The War Department

[The Federation]

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The War Department
1411 Corrigan Drive NW, Charleroi, FCD 23402
​

The War Department is one of the larger buildings in Charleroi and only a few blocks away from the President's residence at Cairnwood manor, in fact one could walk from the manor all the way to the War Department underground if needed. The city of Charleroi had many underground structures and corridors for a multitude of reasons, but mainly because of the harsh winters that the city experienced every year. The Brain J. Anderson building was named after one of the past presidents of the now defunct Sylvanian Republic and built in the Pelasgian Revival style that was popular at the time of construction.

The War Department is the meeting place of the Federation Defense Council, staffed by four star generals of every branch of the military and a civilian representative of the President and currently the Council was convening for a meeting on the subject of moving forces to an airbase awaiting them in Metsaama. A four star general of the Air Force arrived in the meeting room which had no windows. The buzz of the bright harsh lighting lit the wood paneled room and a screen was opposite of the door he had entered from.

"Well now that you are here we can start this meeting", the civilian representative said.

The screen turned on showing a map of the Gothic Sea and Tarusa and the civilian began speaking.

"A while back we entered into an agreement of mutual defense with Metsaama and the construction of an airbase started with the intent to staff it after completion. The base was completed, however with the instability in the region, President Langley decided not to go forth with staffing the base so as not to further increase the already tense atmosphere surrounding the area at the time. The President regrets that decision and now we must being populating the base, this is in addition to a new agreement with the Hanseatic League that we have entered into, however that can be discussed later. What must be discussed now is how to move materiel to the base."

"We go over the poles, our refueling capabilities should be more than enough to carry us over the pole and into the far north of Metsaama. As for not being detected going in? That will be very difficult as I am sure the Tarusans are watching the area assuming they are not overly preoccupied with defending their holdings from the rebels on islands surrounding Tarusa itself, which are held by Konstantinist forces."

"What do we know about the rebels in Piramida?" asked the army general.

"Well so far satellite navigation has shown activity in the area, we believe that they just made an attack on Kremlyov to help forces loyal to Konstantin that are holed up in the city at a naval installation. That was a few days ago."

The navy admiral spoke up, "Our fleet is almost done with the demining operation. Soon we will have access to the Gothic Sea and our friends there."

"We can have thirty fighters and the needed equipment in Metsaama depart Bradford Air Force Base in Skagway and over the pole under the cover of night, if the President orders it."

"The President is in Valls for the summit," said the civilian representative.

"It cannot wait", replied the air force general.

The civilian representative got up and left the room for a moment as no signal could escape it's confines. He returned a few minutes later, "I have the order."

"I shall relay it to the base commander at Bradford." The air force general got up from his chair and left the room.

@Hanseatic Republics @Tarusa

 

[The Federation]

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The War Department
1411 Corrigan Drive NW, Charleroi, FCD 23402
​

"We have not gotten a response yet from any of the Gutnish Leadership, assuming there is one at this moment even capable of speaking for the entire nation." The civilian representative spoke before the conference table of military leaders.

"Then we go on with the special operation, we have the Council's and the President's approval to put this pirate republic out of it's misery. The sooner the better." Replied the Navy Admiral.

"The President want's a limited first strike, military targets only in the port cities only. Approximately 30-50 missiles." The civilian representative came back.

The Navy admiral raised his voice, "That's ridiculous! We need to hit as many targets as we can, powerplants, transformers, the whole grid if we can, we have the capabilities to put the lights out within the entire country if we wanted. You want them to come to table, watch them scramble for it the moment the lights don't come back on after a few days."

"The President isn't looking to kill off parts of the civilian population just to get them to the negotiating table. We aren't blood thirsty Tarusans after all, so let's not act like it." The civilian representative rebuked.

The navy admiral waved his hand at the civilian representative and blew air through his lips loudly. "Fine I will have a limited strike package drawn up for the President momentarily."

"Now for other business," The civilian representative turned back toward the board. "Our reinforcement of Metsaama and Lethonia has gone swimmingly so far, we have now three infantry divisions and one armored division in Lethonia without any sign of Tarusan resistance. We have three wings of fighters in Metsaama and one in Lethonia. This will be the extent of our forces in the area for the time being. Our conventional and supersonic bomber forces are on alert in Midway, should they be needed. Our forces are already coordinating with the Hanseatic League in training and building defenses for a possible Tarusan Invasion. We have supply ships currently offloading supplies to the Konstantinist rebels in Piramida. Our operations in the Gothic are unchallenged at this time. The President is expected to announce a mobilization of forces soon after the announcement that came out of the Communal Order nations of a mobilization of their forces."

"Are we expecting the need for M.A.Co's (Marine Assault Corps) in Gutarike?" Asked the Army General.

