Jihadists Advance in Jaf Region [MT, DONE]

[Christoslavia]

Nitaq
14:00 Local Time
SSgt. Jones
3rd Company

Tank columns had cleared the way and the South and East of the city were almost completely under Christoslavian control, and the push from the North and West were going as planned The sabotage efforts of Christoslavian Special Forces in the week before had successfully nullified many of the Cesopian defenses, and considering every squad leader was given a map of the city and its defenses thanks to the information gathered from the Kalinin Colonel, this was a relative ease. The Cesopians hid in buildings on narrow streets waiting to ambush passing convoys, in which retaliatory air and artillery strikes turned said buildings into rubble. Force Recon units would relay back to squad heads the conditions within the inner city and what to be expecting, making sure every Christoslavian soldier was on his feet and aware of the sitrep.

SSgt Jones battalion had pushed towards the heavily defended city center, Legionnaires were holed up and putting up an intense firefight. For the past 3 hours the unit was engaged in a balls to the wall firefight with the Legionnaires with neither side seemingly gaining an upper hand and armor unavailable to us. Jones was pretty sure at this point he had laid down at least 1000 rounds into an enemy foxhole to little avail, he thought he saw a splatter, maybe a headshot, but they were still holding out. He had picked up the rifle of a dead Marine next to him after running out of ammo and ordered his squad to move around.
They went through a side building with 2 other squads, clearing out room after room. All the sudden an explosion rocked the building.
"Wheres that coming from?
"Sir, floor above us, booby trapped room Charlie squad is gone!"
"God dammit, keep moving!"
The 3rd squad walked into a booby trapped office room and was blown to the sky and back. the remaining two squads got to the top of the building and set up a sniper trap while the rest of the men rappelled out the side and behind enemy lines. Jones snuck up on a legionnaire and put his combat knife in his spine, he writhed on the ground until one more stab to the forehead put him out. Jones took control of his Field Gun and began firing at the enemy bunkers while his squad got into the trenches and foxholes with shotguns and began CQC. The unsuspecting Legionnaires were cut down like fish in a barrel. With a section of the line clear the battalion moved up and kept pushing towards the City Square. Christoslavias flag would be flying on the Administrative building before the week was done.

2 Hours Later
Temporary Christoslavian HQ in Nitaq
General Ramer

"Sir, our scouts tell us Heldorians will be moving upon Nitaq to try and pin us in the city and reinforce the Cessopians"

"Dammit...Radio General Bashar and see what air support he can give us or if he has men to spare at all. We have a 200 man garrison at Nasser AFB, have them rerouted here. Reroute our forces in the South and East once the city center is captured to the outskirts of Nitaq so we can set up a defense perimeter. We are not letting the Heldorians break through.

URGENT MESSAGE: MAX ENCRYPTION
TO GENERAL BASHAR FROM GENERAL RAMER

Bashar, our situation may turn dire soon, although I have confidence we can hold the city, Heldorians are closing in on our flank, if you have anything to spare at all send it here, and please relay to Captain Har that the Christoslavian Garrison needs to get their asses over here. Ramer out.

[Dilordaopia]

Dilordaopia has declared war on the jihadists.
A message is sent to the Jihadist leader.
"You mongrels believe you know more then the god you claim to worship.
Our military is coming for you.
United with the governments of the world, the Dilordaopian flag will fly on top of your HQ soon.

Are you ready for us?
Retarded you must be, thinking your small force will beat us.
Every day our little family keeps getting bigger and stronger.

For your sake, we will try to spare your families in the end. TRY to.
Unpatriotic and terrorist scum should not exist in the world.
Carefully examine your actions and see if you are any better then the "infidels."
Killing civilians is not bravery.
Every time you try and every time you will fail.
Death to you all,

also read the first letters of all words."

[Macedonian Grand Empire]

Imperial AFB in Zevretin
General Vladimir Mihajlovski of the imperial army was reading the latest reports on the progress of the AFB competition. At the end of the day the base could be declared operational. He was pleased. During the construction phase there have not been any major problems but the pesky jihadist had to be dealt with ASAP. Today he would finally recive his battle units via a direct flight from the empire. He opened up the folder on his computer that contained the numbers of the imperial forces that would be base in the AFB for its defense.

78 Leopard 2A7-140 Main Battle Tanks (140mm guns-Autoloders)
126 Stryker Mobile Gun Systems
200 Bradly IFV
2.000 troops
Artilery:
89: M270 MLRS
129 Paladin SPG
129 PzH2000 SPG
200 Howitzers
Air wing:
62 F-22 Raptors
62 F-35 Lightning JSF
62 A-10 Thunderbolt
12 B-52 Heavy Bombers
Helicopters
62 Apache Longbow
62 Rah 66 Comanche
Drones:
200 MQ-9 Surveillance Drones
200 Predator Drones
Defenses:
25 SAM-700 Emplacements
120 Patriot 2 Missile Emplacements
120 Automated Gatling guns
56 Pillboxes
Barbed Wire
Other Installations:
X and Y band Radars
Primary and Secondary Radars
Satellite up link stations
LADAR array
CIC Bunker
Underground Ammo Bunkers
Underground Fuel Storage

From: General Vladimir Mihajlovski
To: Zevretin High Command
Greetings allies, starting from today at 20.00 hours Wanderberg AFB is becoming operational. We would like to ask for your permision to set up a no fly zone in a radius of 50 km around the AFB for any planes that fly above. Our Allied planes can fly over but we would just like to recive prior notification of their arrival in the restricted airspace. We will always have CAP on station to guard the airspace and we would welcome a representative of yours to arrive at Wanderberg in order for us to discuss information sharing and strategic battle plan.

With Respect
General Vladimir Mihajlovski
Imperial Armed Forces.

[Cesopium]

Nitaq Front, 1st Battalion
The assault on Nitaq had been hectic and intense. The 3rd Company was outnumbered by far more Christoslavian forces they could hope to defeat on their own, knowing that they would perish eventually as no more reinforcements could be sent from the battered 2nd Company who had attempted to flank into the enemy forces had been defeated and force back and would no longer be of use in the assault.

