Revolution! [OPEN]

[Americae Roma]

SIC Message
To: Armed Forces of Cabare
Encryption: AES-256( Classified encryption)
Would it be okay if I start launcing airstrikes on communist positions, in the forests and jungle now, My task force is ready to do so, when you start your deep strike, I'd be able to provide additional air strikes and reconnaissance support, due to internal political reason, I will have to limit ground forces deployment and rely primarily on air and naval assets
From: Department of Defense of Americae Roma

[The Plurinational Republic of San Martin]

República Plurinacional de San Martin
Bureau of External Relations

---

To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or equivalent, Carbaré

The República Plurinacional would like to extend its warmest regards to General Lorenzo Águila and would like to commend the Carbaré Armed Forces for its quick actions which has helped to preserve regional peace.

The República Plurinacional shares the belief that the Marxist threat must be contained and eliminated as soon as possible. We are deeply concerned about ongoing developments in Carbaré and trust that the Marxist menace will be terminated.

The Marxists cannot be allowed to grow and pose a threat to the relative safety and security of the region at all costs and thus we would like to offer our utmost support to the Carbaré Armed Forces to quash those who oppose the anti-communist action.

Providing that the esteemed government of Carbaré permits, the San Marinese Air Force would like to deploy counterinsurgency squadron Escuadrilla 312, equipped with four IA-58 Pucará and a team of several anti-guerrilla experts. With experience in combatting socialist insurgents on our own soil, we hope that the units can be of assistance in eliminating the communist threat.

We stand in solidarity with our brothers-in-arms of the Carbaré Armed Forces. The roots of the Marxist cancer will be slashed before it can take hold of the people.

Fernando Solís
Head of External Relations

[Carbare]

To Fernando Solís,

Our new administration here in Carbaré thanks the República Plurinacional de San Martin for their kind words regarding our recent rise to power, and the support it gives against the Marxist swine. As it is in my sole ability as the leader of the Republic in these tumultuous times to make decisions, I hereby accept the offer to deploy the counter-insurgency squadron Escuadrilla 312 and the team of several anti-guerrilla experts in our nation. We look forward to San Martin participating in the military operations that will be coming soon, and hope these warm offers of support blossom into a burgeoning friendship between our two like-minded nations.

Respectfully yours,
General Lorenzo Águila
Carbaré Armed Forces
Signed, 14/12/19

To Americae Roma Department of Defense

The go-ahead for the beginning of American airstrikes on communist positions is hereby granted. We are giving you free reign to strike these dens of vipers that blot our great nation. We also thank you for the decision to strike these insidious cowards, as the Carbari air-force is severely under-equipped and lacking compared to the other branches of our Armed Forces. Make them pay, and make the strikes count, señor.

Respectfully yours,
General Lorenzo Águila
Carbaré Armed Forces
Signed, 14/12/19

[Allanea]

Operation Bat Wing

While the people of Carbare were hard at work against the Communists, the Allaneans launched their offensive against a different enemy – the hated and dreaded anopheles mosquito. Their logic had been strategically sound – cut down deaths from malaria, and you improve economic growth and people's well-being in a tangible, real way. Improve people's well-being, be seen improving it, and you will be attracting their good will. Attract their good will, and they will, hopefully, side with you against the terrorists.

Therefore, propeller-driven planes with Free Kingdom Air Force markings flew out to the swamps of Carbaré. There, they spray the mosquitos' nesting grounds with clouds of advanced chemicals, which would affect the insects in the way in which nerve gas affects a human being – without affecting a human being in that way.

At Malqueras' hospital, the Allanean medics worked hard alongside local doctors to vaccinate as many Carbaré citizens as they could, with a special attention paid to vaccinating the children. The goal was simple – an investment of perhaps a dollar to vaccinate a child would save untold money in the future if the child did not get ill – and did not pass on the disease to other children.

But the charity of the Allaneans did not mean that they would not also fight the insurgents.

Operation Spearfish

The Allanean soldiers handed over to the Carbaré troops large quantities of equipment – uniforms, boots, cameras, and most importantly, surveillance equipment – radar capable of seeing through forest canopies, cameras that could recognize a man's face from two thousand yards, devices for listening to terrorists' cell phones from miles and miles away. Allanean analysts worked in the hotel in the capital to gather information about the terrorists.

And, while all this went on, several small groups of Allanean soldiers vanished into the jungle itself. Only senior Carbaré commanders knew that they existed, as they scouted ahead of the larger formations of local troops. Soon, however, their existence would lead a deeper mark.

[Arab republic of cassadland]

To General lorenzo águila
I support your power in your country,Carbare(sorry if im wrong)
I like revolution's

From (not elected yet)mr president:Dr.Ostrich.
(Again sorry if im wrong about the whole revolution)
Arab republic of cassadland.

[Aztecas Rojas]

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF AZTLĀN

SENDER: People's Commissariat of External Relations, People's Republic of Aztlān
ADDRESSEE: General Lorenzo Águila, Republic of Carbaré
ENCRYPTION: ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛

We are universally dismayed and saddened, but not surprised at the fascist coup in the Republic of Carbaré. A socialist comrade elected by the will of his own people, only to be removed and killed by those sworn to protect him. Your own people rose up in defiance of this cowardly act, and what do you do? Mow them down like they are enemies. Let it be known, that the People's Republic of Aztlān will not let this treason and violence go unpunished. We will henceforth deliver an ultimatum.

We demand that the fascist ringleader, General Lorenzo Águila release all those who are imprisoned by his lackeys immediately. We also demand that Águila and all senior heads of the Carbaré Armed Forces step down, and immediately make preparations for nation-wide elections in the next 72 hours. Failure to comply will leave us no course of action but to bring down the full force of the mighty Mass People's Revolutionary Army upon the illegitimate government and bring it to the people ourselves.

Make the right decision,

The mass line of Aztlān.

[Americae Roma]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT:Airstrikes against Communist terrorists and threats of Aztlan

The Americae Roma's state department has officially listed the Cabare Communist into the List of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and has thus launched a series of targetted air and missile strikes on Communist positions in the jungles and mountains of Cabare:
Time of Strike: 16:30-18:00, 19:30-22:30

Strike Targets:

Communist Insurgent positions:
Compounds
Ammo Dumps
Weapons Emplacement
Personnel
Vehicles

Aircraft and Ships Used:

AH-64 Apache
A-10 Warthog
F-16
F-15
F-35
F-18
Arleigh Burkle
Ticonderoga Class

IMAGES:

F-15 taking off en route to target


F/A-18 Taking off from Carrier


A-10 Warthog receiving mid air refueling


AH-64 apache approaching targets


Ticonderoga Class Cruiser Firing Tomahawk Cruise Missile

Airstrike Footage

(Image)

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF AZTLĀN

SENDER: People's Commissariat of External Relations, People's Republic of Aztlān
ADDRESSEE: General Lorenzo Águila, Republic of Carbaré
ENCRYPTION: ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛

We are universally dismayed and saddened, but not surprised at the fascist coup in the Republic of Carbaré. A socialist comrade elected by the will of his own people, only to be removed and killed by those sworn to protect him. Your own people rose up in defiance of this cowardly act, and what do you do? Mow them down like they are enemies. Let it be known, that the People's Republic of Aztlān will not let this treason and violence go unpunished. We will henceforth deliver an ultimatum.

We demand that the fascist ringleader, General Lorenzo Águila release all those who are imprisoned by his lackeys immediately. We also demand that Águila and all senior heads of the Carbaré Armed Forces step down, and immediately make preparations for nation-wide elections in the next 72 hours. Failure to comply will leave us no course of action but to bring down the full force of the mighty Mass People's Revolutionary Army upon the illegitimate government and bring it to the people ourselves.

Make the right decision,

The mass line of Aztlān.

Responding to the Communique:

This seal verifies the authenticity of the following message

IMPERIUM AMERICAE ROMA
SENDER: Americae Roma State Department
Addresse: People's Commisariat of External Relations, People's Republic of Aztlan
Encryption: Military Grade AES-256

Americae Roma is greatly outraged by the aggressive threat leveled by the People's Republic of Aztlan, and the smearing of legitimate counter-terrorist activity by one of our strategic partner- The Cabare Armed Forces, Americae Roma would like to remind Aztlan that since armed communist Cabare groups,has been officially listed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by both the State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency, any assistance by Aztlan to these Cabare Communist will officially place Aztlan as a Foreign Sponsor of Terrorism, subject to all diplomatic penalties of that title. Americae Roma would further remind Aztlan that any the nation's Armed Forces will militarily retaliate should Aztlan launch any attack on the Cabare Armed Forces, the skies and seas of Cabare are being patrolled by Americae Roma fighter aircraft and warships, they will response to any Aztlan intrusion of Cabare with swift and decisive use of force, in response to this threat by Aztlan, Americae Roma will accordingly increase it's military presence in the Cabare sector and take preparations in case of further aggression.

New Military Units being deployed to Cabare:

Naval Units:
x3 Nimitz Class Carrier
x3 Wasp Class Amphibious Assault Ships
x8 Ticonderoga Class Missile Cruiser
x18 Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers
x2 Iowa Class Battleships
x4 Virginia Class Attack Submarines

Air Units:
x1850 Combat Aircraft

Ground Units:
250,000 Ground troops including:
Army Units
Marine Units
Special Forces
Armor
Artillery
Engineering
Logistics

To Cabare:
Ground units are being deployed for two purposes, disrupt and harrass Communist insurgent activity, deter and prepare for Aztlan aggression
more airstrikes on Communist positions will be conducted

[Aztecas Rojas]

Inside a green tent, Field Marshal Xiuhpilli sat down in a shadowed corner and took a cloth to wipe the sweat from his face. The sweat dripped from his forehead into his thick, black, unkempt beard. The Field Marshal turned to the black screen of his small portable laptop, a scaled-down version more similar to a stand-alone word processor than the more sophisticated equipment that those in the outside world were used to. He light a cigar, the smoke billowed around his blank face as he began to write the details of the last several day's operations in the area which were quickly drawing to a close. Since the last time he had been at headquarters, the pressure of unfolding events had heightened considerably. The entire army of Aztlan was undergoing a brutal increase in internal discipline, some referred to it as a purge, commiserate with its continued successes on the field. Usually in charge of a much larger force, the small yet elite unit he had been presiding over made up for what it lacked in manpower in the level of its sensitivity and the brutality and efficiency with which he had accomplished his orders thus far, assuring him of continued prestige and favour in the eyes of Calpolli. Calpolli was a pseudonym for the organs of governance in Aztlan, nobody knew their real names or identities, aside from Brother Number One, reverentially named Moctezuma by the fearful populace, and his deputy, Brother Number Two. Brother Number One was the ultimate authority and had near deity-like status within the nation, despite all forms of religion being strictly prohibited. He allowed his own cult of personality to slide, as it helped boost morale in a hellish situation and also seemed to provide inspiration and increase operational acumen in the fulfilment of Calpolli's equally hellish missions.

