Yanjin - Tainese War (TG interest 1st, IC)

[Yanjin]

OOC/Request Info: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=429044

Terrain: East Asia mountains, currently snowy
Population: 21.3 million citizens


Nanyuan (350K citizens)
-home to a political elite that shouldn't exist in Communist theory.
-also used as a reward for favored workers to visit or move to.
-best air quality, combined with quality of life including two amusement parks.
-low crime, high police presence to protect the citizens. Outsiders confronted by police instantly.

Hengdao (2.7 million citizens)
-has large beachfront full of hotels, shops and tourist attractions.
-nation's center for commerce. Includes software and IT industries.
-located on a lowland, with cliffs to the North leading to large coastal cliffs to the Northwest.
-teasingly called home of Yanjin's middle class, an insult in the officially communist nation.

Xuanchong (3.82 million citizens)
-smog constantly covers the Southeast corner where the air current is blocked by mountains far South.
-home to many factories and industrial shipping ports. Capital of industry and manufacturing.
-crime is high in the most crowded districts. Police respond aggressively.
-vibrant night life for locals who make the best of tough conditions.

Quanjing (2.08 million citizens)
-domestic shipping hub, home to many bus & rail depots. Highway packed with trucks.
-many farmers come here to try to find work and move into city life. Overcrowding occurs.
-food shortages are common here, as are long lines.
-Quanjing International Airport along North edge of river.

Yueping (1.3 million citizens)
-large port of travel, less congested (more expensive to foreigners) shipping port.
-farmers unofficially discriminated against and forced backed to rural areas.
-food can be expensive as the corrupt, well-to-do merchant class makes this a home.
-sections of the town cater to wealthy tourists, along with a private airport.

Pantong (800K citizens)
-fishing, farming and shipping community.
-idealized in state propaganda as the city life for farmers and fishermen.
-farmers lived in large manors on the outskits of the district where they lived in towers.
-tower-housed farmers catch trams along commuter routes along acres of farmland.

Rural Yanjin (10.2 million citizen
-quality of life depends tied to crops and shipments. Entertainment revolves around parks and forests.
-sports are also introduced, with even small towns having teams to keep the populace entertained.
-responsible for maintaining roads that go through town, along with village crews.
-health and education not at same standard as urban living.
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Nation: The Tainese isles, Tai
Demonym: Tainese, Tai
Terrain: tropical jungle, island
Capital: Little Tian, Greater Isle
Population: 24,000,000
Race: 94% Asian, 4% Black/Mixed-Black, 1% White, 1% Other
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Joint Tainese-Vangazi Strike On Tin-Pot Dictator

A recent special operations strike on the isolated East Asian island nation of Yanjin drove the tiny island into turmoil. Combat operations started around 0300 hours local time, in the darkness of night. A storm just finished dumping several inches of snow earlier in the day. Over night, it turned to a freezing rain and coated the snow in a thin, crunchy icy.

Zi Shun was fast asleep in his 'Tower On The Hill', a palace the eccentric leader ruled from. General Zi inherited the throne of Yanjin, born as a Prince in what was a peaceful nation. In the 1980s, backed by pro-Soviet and pro-Chinese forces, a young Zi watched his nation turn more and more militant.

With only about 7 million people, the island was written off into obscurity. Zi took control of Yanjing in 2004, taking the title of General after a lifetime in the People's Officer Corps. Some wondered what caused the exact reason of his mental decline, because he began to abuse his powers more and more. Namely, he began to put more and more of the tiny nation's GDP into military spending.

Several nations intervened to bailout the country. China and Russia were soured to Zi's government quickly because of increasingly poor diplomacy. The island found itself isolated in the political landscape.

A stealth force of Vannish aircraft and at least two special forces teams conducted a raid that took the life of Zi Shun, four of his bodyguards and threw the island's most closely guarded base into chaos.

Vangaziland did not announce which aircraft were used, but analysts speculated the force was made of F-23 Black Widows, Comanche RAH-66 scout helicopters and StealthHawk transports.

Footage of local soldiers also spread on the internet, with this being the social media era. The sounds of extra quiet helicopters flying over a field where a squadron of scouts camped was leaked online. At least three helicopters were heard flying over the field. A radio could be heard in the background with frantic yelling announcing explosions. These helicopters seemed to be on egress away from the attack.

The scouts never saw the mystery helicopters, only captured the most faint and eerie rotor noises. It was harder to even judge where in the sky the helicopters were. Several soldiers fired into the sky with small arms.

"Everything just started going up in flashes", a distraught voice yelled in Yanjin Chinese over the radio broadcast. The report seemed in accordance with other recent stealth Vannish assaults.

