Krytopia, Kylarnatia
“So they’ve finally done it?” Maximus Cantius Maursus, Caesar’s Chief of Staff conversed with both Flavonia Thrasea, the Director of Imperial Intelligence and Dux Imperator Tertius Atilius, the First Lord of Caesar’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. All around them a handful of other individuals stood around or sat at the long conference table in the Situation Room and conversed amongst themselves, though everyone was focusing on different aspects of the same thing: within the past few hours, the Capitol Police had started a brutal crackdown in Vetalia City, and from what could be made out from satellite imagery, this wasn’t just a straightforward case of riot suppression.
“It would appear so.” Flavonia responded absent-mindedly, her focus more drawn towards the live imagery being shown across all the monitors in the room. Fire and smoke rising from multiple districts across the former Vetalian capital, Köenigsjäger’s rolling through the street along with APCs full of Capitol Police. This was an outright purge, no doubt about it. The Imperium Intelligence Community’s connections through the Vetalian black market had given them a good indication that something like this was bound to happen eventually; various acts of resistance had sabotaged the Vetalian State’s production quotas, in no small part because the weapons smuggled to them through the black market could find some of their origins back to Kylarnatia, though they’d have been careful to remove any identifiable markers. They knew this was an eventual outcome, and for them it was a favourable one; it gave them an opportunity to act in a big way.
“The Magnificum Legio based in the Strait has informed us in the past few minutes that the checkpoints originally manned by KVF soldiers at the border have since been abandoned. If we’re going to make our move, now’s the time.” Tertius spoke to Maximus in a tone that stressed urgency. The Chief of Staff was well aware of how eager Imperium High Command was to act, but that was nobody else but the Caesar’s call. Fortunately, they wouldn’t have to wait long to get it.
A few moments later the double doors leading into the Situation Room swung open and four members of the Caesar’s Guard entered, standing at each point of the room. Next came Lord Hyperion, and swiftly behind him Caesar, who was dressed in an evening ball gown as she was currently entertaining guests in one of the Fangthane Palace’s many ballrooms. All those present looked drew silent and looked at her as she came in, bowing deeply in reverence. She took her seat at the head of the table. “Sit down and tell me what’s going on.”
Over the next few minutes, both Director Thrasea and Dux Imperator Atilius brought her up to speed with the events unfolding in what was now likely the defunct Vetalian State. The Caesar listened intently as she also studied a multiple number of folders passed down to her, each giving summarised details of everything including suspected troop movement and the activity both in Vetalia City and Fortress Arcadia, which was heavily monitored both by satellite and by various means from the Contested Territory that the Imperium clung onto as a result of the forced treaty that ended the original Vetalian Occupation. As the briefing concluded, Silvier observed the smoke billowing from Vetalia City’s once pristine skyscrapers in the images she had being beamed around her.
“Do we know what has happened to Governor Haskins?” She asked. Everyone around her shook their heads solemnly; most likely dead, no doubt.
“You say that the border checkpoints at the Strait have been abandoned?” Caesar turned to her First Lord. He nodded affirmatively in response. She took only a minute to contemplate her response, clasping her hands together and resting her elbows on the table. As she contemplated, a uniformed officer stood by a red phone on the wall, looking towards her as he waited for her signal.
Then, it came. “Go.”
“It would appear so.” Flavonia responded absent-mindedly, her focus more drawn towards the live imagery being shown across all the monitors in the room. Fire and smoke rising from multiple districts across the former Vetalian capital, Köenigsjäger’s rolling through the street along with APCs full of Capitol Police. This was an outright purge, no doubt about it. The Imperium Intelligence Community’s connections through the Vetalian black market had given them a good indication that something like this was bound to happen eventually; various acts of resistance had sabotaged the Vetalian State’s production quotas, in no small part because the weapons smuggled to them through the black market could find some of their origins back to Kylarnatia, though they’d have been careful to remove any identifiable markers. They knew this was an eventual outcome, and for them it was a favourable one; it gave them an opportunity to act in a big way.
“The Magnificum Legio based in the Strait has informed us in the past few minutes that the checkpoints originally manned by KVF soldiers at the border have since been abandoned. If we’re going to make our move, now’s the time.” Tertius spoke to Maximus in a tone that stressed urgency. The Chief of Staff was well aware of how eager Imperium High Command was to act, but that was nobody else but the Caesar’s call. Fortunately, they wouldn’t have to wait long to get it.
