A Storm in the Channels (IC Thread)

[Daitō]

Loi-pwi, Vax Republic
31 km southeast of Treng
04:54 AM

   It was a quiet morning, Ko Arkar thought as he stood at his post near the southern entrance to the village. Too quiet, in fact. Some of the old timers, the folks who had actually fought in the war, back in the 70s, would've called it the "calm before the storm", and they'd be right. Just a few hours ago, his unit, a part of the VNA—the Vax National Army—had received word that the Kalasinese had voted for independence, which left several disputes along the border now both unresolved and likely to be pressed. Loi-pwi sat in the middle of one of those "disputes", though Ko knew that if the Kalasinese were going to press their claims, they'd likely try to annex the entire country as they had back in '78. And that's why he was here. He had wanted to sign on back in 2017, during the revolution, to protect his home but had been rejected due to his age, yet now, six years later, it seemed he was going to be called on to do so anyways. But for now, he and his comrades had to hurry up and wait.

   Every so often, the silence would be broken up by a few locals who had already been stirred from their sleep; it may have been early, but they were out in the sticks, so it figured that someone would be doing farm work or whatever it was they did out here. Every time, the nineteen-year-old soldier would jump a little, thinking that perhaps the Kalasinese were upon him, only to realize his mistake a few moments later. This would continue on and on repeatedly from three in the morning until now, and unless he could get a grip, it would probably continue until the fog cleared. Of course, he had every reason to be nervous; if the Kalasinese attacked now, they would be cut off from any support, as the Union government would need to either fly or drive all the way across Kalasinese territory to reach them, something which they quite probably didn't have the chance to do. He would say a little prayer that peace would hold, but part of him knew that it couldn't.

   Just then, off in the distance, he spotted what looked like a pair of headlamps and heard a motor approaching from the border. Perhaps it was just a scouting party which was returning, but part of him feared the worst. He raised his rifle, an old Kalashnikov which had been "liberated" from a PKA barracks back in 2017 and spoke up.
   "What is approaching?" He said, issuing a challenge to their would-be trespasser as the vehicle drew close.
   "The new day, brother." The driver said, his voice familiar to Corporal Arkar. What he had said was correct, so he would wave him on.
   "Welcome home." He said with a nod before the car drove on. He was right. By some stroke of mercy, it was a scouting party. A few moments would pass as the car parked a few houses down and the group aboard would disembark, some heading further into the town to their command post while the driver, a man by the name of Pyae Sein, walked over to him. "Anything new?" Ko asked him when he reached him, leaning against the sandbags.
   "Nothin' yet. Not even the local gangs are daring to go out now." Pyae replied. "With all that's happened, they must be scared."
   "Shouldn't we all be?"
   "I suppose, and that's alright. Fear makes you cautious, and it's better to be careful than to get yourself killed, I say."
   "Fair enough." Ko said with a nod. "Anyways, you ought to get some rest, it's gonna be a long day."

[Daitō]

Uthai Sot Missile Base, Kalasin
81 km south of Phimal
11:13 AM

   It was unbelievable, thought Sergeant Alak Kaouthai as he patrolled the perimeter of the base, that it had come to this. Not that Kalasin had seceded; that much, he was unsurprised by and genuinely supported. No, what was unbelievable was that a few of his men didn't, and that they had gone AWOL shortly after the declaration was made. He couldn't see why they would throw their lives away instead of serving their nation. That they would be more loyal to the government in Ranong, to the bastards who had sold out his people to the Daitōjin... They made their choice, and because of that, if he saw them again, he'd be sure to give them their "reward" for that loyalty. As for himself, he, like many of the "Old Guard", still clung to the idea of a free, independent Kalasin, even if there were some who were... more radical than him. Some in his unit were like him, wishing only to see the country be free, perhaps in time even restoring a positive relationship with the Paechonese. Others, however, wanted nothing other than revenge. Not just on their neighbors to the south, but to their Daitōjin allies who had destroyed the People's Republic. And to think, more of those hardliners were being welcomed back with each passing day.

   Uthai Sot was one of many homes of the Kalasinese Missile Forces, where some of its Scud missiles and its renowned Chaychna 3s were being stored. They were originally scheduled to be dismantled, but until that time, some higher-up must've thought it wise to keep them ready, just in case war was to come. Now, with those extremists coming back, Alak couldn't help but feel a shiver go down his spine, even in this immense heat. If they were to go rogue... The consequences would be horrific. From what he knew, anything within somewhere around 4,100 km or so could be a target, far enough to reach into Ardia or, from their current location, parts of western Tamora. He could only hope, then, that his fears wouldn't come true.

   After a short while, Alak would stop by a small, metal shed, where a couple of his fellow soldiers were crowded around a radio. Apparently, the news was on, some broadcaster from up in Pattani, and based on the body language of those listening, it wasn't good news.
   "...Union forces attempted to arrest President Rangsitpol on charges of treason and sedition, but were repulsed by the loyal soldiers of the Presidential Guard..." the radio said as he passed by. As he heard those words, he stopped dead in his tracks as his hope for a peaceful resolution disappeared, at least for now. His only hope now was that whatever fighting that was to come would be brief. After looking around a moment, he would resume his patrol.

[Achkaerin]

This wasn't Serenity's first rodeo but it was her first as commander in chief, stepping into the Round Table Room of the Marble Palace still drying her hair after her attempts at diving, looking around the table she took a deep breath before taking her seat "Adam?" Serenity asked turning her attention to the Minister of Defence, Adam Sheppard
"At sometime between 10 and 11am VMT Union forces operating under direct order of President Kaikaew attempted to arrest Minister-President Rangsitpol." Adam said "It was repulsed, death toll is reported as six union soldiers and one presidential guard with several union soldiers in the wind. Not the most helpful development."
"You think war is inevitable?" Serenity asked
"I think a civil war is getting closer I think an awful lot will depend on what happens next, what moves are made, there's also the other question." Adam said glancing at Rion Ayanami
"For an armed secession to have a chance of success it needs a few things to go its way." Rion said "Given the very likely probability of international attention the separatist faction needs some sort of deterrent. Rangsitpol initiated a legislative procedure which he presumably knew would not be binding and is inviting a response, what card is he holding? What does he think he's got that is going to make it too much trouble?"
"Find out." Serenity said "Military response?"
"That's with the Admiral." Adam said
"Your Majesty." Admiral Joseph Stapleton said standing up and indicating the wall screen "As you know the Matilda's is the most vital waterway on Mundus, any crisis around there is going to be problematic and have ripples further afield. the INS Rhyth Icerider is currently en route back to Gowu from Portworth, it's in the eastern Krimeon at present we're recommending that it be diverted into the area, we also have the INS Excalibur, INS Fawn Azurewind and INS Saix in the Kyne we're again recommending diverting them into the area, that gives us a small versatile group monitoring the situation."
"How far out are they?" Serenity asked
"Twelve hours." the Admiral said "We also have the INS Specula in the Kyne which is days out but we want to move her towards the area just in case."
"We're also recommending the Seonaid Ayanami's CSG be moved into the Kyne just as a precaution, if this escalates and we're looking at peacekeeping probabilities we'll want stuff in train ready to go." Adam said 
"Do it." Serenity said "Elena if this becomes a case of boots on the ground, we're going to need an article seven debate slot."
"I'll keep a floating session on the order papers." Elena Brooke the Leader of the Senate Chamber said, this basically made her the person responsible for scheduling the Senate's business "With a bit of luck we won't need it but it'll be there if needed."
"Good I don't want to waste a second if it comes to it." Serenity said "Meanwhile we're about to host the Mundus Games, we've got team Kalasin in the country and fans as well none of whom can get back home because we suspended travel. So we'll need to sort out accommodation and potentially asylum claims depending on how this goes. For now we put the monitoring group in and get everything lined up just in case. Meanwhile Rion find out what card these separatists are holding or think they're holding because something smells off here and I don't like it."

[Daitō]

Uthai Sot Missile Base, Kalasin
81 km south of Phimal
9:52 AM

   The number of irregulars at Uthai Sot had steadily increased since the fighting had broken out, which left Alak equal parts concerned and frustrated by the situation. They were at war, and yet for whatever reason, command saw fit to send people who had no business being here to guard the site. To make matters worse, his old commander had been replaced by a radical, by... him. His old commander from back in the communist era, Thaksin Prateung, had been reassigned to Uthai Sot, which on the surface seemed to make sense. After all, he had a reputation for maintaining order among the units which he led and was even well-respected, even by Alak, however, he had also been one of the people who, after the fall of the People's Republic, had joined the PAFK remnants, and now, almost every time Alak saw him, he was "preaching" about the need to avenge the fallen of the last war. It was clear to him that Colonel Prateung was planning something, and by the looks of it, these "irregulars"—ex-PAFK—were in on it too.

