Liberation of cursed lands. Semi-closed GD

[Imbrinium]

King Sobairce with his cabinet ate dinner with the cabinet members and their family members something that happens quite often. After dinner, the kids went and did whatever kids do about the castle. The king and queen and the cabinet and their others all gathered in one of the private meeting rooms that were used for private parties and talks. The men were drinking and standing around smoking cigars and the others were off in their conversations when the subject of the condemnation of Ordenite Reich by the World Assembly security council.

When the talk turned to Ordenite Reich the talks got more serious mainly what happens next, the WA condemnation rarely holds any teeth or brings around any real changes. Everyone is clapping and padding themselves on the back about what the WA did.

National Security minister Vlassis Kyriakos “No matter what the WA or other nations holding parades and padding each other on the back nothing is going to change till someone meaning nation goes out and pushes Ordenite Reich back under the rock in which they crawled out of”

Minister of Defense Demi Efthalia “Well you know we have tons of battle plans for operations against Ordenite Reich we are constantly updating with data and intelligence we gather waiting to be put to use if a crime what they are doing to people under their rule in this region.”

The conversation went on for a little while before moving on to northern fishing rights and then sports but the thoughts of actions that could be taken and what was going on in Krasnova.

After everyone left the royal family turned in for the night, Marcius tried to get UWO and Krasnova off his mind but couldn’t. Marcius got out of bed and fixed himself a glass of whiskey and walked into his study and started going over past and current intelligence reports on the Ordenite Reich and Krasnova and what might the Crown’s responsibility to do anything.

Marcius put together a page of talking points to cover with his cabinet and one to cover with the ambassadors from The Golden Thorne, Stevid and The Technocratic Syndicalist. Plus the WA ambassador to the kingdom.

5 A.M. Castle Cormond.

Marcius called on his personal advisor Franco Pisani too assemble the cabinet and top generals for high-level meetings and call the ambassadors of the Crown’s closest allies.
Within the hour the security around the castle was doubled and shortly after that, the first of the cabinet and military advisors started to arrive.

With the top military advisors and the closest national defense and security advisors walked by the king's side as the king purposed his plan his military commanders and asked them to come up with a plan to take on UWO in Krasnova.

The civilian side of the planning was to get the approval of parliament and to make sure the market and industrial base can keep up with two major conflicts at the same time.

Plus there will now have to be a general call back of those soldiers just released from active duty and the reserves and possibly widening the draft to a general draft of soldiers out of service for over five years.

8 A.M. Castle Cormond.

The ambassador’s of the Crown’s closest allies started to show up at the castle. The ambassador’s where sowed their way into a large room. After waiting about forty-five minutes the king showed up to brief the ambassadors of the kings plan to take on the Ordenite Reich in Krasnova.

After about three hours behind closed doors the deals and support for military operations in Krasnova where accepted by all parties involved.

Now it was up to the military planners to come up with a course of action for the war. The past wars hadn’t worked to break the hold the Ordenite Reich had on Krasnova. This would be a different plan learned from the lessons of the past and use of all of the power the Crown had to send to Krasnova.

The first thing the Crown’s forces would do is make sure that Krasnova was cut off from the Ordenite Reich’s homeland and support. The second was to reinforce the Golden Throne’s forces in Pezlevko-Rubino.

The orders would be going soon as the plan was being finalized for the total commitment of the Crowns forces in the operation.

OOC: Since this will be a build up over time and the call from multiple nations to agree or disagree on their help in this war the opening was kinda short so that others could throw their countries reactions to the news of the Crown going to war with UWO.

[The Macabees]

IMPERIAL PALACE, FEDALA

"War with the Ordenites, Your Majesty?" asked Kríerlord Díeg Hahk-Lorán, who was recently raised to the Kunsil for his achievement in the liberation of Pezlevko-Rubino. "Now?"

Kríerlord Roland Peskual added his own voice. "Indeed, it seems a...most risky time to go to war with the Ordenites over Krasnova. Half of our armed forces are in Gholgoth, fighting the Scandinvans. The rest of it remains here and in the territories to defend our empire and its liberty. And with commitments in Barjaanistan and elsewhere, I must advise that we engage with the Imbrinumians to postpone this conflict or, if possible, avoid it altogether."

A long time had passed since the kríerlords accumulated in such numbers at the palace. These days, the emperor preferred to see them individually or small groups. But the Imbrinumian call for a war against the Ordenites deserved a general roll call, and so the whole body of advisors sat on their cushioned marble chairs to either side of the hall, and at the end sat His Imperial Majesty Fedor I on a golden throne, its back taller than the man by another head and a half. And despite the breadth of his shoulders, they did not match the width of the seat. His back was rigid and he looked at each of his advisors calmly as they spoke, neither interrupting them nor responding. When each was done with their piece, Fedor simply nodded and waited for the next to speak. It was a habit of ruling that had been taught to him by his grandfather, the great Jonak I.

Fourier Vereda, a man still of little standing within the Kunsil because of his youth, had remained quiet 'til now but spoke up then. "I find myself agreeing with the others, Your Majesty. Although I have no doubts about the outcome of this war, I do not think the people will have it. You risk the empire, its legacy, and its future standing with the Imbrinumians on this, I tell you. You are risking everything your grandfather left you. And for what? What do we have to gain here? Think of what we lose, a country across the straits above us that although no friend of ours is at least a willing partner when the benefit is mutual. What will happen of the Scythians? What will happen to our agreement with them on Chernaya?"

"We will take Chernaya by force," said Garnér Bíank, who had traveled from New Empire, where he oversaw its pacification and the rebuilding of democracy with Migalo Kor and other kríerlords. "And, as for the Scythians, I doubt the Ordenites will reject the agreement once peace is established again. We are taking them for free, while it would cost them money, loyalty, and psychology to murder them all."

"This is not like the last war," argued Vereda. "This war will be total. Our actions will seek to end their presence in Krasnova, an area of the world where until now we supported their claim even if we sought to secure our own position by creating division in recognizing Tuktar. We allowed them access to our satrapy to supply their forces in the southeast against invasion. How do you think relations will go after, when we attacked them in the one place where we saw eye-to-eye? Do you think they will seek our friendship again? I doubt it very much so. And for what?"

"For our allies," Bíank shot back. "For the Triumvirate, who have always been loyal to us, helping us in our time of need against the Ordenites and Ralkovia, and who through their power guarantee the stability of our rule throughout central Greater Díenstad. We are in a process of consolidation, of enforcing what is ours and what is Willed, and our future is with the Triumvirate and not the Ordenites."

The two of them had formed something of a rivalry over recent years, especially since their cooperative posting to spearheading diplomatic efforts with The Eastern Pacific. Bíank was older, of course. Vereda, a younger kríerlord, came with the ambition and drive that made those settled uncomfortably. Unsurprising, then, that Bíank, who had never held a post on his own, had such a militant attitude toward his peer.

It was Jakal Níelson who interrupted them. Níelson was another member of the New Empire mission, having been there since the beginning of the stabilization process. He said, "Your Majesty, although I agree with Kríerlord Bíank that our alliance with the Triumvirate is far more important than any positive relations we have with the Ordenites, do you not think that we put our empire at too much risk? Perhaps not all of it, but surely we all accept that the Satrapy of Pezlevko-Rubino runs a chance of being lost if this war turns out poorly for us. Perhaps we do not think it is a great risk, or at least some of you do not, but this war will give us the certainty in outcome that Holy Panooly did, which is surrounded on all sides by allies and territories of ours. While we are not disadvantaged, the Ordenites are closer and their mainland ports directly face the sea between them, us, and the war."

"Furthermore," added Hahk-Lorán, "consider the unlikelihood of this war being contained to Krasnova. To win it, our strategy must be all-encompassing and aggressive. It must seek to block the Ordenites' supply routes and we, undoubtedly, will seek to secure our northern coastlines against the possibility of invasion, air strikes, or other sorts of attacks. These conditions will cause further escalations. Are we ready to accept the losses that may come from such a war, Your Majesty?"

Angiko Bas, the kríerlord who oversaw political and military campaigns in Holy Panooly and Indras, argued against the war as well. "Your Majesty, you know as well as anyone else that to secure our empire our armies ought to be in the territories and satrapies. We have seen how the presence of millions of soldiers have confined the pirate rebellion in Theohuanacu to their cities, and we are starting to see this in New Empire, as well. Our focus should be on bringing this peace by these means to the empire as a whole, and not risk greater instability for the sake of ejecting the Ordenites from a position where they benefit us."

Some of the other kríerlords nodded their approval on that point. Most had gathered in Zarbia to discuss the strategy in the 'Long Wars,' calling for a new approach that focused on policing, building imperial legitimacy, and avoiding the enmity of the locals by providing for them a superior life than the one they had before. To fight yet another conventional war against an enemy seemed antithetical to true imperial objectives. Others, especially those without territorial or satrapical postings, shook their heads in disagreement.

Kríerlords began arguing between themselves and the discussion lost order.

It was Daryl Novelle, the man who Fedor and his grandfather had always trusted the most, who put the pandemonium to an end with a sudden shout, "SILENCE!" When the others quieted down, he added, "Remember, it is His Imperial Majesty who rules, not you. If you have something to say, say it to Him since He is the only one who can accept or reject your advice. But, I think by this point we have all said enough. Let us hear the reasoning of the emperor, whose loyalty to his allies and commitment to his promises cannot be doubted."

"My gratitude is yours, Kríerlord Novelle," said Fedor. Then, "This war, like all wars, will bring with it risks to us. Risks alone cannot be how we determine whether the opportunity is one worth taking or not. Rather, we should consider all other factors, as I have. This war will happen with or without us, the Imbrinumians are set in their decision to dislodge the Reich from Krasnova. We have dealed in a friendly manner with the Ordenites and we have reaped benefits from these relations, even greater cooperation in Krasnova. This is all true. But it would be a mistake to think that this should hold us back, when not going to war would not only make us look cowardly, but would also say to the world that we do not support our allies, even when morally everything is in their favor and even when the enemy is the same one who we condemned through the World Assembly. Remember, also, that it was the Ordenites who refused our call when we first went to war in Gholgoth, even though they had all to gain in our friendship and little to lose. What use is a lukewarm neighbor like them? What security comes from a relationship like that? No, we will not sit by the sidelines while our allies fight a country who we ourselves have criticized in a very public manner. No, we shall go to war with the Triumvirate, so that we may impress upon all who care our commitment to leading the free world and our loyalty to those allies who have made sacrifices for us, rather than those who shy away from danger. That is the right thing to do, and it is what my grandfather would have done."

"Your grandfather—" started Peskual.

The emperor turned to him with dangerous eyes and said, "Do not interrupt your emperor, Kríerlord Peskual. I did not interrupt you."

When Peskual said nothing in return, but meekly returned to silence, Fedor continued. "Furthermore, apart from our naval and air forces, which already deploy around these areas in strength, our commitment to the ground war is minimal and our allies understand why. We have more than a hundred million soldiers in New Empire, going to and coming from Gholgoth. They are the pool that we will dip into if this war if our allies cannot produce sufficient ground armies, but our allies are plentiful and the Reich's are few and far between. The million men in the Satrapy will remain on the defensive to guarantee the integrity of the Satrapy. They will not participate in the ground invasion, instead offering the Imbrinumians a secured forward operating base from which to conduct their invasion. It is on the sea and in the air where the empire shall be relentless and our full resources be put to use, because in many ways this war is defensive for us and the empire will always defend what belongs to it."

Some of the kríerlords nodded, cheered, or otherwise assented, although some — many, truth be told — still appeared uncertain. But once the emperor had chosen a path with conviction there was little point in arguing. The advisors would have to resign themselves to advising.

"Kríerlord Novelle," added Fedor. The called upon man looked back attentively. "Travel to the Satrapy tonight, make them aware that they are to prepare accommodations for the Imbrinumian army. Leak information to the local press, tell them that the Imbrinumians are increasing their ground forces deployment in Gholgoth and are making only a temporary stop at the Satrapy before setting out again toward the east. Tell them that there is a small military exercise planned between Imbrinumian forces and our own ground army there."

He turned to Migalo Kor. "Kríerlord Kor, you are to return to Berliston tonight. Speak with the senators and have them reject a proposed agreement to allow the basing of these Imbrinumian men in New Empire, even if only temporarily. Have them claim that since the Imbrinumians had acted as peacekeepers prior to the Macabéan arrival that the country does not yet feel comfortable about their return. They are to offer no further clarification."

Finally, Fedor looked at Dedaelus Marco Serón, who had remained quiet throughout. "Kríerlord Serón," he said, "go to the Imbrinumians and tell them that the Satrapy is available to them to base their war efforts from and let them know that a team of military officers and other advisors will be arriving soon to plan joint operations. As for the rest of you, return to your posts and prepare what you may need to. Monitor the people and their reaction, and await further instructions. And let us all remember the legacy of the traitor Mikael Varis. Do not fail me."

[Morrdh]

It is a commonly acknowledged, if grudgingly accepted, fact that nations spy on one another. Sometimes it is the only way to acquire information that may not be readily available, other times it is to keep tab on things in order to be prepared for a development that could shatter the status quo. With a lingering mistrust stemming from past conflicts, the Commonwealth kept a close eye on the Kingdom of Imbrinium and this is how it first got wind of the forthcoming conflict. At first, the prospect of Imbriniumian preparations for war was met with a flutter of alarm until it was confirmed that the Commonwealth wasn't the intended foe.

It was to be a war with the Ordenites.

With that jewel of intel, plans were drawn up within the Commonwealth and put into motion. Commonwealth Intelligence worked to build up a picture of the military capabilities of both the Reich and the Kingdom, as well as possible outcomes to the conflict. A report on the possible impact of the conflict on the Commonwealth was compiled along with a review of the Commonwealth's defences. All this information was made ready by the time that a Cabinet committee was convened to determine the Commonwealth's response to what was already being dubbed the 'Fourth Krasnovan War'. As the Imbriniumians had not yet approached the Commonwealth, there was little that the Commonwealth could actually do without pre-empting Imbriniumian plans.

"Fer the moment, our hands are tied." Announced Field Marshal Edward Norton, the Chief of the Defence Staff. "Any action now could spoil any plans the Imbriniumians may have and undermine our ability to defend both Mordent and Norgorka, especially if this proves ta be a case o' sabre-rattling."

"The Imbriniumians, as I've come ta note, don't so much sabre rattle as whack ye in the face with a big stick Field Marshal." Replied the Taoiseach (Prime Minister or Leader) of Morrdh, Ser George Whittleton. "They do not do subtle."

"Point taken." Conceded Norton. "But the fact still stands that we cannot pre-emptively provoke a war with the Ordenites, especially with the troubles thats brewing in New Garrack and the growing military support we've been giving to the Macabeans."

"Noted." Ser George said. "What do ye recommend?"

"Bolstering our forces in Mordent and Norgorka wouldn't hurt, cite rising regional tensions as the cause." Answered Norton. "And, if the Admiralty is willing, see 'bouts putting a convoy system in place."

"It'll be tricky with the navy's commitments." Replied Admiral John Keating. "But the new Stevidian ships are now coming inta service and convoy duty would be a good shakedown fer 'em."

"See what ye can do please Admiral." Nodded Ser George before he turned to the head of the Air Force. "Air Chief Marshal Salmond, have ye any input inta this?"

"Nothing much beyond echoing what Eddy has already stated 'bouts bolstering our forces sir." Answered Salmond. "Though I'd suggest a focus on air defence units and extra patrol aircraft."

"I'd agree with that suggestion, shows a more defensive stance." Norton replied. "Might be worth our while contacting the Macabeans, if anything to determine what course the Golden Throne is likely ta take in the conflict."

"I'll see ta that personally." Stated Ser George. "Now gentlemen, unless theres anything else to discuss I'd like to adjourn this committee until events require an immediate response. Until then, I'll leave the matter in the hands o' the Defence Council."

[The Technocratic Syndicalists]

Oberkommando der Marine Headquarters
City of Eisenstadt, Thule Provence, Arcaenia

"Do you what this is, Generaladmiral?

