Tides of Change [MT; TG for Entry]

[Inyourfaceistan]

http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=381724

Background

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For Inyursta, control of their waters had always been a hot button issue. Ever since its inception in the early nineteenth century when the corrupt post-colonial elite pawned off usage of the Sea of Juarez to French and Spanish imperial forces keeping control of their continental territories in the western reaches had sovereign maritime control been a critical part of Inyurstan national identity.
The Cold War would bring conflict, disarray, subversion, counter-revolution and ultimately rebirth under the banner of neoliberal capitalism. With their new found independence and reborn identity, the military and government made it their goal to defend against the threat of Soviet warships and submarines returning to the nominally calm, tropical waters around Inyursta to rekindle the fires of socialism and leftist revolution. It was here, somewhere between ousting a pinko puppet regime and emerging into the 21st century a regional power, that La Républiqua D'Inyursta gained de-facto control of the seas around their nation.

Then, in 2018 Jean-Baptiste Calderone was elected on a platform of national security - but not just national security, de-jure reclamation of what was rightfully theirs. Calderone was one of the key players responsible for the inception and drafting of COSTAL.
The Convention for Stability, Armament and Liberation.
A modern Convention to replace outdated previous standards of national law.
Stability, to allow nations to keep warmongering and unwanted military incursions from their shores.
Armament, to give legal recognition to the right of navies, coastal defense and maritime law enforcement to unquestioned authority over that which they control.
Liberation, at last to give every nation that had been screwed over by imperialism and obsolete Western-centric conventions to take back what was theirs.

The antiquated twelve nautical mile limit would soon be dead, buried in the ages like the relic "cannot shot rule" it replaced.
Tides of Change were sweeping fast across the oceans, and Inyursta was one of the top nations riding them to their natural outcome...

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Inyurstan Oceanic Territory, Present Day

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On the surface, everything was calm and peaceful. Low waves of clear turquoise lapped across white sands, while leafy seagrass swayed with the surf like green strings suspended in a blue liquid crystal. Beach goers frolicked in the shallows while fishermen cast their lines far beyond the rocky coral reefs hugging the edges of the deeper waters.

The surface, was of course, deceiving.

Stowed away on land was the the multi-static Ramone Sarillo OTH system, with multiple arcs blanketing almost everything from 100-3,000km out, installed with several objectives in mind - one of them being the detection of incoming surface vessels. Stacked in sporadic but strategic locations were AShM and ASW batteries, and an almost equal number of decoys and mimics.
Down bellow the azure glass was equally poised for defense of the homeland and interdiction of unwanted intruders. A lethal but silent tag-team of Type-60 SSP's and the seafloor-based CCUSG kept an eye for underwater contacts.
High in the skies, maritime patrols of various types were the real eyes, the clarity behind the grand scene everything else. E-2D Hawkeye, Ka-64YE helicopters, along with IA-59 Cerícalo drones and ECN-235 ELINT aircraft did the bulk of the reconissance work.

Enemies of La Républiqua D'Inyursta and its democratic system were weak in number, but heavy in both arrogance and perseverance. Threats of quote "innocent passage" through rightful Inyurstan internal waters had turned up null (of course, how can anything be innocent if it is done in direct opposition to the popular will of the people who live there?), and the lack of any effective response had been a good sign for the battle of sovereignty vs imperialism, capitalist property rights versus socialist mandated sharing. It was only a matter of time before someone decided to make good on their threat to test what the Inyurstans could and could not do...
And as one of the leading nations in the post-colonial resurgence, the fastest developing nation in La América Libré and the primary drafter and signatory of COSTAL it would be up to them to beat any challenger back to where they belong...

[New Hayesalia]

NEW HAYESALIAN NAVY PATROL, 950 NAUTICAL MILES EAST-SOUTH-EAST OF CHUCHARA

Operations Shackled Unchained represented the largest naval operation in New Hayesalia's history. The continual patrols of New Hayesalian Navy carrier action groups across the globe served as a deterrent to international slavery, while also serving as a power projection of the New Hayesalian Government. The Naval ensign flew proudly on the high seas. What also sailed was the merchant ensign, the reddened flag a lifeline of the New Hayesalian economy as a trading stalwart. Therefore the COASTAL Accords, and the huge extension of some states territorial claims on the seas was a direct problem for the maritime state of New Hayesalia.

The 61st Carrier Action Group represented a mothership formation, a collection of dozens of vessels which could be moved and taskforced as necessary. A constant naval presence in most regions of the planet, the carrier action groups were led by leading-quality supercarriers and cruisers, under the command of Commodore Harris Johnson. For this cruise the taskforce was reinforced by the NHS Cone Snail, a Perun class aviation battleship, further supported by the deputy flagship the NHS Ravini Geree, so named for a former leader of Hayestolia.

The ships were transiting eastwards past the nation of Chuchara, with Inyursta a considerable power about a thousand nautical miles north. New orders had come in, stemming ostensibly from the similar operations occurring in Greater Nihon. Freedom of navigation exercises would be conducted again, as Inyursta had made these new claims. Transit time to the San Meresque islands was about two days, upon which a task force comprising the Aurora-class cruiser Battle of Tinios, escorted by the Polaris destroyers Cavalryman Chas Avent and Sailor Sergeant Terrell Lauderback and anti-submarine ship Prince Kerr would enter the claims and follow a rough guide of 13 nautical miles off the legitimate coast of Inyursta.

The small squadron turned alongside the action group. They would sail to, arriving in a rendezvous two days from now.

---

Due to the Inyurstan governments continued application of illegal and excessive sea claims, the New Hayesalian Government will, as previously
explained by the Embassy, further exercise freedom of navigation operations within the new sea claims of Inyursta. The Inyurstan Governments
illegal claims present a destabilising and chilling effect on international transit and trade and safety on the high seas. The New Hayesalian Government
reconfirms its demands that your government returns their sea claims to a legitimate and internationally acceptable standard.

[Inyourfaceistan]

Résidence Présidential, Castille de Terro

---

Jean-Baptiste Calderone sat at a large oval table eating dinner alongside his wife, Gabriéle, his son, Tomás, and his daughter, Sophia-Marie. Their meal was nothing special, especially by presidential standards, consisting of a large yet basic plate of white rice, fried plantains (tostones) and thin-cut beef marinated in a sweet honey-mango glaze. For the flamboyant and tenacious bastion of New World identity and anti-imperialist rhetoric who had enraged many and emboldened so many more, here Jean-Baptiste was a quiet and respectable father figure, casually discussing everything from school studies to sports news to international politics with his wife and children.
The calm nature of the family dinner was almost disrupted when the présidents official pager began buzzing, but when your the head of the executive branch and the commander-in-chief of all Inyurstan armed services you are awarded the liberty of ignoring official business calls. However, the buzzing continued on despite his best attempts to ignore it.
"Excusé meij pur un momenté, pur te-plaiz." He said in Inyurstan as he excused himself from the dinner table and made his way to an official, secure line in a nearby room.

