The Problem with Pirates... (Open, MT)

[Xencovia]

(OOC: Hello, can I join in the fun?)

The White House
South New Xencouver City
The Republic of Xencovia

President James H. Spencer entered the Oval Office after a meeting with the Secretary of Veteran's Affairs. The meeting was a rather pleasant one; no fighting for extra funding, no reports of increases in instances of veterans being denied healthcare, and more veterans were happy with the VA's job - a first in 50 years. President Spencer smiled at the thought of that and smiled wider when he realized that his approval ratings were about to get a substantial boost thanks to the positive effects of his reform and the good press coverage.

As he gazed over his next tasks for the day, an aide ran into the room and apologized for his intrusion. "Mr.President, the White House Navy liaison is here for an emergency briefing." The President knew his day was about to go south. The phrase "emergency briefing" signified something huge was happening in an overseas region that required action, or inaction, from the President and the forces he commanded as the Commander-In-Chief.

"Thank you for your time Mr.President - this briefing is regarding the situation in The Commonwealth of Avisronia. They declared war on the nation of Frozopia. President Isaac Nixon has authorized full military force against them, citing piracy as a cause in the official The President’s House Press Release."

President Spencer was in awe. "Declared war on piracy? That is bold - and those anti-war hippies must want him impeached. Piracy has been a catastrophic issue in the region, and Nixon is doing something about it. Have there been any engagements yet?"

The Naval officer responded, "Frozopian military sites were evaporated in a massive bombing run shortly after he made his televised address. Civilian casualties were reported to be 12, although not confirmed, so they could have been insurgents or pirates. They did destroy the last water purification center from the former Republic, which has left the civilians without access to clean water. The Avisronian Commonwealth Marine Corps is said to have stormed ashore in a military operation."

The President had to conclude the meeting at once to send a message to President Nixon of Avisronia. He thanked the officer and rushed back into the Oval Office, and flipped up his secure laptop to craft his words to an anxious wartime President, who wanted to save his country from a scourage.

Dear President Nixon,

Xencovia would like to offer our military to provide military support and humanitarian relief to civilians in Frozopian territory. We would like to reiterate our support as an ally of Avisronia, and are willing to provide any help you deem critical to your missions. We have our 6th Strike Group offshore of Frozopia, so we are able to destroy targets on land as well, once your operatives confirmed the locations. As a nation that believes in freedom and liberty, just like yours, we want to help strengthen the values we believe in around the world. Do not hesitate to ask us for any assistance, it will be our duty as a friend to pledge our support to Avisronia, to democracy, and to peace.

Warm regards,
President James Spencer

[Allanea]

Official Message from the Free Kingdom Ministry of War to the Commonwealth of Avisronia

Dear friends!

It is with deep concern that we learn about the rise of piracy threatening your nation’s trade. The right of free transit along the free seas is a principle to which all civilized nations are dedicated, and the Free Kingdom had long ascribed to the principle that pirates are to be considered hostis sapiens generis, that is to say, enemies of all sapient-kind. However, lofty proclamations are not a sufficient solution to what we gather to be a serious socio-economic problem.

We understand that some nations are already deploying patrols into the threatened area, and that is in fact a very reasonable part of the solution. The Free Kingdom Navy will also deploy ships soon enough, the aircraft carrier Bladesinger is currently being prepared for action, as are the usual escorts – two cruisers, three destroyers, a submarine, and various support vessels, which we feel are sufficient for this engagement.

However, we feel that merely parading warships around, sinking a few pirate ships, killing a few pirates is not going to be a sufficient solution to this problem. Serious strategic problems are difficult to solve through shows of force, be it even overwhelming force.

For this reason, we would like you to share with us the following information, if possible:

1. By what means do these pirates typically capture ships and cargoes? How well-armed and prepared are they typically?

2. How are the cargoes (lithium, etc.) typically resold? Is there any way to track down the pirates’ clients?

3. Finally, where do most of the pirates typically originate from? Is there any intelligence regarding their bases of operations, and the communities where the pirate vessels normally restock?

Yours sincerely,
Baroness Priscilla Stossel-Conde, Marshal, Lady-Knight, Free Kingdom Minister of War

[Avisronia]

(OOC: Welcome aboard, guys, and thank you for the posts. I wanted to apologize for the long delay. I’m in law school and have been busy. I plan to post here sometime tomorrow. You’re both welcomed to join.

