[TWI-ONLY] [IC]: The Spectre

[Ostehaar]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Porohare, Ostehaar

Minister Elena Brahurer was in her office, early evening, as the general atmosphere gradually changed from sunlight to street-light and many employees were starting to head back home. Once again she read through one of the two-page papers that were to be sent to Ostehaar's representatives in various nations and regional organizations - namely the League, the Coalition, and the G4

All papers were titled Updates regarding the Origins of the Orsandian War, but each contained different aspects of the information as well as a different agenda. The G4 paper, for example, elaborated mainly on the Samuderan involvement and pushed for removal of Samudera from the G4; and the League paper presented intelligence on the Thuzbek crimes and called for regional sanctions. Ambassadors in all Oster-friendly nations were instructed to lobby for cutting ties with Thuzbekistan once the incriminating evidence would be made public, and contact persons within regional media networks were asked to elegantly promote anti-Thuzbek content.

The goal was clear - an all-out diplomatic and economic assault on Thuzbekistan and its allies in the Orsandian conflict. The key event - the trigger of this assault - would be a joint statement by the three "defending" allies of the Orsandian conflict, based on intelligence gathered from many sources over a period of many months. The OSA's interrogation of firecracker - that's how the Osters called the captured SAFI agent - was just the last nail in a coffin that was packed with evidence.

"They misspelled Lahpso Taha," Brahurer said to her assistant after several minutes of silence, pointing at one of the words in an upper paragraph of the second page. "Here, there's an 'h' missing. Other than that it's fine."

"Ah," the assistant nodded. "Right, I'll send it for reprint."

"And don't forget to attach the instructions page to the copies you distribute," she added. "We don't want any delegate accidentally speaking about this before the joint statement."

"Of course."

Brahurer smiled. She always liked ending interactions that way. "Oh, and can you tell Lihra to patch me through to Ignace from the Dormill-Stiuraian Ministry of State?"

[Thuzbekistan]

Lahpso Taha Area, Orsandia

Captain Shalzo watched from a hundred meters outside the barn as his men swept through it. Only moments ago, they had caught what looked like a man running inside it. Could have been another mute boy, as odd as that situation was, or it was the pilot.

"First floor clear," he heard in the radio.

"Moving upstairs."

"Copy."

Shalzo listened almost sleepily as they checked the upper rooms of the barn. He almost started to yawn before the radio lit up again.

"In second room, found radio, survival gear. Definitely military issue."

Shalzo grabbed his radio. "Proceed with caution. He's in there."

"Copy."

With that, Shalzo grabbed his gun and marched towards the barn. Just before he reached the door, a gunshot rang out as the sounds of a fight came from above. Shalzo bounded up the stairs and ran to the last room. When he got in there, he found the pilot sitting dazed in the center of the room, blood pouring from his nose as one of his men held his leg.

"He shoot you?"

"Nah," the sergeant said through gritted teeth. "His gun went off when he fell."

Shalzo nodded as the medic sat down beside the sergeant and checked his wound. He watched for a moment, then turned and took a knee in front of the pilot. "You ok?" He asked in Oster.

The Pilot nodded slowly.

"We aren't gonna hurt you anymore, got it?" The Pilot nodded again. Shalzo shifted and pulled out a pen and paper. "Look, I know you aren't supposed to do this, but I'm gonna need your name and serial number. That way we can get you back to safety and eventually on back home."

The Pilot eyed him anxiously, glaring at his patch. "You're Thuzbek."

"Yes, which means we aren't PLF and you won't find yourself being shot in a video on the internet for your mother to see."

The Pilot sat there silently for a long moment. "I'm Alen."

Shalzo waited for a moment. "Nothing else? No Rank? No Serial Number?" Alen simply stared. "That's alright. We'll get it out of you soon enough," he said as he stood up. "Alright boys, lets get out of here."

---

[Dormill and Stiura]

For that added bit of ambiance
Redfield, Lihai
Guilder Company
The constant sound of machine gun fire dominate the air around Redfield as more and more PLF troops smashed themselves against the Dormill-Stiuraian and Orsandian lines. Radio chatter was going all over the place as multiple lines were breaking down. The Port fell weeks ago and the Marines had fallen back from Lihai Central Station, the men of Franc and Guilder Company were being surrounded, and were soon to be cut off if they didn't fall back quickly enough.

Enemy Forces are within 15 Klicks of ARDEN BEACH, civilian evacuation areas in the vicinity are under threat. All forces are to fall back to the Dormill. MSR is now 20 Klicks from enemy positions.
...
Guilder this is Guilder 2-1 Interrogative: Are we cleared to use our thermobaric LAWs? Over.
2-1 What's your target?
Snipers confirmed in the building Delta 4-5. It'll be easier if we drop the whole building. Over.
2-1 Confirm Delta 4-5 is a civilian apartment complex. Over.
2, 2-1, roger that. We got movement along several floors. It'd be impossible to flush them out otherwise.
I'm going to have to check in with Overlord. Standby.
...
Guilder 2-1, Guilder Actual. You are cleared to level the building.
Roger that, engaging target with thermobaric LAWs.
Guilder 2. Target has been suppressed.

Lihai Naval Base
9th Regiment Command
Colonel Dwain Bunker couldn't believe the nasty luck he had been given. PLF forces have rallied and were pushing harder than ever before, forcing his soldiers further back towards the coast. It wouldn't be much longer until they were thrown into the Southern Sea.

"Sir, we have to pull out. The airport and beach are being shelled, civilians are scattering or being slaughtered in the crossfire.", a junior officer mentions.

"Dammit! We could've had this if I just had more men.", Bunker yells back. He stands there for several minutes in contemplative silence before heading towards his radio.

This is Overlord. The City is Lost. /break/ Fall Back to Evacuation Points and prepare for Hammerdown.
...
This Lodestar 2-1 to all friendly call signs, you are in a high-value structure. Hammerdown is in effect. Deploy green smoke if you are still combat-effective, otherwise, we will begin bombing the area.

Press Room, Executive Quarters, Guangfeng, Orsandia
President Cedar Dyson
The following Day

" ... The City of Lihai, a productive city of two and a quarter million, is on the verge of falling into enemy hands. The brave soldiers of the United Republics, Orsandia, Ostehaar, Ainslie, and Auria have all done exceptional work in evacuating the civilian population from the city over these last two months. Unfortunately for us, and especially our Orsandian allies, the People's Liberation Front, these terrorists, do not work alone. It has come to our attention through the resources shared between our allies in the Gael Four and with the OSA that the government of Thuzbekistan and the President of Samudera are directly involved in the arming and assistance of these radical terrorists in a vain attempt to assert their ideology on a nation that has long since thrown off the shackles of oppression. These two nations shall be held accountable for every life lost, both military and civilian, every cent of damage to Orsandia, and the disruption of international trade throughout this crisis. They will have nowhere in the Isles to hide as the United Republics and her allies utilize every legal means available to us to punish the short-sighted leadership of these two nations until they renounce their actions entirely and cease association with the People's Liberation Front."

Hands flew up as soon as Dyson finished, calls for his name quickly followed as the press conference went on. All the while, in the back of his head, the ideas of how exactly to punish these two rogue states began to play out. His revenge would be sweet, and now it will be exacted with the political support of the entire Isles.

[Orsandia]

Harbin, Orsandia

The valiant defense proved to be to no avail. The PLF was relentless, sending men as meat shields to chip away at Orsandian and Dormill and Sturian lines. Once was thought to be an impeccable defense effort, was crumbling all around the troops, as comms went wild with units desperately begging for assistance that just wasn't there anymore. Defensive lines began to crumble as the PLF began to outmanuver forces by pushing from the center towards the beach and from the east, were the naval ports were already long in PLF hands. The men of the 21st Armored needed to fall back to Arden Beach to defend the last evacuations, and evacuate before they were all overrun.

- 2 Actual, 1-2 ! We are dug in by the financial building and we are taking heavy fire from the east !, 2-3 is about 600 meters south of us, over.
[Overlord] - 1-2, can you link up with 2-3 from where you are ? over.
- Negative, Negative ! Lin, get those 240 guns over the right flank ! move, MOVE !
- They're rolling us with a couple platoons of BTRs, this position is untenable. Request Broken Arrow, I repeat, Broken Arrow !
[Overlord]- Roger that, solid copy on the Broken Arrow. Major, its been an honor. Out.

Overlord, this  Taipan 3-1 checking in with you, Flight of two A-10s holding area Lima, Angels 10 4 GRN-98s, 2,500 rounds for this section. Ready for tasking.
[Overlord] Roger Taipan 3-1, Zephyr-1 on the ground requesting immediate CAS  at map grid CB9247713 /Break/ push to IP Lutin, How copy ? over.
- Solid Copy. Moving to map grid CB9247713. Pushing to IP Lotus, over.

Orsandian aircraft buzzed overhead as they frantically attempted to stop the PLF advance, which threatened the evacuation near the Convention Center.

We are passing IP Lotus rolling in heading 090.
       [Zephyr-1] - Roger that, bring the rain.
       Taipan off safe. Guns, Guns, Guns.

The Orsandian A-10's shredded the stolen machinery used by the PLF. Both were hit by anti-air missiles.

I am hit ! Ejecting now !

Overlord, this is Zephyr Actual, both A-10's are down, only saw one pilot eject. The convention center is taking heavy fire from enemy craft. The situation doesn't look good from here. 
[Overlord] - Overlord copies all. We have no available air support to assist you at this time.Fall back and regroup west of K street and the Kubalai River.Out

The convention center was hit. The PLF surely caused civilian casualties. Now, those savages showed no mercy. The defensive effort was truly crumbling.

