Project Warfighter - Operation: Banished Throne(IC)

[The United Remnants of America]

Operation: Banished Throne


OOC
A North Arkana-created Roleplay

Situation Report

Early in the morning of October 23, 20XX, General Farhad of the Ahtroupian Army led his forces from the western frontier on a march to the Ahtroupian capitol of Baku. His forces quickly overhwlemed the local police and stormed the government district. The democratically elected government was forced to flee, and control was taken by the Revolutionary Party of Ahtroupia. Declaring himself the new president, Farhad began a series a purges, ostensibly to root out the corruption which was rife within the old government, but also to eliminate his political enemies. With the support of the military, and an insurgent organization, the South Ahtroupian People's Army, General Farhad firmly cemented his control of the country, despite brave but futile resistance from weak and scattered rebel groups.

Ahtroupia is rich in hydrocarbon resources, and Farhad is more than willing to use those resources as a bargaining chip. The nation is mountainous with large ridges to the north and south a major valley running from the western frontier to the eastern shore. Much of the small country's electricity comes from a massive hydroelectric dam, holding back a massive reservoir. It is likely Farhad will demolish the dam if he believes he will be defeated, so as to cause as much destruction as possible.

Ahtroupia's democratically elected government had a strong working relationship with Task Force Atlas, allowing the organization to use an Ahtroupian base for training and mission preparation, along with using other Ahtroupian facilities for staging and support. The new military dictatorship views Task Force Atlas as a threat to its hold on power and has expressed a strong hostility towards the organization. Unfortunately, the new government has done nothing serious enough for national governments to intervene, giving Farhad a free hand to begin dismantling and facilities affiliated withTask Force Atlas in Ahtroupia. At the Ahtroupian base, a group of operators from several new member nations are conducting familiarization training. At the same time, other teams are using the same base to rest and resupply after a field training operation.

Objectives

Primary - Defend the Atlas facility to prevent sensitive equipment and information from falling into enemy hands until sensitive equipment and information is properly destroyed or relief arrives.

Secondary - Get revenge and retaliate for the unwarranted assault.

Tertiary - "Remove" General Farhad as a factor from Ahtroupian politics or military matters.

Tertiary - Secure the hydroelectric dam to prevent, or enable its destruction.

Tertiary - Establish unit cohesion and cooperation through "live-fire training in a realistic environment."

Map of Ahtroupia

News Report, Arkana Central News, 0600Z 23OCT2017

"We have just received breaking news from the nation of Ahtroupia. Initial reports are indicating that a military coup has seized control of the capital, driving the elected government from power. In an official statement from General Farhad of the Ahtroupian Army, the General states that 'the corruption of this government has poisoned the nation. It has become necessary to take drastic action to restore the rule of law and to enforce accountability. Already, the military police has begun arresting the most blatant violators of the public trust.'
While information is limited at this time, it appears the reports we are receiving are true. In response to these events, the National Council has issued a statement condemning the coup, but according to insiders, there is privately some support for the move, as the corruption in the Ahtroupian government is well known.

Coming up next, we've invited policy experts and military analysts, who are graciously joining us on short notice, to discuss this latest turn of events in what seems to be an ever more turbulent world."

Base Layout

0834L 23OCT2017, 25 km North-East of Ganja, Ahtroupia

The first sign things were going very, very wrong, very, very fast, was when an Ahtroupian Army T-80U burst through the front gate, in a sudden hail of machine fire, of the military base the Task Force Atlas compound was located on. The tank was greeted by an AT-4 Spigot missile, fired by Ahtroupian Loyalist forces. The Revolutionary Army had arrived, and they wanted Task Force Atlas out of the country. Permanently.

The Loyalists didn't stand a chance, quickly being overrun by Revolutionary infantry, supported by a small number of T-80Us, BTR-80As, and BMP-2s. With the main section of the base secured, the Ahtroupian forces move to surround the Atlas compound, located in the southern end of the base, to the east of a sizable hill. The hostile forces did not attempt to break into the compound, not yet at least. It appeared that they were waiting for orders from above, or they may be have waiting for some kind of negotiation to occur.

From outside the base perimeter, Captain Michael Hartman, of the ADF RSC's Sierra Team, can only watch through his binoculars. His team seems to have had the (mis?)fortune to have been conducting a training exercise outside the base when the Revolutionary forces arrived. It was a multi-day exercise, conducted in absolute radio silence to simulate an infiltration operation, which left him partially in the dark about the current situation. His team's radios had picked up chatter concerning some kind of uprising in the capital of Baku, which is what prompted Hart to bring his team back early, though apparently still late enough to be stranded outside the base for the time being.

Accessing his team's limited narrow-beam laser communications equipment, Hart directed Wren to aim the transmitter "gun" at the receiver inside the compound. Hopefully the team's sniper would have a steady enough hand to keep the message largely intact.

"Atlas-Ganja, this is Sierra-1-Actual. No doubt you can all tell what's going on outside the compound. Sierra Team is currently outside the base, we're ready to provide support if you try to break out. If not, try to get in contact with Atlas HQ, we'll do the same. Over."

As Hartman set aside the hand set, he knew Atlas was entering very new ground. They weren't facing terrorists, or a small group of rogue military personnel. This time, Atlas was taking on a nation. Perhaps, this time, Atlas will shrug, and the world will shatter. But until that happened, Atlas would do whatever it took to not only keep itself together, but also bring to justice the man responsible for starting this mess.

General Farhad had angered a Titan. Operation Banished Throne had just begun.

[Rodstov and Grenoda]

(First Post?)

Project Warfighter - Operation: Banished Throne
0834L 23OCT2017 Capt. Oldrich Taurusky

Oldrich had been taking a breather when the first tank exploded in the base. It was far off and the sound echoed as the sound reverberated in the compound of TF: Atlas's base. He was sitting with LT. Victor Troska, LT. Jaroslav Kuta and LT. Logan Vranek; the team leaders within their small MAKO element from the Czech Origin Rifles Division.

"What was that." Vranek managed to say as the rest of the officers stood. Oldrich had booked time for his team for some PT time in the Barrack's weight room before they moved on to CQC work in the afternoon.

"Sounded like..." Kuta began. "Explosions..."

"Were they doing some live fire today?" Troska asked Oldrich. However he didn't like that his whole unit was in their PT gear and that shit was going off.

"Get everyone into their gear, now." Oldrich barked as he moved over to his radio that he left with his dufflebag. "2 minutes to get them into their gear, go now I'm going to call command and find out what the hell is going on." As Oldrich finished he snached the radio and turned it on. He switched it to the general channel for all TFA affiliated troops.

As Oldrich began to speak his own guys had ran out of the weight training room down the hall and out of the small gym and were now sprinting across the grass over to their dorms to retrieve their kit.

"This is MAKO 1-1 to any Callsigns, Requesting a report on that explosion That sounded like it came from the north, over." By now Oldrich had rifled through his duffle and retrieved his digis. He quickly pulled the uniform over his head and over his PT gear. It didn't make sense, He knew that one team was doing "silent ops" outside the base. Which he didn't expect to be making noise and he didn't know if the Loyalists were doing a live fire exercise or not.

At this point the radio crackled again, The voice was no doubt the voice of Captain Michael Hartman of the ADF RSC's. He seemed to have a slightly better idea than him as to what the hell was going on.

"Atlas-Ganja, this is Sierra-1-Actual. No doubt you can all tell what's going on outside the compound. Sierra Team is currently outside the base, we're ready to provide support if you try to break out. If not, try to get in contact with Atlas HQ, we'll do the same. Over."


Once the transmission had completed Oldrich had jogged over to see fully armed and ready CORD troopers with their MX 6.5x45mm Rifles stepping out in their green digital camo from their building in the compound. Each of them Deployed with MX variant weapons mimicking the AFRG's standard load outs.

"Lieutenant Troska!" Oldrich barked, "Get MAKO 1-1 over to the main gate as fast has humanly possible. Get into a defensive position and be ready to repel troops attempting to gain access to this compound, you get me?"

"I do sir!" Troska barked loading his MX 3GL with a 40mm grenade. "Lets go gents 60 seconds to set up a defense at the gate, GO GO GO!"

[New Hayesalia]

ATLAS FACILITY, AHTROUPIA

This was the New Hayesalian Military's first commitment to Task Force Atlas, but not their first contact. Here in this tiny country, a squad of New Hayesalia's Tier One military operators were partaking in some familiarization training- pretty typical before multinational operations. For all of the BASTION - Battlefield Assault, Strategic, Tactical & Innovative Operations Node - operators, representing five of six New Hayesalian military services, this was nothing extraordinary.

The operators themselves were undergoing classroom training while Rodstov soldiers made their way to the gym. All of the New Hayesalians would've rathered that, but instead they were receiving training on embarking and disembarking other nation's aircraft. Something most of them already knew. The team was also getting to know it's newer members- LCPL O and LAC D still had to show their skills in this team.

That being said, these were the elite. BASTION was formed as a way of collecting New Hayesalia's finest Tier Two operators, with the hope of combining their unique strengths and forming a special forces unit capable of any mission. BASTION in general was very good at this. But within BASTION's organisation sits the 14th Divison. No more than 120 men were a part of the Division, which took only the absolute finest of BASTION's other 8 divisions. Getting to this point represented utter mastery in being a warfighter.

The 10 New Hayesalians in Team K, aka the Atlas Team, could do anything. Be it operating an artillery piece, direct action raids, frogmen missions or sniper takedowns, the Team would do it.

The sound of explosions took away any remnant of attention being paid to the lecture. Each of the New Hayesalians possessed a sharp wit and a fine intelligence. Corporal U, an unconventional warfare specialist, was first to know. Even the team leader, Captain Q, looked to him to check his response, so reliable his instincts were. The entire BASTION crew switched near instantly from a class of layabouts to elite warriors, each man running out the door, drawing their sidearms as they exited. Their first intent was to load up, necessitating a 500 metre run. This was harder for Captain Q, carrying a Harris radio with him to keep in touch with other units and base alerts.

