Saint HeleneBoard

The internal politics of the Cadetist Front were progressively more and more fractured, as the self-proclaimed "technoprometheans" were starting to contest more and more the leadership of the "defense forces" to the more "moderate" Karborists.

When it came to foreign politics, the cadetists were divided between two choices: aligning with the League of the Willing, or with the Sibylline Confederacy. The karborist "old guard" was in favor of taking part in the League, which provided the perspective of a military alliance that would respect Merilian autonomy, and the deals they made with Pandoska and Fujiwara Tochi this perspective. The "young guard", however, the self-styled technoprometheans, were vastly more in favor of joining the Confederacy. They had both ideological and geopolitical reasons to do so.

The Cadetists had strong ties to Great Jenovah due to the cadet king in exile, Johan II, and due to having deployed auxiliaries in Fletteland. They were more prone to align on the foreign politics of the Peninsular Empire as a result. Even among the Karborists, some feared the Peninsular Empire could react strongly if the cadetists decided to break their alliance. Some others, especially in the circle of Bondarev and Kozlov, knew about the Jenovachi promise to provide the merilian purple forces with the Yugobatanian Manticore biological weapons. With Jenovah soon leaving the League, even the most moderates understood they could be forced to follow suit. But it would also mean the scales would tip even more in favor of the Technopromethean conspirators of the Purple Army and the Kombinats.

When it came to mutual aid, the Cadetists were also keenly aware of the fact the confederacy was geographically closer to Merilia, and therefore could more easily help a potential Cadetist government crush internal rebellions. They doubted the ability of the league to do the same - the Sumori "events" threw the league sycophants into quite a disarray -, and with its ever democratizing tendency, they started to realize it may not be the ally they were looking for. Many Cadetists also understood they were more useful in the hands of the Confederacy as a Sibylline wedge into the Saldanha, while some members of the league - the britannians and the lunghayuns - appeared to seek some sort of appeasement between both factions.

Ideologically, the Technoprometheans additionally felt more connection with the Jenovachi nation - its cyber-positive, techno-utopian nature, coupled with its planned economy and its aristocratic values. They shared their view of building something "bigger", going beyond national borders. Merilia had to take its place as a cog of a new world or would perish. The Confederacy could provide Merilia with such a role.

Finally, the matter of the Seissish coastal provinces held by multiple league and SSTO members was used as a weapon against the Karborists by the Technoprometheans. Cadetists kept buried deep in their hearts and minds the dream of Panmerilianism and an uncontested Merilian corridor between the two gulfs of the Saldanha and the Seissmeer. The imperialist colonies that existed in west Merilia had to go.

Following very tense internal negotiations, it was decided that the cadetist front would officially send envoys to the Confederacy, and ask what would be the modalities of a Merilian membership. At the same time, King Johan II himself made clear his intentions of sharing his concerns with the Peninsular Empire, "to seek guidance in those troubled times". At the same time, envoys would also be sent to Pandoska, a nation that had ties to Merilia while being also a full member of the League.

“Breaker, breaker, this is Serpent-Reaper-One-Six-Six, Charlie-Dog Actual do you read me? Over.”

“Serpent-Reaper-One-Six-Six, this is Charlie-Dog Actual we read you loud and clear. Whaddya need today? Over.”

“Charlie-Dog I need an update on aerial traffic in sector Tuesday-Seven-O. Over.”

“Serpent this is Charlie-Dog. You're lookin’ all clear except for some civilian air traffic off the coast a couple hundred miles. What aircraft are you flying today? ‘Cause I don't see nothin’ on radars. If you don't mind hangin’ around a second I'll tune it so I got it on the right frequency, I don't know how it got dialed up. Over.”

“No need Charlie-Dog, y’aint s’pposed to see me. Over.”

“Serpent-Reaper-One-Six-Six I ain't sure I understand your meaning? Over.”

“You will in a second.”

…

“This is Charlie-Dog Actual to Serpent-Reaper-One-Six-Six. Are you done transmitting? Please report. Over.”

The lone AWACS aircraft flies above the Inland Sea. No aircraft in sight for miles.

“Serpent-Reaper-One-Six-Six, this is Charlie-Dog Actual please respond. Over.”

