Shattered Commonwealth: Redrake (Semi-Open, Attn GD)

[Morrdh]

I Vow To Thee, My Country

New Garrack
50 Miles South of Derry

The moon was all but a slim crescent high in the night sky, against a blanket of stars. Ocean waves lazily swept up onto a sandy beach as a pair of small boats were paddled ashore, men jumping out soon as the boats kissed the sand. Some of the men crouched down and scanned the beach through the scopes of their bullpup rifles, the others hauled the boats ashore and started loading equipment before then pulling tarps over the boats to try and obscure them. With quiet whispers and hand gestures, the men soon set about their next task.

These men were of the Sealgairí, a Morridane special forces unit that used the Mordentish word for 'hunters' as it's name and could trace it's history back to the 1600s. They were one of many teams being inserted that night along the coastline of New Garrack, the first true action by those loyal to Queen Lothwyn against her usurper uncle. Their mission was to knock out radar stations ahead of the main strike of Operation REDRAKE, so named after the Morridane serpent with two heads to signify strikes in multiple locations. A climb up a short cliff later and the team was planting timed explosives at critical points round the unmanned radar installation, one of their number operated a long-range radioset and transmitted a single word. "Redrake."

With their first task done, the team moved onto their next objective.

---

Lurking out at sea was a flotilla of ships that included the Ler-class aircraft carrier HMMS Enbarr with her escorts, though her flight deck was filled with helicopters of different types and troops awaiting the signal to go. Much of the Enbarr's normal air group was on her hanger deck, though a couple of fighters were positioned by the catapults on a five minute alert in case of trouble. Everything was still as the carrier cut through the waves as her crew waited anxiously, the radar operators in particular across the flotilla were glued to their screens.

"Redrake." Crackled a voice over the radio, prompting everything to start happening on the carrier. A tannoy sounded. "Hands to flying stations. Standby to launch helos."

Things exploded into life as previously dormant carrier came alive, shouts cried out and the starter motors of the various helicopters fired. Last of the troops and their equipment were loaded as the helicopter crews ran through their final checks before being cleared to lift-off. One-by-one the helicopters rose into the night sky and turned westwards to fly low over the ocean, just as explosions started ripping through the coastal radar stations and communications hubs. By the time anyone in New Garrack knew what was happening the helicopters would've already landed their troops, in addition other elements of Operation Redrake would be well underway as well.

The Battle for New Garrack had begun.

[Mokastana]

New Garrack
'The Greali Corridor'

Stretching from the inland sea between New Garrack and Greal, to the ocean east of New Garrack, was a stretch of land informally referred to as the 'Greali Corridor'. It was known for its various Mokan supply bases and lots of international visitors. Federal civilians loved to visit local shops and find any excuse to get off base. At least they used to. They hadn't been permitted to leave ever since the New Garrack government collapse and reorganization, and military units leaving base had to be dressed up for combat/policing detail. In the early days, it had been more lax, looking like soldiers taking R&R in local villages and parks, but once the tanks arrived, the PUF stopped with the facade.

They had heavy tanks, the reluctant obedience of 'some' local governments, and the questionable loyalty of 'some' local military units. Mostly units who still supported the Queen, and were close enough to be backed by the Federal Army, if anyone came for them.

Now with Operation Redrake taking off, it was time to disseminate orders to the rank and file. Soldiers who spent weeks or months dressing in full combat gear to go drive around a quaint village or two, now learned they were now "officially" an occupying force in a hostile country. Military officers would be escorted by armored convoys to visit local mayors and regional government offices to inform them that they were now "officially" under military occupation. The Officers informed the local governments that they were occupied, in support of the invasion by forces loyal to Queen Lothwyn Cathmore.

Messages went out to the New Garrack military units that seemed trustworthy, asking them to "officially" declare loyalty to Queen Lothwyn Cathmore, as the PUF is occupying the Greali Corridor in support of the Queen's liberation of the country, and will be bringing in additional allied units to liberate the rest of the country soon.

Although most of this was just a mere formality, there was the real possibility of combat. Especially now that the Viktor loyalists, who merely tolerated the Federation's occupation behaviors, now found the PUF claiming their local government was illegitimate. Anti aircraft batteries were armed, no fly zones established, and the Federation's single armored division formed up on the southern border of the Greali Corridor, ready to punch holes in any units stationed on the Wanderjar border who decided to March north with hostile intent.

Theatre commander: General Hernando Vasquez

FORT VERACRUZ(NEW GARRACK):
Commander: General Allen Peters
36x Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut,
18x LY908 'Warhawk'

PERMANENT FORCES:
4th Ironheart Paratrooper Division (22,012 Personnel)
5th Ironheart Paratrooper Division (22,012 Personnel)

REINFORCEMENTS FROM BELMOTIN:
542nd Airborne Regiment, of the 54th Air Cavalry Division (5572 Personnel)
544th Airborne Regiment, of the 45th Air Cavalry Division (5572 Personnel)

REINFORCEMENTS FROM GREAL
18x YA-42 Corsaire
41st Armored Battle Division (23,100 Personnel)
14th Rapid Reaction Division (22,012 Personnel)

[Morrdh]

Morrdun

Led by a motorcycle escort, the motorcade wound it's way through the streets of the Commonwealth's capital, Garda traffic officers halted road traffic at various junctions and intersections to allow the convoy to keep moving. At last the convoy pulled into the large yard of a Garda station, or barracks, and the passenger door of one of the cars was held open and out climbed Taoiseach Padraig Kendrick. Glancing round, Kendrick saw a number of posters featuring a stylised 'V' along with the words 'Seas Leis an Rígh!'.