The central headquarters of the nation was housed in a giant and imposing stone structure, the nerve-centre of which was housed in what was a former high-security penitentiary in the old days and which now served as an impregnable fortress housing Calpolli and large numbers of shock troops and internal security forces. Calpolli stressed the importance of extremely harsh discipline within all facets of life, an internal apparatus of repression to match Brother Number One's unmatched megalomania, rising paranoia, and fanatic need for cultivating an atmosphere of absolute terror within and without. Punishment of the corporal nature from levels going from conservative to absurd was normative rather than being the exception to the rule. If terror reigned supreme within the atmosphere of daily life, Calpolli reasoned, then those so exposed would be perfected as instruments to spread terror outside of territories currently acting as organisational strongholds. The administrative buildings housing the internal security personnel at HQ were split seventy-five twenty-five between offices responsible for amassing reports, organising surveillance material, the drafting of indictments and enhancing internal disciplinary policy and the punitive units, which busied themselves exclusively with interrogation, torture, and incarceration. One such surveillance material gathered was that of a recent coup in the nation of Carbaré. A potentially friendly socialist regime was recently overthrown by the military, and Calpolli had no intention of letting this slide.

The former penitentiary had proved an ideal command centre and residency for the Aztec regime thus far, being virtually impregnable by conventional means from the outside, and equally hard to leave from the inside, as appropriate to its former use. On the exercise grounds where convicted murderers and other criminals in the old society used to lift weights and walk the track to alleviate the paralysis of a forced sedentary existence in confinement, new murderers and criminals, this time cultivated by the state rather than confined by it now used the same area as a military drill ground. Black uniformed troops, blood-lust bred into their very flesh, could now be seen training in rotation day and night on the drill grounds, making for a sublimely intimidating sight in the dead of the night as they trained under electric generator powered light, an anomalous sight in the new society where open flame was the standard. The sound of incessant marching, frequent firearms and explosives training, drill masters barking orders from high atop raised platforms overlooking the training areas, frequent alarm sirens piercing the night and the pressured atmosphere of the prison buildings bathed under gigantic spotlights even in the dead of night were a testament and sign of Calpolli's undisputed authority and the prowess of the army which he had built up from nothing.

Once back at the HQ the pace of work took on an intensity that made the small unit action the Field Marshall experienced seem like a vacation in comparison. He relished the stresses of the battlefield and revelled in the gory brutality that was the hallmark of his campaign style, yet nothing could match the stressors of life on the base. It was as if even the presence of Brother Number One behind the walls of the concertina-wire laden fortress, physically unseen by most but apparent everywhere, was enough to push the entire facility to overdrive. He made his way through the labyrinthine snaking corridors of the converted jail, receiving salutes from his subordinates on the journey. He stood alone beneath a vast concrete archway, waiting for the remotely controlled steel door to open. It led into a former hospital wing, huge in size, consisting of three gigantic wings outlaid in steel, concrete and brick and even more secure than the other parts of the high security installation. Within the former government that held power over the building, one of the stratagems employed for confining those deemed criminally insane was to foster a system of incarceration within incarceration, which meant that not only were such individuals incarcerated, but they were also independently committed and confined to certain sections of the institution with its own rules and administration. Calpolli continued this thread within the arts of penology but employed it in more diverse fashions than the former administrators of the penitentiary would have ever dreamed. The first wing consisted of administrative offices, main ward and medical operations, the second had been used for the terminally ill and doubled as a medicinal storage repository and the third wing had housed the psychiatric facility. Other than a routine interview held in the beginning of his enlistment at the start of the civil war, he had never stepped foot in or near the area in several years.

To either side of him, huge and able-bodied bodyguards accompanied him, their faces completely black in balaclavas and tinted goggles, silenced MP5 copycat models clutched in their black-gloved hands. A low buzzing sound started as the monolithic steel doors leading to the entrance of the wing began to slowly open, revealing a brightly-lit foyer, surprisingly antiseptic in feel, with a concrete block walls painted cheap white, sparsely decorated with various propaganda posters showing the exploits and glory of the Mass People’s Revolutionary Army to which he belonged. He entered and was met with surprise when he felt a light tap on his shoulder.

“Field Marshall?”

The voice emanated from a female officer, he dwarfed her in height, dressed in the same black uniform as himself, the only distinguishing feature being the notable presence of heir engorged breasts and state-mandated shoulder length hair. Her skin was like chocolate, indicating that she was a native Nahua of sorts.
“Field Marshall Xiuhpilli, officer.”

She nodded at his confirmation and pointed to the far end of the foyer leading towards a heavy metal door with a small wire-mesh window inlaid three-fourths of the way up.

“Follow me.”

They proceeded to the other door and then on through to a long corridor, the officer removing a large set of keys and opening then immediately locking the entrance behind them. The keys were facets of the original infrastructure of the prison, which came ready-made for Calpolli’s purposes. Nearby military installations had been looted of their hardware and then abandoned, manned by heavily armoured squadrons of security troops who guarded some of the decaying military hardware still stored there. While built for launching offensive measures in the past, most military installations had focused on waging war abroad, not domestically, whereas the penitentiary served a very local purpose which made it more secure than the former bases.

The field marshall and his guards stopped at a closed door to the left, halfway down the corridor, further on which led to a large secure area in which was located a former operating theatre. It now was used to torture those deemed weak-minded and cowardly in the face of battle. His escort rapped on the door twice in rapid succession at which point a buzzer sounded and the door clicked open with a jolt. The uniformed female gestured that he should enter alone by pushing the door slightly ajar, allowing him to enter as she marched off back in the direction they came. The heavy door closed and automatically locked behind the marshall as he entered. The room was several degrees colder than it had been in the corridor. A large red banner bearing the golden pyramid of the Aztec flag hung behind a large wooden desk adorned with a bust of Mao Tse-tung. At the desk sat a figure, like all other personnel on base was garbed in a black tactical combat uniform. Unlike the female officer who escorted him, this man’s uniform was unique in that it was adorned with medallions, signs of rank, and a name tag on his breast. The tag bore “Moctezuma” in capital, bolded letters.

The coldness of the room was offset by the acrid stench of stale cigarettes. Most people smoked the hand-rolled these days, which came in do-it-yourself packets produced in the few factories left operating across the nation. It was a rare luxury that the regime allowed where everything luxurious was prohibited.

“Field Marshall, please have a seat.”

His voice was rough, probably owing to his obvious high-end tobacco habit, but commanded an aura of respect and charisma. He had a thick native accent. – saluted before taking a seat on the plain metal folding chair that positioned him facing Brother Number One across the desk. The man was completely bald but sported a thick yet well groomed moustache on his upper lip. Two menacing internal security personnel were standing directly behind him, their gloved hands clutching submachine guns.

“Let me cut straight to the chase, Xiuhpilli. You can address me simply as comrade, is that sufficient? Right. Take a look at this photograph.”

Brother Number One opened up a black binder which contained a notepad, several folders, and a side pocket containing an envelope. – looked down as the envelope was placed in front of him.

“Open it.”

He complied and duly opened the envelope as instructed. Several black and white photographs glossy and thus obviously coming from an outside surveillance unit operation featured a man clad in military attire, standing on a balcony to some building. The first photograph showed him saluting, presumably to a crowd, the second showed him speaking to a microphone, and the third showed an execution squad firing at a bound prisoner.

“Do you know what these are, comrade?”

“No sir.” He replied with a tint of uncertainty in his voice.

“They are photographs captured by foreign surveillance units, showing the new military dictator in chief of Carbaré, Lorenzo Águila. The man being executed is Manuel Saavedra, a committed socialist elected by his own people. I’ll spare you the details, you can be briefed later. What I brought you here for, comrade, is a new military operation. We are preparing to launch an invasion of Carbaré to bring down Águila and protect Aztec interests as well as socialism in the region.”
He nodded in compliance.

“You are to, effective immediately, lead this invasion and take charge of the operation. I am placing under your command a division, numbering in the ten thousand to undertake this operation. No further comments are needed.”

Xiuhpilli nodded again, and saluted Brother Number One before leaving the freezing office and making his way to the training grounds in the prison yard where his newly controlled division trained in preparation. He was determined to win.

[The Republic of Livonia]

Opertaion Silent Theif
Blacksite "Alpha"
Unknonw Country, Unknow Location
20**-12-16 1835hours

Major Czesław Zale, the commanding officer of the 3rd Company, 5th Regiment of the Livonian Pathfinders Operations Division, was currently organizing the black site he was ordered to occupy earlier in the week. He was going through his checklist with what needed to be set up for the small encampment. The CP was set and the top men and women were with him roughing it. They had occupied a foreign nation's long-forgotten airfield allowing them to reach several regions from their location. He himself didn't know where they would be attacking from where they were. He was just more occupied with securing the area. The small airfield was made to look like a World Assembly Peacekeeping mission, with the White Helmets and flags and trucks to match. Not to say they weren't doing any good here he was more or less doing everything within his power to pull off the ruse that this was a World Assembly Peacekeeping mission. Two-thirds of his company were busying themselves with tasks that would normally be done by peacekeepers; Patroling towns, handing out IDAP and WA field rations, assisting local towns with any problems that they would have and even going as far as to checking on and assisting the local government. Including arresting and dispatching local guerrillas that would affect the government's progress towards peace. The remaining third had its own task, It took up two of the only hangers on the airstrip to store the specialised equipment that they brought along.

