-=The Free Missourian War=-

[Paddy O Fernature]

Background In a Nutshell: The nation of Free Missouri has a long and troubled history in Nation States. Twice before the international community has been forced to invade in the hopes that it's leadership would change their self destructive ways.

With the third creation of a nation from the smoldering ruins of it's prior, many nations hoped that he had learned his ways and wouldn't over step his boundaries this time. With the creation of his first storefront selling various grains, our hopes soared. However, he soon began reverting to his old tricks, and the international community took notice.

A warning was first issued, and ignored followed by several nations issuing reasonable ultimatums, which also went unanswered. Currently, offers to hold a peace conference and discuss option in the hopes of avoiding the coming war have also gone unanswered.

Now, It would Appear that open warfare is on the horizon.

(Old thread: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=97001&start=75)


Coalition Forces:
New Hayesalia
Paddy O Fernature
United NW Canada
Maychion
Osthia
San Pellegrino Romana
Great Nepal
Kiembar

Free Missouri Forces:
Free Missouri
Centropyge
Anagonia-Yohannes
West Reich
Kronenstadt (Trade Sanctions only)

(NOTE: I have left out nations that were either on the fence, undeclared, or not active/productive.)

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

* All posts will be In Character, unless other wise noted. KEEP THE SPAM AND ARGUMENTS OUT OF HERE!
* No God Modding. Will be delt with harshly. Be fair and reasonable people, and have some fun.
* No number wanking
* No One Liner Spam! Paragraph at the min. 3 lines of text is not hard to come up with.
* I will allow WMD's... HOWEVER! You will use them in a realistic manner and be prepared for international fallout if you do use them in an unjust manner. Note: noob nuke spamz will be IGNORED along with tantrum nuke spams!
* Use your heads and think before you post please.
*If you are horrible at typing, use a free online spell check before you post.
* Have Fun!

(Note: Common sense applies in the rules. If I was to list everything this would take pages.)

NATIONAL MAP OF MISSOURI:

(FM, if you have an actual map of your nation.. please post it for until then we will default off the actual state map)

[Centropyge]

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM CENTROPYGE

TO: New Hayesalia, Paddy O Fernature, United NW Canada, Maychion, Osthia, San Pellegrino Romana, Great Nepal, Kiembar, Free Missouri, Anagonia-Yohannes, West Reich, Kronenstadt

Greetings.

As our many nations stand upon the brink of the fiery infernal pit that is war, we find ourselves caught between split loyalties and interests. We have had amiable arms dealings with Paddy O Fernature through Trinity Global Defense in the past, we have extended-as an early member of the Protestant Union-an olive branch to the Alliance of Catholic Nations to which Osthia and San Pellegrino Romana belong, and we understand many of these nations' concern that Free Missouri's current interventionist activities are a sign that their government is in fact quite similar to that of the Missourian Rebels and other nations with which our nation has had no contact and therefore no experience with. Despite all this, we find ourselves fellow members of the Protestant Union with Free Missouri, and fellow participants in the coalition of nations attempting to restore the deposed government of Talibastain, and are unwilling to stand idly by while a nation we considered a brother, albeit a distant one, is pummeled from all sides and conquered.

We know that small-scale hostilities have already begun and that many of our nations, including ours, have already begun or completed mobilization. Nevertheless, we continue to hold out the fading hope that diplomacy may yet save the day. We are presenting Free Missouri with a simple ultimatum (although our nation hates that term as it feels too undiplomatic): Initiate diplomatic contact with your foes and make an attempt to forestall this war or at least come to an understanding, or our forces--as yet uncommitted to war--will remain neutral in this conflict, unless WMD are used against FM or we feel that war crimes by either side have been committed.

What harm is there in talk? For that is the price of our support. The Royal Navy's Force D is loitering 300 miles from the Mississippi River delta, awaiting orders. Belligerent nations be advised: we will formally declare war against one side or the other before taking hostile action, unless fired upon first.

Respectfully,

HIs Majesty Emperor Algernon Katarina Fawkes of Centropyge

[Paddy O Fernature]

-=OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION FROM THE ARMED REPUBLIC OF POF=-

TO: CENTROPYGE
From: POF High Command
Encryption: None

Greetings once again.