One special forces unit that Tainese authorities listed as participating was the 96th Longbow Squadron, also known as the 'She-Devils'. It's an all-female, tier-one unit trained to levels near torture and armed to the hilt.

VSF-1 most likely participated on the Vannish side. Analysts also speculated activity around two of the ports points to involvement of the 5th Naval Special Weapons & Tactics Regiment.

"We talked with China as soon as our first reports came back", said Prime Minister Hank Goodson. "But there is no regional boss we have to check in with before we decide to move in the safety of our Empire. We let them know what we did as a courtesy."

The Vannish Prime Minister gave a speech in Vangaziland across the world as news started to leak the next morning in Vannish time, many hours later with the time difference. "There is no nation in that region that is not equally matched by our nuclear first strike deterrent. There is no dictator or regime that is out of our reach. It's just a matter of if our nation determines it must defend itself."

The rhetoric was hostile after such a brash move so far North of the Tainese Isles. The incident explains part of Vangaziland's interest with the Tainese Isles of late. Zi Shun had recently reached out to North Korea and started talk on acquiring nuclear weapons.

"This was a threat we could not allow to fester", said Tainese Prime Minister Tan Seung-Woo. "We had the assets in theater. Vangaziland offered air-to-air refueling for the fighters as well as Naval support en route."

It's speculated that the helicopters and troops were transported on a ship earlier, as a Vannish surface group has moved closer to the region in the recent time.

"Vangaziland and the Tainese Isles will work more and more over the coming months to help provide stability to all of Asia and the world, unfettered by none", Goodson said.
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Cao Lingxin Seizes Power

Cao Lingxin released a video appearing to be deep underground, based on heavy rock walls seen in the background of one video clip. Some analysts brought up the idea of misinformation, stating that Cao could have left the country and released an old video as misinformation.

"Chances are he's alive", said defense analyst Chase Mallon. "It wouldn't make sense for any of his rivals to release one of his videos. Maybe someone is using it to dodge heat, but there's no need for that. This is a power move."

"This isn't an action that the people of Yanjin will take laying down", said the short, fiery Cao Lingxin. "The Tainese are responsible for this. They let the Vannish dogs, sniff their way into dangerous land. Our dangerous land. They will pay. They will also not stop us from pursuing a nuclear program."

As news leaked of General Zi's passing the following day, everyday life was flipped upside down. Civil unrest was at an all-time high. People began to strike. The police responded to arrest the citizens they saw as troublemakers.

In at least 3 cities, there were shootouts between police and roving groups of civilians. In one case, military grade side arms squared off on both sides.

"There is no civil war in Yanjin", said newly crowned General Cao. "News of protests and violence are exaggerated. There has been some shouting and a few accidents. It is nothing of concern. Life will go on."

Despite that, violence surged throughout the morning and into the early afternoon.



Not far from the beaches of Hengdao, the blue Z19E helicopters of the Yanjin Air & Space Forces was called in after Molotov bottles were thrown into a government motorpool. Cameras tracked a vehicle several of the cohorts moved into and it's location was relayed to the helicopter.

Yanjin's air force fired on its own civilians, in accordance with the law of tracking civilians after terrorist acts. The terrorist strike was in response to the enforcement of martial law in the coastal city.

General Cao did not speak on the incident, but spoke of efforts to restore power in the capital and lectured citizens on the importance of keeping to timetables.

"The harvest season has been celebrated", said Cao Lingxin. "But an entire year awaits us before the next celebration. Crops are one thing. We must band together to run an entire society. Now is the time for unity and national strength."

He was not finished with the Tainese Isles.

"The Tainese will pay for their actions and so will any foreign dogs who support them. Yanjin is toppled, but far from fallen. You devils have stolen a bone and hid in the same dog's backyard."

[Vangaziland]

Ship Sunk, ICBMs and Bombers Retaliate

A Tainese-flagged shipping vessel was hit by a torpedo early Thursday night. The merchant vessel sank quickly, leaving no room for survivors. A torpedo was fired from a Yanjin submarine.

Yanjin media released audio of the strike and video of the crew celebrating afterwards.

"War is not a game", said the Tainese Prime Minister in a broadcast statement. "The nation of Yanjin is serious about wanting to ruin our land and our way of life. They see war as a game. It's a cute thing for them to fill their media with. They want to be tough."

24 people crewed the car carrier ship, destined for Mirevia. 4,400 cars were lost in the strike.

"The Tainese Isles, along with the Vannish military will show this paper tiger the consequences of such a policy", said Hank Goodson in a different statement. "Our navies are totally free to operate in the waters of East Asia. This is no drill. This is not a police action."