"I do not, Großadmiral"

"This folder contains the unredacted documents pertaining to finalized operational plans for Fall Grau, the General Staff plan for an offensive naval war against the Ordenite Reich in the Sea of Crowns. It's classified and was never formally adopted but nevertheless I think it's contents are quite....relevant to the current predicament we find ourselves in. I wrote it some odd years ago as part of the "Rainbow' series of color coded war plans back when I was chief of the Admiralstab and commander of the Seekriegsleitung, the position you now find yourself in. I'm tasking you and the rest of the Navy Admiralstab with creating an updated version given the current international circumstances to be presented it to the Wehrministerium to be formally adopted by the General Staff.

"War with the Odenites?"

"Yes, war with the Ordenites. The crown, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to accelerate matters but the lingering geopolitical struggle between our factions has made this a certain inevitability. My secretary will deliver you a photocopy of these documents for you to analyze in greater detail for your report, any questions can obviously be addressed directly to myself"

"As you wish, Großadmiral"

Admiralstab Headquarters
City of Eisenstadt, Thule Provence, Arcaenia

"The current re-designed objectives for for Fall Grau are the interdiction of the sea lines of communication between the Ordenite Reich and its forces stationed in Krasnova. As co-belligerents with the Crown and the Golden Throne we thus have access to basing opportunities in Imbrinium and in the Satrapy which allows for forward basing of the majority of our fleet and puts the entire Sea of Crowns into range of our land based aircraft. We anticipate the deceleration of a maritime exclusion zone in the Sea of Crowns extending around the RSU to be announced by the leaders of the Triumvirate in short order as part of a larger naval blockade of the Ordenite Reich. A submarine group from the Gholgoth theater of operations will be redeployed to the Center Dienstad theater of operations in support of this under command of the newly formed Kommand der Unterseeboote Krone. Individual squadrons will be assigned patrol zones inside the maritime exclusion zone to operate within. Rules of engagement are pretty simple; kill everything. Warships are however to be considered secondary targets, we're primarily after the supply and transport ships the Ordenites need to keep their garrisons in Krasnova supplied. Destroy their convoys and their troops can be starved into submission"

"Equally important will be our mining operations which will be coordinated with the Luftwaffe. looking at this map on the projector you can see we have divided mined operations into three zones along the continental shelf which are to be mined with several thousand rocket rising mines along with harbors along the Ordenite controlled coast of Krasnova which are to be mined with submarine laid mobile mines. Deployable undersea acoustic arrays will also be laid in these areas to track shipping and movement of warships in the area. We expect the presence of minefields to divert the majority of Ordenite supply convoys into the open-water areas away from the continental shelf which our attack submarines and naval strike aircraft will be patrolling."

"I should address that this operation in these stages is a 'black' operation and has not been disclosed by anyone in this room to our government which as of now has maintained a policy of neutrality towards the Ordenite Reich. The commencement of unrestricted submarine warfare and mining operations are to be commenced after the exclusion zone and deceleration of war has been officially announced. Warships will be instructed to spoof maritime transponder emissions while transiting into the Sea of Crowns before hostilities commence in order to not alert the Ordenites of the mass naval buildup. Full details of the deception plan have been included in the report which you have received. With that this meeting is adjourned, we will reconvene again in exactly one hour to discuss the presentation of the plan to the General Staff. Gentlemen, you are dismissed"

[Mokastana]

Castle Cormond, Imbrinium

Ambassador Tsu Bruce had initially seemed like an odd choice for Federal Ambassador to the Crown, but he had performed quite well given the situations he found himself in. Relations with the Crown had always been rocky, but there was a strong mutual respect between the nations. So when the Crown began meeting with others regarding military action, the Federation responded. For now, they could promise use of their supply lines from New Garrack to Greal and the promise of military occupation of New Garrack if the local rebels made a fuss. This last promise was made in private, away from Commonwealth allies.

Luckily for the Crown, the blood from a Kravenite attack in the Sea of Moka was still fresh, and popular support for revenge was in the air. On top of that, it seemed the Ordenites had allied themselves with the Kravenite monsters, making RSU fair game. The Ambassador would inform the King that the Federation was not in position to offer its armies just yet, but it had numerous veterans and special forces available that had served in RSU. No doubt many would be willing to go back with an army behind them. As long as the Crown didn't mind their strange religious ways.




Texoltepetlan, Capital of Aztlán
People's Unified Federation

The crowd chanted neither words or phrases, only the animalistic howl of human voices. A pattern of pitches and vowels to rile up the fervor to a spectacle even the heavens would enjoy. In the center, two warriors circled one another, both dressed in a simple loincloth, bodies covered in paint and scars. Their shields were animal hides, and their weapons looked more like cricket bats than staffs, but the warriors were strong, as was Mokan Red Wood of their war clubs. Above the crowd a group of Warrior Priests watched from their stone steps, ensuring the bloodshed honored the gods.

In the dirt, bare feet stomped and slid as both warriors swung and dodged, pushed and struck. A club hit a leg, and the small iron blades of the club cut into flesh. The wound was not deep, for the blades were not meant to kill, but to spill blood so the Gods would be pleased. Another strike to a shoulder, drawing blood and injuring the bone. A counter to the ribs. The warriors stumbled back, both hurt but intending to continue the fight. One would live, and one would die. It was the simple basic truth of war. There would be no more flurry of strikes, everything now was calculated, waiting for a mistake, a moment to strike. Unable to lift his shield due to the shoulder injury, the warrior stayed on the defensive as his opponent charged. A swing to his head, a final blow, or so he hoped. The defender fell to a knee, dodging the head strike and countering to the attacker's solar plexus. It would take a second to recover, but the defender took advantage, sliding his club up the attackers body and into the chin, knocking him backwards towards the ground. Staying on the offensive now, he fell onto his attacker, placing the club at his opponent's throat, and slicing. It wouldn't be enough to kill him, but it meant he won. The crowd cheered as the victorious warrior tried to stand up to show the neck wound to a Priest. The priest in a hood made of coyote pelt raised a hand, signaling the fight was over.

The crowd cheered as the loser was carried up the stone steps of the Temple, where he would be placed on the throne. A willing sacrifice to the Naztoc-lec God of War, Fire and Sacrifice. Following close behind was the victor, bleeding, but moving under his own power. Once the sacrifice was seated, the crowd hushed their wild chant. This was the moment that the defeated would be sacrificed to the Gods. The victor would be handed an obsidian tipped jaguar fang by the warrior priests. It was his duty to prepare the sacrifice. More priests coated the defeated warrior in oils, as a torch was readied. Now the defeated could be freed from his mortal self. The fang plunged into the skull of the oil covered warrior, releasing his soul into the world, where it would soon find its way to shut after life. Pulling away and handing the jaguar fang back to the priest, the torches lit the body a flame. A proud warrior sat dead and burning, a gift to the gods. The crowd roared in celebration. Tonight there would be feasts and dancing, for the annual tournament of sacrifice was finished. Eight Warriors fought to honor the Gods. Six had been burned, to serve them directly. Two others had died in combat, their souls consumed by their victors.

Today's champion, a young man by the name of Ezekiel Taloxi, remained at attention next to his sacrifice as the Priests adorned him with pelts and a sash of his war trophies. Here he would remain until the sacrifice had burned out. His final duty to ensure the Gods were pleased with their new servant. The Coyote Warrior Priest set a wreath of vines on his head, and left him to his post.

After the ceremony, Coyote Warrior Priest found himself meeting a Federal Army officer, who wanted to meet in private. Soon, the Army officer sat at in the Priest's office, letting the Coyote Warrior Priest remove his animal pelts and ritual clothing. Now wearing only a pair of pants, the priest poured out two glasses of tea, one for him and one for his guest, before sitting down to speak.

“Division Colonel Santiago, I haven't seen you since Stavropol. Glad to see you survived.”

“I was lucky. I was outside Susol when the bomb hit.” The Federal Army officer looked at the tea before taking a small sip, it was oddly sweet, if a little bitter, “Being on the ground during a nuke fight is something else. Amazing only a few cities got hit.”

“That's why I stick to the countryside. Live long enough to make sure your enemies are dead.”

The Division Colonel looked around, admiring the Temple, “You seem to be doing well for yourself Major.”

“The Faith is growing every day, we are reclaiming not only our home nation, but our traditions. Aztlán stands proudly once more, and she is restoring her glory, thanks to the Gods. But you didn't come here to discuss the Faith, did you?”

“No, Mendoza, I have not. Let me just get to the point, how would you feel returning to RSU? Doing what you do best?”

“I have earned my priesthood, if you want young warriors, I know plenty looking to earn their claws in battle.”

“We need a team of people who know the land. Who can be the eyes and ears of a much larger force.”

“How much larger?”

“Larger than anything the Federation could assemble. Something assembled by... a Crown.”

“Does this Crown intend to liberate the entire Island?”

“This is a Crown well known for not holding anything back.”

Major Huemac Mendoza, Coyote Warrior Priest of the Naztoc-Lec faith, stood up and walked towards an idol of Huitzilopochtli, the Deity this Temple was dedicated to. The stone statue was maintained and decorated by the priests, part of their duties as caretakers of the faith. Huemac admired the work for a second, before speaking up:

“The Imbriniums then...." Huemac paused for a second, "In our faith, when a woman dies in childbirth, she is given a warrior's funeral. For she fights a battle against the Gods themselves to bring life into this world. The God of Death loves children, their laughter brings joy to the dead. He does not ask before he takes them. Sometimes, a mother will offer themselves as a sacrifice, in place of her child. It is in that moment, mothers are made divine.

Red Star Union will be the birthplace of the Naztoc-lec Faith in the West. I left followers there years ago to continue our traditions against their occupiers, and it is time I returned to aid in their struggle.”

[United World Order]

Military Administration of Chernaya,
Krasnova.

The reoccupation of Chernaya and the areas around it that formerly made up the autonomous region for the Kysetians had gone well according to plan. The Ordenite Army had swiftly regained control of the now former autonomous region with little bloodshed on their part. Those of Kysetian origin were arrested in masse and sent across the frontier into the Satrapy whether they wanted to or not. Those that attempted to resist would be dealt with in typical Ordenite fashion which was death. Chernaya its self would now be governed through a military administration led by the Ordenite Army until further notice as what remained of it's populace in which most were Krasnovans and Zvezdans would be left alone for the moment. Chernaya had been deemed to be annexed as part of Reichsgau Krasnova and any sort of native population would be relocated into the interior in return being re-populated by Ethnic Ordenites. Many Krasnovans in Chernaya welcomed the Ordenite Army back into the city as liberators from their Kysetian masters who had now been dethroned and sent away to the neighboring Satrapy. People celebrated and prayed in the streets and elsewhere was Kysetian religious property and paraphernalia being confiscated by the Sicherheitspolizei . The security police had arrived just days after the re-occupation of Chernaya and had coordinated with the Ordenite Army on deporting all Kysetian citizens across the frontier and into the Satrapy. There was no civil administration in the city either as it's administration was under the direction and control of the Ordenite Army until a civil administration could be brought up. Once the Kysetians had been forcefully removed from their own promised land, the Ordenite authority began it's usual crackdowns on the native Krasnovan themselves. An Einatzgruppe from the local Army garrison within Chernaya along with those from other Army units within the former autonomous zone began to round up those who had become prominent within the short lived Kysetian Republic.

Anyone that could be traced to have been working for the autonomous government were rounded up and summarily sent off to a transit camp for their final journey to a labor or concentration camp. Their future was certainly not going to be realized anytime soon as the Ordenites began their infamous reign of terror. The overall plan for the current inhabitants was also coming to fruition as the populace would be soon made aware of the predicament that they would find themselves in. They would soon have to pack what belongings they could carry and leave their homes for the interior of the country. Meanwhile the 42nd Army Group had been since the reoccupation, reasserting Ordenite control over it's side of the frontier. Three armies were selected to maintain posts and positions along the frontier near Chernaya a city that was surely important to the Kysetian people which meant a possible security threat existed.

[McNernia]

Cathcride, Mcnernia

---

A shining beacon of Liberty was what Mcnernia touted itself as, the future in the Conservative mind set. Though that would be somewhat doubtful as the Libertarians in charge had led to political uncertainty. The decisions that impacted the billions of people in the Empire, much of it beyond Denistad were always somewhat slow with the size and the Parliament having to debate the various things. The current issue though was heard on the streets.

Nazis. They had taken over a country and it was deemed a miracle they had not caused a genocide agaisnt the local people.

In distant Mcnernia, quite far from the rising war there was some concern. Jewish concern. And also concern of Christians.

Rumors about what Nazis had done in the past would mean that the people of Mcnernia were always on edge. And the issue of the ghosts of Kraven. A legend to many though assurances from foreigners would classify them as very real. That is why Mcnernia had developed its technology and it weapons. Industry was built up and resources from the colonies brought in. A juggernaut that was just itching to be unleashed against any force that would be foolish enough to stand in its way. The Ordenites were intriguing, as they were Nazis yet they seemed to have none of the reported racialism common to the ideology.

Which meant that they were not something that Mcnernia wanted to necessarily get rid of. Though there were the others that were gathering around the Ordenites. Mcnernia would place home fleets on alert and watch for any sign of nuclear weapons launch. Radiation was always a killer and the use of the nuke was rumored to be something Nazis preferred.

Then there was scattered reports as the probes were readjusted to point to the Ordenite governed area. Rumors of the feared and legendary Einatzgruppe unit type in operation suppressing the dissidents of some short lived republic.

That changed things.

---

“We cannot stand by and allow genocide to take place.’

“The government that rose up was communists as was the one before it. Would it be so much to ask my honorable colleague to remember that her own constituency fell into the hands of rebels, that her own family was forced to flee.”

“And you think Nazis are any better…”

“Between racist sand outright thieves madam the choice I shall be honest is a hard one…”

“Our obligations under the Santiago Treaty are spelled out clearly my colleauges the enemy is National Socialist governments as well as communists.”

“I would remind the member for Oxwich north that our joining of the greater Deinstad community was dependent upon us not flouting a Santiago Banner in this place.”

These and other voices filled the house of commons as the debate about what to do about the Ordenites reached a fever pitch. Past campaigns in general had been unsatisfactory so Mcnernian confidence was low. It was wondered if anything could be done. Mcnernia would watch and wait.

[Eitoan]

Executive Residence, Vladarsik, Eitoan
Cabinet Conference Room

The heating system struggled mightily throughout the residence in the wake of the most severe winter Vladarsik had experienced in twelve years as the late afternoon session of the weekly cabinet meeting plowed through the foreign affairs review. At the far end of the conference table several cabinet members huddled, hunched over and trying to keep warm while the major domos attended to the review. Foreign Affairs undersecretaries had given their assessments on the continental and southern situations, nothing new or unexpected having been presented. Foreign Affairs Secretary Randall Field nodded at the reports, interjecting a few comments and thanking his underlings politely throughout the teleconference, ushering them through as time moved on. Most of the cabinet, and President Shrdlu were fairly familiar with those issues, the ones of greatest interest to both politicians and the general public in Eitoan. Shrdlu sat at the head of the conference table. Bolstered by recent progress in the lower house (Dashez) in elementary education reform and tax planning, he was in a particularly good mood this day, confident across the board on all domestic initiatives. His tacking closer to The Golden Throne had been played down late last year during the run up to midterm elections, but with his success in those elections he was feeling stronger in tackling foreign policy, more willing to expand on the initiatives of his first year in office. The confidence was not ill-founded; in addition to meetings with ambassadors of several of the eastern powers and his own experts, the president had spent much of the last ten days conquering Vondracek's massive three-volume tome The Kaiserliche Marine: Naval Power in the Far North Through History. His research was focused on events recently brought to his attention in the Sea of Crowns.