Just a few key points. Frozopia is a now defunct nation. I played against the dude on here like 10 years ago. I RP my nation as an island the size of Australia, somewhere in the northern hemisphere, and his nation was the only one on the same continental shelf. In that war, his nation was... injured. So now I RP it as a sandbox of sorts, one that Avisronia wants to forget but won’t let anyone else have. Avisronia would likely allow temporary deployments of small numbers of troops, but would have a meltdown if someone else occupied it.

I’ll post IC responses soon.)

[Avisronia]

Encrypted Datalink
From: The Office of President Issac Nixon
To: President James Spencer
Subject: Pirates, et al.

Hello,

As you are probably aware, I ordered massive military strikes deep into the former Frozopian heartland.

As a nation without a formal role in this conflict, I would like to formally brief you on this situation.

After the Frozopian government ceased to exist, the nation fell into deep despair. Owing to its location on this sea lane, pirates there have essentially skimmed money from the booming Avisronian economy for two decades. In the past, they have essentially taken a few high profile opportunities to capture the crews of ships who strayed too near the coast, and created a climate of fear that enabled them to charge protection fees, like any good cartel would.

When I came to power recently, I spoke with my constituents. Former administrations had believed in a certain “peace dividend” that no longer having a competitor on even our continent brought. By reducing military spending and focusing on a smaller number of more advanced units, we lost the ability to project power.

My constituents paid the price.

Shipping companies have paid private security firms. Foreigners avoid the route, choosing the easterly Avisronian route over this western one. Companies from the west of my country have had to relocate to the east just to stay competitive.

So I began enforcing the law of the sea. Our new Type 042 destroyers, with their cruise missiles, stealthy profile, and rocket assisted main guns, have been patrolling the Frozopian coastline since I took office.

Your help is much appreciated. In the coming days, my military commanders will pass you instructions for a hotline on which we can request your assistance.

This was is not popular for me at home. Anyone who helps bear the cost will forever have a friend in Avisronia.

[Avisronia]

Encrypted Datalink

To: Baroness Priscilla Stossel-Conde, Marshal, Lady-Knight, Free Kingdom Minister of War

From: The Avisronian Federal Intelligence Bureau

Subject: Pirate Intelligence

Thank you for your interest in our ongoing situation.

To answer your questions, we must first preface by stating that the situation is ongoing and changing rapidly.

Over the last two decades, these pirates initially used typical small boat tactics. They would swarm a ship, place a sea mine against its hull, force their way on, and then either pull the ship into port or offload the cargo.

Once our new President took office, however, the pirates lost their last warm water ports. Their focus then became offloading cargo, which was obviously less efficient.

The armament question varies. The former Frozopian military was an adversary worthy of any nation. They had modern SAM systems, a large stockpile of sub-sonic, thousand mile range, Tomahawk-style cruise missiles. Those were the biggest threat, and the AVAF went to war with them and seems to have reduced the stockpile significantly.

However, the Frozopian military had powerful allies. They had high end research and development underway into hypersonic, sea skimming anti-ship missiles, a handful of which were just deployed. Our Type 042 Destroyer is the size of an Arleigh Burke class destroyer, with roughly ten times the amount of protective firepower, and one missile is close to all its weapon system can handle.

As for support... it’s complicated. Numerous Avisronian and international aid organizations had set up shop in Frozopia to help after the collapse of their society. Many of those factions ended up heavily invested and have lost tremendously since we embargoed their coastline.

Also, the possibility exists that they are receiving help from the McCarty Group, an Avisronian based international, divested energy conglomerate. Much of what flows through this sea lane is oil. When Avisronia became an oil exporter, the international price of oil plummeted. With these attacks, it has gone back up, driving up investment by foreign nationals in the alternative energy projects of the McCarty Group.

The daughter of the companies namesake, Alice McCarty, is a former porn star, rock star, and activist who has set up a shop on the Houston River Delta.

Currently, our Senate has deemed any deployment of troops onto Frozopian soil, other than Avisronian, to be illegal. However, our President has authorized the use of special forces, search and rescue personnel, and intelligence assets in the immediate future.

