OPERATION: Guerre Éclair

[Serenierre]

O P E R A T I O N : G U E R R E - È C L A I R
​

"Like a lightening strike, we must decimate their defense infrastructure."
Gen. Henri Bettalcôure, June 5th, 1960​

The Dominion of Visidame

For fifty one years, since the establishment of the Socialist Republic to the south, the realm had been considered the very front line against the scourge of Marxist ideology and had hosted the largest concentration of military forces in the entire region, maintained in absolute readiness to attack at a moments notice. For fifty one years, the operation ahead couldn't have been implemented with the threat of the northern communists looming over the heads of the top brass in Paris. But now, with de Graaf a threat long passed, the top brass had the freedom to take care of the threat that had lain malignant on the southern flank of the Kingdom.

For the previous couple of months, the media had been fed stories of test launches, exercises and drills to keep the attention away from the true intentions behind the increased presence of the military throughout the country, especially so in Visidame. With the freedom of not having to watch out for any unwanted reporters, the armed forces had prepared for the operation with quiet haste. Building up the stockpiles of medicines, weapons and fuel, for the latter it had forced the Government to sign key oil agreements with Arendaal and Sarmatia. Even the ISE and military intelligence were mounting a complex operation to confuse the enemy's spies and satellites had started to focus on mapping key areas of the Socialist Republic.

In silence the military apparatus had done its research and now knew the locations of the main airfields, the key transportation points and communication links. In silence the military had met with the politicians at 1 Rue de Royaume - the Parliament of Belmont - and had brought about a broad consensus over the issue. In silence the military had petitioned HRH The Prince Regent to approve their plans against the Socialist Republic, something which the future King did so quite willingly. The decision had been announced to the Sarmatian military man in the country, Colonel Sanok, and words of full support had arrived from Stary Hrodino.

With their groundwork complete, the Military Council - the senior officers from each branch - met with the Premier and the Foreign Minister to coordinate the plan. In the days after, the assassination attempt occurred and the generals had, for some time, become truly nervous that the plan would have to be scrapped but soon these fears turned out to be unfounded. In fact the shooting proved to provide the much needed casus belli for the operations against the Godless Republic.

*****

Across Visidame, the airbases falling under the Southern Air Force Command (SAFCOM), were brought to life much earlier than usual, hours before even the first glimpses of the golden chariot of Helios would spread out across the sky.

Support staff, technicians, and engineers zoomed from point to point undertaking their mundane yet critical duties. The fueling had begun, under the watchful eyes of the engineers, from the system within the fortified hangars. The weapons technicians carefully attaching the deadly assortment of anti-runway, anti-radiation and anti-ground munitions to the various fighters. The pilots, sat prepping themselves for the long operation in their changing rooms, having been briefed the day before. Those fully prepped and in uniform, stood in the gallery, smoking their last cigarette for the day and enjoying the crisp Visidamien air.

Far from the bases, closer to border, the dug in AA defense units were on full alert and spread out across areas close to the border zones. Radars were scoping out more of the sky and patrols ranging closer together. The airspace over Visidame completely sealed off.

*****

The minute the Foreign Ministry pulled out the Embassy from Toledo, the directive arrived at the bases and within minutes jet engines along the runways came to life. Utilizing the two runways on each base, two jets took off within thirty seconds of the other and soon 229 KMH - 16 fighter jets took to the air, 66% of all aircraft of the type under the air force's command. Carrying their weapons and their orders, the brave pilots inside the cockpits, flew straight towards the Golfe des Sirénes. The success of the operation relied on the element of surprise and to retain it, the pilots flew well below the radar detection level, at times just a few meters above the sea.

When they would enter Coronado, still flying as low as they could, evading as much of the Coronadan defense as possible, they would take out runways, radar stations and AA defense sites - those were to be the subject of the first wave. As a collective, carrying almost a 100 tons of bombs, Coronado was going to receive a shock which would tear the very fabric of its defense establishment.

 

[Breotonia]

Naval Communication Service
Encryption Code: Red
Classification: Classified
Public Key: file/sacred_icon/

071305Z DEC 2010
From: HIGHCOM/NAVCOM
To: Home Fleet - Aegis Fate (CVN-77), NAVCENTFLT - Atlas (CVN-82)
Subject: Emergency Coded Birthday Party

!!!EMERGENCY CODE BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!​

At 12:34Z routine satellite monitoring and subsequent observation has confirmed a preemptive attack on CORONADO by BELMONT. ONI intelligence is tracking an ongoing air strike against logistical and infrastructural targets. The vector of the strike originated via the SIRENES GULF which accounts for the unusual air activity HOME FLEET was tracking starting at 12:00Z.

AEGIS PROTOCOLS are hereby enacted:

1. HOME FLEET will reposition to maximize detection and interception abilities of possible threats to HOME SECTORS.

2. Three STAR satellites has been rerouted to provide constant overview of the battle area.

3. Prowler-class submarines, command ship Prowler VII (P-SSN-73), have been rerouted to monitor the BREOTISH-BELMONTIEN STRAIT through the FRESCAN-CORONADAN STRAIT. They have been issued separate engagement directives.

4. CBG Marathon is being temporarily relocated to the AoR of the Prowler Force for support purposes.

5. NRDS engagement protocols. Engage the enemy only in self defense or in the case of a violation of Breotish waters. If hostilities do occur report directly to HIGHCOM.​

Official statements of Breotish intent and demands for free sea traffic are being withheld until hostilities become public and involved parties have issued statements of their own. Standby for readjustment of directives.

