A Battle Unseen

[Maxington]

06:12, Bunker, Underneath the Bashnya, Petrovgrad, Vrosnok, Trigunia

Above them the war for the homeland was being waged by Trigunia’s Armed Forces, well parts of the armed forces that wasn’t out on international deployment. After the invaders took Brakav, and launched the invasion on Radin, they were all sent underground. The “Knights” of the round table had assembled “This is the same shit I was talking about!” shouted President of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs Glasha Adaksina. Klepakhov starred at Glasha who was fidgety and nervous for what was being waged above him, but remained silent. “Where is the Tsar?” He continued. “He is in his bunker underneath his palace, the Imperial Guard Regiment alongside the Imperial Guard of the Tsar are trying their best to seal off the Palace.” Assured President of the Collegium of War Demian Golumbovsky. “So we are not going to send anyone to retrieve him, the Palace will be overrun once they get to Heinrichgrad.” Glasha asked nervously. Adam Sultanov, Director-General of the State Security Directorate sat next to Klepakhov staying silent and listening to the squirms of the frightened and worried Ministers around him. The only person who seemed to be calm in this mess was Klepakhov. Klepakhov’s training taught him how to stay calm under intense situations, but even has their limits “You see Filipp I told you this would happen, you let the left flank exposed to an invasion, if the Green Sea Fleet was here we could have fended off the attack!” Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Trigunian Navy, Iyeremey Sonin shouted with a worrying voice. Klepakhov looked at the frightened Sonin with an angry squint before snapping at him as he become tired of his crying. “SHUT UP! SHUT UP! I am tired of hearing you bitch, you’re a god damn Fleet-Admiral act like one.” Klepakhov clenched his fists in fury and anger before continuing. “You’re acting like you are fighting the god damn war, you don’t know how it feels to have someone shoot at you, and you don’t if the bullet is going to hit you or not! You’re an Admiral out of a Military Academy, You didn’t have to be in the seas, you were coordinating your movements on land, and do you think that that shit would get you somewhere? Get your shit together!” Klepakhov said as he slammed his fist on the table as the room was filled with silence.
Sonin with his head in his hands, sat silently rigorously rubbing his temples. “We already have every single ICBM moving to the east, 80,000 troops heading to clash with the invading Hutorians.” Klepakhov said with a calm voice. “Saprykin how quick can you get the air-force onto Umanov?” Klepakhov asked. Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Trigunian Air-Force Vladimir Saprykin, the only man around the table who came from a family line of military servicemen. “I would say give or take two days,” He said. “Alright, Send 15% of our air-force capability for the counter-offensive in the West and split that 15% among the Radin Counter-offensive and the Brakav Counter-Offensive, send everything else to the North.” Klepakhov ordered. “Lieutenant General Abramoff, send the entirety of the Northern Military District into the arctic to secure the air-force, Umanov is your new base of operations.” Klepakhov ordered to Lieutenant General Abramoff. Lieutenant General Anatoly Abramoff is the Commander of the Northern Military District, which is responsible for Arctic Operations. “I want the Central Military District ready to defend Petrovgrad at all costs, we already have 65% of the Western Military District devoted to the Radin and Brakav Counter-Offensives, and the remainder will hold as reserves.” Klepakhov ordered. “And so it has been done sir.” Replied Lieutenant General Farid Gorbunov, Commander of the Western Military district. Sultanov, tired of remaining quiet as orders were being issued. “I am having every single operator I can get assisting in the Counter-Offensives, Spetskomandas will not be sent in, and they will be sent into the Arctic with General Saprykin and Abramoff’s men.” Sultanov said. Klepakhov looked back at Sonin who was still furiously rubbing his temples. “The Mad Dog Ocean and Green Sea Fleet will re-direct to Delteria and will rest, repair and rearm there, after that they will return.” Klepakhov ordered whilst looking at the depressed Sonin. In Sonin’s mind he saw the Minister-President’s idea as a way for allowing the Hutorians to strengthen their grip on the sea, but he had to do as told. And so did the others, the Commanders of the various district left the bunker and went to their Field Headquarters expect for one, Lieutenant General Gregory Nevzorov, who was killed during the Hutorian invasion of Brakav. As they all passed back, they patted Sonin on the back as a sign that his situation may get better.

