Thus Saith the Lord (PT-PMT) (Semi-Open) (IC)

[Democratic Exodian Territories]

Intercoms thrummed throughout the Exodian vessels.

"All personnel, ready infantry weapons and emplaced armaments, and get in position for potential boarding or anti-boarding procedure. We're closing in for a non-violent diplomatic engagement."

If one had studied their history, one would know Exodia's origins before the British and Spaniards, as the legendary Pirate Republic, and still also as a safe harbor for Big Boss's MSF private military corporation during the Cold War- while the culture had certainly changed some with the times, the Exodian Navy certainly took pride in that part of their heritage, with naval infantry tactics, CQC, and boarding/raiding strategy their bread and butter just as much as traditional maritime battle.

It seemed as if that pride rung throughout the bulks of every vessel, as crewmen strapped on superalloy-and-ballistic-weave body armor and helmets and readied submachine guns, assault carbines and rifles, and shotguns, as well as modernized, stun-capable cutlasses and fighting knives, several manning heavy machine guns and Gatling guns to defend the decks- perhaps to prove themselves in their own shows of force.

But while all dressed to kill, they knew it would be hell if they had to use them.

Commodore Olison, after waiting a precious few seconds, responded.

"My name is Commodore Alvin Olison, leader of the Peacekeeper's Task Force, deployed by the Exodian Navy for peacekeeping operations in the Skyhooked region- I assume you have similar intentions as well.
I will allow you to board the Buckingham, although I do warn that any offensive action undertaken by your men will be responded in kind by my own."

[Knights Mare Nostrum]

Intercoms thrummed throughout the Exodian vessels.

"All personnel, ready infantry weapons and emplaced armaments, and get in position for potential boarding or anti-boarding procedure. We're closing in for a non-violent diplomatic engagement."

If one had studied their history, one would know Exodia's origins before the British and Spaniards, as the legendary Pirate Republic, and still also as a safe harbor for Big Boss's MSF private military corporation during the Cold War- while the culture had certainly changed some with the times, the Exodian Navy certainly took pride in that part of their heritage, with naval infantry tactics, CQC, and boarding/raiding strategy their bread and butter just as much as traditional maritime battle.

It seemed as if that pride rung throughout the bulks of every vessel, as crewmen strapped on superalloy-and-ballistic-weave body armor and helmets and readied submachine guns, assault carbines and rifles, and shotguns, as well as modernized, stun-capable cutlasses and fighting knives, several manning heavy machine guns and Gatling guns to defend the decks- perhaps to prove themselves in their own shows of force.

But while all dressed to kill, they knew it would be hell if they had to use them.

Commodore Scottson, after waiting a precious few seconds, responded.

"My name is Commodore Alvin Olison, leader of the Peacekeeper's Task Force, deployed by the Exodian Navy for peacekeeping operations in the Skyhooked region- I assume you have similar intentions as well.
I will allow you to board the Buckingham, although I do warn that any offensive action undertaken by your men will be responded in kind by my own."

The Knights, in the meantime, were still awaiting the all clear from the Kafairian officer, and as the order was going to go underway, a group of destroyers deployed by Kafair seemed to be approaching a Exodian fleet who were with the intention of keeping the peace. Quickly, Commander du Casse approached an intercom and sent a radio transmission to the admiral.

"el-Javid, this is du Casse. What is going on there with that fleet? Are we engaging them?"

[Independent Aviation Consultants]

Colombia - Medellín

An unmarked Piper Aerostar 702p lifted off the dirt runway in Medellín Colombia and started to bank east along the northern coast of Venezuela and the southern coast of the Caribbean. On board was one man, a high power camera, and enough film to take photos every eight seconds for well over the maximum flight time of the Aerostar. This small twin engine plane jetted along barely above the water till it hit Trinidad and Tobago. From there it banked north and flew at almost tree top level over Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and part of the Dominican Republic. Cruising at tree top level and at 302 mph, the Aerostar zoomed over head with its twin engines roaring in the Caribbean evening sky. If anyone where to get a close look at the Aerostar, they would have seen what looked like a window in its underbelly and a camera lens taking photos. With the speed and height that the plane was cruising at, it would have been very difficult for any radar system to pick up this small craft before it was already past and flying away. As the pilot finished the reconnaissance run, the Aerostar dipped south back towards Medellín. As it closed in on the airfield the pilot smiled, his employers would be quite happy with the first round of pictures.

[Kafair]

el-Zukov, nodding his head, ordered just the Stonewall forth. As he climbed onto the flagship, he looked around, and saw sailors everywhere on defensive weaponry. el-Zukov strode over to Commodore Olison, and shook his hand, and stepped back. He now stood with his two 9 feet tall Fireharts in their masked and entirely covered in heavy duty sand colored combat gear to either side and slightly behind of him, and directly behind him were 16 royal guards, in a square formation.

"Commodore. You claim to be here on peace keeping missions. I will inform you, up front that we are not. We are here to attack the nation of Skyhooked, for is horrible attack on the Vatican. And tell me Commodore, from what I see, peacekeeping will involve attacking us. Now, I ask that you refrain from interfering in this conflict. Not due to fear, but due to the belief that you involvement may destroy any chance of a quick end to this conflict."

el-Zukov looked at the Commodore, and recognizing that he will not leave, further asked:

"If you should not leave, join us. Skyhooked attack out of the blue, and must be punished in blood. We do not plan on destroying the nation. Just teaching it its error in blood and manpower."

Now Zukov waited for a response, as the Commodore thought it over.


On the Leviathan, el-Javid explained the current situation to the Knight, and told de Casse to prep for deployment. The maps are ready, and they would move out soon. Javid than walked down, to receive Adama and his group.

[Skyhooked]

"See that message? It's Exodia, one of the countries we managed to ally with. We can use all the help we can get."-Says one of the officers to drunk admiral. He decides to file a response without a second thought.

From: Skyhookedian Naval Headquarters
To: Peacekeeper's Task Force, Exodian Navy
Encryption: Tipsy Bules (Light)

You too wanna visit our resort? Well, permission granted. Dock here *coordinates* this place looks safe enough. And watch yourselves around these parts. Who knows, from where a crusader might jump out. We will send a message, that differences between you and allies must be settled later.

Then he through all this drunken haze, managed to produce a message for other allied forces, trying to call to their common sense. He has high hope in it.

From: Skyhookedian naval headquarters
To: All allied forces.

Attention! Our Exodian allies came to aid. You may be hostile to them, but remember, do NOT, I repeat, do NOT engage them! After all, we have a common enemy, and if we fight eachother, we will make thier task much easier by causing a chaos in our ranks. If you insist on settling differences, they can be settled, when this war is over.

[Yegla Islands]

Energoprom High Value Storage & Disposal Facility #03, Quimn
Shipping & Logistics

The foreman looked over the order. Eight LNA-02 naval reactors, for immediate shipping to New Asan. Well, that seemed to match up to what he was seeing - eight reinforced containers, currently being loaded onto the YCV Adrianna by heavy-duty transport rigs. Slightly offshore, he could spot the darkened silhouettes of a few vessels of the Yeglan navy - an escort force, no doubt. Still, that portion of the reactors' journey was outside his jurisdiction - he had simply overseen their removal from storage, engineering checkup and subsequent packing, ready for transport. A ninth container was wheeled aboard, loaded with canisters of coolant alloy. Behind it trailed a small team of engineers, likely to aid the Uvoans with installation and testing.

A few minutes later, preparations were complete. The Adrianna, along with its escort fleet, departed for the shores of New Asan. Its cargo was locked safely within heavily-armored, airtight containers, and the surprisingly sizable number of armed personnel on board were ever-vigilant in the face of potential piracy. Not that pirates were stupid enough to venture into Yeglan waters - those who made it past the Serpent's Teeth would simply be sunk on sight by the first naval vessel they ran into, or drift into a minefield. Still, it paid to be careful, especially during wartime.

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Skyhooked City
Asian Military Command, Prefabricated Satellite-Center
June 3, 2019

---

Since Pan-Asiatic States Armed Forces landed beyond the white crests and clear sands of Skyhooked mere nights ago, construction of a temporary satellite command center to house communications officers and representatives, both military and political, of the Asian Military Command and Asian Communist Party had begun; and today it was finally finished.

