchy curmudgeon that actually put up a fight, unlike those cowards on Long Island.

"Pull back to the city," Stout shouted, "and make them fight us in the damn streets! We can bleed them better there!"

Stout began setting out his plans for the defense of Providence in depth, snipers, anti-tank units, squad machine gun nest, etc. It was a smaller, less substantial version of what took place in Yonkers, and with less time to react, but that was the best he could do under the circumstances. They caught him with his pants down, but they wouldn't do twice, and he would give them a bloody nose.

Meanwhile on Martha's Vineyard....

Compared to the forces near Providence, the defenders of Martha's Vineyard were far more pathetic, mostly lightly wounded troops evacuated from Long Island earlier and dispatched to a "safe zone" where they tried to recover. They weren't even a proper unit with a real commander. The medical unit CO took charge instead, and as he was a non-combatant with medical staff and wounded troops, he quickly surrendered. That was the only option that even occurred to Dr. Isaiah Holmes, the acting commander of what amounted to a rather light battalion. It was hardly gonna be worth risking his charges by trying to resist the enemy invasion. So, with that, the flag of Incelastan was likely to be replaced with that of Joseon, at least for now.

The ILS Minotaur

The officers and crew of the Minotaur barely had time to process the news of the assassination of Commander Vargas before the torpedoes rocked their boat and wrecked the hull, not to mention badly damaged the nuclear reactor inside. The lethal dose of radiation would be enough to kill anyone close enough to the reactor, to say nothing of the force of the explosions made by the torpedoes striking the hull. Officers and crew alike were doomed and had barely seconds enough to think about their fates. It would soon be a confirmed kill. The Minotaur was sunk. Only the Pegasus was left.

OOC: This is a revised version of events based upon a somewhat better understanding of the situation in Nyack.....

Nyack and White Plains

Major General William Van Cleef had interjected the moment that he learned of the Joseon attacks on part of his corps responsible for the defense of the Lower Hudson River Valley....He knew that, since Meridon was part of the alliance, as was the Commonwealth, of course, they would be involved in some capacity. The 1st Armored Division would then relocate from Carmel in Putnam County to come to the aid of the 1st Infantry Division at Nyack, he determined. He quickly sent stern orders to General Hatch in Nyack as well as to General Wiest in Carmel.

"Stay put," he ordered Hatch, "fight a defense, a full-scale urban defense and try to hold Nyack, keep them pinned down. I'm sending Wiest your way, like the stronger claw of a crab. He'll be along to relieve you by attacking on the enemy flank."

Since Van Cleef was the corps commander, General Wiest rushed to respond to the instructions and get his armored division moving in that direction. He was to uproot everything and commit his entire division, all of his tanks, in this relief or rescue operation to aid Hatch in Nyack. He made sure to travel light, no excess baggage, no luxuries at all. This was the armored equivalent of a forced-march, though any Meridonian forces that encountered them would naturally slow them down or stop them. It remained to be seen whether or not the 1st Armored could arrive in time to relieve the beleaguered forces in Nyack. This was a real nail biter of a situation....would the 1st Armored Division be able to carry out their orders...or would they be stopped in their tracks by the Meridonian forces? Wiest feared the answer to that query, but he would do his damnedest to win...too much was at stake....Wiest hated the old political and social order, even if he had real qualms about Masculism, as so many increasingly did....but they could reform it if left alone in peace, without going backwards, right? He still resented the divorce laws in any case, and this war was a major way of punishing his ex-wife and others like her...so far.

Wiest, of course, added his own twist on the maneuver, by organizing his tanks into small packs or "hunter groups" to reduce the size of the target he presented to enemy armor and artillery....and anti-tank units. Gone was the massed formation of armor, of course. That was World War 2 stuff there. Wiest hadn't served in Syria and fought ISIS and Assad's regular Syrian Army for nothing. "Small Armored Wolf Packs" he called them, of course. That seemed to fit and it t reflected his rustic past as an Amish lad, of course.

As for the forces in Nyack, the 1st Infantry Division settled in, using a maximum emphasis on defense. Hatch insisted upon snipers placed in every tall building from which they could strike, even as his IFVs and APCs emulated armored cars in such an urban environment, not that unlike the ones used in the Irish War For Independence or the Russian Civil War a century past. At least these would be more effective than any of those, and more effective than the Somali technicals that Hatch once encountered in the rescue mission there back in the 1990s. If those gun trucks could strike without warning and deliver death and destruction, even in cities like Mogadishu, so could these in Nyack, New York. He also set men to work detonating certain buildings to reduce them to rubble from which his men could hide out and attack others. Not to mention that this would have a "scorched earth" effect and the fire and smoke from the detonations, as well as the debris, would endanger the enemy's safety and health.

Hatch was nothing if not inventive in ways to make an enemy pay for ground, emulating the Somali warlords and technicals who had been his own bane as a young soldier in Mogadishu. He was no particular ideologue, not caring much about politics, but generally agreeing with the idea that feminism had gone way too far. He didn't necessarily agree with the measures adopted by the regime, but he didn't relish a return to the past, either. More to the point, this was his country now, and he had to defend it to the best of his capacity. Whatever the flaws of Masculism, they could be reformed internally...it wasn't the responsibility of outside interlopers like Meridon or Joseon to meddle, not even with the invasion and occupation of New York....they had been trying to restore the Union....a new version of it, after all.

He would make those meddlers wish that they had butted out if it killed him. Of course, he already took many casualties so far, thanks to enemy air and artillery attacks, using his own MANPADs and anti-tank as well as regular artillery to try counter this assault. Even so, he had lost about two hundred forty-six killed and four hundred seventeen wounded so far....it was truly worrying, of course. Could they hold out for Wiest...and would Wiest even arrive?

O Beautiful, For Heroes Proved, In Liberating Strife.

His Truth Is Marching On....

I have seen Him in the watchfires...

Of a hundred circling camps....

They have builded Him an altar....

In The Evening Dews and Damps...

I can read his righteous sentence....

By the Dim and Glaring Lamps....

His Truth Is Marching On....

In The Beauty Of The Lilies....

Christ was born across the sea...

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me..

As He Died To Make Men Holy

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