A Greater Dienstad war-game roleplay
Repay no one evil for evil,
but give thought to do what is honourable
in the sight of all.
but give thought to do what is honourable
in the sight of all.
Romans 12:17-21
HMS Fearsome
Farseer Class SDN – Flagship of the 2nd Fleet
Cartesia
Fleet Admiral Tanus Galan walked briskly down the abnormally spacious central corridor of the HMS Fearsome en route to the General O-Group meeting of senior naval commanders of the 2nd Fleet. He had always been very much in awe of this ship, one of the biggest in the world. It’s size and majesty projected as much ‘soft power’ as it did hard – it embodied Stevidian naval supremacy and physically epitomised the power and legacy of the Holy Empire. Yet for all the grandeur it was still a warship at heart and this fact was reinforced by the eight turrets that each housed five thirty-inch cannons. Rumours abound the various officer messes Galan had visited about the Farseer Class super dreadnoughts in that the ship’s company had individual rooms, half a dozen separate messes, an actual on board church that rivalled the size one you’d find in a common village. At over a kilometre and a half in length and over three hundred metres in breadth, it was easy to see how the imaginations flared up regarding one of the Royal Navy’s ‘crown jewels’. Many of the rumours were unfounded. With a maximum crew just shy of twenty-seven thousand it assured that most of the ship’s company were hot bunking when fully manned. The on-board galleys, of which there were twelve, were simple things and constantly busy as the ship’s manning schedule ensured a staggered flow of people as so not to over burden the chefs. Having said that, the senior officer’s mess, which was distinct to the other officer messes and one that Galan was part of, was quite opulent. But no, this ship was so much more than a political statement of power or a weapon of war. She had been built as such but its role had evolved well beyond that. She was a floating fortress, a mobile fleet HQ and the nexus or nerve centre of the 2nd Fleet’s maritime activities as well as its general administration. With this being the case she rarely put to sea. However the necessity for such a ship was obvious when a combined full strength Stevidian Fleet ready for interstate war comprised of nearly two thousand ships.
Galan summoned all fleet commanders attend aboard this flagship. The amount of ‘Brass’ currently on-aboard was unsurprising seeing as the ship was essentially no different to a land based headquarters. Because of this people rarely saluted him during the day else many of the lower ranks would spend all day with their hand around their head – a thought that regularly amused the Admiral. Most of the rooms on board were meeting rooms, conference rooms or general administrative centres for something or another - at least in this part of the ship. HMS Fearsome had been to war before and Galan knew that she was home to a torrent of missiles, heavy cannons and even its own air wing. To manage all of that required all the command and control potential this ship offered, and then some. As one of the nerve centres to the Fleet, HMS Fearsome was expected to be able to coordinate the actions of literally thousands of vessels, which was why he was here although verbal orders, such as this O-Group, were rare when delivered fleet wide.
Galan made his way to one of the biggest conference rooms in the ship. It was situated towards the top of the ship’s central superstructure behind the main mast and was reserved for on-board state occasions or important private briefings. Galan entered through large double doors opened by two Ratings. The conference room was more a banquet hall or church than a room. Whilst built from steel and finished with flame retardant paint, the room was a light concrete grey and meticulously designed with Stevidian Gothic architecture aesthetics in mind, and was designed in the outline shape of a giant Christian cross. Along the walls of this ‘Nave’ were pillars made of tempered steel that stretched to the roof and then curved inwards meeting in the middle; they formed small annexes where marble plaques were mounted to the wall commemorating the honoured dead. Above this and between every other pillar were stained glass windows depicting battles or past theatres of war. Arranged and seated in front of Galan was the congregation of fleet commanders separated down the middle forming a walkway; at the end of the room was a large display screen that currently showed a crucifix with a fluttering naval ensign superimposed upon it. Where this nave met the transept there was a small plinth sticking up from the floor and a similar one in the ceiling above it with projector circling around it on both floor and roof creating area for light holograms. With this room, at least some of the rumours of HMS Fearsome were true.