 

[Großlausitz]

LND headquarters
Nürnberg

"Excuse me, they did what?! Are they totally out of their mind in Paris?!" When the LND Director for Central Europe, who was actually preoccupied with coordinating the strategy for Oelar's future, heard about Belmont's feat he just couldn't believe it. Again and again he read the briefing his aide had just handed him. The Franconian intelligence satellites picked up some worrying troop movements on part of the Belmontiens, which combined with the aggressive demeanour led to one conclusion: The self-conscious Francophone kingdom was about to start a war on the thinnest of all pretexts. Rumours in the diplomatic and political quarters in Paris suggested their notorious ISE had either developed a life of its own or acted at the highest authority's behest. Of course, there was no proof of a forgery - yet. Director Peter Claudius was quite certain sooner or later one or more people involved would fall prey to the luring of an intelligence officer looking for information.

Sighing once more, he turned to his aide. "Clara, please establish a secure conference connection to the President [of the LND] and the Ministerpräsident." Four hours later the Reichssicherheitsrat gathered at its usual location. When Prince Regent Jakob's wife Isabel Franziska didn't even ask when her husband was forced to abort dinner with their family. "You can thank our cousins in Paris, Isabel."

 

[Serenierre]

Premier's Office
Central Paris.

In Belmont's capital, Premier Martinique walked into her office. Sitting on the sofa, the ministers she had met a few days ago - the senior most - and General Mazarin, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. Almost as soon as the air raid had begun, she had been in the Situation Room, viewing the entire operation being broadcast on a large screen. She, herself, was confident that Belmont's military would achieve its goals of neutralizing the enemy's military capability which directly threatened the Kingdom.

Taking a seat on one of the sofas, facing the general, she spoke, "I believe you all have been working on the wordings of the official announcement. I'd like to hear it."

"Madame Premier, I, along with the Ministers, believe that were His Highness The Prince Regent to make the announcement it will be possible to limit any potential opposition to this campaign."

"Yes," she said thoughtfully, eyebrow arching, "Though I find it rather hard to believe that a majority will create an issue... wasn't it the same people who bought the rabid anti-communism of the Nationalistes for thirty years?"

Speaking for the first time, Minister Renaudière cleared his throat, "Well, they were voted out after all"

Turning to face her foreign minister, "Yes, but we came in for our economic platform... not our foreign politics. Without Ichiro," the Finance Minister, "I don't think we would have won," she added. Turning to the general again, "So, tell me, how will this be explained?"

Reading a single A4 sheet, "Good Morning. As Regent of the Kingdom, I take every opportunity to speak with my subjects... on a variety of issues... as is my duty appointed by God. But today, as my voice reaches every corner of the country, I inform my subjects that a very difficult decision has had to be taken by myself. A decision made, after full consultation with The Government, The Parliament and the Military and the whole range of evidence produced before me, including satellite imagery and communication signals picked up by our satellites. Simply one impression can be made by this deluge of information.

The Socialist Republic of Coronado, our southern neighbor, has been planning to strike against our Kingdom and I, as the regent of this Kingdom, cannot allow the lives of my people to be endangered and thus, early this morning, with my full assent, the armed forces of Belmont carried out a preemptive strike against critical military targets in Coronado that were a direct threat to the public of Visidame, and the people of the Kingdom. This information doesn't surprise me or my Council... as an ideology, communism has shown itself to be against everything any civilized state holds dear and we must never forget the ravages of the Great War, brought upon the world by the communists.

This decision was one of the hardest, I have had to take, and this decision is bound to have opposition from those who would have preferred the diplomatic option. But I have done what, in my opinion, is the right thing to do. With communist insurgents, supported by the an RDTO ally of Coronado, ravaging northern Ratomkira... it is my firm belief that had we not acted now... we would have faced Marxist insurgents being implanted in Visidame. Those who shall claim that we have violated our military doctrine of no first strike... should remember that with absolute evidence against the Regime in Toledo, in regards to the attempted assassination of Premier Martinique, the first shot was already fired by someone on Toledo's payroll.

Furthermore, I must address concerns in the region, especially those in the Francophone fold "

She looked at the general, "I like it." She took the paper and read it for herself, "At times like this, I really thank God the Monarchy is sacrosanct."

 

[Frescania]

Miraflores

“So, they are going to do it huh?” Everyone sitting in the room was looking at the report giving to them by the secret service. The idea was not welcoming, yet no one was really surprised, after all, tensions were high between the two countries.

Chancellor Carmelas was not happy though. “You are telling me Mr. President, that the first weeks after I enter office, I have to deal with a possible war?”

President Gutierrez gave the report to his aide, “I am afraid so. Unless they calm down, we will see something happen. I expect something within the following days to explode.”

Carmelas was still getting use to the president's black humor, but then again, it had only been a week and a day since he took office.

It was Daniel Fernandez, the new Secretary of Defense, that spoke next, “We have a non aggression pact with Belmont, so we surely can't do anything against them.”

“True, but that is not the point. We won't get involve unless it is really necessary, plus, we can't just allow the EDF to patrol waters so close to our territory.”

The President got up and put down his cup of whiskey. “Is settled then, I will order our forces to prepare, and send a fleet to patrol our territorial waters around Franmandie”

Carmelas started packing his papers, “and what should I do?” Gutierrez gave him a smile, “why, you should begin discussion with Parliament regarding more funding, oh and contact Paris and tell them to stop being fools, war is not a children's game.”

 

[Batavië]

Veiligheidspolitie
Paris Branch
Paris, Belmont

A fairly large branch, but by no means as complex as those, say in Cornavia or Franken, Vepo's offices in Paris had quieted down since the fall of De Graaf in January 2010. The branch leaders were not, of course, fools, and knew that a country like Belmont, with a large economy, weapons industry and flip-floppy politics, was a place always to be watched. When the cable came in from the border area, that air strikes had begun, the senior communications officer sent off the information to Vlaanderen. He returned to his coffee and paper, unamused.