[Maxington]

Trigunia was hit, and was she hit hard. The Hutorians had taken the West and were now planning to move to the East. The bear was pinned down. Her duties divided, push the Hutorians out the already seemingly overwhelming Hutorians and live up to her foreign commitments. The Empire was ill-prepared for such a co-ordinated strike against her. The Hutorians, already making against after the Trigunian defeat in the Battle of Radin where the Trigunian 2nd and 3rd Expeditionary Corps along with the 8th and 9th were sent limping behind friendly lines. The Hutorians simply bushed the first counter-offensive aside.
Most of Hutori’s logistical might came from the mainland, via air and by sea. General Afanas Pomelnikov, given command over the Eastern and Central Military districts and whatever remained of the Western Military district, with some 310,000 war hardened troops and some 250,000 Cossacks behind him. General Pomelnikov’s Army was sent to hold the Radin-Vrosnok Border and await engineer battalions from the Northern District to begin work on the Radinot line, a concept taken from Trigunia’s tactics in Cildania during the Cildanian Civil War. The concept was to construct a well-protected and mobile line of Trigunian equipment ranging from Anti-Aircraft defences to artillery pieces.
The airforce now based in the arctic on the island of Umanov was Pomelnikov’s prized possession but not really a right, but more of a privilege since airforce was now divided with several tasks: To retake air superiority over the skies of Trigunia whilst also providing close-air-support for commanders in dire need of assistance and also providing evacuation air airlifts across friendly skies but mostly enemy controlled airspace. So the air-force was an asset not to be misused and was only granted to battalions and brigades who were either making gains for the Empire or were on the verge of desolation.
Pomelnikov’s negotiated with what remained of Western Districts’s mobilize and stationary artillery forces since most of her stationary artillery either slaughtered by Hutorian airstrikes or where targeted by Hutorian cruise missiles for their warships in the Green Sea. What remained of the Western District’s artillery brigades, and artillery brigades from the Central and Eastern Military District were all gathered under Pomelnikov’s forces and immediately sent them to the Radin-Vrosnok border. This loured other crippled Artillery brigades, who were originally believed to be whipped out by the Hutorian strikes, to come out and assist. But the negotiations would have never succeeded if Pomelnikov had not persuaded Lt. General Boris Tarkov, Commanding Officer of the newly formed 1st Mobile Artillery Division, a combination of what remains of the Western District’s Artillery Brigades and Artillery Brigades from the Central and Eastern Districts.
Once deployed to the border they will station themselves at the Left and Right hand sides of the Northern Ridge which sliced through the centre of Radin and Vrosnok. General Pomelnikov along with several other high-ranking officer came together under one roof in Vernograd to formalize a counter-offensive against the Hutorians. A Pincer movement was to be formed. Lt. General Nikita Spanov and 1st Naval Infantry Corps would blitz into Radin from the south and Lieutenant General Anatoly Abramoff and the Northern Military District would blitz from the North. General Pomelnikov would simultaneous push from the east with the Radinot line as it would begin to move and will thus be supported by artillery and hopefully close-air-support. But negotiations with General Stanislav Yumatov were futile, but Pomelnikov figures that right-minded will bring Yumatov into accordance with his pleads. But if close-air-support is not granted, Pomelnikov will have to do without. But now everything begins to fall into place for the counter-offensive each Trigunian has been awaiting

[colonelvesica]