The equipment was so unique, so special most troops in the regular army didn't know about it yet, that included the MH-14R "Korsarz". The Korsarz, or Corsair in English, is a five-bladed, twin-engine, rotary-wing stealth helicopter designed for sling loading cargo and to transport troops into battle. It is armed by default with twin miniguns fitted to side doors located just behind the cockpit. Both miniguns are individually fed with a single linked belt with 2,000 rounds of 6.5 mm ammunition (with a combined total of 4,000 rounds). This had been upgraded in advance to also allow carrying two Fuel tanks and two weapons slots. Which the First Korsarz was loaded with 8 HE/HEAT LA-114 "Mace" Joint Strike Missiles while the other was without. The helicopter had also been upgraded with an in-air refuelling extension, and an Infrared Search and Track camera and laser designation device. Making the MH-14R "Korsarz" the perfect clandestine insertion and exfiltration airframe. It goes without saying that other nations of the world would have such a craft however the MH-14R "Korsarz" is so different than its parent army current equipment especially as the LDF is focused on Mechanized warfare so much to a falt. Most nations would be less inclined to even remotely believe that the Livonians developed it by themselves. Which for the missions it had to do if it did get caught unaware and shot down. Those that found its remains would not be able to link it to Livonia.

Major Czesław Zale sighed, he had not been told what he was to be actually focusing on. He had landed here almost 4 days prior and had been working non-stop to getting the airfield up and running. The following days had supplies and personnel from his unit brought here on large LC-103 transport aircraft which he promptly set up and organized them again as if it was the base back home; 20 Zamak trucks of varying configuration, a CH-49 "Mohawk", two Sections of AWC Light tanks [First section outfitted with Anti Air, Second section outfitted with Anti-tank and 35mm Autocannon. Each with an AWC 301 Recon Variant.], 3 series of Mk30a and Mk32a Autonomous Weapons Platforms for base defence, 4 RBS-70 air to ground missile launchers, an AN/MPQ-105 Radar outpost with 3 MIM-145 Defender and a MAC-1C Praetorian CWIS for long-range anti-missile and anti-air capabilities along with a pile of high tech equipment to create a state of the art in field Command and Control Post. The last two items on this list made him think the area that he was in was out of place. Considering the MIM-145 Defenders could also load anti-ship and tactical missiles and a Command and Control post that was way too powerful for his current AO. It could only mean one thing. That they were going to involve themselves with Carbaré. The distance from the border would mean it would be better to sneak in on foot but the two extremely stealthy and powerful helicopters made him think that he would deploy his pathfinders for some sabotage or hit and runs on major military build-up. As he continued to think another thought popped into his mind.

"or a snatch and gra..."

One of the Rugged IP telephone's started ringing. The green screen on it lit up to show the IP that was calling him and the security level requested. It was a Level Six encryption. Pretty much untraceable and uncrackable security, of course, there would be a few security measures he would have to beat. He grabbed the second phone and connected to the PA system for the camp.

"All senior officers from the 1st Section and 10th Company Senior staff report to CP pronto!" he slammed the receiver back down and hopped on his laptop and connected to the phone. Several prompts popped up on his laptop and he followed their instructions quickly and accurately. His screen went blank as it processed the information and a few seconds later a red light flashed on the phone. He pressed the green button below it and it lit green. Just as a row of soldiers walked in. They quickly took their seats. Czesław looked at each of them over as they organized themselves.


Captian Zofia Ziminska, His Executive officer, She walked over to his left and leaned on her desk. Setting the standard for the meeting. She eyed over the small crowd organizing themselves in the tent. Zofia was many years his junior however she was a proven field officer. She was a capable right hand.

The full crew of the Charlie Golf One Flight [CG-01] sat down as well as four members of the First Section of the 7th Troop. There was also a selection of important members from the camp that had direct dealings with CG-01. He pulled their rosters and organized them into a list. To pass the second part of security, His own.

"Charlie Golf -1" [5th Rgt. 3rd Co., 7th Troop, 1st Section]
Ground Branch




Air Branch




Support Branch

Looking at them once more, looking each of them in the eye, he was able to confirm that there was no mistaking each and every person here was supposed to be here.

"Gabriel, Do we have guards outside?" He then asked cutting the silence in the room like a knife would butter.

"Yessir, Replaced your usual guards with Intel's Guards," Gabriel said from the back of the room. "They know not to let anyone close, no Information will leave here but with those that need to know sir."

"Good."

He then pressed the green button. The Large Rugged Screen behind him came to life and the face of Oskar Konkol, Colonel of their Regiment. It looked like he was in his "Field Office" in the base Nadbór or at least it looked he was in his own tent while "fielding" the call.

"Major," Oskar said with a chuckle. "It seems I left you for too long. Or do you normally wait like this expecting a mission?"

"Ha," Czesław laughed, "No I know you well enough and, I believe I have scryed the reason you sent us out here."

"Ah?"

"Yes sir, we are ready and able."

"Well, then no use for the cloak and dagger the, You are hereby now to change operation name from Operation "Safe Horizon" to Operation "Silent Theif". The operation details are in your locked Third drawer Gab."

"Sir!" Gabriel flinched as the Colonel called his name. Oskar could only laugh.

"I can see you hiding in the back there, Sargent Major," Oskar said pointedly. "In short Operation Silent Theif will have you infiltrate and extract an important member of the former Socialist Republic of Carbare, and bring him back to your base for safekeeping. We know the residing president: General Lorenzo Águila. He is bloodthirsty and is currently cutting a swath through the late President Manuel Saavedra's political party: Popular Peoples Movement. There has been no remorse and he had been quick to snuff out all supporters of the Marxist belief. With this being said he has initiated a civil war in his own country because he didn't believe in socialist ideals, we're no fans of it either, however, he is being unethical about how he is dealing with the patter. he has crossed the line and we believe he crossed into the "fanatical fervour" side."

A few faces paled at the thought of certain ethnic minorities lynched for believing in something the reigning government didn't like. Oskar cleared his throat and continued.

"I would like your team to go out and find Chief Justice Alonso Gutiérrez and bring him to safety preferably to your base there in Tanoa, or to a place in Carbare."

"Understood sir," Czesław replied. "I'll brief my men and be in the air as soon as we get a target."

"Good," Oskar replied, "We should have an Idea within the coming hours, get them ready then."

"Sir," Czesław snapped off a salute. The rest of the room joined him seconds later. Oskar returned it and turned off the feed.

_____________________________________________________________


Next Post.

[Allanea]

You burned our palaces –
Soon in your huts the grenades will bounce!
~ Allanean patriotic song

Operation Spearfish

They moved through the jungle, the mud squelching lightly under their boots, sweat rolling down their faces and on their necks. They were nearly inaudible – but to the men themselves, the squelching sound under their boots seemed to be extremely loud, as if every man and animal for miles and could hear them. It made them tense as they moved forward, inch by inch, foot by foot. The sweat ran down their faces and necks, melting the black-and-brown military make-up, making it seem as if their clothes would stick to them.

To walk in such a place, away from the roads, away from the foot trails even, and to move stealthily, the men had to be slow, placing their feet down carefully with every step, first the toes and then the heel, with the last two men in the team working to conceal the signs of their passage – spraying the trail with a spray of animal urine to confuse dogs, removing those few footprints that were still visible in the muds.

It was slow, torturous walking. The three miles from the landing site took hours to pass. The sweat drenched their shirts and undershirts. Hours from now, it would form disgusting, salty stains on their clothing. But now they walked.

They reached the trail at last, right where they have been told it would be, snaking and twisting through the . They lay down, in the muddy soil, next to the trail – two men at a bend, facing downwards, several more along the road. One man climbed a tree. They smeared themselves with mud, and for moments the mud provided them some relief from the heat – but in truth, it was only a means to conceal themselves. They piled leaves on their backpacks, stuck the leaves to their clothing – in a few minutes, the men became part of the foliage.

They waited – interminably long, it seemed, squinting as the sweat got into their eyes.

""Hook Three, this is Rod-One," – a voice in the commander's earpiece whispered at last. "You have missed the season finale – sucks to be you."

This innocuous phrase was uttered with all sincerity, and even if – somehow – someone had tapped into, and decrypted, the broadcast, they would have thought that the Allaneans were using their official line to inform some soldier in the field that they missed their favorite show.

This was nearly the reverse of truth. The code phrase meant that, perhaps a mile down the trail, the insurgents were approaching. It was a small group, perhaps two dozen people, carrying a supply of weapons across the border.

For a guerrilla movement, like any army, needs weapons. It needs explosives, guns, mortars, ammunition. And these could only be brought in in secret – in this case, by foot, from across the border.

Closer and closer the convoy came – already, the commandos could hear them coming, hear the light clanking of their load.

Now they came into sight – armed to the teeth all, but except for two or three men at the front of the convoy and two at the back, loaded down with vast backpacks, hunched down under the weight of dozens of pounds of weapons, gear, supplies. One man carried several anti-tank rocket tubes, tied together behind his back, with his rifle hanging off a sling on his neck – two people carried a mortar, folded on a medical stretcher. Another one carried a bag from which the tips of a dozen Kalashnikov rifles protruded. Their work had been hard - the backpacks wearing sores into their shoulders as they marched. Many of them had not been soldiers, or guerrillas, even weeks before – only with the coup were they forced by circumstances to take up arms, with the possibility of implementing their goals democratically taken away.


Some were not even workers – there were two young men in glasses and plaid shirts who had been clearly college students from the capital, who seemed to be suffering the worst, their expressions pained as they struggled to keep up with the convoy.

They approached the bend.

