Jugwon Khai Invades Sadain (IC) (CLOSED)

[Jugwon Khai]

0900 HOURS, EAST PACIFIC SEA


”Gwa?”

“Seumul bun, salyeong-gwan!”

---

Just prior to sunrise early today a total of sixty five warships departed from Jugwon Khai and headed southeast, maintaining a tight formation as they neared their query. Several days ago, Prince Regent Han Jae-un of Jugwon Khai gave the initiative for an invasion of the island republic of Sadain. Isolated, heavily populated (3.7 million), and bearing an adequate enough amount of natural resources, the Prince Regent saw the island as ideal for expansion. Not to mention that Sadain is demilitarized. Aside from the Sadain Civil Guard, who are no match for an organized military operation, the small nation’s only defense is the garrison at Fernlände Seeschwein Airbase and Port. A Prut Meritocracy military installation.

Sadain is a longtime protectorate and trade partner of the Prut Meritocracy, a major power. This action by Han Jae-un has caused worry among not only the people of Jugwon Khai but also many of the Prince Regents’ own advisors and military staff. Waving off all protests, the Prince Regent gave the final word and the invasion of Sadain has commenced. Even now as he stands in Jeongsang addressing the masses amid a grand parade, twelve thousand Khai soldiers are storming the golden beaches of the solemn and isolated Sadain.

---

The Khai invasion of Sadain comes from the north. The navy has secured the northern beaches and deployed the vast ground force along the northern coast, including the cities of Jawang and Swabon. Neither city has any resistance to offer as the local Civil Guard have either withdrawn or surrendered. Shots have been fired in both cities however as small mobs of citizens have resisted and were forcefully subdued. While the ground force secures the first two cities and establishes a beach-hold the naval force has dispersed and begun to encircle and blockade the island.

A single task force of two frigates, six corvettes, and twelve cutters are making their way toward Fernlände Seeschwein in an attempt to force the base into surrender.

[Jugwon Khai]

CASUALTIES
(OVERALL)
Jugwon Khai: 160 (Estimated)
Prut Meritocracy: 30
Sadain/Civil Guard: 450 (Estimated)
Civilians: 1200 (Estimated)


NOTABLE BATTLES

•Battle of Fernlände Seeschwein: First initial engagement of Jugwon Khai and Prut Meritocracy forces. Khai forces move to seize a Prut air a naval base (Fernlände Seeschwein) along the southern coast of Sadain, west of Morei. Despite being outnumbered five to one by the initial ground force, the token garrison inflicted notable casualties on the Khai troops. Despite this, after a heavy shelling from Khai naval batteries, the Principality troops seized the base. Around thirty Prut naval personnel were killed and twenty taken prisoner. A number of civilians were also taken captive as well as some being killed while resisting. The base fell within an hour after a blitz landing by heavily armed Khai troops. Khai losses were around fifty, which was deemed unacceptable by brass who initially speculated the outdated naval base to be an easy target.

[Neo Prutenia]

Prut military base “Fernlände Seeschwein”, Sadain

__

Now when it came to Sadain, the Prut presence on the island was already a fact of life for enough generations and decades that they were hardly even regarded as foreigners. And while once upon a time in the distant past the base was an important airbase and military refueling port, it had been practically abandoned and barely utilised for quite some time—new technologies, geostrategic shifts, and other bases simply made it obsolete. Yes, occasionally a submarine might dock now and then, mostly as a courtesy to the site staff and to patronise the local businesses, and ostensibly to resupply on fresh produce, there was little practical need for this. Why would there be any, when the new submarines could spend months submerged and circumnavigate the globe while still communicating with their handlers and coordinating and being coordinated from the other side of the world. Oh, the radar station? It’s weather station now. First downgraded, then replaced, then repurposed. And it’s not even a fancy one; the same satellites and orbital systems that replaced the radar station are also weather monitoring satellites too. The airfield? That’s a Prut military airfield in name only. For several years now the only traffic that thing saw were various tourists. And barely even them since a proper international airport was opened some time ago. Now it’s basically a regional airport at best. Far more hobby-fliers, crop dusters, and air taxi-pilots made their licenses and clocked their flight hours here than any military pilot. The staff was 3000 in numbers during its heyday. Ah, those halcyon times. The last time it was still properly operating as a somewhat serious military installation they were around 300. Now there’s about 120 staff and maybe as many dependents in the auxiliary buildings. In fact, most of the facilities and much of the land have been returned to the Sadain authorities over the years, to free up land for development and reduce the administrative burden and leasing costs for the PM.

For all intents and purposes Fernlände Seeschwein was a barangay with an unelected sangguniang and a rather literal barangay captain.

Or at least it was fated to become such when the lease would expire and the treaty would have to renewed, or far more likely when a new treaty would finalise its abolishment. And why not? It already sported a fancy ‘native’ restaurant, Munkes—best beer and grilled sausages on the island!—and the local bakery-patisserie, Steenoven Solveegs, was already enjoyed island-wide renown and popularity. The Dancing Dugongs, Fernlände Seeschwein’s local association football team was also at the top of the charts in the local league. At least they got some use of their summer uniforms that way.

In short, until this very morning there was no point to the continual existence of Fernlände Seeschwein as a military outpost.

---

Fernlände Seeschwein, Comms

“Yes! Yes! It’s confirmed, three separate sources. It’s Jugwon Khai. It’s Khai forces!”

“Herbert, are you sure about that? Do those guys even have a navy?”

“Commander, I’m as surprised as you are. They literally disembarked thousands of troops this morning, apparently just randomly sailing from their island overnight. It’s… well, it was definitely unexpected…”

“What? What?! That’s like two dozen LPDs. Plus escorts. Plus capital ships. Literally impossible…”

“Commander, I’m sure we can analyse how they did it after we figure out what to do next.”

“Do next? I’ve already informed HQ. And I’ve just updated them on the Khai situation. Other then that? Stand down I guess… Unless the Sadain’s Civil Guard can hold its ground.”

“Sporadic fighting in Jawang and Swabon, mostly civil resistence. The Guard’s collapsed already.”

“The capital’s still in Sadain hands?”

“Yes.”

“What about the task force from the west?”

“Still closing in. Should we intercept?”

“With what?”

“Well… we have our helicopter…”

“Our one helicopter. The one that’s disarmed and has almost exclusively been used for search and rescue missions in the past ten years? That one?”

“And one firefighting mission!”

