Crown's Burden [IC, MT, Sign-up]

by **Murovanka** » Fri Feb 24, 2017 4:11 am

A Crown’s Burden
IC | OOC and Sign-Ups | Status: Completed

Waälichië Settlement
Shentong Autonomous Region
Kingdom of New Phallia

”Hëllefee!”

The Phallian company commander was the first to respond from the shock of the double blasts, which had detonated close enough to send dust clouding the air in their stuffy command hut.

”Zu den Positiounen!” he screamed as he ran out, before pulling himself behind another hut as he realised he stood exposed in the open. Around him Phallian troops and civilian helpers were seen frantically scurrying about in the midst of the dust. He couldn’t tell whether there was shooting though was relieved men in uniforms with their assault rifles were sprinting to their trenches.

”Leutnant!” he shouted back at the hut. “Sound the alarm and get the villagers out!”

“What?!” His ears were still ringing from the blast, and he couldn’t hear his officers from a few meters away. A lone limb, bloody at the end where it had been brutally torn off, was lying in the sand; soldiers pulled bloodied and mangled bodies toward the medic hut.

“And get the bloody HQ on-line, air support and MEDEVAC, now!”

“Verstanden!”

The captain’s hearing slowly came back at the same time the air cleared. His men were in their positions, trenches, machine guns, a sniper perched on one of the few tall buildings scanning their surroundings. Phallian armoured vehicles reconnoitred the valley and secured the perimeter around the mining site further downhill. They were located on a slight plateau, still dominated by the towering mountains around but not so high as to give one altitude sickness- a good and secure position. Obviously the Sainese militants here also saw the strategic value in the village which was why it had been a major SLA base, that is, until the Royal Air Force carpeted it with bombs and the Royal Ground Forces swept in to kill those suspected of harbouring sympathies for the Shentong Liberation Army, followed by the deportation of the rest to some reservation where they could be monitored better by the Kingdom. The empty village was soon replaced by Phallian settlers seeking the quiet life away from the expensive and noisy urban coast. Conveniently too a reinforced company of the army was to be permanently located there, so it was deemed pretty protected, better than other Phallian settler outposts in the Shentong where they at times had to fend for themselves against armed Sainese militants angered at their dispossession from their lands.

Well, the army outpost was also to secure the local area where quite a significant diamond mine had been discovered, and there was a possibility of oil under the surface. Which was always worth securing.

While wary of the ‘international community’ paying heed to Sainese activists demonstrating, not rarely violently, against the encroachment and exploitation of their territory, covertly the government was going at full steam ahead with their plan for the Shentong region: a network of military outposts, Phallian settler communities which now numbered in the hundreds, subjugation of the native Sainese. The chennese-speaking minority group had long been a thorn in Phallia’s side as they fiercely resisted the expansion of Phallian and foreign mining operations in the resource-rich mountains.

It seemed to be going well, since the last crackdown Sainese militancy had gone quiet and much of the Sainese population had been stripped of citizenship, major activists and leaders sitting in jail. Always preferring to lean to the power of the market, Phallia was looking to outsource the security of the region to private military companies. Not that there had been much to deal with- until now.

In Waälichië, there turned out to be no more fighting, though the casualty toll was high. Choppers came in to ferry dozens of dead and wounded, both soldiers and civilian employees, to safety that same day, while a team of military police investigators as well as RSS agents descended upon the village to see what they could salvage. A full report was submitted the next day to Gmünd.

Schloß Hohenfall
Gmünd

Director Kalle Riegen was busy dealing with some matter or another, as men in positions had to, though the young Michel Sevarde was himself quite sure that it was more that he couldn’t stand cabinet meetings. So Sevarde was sent in place, newly promoted Vice-Director of the Royal Secret Service, the foreign intelligence branch of the Kingdom.

The Major- of the military police- was the youngest yet to be appointed to such a position in an institution widely regarded as amongst the most powerful in the country, and he knew he was destined for even greater heights in future. Sevarde was well placed to do so. His family background was one of Phallian officers and had recently married into the royal House of Falkenberg. Though his grandfather had fallen from grace after some scandal or court intrigue, it had not prevented- more like spurred- him to show the dedication and will needed to make it to the top. Of course, landing a spot in the prestigious military school of the Nonante Academie was helped by the fact that his father taught there but he quite easily distinguished himself in his report grades.

Though he was accustomed to the luxury and grandeur of the Phallian well-to-dos, the Hohenfall Castle was another story altogether. The palace from where Phallia had been ruled for over two centuries now sat well-placed along the coast, the Weine’s distributaries forming natural moats around the castle’s towering walls, hiding the dazzling wealth within. In the Hohenfall’s two hundred fifty years history its rulers had turned it into tradition to collect the most exotic of goods; golden chandeliers and statues from Phallian mines were just the start, the floors covered with carpets woven for Ummayad caliphs, silver-rimmed paintings and portraits and the most elaborate of Canton porcelain. Not to mention an array of war trophies and plunder from the various campaigns Phallia waged on its neighbours, including what was rumoured to be a Chen Emperor’s skull. As time passed the Kings extended the castle’s boundaries until it could grow no more as it expanded along the coast until separated by Gmünd’s two major harbours. For this reason the castle was unofficially known as Hohenfall-City as it was big enough to include its own services, facilities, shopping malls catering for the Phallian ruling class.

Having passed at least a dozen scrutinising security checks, Sevarde finally found himself in the hallowed halls of the castle itself which seemed to stretch endlessly down… though the conference room was close by. He wondered what was in the rest of the castle, there were plenty of rumours suggesting that the Crown Prince had led the expansion of the castle downward where an underground playground for the Prince’s parties had been built.

He entered the room to heightened murmuring. A servant in a white suit came up offering refreshments in the form of expensive Wankan wine; Sevarde accepted thankfully. King Hagen III of Phallia was absent, as he often was, and he suspected both the King and the director had similar reasons for doing so. Not that the ageing Hagen III ever displayed that much interest in politics.

Chief Advisor Carl Redan banged his fist twice on the table, and it went quiet. ”Vizedirektor Major Michel Sevarde, nehme ech an?”

Sevarde bowed, and the round of powerful men nodded and judged him silently.

”Mir kënnen ufangen. I believe we have the RSS’ report and the details of yesterday’s national security meeting. We will start with the situation in Shentong, Operation Inonder and generally the Atlish case.”

Sevarde prepared his projector, showing a map of the Shentong Autonomous Region. Red and black x’s were marked, as well as military symbols.

“You should have in front of you a copy of this map and a report on the bombing and the subsequent actions undertaken by the RSS. The bombing was a twin suicide blasts carried out by explosive-laden trucks. They were standard transporters, used too by the army, and managed to make their way into the Waälichië army compound manned by C Company, 35th Infantry Brigade, reinforced. One detonated at the mess hall by the supply depot, the other detonated prematurely at an assembly point. Fifteen killed, fifty injured, twenty one critical.”

“Jesus.” Murmurs around the room.

“How did they get through?” Finance Minister Alexandre Maintefort asked.

“The RSS is inves…”

“If you didn’t have General Oberhaven stand down readiness and strip our frontline outposts from all support this wouldn’t have happened, monsieur.” Crown Prince Thiers Armand said. Sevarde took his first good look of the Crown Prince. If he thought he himself was physically a force to be reckoned with, the Prince was a monster. Imposing and with a twisted smile he seemed to talk down on everyone around. “Please continue, Mr. Sevarde.”

“We are still investigating, in conjunction with the Interior Ministry and the Armed Forces.” Sevarde nodded at the Interior Minister and War Minister in turn. “However, raids conducted by the RSS have already yielded incriminating evidence that Atla has been ramping up their support of the Shentong Liberation Army and we may have to expect a major offensive by the SLA in near future. Details are in your briefings.”

More murmuring around the room. “We need to strike first, and harder this time around!” the Crown Prince slammed his fist on the table. “Enough with diplomacy. We gave them the peace talks they and their foreign friends wanted, and they chose to abuse that to sneakily arm up- by none other than the Atlish!”

“Your Highness, that will just incense the international community!” It was the first time Sevarde heard Chancellor Walwerden talk, a man who theoretically was the most powerful in the nation.

“Yes,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Walter Scherry, said. “Though they have struck first, and we are obliged to respond, but we do need to show that we act with restraint.”

“Gentlemen, I am no fool, I am well aware of how interested foreign nations are in meddling with our affairs. I’m saying, in the long-term, these Sainese dogs will either submit or will go extinct. It is their choice.”

The Chief Advisor said, “Your Highness, it may be well advisable to refrain from a disproportionate response- for now. We know what lies under the Shentong and the Dongshan, and more, what lies on the Atlish side of the mountain ranges. It is well and good to remain passive, and spring when the time is right.”

Sevarde still recalled well what that report was on. A multitude of factors- infrastructure improvements, technological advancements in seismology, an accidental discovery by a Phallian shepherd- had led to the discovery of perhaps one of the world’s last treasure chests. Not only oil. Minerals from terbium for computers to phosphorus and rare metals like palladium and rhodium were predicted to be present in amounts unheard of before, in addition to being economically feasible to extract. As until then the central mountainous areas had been pretty hostile and inaccessible, a fact which allowed its natives to remain independent for long.

“Inonder will show these Atlish.” the Prince Armand said.

“Operation Inonder is in motion following His Majesty’s approval.” Sevarde said, replacing the image with another map. “Two teams of Army Royal Commandoes will be take off in six hours from now. They have been properly briefed and prepared for the mission. The choppers inserting them will fly low through the Baoshan Highlands, taking advantage of Chen’s radar inferiority and enter Atlish airspace south of the Weine. RSS agents on the ground will meet them at the drop zone 5km from the target objective. The Commandos will neutralise the dam, march to the exfiltration site from where the choppers will return by flying through the Dongshan. While we expect the choppers to be able to evade radar detection SAM units and Air Force jets will stand alert to cover in case.”

“Expected outcome?”

“It will delay the dam coming operational for three years, at least, depending how weak it is relative to the intelligence we have.” Sevarde said.

“There, gentlemen, and if that doesn’t work, we send in the fighter-bombers.” the Crown Prince said.

“Your Highness,” Maintefort snapped, “You will ruin the Kingdom before it is even yours.”

Official Statement of the Kingdom of New Phallia

Today, the Kingdom mourns the tragic loss of twenty two lives in an unwarranted, insane suicide bombing conducted by SLA terrorists on the peaceful village of Waälischië. Twin truck bombs were driven into the village and detonated. Of the victims, fifteen dead were civilians including four children, three police officers and five government employees. 65 more were injured, twenty critically, of which the vast majority were native Waälischië civilians.

The Government of New Phallia condemns categorically this despicable act of terror and will take all measures necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Online Statement of the Shentong Liberation Army

Two brave soldiers of the SLA have carried out a martyr operation on the Phallian military occupation base in the illegal settlement of Waälischië in revenge for the mass murders, deportations to concentration camps and destruction and invasion of our environment and living space by 'settlers' and exploitative mining companies. So long as the genocide against the Sainese people continues, so long we will fight, to the last man, woman, and child.

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Maps

More details added to map

Full map
http://imgur.com/r1Svt4x

Military Battlemap
[url] http://orig13.deviantart.net/5d3c/f/201 ... b2zdso.png
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Naval Battlemap

Orders of Battle

Atla ORBAT

by **The Twelve Isles** » Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:09 pm

RNS Nightingale,
Nuclear Subamrine
Half mile outside of Phallian waters

"Sir?"

Captain Lewis turned on his heal, looking over his shoulder at Cryptologist Officer Parks. The Nightingale hummed in the background, the CIC bathed in a deep red light. They had been underwater for three weeks now, combing through Phallian communications, emails, calls and texts. It was slow going, and so far nothing more exiting than a few affairs and some other such information had been found. It was mind numbing work, and all of the sailors on board had made it abundantly clear that they would rather be fucking pigs than doing this. But, orders were orders, and this was a mission given by Emperor Alexander Cartwine himself, so it wasn't like they could just refuse this. The Cryptologist deployed for the mission were likely the only ones enjoying themselves, they practically had all gained a near constant hard on for the work they were doing. And it seemed like they may have found some good things, getting closer and closer to finding their way into the RSS's networks, and from there maybe learning about what Phallia may be planning.

"What is it?" said the captain.

"Well," said Parks, turning back to the computer screen in front of him. "Ive managed to get into the Phallian networks, and Ive found some things that may be of note."

"How so?" said Lewis, walking over and leaning down to look at the screen with Parks.

"Well, I havent been able to find anything substantial sir, but I have found a lot of emails back and forth between some high ranking Phallian officials talking about a 'dam.' I can only assume that means the Atlish dam. As I said, there isnt anything substantial, but it all feels pretty fishy to me sir."

Captain Lewis stood straight up again. "Thank you for telling me this Parks," he said. He looked down at the computer, letting the new information run through his head. It could all be harmless, he knew that. In fact, considering the relationship between Phallia and Atla it probably was, just Phallian officials complaining. But if it wasn't, it would likely cause a massive international incident. One that would undoubtedly draw in the Isles, who had more or less pledged their support for Atla. The Isles could sustaining themselves pretty well, they grew a lot of their own food and had one of the largest oil industry's in the world. But, they relied on Atla for rare earth minerals, and though it wasn't as sexy as oil was, minerals like what Atla produced were what made modern computers work. The entire stock market relied on rare earth minerals whether it liked it or not, and if the Isles lost their supply from Atla it would be a huge problem. Enough so that military actions would be required.

"This needs to get to the Emperor," said Lewis. Parks just nodded. It wasn't his job to worry about that. Lewis turned again, and called across the CIC. "Martinez," he said, looking at a young man from the colony's.

"Yes sir?" said Martinez, turning in his seat.

"I have a message that needs to get back to Townhill, and I wanted it as encrypted as you can make it."

"Yes sir," said Martinez. "Whats the message?"

Imperial Palace
Townhill
Mournly
The Empire of the Twelve Isles, Home Isles.

Emperor Alexander Cartwine looked at the email in front of him, and ran his hands through his hair. He had only just woken up, and was now sitting at his desk in only his underwear, with the two highest ranking officers in the Isles Armed Forces standing in front of him. He felt like an idiot, and more importantly he felt exhausted. He wanted to keep sleeping, not have to worry about the possible threat of Phallian aggression against Atla. The Isles had never outwardly said it, but it was widely accepted that they would become involved if the Phallians tried to start a conflict, and now it was looking like he would have to deploy soldiers. Not for a war yet, but to make a show of force.