"If there continues to be a lack of stability in East Asia, then the Land of Ice and the Red Sun will have to increase presence in the region."

Vangaziland enjoys a fairly good relationship with China because the Vannish State also has partial ownership in countries. The Vannish Empire is not aligned with the West, but has established its own culture and doctrine as 'The North.' It's an isolationist nation with a record of standing up to entire alliances and making them blink.

The retaliation for the strike would be swift, painful and bring echoes of total war. Vannish submarines fired multiple warheads at a Yanjin Naval Base.

"The coordinates were pre-planned from satellite intel. We had a high rate of hit success. This is just the start."

The Tainese also retaliated, firing cruise missiles at radar and anti-aircraft sites near the coast.

"Unfortunately, there was civilian collateral damage. But we minimized it where we could."

Early in the dark of morning, a Vannish bomber launched a full bomb bay of 1000-pound guided munitions on the complex dug into the cliffs to Yanjin's East. In a briefing, a Vannish spokesman told us at least two bunker busting bombs with deep set fuzes were used.

"The Sea is becoming a war zone. Fleets are sailing towards each other. Expect more of this", said Tainese admiral Choong.

Despite the bombing, much of the network remains dug into the side of the rock wall.

"It will take many bombing runs before we can really make headway", said a Vannish Army spokesman. "This is a situation that will take years to evolve and we're experiencing a slow start."

The Vannish Navy is steaming towards the Tainese Isles. At least two surface groups will arrive in waters between the East Asian island of Yanjin and the Tainese Isles much further South.

The Tainese Navy is spreading a net and moving assets towards Yanjin while also securing their coastal areas.

Compared to the 22 casualties of the sunken ship, casualty estimates revolve around 200 dead or seriously wounded in the retaliation strikes. The ship was a financial blow to the Tainese.

Yanjin also took a financial hit, especially in the bombing at Yueping. Important facilities were damaged, including the lifting arms which helps load ships. Crews are already started on the repairs.

[Yanjin]

Four Bombers Lost In Glorious Mission

The Bell of the People chimed 12 times today for the aircraft and crews that were lost over the Pacific Ocean, early Monday morning while attempting a historic and honorable raid on the jingoistic Tainese and their Vangazi houndmasters. With potential allies too cowardly to intervene, it is up to the brave people of Yanjin to defend ourselves.

"Asia is full of nations who talk", said Cao Lingxin, "Yet they allow these imperialistic dogs into Asian lands. Some nations want to be imperialistic but lack the fortitude to follow through, so they react and flex and talk, but are simply de-clawed kittens with a toothache. The entire pet shop notices."

The statement comes in response to North Korea and China failing to intervene in the Yanjin situation. China has offered humanitarian assistance but is looking to distance itself from the extremist country. China would see the combat as a test of their equipment, in Yanjin hands, against what is called 'The North.'

"The Vangazi string holders claim to be isolationist, but they are doing the work of the West. If they were truly isolationist, they would not intervene with our battle against the Tainese", General Cao added. "If they are the North, then they are just as bad as the West."

A flight of 4 Jian H-6 bombers, split into two groups were escorted by two different fighter squadrons. Both were composed of 4 Shenyang J-13 fighters.

The fighters sped to intercept approaching Tainese fighters when stealth Vannish fighters ambushed the bombers from the rear after the fighters sped forward. A ball of fur ensued in the sky. The result was that all brave, heroic Yan people bravely stood up against the dogs of the North and their puppy in South East Asia, far away from the South China Sea in the open waters of the Pacific proper.

"I guess this makes us the most brave nation in Asia", General Cao said in a broadcast statement. "At least we say and do what we mean."

Two Tainese F-18s were shot down, crew status is unknown.

In a national tragedy, all Yanjin aircraft were downed and failed to return home. The North Koreans responded by holding emergency drills and spat at the American dictator of the East, Trump. Both men, neither of whom served one day in the military, argued online and called it a night. Meanwhile, the Yanjin fight foreigners on our seas.

There were no survivors. Rumors of captured pilots are false news.

[Vangaziland]

Vangaziland Releases Gun Camera Footage


Vangaziland released several video clips of the dogfight above the Pacific Ocean. The clips are carefully selected and edited to remove any useful intelligence like covert tactics, doctrine or operating info. Anything seen in the footage is common information available online or in books on how dogfights go down.

The footage showed hapless bombers in the crosshairs as jets sped past and raked them with the guns.

