Ebb and Flow

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Barkai, Judean Republic

"For fuck sakes, they basically attacked a priest and a bunch of college tree-huggers. I think its obvious we have to do something, this Captain...what was his name?"

"Lahad sir"

"Yes, Captain Lahad. We cannot sit idly by while this piss ant nation starts acting Belmontien. We are going to have to do something once this deadline is up" said President Rahm Levy.

The room under the Presidential Residence was dimply lit but the light was adequate for what was happening. Sitting in Toledo chairs*, Levy and his senior political and military staff sat in a circle. The table had been removed leaving the 11 men with the concrete floor and concrete walls padded with deep brown leather cushions. Some men took notes but it wasn't a meeting or a planning session, it was a steering committee.

Admiral David Halutz was Judea's only full admiral. Beneath him were two Vice Admirals, each fairly well skilled. But Judea's navy was not prepared for any serious blue water conflict. It was mainly aimed at coastal protection and naval defense. So Halutz knew any pissing match with Judea alone could be ugly. There were other options. Halutz slowly stood as others in the room had their vision magnetized to him. He slowly cleared his throat. "Listen, we all know we cant and dont want to start a shooting war over some washed up sea captain; but these are college kids we are talking about....and a priest. These are major no-nos. So we have a few options. First, we can use what is probably our most effective military weapon, our special forces. They go in, grab the guy, get out. But that means shooting and....."

"That is a big but Admiral, I think we should focus on other options first" said Levy with a tone of contempt for the idea.

Halutz swallowed hard and looked round the circle of dimly lit faces. "Well, we take the legal and political road" said the Admiral much to the shock of the men in the room. Many were wondering what this old sailor had to propose that would be of the legal and political road. "Its a bit out there; a bit far-fetchedl; but we can try it" said the Admiral.



*think Barcelona chairs


Two Hours later

Official Communique​

Encoded- LR432-300-32464992-Apricot*
Security tag- 44DLP099

To: State Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From: The Office of the President, Judean Republic

As our stipulations remain unmet, it is our duty to inform you of actions to be taken once the deadline has been reached. At Deadline +15, our government will no longer recognize the sovereignty of Padania and will consider her to be in a state of piracy. The refusal to acknowledge freedom of the seas, illegal abduction of a Judean citizen, and our belief he is being used as leverage in the Lunden Conference have led us to classify this action as an action of piracy as leverage may be obtained at the Lunden Conference regarding his release. We equate this to a form of ransom and thus label his abduction as pirate kidnapping. As the Padanian navy has performed acts of piracy and has been embraced by the government, we will recognize Padania as a PIRATE STATE.

At Deadline +15, all military vessels under Padanian flag will be considered an imminent threat to Judean and international maritime trade and will be attended to as such. All civilian vessels under the flag of Padania will be considered support pirate vessels and can and will be legally seized by Judea or any other nation. Furthermore, Padanian visas, citizenship, and the rights of those citizens in Judea will be void. These non-citizens will be detained, not arrested but detained, until they can be deported to a legal and sovereign state. Padanian assets in Judea have already been frozen and will be seized at Deadline +15 as it is property of piracy.

In accordance with international custom, we will remind you that harboring pirates is forbidden. No nation can receive pirates into their territory willingly and any aid rendered as such can be viewed as a further violation of international law.





*intentionally made to be intercepted and easily decoded by other nations

 

[Papist Solaren]

SOURCE LUCCA-FA
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE
JREMBASSY BARKAI IMMEDIATE

UNCLASSIFIED

SUBJECT: CONTINUED DETAINMENT OF LAHAD AND PIRACY

1. In response to the ultimatum issued by the Judean Republic, il Doge has deemed the escalating tensions a threat to the integrity of Padanian foreign politics. Il Doge has called for an emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of Defense, and is expected to release an official response shortly.

2. In regards to the threat of declaration of a Pirate State, the Padanian Office of Foreign Affairs does not deem the threat credible. Any state which continues to recognize the sovereignty of Padania, but takes action against a Padanian vessel on the grounds of combating piracy, will be assumed to be AT WAR with the State; as such all shipping and air traffic into, out of, or belonging to, the belligerent state will be seized or destroyed. Il Doge believes that it is doubtful that nations outside of Judea will revoke their recognition over the detainment of a single citizen.

