Rhonddan Bush War (Closed, GD Only)

[Morrdh]

CCA Colony Rhondda

The Rhondda colony had started with so much promise, when Commonwealth long range scout vessels discovered the arid desert planet in the late 1950s it seemed to be mineral rich. Colonisation started in the early 1960s with the arrival of the first colonists and the founding of the capital and first settlement of Llewelyn in the scrub-land of the northern hemisphere. Settlements and homesteads started to spring up as the Sixties wore on and mining operations began in earnest, more colonists would continue to arrive each year as the mining boom gathered pace. The boom lasted throughout the Seventies and Eighties and into the Nineties when the mineral deposits unexpectedly started to run dry. One-by-one the mines began closing as their workings ceased, unemployment rose as the economy went into terminal decline. By the early 2000s all mining operations had effectively ceased, 90% of the colonists were below the poverty line and the Commonwealth Colonial Authority was forced to ship in aid to keep the colony going until it figured out what to do with it.

So the colony lingered on in a state of deathless, the mines silent, abandoned homesteads and ghosts towns dotting the wastes as the colonists move into the slums and shanty towns of the larger settlements. The more desperate turned to banditry and the black market in order to survive, forcing the normally part-time soldiers of the Colonial Defence Force to go on full-time duty. Things spiralled out of control until eventually a separatists movement calling itself the 'Viet Taff' attacked and over-ran two-thirds of Rhondda's settlements, many of the CDF joined their ranks and caused the CCA to declare a state of emergency.

So began the Bush War...

~ ~ ~

Penzance, Capital City, CCA Colony Gilbert

As one of the CCA's earliest colonies and its most stable one, Gilbert sat in the Commonwealth's top tier and had alot of clout behind it meaning it could direct Commonwealth policy and in some cases even veto it. It had been keeping an eye on the growing Rhonddan Crisis ever since it began, even actively seeking possible solutions to turn the Rhonddan economy around. There was hope that the situation could be resolved peacefully, but those hopes were dashed when the Viet Taff began its attacks and pushed Rhondda over the brink. So when the Gilbertian Prime Minister Stanley Randle received a priority CCA message requesting that troops be raised, he was faced with a tricky decision to make. Gilbert was highly conservative, though the first Gilbertians had founded the colony with the belief that they would be spared from future conflict. For over 50 years they had been far removed from the bloodshed and hardships of war, so being the first Gilbertian Prime Minister to send young men off to fight was a daunting prospect. Sighing, he picked up the phone on his desk and said to his secretary. "Nora? Patch me through to Libertas to Governor-General Maltisse's office please."

[Lamoni]

Gilbertian Prime Minister to send young men off to fight was a daunting prospect. Sighing, he picked up the phone on his desk and said to his secretary. "Nora? Patch me through to Libertas to Governor-General Maltisse's office please."

"Governor-General Maltisse's office. How may I direct your call?" Even on a newly settled planet, politics still seemed to settle into the same routines that they did on Earth. The only difference here was that the Lamonians had provided not only technology from the Free Republic, but also the ability to maintain, repair, and produce more of it to their citizens on Gilbert. The technology had also been freely given to their Morridane counterparts elsewhere on this planet, helping to improve communications and navigation on the planet.

The Lamonians were settling into their new homes on Gilbert, and the city in which they lived was finally settling into a somewhat comfortable routine. Most of the people who had been detailed to Gilbert had actually come from the working poor strata of Lamoni, and saw living on a new planet as their key to improving their lot in life. With so many citizens back on the homeworld, Lamoni saw the exploration and colonization of outer-space as a way to give the population the personal space which they wanted, as well as opening up as yet undreamed of economic opportunities. The scientific discoveries that such a colonization drive could potentially create also opened up the promise of a revolution in every major economic field.

With this in mind, Lamoni had given money and resources with which to help their Morridane allies in getting the venture off of the ground, so to speak.

[Morrdh]

"Its Prime Minister Randle here." Answered Randle when the call connected. "Could you put me through to the Governor-General please?"

As he waited for the call to be put through Randle read over the message for the umpteenth time, now more than other he loathed the painfully slow method of interstellar communications that the CCA had to rely on. Word of the Viet Taff attacks had taken two Earth months to filter its way back to the CCA on Earth and then out again towards Gilbert, so when the news finally did arrive it was already well out of date. In that time the situation could have easily changed, what more it would be several weeks before the first wave of reinforcements arrived on Rhondda. Of course by that point the Viet Taff could have overrun the last Commonwealth strongholds and dug in, meaning potentially the CCA's own troops would be going up against a well entrenched enemy that was ready and waiting soon as they made planetfall.

The other problem was that it would take time to muster troops, sure a chunk of Gilbert's Colonial Defence Force could be sent but there was the issue of Gilbert being left undefended. If new recruits were sent then it'll be weeks before they could leave, plus there was the chance they could be sent straight into battle ill-trained and ill-equipped. It was a tricky decision to make and he hoped that his Lamonian counterpart could offer a different insight regarding the matter.