I cannot speak on behalf of the other nations involved in this conflict, but we ourselves would love nothing more then to find a diplomatic solution to this problem and avoid all out warfare. We would be more then willing to sit down and discuss things diplomatically at a neutral location.

However our foe Free Missouri in the past has always ignored such options and we have found that warfare is the only language that he understands. We feel that the demands set forth so far have been fair and reasonable and even now we hear nothing on the diplomatic channels.

Actions speak louder then words and with his mobilization and lack of communication, we feel that he has already showed us the path he wishes to take.

We do not wish to enter conflict with your nation, for we do not have any ill qualms against you or your people. However, if you do indeed enter this possible conflict on the side of Free Missouri then we will have no choice but to consider you an enemy.

Please do not force our hands.

General Stern
Supreme Commander Of Armed Forces

[Dewhurst-Narculis]

Drisberg was enjoying the scenery when the Tilt rotor was reported from lookouts on the stern, seconds later a message came through

To: MV Siren
From: POF Navel Cruiser CV-017

We no longer believe that you are a cargo ship laden with farm equipment and we have ample reason to believe that you yourself may be pirates or much worse. Based on the available evidence and lack of a credible story, You are herby ordered to shut down your engines and cease and desist all activities.

Any hostile acts will result in the immediate destruction of your ship and any crew unfortunate enough to be on board.

Comply immediately and you will not be harmed and treated well. This is your first, only, and final warning.

"Bah" Said the first officer "Shall I give the order, Captain?"

Drisberg smiled then shouted "Unkingdunshant"

All over the ship panels opened, and screens dropped revealing her fearsome arsenal within 3 seconds

Code: Select all

To:POF Navel Cruiser CV-017
From: DNNV Insignia
We are actually not heading towards the NW Canadian Fleet we are en-route to the Dewhurstrian Battle fleet which should be the swarm of dots on the radar you should be seeing now, if you would kindly let us go on our way to refuel and replenish our supplies?

[Bennettricia]

The Nation of the Democratic Monarchial Empire of Bennettricia would like to join the forces of the Coalition, and is officially declaring a state of war upon only the nation of Free Missouri. Our rules of engagement will be this: We shall use only our Army and Airforce, and will not use our Nuclear weapons unless the situation is critical.

[Free Missouri]

TO: Whom it May Concern
From: Missourian War Council

Your Demands were unreasonable, to leave talibastain would've been a National Sovereignty Violation, we were there to help the Rightful government defeat the Radical and Extremist Government that took over in a violent coup. As for the rest, you could've found it had you just accessed the WA Records, Which the WA is a Corrupt Government in itself.

Ipso Facto, we are forced to Activate Operation Enduring Freedom, We are sorry.

-Missourian War Council

After this, Missourian Ships were seen moving out of the gulf, to a position in the Middle of the atlantic, Except for one ship, in which this ship man-powered ships were being Prepared.

All of a sudden this submarine Fires 3 tomahawk missiles to positions above the enemy fleets.

These immediately explode and cause an EMP To Ripply through the Gulf of Mexico, disabling any ships in the area, after this, the Missourian Fleet makes it's way back into the gulf to mop up, the Battleships move up towards the enemy ships and Start to fire their 450 MM Guns on the Great Nepali Fleet

[West Reich]

TO: Whom it May Concern
From: Missourian War Council

Your Demands were unreasonable, to leave talibastain would've been a National Sovereignty Violation, we were there to help the Rightful government defeat the Radical and Extremist Government that took over in a violent coup. As for the rest, you could've found it had you just accessed the WA Records, Which the WA is a Corrupt Government in itself.

Ipso Facto, we are forced to Activate Operation Enduring Freedom, We are sorry.

-Missourian War Council

After this, Missourian Ships were seen moving out of the gulf, to a position in the Middle of the atlantic, Except for one ship, in which this ship man-powered ships were being Prepared.

All of a sudden this submarine Fires 3 tomahawk missiles to positions above the enemy fleets.

