The Overdue War

[Clarenthia]

Tetri Tsqaro
The sun shined on a city that was in total war. Tetri Tsqaro, once the pinnacle symbol of the Government’s strength and power was now full of plumes of smoke and gunfire. The atrium, the building the Government had been using since 1973, was being torn apart by the civilians, who had grown tired of the Government’s company.

Akhaltsikhe’s fighting force in the area was better equipped and trained, but they simply couldn’t defeat the hordes of people. They were struggled and got the order for a retreat, as the air force was moving in to deal with the rebellion.

It wasn’t long before the six airplanes did appear over the skies of the city. No one could make them out, but that didn’t matter, because two of them began dropping bombs onto the city. The bombs fell to the ground and exploded, it was a magnificent sight. Or at least it would have been, for the bombs didn’t seem to have any particular target other than causing collateral damage. That was, at least, until they came to the Atrium.

The atrium was fired upon by the jets, the missile impaling the building, exploding on the inside, killing the hundreds of civilians who had stormed the building. The courtyard of the Atrium had people as well, all who were wounded by the missiles.

The jets turned and fly off, but the damage was extensive enough. Plumes of smoke rose across the city and what was once gun fire turned into tears of pain. Fires raged on the buildings, and of course, a fire fighting unit wasn’t exactly available. It didn’t take long for people to realize that the power plant in the city was bombed, casting the whole city into darkness.

The cries were suddenly interrupted by the sound of more planes, the populace looked up to see more bombers en route for the city, this time, they all tried to take cover as the bombings would continue.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Sisak

As the door opened, she leaned back in her chair, straightening her body and choosing a posture that was befitting to her determined stare. Her dark brown eyes had often been the subject of conversations of those she had met and perhaps, her grandfather had found the most touching and most suitable words for the gaze with which she had used to watch the world around her even when she had been just a small schoolgirl.

"You have the eyes of a visionary," he used to say, "of someone who has the strength to shape the world around her."

Milena Hafner had fond memories of her grandfather, a man who himself had fought in the Great War to defend the Workers' Republic from Imperialism. She remembered him as a man of compassion, who loved his children and grand-children dearly. Seemingly untouched by the horrors of war, he told stories of men and women - heroes - who had to bear the weigth of battle to protect all who lived in freedom. Perhaps her grandfather was the reason Milena Hafner had joined the Revolutionary Army almost two decades ago. Perhaps he was even the reason she had made it so far, becoming the currently highest ranking woman in the military - though perhaps he had just been right about the strong will that burned in her eyes.

Still, Commander Hafner was a little bit surprised when the person who entered the room was no Guardsman and no beuraucrat from the Commissariate for Defence, but rather the Commissar himself. Matija Dračar greeted her politely as he stepped closer to the desk of Commander Hafner, causing her to rise up and offer a handshake as well as a seat to the Commissar. He had obiously decided to travel all the way from Rijeka to the southern metropolis of Sisak because the issue at hand must have been an urgent one.
Still, the Commander remained calm and relaxed, casually welcoming the Commissar:

"Commissar Dračar, welcome at the southern border. Please, take a seat and help yourself to some drinks. There are refreshments on the table and if you want a cigarette, they are right here, under the documents I was just looking through. But to what do I owe the honor of your visit," she asked.

"I believe you can guess at least the general topic of the discussion we are about to have," the Commissar said in a friendly voice. He was hinting to the troubles in Akhaltsikhe, Carentanias southern neighbour.
"As I am sure you have noticed, the situation in Akhaltsikhe is detoriating rapidly. We have already called in most of the soldiers under your command - and we are about to mobilize the remaining ones. Let me get straight to the point, Carentania is about to intervene in the south. We have striked a deal with the revolutionary Urudoah and all our pieces are in place. As Commander of the First Army, it will be your duty to carry out the operations."

Commander Hafner took a cigarette for herself and lighted it up. It was a Yuka, a brand of Carentanian marihuana cigarettes that was pretty low on THC and could thus be smoked without resulting too much of an inebriation.

"Very well," she accepted her task without a note of protest. "Do we have full diplomatic support for this operation?"

"Commissar Mejic assured me that we have nothing to fear from the rest of Europe. Akhaltsikhe is politically isolated, especially in Himyar there is no nation that remains sympathetic to the politics of racial segregation which the nation installed. There will be some frictions with Hajr, but comrade Mejic is confident he can even it out and adress the concerns of the monarchists. We will have to be wary of the Talemantines, but not because they pose a danger to us, but because they could try to use a weakened Akhaltsikhe to expand their own empire and reclaim lost territories."

Milena nodded. She had no further questions. "Leave my orders then," she said and drew another breath from her cigarette.

A smile on the Commissars face replied to her sense of duty. "We have termed this operation 'Summer Games'. The entire Commissariate as well as the Commissars Assembly views this intervention as a chance to renew the status of the Revolutionary Army in the world as a force to be reckoned with. You are advised to display a near perfect coordination of all forces and a swift and overwhelming initial attack. If we can use 'Summer Games' to prove the complete superiority of our forces, we may be able to reap some political profit from it. Your orders contain a detailed battleplan devised by Commander Cvetko Bizjak."

A disrespectful sneer escaped Milena Hafner. It was no secret that Bizjak and Hafner had no trust in the abilities of the other. "Commander Bizjak... I guess my goals will be even more ambitious than you already noted them to be," she asked. "Isn't that correct?"

The Commissars delightful mood sobered up instantly. Not without steel in his voice he said: "Commander, the goals may be ambitious or they may be not. But let me make this clear: this is not the place for any personal battles within the Commissariate for Defence or the Revolutionary Army. This is as much your operation as it is Commander Bizjaks. If we find that the goals are not achieved, then that's the way it is. But we will not reward any hesitation on your behalf that serves only the purpose of proving Bizjak wrong."