"We outnumbered them severely", said Major Jessica Hogan, the unit's commanding officer. "It was no surprise that they were coming." This could mean multiple things, although the Major did not elaborate. The enemy fighters were quick to chase the planes on their radar, leaving each of the two groups of dual bombers defended by only 2 each.

Footage from Major Hogan's plane shows her taking on a Shenyang J-13 by herself. The Shenyang is highly maneuverable, but does not compare to the Vannish F-23 fighter. Most people know the aircraft better as America's prototype, the YF-23. Vangaziland bought the rights and never looked back, turning it into a venerable fighter, pushing close to 6th generation.

"There are things people do not know about the F-23, even though everything is available online", Hogan continued. "They do not have thrust vectoring. The entire tail is adjustable. Feel free to read what test pilots said about its angle of attack. "

After a particular Yanjin fighter dodges a missile with an extreme turn and countermeasures, we hear Hogan say over the headset, "Winchester hot."

The Vannish jet rips forward at breakneck speeds. The tail most likely moves into its braking position as the Vangazi banks into a deep diving turn. It quickly catches up to the tail of the fighter that was 2 o'clock low. Now it made a mistake. It tried to out climb the Vangazi with less momentum, falling right into a typical scissor.

"Vangaziland and all our allies train in all aspects of aerial warfare from close-quarters gun-fighting to close air support. The return to dogfighting with guns is nothing new or unique to stealth. Any nation halfway competent realized this after watching America in the Vietnam war. So us using our cannons was not some special skill. We expect dogfighting. We train against each other in these maneuverable, stealth jets."

A look into American red tape shows the YF-23 was the superior fighter. The F-22 was chosen because of budget constraints and on the fact that it'd be 'good enough'. Vangaziland does not share that attitude.

"More importantly than our planes are our pilots. There is not a more staunch, dogged person than a Vangazi. We teach our pilots to shoot overkill. We aim for the cockpit."

2,257 miles separate the Tainese Isles from Yanjin. The distance can be covered very quickly, especially at the supersonic cruising speed of the YF-23.

[Yanjin]

In the slums of Hengdao, east of the Liang river, a meeting took place in a rather dingy looking apartment complex. The buildings all had 11 floors, full of working class Yanjin citizens. These were not the IT workers who lived in the west of the city. Across the bridge, one could find cars. They weren't nice ones compared to the international standard. They were made for form, not function and were put together in factories by unmotivated workers.

On the east side, roads were filled with scooters and bikes. Trucks were common, ferrying goods or even soldiers between the different districts. People here worked at a nearby steel mill, an electronics factory or the sewage & waste plants. Port workers and longshoremen also live to the East.

Across the bridge there were commercial buildings, a train station and even tall hotels. The software and IT industries there were highly profitable for the Yanjin State. By their logic, they did more than a fair share for 'The People' and therefore should be rewarded. The State found different ways to reward people from other cities and fields of employment, as well.

One bridge separated what looked like anytown, commercial Asia from a slum full of workers.

At the corner apartment on the sixth floor, four men sat around a Spartan table, with equally bare bones chairs. They spoke in their regional dialect which was an offshoot of Mandarin, but unique to the people of this island.

"General Cao must not go on", said a man with a beard and a long thin mustache. He was dressed in old clothes, covered in dry paint specks. They were just coveralls from work, painting at the factory. The ventilation was not the best and things like overcoats were rare. You'd get a mask, fans and an open window.

"He'll make this land worse", said a taller, thinner man. "The imperialists won't do any better. But we need a new Yanjin."

The bearded man responded. "We have the connections. They're already in place. Is now actually the time?" Clearly he referred to something that has been in the works. Many Yan wish for a better world, for freedom, for the things outsiders get to enjoy. The government has tried to hide the outside world, but there's an entire underground network of access to foreign cell phones and the internet. People charge money for access. It's a risky trade, but some have no alternative.

"It is. And we should start tonight." A third person spoke.

"We need the Northmen", said the bearded man. His name was Peng Wu, a paint shop and auto body worker. His comrade, the thin man, was his cousin. He was in the People's Army of Yanjin and had a lot of influence with his unit. There were over 50 of his Army comrades, who had been plotting on the day of 'A New Wave'.

Cao Lingxin beat them to the punch.

"Screw the Northmen", the thin soldier told his cousin. His name was Teng Wuying. "They just want to make us slaves. Like the Britons did to the Chinese."

"I read on the internet, that was not true", said the fourth man. He was old with gray hair. Peng Zhong was Wu's uncle. He was still made to work as a teacher at a school for kids on the east side of Hengdao. "The Chinese were a colony. It was not exactly slavery."

"Close enough", interrupted Wuying. "They'll do something devilish. We must fight on our own."