Trigunia was hit, and was she hit hard. The Hutorians had taken the West and were now planning to move to the East. The bear was pinned down. Her duties divided, push the Hutorians out the already seemingly overwhelming Hutorians and live up to her foreign commitments. The Empire was ill-prepared for such a co-ordinated strike against her. The Hutorians, already making against after the Trigunian defeat in the Battle of Radin where the Trigunian 2nd and 3rd Expeditionary Corps along with the 8th and 9th were sent limping behind friendly lines. The Hutorians simply bushed the first counter-offensive aside.
Most of Hutori’s logistical might came from the mainland, via air and by sea. General Afanas Pomelnikov, given command over the Eastern and Central Military districts and whatever remained of the Western Military district, with some 310,000 war hardened troops and some 250,000 Cossacks behind him. General Pomelnikov’s Army was sent to hold the Radin-Vrosnok Border and await engineer battalions from the Northern District to begin work on the Radinot line, a concept taken from Trigunia’s tactics in Cildania during the Cildanian Civil War. The concept was to construct a well-protected and mobile line of Trigunian equipment ranging from Anti-Aircraft defences to artillery pieces.
The airforce now based in the arctic on the island of Umanov was Pomelnikov’s prized possession but not really a right, but more of a privilege since airforce was now divided with several tasks: To retake air superiority over the skies of Trigunia whilst also providing close-air-support for commanders in dire need of assistance and also providing evacuation air airlifts across friendly skies but mostly enemy controlled airspace. So the air-force was an asset not to be misused and was only granted to battalions and brigades who were either making gains for the Empire or were on the verge of desolation.
Pomelnikov’s negotiated with what remained of Western Districts’s mobilize and stationary artillery forces since most of her stationary artillery either slaughtered by Hutorian airstrikes or where targeted by Hutorian cruise missiles for their warships in the Green Sea. What remained of the Western District’s artillery brigades, and artillery brigades from the Central and Eastern Military District were all gathered under Pomelnikov’s forces and immediately sent them to the Radin-Vrosnok border. This loured other crippled Artillery brigades, who were originally believed to be whipped out by the Hutorian strikes, to come out and assist. But the negotiations would have never succeeded if Pomelnikov had not persuaded Lt. General Boris Tarkov, Commanding Officer of the newly formed 1st Mobile Artillery Division, a combination of what remains of the Western District’s Artillery Brigades and Artillery Brigades from the Central and Eastern Districts.
Once deployed to the border they will station themselves at the Left and Right hand sides of the Northern Ridge which sliced through the centre of Radin and Vrosnok. General Pomelnikov along with several other high-ranking officer came together under one roof in Vernograd to formalize a counter-offensive against the Hutorians. A Pincer movement was to be formed. Lt. General Nikita Spanov and 1st Naval Infantry Corps would blitz into Radin from the south and Lieutenant General Anatoly Abramoff and the Northern Military District would blitz from the North. General Pomelnikov would simultaneous push from the east with the Radinot line as it would begin to move and will thus be supported by artillery and hopefully close-air-support. But negotiations with General Stanislav Yumatov were futile, but Pomelnikov figures that right-minded will bring Yumatov into accordance with his pleads. But if close-air-support is not granted, Pomelnikov will have to do without. But now everything begins to fall into place for the counter-offensive each Trigunian has been awaiting

OOC: Alright man I'm a little confused by some of this... some words don't make sense to me on an initial reading.

[Maxington]

11: 25, Trikosmichkorp Space Command Centre, Mountains of Zarvospol, Trigunia.

The Mountains of Zarvospol, a place where many come to relax and hike, but what few knew was the existence of a pathway inside the mountains. Twenty-five ton blast doors separated whatever was inside the mountain from outside elements. Never had a secret facility have the privilege of having an entire brigade ready to fend off attack at all costs. Beyond the twenty-five ton doors stationed something one would never expect to be in a secret location. The Trikosmichkorp Space Command Centre. Initially stationed in Pattergrad in its own building open to the public, after the war broke out, it was moved into the mountains as the Bashnya feared that the Hutorians may find secretive information the facility and its staff hold. From images of refugees crossing various borders to nuclear silos of several nuclear nations. Server rooms had to be brought down and transferred into the mountains where they are now guarded by the Trigunian Cyber Defence Force.