In the cockpit of the CDAM-3 AWACS plane, the pilot looks out onto the horizon. He sees nothing in the skies.

Suddenly a black mass appears at the left corner of his cockpit window. His heart jumps into his throat, he quickly looks over at the mass. What he sees completely baffles him.

“This is Charlie-Dog Actual. Is that you Serpent-Reaper-One-Six-Six? Over.”

“Roger that Charlie-Dog. Over.”

“What in the hell is that thing?”

“I can't tell ya, but I'm sure you'll get a kick outta this.”

The black aircraft, which itself looks more like a spaceship than a conventional aircraft, slowly begins to pull away from the CDAM-3. The pilot of the CDAM watches as two low burning engine exhausts come into view. The aircraft is very odd, with 2 inward slanted vertical stabilizers, and a long, narrow, flat shape to the fuselage. The aircraft is almost all black, the only other color being a red trim around the midsection.

“What in the hell is that?”

“Charlie-Dog, thanks for the help! Over.”

The black obscure looking aircraft accelerates more and more, pulling away from the CDAM-3 faster and faster. As it becomes faster, the sound of what are clearly its jet engines overtake the roar of the CDAM’s propellers. Suddenly, the engines begin to produce a bright orange glow and the black jet rockets off into the distance, accelerating faster than anything the AWACS pilot has ever seen.

“Holy sh*t…”

1100 hours, February 9th, 2024
Conference Hall, Konstaht Palace, Konstaht

“Thank you all for attending this press briefing.”

The noise of the reporters in the room quiet down, only the sound of a few crisp camera shutters echo.

A man in a well-pressed M51 dress uniform stands behind a wooden podium on a stage. He removes his cowboy hat and sets it on the podium next to the microphone.

“At this time the Emnarian government would like to announce decisions upon matters regarding the currently unfolding internal conflicts in the formerly unified nation of Merilian Plains.

Three days ago we received aerial reconnaissance photos from Operational Sector Tuesday-Seven-Zero. These pictures made us aware of the state of civilian life in the country. After thorough investigation, and discussion with military planners, a decision to, in a limited capacity, involve Emnarian forces in peacekeeping operations has been made.

The claimed territories of multiple warlords host themselves within rural regions of Merilia. These warlords have neglected the well-being of civilians, and there is more-than-reasonable belief that if this behavior is allowed to persist, the livelihood of innocent civilians may be threatened.

In discussion with our Emperor Wilhelm I yesterday, it has been decided that to protect civilians in rural areas of Merilia, who have greater difficulty procuring necessary provisions for daily life, the Emnarian military must step in to aid in protecting commonly traveled roads and supply lines. This peacekeeping mission is hoped to help rural Merilia catch up with more urban centers once the internal conflicts there have settled. It is also in the interest of Emnaria to support a well-organized, and capable government to control those territories once the peacekeeping mission has ended. Considering the current parties within Merilia, the Loyalists have been deemed the most capable of running a government to protect those regions; and they will be entrusted once Emnarian forces have left, to maintain a good standard of living for Merilian civilians in those regions.

Considering the heavily armed nature of the local warlords, the Imperial High Command has deemed it inevitable that Emnarian military forces will engage in conflict with the local warlords. However, this has been deemed a necessary price to pay so innocent civilians may be protected.

Food, water, tools, vehicles, and construction supplies will be shipped over to the Operation Sector by the Emnarian military, and they will be given to rural communities to help develop the region and improve quality of life. Larger projects such as water pipelines and smaller localized airports are planned, to hopefully open smaller communities to the rest of Merilia. The most important project is the development of roads, where highways will be built and back roads will be improved, to allow for easier commute.

However, these projects cannot be pursued until the regions in question are secured from militant warlords in the area. Which is why it is necessary that a contingent of 90,000 soldiers, 6 divisions, will be sent to secure the sector.

Thank you, I will be taking questions now.”

The reporters in the room erupt with questions.

“Why does Emnaria feel it is necessary to aid Merilian civilians?”

“We feel it is in the best interest of Emnaria to help innocent people everywhere, and to prove Emnaria no longer supports its own selfish interests of territorial expansion, but rather to maintain peace and stability in the world.”

“Has the military made contact with these Loyalists?”