3. Recognizing the potential threat created by Judea's military alliances, travel from all EDF states into Padania will be banned. All EDF citizens are to be immediately notified via state news that they should leave the State for their own safety, so as to avoid further political complications.

4. Should this issue not be resolved by 18 hours prior to deadline, an embargo will be issued against the Judean Republic. Padanian P&I clubs are to be notified of this fact immediately, and will not cover losses sustained within Judean waters.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Barkai, Judean Republic

Halutz walked quickly into the room, communique in hand. "Well, its happened" he said to the President handing over the paper. Halutz stood silent as Levy nodded.

"The exact action we expected, arrogance and resistance" said the President with a stone face. "Funny how they expect other nations to ignore our decree of piracy but expect all nations to accept their maritime decree" said Levy wryly turning to Halutz. "Admiral, you are sure this is the correct step? I do NOT want a war" said Levy.

Halutz stood silent for a moment before nodding. "I spoke with her skipper, she is all set. We must know how they will react with actions, not words. I spoke to the Captain myself and though he isnt comfortable with the idea, he accepted the new course" said the Admiral.

39 miles off the coast of Padania

JCS Trier was an old ship, almost 65 years old. Displacing about 15,000 tons, she spent her career hauling textiles, tractors, and even had served as a civilian training vessel. Her skipper, Rubin David, spent most of his life serving in the merchant fleet. He still maintained a reserve naval commission despite being at the required retirement age for non-flag officers at 62. His crew of 35 referred to him as 'old bones' behind his back. Most of his crew had served in the navy during their mandatory service and were still on their reserve requirement.

David's instructions were clear- send out a few test signals to get some attention and see if they were challenged. The captain pondered what he would actually do if challenged: resist with his old ship and tiny crew....possibly ending up like the last captain or submit to Padanian orders. Either way David knew his chances were slim. His men were merchant men not naval sailors despite their reserve service. With no air radar, his men had to search the skies by sight. After all, the Trier was no combat vessel, she was built for hauling, not anything like this.

 

[Papist Solaren]

"They're attempting to provoke us. We still aren't sure what options they can use at the end of this deadline besides encouraging other states to attack our ships. They know, as well as we do, that if it comes to that, we will retaliate," spoke one of the Admirals of the Supreme Council. At the end of the table, the shaved head of the Doge peered down at the wood beneath his palms. He was listening intently.

"How would you have us retaliate?" asked a General from the other side of the table.

"Eye for an eye, showing them their mistakes is the only way to make them realize they can not do as they please, that other states in this world exist outside of the EDF. That their law is not the law of the world," the Admiral retorted angrily. "We have built up a self-sustainable industry capable of providing for our people, and we know that our enemies do not have this ability. We have submarines capable of waging unrestricted warfare. For every one of our vessels they attack, we attack two."

Another General leaned forward, shaking his head in disgust. "With all due respect, my Doge, the economic policies of your predecessors did not create a perfectly sustainable economy. If we severed ourselves from the world market, domestic prices would sky rocket, currencies would devaluate, and citizens would turn to crime. Our nation has never sought the ability to build a strong navy because we knew our purposes was to defend the nation - not invade others."

"You would have us appear weak!" the Admiral grumbled.

"Ammiraglio Mungai," another Admiral, obviously more influential, spoke as his hand brushed against his eyebrow. "He would have us not plunge our nation into war because of a single man who was either too stupid to turn on the television, or too idealist to know no one man can make a difference."

The door to the room opened and an aide quietly walked in, delivering a dossier on the table before the staff. He exited quickly, shutting the doors to the spartan room behind him. The Admiral that had just spoken, Serpieri, had served the Marina Militare for decades. He picked up the dossier and adjusted his reading glasses as he browsed over the document, a frown on his face.

"The Judeans are trying to press the issue. Another pawn, this time a commercial ship, is attempting to entice a response from us," he frowned.

"What?" a faceless General asked from the corner of the table.

Ammiraglio Mungai grunted. "Sink it."

The Doge visibly shook his head at the end of the table, and from the corner of his eye he looked at Ammiraglio Serpieri to speak. Serpieri knew what the Doge wanted. "Send a frigate to monitor the Judean ship. Have Servizio Informazione Nazionale monitor the vessel and decode whatever messages it's sending. Chances are, they're trying to make this incident larger. We need to show force, but only react if the threat is real."

