A Gothic Sunrise

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Near Nketa, Noks Free State

Once again, Le Coq was rising. Soon, all of the real Gothic would join together to upend the world dominated by the ineptness of the self-righteous. General Charles Francois Luckner wiped his brow. It was hot. Not just hot. It was like standing in a bakery in hell. 'Imperialism is a tiring business' he said, drinking deeply from his canteen. He looked up at the aircraft as the snowflakes became saucers- the paratroopers dropping onto the savannah. It was too hot for this, thought Luckner. But wheels were in motion. On Thursday, he had received a one word message "Poulailler". Part of the Frankish fleet had set sail. Over the last few days, two squadrons of Frankish aircraft began to arrive in Nketa.

Luckner went back to his command post, little more than a tin shack. Sitting back and putting his feet up. 'Who dreamed up this operation?' he wondered. It was questionable at best. At its worst, a disaster. He had too few troops and the orders were ridiculous. It was all drawn up by some bureaucrat who didn't know the first thing. He sneezed, his allergies reacting harshly to the savannah flora. A few hours passed before colonels, majors, and a handful of captains gathered in front of him. It was time for the briefing to begin. It was going to be a flash operation. Quick. Hopefully decisive. Thousands would follow on. But it would rely on only a few hundred for hours. The men would be the best of the best. Not special forces but professional contract soldiers. Highly equipped and trained. The follow on forces would build the foundation for the entire operation. Even on a shoestring and with Tarusan support, the operation would be a tremendous strain on Frankish logistics. Only Le Coq could ram the operation through.

 

[Tarusa]

Meridian Sea, 60 miles North-West of Al-Gharb

The Imperial Task Force had arrived on station and would take the time to prepare for the inevitable orders to launch their invasion of Al-Magrab. The carrier would continue to carry out air ops in preparation for the invasion while providing a security blanket around the task force. Not much was expected of the Imperial Naval Air Forces as it was believed the former mandate lacked an air force, and if intelligence was incorrect, it was believed what was possessed would be easily swept aside. While the primary forces awaited for the orders from above and continued the preparation, a platoon from the 88th recon battalion 23rd Marine Brigade would be sent ashore miles North-East of Al-Gharb to act as an advance force and avoid direct confrontation while gathering critical information for the mission.

Nketa, NFS

The base in the northern part of the Free State that had been housing the 106th since the Pannonian Crisis had new temporary guests, the Franks. They were preparing themselves for an airborne drop as well. A very distinct difference between the two forces was apparent, the Frankish Airborne troops lacked the heavier equipment of their Tarusan counter-parts. They were a true light infantry unit, where as the Tarusan doctrine had mechanization and support built into the ranks of the air droppable forces. It led to significant inter-mingling during the hours of down time as the two military forces had never had direct cooperation nor been in such close proximity to evaluate and compare to each other. Both were aiming for rapid decisive strikes, just of differing size, and forces.

When the base had been opened up to the Franks, the small local Askari detachment had been removed from the base prior to their arrival, they had been sent upon their own training operations at another post for the duration. The policy of keeping the Noks separated as much as possible from foreign influence continued, even when it was with friends of the empire.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Near Nketa, Noks Free State

Luckner and his staff stank. The heat of the savannah sucked the moisture from them, leaving them a sweaty mess. Sweat dripped down onto the map as they discussed the operation. It was a plan full of problems and challenges. In fact, many aspects of the plan simply seemed half-hearted on the part of the Frankish government. It was a lightening raid expected to be an invasion. Soon, the operation would begin. A regiment of paratroopers would be dropped into combat. Luckner had looked hard upon the large mechanized force of the Tarusans. Yes, the Frankish area of operation was considerably smaller. Yet it was operating a severe logistical disadvantage. What the Franks lacked in heavy equipment they would make up for in training and infantry equipment. The overall view was that the Franks would certainly be facing a more challenging short-term. Yet, any opposition would likely be unable to deal with the larger force. It was a question of time for the airborne forces to hold long enough for the follow-ons and the naval landing.

Meridian Sea. Off the coast of NFS

The small flotilla would set sail in the coming hours. The amphibious assault ships, supply ships, and handful of destroyers were packed full of men and their equipment. An armor company on one amphibious assault ship and regiment of infantry on the other constituted the main landing force. Two more demi-brigades of marines would be the first ashore. It was going to be a madly spread out affair. But unlike Luckner, General Feraud was confident in his half of the operation. Even if he had delays, he could accomplish his half of the mission. Another flotilla would soon stage at the same point, 24 hours later. This flotilla- a frigate and 2 cargo ships, would simply bring on trucks, fuel, and an artillery company. Despite his confidence, it was not a long-term plan. If Luckner failed, supply would wither. Nobody wanted to be in the position of asking the Tarusans for help - or worse those pesky fellows from the Scanlaw.

 

[Tarusa]

Al-Gharb, area around
0300, local time

The three helicopters descended upon the waters making their way from the assembled invasion force, skimming the surface of the water to deploy the advance recon platoon to just inside the territorial waters of Al-Magreb. From this point the three squads would take the small watercraft to shore from which they would begin the preparations for the primary invasion force. Stealth had not been the primary tactic of the Empire, normally when it was coming, it liked to let the world know that the steamroller was starting, this time would be slightly different, a new approach.

Unfortunately as the watercraft had attempted to make way to the shore two took on water from rougher than expected seas and attempted to turn back towards the fleet. A squad would be plucked from the sea in the early morning hours, the other was lost to the sea. Second Squad made a successful landing North-east of Al-Gharb, from this point they could begin preparations for the major forces to arrive in the coming hours reconnoitering the area and preparing to move forward of the main forces to carry out disruption to prevent any potential enemy from engaging them on the beachhead.

