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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Nov 26, 2007 18:14:28 GMT -5
Queen Lo was looking over the report with some of the other members of the lucan council, they were the ones the military reported to, not Salato. It had been them that had modified the standing orders to the forces heading north or already there. They had decided that Morskoj's nuclear weapons were to be destroyed should any attempt be made by them to prime them and should an opportunity present it self.
The angles reconnaissance air craft had not been re-tasked with finding them as the Calie didn't know where they were to primed, though they did know where one of them was. This information was to be passed to another government so as to keep cal out of it.
How ever what had happened was that an angle had picked up two more weapons being moved into the hanger and had managed to detect the tell tail sighs that they were being primed. The information had been passed to the sea lord on the fire fleet that, realizing that by the time this information went down diplomatic channels, the weapons would most likely have been moved and lost, had ordered the strike.
The other main reason for the Calie military choosing to carry out the strike was that their silver class projectiles were very well suited to the job. Not only did they destroy the mechanical components of the bombs they would also pepper the war heads with thousands of minute diamond shards, thus making fissile material useless coupled with there high speed hardened target penetration. The stealth capabilities of the fighter bombers used would ensure that the Morskojs would have no warning, added to this was the simple fact that the Morskojs would not recognize a Calie air craft in the few split seconds they had between them dropping there stealth mode and the target being hit well that and it was unlikely that they would recognize any of the weapons as Calie. As the weapons deployed were new and similar weapons had never been deployed out with the southern ocean before.
Queen Lo's main concern, the same was true of princess Lyie, was that the other nations saw this attack for what it was. It was the opportunistic removal of nukes from the hands of a government even the calie viewed as more than a little unhinged. Not a large scale intervention, or intention to be part of one and if they kept there mouths shut Cal could maintain it's appearance of neutrality which could be useful in the medium term.
Also there was the detail that Salato would throw a fit if she found out that the monarchs had acted over her head. None of them felt like hiding from a piss off PM so a few days. Thankfully she was a royalist so would be unlikely to use this to try and force a republic, and anyway there was no real appetite for one in Cal.
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Nov 29, 2007 20:56:30 GMT -5
A message was received by the fire fleet from Commander Usil of Tinis, shortly after word came that the council had opted to have the federation intervene in Morskoj:
"My candidacy for head of the operations dealing with Morskoj is the only one, and thus I've been asked to take command immediately of the FFD forces that will be participating. We do not mind your presence in this theater, but request that upon the arrival of the assembled FFDF fleet that you defer all tactical strikes to us. Alternatively, if your government opts to participate despite their political objections, we'd be happy to have your support, either in combat or as support."
Around the same time, the basic operational plan was being relayed to the military forces that were assembling for the invasion, as well as the basic rules of engagement.
----
To: [military leader x] From: F.F. Commander Usil Subject: Commencing Operations, Rules of Engagement and Objectives
Greetings and salutations on behalf of the Union of Tinis and the Furry Federation. I would first like to thank you for your participation in these operations. I understand many of the units, ships, and air fleets involved in these operations are volunteers of various types, and as such would like to recognize you for your willingness to put your lives on the line for the greater good of your home nation and the federation as a whole. You no doubt understand the urgency of our mission.
Operations are to commence immediately. As already informed, field strategic command is aboard the UTAS Impossible, with secondary command specified previously to you. All of you should by now have your basic orders and assembly points. Proceed to them, and report in to your secondary command points. They will be routing the appropriate information to where it needs to go and they will act as your tactical command points when the time comes if necessary. Some of you are secondary command points and have already been briefed on the all needed informational logistics. Theater strategic command is presently in Tinis pending approval by Erenmor for a more local location.
I've appointed Xander Morhaime as my second. His experience with Morskoj will be no doubt highly useful in the days and weeks to come. Morhaime will also be in charge of all Erenmor forces under the FFDF banner. Treat them with respect as they are our best chance at making sure our fight is as bloodless as possible.
The rules of engagement are the standard rules for all FFDF operations, with these explicit additions for clarity:
1. There shall be no killing of any non-combatants if at all possible. You make take them into custody or search them to ensure such status, but if any FFDF forces take non-combatants into custody they are not to be harmed, and shall be treated well, including being provided with appropriate food, water, and shelter. Aka, they shall be treated as POWs but better. No non-combatant taken into custody shall remain such for more than 24 hours unless they request asylum, otherwise demonstrate a fear for their lives if they were to return home, or orders from myself or Field Command direct otherwise.
2. Military leaders and political leaders of Morskoj are not to be considered non-combatants. If they do not take aggressive actions they are to be treated as POWs until further orders from me.
3. All captures of non-combatants and Morskoj leadership shall be reported immediately to Field Strategic Command. All other captures shall be handled under FFDF standard procedure.