A few moments later the double doors leading into the Situation Room swung open and four members of the Caesar’s Guard entered, standing at each point of the room. Next came Lord Hyperion, and swiftly behind him Caesar, who was dressed in an evening ball gown as she was currently entertaining guests in one of the Fangthane Palace’s many ballrooms. All those present looked drew silent and looked at her as she came in, bowing deeply in reverence. She took her seat at the head of the table. “Sit down and tell me what’s going on.”
Over the next few minutes, both Director Thrasea and Dux Imperator Atilius brought her up to speed with the events unfolding in what was now likely the defunct Vetalian State. The Caesar listened intently as she also studied a multiple number of folders passed down to her, each giving summarised details of everything including suspected troop movement and the activity both in Vetalia City and Fortress Arcadia, which was heavily monitored both by satellite and by various means from the Contested Territory that the Imperium clung onto as a result of the forced treaty that ended the original Vetalian Occupation. As the briefing concluded, Silvier observed the smoke billowing from Vetalia City’s once pristine skyscrapers in the images she had being beamed around her.
“Do we know what has happened to Governor Haskins?” She asked. Everyone around her shook their heads solemnly; most likely dead, no doubt.
“You say that the border checkpoints at the Strait have been abandoned?” Caesar turned to her First Lord. He nodded affirmatively in response. She took only a minute to contemplate her response, clasping her hands together and resting her elbows on the table. As she contemplated, a uniformed officer stood by a red phone on the wall, looking towards her as he waited for her signal.
Then, it came. “Go.”
Border with Occupied Vetalia, Silvier’s Strait
Within minutes, the first elements of the First Vetalian Magnificum Legio - a five-million man strong legion formed for the purpose of liberating Vetalia - approached the border checkpoints that crossed over into the Vetalian State. In years past, they would’ve found Vetalian and Londinian KVF soldiers manning these checkpoints, and for years they would send fire teams to observe the border and report back; it had gotten to the point where certain soldiers were becoming familiar with one another on either side. Yet today when they went to check the border, it was completely abandoned. The checkpoint buildings were still present, the guard railings still in place, but no KVF uniform in sight. That was the first indication to the First Vetalian Magnificum Legio that something was going on, and they were quick to tip off Imperium High Command.
They checked back almost every hour, and the checkpoints remained abandoned. The Auxilia started to become twitchy, but the Legionnaires were stoic and ready to move at their Caesar’s command.
Then, it came.
As the first elements approached the abandoned checkpoints, Auxiliamen and women ran ahead and lifted the barriers, throwing them into the ditches on the roadside as they then began waving the columns through. The occupied Vetalian State’s new infrastructure worked to their benefit, as the large highways allowed heavy vehicles and personnel carriers to move quickly and fan out across the north of Vetalia. Imperial Engineers were also quick to commandeer a freight line that had first been constructed during the Great War that Vetalia and Kylarnatia fought almost a century ago, which they quickly began to link up with the line that led into the Strait; in the next few days it would be used to move large hauls of supplies and equipment.
Within a few hours, the First Vetalian Magnificum Legio had secured control of the entire northern coastline and peninsula. Their key targets were the cities of Chistopol and Taursa, both of which had seaports but the latter also had a small airfield. Once they were secured, the Auxilia and detachments of Legionnaires fanned out into the interior and were told to keep moving until they met any significant KVF or even Capitol Police presence, at which point they would stop in the most favourable defensive position and dig in. The KVF seemed to have all but melted away, and in the next few days there would be reports of KVF soldiers being found either at home with their families or wandering the ruins of Vetalia’s once great cities, despondent and resigned to death. They clearly knew what had happened further south, and had been awaiting the same fate to befall them. Luck had made it so that the Caesar’s Legionnaires had arrived when they did.
They checked back almost every hour, and the checkpoints remained abandoned. The Auxilia started to become twitchy, but the Legionnaires were stoic and ready to move at their Caesar’s command.
Then, it came.
As the first elements approached the abandoned checkpoints, Auxiliamen and women ran ahead and lifted the barriers, throwing them into the ditches on the roadside as they then began waving the columns through. The occupied Vetalian State’s new infrastructure worked to their benefit, as the large highways allowed heavy vehicles and personnel carriers to move quickly and fan out across the north of Vetalia. Imperial Engineers were also quick to commandeer a freight line that had first been constructed during the Great War that Vetalia and Kylarnatia fought almost a century ago, which they quickly began to link up with the line that led into the Strait; in the next few days it would be used to move large hauls of supplies and equipment.