Major Herward Reinholds was held up in the center of Nitaq in one of the city hall buildings, commanding what remaining forces he could. They would be shoved into a corner, fighting against highly superior odds. The 3rd Company had killed many of their opponents but they would fall soon, the tanks and soldiers never seemed to stop. Buildings were destroyed, mines and barbed wire was so effective. Wreckage blocked off roads and streets in the cities. Smoke filled the sky, and Major Reinholds knew that there was but one solution and final order he sent to his men. Orders were passed down to the Lieutenants commanding the few remaining platoons he had left as all the sectors crumbled.

Order Legio IX Hispana.

Supplying the last few RPO-A Shmel in high numbers among the Legionnaires, handed the thermobaric and incendiary warheads and what remained of their AT weapons alongside a few machine guns. Their orders were to scorch and burn the city to the ground,using gasoline fires. The Legionnaires lit the city ablaze caking the sky in smoke. 1st Platoon, armed with the most heaviest equipment they could attain and a couple IFVs and one Cold War-era tank would attempt to break out through the eastern end of the city. Armed with RPG-29s and MG3s they escorted the local populace out of the city, escorting them to ensure they escaped the burning inferno that would become in Nitaq in its final moments.

Major Herward Reinholds and a team went to a local abandoned news station, a live broadcast was made for all to see all over Zevretin.

We are legion,
though our bodies on Earth leave soon,
as we have perished in the dunes.

Let our brothers know of our sacrifice,
We are Legion IV, Guardians of Cesopium and independence.
Our death is not but a reward for the Holy One as we go to serve him.

Come and take us, for you to shall be buried with us.

The last broadcast, the Major then moved himself back to the central sector as the enemy crossed in rapidly, placing himself in the front lines as the city became a burning Hell of smoke and fire resembling that of Hades. MG3 and RPG crews awaiting any sign of tanks that would make any daring moves.9K32 Strzala-2 crews were on standby, watching out for any sort of helicopters who would be brave enough to venture into the burning black smoke of Nitaq.

[Heldoria]

1700 HOURS, outside Nitaq siege lines, 2nd Cohort 1 klick away from Christoslavian Siege lines

Major Tomas starred through his binoculars at the enemy artillery, his SPGs were calculating counter battery solutions. If he had them fire now that would break his cover... 3rd Cohort was decimated. There was talks of 1st Cohort being flown in, possibly being augmented with Terico level units. a Cohort with 4 Heavy weapons Halls alone... the power was frightfully joyful. He snorted and lowered the looking glasses, and looked to his left and right as the Hall commander`s stood behind his command vehicle waiting for instructions.

"Alright boys, the deal is to remove the enemy artillery as fast we can. Reports of heavy air support have been confirmed and anti-air weapons have been outfitted to your Commands. So far we have ID`d four different enemy batteries, you`ll have artillery support. 6th Cohort is prepping to infiltrate the city and bolster the remaining allied forces, they will be circling around and their ETA is 1900 Hours. Clear those batteries, and then proceed as you see fit. Main objective is relief, if this conflict gets any more heated there is possiblity of complete withdrawal and the activation of a few Tericos."

"Aye sir!" The Hall commanders replied.

"You all have your positions, for Heldoria!" Shouted the Major.

"Honor, Duty, State!" the Commanders replied.

1725 Hours, Nitaq Artillery siege Lines, 9th Hall, 6th Cohort

Captain Micheals was in his command vehicle. A Teufel Hunden fitted with radio communications, his Senior Sergeant was a Vehicle over roughly 50 meters apart. The dim light of the IFV making only rough forms visible as twilight fell, what tanks could be scrounged were now racing across the sands, 2 per Hall in support as the Leviathans awaited fire commands.

"This is Lt. Rouse, section 5 is engaging enemy battery. MBT is supporting, Section 8 is breaking off to flank sir." The radio died down suddenly.

'Affirmative Lt. proceed." The captain moved his hand away from his radio as he awaited the other Sections to check in.

1726 HOURS, 5/9/6/7

"Move! Move! Move"
Ching-ching- ching-ching The auto cannon roared as Sgt. Seymour rushed out of his IFV, night is in 15 minutes he though. He spun around in the cooling air as he hugged tight to the Teufel Hunden`s side, he saw Christoslavian artillery men diving for cover as the 20mm rounds crashed into their friends and artillery piece.

"Grenadier! HE onto the ammo dump!" Seymour shouted.

A stocky young man fell to his knee and brought his grenade launcher up and pumped the action as he stroked the trigger violently, the pooomp! Sound of the 40mm grenade died off as it impacted an Artillery Gun`s ammo dump and a loud concussive explosion accompanied by heat soared through the dying light sky. Rifles continued to crack as the Heldorian infantry began to run over watch bounds, the IFV`s wheels screeched along the sand and dust as it pushed it`s self forward to further support the assault.

FFFUMMMM!!! An accompanying tank fired off it`s shell sending another Artillery piece into a blaze, his Section leader calling over the radio.

"5th Section! keep your eyes to the sky, enemy has air superiorty make good use of your Anti-air armaments!"

Seymour didn`t see a reason to reply, right now he had to kill. He had to fight. He had to win this battery to break the siege, the Cesopium`s didn`t matter to him... it the fact if he didn`t get this objective done the longer he and the entire section were exposed to enemy air.

