Defence Readiness Won

[Justosia]

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Heavy production plant
Undisclosed location
Rural Justosia

Limited was the industrial revolution due to the Holy Kingdom's century of isolationism, which saw only limited trading. Another handicap that must be overcome. All over Justosia the vast majority of heavy manufacturing had been converted to military tech & mech. De Government Royale was determined to catch up with Europe proper. Only a premier military would cement their credibility. After all one can never have too much deterrent....

The program of Defence Readiness One has only, barely reached the 25% ballpark. More tanks & artillery were beginning to roll off assembly lines, but the government was very unlikely to be satisfied with the pace. The kingdom had only 50 tanks. All of them were currently deployed to swiftly accomplish the mission in allied Occitania. Both these were classified. They had begun constructing 3 aircraft carriers little more than a year ago. They were only nearing 50% completion. As for the Air Force de Royale, that was completely classified.

"The hell is this? Civies?" One factory worker asked of the new security detail posted outside most plants recently.

"Yea the government doesn't wanna spend troops proper I guess. Might spook people. This is that new Civil Guard. Wet behind the ears." Another replied.

Overseeing Defence Readiness One was the burly Nationalist Brigadier General Ricardo Morales. It was nationalized after all.

"A snail's pace......" He lamented as he flipped through paperwork.

 

[Justosia]

Avalon
Ministry Defence de Royale

The increased security patrols. The fleet of motorcades arriving. It meant only the first quarterly review of Defence Readiness One. The burgeoning, ambitious brainchild of HRM to fully modernize the military. First His Excellency the PM arrived. Then the Grand General of the Army, Lord Julio Aguilar. Then the Grand Admiral of the Navy, Lord Marquise Desan. Then Grand Marshal of the Air Force, Lord Luis Cardoso.

Their aides set the conference room. The 4 took their seats. The PM spoke first.

"Gentlemen, good day. I'm here on behalf of His Royal Majesty to gauge your branche's respective progress on DR One. Let's not beat any bushes. We're all busy men. Lord Aguilar?"

"Gentlemen. Alas mine remains the most expendable branch. The tanks I maintain don't need updating. The Sabre Two meets all combat readiness standards. Obvious problem is we have only fifty. Fifty that are all currently deployed to Brecosta. We haven't lost one yet praise God Yahweh. The artillery cannons begin rolling off the line almost immediately. New Sabres are obviously taking longer. The first five to ten are getting close to ready to roll off the lines. I can't order production any faster. Estimate six months to a year to near completion, at least." He sat.

Grand Admiral Desan rose.

"Gentlemen. To our disgrace, our Holy Kingdom has never possessed an aircraft carrier. The tip of the sword. Or shield depending on the nation of course. I give you the Francisco Class.

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We have three roughly seventy five percent completed. The forth barely half. She'll be able to hold roughly ten to twenty fighters and or bombers. We were right to order them when we did. It's been painstaking. Took longer than we thought. DAMN isolationism. The more facets are completed, the easier and quicker sea readiness nears. It's mostly tech matters now. Those are finicky. For this reason I can't give you a completion estimate. Know we couldn't possibly be moving any faster. I regret how naked we are...." He sat.

Grand Marshal Cardoso rose.

"Gentlemen. As you well know the Talon One is beyond archaic now. It would be embarrassing to try to keep them commissioned now. I give you the nearing future of Justosian air supremacy. The Talon Two.

Can exceed the Mach One by almost a hundred miles per hour. Single tail wing design. Fully streamlined. We began production en masse a little over a year ago. It too is taking longer than we thought. The first twenty are roughly ninety percent complete. Air commissioned in roughly a couple months. Perhaps earlier. Marrying this tech and mech is a new struggle for our engineers and factory workers. That's the gist anyway." He sat. ​

Prime Minister Blount digested all of this.

".......Right. So we're obviously not at the READINESS part yet. His Majesty will, understandably, not be pleased. Almost every day he laments what a laughing stock we are in comparison to European military school generale."