Inside these mountains a story of the cleaver work of the staff of Trikosmichkorp unfolds. “Alright People, we do not want a repeat of the mess-up that made us loss Joint Citadel.” Said Director-General of Trikosmichkorp, Matvey Knyazev whilst standing in front of the massive 30 metre screen. The Joint Citadel incident or the D-F-445 incident was a mishap when the satellite D-F-445 “Joint Citadel” feel out of orbit and crashed in Vanuku, leaving the Vanukeans open to images of Vanukean’s nuclear missile silos taken from the satellite. Chief Engineer Miloslav Lukyanenko sat in his desk, taking in what the Director-General was saying. “We have strict orders from the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Armed Forces to move “Quiet Starlight” from its current location over the Arctic to the strait between Brakav and Radin.” Knyazev continued. QS-777-129 or “Quiet Starlight” was a military grade satellite and the only military satellite operated by Trikosmichkorp after the Joint Citadel incident.

Usually orbiting the North Pole, Quiet Starlight acts as Trigunia’s eyes in the arctic when troops cannot get there. “Our task today is simple, take images of what the Hutorians are doing in Brakav and Western Radin and drill the Electronic Warfare measures.” He ended then walked to his office, which overlooked the Command Centre. Lukyanenko stood up after Knyazev walked back to his office. “Okay everyone, you all heard him, let’s get to work.” Lukyanenkov shouted. “Move QS-777-129, to Mikhail-one-keypad five (M1KP5)” Shouted Flight Director Oleg Alliluyev. They has established a grip map of terra with almost each province in every country within a grid key. The Operators wielding the joysticks which controlled the Satellite’s movement, maneuvered the Satellite from the Pole to its designated location. “QS is above Designated Location, preparing Observation.” Said one of the Operators. From Satellite stood still as it would now run through its observations and EW Drills.

[Maxington]

12:03, Tirovslavl International Airport, Tirovslavl, Brakav, Trigunia

The Airport was completely empty. When the Hutorians came they all filled the gates of this airport and headed back to the mainland. Silence filled the airport and it was a bit strange to them. The Tirovslavl International Airport was the busiest airport in Brakav with some eight-million people walking through its doors ananually. But now with the Hutorians advancing and basically capturing the entire island everyone had to leave. Those who remained where either resistance forces or the Strategic Missile Corps. Sent to retrieve Trigunia’s mobile and land-based ICBMs in Brakav, it was now a rush to leave the island.
Gun fire could be heard in the distance. The Hutorians assault rifles had a specific high pitch echo when they are shoot where as Trigunian assault rifles low pitched echo when they were shoot. It was easy to identify who was who. By the dynamics of the gunfire, it seemed as though they were getting closer. “Hurry up!” Shouted Colonel Lubomir Bogdanov, commanding officer of the company of men sent to retrieve the ICBMs. They had endured heavy shelling from both the Trigunian and Hutorians whilst trying to retrieve a land based, RDRD Intercontinental Ballistic Missile for the Brakav Counter-Offensive took place as Trigunia tried to retake Brakav, but failed in the end.
It seemed as though they were cursed. They located forty-five ICBM Silos across Brakav during the initial invasion. But as soon as they prepared to pull them out of the Silos and place them onto the Transporter erector launcher, Hutorian gunfire offset the silence and concentration needed to remove the ICBMs from their Silos and evidently leading to Colonel Bogdanov to make the decision to leave those which they could not retrieve behind. Colonel Bogdanov did not bother to think that the Hutorians may very well get their hands on Trigunia’s ICBM in the Oblast, what he cared for was for his men and for his own life, since they had near misses by the Hutorians on several occasion, where they even ran into a Hutorian Armoured “Wolf Pack” once, narrowly escaping the Hutorians with the Mobile and Land-based ICBM they had when they ran into the Wolf Pack, by hauling through the dense forest.
Those they did manage to retrieve where sent to the Trivoslavl International Airport where they would been airlifted to Zarvospol. Like an exodus of refugees, several Transporter erector launchers ranging from the Air-Defence kind to the ICBM kind lined the runway as they awaited a cargo plane to land. A record Thirty-five (35) Transporter erector launchers lined the runway in a uniformed pattern. A Team, unknown to Colonel Bogdanov, was sent to retrieve abandoned and but still active S-400 Missile/Air Defence Systems left behind by retreating Trigunians. Three Im-89s (Il-76) and a Mac-225 (An-225) made their descent and landed on three of the four runways of the airport. And in an orderly fashion, the various Transporter erector launchers moved to either designated cargo planes. The Mac-225 was headed to the Arctic, so the S-400s were loaded into that, and the three Im-89s were headed for Zarvospol, so the ICBM launchers were loaded into those. No Taxi to Air Traffic Control procedure, they just bolted it down the runways.
By the time they were in the air the Hutorians had actually gotten onto the runway and tried to take down the cargo planes with small arms fire. But going in the opposite direction towards the airport was an SU-34 which made quick bombing runs on the runways in order to prevent the Hutorians from being able to use the runway efficiently. It narrowing escaped after some Hutorians with a HAT kit almost hit it whilst it made a low fly-by.
Colonel Bogdanov escaped the Hutorian heat. Once on land they will make a head-count of all ICBMs retrieved and check to see if the number of those airlifted fits the total number of ICBMs placed in Brakav before the shit-storm of a war even begun.