Veiligheidspolitie Headquarters
Lichtenburg District, Vlaanderen, Batavian Capital Territory
Batavië

The typewriter machine quickly printed out the cable with large, capital and red letters at the top. It was delivered immediately to Mikael F. Fuits, Vepo's Director General. Duits reached for a paracetamol, his water and after taking a pill, picked up his telephone's receiver. He punched in the numbers from memory to the embassy in Arendaal.

'With Duits. Get me in contact with our oil observation person. The Prime Minister is going to need to speak with Arendaaler oil authorities.'

 

[Natal]

Victoria Palace
City of Altaisk
Altaisk Municipality

Alexei Stepan, commander of the 3rd army was in the Conference Room with Premier Andrei Denikin. With them were Vasily Perva, commander of the Army of the air, Petre Prezan, admiral of the Military fleet of Gorno-Altai and Vladimir Antonescu, Secretary of National Defence.

Denikin read the Treaty of the RDTO to the 4 men and then concluded:
"The treaty says that we must defend our allies. And I sincerely want to do it. But, I also wanted to talk with you and hear your thoughts."

Comrade, started Secretary Antonescu, it is our duty to defend the socialist countries in Europe. The alliance was created to make a defensive grid between countries with this ideology. The people are waiting to hear our answer to those happenings. I think that they will support us."

Well", Prezan said, if we defend Coronado", we must transport our troops there. My fleet is weak. I don'y know how to transport them, without great casualties..."

"Comrade", Perva interrupted him", we could transport soldiers and tanks by plane. And land them in the South, near Toledo".

"We must mobilize the army in order to start. It will take around a week to do it and then wke could start,"Said Antonescu.

After Antonescu, Perva and Prezan left, Denikin remained with Stepan.

"General, I want to congratulate you."

"For what comrade?"

"I want to promote you to the rank of Maresal", Denikin said.

"I thank you, comrade".

"The Investiture ceremony will be after we mobilize the army."

"Thank you very much, comrade", said an excited general, not the one who was there with the rest of the men.

 

[Großlausitz]

Wir Franken fürchten Gott, sonst aber Nichts in der Welt; und diese Gottesfurcht ist es schon, die uns den Frieden lieben und pflegen lässt.

Graf Maximilian von Montgelas, father of the constitutional monarchy

Königsburg
Nürnberg

Watching the midday update on the financial market Prince-Regent Jakob couldn’t help but marvel at the reagibility of the financial markets. Especially the Franconian social-democrats and their ideologically more rabid cousins, the socialists, often cursed the capitalist devil, which enslaved the poor worker. After two resounding defeats brought about by the ‘market’ and clever brokers from Wing-Sing and Danzig, the CVP-led governments of the past and present finally learned what the scholars of economy and economic history had been preaching to them for ages. Even Ludwig Erhard, the father of the Social Market Economy recognized it and thus coined the formula “As much free market as possible, as much state-intervention as necessary.” Other than his hapless immediate predecessor Graf Solms’ politics observed Erhard’s time-honoured creed.

“[…] Due to the increasing tensions between Coronado and Belmont shares of Franconian companies involved in Belmont gently plummeted at the Nürnberger Börse. As the Belmontien bonds’ pegs listed in Nürnberg dropped in a similar relation, their actual rate of return soared, as investors expect to be paid an appropriate risk premium to be convinced to buy Belmontien securities. […]” Jakob von Franken turned the TV mute to focus on the letter which was to be sent to the Belmontien prince-regent. His cousin of all people!

“Mon cher cousin, …”, the Prince-Regent read the letter aloud to check for himself whether it contained any awkward or silly phrasing. Here and there he discovered a grammar or vocabulary, but in general he was satisfied with it. In a nutshell, it would be dispatched as soon as Belmont publicly admitted attacking Coronado. On the one hand Jakob von Franken expressed sympathy for Nicholas’ eagerness to fight a fight of his own and leave his mark in history. On the other hand, he sternly reminded his relative and brother-in-office of his paramount duty of not giving in to faulty council and to preserve the stability of Europe.

This was to be the carrot.

Immediately after conveying it to the prince-regent via the Franconian ambassador, it was to be leaked to the press. The Franconian commoners would be delighted to read that their Prince-Regent was admonishing his Belmontien cousin not to let his power come to his very own head to the disadvantage of the better part of Western Gallia. This would give Franken’s leadership the high moral ground with the public opinion, which had been trained to accept Realpolitik as their country’s way of conducting foreign affairs.

Far away from Nürnberg in the centre of Franken two airborne Royal Army brigades received word to prepare themselves for relocation to Lorraine’s exclave squeezed between Coronado and Belmont. Courtesy to the free military access accord with Wendmark their aeroplanes would have a direct route to their destination.

Furthermore, a helicopter unit was instructed to raise its readiness to code orange.
Moreover, the carrier group KMS Ludwig Erhard, one of Franken’s four active large carrier groups, was sent on the long way from its home port Würzburg to Lorraine, all on the pretext of ensuring Lorraine’s territorial integrity.

Not so far away from the Königsburg, Franken’s main royal residence, the Vangalan embassy was sent a cable labeled ‘highly confidential.’ Essentially the message asked Vangala to provide liaison officers to the ‘Lagezentrum der Geheim- und Sicherheitsdienste des Königreichs Franken - LZGS’, i.e. the joint centre for intelligence of Franconia. The Kingdom was neither interested in seeing a rise of communist influence nor in unreliable Belmont expanding its power at the cost of Coronado. What Franken and her allies wanted was an antagonist that kept Belmont busy.

These were to be the two sticks.