“Oh yes, I’m sure we can hose them off the island.”

“It’s… it’s a big helicopter.”

“Herbert, I’m leaving you in charge of the base. Everyone’s in uniform and armed with what they could find. Defend the base if they shoot first, otherwise parley and if necessary surrender.”

“Comander!”

“I know. We’re overwhelmed. No point dying right now to… what? Prove a point? If bullets start flying, we’ll have to shoot back. If they can be reasoned with, I’d rather you stay alive. Stall them if you can’t think of anything better.” She stroke her chin and rapped her fingers over the console. “There should be functional anti-tank weapons in the arsenal. Maybe a few MANPADS. In case you have to scare them off. If they start shooting, shoot back, retreat toward Morei.”

“Will do.”

“Organised, fighting retreat. Keep to the hills and the woods.”

“Yes, commander!”

“Only if they start shooting!”

“… yes, commander.”

Commander Reinhild Olaugsdochter picked a fire team of five and boarded the helicopter. Within a minute they were airborne, flying fast and low toward Morei and contacting the Sadain authorities to coordinate jointly the nation’s defences and what option the Sadainese would want to pursue.

---

HQ of the Pruwam, realm of Neo Prutenia, Prut Meritocracy

“Sadain?”

“Under attack from Jugwon Khai.”

“Obscurum per obscurius.”

“The peaceful, somewhat isolated, and generally strategically of lesser importance island nation of Sadain, with which the Prut Meritocracy has a treaty of protection signed several decades back has suddenly without provocation or declaration of war been invaded by another somewhat isolated and rather obviously not peaceful island nation called Jugwon Khai.”

“…”

“And ally has been attacked and we…”

“No, no, I understood it. The second time.” Allgemeinlaid Hochenheimer stood up from his chair, looked through his window, and observed the horizon and what was going on outside. “It’s not even in this direction, west I mean.” He pointed at an unremarkable cloud far away.

“Sadain’s north. North of the equator. Both islands are boreal.”

“Question is, do they know that they have attacked the Prut Meritocracy?”

“You’re hoping this is all a mistake.”

“Oh, phrased as a statement?”

“Rhetorical question.”

Both men laughed. Lauterbach, who would be the closest Prut analogue to the minister of war, shook his head and glanced at his colleague. Hohenheimer meanwhile went back to his desk and started typing a few messages and instructions. Out of courtesy Lauterbach waited a few minutes, then spoke first:

“What exactly do you want me to do? If we’re mobilizing, I need a written order.”

“You are our guy for war. Advise me.”

“I advise we use currently available assets or assets that can be utilised sooner rather than later, e.g. the Boreal submarines, whatever naval task force is most convenient. Have them ready for the worst. Use the time to find out what’s going on. Failing that… we have a lot of cruise missiles. A. lot.”

“Contact the Boreal submarine groups and whatever naval group is most convenient. Have them at standby. I’m letting Kramer handle try and handle this, before things escalate too much.”

“Understood.”

“We also have to see what the Sadain response will be.”

“True.”

---

Amtliche Botschaft der Prutischen Meritokratie
Official Communiqué of the Prut Meritocracy

Betreff / Subject:
Current situation in Sadain
An / To:
The representatives of the government of Jugwon Khai
The Office of prince regent Han Jae-un
Von / From:
Hauptlaid Siegfried Kramer, the head of the Prut Ministry of Foreign Affairs

.
Verschlüsselung / Encryption: Coded

Salutations,

Herr Han Jae-un, other parties that may be concerned, it has come to our attention that forces of Jugwon Khai have violated the sovereignty of the nation of Sadain, a known protectorate of the Prut Meritocracy, and therefore triggered a war with the PM. Under treaty obligation the PM will be forced to respond to this violation. We are offering you the option of avoiding further fighting and save lives.

Cease your attack, order your troops to stand down, and retreat from Sadain.

We urge you to come to the negotiation table sooner rather than later, where cool heads will prevail. This is that moment. Now we enjoy the option, the privilege to resolve this and spare everyone the bloodshed. Whatever caused this attack, be it mistake or miscalculation, or any other reason, there's an easier and more efficient way to reach a mutually beneficial solution.

With all due respect to all involved parties, signed,
Hauptlaid Siegfried Kramer, chief of the Diplomatic Service of the Prut meritocracy

[Jugwon Khai]

ENCRYPTION: HIGH


SUBJECT: The pending annexation of Sadain.

TO: Hauptlaid Siegfried Kramer, Waegukin

FROM: Hye Chung-Hee, Foreign Minister of The Principality of Jugwon Khai

---

Hauptlaid Siegfried Kramer Ssi,

Prince Regent Han Jae-un has designated the Democratic Republic of Sadain as an ideal territory for expansion. The Khai people need land, and the people of Sadain need true leadership and protection. As of this day, Prince Regent Han Jae-un declares himself absolute sovereign ruler over the people of Sadain and Sadain itself will be a protectorate state beneath the umbrella of our Prince Regent’s power. Furthermore, the people of the Asian Pacific as a whole deserve liberation from foreign interlope. Your nation’s colonial imperialist claim over Sadain is an insult, and today the Sadain people will be freed.

Our forces will not stand down. Any Prut military personnel on Sadain must surrender and their release will be negotiable. Those who resist will do so at their own risk. Our Prince Regent has no desire for violence or bloodshed, but this claim today will not be denied. Any interference will be treated in the most hostile manner possible.

Should you choose to not accept the Prince Regents’ claim, then consider this war.

Sincerely; Hye Chung-Hee, Foreign Minister of The Principality of Jugwon Khai

---

Southern Coast of Saidan, Near Fernlände Seeschwein...

”Daeryeong! Ulineun gijie jeobgeunhago issseubnid!”

The Khai captain leading the advance on the Prut naval and air base, Captain Chul Shin-jun, approached the bridge view port of his personal frigate, the Byeonmyeong, looking out through the glass. His force was nearing the base, they were closing in on firing range. He gave the order for all vessels to ready weapons but wait for his command. The two frigates, his own and the Salyeo Bunbyeol, were leading the advance followed closely by six Type 056 “Manta” corvettes. A dozen cutter class gunships skidded along the waters to the rear of the advance.