[colonelvesica]

Silo B-17, Brakav Oblast, Trigunian Empire

The Wolf Armoured Recon Vehicle pulled up to the site. The site had long been secured by the advancing 4th Mechanized Infantry Division and had been discovered almost by accident by Recon picket. When that patrol had discovered they had immediately called it in to Third Army HQ back in Malchik and now walking out of the Wolf Recon Vehicle were two figures. The first was a non-descript man, average in every way. He didn't wear the Hutorian Army fatigues but he was wearing digital grey fatigues without any labels... he was without a doubt likely an HSIS Intelligence Officer. The second was a much larger man. The man towered above everyone else, being a dominating 6"9. He wore camouflaged fatigues with the rank tabs hidden. If one could see it they would see the three stars of a Lieutenant General. Everyone else gave the towering man immediate berth and difference... that man was Lieutenant General Steven Woodbury, the commander of the Hutorian Third Army.

Many commented that his brash and aggressive attitude and keen strategic mind would have made him a perfect tanker, if it wasn't for his massive size he likely would have. Instead he decided that jumping out of perfectly working aircraft would be a much better option.. and he had excelled at it. He stared into the open silo and gave a very quaint smile. "So... it would seem the bear forgot a few of her cubs when she retreated."

Inside of the silo sat a beautiful sight to the Airborne General; a Trigunian nuclear ICBM that had been carefully made safe by an Air Force NEST Team. General Woodbury looked to the HSIS Intelligence Officer. "How many more of these sites have been found and secured?"

The Intelligence Officer didn't need a heartbeat to respond. "44 other sites sir... and yes they are all secured."

General Woodbury smiled like a chesire cat. "Get them on transports and back to Malchik... We are going to give a gift to Bekenial"

[Maxington]