"Atlas this is BASTION actual, ack that, we're loading up for defence; Sierra-1 Actual we are also reporting to Main Gate to assist you, out!"

"LETS FUCKIN' GO!" screamed the team's 2IC, Chief Petty Officer F. Muffled explosions and gunfire was approaching from the outside of the base. The New Hayesalians had brought quite an array of weaponry, most of it locked up to prevent shenanigans whether it be from hostile actors or just other teams. It took only a few seconds for the NH operators to pull open their lockers and grab their fighting kit. Since the New Hayesalians were on alert at all times except for PT and sleeping, they were already in the first two layers of their Individual Soldier Ensembles. With a basic strength support unit worn underneath their Desert - Heavy Woodland Bias field uniforms, all the team had to do was load up their combat vest and helmets. After turning on the electrical supply to the Warrior Web support unit, the team began slipping on their body armor. Given the defensive role they were about to take, medium maneuverability was warranted. Wearing the core torso and waist sections, they also mounted upper leg plates, protecting the crucial femoral artery. The team also placed on their Head Socks- anti-flash protection in the DHWB pattern, with a soft central part to ensure breathability. It covered the face and hair not covered by the Chameleon Combat Helmet and it's integrated eye protection, which also helped to obscure the identities of the BASTION troops. With their helmets and body armour donned in a speedy 30-odd seconds, the members of the team were grabbing their weapons and tactical-packs and forming up to start a tactical advance to the front gate.

The Team was made up of two sections- the Attack and the Weapons. The Attack squad under Captain Q constituted the rifle section, armed with Ripper Mk3 rifles, a light machine gun and grenadier. They would be near to the front alongside the MAKO team, focused on dispatching approaching threats, and they'd be joined by Demolitions Expert LAC D and rocketman Lance Corporal O (and his six Anti-Tank rockets) from the Weapons Section.

The two marksmen, one with a 7.62 HK417 rifle and the other with a .338 SRS, would breakaway as a small sniper unit. They'd be 500 metres back from the gate, atop a local unit's barracks, providing a bird's eye view and sniper support. The other team members, MMG operator Corporal A and counter-defilate weapon operator CPO F would emplace themselves a closer building at a distance of about 100 metres, providing suppressive fire and precision explosive power where it was needed.

The two teams, now broken into three task teams of 6, 2 and 2 people formed themselves up and began the tactical rush to the Main Gate, hoping the local units could handle themselves adequately- at least the Task Force members were proven killing machines.

"Atlas, this is BASTION 1, we have broken into teams BASTION 1-1, 1-2 and 1-3; responding to threat now, over."

[Vangaziland]

0835 Hours - 23 OCT
Atlas Compound - Ahtroupian Base

The Vannish soldiers were in the small computer room, checking their email, surfing the web. SFC Farnsen met a girl just before coming here and he was really into communicating with her. It scared him, the fact that she could distract him. It was not a good thing in his mind, but hey. Everyone has a vice.

SFC Emerazi was just watching Thug Life Compilation videos and having a good time. They had finished their PT, changed and were stalling time before doing diplomat escort/ SUV Convoy escort training with the Ahtroupian Loyalists on their side of the base.

The quiet of the computer lab was interrupted by the popcorn sounding rain of machine gun fire in the distance. This caused their ears to perk up, but maybe there was a range. But the explosion was a little too close for comfort. Plus there was a metallic sound in the echo. There is an extra ping in an explosion when metal hits metal and is a clear sign of a direct hit. It wasn't as loud as an artillery shell, but there was something about that sound that was clearly not related to training.

"We gotta go", was all that was said. They got up and ran to their dorms knowing something was happening.

Their kits were light. Plate carriers were the first step, each one lined with pouches. Some of the most important items were laser range finders and compasses. PVS-14 monocular night vision goggles rested in a large pouch above their magazine pouches. They also had a map and a good layout of the area. Their MBITR tactical handheld radios rested on their vests with flexible antennas tied down over their left shoulders. Helmets with lightweight and simple communications headsets finished the kit.

Even though the soldiers were in separate rooms, they were pretty much getting dressed In unison. By now, they had both switched on their radios, the chatter echoing through the thin walls from radio to radio.

Oh it was on. It sounded like a tank had made its way into the base but was stopped. Then it sounded like they had advanced far enough into the base to be spotted around the Atlas Compound itself.

The Vannish brought their M4s with them. Each one was outfitted with an ACOG, a night laser that worked with their NVGs, a flashlight, a front vertical grip and a silencer. It was their most versatile system.

Although in this situation, they probably wished they had brought their full armory. Their other weapon systems were left at Atlas HQ.

They also made sure to bring their assault packs, making sure they had food and random supplies like multitools and matches. Who knows what could happen? But overall their gear was really streamlined and light.

The operators met in the hall. SFC Emerazi was a little anxious as the pair jogged down the staircase and towards the door of the dorm. He liked having intelligence. Right now, a lot of what he knew was what he studied from the internet and the evening news. And the situation had been deteriorating nationwide here. But if things had gotten this bad?

Well, if today was his day, it was his day.

Meanwhile SFC Farnsen blocked all of those sorts of thoughts out of his mind.

Both soldiers were ready. Emerazi already had grids pulled to several tactical locations, including the hill to the east. Hopefully they could get artillery or air support from the loyalists.

It was a few minutes of running at a fast pace down the sidewalks and streets of the Atlas Compound until they were at the edge of their section of the base. Elevation, dirt-filled hesco barriers, barbed-wire fences and concrete barriers made up the border. There were some good vantage points, including several guard towers. But there were also vantage points looking down into the camp.

So things were hot.

SFC Emerazi climbed up a section of HESCO barriers stacked three high. There was a little space on the side of the top level that was off to the side. So it formed a natural firing hole where the sergeant could peek out and form a little OP without being silhouetted. Meanwhile SFC Farnsen decided to check one of the guard towers.

After the climb, he was rewarded. It wasn't too full yet. There were two other soldiers in it. It was a large, reinforced structure. Three is company inside, four would be a crowd.

The pair chattered on the radio, describing what they had eyes on. Sitreps were pouring in.

[Organized States]

Soundtrack

The Situation Room, The Tan House, Fairford, Columbia Commonwealth
Organized States of America
October 23rd, 2017

"Mr. President, sir, I suspect that Task Force Atlas forces in Ahtroupia have potentially been engaged. We really have no idea of what the situation is in the country." the Director of National Intelligence Logan Eckart said as the last member of the National Security Council, Secretary of State Adam Westgate sat down in the Situation Room. The Situation Room was the heart of America's power worldwide, where the President made most of his executive decisions. President James Ellsworth sighed and rubbed his head as he read through the situation reports on his tablet regarding the evacuation of the OS Embassy in Baku by 2 Companies of FAST Marines four hours ago.

"I see. Admiral, what are my options for a response?" Ellsworth asked Admiral Harold Greenheart, the Chief of Naval Operations and following the retirement of OSAF General LeCrelec, the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He was an Annapolis graduate and a former Naval Aviator, a first in that regard. Previous CNOs had almost always been surface ship commanders, often coming from backgrounds in major surface combatants such as Cruisers and Destroyers.

"Sir, we've been unfortunately backed into a corner here regarding our capability in the region. The most direct flight route from our airbases in Qatar and Afghanistan take us directly over Iran, which obviously, won't be pleased about a flight of our strike aircraft overflying their territory, regardless of our current warming of relations with. I have a squadron of F/A-28s at Kandahar Airbase in Southern Afghanistan, but they can't be on station for about six hours and won't be able to do it without aerial refueling." Greenhart replied frankly.

"Well, at this point, I'd much prefer for a better picture of the situation on the ground. When's our next satellite pass?" Ellsworth asked, before taking a small sip of coffee. It was just past three in the Morning and just before the President was to make a major trip to Japan and then to Taiwan for a meeting with the leaders of each country and talks on trade and defense measures in the face of increasing Chinese assertiveness regarding the Taiwan and Senkaku Issues. Time was running out. I'll sleep on the plane. Ellsworth though silently to himself. This took the priority.

"Mr. President, our next satellite pass is in 8 hours. I can get an RQ-180 on station over Baku within 4 hours." Secretary of Defense Tim Reynolds said after putting down his own cup of coffee. "The RQ-180 is more than capable of skirting through Iran's AD network and making a direct over-flight."

"Make it happen. Gentlemen, what are my options in the event of the need for intervention on behalf of the TF Atlas troops already in the city?" the President asked.

"Sir, we have F-28s, F-26s, A-12s, A-10s, and F-35s from Bagram within the event that we need to respond to a crisis with air cover. I can get an Marine Expeditionary Brigade in after about 96 hours if the Raiders can secure airports." Reynolds said, interrupting his rival, Secretary of State Westgate who had just began to open his mouth.

"Mr. President, we are talking about a sovereign nation here. I believe that we have to call for a UN Security Council summit along with a summit of the Regional Powers in neutral ground. If we could get the Iranians, the Russians, and the Georgians to sit down with us, we'd be able to organize a response to this and use the pressure generated to remove them from government." Westgate said, after shooting Reynolds a look.

"What a load of crap. The Iranians are backing this, clearly. If they take seize Ahtroupia, they'll have the advantage of having another regional ally with the resources to back it up." Reynolds retorted.

"You know absolutely nothing about diplomacy do you? You have no clue how international relations work in any way other than to how to fuck them up?" Westgate said angrily.

"At least I'm not a wishful thinker with a sex addiction." Reynolds scoffed.

"What the hell is wrong with the both of you? Have you lost all decency? Now, the both of you stow that shit or else I will be forced to personally kick both of your asses to the freaking curb." The President yelled, resulting in the both of them immediately ceasing their previous activities. "Now, I want that RQ-180 over Baku and I want it now." He continued calmly.