(1) We Franconians fear God, but nothing else in the world; and already that godliness is it, which let us love and foster peace.​

 

[Frescania]

Bay of Nariño

The sound of the ocean was a nice addition to the sounds of everyone on board the ARF Terrastania. Admiral Gabriel Pazerma was still trying to make sense of the intelligence and the orders giving to him minutes ago, the words were still in his mind, KINGDOM ATTACKED SOC REPUBLIC/OPERATION ENCLOSURE BEGINS IMMEDIATELY

Pazerma wondered what exactly was going through the Chief's head, but he hoped nothing crazy. He had also received words the 2nd fleet was going to join them, just what I need thought Pazerma, another fleet to deal with.

He turned to the deck of the carrier as an FAF-19B Nighthawk warmed its engines to begin Operation Enclosure. He had order 4 squadrons to begin operations and send information back to Terrastania for further actions. Submarines were already in position, while the rest of the warships were waiting close to the Terrastania.

Within the launched of the first Nighthawk, the rest followed to begin.

Miraflores – Office of the President

“Mr. President, orders have been sent to Terrastania. They have began operations. Furthermore, the 2nd fleet with Leon are on their way from their eastern port and will join the 1st fleet within hours. 3rd fleet and Andaluz are in position in the East.”

“Good, good. Carmelas, do you have the statement ready?”

“Yes sir, it is ready and we will send a copy of it to the major powers of Europe.”

Gutierrez laughed, the major powers of Europe, who exactly was Miguel talking about? The only real power that could be a concern was Oikawa, and Alejandro was certain he was not going to see a fallout with them.

“Alright then, let us begin this.”

Miraflores – Conference Room

The room was packed with reporters from the nation and international corporations. The conference had been called only an hour ago, and everyone was still trying to find seats when the doors open, letting the President and the Chancellor walk in.

The two men stood next to each other for a few seconds, then the president took the podium.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow citizens and international viewers,

We have received words through our intelligence service that the Kingdom of Belmont has attacked the Socialist Republic of Coronado. We regret the situation between Paris and Toledo could not be solve diplomatically and that it had to come to conflict between the two nations.

With this in mind, Frescania will be taking actions to make sure the conflict stays between Belmont and Coronado. I have ordered the Frescanian Navy, as Chancellor Carmelas can confirm, to enact a full blockade on both sides of the Bay of Nariño, this includes the waters close to the Long Sea. We will allow trade to flow as normal as possible, after we have confirm no weapons are heading towards Belmont and Coronado in the ships. No military vessels will be allowed through the blockade, and any attempts to breach the blockade will be considered an attack on Frescania.

We call on all nations that value peace and stability to join us and take part on the containment of this war. Paris and Toledo might have decided, whether voluntary or not, to destroy peace, but we here in Fortaleza Real want that destruction to stay within the borders of these two nations and in no way wants this fire to spread throughout the forest.

We hope the nations of Europe do not join this deathly fire. Thank you.”

The two men began to walk out of the room as the reporters screamed questions left and right. Carmelas the first to speak:

“Do you think what we are doing is right?”

“For now, only God knows.”

 

[Breotonia]

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Foreign Office​

His Majesty's Government is deeply worried and offended by the recent Frescanian Declaration that they would be unilaterally imposing a blockade and containment action of the Bay of Nariño. We are equally insulted that, as the First Sea Power and Primary Enforcer of the Laws of the Sea (as laid out in the Sacred Mantle Declaration of 1744, the Naval Declaration of 1820, Admiralty Statements in 1899, 1920, and 1939 and the Sea Commerce and Trade Protection and Arbitration Act of 1959, as well as generally recognized by the international community), we were not consulted nor was any attempt made to consult of the naval quarantine of the most important trade route in the world.

Any prevention or interference with neutral traffic, even in times of war, is absolutely unacceptable and has not and will never be allowed by His Majesty's Government or His Majesty's Armed Forces. Currently en route or already operating in the Belmontien-Breotish Strait through and including the Frescanian-Coronadon Strait are four carrier battle groups His Majesty's Royal Navy under the command of Home Fleet they are coordinating with an additional two battle groups from NAVCENTFLT. These ships are in place to ensure there is NO interference with neutral traffic be that military, civilian, or commercial. The Frescanian Navy is permitted to monitor sea traffic without impeding it. It may also, should it choose to, engage combatant ships without Breotish interference. Ships would feel they have been wrongfully detained or any other way interfered with, may signal for Breotish assistance and ships will be dispatched to ensure your rights. Civilian frequencies are being monitored. Attached is contact procedures for foreign navies should they wish to reach the HMS Aegis Fate (CVN-77).

Let it be made perfectly clear that this is a matter of the utmost seriousness to Breotonia. There has not been such a threat to Breotish interests since the Great War which, as historians can tell you, Breotonia entered for the sole purpose of stopping an blockade action not in anyway different from the one you hope to impose now. This is not a declaration of war but a friendly ultimatum to remind Frescania and all other nations who, in their admirable endeavor to ensure peace, take measures that, in less heated times, they would realize are egregious and uncivilized.

Sincerely,
Rt. Hon. Matthew Steel MP
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

APPROVED BY:
Office of the Prime Minister
Rt. Hon. Harold Simm MP
His Majesty's Defense Council
Flt. Adm. Terrence Hood

 

[Mergogne]

Burzinov Industrial Park
40km East of Igarkansk
State of Krosdiya
Kryobaijan

"...I can't have the Krüger-Suporov Gruppe or Vikurin Industries ship anything again — they're already in a very delicate position, and they need investment. They can't be attached to this. And why the fuck aren't we at the docks in Satrovsk? Although I don't know how much fucking good that would do, considering the fucking Frescanians and the fucking Oikawans and God knows who the fuck else is scumming up the fucking international shipping lanes with their fucking boats. Are you listening to me? There is a fucking problem here — I don't know how you plan to get any of this fucking shit into Toledo."

