The Refugee Crisis

[Asylan]

OOC: Just a quick overview of what I intend for this thread. After the massive upheaval (and maybe future upheavals) in Valkany's Himylar territory I thought it would be good to start an RP around the aftermath and its consequences. It didn't feel right just letting this entire incident end without exploring what the aftermath was like.

Erdenshire Naval Base

Commodore Kirsten Lange stood on the balcony of her office watching the harbor below her. Another three ships had come in today, all bearing refugees from the Valkany Eastern Cape.

"Ma'am."

Lange turned around to see a marine standing behind her, "Yes Lieutenant?"

"Commodore, the latest ship to enter port carried seventy three other refugees. They said a few more were behind them, but our ships haven't spotted any additional civilian vessels in our area. They either had engine problems, or they were intercepted on route."

Lange hung her head for a brief moment. They had taken in so many refugees since the sudden outbreak of war in South Himyar. She walked over to her desk and sat down, looking through some papers. "If seventy three came on that last ship we are going to have to set up a new camp. Arrange with Commander Barestan to setup a new camp in a location of his choosing on my orders."

The lieutenant nodded his head, "Yes ma'am"

After he had left, Lange picked up her phone and dialed. They had over seven thousand refugees on the island, and barely enough food to support them. She needed to call back to the Asylan mainland for more food transports to make the trip.

---

Lange had finished with her call when there was a knock at her door. The same lieutenant from earlier walked in, "Ma'am I have a refugee here who would like to speak to you. He says his name is Jondar Akkeson."

"Akkeson?" The name of of a Himyar rebel leader. "Bring him in"

A tall Native Himyaran man walked through the door. He bowed his head slightly and spoke in broken English, "I hope me and my people have not imposed on your nation."

"This is an Asylan military base, if refugees are in need we will help them. Don't worry." Lange responded, she stood up and held a posted up for Akkeson to inspect "However, I wasn't aware we had the great criminal Akkeson in our presence."

Akkeson grimaced, "Commodore I assure you me and my people mean you no harm. We had to escape to keep our people and our cause alive."

"I wouldn't be concerned, you asked for asylum and it was granted. Luckily for you we help everyone in need. We have no intention of turning you over. But we have much to discuss."

"Yes, I imagine we do."

 

[Valkany]

Meanwhile in Pot Victoria at the Colonial Administrative Headquarters

Governor-General Pantersmark: We lost Akkeson? AKKESON?! The Emperor will have me hung if he finds out! We need to ge-
General Krovkanof: Well His Majesty just did. You're under arrest.
Governor-General Pantersmark: But it wasn't my fault-
General Krovkanof: Neither the Emperor nor I give a flying fuck about Akkeson. He was the calmest and most level headed of all the Rebel leaders. He was the first to ask for negotiations and a true Native Patriot. The Emperor instructed me to let him slip away. He respected the man enough to let him leave with his life. Akkeson is harmless he wants peace and asylum for his people, not another war.
Governor-General Pantersmark: So what are you arresting me for?
General Krovkanof: You dare ask?! You're no longer in charge. The Colonial Administration elected by the people of the Eastern Cape has instructed me to arrest you for your crimes during the revolt and before it and your failure to prevent both the revolt and the fall of Kronigsberg. You'll be tried here, the Eastern Cape is an autonomous Colony now, she has her own courts. I'll return to the fatherland and I'll hear of your news on TV or the Radio I guess. Take him out of my sight. *turns around and starts walking out*
Soldiers: Vausekt! Duz otosatenz ter Startegen!

 

[Asylan]

"The Governor-General was sacked?" Lange asked. She had just walked into the base's general command room as her officers were listening to their radio.

Commander Barestan turned around to greet her, "Not just sacked Commodore, arrested. He was the most powerful man in the Eastern Cape, now he's just gone."

Lange wasn't exactly saddened by the news, she knew of how Pantersmark had treated those under his rule, and his wartime tactics were equally as repulsive. She jotted quickly to the door and saw Akesson being escorted out of the control center, "Mr. Akesson, could you please join us in the Command room?"

Akesson turned around and nodded. Walking back briskly towards Commodore Lange. When he joined up with her, they both walked to the room's radio. Lange pointed to the radio, "It seems that your friend Governor-General Pantersmark has been arrested, no doubt due to his failure to capture you."

