The White Dove and the Emerald Eagle

[Kadikistani Union]

Rurikgrad Military Harbour
Socialist Province of Rurikgrad
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan

The civil war in Ivernia had been raging for some time now. Besides some modest financial and material support offered to certain elements within the Milesian Republican Army Kadikistan had remained largely absent from the conflict. Ivernia was historically always considered a mighty adversary and a strong competitor in the battle for influence in the North. Therefore Ivar had welcomed the republican uprising and attempted to get a grip on it, potentially creating a strong militia of convinced Marxist-Leninovists. If everything went according to plan the Marxist-Leninovists would eventually hi-jack the uprising and install a system similar to that of Kadikistan. Strategists and tacticians devised this as a long-term plan. Kadikistan would slowly increase its influence on the republican movement starting with the most radical segments. In the chase that Ivernia would prove to be a bad breeding-ground for Marxist-Leninovism Ivar would redirect their resources towards prolonging the civil conflict for as long as possible. Because if Ivernia wouldn't become a Marxist-Leninovist state, a weak war-torn Ivernia was preferable. With the republicans seemingly unable to win the war on their own it was time for Kadikistan to intervene, at least according to the new Marxist-Leninovist interventionist doctrine. The scales needed to be tipped back.

Rurikgrad city, named after the first socialist leader of Kadikisan Andrej Rurik, was home to the second largest harbour in Kadikistan and the Revolutionary Southern Fleet. The trade going through Rurikgrad harbour made the Socialist Province of Rurikgrad one of the richest and most important regions in Kadikistan. It was one of the few Northern provinces that was heavily industrialized, Tsjekova's 14-years-plan containing that the North must become Kadikistan's granary. A city of millions Rurikgrad was always busy, but today something extra was happening. You could feel it in the air.

Although there is always a strong military presence in the Kadikistani cities, mostly due to the fact that the tasks of the Army include law enforcement in most areas of the country, the number of troops in the street was much higher today. This was due to the arrival of the notorious Kadikistani Expeditionary Volunteer Force, commonly known as 'the Vanguard'. A division of no less then 21,356 men, all of them veterans of numerous skirmishes and incursions into neighbouring countries over the past decades. Upon its creation the Vanguard division counted exactly 25,000 heads, but its commanding officer, General Sepakov Berbadjov, has always declined reinforcements stating he "prefered a small unit of battle-hardened veterans to a large division of inexperienced rookies". Gen. Berbadjov was the patriarch of the Berbadjov family, which was closely aligned with the Leninov's. A bit of an anthropologist Berbadjov had always been interested in meeting new people... before putting them under the yoke of Marxist-Leninovism. That is why he declined several very prestigious positions in the Kadikistani government so he could focus himself completely on his Expeditionary Force. Besides being a passive member of the Supreme Soviet, showing up only when a proposal by the Leninov's or the Vinsko's needed voting, Berbadjov was also the Governor of Spreska. The latter position Berbadjov left for his more politics-orientated protégé and son Maj. Radec, only rarely spending time in the region. This doesn't mean that Berbadjov wasn't a convinced Marxist-Leninovist, he was actually one of the most loyal followers outside of the Leninov's themselves.

It was early in the morning when the 'volunteer' division arrived in the Rurikgrad military base which claimed roughly half of the harbour. While the majority of the division installed themselves, a brigade of 4,500 men was prepared to board a small fleet of partially improvised transport ships should a landing zone become concrete. Their destination was evident, Ivernia. The Northern Fleet was still mobilized due to the ongoing tensions with Saaremaa and was assigned to guard the transport vessels as they would journey through the straights. But the fleet would attempt to keep a low profile as not to risk a naval confrontation with the remnants of the Ivernian Imperial Navy. More importantly than that was receiving word regarding the landing zone. Kadikistan had made contact with a small group of Marxist-Leninovists who would secretly scout the Ivernian coast for a potential landing zone. Because of the civil strife the Imperial Army couldn't be everywhere. But before the operation could start they waited for the green light from the republican movement, or at least part of it.

Meanwhile the 'volunteers' organised and waited.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

Rurikgrad Military Harbour
Socialist Province of Rurikgrad
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan

In highest secrecy 'Operation Red Banner', coined by high-ranking military officials to name Kadikistan's intervention in Ivernia, continued. The brigade of 4,500 Kadikistani troops had the Kadikistani flag stripped from their uniforms so the state could sell the intervention as a 'spontaneous volunteer force' rather than an invasion of Ivernia. The uniforms of the rest of the Kadikistani Expeditionary Division would soon suffer the same faith. Kadikistan did not want to risk a full scale war with Ivernia, or worse Bourgogne. Especially not given the deteriorating relations with the Varanasi Empire to the East. That is why the Revolutionary Northern Fleet gathered as much intelligence as they could on the whereabouts of the Bourgogne Navy as to avoid a potential confrontation. To explain the presence of the Northern Fleet Kadikistani state media announced that the country was organizing war games in the straights that would last until the beginning of March.

Furthermore many of the transport ships had renown smugglers as their captain who where very experienced in circumventing foreign maritime authorities. If the transport vessels or the defending Northern Fleet did encounter Bourgogne or Ivernian naval forces the mission would be postponed and they would try again at a more opportune moment. But in times of great tension and war one could never know what might happen when the ships come face-to-face. Hopefully for the Kadikistani Expeditionary force and its commander Berbadjov that wouldn't be the case and the entire division would be 'smuggled' into Milesian controlled territories without anyone noticing. Or at least being able to do something about it. Due to a lack of transport vessels only the before mentioned brigade, nicknamed 'The First Spear', could be transported in this run. It was estimated to take a total of four or five trips to get the entire Expeditionary force to Ivernia. According to the planners the entire division should be in Ivernia by the end of february, but nothing ever went according to plan.