[Christoslavia]

Nitaq
1730 Hours
7th and 9th Motorized Brigade
3rd Company

After the Cessopian commander issued his cryptic message, General Ramer had all tanks rerouted to the city outskirts to deal with the Heldorians and prevent them from breaking the siege. They raced acrosss the dunes and rubble until they came upon the almost completely destroyed artillery batteries. The F-92 Heavy Assault tanks and F-93 Mobile Howitzer platforms took elevated positions and began firing on Heldorian armor from the dunes, direct hits were scored on a few tanks and IFV's as the rest caused them to scatter into defensive positions. 3rd Company was currently moving up to engage infantry as the motorized units went down to deal with enemy armor. IFV's transporting the 3rd Company drive into the perimeter of the Heldorian line and began unloading round after round while Marines were pouring out and taking up defensive positions.
"All squads shoot to kill weapons free, we have no air support so do what you can"!". SSgt. Jones felt something graze his shoulder, as he spun around he let loose a volley of fire and saw a stream go across the chest of a Heldorian as he cried out regretfully. 'Move up, suppressing fire!". The tat tat tat of his LMG echoed throughout the street as explosions went off in all directions, a Heldorian tank barreled through a building and had its cannon pointed right at Jones when a round from an F-93 landed right on top of it. The shockwave sent Jones flying ten feet back and he was dragged inside a building by his squadmates. "Dammit I'm alright, push on!"

Nitaq
General Ramer

It had taken another 30 minutes but Ramer's Marines had finally broken into the city center, RPG's are not as effective as one would think against infantry, too hard to hit. They had stormed the City Hall and Radio Station and captured the command elements of the Cessopians as they were burning the city to the ground. General Ramer shot one Cessopian who was till squirming and sat in front of a Camera as Christoslavian communications specialists broadcast his message throughout the city.
To any and all civilians and Cessopians within or attempting to flee this city,
Let it be known that infantry units have stayed behind in each sector of the city to prevent this.
Civilians will be allowed to leave freely, and will be taken to the closest field hospitals.
Cessopian troops will either do one of two things, become our prisoners, or surrender.
If Cessopian forces surrender, they will be allowed to leave and fight another day, Christoslavians believe
In two things, Honor, and Victory, the Legionnaires today have fought with immeasurable valor
And we respect that, we will meet on the fields of battle another day, if you surrender. If not,
If you resist, you will perish miserably. This is General Ramer of the Christoslavian Army, this message will repeat every 10 minutes.

[Heldoria]

1731 HOURS, 1 Klick Nitaq Siege lines

The news came pouring over the Radio, Christoslavian counter attack... they had to have anticipated this. His troops have made good progress, most of the batteries destroy. He reached for his Radio.

"Send in the 2nd armored Hall, do it fast! Get me the SPG Lt now!" The Major shouted.

"sir, this is Leviathan Section 6 and 7, orders?" The Lt. responded.

"Fire mission near our boys, the co-ordinates are as follows echo- gulf 7-8-6-7-5-4. Confirm, over ride protocols danger close is acceptable!" The major slammed his radio down, and tuned to his Hall commanders.

"relay to offensive force Mike, Artillery and Armor support enroute. Artillery is Danger close! I repeat Danger Close!"

1733 HOURS, Nitaq Siege Lines

Seymour hid behind his IFV, the carcass burning as enemy IFV loosed fire. The smell of burning oil intermixed with gun fire and burning flesh of IFV drivers, MBTs turned to hull down and engage enemy tanks. Vehicles of both sides were billowing in smoke as the sun began to set, Seymour lowered his Night vision gear.

"Artillery support, firing now! Danger Close! I repeat Danger Close!" The Lt`s voice shouted over the radio as the whining of artillery shells struck to the ground. One of Seymour`s men peered out from the IFV and leashed an anti-armor launcher into an enemy IFV sending it up in smoke. Christoslavian Infantry were coming out from the darkness and unleashing fire into any exposed Heldorian infantry.

"Machine gunner! Suppressing fire! Grenadier I want you to put three rounds of Frag into the advancing line!!" Seymour shouted as he pulled a stick grenade from his pouch and threw it 25 meters over head into the middle of an advancing infantry squad blasting three to the sky.

The rumble was heard, at first a whisper among the Artillery and gun fire and then the lights appeared. The 2nd Section of armor was pulling up and engaging enemy tanks, the artillery let up a bit as the tanks peaked the crests of dunes and unleashed their armor piercing death into enemy vehicles. Christoslavian armor began to back away as the they were engaged, multiple of their tanks laid out in burning husks as infantry began to dash back into the darkness.

[Christoslavia]

Outside Nitaq
17:30 Hours

"INCOMING ARTILLERY RETREAT!"
The 3rd Company and the motorized brigades ran high tail back into the darkness, the incoming artillery pounded and pulverized any poor Christoalavian still in the offensive perimeter. The armor units regrouped into a defensive line to cover us while the infantry dug in and waited for them to pursue/ waited for reinforcements. We'd wait all night if we had to.

[Macedonian Grand Empire]

Ramstain AFB 22.00
The 12 B2 Spirits were slowly moving to their runways. The massive AFB was one of the few places that the B2 bombers of the empire called their home. They were fully loaded with GPB and their target were the principal fuel and ammo stores of the belligerents that were allied to the jihadists. With the approval of the ATC they set of in the night. It was the start of a 18 hour trip to the Area of Operations.

Wanderberg AFB
The general was looking at the map that showed the present battles that were fought in the AO. He received the bulletin that the B2 have taken off from Raimstain AFB in the empire. But rather then wait for them he decided that it was time to act before it was too late. He set up some important roads that were used to help supply the attack on the positions of General Ramer near Nitaq. His orders were simple, cut their supply lines at first and wait for contact with General Ramer in order to task Close Air Support (CAS) to help him out.
-Air boss get me 12 F-35 with JDAMs to bomb those locations. The locations were bridges and intersections important to the supply lines of the Heldorian armed forces. Also get me 4 more to hit those ammo depots near the battle lines. Get 6 F 22 to fly escort. Time to establish ourselfs in this battle gentlemen.

To:General Ramer
From:General Vladimir Mihajlovski
Encryption: High
Importance: Very high
Due to our recent entry into this war, i would like to extend my offer of cooperation to you near the city of Nitag. I am in command of the imperial units tasked with ensuring the regime survival and i can offer to you close air support against Heldorian and positions of the Jigadists if need be. In case you agree to my offer you will receive the frequency for conducting the bombing rans. I look forward to your speedy answer
As the message was sent the planes were slowly taking off and proceeding with their mission of bombing the area from long range using AGM's and JADAMS.