"I don't believe it," Akesson seemed shocked. "he succeeded in quelling most of the rebellion. Why would they remove him?"

"I think I can answer that," Barestan approached the two with some files in his hand, "Intelligence reports suggest that despite his success Pantersmark had fallen out of favor with the emperor quite some time ago. Still, he had quite a following on the Eastern Cape from both native loyalists and Valkany colonists. Hell as far as we can tell there were plenty in the Valkany court that loved the way he handled the native uprising."

"I don't imagine him going quietly, do you?" Lange asked.

Akesson shook his head, "I don't know. It is possible that the Empire managed to suppress those loyal to him before the arrested him, but just as possible that they are still strong. If he escapes, he will no doubt wish to take revenge on me."

"And revenge on you, would mean an attack on this base?"

He nodded, "Most likely yes."

Lange turned to Barestan, "How far out is the 1st Task Force?"

"About a day, they are escorting the food transports," he replied.

"Good advise me the moment they get here."

OOC: Just for some reference, an Asylan Task force is roughly one half the size of a standard Fleet. They typically will have one light carrier, one battlecruiser, and one multi purpose cruiser.

 

[Valkany]

VBC1 TV News Announcer: Governor-General Pantersmark has been stripped of both his governmental duties and his title of nobility and is currently on trial for war crimes and accusations of corruption at the Colonial High Court, at Port Victoria. He has been replaced by Governor-General Lord Josef Kapodsmark, who is in much better relations with both the White and Black Colonists and the Central Administration in Valkany. In other new-

Lieutenant Algolianos: Turn It off, Corporal. We have to escort the scum to the courtroom for his sentencing.
Lance Corporal Kowansky: Aye, aye sir. (Talking to Pantersmark) Move it scum, it's time for your head to roll.

The two marines escort Pantersmark to the Court Chambers for one last time.
Judge Lord J. Halvsted: Let the jury announce their verdict.
Jury Representative: We hereby find the accused party guilty of all crimes in question, including high-treason, crimes against civilians, neglect of governmental duties directly leading to a civil war and abuse of Government Funds.
Judge Lord J. Halvsted: This court, in the name of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Demetrius XV and under the eye of the one true God, hereby sentences the convict, I. Pantersmark, to death by firing squad. This court is hereby dissolved. *clack*

 

[Asylan]

Captain Simon Søndergaard of the ANS Horizon switched off the radio. "Well that does it. Governor Pantersmark is off to an early grave."

Søndergaard walked up to his navigator on the bridge of the ship, "How much longer until we reach the naval base?"

"Within the hour sir."

He nodded and turned to his first officer, "Instruct the task force, I want full battle readiness should any sort of revenge strike be attempted by anyone affiliated with Pantersmark on Akesson."

"Aye sir," the officer replied.

----

Lange had just returned from lunch when Commander Barestan knocked and entered her office, "Ma'am, the Horizon and her escorts will be arriving within the hour. Captain Søndergaard has put his ships on alert after the last radio transmission from the mainland."

"I see he is taking the situation seriously then. Get our patrol frigates ready as well to join his force. Have the marine get prepared for a possible skirmish."

"Yes Commodore," Barestan nodded and was off.

Lange got up and walked down the hallway of the base until she got to the main entrance. She stepped out into bright light of the midday sun and surveyed the island around her. The island itself was fairly small, and her administrative base was on top of a small hill, giving a good overlook on the entire island. To the south was the airstrip and to the west was the port area, where several of the refugee ships had taken of anchor.

Suddenly a small explosion rocked the harbor below her. One of the small refugee ships buckled under a fireball and capsized, nearly taking part of its dock with it. She heard shouting from down below. She spun around to two marines who were also standing outside the main entrance.

"Lieutenant, get inside and tell communications to get in touch with Asylan and get medical personnel down the the harbor as soon as possible, and you, Corporal, get your weapon and come with me."

Both she and the marine raced down the road towards the port.

----

"What was the damage?" Lange asked. She could see the smoking wreckage, as well as the newly arrived task force that had made itself at home at the base.