Stand By The King! A call to arms for the Morridane people to rally behind Viktor and lend him his support, thus helping to cement him as their Sovereign. So far the efforts had been little more effective than spitting into the wind as the phrase 'Phoney King' had well and truly taken root within the populace as evidenced by the protesters who chanted it and the number of times it had feature in graffiti. The Department of Home Affairs had been active with propaganda to counter this, though it had made little headway. That ugly business in Merin hadn't helped matters.

But Kendrick was here today for something else, the founding ceremony of a paramilitary organisation known as the Faire Dorcha (Darkwatch) that had been created at Viktor's insistence. It was to be a force of soldiers loyal to Viktor and the Cóisir Nua (New Party) under Kendrick, primarily by providing bodyguards for both. The Faire Dorcha was to also be given a higher authority than the Garda, effectively taking an active role in pre-emptively countering so-called 'enemies of the state' and co-opting units of the Commonwealth's national police force when the Watch deemed it necessary to do so.

The new force was to be well trained and equipped, armed with a bullpup rifle normally issued to the Commonwealth's special forces and other elite units in addition to other top-of-line gear. Kendrick was aware that the Watch had made people uncomfortable, some senior Garda officials had resigned in protest but had been quickly replaced by those whom the Party deemed to be more acceptable. Kendrick also had his own misgivings, chiefly as to who the Watch actually owed it's loyalty to as he was certain that one day a disagreement would split Viktor and the Party.

He prayed that day wouldn't come.

[Morrdh]

Dearborne Manor
Free Republic of Lamoni

She should've known better.

Their on/off relationship had been punctured by increasingly longer periods of absences, though with the subject of marriage having been broached she expected that he would make more of an effort. Alas, another absence and another long silence. It had proven to be let down after let down, each hopeful promise had turned sour and become bitter disappointment. To be frank, she had had enough.

Over the course of several days she'd drafted a letter address to King Marcius of Imbrinium, she kept the tone amiable enough but had held off sending it. Instead she put the letter away in a drawer, intending to come back to it in a few days' time and seeing whether her mood on the matter had changed. Perhaps she might still send it as it was, perhaps she might rewrite part or even all of it.

In the meantime she hoped to begin a number of low key public appearances, it was looking unlikely that her uncle would make a move against her here and as lovely as it was the Manor increasingly felt like a prison. She understood the need for her security and safety, yet there was ever so long that she was willing to endure effectively being locked-up. She'd made it clear to the Lamonians that whilst she understood the necessity of the arrangements, she could no longer abide being a de facto prisoner and therefore wanted some freedom.

An agreement was reached where she could make a limited number of public appearances, though she would be accompanied by a Lamonian protection detail. This she was happy to agree to as it meant that she could leave the grounds of Dearborne Manor for a time and regain some sense of normality. One of the first places she would visit was the school she'd attended, a place that held positive if mixed memories for her. But it would be nice to see it after all these years and give a speech to it's current crop of students, plus she was seriously considering the idea of sending the twins to the school when they were of age....admittedly that would still be a number of years off in the future.

Speaking of the twins, the doctors were happy with how things were developing and arrangements had been made in readiness for their eventual arrival. Unfortunately it looked like they were going to have an absentee father, but that seemed to be the hand that fate had decided to deal.

[Holy Marsh]

Operation: Redrake consisted of many parts from many nations, and not a small part of that was the Marshite contribution. It would be the first overt play by the Theocracy in the drama but far from the last.

It started off under the cover of deception, the friendly skies granted by the PUF forces in the New Garrack Operational Zone. Under their cover and flag, the 92nd Airborne Crusade would deploy two of its divisions, the 792nd and 545th. Flown into friendly space and under the flag of the PUF they arrived en masse in the two days prior to the main thrust of the attack. When the local PUF forces started their own operation to pacify the area, the Marshite would follow behind. They would quickly and decisively attack forces that decided to resist, leaving the occupation and public relations matters to the forces that were more local, more friendly than they. They used assets to strike the enemy's anti-air capability now that hostilities were joined in preparation for future operations. When they were allowed they would start their attack into the non-occupied zones, in conjunction with the real Marshite contribution to the liberation of New Garrack, Operation Revelatory Seal.

Four divisions from the 708th Crusade Amphibious Group had been retasked from operations outside of Greater Dienstad to New Garrack and ever since had been receiving updated intelligence. As H-Hour drew closer they listened intently to events on the ground. Forces that made their loyalty to the Queen known were made friendlies to Marshite systems. Those that simply threw down their weapons were pulled off the target list. But those that refused to do either became the targets of withering fire before forces made landfall.

The 708th was supported by the AISF 7-9 (7th Strategic, 9th Tactical Amphibious Invasion Support Fleet) as well as two attached carriers. More than four-hundred aircraft conducted pinpoint bombing of Coup forces, using Loyalist informants and Allied penetration and co-opting of local information nets to slip into Coup AA coverage and eliminate it from future use long before it could pose a threat. After that they focused on enemy formations of strength inland as well as anti-shipping weapons and combat ships within range of the amphibious landing zones, leaving enemy combat forces nearer to the amphibious zones to be targeted by the fleet.