[Lamoni]

After being alerted to the telephone call by his secretary, the Governor-General immediately picked up his phone. "Hello, Mr. Prime Minister. What can I do for you today?" While there neither side felt anything other than friendship for the other, the isolation of the Lamonian settlement on Gilbert could often make it seem like they were two entirely different political entities. For example, other than trips to Gilbert's capital city, Governor-General Maltisse had rarely been more than 20 kilometers from the Lamonian settlement on Gilbert. Even on vacation, this new planet of theirs was still taking some getting used to.

[Morrdh]

"I'm afraid this isn't a social call about how yer lot is getting to grips with Ice Cricket." Replied Randle. "Though I trust you've been keeping up with the news?"

"Theres a crisis thats reach breaking point on the world of Rhondda and the Commonwealth's been forced to declare a state of emergency, though the news is a little out of date. Basically the Commonwealth is faced with an insurgency on one of its worlds and I've been issued orders to raise troops to send to Rhondda. Trouble is no Gilbertian has seen combat in over fifty years and I'm uncertain what the public reaction would be if I sent off young Gilbertians off to potentially die."

"So I'm calling to see if you had any thoughts on the matter."

[Lamoni]

"If you want my advice, Mr. Prime Minister, then tell the populace the truth, and ask for volunteers. In my experience, it is often better to let people know what the danger is, than it is to keep it hidden from them. Certainly, there are rules of classification, but ask them before commanding them. If they think that something is their idea, they will be much more likely to follow through with it, then if it is forced upon them. This is one reason why the democratic system of government works, so long as you can keep the corruption down. Anyway, that is my advice, take it or leave it."

[Morrdh]

"Yes, I suppose you are right. Thank you." Replied Randle. "Now the orders I've been given also say that I ask for volunteers from some of yer lot, ideally those with previous military experience. The idea is to help strengthen relations here on Gilbert, as I understand it our respective governments back on Earth will be meeting to discuss the matter."

"Now any volunteers from yer lot will be equipped and trained to Commonwealth standards, this is mainly due to ease of logistics given that we probably have about twenty years of supplies in our stores. Though the second-in-command of whatever shape the Gilbertian force will be a Lamonian officer."

[Lamoni]

"I'll ask for some Lamonian volunteers from our population, Prime Minister, but as I advised you to do, i'll be up-front and honest with them about the situation. I do appreciate the training and equipment for the Lamonian volunteers, which will make things much easier. I'll also appoint the volunteer with the most experience to be the second in command of the unit. I think that that is a nice touch, and will get back in touch with you when the volunteers are ready, Prime Minister. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a volunteer militia to raise."

After waiting for any reply from the Prime Minister, Governor-General Maltisse hung up, and called the chiefs of the various local police departments, as well as the Superintendent of Police. They were going to have one hell of a meeting.

[Morrdh]

"Nora?" Asked Randle as he called through to his secretary after Governor-General Maltisse had hung up. "Contact the rest of the Cabinet please, meeting in half an hour."

---

A Day Later

"This is the GBC at Midday, here is the news."

"Today in Parliament Prime Minister Stanley Randle declared that Gilbert will answer the call to aid the Commonwealth on Rhondda, he went onto state that a force will be raised comprised of volunteers and encouraged those with previous military experience to enlist. The Prime Minister also declared that enlistment was open to both those on their Seven Year Probationary Period and the Lamonian settlers of Libertas, though sombrely warned that it would be no 'Great Adventure' and that the conflict could see Gilbertian lives loss."

"Recruitment and enlistment details are expected to be revealed towards the end of the week, but it is expected that the CDF will play a large part in the training of new recruits. Even with the Prime Minister's sombre warning support for the Commonwealth remains strong all over Gilbert."

---

TO: The Leaders of Greater Dinestad
FROM: Prime Minister Edmund Vermillion, Commonwealth of Morrdh
RE: Rhonddan Conflict

I come before the leaders of the Dienstadi nations as both an equal and a man in need of aid.

The Commonwealth has suffered an insurgency in one of its colonies, though it has come at a bad time and we have limited resources to spare in order to deal with this conflict. So I must ask each one of you for assistance in this affair, we have begun mobilizing troops but this will take time that we simply do not have. We urgently require some of your troops to help support the Commonwealth as it gathers its strength and mobilizes its reserves.

We can discuss details and answer any questions you have once you have responded.

Signed,

Edmund Vermillion, PM,
Commonwealth of Morrdh.

[Mokastana]

TO: The Leaders of Greater Dinestad
FROM: Prime Minister Edmund Vermillion, Commonwealth of Morrdh
RE: Rhonddan Conflict

I come before the leaders of the Dienstadi nations as both an equal and a man in need of aid.

The Commonwealth has suffered an insurgency in one of its colonies, though it has come at a bad time and we have limited resources to spare in order to deal with this conflict. So I must ask each one of you for assistance in this affair, we have begun mobilizing troops but this will take time that we simply do not have. We urgently require some of your troops to help support the Commonwealth as it gathers its strength and mobilizes its reserves.

We can discuss details and answer any questions you have once you have responded.

Signed,

Edmund Vermillion, PM,
Commonwealth of Morrdh.