NFS/Al-Magrab
0345 local time

The distinct rumble of engines was overheard in the night sky, the direction traveling northward from the Noks Free State. The 174th Reconnaissance battalion was enroute to a forward air drop position within Al-Magrab. The mission would be to act as a skirmishing force for the advance forces that would soon be punching across the border and racing across the savannah and desert of the soon to be new "Crown Colony of Maghreb". The sounds would no doubt wake villagers across the vast landscape, it was an unfamiliar sound to hear so loudly, they would know something was happening, but what was happening would be hard to distinguish until the sun had risen and removed the pitch black darkness of the night.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Imperial Ship Brennus, Qabarri Coast. Irqu Channel

Unlike Tarusa, the Frankish invasion was small. It was centered around the ancient city of Alexandrette. However, the operation relied on speed and surprise before dissident elements could coalesce. The landing site was near the town of Irqu, itself boasting a moderate port. General Feraud and Admiral Moulin stood on the bridge of the amphibious assault ship. It would be the first into the channel. Already, the helicopters from the two amphibious assault ships left with their marine compliments to secure the docks. Now the ships would sweep down the narrow channel and unload at the docks- those forces to wait for the follow-on ships. The two men sat silent as the ship raced up the 3 mile channel. Suddenly, a shudder. Then an ear wrenching shriek of metal as the Brennus ran around along rough rocks and shoals lining the edge of the channel. The entire ship, shuttering. Most of the crew were thrown to the deck as the Brennus came to an abrupt halt, its side ripped open. A small fire erupted somewhere in a forward compartment as, conversely, the sea rushed into other compartments. Feraud put his hand to his forhead and felt the blood coursing from his town scalp. Struggling to his feet, the saw that Brennus was stuck aground, blocking most of the channel. He looked over at Moulin. Aside from looking generally askew, Moulin had gone white.

Beriz Airport, Alexandrette

Beriz Airport was not large. Located between the great ancient city and the sea, the airport was made up of a single runway and moderate sized terminal. Luckner looked down from his canopy at it. It seemed very peaceful. He glanced about as a company of paratroopers were dropping about him. He could tell, to an extent, the men were far too spread out. It was quite dark but the moon helped make out canopies in the dimness. It might take hours for them all to reach the airport. Somewhere overhead screeched a Frankish fighter aircraft. Soon, the second company would parachute in as they would take up positions in and around the airport. In only 4 hours, the first of 15 civilian airliners would land full of troops. He hit the ground hard. Shaking his head he freed himself of his chute as a platoon made for the terminal and control tower.

 

[Tarusa]

Al-Gharb, area around
1800, local time

The invasion was to commence, the order had came down from the Ministry of Defense. Onboard the amphibious assault ships the first waves of helicopters were beginning to fire up to take to shore the first battalions for the invasion. The failure of two of three reconnaissance squads to achieve the initial goals of identifying the safety of making landings did not change the plans, three landings would be carried out. Two by air cushioned landing craft and the main assault on the port area of Al-Gharb by the heliborne air assault battalion. This was the primary angle of attack being carried out by the Empire, securing the city and removing the governmental authority and the port facilities to cut off as much access to the country as possible otherwise other state actors could gain an interest to interfere.

The beaches were taken, successfully to the South-West of Al-Gharb where the troops would be securing the beachhead. Lt. Colonel Zatoka was cautious man, he had carried out the landings against his better judgement but with the success he would take the opportunity to further strengthen his position and secure the beach head for defense and reinforcement before he would carry out the next maneuver of attacking the city of Al-Gharb from the west. He would request one of the brigades artillery battalions to be landed on his front. Unsure of how the other battalions were doing in their own opening operations he would wait.

To the North-East of the city another battalion had landed where the reconnaissance squad had successfully landed and began preparing for their arrival. This success was also to the detriment of this landing. The squad that had originally landed here had been detected by the enemy forces allowing them to be preparing for it. This resulted in fighting erupting on the landing zone between the naval infantry and the Magrabian defenders that had assembled to for the event that had occurred. Neither side was capable of breaking the other, the naval infantry could not break the line of the defenders nor could the defenders drive the enemy back to the sea. This was the first meeting of forces by both sides.

The success of the operation came by none other than the air assault battalion. It directly attacked the cities port facilities by air. Landing at pre-determined locations around the port facilities and seizing the initiative. Part of the unknown success may very well have laid in part due to governmental forces being drawn to the North-East to defend against the naval landing, believing that to be the primary staging ground for what was to come. They mainly found themselves engaged with port police and municipal officers which were quickly dispatched with the disparity of arms and organization. They would quickly secure the port and setup a neighboring parameter for defending the facilities to keep them intact. The port had effectively been shut down, and the ships currently in port would be impounded for the duration of the invasion.

NFS/Al-Magrab
1810, local time

It sounded like thunder and would have lit up portions of the sky if darkness had already fallen. The artillery of the 106th rumbled to life, lobbing over three hundred rounds in the first ten minutes at the few border posts directly across the border that were manned. As the guns fell silent the first units began rolling across the border, the infantry fighting vehicles with troops inside began making the drive northward with the very few tanks of the division following immediately behind. The primary first objective would be driving north to rendezvous with the 174th reconnaissance battalion that had airdropped the night before, securing villages along the way and acting as the spear.

What government authority there was in the former mandate was largely near the cities with the vast swaths of land and villages being largely left to their own defenses and authority. The savage bombardment along the border posts left little room for resistance, those that were left alive from the initial bombardment attempted their best before being overwhelmed by the armored paratrooper force. Lead elements of the division would push forward leaving the bulk of the forces moving forward securing any villages they came across mopping up resistance as they came across it, securing the supply corridor headed north.

