Army of Freedom: Nukes Unleashed, Chapter 3

[New Waldensia]

OOC: This is the thread where we'll be RPing events in Army of Freedom nations during the nuclear war. Do not post unless you are in the Army of Freedom, have permission from us, or are a moderator doing your job.

• Nukes Unleashed, the original (N-Day²)
• Nukes Unleashed, the sequel (N-Day³)

[New Waldensia]

Time: T-50 hours
Location: underground command center near Valdenton, New Waldensia

The conference room door opened and bevy of people entered. Generals, military aides and officers, civilian government officials, representatives from the President, the Royal houses, and each branch of the military took seats around the expansive table. Screens on the walls showed live feeds from two dozen locations, as intelligence rolled in om monitors in front of each seat.

"What's the situation of the Strategic Missile Command?" barked the President.

"SMC is fueled and prepared for launch. Our satellites are actively scanning for any launches, so we can be prepared for counterfire," said a general.

"Intelligence reports that nuclear forces across the globe are activating. We estimate at current rates that war will be upon us within 72 hours or sooner."

"Civilian aid agencies are executing evacuation plans as we speak. Relief groups are distributing the necessary equipment to pre-arranged disbursement points across the country. Sensitive locations are under mandatory evacuation, and law enforcement is assisting in full," said a civilian emergency management official.

"Good. Keep up the preparation. I want Gagium and Furbish Islands on the phone, pronto. We have to coordinate efforts with the broader community if we want to emerge out of this better than last time. Get Viridus, too."

[Furbish Islands]

Hamilton Cawley Base
Tasmanian Mountains, Furby Island
Morning, 24 September, 2019

The Furbish Air Defense Command, or ADEFCOM, is headquartered in the Tasmanian Mountains, more specifically in Hamilton Cawley Base. Outside, the base has two operational asphalt runways, and a handful of buildings with various purposes. They were simple rectangular structures, made from concrete and lacked much decoration besides their many windows. The tallest building in the base, the control tower, stands behind the two runways and the hangars. The rest include barracks, training grounds, and various command and control rooms. Several radar antennae are positioned on the edges of the base, pointed in all directions, searching for any signs of incoming ballistic missiles. Anti-air missiles were positioned in various locations. Surrounding the base is several layers of tall barbed wire fencing, with armed guards positioned around it. Three checkpoints were placed around the base, with roads leading from them to other locations in the mountains.

Towering over the base are the Tasmanian Mountains. The base sits besides Mount Cawley, named after the same man as the base. General Hamilton Cawley commanded some Furbish units in Europe seventy-five years ago. Cawley observed destruction caused by early ballistic missiles, then increased tensions between the two major superpowers. Cawley created a proposal for a national anti-air and anti-ballistic missile defense program. His proposal also included scattering radar bases and missile silos across the country, mainly in remote areas. While there has been some resistance, his proposal was fully adopted, and headquartered in a base that would be named after him. A large part of this base has been dug inside a mountain, and is able to survive an indirect nuclear blast. One room inside has a large map of Furby Island, and another with the entire world. These maps receive data from all radar stations about flying objects, including ballistic missiles. The room is staffed by several high ranking officers, but the Prime Minister is the one who must approve all nuclear strikes, though only the officers in the room need to approve the use of anti-ballistic missiles.

A large transport aircraft touched down on one of the runways. It taxied into one of the hangars, then slowly lifted its nose. Ion the hangar, General Frederick Kennedy, the ADEFCOM commander, stood near the arriving aircraft, beside more officers. They stood in full dress uniform, with black trousers and dark blue coats. Being high ranking officers, there was a gold stripe down the side of both of their arms, broken up into several segments. On the front of their uniforms, all officers had various ribbons and medals, and shoulder patches with their rank insignia. As the plane’s nose opened, several people can be seen inside. In the middle stood the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Marcel Cappenberg. His position made him the highest ranking member of the SVF, or Furbish Armed Forces. He was usually positioned the military’s headquarters, in central Furby City, unless there was an important matter elsewhere. The officers in the base knew of the general’s arrival before he even took off. He did not elaborate on why he was arriving, but they had some ideas.

Cappenberg stepped out of the plane. He walked to Kennedy. Both men shook hands. “Good morning, General.” said Kennedy. “Good morning.” replied Cappenberg. A few more men walked off the plane. After some time, Cappenberg took Kennedy aside. “We have received some reports,” Cappenberg began, “it seems that many nuclear armed nations are wanting war. We’re very sure that there will be a worldwide nuclear exchange.” Kennedy paused for a few moments. “Ah shit, here we go again.” Cappenberg continued “We’ve been contacted by some allied nations, including New Waldensia. We will once again be joining the Army of Freedom.” Kennedy nodded. “What are the standings on the missiles and anti-ballistic missiles?”