The message had been received in Mokastana, and unknown to the general public and most of Parliament, the topic had been heavily debated among the military council. On one hand, the Commonwealth of Morrdh had access to technology unknown to Mokastana, something the Mokans wanted in their arsenal. On the other, being the only nation in region with off world colonies meant that there were things the Mokans should know about them. To the MBSA* Director, Generalissimo Canarias and Manual Diego(Economic Advisor) it was a obvious choice. Ask for access to FTL drives in exchange Mokan soldiers get to learn more about the Commonwealth and gain live experience. Not to mention a fresh batch of Jaguars** for higher training. To Charles Villa, the Primary Admiral and the Air Marshall, it was questionable at best. Getting involved in a foreign nations civil war, much less an interplanetary one, was insane. If the rebels attacked Mokastana, no doubt the air superiority would be compromised from their worse weak point. Naval forces would be forced to use Ramparts against the threat. Either way if the war came home Mokastana would be unprepared. In the corner the President listened to the two sides bicker until he was about to speak, when everyone quieted to hear the Presidents word, the MBSA Director took advantage and spoke first.

"Gentlemen, this would not be our first Post Modern Space War."

Interrupting the president was rude, and in a culture where masculinity was important it was a way to subconsciously say that one is more important than the one they spoke over. Despite the look of shock from the President, or perhaps, because of it giving him a second moment to take advantage of, he continued.

"My Apologies Mr. President, but I must inform the rest of the council. My apologies to you, Air Marshall, for this is something you should have been made aware of, but the MBSA prefers to keep their secrets until the last possible minute. However given the circumstances I must trade this secret for a chance to secure the future safety of Mokastana."

The others turned their focus on the Director of the MBSA, wondering what was about to come from his mouth.

"During the war in The American Privateer, enemy satellites and space based weapons from Leafistan, North Baltic and Leocardia were deployed. In order to ensure the protection of the Genesis Project and to prevent another incident similar to the crashing of the space elevator, we deployed the Eagle Star fighter Program. Simply put, they are a fleet of Orbit based interceptors, armed with coilguns using guided tungsten rounds which can be fitted with high explosive or even tactical nuclear warheads. They are the most advance space based weapon we have. In the event we detect unidentified orbital attack, these will be deployed."

"Can they be deployed in time?"

"Of course, we can keep them in orbit disguised as passenger or observation planes over the ocean. In the event of an attack, they can be combat capable over Mokastana within the hour, capable of engaging targets even sooner."

"Why were we not informed of this?" The president inquired with narrowing eyes on the director.

"They are our most valuable asset. I only know as director of MBSA and must be aware of all military capable weapons we have, Canarias knows because he was on the briefing during TAP. Unfortunately Primary Admiral, we had not been prepared for the enemies' weapons and thus could not prevent the loss of, your....predecessor."

"I will, of course Director, require full disclosure on these weapons before we can move forward. I want everything, their location, how many, blue prints, who designed them. Get them here in two hours, and we will re convene gentleman."

The president had to put the Director back in his place due to his previous outburst, and the best way to hurt the MBSA was their secrets. They wanted the FTL drive, so they would provide everything he needed to ensure that this decision was ready for all possible actions. Eventually, the council met and finally came to an agreement.

Code: Select all

TO: Prime Minister Edmund Vermillion, Commonwealth of Morrdh
FROM: President Benito Vera, The People's Unified Federation of Mokastana
RE: Rhonddan Conflict

I have discussed the situation in full, and after your assistance in Belmotin it would be an honor to assist you in your time of need. However as needs do arise, we would request access to your FTL drives to begin long range research and possibly began work on a mutual beneficial space program. In exchange we can offer you up to two divisions from the 8th Army, lead by Generalissimo Yuri Gorbechov, who requested to come along.

If this sounds like a option for you we will be happy to oblige,

Benito Vera
President of the Federation



___________________________________________________________
* Mokastana Bureau of Secret Actions
**Jaguars are the special forces in Mokastana, similar to Rangers or Delta Force depending on training. To qualify, one must have been in live combat and have two confirmed kills.The level above is Jaguar Elite and that requires a total of five confirmed kills.

[Morrdh]

The Mokan response provoked a hour debate between the various members of the Morridane cabinet, the fact that somebody had expressed interest in the Solothurn drive was unprecedented and Mokan motives for doing so were questioned. In the end it was Prime Minister Edmund Vermillion who made the call and drafted a reply.

TO: President Benito Vera, The People's Unified Federation of Mokastana
FROM: Prime Minister Edmund Vermillion, Commonwealth of Morrdh
RE: Offer

President Vera, as a fellow leader I must thank you and express my gratitude for your recent offer to help the Commonwealth in a time of need. The Ministry of Defence will be despatching some liaison officers to help co-ordinate efforts on your end.

Regarding the Solothurn drive that you have requested access to I have to confess that I cannot give an answer on that matter at this moment in time. Given the backing and investment that our Lamonian allies have put into the Solothurn project it would be rude not to at least confer with them on the matter, plus I am hesitant to let slip any information without the consent of one of our closest allies. That said it would be feasible to give a tour of our Solothurn production facilities if you wish to do so.

