Conspiracy to War (MT, PMT)

[Charles Buckingham 2]

OOC can I join this?

[Kommandoria]

OOC can I join this?

OOC: The complaining or the RP? Jk. Yes you can, if you're good at RPing.

[Charles Buckingham 2]

Branrich, Octovian Capital
Presidential Estate
0600 Hours Octovian Standard Time
Octovian President Richard Pike walked into the Security Council briefing room.
“Can somebody tell me what the hell has been going on in the past 24hrs?”
“Yes sir, it seems that our old friend Vernstaag has struck again, launching a large attack against the Lolzieristan embassy in Kommandoria”
General Jimmy Richards, Director of Military Intelligence said.
“How many dead?” Pres. Pike said.
“Our Intelligence reports around 61” Richards said.
“Damn he is good” Pike said. “What is the status of our Anti-Terrorism operatives?”
A tall man stood up from his seat “Mr. President allow me to introduce myself, I am Lt. Colonel James Hunt, Commander of our nations Anti-Terror Group. I have been trying to find Vernstaag since he was behind the shootings in the Branrich Metro Station. Now that he has been identified as the attacker, I have already sent a team to follow his trail. The Team, nicknamed “Meta Squad” will be headed by Captain Daniel Tello, one of my best men. His reports show that he may still be hiding in Kommandoria.”
“Thank you Colonel, meeting adjourned gentleman, I expect to see you all here again tomorrow.” Pres. Pike said.

Konigzspire, Kommandoria
Meta Squad safe house
0800 hours
Captain Daniel Tello awoke and got out of his bed. He walked into the kitchen and saw his second in command, 1st. Lieutenant Michael “Mick” Boe sipping a cup of coffee.
“Morning Mick” Daniel said
“Good Morning Captain” Mick said
“We have intell that there is an underground nationalist group based in this city that Vernstaag was rumored to get his weapons from” Daniel said “You and I are going undercover to infiltrate their operation and interrogate their leader”
“yes sir, I can be ready to leave in 5 minutes” Mick said.

[Kauvara]

OOC: Alright, the new order will go "Kommandoria-KCB2-Lolzieristan-Kauvara." That gives us all a chance to react and plan without other players doing things before we can!

[Aulzsreich]

Id suggest you ammend your post before I quote you and you get in trouble for flamebaiting.

[Kauvara]

Id suggest you ammend your post before I quote you and you get in trouble for flamebaiting.

Who?

[Aulzsreich]

Kommandoria- I suggest you amend your post before I quote you as your actions could be construed as flamebaiting. This is me being curtious. You are welcome. As for anyone else-good rping.

[Lolzieristan]

The long rectangular table was surrounded by the most important commanders and officials in all of Lolzieristan. Though there were some suits, the majority of the clothes in the room were military uniforms;The green of the Army, the dark blue of the Navy, the black and white of the Air Force, the light blue of the LMI, and finally the maroon, white, and gold of the Counterinsurgency Branch.
At the head of the table, the President called for everyone's attention, and began laying down the situation.
"As you all know, the bombings in our embassy were committed by a Kommandorian ultranationalist, name of Konrad Vernstaag. New evidence suggests that this terrorist was supported by some, or even all, of the Kommandorian government. Superior High General Klaus von Auberwitz of the Kommandorian military is suspected to have provided the weapons and training for this attack, and perhaps for an entire revolutionary group...gentlemen, your opinions?"
The Marshal of the Army of Lolzieristan stood up and shouted, "Clearly he's looking for a war! We can bring it to 'em!"
Another man, a high-ranking diplomat in the Foreign Ministry, retorted, "Clearly you've forgotten what happened when we fought with them last time. Remember the Panjshir? They sheared the whole boat in half with a rail gun!"
"Ship," the Admiral of the Fleet corrected, and he began to assert his opinion. "Don't forget that after that, we destroyed a large amount of their fleet with an aerial strike."
Vostorya shouted, "You know that was why we have this god-damn problem in the first place! If we keep attacking, they'll keep demanding revenge, or something like this!"
Beslavaky looked down at his hands, folded on the table.
"Gentlemen...I mean, how should we handle the fact that this may not be an action of their government, per se?"
Marshal Zhenya responded, still standing, "If it isn't the government itself, it's a planned coup that's in its final stages? Why play your hand if the stakes aren't set?"
Beslavaky nodded, understanding the metaphor.
"Lower the threat level to DEFCON 2. Odds are, we're going to be at war within a week. Position our assets. for Plan Eighteen...possible invasion of Kommandoria."