Two Washington-Class SBV's, six De Ruyter Class Battlecruisers, one MTD Type-115 Anubis, and thirty Lamia class Destroyers provided the fire support and defense. A barrage of cruise missiles came first, Hellion-IIs for wide-range targets and HK7 Vikings for hard targets. The guns of the Washington and the De Ruyters would come in later as forces streamed toward the landing zones. They provided 54 405mm guns, 48 127mm guns, 32 406mm guns, and 60 254mm guns for consistent and direct artillery support.
The vessels' guns had long ago been discarded as anti-naval weapons and since their retasking as amphibious fire support had been given the ammunition to suit their role as waterborne artillery and missile support. From DPICM to HE PFF BB, HERA, much of it guided and even fin stabilized, and a great deal more, the guns added consistency and immediacy to the proceedings.

It was under this air, missile, and gun cover that the amphibious landings would take place. MGV-02 Warbeaches and Tigershark LCACs raced towards the coast, firing at targets as SACHERI presented them. Some landing zones were to find no opposition, the possible opposing forces having made their loyalty to the Queen known or their surrender made clear. Still other zones would find an enemy taken by surprise by the sudden violence of the day, offering little or no resistance to the overwhelming Marshite assault. Still other zones would attempt to put up a fight under the withering and relentless gaze of Marshite fire support. The result was the same regardless: The 708th took its objectives swiftly and moved inland, moving as quickly as the situation would allow. The total Marshite assault would count six divisions moving aggressively while propaganda efforts continued to gain steam. Those that switched to the Queen were immediately supported while those that surrendered were rounded up and handed to the occupying forces. Missiles in flight to their targets would sometimes change those targets multiple times: A target with unknown loyalties was tasked as Loyalist, the next two targets vanished under fire while the other was taken prisoner, and still more changed status in flight until finally it could find a good target. More than a few missiles self-detonated in mid-air for want of a target.

Still, despite the overwhelming nature of the attack there were some problems encountered. The Queen's desire for as little collateral damage as possible had limited Marshite ability to annihilate forces inside cities. While precision strikes certainly took a heavy toll, Marshite forces would find that they would be forced to engage in quick and brutal urban combats where their normal doctrine of leveling, gassing, nuking, and burning entire urban zones before entry was disallowed. Revelatory Seal was an operation where Quick wasn't tossed around lightly: Marshites were under orders to take the area, and do so quickly even if it meant more losses. They didn't starve the enemy out or wait for several days of bombardment. Areas that refused to join the Light or stop resisting were met with overwhelming firepower before a swift and relentless attack that drove casualties up on both sides. Marshites enjoyed this and the hundreds of millions of veterans of the Ralkovian War certainly could attest to the quality of such combat, but it certainly led many more to their graves. In the end, Martyrdom was grand and there were always more Marshites for the machine.

In a short time Revelatory Seal was finished. The 708th had hunted and killed and finished their job. They gathered their dead and wounded, honored their PUF friends, and departed New Garrack as relentlessly as they had arrived, leaving charred remains of their enemies and a landscape thick with ruination behind them. In a short time it was as if they had never been there at all, on their way out of region to their original targets at high speed to catch up to the rest of the 708th. The 792nd and 545th Airborne Divisions remained behind, helping the PUF in the are but mostly prepping the region as a launching pad for future conflict.

***************************************
Mokastana, People's United Federation

The 90th Crusade Group made landfall in Mokastana unannounced to all but locals and the PUF government, who had signed off on the deployment in secret before hand, announcing it just as the Marshites arrived. Upon arrival the 90th Crusade Group was renamed the 1st Morridane Crusade, with its various Armies, Corps, and Divisions renamed similarly. In time over two million Marshites would filter in towards the border as part of their pre-planned operations with the PUF. Tasked alongside it was the 30th Crusade Air, renamed 1st Morridane Air Crusade, as well as the 3rd Strategic Fleet and multiple independent naval commands.

As Marshites arrived en masse, the Theocracy would send a message to the Usurper- not via public broadcast or announcement, but through official state channels.

"From the Desk of the Arch-Bishop:

Viktor!
There is no ally you can trust and rely on to save you.
Viktor!
There is no weapon you can unleash to save you.
Viktor!
There is no factor of bravery or courage you can pull from within to save you.
Viktor!
There is no amount of killing you can do to save you.

Viktor!
You cannot be saved through military means. The only way you can be saved is by abdicating your throne in favor of the Devee Nachuna Queen Lothwyn and asking for Her mercy. Your Queen's mercy.
The conclusion is the same regardless of the journey you choose to take to reach it. Choose wisely, Viktor.

There will be no further communications between us."

[Morrdh]

New Garrack

With the Marshites doing a considerable amount of the heavy lifting, the Loyalist forces began their landings in New Garrack. Special forces units, put ashore many hours earlier, had done much of the groundwork by hampering communications of the defending forces and relaying up to-date intelligence to guide the Loyalist troops to the best landing zones. It would have to be an infantry only assault, tanks and other vehicles could only come ashore one a beachhead had been established. It was risky and possibly even outright dangerous, but the Loyalist forces lacked the necessity landing craft required for heavy equipment and had to rely on a helicopter-borne infantry wave as their initial assault. But thanks to the Marshites, they would be able to capture beachheads, ports and airfields to ease up the landing of such equipment and re-supplying forces already ashore.

