The Olah Isles War [OPEN, MT, IC]

by **Ruskland-Preuben** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 2:45 am

Off East Irop

"Sir, we've spotted some unknown contacts a few kilometers off our positions." A spotter rushes into the room, saying these words to the commander. "Are you kidding me? All ships we spot are always unknown?" He replies, annoyed. "Apparently sir," answers back the spotter, "The plot demands it.". "Okay, okay!" The commander then orders the man to get the radiomen up and at em to transmit a message to the unknown fleet.

Code: Select all: To Unknown Fleet This is the Ruskland-Preuben Fleet, please state your business here, are you for or against Irwak? If yes, please assist us in any way possible, if nay, well we all know the drill for that.

by **Grossartigesland** » Sun Mar 12, 2017 6:32 am

Gert's fleet is approaching West Irop until one of the radiomen picked up something

"Sir, we received a message from the unknown fleet!" A radioman called out.

"What does it say?" Gert looks at the message displayed in the monitor. Meanwhile, down to the deck of the ship, two officers were doing maintenance. One of them noticed the flag and recognized that the ships are from the nation of Ruskland-Preuben. He informed his commander who went up the bridge to inform the high ranks.

"Sir, those ships are against the loyalist, they are our allies." The commander told the general.

"Are they now?" Commander Unwel asked.

"It appears so." Says General Gert while holding a piece of paper. "They are one of three nations who support the revolution. The others are Adab and the Liberalterian Coalition. Send them a message that we are on their side."

Code: Select all: To the Ruskland-Preuben Navy This is the Grand Navy of Groβartigesland. We are here to support the Revolution against the loyalists. We will now continue or operation here. Our general also suggests to brief us about any intelligence about our enemies.

Meanwhile in a secret room somewhere in the city of Schlade

Chancellor Hans Gobel meets with Prime Minister Heinrich Zeighen to discuss their true intentions.

"Good evening Mr. Gobel. How has the operation come along?"

"Very good, everything is falling according to plan. Soon, we will have all the precious resources of the Olah Isles."

"Indeed...We will dominate all our neighboring countries in the United Nations of the North and soon they will fear the mighty dominion..."

OOC · by **Adainia** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:35 am

Operation Cut-Throat, II

Command Bridge, USS Kingfish
Olah Isles
Hoenn

7:00 AM, Local Time

"Roaring" Adam begins to brief his lower officers in the USS Kingfisher—the destroyer he has taken residence in since the beginning of Operation Broken Lei, and the naval force's default flagship. "Gentlemen, this is the situation as of now according to what ADCOM can gather."

He continues. "Good news is, Fort Maxwell is nearing completion. Reinforcements have arrived, as promised last week, and we are now at double our previous combatant manpower. The refugee and POW camps are just about completed, and are currently having some final touches. Camp Kearsarge, which is the other HQ you see on the map along what someone's apparently dubbed "The Marker Line," is in operating order. According to our STORM squads and their last report, resistance to the line's northwest should be minimal and shrinking by the day. Combat engineers have constructed some basic defenses along the line, which should at the very least slow down a dedicated counterattack. Now let's talk the bad. Contested lands are in shuttered magenta, and contested cities are in orange. Reports say Grossartigesland has entered the theater, but other than that it's quite hazy. To be frank, a lot of what's going on west is quite hazy. Our intel is stellar on actions in the Revolutionary island, but just about lacking or nonexistent off the west coast or in actual Loyalist territory. This wouldn't be so bad if we didn't have three, possibly four nations breathing down the islands' neck. If Irwak surrenders, we don't know how the rest of OPFOR's going to react—they just might prop up something nasty. Either way, that's not for us to worry about. We're here to stop the civil war our way."