The Commissar raised up from his chair and gave Hafner a last look, directly into her eyes.

"Am I clear?"

 

[Clarenthia]

General Khayrat, as he was now called, was walking through the streets of Tetri Tsqaro. Each time he stepped he crushed glass that now littered the streets. Some entire buildings were destroyed. Tetri Tsqaro had long stood as the second largest city in the nation, hosting the economic and political powerhouse, and now it was destroyed. The symbol of Georgian power was destroyed by Georgians. People were walking through the streets, trying to assess their future actions considering their home was destroyed, possibly loved ones killed.

Khayrat knew that the Government knew they were going to be ousted from power. No longer was Tsintsadze fighting for power, he was killing as many as he could, trying to cause as much pain and damage as he could, he was trying to damn the nation to hell for decades, that or have so the country becomes a rape target for other nations seeking a cut at the Jurzan’s resources.

The Georgian Government was responsible for the death of thousands of its own citizens. What was most shocking was the Council of Nations, a supposed organization of world peace, didn’t even make a single comment. Khayrat believed the organization was useless, as did Isma’il. They were too busy finding a replacement on the security council and talking about whatever the hell was going on in Freiheit to be concerned with genocide and hate.

On the bright side, the Georgians would lose power soon enough, then true help can come to a nation that so desperately needed it.

 

[Clarenthia]

“My Executor, the Carentanians have mobilized along the border. We can no longer tell ourselves that war is something we can avoid, I say our best shot is to launch an attack on the Carentanians. Everyone here knows the days of Akhaltsikhe are numbered, so I suggest we do what we can to those evil communist bastards in the north,” General Khovera said.

“An attack on Carentania?” Executor Tsintsadze asked.

“Yes, I’d say a naval bombardment of Sistak and get the air force to attack the city as well, hopefully we can kill a lot of the bastards,” General Khovera said.

“Use the elite guard, have them man the ships, have them pilot the planes. We can only trust them to be loyal. Also, fire missiles from Senaki, Sistak should be in range of Senaki. We already have troops ready to initiate finale when the time comes, tell them it’s time to attack. Do not land troops in the city, just keep the bombardment going,” Executor Tsintsadze ordered.

“Very well milord,” General Khovera said.

-----
Today, July 25, 2010 we have shocking news!

Today, the League of Ten released a press statement:

“We are supposedly a collection of the nation’s ten wisest people. Lately, I begin to doubt this. A true wise man would use his strengths to end this bloody conflict, so we have acted appropriately by revoking the title of Executor from Tsintsadze and anointing Isma’il of the Jurzan to the position of Executor. Anyone loyal to Tsintsadze is now an enemy of Akhaltsikhe.”

President Isma’il, which he still likes to be called, announced that his first act was Executor is to disband the Meritocracy and formally accept an annexation of Akhaltsikhe to the Jurzan, thus unifying and ending the country.

However, these are just words and documents, much must be done before Akhaltsikhe and the Jurzan can combine into one country, for one, people need to support the Jurzani Government and think of it as the only government and think of Tsintsadze as a terrorist. Tsintsadze and General Khovera have warrants on them, Tsintsadze is worth $13 million, General Khovera is worth $8 million.

On a side note, delegates from Akhaltsikhe were sent to Tel Afar for the beginning of the constitutional convention. Word is Isma’il actually wrote a constitution all by himself and wants to present it to the delegation.

 

[Taley]

Café in Tetri Tsqaro

Qassim looked Mahfuz Mu'tamid directly in the eyes. “You assume correct sir I am Qassim al Dossari. I do not carry any firearms. I joined the State Secretariat to make peace and not war. However, I will agree to your requests sir.”

Seleucian Sea*
TIS Horace I
Admiral’s stateroom

The music of Bach echoed throughout the Admiral’s Stateroom on board the TIS Horace I. While the music filled the room Admiral Vitale Jovine cut into his 7oz steak. The cooks on board the Talemantine carrier were truly the best in the fleet; then again it would be unwise for them to mess up the admiral’s meal. Vitale cut another morsel off and popped it into his mouth and then followed it with a swig of Talemantine wine. It was as he cut off another piece of his steak that there was a knock at his door that interrupted his meal. He had to think a minute, but eventually decided to put his fork down. “Come in” he yelled.

In walked a young lieutenant, “Admiral we have received a message from the admiralty.”

Vitale finished his wine and then spoke, “Let me see it.” And he held out his hand and received the letter from the lieutenant, it read a simple message: “Time is now. Operation is a go.”

Reading the message again to make sure of their words the admiral began to issue orders to the lieutenant. “Send a message to the Beniamino I and the Waylon X. Tell them to begin their mission and to jam all communications between the Akhatlsiken oil rigs and their land bases. I shall be on the bridge in a few minutes.” “Yes Admiral.” was the only reply from the lieutenant.

As the order went out across the Talemantine fleet the war began. The TIS Horace I and its carrier group began its move from international waters in the Seleucian Sea toward Akhatlsiken waters. Once on the bridge Admiral Vitale Jovine proceeded to bark orders according to the already prepared plan of operations. A volley of cruise missiles from the destroyers in the carrier groups fired off targeting anti-aircraft installations, airbases and airfields, and radio transmitters. Fighters took off from the carriers heading for the Akhatlsike navy and its facilities. The TIS Horace I Carrier Group’s main goal was to take point in taking down the Akhatlsike navy and defenses along the coast, while the TIS Beniamino I and the TIS Waylon X groups were to provide back up to the Horace I and seize the oil rigs.