The aforementioned special forces units moved further inland, using non-lethal means to take out opponents where possible but willing to resort to more lethal force if needed. After taking out radar stations and coastal air defence systems, their next tasking was to capture key transit points to hamper the movements of defending forces. They'd also been detailed to capture radio stations intact and hijack their broadcasts, instead having them transmit messages asking defending forces and citizens to come over to the Loyalist side.

The capital of New Garrack, the city of Derry, was expected to be a daunting prospect and it was suspected that the more die hard of Viktor's troops present would put up a stiff fight. For Loyalist forces they would have to hold off their assault until they'd built up their forces to a sufficient strength, so the need to get their tanks ashore was a very pressing one. However, it was an opportunity for the special forces to shine and infiltrate the city. Additionally, the hammer blow of the Marshites might be encouragement enough for the defenders to lay down their arms.

[United World Order]

Wanderjar-New Garrack Border

The Morridane conflict had originally involved the Ordenites help. The usurper Viktor had negotiated the use of several thousamd Scythians most being former insurgent fighters being held in labor or concentration camps in Reichskommissariat Scythia These fighters would then be involved in the coup launched by Viktor to displace the Queen of Morrdh from the throne. The Ordenites were also sending at the time additional assistance in the form of Ordenite mercenaries however they were betrayed and killed in a well executed ambush. Seething anger by then Reichsfuhrer Grossmann would not be able to take revenge as the 4th Krasnovan War was reaching a climax. The Morridane usurpers would live to see another day and deal with the international community backing the Queen of Morrdh. However this would change with the end of the War and a return to somewhat normalcy and with Christian Richtofen back in power as Reichsfuhrer once again. Richtofen did not plan on letting Viktor get away with his treachery and while an invasion was out of the question entirely, diplomatic means were used.

A private meeting between PUF officials and the Ordenite Embassy in Wanderjar lead up to this very moment. Relations between the Commenwealth and Wanderjar were never positive as an ally of the Holy Empire of Stevid and the consequent War in South Greal, the Ordenite government used this fact to its advantage. Persuasion of the Wanderjar government and Military was effortless and the plan was put into motion as things in New Garrack began to heat up. The Ordenite Reich had for quite some time now held lend leases on several military bases. During the previous war the Kriegsmarine contigent in Wanderjar had set off to reinforce Krasnova however this fleet was ultimately defeated. Despite this the Ordenites still maintained a Ordenite Heer presence of nearly 900,000 troops and a decently sized contigent from the Luftwaffe. In due time a new Fleet would be stationed in Wanderjar once the reconstruction of the Kriegsmarine was complete.

The Wanderjar border with New Garrack was well defended and while this fact would not change, the ones defending the border would change. It would be noticed relatively quickly that Wanderjar border troops were beginning to withdraw from the border its self. While this may have the Morridanes in New Garrack puzzled and maybe even concerned, their concerns would quickly become fear as new troops were beginning to arrive on the border and they were not their Wanderjaran neighbors. The 83rd and 85th Army Groups of the Ordenite Heer were now arriving on the Wanderjaran side of the border with New Garrack. In the skies but still within Wanderjaran territory were flights of Ordenite multi role fighters. The agreement made between the PUF and the Reich was simple, the strait of Musselberg would be opened to Ordenite commercial traffic in exchange for aggressive posturing by its forces in Wanderjar along the border with New Garrack in order to keep enemy forces in place there and away from the action. The official statements from either party would of course be entirely different and irrevelant to what actually was going on but that was simply the nature of geopolitics in Greater Dienstad.

Official Open Statement from the Ordenite Reich Chancellery.

Due to concerns over rampant instability within the Morridane holding of New Garrack. In conjunction with the Wanderjar government and the Greater Ordenite Reich, stationed Ordenite Heer forces in Wanderjar have been deployed to the Wanderjar-New Garrack border in order to prevent any spilling over of the on-going conflict into Wanderjar sovereign territory. As a long term ally of the Wanderjar Republic the Greater Ordenite Reich sees this as a rightful duty to assist in its defense.

Signed,
Ulrich Fischer, Chief of the Ordenite Reich Chancellery.

[Mokastana]

Derry,
New Garrack


With the Greali corridor secured, the Border forces pinned by the threat of Ordenites, and the northern forces being swept away by the Marshite onslaught, the PUF army was beginning its charge into the capital city. Supported by both Matshite forces cutting off the city from the rest of the country, and loyalist forces helping to take the city, General Hernando Vasquez led the 41st Armored Battle Division and the 14th Rapid Reaction Division towards the city center. Ideally, it would be a loyalist unit occupying the government quarter, but they had to take it first.

Dire wolf heavy tanks lead the spearhead through the first enemy lines, flanked by paratroopers from the 14th Rapid Reaction. Federal fighters from the Navy and local air bases fought for air SSuperiorityand dropped bombs, while Bloodhounds and Wolfhounds barraged enemy positions with their 140mm guns. Lamnasu 155 mm guns and Haize designed Gracia Rocket Artillery fired upon enemy strongholds marked by aerial recon or special forces behind enemy lines.

As if to punctuate the point, a single 300mm HEAT rocket was launched from behind allied lines into the area in front of the New Garrack Parliament building. The intention was to shake up the leadership of the country without actually causing significant casualties, as a HEAT shell was intended for tanks, not parking lots. However it was expected that many windows would be shattered and the sound of the explosion would shake up the politicians inside. Surrender was ideal, but the message was clear, the Mokans were playing nice, for now.

