Warm Sands, Cold Hearts (Closed: GD Region)

by **Potthan** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 7:06 pm

As troops invaded and slaughtered a many of people in Kavash in the name of order and prosperity, one refugee documented the horrors committed by the Potthani military. Is it justified brutality or cruel barbarism? It is for the reader to decide for thyself.

Here is a copy of the text translated to English:

My name is Nanshi Bukrhaan. I am a 17 year old girl from Kavash. I write this as I recently escaped Potthan. My parents were crucified and my brother was skinned alive. I am the only surviving member of my family. This is my story.

I wasn't the best kid but I wan't the worst. I did most of my chores and occasionally got into trouble with friends. I lived in the slums of Kavash, where a many of people advocated for Communism to be placed due to poor conditions for the poor and enslaved. It wasn't too bad, the poor had it much worse in other nations.

My parents weren't very political, but my brother was always ranting about how the poor class can't be treated like dogs and that we should do something. At the time of his death he was 23. He was out at all times of the night with his friends, who were Communist as well. They'd preach about government tyranny and such. Though up until recently the most he got were dirty looks. After what the Communist suspect was an assassination of Senator Kukraan he went to riot with some friends of his at the city's square. He was met with brute police force and came home with a black eye and a bruised shoulder.

Could've been worse. His friend had his legs broken and his teeth smashed. I've never had a run in with the police, not that I'd want to. They're more like soldiers.

The morning of the massacre I was already having a bad day. I stayed up late and was feeling really tired. It was around 11:30 I heard several loud bangs and screaming. I went to look outside and was almost hit by what I thought were rocks. Looking back at it now, they were bullets. The military went from house to house and shop to shop finding men and women who were on "the list". It was a long list of rioters and protesters spotted at the riots. They did all kinds of things to them. They hung them in the street,s skinned them alive, lynched them, crucified them, beheaded them, and so on. Crucifixion was popular. Those seemed to go on and on and on.

When they got to my brother he tried to run but they shot him in the leg. They then tied him upside down and... Cut him open and ripped his skin off. He screamed and screamed but then suddenly stopped. Then they crucified my parents. They got to me and beat me until I was unconscious and cut my tongue out. They shook me awake and then threw me in a mass grave site.

I was found by a policeman and carried to an old burned down building to safety where I'd stay until we'd escape Potthan. This is my story.

As Kavash lay in ruins the Potthani Army rests her eyes on neighboring Arjaan. A smaller city, but one with plenty of Kavashi Communist Rebels. If they were to strike again, this would surely be their next target.

by **Republic of Vectors** » Wed Jun 07, 2017 8:17 pm

The Vectorian International Tribunal Building

The Story of Nanshi Bukrhaan

The screen fades to black in front of the congregation of gathered people, with the words in white remaining on the screen If one were to nitpick, one may say it was a shade of pink more than white. Still pictures and short video clips were in the presentation, and stories of three former Kavash residents who were taking refuge in the Republic of Vectors, of which Nanshi Bukrhaans was the most profound and described. Satellite imagery of before and after pictures, photographs, videos, statements, it all made a compelling case.

The Vectorian International Tribunal, all one hundred and one members present, studied the given presentation against statements issued from the Potthan government. And from what could be found, well it was a pretty bleak picture. Five and a half hours of debates later, the verdict came out.

In a televised statement, the VIT spokesperson Mr. Durros broadcasted live to the nation the Tribunals findings.

Mr. Durros gives the findings.

Concerned citizens, and friends around the world. Today the Vectorian International Tribunal has wrapped up their weeklong review of the crisis happening in the nation of Potthan.
I am here to announce that no matter the defense from the Potthan government, the Vectorian International Tribunal has found the Potthan military, and the Potthan police forces, Guilty of crimes against humanity under international law.
The International Tribunal has declared that while similar acts around the globe may occur, those singular events are beyond the Vectorian influence and ability to help. Though these acts occurring today, these acts, so close to home, are a Vectorian Priority. A Vectorian Responsibility! To intervene and stop this madness that is ongoing just beyond our borders.
It is the Tribunals recommendation for immediate actions from the Vectorian Government, and her allies, to stop this barbaric killing before any more innocent lives are lost.

by **Greater Themis** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:44 am

OOC - Tag. Potthan please TG me, so we can work out where we left off

by **Seryu** » Fri Jun 09, 2017 9:07 am

-retconned-

by **Potthan** » Fri Jun 09, 2017 10:34 am

The Golden Palace was hasty as foreign invasion was imminent. Politicians and generals alike were prepping to defend their honor whilst civilians in Bokan were being evacuated to Agadesh. Since the nothern and eastern coastline were mountainous, the only way to which foreign invasion can occur was through Bokan, at the southern coastline.

The throne room was disturbed by a legate, whose name remain anonymous. "Sire" the legate said as he bowed to the Emperor. "We must reinforce Bokan with more troops. Ralkovia has offered their help in exchange for northern lands until their crisis with another nation ends. Could be a week could be years, sire." said the legate. "Additionally the Golden Throne has offered arms and training to our lesser divisions. Do you accept either of these?" asked the legate.

"Tell the Ralkovians that we accept their offer. In addition, tell the Golden Throne that we humbly accept their offer. Give them a thousand parcels of gold for their trouble. Anything else to report, Legate?" said Jericho in a bold and harsh voice. "No my lord, we are nearing finishing defenses in Bokan. We've made a command center and the generals are waiting." stated the Legate. "I'll make haste there when I can." said Jericho.

Whilst many legions wee deployed in Bokan, a few were ordered to exterminate Communists and other rebels in surrounding cities of Kavash. In this, they'll establish defense as well in case Bokan falls.

by **Republic of Vectors** » Fri Jun 09, 2017 11:46 am

Task Force I-13

4th Carrier Battle Fleet 210
7th Submarine Wolf Pack 65
24th, 28th, Navy Supply Groups 70
60th Strategic Missile Group 50

Total Requested Assets: 395 vessels

Minister of Defense Volepi Binnada look up from the page at the Grand General waiting (im)patiently across from his desk. The Grand General nodded his head slightly, and the Minister returned to his reading.

Objectives:
-Neutralize Potthan RADAR and observation facilities.
-Neutralize Potthan Navy and related weaponized ships.
Neutralize Potthan Strategic Missile Group, including long range and ballistic missiles that threaten the Motherland or Task Force I-13.
-Neutralize Potthan Air Force and related weaponized aircraft.
-Negotiate an end to conflict with replacement of Potthan leadership with a more proper candidate.
-Should negotiations fail, decapitate the Potthan leadership.
-Should Potthan Emperor be in unreachable location, all references to him shall be erased and new government formed in Emperor Jericho’s absence.
-Should Emperor Jericho maintain a grip on society despite being pushed away, his termination is required.

Volepi Binnada looked up again from the papers in front of him at looked the Grand General in the eye.
“Grand General, what are the feelings of the rest of Supreme Command?”
“Minister, all of the Vectorian Generals stand behind this request. There has been no objections. The Generals are a little more mixed. Five of them are ‘for’, three of them are ‘against’.”
“Grand General, your objectives are fairly clear. This paper aside, how will you accomplish them?”
“Minister, we maintain a significant quantity of LY589 Hellion advanced cruise missiles. These shall be used at over the horizon distance against capital ships that pose an immediate threat against I-13, as well as against airbases and known missile sites, all well before we come within retaliatory range. We intend to send in some of the submarines from I-13, leaving before but arriving after the Hellions, to finish the wounded capital ships and strike middle class warships, such as cruisers and destroyers. With a guided missile submarine farther back, we can engage and neutralize as much as ninety percent of their coastal defense radar, and air deference radar near the shoreline. Their missile batteries, and if they have gun batteries, of which I would not be surprised, would be engaged from the guided missile submarines.
With their capital ships sunk, their airbases damaged, their radar and missile units disabled, then we can launch strike aircraft from the two carriers in I-13 to mop up smaller navy vessels, clean up the detection sites and missile sites, and strike the critical infrastructure of the airbases.
From first missile to last, we can accomplish this in under an hour.”
“That all sounds well oiled, Grand General. But what about forward fleets, or scouting ships?”
“Minister, I-13 maintains several shipborne and airborne signal jammers, with these we can cut off communications with a ninety four percent reliability then erase the threats as they come along.”
“Thank you, Grand General.” Minister Volepi Binnada scribbled his signature on the paper and said, once you get the President to sign off, remember; this has the attention of the entire region. Be wise, be political.”
“Thank you Minister, but do not worry. We have not failed yet.”

by **Republic of Vectors** » Fri Jun 09, 2017 12:26 pm

The Republic of Vectors is hosting an emergency summit on Potthan

The recent events in Potthan are a regional concern. Though the Republic of Vectors sees the evil in the actions, actions must not be taken without due consideration of all points involved. In two days’ time, The Republic of Vectors will be hosting an event where all concerned nations of the Greater Dienstad will come together and discuss these actions, what and why nations are doing what they are. The purpose of this event will be a peaceful resolution that benefits all partied involved.

Delegations from all nations are invited at attend, hosted in Victory, the capital of the Republic of Vectors, at the International Meetings Complex.
The topic of the day will be the ongoing crisis in Potthan, and actions that should be taken.

Rules for the event:
1- No weapons
2- Respectful Speech is a requirement
3- A delegation may not compose of more than four people.

You may find the link to this event Here

by **Seryu** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 8:26 pm

SERYUAN STATE NEWS

BREAKING: SAM-GOL UNDER ATTACK BY RIGHT WING TERROR; 78 DEAD IN DOWNTOWN ATTACK

The second largest city in the Democratic People's Republic of Seryu has fallen into a state of emergency after a deadly attack in the early hours of the night that would see seventy eight dead, a count that is still rising as victims succumb to their injuries. The attack happened completely by surprise, with authorities being baffled by what happened and with the Seryuan Worker's Party having no findings so far in their commission into the events of this night. The details of the situation are still unknown, such as the means of attack and the identity of the attackers, but it is believed that a pro Potthani government group known as the Potthani Terror Brigade has claimed responsibility, and it is believed that their motive has to do with the current conflict in Potthan, a country known to most Seryuan citizens as being the one across from South Seryu's Ruby Coast colony.

Seryuan State News is still gathering details, but here is a timeline of the events that led up to and happened during the attack.

The sun sets at the downtown area of Sam-gol, and the city streets are densely packed. A van pulls up along one of the main roads, and a hooded man exits the van without paying for parking.
Sam-gol police leave a parking ticket for the van, as traffic continues to flow around it and the streets continue to fill up because of the city's nightlife.
An explosion rocks the same street that the van parked on; at least fifty are dead immediately, and far more are injured.
Emergency response teams reach the scene and find that the death count is sixty or more by the time they arrive.
Security footage reveals that the van may have been the source of the explosion and reveals the hooded man that climbed out of it. However, the pictures aren't clear enough to judge his face, and this man continues to be searched for.
The city of Sam-gol enters lockdown, with all roads in and out of the city being temporarily closed.
Current time; all flights out of Sam-gol are cancelled as the police and Worker's Party Intelligence begin a full search.