[Kauvara]

MT. KAALTYR
KOMMANDORIA
19:49 HOURS

The black SUV came to a halt. The road had ended awhile ago, and at this point, he was just driving as far up as he could. Finally, though, he could go no further. "Dammit," the Low-Level Operator muttered. "Sorry, sir, this is as far as I can get you. You're gonna have to go on foot from here." "Don't worry about it. That drive took most of the day, anyway. I personally can't wait to stretch my legs. Drive back down the mountain, but take a different route. We'll rendezvous in 24 hours," Kydno responded. "Yes, sir."

Kydno, McGran, and Letkov stepped out the vehicle. They opened the trunk. Kydno pulled out a silenced SCAR-L and slung it over his shoulder, checking to ensure the safety was on. McGran withdrew a silenced MP5, tucking it under her arm. Finally, Letkov retrieved a few handheld EMPs (OOC: entirely plausible; can be made out of a radio and a few other household appliances, in fact!), explosives, and a USAS-15. He fumbled a bit with the EMPs, dropping one. McGran quickly caught it. "I swear to the Fox, kid, how the hell did you get on this mission?" she chastised, handing Letkov the EMP. Letkov's face turned deep red, and he took the EMP. "Alright you two, let's move it," Kydno said. He waved his hand, and the SUV pulled away.

The group began their trek up the mountain. It was cold, but the setting sun was warming it slightly. There was a light snow falling, and the ground was covered in a thin layer of white. Long shadows were cast over the rocky terrain by the setting sun, the grey clouds creating an eery orange-red light over what slight vegetation there was. "By the Fox, is there anywhere in this country where it isn't co-?" Letkov was interrupted as McGran put a hand over his mouth. She glared at him. Kydno motioned forward. Ahead were two Kommandorian automated minigun emplacements, situated on the end of a large opening in the rocks. "Listen up," Kydno whispered. "We can't let the Kommandorians know we're here. If we do, who knows how they'll react? This entire mountain is fortified with automated defenses, courtesy of the Kommandorian military. I guess the ultranationalists just found ways to get by 'em. It's the perfect spot for their base, too: why look where there are already auto-defenses?" "What's the plan, chief?" McGran whispered back. Letkov pulled out a handheld EMP. "One o' these babies will knock 'em out!" he whispered excitedly. "Sorry, kid, but if we disable them, the Kommandorians will know something is going on and come running. No, this one has to be handled with care," Kydno replied. "McGran, find us a path around."

"You got it, cowboy," she whispered back. She handed Kydno her MP5, and deftly climbed over one of the rocks. "Damn, I love when she's flexible like this..." Kydno thought to himself. She jumped from rock to rock, before finally landing directly behind the miniguns. She motioned for them to follow. Letkov gave an exasperated look. "How the hell am I supposed to do that???" he whispered worriedly. "Dammit..." Kydno responded. "Just follow me."

The two carefully went behind the rocks, just to the right of the miniguns. "Move when I say so, OK?" Kydno whispered. "Y-yeah, OK..." Letkov stammered back. "Hey, c'mon, kid. This is your big chance, right? Time to stop the bad guys, save the world, and all that stuff," Kydno replied, winking. "Right... OK! Let's do this!" Letkov answered, eagerness in his voice. The minigun scanned right. Left. Right. Left. Right. "Move!" Left. Letkov slid across the opening right as the minigun began turning right again. "Not bad, kid," McGran whispered. Letkov's smile was so big, Kydno was almost afraid a satellite would see the whites of his teeth. Almost. Right. Left. Right. Kydno slid across. Left. He made it. "C'mon, we gotta get there before the sun goes down. This mountain will freeze you to death if you aren't somewhere safe," Kydno said. The group continued onward.