Currently, we have no ground forces ashore and request that you do not deploy until our own ACMC commanders request your assistance. Your naval and air assets, however, are free to use Datalink Hotline Alpha (DHA) to contact us, through the back channel.

We look forward to your cooperation.

[Allanea]

Official Message from the Free Kingdom Ministry of War to the Commonwealth of Avisronia

ENCRYPTED: SECRET

Dear friends!

When you say that the pirates do not have access to any warmwater ports, can you perhaps explain what kind of ports do they have access to? Do I understand correctly that Frozopian ports are not warmwater ports, i.e. that they freeze over for winter? At any rate, it may be now reasonable to contemplate long-range interdiction against pirate-associate ports, as well as the old-age standard of the Q-ship.

Officially speaking, I am informing you that the FKS Bladesinger is on its way to the conflict zone, as are its escort ships – the FKS Shieldmaiden is an air defense cruiser, intended primarily to patrol the area against the various missiles you have mentioned, and of course there is SSN (the FKS Wolftrap) and two Lamia-class destroyers, as well as various support vessels, including an ELINT ship.

I hope that this initial action meets with your approval.

OOC: A map, a map, a fortune for a map!

[The Selkie]

Cabhaileog, mascarading as Coillteoir.
Near Outer Frozopia.
After nearly being utterly rogered by an anti-ship missile intended for sinking ships far out of their weight class, the small band of pirates in service of the intelligence had a short conversation amongst each other and then transmitted their thoughts, in an encrypted message, speaking about the quality of the baths in Earraigh (a city in the Free Lands known for its hot spring resorts), to their leadership. Said leadership, as it turned out, was less then happy, too.
Apparently, there were rumours floating around about several world powers taking an interest, but no specifics were available so far. No one really reckoned, that the Allaneans (of all the people in the world to stand for free trade, liberty and apple pie) would take an interest or that they would deploy a carrier group, though. A few minor powers might take interest, they estimated, sending a few patrol vessels, but that was mostly it.
Combined with the fact, that the Water Police vessels were coming closer and closer, that was just one more complication. All complications, which they did not need.
The decision was quickly made: The Cabhaileog was to keep the heads down low. The major problem was, that some wanna-be terrorists drew unnecessary attention to the situation. However, the intelligence did not want to retreat empty-handed for now.
Rather, they were to remain on station, still masquerading as a private pleasure boat and essentially pretend, that they were on a pleasure cruise with their Kyrenaian-Selkie starlet. As it was their usual cover.
A supply ship would come in a few days anyway.

Cearc Áil, near Avisronia.
For a given definition of 'near'.
Finally, after long days of cruising at agonizing slow speeds towards Avisronia, the Cearc Áil and her Water Police Force had arrived in the general area of operations as defined by their orders.
And there was something else defined by their orders: The Commissioner in Charge, CiC for short, Commissioner Rhonda Briosca of the Tribe of Monaghan of the Water Police of Dumhach, with her flag aboard the Cearc Áil, was to report to an Avisronian ship, even an aircraft carrier, to find out, where they were needed.
More so, the vessels of the University of Silverport were to report to them about where they were needed in regards of oil spills.
There was much to do and much to take care of.
"Alright, people.", Briosca told her bridge crew, "I want all vessels under full combat readiness. We're not hunting foreign fish trawlers at the wrong place here, but enemies armed with the really heavy stuff. I do not want to explain to any kinsfolk as to why I lost a few ships." She let a few beats pass as her message was relayed to the other vessels by radio. Then she continued, speaking to the same man: "Send out the greetings."
The man nodded and went to work: "AVN Fort Blackmore, this is Cearc Áil of the Water Polices. We come with greetings and best wishes from the Council of Elders of the Fifteen Tribes of the Selkie and with an offer of assistance in your current struggles against piracy as per former messages to your government. Please respond."

[Avisronia]

To: Baroness Priscilla Stossel-Conde, Marshal, Lady-Knight, Free Kingdom Minister of War

From: The Avisronian Federal Intelligence Bureau

Let us rephrase: port facilities. The nation has thousands of miles of coastline, much of it unusable before or completely obliterated in our previous conflict. So while the nation technically does still have ports, the only one that has dock facilities is currently frozen over.

Our President sends his many thanks for your support.

OOC: I don’t have a map yet. Working on it.