Supreme Leader Suk Han has not yet released a statement. Seryuan State News will be the only place to receive such news, when it does come out. Until then, we advise all readers to stay safe and to stay home, and to especially stay off of the streets in the city of Sam-gol.

by **Mokastana** » Sun Jun 11, 2017 10:33 am

The Mokans had no agents in Potthan, no key assets in theatre. Most of their intelligence gathering was focused on keeping the East peaceful, or watching Ordernite expansion with careful eyes. In short, the Federal Intelligence agencies had no interest in a genocide so far away, but luckily, they did have one ace in the hole. Technically a Foreigner, he had been given the Mark of the Emperor during a recent Embassy Gala in Mokastana City. It was a way into the country and even into the Emperor's private home. Something most intelligence agencies would kill for at the moment, and not just in the metaphorical sense. Ceasar knew that, so he brought along his own security, and contacted the Mokastana Bureau of Secret Affairs about his intentions. Like most Venturians, everything he did came with a price. When he contacted the Empire to make good on the offer to see the Emperor in Agadesh, he knew to keep the Mokans on the hook in case they wanted some juicy intelligence. He had to pass through their country to get out of the North East after all. At least they would work with him. Who knows what kind of traps the Morridanes would put in his way if he ever went out there.

Still, one Ambassador with diplomatic immunity was better than nothing on the ground, and Ceasar planned to take full advantage of everyone on this trip. If that included a few rolls in the hay with a wealthy Emperor, then it was all part of the job. Life in Las Venturas was rough like that sometimes, he thought with a smile...

by **Republic of Vectors** » Sun Jun 11, 2017 6:51 pm

While the Potthan conference was happening, the Vectorians were still moving about.

The forty first Carrier Battle Fleet took to the seas as it steamed towards the Potthan coastline. The forty first, centered around two High Noble Class Supercarriers, had a strong compliment of ships and munitions that made it a tool to be feared.
Riding underneath the 41st CBF lie the 67th Strategic Missile Group, a compliment of fifty submarines with guided missiles, and sub-launched ballistic missiles should events get too hairy. The 41st made great efforts to stay concealed from the rest of the world.
The 41st and 67th was going to station two hundred miles off the Potthan Territorial Waters.

The Vectorian battle-line positions. Will be in place ETA 48 hours.

by **Castille de Italia** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 1:11 am

Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child
Controversy surrounds the decision to take action against Potthan
Mountbatten Manor, Castillian SU, 12 June 20xx

The constant sound of camera shutters snapping rung throughout the Mountbatten Manor Press Room during the daily press briefing. Press Secretary Gilles Peterson cautiously delivered the answers and accusations that the press corps threw against the Adams Administration, giving the typical runaround on some, going into great detail on others, and occasionally belittling the arrogant reporter that would rear a politically-charged question towards his podium. "Look Charles you can't come into the Mountbatten Manor Press Room and not expect an ignorant answer for an ignorant question. You asked an ignorant question, I gave you an ignorant answer," Peterson mocked the reporter.

There was a chuckle among some of the crowd. "No further questions, thank you," Peterson continued as he left the room. It was part of the daily routine at Mountbatten Manor. The first democratic incarnation of Castillian governance was quite the carnival act, or at least that's how the mainstream media portrayed it. While the country was united under the ruling party with an overwhelming majority in Grand Castillian Senate, the Social Party, there were two different factions within the party that sought different paths for the country. The release of the Adams Doctrine, outlining the Premier's foreign policy goals for the next four, and hopefully eight, years was met with opposition from those within the party who aligned themselves with the rhetoric of Senator Jacques Périer, whose firebrand speeches and jingoistic attitude was directly the opposite of what the party stood for and the Adams Doctrine. But with the situation brewing in Potthan, it seemed that Périer had gotten his wish.

Peterson gave a knock onto a door, to which was opened by a member of the Premier's Special Servie. He quietly entered the room and observed the man in front of him turned away in his chair, looking out the window which overlooked the vast expanse of Antietam. He quickly cleared his throat and began speaking. "Premier Adams sir, the media campaign isn't going well. There's just a lot of opposition to your premiership right now for openly opposing the Puniti-"

"Let me stop you there, Gilles," the Premier said as he turned in his chair. His hair white as snow, Adams was a likeable old man, very active for someone in his late sixties. He was very charismatic, very entertaining, and a pleasant person, but the fact that he had been forced to break away from his own doctrine and stage a military intervention against a nation thousands of miles away just to appease more extreme politicians and military leaders to avoid a split in his own party and government was not sitting well with him. "You know this isn't my decision. I put up all the opposition I could. Périer riled up Parliament too much. The world is watching a despot murder people, people want to take action."

Adams stood from his chair and went over to a bookcase, thumbing his way across the spines of each piece of literature until he found the one he was looking for. "The Protocols, this book has inspired hundreds, if not thousands of despots to call for action against a certain group, Gilles. I wouldn't be surprised if Jericho had a copy on his nightstand," the Premier joked to Peterson, making the mood a bit lighter.

"Your point, sir?" Peterson asked carefully. He did not want to upset the Premier, but he was generally confused.

"You see, people for thousands of years have called for bloodshed because of this book. But this book was only recently written within the last few years by no others than my predecessor, Mr. Vaughn. But the book is not any different than ones that have come before it. 'The Everyman's Objective' by the Morridane. 'Die Panoolie Ausrotten' by the Ordenite. 'The End of the White Man' by the Wanderjarian. 'The Lust of the Commoner' by the Macabean. Even President Milano's memoirs can be interpreted somehow, somewhere, by someone, as a way to oppress another."

The Premier's speech on ethics and morality and human nature in general was interrupted by the black telephone sitting on his grandeur desk, placed in contrast next to a red telephone. "Excuse for a moment," he told Peterson as he held up a finger and answered the phone. "Premier Adams," he casually replied to the unspoken voice on the other end.

"Premier Adams sir, this is the Communications Directory. Transcontinental call from Castillian Embassy Mokastana City, urgent," a man's voice spoke in very a distinct Dienstadi accent.

"Very well, put them through," the Premier told the man. The sound of faint crackling, static, and then more speech. "This is Ambassador Waldo Bing, urgent message for the Premier of the Union." The ambassador to Mokastana served as the chief liaison for all matter that may involve the Mokan Federation, Bing was certainly a vital instrument for Castillian interests in the Federation, and had close ties to ranking Senators and other officials in that country.

"Go ahead, Ambassador," the Premier told the ambassador.

"Premier Adams, sir, I have returned from the Presidential Palace at Mokastana. It seems the Federation will be sitting this one out. The Punitive Measures are too controversial to the Mokan agenda, as I was directly told. I was also told to confirm directly with you under the direction of Secretary of State Mullen," the ambassador told Premier Adams.

"Very well," the Premier repeated. "Thank you, Ambassador Bing." Adams hung up the phone and picked it up again, dialing a number. A brief pause with the dialing tone of a phone was met with the Communications Directory operator again with his Dienstadi accent. "Communications Directory, how may I assist you Premier Adams, sir?"

"Wire me to the Defense Secretariat," Adams instructed.

Again the faint crackle and static was heard and then interrupted by another voice. "Premier Adams sir, this is Secretary Vickers."

"Mr. Vickers, go ahead and carry out with the strikes once the fleet is in position. We will not wait for Mokan support, especially if the Vectorians are preparing a mass invasion. We must simply be the first to deliver a blow, to send our message through to these barbarians," the Premier ordered his chief military advisor. "Very well, sir," was the reply, and the Premier hung up the phone. He turned and looked back at Gilles Peterson, who had been quietly observing from the same position he was in before across the office.

"Peterson, my friend, my point being that humans are violent in nature. It is only fit that we end violence with more violence. It is the Potthanis who will witness this notion firsthand."

A War Fleet Sails into a Bar, or a Coral Reef to be Precise
The Sixth Expeditionary Fleet nears its destination
Grid Reference 0009-0019, 12 June 20xx

The flight deck of the Kastakopos, an Ark Royal-class CVN, was bustling with activity as the sun beat down on the sailors underneath and not a cloud in sight, only blue skies. AWACS was already up in the air, providing preliminary scouting and not picking up too much activity from the Potthani military in an offensive role, it had seemed that the Potthanis were bolstering defense in Bokan in preparation to repel an assault there. While it would not be Castillian forces landing their way onto the sands of Potthan, the Castillian Navy would provide the necessary support and beginning strikes for whoever was willing to, whom it seemed to be the Vectorians, with AWACS picking up two naval formations to the east and northeast of the Sixth Fleet.

Usually an aircraft carrier was already anchored and the fleet well settled in before flights would take off from a carrier. However, the call to scramble interceptors was given by the Fleet Admiral, and pilots were going through systems checks and preparing to take off, a nice touch and go from the moving carrier. The frantic order was given as word was passed minutes ago from Mountbatten Manor to the Defense Secretariat and directly from that office to begin striking military targets in Bokan. The fleet was almost in range for Hellion missiles to be unmercilessly unleashed upon the Potthani military with precision accuracy, whilst being in range for fighter-bombers to carry out close air strikes once the Hellion missiles had eliminates air defense.

The problem was that naval intelligence had briefed commanders aboard the Sixth that The Golden Throne had just days prior shipped assembly-line new military hardware to assist in defending Bokan, along with numerous advisors. It was a smart move for Fedor's regency, if they wanted to keep the Potthani regime alive and not seem complicit in assisting a pariah state in further murdering innocents, they were accomplishing that mission well. Satellite imagery that was briefly taken had shown that the Potthanis were being smart enough to hide their air defense underneath camouflage netting, or that they were smart enough to listen to their Macabean advisors.

The roar of jet engines ripped through the eardrums of those who weren't wearing ear protection, and one by one, flights of F-29 Vipers took off to assist AWACS patrols in keeping a nice protective air defense blanket around the Sixth, in case a few rogue Potthani fighter jets wanted to scrap with the pilots of NFS-374. Knowing that the Macabean couldn't modernize an air force overnight, it would be a lost cause for Potthan and would ultimately lead to the virtual decimation of the Potthani Imperial Airforce, no doubt. The sheer technological edge over Potthan's military gave a substantial favor to Castillian forces, but only time would tell how the Punitive Expedition would actually carry out. Perhaps it would escalate far enough for the Castillian Maritime Infantry Regiments to actually stage an amphibious assault. Perhaps only the first barrage of Hellion missiles would frighten Jericho III enough to surrender to Castillian forces. No warlord wants to lose their grip on power, history can look at the past Castillian governments for that statement, no argument about that.

Roughly half a nautical mile from the Kastakopos was the Dauntless, a Dreadfire-class SD. The Castillian military had possessed two of these behemoth floating fortresses, touting enough railguns and missile launchers to destroy a city five times over, with impressive range. The downside of this impressive display of firepower, with all the pomp and circumstance it conveys just by existing, is that it gives off unnecessarily large signatures, perhaps even larger than a Dragonhawk standoff bomber, making any fleet it sails with a glowing hotspot on any radar. Being the reason that the Dauntless and its sister ship, the Fearless had sat in drydock for numerous years until being tested for sea trial a year ago and finally brought into service months ago, the Punitive Expedition was certainly no surprise attack and thus the use of the Dreadfire was justified, as a means of inciting fear into the Potthani military.