Upon Galan’s entry and on command, everyone braced up in respect of rank and then relaxed once he waved his hand.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for attending today.” He boomed. “I understand this was not an easy journey for many of you to make. I’ll cut to the chase. The more observant among you will notice some fellow officers you see somewhat regularly, that is because you are all from the 2nd Splinter Fleet. You have been called here because many of you were involved in the recent war games conducted with the Golden Throne – we will need your expertise again.”
He paused, probably visibly – it seemed long and wasn’t for effect. Galan felt extremely uncomfortable about what he was about to say, his mouth half open and words caught in his throat.
“We will be working with both the Golden Throne and… the Crown Kingdom of Imbrinium.”
The noise was loud. It wasn’t outrage although one could be forgiven for thinking it. The audience was clearly as uncomfortable about the announcement as Galan was. Only a few years had past since the last regional war where Stevid had suffered against Imbrinium, if only because of some of the ‘heinous’ acts of their ally at the time: Lyras. Such acts crippled the Royal Navy’s 5th Fleet to a shadow of its former self, to such a point that it still was not at full strength to this day.
“Please…” Galan said holding up his hands until there was silence. “I know. I understand. But after this brief I’m sure you will all understand why we are doing this given the current strategic picture. Besides, most of us here are part of the Flock.” He said referencing their shared Christian faith. “We’re bound to each other if not by duty and tradition then definitely by our faith. The Book preaches peace, but to make peace you must first have conflict to resolve. The Golden Throne, the Crown… we have fulfilled the first criterion with both of these nations. With the Golden Throne we now have something more like an ad hoc alliance - more than a cordial relationship. In Imbrinium we have nothing but resentment, distrust… malice. But we had that with The Macabees – we can have it with the Crown.”
He looked around the room, taking in his audience. “This won’t be easy for us. We are not going to like it, in fact if anything we will hate working with them. But over time we have seen common ground and we have seen the machinations of Lyras, United World Order and Ralkovia develop independently of each other and I for one do not like what I see. A strong central Greater Dienstad can control Greater Dienstad in ways never thought possible and that is what we are striving to achieve from today.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Holy Empire, The Golden Throne and the Crown Kingdom will be running a massive naval war-gaming simulation known as Ex TRIUMVIRATE. Our target: Ralkovian slaver convoys. Our goal: interstate fleet operability, combined asset direction, command and control, live situational tactical development encompassing several hostile nation-states.”
Galan got into the crux of the briefing - the how, why, what and who. The 2nd Fleet’s 2nd Splinter Fleet would be deployed in its entirety to Exercise TRIUMVIRATE with the 8th and 9th Fleets filling the deployment gaps left by such a movement of forces. This deployment numbered five hundred and forty-five ships including support elements and would be deployed in Liberated America, Monzarc and HMNB Vulcan east of the Golden Throne. The Golden Throne would be contributing approximately three hundred vessels and the Crown of Imbrinium around two hundred and fifty. Imbrinium would also provide the opposing forces that numbered two hundred and thirty-one ships of which almost half were either requisitioned civilian cargo ships or other naval reserve logistic ships. Galan pointed out that the opposition force was to simulate the slaver convoys whilst the military shipping would act as escorts and rapid reaction response battle groups. He further highlighted that the Stevidian Royal Navy would be more heavily involved in the strike operations, namely carrier based missions and light escort harassment as well as providing the bulk of the support assets ranging from fleet based logistics to naval intelligence.
The Golden Throne, Galan said carefully, would be providing the bulk of the submarine assets. He was sure to move on from this point hastily, Stevidian submarine operations had been in the news too often of late and the secrecy of such operations had to be maintained. In light of this the Royal Navy was only too happy to let either the Golden Throne or Imbrinium take up the hunter-killer and submersible recon role.