Arden Beach,Orsandia
21st Armored Infantry
Civillians scattered, guided frantically by soliders into evacuation vessels on the coast. Word got out that the convention center, and the remaining convoys in the area were all destroyed. Gunfire raged closer and closer as troops viciously fought back against the endless PLF tide.

Muse 2-1, Central just gave the command to abandon ALL evac sites that are east of the Financial District. GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE !

General Liang watched on as commotion picked up.

"Get as many civvies as we can on to those boats. Order all remaining forces to fall back to Arden Beach or to rendezvous at the Lihai Naval Base to evacuate with the 21st Mechanized and Dormill-Sturian troops."

We can not hold this position any longer ! We are leaving Lihai, I repeat : we are LEAVING Lihai !

---

Salsington Naval Air Base
Gaelfighters and F86-Cs roared to life as an executive order to conduct hammerdown on Lihai to prevent the PLF from accessing critical infrastructure, and to halt their advance, killing as many as possible in the process.

Rollout strike package Sierra Echo.

The aircraft prepared to take off, as well as from the ODI and Shengzhou AFB, to rain hell on the PLF. A last resort.

All friendly callsigns, this is Ronin 2-1. You are in a high value area, deploy green smoke if you are still combat effective. Otherwise, we will commence weapons release. 20 minutes until weapons release.

---

Guangfeng,Orsandia
Prime Minister Reginald Williamson

Shock overcame the Prime Minister.

"No, this can't be happening."

"Lihai is falling."

A major Orsandian city, allowed to fall to communists under his watch ? "Will my legacy forever be the leader who couldn't fight the communists ? " pondered Williamson.

The task at hand now, was providing a safe military escort by air for Delegations from Ostehaar and Dormill and Sturia, who agreed to travel to the Orsandian capital as soon as possible to discuss intel findings, and reveal these revelations to the world. A large press conference room was set up in the main foyer of the executive palace as droves of reporters mused about what exactly would be said.

All Williamson knew, was that the people behind the PLF, would come to pay for their henious actions in due time. All he could do now was wait attentively in the war room as his allies came to be at his side to reveal major revelations from months of intelligence gathering and logistics. They were sure this was the turning point of the conflict.

[Verona Beach]

ORSBURGH, ORSANLAND F.R.
2200 Hours
Outside the City Limits

Henry-- yes, he was accustomed to this name now-- stood tall into the cold night, watching his breath curl in little wisps of ghostly vapor around his face and fogging his reading glasses. He adjusted his dirty jacket against the cold, and pulled his old-fashioned flatcap farther down his face. He was surrounded by a group of people carrying a mismatched selection of weapons—rifles, submachine guns, sidearms, even a couple anti-tank weapons—and all dressed in various levels of military uniform. Some had on simply a flak jacket and a helmet over their normal clothes, while others, usually veterans of the service, wore their old Orsandian Army uniforms. Their mismatched militia aesthetic failed to disclose the fact that Henry had whipped these men and women into shape to be a proper garrison force, amply capable of defending the industrial heartland of Orsburgh from a PLF attack of small size. What would happen tonight, however, would greatly boost the defensive strength of the United Orsandians.

The quiet night was shaken slightly by the quiet vibration of an aircraft engine. At first, most people wouldn't hear it unless they knew to look for it. The noise, however, slowly grew louder as the plane approached. Its navigation lights were on as it was guided down to the field in front of the militia company. Before them lay a barren field, only cleared for aircraft use that morning. Eventually, the shape of the plane could be made out as a Skyward Airways charter plane, larger than most. For those in the know like Henry, Skyward Airways was little more than a front for covert Veronese spy operations. The rumbling became indescribably loud as the turboprops guided the little craft down the runway. The squeal of air brakes was heard as the airplane was brought to a perilous stop, mere meters from the end of the runway and a wooded area. Not one moment after this had transpired, a team of men in smart berets and green camouflage uniforms jumped out and began to mill about the aircraft. They worked like well-oiled robots, moving the plane around to face the other way and get their seemingly inordinate amount of gear out of the aircraft. After this, the busy hive of soldiers meandered their way over to the gathered militia. Their dagger insignia, glinting in the male moonlight, were the only thing readily visible about this group if one's eyes weren't adjusted to the dark. Their leader, turning to the man he had been briefed about on the plane, spoke curtly and in an affected accent to break the silence:

"So, you're the bunch we're supposed to help out, eh?" He said, looking at the assorted men. From his facial expression and the way he cast his glance about at the United Orsandians, it was easy to assume that he was disappointed with the quality of the force he was given to work with. This dampened Henry's spirits, having expected the men to be happy to work somewhere new for once. Nonetheless, the group set off back to the sleeping and quiet town. After a few days, the arrivals, none other than men from Verona Beach's Special Air Service, would have done their best to whip the United Orsandians into a fighting force worth defending the vital town and heartland of Orsburgh. The town and factories all had their own fortifications, and the community gladly pitched in to keep the town defended from the communists should they come the way of Orsburgh.

[Weinam]

On board the Weinamese Submarine, Guiguan.
Southern Sea.

The subs had moved slowly through the waves as they came within shouting distance of the Thuzbek contact craft. The Guiguan's liaison officer, Lieutenant Nian Xien made his way to the conning tower as the sub began to surface, emerging from the depths.

"I am Lieutenant Xien, Weinamese Liaison Officer. We have supplies on board for PLF efforts. All supplies are unmarked with no ID codes or serial numbers. Food, Ammunition, Weapons, Medical Supplies, Communication Equipment and IED's. If you would be so kind as to assist, we can unload the cargo as quickly as possible". Xien offered a nod as two heavily armed Weinamese Marines came side to side with the Lieutenant.

There was movement inside the sub as the crew had begun to create a supply chain with boxes and crates being shifted from man to man. The night was pitch dark and the sea was fairy calm as the secret transaction was made between the allied nations.

[Thuzbekistan]

Harbin, Orsandia

Set. Breath. Squeeze. Another shot fired from Lieutenant Arda's rifle ripped through an Orsandian skull as the PLF finally broke the lines, slaughtering all in their path. All around the city, reports were coming over the radio of a rapidly withdrawing enemy as the PLF finally began to win the city of Lihai. Arda smiled as he watched the officers direct their men. They picked up ammo, weapons, and began counting the amount of guns captured in the assault as the forward elements of the PLF began to push against its retreating foe. Finally, they were winning.

"Sir," Sergeant Rivan said from behind him, "Orders just came down the line."

"And?" Arda said, not taking his eyes off the advancing PLF.

"The PLF are trying to push Southward to cut off the enemy retreat. We are supposed to relocate to a rear position until transport can be secured."

Arda finally took his eyes off the action below as it pushed further down the street. "Sounds like we are being redeployed."

"Yes, Sir," Rivan said as he stood up. "To Lahpso Taha area. Yong Jun wants to make a push for Orsburgh next."

Arda shook his head and started packing up his rifle. "He can't be serious," he muttered quietly so his men down the hall couldn't hear. "They have to know the PLF have taken serious losses." He glanced down at the bodies strewn through on the road, some kids being tended to by half tended medics while Orsandian soldiers were shot or stabbed. "The PLF can't be in a position to mount another assault. There's got to be 20 PLF for every soldier down there."

Sergeant Rivan shrugged. "Not my place to ask, sir."

Still shaking his head, Arda finished packing his rifle and slung it over his back. He grabbed his AK off the wall then looked down the hall and sighed. "Gather the men and let's move out. Keep HQ up with our current location."

"Aye, sir." Rivan then turned to the men and left Arda to simply shake his head more before walking out the door.

White Hill, Orsandia

The desk shook as Serhan slammed his fist down on the table. "I know you lost more than that, Mohammad! How can we operate if you're holding back information? You won't tell us your losses, you won't tell us your setbacks. There are a lot of dead bodies there that could be pushing for Orsburgh if you had communicated."

"Dammit, Thuzbek," Muhammad yelled back. "My reports come from your men now! Your officers are in our ranks, commanding Orsandian men. If the reports are inaccurate, it's your men who are to blame, not us!"

Varmend stepped in finally. "We both know that's not true, Muhammad. Group A is battered."

Yong Jun nodded as they watched Muhammad scowl at them all. "Your Group is battered, Muhammad. It's depleted most of its manpower and vast resources were assigned that made Group B and C's job harder. Throughout the whole thing, there were rectifiable mistakes that you simply made out of foolishness. Because of this, you are no longer in command of Group A. You will take command of Group C. Group A will be combined with the Lahpso boys under Shaozan with Yeong Ji-zu acting as his second. Do I make myself clear?"

Muhammad's face turned from anger to shock. But before he could react, two PLF men grabbed his arms and pushed the stunned Muhammad away. As he did, Serhan and Yong Jun sighed, then looked down at the maps for a moment, studying the revised numbers that Thuzbek officers had provided.

"So," Varmend finally said. "We are short on ammo, men, and vehicles. Ambushes have cut back since the Marines were deployed, but now our rear is being hit by random militia attacks."

Yong Jun seemed to chew his lip as he thought it over. "We can still take the river if we go for Orsburgh alone, I think." He stood and looked out over the ruins of Lihai as he spoke. "Then we can submit a formal declaration of independence and bring an end to this."

Serhan nodded. "But we still have to move our troops and fight the mechanized battalions on the other side of that river. That is, if they don't cross it first."

"Shaozan says he can push there," Varmend said as he pointed to Lahpso Taha on the map. "We could have him push up the main roads now at night. Should reach the Dormill-Stiuraian lines in a day."