The Fleet Admiral peered through his binoculars from the deck of the Dauntless, looking over at the bridge of the Kastakopos. Normally the carrier would be the flagship of a Castillian naval fleet, but tonnage alone warranted reason for the Fleet Admiral to command from the Dreadfire SD. The Admiral spotted the Commodore of the carrier, who gave a unique hand signal signifying that he was ready to halt his ship upon orders from the Admiral. The Admiral responded with a thumbs up, and called for an Ensign to relay the order up to the Dauntless' bridge to relay his command to all of the Sixth. Within minutes, ships were stopping dead in the water and anchors were dropping from each and every hull. Missile range had been reached.

The Fleet Admiral then peered over to the Captain of a nearby missile destroyer, the Ender's Pawn, who gave another hand signal, this time signifying he was ready to carry out attack orders. The Admiral again told the Ensign to relay an attack order to the Sixth, and within minutes alarms were sounding on each of the seven missile destroyers and three missile cruisers, silo doors opening, and sailors hurriedly working to prepare for mass launches.

One by one, Hellion missiles left their bays, aimed for specific targets in Bokan. It was impossible to know exactly where they needed to strike, but there was a general idea of where, and thus those coordinates were used to targets prime military infrastructure. Hellion missiles were also coordinated to strike the Potthani command infrastructure, which was for a fact known to be in the political district of Bokan. The plan to disorient the defending forces by wiping out the local command structure would provide enough chaos for air operations to be relatively safe (relatively) against any surviving anti-air batteries.

by **Sha Mobutia** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 4:57 am

In the Sha Mobutian news . . .

The Centraal Staatsgebouw
The Federalist Republic of Sha Mobutia
0600 hours, local time

President Maikel Cruyssen had, over the last several years as president, mastered a sort of 'casually disheveled' look about him whenever the rigors and demands of the office caught him off-guard. Of course his wife often lamented that as a man his morning routine could be boiled down to a hand swept through the hair and a decent shirt, but he liked to assure himself that there was a bit more to it than that. Either way he looked somewhat presentable for the coming few hours as he stepped out of his bedroom into the hall: his graying hair swept to one side with a few rakes of the hand, a simple black suit with dark blue button-down shirt, and a pair of dress shoes freshly polished just the night before to accentuate the 'business casual' appearance of an independent world leader.

Stepping out into the hall immediately brought him into the company of his Chief of Staff, a man ten years his senior by the name of Yong anak Rajert. The two exchanged a wordless nod of greeting before the older gentleman adjusted his collar and fell in step at the President's side.

"Its not looking pretty, Mike." The Chief began as he leaned closer to the other's shoulder.

The President's first response was a weary sigh, "How bad are we talking?"

A phone was produced from the Chief of Staff's pocket and he unlocked it in a few strokes of the finger before pulling up a few saved pages, "The FNJ just ran a piece on their reporter caught in the crossfire, the RV is trying to play middle-man to everybody while jockeying around military assets, the Nightlife all but said we were sitting on our hands according to some, and the Golden Throne is starting to throw guns like candy to the Potthani military." The with a sigh he added, "Not to mention that just recently Sam-Gol was hit by a car bomb - at least 50 dead and rising. Reports say some pro-Pott terrorists are claiming responsibility for it."

Maikel rubbed at the bridge of his nose and gave a tired sigh, "When it rains, it pours. How's the home-front looking?"

Yong shook his head as he pocketed the phone again, "You know how it goes, Mike: we've never liked slavers and we've been staring across the river at a whole bunch of gaudy flesh-traders for years now. The Joint Chiefs have always been chomping at the bit to teach them a lesson. A dead Freeman just gives a more substantial reason for it." He still kept his pace with his boss and long-time friend as they made their way into the heart of the building to reach a secure elevator, "Its a hot issue. To put it mildly." And as he followed the other man into the elevator the two fell into a few moments of silence as each mulled over just what they were facing.

Some time later . . .

The room that the two had eventually come to was behind multiple armed guards, several blast-proof doors, and underneath some of the sturdiest and most reliable protection against modern bunker-busters and small nuclear warheads in the world. There was only one way into or out of the room and that way was a heavily reinforced door guarded by no less than two guards armed with .50 caliber SMGs from the armory of Lyran Arms at any one time. The room was known by many names: the War Chamber, the Secret Council Room, the Safest Hole in Sha Mobutia, and even the President's Hall of Secrets. But many among those present in the room preferred to call it by a much simpler name: the Den. And right now it was both the most secure and quite possibly the most tense room in the Federalist Republic.

"You mean to tell me we're going to do nothing?!" General Mira anak Yong, the Army Chief of Staff, slammed her palms flat to the central table.

Secretary of State Charise Talsma snapped back in kind from further down the table, "We mean to say we shouldn't go jumping the gun! Quite literally!"

The four-star General offered a dark scowl, "The Potthani military is reinforcing itself as we speak! While we're sitting on our - !"

Maikel raised a single hand from where he lounged back in his chair at the head of the table. The room fell silent and all eyes fell to him.

"While we wait and evaluate the situation, the Potthani military will be modernizing and entrenching its positions. This is true. However, with that being said, we aren't the single nation acting alone we would have been in years past." He cleared his throat and looked around the room to catch the eyes of all assembled, "We are a member-nation of the Romani-Mar'si union, and the farthest western member at that. When we act it sets a precedence for them in this area, backed by the might of some of the largest nations for miles in nay direction. Rally fleets and have them move into pre-emptive positions. Get air commands prepped for runs, yes, but hold until they are given authorization. In the meanwhile I will be attending the summit in Victory where we will discuss our other options. Let the Potthani reinforce if they wish - we'll just send more troops and planes to counter it if we must. Until that time we wait, we evaluate, and we think very carefully about what to do next."

The silence resettled over the room. A dozen men and women looked from one to the other and then back to the man at the head of the table.

"Am I understood?"

No words were spoken. Just silent and curt nods, though perhaps some were more stiff and angry than others.

He sighed, "Good. Then you know what to do. Keep me updated in the meanwhile."

And with that they were dismissed.

And So It Begins
Through Sha Mobutia and international waters . . .

The first of the assets to be prepared would be long-range strategic bombers. Various historical differences between Sha Mobutia and some other nations of the region had led to a near constant state of readiness. It wasn't unreasonable that at any one moment when flying through FRSM airspace that one would see a flight of interceptors up on routine patrols, or long-range strategic bombers on eight-hour shifts waiting in case orders came in with a strike package. So when call came down from higher authorities to start shifting flights towards potential Potthani targets it was a simple matter of calling those planes which were normally to orient towards such targets in the first place with the instruction to start putting flights up in the air on rotations and stand by for potential strike orders.

This would entail maintaining orbits in paths that brought them from Sha Mobutian airspace out towards international waters, with a schedule ensuring at least one squadron was armed and in the air at any time.

The next asset to arrive on scene would be the ships of the 7th Expeditionary Fleet, let by the assault carrier FRNV 'Erwin Bosch'. The Bosch and her sister-ship 'Cruyssen's Peak' were on routine patrols through the very same bay which both Potthan and Sha Mobutia shared when call came down from higher authority that they were to move to a blocking position at the mouth of the eastern inlet - of course paying due respect to the barrier set by the Potthani territorial waters. Even if that meant that such a massive fleet did sit several kilometers inside the Exclusive Economic Zone. While on a strictly legal definition this meant that they were sailing through clear and open waters, on a more practical scale it meant that a RADAR piquet was being put into place ship-by-ship and plane-by-plane across the Potthani coast to supplement a rapidly expanding blanket of air coverage. Combining the various ships' RADAR and other sensors with DAMOCLES Constellations in orbit and their aircraft flying patrols made for a growing picture of increasing clarity to try and pinpoint positions of potential military emplacements.

Helicopters would be joined in coming days by fast-moving jets when the 10th Fleet's longest-reaching air assets came into range. The heaviest and most lumbering fleet would hang back with a reliance on their Hellion II missiles to act as a deterent against possible pre-emptive strikes. Not to mention that they would still be well within range to start selecting viable targets on the sprawling mountains of eastern Potthan, or within the boundaries of Agadesh as they drew closer. The arsenal ships would sail under constant escort of the 10th's cruiser assets and under the protective curtain of anti-air defense and radar as they went about their holding pattern.

Of course further and away from the rest would come 3rd Fleet led by the IFSS 'Silke Messer'. With their flagship at home in Romandeos, the fleet had been running routine circuits closer to home, enjoying plenty of blackberry tea and well-deserved R&R when they were called on. Of course sailors grumbled as their weekend passes for the coming minor holiday weekend were cancelled and they were forced to return to their ships far earlier than they'd expected. But they had don so as ordered and were cutting through international waters at best speed to join the holding group. All the while they would be linked to the same networks as the 10th and 7th Fleets who were monitoring the situation much more closely and being kept up to date on the situation as it progressed.

But for now? Missiles were not fired. Ships were not blocked. The fleets sailed in holding patterns and they waited patiently for their orders to come.

by **Eolmann** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 7:39 am

_____Osbert switched through the channels with a bored look on his face, leaning back in his chair and ignoring his surroundings. Mannian shows thankfully had very little reality tv shows under his personal request. It only rotted the brains of his citizens and frankly was the same boring and unimaginatively dull story all over again. He hated it with a passion, chewing absentmindedly on a piece of gum. He lingered for a brief second for the day's rerun of the Nightlife, listening to the speakers argue heatedly on the current international fiasco.

_____Potthan. He wasn't so concerned about that nation of backwards slavers than he was of their bigger brother further up north. The Ralkovian Empire was humongous compared to his fledgling state.

_____It was bad enough he had Maikel constantly hedging him to join the Union, a proposal he constantly deflected with another meaningless question- now he had to worry about the potential involvement of Ralkovia in the Potthan humanitarian crisis. They had to get involved, and if Sha Mobutia got involved with Ralkovia that only meant that the First Man of Eolmann had to be involved with his Republic's biggest enemy yet. It was a diplomatic mess that would spiral out into open war. His generals- oh yes: he turned the television off and returned to the table as his Joint Chief of Staffs continued their own petty arguments, seeing who could yell the loudest. "It's not the matter if we can, it's the matter of if we should!-"

_____"Our own intelligence has confirmed a massive mobilization of Mobutian troops-"

_____"-what if it's all a big play to get the Potthani to back down? You don't know tha-"

_____"Don't make me laugh Administrator, you know as well as I do that Mobutia doesn't bluff."

_____"What if they are?"

_____The question hung in the air as every head turned towards the man at the head of the table, resting his chin on his fingertips. Vawdrey could feel the pressure as his generals awaited his analysis of Mobutia's current leader. Unlike Eolmann, Sha Mobutia had general elections, and every often. It was tiring for every First Man to study his new colleague in the pursuit of their own national interests. An average Mannian First Man would go through at least 2 Mobutian presidents in their ultimate service to the state. Sometimes they got along well with each other, sometimes it would be a very lukewarm war between the two countries. Osbert was lucky that he got along well with Maikel, even if he didn't trust his fellow President.

_____It came with the job, especially when no one trusted politicians in Eolmann. He shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. "Sha Mobutia has every right to act within their own capacity with sufficient justification; it is a given right to every single one of us. Does this mean we will follow suit with their actions? Let us not forget that our neighbour is part of a larger union of countries and the furthest member in their coalition. They are the first line of defense for both the Romani-Mar'si Union and the Armed Republic of Eolmann." he had to choose his words carefully. If Eolmann went into full DEFCON ONE, it would destabilize the peace that his government had worked so hard for.