“As of right now, we wish to get a hold of them to negotiate an accord. But, the information presented to you today all results from planning solely in the high command.”

Then the most difficult question came.

“How did you obtain these intelligence photos? Merilia is a whole continent away.”

The Colonel stood there. Thinking about every little detail of what he would say. The sweat began to drip down his brow.

“I cannot disclose how we obtained these photos. I intend to protect the identity of those in Merilia who have helped us.”

He let out a heavy sigh. Crisis. Averted.

Regarding concerns raised in relation to currently ongoing LOTW operations in Merilia. Emnaria's independent operations there are not in conjunction with other currently ongoing LOTW operations.

Today the rain woke me up. The wind blew it so hard I thought someone was pounding on my window. Awoken and not ready to accept the morning light, I pulled out my SAOMAU(TM) smartphone and browsed SAOMAO HUB(TM). At the top of my feed I saw there was a new milk tea shop that had opened near my apartments. I had been curious about the brown paper covering the window and had thought it would be another stationary shop. A new pen would be nice.... The irresistible call of nature forced me to throw aside my down comforter and rush to the restroom..... why is the bidet so much colder in the mornings?

I brush my teeth and changed putting on my tohai (sandals) and rain coat. Exiting my apartment I checked the bubbling clouds in the sky. Dark grey wisps past overhead revealing bouncing white puffballs. The rain stopped. Naively I put down my umbrella leaving it by the door. I locked up and walked down the four flights of stairs into the courtyard. A brisk walk and I was on the commercial avenue below. I waved hello to the gaochoi Autie and dimsum uncles while I caught the electric tram that stopped a block away. I tapped my phone on the SAOMAU PAY(TM) spot as the tram whisked me away. Two stops later and I hopped off.

Standing their glowing in front of me, the brand new milk tea store, windows full of light and advertisements. Fruit teas of every kind and their 'famous' cheese cap milk foam tea with black sugar tapioca boba pearls. My excitement took a slap to the face as I noticed the line flowing from the front door. WHY IS EVERY MILK TEA PLACE SO CROWDED. I screamed in my head. The allure of sweet and salty milk tea steeled my weary heart as I stood in line. Time seemed to slow as the line crept forward. Soft opening troubles no doubt. I sighed looking up at the darkening sky. A single drop of water bounced off my nose, the another and another... Why did I leave my umbrella at home?? The sky unleashed its fury as the people waiting in line took out their umbrellas fully prepared.

In front of me a young lady struggled to open her umbrella. "Do you need some help with that?" I offered. She nodded and passed me the umbrella which I popped open somewhat easily. The large yellow umbrella had white lace all around the edge and white polka dots. She thanked me and asked if I wanted to share the umbrellas protection. I accepted without hesitation. We made small talk about the rain and our chat shifted into conversation as we shared our excitement for the milk tea. She said she's tried every milk tea shop in the Saijia District and marked them all on MAOMaps(TM) making notes on everything he tried. We talked and talked and the time melted away. We were served our milk teas and we found a spot inside to sit and talk about our tea. She said the cheese foam cap was just salty enough but the 60% sweetness was too sugary. I told her I thought the brown sugar was what made it too sweet for her and she laughed forgetting she ordered the black sugar tapioca boba. We exchanged SAUMAO Place(TM) usernames and became SAUPals(TM). She asked me if I wanted to meet up again to try another milk tea shop. I agreed and she smiled... a smile sweeter than the black sugar in my drink, warmer than freshly made tapioca boba...

She waved goodbye and walked away with her yellow polka dot umbrella.

It is still raining....

Why did I put back my umbrella?

Canineian Command Camp, Outside Sjeerdal, Fletteland
The Canineian camp set up outside the Flettish Capital was only that, a camp. A small settlement set up in a field surrounded by a wire held up with wooden posts, powered by massive Biodiesel generators and populated by a mixture of cloth buildings and shipping containers. The Canineians were there to clean up Fletteland similar to what they had done in Osaka. Which was why the camp was very underdefended much to the dismay of General Bellfield, who now was in the middle of an active warzone.