Commissariat General Dindo "Tanda" Macapugay himself was pried-away from his capital work to lead the entire intervention contingent. Just as he stepped into his office away from home for the very first time inside that prefabricated satellite-center made of thin steel and cargo boxes, he was handed a newspaper from an outpost Sergeant.

It had begun. The Pan-Asiatic States had employed their final layer of diplomacy to prevent a blatant act of aggression by the crusading forces, and everyone from the halls of Neo-Manila to the back-alley bars of Skyhooked City knew that it would be bypassed. They were now, officially, on the march to war.

General Tanda commanded his vast Skyhookedian volunteer cadre as the superior of three major military-political figures of the Pan-Asiatic States. The commanding officer of the Intervention Army was Daimyō-Heneral Yoritoki Alexovich of the Irregular Army Corps, the Großadmiral (Or, Kataas-taasang Almirante) of the Intervention Navy was Qin Cheng, and the Air Chief Marshal of the Intervention Air Force was Oye Muneyaki. All of them were personally assigned by the Secretary-General, Guanyu Abramovich, leader of the Pan-Asiatic States, who controlled the situation from the capital.

General Tanda's office overlooked the beautiful Skyhookedian horizon. In all its orange glamour, he gazed at the preparations for the upcoming conflict. His men jogged in formation, his war-hero Daimyōs furnished their suits of armor and heavy machine-guns, his Armored Sentinels checked their autocanons. Depending on how those subordinate men performed, General Tanda would either be praised as a hero, or a butcher. He would either be the man who saved Skyhooked, or the man who sent thousands of teenagers to march-off into the slaughterhouse.

[Democratic Exodian Territories]

el-Zukov, nodding his head, ordered just the Stonewall forth. As he climbed onto the flagship, he looked around, and saw sailors everywhere on defensive weaponry. el-Zukov strode over to Commodore Olison, and shook his hand, and stepped back. He now stood with his two 9 feet tall Fireharts in their masked and entirely covered in heavy duty sand colored combat gear to either side and slightly behind of him, and directly behind him were 16 royal guards, in a square formation.

"Commodore. You claim to be here on peace keeping missions. I will inform you, up front that we are not. We are here to attack the nation of Skyhooked, for is horrible attack on the Vatican. And tell me Commodore, from what I see, peacekeeping will involve attacking us. Now, I ask that you refrain from interfering in this conflict. Not due to fear, but due to the belief that you involvement may destroy any chance of a quick end to this conflict."

el-Zukov looked at the Commodore, and recognizing that he will not leave, further asked:

"If you should not leave, join us. Skyhooked attack out of the blue, and must be punished in blood. We do not plan on destroying the nation. Just teaching it its error in blood and manpower."

Now Zukov waited for a response, as the Commodore thought it over.

On the Leviathan, el-Javid explained the current situation to the Knight, and told de Casse to prep for deployment. The maps are ready, and they would move out soon. Javid than walked down, to receive Adama and his group.

"I need men manning the plasmacasters and have remote-control weapons systems and CIWS on standby. Have heavy weapons brought up on deck. Just keeping them honest." Olison spoke, his voice low.

Olison had stepped out into the sunlight with a show of force to behold- half the ship's crew, clad in blue-digital body armor and fatigues, helmets and balaclavas, STA targeting systems, and oxygen masks, along with several naval infantrymen in EX-38 Marine Battle Armor- the latter bringing up flamethrowers of their own, automatic shotguns, grenade launchers, the like and various more heavy weapons.
The Commodore himself, as well as Captain Contina and First Mate Moore, wore body armor over their informal dress uniforms, but kept their faces uncovered. A thin mustache and a tanned face accompanied a set of narrowed gray eyes.
A combat sailor in EX-38 armor carried over a titanium table with a bulletproof divider underneath to the bow of the ship, with two more sailors behind him carrying metal deck chairs.

Olison looked to el-Zukov, calming down a little.
"I want a proper talk, Admiral Zukov, a peaceful parley- despite being on different sides, both of us are civilized gentlemen, are we not? You don't seem to be the kind of man to drink, so perhaps a smoke? Cannabis or tobacco? It's a tradition carried on from my Anglo-Saxon forefathers, and I'd like to give it a chance here."
He sat down as the sailor set down the chairs, gesturing for the other man to sit.

[Kafair]

el-Zukov, nodding his head, ordered just the Stonewall forth. As he climbed onto the flagship, he looked around, and saw sailors everywhere on defensive weaponry. el-Zukov strode over to Commodore Olison, and shook his hand, and stepped back. He now stood with his two 9 feet tall Fireharts in their masked and entirely covered in heavy duty sand colored combat gear to either side and slightly behind of him, and directly behind him were 16 royal guards, in a square formation.

"Commodore. You claim to be here on peace keeping missions. I will inform you, up front that we are not. We are here to attack the nation of Skyhooked, for is horrible attack on the Vatican. And tell me Commodore, from what I see, peacekeeping will involve attacking us. Now, I ask that you refrain from interfering in this conflict. Not due to fear, but due to the belief that you involvement may destroy any chance of a quick end to this conflict."

el-Zukov looked at the Commodore, and recognizing that he will not leave, further asked:

"If you should not leave, join us. Skyhooked attack out of the blue, and must be punished in blood. We do not plan on destroying the nation. Just teaching it its error in blood and manpower."

Now Zukov waited for a response, as the Commodore thought it over.

On the Leviathan, el-Javid explained the current situation to the Knight, and told de Casse to prep for deployment. The maps are ready, and they would move out soon. Javid than walked down, to receive Adama and his group.

"I need men manning the plasmacasters and have remote-control weapons systems and CIWS on standby. Have heavy weapons brought up on deck. Just keeping them honest." Olison spoke, his voice low.

Olison had stepped out into the sunlight with a show of force to behold- half the ship's crew, clad in blue-digital body armor and fatigues, helmets and balaclavas, STA targeting systems, and oxygen masks, along with several naval infantrymen in EX-38 Marine Battle Armor- the latter bringing up flamethrowers of their own, automatic shotguns, grenade launchers, the like and various more heavy weapons.
The Commodore himself, as well as Captain Contina and First Mate Moore, wore body armor over their informal dress uniforms, but kept their faces uncovered. A thin mustache and a tanned face accompanied a set of narrowed gray eyes.
A combat sailor in EX-38 armor carried over a titanium table with a bulletproof divider underneath to the bow of the ship, with two more sailors behind him carrying metal deck chairs.

Olison looked to el-Zukov, calming down a little.
"I want a proper talk, Admiral Zukov, a peaceful parley- despite being on different sides, both of us are civilized gentlemen, are we not? You don't seem to be the kind of man to drink, so perhaps a smoke? Cannabis or tobacco? It's a tradition carried on from my Anglo-Saxon forefathers, and I'd like to give it a chance here."
He sat down as the sailor set down the chairs, gesturing for the other man to sit.

Zukov sat.

"Thank you Commodore. I could us a smoke now. No need for you to get one, all officers carry these on them."

Zukov took out a pipe and took a puff, sending a cloud of blue smoke into the air.

"Ah, Kafarian pipes. We do have some exotic things now don't we. Anyways, Captain Sobek, your men are dismissed. Return to the Stonewall and inform the fleet as to our current situation."

The captain saluted and took his men off. The two Fireharts stayed next to Zukov.

"Now commodore, let us parlay. My request is simple. Join the crusading force in our attack on Skyhooked for their surprise attack on the Vatican and the death of the pope. I do not ask for a full deployment, but any allies is a valuable one, and your troops can help us turn the tide of the coming battle. Kafair does not wish the elimination of Skyhooked as a nation, but we wish to see that nation punished. And I ask you commodore, why is Exodius here? If you are allied to Skyhooked, than surly you have head of the blockade on the nation. But here you are, sailing right for our fleet. So, Commodore, why is Exodus here? And as well, why are you here?"

Zukov leaded forth and watched the Commodore for his response.


Back on the Leviathan, Javid was meeting with Adama, and walked up to shake his hand. He had had one of his officers order back his Faceless and prep all personnel for deployment.