By darkness the advance units had pushed 27km beyond the Al-Magrab border with the bulk of the forces remaining in the first village encountered roughly 15km to the rear.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Irqu Channel, Irqu

"What the fuck did you do?" asked the admiral, shakily. The Captain Reynaud struggled to his feet and stared blankly at Admiral Moulin. "I warned you sir, speeding up this channel would be nigh impossib" he said before Moulin began to rant. "Incompetent fool!" yelled Moulin. The captain merely shook his head and began to get damage reports. The ship would not sink but it was gravely damaged. A hole was ripped in her side and forward compartments had filled with water. Furthermore, she was stuck. She would need a tow. Reynaud moved around the bridge as Moulin stood shaking his head. It took a few moments for Feraud to understand. The admiral had ordered the dash up the channel against the captain's wishes. It was something that Feraud merely pocketed in his mind. He too had to account for how to get his forces ashore. Soon, the follow-on forces would show up. Indeed, he needed to get the armor on the other amphibious assault ship to land. But they had counted on capturing the docks at Irqu. Now, there was no plan. No backup. He sighed. Of course the navy managed to fuck this up. The Empire's worst funded and least capable force was somehow responsible for the bulk of the operation. He shook his head and went below decks to check on the men.

Beriz Airport

Beriz Airport stood several miles outside of Alexandrette proper. Its small terminal and single long runway meant for a tight perimeter. Since landing, the airborne forces had set up a tight ring around the airport. Military and impressed civilian aircraft had been landing reinforcements at the airport for hours. However, despite having several hundred men now, Luckner had to admit that they lacked most heavy equipment. They had received no vehicles and the supply of food and water was limited at best. Fortunately, there had been no resistance to speak of. Some curious locals came and were chased off. Luckner had told local police to leave. All-in-all things had started well. Until he received the radio call. No armor or infantry had landed. He sat quietly in the disused tourism office in the terminal. No matter how many men were flown in, the force was vulnerable. It was small. Capabilities were limited. That afternoon, Marechal Bellefond arrived. The two sat and drank tea discussing innocuous things for a few moments and exchanging pleasantries. "Charles, I know you are in a difficult spot. But command says that you are to hold until you can link up with the landing forces" the Marshal said. Luckner's eyebrows arched.

"What landing force?!?!" exclaimed Luckner. "The one on the fucking rocks? If more than a few thousand show up, we are done. Even if a few thousand show up we will only hold so long- even with air support" he said exasperated. The Marshal looked vaguely sympathetic. "I am sorry Charles, but those are your orders" said Bellefond. It was an icy conversation going forward. Eventually, Bellefond said his goodbyes and made vague promises of bringing more men in the next few days. Luckner shrugged as he watched the jet take off. There was no help here. It was an island of misery should an enemy attack. Luckner spent the next few hours walking the lines and checking that anti-tank weapons and machine guns were properly spaced out. He spoke with the men before taking a long nap. Without warning, senior officers were ordered to the terminal; its air conditioning half heartedly working.

"Gentlemen. What I tell you next cannot be told to the men. The naval force has....well, it is stuck" Luckner said with blank emotion. The officers all exchanged glances and clearly wanted to know more; but the General did not expand on the subject. "We cannot stay here. I will warn you that we have orders to hold the airfield. I will ignore those orders. If you disagree, I will write a full statement that you were forced to obey my orders. Staying here does nothing and puts us in danger. I will ask for volunteers. We will leave a platoon behind with machine guns and AT. They will hold the terminal to the best they can should anything happen" Luckner said. More glances among the staff. "We are going to do a forced march. 40 kilometers to Alexandrette Port. We will seize it and the nearby ancient citadel. We leave tonight gentlemen. We will leave at 2200 hrs. With luck, we will arrive by 0900 hours. We will have some seized airport pickup trucks to act as scout vehicles. The boys will need their rest. We will notify command only after we step off. So strobes and marker panels for the lads"

 

[Tarusa]

Al-Gharb, area around

Lt. Colonel Zatoka had taken the time to reinforce his position with additional troops and equipment being brought ashore at his position. The Brigades artillery and armor had been brought ashore at his position bringing a level of confidence that he was prepared to exercise fully. He was prepared fully to move forces rapidly towards Al-Gharb from the South-West securing the front and combining the landing forces to a unified front. The 125th armored battalion was leading the charge towards the city, resistance itself was still minimal on this front. He had learned of the majority of the government forces in the area having taken up positions and moderate fighting occurring at the landing site North-East of the city which only emboldened his advance more.

The air assault battalion continued its assault in the city, advancing gradually in small skirmishes with what government forces had remained in the city but mostly municipal forces that attempted to resist until the realization that they were outgunned and outmatched by the military forces. As they advanced they tore down the flags on government buildings and where available replaced it with the Imperial flag. Half of the city had fallen to the battalion including the government sections. Now firmly in control of the empire was the port, and the local municipal and regional government. Some had fled to other parts of the city, some were attempting to get out of the city. It was not long until the first tanks and infantry fighting vehicles proceeded to enter into the city from the west, bringing in additional firepower that would soon be used to take what remained as a free city.

To the North-East aircraft from the fleets carrier entered into the operation as four strike aircraft began providing support for the 317th battalion in its fight to break out of its beachhead. The aircraft and pilots performed well, providing enough munitions and coverage to break the enemy lines allowing the infantry battalion to begin its push towards the city. The intense fighting had nearly broke the enemy forces into a full fledged unorganized retreat but they had kept their spirit and retreated under fire while attempting to slow the advance, knowing full well now that multiple landings had occurred and the city was beginning to fall and they needed to remain in the fight to slow the invaders hoping for a miracle.