After a few minutes, the trio came across a footpath. "Ah, now here is where things get interesting..." Kydno thought to himself. "OK, so we found a path, but which way do we go?" Letkov whispered. "Step aside, junior, and watch the master at work," McGran said, her voice cocky. "Give the kid a break, Sara..." Kydno thought. McGran took up a position behind a rock. Kydno pulled Letkov behind another. Voices became audible, approaching up the path from beyond the rocks.

"Vladimyr," one of them began. "When is Lolzieristan going to invade? My rifle aches for foreign blood!"
"I'm not sure," another responded. "But they will. Our leader made sure of it. No nation could resist the evidence found at the scene."
"What do you mean?"
"Now, this is just what I heard, but apparently somebody planted evidence of Auberwitz's involvement on Brother Konrad to ensure Lolzieristan would assume it was the Kommandorian government. Just a little failsafe to make sure everything works according to our designs."
"Did Brother Konrad know of this plant?"
"I don't think so. Regardless, the evidence that was ensured to be found will no doubt force Lolzieristan's hand. Our government will no doubt try for peace. Then that whore DuPont will be thrown from power, and the people will usher us in as their new shepherds, ready to lead them to a glorious new-!" Snap.
"Vladimy-?" Snap.
The ultranationalists fell to the ground, their lifeless bodies like ragdolls.

"By the Fox... You gotta teach me how to do that!" Letkov whispered. "Later, son. Right now, we need to hide these bodies and keep moving in the direction they were," Kydno responded. "Give me a hand with this guy, would you?" The trio stashed the bodies, and continued up the path, staying just off to the right. They continued upward. By the time they reached the end of the path, the sun had set, and the mountain was cast in a sullen dark grey.

"Bingo..." Kydno thought to himself. Ahead of them was an old Kommandorian bunker, long abandoned since the advent of automated defenses. A man in a heavy coat was standing outside, an ultranationalist flag tied around his arm. "This has gotta be our stop..." Letkov whispered. "For once, the kid is right," Kydno silently mused. "Alright, you two," Kydno ordered. "Check your weapons. We're going in."

Kydno turned off the safety to his SCAR-L and checked the clip, making sure it was full. McGran grabbed the clip on her MP5, pushing it upward to ensure it was loaded properly. Letkov moved to check his clip, but he tripped the release, the heavy shotgun clip falling to the ground with a dull thud, then a skittering noise as it bounced across the rocks. "Sorr-!" McGran once again out her hand over Letkov's mouth. The group fell deathly silent, watching the guard. He looked over at where the noise came from, a quizzical look on his face. He began walking over. The clip lay bare out in the open. "Wolf dammit..." Kydno thought to himself. The guard picked up the clip. "Chto...?" he said to himself. He picked up his radio. A round went through his temple, and he slumped to the ground. Kydno lowered his rifle.

"We need to move, NOW. It isn't gonna be long before this guy fails to check in and they become suspicious. Move it!" Kydno ordered. The group moved towards the bunker. Night was falling. Their objective had just become the only thing standing between them and a frozen death.

OOC: I cut it down a little to save everybody time! I have another version I wrote (I'm making this into a novel to be combined with the Aldardan and Darksnow Wars; calling it "The Chronicles of the Eclipse." Basically, I edit people's posts to make them novel-ready, then copy and paste them into the book. It's over 100 pages!), but it's WAY longer haha!

[Scocialist Provinces]

OoC: sorry for taking up unesicarry space, but, how the hell do you post like that?!? Almost felt like I was there

[Kauvara]

OOC: It comes with being a Creative Writing Minor in college, and getting a scholarship based on a piece of modern military fiction that I wrote over the course of 2 years in high school I'm actually making this into a novel called "The Chronicles of the Eclipse" (see my prior post for more details)! In any case, I look forward to Kommandoria's post soon!