   Every once-in-a-while, he would hear someone talk about "the launch", which on its own made sense, the base would perform missile tests from time to time. But they always talked about it as though it was something to come, and the wording they used suggested it wasn't a test, either. it was probably nothing, just talk given the country was now at war, but even so, something rubbed him the wrong way. Most of the time, he just ignored it, carried out his everyday duties, and kept patrolling the premises. But today, he saw something... peculiar. One of the Chaychna 3s had been taken out of storage and was erected. It looked as though it may be fired, but... surely there was no need to, was there?
   "They'd be insane to use it." Alak said to one of his comrades. "That kind of ordinance, it's the sort of thing that, if used, gets a country invaded... And now, it's in the hands of radicals."
   "I don't disagree, Alak." The other soldier, Surat, replied. "Those PAFK fools think using it will teach their enemies to fear us, but all it'll do is make them hate us. And right now, we don't need that."
   "Right now?"
   "Well, you never know." Surat joked. "But seriously, I got a bad feeling about them stickin' one out in the open, and in a firing position too."

   A few minutes passed, no more than three, before a private ran up to the sergeant, evidently bearing some sort of bad news. Probably just a group of Unionists that got spotted, nothing more.
   "What's the matter, Private..."
   "Palathai, Sergeant Kaouthai." The private said. "It's the missile, the crews, they're-"

   Alak and Surat looked at each other, giving one another a knowing nod, before Alak spoke up. "They're preparing to fire. Do you have any idea what the target is, Private?"
   "No, Sergeant. But Colonel Prateung said in a speech earlier that we finally have the chance to have our revenge, or something."
   "...Thank you, Private. And if I were you, I'd...  consider getting out of here. This is no military base anymore." Alak said before waving him off.

   A few moments passed before Surat said something, letting the private get out of earshot.
   "'This is no military base anymore', huh? So now you admit it. We're just another camp of terrorists but with a military presence, and command won't admit it."
   "You saw him. He's just a kid, he shouldn't be here. We, on the other hand... Well, we've made our beds here, we may as well face whatever's to come."
   "I suppose you're right. For what it's worth, Sergeant, it's been an honor to serve with you."
   "And with you, Corporal. Now then, let's lets get back to work."

   A couple minutes passed, and with a furious roar, a missile from Uthai Sot lifted off on a trail of smoke and light, its target not entirely known, but towards the south. Wherever it was, it wouldn't be long before it hit, and who knew how many lives would be threatened. Alak prayed that wherever it was going, it would be shot down beforehand, but he knew better than to hold out hope. Nobody was expecting a move like this, not even him, not for a while anyways. He was reminded of something which Colonel Prateung told him, back when he was still just a Captain. "If your enemy can be made to think you are weak, you have the power to be audacious." It looked now like that lesson was being demonstrated, but somehow, he knew it would be their undoing.

[Achkaerin]

If fury was the appropriate word to describe the mood in Shinkyo and Pyrettania the word to describe the mood in Valtheim was inquisitive concern, perhaps because there'd been no attack on Achkaerinese soil, perhaps because Valtheim had seen this movie more than once but not even the most seasoned, the most experienced of Achkaerin's establishment could say they'd stared down this particular barrel from this position. This had now gone from monitoring to probable combat very quickly and the unease was palpable, nowhere more than in the mind of Rion Ayanami as she composed herself to give Serenity her opinion. "This doesn't add up." she said "If you're the separatists in Pattani your beef is with the government in Paechon, you may have historical issues with Daito but your focus is surely on attaining independence in a manner that's accepted by the international community, attacking two nations in a manner that's terror based is not what you do, if you're smart enough to know a declaration of independence is going to be met with a response from Paechon you're smart enough to know that launching attacks on Daito and Rokkenjima is going to bring all manner of hell down on you. It's deliberately poking the bear."
"Meaning you only poke the bear if you want them in the channels." Fleet Admiral David Jackson, the head of the navy said
"You suspect a trap?" Serenity asked
"This screams the word trap and I don't like it." Rion said "If a nuclear hit is the bait what's the sting going to be?"
"We're being made to rush and I don't like it." David said "Moving without due care and attention is the number one most likely way to fall for a trap."
"And I'll tell you something else." Rion said "They timed this well, if the Pyrettania attack happens forty eight hours later the Senate would be in their summer recess, they're forcing a response, we know caution is the correct approach but we also know that won't go well in the court of public opinion especially on the part of victims."
"No one more dangerous than the person with nothing to lose." Serenity said she took a breath "Ok if the Senate says yes what do we do?"
"I'm not advising boots on the ground en masse." Field Marshall William Dawson said "Rion's right, this looks and reads like a trap and somehow these separatists have nuclear capability so that needs dealing with before we even think about a full on ground assault."
"Which is where I come in." General Neil Portman said, as the head of the Achkaerin Special Forces he understood the implication of William's use of the words 'en masse' "We insert an ASF troop in country with a little support, identify players, find the weapons if any more exist and deal with them. Take away or start taking away their big gun before we get into ground combat."
"Point is." Adam said "There needs to be a meaningful response but not one that takes us past a point."
"What type of response are you recommending?" Serenity asked
"Asserting pressure and control while behaving in a sensible manner." David said "Intelligence going back years suggests that weapons trafficking has become commonplace in Kalasin, not surprising considering the various armed groups in the nation, not to mention the intense conflict between such groups. But that leads to stockpiles, we say cut that off."
"Draw it up." Serenity said "If the Senate says yes then this needs to be ready to go."

[Sorrel]

2000 Hours, Kalasinese Coastline
Black Talon 1 - Operation Kingfisher
32 Hours Until Deadline Ends

A splash kicked up as the first set of boots landed in the shallow surf, followed by several more. The RHIBs had made landfall within the acceptable timeframe. Three of the boats from the RNS Gleidhidh had landed here, on an empty stretch of the Kalasinese coastline. It was never going to be a great idea to try and insert special forces from a hospital ship, but even at that they had never anticipated that the locals would launch a pair of missiles at it. The Directorate knew best, they supposed. Helicopters would be too much of a risk, and any military vessel nearing the coastline would draw the wrong kind of attention. Here only the sound of seabirds and the waves breaking against the sand were audible, no human presence. That being said Gleidhidh being hit wasn't part of the plan, they still had a legitimate humanitarian mission to carry out and that action had escalated their mission from simple intelligence gathering to risking drawing the Republic into a proper conflict. That is of course unless the higher ups knew that they were putting the Gleidhidh into the line of fire to justify going in.

Captain Crowle quickly assessed his situation. He had fourteen other men under his command and they were busying themselves dragging the boats up the sand, they had to be hidden of course and no one would have been expecting them in this area anyway. Most of the opfor would be occupied further inland.

His second stopped just short of him, a Warrant Officer by the name of Kildare. "Captain, the lads are ready to move on your go."

"Good work Kildare, I want everyone to check their kit and be ready to move in five, we're on the clock now." The Captain said, his attention focused on the map he had slipped from his admin pouch. They knew the rough area of their target but it would be quite the hike inland, through hard terrain and with no support. But his orders were clear, there were several intelligence assets in-country when the hostilities kicked off and it was of the utmost importance their intel be extracted. The Republic had no intention of walking into this blind, especially after that dirty bomb went off, and the satellites just couldn't get enough information, these assets had significant intel tucked away but for whatever reason they just couldn't transfer it out. That's why they had to use the Hospital Ship as a front to insert their team quietly to grab it. It would be invaluable to the Intelligence Corps and ensure that if the Armed Forces were going to commit then they'd have the best possible picture of the situation on the ground.

The Captain waded through the surf and sand up to his section, they were already taking cover under the foliage. "Alright people, asset pickup is a 55 click Northeast from where we are now, we need to grab this intel fast and get back before the deadline hits. Command wants that intelligence badly before the regs come in and we are here to get it for them. Let's move out."


0255 Hours
25 hours until Deadline

It had been nearly seven hours since they left the beach. The section of fifteen had been advancing single file through the Kalasinese countryside without having encountered anyone, of course they had kept away from the roads and villages, their route had been planned specifically to minimize this risk. But now they were advancing on their first target and that was about to change.

Captain Crowle signalled his column to regroup around himself, a few quick flicks of his hand and they knew immediately he wanted two volunteers. Two of the men put themselves forward. "Right, Grey, Hagen, the first pickup is holed up in a settlement just half a click south of us. Asset's name is 'Mnaddo', you still remember the description from the brief?" The two men nodded. "Good, it's an old army outpost, we don't expect much resistance but I'll get Teague to send the drone up ahead of you. Kildare's fireteam will set up just outside to support you if it kicks off. The VIP should be waiting in a garage not too far from the perimeter fence. In and out, no noise."

For the briefest moment the jungle around them clicked and clacked as the section prepared and checked their weapons. Seven of them advanced quietly through the foliage ahead, a small quadcoptor drone buzzing over their heads as it rapidly gained altitude into the night sky. Five of the men took cover in the foliage, setting up their positions to offer the best view of the compound ahead, whilst the last two continued ahead carefully, keeping low to the ground as they moved up to the fence.