09:06, Underneath a Tent, Fortified Line Running from Northern Sambov to Southern Radin
With the war being waged to the East, Major general Foma Zinchenko, Commanding Officer of a collection of engineers from across the country, now known as the 1st Engineer Corps. With Orders to construct an 1800 kilometre heavily fortified but mobile line running from Northern Sambov to Southern Radin. The concept came from Trigunia’s tactic in during the Cildanian Civil War where they constructed a mobile fortified line passing through the towns of Zabeh, Mcebrureq and Ax and when it was time the move, they simply advanced and repositioned into the Hebil province.
Major General Zinchenko was underneath a tent with some Engineers from various Naval Infantry Brigades across the country. “Depending on the depth of the trench and the height of the breastwork the tank trench can belong to one of two types. One of them is a circular-firing field trench, in which the breastwork protects only the hull of the tank and not the turret. This allows a 360-degree traverse and observation.” Suggested Brigadier Stepan Turbin, Chief Engineer Officer of the 8th Naval Infantry Corps. They were formalizing the idea of constructing a trench for tanks. Seeing that it was attempted during the Cildanian Civil War, but failed due to improper size and general form, they are trying the idea once more. “The sizing of the trench depends on the type of the tank – for example, for the T-90 the trench must be 4 meters wide and 5 meters long. The access ramp must be 1 to 2.7 meters long depending on the type of soil we encounter.” Brigadier Turbin continued. “But you must not forget to construct a water-funnelling well at the bottom of the trench. If they are available, place logs under the tank's treads to avoid the trench becoming a tank trap.” Suggested Colonel Vladimir Yefremov, a Senior Engineer from the 5th Naval Infantry Artillery Brigade.
“Now, from what I have heard artillery pieces will be placed along this line, I am talking about things like the Beryoza (2S19 Msta) and the V1T2 (Tornado-G), mobile artillery vehicles.” Said Major General Zinchenko. “Now knowing that Colonel Yefremov is going to talk about the dynamics of how a trench for structures like this will be constructed, I will let him talk right away.” Zinchenko said, and the other senior engineers laughed at his remark. “Thank you sir, now the Beryoza a tall machine, and now you have to take that into consideration, now it is mounted onto a T-80 hull so it should be the around the same 4 meters wide and 5 meters long but now it must be three feet trench for it with the access ramp being, give or take around 5 meters and the breastwork will take that into consideration” In the corner whilst everyone spoke of what was to be done, was Lieutenant Adrian Sonin (Yes the Son of Fleet Admiral Iyeremey Sonin), taking notes in-order to relay measures and other plans made during this meeting when they have their general meeting with each 20,000 of them, both civilian and military. “Did you get that Lieutenant?” questioned Major General Zinchenko. “Yes sir.” Sonin replied. “Does anyone know where we are going to get the equipment needed?” asked Brigadier Kirill Yeryomin, Chief Engineer Officer of the 5th Naval Infantry Corps. “I thought you knew this Brigadier, we still have our combat engineering vehicles and we will be receiving bulldozers and backhoes donated by civilians.” Responded Major General Zinchenko. “Now, we must also remember, that 45% of the divisions coming here are Motor rifle brigades, so think about APCs, IFVs... The motorized infantry detachment's trench consists of a length of zig-zagging or curved trench line either of partial profile (110 cm deep) or full profile (150 cm deep), with a complete length of about 100 meters. This will include attached and detached main and spare firing positions for assault rifles, anti-tank grenade launchers, light machineguns, and any others attached and supporting weaponry.” Yeryomin paused to breathe for he spoke without inhaling. “On average, constructing a detachment trench by hand in average soil requires 214-205 man-hours and 2.9 cubic meters of timber. Should digging machinery be used, one can complete the work within 148 man-hours. A complete detachment can finish the essential work in 1-1.5 days, and the main work in 3-5 days.” Yeryomin ended.
“Alright, everyone, I think that you all have enough times to construct, if anything we could always come back here and discuss what needs to be done.” Zinchenko said. So they all got up and went to their designated positions along the line and gave their orders. The hard work was about to begin as the war rumbles on in front of them.

[Doc]

08:25 Onboard the KRS-1 "Farsun", International Waters, East of Egelion

"Get me into Comm with the Capital," Carrangus said to Comm Officer Dinklage.

"Patching you through now, Ma'am." The communications officer reported.

"Charlie Sierra Actual, Calling Kilo 3." Carrangus waited, listening to the static. A fuzzy sound came back over the speaker.

