(OOC: Semi-Open, don't join in unless you have 100% sure reason to join and in any case don't dogpile, make sure your entry is only in balance to the machinations of the opposing faction)
A cold wind blew through the muddy island Malvarmo. Since the Crusade against the Glorian supporters this island had undergone devastating civil wars from which it had never recovered, the population lived in destitution, fear and disease, a reminder of the price paid for those under the Imperial banner.
A convoy of three black sedans rolled through the eerie landscape, they finally came upon a grey concrete installation, the glorious scarlet of the Saartian flag puncturing the near black of the storm clouds overhead. The cars rolled into a large hanger area protected by a thick and rusted steel screen which screeched as it began to close, swallowing up the convoy.
Avoiding the cacophony of noise the passengers quickly made their way deeper into the bunker. The walls were dusty and rotten from lack of maintenance, the base had only been re-opened three months ago and that was barely enough time given to install the new War Room computer technology and to synchronise the movements of so many Divisions. The passengers finally made it to the large hall bustling with technical staff and National Guardsmen, they sat at a large table built especially for this occasion, hopefully never to be used again.
"It has been ten years." A lean figure of a man stood at his seat ready to compile the history of this operation for the benefit of those unclear on all the details. "The state of Abascalnia fell to the Glorians ten years ago and we did nothing!" He sounded quite bitter at the lack of activity shown in the past. His outrage disturbed some of the junior members. "We have allowed this rot to fester and build, the Claw Island is all but lost to us should we fail here." A large holographic representation of the Claw Islands appeared on the screen behind the gentleman. "As Commander in Chief I have green lit Operation Barrett after ten years of operational planning. So run me through it gentlemen, what is our avenue of success?"
"Well sir." A General began, his stars reflecting the green and blue lights dotted about the room. "Our biggest threat remains the Glorians Conventional Warhead ICBM program. We believe that our initial strike will remove maybe one third of the Glorian capacity but in consideration of its previous attacks we may face the other two thirds reigning terror upon our civilian population."
"Understood General." There was a pause. "And what is your recommended path of action?"
"It's undeniable that in any case the Glorians will use their Missile capacity to terrorise our mainland, with our without the Abascalanian Silo's. Frankly I think we would all rather face two thirds than both barrels." There were the sounds of agreement around the table.
"Excellent. What of our forces station here in Malvarmo?"
"Intel reports..." Another General began, a dossier in his hands. "...That the Glorians have not shifted the bulk of their naval force since the Abasc war, the West Coast is open to our attacks immediately, our plan is to gain a forward position on the Islands of Buchannon and Guttenburg. From this position we will be able to launch attacks on either the Glorian Mainland or the Abasc peninsula, really it depends on our wish to remove their naval forces or their Missile capacity."
"Missile capacity, definitely." The original General interrupted.
"Agreed. Have your forces ready to move onto the Mainland as soon as the Islands have been subdued." The Commander reported, prompted by the interruption. "Finally, what are our concerns over the Naval Front?"
"As has already been reported, the Glorian Navy is deployed mostly within the Claw Bay, as it has been for the past ten years. My suggestions is that we take Endako within the first strike, control over the terrain nearby will put us in the position to block the Glorian Navy from accessing its Western assets. Beyond that our concerns are with the Glorian Western Fleet, a small Fleet that shall drown on our Brown Water Fleets should it stray too near."
"Good, excellent, though I would feel safer having that fleet removed before it does any damage to our forces. Gentlemen, this is our only opportunity to have an open threat removed, failure will mean our destruction. I want you all to think about what that means." He paused to let that sink in. "Good. To your stations gentlemen!"
Buchannon and Guttenburg Islands
The Saartian bombing campaign launched from Malvarmo islands, several Air Wings began their operation with information gleaned from years of observation and intelligence. The bombers remained high over the clouds between the shortest stretch of the Abaskellix Channel before dipping suddenly at their targets, releasing their payload upon SAM sites, Airbases and threats to the Saartian invasion plan.
The second wave of naval forces carrying the Saartian ground efforts arrived shortly thereafter, the amphibious assault vessels dispatching teams to secure the islands before counter attack. Infantry and AFV forces landed first to seize beach-heads for the second landing of Armour, Commandoes and other forces linchpin for the invasion of the Greater Empire.
Endako
Cashing in on the surprise of the invasion came the swift movements of the Endako plan. Anti-Shipping Submarines swept into the Endako Harbour with their escort, releasing their payload on the Glorian Fleet waiting in harbour. Behind this movement sat the Saartian reserve Flotilla, Submarine Warfare vessels and Aircraft Carriers ensuring Saartian dominance over this theatre.
All the while Conventional Warheads from Saartian Silo’s came thundering down upon the Abascalanian occupied territories. The former alliance between Abascalnia and Saartie having already flagged the positions of IRBM’s prior to the Glorians expansion into the lands, the assault wouldn’t remove all the Glorians Silo’s but it would knock them surely off their arses.