Randall Field was seated to his left. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs had also spent more time in the last week than expected analyzing and understanding the eastern situation, a cabinet euphemism for Krasnova. Field also carefully reviewed reports from country desks in the Eastern Section, stopping by twice in the last four days to drill into assessments of the situation in Krasnova and adjacent waters with the assigned staff, a big surprise to them. During most of these visits Field did the talking, peppering the hapless staff with questions about the complex agreements between the eastern powers and the process of Ordenization in that contentious area, questions that were seldom heard in the upper reaches of Foreign Affairs. Field's approach was mostly on an academic level; the more experienced staff at Foreign Affairs having long been assigned to the meatier assignments on the continental and southern desks. His approach was cautious - he wanted to develop as good an understanding of the interlocking and sometimes contradictory agreements between the major players there even before an assessment of forces in the neighborhood, with formulation of Eitoan policy much further in the distance. On his left was the Secretary of Defense and External Security General Eugene Maska, staring at his tablet, making last minute notes. Generally oriented to homeland defense, General Maska had been working furiously for the past two days, up to and into today's cabinet meeting to get a clearer assessment of forces in and about Krasnova. Unsatisfied at the quality of his information, Maska appeared irked that this matter had been scheduled to take up so much time. On the president's right was Dan Venkempen, the Attorney General. Venkempen was closest in age to the young president, and was his most trusted adviser. Dan possessed a blazing intellect and often provided quick and deep insights. Today most of his attention was occupied to two major murder cases about to go to trial, even through most of the earlier proceedings. The Attorney General deferred to others in discussions of foreign policy, sensitive to his Ralkoviak background. While this was never a obstacle in his rise to partner in one of Kelso's leading law firms, Venkempen carefully eschewed anything that could label him as a Ralkoviphile.

Ephraim Shrdlu finished his coffee, the third cup this afternoon after lunch, looked up and smiled. "Randy - can you give us a report on the eastern question? I hear there are rumblings about Triumvirate pushback against the Reich on Krasnova. I want you to fill us in."

Field looked down at his notes, stood up, and faced the President. "Yes, Mr. President. We don't have a full picture of all the possible players. Of course, I'm as horrified as all of you at the reports of the Ordenite restructuring of Krasnova, at least the part under their control. And a lot of the public is also dismayed, as you know. But as some have pointed out in the Dashez, this is an unfortunate conflict between far away peoples with whom few in Eitoan have a connection. What we do know, our most solid information is that there may be a move on the part of Imbrinium to put pressure on the Ordenite forces in Krasnova, possibly for degredation of Ordenite power, possibly for a rollback of territory held. We are not entirely clear of a particular objective on the part of the Imbrinium government or military. But that is the indication we are picking up from sources in the region. We further believe that elements in The Golden Throne are likely to back an Imbrinium initiative, though we are not clear on the extent of any commitment. That is the best information we have. The other players, the Reich, Morrdh, the rest of the Triumvirate and neighboring states - very little information about disposition of forces or any planning. Mr. President, at this time I recommend we hold back on planning, or any appearance of planning for contingency of a wider conflict there. There's no benefit to us, diplomatically or militarily to weighing in until we see what develops."

Shrdlu raised his eyebrows, and was about to drill into the details of the Triumvirate plans, when General Maska spoke up.

"Randy, we need a lot more information about the likely disposition of the Ordenite forces committed to Krasnova, and plans of the Triumviate co-belligerents as the situation develops. I'm sure your people are on it". Maska flashed a Field a wide grin. "Looking at the Reich's response to last year's crisis, I can understand their nudging us to make nice with Ralkovia, but that's based on a basic misunderstanding of our situation here. They've always had that. It's frustrating and more work needs to be done to clear that up, and I'm sure your people are working on it. All of us appreciate your efforts to educate Reich officials that we've advanced far beyond kissing up to old man Raskov, a hard task to accomplish. Admittedly most of us have seen the Reich as Ralkovia's lickspittle, if fickle flunky, the monkey to the Ralkovian organ grinder. But you've got to keep in mind that we're housing Golden Throne submarines here at Blue Island. And we have an obligation to protect those assets. As always, homeland security comes first. But if this is going to be a bigger conflict, don't you think we should investigate what could be done to support The Golden Throne, you know, to send a message?"

"What kind of message is that?" Shrdlu shot back.

Maska continued "The Golden Throne headed off the Ralkovian fleet last year, Mr. President, aided by Imbrinium and Arcaenaea and Stevid. We've had success distancing from old man Raskov on continent and the Air Force is quite effective at keeping them at bay. But our housing the base at Blue Island is putting us forward as a Golden Throne ally, which we are. And we've already announced plans to expand the fleet. Again, I'm not suggesting that we get fully, or even openly involved. But some move to show support would be in order. Showing the flag could clear up misconceptions in the Reich of any wobbliness on our part."

Shrdlu carefully considered the General's advice. "We're getting ahead of ourselves. At this time hostilities in the Sea of Crowns haven't opened up. I have to tell you Gene, you may investigate low level supportive action, but I have a couple of concerns about this. Most importantly, and you've got to be sensitive to this, there must be no impact on the fleet expansion plan. I plan to keep a tight budget throughout that process, and fleet expansion is a primary objective over the next several years. So any approach to the eastern question needs to keep that in mind, be close ended financially. And most importantly, how credible is our intelligence? I know Foreign Affairs has had significant progress in cleaning up and cleaning out questionable officials, but we'll need to be sure the information I get is of the highest quality. Randy, keep the pressure on to vet all information coming in from the east. I don't want to bet any Eitoan lives on questionable or planted information."

Dan Venkempen chimed in "Mr. President, I'm in agreement on a quality review of the intelligence. We've had problems here before - I'm sure you all know. Let's be sure of what we're getting. Protection of the Blue Island base is a given. But I've got to go with Randy. We can hold back on any decision until the intelligence services bring the picture into focus. There's no immediate threat here. There hasn't even been an overt Triumvirate buildup in the area".

To his left, Treasurer Jonathan Shore spoke up. "I've got to agree with General Maska here. Keep an eye on eastern events. But if it's a pile on involving The Golden Throne an early and discreet show of support would be in order. It would be an effective statement, and show deciseiveness in the event other powers seek to take advantage of the situation on continent. A war in Krasnova won't be won here, but a little resolve early on could prevent any adventure or raid aimed at us."

[Imbrinium]

Belford Naval Base

Belford naval base is in the southern part of the kingdom where the sand of the southern desert ends at the ocean. While a small part of the base is an active compared to the reserve part of the base, by reserve meaning this is one of the three reserve fleet bases where mothballed ships come to be based till either needed of sold for scrap.

Belford is also unique because of the dry environment a lot of the ships are kept in super larger hangers on specially design heavy lift rail cars. Nothing in the region compares to a destroyer being moved from the port to the ship hanger closing base traffic as it crosses the streets. The dry air does the same thing for the ships as does it does for aircraft stored on the base in either large open air parking. The base also has the second largest drydock spaces in the kingdom for military use.
Admiral Tommaso Trevisani was the base commander with Vice Admiral Alcide Milani second in command, these two commanders commanded one of the largest naval civilian base in the kingdom.

Some hundred and fifty thousand personnel stationed or work on base with the city of Belford which was just north along the coast which was the top spot for vacations which beaches and warm weather year-round.

The first word came from a joint video conference which included the other two major reserve base commanders and the top naval commanders from the MOD. The orders where to prep and gear the reserve fleet for deployment.

After a few hours and going over the numbers it would take a few months to prep the reserve fleet to deployment status. The biggest issue was to keep the massive movement of ships from the dry docks and dry inland ship hangers to feet wet again without foreign eyes noticing.

Within days after the orders where received, the base went into full mobilization mode with shifts working twenty for hours and the restriction of non-base personnel.
The same thing was going on at the other two large reserve fleet bases the logistical side of the reserve fleet had been in full operation for at least two years.
Time would tell on how much equipment will be ready in time and if its still a secret.

The air force had gotten new orders to stop the mothballing of the LY912s Dragonhawks from service and prep the remaining aircraft for war along with possibly pulling mothballed conventional bombers back into service.

The MOD had been busy issuing out orders recalling fleet and marine units back to CENTBLOC the first to get their movement orders was the number of submarines recalled from the east and far east command zones, with the fleet admirals getting their orders to move whole fleets and or spilt their fleets and send some back to west to staging areas. The orders where also given that the remaining fleets would spilt into their smaller fleets per fleet command with no exceptions. The bomber forces would remain.

The next to get there order though not right away would be the western fleets and personnel due to the activity in the west and waiting on Philotas Islands to mobilize their fleets to move east.

The fleet movements in the east and far east could be explained as escorts for the millions of replacement troops headed to Krasnova to train with The Golden Thorne troops for deployment to Gholgoth. With the loses being taken there sending more troops seemed like the most logical thing to do.

Soon there would be thousands of ships moving around the region the big thing was to keep it all seeming normal, there where some back in the kingdom with a plan to keep some nations from seeing at least from space what was going on.

[The Macabees]

SOMEWHERE OFF THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF IMPERIAL MAINLAND

White-capped waves struck against the cliffs of northern Sarcanza, where once less than a decade ago gunships patrolled against rebel insurgents. Clouds overhead were tinged with gray, becoming darker by the minute. It would rain soon, although not far enough to change the arid interior landscape of the province. On a path running along the edge of the cliff a man of tan complexion slowly led a train of four donkeys, his small son on one's back. He was unaware of the death machine that sat silently, submerged beneath the waves, less than a day's walk into the sea.

The Kartagena-class hybrid-electric attack submarine was a work of art. Its hydrogen fuel-cell AIP propulsion system was leading edge and with six torpedo tubes it packed quite the punch. Using the most advanced land navigation technology available to imperial manufacturers, its ability to sail tightly against the coastline was indispensable. However, the one that lurked below, just off the coast with that man, his son, and their donkeys, remained still.

Dozens of hybrid-electric submarines, just like this one, were strung out along the coastline.

Some of them even waited on the other side of the straits, just along the southern extremes of the Fourth Reich's mainland.

All of this was par for the course, a practice that had gone back for years, even when the Kartagena was a pipe dream and the Kríermada still employed conventional diesel submarines. And before the Ordenites, they were there to stop the Stevidians from traversing the northern passage to the western side of the imperial mainland. Their task, to keep the straits open to imperial shipping and to deny the enemy from its use, was immutable. But, where as all of this had been a theory for almost ten years now since the end of the war of imperial survival, the War of Golden Succession, it would soon become very real once again.

Each submarine remained submerged for a week to a week-and-a-half at a time, shifting positions rarely and restricting most movement to entering and leaving their area. Rotations were common and positions were never the same, and these orders were kept secret even amongst allies and within military command itself. Security could not be compromised.

By now, the man leading his donkey train and son had followed the dirt path which veered away from the cliffs. He was headed to the market in the nearby town, perhaps. Herders and farmers like him made this trek often, bringing their wares to larger markets. He remained blissfully unaware of the war machine that he had been so close to.



BERLISTON, SATRAPY OF NEW EMPIRE

On the surface, the capital city of the United City States of New Empire looked akin to a prison. Tall concrete blocks, housing elevators that connected with the countless subterranean levels of urbanity, extended from the ground like skyscrapers. There were some other buildings now, here and there, and even some of the concrete blocks had been beautified, but it all looked much the same as it had before the satrapical treaty with the Golden Throne. The most expensive imperial mark in the city yet, the new imperial kríerstatón — military port and station —, was hard to see with the naked eye.

Suddenly, the water began to recede. Like a tidal wave, the bay looked as if it was consuming itself as a whirlpool shifted and turned in the center. If one looked at the edges of the bordering bluffs, one could see the mark of the previous water line and its gradual descension, as more and more of it was filtered into giant, hidden tanks.

It took less than ten minutes for a tall, giant entrance to reveal itself. These doors opened, sliding into the rock like knives through cheese. They revealed a dark, cavernous passageway that did not stir for some time until, finally, a destroyer emerged from within. Behind it, there was another one. In intervals, although by no means slowly, more and more ships revealed themselves. They were coming out from different entrances, all along the harbor's coastline, like metallic ants marching in columns toward some unknown point. With clear instructions, these ships arrayed themselves in an evolving formation, providing security as their comrades came out behind them. This perimeter was expanded as more and more ships emerged to join them, and finally the battlecruisers and carriers sailed out from the darkness within.

The total force that appeared was a full-sized kríerflot of just over 400 ships. In its full glory, this fleet was composed of six carrier eskúadras, six raid eskúadras, and four marine eskúadras. It was tasked with, first, sailing to the western coastline of Stevidian Greal and from there would continue on to the Pezlevkan city of Fedorograd. It would wrap back around the western coast of Krasnova and then settle between Independent Hitmen and New Empire.

The press had already been told that its end destination was deployment in Gholgoth, to rotate with elements of Kríermak Gholgoth that had been operating south of the Scandinvan mainland island of Drana for two years now.



FEDOROGRAD, SATRAPY OF PEZLEVKO-RUBINO

Roman Anatolyevich surveyed the harbor from where he stood. Despite its near constant expansion, and the growth of the civilian port adjacent to it, it had looked so empty since the defection of the understrength kríerflot stationed there prior to the Second Krasnovan War. Since then, though, the empire had recovered much of its strength.

A full-sized kríerflot sat in the harbor now, although parts of it regularly sailed south to Indras where an understrength kríerflot shared assets with it. It was all together now. Anatolyevich had been told that it would sail out in full strength soon, to escort Imbrinumian transports to Gholgoth after the planned exercises in his satrapy. It made his nervous. Not just the fleet, of course, but the arrival of the Imbrinumians and the gathering of strength in Pezlevko-Rubino. Together with the recent Ordenite decision to close the frontiers and end Kysetian autonomy in Chernaya, the air carried with it a bad smell with a violent edge to it.

Anatolyevich let out a long breath.

Even with the Ordenite aggressions in Chernaya, there was a certain stability to the peace that had come over Pezlevko-Rubino since its so-called liberation by imperial forces. Pezlevkans were hardly free, in the full sense of the term. They answered, ultimately, to the emperor of the Golden Throne. Yet, he had to admit that their oversight had brought the small satrapy a welcomed new era of expected prosperity. Trade had begun to flow into Federograd at a frighteningly increasing pace, attracting tens of thousands to the new port city with promises of work and wealth. This newfound mercantile gold mine had extended to Federograd, as well. And if Rubino was not as much of a benefactor, it was growing too and the arrival of more and more private military contractors was bringing prosperity of its own.

The Kysetians, despite the injustice to them in Chernaya, were quiet too. Their resistance on the Ordenite side of the frontier was unquestionable, but the majority of their strength had been sapped by imperial authorities who sought to export their war-making capacity to New Empire, where they operated in Dasch and other cities which had yet to fully kneel to imperial authority via the satrapy's government. As long as they were there, they could not threaten Anatolyevich and his position.

But, with the arrival of so many foreign forces, he could feel deep in his bones that all of this would soon change.

[Slekomania]

A sharp and loud screeching noise tore through the air as a Reich freight train hurled through the wasteland that is the Slekomanian state. The cars of this train were clad in crude, thick panzer, painted black to the outside. Its tail stretched as far as the eye could see - or would've if it weren't for the complete lack of windows in the passenger accommodations. Instead, the eyes of those within the train would have to be satisfied with the Woflsangel draperies hanging in the place of windows, the simplistic metal furniture garnishing the wagon, and the two armed Slekomanian soldiers guarding each entryway. Much alike the outside of this wagon, these men were dressed in angular and heavy bodyarmour painted black, their faces hidden behind metallic plates with holes for the mouth and eyes cut in. Their uniforms were decorated with gilded eagles, and other Morsist insignia. Hanging by the straps from their necks were some sort of long and rather bulky looking battle rifles. Imperial troopers. These men were the apex predators of the Slekomanian armed forces, the Morsist Corpus. The imperial troopers were the crown jewel of the Slekomanian racial hygiene programme --- In fact, they were the crown jewel of all that the Slekomanian state sought. The result of high-eugenics, the soldiers had been ruthlessly drilled from the moment they entered the world, with only one objective in mind. Absolute submission to the state.

"Do you have drink-need, RegCom?" A man dressed in a dark blue Mao-suit, with a Woflsangel armband twisted around his arm asked. On his shoulder were two epaulettes with one, small iron cross on each.

"Yes, actually. We have a big drink-need. We have had it for some time." A man dressed in an identical outfit answered. On his shoulders, he too, had epaulettes. On his, however, were two small iron crosses.

"We shall get something to drink." The first man stood up, and walked over to a water fountain.