[The Sovietyeto]

The water of the planet earth cover seven henrys of the globe. In the three tenets of the world, the minority, lattes the worlds wealth. The worlds resources, the worlds factory's, the worlds manpower. All of these things spun around in the mind of the Soviet military planners.

One would imagine the Sovietyeto was quite stretched out as it was. Almost wrapping the world now. But it's recent conquest of countries left millions more under the hammer and sickle. It ment that millions more could join the military. With a bit of prodding it was done. The military had gotten another 1 million men. And the number was climbing.

To secure the economy and military status they needed resources. There latex the question of another war. If Kommandoria was breeding trouble then they would attack. If they climbed a little bit higher they would be the world superpower.

That was the goal. They had the army, they had the plans. If I was war they would be involved.

[Kauvara]

OOC: OK, the new posting order is Kommandoria-KCB2-Lolzieristan-Kauvara-Sovietyeto. Sound good?

[Kommandoria]

Kommandoria- I suggest you amend your post before I quote you as your actions could be construed as flamebaiting. This is me being curtious. You are welcome. As for anyone else-good rping.

OOC: I will amend nothing. Nothing I have posted qualifies as flamebaiting. You, on the other hand, are trolling. I suggest you cease your irrelevant posting before I am forced to report you. If anything, I am the one being "courteous" for not having reported you already. Anyway, to everyone else, I'll be able to post my next segment in a little while. And Buckingham, we already established that Konrad is a native Kommandorian Ultranationalist.

[Charles Buckingham 2]

OOC: Yes I understand

[Lolzieristan]

Beslavaky leaned on the railing of the balcony, staring in wonderment at the troops marching in Earle Square. Five hundred thousand men, all in battle dress uniforms, moving as one. He could pick out some of the sergeants' guttural shouts over the crashing thunder of combat boots. Sure, it's a little ostentatious, the President thought to himself, but it truly boosts morale. He smiled to himself as the division-sized squares began turning, column by column, to round the bend of the Square. He sat back down at his desk, and resumed typing out the communique.

To our comrades in the DSP,

I must inform you that the contents of this message are top secret.
We are preparing to declare war against the Kommandorian scum who dared attack our embassy. Suffice it to say that we have enough proof to show beyond a reasonable doubt that the raid was endorsed and supported by commanders of the Kommandorian Army. Whether this means they seek a coup from their current leadership or are drawing us into war for another reason is yet to be seen; however, it is our duty as Lolzierians to avenge the deaths of our citizens.
I sincerely hope that your nation will aid us in this just war against the Kommandorian menace.
Pray for the innocent; justice for all.

Sincerely,
President Nikolai Beslavaky
Federal Republic of Lolzieristan

He also composed a communique to another, smaller nation in the Western Hemisphere.

To our comrades in the Confederacy of Prubenia,
I must inform you that we seek to avenge the deaths of our citizens and soldiers in the attack on our embassy. What I am requesting of you is not a declaration of war on Kommandoria. I know just how real the danger would be to you if that were to happen. What I do want to ask is the ability to use your country as a staging point for our American Front.
Pray for the innocent; justice for all.

Sincerely,
President Nikolai Beslavaky
Federal Republic of Lolzieristan

He leaned back in his high-backed office chair, doing just what he recommended. After he finished his prayer, he began thinking about just what he had begun. It was not my choice, he told himself. It is for what is right.

[Kauvara]

OOC: With permission from Kommandoria, I have been selected to take his turn, and he is going to take mine! If this is unacceptable, please speak up!

IC:


OUTSIDE ABANDONED BUNKER COMPLEX
MT. KAALTYR, KOMMANDORIA
21:34 HOURS

"Alright, people we have a job to do. Let's get to it," Kydno ordered. He stepped over the ultranationalist body. The trio stepped up to the door. "Letkov, get this thing open," Kydno whispered. "You got it, sir!" Letkov eagerly replied. He began picking the lock. Kydno scanned the clearing with his SCAR-L. It was getting dark out. Before too long, the temperature would fall below freezing; they had to get inside soon. "Got it!" Letkov interjected. "Good work, kid. Everybody inside, move!"