"Your Excellency. There's literally no way to further speed this up. I suggest perhaps you tour one of our ship plants. This undertaking.....she's mighty and massive." Lord Desan replied.

"Why pre tell is His Majesty so impatient lately? Are we under threat?" Lord Cardoso inquired.

"It's because he wants an empire. He wants what has eluded every ancestor of his. Just fucking say it. Justosia's international reputation and respect are his own. They're the same to him...." Lord Aguilar was blunt. Perhaps too so.

The room fell silent. The aides couldn't believe what they just heard. The PM sighed.

"Lord General Aguilar. Do you question the decisions, wisdom of our sovereign King? Do I need to summon him? You sound like you're not yet sated."

 

[Justosia]

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Ministry Defence de Royale
Avalon
Conference Room A
Level 1 meeting

The Grand General, Admiral, & Marshal had been summoned to the capital with haste. They knew not what for. Upon getting situated with their staff, the faces of His Excellency Prime Minister Blount & Defence Minister Figueroa appeared on the 2 main screens. The PM spoke.

"Gentlemen, good day. You may consider this a continuation of our last meeting. This latest report shows the artillery is rolling off the lines. Tanks finally too. The pace seems satisfactory now. There was the good news. Gentlemen, all three of you are relieved of your duties effective immediately. Especially you Aguilar. His Royal Majesty thanks you for all your service. You're dismissed. Turn in all your credentials immediately."

 

[Justosia]

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Desan Naval Base
Avalon District, coast

"Yup, she's a beaut. Do pardon my proud bias, but I highly doubt she'll have an equal on those seas Lord Carvalho. We're honored your first tour was here, Grand Admiral." Commander Torian said.

"I would definitely not underestimate the Engellex and Kadakistan navies. Especially the republic's. We need to be their friend. I think they think themselves better than us.....they'd be right right now. Your fervent patriotism is noted Commander. I am so far pleased with this pace. Pity the JRS Annabella carrier is behind the Francisco two and Francisco three. Two operational carriers should do...."

The virtual black hole continued to swallow § as the pace sped on...

 

[Justosia]

In the main hall of the Ministry Defence de Royale applause rose with the hugs, even some tears. Those would soon be drowned out by champagne.

The Defence Minister walked to the podium. He motioned for silence.

"ISOLATIONISM. IS. DEAD, and so is anyone for anywhere who thinks they can infringe, threaten, or bully us back into the hole of obscurity! VIVA JUSTOSIA!"

-thunderous applause/cheering

 

[Justosia]

Triunfo Naval Base
Avalon

The motorcade, fleet arrived & coalesced with base Military Police. HRH Prince Julian Francisco-Francois II stepped out of the limousine. He was whisked to the now completed aircraft carriers JRS Francisco II & JRS Francisco III. Today is a historic day. Finally the Great Southern Kingdom could project power. That power would be requesting true respect for the first time in over a century.

His staff set the scene while HRH was briefed by the base Commander. Ceremonial troops, sailors, Marines took formation, attention. HRH received word that they were also on alert as is SOP. After another half hour, it was time.

"This day, Saturday, December first, twenty eighteen. Our nation takes another step into the twenty first century. We are solidifying our defence nationale! With this step we implore the end to the ominous, condescending, establishment, imperial esque antagonism that has been hurled at us over the course of the last year. Europe cannot be a good old boys, or should I say good old nations club. Our Great Southern Kingdom says hello! Let us in!

With this christening, I tell our Himyar neighbors, let us work together to keep internationale shipping lanes open and secure. Let us keep pirates at bay. Now. I christen the! Justosian Royal Ship Francisco two! Justosian Royal Ship Francisco three!

-smashes champagne bottles into both ships/roaring applause-

The carriers take a maiden sail around the perimeter.

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[Justosia]

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Government Royale de Justosia
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Secure Communique
CLASSIFIED/TOP SECRET

My orders are immediate, total:

- NEVER ARE THEY TO BE IN THE SAME PORT.