_____What a situation and of course it had to be him who had to handle it. Somewhere, his predecessor was probably resting on an island with two exotic women by his side and a fruity cocktail in his hands, not having to worry of the next sh*t-fest Eolmann was getting itself into.

_____"I do not doubt for a single moment that we will soon be at war. What is most unfortunate is that this war will definitely attract the attention of Ralkovia to the north, just as we are in the middle of upgrading our military. Field Marshall Sigrún, Administrator Wylde, Steinlaug: how long before every one of units are refurbished with our new arms and armor?"

_____The three individuals whose named were called out looked at each other with a grim look on their face, silently speaking with one another. Osbert gazed at their group and waited until they were done. The response did not put a happy smile on his face: "At the current moment it will take within 8 to 10 years given our size and manufacturing capabilities of our factories. This is of course, accounting for if we out-source production of some of our patents to our neighbours and the RMU like we discussed."

_____Eight to ten years. Osbert wished his staff was joking, but he knew that was their most optimistic estimate.

_____He sighed, pinching his temple. "In three hours time I will be leaving for a summit in Victory where I will discuss the situation with the other regional leaders. Here is what we will do: I want the Guards to be mobilized and ready to fly out on my authorization, prep all available air wings and prepare for Stubborn Mule. I repeat, Stubborn Mule. Aggressive flights along their coastline, show them what we are willing to send at them: I will make contact with Mobutia shortly to request permission to use Snjider Isle for our strategic purposes including their military airports. I want the 2nd, 4th and 5th Carrier groups in positions and get our reserves ready; Blanche, I want all bomb shelters activated and ready in case Ralkovia starts sending missiles our way. If we will be going to war," he paused, cracking his knuckles and staring at his joint-command with a feeling of excitement he hadn't felt in a very long time.

_____"Let's make sure the whole nation is ready. Hail Eolmann."

_____"Hail!"

by **Patrick OConner** » Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:15 am

A small force exits the harbors of the Timocratic Republic. The force meets in the terratortail waters of the Republic. After these forces more merchant ships and transports are being prepared to follow on and escorts of returning ships are readied as well. The force is composed of

TRS Enterprise (CV01) (6 x squadron of mixed planes)
TRS Wolf (GCH01)
TRS Bear (GCH02)
TRS Gorilla (GCH37)
TRS Rifleman (GC01)
TRS Grenadier (GC02)
TRS Freedom (DDG 01)
TRS Speech (DDG 02)
TRS Press (DDG 03)
TRS Religion (DDG 04)
TRS Pearl Harbor (DDS01)
TRS Wake (DDS02)
TRS Boyington (LHD10)
TRS Mattis (LHD11)
TRS Macon (SSA05)
TRS Rome (SSA06)
TRS Augusta (SSA03)
TRS Savannah (SSA04)
TRS Forgiveness (HS03)
TRS Happiness (HS04)
17 X Mars Class transports

The landing ships and tranports carried

2 x MAC regiments
3 x Construction battalions

to protect the supplies and help evacuate the endanger people and construct there camps.
The transports carried relief supplies for the people under attack in Potthan and was ready to evac them to a safer place.

Following this task force another left. Composed of

TRS Behemoth (MBB01)
TRS Tallahassee (GBB14)
TRS Lighting (BC01)
TRS John (MCV12) (8 x squadron of mixed planes)
TRS Juggernaut (MBB02)
TRS Frankfort (GBB15)
TRS Thunder (BC02)
TRS Yorktown (CV02) (6 x squadron of mixed planes)
TRS Bobcat (GCH03)
TRS (GCH04)
TRS Artillerist (GC03)
TRS Caliber (GC04)
TRS Marine (GC45)
TRS Liberty (DDG 05)
TRS Independence (DDG 06)
TRS Petition (DDG 07)
TRS Rights (DDG 08)
TRS Bataan (DDS03)
TRS Corregidor (DDS04)

This second force will follow the first one closely until it reaches the water of Potthan where it will wit outside of Potthani waters while the first one continues on inside, following behind the invasion force to set up camps and evacuation points. All force are under strict orders only to engage if fired upon.

by **-Itailia-** » Tue Jun 13, 2017 11:04 pm

Legate Kaeso Sidiusal Asclenan SC with Bar, CA L ER ECO
Site of FOB Alba Martii, approximately 7 km NW from Naham, Barjaanistan
Midyear 15, 3E7, 2:25 pm Local Time

The Umbra PMV slowly moved with the convoy of hulking trucks, the long beds with the hard tops painted in the tan desert colors that the Legion used while at war. Thankfully, the sandstorm that had been predicted had blown south and would avoid the site, which allow Kaeso to observe the terrain as he looked out of the armored window, his eyes rolling with the tunes across the waves of sand, intermixed with the heavily used two lane road that was taking both him and the convoy to the site that the first engineers of Legio LXXII Sophene had already been working on for more then a full day; Kaeso had received some updates on his flight over here, but he had mostly delegated that to his executive officer during his meeting with the Admiral onboard the Stella Domina, one of the newer Ark Royal-class carriers still in the Navy, which would be helping give his Task Force some aerial support during the initial few months until the FOB was at enough of a operational stage to be able to house the IAF contingency awaiting to be deployed.

Within a few moments, Kaeso noticed the tell-tale signs of the construction of a Legion's FOB, and he gathered his tablet and rucksack, which had been sitting on the seat next to him, as his driver slowly guided them towards the command center, which had been roughly finished this morning, mostly thanks to the pre-fabricated nature of the materials; in fact, most of the buildings were full pre-fabricated, the parts simply stored in one of the Legion's hundreds of depots, and then pulled out when needed. Typically, a legion could construct a FOB within 48 hours, but since the plan was to eventually take this to a Castra level, given the extensive nature of the planned operations, it would take weeks, possibly even months to fully finished the construction. The work speed would be increased as more troops arrived, but time was still required. He had been told the site had formerly been a mixture of an industrial complex re-purposed as a makeshift FOB for the Barjaanistani Army in recent months, but the Legion required Legion standards; something above and beyond what the BA had needed at the time, and a total redo was necessary.

The command center was a large, four story building, constructed from unit pieces made from composites and reinforced elements, giving them protection in a combat environment. Typically painted a brick red in standard deployments, they had been redone in tan much like the vehicles and uniforms and every other piece of equipment. Kaeso could tell the exterior had been finished, and latest reports form his XO, who had been on site since the beginning, said the interior would be fully finished by the conclusion of today. His driver took him straight up to the doorway, where one of the legionnaires flanking the side of the entrance as a guard stepped forward and opened the back side door for Kaeso, the two saluting each other briefly as he exited his vehicle and made his way inside the building. The state of still-being-worked on was apparent to him, wires, bundles of cables, crates of all sizes and shapes, clutter of every kind was found in nearly every part of the hallway, and building, but it was organized chaos, and temporary at best. He proceeded to make his way through the throngs of people, each making way for the ranking officer, his Legatus insignia clearly obvious to the trained soldier, and it wouldn't take him long to reach the top floor which would mostly be his home for the undetermined future. Both he and his executive officer, an Tribune who was the son of a Senator, had rooms on the top floor, and just a hallway down would be the Theatre Operational Command Room (TOCR), where he would oversee, command and authorize the full task force, and plan how to handle and successfully complete his mission.

He dropped his bags off in the spartan room he was assigned, noting that the bed was still needing a mattress, and then walked into the center of the TOCR; it was the only room in the building completely finished, as it was of the utmost importance to the entire mission. The room itself was grand in terms of scale, the center of the room being dominated by a large table which had a holographic flat map of Barjaanistan, important locations marked out in labels, which notes that could be accessed once you touched the approperiate label. To the right there was a number of cubicles, probably about a hundred, where support staff would help ensure the smooth flow of command and logistics, and to the left, where the offices of his Tribunes, medium level officers who would help oversee the support staff and planning; it wasn't an easy task to try to run hundreds of thousands of men by yourself. He too, also had an office, next to a conference room, and he stopped by there first, finding his XO awaiting him, Galav Siusila Cusylla, in his typical fashion that Kaeso usually found him in; his shoulders slightly hunched and his head resting on a raised fist as his hazel eyes bored into the tablet in front of him, dissecting some internal report as he awaited Kaeso. The minute Kaeso walked into the room, Galav noticed and put the tablet down and raised to greet his commander, and then Kaeso motioned for him to retake his seat as he took a seat behind his desk, and activated the computer, which brought up the home screen and some files already put on the computer by his staff. "Want a brief SITREP sir?"

"Always Galav, how are we doing so far?"

"Roughly on schedule, or ahead of it, depending on who you ask and where it's concerning. Command is approximately 85% complete, which is the good news, we're mostly just waiting for them to stock the supplies, communications needs some trouble shooting, and a few other things. The first three barracks have basic housing now available, so bedding, storage, and their attached FARCS (Food Access and Recreational, Communication Site), are nearly done, though internet is still restricted to this building only; terrain is rough to work with, so laying down the feeds and wiring is taking time. The whole of the 72nd will be here in full by the end of today, though armor and heavier units are still be stored at those secured in-promptu depots at the Airport until we can get more set up here. "

" What's the timeline for that? "

"Fully? End of this week, though I've been told we could start storing IFVs, patrol vehicles and trucks here in two days, just the workshops couldn't work on them or anything until the end of the week."

"Okay. How are we tracking on our initial plan?"

"Well, as we reviewed onboard the Stella Domina, deployments will not occur until the middle or end of next week, to maximize construction time with us. We're going to have elements of the 92nd Legion stay at the Airways, to help set up more formal depots, heavy defenses and secured area's, we're attempting to minimize our interference with the civilians, so we're going to be expanding on it, on a northern field that's on the airport's property, though we will install SAM defenses' across the entire installation, as the Barjaanistani government's request. Furthermore, at your direction I've supplied the Barjaanistani Army with our site locations list, and were we intend to initially deploy."

"Change in plans on that level Tribune, we're going to execute Branch Plan Beta and prioritize constructing the hospitals and medical facilities and centers first, beginning in their largest cities and then working from there. We're going to also increase our initial security detachment, I want a patrol base built within 15 minutes of the sites and a full century at each, the larger cities like Naham get a heliport on those PB's. Once we get that up and running at full potential, we'll then switch over to Branch Plan Alpha, and then begin deploying into the more hinterlands of the country."

"Why the change of plan sir? We determined long ago Alpha would complete prioritized mission objectives more quickly, and efficently."

"This is true, but their public health situation is just as dire as their security's, and I think our presence at first alone will help deter the PTB for the month or so it takes us to execute this plan. Furthermore, it'll give us time to get this facility to Castra level, at which point, this is nothing official, but I'm told to plan to take on possibly an additional phalanx."

Galav let a soft whistle out through his teeth "Damn, ten legions in a single country? That's nearly unheard of outside the Empire, who told you that one?"

"A Senator I rubbed elbows with a long time ago, Consul is expected to introduce legislation through the Senate to get permanent authorization for this Task Force, and to cement the powers to expand, retract and revise the objectives and mission in totality at Legion discretion."