Edmund Vermillion, PM,

Commonwealht of Morrdh

---

Gilbert

Even before police stations and town halls were swamped by volunteers wishing to enlist the Gilbert CDF had sprung into action in order to be capable of training the sudden surge of recruits. Training camps sprang up almost overnight, mostly comprised of Nissen Huts that would be the recruits home for twelve weeks along with mess halls built in a more conventional manner. Each hut was to housed a squad of ten recruits and arranged in rows of three to create a platoon block, the idea was to help foster camaraderie and esprit de corps amongst the new recruits. The camps were all dominated by a large parade square that sat between the billets and other buildings like the mess hall, the Officer's quarters and the NAAFI club, the layout generally being modelled upon typical Morridane Army practice.

There was a shock for the younger recruits and perhaps some of the Lamonian volunteers as well. The first was being issued with 1950s era equipment in the form of khaki Battle Dress and Lee-Enfield rifles used for drill practice, this being all that was available when the stores were raided and were gradually replaced by proper Morridane Army kit a month or so later in the form of DPM uniforms and L1A1 SLRs. For those recruits lacking in previous military experience the second shock was the verbal abuse from the section corporals and the absolute terror that was the platoon sergeant who conducted drill practice and was often heard yelling and screaming at some poor recruit who put a foot wrong. Over the following weeks and months the words "Fall in ye horrible lot! C'mon! Look lively ye miserable little worms!" would come to haunt most recruits.

[Lamoni]

"Fall in ye horrible lot! C'mon! Look lively ye miserable little worms!"

This had been the tenth time this week that the platoon sergeants had yelled that at the Lamonian Contingent, who were less than used to the way in which the Morridanes did things, militarily. Nonetheless, the Lamonians had been giving it their all, and were looking up to those who had prior service in the Lamonian Military. They knew that they were in for twelve whole weeks of military basic training, but the second in command of the force was a Lamonian by the name of Charles Khalil.

Reputed to have served in the Lamonian Marines, Charles had also been a member of the local police force, until the Governor-General had asked him to be part of the CDF. Charles had first enlisted in the Lamonian Marines when he had graduated from high school, and had served there for twenty years before getting out, ending his service as a Sergeant Major. He was therefore the perfect choice for the second in command slot, and would perform his duties faithfully and well.

[Morrdh]

Attempts were made to integrate the Morridanes and Lamonians so that the sections were made up 50/50 to create a more unified fighting force, though some sections the numbers leaned heavily one way or the other. Regardless all were united in their suffering from the wrath of the NCOs, the veteran Morridanes going as far as silently cursing whenever the platoon sergeant appeared in the billet wearing pure white gloves on the weekly inspection. Though the mixed sections enabled the Morridanes to help the Lamonians adjust to the militarily culture shock and by the end of the fourth weeks things were looking up when they got issued replacement uniforms to wear instead of the older Battle Dress they'd initially been issued with and a cap barge marked 'Gilbert Rifles' to wear on their berets. Same time they were bale to trade in their Lee-Enfields for L1A1 SLR and start to feel more like a modern soldier, there was cause for further celebrations when the ban on alcohol in the NAAFI was lifted once they'd completed their first two weeks of training.

During the second week each recruit had been interviewed by the commanding officer and those displaying leadership qualities had been picked out to be possible NCOs and were given a chance to shine during the field exercises later on in their training when they were given an acting rank of Lance-Corporal. Halfway through training a list went round seeing if any of the recruits were interested in taking up a trade other than in the infantry, this was mainly either the artillery or the armoured units but mechanics were picked out to be driver-mechanics. But finally after three months when the recruits were dressed on their No.2 Service Dress uniforms and marching round during their Passing Out Parade in front of friends and family the Gilbert Rifles was coming together as a regiment, support staff working behind the scenes were preparing for the regiment's first combat tour and organising companies.

Within a week the regiment was marching through the streets of Penzance headed by a bagpiper and marching band in the traditional Morridane fashion as they headed towards the spaceport to begin their journey to Rhondda. Support units from the Royal Morridane Artillery and Royal Morridane Engineers had been shipped out from Earth to Gilbert in order to form the Gilbertian Brigade and allow the troops to get familiar with one another before they arrived in the warzone. Given that much of the three week journey would be spent in zero gravity there was instructors from the Royal Space Marine to ensure the troops remained fighting fit and their combat skills sharp. Fortunately for the Gilbertian Brigade other units from the Morridane Army had already arrived on Rhondda but the Commonwealth only really retained control of the area round Llewelyn and even that was under constant Viet Taff attack. Luckily for the Gilbert Rifles they were to initially stay within Llewelyn itself providing security for the city and freeing up another unit for the actual frontline, though in time the Gilbertians themselves would be sent up to the front when they in turn were relieved by another unit.

[Lamoni]

The Lamonians looked around at Llewelyn, reflecting that this was the third planet on which they had been during their lives. Llewelyn seemed like yet another city, even if their unit had been assigned to guard it from the Viet Taff. Fortunately, a city was a hard place for an attacking force to take and hold, and the Gilbertian Rifles were making maximum use of the local resources in their struggle to fight off the enemy.

There had been little to no intelligence on the enemy, and what little that they did have was guesswork.