He looked up at the row of portraits on the wall over the fireplace. They showed the Regents from Empress Lena Cartwine III down to him. Empress Lena was generally considered the founder of the modern Isles, and was widely respected. Next to her was her daughter, Empress Bella Cartwine, who had rebuilt the Isles after the infamous Fall of the Empire and brought them into a new age of enlightenment. It had been the Isles Golden Age, and ever since they had sat in reletive mediocraty, their superpower status having been a thing of the past ever since 1922. He had been given command of the rapidly growing Isles economy and military in 1999, when he was only 19 after his mother had died in a place crash, and to say it freaked Alexander out was putting it lightly. The Isles were coming into thier own again, and were likely candidates for superpower status, and it felt even mroe intimidating when he came into the office every day and had Empress Lena and Empress Bella staring down at him. It almost felt like they were silently saying, "You better not fuck up what we built. The Isles were nothing until we came along."

"So," said Alexander after he noticed his Commanders giving him a look of apprehension. "What should we make of this?"

"Im not sure your highness," said Imperial Admiral Nathanial Hayes. He was a tall man, and young for his position. Granted, he was 55, but compared to the average age of 65 for his position he was practically a baby. "I think we should be very careful though, and reach out to the Atlish."

"Well, I figured that," snapped Alexander. "Sorry, Im just stressed this morning," he said after, putting his head in his hands again.

"Dont worry about it sir," said Hayes. "I didnt take any offense."

"I just want to know what you would suggest for an immediate action is all," said Alexander.

"Well, collecting intelligence is our best bet right now," said Imperial General Steven Lay's. "I can have a plane or drone up in the air whenever it is needed, and we could take pictures of possible movement zones in Phallia," he said, "and we have the Nightingale in the area right now collecting intelligence already. But, I would agree with Hayes, reaching out to the Atlish and a show of force of some sort would be our best bet right now."

"Ok," said Alexander again. "Reaching out." He looked at Lays, and continued. "Get the bird in the air and get me some info on any Phallian troop movements, but I dont want them armed. If the Phallians attack it it will put them in a bad light having shot down an unarmed plane." Alexander looked at Hayes next, and said, "Keep in touch with the Nightingale. I want them working around the clock to try and learn anything they can about whats going on in Hohenfall Castle. Anything of note, and I mean anything that seems even remotely out of the norm, have it brought to me."

Alexander stood, his bathrobe hanging open like he was some drunken father from a bad movie, "Now," he said. "Im going to go and put on some clothing and write a letter to the Atlish. You gentlemen are dismissed."

ENCRYPTION: HIGH

To: Who it May Concern
From: Emperor Alexander Cartwine, Acting Regent of the Empire of the Twelve Isles and all her Colonys.

Hello,

I write on behalf of the Twelve Isles in the hopes of informing you of our position and findings concerning the conflict brewing between Atla and your neighbor, the Kingdom of Phallia. The Royal Navy Ship Nightingale, an Isles submarine, has been able to pick up a series of e-mails between high ranking Phallian officials that continually call attention to a dam, which we can only assume is the Wein River Dam built in your nation. \

As the Republic of Atla is the biggest producer of rare earth minerals used by the Empire of the Twelve Isles, it is in our best interest to bring this concerning development to your attention. Should an armed conflict erupt between Atla and Phallia, it would put a serious strain on the Isles economy and ability's as well. This is not something I can let happen, and it is for this reason that I ask your nation to allow my nations to deploy soldiers of the elite unit SMOD to help defend your borders. It is our belief that a show of force would possibly make the Phallians reconsider any actions they may be thinking of taking against you, as well as help protect your nations should they chose to pursue theses actions regardless.

I eagerly await your response,
Emperor Alexander Cartwine.

Fort Younger
Mournly
The Empire of the Twelve Isles, Home Isles

A young soldier ran through the lines of Land Rovers, APC's, Tanks and trucks. He was waving a newspaper in his hand, and his skin was littered with tattoos of runes, magic circles, incantations and phrases said to protect against evil spirits. He rounded a corner, and began running down the line to where a group of APC's were parked, his eyes wild and frantic. He made his way through the vehicles until he was good and clear of them, running to the barracks that were lined up similarly a little ways away.

His name was Lance Corporal Jimmy Barrow, and though everyone knew he was a loudmouth and a goofball, it was generally well accepted that his skill as a soldier could not be denied. He had of course made it into SMOD, which was a blessing in and of itself, but he had also done it at the top of his class. Jimmy burst through the doors to the barracks, where many Marines were sparring and doing pushups, which was their favorite activity outside of actually getting to go out and train with all of their gear. Jimmy ran down the hall to a bunk that said Room 4 over it. Inside were rows of beds, all stacked on top of each other in bunks. There were 16 in all, making an entire Assault Squad all sleeping in one place. Only 4 were in the room, but that was good enough for Jimmy.

"Guys!" he yelled as he came into the room. "Guys, you're never gonna believe this shit, Im telling you."

"Buddy, could you wait? I just found the perfect porno and I was getting ready for a trip to the bathroom," said one marine, who was slumped over on his bed with a computer that was displaying what was possibly the dirtiest pornography conceivable.

"No," said Jimmy, "I cant wait, Paulsen, because this shit is way cooler than whatever fucked up incest horse porn your into. Now," he continued, raising his newspaper to his eyes as he began to read. "This is the shit you want to hear. 'At about 9:30 yesterday, Emperor Alexander Cartwine convened a press conference, where among other things the possibility of deploying SMOD to Atla were discussed. "It is our hope that we can help our allies and trade partners the Atlish, by assisting in protecting their borders. This desire come after recent intelligence discovery's were made, and we hope that the deployment of Isles forces overseas will both grow our sphere of influence and secure our investments in Atlish rare earth minerals.' "

Jimmy lowered the paper again, and looked out at the soldier with a big goofy grin on his face. He was missing his left canine tooth, which only added to the mismatched look he presented himself with. "We're getting deployed," he said with some finality.

"I didnt really say that," said Paulsen, sitting up in his bed now.

"Do you always have to be a stick in the mud?" said Jimmy.

"No, its just that the article never explicitly said that we are getting deployed, just that the emperor is looking to discuss the possibility with the Altish government."

"Well," said Jimmy, "I think it looks promising. I hope we get deployed, Im tired of sitting on my ass all day here."

by **Achesia** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 12:59 pm

Dundee Hydroelectric Dam, Wein River-

"...and Ma'am! How much power is this dam expected to produce tomorrow when it becomes operational!" The cameras flashed as reporters huddled around, squeezing and pressing to be the closest to Secretary Lillian Reid while holding their voice recorders out in an attempt to catch the head of the Atlish Department of Energy's every breath.

Lillian blinked as the flashes dazzled her. It had been a long day of pressers, luncheons, and general circus of reporters trying to garner every ounce of detail about the new Dundee Dam's capabilities. This wall of rock and mortar had been a part of Secretary Lillian's life for the past eight years since conception. Her work as the director of its construction even led to her being picked by the President to be Secretary of Energy.

Standing befuddled before the mass of reporters, Lillian felt somewhat faint as the cameras still rolled, her assistant even sensed her addled demeanor as she stepped forward to dismiss the latest round of questions by the hounding press in hopes of giving her boss a break. But Lillian swiftly answered the question, less the next headline of the Atlish Times be 'Secretary of Energy Frazzled with Hydroelectric Energy Question'.

"35 terrawatts an hour." She blurted, turning her head to the side as she smiled, clenching her note pad close to her black pencil skirt that ran down to her weary knees. Today was a day she wished to be wearing boots like all the men, instead of the classy heels of a well off woman.

Looking to her assistant Gale, a woman only slightly junior to the thirty-eight year old secretary, she nodded her head, stepping back slightly to allow her aide the limelight.

“Debra Teatree, Achesian National. What of the Phallian population living downstream from the dam, what of their crops that will suffer as a result of the dams cutting off water flow?” One additional reporter who did not get the hint blurted out.

Lillian's assistant ignoring the reporter, finished up the press conference. "That will conclude today's questioning." The aide's smile was bright, perfect for throwing in front of the press corps, the camera's couldn't help but eat up her youthful cheekbones. "Our grand opening ceremony will commence tomorrow at noon." The pair turned about, walking across the floor of the cavernous hydroelectric generator bay to a set of doors that led to the administrative offices.

Secretary Lillian found her way back to an office that she had been occupying for the past week in preparation for what would be the capstone day of eight years of her career. Including her days as the director of the Dundee Project, Lillian felt almost like this cold stone structure was home. Certainly as she walked across the threshold of her office she treated it as such, kicking off her heels almost as soon as the door closed behind her. She loosened her blouse to allow herself breathing room, and soon dismissed Gale for the night. Lillian had some work to do until late, and wanted her assistant to be fresh for the next day's festivities.

As her assistant, the reporters, technicians, directors, guests, and administrators filed out of the offices for the night, a ghostly silence fell over the cold damp walls. The only noise was the clicking of the keyboard on Lillian’s computer as she filed report after report, late into the night. It was not irregular for her to work like this, after all work as the Secretary of Energy was life for her, no spouse or children to distract her from the numerous late nights of filing paperwork and answering emails.

Brushing the blonde hairs from her eyes, she rubbed her cheek a moment, the weariness creeping over her as she fingered the edges of a large stack of papers. A large huff crept from her diaphragm as she happened to glance over to the digital time in the corner of her screen.

“Half past one…” She ran her hand over her scalp, exasperated from the multiple hours of staring at a screen. She only had a few hours remaining until she needed to be back, and it was fortyfive minutes to
her hotel room in Jalong City. The thought of crawling under her desk to get a few hours if sleep crossed her mind, but the kink in her back that would surely be there tomorrow deterred that mindset.

It was then that a loud clunky noise reverberated around the concrete walls of the offices, the echo ringing around her ear drums as she processed whether in her tired state she was imagining something. It wasn’t until she heard hushed whispers that she knew it was not a figment of her fatigue.

Grabbing the edge of her desk, she lifted herself out of her cushy brown office chair to investigate what the engineers were up to at this hour of the night.

“They better have not screwed something up the day before opening.” She muttered, throwing her office door
open with a bang…

Meanwhile, closing within 5 Km of the Dundee Dam

Swiftly through the night the black silhouettes of the four Atla Oryx utility helicopters belonging to the Special Aviation group dropped down from their high altitude as they followed the Wein river to their target. Painted in a black, brown and green tiger pattern and labeled with dark grey letters “Land Self Defense Forces” the Oryx helicopters seemed like an average utility helicopter of the Atlish Army. But what was inside these transports is what made them special. Each of the four aircraft was fully loaded with members of the Atlish Ground Reconnaissance and Operations Group (GROG) or Grog as they were known. These operators were the best of the Atlish Army and fill the key role of the country's most elite special forces.

The red lamps of the interior of the helicopter illuminated just enough for each of the warriors to prepare themselves and their equipment for the approaching target, the soon to be operational Dundee Dam. Clicks and snaps could be heard as 5.56 rounds were being loaded into clips for the operator’s standard issue H&K416, all the while they listened to the radio chatter as it buzzed through their headsets.

“Foxtail is five kilometers to target, begin aircraft blackout.”

“Communication has been lost with security forces of the dam, the Dundee Dam has gone dark.”

“Video footage shows one team of approximately seven men at this time, heavily armed. Actively moving throughout structure. ”

“Approaching target objective, Lotus flight drop to twenty meters above the deck to target.”

“Command this is Foxtail Six, do we have intel on dam hostages?”

“Negative Foxtail, no footage of any hostages, security personnel terminated. Only half a dozen personnel did not check out for the night, their status is. unknown.”

The helicopters jolted up and down as the airframe hit a pocket of air, the passengers each seemed as unfazed as the next, having gone through worse over the years.

“Foxtail you now have a secondary objective, intel has informed us that the Secretary of Energy is amongst the personnel that have not checked of the facility yet tonight.”

Glances were exchanged as the peculiar nature of this development sunk in. It was a taxing secondary objective to have, and something that could influence the main mission of destroying the enemy before they destroyed the dam. Intel never had a good rap for some information they gave the Grog teams over all of the missions they conducted. This one in particular was hard as intel was getting their information from the inside the dirty Phallian’s conspiracy.

“Thirty seconds.” The crew chief of the Oryx said as he slid the side doors open. A rush of cold air blowing through in like a gale as the helicopters slowed to move into position.

As each Oryx arrived at the dam they slowed to a hover over the top of the structure just above the high concrete wall. The Grog team threw out thick ropes from the sides of the aircraft and grabbed on, fast roping their way to the surface of the structure.

First on the rope, as any leader should be, the Grog commander callsign Foxtail 6 hit the deck with a warrior’s grace, his boots rolling with the momentum of gravity as he raised his weapon to secure the area around him. Pressing the H&K416 to his cheek he looked down his iron sights, the rest of his four teams descending from the helicopters around him.

“Thirty seconds on the deck, all teams move to waypoint alpha.”

The darkly clad elites each with weapons to bear descended upon pre planned objective points within the structure of the dam. Several entry points were used to silently gain access, their orders were to find the enemy operatives before they could get their explosives in place at the weak points in the dam structure. Swiftly they moved through the halls, watching every corner as they turned it with tactical precision, clearing the structure room by room to find the Phallian operatives.

“Command, five minutes on objective, no sign of Phallian operatives.”

“Foxtail 6, facility security net detects motion in sector Gulf, cameras are out in that section, unknown if hostile or civilian, proceed with caution.”

Indeed sector gulf was alive with activity, specifically the Phallian operatives dragging around one important hostage as they proceeded to their own objective.

Lillian Reid, the Atlish secretary of energy winched as she was drug along the rough and cold concrete of the deep hallways of the dam. Though she had a hard time looking up as they drug her along with them rushing through the halls, she could tell they were somewhere within the superstructure of the dam on the side the Wein river was highest. Typically she would not go through these tunnels on her day to day duties, usually a menial technician or engineer would use these passages to investigate the structural integrity. But as her scraped up legs ran through yet another puddle she could tell that the moisture was certainly building up, being closest to the mass of water on the other side of the wall.

“Right here.” Once of her captors said in a gruff tone as they stopped for just a moment. Their accent was not much different than hers, but it didn’t say much as many in this area no matter their nationality share such a tongue. As they paused for a few moments, the troll that had been dragging her dropped her down roughly. Unable to catch herself with her hands tied behind her back, her shoulder hit hard on the floor and she let out as loud of a muffled cry that she could. The gag they tied around her mouth cutting into her lips.