"Well, this is going to be fun then isn't it? In the mean time, I got a few communiques over from the naval group, mostly discussing the air exclusion zone and such, as well as escorting strategies..."

by **Ralkovian Grand Island** » Fri Jun 16, 2017 3:34 pm

The Grand Empire of Ralkovia
"What is sublime...it is terror recalled in tranquility."
-Edmund Burke

0105-OP Naval Base
Northern Potthan
Mouth of The Grand Dick River

C-STAK was located deep in the hills of the Potthani Northern Coast. The Radar Station was largely unremarkable, and without the dozens of towers spread across the man-made plateau one wouldn't have been able to tell that this outpost was a central nerve for the Ralkovian fleets that patrolled the Grand Bay of Dick, the area of water that went farther south than Potthan, around Mobutia, around Italia, and then further south to Zigdem.

Under the plateau, a large network of tunnels formed a pulse network of varying long/short passages and hardened bunkers forming Unified Dick Command, a combined force of three fleet commands, two air commands, one marine command, and one Death Guard Legion. Led by Lord General Haizen Krakov, one of the forty nine house leaders that made up the High Noble Families of Ralkovia, the man was what one could correctly call a leader of Ralkovia.

The Krakov family in and of itself, would likely be considered the 10th most powerful family in Ralkovia, commanding some three thousand military vessels and an army numbering around twenty million. However, he had long since pledged his force to the Emperor in return for an abundance of wealth. After having spent the past month in Ralkovia setting up his third son Dalton with his new wife, the daughter of one of his vassals, he had returned a happy man.

Even more so, as he had been told by his son that his new wife was already pregnant, he would add even more grandchildren to his name.

That was perhaps why the fact that the Potthani had managed to attract the attention of several other nations all of some relative power hadn't had nearly as negative effect on his mood as one would have expected. In fact, between choking on the shitty moonshine that had been brewed in a cadet's backroom and the wrinkled cigarettes that he had picked up in the Capital, he was relatively quite happy.

Even at the blaring of the early warning alarm, his mood simply didn't sour. Instead, just like the rest of Ralkovia, there was an almost definitive hunger for battle.

OVERJOY
Gold-Hawk AWAC

Early Warning Radar had alerted the launch of the Castillians Missiles, and was quickly closing in on the Castillian fleet positions, or rather it was to say that the location of the unknown fleet that had launched the missiles, was quickly being narrowed down as ELINT and localized patrols had begun sweeping the area around Grand Dick Bay. Ralkovia had not declared itself for the Potthani nation yet, nor did Ralkovia believe any of the much smaller powers in the Bay Area would seek to start a war with the Ralkovian Empire.

Perhaps one could call it arrogance, but the Ralkovian Empire was one of the largest nations in Greater Dienstad, with a military directly designed to face off against the other behemoths of the region. It was therefore that the Ralkovians had been ghosting ships in the bay area for some time, without much fear of enemy attack. Even as the Castillians had chosen to embark on war, the Ralkovians instead chose to quietly observe while their information was fed to the Potthani.

OVERJOY, a Golden Hawk AWAC, and TOMAREAL, a second Golden Hawk, were already being reposition along the pathways of the missile, with the already known target point likely being Potthan; the Ralkovians would be able to provide the Potthan with accurate tracking throughout most of the missiles journey from OTH, AWAC, and Medium Range Radar from Patrol Ships.

It would be up to the Potthani to defend themselves however.

Grand Dick River
Transport Ship- HMRS The Cutthroat

Nearly a dozen transport ships glided along the far western bank of the Grand Dick River, carrying with them some just the first of Ralkovian tanks and artillery meant to defend Potthan. Several warship and a small carrier fleet would be escorting these ships until they arrived at their destination on the Porta Rosa in the Northern Coast of Potthani. The land had been ceded in an agreement with Ralkovia until the Mobutian threat had been dealt with, which would likely be for an interminable amount of time.

Already Ralkovia was beginning to grow closer to the Potthani government, and an invitation to Jericho III their emperor had been sent to come to the Imperial Palace. An odd occurrence, seeing as how the Potthani were likely soon to be attacked or invaded. Not only that, but the Ralkovians had also dispatched Lord Vark Trankov, one of the most powerful of the House Leaders within Ralkovia to go talk to the Potthani Elders, men that had threatened Ralkovian safety with their ceaseless stupidity.

by **Republic of Vectors** » Fri Jun 16, 2017 8:04 pm

The Republic of Vectors issues a DEFCON 2 signal throughout the nation’s military and the Vectorian colonies abroad. Fleets in areas not applicable to the conflict are ordered to withdraw to their bases of operation and become battle proficient. Land, navy and aerial assets from further uncontested colonies are sent directly to the motherland and threatened areas.

As the Vectorian Carrier Battle Fleet moved westward, it used its crane to place its compliment of five Kraken Flarecraft and crowded its available deck space with aircraft.

The Vectorian warships near Potthan inched their way towards the Potthan homeland. Something was coming on the horizon. And it was not a very pretty ‘something’.

by **Sawashima** » Sat Jun 17, 2017 1:14 pm

It wasn’t easy being slavers. The third slave state in Greater Dienstad, the ‘Empire’ of Sawashima, was one that was always on the wrong side of popular opinion and international diplomacy and one that largely had to rely on itself to survive, because of the international implications of prominently owning slaves and being home to some of the larger slave trading businesses in the region. Not that it was a hard accomplishment. There weren’t very many to begin with, because of the attitudes that most nations and people had.

But Sawashima didn’t care about attitudes. They marched to their own beat and preserved their own traditions, always wary of foreign influences. Always wary of things that would prevent them from being them, things that would bring them in line with the rest of the world, a thought that made most of them shudder because of their distinctly nationalistic culture that saw them believe that the only thing that was important was their country, their own homeland, and not the thoughts of those who were abroad.

They were pragmatic. They kept friends when they needed to and didn’t do much to build friendship with other nations when the circumstances didn’t demand it. And that was why it was so interesting to them when Potthan became the source of a political conflict that had made its way to other parts of the region because of the supposed genocide that had happened, which Sawashima hadn’t been able to investigate themselves. It wasn’t that they were friends with Potthan. Friend was a strong word, for a Sawashiman. But they were in the same position. Both countries owned slaves and were hated. Sawashima made wide use of Potthan for their slave trade business because of the proximity of the two western countries.

If Potthan fell, it would be a blow to the partly state funded slave industry, which had a lot of assets invested into the Sawashiman Trading Company that had several outposts in Potthan. The conflict growing in Potthan was the talk of the Imperial palace in Urashiro, and the word had finally reached the people with the authority to make decisions: the royal court.

It was midway through the evening, when the sun had just set, when the young Empress Lira Domoto gathered the entire court in the inner chambers of the palace, and the urgency of the meeting had been classified as… Maximum importance. Failure to show up would result in punishment, and so everyone was there. “The fact of the matter,” the Empress seated at the end of the long and narrow room stated. “Is that this is a threat not just to Potthan but to our people and to our economy. If the coalition against the Potthani government succeeds, we lose every asset we currently hold in that country. We will defend our assets, of course, but the question is how much we will commit to defending the country that those assets are housed in. Even if their rebels are closer to our own beliefs, at least in the economic field, than our allies.”

The local leaders, the Daimyo, began to discuss the details of the support for Potthan and the extent, and the talk would go on for a good amount of time before Empress Domoto took the attention of everyone in the room again and stood up, gesturing that this meeting was nearly done. “I have not brought you here to ask questions, however. I have already decided that we will come to the defense of those who we share mutual traditions with and who we rely on to an extent to protect and extend our investments. We are simply faced with the matter of how much support all of you will pledge towards my efforts. If you value your position, I suggest that you do not act tight fisted towards this.”

“That is a bold declaration for a twenty three year old Empress,” said one of the Daimyo, and Lira shot him a look that could kill.

“But you aren’t going to defy it, and you know that,” Lira replied, still staring down the rogue Daimyo and taking a slight two steps in his direction, her tone indicating authority. “Whoever has a problem with my decision has a problem with my leadership, and I don’t believe anyone here wants to live with the consequences of that. But if someone does have a problem, let them say it now, and we will handle it on the spot, right here.”

She surveyed the room with her eyes, and there was silence among the Daimyo and the rest of the royal court, who were both stunned by the burst of confidence from their leader and by the declaration that they would be going to war in Potthan. For better or worse, they would finally be going into a conflict as a friend to another nation, not because of like but because having another nearby slave state was something that could be invaluable to them. And now that the decision had been made, there was no turning back.

“Very well, then. I see we have come to a decision,” said the Empress. “One day from now, I will meet with all of you to discuss the… Finer details of our involvement in this conflict. I hope that when I do, you’ve all remembered what I just said.”

by **Republic of Vectors** » Sat Jun 17, 2017 4:00 pm

The 22nd National Battle Fleet began moving to the Eastern part of the Republic of Vectors from its position on the West.
The 30th NBF moves towards Greater Nifon.

The Republic of Vectors has garnered the attention of the Doom Legions to this conflict and the threat to Vectors. Due to a great longtime friendship, the Aspect of Doom has agreed to defend the Vectorian homeland alongside our own forces.

The forces stationed in the Reino do Brazil are being called back to the Republic of Vectors for the immediate threat at hand. The Reino do Brazil base is safety on their land, so the threat of attack against it are small lest another war front open up. Nonetheless, a small contingent are left to defend the base. Recalled from there is the 40th Carrier Battle Fleet with an attachment of submarines. The Vectorians shall be back at the homeland in approximately a week and a half. The Reino do Brazil hosts are contemplating sending an expeditionary force to protect the Vectorian homeland.

SECRET IC

The Republic of Vectors has landed a group of engineers to construct an airfield in the area identified in red. This no-man’s land airbase will provide the ability to perform strikes with land based bombers. The engineers have just landed and construction for the rudimentary airfield is expected to take six weeks before any aircraft can use it reliably.

RVS Sustansor silently crept WEST TOWARDS the northern end of Potthan. The Vectorian Cybus class submarine proceeded very quietly and very slowly on its mission.
At the southern end of the Aurensia, RVS Billsworth, equally a Cybus class submarine, was also creeping towards its goal.

Again, SECRET IC

The government took to Mount Olive and Mount Justus, and many undisclosed areas, on a permanent basis as the tensions continued to skyrocket. Gigantic blast doors were sealed and prepared for an imminent conflict.

Deep, deep underground where only the constantly running air conditioning made it bearable to remain, President Justus conferred with the minister of Defense, Volepi Binnada.
“Minister, I don’t know what to do right now. A strike at Potthan would surely engage these Ralkovian barbarians to counterstrike. And with forces substantially more numerous than ours, the questions remains, what would they do? And now with a third slaver nation involved, it seems that the odds are stacking against us.”
“Mister President, I am quite aware of the Ralkovians and their ethics. They remain one of the several nations on our watchlist, as we have expected something for many, many years. We have a treasure trove of electronic intelligence and moderate reconnaissance and estimates as to their military might. However the Ralkovians have been very, very difficult to actually get anybody in. Well, a couple have gotten in; though they are all dead now. It has been seen that the Ralkovians use plunder from wartime to grow. So we have always been very careful threading around them. And if I may, we do not want to provide any reason to invoke an attack.”
President Justus let out one of his rare curse words. “Volepi, we will not strike first. If they hit us first, then we have no choice. But no first strike. Understood?”
“That is for the best, President. Especially if we want anybody left for your successor to lead in a few months’ time.”
“Send out the signal, minister. DEFCON 2 remains, though do not fire without being fired upon. Clear?”
“Yes Sir. It shall be done momentarily.”

by **Potthan** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 1:14 pm

As Ralkovian intel suggested that 250 Hellion II missiles were inbound to Bokan, The Potthani Air Brigade deployed 60 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets armed with 8 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and 1 20mm autocannon per vehicle. These jets will prove essential to taking out a majority of the missiles, whilst the ones they missed shall be inspected by experts in determining their target. If their target is something we can't afford to lose or can't evac in time then we have ground SAM turrets shoot them down. All in all it was a semi-successful defense. Only 35 missiles hit their intended targets. A large portion of the city still lie in ruin, however the important sections lay intact for the moment.