Finally in terms of physical assets was the ‘combined’ element he had mentioned before. Galan hadn’t just meant it in the sense of working together with other states, but rather cooperation with land and air assets and not just strictly naval. Galan flicked an electronic hand held prompter that changed the screen on the back wall to from the patriotic religious symbol to a generated strategic image of the Oceanus Libertas, or more commonly known as the Sea of Crowns in other neighbouring countries. The area in question showed the northern tip of Liberated America, the southern coast of the Ordenite Reich and the northern coastal peninsular. There were several dots and symbols denoting airfields, major land garrisons and military ports.
“It’s obvious to all sat here today,” Galan continued. “The both the Holy Empire and the Golden Throne have a commanding strategic advantage in this area of the region. The Reich is trying to muscle in. It is not beyond the realms of possibility for Ralkovia and the Reich to engage in an “Alliance of Necessity” and more overtly challenge our supremacy. Slaver convoys rarely transit this area, but it is a flash point and a good example of how we can use our advantage over the Reich and other enemies by making use of the assets we have.”
He thumbed his prompter and it highlighted Macabee land based missiles and whilst displaying pictures of aircraft, Stevidian maritime patrol and EW/AWACs aircraft and Imbrinium counterpart equipment.
“Between us and the Golden Throne we could deploy almost three hundred surveillance, recon, EW and other 4C aircraft tomorrow. In a full interstate war this could rise to over a thousand in over a two-month period. Many of you will remember Imbrinium doing a similar thing against us mid way through our war with them. Forgetting the fact we won the battle in the air over the sea, the Crown has invested an incredible amount of money to recoup their losses. As of now, they are likely somewhere between eighty to ninety percent strength in terms of available support aircraft.”
Galan clicked again, the screen now showing key friendly and hostile airbases as well as areas of interest in the Sea of Crowns. “The Empire and Throne hold the monopoly in terms of strike aircraft. The enemy have bases too so the likelihood of there being a busy aerial battle space is high. The Crown will have access to these bases as well as their own carriers. Three states on one, or on two at most, is a significant deterrent. It is also appropriate for what we are trying to achieve as a…. Triumvirate.”
There was a ripple of laughter. Forced, ‘career laughs’ Galan called them and he made a mental note of the commanders who were loudest. Too many senior ranks got promoted these days off backs of others and many were the career opportunists that enjoyed being seen and heard by higher ranks. It appalled him at times. Galan promoted people on merit. If you were to career laugh around him it would be detriment to your own.
“I’ll wind this up then.” Galan said. “Individual orders will be disseminated down to you through the appropriate chains of command. For now though, be aware your ships and their company are due to sail in a week.”
He thumbed the screens off around him and a nearby senior officer bid the congregation to rise to attention. Galan crossed his right arm at an angle over his chest placing a clenched fist to his left breast.
“For the Empire.”
“For the Empire!” Came back the enthusiastic chorus, the noise resonating throughout the room. The room was told to brace up as Galan left and then the commanders gathered their things and filtered out.
Official orders were promulgated the next morning and they detailed at length the finer points of the exercise in more detail than Galan had given. Individual ships had their orders, of course, but the Exercise Warning Order was the gospel to live by during the exercise.
Phase One of the exercise was to increase operability and familiarity with allied or otherwise likeminded nations in preparation of interstate war. “Likeminded” being Imbrinium, much like in the conference with Galan, the rank and file reading the document were not impressed. In order to this there needed to be governance on communications, verbal and written reports cast over datalink or on communication networks; knowledge on tactics, fleet dynamics, air operations, and logistical support. This would be the hardest bit.
There was recent experience with the Golden Throne but it was all still in its infancy, but everything would probably be better with them from now on thanks to said previous experience and their own. Imbrinium was a different matter as both sides were far better at killing each other than working together. The growing pains here would be palpable. However these operations would take up the first three to four weeks of an exercise likely to last months. They would include simple patrols, logistical manoeuvres, fleet manoeuvres, small to medium combat engagements with sea and naval assets (including anti-slaver convoy attacks/recon), reconnaissance and information sharing at its most basic level developing into situational O-Group sessions. All controlled and directed by HMS Fearsome and two accompanying Defiler Class command cruisers
Phase Two would be the gearing up to the live environmental stage. Stevid was charged with the developing a securely encrypted battle space specifically for this exercise. Phase Two would see it come online properly. The growing pains associated with this were left out of the warning order document. But the efforts made to work around each nation’s 4C communications security fail-safes without harming anyone’s national security or the realism and security of the exercise itself were profound and unforgiving.