Kandahar Airfield
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
October 17th, 2017
+5 Hours from the start of the Base Attack

The Northrop Grumman RQ-180 taxied out onto Runway 5/23 as the airspace around the area was cleared to preserve the secrecy of the operation. The white cranked kite-like layout of the drone's 180 foot wingspan made it appear reminiscent of its much smaller cousin, the X-47B. The RQ-180 was unique in the fact that it was designed to operate at extremely high altitudes and maintain the stealthy features that kept it out of harms way.

"Tower, Darkstar 1-1, requesting permission for take off on Runway 5/23." the sensor operator said, siting comfortably in the control center at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.

"Darkstar 1-1, Tower. You're cleared for take off on 5/23 on track." the tower controller said. He was a contractor hired by the International Security Assistance Force to help keep Afghanistan's fragile air transit system be able to cope with both the increasing number of civil air traffic and the large number of NATO aircraft operating at any time over the country. Though the campaign against the Taliban was long over, the OS and its allies still kept a large number of aircraft and troops in the country as both a stabilizing force and as a continuing deterrent against Iran. The sensor operator at Creech pushed the RQ-180's throttle forward, it's F412 engine sending the RQ-180 barreling down the runway and then gracefully and silently into the night sky's silent air.

Within a few hours, the RQ-180 found itself at 50,000 feet over Baku, having snuck through Iran's Air Defense network to take the most direct route possible to Ahtroupia. The sensor operator switched the camera to IR and began the long-process of scanning over the area below.

F/A-28E Spirit of Savannah
35,000 feet over the Caspian Sea
+5 Hours from the Base Attack

The flight of two F/A-28F Tigersharks of VFA-102, callsign DBACK, slid over Caspian Sea after hitting up the OSAF KC-48 36 miles off of the coast of Turkmenistan. VFA-102 was temporarily rotated to Afghanistan from NAF Atsugi to provide precision strike capability in Pakistan when drones were considered to be not reliable enough for the mission parameters. Of course, now, they'd been somehow drafted by none other than DIA spooks to potentially assist in an Operation in Baku involving a unit called 'Task Force Atlas'.

"Isn't this HAWS or HAWX or whatever they call them's job anyways? I mean we're not Mudmovers." said LTJG. Michael "Cuddles" Geraldo, WSO of Dback 1-2 over the radio to his pilot and aircraft commander, Lt. Aaron Baker. Both of them were brand new to VFA-102, only having been with the unit since the start of the deployment.

"Yeah, it is. I don't like the looks of this shit. It sounds bad, whatever's going down and I don't exactly like being the first wave of the righteous hammer or whatever they're going to call this." Baker said, pulling back on the throttle and back into formation with Dback lead. The F/A-28F was capable of far more than their current speed, but of course, to avoid biting into their limited fuel reserves for the flight back, they kept it off the afterburner. They'd have to hit the tanker again before setting back down at Kandahar.

"Dback 2, this is Lead, check status and fence in, over." Commander Louis "Quad" Zampini said over the radio. Zampini was one of the older and most experienced pilots in the squadron, a fourth generation Naval Aviator at that too.

"Dback 2 in the green. Fencing in." replied Baker through the radio as he looked down and checked his fuel status. "Hey, Cuddles, weapons check. We in the green?" He said over the intercom to Geraldo.

"We're in the green." Geraldo replied, checking the status of the 2 Wingtip AIM-9X Sidewinders along with the 2 AIM-120Ds and 4 GBU-53/A Small Diameter Bombs carried within the Tigershark's large internal bays.

"Cool. I don't want anything but good tones today. We're screwed if there's anything but. We're the QRF, bro. No more getting shitfaced at the Officer's Club back at Atsugi if this stuff doesn't work." Baker stated before pushing the throttle forward again towards Baku.

[Greater Soviet Ukraine]

Barracks, TF ATLAS Base, Ahtroupia
"Alpha Group, Division B, report to - hold on." There were some noises in the background as the six Ukrainian soldiers lounging around in their bunks mumbled in confused voices to each other. "There's been a change of plans. Team Tactics Class is canceled. Gear up and report to front gate. We are under attack from hostile forces. This is not a drill."

Leonid was the first to get up. "You heard what he said. I'll tell you the plan on the way." Andrei started getting his AK-14 from u der his bed while Boris stocked up on grenades. Multiple voices suddenly flooded the room, most of them sounding urgent. Stanislav had turned on his headset.

"The situation outside is bad. We're completely surrounded. It seems that a small group of TF ATLAS forces has gathered at the front gate."

Leonid nodded and started running out the dorm. The rest of the team followed. "Here's the plan, men. We go to the front gate, and find out who's in charge. Then, we follow orders and shoot as many of those fatherland traitors as we can. Got it?" "Sir, yes sir!"

As Alpha Group got closer to the front gate, the sound of gunfire got louder. Explosions rocked the ground as tanks pummeled the concrete wall of the compound. Inside the courtyard at the center of the base, Ahtroupian Loyalists had set up a makeshift command center. "Change of plans, we're making a stop.", said Leonid.

The flags of the nations of TF ATLAS fluttered in the air as Leonid entered the area. He shuddered as he saw the flag of Greater Soviet Ukraine flew proudly in the air. A few months ago, he had seen it draped on one of his friend's coffin.

The panic and the chaos of the present drew him back from his memory. "Leonid, are you all right? "It was Alexsander, gently shaking his shoulder.

"It's nothing.", Leonid said. He regained his composure and walked up to what seemed to be the guy in charge, judging from the fact he was barking orders to everyone he saw. Leonid saluted him, and yelled, "Private Leonid Boiko of Alpha Group, Security Service of Greater Soviet Ukraine, reporting for duty, sir!" The startled Ahtroupian jumped back, and Leonid suppressed a smile.

[Legatia]

Legatian Imperial Armed Forces
Superiores Negotium- TACUS-II "Triarii"
Task Force Atlas Base, Ahtroupia
October 23, 2017- 0834 Hours


The members of TACUS-II, newly bound to Task Force Atlas, were in Ahtroupia for the same reason as many other newly attached units. Familiarization.

Having returned from a two-day maneuver over 40 miles just last night, the members of Triarii sat in their barracks room. In the back of the room, side-by-side, hung the flag of Legatia and the black and olive flag of the LIAF's Superiores Negotium, the command center for higher tier operations, including themselves.

The thin strips waved from the implemented air-conditioning unit as it blew cool air into the rather heated barracks unit, the five members of the unit gathered around a radio.

.. Uh, hold on folks, we've got some breaking news from Ahtroupia.

The unit perked, now at attention.

"Oh, god, did someone-" Aulus attempted to speak up, but Titania clasped her hand around the man's mouth, as the radio spoke on.

A rogue army general has successfully overthrown the democratic Ahtroupian government in a surprise attack. The Marinae Custodum have evacuated the Legatian embassy in Baku..

"Jesus Christ.." Paulus muttered, listening.

..we are currently unaware of the situation elsewhere in Ahtroupia, but it is believed that a small unit is training within the country-

A loud crash came from the northern end of the base, and soon after machine gun fire.

"What the fuck was-"

The Centurion stood up, quickly focusing his view on the other four of his team. "Get in gear, full combat. 2 minutes, go!"

[Servinta]

"...And that comrades is why the capitalist system is prone to failure and while prevalent in today's world, will soon collaps under the bourgeoisie's own greed as they horde all the wealth at the top of the class system.This will inevitably lead to a worldwide revolution in which the working class and peasants who had before been apathetic about their own destitution will rise in masses far greater than those of the wealthy upper classes, thus overpowering them and taking over their own destiny's in the only truly perfect system, COMMUNISM!" Bogdan's great speech ended with his thunderous voice amplified by the neck mounted collar that assisted his throat muscles and vocal cords in creating a more booming tone.

Despite the soundness of his speech that he had spent hours researching and writing over and over again, his audience of a few inquisitive Ahtroupian Army troops and his own countrymen of the 'Sharks' Servintan Kommando unit attached to TaskForce Atlas was either sleeping in their chairs or playing with their cell phones.Only the OIC of the Kommandos Vladimir and his Staff Petty Lascar Aleksander were attentive enough to have a semblance of consciousness, and even then they had long ago stopped listening to the Commissars long winded, several pages long speech on the superiority of communism to the capitalist system.

Vladimir thankfully noted the silence in the room then nudged Aleksander to his left and Kormag to his right, gaining their full attention as he began to clap for Bogdan.Soon the trend started and most everyone was awakened with a nudge to the side from the next seat over or from the sound of the applause.The whole classroom which seated about fifty and was only filled with twenty echoed with he false praise of Bogdan's work and effort that he had put into the pointless politically charged seminar that was meant to rejuvenate the special forces groups patriotism and vigor for the Servintan cause.But all it had really done was give background noise to a hour long nap for most of the men in the room.

"Any questions?" Bogdan set the microphone back onto its stand and walked toward the audience from his stage, his hands open to physically show it was alright to say something.

"Yes!Why haven't you recorded that speech yet, I bet fifty marks it could put an enemy sentry out form the night if we played it loud enough!?" Kormag heckled the Commisssar with a cheap joke and a laugh that made Bogdan turn red in anger at the always insubordinate Kormag.

"Errrrr ... Any real questions gentlemen?" Bogdan growled in warning to any other jokers in the audience to keep silent and allow for serous questions pertaining to his speech to be said aloud.

Suddenly an explosion rocked the room and shook the floor,causing many of the Ahtroupian men to jump out of their seats in preparation for what they initially though was an earthquake.Vladimir could tell though that the sound was much to quick and the shock wave much to weak to be an earthquake, for he knew it was not a natural phenomena but instead was a man made explosion nearby.

"What the fuck was that?" Nikita finally asked a relevant question to the situation at hand, coincidental with Bogdans original request for 'real questions'.

In a rushed mix of curiosity and panic everyone left their seats and began running up the low stairs to the top of the auditorium-like classroom.Some were still convinced an earthquake was about to occur and that what they had felt before was simply a precourser to the big one, while most of those in the Servintan team knew it was something else but wanted to get a look outside to see what had caused the explosion.