The Allanean hiding in the tree thumbed the safety on his rifle, almost inaudibly – but one of the insurgents heard him still.

Qué? – he asked, raising his hand, motioning the convoy to stop. He was perhaps the most competent.

The sniper pressed the trigger. The gunshot was deafening in the tense silence, and the man who was smartest and best among the rebels, the man who had almost saved them all, tilted back, blood blossoming across his chest.
The two commandos lying in front of the convoy, facing down the road, fired their guns – two beltfed machineguns, firing two long bursts along the length of the road. Along one side of the road, rifles and grenade launchers barked at once, explosions rising suddenly among the convoy. One of the young men in the plaid shirts turned towards the direction of the fire, his eyes behind the sweat-stained glasses wide in shock, struggling to tear off the backpack so he could fight.

Madre de Dios… - he whispered as the men whom he had become friend with, to whom he had been tied to by their long journey together, whom he felt were almost like his older brothers, were cut down like targets at a shooting range. Everything seemed slowed down, like in a nightmare, he kept yanking and yanking on the strap of his backpack and it wouldn't come off, it was stuck to his shoulder, he made it too tight, and now his friends were dying – someone's blood sprayed on his face – then suddenly his knee exploded.

He fell – landing on the injured leg, pain jolting through his entire body. In his entire life, the young man had never known such suffering.

Then, a man appeared just in front of him, out of the bushes where there had not been anyone a second below.

An unknown force threw the young fighter back. He felt like an overturned turtle, the thrice-damned backpack holding him to the ground, the blue sky filling his entire view.

That sky, the beautiful, blue Carbaré sky, that was the last thing he would ever see in his life.

* * *

The Allanean commandos paced the length of the convoy, photographing the bodies were they fell, removing phones, documents, weapons. Every scrap of paper would be salvaged, from notepads to personal letters to postcards to copies of the Party newspaper, and every piece of personal electronics from phones to watches.

They would then fly the bodies to the nearest village for honorable burial. With this small amount of enemy casualties, the commandos could be thorough and meticulous

Over the next few days, the Allaneans would look over the trove of documents and phones found.

[Union and Liberty]

In response to the discovery of an improvised explosive device attached to the EUL ambassador's vehicle in the parking lot of the EUL Embassy, the Empire Of Union and Liberty recently launched Operation Ricochet as payback for an attempted assassination on an EUL diplomat.

1:30 AM

Based on Information given to EUL Military Intelligence by a Communist defector the bomb was traced to a 2-story boathouse on the Cararbé coast, members of Task Force Viper were deployed to the boathouse.

1:55 AM

A breach and clear of the building has begun in a clean house operation and orders to capture any intel related to Communist Insurgent activity in the region.

2:03 AM

The house is cleared with 5 Communists killed and 3 captured with no loses of life on the side of TFV.
"Captain, you might wanna see this" said one of the members of the team (Anonymous due to his status in the special forces)
Production of Chlorine Gas was discovered in the boathouse, CBRN teams have been called to the scene and the EUL Ambassador has contacted Carbaré officals about the discovery of chemical weapons in the hands of terrorists.

[Americae Roma]

Carrier Strike Group Two
ARS George HW Bush
Off the Coast of Cabare

A V-22 Osprey touches down at the deck of a Nimitz Class carrier ARS( Americae Roma Ship) George HW Bush, the carrier bristles with warplanes, and is a very potent symbol of Americae Roma military might and power projection and is the designated mobile headquarters of operations in Cabare the Osprey is carrying the combatant commander and military deputy commander of SOUTHCOM( a military combatant command responsible for operations in Latin America), Admiral Craig S Faller and Lieutenant General Michael T Plehn, respectively, escourted by CIA operatives armed with HK416 assault carbines and P90 PDWs, they soon make their way below deck, and into the war room, where officers of the aerial and naval task force as well as CIA case officers were already waiting them, sitting on leather padded arm chairs around a wallnut wood table filled with maps, computers and documents, with a projector up front to display video or pictures or beam combat footage in real time.
Craig S Faller started to address the room: " So I hope we did not keep you all waiting for too long, without beating around the bush, we here probably know our agendas." Michael T Plehn continued: " So, as we all know, a while ago, the Armed Forces of Cabare staged a bloodless coup against the nation's then socialist government, now, this new government has been facing Communist insurgency, which is why we intervened, now, we're here to check on your progress, and make any adjustments needed." An Air Force officer then jumped up in excitement: " My task force just executed airstrikes, we kicked their asses hard! I'll roll the gun cams right now!" The officer then turned on the projector, showing black and white weapons cam footage captured directly by the attacking aircraft, the Air Force officer continued: " These airstrikes have greatly crippled the logistics and combat capabilities of the insurgents, if we sustain our air campaign, we can certainly defeat them." Faller then replied: " Yes, from what I've heard, airstrikes have worked, the problem is, we now face a threat greater than sloppy rebels, continue, Deputy Commander." "So" Michael T Plehn said " Recently, another country has intervened, the People's Republic of Aztlan, who have pledged their support for the Communist, Aztlan may invade Cabare and restore the communist back to power, this would be unacceptable, we cannot have Cabare act as a Communist outpost in the American Hemisphere, gentlemen, any ideas on how to deal with this Aztlan threat?" Soon, the room brimmed with conversation and often arguments, some argued a preemptive strike against Aztlan, but it was quickly struck down, due to the international backlash it could draw, most were for increasing military presence in Cabare, soon it was unanimously agreed ground troops should be sent to Cabare to defend the nation against an Aztlan invasion, the meeting also agreed to establish an aerial and maritime exclusion zone as a way of deterring Aztlan invasion and the room also decided that former Socialist Party Chief Justice Alonso Gutierrez need to be put under detention to prevent the Socialist Party from ever regaining power.

[Theodosiya]

OOC : Ayayayayay... Shit going to happen... I'd give it a try...


Presidential Palace
Sevastopol Capital Province
Crimea


"World gone mad, I told you" spoke Foreign Minister Anatoly Makarov, in front of the President, who sat facing window, looking at the weather outside. "Yes, my friend. Especially with a crisis brewing that soon will blow up massively. I can't believe about what happened in Cabare. A Marxist, democratically elected. I'm not a big fan of capitalism, as we are all so, but, what the people are thinking? Anyway, he's dead now. Our options now are to support communists or authoritarian fuck. I nearly can't believe it, but I think either option sucked, and yet, now a comunist country has finally given us a good chance to be the least bastards here. You all know, right?" Vladimir Reznov stared at the assembly of civil and military leadership. "Well, given Allanea support, and American too, we have few choices but to support the mad General. With the scale of what about to happen, it would be obvious that brigade won't cut it, and neither division would. So, for the first time, we will deploy corps sized force. Not outright, but gradually. Given the size of our military, this shouldn't have much impact on our defense, so we won't need to mobilize the reserves" he added the last sentence, after a few shriek and groan regarding the size of the expeditionary force. "We have made few plans for foreign peacekeeping and peacemaking. And with this, we would like to announce the fully prepared force.

Land component :
Army (Overstrength Division sized force)
1st, 3rd and 5th Mechanized Infantry brigade
2nd Armored brigade
7th Airborne brigade
5th Aviation brigade
4th Artillery Regiment (Two battalions, one operating Al-Fao strategic artillery, one operating ATACMS)
9th Air Defense Regiment (Two battalions, one operating Patriot batteries, one operating composite NASAMS-Stinger-Gepard batteries)
6th Lightning Reconnaissance battalion (think Rangers)

Marines
2nd Marine brigade
6th Aviation battalion
4th Marine Reconnaissance battalion

Air Force
Airfield Security Brigade
Airfield Air Defense Battery

JSOC
Less than two thousand special operation forces from Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines

Air component :
1st Multirole Heavy Fighter Squadron (24 F-15 Advanced Eagle)
4th and 8th Multirole Medium Fighter Squadron (48 F-16 Block 72)
12th Air Defense Suppression Squadron (24 F-16 Block 72)
19th Combat Air Support Squadron (24 Su-25M)
Two TU-95M flight (6 planes)
One TU-22M3 flight (3 planes)
Two Tactical Airlift flight (12 C-130J-30)
One Strategic Airlift flight (6 C-17)
One Aerial Refueling flight (6 KC-135)
An AEW & C Aircraft (Elta EM/2075 on Boeing 767)
A Navy P-8 Poseidon

Navy component
TNS Crimea (ex Novorossiysk, Kiev class aviation cruiser, modernized and overhauled to NATO standard), with 16 Harriers aboard, 6 S-70-4 Seahawk, 4 MH-60S Knighthawk and 6 S-70-5.
TNS Sevastopol (ex Admiral Lazarev, a Kirov class BC, modernized and overhauled to NATO standard)
TNS Volga (ex Moskva, a class of helicopter carrier. Modernized and overhauled to NATO standard), with Marines 2 AH-1Z, 4 Ka-29TB assault transportation, 6 Ka-32S maritime utility, 4 Navy S-70-4 Seahawk, 2 MH-60S Knighthawk and 4 S-70-5.
TNS Mamay and TNS Zhukov, (Wasp class based LHD), each have 8 Harrier, 8 AH-1Z, 4 Ka-29TB, 2 CH-53E, 4 Ka-32S, 4 MH60S Knighthawk, 2 Navy S-70-4 Seahawk and 2 S-70-5.
Four Zvonimir class LPD (based on San Antonio)
Eight Molot LST (based on Ropucha II LSD)
Four Kurgan class destroyer (hybrid AEGIS design, based on Arleigh Burke Flight III, JS Maya and ROKS Sejong the Great)
Eight Tatar class Frigates (based on De Zeven Provincien)
Four Diesel Electric Submarine (one new one based on U-218, two older based on U-214 and an older Project 636)
Two Oscar II class submarine
One Delta IV class submarine

These force, while substantial, represent only 1/8 of our active full time forces, more or less. They do not carry nuclear weapons due to the mission consideration. Non nuclear conventional ordnance are deemed more than adequate, given hostile forces. If necessary, more could be allocated. The States Council and the People Representatives Council has approved action to "stabilize, secure and protect" the country" "announce the Ministry of Defence Arseny Kulikov. "And I've prepared message to the Allanea and Cabare government, in case we intervene. To the Americans too" Makarov sighed. "Well, this is it, folks. May history remember us as one of the lesser evil than the major villain" Reznov clasped his hands.