“Quite you.” The troll wearing black gave her a swift kick to the back. But she stifled her cry this time, knowing that she would get more in return if she didn’t. Instead she lay shivering on the ground, since they had dragged her she had lost her pencil skirt to the hook of a pipe a ways back, her legs bare all the way up to the edges of her panties that were as damp as they could be from the constant running through puddles. Damn the engineers for making these passageways so moist she cursed her luck as she tried to curl up into a ball for warmth.

Above her the six ruffians were hard at work fiddling with something, muttering amongst themselves as they placed their something on the wall of the dam. It was too dimly lit in this passage for Lillian to tell exactly what it was, but then again she doubted it would be something she would recognize anyways.

“Set it.” One said as he held up his submachine gun, its barrel pointed down the hall as he looked back towards his comrades.

Lillian could hardly make out their faces, but form the slit in their masks that opened at their eyes she knew they were white.

“Ok it's good.” The one fixing the device to the wall said as he picked up his weapon and slung his pack back over his shoulder. The trollish terrorist that had been carrying Lillian picked her up once more by the arm, and another grabbed her by the opposite, rushing down the hall to follow as she bumped up and down every imperfection of the floor.

“Alright, one last objective.” The one Lillian could only imagine as the leader said as they proceeded forward. Lillian gave a slight yelp as her knees scraped against the floor once more, but her captors only squeezed her arm tighter as she made any noise.

“What are we going to do with this one?” The troll spoke up, stopping in his tracks.

“She isn’t part of the objective.”

The leader stopped and turned to look at the two who drug her.

“We didn’t know the Secretary of Energy would be here at the dam… it’s unfortunate.” He shook his head.

“She is slowing us down.”

“Aye. She is.” The leader nodded grimly.

Lillian didn’t like where this was going, although her status as the Secretary of Energy had gotten her this far, saving her for the initial bloodbath in the administrative section, it seemed like it was not going to get her home.

Shaking her head as tears ran down her cheeks, Lillian pleaded for her life. In this moment she felt less than human, half naked, wet, and dirty from the floors they had been wiping her across. Forced to beg for her pitiful life as her captors debated her fate.

The leader stepped over to her as she hung from the arms of the two brutes. Her blouse had been ripped and torn from her body in pieces as she was roughly handled. Though she was in her thirties her body had aged well, what a shame to waste it on a bullet.

“Sorry.” The leader raised his pistol to the Secretary’s forehead. The tears and muffled whimpers increasing as the two holding her turned their bodies to avoid the splash of blood to come. But as her body trembled, waiting for that fatal sound to come, she thought back on her life full of work with little personal fulfilment. She had never thought about it like that until the end, she had always thought of herself as successful. But with no children, husband, or anything to show, she somehow felt empty inside as she stared down his barrel waiting for the concussion of its wrath.

But the sound when it came, was not as loud as she thought it would be. Instead numerous pops erupted all around her, and she found herself free from the grasp of one of her brutes. Opening her eyes for what she could only imagine would be the last time, she found the trolls who carried her and drug her through the mud falling all around her in a red moisture she knew was not from the dam.

Only the leader stood in shock with the pistol still pointed at Lillian. Behind him the new figures of several men fully loaded out in night vision goggles, tactical vests, and rifles aimed forward crept near.

I’m saved Her old luck must of come through for her as she held herself up on her knees. The thoughts of regret about her life were no more.

But just as she thought she was out of the woods, a loud pop that she did not expect erupted in her shoulder. The black clad leader of the men who held her hostage had discharged his pistol, hoping to execute her just before he too met the same fate. But luckily the Grog’s rifle met the man square in the back, throwing off his aim just slightly. Tears and cries reverberated from the cloth gag that was wrapped tightly around her mouth as she contemplated what her fate almost was.

“Command, we have the secondary objective, hostiles are down.” The Foxtail 6 communicated to higher as his subordinates ran to treat the young secretary of energy.

“Affirmative foxtail. Secure any explosive devices, reinforcements are on their way to secure the dam. Good work.” The female voice in the Grog’s heads congratulated as they secured the site.

Taking off his helmet and NVGs, Foxtail leader passed his men working to disarm the explosives, sauntering up to the secretary who was laid on her back being treated by the team’s medics. Around her the bodies of the enemy operatives lay strewn, each dead with an expression of surprise under their masks, unknowing their operation had a mole from the start.

Only one still squirmed in the pool of his co-conspirator's blood. Crying out in pain as he was both simultaneously cuffed, treated, and questioned.

“Madam secretary. My name is Major Brown of GROG Team 4. We are going to get you home.” Foxtail 6 assured the woman who sat bare on the cold wet concrete, her shoulder wrapped in a now dark red and crusted bandage.

“Command the Secretary is badly wounded, moving to ambulatory extract.”

He crouched down near her and looked into her eyes. Lillian could barely focus on his face, all she wanted to do was sleep in this moment as the energy to remain conscious faded from her.

“You are going to be alright…” Were the last words that she heard before fading.

_{OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION
THIRD REPUBLIC OF ATLA}

To the Kingdom of New Phallia and the World

It has come to my government’s attention that several operatives linked to New Phallia’s intelligence service have been found attempting to sabotage our country's newest dam, the Dundee Dam. These operatives were caught by our own setting explosives inside of the dam in an attempt to cause widespread catastrophe. Such act is an international crime could of lead to a significant loss of life for those in or around the Dundee Dam.

As well during this incident, my own Secretary of Energy was taken hostage by your operatives and gravely wounded in the attempt to rescue her. Such a blatant act flies in the face of international law and the dignity of nations, and we demand an answer before the people of Atla and the world as to why such an action has taken place on our sovereign soil.

Failure to provide an adequate answer will result in harsh sanctions by the Third Republic of Atla and we hope that such behavior would warrant the same from
other nations.

SIGNED
President Lewis Overton
Third Republic of Atla

by **Achesia** » Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:14 pm

PHALLIAN SABOTAGE?

Controversy erupted today after the President of the Third Republic of Atla, a humble landlocked nation near the Shentong Mountains, announced that operatives of the Kingdom of Phallia had been caught red handed in an attempt of sabotage. The Dundee dam is a massive structure that has been under construction for nearly a decade in Atla. It is a project meant to divert water flow to more Atlish agriculture areas, but one fraught with controversy. It had been suggested by the Phallian officials that due to the Dundee Dam, which is named after the famous Dundee Massacre committed by the Phallians during the Atlish revolution, negative effects on the down steam water flow into Phallia are a device to punish the Phallian government for high tariffs on Atlish goods being exported down the Wein river. The Atlish government has vehemently denied any such motivation, but international observers have shared such concerns.

Nevertheless, the operatives who sought to blow up the Dundee dam were all killed in their attempt by Atlish Special Forces known as GROG team. Save for one would be saboteurs who officials say is being questioned in Austrundus by authorities within the Land Self Defense Force. President Overton of Atla even went as far to announce that his Secretary of Energy, Lillian Reid, was held hostage during the crisis at the Dundee Dam and was gravely wounded in the firefight that eventually saved her.

No official response has been made by the Phallians in regard to this alleged act of national hostilities, but President Overton gave a stiff warning to the Kingdom that not responding would be the wrong answer. The President threatened sanctions if an explanation was not given in time, and encouraged the international community to do the same to discourage such a hostile and possibly catastrophic acts on sovereign soil. But it remains to be seen what will come out of this conflict as tensions are certainly rising in the Shentong region.

Anna Golds, Contributing Writer

by **The Twelve Isles** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:44 am

Imperial Palace
Townhill
Mournly
Empire of the Twelve Isles, Home Isles

"I can believe this," said Alexander, pacing back and forth in his office. Sally Moore, his Foreign Affairs Secretary simply nodded. She had, as well as most other members of the Emperors Circle grown used to Alexanders high strung personality. If something went wrong, he worried, paced, it his nails and altogether would start to resemble a cartoon character worried about a history test. But, they knew that he could do his job regardless, and so his neurotic nature was generally forgiven.

"It is something," said Sally dryly.

"Its not something," said Alexander, swiveling on his heal to face Moore, "Its a god damned international incident, one that could incite a war! I don't want a war, especially when the Isles are so heavily involved with one of the two party's who would be going to war!" Alexander sat back on his desk and ran his hand through his hair.

"Well, as I said earlier sir," said Moore, "I believe sanctions are our best option right now."

"I know," said Alexander, "I just dont want to get involved in this."

"Sir, quite frankly, we're involved in this weather we like it or not," said Moore. "We have a lot at stake in Alta, and if we allow these aggression to continue we would be establishing our nations as little more than pushovers swinging our dicks around on the international scale. And furthermore, we already deployed a submarine to watch Phallian shores, and we've been spying on their communications."

Alexander gave Moore a look, his brow furrowed in frustration. "I know Sally, it doesn't mean I like it."

"Well sir," she said again, "then you should know that the proportional response is for us to impose sanctions. It would need to pass through the Court of course, but with the importance this would have on our ability to manufacture should we lose Atla, I think that we should issue sanctions and trade embargoes sooner rather than later."

Alexander sighed, and stood again. He paced back and forth a few more times, before sitting behind his desk. He opened his computer, and said, "Alright, Im gonna draft out a few ideas. Ill call you in a little bit Sally, and we can revise and edit till we get what we need."

Moore nodded, and gathered up her papers and folders that she had brought with her. She stood, and walked out of Alexanders office to go and do research into Phallia so that she could better advise the Emperor about the current crisis that was quickly beginning to unfold.

In response to recent aggression and activity's take by the Phallian government and military in the Shentong Autonomous Region, and and attempted sabotage of the Dundee Dam in Atla, this morning Emperor Alexander Cartwine held a press conference where he and members of his staff announced a string of sanctions and embargoes were to be placed on Phallia. The Emperor and his staff announced that Sanctions will be used against all Phallian businesses, civilian or government. As well as this, special attention will be placed on restricting Isles oil and coal being traded wit Phallia. As well as this, wood, cotton, banana's, and coffee will be affected by this action.

When asked what he hoped these trade sanctions would accomplish, and why they were being enforced, the Emperor state, "It is the hope of me and my staff that these sanctions will send a firm message to the Phallians that their treatment of the the native Sainese and their aggression towards Atla will not stand. We hope that by restricting access to Isles oil and coal, that we will be able to cut Phallias ability's to take such actions against their neighbors. These sanction will be lifted if the Phallian leadership agrees to sit down and attempt to work through these differences with Sainese and Atlish leadership, and to remove their military and civilian presence in Shentong."

Upon further questioning of how the Emperor hoped to have these goals achieved, Emperor Cartwine stated, "It is my hope that if Atla SLA and Phallia agree for meetings, they will look to us as mediators. The Isles always stands with open arms, and is willing to act as an in between for the two nations to sit down and try to work towards a more peaceful future."

The conference then moved on to what the Emperor planned to do if the talks broke down and no settlement was achieved. Though no official statement was declared, it was made implicitly clear by the Emperor that if Phallia continued to act aggressively towards their neighbors, most notably Atla, that he would be willing to send in soldiers to protect the Isles allies. "It is my hope that we can work through this crisis before it becomes violent and more lives are lost on either side, but If Phallia continues to act aggressively I am willing to consider a military intervention on behalf of Atla and Shentong."

Continued on Pg. 3

by **Lincolnocracy** » Mon Feb 27, 2017 11:57 am

I'll never miss a beat, I'm lightning on my feet

Amongst the midnight waters of the star-swept Wein a cleft lip of surf threshed, tugged inexorably forward by a large vessel which flared noselike, exhaling soft light and tinkling music into the reedy darkness. The ship held its breath, lamps fading and melodies fainting, replaced by the staccato of bobbing and the flexing shadows of shoreline arboreta. Even the moon was soundproofed by flossy clouds of drifting white, greyed as though absorbing excess colour from the painted sky.

Into this space between breaths strode Captain Trevor Thalbach, an athletic figure perching within the gilded cage of his immaculate khaki uniform, thigh-highs whispering across an adoringly crafted oak-panelled stage. A hundred expectant faces stared up at him, crowding around the stagefront, the vastness of the hall momentarily disavowed. Captain Thalbach clicked his heels together smartly, then whisked the sabre from his belt, magnificently saluting the passengers, before expertly passing its hilt to his trusted lieutenant in a practised gesture of respect. They watched with rapt attention as he removed the ostrich plumed cap from his gleaming pate and held it soberly to his heart. As he did so, a spotlight sparked into the centre of his audience.

Captain Thalbach’s foot glided backward with balletic grace, tiptoes locking into place, then with a twist of his extravagantly tasselled torso, he sent the cap streaming through the pregnant air, landing with improbable perfection upon the head of a dumbfounded voyager. Almost as it did so, multicoloured spears of light stabbed through the gloom, smoke rose nascently from the stage, and deafening beats shook themselves free of the speakers.

Everyday I'm shufflin'

As the edges of the assembly melted into ecstatic chaos, Thalbach raced forward, leaping spreadeagle into the welcoming and supportive hands of the caramel core.

Put your hands up to the sound

Put your hands up to the sound

Put your hands up to the sound

As cool night sweated into dewy morning, thumping bass turned into a thumping headache. Thalbach awoke to the tickling of blonde curls against his eyelids, and groggily pushed himself from their scented mask. He left his dreaming companion to the comfort of their nest, first wriggling his legs from the eggwhite sheets, then stepping unsteadily into the zebra-print cabin, its walls shod with framed vinyls. Dousing his palms in cologne from a crystal bottle, there was the bongo clapping of hands hitting flesh. Throwing on a pair of aquamarine speedos, he padded out of the room, pausing only to salvage an unopened can of beer from the coils of discarded clothing.

And that's what they don't see, that's what they don't see

Luke Adler watched Uncle Trevor make his merry way around the long outer walkway which curved in an oval circuit about the exterior of the ship. Few were outside this early, but Uncle Trevor did make a detour to playfully waltz with Mrs. Perkins, a woman of advanced years and impeccable scruples. Uncle Trevor was definitely her Achilles’ heel. Luke could hardly blame her, in a way, they had all fallen under his charismatic spell. The Thing With Feathers was billed as a budget rivercruiser by travel agents across the region, but in reality, it was little more than a floating hostel, its rustic façade hiding an electric heart. Uncle Trevor, sipping beer now and taking in the morning view, was the secret – his zest for life was a skeleton key.