[Avisronia]

Aboard AVN Fort Blackmore

The radio officer charged with monitoring seaborne traffic aboard the Commonwealth’s flagship in the area was having a busy morning. After weeks of little to no contact, things were heating up. Three more squadrons is the new Type 042 McKagan-class destroyers were on station, totaling 12 additional ships. All had steamed to The fleets holding area roughly 250 miles off the coast of Frozopia, steamed into the middle of the carriers defensive fleet, then asked with bewilderment where to go.

The new Avisronian Navy was not used to large deployments.

That was when the message from the Briosca came through. It was relayed to the Command and Intelligence structure inside the carrier’s labyrinth of corridors, and around 20 minutes later a response came.

“Greetings, and a completely humble thank you from the people of the Commonwealth of Avisronia.

Right now, we have two options for you. Intelligence indicates that the pirates have been moving into the Southern “9 Fingers” region, at the far south of the coastline. This is an area where the old growth forest is dense, but more importantly the coastline is steep and... well, the Frozopian’s didn’t call them fjord’s, but that’s what they are. Hundreds, big and small. The pirates launch attacks from there and we can’t get a shot at them or boots on the ground.

The other option is the Holston River Delta and the region off the shore of it. There’s a civilian presence there. We think there’s still arms coming in and stolen goods coming out.

Deploy your ships to your choosing. However, Destroyer Squadron 7 has been assigned to assist you, as our destroyers are prepared for the missile threat. We would at least have one ship sit with your oil cleanup crew, and perhaps have Captain Hannah Cost aboard AVN Cavalier follow you to whatever hotspot you choose.

Otherwise, the Admiralty greatly appreciates your assistance and does not intend to micromanage you, as we have great faith in your ability. We only want to send a destroyer out of a feeling of responsibility.

End message.”

Around 150 miles South is the Holston River Delta

Colonel Robert McCain was not happy.

He and his roughly 1,000 Marines sat in the hold, on the deck, and essentially all over the large and sleek Sydney-class Amphibious Assault Ship. The problem is that they, and their destroyer escort, were all alone.

When his brigade had boarded the ship, they were told that they would be one of four ships. Now, it was just them. Another was about a week from being on station.

“So what if they don’t have artillery?! So WHAT if we have air support? We had air support the last time,” he’d barked at his commanders. It was fruitless. The AVAF dropped several hundred bombs a few days prior. That was all the support he was getting.

As he walked to the impromptu podium in the hold of the ship, many of his Marines were openly abusing serious drugs. Usually meth, but honestly a mix of nearly everything.

He spoke of the coming mission, going over what had been taught before. He spoke of the lack of support in this landing, but lied and said the Army was dropping paratroopers inland. He stressed the chain of command.

He knew he was lying. But it was for the mission.

When he finished, the crazed Marines were at a frenzy. Few of them had ever fired a round in anger. This would likely be their first chance.

As the ship moved into position to launch its first wave of air-cushioned landing crafts, carrying the huge MRAP trucks of the ACMC, there were already AVHH-102 Bird of Prey helicopters lifting off from the decks. An advanced helicopter gunship, these aircraft gave the ACMC the ability to put all 1,000 Marines ashore nearly twice as fast as before. The BoP could literally drop off a squad of Marines, cover their advance, then provide close air support and dedicated strike roles later in the same day.

As the first wave of four BoP’s sat down just passed the beach, a shot crackled through the air and a Marine fell.

While the particular pirate/insurgent would meet a quick end, Avisronia had taken its first casualty on the Frozopian mainland in nearly 20 years.

As the LCAC’s charged toward shore and the BoP’s overhead supported their troops in the sporadic gunfire that was breaking out up and down the beach, one thing was obvious: the ACMC has underestimated the situation.

[Allanea]

The next message the head of the Avisronian Intelligence Bureau received was in a sealed diplomatic package, hand-delivered to the Bureau by an Allanean diplomatic courier. It was signed and stamped by Colonel Thomas Morrison, the head of the Allanean Organization for Armed Shenanigans.

Dear friend!