As the eight warships prepared to fire, a platoon of Khai soldiers were loading onto troop transports at the back of each the frigate. Numbered at eighty men in total, the unit was fully equipped with assault rifles, full kevlar, various grenades, and their ranks included a number of specialists. Their objective was simple; secure the base, take anyone on-site prisoner, and establish a tight perimeter. Anyone who resisted or attempted to flee was to killed. The troops were soon loaded onto their transports which were slowly being lowered into the choppy midday waters by stern cranes.

Aboard his ship, Captain Captain Shin-jun gave the order to attack, directing the corvettes to take point and fire at will. The frigates reduced speed as the troop transports circled around and cruised past them, headed straight for the docks. The corvettes spread out and - on their mark - opened fire.

The corvettes’ heavy enclosed turrets on the bow decks blazed away, firing incendiary rounds. While damage to the base was acceptable, Fleet Admiral Mal-chin demnaddd taht the base not be flattened. The incendiary rounds wouldn’t cause any irreparable damage. Not to mention that the ensuing fires would flush out and disorient anyone at the base. In truth Captain Shin-jun doubted anyone had remained as information suggested that the base was undermanned. Not enough to mount a defense. Still, it was better to be cautious and not risk running into an ambush lain by cornered dogs.

The corvette guns fires away, the heavy rounds slamming into the the waterside buildings and blasted small craters in the asphalt and concrete. The large field in the midst of the buildings had already begun to smolder as three rounds had struck and the green grass was threatening to ignite. The Khai soldiers in the transports gripped at their weapons and adjusted their gear anxiously as they neared the shore, the deep whoom of the firing guns echoing in their ears.

[Neo Prutenia]

HQ of the Pruwam, realm of Neo Prutenia, Prut Meritocracy

Three men, them being Allgemeinlaid Hohenheimer, Hauptlaid Lauterbach, and Hauptlaid Kramer, were occupying the war room and exchanging various information. Hohenheim was dissatisfied with the whole situation the most; a sudden and nebulous war would require of him to debate and to wrangle with the parliament for the funds, which was a rather onerous and unenviable task. Lauterbach seemed the most at ease; as a man of routine, charts, time tables, and a pragmatic above all else, he simply organised and reorganised the Pruwam forces and made new plans. Kramer, while not exactly in the middle between the emotional states of the other two, had his own concerns; he had no angle to pursue when it came to Sadain. To Kramer that was an unimportant island and not worth fighting a war over it, and yet the reputation of the PM, the brand the Prut were developing over the decades required a decisive and vicious response.

“Look, there’s less than three million of them. They have an oversized army for their population, an economy that is in shambles, and no ability to fight a protracted conflict. If combat can’t be avoided, which everyone would prefer of course, we enjoy quite a few advantages.”

“I agree with my colleague Lauterbach here. But more importantly, we can’t afford the diplomatic fallout. The PM is practically speaking safe from Khai forces—ignoring Sadain while we’re an ocean away and immune to repercussions would be a terrible blow to our image and international reputation.”

Hohenheimer listened to his cabinet members while stirring his tea. Before him on the table were a few handouts with relevant data. A lot of numbers, some pictures, quite a few texts which he, just to be honest, mostly just skimmed over—none this helped him understand what was going on however. He took a sip, then addressed Lauterbach and Kramer:

“Riddle me this: You just attacked an on all accounts militarily superior foe without provocation or previous communication, without any sort of justification, while simultaneously starting a war of territorial conquest…” Hohenheimer traced his finger over the missive from Jugwon Khai, as if to confirm the last bit “Ah yes, here. A war of aggression to annex an ally of the previously stated military power, a known nuclear power I might add, and when offered explicitly to cease fighting and resolving any issues, you sent a nonsense reply.” He waited for a beat. “Why are you acting this way?”

“Hohenheimer, that’s on you to figure out. I am just here to win wars. This is a war.” Lauterbach paused for a moment before looking inquisitively to Kramer. “This is a war, no?”

“Oh most definitely yes.” Kramer tapped his fingers on the table. “I don’t understand the ‘why’ either. It is odd, isn’t it?”

“It is. There’s no winning this if we don’t know what’s at stake here.”

All three nodded in agreement. They pondered whatever it was men in their thankless circumstances had to ponder. Hohenheimer pressed his right fist against his mouth, leaning on it. He exhaled sharply after a while, then raised his finger to demand attention.

“Lauterbach, we’re dipping into the emergency funds for this. So far it’s a low intensity conflict, we can frame it as a policing action for now. No need to mobilise nor demand a war chest from the parliament. The assets you’ve contacted and assessed so far will have to do for the next few days, until we know more at least.”

“Understood.”

“Kramer, keep communicating with them. They don’t understand our red lines? Fine. We’ll have to make them understand. But, we need to know what the motivation behind the invasion is. I need you at you sharpest.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

---

Fernlände Seeschwein, during the assault

“Are you recording?”

“Yes! And uploading, but it will take a while.”

“This is officer Herbert Ennasson Gänser of the Pruwam detachment in Sadain, Fernlände Seeschwein. Currently in charge on site. I confirm that the Khais have begun firing in anger without any attempt at parley.”

The camera videoed the incendiaries flying around and the smoldering association football field. The it shifted and recorded one of the south-facing buildings being strafed, and then the various vessels on the horizon, as well as the troop transports closing in.

“We shall respond in kind.”

Compared to his superior officer Olaug, Herbet was an uncomplicated person; he found his calling as a soldier since that gave him purpose and direction. Sports and fighting were his passions, in that order. And while he had no bellicose streak, he never shied away from violence. To him this was just another day.

Herbert did assume that Reinhild’s order to hold fire unless the Khais shot first could no longer be followed. The Khais were definitely firing. But he wasn’t an idiot either. Too many warships, and already they were going for the docks. He was however puzzled by their lack of air assets, which he bounced off a nearby comrade in arms.

“Odd, isn’t it? No planes or helicopters…”

“Yes actually.”

“I told her, I told commander Reinhild that we’d need our helicopter.”

“Against a thousand of them?”

Projectiles whizzed around them.

“The MANPADS we can ditch. But…” Herbert had a devilish grin. “The rpgs however! How many do we have?”

“Two. A bit of spare ammo.”

“Alright, we’ll use them.”

Herbert coordinated his troops. The incendiaries already did a lot of the work for him, creating fires here and there which were progressively getting worse. For now it was alright. He did add to it by ordering smoke bombs being thrown around to make it look worse. Several of the buildings were unoccupied anyway, so men in gas masks run around and cautiously threw them through windows and hallways. Soon there was quite a bit of smoke.