Mungai frowned, but the Doge was notably pleased. "At least send some Lagunari."

--------------------------------

The PNS Cento was a moderately aged frigate, it bore an extremely sleek and thin hull and modest armament, replete with a helicopter deck, electronic warfare suites, it's main purpose was ship-to-ship and anti-submarine warfare. The waves were relatively calm, and the hull cut through the sea like a knife through butter. It was not difficult for the Cento to reach it's top speed of 33 knots. It would not take long to intercept the Trier.

Captain Rea, an average built man with a thick head of blonde hair, uncommon for a Padanian man, stood at the center of the bridge, flanked on all sides by men busily doing their boring jobs. The XO came forward, presenting a crudely typed paper to the Captain. "CINCNAV says that the target is broadcast signals, and has requested that we intercept and reroute them to these locations," the XO pointed to some words on the paper. "If SIN authorizes it, we're to send Lagunari in by helo. Otherwise, we're to monitor the Trier as it makes it's way through Padanian waters."

"Very well, have the helo's hot and ready, and have the Lagunari report to the hangar," he spoke as he looked over the paper to confirm the XO's report. He handed the paper back to the XO and turned around, the XO quickly moving to the phone to contact Operations.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

JCS Trier

Even the interiors of the ship were moderately depressing. While modern communication and navigation equipment had been installed, it was one step away from being a hulk. Rust on bulkheads was often merely painted over or not even painted at all. In 2007 she had to be dry docked to have major structural repairs. When it was in service during the Great War, she received armor plating. This plating had been the only thing holding her together. Now, with almost all of it removed, she was held together by a few beams and superficial welds.

"Contact, shes pretty far off. Has our heading. Northeast"

"Very well" said the old Captain. He walked over to view the radar screen, nodding. He knew it had to be Padanian. Captain David turned to the communications chief aboard the Trier. "Send this message back to Barkai, encode it. Have contact. May be shadowing. Will continue on present course" said David clearly. The comm chief looked confused but did as he was told and sent the message.

David returned to his chair on the bridge, thinking heavily of the fabric of ships that could sink him fairly easily. Before getting sent on this crazy errand, the ship was actually on its way to Guiana to possibly be scrapped. Now it would be time to see what the Padanians did. David understood it might provoke them but him being there was the only way to truly measure how the threats impacted Padanian policy. Only time would tell.

 

[Papist Solaren]

(ooc: researched some and realized I watch too many movies; changed location of officers from CIC to bridge; relocated EW station to CIC, previous post to be amended as well, still unsure where XO would be during possible combat so have him located on bridge, though I believe he'd probably be in the CIC or Weapons suite)

Captain Rea peered out the window of the bridge with his goggles, attempting to discern just exactly what the Trier looked like. He still couldn't see it, but it was a nervous habit of his he used to pass time under stress. He knew that the horizon , given his height and probably boat height, would probably seem 15 nautical miles away, and that spotting the Trier would be impossible at what was probably thirty nautical miles.

The XO stepped behind him; had Rea not been accustomed to his companions presence he might have been surprised. "Operations reports that the target has broadcast a signal, and that it has been intercepted and sent to SIN. Operations reports that it was encoded."

"Damnit." Captain Rea slowly put down his binoculars with a frown. The Judeans had acted before he could get close enough to get a good visual or launch an effective airborne assault. If he launched choppers now, there'd be no way for the Cento to support or rescue. "ETA to intercept?"

"Roughly an hour and thirty minutes if the vessel continues its current course," the XO replied.

Captain Rea did not look pleased. "Contact Aeronautica Militare," he turned his head to his trusted lieutenant. "Request a fighter be scrambled for a low altitude low speed recon sortie, give them a good buzz over to rattle them a bit. I want to assess the integrity of the ship, potential threat level, and purpose. Have CIC continue relaying signals to SIN."