"I did not give you permission to leave yet you dolts, the class is not over yet!We still have my PowerPoint to go through." Bogdan ran back to the stand and grabbed the microphone with both hands as he yelled into the black foam top, only to be completely ignored by the stampede of soldiers and troopers as they burst through the doorway to the outside.

"Ummm ... comrades?" He said to an empty room, and in defeat dropped the mike and walked outside with his head held low.His class was ruined and his hours of work during his personal free time were all for not.

Once outside the Servintans and Ahtroupian Army troops looked towards the plume of smoke near the perimeter of the base and could now hear the crackle and pop of gunfire in the same direction as the explosion had emerged from.A moment of quite whispers came over them as they tried to piece the puzzle together, but standing there would get them nowhere in Vlad's mind and he wasn't going to wait around for the answers to come to him.

"To the armory all of you, I want you all in combat load-outs within five minutes!DO YOU HEAR ME, MOVE IT, MOVE IT!" His orders were as clear as they were needed because most of the men would have stood there for ten minutes or more before action was taken on their parts.

He had no idea what was going on and frankly he didn't care, but Vlad was not about to have himself and his men caught with their pants down during what sounded like a full-blown war approaching their doorstep.

[New Hayesalia]

OOC: This is how I envision the loyalists and simialrly the rebels.

The New Hayesalian sniper team were the first with eyes on of the situation. Both wearing a small ghille suit, they moved quickly with great speed. The designated marksman and sharpshooter established themselves on a barracks roof, looking out through small dividers in the roof wall. As the first team with eyes on of the situation, the snipers began taking ranges of various targets and were terrified with the view. Communicating over the SRX 2200 intrasquad radio, the designated marksman reported.

"Intrasquad BASTION 1-1 this is BASTION 1-2, report a large number of BTR-80, BMPs and some T-80 main battle tanks approaching! Some infantry also advancing, over!"

The BASTION team acknowledged and reported this to Atlas command. As the first unit on scene, and with other Atlas teams reporting in, Captain Q was acutely aware of the fact that an armoured regiment was outside his 10 man team's capability. A plume of smoke gave way to a burning T-80U near the main gates as the attack team approached further- the Captain's adrenaline rushed. This was a damn serious assault!

"Atlis-Ganja this is BASTION 1-1, SITREP, over!"

"BASTION 1-1, Atlis-Ganja, go ahead, over."

More of the situation was becoming clear. Hesco barriers kept a lot of the force out of sight for the attack squad, meaning the heavy weapons and sniper teams were reporting more and more on what they saw. The heavy T-80s and BMPs were obviously combat ready, carrying infantry forces to stormtroop the base. More loyalists were manning watchtowers and many looked afraid- scarily, they were perhaps as untrustworthy as the rebels, much of them wearing the same fatigues, helmets and load bearing gear.

More gunfire and the sharp pings of rounds on asphalt and metal were coming through. Thankfully the BASTION troops hadn't already been smashed with heavy artillery.

"BASTION 1-1, report heavy assault from main gate including infantry, mechanised and tank forces; we need reinforcements and anti-armour teams ASAP, over!"

The BASTION troops found cover, ready to fire upon any rebels that wanted to come through the gate. This day had turned into something entirely different. BASTION knew that without reinforcements, his squad might need to run for their bugout bags and hit their predetermined escape routes.

[North Arkana]

Outside the Base Perimeter
Hart knew he had said Sierra Team would try to get into contact with the main Atlas HQ, but almost immediately after saying so, he knew it was impossible. If he used the primary radios to send a signal which the relay tower at the compound would bounce to a communications satellite, it would give away his team's presence. If the enemy had advanced enough equipment, it would also give away his position. Theoretically, it would be possible to use the narrow-band laser communications system to send a message using ADF SATCOM satellites, but practically speaking, lining up the handheld transmitter with an orbiting satellite was impossible.

"Team we have a bit of a dilemma here," Hart says with a sigh. "There's not much we can actually do from here. Attempting to link up with the teams in the compound is out of the question as things stand right now, and any attempts at harassing the enemy from out here are more than likely just going to get us all killed."

"Sir, what about Chief Matson? Aren't he and his crew in the compound right now?" asks Marc.

"From what's going on down there, Viggen-6-2 is grounded for sure. If they tried to take off, the 30 mm's on the BTR's and BMP's would shred them. Our best bet might be to just try to wait this out and give reports on what the guys inside can't see." He turns to his team. "Wren, keep that transmitter pointed at the base receiver. Fred, Marc, set up and LP/OP, make sure none of the hostiles get to close for comfort. Don't shoot if they, just let us know so we can change positions." He then addresses the only member of his team he DOESN'T implicitly trust with his life. "And you, Ms. de Mazelle, stay with me and Wren. If anything highly secret that would happen to be able help us exists, feel free to say so."

"Unfortunately, no, there's nothing top secret that can help on me right now," Reina de Mazelle, of the Central Security Agency's Section Eight, replies. "But unfortunately, there is top secret communications and coding equipment inside the Atlas compound, which must be destroyed to prevent its capture."

"You know we can't get in there right now. Another team can do it anyway."

"No, they cannot," Reina states firmly. "Most of that equipment is classified to ASFC only, and the rest, is classified solely to CSA-S8."

"Fuck my life."

Inside the Atlas Compound, Aviation Section
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matson was having a very bad day. As the designated "taxi driver" for Sierra Team, he knew exactly what Hart meant when the message got through to the compound. Things had gone to hell, and the compound was in danger.
The air traffic control tower was one of the highest points in the compound, and that was where Matson was at the moment, while WO1 Vaughn and SSG Danwick wait near their heavily modified ADF V-22 Osprey.Technically is was "Viggen-6-2", but Sierra Team and it's crew has christened it "Tart Cart". Matson peeks over the bottom edge of control tower's windows and curses. BMP-2's and BTR-80A's were in the area around the compound, and they had 30 mm auto-cannons which would shred Tart Cart before it could even transition to forward flight mode.

"Boys, I got bad news," Matson says, using the helmet mounted communications set that allows the crew to communicate. "We're grounded for now. There are some very bad things outside that would love to clip our wings."

"God damn it," curses Danwick. "Hart and his guys are stuck out there, and we're grounded in here? Fuck, I feel so damn useless right now."

"Stow it, we'll head for the armory, see what we can grab for ourselves and then hunker down somewhere near Tart Cart. If there's an opening, we'll lift off and get the hell out of here, hopefully with some of the others stuck here on board,and then pick up Sierra."

"And then what do we do?" asks Vaughn.

"We'll probably set down somewhere safe, set up camp and wait for some kind of help from Atlas HQ."

"A lot of ifs in that plan, sir."

"When aren't there?"

"Fair point."

[The United Remnants of America]

Atlas Compund, Ganja, Ahtroupia
October 23rd

Major Jerry Laskey squeezed the grip of his rifle as he looked forward towards the hill. Right over the crest of that hill, outside the compound, he knew that the Ahtroupian Revolutionary forces had amassed themselves, and were now waiting. Whether it was for air support or for some kind of surrender, Laskey really had no idea. Major Laskey was wearing only PT gear and a helmet that was sitting crookedly on his head, with an AR in his hands. Sitting on the reverse side of the hill, seven forms laid about, their heads peeking just over the crest of the hill. That would be Captain Tanaka and the rest of his Toishiman team. They were outside in the space between the hill and the main compound buildings, practicing some mind-body excersizes, and now they were providing some very obvious, very limited recon for Captain Laskey.

Laskey had a radio clipped to his tee-shirt, and on it there were several reports, all kinds of chatter between the teams on-base. Half of them were to a specific designation: "Atlas-Ganja." Technically, the term applied to the entire compound, but in this situation, it referred to one man in particular. Atlas-Ganja would be the Task Force's commanding officer at this site, a platoon sergeant and a field commander all rolled in to one for the TF's outpost. Major Jerry Laskey was Atlas-Ganja, and he was not having a good day. Around the major were six men, the Astronean Asymmetric Warfare Detachment that was currently keeping the captain safe. They were no more geared up than he was, though, due to the suddenness of the base's assault. Luckily, the base was a little more staffed than usual, since Atlas' higher command heads saw this as being a possible outcome of the military takeover of Ahtroupia.

With a slightly trembling hand, Major Laskey let go of his rifle and lifted the radio off his shirt to give a reply. "This is Atlas-Ganja to all local Atlas units," The Emmerian began, "As many of you I assume you already know, the Ahtroupian Revolutionary forces have assaulted the base. From what I can see, the Loyalists have basically been overrun to the compund's gates. That leaves us as the last line of defense for this base. Try to hold off, and see what happens. Maybe they're just going to keep us here, since attacking Task Force Atlas assets would not be in their best interests. Hang on for further orders."

---

President's Residence, Baku, Ahtroupia

The soldier was a messenger, and he stood straight in front of his leader. He'd just delivered his message verbally, since the communications lines had been damaged in fighting between Loyalist and Revolutionary forces, but the message had still been delivered: Task Force Atlas had been contained. It was good news, seeing as the Task Force could have been an issue had it been allowed to move out of its complex and into the countryside before they were caught.

General Farhad sat at a desk in the building's study, looking the young messenger over. He had an entire life ahead of him, and Farhad hoped to secure it for freedom with this revolution. A revolution made possible in no small part by the hand of a man Farhad now owed largely, but the Disciple would be paid in kind when Ahtroupia was firmly under Farhad's control. Military arms would be traded for Ahtroupia's bountiful resources, then, and all would be well.

"So, the Task Force blowhards are contained?" The messenger nodded. "Good. They are dangerous animals, you know. They've destroyed cities, brought down leaders, they even made my benefactor's life very difficult at one time. But they're caged animals, now. Caged, and helpless. Do you have a radio on you?" The messenger nodded again. "Good. Tell the forces surrounding the compound to deal with the animals as they see fit."

Outside Task Force Compound, Ganja, Ahtroupia

"We have the orders. Fire at will." The Revolutionary tank commander heard the order through his radio and smiled. They'd finally gotten the command to put these international interlopers down and remove them as a factor. The commander looked through the scope and his eyes locked on a line of half-visible faces on the hill on the other side of the compound's fence. "There. I want the first shot to go there." The gunner acknowledged and depressed the tank's fire mechanism...