The compound ahead of them wasn't exactly bustling with activity, but it wasn't as dead as they had hoped for, the drone's FLIR camera had picked up at least seventeen heat signatures roaming the area. Though they were dispersed and seemingly just ambling around aimlessly. Two more signitures were quickly picked up approaching the fence just on the edge, the IR strobes from their helmets identifying them as friendly. Corporal Hagen's radio clicked. "We're at the fence, enough holes we can get through. What's the sitrep?" he asked in a hushed tone.

His headset crackled back, "Drone spotted three X-rays between you and the first building, they appear to be sitting around a small fire, take the path to the right and move along the wall, they wont see you."

The two men quickly began moving, stepping through a wide gap in the rusted and decaying fence. They raised their carbines, both of them had C35A2's chambered in .300 blk, that and the monolithic suppressors on the end of them would ensure even if they did had to pick someone off they could at least do it quietly. Through their WP filtered NODS they could see their lasers cutting through the dark, one facing forward and the other firmly fixed in the direction the drone had reported possible hostiles.

Taking every step with caution they continued, a dim light from a fire was radiating from their left and they began to pick up voices, casual conversation, nothing to indicate they suspected any infiltration. Still, best not to stick around. Once they had reached the wall their radio came back to life. "Armed X-rays ahead, drone counts two, they are facing away from you but are in the way. Drop them quietly and hide the bodies. Once you've taken care of them proceed across the road and take the gate, it leads into the garages."

Hagan clicked his PTT button twice to confirm before nodding to Grey. Advancing along the wall they spotted their targets, two men casually dressed and having a quiet chat, one was busy trying to light a cigarette with an old lighter. The two operators silently drew their knives and advanced in unison, hesitating for only a moment to sight any potential onlookers they jumped them. A short struggle ensued as they were simulataniously pulled backwards by the operators and out of sight, gloved hands muffled any calls of help before it went quiet again. As quickly as it started it was over, the two men quickly advanced across the dimly lit road and pushed against the gate.

Entering the open-air garages was simple, the drone hadn't spotted any opposition aside from the single heat signature standing next to it's own IR strobe. The asset. Weaving between broken down cars and old toolboxes they approached him, guns still up. 'Mnaddo' was simply leaning against one of the cars, a cigarette in his mouth and a large revolver at his hip.

"What took you so long?" He asked, "I have what you want, but these paramilitaries will notice I've been gone for a smoke for a while. Anyway, everything you want is in here: capabilities, which group operates where, even the specs on those missiles that hit that ship. Everything my network has gathered till now." He stated dryly, pulling a satchel from inside the vehicle and offering it. Hagan snatched it from his hand before pressing three times on his radio. Asset secured. "Get back to them then." the soldier whispered, drawing a small envelop from a pouch on his hip and tossing it over to him. "Payment for goods recieved."

Mnaddo smirked, "I'll see what I can drum up next time for you, I have to warn you though it is getting harder to move around. They still think I'm just here to sell them alcohol and cigarettes but they are getting bolder, robbing people outright now that they think they have carte-blanch to do what they please."

Suddenly Hagan's headset crackled. "Corporal, you have five x-rays moving into the area, all armed. They are about to enter the garage area. Go to ground now."

"Get out of here, company." He snapped. Mnaddo stubbed his cigarette and shrunk back into the darkness, naturally he had his own way out but that wouldn't work for two special forces operators, they couldn't just walk brazenly out of there. The two soldiers were quick to drop down into an inspection pit. Weapons ready as the gates squeaked open, they could see five pairs of legs from under the car. The five men quickly dispersed around the pitch black garage, unaware of the transaction that had just occured and the two Preorians hiding infront of them. One of them produced a few bottles from a backpack as the others spoke in their native tongue, laughing between one another as they pulled up seats.

"I'm only seeing five, they haven't noticed their friends are missing and I'm not seeing any unusual increase in activity, they still don't know you are there. Can you make it out?" Captain Crowle's voice crackled through Hagan's headset. He clicked it once for 'no'.
"Is that lot setting up for a while?". Two clicks, Yes. "Damn, has the asset been secured?". Two clicks again. "Good, do not engage unless you are spotted, we'll have to see if we can't wait till they move on. If they don't budge then We'll get you out. Just sit tight for now." Another two clicks confirmed the order.

An hour or so had passed, the group of men had taken up some kind of card game and were very invested in it, they had set their rifles down to the side. Hagan and Grey were still crouched underneath the car, their focus had to be total, any small move could give them away. Even just trying to sit down would make too much noise. Time was running out for them, light would be approaching soon and they would be too easy to see where they were. One way or another they would be compromised and forced to go loud.

The radio came back online, "Corporal, we can't pull you out in any way that wouldn't compromise us, Mclusky's drone has also spotted two trucks full of potential hostiles making their way along a road towards the compound. He estimates ten minutes before they show up. We need to go now, you have permission to engage, get back here.". Hagan looked at his fellow, they both knew what to do.

He carefully produced a small cylinder from one of his pouches, a flashbang. He couldn't pull the pin without setting his carbine down, so he held it backwards towards Grey, who obliged with his own free hand. He held the spoon tightly, slowly releasing pressure until it triggered, it was quiet enough the men didn't notice it as he rolled it towards them.

The flash of light was the last thing they had expected, the operators at least had noise-cancelling headsets to muffle the bang. They were sent reeling immediately, dropping to the floor and yelling, trying to grap at where their weapons had been or rolling around on the ground clutching their eyes. The two Preorians rapidly emerged from either side of the inspection pit, they had relentlessly trained for this kind of close quarters engagement, with no hesitation they had opened fire, one muffled shot into each of the five men as they struggled to rise, then another to ensure they were neutralized.

Hagan quickly turned on his radio, "We've engaged, clear a path for us, we're coming back through the alley."

"Copy, we'll get their attention." The voice of Kildare returned. Almost immediately they heard the sound of rapid-fire. The distinct sound of the C102 SAW, even suppressed it was still loud.  "Looks like Mnaddo exfilled, anyone you see left in there is a hostile, engagement rules are free." The Captain shouted down his radio.

The two operators shouldered the gate into the garage open, weapons raised they scanned the immediate outside, three men clad in old webbing and clutching even older rifles were running down the road to the source of the sound, for a moment they hesitated, expecting their friends to be the ones coming out of the garage. Instead they were met with two men in full-gear. Hagan opened fire, the first of the three fell immediately, as they struggled to come to a stop and raise their own rifles. Grey had the second before they could, the third fell to both of them.

They rushed across the road, dirt kicking up at their feet as several more hostiles tried to take aim at them. Both of them made it to cover unscathed, back to the wall they had initially moved along, the sound of gunfire was now rife around the entire compound, the crack of AKM rifles joining in as the paramilitaries fired relentlessly into the treeline where the rest of the unit was dug-in.

The two operators were running full-pelt at this point, it was only 50 metres to the trees where the rest of them were providing suppressing fire to cover their withdrawel. Regardless of if it was open ground they had to move, there was no time before potentially dozens more hostiles flooded in.

They could feel the snap of bullets whizzing past them as they ran, they had almost made it to the treeline when Grey stumbled, three shots had found their mark in his back as he fell forward into the brush. Breaking his stride Hagan dropped his rifle onto it's sling and grabbed his friend's plate carrier by the shoulder-straps, hauling him into the undergrowth.

"Grey is hit!" He yelled into his headset, "Get me backup!", two more of his unit broke cover and ran out to help him, returning fire against the paramilitaries as they pulled their casualty to saftey.

The trees around them splintered and clumps of mud were kicked up, they took cover in a shallow pit. Quickly flipping Grey around to find where the shots had hit. "No blood, he took it in the carrier and it looks like the plates held up"" One of the soldiers shouted. "Get him back up then!" Hagan responded. They lifted the downed man to his feet and checked him over again. "Looks like he was just dazed by the fall, let's get him back."

The four men now retreated deeper into the foliage, Captain Crowle was waiitng for them.
"Do you still have the assets?" He asked. Hagan nodded, Grey was back on his own footing now. "Good", He spoke into his headset. "All fireteams, disengage and withdraw, we've acquired the intel." He turned back to his men. "I hope he can still run, we need to get as far away from here as possible." Grey shook his head. "I'm still in the game, sir." "Good man." The Captain replied.

The section started filtering in, all fifteen accounted for. "Let's move out, Kildare take the rear. These bastards will be on our tails so we need to move fast." Crowle ordered. Almost immediately the section broke into a sprint, beating a hasty retreat as the paramilitaries still fired into the trees.


1303 Hours
13.5 hours until Deadline

It had been around ten hours but the unit had made it back to the beach, they were ragged, exhausted but all of them were alive. The trek back had to be taken carefully, once they shook the paramilitary forces chasing them they had to navigate around any patrols they encountered. Even taking the longer, but safer, route was risky. But they had made it back with the intelligence intact, a satchel containing a laptop and a half-dozen memory drives.