"Tell him to do it," Yong Jun said. "But wait until he's reinforced."

A few quick words and he was done. Once the radio was silent, the three men hunkered over the table and listened to the fighting over the radio. It was a mop up now. At least, that's what it seemed like.

[Thuzbekistan]

Relevant link

Ashluv, Thuzbekistan

The large TV seemed incredibly loud as Prime Minister Dorias ended his speech in Guangfeng. As the replay of the news cast came to an end, the Cabinet stayed silent. For a long moment, they seemed to shift nervously in their seats as eyes turned to Alaattin. He was silent himself, his eyes nearly shut.

"Well, that was quite a show," Derya Nadire, the Vanguard Chairman, finally said. "I don't see on what legal grounds they could demand reparations as it is completely nontraditional in terms of reparations."

"That is hardly the problem," Foreign Minister Nalik said. "The problem is that they will most likely take this to the League, which will then place sanctions against us."

Azul Barshlan, the FWC chairman nodded. "We cannot afford heavy and united sanctions. Our entire economy practically rests on exports." He looked sharply to Alaattin. "If we cannot find a way to pull out of this, then we will have much larger problems than even an Oster invasion could offer."

"Especially with what Harun told me," Derya said as he passed a folder down the conference table to Alaattin. "This is a bill which is being drafted by the opposition. It demands a full disclosure to Parliament of all clandestine operations taken by the Thuzbek Intelligence Services and Naval Intelligence."

"What?!" Arda Rıdvan, the Minister of the Navy, gasped. "This can't possibly be legal!"

"It would be," Nadire answered solemnly. "And despite the fact that it would be to Party heads only, we know for a fact that the head of the Conservative Party would leak this. We can't stop that either. We aren't even sure how he's doing it and we can't just get rid of him."

Director Zeki nodded in Affirmation. "The investigation into him is just beginning. I can't promise results for another couple weeks. But any leak or revelation to Parliament would be devastating to our cause there."

"Well, surely it can't pass if the Opposition is doing it," Alaattin finally said. "Rarely does any Vanguard Party go against Nadire."

Nadire bit his lip for a moment. "I'm afraid it would pass, Prime Minister." He wavered a bit as Alaattin glared at him. "The Islamic-"

"How could this pass, Nadire?" Alaattin was glaring. "Your job is to maintain party unity. How would this pass?"

Nadire swallowed slightly. "Well, the Islamic Socialist Party has a very sour view of the PLF since the executions that stirred up the Islamic Population in Urching to take up arms. At least half of them are sure to vote for the bill."

Alaattin swore under his breath. "Ok, what can you do about it?"

Derya leaned back as he thought about it slowly. "I could try to force the vote to be delayed. There's plenty of ways I can do that. It'll give me a couple weeks to try and swing the ISP around to us though."

"Good." Alaattin turned to Director Zeki. "Can you help him with that?"

"Easily," The old, gruff man said. "I'll have my domestic division take care of that, as always."

Alaattin nodded. "Derya, You're no longer needed. Keep me updated on the situation in Parliament. No more surprises like this."

Derya nodded, then left the room already reaching for his phone as he did. Alaattin then clicked his pen and looked up at Nalik. "There was a lot in that statement they said and we have a lot to do, so you and I will need to discuss the details of our response in just a moment. As for you," he said as he looked over to Ridvan, "Orsandia and Dormill and Stiura have made overt threats, Aruia has made indirect threats, and Ostehaar presents a very different kind of threat. What will the Naval response to this be?"

Ridvan slid a file down to Alaattin. "This is our proposed positioning. The Western Fleet would be put on high alert, the Eastern fleet would deploy its electronic warfare ships to Gresswell Isle. All fleets would be on high alert and all crews on standby. The Marine reserves would be put on a 24 hour standby as well, meaning that they can't be further than 6 hours from their bases at any given time."

Alaattin looked over it silently. "Why is the Central Fleet positioned in the Southern Eterna in this proposal?"

"We want to adopt a firmly defensive posture. Having the carrier fleet so far from home at a time of crisis near our borders is a risk." Ridvan shifted slightly. "Moreover, I believe it will inflame the situation if we go by the proposal you sent me last week. Putting the Central Fleet so close to Samudera would not only be a threat to nations like Orsandia and Dormill and Stiura, but it would also put our ally Samudera on edge and draw the eye of Verdon and Ainslie. I believe that it would be a net negative to position ourselves in such an offensive manner."

Alaattin thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. "While deciding what will and will not inflame diplomatic crises is not your job, I do agree with your reasoning. Instead of having them only a hundred kilometers out, though, put them further south so that should the need arise, they can move in the A.O." Alaattin made a few notes, then looked up at Zeki. "Now, what is our situation? Have you heard from SAFI?"

"Not yet. We've reached out, but no response yet," Zeki said. "Reports I do get depict a picture of nervousness, though."

"Do you think we can count on them for much longer," Ridvan asked. "We need that route open. The entire operation depends on it."

"I'm not sure at this time. For the moment? Yes. But I can't tell you with any certainty about tomorrow."

"If that route gets closed," Ridvan said as he rubbed his short beard, "Then the PLF will have to fight with what they have. Which is fine for the immediate future, but the offensive coming up..." He looked down at the papers. "They don't have enough anti-tank missiles and they are almost out of stingers. Ever since that Oster Pilot came down, they've been shooting at every low flying plane they see. By the time the offensive starts, we will be looking at an ill-equipped force fighting mechanized battalions."

"Not that we could have supplied much more anyways," Barshlon said plainly. "You've seen the reports. We can't make them as fast as the PLF needs them."

Alaattin nodded and wrote more on his pad. "Ok. Well, we can't slow it, but we can try to give them another shipment before the Samuderans get antsy."

"Even if we ship 500 missiles before the route closes, that still may not be enough," Zeki said. "It's a total war over there. The PLF weren't prepared for the intervention of Dormill-Stiuraian troops. They simply aren't equipped to do this." He leaned forward in his chair, his hands clasped together. "Prime Minister, while we are currently winning, I do not currently see a way for the PLF to attain victory. I would consider withdrawing."

Alaattin stared at Zeki blankly for a long moment, shock written across his face. "You can't be serious. After everything we've done to get this far? How can we just withdraw?"

"I'm just saying that the costs may start outweighing the gains, Alaattin." Zeki stared across the table at the Prime Minister, his face hard. "No matter what the gains are, the costs are simply mounting."

"The costs were laid out before we started, Zeki!" Alaattin was near red with anger. "But reviving the UCCR is the best thing we can do for Thuzbekistan and for Socialism." He looked around the room as the faces grew ever more grave. "Gentlemen, this was the country we lost to foreign intervention. If we can win it back and our talks with Weinam are successful, then we can reform the UCCR. Thuzbekistan would restore its place as an international leader and we could spread socialism once more."

Zeki curled his lips as his shoulders drooped, but he simply nodded. "Then we will continue to have our men help push the PLF."

Alaattin smiled slightly. "Thank you." He then turned to Barshlon. "Thank you for your input, Chairman. I need to speak with these men alone now."

Barshlon nodded, then stood and left. Once the door shut, Alaattin looked to Nalik. "Now, we have a lot to talk about. What do you suggest our first response should be?"

"Publicly, we should deny this immediately," he said as he opened a file. "We should obviously claim these bits of evidence are false and are obviously not enough for an international response. Secondly, we should hit at the specific statements, particularly by Dormill-Stiura. They said we would pay for every cent of damage. That is obviously against international norms and law in some cases. We should call them on it. News reports pointing out how the MSTO aided the military government that preceded this one would also be helpful. Third, we need to get a feel for the Samuderan political atmosphere. We should have our Ambassador to Samudera meet with the President and try to secure our interests there. Finally, we should also give our ambassador to Weinam the green light on war games. Give them a tentative date of September 10th."

Alaattin nodded. "All this sounds good. I do want to ask, though, whether contacting Ostehaar or Orsandia could do any harm?"

"I think it would do nothing but harm. Letters in a time like this do only to reveal the weakness of our position rather than make us appear strong. I think working behind the scenes to keep our routes open and publicly denying our involvement is the best way to go."

"Ok, do it." With that, he turned to Zeki and Nalik. "You know what needs to be done, let's get to it."

The men stood and walked out of the door. Once it shut, Alaattin let out a deep sigh. His back was hurting from the stress and the his throat from speaking all day. There wasn't any way to get out of this now and he knew it. But still, as we turned out the lights and walked into his living quarters, he couldn't help but feel hope. He felt it even more so once his prayers were done and he was in bed. They could win yet.

[Samudera]

12 July 2018
Revolutionary Palace, Bhinneka, Samudera

“We are facing a crisis right here. A really grave one,” President Susanto announced with heavy voice. He had called a meeting immediately following the joint statement by Orsandia, Ostehaar, and Dormill-and-Stiura. SAFI had notified him of this very moment a week before after the capture of a SAFI agent in Orsandia, but he was never prepared for this - and never could be.

Nevertheless, he continued. “I have received calls from the President of Aruia, and it by no means will be the last call i will receive today. This is going really bad. Why did none of you tell me that it would be this bad?”

Silence filled the whole room, because the truth was, no one dared to say so to the President himself.

Finally General H’ta broke the silence with his booming voice, “It might be bad, but we still stand a chance Sir. If we unite this whole nation with the three nations as a common enemy, we will be a formidable foe for them to fight!”

“The problem in your plan is that we don’t have a cohesive nation on our hands right now. Not with all the so-called scandals that were revealed by the damn press,” the Minister of Communication Baharuddin Jonan interjected. “We might be lucky if people still follow us after this.”