Most of the detachment used this as cover to retreat in relative safety. They basically followed the original plan; they went north-northwest, shielded from sight by the various buildings there and passed through Baluktot street towards the Kahuyan hills. As everyone assumed the invaders would have air superiority they didn’t use the lorries. Most cars had to be left as well, although a few ernt with those and with several motorbikes. They were tasked with scouting out and securing the Kahuyans. At various spots they posted smaller contingents of man as rear guard and supports for the last squad to leave Seeschwein.

Now the last two squads were Herbert’s. One was to the west, a fire team of eight consisting of a machine gunner and several designated marksmen. They hid inside of a boathouse that housed several smaller vessels, spare parts, and a motor or two. From there they had reasonable cover from detection and a good look at the dock. Wisely they decided to move the fuel canisters from the boathouse to the street out of the potential trajectory of the incendiary rounds currently pelting the camp. The other squad was directly commanded by Herbert. They were laying low and in wait, with their rpgs primed and ready for the approaching transports.

Herbert reckoned they wouldn’t level the base nor risk shooting down their own men. He also figured that the transports would go in a straight line, to unload as quickly as possible. Particularly since there hasn’t been any return fire. So in his head, they had two clear shots as soon as those things where in optimal range. His attackers were in for a nasty surprise.

At the right moment, Herbert’s team opened fire; just two precise shoots. They then immediately retreated deeper into the base, following the outskirts of the inner court, close to the walls, and they went north, to prepare another ambush. The team in the boathouse prepared to flank any remaining Khai soldiers if they reached the dock.

[Jugwon Khai]

Fernlände Seeschwein, South Sadain...

“Deul-eooneun!”

The two rockets came spiraling across the water at the approaching transport skiffs. The first rocket was a direct hit, the helmsman of the boat barely calling out the danger before the rocket struck and reduced the vessel to smoldering wreckage. An ear-splitting explosion that sent shards of burning metal flying about as well as the limp mutilated corpses of the twenty men aboard.

The second rocket was not as direct, striking hard on the port side of the lead transport. The explosion split the boat in half, killing half of the men aboard while the rest were sent hurtling into the water. The charred, burning wreckage of the sundered boat sank as an oil fire caught atop the water.

Undeterred by the sudden and effective attack, the remaining two boats raced onward. Each was equipped with a .30 caliber machine gun at the stern protected by a small steel windowing. Under the order of the helmsmen both guns were mounted and seconds later were blazing away in the direction the rockets were fired from. The two transports diverted from each other, one going right and the other left.

Aboard his ship, Captain Shin-jun had saw the destruction of the two transports. A savagery to his voice, he gave the order for immediate reinforcements. Both frigates began preparing another transport each with forty more men assembling on the decks and piling into the transports as the cranes prepared to lower them. Shin-jun ordered that the corvettes hold fire and minutes later the bombardment ceased.

The transports neared the pier of the base, the one closer to the boat house slowing up as bullets began plinking against the metal hull of the ship. A single soldier was fool enough to peak his head up, only for a bullet to strike between his eyes and drop him at the feet of his comrades. “Deop-eum bul!” called one of the squad sergeants. The thirty caliber opened up full bore at the boat house while several Khai soldiers began firing short bursts over the right side. Instead of risking putting his men out over the pier, the sergeant ordered them to begin leaping out into the water and swim for the ladders leading down into the water. In pairs, the Khai soldiers began hopping over the starboard side and landing with heavy splashes. Daring not to emerge from the water, they then swam for the ladders, only then bursting up with gasps as they began hauling themselves up.

Further down the docks the other twenty men poured out into the pier as the ramp dropped from their boat. The Khai soldiers were heavily equipped. They wore light olive kevlar on their chest, thighs, and across their shoulders. Tiger stripe patterned helmets matching their uniforms adorned their heads. The men all wore gas masks to protect them from both the intense smoke as well as any type of gas weaponry that could be used as a surprise. They formed up into two squads of ten lead by separate sergeants.

The men were all armed with AK-47’s, aside from a single soldier in each squad who was designated as heavy weapons. Armed with an RPK-74 and an RPG-7. The two squads were forming ranks when two rifle shots rang out, one shot breaking through a Khai soldiers’ mask and killing him dead while the other shot plinked at the feet of one of the sergeants. ”An-eulo, idong!”
cried the sergeant.

The nineteen men spread ranks and began sprinting toward the nearest building, firing short busts as they moved, the heavy banging of the chorus of assault rifles filled the air. The lead sergeant was the first to burst through the door ahead, smashing through it with a hard shoulder-check. The building was a motor pool of sorts. Several trucks and a forklift lined the large facility and there were various crates sitting about and a pair of gas pumps as well. The motor pool was empty and while the first team moved on ahead, bursting through another set of doors, the second team held back and secured the building. Searching for any hiding staff and looking over the vehicles.

Four of the second team’s men had remained outside, taking cover behind a rack of small rowboats. Three of them laid down heavy fire, two at the boat house down the pier while the other peppered away at nearby windows in hopes of tagging any sharpshooters. The other two teams were effectively pinned at the waterside. There was no cover to conceal them from enemy fire, and they were forced to remain floating in the water or lift themselves up the ladders and fire off quick busts. Four of them had already been killed, their corpses floating among the men hiding below. The lone transport still sat out in the water, riddled with bullet holes and firing away it’s machine gun still.

The fourth man behind the boat rack finally revealed himself from cover, raising an RPG, taking aim, and firing. With a whoosh the rocket burst from the pipe-like weapon with a billow of smoke and went racing towards the far boat house.

[Neo Prutenia]

The hit was loud, disorienting, and fierce; no expected the landing parties to bring RPGs. Or they at least hoped they wouldn’t have any handy. Then again, no belligerent in a war expects to fight someone and not being hit back in return. Perhaps the foolish ones. And the fire team in the boathouse—or rather what remained of the team in what remained of the boathouse—decided they were no fools and that their cover was no longer cutting it for the job they had in mind for it. They tried their best; three men were still on their feet and trading suppressing fire in the direction of the landing party. Short, controlled, and reasonably accurate bursts, albeit they were getting unnerved by the Khais willingness to run to their deaths despite the disadvantage they had to suck up due to their disembarking and being up against defenders in cover. On their mind—there was no holding the line here. Too much adrenaline was at play, too much conditioning. But they did their best.