- NEVER ARE THEY TO SAIL TOGETHER.

You shall stand by for further orders. My eyes are total & everywhere as well. Failure to obey/execute will result in immediate dismissal & Court Martial. Do not fail me Commander.

-HRM

 

[Justosia]

Royal Palace, basement levels
Secured Government Quarter
Avalon

The King sat in an executive swivel chair in what was basically an atrium. He spun slowly from side to side. He pushed himself over to a fireplace. It was hardly cold, he lit it ablaze anyway. In his left hand he had a copy of the latest diplomatic communique from the Natalian Federation. In his right hand he had a copy of their forwarded DR One de-classification communique. He threw both into the flames. He then walked across the hallway. Past his attache of 4 Royal Guards who wouldn't move a millimeter unless ordered. In the other room he grabbed 2 bottles of Eden de Avalon™ fine wine. One a 1990 red Pinot Noir. The other a newer Chardonnay. He strolled back into the atrium. He sat back down. He stared up into the Himyari sky. Inside this particular atrium hung the portraits of the 11 preceeding sovereign Kings of Justosia. Direct ancestors all. Carlos eyed them down for a second.

"Most of you didn't even come close to TRULY fulfilling your oaths. Including you, papa."

Carlos heard footsteps. These were followed by his Royal Guards standing down. It was his only son, Crown Prince Carlos III. He entered. He dragged a desk over to his father. He sat atop it.

"Fast few weeks, no? I should like to meet the Eiffelland King. I'm very curious. Julian.....that wretch is an ambassador now. I shou-"

His father stopped him.

"Don't be cute. Save that for whoever will bear me my grandson, son, and I mean SON. Time is closer to essence. Don't make me order you to. It isn't the shadowing yet. You have at least fifteen years seed of mine. Your first and only governmental acts will only ever be that of your reign."

".......Father what are you playing at? Why did you de-classify the vanguard of our renaissance? Why.....do you trust the Natalians? They aren't rightists. They aren't monarchists. They don't even seem particularly friendly. Let alone trustworthy. If they haven't already stabbed us in the back, they will......"

"Oh Carlos. They'll have to stab through the other three ballistic missile subs I haven't even told you about, until, well. I wouldn't trust those serpents further than I could throw them. They act well though. The de-classification was specific.......just specific enough. They may have been sated......or they may have seen through it like I can almost see through them. They're conjuring something. Though I know not what. That's partly why I ordered those subs. I'm also only scrapping half of the Talon Ones. The other half are being retrofitted into Mach Twos. Much less expensive and not fudging the information we sent them."

The Crown Prince sat there. He digested this. Knowing his was already bound by utter secrecy.

".......Is price a factor now?"

"Yes. We're almost broke. This is also a secret. If I attempt to pay for, borrow from, divert, or nationalize anything else our Stock Market will crash. We could enter a recession, even a depression. I've exhausted eighty percent of the surplus. Too many have lost jobs. DR One is done. Shortly I will announce this, the de-nationalizations. I will lobby the Senate to......cut severely all newly placed taxes. I did this for Justosia. I did this for my oath. I did this for you. Your reign. You'll see....."

His Son digested this. He hugged his father then left. The King fetched a chess board from a cupboard. He opened it, placed it upon the desk. He starred at it for a full minute. He then took the red wine & poured it all over the board. He opened & began chugging the white.

"Herald me, Lord, as the fastest, greatest reforming monarch in European history."

He walked out.

 

[Justosia]

Roughly 5 days later, the JRS Francisco III had finally reached its safe port on the eastern seaboard of the Kingdom.

Admiral Carvalho looked over a map of Justosia as he debated. The Navy de Royale had been on alert since the Saturday ceremony. Though this had faded from the news. The choice was his. He elected to keep the navy on alert. He was no novice after all. His rank told the story, despite his noble birth.

He then received an important communique from the Defence Ministry.