Adam illustrates his plans on the map and continues. "First, we need to get our act in the Marker Line formalized. I want two civilian checkpoints on these crossed areas. Hearts and minds and shit, just because there's a war doesn't mean life doesn't continue. The compromise is that people and vehicles going in and out are going to be under a helluva lot of scrutiny because we're not letting anymore Revolutionaries or sympathizers get across. To deal with potential larger-scale threats, I want a task unit to diverge from our naval force to take house off the coast of the Marker Line. And no, no moves toward West Irop. Again, the doctrine with that city is to let the flame die out naturally. With 'em cut off, the Loyalists and Tobiasians should have no problem cleaning up. And once we know for sure resistance is wiped from the line's northwest, let's clean things up there ourselves and prepare it for Loyalist takeover. Last thing: logistics. We need formal supply lines marked up, STAT. AD01 to Hoenn, Hoenn to Tobiasia, Tobiasia to Fort Maxwell, and Fort Maxwell to Kearsarge. That seems to be a sensible routing. Questions? No? Onward and upward, ladies and gents. Let's get this done."

Last week's promised reinforcements have arrived at Fort Maxwell. A submarine and destroyer have been assigned to defense duties next to the southern coast of Adainia's so called "Marker Line" defense between the bulk of the Revolutionary island and West Irop. As marked up in Adam's briefing, two checkpoints have been erected along the line in between Camp Kearsarge and both coastal ends for civilian passage. However, in compromise, passing vehicles are subject to detailed searches for potential contraband that may help the Revolutionaries in West Irop (or, for instance, the presence of Revolutionaries in said vehicles at all.) Elsewhere along the line's perimeter, more intricate plans are committed toward. Hesco barriers, dragon teeth, and barbed wire are erected to slow down or possibly stop a counterattack. Watchtowers and observational outposts pepper the line to facilitate initial defense and fast response from the main FOB. Within the line itself, roads are carved through the land to further facilitate this fast response—a move which could potentially backfire in the wrong moments, but seen as a necessary evil for Adam's strategy.

No moves have been made towards other land, but STORM 5 and 6 continue to violently harass remaining resistance between the Marker Line and West Irop. As brought forth in the morning briefing, a formal supply system is being established to further facilitate the war effort. Supply ships (with a frigate pair for security) are now common sight between Point Nemo in AD01, Tobiasia, and Fort Maxwell; with supplies airlifted to Camp Kearsarge by helicopter. With the waters between Fort Maxwell and the Marker Line being relatively secured and often patrolled, going to and fro the two encampments shouldn't be a problem in normal circumstances.

Ambassador Walters awaits for the Tobiasian government to approve her request to station Adainian strategic bombers in Tobiasia to aid in the war effort.

by **Tobiasia** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 3:20 pm

West Irop
The fighting had subsided in West Irop. Both sides were weakened. The Tobiasian forces awaited 10,000 new soldiers approaching, whilst the Irwakis attempted to get reinforcements past the Adainian marker line. For now, the situation was tense. Every so often, a bomb would explode, a sniper would fire, a sudden burst of machine gun fire would smash windows and spray blood. But this was the most peaceful the city had felt in weeks.

Adainian marker line
A truck pulled up by the checkpoint. From Lapra, it was carrying oranges to the north. Adainians checked the back, and the drivers passport, before waving it on.

Just after passing the gate, the truck swerved. Onlookers could see a gun protruding from the window between the front area of the truck and the back. The driver had his hands in the air. Out of the back came Irwaki soldiers, shooting at the Adainians. After a prolonged firefight, the Irwakis were dead. Adainian troops approached the truck, before it exploded in a wild crash of fire. People were turned this was and that. Sandbags were tossed aside. Yet another attempt to weaken the marker line.

East Irop
After a month holding the city, the loyalists were leaving the suburbs. In td dead of night by the docks, soldiers on dinghies began to escape the war torn city. Around half of the total defending force left, just making it round to Gardal. The remainder retreated to the ancient citadel of Irwophak. There, they set up artillery and snipers. Down below in the city, there was a huge amount of booby traps, mines and explosives. They could take the city, but it would cost them.

The Presidential Palace, Tobiasia
The key defence personnel sat around the Defence Table underneath the Presidential Palace in Tobiasia. The order was given to give permission to Adiania to launch strategic bombers. The government opted to use small TA7-2 attack aircraft, capable of destroying small, precision targets.

"If Rusken-Preuben and Adab attempt to push into Gardal, Irwak will surely fall, and be replaced with a puppet. We have to save the city".