Designed so that Stevidian, Macabee and Imbrinium exercise controllers, working closely with government advisors, ministers and international geo-political subject matter experts, could ‘create’ a simulated international incident, that would develop into a limited flashpoint before Phase Three; all the while enabling the exercising assets to talk to each other and share information as if it were their own system.
All the familiarisation in Phase One would be implemented in a semi-official sense by those partaking in the exercise, whilst a ‘situation develops’ in the Sea of Crowns, the Reich and Ralkovia. At this stage the ‘live’ assets do as commanded by the exercise controllers on HMS Fearsome. The story would develop, giving the ‘skills and drills’ being conducted more substance and meaning. Attached arms from other nations would bond and realise they were working towards a common cause. At this stage, the Opposing Force would detach from the exercise group and actively act as the physical aggressor force whilst relaying observations to their own fleet commanders and the exercise controllers, however simulated ‘ghost’ targets would be employed as well when required. Testing of the battle space also takes place in this stage. Live fire testing is done against dummy targets but all other fire drills are digital. The battle space’s super computer simulates the actions itself using the solutions provided by either the attacker or defender and relevant data is delivered to allied and opposing forces – together with the outcomes including positive hits and negative hits. All simultaneously. It was all incredibly complex and impressive at the same time, but a massive validation of the raw power and capability of the Stevidian BATTLEnet system.
Phase Three was the penultimate phase where the cold war tactics practised turn hot. The exercise is live and the fleet commanders have full authority to act and make decisions as they see fit. The developing situations are still created by the exercise controllers who still control the story, but they no longer have a say on the direction the allied forces take.
Three main storyline situations would develop:
One: Two Ordenite Kreigsmarine carrier groups, one surface battle group and an unknown number of submarine wolf packs deploy into the Sea of Crowns with heavy land based aerial escort to challenge allied naval supremacy by attacking the shipping lanes.
Two: In anticipation that this will be achieved, the situation develops into full interstate war with direct threats to coastal provinces in Liberated America and Monzarch. The situation is made worse by the entry of Ralkovia to force the naval and air assets to disperse to combat the additional threats to Stevidian and Macabee shipping and bases in the east.
Three: Unless detected for themselves, controllers will provide allied forces with credible naval intelligence about Ralkovian slaver convoys transiting through the Sea of Crowns and further to the northwest. They are to be eliminated or captured. If the allied forces become adept at tackling the convoys whilst keeping their own naval operations secure then controllers inject heavier simulated escorts whilst the physical opposition fleet directly targets allied bases of operation in Monzarch, Liberated America, eastern Macabees and Valvidia.
The actions taken by commanders would be assessed by the controllers and other experts with the reports published for Phase Four.
Phase Four was the draw down. The story would be concluded and obviously be some favourable outcome to the allies. However the methods of logistical withdrawal would be put to the test as ships would have to simulate battle damage and ports and airbases would have to limit the amount of assets they could handle in line with damage incurred during the conflict. However the main effort, arguably the most important of the whole exercise, was evaluation. Land, air and sea commanders would sit through discussions and strategic sessions to see how they performed during the exercise. What went right, what went wrong? What they did or didn’t do and how it affected their theatre of war or the assets they commanded. They would then deliver this back to their subordinates. Unless something went horribly wrong this would be the part the commanders would take the most away from. In the proceeding months the exercise would have huge ramifications on the actions of the three nations involved. Any shortcomings and failures, no matter how big, were most welcome for that was how best to better oneself – by making mistakes and ensuring it wouldn’t happen again.
Ultimately there was a political message here and it was loud and clear for the whole region to hear, but more so for two in particular. The two major superpowers in central Dienstad were stronger together and now there was a third nation eager to smooth its recent bumpy history. Central Greater Dienstad was strong and would be aggressors were about to get a taste of just how strong it was.