"Président Calderone speaking."
"Allo Monsenor Président. Chief of Staff DeLoroza speaking."
"Hello Antonio. I'm having dinner with my family, what is the emergency?"
"Hayeasalia just released a statement directly threatening Inyursta with military action if we don't reject the new international standard set by COSTAL."
"What, do they plan on challenging each and every one of us?"
"It would seem so, Monsenor Président. However, I say if they want to fight an uphill battle with the inevitable, let them. Permission to place Operation: Viper's Den into effect?"
"Granted. But let me inform the Merickians and their naval contingent at Porté Cristos of the situation personally."
"Understood Monsenor Président. What of the other international SACTO personnel at Alto Blanc?"
"They will hear of the situation soon enough, and it's unlikely they would be targeted in the event of any hostilities anyways."
"Roger that..."

Jean-Baptiste then hung up the phone and returned to his family to continue dining...

---

Exterior-Coastal areas, Inyursta

---

As silently yet efficiently as could possibly be done, the subsequent mobilization and evacuation of Inyursta's oceanic coasts (but not its bay, inland sea or riverine coasts) was beginning. Everything necessary to adequately defend Inyurstan waters was placed on active status, everything that wasn't needed or could be done somewhere else was moved inland. Missile batteries were pulled from vehicle depots and motor garages and scattered along the coast and driven off to remote or concealed locations. The Inyurstan military ripped and modified a few pages from the playbook of their traditional enemy - the drug cartels - which used natural cover of trees, vines and other foliage to hide their labs and refineries from aerial reconnaissance; now, the uniformed armed forces were doing the same to conceal their active assets from satellite surveillance. Some assets in more uneven terrain were fortunate enough to be assigned refuge in large, open "bunkers" beneath live foliage, while those in more flat areas had to utilize a combination of pre-built structures sporting live plants matching their surroundings or hastily-made tents covered in vegetation cut from the surrounding canopies or scrub thickets.
Their radars were less concealed but equally deceiving. Decoy emitters and secondary transmitters were also scattered out amongst the missile batteries - and no radar was kept on active transmission for the same amount of time. Of course, many of the radar systems were not the same, everything from loud pulse-doppler radar to phased array to low-intercept AESA were now coming on and offline.

Aircraft crews found themselves in a similar but less fortunate circumstance. In areas such as Topoguya, Terro de Marcon and Borasoles, there was enough highland terrain to house not only small airstrips dispersed across remote locations but even a few military-grade hangars built into the side of the mountains. However, sucessfully hiding and operating a jet aircraft was not an easy task, and many frontline fighters remained stationed at designated military airfields. In the lower half of the San Meresque Strip effective force concealment and distribution was even harder. Less room on the islands paired with less prominent terrain features and sparse, lower and drier vegitation meant that most of the air forces stationed in this area were forced to remain at their bases. Some flight groups and their ground crews were moved to civilian airfields and hidden inside hangars until they would be needed; and just a few small groups of aircraft were transported to select locations where they were placed under cover and could utilize a long road or paved dock as a one-way runway that could be used for takeoff but not landing again.
Still, anything was better prepared than off-guard...

Most surface ships were pulled back - but not deactivated. A ship on the open seas was a sitting duck, but a ship docked in port was like a fish in a barrel, and both were undesirable situations. On the other hand, a ship hiding in the radar cover of coastal areas or waiting in a protected harbor with all systems either turned off or on passive just listening into the info passed on by other active assets was a much more dangerous and favorable situation to be in.
The INS Antioquía, a San Vicenté-class ASuW strike carrier and its escort patrolling the interior of the Gulf of Marindino were kept live, while a Nimitz-class carrier (INS Diego Marcheux) and its surface group were moved north-northeast out to sea away from Terro de la Marçon and the mouth of Bayo Sant-Marcos.

Operation Viper's Den was now in full effect...

[Spirit of Hope]

To whom it may concern,
The government of Spirit of Hope does not recognize the claim of territorial water extending beyond the previously existing international standard of 12 nautical miles. The claim of the Convention for Stability, Armament, and Liberation to extend the boundary of territorial waters to 74km is believed to be unenforceable, and will be treated as not in force. As such ships flying the flag of Spirit of Hope shall ignore all commands based upon this illegal claim, and any use of force upon them shall receive a sharp reply.
Alger Van Der Laar, Minister of the Foreign Relations Ministry, Count of Estemonia

Approaching New Hayesalia airspace, Flight SH 401 from Spirit of Hope

How do you establish relations with a nation you have common cause but no embassy with? Especially when you didn’t want prying ears to overhear what was being said or handed over. You fly in a ranking member of the FRM, with secure communications equipment, to the nation in a private jet. Thus Corin Bronte found himself flying in a private jet owned by the Spirit of Hope government to New Hayesalia. When his plane arrived he would present his diplomatic documents and request a meeting with an appropriate representative of the government, they had common cause today.

80 km from the Inyursta coast, MV Greener Pasture

Captain Richards tried to maintain his air of calm as he strode onto the bridge of the Greener Pasture, a name he considered ridiculous. Most of the bridge equipment was old and outdated, though the satellite communications set up was top of the line. Additional changes to the merchant ship included scuttling charges, a small armory, and smuggling compartments. Which was fitting considering this was a tramp freighter owned and operated by the Spirit of Hope intelligence forces, through enough shell companies one would have a hard time figuring that out.

Captain Richard was a legitimate captain in the merchant marine, though he also possessed a reserve rank with the Navy and received additional pay from the FRM when he carried out operations like challenging another nations territorial claims on the open ocean. Today his ship, and he always thought of it as his ship, carried consumer electronics not destined for Invursta. All of the special compartments were empty, even taking the ship apart would reveal nothing illegal.

There was no reason MV Greener Pasture had to sail through the new territorial claim, in fact the shipping lain normally would have taken them past the 74 km line. But orders had come down, sail into and through the territorial claim. Refuse to recognize it if challenged. Continue if threatened. Run away if attacked. Thus while Captain Richards would steer his ship into the territorial claim, he was going to remain within 5 km of the claims edge. If he had to run away, he wanted to be able to quickly escape.

[Inyourfaceistan]

Unnamed Coast Guard Station, Inyursta

---

MV Greener Pasture's approach into Inyurstan territorial waters was, as one would assume, being tracked. Due to the nature of Operation Viper's Den, the primary sources of tracking were maritime AEW and AWACS aircraft - even the smallest and most rudimentary of such could see well over 100km off the coast while the larger and more advanced platforms could detect surface contacts at ranges in excess of almost four times that. Ships were out of the question at this point, be it for reconissance or hailing, so the duties of making contact with the approaching vessel fell to a small Coast Guard station, consisting of little more than a radio tower, lighthouse and small docks to fit two OPV's at most. The location was also chosen to avoid giving away transmissions which could be tracked and used as part of SIGINT to locate more important facilities.

Attention Unidentified Vessel! You are entering Inyurstan territorial waters under an internationally recognized standard. Please identify yourself, including but not limited to name, nation of origin, business, etc.

[Spirit of Hope]

70 km from the Inyursta coast, MV Greener Pasture
The radio technician looked up at Captain Richards as the message came in.