Meanwhile, along the coast, the 19th Marine Transport Flotilla was joining the Marshite and loyalist forces invading, delivering the 19th Naval Infantry Division. Once they were organized and ready, they too would join in on the attack on Derry.

The Federal forces hoped that by cutting off Derry, the defenders would realize their inevitable demise and surrender early, but they were preparing for a bloodbath.

[Morrdh]

Derry,
New Garrack

Loyalist forces were in bit of an awkward position, comparably weak compared to their Marshite and Mokan allies but still had to 'show the flag' as it were. The core of the Loyalist forces was formed out of the Commonwealth forces based in the Free Republic of Lamoni and were determined to be 'safe', leading to an infantry heavy force backed up by a single armoured brigade of tanks resulting in allied forces doing alot of the heavy lifting. New Garrack was seen as vital to the Loyalist cause, not only as a springboard for the liberation of Morrdh but also to secure additional forces to swell the Loyalist ranks.

On the whole, the Loyalist forces were a motley lot made up of personnel from across the breath of the Commonwealth Armed Forces. Morridane Army battalions fought alongside field squadrons of the RMAF Regiment and ad hoc formations of Royal Morridane Navy sailors, all varying wildly in their training and equipment. Even the Royal Space Force got in on the act, leading pilots and strike craft to help with air support whilst fielding on the ground a handful of companies of the Royal Astro Marines (or RAMs for short). Despite being geared more towards space-borne operations over terrestrial conflicts, the RAMs were still well trained and equipped even if lacking a little in experience.

The other issue for Loyalist forces was that they were fighting their own countrymen, even those who surrendered when given the chance couldn't be fully trusted and thus couldn't be integrated into the ranks of the Loyalists. There were also the die hards that fought under Viktor's flag, some of them even known to some on the Loyalist side as old friends or even family. It was these die hards that made things especially troublesome, many had opted to take a stand in the parliament building having refused to lay down their arms. They would weather a number of assaults against their position, fiercely resisting even to the point where it got down to bloody hand-to-hand fighting in the halls of New Garrack's government with no quarter asked and none given.

---

HMMS Enbarr
Off the New Garrack coast

Having landed some of the troops she'd been carrying, the Ler-class aircraft carrier HMMS Enbarr remained on station until she received news that New Garrack had been secured. She was the flagship of the task force of Loyalist vessels assigned to Op REDRAKE with her captain, Sean Hannon, having been promoted to the rank of Commodore and given command over the fleet. Hannon had found himself in the unenviable position of being the senior most naval commander that the Loyalists had available, his promotion was out of necessity but had been guaranteed to remain after Viktor had been deposed from power.

With the fighting now raging on the streets of Derry, there was little for the Loyalist fleet to do but patrol the waters off-shore and lend support where it could. Enbarr's Skua AEW aircraft, callsign 'Hawkeye', remained in the air to provide some early warning of approaching forces. A job it did when it made the following report; 'Surface contacts detected, bearing zero-eight-six. Range, one-five-zero miles.'

This was an unwelcomed development, a potentially hostile fleet was moving towards the Enbarr and it's task group. Presently the fleet's identity and purpose was unknown, it could easily be naval forces dispatched by Viktor or it could as easily be a neutral fleet who'd chosen that moment to sail through this region. It left Hannon in an awkward spot, not knowing whether or not his task group would be attacked within the next few hours. He needed to know who this fleet was, the best way he had of doing so was using some of the Enbarr's air wing and sending a couple of aircraft to visually identify the unknown ships. He called out across the bridge. "Officer of the Watch, I want two Buccaneers launched immediately."

"Aye sir." The officer replied before speaking into the ship's tannoy. "Hands to flying stations, hands to flying stations. Make ready two Buccaneers for immediate launch."

"Very good." Nodded Hannon before continuing. "Come to heading two-one-six, make revolutions one-three-eight."

"Aye." Replied the officer, then relaid the command to the helmsman. "Heading two-one-six, revolutions one-three eight."

"Radio." Hannon called out once more, this time to the communications officer. "Send to fleet; Confirm action stations, standby for possible engagement."

Meanwhile the aircraft carrier sprang to life as it turned into the wind and picked up speed whilst deck hands got to work on it's flight deck preparing aircraft. Some of the carrier's aircrews were hurrying up through the bows of the ship, they'd been kept on a state of readiness and all they needed to do was climb into their aircraft and run through pre-flight checks. The crews were briefed as they hurried along, they were being launched to check out some surface contacts that had been detected but not identified. Their Buccaneers, being naval strike aircraft, were already loaded with anti-ship missiles on underwing pylons and some bombs in internal bomb bays in case they were called into action like this very instance. Question was, would these aircraft be forced to engage a hostile foe?

---

The Citadel
Stevid Captia

Tap-tap-tap-tap.

Gedney Hill, acting Taoiseach, walked along with the aid of a walking stick and showed his ID to various guards as he made his way towards a particular area. At last he was met by a nurse who he asked. "How is he?"

"No change." The nursed sighed. "Still no signs that he'll wake from his comma."

"OK, thank you." Gedney said as he gave a tired smile. "Though any idea whether he can hear our daily chats?"