Despite peace talks and deals the Jenovachi still attack Fletteland, sparking international condemnation and retaliatory strikes from allied forces. However, she was not there to help with that, she was simply the Trash Dog, gathering all sorts of rubbish from overflowing landfills and shipping it back to Canineia. Although she had taken a battalion for protection of the Canineians, 120 troops would not be enough against a full enemy assault. Despite pleading with Canidae Harbour for Anti-Missile weaponry the Senate would not grant it believing that the Solarian and SSTO forces would have sufficient defences to at least cover the Canineians as they move towards the ports. The General was under strict orders to issue Protocol 13 if any invasion were to take place, to defend the lives of the majority non-combat Canineians.

The only thing the Security Council sent the General was a Medical Corps Colonel and some emergency vehicles, to show good faith.

The General sat in the command tent having just got off the phone with Admiral Hampton, who told her the bad news that the Senate would not be committing anymore resources to the Flettish Operations especially so soon after the recent Jenovachi attack.

That’s when Colonel McVenison walked in, the newest arrival to the Camp.

“What is it Colonel” The General asked rubbing her eyes

“I was letting you know that I’m about to go meet with some of the Flettish first responders, see what they have to deal with here” The Colonel spoke

The General looked at them with annoyance.

“Didn’t General Redwater tell you NOT to do that? ARFI is telling me that anyone could be a spy and there’s you going to meet with firefighters”

“Why would the Jenovachi disguise themselves as firefighters?”

“I Don’t know” The General sighs “Look go speak to Captain Wolfer he’s got an ARFI officer with him, they’ll go with you”

“Thank you General” The Colonel leaves

The General puts her head on her desk and sighs more

“I really need to get myself whiskey”

A lone XSUAHM-59C flies low across the Merilian Steppe. It flies just high enough to stay above the clouds of dust it kicks up. The helicopter is painted a matte black, different from the standard gray or olive drab of the IEM. It is a peculiar sight, an Emnarian helicopter in the middle of Merilia.

The helicopter flies for hours, its cargo highly secretive. The soldiers on board the helicopter have been sitting in it for 28 hours. The 3 pilots on board have been taking 8 hour shifts flying. Nobody inside is in any way, shape, or form comfortable. The infamous vibrations caused by the main rotor shake the fuselage constantly.

0700 hours, February 17th, 2024
68 miles from Rezicanesti, Merilia, North Osea

Inside the cockpit of the UAHM, the pilot, 25 year old Benjamin Harris, sits at the controls. He does his best to stay aware, he becomes so desperate he starts questioning why glass is see-through. Suddenly, the RWR indicator comes on, the high pitch ringing of the RWR audible awareness indicator and the flashing red warning light quickly startle him. He grabs the aircraft intercomm set, “Brace, brace, brace!”

Harris drops the helicopter to just 20 feet above the ground, a challenging maneuver for the young pilot. The RWR silences itself. He levels out the helicopter, and waits for the RWR to scream at him again. He waits, but it never comes on. They fly once quietly once again, the sprawling grassland filling the pilot's view.

0730 hours, February 17th, 2024
12 miles from Rezicanesti, Merilia

The helicopter managed to fly undetected the rest of the journey, likely thanks to the stealth modifications it received for this mission (the “XS” part of the XSUAHM-59C designation). The men on board exit the helicopter, they immediately observe their surroundings, looking for anything suspicious, a hole in the rocky terrain, a random car or shed. The helicopter is hidden behind a rock formation which forms a sort of protected half-circle. A man in black leather cowboy boots, distinguishing him as an officer in contrast to the brown cowboy boots of the other soldiers, hops down from the side door of the helicopter. With each heavy step he takes, the gravel crunches beneath his feet, creating puffs of gray dust around his boots. Simultaneously, the jingling of his heavy metal spurs fills the air.

As he slowly walks forwards, the rest of the men stop and look at him, as if waiting for something. He looks each of them in the eyes, the wrinkles around his eyes creasing from his squint; some look confused, some harbor a wild look in their eyes, ready to do anything. The officer in the black boots stands there, still, his face stone cold, hiding what he's thinking. The brim of his black felt cowboy hat just barely clears his line of sight. His mouth twitches only slightly as he puffs on a cigarette. He reaches into the left breast pocket of his flak jacket, pulling out a small silver watch. He flips it open and looks at it for a second, closing it and storing it in the pocket once again. He then grabs the cigarette and tossed it on the ground, breathing out a cloud of smoke.

