A Battle Unseen

[Reddy]

10.45 Apostolic Palace, Dolinka, Papezsky States

“How much?”, he asked, rolling his eyes. The Agency Director replied, “Each Biskup has different needs, values and morals. The most expensive one wants 5.5 million LOD for an upgrade to his palatial home, the least only 500,000 for his beloved sister to get a kidney transplant and a few other expenses... In total about 36 million LOD and the estates you promised, 2,000 acres of land each. Out of 41 members of the Synod, 15 have responded positively. In the Luthoran Church, only 2 of the 27 Bishops have accepted. They want a total 7 million LOD in order to wreck havoc in their church.

The Kardinal nodded. That would have to do. Half of all the money raised by the Inquisition.... His work with the Holy Office of the Inquisition did not permit him to oversee this matter as rigorously as he would otherwise have. Considering the leading Deltarian Apostolic Archbiskup Tomas was already bound due to the Agency’s discovery of the Archbiskup’s comforting of a certain Markiz’s lovely wife while the Markiz served overseas on a diplomatic mission. The particular Markiz was not known for being understanding, reasonable nor temperate. The Luthoran Church would resist more of course, even the most corrupt bishop would find it hard to justify union with Dolinka.

The spymaster continued, “The Apostolic Church in Deltaria has about 5 million adherents. Our 15 friends in the Holy Synod command about 70% of the faithful. If we truly pushed our friends, recruited secular ones as well and threatened the attention of the Holy Office on a few other members of the Holy Synod, we could get the support for union from as many 45% of the members of the entire Church. In the Luthoran Church, we could get as many as 400,000 if we pushed hard enough getting certain celebrities on board. The remainder in both churches would very likely collapse after that and a majority should follow our friends’ decision to join us...with extra inducement of course.” He nodded and then dismissed the old spymaster and remained in the conference room, lost in his thoughts 2.7 million souls saved would not be a bad effort in addition to my work in the Holy Office. Especially if millions more join us sometime after. Why, with some luck, I could be beatified by the middle of the next century...

[Maxington]