4. There is to be no intentional destruction of private property unless it is being used by enemy forces.
5. There is to be no use of: -Nuclear, biological, or health compromising chemical weapons (approved knock out gas is acceptable) -"Silver" or diamond shrapnel type weapons -Other mind altering weaponry
6. All enemy forces must be informed of their surrender options and good treatment if they do by either verbal or radio communications once combat has begun. For those of you whom may be confused, that means you are free to yell such at them in their native language even as you're shooting at them, just as long as you do. I also understand there may be instances where the enemy may fall or flee before such a statement is made, and this is acceptable as well. Just make an honest attempt at it in such circumstances.
The basic plan is this. First will be a blockade of the coast while primary air reconnaissance commences. We already have a great deal of data from our allies and satellites and the like for planned targets, but up to date information is of course critical in this situation. Also imagery of the ground will not be exceptionally useful here as the Morskoj use many tunnel systems and in fact are based primarily underground.
So the second phase will be selective bombing of targets and ground access points, followed shortly by the deployment of ground troops. The goal is to secure entrance into the Morskoj tunnel system without being cut off from the greater network.
The final phase will be the insertion of the remaining ground forces into the system with the goals of taking out their command and control structures and bringing down their civilian leadership to a point where they will surrender.
All of this is subject to change pending developments of battle.
Also, propaganda will be in use to encourage uprisings against the Morskoj government and to reduce violence from the civilian population against our forces. Let's hope it works.
Our ultimate goal is the destruction of the Morskoj nuclear capability and the discontinuation of their government. That is your overall mission.
This will not be an easy fight, and a number of us will likely fall. But if the citizens of Morskoj are at the end of the day liberated from the oppressive indoctrinating oligarchy they suffer with, then I for one wouldn't mind if I perish in this fight.
Optimal success to you all.
-F.F.C. Jeb Usil
[Optimal success is the equivalent of God speed in Tinis]
----
The Fire Fleet and Erenmor were soon after aware of the fleet assembling approximately a hundred miles off the Erenmor coast. There were a number of sea vessels from various governments, as well as several large air born 'ships' as well. Also a number of aircraft were coming and going into Erenmor, most likely handling ground forces there as well.
[This is your chance to get in on the action folks! Drop in some ships or troops or something else entirely! Come one come all, we got some shoot'en to do! Yeehaw, or something.]
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Dec 1, 2007 18:26:28 GMT -5
Commander Usil was watching a live feed from one of the recently completed Nat class corvettes radar. He was watching the fire fleet and it's accompanying vessels, they were up to something. What exactly was unclear.
He had picked up news reports saying the Calie media was saying that no combat forces would be involved. But he also knew the Calie government had not made a statement yet and the calie media sometimes got things wrong. The Calie fleets movements were far more likely to provide evidence of what Cals policy would be.
What was odd was that the Calie fleet had powered down there stealth tech and were visible for all to see. They had started acting oddly about an hour ago as they seemed to have increased the number of fighter aircraft on fly by, they to had shut off there stealth tech and were visible for all to see. Obviously the calie wanted to make it obvious that they were well defended to all.
The massive carriers of the Fire fleet (the HMS Fire and the HMS Water) were being joined in close formation by the other capital ships of the fleet. He had watched as escort carriers and cruisers had pulled along side. It took him a while to realize that they were doing ship to ship transfers, like the fleets was reconfiguring itself. Two bulk carriers seemed to be acting as mother ships to the corvettes, no doubt the corvettes were intended to act as the back bone of the new northern fleet.
It was only now he was realizing that the northern fleet was larger than the navies of most, if not all, of the northern nations. The scale of the Calie deployment was only now becoming apparent. The fire fleet alone was as large as the tinisian navy, Cals naval prowess was being made clear for all to see.
He had also picked up reports of severe strain being put on the infrastructure of the north of Tinis as the naval base up there moved to become active. Vast quantities of supplies were being bought, those would be needed to supply the ships. Along with those that were being bought in tinis the fleet also had no less that five more bulk carriers, no doubt bringing the more secret supplies and components.
He watched the feed and noticed the fleet was beginning to increase speed, what ever they had been doing had now been completed, he watched with interest. He could really use the mile long carriers of the fire fleet, having a fully functional air base like them close to the theater of operations would be very helpful.
As time passed he came to the conclusion the Calie were not heading towards the mustering point for his forces. He sighed. But he did notice two cruisers brake off, an escort carrier group (he was still getting used to the fact that what the calie called escort carriers would, in the tinisian navy, be called super carriers) and a small number of corvettes. They were moving into the shipping lanes, it would appear that the Calie were intending to patrol them.
Commander Usil smiled OK he didn't have the fire fleet, but at least he would not have to worry about the shipping lanes as the Calie seemed to be looking after that and this would free up a number of ships. This also meant that his supply lines would be, for the most part safe, well while they remained in the shipping lanes.
As time passed he watched the Calie fleet move, it seemed they were also moving to secure Erenmoren southern shipping lane. It seemed the Calie were not going to get directly involved but there actions were aiding the FFDF.