Southern Al-Magrab

The 106th advance kept moving towards the North gradually. The advance was not rapid but resistance had finally begun to be broken from the villagers and militia units that they were facing. It seemed as if word had begun to spread of the multi-pronged assault across the country from the sea and the Free State. This was perhaps beginning to break the will of the localized militias that ruled over the swaths of the country as they began to see it as a futile attempt to resist directly. Some small unit action would happen briefly before the exchanges of gunfire resulted in either the enemy retreating back into the shadows or bodies being found from the exchange.

The drive north continued until the main body of the invasion force was finally linked up with the 174th reconnaissance battalion that had been dropped ahead of the advance. They would regroup, re-organize and prepare for the next step of the invasion. Almost twenty percent of the country had now been occupied. How much of the population was already under the empires control was another question, such a large country with such a low population density given its vast emptiness.


((Lets see if this post mysteriously vanishes into the abyss like the first one did))

 

[Azraq]

Fasher
Fizzaan province
Northwestern Azraq

Ever since the Franks and the Tarusans had launched their combined assault on al-Magrab and Hajr, Fasher - already a bustling metropolis thanks to its location at the meeting of several ancient trade routes - had exploded into chaos.

The city had become the primary hub of Azraqi military activity in response to the invasion of the two former European Forum mandates. An Azraqi military presence had been steadily building up since the Scanians first intervened, but this had since escalated rapidly as news of the new intervention broke.

Unlike the locals, who tended to have ochre-like or dark brown skin thanks to their mixed Urodoah and Nethian heritage, the soldiers of the Azraqi army stationed in Fasher stood out thanks to their jet black complexion, having been recruited from the empire's southernmost provinces. Azraq's complex patchwork of ethnicities, languages and faiths, often with overlapping territories, competing claims and centuries-long feuds, meant the country's ruling class - which all hailed from the Dawamalian coast along the eastern seaboard and belonged to the heterodox Hajari sect - had to play a delicate balancing act in managing communal relations. Soldiers, conscripted or professional, were never stationed in or close to their hometowns.

The bluish-black men with their wide noses and camouflaged helmets and uniforms were not the only strange faces in Fasher however. The streams of refugees - men, women and children - fleeing the violence in al-Magrab and Hajr could be seen begging in the streets of the historic city.

Just like the Azraqi soldiers from the more tropical south, they were not entirely welcome visitors. When many first tried to cross the border, they were fired upon by Azraqi troops unaware of the conflict unfolding in the empire's northern neighbours.

Being Sunni and considered 'pure' Urodoah, they were regarded as alien by many of Fasher's original inhabitants. Yet by the Dawamalian and Hajari elite, they were considered too similar to the denizens of Azraq's northern territories, and therefore a threat to the empire's delicate population balance. Wanted by noone, they soon found they had to struggle for sympathy - and survival.

The Azraqi foreign ministry had made a rare public plea for international aid and assistance - Azraq's secretive and suspicious regime had resisted overseas help in previous domestic and regional crises. However, the Azraqi government had little intention of giving what aid it did receive to the refugees they now hosted. What money and supplies that could be secured would be funnelled to the military.

Azraq's armed forces were in no real position to intervene. Suffering from decades of underfunding by the paranoid ruling clergy and nobility who saw them as a potential rival power base, and designed more to handle internal security than fight foreign armies, they would quickly be decimated by the modern militaries of the Frankish and Tarusan empires.

Yet Azraq could not ignore the situation in al-Magrab and Hajr. The two countries provided virtually all the country's energy supplies. Something had to be done.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Alexandrette Port

The column of men arrived caked in sweat and dust. Even Luckner was drenched and sandy. Refusing a ride in the appropriated pickup trucks, Luckner had joined the force march. Very quickly, the Frankish troops set up a perimeter. Luckner had pushed them to their near limit and it was clear there was very little left in the tank. But the port had to be seized. Failing to do so, the entire operation would have failed no matter what le Marechal would say. Despite all the yelling on the secure phone and the rebukes from the staff, Luckner knew what he did was right. Now the question was time. Soon, water and food would be an issue. With no runway, there would be no large supply runs coming in. Only helicopters could find their way from the fleet and they were already dealing with their own problems. If the fleet did not arrive in 72 hours, things were going to get tricky. Already at the airfield, the platoon left behind was dealing with local police trying to assert control. The police had left but pledged to return with a larger force. It was becoming rather tenuous. So far, no blood had been shed. All depended on the fleet arriving and soon.


Chagny

The Emperor threw his mug across the room. "The fucking navy! They wonder why they have dogshit funding. Absolute clowns! HOW. How do we have such a fine army and air force and this as our navy!?!" he yelled, the Empress slinking out of the room. The aides could only exchange looks. "This fucking imbecile admiral. I want him strung up on a fucking yardarm! I want names on my desk by tomorrow morning. I don't care what connections they have. I dont fucking care. I will take everything. Get me Les! Now!" he yelled in a fury. The normally stoic Emperor had finally lost his composure.

 

[Azraq]

Fasher
Fizzaan province
Northwestern Azraq

Fasher, already chaotic, was increasingly maddening.

The Azraqi government had organised rallies in defence of al-Magrab and Hajr, promising the city's residents free food and money if they attended demonstrations demanding the Gothic Sea Pact withdrew their forces. Foreign media were invited to watch and report, under the strict supervision of local security forces. Premade placards with regime-approved slogans were handed out to demonstrators, as were Azraqi, Hajri and Magrabi flags.

Meanwhile, more and more units from the Azraqi Imperial Army were being deployed in and around the city. Noone, not even senior officers, knew if there was the intention to fight. None had any experience fighting on foreign soil, having mostly been used as an internal security force, quelling troublesome tribes or suppressing protestors demanding a better standard of living or greater political and civic freedoms.

Ageing warplanes from the Azraqi Imperial Air Force would fly over in the city in a pathetic display of power, heading close the border with al-Magrab and Hajr before making a sharp departure back to their bases. Dwindling fuel supplies, and the disruption to Azraq's energy supplies thanks to the war, meant such flyovers would soon stop.