[Christoslavia]

Ramstain AFB 22.00
The 12 B2 Spirits were slowly moving to their runways. The massive AFB was one of the few places that the B2 bombers of the empire called their home. They were fully loaded with GPB and their target were the principal fuel and ammo stores of the belligerents that were allied to the jihadists. With the approval of the ATC they set of in the night. It was the start of a 18 hour trip to the Area of Operations.

Wanderberg AFB
The general was looking at the map that showed the present battles that were fought in the AO. He received the bulletin that the B2 have taken off from Raimstain AFB in the empire. But rather then wait for them he decided that it was time to act before it was too late. He set up some important roads that were used to help supply the attack on the positions of General Ramer near Nitaq. His orders were simple, cut their supply lines at first and wait for contact with General Ramer in order to task Close Air Support (CAS) to help him out.
-Air boss get me 12 F-35 with JDAMs to bomb those locations. The locations were bridges and intersections important to the supply lines of the Heldorian armed forces. Also get me 4 more to hit those ammo depots near the battle lines. Get 6 F 22 to fly escort. Time to establish ourselfs in this battle gentlemen.

To:General Ramer
From:General Vladimir Mihajlovski
Encryption: High
Importance: Very high
Due to our recent entry into this war, i would like to extend my offer of cooperation to you near the city of Nitag. I am in command of the imperial units tasked with ensuring the regime survival and i can offer to you close air support against Heldorian and positions of the Jigadists if need be. In case you agree to my offer you will receive the frequency for conducting the bombing rans. I look forward to your speedy answer
As the message was sent the planes were slowly taking off and proceeding with their mission of bombing the area from long range using AGM's and JADAMS.

ENCRYPTION MAXIMUM
TO GENERAL VLADIMIR MIHAJLOVSKI
FROM GENERAL RAMER

We thank you for your support, I will be sure every damn one of my soldiers thanks you after all this. While the city of Nitaq is firmly under our control the Heldorian offensive threatens our flank. I give you permission to bomb the Heldorians and cut their retreat off so we may intercept them once we regroup. Blow them to hell General. Atomize them. And if you could spare planes modified with water cannons, the city of Nitaq is burning to the ground and we don't have the manpower to put it out but this is of secondary importance.
-General Ramer

[Cornithium]

Cornithian Executive House
0800 Hours Local Time
Cornithius, Cornithium

“Sir, General Payton is on the line.”

Cornithian President Jonathan Saunders looked up from his desk, looking up at the aide standing in the doorway. He furrowed his brow.

“Payton?” He asked slowly, drawing the name out on his tongue.

The aide nodded. “He says it’s urgent.”

“Put him on the line.”

A few seconds later, Saunders could hear the familiar growl of Gen. Richard Payton blare from his desk phone.

“I hate to disturb you this early, Mr. President, but this couldn’t wait.”

Saunders sat up straighter in his chair and slid the phone closer from across the desk. He sighed. “I assume that this won’t be good.”

He could hear Payton shift from across the line. “No sir, it isn’t. Jaf has fallen to the Jihadi militants in the region. With due respect, sir, everything there is going to hell.”

“Jaf?” Saunders shook his head, disbelieving. “What happened to the Zevretins?”

“Fallen, sir,” Payton replied. “They were forced into retreat and are attempting a counterattack. Their Republican Guard was caught unawares.”

The President cursed, standing up from his seat and pacing around the room. General Payton waited, hesitant, before he continued. “Mr. President, the Jaf region is critical to the stability of the Zevretis as a whole. If we were to let it fall-”

“-Zevretin would be one step close to annihilation. We can’t allow that. I get it.” Saunders stopped walking and wavered for a second, massaging his brow furiously. He heard the General’s voice come back on the phone.

“We have Ares gunships ready for deployment. I authorized a squadron to scramble just outside of Zevreti airspace. Ready at your word, sir.”

Saunders shook his head. “This is crazy,” he muttered. “Payton, how long can we afford to hold out on engaging in Zevretin?”

Though his speech was carefully controlled, Saunders could hear agitation in the General’s voice. “We can't afford to wait any longer, sir. New attackers are arriving by the minute. There's no time. We need to act now.”

No time, Saunders mouthed, hating the feel of the words. When he next spoke, his voice was one of resignation. “How quickly can we get those bombers in Jaf?”

“Within the hour, sir. We just need to get in contact with local forces on the ground. Just give us the order.”

Saunders slumped back into his chair, pulling his suit tie looser around his neck. He spoke slowly, painfully, into the speaker.

“Send the Ares. We’re going into Jaf.”

[Cornithium]

Official Communique of the Federated Republic of Cornithium:

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
INTERNATIONAL WARFARE COMMISSION

---

Federated Republic of Cornithium
For Immediate Release: Nov 17. 2016.


President Jonathan Saunders
Commander-in-Chief, Cornithian Armed Forces
FRC Executive House
Cornithius, Cornithium


To the Head of Zeveretin, and all of it’s affiliated allies;

The Government of the Federal Republic of Cornithium would like to announce our pledge of support for the Zevereti peoples. Our administration condemns the blatant terrorism and violence of the Rebel insurgency; and our forces are entering preparation in order to help assist your government in its cause. Cornithium wishes to act immediately in order to insure the stability of the Jaf region and prevent the furthered killing of innocent Zevereti lives. Know this: the men and women of our nation stand as one in support of your fight against the forces of terror.


Our General Richard Payton is readying an air-support squadron to enter Zevereti and assist ground troops in combat. Five AC-130F Ares gunships shall be entering the fray by 1000 hours.


Further communications shall be established shortly.


Sincerely,


President Jonathan Saunders
Commander-In-Chief


DOFA Case 2016-348744-A; Reprod. Encrypted.
CLASSIFIED SECURE - ASRZ / FRC EYES ONLY | NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

[Cesopium]

Aizdihar Front, 2nd Battalion

The 2nd Battalion had overtaken Highway 9. After a couple days of fighting over the strip of road, and below minimum casualties of 15, 12 of which were not fatal. They had overran the regime positions controlling the highway, having not lost a single Mil M-28 in their attacks in seizing the Highway, morale was high among the Legionnaires regardless of the supply cache seizures which had happened earlier on in the attack. Though news from the north was grim, a plan was devised to shift positions. Hoping that the other allies of the Young Martyrs would not crumble apart and disperse. This plan would have to do.