"Someone is spending a lot of effort to watch their coast." Captain Richards looked over at the plot of the course the MV Greener Pasture was taking, and shrugged. Looking back to the technician, "No reply." Now it was time to play the game and see what the response would be.

Walking over to the ships radar station he took a look. The radar was old, and only intended for surface search to avoid other ships and land in inclement weather. He didn't see as many ships as he would have expected, maybe something else was going on? No matter, the signal hadn't come from another vessel. Time would tell how they Inyursta government would respond to his little defiance.

[Inyourfaceistan]

Unnamed Coast Guard Station, Inyursta

---

"No response, Sir. Their radio must be out." The suboficiál (petty officer) said to the ensign in charge of the small facility.
"Either that or they're intentionally ignoring us." The ensign replied. He then stepped back to an encrypted landline and called in the situation to higher-ups, before ordering another radio transmission to the unidentified vessel.

Attention Unidentified Vessel! You are entering Inyurstan territorial waters under an internationally recognized standard. Please identify yourself, including but not limited to name, nation of origin, business, etc.

Soaring above the coast, an IA-59 Cerícalo maritime reconnaissance drone was redirected from its standard patrol path out to the location of the ship. The inverse-SAR system mounted in the UAV could detect and track a target of that size at that distance from right over the coast, but to produce high-resolution images and take both infrared images and real-time footage it would have to get much closer.
Even for a relatively slow-moving drone, the Cerícalo would only take a few minutes to divert course and reach the range of its high-rea sensors...

[Spirit of Hope]

70 km from the Inyursta coast, MV Greener Pasture
Captain Richards had adjusted course slightly, currently it would keep them roughly 70 kilometers from the coast of Inyursta for another couple of hours. Then they would simply exit the territorial claim with their load of consumer electronics.

The radio operator was visibly sweating, as he continued to ignore the transmissions of the Inyursta authorities. He, like most of the crew of MV Greener Pasture on this voyage, was not privy to its special nature. He did know about his governments stance on the COASTAL agreement, but the captains actions made him, and the rest of the crew nervous. Why didn't the Captain just tell guys with the guns what they wanted to know? It wouldn't hurt him, the ship or their owners.

Captain Richards continued to calmly watch the radar. Still no ships appeared to be diverting, would they truly let him through unchallenged? That seamed unlikely. Maybe they would use helicopters to deliver a boarding party from land? Maybe they would just sink the ship? No, that was more ridiculous than letting him passed unchallenged. On the inside his nerves continued to fray, but he could not let the crew see that.

[New Hayesalia]

NHS BATTLE OF TINIOS, 270 nautical miles off Inyurista

Two senior officers stood in the darkened combat information centre of the nuclear battlespace cruiser, grey uniforms lit in the green and blue of command consoles and creating the brooding atmosphere appropriate. Commodore Halit Samuels and Captain Felix Nikols were the respective commanders of this squadron and the NHS Battle of Tinios, looking at the battlespace situation fed by the ship's sensors and external sources, including the New Hayesalian Air Force's Triton drones and satellites, both suggesting preparations taking place on Inyurstan's southern coasts. It did appear that the Ambassador's letter had created a stir in that government's planning.

Of course, these freedom of navigation exercises - now being heralded under the name of Operation Ticket - were an opportunity for the targeted state to conduct their own shows of force. While a New Hayesalian carrier action group was not a small collection of ships - in fact containing 53 ships in general, spread over a wide area and supported by long range submarines and support craft - the smaller squad of four vessels could be a tempting target for a public relations display.

Of course, what is usually a straight forward job of bringing the vessels to a distance of 13 nautical miles and following the navigational prompts along the exterior of a nation's recognised territorial waters. The two officers, and their aides, were reviewing the current intelligence situation.

"Current sources suggest increased movement on land in terms of military readiness. Analysis of social media and human contacts by diplomatically-linked sources, as well as some very limited reports from Netforce, are suggesting that the Inyurstanis are getting peeved by our presence." the Captain read, a report having being handed to him by a young Able Seaman. "Naval activity has however been more limited with broad area maritime surveillance suggesting an intermediate decrease in naval activity south of the San Meresque region, but some increased activity in the Bay of San Marco."

The stout but brilliant Commodore interjected. "What sort of activity? That is where our exercise will end, I'm sure you know." Almost an opposite, the gangling Captain with a voice matching a 17 year olds replied with a simple shurg, suggesting "It could be patrol boats of it could be an aircraft carrier. We haven't the intelligence at this time to be sure what is being deployed."

Nearby, a radio operator Leading Seaman reported to the duty officer, a Lieutenant Kyles, of an Inyurstani coast guard authority communicating with a radio-dead ship. The Battle of Tinios had them on radar, though their records suggested an incomplete record of details, as was common in the merchant navies of some particularly strange nation-states. Standard practice, truly, was to ignore them if they were far enough away. The Lieutenant advised the operator to continue listening, but not to be unaware of other traffic.

The senior officers went over again the squadron's navigational options considering the new information. There was little change, other than a note to minimise use of the squadron's helicopters, noting the possibility of jamming or anti-aircraft equipment falling in the hands of unsavvy Inyurstan Army crews.

REVNAMI KINGSLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The private jet came in for a smooth landing, flight SH 401 being sent to the private international section, met by a group of National Police immigration and customs section officials. A Mr. Bronte aboard presented a diplomatic passport as the two officials came alongside, the immigration qualifications and customs clearances quickly granted. While the aircrew paid the parking fees at the airport's reception, Mr. Bronte was driven by airport staff to a rapidly-hired car, a luxurious black BMW - it's destination, the Foreign Ministry located at the Parliament Complex, a 25 or so minute drive from his location.

The drive itself was uneventful. The famously quiet roads of Revnami, by virtue of the SunLift public transport system and it's gondolas, proved no contest for the smooth car. The city of Revnami was one of the most advanced capitals in the world. Millions lived here, and the construction boom in recent decades and the New Hayesalian appreciation for good architecture meant the suburbs were not filled with artificial cookie cutter housing, nor the grey commie-block apartments common so far the world over. Each building that the riders saw, peering across the highway and into the suburbs, had been built by architects seeking to make names for themselves. The National Sustainability Projects which had been taken on in recent years also contributed- there was a truly massive number of solar panels on each of the stunning houses. As a point of note, 113% of domestic power use was generated by these solar panels and stored in house batteries.

Looking above, a stunning sight could be seen. New Hayesalian public transport was famous around the world, and the VIP had just seen their first part of it. A gondola, a car able to fit six people and their bikes- which were also subsidised by the national government- moved along it's wires overhead. The Revnami public transport system, built around these high-flying cable cars, is able to move 30 million people daily in these alone, operating 24/7 and at a low cost. Interesting too were the steady stream of rainbow coloured drones flying overhead. These drones, operated by the NH Post service, were 'Matternet.' In a city the size of Revnami, delivering post in trucks could easily contribute to the old problems of congestion. Considering the general ban on using cars and trucks in the city without an expensive permit, the less trucks on the road meant savings and more city efficiency. As such, the inexpensive and light drones flew autonomously around the city, delivering millions of letters and small packages per day, with only the largest packages needing to be put into trucks and dropped off.