---- A few hours had pass and Commander Usil was looking over the photo reconnaissance they had only to be tapped on the shoulder. "What?" he asked. "New intelligence from miokalia sir." "Why would I want intelligence from miokalia? They are on the other side of the fed." "No sir it comes from them, it's about Morskoj." He looked at the photo reconnaissance, there was allot of it, boxes full of it. It appeared the Calie had been keeping a well trained eye on Morskoj for some time. It took him a second to click why this had come via the miokaliaen, the calie were honoring the SOTO treaty and sharing there intelligence with the miokaliaen and they were passing it to him. "Sir you have to see this." "Oh Kay" He walked over to one of the workstations, on it was an all most live feed from one of the Calie angle reconnaissance air craft. He smiled.
The Calie were not going to get directly involved but they knew anything they sent to miokalia would wined up in his hands. The Morskoj's couldn't fart with out the calie knowing and then the miokaliaen, shortly after he would know.
He added the Calie to his list of nations not to mess with.
---- The newly appointed minister of commerce the newly appointed raptorian spoke, he had been told that new ministers were always a target in the parliament and not to bother with writing a speech, just make notes and wing it, "In the interests of trade Cal has deployed a fleet to the north of the continent to ensure all trade routes remain open."
"So far so good" he thought to himself, he had seen the way the MPs would rip into people.
"This fleet will protect the sea lanes for as long as the war up there continues in the same manner as we do in the southern ocean."
There were shouts about K-IX
"It is not mu position to comment on military matters that do not involve commerce. But the continuance of trade is of vital importance to this nation, so the deployment is a regrettable necessity"
Gie sat down relieved that he had got away with his first statement so easily.
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Post by miokalia on Dec 3, 2007 2:15:28 GMT -5
"I'm appointing Dl. Senkaas to being in charge of the disarmament operation. The bulk of the rest of this entire thing will be aggregation. We're basically taking the position of the intelligence middleman. Cal's dishing up their visual surveillance to us, we clean it up, take a look at it, find what we need from that for our operation, unofficially pass some of these photos on to the medias, because everyone deserves to know how incredibly freaking ineffective half-measures and platitudes are at making disarmament happen. Then we pass the whole rest of it off to Erenmor for comparison and extrusion, and FFDF.", stated Sec of Defense, Zagckza.
"clean it up. You aren't filtering anything. Period.", said Andertol who wasn't technically supposed to be in this meeting.
"No shit. I'm not talking about censorship. I'm talking about security. This data is coming from Cal, I want to make sure that those... theists don't get some bright idea and send with that intelligence something to 'patch' the CA and thus kill us all. In the process, also eliminate about a half of the devoted resources towards the better of their causes in an instant.", said Zagckza.
"And here I thought you liked them", asked Andertol.'
"I appreciate the fact that we fall on the same side of many political and civil issues. However, I do not trust them.", said Zagckza, "First priority is the cataloging and acquisition of all nuclear weapons from the territory. Erenmor doesn't seem to have a problem taking those and dismantling them in one of their R119-joint-regulated processing systems. Our next immediate priority is to, as quickly as possible, dismantle, remove or destroy every last piece of munition we find within that territory. A project only effective in conjunction with another component. To prevent the importation of weapons into the territory, we are going to use Cal's surveillance power to monitor the borders. It's a small territory, it's also in a very cold area. The ground is only workable for tuneling in some areas. And as things develop, we are getting a better statistical map of where these areas are, along the border. Rather than bombing these places to oblivion indiscriminantly, we are instead going to open these up. Drill a hole in the top. They're mammals and thus with the reduction in ground between them and the surveillance, they will be hot spots in the imaging. We will know when they are up to stuff. The point of this component is basically as follows: The complete and total isolation of all weapons trade going in and out of this territory. Everyone who comes up to the border will be searched as thoroughly as we can do. Weapons traffickers are to be interrogated immediately, and if they produce complications, immediately executed on site. There will be absolutely not even a shred of tolerance for them. We've already given them far too much by ignoring them already. Its time for them to pay for the misery they've facilitated. Because of the level of potential brutality contained in these orders, this part of the operation must be carried out by inorganics exclusively to avoid unnecessary tragedies or inconsistencies in judgement which could lead to accidental assault on civilians or refugees. Although any refugees fleeing to the arctic fucking north would have to be totally stupid to do so. So that takes care of one side. The other two are going to definately require the consistent vigilance.
The destruction and depletion of weapons and munitions will likely involve some contact with locals. Some may be hospitable to us, Most will probably absolutely not, and may even attack us. I have established a set system of conditions and responses for these scenarios. When to use force to protect civilians, and protect ourselves and of course, protect the success of the mission.