These immediately explode and cause an EMP To Ripply through the Gulf of Mexico, disabling any ships in the area, after this, the Missourian Fleet makes it's way back into the gulf to mop up, the Battleships move up towards the enemy ships and Start to fire their 450 MM Guns on the Great Nepali Fleet

We will support Missouri and end this war as soon as possible, 90% of Black Hawk's Submarines have been given the mission to protect Missourian ships.

[Paddy O Fernature]

TO: Whom it May Concern
From: Missourian War Council

Your Demands were unreasonable, to leave talibastain would've been a National Sovereignty Violation, we were there to help the Rightful government defeat the Radical and Extremist Government that took over in a violent coup. As for the rest, you could've found it had you just accessed the WA Records, Which the WA is a Corrupt Government in itself.

Ipso Facto, we are forced to Activate Operation Enduring Freedom, We are sorry.

-Missourian War Council

After this, Missourian Ships were seen moving out of the gulf, to a position in the Middle of the atlantic, Except for one ship, in which this ship man-powered ships were being Prepared.

All of a sudden this submarine Fires 3 tomahawk missiles to positions above the enemy fleets.

These immediately explode and cause an EMP To Ripply through the Gulf of Mexico, disabling any ships in the area, after this, the Missourian Fleet makes it's way back into the gulf to mop up, the Battleships move up towards the enemy ships and Start to fire their 450 MM Guns on the Great Nepali Fleet

Sorry buddy, this is god mod.

Reasons:
1: You fleet sails out of the gulf. Ok that's fine. However, there are "enemy" fleets in the area and you would have been hard pressed to miss them undetected without them reacting to you.

2: Time line Wank. You just performed 3 seperate actions that would have taken a lengthy period of time to complete without waiting for any replies from other players.

A: Deport and sail out
B: Launch Missiles and detonate
C: Sail back into the area and engage enemy fleets.

Each one of these should be a separate Rp. Notice the ebb and flow of my RP's with Dewhurst-Narculis and we basically take turns with our actions? That is a standard format that should be used.

So for example, write an RP of your gathering fleet receiving orders and setting sail leaving one ship behind.

Then let people respond to it.

Then Rp your ships reaching their destination and the missiles being launched.

Let your enemy react and post damage, if any.

Then if they hit, sail back in and engage.

Fight follows..

See how this goes? This is a great chance win or lose for you to really take in some advice and grow your RP skills. So go ahead and edit out your last post there and try again bud.

Also West Reich, would you please be a little more specific in your posts. IE Numbers of military forces, what type, locations, ect ect. This way everyone can RP accordingly.

Thank you.

[United NW Canada]

OOC:
and the Saturday morning preschool cartoon wankary starts.

*what is the source of the EMP warheads?
*are they nuclear or conventional based?
*if they are conventional are they low or high frequency discharges? These use a forced charge induction systems but its very focused or a High energy pulse generation system. There is also a big difference in the wave forming from the pulse.
*if conventional you do realize that the area of effect is only at the most two to ten km dependent on how energetic the pulse is?


This conflict will not be the unrealistic pull it out of the air wank fest of the likes of the Second American Civil war.

Please adhere to fact and reality.

[West Reich]

After this, Missourian Ships were seen moving out of the gulf, to a position in the Middle of the atlantic, Except for one ship, in which this ship man-powered ships were being Prepared.

All of a sudden this submarine Fires 3 tomahawk missiles to positions above the enemy fleets.

These immediately explode and cause an EMP To Ripply through the Gulf of Mexico, disabling any ships in the area, after this, the Missourian Fleet makes it's way back into the gulf to mop up, the Battleships move up towards the enemy ships and Start to fire their 450 MM Guns on the Great Nepali Fleet

Sorry buddy, this is god mod.

Reasons:
1: You fleet sails out of the gulf. Ok that's fine. However, there are "enemy" fleets in the area and you would have been hard pressed to miss them undetected without them reacting to you.

2: Time line Wank. You just performed 3 seperate actions that would have taken a lengthy period of time to complete without waiting for any replies from other players.

A: Deport and sail out
B: Launch Missiles and detonate
C: Sail back into the area and engage enemy fleets.

Each one of these should be a separate Rp. Notice the ebb and flow of my RP's with Dewhurst-Narculis and we basically take turns with our actions? That is a standard format that should be used.