"This is Kilo 3, Who is this?" The radio responded.

"This is Charlie Sierra Actual. To whom am I speaking?"

"This is Kalistan! Who is this?"

Carrangus did not recognize the voice on the other end of the radio... She had been expecting to hear Foreign Minister Allen, but this was a man, with a heavy Anantanese accent.

"Excuse me, Kilo 3. I am looking for Foxtrot Mike Hotel Alpha. Who am I speaking to?" There was silence on the radio. "Kilo 3. Come Back!" Carrangus called out over the radio. "Kilo 3!"

"Standby Charlie Sierra Actual." the voice over the radio came back. Carrangus put the mic down... She was exasperated. First, discussions with Mikuni yielded absolutely nothing. Kalistan apparently had nothing to put on the table which didn't involve Kalistan prostrating itself to yet another petty despot, and finally Carrangus left the Capital in disgust, mission completely failed. And now, she apparently couldn't even raise her own government on the damn radio!

Suddenly, the printer buzzed and began printing a message. The Comm Officer went to the printer and tore the report off.

"Ma'am, this message is high confidence from- Eh... Minister Bhattachariya?" Lieutenant Dinklage held the paper out to Carrangus. She grabbed the message and read it.

"What the hell!?" She couldn't believe her eyes as she read the report. Indeed, Kilo 3, her boss, was now a man named Davjeet Bhattachariya, and he had apparently not been briefed that Carrangus was still out at sea. According to the message, Foreign Minister Allen was now the President of the Republic. Kaliburg was in rubble and the message was sent from provisional HQ in Vrassa City. And Carrangus had been forgotten- until she called in this morning.

"Alright, Lieutenant Hollingsworth- We've been out here long enough. It's time to go home. Issue the order to the fleet: We are heading south Formation Delta. We are to avoid all contacts. Keep the Light Cruisers and supply ships close and run the Frigates out ahead. We'll see everyone in Vrassa. This is a goddamned wash..."

The order ran up and down the line to the other ships in Kalistan's fleet, which was slightly more than an overpowered task force at this point, but the Foreign Minister seemed to think things were turning in Ananto, and Vrassa itself was relatively clear for the time being. The fleet would be in Home Waters in two weeks. Luckily for Carrangus, nobody was looking for her and so with luck, nobody would notice her as she slipped into Vrassa. There was no turning back- Carrangus would be the last Kalistani to ever step foot in Mikuni for a long time. She didn't look back.

[Kubrick]

19:09, Control Room, Central Command Centre, a good 100km west of Wiel, Principality of Vanuku.

The atmosphere was tense, the Prince himself was pacing up and down the room and the generals spoke in hushed voices. Vahri however felt calm and collected. The Prince had understood the plan but the destruction of the South did not lay easy with the man. As far as Vahri was concerned he cared too much, these people were paying a price for the survival of their nation. A necessary sacrifice. The entire plan was radical, which had made him approve it in the first place, the General who had proposed it had quickly been promoted to Commander-General. He was young, ambitious and most of all he thought outside the box and with these uncreative horsemen and human wavists that was just what they needed. He looked towards the new Commander-General and gave him a nod. The second highest ranking soldier of the Principality rose and cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, Prefect, gentlemen, if I may present the second phase of Operation Dry Wind?" he asked and the Prince nodded, walking to his seat the head of the table.