[Morrdh]

Rhondda soon proved to be a miserable place, Llewelyn even more so as the newly arrived soldiers discovered not long after they first step foot on the soil of Rhondda. The first sight that greeted many was a small, wooden outhouse that somebody with a sense of humour had fixed a crude sign on that read; Fort Llewelyn GHQ. For their first few weeks the Gilbert Rifles had the job of patrolling Llewelyn's city limits until all three battalions had been properly organized and equipped along the lines of a typical Morridane infantry battalion, though great efforts had been made to evenly spread both Morridanes and Lamanions throughout all the battalions and at all ranks so there was a 50/50 mix. Patrolling the city would help the soldiers get used to the local climate (which warranted double water rations being issued) but they ended up seeing first hand how badly the locals had fared since the troubles began. Llewelyn was little more than a dump, bombed out and boarded up buildings were everywhere whilst everything looked rundown and decay hung heavily in the air. The city's reisdents were miserable and wretched looking, standing silently in line as they queued up to collect their rations.

Though the female soldiers of the Women's Royal Morridane Army Corps had help keep spirits up amongst the soldiers. Unable to serve on the frontline the WRMAC soldiers were attached to patrols in Llewelyn so that female persons could be searched without problems if needed, though required to wear skirts when out on patrol the WRMACs were still issued with flak jackets which gave them a bit of a surreal look. Good natured and cheerful, the WRMACs proved to be immensely more popular than the soldiers of the Rhonddan Colonial Defence Force who had stayed loyal to the Commonwealth. Given that two-thirds of the CDF had joined the rebels there was understandably a great of mistrust from the Morridane soldiers of the CDF soldiers that still fought under the Stars and Jack, though the local knowledge of the CDF soldiers meant they were an asset the Commonwealth couldn't ignore.

On the third week Brigadier Henry Barnes called a meeting of all the officers in the Gilbert Rifles, both Lamonian and Morridane. A veteran of the Troubles on Mordent as both a National Serviceman and an officer Barnes was deemed the perfect choice to command the Gilbertian Brigade, even if he had to be dragged out of retirement and had a dinted reputation following the Imbrinium invasion of Mordent. Being an old soldier Barnes was still highly respected and well liked by the men for putting time aside to chat with them and check up on their welfare. He was soft-spoken which led to him being regarded as a grandfather like figure by some, though he was still a no-nonsense person.

~

"Good evening to you all gentlemen." Barnes greeted his officers when they assembled in his command post for the meeting he'd called. "I trust you all haven't got too comfortable in Llewelyn, command has seen fit to finally send us up the line."

"The Rifles are to move up to the Purpleflint River here." Continued Barnes as he pointed out the location on a large map. "Once in position our job will be to project the flank of the seventeenth division as they make a push towards the town of Purpleflint, though the Viet Taff will try to make life as difficult as possible. A bit of aggressive patrolling and FOBs both sides of the river should help keep them on the back foot, we'll have a battery of twenty-five pounders backing us up so we need to stake out the best spots. Any questions?"

[Mokastana]

TO: President Benito Vera, The People's Unified Federation of Mokastana
FROM: Prime Minister Edmund Vermillion, Commonwealth of Morrdh
RE: Offer

President Vera, as a fellow leader I must thank you and express my gratitude for your recent offer to help the Commonwealth in a time of need. The Ministry of Defence will be despatching some liaison officers to help co-ordinate efforts on your end.

Regarding the Solothurn drive that you have requested access to I have to confess that I cannot give an answer on that matter at this moment in time. Given the backing and investment that our Lamonian allies have put into the Solothurn project it would be rude not to at least confer with them on the matter, plus I am hesitant to let slip any information without the consent of one of our closest allies. That said it would be feasible to give a tour of our Solothurn production facilities if you wish to do so.

Edmund Vermillion, PM,

Commonwealht of Morrdh

TO: Prime Minister Edmund Vermillion, Commonwealth of Morrdh
FROM: President Benito Vera, The People's Unified Federation of Mokastana
RE: Offer

Your advisors can have free access to land at a large base in central Mejico referred to as 'The Desert Fort'. There they will meet the 8th Army units that will be assigned to your operations under command of Generalissimo Yuri Gorbechov. Your advisors may contact 8th Army Command for further instructions.

As for the FTL Drive, please, take your time to consult with those you must and we would happily accept a tour of the facilities. We will assemble some the top Mokan minds to learn more about your creation. I would expect you to be wary of sharing such an amazing and, to be honest, dangerous device with other nations. While our nations had not have much interaction before I hope our shared allies, the struggle in Belmotin and this rebellion bring our governments closer.

May peace find a way,

Venito Bera,
President

El Fortaleza del Desierto, North Mejico

If Generalissimo Gorbechov was an insane old man with a history infidelity, than Generalissimo Roberto Diaz was the closest possibility to being his crazed bastard son. Commander of the 7th Mokan Army, Generalissimo Diaz had served under Yuri enjoyed the insane image they put out and perhaps even sometimes believed it. His favorite act was that of a conductor with an orchestra as his artillery shelled a location. To him, his Armor played to the part of the Woodwinds, with a stronger sound than the Strings, like violins and cellos, to be played by the Infantry and IVFs respectfully. Personally he knew how to play the violin and such would often focus his attention on them. One might think of the artillery as the percussion section, but Diaz didn't feel that way, no the artillery was more of a Brass instrument to him, trombones and trumpets to be called on for a show. The Drums had always been his communication network, the people keeping the beat of the battle ensuring everyone was on the right note. Together they carried the sweet sound of battle across the amphitheater of war.