To : Government of Kingdom of Allanea
From : Government of Federal Republic of Theodosiya
Encryption : Top Secret

We of Theodosiya have heard of chaos in Cabare. Though we initially didn't consider our intervention necessary, nor needed, circumstances change, and with that, a Task Force is assembled and ready to move when order came and appproval gained. Therefore, we would like to work together for supporting Cabare junta, initially military, followed by material support. If possible, Theodosiya would've like to have full cooperation in all field regarding support for Aguila.

Signed, Vladimir Reznov
President of Federal Republic of Theodosiya

To : Government of America
From : Government of Federal Republic of Theodosiya
Encryption : Top Secret

As we know, a coup against the democratically elelected socialist have happened. This technically goes against our values of democracy. However, possible Aztlan invasion changed this matter. Therefore, we hope we can work together, alongside Allanea, to defeat the communists, possibly even up to establishment of Joint Operations Command

Signed, Vladimir Reznov
President of Federal Republic of Theodosiya

To : Government of Cabare
From : Government of Federal Republic of Theodosiya
Encryption : Low

The pieces has been set, and the players are playing a dangerous game of chess. Given the threat to your junta, we offer military and material support, in form of a task force, which compositions you can read in the attachments. Also available are old refurbished and modernized Soviet Union Armored Fighting Vehicles, planes, ships, weapons and gear. We could provide it, enough to form few armored and mechanized infantry division, plus trainers. If, you are willing to pay, modern state of the art NATO standard equipment are available too, and special operations forces trainers would happily train your SOF forces in all aspects of modern war. This in addition to the previous free of charge support.

Signed, Vladimir Reznov
President of Federal Republic of Theodosiya

Naval Base Sevastopol
Crimea

Lieutenant Yakov Petropavlosk loaded and fired his rifle. The HK-416A5 16'5 send bursts after bursts toward the target as Yakov slowly walked towards it. Again and again he fired, until he finished his last mag. He looked at the result and felt a bit of satisfaction. Most hit in the center of mass, some on head, which he considers good enough. He looked at another site, this time an open space with alot of target dummy. He took aim and fired the grenade launcher. It landed right on the spot, and tore the dummies to pieces. Fully satisfied, he heads toward the armory. After storing the weapon, he sat down, took off his helmet and stared at it. MICH 2K style, fully tacticalized, covered with MARPAT cover and canvas netting. He then checked on the rest of his gear. He wore MARPAT combat shirt, with light ballistic MOLLE carrier over it (OOC, SDS BAE RRV, or any random plate carrier, but made from bullet and shrapnel proof material than mere cloth/canvas). He also wore deltoid and groin protection along with knee and elbow pad. Outside that, it's standard Thedosiyan line unit. Knife and first aid kit, tourniquet, hydration pack. The list goes on. He chuckled when he remembered his early years. He and his unit could be mistaken for Russian Naval Infantry. Now, shits have gone better. His thoughts are disturbed when a Sergeant entered. "Sir, there's new order from high brass. We are to deploy to Cabare" the Sergeant reported. "It's about damn time. Gear up, tell the rest of the units too. Pretty sure in less than 48 hours, we gonna be aboard Hercules." The Marine Recon grunts.

OOC : Would love input and coordination with Allanea.

[Osterling]

The republic of osterling has a list of demands for general Lorenzo
Our demands our to step down and have a new election osterling may not like communism or marxists but we support democracy or face a embargo and military intervention (when done modernizing our army)

[Svitka]

Anti-Coup Movement

The Commonwealth of Svitka's government observed the election and coup from far away. However, the blatant attempt to disregard of the people's choice worried the Svitkan government, worried that a civil conflict was about to begin. While the strength of Svitka's military, the Island Defense Force, was considered for action-the idea was axed by the president and the senate, which shared the view "active participation is negative". But, discussions with the Defense Department and the Secret Intelligence Service proved fruitful. With the president's executive authority, he gave the green light for Operation Jacket.

Operation Jacket

Operation Jacket was designed for the purpose of forming an anti-government guerrilla group which encompassed members with moderate/democratic political beliefs of both sides. Select members from the SIS and other intelligence services would be parachuted into the deep jungles via 2 cargo aircraft and with crates of weapons, ammunition, small kit helicopter, explosives, and secret communication equipment to help form an anti-government militia group. This group would have the capability to work with other anti-government groups to coordinate the ousting of government led by General Lorenzo Águila. The operation is run by Agent Kirkov.

Kirkov is one of Svitka's top secret agents, former Yeti Force and IDF soldier, proficient in Spanish language and veteran of numerous secret operations. Strong willed and charismatic, his specialties include counter-insurgency and guerrilla warfare tactics and organization. Members of his team also speak Spanish.

Operational Area: Somewhere over Carbaren Jungle
Time: 0230 hrs

The first plane flies low to avoid radar, just at the minimum altitude for parachuting. Agent Kirkov and his men prepare to be airdropped. They finish checking their equipment as the cargo plane flies over their drop area: a small treeless area in the depths of a jungle valley. The green light appears and the 5 men parachute into pitch darkness. The 1st cargo plane then heads for home. After landing and securing their chutes, they place an infrared beacon signalling the 2nd cargo plane to make a low pass to dispense its cargo. Flying low and slow, the plane jettisons its cargo, which falls on target. Afterwards, the 2nd cargo plane also turns towards home.

With the equipment successfully landed and the operation underway, the 5 men begin to assemble their secret communications equipment near the drop zone. They communicate their safe arrival to Svitka via encrypted channel. They move the crates out of the open and under the cover of jungle canopy and begin to build their Operational Base Camp. The mission had begun.

[Allanea]

Leyfield Palace Park, Sovereign Duchy of Leyfield

The gazebo was fitted for a lunch for three – the King himself, a tall, elegant man, dressed in a blue suit with a polished silver bolo tie, and two young men – perhaps almost boys, over sixteen years of age. One was a blond man with sapphire blue eyes, elegant in that way in which young predatory animals can be elegant, muscled yet slender – the other was an ever-so-slightly overweight redhair, his cheeks slightly rounded, but still clearly in good health. Those were Grand Prince Rudolph von Steinfurt and Baronet Henry von Tassit.

"So what do we have here?" – asked the King, raising a copy a newspaper, where the headline Carbaré Crisis nearing Catastrophe blazed across a page, though mercifully not a front page.

"A crisis of alliterative proportions?" – von Tassit inquired.

"Excellent, young von Tassit, there's hope for you, but this was not quite intended by me. Let me rephrase, please. What has gone wrong with the Carbaré cri- events?"

Rudolph stared at the paper. "Aside from the obvious fact that the country is in the midst of a civil war caused, apparently, by the public being willing to murder for outright terrorists and the military not being able to avert this other than by physically grabbing people and shooting them?"

"Yes, Rudolph, aside from the obvious."

"Can I… can I please have a closer look?"
The young man looked at the paper, becoming slightly nervous as he did not know the answer. At the end, placing the paper back on the table, he said "I'm not quite certain what you mean, Mr. Blaken-Kazansky."

"Well, do you have any particular insight?"

"It seems to me…" – Rudolph paused – "It seems to me that a lot of people are really overreacting. The Theodosians appear to be preparing to deploy… it says here, perhaps twenty thousand men or more, and also a small fleet? "

"That's actually a very good answer, Rudy. Not the one that I aimed at, but it's a very good one. Also, please, do have another piece of the castella cake – they're here for you and your friend after all, nobody is going to eat them if we don't."

Rudy reached for a small piece of the cake – it was delicious, with a sponge-like softness, sweet and with a hint of lemon.

"As the classic said," – the King continued – "What we have here is a failure to communicate. First, we have nations, on both sides, who clearly have no information on what is going on. Now, to be fair, the official communications from Carbaré are scant on content. It's taken us an actual investigative team on the ground to gain an understanding of what's going on. Consider that the only thing the official communiques mentioned, before people pressed the Carbaréans for more, was 'communists had won an election, they were going to confiscate land, so we seized their leadership and put them in prison'. Unfortunately this is a bad way to communicate because it means different things to different people!"

"Excuse me?"

"Well, let's start with Communists. What did they mean? Did they mean 'awful mass-murderous tyrants that were going to steal our land and murder all the landlords'? Did they mean 'a party that is called Communist but it is just actually slightly left-wing'? Did they mean 'a party that wants to confiscate the land but pay the landlords back for its value'? Now all of these are things I would probably not vote for if I were a citizen of Carbaré, but that's not the question here. This is obviously entirely different things, and people are justified in understanding them to be different – and then you get to the fact that some people will read 'military coup to stop the Communists' to be either a legitimate military intervention to preserve key human rights, and law and order, or the prelude to incredible violence and cannibalism – which in some cases had been true in history."

"Cannibalism, Your Imperial- I mean, Mr. Blaken-Kazansky?"

"That is correct. There's an infamous story where a country had a military coup to prevent a Communist coup from happening – and then they sent militias to murder all the Communists, and all the socialists, and anyone who looked at them funny. And they worked themselves into such a blood-lust they'd cut their enemies up like serial killers and drink their blood – they believed it kept them from losing their sanity from all the murders."

"I think that at the point where you're considering drinking innocent people's blood as a medication, it's probably too late to be taking precautions from losing your sanity." – Henry von Tassit noted.

"Ha! You are not wrong, Baronet von Tassit, I like you!" – Alexander said – "But, as we said, many of the other nations in the crisis are also wrong, and I'm going to explain this as well. You have people who are clearly reacting on a Pavlovian political reflex. You have people who have seen that the Águilaros are fighting communists, and since they don't like Communists – I also don't like Communists – they immediately launched themselves to assist the Águilaros. Tell me, what would they have done if the Águilaros turned out to be the sort of people who drink blood as a prophylactic? Happily they're not. But I am getting there. Then there's the other side."

