Vanuku

[Rogue]

DELTARIA LAUNCHES CRIPPLING SUPRISE ATTACK AGAINST ISTALIAN HOME FLEET, CRIPPLES IT IN THE PROCESS

[Sisyphus]

Naval Task Force To Be Deployed In Southern Waters
Vanuku Readies Huge Armada and Land Invasion Force In Wake of Continued Deltarian War Atrocities


One of Vanuku's Aircraft Carriers being outfitted ahead of joining the southern task force.

May 4636 - Military chiefs have confirmed that a carrier task force of more than 100 ships is being assembled to help with the anticipated liberation of Jakania, shield other Majatran nations from further attacks and to blunt a conventional military response from Deltaria.

The fleet includes three aircraft carriers - the HVMS Mrjkai (flagship) the HVMS Támnr II and the HVMS Krsyijka - all of which are Támnr-class nuclear powered vessels and feature the S-44B mutli-role stealth fighter aircraft.

The fleet will also comprise several landing platform docks, and an array of Wiel and Banstill-class destroyers and frigates. In addition there will be ice patrol ships, minesweepers, survey vessels, supply and landing ship logistic craft and attack submarines. Land forces travelling with the task force are expected to include marine-commando brigades and rapid response infantry brigades featuring specialist engineering battalions and parachute squadrons.

It is expected, but not confirmed, that the fleet will take an easterly route, cruising through the Majatran Sea and the Sea of Lost Souls before passing Istalia and entering the Perarctic Ocean, south of Jakania.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Nrjkal Akedkáhe said: "Ship for ship we outgun Deltaria by some distance. But what we saw happen in Istalia - the Disaster of Alaria - proves to us we cannot be complacent. Our mission is simple: deploy our naval assets and prepare for combat if, or when, it occurs. Deltaria has received our ultimatum - if they refuse to comply or ignore our request a state of war will exist between our nations."

Meanwhile, a second naval battle group, consisting of primarily combat vessels, will take up a potential blockading position in the Majatran Sea - specifically in international waters near to the entrance to Ushalande Bay, which is Deltaria's primary northern access route to the sea. Admiral Akedkáhe said that the main aim of the fleet, should war come to pass, will be to target Deltarian combat vessels while attempting to stop allies trading with them or providing supplies.

The fleet will feature the carrier HVMS Kesprka and a number of Tekmak-class guided missile cruisers as well as escort and support ships.

The naval manoeuvrings take place against a backdrop of deep uncertainty. The Vanukean government has now approved plans - endorsed by the King - to use any military means possible to bring the "Deltarian dog" to heel. This means that both conventional and nuclear forces are in play with many believing a preemptive aerial and missile strike by Vanuku on the Deltarian homeland is imminent, which will then be followed up by a conventional invasion.

[Sisyphus]

War with Deltaria!
Task Force To Rendezvous With Istalian Forces Then Set Sail For Jakania


Military equipment is loaded onto task force transport ships ahead of embarkment.

January 4637 - Vanuku has officially declared war on Deltaria in an attempt to stop the rogue regime's expansionist plans on Majatra and put a stop to its dangerous nuclear weapons programme. A formal declaration of war was handed to the Czar's government this morning and now the Kingdom braces itself for many months of bloody conflict.

The Prefect announced that Vanuku would work in coalition with Istalia to achieve its war goals, which include the liberation of Jakania and to bring about regime change in Deltaria.

As a result, Vanuku's carrier task force, which includes more than 100 war and auxiliary fleet ships, will soon rendezvous with Istalian armed forces at the port of Alaria to help convey its First Expeditionary Army towards the war zone in Jakania. This follows the decimation of Istalian naval forces in the surprise attack on its home fleet by the Deltarian navy.

Once the task force has arrived in the waters off Jakania the combined armed forces of Vanuku and Istalia are expected to push ahead with an amphibious invasion. Vanuku's own expeditionary force consists of three rapid response infantry divisions and a brigade of Royal Armed Forces marines who are expected to spearhead any amphibious assault. In total around 40,000 personnel.