"But who are we to decide what's best for Yanjin? We don't know anything about policy?"

"We are the Jade Tear", Wuying said with finality. "We will make the name known."

[Yanjin]

Pantong Fishermen & Dockworkers Resist

Hundreds are dead after a late night clash between fishermen and loyalists of the new government under General Cao. The fighting took place on the Eastern banks of Yanjin in the fishing town of Pantong. A leader calling himself Commodore Yuan released a statement. Our news station was broken into by over 40 fishermen and farmers who overwhelmed the few guards on duty.

"Since General Cao took over, pay has been scarce", said a government soldier turned rebel. "The government is no longer for the people. In truth, it has not been for some time. The downward spiral of this dictatorship has led to today's actions."

Armed rebels, clad in green fatigues stormed positions all over the city. The weapons were foreign, with M4 carbines and Beretta pistols the most common. They appeared worn and dusty, almost like surplus weapons. The configuration appears similar to previous editions of rifles in countries like Vangaziland, with laser attachments of that nation visible.

The strikes were coordinated and lasted well into the morning hours. Here at Pantong State News, we have been instructed by a man calling himself Tso to report on events as they unfold. We are held hostage. Our station does not wish to violate state law, but we have no choice.

"We represent Independant Pantong", Commodore Yuan says in a video sent to our agency. "Any armed supporters of the dog Cao will be executed, foreign or domestic. This is but the start. All cities, all rural districts, are encouraged to rise. Resist. Sabotage. Fight. We must return Yanjin to the people. Cao is illegitimate."

Pantong is a city of 800,000 based around the fishing industry. Many also live in urban farming communities, where tall towers are placed on the outskirts of farmland. Trams take these urban farmers to the plot of land they work. Although most farming is in Yanjin, Pantong is crucial to the economy and to the supply of domestic food.

News from Western Yanjin shows the Government is preparing to retake the city. Fighter aircraft can be heard flying over the city. A caller reported two trucks full of Pantong rebels were hit by a Shenyang J-13 fighter. Commodore Yuan has admitted to having no naval experience. The surname that is his persona is also most likely false. But the man has inspired a city to revolt.

The smell of smoke lingers heavy in the air, as fires burn across the city. Echoes of gunfire can be heard from within our office. People should say indoors, although Yuan's forces blare loudspeakers in the street telling people to join them.

"We have food. We have weapons. We have international support behind us. We are the new wave. Fight for the true people. Cao is no leader." The same message plays on repeat over choppy speakers. Our only hope is that we are spared a terrible fate from either side. For the first time in our existence, the rebels have made Pantong State News an independent voice for the media. Send help.

[Yanjin]

Tainese Marines Land In Pantong Along With Vannish Special Forces

With the uprising in Pantong reaching new levels of violent clashes, the military of the Tainese Isles has finally moved into position. Over 2,200 miles separate the two island nations. Previous conflicts have been limited to clashes between aircraft and ships. Four days after Pantong declared itself independent, an amphibious landing group of mostly Tainese assets made an unchallenged landing on rebel held beaches.

The path for the fleet was cleared by Vannish submarines and satellites which reported on the movement of the Yanjin Navy.

"The Eye of the Empire sees all", said General H. Applebind, commander of the Vannish Armed Forces. "To add to the element of surprise, the submarines did not fire on tracked ships. There is still a hope that the military will support a new Yanjin. A Yanjin for the people, but truly. We see a level of corruption which goes beyond ideology."

Tainese Commodore Okabe Tae-Soo added, "Our goal is not to change the Yanjin way. If they support a strong state, we can work with that. But we must establish an actual state, as opposed to a dictator and his cronies."

It has recently been released that news of the start of a nuclear weapons program and multiple atrocities, including recent mass executions of political rivals, helped bring on the recent conflict.

The speed with which the ships arrived showed they did not sail from the Tainese Isles. Instead, they most likely held at a joint battle position with a Vannish surface warfare group, or the sole Vannish carrier group in the Pacific. The Vannish Navy has moved into position as tension escalate.

More ships are expected to be on the way from bases within the Tainese Isles and will take time to arrive. Pantong is to the Northeast, further from the Tai chain. Rebels have seized a majority of the city but are still clashing with the military-like policemen of the government. With such a quick involvement of the Tainese Navy, many wonder if these surplus M4 weapons were supplied by the Tainese and Vangazi. They wear plain olive uniforms, but the design is similar to those seen by other Vangaziland-equipped rebels across the globe.