The exhausted men busied themselves dragging their boats back out of cover towards the sea. Captain Crowle grabbed a sattelite phone that was stowned in his rucksack, dialing in he was quickly answered. "This is BT 1-4 to Seagull, Rickshaw, I repeat, Rickshaw."
A voice came back down the phone, "This is Seagull, we copy, dispatching Seagull-Minor to EP 'Checkmate',  RV in 1.5 Hours.", "Understood, we are moving to EP 'Checkmate'."

He hitched the sat-phone back into it's pocket and signalled for his second. "Kildare! Checkpoint, one and a half!." He shouted over.

The Warrant officer nodded and turned to the rest of the men. "Let's get these boats ready, I don't doubt they'll leave us if we don't get there on time."

Once the boats were in the water they wasted no time, embarking and powering away from the shore as quickly as the RHIBs could carry them. It would be a 45-minute ride to the extraction-point in open water, their GPS would take them there but the danger was the slightly longer wait until they could be picked up. But a successful mission was a successful mission, and the intelligence they secured would be a major-asset in planning what was to come. And they still had 12 hours before the deadline would expire. Plenty of time to extract the data, of course there would be no doubt that this information would be shared with the Daitōjins, even if they had their own intelligence in-country it wouldn't hurt to be as open as possible with them.

[Achkaerin]

While not numerous yet, the Achkaerinese military had got a presence in the channels and had for the last couple of days it was four vessels strong, four surface and one submarine, the ship designated as in command was the INS Rhyth Icerider the drone carrier sat near the coastline of an island in the northern channel not too far from the town of Hayang, the initial orders for this group of vessels had been get in the area and make it fairly obvious that there was a presence there to separate the two sides if necessary, that had somewhat had a spanner thrown into the works by a few things but what had sent alarm bells ringing the most for the ships commanding officer Captain Fiona Baines was the missile attack on the RNS Gleidhidh, she'd expected the separatists to potentially lob rockets and missiles in their direction and it wouldn't surprise her if the missiles had been intended for one of the vessels she was responsible for after all logically speaking attacking a ship bringing in humanitarian aid didn't make sense. Fiona was presently stood at the back of the ships bridge at what had come to be termed the chessboard, a table with a built in touch screen computer allowing access to various things, currently it was displaying a tactical overview of the area, the Gleidhidh's position was shown on approach to Ranong with an Achkaerinese vessel heading in their direction as a precaution, the theory was simple enough if the Gleidhidh had been the intended target and had been shot at once there was no reason to believe there wouldn't be a second time. That however wasn't what was drawing Fiona's attention, no that particular honour belonged to what was officially called the Republic of Kalasin Navy but was in this instance the Separatist fleet, all in port and sizable enough to cause problems if the intel was right and there was a trap of some sort in the offing then it was highly likely that that navy was involved in it. The question of the day was what was going to change the circumstances, then she saw the orders pop up on the encrypted line and smiled it was a bold move she'd give the higher ups that, it was the old mantra control the opposition and you control the game. Fiona was still looking at the map when her radio beeped.

"Captain here." she said
"Drone Operations skipper." came the reply "We have a track and target site, uploading to you now."
"Thank you." Fiona said watching as the screen on the chessboard displayed an area just a few kilometres inland to the east of Songkhla "That's a lot of hills and valleys, bit of a maze isn't it?"
"It's no Emyn Muil but it's getting close." the voice on the other end said "Dragonbreath's want to have a go at it."
"Authorized." Fiona said

While preparations were being put in place the INS Excalibur was approaching the RNS Gleidhidh's position, the message coming from the Excalibur was clear it was asking for a damage report and offering assistance as per their obligations under international law. There was a serious desire on the part of the relevant military authorities in Achkaerin to get the Gleidhidh the hell out of the area as soon as was either practical or possible. Surprisingly the Excalibur's presence hadn't spooked the Separatist navy which considering it was the most heavily armed foreign vessel presently on station was saying something, yet more suspicion of something not adding up, but either way there was a clear impression that storm clouds were gathering it was just a question of when they were going to break.

Around an hour later the skies above the northern channel were the backdrop against which two Dragonbreath fighter jets flew, they were flown by Squadron Commander Lily Murray and Flight Leader Arthur Finch callsigns 'Angel' and 'Predator' respectively.
"Reading ten thousand feet." Arthur said "Three hundred kilometres to Death Star."
"Why are we using Star Wars references for this thing again?" Lily asked
"Because you lost last nights rowing challenge." Arthur said
"You stacked the deck." Lily scoffed before taking a breath "Ok combat distance, going weapons hot."
"Weapons hot aye." Arthur said
"Death Star point reached descending down to one thousand feet and going to attack speed." Lily said steering her jet down into the valleys and leveling off as she increased speed, Arthur's plane wasn't that far behind her "Closing in, target acquired, tone and lock on primary."
"Tone and lock on secondary." Arthur said

The two jets popped up over the ridge out of the valley, the target was in sight, at least as far as the computers were concerned, "Missiles away." Lily said pulling the trigger as Arthur did likewise, the explosion was visible as the two jets banked away and ran for safe airspace.
"No sign of chasers." Arthur said as the two planes hit the sky over the channel
"And that's another thing for the doesn't seem right list." Lily said, they'd expected at least some enemy contact given that they were going after the SSM site that had made itself known in the Gleidhidh incident and while it wasn't a bad thing to not see that happen it was highly suspicious, she got on the radio "This is Angel stage is set." she reported.

[Daitō]

General Headquarters, Imperial Daitōjin Armed Forces
Kamikitazawa, Shiraizumi Ward, Shinkyō Metropolis
10:14 AM

   To say that Okimoto Esashi had been surprised an attack on Daitō had happened was, ultimately, an incorrect assumption. It had been his desire, since the overthrow of the People's Republic, to see the former armed forces dissolved and made anew, which included the complete destruction of the country's missile forces. Yet here he was, at the General Headquarters of the Imperial Armed Forces, mere weeks on from the attack on Awara. He had spent the last few hours going over reports on the evacuation of Ranong, the "capital" of the Union government over in Kalasin, as the siege of the city had continued. But there was still a missing piece here; Awara, he understood. It was a decently large city with less in the way of air defenses, plus it was in range of some of their missiles. Add a grudge against the Empire, probably a splash of insanity—you'd need to be insane to draw the ire of Daitō if you were in that position—and that made sense. No, what didn't add up was the attack on Pyrettania. Who in their right mind would nearly simultaneously strike two of East Ardia's largest military powers if they were trying to gain their independence, and not even frame it as an attack by the other side?

   With a sigh, the old Marshal stepped out of office and into the briefing room. Just another conference in the aftermath of the attack, but important nonetheless. All of them were, to be fair, even if they often dragged on for ages. Still, sometimes, it made him wish he hadn't taken the job as War Minister, let alone wishing he hadn't been promoted to a Marshal. At the end of the day, if it were up to him, he'd be in the field, preparing for the liberation of Kalasin in Paechon. That said, the meeting actually was at least of some utility with regards to that. There was an understanding that for the time being, any actual military action would have to be contained to the high seas and the air, which left his dear army with little more to do than train.
   "Your Majesty," He said with a bow as he looked at one of the screens; on the others, a number of officials including the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the National Security Advisor. Attending in person were, naturally, the Joint Chiefs. It was a sort of informal "liaison conference", something which everyone present had become used to in the months following the Three-day War. "I assume everyone is present?" He asked, rhetorically. "Good. As it stands, we've received intel from our friends over in Preoria surrounding troop movements out in the west of Kalasin. We have reason to believe the 1st Infantry Division and the 4th Armored Division have been dispatched to the region, where they are supported by PAFK militants numbering around 6,000."
   "It's only been six years, makes sense that they'd try to improve their defenses so close to Paechon." said Tadakatsu Haruno, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. "Besides, that area's got a significant chunk of their industrial base."
   "It's also the closest to Paechon. We're already well aware that many of the commanders in the PAFK want to take the island, to 'finish the job', so to speak." Satoru Hazuki, the Chief of the Naval Staff, added. "From what I heard, they're probably pulling more troops off the line near Ranong now that it's on the verge of falling. If we're gonna attempt a landing at any point in the near future, we're going to need a distraction of some sort. And that's only after their navy has been dealt with."
   "All they have is a handful of frigates and patrol boats, hand-me-downs from the People's Republic which were deemed 'necessary' to secure their coasts. But I agree, they will need to be handled first, so... We need to plan strikes against those ships, as well as any infrastructure supporting them." Eijirō chimed in. "Any remaining vessels would be left practically stranded and at the mercy of allied forces. That said, we can't discount the presence of anti-ship missiles like what was used on that Preorian hospital ship, the..."
   "Gleidhidh, your Majesty." Esashi said. "While certainly manageable for our forces, the Kalasinese have shown themselves willing to target non-combatants, at which point we have to worry about shipping through the channels. The southern channel may be further away, but it's still too close for comfort. We could task ships with providing them air defense, but it's still a gamble."
   "Get it done." Eijirō replied. "Anything else before we move on?"
   "No, your Majesty." Esashi said.
   "In that case, onto the next order of business. How's training of our forces in Paechon going, Marshal Fukushi?" Eijirō replied, at which Okimoto sighed. It was going to be another long meeting.