Details:
Deployment:
60x Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet deployed from 1st Legion Potthani Air Brigade
Commander: Brigadier Colonel Jafar Najush

by **Republic of Vectors** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:15 pm

Official Release from the Republic of Vectors Government Communications Section

In light of recent high level phone call between the Republic of Vectors and the The Recon Empire, the Republic of Vectors extends an invitation to the Deputy Ambassador to Vectors, Sandra Kalistone from the Recon Empire to attend the Potthan conference as a concerned nation. The Recon Empire, longtime friends of the Republic of Vectors, will serve as a competent advisory team to the Recon Empire and equally the Republic of Vectors as to these sensitive issues. While it remains unknown the extent to which Vectors, and even the international community, will partake in actions for/against Potthan.

Sir Wallace McGowall, Ambassador to Vectors and Colonel-General Shannon L. Brooks Commanding General of RRAF Republic of Vectors, are among a highly respected assortment of individuals that have the honor of meeting directly with the Republic of Vectors President and similar high ranking personnel in the coveted, and highly restricted Mount Olive. The Reconian representatives are the first foreigners in the history of Mount Olive to be allowed access to the site, claimed Mount Olive commander ‘Darius W.’ The subject of the meeting shall be focused on the unfolding events regarding Potthan and its associates, the Grand Ralkovian Empire, The People's Unified Federation of Mokastana and The Empire of Sawashima among others. Directly speaking face to face with the Recon Empire representatives will hopefully serve a better and more fulfilling purpose than a telephone call.

The 32nd Carrier Battle Fleet, and the 1st Coast Guard ‘Defenders’ Fleet will be accompanying the Recon Empires 8th Pacific Fleet to conduct a ‘high risk’ navy exercise to ensure operational readiness. While refining the combat abilities, the exercise also serves the purpose of a warning against potential foes that the Republic is not to be reckoned with. The 32nd is relocating from its defensive position west of Vectors to the North-North-West coast while the 1st Defenders assets in that area prepare to receive the Reconians. The 8th Pacific Fleet has been based at the Republic of Vectors and serves as a power projection force of the Recon Empire within Greater Dienstead.

by **Palmyrion** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:47 am

Situation Room
Royal Citadel, Benevolencia, R. D.
Royal Palmyrian Commonwealth
Region of Greater Dienstad

Another day in the Royal Commonwealth soon arose as the sunrise graced its home soil with rays, signaling the beginning of a new day. The daybreak traffic was simply a continuation of the nighttime traffic that consisted mostly of public transport sector workers who worked night shift – but this time, they were taking night-shift workers back home. The sun rose – in part to light the path for the paradigm shift in Palmyrian foreign policy.

The Lakán was already in front of his laptop straight during the day as he looked deeply into the electronic pages of each bill that was brought to his desk for potential approval or veto, as well as the draft for a Royal Condemnation regarding the situation in Potthan – the genocide that Potthan was deeply engaged in, as well as its state-sanctioned and state-regulated slave trade. These two things he deeply hated and wanted to religiously root out, as if he was about to launch an abolitionist crusade against the slaver powers of Greater Dienstad – the likes of Potthan, Sawashima, and Ralkovia, Ralkovia being the worst of its ilk. Even then CID only had scarce reports of a possible collaboration of these three nations – after all, assholes of the same shit, shit together, thought the Lakán.

Yesterday he called for a meeting with his military leaders – the four Marshal Conclaves (Army Marshals, Paratrooper Marshals, Marine Marshals, Air Marshals) and the Admiralty (the Admirals that led the RPC’s 100 Carrier Strike Groups, the entire Sealift Command, and the Independent Submarine Command) – in the so-aptly-named Situation Room, with 8 seats – 6 for the Commandants (Supreme Commandant, Supreme Marshal, Supreme Admiral, Supreme Paratrooper Marshal, Supreme Air Marshal, Supreme Marine Marshal), the SecDef, and the Lakán himself. It was their first thing in the morning – it was quite an urgent one, due to the rise of facism and slaver nations in the region that they have long ignored: Greater Dienstad.

If Palmyrion was to go at war now, they would go in outgunned and outnumbered; their inventory was made mostly of late Cold War-era munitions, and the government had yet to approve of the next Hellion purchase – the largest yet that would cost the military nearly 800 billion in 8 years – in addition to the massive modernization of the air force and the navy that would incur a large defense spending in the next 20 years, all of which would highlight Alexander’s rule as the most militaristic monarch of the Royal Commonwealth. The Lakán didn’t want to get into all this geopolitical military pandemonium, especially now that his father also got into similarly large bar fights himself. If the Lakán was to undertake in the most noble mission of fighting tyranny at its height, he would have to make sure the hundreds of millions of Palmyrians dead would be sufficiently justified by the adequate suppression of tyranny and keeping checked the tyrants’ powers, lest he be the Master of the Meat Grinder.

His laptop suddenly signaled him of something significant: it was his aide. ”Your Majesty, the officers have now reported.” said he. ”Good. Tell them I’ll be in the Situation Room within 5 minutes.” the Lakán replied, rising up afterwards and rushing to the Situation Room.

The Situation Room was as small as one could think – it was large enough to accommodate only the Commandants, the SecDef, and the Lakán around an oval chair. The Admiralty and the Marshal Conclaves had to relay their suggestion to the Commandant of their military branch, which is why talking in the Situation Room required so much discipline from anyone inside – especially when the talking was heated. The Lakán wondered, how heated would the talking be today?

The Lakán entered the room, still sipping a cup of bold native coffee sweetened with three heaping tablespoons of muscovado, and a quarter groggy. He sat on his said and began the talks.

”Good morning, everyone. As you know this is all about the genocide happening in Potthan, its slave trade, and the geopolitical military pandemonium that is brewing in the westernmost fringes of Greater Dienstad.” he said, while the Commandants and the SecDef attentively listened. ”I’ve got a condemnation ready to be issued an hour before lunchtime, but I need to know everything about this situation, and our readiness for it.” he added.

”Your Majesty, the nearest units we have are the 3rd to 21st Carrier Strike Armadas, with their home bases on the island of Palawan. The 15th and 17th are out scouring the seas 2,000 klicks west, the 3rd and 5th are out patrolling the seas to the south-southwest, the 7th and the 9th patrolling to the north.” the Supreme Admiral answered. ”Put the deployed CSAs mainscreen.” the Lakán commanded. In no time, the GIG displayed information about the deployed CSAs – at least the ones deployed within Dienstad.

”Good, which ones do you recommend deploying?” the Lakán sternly asked as if to prompt the Supreme Admiral. I’d go with 5 of them, Your Majesty: the 31st, 10th, 12th, 22nd, and 18th. We must also deploy 10 Independent SSNs and 10 Independent SSGNs. It also goes without saying that we’ll have to put lots of boots on the ground, but I cannot say anything about that; take that to the Marshal Conclaves.” the Supreme Admiral calmly replied.

”We’ll also need to marshal one-fifth of the army, one-fifth of the marines, and one-fifth of the paras. Not to mention lots of aircraft from the air force.” the Supreme Commandant replied, calmly as if to downplay the massive logistical requirement of such a heavy mobilization. ”Perhaps our biggest military deployment since the Bendian annexation of Sabine.” she added.

”The Navy and the Air Force are going to be working on this one 24/7 to haul our assets – to where?” the Supreme Commandant added further with a wrinkled forehead signaling a bout of doubt in the Lakán. The Lakán replied with a succinct ”The nearest RMU member-state to Potthan would be Sha Mobutia. I have to contact them about where they will accommodate our military assets, and I have to issue a condemnation during a press conference one hour before lunch time. While I’m on that, I would like you to gather a list of all the units you have assigned for the mission. Hope we have it cleared up. Meeting adjourned, you are all dismissed.” the Lakán concluded the meeting, with everyone in the room leaving.

11:00 AM, same day
Outside the Royal Citadel
Benevolencia, R.D.
Royal Palmyrian Commonwealth

Perhaps, this was the first press conference that Alexander II gave. Or, the latest he gave, as he could barely recall the first time he’s had a press conference.

This conference, however, wasn’t about extra-regional activity that the Royal Commonwealth usually loved to play in. This was neither about the border build-up between Sabine and Bendicion that had concerned the CID the past few weeks, with 100,000 Army personnel and 5,000 marines stationed there, 10 independent SSGNs, 10 independent SSNs, and a good amount of aircraft, stationed on the small strip of land that was Sabine, and nor was it the increased pro-Azur Merik riots and terror attacks in Zelphos where nearly 100,000 Army personnel were stationed, alongside 5 fighter squadrons, 1 bomber squadron, 1 AWACS squadron, and 5 transport squadrons from the Air Force, and nearly 5 Carrier Strike Armadas.

This press conference was about the situation in Potthan – the genocide in Kavash, the horror story of which has been known to the world through the efforts of Nanshi Bukrhaan, a Potthani girl who escaped the horrors of Kavash and lived to tell the story. The Lakán didn’t like situations like this, especially now that the Ralkovians – slavers whose military was tailored to fight behemoths – were involved. If worse came to worst, he could always call on the Marshite forces who were able to deploy untold multitudes more military assets than the Palmyrians can – and the Palmyrians ought to be worried, since they would go into a fight of assault rifles armed with muskets (their enemies would have weapons developed later than 2000, while their weaponry was mostly new and modified copies of Cold War designs which they were trying to dispose of by combat usage before buying a new stock of weapons).

Cameras flicked and journalists gazed attentively as the Lakán approached the podium and began his speech, one that would be a great shift in Palmyrian foreign policy from intervening in extra-regional matters to focusing inward into regional matters, what with the rise of fascism and slaver nations in the region. ”Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the Royal Commonwealth, good morning.

I have no time for further garnishing, so let me get straight to the point. Slavery and fascism have taken hold within the borders of Greater Dienstad – again. We thought that the fight within regional borders was over and we had to take the fight outside. We were wrong.” the Lakán said, which led the entire audience to gasp in surprise about these strong, succinct words by the Lakán.

”Tyranny has been the sworn enemy of humanity since the birth of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. We thought that Greater Dienstad would be the land where tyranny will not take hold on, let alone put up a fight in. The residents of the region have taken every necessary step to drive away tyranny from Dienstadi lands, but that period, that brief period, when Dienstad was free of tyranny, was only a moment of respite, a moment of rest, for tyranny only retreated to the doorstep of the region’s backdoor. We thought it would remain there for good, and we can soon begin wiping out tyranny from the face of the world. We were wrong.” the Lakán continued, the audience now more attentive than ever to the monarch’s words. The Lakán paused for a bit to let the status quo sink in, as if to magnify the strength of his words.