CLASSIFIED/TOP SECRET:

Your Lordship Admiral Carvalho,

Be advised. Completion of 2 guided missile frigates. Completion of 1 surveillance frigate. DR One is to be completed in increments as it was started. Construction cannot be further hastened. Next completion date currently undetermined.

Current naval defence readiness: Moderate/sufficient.

Requesting orders for station of new vessels. A sailor mobilization will be required to adequately man as of now. Please advise on alert state.

To: Defence Ministry
From: Command

Alert state in tact. Deemed strategically prudent. New vessels sail for Avalon & Desan bases immediately. Under cover of night.

Advising ministry to utilize internationale law immediately.

 

[Justosia]

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CLASSIFIED

To:
Commander Iglesias

From:
Lord Admiral Carvalho

You are henceforth ordered to undertake Operation Proteger. Royal Ascent received. Priority Level 2. This is the first naval deployment in over a century. Failure is not an option.

Deploy:
4 Presagio Class submarines.
4 Encuesta Class surveillance frigates.
12 Guardia Class patrol boats.

Proximal threats deemed too pending to ignore. Probable agitator(s) suspected, withheld. Level 2 coastal defence operation. No direct threats known at this time. Mainly deterrence operation. Two navy surveillance planes will rendezvous at dawn. Operation start time is 0400. Ping max range separates each vessel. In the unlikely event a hostile foreign vessel is discovered, engage & terminate immediately with extreme predujice. Viva Justosia.

Objective:
Shield vulnerable western seaboard including archipelago.

 

[Justosia]

Royal Palace
King's apartment(s)

HRM awoke from his sleep. His nightly prayers didn't fully excecise the troubles he felt festering. He ordered an aide bring him a secured line. He phoned Defence Minister Delgado first.

"Prepare for a Level One summit tomorrow. Our defence and contingency plans generale are in a sorrowful state. This travesty ends tomorrow."

He then hung up & phoned the PM the same. He then said an extra prayer for the brave sailors about to undertake Operation Proteger. He said a final prayer asking for the utter suffering of his enemies foreign & domestic. He went back to sleep.

 

[Justosia]

Defence Ministry
Level One Summit
Avalon

HRM, the Defence Minister, Intelligence Minister, & their staff took their seats at a beautifully polished oak table. The business of the day was urgent. HRM spoke first, of course.

"Thank you for your promptness gentlemen. You know why you're here. Today we address this urgent nationale security concern. We have no modern contingency plans in the event of actual aggression against us. Preemptive action has only gotten us so far. I told you in advance. Have further readiness plans prepared."

Defence Minister Delgado laid a classified stamped folder in front of HRM titled HEART. HRM read it as he sipped his coffee.

"This is to the point. Short. Ninety five percent projected success rate. Destroys virtually any potential aggressor's ability to make effective war."

"May I add, Majesty, all credible intel shows no potential enemy ability to stop, deflect, what have you. It can also easily be adapted to two or more potential aggressors. If need be. It's the most prudent plan to squash hostilities swiftly. Minimize casualties of all kinds."

He then laid another folder in front of HRM titled TORSO. HRM read it.

".....This stratagem leaves open the window for variables. This is more a facet of....total. It should be absorbed into Heart if the need should arise.

Well done Carlos. This makes up for your dangerous neglegence on this matter. Almost bordered on treason. Don't allow this to happen again."

"Your Majesty, if I may?"

Intelligence Minister Calderon laid the final folder titled HEAD in front of HRM. He read it. He smiled.

"You prove your continued worth Felix. This particular gem has already served us well. God knows it may saved us."

"Majesty, the Lion's Dens remains secure. The information remains only partial. Which is why we........I won't declare to you what I heavily suspect. Fail safe remains in tact. It's why we only recruited party fanatics. They'll do it. What I WILL declare to you is that the suspected have already lost the relations war. Whether they know it or not, matters not."

Delgado chimed in.

"Majesty, Operation Proteger is fully underway. The eastern seaboard is effectively, fully shielded. Eyes total."

HRM finished his coffee.

"Meeting adjourned. All of this is beyond classified. Dismissed gentlemen."