Talemantine Missile Command

While the Empire’s TMC did not have the intercontinental abilities other nations had it did maintain a stock pile of missiles with a smaller range, but long enough to reach its neighbors especially Carentania. Now it wasn’t Carentania, their usual targets, but it was now targeting known major military installations in Akhatlsike and military targets all along the Akhatlsike-Talemantine border. These assets were military airbases and airfields, military radio installations, anti-air defenses, and military supply depots. This was what the TMC could give to their compatriots.

Army Group I
Northern Border of Akhatlsike

Lt. General Javier Haghio was overseeing the operations. The orders had just come down. His mission was to coordinate with the navy in taking the Akhaltsikhe coast and oil region. He hoped the nighttime attack would catch the Akhaltsikhe military off guard. Following the missile strike courtesy of the Missile Command Hagio’s fighters and attack helicopters would proceed immediately to attack Akhaltsikhe military position and anti-air defenses and airfields. After he received confirmation of the Missile Command’s move and of the navy beginning its operation General Hagio gave the order to commence his air attack and hopefully he would be moving in his troops across the border into Akhatlsikhe before noon. Like General Hagio the other two armies would be following similar orders the Army Group II in the Central border region and Army Group III in the southern largely Uroduah region.

*What I call the sea between Carentania, Akhatlsikhe and me.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Sisak

The first attacks had come as a surprise to the Carentanians. No one had exactly expected the Akhaltsikhens to launch a preemptive strike on Carentania. Terror spread throughout the countries third largest city when the emergency sirens echoed through the streets. People were hurrying to designated safety zones when the first explosions set the city on fire. But even though no one expected the attack, Carentania was nevertheless prepared. The Vrbas line was well defended due to its history of Carentanias most troublesome border and Sisak especially, as industrial hub and home to several million citizens, had strong fortifications.

And of course, there was also the offensive that had been in preparation all along and was merely waiting for the final orders to cross the border.

It was night when Commander Milena Hafners telephone rang. She had spent some days off in a countryside house, well away from the noise of the air defenses and missile explosions in Sisak. The news of the preemptive strike by Akhaltsikhe came as a surprise to her and for a second, she was angered her offensive had been delayed just recently due to diplomatic quarrels with Hajr. However, then she was told that, apparently, Talemantros had launched an offensive as well, intervening in Akhaltsikhe. Intelligence officers in Akhaltsikhe had said so.

Now there was no barrier, no accusation that could be made towards Carentania. It was clear now: Carentania had to attack to defend itself. And to protect Akhaltsikhe and its Uroduah population from becoming Imperial subjects of the Talemantines. Without further delay, Operation Summer Games would begin - as a counter-offensive.

Operation Summer Games

Seven divisions on the ground, two in the air. More than 84.000 soldiers and 200 Fighter airplanes in total stood ready to commence Carentanias first military operation since more than half a century. Everything was planned, everything was ready and everything had to work in perfect coordination. The first Army had been equipped with Carentanias most modern, most effective equipment, even at the expense of other formations in the west and north-west. This was not merely an intervention in a war, this was a display to the world that Carentania was a military force to be feared. An effective, flawless and perfectly coordinated machine, a surgeon on the battlefield cutting through the enemy with unmatched precision.

The upgraded fourth generation multirole fighters of the first and second airforce division would be the first to cross the border. Akhaltsikhes attack had come unexpected, but it offered the chance to overwhelm the enemies air force at the initial stage. Equipped for air combat, the first half of the planes would repulse the aggressors with the aid of groundbased radar stations and SAM. Once the enemy's remaining planes would return to their bases, the second half would follow in their wake, eliminating the enemies capabilities for aerial warfare.

They would fly in low altitude with passive radar only for the most parts, tracking down radar stations and Anti-Air installations on the way. Operating in groups of three, one of the fighters would resort to active radar when necessary to spot enemy positions to allow its comrades to bomb them. Finally, they would track down the airfields of the enemy by trying to keep on track with the retreating enemy planes. Then, a number of planes dedicated to this task would destroy the airfields with cluster bombs. Aerial Early Warning would stand ready to locate the enemy planes on their way back.

Once this initial attack was already well underway, the first and second parachute brigade of the first airborne would be brought in with planes. In low altitude and with active radar off as well, they would dive deep into Akhaltsikhen territory till well south of Senaki, where they would be droppe. Their task was to take strategic locations along a east-west axis, preparing ambushes and destroying supply lines, cutting off anything north of them from support and reinforcements. Three days they would need to hold out, they had been told, causing as much damage to the enemy as possible while remaining largely undetected. Open confrontation was to be avoided, their goals was to keep the enemy occupied in confusing battles along the entire territory.

At the Vrbas, meanwhile, specialists would drop from helicopters to take bridges along the Vrbas and secure them quickly, before the enemy could lay them to waste. Crossing the Vrbas was both crucial and critical. The whole operation could fail at this point and the Revolutionary Army had made sure that, even if the bridges would have been mined or rigged with explosives, they could still be cleared of any obstacle and remained in use. The guardsmen of the Revolutionary Army would quickly assume positions on both sides of any bridge, while artillery would stand ready to provide firepower where necessary.

But existing bridges were not the only way Carentanian forces could cross the Vrbas. Engineers would quickly assemble provisoric bridges at several strategical points along the river, opening additional routes for Carentanias offensive troops. Meanwhile, the defensive units of the Revolutionary Army would cover the operation. For once their artillery would stand ready to send a barrage to any position where Akhaltsikhen troops were suspected. But their ground forces would also use a truly stunning amount of smoke grenades fired with mortars to keep the entire Vrbas along the zone of operations in a hazy cloud until the bridges were built and the first tanks were rolling across them. None of their enemies would be able to spot the points of enemy intrusion until it was too late.