The Kingdom has also declared the southern Majatran Sea in the vicinity of Deltaria - consisting primarily of the Ushalande Bay - as a war zone and warned any ships entering the area do so at their own risk. The Kingdom has said any ship suspected of attempting to supply war contraband to Deltaria will be stopped, searched and, if necessary turned away. A naval battle group has been deployed to ensure the blockade is upheld.


Vanukean Naval and Land Forces Task Force Bound For Jakania
Overall Commander - Fleet Admiral Prince K'thar Skronores

Naval Forces - 120 ships; 15,000 personnel. Commanded By Admiral Baron Arldrik Könnyrahe
Vanukean Task Force (Three Aircraft Carriers HVMS Mrjkai (flagship) the HVMS Támnr II and the HVMS Krsyijka), Fleet auxiliary landing platforms, Destroyers, Frigates, Transports, survey vessels, minesweepers, Icebreakers, Supply & Logistics Craft, Attack and Surveillance Submarines).


Land Forces (Rapid Response Corps) - approx 40,000 combat personnel - commanded by Lieutenant General Baron Emed Jezklarz

2nd Vlótsoka (Marine) Expeditionary Spearhead Brigade (Brigadier General Eksandr Baokndz)
- amphibious infantry battalions x4
- light armoured vehicles section
- amphibious assault vehicles section
- main battle tank regiment
- artillery/howitzer battery
- anti-tank missile launcher section

5th Division (Major General Merlkai Meskrz)
- 4th Rapid Response Brigade
- 18th Armoured Brigade
- 32th Infantry Brigade
- 16th Artillery Brigade

18th Division (Major General Grhrdz Shtén)
- 2nd Rapid Response Brigade
- 61st Infantry Brigade
- 24th Mechanised Infantry Brigade
- 18th Artillery Brigade

51st Airborne Division (Major General Baronet Pawl Jeztri)
- 8th Parachute Brigade
- 19th Parachute/Commando Brigade
- 21st Light Infantry Brigade
- 17th Artillery Brigade

[Rogue]

Deltarian Forces fortify coastline, prepare for inevitable invasion

[ChitinKal]

CAK Taskforce Departs for Vanuku

[Kubrick]

Death of Archduchess shocks nation; succession crisis imminent
Eldest child of King follows her younger sibling to an early death.


The heated debate about the succession crisis took a violent turn after two backbenchers lost control of their senses, the Prefect's calls for order went unheard.

February 4662 - Today the Archduchess of Banstill, Mrjmai Banmek-Sntazed, passed away at the age of 60. The former Prefect passed away en route to the St. Martin's Hospital after suffering severe injuries in a head-on collision on the central E91 highway. The passing of Archduchess Mrjmai follows the earlier sudden passing of her younger brother Juhn, who suffered a cerebral aneurysm in the Summer of 4661. The passing of her "baby brother" reportedly caused great emotional distress to the former rebellious Princess, several insiders have confirmed she would often go for long rides in one of her supercars to "clear her head". The Archduchess was known to blatantly disregard the speed limits on Vanuku's highways and reportedly disliked the usage of seat belts. Sadly the emotional state of mind and disregard for traffic safety have cost the Archduchess her life.

Prefect Salyzr immediately called an emergency debate on the succession, since Archduchess Mrjmai died childless and the deceased Prince Juhn only left behind Prince Aldrkai, known for his openness on his bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and manic depression. Prince Aldrkai immediately swore off ever wishing to inherit the throne, stating he is "the most unfit of the misfits". The debate became very heated, with no majority within parliament agreeing upon a suitable successor. Meanwhile the Prefect urges great haste behind the matter, as King Wrntukai's mental state has deteriorated rapidly after the loss of his two children. The King stopped doing public services five years prior, after the death of his wife, Queen-Consort Agzí. The aging monarch is now 90 years old and increasingly frail and depressed.


The King has passed away
Vanuku to enter period of mourning; interregnum in effect until suitable successor is found.

January 4663 - The King has passed away in his sleep last night. King Wrntukai VII was 91 years old. The royal spokesperson announced his passing to invited journalists and shortly after all national programming was interrupted. The announcement of the death of Vanuku's King did not come as a shock to many, the King's health has been faltering ever since the death of his two children.