Farseer Class SDN – Flagship of the 2nd Fleet
Cartesia
Fleet Admiral Tanus Galan walked briskly down the abnormally spacious central corridor of the HMS Fearsome en route to the General O-Group meeting of senior naval commanders of the 2nd Fleet. He had always been very much in awe of this ship, one of the biggest in the world. It’s size and majesty projected as much ‘soft power’ as it did hard – it embodied Stevidian naval supremacy and physically epitomised the power and legacy of the Holy Empire. Yet for all the grandeur it was still a warship at heart and this fact was reinforced by the eight turrets that each housed five thirty-inch cannons. Rumours abound the various officer messes Galan had visited about the Farseer Class super dreadnoughts in that the ship’s company had individual rooms, half a dozen separate messes, an actual on board church that rivalled the size one you’d find in a common village. At over a kilometre and a half in length and over three hundred metres in breadth, it was easy to see how the imaginations flared up regarding one of the Royal Navy’s ‘crown jewels’. Many of the rumours were unfounded. With a maximum crew just shy of twenty-seven thousand it assured that most of the ship’s company were hot bunking when fully manned. The on-board galleys, of which there were twelve, were simple things and constantly busy as the ship’s manning schedule ensured a staggered flow of people as so not to over burden the chefs. Having said that, the senior officer’s mess, which was distinct to the other officer messes and one that Galan was part of, was quite opulent. But no, this ship was so much more than a political statement of power or a weapon of war. She had been built as such but its role had evolved well beyond that. She was a floating fortress, a mobile fleet HQ and the nexus or nerve centre of the 2nd Fleet’s maritime activities as well as its general administration. With this being the case she rarely put to sea. However the necessity for such a ship was obvious when a combined full strength Stevidian Fleet ready for interstate war comprised of nearly two thousand ships.
Galan summoned all fleet commanders attend aboard this flagship. The amount of ‘Brass’ currently on-aboard was unsurprising seeing as the ship was essentially no different to a land based headquarters. Because of this people rarely saluted him during the day else many of the lower ranks would spend all day with their hand around their head – a thought that regularly amused the Admiral. Most of the rooms on board were meeting rooms, conference rooms or general administrative centres for something or another - at least in this part of the ship. HMS Fearsome had been to war before and Galan knew that she was home to a torrent of missiles, heavy cannons and even its own air wing. To manage all of that required all the command and control potential this ship offered, and then some. As one of the nerve centres to the Fleet, HMS Fearsome was expected to be able to coordinate the actions of literally thousands of vessels, which was why he was here although verbal orders, such as this O-Group, were rare when delivered fleet wide.
Galan made his way to one of the biggest conference rooms in the ship. It was situated towards the top of the ship’s central superstructure behind the main mast and was reserved for on-board state occasions or important private briefings. Galan entered through large double doors opened by two Ratings. The conference room was more a banquet hall or church than a room. Whilst built from steel and finished with flame retardant paint, the room was a light concrete grey and meticulously designed with Stevidian Gothic architecture aesthetics in mind, and was designed in the outline shape of a giant Christian cross. Along the walls of this ‘Nave’ were pillars made of tempered steel that stretched to the roof and then curved inwards meeting in the middle; they formed small annexes where marble plaques were mounted to the wall commemorating the honoured dead. Above this and between every other pillar were stained glass windows depicting battles or past theatres of war. Arranged and seated in front of Galan was the congregation of fleet commanders separated down the middle forming a walkway; at the end of the room was a large display screen that currently showed a crucifix with a fluttering naval ensign superimposed upon it. Where this nave met the transept there was a small plinth sticking up from the floor and a similar one in the ceiling above it with projector circling around it on both floor and roof creating area for light holograms. With this room, at least some of the rumours of HMS Fearsome were true.