---

Atlas Compound, Ganja, Ahtroupia

Major Laskey jumped and crouched down as he watched the top of the hill 30 meters in front of him explode in clods of dirt, the soldiers of the Teishin Shuda team diseappearing in the dirt as it was struck several times by what Laskey assumed was three or four Revolutionary tanks.

"Fuck!" Laskey screamed as he heard fire open up everywhere from Revolutionary forces. The Toishiman team was gone. Laskey couldn't see anything of them from the bombardment. The Astronean troops by Laskey closed their perimeter and nearly stood against the major as he held the button down on his radio and yelled into it. "This is Atlas-Ganja to all units! The compound is under attack, repeat we are in contact with hostile forces! You are authorized to engage any and all hostiles as you see fit! Reinforcements will be under way! Atlas-Ganja out!" Laskey scrambled to his feet and started off at a sprint towards the compound.

"Sir, where're you going?!" One of the Astroneans yelled out after him as the half-dozen-man body guard ran after him.

Laskey pulled open the heavy door, "To get those damn reinforcements!"

---

Task Force Atlas Headquarters, Fort Bragg, Organized States

Lieutenant Colonel Jack "Jolly" Rogers stood in front of an amassed group of international soldiers from Task Force Atlas. His stomach was turning as he began to speak. He hadn't yet gotten over the traumatic expereince of losing so much in Union City, and here he was, on his way back in a fucking VTOL. He wished he'd never have to hear that word again, but fate was against him.

"Alright, boys and girls. Here's the situation. Ahtroupia is a naiton with which our task force has had close ties to. We had a small compound there that we used for training rotations. As of October 23rd, Ahtroupia has fallen victim to a military-led revolution by one General Farhad, who has run the President to an undisclosed location and has taken the confidence of most of the military. There are still Loyalist forces fighting against Farhad's soldiers, but they are outnumbered and being pushed back. As of earlier today, Revolutionary forces assaulted the base in Ganja, which is where our compound is. They decimated the Loyalist garrison and surrounded the task force compound before opening fire. We got a report from Major Laskey, the Emmerian in charge of the compound. The Toishiman team has already been killed off, but casualties as far as that are unknown. I know some of you have friends there.

The OS' HAWS team has already been scrambled in the air on their way to provide air support fo rthe compound's surrounded troops. We've been called as a reinforcement team. Not only that, but we've also been ordered to "stabilize the region by any means necessary." That means we're in this for the long haul. Ahtroupia doesn't have much of a naval force, and the naval force they do have is firmly under Loyalist control, meaning the waters are clear. Due to this, the Task Force's carrier, URS Hyperion, has been moved to the coast with her supporting Task Force ships.

The reinforcements will be split here. Some of you will be boarding A handful of V-22 Ospreys, which will carry you to the Hyperion. From there, you will be taking part in the assault on Baku in order to put down the new 'President'. Air assets will be scrambled from the carrier in order to keep you safe, so we shouldn't have another Legion on our hands in terms of air asset destruction. A success in this benture means the president can exist hiding and begin to rebuild the country. I would be lying if I said this wouldn't be difficult. But it could be made easier.

Thst's where the rest of you come in. You'll be boarding a pair of MC-130s here for liftoff. They will be escorted by a flight of Task Force F-22 Raptors reluctantly assigned to us after we bitched enough about our lack of air support. From these 130s, you'll be dropping in on the base to provide rapid support for the compound and hopefully push the Revolutionary assault back. Your drop will be covered, rest assured. The F-22s are carrying a couple AGMs to scramble the enemy's armor on the scene. If you cause enough of an issue at the base, it may divert Revolutionary forces from other areas, such as Baku, making the assault team's job much easier.

If you reinforcements are succesful taking back the base, which I expect you to be, then the compound personnel and the reinforcements will combine and move on the hydroelectric dam and secure it. The dam is heavily defended as well, so you'll be in as much trouble as the team assaulting Baku, but hopefully the stress of two points of assault will stress the Revolutionary's military and the Loyalists may be able to revive themselves enough.

Now, I know this plan seems haphazard, but it's all the strategists and analysts could put together in such a short time. Feel free to alter the plan if you deem it necessary when on the ground or if other issues arise. I know this is going to be hard, but I know we can handle this, Atlas. We've been through worse, and we have a lot of new blood and new talent. Let's go save our friends. Dismissed." Jolly sighed as he watched the teams move to go gear up and board the planes. The team leaders were left to decide on which objective to take up. As for Jolly, he'd be hopping on another VTOL to coordinate the Baku assault, hoping his counterpart, Major Laskey, to deal with Ganja. The thought of boarding a VTOL made his skin crawl, but the thought of letting some asshole dictator snuff out the lives of his brothers in arms made him sick to his stomach. The Task Force was going to make this situation cease to be an issue, the easy way or the hard way.

[New Hayesalia]

"Oh fuck."

The words came from the CPO's mouth as he watched the Teishin Shuda get turned into ghosts from explosive fire. More and more armoured vehicles were approaching, and the loyalists were starting to falter. This was clearly outside the realm of the BASTION forces- even despite their six guided anti-tank rockets, this was more than a light infantry force could handle! With the knowledge that this base was being attacked in multiple directions and outnumbered 10 to 1, Captain Q had to take the rational decision.

"BASTION, we're withdrawing." he made the call on intrasquad radio. "We're enacting our bug out plan. Attack team first, then heavy weapons, snipers last. Break!"

"BASTION 1 to all Atlas, this situation is more than any of us can handle, BASTION 1 is bugging out and recommend all Atlas follow suit, out!" the Captain then called on the Atlas network.

The teams were withdrawing. Already in their full direct action combat gear, the BASTION troops needed only to move back to their barracks and retrieve their prepared Bug Out Bags. Webbing was considered the 'fighting kit' holding all a soldier needed to fight a battle; his BOB was what he'd need to live for 72 hours. The adrenaline was pumping as the BASTION made the withdrawal. Bursting through the barracks door and clearing the room, each soldier grabbed his bag from secure storage and donned it. As they did, other soldiers grabbed the classified material, again boxed to make this a simple process, and laid thermite charges atop the small pyre they'd created. The various notebooks, classified manuals and electronics could not be taken with them; their destruction was necessary. Inside one box, the "distress call" was made, a GPS signal activated quickly to inform Military HQ that this BASTION team was routed.

Each man had emergency rations, water purifiers and key weapons accessories and equipment repair tools. Civilian clothing, various foreign money and an entrenching tool were also on the list, as were stripped toiletries bags- most of the team was bearded so losing it could help drop pursuit. Each man also had a number of false foreign passports, from nations like Zellatia, Allanea, Paddy O Fernature and - although they didn't know it - the Australian Republic. Medical equipment, hand-held radios, spare ammo and mags and a huge Model 13 combat knife were also onboard- each soldier already carried an IFAK and a small survival bag in their pants pockets. Camouflage netting, hutchies and one of the NH issue half-jackets were bulky but light and could save one from hypothermia or exposure. To cap it off, two SLADARs were hooked and latched tightly to the outside of the pack- each man now had two shots at an armoured vehicle during their escape.

As the team left the building, the thermite detonated, burning the classified materials into nothing more than electronic and paper ash. Captain Q and CPO F shared a look. Q's face asked more than he verbally could.

"Is this cowardice?"

As gunfire and explosions grew louder, more frequent, the New Hayesalians ran. There was no chance to go south and they'd need to break out somewhere else. In any case, travelling on the highways would be dangerous and going south into the hills would be a survivalist nightmare. Heading north into forests was a better option, and it meant that contact with Atlas high command would be more possible than otherwise?

The team proceeded north. Using their Model 7 combat utility tools to cut through the fence immediately to the north of the Hill, the BASTION troops proceeded in a bounding fashion, highly alert and stealthily, through the long grass. Multiple plumes of smoke arose from the Ganja base, and BASTION knew that they would live to fight another day. Perhaps, in Baku itself.

[Rodstov and Grenoda]

TF Atlas Compound
Operation Banished Throne
0830 Hours | Day 1

Captain Taurusky gave a blank look at the BASTION Forces and they turned-tail. The rest of MAKO were now set up in their fighting positions at the front gate. The Atlas commander was doing a piss poor job keeping their group of "elites" together. Taurusky looked about, his men looked back silently asking what their orders were.

"ORDERS ARE TO HOLD MEN!" Taurusky barked. "SO WE HOLD! GRIT YOUR TEETH GENTLEMEN!"

A T-80 was to be the first kill of the day. The tank foolishly fired and killed their comrades in arms and MAKO 1-1 would send them back from whatever hole it crawled out of. Cpl. Dusek had the pleasure of putting the sticks to the T-80. He had grabbed an AFRG "Titan's Spike" ATGM and a bundle of missiles before leaving their barracks. He and Sgt. Vlk were acting as a tank hunter team. Sgt. Vlk would order the target and load the missiles and Cpl. Dusek would aim and shoot. The T-80 that shot rolled forward as the turret now focused on the front gate. The T-80 was joined by two others. The two other tanks joining the advance forward accidentally gave away who was leading the group and Cpl. Dusek took advantage of the situation and put the 87mm guided anti tank missile right into the top of the T-80 igniting the ammunition stores. This was followed up by Sgt. Zapletal and Sgt. Drosek. Who both hefted their PCML's and fired at unison at the front armor of the left tank. The first round exploded as it hit the armor damaging it and shaking the crew while the second missile hit its mark knocking out the tanks main weapon. Both Sargent's threw away their single use launchers while Vlk reloaded a fresh 87mm missile into Duseks launcher. As for the rest of MAKO, they all returned fire at the incoming loyalist troops attempting to remove them from their position.



Mako 1-3 made runs for AT munitions while the larger Mako 1-1 held the main gate into the Atlas Compound. While Mako 1-2 sniper team got into position across from the other team that was already in position. They would bleed the enemy of their armor and clog the road into the Atlas Compound here then they would fall back to the first set of "Burn if over run" targets. With BASTION already gone Taurusky wondered who would also hold with them.