[Uvoan]

"I need men manning the plasmacasters and have remote-control weapons systems and CIWS on standby. Have heavy weapons brought up on deck. Just keeping them honest." Olison spoke, his voice low.

Olison had stepped out into the sunlight with a show of force to behold- half the ship's crew, clad in blue-digital body armor and fatigues, helmets and balaclavas, STA targeting systems, and oxygen masks, along with several naval infantrymen in EX-38 Marine Battle Armor- the latter bringing up flamethrowers of their own, automatic shotguns, grenade launchers, the like and various more heavy weapons.
The Commodore himself, as well as Captain Contina and First Mate Moore, wore body armor over their informal dress uniforms, but kept their faces uncovered. A thin mustache and a tanned face accompanied a set of narrowed gray eyes.
A combat sailor in EX-38 armor carried over a titanium table with a bulletproof divider underneath to the bow of the ship, with two more sailors behind him carrying metal deck chairs.

Olison looked to el-Zukov, calming down a little.
"I want a proper talk, Admiral Zukov, a peaceful parley- despite being on different sides, both of us are civilized gentlemen, are we not? You don't seem to be the kind of man to drink, so perhaps a smoke? Cannabis or tobacco? It's a tradition carried on from my Anglo-Saxon forefathers, and I'd like to give it a chance here."
He sat down as the sailor set down the chairs, gesturing for the other man to sit.

Zukov sat.

"Thank you Commodore. I could us a smoke now. No need for you to get one, all officers carry these on them."

Zukov took out a pipe and took a puff, sending a cloud of blue smoke into the air.

"Ah, Kafarian pipes. We do have some exotic things now don't we. Anyways, Captain Sobek, your men are dismissed. Return to the Stonewall and inform the fleet as to our current situation."

The captain saluted and took his men off. The two Fireharts stayed next to Zukov.

"Now commodore, let us parlay. My request is simple. Join the crusading force in our attack on Skyhooked for their surprise attack on the Vatican and the death of the pope. I do not ask for a full deployment, but any allies is a valuable one, and your troops can help us turn the tide of the coming battle. Kafair does not wish the elimination of Skyhooked as a nation, but we wish to see that nation punished. And I ask you commodore, why is Exodius here? If you are allied to Skyhooked, than surly you have head of the blockade on the nation. But here you are, sailing right for our fleet. So, Commodore, why is Exodus here? And as well, why are you here?"

Zukov leaded forth and watched the Commodore for his response.


Back on the Leviathan, Javid was meeting with Adama, and walked up to shake his hand. He had had one of his officers order back his Faceless and prep all personnel for deployment.

Adama smiled as he shook Javids hand. His small guard contingent at his back. "The maps, as requested." He says, producing them out of a bag, handing them over. "You appear to be quite busy- Preparing to deploy soon? Perhaps investigate things onshore, and maybe elsewhere?" He says, hinting at the fact he knows that they know the 'Uvoan' is in for refits. Waiting for Javids response...

[Kafair]

Zukov sat.

"Thank you Commodore. I could us a smoke now. No need for you to get one, all officers carry these on them."

Zukov took out a pipe and took a puff, sending a cloud of blue smoke into the air.

"Ah, Kafarian pipes. We do have some exotic things now don't we. Anyways, Captain Sobek, your men are dismissed. Return to the Stonewall and inform the fleet as to our current situation."

The captain saluted and took his men off. The two Fireharts stayed next to Zukov.

"Now commodore, let us parlay. My request is simple. Join the crusading force in our attack on Skyhooked for their surprise attack on the Vatican and the death of the pope. I do not ask for a full deployment, but any allies is a valuable one, and your troops can help us turn the tide of the coming battle. Kafair does not wish the elimination of Skyhooked as a nation, but we wish to see that nation punished. And I ask you commodore, why is Exodius here? If you are allied to Skyhooked, than surly you have head of the blockade on the nation. But here you are, sailing right for our fleet. So, Commodore, why is Exodus here? And as well, why are you here?"

Zukov leaded forth and watched the Commodore for his response.


Back on the Leviathan, Javid was meeting with Adama, and walked up to shake his hand. He had had one of his officers order back his Faceless and prep all personnel for deployment.

Adama smiled as he shook Javids hand. His small guard contingent at his back. "The maps, as requested." He says, producing them out of a bag, handing them over. "You appear to be quite busy- Preparing to deploy soon? Perhaps investigate things onshore, and maybe elsewhere?" He says, hinting at the fact he knows that they know the 'Uvoan' is in for refits. Waiting for Javids response...

"Perhaps, Adama, but that is of no importance now. Thank you for the maps. You have done us a great service."

The two shook hands and talks some more, and parted ways, Adama to his ship, and Javid to the bridge. The 20 Faceless who were in the camp were back, and Javid began to talk to them about what they found. Most had found that the Skyhooked military was relaxed, but PAS forced had recently landed. Not good news. One was able to snag a map and building plans from a sleeping Skyhooked engineer, and showed them to Javid. He smiled. They were within Artillery range. He ordered his men to get the cannons ready, and to target the PAS base. He also showed them the maps. The men cheered, and they told Javid that now they could do some serious damage to Skyhooked. They urged him to send it off the General el-Zadeh but right before Javid was to do so, he noticed the Faceless's sergeant was missing. Before he was able to bring it up to the rest of the men, the sergeant, covered in blood and dust, burst into the bridge.

"Don't send that map!!"

The man stumbled forth to Javid, and as a pair of medics ran to try and check on him, the shoos them away.

"Admiral, I stole a map. I stole a whole map from the camp there. They had 2 of the maps there to send to the fleet, and I stole one. Got pricked on the way back, but I got the map."

Javid looked alarmed as the blood spread on the man's shoulder and leg.

"The map those Uvoan's gave you is fake! I heard some men talking about it. They were talking about how Adama is going to change the map before giving it off. It seems like from what they said, Adama is acting without the knowledge of the Uvoan officials."

Swaying now, the sergeant mustered his breath, and told Javid the rest of the story.

"Check the maps Admiral. Don't trust that Adama. Something is wrong with h.. him."

The man fell over. The medics grabbed him and dragged him out the medical bay. Javid picked up the injured sergeant's map and compared it to the Uvoan map, the Faceless gathered around him. One of them pointed something out.

"Look here. This part of the map isn't even on the Uvoan map. Neither is this part. And both are on our protected attack path. Look, one of them is a marsh, and the other one was a cliff. We would of needed to turn back around if we didn't know that."
"Looks like our 'friends' have some other motives."

Shaking his head, he orders the men to compare the two maps and find all the instances of cut parts and circle them. He than takes the map, copies it, and give the original to the Faceless, and send a deckhand with the new map down to the General. When the General got the map, he cheered out load, rand over to du Casse, and showed it to him. Both men happy, they begin to muster their men for the attack.

[Uvoan]

Adama smiled as he shook Javids hand. His small guard contingent at his back. "The maps, as requested." He says, producing them out of a bag, handing them over. "You appear to be quite busy- Preparing to deploy soon? Perhaps investigate things onshore, and maybe elsewhere?" He says, hinting at the fact he knows that they know the 'Uvoan' is in for refits. Waiting for Javids response...

"Perhaps, Adama, but that is of no importance now. Thank you for the maps. You have done us a great service."

The two shook hands and talks some more, and parted ways, Adama to his ship, and Javid to the bridge. The 20 Faceless who were in the camp were back, and Javid began to talk to them about what they found. Most had found that the Skyhooked military was relaxed, but PAS forced had recently landed. Not good news. One was able to snag a map and building plans from a sleeping Skyhooked engineer, and showed them to Javid. He smiled. They were within Artillery range. He ordered his men to get the cannons ready, and to target the PAS base. He also showed them the maps. The men cheered, and they told Javid that now they could do some serious damage to Skyhooked. They urged him to send it off the General el-Zadeh but right before Javid was to do so, he noticed the Faceless's sergeant was missing. Before he was able to bring it up to the rest of the men, the sergeant, covered in blood and dust, burst into the bridge.

"Don't send that map!!"

The man stumbled forth to Javid, and as a pair of medics ran to try and check on him, the shoos them away.