“Your pessimistic view isn’t appreciated, Jonan. We need a solution, not your whining. And beside our nation is still going strong, despite everything you said,” replied the Minister of Home Affairs Ahmad Firdaus with a mocking tone.

Cough, cough. “We should think about the bigger problems first rather than baiting other ministers. That is, the international sanctions,” interrupted the Minister of Foreign Affairs Cahyadi Kunakara. “Our standing in international stage has been reduced to nothing with this revelation, added to the fact that both Ostehaar and Dormill and Stiura are influential nations both in Gael and the Isles as a whole.”

He sighed before continuing, “There is no chance we will avoid sanctions. I think Mrs. Rena has calculated the economic impact of this sanctions should it be imposed on us.”

“Yes, indeed i have,” replied Minister of Finance Rena Taraputri rather gloomily. “If only those three nations imposed sanctions on us, the effect on us would not be catastrophic, but still quite significant. The three comprised about 14% of our exports and 25% of our imports. We could still survive it.”

She then elaborated further, “What would be catastrophic is if other nations started to impose their own sanctions on us, most importantly Ainslie, Townside and Negarakita. It would cut almost all of our trade with the rest of the Isles and we would survive only for mere months. Maybe less if the people started to take to the streets and fight their own government, or if the Opposition started to depose us.”

“Are you guys really that pessimistic? This is not the end of the world, like what she said earlier,” Ahmad pointed at Rena. “If the worst comes to the worse, we still have Plan B..”

“Not now, Ahmad,” the President cut him short.

“Now now, we should work on the solution, rather than dwelling with the problems itself. Any of you here have solutions to our problems, both domestic and external? Cahyadi, don’t we have any contingency plans for this?”

“Uhm, sir, unfortunately we don’t. You said that our support for PLF won’t come out to the public and you banned me from work on a solution, saying that it would be useless,” replied Cahyadi.

“But,” he said further after he got stern look from the President. “I have backup plans, as i always do.”

He pulled out a file from his briefcase, then started outlining the plan to the President, ”At first, i predicted that only Orsandia would reveal our involvement. But turns out, it is Orsandia with their two big allies. The plans may need some tweaking here and there, but essentially we need to admit our support to PLF, and hope that we could negotiate a better term in exchange for our admission. That, i think, is our only best hope currently.”

“Hold on a second, are you crazy?”, Ahmad gave a disbelieving look.

“There is no way we would admit our involvement in Orsandia. That is certainly political suicide! Sir, this plan of his will be our downfall if it is to be implemented!”, General H’ta bursted out.

The President sighed. He was already stressed out with everything. None of his plans worked out. “I must agree with Ahmad and H’ta here, Cahyadi. I know you are the most knowledgeable man about diplomacy around here but we just can’t hand ourselves to the enemy. We still have our pride, and most importantly, allies. We need to deny our involvement.”

“But sir, it will be political and economic suicide!”, Cahyadi replied wide-eyed.

“There is no ‘but’. I was the one who started this and i will end it myself. You will deny our involvement tomorrow in a press conference. This is my final decision,” the President said sternly. Cahyadi nodded slowly, knowing that he had no other choice.

“And for domestic problems, i trust that you will handle it quickly right, Ahmad?”

“Of course Sir. By next month we will have a unified nation, ready to fight against any threats to our nation,” Ahmad nodded eagerly.

“Good. And General H’ta, i assume your effort to arm the Army is still going?”

“Yes Sir. They will be ready for our Plan in a few months,” replied General H’ta.

“And i trust that you will solve our economic problems, Rena?”

“I will do my best Sir,” replied Rena with hesitation.

“I hope you do better than your predecessor. Now, this meeting is concluded for now. Call the Chief of SAFI and the Thuzbek ambassador to meet with me privately in the Presidential Room. You are coming with me, H’ta.”

[Thuzbekistan]

Lihai, Orsandia
30 minutes after the fall of Harbin

Serhan rubbed his eyes tiredly as Yong Jun, Varmend, and the PLF commanders looked over the plans for the coming offensive. As they were, reports were flooding in of the rapid withdrawal. The Artillery thundered all around the city as every gun the PLF had fired like well oiled machines. The indirect fire was supposed to be causing serious casualties, but the command transfer in Group A hadn't even started yet, so it was doubtful that this was occurring. Between breaks in the artillery fire, the sound of constant small arms exchanges echoed throughout the city, particularly south of Harbin. The only sound missing now was that of the jets flying over or bombs exploding.

Serhan looked up at the skies. Its deep blue was only clouded by the smoke from the city. Still, it was peaceful now. Had they truly given up Lihai? Just as he was about to rejoin the conversations behind him, he saw some dots on the horizon. He watched for a second, his eyes squinted as he tried to identify them. Then, as he realized what they were, he yanked around.

"Airstrike!" He yelled as he got to the table. "There's a massive airstrike coming!" Serhan grabbed Yong Jun's arm.

"What the hell are you doing?" Yong screamed back at him as Serhan pulled him out the back door. With a hard push, Serhan threw him to the ground.

As Yong Jun hit the pavement behind the house, the whole street exploded around them. The ground shook as a wave of energy and heat disintegrated the houses on the other side of the street. Serhan's ears rang as hot debris landed on his back and legs. Even as everything quieted and the ash settled around him, Serhan finally stood. The sounds of jets filled the sky as the perpetrators of the attack came around to hit other targets in the city.

"Everyone ok?!" Varmend yelled from inside the house which was still intact. "Serhan? Yong?"

"Yeah," Serhan said as Yong got up. "We're ok."

"Shit," Yong said as he brushed ash off of is arm. "They're hitting the whole city like this!"

Muhammad slammed his fist down on table. "Fucking monsters. They're gonnna level their own city full of civilians just to kill us!"

Serhan shook his head. "We can't have any units leave the city. We need to hold Lihai."

"Which will be useless if we can't take the river," Varmend grumbled. "We have to make that push immedia-" Another explosion close by shook the house. "-or else we can't hold the initiative."

"He's right," Yong said. "We have to order Shaozan forward. Yeong," he looked around. "Where's Yeong?"

"Fuck, he wasn't on the other side of the..." Varmend trailed off.

"You," Serhan pointed to a PLF guard. "Go check and see if Commander Yeong is alive. He may have been in the house across the street."

The guard nodded and ran off. Only a few minutes later, they called out on the radio. "Yeong is dead. Crushed by rubble from the house."

As soon as it came over, Yong Jun jumped up from a chair and rushed out the door. Serhan and the others followed him. The guard pointed as another two PLF members pulled a mangled, broken body out of the rubble. Yong Jun simply stopped as he saw the corpse and just stared. His hands shook as he grimaced at the sight of the body before turning away. He shut his eyes and let out a long, deep sigh as a single tear welled in his eye. Everyone was silent as it slithered down his cheek before he wiped it away. "Damn kids are always the first to go," he said finally. "Muhammad, you take charge of Group A again. Group C units in Lihai will merge with both A and B."

Muhammad nodded, his face contorted as if he didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry, Yong. I- I just-"

"Just go, Muhammad!" Yong shouted. Muhammad stood there for a moment, then turned and left. There was silence for another long moment before Yong looked up to Serhan. "He was my son, you know."

"I didn't," Serhan said solemnly.

"I didn't tell you. Didn't want you Thuzbek fucks to know much about me." He quickly wiped away a tear. "Do me a favor and tell my wife in Orsburgh at-"

"242 Shalon Street," Serhan said. "We know. We'll take care of it."

"Thanks," Yong said simply. For a minute, he simply stood there, his eyes squeezed shut as he fought back the tears. He only opened them when another bomb hit the city. "Let's get back to work."

With that, the men walked back into the house and began to make sense of the reports flying in from all over the city.

[Weinam]

Teikong Government Headquarters
Teikong City, Weinam

President Lin Zheng glanced over her small stack of files as her Military Generals, Political Commissars and Advisers sit around a map of Gael. The meeting room was underground from the main government building in Teikong. Built during the Cold War, the underground complex was designed to house the Weinamese Government during times of crisis and war. Today, the complex was home to Weinam's secret Government services and the Presidents preferred location for top secret meetings, operations and planning.

"So, Ladies and Gentleman." President Zheng finally spoke, looking up from her notes. "Where are we with the Orsandia conflict?".

General Ko Yeung rose to his feet and moved to the large map of Gael hanging at the end of the room.
"As you are aware, we have two submarines currently deployed on supply operations just south-east of Samudera. As of yesterday morning, the subs had made contact with Thuzbek facilitators and are currently offloading supplies at an undisclosed port. The unloading is expected to take around six to eight hours before the subs depart and return home, we are taking all necessary precautions in ensuring that we are not detected during the unload and withdrawal from Samudera waters. We have also made arrangements to position several of our warships to mock a training exercise so that our submarines can return home with safety and obscurity, Ma'am".

Zheng nodded as she looked from the General to the map, listening intently to every word. Political Commissar Heng Peng, handed a document to the President before beginning her report.
"Media reports that Thuzbekistan and Samudera are being internationally implicated for the conflict. There has been no mention of Weinam other then as a result of our official support for them. We are currently analyzing footage of Weinamese flags being flown by the PLF within Orsandia, but it's likely to be just Communist rallying rather then any Weinam involvement. WSB agents did however intercept information about a group of Weinamese students plotting to join the conflict in Orsandia".

Zheng perked a brow, glancing to Peng with a stern glance. "Students... where are they now Commissar Peng?" she asked, already surmising the answer.