"It wasn't too much. The only person on board was one of the boat's owners. Unfortunately he didn't make it. The dock itself is fine, just some minor repairs," and engineer, Lieutenant Hartley responded, "As far as we can tell it seemed to have been a medium sized rocket launched from the mainland. Sadly it seemed to have found a mark."

Commander Barestan frowned, "Why would Valkany fire a rocket at us?"

Captain Søndergaard, who had joined them only a few minutes earlier spoke up, "I doubt it was them, a single rocket fired haphazardly at a small island? If Valkany wanted to take out this base they would have sent a lot more."

"Then for now I'm going to assume it was some organization loyal to Pantersmark. I want everyone ready for a fight, and get my Akesson. Me and him need to talk." Lange said.

 

[Valkany]

Hilda was hiding behind two large crates. She was in a Valkanian naval base in he Eastern Cape. Her group were fanatical supporters of Pantersmark, bent on forcing Valkany's government to reinstate him and taking revenge on Asylan's government for harboring Akesson, causing Pantersmark to lose his place. But the Valkanian military were no fools. After the little incident with a missile being fired by their group on a nearby Naval Base, they Valkanian military were on edge. One more incident of this nature could have severe consequences in these complicated times and the last thing Valkany needed was a war with a neighboring nation in both her colony and the mainland. But if she managed to acquire the Valkanian Intel on the Asylanian Base then her group would have a fair shot at getting Akesson into their hands and bringing Pantersmark back in control of the Colony. Of course Akesson was the most insignificant of reasons for Pantersmark's arrest, but like most, the group didn't know that. Suddenly Hilda heard footsteps. She tried to open one of the crates and hide in it, but in her panic she only managed to topple the crates, falling with them and obviously giving her presence away.

She looked up. A man was staring at her. The man was wearing a gas mask with a large tube that connected to a filtering device on his chest.

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His uniform was colored dark blue, with two small yellow stripes on the sides of his pants. On top of his head he had a garrison cap, also dark blue but with a small yellow stripe running through its sides.

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On his left arm he was wearing a bright yellow armband, with a blue cross. Most definitely a Valkanian Trooper from the Valkanian Special Purpose & Research Division of the Office of naval Intelligence.

Trooper: Heras psytonten!

Hilda didn't understand. While she was indeed a White Valkanian settler, her ancestors had come to the Eastern Cape back in 1826, during the first Valkanian colonization wave. The form of Valkanian they spoke had mixed with local languages to the extent that neither she nor any of the Himyaarners, as they were called, could speak the original Valkanian language of the mainland and could barely read it.

Trooper: Eg epen heras psytonten!
Hilda: Sorry, I can't understand what you're saying! I surrender please don't shoot!
Trooper: Fur der finlen fren sykranded ter heras, du Himyaarner klobstcha!

That last one she did understand. Klobstcha was also present in the Himyaarner version of Valkanian and still meant bitch. She did get that he was furious but not anything else and was repeating himself for the last time but still didn't understand his command. The trooper reached for his weapon and cocked it.

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He aimed the gun at her.

Trooper: Eg werbest du!

He prepared to pull the trigger, but another man grabbed his shoulder.

Other trooper: Aretten!
Trooper: Jahvolt her Kommandat!

The second man was wearing similar clothes but he had a Helmet instead of a Garrison Cap. His helmet had a yellow V on it and his gas mask had a filter tank instead of a tube.

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She looked around and saw a lot of men like him but he was the only one with the V. He probably was in command.

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They were probably Marines and not ONI Troops like the man who almost shot her.
The man turned to her and spoke to her in Himyaars, her native tongue.

Officer: Who are you and what are you doing here?
Hilda: I'm not telling you anything!
Officer: Look around you, do you feel like you can refuse?
Hilda: I'm... I'm with the HLF.

The HLF. Also nown as the Himyaarner Liberation Front, was an organization supporting a Free Himyaarner State in the Eastern Cape. The Valkanian government used to discriminate against them before the equality laws that followed the Revolt. Pantersmark was a Himyarneer like them and while the new Governor-General was also one of her people, causing most of the groups to disbanded or to switch their support to the New GG, her group remained loyal to Pantersmark and an enemy of Akesson.

Officer: Distanften dova. Vausekt.