"Hard to say I'm afraid." Shrugged the nurse as she led Gedney through to the room. "I'll give you some privacy, but call if you need anything."

Gedney mumbled a reply and turned to look at the occupant of the bed, a rather pitiful looking Ser George Whittleton laying wired up to life support machines that ceaselessly beeped. It had been some time since Whittleton's unexpected stroke, though he remained in a coma the doctors said it was a little promising that he'd survived so long. But Gedney was no expert, being more knowledgable about people with years of experience as a diplomat. Medicine to him only extended far as to take painkillers and knowing when to call the doctor.

He eased himself into the chair beside the bed and sighed heavily. "Redrake's underway, that's the skirmish in New Garrack I've told you about."

"Last I heard was that our lads were ashore." Continued Gedney. "Though still waiting on whether any switch over to us."

"You know...." Gedney sighed after a long moment of awkward silence. "This is a young man's game now, us old dinosaurs should be put out to paster."

"You're probably sick of hearing me say that, but it doesn't make it any less true." Said Gedney as he gave a small chuckle. "I know I kept threatening it, but one thing and another, I never follow through on it. But this time I think I will."

"Say what you will....or don't...but I'm getting too old for this." Gedney added. "Once Viktor's dealt with I'll retire for good, let some fresh blood try their hand at things. Gods know it's their future that we're forging right now."

"Oh....I should have never let you talk me out of retiring. Just to think I could've been pottering round some garden, but then again..."

[Morrdh]

Morrdun Tower
Morrdun

Kendrick arrived back at the Tower to find anxious looking staff and Viktor's angry voice echoing throughout the hallways and passageways, a choice selection of Mordentish curses reverberated off the stout stone walls of the Tower. Something had clearly roused the Ard Righ's temper, though from the rumours and whisperings Kendrick had been privy to he ventured a guess that something had occurred in New Garrack. Waving down an aide, Kendrick curtly asked. "You there! What has angered the High King so?"

"We've received word that forces aligned with the former queen have taken New Garrack." Answered the aide. "Alot of our own forces have either surrendered without firing a shot or simply aren't answering at all. His Majesty hasn't taken it lightly."

"An understatement I'm sure." Muttered Kendrick. "Very well, reach me the latest reports....though I doubt I'll find much to appease his wrath."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Short while later, Kendrick was heading towards Viktor's chambers leafing through the the latest news from New Garrack. The aide had been on the money, alot of units had laid down their arms save for a handful of holdouts. The capital, Derry, was still contested with good chunks of the city still under Dominion control but Kendrick could see that the battle was a foregone conclusion. There was also reports that a naval patrol had encountered some of the invaders' own naval forces, but presently things there were just a stand-off as everyone waited to see whether the first shot would even be fired.

It looked as though Viktor's so-called Dominion was crumbling before it had even got going.

Viktor had failed to attract much in the way of any real ally, even burned bridges with an early supporter to improve his image internationally. Whereas the former queen seemed to have courted powerful friends, presuming the reports of Marshite and Mokan forces in New Garrack were true. The painful truth was that Viktor was becoming increasing isolated as an array of powerful foes were encircling him, it was making Kendrick think that the Dominion's future was increasingly looking bleak. As it's captain, Viktor unquestionably would go down with his ship but Kendrick was determined to reserve a spot on one of the lifeboats.

Despite his misgivings about the organisation, Kendrick was beginning to wonder whether the newly formed Darkwatch could provide an opportunity for him.

---

Wanderjar-New Garrack Border

Lt.General Curragh's life had grown increasingly interesting.

First there was Viktor's coup and all the turmoil that followed, resulting in New Garrack seemingly being invaded if the scattered reports he'd received were to be believed. Adding to Curragh's dismay was the report that the Wanderjarian units who'd been facing them across, the no man's land that was, the border were steadily being replaced by Ordenite ones. Whilst the Wanderjarians had been belligerent, aside from perhaps the odd little skirmish things hadn't developed into open warfare. The Ordenites, on the other hand, had warred against the Commonwealth in the past and their presence in the East was a worrying one.

Sure the Commonwealth looked a tempting target with all the upheaval going on, but New Garrack was really out of the Ordenite's way. Trying to sustain a war in the East would be a logistical nightmare for the Ordenites with few if any friendly ports open to them. Besides, an Ordenite attack in the East would illicit a response from the local powers. So what was their game?

Curragh suspected that his answers laid in the horse's mouth, as his father would've put it, and started drafting a communique. Once he'd finished this task, he called his aide through and handed him a sealed letter. "I want this sent across the border, straight to the commander of our new friends understand?"

To The Senior Ordenite Commander

Greetings,

Our respective nations may differ on political and cultural beliefs, but you and I are still soldiers. We both have a duty to serve and protect our nations, so I wish to address you as a fellow soldier.

As one soldier to another, and out of common courtesy, I wish to extend an invitation for you to come dine with me. I fully understand if you wish to wish a security detail with you, though if you do so then please inform my people if you accept my invite.

It is my hope that we will be able to speak to each other as one officer to another and, at least, establish a degree of respect.

Sláinte.

Lt. General Curragh
C/O 14th Army
Morridane Army.