"WSB arrested them on terrorist charges, they are currently being interrogated and investigated, ma'am". Peng replied.

"Good". Zheng immediately answered with a satisfied nod. "I'd like the report of their interrogation as soon as WSB have completed them. I want to make this completely clear, we can not be implicated in this conflict, no overt operations, no movements or involvement. Once the subs have returned home, we are to distance ourselves from this as much as we can. Weinam being dragged into this conflict would destabilize the Argus region and likely start World War Three. The PLF effort is diminishing, even with our supplies, it's unlikely they will last much longer, the international presence is too much for them to remain effective. With official accusations now being made, we need to switch our attention to supporting Samudera and Thuzbekistan from international condemnation and any sanctions likely to follow. I would like to meet with the leaders of both nations, so we can plan for the coming months. We need to prepare a financial package with aid and resources in case of economic collapse for either nation".

The room nodded in agreement as the various services began to work on the next phase of Weinam's involvement.

[Samudera]

150km offshore Lihai

It was an unusually sunny day for him. Looking at the sky, he could see no clouds in sight. A good sign for sailors, according to the myths. Not that he believed all those bullcrap, but often they were true. Well, he hoped so, because he might need all the lucks in the world to get his job done. Or else.

This wasn’t his first shipping, yet it felt just like that. Usually, he could get his job done nice and quick. The DS navy rarely patrols this far from the coast of Lihai. Though his last encounter with them might prove otherwise. And he certainly hated the gods for that encounter.

Ever since the disclosure of Samudera’s intervention in Orsandia, the situation has become rather chaotic in SAFI. He was supposed to take a vacation to Ainslie this week, but the boy who was supposed to be his replacement was gone. So he voluntarily took this job again. Another reason was that everyone seemed to be eager to take a vacation in Ainslie lately.

His radio chimed in for the first time in days, excited to hear a good news. But boy, he could never be so wrong.

“Lionfish-1, this is an emergency. I repeat an emergency.”

His blood immediately ran cold. He didn’t like those words at all.

“We have spotted two Aruian patrol ships changing their direction to intercept you. They are coming from the city of Con Petro, west of your position. We advise you to sail farther east into Orsandian territorial waters for them to cease their pursuit. And be careful of Dormill-Stiuraian Navy patrol.”

Cenarai sighed in relief. “Roger that, Seagull-1.”

It wasn’t actually a relief for him, but any ship is better than the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy ships. That would’ve been the end for him. Although he was actually curious, Where are the patrols? He would’ve guessed that the Dormill-Stiuraian were going to patrol this area after the disclosure.

Oh well, good for him.

He steered the ship further east to get rid of the Aruian coastline guards, hoping that his fishing boat could outrun them. Slim chance, but it is his job. Because this will be the only supply SAFI would send to PLF in a week. Things had gone complicated ever since.

Revolutionary Palace, Bhinneka, Samudera

The President walked around the Room, trying to hide his nervousness. He always looked outside from the big glass window right behind his chair. From there, he could see the cityscape of the Samuderan capital, Bhinneka. This very same city who he admired for its beauty, yet tried to get him out of this office.

On the chair in front of his desk, sit a skinny guy who was even more nervous than the President himself. He knew very well that the President would blame him for everything. And he had a perfect reason to be nervous.

A knock resonated through the room, followed by a creaking voice of a door opening. A Thuzbek man appeared, which the President recognised immediately as the Thuzbek ambassador. President Susanto walked to the door from the spot where he admired the city earlier, welcoming the ambassador.

“Welcome to my humble oMrce, Mr. Ambassador. I think we have a lot to talk about.”

[Thuzbekistan]

Samuderan Presidential Office

Sabah Haşim bowed slightly as he entered the office, a courtesy Thuzbeks only gave to good friends. "Mr. President," he said as he shook the man's hand, "It is good to finally meet with you." Sabah gave a sideways glance to the man in the chair and took a seat in the furthest chair from him in front of the President's desk. "As you know, the situation is quite precarious. However, I have been assured that our Prime Minister is fully prepared to double down on our efforts to supply the PLF. If the PLF can secure their victory in Urching, then we will be able to recreate the UCCR and force the Allies to treat with them and us as an extension. With a tried and true border, the PLF can be recognized as a legitimate government. Despite the sanctions, we can continue to ensure a victory there. My Prime Minister is absolutely assured by his staff that we can continue this operation in the face of international opposition." He watched, trying to gauge the Samuderan's face. "We simply need our allies to stand by us in this moment."

Outside of Lahpso Taha, Orsandia

Commander Shaozan walked quickly along the small road leading out of the suburbs of Lahpso Taha. The night air clang to his skin as he navigated the darkness of the road. Unlike in Lihai, the neighborhood that the trucks and APCs now used as their staging ground for the next phase of their attack. Around him, men moved with trained eyes through the dark, minimizing light and heat signatures until the moment they needed to move. It was difficult to do, but if the men of Lahpso Taha, or "Shaozan's Division", had much of anything during the fighting in Lihai, it had been time. That time had been spent training and recruiting, swelling Shaozan's Division up to 5,000 men under arms with decent training. Men were loading equipment into trucks and old humvees and jeeps as Shaozan walked to his command vehicle near the front of the staging area. For months, he had been stockpiling his supplies, limiting the use of anti-air weapons to low flying jets or helicopters and each needed an officer's approval before use. Now, those weapons would be put to use.

As Shaozan reached his command truck, his second walked out to meet him. "The counts are done. We can move in 15 minutes tops."

"Thank you, Seok," he said as he approached. "Radio it back to Yong Jun and let's get ready."

There was a short burst of radio activity, then the engines started up. In three columns, the 7,500 man force of Shaozan's Division and the Remnants of Group A drove Northeast. In only a few hours, they would be within 25 Kilometers of Roremond.

Ashluv, Thuzbekistan

"We're Sorry, Prime Minister," Directer Zeki said solemnly. "There's no avoiding it. It will pass."

"What?" Alaattin said as he glared at the men sitting in front of him. "How? How did you let this pass?"

"We didn't let it pass, and it hasn't yet," Derya Nadire said, his voice slow and low. "There are still tactics we can use to stop it. We've kept the media silent on this, we've kept talks regarding the bill in confidential meetings. Still, we can't keep the ISP from swinging the vote."

Alaattin swore as he looked to his left out at the city, staring at its haze covered towers before looking back to Zeki. "What about the investigation? None of this really matters anyways unless Arshlon Valmacid gets it out."

"It's ongoing," Zeki said. "We put some taps on his phones, of course. That was a long time ago. We have it scheduled for his home and vehicle soon. That should be tonight."

"And how long can we hold off the vote?" Alaattin said as he slowly unwound his hands, trying to stop his bad habit of squeezing them to cramps while he was talking. They were already hurting from his meeting with the FWC chairman earlier.

"A month or so, I think." Derya said. "We can file several motions against it, but we can't get rid of it. Of course, there is always the legal route and attempts to delay it, but the more we fight it, the more we have to go public with it." Derya paused for a moment, thinking of how to say what he was about to. "What I'm really confused about is why this is so important. It's already known that we have been supporting revolutions throughout our history. Why does this matter?"

"That's classified and it will remain so." Zeki said sternly.

"Very well. I just think we could limit the damage better if we let it pass and simply worked to contain the information or work on something else to try and limit exposure."

"We can't do that," Zeki said flatly. "We can't limit the damage if everything is known."

"Ok," Derya said slowly. "I'll do what I can to delay it."

"Good," Alaattin said finally.

After the men finally left, Alaattin stretched his hands and leaned back. They were hurting badly now, as well his throat. Constant meetings all day were taking their toll. At least, though, the PLF could win. If they could win, they could treat. That was his hope.

[Orsandia]

Executive Palace, Guangefeng

"Yeah, get the Weinamese on the secure line."

It was a chaotic time within the Executive building in Guangfeng. Sweeping sanctions had just been slapped on the governments of Samudera and Thuzbekistan, advisors rushed about the building as it became apparent that the port city of Lihai was lost to the enemy. The government also had a peculiar dilemma on what to do with a Samuderan SAFI agent they had caught working with the PLF in Urching.

"So its decided then." Sighed Williamson, who sat calmly at his desk.

Through backroom discussions and recommendation of the OSA, the SAFI agent Bima, would be sent to Weinam, whom conveniently undertook the process to gradually erase its communist government structure in favor of one more democratic based, where the agent would be able to peacefully live the rest of his life under a witness protection program.

A man picked up the phone on the line.

Williamson began : "Hello, we have crucial info to bring to your attention that requires a response, best of luck on the transition from communism by the way."


Lihai,Orsandia

The last of the final evacuations departed from Arden Beach, Orsandian and United Republic forces had already pulled out of the city to regroup at Roermond, to the northwest of Lihai. All that was left now was to ensure that critical infrastructure was not to fall to PLF hands, while also avoiding civilian casualties in crossfire.

"Overlord, to Ronin 2-1, you are cleared to engage weapons release"
"Roger. Godspeed Overlord"

Four Gaelfighters whisked over the ruins of the financial district and arena, where the PLF had attacked ongoing evacuations. They came upon a major interstate freeway when they began their bombardment.

"Bombs away"

The Gaelfighters fired missiles and rained fury on the ground below, crippling the roadway and immolating scattered PLF personnel on the ground.

They did this again to the airfields at Lihai Int'l Airport, and lastly targeted the Port of Lihai before the planes flew off back towards Yang Kong AFB.

Lihai had fallen, but at a great cost to the PLF manpower. This was not going to stop them, however.