They looked rather similar to one another. Their blond hair was cut short, with a sharp partition on the right. Their faces were quite angular, their cheekbones visible. They were fair skinned, with blue eyes sunk rather deep into their skulls. Both men were so called tier-one citizens, or T1 for short. To be more precise, they had been T1 citizens, but their meritorious service to the state had elevated them beyond the normal T1/T2/T0 distinction used by the government. At birth, their appearance had been deemed fitting to the standard set by the government, which allowed them to not only hold positions in military command, but eventually reproduce -- whether they wanted it or not, in fact.

Safe to the noxious dangers lingering outside, the envoys were fast approaching the Slekomanian Metro-Fortress MetroFort-Alfa, the largest living sector in the entire Reich. Their destination was a monument of almost biblical scale, which draped the horizon in its vast concrete walls. Like the sacred Uluru, the fortress seemed quite out of place, rising out of an otherwise expressionless plateau. The massive fortress, with a diameter of seven kilometres, spread over the barren, arid landscape. The walls of this fort were as high as some of the highest skyscrapers built before it. Four-hundred metres to be precise. Yet, the bastion itself was nothing compared to the unimaginable feat of engineering that stood at its centre.

A colossal citadel whose sheer size could only be compared to mountains reached for the skies, its towering trunk disappearing into the canopy of polluted smog that spread over the Slekomanian sky. Its base was as wide as the fortress below, its neck slimming as it went higher. Hidden within the vast shroud of pollution veiling the sky, the megastructure's stretch for the heavens came to an abrupt end. Five kilometres above the very base of the bastion, the walls of the building make a sharp turn, revealing a completely flat roof. The diametre of the roof was some 700 metres; enough to accommodate a full air-strip. The crude panzered walls of this giant covered a skeleton of reinforced steel hidden within. Heavy artillery, accompanied by thousands of guard outposts, stuck out of the walls. But the scale of this building wasn't there to impress, nor was it there to intimidate. Rather, the fortress housed one fifth of the entire population of the sector. Like a mound of ants, millions upon millions of citizens were living, breathing, eating and dying inside this building.

An abrupt whooshing sound washed over the train, as the Fortress swallowed it into the vast abyss of its belly. The train which had earlier seemed like the Leviathan, with its massive convoy of wagons, was dwarfed to insignificance by this gargantuan building. It disappeared inside, as did the thousands of trains that ran on the 24 lanes of railways that came in and out of the fort's walls.

Inside MetroFort-Alfa, a complex car allocation mechanism began to separate the cars of the freight train, with one after another disappearing into the maze within. Metal banged against metal, as one by one, the digits of the train were detached. Eventually the car carrying the passengers came to a halt, and a sound of depressurisation hissed from the doors, followed by a metallic rumble, as they slid open. One of the four imperial troopers guarding the train walked over to the two uniformed men, and sternly motioned them to stand up.

Outside, was a simplistic, angular and colourless concrete hall, and a sleek maglev metro waiting opposite the delegation. The Maglev's metallic body shined with fluorescent light from the circular lamps on the roof. Just as the train outside, the maglev was windowless. The only break in its expressionless body was the Morsist Reich's official insignia, the Wolfsangel perforated on its door, which was wide open. The imperial troopers lead the men inside. The walls of the tram were lined with seats made of polished metal. A long and thin fluorescent light ran from one end of the tram to another, flooding the inside of the tram with bright, colourless light. As the men were seated, the doors closed with a click.
A robotic female voice spoke over the intercom. "Destination. Administrative District. Prepare for acceleration in three, two, one."
The maglev shot out of position with the sort of massive speed one feels at the bottom of their stomach. Their ears popped as the car speedily ascended towards the administrative district, housed at the very highest floors of the fortress.

The maglev, flying through the fortress at a speed of 400 kilometres per hour, reached its destination in a matter of seconds. Yet again, as the doors slid open, the men were greeted with an angular concrete lobby, brightly lit by fluorescent light. Two of the imperial troopers motioned the men to follow, as two followed behind. Two glass doors, with the Slekomanian eagle and the text "AdmiDist" stamped on them with opulsecent, grey colour, lead the men into the MetroFort's heart of operations.

The intercoms rang with an uncomfortable high-pitched noise, as the men were lead through the narrow concrete hallways of the administrative district. The walls were full of metallic doors, each with numbers and different shortenings written on them. These tunnels swarmed with Reich bureaucrats, all of whom looked almost identical. Each had the same haircut. Each wore a brown Mao-suit, precisely like the one the soldiers were, except for the differing colour and lack of epaulettes. Low-level bureaucrats. T1 citizens, who had shown some intellectual competence - but more importantly, the remarkable lack of physical competence. Bureaucracy wasn't an especially respected line of work in the Reich. Rather, it was one of the more undistinguished duties T1 citizens could be appointed to. The bureaucrats were consumed by their duties, oblivious to the officers being lead by the imperial troopers.

Finally, the men reached their destination. A sleek door made of polished metal. The text on the door read: "IntraConsulate." Interestingly, the door had no doorknob. Instead, there was some sort of device on the wall. Each imperial trooper quickly stripped their leather gauntlets, revealing a barcode tattooed onto the back of their hands. The device beeped as the imperial troopers slid their hands inside one by one. Then, the two officers read their barcodes on the device as well. A brief moment later, the door opened. The men were motioned to enter, but the troopers did not follow them inside.

A lightly coloured, large birch table stood in the middle of the room. Sitting by the table was a group of three men. Unlike everyone so far, there men were not wearing the standard Mao-suit uniform. Instead, they were dressed in business suits with the same colour of brown as the bureaucrats outside. Their jackets had neither lapels, patterns not shoulder padding. Underneath they wore white mandarin collared dress shirts. Their fair hair was sharply parted on the right.

One of the men stood up. "Ah, RegCom Vaesky! We have waited for you."

He walked over to the two men, with the other administrators following him. "I am the head consul of the Reich Citadel's IntraConsulate in MetroFort-Alpha."
It is typical in the Reich for people to introduce themselves by duty, rather than by name. Although, there is no rule that stipulates this.

"We are the commanders of the 446th BioChem-Regiment and here is the second in command." He said, motioning to the man standing beside him.

"I am very pleased you have come. Now, please. take a seat. Is there something I can get you? Are you thirsty?"

"We do not have drink-need, head consul." Answered Vaesky.

"Now RegCom, let us have this conversation in high language. Speak of 'drink-need' again, and I'll confuse you for a common citizen."
Truly, Regimental Commander Vaesky had answered in Neo-Slekish, a controlled language created by the Reich to control the cognitive and social processes of the Reich citizenry. The government deems the now almost extinct old Slekish as 'high language'. It is outlawed for tiered citizens, but the police, military and leadership of the state continue to use it. Furthermore, certain technical documentation and textbooks sometimes use old Slekish for clarity.

"I hope you can excuse me. It is a sore habit which I have not been able to cure."

"I understand, RegCom. You were born to a tiered family. Now, I am under the impression you are unaware as to why the central committee saw fit to invite you here today."

"We are unaware."

"I insist, Vaesky. No neo-Slekish."
The main objective of the constructed language is not simplifying concepts or thinking. It is the destruction of individuality. There is no singular first person pronoun in neo-Slekish. Only plural. I becomes we. Whereas someone foreign to this language would find great difficulty in speaking it, it is old Slekish that creates difficulty for those born speaking the government mandated neo-Slekish.

"You must excuse me. Your assumption is correct. I am not aware."
Although the man was no longer speaking neo-Slekish, the structure of his sentences still echoed the simplicity of said language.

"However, I believe I am also correct in the impression, that you are aware of the geopolitical situation in our surrounding regions, RegCom."

"I am aware."

"So, you are aware of the Ordenite Reich's skirmishes?"

"I am aware."

"And as a well-respected officer of the Morsist Corpus, I am certain I am correct in assuming, that you understand the potential instability said exploits could create."

"I believe I understand."

"You understand that said instability could very well galvanise into armed conflict."

"I understand. But how does this concern Slekomania?"

"Now the Central Committee has no concern for the stability of surrounding nations. However, they are very interested in the potential of conflict stemming from it."

"The Central Committee seeks war in Greater Dienstad?"

"No, RegCom. The Central Committee sees this as an opportunity to align itself with like-minded nations."

"Excuse me? What alignment do you speak of?" Vaesky seemed somewhat dismayed by the notion of peaceful diplomacy.

"The Ordenite Reich is a potential ally in a region where no other would consider any kind of diplomacy with the Morsist Reich."

"And as a diplomat and bureaucrat of the Morsist Reich, I am certain you are aware that Morsism calls for no alliances ! That is in a clear conflict with national Darwinism!"

"And as a soldier, I am sure you are well aware, that Morsism dictates that which is dictated upon you by me, is precisely what Morsism dictates! And what Morsism dictates that I dictate upon you, is dictated upon me by the central committee, and what the central committee dictates upon me, has been dictated upon them by the dictator himself! In questioning me, you question the Reichsdirector!"
The RegCom was silent, his eyes gazing at the table in shame.

"Now.. Now.. Your position. Your position in all of this, if need be, will be that of extreme strategic importance. For your accomplishments in the Meckorian skirmish, the Reichdirector has personally handpicked you to lead the Second Airborne BioChem-Brigade. A complete fleet of plague ships will be under your command."

"This is a great honour, head consul." His shake and irritation seemed to wash away through hearing such excellent news.

"Now head to the roof. We have a plane waiting for you on the airstrip. It will take you to your new home. You are excused."

As the men exited the room, they were greeted by the same imperial troopers still standing outside. Another hasty trip on the maglev lead them to the roof of the massive Metro-Fortress. The sun shined brightly. A thing most Slekomanians only get to see during their conscription, if unlucky enough to be shipped overseas.

[Eitoan]

Rockbridge Air Base
Southern Eitoan

Settling into his morning routine Colonel Doug "Smittie" Taylor glanced over the latest proficiency report for the 607th Rescue Squadron, a couple paragraphs highlighted in red. "Not good", he thought. Giving it a second thought, Tuesday's minor barracks scuffles and the tardiness to target from last week's drill didn't seem too awful - a lot of new transfers into that unit. For some of them it was their first time in an emergency simulation out of school, the kids didn't know what was coming next. Sitting back, he jotted down "give it a few weeks, let's chat after the next drill" and sent the report back to the squadron commander. Turning his attention to the tablet, he perused the normal e-mail channels, when the Force Disposition folder turned to crimson and started blinking. Jabbing his forefinger on the folder, he saw the Force Allocation and Scheduling memo in bold on the unread list.

Going through the FV-27 Decryption algorithm gave him a 5 minute delay, always irritating, until the message finally appeared on-screen.

From: Major General Erskine Tichy,
Commander, 3rd Air Force
To: Colonel Douglas Taylor,
Commander, 24th Fighter Wing
cc: General Lyall Zeleny,
Chief of Staff, Eitoan Air Force

Subject: Redisposition of Assets of 24th Fighter Wing

The 24th Fighter Wing is to prepare for relocation under your command with the cover of joint training exercises with The Golden Throne Air Force (TGTAF). These exercises have not been announced by Air Force Command and all personnel under your command are to maintain confidentiality about the destination and purpose of this deployment.

For your eyes only: the Air Force is maintaining these activities are covered as joint exercises with The Golden Throne under the Northwest Mutual Assistance Agreement.

You are to have no comment as to the destination and purpose of this deployment. Refer all inquiries to Public Information Headquarters Staff, 3rd Air Force. The 24th Fighter Wing has been selected for this deployment because the equipment configuration and mission readiness for interdiction tasks provide for the best integration with The Golden Throne Air Force. You will maintain normal communication up the chain of command to Headquarters, 3rd Air Force for strategic matters, but upon arrival in Golden Throne territory the 24th Fighter Wing will be under tactical command of the hosting base commander. Communications and targeting software will be updated after arrival at destination for both Squadrons, the 72nd and 31st, employing F36's using on base servers as the origin. Software for the F-35A's of the 661st squadron will remain under EAF sourcing, and updates conformant to Schedule 2-AB will commence within the next 72 hours.

Squadrons are to proceed to Point M, Zarbia initially for integration with TGT Air Force, ultimate destination is Air Base K-7, Satrapy of Pezlevlo-Rubino. The following is the planned schedule of deployment:

72nd Fighter Squadron Departure to Point M upon Wing Notice of Mission Readiness + 6 Days, to be anchor point as X-Date
31st Fighter Squadron Departure to Point M X-Date + 7 Days. Kick the Dicemen's asses if need be to expedite!
Upon arrival of Dicemen at Point M, both F-36 Squadrons to have 32 days scheduled training, refitting, and orientation with TGTAF corresponding assets.
661st Fighter Squadron Departure to K-7 at X + 40.
Wing Inspector General and Legal Staff to accompany 661st to K-7.
607th Rescue Squadron Departure to K-7 X + 67
223rd Medical Squadron Departure to K-7 X + 71
47th Air Control Squadron Departure to K-7 X + 75

Update Headquarters, 3rd Air Force daily, per normal priority with Level F Encryption. All security measures for overseas deployment to follow standards outlined in directive SV24.

Good luck to the 24th and safe flying!

[The Macabees]

DASCH, NEW EMPIRE

The long corridor was almost completely dark. Leytenánt Chudov Pavlovich could hardly see a thing without his IR, which had suffered damage during last night's firefight. He and his men had yet to be rotated to the rear for rest and refitting, and it was unlikely that they would be anytime soon. It was customary to fight for periods of two to three weeks before rotation. He'd have to be resupplied on the field and he doubted that a new IR sight would be coming anytime soon. No matter, most of his men still had their equipment, so he used his HUD to see through their own eyes.

Most of the technology still amazed him. Chudov never had access to this sort of equipment prior to the Macabéan arrival to southern Krasnova. Before that day, a Kysetian like Chudov relied only on his horse and rifle. Now everything had changed, and the Kysetians along with it. Before their arrival, indeed, he had never seen himself fighting in the deep, damp underground of New Empire's most dangerous city.

But here he was now, along with the platoon of men under his command.

Dasch was never a beautiful city in the same way as Berliston, not even before New Empire was forced underground. Her subterranean streets were narrow and their ceilings low, more like tunnels. The smell of sulfur, sweat, and death was pervasive, especially these days. And when they weren't battling, all one could hear was the eerie whistle of a mysterious wind that passed through abandon thoroughfares.

Down the corridor, there was a sudden, sharp turn that they couldn't see beyond. Chudov's radio crackled to life, "Returning, Leytenánt. Be on the watch."

"Yefréytor Tikhonovich returns," said Chudov to the group. "Hold your fire."

A man wearing the Kysetian uniform and carrying imperial weapons turned the corner, then. One would think that there was no effort in withholding fire. This was a friend, after all. But, if so, that person hadn't experienced war in Dasch. They hadn't suffered the months of combat in the unlit and humid depths of the city, where any civilian was either dead, starving, or turned into a resister. The anax's men, those who fought for the self-proclaimed king of the city, were just as ruthless towards the innocent as they were toward the enemy — more so, perhaps, since the innocent could not defend themselves. To stumble into a room full of dead, unarmed bodies was not a rare occurrence, and neither was the stress that these sights produced in the men. And this did not compare to the anxiety produced by the eerie silence, excepting the perpetually flowing draft, nor to the frequent ambushes and battles fought in tight, confined quarters. They were all on edge and it took an incredible amount of discipline not to fire at even the slightest shadow of movement.

Yefréytor Tikhonovich trotted to them and kneeled next to Chudov. "Beyond the corner, after three hundred meters, there's another turn in the corridor. That is empty, too. However, further down there is an intersection of two streets and on either side of the perpendicular pathway there are ambush points set up. I discovered them moving through the maintenance tunnels."

"Good work, yefréytor," replied Chudov. Looking to the others, he added, "Now it's our turn."

One of the men groaned and the others rose with haphazard effort. To think that they were all fighters renown for their abilities, fighters well respected in Krasnova and throughout the world, and to see them so defeated now. The fact was that the war in Dasch was like any other they had experienced. It was unrepentant, ceaseless, and utterly brutal. The sort that no man should have been fighting without respites for weeks, even months.

And just as he was about to order one of his men to take point, a voice spoke over his radio once again. This time, it was Kapitán Chistyakov Nikolayevich. His gruff voice crackled as the radio cut in and out. "Leytenánt Pavlovich, how are things going over there? The reports tell me you and your men have been doing good work."

"Aye, kapitán," answered Chudov. "Things could always be better, but this is war."