Refugees who had arrived from Al Magrab and Hajr early on had since been moved out of the city to makeshift camps, where they were joined by increasing numbers of men, women and children desperate to avoid potential bloodshed. Having initially been shot at, they were now allowed enter Azraq unharmed. Jugol did not intend to host them as permanent guests, but instead use them as bargaining chips.

The anti-colonialist rhetoric pumped out by the Azraqi foreign ministry masked the Dawamalian elite's true intentions. They did not care for the Magrab and Hajr's future. They just wanted stable neighbours and the guaranteed flow of oil and gas. If that could not be promised, then those refugees would soon be sent back - and with more than just the clothes on their back.

 

[Tarusa]

Al-Gharb

The fall of the city was imminent, forces had been approaching from the South-West with heavy equipment with supplies and the remaining forces being unloaded at the ports. The invasion had gone successfully well showing a high level of competence and planning by the Imperial Armed Forces. The forces already having captured half of the city kept up a relentless assault across the city dispatching resistance from municipal forces with ease. The main forces of the government had been fooled and were engaged to the North-East of the city where they had initially been pushed towards retreating to the city, but as word had spread to their forces about the fall of the city it left them with little choice but to stand their ground and attempt to hold what they could. The fight they put up resisting would only hold for so long. The Magrabian government and its forces had not succeeded much in forming control over the country since it had been vacated as a mandate, this had already hamstrung the resistance as it lacked the heavy equipment of a typical national force would have.

The gradual progress with moments of lightning offensives resulted in the cities demise. Pockets of resistance from municipal forces that had in turn retreated and holed themselves up in their precinct buildings would be eroded away. A large Imperial Flag was hoisted from the provincial capital building which had been seized and was to be the headquarters of the military administration that would rule until a governor was appointed and flown in from Kremlyov. Additional forces were brought to bear on the resistance to the east from the west around the city, which despite being attacked from multiple flanks would not break.

Southern Al-Magrab

The continued advance from the south northwards was going according to plan. It was not a swift operation but steady. Intelligence reports had largely indicated that an organized resistance from the lawless south would be the most efficient way to strike across the country, and the intelligence services had shown themselves correct surprisingly. Roughly 25% of the country had now fallen under imperial authority, this however was 50% of the Tarusan claim that would make up the crown colony. Resistance against the 106th had remained minimal being unorganized tribal militias that sometimes would attempt a direct confrontation with advancing forces otherwise they would resort to skirmishes. The appearance seemed that the government loyal forces remained concentrated in the more densely populated coastal region around the two major cities.

Meridian Sea

The frigate Kondor and the destroyer Kerch broke formation from the assault force and proceeded on a course to the east. They would enforce a blockade on the port city of Barqah. The effort to further tighten the noose around the former mandate and close it off in providing assistance before the Scanians would take their own offensive swings.

Jugol, Azraq

Ambassador Vladimir Teplov had begun opening negotiations with his counter-part. He had offers and an open line of communication back to the foreign ministry in Kremlyov. He had big shoes to fill, as many ambassadors and others that worked in the foreign ministry had achieved many great diplomatic successes for the Empire and the pressure was upon him to carry on this legacy. His efforts were to ensure the Gothic Pact had security to keep operations moving forward without hindrance, while he knew the combined strength of all the nations was unrivaled globally, it was the preferred method of the Tsar to strike deals instead of skulls.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Alexandrette Port

The men were tired, hungry, and to an extent bored. There was some manner of standoffish behavior between the locals and the Franks. Unlike the Tarusans, the Franks had thus far avoided bloodshed. Luckner had met with the city leaders under a white flag that morning. He made a clear proposal to ensure that the limited occupation would not be by blunt force- a soft occupation. The current leaders would stay in power until elections and the Frankish forces would remain in camps, the port, and airport. It was a rather generous offer considering the large cargo ship, laden with Frankish reinforcements docked. This ship had few vehicles but 900 infantry slowly made their way down the gangways. Tomorrow, the General would make a final appeal to local leaders. Things had not turned ugly yet, but Luckner saw the clouds gathering on the horizon.


Jugol, Azraq

Ambassador Pierre Gobineau sat in the back of his car, shuffling through Azraqi newspapers. Some of the headlines were strictly hostile. Others exclaimed more shock than hostility. It was a mixture. Yet, none painted any of the Gothic powers in a positive light. He sighed and looked out the window. He hated this place. The people were welcoming enough. The food was surprisingly excellent. Not Frankish excellent, of course, but still damned good. His drive to the Azraqi Foreign Ministry did not take long. He would ultimately present several detailed letters and documents to the Azraqi government. It would not answer all of their questions. However, it was the only thing he could do. With the invitation to enter into dialogue, neither Gobineau nor the Emperor could say no.

 

[Azraq]

Jugol
Azraq

Just as Fasher had become a hub of Azraqi military activity in the wake of the conflicts in al-Magrab and Hajr, so had Jugol become a hive of diplomatic intrigue.

The 72-hour ultimatum for the Gothic Sea Pact to withdraw their forces from the two former European Forum mandates, combined with the threat of Azraq intervening to create buffer zones to act as safe spaces for refugees, had their desired effect: to force the alliance to the negotiating table, with the firm intention of ensuring Azraq had a say in the future of both countries.

Vladimir Teplov of the Tarusan Empire was the first to be addressed. The ambassador was left waiting in a reception room with a range of traditional Azraqi cuisine, before being berated by a junior diplomat for their failure to consult Azraq before invading, plus all the public rhetoric of the intervention being another example of white, Christian imperialism and threats of unspecified action if Tarusa did not comply with the 72-hour ultimatum. Teplov was also warned the Azraqi armed forces were considering moving into the two territories to create humanitarian zones for refugees, although the real reason was to stop the Gothic Sea Pact controlling the entirety of both al-Magrab and Hajr.