Outside of Roermond, Orsandia
Troops, tanks, and humvees scattered across a rural town outside of Roermond, hastily attempting to prepare a brutal defensive system against the PLF, who were sure to try their luck and advance towards Roermond and Orsburgh. Orsandian and United Republics troops raced with purpose to inflict heavy losses on the PLF to ensure that their rampant advance is halted here.

"We have all of the civillians with in a 75 km radius evacuated, sir. This rural, open area is the gateway to Orsburgh and Roermond. We cannot lose this position."

Generals stood in a circle, carefully studying the map with markings of defensive positions, anticipating where the PLF would come from.

The smell of war was in the air here, and it was only a matter of time before the carnage re-started again.

outside of Lahpso Taha, Urching SAR

Using the cover of the night, and the strong winds blowing through the mountains, a special task force consisting of troops from the Orsandian Special Air Service and the Urching inspired Tighurn Regiment, consisting of indigenous descendants of Urching, waded through the vegetation, covered by the darkness of the night.

Their reason for coming so far behind enemy lines was simple: word had gotten to the bigwigs up at Guangfeng that some of the local Islamic and indigenous villages were actually fighting back against the PLF. They were here to help these villagers disrupt and blindside PLF operations inside of the region.

"Don't focking move, lad" whispered one of the soliders as they approached a series of small mud-brick buildings, with an old man donning a turban approaching him.

ten armed men popped from behind, flanking the old man as they approached the Orsandian personnel.

"Assalamualaikum. You must be our brothers from the Orsandian Military. " The old man spoke in a fluent, yet slightly heavy accent.

"Yeah we are old man, you should probably tell your men to quit pointing those AKs at us though."

The old man smiled and gestured for the armed men to lower their weapons, the situation turned to one much friendlier and calm.

"Come with me, we discuss situation over tea and kebab, friend."

[Samudera]

Revolutionary Palace, Bhinneka, Samudera

“Of course, Mr… Haşim?” replied President Susanto, a bit unsure if he pronounced the Thuzbek ambassador’s name correctly.

He returned to his seat after greeting the ambassador. “We’ve kept our supply line to the PLF steady, despite our enemies best effort in halting the operation. There are some ‘little’ problems, but none that we couldn’t handle, right Gunauan?”

President Susanto shifted his gaze to the skinny man that was sitting beside the Thuzbek ambassador.

The silent Chief of SAFI nodded slowly. He proceeded to explain further when he saw the President’s stern gaze.

He cleared his throat then began speaking, “Yes sir. There is nothing that we couldn’t handle. Just on the technical side. Last reports indicate that the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy haven’t completed their blockade on the Gulf, as our ships managed to slip through. Instead, it is the Aruaian Coast Guard that had been the problem since we need to sail closer to the Aruian coast, as we couldn’t risk being detected by the Dormill-Stiuraian Navy. Or even the Ahnslen Navy.”

“Err, yes, as you can hear, nothing will trouble us,” President Susanto quickly added up, clearly uncomfortable with Gunauan’s remark. “We will try our best in securing the PLF’s victory. It has been our goal since Samudera decided to support them. We won’t abandon our allies in times of need. Unlike a certain nation. UCCR will be reformed soon.”

“Only, we need right now is a reassurance that Samudera and Thuzbekistan will stand strong together,” President Susanto said as he closed his eyes.

[Dormill and Stiura]

Oakfield, Midlands Governate
The smoke from the ruins of Lihai were still visible from the few tall buildings in Oakfield. Most of the men of the 13th Airborne Regiment were still in shock at what they saw. Every so often, they would catch a glimpse of an Aingael, or a Gaelfighter as they flew overhead to slow down the PLF advance. It was fortunate that they almost always saw their planes fly back overhead after a while, the reports from Ostehaar on their still missing pilot has not done well to ease tension on the troops on the ground, or the other pilots that had to make similarly dangerous flights out from Orsandia.

On the streets of the city, most of the civilian population has left, evacuated eastwards from an oncoming fight. Those that stayed were there assisting the allied soldiers with hot meals and hearty company, some offered different services but the Dormill-Stiuraians were under strict orders to keep fraternization with the civilians of Orsandia to a minimum while an attack was still imminent. However, as the days dragged on, there were limited signs of a PLF attack incoming. Regardless, the soldiers held their positions and waited for their next orders.

Orsburgh, 2nd Mechanized Division Command
The Dormill-Stiuraian third of the Orsandian Ministry of Defense building was all hushed voices and ruffling papers, the staff had grown accustomed to the new conditions and with the lull in actions since the fall of Lihai, affairs on the inside had remained remarkably calm.

"Sirs, I believe that the failure of Bitter Wind was a fluke on the part of the PLF." Major General Denis Henson began, engaged in a video conference call with his superiors, "I believe that with our superior numbers and especially our armored advantage, we should be able to counterattack the PLF and destroy most of their operational capacity in no more than two months."

"You told us that when we sent men into Orsandia in the first place, Mr. Henson." Dyson responded, his eyes heavy from the sleepless nights he's had to deal with over the course of the war, "I need actual results sooner rather than later, I can't keep Ile-de occupied for long and I can't guarantee continued support for our operations out there."

"Mr. President," the General began, "I have strong beliefs in this plan, all it'll take is a week of mobilization and I," pausing for a second, rethinking his words, "we can push the PLF right back to Lhapso Taha, maybe even out to the countryside where they will slowly die off without Thuzbek or Samuderan aid."

Cedar looks off towards the projector behind the General for a moment, examining the plan that his staff had made and presented moments earlier.

"How about the long-term peacekeeping we're going to have to be involved in?" the President asked

"No more than a Brigade, probably two or three battalions is all that we should need to keep here, and what should also be the most agreeable long-term settlement we can make with our Orsandian allies." was the response.

"What units would you recommend?", Dyson inquired further.

"Anything that's already in Orsandia that is not from the 9th Regiment, they faced heavy casualties in the fighting and need to be returned to the United Republics as soon as they can be sent. Perhaps we can spare some units from the 14th?"

"So long as you can make it happen, Major General."

"Of course, sir."

[Thuzbekistan]

Revolutionary Palace, Bhinneka, Samudera

Sabah hid a grimace at the absolute butchering of his name. As many times as he had seen the man, this president had been unable to pronounce his name. Sabah had never bothered to correct him partly out of concern for decorum and partly because the President seemed to produce more worrying issues. This awkward moment between the Head of Safi and the President made him particularly nervous.

"Absolutely, Mr. President. Thuzbekistan has never abandoned its ally and we will not do so now. We are happy to see the unity here in Samudera despite the heavy diplomatic attacks." He pulled a folder out of his pack. "This is a proposal from our government to yours to boost trade and try to fill the gap where these sanctions may hurt us. It was a much more... robust package before the Wienamese incident, but is certainly still a viable route for the immediate future. It will give us time to find nations which may still trade with us."

He looked to the head of Safi, then back to the president. "I hope that Samudera may remain united with us."

[Orsandia]

August 8th, 2018

EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM -- ORSANDIAN OFFICE OF DEFENSE

This message is transmitted at the request of the Orsandian Government :

A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the the following cities : Roermond, Yorkford Borough, Kingsbridge Borough, Outer Orsburgh,Creekside upon Thames, and Brunswick Town. Please bring clothing, identification documents, prescriptions, and no more than three articles of personal accessory. Move to your nearest designated community emergency shelter immediately. Orsandian military personnel will be there to assist you. Pickups traveling to Orsburgh International Airport / Orsfield occur every 20 minutes. Do not wait, please evacuate immediately. Be aware of your surroundings and follow instructions to ensure that your safety is prioritized. This is not a test.

[Orsandia]

August 8th, 2018

EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM -- ORSANDIAN OFFICE OF DEFENSE

This message is transmitted at the request of the Orsandian Government :

A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for the the following cities : Roermond, Yorkford Borough, Kingsbridge Borough, Outer Orsburgh,Creekside upon Thames, and Brunswick Town. Please bring clothing, identification documents, prescriptions, and no more than three articles of personal accessory. Move to your nearest designated community emergency shelter immediately. Orsandian military personnel will be there to assist you. Pickups traveling to Orsburgh International Airport / Orsfield occur every 20 minutes. Do not wait, please evacuate immediately. Be aware of your surroundings and follow instructions to ensure that your safety is prioritized. This is not a test.

[Samudera]

Revolutionary Palace, Bhinneka, Samudera

President Susanto looked at the folder, smiling when he read the inside of it. This is what we need, he thought to himself.

“You have my word, Mr. Hashim,” he said while still trying, in vain, to pronounce the ambassador’s name correctly. “We will see this revolution until we achieve its glorious end. The fire shall burn brightly.”

The President’s face was lit brightly, while Gunauan’s face was filled with dread, knowing that this won’t end well for him.

Classified Location
OSA Detention Facility, Orsandia

Bima tried to read a book once again in an attempt to relieve his boredom. It is not really a good book, if at all. But he had no choice really, it is the only book that the OSA graciously left for him. And that book was a goddamn romance book about vampires.

He closed the book, that clearly failed to relieve him of his boredom. There wasn’t much he could do in the confinement. OSA had been very gracious to him, and he knew he deserved it well. He had brought down his country, a country who he loved so much. His homeland.

But it wasn’t enough.

One time he asked his ‘captors’, well maybe ‘caretakers’ might fit better in this case, for pizzas. At first, they said yes. He suspected that it was mostly because of his girlfriend’s death stare. Of all the differences he had with his girlfriend, which was quite enormous, to say the least, they agreed that pizza is one of the best food in the world.