ABANDONED BUNKER COMPLEX
MT. KAALTYR, KOMMANDORIA
21:35 HOURS

"Phew, that was pretty fuckin' ninja!" Letkov whispered. "You weren't half bad, kid," McGran told him, winking. Letkov blushed, turning away. Kydno scanned the room. The walls were concrete, likely feet thick. There were messages scrawled on them in old Kommandorian. What they said, Kydno hadn't a clue. A few trucks were parked in a row against one of the walls. The air was stale, and smelled ancient. The group did not even want to breathe. But what disturbed them the most was the noise. There was none. It was deathly quiet. Letkov unslung his USAS-15. "Well, it looks like it's time to be a hero... Stop the bad guys, save the world and all that stuff..." he said, his voice betraying how nervous he was. "C'mon, Rick, you can do this," McGran told him. Letkov took his first tentative step forward.

The trio split up into a spread formation, moving towards the other end of the room. There was no contact. Something was wrong. Where was everybody? They reached the opposite door. "Letkov, do your thing. McGran, stack up!" Kydno ordered. Letkov went to work, and the lock clicked open. Kydno raised three fingers. Weapons raised. Two fingers. Sights leveled. One finger. Letkov moved in front of the door. A fist. Letkov kicked the door open and spun back to the wall. Kydno and McGran rapidly entered the room. What they saw stunned them. It was a massive, sprawling command center, complete with high tech computers, satellite imagery... "By the Fox, some of this stuff rivals IKSF gear..." Kydno thought to himself. "Clear!" McGran called out. "Clear!" Letkov yelled. "Roger, regroup on me!" Kydno ordered. McGran and Letkov moved to Kydno's position in the center of the room.

"Letkov. See anything you like?" Kydno asked. "Yeah... These things are amazing! How did the KUP get their hands on them?" Letkov queried.
"That's what we're here to find out, kid," Kydno answered. "Search the computers, see what you can find."
"Roger that, sir!" Letkov responded. He activated his eyepiece and began scanning over data.
"Hey, Sara," Kydno whispered. "How you holding up?"
"I'm alright," she responded. "But, Julius... I'm worried about Letkov."
"What to you mean?"
"He's so eager to prove himself, but he has almost no combat experience."
"You're worried he's gonna get himself killed."
"Exactly. I recommend we-" she was cut off by Letkov.

"Found something!" he exclaimed excitedly. "It looks like they tried to wipe all the data. But I managed to get this piece out before the failsafe activated!" "What failsafe, Letkov?" Kydno asked. "The building is set to self-destruct if there is an unautho- OH SHIT." Letkov turned pale. "MOVE IT!!!" Kydno grabbed Letkov, pulling him to his feet. They raced towards the exit.


OUTSIDE ABANDONED BUNKER COMPLEX
MT. KAALTYR, KOMMANDORIA
21:42 HOURS

"Move it!" Kydno ordered. The trio began moving away from the bunker. The door slammed shut. They dove behind some rocks, covering their heads. A dull rumble reverberated through the ground, shaking a few rocks loose. "Haha! We made it, man!" Letkov called out excitedly. "Hey, do you feel that? The temperature just dropped dramatically..." McGran said. "Oh, shit... If it isn't one thing, it's another. Blizzard incoming! Everybody back, now! We need to find somewhere to hide! The bunker is not an option! Fall back!" Wind whipped the trio. "Move!" Footsteps back. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Stumbling through whiteness. "Keep moving!" Finally, a cave. Kydno dove inside. McGran soon followed. "Ah... Nice work, people. Nice job grabbing that data, Letkov. It should tell us their next move, and ours. Letkov? ...Letkov...?" He was gone.

[Charles Buckingham 2]

OOC: YAY my turn!