Teplov looked slightly bewildered by the onslaught of hostile rhetoric, and the absence of new information. Everything the young diplomat had said had already been widely reported.

The diplomat was soon replaced by a large delegation from the Minstry of National Defence, the Azraqi armed forces and the Azraqi Imperial Security and Intelligence Service.

While less aggressive than the previous conversation, the talks were brisk and at times tense. But Azraq had made clear its demands.

First was the free flow of oil and gas, ideally at fixed below-market rates. Azraq was almost entirely reliant on the Magrab and Hajr for its energy supplies. Losing that lifeline would cause serious economic damage. Already the price of fuel was skyrocketing, which had led to minor protests erupting in poorer communities.

Second that was Azraq was involved in shaping the post-war settlement. Without saying it explicitly, the Azraqi delegates made clear Azraq was very unlikely to intervene militarily. But it wanted friendly, peaceful neighbours that it could exercise control and influence. Local customs would also have to be respected.

The possibility of Azraqi peacekeepers being deployed was also floated, although it was suggested strongly this was a lesser priority. A joint summit between Azraq and the Gothic Sea Pact was also proposed, in addition to these bilateral meetings.

The Frankish ambassador Pierre Gobineau, who arrived later, got very much the same treatment and messages. How well they would be received, especially with Azraq also inviting the Vice President of Tianlong to discuss the growing crisis, was another question.

 

[Tarusa]

Jugol, Azraq

Teplov had been vexed by the younger diplomat of the Azraqi diplomatic corps. It was as if he had no idea of the disparity in strength between the two sides, granted, the Frankish Navy had made itself look like it was being ran by officers whom had just been enlisted and given an assignment. If the man lecturing him had been more senior in his position and he wasn't attempting to follow the orders from above with the pragmatic offer, he would have given his own lecture over the greatness of the empire in its military adventures.

Teplov had already been informed of what would be acceptable in negotiations and what was considered unacceptable. His superiors had already been in contact with their counter-parts in his allied nations.

"The continued flow of oil and natural gas to the Azraqi state will continue onwards, the disruptions will hopefully be over soon as we make continued progress and bring about peace and end the anarchy from the abandonment of the mandates. As a sign of good faith, the Azraqi tankers in the port of Al-Gharb that have been detained and perhaps a few other tankers destined for other non-friendly nations will be forced to reroute to Azraqi ports to alleviate the shortages being experienced here. Look at this as, a change of management that will be more beneficial to Azraq than what the previous status quo was. A fair price, discounted by a fixed percentage below the going rate for crude oil is acceptable. An agreement for in the future on the same for Natural Gas is very possible, prices currently are dropping to levels not seen in years due to the Pelasgians announcing they will be increasing production and the drop in demand from warmer weather in the north with no other production cuts having occurred, so a discount on such would be minimally effective with such low pricing already taking hold of the market.

An ease of visa requirements making it easier for Azraqi citizens to work abroad in the energy markets of its neighbors. This will allow greater employment opportunities and sources of income for the Azraqi nation as this money will flow back home to support families. A little incentive to help show the good faith of the empire and our allies. We would request that you maintain closed the borders to Hajr, Non-Governmental Organizations such as the Red Crescent and Red Cross amongst others can establish refugee camps within the border region, and your nation can eb the flow of refugees crossing the border to the minimal. We bring stability and an end to the warlordism that has ran rampant in the former mandates.

Now a direct offer from the Empire alone that has not been discussed with our allies. We are willing to provide limited funds, and access to arms that are manufactured by the Empire and the Kingdom of Csengia. This would make the Azraqi state party to a limited number of nations whom have access to our export models of weaponry as only the three other nations outside of the empire operate some of our systems. The Empire is a friend to have, the democratic world will eventually betray your nation when they no longer find your usefulness to their current cause. They have done it relentlessly in every attempt to take a stand against the empire, it is not a fate we want to see befall Azraq as well. One only needs to look upon our history, those whom work with our government find themselves handsomely supported and rewarded. I shall take my leave and let you finalize with the Frankish ambassador"

He could tell in their eyes he had openly given them an agreement that everybody could agree upon. He had avoided the subject of Azraqi peacekeepers, as that was a position the Tsar was not willing to allow. He made his way out of the room, giving a nod to ambassador Gobineau signaling he had given the offer and it was his turn to finish it. Knowing that the allied governments had been in discussions at higher levels already.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Jugol, Azraq

Ambassador Pierre Gobineau was under strict orders to ensue that the Azraqi Foreign Ministry knew the Empire's position. It was neither broad nor quite as ambitious the others involved. It was something still that stood out and was likely far different from the ambitions of the others. Gonineau was unique among most Frankish diplomats. Not of noble background, not from wealth, and not even Catholic. He shifted uncomfortably as he waited. Finally as he was called, he nearly tripped standing up. Sitting down he passed out several documents to those assembled.