More aircraft were deployed to Gardal for training purposes.

OOC · by **Adainia** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 12:25 am

Papers, Please

Command Bridge, USS Kingfish
Olah Isles
Hoenn

7:00 AM, Local Time

Marines rush in shortly after the truck's explosion

ABN Daily Report
CHECKPOINT SKIRMISH ENDS IN NET STALEMATE

The US Marines have experienced their first armed encounter with Irwaki forces in which Irwakis were on the offensive. Yesterday at about 11:36 AM local time, a civilian cargo truck had approach the northern checkpoint in the USAF's so-called "Marker Line". The truck had been passed through the checkpoint due to being thought of as clear. A firearm had been spotted sticking out of one of the truck windows shortly after passing through. After an attempt to stop the truck was made, Irawki troops disembarked from the truck's back and engaged with US Marines in a short conflict. The firefight itself had ended with two wounded Marines, all Irwaki forces presumed dead. However, when a fireteam was assigned to further investigate the truck, the truck exploded due to what was later determined to be an IED. One Marine was wounded, two Marines were killed. In summary, the US Marines had successfully killed off potential Irwakis heading for West Irop, but suffered a total of five casualties in the short skirmish.

It is believed that there have been some much smaller, less notable attempts at breaching the Marker Line. As fighting begins to subside in West Irop and move elsewhere, where Irwak is supported by foreign nations, it is believed that attempts to get past the Marker Line may begin to rise. "West Irop serves as a vital bridge between the Revolutionaries and the Loyalists," said the Task Force's PA Liaison to ABN. "Whoever ends up having full control over the city owns an essential piece in this puzzle of logistics. It would be difficult for either the Loyalists or the Revolutionaries alone to attack the other without West Irop." When asked about the firefight, the Task Force's PA Liaison said it never should've happened. "The Marker Line is quite literally in a war zone. A sacrifice that must be made for everyone's safety in a war zone is the sacrifice of privacy, especially in checkpoints. I understand that's a controversial opinion, but what people must realize is that when border security becomes loose because of this principle, the risks for bad things happening rises significantly—especially in a point of crisis like this. It would be a different situation in times of peace or secure regions, but the war is quite literally happening where they are. Yes, raising security or levels of scrutiny aren't necessarily foolproof, but neither is any measure of security. And in times and locations like this, we need every advantage we can get."

Following the recent short skirmish at the northern checkpoint yesterday, Task Force Broken Lei has decided to increase security protocol at checkpoints in the Marker Line. Checkpoint crossers may now expect detailed searches of their vehicle to insure they are not bringing either materials or personnel for the Revolutionary effort in West Irop. Work on a blacklist has also begun to immediately filter out those directly helping the Revolutionary effort. ADI agents on the island will be working towards providing the Marines with names and information on individuals working with Irwak and his forces. However, their top priority is to remain alive and undetected. This may greatly slow the progress in making such a list, but it will insure agent longevity—getting the names of more high profile individuals shouldn't be much of a problem, anyhow. In other affairs, with approval being given to station bombers in Tobiasia, the USAF-AIR's 1st PACCOM DIV. 13th's strategic stealth bomber squadron has been sent to an unnamed airbase in Tobiasia.

KILLED IN ACTION: .......... 16
WOUNDED* IN ACTION: ........ 15
CONFIRMED PRISONER OF WAR: . 00
MISSING IN ACTION: ......... 00

NON-BATTLE KILLED: ......... 00
NON-BATTLE WOUNDED: ........ 00
NON-BATTLE MISSING/AWOL: ... 00

TOTAL OPERATION CASUALTIES:  31

*Counts all injuries or wounds which received in combat which prevent the soldier from fighting after

by **Allanea** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 1:43 am

The Free Kingdom of Allanea wishes to express its sorrow to the extent this conflict had carried on for. It’s not clear to us what the goals of the Irwakan loyalists are, other than establishing the rule of their leader over the entire country. It seems unclear so far why it would be desirable for a foreign force to support either faction, but we are willing to listen to both sides.