The soldiers restrain her and drug her with a sedative using a syringe. They then detain her for further questioning. The HLF has been giving the Valkanian government trouble in an increasing rate recently and as such all information on the group is vital. Especially if the HLF's skirmish with Asylan's Navy is to be stopped before it gets out of hand.

 

[Asylan]

There hadn't been any trouble for awhile now. However the situation on the island was growing.

"How many refugees on the last transport?"

Commander Barestan laid a paper in front of her, detailing the new arrivals. "One hundred and twenty one."

"That puts us up to almost fifteen thousand." Lange shove her head into her hands. This was quickly becoming a nightmare. "Suggestions?"

"Honestly there doesn't seem to be much we can do. We either turn them away or we let them keep coming in." Barestan replied. "Perhaps we can get the locals to begin fishing operations in order to offset the food shortage. However water is another story, with only a few thousand before our desalinization plants could keep up with the fresh waters needs, but soon we are going to start running short."

"Alright get me Akesson, it's about time he starts leading his people again."

---

Akesson walked into Commodore Lange's office. He noticed that it had become much more cluttered than the last time he had visited. Reports were strewn across her desk and folders were on the floor. He observed Lange herself bending down and rifling through the mess.

"Commodore?"

Lange looked up at him, "Oh, Sorry."

She put down the papers she had picked up on her desk and sat back down in her desk chair, "Akesson I want you to begin organzing your people down there. We've got quite a few problems that go beyond just Pantersmark loyalists."

Akesson took a seat on the opposite side of the desk, "I hope you realize that many of those people down there are not among those I lead personally during the rebellion."

"I'm aware, but you are the closest thing they have to a leader that isn't military. I need you to start organzing them in preparations for food shortages, we just don't have the supplies to keep feeding all of these people."

He nodded. It would be difficult but he imagined he could find a way, "Perhaps we can begin to contribute on our own? These people have no where to go, perhaps the construction of a settlement here? It would be so helpful in raising their spirits."

Lange hadn't considered an option like that. She didn't know Asylan policy off the top of her head, but if it helped him get his people more organized than it may be worth the shot. "We don't have any construction materials to give, but I can have some of my men begin to lay out basic streets and roads where we can relocate some tents. I can guarantee and permanent settlement here. But in return I need your people to begin making some of their own food. I've received authorization for your people to being fishing the local waters."

"Thank you Commodore, I will do the best that I can." Akesson stood. Lange motioned her hand at the door and nodded, and Akesson departed.

She stood up and walked to her phone, she needed to get on the line back to Asylan and start the diplomatic processes necessary to bring other countries in on this situation.

OOC: Hey everyone, I'd love for people to begin joining in on this RP as soon as they would like. There are lots of hungry refugees that need your support

 

[Valkany]

We would gladly accept any refugees back now that the conflict is over. We have promised not to persecute any of the and we have kept our word so far ad will continue to do so. Also if the refugees don't wish to return home we would be more than willing to help you with supplies and funds. We are currently prepared to send five tons of food and are awaiting your approval.

Imperial Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Lord Johann Odessof

 

[Valkany]

Hilda woke up. She was in a strange room, handcuffed to a chair. Probably some interrogation room she thought. She looked around a bit but her observation of the room was cut short by somebody opening the door and stepping in the room.
Officer: Hello there, Hilda. I assume you've had a good sleep?
Hilda: How do you know my name?
The man threw a file her way.