Both men walked to the underground section of the base. The hallways were narrow and low, built for people shorter than Kennedy and Cappenberg. Kennedy walked through the maze of hallways, ending at a large room. It was filled with computer screens, and three large ones on the walls with large maps. One of these maps was of Furby Island, and the other two were maps of the world. They had symbols for flying objects and important locations, including any sort of settlement and military installations. The maps received information from satellites and radar stations, and are updated at real time. This map then is sent out. “Status on the anti-ballistic missiles?” Cappenberg asked. Kennedy pointed to a screen and replied “Currently they are all fully operational. Some of them need maintenance, and crews have already been dispatched.” Cappenberg looked at the screen as Kennedy was talking. “Excellent” he said.

---

Unknown
Central Furby Island
Morning, 26 September, 2019

A several kilometer long diesel powered train slowed down and came to a stop in the middle of the Furbish jungle. The station was not very large or busy, but beside it is an underground bunker serving an extremely important purpose. Soldiers exited the building. They wore jungle camouflage uniforms, and held fully loaded assault rifles. They stood in the center of the jungle, while behind them, machines slowly lifted ballistic missiles out of the bunker and onto the train. The sounds of all the cranes overwhelmed the sounds of the animals in the area. The soldiers stood still, ready to protect the bunker against any threat should one appear. After several minutes of loading the missiles, the train started moving again. It is one of the many trains that has the ability to launch ballistic missiles from its cars, and it has legal priority over all other trains on privately owned track. The train could be positioned anywhere in the country when needed. Throughout the country, dozens of ballistic missile trains and trucks have been spread evenly around. Missile silos have been prepared. And in various oceans all over the world, Furbish nuclear submarines sit, loaded with nuclear armed ballistic missiles, ready to launch them at any target.

The maps on Hamilton Cawley Base marked each one of them. The room was now full of officers with high ranks and security clearences. They carefully watched the maps and every possible report of ballistic missiles.

Civilians have also been warned about the impending nuclear exchange, and have all been briefed on evacuation procedures. If ordered, public transport will stop traveling their usual routes and head to fallout shelters.

[Rojava Free State]

official report: YPG
0300 hours

We haven't figured out yet why everyone is at DEFCON 2, but due to the nature of the situation, we are now on high alert. The threat of an apocalypse is very high tonight and we continue to monitor the radar for any signs of nuclear launches.

We would tell the president, but we got rid of that position 7 months ago. We can't tell anyone, oh God

[Rojava Free State]

This is a personal message from military commander Mohammed Hoxha. As of now, 57 nuclear warheads are heading for our country and we have merely 10 minutes before they arrive. With our shields depleted and many other nations wiped out already, this appears to be it. MAD is taking place, and that's why we have opened up our bomb shelters and buried our most important government documents in a time capsule in Erbil. Hopefully one day it will be found by the descendants of the survivors

Peace and prosperity as always
Kurdistan

[Gagium]

Gagium.

A land of sprawling forests and towering mountains, of winding rivers and endless plains, and home to millions of people. At least, that was Gagium before the bombs fell. In the end, the conspiracy theorists were right - Gagium would fall to the communistic threat. At least alongside her allies and protectorates, many of whom suffered no better fates.

Radiation sprawled across the terrain of Gagium, once lush forests being decimated and turned to dust in a matter of seconds. Entire cities were wiped out as the bombs fell, the endless lines of cars on the freeway stationary. Within three hours of this fateful day’s start, 2/3 of the population was dead. Those left living would find themselves in a hostile world, where mobs of starving citizens seeking only to live another day ruled the land. The police and military remnants did what they could in the first day, some military bases still standing and operating vehicles and aircraft to help the remaining citizenry. However, most people who survived would later die - More than half of the initial survivors.

While the nation has no glorious network of bunkers or safeguards should doomsday arrive, several citizens have constructed their own private bunkers in the months leading up to today, as the conspiracy theorists warned of the nation’s demise. Several cities also commissioned for their own bunkers, with Agen’s Grand City bunker being able to house 800 people...And yet, it never was able to, for the bombs fell before they could get the gates open. A pity.

[Furbish Islands]

Hamilton Cawley Base
Tasmanian Mountains, Furby Island
Evening, 26 September, 2019

General Frederick Kennedy paced back and forth in the room. Usually manned by a handful of officers, it was now crowded. Nearly every seat in front of all computers was occupied by officers attempting to coordinate a defense. The world map, in the spam of mere hours, transformed from no ballistic missiles to nearly fully covered in them. Over land, many of them were disappearing, and new ones popping up. The officers had no time to spare thoughts for the people living under these locations, for they were given a single task, to protect Furby Island and all of its allies. Men and women inside the room tracked the trajectory of missiles and contacted any anti-ballistic missile base if any looked like they were going to hit the Furbish mainland, or allies. Some also were able to contact any population center and order an evacuation if necessary. But ordering would do almost little to protect the majority of the population, because by that point the nuclear warheads will be only minutes away, which is far too little time to evacuate much of the population into a fallout shelter, no matter how orderly it is done.