The King paused, reaching for his own piece of castella cake. "Then there's the other guys. They assumed – some of them because they actually are Communists, but many people just because they saw that there was an election – that Saavedra and his goons had legitimacy. Neither these reactions are reasonable – suppose you are a Communist leader, and you send your troops to support Saavedra, and you discover Saavedra is a far-Maoist goon and is murdering all the schoolteachers – which isn't true, as far as I know, he's just a regular Maoist goon and is only going to murder some of the schoolteachers – how would you feel about your comrades dying for such a goon? And as for democracy…" – for a moment, Alexander paused, raising a small cup of small, sweet tea to his lips.

"Some people have a religious faith, it seems, in democracy. They seem to think that the cardboard box with a slit at the top is a magical box, you put your ballots in it, and legitimate leadership comes out – no matter what this leadership is, and what it ends up doing, it is legitimate! We voted! This of course is as reasonable as the people who are fanatically invested in the Divine Right of Kings – being assigned rulership because you have crawled out of the right womb is just as arbitrary as being assigned it from having crawled out of the right ballot box. Supposing Saavedra were alive, and confiscated all the farms, and murdered tens of thousands of people and caused a famine in Carbaré – would this be 'legitimate' because they have cast a vote to do this?"

"No, but… I mean, you can't just violate your oaths of loyalty because an election has gone wrong." – volunteered Henry.

"You can't. But these people haven't bothered to check whether this is what Carbaré. To quote Zedd Zorander, people will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they're afraid it might be true. In this case, people have started reacting to whatever stereotype they had in their heads of the words 'Communist' or the words 'Democracy', without checking at all what was happening. Conversely, I wish to note, that my wife did. Cassiopeia was willing to see whether Águila is a neofascist with delusions of grandeur or whether Saavedra is an actual mass-murdering Maoist – see, von Tassit, I too can alliterate attentively! – before we took action. So we sent people to Carbaré. We sent small teams of people so we could rapidly disengage and fuck off from there before things went spectacularly pear-shapedly wrong. And what did we discover? "

The King paused. "We discovered that, yes, Águila is a douche. The riot police in Carbaré are frighteningly trigger-happy. But. It should be said. While Águila is a douche, Saavedra was a murderous serial killer terrorist. His organization had an armed wing that committed a range of attacks before the election, and is even now moving its campaign of terror to become an even worse bloodbath. They are radical Maoists with ties to the drug cartels. They can't even really be called Marxists, that would be an insult to Karl Marx."

"Gods." – said Rudy.
"Christ." – said Henry.

"And this is why Cassiopeia and I try to send a small force first – to see what is happening. If it turns out that someone we offer assistance to doesn't deserve it – because they're evil, or because they're stupid like a boot, or just because the situation has gone FUBAR – It's easier to order the troops to fuck off and get back on their planes when there's fifty of them then when there's fifty thousand." – Alexander paused. "These things lead us to three conclusions:"

"First," – he finished devouring his cake "communicate clearly with others. It's possible that they've understood something you said in a way you didn't intend it – so try and imagine how what you say will heard."

"Second, acquire information before acting, especially before issuing orders Try and interact with reality, not the vague ideas in your head." – the King said, refilling his cup with tea.

"Three, please do have more of these cakes. They're delicious and they're here for you."

[Carbare]

To People's Commissariat of External Relations, Aztlān,

We will bow down to the threats of your murderous communist regime here in our Republic. We will not be releasing any terrorists, and nobody will be stepping down, nor will elections occur until the peace and stability that our people crave is restored. You threaten us with war. Is that what you really want? I can tell you that our people do not want a pointless war which will only result in innocent bloodshed. That's why I lead the coup. To bring the Marxist terrorists to justice, and to bring peace and stability back to the streets.

If it is war you want, it is war you will get. I will let you know now, any Aztec soldier that sets foot on our beautiful nation will be liquidated with extreme prejudice, Carbaré has zero tolerance for the Communist swine, and you will come to deeply regret your illegitimate invasion to topple the Republic's sole legitimate government.

From,
General Lorenzo Águila
Carbaré Armed Forces
Signed, 14/12/19

To the Government of the Federal Republic of Theodosiya,

Our young administration gracefully accepts your support in the face of these turbulent times. We are also willing to pay for new gear as this would suit the interests of our armed forces in this time of conflict. We propose that Theodosiya sends a representative to Malqueras, our capital to create and close the deal. We also accept the offers to train our forces in modern warfare.

Respectfully yours,
General Lorenzo Águila
Carbaré Armed Forces
Signed, 14/12/19

Unknown
Northern Province
Republic of Carbaré

---

A barrage of heavy machine gun fire blasted through the copse of trees deep in the dense Carbari jungle. The time was the wee morning hours and the darkness of a moonless night was even more dense beneath the heavy foliage. All that could be seen was the fire bursting from the unseen muzzles of the guns some distance away, sending showers of metallic death upon the small group of Communist insurgents who had been camping in the area. Pieces of bark flew in raining shrapnel as small trees were burst asunder from the heavy firepower. The calibre of the guns was obviously from some belt-fed mechanism as the insurgents saw the bodies of their compatriots blown almost to obliteration, trunk-less legs falling down with their upper bodies ground into piles of bloody meat.

The firestorm stopped and then the sound of a deep resounding horn could be heard several times in the distance before the machine guns started again. The dissidents, armed only with a few stolen submachine guns and pistols were not even able to draw their weapons before they faced death. The machine guns were still firing, and all of the Communists lay dead on the ground. The guns silenced and torches shone from the death squad, sending an eerie white light through the jungle as they slowly approached. The death squad consisted of twenty soldiers belonging to the Armed Forces, and several members of the Guardia Civil. As the soldiers went through and attempted to identify the bodies, cutting off the heads of those who were not completely blown to bits with machetes, the Guardia Civil attaches set up a small radio attempting to establish a signal with their forward operating base which was stationed some kilometres away. Only static was audible as they attempted to beep in several coded messages which may or may not have been received. The thickness of the brush and the atmospheric pressure of the area were not conducive to their attempts at communication.

"We aren't getting any sort of signal from out here, have you identified them all?" one of the Guardia members asked.

One of the head soldiers smiled, his hands covered in blood.

"We have them all in hand."

He emphasized his point by holding up several severed heads, holding them by their bloody unkempt hair and dropped them into a rucksack. The heads would be brought on to the commanding officer in the field as proof of their work and evidence of successful termination.

"Good then, let's get back to the others."

Leaving a scene of hideous carnage behind them, they proceeded towards the inner depths of the jungle, and began a long and arduous march leading towards the position of the other members in their force.

[Theodosiya]

Malqueras
Republic of Carbare


Special Envoy Mikhail Gomurskadov wiped sweat off his head, before putting on his helmet again. Better be safe than be sorry, he thought, as the L-ATV rumbles through the road of Malqueras. He arrived that morning, a day after official arrival of the LRB and the MRB, mere hours before the first Army SFOD Alpha platoon. Navy SRDD detachment will arrive in few hours and Air Force AGSF group will arrive alongside another wave of fighter, support and trainer planes. "It has been decided to also lend additional squadrons, in form of a EMB-314 Super Tucano squadron that will train Carbare pilots, and also do COIN duty against rebels, beside a TFA-50 Golden Eagle LIFT squadron. This to show our commitment to improve Carbare defense capability" he mentioned to a representative of Carbare through video call, just before he arrived. He sighed, this won't be a clear and clean war. Even though he's a diplomat, quite alot of people in the government was a veteran of at least one war, in the closing day of Soviet Union and the instability of Caucasus as the newly independent Theodosiya obliged call for aid from Russian Federation. In the distance, the presidential palace looms, and he started to sort the documents, papers and proposals that he will present. Luckily, he's accompanied by representatives of civil and military authorities, alongside economist and military expert. In another few hours representatives of state, public and private enterprise will also join them. This should be a interesting meeting.

---

Malqueras International Airport

Yakov spit on the ground. The flight has been anything but enjoyable, and for first few days, he and the vanguard of Task Force "Tropic Storm" will set up camp, as a separate military base is being set up. Later it will be the HQ and centre for Theodosiyan force in Carbare, while actual forces will be headquartered in FOBs all over Carbare, most of them closer to the border to isolate communist force. Navy will support the force off the coast, while Marines will be deployed along the coastal areas. Task Group of mechanized-armored formation will be formed to assist the Airborne Force as they and the light infantry formation will root out the insurgents. At least that's the plan. He watched the rows of Lynx Light Tank, which come as standard for all infantry battalions, except for his, since the marines prefer ones based on the BMP-2, for being amphibious, and being a Reconnaissance Battalion, they got BRDM-2 instead. Good enough for the type of missions they did, though.

OOC : Carbare, tell me, what kind of stuffs you want? I could just mention different things, but if you could specify, I would be happy. And how much too, since full blown first rate Theodosiyan gear would be prioritized for own use, so limited number are available for export.

[Osterling]

To carbare
You got one more chance to agree to our demands
First step down
Second apologized
Third hold new elections
And fourth have everyone in the coup answer for the crimes
Failure to these demands will result into intervention which can lead to but not limited to gas attack and landing of troops

[Americae Roma]

To Osterling

Americae Roma warns it will retaliate against any attacks carried out against Cabare Armed Forces, Americae Roma has a substantial military presence in Cabare.

From Americae Roma

[Allanea]

To carbare
You got one more chance to agree to our demands
First step down
Second apologized
Third hold new elections
And fourth have everyone in the coup answer for the crimes
Failure to these demands will result into intervention which can lead to but not limited to gas attack and landing of troops

Official Message from the Free Kingdom Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maverick Monningham, to the government of Osterling

The Free Kingdom of Allanea understand the concerns the government of Osterling has regarding current events in Carbaré. To hear of a military coup against a democratically elected government is of course something that raises substantial concerns, and these were concerns that the Free Kingdom itself. In response to these concerns, we made inquiries, as well as sent teams, to investigate the situation before we finally concluded that the government of Carbaré was deserving of our support (which, as of now, still remains limited in scope, as we wait to verify some of the information we have).