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"HILDA PANTERSMARK". She guessed he probably even knew her favorite food and color. The man's voice was familiar though; He sounded like the man she spoke to before she got drugged... only his voice was a little lighter now. Probably because of his not wearing a gas mask anymore. The file was no surprise either; In a place as delicate and as important as the Eastern Cape Emperor Demetrius XV and his father before him probably wanted to ensure that they could move on any important person or their family at any given time and that they knew everything about everyone important. After all she was the daughter of Former-Governor-General Ian Pantersmark, it was only natural they would have a file on her... but speaking of her father... Hilda thought it pointless but asked anyway.
Hilda: So they've executed my father by now? Phew at least the HLF probably stopped their attack plan and not anyone else will die...
Officer: Didn't anybody tell you the news? The Emperor himself had the sentence reduced to life in prison with possibility of freedom. Well that was expected if you ask me; how could he reform the state by clinging to old practices like the death penalty? Though that duck leader still got hanged. I guess the Emperor wanted to send a clear message to the natives and you Himyaarners.
Hilda: WHAT?! Where is he? Can I see him?
Officer: He'll be transferred to Kolpsberg in a couple of days but for security reasons he's here for now. So your guys don't try anything stupid probably... And about seeing him, he's in a high security cell and you're not leaving here. The only way to leave this room is either if you're with us or in a body bag. Speaking of which I have an offer for you. You can join the ONI as a "temporary contractor" and help us out. You'll get your freedom back and you might even vindicate your father and buy his too. If you're good enough you might become a permanent agent. You'll have to go through a training program though. Don't worry it's standard protocol, your little joke back at the supply bay didn't bring this about...
Hilda: I wished you had forgotten about that... Anyway I guess I'll have to accept. Though how could I vindicate my fathe-
Officer: We believe that Vice-Governor Pleasmooth is actually at fault. He hid evidence from your father and changed reports so your father couldn't possibly know what was coming. Your father simply paid the price as someone had to get tried for those 30,000 dead settlers and god knows how many dead natives. And for Kronigsberg of course... If you help us bring Pleasmooth to light we could get your father our of prison
Hilda: Funny thing... I was actually here to prove that... among other things... you see Pleasmooth claims to have helped my father and leads the HLF. But I knew better than to believe him and I didn't tell anyone I was Pantersmark's daughter. When we were discussing this mission I volunteered and came here looking for answers.
Officer: About that, what were you exactly doing here Hilda?
Hilda: Well I was here to steal any Intel you have on that base of Asylan. That would give u- I mean the HLF an edge over their navy. The HLF's troops would fire missiles at the bases's strategic sites, decapitating their chain of command before they could react. Then the HLF would assault the base with a small naval force to extract Akkeson and a couple of others. By the way can you tell me your name... It feels awkward for you to know everything about me while I don't even know what to call you.
Officer: Well the name's Franz Hertzborg.
The first name was surely Valkanian. But the last name sounded kind of Himyaarner. He could have a family with one Valkanian and one Himyaarner parent. That would explain how he could speak Himyaarns so well.
Hilda: So you're Himyaarner?
Franz: Half Himyaarner. My father was Valkanian and my mother Himyaarner. He died while they were still engaged during a war. My mother was pregnant with me when he died. I got her last name but she named me after him. Turns out he was highly ranked in the ONI. That's how they let me in here even though I'm a half-breed. Back to our subject, what did you intend to do after the attack on the base? And what do you think the HLF will do now?
Hilda: Well the- Wait! If Pantersmark is in here they'll try to attack this base! They'd also be able to take me out too before I tell you anything and get the Intel too!
Franz: This base is a fortress, it'd be suicide!
Hilda: I didn't see a lot of troops back at the yard, where are they?
Franz: They went to help out some peacekeepers in Port Vic- Shit! *grabs phone* Get me HQ! Tell them we have an incoming attack from the HLF! Quick-
Gunshots are heard. A man rushes through the door. He looks like the man that almost shot her earlier but he has a different service number on his uniform.
Franz: Great, what are we going to do?
Trooper: We could use it... Instead of trying it on Negros we could have active enemy combatants for test subjects...
Franz: But what if-
Trooper: We don't have a choice!
Franz: Fine! Just get us gas masks!
Trooper: One step ahead of ya! Here are yours, everyone is wearing theirs already! And put these suits on too!
The trooper throws them two packs which include a gas mask like his and a full body suit. Franz unlocks her handcuffs.
Hilda: Do you really trust me enough for this?
Franz: Well I thought I should show our new Contractor some trust. Like I have a choice... how else could you put that on?
Hilda: What is "it"?
Franz: *Sigh* This facility is used by ONI for high risk top secret tests. We mainly use natives from remote areas that nobody will look for as test subjects. We're developing a new line of V class chemical weapons. They're called VX Nerve Agents. I'll tell you more later, for now put that thing on!
Hilda nods. After scientists discovered that atomic tests could burn the atmosphere most nations turned to chemical weapons and large bombs for WMDs. After all there had been no wars big enough, even with the August Catastrophe in place, that saw large scale use of them, so there were no treaties restricting their use. Like that even concerns the Valkanians. The Valkanians were the first to use chemical weapons. They produced the first variant of Mustard Gas back in 1912. Since then they're leading the world in Chemical Weapons tech. But all those weapons need test subjects. In 1912 they tested it on natives and homeless immigrants, now they're testing it blacks that have no family or friends left to look for them after the Eastern Cape war. She looked down to her clothes. They were the same as the ones she was wearing when she got in there. It was kind of funny. The Valkanians were the kind of people that would test nerve agents on innocents but would never take the clothes of a lady off of her. If she was white at least. Damn Krauts, they were classy even when it came to mass murder... She put her suit and gas mask on. She had heard about the V class agents that had been fired at Swetho during the war. Though there is no way to prove it with any of today's technology no matter how advanced and nobody lived to tell the tale, she knew enough from what her father had told her to know that she didn't want that gas touching her even in the slightest bit.
Franz: OK, you ready?
Hilda nodes once more
Franz: Fire the VX! Use one one canister, anymore could kill a city and that stuff's expensive!
A white gas fills everything. No more gunshots are heard from the attackers' weapons.
Trooper: Move out!
Franz hands her a Luger.
Franz: I'm sorry you have to do this, but it's the only way for everyone to trust you like I do. And don't worry about your father he's safe, I asked them on the phone.
Hilda takes the weapon. Franz takes his out. He walks up to the body of a dead man. The body is burned, with barely anything left, his eyes are still open though. The nerve agent is probably just finishing with "killing" his nerves. Franz shoots him in the head. Hilda finds another body and follows suit.
Trooper: Make sure you leave a couple alive. We need them for tests.
Franz: Private!
A trooper runs to them.
Franz: Get me HQ tell them to open the vents and get a full HAZMAT battalion here ASAP. Hilda, is the HLF going to attack the base?
Hilda: Of course, they have a general idea of the base's critical locations are they just needed the Intel for more precision. They're probably doing so as we speak!
Franz: Give me HQ and Admiral Spirtzof! I need the Eastern Cape Fleet Dispatch there ASAP!