"This is war," repeated Chistyakov. Then, after a short moment, he added, "Listen, we have new orders from theater command and it's good news."

Chudov nodded. "I like good news, sir."

"You'll like this, then," said Chistyakov. "We're returning to Krasnova."

"What?" Chudov looked away when some of his men turned to him. "Now?"

After a moment, "Aye, now. We are not returning to peace, I am afraid. But at least we are coming back home."

"What does that mean, kapitán?" asked Chudov, more confused than jubilant or excited, or whatever he was supposed to feel at the news.

"Stay put. You'll be relieved from your post. Relay anything you can to the new commanding officer and then return back here. I will explain everything you need to know. Understood?" When Chudov didn't respond right away, Chistyakov finished with, "Good then. See you soon, leytenánt."

When the captain signed off, the lieutenant turned to his men with a blank face. "We are returning to Krasnova," is all he said.

They all sat back down in silence and waited for their relief to arrive. Water dripped from leaky pipes or from collections of condensation, each droplet splashing onto the floor in isolation with a mind-churning rhythm. Here and there one could hear the sound of gunfire. Waiting came with more suffering than actual combat. And when their relief arrived, a company of Monzarci auxiliaries, it couldn't have been too soon.

Within the week, they were back on the surface, shipped by train to Berliston in the north, and then taken to Krasnova by ship the day after their arrival to the New Imperial capital. When they touched foot on Pezlevko-Rubino again, reaching the new city of Federograd within two days of leaving Berliston, some of the Kysetians dropped to their knees to kiss the ground.

They had been gone for less than a year, but even that much was too much. They had left and abandoned their country, and now they learned that their brothers and sisters in Chernaya had been killed or driven away.

This time, they would not leave again.

This time, they would defend their birth right to their lands.

[Morrdh]

Since the meeting there had been rumblings within the intelligence community of Greater Dienstad; a spike in activity that often preceded the outbreak of a major conflict. This spike usually had a snowball effect as various intelligence agencies get wind of it and, with their interest piqued, investigate it whilst at the same time generating more activity. As more and more intelligence agencies become involved and generate activity, it ends up muddling the picture and creates a ‘white noise’ effect that can’t be completely ignored.

The Commonwealth Security Services, or simply Commonwealth Intelligence as it is sometimes known, had the thankless task of separating the nuggets of intel from all this white noise. Though the CSS’ focus was on the Kingdom of Imbrinium and the Ordenite Reich, it had learnt in the past that information from other sources couldn’t be dismissed out of hand. To this end, the CSS had built up a network of contacts within the criminal underworld of Greater Dienstad to exploit as a major source of intelligence. Despite their questionable reliability, these contacts had proven to be extremely useful for getting information out of Krasnova.

All this intel was fed into producing an answer for the main question being asked by Her Morridane Majesty’s Government; What would be the Ordenite response?

Some of the Commonwealth’s territory was uncomfortably close to the Reich, so there was a genuine fear of the Ordenites lashing out if they were attacked. The Republic of Norgorka, formerly the Tuktar Free State and effective member state of the Commonwealth, was considered to especially be at risk with its border with Ordenite occupied Krasnova. Commonwealth military planners had to carefully consider defence in depth, where they placed choke-points and where they funnelled enemy forces if the Ordenites did invade. At the same time they had to disguise and camouflage Norgorka’s defences in an attempt to keep the Ordenites in the dark over what they would be facing.

Mordent, the historic seat of power of the Commonwealth, was another viewed at being at risk. Not only was it much closer to the Ordenite homeland, the island was also home to Imbrinium forces which made it a target. Here the situation was a little…trickier as the Imbriniumians were a factor that had to be included in any military plans that affected Mordent. Though there were benefits from the mutual defence agreement for Mordent, the Commonwealth sometimes still felt that the Imbriniumian presence was more of a hindrance than a help.

The Imbriniumians be damned, Mordent was going to be made ready for war.

Like the Republic of Norgorka, Mordent was destined to receive additional Commonwealth troops for its defence. The anti-air defences were strengthened with extra SAM batteries and airstrips started having extensions built to handle a larger number of aircraft. A survey was also conducted of Mordent’s coastline, mainly to identify possible landing points with the view of denying them to the Ordenites.

[United World Order]

Ivanovka,
District Quarter A,
Reichsgau Krasnova.

Ivanovka had seen it's fair share of the island's recent series of wars and struggles between nations and people alike. One of the first major cities to fall under the Ordenite armies that first came almost a decade ago to throw out the communists struggling to maintain power. It was later almost threatened with the possibility of an invasion as neighboring cities such as Pezlevko and Rubino fell to Macabean forces during the Second Krasnovan War. The third and final war that abolished the Unified Eastern Star Soviets for good, brought with it some sense of stability and a return to normalcy after the constant warring and violence. The attacks committed across the island more recently by a network of criminals known as the Dreads had caused the Ordenites to increase their presence in most major cities such as Ivanovka. Soon even the Dreads were seen to be a thing of the past as their attacks decreased in frequency rapidly as Ordenite security forces began large scale crackdowns and forcing population centers into psuedo-martial law. Despite this and the rumors flowing about many citizens of the arrival of foreigners known as the Capitol Police led to much speculation over there purpose. Ivanovka and other cities like it continued daily life as usual under the boot of their Ordenite occupiers until something changed. Reichsgau Krasnova was declared and the border and coastal population centers had been annexed into the Greater Ordenite Reich. Mass deportations and more crack downs would soon begin to make their way across most of these affected cities. Anyone Krasnovan who lived in those cities would soon be resettled within the interior of the island which was now under a new native regime put in place by the Ordenites. Tension soon enough began to flare up as the resettlement orders were not received well by a margin of the population living within the Ghettos. Some Ghettos were also being liquidated to thin the number of Krasnovans likely to be resettled within the more interior of the island.

A Kravenite Totenkopf Battalion had arrived on the island months ago through secrecy as the entire force of Kraven Capitol Police troopers were transported from Gholgoth to Ordenite occupied Krasnova in merchant ships mostly containing shipping containers. The battalion would then assume population control duties outlined with their Ordenite hosts as well, the Battalion mostly operated in Eastern Krasnova. Rebel groups since the arrival of the Capitol Police have been fighting a desperate battle against their kind who burned anything in their path to the ground. Crackdowns would become a very frequent matter for those living under the boot of the Capitol Police who would make things run to the efficiency they required. Anything less than that and people would surely die at the hands of the Capitol Police for even minor infractions and its form of population control was tolerated by Ordenite and Krasnovan authorities. The arrival and deployment of a Kravenite Totenkopf Battalion had not gone unnoticed by prying eyes as Aldarminian special forces operators who were conducting covert operations in Krasnova due to the Dread threat. Once tensions had reached it's limits between the Ordenite Reich and the Aldarminians, they began to get in contact with numerous rebel groups and other independent militias. Meetings between commanders and the Aldarminians went smoothly and a unified command structure was created and put into place as the Aldarminians were raising an army to fight against the Ordenite occupation. Time would go by as the Aldarminian led rebel coalition prepared to fight the Ordenites as they gathered intelligence on near by population centers to guage the strength of security forces in those areas and in the country side. Much of the newly formed Reichsgau Krasnova was being targeted by the rebel coalition and would occur through the Ghettos in the cities before spreading over the country side too, establishing a proper front on the island. This was the general idea for the offensive against the Ordenites, the Aldarminians had considered the arrival of Kravenite forces as the last straw and wanted to commense it's offensive immediately.

The offensive would soon be upon the island as rebel groups and militias began to carry out their attack objectives. Ivanovka's largest District Quarter would seen groups of fighters taking up positions across the District Quarter as they awaited to begin their attacks. A voice came over a radio in the palm of the hand of a camoflauged wearing gunmen as he listened closely with others behind him stopping to hear the radio clearly.

"Commence the General Uprising, green-light." the voice said over the radio before going silent as the gunmen sprang there attacks across Ivanovka's largest Ghetto. Selbschutz and Auxiliary Police checkpoints were simultaneously attacked by groups of fighters coming from alleys, side streets and buildings. Selbschutz and Auxiliary Police patrols and facilities were also falling under attack as the streets were quickly becoming a war zone as the rebel fighters fought tooth and nail in the sprawling urban environment. As the fighting ensued and the rebels within the District Qaurter had fought off what Selbschutz and other Auxiliary Police units, they would begin gathering weapons and ammunition off corpses and encouraging civilians to join in arms with them. So their numbers would begin to grow as the fighting continued across the District Quarter as the Selbschutz were beginning to bring in reinforcements to manage to hold ground against the fast moving and hitting rebel fighters. Civilians who wanted no part in the fighting were already fleeing towards other parts of the Ghetto that had not yet been affected by the rebels. Mortars and under-slung grenade launchers began to be used in the midst of the clashes as the rebel fighters mostly focused their shelling on police and Selbschutz positions.

So far much of the fighting had been focused in the District Quarter A in which is the largest Ghetto within the city of Ivanovka. However the rebels still had man power to quickly expand the scale of their operations into other sections of the city. More heavily armed groups of rebels began attacks in the other smaller District Quarters and some even managed to get into the Ordenite and 'Aryan' only areas as well, repeating most of the same tactics and ferocity as their comrades in arms elsewhere. The Selbshutz and Auxiliary Police continued to attempt to fight off the numerous rebel attacks occurring across Ivanovka which was beginning to turn into a urban warzone that would be fitting for the rebels themselves. Streets and buildings would be seized and fortified with rebels lying in wait for the Selbschutz or Police forces to try and counter attack. One of the key objectives for Ivanovka and attempting to free it from Ordenite control would be to attack the military installations near the city's airports. Ivanovka currently operated 4 airports within it, 2 being local , 1 being international and the last being a military airport. The Krasnovan Armed Forces maintained a local garrison of just under a Corps strength while the Ordenites maintained a garrison more near the military airport of just a Brigade. The military airport was a shared one and usually had a bomber or fighter squadron available to send out and was also used to taxi supplies locally, it was a obvious however bold objective to have for freedom fighters guided by some foreign special forces.

When the fighting had broke out and was spreading the Krasnovan and Ordenite garrisons were alerted of what was going on and raised the readiness of their respective garrisons to imminent deployment. The 162nd Motor Rifle Division of the Krasnovan Army's 36th Corps which acted as the local garrison to Ivanovka was mobilized and given orders to support Selbschutz and Police operations in containing the rebels. The rebels would now be pitted against actual military forces from the 162nd Motor Rifle Division who began operations by sending two battalions worth of soldiers to District Quarter A with others being deployed throughout key areas of the city. The 162nd was tasked with not only supporting security forces in Ivanovka but also securing government buildings, infrastructure and public works from falling into rebel hands or disrepair. SOV.6 IFVs and Nakil 1A1s from the 162nd would be used to suppress the rebel advances and were already seeing action against determined groups of rebel fighters who also had anti-tank and anti-vehicle capabilities. Ivanovka was only the start of what was now being called a 'General Uprising' as the flames are lit in the east.

Chernaya Municipality,
Reichsgau Krasnova.

"We'll take our fights with them,
We'll go as groups to stop them,
We'll return our slain rights(territories),
With all force we'll push them out"

Boots traversed the forestry moving past tall and thick trees and other vegetation as the sun shined bright above them. All of them wearing camouflaged clothing akin to the environment they were in now as they continued to trek through the forest. One of them carried with them tied to a branch a black flag with writing in white comprising of the Scythian language which translated said 'CHERNAYA EMIRATE' with a crescent moon crossed by two scimitar swords. Below it was even more writing which translated to a verse in the Shiekhist texts that was commonly seen with Scythian fundamentalist groups who had been able to spread there reach into Krasnova before it ever had come under the grasps of the Ordenites. Decades of communist oppression and more recently fascist aggression had brought nothing but sorrow and anger to the Sheikhist practicing minority in the Chernaya area, mostly comprised of third generation Scythians who assimilated into the local culture and society while still keeping their faith. The Sheikh religion in Krasnova had been challenged since their start over several hundred years ago. They were always the minority faith on the island and when the Communists secured power, the Sheikhists would suffer a organized campaign to dismantle them and their faith. It was only a matter of time before the Sheikhists began fighting back in multiple decade spanning insurgencies and attacks. It was not long before Scythian clerics began to look into the struggle and organized support for the Krasnovan Sheikhists. Monetary and arms funding along with volunteers from Scythian Sheikhists groups and paramilitary factions would allow the fighters in Krasnova to defend themselves and strike back at their oppressors. Scythian volunteers would not be the only Scythians to arrive in Krasnova as when the once independentY Scythia fell to the rapidly expanding Ordenite Reich, tens of thousands of Scythians fled abroad with many also finding their way into Krasnova.

Years later the Sheikhs would find themselves in all too familiar dire straits as with the several wars involving the Ordenites and other foreign nations, the rise of the Kysetian nomadic people of which had decided to claim what they call their 'motherland' in Chernaya. For some time the Chernaya Emirate actively fought Kysetians throughout the area of Chernaya of which the two never truly gained the advantage over the other until the Ordenites returned in force and ultimately removed the Kysetians themselves. Others dressed and armed identically to them also began appearing along the trees and stretching down a section of highway that leads towards Chernaya city limits. The Chernaya Emirate had mobilized and arranged an brigade sized force to secure points of ambush and control over any roads leading into the city within 50 kilometers from which the only areas that were left mostly alone was the frontier with the Satrapy and the Kysetians themselves. Two more brigades of the Chernaya Emirate were then tasked with capturing large towns further south of the city going directly towards the southern sea and along the coast. The leader of the Emirate who officially was the Emir over the Chernaya Emirate would be leading a brigade himself this being the Sheikh Brigade which was a mostly Scythian formation with most being volunteers who have been a fighting unit since the struggle against the Red Star Union. Children of the first generation were now also making up a majority of this Brigade and would be poised to directly attack military and Selbschutz installations that were now being raised following the securement of the area from the former Kysetian Republic propped up by the neighboring Macabean Satrapy.

Within Chernaya its self small teams of fighters and suicide bombers positioned themselves near known security checkpoints and one of the local airports. When the transmission had been heard and read to begin the uprising, several groups of fighters began attacking security checkpoints within certain areas of the city. An Auxiliary Police station was the first to be struck by the suicide bombers, who had a single vehicle which had been laden with explosives drive into the station and detonate it's payload. Many of the major checkpoints within Chernaya would also see similar attacks with vehicle laden bombs crashing through only to explode upon contact with it's victims. The 3 brigades would launch their attacks within two hours of each other as the brigades launching attacks on larger towns in the south were taking place along with the attacks within the city its self. The Sheikh brigade was then poised to strike at the barracks of the 120th Motor Rifle Division which was based only an hour away from Chernaya its self and had been determined as the fastest enemy unit that could respond to what was going on. This was not everything the Chernaya Emirate had at it's disposal and were able to mobilize more smaller units towards the south and the mountain range stretching down the southern coast line. These smaller units would be tasked with carrying out attacks against occupational forces and denying them freedom of movement while the bulk of their comrades fought bigger battles elsewhere.

[Imbrinium]

On approach to Krierstaton Fedorograd, the C-10 lurched left on final approach on broad was the touched party for the upcoming deployment. The main purpose was to pave the way for the follow-on thousands of troops coming in from the Crown.

Already at sea was the 1123rd BESB Battlefield Electronic Surveillance brigade and the infantry brigade that will act as security for them. The ships would be arriving soon to offload their high-tech equipment.

The deployment of the 1123rd BESB first was to set up a surveillance network to not only boost the electronic surveillance of the TGT there but also paint a more complete picture of the future battlefield.

The commander of the 1123rd BESB Colonel Valente Bianchi has been a force to be reckoned with in the Crown’s electric warfare community. His mentors General Ivone Russo and General Emiliano Mazzi also made the journey to Krasnova to see what billions of brins and men hours to see how a lot of it works in a real-time real-world environment in wartime.

Some of this equipment was brand new, some still being tested the high command thought this would be the perfect place to try out new equipment. They weren’t the only ones that wanted to use new equipment in Krasnova. Special operations command wanted to use some the there newest equipment here too.

The Imbriniumian’s where known for being tough and ruthless in combat, the war with Stevid showed that. That reputation will still be held but this also new ones along with new strategies and doctrines.