[Scocialist Provinces]

To: Our allies of Lolzeristan
From: The DSP
Encryption: Very high


With the recent passing of our nations former and glorious leader, Joseph Shorico Maximus, we are ready to fight in honor of the deaths within the embassy, and his. Together, my friends, we shall defeat this evil, one way or another! I had expected you to make this calling, so I had arranged for an mechanized infantry battalion, the Darksnow survivors, and two armored devisions to cross from europe to africa. From there,they will make a long but expensive march to south africa, where the real fight will start. They will be backed by Huey helicopters the whole way there, going back and forth with feul payloads.

Best of luck,

Armand Keriolenko, Supreme ruler of the DSP

[Prubenia]

To: Our mutual ally Lolzieristan,
From: The Confederacy of Prubenia
Encryption: None

In regard to the recent news and events, the government of Prubenia has decided to allow your nation to transport your soldiers, equipment, and etc into our nation in response to the embassy bombing. We cannot allow, as a people, other nations to suffer from the effects of one nation trying to inflict their will upon another. We will be the Arsenal of Democracy in exchange for the defense of Prubenia should offensive operations launched by the enemy occur. If this request is granted, we will supply your troops with the necessary materials to fight this war should it come to that.

As Always,
The Government of Prubenia.

[Prubenia]

OOC: We also request territorial expansion should the invasion go well- not much, just a little point at our southern border or so.

[Kauvara]

OOC: We also request territorial expansion should the invasion go well- not much, just a little point at our southern border or so.

OOC: In theory, you could take as much as you wanted As long as you can ICly hold it, and no other nation tried to stop you!

[Charles Buckingham 2]

Konigzspire, Kommandoria
Ultranationalist Group Konigzspire HQ
0900 hours
Captain Daniel was sitting in the passenger seat of Black Mercedes Van. Mick was driving while Staff Sargent Michael Radcliff and Corporal Jonny Mcgiver. The Van approached an old warehouse, supposedly the Headquarters for the Ultranationalist group. Mick pulled the van around back, while the team readied their gear. Each team member carried an M4A1 Assault Rifle, and MK23 Pistols.
“Prepare to exit this vehicle the moment it stops moving” Daniel said.
The van came to a stop and Daniel’s team exited the van. They quickly moved to the unguarded back door and broke in.
“Fan out men, we need to find this chapters leader then get the hell outta here” Daniels whispered.
“Radcliff take post, everyone follow Michael until we reach the top floor. Kill anyone who fires on us.”
They quietly slipped through the building avoiding any guards they came into contact with. They finally made it to the stairs and made their way up. Suddenly they heard footstep coming down the stairs.
“Shhh” Mick said, “I got this one” Mick silently pulled out his combat knife and prepared to throw it. As his face came to sight Mick threw the knife and the guard’s lifeless body fell to the ground.
“Nice toss Mick” Daniels said.
The team made it up the stairs and faced their next obstacle. Two guards were standing in front of the leader’s office. Mick motioned Radcliff to ready his silenced pistol. Radcliff positioned his stance and fired off two rounds leaving the guards dead.
“Nice shooting, ready to grab and run?”
“Yes sir"
“Let’s go then” he said.
The team made their way to the door and breached it. As the door swung open Daniels yelled
“Get up and follow us NOW!”
The team knew they had to act fast and started moving their way down the stairs. They didn’t have time to make quiet kills, so they opened fire on any guard they saw. The gun shots caused noise and eventually the alarm was sounded. The team got pinned down just a mere 15 meters from their van.
“Corporal, you protect the VIP, everyone else it looks like we are going to have to shoot our way out!” Daniels yelled.
Everyone was rapidly firing one the squad of nationalists trying to kill them.
“We need to get out fast before local authorities show up!” Mick yelled
“We are moving now, I will provide cover, everyone move!”
Daniels popped out from his hiding spot and started firing on the enemies as his team made their way to the van. Once they made it Daniels made a mad dash towards the van and they pulled out on to the street.
“That was close” Corporal Mcgiver said.
“It’s not over yet boys, we’ve got company” Daniel said as he pointed out the back window. A pickup truck had pulled out of the alley and started firing on the van.
“Shit, these guys don’t give up” Mick yelled.
Daniel yelled to Radcliff who was driving, “Get us off the main streets, we need to avoid civilian casualties, then try to lose them” Radcliff swerved off into a side street, hoping maybe we would lose them in the process. He then turned left the right then left again, but could not lose them.
“I can’t lose them sir” Radcliff yelled.
“Mick go in the back, there is an MGL grenade launcher back there, and I need you to take out that truck.” “Radcliff try and find an empty street, fire on my order” Daniel yelled
“Sir this street is clear” Radcliff yelled.
“FIRE!!!” Daniel yelled to Mick.
A loud “thump” sound was heard followed by the explosion of the pickup.
“Nice shot Mick” Daniel yelled
“Now get us back to the fuckin safe house before reinforcements are sent” Mick yelled.