As did the medic. Four down, three permanently given the circumstances; two of them suffered a severe and immediately fatal case of cranial lead poisoning, while the third got skewered by shrapnel, debris, and apparently a freak flying wrench. The fourth guy was less unlucky, but out of commission for now. It was a head injury and a profusely bleeding eye, and his shoulder was shot as well. The team leader, the machine gunner, and a third guy standing around a bit shaken, where uninjured and helped the medic evacuate their wounded comrade. The boathouse was practically lost. There was no point in holding it anymore. Too many Khai reinforcements, and the spectre of the for now silent ship artillery was looming over them, as they reckoned the landing party would radio their presence there.

Instead, they picked up their wounded and retreated carefully, sticking to the buildings for cover and going north to meet up with Herbert’s team, whom they hoped had reached their rear position and were ready to cover them. And as a parting gift, they fire team lit the petrol canisters they previously removed from the boathouse on fire to confuse and cut off potential pursuers from the direction of the landing parties.

***

Herberts group was far luckier. They didn’t wait for the return fire, nor did they waste any time repositioning. The stern guns were too late; although they did hit the spot they took their pot shots from. A moment later and they were at their designated point, waiting for the boathouse team. They had to split in three splinters—three men covered the court area and the way they came from, weapons ready and expecting the more reckless or braver Khais to egress; three other man crossed the Baluktot street running north parallel to the barracks buildings and garage and checked on the last lorry ready to depart from Seeschwein; Herbert and another soldier were between the two splinters and watching over the southern approach, where the boathouse gang was supposed to come from.

They didn’t have to wait that long for either the team, or a renewed exchange of fire with the Khais.

The three guys covering the court had first contact. Rifle bullets sprayed all over the place, some Prut, some Khai, all deadly. They enjoyed a bit of advantage, for a short while at least, as they had better cover and didn’t need to close in, but they were outnumbered practically five to one. At least they could hold them up until Herbert could give them the green light to board the lorry and flee.

Herbert was busy covering for the boathouse team. They were slowly but steadily soldering on; one man carrying the machinegun, the leader and the medic carrying the wounded soldier slouched over their soldiers, and the last guy running to catch up after setting all the petrol on fire and occasionally turning back and shooting at any striped fellow getting weird ideas about following them. Herbert ordered the three-men splinter at the lorry to cover the windows of the motor pool building and the barracks.

The Prut soldiers knew their camp, and they knew exactly which windows the Khais could shoot at them from, if they’d secure the buildings. So they waited, prepared to shoot anyone popping out to try their luck. Herbert and his guy meanwhile caught up with the boathouse team; Herbert took over the wounded man and helped the medic bring him to the lorry’s back. The other guy helped the machine gunner. The boathouse leader joined his straggler and tried his best to shoot any Khais or offer effective suppressing fire. The idea was to gather at the lorry and leave for good.

And so far it was the only viable route left.

---

Morei, Prut military helicopter carrying commander Reinhild

The idea was to reach president Jin Kayana in Morei as soon as possible. Reinhild had to meet with the man, the cabinet, and coordinate the defence of Sadain. They did radio ahead, but no had gotten no reply so far. She feared that the Khais may have taken them out already—perhaps a commando unit, saboteurs, spies even… Who could possibly now? This entire invasion was a bloody fiasco. More likely however the president and cabinet were simply to disorganised, or busy, or confused to reply.

It also took them a bit longer, as they flew low and at first north, then a sharp turn east. They couldn’t risk being detected and taken out by a ship-fired surface-to-air missile just so they could shave off a few minutes travel them of their journey. Besides, the sky still seemed to be under Sadainese control, whatever that was worth.

Morei’s outskirts were below them. The helicopter was fast. They dared to increase altitude again, as the buildings and signals from the city would interfere and mask their presence just enough.

“Commander, we have an answer!”

“Where’s the idiot?”

“In the Presidential mansion.”

“Great. Just great. He had to pick the building on a hill overlooking the stupid harbor while we’re going through a seaborne invasion. Just great.”

“Orders?”

“To…” She closed her eyes, inhaled deep, then exhaled sharply. “To the Presidential mansion then. Fly us directly there, south-southeast, no?”

The pilot complied. They turned and flew a bit higher. There it was, the sea, the coast, and the harbor. And on a lovely hill surrounded by a bunch of other lovely residential properties, the occasional government building, and the Pambansang Planetaryo, or National Planetarium, was the eponymous Presidential mansion; a somewhat imposing and a bit kitschy and overly opulent large house of marble that blended traditionally Sadainese and foreign architecture with mixed success. In did have a really nice garden and a big backyard, which were not only great for hosting parties, but were also excellent landing areas for the helicopter Reinhild arrived in. Incidentally—or rather very much intended and calculated on her part—the mansion would now conveniently shield the helicopter from fire from the direction of the sea.

As she disembarked, she was greeted by a security guard and an assistant.

“Magandang umaga po, fellas. Sadly, no time to chit chat! Where’s Jin Kayana?” Reinhild raised an eyebrow then shooed them with her hands: “Quickly, quickly!”

[Jugwon Khai]

The two lead squads were making progress through the base. Those that had landed to the far left had already secured another four buildings which were abandoned. With each building secured a single soldier would be left behind as a sentry to ensure the building remained secure. Orders were to subdue any personnel that were encountered. Kill only if met with resistance or any subjects were possibly to escape.

The other team had moved up from the waterline and were moving past the smoldering ruins of the boathouse, maintaining wide intervals between men. They were being fired on from the largest building just past what was assumed to be three barracks, puffs of smoke and rapid muzzle flashes from the windows marking their assailants. There was little cover aside from various civilian vehicles and two large box trucks. Two more Khai soldiers had went down while the rest seized to cover and returned fire. Some opening up fully automatic while others took aim and squeezed off short bursts from their AK’s.

The other team had finished securing the west side of the base, radioing in that they had taken prisoners in a small office building. Thirty civilians that had foolishly barricaded themselves inside. Parts of the base were in flames from the incendiary rounds earlier, the football field was now a scorched black mark. Several of the smaller buildings such as storage and maintenance buildings were completely ablaze. Five men were left with the prisoners while the rest of the squad moved east to assist in subduing the main building, darting between cover points and firing as they did.