So for example, write an RP of your gathering fleet receiving orders and setting sail leaving one ship behind.

Then let people respond to it.

Then Rp your ships reaching their destination and the missiles being launched.

Let your enemy react and post damage, if any.

Then if they hit, sail back in and engage.

Fight follows..

See how this goes? This is a great chance win or lose for you to really take in some advice and grow your RP skills. So go ahead and edit out your last post there and try again bud.

Also West Reich, would you please be a little more specific in your posts. IE Numbers of military forces, what type, locations, ect ect. This way everyone can RP accordingly.

Thank you.

Actually, on the last thread i was specific this is just a outpointer.

[Centropyge]

OOC: Also keep in mind that I have forces in the Gulf, awaiting orders but friendly towards Free Missouri. While my newer vessels will have at least some "hardening" against EMP strikes, my older A-class destroyers and River-class frigates are totally vulnerable...and perhaps even the newer vessels will be affected too...we've never been hit by an EMP before so we'll just have to see what happens. I am expecting massive blackouts aboard the older vessels and maybe even some actual ship collisions, with the associated damage and loss of life.

Would have been nice if I, and especially any nations who have fully declared support for Free Missouri, had been warned via telegram or encrypted post to sneak out of the EMP strike zone! Somehow, after demanding that FM take diplomatic action, I don't think we will be supporting FM after our ships get struck by EMP missiles. Just sayin'

EMP strike was a clever move, just gotta roleplay it better. Best of luck, buddy. This could be an awesome RP...try not to mess it up! And maybe try diplomacy a little?

(Frankly, I'm almost relieved...gives me a way out. )

[Centropyge]

OOC:
and the Saturday morning preschool cartoon wankary starts.

*what is the source of the EMP warheads?
*are they nuclear or conventional based?
*if they are conventional are they low or high frequency discharges? These use a forced charge induction systems but its very focused or a High energry pulse generation system. There is also a big difference in the wave forming from the pulse.
*if conventional you do realize that the area of effect is only at the most two to ten km dependent on how energetic the pulse is?

<snip>

ditto. thanks

[West Reich]

From: West Reich
To: Centropyge, FM

Please send your naval units trough out the Mississippi River delta, we can expect large offensives starting from that point.
We all need to participate, otherwise the Greater Nepali ships will crush us. And will start to invade FM. How unfair this might sound, you got to understand this is communism.

P.S. Centropyge have been given place in the council of the Talibastaini agreement.

I would be pleased if you could sign this.

Sincerely,

Signature West Reich's prime minister

Signature Free Missourian prime minister

Signature Centrepygian prime minister

[Demphor]

To: Coalition Forces
From: Demphor

I would like to tell you that the 4th Army and 6th Battle Fleet is en route to attack the Free Missourian Forces. The Army Air Corps is to join Air Operations at anytime and will be willing to volunteer for any nation.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Admiral Chris Fischer looked out of the window of the DMS Invicible on the Gulf, his fleet consited of 5 Dreadnoughts, 3 Aircraft Carriers, 10 Destroyers, 5 Heavy Cruisers, 7 Submarines, and 400+ Aircraft.

"I suggest we head to the United NW Canadian Fleet sir" said one advisor.

"But then we would be in position to be attacked by the Submarines" argued another.

"ENOUGH!" Yelled the Admiral, "We shall link up with the NW Fleet, and once we link up with them, we will bomb the enemy fleets."

With this, the fleet turned toward the NW Fleet.

OOC: Is this okay? Or is this a godmod?

[New Hayesalia]

Code: Select all

OFFICIAL MESSAGE TO COALITION

RE: FREE MISSOURI

NEW HAYESALIA WISHES TO ADVISE THAT FREE MISSOURI IS A WAR OF CONQUEST. COLLATERAL DAMAGE IS BAD, BUT TOLERATED. ATTACHED IS THE OFFICIAL WARPLAN CLASSIFIED BY NEW HAYESALIAN DEFENCE ACT 2009- SECTION 2

PLEASE KNOW YOUR GOAL AND ARM FOR YOUR MISSION.

PRIORITY IS JEFFERSON CITY.