”The Ordernite Reich is now warring with the Golden Throne for Holy Panooly. The Golden Throne is currently fighting the Scandin at their doorstep, at their backyard. Slaver nations are on a slow rise within the region itself, namely Potthan and Sawashima, not to mention the ever-looming Ralkovian threat that has been lurking around in the far western fringes of the region. And recently, the situation in Potthan has made the region highly concerned about the fate of western Dienstad. The Potthani genocide is clearly a travesty and violation of human rights, and a horrible sign that tyranny is now beginning to enter the region’s peaceful house to cause chaos for its one-sided benefit. Slaver nations in Dienstad are not as suppressed right now as they were years ago, during the time of my father’s rule. Now that I have received the robes, crown, and scepter, it is now my duty and responsibility to help drive away tyranny from the region in whatever way we can.”

The Lakán paused for a while to have a sip of water, and to strengthen the context of his latest statements. ”For that we are to arm ourselves with the appropriate tools of war, that which we will use for the destruction of tyranny. The military will undergo a massive modernization within the next 8-12 years, so we can better defend our Palmyrians brothers and sisters in nationhood, as well as assist our foreign relatives in the defense of mankind’s moral standing. In the meantime, our current weapons will have to suffice, but only for a short time. We shall all leave our fate to the Lord once we have done what we could do, for through His mercy will He put an end to tyranny once and for all.”

Lakán Alexander II holds press conference at the Royal Citadel gates
Considers fascism and slavery as greatest intra-regional threats; considers Potthani genocide “a horrible sign that tyranny is now beginning to enter the region’s peaceful house to cause chaos for its one-sided benefit”; announces 12-year military modernization program
Ronald R. Valencia
^{Benevolencia, C.D. RPC}

ROYAL CITADEL, BENEVOLENCIA, C.D., ROYAL PALMYRIAN COMMONWEALTH – Just 11:00AM of 21 June 2017, the Lakán has given a press conference outside the Royal Citadel’s gates in lieu of the rising military tensions around the region, and the surrounding regions.

”The Ordernite Reich is now warring with the Golden Throne for Holy Panooly. The Golden Throne is currently fighting the Scandin at their doorstep, at their backyard. Slaver nations are on a slow rise within the region itself, namely Potthan and Sawashima, not to mention the ever-looming Ralkovian threat that has been lurking around in the far western fringes of the region. And recently, the situation in Potthan has made the region highly concerned about the fate of western Dienstad.”

The Lakán has highlighted the wars that have grabbed headlines last year at their onset such as the war in Holy Panooly and the war against the Scandinvans, and has expressed concern about the rising slaver and fascist forces around the region, while pointing a finger to Potthan, Sawashima, and Ralkovia. He has also condemned the Potthani genocide as “clearly a travesty and violation of human rights, and a horrible sign that tyranny is now beginning to enter the region’s peaceful house to cause chaos for its one-sided benefit”

He has also announced that the government is set to begin a 12-year military modernization program so Palmyrion can “better defend our Palmyrians brothers and sisters in nationhood, as well as assist our foreign relatives in the defense of mankind’s moral standing”; he also declared that Palmyion’s inventory of “current weapons will have to suffice, but only for a short time.”

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by **Sawashima** » Mon Jul 03, 2017 3:50 pm

The situation in Bokan was not a good one for anyone aligned with Sawashima. The coastal area was the main one where the Sawashiman Trading Company had set up, and that was the one that they had invested in and that they had the chance to lose hundreds of millions of dollars on.

Lira Domoto had ordered that her country would get involved and join the side that would be able to protect their assets and keep their slave trade running, the Potthani one, but that involvement was still undetermined. The actual inner workings of the country weren’t as simple as an Empress giving an executive order and everyone cooperating.

There were rogue Daimyos that had to be intimidated into providing their forces, there was coordination between the multiple national armies that took awhile to sort out, and there was plenty of disagreement about exactly what they should do to involve themselves in the conflict.

Meanwhile, back in Bokan, the STC was still holding out despite citizens being evacuated, because it wasn’t easy to just pick up the buildings and ships and airplanes and trucks and everything else that they had there, to move to safety. For better or worse, they were stuck here, and they likely wouldn’t have the option to return to Sawashima, either. Their lives were depending on the response that their own country was giving them, and that response was one that was taking too long for comfort to come.

Gael Hanabusa was the man in charge of the Potthan branch of the Sawashima Trading Company, and while he was a trader and businessman and not a military strategist, the final decision on what to do seemed like it would fall on his shoulders. “It appears our options are to run and lose everything when the invasion hits, to stay and risk our lives when that happens, or to wait for outside help to arrive or take the risk that it might never come. I think, though, that I have a third option.”

“And that would be?” asked the chief secretary, a woman named Li.

“Let’s call up Urashira Arms. Tell them that we’re ready to pay for a couple of companies to come here. Tell them to also send the best that they have. The ones that can hold their own in a fight. If the state isn’t going to rush to our aid… We’ll get our own help.”

by **Ralkovian Grand Island** » Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:38 pm

0105-OP Naval Base
Northern Potthan
Mouth of The Grand Dick River

Where sandy, gray dolomite cliff's jutted out in menacing and crooked spines, met vast feeding rivers that ran into the Dick River sat what could be called the Ralkovian Monolith.

It was from this point, the Southern Defense Network of the Grand Ralkovian Empire operated. I

It was from this point that the Nerve Center snaking underneath Potthan pulsated like a tumor, hidden from the eye and the sky.

It was from this point, that tens of millions of slaves would have their last hope's of freedom dissipate like that of the convict when the noose was finally tightened round his neck.

It was from this point, that it's commands reached out to the millions of men and tens of thousands of ships and planes dedicated to the defense of the Ralkovian Empire.

And it was from this point, that the invasive forces that threatened the major artery of Ralkovia would be crushed.

It was infinitely important that the Ralkovian actions be understood in context to the situation, as these actions would be best described as nuking an anthill in a demilitarized zone. This was a definite departure from the guidelines Ralkovia had thus far operated on.

Ralkovian actions were always logical and always rational. It was something even the most unaware of Ralkovia's enemies could depend upon. Even in the Capitals of Holy Marsh, Palmyrion, The Golden Throne, and Mobutia; no matter the actual opinion the citizens and leaders of the nation had, they rested easy knowing that the Ralkovian Empire wouldn't suddenly decide to engulf the region in nuclear fire. Ralkovia was largely predictable, despite it's chaotic and expansionist nature, like a slow moving fire. Yes it burned, but where it did, it was predictable that it would go along that path.

So what had caused this departure was an important question that needed to be answered. And this response was inseparable from one overriding, predominant emotion, but what was this emotion?

The incompetence of the Potthani forces, despite the advanced warning and tracking provided by the Ralkovians had truthfully not just caused mere irritation within the Empire and the Ralkovian forces stationed in Potthan, no this was not mere irritation or even frustration. Those emotions certainly were part of the litany of feelings that the Imperial Command felt about their Potthani neighbors at the terrible response and inability to intercept Hellions, but they were not the predominant emotions being pressed in the War Rooms and Conferences across the Ralkovian Command Structure.

Perhaps one would guess 'anger' then...that anger would be this predominant emotion guiding the next Ralkovian actions in the theater. This would be an educated guess, after all, given the Ralkovian militant culture and the violence the Empire had built it's wealth and power upon, anger and wrath seemed to be the dominant emotions Ralkovia felt as a nation.

"Given enough time, a room of chimps could produce a work of Shakespeare" went that famous foreign saying.

Perhaps the situational version for the Ralkovian belief would have been, "given enough time, a room full of Potthanian's could intercept enemy hellions."

And given that the sudden realization that this was false, Ralkovian anger could be understood.

And yet, this was not the predominant emotion within Ralkovia.

No, this emotion was much more base, and much more interminable.

It was fear.

Simple and utter fear, at realizing how close to ruin Ralkovia could come, because it had underestimated the competency of a neighbor. And perhaps most importantly, the fear of the Emperor's vicious response to such failure.

A flurry of activities now dominated the pulsating nerve center of the Southern Defense Network.

React

Reorganize

Revenge

Relief

React

The most immediate action Ralkovia now needed to take was to put the most competent and dangerous of enemies out of operation. The Castillians had unluckily been judged as such.

From the trajectory of the missiles launched to attack the Potthan nation, Ralkovian forces had pieced together a general locality for the Castillians. Of course, Ralkovia had not entered the war, and was being ignored by the Castillians. For Ralkovia, the advantage of maintaining neutrality until the very last moment superseded the immediate ability to respond from it's forces within the vicinity.

Ralkovia would instead choose to rely on it's own "mercenary" forces to respond to the Castilians. The maintaining of peace with the Castillians forces, whose strength was rated through it's connections in East and Central GD, was a priority. Otherwise, Ralkovia could likely manage to pull a much larger response than it intended through the connections of the Castillians.

There would be no kid glove's, but Ralkovian response would be rather constrained in order to maintain the plausible deniability needed to maintain the peace.

Zerabya Traskov was the man to whom this job would fall upon.

As leader of the Independent Confederation of Ralkovian Clans, he led what could be described loosely as a mercenary corp. The ICRC was made up of a number of sworn bannermen pledged to the House Lord's that made up the ruling bodies of most of Ralkovia. These were private armies, numbering as small as one hundred thousand men all the way into the tens of millions, that operated like the reserve or militia forces of most nations. However, these private armies were pledged to individual House Lord's, and served them rather than any national cause, though in times of war or national defense they would be incorporated into the Imperial Military.

The ICRC was the product of several of these House Lord's, all of whom were sworn allies to the Emperor, dedicating a portion of their private armies and assets for international use. These were profit making private and free entities, but also were often inextricably tied to the Imperial Military. Separate, until otherwise stated. This had caused the organization to be labeled abroad as the "Subtle Fist of the Ralkovian Empire." With the free passage of intelligence, men, and equipment between the two, it was no wonder that people had come to question the ICRC as a mercenary force, since it seemingly was only allowed to operate where it met Ralkovian Foreign Policy desires.

This inseparable link came to a head with the actual head of the organization; Zerabya Traskov, a man once labeled as the Dog of the Emperor. As the Emperor's closest friend and half-brother, Zerabya Traskov was unquestionably loyal to the man that he had backed in violent civil war to put on the Throne. He was also just as unquestionably vicious, well known for his actions in Soviet Templar where he had disobeyed orders and gassed the Capital, despite the imminent capitulation. This action had resulted in his expulsion from the Imperial Military, but his reemergence a year later as head of the ICRC.

Zerabya would later appear in the War against New Egyptian Dynasty, where he blew the Aswan Dam, killing some forty million people, and leaving the New Egyptian Dynasty a desert wasteland.

The ICRC rarely took on foreign contracts, but they often did so at the behest of the Emperor or Imperial Government. Such a contract had already made it's way to the desk of Zerabya on orders of the Emperor on behalf of the Potthani Emperor Jericho III.

It's terms were simple, full compensation for equipment used, plus $3 billion from the Potthani and Ralkovian government. In return, begin immediate operations against the Castillian fleet. For Zerabya, the compensation mattered little. A chance to serve the Emperor was it's own reward, especially if it resulted in a highly anticipated marriage to the Emperor's niece and a place in line to the Throne.