Within a few hours, the First Vetalian Magnificum Legio had secured control of the entire northern coastline and peninsula. Their key targets were the cities of Chistopol and Taursa, both of which had seaports but the latter also had a small airfield. Once they were secured, the Auxilia and detachments of Legionnaires fanned out into the interior and were told to keep moving until they met any significant KVF or even Capitol Police presence, at which point they would stop in the most favourable defensive position and dig in. The KVF seemed to have all but melted away, and in the next few days there would be reports of KVF soldiers being found either at home with their families or wandering the ruins of Vetalia’s once great cities, despondent and resigned to death. They clearly knew what had happened further south, and had been awaiting the same fate to befall them. Luck had made it so that the Caesar’s Legionnaires had arrived when they did.
Taursa Town Hall, Taursa
Northern Vetalia
Dux Imperator Brutus Skrall had been assigned command of the First Vetalian Magnificum Legio initially because it was anticipated that they would be starting the war on a defensive footing. Brutus - known as the “Gatekeeper of Tartarus” due to his renown within the Caesar’s Imperial Armed Forces for being someone who was immovable and able to hold out against difficult odds - was a man growing into his senior years, though his physique wouldn’t give you that impression. Shorter than the average Kylarnatian male though still standing at 6’11”, he was a barrel-chested man with deep-sunken features and a face weathered by conflict. His bald scalp was sunken with spots of scarring that came from shrapnel which he had been lucky to survive on more than one occasion. It was a joke amongst his peers in Imperium High Command that he was far too stubborn to die.
He had selected the former Taursa Town Hall to act as a temporary Headquarters in the newly liberated Vetalian sectors as his forces continued to move forward, and it wasn’t just a choice of convenience. Taursa’s airfield was certainly an important factor - there would be immediate work in the coming days to expand its capacity ten-fold for military use - but there was also some symbolic and personal value here for Brutus. It was here that his own father and grandfather had overseen the occupation and rebuilding of Vetalia following the Great War. The remnants of a monument commemorating the history stood outside the Hall; a motherly angel lifting up the frail body of a starving Vetalian and his family. Around the statue were standing stones etched with the names of servicemen and women who had died; some had been chipped apart, likely to get at the tiny bits of gold inlay that had once been there. Brutus stood there for a moment looking at the names, and then the sorrowful expression on the face of the starving Vetalian, meanwhile all around him his men and women were setting up a few cordons to secure the building. In the corner of his eye he knew there were Vetalians looking on from a distance - cautious, afraid - but he didn’t pay them too much mind immediately. They would soon be receiving relief once the airfield was operational.
“Dux Imperator Skrall…” A Legionnaire spoke from behind, his voice muffled by the vox of his helmet. “The building is secure, sir. We can go inside. We’ve assigned a suitable office space for you on the top floor.”
Saying nothing, the Dux Imperator turned on the heel of his armour and with heavy steps began making his way into the Town Hall, a cadre of soldiers and officers following closely behind. He began laying out his orders in very short and serious words as was his want to do. “We need to start identifying KVF officers, Vetalian scientists and administrators. Get some names from Imperial Intelligence and start rounding them up.”
He had selected the former Taursa Town Hall to act as a temporary Headquarters in the newly liberated Vetalian sectors as his forces continued to move forward, and it wasn’t just a choice of convenience. Taursa’s airfield was certainly an important factor - there would be immediate work in the coming days to expand its capacity ten-fold for military use - but there was also some symbolic and personal value here for Brutus. It was here that his own father and grandfather had overseen the occupation and rebuilding of Vetalia following the Great War. The remnants of a monument commemorating the history stood outside the Hall; a motherly angel lifting up the frail body of a starving Vetalian and his family. Around the statue were standing stones etched with the names of servicemen and women who had died; some had been chipped apart, likely to get at the tiny bits of gold inlay that had once been there. Brutus stood there for a moment looking at the names, and then the sorrowful expression on the face of the starving Vetalian, meanwhile all around him his men and women were setting up a few cordons to secure the building. In the corner of his eye he knew there were Vetalians looking on from a distance - cautious, afraid - but he didn’t pay them too much mind immediately. They would soon be receiving relief once the airfield was operational.
“Dux Imperator Skrall…” A Legionnaire spoke from behind, his voice muffled by the vox of his helmet. “The building is secure, sir. We can go inside. We’ve assigned a suitable office space for you on the top floor.”
Saying nothing, the Dux Imperator turned on the heel of his armour and with heavy steps began making his way into the Town Hall, a cadre of soldiers and officers following closely behind. He began laying out his orders in very short and serious words as was his want to do. “We need to start identifying KVF officers, Vetalian scientists and administrators. Get some names from Imperial Intelligence and start rounding them up.”