The first soldiers and personnel on the ground will be there to set up a command structure to support the future operation and follow on operations once the war is over. The battlefield is always changing it changes with the weather, personnel, supplies, and the enemy.

Once the first security and command staff walked off the planes, the command staff meet with their equals with the Golden Throne military.

Some ten thousand kilometers away from the first cargo ships carrying the first equipment and troops were on the way to Krasnova. They only knew the cover story that they would be conducting joint operations with TGT forces there.

Secrecy was key right now for the overall plan, only maybe a handful of top commanders and government officials knew about the future invasion.

After weeks of prepping the first aircraft of the Royal air force took off to their new homes, the first out where the support aircraft and surveillance aircraft along with this push was the naval contingent of naval patrol and bomber aircraft to bases in the Golden Thorne, Lyras and Stevid. From these bases, the patrol and bomber aircraft will be able to cast a net over most of the shipping lines and track UWO ships both military and civilian.

Within a week hundreds of men and equipment would be leaving ports all over the kingdom and moving to their new base of operations in Pezlevko-Rubino. Over the next few weeks and months, thousands of soldiers would be arriving or making their way here. The command on the ground had briefed the TGT command that to expect up to a thousand soldiers a day.

[McNernia]

Cathcride, Mcnernia
Royal Palace

---

“Can we be ready Prime Minister?” The King looked out the Window at the city passing by the Palace gates. He had his back to the Prime Minister.
“For the Mcnernian SS raiding this nation?”

“That and a shooting war with the Ordenites.”

“For the raids of the Mcnernian SS MarineKommando, of course…the problem is that they may have sympathiziers in the country…”

“Ah the Ordenkommunitie.” The german coming to the fore in the Kings tone. He looked at the Prime Minister. Military experience indicated, that if the Ordenites were threatened the fatherland tended to intervene. In Dienstad the situation was as always, stable if you considered the fact that it was Ghlgoth where the Kraven menance lay.

The Prime Minister picked up a document. “Rumors out of Krasnova, intercepts, heavily encrypted transmissions….unknown forces have joined the battle against insurgents there.”

“That potentially means the wraiths are abroad….” The King turned back to the window looking at the city. Many nations would join in, but with the Golden Thrones warriors aboard battling the Scandivians. He breathed out.

“Prepare what forces Parliament will approve to mobilizie if this venture requires our aid.”

“OF course Majesty.”

And so the die was Cast, Mcnernia would mobilize for war in Dienstad.

---

Ministry of Defense
Cathcride
Ceremonial Rooms

---

As much as the Ministry of Defense was a place of the bureauacracy it was also a place of soldiers. Stone memorials were here, it was the seat of the commanders of Mcnernias armed forces. Deployed out beyond the reaches of the Region or here at home with the inner colonies and provinces. The ceremonial rooms were grand stark theaters of warrior things. While some would have a ball it was now the time for the promotion of one to a command. Prince Liam the son of Lady Wyverngard was to be promoted to Taoiseach or Chieftian. Even though he did hold the honor of being a Prince, being a chieftain meant you were regent of the King in a theater of war. Emilion IV planned to appoint twelve such warriors to make sure things got done. The Krierlord system of the Golden throne was to be admired. More in defense of the Mcnernian Empire than in defense of democracy perhaps. Though the fact of the King having inquisitors almost who could override the generals. A Chieftain tended to be a King back in the medieval Era where the issue was the arriving foreigner who wanted to conquer the people. Now Prince Liam would assume a title dormant for a long time and changed in practice. His father and mother stood at the other end of the room. Around him were officers, ministers, the finest of society. And eleven other individuals were arriving in the same room now.

Among those invited to the ceremony was the Macabeaen Ambassador.

[Imbrinium]

Kríerstatón Fedorograd, Pezlevko-Rubino.

After the new staff got the rundown about the in’s and out’s of day to day to life in Pezlevko-Rubino, they were also getting work done getting prepared for the first ships and flights. The port was an especially busy day and night making room for the tidal wave of the Crown’s military might.

Heading up the offloading of the military might be headed to Kríerstatón Fedorograd was command master chief, Sesto Bianchi, master chief, Duilio Buccho, and chief warrant officer Timoteo Fanucci. These three along with their TGT counterparts and the IAFK logistic staff will have the docks and have the equipment into the motor pools and supplies located for the incoming units easy to find and deploy to their bases.

As the cargo ships were guided into port one by one the heavy lift cargo cranes started to unload the thousands of tons of equipment the troop ships unloaded the thousands of soldiers, as the welcome companies transported them and showed them the bases everyone would call home for the time being.

The Crown sent some surprises along with the fleet of new arrivals two ships the command wasn’t informed of but will be able to help for the buildup. These ships were the HMS Coleman and HMS Rochester, these ships were both special purpose ships.

The HMS Coleman was a converted medium size cruise ship into a floating embassy for countries with port but an embassy has yet to be built. The Coleman had a room called the ALOC ( Ambassador’s Location Operations Center) used for operations and or ambassador’s operations and meetings with the Crown. Also carries two helicopters with hanger and an extra landing pad on the front bow. The Coleman also has a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) for high-level meetings. The ship can carry up to two thousand personnel but normally carries only eight hundred crew and staff. The second ship was HMS Rochester a converted medium size bulk cargo carrier into a BOC (Base operations Center) designed for the base being built in the Islands off of Nicaro. The ship was built for countries with ports but no permanent base operations center or much else yet. The HMS Rochester carried four helicopters and two SCIFs and two large tactical operations rooms along with meeting rooms and other rooms for crew comfort and use. Besides the crew, the HMS Rochester can house three hundred staff members and command staff.

Some equipment being offloaded were covered with tarps and moved into cover as soon as possible this equipment included the jamming and surveillance vehicles and tech for the BESB. Also being unloaded was a helicopter company for the supply and transport of personnel. It would be days before the first units would be ready to move to the field to their stations and set up for operations.

Meanwhile, the command staff was watching and listening to reports and ops briefings of the rebellion going on over the border helpless to take an active role to save lives. The upside to it was to see first hand of how the forces in Krasnova operated to counter the rebellion.

[United World Order]

South of Susol,
Northern Wetlands,
Reichskommissariat Zvezda.

The wetlands had erupted into violence and rebellion almost immediately after the open hostilities with rebels near Ivanovka and Chernaya. This seemingly united front also extended its reaches eastwards to the wetlands south of Susol near the former border between the Ordenites and former Unified Eastern Star Soviets. Much of rebel activity in the east was mostly a coalition of former Zvezdan military forces who did not surrender after the fall of the Politburo and the Supreme Soviet during the 3rd Krasnovan War. Combined with what rebel fighters and anti-Ordenite sentiment there actually was in the east including Zvezda, a entity was created to represent the aims and ideology of these rebels and that would become the Unified Soviet Workers Army. This army in truth was able to mobilize and train over 500,000 rebel fighters many of them hailing from Zvezda its self and many of them were former Zvezdan Army soldiers who did not surrender. The USWA high command was able to maintain existing contracts and relations with certain foreign nations and even create new opportunities since the end of the last war. This all manifesting into a large acquirement of small arms weaponry and munitions to carry out their operations which were now being launched across the Northern Wetlands and around the former fortress city of Susol. Susol was a prime target for USWA forces to attack and commit to operations to liberate the historically military centric city. The Ordenite Army still actively occupied Susol and consisted of the 204th and 202nd Armies from the 90th Heersgruppe who were operating and basing towards the eastern half of the island. USWA forces had already been tracking and gathering intelligence on Ordenite Army activity and logistics throughout the wetlands and even into Zvezda. Skirmishes were sometimes often with most fighting consisting of rebel fighters waiting in ambush for Ordenite patrols and or convoys, harassment like this had been persistent already for months on end. However this began to change as USWA forces in the wetlands began seizing the major roads and laying in ambush for Ordenite patrols and or convoys, several roadside bombs had also been planted in anticipation of Ordenite vehicles. The Luftwaffe proved to become a thorn in the side of USWA operations as armed drones sought out known rebel positions and activity.

Several outposts had recently come under attack by rebel troops as the USWA began to clamp down on their areas of control by outright facing the Ordenites in battle. One of these battles was taking place along Highway 18 which paved the way towards Susol its self and Zvezda. The Unified Soviet Workers Army operated like any other army of its kind and deployed its forces mostly in brigades which could range into the tens of thousands of fighters. Over 12 brigades were deployed and mobilized within the Northern Wetlands in which much of the 180,000 USWA troops had either already been operating in the wetlands or were recruited or volunteered civilians and even former Zvezdan Army soldiers who escaped imprisonment. All USWA rebel soldiers were armed with either the MIK Duran Assault Rifle or the AM-07 a Mokan assault rifle of the past but still reliable and effective in combat. Many of them also carried a portable AT-4 disposable rocket launcher with up to 4 rounds to fire for easy to access anti tank weaponry. M3 and M4 recoilless rifles and portable ATGMs were used more exclusively for harder to kill targets such that come from the heavier Ordenite tanks. The air would also be their enemy as the Ordenite Luftwaffe were known for using drone technology to track and destroy rebel positions, convoys and facilities across the island. For this case the rebels were mostly going with the every day MANPAD with the occasional SPAAG vehicle that operated in secrecy to harass Ordenite aircraft.

The first major attacks began at 2am in the morning as a USWA brigade laid waste to several checkpoints manned mostly by the Krasnovans themselves. A response force consisting of at least a company sized element from the Krasnovan National Guard was subsequently ambushed by rebel forces who laid in wait for them to investigate the attacked checkpoints. The company had been traveling as a convoy to a nearby town where they were going to make their area of operations. A small battle would occur when the lead vehicles of the company would be immobilized in an ambush by anti-tank mines that were laid out by the rebels. Subsequent destruction came when rocket propelled grenades and machine gun fire tore through the company convoy in effective fashion. As dawn broke the attacks continued with additional convoys and patrols being intercepted and attacked. Ordenite reconnaissance drones soon enough filter there way through the Northern wetlands as what intelligence they could gather in several hours was immediately fed to field command. The field command of the 202nd Army which was operating in the general area where many of the attacks and ambushes were taking place began to distribute objectives that were to be achieved. Field commanders would then interpret the objectives needed to be accomplish and put together the means of tackling them. In this case it was on how to tackle the identified hot spots of where these rebel attacks were becoming more common and pacifying the area of the rebels. The Luftwaffe would eventually begin to fly sorties throughout the wetlands to quickly destroy either a rebel position or technicals that were also becoming more common to see fielded by the rebels if it could be helped. The Ordenite Army in the wetlands would begin to re-occupy areas of the highway that the rebels only ceded due to the disadvantage in numbers and firepower as the Ordenites surely enough came with armored vehicles and could even have tanks near by.

Secondary attacks would occur back to back as the Ordenites were engaged and harassed as they moved to regain control. More improvised explosives and mines would be planted ahead of time where it was most likely where the Ordenites would move into as this became reality. Another explosion and another vehicle immobilized or it's passengers injured in some way which all fell into the overall strategy the rebels would take during this new conflict. The Krasnovan National Guard were not faring any better as they too saw the damage being done in this renewed conflict, reinforcements were expected and at this point well needed. The USWA were slowly but surely beginning to squeeze the Ordenites and other security forces in the wet lands which threatened to involve Susol. This momentum would also soon enough come to work against them as the Luftwaffe's armed drones and warplanes were beginning to score more successful sorties. A joint operation between Krasnovan security forces and the Ordenite Army raised in response to the rise of insurgent activity and attacks were closing in on several rebel positions and territory. The fighting would take time as the rebels insisted on baiting there enemies into a moment of weakness where an attack could break out and their use of explosives to slow them down.

[Imbrinium]

The word came without notice across the kingdom roughly 21:59 at almost every RAIF and RIN air bases the base security shut down the base gates. By that, if you were off base you stayed off if you were on the base you were stuck there till the alert was lifted. Total base lockdown drills where almost a way of life for these bases.

Security forces armored vehicles stationed up at the gates every weapon was loaded and ready these crews have done this many times and this was no different at least on the lockdown.

As bases were locked down crews made the final checks on their aircraft, loadmasters made last minute checks on gear strapped down inside hundreds of cargo planes. Fuel was checked in tankers and crews of support and intelligence aircraft made sure everything was checked and then checked again.

Hundreds of bombers from the RIAF and RIN sat loaded down with their loads of ordnance and the crews gear the support aircraft and crews would take off first flying ahead of the bomber crews and setting up operations to support future operations.

One by one cargo and tankers and passenger aircraft taxied and took off one by one the roar of the engines over the towns and cities around the bases drew the attention of news agencies and locals. Most at first just thought it was another exercise but after a few hours of consent aircraft taking of things didn’t seem normal.
Most of the support aircraft had fighter escort to the limit of the fighters range then returning to base. The bombers where next using a tactic that dated back to the first scrambles of fighters and bombers were minimum interval takeoff (MITO) in the 1950s. Bombers lined up one behind another and took off and with haste.

The bombers were headed to forward bases all around the CENTBLOC these bases included bases inside The Golden Thorne, Stevid, Southern Greal, and Lyras among others. These bases were set up to shorten the distance to between bases and targets.

Now, this was still within the statement of being a large scale military exercise within the central region. This deployment would test crews and airframes to the maximum some flights would take days to finally landing at their forward bases to set up military operations.

Deployed forward airbase staff would have a short time to set up the temporary bases for full combat base of operations with the ability to conduct twenty-four hours, combat operations over the entire central block.

At naval bases around central and southern Imbrinium, the Royal Imbrinium Navy was flushing its submarine bases of its SSNs, SSGNs, SSBNs, and it mixed bag of conventual submarines. With the submarine tender and support ships along with some light protect ships these ships and submarines would set up around small port and sometimes no ports at all to set up resupply bases for high tempo submarine operations still again under the flag of large scale military exercise most having sealed orders locked away only to be opened when the order comes through.

These bases would be the front line along with the naval bombers on hunting down and sinking the Ordenite Reich’s Kriegsmarine and supply ships and cut off Krasnova from Ordenite Reich.

The loading and offloading of men and material inside Kríerstatón Fedorograd was reaching a fever pace with ships and cargo and passenger aircraft arriving at all hours of the day and night. Troops and their equipment was now coming in by the hundreds and tons not just here and there.

The first recon units where working side by side their TGT leads on tracking and logging movement along the DMZs without their knowledge their work was thought to be only to peek their skills before deployment but it was to have the teams gather knowledge of the enemy units and locates and when they moved.

This was by far the biggest gamble the Crown and MOD had ever made sending millions of troops to a country with the intent to invade a neighbor while making it look like an exercise for future deployments to another war zone. Everything was kept at an above top secret level only a few in Kríerstatón Fedorograd knew of the future operation and not everyone knew the full plan as of yet the Crown didn’t want to tip its hand and let the Ordenrite’s and the region to know what was about to take place till it was too late.

[United World Order]

Maybach II
Somewhere underground South of Berlina
Central Dienstad.

"Herr Fieldmarschall Felzmann, Herr Generaloberst Bornhof, Herr Colonel Warlimont , Here is the current situation report from the Wehrmachtführungsstab. Amt Abwehr has noted there being increased military traffic and activity coming primarily from Imbrimium, however most media outlets are currently saying that there are exercises being planned between Imbrimium and Macabees taking place in the Satrapy bordering Krasnova. Our satellites have been updating us since Imbrimium military assets began to arrive in the Satrapy, lots of hardware and forces have been moving in as of late. Air and Naval traffic has also been on a steady increase as well coming mostly from Imbrimium as a lot of their regional assets are concentrating their numbers in the center of the region and to the Satrapy." The room was well lit and quiet as projected images of satellite feeds and video of Imbrimium military activity was shown to the men sitting at the table. Decades of experience and service to the Ordenite Wehrmacht could be split between the three men who sat in a conference room within a underground complex meant for the day to day operations of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces. The rise of nuclear power and weapons had spooked the Ordenite regime to construct and maintain hundreds upon hundreds of underground bunkers and complexes for top brass of the Wehrmacht and the government.