BE MILITARILY READY BUT DO NOT ATTACK. ALL COALITION MILITARY FORCES ARE WELCOME TO STAGE IN NEW HAYESALIA.

NEW HAYESALIAN FORCES ARE BEING TRANSPORTED AT CURRENT TIME. WAR HAS BEEN DECLARED.

NEW HAYESALIAN SUBMARINES AND THREE CARRIER GROUPS ARE MOVING TO THE GULF IN PATROL.

ALL LAND FORCES WILL IMMEDIATELY GROUP IN STAGING ZONES.

[Demphor]

Code: Select all

OFFICIAL MESSAGE TO COALITION

RE: FREE MISSOURI

NEW HAYESALIA WISHES TO ADVISE THAT FREE MISSOURI IS A WAR OF CONQUEST. COLLATERAL DAMAGE IS BAD, BUT TOLERATED. ATTACHED IS THE OFFICIAL WARPLAN CLASSIFIED BY NEW HAYESALIAN DEFENCE ACT 2009- SECTION 2

PLEASE KNOW YOUR GOAL AND ARM FOR YOUR MISSION.

PRIORITY IS JEFFERSON CITY.

BE MILITARILY READY BUT DO NOT ATTACK. ALL COALITION MILITARY FORCES ARE WELCOME TO STAGE IN NEW HAYESALIA.

NEW HAYESALIAN FORCES ARE BEING TRANSPORTED AT CURRENT TIME. WAR HAS BEEN DECLARED.

NEW HAYESALIAN SUBMARINES AND THREE CARRIER GROUPS ARE MOVING TO THE GULF IN PATROL.

ALL LAND FORCES WILL IMMEDIATELY GROUP IN STAGING ZONES.

([url=http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/8805/mapsbb.th.png]Image)[/url]

Code: Select all

To: New Hayesalia
From: Demphor

We shall send the 6th Army to the south to join up with your southern attack, if that is okay? My Transports in the Gulf Are vunerable from submarine attack, so we need a port to dock in.

[United NW Canada]

To: The Dual Imperial Monarchy of Anagonia-Yohannes.
From: The Peoples Republic of United NW Canada

As we forewarned The Dual Imperial Monarchy of Anagonia-Yohannes, the Nation of Free Missouri has no honor nor intention for a peaceful resolution.

After The Dual Imperial Monarchy of Anagonia-Yohannes graciously intervened on their behalf they have staged missile strikes of questionable nature against Coalition Fleet forces in the Gulf of Mexico which had as your nation requested held position and were not carrying out offensive action while your nation attempted to broker a peace discussion between the sides.

This action demonstrates that the Free Missourians
a. have no honor
b. had no intention of negotiation
c. has embarrassed the The Dual Imperial Monarchy of Anagonia-Yohannes as they put their nation's good name behind this temporary pause to conflict and sheds bad light on your most honorable Nation.

As your nation is held in high regard by mine, and due to the bond our nations hold, The Peoples Republic of United NW Canada had held its potions and hand in regards to the Free Missourians at this time to allow this conference one last chance to resolve this issue.

They defile the name of all Christian faiths regardless of the branch by their insistence of using the faith as a banner and a cover for their treacherous and heinous acts.

At this point I make this an open letter to all Christian nations and all non-Christian nations.

To the Christian nations I ask for you to at the very least turn your back on a nation that brings shame through massed killings and ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity in the name of our shared belief. At the very most, come stand be side us and rid the world of this pox. The nation of Free Missouri sullies our common faith and brands us all with his crimes if we do nothing to stop him.

To the Non-Christian nations, i bring to you the Nation of Free Missouri who "hates" for lack of a better term, your existence due to your right to believe in any belief you wish. Hates your nations for their very existence. As with the Christian nations I ask you to at the very least shun this rogue power, giving him no support or shelter as he would turn against your brothers and sisters at the first moment of advantage for him. At the most we would be proud to have you stand at our side and work with us to route this evil so it will never threaten the lives of women and children regardless of race, species, religion or orientation.

TO all nations if anything good comes from this conflict is that the Free Missourians have given our nations a reason, a rallying point, to join as a unified voice that we have the right to LIVE!

consilio et animis
By wisdom and courage


Respectfully,

Ernest Rodenbour
President & CEO
The Peoples Republic of United NW Canada.