The ICRC council would accept the contract unanimously.

Operations Commence

The ICRC had been provided the trajectory data from the missiles launched by the Castillian fleet. Such information quickly allowed the ICRC to narrow down the possible locations such a fleet could be. This allowed several sweeps to be made by ICRC dedicated RORSAT, which had quite easily detected the massive Dreadfire-classes that headed the fleet.

Mazzernut Airbase, Western Ralkovia

Mazzernut was a lone outpost on the Ralkovian western border, on the very fringe of Ralkovia and GD. It was hidden amongst the dry steppe and mountains that were common in the northwest of the nation, and it's existence was largely a kept secret likely due to it's perpetual disuse rather than any planned secrecy. Mazzernut, and it's plethora of large, dry caverns, former mines, and grottos were ideal for the storage of captured planes from the remains of former Ralkovian enemies.

It was also out of Mazzernut, that nearly several hundred ICRC air crew were being transported along with a hastily gathered complement of Ralkovian next-gen missiles for a special operation. This operation would require the Ralkovians to fly down the spine of the Dick Mountains, along the western fringe of GD.

A mixture of Doomani M1A90 air superiority fighters, M1E90 EW planes, M4E73 recon drones, Kashkanistan B-1's, and Soviet System Refuelers and E-4's would make the slow and low journey to go wide around the Castillian Fleet.

Malkastair Airbase, Northern Potthan

Out of Potthan, the ICRC had deployed forty M4E73 recon drones with seven M1A90's, a command bus, and 3 M1E90A. The drones deployed some 100km-150km in front of the manned aircrafts would head straight for the Castillian fleet, the goal to probe the Castillian air defense and locate the AWAC assets. Though much of the work was likely already done by the static AWACs floating throughout the Dick Bay.

Hamsha Airbase, Southern Ralkovia
Reassignment orders had been received for many of the pilots at Hamsha, recognizing their 'dismissal' from the Ralkovian Military, and immediate absorption into the ICRC. From here nearly three hundred aircraft and thousands of crew members would suddenly join ICRC operations.

Reorganize

The second major priority of Ralkovia was the immediate reorganization of the Potthani government. In the eyes of the Ralkovian Imperial Command and Council, a unified view of the Potthani existed. Their incompetence was a danger to Ralkovia, and therefore their existence as a sovereign and independent state could not continue.

Choices would have to be made.

And a decision was quickly becoming concrete throughout the Inner Councils.

The Emperor, that Jericho III, would be made retinue to the Ralkovian Empire, and his nation effectively made a dependence of the Empire.

The obstacle to this plan would likely be the Elder's of Potthan, a corrupt and incompetent force rapidly approaching it's own obsolescence. And just like the elderly, their stubbornness and posturing in Bokan had caused this irritating situation to arrive. Though Ralkovia, earnestly did not actually blame the Potthani for it, knowing full well that the vultures of the region were looking for any cause for war that they could find, Ralkovia did blame Potthan for making such an open display of genocide and doing it so messily. The fact that survivors had been allowed to escape was the inevitable cause.

Now, the Elder's of Potthan would be pushed to expire and disappear for their unwelcome provocation in an area Ralkovia had been settling as it's own corner of influence.

The Ralkovian Council would dispatch High Lord Isaac Trankov, a powerful House Leader to Potthan. Even in the midst of war, Ralkovia needed to deal with a heavy hand with this group of dangerous idiots.

TO: Emperor Jericho III
FROM: The Grand Empire of Ralkovia

We request you attend an audience with a representative of our Empire immediately. This is a most pressing concern, superseding any business, and inextricably tied to your national defense and your future. Failure to meet with our representative will be seen poorly by the Ralkovian Empire, which need we remind you is funding your war effort and actively aiding you.

Thank you.

Revenge

"Ralkovia had not in recent history ever conducted affairs with the nation of Vector, but the Vectorian menace seeking either acclaim or territory, has decidedly sought intimacy with Ralkovia."

Emperor Raskov smiled, panting slightly, before planting his callused hand over the serrated edge of the broken and black granite spines that stood like spears across the Imperial Garden. The cold wind was gnawing on his flesh, though Raskov seemed to ignore the pain, instead choosing to focus on the man charging forward at him with his knife in hand. Raskov dodged, sliding himself round the other side of the granite spine before grabbing the man's knife hand and slamming it roughly against the granite obelisk. He continued to leverage the hand at the middle of the ulna and radius, before pounding himself against it.

His would be assassin, a slave by the looks of it, groaned in pain, before trying to kick in the knee of the Emperor. Raskov kicked back, aiming for the man's stomach, while still holding the man's knife hand against the granite pillar. Evidently the man, realizing that he could not give the Ralkovian a lethal wound from this distance instead pushed forward, taking a knee into the stomach, but desperately attempting to grab at Raskov, getting a hand on his face and trying to smash the Ralkovian's head against the granite.

The man's arm slid forward, as he pushed to close the distance. It was sudden as the man's knife hand passed the edge of the pillar, that Raskov slammed himself one final time again the man's arm. The man cried out, screaming, as his bone fractured, cutting his own flesh internally, until the bone stuck out in a gruesome display of blood, muscle, and internal joints and ligaments. He was gasping holding the loosely connect flesh, staring at the Emperor of Ralkovia in absolute horror.

Raskov now closed the distance, grabbing the man roughly by the Slave Collar, pulling him down to Raskov's level. The Emperor delivered his own fatal wound, biting into soft, flesh of the man's neck. Blood poured out like a fountain, hissing onto the ice and snow beneath him. The cold now feasted like a wolf, trying to freeze the free flow of blood that flooded out. The screaming became muffled as he struggled and grunted, before falling to the floor.

Now the Emperor turned to his retinue, blood covering his face and clothes, his smile covered in the paint of crimson that he gave a loud and almost pitiable sigh.

His own men seemed to ignore the horror, as if commonplace.

"Well I-" Raskov began, a grin still present on his face.

"My Emperor," a Ralkovian man interrupted, carefully stepping over the bleeding man, making sure his long coat of white fur did not suddenly have crimson added to it. "I can think of several better uses of slaves than arming them to attempt to kill you...for what I can only assume is a display of dominance to our guests," the Ralkovian added, his tone slightly patronizing, but also parental.

"Oh please, David, let the man have his fun, I can only imagine how mind-numbingly boring it must be to be stuck in an office for so long," Zerabya said, bending down to retrieve the knife.

"I merely make the point that if he is going to invite us out here just to murder a slave, we could have at least done it inside where it is warm," David responded.

"And what? Risk blood on the new floors?" the third member of the retinue added snidely.

"Fine, I give. Can we at least move onto actual business, some of us are busy running your Empire," David finely said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Well," the Emperor said, walking menacingly close to David, before grasping at the man's coat. Raskov smiled, as David looked in abject horror at the leader of the Ralkovian nation.

"Please, oh lord no!" David said, his voice suddenly filled with dread.

With a quick and decisive move, the Emperor dragged the coat and pulled, momentarily choking David, as the Emperor wiped his blood stained clothes and mouth with the man's white coat.

"No! You damn bastard!" David shouted angrily, causing laughter among the retinue of very close friends.

"Serves you right," Zerabya chortled, placing his hand on the man's back and patting it jokingly.

"Completely uncalled for, you asshole," David said, giving a light punch to the arm to the Emperor, causing the fourth man in the retinue to grunt almost angrily. He was the Grand Commander of the Death Guard, and a fixture ever present in the Emperor's life, escorting him nearly everywhere.

"Shut up you lummox," David said, pointing his own finger at the Death Guard.

"As much as I would like to continue this little social visit, David is correct, we have an Empire to run, and a large number of us are concerned with the Castillians, Vectorians, Eolmites, and Palmyrion," the fifth man in the retinue added, thumbing the side of his mouth, collecting the small frost that had collected on the sides of his mouth.

"Fine, fine, fine. The Vectorians are establishing themselves in the Dick Bay on the Southern Isla," the Emperor said, looking back at David, the intelligence minister who had just shared the information earlier with him. "In addition, they are maintaining several fleets in the area, decidedly ignoring the fact that this area is largely under Ralkovian control. We already have enough problems with the Mobutians, now that those subhuman slaves have joined the Union. And NOW...and NOW, the Palmyrions are moving into the area. We'll have to act aggressively to push back against Vectorian expansion. Dislodging them from that airbase they're building, and destroying those fleets would send a message that this area is under our control," the Emperor stated plainly, still wiping the blood from his clothing.

"Of course, dear brother, the ICRC has it's hands busy with the Castillians. But we can handle the Vectorians if you desire to maintain neutrality," Zerabya said, giving his brother a small black and purple hankerchief to aid in his hygiene.

"No. They are no foe that we need be cautious around. They have no prominent allies, they have no strong nation. They are like the ensuing generation of other nations in GD. They are enemies that once quaked at our shadow, now plague us like blowflies. We need an act that sends a message that cannot be missed, that strikes fear, that motivates the Vectorians to leave and never return," Raskov said, narrowing his eyes at his half-brother.

"So a blunt hammer to the face then," the fifth man said, again wiping the frost that had appeared on the corners of his mouth.

"No, not so blunt. Our contact with the Haize has been fruitful, and we are now a firm employer of a magnificent design bureau. The Irtiz. The Death Guard have a new toy and I believe that this terror weapon is quite suitable...quite suitable indeed," Raskov said, smiling at the Grand Commander.

"Demonstration in order, My Lord G-d," the Grand Commander grunted out, raising his hand to signal the Death Guard to begin.

The buzz of dozens of drones quickly replaced the howling winds that dominated the Ralkovian field, as the horde blazed past the Emperor and his retinue. The men in his retinue continued to look unimpressed until the drones began to course correct, aiming for the dozens of small man sized heat signatures that had been laid out in the field.

Like locusts they descended upon the man sized targets in swarm, striking them, before detonating their 1-2 kg packages, taking out the targets. The display was terrifying use of advanced drone technology.

"They come with a wide sensor package, the Haize tell me, pattern recognition, tricolor, and monochromatic, IR, radar packages, etc. Needless to say, they'll be quite interesting to use on static targets...like a Vectorian airbase," Raskov said smiling.

"Which why Death Guard deploy four sub to deliver thousand unit," the Death Guard added.

"And what of the fleets?" David remarked, trying to wipe the blood from his coat, before it soaked in any further.

"Death Guard will also be handling them. When we begin operations against the Castillians, we'll begin operations against the Vectorians. Tie them up, deal with the Palmyrion, and then replace that damn Potthani government. Crisis averted. We all get handjobs in the park," Raskov said gleefully.

"Well I hope it is that simple."

Relief

Already the Ralkovians would begin deploying nearly five million additional forces to swamp the Northern Coast of Potthan and then inevitably move to defend the rest of Potthan from invaders.

A constant stream of Hercules were now being flown down the coast of the Dick River, while several dozen transport ships with escorts would move the bulk of the troops.

by **Potthan** » Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:44 pm

To: Whomever it may concern
From: Offices of the most esteemed Emperor Jericho III

I shall meet with you as soon as you may take me. In the meantime I shall ship $15,000,000 golden Potthani Denariouses along with 400 golden bricks. We thank you for your support and welcome you people into our lands.