You may be a bit surprized in a revision which has occoured since the last time a similar interaction table was used in Pargalo. Yes, now we are going to use availible force to intervene if we are witness to a civilian tragedy unfolding. In our situation: a mission of disarmament, intervention may even prove usefull for the accomplishment of the mission in some circumstances. As I'm sure you are well aware, we are not going up there to make friends. We are going up there to stop a people from annihilating themselves, and to prevent further use of nuclear weapons in the interest of the environmental sustainability of this planet. This is also a staging ground in which we have the opportunity to come out as winners. If we piss off that whole nation, and do so by saving lives, removing weapons and wiping our big metal claws all over their backward bloodthirsty traditions and ways when we know for a fact that to not do so would be to turn a blind-eye to cruelty and tragedy... We still win, because they will find it inescapably obvious after we've prevented their own executions of their own people that they really do have nothing to fight for. They aren't fighting for freedom, they aren't fighting for democracy. They are fighting for jack shit. This is a staging ground for systematic demoralization and the eviceration of cruel and inhumane cultures. We have access to Cal's surveillance powers now, and if we see something unfolding, then we are going to intervene to stop it."
"You can't save everyone though", said Andertol finally.
"You're still here?", said Zagckza, "We can try to save as many as we can though. To not intervene is to condone an evil".
He then continued, "Cal's surveillance systems can get us an image fairly close-up. We can get in close enough to see quite a bit of detail. We are capable of identifying certain sociological activities from these. Things like: migrations of people. We can see the difference between commuting and evacuation. We can see individual people, well, the tops of their heads at least. We can see enough detail that in this image, we can tell that this here.. this is a hanging. This was taken some weeks ago. They hang deserters. You can almost see the knots in the wood planks on the gallows there. In fact, I'm pretty sure you can see them in the original picture.
Back in Pargalo, towards the end of our involvement, there was a story which circulated in Pargalo for a short time. Senkaas here had a pack near a town. Kind-of a backward town. Very poor and they weren't even aware of much of the cultural advancement which had happened in other places in Pargalo. Well one day there was a public ajudication-and-execution taking place. We set someone nearby on reconaissance-and-report. Well, the leader found the accused guilty of violating an arranged marriage. Senkaas became aware of this through the recon and decided, at that moment, that this was enough. They were there to prevent violence, but that definition of violence didn't include culturally-mandated violence. In the interest of 'not offending them'. Go ahead, Senkaas."
Senkaas, a silver Malych dragon explained, "I decided that enough was enough, and that this insanity had to stop now. I went down to the town square, and interrupted the precedings. The accused was being sentenced to public-beating (to death) for violating an arranged-marriage. A sickening practice by itself.
I asked the patriarch to pardon her. He asked me not to meddle.
Then without another word I immediately shot his head off.
Then I aimed at the next in command, I said:
"NOT so fun when you're on this side of things, is it? Pardon her this instant, or this town is going to have to find another family to lead them through no doubt more of this depraved shit."
He pardoned her. We took the girl, some... cat I think. We took her to an FFDF field hospital camp for medical treatment. She had already been roughed-up by the warden."
Andertol stared at Senkaas for a minute, silent, and then said, "That is highly... highly anti-diplomatic... A very efficient way to piss these people off.... And yet at the same time, it's freaking heroic. I couldn't imagine being capable of doing anything different if I were in that situation... except chances are I would probably make an extra effort just to be even more offensive probably. Because that kind of thing really really pisses me off. I'm going to my angry-dome. Don't call me."
Actually it isn't a dome. It's an inflatable anger room.
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Post by Erenmor on Dec 5, 2007 20:55:16 GMT -5
The Erenmor naval representation in the joint effort seemed small at first sight - 10 of the latest Mariner pattern frigates roaming along the edges of the main fleet gathering. Of course, the little vessels still carried considerable firepower in case any preemptive attacks were to be made against the joint fleet.
**
Xander eventually arrived at the bridge of the fleet's flagship with three Wraiths in tow, carrying a number of equipment crates.
"I hope you don't mind, we brought our own intel with us," he explained, as the Wraiths began setting up a projection table in a free area. "We've had Sky-Eye drones watching a few points of interest in Morskoj for some time now, but with the recent developments, we've increased the amount of surveillance the place was getting... The data feeds we get from them will be as fresh as transmission lag will allow... high- and low-altitude aerial images, transmission monitoring, thermal imaging, you name it."
"I will also be returning to the mainland to personally command the Erenmor contingent, as soon as we've agreed on our initial plan of operations. Asharis here," he gestured to one of the Wraiths, "will be acting as liason while I am out in the field..."
"That being said, perhaps we should discuss the plan of assault in detail now..."
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Post by miokalia on Dec 18, 2007 2:18:56 GMT -5
Senkaas gazed down the hangar line. It seemed in order, then he realized the models intended for deploy. "O-45s?", he said, "I was not informed of this decision. Is this Zagckza's doing?"
"Likely", said Secant. Tcanow (pronounced San-ow), "Karak was an 0-45. The great semivillainous, but ultimately well-meaning, blithering, antihero of legend.... Who turned out to be a complete idiot and asshole in actuality when he broke off of Zagckza.