"Admiral, I stole a map. I stole a whole map from the camp there. They had 2 of the maps there to send to the fleet, and I stole one. Got pricked on the way back, but I got the map."

Javid looked alarmed as the blood spread on the man's shoulder and leg.

"The map those Uvoan's gave you is fake! I heard some men talking about it. They were talking about how Adama is going to change the map before giving it off. It seems like from what they said, Adama is acting without the knowledge of the Uvoan officials."

Swaying now, the sergeant mustered his breath, and told Javid the rest of the story.

"Check the maps Admiral. Don't trust that Adama. Something is wrong with h.. him."

The man fell over. The medics grabbed him and dragged him out the medical bay. Javid picked up the injured sergeant's map and compared it to the Uvoan map, the Faceless gathered around him. One of them pointed something out.

"Look here. This part of the map isn't even on the Uvoan map. Neither is this part. And both are on our protected attack path. Look, one of them is a marsh, and the other one was a cliff. We would of needed to turn back around if we didn't know that."
"Looks like our 'friends' have some other motives."

Shaking his head, he orders the men to compare the two maps and find all the instances of cut parts and circle them. He than takes the map, copies it, and give the original to the Faceless, and send a deckhand with the new map down to the General. When the General got the map, he cheered out load, rand over to du Casse, and showed it to him. Both men happy, they begin to muster their men for the attack.

Adama had returned to his ship, quite quickly. A few reports had flown fast, but now it was time to hold steady. The rest of his fleet was coming over the horizon...

He stood on the aft, staring out as a dozen columns of smoke broke the horizon.

Three battlecruisers. Four destroyers. Five transports. Five transports burdened down with troops, tanks... Supplies. Each one was an example of what Uvoan could bring to bear. 75,000 troops. The soon to be beating heart and soul of the Uvoanian relief effort- If he could keep his game together, that was.

No report of what had happened to his other maps reached his ears. His junior officer was too afraid to admit it, and the ground troops didn't want to either.

Adama would never know what had taken place...

[The Chuck]

Official Communication of the Chuckian Communist Faction

---

Subject: Volunteer Cadre for the International Revolution

To: Secretary-General Guanyu Abramovich Jr.

From: C.C.F. Council

Comrade Abra,

We, the council members of the Chuckian Communist Faction, are writing you today to voice our support for our East Asian comrades and their allies. We are glad to hear that the Pan Asiatic States will be supporting the Skyhooked government while our useless government unfortunately sits back and ignorantly states that we're neutral. However, the baboon of a leader we have has given the clear for private citizens of our nation to fight in this conflict. We are certain he meant Catholics but he didn't specify in his speech so anyone is allowed to join the conflict. As such, we would like to ask if a brigade sized force of comrades would be an acceptable group to send in assistance of your regular forces. They would be under your command but have a native brigadier general as their leader. The volunteers possess numerous weaponry and modes of transportation to reach the battlefield. We look forward to hearing back from you.

For the Global Revolution!

-Council of C.C.F.

---

The Chuck - Grounds of the Cathedral of St. Barbara

After Bishop Harris's speech, many religious citizens of The Chuck had contemplated support and had started to band together. Now in front of the Cathedral of St. Barbara, men and women from many walks of life were arriving and volunteering to serve in what was seen as a just war against the forces of evil that were gathering in the nation of Skyhooked. As people volunteered for what was dubbed The Order of Saint Barbara, gears and supplies were being amassed. Due to all members of Chuckian society serving two years of conscription service and the loose weapon laws of the land, many volunteers showed up with full battle kits ranging from body armor and helmets to firearms. As they lingered around, patches of the Order of Saint Barbara were passed around and sewn onto the arm sleeves of their uniforms.

Due to the Cathedral of St. Barbara being next to the waterfront, many volunteers with vehicles were busy registering them with those in charge. The smell of motor oil and the sound of engines was tremendous. As the vehicle owners finished their paperwork, they'd go over their vehicles and make sure that they had the supplies necessary to keep them in operation.

While everyone prepared for the trying times ahead, a smaller group of people stood off to the side at a different table. This group consisted of younger men and women who were strangely dressed compared to their compatriots. The men wore body armor over clerical clothing and the women wore body armor over their tunics. Along with this, they all had bags slung over their shoulders with medical supplies and wore combat packs with the red cross emblem on them and they didn't carry any weapons. These men and women were members of the battlefield medics and were comprised of primarily priests and nuns/sisters of other orders.

[Democratic Exodian Territories]

"I need men manning the plasmacasters and have remote-control weapons systems and CIWS on standby. Have heavy weapons brought up on deck. Just keeping them honest." Olison spoke, his voice low.

Olison had stepped out into the sunlight with a show of force to behold- half the ship's crew, clad in blue-digital body armor and fatigues, helmets and balaclavas, STA targeting systems, and oxygen masks, along with several naval infantrymen in EX-38 Marine Battle Armor- the latter bringing up flamethrowers of their own, automatic shotguns, grenade launchers, the like and various more heavy weapons.
The Commodore himself, as well as Captain Contina and First Mate Moore, wore body armor over their informal dress uniforms, but kept their faces uncovered. A thin mustache and a tanned face accompanied a set of narrowed gray eyes.
A combat sailor in EX-38 armor carried over a titanium table with a bulletproof divider underneath to the bow of the ship, with two more sailors behind him carrying metal deck chairs.

Olison looked to el-Zukov, calming down a little.
"I want a proper talk, Admiral Zukov, a peaceful parley- despite being on different sides, both of us are civilized gentlemen, are we not? You don't seem to be the kind of man to drink, so perhaps a smoke? Cannabis or tobacco? It's a tradition carried on from my Anglo-Saxon forefathers, and I'd like to give it a chance here."
He sat down as the sailor set down the chairs, gesturing for the other man to sit.

Zukov sat.

"Thank you Commodore. I could us a smoke now. No need for you to get one, all officers carry these on them."

Zukov took out a pipe and took a puff, sending a cloud of blue smoke into the air.

"Ah, Kafarian pipes. We do have some exotic things now don't we. Anyways, Captain Sobek, your men are dismissed. Return to the Stonewall and inform the fleet as to our current situation."

The captain saluted and took his men off. The two Fireharts stayed next to Zukov.

"Now commodore, let us parlay. My request is simple. Join the crusading force in our attack on Skyhooked for their surprise attack on the Vatican and the death of the pope. I do not ask for a full deployment, but any allies is a valuable one, and your troops can help us turn the tide of the coming battle. Kafair does not wish the elimination of Skyhooked as a nation, but we wish to see that nation punished. And I ask you commodore, why is Exodius here? If you are allied to Skyhooked, than surly you have head of the blockade on the nation. But here you are, sailing right for our fleet. So, Commodore, why is Exodus here? And as well, why are you here?"

Zukov leaded forth and watched the Commodore for his response.

Back on the Leviathan, Javid was meeting with Adama, and walked up to shake his hand. He had had one of his officers order back his Faceless and prep all personnel for deployment.

Olison pressed the ignition of an electronic cigar, while his fellow officers had a few sips of gin and whiskey the sailors brought out for them, with a small joint in the case of Captain Contina.
The Commodore took a clean breath after he inhaled, a puff of herbal CBD within his lungs- the stuff, while controversial with its usage within the Exodian military, had certainly helped him keep his wits about him in a few sticky situations.

“I unfortunately disagree with your proposal. It is both the opinion of my superiors, my government, and myself, as well as most, if not all of my men, that Skyhooked is in the right- why should an entire nation of innocents be punished for the wrongdoings of an extremist minority?

As for your question, why are we here? We are proudly and honorably here in the defense of a long-standing trade partner and decent people, people we are proud to call allies from time to time. We also wish for the violence to be brought to a swift end and peace be established in a region not far from ours- and in my opinion and presumably also my good Governor’s, to stop it’s spread to the Exodian mainland. Besides, I truly believe that does not honor the good spirit of the original Crusades.
But you seem to be in luck, Vice Admiral, for we are here for another reason to keep the peace- I assume you share my opinion that communism, socialism, fascism, and other types of collectivism are an inherent threat to peace and the safety of the people wherever it may be. Are you familiar with Pan-Asiatic, Yeglan, and other communist presence within the area? I can say with absolute truth that they are enemies of Exodia just as much as you are. We cannot allow them to exert influence over Skyhooked, lest we lose a valuable ally and have the ways of life of perhaps hundreds of thousands destroyed.”