He was forced to wonder if, at this range, he'd need to respond with ordnance. They were still well out of reach of the 127mm, and he didn't want to send the Lagunari into a situation they couldn't easily escape.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

JCS Trier


"Their will overtake us soon, they are holding their course" said the NavChief. David sighed. It was inevitable. David turned to the Communications Officer, "Send another message, not encoded. Will be overtaken at present course and speed. Expect to be stopped" said David. The communications operator sat, staring at the Captain waiting for the next part of the message. "Well? Go on" said David agitated. He really was too old for this kind of thing. This ship was a piece of crap and on her last leg. David wondered how he got this crap assignment and shrugged to himself. No sense in playing that out in his head. Any minute David expected to hear a chopper fly overhead. It would mark the end of this ship perhaps. Who knew what these Padanians were capable of David thought. He sighed before he picked up the receiver on the PA: 'This is your Captain. Set condition Zebra. May G-d protect us and this nightmare end. That is all'. Unlike naval ships, there was no gong, no set standard. It was time for the old girl to tighten her belly and dog her ancient hatches. David weighed his minimal options. His ship had no real advantages. Speed was a solid 15 knots if he pushed it but 12 was the best he was going to do. Running wasn't an option. It was rapidly becoming clear to everybody on board that there was no change in Padanian policy and the ship, hold empty, would be targeted for boarding at the very least.

The Captain sighed, turning to the ship's master. "8 knots, current heading. Make it happen" said David. No use in prolonging the inevitable.

 

[Papist Solaren]

The jet streaked through the sky, it's Delta shaped wing a strange, unnatural and hardly elegant shape, hid strangely well against a backdrop of grey clouds. The craft was surprisingly maneuverable despite what one would think, and began it's descent through the cloud cover. The pilots radar did nit blip as it picked up the target, the state of the art computer was not some ancient childs toy that alerted him when something drew closer. There were always a half dozen readings on his radar at any given moment, birds, static, other things.

He could see the target vessel almost immediately, his jet launching him towards it quickly. He could almost immediately tell that the vessel had no sophisticated defensive equipment, but he still could not be sure if the men aboard it were not contrarily equipped. He shot off to the horizon, bringing his plane about and adjusting the altitude after reversing course back to the boat. He was four hundred feet above the waves, and slowly dropping. He wanted to get a message across with this pass.

The roar of the engines blasted the deck of the vessel as the pilot brought his plane within 150 feet of the ship, blasting by at high alpha, slowing his plane down and pointing the engines to the deck as he passed. Once past, he adjusted his setting and flew around the vessel a few times, reporting what he saw.

There was no way this vessel was a commercial ship. No Jew was this poor.

--------------------------------

Captain Rea watched a myriad of men peer over to the horizon beside him, watching for whatever threats might materialize. Their eyes were probably damaged, and he swore one of them even appeared to have a tan like a raccoon.

"The sortie has encountered the craft and reported back. Visual suggests that the ship may be suspect," XO read off to the Captain.

"Judean vessel is maintaining course but slowing down, at this rate we'll overtake them within 45 minutes," reported off the man at the bridge's communication station. Captain Rea nodded.

"Very well. Hail the Judean ship and inform it that it is being monitored, and should maintain current speed and heading," he thought for a moment. Was he going to board this ship... would there be any incidents? Maybe not, if this Judean captain was a cool customer. His mind wondered what exactly their captain would have thought after being buzzed. He grinned, he'd only had the distinct pleasure of being buzzed once before, after he had offended Ammiraglio Giuliacci.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

It was a rather windy evening, causing powerful waves to spill the salty water of the Long Sea onboard of the Chainlink Break, a modern corvette of the Revolutionary Navy of Carentania. The long, slim, grey shade of the ship had been involved in several operations since it had left the wharves of Cazma, including an incident off the coast of Sinhai that involved a sunken Vangalan ship accused of shipping arms to oppositional groups. That operation, however, had been a while ago and the Chainlink Break, its captain and its crew had long since returned to the Workers' Republic, were well rested and relaxed.

Patrolling the Long Sea was a rather common task for a ship of the Revolutionary Navy, even during the most peaceful of times. The crisis involving Coronado and Belmont, though, had meant for some additional presence in the Long Sea, which was now put to good use in containing Padanian expansion within what was considered by Carentania to be its front-door. The Chainlink Break wasn't the only Carentanian ship in the region and it wasn't even the only ship in its group. Three other corvettes accompanied the vessel as it patrolled just above a five miles distance to the Padanian shores, monitoring the movement of the Padanians with fully active radar. It was a clear warning to the Padanians, but it also felt like acknowledging their claims, as the ships stayed just outside of the zone claimed by Padania.