The combined shooting of thirty assault rifles poured heavy fire into the main building. Most of the windows were blasted out and the surface was peppered with bullet holes. The air was filled with the deafening banging of the AK-47 rifles as the entire assaults forced surged forward, laying down heavy fire. The team leaders ordered that RPG’s not be used to avoid extensive damage. Smoke grenades and flashbangs were hurled from behind cover, flying through the open windows. Loud pops and cries of pain could be heard as the flashbangs exploded, smoke began to billow out from several of the windows. One of the sergeants ordered a forward push, and the Khai soldiers all rushed forward, continuing to lay down fire as they made for the building.

The first soldier to burst through the front doors met a Prut naval officer, clad in nothing but standard casual uniform. The man was armed with a single pistol, which he raised to fire. The Khai was faster, squeezing off four shots which bloodied the man's chest and dropped him. A second soldier surged past, kicking open a nearby office door. A woman cried out inside, the Khai could be heard ordering her on the floor. Khai soldiers streamed up the stairs and though the halls, breaking down every door they crossed. A secretary was caught trying to flee down through the fire escape, a single shot to the calf disabling her, two Khai soldiers then drug the screaming woman away leaving a thin trail of blood. Several naval officers were barricaded in the cafeteria armed with submachine guns and pistols. The Khai threw flashbangs through the door windows and then broke the doors open, four men spraying the room fully automatic and mowing down dozen or so inside.

One of the sergeants and five other men broke into the auditorium, finding another twenty civilians cowering backstage. One, armed with a pistol he had grabbed, stood and fired three shots killing one of the soldiers. The four Khai fired back and dropped the assailant. The other civilians cried out and began to scramble up from the floor, the sergeant ordering his men to open fire, gunning the panicked crowd down leaving the air smelling of gunpowder and fresh blood. The sergeant cursed himself and ordered his men to check the bodies.

Outside, the reinforcements had landed undeterred and were spreading across the base in groups of four, securing the remaining structures and setting a perimeter. Several Prut personnel were found in the barracks but surrendered without a fight. Regardless, they were knocked unconscious and restrained then carried outside near the docks where the other prisoners were being corralled. Their was little to seize from the base aside from small arms, munitions, maintenance equipment, and a few vehicles.

The Khai soldiers were already at work putting the fires to rest using fire extinguishers from the base. Several fires that would inevitably burn out were left be until they came to a smoldering end. The Khai ships drew closer, the corvettes preparing to dock at the base while the smaller cutters began to circle, sweeping the coastline and waters for escapees. The two frigates remained out in the ocean, their anchors dropped.

Soon the all clear was given and the base was marked as secure. The six corvettes were lined along the docks, moored together. The prisoners were all grouped together in a mass huddle along the waterline, their hands tied behind their backs. In total sixty-five people had been taken captive, fifty civilians and fifteen Prut naval personnel, low ranking officers of no importance. The senior most being a lieutenant. Captain Shin-jun ordered the prisoners be dispersed within the corvettes, locked away in the brigs. He also insisted that the Prut personnel be split apart, two men a piece in each brig.

Four men squads lead the prisoners down the docks and began ushering them at gun-point onto the corvettes, down belowdecks. At the same time, sentries were posted along the perimeter of the base while the assault teams double checked the base and put out the lingering fires. A sergeant tore down a large Meritocracy flag from it’s pole near the main building and cast it int a nearby oil fire as an officer personally hoisted the Khai banner over the base. It’s blue and red shades brilliant in the golden midday sun.

---

”Seonjang, gijineun uli geos-ibnida.“
(Captain, the base is ours.)

”Bogseo.”
(Report.)

”Sasibgu Khai jug-eun. Isib gu myeong-ui mingan-in sasangja ein seolun jug-eun jeog. Beiseue daehan gwangbeom-wihan sonsang eobs-eum, dahaenghido.”
(Forty-nine Khai dead. Twenty-nine civilian casualties and thirty enemy dead. No extensive damage to the base, fortunately.)

”Maheun ahob-eun yongnab hal su eobsda. Igos-eun olyueobsneun dansunham-ieoyahaessseubnida.”
(Forty nine deaths is unacceptable. This was supposed to be simplicity.)

”Joesonghabnida...”
(I am sorry sir...)

”Deo isang jumun-eul, gidaligo sagwahaji masibsio.”
(Do not apologize, await further orders.)

”Algessseubnida.”
(Yes sir.)

---

As the flag of Jugwon Khai was raised over Fernlände Seeschwein, the Khai invasion across Sadain went undeterred. Jawang, Swabon, Gadat, Kuwit, and Pursei had all fallen to the blitzing invasion. Even as scattered resistance continued in the backalleys and suburbs, the colors of Han Jae-un were raised over the west coastal cities of Sadain. Khai troops forced people into their homes and locked down entire highways enacting marshal law. Small bands of civilians were arming themselves with hunting rifles and salvaged Civil Guard armaments and taking to the streets. Gadat itself was offering stiff resistance, its people forming into militia mobs and garrisoning themselves within apartment buildings and parking complexes. Khai convoys found themselves being hailed on by Molotov's and pipe bombs thrown from windows and alleys. This only enforced Khai brutality however, as four apartment buildings and a baseball stadium in Gadat had been completely flattened by mobile artillery and gunships, casualties were high.

The Khai naval force had completely blockaded the the island nation. All incoming vessels were turned away at threat of destruction and any who were caught fleeing were detained or destroyed. Most turned back to shore when catching view of the Khai navy, but four ships had been detained and two destroyed. One of those destroyed was the private yacht of a multi-business tycoon from Morei and the other was a freighter loaded down with refugees fleeing the capital. The navy had planned to detain the ship until they came under RPG fire from Civil Guard passengers aboard. Four well placed cruise missiles erupted the ship into a fireball.

The remaining cities were shoring up defenses of sorts. As a whole the Civil Guard were overwhelmed, however isolated units were organizing "minutemen" militias and fortifying low populated areas. Codo, Bagoor, and Sosar were already being harassed by Khai ships, laying heavy fire into low interest areas as a scare tactic to attempt to coerce the cities into surrender. General Kwon, commander of the ground offensive, ordered that a token force remain to occupy the cities showing the least resistance and the bulk of the army move east to subdue the finals cities. Confident in having already kneecapped the small republic, General Kwon sent word back to Jeongsang that he would have Saidan fully annexed within the week, with only refuse to be swept away after.