"I have a hard time believing this is just some sort of exercise between their two militaries. It's too obvious that this is the build up for a strike against our holding in Krasnova." Felzmann noted as he had experienced all three wars having been Chief of Staff of the OKW, his age could be told by the mostly grey hair that was left atop his head.

"Our Reich's plans for Krasnova cannot be tampered by our foes, we all know that the true enemy here is the Macabeans." Warlimont said as being the military adjundant to the Reichsfuhrer himself and having been in the same position since even Richtofen. "It can't be more obvious as to who is pulling the strings here, the Golden Throne has been pushing for war for quite some time now." He added looking back on the World Assembly condemnation put forward by TGT along with other instances. The Ordenite regime's patience with the Golden Throne was already fading as recent events push the Ordenites towards the eventuality of conflict between the two almost neighboring nations.

"If this is the work of the Macabeans then what of Imbrimium and Morrdh? Are they also colluding with them as they have in the past?" Bornhof poised these two questions to the other two men in the room as a small period of silence came over them.

"The Reichsfuhrer will decide and we will carry out his orders to the last man." Warlimont said as everyone in the room suddenly saluted and clicked their heels. The situation report and the conversation had would be documented and sent with the military adjundant to the Reichsfuhrer himself and his cabinet from which a course of action would be decided on.

Code: Select all

FRM: CHANCELLERY OF THE FUHRER
TO: OBERKOMMANDO DES WEHRMACHT/WFST
ENCRYPTION: BLACK

ORDERS ON BEHALF OF THE REICHSFUHRER AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ORDENITE WEHRMACHT COME AS FOLLOWED:
i. READINESS LEVEL TO BE INCREASED TO 50%
ii. ORDENITE FORCES IN KRASNOVA ARE TO REINFORCE STRATEGIC POSITIONS.
iii. ALL NAVAL GROUP COMMANDS ARE TO REINFORCE STRATEGIC POSITIONS.
iv. STRATEGIC MISSILE FORCES OF THE WEHRMACHT ARE TO BE AT READINESS LEVEL OF 60%.
v. REICHMINISTRY OF INTERIOR TO MOBILIZE SECURITY FORCES FOR IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT.

HAIL VICTORY!

[Eitoan]

The Eitoan News-Herald
back page of features section, under “Military”, day X+25.

NMAA, TGT to Participate in “Northern Ice Exercises”
Joint training exercises with The Golden Throne and other allied Northwestern Mutual Assistance Agreement air forces throughout the near territories of The Golden Throne, commencing for the next four months. A spokesman for Air Force Chief of Staff General Lyall Zeleny has issued details for the exercises, described as “part of the ongoing efforts for integrating equipment, procedures, communications protocols and both combat and non-combat operational doctrine between the alliance air forces and it’s sponsor, The Golden Throne. A wide range of units including fighters, surveillance, rescue and recovery, logistical, and medical detachments will participate on the part of the Eitoan Air Force throughout several territories of our host. The Air Force views this training as vital to ensuring interoperationality between NMAA units and TGTAF in all mission critical facets of continental and near-off continent air defense.


Day X+40

Point M, Zarbia, The Empire of The Golden Throne.

After a light breakfast and final briefing of all pilots, the F-35A’s of the 661st Fighter Squadron received the “Go” command for departure: their destination, Base K-7 in the Satrapy of Pezlevlo-Rubino, there to join the F-36’s of the 72nd and 31st Squadrons, which had arrived at K-7 eight days prior. The 661st Squadron’s commander, Lt. Col. Frank Gibbons sighed in relief as the men under his command departed, his being the last plane aloft. At the same time, the wing’s Inspector General and Legal staff was underway to K-7 from a civilian airport near Fedala, on a charter jet also headed toward K-7. At K-7, the 24th Fighter Wing commander, Colonel Doug “Smittie” Taylor awaited confirmation of the departure of both the 661st and his legal team in the command office, a spartan accommodation, freshly painted and upgraded by it’s former occupants, a TGTAF Interceptor unit. Smittie anxiously told a young Lieutenant Ellen Neravek, a willowy, attractive strawberry blonde Communications and Code Officer to keep him appraised at least every 15 minutes as the last detachment of combat aircraft embarked to their new home in the TGT Satrapy.

Gibbons climbed into his plane, was cleared for takeoff, and soon caught up with his boys. Switching on his communicator, he hailed his lead: “Tired Viper, this is The Rubber Ducky. Right behind you, and it’s great to be flying with you guys, farther than we’ve ever gone!”

“Rubber Duckie, this is Tired Viper – great to have you aboard, sir!” was the lead’s response.

“Tired Viper, this is Sleepy Weasel – this then, is the log of the mighty 661st. To explore new and unusual galaxies, discover exotic life forms, and shoot the shit out of all of them!”, interjected the far wingman on the right, the chief smartass.

“Sleepy Weasel, this is The Rubber Ducky – easy of the adrenaline there, it’s only a simulation, son”

“This is White Charger, copy that” added the second in command.

Flying along at 12000 feet the 661st kept in formation through a most circuitous route along the sprawling Golden Throne possessions. From Point M the flyers headed to Theohunacu. After passing over that territory, they then proceeded toward Holy Panooly, under clear skies. 30 minutes out of Theounacu, the first of two refueling events went through as planned, courtesy of TGTAF. Still in formation, the squadron proceeded to Indras. An hour out of Indras air space, the friendly fuelers of TGT paid another visit, boosting the planes north to Pezlevko-Rubino. Uncertain of Ordenite detection capability, the circuitous route had been planned to steer clear of any known UWO radar. On the approach to the Satrapy the planes had the mountains as cover. Timing was coordinated with TGT naval exercises on that day, pushing Ordenite naval vessels farther away and giving the fighters a path to travel through.

As the formation neared the distant coast, the visual indicator on the lead’s display indicated incoming communication from Krierstation Fedorograd air traffic control. He switched on his audio communicator, acknowledging Fedorograd.

“EAF 661st, we have you ready for pattern inland. You have to green light to enter over Satrapy air space. Acknowledge”

“This is Tired Viper, EAF 661st lead. Roger that. Do you read me?”

“Fedorograd Control. Roger, Tired Viper. And welcome to Da Satrapy!”

“This is Tired Viper, acknowledged and thank you. Will communicate to the boys up here”.

Directing his communicator’s protocol to all in the wing, the lead announced “This is your head man in the air, Tired Viper. We have the A-OK to go on vacation in tropical Pezlevlo-Rubino, home of – I don’t know what. Please follow course bearing 47 degrees, at 7500 feet. Notice the scenic fishing village on the left as we begin our exciting and fun-filled visit. Keep your hands inside your aircraft at all times, no spitting or swearing. And have a pleasant day”.

The squadron followed him across the shore at a shallow inlet and into the Satrapy.

The flyers rapidly passed a narrow, marshy expanse of coastal plain, the landscape below dotted with small villages and winding roads, to rapidly ascend before the looming range ahead. Climbing just above the first range enroute to K-7, Fedorograd instructed them them to level off and follow a deep valley below. On both the display and visually, the fliers detected a great amount and variety of military traffic: transports, interceptors, attack aircraft, and high level, slow moving stealth communications and information planes, the profiles of which most of the pilots were aware, but never had seen first hand. The sight was impressive, but the RIAF traffic jam above cleared out as the 661st approached the second massive range, climbing this time at almost the last minute, and barely topping the peaks. Again, as instructed by Fedorograd, the F-35A’s dove rapidly almost to the floor of a narrow valley, to follow between the surrounding ridges on the prescribed path to their destination. 40 kilometers on, the squadron was instructed to cruise as a steady speed, keeping the low altitude, it’s purpose to avoid Ordenite land-based radar coverage. Farms and villages showed below, reminding some of the pilots of their home in Eitoan’s north.

40 minutes into the segment, Fedorograd tower again contacted the leader.

“This is Fedorograd Control. Notice to all civil aviation in Sector S. As of now, and until further notice all civil aviation are to ground as per forthcoming instructions until further notice. This is a general directive, no exceptions. Commence descent immediately upon acknowledgement of instructions”.

Flight leader hesitated a moment, then contacted Fedorograd. “This is EAF 661st flight leader. Sector S – adjacent to K-7? Acknowledge please.”

The Fedorograd response came back swiftly. “Roger EAF 661. Your path is clear, at your altitude and course continue, and safe travels”.

“Roger”. The flight leader set audio communications to the entire squadron. “Group, we’ve got smooth sailing into K-7. Fedorograd has cleared all civilian out of our path, should make things easier”.

Gibbons voice came back. “Thank you, Tired Viper. See you at base”.

In 30 minutes the first of the squadron followed guidance to touch down at K-7, a base built deep inside the lower reaches of a mountain. The rest followed and were shepherded to the reserved area for their planes, next to the F-36’s of the 72nd. A tall, young lieutenant, with barely fuzz in place of whiskers greeted the men on the ground, and led them to the mess hall, where a light meal had been prepared. Along the way they were greeted by their compatriots from the 31st and 72nd. After the men had eaten, Colonel Taylor strode up to a podium at the front of the dining area and addressed the pilots.

“Frank, men of the 661st, I welcome you to K-7, your home away from home for the assignment. I’d like to thank our hosts, The Golden Throne Air Force, for providing these fine facilities in this distant and remote location, and I’m sure you’ll be every bit as comfortable here as the 31st and the 72nd. Your arrival completes the cohort of combat aircraft provided by the EAF for the Northern Ice Exercises; support units are underway to K-7, or will arrive in the next few weeks. I know the 661st is no stranger to joint exercises with NMAA air forces, but this environment will be a little different. We will, ostensibly, be integrating tactics and protocols with TGTAF. And since it’s been obvious by visual observation during your flight in, other non-alliance military aircraft will be in country during these exercises. But the maneuvers here will be under the aegis of TGTAF. There will be orientation activities over the next week, and we anticipate leave in the nearby town after a couple of weeks. So be on your best behavior by then.”

Colonel Taylor cracked a wide smile. “Or at least as best you can muster”.

After Taylor left the podium, the lieutenant that shepherded the squadron to the mess hall addressed the men, again.

“If you’ll please follow me, I’ll show you to your quarters now. Please, out the front door”.

The men followed the young junior officer, left from the mess hall, followed by another left to a three story brick building of recent construction. There was a small gravel landscape either side of the walk up to the barracks, and the men assembled in the lobby. To the left were the quarters of the 72nd, and the Lieutenant directed the men to the right. The hallway was decorated with banners and black balloons, courtesy of the pilots and ground crew of the 72nd. Stretched across the entrance to the first floor hallway was the cheery greeting “Abandon hope all how enter here”, and on the same banner, in smaller letters “We got here first, now all the hookers have the East Berwyn clap. You’re welcome, and enjoy your stay.

The men chuckled, and found their way to their rooms.

Day X+41
Command Center Conference Room
Airbase K-7, Satrapy of Pezlevko-Rubino

The three combat squadron commanders, Lt. Colonel Ed Lowry of the 72nd, the 31st’s Colonel Jon Clifford, and newly arrived Lt. Colonel Frank Gibbons of the 661st filed into the small room to the right of Colonel Doug “Smittie” Taylor’s private office precisely at 1100, as ordered for the first combat mission meeting now that all three contingents were K-7 based. Five minutes later Taylor sauntered in, nonchalantly, leading a tall man in the uniform of The Golden Throne Air Force, and an average sized, young officer of the Macabbean Army with striking blonde hair and blue eyes into the meeting. All three squadron commanders stood to attention and snapped Taylor a smart salute, which was returned promptly. Taylor stepped up to the head of the conference table, leaned over it slightly, and informed the assembled “At ease men. Please, be seated.

All subordinates seated themselves after Taylor sat down and started reviewing his notes from a legal pad. The room was the most secured location at K-7, and no communications devices were permitted at any time, regardless of the cybersecurity precautions. After a brief pause, Taylor held his hands together on the table in front of him, and addressed the group in his low, soft baritone.

“Firstly gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you the liaison officers guiding us during our mission in the Satrapy. Leutkoronel Frederick Stanley of The Golden Throne Air Force, and Kapitán Jansen Hoore of the Army. I look forward to a productive relationship with our hosts, and want you to feel free to discuss any matters regarding local customs, off-base protocol, and Golden Throne military procedures with them as we move forward. Our hosts have been most gracious in arranging logistics, and accommodating provisions for our men here.”

The three squadron leaders shook hands with the liaison officers with a short, curt, handshake, the Eitoan tradition. They exchanged pleasantries. The Eitoans were a little puzzled by some of the words of Hoore – all conversation was in Dienstadi, but they couldn’t quite place the accent.

Lowry greeted Stanley. “Good to see you again Leutkoronel.”

Stanley smiled back at Lowry. The two had met briefly during the Golden Throne mission to Eitoan to observe the first shakedown flights of the new F-36’s. There was no puzzlement about Stanley’s diction: Stanley was a Sarcanzan of Stevidian decent, and that accent was commonly encountered in both business and military meetings between TGT and Eitoan counterparts.

The officers were seated again, Clifford to the right and a little distant from the other two. A newly minted full Colonel, he awaited his opportunity to command his own fighter wing. His career was fueled almost entirely by his skill as a pilot, most recently the top rated among the first graduates of the F-36 training class. Unlike his counterparts he had risen from the enlisted ranks, achieving promotion on the basis of his flying skills. With the introduction of the F-36 into the air fleet, the option for the Air Force was either to give him his own squadron or see him off into civilian life, and in no way did they want to see that. So here he was, reporting to a “ring knocker” from The College of the Eitoan Air Force, alongside two of the usual guys that were offered commissions at the end of their mandatory service. The higher brass still had their concerns about Clifford’s administrative abilities, but that would have to be smoothed over in the future, after the stint at K-7, or face the risk of loss of his skills.

Lowry and Gibbons were more at ease. Both had been offered Air Force commissions upon completion of their mandatory military service, and had risen through the ranks after flight school. Lowry, the scion of a wealthy Berwyn plastics manufacturer seemed to be the perfect balance of administrator and pilot, a trait that bode well for an Air Force career. Even his father had to come around once his military career took off, as well as after his younger brother started working at the family business. Gibbons, behind his finely chiseled features and striking mane of black hair was about the opposite of Lowry. Flying seemed to be a pastime to him, his main interest being enumerative combinatorics. In truth, he was a dedicated pilot, and his prodigy in mathematics had always intrigued his superiors. By far the best looking man in his squadron, if not the entire wing, Lowry remained steadfastly true to his wife and their seven children. He already missed them and their home at Rockbridge.

After pleasantries were exchanged, all the assembled were seated. Once again, Smittie considered his notes, and slowly rose from his chair, strode around behind it, and braced himself over the back of the chair, leaning slightly forward, and staring directly ahead. He cleared his throat, and continued in sonorous, yet businesslike tones.

“Gentlemen, let us dispense with the so-called Northern Ice Exercises. That’s happy bafflegab cloaking for our mission here. This fighter wing will accompany TGTAF units in combat missions during the duration of our stay.”

You could have heard a pin drop. Lowry and Gibbons stared at each other in disbelief. Clifford slightly raised himself above his chair, and then a wan smile crossed his face as he sat back down, his gaze fixed on Smittie, who straightened himself up and stepped to the left of his chair.

His voice rising in volume slightly, Smittie continued. “This wing will continue under my command for tactical purposes, of course. The line of command flows upward to TGTAF regional headquarters. TGTAF regional will call the shots on if and when we are to cross the border for interdiction raids. Until then operations will consist of sector defense patrol. Now, all information is being handled through Foreign Affairs, and will continue throughout deployment. I think all of you can appreciate the delicacy of our assignment".

Clifford relaxed, excited at the news. No hothead he, still, he recognized this as an opportunity to showcase his skills to the Air Force brass, and not only in the local dustups at home or in drill. He knew he would make an impression, the leading hotshot on the F-36 now in actual combat. This was an opportunity he hadn’t anticipated, but he relished it.

Smittie added further details of the deployment. “The remaining support elements of our wing will be heading to K-7 in the upcoming days. I cannot divulge to you the schedule for their arrival and suppy. Until then all combat aircraft are to keep within 30 clicks of the border with Ordenite Krasnova. I cannot emphasize this point enough. We are here to support an ally, not touch off hostilities.