One day had passed since the troops began to organise and board the ships. They included General Berbadjov who prided himself on always being in the front line and demanded that he would be the first to set food on Milesian/Ivernian soil. Now the green light was given by the republicans. The destination was known as the Milesian Republic, more specifically: 170 kilometres north of Waesfjord. The location wasn't tremendously far from Lowport, but the distance was long enough so they could attempt to go in unnoticed. The first brigade was given a few more hours to organize. The hour of departure was very specific so the transport ships would arrive in hostile waters under the cover of darkness. Kadikistan's role in this long and bloody conflict had begun.

 

[Dalriada]

Classified Information
Department of Security & Defence:
Rhodri the great and the P.M give authority to carry out Operation Evening light

We've been watching the civil war in our neighbouring country of Iveria for sometime. The situation is getting pretty dire and we know this is a front to spread communist influence in the region and can't stand by and let this happen.Even though we can't openly support Iveria in the civil war without a huge public backlash.

We have made plans to airdrop 15 Security Special Operatives in the cover of night. They have been give orders to destroy key military assets owned by the rebels, damaged transport and communications lines used by the rebels,then at dawn they will move to the evac zone. Under no circumstance the SSOs should openly engage with rebel forces. As safeguard all SSOs shall wear MAC's militia uniform when they are on the ground since the group openly supports Iveria in the civil war it won't be a far stretch to think volunteers would fight with Iveria it will give us cover if they are captured.

Finally if Operation Evening Light is a failure or any SCOs are captured destory this document with immediate effect.

Signed;
T.Picton, G.Evans,

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

43 miles northwest of Lowport

Flight Captain Rene Nemour led his group of 4 ground attack jets back to the airfield after riddling rebel positions outside of Lowport. It was his fourth deployment- 2 in the Green Peninsular wars and now his second in Ivernia. The air crews had been on 25 day rotations, transferring back to Bourgogne in the intermediary. The Burgundian air forces had pummeled rebel aircraft and airfields and positions for weeks. Burgundian heavy bombers had helped pummel the enemy installations and large troop formations, as well as drop supplies to Lowport. As of recent, it had been the only lifeline for those still inside, struggling to hold off the rebels. Though the rebels were on the run in most of Ivernia, they had maintained mostly constant pressure on Lowport. Despite reinforcements, Lowport was still on at a tipping point.

Lowport

Every building was a snow covered ruin. Lowport was nothing but a pile of gray and white rubble; a city of ghosts. All thee contingents defending Lowport had suffered causalities, the Sequoyans taking the brunt over the last week. The gunfire was almost as bad as the cold which had swept in with a vengeance. Gramelski sat mute in front of a small stove which had been dented in the collapse of the basement's ceiling. Gramelski had twice had to tell his subordinates that they may surrender in the coming weeks; though he never seriously considered it an option. He had been promised, falsely, that relief would come soon. Yet Ivernish Imperial forces had failed to push through to the beleaguered city. Supplies were low and morale was even lower. They had the option of evacuation by the Burgundian navy, the fleet operating close enough to the city for evacuation within a day. But Gramelski had no intention of evacuating. He briefly had considered it but in the end he knew he had to hold out. The rebels were still losing and giving them Lowport was a victory they could not afford to give the rebels.

 

[Dalriada]

Secret GH19 HQ to the Burgundian high command, we request access to Irvenia airspace in order to carry out a military operation towards a common enemy we wait for your response.....

 

[Dalriada]

Classified information
Department of Security & Defence: Operation Evening light

We have the three cargo planes fueled, 15 SSOs have been outfitted and are being brief on the mission right now, we have contract the Burgundian high command and we have told them of our plans. They agree to escort us through their air corridor and go along with our cover story.

They have give us information of new targets which are
-a radio station
-a bunker.
They request that we carry out these objectives along with our own which are:
-Destroy the rebel radio station hidden in the woods.(10 miles away from LZ)
-Find and search a underground bunker (15 miles away from the LZ)
-Lay landmines on routes frequently used by the rebels
-Set up and link a listening post to GH19 by the coast to monitor Naval Signal communication in the Gothic sea.

We have given the SSOs extra resources to complete the new objectives which are:
-2 Light armoured vehicles
-5 Night Vision Devices
-5 Silent pistols

10 of the SSOs team will still be in MAC milta uniform but 5 of the team will be in covert operations uniform.

if Operation Evening Light is a failure or any SCOs are captured destory this document with immediate effect.
Signed;
T.Picton, G.Evans,

 

[Ivernia]

Ballynanty Street
Lowport

Artillery from the Imperial Army gave rain to Lowport. Turning the heaps of rubble into smaller heaps of rubble. Tanks could barely maneuver some streets as the buildings around were empty shells, their walls and structures pulled off and scattering the streets. Soldiers marched in as they could, but were horrified at the level of destruction they saw. The Civil War has been hard on the High Kingdom. Businesses had no trade, the people across the State were on rations. Cities bombed and shelled, but nothing like Lowport. Lowport was one city loyal to Caladbolg and the High King in the entire Province of Milesia. Obviously this was an outrage to the republicans. Lowport, cut off from the loyal forces, entered a siege, a siege that has been ongoing since Summer of last year. The city was in shambles. The people dead, starving or drafted. The Loyalist forces that entered that city had no sense of the destruction, it was so beyond what they had seen before. They felt the rage building up inside of them. A long war and now this new level of destruction to their cities. Their propaganda-fueled hatred, and frustration for this war meant that the invasion of Lowport by the ''Green Army'' was to add a new chapter of despair for the people of Lowport.

Frederick Mac Fergus was not near the battle, rather with his men further south. The six men were all Rangers. As he went through the snow-laden city - once again dressed as a potato farmer - he could not believe what had happened to this once quaint little portside city. Lowport held the Castle for the House of Mac Suibhne's, of Duke Dathí Mac Suibhne a very popular man of Lowport. They paid the price dearly for their loyalty to the Crown.

Frederick moved along the streets until he saw a stationary shop which still had it's windows. He and his men moved in to the shop to check their map. ''Kellensey fetch the bloody map.'' Frederick said holding his hand out. Lieutenant Kellensey threw his bag off his back and pulled out a coloured piece of paper folded tightly. The men made their way into a back room slowly. While they may be dressed as farmers, that wouldn't mean they'd be safe from being shot - by either side - simply for walking down this street or around these abandoned shops.