If his parents had known what the Thing With Feathers was really like, they never would have suggested it to him as a compromise. Intelligent but directionless, Luke had announced to his parents that he would take a year to walk the Earth before making any plans about his future. Lincolnians rarely venture abroad at the best of times, and his parents had been horrified by the prospect of their teenage son striking off alone. After much bargaining, Uncle Trevor and his Phallian-Atlish cruise was selected as an agreeable substitute.

The agreeable substitute strode towards Luke, most agreeably. A large Lincolnian flag fluttered high above them. “How is my nephew today?”

“Good. A little thirsty.”

Uncle Trevor offered Luke his beer, pouring some of the beverage into Luke’s mouth for him, as his hands were securely duct-taped to his sides.

“Better?”

“Mm… Uncle Trevor…”

“Yes?” Uncle Trevor’s eyes twinkled.

“Do you think you could cut me down?”

“I could, I could. But, you see, I lost my hat last night… My captain’s hat... A thief stole it in the night… And I’m so busy looking for it, I don’t think I have time to help… Unless… You wouldn’t be able to help me with that, would you?”

“Uncle Trevor, I didn’t take your hat-”

“Of course not, of course not. Well, it’s been fun, but I’m needed on the bridge.” Uncle Trevor patted Luke’s shoulder in a friendly manner, before continuing on his ambling way.

Luke vainly struggled against the tape which pinned him to the flagpole.

I'm dancing on my own, make the moves up as I go

Thalbach sauntered into the bridge, flopping into his wicker captain’s chair. His second in command lay sleeping on the exercise bench which graced a corner of the room, free weights stacked around it. The first shift was known as “The Sunshine Shift”, on account of the solarium lights built into the ceiling. For the first hour of the working day they would lounge under their glow, a toasty ritual. Thalbach basked in the warmth, his head lolling back appreciatively. Louise, his navigator, gazed at him with sleepy affection from the mellow hug of her beanbag.

There was the flutter of wings as a small Guidou Parakeet landed on a half-open window. It eyed them beadily, before launching itself into the room, landing inelegantly on the main table. After several haphazard pecks, it seized an available cigar, and flapped over to the arm of the wicker chair, dropping the cigar in Thalbach’s lap. Louise giggled. Without opening his eyes, Thalbach retrieved the cigar and placed it between his lips. “I’m really going to miss that bird.” He drawled. As if to concur, the parakeet pecked his arm.

“Where’s Oscar going?” Louise wiggled her toes pensively.

“He’s a Guidou, they don’t like going too far south. Chances are we’ll lose him after the Dundee Dam.”

“I don’t believe you’ll miss him.” Louise remarked haughtily.

“Oh?”

“I do not believe you would miss me either.”

“I would miss the beanbag-“ A well aimed flipflop decapitated his cigar.

“Did you know that there is lipstick on your mouth?” Louise demanded.

“I’m trying out the look, what do you think?” Thalbach teased.

Louise stared at him for a long moment. “Don’t you think you should settle down before you are old?”

“I never settle.” Thalbach smirked.

Louise disembarked from the beanbag, collecting a matchbox from the main table before swaying over to Thalbach. A lit match flared between them.

“One day you will want someone who can take care of you.” She held Thalbach’s sight.

“Maybe so.” Thalbach conceded, smoke wreathing his intent features.

“And on that day, I will be busy.” She shook the flame out.

by **Murovanka** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 6:16 am

Schloss Hohenfall
Gmünd

“The Crown Prince seems intent on bombing the dam.” Sevarde said to the Chief Advisor as they left the conference room. “The plans have long existed after all, and it will be seen as a weakness if we let it go operational unpunished.”

Redan said, “I will advise him not to, and His Majesty will see to it that it does not happen. He trusts my word. We will conduct damage control now. However you must be aware of how displeasing this situation is.”

“Of course, Mr. Redan, though we are still investigating into what happened.”

“The RSS cannot afford to fail, you know that, Mr. Sevarde, and Director Riegen knows it. New Phallia is too vulnerable for mistakes. I would highly recommend getting to the bottom of this regardless of the cost.”

“Yes, Mr. Redan.” Sevarde bowed. “Rest assured our agents are doing good work, especially in the Twelve Isles. While we are investigating possible links to the SLA more importantly it is becoming apparent that the Isles look willing to back up their threat with action. Our analysts will be finishing a report on it soon.”

“Links don’t matter, fabricate if you have to. We need to nail the Isles publicly in light of their embargo. They’re looking for every excuse to interfere and takeover Atlish policy, and for Phallia no good comes out of that.”

“The embargo is only symbolic though?”

“Indeed, and it may hurt the Isles more than it hurts us, if we retaliate by banning their ships from our port and taxing their trade. As a transport and services hub a trade war with Phallia makes little economic sense- but it brings across their point. We will, however, have to increase our reliance on oil imports from Ummayah and the Sellenland, and there will be issues if al-Kabaab decides to blow up another oil rig or the Aemen decide they want the Sellenland back. Whether oil prices will rise in the short term will have negligible effect, though I have alerted the Ministry of Energy to prepare a rationing plan in case.”

The two had to part ways, Sevarde nodded in understanding and went out where his chauffeur was waiting.

Aboard the Thing With Feathers

”Francois Merresburg, Fredrech Alkshafen. Welcome on board.” The woman smiled, handing back their tickets. Fredrech smiled nervously and despite the best efforts of their fellow agents sent to prepare them he felt like he was sticking out like a sore thumb. Even with how full and bustling and alive the ship was, it served only to disquieten the green country boy of the northern Krovennian plains, and it was all too unfamiliar to Merresburg who had spent all his life since his youth in the army, as did his father and forefathers before him. It was slightly bemusing to see his hulking figure stand awkwardly as the music blared and all around people danced to the sounds of life.

“Hey, don’t look so. We must blend in.”

Like you’re doing a good job at that, scanning every face for danger. Fredrech thought. Merresburg had had his experiences behind enemy lines, but here he was clearly out of his element. He was more used to beating his way through the dirt-poor settlements in Chen and the woody mountains of the Shentong than having to stand around surrounded in a mass of drunken craziness with his fate in a captain’s hands who he had seen to be more interested in landing the pretty young things on his boat than its passengers safety-

“How about this? Fitting, I’d say.” Fredrech started playing a song from his phone and immediately got into it.

I’m on a boat

I’m on a boat

I’m on a motherfucking boat, mother-fucker look at me, take a look at my mother-fucking boat

Merresburg dug his face in his hands, laughing slightly. “Enjoy it, boy, I’m not gonna start celebrating till we’re safely past that lock.” Shaking his head, he made his way to the deck. It was smart, in a sense, to return to Phallia by this Lincolnian cruise ship- inconspicuous and the Atlish knew better than to disturb a neutral Lincolnian ship whose passengers often brought much-needed currency to their destitute lands. But still, he would much rather be with the second pair of pilots who were making their way through whatever secret passages had been laid out for them in the Dongshan. It was riskier and took much longer, but at least they had control of their fate. And they were most likely armed. Merresburg, though that was not his real name, of course (and neither was Alkshaven), felt naked.

Burgunder Zeitung | English Edition | Home

Twelve Isles Threatens War

GMÜND- Just days after the terror attack in Phallia, the Empire of the Twelve Isles announced a trade embargo on the Kingdom with Emperor Cartwine stating that the Twelve Isles was ready for “military intervention” if their demands of a Phallian military and civilian withdrawal from Shentong Province were not met. The Phallian government reacted furiously with Chancellor Walwerden saying in a press conference that he would not tolerate the “blatant foreign aggression and interference our internal affairs mirroring that of old-age colonialism.” The Finance Ministry of Alexander Maintefort announced sanctions in retaliation on Islish shipping and trade rights in Phallian ports, which experts say will hurt the Twelve Isles more than it will harm the Phallian service-focused economy. Nevertheless oil prices have increased by 10% by the Burgunder Zeitung’s sources and estimates.

The round of sanctions come at a heightened time of tensions between Atla and Phallia as the situation in the Shentong Autonomous Region shows new levels of volatility, characterised by the recent suicide bombing attack in Waälischië, which with its 22 dead- including four children- is the deadliest in recent times. Phallia has accused Atla of funding the Shentong Liberation Army and has stated it was investigating its ties with the Twelve Isles. Minister of Foreign Affairs Walter Scherry said on his visit to Wanka that “it is concerning that the Twelve Isles has backed up the terrorist groups aims and is openly condoning the barbaric killing of innocent Phallian people”, further leaving the option open of designating the Twelve Isles as a state sponsor of terrorism together with Atla. Atla meanwhile has accused the Phallian Royal Secret Service of attempting what they portray as a failed sabotage attempt on the Dundee Dam, though Phallia has denied these claims. A fire ten kilometres away from the Dam has however revealed what Atlan investigators have identified as the remains of two self-detonated helicopters of Phallian origin.

The dam has been a major point of contention as part of the wider water policy regarding the Wein river that Atla and Phallia have confronted themselves over; Phallia has demanded that the nations “cooperate” on the matter. The dam, which is planned to take over a significant percentage of the Atlish energy production as well as having its freshwater reservoirs and diversion projects serve for domestic and agricultural consumption has reduced and altered the rivers water flow downstream drawing protests from Phallian farmers and fishers affected by the irregular behaviour of the Wein and depletion of fish stocks. In response, Phallia has increased originally generous regulations on trade with the landlocked nation. “By following a policy of non-cooperation, both Phallia and Atla are on a downward spiral to the detriment of both our economies and peoples. However, the Atlish government should know that Phallia is in a much better position to face such a trade war than Atla is.” Chancellor Walwerden was quoted as saying in an interview with the Gmünder Allgemeine.

by **Achesia** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 8:20 pm

Along the Wein, Dundee Lock Security Zone, Atla

It was imperative that to the powers at be in the interests of furthering the security of the Dundee Lock and all those who would stand to perish should it be destroyed, that a security zone be established around the area of the facility. Air patrols wandering the skies with eyes looking both to the ground and to the clouds above, mountaineers policing a two mile perimeter of the dam amongst the foothills and ridges of the Shentong, and small patrol craft bobbing up and down the wake of the barges and large craft that transited towards the Dundee Lock eastward. This triad of precautions felt adequate to those in lofty offices in Austrundus, but to those on the ground like Officer Nathan Beall, only diligence would protect the lives and assets at stake.

Cutting across the current the grey and yellow striped speed boat rushed amongst the swell of the Wein river, its blue lights affixed to the top of the metal canopy aflame. The Atlish Transportation Authority Police (ATAP) were the wardens of this stretch of the river. And under the new security precautions that had been taken in the wake of the attack, they had increased their searches of ships coming down the river towards the lock and dam. Several men dressed in grey coveralls and large black vests marked "POLICE" or "ATAP" waited at the bow of the small craft as it approached what their itinerary told them was a river luxury liner.

As craft began to hit the wake of the Thing With Feathers, Officer Beall picked up a black corded hand set hooked to a loudspeaker between the flashing blue lights of the ATAP and listened as his voice projected over the discord of the busy Wein River.

"Thing With Feathers." He started out, depressing the toggle on the handset. "This is the Atlish Transit Authority! Cut power to your engines and prepare for inspection."

As the river cruiser complied with the lawful order, the ATAP officers brought their craft along side of the much larger liner, doing a full circle of the craft as they inspected the exterior situation. Officer Beall's eyes were peeled for anything peculiar that may be a threat to the Dundee facility, though he did not expect a river liner to pose much risk to national security. Satisfied the situation did not seem odd from an outside perspective, the officers circled around once more until they came to the port side of the vessel, hugging the hull of the ship as a ladder was raised to the deck.

Climbing up, Officer Beall carrying his clipboard, flashlight, and Glock 19 jumped over the side rail to the deck of the Thing With Feathers. The odd smells and sounds flooding him as his fellow officers armed with shotguns and grimacing smiles joined him at the flanks.

As the first person from the liner's crew approached officer Beall, he produced his credentials, a flashy five pointed golden star badge reading the name of his agency and his name in bright blue letters.

"Good Morning." He would start, looking over the deck of ship that he could see from his position. "I am officer Beall of the Atlish Transit Authority Police. This is a lawful inspection of your passengers, crew, and cargo prior to your transit of the Dundee Lock. I expect you and the crew's full cooperation." His voice stern and commanding as he inpatiently waited to proceed with his duties.

by **Achesia** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 7:03 pm

"I'm Really Not Interested"

AUSTRUNDUS- That quote today from the President of the Third Republic of Atla at a charity gathering held at the Grand Peak in the capital of Atla for the Atlish for Atlish Foundation. President Lewis Overton expressed his disinterest in Twelve Isle’s offer to bring all parties to the negotiating table over the recent row about the attempted Dundee Dam sabotage and increased Shentong Liberation Army attacks in the Shentong Autonomous Region. Caught seemingly off guard by Achesian National reporters at the charity dinner, the President was happy to explain his dissatisfaction with the offer of coming to the table with the Phallian government.

"They have offered no explanation as to why their operatives were involved in this thwarted terrorist attack." He began to explain. "The Phallian government despite our evidence of their involvement has denied everything, coming to the table with them now is to only approve of the lies they have sowed." The President's harsh words coming after a recent hospital visit in Austrundus where he visited his Secretary of Energy, Lillian Reid, who was held hostage by the alleged Phallian operatives during the attack on the dundee dam. Secretary Reid has been listed in critical condition at Austrundus Memorial for over a week now as doctors repair the damage done to her by one of her assailants pistols, and the hours of being drug from one end of the Dundee facility to the other.

"It was a despicable act." President Overton voiced his disdain as he further acknowledged that his government had in fact politely declined their close trade allies' offer of mediating a talk between the rival nations. A touching gesture from the government of the Twelve Isle's but one with which the Atlish government views is ill times with recent events and refusals by the Kingdom of New Phallia. During our own research, approximately 15,000 Atlish live within the danger zone east of the dam, and stand to be directly affected if the dam were to be breached. Most would have little to no warning before the water held back by the massive wall across the Wein River would ultimately engulfed and destroyer their homes. Truly troubling to see that any organization wished to see such destruction unfold. It remains to be seen if there is in fact Phallian government involvement.

Thus far no new travel restrictions have been put in place by the Achesian Ministry of Statecraft for the Shentong Mountain region, Atla, or the Kingdom of New Phallia.