If, however, aircraft belonging to this wing come under fire from across the frontier, whether from ground batteries or planes operating in the Kravutz’ air space you are to assume permission to respond in measure from within Satrapy air space. As per debriefing procedure, there will be a review of all hostile action or threatened action after each sortie. The results of said review will be passed on to TGTAF regional by Leutkoronel Stanley, including your recommendations regarding appropriate response to the infringement or aggression.

You are here because the skill and proficiency of the 24th Fighter Wing has been noted at the highest levels of Fighter Command. That is why you have been chosen for this critical mission.

Gentlemen, you are the tip of the spear of the Eitoan Air Force. You are dismissed.”

As the staff filed out of the conference room, Smittie stopped Gibbons, and motioned him to join him in his office.

“Frank, I want to go over with you provisions for the service crew for your F-35A’s. You’ll have the only squadron of those babies in theater, as far as I have been informed. The TGT Army has kindly expedited delivery of all specialized equipment for servicing your craft in the last week. We have requested an additional 10 Blended Operational Lightning Technicians, or BOLTs, from Hill Air Force Base back home, to back up your crew. That includes three master machinists. These additions are qualified in six different aspects of F-35A maintenance. We need depth to support your boys and may not easily get them in here from home once the missiles start flying. Most of the additional crew qualified as fuels and low observable technicians. A few have certified on avionics, weapons and egress. All have the standard reciprocal training that allows a single person to inspect, as well as repair or maintain, critical elements of the plane, rather than the old two-step, two-person process of inspection and maintenance, which, as you know is under phase out.”

Gibbons nodded his approval. “Thank you, Colonel. Will that be all?”

“Yes. You are dismissed”.

[The Technocratic Syndicalists]

Bridge, Hydra class submarine U-31
Somewhere in the Sea of Crowns

"Any sonar contacts?"

"No contacts, Captain. The sonar is clear."

"Good. Do we have any surface contacts?"

"No contacts, Captain. Scope is all clear."

"Confirmed. Release the comms buoy"

Silently knifing through the frigid waters in the northern waters of the Sea of the Crowns was the Arcaenian Navy submarine U-31. Even running at a leisurely pace of 19 knots the vessel's rim-driven electric pumpjet produced no more noise than the ambient sound of the surrounding ocean. Deploying to the Satrapy under the guise of joint naval exercises with the Crown and The Golden Throne the U-31 was in fact being tasked with anti-shipping operations off the coast of Krasnova. In several days time the Arcaenian military on behalf of the Triumverate would declare a Total Exclusion Zone (TEZ) in the surrounding waters, it's purpose declaring the intent to attack any and all vessels in the region not part of the various Triumverate navies or their allies. In the days and hours proceeding the official deceleration the Arcaenian navy would position multiple groups of submarines, including the U-31, in patrol routes around key naval choke points in the region. Attacks on Ordenite supply and troop ships, as according to the plan, would prevent the Ordenite Reich from reinforcing its Krasnova garrison and slowly starve out the defenders before the Triumverate Invasion to liberate the region.

Code: Select all

FROM: Arcaenian Federal Ministry of Defense
TO: To whom it may concern
ENCRYPTION: None

(1) The waters around the Ordenite Reich, including the  sea of Ordena and the Sea of Crowns, are hereby declared to be a War Zone. Every Ordenite vessel, submarine, or aircraft encountered in this zone will be treated as hostile and will be subjected to attack without warning.

(2) Neutral vessels and aircraft in the War Zone will run the risk of being attacked as it may not always be possible to prevent attacks on Ordenite vessels or aircraft from damaging or destroying neutral vessels and/or aircraft in the region.

(3) A Total Exclusion Zone covering the total area 200 kilometers from the entirety of the coast of the RSU will henceforth be enforced around the RSU. Any non-Triumverate sea vessel or aircraft from any country entering the Total Exclusion Zone without explicit authorized permission from the military high commands of the Triumverate nations will be considered hostile and may be subject to attack without further warning.




[The Macabees]

FRYATOV, PEZLEVKO-RUBINO

If the "unofficial capital of Kysetia" was large before, it had been turned into something of a ghost town when their men had been shipped out to New Empire by the hundreds of thousands. For several months, relative peace reigned over the area. The tension between the Kysetians and the Krasnovan-majority government of Anatolyevich had disappeared, for all intents and purposes. And cross-border violence had been minimized, with the Kysetian position too weak to afford the losses of raiding Ordenite territory in Chernaya. Even with the growth of the Reich's repression in the area, the old horsemen of the steppe had little recourse to do anything about it.

This era of peace would be short-lived, though.

Those Kysetians deployed to New Empire were coming back. Tens of thousands flooded into Fedorograd by the day and they were promptly bussed north, to Fryatov and the outlying villages. For now, they came only with their small arms and light weapons, but armored vehicles were not far behind and would be in their control again soon enough.

Most of them itched for war. Against who was subjective, or perhaps there was simply a multitude of targets. Ordenite repression of Kysetians on the other side of the Frontier had galvanized and stirred them toward a hatred that promised much in the way of a political and diplomatic crisis. There were rumors of planned cross-Frontier raiding. No doubt, the Golden Throne would be more than thrilled to support, arm, and fund an insurgency against the Reich. Some said that the emperor eyed the incorporation of Chernaya into the satrapy, a move that could possibly relieve the internal conflict within its vassal itself. Indeed, for the Kysetian's other target was Anatolyevich and his regime. The Krasnovan-majority was not liked within Kysetian ranks and they undoubtedly thought themselves capable of self-rule.

Komstrategos Geralt Glen knew that sooner or later the chickens would come home to roost. The situation churned in his mind as the small armored convoy approached Fryatov from the south. He had been sent by Daryl Novelle, who was in Fedala now advising and updating the emperor on the progress of the deployments to the satrapy.

Much had happened during the past weeks. While the imperial garrison remained largely untouched, still at some 300,000 combat personnel and their support, Kríerflot 'Sonaya' was now permanently in Fedorograd and had been reinforced by Kríerflot 'Gregoria,' precedent from Berliston. Together, the 800-ship force formed Kríergrup 'Indras.' 'Gregoria' remained to the northwest, imposing itself on the route between the Reich's fatherland and their holdings in Krasnova. Imbrinumian troops had been flying and shipped in as well, along with their equipment. Likewise, the Crown was deploying its air force in force. In conjunction, Eitoan had sent some assets of their own and the Arcaenians were preparing themselves as well.

Glen noticed that he was nervously tapping his leg on the floor of the vehicle. His aide, Leutkoronel Erak Amvros, noticed too but said nothing.

The komstrategos had a suspicion that the Ordenites were not oblivious to the unraveling plans of the Triumvirate and their allies, although truth be told Ordenite military activity had been ramping up in the country for some time now. Indeed, since their overt replacement of the original vassal government with their own administration, their combat operations had necessarily increased to suppress any resistance. Still, they were reinforcing Frontier positions and strengthening their naval forces, both of which were inconsistent with combat deployments meant for counterinsurgency. Regardless, intelligence was limited and the full picture wasn't available. Perhaps that's what made Glen most nervous at all, the fact that although this war was meant to surprise the Reich it could be that the Triumvirate would receive a surprise of its own.

Likewise, a great deal of responsibility lay at the feet of the empire's allies, namely Imbrinium. Although the emperor had agreed to dispatch reinforcements to the satrapy once combat operations began, the garrison of 300,000 was still small by the standards of the Ordenite army. The komstrategoes wished he had four times as much, minimum — really, he would have liked millions.

But the emperor had seen that sort of deployment as too obvious. Besides, there were almost a billion personnel involved in the Gothic War now and the rest of the Ejermacht was still needed in the territories and provinces for counterinsurgency and defense. This war could easily widen if the Ordenites believed that they could invade the imperial mainland, and so the bulk of the empire's home forces would necessarily remain in the provinces and surrounding territories. Glen was afraid that he'd have to simply use what he had and little more.

Then again, he had the Kysetians as the ace down his sleeve.

It was that ace that he was preparing today. The Khural had been assembled to meet with him. Their air of superiority had been alleviated somewhat since so many of their men had been sent to New Empire, but with the Kysetian soldiers returning Glen was sure that their arrogance would return soon enough. Still, it had been little trouble to rally them to meet when at a date and time of his choice, something which had been rare once.

When he arrived at the foot of the Khural's meeting grounds there were four armed guards awaiting him. They escorted the komstrategoes and his entourage inside. There, the leaders of all the different makanas sat in preparation for this meeting. He nodded at them as he was shown a seat in the middle, where the entire Khural could see and hear him.

"'Lo Brother Glen," said one, inviting the commander to speak.

Looking at each of them in turn, Glen said, "The empire is grateful that you have accepted our request for an audience. A storm approaches and it is time for us to discuss the plan on weathering it. I suspect that most of you will consider what I bring to be good news. I suspect that most of you have already heard it." There were some chuckles and many nods of ascent.

Another one replied, "We are going to war, I hear."

"Indeed," answered the komstrategos. "We are going to war and the emperor requests your services."

"I suspect the contract will be succulent," said the same man.

Glen smiled. "That is right. But, the price will not be paid in the form of money."

"Oh?" said the one speaking to him.

There was a reason there were no representatives of the satrapical government present. "No," said the komstrategos. "You will be paid in power instead. Succeed and not only shall you receive Chernaya and the territory around it, restoring the historic homeland of your people, but the empire shall give you rule over Pezlevko-Rubino as well."

"Under the rule of the empire, I suspect," interjected another one.

"Well," replied the commander, "one could hardly expect otherwise. But, prosperity has come under imperial rule and I see no reason for ending it now. Rather, the emperor simply envisions new caretakers. A representation that can bring an even greater degree of order and stability to this once troubled corner of the world."

There was a great deal of murmuring as the members of the Khural whispered amongst themselves. Glen waited for the noise to die down. Finally, somebody asked, "And what of the current government? What will happen to Anatolyevich?" Silence befell the chamber then as they awaited his response.

"That," said the commander, "I will leave to you when it comes time for the replacement to occur. I imagine that Anatolyevich will not take the news lightly and I hope that it doesn't reach his ears anytime soon, we must all be discrete about this. But, when the time comes I will return to see you and...his fate will be whatever the Khural believes best, as long it aligns with the goals of the empire."

"Very well," said the man who spoke first. "The Kysetians will join the empire in this war."

Still smiling, Glen nodded and replied, "Good. Do not wait for us, you are free to wage your conflict against the Ordenites as you see fit. The imperial military will not attempt to close the Frontier to your forces. All the opposite, in fact. We look forward to a Chernaya united with a satrapy under, eventually, Kysetian governorship."

[The Technocratic Syndicalists]

CENTRAL DIENSTAD THEATER

General Staff Building
Castle Wolfenburg
Hyperia, Hyperia Provence, Arcaenia

Located on a hill just beyond the outskirts of the Arcaenian capital city lay the Wolfenburg castle, an old medieval Castle which for several hundred years was located the old imperial Arcaenian government. After relocation of the current government to it's current location in the capital city of Hyperia the Wolfenberg Castle had fallen into a state of chronic disrepair, battered into a dilapidated state by both time and the cruel Arcaenian weather. After debate in the Arcaneian parliament as to whether to demolish the old castle or turn into a tourist attraction it was eventually decided to turn into a military headquarters building to house the recently reformed General staff of the Arcaneian military. The more dilapidated parts of the castle complex were demolished and replaced with modern steel and concrete structures. It was in this stone and iron and concrete fortress that the Arcaenian military high command was meeting to discuss the ongoing situation with the Ordenite Reich in Krasnova. Arcaenia and the Triumverate had effectively declared war on the Reich with their designation of the central Deinstad waters as an active war zone and intent to attack any Ordenite vessel in the region on sight. Hostilities in RSU were expected to escalate at any moment with an anticipated Ordentie attack on the Golden Throne's holdings in the Satrapy. It was from this point that the Golden Throne and its Triumverate allies were expected to launch their invasion of Reich occupied Krasnova. A pre-emptive Reich attack was seen as inevitable and would delay the offensive, however the Reich would likely over-extend itself attacking the heavily fortified Macabean and Imbrinumian forces currently in the Satrapy. The overwhelming naval superiority of the Triumverate fleets would ensure the Ordenites would be unable to resupply or reinforce their Krasnovan garrison. Triumverate forces would slowly pour into the RSU, slowly but surely overrunning the beleaguered Ordenites and ejecting them from their foothold in central Diesntad.

Inside the Wolfenburg Castle the Arcaenian General Staff, including the separate staff headquarters of the Army (Generalstab des Arkaenisch Heer), Air Force, (Generalstab des Arkaenisch Luftwaffe) and Navy (Generalstab des Arkaenisch Marine) were convening to discuss the stratefic plan for Fall Grau, the code name for the Arcaenian operation to destroy the Ordenite military in central Diesntad. Free of the threat of a two-front war with the collapse of the Ralkovian threat and the winding-down of the conflict against the Scandinvans in Gholgoth meant the full brunt of the Arcaenian Military was available for war against the Ordenite Reich in central Dienstad. The Navy had already dispatched the majority of its submarine force in the form of Hydra class nuclear attack submarines to patrol zones in the Sea of Crowns and the Sea of Ordena where they would concentrate on attacking and destroying Ordenite shipping and supply convoys between the Ordenite mainland and their bases in the RSU. A single four-carrier battle group, freshly retrofitted after it's involvement in the destruction of the Ralkovian Zolofan Armada and the subsequent invasion of the Ralkovian mainland, was readying to sail past Imbrinium and around the southern tip of Lyras where it would bombard Ordenite forces in Krasnova from the north with air and cruise missile attacks. The Arcaenian Luftwaffe would deploy several Wraith equipped strategic bomber wings (Kampfgeschwader) and Seraph equipped fighter wings (Jagdgeschwader) to the Holy Panooly where they would launch attacks against Krasnova from the south. The II Expeditionary Panzer Corps of the Arcaenian Army (Arkaenisch Heer), a composite unit formed by divisions from the I and V Panzer Corps which had seen service in the Gholgoth and Ralkovian campaigns, would deploy around the East of the Lyran continent and around Sumer through the Lamonain Sea (to avoid the contested waters in central Dienstad) to the to the Satrapy where it would reinforce the Golden Throne's garrison. This deployment would take several weeks, putting pressure on the Macabeans to hold their positions in the Satrapy against any Ordenite attacks before the Triumverate forces had time to fully mobilize.

Inside the newly built part of the castle the dozens of generals had gathered around a large circular table located in a colossal underground chamber. Windowless and featureless, the sloped concrete walls of the almost comically villainous complex were bare with the exception of three enormous screens several meters tall facing the table on which were displayed various maps of the region. Uniformed guards were walking the circumference of the table handing what appeared to be a sealed manila folder containing a thick stack of documents to each of the seated attendees.

"Gentlemen, the documents you are currently receiving contain the details of the current situation in Central Diesntad. An additional copy has been forwarded to each of your secretaries for further review in detail."

"It's the 2030s and we're still using paper?"

"Yes general, with our budget blown on endless new tanks and submarines unfortunately there was not enough money left over for the latest iTablets. Apologies for the inconvenience. Now as you are all aware the once relatively stable situation in the center of the region is rapidly deteriorating. It is the conviction of our intelligence agencies that with the opening of hostilities the Ordenite forces stationed in Krasnova will attempt an offensive against the Macabean forces in the Satrapy. If the Macabeans loose this holding our forces will have no foothold in the RSU from which to conduct further operations, an unfortunate situation which will make re-conquering the subcontinent an exponentially more difficult task. "

"What of the Crown, are their forces not fully deployed?"

"The Crown is currently deploying its forces to the Satrapy yes, but it will take time before their forces are sufficient in number to where an invasion or counter-invasion of Krasnova will be possible. It is thus our current priority to see that any pre-emptive Ordenite invasion of the Satrapy does not succeed and that our foothold in the region does not disappear. An amphibious invasion of Krasnova could relieve pressure off the Macabean garrsion but this requires the Ordenite Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine in the region to be dealt with, a task which may require several days or more. It is the suggestion of the Navy General Staff to instead launch a feint amphibious attack against Krasnova from the East to lure their forces away from the Satrapy. The threat of an amphibious invasion would force them to devote a significant portion of their troops to defending the coastlines, giving them less available forces to attack the Satrapy with. "