Still, the Padanian regime was not known for being level-headed and no one could tell what reactions an incursion into the 50 miles zone would provoke. War was not a desirable result, not with the Belmontien situation still partially unresolved, not with the Carentanian military in the process of reform. Carentania wanted to show strength, wanted to show influence and importance in its neighbourhood. For lack of better symbolism: Padania was a dog who had marked a tree in Carentanias territory and now, the Workers' Republic was taking a piss on its trunk as well.

Captain Slobovic, watching the waves crash against the ships bow, was not worried the slightest. It was a standard mission, nothing out of the ordinary. "Let the politicians handle it," he thought to himself while warming his hands on a cup of Vangalan tea. The signs on his radar screen, indicating Padanian vessels and planes to the left of the ship and Carentanian ones to its right, were not worrying him. It had always been that way, why should it suddenly begin to indicate an impending confrontation?

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The old girl shook to her core as the jet screamed overhead like an opera house packed to the brim with sopranos. The men's faces quickly became ashen. They all have expected to be obliterated any second in a violent storm of fire and water. But nothing came. Just another move by the thugs. Thats when they got the message.

"Maintain speed and heading?" asked David out loud. Silently he wondered who the hell they were to order him to do any such thing. He weighed his slim options. Either he was going to stop, they would board him, or they would be forced to stop. He sighed before rubbing his temples. He ordered the ships food technician to grab him some coffee. 'Food technician' was the company's nice way of saying cook.

David stood and lazily walked over to the communications center of the bridge, practically another compartment. He leaned against the bulkhead and sipped the coffee that had been brought to him minutes before. It was quiet. Uneasily quiet. "Send this to Barkai: Ship will be overtaken in next hour. Will send update as soon as conveniently possible". David called the entire crew to the mess, save for one man on the bridge whome he trusted and had already spoken to. "Gentleman, we have only a few short minutes, so let me be brief. The Padanian ship will attempt to stop us in a short time. Our options are to stop, let them board, or whatever they want to do. Or we continue on our way and simply ignore them" said David finishing his coffee. It was only a moment of silence before the youngest man on the crew, 19 in fact, raised his hand. "Wont they try to board us Captain?" asked the startled boy.

David closed his eyes and nodded. "The reason you are here is because this is not a military ship and we are suddenly in a military situation. While many of us have military experience, we are all civilians here" said David trying to act as if he hadnt practiced it for the last 5 minutes while the crew assembled. Finally, it was decided unanimously and David returned to the communications station. "Hail the Padanian ship, send this message and ignore any further communication, understand?" said David sternly. "Send this 'we prefer not' said David in the subtle fuck you tone. He turned away and began using the booming voice he rarely used in the civilian world. "12 knots. Come to port 2 degrees. Jeas, get the men at hatches 1,4,7,10, just like we planned. Either they would fire on him, board him, or let him go. Either way his men would be ready.

 

[Papist Solaren]

The Carentanian squadron was being shadowed by a Padanian frigate of the same model as the one that was intercepting the Judean craft. It was only 10 nautical miles away from the Carentanians, well inside firing range, even visible on the horizon, but far enough away to give the impression that the Padanian's had noted Carentania's subtle respect for Padania's wishes, and did not themselves wish to engage in conflict. The Marina Militare were not the ideological fanatics of the Curatores Nazionale. If the Carentanian's did breach the 50 nautical miles boundary, it was unlikely that the Padanian's would respond immediately. So long as the morale officer wasn't watching, at least.

And he wasn't. The Commander had made sure that he was in the gunnery suite, watching over suspected "unpatriotic" seamen. The Commander would rather not put his men under the gaze of a morale officer, but sacrificing the career of a single seaman was a better alternative than initiating a war. He looked off at the horizon, to the four Carentanian vessels, wondering if they would themselves follow orders that would knowingly put their lives in harms way simply to smear the policies of politicians who would never hold a rifle or scurry through portholes amid wailing sirens and klaxons; they would never attend to action stations the way his men did at this very moment.

The thought that they were as concerned as he was was one of the few that sustained him. If his enemy were as fanatical as the Curatores, he was a dead man. Shot if he fired, shot if he didn't. No win situations were not his forte, and he prayed they would avoid him like he avoided them.