"M.A.Co's are on standby in Midway, should an invasion of the Gutarike be necessary, they'll be ready. There is already a M.A.Co unit with our assault carriers in the A.O. We could have this unit make a play for the oi..." The Navy Admiral was interrupted by a chime from his computer terminal. "The President has approved the strike package, the first volley will be fifty missiles." He took a sip of water before continuing. "I think that under the cover of night our M.A.Co's on the scene should make a play for the oil platforms off the east coast. This strategic resource should not be left uncaptured"

Everyone in the room either nodded or voiced agreement.

@Hanseatic Republics @Gutarike

 

[Thaumantica]

Outside the War Department in Charleroi

"What would Admiral Lawlor say if he saw we now?" a Nievish officer asked her commissioned brethren of the Thaumantic Order, each dressed in civilian business wear and clutching a diet fizzy cola drink.

"You mean dead at sea three centuries ago Lawlor? . . Excuse . . " another replied before burping out some carbonation.

They were being watched they knew, by the Feds and perhaps even by dormant Neighbors who did not care that their org was defunct, and so once they were through discussing the shame of kneeling at the throne of this up jumped colonial order they looked for awhile for a recycling bin before settling on the general one.

Among this group were five Thaumantican officers from around the Communal Order: Franklin Richey (Engwahlian, Rep. Army), Donna O'Donald (Nieve, F.O. Norsk Desk), Fred Holian (Nieve, Rev. Fleet), John Magauran (Cannie, Air Corps), and finally President Linc Yeovil of the Republic of Engwahl. No domestic press had been informed of this visit to the Federation; much as Donna had suggested it was of great historical shame and a contemporary embarrassment to present here as costumed nobodies to such a young and unholy nation.

"They're really quite like us down-Cannie," Magauran, the Cantignian Aerial Officer advised, "just not so bloody fixated on morality. We'll have fun here!"

The Nieves were sneering and making a sign of the cross while the Engwahlians shrugged, yet still, the great equalizer of truth was that all save Magauran had brought empty suitcases to pack with Federal goods to share with family, friends, or possess for their own. Cantignians had most of what a Westerman had so far as technology and products but two generations behind in most cases. For the Engwahl-Niommonach everything they could fit in their cases would be contraband that would require bribes back in Caitekurke to pass through customs, even for Yeovil.

Once within the great War Department building and seated with the Westermen it was Yeovil who began with a straight declaration of their intent: "the terms of the Valls Pact and that arrangement concerning the Csengian Council required we post officers of the Order here in Charleroi . . ." he said, making a mime of looking around, "and yet I do not see other Valls signatories save your DDI allies milling about around here. Fine."

"A Thaumantic mark often survives the Thaumantican," Yeovil continued while the other officers comported themselves with preparing their own more practical and detailed explanations of the armed Thaumantic disposition. "So we are here, we are ready to honor our mark to support the Federation as partners against Tarusan encroachment and disorder. May God bless our unlikely allied endeavor, and let me thank ye for welcoming us so warmly to charming Charleroi!"

 

[The Federation]

Secretary of War Harry Kellogg and his advisors and assistants greeted the representatives of the Communal Order with the usual pleasantries, "Your commitment to the pact and our little arrangement is most appreciated by our government and while our alliance as unlikely as it seems we hope that in working together the Federation and the Communal Order can grow closer."

Secretary Kellogg took the time to bring the Communal Order Representatives up to speed about the the strike on the Gutarike as well as forces placed in the area. Kellogg kept from mentioning the deal with Konstantin for access to Northern Germania and the disposition of Federation forces in the Hanseatic League nations of Metsaama and Lethonia, that information was still highly classified and word of the Federation build up in that area getting out was not in the interest of the Federation given Ivan's mad but correct ravings about being surrounded by nations looking to carve up his precious empire.

 

[Thaumantica]

President Yeovil shook hands with Secretary Kellogg, introduced the Thaumantican contacts, and ensured each of them were placed appropriately with places where they could communicate the Order's disposition. "Fred Holian of the Revolutionary Fleet will be your point man as Thaumantica catches up to Gutarike." Yeovil explained, "the Nieves spent a year propagandizing that the pirates were a Post-Delegationist op while playing deals with Tsar Ivan; we knew it was someone else in Engwahl."

"I thank ye kindly for receiving these Thaumanticans and will leave you to your duties master Secretary," Yeovil continued, offering another brief handshake, "I intend to visit with the Order embassy here for inspection and catch a baseball test, or is it a match? Then it is back to the islands for me!"

With Yeovil gone Fred Holian presented to his allied contacts the disposition of the advancing Nievish fleet while John Magauran offered the Air Corps values towards relaying supplies for allied forces. Finally there was Franklin Richey, an Engwahlian from the Army, who simply walked the footprint permitted to the Thaumanticans and dropped eaves on conversations spilled out in his native tongue where they were dropped; slurping at what would be understood in Franco-Neustrian when he could, and enjoying a moment away from the chaos and tension of a regular day in the Thaumantics.