''It's there Fred'' Kellensey pointed at the map, making a circle with his gloved finger. ''Last place we has intel of a location.''

''Christ, that'd be like the epicentre of the action isn't it? We have to go straight into it do we? Not very Ranger-like.'' Said Sergeant O'Malley.

''Donagh would ye ever relax,'' Mac Fergus said to his sergeant. ''Sure me and Kellensey just a few years back in the Commonwealth.. Rangers were used in direct combat plenty of times there. Anyways if that's where the Bourgognian's are then that's where we're off to. If they have any forces left, we can let them prepare for the main assault into the city centre. It's going to get very rough. I hear that the Air Force might carpet bomb parts of the city before the troops march in.''

''Jaysus that seems extreme doesn't it? This is Ivernia, still.'' Kellensey whispered.

Frederick didn't have much to say. It wasn't that he didn't care. Or maybe it was.

''We can't have the Bourgogne Forces bombed, it wouldn't look well. We need to touch base with them so we're off to.. there.'' Frederick pointed to a street, father to the east then their location.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

Dubra County
170 kilometres north-east of Waesfjord
Milesian Republic/High Kingdom of Ivernia

"Fuck its cold." General Sepakov Berbadjov said as he was officially the first to set food on the Ivernian shores ruled by the Milesian Republic. Of course a mere second after he departed from his transport ship he was surpassed by some 30 of his men jumping in front of him while the other 200 stormed the beach to draw out a potential ambush. It was clear that the Expeditionary Volunteer Force wasn't taking any chances. But the tensions soon lowered after a small group of local Marxist-Leninovists emerged from the thick forest that bordered the coast waving a red and a black flag as was agreed on during earlier communications. General Berbadjov and several of his lieutenants greeted their local comrades briefly before overseeing the landing of the rest of the 'First Spear' Brigade. Berbadjov's orders where clear.

"Set up a base of operations in the forest so we can use its natural cover to our advantage. Our local comrades have informed us of an abandoned shack less then two kilometers into the forest, it will be a fine location for a temporary command centre. I want a communication line with Ivar through Rurikgrad and make sure we can coordinate with the republican authorities. We will lay low until the rest of the division and all the supplies have arrived. Inform our hosts that the weapons delivery will be included in the last transport run."

He then turned towards the local Marxist-Leninovists, only a hand full of men and one woman. "As you know it is our objective not only to help the republican cause, but also to create a strong Marxist-Leninovist militia able to purge all counter-revolutionary elements within the republican movement. You six have been called here not only to help us coordinate our efforts but also because you have been carefully selected to lead this new revolutionary movement under our guidance. For we all realize that if the republican cause does not follow Marxist-Leninovist doctrine, the terrible bloodshed this nation has known will have been for nothing. Only Marxist-Leninovism truly breaks with the old shackles of Ivernian oppression. We must at all times be vigilant for revisionist infiltrators, enemies of the social revolution." Berbadjov gave his interpretors some time to translate his words after which the six Milesians nodded in agreement. "Good, than if you will excuse me I have a landing to oversee. One of you will stay here and serve as our guide, the rest of you know what to do. Contact your people and tell them to rally behind our noble cause."

Five of the six locals saluted the general before disappearing into the thick forest. As the landing proceeded the first ships where already on their way back to pick up the next brigade or where in the process of refuelling. There was a lot of work to be done before the actual combat would begin. While a larger, more advanced, training camp was already nearing completion in Rurikgrad the Expeditionary force would build an improvised training camp meant for basic combat training. Here they would not only learn the local volunteers how to behave in combat, but also educate them ideologically. Even though they where technically in friendly territory a safety perimeter was in the process of being established in a 16 kilometer radius so the division would be warned in case of an attack coming from Imperial Forces, but also from any form of aggression coming from Republican militias. The three county's within this safety perimeter, Dubra, Féin and Rulex would be placed under Kadikistani military governance. They would do this carefully, managing the county's relevant decision-making from behind the scenes while their republican leaders would keep their positions but not their power. In a later phase the republicans who won't swear to Marxist-Leninovism would be pushed aside or more often than not liquidated.

At this time the expeditionary force was mainly equipped with basic portable military equipment such as: KA-47 assault rifles, mortars, grenades, portable anti-tank weapons and some heavy machine guns. No more then fifteen pieces of light artillery made up the only part of the sizeable equipment present. It was not unlikely that Kadikistan would eventually send some more heavy equipment such as tanks in the distant future but for now that was not the case. With the blockade of Justiza now a fact in what felt like the other side of the world certain voices against an increased intervention in Ivernia where letting themselves be heard ever louder in Ivar.

 

[Dalriada]

Operation Evening light:
13/2/1956 23:30
"This is Captain Jones requesting to enter Irevrnish airspace to deliver humanitarian aid, this is a commercial plane, we are not military I repeat we are not military" Jones said on the cockpit radio, his co-pilot was pale as ghost next to him waiting for the answer

"This is Irevrish air control, you are clear for entry but you must be escorted by two fighter jets for your own safety" air traffic control answered

"Bullshit" Captain Jones thought to himself, even though Ivernia and Cymru had both been neutral with each other for the last few decades there was still suspicions between the two country.

"We ask to be escorted by two Burgundian jets" Captain Jones asked, his hands were shaking knowing smooth running of this mission was down to that question.

"You're in luck Captain they have the only available aircraft at the moment". air traffic control answered. Captain Jones rubbed the sweat off his forehead and looked to his copilot in relief, the easy part was done.

Half hour later the cargo bay had been opened to airdrop supplies over the city of Lowport.

"We are to return you to your air space" said A Burgundian fighter pilot

" We have permission from your high command to carry out Operation evening light, pass this comment to your commanding officer" Captain Jones asked the fighter pilot praying he won't just shoot the plane down for going off its original course.