The 2nd Battalion was ordered directly by Levin Nuhr to continue their push into government territory, now approaching Nasser AFB. Supported by local militias and those of the Young Martyrs, mortar crews of the 2nd Battalion established positions and began firing smoke shells down into the outskirt of the government positions, MG3 crews set themselves up to fire upon the initial trenches and lines to accompany the charge of the militia, followed by the Legionnaires themselves. Teams were set up with 9K32 Strzala-2 to fire upon any approaching aircraft as they attempted to land on the runway or assault them.

The charge seemed so much more aggressive and assertive then in the past, perhaps the fall of their brothers in the north in the destruction of Nitaq drove them forward.It was 0900 when this assault had begun, pounding hard into the airfield with a ferocity not since seen in the north against the now utterly destroyed Saqqaf International Airport.

Nitaq Front, 1st Battalion
The battle of Nitaq continued as the resistance from the remaining 3rd Company continued to crumbled and be chipped away from the outside as Christoslavia closed in.The RPG-29s were effective in deterring enemy armor but there was simply not enough to go around as men continued to fall from the continuing waves of the enemy in the heat and smoke. The thermobaric and incendiary warheads of the RPO-A Shemel burnt men alive as they advanced deeper into the burning inferno that was Nitaq. Rubble and damaged buildings was that all could be found, alongside the smell of burnt corpses and wrecks of tanks and IFVs along the streets, burning or smoking out.

Major Herward Reinholds had perished in a last ditch suicidal attack against a approaching company of Christoslavian soldiers, taking out 4 with him. Fitting himself with a vest of grenades he pulled the pins, rushing into the enemies in the same building as him. Detonating, the explosions blew all 5 of the men out of the damaged side of the building to the rubble and concrete below. Major Reinholds was impaled upon a metal pylon as he landed, or what remained of his charred and blown apart body.

It was only a matter of time before the rest of 3rd Company would be overwhelm even as the city continued to be burnt and destroyed as the siege continued to be waged. Only 34 men remained in total among the 2nd,3rd,4th, and 5th platoons to defend the city, but were spread out in damaged parking decks and other buildings, setting up booby traps in the burning inferno they hoped to last just a little longer for any sign of relief, to ever arrive but many felt there would be no one to come and rescue them from their sacrifices in foreign soil. There would be no surrenders, only death.

The 1st Company, where Henning Itzen who had resided with them near the now blown apart Saqqaf International Airport, which reports flown in of it being seized by the other Young Martyr forces. Deciding they would move, the Lieutenant Colonel left behind a 5-man team and a couple translators and ordered them to set up a communications hub and establish contact with the other anti-government forces. The remnants of the 1st and 2nd Company had been restored to what they could be.


The 1st Company, 2nd Company and 1st Platoon of the 3rd Company were given orders to move themselves south in order to defend Aizdihar. The 1st and 2nd Company looted abandoned Government armories near the current battle lines as they made a swing back to Aizdihar, acquiring a few field guns, heavy defensive equipment and a single S-200 SAM missile system with a supply of missiles to boot. They now maneuver to the outskirts of city of Aizdihar to defend it from another assault, as the destruction of Nitaq may lead to a huge dislocation of people having further consequences in the future for neighboring states of Zevretin.


Manar Front,3rd Battalion

The 3rd Battalion had took only 15 casualties, 10 of which were fatal and 5 were just injuries and accidents having taken place on the first assault on the Textile Complex. The Legionnaires saw little value in the Textile Complex they were besieging, wondering what use it could serve besides smuggling more soldiers in through the border. But they had to cut off this stronghold before they could move on to help the other Battalions in the North. Over the past few days, due to being relatively uninterrupted by enemy reinforcements the enemy was being chipped away bit by bit in constant Mil Mi-28 assaults with S-13 rockets who able to rearm and restock without a problem. The Legionnaires were now beginning their final assault on the blown apart Textile Complex against a demoralized garrison. Accompanied by a smoke screen from their mortars, helicopter and machine gun support they estimated it would fall in just a couple hours so they could move on.

[Cornithium]

CORNITHIUS - In a stunning turn of events today, President Jonathan Saunders ordered the deployment of combat-ready air forces into the war-frought state of Zeveretin.

Five Cornithian gunships were seen leaving Jameston Air Base in Fairfield at the crack of dawn, sources say. The heavily-armed bombers were headed toward the Eastern border of Jaf, where rebel insurgents have been bloodily fighting against the Zevereti government for the past week. The rebels, assisted by forces from The Empire of Heldoria, have been clashing over control of the city of Nitaq; battled by both the Zevereti Republican Guard and an international coalition led by Christoslavia and the Macedonian Grand Empire.

In a State Address at 8:30 a.m. CST, President Saunders announced his intentions to officially engage the Rebel troops and to declare war against the Empire of Heldoria. The President announced that the war against Rebel forces was a war against ‘the triumvirate of evil itself’, protecting the Republic against ‘Islamic extremism’. With a solemn determination, the President called upon the Cornithian people to remain resolute through these times of uncertainty.

As well-intended as Saunder’s speech may have been, many are outraged by his actions. Several members of Congress have already begun to rally opposition against the President's declaration; and as the outroar spreads, Saunder's base of traditionally strong political supporters are beginning to waver. Even as early as this may be, it seems like our Commander-In-Chief's decision will have far-reaching ramifications far into the future.