And if he preformed right, the crowd at home loved it.

Back in reality, he stood on a tarmac on the middle of Desert, waiting for planes from the Commonwealth of Morrdh. He was to meet with them along with other Mokan leaders so that 7th and 8th Army boys could prepare for space combat. The idea still seemed strange to him, but to pass up a chance to take his orchestra on a galactic tour was something no man could pass up. Whatever bonehead deal the idiots at Juventued and Mokastana City made to get him here was worth it. Let them suffer for his enjoyment.

To his left, Foreign Minister Charles Villa stood in full military camo similar to Diaz's, something he had not worn since he was 19 and probably had not hoped to wear again expect for special occasions, which this counted as. Which is not to say he served his conscription years and left, Charles had experienced warfare at age 13, growing up with his brother Nicolas killing capitalist in the jungle for 6 years. After that particular war he joined the intelligence gathering branches and managed to lay low, only killing in three of the conflicts that came after his childhood. Now a man pushing 70, he was still in great shape, but his age showed.

Around them younger men, Captains and high ranking officers waited to meet the foreigners, and as per tradition, no one wore any markings of rank or significant meaning.As was expected when meeting foreign military members of non-allied status.
If a sniper would to see, the only way they could tell some where important was by the fact Diaz and Charles looked 30 years older, which they probably were.

And here they waited to learn what fate would have in store for them.

[Morrdh]

El Fortaleza del Desierto, North Mejico

There was a drone in the air as a Bristol Britannia in the colours of the Royal Morridane Air Force, complete with the RMAF's 'Red Star Bullseye' roundel, circled round before making its landing approach. The four turboprop engines roared as the aircraft taxied off the runway and then came to a halt a short distance from the waiting Mokans. Even as the engines wind down the boarding ramp was moved quickly into position as the passenger door opened and a number of officers stepped out wearing blue uniforms traditionally worn by air forces, though there was some insignia and differences that marked these uniforms out. The most senior officer marched over to the Mokans and smartly saluted. "Space Commodore Roberts, Royal Space Force."

"The the chaps I've brought with me are some liaison officers, a few training instructors and the rest are ground crew. I trust you have billets arranged for us?"

[Lamoni]

There was a Lamonian attached to the team which had flown in aboard the Bristol Britannia. Though he was dressed in Morridane attire, one would be able to tell the difference, if they cared to look close enough. The Lamonians had poured a lot of time money, and research into helping the Morridane Commonwealth obtain the FTL drive, and they consequently wanted to be sure that the technology would be in good hands.

Taking his first look at the airfield in North Mejico, the Lamonian looked beyond the sameness of airfields worldwide, and tried to get a glimpse at the scenery beyond the field. Normally a desire to talk to the native Mokans would arise, but for now, looking around seemed to be the preference.

[Mokastana]

El Fortaleza del Desierto, North Mejico

The propeller plane might have caught the attention of some of the younger troops, but the officers of the modern army knew better than to question why the Morridane Air Force used 1960's avionics. For they remembered the days Mustang fighter planes would spray the jungle with lead or fire to drive them out. Even with their soviet grade weapons propeller plans had often caused trouble the partisans. And yet somehow they still won the war, and modernized the air force, but they still knew: All planes are dangerous, what matters is the skills of the pilot.

When the first blue uniforms stepped out the Mokans saluted as one, on time and on beat with every other soldier on the tarmac. Uniformity was highly stressed in the Mokan Military, for an outside observer, the Mokans wanted them to be incapable of telling apart Officer from Soldier, Mechanic from Professional Engineer. Even the uniforms, unless formal international meets like this one, required that the insignia on both shoulders remained covered by a velco flap. Only to be revealed face to face as per a request. Instead units were expected to know their officer, their subordinates and remember the faces of the men they worked it.

In addition, while saluting had for the longest time been considered an insult in the Mokan Army, they had come to recognized its purpose in international formal affairs and had been slowly began to accept the salute again as part of formal military practice. Even if it did break the above beliefs. When deployed, however, officers had been known to beat soldiers who dare salute them, if only to make an example of them for the rest of the unit to follow. If anyone should ask why, the answer would always be the same: 'Snipers'.

As for the Lamonian, if he was looking for something in the deserts of Mokastana, he would find the exact opposite. While they had entered formal airspace for the Desert Fort over an hour ago, this single air strip would show nothing around it minus a dozen concrete coated hangers, a few buildings of various purpose and one short tower off to the side. Everything was either painted or coated a dull shade of tan. The only vehicles in the area were about half a dozen Mk.III Supply Trucks guarded by a few Humvees, no doubt the convoy for their guests, and a few Sukhoi Su-35s that were visible thanks to their open hangar doors. The Mk.III was a unique Mokan design, and no doubt it showed. To someone unfamiliar with it, in its current state it looked like a M1083 with a box on its back.

Beyond the airfield a sand storm threatened in the distance, but all he would see was endless hills and desert. To the north, a small mountain poked up from beyond the hills, not quite tall enough to form a snowy peak, but enough to be mistaken for a plateau to someone unfamiliar with geology.