He took another puff of the cigar, clearing his throat before speaking once more.

“So here’s my proposal, Admiral: We let each other sail on by without incident, and you may shell every Pan-Asiatic and Red ship in the harbor to the damn Jones’s Locker and we will not stop you- and in return, perhaps you may give us a... high value target on your side that you might not approve of. Naturally, at the slightest chance you go after the Skyhookedians themselves, we are obligated to act in their defense and kill you- but seeing the odds, I am willing to pay in rank, blood, and gunpowder in the name of peace and stability.”

Olison waited, the officers and a few sailors chattering amongst themselves, barely out of earshot from the Kafairians. He took another puff of the cigar, trying to mask his nervousness, as he waited earnestly for Zukov’s reply.

[Kafair]

Zukov sat.

"Thank you Commodore. I could us a smoke now. No need for you to get one, all officers carry these on them."

Zukov took out a pipe and took a puff, sending a cloud of blue smoke into the air.

"Ah, Kafarian pipes. We do have some exotic things now don't we. Anyways, Captain Sobek, your men are dismissed. Return to the Stonewall and inform the fleet as to our current situation."

The captain saluted and took his men off. The two Fireharts stayed next to Zukov.

"Now commodore, let us parlay. My request is simple. Join the crusading force in our attack on Skyhooked for their surprise attack on the Vatican and the death of the pope. I do not ask for a full deployment, but any allies is a valuable one, and your troops can help us turn the tide of the coming battle. Kafair does not wish the elimination of Skyhooked as a nation, but we wish to see that nation punished. And I ask you commodore, why is Exodius here? If you are allied to Skyhooked, than surly you have head of the blockade on the nation. But here you are, sailing right for our fleet. So, Commodore, why is Exodus here? And as well, why are you here?"

Zukov leaded forth and watched the Commodore for his response.

Back on the Leviathan, Javid was meeting with Adama, and walked up to shake his hand. He had had one of his officers order back his Faceless and prep all personnel for deployment.

Olison pressed the ignition of an electronic cigar, while his fellow officers had a few sips of gin and whiskey the sailors brought out for them, with a small joint in the case of Captain Contina.
The Commodore took a clean breath after he inhaled, a puff of herbal CBD within his lungs- the stuff, while controversial with its usage within the Exodian military, had certainly helped him keep his wits about him in a few sticky situations.

“I unfortunately disagree with your proposal. It is both the opinion of my superiors, my government, and myself, as well as most, if not all of my men, that Skyhooked is in the right- why should an entire nation of innocents be punished for the wrongdoings of an extremist minority?

As for your question, why are we here? We are proudly and honorably here in the defense of a long-standing trade partner and decent people, people we are proud to call allies from time to time. We also wish for the violence to be brought to a swift end and peace be established in a region not far from ours- and in my opinion and presumably also my good Governor’s, to stop it’s spread to the Exodian mainland. Besides, I truly believe that does not honor the good spirit of the original Crusades.
But you seem to be in luck, Vice Admiral, for we are here for another reason to keep the peace- I assume you share my opinion that communism, socialism, fascism, and other types of collectivism are an inherent threat to peace and the safety of the people wherever it may be. Are you familiar with Pan-Asiatic, Yeglan, and other communist presence within the area? I can say with absolute truth that they are enemies of Exodia just as much as you are. We cannot allow them to exert influence over Skyhooked, lest we lose a valuable ally and have the ways of life of perhaps hundreds of thousands destroyed.”

He took another puff of the cigar, clearing his throat before speaking once more.

“So here’s my proposal, Admiral: We let each other sail on by without incident, and you may shell every Pan-Asiatic and Red ship in the harbor to the damn Jones’s Locker and we will not stop you- and in return, perhaps you may give us a... high value target on your side that you might not approve of. Naturally, at the slightest chance you go after the Skyhookedians themselves, we are obligated to act in their defense and kill you- but seeing the odds, I am willing to pay in rank, blood, and gunpowder in the name of peace and stability.”

Olison waited, the officers and a few sailors chattering amongst themselves, barely out of earshot from the Kafairians. He took another puff of the cigar, trying to mask his nervousness, as he waited earnestly for Zukov’s reply.

"You are correct. I, as well as the fleet admiral disagree with the full on attack on Skyhooked. Unfortunately, the extremists are dead, with no way to question them, and with no way to identify what group they were from, we cannot narrow our target further. The sultan cannot let such a grievous act slip by unpunished. But, we have convinced the sultan to spare the nation of Skyhooked."

Zukov looked at the Commodore. He was nervous. Zukov though he knew why.

"You are lucky Commodore. We do hold a distaste for such things like communism and the like. We have orders to focus our attack on communist targets before even Skyhooked. So here is my choice. Our army on land will avoid attacking Skyhooked military personnel, unless fired upon by them, in which case we will defend ourselves. We will make for the PAS command center on the island of Skyhooked, and raze it to the ground. As for the forces of KMN, I cannot give such a promise. They are a separate entity to us. As for a high profile officer, I can only give you at best a ensign, as all the rest are needed for the attack. What I can do though, is provide you with an alternative. Send some of your men to the beach with us. Let them join our landing party. They will be observers, hanging back in combat and allowed to watch. If we attack Skyhooked unprovoked, the men will send to you a message, and you may shell the 3rd Task force. We will hold our ships here until the attack is finished. How does that sound Commodore?

[Pan-Asiatic States]

Communique | Patalastas | 公报 Pan-Asiatic States Estados Pan-Asyatiko 泛亚洲国家 ENGLISH | INGLES | 英语 To: Chuckian Communist Faction Council CC: Asian Military Command (AMC), State Security Confidential Communication Division (SSCCD) Bcc: Asian Communist Party (ACP), Pan-Asiatic Federal Congress of Soviets From Guanyu "Abra" Abramovich y Florante Jr. Secretary-General of the Pan-Asiatic States Chairman of the Asian Military Command Chairman of the Asian Communist Party RE: Acknowledgement of Communist Chuckian Volunteer Cadre Deployment And Mutual Coordination In Defense of the Skyhookedian Revolution Good tidings, We have received your communique regarding your strong feelings towards the international revolution and the need to protect the Skyhookedian nation from the claws of imperialists and reactionaries. We gladly accept your request to send much-needed reinforcements which will block the tyrannical march of the Knights and their allies. Our standby navy is willing to escort, and/or even provide your cadre, necessary convoys in order to efficiently transport your people to us. We are also willing to maintain confidentiality of these communiques, if needed, in order not to upset the theater of politics between you and your government, as well as between our government and yours. Yours Truly, Guanyu "Abra" Abramovich y Florante Jr. Secretary-General of the Pan-Asiatic States Chairman of the Asian Military Command Chairman of the Asian Communist Party

[Knights Mare Nostrum]

Adama smiled as he shook Javids hand. His small guard contingent at his back. "The maps, as requested." He says, producing them out of a bag, handing them over. "You appear to be quite busy- Preparing to deploy soon? Perhaps investigate things onshore, and maybe elsewhere?" He says, hinting at the fact he knows that they know the 'Uvoan' is in for refits. Waiting for Javids response...

"Perhaps, Adama, but that is of no importance now. Thank you for the maps. You have done us a great service."

The two shook hands and talks some more, and parted ways, Adama to his ship, and Javid to the bridge. The 20 Faceless who were in the camp were back, and Javid began to talk to them about what they found. Most had found that the Skyhooked military was relaxed, but PAS forced had recently landed. Not good news. One was able to snag a map and building plans from a sleeping Skyhooked engineer, and showed them to Javid. He smiled. They were within Artillery range. He ordered his men to get the cannons ready, and to target the PAS base. He also showed them the maps. The men cheered, and they told Javid that now they could do some serious damage to Skyhooked. They urged him to send it off the General el-Zadeh but right before Javid was to do so, he noticed the Faceless's sergeant was missing. Before he was able to bring it up to the rest of the men, the sergeant, covered in blood and dust, burst into the bridge.