Vasiliy Potenkov, Chief of the Belmont Desk in the Federal Intelligence Service, followed the hulking frame of Grigor through a maze of multi-colored shipping containers near the main entrance of the industrial park. He wore a ratty pea-coat, which reeked of the esoteric Ziv cigarettes he was currently chain-smoking.

"Would you please extinguish your cigarette, Mr. Potenkov – there are loose fuel puddles around area," Grigor said, with a rural accent so strong everyone had a hard time believing that he wasn't a Hlodna shepherd.

"Okay fine, but you're not answering my fucking question. I don't know how you plan to get past the blockades."

"There are more than one ways to milk yak, Mr. Potenkov."

The pair soon exited the maze of shipping containers, and they came upon a vast airstrip, stretching the entire length of the industrial park. On the tarmac, outside of a row of hangars, was one of the largest airplanes Potenkov had ever seen. He turned to Grigor, an incredulous expression on his face.

"Antonov An-225. Can carry space ship," Grigor said, "we have many of them, along with lots others – like C130 and smaller."

"Where the hell did you get these?"

"Zheltyi Bratva has cast wide net. We fly from here, to Nürnburg, to Elsinore, to Metz, to Toledo. Avoid blockade. We can also smuggle over ground through Lorraine, if need."

"If you can fucking do it you can do it," Potenkov said, finally grinning.

"We ship RPG-29, with tandem-charge PG-29V HEAT warhead – can destroy frontal armor of most Belmont tanks. No serial numbers. Also, ship small arms, general equipment, spare parts, currency, other bombs, and more. But you have job too – you get Krasnyi Bratva out of Igarkansk."

Potenkov was mystified by the massive Krosdiak's wildly variable verbal proficiency. But that didn't stop him from chuckling with glee at the new prospects for supporting Kryobaijan's RDTO allies in Coronado.

"Oh that's fine, I'll fucking murder every last Krasnyi Bratva scumfuck in Igarkansk myself if I have to, and their entire family. Just make sure you stay in touch with me about this. I'll be seeing you again soon."

 

[Radilo]

« J'ai tué des hommes plus importants que vous. »
- Jas Lyon Moet-Hennessy


The Third Republic and Coronado never had the most active trade relationship, though goods flowed freely (save normal tariffs) between both nations. Radilo and Belmont, on the other hand, were long time friends—but the Kingdom’s erratic actions meant that relations between the two nations were strained. Belmont’s action against Coronado caused uproar in the diplomatic community. As of now Radilo was determined to remain neutral, at least officially, in the situation. But this did not mean that the Third Republic was unwilling to participate.

Like Breotonia, Radilo was an export-driven economy, but, unlike the Maritime Kingdom, the Third Republic wasn’t one for lengthy international addresses. Ships flying the Radilan Flag in international waters are no obligated to stop for anyone, and will not stop for anyone. If necessary, the Himyari nation would “assist” its vessels—this, in the mind of the Radilan Government, was understood, and did not need reiterating.


"I have killed more important men than you." - Jas Lyon Moet-Hennessy, in a letter to Patron Orviller

 

[Coronado]

Office of the President
Presidential Palace
Toledo

President Fernando Calderón Juarez is at his desk, present in the office are Minister of External Affairs, Carlos Mindez, Minister of Defence, Marshal Miguel Vargas, Minister of Internal Affairs, Carlos Ruiz and the head of the SNS, Servicio Nacional de Seguridad, Emilio Esteban Infantes, and the President of Vangala, Moheen Chatterjee, on conferrence call. Juarez had contacted the President of Coronado's oldest ally when the Belmontians had, after accusing Juarez's government of backing the assassination attempt of Prime Minister Martinique, had then broke off diplomatic relations with Coronado by ejecting Coronado's embassy and withdrawing their own, and making no doubt that Paris was determined to break the peace that had been maintained for five decades.

"President Chatterjee," says Juarez, "Coronado had nothing to do with the assassination attempt on Martinique's life, in fact, it is the last thing we would want is Martinique dead as she has done more to discredit her own government than we could ever do, but the SNS does have evidence that, though Paris may not be behind the plot, they are manufacturing the evidence. So, not knowing what they are up to, I have had to place Coronado's forces on alert and as we speak, air and ground forces along the border are being readied, and though intel shows that Belmont is only beginning to move forces around, under the 'Wargame' cover, Coronado's forces facing them are equivilant, if not superior in numbers. If Belmont is using this to justify and attack, I am quite sure we can repel it."

Just then a knock is heard at the door and an air force officer is allowed in and he hands a report to the Defence Minister. As Marshal Vargas reads the report, he suddenly stands.

"This cannot be!" Looking up from the paper in his hand, "Señor Presidente, we are already under attack! Belmontian fighters are striking targets in the north-west districts. They have already hit the naval air field at Point Ramone as well and radar stations and SAM batteries along the coast. A report from a AEW is an estimated two hundred planes coming in from over the Golfo de las Sirenas."

Every man in the room looks at the Juarez. Of all the years that they have been preparing for this exact event, they still have been caught by surprise. A surprise more from the fact they had come to believe that the Belmontian would never launch an attack without first declaring war, and one that the world would condemn them for under such flimsy pretext.

"Marshal Vargas, alert all commands, Status Red," says Juarez as the Defence Minister picks up a phone, then looking down at the intercom, realizes President Chatterjee is still on the line.

"Señor President, forgive me but I must cut our discusion short. As you undoubtably have heard, we seem to be at war!"

 

[Coronado]

Broadcast over television and radio throughout Coronado through its Emergency Broadcast System

!!!!!!!!ATTENTION!!!!!! THIS IS NOT A TEST ...... CORONADO HAS COME UNDER ATTACK ..... ALL MILITARY PERSONNAL REPORT TO YOUR DUTY STATIONS ....... ALL CIVILIANS OBEY INSTRUCTIONs FROM MILITARY AND CIVIL DEFENCE OFFICIALS ...... REPEAT ..... THIS IS NOT A TEST .......