-Winston Davis, Foreign Affairs Editor

by **Murovanka** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:06 am

Aboard the Thing With Feathers

Fredrech’s heart jolted and began racing at a speed inversely proportional to that of the ship as Merresburg looked on passively. So close to home. They were nearly at the lock.

“They can’t do this!” Fredrech whispered.

“Ten bucks they’re on our tail.” Merresburg said. “Come on, relax, fit in with the rest.”

The music continued even as the ship stopped. Barely anyone seemed to notice as men in black vests wielding pistols and long guns climbed aboard, and the two Phallian pilots continued drinking their Gauliscian Schnapps, hiding the growing fear and apprehension of what was to come.

“This isn’t good. We look like queer couple on a honeymoon.” Merresburg said. “Better separate.”

A Phallian girl wobbling on her heels came out on deck shaking, in tears. ”Letzebuerger! Schwäin!” She stumbled and fell. In an instant, Merresburg was at her side, helping her up, consoling her, hissing at Fredrech to disappear. That he did, unwillingly, though staying in eyeshot. He watched as Merresburg brought her to a quiet area and offered a drink, still holding her in his arms. Then he pushed her away a split second before a whole load of vomit from today’s no doubt exquisite lunch exploded from her lipsticked mouth, a full broadside on another man standing close by.

Uh-oh.

Official Statement of the Kingdom of New Phallia

The Government of New Phallia would like to express its concerns over Atlish Prime Minister Overton’s remarks on refusing dialogue with New Phallia, even one hosted by its ally the Twelve Isles. This proves the aggressive, non-cooperative intent that Atla has been demonstrating. Phallia has at every point demonstrated its willingness to negotiate a solution that will benefit the development, security and stability of the region. The Twelve Isles are welcomed to host talks on condition that they retract and apologise for their aggressive statements on an invasion of New Phallia itself.

We maintain that we have no knowledge of the so-called ‘sabotage’ attempt the Phallian security services are accused of conducting, whose operations are subject to His Majesty the King’s approval- one that he has not given. No evidence of Phallian involvement has been presented and the nature of the incident, the response of Atlish security forces, the elimination of all saboteurs with no casualties to themselves suggest either an amateurish attack by any of rebel groups fighting the Atlish government or an Atlish false-flag attack to further discredit and damage New Phallia’s name.

by **The Twelve Isles** » Sat Mar 04, 2017 10:48 pm

Official Statement of the Empire of the Twelve Isles
In regards to the recent statement by the government of New Phallia, the Court of the Twelve Isles would like to express thanks for New Phallia's willingness to try and organize talks. That said, the request that the Isles retract the statement by Emperor Cartwine concerning a possible invasion of New Phallia is not something that the Isles is willing to to do. Should hostilities break out between New Phallia and Atla, the Empire of the Twelve Isles will be inclined to support their allies defense against what it see's as a foreign aggressor.

It is the hope of Emperor Cartwine, the Emperor's Staff, the Court of the Twelve Isles and all citizens of the Isles that conflict can be avoided. It is our hope that by committing to these meetings, all nations can make it through these troubled times without any bloodshed. In regards to the attempted sabotage of the Dundee Dam, the Isles refuses to make comment.

Over Shentong New Phallia Border

A plane flew over the mountains of the Shentong Autonomous Regions border with New Phallia. The crew monitored computer screens and electronics, looking for possible Phallian activity in the area. There was a tension in the plane, they were operating over a known conflict zone, where a nation who the Isles was not on friendly relations had a large military force. If they were detected, it could very well spell their end.

Not to mention, it was hopped that whatever information they could gain from the operation could be used to help Atla, and the SLA, both of whom were enemy's of New Phallia. There were variables in everything, and here it seemed like there was an abundance. Nerves were high, and the people were quiet and trying to not look at each other. At one point, there had been a scare where they thought a plane had been dispatched to take them down. After a few seconds everyone realized it was just a minor malfunction and was fixed. After the crew all looked around with relief, one airman said, "Well, if we were shot down at least we would be in good company in hell." Everyone had laughed, it was well known that the crew of this plane had a penchant for what were simply the filthiest jokes and liked to get drunk and start fights when they were on leave.

The crew continued on in relative silence after that. The hum of the plane flying and the sounds of the occasional throat clearing kept them company. The pilots talked in hushed voices between one another, and for now it seemed like it was going to be an uneventful mission.

by **Achesia** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:09 pm

Aboard the Thing with Feathers

With the crew in submission to the lawful order of search, the ATAP officers went to work on their cabin by cabin search for any threat to the security of Atla. Such measures by government agents were often done with great disdain by the public of Atla, who culturally dislike the government or any show of power by its officials. The Atlish people were proud of their libertarian nature and the prevue they had from any sort of outside power dictating their day to day life. A search of a ship like the ATAP officers were conducting today was bound to cause outrage, so discreetness was key.

"Good morning Ma'am, apologies for the inconvenience. My name is officer Beall, can I please see your papers?" Nathan Beall held his flashlight in a clenched, gloved fist as he watched the pink bikini-clad Novian woman of ample figure- where it mattered- bent over her deck chair to dig through her bag a moment to find her passport. Nathan Beall attempted to keep dignity by ignoring the outlines cresting through her thinly cut bottoms, but his eyes strayed a look here and there as she stood up to hand over the requested paperwork.

With a smile the woman handed her burgundy colored Commonwealth of Rhynovia passport to the handsome official. The Rhynovians were very much used to handing over paperwork to the government, and did not exhibit much inhibition to cozying up to state officials. She smiled while wiping away her long hair than dangled between her cleavage then ran her hands down the sides of her bare abdomen.

"Do I check out officer?" She bit her lip while rocking her torso subtly back and fourth. "Do you have to bring me in?" She deviously looked at Officer Beall as he caught a whiff of potent alcohol laden breath oozing from her lump lips.

"Afraid not ma'am." Nathan smiled as he ran the light in and around her small booklet, searching for the official watermarks.

"Awh shucks, cause I've been a bad girl..." She stepped forward, putting both hands on Officer Beall's vest, just over the large white ATAP letters. She drunkenly leaned on him as her body weight bore down on the man.

From out of the corner of his eye however, instinct caught a glimpse of a sudden movement. One of his partners took swift tumble over a table, causing a ruckess as officer and mixed drinks hit the deck with a crash.

Standing guilty of the commotion was a tall hairy man of blocky features. His posture looked hostile as he stood over the prostrate officer who juggled with his senses before finding his cognizance to attempt to stand.

Pushing off the buxom beauty of little clothing and drunken morals, Officer Beall bolted forward across the main party deck of the ship, his black boots thundering he neared the hairy hostile. Leaping in the air just as the man attempted to turn and flee, Nathan was able to make contact on the assailants side, bringing him down to the deck with his full force before any attempt of escape could be made.

The remaining passengers stood in awe as the wrestled about for a moment.

"Stop resisting!" Nathan yelled as two other ATAP officers ran up to reinforce from behind. "Hands behind your back!" He ordered while the rather large and bulky man of queer oder squirmed about.

After a few moments passed the officers managed to wrangled the man into a set of cuffs, holding him tightly to the deck with a pair of knees to the back.

"What the hell just happened?" An officer named Titus picked the previously table thrown officer up to his feet.

"He is loaded." The officer wiped a spec of blood from his lip. "I asked him for his papers and he just went berserk"

The belligerent and violent man who lay with his face smushed to the deck began to shout profanities in a drunken thick accent.
"I wrestle six Gaulisican bulls bigger than you swine!" His accent splattering saliva all over the fiberglass imitation wood boards of the deck.

"Oh, a Gaulisican eh?" Officer Beall nodded as his comrades lifted the suspect to his feet. "Why didn't you just give over your papers?" He shined the flashlight in the blubbering Gaulisican's eyes, careful to watch how his pupils dilated.

"I would give calf papers before you swine!" He stirred and struggled as he was lead away to the ATAP boat.

"Dispatch, this is unit 5, bringing a code 3 in. A thing with feathers is clear." The mic on his shoulder chimed as he released the talk button, just after he told the dispatch they were bringing an undocumented foreigner in.

“Roger unit 5, proceed.”

Turning to the ships crewmen once more he nodded and sheathed his flashlight. "Alright you may proceed to the lock, please follow all prompts from the tower as you move thr..." His warning to the crew ended prematurely as he caught glimpse of a pink flash.

Behind the crew and back to the original scene, the busty Novian girl had whipped her bikini top off, throwing it to the side where it fluttered in the air momentarily and landed in her bag. Her large mounds and pink discs perky as she donned a pair of shades to bathe in the Atlish sun.

Tipping his cap to the crew of the Thing with Feathers, Officer Beall bid ado.

"And you all have a nice cruise." His eyes focused on a pair of things… pretty in pink.

by **Murovanka** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 4:37 am

Aboard the Thing With Feathers

“What the actual fuck.”

The man turned around. Not now. Didn’t seem as drunk as the others around him. Not good. Merresburg stood up, facing off the man who was a good head taller than himself.

“Clean it you swine.” the man said, pointing at his dirty pants. Merresburg pushed him away, the man pushed back and reached out to grab Merresburg who waved under and prepared to land a fist but didn’t get to it as the man’s head suddenly disappeared with a thump, replaced by Fredrech’s elbow.

The man was out cold, and the two Phallian pilots pulled him out of sight just before the Atlish police came in to check. Nobody seemed to take notice. The two men barely hid their relief after the security forces left, pulling with them what literally looked like some boar from the woods of Gauliscia.

Royal Air Force Base Wodin

There was an ongoing debate as to whom the Phallian integrated air defence system should be given control of. The Royal Air Force demanded that as the Air Force was in charge of defending, well, the air, it should naturally have the majority of surface-to-air missile batteries. The Royal Ground Forces maintained that as the missile batteries were on vehicles on the ground, it was its job, particularly as it was easier to ensure all units had some degree of protection from the skies when the Air Force wasn’t paying attention. The focus on mobility by the Phallian army did mean that they liked to outrun the cover of the Phallian fighter-bombers.

Then there were those that demanded that in the time of modern warfare and cruise missiles and strategic weapons it was high time a fourth branch of the Ministry of Defence was created to cater for a holistic missile shield for Phallia. It wasn’t uncommon in other countries.

In the end it seemed as though the Air Force won, the Ground Forces retained their regimental and divisional air defence batteries but were mostly for short-range defence, which suited them fine. The Air Force controlled most of the long-range SAMs.

But in the Shentong the Air Force had little to do, and it had mostly been the divisional and commando helicopter detachments that did the heavy work. Radars and early warning systems were divided in uncoordinated fashion between ground and air forces.

It was actually an old radar model set up just because protocol demanded that detected the new intrusion into Phallian airspace at an altitude of some 20,000m high. It could well have been a civilian airliner, except that its course was not a usual one, and were it to land in Phallia it wouldn’t be as high. And for several minutes it popped in and out of radar detection, which only meant: stealth, of sorts.

Their message was forwarded though it took a while to reach the Air Force Base in Wodin. There there were rapid attempts to communicate both with Phallian air traffic control and with the intruding aircraft. It did not respond, instead seemingly wanting to evade detection and escape. Then an order came from up high in Gmünd that the unresponsive aircraft be shot down while still in Phallian airspace. Not a civilian airliner, that was pretty sure.

The Air Force had since beginning scrambled a flight of interceptors, but the SAMs got there first. Ground-based radars suddenly blasted the sky, fixing the unknown plane in time and space, and just before it left Phallian airspace a pair of missiles, locking on, chased the plane. One was evaded, either through manoeuvring or chaff, but the other caught it, sending it out of control, spiralling to earth- unfortunately, on the Atlish side of the border.

Already before it hit the ground the belligerent Crown Prince had given the order for the cabinet to convene immediately, and shortly after authorised an Air Force search and rescue team as well as land forces to mount a search for the wreckage. If necessary they were to cross the border to find the aircraft. If it was some snooping Atlish plane like it was assumed to be it would make good headlines for the Phallian cause.

In addition to the fifty airmobile troopers boarding two helicopters the Air Force was ordered to step up patrols and monitoring of the border airspace, and not only that, the Navy was to expand on patrol operations in the Hesperan sea. It was not only the lifeline of trade and the protection from enemy navies that the Navy had to protect, but also certain claims on uninhabited islands which likely had more than some interesting geological stones beneath them.

SMS Séebär
Hesperan Sea
18 nautical miles off Phallian Coast

The frigate SMS Séebär was certainly not the most advanced of its class and type, but priority of funding to the army left the navy with little choice but to hang on to old but working weapons systems. And the Séebär could do its job just fine.

“Captain, course altered thirty-degrees north, speed 12 knots.”

“Captain, sonar, I have a possible contact, unidentifiable, range 60 clicks heading due north, designated target Alpha.”

“Fisch, are you sure it’s not a swarm of fish you’re detecting?”

The sonar operator grimaced. He did have a love for the sea and sonar and all about it but still…

“Captain, do I go active?”

The captain considered. They were still well within Phallian territorial waters, the submarine (if there was one) too was within and would stay within at least the waters claimed by Phallia for another while. Looking at the map, it would have little option but to continue north and then bend off into the open ocean. Foolish. The waters here were not that deep.

“No. Navigator, move on intercept course, if its a sub we will jump it- or at least scare. If we miss it we’ll radio the 6th Squadron to catch it. Send the Luchs up.”

“Jawoll.”

One of the two choppers went airborne several minutes later, loaded up with sonobuoys and torpedoes.

“Closing in to fifty clicks on Alpha. Hasn’t noticed us.”

“Luchs, find it, let it know you’re there.” the Captain said. Technically the sub was within torpedo range, but it would take the torpedoes, what, half an hour to reach their target. Way too easy to escape. “If there is anything, anyhow.” There always remained a good chance that his sonar operator was seeing some random disturbance in the water. Could be anything.

But if it was a sub, he wouldn’t let it go unharmed. Phallia had made it very clear that it wouldn’t tolerate any snooping in its waters and he was fully authorised to sink anything which wasn’t Phallian and swam around under water.

“Captain, Luchs, dropping the sonobuoys.”

“Forty clicks. Single-reactor and single-screw, could be any submarine, really, maybe one of the Isl’ish variants.”

“Nuclear? A boomer?” the Captain asked.

“Possibly.”

“Captain, Luchs, we’re dropping and getting returns on and off- its taking evasive manoeuvres, we’re driving it into your hands.”