What our inquiry found was that the 'democratically elected' President Saavedra was in fact elected democratically with the help of a substantial wave of terrorist attacks by his party's militant wing. It is hard to call an election free or fair when the winning party is assisted by literal terrorists who murder their political opponents – at least we hope you agree with that. Moreover, Saavedra's party had planned to implement in Carbaré a totalitarian Maoist policy, complete with uncompensated confiscation of lands. Finally, after the coup, the party has moved to carry out more terrorist attacks against innocent civilians, as well as formed an alliance with narcocartels to destabilize the country, in return for funding from illicit transactions, not only from drugs, but also from kidnapping and extortion. Any one of these facts would have been enough to deprive a political party of any legitimacy, no matter how many votes it had gotten.

Beyond this your threats to use weapons of mass destruction against Carbaré as part of this dispute are not only grossly disproportionate, but also irresponsible and will accomplish the reverse of what you are hoping to achieve – unless what you are hoping to achieve is literally mass war, which we hope is not. Even many of those who might have doubted the legitimacy of General Águila's junta would defend it against attacks by people who would drop out chemical weapons.

One of these groups of people is, in fact, the Free Kingdom of Allanea. In light of your threats, we are forced to deploy one aircraft carrier battlegroup, lead by the FKS Whirlwind, to link up with the Theodosians, and to prepare (in our bases in the Atlantic) an Air Regiment of strategic bombers, for the protection of Carbaré against all threats, foreign and domestic. Further, the Minister of War has authorized the preparation of additional Special Forces troops and reconnaissance aircraft for the mission in Carbaré. We note further that any strikes against the civilian population of Carbaré shall be met with a rapid and robust response against Osterling itself.

So we ask – we implore you – instead of engaging in provocations that will doubtlessly lead to incredible violence, to the deaths of tens of thousands on all sides, we ask you to sit down at the negotiations table and talk. Right now, Allanean forces in Carbaré are taking out terrorist nests, distributing vaccines to children and spraying pesticides to contain the spread of malaria. Our economic advisors are working with the government of Carbaré to end poverty and to improve the national infrastructure. Instead of irresponsible provocations that will only put thousands of your brave soldiers into an early grave, we ask that you sit down at the negotiating table and discuss ways in which you can productively help Carbaré return to peace, democracy, and liberty.

And may the Gods continue to Bless Allanea.
Yours, Maverick Monningham.

[Kunkenga]

STRATGEN-Africa Compound, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Standing on a wide wooden frame, built almost like a gallows, Major General Gideon Shamesi prepares to address a convocation of regimented PANTHER unit soldiers. His dark bald head reflecting the sallow light of the afternoon sun with almost double intensity.

Looking forward into the crowd of berets and balaclavas he quietly removes a thick black cigar and strikes a match across his pant leg, the matchhead leaving a light maroon stain on his jet black camouflage. After letting out a couple of minor puffs he rests the cigar between his teeth.

"There is a war on men." he boomed, the cigar giving his vowels a slight impediment atop his thick central African accent. "And it is in such climates that we here at STRATGEN thrive. We are nothing more than dogs of war, extending our services to the highest bidder."

He pivots on his heel, his tight leather boots squeaking on the rough wooden boards.

"But this present war is different. Its gravity provides us with the opportunity to not only reap colossal benefits, but also cement ourselves in history."

Pulling a final drag on the cigar, the he throws the butt off the frame. Its embers slightly burning his callused fingers.

"However, it may not come as a surprise that our contracts have been quite dry. It doesn't seem like our services are wanted by any nation as it currently stands. That is why we have decided to greatly reduce our prices, and expand our operations across the globe. Marxist rebels within Carbare have reached out to us directly for support in forming a united front, as have communist governments across the globe. The price is right for the fight."

Two HIND helicopters pass overhead, not a single head is turned away from the major.

"They want us to heat things up. So let us give them a spectacle."

Atlantic Access Airstrip 311, Angola
Pilots and technicians scurry around a damp airfield somewhere in the darkness of the African savanah. An almost ankle high layer of exhaust fumes coats the ground, brightly illuminated by the neon runway lights and rooftop spotlights. High atop steel watchtowers, searchlights peer into the darkness of the windswept grasslands around the airfield, under the careful gaze of armed guards.

A massive C-130 taxis slowly to the runway, its front landing gears flanked on both sides by two masked soldiers.

High Above a Secret Communist Enclave, Carbare
Two C-130s blare across a cloudless sky, high above a dense jungle canopy. Somewhere along their flight they eject a deluge of black pamphlets.

A heavily suntanned soldier watches the planes go by and follows the papers as they fall to the ground, almost like snowfall.

He reaches his hand forward and violently catches one of the stray papers with a gloved hand, uncrumpling it slowly he finds that he is unable to read it in whatever language it was printed in.

He reaches out and catches another, this one he can understand.

"YOUR FRIENDS HAVE REACHED OUT TO US, STRATGEN SECURITY SERVICES OFFERS ITSELF TO YOU." it read in large block letters in blood red print.

Unfolding the pamphlet the soldier finds a bulleted list in the same red block print behind a jet black background.

"WE ARE NOT FRIENDS OF GEN. AGUILA.
YOUR LEADERS HAVE CALLED ON US ASSIST IN YOUR FIGHT.
WE SUPPORT YOUR CAUSE.
WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH YOUR FIGHT.
LET US JOINT ARMS IN REVOLUTION.
LONG LIVE CARBARE.
LONG LIVE THE TRUE GOVERNMENT
LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION."

[Osterling]

To carbare
You got one more chance to agree to our demands
First step down
Second apologized
Third hold new elections
And fourth have everyone in the coup answer for the crimes
Failure to these demands will result into intervention which can lead to but not limited to gas attack and landing of troops

Official Message from the Free Kingdom Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maverick Monningham, to the government of Osterling

The Free Kingdom of Allanea understand the concerns the government of Osterling has regarding current events in Carbaré. To hear of a military coup against a democratically elected government is of course something that raises substantial concerns, and these were concerns that the Free Kingdom itself. In response to these concerns, we made inquiries, as well as sent teams, to investigate the situation before we finally concluded that the government of Carbaré was deserving of our support (which, as of now, still remains limited in scope, as we wait to verify some of the information we have).

What our inquiry found was that the 'democratically elected' President Saavedra was in fact elected democratically with the help of a substantial wave of terrorist attacks by his party's militant wing. It is hard to call an election free or fair when the winning party is assisted by literal terrorists who murder their political opponents – at least we hope you agree with that. Moreover, Saavedra's party had planned to implement in Carbaré a totalitarian Maoist policy, complete with uncompensated confiscation of lands. Finally, after the coup, the party has moved to carry out more terrorist attacks against innocent civilians, as well as formed an alliance with narcocartels to destabilize the country, in return for funding from illicit transactions, not only from drugs, but also from kidnapping and extortion. Any one of these facts would have been enough to deprive a political party of any legitimacy, no matter how many votes it had gotten.

Beyond this your threats to use weapons of mass destruction against Carbaré as part of this dispute are not only grossly disproportionate, but also irresponsible and will accomplish the reverse of what you are hoping to achieve – unless what you are hoping to achieve is literally mass war, which we hope is not. Even many of those who might have doubted the legitimacy of General Águila's junta would defend it against attacks by people who would drop out chemical weapons.

One of these groups of people is, in fact, the Free Kingdom of Allanea. In light of your threats, we are forced to deploy one aircraft carrier battlegroup, lead by the FKS Whirlwind, to link up with the Theodosians, and to prepare (in our bases in the Atlantic) an Air Regiment of strategic bombers, for the protection of Carbaré against all threats, foreign and domestic. Further, the Minister of War has authorized the preparation of additional Special Forces troops and reconnaissance aircraft for the mission in Carbaré. We note further that any strikes against the civilian population of Carbaré shall be met with a rapid and robust response against Osterling itself.

So we ask – we implore you – instead of engaging in provocations that will doubtlessly lead to incredible violence, to the deaths of tens of thousands on all sides, we ask you to sit down at the negotiations table and talk. Right now, Allanean forces in Carbaré are taking out terrorist nests, distributing vaccines to children and spraying pesticides to contain the spread of malaria. Our economic advisors are working with the government of Carbaré to end poverty and to improve the national infrastructure. Instead of irresponsible provocations that will only put thousands of your brave soldiers into an early grave, we ask that you sit down at the negotiating table and discuss wayts in which you can productively help Carbaré return to peace, democracy, and liberty.

And may the Gods continue to Bless Allanea.
Yours, Maverick Monningham.

We are willing to come to the table if the president of carbare agrees to hold new elections and apologize for misinterpreting the situation
Signed Republic of Osterling

[Allanea]

OOC: Certain liberties with portraying the perspective of the pro-Saavedra rebels are being made based on communication with the player of Carbare, and in light of the information they provided in telegrams and my OOC knowledge of the history of countries that Carbare's nation is inspired by.

IC:

Juan Moruga looked out across the field as he stood in his post, his elderly assault rifle cradled in his arms like an infant. It was a clear night, and in the blueish light of the moon he could see the walls and roof of the compound from across the field. The main building had been constructed back in the 18th century, where it had served as a headquarters for a fat landlord overseeing the labor of hundreds of enslaved peons across the wide fields, the whip cracking over their backs as he drank tea and enjoyed a life of decadent luxury. Later on, it would become the headquarters for equally decadent capitalist landlords, first using the power of debt to steer their labor, and later, the power of wages – but at all times they were slavedrivers all the same, or at least to Moruga.