[Morrdh]

HMMS Enbarr
Off the New Garrack coast

Whilst aircraft were prepared for launch, Hannon made his way down to the Enbarr's Operations Room, as the carrier's Combat Information Center was known as. This was where all kinds of information and data was fed into the vessel, enabling the ship and it's crew to be kept appraised of the ongoing tactical situation and therefore able to make critical decisions. From experience Hannon felt it was best to go direct to the source and he had faith in his bridge crew, confident that he had capable officers to keep the carrier operational. As he entered the compartment, he was greeted by a wash of electronic hum and voices calling out key data as crewmen kept eyes firmly focused on the screens in front of them.

Hannon spied the Operations Officer conversing with the Space Liaison Officer, an officer detached from the Royal Space Force to keep co-ordinate data sent down from satellites in orbit. Nodding to both men, Hannon asked. "What's the latest gentlemen?"

"Looks like a Commonwealth fleet sir." Replied the Ops Officer. "Pretty certain it's an older Intrepid-class carrier, we're betting on it being the Gráinne, along with escorts."

"Gráinne he?" Hannon replied. "That'll be Malone's tub. Met him before, but never really talked."

"So no telling which way he'll fall then sir?" Asked the Ops Officer.

"Pretty much." Hannon sighed. "I take it our Buccs are nearing the Gráinne's location?"

"Aye, half hour at most before they'll have a visual."

"Alright, get them to request a landing on the Gráinne and then have them pass on a message." Ordered Hannon. "We'll have to see how Malone responds."

[Morrdh]

Derry,
New Garrack

The corridors and courtyards of the New Garrack parliament building echoed with the ring of gunfire, shouted cries and the dry thump of explosions. Windows laid shattered and doorways smashed apart as dust hung heavily in the air, walls pox-marked by bullet holes. Acid stench of smoke prevailed all over from fires that blazed throughout the area and the city at large, mixing with the iron tang of blood and the loitering smell of spent rounds. Small, sporadic firefights razed throughout the building complex as overall control remained in the balance. Viktorite forces put up a stubborn resistance, being amongst the most elite and best equipped units involved in the battle.

Coms chatter only added to the confusing melee.

'...Contact! Wait out!...'

'...Heavy resistance in the north-east quarter, pinned down by heavy MG fire...'

'...Standby for nine-liner...'

'...Two-Two, do you read? Please respond, over...'

'...Charlie prep to move, Delta I need five rounds rapid on my mark...'

Gradually, Loyalist forces were taking the city block-by-block as they fought for control of both Derry and New Garrack itself. Like with the parliament building, there were various strongholds of resistance from Viktorite forces that held up the Loyalist advance. Often holed up in improvised fortified positions in various sturdy buildings, they typically required heavy firepower sometimes coupled with an infantry assault leading to brutal hand-to-hand fighting in some cases. It was clear that the Viktorite soldiers were giving their lives dearly, making the Loyalists pay heavily in blood for every yard they took.

[Morrdh]

HMMS Enbarr
Off the New Garrack coast

Minutes ticked on by painfully slow, but even when the voice of the lead Buccaneer's pilot crackled over the radio it only heightened the tension in the Ops Room. "Landing request denied. I say again, landing request denied. Waiting further orders, over."

"Blast!" Exclaimed Hannon, sounding out the general mood of those gathered. "Alright, get our Buccs to fall back then prep a tanker ta refuel them. Whilst we're at it, might as well get the other Buccs up and reinforce our CAP."

"Expecting trouble sir?"

"I hope not, but it seems to be the way things are going." Hannon responded. "Ta be on the safe side, set the refuelling RV round a hundred clicks or so ta our north-east."

"Aye sir." Came the response before the assembled crewmen set about carrying out their captain's orders. Hannon, for his part, went over to the plotting table to note the positions of his fleet and the presumed hostile fleet. He hated the position he found himself in, the fact that they were about to engage their own countrymen in combat. Worse, he knew some of the officers on the Gráinne having met them before at some officer's function. Though he didn't count any of them as actual friends, he knew a fair of them had families including partners and children. Since Viktor's coup there had been many a Commonwealth family who'd been broken, suffered the loss of a loved one and Hannon's heart fell knowing there would probably be more broken families before the day was out.

"All hands, this is the captain speaking." Hannon said, having picked up the speaker phone for the ship's tannoy system. "Dark days have befallen our beloved Commonwealth and I know many of you are worried about friends and family back home. Alas, it looks like a long struggle lies ahead of us before these dark days are over."

"I tell ye this now as it seems we're destined ta go inta combat, despite efforts to avoid such an outcome. "Continued Hannon. "Our prospective enemy...our own."

"We have crossed paths with the Gráinne, but it seems we must consider her and her escorts hostile. This is a daunting and difficult task as, like me, many of ye no doubt know somebody who's on board one of the vessels we now find ourselves in opposition ta. Though rest assured, we will only fight if attacked first."

"I ask ye all to remember yer training and stay true ta ya duties, but I will understand if any member of this crew has objections to engaging one of our own. Hannon out."

Hannon placed the speaker phone back and glanced round at the crewmen around them, a simple grim-faced nod told him they were with him no matter what. True to Hannon's word, they weren't going to fire the first shot but by the gods they were going to finish this fight.

The Gráinne's next move soon became clear as a shout suddenly sounded.

"Missiles inbound! CIWS tracking and engaging!"