"Don't send that map!!"

The man stumbled forth to Javid, and as a pair of medics ran to try and check on him, the shoos them away.

"Admiral, I stole a map. I stole a whole map from the camp there. They had 2 of the maps there to send to the fleet, and I stole one. Got pricked on the way back, but I got the map."

Javid looked alarmed as the blood spread on the man's shoulder and leg.

"The map those Uvoan's gave you is fake! I heard some men talking about it. They were talking about how Adama is going to change the map before giving it off. It seems like from what they said, Adama is acting without the knowledge of the Uvoan officials."

Swaying now, the sergeant mustered his breath, and told Javid the rest of the story.

"Check the maps Admiral. Don't trust that Adama. Something is wrong with h.. him."

The man fell over. The medics grabbed him and dragged him out the medical bay. Javid picked up the injured sergeant's map and compared it to the Uvoan map, the Faceless gathered around him. One of them pointed something out.

"Look here. This part of the map isn't even on the Uvoan map. Neither is this part. And both are on our protected attack path. Look, one of them is a marsh, and the other one was a cliff. We would of needed to turn back around if we didn't know that."
"Looks like our 'friends' have some other motives."

Shaking his head, he orders the men to compare the two maps and find all the instances of cut parts and circle them. He than takes the map, copies it, and give the original to the Faceless, and send a deckhand with the new map down to the General. When the General got the map, he cheered out load, rand over to du Casse, and showed it to him. Both men happy, they begin to muster their men for the attack.

Du Casse turned to the general, a smile going on his face as he watched his soldiers ready to, melee weapons and bows at the ready. "Ah, a welcome little arrival... So, that man was a treacherous liar, um? Luckily your sargeant was alive to tell the story, or else it would have cost us our soon to come victory." Du Casse said, turning to a window facing the beach. "Now, has that Exodian fleet stood down? Are you ready to aid in the landing?"

[The Rapture Republic]

” It seems SilverNet. We have another teenager that desperately wants to die in a horrific fashion by aiding the terrorist scoundrels. I am, of course referring to the Pan-Asiatic States, a bunch of commie globalist scum, when I read the paper today. Given their size and military capabilities, they will be an issue in this war. I want them out of the picture.” Said, Chancellor John Mercer. SilverNet, the obedient and incorruptible military computer complied and began preparations for an immediate attack against Pan-Asiatic, all options for eradicating the new enemy were debated within 2.3 seconds with the conclusion to use Weapon Zero to be deployed and weaken the country’s capabilities to assist Skyhooked, when an epidemic has broken loose across the country, transforming civies into murderous killing machines. With this chosen by SilverNet, authorization was granted by the Chancellor as Zero was categorized as a weapon of mass weapon destruction from his supernatural abilities crafted in the care of the Ministry of Enlightenment and Chemical Warfare.

Somewhere within the outer perimeter of Rapture, 100 long-range hunter drones (not sentinels) ascended from the deep, armed with predator (heat-seeking) missiles located in the stomach of the aircraft and phaser (laser) autocannons located on the wings, nose, back, and tail of the hunter drone with there appearance being mixed between a stealth bomber and Flying Fortress but much smaller and faster and deadlier than those two manned vehicles. Followed by the ascension of the drones was a ICBM purposed for Chemical warfare only, inside of it was a stasis pod containing Weapon Zero with its specialized automated systems downloading instructions from the father computer directly into the sleeping entity’s brain to understand the mission that must be completed without failure and coordinating the possible ground zero for the initial attack was Ürümqi City, Xinjiang Province in Eastern China with a population over 100,000 according to the most recent census count. Which was ideal for Zero to claim its first victims in the international conflict. The ICBM reached an altitude of 314,688 feet, surpassing the drones escorting it, whom could only go up to 200,000 feet. ICBM detached its boosters used to break the ocean surface and pierce through the sky to the warhead’s maximum height limit, secondary thrusters were activated, furthermore, the missile sprouted wings to balance its rocketing decent at the mark utilizing kinetic forces to quicken its downfall while the drones were all ready ahead of the warhead spotting for possible rapid response units, when directed by enemy radar to avert the scenario that will leave a mark in history that shall never be forgotten. When the Leviathan challenged the Dragon.

[The Chuck]

Panama Canal, Caribbean Side - MV Northern Star - Neutral Chuckian flagged Freighter

As the Panamax freighter, MV Northern Star, pulled through the last locks of the Panama Canal, the crew members on board were greeted with a Exodian naval blockade stretched across the waters of the Carribean. The captain of the Northern Star looked upon the Exodian blockade before instructing one of the radio operators on the bridge to connect with the Chuckian government. While the radio operator reached out to the government, the captain picked up the radio set right in front of him and addressed the Exodian naval blockade on 2182 kHz.

"Pan Pan, this is Captain John McMahon of the freighter MV Northern Star. I would like to speak with the officer in charge of the Exodian fleet. This is a blatant and direct violation of international maritime law regarding International waterways."

[Democratic Exodian Territories]

Olison pressed the ignition of an electronic cigar, while his fellow officers had a few sips of gin and whiskey the sailors brought out for them, with a small joint in the case of Captain Contina.
The Commodore took a clean breath after he inhaled, a puff of herbal CBD within his lungs- the stuff, while controversial with its usage within the Exodian military, had certainly helped him keep his wits about him in a few sticky situations.

“I unfortunately disagree with your proposal. It is both the opinion of my superiors, my government, and myself, as well as most, if not all of my men, that Skyhooked is in the right- why should an entire nation of innocents be punished for the wrongdoings of an extremist minority?

As for your question, why are we here? We are proudly and honorably here in the defense of a long-standing trade partner and decent people, people we are proud to call allies from time to time. We also wish for the violence to be brought to a swift end and peace be established in a region not far from ours- and in my opinion and presumably also my good Governor’s, to stop it’s spread to the Exodian mainland. Besides, I truly believe that does not honor the good spirit of the original Crusades.
But you seem to be in luck, Vice Admiral, for we are here for another reason to keep the peace- I assume you share my opinion that communism, socialism, fascism, and other types of collectivism are an inherent threat to peace and the safety of the people wherever it may be. Are you familiar with Pan-Asiatic, Yeglan, and other communist presence within the area? I can say with absolute truth that they are enemies of Exodia just as much as you are. We cannot allow them to exert influence over Skyhooked, lest we lose a valuable ally and have the ways of life of perhaps hundreds of thousands destroyed.”

He took another puff of the cigar, clearing his throat before speaking once more.

“So here’s my proposal, Admiral: We let each other sail on by without incident, and you may shell every Pan-Asiatic and Red ship in the harbor to the damn Jones’s Locker and we will not stop you- and in return, perhaps you may give us a... high value target on your side that you might not approve of. Naturally, at the slightest chance you go after the Skyhookedians themselves, we are obligated to act in their defense and kill you- but seeing the odds, I am willing to pay in rank, blood, and gunpowder in the name of peace and stability.”

Olison waited, the officers and a few sailors chattering amongst themselves, barely out of earshot from the Kafairians. He took another puff of the cigar, trying to mask his nervousness, as he waited earnestly for Zukov’s reply.

"You are correct. I, as well as the fleet admiral disagree with the full on attack on Skyhooked. Unfortunately, the extremists are dead, with no way to question them, and with no way to identify what group they were from, we cannot narrow our target further. The sultan cannot let such a grievous act slip by unpunished. But, we have convinced the sultan to spare the nation of Skyhooked."

Zukov looked at the Commodore. He was nervous. Zukov though he knew why.

"You are lucky Commodore. We do hold a distaste for such things like communism and the like. We have orders to focus our attack on communist targets before even Skyhooked. So here is my choice. Our army on land will avoid attacking Skyhooked military personnel, unless fired upon by them, in which case we will defend ourselves. We will make for the PAS command center on the island of Skyhooked, and raze it to the ground. As for the forces of KMN, I cannot give such a promise. They are a separate entity to us. As for a high profile officer, I can only give you at best a ensign, as all the rest are needed for the attack. What I can do though, is provide you with an alternative. Send some of your men to the beach with us. Let them join our landing party. They will be observers, hanging back in combat and allowed to watch. If we attack Skyhooked unprovoked, the men will send to you a message, and you may shell the 3rd Task force. We will hold our ships here until the attack is finished. How does that sound Commodore?