13:05, Cildania, Pravnova Naval Installation,
Captain Abram Petrov would have been running his newly assigned task, patrolling the waters around Cildania in search for Imperial Navy Vessels but was late after having to call his children back in Trigunia to wish them good morning. Captain Petrov was a navy man by day, a family man by night. He had no time for slacking for his job was a very hard one which grew very heavy on him over the man years. From task to task he was able to complete without losing a single member of crew. Usually he would not accept any form of duties during the nightly hours since he had a theory/belief that the night was for rest and not constant work, but this late afternoon was different. Around the hours of 15:06 a telegram came from Commander Artur Moskvin, Commander of the Trigunian Naval Flotilla sent to Cildania that he needed to do a patrol of an area some 300 miles south of Naval Installation after reports of a Cildanian Imperial Navy Destroyer was seen in the area. Hesitant on whether he should go or ask for another ship to patrol he contemplated on what to say so that it may not push the Commander to be breaking point. He accepted after staring blankly into a picture of a Mountainous landscape for 3 minutes.
So he set out, gathering his bags which contained his clothing and documents and met the entire 900 crew of the Battlecruiser at the Naval Installation. He briefed the entire crew once they all boarded the Battlecruiser and went to their regular stations, his voice would echo through the halls of the battlecruiser. “Alright, this is your Captain Speaking, We are going to be doing a regular patrol today, routeing check of the border for any enemy vessels, we’re told to head 300 miles south of our current position that would be barring 330 and wait for further instruction.” The Cruiser set off at a laborious pace towards the Contact Point after clearing with the Harbour Master. The Ship has been in active service for over 10 years and the crew had gotten the move the ship. Most say that it was “Yegorovich’s Fortress” and “Trigunia’s Impenetrable Fortress a True simple of her power” and is to be known as one of the Largest and heaviest surface combatant warships (i.e. not an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship) currently in active operation in the world . The Battlecruiser is told to have enough firepower to battle off a Selucian Navy Flotilla on its own.
The Entire crew eager to arrive at the located as most of the crew were a bunch of trigger happy Trigunians looking for a good vessel to blow up, which unfortunately drew the attention of the Cildanian Imperialist Navy Submarine which was patrolling the area. It was confirmed to be a Cildanian Imperialist Navy Submarine after the Battlecruiser made contact with the ship and received no answer or signals. Captain Petrov made contact with the Naval Installation where he gave them a contact report of the submarine .After having to shout orders to the entire crew; General Quarters was announced as the sirens began ringing loudly over the voice of the shouting crew members. Captain Petrov, up at the bridge took out his binoculars and began searching for the submarine, whilst also looking at the Radar, hoping to see if periscope. The Evening sky made it difficult for this to be seen since the rain clouds had slowly been rolling in since the ship’s departure from the Naval Installation. He once again stared into space, this time through the binoculars, thinking of what to do next. Suddenly an idea came to mind, remembering from his Naval training many years back he remembered his lecturer saying that a submarine can hear noise, in which there is a flaw, If a ship were to make noise and move away from the located it was at when the noise was received by the submarine, the submarine will go towards the noise but the ship would have already left the area. With swift actions he ordered for the crew to continue making noise throughout the ship to attract the submarine to the location.
Captain Petrov ordered the helmsman to set a course for North-North West at a speed of 28 knots. So he did and cruiser turned at a laborious pace due its massive size. A UAV was launched to head back to the position where the submarine was supposed to go to. The UAV scanned the area for thermal signatures, in which it saw the periscope of the Submarine. Captain Petrov asked one of the Radar Personnel if it was the submarine, in which he confirmed it was. Captain Petrov ordered for the operation of the Ship’s 2 Anti-Submarine Batteries. Unfortunately the Master Gunner had forgotten to reload the Batteries; out of the 2 batteries on 1 had Anti-Submarine Missile left. The ship turned the bow to face the located of the Submarine; the UAV still in the air would still be circling the submarine which had evidently performed an emergency blow to quickly surface the sea. The Strike missile was launched as a hush went over the entire ship for their fingers were crossed that the Missile would hit the target. A Large explosion would emerge as the Missile would have hit something. The UAV would show that the submarine would be on fire and slowly sinking. The Crew and Captain Petrov rejoiced as they had defeated the submarine. Immediately the Captain Petrov contacted the Naval Installation, giving them another contact report, confirming with them the destruction of a Submarine.
The ship set a course to the Naval Installation at 32 knots to refill the ship’s ammunition. And call to a Mine-layer to lay deep sea charges in the area around the location of the destroyed Imperialist submarine.

[Reddy]

02:48 Prezident's Office, Cachtice Castle, Deltaria

His frown became almost painful as he continued reading the dispatches. The populist buffoon of a provincial premier of Doron Akigo had blocked the entrance of a car manufacturing companies as a cop out to unwashed environmentalist fanatics. The Dissuwan premier had written a deficit laden budget in defiance of the Constitution which prohibited such. The impatient trade unions. The federal Veche itself kept trying to pass laws to restrain the Prezident’s foreign policy authority, forming ethic based factions and attempting to stab the Cildanians in the back by cutting off aid. The old nobles were still keeping serfs, disguised as extremely lowly paid workers. ASIB's brainwashed agents kept trying to rouse the Ahmadi minorities. Something has to give. And it won’t be me...

He found himself thinking about it again. Deltaria was not and still is not yet ready for liberal democracy. He had just seen the economic numbers and nothing was going as planned. Still too many strikes despite the Economic Social Council’s work. Still too many imports, too few exports, too much corruption in the Government. The party which was supposed to be his finest creature had turned into the worst of cesspits. Their behaviour in the Veche was nothing short of scandalous. A bill legalising co-determination ended up with amendments about everything from subsidied chicken feed, tariffs on D-Pop CDs and the conjugal rights of Cildanian refugees. This is not what I wanted to see.

His thoughts turned to the solution. I don’t want to drink from that bitter cup but I have few choices. The Papez would stand with him so long as the Borec estates were left undisturbed of course. The National Guard was grateful too, the mission in Cildania had restored their sense of usefulness. So were the largest corporationss who also despaired of the unions. The unions’ rapid expansion since serfdom suppression began had gotten into their heads. He would wait for the unions to do it and then go in. It would take at least a decade to be able to return here, economic development first, liberal democracy next. He had made the mistake of mixing that up. Now I will fix it, President Radovic thought as he dialed the Police Commissioner’s home number on the phone. Sleep is for the weak.

