Arengin Union wrote:Eastern Sea from SirvanskaCaptain Andre Bobkov was one of the first ones to see them. On the horizon several ships appeared, heading in their direction. Military ships from the look of it. The Veselko and other Arenginian transport ships transporting all those tanks and equipment requested by the Nihonese, had no military escort. He hoped those ships will just pass them, but it didn't seem to be a case. They sailed straight towards them. Soon, Arenginians saw Sirvanskan flags and colours painted of those ship's sterns.
Not long after, someone shouted. A few gun short were heard.
THE ARE BOARDING OUR SHIPS! - someone shouted
Bobkov quickly turned to rush for the nearest gun, only to see one of those military men sent from Arenginian ministry. Smiling.
The Military Officer's sudden presence at the deck puzzled Bobkov, the smile which gave an eerie vibe that the man knew more than Bobjov even would. Even more confusing was the sight of the sailors of the Veselko and the other transport ship simply standing idle as the pirates of the nation in shambles boarded them. The so believed Sirvanskans entered the Veselko and the other ships facing no resistance, those first shots had amounted to nothing but initial fright which had then been taken care of by the Military Officer's Okrana henchmen.
"Captain, please lower the weapon. I can assure you these men mean you no harm!" the Officer then said as he was flanked by two masked Sirvanskan pirates. The two men spoke in a strange dialect to the Officer and he nodded then turned to the Captain and walked towards him.
"These men shall commandeer the Uvenko and the Nikolai. The Veselko and the Varvitzin shall be left unscathed through the remaining journey." The Officer then took a hold of the Captains free hand and set a flock of Arenginian rubles on it. Giving a friendly smile the Officer then made a "Shhh" gesture as the Sivanskan pirates then made sure the crews of the Uvenko and Nikolai were brought onto the Veselko and Varvitizin. The Okrana Agents made sure no sailor ever aimed their weapons at the pirates as then the two Sirvanskans and the Arenginian officer were seen talking together for a few seconds before finally parting ways. The Arenginian and Sirvanskan ships were soon away from each other and though completely perplexed, the Captain checked the flock of bills he'd been handed.
Stepping up a ladder back to the bridge, the officer then looked over to Bobkov. "Shall we continue the voyage captain? I must say these storms do bring tragic accidents. It is a good thing we managed to save the other crews in time..."
Bobkov finally understood the message, setting the flock of bills into his jacket he nodded, "Yes they do..." as he then set the ship towards Nihon. The shipment of tanks, weapons, and ammunition now cut in half.
When the exchange was finished, ships under Sirvanskan flags calmly bid farewell to the Arenginians. With two more ships in their fleet, they formed a defensive formation, a convoy to protect the two "borrowed" vessels. When the convoy was at some distance from the Arenginians, some one started shouting. It turned out a new party appreared on the horizon. Nihonese ships. It seemed like they were following Sirvanskan ships from some time now, but only now managed to catch up and once again reach the distance of sight. It was a strange situation, with Arenginians still visible on the sea. 3 different fleets forming a triangle of sorts.
Aydinir
December 25, 1926
Informations of the illness of the Nihonese Emperor were a known thing. Pneumonia. It was a situation similar to the state of Aydinirian Divine Emperor, still ill and residing in the sanatorium and gardens of the city of Bhaťipur. By the direct order of the Princess-Regent, a surprice was to be prepared in case of Nihonese Emperor's death. Then, it happened, 25th December, with a funeral the next day. The timing couldn't be better - from the 22nd December Aydinirians celebrated Cir̄as Ťaomāz, Jarist holyday of winter solstice. While normally, the festivities should be about to end, this year they were extended. When the Nihonese mourned death of their holy ruler and marched in funaral processions, streets of Aydinirian cities were filled by cheering and chanting crowds. Normal religious festivities were paired with military parades that were seen in most major cities.
Chants filled the air, in Ezhid, in Assurhan and in many other cities, expressing not only glory of the Divines but also rejoicing in the news. The Imposter was dead.
Also around that time new Manticoran delegation reached Assurhan. Their official purpose was not yet revealed, but their arrival sparked many rumors.
Torsan, Sirvanska
January 1926
Since September Aydinirian forces have fought in Torsan with the communists, that took controll over the region after the collapse of Sirvanskan centrall government. This campaign proved to be a very difficult one, not because of communist prowess at arms, but because of the harsh conditions of Torsan's jungles. Malaria. Dangerous wildlife. Treacherous terrain, well suited for guerilla. But Aydinirians knew what to expect, they knew how to fight in rainforsets, so abundant in northern Aydinir. Elite troops from Assurhan and Ḱivarā Provinces, used to such climate and challenges it poses, managed to break communist ressistance within 4 months of hard fighting. With the beginning of January, Aydinirians were dangerously close to their Parsi alles, threatening to break north, towards Samarkand, where Parsi rebels were at the brink of victory. Talks with Hoosier were already taking place. Aydinir was promicing to acknowledge sovereignty over Aryshtakova and support in case of Nihonese aggression, in exchange for a military access through the province, small border corrections and the construction of the exterritorial highway through Aryshtakova, from Aydinir to Parsa. With controll over Torsan, Aydinirians splitted also IA sorces in two, separating all those lelt withing Sirvanska, Pansk especially, from Rachana and the bulk of Nihonese forces in Opus, preventing the remnants of Sirvanskan forces from seeking Nihonese support.
Leersog, Sirvanska
With Aydinirian forces controlling the southern half of Leersog and Norcourtian-Confederate troops in the north, it was inevitable for the two of them to finally meet on Sirvanskan soil. And when they finally met, a joined military parade was conducted, where 3 victors marched togather. Now, Aydinirians gazed north, towards Carribean. After all, it were the Carribeans who unprovoked declared war on the Empire.
Kingdom of Parsa
February 1927
The Second Parsi Uprising, that started in September last year, has achieved what seemed to be a great victory for the freshly independent nation. In the 5 months of fighting, Parsi insurgents have taken controll over IA-occupied predominantly Parsi territories (or those the Parsi claimed as theirs). With their hands tied in Sirvanska and their eyes focused on the escalating tensions with Aydinir, Manticore and the Imperial Bloc, Nihonese did relatively little to compat Parsi rebels. Despite quite serious fighting in Merv and surrounding areas, not much was seen also from the Racharan side. The only foreign force still standing was Carribean "peacekeepers", trapped and constantly harassed around the village of Dormitar. With the start of February 1927, Parsi flags were waving high above the cities of Samarquand and Merv. Ceremonial plebiscite was conducted, asking the population if they want to join Parsa. With overwhealming majority, the answer was yes. Kingdom of Parsa publicly announced annexation of the rebel-controlled provinces. That of course sparked outrage of the IA, with many critisizing and undermining the results of the plebiscite. Those voices were combated and challenged by the Parsi, backed and supported by Aydinirian propaganda apparatus.
With capture of Samarkand and Merv, the Parsi gained access to Nihonese and Rachanan supplies of food and arms stocked there. Many of them were emptied when Nihonese forces marched south, towards Sirvanska and Aydinir, but some were still in use by Nihonese and rachanan occupation forces, left behind to hold the region.