For this reason, we are offering, to both sides of the conflict, the following:

A fact-finding mission will be sent by the Free Kingdom Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the conflict zone, to both meet with official and unofficial representatives of both sides, and gather photographic and video evidence to the extent of destruction. This fact-finding mission will be armed with minimal weapons for self-defense, and protected vehicles to shield the mission, and its equipment, from the hazards of the battlefield. For this purpose, four groups of diplomats and photographers, each equipped with three trucks and four APCS, will be sent to the conflict zone.
Simultaneously with this, we are commencing a charity operation in the conflict zone, operated by the Free Kingdom Armed Forces and private donors. We will fly one cargo aircraft and one passenger aircraft a day into each side of the country, carrying in up to 80 tons of food and medical supplies, and evacuating up to 500 refugees a day from each country should they want to go, the priority being given to the sick and the infirm who cannot be properly treated in wartime conditions.

We are willing to listen to responses from both sides.

May the Gods continue to Bless Allanea.

OOC · by **Adainia** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 4:55 pm

An official message from the
SECRETARY of the ADAINIAN DEPARTMENT of STATE
FERNANDA BLACKBOURNE

TO: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Free Kingdom of Allanea
SUBJECT: Concerning Fact-Finding Mission

Minister,

It is the Adainian government's understanding that the Free Kingdom of Allanea intends to conduct a fact-finding mission within the Olah Isles in Hoenn. We understand that it's a government's right to understand the situation before conducting a dedicated mission of any form in regards to foreign affairs—even if it what is revealed may go against the interests of government leadership. Democracy only operates properly when dissenting opinion is allowed to exist. Because of this, it is my privilege on the behalf of the Adainian government to grant Allanea approval to operate its fact-finding mission uninterrupted within Adainian territory. To avoid potential confusion with USAF forces, mission teams are advised to land in Fort Maxwell to obtain special passes provided by the Dept. of State to provide them with swift, uninterrupted transportation throughout Adainia's temporary holdings in the Olah Isles.

You or those involved in this fact-finding mission may wish to use the map attached as "[ATTACHMENT #1]" as reference toward the situation as of now. For reference, the second unnamed encampment marked with a light blue flag is known as "Camp Kearsarge". The line on which Camp Kearsarge is upon is known as "The Marker Line," and is currently the United State's border between West Irop and Revolutionary forces, cutting off a bulk of the forces from the city. There are also two checkpoints along the line next to Camp Kearsarge: one is in between the camp and the northern end of the line, and one is in between the camp and the southern end of the line. To understand the situation from the Adainian government's perspective, we encourage you or those involved in this fact-finding mission to view the recording of our Congress's discussion of military operations in the Olah Isles. ABN's interview with Field Marshal Haarld Irwak may be needed, as well. We encourage your government to conduct its own research on background into the Olah Isles Civil War to further supplement understanding and give a potentially more rounded perspective.

Please feel free to interview anyone in Adainia's temporary holdings in the Olah Isles. However, you and your mission teams should know that everyone has the right to deny being interviewed or to comment. ADS press passes do not grant mission teams the right to deeply research into Fort Maxwell, Camp Kearsarge, or the US naval fleet. When in Fort Maxwell, Camp Kearsarge, or the US naval fleet, mission teams may be overwatched by officers to insure that any questions, photography, or et cetera are not—on accident or on purpose—used in a matter of espionage. We hope that you and your fact-finding mission understands. The USAF is willing to assist in transportation to the mentioned locations. Feel free to also go to Fort Maxwell's refugee and POW camps; your fact-finding mission will find that our refugees and POWs are treated with the respect, dignity, and amenities they indeed deserve. Finally, you and your fact-finding mission should know that the Adainian Broadcasting Network (ABN) is also conducting similar operations in Adainian temporary holdings in the Olah Isles and Loyalists lands at this time. We are confident that they will enjoy the company of mission teams and will cooperate alongside. For more information, I would talk with either ABN's current Director, Luke West; or with ABN's leader of operations in the Olah Isles, Anchor Annette Janvier.