Amphibious tractors first started landing at approximately 4:51 AM local Yanjin time. The landing would run through the morning. By noon, the first forces had helped secure Pantong's regional airport. A cargo flight landed sometime after 5pm. Aircraft are expected to land several times daily with all sorts of equipment and personnel in transit. The details of the shipments have not been released, but one can expect a rapid deployment of soldiers and combat equipment.

The Tainese find themselves in firefights around the city, as they move to control terrain and control the roads. Things will get worse as the Army moves in from the west to support the policemen. Yanjin rebels fighting the government have been seen burying mines and improvised bombs in preparation for the tanks and armored vehicles which are soon to arrive.

The man calling himself Commodore Yuan has released a statement, but has kept out of the public eye.

"People of Yanjin, support the foreign military. They are here for the people. A new Yanjin will arise from what we started in Pantong", Yuan wrote and released to the media. "Our enemy is the one who enslaves us. Who murder our brothers and sisters for expressing opinions. Those who lie to us about what life is like in other places. Those who tell us, it is our destiny to be poor and to give our all, just for their coffers."

A large swath of fighter jets escorted the Marine operation. Three fighter jets were shot down on their way to intercept the Marines. As the first cargo plane landed, the wave of coalition fighter numbers swelled to escort the aircraft to safety.

The complex situation in Yanjin is only starting. Many questions remain unanswered.

Various Marine anti-aircraft vehicles are moving into place as fighters land in Pantong's airport to also use it as an airbase. At least one Marine battalion is pulling security here and also using it as a base.

[Jhalpharezi]

100 miles west of Pantong sat a checkpoint crewed by soldiers loyal to General Cao and the new government of Yanjin. They were on high alert. The midday sun made for an uncommonly warm winter day. A soldier stood in front of a few vehicles, watching passers by. He' looked tense. Although it is mid-day, he's patrolling in a land full of rebels.

Only a thin line holds the new government in place. Pantong, only 100 miles away, has been seized by an international coalition who has been utilizing everything from the dockyards to the airport. It's been almost a month. Still, this checkpoint has remained out of the fight. It's on a major road, heading west.

The soldier is in communication with two trucks, which would have been called '5 tons' in the West (or North). A driver and gunner crewed both. The latter stood in a turret ring behind a 30mm HMG. They constantly spin, scanning the surrounding areas.

A hill looks down over the checkpoint, as do several buildings far in the distance. It's a fairly rural area, but the streets themselves are surrounded by small, 1 building shops and shanties. There are gas stations, truck stops, restaurants.

"Team 2 in position", says Jamil Waj. He's in a five story building about 300 meters from the road.

"Shiva copies", came another voice. This one was farther away, perched on the hill. Surrounded by trees, a sniper and scout were hidden in the treeline. Joining them was a third, an artillery observer who doubled as RTO.

"Team 1 copies." Another team was staged around the corner. 20 soldiers were packed in the back of what looked like a regular semi, a tractor trailer. Their leader peaked out from a porthole cut into the back of the truck. They represented two full squads.

The scout and sniper discussed the shot. He had a clear look on the first truck's gunner. Then he would switch to take out the second. Hopefully he could be quick enough to get them both.

Things were set. The scout whispered, "Fire, fire, fire."

Before the third repetition, the silenced rifle let out a whisper of a report. Behind the rifle was a Jhal sniper, from the Eastern border of the region of India. The three teams on the ground were with a special forces outfit from Jhalpharezi. In the air supporting them, hiding their presence from a far distance, were two Vannish Navy F-35s. They had powerful cameras, called 'pods' which watched the action from far away. They passed intel from far away and high above.

The gunner of one truck fell, probably without drawing the attention of the others. He hung in his harness, head down, motionless. The spotter called out the hit and already sent corrections to the second target, the other gunner. Barely a minute later and again it was, "Fire, fire, fire."

The rifle chittered. Again, the target fell. This time, the man leaned back and fell into the rear of the truck. The scout could see guards scattering around the truck. They seemed to be looking from all over.

"Phase 1 complete, start 2", said the observer with the sniper team over the radio. Right away, there was a pop and a gray streak left one of the buildings occupied by Team 2. There was a flash. A boom. One truck exploded in a fireball.

The next truck started its engine. The driver realized his gunner was hit and thought it better to open the door and run, versus trying to maneuver around. His truck went up from a second shoulder fired rocket just as he leapt from the door. He was badly burned along his back and yelled in the street in horror. Another guard came to his rescue. Meanwhile, they ducked for cover in an alley to the side of the road, away from the buildings, which they turned to.

The guards knew the direction, but were scanning for movement. Finally, they got it. Muzzle flashes and reports as the Pharezi operators fired their rifles.