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

Rosenbad (Office of the Prime Minister)

Looking over her notes she reread the various messages sent to her via the ambassador in Frescania. They had requested naval assistance in order to maintain naval supremacy in the region. They didn't need help in their zone coverage of the region but did want the Royal Suionian Navy on alert and near the area in the case of unfortunate events that might lead to immediate hostilities. She had already talked to the Frescanians about the Breotonic wishes and apparently some sort of compromise had been made. Now she had to move a naval taskforce southbound. Sighing she asked her Defense Minister to come into her office. It was a few minutes but a tall gray haired man with round glasses and a nice suit walked in.

"Yes, Miss Lundqvist?" he asked with a stern and forceful voice. This was a stressful time for himself as he had begun to ready to the Självförsvarsstyrkor (Self-Defense Forces) for possible war.

She looked down at her desk and began to speak pausing shortly after the third word and then resuming to look him straight in the eye, "I'm authorizing you to send the Second Naval Fleet south to the edge of the Bay of Nariño. I'd like it if you could have a few taskforces on standby for several case scenarios that might involve war with a variety of nations. This is effective immediately... I want that fleet on it's way in less than 48 hours."

"Prime Minister, I'll see to it immediately." He began to walk out the door from which he came from as a light thank you of appreciation could be heard from her desk. The fleet would be on its way from the Fiskare havet (Fisherman's Sea) to the most southeastern portion of the Storhavet (Great Sea). It was assumed the fleet could be there within the week.​

 

[Batavië]

Veiligheidspolitie HQ
Vlaanderen, BCT, Government District
Level O5 (Ondergrond-Underground)

click-clack-click-clack

The sound of steps echoed through the long corridor. The fluorescent lights reflected off the perfectly clean white marble floors and walls. The producer of the sound finally became visible as he rounded the corner. His pace was brisk, not quite a run, however. He passed door after door. Each equally spaced apart from one another, each labelled by a simple plaque.

Zaal 0503, Zaal 0501...Zaal 0500

The man dressed in a black suit, carrying a thin brown leather soft-backed attaché reached for his pass attached to his hip via a retractable cord. He placed it by the glass reader next to the door. The blue light turned green and a pleasant sounding chime was heard. The metal door slid open.

Welkom bij zaal 0500, meneer Thijls the recorded woman's voice said.

Thijls walked through the small marble foyer and used his pass once more to gain entrance into the main meeting hall. He checked his watch. 7.02. Fuck. He was two minutes late. He ignored the stares from the older men as he took his place at the semi-circle table. There were at least forty men (perhaps a handful of women) sitting around the table. The room was dark save for individual desk lamps at each seat. He found his empty one, sat, opened his attaché, removed a file and put on his reading glasses.

'How nice of you to join us, meneer Thijls. Yes, the traffic was quite horrid this Sunday morning.' the speaker stressed the word Sunday just to make the young 28 year old Thijls feel even worse. Two minutes late to his first emergency session of Vepo, lovely. His new year's bonus was getting cut, for sure.

The degrading speaker sat in front of the semi-circle. A massive screen behind him had the Vepo's logo and seal projected onto it. Thijls heard stories that during the De Graaf days the leader himself would be projected there from whichever secret location he chose.

'Gentlemen, ladies, you all know why we are here. Had this little conflict between Belmont and Coronado erupted just a year or two ago, our country would surely be on the way to conflict itself fighting in the name of socialism, etcetera. That, of course, is no longer the case.' Mikael F. Duits, the Director General of the Veiligheidspolitie, or Vepo, pressed a key on the built-in computer at his desk. The screens of all the other seats changed to what he was no viewing, as did the giant projector screen behind him. It displayed a map of the conflict theatre, zoomed out far enough to show Batavië and the other Northern Council states.

'We have a socialist country and a capitalist one fighting each other, right in our backyard, right at a key trade route of the world of commerce. My question to all of you is what we should do.'
An older man pressed a button turning his microphone on. A light on the stem of the mic glowed red, showing everyone that he was now speaking.

'Director General, comra-*cough* my colleagues, what we must do is quite clear, in my eyes. Our contacts in Coronado are strong. We can channel information through to Toledo and use our assets in Belmont to provide vital information, such as troop positions, armour movements, and so forth. We'll help end the war and keep the status quo.'

Thijls listened to the old fart and politely interjected. He may be new and much too young for some of the people gathered around, but he was promoted as head of the Naval Desk for a reason. He knew his stuff.

'My dear colleague, I must disagree with you. Not only would such a move be incredibly expensive, but also too risky. If the Coronadian military was suddenly launching missile or air strikes into Belmont and hitting very well hidden targets, there would be no doubt in my mind that Paris and her allies, as well as every other observer, would know that they were being fed information. It would eventually be traced back to us. Our network, although on a tighter budget, is still vast and our neighbours know that we have eyes and ears that are still on our payroll. No, I think it would be much more prudent for us as an institution to, in this case, simply do nothing. Let the bastards duel it out until they get tired of it all and come running for peace talks.'

The older gentlemen appeared flabbergasted. 'H-how dare you insult this all-powerful committee in such a way! Do you know what you are proposing, young man? Having us do nothing? That would be the first time in decades that we sat idly by and watched-'

The microphone was cut by Duits who gave one stern look to the fat man before turning to the young Thijls.

Duits waited for the silence to take affect. He took his fountain pen, handmade in Ascheburg and presented to him as a gift by the Franken government when taking office of Vepo in May of 2010. He made a little tick by the fat man's name on the roster.