On the large screen a map of the South was shown, in the corner of his eye Vahri could see the Prince look painfully at the large gains the invaders had made. The Commander-General pointed at the three points where the enemy stormed into the land. "Everything has gone according to plane, they have successfully identified three of the four weakpoints we prepared and our troops are on a constant retreat after short skirmishes. The enemy has reached the outskirts of Papel and seems to be on the move to encircle Skalkémak. The Jelbék commander is making a hard push towards Papel, potentially because he realizes the value of the city towards our economy. Skalkémak is of little value, although the enemy could use it as a base to resupply. Either way we have limited troops stationed there. If they seize these cities we have the option to use a tactical nuke but this would come at a high civilian cost, something I personally advice against at this moment." He clicked on a button and several icons appeared on the map. "As you can see here the heavy army groups are waiting for our orders to engage. Defensive divisions are already dug in in the North, having orders to hold at all costs. The armoured and heavy divisions will then move past the sides with airborne operations attempting to cut them off from the South." said the Commander-General before clicking to the last map, with arrows it showed how the armies would move around and effectively cut the enemy off inside Vanuku. "If this succeeds our forces will neutralize a substantial amount of the Jelbék and Deltarian forces at minimal losses, which opens the road to a full on invasion of Jelbania. Any questions?" he asked, as he ended his presentation. One General raised a hand and spoke up. "Commander-General, by my estimations we will capture hundreds of thousands of enemy troops, how will we handle the logistics?" and the Commander-General responded with a hint of doubt in his voice. "Right now we seem to have both the space and resources to harbour these POW's, all is better than a bloody stalemate where we have high losses." He then looked towards the Prefect and Prince. Vahri nodded in approval, "Excellent work, Commander-General, if it's up to me we continue with the second phase right away." he said before turning to the Prince. "Yes, commence the operation." said Prince Juhn III, who seemed more at ease after the explanation.

[Reddy]

19:30 Green Palace, Dokuz, Jakania

So this is what Chann money is being used for? Gold plated walls, marble everywhere and a whole ceiling decorated with diamonds. The Dai'i''s eyes crinkled with distaste. Decades preaching the holy word in the Jakanian highlands had meant that many a day he would lay his head under a humble hedge or by the smelly kitchen hearth in the home of some pious widow. Ostentatiousness was a sign of sure weakness. That gave him confidence as he was waiting to meeting the Razamid invader. He had to admit though, he had been positively impressed by the newly restored order in Dokuz and much of the east.

A Sanjaqi came into the reception hall and informed the Dai'i that the Sultan was ready to see him. The Sanjaqi looked splendid and well disciplined in his green uniform, nothing like the decrepit old army's soldiers. Perhaps some of the Chann money is being spent on the army after all. The Dai'i rose and followed to the Sultan's office. He was absurdly honoured by the fact that the Sultan stood up and bowed slightly to him. "Honoured Dai'i, welcome," the Sultan offered and he replied equally graciously.

"Honoured Dai'i, we are both busy men so I will not waste whipping the snake's tail, let us get to the head." He nodded in reply. The 'head' was the situation in the west. The Dai'i despised the Razama and all they stood for yet... The Sultan gave him a long searching look and continued, 'Dai'i, they have such wonderful banks nowadays. A man can deposit whatever he wants with no questions asked." The Dai'i was unmoved, evidently. The Sultan tried a new tack. "So lovely are these Jelbek maidens. a friend from the east sent me a dozen last week for the palace. Wouldn't a lovely little Jelbek wife make your travels much easier?" The Dai'i replied, Thank you lord Sultan but it is the difficulties which are the greatest of joys and lessons." The Sultan sighed and tried once again. "So many fools in our Council of Ministers. Perhaps the addition of one so wise as yourself would greatly improve its quality. The Dai'i shook his head once more, "Regretfully, sublime majesty, I could not stand the stench of politics."

The Sultan shook his head, a gloomy look on his face. The Dai'i spoke in a halting but firm voice. "There's no price, if anything it is I who would pay. The misery caused by the wickedness of mankind can only be ameliorated in the secular affairs by somewhat less wicked men. The west, unanchored, will remain a playground for the blood sucking Deltarians and the snake worshippers of the west. I will go west and preach and organise an underground movement to support your family once the time is ripe for your armies to venture west. This is not because you are worthy of ruling a kingdom or not but because you are less unworthy than the foreigners,monsters and criminals who currently subject the west to rapine and slaughter." The Dai'i bowed and left the office leaving the Sultan trapped in deep thought.