"We have been given new orders to cover your paratroopers when they're in the air but you are on your own when they land" the Burgundian fighter pilot replied. He was a bit surprised with the sudden new orders but he would carry them out nevertheless

"Pass our thanks to Burgundian high command" Captain Jones said gratefully

“This is Captain Jones speaking you have half hour widow of cover by the fighter jets, after that you are on your own and good luck gentleman” Captain Jones said over the cargo bay speakers

“This is it men, remember the briefing and you be alright” Lieutenant Griffins said to reassure his men. He looked at them with confidence but he knew half of them had only done one jump before and no real life combat experience. One of them a communication technician sent in by GH19 was attached to Crackers, the technician was shaking and sweating buckets.

“I don’t know what you have to worry about, I am doing the jumping and you just have stay there and smile” Crackers said to the technician hoping to calm him down.

0:12
The plane was nearing the Landing zone, the SSOs airdropped the vehicles and equipment then followed by themselves.

“Is everyone alright? Nothing more than a few bumps and bruises?” Lieutenant Griffins ask his team who were littered across the wheat field.

“Sir, no one seems seriously damaged by the jump” the medic told him

“Good now gather around me, we have 7 hours before we need to get to the evict zone, if you look at your maps it’s here.” Griffins said pulling a map from his pocket

“We goin into three teams to completed the four objectives, Team A which is being lead by me is to carry out two search and destroy mission in the woods to the north of us, Team B are going to plant mines on the roads connecting the coast to the inland and finally Team C are going to set up the radar on the coasts. Right any quest…….. shit get your heads down!” Lieutenant Griffins was briefing the men before the roar of jet engines interrupted.

“Sorry to give you a fright lads, we are leaving now” the Burgundian fighter pilot said on Lieutenant’s radio.

The teams watched the two fighter jets disappear over the horizon.
Lieutenant shouted “What you muppets eyeing up the jets for, we got to unload our equipment before we go anywhere!"

 

[Dalriada]

Operation Evening light:
14/2/1956 2:00

The wood smelt of smoke and burnt ask, the only light team A could see was a burning fire off in the distance left by a bombing run. The team was experienced but they had only carried air raids and undercover operations in their homeland, it was first time on foreign soil besides for the Lieutenant who was a ex-Irvernish ranger.

"We have walked for about a hour and still no signs of what we're looking for, you're sure they haven't sent us on a wild goose chase sir? Corporal Morgan asked. He hated helping the Irvernish but he hated serving under one even more.
"We are about 30 minute walk according to the coordinates they give us and keep your voice down" Lieutenant whispered back
"What sir there's only.... BANG!" Corporal Evans was about to finish his sentence before a rifle bullet painted his skull across the tree bark.

The men jumped into cover behind the tree line,
"Shit sir, I think Morgan is dead sir" Lance Corporal James said to next him.
the Lieutenant sneered at him "Thank you James, I could not tell be seeing half of his brain on the floor "

"Sir looks like it's only one sniper" Sergeant Thomas shouted across
"Thanks for the infor, right James you run to cover to the tree down there, it will draw it's cover and Thomas will cover" Lieutenant ordered.
"Why me sir? and what you doing to do?" asked James
Lieutenant barked at him "Because It's a bloody order! and see if I can find out where he is, when he's shooting at you"

James ran forward a few meters, the sniper fired at him
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
The first two shot completely missed and the last two hit the tree in front of him
"The sniper's not trained, the shot which took out Morgan was a fluke" Lieutenant thought to himself.
He went to out of his cover and pulled out his rifle, he could roughly guess from the gun smoke where the sniper was hiding

BANG!,BANG! crack, the sniper fell off his tree branch
"You got the bastard sir" Sergeant Thomas congratulated the Lieutenant
"I have seen better shots from the farms hands back at home" the Lieutenant brag
"Say that to Morgans sir" said Lance Corporal James
"Shut up, if the idiot kept quiet he won't be dead" Lieutenant answered back
"So what are we going to do with his body, I mean we can't carry him and we were order to not leave of evidence of our activities" Sergeant Thomas
Before the Lieutenant could answer

"Guys come here, I think I found the bunker" Lance Corporal James called them
The Lieutenant and Sergeant Thomas ran towards him,the bunker had been built on the side of a ditch. The Sergeant busted open the door with his shotgun.

"Looks like the sniper was the only one guarding it, they must be seriously losing manpower" Lieutenant thought to himself. The rebels had a big horde in the bunker, it was full of assault rifles, explosives, food and the most important thing a army need is booze.

"What now sir?" Sergeant Thomas asked
"Sir there's an enemy patrol coming!" James had kept watch outside the bunker.
"I got an idea we drag Evans body here and set the alcohol alight, hopefully that will create a forest fire and destory or at least drive the rebels in the radio station away" Lieutenant thought it was the stupidest plan he had made but he had no time with 20 armed rebel patrol coming his way.

 

[Dalriada]

Operation Evening light:
14/2/1956 2:00
Team B
Team B was made up of the bomb squad from the Republic's corps of engineers, they were in a back road connecting the woods to the beach. One was driving the black pickup truck with the crate full of mines in the back, another one was on the mounted machine gun looking for any signs of enemies and the final two would place the mines on the road.

Everything was going according to plan until a large group of rebel militia men come out of the woods down the road, the team freezed on the spot but the rebels didn't notice the team and carried on moving east.
"We're pulling back and get hold of the Lieutenant Griffins he needs to know about this" said the team leader

Team C
Crankers hated having to look after the technician, mind you didn't dislike the bloke. He hated Lieutenant Griffins of giving the job of looking after him,

The team already put the radar on top of a cliff and the technician was setting up the mobile communication centre which they hide by the forest edge only couple meters from the cliff. The M.C.C was an old fire engine but it's fire fighting equipment been replaced and it was resprayed green. The technician who was in his elements was pressing buttons turning dials and flicking switches. He tried to explain to the other men what half of buttons do or what the information on the screens means but they simply nodded and still didn't have a clue what he was on about.

