Sumnter Island Crisis (MT/IC TG to Join)

[Tam Dimei]

It was another cold dreary night in the black sea surrounding the Sumnter Isles. These specks in the sea numbered just four with the biggest of these being Sumnter Island itself. At around a .9 miles long and .6 miles wide, it truly was just a dot on any map. The island was typical of those in the isles with tall green grass and trees along with the rocky shores surrounding it. Sumnter was entirely flat and covered with vegetation except for the southern portion of the island which had been cleared of trees and was left with an old observation tower from the 1940s. The island had no inhabitants except for the occasional fisherman or two that was until today.

Ever so slowly a submarine broke the surface as it scoped out the area, it was clear from any threat and with that the next step of Operation Little Jewel was to commence. In under 30 minutes, a group of 8 Tam Dimei Invasion Marines launched from the submarine in inflatable rafts and landed on Sumnter.

As soon as the men landed the sub was flashed with code and with that it disappeared under the black sea. A light rain started as the soldiers prepared themselves for phase two of Little Jewel. A Corporal by the name of John Reim, and his men under him trecked through the woods to the location of the observation tower where the lock keeping the inside of the tower clean was easily broken and where the party was to stay during the duration of this mission. They all knew the plan was borderline suicidal but none of them had families to worry about only their comrades.

"Alright men, we need to wait for contact with them so Vargo make sure those comms work and Mark you help plant those mines. We don't have much time to rest before our guest comes to greet us so make it quick!" Reim said with a stern voice as his soldiers scrambled to do jobs. They had been spying on these islands for months and if they were correct, a patrol would come around in 12 hours or so for the monthly check-up and contact would be made for some crude diplomacy.

Why the Emperor was so interested in these islands but sending so few soldiers were above the Corporals pay grade to think about, after all, he was just a pin in a complex machine destined for war. However, being on a mission made him feel complete and the prospects of gaining territory for the Empire was the ultimate achievement for any brainwashed grunt on the frontline so with that in mind he forgot about the overall low prospects of victory and instead focused on the coming arrival of the nation of Crysuko.

[Crysuko]

Later, a destroyer, the RFS Watchman was making its way over there. At the crack of dawn, a platoon of so,divers were up bright and early to perform a patrol sweep of the island. For what specific reason, they weren't told. But it was Crysukon territory, and they wanted to ensure it remained that way, and that there was nothing out of sorts going on.

Unfortunately for them, that's exactly what was happening. As the ship approached, they noticed the presence of foreign operators. The captain ordered the comma officer to investigate. He opened a radio channel and spoke, "Attention foreign operators, you have entered sovereign Crysukon territory, and are in violation of national borders. If you are unaware of this, leave immediately, or we can arrange passage out. Else, state your intentions immediately" keeping his tone calm and level.

The men on deck who would normally reach the island smaller, inflatable speedboats were informed of the situation, and told to prepare themselves for a possible combat situation. If things went south, they held the advantage. The naval base as Qaerinthia further north was also informed, the news quickly running up the chain of command.

[Tam Dimei]

The sun had finally risen and the cold night was finally over with. The Tam Dimei had made quick defense preparations for any sort of counter to there presence on the island with crude foxholes and mines placed at strategic locations. Finally, at dawn, the "guests" had arrived with a Crysuko destroyer on nearing the island. They knew this was coming and if any sort of bombing was to take place the observation tower had a small bunker underneath to hide but the marines hoped it did not lead to this.

"Here they are, let's make contact with them and I will do all the talking." Corporal Reims said. The soldier once worked in the office of foreign affairs for Tam Dimei and was selected by the Emperor himself to join the military and lead this mission. If everything was to go to plan he would set the stage ready for the Emperor and the leader of Crysuko to talk about the annex of the islands but that was if this initial stage was a success.

"Attention Crysuko ship, this is Corporal Reims of the Tam Dimei Marines speaking to the highest commander on your ship and if possible I would like to speak someone working for your country that deals with foreign affairs or diplomacy. You might be wondering why foreign agents are occupying an island you currently own but let me explain, the Sumnter Islands have been selected to be a Tam Dimei refueling station for cargo planes and whatnot. We are willing to pay 15 million NSD for the island group. This is a one time deal and will not be offered again. If any landing parties are launched unto the island while we are here we will act in defense. Please think about this offer very carefully, thank you. THIS MESSAGE REPEATS."