A time would come when their Clover Computing Apparatus chirped an order to share what the Revolutionary Army was planning in Ebria, and perhaps they already knew, but none in the Thaumantics knew if Almskeeper Pherson or Yeovil had the stomach to start the fight in Csengia they were rallying for. Richey thought not, prayed not even, and enjoyed another diet fizzy drink alone before a flattened break room television box.

 

[Thaumantica]

Donna O'Donald closed the Clover Computing Apparatus and sighed deeply: her idiot Nievish countrymen had just played the Csengian wildcard and soiled what chances, if there remained any, of stirring support from the signatories of the Valls Pact.

"Oh no!" Holian and Magaurian, the two other Thaumantican representatives reacted, "Oh yes they did, and we need to go in and reframe to these Westernesse what they already know and will be livid at us for!"

"Let me try," Franklin Richey the Army rep. offered. Thusly they filed into a briefing room of purely Westermen and women who were alive with chatter until they walked in. All of the Thaumanticans took seats save Major Richey who walked to a map of the world and pointed to Al-Magrab before asking "Why aren't we fighting Ivan here yet?", then circling his finger around until he found the Noks Free State "or here?", finally he stopped at Sankt Katharina, "surely we should be hitting St. Kate's?".

"Consternation may be due for what we have done on the Serrault and in Csengia," Richey agreed, "the entire world will condemn us for this as they condemned you for the attack on Gutarike . . . Fine, right? Let them. We are waging the war with Ivan that they called for and we, the Thaumanticans you have so graciously allowed in this room, believe we must hit every port and place where Tarusan garrisons post. Let's keep lighting up their boards the way they lit up Lethonia's. No one on the frontiers of the Tarusan Empire should have a full night's sleep so long as our Hanseatic friends lack such!"

The Thaumanticans prayed that the representatives from @Ebria who were due to arrive would do so quickly and contribute something, though each believed that the Radilans and subsidiary Oltremarans represented the world and supposed ally's prerogative of do-nothing neutrality. Silent were the other Thaumanticans still: the naval desk and air desk, but Major O'Donald from the Norsk expertise department sallied forth to join and save Major Richey.

"Our caution at The Sound, a reticence to leave the Nievish Sea, had to do with hope our Valls Allies may step up to the program . . . Or your Anti-State allies somewhere," she lamented, "So no, and here we are with a Nievish flotilla monitoring fishermen and pleasure barges like a Rheinbunder monitors situations. We can do more, we can do better than that, but we are still concerned about the Jysk-Austwegians who hang like bats over our home island while we debate crossing that Sound."

"Excuse me: but we will risk everything to wipe out this protestant post-delegationist shit hole, save me!" Donna blurted out with a finger pointed at the Marauder Gutarike before making a cross over her chest. "So we would propose to you, leaders of this war party, that our Nievishmen continue what the Federation started in the Gutarike while you support your DDI ally in the Hanseatic Republic?"

 

[Thaumantica]

"Where are the others, this conference starts in less than a minute . . " Major Richey whispered to his Engwahlian counterparts, sparing one glance across the table at their stone faced federal counterparts. "We lead the Order now," an Engwahlian whispered in return now, "there's no sense in waiting for them, they would never for us, the Nieves never did."

Major Richey nodded, opened his folder from Lexkirk and open his mouth to speak when suddenly: at exactly 0900 the Cantignian and Nievish officers entered the room. "Punctuality is essential to Commissar Yeovil, do consider that on time is 20 minutes for us in Engwahl!"

"You're quite confused then because that's not on time, it's before time!" Fred Holian fired back, a Nieve from the Revolutionary Fleet shot back, "Imagine this scenario then: you order us to attack the enemy at 0330, does lil'laird Yeovil mean 0310 actually? Just tell us when you want us here, appoint the time, and don't assume we know what manners go unspoken in Engwahl!"

John Magaurian of the Cantignian Air Corps interceded finally, a bible printed in both of their languages still clasped in his hand, "there is a new Communal Order and a new World Order. Now isn't there a reason for this conference, or did I prep for not?"

"Well said, Maguarian, yes. To finally begin, now a minute late let it be noted and marked . . The Communal Order's combined arms command congratulates The Federation and its mighty armed forces for the capture of the Gutnish Reich's President. It is now our opinion that his voice must be used to order a total stand down and surrender of his force, and that all commanders we have captured collectively between us must have their names and titles marked to that surrender."

 

[The Federation]

The War Department

Harry Kellogg, the secretary of war thanked the order's representatives for their congratulations.