"You done setting up there doc" Crackers asked him
"First I am a communation officer not a doctor so refer me as sir or my last name, secondly we have plenty of time since we got another 5 hours before we leave" the technician answered annoyed, he was used to ordering penicl pushers about not the other one around.
Crackers loved winding up the technician since they first met.

2:30
"Woo that doesn't look right". The technician thought to himself, he spent some time scanning the radar and listening to radio chatter, most of it was regular communications back and forth between the ships but something seemed odd. A small fleet of ships were slowing moving towards the Ivernish coast but they were on total radio silence. "It meant be a Ivernish task group planning to outflank the rebels but their navy were positioned in Vedrarfjord and they haven't moved since" the technician was thinking to himself.

"Crackers I am sending a warning to the Ivernish"

 

[Merioneth]

Just Another Aid Mission

Ivernish Coast, Gothic Sea, Europe

*The Fighter squadron started to drop away as the plane reached Ivernish airspace. The captain's prepared to speak to any air traffic control there were. They were worried and you could tell in their voices, they trembled more and more as they began to enter looking for any sign of danger they accelerated into Ivernia*

Captain Thomas Lakebridge: Now, Lindley let me do the talking.

Captain Thomas Lakebridge: Hello, hello is any one there.

*He waited for a minute or so before a voice answered*

Air Traffic Controller: Hello there flight 772, You have entered Ivernish Airspace please state your intention or leave immediately.

Captain Thomas Lakebridge: Hello we are here on an aid mission representing the United Kingdom of Veniasufia we have been granted permission to bring aid by the Ivernish Government.

Air Traffic Controller: Ah, I see yes your on here you're cleared for access please slow down and wait for somebody to take you to where the aid is needed.

Captain Thomas Lakebridge: Thank you.

*Two Burgundian Fighter jets flew up beside them*

Fighter Pilot: Hello this is the Burgundian Air Force, is this flight 772?

Captain Thomas Lakebridge: It certainly is, we are here to deliver aid and weaponry to the Ivernish Imperial Army.

Fighter Pilot: Okay, well please follow the route you have been sent and land there where your cargo will be checked by the army before distribution.

Captain Thomas Lakebridge: Thank you we will.

*They follow the course and land at a military base. The cargo is unloaded and they are question by Ivernian forces. They must stay for a few hours before returning the next day*

 

[Kadikistani Union]

Dubra County
170 kilometres north-east of Waesfjord
Milesian Republic/High Kingdom of Ivernia

Unaware of Operation Evening Light the landing of the expeditionary forces continued, the Kadikistani commanders confident that it was still unnoticed. With some minor delays the second brigade had arrived in Ivernia. The brigade, nicknamed 'The Breakers' for their reputation of breaching enemy lines, was 5,500 men strong which meant that Kadikistan now had roughly 10,000 men in Ivernia, the other half of the division destined to arrive during the following days. The First Spear brigade, having arrived three days ago, had already managed to reorganize and build a temporary command centre in the forest. They had also set a perimeter in a 16 kilometre radius. The inhabitants of the three county's looked surprised as they suddenly faced patrols of Kadikistani infantry marching through there snowy streets. Marxist-Leninovist republicans had provided some translators, but it was impossible to solve every communication problem with the locals. The situation almost escalated when the mayor of Féin County, one of the three county's where the Kadikistani's had settled, refused to permit the foreign forces access to the town hall. The Kadikistani 'volunteers' held the resisting major and a handful of his sympathizers at gunpoint while local collaborators attempted to defuse the situation by stating that the republican cause needs the Kadikistani forces to survive. Although the Expeditionary Force was known for its ruthless an undiplomatic tactics this confrontation didn't escalate into a gunfight, but it was close. In a less disciplined Kadikistani division there would have undoubtedly been a few nervous or plainly hotheaded soldiers that would have used deadly force from the very moment they where blocked. But such a potential massacre was luckily avoided.

With the second brigade arriving the Kadikistani Expeditionary Force was ready to move. "Comrades! We head to Lowport!" a young political commissar was heard yelling. To cover their rear, secure the supply line and anticipate the arrival of the rest of the division 1,200 soldiers stayed behind. It was a relatively long march to Lowport, but it was essential that they would help the republican troops take the city, ending the war's longest siege. The taking of Lowport would not only be a major moral victory for the Milesian cause, but it would also ensure a steady supply line with Kadikistan through Rurikgrad. Rumours that as much as 7,000 Burgundians where still in the city together with the Ivernish Imperial Army where taken into account by General Berbadjov. A confrontation between Kadikistani and Burgundian troops would most likely require some diplomatic acrobatics, but in the mind of Berbadjov that was a concern for the politicians. Being one of the few high-ranking military figures who didn't put his political career first the general conscientiously chose to stay away from the snake-pit in Ivar as much as he could and focussed mostly on his military tasks. Although Kadikistan's leader, Nikolai Leninov, would have liked to see Berbadjov play a larger role in politics as to fortify his own position he would not force his close personal friend into doing something, as long as he kept delivering victories that was. Although being a Bannerman to the Leninov's, Berbadjov had garnered respect from the other 'Revolutionary Families' as well because of is many military achievements.

The journey to Lowport would be long and cold, but luckily the Kadikistani troops where well equipped against the harsh weather. The winters in the Northern provinces could be brutal as well, especially in Charnaeya where Berbadjov's division played a major role in breaking a nationalist uprising in the 1930s. The last transport ship also included no less then 10,000 Kadikistani military winter uniforms and helmets to be divided among the republican forces, those who followed the Marxist-Leninovist ideas would be served first. Steadily the rest of the division would join them, but the troops could not wait for a another week. Lowport needed to fall or the republican cause would suffer a blow it might not recover from.