For obvious reasons, it would be preferable if you retained no copies of this message, or at least avoided scanning it into a computerized database until after the pirate question is resolved. I would like to inform you that a small cargo ship, carrying a cargo of luxury-class domestic appliances (digitally-aided, internet-of-things-enabled, washing machines, luxury televisions, etc.), named the SS Danaan will be transiting near Frozopia soon. The ship is a drone cargo ship, equipped only with remote-controlled weapons systems for anti-pirate use… or at least that is its cover, and it is listed as such on a range of shipping tracking sites. Our operatives have also hinted on several sites that Danaan’s weapons systems are purchased from the lowest bidders and may malfunction.

It would be useful for our purposes if your naval forces did not attempt to stop pirates from intercepting, and capturing, the Danaan.

Expecting your cooperation,
Thomas.

[The Roman Confederacy]

( Ain't no fun if the Romans can't have none. Hope I'm welcome here )

08:00, abored the Roman Navy Auxiliary Ship Ceasars Wrath 120 Miles off the coast of Avisronia

[b]Commanding Officer: Captain Hasim siberus


“I promise I'll be home by Christmas, and we can spend it together like a family” The words resonated over in the young Egyptian-Roman captains mind, the last thing he'd said to his wife and son before departing his home in the the Roman Commonwealth region of Egypt, eager to get his unwelcome voyage over and done with. His ship, packing a passenger load of 1500, a majority of which were crewmen, a quarter of which were Imperial Marines, the few hundred remaining passengers being doctors and nurses to accommodate the medical supplies, food and clothing destined for the devoloping coastal regions of Avisronia and it's neighboring, much worse off nation.

“I promise I'll be home by Christmas” Hasim repeated over and over in his head, a promise he was uncertain he could keep, as he watched from the thick windows of the Ceasars Wrath's main bridge as orange streaks of light danced across the main deck of the ships bow below him, Roman Marines bravely maneuvered between the over stocked crates, and twisted piles of metal on the main deck, eager to return fire against the unrelenting and seemingly endless hoards that swarmed from the two, massive oil tankers that lined either side of the Ceasars Wrath.

Hasim watched in fear as the Imperial Marines, struggling to hold just a few feet of the bow lost the battle, inch by inch, some cut down in the walls of gun fire, others desperately dragging wounded and dead comrades back to the ships midsection, or below deck. Hasim was knocked off his feet, as the telltale streak of light of an anti-tank missile slammed into the forward crane tower/Crow's nest on the ships bow, the explosion rocking the ship, the metal beam shreaking and groaning as bolts shot loose, and metal support beams were ripped apart, the tower leaned slowly, before dropping lick a rock, slamming into the left side of the ship, it's length extended far over the side of the ship, grinding it's crane arm across the top of the pirate bulker ships deck, sliding across as the Ceasars Wrath lurched forward, it's throttle having been slammed forward by the helmsman at the command.

Hasim, having staggered back to his feet shot a finger quickly in the direction of the bridge communications officer. "Dispatch a distress signal to the carrier strike group!" He shouted, referring to the 3rd Roman Carrier Strike fleet, that had escorted them to the outer edges of Avisronian waters.

"I can't sir! It appears our long range broadcaster is damaged, all we have left is short range!" The Officer shouted back over the roar of the gun battle still raging on the lower decks.

"Then broadcast on all emergency channels, we need assistance!" Hasim barked, the Communications officer typing furiously away at his control station.

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, RNAS CEASARS WRATH BROADCASTING ON ALL EMERGANCY FREQUENCIES, 120 MILES OFF AVISRONIAN COAST, UNDER HEAVY SEIGE BY UNKNOWN HOSTILE FORCES, REQUESTING IMMEDIAT ASSISTANCE the officer finished broadcasting.

Hasim could only pray that it wasn't more pirate vessels he would be attracting...

[New Visayan Islands]

LT Ramon J. Francis, VCN (Ret.)
RV Don Carlos A. Gothong
400 km off the Avisronian coast
2017 PHT

The Don Carlos A. Gothong had a decorated history. A 50-meter yacht commissioned by the Gothong family in 1982 and launched in 1985, she served as the VCS El Presidente from 1989 to 2005 before President Vergara donated her to the University of San Carlos College of Arts and Sciences. In her service as El Presidente I, she had been armed with an M242 Bushmaster autocannon and an M2 heavy machine gun at the prow, two M60 general purpose machine guns amidships, and two more M60s astern. Of the armaments she had, only the GPMGs and the HMG remained, mounted only during long distances underway to provide a modicum of protection against pirates.