[Crysuko]

Captain Burke was aghast. 15 million? Were they joking? This ship alone cost several times that. He wiped a hand over his face, this has better be a prank of some kind, he ordered the comma officer to open SatCom to talk to high command.

"Command, command" he reported "Captain Burke, RFS watchman reporting. We have a territory violation incident, forces from a Tam Dimei have landed here, relaying message". After sending their message through, a reply came from the command at Qaerinthia. "Comrade Captain, we recognise the potential severity of your situation, additional forces will be deployed. Expect 24 hours for arrival, a destroyer and frigate squadron along with a party diplomat are on the way. You are ordered to remain neutral for now"

Reinforcement ORBAT:

3 escort destroyers. 2 air defence frigates. 20 marines.

In the mean time, the watchman held its position, looking for any potential hostile or suspicious acts which may indicate what these interlopers are up to. Burke frowned, a seed of doubt pulling at his mind. Could it be...? No, surely not. It's just a rumour, right?

Meanwhile....somewhere?
"Do they know?"
"We have no reason for the time being to assume they do."
"Even so, they're unnervingly close"
"Hold your nerve, the military will handle it"

[Tam Dimei]

"No response still?" Corporal Reims said with disappointment. The air around the men was tense as the ship was just ominously waiting around for something. They knew it was reinforcements to deal with them. If death was to come to today it would be a glorious one at that. The Corporal thought about provoking the ship to attack or do something but explicit orders to only defend themselves were strictly drilled into their heads about this mission.

If there was one thing to make a Tam Dimei soldier nervous it was this. After fighting so much without thinking to do this waiting was painful. No response or anything still from the ship.

"Let me talk to them again and get a damn response!" The Corporal said loudly.

"Attention Crysuko Ship have you received our message and will someone in the area of diplomacy be talking to us?" He said onto an open comm so any could hear the conversation. The Corporal then thought to himself why were just eight marines sent here? They needed at least a fleet to deal with this not a few men and an RPG. These thoughts were truly troubling him as he waiting for a response or anything to happen.

[Crysuko]

Some time later, the Diplomat was able to establish contact by SatCom, the frequency of the interlopers being passed over by Burke's comms officer. Contact opened with a professional tone. "This is Roy Cox, I am authorised to speak on behalf of the nation and party of Crysuko. Comrade Burke tells me you offered 15 million for this piece of land...I want you to understand that the government has no intention of relinquishing any land"

Cox knew well that this was likely a formality, it wouldn't be long before the marine forces would be assembled which would wipe the invaders out. It would no doubt sour things, but they had to know that this wouldn't be tolerated, and ideally, there would be no further trespass. Idealistic perhaps, but he had to hold out hope for a positive outcome.

Meanwhile....somewhere?
"Sounds like the military will brush them off in short order"
"good, I was starting to get annoyed, the gate is still secure"
"tell security to remain at orange alert until these invaders are gone for good. take no chances"
"One last thing, command wants to know when the project will be completed"
"tell them that we will have a working prototype by next month, but further development will be needed"
A sinister smile
"if this escalates to full blown war, we will make them suffer like never before!"

[Tam Dimei]

The corporal finally got a reply which was what he expected. "I am afraid my government has instructed me to not offer anything else unless I am told by my superiors. I will relay your message back to my superiors but this will take an hour or so to receive one back. I must repeat any attack or landing on the island will be met with gunfire. Thank You."

As he finished his men got into defensive positions around the tower. Foxholes covered with sandbags stood in the way along with mines around the perimeter. Two machine guns were planted and now it was just a waiting game to see what would happen in the next hour.

[Crysuko]

The diplomat was shaken by this, never before had an opponent been so obstinate, so pig headed in their denial of perfectly reasonable diplomacy. with a disappointed sigh, he picked up his phone to call Burke. "Comrade captain, it would appear force is necessary". "I thought as much. don't feel bad, comrade spokesman. it is their ignorance and stupidity that caused this. we will sweep them aside"

The assault was planned, 30 men would attack from the front, landing on the 3 available landing craft they had, while the remaining 20 would land on the other side of the island from 'copters, and hit the enemy in a pincer movement, with the destroyers providing fire support to blow away the makeshift fortifications, and supress the dug in enemy.

an hour later, the landing craft were deployed, streaming quickly towards a strip of beach on the southern part of the island, a destroyer in the background sending a storm of 6 inch shells. behind, 4 'copters formed up carrying the other teams of marines, and with perform a long outflank while flying low to make their appearence more of a shock. The enemy would only be able to hold out for so long.