Rurikgrad Military Airbase
Socialist Province of Rurikgrad
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan

Although the army was by far the best funded branch of the Kadikistani military the government had several years ago began to truly appreciate the worth of aerial dominance during conflicts. In 1947 the TU-4 long-ranged strategic bomber made its first successful flight. The latter was a major victory for Kadikistan which now had the capacity to bomb placed less than 5,600 kilometres away. From Rurikgrad the TU-4's would have no problem reaching Lowport, delivering their payload and returning to Kadikistan. The fleet of TU-4's was relatively limited, only 34 where constructed, only 20 active and only 5 based in Rurikgrad.

The roaring engines of the five TU-4's shook up the base as they prepared to make their first high-altitude run on Burgundian and Imperial positions in and around Lowport. The five bombers would be escorted by 10 fighters for as long as their fuel would provide, but during the last stretch the bombers would be on their own under the cover of darkness. The Ivernish and Burgundian forces were about to receive 15 tons of bombs on their position, but with such a heavy bombardment on such a small area collateral damage was unavoidable. In the eyes of Berbadjov such sacrifices where necessary if the republicans wanted to finally take Lowport. It was also needed to make sure the expeditionary forces on the ground wouldn't be walking into a massacre. From now on the bombers would continuously bomb enemy positions near Lowport, the time it took for them to return, refuel and reload would give the enemy a few hours to recover but Kadikistan chose not to throw in to many assets into this bloody conflict.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

House Tsjekova
Red Star Base
Ivar Capital District
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan

"Who the fuck authorized that air strike?!", Lt. Col. Lazar Tsjekova yelled at one of his lieutenants. "It appears to have been the Leninov's. No doubt taking advantage of the fact that your brother is at the peace conference in Varanasi.", one of the lieutenants said with fear in his voice. "So they try to turn the Ivernian Civil War into a full scale conflict while my brother is away. Do they think that I am to weak to lead our family? Do they think so little of me?!". None of his men dared respond. Lazar Tsjekova was the younger brother of the nation's second most powerful man Ivan Tsjekova and heir to his throne since his son was becoming an irresponsible drug user. Keeping his nephew's drug abuse alive was his ticket to the top. Lazar followed the family tradition of preaching for limiting the new interventionist policies. The Tsjekova's had always opposed that element of Marxist-Leninovism, an ideology that they never fully accepted. When Ivan left for the Kadikistani-Justinian peace talks in Varanasi he left Lazar in charge of family affairs. That is what the Leninov's attempted to take advantage of. But Lazar wasn't about to let this happen.

"Make sure the attack is called off. Those planes will bomb us all into a full scale war. Send them back. Let Leninov's dog Berbadjov fend for himself.", Lazar ordered. Since the Leninov's didn't bother to alert the Council of People's Commissars or even the rest of the Great Four it was easy for Lazar to put enough pressure via diverse channels. The attack would be called off and the planes would return to Rurikgrad. This failed attempt at unilaterally plummeting Kadikistan into a full-scale war would cost them some influence. Especially from the smaller families like the Obryanov's and the Burukova's. Somewhere over the Gothic Sea the five planes turned back.

Marching towards Lowport
240 kilometres south-west of Lowport
Milesian Republic/High Kingdom of Ivernia

The spirits where high as the Expeditionary Forces marched towards Lowport. It had been a while since they had last seen combat, but they looked forward to it motivating each other by telling old war-stories. All of them were veterans, almost all of them wanted some more. Suddenly the radioman ran through General Berbadjov's personal guard, some of whom already aiming their weapons at the runner until they realized who he was. "Comrade General, we have received word from Rurikgrad. The air-strike has been called off since the airspace over Lowport is held lock-tight by Ivernish and Burgundian forces.", the radiomen said softly as he did not want to upset the men before giving Berbadjov a chance to react to the situation. Ratko Bovinovitch, Lieutenant Colonel and commander of the 42nd 'First Spear' Infantry Brigade spoke his mind while Berbadjov was still poundering, "We do not have to tell the men, Comrade General. Last intelligence report said that Lowport is nothing but a city of ruins being bombed almost constantly. The men won't notice and telling them might affect morale...". Berbadjov interrupted the Burukova Bannerman by calmly saying: "Tell the men, they will notice. They have to..." Berbadjov paused for a moment, "Fucking politics.".

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Lowport

It had been bitterly cold in the dugout which had been built in the middle of a small park. Granche sipped his coffee. Every occasional supply drop or small vessel that could navigate the now icy port almost surely brought coffee or tea. Some of the men complained more about lack of coffee than they did the strict rationing. Only a few hours before, the Ivernish troops beat back a push by the rebels to secure the post office and city garage. It was a tough effort and the rebels had sent armor. Thanks to some ingenious engineering, the armored cars became defensive pylons as they were destroyed at strategic points. Ivernish troops had gotten better in Granche's opinion, though he still saw glimmers of raw inexperience. Now, the city was quiet except for the occasional burst of machine gun fire. The city was in taters and it was impossible to go anywhere without getting concrete or brick dust on one's uniform. Granche had seen action in the Green Peninsula and now here. He had started his career as a private and now had become a captain. He had transformed from young boy to a bruised and battered old man. Finishing his coffee, Granche grabbed his rifle and motioned at his orderly to do the same. As he climbed out of the dugout he wondered if his rank would transfer when he 'rejoined' the Burgundian military. Since the Burgundians in Lowport were technically in the Ivernish military, nobody was sure how rank change would work. Everyone did know however that they were being paid Ivernish army wages and would receive Burgundian military backpay once reinstated in the military. Some morale had been raised when a few Ivernish rangers broke through the lines to Lowport to apprise the situation. Yet, it was still unclear when a real push for relief would come.

Granche moved from caved in apartment buildings to bombed out schools to piles of rubble to check on his men. The situation had not changed much aside from probing attacks. A few hard assaults had put the defenders on edge and snipers were a constant problem. Granche therefore had to move swiftly but cautiously as he made his rounds. More than a few times a sniper's bullet thwacked near him or whizzed past him. The multiple positions were relatively secure and he could hear somewhere above the lumbering bombers were circling, under moderate fire, to drop bombs on the enemy for the first time today. Little did Granche know that Lowport was to becoming a winter inferno.