New Hayesalia was damn good at efficiency.

The crowning shot of the city really came as the Highway rose, extending across the large river known as Lake Neike- technically, not a lake, but it used to be- as the Jae Snider Bridge. In a country where architecture was nearly a national sport, every time a government wanted to open a bridge they could guarantee a sea of intriguing, quirky and beautiful proposals and this bridge had been no different. The six lane bridge (the motorcade in the middle left lane) was simple yet elegant, but it's lack of spires and wires had been for a reason. From this height, all of the city centre was in view. The Parliament Complex, flanked by the glass offices of the embassies on Pavillion Drive sat to the viewers right on the peak of the bridge. The city proper was most impressive. An impressive stadium was to the foreground, a long national mall and arts precinct behind and surrounding, and the CBD of Revnami, each of the stunning sky-high buildings competing like rainforest trees to be the highest and most beautiful, but none reaching the height of the 104 storey tall Capital Life Tower, green glass windows building up to the shining peak.

At night, spotlights and LEDs on the buildings turned the city into a light show (OOC: like this on every building.) instead of the usual drab yellows and blacks of the rest of the world's global cities. This was a common theme around all of New Hayesalia's big cities, with an annual competition for the most impressive and beautiful displays. It was a real benefit as well- people around the world were attracted to Mardi Gras in New Hayesalia when entire cities, absolutely literally, turned into rainbows; though on days of national mourning and tragedy the cities sat dark, illuminated only by streetlights and spire beacons.

The car peeled off the exit at the end of the bridge, slowing and pulling into the taxi and hire car rank and stopping site. The VIP exited, the charge billed. After gaining directions from a nearby police officer, the man made his way through the magnificent white buildings to the Ministry, the flags display of more than 1500 flags in the background giving a technicolour backdrop to the site. Entering reception and bearing his passport, it was now time for the diplomat to wait.

[Common Territories]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for The Empire of Common Territories To: Public Declaration. From: Min. Lucas Nacht, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of TECT; The Empire of Common Territories. Subject: COSTAL Members Rights. Encryption: None. To the members of the COSTAL Accord, their opponents worldwide, and the world at large, On behalf of my Emperor, His Imperial Royal Majesty, Emperor JC, The Empire of Common Territories wishes to express its sincere support for the COSTAL Accords and its signatories. TECT finds COSTAL rejuvenating for the rights of countries seeking to better enforce their natural territorial and economic rights against those who would trample upon them. Signatories, all of whom seeking better conditions for their people, have staked their country's future on such a radically envisioned agreement - taking such a leap into international politics is brave in of itself and should be respected. Bravery is necessary for countries daring to fight the old system of territorial norms - something signatories have abundance of. For such bravery we congratulate our allies, the Republic of Inyursta who's the original author of COSTAL and our SACTO allies who have become signatories to this agreement. To those brave nations not allied with us and who've signed onto COSTAL, continue to bravely march forward! Secure your borders and improve your nation's strength for the sake of your people! If opposition to your natural rights appear before you, stand together and face them head on! This isn't a meager disagreement on some small policy differences, it's the protection of rights for your country, your economy, and your people. Opposition in the form of bullies can only exist if you let them hold power over you - the same can be said for entities around the world who would bully COSTAL signatories because of their opposition to the Accord. Although the Empire expresses its support for COSTAL and shares signatories feelings on the subject of territorial integrity, TECT's own situation has grandeur implications that are inherently different from typical COSTAL signatories and would conflict with the Empire's own territorial policies. Under the Royals Boundaries Act, TECT enforces a much larger territorial and Economic Exclusive Zone then is allowed under the COSTAL Accords - of course that also includes typical territorial norms currently in practice with majority of countries around the world. Unlike most if not all COSTAL signatories, TECT does not have neighbors and is segregated from the rest of the world by vast oceans that are thousands upon thousands of kilometers wide; to integrate TECT into an Accord that doesn't necessarily apply to its situation would have negative implication upon the Empire that would enormously put at risk our economy and security. That is why we as a nation cannot sign this agreement but will, however, observe these Accords in colonial lands where applicable (such as where neighbors are present or distances greatly differ to those at home). TECT will of course respect each signatories rights under the COSTAL Accords when sailing to and from their waters. Although we cannot sign onto the agreement, we want it known that TECT stands side-by-side with signatories in supporting the COSTAL Accords. TECT finds it shameful that some international bodies, nations and international organizations abroad, cannot find these Accords acceptable. They stand in the way of natural progression of the rights of countries who only wish to improve the economic and security conditions of their people. Nations who stand in the way of this Accord are too set in their ways to accept the benefits they themselves will receive under COSTAL - organizations are too blind to reap the same benefits signatories would receive. COSTAL benefits all of its signatories while opponents gain nothing by opposing it. As the leading nation of the Imperion Coalition, we will also push for similar standards for our member nations, or at the very least observed compliance of COSTAL Accord standards for the Accord's signatories. To close out this declaration, we wish to once again congratulate our allies who've signed onto the COSTAL Accords, signatories to the COSTAL Accords for their bravery, and condemnation to those entities out there who would refute this natural progression of nation's rights. Those who would engage signatories with military force to directly challenge their legal claim are war mongering cretins looking for an unjust conflict to engage in. We warn these actors that doing so opens up the door for their nations to become involved with a military conflict they cannot handle and puts their men and women, and even civilians, at grave risk of harm - each casualty, each fatality, each loss would be wasted bloodshed on a conflict that never required a war to begin with. Engaging in these actions are indeed war mongering, sabre rattling with warships and military jets, and pose a serious risk not only to the involved parties but also to everyone around them. The Empire of Common Territories diplomatically stands with signatories of the COSTAL Accords, allies or not, in their plight for economic and security prosperity. Sincerely, Minister Lucas Nacht The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of TECT

[Isle of Lost]

Location: Orae Naval Base, Arricreux Island
Operation: Maratis Tarnae
Unit: DDG-153 MIS Santius
Commander: Maracentur-II Edmus Cassic

---

Looking around at the vivid blue waters of the San Meresque strip which surrounded him, Captain Cassic couldn't help but feel odd to be so alone. The loneliness wasn't out of nothing either, for with exception to a gunboat or two the entire combined fleet of Arricreux had abandoned the harbor for safer anchor. Cassic's Santius on the other hand had finished preparations to jump port for the open ocean as part of the solely Merickian Operation Maratis Tarnae. Inyurstan surveillance and Intel had informed Orae NB command of an impending fleet of likely hostile forces inbound on the southern coastline of Inyursta. Command promised full support in defense if necessary, but excluded DDG-153 from the roster for a single vessel mission of 'utter importance'.

Unbeknownst to all but the Santius's officer corps their Pelican-Class destroyer was to run a solo thrust outwards towards the impending foe in test of both their intentions and willingness to peruse action against a third-party vessel legally exciting Inyurstan waters via shipping lanes. The nature of this mission was, of course, strictly classified and likely to pose high risk for the crew. Regardless, provocation of an attack or forced removal of the Santius from its plotted route could help delegitimize the offending party's mission which Inyurstan Intel indicated was almost certainly to put pressure down on the internationally accepted territorial standard set by the COSTAL treaty.