The Dragon of the East may lurk amongst allies, but the Dragon of the West still has yet to move his pieces.

Olison's eyes seemed to light up at Zukov's response. All eyes were on the two now.

"I'm impressed by your boldness, Vice Admiral. While I cannot allow the presence of uniformed Exodian personnel to accompany your forces or even 'observe', as you deem it, as attacking Pan-Asiatic forces ourselves will only warrant retribution from its allies, according to a general diplomatic agreement with the Yeglan Islands- I may be able to contact my superiors and request SIGINT and reconnaissance aircraft to accompany our strategic bombing crews in their flybys, and keep track of their movements and actions, maybe even to assist your forces. Brigadier Slater and Colonel Upton, my counterparts in the Exodian Army for this Peacekeeper's Task Force, will be stationing our troops at a location provided by Skyhooked, so I advise you to make your landfall a few ways away."

He passed him a slip of paper that detailed the coordinates of the location sent to him by the Skyhookedian admiral.
"Keep away from there and we'll be fine."

A junior officer came up to the Commodore, tapping him on the shoulder.
"Sir, brass has gotten wind of this. They want to speak with you in private."

Olison got up from his chair.
"I'll be back in a moment- I'm still open to your suggestions."

From there, he walked into a stairwell that led to the bridge, and accepted an encrypted satellite phone from the officer who had notified him.



“Commodore Olison, you’ve got balls with your actions but I think I want to have a word with you.”


“Did I overstep my authority?”


“In some ways, yes, but at least it isn’t as bad as the shitstorm near Panama. Good thing you’re not the one heading the op over there… Now, yes. overstepping authority…”

Panama Canal, Gatun Locks

Panama Canal, Caribbean Side - MV Northern Star - Neutral Chuckian flagged Freighter

As the Panamax freighter, MV Northern Star, pulled through the last locks of the Panama Canal, the crew members on board were greeted with a Exodian naval blockade stretched across the waters of the Carribean. The captain of the Northern Star looked upon the Exodian blockade before instructing one of the radio operators on the bridge to connect with the Chuckian government. While the radio operator reached out to the government, the captain picked up the radio set right in front of him and addressed the Exodian naval blockade on 2182 kHz.

"Pan Pan, this is Captain John McMahon of the freighter MV Northern Star. I would like to speak with the officer in charge of the Exodian fleet. This is a blatant and direct violation of international maritime law regarding International waterways."

“This is First Lieutenant Pealty, second-in-command of the the ESS Fencer gun frigate and part of the Exodian Commerce Protection Force as part of Operation Trevail Charon, hailing the MV Northern Star.
I’d like to inform you that you are currently entering an active war zone, or at least what might possibly become one, in response to the current situation in the Skyhooked region. We’re conducting counter-terrorist and counter-espionage activity within the area, and yes, this involves searching civilian vessels. We consider it a matter of national security, being Exodia’s proximity to the zone of operations and it and its allies’ trade interests. Keep in mind that you are not the only nation that is being searched, we are also conducting similar activity with vessels of our own nationality.”


Northern Skyhookedian Coastline, the ESS Buckingham/Trapad Naval Base, Democratic Exodian Territories

"You're familiar with the principles of mutually assured destruction, deterrent, and the like, Commodore? They touch on it with all branches of officers in the Naval Academy." The voice of Admiral Scottson resonated in the sat-phone.

"Yes, sir."

"Time for a quick study session, then. Fill me in."

"Both sides are lined up against each other and ready to fire their weapons- in most cases nuclear weapons or WMDs, but in many cases, this case included, can involve or substitute conventional weapons in in that regard. They threaten equal or close-to-equal amounts of force in order to deter the other side from launching. Both are sure to fire in retaliation.”

"Commodore, while you might keep a smug or cocky look on your face, you've only entered the Peacekeeper's Task Force into a potentially fatal gamble- where both sides are bound to fire on each other based on the decision of an unknowing, blind third party. I can tell you that as it stands right now, unless you intervene in some way and wrangle a bit more with diplomatic procedure that you've overstepped, the Skyhookedians are more than likely to shoot first when they see the Kafairians and end us up with a nasty problem when it comes to the survival of your own fleet, as well as any more chances at legitimate peacekeeping."

Olison huffed a sigh, trying to hide it from his men.
"Understood, sir."

"The Governor has so far agreed to approve of your decisions, Commodore. I'll get you those recon aircraft you need and anything more- just keep it that way and watch your ass while playing geopolitics... lad."

"Yes, sir."

He walked back out onto the deck, and faced the Vice Admiral.

"Are we in agreement where we stand, or does anyone else have any more suggestions in regards to this matter?"

To: Skyhookedian Joint Military Headquarters
From: Peacekeeper's Task Force, Exodian Navy
ENCRYPTION: Lemon (Closed-source, intermediate cascade encryption)

ATTENTION: We have reached a peaceful agreement with the Kafairians in that they will not attack Skyhooked unless they are fired on by them. FOR CONFIRMATION; Please, all Skyhookedian authority, we request that you stand down, repeated, stand down when faced with Kafairian personnel and to let them land and pass without incident, in order to prevent an escalation of violence.

Commodore Alvin Olison
Peacekeeper's Task Force, Exodian Navy

Internal Messaging System-Peacekeeper's Task Force, Joint Armed Forces Authority (All Branches)
We have reached an agreement with the Kafairians. Unless otherwise directed from this point on, Kafairian personnel are to be considered friendlies and may only be fired on in self-defense. Severe admonishment will be dealt to any of our own personnel who fires the first shot against them.

[The Chuck]

Panama Canal, Caribbean Side - MV Northern Star - Neutral Chuckian flagged Freighter

Looking at the Exodian fleet with rising blood pressure, Captain John McMahon put down his mic set and spoke to his radio operator.

"Looks like we have a legal situation. When you finish, I want you to get the company to contact Shipper, Quicke, & Paye Admiralty Law Attorneys."

Turning back around to his command station, Captain McMahon grabbed his mic and keyed it.

"First Lieutenant Pealty, as a veteran naval officer myself, I know the international maritime laws and I know that your demand to search this vessel is in violation of those laws. I will say this only once but if you attempt to search this vessel I will invoke my legal rights as a maritime captain under duress and take you to court for acts of piracy. Me nor any of my crew has nor will give you or your fellow Exodian sailors permission to board our vessel. If you attempt to board our vessel to search it, we will respond with force according to what I deem necessary."

With that, Captain McMahon set down the receiver and motioned for the radio operator to contact the Maritime Anti-Piracy Task force.

---

The Chuck - Shipper, Quicke, & Paye Attorneys at Law Office, Charles Rock

"Hello, you have the law office of Shipper, Quicke, & Paye, Brian Shipper speaking..."

"Hello Brian, this is Adriana over at White Horse shipping company. we have a bit of a situation regarding an incident occurring down in the Caribbean with the Democratic Exodian Territories navy..."

The Chuck - Charles Rock Intl. Airport - Later

Three men in suits boarded a chartered flight to the Democratic Exodian Territories. With them, they had multiple briefcases and paperwork that they were busy sorting through as the Bombardier Global 7500 took to the skies and banked towards Exodian territory. The Exodians were given barely any notice but an official government letter was wired ahead of the three para-legals.

Official Correspondence of The Chuck Office of Commerce & Shipping

---

To: Whom it may concern

From: Nathaniel Halsey

Subject: Cease & Desist - Immediately

Hello,

I am writing you today on the behalf of the Chuckian government. Recently we have caught wind that there is a situation going down in the Caribbean close to the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal. One of our flagged freighters is being held up by your navy in direct violation of internationally recognized maritime law. As such, I must insist that you cease and desist immediately. If you fail to comply with this, further more serious and lasting action shall be taken and your diplomatic status with us could quite possibly be scarred.