The Situation Room, Fangthane Palace
As soon as she gave the order and the troops of the First Vetalian Magnificum Legio got underway, the Caesar also ordered the Home Armada to maximum readiness and the Second and Eighth Fleets to ready alert as they were both conducting sea operations in and around the Central Gothic Ocean, so would be the most immediate in responding to any movement from Naval Arm North in Fortress Arcadia. They would keep a steady distance but be in a position to identify any movement as and when it happened; retaliation was always possible, but Imperium High Command still wagered that the Reich wasn’t fully prepared to commit to all-out war just yet. Even so, they had to be ready for the possibility.
“Get the Senior Staff together and brief them on what has happened; we’ll need to make a public announcement in the coming hours. In the meantime, I want an emergency session of the Imperial Senate to be arranged.” Caesar laid out instructions to Maursus, who had instinctively already started calculating all his moves in his head. Though when she mentioned the emergency session, he gave her a bemused look. She caught it and then gestured to one of the monitors, which had changed to showing the Vetalian Senate session ongoing in Pax Gothica. “It’s time we publically state our full support for the Vetalian Government-in-Exile, now that the sham Vetalian State has been done away with. I want a meeting with Praetor Repina and Proconsul Smith as soon as--”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, my Caesar, but there has been a development.” One of the Intelligence Community members in the room spoke up, bowing in reverence as it was often heavily frowned upon for someone to interrupt the sovereign. “Capitol Police have been sighted leaving the Norskan District in Pax Gothica.”
Deciding to forgive the transgression due to the importance of the event, Caesar took a moment to consider the possibilities. She shot a concerned glance at Dux Imperator Atilius, whose expression was also grave. “They must be intent on finishing the job; alert our allies, and shut down the bridge leading to Urba Gothica. Do we have any assets on standby?”
“Yes, my Caesar. We can have a squadron of Black Cobra operational and out in the field in a couple of minutes.” Atilius confirmed.
“Secure the Vetalian Praetor and Proconsul, now. I need them alive.”
“Get the Senior Staff together and brief them on what has happened; we’ll need to make a public announcement in the coming hours. In the meantime, I want an emergency session of the Imperial Senate to be arranged.” Caesar laid out instructions to Maursus, who had instinctively already started calculating all his moves in his head. Though when she mentioned the emergency session, he gave her a bemused look. She caught it and then gestured to one of the monitors, which had changed to showing the Vetalian Senate session ongoing in Pax Gothica. “It’s time we publically state our full support for the Vetalian Government-in-Exile, now that the sham Vetalian State has been done away with. I want a meeting with Praetor Repina and Proconsul Smith as soon as--”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, my Caesar, but there has been a development.” One of the Intelligence Community members in the room spoke up, bowing in reverence as it was often heavily frowned upon for someone to interrupt the sovereign. “Capitol Police have been sighted leaving the Norskan District in Pax Gothica.”
Deciding to forgive the transgression due to the importance of the event, Caesar took a moment to consider the possibilities. She shot a concerned glance at Dux Imperator Atilius, whose expression was also grave. “They must be intent on finishing the job; alert our allies, and shut down the bridge leading to Urba Gothica. Do we have any assets on standby?”
“Yes, my Caesar. We can have a squadron of Black Cobra operational and out in the field in a couple of minutes.” Atilius confirmed.
“Secure the Vetalian Praetor and Proconsul, now. I need them alive.”
Custodian HQ, The Promenade
Pax Gothica
The night had started like any other one on the Promenade. People were out drinking, late night shopping and having an enjoyable time. The Pax Custodes had a very straightforward time of keeping order, occasionally having to deal with the odd attempted theft, pickpocketing or on the most “entertaining” of nights, a drunken brawl. Custodes were drawn from all over the region, some being transferred directly from their national police forces, to help keep order in the central Pax District and across the majority of the national Districts. They were some of the best and the most experienced, but it was highly unlikely that any of them were prepared for what was going to go down tonight.
Commotion started to pick up in the office as calls started to come in, both from concerned civilians and on-duty dispatch units, as the gates to Norska District had swung open and Capitol Police started marching out in lock-step. Bafflingly tourists treated it as some kind of show, while the Custodes who had been posted specifically to keep an eye on the Norska District - from a distance - could only break out into a cold sweat as they radioed in to report what was happening.
Within a few moments, a reluctant aide frantically knocked on the Commandant’s office door. A deep and commanding voice called from within to enter. She did so, hands shaking, as she held a scribbled note in her hand.
“What is it? What’s going on?” Commandant Sliabh responded, his figure large and imposing as he stood up from his desk. It helped to put her at ease, oddly enough, as what she had come to report what something she had only imagined before in her worst nightmares.
“Ca...Capitol Police have been sighted leaving Norska District, sir.” She said, trying her hardest to keep her composure. Commandant Sliabh’s eyes widened, in a way she hadn’t seen before, but then he pulled a determined grimace as the cogs started turning in his mind.