His chapped lips, as if breaking a century old seal, open. In a deep, rough voice he says, “I reckon we're here boys.”

The men stare into his eyes, trying to figure out what he's thinking, but as usual his face hides all emotion. He unclips the flap on his holster, and withdraws his pistol. He tilts the gun and racks the slide, watching the chamber as it loads a round. He looks up once again… “Merilia.”

He walks ahead of the group, they watch as he passes. Without a word, he begins to walk up the gradual slope, covered in small pieces of gravel. It doesn't look like something that's been crushed by a machine, it looks natural. As he begins to walk off, the rest of the squad begins to follow him.

1127 hours, February 17th, 2024
2 miles from Rezicanesti, Merilia

The squad of men lay stop the gray stone cliff. It overlooks a narrow, but well traveled paved road. The officer looks over at a man to his left, “Stevens, you got the box?”

The soldier responds quickly, “yessir.”

The officer hands him a piece of paper, “put it in.”

The soldier opens the wooden box and puts the slip of paper inside.

1842 hours, February 17th, 2024

It's been hours. The men lay there, waiting for any vehicle to come by. Just as the officer opens his jacket pocket to retrieve a cigarette, he hears a low rumbling around the corner, “everyone shut up.”

A small cabover box truck rounds the corner. The truck screeches to a halt, almost hitting the box. The officer watches as the driver gets out. He walks over to the box and examines it. After a good minute or so, he picks it up and rattles it around. The officer watches as the driver opens the box to find the paper. After looking at it for a second, the driver's eyes widen, and he quickly runs and climbs into the box truck. The engine whines as the truck quickly accelerates, shifting through several gears as it speeds up. The road is empty once again.

The officer slowly crawls back from the ledge. He gets up into a squatting position and carefully looks around the terrain. The group is filled with nothing but the emptiness of silence, emptiness, yet it leaves room in their minds for anticipation, suspense. The officer quietly says to the group, “alright, let's move out.”

The group crawls back just as their officer did, and follows him away…

Contents of the note:

“This is addressed to any person(s) in a commanding role in the Merilian group known as the Loyalists.

The information we wish to present you must remain confidential. We cannot disclose who we are in this note, nor how we know each other, nor the reason for this note. Please tune into frequency 148.755 on any long distance VHF radio between the hours of 1300 and 1900.”

The sound of machinery drummed on in the background the factory floor was loud with the sound of work. Here they were build the body of the new Paladin class jet fighter. The body of the plane itself was interesting design, interesting not in a very complex and requiring far more man hours then a plane of its size should, more in relatively simplicity of it. Each part had been angled and fitted in such away to reduce radar reflection though it wasn’t truly the body that gave the plane it’s stealth ability. That part was the series of advance chemical costings that was one of the final steps Of manufacturing such an aircraft. It was for the price alone one of the best fifth generation aircraft in the far east currently still in production. Yet perhaps some many qualifying statements gave away much, after all the design for the majority of the plane was not kingdoms in origin, but Germanic. Though many components from the radar to the operating system was British in nature it had been an Germen design team who had come up with design which had been initially rejected by the AGU government. Yet the kingdoms had seen the potential in the platform and after what little involuntary technology sharing had produced the British Knight, which was for a time the best fighter the British had built... It was clearly time to go to the source. The plane itself was heads and shoulders above what Yemetian had field last year in Second Mysorean Yemetian war, though only two early models would see combat, with them being used in destruction of Listovian rebel AA the plan attributes had been proven a wise decision. Yet with further wars on the horizon and the now Selvennic union a friend the kingdoms had other threats to fights. These threats had in one way or another been a threat to the kingdoms for merely three years.