The Greetings begin...

"Space Commodore Roberts, Royal Space Force. The the chaps I've brought with me are some liaison officers, a few training instructors and the rest are ground crew. I trust you have billets arranged for us?""

The first to greet the visitors was a shorter tan skinned man with jet black and grey hair, lines crossed his face betraying his age and a well trimmed mustache spoke of his stress on grooming. This was, of course, Charles Villa:

"Greetings and welcome to Mokastana, Charles Villa, Foreign Minister. I do my best to make it to any international event we host, including military. Generalissimo Roberto Diaz has made the arrangements and we will be taking you to your quarters. Allow me to introduce you to him."

Next to him was a man of lighter complexion, to those who knew Mokan demographics would recognize him as Surian. While he only had a few years on Charles he looked much older, gray hairs and a short white beard, piercing eyes that made you think that maybe something is a little off with this fellow. And of course, a hearty laugh with a sidearm on his side.

"Greetings Amigos, Comrades, welcome to my Fortress. Well, perhaps not yet, but you will see it shortly. Now we have a convoy ready to take you to your...'billets'."

The word fell funny from the old soldiers mouth, his accent making come out more like 'bullets' than anything else.

"I trust your trainers will give us all the expertise to be able to fight for you in the strange conditions of interplanetary warfare. Now do any of you have a problem with sleeping underground?"

[Morrdh]

"Thank you, I'm glad to be hear." Replied Roberts as shook the hands of the assembled Mokan officials. "Sleeping underground? No, that wouldn't be a problem."

"Rhondda's topography isn't really all that different truth be told, tis mostly an arid wasteland like some of the deserts here on Earth and time will be given to let your troops get acclimatized upon their arrival. My job and that of the men under my command is to simply prepare your men for the trip, its a long journey in absolute zero gravity that can be unnerving for the unwary. We'll also be introducing them to our Contragravs which I suspect will be the subject of interest."

---

Purpleflint Valley, Rhondda

The town of Purpleflint and its namesake river was some miles up-country from Llewelyn, the entire area was hilly with plenty of high ground that had previously been the domain of the Viet Taff. Though Intel had suggested that the area was lightly held and so Command had decided it would be the perfect place for an offensive to show the rebels that the Commonwealth meant business. The job of taking the town had been given to the 17th Division with the Gilbert Rifles being tasked to cover the Division's flank and to secure a foothold for future operations. To move the Rifles a convoy of trucks with armoured cars for support had been organized, a diversionary attack to the south had been launched to distract the rebels as the brigade moved up. Though it was quickly revealed that the rebels hadn't been fooled as hot lead suddenly filled the air and somebody yelled out. "Ambush!"

Soldiers quickly dismounted from their vehicles to seek hard cover behind rocks and boulders before firing back, it seemed the rebels had chosen their positions well on a cliff above the track. Rilfe and machine gun fire poured down to pin the Commonwealth soldiers as mortars and rockets rained down amongst the trucks, a number of vehicles had been reduced to burning wrecks almost instantly as the rebels sprang their ambush. The heaviest fire had been concentrated on the armoured cars, the rebels were intent on taking out the threat that the armoured vehicles posed so that they could deal with the infantry at their leisure.

[Lamoni]

Falling back on their training, the men of the Gilbert Rifles moved to find whatever cover existed, and tried to fight their way out of the ambush in which they had fallen. This was going to be a hard fight, especially with the enemy attacking their armored vehicles first, but they would do what they could. In order to conserve ammunition, the lads even took carefully aimed shots, hoping to produce enough enemy casualties to end the ambush before too many Gilbertian lives were lost.

While this was going on, a platoon were attempting to outflank the enemy by stealth. If the enemy would keep playing dumb for long enough, then they might even make it, as bullets whizzed by their comrades below.

[Mokastana]

"Thank you, I'm glad to be hear." Replied Roberts as shook the hands of the assembled Mokan officials. "Sleeping underground? No, that wouldn't be a problem."

"Rhondda's topography isn't really all that different truth be told, tis mostly an arid wasteland like some of the deserts here on Earth and time will be given to let your troops get acclimatized upon their arrival. My job and that of the men under my command is to simply prepare your men for the trip, its a long journey in absolute zero gravity that can be unnerving for the unwary. We'll also be introducing them to our Contragravs which I suspect will be the subject of interest."

OOC: sort of speeding events up...feel free to add detail

IC:

"Ah yes, Contragravs, I have heard of those." Generalissimo Diaz smiles as the words passed his lips. One might have even noticed the slight spring in his step as they headed towards the convoy, Mokan Green and Morridane Blue alike.

"Now," Began Villa, "We have with us a few members of DEE, Departamento de Exploración Espacial, former Astronauts and physics who should be able to help translate their experiences in Zero gravity."

"Yes," one perked up, "Officer Raul Easton, I have done two tours on the MNS Genisis and was curious, about how long of a trip is it in zero Gravity between Earth and your colony?"