“Understood, keep me updated.” the Captain replied on his radio.

“Thirty clicks, closing fast, they should notice us anytime now.”

“If we turn on active sonar we can consider firing now.” his XO said.

“Not yet. I’d rather have the Luchs fire- it can’t hurt a chopper, after all.”

“The enemy captain seems smart enough to evade the Luchs.”

“Captain, Luchs, think we got him.” A hesitation. “Permission to fire, Captain.”

”Feier frei, Luchs.”

“Captain, its turning hard, picking up speed.” ‘Fisch’ said.

“Close the distance now?” the XO said. The Captain nodded.

“Increase to twenty knots. We can nail him if he escapes.”

“Jawohl.”

“Closing on fifteen, Captain.” ‘Fisch’ said.

“Torpedo will hit any time now.” the XO said. On the bridge, they waited, tense. The radio crackled. There was no signature explosion of water upward as caused by the destruction of a submarine.

“Captain, we missed it.” the Luchs pilot said, suppressing an expletive.

“Never mind. Flood tubes one and two and load them. Prepare firing solution on target Alpha. Luchs, keep searching.”

“Aye aye, Captain.” A loud grinding sound was heard as the Séebär’s rusty tubes were flooded. “It definitely knows we’re here now.” the XO said.

“Distance to target Alpha is twelve clicks.”

“Their sonar man must be sleeping.” the XO said. “We got to twelve kilometres from them and they only hear us when we flood the tubes.”

“Probably the experimental resonance damping and electronics suit they fitted us.” the Captain said. “They might have thought we were some fishing boat.”

“Captain, we are ready to fire.”

“Fire away.”

“Firing.”

A whooshing sound was heard, for the lack of a better onomatopoeia, rocking the frigate slightly, and then another, as two torpedoes left their tubes. The captain had opted for a ‘fire-and-forget’ type torpedo, though that was not strictly true, the ships sensors continued to feed and update information to the minicomputer on the torpedo; only in the later stages would it send out its own active sonar pings to guide itself to the target. Unlike the wire-guided torpedoes, this allowed the frigate freedom to manoeuvre if it itself came under attack.

“Eight minutes to impact.” the XO said. The crew waited.

by **Christoslavia** » Mon Mar 06, 2017 1:40 pm

The Suite
SUPREME OVERLORDS Personal Military Bunker
Meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Military Bureaucracy

SUPREME OVERLORD walked into the room and paused, as the sound of "Hail!" rang throughout the room and all the attendees promptly stood up and saluted, as was customary. SUPREME OVERLORD then returned the salute, followed by a gentle yet firm, "At ease", as all the attendees then took their seats.

SUPREME OVERLORD walked over to the map carefully looking it over, he then took his seat, crossed his legs, and asked, "Sitrep?"

High General Adriack, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, rose and addressed SUPREME OVERLORD.

"My lord, for several years, tensions between New Phallia and Atla have been steadily rising, with the Atlish using the Dundee Dam to strongarm the New Phallian economy in submission, and it has recently been reported there was a sabotage attempt on the dam. We have no doubts it was New Phallia but they are maintaining deniability."

He paused for a moment, and bio reports of the two nations then appeared on the holo-map. He continued,

"The New Phallians are strong economically and militarily, and while their actions aren't necessarily in line with our views they'd make a far more valuable ally, if we were to get involved I'd say we help them. It would balance the situation out as well, for the nation of The Twelve Isles, a regional military powerhouse, is inclined to support Atla. However I'd advise we make our presence covert, economical on the outside, and use military assets in a guerrilla fashion to maintain deniability."

Murmurs spread around the room, then a Colonel from the Air Force spoke up, "If we were to send in military assets, who might you suggest sir?"

"Excellent question", he said producing a file containing a pre-prepared ORBAT. "What I reccomend is sending in Naval Groups 3,7 and 12 to initiate a friendly blockade and assure that supplies to New Phallia dont get cut off in the result of sanctions, thus we must also activate the 17th and 3rd fleets of the Merchant Marine, all this under the guise of humanitarian aide. As for boots on the ground...",

Another unit bio pulled up on the screen, "...I have a very specific man in mind, Master General?"

A man in his mid 60's who somehow still looked considerably younger than all the others in the room, yet equally hardened stood up, he wore on his chest the Desert Fox medal, amongst the other shining medallions and colorful ribbons, signifying his veterancy in the Zevretin Campaign. This man was Master General Ramer.

"Thank you High General, SUPREME OVERLORD, my unit that fought in Zevretin is advanced, and experienced in terms of guerilla warfare, state on state warfare, and counter insurgency. All I need are 500 men to deploy in New Phallia, unmarked, completely deniable, lightly armed. They would conduct sabotage and assist elements of the Royal Phallian Army. Attacking possible Atlish positions as well as SLA units to free up the Phallians."

SUPREME OVERLORD stroked his chin as he listened intently, he then eased up, sipped his coffee, and addressed the room before him.

"I approve, but if it looks like we have any direct military involvement, we pull out. This stays hush hush. I'll also allocate the deployment of several Blackeye units from the Ministry of Intelligence for counter insurgency and interrogation as well as espionage. You are all dismissed."

Each officer once again saluted, then with stacks of briefs and folders under their arms, marched out of the room

"Master General Ramer, stay please"

"Yes my lord."

"I am putting a lot of trust in you, you did not fail me in Zevretin, don't fail me here. You will have control over this battalion and you must do as you see fit, further, I will direct the Blackeye groups to report to you. Do what needs to be done."

"Yes sir, for the Empire"

"For the Empire"

OFFICIAL MESSAGE DIRECTOR KALLE RIEGEN
FROM THE CHRISTOSLAVIAN MINISTRY OF WAR
MAXIMUM ENCRYPTION

To whom it may concern, my government is willing to assist you in your plight against the SLA and the Atlish. We are willing to begin trade with you, as our country has an abundance of natural resources including rare earth elements, foodstuff, and minerals. With your permission, we would like to dispatch several Merchant Marine fleets accompanied by Naval warships to prevent a blockade of your nation and assure you continue to survive this game of economic warfare. We further would send in a special unmarked strike force, in which their discovery would lead to no fallback on New Phallia, as we would have deniability. They would be involved in everything from espionage to sabotage of SLA and the Atlish if need be. Please respond soon.

-Master General Ramer

by **Murovanka** » Tue Mar 07, 2017 3:36 am

OFFICIAL MESSAGE DIRECTOR KALLE RIEGEN
FROM THE CHRISTOSLAVIAN MINISTRY OF WAR
MAXIMUM ENCRYPTION

To whom it may concern, my government is willing to assist you in your plight against the SLA and the Atlish. We are willing to begin trade with you, as our coutnry has an abundance of natural resources including rare earth elements, foodstuff, and minerals. With your permission, we would like to dispatch several Merchant Marine fleets accompanied by Naval warships to prevent a blockade of your nation and assure you continue to survive this game of economic warfare. We further would send in a special unmarked strike force, in which their discovery would lead to no fallback on New Phallia, as we would have deniability. They would be involved in everything from espionage to sabotage of SLA and the Atlish if need be. Please respond soon.

-Master General Ramer

Dear Master General Ramer,
I thank you for your offer and the RSS as well as the Phallian Armed Forces would welcome such a force, there has been an uptick in insurgent activity recently and we are keen to learn from counterinsurgency tactics that you use. While the RSS will be this strike force's main liaison to the Phallian government so as to keep involvement secret, I will ensure that you receive full cooperation from the Armed Forces including in regards to supplies, ammunition, medical services and transport. Please be assured that the RSS pays well for the brave men fighting for our rights in face of international pressure led by the Twelve Isles. His Majesty King Hagen III would also like to express his hope that this will lead to increased Phallian-Christoslavian cooperation and trade.

In regards to the naval situation, we have received alarming information that a Twelver nuclear submarine had intruded in our waters. The naval deployment would be welcome and the Phallian Navy would be eager to conduct joint patrols and exercises in the Hesperan Sea.

Signed,
Kalle Riegen
Director of the Royal Secret Service

Schloss Hohenfall
Gmünd

"The reconnaissance plane is very worrying." Chief Advisor Carl Redan said as they adjourned for lunch. "If it is true that the Atlish or Twelvers have sent a stealth aircraft which was only detected by some old long-bandwidth radar, it certainly wasn't the first time. Our AWACs have been flying low expressly due to the SLA Manpad threat, we didn't expect the Atlish to be so aggressive."

"We don't know how much they know of our military build-up in the Shentong." Sevarde said as they approached a rather well-furnished "canteen", if it could be called that, at least in comparison to where it was rumoured the Crown Prince and his closest ring had their lunches. "I don't like what we're hearing from that patch of trouble. An unnerving silence, a calm before the storm exists in the Shentong since the last attack. We have a good idea that they are preparing something major but until they do we don't want to step in."

"Indeed, a preemptive strike will raise a shitstorm with Twelve, who likely know of our increased military presence. The SLA 'activists' will scream genocide. We can't just eradicate villages like we used to." Redan said the last part dryly.

Sevarde had been in the castle for several days now, as one emergency followed the next, it did make sense to have the Phallian leadership always present to take decisive action. First was the shootdown of the plane, and then reports of the Navy chasing an unidentified submarine in their waters. Thank God the order had been given to pick up patrols. Sevarde didn't mind, even if the constant underhand bickering and jingoism of the Crown Prince was getting on his nerves. And then it seemed like the situation in the Shentong was going to go hot anytime soon. Border guards had detected increased movements on the border with Atla, though they hadn't gotten to any substantial evidence yet. Even as the border guards were reinforced, it was impossible to monitor every possible pathway through the Shentong into Atla, particularly in such difficult terrain.

Though it wasn't hard to guess what was being transported in. Weapons, most likely, and terrorists, trained by Atla. An RSS source had revealed what he claimed to be a secret training camp for SLA troops within Atla. Why, it was hard to say. Maybe they wanted to retaliate for the trade measures taken by Phallia against Atla. Or a tit-for-tat response to the Phallian attack on the dam. To exhaust Phallia in its ongoing war in the Shentong, create an independent state friendly to Atla, and in particular- with treasure troves of resources beneath its vast peaks.

"The Christoslavian offer is a good one. We can have them conduct retaliation and interrogation against the SLA and troublesome Sainese villages- means our own troops don't have to do the dirty work. They can raze villages, pillage and loot, rape and kill and we will still retain plausible deniability; the Crown Prince will be happy, in his words, the only language they undestand is violence. I doubt the Christoslavians would mind."

by **Christoslavia** » Tue Mar 07, 2017 6:44 am

New Phallian Waters
CNS Attrition
Victory Class Supercarrier
Naval Group 3

Admiral Whittaker looked out at the fleet before him, SUPREME OVERLORD had made the last minute decision to lower the task force to one naval group to avoid overt provocations, but even then, they had enough firepower to directly take on an enemy fleet if need be. The ocean was calm, the sun shining, it was...nice..relaxing even.
"Lieutenant, full speed ahead to New Phallia."
"Aye Admiral"

4 hours later
New Phallian Airspace near the Shentong border

"CHECK EQUIPMENT!"
"CHECK PARTNERS"
The Jumpaster screamed over the whirr of the "Packers", as the men of the Desert Fox Guerrilla Warfare Regiment prepared to make the jump. They'd be split into teams of 20, and seperated over a 7 square mile radius. Each unit had been equipped with a map of the area, a Shentong and Phallian interpreter, and non-Christoslavian armaments (AK-47's, MP-5's, H&K G3's). Each unit was to make contact, then make their way to the rendevouz point near Kuantong.
"LIGHT IS GREEN, GO, GO, GO!"
Each man slid along the rail, the poof of parachutes echoed throughout the otherwise relatively silent night sky, for whoever was below, it'd look like a god damn invasion force.

by **The Twelve Isles** » Tue Mar 07, 2017 7:24 am

RNS Nightingale

"Sir, we have another torpedo incoming," said the sonar operator.

"Shit," said Captain Lewis. "where are they?"

"12 kilometers behind us."

Everything was coming apart at the seams in a matter of minutes, and in a way that hadn't happened since the 1920's. The Isles had taken part in many naval campaigns against pirates, but their last time fighting an actual standing navy was generations ago. He turned on his heal, and shouted, "Bank hard to port side, turn us around to face the Phallians."

"Aye aye sir," said the Helmsman, pulling hard on the controls to turn the sub. He wouldn't say it, but in his head he couldn't help but feel like the choice to do a full about face was a dangerous one to say the least. It would likely avoid the torpedo's, but it would not protect them if their enemy's managed to fire again.

The red lighting of the submarines bridge glowed on Captain Lewis's face, making him look like a devil. He looked at his hands, taking comfort in the words "The Empty," which were tattooed on his knuckles. It made him feel a little better, to take a refuge in his faith in such a trying moment. Even if he was to die, and his submarine was to be sunk, he would still go to the Empty and forever be one with the cosmos.

"Sir, 1 minute to impact," said the sonar operator.

Lewis nodded, his head buzzing with thoughts. He rubbed his knuckles, and watched as many others in his crew did similar things with their own tattoo's. It was common in the Isles to get tattoo's of magic circles, runes and good luck charms, and it made it seem like his shit was a motley crew of magical markings everywhere he went. Of course, most didnt believe in magic anymore, or the Stranger and the constant struggle with the All God, but many still took comfort in the traditions.

"Sir, its on top of us."

Lewis stood straight, and said, "Brace for impact!" The crew pressed themselves forward into their stations, bracing themselves from the coming explosion. It wasnt likely that they would survive if the torpedo hit them dead on, but if it grazed off it was possible that they would be able to surface and retreat. Lewis hoped that would be the case.

There was a loud ringing that resounded through the submarine, and most of the crew looked around curiously, trying to understand what had just happened.

"What the fuck was that?" said one crewman.

"Did we get hit?"

"No, it would have ripped us in half if we were hit."

"Did we hit something?"

"Are we getting hit by bullets?"

It seemed like the questions adn confusion would go on unless the sonar operator hadns said, "I think the tail of the torpedo bounced off of us."

Lewis would have cheered, but he felt like he needed to keep up face in light of the situation. "Fprget about it," he said, "have we made it around yet?"

"Almost sir," said the Helmsman. "1 minute and we'll be there."

"Flood tubes 1 and 2," said Lewis. "Helmsman, get us into position to attack, we fire on my command."

"Aye aye sir," came the call back.