'Meneer Thijls, head of the Naval Desk...promoted just last month. Home in Braamfontein, a lovely new bourgeois neighbourhood just outside of Vlaanderen, second home, a studio flat in Windhoek where you work during the week to liaise with the Republican Navy at their headquarters. You have been seeing the same girl for a few years yet since your promotion from analytical work you are only on the mainland at the weekend. Do tell me, dear colleague, what has the navy been up to as of late?'

Thijls suppressed the blushing. Duits could pull up any file of nearly every citizen in the country from his computer and expose incredibly embarrassing information within seconds. Thijls flipped open his carefully prepared file.

'The 'De Graaf' aircraft carrier has begun to be cleaned and inspected, perhaps being readied for its first movements in many months since the regime change in March 2010. I suspect, and this is supported with partially classified Level B2 information from the Foreign Ministry, that a bilateral joint usage of the carrier with Vistrasia is a possibility. The Navy, however, is unlikely to take part in the gathering near the conflict theatre. The 'De Graaf' is not ready, for one, and the other ships are likely to remain off our western Great Sea coast and in the South Batavia Sea, or Fisherman's Sea. Naval Command seems to be going with a 'look and book' strategy, i.e., they are simply recording foreign naval movements and keeping an eye on Batavian and NC cargo traffic.'

Duits made a mark next to Thijls, J. on his roster, which looked somewhat different than the one made next to the fat man's.

'Everyone should learn from meneer Thijls.' Duits looked around the hall. 'This is not 1950 or 2009. This is 2010, our government is different, we must act different. I hope that I am understood. From the memorandums that my office has been distributing as of late, you are all well aware that I, as Director General of Vepo, am actively searching for dissidents of the old school who still think that we are a bulwark of communism. Don't cross me, don't even think about it. The Prime Minister himself is party to this mission to...clean out our institution.'

His threatening words were taken to heart. As Director General of Vepo, he had more power than the PM, de facto.

'We will do what meneer Thijls has suggested. Nothing. We will support no one, we will feed no information. We will use our assets merely to observe. I want daily reports sent to my office in hard copy an electronic form from all desks. Meeting adjourned.'

As the people began to file out, to walk down the corridor to reach the lifts, Duits walked beside Thijls.

'Good work, Thijls. I am really impressed. I know you have a flight to Windhoek to catch this evening, so let me make this quick. If those Navy types do anything remotely fishy, you report directly to me rather than through the official channels.' Duits handed him a black business card with only a telephone number engraved into it in silver ink.

'Keep in touch.'

 

[Rheinbund]

Schloss Charlottenburg
Trier, Eiffelland

According to him, the Belmontien government had been acting like a fool during the past months. He really did not understand what the Belmontiens wanted to achieve with their recent behaviour, but that was not the King's largest concern at this moment. Somebody living in Belmont was more important to him.
Half a year ago, the King had discovered that the lover of his late brother, Rainer Maas, was still alive and currently lived in Orléans, Belmont. He didn't know where this war would lead to, but he realised that there was a possibility that the Coronadans would start bombing targets in Belmont as well. He also thought about the aftermath of the war. At least in the part of the world where Belmont and Eiffelland were situated, Belmontiens would get problems selling their products, if not because of boycotts, then because of a bad reputation.
The King also realised that Rainer Maas had landed in Belmont because he was more or less forced to leave Eiffelland by the King's father back in 1986, for reasons the King rejected. Because of that, he felt a certain kind of responsibility for the fate of Rainer Maas. According to him, it was time to act according to that responsibility. The King took the phone and asked the Chancellor and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come to the Palace.

"This is going to have some complications, Your Majesty," Chancellor Von Seydewitz said. "No matter how despiccable it is what your father did to Maas, because of which we have a responsibility to him, we must keep in mind that he might have a grudge against Eiffelland. And then he would not have a problem with cooperating with the Belmontien authorities against us. Or with any other government."
"But what could he do against us? He doesn't know any state secret," the King said.
"No, but it could be better to not let him come too close to you until we know that he doesn't have ties with Belmont of hostile countries like Sarmatia," the Chancellor said.
"I agree with that. But I still want to offer him the possibility to leave Belmont and start a new life somewhere else," the King said.
"What we can do is let the Staatsschutz contact him. He can get an Eiffellandian passport if he still has the Eiffellandian Citizenship. Given the fact that he was untraceable after he left the country, he probably never gave it up. He can also get it by Royal Decree. With that passport, it would be easy for him to emigrate to an EDF-country, or to Wiese. But a rescue operation would become difficult. We can't do it over the sea, because Frescania blocked that route. Maas is not important enough to risk war. We have to do it via Lorraine then, but the border might be closed in the future," Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor Kögler said.
"It is a bit early to talk about a rescue operation. Let's see if we can get him out of the country in a regular way," the Chancellor said.

 

[Frescania]

Miraflores – Office of the President

“I still don't like the deal we made with Lunden sir, it can weaken our operation.”

“Relax, it could, but we also gain information from their navy and intelligence. I don't know ours is reliable, but if we can get more, the better. Tell me, how are things out there?”

General Felipe Santos gave the report to President Gutierrez,

“So far, nothing really bad. We have reports that a Franconian carrier fleet is on their way to Lorraine, and intelligence is still working on other nations' response in the area. We have a list of potential nations that could help either side, and another one for nations that could expand the war.”

“Not surprise to see some nations in either list. Alright, send the lists to Breotonia and tell them we want more information on those nations. Let's see what they say. What else?”

“Suonia has confirmed through their embassy that a fleet will be on its ways to help us out. They are also worry about our deal with -”

“That's enough about the deal General. I understand it has weaken our position, but while want to contain the war, we also don't want war ourselves. Which reminds me, tell Luden we would like to, discuss some extra issues with them.”

“Yes Mr. President.”