Prefect Salyzr has announced a three day period of national mourning as well as the commencement of a royal interregnum. Until a suitable successor is found there will be no crowned monarch of Vanuku. The cabinet was forced to commit to this path after a 13 hour debate on the succession yielded no majority result, only the Prefect's own proposal of an interregnum managed to gain the majority of the votes.


Prince Aldrkai Banmek-Sntazed assumes throne as Temrkai II after bloodless coup
The Prince is a cousin twice-removed of King Wrntukai VII.


The 'Twin Princes', Aldrkai and Kezkai, while Aldrkai became a radical politician his brother Kezkai rose through the ranks in the Armed Forces.

July 4663 - The Kingdom of Vanuku has a new King. Prince Aldrkai Banmek-Sntazed was crowned with the regal name of Temrkai as the new monarch. The coronation was preceded by a bloodless coup led by his twin brother Prince Kezkai, a Brigadier General in charge of the Royal Guard. Cause for the coup was the increasingly unstable situation under Prefect Salyzr, who ever since the beginning of the interregnum has attempted to find stability and progress. His futile attempts caused several political deadlocks in parliament. With no clear government action nor a successor in sight the 'Twin Princes' took matters into their own hands. Prince Aldrkai is mostly known as a background figure in the Banmek-Sntazed Party, leading a small faction of 'absolutists', those who wish the Kingdom to return to its days of absolutism. Furthermore he is an outspoken Tanhrist and Jelbic traditionalist, having deserved his manhood in the Vanukean desert on his 18th birthday. His regal name comes as no surprise as the new monarch has often cited the eccentric King Temrkai I as his great example. His twin brother Kezkai is known as a career officer who also converted to Tanhrism and completed his training as a Royal Guard at age 20. He subsequently served with the 1st Armoured and the international military escort of the King before being commissioned as a Captain in the Royal Guard. Two years ago he was promoted to Brigadier General and commander of the Royal Guard.

Not much is known about the plans of the new monarch, though many are expecting a radical change of course. The Patriarch has already stated his discontent with a "pagan" monarch, though many traditional Jelbics have voiced their support. Most of the population seems indifferent, many citing the most peaceful reign in Vanukean existence, that of the Daenist Prince Kezkai after the fall of the Khaganate. Apart from religious change the King has already announced that his brother will be promoted to Commander-General and assume the post of Minister of Defence and supreme commander of the Armed Forces. Furthermore Abdlrahm Kárak has been cited as the new Prefect, Kárak is an influential parliamentarian and known as one of the more radical pan-Jelbicists.

[colonelvesica]

Prince Wrnhelm III seizes control of Vanukean Government



The great grandson of the former Regent of Vanuku, Wrnhelm III, of Vanuku's House of Banmek-Steuart-Vrnhmel has seized control of Vanuku's reins of power following the death of King Temrkai II. Temrkai II, was one of the so called "Twin Princes" who took over the Kingdom following a near bloodless coup over thirty years ago. Temrkai II died without issue, and his twin brother Aldrkai, died some five years ago. Their loss left Vanuku is a serious state of power vacuum; the twin Princes had held so much power and sway that none would dare act against them, without their dual dictatorial grasp on power the Vanukean State quickly fell to chaos.

Out of the chaos, Prince Wrnhelm III, a Major General of the Royal Guard, had stepped into the void, taking control of the leaderless Grand Council, declaring himself Prefect and Regent until such a time that an heir could be found. Like his great grandfather, Wrnhelm has already dismissed rumors he has desires on the Lion Throne, refusing alledgedly to even reside in the Royal Palace in Wiel, preferring to reside in the nearby Royal Guard Commandant Residence. When questioned on how long he would look for a successor to the throne, or take the throne should no survivors of the Banmek-Sntazed clan be found the new Regent refused to speculate stating merely "My goal is stabilization of the state, ensuring our security, and rebuilding the Jelbek nation."