Cassic sighed slowly to himself and under the careful gaze of his nervous officer corp gave the order to pull anchor and leave port.

[Inyourfaceistan]

Coast of Inyursta

---

Information was coming in from the Ramone Sarillo OTH system regarding an extremely large expanse of surface ships moving north-east out on the open seas. The Ramone Sarillo system was a multistatic complex of radar masts named for the exiled scholar and later first président of La Républiqua D'Inyursta following the overthrow of Solvereux's socialist regime in the late sixties; it consisted of four major mast facilities in Dutchman's Key, Borasoles, Topoguya and northwestern Marindino, giving it a rough 180^o coverage from north to south along the eastern oceanic border with radar overlap in most locations. Almost all over-the-horizon radar systems had some degree of resolution and accuracy flaws, however the Ramone Sarillo could spot small trainer-sized aircraft and gunboat-sized surface ship targets inside 1,600km and provide detection of larger targets at much further ranges. Needless to say, the approach of a forty-plus ship fleet supported by aircraft was not something that would go unnoticed. Movements were being tracked and recorded, and the process of identifying and predicting the incoming vessels was now on...

From the coast guard's southern bloc HQ in Porté Ramos where the information was being passively received, a single, secure land-line call was sent out to an ELF transmission base in the foothills of Borasoles. The transmission base, capable of sending short and non-descript messages to submarines down to several hundred meters deep, then likewise sent a single message out to a submarine sitting on the edge of Inyurstan territory. Not only was the message virtually untraceable except to the receiver, but even if the transmission were to somehow be intercepted and even more unlikely the code cracked, it would read an almost illegible A - OR - C...

More pressing, was the fact that a smaller surface group was pushing directly towards the San Meresque Strip. The group was already within passive detection (counter-detection) range due to their radar emissions, and were giving off both SIGINT and ELINT trails, not to mention that just a few miles closer and they would be within direct active radar sight of AWACS patrols over the coast.

Meanwhile, the Cerícalo drone had come well within visual range of the cargo vessel. It did a low circle around the ship, identifying the flag and radar ID, before doing a direct pass-over to confirm the nature of the ship. The drone's feed indicated it was just a civilian freighter flying under the flag of the SoH - an entity which as far as they could tell had no ill intentions like New Hayesalia nor was an excessively hostile nation on Inyursta's shit list like Ausollea or Brytene. Being radio silent like that may have been cause for a closer contact call on normal circumstances, but at the moment it paid not to be distracted by harmless minnows when schools of bloodthirsty sharks cruised the waters...

---

INS Racérda - Off the coast of Inyursta

---

Sitting roughly 150m deep on the edge of the Inyurstan territorial claim legitimized by COSTAL, the INS Racérda was a Type-60 air-independent propulsion submarine that had set off from San Feraçia Bay Naval Base just two days prior. It received the message sent by the ELF transmission, and because it both physically and mission-wise could not reply back the land communications base had no way of knowing if their message patched through.
The stealthy, low noise submarine then descended into the the thermocline, and began moving east about one hundred nautical miles...

[Spirit of Hope]

75 km from the Inyursta coast, MV Greener Pasture
The immediate danger had passed, as he stepped off the bridge Captain Richards let out a small sigh of relief. No further radio communications, no warships, and no helicopters carrying guys with guns. He was fairly sure the Inyursta authorities had verified his ships identity somehow, probably using some surveillance aircraft, but if they figured one tramp freighter violating their territory wasn't worth it he wasn't going to complain. All he needed to do now was be a regular merchant captain and deliver the goods to their intended destination. Maybe later he would get another assignment, but that was a worry for another time.

Strategic Naval Command Center, Palisphemy, Spirit of Hope
The SNCC, or the Cave as those who worked their called it, was busier than usual. Most of the stations were manned, with a number of Admirals drinking coffee and reading the latest dispatches in one of the adjacent conference rooms.

While one of the two main screens continued to display the position and status of the various ships, fleets and bases of Spirit of Hope, the other main screen showed Inyursta and the waters around it. Guesses at fleet and ground force positions, numbers, and activities were displayed. Most of the information was vague, guessing only at position and probable direction of travel. Using only satellite intelligence made anything more precise difficult. Even as the admirals talked the Intelligence and Air Force liaisons talked with their colleagues, getting satellites re routed, bringing on line other intelligence assets and otherwise attempting to clarify the picture.

"To bad we don't have any ships in the area." Admiral Breket commented, flipping through the rather slim dossier on the current situation. "Or a carrier, some AEWC coverage would be great."

"Then our ships could be targeted, either by accident or on purpose." Admiral Jarvi shrugged. "We're sitting in the nosebleeds for this one."

The Intelligence liaison entered, "MV Greener Pasture reports no further challenges, radio or otherwise. They have exited the Inyursta territorial claim."

"I wouldn't bother with a dinky merchant ship when I've got that looming off my coast." Admiral Jarvi waved his hand at the second display screen. "I'm just glad few of our merchant ships use shipping lanes near there. All the same we should be putting out an advisory on the mater."

"That's for the FRM to do, they said they don't want to upset the 'delicate balance' of it all." Admiral Breket's tone conveyed what he though of the mater.

"Delicate balance my arse, if there aren't missiles flying soon I would be very surprised." An assistant brought in a new batch of reports, and both admirals turned to the new materials.

Foreign Ministry, Revnami, New Hayesalia

Corin Bronte had been impressed by what he had been able to see of New Hayesalia and Revnami in particular. Despite how current events may unfold he would likely recommend further dialogue and interactions with New Hayesalia. Presenting his documents to the authorities in the Ministry building went smoothly, the evidently carried word of his arrival to their higher ups. Now was the waiting game, to see who he would be meeting with and how they would greet him.

They wait was not terrible long, an aide approached him and indicated that an appropriate representative of New Hayesalia was ready to meet him.

[New Hayesalia]

PARLIAMENT COMPLEX, REVNAMI

The newly-arrived diplomat had caused a stir in the Ministry. Despite extensive records, Corin Bronte was not a name registering with Ministry records. As such, and considering the potentially secretive nature of the content he could present, the decision was made by a manager upstairs to send not a representative from the Ministry, but instead an officer of the Foreign Intelligence Directorate was brought in quickly to speak with the gentleman.

'Victor Harris' exited the downstairs elevators, suit and green tie suiting the rather unremarkable, brown haired gentleman. He approached the diplomat, introducing himself as a diplomatic advisory staff member from the small nations section. The two quickly entered the elevator again while exchanging some polite small talk, heading to a small conference space on the sixth floor, the New Hayesalian requesting the receptionist organise a set of coffees for the gentlemen.

With their delivery, the officer took out his notepad, and put his hands together, inviting the diplomat to speak freely.

ooc: not much to go off on your post, Inf, sorry!

[Spirit of Hope]

PARLIAMENT COMPLEX, REVNAMI

"The government of Spirit of Hope has sent me here, because we believe our nations face a common foe in the form of COSTAL. While my government has not yet decided that the claims put forward by this agreement require military force to counteract, we have decided that we must take actions against it." Mr. Bronte paused for a second, looking the other diplomat in the eye.