These units do present a dilemma for the Morskoy though. To shoot down one of these units, causing it to dispatch it's loop to the CA is to turn it from flying foe into missile. Even with the loop exited, the machine still guides itself to it's target mindlessly."
"I don't like the prospect of civilians managing to get caught up in this.", said Senkaas, "I'd prefer that we use a flight platform which does not have onboard nuclear fuel."
"They aren't nuclear weapons, you know this, they're you're damn species.", said the Secant.
"No, but they're like tiny tactical weapons.", said Senkaas, "Their debris would be harmful, I wanted RM10s because they don't destroy catastrophically"
A horn blatted loudly, it echoed through the well-lit cavern of the carrier. Several of the units being discussed then reoriented from vertical to horizontal flight stance. Announcements echoed though the room. "Kapache do potdoran.", the announcement echoed "Mind the jet blast"
One at a time, the system sling-shotted the mechanical ptero-dragon-things out of the bay. Their six jets bursting into illumination as they departed from the entrance.
"Where are they going?", asked the Secant.
"They're going to fly through really low, raise the stakes I suppose. This is Blinn's command, not mine.
The good news, these Z-class are operating with remote looping. So if those units go down, they don't have much to worry about.
Since we're on the same side as Erenmor and the whole rest of the fed, we're not real concerned about interference here because the only people who have the capacity to mess with this method are the Erenmoren. And I trust them here."
"I don't.", said the Secant.
"Well you should.", said Senkaas, "It is mutually beneficial for us to be nice to eachother. I know #36 really didn't care much for this place, or them, but you know what? #36 is not all-perfect. For one, he's disappointingly irrational. For two, he's psychotic, if you push the wrong buttons with him, he starts tearing people in half and rampaging. I don't think I care what he thinks about this place. The Overseer construct and us both understand a few things about certain mechanisms of intelligence and the universe that most people, the vast majority of organics choose to lie to themselves about."
"Please disinclude my species in that sweeping generalization of yours. Dincotians are physiologically predisposed to existentialism.", said the Secant.
"Okay, with some exceptions. Frankly I think most of the differences in thought are benign and of no consequence. Are you happy?", said Senkaas.
----
In the process of the low-altitude sweep, three O-45s were shot in the engines. Moments later, the anti-aircraft fire stopped momentarily.
Three burning O-45s came crashing through the air, aiming like missiles. Unconcerned for their own survival as their loops had already vacated their cores leaving their eyes empty and wrathful. The mindless computer simply executing the targetting program the AI had left there. It steered the burning thing toward the anti-aircraft turret, determining the path of maximum collateral destruction. Blaring a horrible siren of warning as it approached. Only the foolish who wished to be made into martyred dust remained in the vicinity. The first hit though... was before the range of the explosion was known.
The machine embraced it's collision, and detonated every last round of ammunition inside itself as it did. The shockwave blew it into pieces. Then the destabilization of it's reactor then resulted in a fireball to rise about 100 feet in the air from the target. Along with a second shockwave, more powerful then the first, as 500 kilograms of thorium turned into molecular hydrogen in a split second, detonating every single round of ammunition for a range of 200 feet with the pressure wave.. In it's wake, there was only a cinderized collection of a few unidentifyable remains, in a crater of pulverized concrete and melted ingots of ammunition suddenly expended.
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Post by Erenmor on Dec 19, 2007 19:34:17 GMT -5
"As far as the opening act is concerned," Xander began, as the projection table lit up with a map of Morskoj, Erenmor and their coastal waters, "our suggestion is a diversionary assault along our border. You may commit some troops to this, if you wish, but I believe general Gabriel there will have sufficient resources to draw attention away from the main strike.
"Now, air support won't be of much use for the majority of this operation, but I do suggest we make full use of it in the opening stages. We can deliver Seraph teams behind enemy lines to set up staging points, resupply sites and aid stations for the main forces. I would suggest they be flown in or air-dropped directly in order to save time. Miokalia's... curious actions have done us a favour, as their flak will be more paranoid about shooting at things... a signal mask to pose as Malych units ought to convince them not to shoot at our air force while they get the troops to the ground.
"I would suggest that our primary landing sites be near transit hubs where we can more easily secure supply lines to further areas of operation. The cities in these locations," Xander pointed out five city complexes along the Morskoj mountain foothills, "appear to be the most cost-effective sites, providing best gains relative to theatre difficulty and possible resistance.
"As far as the logistics are concerned, we can provide the airlift capabilites necessary for allied forces on short notice, as well as appropriate weather gear and other supplies. Though if we do use Seraph teams to set up resupply points, we will need specifications for arms and munitions in use so our field UC units can produce them on-site. We're also in the process of picking our intel for as detailed maps of target cities as possible to smooth things along, but there's only so much we can do about the underground parts."