[Maxington]

10:34 am Minister-President's Office, The Bashnya (Executive Office of the Government of Trigunia), Petrovgrad

"Call Velimir Rostislavovich." he stood by his desk speaking to his First Deputy Chief of Presidential Administration, Dominika Trufanova. Grigoriy Yegorovich would land his right index finger on a map, this finger would land on the nation of Kazulia. "Since i last heard that this quiet nation they were fighting piracy in Majatra with Dorvish Forces and to now have them restore their monarchy and change their republic?" Grigoriy would kick his feet up onto his table, his chair would lay back as he'd body would lay on it. "I saw in the Dankukin Nyuseu that Emperor Choesun's "people" has announced him as the rightfull High King?" He Laughed at the fact that he thought he was king. "It's shameful how some people tend to think they control it all, I couldn't give a damn about Gao-Showan history or their culture, but public face is everything." Personally Yegorovich doesn't care about Gao-Showan people nir their history, in public he shows much support for them just to get a few votes, but in private he'd rather drink stail urine from an old woman's buttom than remain in the presence of a person of Gao-Showan decent.

At that point Minister of Defense Velimir Rostislavovich would walk through the door. "Ah, General Rostislavovich, It's nice to make your acquaintance." General Velimir Rostislavovich is a General in the Trigunian Army, elected by Yegorovich due to his skills in strategic planning and warfare. "Say, how many of those strategic bombers do we have still up and active?" General Rostilavovich would look down to his shoes and look back up at Yegorovich. "What's the matter Rostilavovich? What's wrong with my bombers?" Rostilavovich would answer," The entire strategic bomber wing had been grounded for 4 years now after of what i remember one of those bomber missing a runway due to engine failure." "And how about the Petrovgrad?", Yegorovich would question. Shaking his head, Rostilavovich would answer,"Under Refurbisment sir." Yegorovich looks at a map of Trigunia over the shoulder of Rostilavovich which would show the many location of Trigunian Military Bases and Strategic Missile Sites. His eyes would be centered on Petrovgrad on the Borzilov Naval Shipyard in Petrovgrad where the TNS-Petrovgrad is stationed and a new supercarrier is underconstruction.

"How's that new supercarrier project coming along?" Yegorovich would question whilst fiddling with a dart. "How's about we get that project to somehow, magically "Hurry up, We have work to do." He'd throw the dart onto the map, it would land onto the arctic.

[Zongxian]

23:47, Beonyeongsalm Palace, Gongmangdo, Dankuk

"It has my approval; we will move forward with all our goals as we planned in 3865." Emperor Choesun spoke from the head of a large conference table. Many seats were empty, but those present were with no doubt the figures with the most power in the Empire.

Vice President and Minister of National Defense Kang Hwanmu, with a soju glass in hand, happily remarked, "It is indeed the most greatest of fortunes that your son has wed the Tukarese Princess... we did not forsee that in 3865, but it will only serve to advance our interests even further, well beyond just Kazulia!" The Vice President raised his glass, signalling those in the room to join in a celebratory toast. "Gunbae!"

With the Princess in mind, Emperor Choesun refocused the room's discussion away from Kazulia. "Ahem, so on the point of my son's marriage... Aoi Sukarno. I think we've all found ourselves in agreement over the past few months when this has been discussed." The Emperor looks at the Vice President as he states, "some of you, I know, prefer a more direct approach. This is certainly on the table, but it could backfire on us... badly." He continued, "I've also been informed of other options. It is no secret that Aoi is rather content in Iglesia Mayor and he is very apathetic to politics and monarchy in general. However, this alone doesn't resolve the issue." In all seriousness, if we do decide against General Kang's direct approach, we need to carefully consider how to manage Aoi Sukarno. Either he produces no heirs or he gives up his titles to the next in line..."