 

[Justosia]

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[Justosia]

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Ministry Defence de Royale
Level One Summit
Secure Government Quarter
Avalon
Tuesday, 0200 PM

The emblem of the Royal Armed Forces loomed large behind the chair at the head of the table. Another summit had been called by HRM. Pressing matters of security nationale. This meeting was classified, top secret. There would be no staff this time. Only the men themselves. The necessary documents & dossiers had already been laid out. Viewing by any staff under penalty of death.

Entering was HRM the king. Followed by Lord Ricardo Arrayo. Grand General of the Royal Army & head of the noble House de Arrayo. Followed by Lord Enrique Carvalho. Grand Admiral of the Royal Navy & head of the noble House de Carvalho. Followed lastly by Lord Jorge Alessandro. Grand Marshal of the Royal Air Force & head of the noble House de Alessandro.

They took their seats. Began breaking the Royal Seal on the folders. After a minute HRM spoke.

"We've all seen the news. Himyar continues to be a powdering keg. There were Aurarine spies in Crotobaltislavonia. I might now believe this is the most arrogant republic in history. Gentlemen, our sow of a mother has lost her mind. Of course we cannot be totally sure they don't have spies here. If they're willing to stretch their tentacles like this, God Yahweh knows how they could very well be conspiring against us regionally. This feeling festers deep in my heart. Gentlemen, brief me on Operation Proteger, fully.

Grand Admiral Carvalho spoke first.

"Majesty, the third carrier, the JRS Annabella, is nearly complete. I also have a proposal. It concerns the namesake Proteger archipelago off the west coast. They need to become utilized, defencively of course."

HRM stopped him there.

"The Annabella is no longer my main concern, right now. The last of the guided missile frigates. How far along?"

".........One....almost completed." Carvalho responded.

The anger that came over HRM's face was obvious.

"Odious, unacceptable. In every way they are just as important for defence nationale. In some ways more so. Explain this delay, now."

"My Lord, it's the guidance and targeting systems. They are beyond intricate. To put it generally. Their installation simply cannot be rushed. Lest they fail us when needed most. I apologize and ask for Majesty's forgiveness."

HRM sat there. He rolled a pen between his right fingers. He did so for a full minute. He then looked the Grand Admiral squarely in his eyes briefly, speaking volumes.

"There is no duty more sacred than that of my role as Supreme Commander-In-Chief. I will rise against anyone, foreign or domestic, who interferes with my protecting my.....our people. Do your jobs my lords. Don't make me say this again. That said, Lord Carvalho please elaborate about how our aforementioned western archipelago may be of use to naval defence strategy."

Carvalho sounded off on the geography of the islands. This was met with approval by HRM. Who himself wasn't done with his directives yet.

"In light of recent developments I shall be ordering the Intelligence Minister to double our surveillance of the Aurarine embassy. Triple background check any Aurarine national currently within our borders. I suspect deeply, in my heart, bones, soul, that I have been betrayed.......though not by them."

(part 1/2)

 

[Justosia]

Royal Palace
Administrative Wing
Secure Government Quarter
Avalon

HRM's late lunch was interrupted by a Level One phone call from Grand Admiral Carvalho. After 5 minutes the situation was made clear. As they spoke, palace liaison Royal Navy Officers were brought in with a sealed briefcase. In it contained the formal authorization to initiate Phase 2 of Operation Proteger.

"Lord Carvalho, as expected, this soon to be identified aggressor has played right into our hands. Under no circumstances are those subs to be destroyed, understand? Secure a positive ID immediately."

"Majesty and if they become desperate?"

"It will still be a significant loss. We would then commence a floor salvage operation."

HRM hung up & debated signing Royal Ascent to Phase 2 of Proteger. A crippling information campaign. Initiated not by him, but by the aggressor nation itself as Lord Carvalho was banking upon. He then called the Foreign Ministry.

"I summon Foreign Minister Torres to my quarters, immediately."