Two battalions were inbound for Morei with armored and air support. Three squadrons of corvette class ships were in rout to encircle and began shelling the capital until the the ground forces arrived. Once the ground force entered city limits the shelling would cease and the Khai ships would pinch up the harbor and prevent anyone from escaping, all while the accompanying gunships prowled low over the edges of Morei, patrolling the jungles around the capital.

General Kwon anticipated the capital to fall by midnight, just over twelve hours from now. The primary goal in seizing the capital, aside from controlling the center of government and commerce, was to force the Sadain President to surrender. This would demoralize the population, even many among the Civil Guard, and would lead to their relent. True enough, insurgents and militia groups would persist. It would take weeks or even months to scrape them from the surface of the nation. But once the government surrendered and stepped down, everything else was mere detail.

---

Jeongsang, Capital of Jugwon Khai...


As Sadain burned in the south, cheers went up across the capital as Prince Regent Han Jae-un hosted a grand patriotic rally in the Jeongsang. Declaring the fall of Sadain eminent. The threat that was an imperialist puppet state would soon be no more. The pawns of the west would be removed form power and the freed people of Sadain would join with the glorious Principality.

“From this day forward, the Sadain people are our brothers and sisters,” the monarch said from atop his podium, arms spread out to the masses, “the profiteers and parasites of the West will be scraped from Sadain like the pestilence they are and we shall give the Sadain people their freedom and welcome them to the fold!” It could be said the cheers shook the windows.

“Our great monarchy will share it’s benevolence to our new citizens. They will have a place, this I swear! And to the Prut Meritocracy and other such colonial imperialists, I say this; you have worn out your welcome! Sadain will be free and the people’s of Asia will soon unite to purge the last remnantcy of your filth and your the diseases you bring called capitalism, industrialism, and colonialism! “Haeneun dongjjog-eseo tteunda!” (The sun rises in the east!)

“And I close with this, from this day, security and sovereignty will be entrusted to a new branch of our government. Servants of the people, by the people, and for the people! They are the Naebu Boan. They will ensure that the Khai and Sadain people can sleep soundly at night. As the waves of liberation cleanse our Sadain brothers and sisters, I say now, hail to the Naebu Boan!”

The roars of the masses split the air of Jeongsang as Prince Regent Han Jae-un steppped down from the podium. The clapping of thousands rang like music of patriotism as a twenty-one hun salute was fired into the air by the royal guard. The flag of Jugwon Khai fapped about proudly in the breeze as the smiling Prince Regent departed from the stage.

[Neo Prutenia]

Baluktot street, close to Fernlände Seeschwein; Herbert’s team

It went fast. Fast and loose, but they managed to retreat orderly and mostly intact. Scraped, sure, depleted, somewhat yes, and maybe a bit in shock, as would soon become apparent with the adrenaline waning and the sudden realization hitting them—they lost Seeschwein. And with Seeschwein? Their home, their friends and colleagues, their supplies. The last hectic exchanges served little more than to delay the Khais just enough for the engine to start and the lorry to drive up Baluktot toward the Kahuyan hills.

Herbert was at first back with the bulk of the men, acting as a spotter for the machine gunner who placed his weapon to the back of the lorry in case someone was impertinent enough to follow them. This luckily didn’t happen, so at least he had some ammo saved. This and a bit more they previously loaded into the lorry would have to do in the future. Somehow. The others were cautiously resting, or lending a hand to the medic patching up the wounded guy. There was little talk for the next ten minutes or so.

Herbert ordered the vehicle to stop.

They were reasonably far away from the base. The Khais likely didn’t have land vehicles of their own, and they couldn’t repair the one’s back at the base quickly enough to catch up right now. They had a bit of a breather. Herbert however wasn’t stopping because of that. He knew he had to use the little time he had to resupply as much as possible. So the place he ordered them to stop at? Small convenience store.

He haggled with the owners, a lovely married couple in their late forties, and requisitioned their wares. They got receipts of course, although he warned them about possible implications and advised them to keep it secret so far. He wasn’t sure if they properly understood him. He shrugged. It didn’t really matter; they accepted what cash he had and the Prut promissory note. They knew the Prut were good for it, pretty much everyone knew, and they probably suspected his superiors would keelhaul him for reneging. They had either their son or brother-in-law, Herbert wasn’t sure which, help them load up provisions. They practically took all the canned food they had, a lot of bottled water, anything nonperishable they could eyeball and had space for, and several tools, screws, nails, and such, and some basic hygienic products like soap. After shaking hands they parted ways.

This little stunt was repeated about twenty minutes later at a different shop, likely the last one before the Kahuyan. They were reassured when those owners, this time an old men and a young woman who appeared to be his assistant or nurse or some such, mentioned that a troop of greycoats already came through and had requisitioned their wares. Herbert’s group was catching up to their already regrouping comrades. And they got confirmation that they successfully went north to the hills. Herbert took of the old man’s hands whatever canned goods he had left, which wasn’t much, and whatever bottled drinks they had in stock. After consulting with his team and the medic in particular, they also took liquor and household chemicals. They figured they had to sterilise equipment and likely future wounds, and they could probably improvise something flammable and sticky to stick it to any Khais coming their way.

Ten minutes and they were done. The lorry went up the road, which soon turned into somewhat rustic but mostly intact macadam. From there they had to hit dirt roads soon.

---

Morei, Presidential mansion

Commander Reinhild chatted with the security detail of the mansion while she waited. She tried to keep their spirits high, but they weren’t really receptive. Perhaps they knew something she didn’t. At least they humoured her a bit. Occasionally she’d glance outside through the window. So far the harbor was clear. So far.

After about twenty minutes of waiting, eighteen of which she spent getting more and more cross at the apparent lack of concerned for an obviously urgent matter, she got ushered in by some intern into the most hastily established war room in the history of war rooms. The cabinet was gathered here, all of them! A blatant disregard for protocol. The chief of police and the chief of defence were literally screaming at each other, apparently after an exchange of fisticuffs prior. The president, Jin Kayana, was literally slamming his shoe on the table and calling for order. The other cabinet members were visibly uncomfortable, but not nearly as much as the staff and aides were distressed by the whole affair.

“What’s this then?”

Most of them looked at the commander, except for the chief of police, a stocky man named Ramil Banahaw, who still eyed the chief of defence, Dakila Tantay. President Jin Kayana stared daggers at Reinhild, but didn’t react immediately. First he put back on his shoe, since there was no need for banging any longer now that everyone was mostly quiet. To Reinhild the reason for the previous wait became apparent; the staffers didn’t want her to see this mess. Banahaw and Tantay probably were at each other’s throats just a minute ago. Kayana was seething. Other were… concerned. Distressed perhaps. No one knew what was going on.