The Imperial Prince Choeyun speaks up, "What is he now, twenty years old? With his father nearing his fifties, we still have time to observe this situation without jumping right to direct intervention. So long as they remain in Dankuk that is... We all know Kyuma Raharjo has been pressuring his son to return to Tukarali, but Aoi Sukarno has been very resistant. That alone is in our interest. We just need to figure out how to take his feelings to the next step..."

[Kubrick]

18:19, Central Command, Mort Iskendra, Occupied Zone, Cildania.

Three hundred and fifty seven days. If nothing happened he would be able to return home in exactly eight days. The grunts were lucky, their tours were only six months. His junior officers had to do nine months. But the supreme commander of the Vanukean contingent in Cildania? One year, then he would be replaced. Or rather, then he could go home for a month and his second-in-command would take over for that short period. Of course this only counted when no open conflict erupted. By now they were surrounded by hundreds of kilometers of Aheblun land so that chance would be small. But he knew better to test fate like that, Akim works in mysterious ways. "General," a voice spoke from behind him, "a direct message from Wiel." He turned and took the small note, scanning it with his eyes. A smile crept on his face, bugger you Akim, you always punish those of little faith. "Captain, on authority of the Prince the Prefect has authorized us to commence the direct involvement of Vanukean troops in the Cildanian War. Send out a notice to all officers to prepare their troops for an early march, revoke all leave and inform my wife I shall not return home." The Captain nodded and clacked his heels before storming off to do as he was told. General Husn Nasiv stared blankly at the map as a sense of uncertainty crept over him.

18:27, Chamber of the Cabinet-Council, Wiel, Vanuku.

They toasted and celebrated, together they would thwart the rise of evil and the first step towards a better world has been made today. Kezkai Olryzsrmo Skronores, the Director-General of the State Security Agency, had pointed them all in the right direction. He was ambitious, ruthless and far too smart for his own good but only that would get you the job of Director-General of the merciless SSA, the hard needed tool of their democracy. He was as true Vanukean, a patriot. His father had named him after the Khagan, since he was born on the day of abdication. His keen eyes had pointed out the true danger of what was happening in Cildania, the Cildanian Phalangites and the Kathurans were plotting to rebuild the long lost Qedarite Empire, and that wasn't good for Vanuku. That would never be good for Vanuku. The personal union between Barmenia and the "legitimate" royal government in Cildania was only the beginning of course. Soon other weak nations would follow, like blind fools following a man with a bell. The declaration of independence by the Hebileans was a good start, as long as the Qedarite "homeland" was thorn, they wouldn't threaten the Vanukean realm. But this State of Aheblun would fall, they were weaker and outnumbered. There was only one way, they had to give the order to intervene. Vanukeans and Hebileans, together against the Phalangites. Once they would fall, their Kingdom would fall. Only then would Vanuku be safe again from the treacherous nation of Barmenia.

[Maxington]

4:56 pm, Office of the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Dovani Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yurasov Square, Petrovgrad.

Robert Dyatlov First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Dovani Affairs is responsible for anything spoken about Trigunia and her interests in Dovani. Any that comes from Dovani must past through him. "Who does he think I am? Some whore in post war Belgae screwing over men for some free chocolates?" Dyatlov would dash the letter of invitation at the side of his desk. "Who is this "King Fredrik I" sounds like a name you give a dying dog.... Fredrik...." The phone would ring."Ah, Mr. Foreign Minister How are you?....Mhm....I have it all under control sir" Dyatlov would rang put the phone. Personally he doesn't care about Sambor Andreevich, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, he sees him as a man who traded fame for power, to be honest Dyatlov wants Andreevich's job. "Cocky idiot, blinded by his own stupidity,doesn't even see the power he has."