[Beatrice]

Kalasin
6:45 AM AST

Two bridges, an electric plant, and an airport. The selection of targets wasn't important to them, but that's what the suits in Pyrettania had decided served as a "proportional response" to the attack on Pyrettania. IRN Prudence was the first to launch her missiles, followed by the firing of missiles from IRN Saisei targeting two bridges, an electric plant central to their power needs and an airport with links to the PAFK and their operations. They would give them a most bloodied nose for their attack upon Pyrettania, and soften them up a bit for the arrival of the boys top-side, to which one crew member smirked. "What has you so giddy? his compatriot would ask.

"18" inch shells, capable of the firepower of several surface vessels, these dickheads don't even know the hell that's about to rain down on them. Fuck'em though," he continued, "we kill them here so they can't touch those we love."

Multiple salvos were launched in an attempt to saturate native air defenses, the Rokkenjiman strategy of overcoming the enemy and disabling their defenses was very much at play.

[Achkaerin]

The Round Table Room, Marble Palace
23:30 VMT, August 2nd 2023

It hadn't been expected that the various persons involved would be called back this late at night but as was the way of things when something happened it was a case of drop everything and get to the briefing. Playing on the big screen was the statement of Colonel Thaksin Prateung.
"I love how they always fall into the monologue trap." Rion said with half a giggle "Never fails." she glanced at Serenity "the PAFK will respond by raining down hellfire upon the decadent cities of the Occident. - He just betrayed information."
"Assessment?" Mark Sharpe the National Security Advisor asked
"We've been asking since the start what their card is right?" Rion asked looking around the table "Kalasin does not have an ICBM program, you can threaten Daito, Rokkenjima and Preoria cities they're within range of what they do have but we're half a world away if you want to rain hellfire upon Achkaerinese cities you need something you haven't got."
"Is the same group responsible for both Awara and Pyrettania?" Adam asked looking around the table knowing the implication
"I think so." Rion said "A nuclear device in the capital of Rokkenjima just because of a blood drive? Not buying it. No whoever did that has a score to settle, and if it's the same group as Awara..."
"Then the PAFK at minimum has a bedfellow." Serenity said "Or else they're being used as the front for something or someone else. General Portman let's find out what the heck's going on please."

Vax Republic Region
1400 VMT, August 3rd 2023

This little pocket of territory in the north had gone overlooked so far in the crisis but it was a very helpful point of access, Shadowblade Troop of the Achkaerin Special Forces had just been deposited. The troops CO Major Heather Rose looked around checking the surroundings, sweeping with her rifle before waving over her second in command Tim Riley and oddly enough Tim's brother Luke Riley neither to be confused with any Achkaerinese cyclist.
"Ok so according to intel." Heather said as they poured over the map "The predicted launch site for the attack on Awara was here, Uthai Sot Missile Base, about 81km south of Phimal. This is a scouting op not a seek and destroy, we're expecting plenty of numbers at that base. Luke you take point with Richard, the rest of us will follow, it's tricky terrain and while I wish we could have brought the quad bikes I'd rather not announce ourselves."
"Night movement?" Tim asked
"Yes." Heather said
"It's a bit of a hike." Luke said "But six of us in hostile territory? No noise is best."
"Let's move." Heather said

Uthai Sot Missile Base
1800 VMT 17th August 2023

A bit of a hike had been an understatement as the six person troop had moved through the jungle that was Kalasin's terrain and then navigated their way to their destination without being spotted, now here they were, staking the base out from a vantage point in the trees were Heather and Luna Knight, Luna had her rifle up and was using a scope camera that was linked to a tablet Heather was holding to observe the base activity.
"Plenty of heavy weaponry." Luna said "Looks like plenty of numbers as well."
"Not all wearing uniforms." Heather said "So we're up against beyond just a professional military force,"
"Odd for a base that's supposedly under military control to have such a number of irregulars." Luna said "Wait a minute... doors opening... Visual on Prateung."
"No potshots." Heather said "He looks like he's talking to someone who's still in the building, wonder who..." she couldn't get any further as the person in the building became visible "Oh my days is that who I think it is?" she was looking at two more men who had stepped out of the building, Heather got the sat phone out as she continued to watch "Shadowblade calling control, request tracking on vehicle departing area heading north... Vacating area."

The Round Table Room, Marble Palace
1900 VMT, August 18th 2023

"I hate it when you're right Rion." Serenity said as the entire room stared at the picture of Prateung with the two men
"Just once I wish I was." Rion said "I'm sure we all recognise Joseph Leclair and Patrice Manadou."
"If they're there does that mean she is there?" Matthew Kirby said
"I don't know but I wouldn't be surprised." Rion said "But more importantly this is the card the separatists think they hold. Manadou brings the knowledge to produce a long range missile program, Leclair is exactly the sort of person who can manufacture a dirty bomb."
"To rain hellfire down on the cities of the Occident." Serenity said "You don't think..."
"I do." Rion said "And Major Kirby agrees with me."
"Do we still think that the Kalasin air force and navy just sitting there idle is a trap?" Serenity asked
"Yeah." Adam said "But given what we now know caution may need throwing to the wind, if this is a trap and it probably is, we need to spring that trap."
"All right gloves are off." Serenity said "When can we have the Seonaid Ayanami in there?"
"She's outside the channels" Adam Sheppard said "But once committed hours."
"Send her CSG in, any marines we've got in that into Ranong if we can, I don't think the city will hold but let's get the civilians out of there." Serenity said "And prepare for a no fly."
"You want to lock the Kalasin air force down?" Adam asked
"If they're part of a trap I don't want them able to pull it without having their own problems." Serenity said "I'll be back after I've opened the Mundus Games."

[Daitō]

Military Headquarters, Republic of Kalasin Armed Forces
Pattani, Kalasin
September 13, 2023
9:57 AM

   Just over a month had passed since the first airstrikes, more than a month of near constant meetings interrupted by the wail of sirens. It was like 2017 all over again, yet now, Kamon Wattana, the head of the Kalasinese Army, was actually the one having to call the shots. This was not how this conflict was meant to go; they were supposed to seize Ranong, force the Union Government to recognize the Republic's independence, and be done with the whole affair, and yet now, thanks to President Rangsitpol's alliance with the PAFK—something his predecessor would never have done—Achkaerin, Daitō, Preoria and Rokkenjima had been drawn into the war. To say the odds were stacked against them was an understatement of titanic proportions; even if the entirety of the former PAFK were to return to service, ignoring any retraining or supply issues that it would entail, they were horribly outnumbered, not to mention underequipped. This was one of the situations he had explicitly tried to avoid, and yet, thanks to Colonel Prateung and his cell of the PAFK, it was now a reality.

   Outnumbered, underequipped, and demoralized following a long, hard-fought battle to liberate Ranong from Union forces and soldiers deserting left and right. It was only a matter of time now until regions in Kalasin started to oppose the government here in Pattani. Even so, there was still work which had to be done. In concert with the other chiefs of staff, a number of actions had been taken ahead of any potential landings, most notably the construction of defenses near Ranong and Songkhla. Much to the chagrin of many in the military, what ships hadn't either surrendered or been destroyed had fled to whatever foreign ports may take them. All that was left, the only ships standing against the swelling tide, were the corvettes RL-34 and RL-39, and even they were badly damaged and largely confined to around Songkhla and Loei, respectively. The Air Force was likewise in shambles, with only handful of Su-27s and Mi-8s actually operational thanks to enemy air raids. It was only a matter of time now until the storm arrived.