“You!”

Reinhild inclined her head, closed her eyes briefly, and laughed through her nose, then more audibly. She threw the president a smile.

“Not ‘you’. It’s commander Reinhild Olaugsdochter Götzbrech, Herr Jin Kayana.“

„I know who you are. You’re the idiot that let this happen!”

“I do not recall that budgetary meeting.” Reinhild turned to the chief of treasury. “Herr Roco, wasn’t it? Was I present when you lot allocated the budget? Did I insist on reducing military and defence spending? Who was it again who practically gutted the coast guard?”

“Well… eh…”

“Shut up, Roco.” The president stared at the commander again, yelling: “You! Your fault. Wasn’t the PM responsible for our defence?”

“In a strategic sense, yes, but you yourself insisted on lowering defence spending and reducing Prut military presence. It was a ‘budgetary black hole’, no? ‘Money wasted on a war that will never come’, wasn’t it?”

“But you agreed to it, despite knowing the risks!”

She raised an eyebrow, inhaled, and smiled ever so faintly.

“Look, gentlemen, we’re here and now. And here and now we have to organise a defence and …”

“We’re surrendering.”

“I beg you pardon?”

“We’re surrendering. There’s no point fighting without a fleet.”

“The Prut navy is our fleet. We literally only have to endure the siege until it arrives.”

“But the Khais are already here, and they’ve already taken the west of Sadain.”

“Practically a single naval task force of the Pruwam could obliterate the entire invasion force.”

“Til your overly praised fleet arrives there’ll be nothing left. They can just shell our cities from the ocean.”

“Then we shoot back. There’s millions of Sadainese and a few thousand Khais here. A ratio of thousand to one.”

“And we’re surrendering. You failed, commander. I’m ordering you to stand down. Spare Sadain the hardships.”

“You ordering me?”

“Yes, I’m ordering you.”

“You’re not my superior. In fact, I’m yours.”

“Have you gone mad, woman?!”

“According to article seven of the Treaty of Codo, in case of war the highest ranked Prut official takes over Sadain’s affairs as Commissioner. I’m you’re superior now.”

“That’s preposterous! We’re a democracy. I won’t stand for this usurpation!”

“You had plenty opportunity to revise the treaty. But apparently the budget required that sweet sweet lease money.” She provocatively licked her lips. “So sweet.”

“You are stepping out of line, woman.

“You’re squandering our opportunity to dig in and save Sadain.”

“Sir, she’s right…”

“Tigilan ang pagsasalita, Tantay.” He smirked at the chief of defence. “Since the PM failed to defend us, we’re not required to accept this preposterous ‘commission’ you’ve assigned yourself, commander. Now, leave my office. I have a surrender to organise.”

“President, if we fail to act now, we’ll lose our ability to airlift troops and materiel. The island will have to be retaken at huge costs.”

“The island’s already taken. Better to suck it up.”

“And if you don’t like the new owners? Or if they don’t like you as their collaborator? What will you do then?”

“I… I’ll… Out! Out with you, woman! We’re done here. I have no choice.”

Reinhild scanned the room, reading the mood. Her eyes darted from person to person. Three of them were relevant; Tantay, Banahaw, and Kayana. The rest were mostly Kayana’s cronies and sycophants, more concerned about their cushy government jobs than anything else. Tantay was sympathetic to her, Banahaw was difficult to read at a glance, but at least unreceptive for now, and Kayana was stubborn. He’d already made up his mind.

She gave them a nod, turned around on the spot, and left. The squabbles and accusations started again even before she had stepped out of the ‘war room’. She went straight for the helicopter and ordered it to start the engine.

“Room for one more?”

Reinhild and her squad turned to look at the person, or rather persons asking them. Tantay was there, and some other guy.

“You can’t go back, they’re coming from the west.”

“My forces are west, in the Kahuyans. I have to rendezvous with them.”

“Oof. Midpoint between Morei and Pursei. That area’s been overran.”

“And a rugged, forested hilly landscape. I doubt it.”

“Well, the roads and cities I mean. Besides, isn’t it prohibited to use national parks as military ground?” Tantay laughed.

“I’m willing to make an exception.”

“I’d reckon you go east. Safer that way. You’ll need a CC fast. Bayani can help.” The chief of defence gestured towards his apparent aide. He just nodded.

“If the guard’s failed, all their installations are compromised.”

“Not all. And the guard’s not collapsed entirely.”

“At least the people are fighting.”

“The Khai’s will take some heavy losses, and I’m not so sure how the occupation will look like. Probably not good.”

“Very likely not good.”

“There’s national parks east too. Maybe not as big as Kahuyan, but there’s a mountain or two that might be appealing.”

Reinhilded smiled, and gestured with her head to Bayani to board the helicopter. He complied sans words.

“Let’s stay in touch, Tantay.”

They parted ways soon. Reinhild’s helicopter was bound east, to see what remnants if anything of the civil guard they could pick up.

---

HQ of the Pruwam, realm of Neo Prutenia, Prut Meritocracy

Same three men, same office, different time.

“President Jin Kayana of Sadain sent a message. They’re surrendering.”

“…”

“…”

“Yeah, I agree, it’s a bit… well, unilateral.”

“Kramer, I love how matter of fact you are.”

“Thank you, Lauterbach.”

“I’m glad you two are getting along, but technically we’re no longer concerned with the island, no? Should be ask for a truce, sort out affairs?”

“Hm, that’s a tricky one, isn’t it.”

“I agree. The invasion was sudden and unprovoked. The surrender is under duress.”

“Not valid then.”

“Not necessarily, but we can’t back down while there’s fighting in and on Sadain. And you’ve seen the clips our people on the ground uploaded. Full assault, no warning. They’re murderers.”

“And even if the people of Sadain would completely and totally accept the surrender and subjugation under Jugwon Khai, it would still be detrimental to our foreign affairs. We chould at least be cautious and prepare for the worst.”

“Same opinion here. The Khais seem a bit… single-minded when it comes to nationality and civics. While it would be dodgy to abandon them after their ‘apparent surrender’ even under the best of circumstances, the situation will likely deteriorate very fast. We have to be ready to strike.”

“Then it’s a definitive.”