Upon Galan’s entry and on command, everyone braced up in respect of rank and then relaxed once he waved his hand.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for attending today.” He boomed. “I understand this was not an easy journey for many of you to make. I’ll cut to the chase. The more observant among you will notice some fellow officers you see somewhat regularly, that is because you are all from the 2nd Splinter Fleet. You have been called here because many of you were involved in the recent war games conducted with the Golden Throne – we will need your expertise again.”
He paused, probably visibly – it seemed long and wasn’t for effect. Galan felt extremely uncomfortable about what he was about to say, his mouth half open and words caught in his throat.
“We will be working with both the Golden Throne and… the Crown Kingdom of Imbrinium.”
The noise was loud. It wasn’t outrage although one could be forgiven for thinking it. The audience was clearly as uncomfortable about the announcement as Galan was. Only a few years had past since the last regional war where Stevid had suffered against Imbrinium, if only because of some of the ‘heinous’ acts of their ally at the time: Lyras. Such acts crippled the Royal Navy’s 5th Fleet to a shadow of its former self, to such a point that it still was not at full strength to this day.
“Please…” Galan said holding up his hands until there was silence. “I know. I understand. But after this brief I’m sure you will all understand why we are doing this given the current strategic picture. Besides, most of us here are part of the Flock.” He said referencing their shared Christian faith. “We’re bound to each other if not by duty and tradition then definitely by our faith. The Book preaches peace, but to make peace you must first have conflict to resolve. The Golden Throne, the Crown… we have fulfilled the first criterion with both of these nations. With the Golden Throne we now have something more like an ad hoc alliance - more than a cordial relationship. In Imbrinium we have nothing but resentment, distrust… malice. But we had that with The Macabees – we can have it with the Crown.”
He looked around the room, taking in his audience. “This won’t be easy for us. We are not going to like it, in fact if anything we will hate working with them. But over time we have seen common ground and we have seen the machinations of Lyras, United World Order and Ralkovia develop independently of each other and I for one do not like what I see. A strong central Greater Dienstad can control Greater Dienstad in ways never thought possible and that is what we are striving to achieve from today.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Holy Empire, The Golden Throne and the Crown Kingdom will be running a massive naval war-gaming simulation known as Ex TRIUMVIRATE. Our target: Ralkovian slaver convoys. Our goal: interstate fleet operability, combined asset direction, command and control, live situational tactical development encompassing several hostile nation-states.”
Galan got into the crux of the briefing - the how, why, what and who. The 2nd Fleet’s 2nd Splinter Fleet would be deployed in its entirety to Exercise TRIUMVIRATE with the 8th and 9th Fleets filling the deployment gaps left by such a movement of forces. This deployment numbered five hundred and forty-five ships including support elements and would be deployed in Liberated America, Monzarc and HMNB Vulcan east of the Golden Throne. The Golden Throne would be contributing approximately three hundred vessels and the Crown of Imbrinium around two hundred and fifty. Imbrinium would also provide the opposing forces that numbered two hundred and thirty-one ships of which almost half were either requisitioned civilian cargo ships or other naval reserve logistic ships. Galan pointed out that the opposition force was to simulate the slaver convoys whilst the military shipping would act as escorts and rapid reaction response battle groups. He further highlighted that the Stevidian Royal Navy would be more heavily involved in the strike operations, namely carrier based missions and light escort harassment as well as providing the bulk of the support assets ranging from fleet based logistics to naval intelligence.
The Golden Throne, Galan said carefully, would be providing the bulk of the submarine assets. He was sure to move on from this point hastily, Stevidian submarine operations had been in the news too often of late and the secrecy of such operations had to be maintained. In light of this the Royal Navy was only too happy to let either the Golden Throne or Imbrinium take up the hunter-killer and submersible recon role.
Finally in terms of physical assets was the ‘combined’ element he had mentioned before. Galan hadn’t just meant it in the sense of working together with other states, but rather cooperation with land and air assets and not just strictly naval. Galan flicked an electronic hand held prompter that changed the screen on the back wall to from the patriotic religious symbol to a generated strategic image of the Oceanus Libertas, or more commonly known as the Sea of Crowns in other neighbouring countries. The area in question showed the northern tip of Liberated America, the southern coast of the Ordenite Reich and the northern coastal peninsular. There were several dots and symbols denoting airfields, major land garrisons and military ports.