Ramon was the captain of the research ship, and with fourteen additional crewmembers and fifteen academics under his watch, the former lieutenant was wary of any unexpected developments. Fortunately for him, there weren't that many; before catching the distress call, the most exciting thing came from the professor: Anthony Pinto had discovered several familiar members of the Pterois genus, horrifying the rest of the academics.

"If these lionfish were able to make it here," he overheard Pinto, "it bodes ill for many other places; P. volitans and P. miles are extremely aggressive invasive species..."

Ramon's ruminations were interrupted when he was called to the bridge.

"Cap, we have a problem; we need you in the bridge," the first officer said over the radio.

As he made his way to the bridge, he heard the tail end of a distress call.

"What happened?"

"Monch," Argus Torres began, "a ship called the Ceasar's Wrath began broadcasting a mayday call claiming to be attacked by unknown forces; do we--"

"--assume pirate attack," Ramon finished. At that, he reached for the PA system.

"Gothong, this is your captain speaking with an emergency message: a nearby ship has broadcast a message warning about a pirate attack in their immediate vicinity. I say again: a ship has reported being attacked by pirates 120 miles off the Avisronian coast. We are 200 kilometers away from the area in question; all crew are to assume General Quarters. I say again: all crew are to assume General Quarters; this is not a drill! Francis out."

"Captain, what the hell?!" Pinto reported over the radio.

"No time, Prof! We have an alert out for pirates; unless you know how to shoot a machine gun, leave the defense to us," Ramon retorted. "Now," he then turned to Torres, "get me on the horn with whoever is on that ship."

"Done!"

"RNAS Ceasars Wrath, I say again, RNAS Ceasars Wrath: this is the research vessel Don Carlos A. Gothong, a private research ship registered in the Visayan Confederation," Ramon began, "We understand you are attacked by pirates, how can we assist?"

Dr. Anthony K. Pinto, PhD (Marine Biology)
RV Don Carlos A. Gothong

Hearing the captain announce the reason for General Quarters terrified the professor more than the discovery of lionfish in those waters. That they were in what were pirate-infested waters only drove the fifty-four-year-old nuts even further.

"Unless you know how to shoot a machine gun, leave the defense to us" were captain Francis' last words to him; at that, five of his doctoral students took to the bridge, presumably to help with the defense. The next time he saw them, they were carrying--

"Why on God's Green Earth are you of all people carrying guns?"

"First officer explained it, Prof," Joseph Saquilon replied. "Basically these things--" Joseph lifted the rifle to demonstrate "--help keep the ship's insurance premiums friendly. Besides, this was the Presidential Yacht; Navy guys thought of everything."

"Joe's right," Gianna Uy added. "Granted, it takes me back to when I was with the Coast Guard, but still...more importantly, they're pirates; kill-on-sight sounds like good practice, and it's been a while since I shot some sumbitches." That last comment made Pinto squirm. "Anyway, Josh and Gav are with you guys; they'll help with safeguarding the research."

"Fair enough," Pinto conceded.

[The Selkie]

Aboard AVN Fort Blackmore

The radio officer charged with monitoring seaborne traffic aboard the Commonwealth’s flagship in the area was having a busy morning. After weeks of little to no contact, things were heating up. Three more squadrons is the new Type 042 McKagan-class destroyers were on station, totaling 12 additional ships. All had steamed to The fleets holding area roughly 250 miles off the coast of Frozopia, steamed into the middle of the carriers defensive fleet, then asked with bewilderment where to go.

The new Avisronian Navy was not used to large deployments.

That was when the message from the Briosca came through. It was relayed to the Command and Intelligence structure inside the carrier’s labyrinth of corridors, and around 20 minutes later a response came.

“Greetings, and a completely humble thank you from the people of the Commonwealth of Avisronia.

Right now, we have two options for you. Intelligence indicates that the pirates have been moving into the Southern “9 Fingers” region, at the far south of the coastline. This is an area where the old growth forest is dense, but more importantly the coastline is steep and... well, the Frozopian’s didn’t call them fjord’s, but that’s what they are. Hundreds, big and small. The pirates launch attacks from there and we can’t get a shot at them or boots on the ground.