 

[Dalriada]

Classified Information
Department of Security & Defence:
Operation Evening light
We had to leave the SSOS in Ivernia because our boats couldn't reach them due to the Gothic sea having a heavy Naval presence, It does not matter since our members picked up a invasion. We reroute them to track and keep note of the movement of the invasion, we do not know the origin of the invasion force yet but it won't be a far guess it's the Kadikistani.

In light of this we are airdropping 50 members of the 1st Border rifles to Lowpoint to support the besiege infantry, all members chosen will be of Kadiskani descent, they will be undercover as The true sons of Kadikistan.

if Operation Evening light is a failure or any members are captured destory this document with immediate effect.
Signed;
T.Picton, G.Evans,

 

[Dalriada]

Operation Evening light:Classified
The 1st border rifles was the only regiment or unit in the Cymru Military to accept foreign nationals, they had roughly 200 foreign nationals out of the 350 members. The second largest group foreign nationals were Kadistiani refugees who were housed in Cyrmu Annibynnol during their country's civil war not long ago. Many had seen their family and friends butchered on the streets by communists which still haunts them to this day and it breed a deep hatred in their hearts for anything to do with the new regime in their homeland. They have no place to call home or have any allegiance besides to Cyrmu Military command only because they fed and housed them.

They are the nail bomb of the special forces, unpredictable, messy and no one knew where they come from. That was the primary reason they were chosen to disturbed the back lines of the Kadistiani expeditionary forces. If everything went wrong the government can simply denial everything to do with it and say sorry for having trouble controlling their borders

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Liberty Street No.1
City of Deliverance
Federal District of Deliverance
Socialist World Republic

"Mr. President?"

The woman leaning in through the door was in her early twenties, blonde hair tied into braids, tall and attractive. She was carrying a number of thin folders which she held pressed against her chest while nervously biting her lower lip.

"Have you heard Congressman Ewans latest speech?"

Her bright blue eyes looked nervously at the haughty figure that sat slouched into the shadow of his chair behind a massive oaken desk.

"Betty, dear," he began his reply with feigned confidence, "why should I care for anything that runt of a man says? He'll never be President. He's no danger whatsoever. As long as the Republicans keep placing their bets on a man with the charisma of a molerat, my behind is as safely sitting in this office as it possibly can."

"Word on the street is, however, that your own party feels he has a point." Betty entered the office and walked up to the President, handing him the topmost of the folders she had been carrying. "Congressman Anders asked me to give you this."

"What is this?"

"I don't know. You know I don't peek into your correspondence if not asked to."

President Winters straightened in his chair, rising from its shadow. The man was in his late fourties, but handsome. His hair was still in full color and his face, albeit he was a lean figure overall, was lively and charismatic. He began to read the documents he had been handed, not paying any attention to his secretary, who was still standing in front of him, waiting for any kind of commentary.

"So this is how it is," he finally said. "Well, Betty, you will have to schedule a meeting with the Marshals for me later today. It seems we will have to act after all. Oh, and get that moron Thompson to attend as well, we'll probably need their expertise for whatever we may end up doing with the Ivernians."

"I will get right on it. Anything else you need me to do?"

"Industrious as ever, are you not?" President Winters grinned. "What is the one thing I have hired you for other than your professional expertise?"

Betty looked flustered. "My pretty rear-end," she then said with a grin of her own.

"Lock the door," Winters said while drawing the curtains over the wide glass window of his office.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

The weather had been surprisingly good and the afternoon had been full of bombing runs by Burgundian aircraft. Most missions were carried out that day by the old but quick twin engine light bombers. For more precision, the Burgundian Air Force relied on the Fury, a radial engined fighter turned ground attack aircraft. The 18-cylinder twin-row radial engine thundered out such massive horsepower that the Burgundian pilots loved to fly it for its speed and maneuverability. It was still capable of air-to-air combat with the air forces of nations who did not possess a jet component. After showering a small armored force outside Lowport with rockets Captain Rudolf Schultz and his wingman turned for home. Schultz came from Bourgogne's northeast Sprechenland, an ethnically Germanic region. The two planes cruised towards home on alert but relaxed. Ivernish Imperial fighters patrolled constantly and Burgundian fighters operated in force in the so called 'air corridor'. Schultz had flown in combat in the Green Peninsular Revolt against aging aircraft which were easily brought to heel. Now his only worry was groundfire. He had been nearly zoning out, eyes on the horizon when his wingman keyed up on the radio 'Captain'. Schultz looked over to see his wingman pointing towards the earth. Schultz sat a bit more upright to look down- a large column was moving towards the beleaguered city. "Are those Imperials?" asked Schultz. His wingman was silent. "We go in for a closer look.....on me" Schultz said, banking the aircraft away from his wingman. The deep cloud gray colored aircraft banked hard and Schultz loved the feeling. As they were banking it occured to Schultz neither of them had much of any ordnance. Each maybe had 20 or 30 rounds for their 20mm's at most. The metallic hard tapping and slapping noise of small arms hitting the plane could be heard by Schultz's muffled ears. He knew immediately this column was rebel aligned. He pulled away with his wingman. "Well Alexandre, shall we give them a little hello from Bourgogne then head home with the news?" he asked over the radio. Alexandre chuckled "Yes, let's". Schultz wheeled the aircraft around, his wingman on his tail. "Quick pass. Then we break off and head back home" he said. Schultz pushed his throttle forward and the massive radial lurched and raged. He lined up a group of Kadikistanis and squeezed, the 20mm thumping the remaining rounds out. Suddenly his cockpit filled with smoke. Pulling up, he realized his aircraft was on fire, hit by groundfire. He was also blissfully unaware that Alexandre took two machine gun rounds to the thigh and had crashed. Schultz pushed the throttle to its maximum, trying to gain altitude. He climbed for what felt like only seconds before the engine chugged and puffed before cutting out. He pulled the lever to open the cockpit and he leaned the aircraft to the left, pushing himself out into the smokeless air. He was pleased to see he had gained plenty of altitude but had not put much distance between himself and what would turn out to be Kadikistani troops. He pushed the thought from his mind as he tried to manage his chute while floating to the ground. Only as he was about to land did he accept that he would be captured.