Meanwhile, the artillery observer had his own target. He'd been working up a mission with one of the F-35s. There was a building the guards kept walking in and out of throughout the morning. There was heat incoming. The sound of a roaring jet took over the landscape.

The building went up in a concussive blast, which ripped it apart before sinking the midsection. Team 2 continued to fire on the guards, now pinned.

The jet passing was a sign in itself for the assault team in the truck. The back door opened and the soldiers began to pour out. The squads split into two groups. One went up the road, the other was flanking around alleys they had studied for hours with satellite footage.

Team 1 picked up their fire from several buildings, each of which the commandos had taken over. The families of the apartments were kept from interfering under armed guard. Some wanted to see the Indian soldiers. Others protested, even if only silently.

Team 1, the assault team, all had silenced submachine guns. The two squads coordinated and soon found themselves around the guards in an L shape. The fire came from the alley first, the same which the guards had their backs to. As the alley team opened fire, some turned to return fire, after hearing the impact of bullets to their front. Others fell right away, hit. The last option was to run forward, to try to get cover across the street. Those who sprinted forward were hit with a wall of fire from the street team.

Meanwhile, injured soldiers began trying to stagger out of the building taken down by the strike. They were being hit by the sniper, which had eyes on the structure.

The second fighter had eyes in the sky on the town. An APC was coming in from the opposite side of town. He'd already let the other F-35 know, which was flying a large figure 8, having crossed its path and was now streaking towards it. A laser guided bomb was ready, guided by the laser & pod of its wingman.

The vehicle went up in smoke, torn apart. Pieces of the occupants were thrown for 100 meters.

Reinforcements were sure to be on the way. Vannish forces, along with rebels were speeding towards the intersection. This was only the start. But for now the Sea Tigers of Jhalpharezi had taken the checkpoint, dropped the local barracks and paved the way for advancing forces.

[New Doltania]

Two New Doltanian troops and 10 rebels have been killed after a brutal clash with Yanjin Government forces on a coastal path. The Yanjin Government forces had been deployed after reports from loyalists of New Doltanians and rebels.

The Prime Minister John leBlanc-Mijan said that New Doltania would not be withdrawing from Yanjin after the fatalities. He has sent his condolences to the families of the snipers, who have been named as Trooper James Callaghan and Trooper Marty Jones. They were on their way to be deployed in the outskirts of the coastal town of Sabin.

The fighting ensued at about 10pm, when the Yanjin Government forces, which numbered at 16 compared to the 12 of the New Doltanians and rebels. The snipers and rebels fought bravely, killing 10 out of the 16 enemy soldiers before all being killed. The bodies of Callaghan and Jones were found behind a large boulder, where they had been hidden to shoot. The Secretary of State for Defence, John Forster, said that New Doltanian troops in Yanjin will not be demoralised but will wish to avenge their comrades.

[Yanjin]

Although Pantong had mostly fallen into foreign hands, there was still a resistance loyal to the old government of Yanjin. A big part of the city supported the faction supported by the Vannish and Tainese coalition. There were still those who simply did not trust the outsiders.

There were others who just wanted to fight and had the means to. Enter Yu Xuegang, Artillery observer. He'd spent the past few weeks in his improvised observation post, tracked officially by the Yan Army as OP87. It was tied to several 'known points' to artillery computers. This meant laser accurate date was ready for any targets in the viewpoint's vicinity.

Unfortunately for a group of operators, they chose to operate from a building 300 meters within range of the OP. A battery of four self propelled howitzers had moved into position overnight. Guns were in range of the town. His station was set up in a tall residential building. Soldiers came by to check and Xuegang hid his few supplies in a room full of crates of rice and spices.

He'd even traded several of the crates to the soldiers, playing it cool the whole time. Catering to their egos. They were Tainese, who checked on him.

An informant, a friend, first told him where the foreigners were staying. It took several days, but finally visual confirmation was made when he watched a foreign 4x4 drop several soldiers off at the small two story building.

Now he was ready to send a fire mission.

"Zhou, this is Eight, adjust fire, over", he said as he whispered over the radio. He'd refined his grid earlier, using a map, a compass and a laser rangefinder. He was confident the artillery would be on target.

"Adjust Fire, Out", repeated the guns.

"Grid Sian-Ji 5550 3350, up 200, over."

"Grid Sian-Ji 5550 3350, up 200, out", the FDC controller repeated from under the tarp behind his Chinese-made 4x4. He was with the artillery battery, 40 miles outside of the city in a clearing. Their position would be given up on radar. They were ready to take the chance, even if it meant sacrifice.

"Enemy in two story building, over."