"Those Kazulians are out of their mind, restoring the monarchy and possibly abolishing the republic? Plus I have this Emperor Choesun person thinking he is the High King, I have enough in my platter right now." Dyatlov would sit down on his table, thinking whilst his Assistant Janna Valevach stood at the door, watching him. "Get the Deputy Minister of Defence for Security and Policy on the line, tell him i need to speak with him." Dmitriy Mishin, incumbent Deputy Minister of Defence for Security and Policy, a well-respected friend of Dyatlov since 3855. Valevach nodded twice before walk back to her cubicle to do as she was told. A few minutes later, Dmitriy Mishin, incumbent Deputy Minister of Defence for Security and Policy walks through the door of Dyatlov's office. "Ah, Dmitriy, How are you?" Patting Mishin's back he'd show Mishin to his seat. "So, as you know we have a bit a problem with Kazulia, their may abolish the republic with the coming of this new "King Fredrik" it's not gonna be good for business, many Trigunian based businesses are ready to pack their bags from Kazulia, we have assests in the Republic we can't afford to loss just because some government wants to bring back some old war horse, So i say you get a few of those Strategic Bombers to Kazulia to warn them." Mishin sits in the chair, looking at Dyatlov, after he had finished talking he'd speak,"Now, Robert you know I can't do that, the Minister of Defense will be curious of why grounded Strategic Bomber went back into service." Oh Please, I'll talk to him Dimitriy I'm sure we will turn a blind eye," Dyatlov would answer. With his 18 years as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

"But the Tsa...," Mishin would be halted by an immediate response from Dyatlov,"Think the Tsar's gonna be balls deep? Please Dmitriy, I'll talk to him and i know i can persuade him." Mishin would look at Dyatlov."Alright, I'll do it, just don't call my name when things get out of hand." Dyatlov would nod at Mishin." Thank you Dmitriy! It has been a pleasure to see you again." As Mishin walks out of his office Dyatlov would say," Bargaining has neither friends nor relations" (Benjamin Franklin)

[Maxington]

13:24, Office of the Chief of General Staff, Ministry of Defense, Yuraspv Square, Petrovgrad.

"Veronika, Get Admiral Sonin here, tell him i want to see him." Shouted General of the Army and Chief of General Staff of the Trigunian Armed Forces, Roman Demenok. General Roman Demenok is a highly decorated Officer of the Trigunian Armed Forces and is known for his ability to manipulate people into doing as he says. Admiral Iyeremey Sonin, Commander-in-chief of the Trigunian Navy and Former Commander of the Trigunian contingent in Cildania during the Cildanian Civil War and close ally of Demenok. "I want to hear Admiral Sonin's say on this." Soon after, Admiral Sonin walked through the door of the Office, he salutes to General Demenok and General Demenok salutes back towards Admiral Sonin. "Admiral I have a question for you, now seeing that you were promoted from Vice-Admiral to Admiral after your work in Cildania I am sure you have knowledge of decision making?" Admiral Sonin would look at Gneral Demenok,"Yes sir, I do i was a member of the Trigunian Navy Strategic Planning Committee."

General Demenok's face would light up with a smile, with an unsure voice he'd say, “Do you think we should have pulled out of Cildania?"Admiral Sonin would be stunned, “Sir, As an Admiral i would say it was the right thing to do, but as a citizen i would say we shouldn't have because the Ahmadi's are now fighting the Indrala Force and Dorvish Forces, plus Vanuku is helping some Hebilian Apostolic Army the Cildanians might be overwhelmed sir." General Demenok would fiddle with his finger, as old habit he adapted when he was thinking. "We had to pull them out of there, they were getting slaughtered... I mean we could have finished the job and just bum rush into Hadiik-Mijidill but it was time for those boys to come home, they'd been gone for over 8 years." General Demenok would sit in his chair, watching Sonin."Hell, if I could have used one of our nukes i would have done it, just to end that stupid war."

"Neither the Minister of Defense nor the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Majatran Affairs want to send more Aid to the Cildanians, They've left them for dead." General Demenok would stand up from his chair and pace around the office, Admiral Sonin would watch his every move. "Here's what right, Get me a Cargo Ship from one of those Shipping Companies and load it with 3,000 tons of Supplies like food, bandages, clothing, you know the necessities and on the report for the Harbourmaster, I want you to say that the cargo ship is heading to Majatra, And have the crew signal a distress at the Sea of Lost Souls to make it seems as though they are lost at sea even though they did not pass through the Sea of the Lost Souls. That is the distraction, that will by them time to unload the supplies in Cildania whilst the search party looks for them in the Sea of Lost souls." General Demenok would smirk at his idea.