[New Hayesalia]

Code: Select all

OFFICIAL MESSAGE TO COALITION

RE: FREE MISSOURI

NEW HAYESALIA WISHES TO ADVISE THAT FREE MISSOURI IS A WAR OF CONQUEST. COLLATERAL DAMAGE IS BAD, BUT TOLERATED. ATTACHED IS THE OFFICIAL WARPLAN CLASSIFIED BY NEW HAYESALIAN DEFENCE ACT 2009- SECTION 2

PLEASE KNOW YOUR GOAL AND ARM FOR YOUR MISSION.

PRIORITY IS JEFFERSON CITY.

BE MILITARILY READY BUT DO NOT ATTACK. ALL COALITION MILITARY FORCES ARE WELCOME TO STAGE IN NEW HAYESALIA.

NEW HAYESALIAN FORCES ARE BEING TRANSPORTED AT CURRENT TIME. WAR HAS BEEN DECLARED.

NEW HAYESALIAN SUBMARINES AND THREE CARRIER GROUPS ARE MOVING TO THE GULF IN PATROL.

ALL LAND FORCES WILL IMMEDIATELY GROUP IN STAGING ZONES.

([url=http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/8805/mapsbb.th.png]Image)[/url]

Code: Select all

To: New Hayesalia
From: Demphor

We shall send the 6th Army to the south to join up with your southern attack, if that is okay? My Transports in the Gulf Are vunerable from submarine attack, so we need a port to dock in.

Code: Select all

ACM SCOTTS, NHAF

RECCOMMEND YOU AIR DROP INTO FREE MISSOURI FOR STAGING.

[Free Missouri]

"Team One, Mark Targets"
"Roger Air Cavalry 1"
one of the A-10s flies by and throws an AP round volley an old tank on a firing range
It suddenly explodes
"Good Hit AC"
"Roger that Team One"

[Centropyge]

Admiral Hayes, aboard his flagship HMS Pheonix, still the only battleship in commission in the Royal Navy, confirmed that his orders were to maintain Force D in readiness in international waters a safe distance from the Mississippi River delta in the Gulf of Mexico. However, he wasn't simply going to let his fleet sit idle. Rather, he decided to use the time to practice fleet maneuvers and perhaps even do a little target practice using inflatable targets carried aboard some of the larger vessels.

Accordingly, he addressed the captains of the many vessels in his fleet, and sent them all detailed instructions on how to prepare for the training exercise. It was a fine, clear day and Admiral Hayes was looking forward to watching his fleet, which was comprised of many of the finest vessels in the Royal Navy, execute mock battle actions and complicated fleet maneuvers.

Finally, it was time to begin. His own magnificent battleship brought its engines to full power and accelerated to its maximum speed of 32 knots, while the much faster battlecruisers HMS Seadog and Serapis accelerated all the way up to an impressive fifty knots, trailing a collection of smaller ships behind them in formation as the two 950ft. stealth trimarans shot ahead of the other ships in preparation to execute some high speed maneuvers. Behind them, the other ships were grouped into three battle groups, with the center force led by the flagship heading due west while the other two groups turned to port and starboard.

Suddenly, without warning, a few abnormal blips appeared on the admiral's screen. Before he had even realized that they were cruise missiles streaking out into the Gulf, his screen flickered out and half of the computers on the bridge went dark as did the lights.

"Damn it, what the hell? Did we lose power?" he asked.

"Uh, no sir, I don't think so," his first officer said. "My screen is still functioning. I'm going to have to guess that we are suffering from some kind of EMP attack."

"EMP? I thought we hardened this ship against those."

"Well, yes sir we did," said the first officer, "but that was some years ago and the effort is outdated by modern standards. The job was also done in stages over several years. Could explain why some equipment is still online and some isn't."

"If that's true, we need to assess what is still working on this ship and what isn't. We were doing 32 knots when the thing hit. If we have a collision with another ship..."