Sincerely,

Nathaniel Halsey,

Commissioner of The Chuck Office of Commerce & Shipping

[Skyhooked]

To: Skyhookedian Joint Military Headquarters
From: Peacekeeper's Task Force, Exodian Navy
ENCRYPTION: Lemon (Closed-source, intermediate cascade encryption)

ATTENTION: We have reached a peaceful agreement with the Kafairians in that they will not attack Skyhooked unless they are fired on by them. FOR CONFIRMATION; Please, all Skyhookedian authority, we request that you stand down, repeated, stand down when faced with Kafairian personnel and to let them land and pass without incident, in order to prevent an escalation of violence.

Commodore Alvin Olison
Peacekeeper's Task Force, Exodian Navy

The Council was ready to fight and give orders any moment, waiting in temporary headquarters. The message about peace with Kafair, they recieved was a slight relief. After all, the fewer enemies Skyhooked faces, the lesser damages it sustains. They quickly drafted a response.

To: Peacekeeper's task force, Exodian Navy
From: Skyhookedian Council
Encryption: Lion (Closed source, cascade one.)

We wanna express gratitude for your aid and for sultan's willingness to listen to reason. Crusaders gonna have an unpleasant rude awakening, when they realize, that their ally fights no longer. So far, we are waiting for hostile deployment. We will spread the word, and let them pass. But make sure, that Kafair forces get to safety before the battles start, so they won't be hit by a stray missile from one of the sides. Still, if they use this truce just to get past some of our defenses and strike in vurlnerable places we won't be pleased.

As the message was spread among the troops and militias, they felt a relief. Maybe Exodian peacekeepers will put an end to this war, and they can return to preparations for the feast. Still, that wasn't going to happen, so they prepared to strike as soon as crusader forces finally deploy and Kafair forces get out of Skyhooked.

[Yegla Islands]

New Asan

As the YCV Adrianna pulled into the dock, her escort fleet slowly surfaced. The Uvoans had been informed of their presence, of course - starting an international incident in such a turbulent political climate would be... unwelcome. Still, there was an air of tension about the entire harbor - soldiers seemed to be standing to attention in every unoccupied area, and tanks could be seen blocking off a road or two in the distance. Clearly, someone had put great stock into the security of this deal.

The assorted escort vessels dropped anchor, idling a short distance away from shore. Their kinetic batteries were deployed with a hiss of pressurized air, and trained in the general direction of the open sea. Meanwhile, the Adrianna slowed as it drew closer to the moorings. For a freighter, it really wasn't that large, and even its looks were distinct from the usual Panamax craft. It was sleeker, thinner, unburdened with containers. Its hull appeared somehow sturdier, too - a dull, gray coloration that didn't seem corroded or stained by the briny waves. As it docked, a section of its side seemed to collapse, fold up into layered panels. These panels slid out into a ramp, wide enough to accomodate the massive, reinforced containers that were now semi-visible in the depths of its shadowy hold.

Through this newly-revealed gateway, a number of men emerged. Most were engineers, ready to assist with the inspection and eventual installation of their cargo. A few wore the armored, face-concealing suits indicative of Yeglan governmental security forces, and had submachine guns slung over their shoulders.

The lead engineer stopped in the middle of the pier, and motioned for his companions to do the same. In the distance, the Uvoan welcoming party could be seen, with none other than Zkto' Zobvan, Minister of War, at its head.

[Uvoan]

Voroan Testing Facility, Artillery Range 8

"Teno." Zkto' said, looking over from where he sat on an observation deck, the monstrous RAK-38 in the distance elevating its mortar. He was due to over-look the delivery of some reactors later, but he trusted his crew. "I am glad you decided to join me- We have much to discuss." He spoke, before taking a drink from a coffee mug. The cool plains air of the testing ground rushing through the observation deck.

"That, that we do my Minister." Zakkin said, as he took the seat next to Zkto's. "You have spent an inordinate amount of your budget this quarter- Over 200 billion Gella. On all manner of things- Tanks, Humvees, Strykers... Modernized equipment. Fighter jets. The battlecruiser Uvoan... The unfinished hull of an aircraft carrier bought, and moved into Expolian dry-docks. A very big aircraft carrier. A Forrestal. A so-called 'Super-Carrier'. You have been busy, my Minister." Zakkin said, before he grabbed one of the mugs of coffee. Taking a drink, before grimacing at the taste. "You could at least have added sugar."

Zkto' chuckled, as he took another swig. "There are many things I am spending the money on. Such as this refined monster of a gun. The RAK-38. You know the KE-20? This is its more mobile cousin." Zkto' smiled, as he handed Zakkin a pair of ear-plugs. He put them in without question, as Zkto' put his own in. Giving the thumbs up to the operator, as Zkto' turned his attention.

The plating on the RAK-38 was enough to resist every caliber Uvoan had thrown at it, until the 75. It made the thing a very heavy vehicle, but in exchange? Zkto' paused, bracing himself as the gun steadied. And then the air detonated. The massive shell sent flying, as Zkto' smiled. It was his army, afterall.

He stood, leaving the breathless Zakkin to stare at the armored form of the RAK-38 artillery wagon. It was a good day to be Zkto'. He was soon aboard the 'Red Blood', his personal armored train, and racing off towards New Asan. He had eight nuclear reactors to take delivery of after all- And even his best general wasn't to be trusted with an operation this delicate.

---

New Asan, Pier 74-B

The port city of New Asan must've looked like something out of an entirely different era for the Yelgan crew. It was seemingly a city locked into the 1920s. Steam locomotives shuffled cars back and forth on piers, older automobiles navigated its water-fronts. Old, inter-war destroyers darted about, escorting ships out of the way of the inbound Yelgan trade-ship. Tug-boats worked to haul a massive 'City' class troop-transport out of harbor. Its holds converted to carry some sort of heavy cargo. It looked like a scene entirely out of the 1920s.... Well, expect for one thing.

The gutted form of a Ticonderoga class cruiser was in dry-dock. Stripped down to its most base components, as workers awaited the delivery. Surrounding it were even more skeletal hulls of cruisers. A few workers milling around, looking over blueprints. Clearly, the Uvoanian modernization program was well under way...

Zkto' Zovban stood at the pier-side his heavy trench-coat rippling in the coastal wind, as the last preparations were finished. Tanks blocking off streets, armored cars serving to keep civilian traffic away. A single KE-9 had been brought in, to serve as an extra deterrent. His own personal guards, equipped with fully modern weapons, bought at his own personal expense, were beside him. A squadron of P/F-36 'Herald's were performing an air patrol above, the latest in Uvoanian bought air-superiority. His personal armored train sat behind him as well- Now carrying container cars, however. He watched with baited breath as the escort fleet emerged, as the freighter docked. Noting its sleek form, as he waited...

He walked into the open as the door opened, as his eyes quickly scanned over the freighter... And then a small smile crested his face, as he noted the shadowed form of the containers, and the emerging engineering group. Along with the obvious security escorts. To be expected in this turbulent time. As they stopped in the middle of the pier, Zkto' began to walk forward. Stopping a few feet away from them. "Welcome to New Asan. I trust you didn't have to much trouble on the way here?" His personal guard lingered a distance behind. They didn't expect any trouble, but paranoia rarely hurt.

[Yegla Islands]

The chief engineer bowed slightly.

"Regrettably, a diplomatic envoy was not assigned to this operation as mediator. Therefore,"

Here, one of his assistants brought forward a deployable tripod, and unfolded it to stand in front of Zkto'. Another placed a shoebox-sized screen onto its apex, and screwed it in place. He proceeded to extend an atenna from the top of the screen, which caused it to light up and resolve itself into an image. A darkened, gray room came into view, quite badly out of focus. Steam seemed to hiss from hidden openings in the walls, and strange lights sporadically became visible, disappearing just as quickly.

"We have been tasked with improvising a means of communication."

A moment later, Dmitri Rasputin strode into frame. His outline was crystal-clear, in contrast to the rest of the image. Clearly, a deliberate act of masking.

"Good afternoon, Zkto'. I apologize for the offhand nature of this little communique. I'm afraid I've got my hands full on the domestic front as of right now, but I still wanted to ensure that the transfer goes smoothly."

Somewhere behind him, there was a sound very much like a small explosion, followed by a chorus of synthesized notes.

"Ah, disregard that. So, how is the connection?"