As the conversations continued, the vehicles were loaded up and drove away from the small airfield and into the desert towards the mountain. The Bristol Britannia would be given a hanger and its crews treated by the airfield commander and his officers. On route to the mountain over the loudspeaker a voice speaking in English would begin:

"Attention, this is Captain Vera of Bunker 54, I welcome you to our underground facility. Upon arrival you will each be assigned a bunk within the visiting officers quarters on the east wing. The mess hall will be open 18 hours from 4am to 10pm, with scheduled meals at 6am, noon and 6pm. Unless specified, visiting officers are to remain in the East Wing. Signs will be posted in English, Spanish and Fegosian to help those without a native tongue get around. Generalissimo Diaz will meet with your leading officers to discuss a training plan. 7th and 8th army units will be arriving tomorrow. If you have any further questions I will direct your to your liaison officers assigned to each quarter."

In the truck, Generalissimo Diaz began the discussion:

"7th and 8th Army Units will be arriving tomorrow, we have brought in various space training equipment courtesy of the DEE, and we have miles of desert for whatever practice you may need. Honestly, I am quite excited to be fighting in a terrain that I know so little about, perhaps I can finally taste a challenge again. One can only invade small nations so many times before it becomes routine. Tell me, do we need specialize suits, dome combat? terraformed planet? desert planet? I imagine the scientists want things like gravity ratings and air quality, but me, I just want to know how much bullet drop should my snipers expect, and what should they be shooting through."

[Morrdh]

"Well in answer to the officer's question the trip is about a month or so give or take a couple of days, Earth standard of course." Answered Roberts. "It'll be in one of our Bayleaf class transports, a bulk carrier effectively. We have a Zero-G exercise regime that helps muscle density, though actual combat training is difficult and may have to take a backseat but you'll have a bedding in period upon arrival. Some of our chaps from the Royal Space Marines will act as training instructors, but we'll require the use of a gas chamber for gas mask testing....this is for suit training in case of an emergency ventilation."

"Rhondda's an arid and mountainous world, so hydration is an important matter. Now the planet also has extensive mine tunnels, there is a vast network underground thats the result of decades of mining with heavy duty equipment. Thus far the Commonwealth's objective is to capture all the ground level settlements to cut off the rebels from supplies, but a tunnel war is being planned for despite hopes that the rebels will surrender long before then." Roberts continued. "As for shooting the lower gravity means you gain a few extra yards and thus longer ranged engagements. We've had little problems using Earth conventional weapons, hell the main weapon of both sides is the semi-automatic L1A1 SLR."

---

Rhondda

"Gimme some grenades!" Called out a platoon sergeant as he grabbed and then emptied out a backpack, then dashed from cover to cover with the backpack in one hand and a Sterling SMG in the other. "And keep their bloody heads down!"

Meanwhile an lieutenant in another of the platoons was calling out over the radio back to base. "Fortune, Fortune. This is Sunray Charlie Two-Two. Request air my callsign. Over."

[Lamoni]

Rhondda

While the flanking maneuver was in progress, one part of the platoon would provide support fire, while the other part advanced toward the enemy. Then the other section would leapfrog forward under the cover fire of the first section. In this way, the platoon hoped to be able to flank their enemies, and force them to pull back. That was the theory, anyway. The reality of the situation was that they enemy was naturally doing everything that they could in order to slow or stop the flanking maneuver.

Thus it was that the leapfrogging maneuver was moving slowly, but it was still moving. One enterprising private took a grenade from his combat webbing, pulled the pin, using his fingers to cover the fuze until he finally chucked it to a spot where none of the enemy was located. As this was going on, some of his buddies used their rounds to herd a single enemy soldier into the path of the grenade. A few seconds later, and the grenade detonated, helping to keep the leapfrog movement going, while everyone watched in order to see what had happened to that single enemy soldier.

[Morrdh]

As requests for air support continued being made over the radio a platoon sergeant who had been filling up a backpack with grenades slid into cover under a ledge beneath where the rebels were. Bellowed orders at a couple of nearby soldiers to help chuck some grenades over onto the rebels to allow time for an organized defence with support weapons to be setup. Between the improv barrage of mortars and the actions of the flanking platoon the rebels were effectively pinned down as some machine guns were finally brought to bear. A zoom-like sound signalled the arrival of a pair of Hawker Hunter jet fighters and the fighting spirit of the rebels vanished in an instant, in short order the rebels laid down their weapons and put their hands in the air as they surrended to the Gilbertian troops.

Up and down the column medics tended to the wounded as NCOs oversaw the rounding up of the rebels and the collection of their weapons, equipment was salvaged from wrecked vehicles whilst the fires on the ones still burning were dealt with by using whatever fire-fighting gear was to hand. Already helicopters escorted by contragrav gunships were approaching to pick up the wounded to be evacuated to nearby field hospitals for treatment. Within the hour a relief column with engineers would arrive to clear the wrecked vehicles from the road and repair those that only suffered minor damage from the ambush. By the following morning After Action reports and a list of commendations would be on Brigadier Henry Barnes's desk, which included commendations for the Lamonians in the shape of a number of Mentioned in Despatches and a couple of Military Crosses.

The Gilbert Rifles had been bloodied, but it was the enemy who was found wanting.

~ ~ ~

A few days later a call went out for the Lamonian lieutenant who'd led the flanking attack during the ambush to report to Brigade HQ.