------------------------------------------

Further ahead, the Seadog and Serapis, two of the newest capital ships in the fleet, sped on oblivious to the EMP effects. Oblivious, that is, until they reached their intended distance from the rest of the fleet and executed a loop at the same time, coming about to face the rest of the fleet. A horrific scene awaited them. The EMP had struck while many of the other ships were in the middle of executing their turns, meaning that some of the ships lost all helm control while steering hard to port or starboard while others maintained helm control. The older A-class destroyers and River-class frigates uniformly lost the use of their electronic systems, while on most of the other ships, some systems remained unaffected while others were.

Admiral Hayes began to use old-fashioned flag signals, commanding all of his vessels to come to a stop. Unfortunately, it was too late for the A-class destroyer HMS Aberrant, which sped into a collision with the B-class destroyer HMS Bruiser. The River-class frigate HMS Ribble managed to drift before the bow of the Outland-class cruiser HMS Melbourne, while another River-class frigate drifted right in front of one of the Sea Lion class escort carriers.

As various vessels began to comply with the admiral's orders, some of them succeeded in reducing speed to a full stop while other vessels, trying to switch over to backup control, were unable to do so in time to match their neighboring ships' actions. The Aberrant simply struck the Bruiser a glancing blow, scraping the Advanced Composite Ablative Armor off the sides of both ships near the bow, but the Ribble's stern was crushed by the bow of the Melbourne and, horrifically, the second River-class frigate was hit amidships by the escort carrier and cut in two, staving in the bow of the carrier in the process as fires and explosions broke out. HMS Patapsco and HMS Defiant were saved from a grisly collision only by the quick action of the Defiant's captain, who still had full control of his new vessel and was able to use his ship's quick acceleration to avoid losing his stern to the out-of-control Patapsco.

Slowly, all of the vessels in Force D came to a full stop as the captains of the ships managed to retake control of their vessels. It was time to assess the impact of the EMP device(s), figure out what shape the fleet was in, and find out who had launched the weapons. As the Pheonix still had control over its steering and propulsion, having merely suffered a number of blackouts across the ship as well as the loss of half its radar systems, the large ship slowly turned to starboard as the admiral surveyed the situation.

It was determined that the frigate cut in half was the HMS Burdekin. Rescue operations began immediately, but it was obvious that the ship could not be salvaged. Munitions continued to cook off and explode as the surviving sailors attempted to rescue their wounded shipmates and abandon ship on inflatable boats and life rafts. The small ship's one Dogfish catamaran fast boat had been destroyed in the collision, but the sailors on the Burdekin managed to get to their life rafts as they watched the frigate's lone Harrier jet, which had been parked outside the small hangar on the helipad aft, slide down the deck and splash into the sea as the rear section began to sink rather quickly.

HMS Ribble's aircraft, a helicopter, had been stored in its hangar, but the helipad was destroyed in its collision with the cruiser Melbourne, meaning that there was now no way to launch the craft without assistance. Ribble lost all propulsion, although it was afloat.

Slowly, the grim reports filtered in. Force D had lost one frigate, suffered a second frigate out of action, and had two destroyers, a cruiser, and an escort carrier damaged. Casualties numbered fifty-two dead aboard the Burdekin, with another thirty-six wounded, and four sailors lost from the Ribble, with sixteen injured aboard that ship and three more aboard the Aberrant. The EMP device's trajectory had been traced back to Free Missouri, as had the orders for its launch. Initial reports suggested that the device had to have been nuclear in order to affect such a large area of the Gulf--which, if true, actually gave the Empire a cause for war against their wayward allies.

Thankfully, amongst the flotilla of support vessels were four fleet tugs. One of them proceeded to take the Ribble under tow, while another attempted to secure the bow section of the Burdekin before giving up and allowing the nearby cruiser Bispinosa to sink it with gunfire, once the survivors and surviving equipment had been evacuated.