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Dec 20, 2007 23:12:03 GMT -5
"The underground part is where we hope to shine. From what intel we've gotten from you and the rest so far we've setup a series of priority control points that will be the basis of our tacticle advances," began General Smok, the wolf in charge of Field Strategic Command, and mostly just there to relay orders from Usil in Tinis. "Being prepared is something our army tries to be, and among the battle plans are a what to do if your enemy lives underground scenario. In fact, that scenario was one of the factors that went into the design of our new Octagon mobile battle units."
"The standard unit comes in three parts, something resembling a basic tank, an armored personnel carrier, and a helicopter. Now the last of those won't be of much use underground, so the battalions that use the new equipment will instead be fitted with a specialized tunneling rig. The rig isn't suited to digging directly into the tunnels from the ground, and doing so would be almost impossible anyway unless the exact tunnel network was known. But the rigs can in a reasonable amount of time penetrate through blocked or intentionally collapsed tunnels easily, and has been tested to withstand booby trapped blockages as well with much success."
"When we are ready to move underground, the Octagon groups will push through the system's access points and clear out and take major tunnels and anything we can fit them down. The down side of course if there's lots of blockages it will cost us time."
Smok sighed. "Now if we had unlimited resources we could send the Octagons and ground pentration groups in at the same time we secure the surface. But as its unlikely we'll have a million plus on the ground any time soon such is unsafe even with all the help we've mustered so far. What's worse, there is knowledge of suspected locations of remaining nuclear devices. If we take to long to breach the underground, they could use the tunnels to place a bomb under the cities we're taking. All the intel in the world won't help us if we can't reach such a bomb in time, so we're interested in sending in a few advanced groups to act as forward skirmishers. Such a mission will likely sustain heavy casualities and could very well be a suicide mission if the Morskoj get smart about their tactics down there. But we'd need them in before they can react to an attack on those targets there.
"And with any luck, they'll force the Morskoj to try to block up their own network prematurely which will greatly decrease their ability to move large forces around undetected. The complication though is having the skirmish groups maintain mobility enough to stop the worse case scenario and to know what access points are still open and which are not."
Smok pulled out a map. "Oh, and before I forget, I believe we'll be in an acceptable position as far as logistics and landings go. When the inevitable coastal assault begins we have a number of dummy landing craft lined up to take fire for a while. The real troops will be coming in via those," he said pointing up to the Cenpalis airship that was flying overhead. "I have no doubt the captains up there already have their analysists looking at your suggested target sites."
-----
And it was true. Captain Faux had already been looking at one of the cities Xander had suggested as one of the possible landing points he'd volunteer the Toson II to engaging. When shortly after word came from field command below the airfleet that this particular city was in the primary target and landing zone he relayed the volunteer message quickly.
Some airships took orders. Some, like the Toson II had to engage but could be more selective about their targets as they were more specialized vessels and their captains were given leeway as to what sort of mission they could perform. The Toson II was among this group as it was among the small collection of stealth craft used by Tinis. The best stealth tech they could copy, steal, or invent had gone into several airships like the Toson II. It even had paint that could be changed to different hues of blue and black via electrical currents. So like Cali stealth fighters, unless you knew what to look for, finding the Toson II would be difficult, especially in a combat situation with many obvious non-stealth targets near by.
The initial bombing runs were already underway when the Toson II took a high altitude path towards the target. They'd wait until the non-stealth air ships and planes for the next wave began moving in before striking. If the enemy is watching the horizon, they won't expect the invisible rain of death coming from directly above them.
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Dec 26, 2007 14:56:40 GMT -5
A small number of viking transport aircraft landed in the north. Cal was not involved in the war....strictly. They spoke with the tribal forces to the north and armed them.
The northern tribal forces where always Cals plan, they could and would move south. They were native races, skilled in arctic warfare, snow leopards, polar bears and arctic foxes. Salato had given the nod, they were armed and heading south, though none would say where they got their guns from. Few knew.
Cal could and would deny involvement.
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Dec 29, 2007 0:28:09 GMT -5
"Glad you could join us," said Commander Usil to Commander Vinlia whom was very late.
"Bust it out your tail hole."
Vinlia, Krazgalesh, and the sea commanders where at this meeting as well as a number of the generals and admirals that were working on the theater strategy.
"Our guy on the sea has been working with Morhaime for a bit now on coordination and things seem to be going well so far," Usil went on from where he had left off. "Now there is reports of armed groups on the northern frontier as well. Contact with them has yet to be established. We don't forsee them being a threat to our operations."
Usil looked to Vinlia. "I was just giving the rest a brief run down of the players involved. Would you be so kind as to give us insight on what's going on with your troops Vinlia?"
"General Okt has reported an all clear from all groups, including Zeta and Foxtrot."
"Is that it?"
Vinlia lowered her ears. "Yes, at least as far as operational information goes that I can give with those present. Unless you want to raise several security clearances and really really want to know what rock I stuck them on."