Moruga was an educated young man, or at least by the standards of this place he was – he had ddropped out of his history degree with the coup – or, as he preferred it, put his degree on hold. Now her was Sergeant Moruga, a people's revolutionary. He had enough of an organizer's and leader's gift to be made squad commander with the rebellion against the new fascist junta, and the peasant soldiers fell in behind him easier. When this was over – when, soon enough, they kicked out the capitalists and lackeys of the foreign multinationals, he would return to his degree. Everything would change for his beautiful country, it had to change.

For can the patience of God sleep forever? Moruga described himself as an atheist, but somewhere in the back of his mind he thought still in the context of God, and the Virgin Mary, and the patience of Christ. Was it Christ-like, that his mother had to labor twelve hours a day in a soap bottling plant so he could go to college? Would God, merciful and yet just, avert His eyes from the thousands labouring in the charcoal plants, and in the mines, even as the fat cats smeared the black caviar seeds on their bread, or would His justice come down like the autumn rain and wash everything away?

For all of his life, Moruga saw the world as dirty, suboptimal, unfair – somewhat like a once-white shirt that had gone grey with soot, or a lovely book on smooth, beautiful paper that had fallen into a mud puddle. You can dry out the pages, but the joy of having the book will be wounded. This was how Moruga felt as a child when he ate ice cream on his birthday and knew how his mother and father had to labor for his ice cream. This was how he felt when he looked out to the cane fields and knew how the sugar had been produced.

Now he looked out to the old hacienda and knew it was no longer the roost of some fat farmer, but the headquarters of a revolutionary training camp. Now this was justice – the place which had been the nest of injustice for centuries would be the place from which the revolutionary forces would flow forth, and the anger of God – or, as he would say if he would be explaining this to someone else, out loud, the forces of dialectic progress – would wash away the grime of injustice. There would be blood, yes – like that of the farm owner and his family – but that was the price that is paid for generations of injustice and unfairness.

Sergeant Moruga had been a college student, but before that, he had also read the Bible, he knew that accumulated generations of injustice and unfairness are to be paid for. Sometimes they are paid not by the people who did the injustice, but by their families, and even their descendants. It is tragic, but that is the law of history. That is how Sergeant Moruga saw it. He did not, as he paced the perimeter of the training camp, pay any attention to the fact that this was perhaps how his enemies also saw it.

There was a squelching sound behind him, and suddenly there was pain, incredible pain. It blazed across his neck as an unseen force suddenly yanked him back. His feet dragged through the mud as he tried to find purchase, and gasped for air, to scream. Instinctively, he pawed at the rifle's pistol grip, trying to turn it at an unseen enemy. His lungs seemed empty, pain jolted through his throat, his mind was suddenly filled with incredible fear as his brain was cut away from oxygen, and then he blacked out.

The unseen assassin held onto his weapon – a length of thin, gleaming chain, with two small rings on its ends, looped suddenly across the Sergeant's throat. The chain's links were sharpened on its edges, and as the assassin pulled on it, he simultaneously choked Moruga and cut his throat, blood spraying from the victim's veins, his larynx crushed and cut. Yet the assassin did not go, holding on to Moruga for terrifying seconds until, finally, he was assured in the finality of what he had done.

He let go of the chain, letting it fall to the ground with the body. It was a disposable weapon, about the same in price as a can of the Red Rabbit soda that the assassin was fond of – and perhaps Moruga had been as well, when there still was a Moruga.

Elsewhere, at the other stations on the perimeter, other assassins made short work of the other guards – two at the estate's gate, and one more at the old hacienda's door. Gloved hands reached into the building's phone box, deftly removing cables, as the attackers paced towards the building. Other attackers were in position in the fields, or perched in the trees at the edge of the jungle.

Pinnacle, I am Mole – am now at the power box, confirm strike, over.

Mole, this is Pinnacle. Strike denied, repeat, denied. Hold until mark, over.

Pinnacle, Mole confirming. Will move on your mark.

Were Moruga alive, he would have seen them in the beautiful, bluish moonlight, their dark-blue battledress appearing to be black shadows – men moving to the building walls, some carrying shields like knights, others carrying weapons. Were Moruga alive he would have shouted, he would have made an alarm.

But Moruga was no more. He lay on his back in the mud, and the blue moon reflected in his wide-open, young eyes, and his glasses lay next to him in the mud, and he would make no alarms.

And his friends – his University comrades, and his new friends, his soldiers and fellow revolutionaries, and his commanding officer in the rebellion – slept peacefully in their beds.

The Bible says – Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Moruga would have agreed. He would have laid down his life for those men now sleeping in peace in the old hacienda, and in a sense he did.

And he would never know that his sacrifice would not save them. The gloved hand brought the circuit breakers down, and the compound's air conditioner engines fell silent. A harsh voice - an incredibly loud voice, speaking Common in an accent that rolled every 'r' and stressed the 'a's, shouted.

"GRENADES – FIRE!"

And the grenades came. The windows on all three floors shattered, and as the rebels woke at the sudden noise, rubbing their eyes, trying to orient themselves in the darkness, the roar of a dozen anti-tank grenades exploding all at once made the ancient building shatter.

And then there were more explosions. The frontr and back doors blew off their hinges, flying into the estate building. Grenade launcher fire basked the top floor's rooms in flames. And the shield-bearers went in first.

Manos en el aire! – the voices barked. "Hands in the air!"

Some did not get it. A young man who had been a farm worker before the coup reached for the rifles stacked in the communal bedroom, and the shieldbearer shot him thrice before he could even get the gun from the stack. Perhaps if the Allanean had a better accent the young man would have lived. The shieldbearer would contemplate this question later – right now he was busy shooting another man, who was still struggling to get out of bed. Blood soaked the blankets and bedsheets as the guerrilla laid down to sleep again, this time forever.

"Jones! Secure the computer room! Piggy, get the stairs! Go! Go! Go!" – the Allaneans moved forward, room by room, stair by stair, their movement as professional and smooth as that of any surgeons or technicians, men who had started learning their craft long before the conflict in this country had even started.

Some of the terrorists tried to fight back. Others leaped free of the windows – either huddling on the ground with an injured leg or ankle, or running down the field for the edge of the jungle. The soldiers hidden in the tree line made short work of these, the guns clattering and rockets hissing until, finally, there was silence, interrupted only by the quiet sobs of the injured.

The man who had given the orders spoke. "Jones, I want you to pack all the electronics for transit. Mole, get on the horn with the capital. Get us medevac helicopters for the prisoners. Make sure there's one of us on the flights with them – don't let the locals do anything stupid during the flight. Piggy, get the men to collect every scrap of paper from the building. And for the love of God, someone get the photographers in place, we need to do a full survey of the building."

With this, the commander removed his helmet, and the black balaclava underneath. He was a man in his forties, his hair the color of autumn corn, his eyes sad and heavy. He looked out to the empty communal building, the beds there stained with blood. At the entrance, a medic was tending to a soldier, the commando's torso armor discarded and lying on the floor, the medic bandaging his exposed torso.

The commander closed his eyes. They ached with fatigue as he whispered a prayer of thanks. He was not a very good Christian, he thought, and he had issues remembering the full words of the Psalm, and yet he decided it was important to say at least what he remembered. [i]They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation...

"Hey, Gramps." - one of his men said. They called him 'grandpa' because he was twice their age. "What are you mumbling over there?"

"Nevermind."

"What was it?"

"I was telling you to go check the roof, just in case."

The man grumbled as he made for the stairs.

"Grandpa" briefly considered doing as his man had done, and dask him what he was mumbling about.

Of course, he decided against it.

[Kunkenga]

A single transport plane flies silently somewhere above Carbare's dense jungle canopy that shelters the pro-Saavedran rebels. Its black paint camouflages it perfectly against the darkness of the midnight sky. Only its wing tips are illumined with pale red and green lights,which themselves appear as nothing more than shooting stars to the untrained eye gazing up from the jungle floor.

28 men sit in silence on either side of the plane, clad in dark green uniforms and balaclavas. Between them in the center of the plane, sits a massive cube covered in a black tarp and tightly bound to the floor. On each of their shoulders is an ornate patch depicting a panther violently clawing at the globe, below which is written in red block lettering STRATGEN-PANTHER UNIT. Between their legs they are holding colossal rifles, each with its serial number neatly removed and branded with unique three digit numbers. The entire interior of the plane is colored a pallid red; the jump light indicating when they are meant to exit the plane.

A loud voice echoed through out the plane, the pilot was speaking from his cockpit, "We're approaching the village now, the client want's us to drop the leaflets here." The jump light began to flash a rapid alternation of red and yellow as the plane's rear door began to open. Two soldiers unbuckle themselves from their seats and approach the black crate in the center of the plane. Unfastening it from its hooks in the floor and removing the black covering the cube is revealed to be hundreds of thousands of small pamphlets wrapped together.

The two soldiers cut apart the wrapping holding the pamphlets together and begin to push it closer edge of the planes door. The violent wind erupting from open door pushes apart many of the pamphlets, whipping them around the inside of the plane. Gazing out at the blackness of the sky and the jungle canopy, tinted a dark blue by the moonlight, the soldiers wait to see a glimmer of light indicating the drop point.

"Drop it." comes pilot's voice, and the two soldiers slowly push the cube of pamphlets off the plane where they erupt into a deluge of white paper.

"Unit three is Oscar Mike" came the voice of the pilot. Soon after, the familiar voice of STRATGEN commander Gideon Shamesi blares on the planes' intercom, "Suit up unit three. Units five and four have dropped their payloads on their villages. We're regrouping with them and heading to the drop point on the outskirts of rebel territory."

The Next Morning
The transport plane disgorged its cargo of masked killers across the jungle, each with its own express mission given by the top brass of three pro-Saavedran rebels. Units four and five were tasked with gathering intel on the movements of the government forces and passing it on to their rebel clients. Unit three was tasked with establishing a point of contact with the largest of the rebel groups and supplementing their fighting force. But they had to find them first.

SUMMARY
STRATGEN Security Services has touches down in Carbare and begins to assist the rebels. They are using their currently only using their infantry PANTHER UNITS and will sabatoge government infrastructure and fight against government forces in support of the rebels.