Starting back to when the Shah war fleet headed for Greenwich, and the humiliating defeat as well as peace had followed for the kingdoms. Backed by the goths, the kingdoms had tried at first to drive a wedge between them and the Shah this failed. Even with the destruction of the Shah realm the rise of the league to a dominate Useona power the kingdoms remained fix upon the gothic threat. It was a such an unpleasant surprise to find out when joining the league how favourably they looked upon the goths and their vassals in the SC. The kingdoms would have to change this. With the painful slow departure of Jenovah the kingdoms had been so close to handing the first defeat to the goths. The jenovahian departure would see much of the gothic influence thrown out, and though the league would remain most likely friendly they would not at least out right join them. Kingdom influence within media would help spread the word of the atrocities that both the goths and Jenovah would commit, thought it’s affect would be small it would help dissuade an alliance between the league and SC. Yet as the newest model of Paladin left the assembly line it was clear who their main foe would be.

Codenamed the TU16 by British intelligence and armed forces, this Great Jenovah fighter was clearly sixth generation designed for close combat against other sixth generation fighter. Limited SSTO combat data in the flettland war had shown it had good stealth, great integration with drone systems, and a wine to shoot down due to its agility and plentiful decoys. It had done a number on SSTO fighters yet the kingdoms had found flaws in it’s design and use with new simulation tech they were able to test their pilots and machines against the TU16, despite higher losses it was clear the kingdoms stood a chance. But only with the paladin the previous knight class which was a half way decent decoy and little else when fighting the TU16. So the kingdoms began to prepare, as the first hundred batch of paladins left their noisy factory, British pilots were quick to gain experience on this new platform. Yet it was not just the RAF seeing the sweet fruit of this year military investment. As a few destroyers dropped anchors for the first time, the Army was the section filled with the most glee. From the 300,000 new faces in their ranks, and already the hundreds new tracked machines, the British army was roaring into the 21st century finally as a truly mechanised force. As new APCs, IFVs, tanks, and Artillery rumbled off the factory floor and right into the hands of their assigned regiments. Parades and wargames was soon all these new units could do. Minster of War Harrison was determined to install, pride, discipline, and unity in these new units. Even as dark storm clouds gathered in the north, the kingdoms would be ready for the coming war. Yet would it stand alone?

Fujiwara and the kingdoms, both had been bitter enemies over a century ago. The kingdoms had fallen far from its height of empire, and Fujiwara had rose, faltered, and strode to a new height. Now both had something in common a growing northern threat on Fusea. While this threat had been contained to merely the north of the continent saber rattling at Dieteger and Fletteland while trying to expand it’s diplomatic influence neither nation cared much for it. Yet with a now growing air force, navy and Territorial control it was clear that they were becoming a threat. As Fujiwara own fleet expansion would soon see it become the fourth strongest naval power in the far east, it was not too pleased with a power stealing it’s hard own position. This is were the kingdoms stepped in.

The kingdoms and Fujiwara Tochi had been drifting closer together ever since the end of the 19th century and with the kingdoms isolation and neutrality ending at the start of the 21st had seen ties grow stronger. A plan would be floated to marry a member of Fujiwara household to the previous dishonoured king child. That previous king brother to the current king Edward had after his abduction met the fate of a socialist bullet on distant shores... Or well that was the agreed upon lie by most. The child mother had disappeared soon after it’s birth leaving the child all alone in the world, yet the royal family still protected their own. Brought back to the kingdoms now king Edward sore this child as a much needed heir as if himself or Victoria stayed childless this child would be what carried on their family legacy. Yet this meeting between heads of state would beat fruit more then just a future marriage to bind the two family’s together. With the northern Fusea threat still clear as the Fujiwara state would be courted to join the kingdoms coalition against the hostile Jenovah influence who’s tendrils had spread unchecked for too long. Yet even with that signed and done for now the kingdoms had others to reach out too.

The kingdoms despised the fusean fascist movement and disliked the communist as well, yet desperate times created strange bed fellows in this time of crisis. Room 404 would reach out via old merchant contacts, flettish resistance cells and what ever criminal contacts the Imperial Cooperation and associates were willing to burn. An offer would be floated to both rebel originations within Jenovah, when the time came the kingdoms would give both groups arms and ammunition to do with what they wanted in return for what ever intelligence they had agasint their common Jenovahian foes. This would not be trigged yet but could prove useful if a war drew close and the kingdoms needed information, as pulling such a trigger would see within a month war between both nations as there was no were that such a massive injection of equipment would go not noticed. Yet that time was once again not now, the kingdoms for now would keep their powder dry and merely watch from the shadows and wait.