Their hopes were immediately crushed when he said a word. The OSA agents were all immediately infuriated by his words. It seemed they took offense with the word ‘pineapple pizza’. This uncultured swine didn’t know how good those pizzas would taste. Back in Samudera, these are a common delicacy among people back home. Needless to say, he didn’t get any pizza that day.

Closing the book, he put it back on the wooden desk before sitting with his girlfriend in her bed. She really liked to sit on her bed, because it always reminded her of her home. He hugged her, feeling sorry for everything she had brought upon him. Well, he tried to hug her, because she eyed him immediately.

“Not now, for gods’ sake. You haven’t take a bath in like, weeks. I want no bacteria from you.”

“Hey, don’t blame me. Those guys haven’t fixed the bathroom piping. And besides, it was only two days since I take a bath. Please get your fact straight, lady. Thank you,” he countered.

“Doesn’t matter. You are still gross,” she eyed him with disgust.

“But you still love me, don’t you?”

She showed a hint of a smile, which she covered immediately with a pout. “Maybe, if you give me your foods again.”

“Hey, not fair! My appetite is bigger than you. Besides, with all that food you will be fat soon.”

“DON’T SAY THE WORD FAT AGAIN TO ME. EVER,” she screamed at him and launch herself at Bima.

He laughed merrily, knowing that she still loved him despite everything. And he was grateful because of it. He just hoped that the OSA would fulfill their promise by giving him and Vina a new life somewhere else.

[Thuzbekistan]

25 Kilometers Outside of Roremond, Orsandia

Over the last nights, they had moved into position around Roremond. Delay after delay had held them up and Allied air strikes were relentless at times. As Shaozan looked over the maps and reports, he let out a long sigh. Every bit of ammunition that could have been brought up was here. Every soldier that could be raised was there. Still, he was hesitant. They hadn't seen much of the Dormill-Stiuraian mechanized that they knew were here and now that the air strikes had caused delays, Roremond was obviously a very reinforced town. There was little hope in him now.

Seok, his second in command, was slightly more optimistic as he looked over the reports with him. "The artillery was set in place without notice, I think," he said.

Shaozan grunted, then looked back at the map. "We have to destroy the bridges if we make it into town. Otherwise, they will spew back across the river in force."

"I know." Seok tapped his feet as he said it. "We've been over this a hundred times now. We start with an artillery barrage on the lines on their West flank and Right flank and feign attacks to both sides. Then we hit the center with a concentrated artillery barrage and plow the armor straight into them while artillery keeps the flanks pinned, allowing us to split their forces and destroy them from the rear when we break through." He looked up to Shaozan. "Their backs are to the river. When we strike, they will be forced back across or destroyed in the open."

The tired, old general looked over it all again. "The attack will be set for an hour from now. Prepare the men."

"Finally!" Seok jumped up with youthful energy as he handed the radioman the orders. "Get the orders down the line."

"Yes, sir."

With a flurry of encrypted signals, the PLF sprang to life. Within an hour the week long lull in fighting came to an abrupt end with the thunderous roar of artillery. All along the Allied defensive lines around Roremond, the shells were bursting through in brilliant bursts of orange and yellow. Within minutes, Allied artillery was firing back at the main batteries. But they were spread out and entrenched. The enemy shells had little effect as the feign attacks began. For now, all seemed well.

Reports came in that the Allies were moving troops between the two flanks and pulling them away from the center. It was working. As Shaozan listened to the radio traffic and watched as the shells streaked across the sky, he decided it was finally time.

"Order the attack."

"Yes, sir," the radioman said.

With another flurry of signals, the main force began to move.

---

White Hill, Orsandia

Serhan looked over the maps once, then twice. It was all rubble. For two weeks, the Allies had been pummeling the city with airstrikes. Every dock, rail yard, and air field had been blasted to hell. The city, which tens of thousands had died fighting for on both sides, was in complete rubble. Even as the attack on Roremond was beginning, Serhan felt crippled. They had won the city, but now the army was stuck there. The Civilians were hungry, the troops demoralized, and Yong Jun was still reeling from the loss of his son.

He sighed as he looked around to the PLF leadership huddled around the radio as the artillery could be heard faintly in the distance. "How's it going?"

"Well!" Varmend Beamed back. "They took the bait and the attack is starting in the center."

"Good," Serhan said slowly. He looked around again. "Where is Yong Jun?"

"In the back building."

Serhan's eyes widened a bit. "With the Pilot?"

"Yeah," Varmend said as he listened to the radio. "He's being shipped back tomorrow and he said he wanted to interrogate him first."

"Without us there? Without telling me?"

"Yep."

"Fuck." Serhan turned and jogged out of the building and down the short path where the Pilot was being held. When he got to the door, he turned the knob to find it was locked. "What the hell..."

Serhan started to pull a key out of his pocket, but then he heard a sickening thud and a gasp as the air was knocked out of someone. Another and there was a crash backwards.

"Your name's Alen, huh?" Yong Jun yelled after the crash. "Bet everyone in fucking Ostehaar knows your name by now. But my son? Just another God damned dead Orsandian!" Another thud with a worryingly quiet groan from the pilot. "Where were you flying a week ago, huh?" Serhan shoved his key into the lock and tried to turn it. It didn't budge.

"Yong!" He yelled as he kept trying. "Stop! What the hell are you doing?" The yelling had grabbed the attention of a couple Thuzbek guards and they came running. Frustrated, he pointed to one. "Kick this fucking door down!"

The soldier simply nodded. He backed up, then kicked the door in. As it swung open, Serhan rushed in to see the pilot laying on the floor, tied to the air conditioner. Blood was pouring from his nose and mouth and his slightly raised shirt showed bruises across his abdomen. Yong stood over the barely breathing man with bloody knuckles clenched into a fist. His dark, wrinkled skin gleamed in the light as sweat poured down his head.

"Yong!" Serhan yelled again. "What the hell are you doing? We can't just do that!"

"And why not!" Yong glared back at him. "Because he's Oster? Because he's valuable to you? You think I give a rats ass?" He spit on the pilot, then yanked his head back to Serhan. "This bastard flew his little plane and killed my son!"

"You don't know that was him!"

"Well he killed somebody's son!" Yong's face was red and his eyes wide as he clenched his fists harder. "We fight for our country, for our independence! Then these bastards come along, invade our nation and kill my son for no other reason than they don't agree." He glared down at the boy again. "Look at this pathetic piece of shit. If my son had been able to face this boy man to man, we both know who would have walked away. But instead, he gets to fly around impervious to repercussion." Yong slowly loosened as he stood, drawing a knife from his belt.

"Yong..." Serhan said as he slowly reached for his sidearm. "Don't do it." His voice was low and steady as he drew his weapon. "You know this is wrong."

"And what are you going to do, you Thuzbek shit." Yong said as he looked Serhan down, sizing him up. "Shoot me? You want to shoot me for killing the enemy?"

"No. I want him alive so he can help us secure the peace."

"Peace!" Yong laughed loudly as he barked it. "Peace won't come as long as these fuckers are in my country!"

"If you don't let this one go, then you won't be around to see the victory in Roremond that your son died to create."

"He didn't die to create it. He died doing what you wanted him to when you wanted him to do it." Yong said as he pointed the knife at Serhan. "What is this anyways? Why shouldn't I kill him?"

"If you do, there will be no bargaining chips left if all goes to shit."

"They wouldn't negotiate with us anyways." Yong glared at him as Serhan leveled the gun. "But fine, have it your way. Just get him out of my sight."

"We can do that."

"Good." Yong Jun sheathed his knife and stormed past Serhan. "Get rid of him." He said as he passed.

Serhan didn't put his gun away until he heard the door slam behind Yong Jun. Then he walked over to the boy who was more conscious now. "You alright, Alen?"

"Yeah," The pilot said as his eyes started to close. "Sure..."

Serhan shook his head, then motioned for the medic which had appeared behind him. "He gonna be ok?"

"Yeah," the medic said. "Wounds are mostly superficial, I think."

"Good. Make sure he's ready to move tomorrow."

"Yes, Sir."

[Orsandia]

EMERGENCY ALERT BROADCAST

This message is transmitted at the authorization of the Orsandian Government:

All remaining citizens in the Roermond Township are ordered to evacuate immediately northbound to Orsburgh via I-99, please take identification, medical supplies, documents, and no more than five articles of personal belongings with you. For those unable to evacuate on their own, please navigate to the Roermond Municipal Airfield located 10 km north of the town center. Soliders will be there to assist you and take you to safety. Please DO NOT REMAIN BEHIND. This is a life threatening scenario, do not risk entering a war zone. If confronted by a hostile entity, or if you spot one, Don't risk engagement. You put yourself and others at risk !.


**MANDATORY EVAC ORDERS FOR THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITIES***
- Roermond Township
- Cherrington
- Fengdu
- Windy Pasture
- Allenville

[Orsandia]

Outskirts of Roermond, Orsandia

Listen to while reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB6HbKD8_uo
"FALL BACK TO RALLY POINT ECHO SIERRA DAMMIT !" screamed a solider from Anvil Company as the forces from the People's Liberation force, a half organized, half guerrilla communist military force, began their assault towards the city of Roermond, affectionately known to others as "The Gateway to the North"

It had been weeks of pre-emptive preparations, logistics planning, and mass evacuations of citizens and non-essential personnel out of Roermond. This was done to prevent the disaster and surprise defeat on the scale on what had occurred in the major port town of Lihai weeks earlier. The Orsandian military, aided by troops from Dormill and Stiura, along with the aid of the Verona Beach Special Forces, had to make a major stand here, as a defeat would give the PLF in roads to the Northeast and Southeast portions of Orsandia, where Guangfeng (capital) and Yang Kong (economic heart) were respectively located.