"Fair enough. Of course, does green mean they are ready for activation for operation Starship Trooper?"
"Yes."
Usil nodded. "That's what I needed to know."
------
Major Kad peered through his old binoculars up the rugged ravine Unite Zero (Zeta) had opted to hide in. The Octagon was presently under a rock colored tarp and the troops were sitting tight. From behind Branx approched the mouse.
"Sir, how's it looking?"
"Fine soldier. About as appealing as the Pargalonian mountains really. The only activity I've seen was that dirt farmer." There was a noticable lack of soil about. Branx realized Kad wasn't implying the northern cat was actually a dirt farmer, but a random local whom was just plain filty. "I fully expect a patrol any minute now though. This area is patrolled lightly, but its still patrolled. They'd probably look in over there over that boulder and move on unless they smell something odd."
The area was fairly craggy. On either side of the ravine were steep cliffs that reached a ridge line. On the far side were more ravines. Togeather the area from above looked like someone had scratched the ground violently with giant and very sharp claws. Strategically there wasn't anything there. That's why they were dropped here. They were also told that they might have friendly company as Erenmor could easily see the location as a drop site as well.
Their standing orders were to wait for zero hour. After that they'd head further inland and make a line towards the nearest access point to the tunnel system. After that their mission was two fold. Prevent tunnel blockages and to use a series of coordinates as a guide to tracking down any remaining nuclear weapons the enemy might have. The first coordinate on their short list of four possible locations was their goal once inside.
"How do you think we got our guide book?" asked Branx.
"I hear some came from a meeting at the fur fed building. A couple others were possible locations based on our own people in the tunnels. Don't know which are which, how recent the intel is, or weather or not its good itel."
Branx nodded. "Well its not long now. Three more hours and its game time."
[note, I don't mean 3 hours in real life time, but in in character time. So don't go jumping the gun folks.]
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Dec 29, 2007 18:42:13 GMT -5
Salato bashed the table in the freezing room, none of the calie were exactly arctic races and the cold was getting to her.
"Right cut the shit!" she shouted It took a moment for the Ai to translate. "Right we have given you a starter now you wankers work together!" The AI toke a little longer over that sentence. Salato was speaking to the major northern tribal leaders, they had complained about the heat so she had made the room and there quarters more accommodating. "But they would get more land than us and I don't do that." The polar bear replied. Translation was quicker, Salato was in a green fool length cloak, with it's hood up. "Yeah and the snow leopards get more than them." That translation took even less time, salatos breath hung in the air. "Yeah you would do that!" and arctic fox says Salato was beginning to think this lot were worse than her own people, she dropped her hood. "Why would that be?" "Erm....sorry you don't have a the sent of a fox." "As that as it may be, look you take nothing more than to the parallel?" "OK" "Agreed" "Yeah" Salato left the room turning back to say "So it is agreed?" She was met by nods. There was one thing she knew of tribal people, it was they were honest. ----- She returned to her office still in her cloak, she was still trying to warm up.
She switched on her workstation and says "Lisa get me Izixs, alpha, beta, lambda" The station took a second "Lambda?" it said in a young female voice. Salato was taken a back for a second "Lisa...that you?" "Yes, new organic interface we're working on? Do you like it?" "Well you sound like a twelve year old, but it is an improvement. Yes lambda." "Yes miss!"
Izixs was having lunch when his personal Com seemed to have a fit. He looked at it then it started to ring "What" he thought for a second, then as the com had not exploded or anything he push the answer button at arms length. The com remained in one piece so he put it to his ear. "You have an incoming call from Prime Minister Eye of Cal" A very young sounding voice said. "Put her threw" he replied "Hi Iz" salato said. "Oh yes that, I didn't thing you guys employed kids." "May as well, an AI, they have gotten odd of late. Damned if I know why." "I doubt you called me in this fashion because of that. " "Yeah, well we always had a plan for up north and we reckon it's not utterly stuffed. I have been speaking with the tribal leaders we dragged down here when you guys decided to move up there." "Eh" "Hear me out, they have agreed to move south to the parallel one hundred and twenty miles to the north of the most northern part of Erenmor." "Hmmm" "Don't worry your only have to persuade Erenmor to let them take the next parallel at some time in the future. Historically it is there land and not in Erenmor, currently." "What" "Look they will do all the overland fighting and save lives on the feds side." "The fed's side?" "Use the best warriors for the task. They will be armed well and the red serpent will help them.
What do you think?"
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Post by Erenmor on Dec 30, 2007 0:00:53 GMT -5
Skaine, military hangar sector
Erenmor didn't have much of a habit of massive army operations. Thus, the sight of all of Skaine's military district abuzz with activity was unusual to say the least. The cavernous hangars and underground runways today were all open to the cold evening air as the various forces were being prepared. Small, open carriers holding Seraph sections were already hovering into place, simple craft meant only to get to a drop point quickly and drop their cargo of jump troops. The larger, sturdier troop haulers were still being loaded with munitions and soldiers from every pattern in use - rank and file Sentinels, Knight specialists, Templar heavies and Archon stormtroopers. The hangars were filled with the constant drone of machinery, engines and general activity. Then, at one moment, a high-pitched whine cut through the background noise as some fifty small silver dart-shaped craft shot out of another hangar, climbing quickly above the mountain peaks before heading northwards.