The House of Banmek-Steuart-Vrnhmel are a cadet branch of House Banmek-Sntazed, and descendents of Princess Adrianna of Hutori, the Grand Duchess of Roccato. Following a Republican scare under the reign of Queen Mary VI, Princess Adrianna was sent to Vanuku for security and safety reasons, and eventually married into Banmek-Sntazed creating a lesser House. The Prince Regent holds the royal title, Duke of Vrnhmel, giving him a claim to the Lion Throne, though not a particularly strong one. Experts predict that Wrnhelm III, is refusing to even consider the throne because of the circumstances that affected his great-grandfather; several survivors of the Royal Clan were discovered to have survived throughout the world with far stronger claims to the throne then he. Some believe the Prince may have designs on the throne if no others appear, though at this point it is merely speculation.

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
June 14th 4734
BLOODLESS COUP IN VANUKU, NEW QUEEN WRNTUMAI TAKES THE THRONE


New Queen Wrntumai after the bloodless military coup, assuming the Vanukean throne

Wiel: Early this week Vanuku was once again the victim of a bloodless coup. After decades of uncertainty, global decline and economic hardships the Vanukan military under the influence of Nasts Wrntumai, a member of the minor Shtén royal house, staged a coup in the country, deposing the old and fragile Wrnhelm III from his position of regent. The military managed to convince key officers in the inteligence services to join their side and not inform the aging regent of the prepared coup. Upon the completion of the coup the military proceeded to put forward Nasts Wrntumai, the lady from the house of Shtén, to take the throne. While the throne has been vacant for decades as no one dared to claim it, waiting for the rightfull heir, Wrntumai decided to claim it now with the backing of the military and intelligence services. This puts someone from a minor royal house at the center of Vanukan power and puts a occupant on the throne for the first time in over half a century. While previous coups resulted in the former regime being systematically exterminated and the new regime taking firm power this is isnt happening, as new Queen Wrntumai has offered Wrnhelm III the position of Prefect.

This is a entirely new situation for Vanuku which has seen the extermination of several regimes after a new one takes shape. This new regime however will not be controlled by the house of Shtén on its own. Instead the Queen upon being coronated informally just two days ago announced the creation of a new political party named the "Velvet Movement". The aim of the movement? To intergrate the different Vanukan royal houses and divide power amongst them to ensure future stability within the Kingdom. The first example of this is former regent Wrnhelm being appointed prefect of the Kingdom. Which indirectly still gives him influence over mostly domestic affairs. Furthermore Wrnhelm III has been appointed the director of intelligence services, giving him control over the intelligence apparatus of the Kingdom which is already heavily influenced by his family. The Queen has however put one of her loyalists in the position of deputy-director, making sure the services arent used against her.

Queen Wrntumai is the youngest monarch on the planet with a age of only 25 years old. She however has military experience as she served as a officer within the military for 3 years and administrative experience after her job as deputy to her father for 4 years who was governor of Skrovestes.

The Queen also reached out to several other historic Vanukan royal families and formally invited them to join her administration and become a member of the Velvet Movement. While power is currently being divided the Queen has made it clear that she is, from this day onward, the sole leader of the nation. Her decision is final and she has the absolute right to dictate domestic and foreign policy. According to a newly drafted constitution the Queen would become Absolute Ruler of the kingdom. With her being allowed to disband the Grand Council, lead the armed forces, sack her cabinet, dictate domestic and foreign policy and direct every government institution with even more power coming her way.

This makes Vanuku once again a Absolute Monarchy. Intelligence services and Police forces have already started censorship measures for the media and internet in the country and it seems like democracy has died in Vanuku once more.

The official coronation of Queen Wrntumai I will be organized within the next few months.

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
August 27th 4734
CORONATION OF QUEEN WRNTUMAI I


The queen during her coronation

Wiel: The coronation of Queen Wrntumai I was a grand spectacle. At the start of today the queen was escorted to the Grand Cathedral in Wiel to be coronated formally after already taking power two months ago. The coronation proceeded smoothly with members of several royal houses in attendance with former Regent and now Prefect Wrnhelm in the front row. The Queen gave her vows before the Archbishop made it official. Wrntumai was now Queen of Vanuku and proceeded to give her coronation speech.