“Sir, it appears that there is a barrage directed at our allies.” Kennedy walked over to the officer who said that. On his monitor was a map of a large amount of missiles coming from a singular source, and their predicted trajectories. “Where are they aimed for?” the general asked. The officer pressed some buttons, showing a zoomed out screen. They were aimed at Furby Island. Not only that, but they were aimed at Furby City. “Any more missiles?” The officer pressed some more buttons, showing various other nations in the area, and missiles pointed at other Army of Freedom nations. “In all”, the officer said, “I am estimating four thousand missiles targeted at the Army of Freedom and flying towards us.” Kennedy shook his head. He knew why they were being targeted. The Army of Freedom was quick to launch nuclear missiles, and other alliances felt threatened. Despite his advice, and the rest of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Prime Minister Thomas Norup went through with the strikes, which Kennedy suspected was from pressure from other trigger-happy Army of Freedom leaders. All he could do was hope there was enough anti-ballistic missiles.

The next few minutes were tense. Kennedy walked to his own monitor, carefully tracking the trajectory of several ballistic missiles. Suddenly, more flying objects apppeared around them, before all of those and the missiles disappeared. “Missiles shot down!” shouted a voice in the room. They disappeared near the shores of another Army of Freedom nation. Another voice in the room said there were missiles heading near Furby Island aimed at other allied nations. “Have the anti-ballistic missiles hit ones headed for our allies!” shouted Kennedy. Some of the officers got to work. It did not take long for the anti-ballistic missiles to appear on his monitor, then disappear along with a nearby armed ballistic missile. Despite some missiles being shot down, it was clear that the majority have hit their targets in Army of Freedom members, leaving large craters and radiation in their impact. Just like many of the rest of the missiles that hit their targets, there was no time to spare a thought for the people in the impact zone, because Furby Island still needed to be defended.

Officers were regularly rotated in and out. Kennedy still remained in the room, occasionally asking a younger officer or enlisted soldier to grab him a cup of coffee. As the general was sipping another cup, one officer called his name. “Sir, there appears to be another barrage headed towards us.” It did not take long for Kennedy to see a large group of missiles with a predicted trajectory at various locations in the islands. He did not give much thought before shouting “MORE MISSILES HEADED FOR FURBY ISLAND! FORGET OUR ALLIES, SHOOT THEM DOWN!” The officer looked towards him and said “They seem to be getting close. You have enough shields?” Kennedy ignored the officer and tried calling some soldiers manning the anti-ballistic missiles. The officer turned away and did the same. Many were launched in separate salvos. They were getting closer to Furby Island. Many of the officers looked nervously. Fifteen were still flying, then half shot down. The rest were getting closer, and more shot down. A single ballistic missile remained in the air, flying over Furbish waters.

The missile disappeared over western Furby Island. An anti-ballistic missile was flying nearby, but it was still there. On all screens, an icon was shown, indicating that it hit Furby Island. As trained, none of the officers paused. They were looking at other missiles, and ordering other anti-ballistic missile operators where to strike. Kennedy decided to asses the damage the single nuclear strike. It hit a missile silo in a remote location. The only fatalities were the operators inside. But radiation will likely spread due to the wind, and affect the local population. Kennedy switched back to tracking missiles. More that were headed towards Furby Island and allies continued being shot down. After a few minutes, Kennedy felt as though he needed a break. He called in for his deputy to replace him. Kennedy stepped outside the bunker. There, he saw nearly nothing change since Cappenberg’s visit two days ago, besides an increased amount of soldiers. He then walked back into the bunker and his deputy stepped out. Furby Island’s situation will be worse after the single strike.

---

Unknown
Central Furby Island
Evening, 26 September, 2019

The location all men stood in was arbitrarily chosen. On an isolated location off a small road, they set up a temporary installation that will last until the barrage finishes. Days ago, upon hearing orders, some trucks took off along this road. They included several eighteen wheelers, a few with soldiers, and some with the sole purpose of launching anti-ballistic missiles. After a few hours of driving, the vehicles stopped at this location, chosen by the commander, and set up camp. All around the road was dense jungle. A part was sectioned off with barbed wire. All trucks drove into the fenced off area. From the eighteen wheelers, tents were brought out. Soldiers exited their trucks and guarded all sides of the small area they set up. The anti-ballistic missile trucks began readying themselves. The final object, a radio receiver, was unloaded from a truck and set up. It was connected to a large monitor inside one of the trucks, showing a map of Furby Island, and the rest of the world, with all flying objects. It also had direct contact with Hamilton Cawley Base.

A ping was suddenly heard from one of the screens, and the commanding officer opened the call. “Hamilton Cawley Base. Orders to strike nuclear missiles. Copy?” The officer in the jungle responded “Copy that.” On his screen a few ballistic missiles were highlighted. “Sending some targets. Open fire!” Inside the trucks, the officers looked at their own radar screens, seeing the ballistic missiles. Just like in their training, they set the targets of each anti-ballistic missile, and launched. The commanding officer said “Anti-missiles launched.” to the ADEFCOM officer. Some soldiers began reloading the trucks with more anti-ballistic missiles, ready to be called again in short notice. The truck operators and commanding officer watched their screens. The anti-ballistic missiles were slowly approaching their targets, then them and the ballistic missiles disappeared. A few minutes later, the same officer would be called again for another strike.