Meanwhile at a small island near the base of Asylan.
Pleasmooth: Get ready men! Today we get Akkeson! Today we free Pantersmark!
HLF trooper: Sir we lost contact with the assault team in the Valkanian Base!
Pleasemooth: Leave them be. The base is disoriented, they won't be able to aid the Endenshire base. And since we haven't attacked for a couple of days, they'll be of guard. This will be a decisive victory!
HLF General: Now let's send them some gifts! Team Alpha fire the missiles, Team Bravo assault them with those planes and gunships! The rest of you with me! We're going to land on that bloody island and take it!
Tens of missiles are fired at the base. They're headed for strategic locations. With so many missiles headed for each target AA guns won't be able to shoot them all down. If they even have time to react at all... The rest of the 5,000 strong HLF force moves on the island!

 

[Valkany]

The HLF's missiles hit several points of the base. The HLF forces start assaulting the docking bay of the base.

Back on the Valkanian side the Valkanian Navy is waiting for Asylan's government to grant them permission to move on the isle and help Asylan's forces defend against the HLF assault.

OOC: [MENTION=1673]Asylan[/MENTION] I just edited the post, go ahead and continue the RP

 

[Tyvia]

Some leagues from Erdenshire
Southern Seas Squadron

It wasn't especially surprising that the conflict had found a way to export itself, and ultimately it was on the basis of that particular fear that the Etnaean Kingdom and armed forces decidedly committed to the area in—at least initially—a fairly limited capacity. Peacekeepers were already disembarking in various ports in the Eastern Cape, ferried there by civilian contractors and military boats with the South Seas Squadron, beginning to make preparations for the eventual investigation, tribunal, and further operations in the territory.

A small flotilla had been assigned the responsibility of escort for one such convoy, and so wasn't especially distant from Erdenshire when the message came in from Isarmorga. Perhaps only two dozen or so leagues out when the call came in, a convoy of men and material freshly delivered to Port Victoria, the aptly-named Teutogatolíx and the Mariccos Isarnocos Cato, accompanied by a handful of escorting destroyers and the two cruisers' lighter sibling, the Isaios Vegacca, turned promptly eastward to answer the call when the first message arrived.