(For more, See WAR, Page 15)

[Christoslavia]

Nitaq
4th Company

It had been thirty minutes since the General gave his ultimatum but the Legionnaires were still fighting. Reports coming throughout the city showed that Legionnaires in all other sections had been dealt with, except for a last squadron holed up in a parking garage. A Special Forces Task Force with some fancy cloaking armor managed to sneak by their snipers and infiltrate the structure, killing a firm yet panicked group of 4 and opening the garage doors for elements of the 4th Company to pour in. We suffered 3 non fatal injuries while the last Legionnaires in the city went down in a hail of bullets. The Prowlers then scanned the parking garage for booby traps and disarmed them before we left. Now that the city was under our command we were to go around the Heldorians in a pincer and encircle them. "Everyone move out double time!".

30 Minutes Later
Outside Nitaq

The 4th Company had eyes on the confident Heldorians, we snuck in behind them and set up mortar crews to blow the infantry and IFV's to bits, we then pushed at the same time a the 3rd Company and well... let's just say they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Our own armor had caught the Heldorian tank flank and began inflicting heavy casualties while the 3rd Company's tanks got back into the fight and went on the offensive. The last Heldorians went down just like the Cessopians, fighting, but they were dead so it didn't matter.

General Ramer received word that Nasser AFB was under attack and a newly arrived Christoslavian garrison was trapped there along with all the Coalition counterparts. "Men, we move on Nasser AFB, the Cessopians will be crushed between us and the regime and with nowhere to run will die slowly. A garrison will remain behind to defend Nitaq with regime reinforcements. As for the rest of us, we move now. Forward unto victory!". The tanks and APC's rumbled to life, and headed for Nasser AFB.

[Cornithium]

Eastern Zeveretin Airspace
0930 Hours Local Time
Jaf, Zeveretin

10,000 feet above the war-torn Zeveretin landscape, five AC-130F ‘Ares’ gunships glided smoothly across the sky, shadowed by a trio of F-16s. The larger aircraft began a slow, wide turn, heading in the direction of Nasser AFB. Like bulbous leviathans, they flew over the raging city of Nitaq, edging closer to their destination.

At the head of the lead plane, Superman, was Lieutenant James Rhodes. As he pulled Superman out of the bank, he managed to get a glimpse of the city below him.

“Goddamn,” he breathed, eyes widening at the ravaged metropolis. Nitaq was reduced to rubble. The entire city was blanketed with a thick cake of ash, with towering plumes of acrid smoke billowing from it’s surface. It was impossible to believe that all this destruction happened within the course of a few days. “Goddamn, indeed,” muttered his co-pilot. In the belly of the aircraft, the entire 13-man crew sat silent, each quietly taking in the apocalyptic landscape.

Rhodes tightened his grip on control yoke infront of him. Whomever these Rebels were, they had a hell of a lot of firepower. Reaching up, he flipped on the Ares’s in-built electronic countermeasures, setting them to maximum power. He radioed over to the other planes to do the same, and watched his radar screen flicker, struggling to cope with the interference. He prayed that the equipment would do it’s job, and keep them safe from any crosshairs on the ground.

The voice of the co-pilot broke Rhodes out of his stupor. “Rhodes, Nasser AFB up ahead, 50 klicks.”

He leaned forward into his seat, staring out into the dazzlingly bright desert landscape. Nasser was a small strip in the distance, quavering in the morning heat. Rhodes pressed onto the intercom. “152mm HEAT-MP, ready at my command”. There was a whirr and a dull clunk behind him as the Ares’s massive 152mm gun loaded. “Zevereti ground forces,” he called over the radio, “this is Kilo Squadron, ready for heavy fire support, waiting for your go.”

The speaker crackled, and the lieutenant could make out gunfire and explosions over the radio. A strangled-sounding voice came from the radio, garbled to the point of indistinction. Rhodes fiddled with the radio dial.

Suddenly, the voice came through loud and clear. “-NEED CLOSE FIRE SUPPORT, NOW! TARGETS ADVANCING! REPEAT, REQUESTING IMMEDIATE FIRE SUPPORT!!”

Grimly, Rhodes tightened his harness and strapped himself into his recoil seat before reaching again for the intercom. “Gunners, track targets. Fire when ready.

He could hear the hiss of hydraulics as the gunners positioned and locked the cannon. There was a deafening boom as the gun fired, and the aircraft rocked violently from the recoil. The gunships surrounding Superman belched flame as they, too, fired off. Far down below, the land blazed a violent red as five 152mm high-explosive shells landed simultaneously at the outskirts of the AFB.

[Dilordaopia]

AIRLINES OF NITAQ

A military drone flies towards the city.
It carries the bull symbol from the flag.
At great speeds it accellerates towards a group of "Young Martyrs", as it fires an explosive.
The explosive kills and injures some of them, leaving the rest in the squad running.
The drone lowers itself and sticks the flag of Dilordaopia into the ground near the corpses.

[Zevretin]

HIGHWAY 9, JAF GOVERNORATE

The battle was over before it had even started.

The crackle of rifle fire seemed to come from all directions, cutting down men at an impossible rate as the joint 5th Mechanized-1st Special Guards force struggled to retreat. It was clear that they were sandwiched in between two enemy forces, since command had informed them hours prior that Nasser AFB was encountering mortar fire from the direction of Highway 9. In other words, this could very well be the end for each and every one of the soldiers within the column. The only luck the regime forces had encountered in this instance was the skill and determination of their officers, who called in fire missions relentlessly since they had made contact the afternoon prior. While they were certainly dealing damage, the sheer resolve of the enemy showed to the column that these were no Young Martyrs- but rather, Cesopiumian Legionnaires. Though the conflict had persisted for almost a year before foreign nations intervened, the reputation of the Legionnaires was quick to take hold, striking fear into the hearts of conscripts and professional troops alike.