[Vangaziland]

The bullets landed with heavy, violent thumps along the outer wall of the compound. There were zips and zings in the air above the wall and impacts behind the front line on taller buildings.

SFC Emerazi stayed cool at his haphazard spot atop a pyramid of HESCO barriers. Each level below was wider than the one above, leaving a space near the corner of the top level for the Vangazi to peer around. It was pretty uncomfortable though, clinging to the wall.

SFC Farnsen had eyes on from high above. Rockets had come down from a nearby tower and taken a tank out of action. The Vangazi crept in the corner, peering through his ACOG, standing, steadying his silenced M4.

Occasionaly his rifle would pop off with a few shots. Currently the tower barely reverberated the echo of his most current shots into a building. Farnsen knew someone was sneaking around in there. He kept seeing flashes of light. Of course, he wouldn't know if he hit anyone.

By luck, he did wound someone. The light he kept seeing was enemy first responders getting the combatant out of there.

SFC Emerazi had a good angle on the road, especially a part of it that curved behind a building. Next to his pyramid a concrete wall rose. It gave a slight bit of cover and concealmeant from the side. He hadn't had any good shots yet and he was in hiding. This wasn't a position he could hold with armor.

A BTR-80 had been in reverse, clumsily and slowly making its way around the corner that the Vangazi had eyes on. It stopped. Thinking it had cover from the front towers, the vehicle disembarked its troops.

The chance was fleeting. It was that feeling as if you are playing pool with an attractive woman. Say your heart is out of control, but you still have to steady your cue in an uncomfortable position for the shot. That's exactly what it was like for SFC Farnsen as he lined the eerily glowing red tritium chevron that made up the ACOG's aiming point and lined it up with the dark green line that was making its way towards the corner.

Mechanized.

The M4 chattered rounds through its silencer in closely controlled but quickly repeated pairs. Some of the forms seemed to drop. The Vannish soldier kept firing 'one-two, one-two' until the bolt locked back and the weapon went silent.

There was a tug of the mag pouch, the pulling out of a fresh cartridge, the press of the mag release, the removal of the empty mag, the placement of the empty into the pouch empty-side up, the placement of the full mag, the *click-click* of pulling back the bolt lever and letting it fly forward...

And then, just like pool against an attractive woman, you have to control your fluttering heart, sight your target and...

Another magazine was emptied into the infantry squadron in silenced two-by-twos..

On the ground, the scene was bad. It happened so fast that they didn't know where the shots where coming from. But the crew in the BTR-80 with its optics was scanning while calling up its medevac reports. The second magazine harassed the enemy while they were trying to slide their guys behind the APC. One more soldier was hit, bringing the total to five wounded and one killed.

Emerazi left it at that, carefully sliding down to the next level of HESCO barriers and off and away from the wall. He adjusted his kit quickly and looked around at the situation around him. Soldiers were rushing anti-tank rounds to the front. His mind was only on his usefulness.

He moved forward.

[Patrick OConner]

Atlas Compund,
Ganja,
Ahtroupia
October 23rd

Mess Hall
The first explosion rocked the compound. Major Overhill threw himself to the floor and ducked under a nearby table. he was somewhat pissed that his meal had been interrupted.
"The hell is going on."
he says more to himself than anyone else since he seems to be the only one in the mess hall. Overhill reachs into one of the many pockets on his pants and gets out two things. His radio and HUDglasses. He snaps the arms out and places the galsses on his head and them syncs them with his WristComp. He then activates his radio and tunes into the his teams frequency.
"This is Overkill. I need a sitrep now."
"Roger This is Longshot, seems that the base is under attack."
"Confirmed?"
"Eyes in hostiles right now sir"
A muted hiss is heard over the radio.
"Overkill to all team members fall back to barracks and suit up. We are under attack"
Overhill matches actions to word as he rolls out and dashes for the door drawing his own side arm as well. What a day this is going to be.
Overhill switch frequency to the task force command one and asks
"IS anyone still alive? Plans for bug out? Anyone copy? Over?
He turns and runs for the barracks.

Roof of the Barracks
Smith smiled to himself as he sited another target and squeezed off a shot. His suppressed M14 EBR hissed and through his scope he watched the target fall like puppet whose strings had been cut. Smith moves up now and squeezed off another shot and down he goes. In short order, Smith has killed 5 enemy soldiers. Smith scans the gate and area around it looking for more targets and finding none grunts. Smith smiles and gets up slinging his rifle as he walks over to the ladder and climbs down. Smith had been up their out of boredom so he could look around and see what sight lines he had. He had of course brought a rifle with him and a few magazine out of simple habit. Today those habits had paid off.

Inside the Barracks
The entire Team Thanatos is gathered in their quarters after Overhill and Smith arrive. Freeman is half way through getting his suit on as the come in.
"What is the sit, sir?"
"An enemy force has attacked the base and breached the gate. Hostiles are wearing the same uniforms as the friendlies. I can not seem to get in contact with anyone. We need to bug out."
Llyod who is fully suited and loaded up, puts on his helmet and seals it then flips up the face mask.
"To where? And what about our other gear?"
"Heading south and if you can not carrier blow it up"
Overhill strips out of his clothes and throws on his suit as well and then tosses out blocks of C4.
"You know the drill boys."
The men pick up their various weapons. Mostly SCARs with some under barrel attachments (Grenade Launcher for Overhill and a shotgun for Llyod) while Smith collects gets his suppressed M14 EBR and Freeman grabs his belt fed M240. The men grab various other things like thier bug out bags which contain a few days rations and other things needed. On the way out Overhill picks ups his C8 and Freeman grabs 2 AT4s
In short order, Team Thanatos is locked and loaded and their quarters are set and rigged to blow. The team files out as Overhill sets the final booby trap. Anyone entering the room now would get a very nasty and explosive surprise. The men head south in a 5 man formation.

[Legatia]

Legatian Imperial Armed Forces
Superiores Negotium- TACUS-II "Triarii"
Task Force Atlas Base, Ahtroupia
October 23, 2017- 0840 Hours

The sturdy boots of Triarii's Centurion were the first onto the path of the base. By the time they had finally arrived at the scene, a 125mm shell slammed into the ramparts guarding the Atlas compound. Then, the steel toe of said boots dug into the dirt as Toishima's Teishin Shuda became sushi.

"Holy fucking..."

"Not enough time for that shit! Diana, get the '87! The rest of you, with me!" The girl split off from the group, running back towards the barracks as the rest of the group slided behind HESCO barriers.

Virga made no pause in the loading of the MAW/S as the C-mag locked into the gun, the bolt pulled back and let slam forward as a 7.62 round found it's way into the chamber of the gun. ACC-261 rifles chambered their own round.

Without giving Pala a chance to give an order, TACUS-II opened up with four guns, the occasional hand grenade being tossed. Aurum occasionally fired off his M080 grenade launcher at concentrations of troops. Within a minute, Titania returned with the advanced rocket launcher, shouldering it and locking onto a T-80. The rocket erupted out of the tube, a pitch motor firing as it soared off into the sky. Seconds later, it slammed into the tank's turret, and half a second later, detonated it's high explosive payload partially inside of the tank.

The fight was a desperate one, but the words of their organization reverberated within their minds:

Nos non flectimus. We do not bend.

[North Arkana]

Outside the Base, Sierra Team
"Hot damn, looks like our boys inside are starting to get to work," Hart says, a grin of satisfaction on his face. "Fred, Marc, fall back in to our main position. Bring the Spike ATGM's from the cache site with you."

"On it sir."

Hart high crawls forward to Wren's position overlooking the base.

"Okay, the bastards inside are occupied with our friends, break out the M93."

"With pleasure, sir."

Wren unslings the M93A3 SASR from his back, folding the down the bi-pod and readying the first magazine of match-grade, tungsten-alloy cored, 338 Lapua Magnum rounds. If he had had it with him, Wren would probably be using his personal M206E2 AMR, as its 15 x 102 mm APFSDS rounds would have a much more satisfying effect on target, and represented a real threat to the sides and rears of the BTR's and BMP's, but the damn thing was in the compound armory, under lock and key. Wren choose his first target, the commander of one of the T-80's with his hatch open. As the T-80 halts to fire on the compound, Wren fires, sending the round through the man's neck and spine.

While Wren goes to work, Fred and Marc return, bearing a load of about a dozen Spike-SR missiles. The team would definitely be pushing the 800 meter maximum range, but they would still be able to provide some support to the guys inside.

"Alright, Fred, take Marc and get to a good firing position. Try for the light armor, I'd rather have guaranteed kills than possible ones."

"On it, sir. Marc, let's go."


Climbing to a higher point with a clear view of the base, but plenty of concealment, Fred lines up his first target using the targeting unit built into the Spike-SR's tube, a BMP-2 lining up to fire on one of the guard towers.

"Back-blast area clear?"

"All clear."

"Firing!"

Fred fires the missile in top-attack mode, sending it streaking skyward, before crashing down onto the turret of the BMP just as it opens fire. The tandem shaped-charge warhead easily demolishes the thin armor on top of the BMP,and the vehicle explodes spectacularly as the fuel and ATGM's stored inside are set off.

Inside the Atlas Compound, Aviation Section
The crew of Tart Cart heads for the armory within the aviation section itself, rather than the compound's main armory. With fewer people within the aviation area, it's likely the aviation armory hasn't been raided for arms yet. Not that most people would go looking for weapons there anyway. The aviation armory is generally used for the storage of weapons and munitions mounted on aircraft, but Matson is also aware the armory is used to store the weapons for pilot's E&E packs.

"Alright, lets get this door open," mutters Matson as he punches in the key code to the armory door.

The door slides open with a mechanical hiss, and Tart Cart's crew makes their way towards the rear of the extensive storage area. Matson punches in another code to open the door to the personal weapons section.