The captain of the Teutogatolíx, holding overall seniority and thus command of the impromptu group, was shaken awake by his adjutant at an ungodly hour and made to shuffle all the way over to the bridge to receive, in private and without any coffee whatsoever, a series of messages from the Acgocatubí. His eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed as he went through them a second time, a third time, and understanding soon dawned on the old man as to what his new objectives were—finally, actual combat! A handful of other ships would stream in from Isarmorga, already en-route, but his vessels would be the first ones on station, the first Etnaean ships to see actual battle in this entire sordid mess. A swelling pride surged in the man's chest, and a wide grin split his features as he reached for the conn.

“All hands, set condition one throughout the ship. Section chiefs, order is combat action patrol: report to bridge ASAP.”

Having said that, he passed the device onto his adjutant, who repeated the message essentially word for word two more times—for those either just roused from sleep or especially incompetent. With a cup of coffee in his hand, hair combed, and uniform properly fastened together, the officer was sufficiently ready to address both his officers and anyone else when they came scrambling up unto the bridge. He offered them the same cheeky grin that he'd displayed upon hearing the news, his face and voice both alight with undisguised enthusiasm. “Order of the day is interdiction,” the Captain proclaimed, “Erdenshire Naval Base is under attack by unknown forces, believed to be sea, air, and land. We can only deal with two of those, but that should help them figure out the last.”

A map was produced up from somewhere, showing in some good amount of detail the general coastline of southern Himyar as a whole. The adjutant did a spectacular job of laying out assorted paperclips, erasers, and other items to represent the supposed placement of hostile forces—the Captain narrating this as it happened: “we'll know for sure as we get closer, but if they're actively landing on the isle, we must assume they're arraigned fairly close to the shore to provide support. This likely means either an arc formation on their part concentrated around a specific landing zone, or a general blockade. Either way--. .” he swept his hand down, using a set of heavy pink erasers to demarcate the positions of the Etnaean squadron, “we'll be moving forward in a sort of pincer, the Teutogatolíx and the Cato at the left and right respectively, with the Vegacca right in the middle. We'll send out the choppers to take a look-see before we go in, but, well—should be able to respond fairly quickly to either situation.”

The affair of planning concluded, the vessels soon arrayed themselves into the appropriate manner, steaming on ahead towards Erdenshire. A few radio messages were sent out intermittently, done in the usual coded manner, for the purpose of ascertaining the situation further from the Asylan point of view. The choppers were sent out soon after, and they would guide the ships in while trying to keep themselves out of trouble. Together, the ships represented a substantial amount of firepower, and were now being deployed to the direct support of the Asylan defense efforts.

 

[Asylan]

An explosion rocked outside her office, and alarms all over the island went off. Lange leaped up and stared out her office window. With the task force on patrol on the opposite side of the island, all she could see was waves of small landing craft nearing the beaches of Erdenshire. She could see her troops rushing about.

Commander Barestan rushed in, "Ma'am landing forces approaching the northern coast."

"So I can see, get the shore defenses manned, I want them to pay for every inch they take on that beach. Get our air wing mobilized, we need to keep that air clear. Between us and the task group we should be able to give their air a run for their money with our jets. Tell the troops to prepare for a chemical weapons attack. We received some fuzzy intelligence on Valkany forces that had been attacked with chemical weapons."

Barestan nodded and ran out of the office.

She went to the radio on the other side of her office, "Eredenshire Base to Horizon do you copy?"

There was silence for a moment.

"Roger that Erdenshire this is Horizon, we are seeing signs of battle orders?"

"Launch fighters and coordinate with my jets. I've received word that the Etnaean fleet is close, don't expose your ships to any direct fire until their reinforcements arrive."

"Aye ma'am, Horizon out."

Another explosion shook the office. "Commodore."

Behind her Akkeson stood, armed with a rifle, "What are you doing here Akkeson?"

"Commodore, I wish to offer the assistance of my men."

She was shocked, "I don't understand how you can help us now Mr. Akkeson."

"You have little men, and my rebels still have their weapons. Please let us help you. They have come for us, use your men to protect our civilians. Please."

Lange didn't know what to think. On one hand she only have five hundred men, and on the other she couldn't ask them to fight. But she new there were almost twenty thousand refugees on the island and she couldn't allow them to be hurt.

"How many men?"

"A little over a thousand of us."