"We believe that your nation may already be undertaking, or preparing to undertake, military actions against Inyursta. We want to help you in that." Bronte opened up his briefcase, without looking inside he slowly pulled out a USB drive. "This USB drive contains access codes to a secure server, to which Spirit of Hope intelligence occasionally uploads information you may find relevant to the Inyursta. It also contains codes that would allow your intelligence to upload documents that we may similarly find relevant to the Inyursta situation."

Casually he leaned forward and placed the USB drive in front of his counterpart from New Hayesalia. Leaning back he allowed himself a small smile.

"Obviously if it was discovered that a foreign government had gained access to secure intelligence documents we would have to disavow all knowledge, and move to secure the means by which any information escaped proper channels."

[New Hayesalia]

MINISTRY BUILDING

The suited agent looked long-eyed at the foreign diplomat before gently taking and examining the USB. The large-capacity USB felt truly light in the officer's hands, who moved it to his side of the table.

"Mr Bronte, I'm sure you're aware that the sixth Military service is the New Hayesalian Netforce?" Mr 'Harris' replied, leaning forwards. "I'm not quite sure that what you're handing me here is as legitimate as one could imagine."

The diplomat look to speak but he was cut off by the officer.

"Moreover, I'm sure you know full well that one of the easiest ways to melt a government's servers is to put a USB into it with a smart enough virus. Our Netforce is designed almost from the outset to protect us from that, you see. Of course, how you would plan to, and I quote, 'secure the means', could very well represent a threat in these walls. You've not seen a quarter of the security apparatus in place here at the Complex, let alone the Revnami Netforce Office."

A pause.

"But you know, Mr. Bronte, I'm not one to believe you're untrustworthy. After all, enemies of the state don't fly thousands of miles unannounced to deliver viruses, they force-feed them from a server in some backwater. Excuse me, a moment."

The officer stepped out, the diplomat sipping his coffee. Closing his call, the officer entered the room again, changing the topics to matters of football. A Netforce Senior Technician, a rank equivalent to Corporal, was on his way from the Netforce Office a few block away. Travelling on the Parliament Complex Tram Line, a closed line stopping at the major offices around the Parliament, the Senior Technician soon arrived, a black laptop bag in his possession.

Entering the room with a greeting to the two men, the technician removed his gunmetal grey beret, placing it underneath the his right epaulette, upon which two blue chevrons sat to indicate his rank. Dunstin Rosa read his name tag, and he quickly set to work opening the rather generic laptop, it's Netforce ID tag listing it as a test platform. The Technician deftly activated the machine, before taking the USB and inserting it, quietly. The two diplomats looked at each other, the silence broken only by the fan's whirring and the tapping of the keyboard, as the Senior Technician sought to access the drive contents and search for any potential viruses on this Netforce network non-connected laptop.

BRIDGE, NHS PRINCE KERR

The palate of coyote-grey uniforms and dulled ship colours was broken only by the morning blue seas and Captain Hanna Fedelm's blazing red hair, pulled tightly into a Navy-regulation bun. A new Captain in her first command of a blue-water vessel. Common understanding was that a Captain had served previously as a CO of a small land unit, or a CO of an Armidale patrol boat or such similar vessel, with the smaller Polaris or Vortex class ships next in line in their career progression.

Partially by her good command of the NHS Leigh Willsey patrol boat in New Hayesalia, Captain Fedelm had been accelerated in her promotion to Captain and in her command of the Prince Kerr. This was her first major task as the anti-submarine ship's commander. Constant relays from the sonar room of the small ship was a small relief - she knew her crew was a good one.

The four ship formation had just crossed the line of claim and now were largely on their own. Passing airborne early warning was afforded by the NHS Achiv, her CEV-22s making their orbits of the larger task force with enough radar distance to render some support. An MQ-4C Triton acting from an overseas base worked along with satellite sweeps, it's 2,000 nautical mile range giving a fine picture overview of the region. The Prince Kerr's own radars were pooling with the WODEN radars of the Polarises and the Narvik class ships travelling along in the staggered convoy, giving all ships a strong overview of things operating in their own AO.

Captain Fedelm had already briefed her 61-strong crew on the dangers at play. For them, chief among threats were submarines lurking, but the taskforce in it's mission not to be perceived as outwardly hostile did not permit the Prince Kerr to spool out her sonar array, or use her hull-mounted active sonar. Other threats included a full-on assault including anti ship missiles, but for the political reality it would unfold it was fervently unlikely that the Inyuris would consider such an option unprovoked. A fly past of maritime patrol aircraft, or even fighters, was also an option - if that was to be the case, it would be the hope of the fleet below they would spot it with time to analyse it.

But the New Hayesalians were not slighted by this threat. They would keep their hands out of their pockets, but be ready to punch back if pulled into it. The helmsman held steady, the sonar operators watched carefully, and the pilots maintained their helicopter in the security - and privacy - of the ship's telescoping hangar, ready for a possible submarine contact to investigate. The environment was tense but confident as the small squadron of four New Hayesalian vessels, proudly bearing their ensigns, crossed the line.

[Inyourfaceistan]

Unnamed Coast Guard Station, Inyursta

---

In the same quaint little Coast Guard outpost, the ensign on duty picked up the secure landline again. He nodded his head at the orders, and gave a quick "Yes Sir" reply before he hung up.

"Well boys, looks like this one is for real. Let's patch them."

Attention Unidentified Convoy! You are entering Inyurstan territorial waters under an internationally recognized standard. Please identify yourself, including but not limited to name, nation of origin, business, etc, or otherwise exit back into international waters.

Meanwhile, several dozen to almost a hundred miles away at Dutchman's Key Joint Maritime Security Installation in the southwestern tail of the San Meresque Strip and a much shorter distance away at Cartenja Airfield, two F-16 Block 50 fighters were being pulled down the tarmac and prepared for take-off.
The Hayesalian Triton drone was being tracked by several radar sources (mostly airborne), the MQ-4C Triton was not by design a stealthy aircraft, and it's MTI-SAR was limited to around 70km in range and even less for higher-resolution images, meaning that unless it got close it was not a big threat, especially considering Inyurstan signal communications were being intentionally suppressed and emitted to avoid bringing attention to concealed positions and areas of high importance which made the drone's SIGINT features less useful as well.

[Spirit of Hope]

MINISTRY BUILDING

The innocuous USB drive contained three programs. Two of the programs generated security codes based upon certain hidden variables, the actual equation used to generate the security programs was well hidden from the user. It would take far more than a cursory exam to reveal that information.

The third program was meant to deter any such attempt to discover the underlying equations. This program would copy itself onto any computer that attempted a deeper examination of the USB, before wiping both the USB's and computers memory. There was no attempt to hide the purpose of the third program.

"You're security consciousness does you credit. I can tell you that the USB does contain a security protocol, but nothing that should endanger your systems so long as you don't attempt to copy or alter the contents of the USB." Reaching into his briefcase again Mr. Bronte removed a small file and handed it over. "This contains information on both how to use the USB, and on the security precautions we have taken with it. Just as you must be conscious of security so must we." He closed his briefcase, and prepared to leave.