'Alright, now to figure out where we should hunker down," Matson says, thinking out loud as his team outfits themselves with MP-12s and ammunition to accompany their sidearms.

[Empire of Donner land]

Fort Bragg,

As Squad 2 left the briefing room their objective was clear "Disable the dam" this was the sort of sabotage mission they have been issued before in the service of Donner Land. The mission was hopefully going to be routine, no surprises. But when ever they think that the mission has some sort of surprise. "This is a milk run" the HQ would say, "Oh, there's a full battalion moving in, by the way." HQ would later say. There is no way that a plan could go with out a hitch for them. There is always 'a full battalion moving in'. To make up for this they would take no chances with equipment. Supressed TTMP-5's, their suppressed 9mm pistol, A few non lethal grenades and Dakka would carry 4 C-4 blocks. Enough, or at least by their Intel. To disable the Dam. Placing them around the control area, Turbines or power house would insure it.


The Team was preparing for a H.A.H.O drop from one of the MC-130's. The equipment as used by the team on this event would be of course a Parachute on their back. Because of the modified A.L.I.C.E back pack they could wear that and the parachute with ease. Inside their backpacks would be standard equipment issued. And in a front back around the waist would be weaponry and ammunition as well as grenades and in Dakka's the C-4 explosives. Abosolutely critical to the mission. They would need masks for the drop which they received.


The Parachute was steerable so they could pick and choose where to land. And they had already designated a place to land, It was in a flat area near the dam. In other circumstances a different area with much more cover was wanted. But this was a urban environment so it would do for now. Intel did say there was a few cars for cover. At least that's what squad 2 saw on the map.


"This shit is heavy, and were jumping out of a plane with it?" Broken said. He had done Paratrooper training back in Donner Land with the Task Group but without any extra weight. This would be his first time jumping with all his equipment.


"I have 4 blocks of explosives on me, your just carrying standard issue. So stop bitching and put your helmet on." Dakka tossed a helmet to Broken. Broken clumsily caught it with his finger tips. As Broken put his helmet on and secured it Dakka was getting his mask ready as was everyone else and looking at their equipment double checking to be sure.


"Everyone good?" Blitz said with a muffled voice from the mask with his thumb up. Everyone gave a thumbs up and they started walking to the airfield .

[Imperialisium]

Werwolf Gruppe 5
Fort Bragg

The unit had been briefed and prepped upon the situation in Ahtroupia. The Atlas Base in the country was under attack and the usurper there posed a threat to the surrounding region along with international security. They had orders to assault Baku along with other selected reinforcements in an effort to stop this conflict before it got any worse. Cutting off the head of the snake didn't preclude the fact of another one sprouting in its place, but it created a window of opportunity for the legal President to reclaim his office.

Major Klaus Stephen Marie "Hawk" Allenheim fitted his armored mask into place. The NBC gear of the suit was a multi-billion RM project that has gone on for three decades. About him were other personnel of his team along with other reinforcements being flown in. There was Hauptmann (Captain) Leopold Graf von Hohengrin AKA "White Wolf" fitting his parachute; Unteroffiziere Emilia and Viktoria sitting already ready; and finally Unterfeldwebel Friedrich checking his scopes.

They knew the operation, they knew the risks, and they knew there was always a distinct chance of them never putting foot on Imperial soil alive. As the V-22 Osprey taxied off Klaus sat back down. Looking through the lens of his head gear at everyone else.

"Fuer das Reich!" Klaus said with a clenched fist over his left breast. The others cheered the same phrase and returned the salute.

The craft taxied as more reinforcements boarded and pilots did final checks on their instrument panels. Gruppe 5 was taking part on the assault on Baku. Given the units load outs they were a perfect choice for the job. They expected no more and no less consideration for this operation.

[Servinta]

The 13th Kommandos had reached the armory well within five minutes and after chastising the armorer for how slow pace of retrieving their weapons when there was a battle going on around him they snatched everything they would need.This ranged from the commissars bullhorn and pistol to Nikita's backpack radio and the rest of the teams weapons.Weather they were combat ready before leaving the building didn't matter as they ran right back out the armory doors while strapping on their ballistic vests and adjusting their helmets they had haphazardly thrown on.On Aleksander's command they formed a line as they ran down the street so that no man was left behind no matter how much he was weighed down by his unevenly distributed gear and weapons.

"BASTION 1 to all Atlas, this situation is more than any of us can handle, BASTION 1 is bugging out and recommend all Atlas follow suit, out!" the Captain then called on the Atlas network.

"BASTION, this is 'RED SHARK' responding to your last transmission." Nikita had been monitoring the radio frequency commonly used by Atlas for inter team communication and had heard the New Hayesalian forces calls for assistance and later their calls for withdrawal while they rushed onward.He slowed his running pace as Vladimir, who had been second to last in the line increased his own to catch up with the spry but speedy communications specialist, allowing both of them to meet in the middle of the teams 'squad file' formation as they moved towards where the gunfire was emminating from.

"All units, this is Fleet Levtenant Vladimir.My men and I will be arriving shortly to facilitate a cover for your withdrawal." Vladimir stayed near the radioman in case more information or messages were dispatched on their current situation, hopefully gleaming more light upon the shadowy situation they were now in.

The Kommandos rush to the front lines of the assault was a sorted affair as the men were still adjusting their gear mid-sprint, tightening the loose straps of their packs, counting the magi zines they had available, and prepped their weapons for combat with one round already in the chamber.of the whole squad Bogdan seemed the most ready to fight as he gripped his Makarov PM pistol and ran almost as fast as the teams point-man Iglan, Vladimir noted this only because of the commissars grumbling about the rebels 'ruining' his class and his grimacing face.weather this was the real reason the normally grumpy commissar was angry or he was just mad as usual didn't matter as well, as in battle anger was a good thing that propelled men to do amazing things.

"Ready yourselves comrades, glory awaits us!" Bogdan yelled as they approached the Atlas compounds main roadway through out the base and began to move in the direction of the Atlas Barracks to join any other units who were in need of support.

[New Hayesalia]

OOC: The feel when you lose your post :'( Also recommend all people read this post, you've got limited support incoming.
IC:

NORTH-WEST OF ATLAS BASE

The question of the retreat still played on the mind of BASTIONs commander, Captain Q. They'd not yet hit the relative safety of the forest, and the stealthy speed of BASTION was not been impacted while they were still in the grasslands before the service road. The risk of UXO was assessed when they developed this escape route- there wasn't much but the odd discarded training aid could still draw the attention of hostile forces. All it would take was a swarm of tanks, despite the fact that BASTION now possessed 26 anti-tank rockets between them, to cause serious losses.

Approaching and crossing the service road tactically, Captain Q took a chance to ask the question of CPO F.

"Did we make a bad call?" he asked, not certain he had taken the best option.

"If we died in that defence, and we would most probably have, we wouldn't have been much use anymore. We have the chance to strike back now, Cap." the CPO replied, assuringly.

"Let's get back to it." he said, typically gruff. The two commanders finished crossing the road and the squad continued moving into the forest. They had to remain mobile, as even in the relative safety of the forest they had to be aware of ambush and traps; or followers.

Far ahead of the main body, Marine Proficient H threw a halt field signal, quickly passed down the line. Over intrasquad, he made a report. "Rebel mortar squad, report three 60 millimetre mortars and twelve known enemy, they're just setting up their mortars now, pointing towards the base."

This was an opportunity that BASTION had to seize. The mortars of the enemy could even be turned against the attacking forces! BASTION began proceedings to make a snap ambush, the rebel forces not equipped to face off against the New Hayesalian special forces operators. The attack squad made it's approach, intending to stealthily cover the 400 metre distance to get to engage the enemy at a point blank range while they established the mortar position. The rebels were clearly on edge, with the teams sharpshooter reporting on the enemy team's movements from a 500 metre standoff range. The remainder of the weapons team moved to a standoff distance of three hundred metres, enabling the medium machine gun to provide accurate suppressive fire. The team's counter-defilade weapon was also loaded and ready, thereby providing accurate explosive fire without expending one of the valuable anti-tank rockets. With the weapons team ready, lying in wait and having zeroed onto their opponents, it was up to the five-man attack team to give the go ahead.

A few moments later, they got it. Over the intrasquad radio, and using the CCH's augmented reality system, a number of targets had been designated. The team's sharpshooter had a sentry in his scope, the rest of the weapons section only metres away with the enemy commander and another sentry in view. The three mortar crews, who were in the relative open, had not set very much distance between themselves- the teams Roundshot air burst weapon was aimed to provide maximal effect. Three additional rebels were sat together, on their squad radio and referring to a map, preparing to give coordinates to the mortar teams- the medium machine gun was trained on them.

"FIRE!" came the order on the intrasquad. The MMG fired loose, letting loose .338 calibre rounds with a dull noise as they passed through the suppressor and meeting the ground immediately around the targeting team- as well as the targeting team; the sharpshooter fired and watched his round impact the rebel soldier, transforming him into pink mist; and the attack team waited for the explosion of the airburst weapon only metres over the top of the mortar teams themselves, shrapnel cutting through them. The rifles of the weapons team also chattered through their suppressors, making accurate impacts against the mortar team and it's commander. The attack team assaulted the position as the suppressive fire became more precise; the 7.62mm ammunition from their own rifles destroying the mortar team crews that raised a weapon to them.

Led by Captain Q, the attack team scanned for hostiles and checked the status of the enemy. The six mortar team crews had been shredded by the Roundshot, although some had been killed by the rifles of the attack team. The three sentries had been removed from service, two by the team's sharpshooter and one from the rifle of the team's rocketman. The remaining three, who had been on the radio to other rebel units and referring to their map had met their end at a burst of .338 machine gun fire.

Of the three mortars, one had been disabled but two were serviceable, and the team now had access to the rebel squads radio!

"Weapons, get here ASAP! You especially, Alpha!"

Corporal A, who had been behind the medium machine gun, spoke Turkish. Every member of BASTION was required to learn a second language with pay benefits for learning more; although none of them spoke Azeri. Fortunately, the language was approximately 60% mutually intelligible, meaning the New Hayesalians could source some basic intel.