"Yes we do indeed have President Alfredsson, however, coward that he is, suddenly he has found a bit of backbone and refuses to make a speech ordering a stand down. As you can surmise this is quite irritating and is prolonging the danger that the brave soldiers of both our countries face. Luckily enough we have contingencies for this. Alfredsson has been flown out of country and is currently experiencing a bit of tenderizing as we like to call it. When we have done enough convincing he will be all too happy to give the order."

Camp X-Ray, somewhere on Midway Island.

Camp X-Ray was your typical black site located deep within the massive Federation military complex, the Federation had black sites all over it's territory, but X-Ray was the worst of them all. President Alfredsson was in and out of consciousness as he was wheeled through the hallways of the complex, he could hear voices screaming out, sometimes in Engwhalian as it was known to the rest of the world, sometimes in a strange to his ears eastern language local to Polytopika.

The guards said nothing to him as he was taken out of his wheel chair and sat, almost gingerly, in the corner of a small cell of 48 square feet. He could hear loud discordant music coming from somewhere unknown, the sound of wild screaming and crying. It's was cold, everything was either concrete or metal and the warmth was slowly being sapped from his body. There were no windows and the dimly lit cell gave away nothing as to the time of day. Minutes or hours could have passed, Alfredsson was unable to tell, when the cell door opened up and men in white coats came in. He didn't resist, it was apparent that resistance was useless in this man made hellscape.

 

[Thaumantica]

The War Department

"We quite like the moderating voice Gutarike's Bible Belt offers, the Christian Democrats." Major Richey told his Federation counterparts in their next conference planning meeting. "Josefine Almstedt, of said Kristdemokraterna may be the rightful replacement of Alfredsson?"

While posing that as a question it was entirely clear that the Thaumanticans intended to push this angle by any means necessary and the machinations of democratic manipulation were spinning up slowly already. Surely the Feds would nod someone soon, but perhaps they could push their desired agent harder and first.

 

[The Federation]

The War Department

"Of course more moderate voices will be needed! This Josefine character could be just what we need to get the Gutnish excited for returning to democratic ways. Alfredsson is going to be making a speech soon announcing the official surrender and soon we can start rebuilding the country." said Henry Kellog during the meeting. "Quite frankly we need to reshape the entire political makeup of the country so that these radical post delegationists cannot ever have a hope of regaining the ear of the populace ever again."

Camp X-Ray, somewhere on or under Midway Island

The lights were turned back on in President Alfredsson's cell. suddenly everything was silent and the door opened. Men in white coats returned to take him away again. As he was wheeled by stretcher down the brightly lit, almost clinical like hallway he realized that they weren't taking him to be pumped full of chemicals and drugs or tortured again, no, this trip down the hallway was longer.

The lights in the new room they had entered were so bright he could barely see anything, his eyes hurt and he could see the red fleshiness of his eye lids when he tried to close his eyes to block out the light. The stretcher tipped up so that he was upright but still strapped. Women came out of nowhere and started cleaning his face and applying make up as if he was going on to television, in fact the area he was now seeing looked like a television set. The straps were undone and he gingerly stepped down onto the floor, he was put in a suit and made to look like he used to, before the Federation had taken him to this hell. Guards escorted him into another room, he did not resist, he couldn't, there was no energy for resistance. The room he had entered look just like his office back in the Gutarike, down to every detail, sun streamed in from the windows. There were television cameras and a teleprompter, how did he get back here he wondered not caring enough to agree with the little voice in his mind screaming at him that it was all fake.

He went into action, just like he had always done when giving speeches and did it perfectly in one take. The men in white coats praised him for his delivery of the speech. He liked being praised by the men in white coats, they treated him like rotten meat at first, but now they were his friends. They weren't such bad people after all.

The men in white coats walked him to another room, it was his bedroom! Out the window he could see the moon, but wasn't it just day a minute ago? it didn't matter, he was very tired. And so he went about getting into his sleeping clothes. He turned around and the men in white coats were gone, just his bedroom, when he opened the door he came from it was the hallway of his house. Perhaps it was all a bad dream. That's right! A dream, time for bed.

 

[Thaumantica]

The War Department

"Our peace agreement was with Ivan's regime in Kremylov," Major Richey broached and bemoaned, thumbing through a news rag while his attache placed out actual intel papers.

"Will your mate Konstantin honor his kin-killed sibling's treaty? We would hope so because we are so very done defending continental Europe: God sends plagues and hordes to punish the unworthy!" he asked then proclaimed with a picture of Ivan's body propped up for all to view.

The Thaumantic Order's meager war budget was entirely spent now and the petrol situation for troops in the Gutland meant that patrols that should be done were being restricted to smaller footprints or scuttled entirely. Surely the Feds knew this and were counting the days and aiming for an assumption of Thaumantica's northern climbs in Gutland.

"We will back who you back in this next Tarusan tussle, we want it settled," Richey concluded.