[MENTION=83]Kadikistan[/MENTION]

 

[Ivernia]

Main Camp of the 1st Nemedian Central Brigade
Lowport City Western Hinterlands

Cidolphus was still at Lowport. The Republicans had more strength than he had anticipated, but thankfully so did the Ivernish loyalists, backed up by the Burgundians. Without General Granche, Field-Marshal Cid openly believed Lowport would not be a siege, but rather a Republican controlled city long ago. General James Rothillan entered the tent with more reports.

''General, how goes your campaign into Northern Lowport.'' Cidolphus remarked, noticing his commander of the Southern Sky approaching him.

''Well enough Aodh-Mór. The republicans are holding for now, but I am pressing the bluff into an attack. Based on the reports we received from the Rangers of the Burgundians and their positions, I am pressing deeper into Northern Lowport to relieve the heavy pressure on the loyalists fighting in the city center.'' The General said while placing the reports-of-the-day onto a table in front of his commanding officer.

''I am glad to hear it, the weather is picking up very quickly, I was hoping we would be able to press the advantage. At least in the North. According to Colonel Dempsey, and engagement in south Lowport was repelled by the republicans most vigorously.'' Cidolphus picked up the reports, a thick booklet of pages bound with twine. It would be a long read, but he was always a reader. It was his sister Áine that got him so interested in books, over his love of the history of his Ivernia and the celtic tribes. Those were much more peaceful times.

Rothillan, not noticing his commanders sudden lapse into nostalgia, pressed on. ''Indeed Field-Marshall. It seems our exploratory engagement teams into Lowport have all come up a shambles. We need to stay firm in one central attack. The Republicans are too entrenched it seems, too familiar with the city and it's rubble. Any widespread attack seems to be coming up a deficit.'' A surprise to both of them, who hoped to encircle the city themselves in an attempt to ''siege the siege.'' A direct approach was all the Imperial forces could muster in the war torn city. Many roads and buildings destroyed meant many bottlenecks. Any further spreading out of Ivernish troops would mean weakness on all fronts and even possibly desertion from his demoralised soldiers. The two men knew this, and they knew Ivernia's military was truly in a make or break situation. A rallying leadership was needed for this engagement. A grand victory in Lowport would rally the people of Ivernia, and possibly defeat the republicans of Waesfjord before Ivernia even marches to their doorstep.

''Our strength is our numbers. I agree General, we push into the North Lowport, and we shell the rest with artillery. Besides and still, we need to recapture the capital buildings in the political center.'' Cidolphus ran his finger down from the northern point of attack to the government center. ''Uprooting the rebels will require these buildings in our control I set these as your priority and the priority of those you command General.''

The two men were about to settle into the details of the notes surrounding the table when, unexpectedly another visitor came to the tent. Allowed passage by the guards, in came a man. Oddly dressed, in a black coat with long black hair - hardly the look of an Ivernish man about him. But Cidolphus knew better. The Field Marshal has met this man before, years back - when Silvio Mac Brady was still Taoiseach. This was ''Walder.'' A servant of Mr. Bran Ogden, the head of the G2 intelligence services.

Upon seeing Walder, Cidolphus immediately called to his messenger. ''Send for Captain Frederick MacFergus, I believe I shall have need of him!'' The Messenger dispatched immediately, to Walder's pleasure, as he did not like to be overheard by standard staff.

''Field Marshall Aodh-Mór, I stand here a servant of you with grave news.'' Walder bowed slightly to the soldiers in front of him.

''Indeed you are, I suspect, or I suppose! Rather, only Nuada himself knows your true intents does he not?'' Cidolphus interjected. He knew the importance of Walder to the war, but he could never break bread with spies. Even Walder, who was the very best of them. A real bastard.

''You will want to hear this, but rather read this, in truth.'' Walder offered an envelope. ''It's a report of my own for your little stack there. But I suggest you give it precedence. Reports from Burgundians, Cymru agents acting here - and of course my own use of the Rangers all confirm.''

The Field Marshall opened the envelope. It was thick with papers. Reading it he went cold. He could not believe it had happened so soon. ''Kadikistan has invaded us?'' The Field Marshal said very abruptly, and very bluntly. Rothillan's jaw dropped, he was aghast.

Walder smirked a little, suprised the ''Thunder God'' could be so thrown off his stoic character by as simple as a letter. ''Oh no, I would not call it an invasion. But there are thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of their ilk on their way to Lowport as we speak. I personally suspect it is a power play between Kadikistan and the Socialist World Republic in the west. They want influence here before the SWR even thinks to.''

''I do not care a whit to the politics of this Walder!'' Cidolphus blurted out in temper. ''You leave your suppositions for Lord Airgetlám. Speaking of which, I do hope you have cared to inform?''

Walder deflected the Field Commander's anger. ''I have, technically. The G2 told him of this hours prior. You are to return to Caladbolg, Cidolphus. Our Taoiseach's Orders. You are to receive a new briefing.''

Cidolphus was dumbfounded, if only for a moment. So much had just turned. So much has this war been undone, and yet remade. A terrible war that was to see even yet darker days. Walder continued, without repel or consideration for his commanders stall. He turned to the second highest ranking officer in the room. ''General Rothillan, you are the Commander of the Southern Sky. You shall continue the assault of Lowport. Lord Airgetlám expresses full confidence in your abilities and stalwart leadership.''

Cidolphus had recovered himself. He remembered Nuada Airgetlám's speeches. Cid remembered how Nuada evangelized that if republicanism took a footing, communism followed soon after. That republicanism was simply the vanguard of destruction. Airgetlám was right all along, and he, the ''Thunder God'' of Ivernia's armies, was the fool for doubting him. Aodh-Mór knew he had to have faith in Airgetlám's plans. No one else is going to save Ivernia, and know he knew it to be true.