Several brigades would penetrate the border in the west, entering the Vrbas Kraj in a long front with the defensive divisions in their back to secure the positions once conquered. But the bulk of Carentanias offensive divisions, including the entire first, second and fourth offensive division, as well as the third air cavalry brigade from the first airborne for additional anti-tank capabilities, would spearhead into Akhaltsikhen territory from Sisak, aiming for Senaki and seeking to encircle the city with one decisive strike.

 

[Taley]

Secretariat of State Press Room
Talemaniki, Talemantine Empire

Secretary of State and Vice Chancellor Carmine Gavallo walked out in front of the press and cameras. He was to state to the world the actions and plans of the empire.

“Last night the forces of the Talemantine Empire with allied forces from Fulanistan began operations against the State of Akhaltsikhe. The situation in Akhaltsikhe has continued to decline into a failed state of anarchy while the world only talks and offer false hopes. Each day thousands of Georgians and Uroduah die while the Council of Nations remains entangled in a bureaucratic mess. Now there is another coup of the government of Akhaltsikhe and a new proclaimed Executor who most likely is not the legitimate governance of our Western neighbor.

This new coup which has rendered Akhaltsikhe without a true government is deplorable. It is this reason among others that the coalition forces of Fulanistan and the Talemantine Empire have now intervened to stop the bloodshed and restore stability. To us the only legitimate government of Akhaltsikhe was the government of Executor Konstantine Abkhaz and that government died with him.

The goals of this coalition are as follows; first to completely and utterly destroy the meritocratic apartheid regime. Secondly, we will establish order and stability in Akhaltsikhe. Thirdly, a new system of governance will be set up to govern all citizens as equals. It is time we act and no longer talk. All factions in Akhaltsikhe are to lay down their arms to coalition forces. Our cause is just and we will remove the stain of oppression in Akhaltsikhe.”

 

[Clarenthia]

Isma’il’s lose control of the media gave him the ability to speak to the people.

”Earlier today, we received word that the rogue government of Tsintsadze launched air rades against the people of Sistak, Carentania. This attack was launched from Senaki, a city less than 100 miles from Sistak, the goal was to kill as many Carentanians as possible.

Almost simultaneously, the Talemantine Empire militarily intervened in the war, attacking Akhaltsikhe’s Naval Power. I do not know the details of the attack, I do not know how much damage is being done, I do not know how many people have been killed, but I do know that this war is ending, and it is ending quickly.”

Isma’il’s statement was short, but ultimately necessary. He had more problems to attend to at the moment. The Empire had long been an economic competitor to Akhaltsikhe, if they were attacking Akhaltsikhe’s Naval Power, Isma’il had no doubt they’d go after Akhaltsikhe’s oil.

The Empire, in all senses, was an enemy to the Jurzan, Isma’il didn’t trust them, and they didn’t trust Isma’il. He didn’t want them to invade, if the situation was more favorable to the Jurzan, they’d declare a state of hostilities to the Talemantine Empire.

Their goal was to install an Imperial friendly Government, anything to gain favorability to the Empire. Isma’il hoped, prayed for Hajri Intervention, but hoping and praying wasn’t enough. He decided to use his resources to contact both Carentania and Hajr.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE JURZANI PRESIDENCY

To both Hajr and Carentania,

The Talemantine Empire’s invention is deeply unsettling to us. Historically, the Talemantine Empire and Akhaltsikhe have been enemies in a unique way. Taking the land they conquered in the 30s is what gave us access to the sea and huge oil reserves, reserves we are positive they want.

They have already stated they want our surrender, they want to install their own government and I sincerely doubt their judgment in a new government. The Jurzani Government that we have worked to establish is prepared to govern this nation, but not defend it against imperial forces.

We are requesting that Carentania and Hajr do what they must to keep the Talemantine and Fulani Forces from invading the Jurzan. We advise against military action, all we want is peace, but we will not trade Apartheid for Imperial Governance. We will do what we can to fight them militarily if things come to this.

With Regards and Prayers,
President Isma’il
President of the Jurzan.

(OOC: I will post Akhaltsikhe’s military response later)

 

[Touzen]

To the Office of Sulkhan Tsintsadze

Even as your nation is being besieged by the united forces, Mr. Tsintsadze, there are some that are still willing to listen - listen to the justified cries of outrage of the Georgian people.

My contacts have a firm interest in the survival of your regime for reasons that do not require further explanation at this point. The important point of this message is: we are willing to give tacit support to your cause, should you decide to accept it.

If your government decides to continue to resist the invasion forces, it will be arranged that significant monetary assets in various currencies as well as intelligence data regarding your opponents and weapon systems of various kind will reach your besieged nation to delay the advance of the coalition forces and even give your government the ability for retaliatory revenge strikes into enemy territory, should it desire to act in that way. Ultimately, extraction from the country, if desired and coalition forces make it a necessity, can also be provided.

Should you be interested, contact the Department for Bovine Domestication in the Ministry of Agriculture of the Lanur Free State. Needless to say any public involvement in this affair will be denied. This is merely an offer you and your government can decide to pick up.

.

 

[Clarenthia]

General Khovera was furious. Focusing so much on Carentania and nearly forgetting about the Talemantines. On the bright side, Akhaltsikhi Forces were mobilized due to the attack on Carentania, but now fighting Carentania, and the imperial forces would be extremely difficult. In assessing the most immediate threat, it would be the Talemantine Empire which, in Khovera’s opinion, was moving to secure Akhaltsikhe’s oil, the backbone of the nation, that needed to be stopped.

Khovera ordered all 136 naval vessels in the Akhaltsikhi Navy to immediately engage in combat with the Imperials. Khovera also ordered all available planes into the air, but they would do little because most were concentrated in Carentania. Akhaltsikhe could successfully fight one, but not both, and Khovera decided that the Talemantine Empire must be repelled.