“Do we know where they’re heading?”
“No, sir.”
“Okay. Okay. We need to get crowd control units out there now, keep the tourists and the public as far away from them as possible. Make sure all the Districts are aware and on high alert; restrict all non-essential travel. Keep the roads as clear as possible so we can get ahead of them and cut them off, wherever they’re heading. Get ready to raise roadblocks on my order.” Sliabh grabbed his jacket from behind his chair as she hastily put it on, buttoned it up to the collar and straightened it up before heading out the door at a quick and determined pace.
Commotion started to pick up in the office as calls started to come in, both from concerned civilians and on-duty dispatch units, as the gates to Norska District had swung open and Capitol Police started marching out in lock-step. Bafflingly tourists treated it as some kind of show, while the Custodes who had been posted specifically to keep an eye on the Norska District - from a distance - could only break out into a cold sweat as they radioed in to report what was happening.
Within a few moments, a reluctant aide frantically knocked on the Commandant’s office door. A deep and commanding voice called from within to enter. She did so, hands shaking, as she held a scribbled note in her hand.
“What is it? What’s going on?” Commandant Sliabh responded, his figure large and imposing as he stood up from his desk. It helped to put her at ease, oddly enough, as what she had come to report what something she had only imagined before in her worst nightmares.
“Ca...Capitol Police have been sighted leaving Norska District, sir.” She said, trying her hardest to keep her composure. Commandant Sliabh’s eyes widened, in a way she hadn’t seen before, but then he pulled a determined grimace as the cogs started turning in his mind.
“Do we know where they’re heading?”
“No, sir.”
“Okay. Okay. We need to get crowd control units out there now, keep the tourists and the public as far away from them as possible. Make sure all the Districts are aware and on high alert; restrict all non-essential travel. Keep the roads as clear as possible so we can get ahead of them and cut them off, wherever they’re heading. Get ready to raise roadblocks on my order.” Sliabh grabbed his jacket from behind his chair as she hastily put it on, buttoned it up to the collar and straightened it up before heading out the door at a quick and determined pace.
Urba Gothica Naval Base, Urba Gothica
At the same time as the Pax Custodes and other Districts became aware of what was going on, a group of three stealth helicopters left the Urba Gothica Naval Base. On board was a fire squadron of Black Cobra Special Forces, whose hastily arranged mission was to extract Praetor Repina and Proconsul Smith from the Curia of the Vetalian Senate in the Vetalian District, as well as the other members of the executive branch. If the Caesar’s hunch was correct, they were about to be in very grave danger.
The fifteen men and women assembled in the belly of each helicopter said nothing to each other and each helicopter remained silent on communications as they moved at great speed, flying in such a way as to try and not attract too much attention on any air radar, though due to the urgency of the mission it was almost secondary at this point. Within a few minutes they would be above the Vetalian Senate which was still in session, blissfully unaware of the happenings outside.
They would find themselves quite abruptly interrupted as the Black Cobra dropped down onto the building. Cutting the power so as to stop the public broadcast, they then burst through the Diocletian windows and descended onto the floor of the Vetalian Senate.
“Stay where you are! Don’t move!” The servicemen and women directed the Senators to remain seated and in place, and any who didn’t they would quickly have down on the ground, not taking any chances as to who might be able to harm the intended extraction targets. One team focused almost exclusively on Praetor Repina and Proconsul Smith, squaring in on them almost immediately.
“Praetor Repina, Proconsul Smith; on the orders of the Caesar, you are to be extracted due to risks posed by the Kraven Reich. Come with me please.”
The fifteen men and women assembled in the belly of each helicopter said nothing to each other and each helicopter remained silent on communications as they moved at great speed, flying in such a way as to try and not attract too much attention on any air radar, though due to the urgency of the mission it was almost secondary at this point. Within a few minutes they would be above the Vetalian Senate which was still in session, blissfully unaware of the happenings outside.
They would find themselves quite abruptly interrupted as the Black Cobra dropped down onto the building. Cutting the power so as to stop the public broadcast, they then burst through the Diocletian windows and descended onto the floor of the Vetalian Senate.
“Stay where you are! Don’t move!” The servicemen and women directed the Senators to remain seated and in place, and any who didn’t they would quickly have down on the ground, not taking any chances as to who might be able to harm the intended extraction targets. One team focused almost exclusively on Praetor Repina and Proconsul Smith, squaring in on them almost immediately.
“Praetor Repina, Proconsul Smith; on the orders of the Caesar, you are to be extracted due to risks posed by the Kraven Reich. Come with me please.”