In regards to Allanea's intentions to conduct charity operations, I can assure you that Ursec and Gardal are, at least at this time, safe cities to conduct operations. Both West and East Irop are currently under siege, so caution is advised. East Irop is under siege by foreign forces with capable weaponry, which may pose much greater risk in the event of crossfire, accidents, et cetera. We do not know how the Revolutionaries will react to Allanean presence, but what we can tell you is that our ABN team had to leave Revolutionary territory through covert means after attempts at execution were made. From our nation's experience, I would advise exercising strong caution if operations are conducted in Revolutionary territory. You may be accepted, but mileage can and will vary.

One last piece: "Irwakan[sic] loyalists" is somewhat unclear. We assume you are referring to the Revolutionaries, those of which that follow Field Marshal Haarld Irwak. Irwaki forces is also acceptable. Loyalists refers to those which wish to bring back the democratic government to the Olah Isles. Adainia may fall under the Loyalists umbrella. And as hinted earlier, we have it in high confidence that the following descriptors are proper: "Olahan" for people of the Olah Isles, and "Irwaki" for those of which that follow the Field Marshal.

[ATTACHMENT #1]

Regards,

—Secretary Fernanda Blackbourne,
United States of Adainia

The House of Negotiation, Dept. Ave 02
Capital District, FFD 01955
United States of Adainia
AD01 Universe

by **Tobiasia** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 3:34 pm

Lapra, Olah
Irwak stood on the table in his office, gesticulating to his frightened staff. "Today, we break through the marker line. We will smash through the pathetic line. It is manned by what, 6,000? We have 60,000 in Lapra! Send them all. Send all those who can fight. We will break the line, break the siege. Send troops at once!"

Meanwhile crowds began drawing under the balcony on the Presidential palace. They were shouting and waving banners. Irwaki soldiers began to file out on the balcony.

by **Allanea** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:14 pm

The fact-finding missions began, meanwhile, to arrive on both sides of the dividing line. Even at the very moments as General Irwak’s soldiers strod out on the palace balcony, the armored vehicles - essentially elderly APCs painted dark-blue and armed only with a single RWS - were rolling off cargo planes in both airports. The diplomats and their bodyguards were even then enterng the airport terminals.

OOC · by **Adainia** » Sun Mar 26, 2017 12:42 am

The Line Offensive, I

Command Bridge — USS Kingfish
Olah Isles
UNoE

3:01 PM, Local Time

An emergency briefing has been called for between operation command. "I'm going to need a SITREP," "Roaring" Adam asked for, "On why the Hell this briefing was called for?"
The operation's ADI liaison informed Adam of the scale of the upcoming affair, "Sir, our ADI agent in Lapra has just informed us of a dire development. Agent 023 has reported to us that a sizable force has been dispatched from Lapra and is en route to attack the Marker Line. Estimates are ranging in the corps size, sir."
"Corps size? What the fuck? Does Irwak think he can just zerg rush a dug-in defense line? God help him if he doesn't know the meat grinder he's about to walk into. Officers, I think we've already been over what happens in this scenario, but I'll go over it one more time to bring us all on the same page. Seems like Irwak has walked into the perfect scenario as we've planned—an invasion from Lapra. It should take them somewhat less than an hour to get within combat distance of the line, but with what we already have there we should be in the clear. Just about most of that line is fortified to the teeth in regards to obstacles. If they want to spend a week's worth of time attempting to punch a hole through the line itself, let them be my guest. Chances are they're going to funnel through what appears to be the two points of entry: our two checkpoints. Let them try, because that's precisely what we want. Them to try to get through a chokepoint. We're going to turn the roads leading up to them into highways of Hell when we focus our fire on them coming in through. Have one company each actively defending each checkpoint as the enemy attempts to cross, one company on standby at Camp Kearsarge to flexibly reinforce either or both companies if need be, and one other one patrolling the inner line and cleaning up any attempts to penetrate our defenses. We're practically rich in support assets, so let's have our air and sea assets on the ready in case called upon. Since we quite literally have a task unit on standby next to the southern end of the line, we should be able to send off any cruise missiles necessary to deal with more dire threats. However, we should be handling most of our support calls using air support. Make sure our Wipeouts are escorted by an ECM/SEAD fighter to deal with ground AA threats. Air AA threats won't be a problem—our task unit ought to affectively cover air superiority issues in the sky surrounding the Marker Line. Sound good, officers? Defend the damn line, use what you need to bust them down. Maybe we can lose that Marker Line nickname and transfer to something along the lines of the Meat Grinder, and I intend that to be one directed toward Irwak."