[Achkaerin]

OOC - Post significantly delayed due to my own incompetence at not getting relevant news posts out on time (and therefore having to wait longer for the relevant thing)

The Marble Palace, 30th September 2023

The problem for William Dawson and Lindsay Beattie was that the closer they got to the now anticipated assault, the more obvious it got that that was what was coming and as William had observed within the previous fifteen minutes any military commander worth their rank is going to see this coming a mile off and be ready for it, however that had been true of the landings in Marseilles as well, just because it was foreseen did not mean it could be stopped. The plan was simple, an amphibious assault from the channels would be the main assault while shortly afterwards an Achkaerinese thrust would punch out from the Vax Republic area, the hope was that a fast and effective advance from this second prong to Pattani would force an end to the formal opposition. Build up was in progress and had been for a while, hence why it was pretty much an open secret that something was coming out of there. But that wasn't the primary problem, there was a clear desire on the part of the Achkaerinese military command to eliminate the missile strike capability of the terrorists before the ground assault kicked into gear.
"We've found where the weapons development site is?" Serenity asked stepping into the room
"Yes we have." Sally Barkley, the director of Achkaerinese intelligence, said highlighting an area of the map on the big screen "Intelligence from in country sources has Leclair and Manadou at this facility on the eastern shore of this lake to the north west of Surin."
"Now the bad news." Sam Fernley said "Airstrikes are out."
"Too close to Surin?" Serenity asked
"Yes." Oscar Bradshaw said "As you know Your Majesty we have very clear protocols on this, the urban landscape creates a situation where we're concerned about the potential for civilian casualties and we use missiles not those silly shells."
"Ok so what's the plan?" Serenity asked

"It's a somewhat crazy one but it's not without precedent." Lassie Starling, the newly appointed head of the Achkaerinese Special Forces said "In 2014 during the East Moreland regency crisis we sailed the INS Angel to Ostlake..."
"General I think the Kalasin separatists will notice if we try and sail a destroyer through their front door." Serenity said
"We're suggesting that the INS Marril when it is commissioned and underway be sent up this river through Ranong and Surin into the lake, where it will insert a squad of scouts, the scouts will enter the facility, plant explosives and carry out a controlled implosion of the target building." Lassie said "And then get out the way they got in."
"It's a heavily guarded facility." Serenity said reading through the information packet "Are you confident?"
"Very." Lassie said
"Do it." Serenity said

Tempest Fort Brig

Holly Burrows known as Sandshrew to her friends, was laid out on her back on the cot in the brig at Tempest Fort, which was the military HQ for the Achkaerinese Special Forces and the Scouts she was singing a song as she stared up at the ceiling, the sunlight just creeping in through the window, she was in the brig because she'd headed off to fight in Seitch which meant she'd gone AWOL, after the war in Kaitaine had finished she'd come back to face the consequences and here she was. Then she heard the door open, she got up and was shocked when Lassie walked in "General?" she asked
"A lot's happened since you ended up in here Sandshrew." Lassie said "Want to get out?"
"What's the catch?" Holly asked
"You've got to implode a building deep behind enemy lines that's heavily guarded." Lassie said "Do it and we'll forget about the AWOL thing."
"That's it?" Holly asked
"That's it." Lassie said "There are times someone with your knack of getting in and out of places comes in handy."
"All right then." Holly said "I'll do it."


Matilda Channels, 10th October 2023

The advantage of the air campaign was that it attracted all the attention to the skies above, no attention was paid to the waters below, much less beneath the surface of them. It was here that the INS Marril, sailed into the inlets near Ranong her Captain Jamie Ross had done his fair share of crazy ship handling in his time but this was a new level, taking a submarine up a river, through enemy territory and into a lake, if they managed this it was the sort of thing they gave out medals for. He'd expected to be taking the shiny new submarine out on a shakedown run, which fair enough he arguably was but into a war zone? That was definitely a new one, but still here they were the submarine able to stay submerged as it went into the river, the good news was it was early night so that would help them, they just had to get through the city before the sun came up.
"Conn you're doing great keep at it." Jamie said
"Aye sir." the sailor at the conn said, Jamie glanced around as Kara Dyer came onto the bridge so to speak
"How are we doing?" Kara asked
"We just started the hard part." Jamie said "If we get to the lake undetected then it's all you."

14th October 2023

It took some doing but the Marril made it through the river to the lake, take a port turn the submarine positioned itself while the squad of scouts made their way ashore on the inflatable raft, Kara and Holly had their eyes solely on the target, the first job once they were ashore was getting inside the perimeter fence, this was easily done and then bullets started to fly.
"Well they know we're here now." Holly said
"Doesn't change the plan." Kara said "Everyone knows where the explosives go?"
"If you don't let me know now." Holly said
"Sandshrew you going high?" Kara asked
"Can do boss." Holly said "Just clear that path for me."
"Get ready." Kara said she popped up, pulled the trigger and downed the shooter standing at a first floor window "Go!" the team ran through their designated entry points, Holly's involved a quick climb up a drainpipe and in through the window, inside the gunfire continued as the Achkaerinese fought through the building planting their explosives, they knew the reinforcements would be on the way by now, they'd likely been called for when the first shot had been fired. Then the unexpected happened Leclair was spotted as was Manadou
"Boss what do we do?" Holly asked over the coms
"Franklin finish setting the explosives and get clear." Kara said "Holly with me let's get those two."

Holly and Kara were at near enough full tilt as they chased the two terrorists down both eventually tackling them, Kara had Manadou while Holly took Leclair, it was over quickly Manadou fell to Kara's blade slicing into his neck and Leclair ended up on top of Holly with her crystknife in his chest. "You ok?" Holly asked as Kara pulled Leclair's body off of her.
"Yeah you?" Kara asked
"Yeah." Holly said as right on cue the sound of the building collapsing could be heard.

[Daitō]

Ko Samet, Kalasin
14 km Southeast of Songkhla
22 October, 2023
0830 Hours

   Back again, among the fields and forests of western Kalasin. The land in which their fathers and grandfathers fought, once again plunged into brutal war. Despite the persistent air campaign which had bombed the enemy largely into submission, what resistance there was had been ferocious; though Goro wouldn't've said it out loud, he knew that the Kalasinese were fighting not out of hatred for their foe, but because this was, in their eyes anyways, the last chance they had for a free and independent state of their own. They had suffered long for this opportunity, first during the Kalasin War, then under the People's Republic and now under a corrupt Union state, so it only seemed fitting that when he and his comrades came flying in from above, they'd have something to "say" about it. It wasn't certain to him that they'd be welcomed as liberators this time, not like those who arrived in the country back in 2017 and who inspired him to join the military, much like his father had years prior.

   They had arrived not by sea, but by air. Carried aloft by helicopters and tiltrotors, Goro and his comrades had worked tirelessly in the early hours of the 22nd to secure a foothold and then push inland. And as they fought, so too did the Kalasinese Air Force make its desperate final stand against coalition forces, yet though they had hampered their plans for some time, it would be for naught. A foothold had been secured, and now, Goro found himself sitting in the back of an Uma, joining a convoy on its way towards Songkhla. They passed a sign, written in the native language which read, per their interpreter, "Welcome to Ko Samet", presumably the name of the town they were entering. He sure didn't feel welcome, that was for sure. Regardless though, the convoy carried on, occasionally exchanging gunfire with local resistance. Yet as they drew closer and closer to the city of Songkhla, the more resistance began to fizzle out.
   "Anyone think it's a bit strange that they're refusing to defend a route straight to... Songla? Songka?" Asked a corporal.
   "Songkhla, Haruki. And yeah, I suppose it's a little odd that they're giving up so soon... That, or they've got something planned." Goro replied.
   "And what would that be, sir?" The corporal asked in jest. "They decided to go home in order to throw us a party whenever we inevitably liberate their asses for the second time?"
   With a smile, Goro replied "I suppose so, Haruki. I suppose so." Just then, a loud boom could be heard from up ahead, and suddenly, the convoy had to stop. One of the vehicles had been hit—probably by an IED—and it looked as though they were going to need support.
   "Goro!" A voice shouted from up ahead. "Looks like you're up!" They continued as everyone disembarked. With a sigh, he grabbed his radio, rangefinder, and everything else needed to do his job, and then he'd call in the situation.Somewhere over the Mathilda Channels
0840 Hours

   Two J-30s marauded north, once more into the skies over Kalasin. In the previous weeks and months, the 11th Fighter Squadron of the Imperial Air Force, nicknamed the “Headhunters”, had played a role in the air campaign over the country, bringing death and destruction to the enemy ahead of this, the final phase of Operation Stepping Stone. Normally, the aircraft would need to leverage their VLO design during missions over Kalasin, but with resistance crumbling and the Kalasinese Air Force being all but annihilated, the Shrikes would, today anyways, be filling another role: Close Air Support. It wasn't a surprise to Cpt. Haruto Shirai, the commander of this element, since the aircraft's max payload was significantly higher than even the venerable G-10, not to mention its range and fuel stores, though it certainly wasn't something the unit prioritized, at least, not compared to other missions. As they entered contested airspace, Haruto looked over to the second aircraft, "Hunter 1-2", which was off and slightly behind his right wing. Together, whatever may come, they were working together, just as they had trained.
   "Hunter 1-1, Soramae." A familiar voice came in over the radio. It was the radio operator on their AWACS during this mission, "Soramae", one of several E-3s operating in the region in support of Operation Stepping Stone. "One of our convoys has just been hit by an IED. They are in need of air support." She said before adding "Track Kilo Papa 75. Transit at 15,000 feet. Contact Kappa 47 on Bronze 2."
   "Kilo Papa 75. 15,000. Contact Kappa 47 on Bronze 2. Hunter 1-1." Haruto responded. Only a few minutes from their last tasking, and here they were, already going back into the fire. Suppose that's just how things went, though. "2, 1. Turn right."
   "1, 2. Copy." His wingman said as the two aircraft began to turn to the right, towards their new mission. The sound of jet engines in full burner could certainly be heard from a good distance away now; the Shrikes had arrived. This conflict was their first deployment, officially anyways. If one counted having airframes operational during a conflict, even if they didn't engage in any missions of their own, then the conflict over the Tokara Islands was their first war, but the convention was that it didn't count. Either way, a few minutes would pass before the aircraft began their final approach.Ko Samet, Kalasin
0848 Hours