Khovera gave the order for all Akhaltsikhi Forces to begin concentrating on the invading Talemantines, Carentania was to be ignored for the time being.

NSA Mikhail Kalatozov

Captain Nikoloz was watching as his ship, the Mikhail Kalatozov was moving out to open ocean along with twenty-three other ships that were on alert and ready to go. Captain Nikoloz was tasked with destroying the Talemantine Invasion fleet and stopping it from stealing Akhaltsikhe’s oil. He wanted to cause as little damage to the rigs as possible.

Ten of the twenty-three ships available were submarines, which were ordered to do as much damage to the Talemantine Navy as physically possible. Nikoloz had an air force of nearly 23 jets launched from the homeland to aid in his assault, he hoped they would be enough so that the bombings of Sistak could continue.

Sistak, Carentania

The response of Carentania came much faster than the officers said it would, so Akhaltsikhe’s pilots weren’t prepared. Many were shot down quickly for Carentania’s superior weaponry did work well, but the pilots were instructed to crash into the city, and so they were.

Akhaltsikhe was ready to fight at Vrbas, traps were set up everywhere and the Elite Guard was preparing to fight the same kind of war that the rebels were fighting in the south. The Elite Guard was the personal force of the Executor, they would fight until they all were killed.

10,000 Elite Guardsman and around 1,200 regular troops who didn’t surrender, were preparing for the defense in Senaki, where Akhaltsikhe predicted the Carentanians would attack.

(I apologize for the relative vagueness of the post, I don’t have a lot of time, just get that Akhaltsikhe is taking defensive positions in Senaki and the Vrbas and we’re using the entire navy to attack the Talemantine Fleet)

 

[Serenierre]

Ministry of Defense
Encryption Code: 44F-9V32-071
Classification: Classified

JULY 26
From: NAVCOM - Admiral Bernard Maillard
To: TASKFORCE B command ship HMS COUSERANS
Subject: Deployment Charges

Premier Martinique has ordered the following:

1) TASKFORCE B must deploy to Marj Ayyun from Orleans.
2) Maintain full readiness throughout deployment for further deployment.
3) Engage any hostile (Talemantine or Fulanistani) vessels encountered.
4) Protect Hajri territorial integrity.
​

 

[Clarenthia]

“Where did Khover’s helicopter fly in from?” President Isma’il asked.
“The East, sir,” General Khayrat answered.
“Do we know of any bases in the mountains that Tsintsadze may be hiding?” President Isma’il asked.
“There’s the Government’s villa,” General Hatim Basir said.
“No, it’s too open, as far as anyone knows, it has no bunker,” General Khayrat answered.
“Does anyone have the knowledge needed to know if there is a military installation in the northeast mountains?” President Isma’il asked.
“Yes, I do,” Nadarejshvili said, walking into the room.

The people at the table looked at the man. Nadarejshvili was an unsung hero for nearly 22 years, the amount of knowledge he possessed was greater than anyone else’s. suddenly, the Jurzan had a secret weapon.

“There is a military installation here,” Nadarejshvili said, pointing to the map “It’s heavily guarded and there is a complex tunnel system that leads to Talemantros. It’s an escape route, in case it was ever needed. I know Tsintsadze is there because that’s where we set up camp.”

“How heavily defended is it?” General Basir asked.

“Heavily, perhaps the safest place in the nation,” Nadarejshvili answered.

“We’d need an army,” General Basir said.

“Or a very skilled special task force,” General Khayrat said.

“Indeed, you couldn’t catch him fast enough if you went in guns blazing. He’d escape into Talemantros, if we tried to follow him we risk total war with that nation,” Nadarejshvili said.

“Then it’s settled, we assemble a very skilled set of individuals,” General Basir said.

“It won’t be that easy, if we fail, we lose Tsintsadze,” President Isma’il said.

“I’ll go in myself, I’ll ensure its success,” General Khayrat said.

“There could be a continent wide war, if this attack fails, we could set it off, the Jurzan simply cannot fight another war,” President Isma’il said.

“if we lose Tsintsadze, we face the danger of decades of terrorist attacks designed not to destabilize us but to kill us all, we must capture Tsintsadze!” General Khayrat yelled.

“General, you’ll take a team of 14 men. Capture Tsintsadze, dead or alive, it matters not, and do it quickly,” President Isma’il said, and dismissed the meeting. Nadarejshvili stayed.

“So, the fighting has all but stopped in most of the country, and now people cheer the Jurzani Confederation. We’re securing Akhaltsikhe’s military equipment, and now all we need to worry about is the Battle up North. I highly believe Carentania will deal with that quickly,” President Isma’il said.

“I agree, Mr. President,” Nadarejshvili replied.

 

[Fulanistan]

FSRF Honeybunch
3rd Battle Squadron of the Federal Navy of the Fulani Republic
120KM North of Northeast edge of Akhaltsikhe
Admiral Willis Verbeet

TELEGRAM
TO: COMMANDER IN CHIEF ABDUL NAHED
FROM: ADMIRAL WILLIS VERBEET

THE BATTLE PLANS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED, SIR. ALL UNITS ARE READY FOR THE PLANNED INVASION WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. GROUND FORCES WILL CROSS THE BORDER FIRST, FOLLOWED BY AIR SUPPORT. OUR NAVAL FLEET WILL ARRIVE SHORTLY AFTER. OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO GIVE SUPPORT TO THE LARGER TALEMANTINE INVASION, AND THEY WILL SIGNAL ALL UNITS WHEN THE INVASION IS READY TO START. ALL TROOPS SHOULD REMAIN MOBILIZED UNTIL THEN. ATTACHED IS THE PLANNED BATTLE MAP:

You must be registered for see images

 

[Clarenthia]

NSA Mikhail Kalatozov

Captain Nikoloz was passionate towards the cause of the Jurzan, but no one needed to know that for now. At this time, he was tasked with the most important task of his life. A huge Naval Battle was about to launched. He went on the intercom to talk with his men.