“It’s obvious to all sat here today,” Galan continued. “The both the Holy Empire and the Golden Throne have a commanding strategic advantage in this area of the region. The Reich is trying to muscle in. It is not beyond the realms of possibility for Ralkovia and the Reich to engage in an “Alliance of Necessity” and more overtly challenge our supremacy. Slaver convoys rarely transit this area, but it is a flash point and a good example of how we can use our advantage over the Reich and other enemies by making use of the assets we have.”
He thumbed his prompter and it highlighted Macabee land based missiles and whilst displaying pictures of aircraft, Stevidian maritime patrol and EW/AWACs aircraft and Imbrinium counterpart equipment.
“Between us and the Golden Throne we could deploy almost three hundred surveillance, recon, EW and other 4C aircraft tomorrow. In a full interstate war this could rise to over a thousand in over a two-month period. Many of you will remember Imbrinium doing a similar thing against us mid way through our war with them. Forgetting the fact we won the battle in the air over the sea, the Crown has invested an incredible amount of money to recoup their losses. As of now, they are likely somewhere between eighty to ninety percent strength in terms of available support aircraft.”
Galan clicked again, the screen now showing key friendly and hostile airbases as well as areas of interest in the Sea of Crowns. “The Empire and Throne hold the monopoly in terms of strike aircraft. The enemy have bases too so the likelihood of there being a busy aerial battle space is high. The Crown will have access to these bases as well as their own carriers. Three states on one, or on two at most, is a significant deterrent. It is also appropriate for what we are trying to achieve as a…. Triumvirate.”
There was a ripple of laughter. Forced, ‘career laughs’ Galan called them and he made a mental note of the commanders who were loudest. Too many senior ranks got promoted these days off backs of others and many were the career opportunists that enjoyed being seen and heard by higher ranks. It appalled him at times. Galan promoted people on merit. If you were to career laugh around him it would be detriment to your own.
“I’ll wind this up then.” Galan said. “Individual orders will be disseminated down to you through the appropriate chains of command. For now though, be aware your ships and their company are due to sail in a week.”
He thumbed the screens off around him and a nearby senior officer bid the congregation to rise to attention. Galan crossed his right arm at an angle over his chest placing a clenched fist to his left breast.
“For the Empire.”
“For the Empire!” Came back the enthusiastic chorus, the noise resonating throughout the room. The room was told to brace up as Galan left and then the commanders gathered their things and filtered out.
Official orders were promulgated the next morning and they detailed at length the finer points of the exercise in more detail than Galan had given. Individual ships had their orders, of course, but the Exercise Warning Order was the gospel to live by during the exercise.
Phase One of the exercise was to increase operability and familiarity with allied or otherwise likeminded nations in preparation of interstate war. “Likeminded” being Imbrinium, much like in the conference with Galan, the rank and file reading the document were not impressed. In order to this there needed to be governance on communications, verbal and written reports cast over datalink or on communication networks; knowledge on tactics, fleet dynamics, air operations, and logistical support. This would be the hardest bit.
There was recent experience with the Golden Throne but it was all still in its infancy, but everything would probably be better with them from now on thanks to said previous experience and their own. Imbrinium was a different matter as both sides were far better at killing each other than working together. The growing pains here would be palpable. However these operations would take up the first three to four weeks of an exercise likely to last months. They would include simple patrols, logistical manoeuvres, fleet manoeuvres, small to medium combat engagements with sea and naval assets (including anti-slaver convoy attacks/recon), reconnaissance and information sharing at its most basic level developing into situational O-Group sessions. All controlled and directed by HMS Fearsome and two accompanying Defiler Class command cruisers
Phase Two would be the gearing up to the live environmental stage. Stevid was charged with the developing a securely encrypted battle space specifically for this exercise. Phase Two would see it come online properly. The growing pains associated with this were left out of the warning order document. But the efforts made to work around each nation’s 4C communications security fail-safes without harming anyone’s national security or the realism and security of the exercise itself were profound and unforgiving.