The other option is the Holston River Delta and the region off the shore of it. There’s a civilian presence there. We think there’s still arms coming in and stolen goods coming out.

Deploy your ships to your choosing. However, Destroyer Squadron 7 has been assigned to assist you, as our destroyers are prepared for the missile threat. We would at least have one ship sit with your oil cleanup crew, and perhaps have Captain Hannah Cost aboard AVN Cavalier follow you to whatever hotspot you choose.

Otherwise, the Admiralty greatly appreciates your assistance and does not intend to micromanage you, as we have great faith in your ability. We only want to send a destroyer out of a feeling of responsibility.

End message.”

Around 150 miles South is the Holston River Delta

Colonel Robert McCain was not happy.

He and his roughly 1,000 Marines sat in the hold, on the deck, and essentially all over the large and sleek Sydney-class Amphibious Assault Ship. The problem is that they, and their destroyer escort, were all alone.

When his brigade had boarded the ship, they were told that they would be one of four ships. Now, it was just them. Another was about a week from being on station.

“So what if they don’t have artillery?! So WHAT if we have air support? We had air support the last time,” he’d barked at his commanders. It was fruitless. The AVAF dropped several hundred bombs a few days prior. That was all the support he was getting.

As he walked to the impromptu podium in the hold of the ship, many of his Marines were openly abusing serious drugs. Usually meth, but honestly a mix of nearly everything.

He spoke of the coming mission, going over what had been taught before. He spoke of the lack of support in this landing, but lied and said the Army was dropping paratroopers inland. He stressed the chain of command.

He knew he was lying. But it was for the mission.

When he finished, the crazed Marines were at a frenzy. Few of them had ever fired a round in anger. This would likely be their first chance.

As the ship moved into position to launch its first wave of air-cushioned landing crafts, carrying the huge MRAP trucks of the ACMC, there were already AVHH-102 Bird of Prey helicopters lifting off from the decks. An advanced helicopter gunship, these aircraft gave the ACMC the ability to put all 1,000 Marines ashore nearly twice as fast as before. The BoP could literally drop off a squad of Marines, cover their advance, then provide close air support and dedicated strike roles later in the same day.

As the first wave of four BoP’s sat down just passed the beach, a shot crackled through the air and a Marine fell.

While the particular pirate/insurgent would meet a quick end, Avisronia had taken its first casualty on the Frozopian mainland in nearly 20 years.

As the LCAC’s charged toward shore and the BoP’s overhead supported their troops in the sporadic gunfire that was breaking out up and down the beach, one thing was obvious: the ACMC has underestimated the situation.

Cearc Áil, near Avisronia.
For a given definition of 'near'.
"Thank you, Fort Blackmore.", the radioman spoke into his device, glad, that everything went well, "We will move to the Nine Fingers Region. We will contact Cavalier while en route. Cearc Áil, out."
Briosca nodded to the man as he closed the connection. "Patch me through to my Captains.", she ordered, receiving a microphone and a nod a moment later. "Alright, people, we will secure the fjords of the Nine Fingers Region and stop pirate activity there. We will make that rather simple, by laying a blockade onto them. Old and proven measures. Every vessel attempting to enter those fjords will be searched, every vessel leaving those fjords will be searched. If the smallest indication of aggressive intentions is detected, you are free to show them the errors of their ways." She made a small pause. "UoS-Vessels, you proceed to the oil rig, they need you guys there. I'll see, whether or not we can get you an escort from our hosts."
Confirmations filtered in as a new course was laid in towards the fjord region.
Thanks to the Cearc Áil, a supply vessel, they could not only stay at sea for a longer time, but could also coordinate vessels away from shore and resupply them, if needed. Briosca thought, that they would very well need it soon.
Soon, the vessels assumed formation: The Cearc Áil would remain in the back, protected by the two minesweepers Aingeal and Binn, while the four Corrán-class OPVs would patrol for pirates, closer to the shore.
The three vessels of the University of Silverport, meanwhile, would steam alone for a bit, but, thanks to a number of armed City Guard officers onboard, not unprotected.
Onboard the Cearc Áil, Briosca, again, tasked her radioman with a new mission: "AVN Cavalier, this is Cearc Áil of the Water Police of Dumhach. Please respond.", he began.