“Today gentlemen, the largest naval battle could potentially explode, and you all will be the ones fighting it. It does not matter who you are fighting for, the Jurzan or Akhaltsikhe, all that matters is that you are fighting for the people of this nation, your brethren, if we fail here, our country faces annexation, we cannot and will not fail.”

Captain Nikoloz turned to one of his most trusted advisors.

“Who are we fighting for?” the advisor asked, Nikoloz said it didn’t matter.

He then moved to transmit a message to the Talemantine Fleet.

“This is Captain Nikoloz of the NSA Mikhail Kalatozov. My countrymen have amassed the largest fleet in our history, and we are prepared to fight to the death for our land. I strongly advise that Talemantros think carefully about their next move, should they attack, a war will erupt that will likely engulf a great deal of Himyar and cause a massive amount of death parallel to the Great War. If your fleet moves 30 miles closer, it will be in territorial waters and we will consider it an act of war and henceforth open fire.”

Captain Nikoloz then contacted Carentanian forces.

“This is Captain Nikoloz of the NSA Mikhail Kalatozov. This fleet’s objective is not to harm Carentania, but to defend our shores, if Carentania refrains from firing upon this fleet, we shall refrain from firing on Carentania. Please note, if we fail here, the situation in Akhaltsikhe and the Jurzan will be much more severe.”

Captain Nikoloz asked for the status of the submarines, to which his reply was they were moving into firing range, he then stepped back and waited anxiously for a reply.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Operation Summer Games

Guardsman Dubcek could feel the power of the heavy machine underneath him. He could feel each little tree it crushed, each puddle it crossed and more than that he could feel every horsepower that drove all these tons forward. It was an upgraded Scorpion type main battle tank, Carentanias most powerful armored unit. While the Scorpion itself had been designed in the eighties, it had been refitted with modern electronics, improved weapon systems and additional reactive armor plating. The Revolutionary Army had made sure to send only those upgraded tanks to the frontline and as a consequence, Carentanias army was destined to come out on top in the battle with its unorganized enemies.

"Enemy armor spotted!" Dubcek yelled the report to his gunner as well as the driver. He could see the tank of the Akhaltsikhen loyalists still resisting Carentania appear at the edge of a small countryside village. Whether they had spotted Dubcek's tank was unclear at this point, but he would not wait to find out. A sharp reply to his report came from the gunner, as the Guardsman answered: "I see him, too. Will target him now."

Tension hung within the tank while the turret whirled around to direct the tanks main gun towards the enemy. Dubcek moved closer and closer to his monitor, the video picture of the outside intensily fixating with his eyes to see if he could make out any reaction by the enemy. But it was too late for the unfortunate man inside the enemy tank. In the very second, it seemed, in which Dubcek yelled "fire!" the tank went ablaze, scattering into thousand smoldering parts as the anti-armor shell penetrated the enemy tank and set their ammunition on fire.

The mechanical sound of the automatic reloader filled the room, as a relieved silence took hold of the men inside Dubcek's tank. It was suddenly interrupted as a shockwave resonated through the armor, together with the deafening sound of an explosion. Unsure at first what happened, Dubcek quickly realized that they had been hit, closely missing a cruel death thanks to the effectiveness of the reactive armor bricks strapped to their vehicle. Hectically he moved the camera around, trying to find the source of the attack while silently thanking whatever power was responsible that they were still alive and even the camera of the tank had survived the attack.

Then he spotted them, several soldiers with anti-tank weapons scurring through the village. His gunner was as quick as usual, moving the turret around to cover the enemy in volleys of machine gun fire. It was difficult to pin them down in the maze of hedges and buildings that was a small village near Senaki. If they wanted to get them, they'd have to drive into the village. "Bring us closer then," Dubcek told his driver, once agains staring intensely onto the monitor, just as he did when they targeted the tank.

As they got closer to the men who had ambushed them, their commanders contacted them through the radio. "To all units: do not engage with less mobile units. Repeat, do not engage with less mobile units. Continue advance if fast enemies eliminated." They would have to leave the enemy to the troops following in their wake, to the occupying forces and the defensive divisions. Or perhaps, as in this case, an artillery strike. At least Dubcek watched with satisfaction as the enemy hideout they had been ordered to ignore turned into a bright fireball.

Battle Report
To: Commander Milena Hafner
From: 2nd Offensive Division
Careful! Top Secret!

Advance progressing smoothly. Our forces have reached the southern edge of Senaki. Only light resistance encountered along the way. We suspect loyalist forces have dug in inside the city. Will refrain from entering the city as per our orders. Expect encirclement to be complete within the next twelve hours.

No contact with Talemantine or Fulanistani forces so far. Please confirm orders to return fire if attacked.

 

[Batavië]

Fulani Air Base
Outside Zandburg

It wasn't a normal site to see. A sunny day guaranteed the tourists and locals alike to be flocking to the beaches of Zandburg while the city's glass high rises bathed in the golden sun. Many Batavians themselves were on these beaches, escaping the overcast and rainy days of their homeland while still enjoying the luxury of being able to speak Vlaams (Dutch) while on holiday. A few of these toursits and the locals, too, noticed the drone of propeller engines coming from the sea.

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Ten A400m transport planes had made the 12-hour long flight from Batavië on the aircraft's first mision. Newly received from Wiese, after having waited many months for the new planes, the crews onboard had two very simple missions: provide basic medical aid to civilians in Akhaltsikhe and evacuate as many Georgians back to Batavië as soon as possible. No one knew, not even the crew of 2.000 troops, that this entire operation was being financed by the generous backers in the EDF.