"I would hardly fly here just to deliver malware to your systems. Especially when I plan to be staying for the foreseeable future to help continue coordination between our two nations." He pulled a small business card from his pocket and handed it over. "That contains my contact information for the time I will be staying here. I do hope you find information of use to you on that server."

[New Hayesalia]

ENTERING THE ZONE, BRIDGE, NHS BATTLE OF TINIOS

The Commodore made orders to the crew, the ship's radio operator taking the command to respond to the Inyurstan Coast Guard's call to identify. They had been spotted, as was expected.

"Inyurstan Coast Guard station this is New Hayesalian Warship Battle of Tinios, I say again this is New Hayesalian Warship Battle of Tinios; escorted by New Hayesalian Warships Cavalryman Chas Avent and Sailor Sergeant Terrell Lauderback and Prince Kerr One. We are maintaining bearing 0-1-0 degrees to legally follow route in contiguous waters of Inyursta in a north-easterly direction in accordance with freedom of navigation operations and nautical right of innocent passage, over."

The Captain nodded, placing on a headset to listen to the Inyurstan reply as his ship cut through the waves.

MINISTRY

As the Senior Technician looked through the computers and at the newly delivered documents, he turned to the officer with a look of temporary defeat, a look that said he'd need time to process the information.

"Well Mr. Bronte, thank you for coming. I'm sure Technician Rosa will get right into this and find out what's contained within. Please do enjoy your stay in New Hayesalia. Where shall you be staying?"

After some banter as the pair left the room, the Technician continuing his attempts to enter the USBs contents as they used and exited the elevator, the officer escorting the diplomat to the waiting hire car and seeing him off with a handshake. As the man left, the officer pulled out his secure work phone, contacting his superior. The Internal Intelligence Directorate, the domestic cousin to his own Foreign Intelligence Directorate, was to be tasked to have some agents shadow the diplomat loosely on his tour of Revnami. With the threat of Zellatian insurgents, Inyuristan and Nihonese intelligence assets lurking in the paranoid minds of the security apparatus it was not a step too far to note the location of the man until the USB was cracked.

An interesting day, surely.

[Inyourfaceistan]

Unnamed Coast Guard Station, Inyursta

---

Information on the approaching task force was coming in faster than the tides in the Sea of Juarez, radar signatures, infrared footage, emissions data, all mostly from airborne sources while intel knowledge about the type of ships and their relative schematics was pouring in from military databases. Four ships, one cruiser, two destroyers, one ASW frigate with AEW, likely heliborne active. By now the poor ensign was glued to the phone as he relayed orders to his subordinates.

"Alright, mes frèros, ping them again. Make it serious this time, and record every word of this conversation!"

Attention Unidentified Convoy! You are entering Inyurstan territorial waters under an internationally recognized standard. You are currently unwanted, uninvited and unauthorized. Turn back and divert course now, repeat, divert course now. Further failure to comply will be considered hostile.

With the information coming in about the status of the task force, the four F-16 Block 50 fighters were given the greenlight for take-off. Their engines glowed a fiery and intimidating orange, the last roar of an aging war dog as they were the last of the single-engine fighters in Inyurstan service and would likely be gone from active service in just over a decade or so. Alas, they were still a lethal machine and even for a legacy fighter, not one to be trifled with. Both pairs of fighters took off, moving to converge on the surface group in an obtuse horizontal-V shape. They were flying low, but by no means NoE or just above sea level, however they could easily drop out of sight if need be. Each fighter was armed with two C-170 Rapier BVRAAM's, two AIM-9X AAM's and two ASM-4 Leviathan AShM missiles.
Hayesalia had been moved to a "yellow" status in the eyes of the Inyurstan government, officially hostile - though they were not a "red" shoot-on-site level of hostile like Asigna or certain terrorist groups; but they were no longer the casual "green" of neutral nations nor the "blue" of a friendly. They were being warned to get out of Inyursta, and they better get out fast...

[New Hayesalia]

The radio operator called again, internally questioning the skill of the radio operator to not make out the lead ship's name.

"ICG station, this is the Battle of Tinios task group. We are maintaining bearing 0-1-0 degrees at current speed. We intend to enter actually recognised international standard contiguous waters within a few hours, we are exercising our right to freedom of navigation and freedom of innocent passage as ensured by international standards. Over."

The radio operator was left to his devices as the Commodore conferred with his deputy, Captain Nikols, whom he had ordered up from the combat information centre. The topic - the potential for hostile action.

They had already considered the likely threats. Submarines, maritime patrol aircraft and fighter jets were always the biggest concerns, but the New Hayesalians were defended, with each Captain having order's in their personal safes regarding the threat from the Inyurstans. They were not aware of these orders, nor were they to read them unless the vessels came under fire. The vessels were to attempt to escape these waters, leaving the politicians to deal with the fallout. If unable to do so, they were to surrender, secret equipment to be destroyed in accordance with procedure. The sailors would know the NH Navy would not leave them as POWs for long.

The ASW helicopter was not in fact up in the air. In fact the only air asset shared to the convoy was the NHS Achiv's CEV-22 far over the horizon. It provided some limited support but these vessels had to rely on their WODEN radar banks to detect any air-surface threat.

In the Battle of Tinios' combat centre, the officer of the watch received a first report. Four aircraft, inbound, F-16 Falcon type, low altitude and closing fast!

Up top, the Commodore ordered immediate minor preparations. The most dangerous thing he could do is give the impression of hostility. As such, he made the order, shared with the other vessels and immediately acted upon by the crew. They were to don anti flash, armour and life preservers, with medics standing ready to respond. With but a few minutes, the crews of the four ship performed admirably, donning their full equipment including anti-flash, helmets and Chameleon body armour; with rates not needed bracing themselves for a possible impact, confident of being fine but afraid in case they weren't. The crew up top had primed the MASS countermeasures system just in case - a missile launch would obviously and ominously attract a full defensive response.

The New Hayesalians were braced, in essence putting their gloves in front of their face, ready to block a punch if it came.

[Inyourfaceistan]

In the game of poker - Texas Hold'em to be exact - there is an extremely rare move. It is not unheard of, but only taken by either the most skillful and deceptive or the most inexperienced and probably intoxicated players; this move is to openly expose one's hand while still in play. So why, why in a game of deception, disinfo and guessing would someone show the whole table their cards? Because sometimes the opponent - be it their bold and courageous nature, their need to take risks and gamble in the dark, or maybe sheer stupidity and inability to read the writing on the wall - just would not fold, and sometimes it was more profitable to make them fold rather than risk loosing their advantage when more cards come into play.

However, it left two questions:
Was the player at the top of their game or their bottom?
And most importantly would it work?

---

Porté Ramos Naval Air Station; Inyursta

---

At this point in the game the Inyurstan command had decided the benefits of patching their messages through a small outpost were rapidly diminishing against an opponent prepared and determined to challenge them. Furthermore trying to hide Porté Ramos would be akin to the Russians hiding Kamchatskia or the Yanks hiding Newport News. Admiral Nicolas Paselles, the man in charge of navy and by proxy coast guard operations in the San Meresque Strip, reluctantly picked up the radio in his office and hailed the intruding task force.