Lange nodded, "That leaves roughly seventeen hundred civilians left to protect. We'll still be outnumbered two to one. Very well. really your men to the northern shores reinforce our positions there. We aren't lacking on supplies your men are free to use them. I'll send three hundred of my people to secure the refugees on the south side of the island. We have to hold until reinforcements arrive."

"We will."

----

The beach had become a death trap. Enemy troops and tanks had become to land on the lightly defended beach. But the first responders had already reached the majority of the emplacements, and to their luck they had survived the initial rocket barrage. Machine gun fire was raking the troops on the beach below and the Asylan soldiers had begun to further fortify their defenses with small trenches while waiting for their reinforcements to arrive.

Marine Captain Thomas Ahtisaari was screaming orders into his radio when a large group of armed men emerged from behind. He and the few men around him raised his rifle to them, "Identify yourselves!"

One of the ragged men raised his hand. He was definitely a native, one of the refugees. "We have been sent by your commodore to help you! There are more of us on the way."

"Son of a bitch," Ahtisaari whispered to himself, then he smiled, "Sergeant! Let's get these men some of our equipment."

----

On board the Horizon Captain Søndergaard was also dealing with the crisis. He held his radio to his mouth and started barking more orders, "Wing leader, keep your fighters in the air defense bubble of the base."

"Affirmative Captain, relaying orders."

Søndergaard turned to his communications officer, "How much longer?"

"The Etnaean fleet reports two hours out Captain."

Søndergaard's first officer breathed a sigh of relief, "We can hold Captain."

"I hope so."

OOC:
Also helicopters were widely used during the Korean war, so they did exist.
Average Asylan soldier, armed with their EM-2 rifle :

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[Valkany]

The Valkanian forces are wasting valuable time in waiting. Admiral Spirtzof is fed up. He orders his men to head for the base and help Asylan's and Etnaea's forces defeat the HLF insurgent forces. On one of the Valkanian fleet's ship Franz and Hilda are preparing to land on the island along with the other marines and ONI troops. This is to be Valkany's last operation in the Area with the Naval Base back in Nova Praetoria being evacuated along with all Valkanian forces in the Eastern Cape.
Valkanian Landing Party Commander: OK men we'll land on the main beach-front and help the guys from Asylan and Etnaea cut those HLF cunts off from the main force and surround them! The navy and air-force will take out the gunships and planes of the HLF out before we land so I want everyone to get ready for a lot of flak!
Hilda: How are we going to defeat a force that has pinned the entire Asylanian naval force down!?
Franz: Those gunships are paper boats compared to Asylan's navy, the HLF simply took the base's garrison by surprise just like they did with us! Don't worry our assault will lift the pressure of Endenshire and shift the balance of the battle!
Hilda: I hope so... otherwise I'm going to kick your ass back to Zessionsford!
Franz: There goes my epic speech...
The Valkanian air squadron and naval force take the HLF forces by surprise. Within minutes 6 out of the 8 gunboats have been sunk and almost all of the HLF planes are off the sky. No match for Valkany's Averof class dreadnoughts and Hawker Jet fighters. The doors of the landing craft open and the marines rush to the shore! heavy fire ensues from both sides!
Valkanian Soldier: Keep pressure on them with the '50s. I want air support now! And get that armour on the beach ASAP!
The Valkanian air-force and armored divisions support the marines' advance on the coast. The HLF forces have shrunk to almost half their original numbers after being forced into a hammer & anvil position by the coalition forces. The Valkanians have also suffered losses but theirs were much lighter. The Valkanian Flagship signals the Asylanian Base's command.
HIVMS February: Endenshire Command do you copy? This is HIVMS February, the Valkanian Naval Force's flagship, we have engaged and taken out most of the enemy air and naval force and are landing troops on the beach, may we coordinate our attacks on HLF forces?

 

[Valkany]

Valkanian Special Forces along with members of the Eastern Cape SWAT secretly stormed Governor Pleasmooth's hideout in Port Victoria . He has been arrested and transported to Zessionsford for the Eastern Cape War Crimes Extraditions Trial. Official reports of the Government of the Cape say that he was actually arrested by the local police and legally extradited to Valkany to avoid diplomatic implications for both governments. The HLF now lies essentially decapitated.