The planes landed and were greeted by their Fulani counterparts and the troops began to offload, carrying their packs. The air base's own crew began to offload medical equipment, tents and food items for the temporary refugee camp to be established in Fulanistan as a waypoint before flying back to Batavië.

Commander Kurt van den Broeck had been placed in charge of this humanitarian operation. Excited didn't begin to explain the emotions coursing through his body. Batavië had not participated in any foreign expeditions of aggressive or peaceful nature in decades. It was safe to say that Van den Broeck was the first man of his generation to be put in charge of a foreign operation.

He immediately walked across the tarmac, which felt more like a stovetop to him, to meet with Fulani air base officials. Their thick accents of Fulani-Vlaams took a while to get used to, but he didn't mention it.

'About a quarter of my men came over with these planes. We had to save room for a few jeeps and lorries. The over 1.500 are arriving via chartered KLM 747s this evening. They'll also be transporting some more supplies for the refugee camp.' Van den Broeck turned to his lieutenant.

'How soon until we can fly to Akhaltsikhe?' he inquired.

The lieutenant clicked his heels together, 'Once the remainder of the troops arrive, tomorrow morning. We'll bring half the group, scout for a good landing area and begin taking in refugees.'

'Good, good.' Van den Broeck mulled over his options. He had 10 A400ms and 2 KLM 747s. He would have liked more but he was in no position to request it. He was surprised of the nature of the mission any way.

'Alright, tell the men to set up shop and prepare for tonight's arrival of the jumbos. I want everyone to be ready for operation at 04.00 tomorrow morning.'

The lieutenant clicked his heels again and turned abruptly away before falling into an awkward-looking trot across the baking tarmac. The sound of his barking orders carried well with the sand-filled wind.

Kurt nodded in thanks to his Fulani counterparts and went inside the building where he found his field maps. He began to draft a telegraph to be sent out tonight informing Georgians where to go to seek escape. The outskirts of Tetri Tsqaro had a few open fields. Should I risk going near Senaki? Kurt thought to himself, staring into the still crisp spread of the map. He knew of the risk, he was aware of the battle about to be waged there, but he also knew of the good he could do there.

 

[Frescania]

Miraflores
Frescania

The time continued to pass by and the reality had began to sink in for everyone. The situation in the Freedom State was some what managed, but the one in Jurzan was becoming a very painful mosquito. It seemed Talemantros wanted the nation no matter what, and into of that, the Council of Nations was at the brick of blessing their operations.

The status quo had to be maintain in Himyar, that was a priority over expanding Frescanian influence overseas.

Gutierrez looked over the news as Martinez talked with members of the Military.

“If the Council does approve the resolution, our ability to intervene directly might be threaten.”

“We can find some other way to help Rijeka.”

“I still don't approve of helping Communists sir, we fought them in the Great War and now we are their friends? Think of what the other nations will say about us!”

“We might not like the idea, but letting imperialism to expand is dangerous, and in fact, much dangerous than communism. Tell me, have you seen a communist nation in Himyar appear?”

Gutierrez turned to them: “What do you propose?”

“Help the Slavs indirectly and cooperate with them. If things go our way, we won't have to intervene.”

“But if they don't?”

“Then we will find some other way of helping.”

“Very well, contact them.”

TOP SECRET
To: Carentanian Defense Ministry
From: Centro National de Intelligencia
Topic: Operacion Fantasma

We are to assist you in any way we can so that the liberation of Jurzan is completed and the invaders driving out of the state – if possible. Our satellites and other equipments are available for you to use.

Ministro de Defensa

 

[Clarenthia]

Capitol Building, Tal Afar
Private Discussion between the members of Congress

“We must think logically about the situation. It is obvious that Talemantros has wanted our nation destroyed, whether it be Akhaltsikhe or the Jurzan. The reason is, shortly after we took their land that they took from Carentania, a huge oil discovery was made, an oil discovery large enough that it made us one of the world’s largest producers, beating Talemantros itself, that is the motivation of the Talemantine Invasion,” President Isma’il declared.

“And Fulanistan?” A delegate asked.

“They’re most likely trying to flex their muscles or Talemantros has promised them a share of the oil,” Isma’il responded.

“And Resolution 13?” Another delegate asked.

“We have to assume two possibilities. They are sincerely stupid and in the belief they’re the heroes, which is unlikely because they support Talemantros when nations like the Papal States and Belmont support us, and even regional countries, one with as high a standing as Hajr supported us. So, we are left to assume Talemantros is promising them a share of the oil as well,” President Isma’il answered.

“It’s true, when you talk about cheap oil to those kinds of nations it is the equivalent of internet porn to a teenager,” a delegate said, which sent laughs throughout the congress.

“We could counter bribe,” a delegate said.

“it’s too risky, we could either be wrong or they’d turn it around on us saying we’re trying to bribe them, it’s just too risky,” Isma’il said.

“the absolute best thing we could do is end this war before the resolution passes, by ending we could say that the only thing standing in the way of peace is Talemantros’ invasion,” a delegate proposed.

“That could work,” Isma’il replied, and the whole room was cast into agreement.

“This war ends with Tsintsadze,” a delegate spoke.

“General Khayrat is preparing to get him,” another spoke.

“He’s still training,” said a third.

“It matters not, time is never a friend in these situations, we need Tsintsadze now,” Isma’il said.

“If he escapes?” a delegate asked.

“then he’ll likely be in Talemantros, so we’ll declare he’s dead and go in and find him there,” Isma’il said.

“Go into Talemantros?” a delegate pondered.

“Covertly of course,” Isma’il addressed.

“If they ask for a body?”

“We’ll bomb the facility and say his body was incinerated,” Isma’il said.

“Flying a jet that close to the Talemantine Border is dangerous, the Talemantines could use it as proof of our aggressiveness,” a delegate stated.