Admiral Sonin would leave the office to go about his given orders from General Demenok.

[Maxington]

08:34, Trigunian Strategic Command, Ministry of Defence,Yurasov Square, Petrovgrad
"Ah..Major-General Gilyov,"said General Yuliy Chaly, Commander-In-Chief of the Trigunian Army. "Have a seat Major-General." Major General Yegor Gilyov, an Officer Trigunian Strategic Command, General Chely does not know the man but he suspects that he is very powerful in the Trigunian Strategic Command due to his rank. "Major-General Giyov salutes to General Chaly before sitting down. General Giyov sat in his chair, his feet crisscrossed on top of his desk, his body relaxed into his chair. "Tell me, how is Project Baba Yaga going?" Major-General Giyov would lean forward in his chair, a stirn look would cover his face. "That is classified information General, I cannot disclose this." General Chaly would look at Major-General Gilyov with a face of confusion. "Classified information? You listen to me...And you listen to me good....I can turn you into a Private in a matter of hours, Would you like that Major-General? Or Private Gilyov i should say?" Major-General Gilyov would smile and clap to General Chaly for he has shown that he will do any and everything to get his way. "What are you laughing at, your life is basically screwed from now on," said General Chaly. "I do not think so General."

From the door come four men in black suits. As they enter the room, Major-General Gilyov would begin to remove his clothing, unveiling a black suit similar to those of the four men at the door. Inserting a headpiece into his ears Major-General Gilyov would reveal his real credentials. "Colonel Adam Sultanov, State Security Directorate, It seems General that you have been in a couple "bad doings" might you say?" General Chaely with a dumbfounded face would say,"What is the meaning of this!?" Colonel Sultanov would respond,"Oh..General...Your intelligence and self awareness seems to be dull," One of the four men at the door,Sergeant Nikifor Datsishin steps forward,removing a silenced Ja-46 (MP-443) the holster inside his suit jacket. Pointing the nozzle directly at the centre of General Chaly's Forehead.

Colonel Sultanov would pour himself a glass of water and then speak,"General Yuliy Chal, you have been charged with High Treason, Espionage, Corruption and Money Laundering, which is punishable by death, I hereby sentence you to your punishment," Colonel Sultanov would gesture a toast to the General. As He lowers his hand from the toast, Sergeant Datsishin would release 4 shots into General Chaly's head, inducing a killing blow. As the blood seeps down from the wound on General Chaly's head, Colonel Sultanov pours the remainder of his water on the wound and mutters,"Corruption in this nation is nothing but a sign of selfish people who live in our majority." Colonel Sultanov and his men would leave the room, walking out of the building as members of the Strategic Command, scramble past them to General Chaly's Office where bloody is seen seeping out of the office door.

[Kubrick]

11:41, office of Commander M. Veldhuyzen, twenty-first floor, headquarters of the State Security Agency, Wiel, Vanuku.

His bony finger tapped the cassette tape. "And you are sure they did not find our devices, Lieutenant?" he said as he raised his head towards the young officer standing in front of his walnut desk. The man shook his head. "No, sir, if they had found it we would have known. But there's always the chance that they will find it." The elder Commander nodded a few times, as if approving the words the cadet spoke. "Then that is a risk we must live with, Lieutenant. A shame though, I was always keen to hear the words General Chaly muttered in our unknown presence." He smiled wryly, the young officer smiled back politely. He's a good kid, Veldhuyzen thought, he'll climb the floors in this building. "Now, dismissed, Lieutenant. Update me when complications arise, in the meanwhile make sure we get new ears in the Trigunian Strategic Command." The young officer inclined his head and left the office.

The Commander stared at the cassette. The execution of the commander-in-chief of the Trigunian army in his own office was a dire proceeding. Yet outside Trigunia nobody knew about it. Thirty seconds of audio on that tape comprise the entire trial of this corrupt General. It's a shame the Trigunian Directorate of State Security had been so diligent in rooting out the supposed corruption. Alas, a new target could be found. Commander Veldhuyzen grabbed the tape and put it in the small safe below his desk.

OOC: I hope you don't mind a little spying, Maxington.