   The flight began their final approach towards the coordinates they'd been given; off in the distance, the city of Songkhla, their first objective, sat in the morning sun. From what he understood, initial resistance had been rather stiff, at least compared to back in 2017, but that was no shock given that these were a far more motivated force... and half of the Kalasinesee army hadn't been left stuck on Paechon. And besides, there was precedent for this sort of behavior; everyone back home learned of how the will of the Daitojin people was strengthened in the fires of the Great War, even as the Ardians ground cities into dust. But this was different. It was always different. If they could just take Songkhla, then the road to Ranong and Pattani would practically be wide open. With a sigh, Haruto carried on in this "job"; they were getting close now.
   "Kappa 47, Hunter 1-1. Bronze 2. Radio check." He said over the radio.
   "Hunter 1-1, Kappa 47. Read you 5. How copy?" Goro replied over the radio. Though it wouldn't be heard over the radio, he breathed a sigh of relief; they had taken a bit longer than he had hoped but any help was welcome.
   "Kappa 47, Hunter 1-1. Lima Charlie." Haruto replied. "Hunter-1 Flight. 2 J-30s. 20 miles south of Kilo Papa 75, 15,000 feet. Ready for tasking."
   "Copy that, Hunter 1-1. I'll give you my coordinates. Repeat, these are friendly coordinates."
   "Hunter 1-1, ready to copy."
   "Ten digit grid to follow: 33 November Kilo Papa 76233 57562. Elevation 166 feet. Send readback." Goro replied.
   "Friendly position, 33 November Kilo Papa 76233 57562. Elevation 166 feet."
   "Readback is correct. Proceed overhead my position ASAP. Block 15 to 18." Goro said. "You're the only aircraft on station. Check in when able."
   "Copy. Stand by, Kappa." Haruto said as he looked over the area. Fires could be seen off in the distance all around, and a light haze of smoke seemed to permeate the area. "2, leader. Climb to 16,000. Right hand pattern, 8 miles around Kappa."
   "2." His wingman responded, pulling up.

   As his wingman—Lt. Jiro Harada—ascended to 16,000 feet, Haruto was busy surveying the area and checking his instruments one last time. However, as he did this, he would finally respond to Kappa 47. "Kappa 47, Hunter-1 Flight. Times 2: 2 AGM-65 Delta. Times 2: 4 GBU-54 instantaneous fusing. Times 2: 7 laser guided rockets M282 and times 2: 700 rounds of 20 Mike Mike. Times 2 EOTS. Laser codes: 1491 and 1492. Abort code is in the clear. 1+30 of playtime."
   "Times 2: 2 AGM-65 Delta. Times 2: 4 GBU-54 instantaneous fusing. Times 2: 7 laser guided rockets M282 and times 2: 700 rounds of 20 Mike Mike. EOTS. Laser 1491, 1492. Abort code is in the clear. 1+30 of playtime." Goro replied.
   "Kappa 47, Hunter 1-1. Readback correct."
   "Advise when ready for SITREP."
   "Ready."
   "Hunter 1-1, this is Kappa 47, qualified JTAC embedded in the convoy. Our lead vehicle was hit by an IED about ten minutes ago. No serious injuries to report but we need a little time to recondition the convoy and leave the area." Goro reported. "We're currently in a small town; We have good visibility to the east and west along the main road, but the buildings obstruct the vision towards the north and south." He added as Haruto looked at the convoy through one of his MFDs. The image was quite crisp compared to older aircraft, and the colors were various shades of gray, owing to the EOTS "seeing" in the infrared spectrum, "The convoy is made up of two Kaminaris, one hit by the IED, 2 Umas and 3 trucks. We've got about twenty guys around the convoy to secure the perimeter. There are currently no known threats, but I need you to check on our north and south flanks." He paused. "The city is empty. No civilians in the area. Weather is clear. Advise when you have visual on the convoy."
   "Hunter 1-1, visual."
   "Okay, I'll let you take a look at the surroundings. Report back if you have any contact."
   "Copy, looking." Haruto said, glancing down at the MFD as he scanned the area for something—anything—which could be a problem. Nothing in the town, it seemed, so that was something to celebrate. But of course, nothing could ever be so simple. Off in the forest, just to the northwest of them, there was... something moving. It looked like people running towards them; he couldn't tell if they were armed, but some were carrying something. Crisp as the image may be, it was still too blurry to tell just at a glance. "Kappa 47, Hunter 1-1."
   "Go ahead, Hunter 1-1."
   "We've got thermal contacts in the forest, 650 meters northwest from your position."
   "Copy that. Do you have a PID?"
   "Negative. We count about a dozen men on foot and multiple cars, but no clear identification. They're covered by the trees."
   "Hunter 1-1, Kappa 47. I'm shifting my position to obtain a line of sight. Until then, I'm gonna need you to conduct a show of force over those woods from the southeast to the northwest to scare 'em." Goro said, calmly. "Weapons cold until you've got a PID."
   "Hunter 1-1, copy. Show of force, southeast to northwest above the contacts in the forest, northwest from your position."
   "Hunter 1-1, Kappa 47, correct. Push and report in."
   "Copy, Hunter 1-1." Haruto replied. "2, leader. I'll get down for the show of force. Keep cover above."
   "2." Jiro replied. With that confirmation, Haruto would pull on the stick, rolling the aircraft over to the right and down towards the ground. After a moment, he'd roll back over as he began to approach the forest.

   "Kappa 47, Hunter 1-1."
   "Go ahead."
   "Hunter 1-1, in dry." Haruto said as he made his final approach towards the forest, engines roaring as he just barely skimmed the treetops.
   "Hunter 1-1, Kappa 47. Continue."
   "Hunter 1-1." Haruto replied as he flew, dropping flares in an attempt to intimidate the contacts on the ground to no response; perhaps they were civilians. Not likely, he thought as soon as his RWR began to make a familiar—and dreaded—noise. Someone had fired a missile at him.
   "SAM launch! Leader, break right!" Jiro said—almost shouting—over the radio.
   Almost immediately, Haruto pulled himself into a right turn, dumping flares as he looked down at the ground. "1, defending!" He said between deep breaths as the missile flew just a few feet below his left wing. "Way too close!" He continued as he pulled up, gaining altitude as he got out of dodge. "1, safe."
   "1-1, 2. SAM departure came from the thermal source's location, at the tree-line." Jiro reported in.
   "1, copy." Haruto said as he continued to gain altitude. "Kappa 47, Hunter 1-1. MANPAD was fired from the tree-line. We don't have civilians down there. I'm safe. Climbing to 15,000."
   "Good copy, Hunter 1-1. I'm now on the roof and I have line of sight to the forest." Goro said as he looked towards the woods. "Tally on a group of about 15 infantry and pickups with machine guns at the edge of the forest." He said as gunfire erupted ahead of him. "And we have a new situation! They're shooting at us from the tree-line!

   "I declare a Troop In Contact situation. We need a gun run on the enemy's position! Hunter flight, say when ready to copy gameplan and 9-Line." Goro said over the radio as the enemy began to get closer.
   "Hunter flight, ready. Be advised, Hunter 1-2 will attack first."
   "Copy. Hunter 1-2, first shooter." Goro replied. "I need readback from both aircraft. Expect a ten-digit grid. Type 1. Bomb On Target with 20 Mike Mike. From the overhead, elevation 162 feet. Infantry and pickup. Kilo Papa 75695 57255. No marks. 650 meters northeast. Egress east. Remarks: gun run shooter shooter. Final attack heading 290 TAC 330. Floor is 8,000 feet. Hunter 1-2, readback."
   "Hunter 1-2. Elevation 162 feet. Infantry pickup. Kilo Papa 75695 57255. 650 meters northeast. Gun run shooter shooter." Jiro said as he rolled his aircraft to the right. "Final attack heading 290 TAC 330. Combat floor 8,000 feet."
   "Correct. Hunter 1-1, go."
   "Hunter 1-1. Elevation 162 feet. Infantry pickup. Kilo Papa 75695 57255. 650 meters northeast. Gun run shooter shooter." Jiro said as he rolled his aircraft to the right. "Final attack heading 290 TAC 330. Combat floor 8,000 feet."
   "Good readback on both. Report when tally on vehicles on the tree-line." Goro replied.
   "Tally on a pickup with a machine gun, firing northeast!"
   "This is your target. Push when ready and report in."
   "Hunter 1-2, copy." Jiro said as he turned to the right and began to make his approach. "Kappa 47, Hunter 1-2. In hot, 310."
   "Hunter 1-2, Kappa 47. You're cleared hot, send 'em packing!"