The distinctive whine of a low-flying Su-22 filled the ears of the surrounded convoy as it let loose with its NR-30 cannons, blowing apart an entire team atop a ridgeline before climbing yet again, aware it owed its friends on the ground more than one strafing run. Following this, the convoy lurched forward yet again, hoping the fire missions would temporarily tide over their hungry enemy until they could escape their sights. Their prayers were answered when the Su-22 dropped its payload of cluster bombs right on top of an enemy position just ahead, leaving little to no trace of them as the column passed. One strike after another was barely enough to get them out in one piece, though they managed with high casualties and the expense of multiple APC's. The formation prepared for more blood as they approached the lines leading to Nasser AFB, and maneuvered themselves accordingly. It was not long before they exploited a weak point in the line, nearly becoming ground beef as 152mm shells crashed down on the Legionnaires from overhead. Although everyone in the column was curious as to who was wasting these bastards, they had little time to guess; they were sandwiched again, this time between the enemy and their own people. Officers within the convoy were frantically communicating with regime troops at the gates, who initially did not recognize them as friendly. Thankfully, those positioned there were disciplined enough not to open fire, lowering their arms and opening the gates to the battered formation. They barreled in at high speeds, rolling to a stop as marked emergency medical vehicles drove across the tarmac to meet them. Wounded men came out of the hatches of the assorted BMP's and BTR's at eye-opening rates, with a number having to be rolled out by stretchers. This hail-mary throw of an effort to break the enemy siege at the Textile Complex was a humiliating failure, and cost the regime many valuable men from the 1st Special Guards- though they were not keen on quitting just yet.

[Christoslavia]

Nasser AFB
General Ramer


He had been observing the battle for quite some time. Positioning his self propelled howitzers behind the dunes so they can rain down hellfire on the Cesoppians but remain untouched. The cavalry was ready to deploy on his signal. The Zevretins from Saqqafi had just managed to get inside the AFB but the siege persisted. Ramer would see it end here. As soon as he radioed the command, 155 mm shells rained down by the hundreds on Legionnaire position, a unit of F-93's loaded with white phosphorous then covered the desert in white death. After the phosphorous rounds were launched the howitzers resumed, igniting the white phosphorous and burning dozens of Legionnaire infantry and vehicles until they were charred husks. The armor units then moved forward and APC's began unloading troops to engage the battered Legionnaires. It did not matter how much passion they were fighting with. Passion cant stop a bullet.

[Cesopium]

Aizdihar Front, 1st and 2nd Battalions, Nasser AFB

Their was blood and bodies everywhere, surrounding the Nasser AFB. Legionnaires had charged alongside their militant brothers from the Young Martyrs, it appeared that someone had begun shooting 152mm rounds into their ranks. Artillery rained down from all directions but the soldiers used the cover of the trenches and defenses of their opponents they overran as the cover they would use to hide from artillery barrages. Even with this they would not give up their unrelenting assault.

Smoke shells surrounded the battlefield, even as more and more military forces stacked against them. The Legionnaires grew more and more defiant against such odds as even more of the 2nd Battalion perished. Soldiers leapt into the trenches against the government forces and their allies, fighting with barbaric ferocity, some even had used their standard falcata close combat weapon, hacking apart the unlucky men who had came in contact with them. MG3 crews matched the sheer invulnerability of their Christoslavian opponents with bullets, blasting apart a few IFVs with looted RPGs off their dead opponents.

As the reports continued in that the Christoslavian forces had turned themselves around completely they left their rear vulnerable to artillery strike. The 1st Battalion had regrouped what was left of themselves to Aizdihar, armed with stolen weapons from government armories as they had retreated they wielded a few ancient tanks and a single battery of 130mm M-46 field guns they would now begin to use, protected by a S-200 missile system they would initiate the bombardment on the slower elements of their opponents. Based onto a steep hillside they had dug trench lines and observation towers along with a few pill boxes as well as a artillery pit, defending themselves with MG3s, RPGs and Mortars they would push back anyone who dared to attack them.

As the 2nd Battalion commander Levin Nuhr began to learn, he was eventually gonna be sandwiched in by his enemy counterparts. He would fight on to destroy as much enemy materiel as possible for the conflict to come. A few mortar crews had begun bombarding the runway itself, putting anyone who attempted to land in inherent danger as the 82mm M252 mortar shells crashed into the runway, some even landing in the control tower.

Manar Front,3rd Battalion
The communication team left behind at the ruins of Saqqaf International Airport attempted to establish contact with their allies in the fight against the government. Using maximum encrypted messages of the military, they each sent any of the nearby allies in the area a message, declaring that "anyone who takes Wahdabad may discuss any of the further terms of peace, may we all stand united to fight this oppressive and false government".

The 3rd Battalion meanwhile as they had decided to give up the assault on the Textile Complex as it seemed to just be good for being blown to pieces, abandoning their siege. They acquired whatever vehicles they could from the locals or even received "donations", promising to reimburse the people if they won the war. Obtaining large amounts of gasoline and diesel, Rolf Cruewell's 3rd Battalion was now nearly totally mobilized. Although they possessed little to no IFVs which the most close thing they had was concrete and sheet metal attached to trucks and vehicles with MG3s on the back they set off alongside 9K32 Strzala-2 teams in the bed of the vehicles. The formation was escorted by their 2 rearmed Mil Mi-28s heading off east they would attempt to seize their objective, Wadhabad while many of the other forces were occupied with the battle for Nasser. Expecting to arrive as quickly as possible as the unit had become completely temporarily mechanized for the duration of this operation.

[Macedonian Grand Empire]

Imperial AFB
-Sir,Nasser AFB is under siege. It requests help sir.
-Good. Prepare a ground strike package for our B-52. I want them to be loaded with Cassete bombs. They will bomb some of the hills overlooking the airbase. They should be able to turn everything to scrap. Get me A-10 to prepare for CAS of the airbase. We need to get as many planes to assist them. Comanches and Apaches will follow suit. Code red.
-Sir, latest satelite reports indicate that there is an S-200 SAM system near the airbase that is not friendly. We should take it out before sending in our planes.
-Noted. Prepare a wing of F-35 to engage the SAM System. Inform all planes that as of now any air assets of the units not affiliated with the government are to be shut down.
-Yes sir.
Half an hour later the planes were away. A force comprised of 12 F-22 raptors that were task to establish air superiority in the vicinity of the airbase. 6 F-35 were tasked with taking out the S-200 SAM system,12 A-10 were to provide CAS for allied troops on the ground while an hour later 3 B-52 bombers took off for their saturation bombardment of the hill overlooking the AFB.