***
Federation Fleet off the Morskoj coast
"The signatures you're seeing now are Wraith pods," Asharis explained to the Tinisian commander. Xander had already departed with the other two Wraiths to join the operation directly. "They carry our finest hunter-seeker patterns and will deliver them across the projected landing points of the main force to sabotage any hardpoint defenses and disrupt local garrison response, after which they may be diverted to further tasks behind enemy lines. They will be arriving shortly after sundown. The Seraph drop troops will be arriving around midnight and setting up staging positions along the landing zones and advancement paths. After that, they will be joining the regular fighting if necessary," the Wraith-liason explained, indicating another batch of transports still seen on the map in Erenmor territory. "Shortly before dawn the main bulk of our forces will be arriving to supplement your own troops already on the ground. It is a recommendable objective to have tunnelway access secured and fortified at five, optimally ten locations within 24 hours of operation start."
Asharis paused for a moment. "Commander Morhaime also informs that the Wraiths and Seraphs may be diverted to assist in locating and neutralising the nuclear weapons once their primary landing objectives are completed."
"We've also been following some Calie activity further north, beyond Morskoj. Commander Morhaime advises exercising caution as the Calie have not been thus far forthcoming on the nature of their activities there."
***
Morskoj, undisclosed location
"It's come to this then, has it?" "Unfortunately. The Federation fleet off our coast is most likely preparing for a strike. The machines south have already started hitting our border with everything they seem to have there. It's only a matter of time now until our operations here are entirely dismantled." "Time to relocate, then. Burn the links, mingle in with the inevitable refugees, start fresh in some promising new country." "Indeed. We've already set to work clearing away the links between the inner and outer circles of the operation. At the same time, the rank and file have been instructed to start stirring the locals into a frenzy. They'll fight with all the dedication they had back during the first war with Erenmor." "Hum. And our strategic stockpiles?" "We can replenish them as necessary abroad, and attempting to move them now would be too risky a process. We'll be giving control of them to our puppets in the government, however." "I understand they're upset about losing part of their own stockpile to sabotage and attack... no doubt they might be a bit trigger-happy. I hope you don't plan to tell them *where* the weapons are and where they'll go off. We wouldn't want them to suddenly start getting second thoughts." "No worries. They're completely in the dark. And they'll get pinned with the blame if... or when they nuke a few of their own cities."
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Dec 30, 2007 0:45:33 GMT -5
The northern tribes moved south at speed, even without their leaders. They found odd things and laid into them with axes and swords. All of the Morskoj nukes were being taking out in the north of the nation. Not in a manor they had ever expected.
Communication lines where being taken out as they "looked odd" or more likely "smelt odd", some times the local shaman just felt the ground was odd.
The Morskoj had never reckoned on an attack from the north, and well the tribal people had never had a city....they would stop before all but one.
--- The fire fleet disappeared off radar and visual capture. The rest of the northern fleet continued to their port.
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Post by Erenmor on Dec 30, 2007 9:14:10 GMT -5
It wasn't long before the tribal forces hit upon their first problem - namely the fact that the north of Morskoj was by no means undefended. Cities still had their militias, bases still had their garrisons, and those in turn had very modern guns and, where the terrain and climate permitted, tanks and aircraft.
As soon as that problem became apparent, a second one cropped up. For all their enthusiasm, the tribals were, in essence, raiders striking out for new lands. They lacked the proper training and discipline of their Morskoj adversaries, and they lacked the zeal and fanaticism the aforementioned displayed in defence of their land.
In the end, the tribal advance accomplished very little before the Federation operations started - severing power and communication lines to a few isolated outposts up north that weren't even deemed important enough to have their lines tucked securely under a solid layer of permafrost. Well, not entirely true. They also distracted some of the local forces into venturing out to drive them back, but said distraction came with a high casualty cost.
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Post by Kingdoms of Cal on Dec 30, 2007 20:23:15 GMT -5
Sea lord Ja had been watching the situation unfold. "Idiots...fucking idiots" she said to her self. The ports and submarine pens had not been hit, what were they thinking. The fleet was a sitting duck now that the Morskojen navy had hit open water. She ordered the ships patrolling the shipping lanes to alert and the fire fleet to action.
Cal would have to move their angle air craft from Morskoj to hunting down the fleet and more importantly the subs. It would not be so easy.
Ja never thought that such an elementary error on such a massive scale could be made. She sighed "Armatures, look after your self before attacking, secure your supple lines...Oh yeah that's us. Do any of them have a clue how to fight a war?"
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