The PLF began their assault 20 kilometers outside of Roermond, trading artillery blows with Orsandian forces. Gunfire and blasts from tanks roared across the previously quiet landscape.

"Get the fuck up and fill the left flank, don't let those sons of bitches past us !" screamed a solider as bullets soared past him

"They are throwing everything they have at us, kill them all !"

"Hostiles 12-o-clock, keep hitting them with M240 bravos and keep those sons of bitches down, Lin ! use the thermobaric LAWs to engage hostiles in the 2nd floor of the apartment complex at grid Papa Zulu X-ray 2 4 4 "

The PLF were sending the brunt of forces to crash the gate head on. PLF troops were being mowed down left and right, yet their advance was not halted.

Fighter Jets from Orsandia and Dormill-Stiura worked around the clock to unleash aerial hell on the PLF forces, crippling PLF Vehicles, damaging logistical support, and neutralizing anti-air forces in an effort to solidify air superiority in the area.

Unified Command, Roermond FOB, Orsandia

As the war raged on the western outskirts of the city, Colonel Yao Zunming, the acting commander of the Roermond Defense Operation, presiding over the 1st Calvary Regiment, 20th Armored Infantry, the heavily wounded 21st Motorized Infantry, and 81st Airborne participating in the defense of Roermond smiled over a deck, with a cigar in hand as the battle raged on to the west.

"Don't you love the smell of gunpowder in the morning?"

"Zunming is a fucking loon." thought one of the logistical officers trying to configure a map on a large screen.

Zunming paused for a moment, then coldly gestured towards his lower-ranked officers.

"You see that over there ? those fucks are bum rushing the middle/ middle-right. Pull our forces back a few kilometers and set up a defensive perimeter outside of Laurel Township."

"WHAT ?"

"That way we can trick those bastards into thinking they have the momentum. When the come through the center, entrap those commies and slaughter them like livestock"

20 km from Roermond, Orsandia

"ORDERS FROM HQ, FALL BACK TO LAUREL TOWNSHIP, ALL FORCES FALL BACK TO LAUREL TOWNSHIP NOW !"

Orsandian troops hastily retreated while returning fire, with the PLF now seemingly in pursuit. If they fell for the bait, the PLFs chances at a consecutive victory would be all but dashed.

[Thuzbekistan]

Just Outside of Roremond, Orsandia

Smoke rose from the suburbs of Roremond as artillery smashed through buildings, trees, walls, and courtyards. The thunderous roar of guns only barely drowned out the constant popping of small arms fire, repercussions of grenades, and the dull thud of APC rounds shattering the forward positions of the retreating Orsandian troops. Red flags waved from rooftops as the PLF pushed through the ever widening gap in the Orsandian lines. To their flanks, Orsandian troops were retreating under heavy artillery fire and persistent light infantry attacks. All throughout the suburbs, houses and office buildings, warehouses, and even schools and hospitals were being pounded under the weight of the attack.

Lieutenant Arda watched from through his scope once more among the smoke and flames as the Orsandian soldiers retreated in an orderly fashion, giving ground only when ordered to and under great frustration as the PLF pushed against them. For days, they had been preparing for the assault by operating behind the Orsandian lines. They had picked out targets for artillery, weak points for assaults, and general information regarding the enemy's movements. From his vantage point behind the last of the Orsandian forward positions in the Laurel Township, Arda could not help but feel a bit of anguish as the PLF continued to ignore what he thought was common knowledge as they threw themselves against hardened machine gun nests and gun emplacements. Ever since the battle had begun in earnest, Arda had watched as PLF tactics not only produced large scale destruction in their path, but wasted countless lives and equipment.

"Finally getting close?" Sergeant Rivan asked through the radio.

"Yeah," Arda said back. "They should be here in a few minutes. The Orsandians are performing a tactical withdraw along this road. Have the squad take up ambush positions."

"Yes, Sir."

As Arda's men scurried to take up firing positions along the Orsandian line of retreat, Arda folded his bi-pod and slung his MP-5 to his front. He and his spotter bounded down the stairs and across the street to his sergeant's position.

"How are we looking?"

Rivan looked through his binoculars down the street. "Looks like 20 or so soldiers. One APC, a couple humvees."

"Retreating in order?"

Rivan nodded his head. "Yeah, and I don't like it. The PLF pushed some 5 kilometers now. With that much gain, you would think they'd be in disarray."

"Yeah, you'd think, wouldn't you?" Arda said as he watched the APC get closer. "Everyone in position?"

"Yes, sir." Rivan said as he clicked his radio. "Here they come. Fire on my command."

Arda watched as the small column retreated slowly from the PLF forces. Finally, the Humvees came into the kill zone followed by the APC and some foot soldiers. As one of the Humvees stopped to dismount its crew, Rivan gave the order. In an instant, an RPG fired from the window of a house and ripped into the APC. As it burst into the flame, Arda and his squad opened up on the exposed soldiers. As the Orsandians fell, the second humvee tried to speed past the wreckage of the APC. As it whipped around the burning hulk of the armored vehicle, another RPG slammed into its side, killing all inside. As soon as it had begun, the firing stopped.

For a long moment, the scene was quiet. Whether it was due to artillery reloading or just a local peace could not be discerned. But, in a single moment, the silence was destroyed. Even as Arda began to look over the dead Orsandians from his position, the whole road exploded in brilliant orange as the roar of fighters came from the skies. The PLF which had been moving up the road disintegrated under the blasts of rockets. Even as the ringing began in Arda's ears, the distinct sound of artillery began to open up in earnest from across the river. All along the flanks of the PLF lines, a steady wall of artillery pounded towards the center of the PLF advance. Shell after shell landed with devastating effects. When it finally ended, small arms fire erupted along the North and South of the PLF lines only a few blocks from Arda's men.

Arda grabbed his radio. "Everyone into the humvee! We are about to be surrounded!"

With that, the Special Ops squad bounded out of the buildings and into the undamaged humvee as the sounds of fighting drew closer.

"Spec 12 to Command," Arda yelled into the radio. "We are under heavy Orsandian counter attack. Many casualties. We are being forced back."

"Copy, Spec 12." Command responded. "Your squad is to return to Command immediately. Out."

[Orsandia]

Outskirts of Roermond, Orsandia

The Battle of Roermond was well underway, and the initial prognosis looked to head towards another surprising loss to the unsuspecting eye. Endless volleys of artillery lit up the skyline throughout the various townships of Roermond, with the most intense fighting taking place within the Kings Township area, a central access point to the heart of Roermond, approximately 20km outside of the city. Despite merciless airstrikes and around the clock air support, the desperate defense efforts of this central city was not going as planned, as the heavily wounded 21st Motorized from Lihai and the 1st Calvary Regiment's Anvil, Grizzly, and Zephyr companies were ordered to fall back west towards Laurel Township, a total ground loss of 5 kilometers to the hordes of PLF manpower, who despite suffering significant losses, continued to push forward against the lines manned by Dormill-Stiurian and Orsandian forces, aided by airstrikes from Orsandia, Dormill-Stiura, and Ostehaar.


"All forces, fall back to Laurel Township and set-up defensive measure "ROUGH RIDER", Kingeye copies all."

Roermond FOB, Orsandia

Impatient officers in the makeshift war room slammed fists on the desk and screamed in the direction of Colonel Yao Zunming, the acting commander of the Roermond defense effort.

"You fucking moron, why would you give up that much ground to those communist insurgent bastards ? We are supposed to defend our positions, not retreat for fun !"

Zunming lit a cigarette and chuckled.

"Someone get a stick out of the greenie captains arse. He won't even fathom the outcome of this move."

Part of the method to Zunming's madness was his uncanny and almost obsessive interest in military history and strategic planning. In his mind, allowing this small retreat in the central front, allowing the PLF to continue its all out rush into allied positions, to be rewarded by having the PLF entrapped and slaughtered by an overwhelming counterattack.

"Just watch the coms, you will understand it all then, you damn rookie." smirked Zunming

Laurel Township, Orsandia

The retreating 21st Motorized and 1st Infantry succeed in falling back to linkup with the well fortified and positions 20th Armored, and the Orsandian Tianghurs, an Urching based regiment filled with native Orsandians, who themselves have a lengthy history with insurgency and unorthodox military tactics stemming all the way back to the First Civil War in the 1970's.

As the prideful and overzealous PLF forces rushed in pursuit of the retreating Orsandian troops, artillery from Orsandia and Dormill and Stiura unleashed a hellish barrage of fire, sending the PLF into disarray. Coupled with several pinpoint airstrikes that crippled PLF armor, some elements of the attacking force fled in humvees back towards the Kings Township, leaving a widely undisciplined, and now unorganized People's Liberation Force scrambling in all directions, and blindly firing in the direction of the artillery and gunfire from the Orsandian troops.

Within seconds, an entire platoon of PLF troops were mowed down by a hailstorm of bullets coming from all directions, entrapping the attack force with unrelenting supressive fire.

"Let those fuckers have it, leave none of them standing !"

As gunfire roared throughout the township, and elsewhere on the outskirts of Roermond, the seeming change of fortunes was a welcome occurrence. Finally, the Orsandian troops appeared to have gained a strategic upper-hand, as Sturian troops and Orsandian forces began to pick off PLF forces in higher frequency. For some of the troops fighting that day, a cautiously optimistic idea permeated : They were finally winning.