 

[Justosia]

Video conference call
Secure line
Royal Palace Administrative Wing
Secure Government Quarter
Avalon

HRM sat in video conference call with Grand Admiral Carvalho, Defence Minister Delgado, & Intelligence Sub Minister Calderon.

"Majesty. Permission to elaborate on Phase Two of Operation Proteger. A crippling information campaign. Foreign Minister Torres will tell Europe, lobby Europe. He will do this aggressively, in internationale areas he hasn't yet inserted himself. His words will permeate every facet of continental dialog. Saturation. This is obviously his job but niched to effectively, virtually destroy the aggressor enemy's credibility and any rebuttal, justification, or flat out propaganda they may espouse henceforth. This is Phase Two....mostly. This is obviously greatly helped by the fact that they're, well, actually aggressing."

HRM motioned for him to explain Phase 3.

"As I mentioned in person, our western Proteger archipelago. All but one of the western most islands are capped by jagged mountain tops. The JRS
Habitante is our only submarine currently not on mission. I am ordering it deployed to Proteger Four. It will be escorted by two surveillance planes. Once the Habitante has reached its mission point, the two planes will fly opposite side. They'll radar scan the designated island to determine just how well a geographical shield is provided. I estimate these islands will provide near perfect shielding for our missile frigates and subs to either intercept or launch pre emptive defencive strikes against possible future westward incoming threats. I recommend we regularly rotate our subs and frigates to and from this archipelago. That completes my brief."

HRM then motioned for Calderon to begin.

"Majesty, the Lion's Den remains intact and clean. As such, your plausible deniablity does. Their latest intel has made us ninety percent confident this aggression is being undertaken by the Aurarine republic. As per your prior concern, this operation has only recruited Nationalist fanatics. They won't break. They also should be still be capsule equipped."

"These fucking Godless, uppity, inferior buearcroats...." This was the contribution of Delgado.

Carvalho chimed in again.

"Majesty, I believe we should be adjourned."

After much contemplation HRM spoke.

"We're adjourned gentlemen. Viva Justosia."

(part 2)

 

[Justosia]

Island of Proteger 4
Justosian Western Archipelago

Two navy surveillance planes circled around the island as they rendezvoued with the JRS Habitante. The missile sub surfaced as close to the island as it could without running aground. The planes performed a radar scan....

 

[Justosia]

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CLASSIFIED/TOP SECRET
To: HRM
From: Grand Naval Command

We are holding. Permission to pursue. Please advise.

I am ordering security around all naval bases doubled. The navy remains on alert. I am ordering regular aerial patrols by surveillance planes & ping boueys placed in the outgoing proximal waters of all naval bases. The JRS Annabella is 95% completed. The missile frigates are being housed in makeshift hangars as quickly as they can be built. I don't believe this will increase tensions as they too have already been declassified in your declassification to the Natalian Federation. Lastly, the western Proteger Archipelago has now been estimated to provide a 75% shield factor if hugged by submarines & frigates against incoming westward threats. Recommend patrols & rotations. God save you. Viva Justosia.

Lord Enrique Carvalho
Grand Admiral

 

[Justosia]

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CLASSIFIED/TOP SECRET
To: HRM
From: Intelligence

Risk of Lion's Den being compromised now 75%. Data collected deemed Level One usefulness.

- Address/exact latitude/longitude of defence organ, presidential palace, interior organ. Among more.

Recommend rotation. Under normal diplomatic/personal guise of returning home. Probability of some being detained is 50%-60%. Your plausible deniability is intact. Operation Lion's Den, I deem success. Please advise. Viva Justosia.

Felix Calderon
Intelligence Sub Minister

 

[Justosia]

CLASSIFIED/TOP SECRET
To: Commanders Ferrara/Davosa
From: Grand Naval Command

Orders are to shadow the retreating vessels once located. General proximal area identified. Keep them within firing range in case they come about & attempt to engage. Shadow until they are at least 50 nautical miles from westward edge of territorial waters. Send a strong....enough message.

Lord Enrique Carvalho
Grand Admiral