Lewis leaned back against a chair, his face intent. He looked at his knuckles again, rubbing them for what little comfort they added. He was far from home, and it frightened him more than he liked to admit that he might die in forreign waters. If he was to die in the ocean, he would have preferred to die in the Home Isles, so he could sink to the bottom and sleep with the great LEviathans and the spirits of the deep, rather than here where no one would ever find him. He didnt know what gods were worshiped in this part of the world, but he felt certain taht they werent his, and that they would have no remorse for him trying to kill their flock.

"Sir, we're in position."

Lewis stood up straight, and in a firm, loud voice said "Fire."

The submarine rumbled as the torpedo's fired, streaking out in front to attack their enemies. Before anyone could think to much about it though, Lewis said, "Helmsman, bank starboard. I dont want us getting so close they can drop depth charges on us."

The helmsman pulled the controls to the right, and the Nightingale began to swing away from its enemy. Lewis watched the sonar operator intently, waiting for any warning about the enemy firing on them again. After a few minutes, the Helmsman turned and looked at Lewis.

"Captain?"

Lewis nodded, his face straight.

"I believe we hit them."

by **Achesia** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 4:07 pm

The Bowels of the Moutains, Shentong Autonomous Region

The sound of frost being scraped off of his gortex made Zachery Dearde. squirm as if his 3rd grade math teacher was scraping her long magenta nails against the chalkboard once more. But to let too much of the earth's frozen juices build up on yourself meant death in the depths of the Sehntong. Zachery had seen plenty of death on these rocks, his time in the Atlish Land Self Defense Force Mountaineers plagued with it. Slowly he could feel the heat being sucked from his body back into mother earth as he lay prone on the crest of the hill. Though it was not winter, the Shentong didn't know the difference.

Carefully he picked up his FN FAL once again to pear through the optical scope at the road 60 meters below and 150 meters away. Zachary was careful not to rustle any leafs and give away his position, or the position of dozens of other resistance and SLA fighters that lined the hill in ambush position.

In his ear he could hear the soft spoken voices of his comrades as they awaited the big moment of several days of exhausting effort.

"Cuddles, this is Lambasted, I have visual of our target moving in from the east."

Zachary squeezed the two mics at the bulge of his throat as he kept his weapon pointed down range.

"Roger, get read to hit on my mark." He looked as far as the bushes would let him see to the farthest flank of his element where a team of two lay ready with anti-tank missiles.

"Mongo, ready your element." His voice was unsure as he prepared the automatic weapons team that was at the heart of the kill zone. Mongo, AKA Captain Feng of the Shentong Liberation Army, was a wild card. He was stuck on this mission after he pissed Colonel Rigsbee of the Atlish Freedom Militia off by sending two SLA fighters on a suicide bombing earlier that week, a tactic which they did not exactly see eye to eye on. The Sainese saw it as an honorable way to die, but Colonel Rigsbee thought it less than warrior like. He sent Captain Feng away with a furious tantrum almost as fast as he could get the words from his mouth and stick him with Zarchary's team. Now he has been second guessing Zach every step of the way with this Op.

Next to Feng a pair of young SLA fighters lay clenching the grips of their PKMs with rigid stress, almost surely throwing off the bullet pattern, but luckily it meant little for the automatic weapons which would spray ammo at the Phallian's keeping their heads down long enough to let the more skilled Atlish militia members pick them off. He had met with the two young kids before the battle, trying to reassure them of their victory, but most assuredly Feng had riled them up once more as they set up the ambush.

Soon the reports of the nearing enemy element were confirmed by the roaring of diesel engines that spouted a black cloud as they ground the dirt road into submission.Ttheir target neared. The inside sources that had been feeding the SLA, and the Atlish Freedom Militia, had reported a massive influx of Phallian troops today as operations were due to kick up in the Shentong region. It was a prime target as large amounts of soldiers moved from New Phallia into Shentong, and the SLA and its allies were prepared to meet them.

Over the entire region, ambushes were being set to go off at the same general time, SLA elements prepared to bring a bit of sconion to unsuspecting royalist troops as they rolled with impunity into their homeland.

First up a few small vehicles with mounted crew served weapons rolled down the road, their gunners weary from the bumpy road as she sat back in their turret slings enjoying the view of the pass and the wind through their helmets. These vehicles were not the most optimal of targets as they carried only a few troops each. But the 2 1/2 ton trucks that began to roll on by, that is when it was optimal to spring the trap.

Zachary grabbed up a small detonator, affectionately known as a clacker for its hole punch like mechanism and distinctive sound. Watching as a large truck passed right by a trio of rocks that were set as a marker, Zachary hit the detonator, and a massive roadside bomb blasted the vehicle full of troops sky high.

The trap was sprung.

The large explosion their que, the flank elements of the ambushing SLA/AFM force popped tall with their AT-4 launchers, firing the small squad sized rocket at the lead truck and the rear trucks at the edge of the kill zone. This effectively made driving out of the kill zone that more complicated for the Phallian soldiers who now were absorbing the fire from dozens of automatic and crew served weapons.

Picking up his FN FAL once more, Zachary reviewed his troops, noticing they were having little problem getting their turn in to blast the enemy. The Phallians below were still recovering from the massive 155mm artillery shells that they had buried next to the road, vaporizing most of the lower half of the truck. It didn't take much aim, as the point was to simply saturated the kill zone with as many bullets as possible, the rounds of his FAL simply rang off of trucks that he suspected troops may behind. It was more important that Zachary control his men.

Below the duel PKMs rang loud as the two Sainese crews laid down fire on numerous improvised positions the Phallians were now huddled behind. Several tried to seek shelter behind a flipped tactical vehicle, but were cut to pieces by the 7.62mm rounds that painted the dust with their fluids. Laying mutilated, the last thing they would see would be the position they were formerly running to, the position their comrades huddled behind, blown away by another AT-4 rocket as it streaked across the cold sky.

It was then that a problem arose for the joint guerrilla force. To the south another force of Phallian troops began to roll up, a sort of quick reaction force meant to counter attacks such as these. The first sign of their coming being the sudden explosion of the right flank as a 20mm grenade launcher began lobbing HE. Zachary took pause as he observed his element caught on the ridge against the advancing vehicles, and the emboldened Phallian troops formerly caught in the kill zone who began a counter assault.

"Squad, bound back to the higher ridgeline, Mongo element cover fire." He grasped his throat mic as he took a kneeling position and fired his rounds at the advancing Phallian soldiers. A few fell to his weapon as he scrambled up the hill.

From the corner of his eye he caught two of his own quickly spring up, dashing down the hill as the avoided fire from the mounting enemy resistance. Zachary was astounded to see them moving the opposite direction, having left their automatic weapons against a direct order to provide covering fire to the retrograding troops. As he processed this, he noticed that Captain Feng was looking straight towards him... the bastard did it again.

It was then that the first of the two SLA soldiers went up in a cloud of fury that engulfed most of the advancing Phallian's on foot. The explosion taking all by surprise as the fighting attempted to continue through the confusion. The second SLA soldier who had ran from his post had briefly been knocked down from his partner's blast. But this only served to make him harder to see by the advancing Phallian gun trucks who drove just atop of him as they too were caught in a fiery surprise.

The smoke began to settle in... and so did Zachary's' rage. Those kids deserved a better death than that. Honor my ass, he fumed as he charged the bolt of his weapon. Captain Feng, the known orchestrator of SLA suicide attacks only stood there watching the craters where his matters let themselves go. Yet soon he fell to the ground as soon as Zachary shared with him his own 7.62mm rage. Never fucking again you son of a bitch, Zach contemplated if their was honor in anything any longer.

Kauntong, Shentong Autonomous Region

As the large scale assault on the incoming Phallian troops was being carried out to the lamenting of many Phallian commanders, the typically sleepy village of Kauntong which sits at an important hilltop known to strategists as K13, was beginning to hear the sound of fury with this new conflict. Advancing toward the strategic position, a battalion sized element of Shentong Liberation Army and Atlish Freedom Militia observers, hoped to secure the village for the SLA as the night began to set in over the mountain range.

"See there, you'll want to place observers on that position to watch our approach." David Gillam, a Atlish militiaman pointed to a ridgeline that overlooked the village with the SLA battalion commander crouching next to him.

"Yes yes..." The commander nodded as he blankly watching the tips of the Atlish man's fingers. "Qù hé cǎiqǔ ping dào shāndǐng hé zhǔnbèi hé obssrvation yóuzhèng" He called out to a few of his underlings, speaking to them in his native Sainese tongue as they each stared blankly at him as he just did to the Atlish.

"I don't think he fucking gets it." Jeremiah Flint leaned in to mutter into his partner David's ears. Each of them with their vast experience with the Atlish Commandos had their doubts about Colonel Hong of the SLA. They had followed and advised him for some time during their struggle to free the Shentong from the Royalists, but his ability to control a formation seemed to be lacking.

But the SLA advanced regardless, into the quiet village of Kauntong, the sleeping villagers dreaming of their separation from this conflict.

by **Christoslavia** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 4:33 pm

Kauntong, Shentong Autonomous Region

"Eyes on the motherfucking prize"... after the rendevouz was completed, the men and women of the Desert Fox Regiment, well, a battalion sized element of it, had set themselves up in and around the town of Kauntong.

"Sniper Units come in"

"Eagle 5, I have eyes on targets"

"Eagle 3, targets acquired"

"Eagle 9 I got em"

"Nobody moves until I give the mark understood?"

To be brutally honest, Captain Hern was scared. He had survived the bombing of Saqqafi International in Zevretin, and had lived through the 4 Battles of Cilim in the Diyaristan intervention, but as every conflict was bound to be, this was a different animal. General Ramer was trusting him with the lives of the battalion, knowing full well a lot of them would not be coming back, but regardless...He was responsible for them, he was not going to let them die in vain without taking out a few terrorist scum also.

earlier...

Everyone had gotten out of their Packers and landed safely, each squad was intact, thank the Almighty. After about 2 hours each squad managed to rendevouz with their larger units, the battalion was split into 10 Companies, each being headed by a Lieutenant or Sergeant First Class. Hern put his hands to the SATCOM attached to his helmet, "All units, report".

After a minute or so, an affirmative came back from each company, Hern pulled up vitals on his HUD and saw each soldier at full operational capacity. Now the goal was to look like they were PMC's or a pro-Phallian militia. No insignia, no uncommon weapons, and thank god they all spoke English so they could really be anyone.
"All units, we are oscar mike, stake positions at Kauntong and report back to me ASAP"

Now

The night was peaceful, stars out, no cloud coverage, and the eery glow of the moon encapsulating the villagers. Darkness wasn't necesarrily on anyone's side. The sky saw everything. It knew whatever horrors we were about to commit. Although he could do without the arctic breeze, fuck it's cold here, hell I almost prefer the desert, with a couple flashbacks to his 3 day trek from Saqqafi to the nearest base with no supplies however, on second thought...maybe not. It was so peaceful tonight, quiet even, all about to be ruined in a matter of minutes.

Each soldier was tense as all hell, but they had survived enough wars to be relatively prepared for this, they all knew when the bullets started flying training didn't count for much and luck became just as important, but they all had faith in their abilities to one up any SLA dumbass with a gun, and if the rumours were true, Atlish units possibly present might give them a real figh, like the Legionnaires back in Zevretin.

"On my mark...", out of nowhere, Hern noticed a flash in the village, and the unmistakeable crack of gunfire, "Oh fuck me"

by **Murovanka** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:07 pm

Burgunder Zeitung | English Edition | Home

TERRORIST OFFENSIVE LEAVES 50 DEAD

SHENTONG AUTONOMOUS REGION- A coordinated large-scale offensive across the Shentong region targeting Phallian civilians and security personnel has left 60 dead and “over a hundred” wounded in a series of deadly ambushes, suicide bombings and gun attacks according to Phallian authorities. This represents the worst day of violence since the twin-suicide attack on Waälischië several months ago which left fifteen people dead.

The latest SLA offensive was, according to an SLA statement, “in response to the continued military reinforcements and repression of Sainese villages”, an accusation Phallia denies. Nevertheless the attacks appeared to have caught the Phallian military off-guard with officials and War Minister Jochen Maison-Poire pointing fingers at Atlish and Isl’ish support and direct involvement. “We have solid evidence of their [Atlish] involvement in supplying the terrorists with weapons, ammunition and even training. This deadly terrorist offensive was carried out with preparation, skill and weapons never seen before by the SLA.” Chancellor Walwerden said that they were investigating possible combat deaths of Atlish military personnel in Shentong, a case which would mean “a serious breach of Phallian sovereignty and yet another act of war committed against Phallia.” The Ministry of War had released evidence of the use of Atlish rifles and modern anti-tank missiles used by the SLA militants in their ambushes. While a Ministry official stated that the offensive had been “repelled and neutralised”, the high death toll and reports of ongoing fighting and shelling suggests that this new wave of violence is far from over.

It comes at a time of high tensions between the two Hesperan nations as well as the Empire of the Twelve Isles. Phallia responded with outrage after a Lincolnian holiday ship was boarded and searched at the controversial Dundee Dam, with Phallia accusing Atlish authorities of ‘racial profiling’ its citizens in the unusual move by Atlish security. Days later what Phallia claimed was a reconnaissance plane of the Twelve Isles was shot down over the Shentong and the Phallian frigate SMS Séebär torpedoed by an Isl’ish nuclear submarine in Phallian waters. Crown Prince Armand said that Isl’ish actions amounted to “acts of war” and announced the complete closure of Phallian ports to Isl’ish shipping and a travel ban on Isl’ish citizens. The Twelve Isles has been at loggerheads with Phallia over its position supporting Sainese independence, which the SLA demands, as well as the high Phallian tariffs placed on its landlocked partner and ally, Atla. Although His Majesty King Hagen III called for “calm and restraint”, all sides continue to remain tense after the Christoslavian navy announced that its 3rd Naval Group was to visit Gmünd. “Fundamentally, the conflict revolves around mining interests and the vast rare metal and mineral reserves in the Shentong and Dongshan regions which is pulling foreign nations in.” a report at the Phallian Academy of Political Science read. “The Sainese see Phallian mining as exploitative to them and the Isl’ish and Atlish want access to their resources. The Phallian mining industry and foreign mining companies want to expand into the Atlish resource pool [..]