Dear Vanukans, it is with great dignity and pride that i stand before you today. That i have the honor of sitting on this throne for you, the people of Vanuku. After decades of uncertainty, decline and economic blight this is the very moment for grand change. No longer will Vanuku decline militarily, economically or socially. It will be my duty and pleasure to propel our great kingdom forward. We shall reinvigorate the Vanukean economy and give private bussiness owners the freedom they need to invest, expand and produce the goods we were once known for. We will rebuild the Vanukean military so that our Kingdom can be adequatly protected and it will once again be able to project its grand power over this continent and planet. We will do everything in our power to rebuild Vanukean prestige and ensure that Vanuku stands tall! It is not a matter wanting. It is a matter of necessity. Because our great Kingdom must stand against those forces that threaten to destroy it. We must stand against the evil powers that threaten our way of life, our traditions, our social values and we do that, by rebuilding our great Kingdom. I will fight for you. And i will make you proud. For Vanuku!

The speech was followed by a presentation of the cabinet, which included future plans for major investments into the Armed Forces and further liberalization of the economy to create growth and lower the unemployment rate. A investment plan into the economy will also be announced, mostly focussed on subsidies and grants to private companies.

During the coronation the intelligence services also conducted several raids on known opposition hideouts, reportedly with the express approval of the Queen just before her ceremony. These raids are part of a wider operation to further sqeeze out dissent and anti monarchist sentiments in the nation and a show of force to potential future rivals within the Kingdom itself.

[Rogue]

THE GRAND JOURNAL
June 1st 4735
QUEEN SIGNS MULTI BILLION PLAN TO REBUILD VANUKAN MILITARY
The money will largely be used to repair major weapons systems and restructuring the Armed Forces


A Vanukean S-44 Tanhri stealth fighter at one of Vanuku's air bases near the capital

Wiel: The Queen recently signed a bill proposed by cabinet that includes a 15 billion LOD plan to repair the major weapons systems of the Armed Forces and in the meantime restructure both the Land, Air and Sea forces. Vanukean weapons systems have been decaying for a few years as years of lowered budgets has caused a shortage of supplies, personel and expertise within the Armed Forces. The new 15 billion plan will focus on repairing the once mighty Armed Forces of the Kingdom with the goal of making it combat ready once more. Aircraft like the costly S-44 Tanhri Stealth Fighter of the Air Forces will especially require repairs and possibly modernizations as this costly aircraft has been neglected for years. The same counts for Vanukean aircraft carriers which will also receive repairs and its crews will be subject to a retraining program. This same retraining program will also be applied to most of the land forces and to other ship crews within the sea forces of Vanuku.

For the Vanukean Land Forces most of the repairs and modernizations will be focussed on its major land system, specifically the Cheetah and other type of tanks, advanced artillery systems and other support systems of the Land Forces. The infantry uniforms will also be updated with a slightly stronger camo tone as well as additional radio equipment. The Land Forces will also be subject to the largest restructuring of the program, with the infantry being more decentralized and its composition changed from a divisional system to a brigade system to make individual units more effective. Squads will also be applied more with soldiers in individual squads being trained in a specific specialization such as a support or assault role with those soldiers also getting equipment specifically needed for those tasks. This squad system was already partially in place but will now be applied to the full Land Forces.

The Sea Forces will also, besides the repairs and modernizations, get a restructuring program. With the carrier strike groups staying intact but with more powerful individual ships like Vanukean frigates being assigned to the homefleet, mostly assigned to defensive warfare of the Vanukean coastline while the carrier strike groups will, in the future, be the naval assets deployed overseas accross Terra. The airforce will not receive any major restructuring but will however, in a new to pass law, enforce more training fly hours for pilots and if new air assets are added train the crews more thoroughly.

The reparations on major systems such as Vanukean carriers, air assets and ground vehicles will take a total of 6 years as most of the work consists of replacing parts and modernizing others. It is expected that the entire program will be completed within 6 to 8 years which includes the restructuring.