"As you can see, the Frankish Empire has laid out a complete plan. One thing that is important for us to note is that this is not a crusade nor are there strict religious motivations for our actions. This is about a long-term stability. As that may sound counter-intuitive, I think you will see that the plan is not about adding territory, nor resources. If you look, the area the Empire is operating in is quite small. There are few sources of oil or natural gas. Our aim is to invest. Our plans call for the creation of the Alexandrette Governate. It will be, soon, a self-governing region. It will, in essence, have its own laws and constitution. Self-governing means it will be governed by Muslims with their own government under the auspices of Imperial Law. We plan, over the next several years, to invest billions into Alexandrette and its port. We will offer the people of Alexandrette security and a prosperous future. We will provide security and stability to the door to the Index Sea. Now, what can we offer in return for a diminished opposition to our actions? We can offer cheap arms. Military advisors. And, perhaps some forms of economic investment. For instance, part of our plan to invest in Alexandrette is for Rambouillet to build a car factory outside the city that will build 3,000 cars a year. Perhaps a separate factory could be built here to build the components? It is just a thought. But at the end of the day, I must simply stress that this is not about religion nor oil. Furthermore, the Emperor wishes to extend his personal apology for not warning the Azraqi Government of our intentions. We will fully back the efforts of our allies to guarantee long-term energy security for Azraq. We will offer further guarantees that no efforts will be made toward proselytizing nor will we do anything to threaten Azraqi energy supplies. These are the personal guarantees of the Emperor himself"

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

SCANLAW COMMAND, AL-ASKAR
Palace of Serpents, Central District

A simple maid walked into a command room to clean up the mess. Her efforts were largely focused on dishes and coffee cups. She walked about the room collecting all the dishes and placing them on her cleaning cart. Wiping down surfaces and doing some light vacuuming, she was also doing something a bit above and beyond the efforts of a simple maid. One of the buttons on her shirt also doubled as a camera lens. Behind this camera sat several officers in the ASB —or Austwegian Security Bureau. Their work at the moment was not as simple as the maid's. They were using her camera to figure out where the attacks would take place in the coming days. Maps laid down on tables for example showed German military elements moving south to Fustat while Joint Gutnish-Jyskish troops were going west towards Al-Magrab. The Austwegians themselves had troops in Al-Askar. Left there alongside the Metsamaans to maintain security in the capital of Hajr. They would not do any conquering, but that did not mean the government of Østveg was pleased with what was happening. Instead, the ASB was trying to gather whatever intelligence they could in effort to find ways to derail the operation. Of course this wasn't a guarantee that they could do anything at all, but they were leaving crumbs to resistance forces. The Austwegians leaving crumbs behind is something that they thought hampered the Scanlaw's efforts in Hajr for awhile now. Not in large ways, but in the small ways that allowed for various resistance movements to continue to exist. Østveg was working with three different resistance groups, one in each major city in Hajr and all of which were secular republican movements. The Austwegians knew they could not hope to stop the full annexation and occupation of Hajr, but they knew they could shape it in ways that would be beneficial to Østveg and the Austwegian viewpoint on the rights of the Hajri people.

The ASB agents observing this maid's cleaning routine, that was a bit slow for their video recording purposes was not finding anything particularly useful for them. Al-Askar had been gifted to Austwegian hands anyway, but improving the situation in Fustat or Alexandrette would be helpful. It looked as though the Gutnish and Jyskish would be at least coming close to Alexandrette on their coastal movement towards Barqah. But nothing was necessarily assured with their proximity that they'd actually go to Alexandrette. Nonetheless, it might be work talking to some agents to see if some information or supplies could be relayed.

Otherwise, it seemed the occupation was largely going to be focused on the major cities as well as oil and gas infrastructure, with the Germans doing the bulk of the work in Hajr and the Scanians going for western Al-Magrab.

Wait. Here was something strange. "Pause the video," ordered Christoffer Storstrand, the man in charge of this operation. On the screen was something awkward. What was that strange arrow? A small black arrow with the letters 'EBR(?)'. It was from the sea and from the north in Al-Magrab. Olof shuffled some papers and quickly read through them. A folder was then tossed towards him from his right, landing directly in front of him. "Thanks," he replied. The folder had come from his partner on this operation, Ragnhild Gulbrandsen. It was a folder that had some intelligence about a diplomatic meeting scheduled between the Scanlaw and Ebria. "I think they are meeting to discuss a further military operation and enlarging this conflict," Christoffer said largely talking to himself. "I think you're right, we should call this in," replied Ragnhild.

"Right..." and Christoffer picked up the secure phone interagency phone line and dialed.

 

[Azraq]

Jugol
Azraq

The Azraqi government had mostly secured what it wanted from its threats and tantrums.

The Frankish and Tarusan empires had acknowledged that Jugol's buy-in was crucial to any post-war settlement in al-Magrab and Hajr being successful, and promised an array of sweeteners to sugarcoat the bitter pill that the Gothic Sea Pact was in northern Himyar - and here to stay.

The offers were broadly as expected: a range of economic incentives, military aid and Azraqi involvement in shaping the Magrab and Hajr's futures once the conflict had ended.

Yet Jugol had not only been courted by the Gothic Sea Pact. Countries opposed to the interventions in northern Himyar were also approaching Azraq with offers of help, humanitarian and otherwise.

The Vice President of the Republic of Tianlong, which was attempting to form a new international organisation in response to the Pact's military adventurism, was due to visit the Azraqi capital imminently. His offer was clear and had been publicly revealed: investment in return for naval visitation rights and the guarantee - at least verbally - Azraq would ensure freedom of navigation in the channel between the Index and Meridian Seas.

Gran-Occidentia, Natal, Pelasgia and Radilo had all at the very minimum pledged humanitarian relief to support the thousands of refugees now calling makeshift camps in northern Azraq home. Hints of military assistance from the first three were also floating around.

The reality was Jugol did not want the cost - human, financial and material - of war to fully intervene on behalf of its Muslim neighbours. Yet the lack of warning or consultation before the assaults on the Magrab and Hajr had started had deeply offended Azraq's elite.

Nor did they want to be economically dependent on the Gothic Sea Pact, which had promised to be very generous in return for Azraqi acquiescence.

While not a major military power with the same global reach of the Gothic Sea Pact powers, Azraq had enough manpower, equipment and influence to be a destabilising force.

Although not exactly a trump card, Azraq did also have the threat of thousands of refugees being forcibly returned, potentially with more than just the clothes on their back, to play with, as well as the extensive networks of the Imperial Security and Intelligence Service in the Magrab and Hajr.