----------------------------------

Captain Rea's vessel had gained quite a bit on the Judean craft, but the Judeans had completely disregarded his request. The option to simply allow the Judeans to pass through Padanian waters with nothing but a chaperon was quickly disappearing. They had picked up speed, altered course, and sent more broadcasts implicating that the vessel could possibly be involved in subversive activities. What's more, the ship was obviously not capable of transporting any sort of goods economically.

To make matters worse, it was still outside of the 30km range of the 127mm. One of the spotters on the bridge muttered something, seconded by another. "We have a visual on the ship, sir," one of them spoke, pointing to the horizon. The captain grabbed his binoculars and took a look. It took him a few minutes to focus on it, but he saw it. 30 nmi or so, and it definitely wasn't a commercial ship. It had more the look of a troopship from the Great War era. Why the hell was a troopship in Padanian waters broadcasting encoded messages?

"Has SIN decoded the messages yet?" the Captain asked. His XO looked at him from the back, shaking his head to give him a negative response. Good, he thought to himself, too bad this Judean ship isn't faster. If I let it get out of international waters before intercepting, command would know and I'd be jailed. I have to make a good show out of this.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The crew anxiously waited as time went by like thick tar in an hour glass. Over the past hour and a half, the Padanian vessel had closed significant distance and was only perhaps a mile or so away. Since, no jet had flown dangerously close to the old ship. Had the pilot mismanaged, the old girl may be at the bottom. David shook his head clear of that thought. He had to focus on the Padanian vessel. He could not figure out what they would do to make her stop, boarding a moving vessel was hard, but entirely possible. Likely, theyd be asked to stop. David left his chair on the bridge and picked up a receiver. On the other end he could just make out the voice of the chief engineer: "Engine room" he answered. "I am going to need everything youve got in a bit, can you do it and then get topside?" asked the Captain. There was a long pause before the chief engineer responded. "I can do it sir but she cant do very much, shes old sir" said the engineer sheepishly. "Just be ready to give her all shes got" boomed David into the receiver.

The men on the bridge waited nervously. The ball was entirely in the Padanian court

 

[Papist Solaren]

The Cento had begun maneuvers that would allow it to match speed and course with the Nir Aviv within a matter of minutes. Captain Rea grabbed the com and pulled it down to his mouth, looking to the XO for a nod. A deep horn bellowed out a constant alarm throughout the ship, a sound without compare that could not be confused for any other.

Captain Rea grabbed the horn. "Action stations, action stations, all hands to action stations. This is not a drill, this is not a drill, all hands to action stations." He set the horn down and turned to the XO. "Lieutenant. Is the Judean vessel still ignoring our communications?"

The XO nodded an affirmative.

"Send a single shot across their bow and hail the ship once again, inform the vessel that we wish to communicate, nothing more. Jam any broadcast sent not directed to us."

"Understood, sir. If they do not respond?"

"Are the Lagunari ready?" he asked. The XO nodded. "Then let's hope they respond." He watched as the 127mm spun to port, the turret angling to ensure the round did not strike the Judean vessel. He hoped the Judeans would respond, he did not want an incident which could escalate the situation further. But he had his superior breathing down his neck to make sure that this incident did not prove to be a weakness for Padanian foreign policy.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The men on the bridge watched, frozen, as a flash was called out that originated on the Padanian deck. Every man stood silently for a moment, wondering what was about to hit them when a stream of water shot up into the air about 50 yards off the port bow. The captain, indeed everybody aboard, let out a sigh of relief. "Full left rudder, tell engineering to give me that 15 knots!" boomed out the aging Captain. For a moment, the old ship stumbled, slowing down before everyone on board felt the ship almost lurch. Most heard a groan come from the very heart of the ship. She was straining to get up to the speed that was asked of her.

"15 knots sir" said a crewman on the bridge. David nodded, getting up from his captain's chair to get to the communications station. "Anything?" asked David. "They are hailing us again Captain" said the communications officer. David sighed and returned to his chair. He would not give them the satisfaction of ordering him to stop. Padania in his opion was on a power trip. It was time to test their resolve. They would try to board but the men would keep them at bay with deck hoses. What were they going to do? Shoot them? Certainly not. Padania could not afford a war. David smiled at the thought of a stalemate in this situation. Then came the groan.