Konigzspire, Kommandoria
Meta Squad safe house
1200 hours

After the 20 minute drive to the safe house, Daniel carefully pulled the prisoner out of the van and into the safe house. After securing him to a chair in their makeshift interrogation room, Daniel gave Corporal Mcgiver an order.
“Corporal, I want you to take this car out into the biggest field you can find and blow it up”
“Yes sir”
Daniel walked back down to the interrogation room and sat down at the table with the prisoner.
“Hello, I am Captain Daniel Tello, and I am your worst nightmare."

[Charles Buckingham 2]

OOC: your move Lolzieristan

[Lolzieristan]

In the port of Zaieskograd, the dockyards were in a flurry of motion. After a rushed but thorough examination of the tactical, strategic, and logistical situations found in the Darksnow War, the Lolzi General Staff had decided on a new course of action. Plan Eighteen was modified to reflect this, and some of the modifications were evident now.
The Kiev-class carrier-cruiser LFV Miloradovich loomed ominously just outside the harbor. Though it was smaller than the colossal supercarriers, it made up for that fact with its offensive weaponry; batteries of guns, rockets, and torpedo tubes that would put a destroyer to shame. Surrounding it were the other elements of the 4th Carrier Battle Group. Four destroyers, an ASW frigate, two missile cruisers, and a complement of destroyers set sail out of the port and into the Mediterranean Sea. They hadn't officially declared war on Kommandoria yet, that part would come later. As the great Lolzi military strategist Mustafa Husey once said, "Time is not a factor if the war has not yet started. Do not send forces about in haste, or make the first move before all of the pieces are placed on your chessboard."

Meanwhile, in North Africa, a Lolzi military city was operating at the top of its game. Another fleet was being readied, also without explanation to the outside world; this one was a transport fleet, composed mainly of troop ships and RO-RO transports. It was escorted by the 5th Carrier Battle Group, the newest Kuznetsov-centered CBG in the Lolzi Navy, and the second-to-last of the carrier groups. It was designed for the purpose of protecting transports, and that was exactly its mission this time. Outfitted with double the number of missile cruisers and ASW frigates, and containing one less destroyer, its commander felt that they were prepared for any skirmishes they encountered, if there were any to be had.
They were escorting the first wave of ships holding the Third Army Front of the Lolzi Army, roughly 200,000 of the 2,000,000 soldiers it contained and their gear. Normally, a convoy with such a ridiculous transport-to-escort ratio would have never been allowed to leave port; since it was technically peace-time ("for the Kommandorians, anyway," Admiral Romanov thought to himself), the ships would likely not be harmed. Nonetheless, they were doing their best to travel in ridiculous arcs to dodge the trajectories of known Kommandorian spy satellites, as well as anyone they suspected would report them to Western naval forces.


Finally, the Submarine Division was hard at work as well. A number of submarines, both boomer and hunter-killer, were fanning out across the oceans, though they didn't have to move about much. The Lolzi Navy's underwater wolves were always on the prowl, they were just readjusting their courses.