[Morrdh]

HMMS Enbarr
Off the New Garrack coast

Following the cry of alarm, several things happened at once. The Enbarr and her escorts began evasive actions in response to the incoming missiles, rapidly altering their courses and throttling up their engines. Additionally, Close In Weapon Systems that were the closest to the inbound attack spun up as they tracked the threat and unleashed a hail of bullets. Decoy systems were also fired off, a combination of measures to try and deflect the missiles and hopefully make them easier targets for the CIWS. Despite taking out some of the missiles, the layers of protection round the fleet couldn't guarantee complete and total defence. A fraction of the missiles fired at the fleet made it through the protective shield of defences and struck home.

Ships burned.

Men died.

Despite Hannon's efforts and hopes, it was clear that he was going to have to fight fire with fire after the Gráinne had drawn first blood. Thankfully the damage had been relatively light, though the frigate Róisín took a hit amidships and her crew reported power failures throughout the vessel as began to notably list as she turned for the nearby coastline and shallower waters. The Róisín's withdrawal, least presuming that she didn't ultimately sink, reduced the effectiveness of Hannon's fleet in addition to the damage and crew injuries reported by other vessels who'd suffered near misses. Already the Enbarr's strike aircraft were airborne and were being directed onto the opposing fleet, that would give Hannon's force a little breathing room to both cover the Róisín and prepare a counterstrike of their own.

No doubt, having seen and heard the opening salvos of the battle, nearby naval forces would begin to converge on the engagement. Allied forces had been alerted and some of them had reported that they were responding, further naval units had been spotted approaching from the east. It seemed that the battle was growing beyond what had started as a stand-off.

---

Derry,
New Garrack

As the Battle of Derry raged and Viktorite forces proved to be stubborn, elements of the Loyalist command were looking at ways of breaking the deadlock before it became firmly entrenched. The Loyalist forces needed to hold the initiative and to maintain their momentum, they couldn't afford to stall and get bogged down in a battle of attrition that would sap their precious men and resources. It was the Loyalist commander, Lieutenant-General Iwan Wynne, who made the call.

Loyalist forces fighting in and around the New Garrack parliament building complex were ordered to fallback, little confused by the order they nevertheless carried it out best they could as most of the units withdrew under heavy fire. A cordon of a sorts was formed by the soldiers round the complex, digging into cover be it rubble or foxholes and returning fire against their Viktorite foes to keep them pinned. Wynne's decision soon became clear as the roar of jets were heard overhead and the parliament complex erupted in smoke and flame as it was hit multiple times. Led to believe that the Viktorite forces were heavily entrenched, Wynne believed he needed heavy firepower to shift them. Artillery was ruled out of the question, indirect fire was deemed to carry too much of a risk of collateral damage and casualties in the confined spaces of urban warfare. Instead, an air strike with guided munitions was selected as the next best option and barely had the smoke cleared that the Loyalist soldiers were ordered once more unto the breach.

[Morrdh]

HMMS Enbarr
Off the New Garrack coast

The daylight was fading into twilight before the darkness of the night engulfed the world, smoke columns on the horizon rising high into the sky stained the darkening sky like oil smears. They were from countless vessels still ablaze and adrift from the damage they sustained during the battle. Every so often the horizon was lit up by flashes of light and accompanying thuds as explosions tore through some of these ships as onboard munitions were cooked-off, effectively the death-knell for these unfortunate warships. The Enbarr, by the grace of the gods, had come through intact but not unscratched and had been busy since the battle petered out some hours earlier. A near constant stream of helicopters, some from the carrier itself and some from other vessels, landed and took-off from the Enbarr's flight-deck as casualties were ferried to the carrier. One of the hanger decks had been hastily converted into a makeshift infirmary to deal with the wounded from the battle, this was regardless off what side they'd fought on.

There was no rest for Hannon as he had to co-ordinate the carrier's own post-battle recovery and that of the surviving loyalist ships, a daunting task as the casualty and damage reports came flooding in. Though they'd beaten the Vikorite forces, the loyalists were still hurting in the battle's aftermath. Vital men and ships were lost which the loyalist forces would find difficult to recover from, a even greater reliance was going to have to be made on allied forces to do the heavy lifting. A far from ideal situation, but one where the loyalist would have to swallow their pride and grudgingly accept if they had any hope of bringing down the usurper Viktor Cathmore.

[Morrdh]

Derry,
New Garrack

Sporadic gunfire lasted well into the night, though it drew increasingly irregular as the hours of darkness wore on. Despite a power cut induced blackout, the city's skyline was lit by countless fires that were raging unchecked giving the city a hellish appearance. Against this backdrop the fighting continued as the last holdouts were cleared, but steady reports flowed in of Viktorite forces beginning to surrender. The few second-line units remaining were detailed to guard these prisoners, held in a makeshift camp in a warehouse compound on the city's outskirts. Rations were duly dished out, but the actual processing of the captured had to wait until the light of day when designated intelligence personnel could begin interrogations.

By the morning of the following day, the tired Loyalist forces were in nominal control of the majority of the city including key locations. There were still some remnants of the Usurper's forces still unaccounted for, they'd no doubt gone to ground to conduct a guerilla war meaning that it would be a while before Derry knew peace again. For Lieutenant-General Iwan Wynne his attentions were now drawn to conducting both occupation and counter-insurgency duties, just not in Derry but effectively the rest of New Garrack as well. Though the Loyalist forces had 'captured' the country it would be some time before it could seriously be considered secured, but time wasn't a luxury available to the Loyalists as their next task now loomed heavily.

Taking Morrdh itself and deposing Viktor Cathmore.