ROYAL NAVY FORCE D (pre-EMP):

Royal Navy Force D:

1 battleship (HMS Pheonix)
4 battlecruisers (HMS Seadog, HMS Serapis, HMS Shark, HMS Spartan)
3 surface combatant cruisers (HMS Eibli, HMS Nox, HMS Flavissima)
4 antiaircraft cruisers (HMS Adelaide, HMS Melbourne, HMS Brisbane, HMS Jervis Bay)
10 destroyers (A-class: HMS Anoka [flotilla leader], HMS Arbiter, Aberrant, Aspen; B-class: HMS Bulldog, Belisarius, Basil II, Braveheart, Bruiser, Basilisk)
12 frigates (River-class: HMS Bear Creek, Patapsco, Ribble, 3 others; Defiant-class: HMS Defiant, Valiant, 4 others)
1 fleet carrier (HMS Ark Royal)
3 escort carriers (Sea Lion class from Trinity Global Defense)

plus supply ships, fleet oilers/tankers, and a classified number of Armed Merchant Cruisers/Auxiliary Cruisers, and Dogfish, Dolphin-class fast boats aboard various larger craft

[Demphor]

The Colonel of DPU Unit 56 and his team of 100 troops got into their C-47's in the Nashville Naval Airfield, Nashville.

"Right mates, we are going to land south of St. Louis, and take the town, our orders are to hold at all costs, and we are only one of 500 aircraft attacking the vicinity. Our fighter escorts will provide cover and destroy the enemy SAM Missile Batteries. So long chaps, hope you make it safe home."

3 Hours Later:

The radio on board the main C-47 buzzed to life.

"Alright mates hook up."

Red light

"Green Light, chaps away!"

The Troops flew over their drop zones.

[Kiembar]

Before we were unclear as to what we were sending as far as support to aid the war against Free Missouri

By sea

2 U.S.S.K. keir type aircraft carriers.
The S.S. Rundikite and the S.S. Dragaveir loaded with an array of aircraft. Mig2000's and mi-24's

3,000 U.S.S.K. infantry

They have arrived by sea and are now in the campaign to bring down the Missourian state.

[Demphor]

"Foward mates!"

At 9:07 P.M. 60,000 Troops went over the top of the trenches and attacked the Free Mossourian Front Lines

"Focus the artillery on those defenses."

The Artillery opened up on the enemy defenses, in a creeping barrage tactic.

[Centropyge]

From: West Reich
To: Centropyge, FM

Please send your naval units trough out the Mississippi River delta, we can expect large offensives starting from that point.
We all need to participate, otherwise the Greater Nepali ships will crush us. And will start to invade FM. How unfair this might sound, you got to understand this is communism.

P.S. Centropyge have been given place in the council of the Talibastaini agreement.

I would be pleased if you could sign this.

Sincerely,

Signature West Reich's prime minister (Image)

Signature Free Missourian prime minister

Signature Centrepygian prime minister

LOW PROTOCOL MESSAGE, UNDECRYPTED:

TO: West Reich, all other interested nations

FROM: Centropyge

Greetings.

We strongly wish to continue our cooperation with your nation, but our fleet in the Gulf was recently the victim of collateral damage from an EMP attack by Free Missouri, about which we had no advance warning despite our forces being within the targeted area. While we understand why FM made the attack, and even believe it was a clever tactical move, we now are going to have to explain to the families of dozens of dead Centropygan sailors that their loved ones are dead because FM failed to communicate with us. They have also failed to address our ultimatum demanding that they attempt diplomatic contact with the coalition arrayed against them.

We have no desire to see your forces crushed alongside theirs, however. What we propose is this: that we withdraw most of Force D and retask it to the fight in Talibastain, allowing you to concentrate more of your own forces in Free Missouri. Our forces in the Gulf will withdraw further from the combat area, with floating hospital and repair facilities potentially available to you as allies; however, we will not officially take sides in the Free Missourian conflict until further notice. Due to the political situation in Centropyge, we believe this is the best course of action that we can take. The twin blows of the EMP damage and the lack of diplomatic attempts by FM are insults and injuries we cannot ignore, although we still do not want to see FM conquered without a fight.

We must repeat that it gives us a heavy heart not to be backing you up in your endeavors here. However, we are willing to intensify greatly our efforts in Talibastain to make up for it. The Admiralty will send an update on its new deployment plans once it has a chance to assess the situation.

Regretfully,

the Imperial Government of Centropyge

[Demphor]

To: Centropyge
From: Demphor

We were wondering if you are fighting in the Coalition, or against the Coalition, Demphor has noticed the confusion and we would like to know where you stand on this.