Once again, the Fire Direction Controller repeated the information, later sending "Man Tian Ouichan, Delay in effect, over."

Now Xuegang would repeat the transmission. Then there was a silence, a wait. At least it was for Xuegang. Back at the clearing in the woods, the FDC passed refined targeting data to the firing battery, who was coordinating the fire mission over the radio and by yelling outside of the trucks.

4 152mm howitzers mounted on the back of local pickup trucks were aiming for bear on a hut currently occupied by a team of Tainese special forces. With them was a Vannish advisor, most likely with VSF-1.

"Shot over."

Then later.

"Splash, over"

About 5 seconds later, Xuegang could see a dark cloud puff out and rise on the street on line with the building just across the street. Inside they'd probably be scrambling to leave.

"Fire for effect", Xuegang transmitted.

The FDC repeated the call. Now each gun would fire at that point in a salvo. The effect would result in a 200m circle of destruction. As far as the observer felt, everyone in that general area was a traitor to true Yanjin. His advisors and other observers left the area hours ago.

It wasn't long until their were flashes and the popping of concussive blasts in the distance shook the residential building Xuegang had such a panoramic view from.

The two story building was folded in from one shell which hit directly. Two others had grazing effects from the edges of their blasts. It had toppled in on itself, collapsing into the center.

Now it was only a matter of time until the forces came for him. This time they would search thoroughly. He would have to run or fight. And there were too many helicopters to move between the buildings unless he ditched all of his equipment. He could still do more and felt he should. He'd already donned his kit and carried his Type 92 hanging down from a wolf clip sling as he held a pair of binoculars.

He sent an 'End of Mission' report, and continued to study the scene through the binoculars. Meanwhile, the howitzers were packing up to scoot from the firing position in a desperate race for their lives into cover. Aircraft would definitely scramble based on the defensive artillery computer systems.

Soon the trucks speed along a rough road which weaved in and out of the woods.

[The Grande Republic 0f Arcadia]

Arcadian Embassy in Yanjin

Marco Kessler

He crawled over to the wall as gunshots erupted down the hall. Smoke filled the air and a fire was in the courtyard. They were being attacked. They had shelled the embassy and they managed to get a call out about the attack, it has been three hours and it was getting bad. He was one of the few that didnt escape in time with the small helicopter that came to rescue them. What came to rescue them was a CH-57, they managed to fly over for about an hour but he was pinned by a desk during the entire evacuation. From his estimates only 11 people remain in the embassy and most of which were guards or natives. As he was backed against the wall he put his hand over his wound trying to stop the blood and as the gunshots down the hall stopped he looked up and waited. As tow figures walked into the room he saw they were not Arcadian. They soon spoke over the radio and as they grabbed him they dragged him outside with the others who surrendered or were injured. As he was put on a stretcher a man spoke over a megaphone "You imperialists and collaborators to the imperialists, you are now property of the state of Yanjin and her people." As the man went on Marco's vision went dark.

Casatolo, Arcadia

Freiherr Munche

He sat looked on at parliament's session, and the Bundeskabinett had finished early, and he was watching from the top floor. The Chancellor was conducting a filibuster to get parliament to vote in favor of a police action in the nation of Yanjin after attacking the Arcadian embassy in the region. He had already ordered the embassy in Vangaziland to contact thier head of state to talk of the empire joining the make shift coalition against Yanjin.

Arcadian Embassy in Vangaziland

Ambassador Christian Vérany

As he watched ANN on Tv about the most recent attack in Yanjin, the only thing different is that Arcadia was finally attacked and the world was watching. From what he knew about the Yanjin regime, they had communist tendencies which put them in the line of sights in the Arcadian war on communism. Because of the attack security in Arcadian embassies across the globe have been stationed on partial alert. As he looked at the clock he realized it was time to lunch with his son. As he turned off the TV he stood up and grabbed his coat and walked out the door. When he arrived at his car waiting for him out front he heard someone yell "Mr. Verany! Mr. Verany you have a call from Casatolo its important!" As he turned he saw his assistant and he replied "Can't this wait until I get back from lunch?" His assistant spoke "No sir, this comes down from the Freiherr himself." As he walked back inside to the front desk he asked for a phone and picked up the call and spoke "This is Ambassador Verany, whom am I speaking to?" The man on the other end spoke "I am Minister Goodman, we need you to contact the Vangizil government about getting involved in Yanjin, i have just called to set up a meeting later today at 8pm, we have your information to go over being sent to you over email, I suggest you download it and prepare your case." As the phone hung up he called his son and told him he wouldnt make it to lunch today and walked back to his office. It looks like there is no rest in this part of the globe.