The ship groaned again in a way that simply can not be described to those who have never been on a ship during a storm. The men at the hatches and bridge looked at each other with a questioning look before being eased again. "They are hailing us again sir" called out the communications officer. David sipped his cold coffee, ignoring even the notification of communication.

Then it came with the force of Thor's hammer and the ferocity of Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King. The men were thrown forward, the captain from his chair as the stern was lifted from the water and slammed back down again. It took moments for most to recover. Somebody on the bridge was screaming "they hit us, oh G-d they hit us" before David screamed for silence and a damage report. The entire aft peak had been ripped off with the explosion of the boilers or the combination of the explosion and ship hitting the water again.

It was clear her stern was quickly settling in the water. Everyone was waiting for the followup shot from the Padanian vessel, it never came. David wasted no time, it was quite indeed the end for the old girl. He wondered if it was a missile or torpedo that had hit them. It didnt matter as he struggled to get to communications, his leg throbbing.

"Send SOS on all channels: have been attacked by Padanian ship. Abandoning ship. SOS" said David rubbing his leg. The communications officer tried several times but turned to look at David in alarm. "What?" asked David. "No signals are getting out, I think we lost all comm abilities" said the communications officer.

Minutes later, the men were gathering around lifeboats, unsure what would happen. Only 26 men were accounted for. 9 men had been working in machinery. 9. David knew there was no time to search for survivors. The ship was still on the surface for who knew why. They all watched the old girl, silent, as the 5 lifeboats moved away from the ship. A few glances to the Padanian ship but mostly eyes were transfixed on the Judean ship. They could hear the structure failing before she broke in half, rolled, and slowly drifted beneath the waves.

 

[Papist Solaren]

"How many shots did we fire?!" Captain Rea demanded an answer, the crew gaping as the Judean crafts shockwave passed.

"One, Captain!" his XO confirmed.

"How the hell..." he knew that the old ship had likely had a catastrophic engine failure. He began to rationalize how he would be able to defend himself, prove the action which would doubtlessly be deemed an attack was nothing more than an accident. However, he had jammed an emergency communication, fired a warning shot, and his government was already under intense scrutiny.

"Deploy the helicopters to begin rescuing survivors. Bring us about and start signalling the survivors to make their way to the ship, and contact medical, inform them we may have incoming wounded," the Captain ordered.

The XO grabbed the horn, two series of consecutive pitches, low-high, low-high, sounded throughout the ship. "Men overboard portside," he called out, "prepare to receive."

Simultaneously commands were sent to the Lagunari who had previously been fit for combat. They were quickly changing out their weapons, this time equipped for close range nonlethal suppression. Their new job was to get as many of the crew aboard as quickly as possible, and assess and record the damage of the sinking Judean ship. It took only minutes for the trained marines to be retrofitted for the purpose, but many were left behind. Only a few were carried on each helicopter, space had to be made for the survivors. As the helicopters took off, the remaining Lagunari hurried to the deck.

Captain Rea could see the Lagunari busily preparing ropes and vests to toss to the survivors, but some still carried heavier weapons with beanbags loaded. Rubber bullets, at too close of a range, were lethal. Gas was ineffective in a windy, open area. Water cannons threatened the lives of the survivors. It was their duty to rescue the Judeans, but it would also be damning in international press.

Captain Rea could see the headlines now. "PADANIAN CAPTAIN SINKS JUDEAN CIVILIAN SHIP, TAKES DOZENS HOSTAGE" He shuddered at the thought.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Barkai

"They havent sent an update and aren't responding to any hails" said the petty officer on duty at central communications. Each branch of the JDF operated a central communications hub in peacetime and satellite communications centers during war. This particular one was at Naval Command. Unfortunately it looked to be a red sky in the morning. The President had to be called.

Long Sea

As the small life rafts bobbed up and down, David took store of the situation. 26 men, 5 lifeboats. Padanian helicopters rapidly approaching. Would they machine gun them in the water? Would they sink their life rafts and leave them to the elements? What would they do to hide their crime he wondered. He salvaged only one thing from the ship, his flask; from which he took a long pull.

It wasnt long before his men were brought aboard the Padanian ship. He himself stood in front of the captain of the ship, cold, wet, and mentally drained. They stared at each other for a long time, silent. With a stone face, David stared at the man. He was sure that despite his best efforts, the obvious urge he had to leap across the room and strangle the man were quite evident.