Fundamentally, Jugol had two over-riding concerns: energy security and no threatening neighbours. Whatever could be done to achieve both would be tried. Azraq's demand of "guardianship" - a suitably vague term - over the Magrab and Hajr following the talks with the Franks and Turasans was a demonstration of that fact.

 

[Tarusa]

Al-Gharb

The city itself had largely remained intact as it had not sustained bombardment nor heavy equipment usage. The fighting had been mostly between the municipal police forces and the imperial infantry tasked with taking the city. Sporadic areas from the gun battles could be seen, but largely the city remained as it was. As a new administration was being worked on and some sort of order not to be provided by the military was in the process of being planned but the city remained under martial law with curfews and checkpoints to maintain order for the time being. What had been the sight of government officials coming and going from the provincial government offices had now been changed to that of men in military uniforms standing outside as more shuffled in and out of the now Tarusan headquarters for the operation.

More of the citizenry that were unhappy with the occupation of the city had finally felt that it was safe enough to be outside now, while the few brave others had always been attempting to show their unhappiness with the situation. For the most part the soldiers let the protesters do as they had wished. They had not come to brutalize the population nor terrorize them as the monsters the western media portrayed, brutality over the majority would only bolster the ranks of the minority, proportional force was the rule of the military. Some of the protesters would interfere with the travels around the city standing in the roadways, sometimes the crowds would gather across from the military headquarters and have to be dispersed with the usage of teargas as it became a risk for potential violent actors to blend in. It was those who turned to violence that found themselves on the wrong side of a barrel. The occasional outburst of violence would occur mixed in with protestors, molotovs thrown at the soldiers and their vehicles, some occasional pot shots taken at patrols, some businesses that were seen as not having taken any sides in the conflict had even found themselves engulfed in flames for being seen serving the enemy soldiers. Those spotted in the crowds with arms, those identified by collaborationists looking to either keep this as least violent as possible or improve their position with the new authority, or those whom singled out altercations with the soldiers either found themselves gunned down in a fight or apprehended and detained in the former city jail for interrogation.

Outside of the city to the North-East the battle still raged between the naval infantry and the government forces being attacked from two directions attempting to encircle the forces in the open desert. Overhead two pairs of multi-role jets swept overhead carrying out a strike package against the enemy before a renewed assault was to occur. An unfortunate accident befell the soldiers whom were on the western flank of the enemy forces as the first pair that made approach made an error on the positioning of the naval infantry firing their fragmentation rockets into friendly positions instead of that of the hostile forces they were exchanging occasional fire with. The resultant friendly fire incident made command hold off on an large scale assault from this front, remaining in skirmishes while the exact nature of what had happened would be reviewed before risking another incident of friendly fire. The assault from the North-East however resulted in some successes forcing the enemy to retreat from some positions and giving more ground.

To the south of the city the 106th had ceased offensive operations and began securing the gains they had made sweeping across the country. This was a twofold decision as it would allow for some rest and more supply to be stockpiled for another lunge north, as well as allow them to gather fresh intelligence and eliminate opposition in the areas they did control to keep the supply lines unimpeded.

 

[Tarusa]

East of Al-Gharb

The continued battle between the Tarusans and the government forces of Al-Magrab had settled some of the weeks with minor operations from both sides. The Tarusans had used the time to solidify their positions and prepare for a final swift assault against the nearly encircled enemy, the enemy forces themselves were nearly exhausted having been under constant assault from multiple directions and facing the oncoming heavy reinforcements of the empire from the south.

The situation had begun to become dire for the forces of Magrab, they had not been reinforced from the east as the government itself was weary of another amphibious invasion by the Tarusan ships blockading the port of Barqah or from across the border in Hajr by the other members of the Gothic Sea Pact. They had been cut off from multiple avenues of retreat and had failed previously in an attempted counter-attack towards the city of Al-Gharb. The resources available had left them three choices, they could attempt and launch another attack towards the west and hope to repel the enemy back to the city or the beaches to the east, continue to hold their positions as long as they could continually losing ground, equipment, and men, or attempt a break-out.

The sun began to set, the exchange of artillery fire from the Tarusans and their own mortar fire would provide light in the dark night sky. They concentrated their own mortar fire towards the east where the marine force was the smallest and weakest of their enemy. The order was clear, they would launch a full on attack and attempt to breach the enemies defenses at every potential point for the beleaguered forces to retreat to the east and hopefully make it to the city of Barqah or any of the government outposts along the routes on the eastern part of the country.

The intensity of the fight was the most ferocious of this conflict to be seen so far as the marines were determined to crush the enemy, and they were determined to break out, to survive before being crushed. By day break the outcome could be noticed, the dust would settle and the marine line had held in a majority of its positions. The sound of sporadic small arms fire was still randomly heard from some of the pockets of fighting still occurring across the line of contact, but littering the field was scores of dead. They had managed to in few positions overwhelm the Tarusans and make a break for the east, in rarer cases they had managed to completely slip between the cracks and evade a fight. The enemy had managed to have a minority of the forces they had started this fight with survive to fight another day. Whether they would attempt and bring the fight back to the Imperial Troops or stay on the eastern half of the country licking their wounds would only be determined with the passing of time.

Major General Detzner, the commanding officer of the operation picked up his encrypted satellite phone to relay a message back to the halls of the Ministry of Defense;

"The operation has been a great success. We have overwhelming control of the country and the city has been ours since the opening days of the conflict. The enemies organized forces have collapsed and are in full retreat towards positions in the eastern part of the country after a last ditch and brutally fought break-out further depleting their resources to combat our forces. I hereby request that the next phase of the operation begin with civil and military engineering entering the country and other specialists as well as the appointed governor of the Tsar. We will continue anti-insurgency operations and other defensive measures across the country."