Designed so that Stevidian, Macabee and Imbrinium exercise controllers, working closely with government advisors, ministers and international geo-political subject matter experts, could ‘create’ a simulated international incident, that would develop into a limited flashpoint before Phase Three; all the while enabling the exercising assets to talk to each other and share information as if it were their own system.
All the familiarisation in Phase One would be implemented in a semi-official sense by those partaking in the exercise, whilst a ‘situation develops’ in the Sea of Crowns, the Reich and Ralkovia. At this stage the ‘live’ assets do as commanded by the exercise controllers on HMS Fearsome. The story would develop, giving the ‘skills and drills’ being conducted more substance and meaning. Attached arms from other nations would bond and realise they were working towards a common cause. At this stage, the Opposing Force would detach from the exercise group and actively act as the physical aggressor force whilst relaying observations to their own fleet commanders and the exercise controllers, however simulated ‘ghost’ targets would be employed as well when required. Testing of the battle space also takes place in this stage. Live fire testing is done against dummy targets but all other fire drills are digital. The battle space’s super computer simulates the actions itself using the solutions provided by either the attacker or defender and relevant data is delivered to allied and opposing forces – together with the outcomes including positive hits and negative hits. All simultaneously. It was all incredibly complex and impressive at the same time, but a massive validation of the raw power and capability of the Stevidian BATTLEnet system.
Phase Three was the penultimate phase where the cold war tactics practised turn hot. The exercise is live and the fleet commanders have full authority to act and make decisions as they see fit. The developing situations are still created by the exercise controllers who still control the story, but they no longer have a say on the direction the allied forces take.
Three main storyline situations would develop:
One: Two Ordenite Kreigsmarine carrier groups, one surface battle group and an unknown number of submarine wolf packs deploy into the Sea of Crowns with heavy land based aerial escort to challenge allied naval supremacy by attacking the shipping lanes.
Two: In anticipation that this will be achieved, the situation develops into full interstate war with direct threats to coastal provinces in Liberated America and Monzarch. The situation is made worse by the entry of Ralkovia to force the naval and air assets to disperse to combat the additional threats to Stevidian and Macabee shipping and bases in the east.
Three: Unless detected for themselves, controllers will provide allied forces with credible naval intelligence about Ralkovian slaver convoys transiting through the Sea of Crowns and further to the northwest. They are to be eliminated or captured. If the allied forces become adept at tackling the convoys whilst keeping their own naval operations secure then controllers inject heavier simulated escorts whilst the physical opposition fleet directly targets allied bases of operation in Monzarch, Liberated America, eastern Macabees and Valvidia.
The actions taken by commanders would be assessed by the controllers and other experts with the reports published for Phase Four.
Phase Four was the draw down. The story would be concluded and obviously be some favourable outcome to the allies. However the methods of logistical withdrawal would be put to the test as ships would have to simulate battle damage and ports and airbases would have to limit the amount of assets they could handle in line with damage incurred during the conflict. However the main effort, arguably the most important of the whole exercise, was evaluation. Land, air and sea commanders would sit through discussions and strategic sessions to see how they performed during the exercise. What went right, what went wrong? What they did or didn’t do and how it affected their theatre of war or the assets they commanded. They would then deliver this back to their subordinates. Unless something went horribly wrong this would be the part the commanders would take the most away from. In the proceeding months the exercise would have huge ramifications on the actions of the three nations involved. Any shortcomings and failures, no matter how big, were most welcome for that was how best to better oneself – by making mistakes and ensuring it wouldn’t happen again.
Ultimately there was a political message here and it was loud and clear for the whole region to hear, but more so for two in particular. The two major superpowers in central Dienstad were stronger together and now there was a third nation eager to smooth its recent bumpy history. Central Greater Dienstad was strong and would be aggressors were about to get a taste of just how strong it was.