TOP SECRET
To: Ministry of Defense – Breotonia
From: Ministry of Defense – Frescania

Attached are two lists: The first being nations our intelligence and high command believe will be helping either side, the second being a list of nations they believe have a reason to expand the conflict in one way or another.

We are sending you these lists due to our blockade. We will keep a watchful eye on these nations, and we hope we can get your assistance on this. Furthermore, if our intelligence continues to get more information regarding any of these nations, we will send it to you and begin enforcing our blockade on them.

The Command and Chief also wants to discuss further details with your government.

LIST 1
Kryobaijan
Vangala
Carentania
Gorno-Altai
North Ratomkira

LIST 2
Radilo
Franken
Lorraine
Eiffelland
Judea
Guiana
Montelimar
Aquitaine
Anglyn

 

[Breotonia]

Naval Communication Service
Encryption Code: Red
Classification: Secret
Public Key: file/blade_and_burden/

121315Z DEC 2010
From: HIGHCOM/NAVCOM
To: Ministry of Defense – Frescania
Subject: Intelligence

Per your message of [121251Z DEC 2010] the Admiralty will take the concerns of your High Command under advisement. Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) analysts will review this new information and make recommendations on how to integrate it into our current operations. The Frescanian High Command and intelligence community are advised to contact ONI directly with relevant intelligence concerning actions that would disqualify any nations from Royal Navy protection. HOME FLEET and ONI have been directed to prioritize information regarding the nations you have listed when communicating it to you.

Further discussions on our arrangement can be initiated at will with Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood 1SL/CDS/CNS who is directed operations from HIGHCOM/NAVCOM.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Naval Communication Service
Encryption Code: Black
Classification: Secret
Public Key: file/three_gates/

121200Z DEC 2010
From: ONI - Section One
To: Prowler Force HOME lead ship Prowler VII (P-SSN-73)
Subject: Revised Operations Plan

In accordance with AEGIS PROTOCOLS operational plans for monitoring are hereby amended to reflect the presence of naval forces of [FRANKEN]. Naval forces of [FERSCANIA], [SUIONIA] have communicated their movements and intentions directly to HIGHCOM/NAVCOM and are excluded from intensified monitoring so long as this cooperation continues.

1. A TASK UNIT is to be formed around HMS Razor's Edge (P-SSN-79) to shadow the deployed [FRANKEN] [CBG LUDWIG ERHARD].

2. A TASK UNIT is to be formed around HMS Edge of Umbra (P-SSN-81) for [IMMEDIATE RESPONSE MONITORING] should the situation arise.

3. A TASK UNIT is to be formed around [[Razor's Edge (P-SSN-79)]] for [IMMEDIATE RESPONSE MONITORING] should the situation arise.

4. NRDS engagement protocols. Engage the enemy only in self defense or in the case of a violation of Breotish waters. If hostilities do occur report directly to HIGHCOM.​

 

[Großlausitz]

Die Staatskanzlei

While they were still referred to as cables, the communication between governments was handled more or less fully electronic these days. Technically the messages still went via cables, but much more sophisticated ones than those when the term was invented. Following consultations in the Reichssicherheitsrat Ministerpresident Graf Solms wrote an e-mail on a very delicate subject to his colleague in Arendaal. Both Arendaal and Franken were connected to Belmont by virtue of royal, cultural and economic ties. The erratic behaviour by its government was a true threat to Arendaal’s and Franken’s economic and political welfare, Graf Peter Solms and his cabinet maintained. Therefore, he described the ‘painful’ process of making a decision against Belmont within the government of Franken to his fellow leader Prime Minister Bjornsen and asked her to consider measures to make Belmont re-think its dangerous course.

[…] Arendaal’s economic role as a major oil producer gives your peace and prosperity loving government a powerful leverage to help Franken and her other partners to restore stability to Southern Gallia, Madam Prime Minister. Come the beginning of next week my own government will announce measures to protect the economic interests of Franconian companies in Belmont. […]

Arendaal’s alliance-related neutrality was crystal-clear to its partners and treated as a given fact by His Majesty’s Government of Franken. However, neither member of its cabinet nor the Prince-Regent could imagine they wouldn’t try to discipline their wayward cousins in Belmont.

To help Coronado help itself, the Landesamt für Verfassungsschutz, which was in charge of counter-espionage and supervising the embassy district, was assigned an exotic task. One group of five LfV agents was told to masquerade as anti-Belmontien senior security service officials and discreetly ensure a constant supply of intelligence for Coronado’s small embassy. As Belmont had a pretty well-equipped military there was no need to prop up to guarantee for a stalemate. Neither Franken nor any of her allies wanted Coronado or Belmont to win. Status quo was their creed!

Meanwhile, Nürnberg was afloat with rumours, as the government’s press office had announced an extraordinary press conference by the Ministerpräsident for Monday. In normal weeks the chief of government usually had his press conference on Wednesday and was often represented by the Minister for the State Chancellery.

Several sea miles south west of the bottleneck between Coronado and Breotonia

Everything was proceeding as planned aboard the aircraft carrier KMS Ludwig Erhard and its companion fleet. For the dashing 38-year-old Royal Navy Kommodore Peter Glück, who commanded the task force, the prospect of passing by the large flotillas of Breotonia and Frescania wasn’t particularly frightening but exciting. Glück had two things he could rely on: Firstly, clear orders to steer clear of territorial waters and ignore any blockades, as he could refer to his official mission to relocate his fleet to Lorraine. Secondly, as any Franconian commander of a large military unit, the Kommodore had a permanent flow of intelligence at his disposal.

Peter Glück thought Breotonia’s loud self-assertion of their role as guardian of the seas was superfluous and almost embarrassing. Whereas Franken’s navy wasn’t as large as the Breotish – the Franconians had much more territory to defend – it was better to take action without talking that noisily. Mere rhetoric had no place in naval affairs, the Kommodore maintained.
​