"Attention Task Group Battle of Tinioa. This is Admiràle Nicolas Paselles, Inyurstan Navy. Whoever is in charge listen up and listen fast. As of several minutes ago we have more munitions locked onto your position than any ECM, decoys, point-defense, CIWS or else could ever hope to defend against even in ideal conditions and your current position puts you in what amounts to point-blank range.

Now, I'm not calling to discuss politics or WA vs COSTAL. I'm contacting you commander to commander to inform you that if I give that order to take action in defense of our territory your current force will not be floating when the smoke clears, and if you do not turn around and exit Inyurstan waters my hand will be forced to give that order. I believe it would be an insult to remind you that a commander is ultimately responsible for the lives of his subordinates; but the decision is now entirely yours as to what happens next.

So to whomever is in charge of that task force: you know my play, and now you must now decide what the cost of politics are and if you are ready to pay that cost..."

Outside two helicopters, one on a helipad in a field off the side of the building and the other on the flat, white cement roof, were both preparing for lift off, likely regardless of the outcome. All non-essential personnel had been evacuated by now, and all essential personnel were on full active status manning their positions; leaving most of the usually bustling post seem like a ghost town in its wake...

---

Off the coast of Inyursta

---

At around 40-45km away, the four F-16 Block 50's each broke their pairings and split up in two opposing Y's around the Hayesalian task force. They then dropped to 10m above the surface of the ocean, causing "whale tails" from the jet blast sending up water behind them. Once at sea level, the four light multirole fighters began circling the formation like sharks below the radar of the enemy ships. Although they were still likely visible to the Hayesalian AEW depending on its distance and height, it was still an effective means of defense against shipborne retaliation should the situation heat up; and while they couldn't perform such a maneuver for too long, this mess would likely be decided in a matter of minutes...

[New Hayesalia]

The Inyurstan sailors seemed to have the wrong idea. This was no game of poker - it was more like Blackjack, where the New Hayesalians were playing their hardest to push their cards without going over. This dealer, of course, had the distinct advantage of air and naval superiority. The chips in play were billions of dollars of vessels and their crews, and the reward was naught but a display of New Hayesalia's determination to freely navigate the seas.

Commodore Samuels quickly took up the radio telephone, responding to the calls from an obviously senior Inyurstan Navy admiral.

"Paselles, this is Commodore Halit Samuels, attached to the NHS Battle of Tinios. I am the officer in command of this task force. We are aware of Inyurstan targeting of our vessels in many wavelengths, but you will notice that our own targeting radars are not in active operation. Indeed, our own weapons are not, I say again, are not at the ready to conduct offensive or defensive attacks. We are exercising our internationally protected right to freely transit these waters, in accordance with innocent passage. We anticipate that your own security forces will allow our own passage noting the provided waypoint coordinates and full identifications provided for as is law."

"We will add furthermore that this is a commissioned vessel of the New Hayesalian Navy. If you should wish to send a party to the NHS Battle of Tinios for the purposes of confirming this vessel's identity, our peaceable intent, and to address enquiries to any officers aboard. We anticipate your cooperation in this matter."

With that the Commodore returned the phone to the radio operator, waiting for a potential response. Inviting a foreign official aboard - noting that armed coxswains would be waiting below decks in case of 'shenanigans' - was an effort to dissuade particularly antsy states, apparently these chaps in the Inyurstan Navy, from conducted particularly risky operations against the surface action group.

The Commodore awaited again, pawing at a button on his pants leg.

[Spirit of Hope]

Strategic Naval Command Center, Palisphemy, Spirit of Hope
The Cave continued to buzz as new intelligence was brought in, updates made to estimates and decisions made on where to concentrate further efforts. The Admirals in the conference room continued to sip drinks and review the incoming intelligence.

For much of Inyurstan's forces their were only vague guesses at location and strength, though they were fairly sure about the location of most air and surface naval forces. The greatest remaining question was the disposition of ground forces, for which they had so far only received maddeningly vague estimates. Photo reconnaissance satellite overpasses were still hours away, and no airbases were close enough to send out any reconnaissance aircraft.

Agent Still however didn't care, they had enough to share now. He stepped out of the cave carrying a small memory stick, to which he had downloaded the best and most actionable of their intelligence on Inyurstan's air and naval forces. He retrieved his phone and laptop as he exited the building, and headed to a near by internet cafe.

Once set up he accessed a secure server at a remote sight, the same server that New Hayesalia had been given access to. Once he had been granted access he placed the memory stick in his computer, and uploaded the documents. Once that was don he packed up and headed back towards the Cave. He only hoped it would do some good.

[New Hayesalia]

AFTER THE MEETING, REVNAMI

Entering the Revnami Netforce Office was not unlike going into any other military base at first. One had to present their ID, be subjected to any necessary checks or searches - in this case everyone was required to locker their phones and electronic devices - and not stray to any areas they shouldn't. The building itself, located just a couple of roads away from the Parliament Complex, was a particularly interesting one, with the gunmetal grey ensign of the New Hayesalian Netforce flying proudly outside.

Officer 'Harris' was escorted by a Netforce military policeman to a place called the 'autopsy room' where suspect computers and devices were checked securely, shielded from other devices and secure networks, both wired and wirelessly. The testbed laptop was being worked on in this windowless room, Senior Technician Rosa having doffed his grey coat and now sitting in the slightly more casual long sleeve uniform. Uniforms were not a particular speciality of the Netforce. Fitness and grooming standards were not as high as their fellows in the Army, Air Force or other service branches, instead giving members the time to focus more on their actual work.

The USB had been cleared safe, an apparent gesture of cooperation from the diplomat. After the Technician had established a secure internet connection and accessed a deep web site, one that he alone had access to as a receiver with the USB. The officer was continuing to take notes, screenshots also being produced and printed for safekeeping. Another Netforce technician would soon come through, looking to establish a reverse connection and actually track the source of the information. The Netforce offices were essentially digitally quarantined - but if they'd not done the same, a hard investigation could reveal the diplomat's source.

The only problem was the irrelevance of the intelligence to the New Hayesalian operation happening now in Inyurstan.

Never minding the incomplete and scattered nature of the intelligence picture - the New Hayesalians already knew much of the same and some more on others - it had nothing to help or hinder the advancing New Hayesalian task force. The task force's interest was not in combat or strike. If that had been, they would've engaged the Inyurstanis from a long range with their arsenal ship platforms, or missile submarines. Names of commanders, covert video of the Inyusrtan leadership, or hijacked emails would have helped to shed light on the Inyurstan response; and whether it was likely to be much more hostile than the New Hayesalians envisaged.

The officer left the Senior Technician to himself to continue, taking the files produced in a secure briefcase back to the Ministry for a meeting with Foreign Affairs, Intelligence Corps and Defence officials, the findings to be presented to the Prime Minister at a later time, who had been kept up to date on this particular situation as a matter of interest.

Time would tell.