" ... and wait, the UNoE? I thou—Jesus Christ can we not have a multiversal anomaly once a week?"

As the Line Offensive begins, "Roaring" Adam has privately pressured Loyalists and Tobiasian forces to put on the pressure in West Irop. As of now, the USAF is doing its part to slow, if not prevent Irwaki reinforcements and supplies from coming into the vital city. As attrition and continuous loss may be expected to show in Irwaki forces still in the city, time chances of winning an all-out offense only increase in favor of the Loyalists. "I have confidence that we can hold the line, Adam has told Loyalists and Tobiasian military command, "But there's a nonzero chance that they can break through. I say take advantage of the moment you have now and don't give them the chance."

An anti-tank soldier fires a rocket at incoming armor

ABN Daily Report
IRWAK FORCES BEGIN THE LINE OFFENSIVE

Today marks the beginning of Irwak's first major offensive against USAF Marines as Irwaki forces begin to attack the Marker Line en masse. According to sources in the USAF, there are estimates that this attacking force from Lapra could be as large as 60,000 personnel. "We will be using the principles of combined arms to its limits," said Operation Broken Lei's press liaison to us. "Our enemy seems to be relying primarily on numbers. Numbers aren't everything in a modern war, though. Modern warfare requires using the finest strategies, the best equipment, and flexibility to counter whatever you face. And I can guarantee you that the USAF has the advantage on all three over Irwak's militia." Despite the liaison's words, the so-called "Line Offensive" won't be easy. As of the first day of the Line Offensive, 21 Marines have been wounded and 2 have been killed. An official casualty count has not been released from Irwaki forces. Both counts are only expected to increase. Casualties are constantly being returned and replaced with fresh Marines available from Fort Maxwell as the battle continues on. The USAF has considered today to have been a minor victory in their favor, but is firm in its belief that the battle is far from over.

KILLED IN ACTION: .......... 18  (+2)
WOUNDED* IN ACTION: ........ 36 (+21)
CONFIRMED PRISONER OF WAR: . 00
MISSING IN ACTION: ......... 00

NON-BATTLE KILLED: ......... 00
NON-BATTLE WOUNDED: ........ 00
NON-BATTLE MISSING/AWOL: ... 00

TOTAL OPERATION CASUALTIES:  54

*Counts all injuries or wounds which received in combat which prevent the soldier from fighting after

by **Ruskland-Preuben** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:44 am

East Irop

The city was in ruins, in some places, flattened all the way to ground level. The morale of the defenders was visibly lowered, as they would be constanly be seen slouching before being picked off by allied infantry or scattered physically by artillery. But allied infantry also suffered due to the siege dragging on and on. This had to end, and the HQ had the perfect ending for that.

It began around 7:40 AM, our and allied bombers would, alongside fighter planes, dump high explosive coupled with inferno payload over the city, flattening it and causing fires wherever flammable materials could be found by the fire. At 8:00 all Ruskland-Preuben troops begin pushing into the city, occupying a quarter of it, at 8:30 would paratroopers arrive, dropping them to the rest of the city to occupy. This, combined with the massive bombing, would cause the flag to be raised all over the city, signifying capture.

Last.fm · by **Adab** » Fri Mar 31, 2017 6:22 am

Imperial Adabian Ship Salah ad-Din, off the coast of East Irop

Lieutenant Commander Rashid Salman brought that laptop to the sick bay, despite the old surgeon's insistence that he not disturb Commander Karim al-Junaedi in his time of rest. "This is what the Commander want," the defiant Lieutenant Commander said. "To deprive him of communication with the Emperor, especially at this critical time, would be outrageous and... destabilizing for him. Let's give him what he wants and lift up his spirits, even if only for now."