“The New Phallian Government is also wary of its disadvantageous military position in the mountains, with Atla in control of the Guidou Peak and the Central Pass from which it could, in a war, strike easily into the Phallian heartland. Threatened by Chen to the south Phallia is in desperate need for secure borders, and until then is actively seeking to weaken the landlocked Atla economically as best as it can, as shown by its staunch opposition to the building of the Dundee Dam.”

by **The Twelve Isles** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:51 pm

Military Training Exercises amidst Rising Tensions
In a recent press conference with Emperor Cartwine, the Regent announced plans for large scale training exercises in the mountains of northern Mournly, including most notably the elite SMOD and 1st Paratrooper Regiments. These actions come at a time of increased tension between the Empire of the Twelve Isles and the Kingdom of New Phallia. While Emperor Cartwine refused to comment when asked if these exercises are in response to the recent shooting down of an Isles recon plane, the Foreign Affairs Secretary Sally Moore state, "The Isles wishes to avoid war if possible, but it is also the opinion of Emperor Cartwine and the Military Chiefs that the best defense is a good offense. Should the Isles need to use military force, we will be ready.

North Mounrly Plateau
Mournly Republic Training Area
Special Marine Operations Division
Lance Corporal Jimmy Barrow

A column of Armored Assault vehicles trundled along what had obviously once been a road, but was now just a muddy sinkhole that stretched out in a line rather than spreading out in a circle. It was snowing slightly, dusting the helmets of the soldiers in the open topped Land Rovers and gunner positions of the APC's with a white powder. Jimmy's head swiveled from side to side, looking for any indication of hostile activity. From his Land Rover, a song pumped through the vehicles loudspeakers, given a tinny sound by the metal of the machine. What the song was about was anyone's guess, but the soldiers liked it and that was good enough for them. It gave the crew a cocky quality, like they were better than you and they knew it. Of course, if one was to talk to the Armored Assault soldiers it would very quickly become apparent that no matter how good at what they did they were, they were still a bunch of peppy little dip shits with an odd, some would even say homoerotic obsession with dick jokes and blowing things up.

A voice came over the radio in Jimmy's ear, giving orders. "Lance Corporal, eyes right side, possible hostile contact."

"Copy," said Jimmy, and he quickly swiveled his gun to the right, charging the bolt of the big 50 caliber machine gun that he commanded. He scanned the area to his right, looking for trucks, tanks, soldiers or anything else that seemed even remotely shifty or threatening. He glanced forward at the APC in front of him, watching as its gun swiveled over to focus on the same position as him. A glint caught Jimmy's eye, something poking out of the snow dusted fields. He squinted, watching as it blinked in and out of his vision.

"We're getting word that there's something out there, do you see it Jimmy?"

Jimmy nodded, before looking down at his commander and saying, "Yeah, I see it. Its something glinting."

"How far away?"

Jimmy looked through the sights of the 50 cal, trying to do calculations in his head. "I would say like, 250, 300 meters away. But dont quote me on that."

There was a pause, as the entire company turned to try and identify the glint. Jimmy squinted at it, feeling the snow patter on his face like ticklish rain. He shivered, the snow melting on his face and the wind from the moving vehicle combining to create an uncomfortable, oppressive feeling to the atmosphere. The sun going down over the horizon didnt help, casting the world in an orange shadow that made it hard to make things out clearly.

"We've been cleared hot, an Apache is approaching now to knock that shit the fuck out," said Jimmy's commander.

"Fuck yeah," said Jimmy, his wide, missing tooth smile spearing on his face. He pushed down the firing mechanism on his 50 as the column opened up in unison, saturating the position with bullets and 40mm grenades. The 50 spit to life, pumping out rounds with a loud chugging pop for each bullet. Tracers streaked out over the field, bouncing off of the ground and into the air like deadly red tennis belts. As the shots got close to the target, it became impossible to know who's were who from the shear volume of them.

The sound of a helicopter buzzed over head, and many soldiers looked up in excitement and awe. They were gonna get to see rockets, and it exited them like small children seeing fireworks. The Apache fired into the target, the rockers making an intimidating swoosh as they fired. "FUCK YEAH!" Yelled the marines, pumping their fists in the air as they watched one of the rockets knock over a truck in a big orange fireball.

"GET SOME MOTHERFUCKER!" Yelled Jimmy, looking down at the team with him in the land rover.

Paulsen looked up at him, smiling like a child and said, "I have the biggest boner right now bro!" Despite all of their bickering, there was one thing that Jimmy and Paulsen could agree on. Explosions were balls to the wall cool.

"This shit gets me hotter than a fat french hooker jerking it in the desert in a sweater!" shouted Jimmy as another explosion rocked the target, shooting fire into the air like a scene out of a movie.

"Alright, alright lets settle it down," said the commander, SGT Kaliger. Jimmy and Paulsen leaned back, watching as the helicopter flew back in the opposite direction again.

Paulsen looked back up at Jimmy and said, "If Phallia fucks with us, I cant wait to see their shit go up like that. Motherfuckers aint shit."

Jimmy wiped his nose, grinning like an idiot as the column picked up speed, moving faster towards Highsboro. "Man, I used to think I was the shit back in Townhill," he said. "I thought I was the hardest motherfucker because I ran with Bowler Street Gang, but I get to do way cooler shit than robbing convenience stores and fighting with skinny thugs over pot. I get to shoot guns and blow shit up for a living now, I am way harder than anybody back in Bowler street."

The Land rover passed a pair of farmers, who looked up at the passing soldiers with a look of bemusement at the goofy soldiers cheering and yelling about how hard they were. Their faces almost seemed to say, "These are our nations soldiers? Their just a bunch of loudmouthed kids," but there was still something about them that was undeniably charming. One of them waved, and Jimmy waved right back.

"I hope we get deployed," he said to Paulsen. "I would be so badass to do this shit for real."

by **Achesia** » Fri Mar 10, 2017 6:56 pm

Christoslavia wrote:Snip

Kauntong, Shentong

"Jesus fuck."

In his years with the commandos this tall scraggly looking middle aged man had seen allot of stupid shit. But this was the wrong time for a negligent discharge. In front of him the main element was heading across the ridge that joined with hilltop K13, the company sized element of 130 SLA soldiers were all but set to take the down with an element of surprise.

However now they were reduced to a frozen bunch of farmers holding weapons with more advanced features than they ever had in their poverty stricken lives. The shrill voices of bickering conscripts rang over the hills as they accosted the young rice picker who had let a round loose into the bush in front of him. Clearly he needed to go back to basic rifle marksmanship training, but the dozen or so Atlish civilian advisors who hung back at the overwatch position knew now was not the time to correct the careless soldier, but use what momentum they had left to continue into the town.

"Tiger six, continue your advance, if the enemy are in the village they already know you are here, there is little time, over." David scratched his brown beard with fringes of light grey. He was getting too old for stupid. These SLA plebs were giving him more grey hairs than his own kids. The inexperienced fighters that they were given across the border in Atla never looked to be sufficient for taking on the Phallians, but the government insisted the Sainese had to take their own country back, not the Atlish militias.

Fuck the government

There was not more common Atlish thought than that which ran through David's head as he grabbed Colonel Hong by the vest, dragging him down the hill.

"Leaders lead from the front, lets go." David looked back and adjusted the brim of his cap, observing the rest of his team of Atlish militamen following, guns in hand and violence in their eyes.

The plan of attack was elementry, A Company was set to assault the village head on, taking as much ground as possible as B company flanked to the south to gain entry on the lower side of the hill. C company would remain in reserve in the cover of the woodline across the ridge from the village to provide backup as needed. Weapons company held back at the overwatch position and several mortar batteries that were erected prior to the initial advance.

The SLA soldiers armed with FN FALs gifted to them by Atlish Militias and wearing outdated uniforms of a tanish green shade would be put to the ultimate test. The first battle of an organized SLA element would be eye opening to the effectiveness of the Shentong strategy against the Phallian Oppressors.

by **Christoslavia** » Fri Mar 10, 2017 8:52 pm

Achesia wrote:snip

(Image)

Kuantong, Shentong Autonomous Region

"Eagle 5, get me a sitrep on whatever the hell that was"

"Copy, looks like an SLA trooper discharged his rifle on accident, we seem to still have the element of surprise"

"Alright, everyone ready on my mark"

He had 500 men to work with, highly trained, and comparitively armed. In total, the 500 men were split into 5 companies, 1st and 2nd Company were hidden in the village, one each for the south and east entrances. The 3rd Company was dispersed in smaller platoons throughout the jungle to ambush any head on assault, in the event the were overrun they were to retreat back to the line held by 1st Company. 4th Company had overwatch, and 5th Company was to move around the East and get the flank. Sniper teams were positioned throughout the forest armed with SVD's, meant to cause confusion more than casualties but nonetheless.

Cpt. Hern readied himself with 2nd Company as we heard the footsteps of the SLA in the distance, he peered through his binoculars from his cover and saw a mongrel hoard of undisciplined wretches, dangerous nonetheless, but he was thinking they'd be no more of a challenge than the Young Martyrs in Zevretin. Undisciplined, untrained for the most part, at least compared to them, and weak resolve.

"All units, ready up on my mark, keep an eye out for Atlish personnel, I want officers and supervisors captured if possible"

The SLA approached closer and closer, suudenly the comms burst to life as Lt. Geers radioed in from 3rd Company, "Sir, they're right on top of us"

Then 2nd Company called in, "We can see them from the hill sir, 3rd Company has the jump"

'This is 5th Company, motion detectors picking up signatures not too far from us"

Captain Hern took one more moment to assess the situation..."Alright ladies and gents, light em up"

by **Achesia** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 12:06 am

State Communication
from the Office of the President
Third Republic of Atla

Official Statement on the Incidents Surrounding the Atlish/Phallian Dispute

The Third Republic of Atla grieves for the Isleish Airmen who were lost just a short time ago at the hands of Phallian missiles. This miscarriage of peace is yet a further step by the Phallians to bring our two nations towards conflict. Whether it is threatening the safety of those living within the area of the Dundee Dam or aborting the liberties of the people of Shentong, the Kingdom of New Phallia are the villeins of the world that now snicker as four families mourn the loss of their beloved airmen.

We take steps with our allies now that further incidents like the aircraft loss in the Shentong Mountains, or the naval skirmish between Isleish submarine and Phallian frigate does not repeat itself. However, as the actions of the Phallians have been a deliberate attempt to destroy peaceful solutions, it leaves me no choice but to be cautious with the defense and safety of the people of the Third Republic of Atla. In this spirit, I have ordered Armored Battalions 32 and 33 of the Land Self Defense Force, to the border with New Phallia and Shentong. These soldiers are stationed as a precautionary measure against any asymmetrical threat like the one exhibited at the Dundee Dam, or direct action by the Phallian Army.

May god lead us to safer pastures in the coming days. Let peace live on.

President
Lewis Overton
The Third Republic of Atla

Official Communique
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Commonwealth of Rhynovia

To All Those Concerned, Atlish/Phallian Border Dispute

It is frightening to think that within a few short days after a thwarted state-sponsored attack on a large dam that the Kingdom of New Phallia would dare attempt to escalate the situation along the border with the Third Republic of Atla. This blatant aggressiveness flies in the face of democracy with the added insult of the atrocities and oppression being committed against minority Sainese within the Shentong Autonomous Region. Indeed, the occupation within the Shentong by the Phallians was but the first sign that this state sponsor of mass terror would strike out against the nearest peace loving democracy and former holding.

It is commendable for the Twelve Isles to commit to the sovereignty of the Third Republic of Atla. The lives of the four airmen lost with the destruction of the reconnaissance plane by the Phallians is truely tragic. The Commonwealth of Rhynovia and the Queen send their condolences to the families of these airmen and thank them for the sacrifice they have made to keep the peace within the region.

This peace that has been paid for most dearly must be upheld, else the foreboding plague of totalitarianism will spread from New Phallia into the rest of the world. While Rhynovia cannot commit to direct military assistance to Atla, we offer our support of their cause, and the condemnation of New Phallia's actions during these past few weeks.

In turn, the Commonwealth will join in the economic sanctions of New Phallia, barring any trade with the nation until it shows that the Phallians are committed to a peaceful path forward.

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ruth Rosa
The Commonwealth of Rhynovia

Official Communique, Ministry of Statecraft
Realm of Achesia

Statement on the Rising Tensions Along the Atlish/Phallian Border,

Following the unfortunate crippling of the Phallian Naval Ship within its sovereign waters, the Realm of Achesia is greatly concerned with the escalation exhibited by the Third Republic of Atla and it's ally the Twelve Isles. Continued tension along the mutual border and within the fragile Shentong Autonomous Region is detrimental to regional trade and the important agriculture industry of New Phallia. The recent invention and construction of the Dundeee Dam and the invitation to the Twelve Isle in stationing reconnaissance aircraft is nothing short of displaying aggressive intention to the people of New Phallia.

Though the aggressiveness of Atla's actions are not surprising, they are troubling none the less. It is in the interest of upholding international law that the sovereign claim of the Kingdom of New Phallia over the Shentong region be upheld. However, the tension that is rising today would not be taking place if the leadership of New Phallia had held on to what was rightful theirs in Atla in 1801 when a clear lack of fortitude existed in Hohenfall Castle. Let this be a lesson to any monarch that letting such control slip through your fingers will eventually haunt your descendants.

While the Realm of Achesia will take no direct action in this situation at this time, a travel ban has been instituted to safeguard the subjects of the Realm.

Minister of Statecraft
Inge Gerfried
The Realm of Acheisa

by **Christoslavia** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 11:38 am

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
CHRISTOSLAVIAN MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Christoslavia would like to let the government of New Phallia that we will continue to stand firm with them in the face of such hostile foreign actions. We send our condolences to the families of the sailors killed by the cowardly soldiers of The Twelve Isles and harshly condemn their continued violations of New Phallia's sovereignty, as well as their support for the rogue state of The Third Republic of Atla, who's aggressive actions against New Phallia will only serve to further destabilize an already tense region.

It is for this reason that Christoslavia will proceed with economic sanctions against both The Twelve Isles and the Third Republic of Atla, and will continue shipping supplies to the Kingdom of New Phallia. Further, Naval Group 3, already in Phallian waters, will begin conducting joint patrols and exercises with the New Phallian Navy, and ambassadors are now leaving to cement relations between our nations.

It is our hope that the region might find peace, but we will not stand for continued and blatant violations of New Phallia's sovereign rights.

Katelyn Jewan
Minister of External Affairs

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