Near Manar 3 F-22 on station
Bear 1 this is bear 3. Scans show a Cesopian force advancing down the highway. They have 2 helicopters providing support. Should we engage?
Overlord this is bear 1. We have a confirmed presence of ground forces near Manar. They have Helicopters as air cover. Should we engage?
Overlord: Authorization granted. Light them up bear flight.
Bear 1: Roger. Bear 3 and 4 you got the chopers. Bear 2 lets show those guys that you do not drive on an open highway. We will strafe them while going at mach 1.2.
Bear flight: Roger that. Lets light them up.
Within a minute they were on their spots. They lurched down firing missiles at the Helicopters and strafing the column with their 20 MM chainguns. No one expected such an strike in the column.

[Christoslavia]

Nitaq Front

The Cessopians were dug in, with the introduction of Imperial Air Support our howitzers turned towards what was left of Cessopian Artillery and began opening fire. Tactical Scout Sniper teams positioned themselves throughout the dunes, taking out officers in the control towers, a poor bastard who stuck his head up, and taking down enemy vehicles and Missile systems with Sparrow Long Range Anti-Armor Launchers. They were well out of range of enemy MG's and kept a constant move to avoid mortar shells. The occasional crack of a sniper rifle sent enemy troops scattering for their bunkers as Imperial firepower rained upon them.
"Clean up ops are a go"
Task forces 14 and 12, both Prowler units, activated their cloaking units and stalked through the enemy camp, massacring any and all Cessopians, being trained extensively in CQC the Prowlers were able to out maneuver crazed Legionnaires in hand to hand or knife combat. Casualties amongst Prowler units was currently nonexistent. C4 charges on bunkers, sniper cover, and the occasional screams of Cessopians having their necks snapped by a Prowler contributed to the disarray yet oddly the enemies fighting spirit as well. The Prowlers were pulled back and regular infantry came through and swept up any remainders. Nasser AFB was safe for now. But eventually we'd have to make a break for Wahadabad if we hoped to win this thing.

[Cornithium]

Airspace over Nasser AFB
1000 Hours Local Time
Jaf, Zeveretin

Lieutenant Rhodes fought with the violently bucking joystick in his hands as his AC-130F recoiled from the firing force from it’s howitzer. His knuckles were clenched white against the stick, and his ears were ringing from the cannon’s boom.

It had been over an half and hour since he had ordered his squadron to begin firing their 152mm guns down at the AFB, and the ground below was now scarred with explosion craters. Artillery from within the compound had begun pounding away at both rebel and Guard forces alike, who were clashing far below in the hellish landscape.

Yet to the Lieutenant’s amazement, the rebels just kept coming. He could make them out against the rocky terrain, scores of infantry and AFVs which seemed to pour from every direction. His gunship squadron was already beginning to exhaust their ammo, and he saw that both of the AC-130F’s auxiliary fuel tanks were drained empty. Fortunately, it seemed that no one in the chaos below had spotted his flight group - yet. Rhodes heard his copilot over the intercom.

“The bastards just don’t quit. Where the hell are all of them coming from? We’ll need to turn back to Jameston if this doesn’t let up.”

Rhodes shook his head. “We’re never going to be able to finish all of them,” he breathed. “We’re gonna make a final run, and then to return to base. I’ll call for General Payton to send further support.”

With that, Rhodes radioed for one last fire barrage, turning the bomber back in the direction of Jameston. The F-16 detachment flanking them broke off, streaking down to a lower altitude for a close-range bombing run. As he watched the lithe fighters descend, Rhodes spoke into one of the AC-130’s communication terminals.

“This is Lieutenant James Rhodes, calling from Nasir AFB. Requesting immediate backup. All of it.”

[Zevretin]

An update on the status of the conflict in the Jaf Governorate, according to regime sources.

[Cornithium]

Jameston AFB
1020 Hours Local Time
Whitestead, Cornithium

At 1010 hours, orders from the commander of Jameston AFB sent the entire base into a frenzy. Since the President’s official war announcement, mechanics had been working non-stop in the Jameston airplane hangars, prepping and fueling the aircraft into combat-ready form. At the base commander’s word, pilots streamed out from the base’s barracks and joined the mechanics in pre-flight checks, strapping themselves in for the hour-long flight to Zeveretin.

By 1050 hours, the entire base’s contingent of ten B-1 Lancer’s were fueled and loaded, roaring down the runway and into flight. The base’s buildings collectively shook as the bombers engaged their afterburners, the boom of their engine’s echoing through the morning air. Closely behind them followed Jameston’s 30 F-15’s; and within minutes, the strike group was already breaching supersonic as they streaked toward Nasir.

Outskirts of Eastern Zevereti Border
1200 Hours Local Time
East Zeveretin

A motorcade of ten unmarked black SUVs rolled up into an isolated Zevereti border checkpoint, kicking up dust from the cracked asphalt. A stream of Republican Guard rushed up to the vehicles, hoisting Kalashnikovs and calling for them to halt. The soldiers walked up to the lead truck and tapped on the SUV’s bulletproof glass, asking for identification. One of the windows slid open an inch, and a gloved hand from within handed over a sheath of Cornithian government identification papers. The head Guardsman’s eyes rose as he rifled through the paperwork infront of him.

“The Cornithian delegation,” he read aloud. “Here to meet and discuss support operations with the Generals of Zeveretin and Christoslavia at the Capital.”

“Official-sounding stuff,” he remarked. The Guardman squinted into the tinted windows of the armored car, trying to discern the figures (distorted by the armored glass) within. Several men gazed back at him, each dressed in matching black suits. He grunted before turning back into the checkpoint, radioing to the rest of the Zevereti Guard about the new arrivals. “Let them through,” he barked in Arabic, watching as the SUVs drove through the checkpoint barricades. As they faded into the distance, the Guardsman entered back into the checkpoint’s guard house, speaking in the radio to the Republican Guard headquarters in Wahdabad.

“It’s the Cornithians,” he radioed. “They’re here.”