The surgeon obediently stepped aside, despite his reservations, and the Lieutenant Commander walked over to the side of al-Junaedi's bed. Clothed in cuts and bandages alike, al-Junaedi was a shadow of a man that he was. All because some loyalists managed to sneak up under the paltry headquarters. At least the Commander wasn't blown away to heaven like all his officers there.

One of the nurses provided a chair at the side of the bed, then disappeared out of the room. The surgeon followed her, not forgetting to close the door. The Lieutenant Commander slowly took his seat, laptop still in his hands. "Commander," whispered Salman as he turned his head ever so slightly, "Lieutenant Commander Rashid Salman reporting. We have arrived at the hour of the scheduled session with His Imperial Majesty the Emperor."

Commander Karim al-Junaedi slowly turned his head and opened his eyes. Slightly sparkling, those eyes, as if he knew that something great was happening, even though the rest of his face showed nothing resembling an emotion. "I feel dead to the world," he said, almost toneless. "So numb. I have... a good feeling, though. You do seem glad. What news... from the city?"

"We shall see," said the Lieutenant Commander as he opened the laptop and pressed some buttons.

"What do you mean, we shall see?"

The Lieutenant Commander smiled slightly, as a window came up in the laptop. Dark at the beginning, it gradually brightened, as a wall, some objects, and finally a man slowly came into view. "Wait, the volume," Salman reached for F12 as his commander glanced at the button, weak but sure that he had missed something big. "Right, I think-"

"I'm so disgusted, heartbroken, too/I've got those downhearted blues..."

"What the-" Salman frowned. "He's listening to old piano music now?"

The Emperor was seen pointing at someone, apparently a palace servant, instructing him to turn the radio volume down. "Ah yes, gentlemen," he said in that gravelly voice, "I... am deeply sorry for that. I forgot to turn down the volume. That was Bessie Smith, 'Downhearted Blues'. 1923, I think, her version? It was actually first composed by... Alberta Hunter... and Lovie Austin, I think, then Alberta recorded in 1922, then Bessie covered it. Reminds me of my youth."

"Your Imperial Majesty," Salman spoke up, "it is a pleasure, truly, for both of us hear to speak to you at this moment. I believe I have briefed you on what happened to Commander al-Junaedi."

"You have, indeed," the Emperor smiled. "Al-Junaedi! It's good to see you again. Your man Salman said that everyone thought you're more or less dead when they brought you to the ship. Your injuries, thankfully, are not as severe as we feared. You will live to fight another day, I hope."

"I hope so, too," al-Junaedi said slowly, his voice trembling.

"I trust that you have some good news from East Irop, gentlemen," the Emperor said. "Lieutenant Commander Salman, in particular, looks quite happy at this moment."

"Indeed I am," Salman said, smiling and looking at his commander. "The constant bombings are clearly taking their toll on the defenders of East Irop. Our allies and we are making great progress there, even though it seems that we have to reduce the city to ashes in order to do so. The tragedy of war, but no matter. We and our friends from Ruskland-Preuben are at this very moment continuing to push into the city, slowly but surely destroying the resistance. Soon the city will be captured. We are nearing victory, Your Imperial Majesty, I can smell it."

Victory? Great God, we actually did it? al-Junaedi wondered. Great, we... won. We won. Almost.

At that moment the Commander turned to the sky, said a little prayer, and muttered to God knows whom, "We won, we won."

"The victory will be ours, but don't get too... excited yet, gentlemen," the Emperor said. "Perhaps I should remind you that we still have a mission ahead."

by **Grossartigesland** » Wed Apr 12, 2017 5:26 am

The morning sun has risen on the scarred land of the Olah Isles. Gert's fleet has remained stationary off the coast of West Irop until additional reinforcements arrive. Their objective for today is to clear the area for their troops to arrive in the peninsula, so they sent out the U-101, an unarmed spotter aircraft to get intelligence on what is happening on the ground.

It was about a few hours later when they received a message about the reinforcements, who are approaching Olah Isles. The area was cleared of trees in order to make a safe landing. The Ospreys dropped down the infantry and the light tanks. Now that there is an increase in the number of forces, they are ordered to make a small base northeast of West Irop.

The Olah Isles War [OPEN, MT, IC]

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