“We’ll reveal we bombed Tsintsadze,” Isma’il said.

“What do we do about Resolution 13?” A delegate asked.

“There’s nothing we can do that we haven’t already. Perhaps the General Assembly will move to repeal it, regardless, Montelimar, Fulanistan, Talemantros, Franken, and Oikawa are all to be listed as conspirators and enemies of the state, and again, that’s secret,” Isma’il said.

“When do you want the attack on Tsintsadze to begin?” a delegate asked.

“As soon as we’ve okayed the action,” Isma’il answered.

The Congress nodded in agreement, 100% of the Congress voted in favor of launching the attack on Tsintsadze immediately.

 

[Serenierre]

Château de Charbonne

"Your Majesty," Premier Shahrazad Martinique began, "The situation is certainly very volatile and shows signs of worsening." She looked at the Queen, the other woman was looking down at the ground as both walked in the private gardens of the Palace. "The taskforce is presently operating as part of our obligations with Hajr but Admiral Philippe has directed it to focus on the eastern half of Hajr. That would keep it close enough to act fast."

"Yes, I am well aware of all this," the Queen said, her tone dismissive, "but I want to know what are the plans if we are to deploy."

"Madame, the Foreign Minister has been in touch with the Hajris and the Carentanians. An agreement has been sorted out with them and we have also contacted the Jurzani government... President Ismail has allowed Belmontien forces to enter the territory. We'll tie it up with the Carentanian forces."

"Yes, that is good but what are the details?" The Queen looked at the Premier and smiled disarmingly, "Well? Shahrazad, I'm listening."

"Madame, we have plans to land troops and equipment in Zone C34 in Hajr*, as you must have seen in the map. From there, we will enter the Jurzan. Our usage of Hajri territory has been granted only if we keep it confidential and we will work with Carentanian forces... a change in normal policy, I know. Also our taskforce will be augmented by another one soon and we will mount air-raids on enemy formations in the Jurzan. But of-course this is the roughest idea of the entire deployment."

"Good." The Queen became silent for a little while and then looked up at her premier, "Oh, and Shahrazad, you must have read that ISE report... that speech in the Jurzani Congress... you remember, good. Well, its not good. They're behaving irresponsibly... somehow, I want you to get Franken's and Montelimar's name off that list. I don't care how its done but I want those countries' name off their list."

HMS Couserans
TASKFORCE B

Rear Admiral Norzanne looked at the satellite images. It had been two days since he had reached Hajri waters and had begun the patrol of Eastern Hajri waters. His taskforce of fifteen ships was, for the moment, simply fulfilling the Belmontien obligation to Hajri defense. But the positioning of the flotilla was such that, on a moments notice, they could launch an attack on enemy combatants in Jurzan. But now was the time to wait.

Norzanne knew his superiors in Paris had a plan cooking and he knew it best to let that recipe cook at its own pace. Till then, he was to remain in Eastern Hajri waters and keep an eye on the horizon if any Talemantine naval group was coming towards them, though he seriously doubted that.

* - Will explain location in OOC thread

 

[Clarenthia]

General Khayrat's men were moving slowly towards Facility 1, which was the name the team gave to the building that was housing the wonderful Tsintsadze. The plan was quite simple, but very difficult to execute. Facility 1, or at least the important parts of it, was actually an underground facility, accessible only by one point, which was a small subway train that was accessible in the above ground facility.

Nadarejshvili informed the men that one of his close friends worked in the trains and could get Khayrat's men in, by hiding them as cargo. Nadarejshvili continued to say that if their secrecy was blown and alarms sounded, they'd have about 10 minutes until Tsintsadze could access the escape tunnels into Talemantros, once he was in them, he was as good as gone and the mission failed.

Khayrat's men met up with several contacts that were leading convoys into the facility, they were quickly pushed together into crates that the trucks then carried to the facility. From there, they were loaded into the train to carry them underground. Surprisingly enough, the operation was going well and as it was planned, which was odd for something conjured up by the Jurzani Congress.

The train was moving quickly, moving downward as well until it stopped and it was unloaded. Again, no one seemed to pay attention to the unusual weight of the crates. Khayrat's men waited for a little until everyone was gone.

The soldiers got out of the crates and loaded their weapons. There were five of them and they moved quickly through the underground facility, moving upwards to where Tsintsadze's room is supposed to be. Khayrat ordered two of his men to go down to the tunnels and guard them, the men agreed and went down.

Then suddenly, the alarms sounded and the facility went from being dead to full of action. Khayrat's squad moved even faster, trying to get up to where Tsintsadze was located, but they were continuously caught in firefights with the guards. Khayrat's team kept moving, trying to intercept Tsintsadze's path, finally he breached the control room, but Tsintsadze wasn't there.

Khayrat was mesmorized when he saw documents spread across the table, all of them were revealing important information on Tsintsadze's plans and secrets in the country, Khayrat took them and radioed to his men in the tunnels to get into positions to defend the tunnels because Tsintsadze would likely get there soon. However, they responded saying that they were under heavy fire from guards and couldn't see Tsintsadze.

Khayrat's men hurried down to the tunnel access point, meeting almost no resistance, he came to the tunnels to find his men dead and one of the carts gone, Khayrat felt defeated because Tsintsadze had escaped and he lost two men. Regardless, he ordered the air strike of the facility.

the jets moved quickly and close to the ground to avoid radio as much as possible, they were already in the air circling around, so it didn't take long for them to arrive at the facility. They quickly dropped their arsenal, destroying all visible infrastructure, then quickly left the scene to avoid combat with the imperialists.

Khayrat sent the message that Tsintsadze was incinerated in the bombing of Facility 1. Then he sat down and realized that this was the first of many lies to come out of the Jurzan.