"H, R, move that mortar out of the open like that and get ready to deliver some round downrange!"

This was why the BASTION troops were trained on mainline artillery pieces between 155mm howitzers to 60mm mortars like this. The two infantrymen moved over, getting themselves set to rain explosives. A call was made to Atlas command- they had a few minutes of indirect fire available to them thanks to the ambushed rebel positions. It wasn't long before Atlas set them up with targets for indirect fire- enemy BMP positions and machine gunners had been sighted. The second mortar was also manned and the team referred to the bloodied and slightly torn rebel map- coordinates found!

"Right, lads, ten rounds, five coordinates, then we're gonna bug out again and torch this place!" the CPO called as the Captain confirmed with Atlas.

"Rounds downrange, 20 seconds to splash, out!" Captain Q spoke into the radio, warning the team of incoming mortar fire.

Seconds after, the New Hayesalians began sending 60 millimetre mortars downrange, hopefully landing near dismounting rebel infantry and their machine gun positions. There were now twenty shells coming into enemy positions. BASTION hurredly put the remainder of the shells together, and once the twentieth was delivered, moved tactically and quickly away, LAC D having rigged a couple of explosive C4 sticks underneath the small mountain with a fuse of 5 minutes. As the BASTIO team began their exfil, Corporal A looked back at the destroyed mortar site.

"Elveda, mamish!"

[VolksImperium (Ancient)]

Fort Bragg
Volks Kommando Spezialkräfte


Der Volks Kommandos Spezialkräfte had just been briefed on the situation with the Atlas Base in Ahtroupia. and were standing near the tarmac double checking all their gear to make sure they had everything they would need for the operation. Due to the compound being under siege they packed double the rations in case of an extended Op. Boarding a MC130 with another team they helped them the secure all their gear into the Aircraft.
After all the men had gotten their personal gear on the aircraft, Hauptmann Ali Bann knew there was a good chance for things to go wrong on this mission, so while his men were checking their gear for a third time he stood up and stood in front of them beginning to go over the briefing one last time.


Alright so, Revolution going on led by their Former General Farhad. Revolutionary Forces have our boys in the compound pinned down, Light local resistance that from what we know has already been decimated in the area around the compound, so once we go in expect to be out numbered, don't expect much more than what is already on their way to come in for support. We will be HALO jumping just before we reach the compound, this would've been a good operation for some more wing suit fun, however I called back to the headquarters back home, and they wont grant access to them for this operation due to the increased chance of them getting lost. I tried to tell them we are responsible adults, but for some weird reason they just laughed. Anyway we will be HALO jumping into the compound, hoping that we don't get shot by our own guys. Meanwhile the support force on their way to Bakku will be taking on the former general himself. Once we are in the base I want you guys to find us a area in the compound to reinforce for a little field office of sorts, keep the extra gear we are not carrying, and if needed give at least a few of us a place to sleep. After that we will be engaging the enemy, locating any wounded, find out our losses, get as many people as we can back into the fight. Theres a pretty good chance that whatever they have waiting for us down their could completely decimate us, however I made a promise to bring everyone of you back from every mission I possibly could and this one is no different. Remember your training, and things you have been taught in the field, stay alert, stay alive. Be prepared for heavy fighting.
Björn looking around to the other guys. Don't worry guys this one will just be another fun one, and even if it doesnt turn out to be so fun, drinking till we cant remember it after will be.

Everyone begins laughing, Ali sits back down, and everyone begins going through their gear and weapons again, the rest of the time awaiting take off was spent in silence..

[Vangaziland]

A call went through to HQ over the radio. The Hayesalians had done it. Finally, indirect fire support. SFC Farnsen, immediately dug into the pocket on his left leg and pulled out a small, green, waterproof notebook. The call went out looking for observers for the fire.

SFC Farnsen was the first to get on the radio. One of the first things he did when he got into the tower was to pull grids to several locations. He used his compass to shoot a direction to known and suspected targets in mils. Then he used a small laser range finder to pull an exact distance to the target. He took out the map from his assault pack, sat down and put a dot on the spot of the map where that distance and direction were. Then he used something called a protractor to line that dot up with the maps grid system and then boom, grid.

The operator was really good with maps, terrain association and fire support. These were the basis for the Vannish doctrine. Others hit with the first wave of indirect fire and suppression. Meanwhile, Farnsen was up there pulling grids and setting up strategy. It only took a few minutes before he was up and engaging.

He was surprised when the mortar support actually arrived so soon. This was his moment of suppressing a rapid heartbeat in order to focus.

SFC Farnsen already knew what method he would use to deliver the rounds. He started with a central target.

He dug in his bag again and pulled out a pair of binoculars. It was a compact pair with a reticle used to measure mils, the scale of measurement for artillery.

His rifle hung from a front sling clip. One hand held the compact binos and the notebook open so he could read the grids. One hand pressed the talk button on his radio, which responded with a beep and a buzz to let him know he was transmitting.

"Bastion 1, this is Cobra 1, immediate suppression, break... BB 22605 37880, BB 22685 37825, BB 22737 33720, break.. BB 22880 33825, BB 22895 33400 over." The grids were read slowly.

Bastion replied and soon the targets were going up. A 60mm mortar wasn't enough to completely blow up a BMP. But it could disable it, especially with fragile sensors being so important to targeting.

The grids were mostly on, one BMP being missed completely. Three others were damaged. Their tracks had popped. These BMPs also carried gear on top. It was now either blown off or on fire. The crews inside would be most likely stunned. The last target was a BTR which took the hits a lot worse. It was hit twice. The BTR-80's wheels were burning so bad that the entire vehicle went up in flames.

Several enemy got caught in the open. Some had been firing on the tower. Some had been maneuvering away from the vehicles, reading the writing on the wall. The enemy initially thought they would ram into the compound, but the first vehicle had been hit straightaway. Now their plan had collapsed completely. To them, the rockets appeared suddenly, way too fast. They couldn't quite leave their vehicles, since some were recoverable. And a lot of units were missing men now. They would need reinforcements.

Heavy machine gun teams had just begun to be set up in several of the buildings facing the compound. The compound's towers did start to become suppressed. The enemy would most likely be stalled. They have a lot of wounded to care for.

Complete with the fire mission, he went back to trying to peer through his M4 sights. There was a lot of movement in the buildings nearby.

Based on the order that the machine gun teams were set up, it sounded like the enemy were moving west, towards the big hill that overlooked the base. It was only a matter of time before their snipers set up there and started causing serious havoc.

The two Vannish soldiers linked up over radio, deciding it would be best for Farnsen to get out of the tower and for them to maneuver.

A few minutes later, the pair began moving tactically towards the edge of the compound closest to the hill.

[Rodstov and Grenoda]

TF Atlas Compound
Operation Banished Throne
MAKO 1-1, Captain Oldrich Taurusky
0836 Hours | Day 1


"ROUNDS INCOMING TAKE COVER!" Bellowed Taurusky to his team who instinctively reacted to his command. He heard the call for fire from one of the other teams Callsign: Cobra 1. The rounds came down close shredding tracks and decimating equipment. Once the rounds completed, Taurusky peaked out from behind the wall to check the damage. One BMP sped up to get out of the mortars kill zone. And he reacted grabbing one of the PCML's that MAKO 1-3 brought and pointed at the tank. The gunner rotated his turret and opened fired with the 7.62 Machine gun. However, Taurusky was only a little faster firing the weapon system and then he dove over a set of sand bags before the 7.62mm gun could be sighted on him. The BMP's turret couldn't turn fast enough and the PCML hit it's mark slamming into the slightly angled surface of the BMP's small turret. It exploded knocking out the APC.

TF Atlas Compound
Operation Banished Throne
MAKO 1-2, Sargent Thomas Muller
0836 Hours | Day 1

Deeper into the compound, Sgt Muller and Lt. Kuta were laying on the roof of one of the command building. If the team had to fall back they would be covered. Muller had pulled the GM6 Lynx from storage. Their 12.7x107mm Anti Material Long Range Sniper Rifle (AMLRSR) He had be loading the standard FMJ round for it however the LT had started to place the HEAT and ATFTP rounds the moment they started seeing the tanks. Even though MAKO 1-3 were running PCML's and Titan rockets to the team from the armory that would run out soon they had brought 50 of the PCML's and a very small amount Titan Spikes to engage the enemy with. After the Mortars hit Muller and Kuta Began to control the flow of enemies not letting the ones they could see flee from the BMP's. Most died in a discusting display of blood and guts from the HEAT rounds he was now firing.

[Greater Soviet Ukraine]

Atlantic Ocean, En Route to the Hyperion
Sergeant Nikolai Melynk was pissed off. Well, any soldier would be pissed off if he was told to go murder a crackpot general rather go save his own comrade's life. Nikolai was especially touchy on this subject, as anyone should after two of their own squad mates died before their eyes. Well, Nikolai thought, orders are orders. Don't be a self entitled bitch, a voice inside him scolded. I'm already entitled, more than the asshole commanders sitting in their big desks in Fort Bragg, another voice responded.

"Argh!" Nikolai shouted out loud. A droopy-eyed Ruslan looked back at him. "What that for?", he grumbled. "I was sleeping!" "Sorry, Ruslan, it was a nightmare." Nikolai apologized. Other people inside the Osprey began waking up. Ruslan looked at Nikolai curiously. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked. "Nothing, I was just thinking about..... the incident we had back there. Look, it's just..... I just need a moment." Nikolai replied. Ruslan nodded. "It's okay, brother. I get it." As the disgruntled soldiers went back to sleep, Nikolai decided to do some calculations in his head. Let's see, the V-22 Osprey can easily go over 100 MPH, the carrier must only be several miles off shore, so we're probably going to arrive there in a few minutes. After that..... Well he couldn't possible know the carrier's speed. It was a) most likely classified b) hard to measure without any tools. So.... based on my experiences with carriers (not much), we should get there in a few days. Nikolai leaned back and closed his eyes. This is going to be a long trip.