   Once confirmation was given, Jiro would push the nose down into a dive and would, as he released flares, pull on the trigger, raining down death upon the Kalasinese. Two of the vehicles would be torn to shreds, catching alight as he released the trigger and pulled up. "Hunter 1-2, go east."
   "Hunter 1-2. Good hits, good hits! 2 cars destroyed and multiple infantry hits. Break. Hunter 1-1, do you have contact on your enemy's impact?" Goro asked.
   "Hunter 1-1, contact." Haruto replied as he looked down, circling the area as he did so.
   "From your wingman's impact, adjust northwest, 20 meters. On the tree-line, there's another pickup."
   "20 meters northwest. Copy." Haruto said before diving. "Hunter 1-1, in hot 310."
   "Hunter 1-1, Kappa 47. Cleared hot!"
   It was a repeat of before, dumping flares and pulling the trigger. The vehicle—and anyone around it—would practically be vaporized as Haruto pulled away, and those who remained would begin to flee. "Hunter 1-1, out east." Haruto said as he pulled up.
   "Hunter 1-1, good hits, good hits! All vehicles destroyed. Tally on infantry falling back into the forest. They're runnin'." Goro said. "The Kaminari's almost repaired and the convoy should be ready to leave any moment now." He continued. "You can resume your surveillance. I am leaving my position to rejoin the convoy." He said, followed by Haruto copying what he said. A few minutes would pass, and the convoy would be on its way. As for Hunter flight, they would leave the airspace by the south, and so, the push towards Songkhla was underway yet again.Meanwhile...Outskirts of Songkhla, Kalasin
1000 Hours

   Alak Kaouthai had arrived in the city just a few days prior; following that fateful day in July, back when everything changed, he had been reassigned from Uthai Sot to some company tasked with taking Ranong. That had been some heavy fighting, he wouldn't lie, but he'd made it through. Well, part of him, anyways. He'd lost enough friends now, and what faith he had that their cause was just had been broken. So many of their youth, cut down in a vain hope for independence that they now could not achieve? If they had just been fighting Paechon and the Union state, they might've had a chance, but against such a vast array of foes? There was no hope. It would be a repeat of 2017, only swifter. So many dead in the name of freedom, even as their leaders laughed at the thought behind closed doors. And to make matters worse, he'd seen what the government did to those who opposed them. Entire villages burned to the ground, much as it had been in the old days. Their people, innocent of any crime but critical of the war, wiped out, their ashes scattered to the four corners. Though the world could only guess, he knew of what was going on, of a reign of terror which was hidden from all and denied by the very men and women who orchestrated it. If he didn't die soon, he knew what he would have to do.

   In the face of such terror, what more could be done but to flee?

[paralipomena]

Message to the State of Kalasin We are Gabdatsin Inc. a company established in Albrektberg, Free Autonomous Territory of Jugland, with close to twenty years of experience. We have provided our security services in at least a dozen of foreign countries, including both indirect services as security management and training and direct services as transport of goods and access to basic security material, ammunition and high military technology. One independent intermediary has contacted us to inform that your government may be interested in acquiring security and military material. If that would be the case, feel free to contact us immediately through one of the secure channels we provide below. Yours sincerely, Gabdatsin Inc.

[Daitō]

Viljo Alakharvadze,

While under ordinary circumstances, such an offer would be met with more skepticism on the part of our government, we recognize that these are not ordinary circumstances. As enemy forces roll across the south of our nation, we face the annihilation of our dream of independence, free of our Paechonese and Daitojin oppressors. As you have no doubt seen and heard, our cities burn and our people lie slaughtered, so we must turn to those who will, in their magnanimity, come to defend our virtuous cause. Therefore, on the behalf of the legitimate government of Kalasin, I am authorizing that the Armed Forces of Kalasin contract Gabdatsin Inc. to aid in this struggle. I thank you for the offer, and I look forwards to working with you.

Signed,
General Kamon Wattana

[paralipomena]

Viljo Alakharvadze was sitting in his hotel room when he was announced that the men from Kalasin had arrived. He looked for a few second through the window before approaching the door. It was a calm day, in the capital city of a state nearby Kalasin. It was the first time he visited this country, but even if the scope of the meeting was more serious than usual, he was not exactly worried. After all, he had been the legal representative of Gabdatsin Inc. for about eight years, so he was accustomed to unusual situations like this one.

Mr. Cobakh and Mrs. Dilrabat were the first to enter in the spacious suite. Cobakh spoke the native language(s), able to speak them with a neutral accent, although he did not give the impression of the typical interpreter or translator, mostly because his seriousness and not being very talkative. Mrs. Dilrabat, a woman in her early thirties, was wearing a business suit. The representatives from Kalasin followed then.

"Nice to meet you", Viljo said. "Giving the circumstances, I hope you don't mind we go directly to business".

"I understand your nation, and your government as well as your people, find themselves in a dire situation", Viljo continued. "Our company has a long experience as provider of security and training to government and companies.  Of course, I understand your healthy skepticism as the scope of the crisis you're facing would go beyond what we usually provide to our customers and partners. However, as providers of service as intermediaries, we are in a position to offer you basic weaponry, ammunition, military material, and goods that we suppose as, the conflict advances, the depletion of your supplies may decrease consistently".

"Giving the circumstances, of course", he clarified, "in which would be our triple role as supplier, intermediaries, and negotiators, we would have no option that demand early and immediate payments in two stages, as soon as we reach our agreement and you start getting the package". He waited before his words were translated to stretch his hand. Mrs. Dilrabat opened her suitcase and took a folder, which she offered to the Kalasin officials.

The folder included a list of models that Gabdatsin Inc. would be in position to offer. These included all kind of basic weaponry and military material, including ammunition and technological products. It also included anti-tank and anti-aircraft weaponry, as well several Aranyean prototypes of guided bombs and rockets. For someone well aware of the state of the industry, he could easily realize this were mostly products and technology produced by Tsetskhli Corporation and Parebi Systems. The last two pages of the dossier also offered advanced technology, from the most basic jamming and kamikaze drones to more advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles.

"The cost of those last models, of course", Viljo indicated, "it would be considerably much higher, as well as their availability decreased, as you can easily understand, as they are not just as a high cost and price and indicated there, but it would require special training as well as the cost of the hiring of operators from our employees".

"So, let me know", he inquiried, "do you believe our offer may interest and satisfy your government?".

[Daitō]

   There was no price to high, no debt too great, which Pasut Chai'at, the Kalasinese negotiator, was unwilling to accept for the sake of their freedom. So long as, upon independence, he could ensure a free, pure Kalasin, any cost was acceptable to him. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel that much of what was being offered would arrive far too late to make a difference, for the enemy advance was rapid, and the best they could hope for was a protracted guerilla campaign to wear down their foe.
   "What we need, more than anything else, is small arms and ammunition." Pasut began. "I'm talking rifles, machine guns, and more than anything else, ATGMs and anti-air missiles." He continued, pausing for a moment. "...That being said, your offer does indeed work for us."

[Beatrice]

With all of her anger being centered upon coordinates such as N 8.619386 E 7.958797 and 32N NP 45920 36120" N 7.564002 E 9.416266, the sailors aboard Edward Truden didn't truly care what their targets were, nor where their shells were landing, just tha they fed accurate information to ICON and their shells flew true. A mixture of single-use shells and saboted  shells found themselves flung at Kalsain, each with their own targeting imbedded in their programming which took place on the ship, though each round fired still stirred the fires of all aboard and those in nearby ships. It was not a great secret that Rokkenjima would join a ground assault, hence the positioning of resources to support such a move. What the sailors cared about, in this moment, was vengeance, to avenge the lost Rokkenjiman lives and see that their foes hurt in the worst possible manners moving forward.

A military convoy was also in their purview, an opportunity which the Captain of Edward Truden took to the fullest advantage, firing guided salvo after salvo almost at his leisure. Once word reached him that a resupply would be needed to continue his fire he sighed, "I'll return for the night," he would say but not without adding, "as soon as we can fire at the "sonsabitches" again, wake me, for we will see them most bloodied before the IRN is done with them."

[paralipomena]

   There was no price to high, no debt too great, which Pasut Chai'at, the Kalasinese negotiator, was unwilling to accept for the sake of their freedom. So long as, upon independence, he could ensure a free, pure Kalasin, any cost was acceptable to him. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel that much of what was being offered would arrive far too late to make a difference, for the enemy advance was rapid, and the best they could hope for was a protracted guerilla campaign to wear down their foe.
   "What we need, more than anything else, is small arms and ammunition." Pasut began. "I'm talking rifles, machine guns, and more than anything else, ATGMs and anti-air missiles." He continued, pausing for a moment. "...That being said, your offer does indeed work for us."

"We would be able to provide you a large amount of rifles, machine guns, grenades, ammunition", Viljo replied. "We have already access to anti-tank and anti-air guided missiles so that should not be a problem"..

"Mrs. Dilrabat will be to your assistance to solve the most minor details in our agreement", Viljo added. "Of course, as it is standard in our business deals, a clause of confidentiality will be included in the contract".


State of Kalasin

Once the agreement was finished, as soon as it was possible, the first cargo flights with good and materiel arrived to the State of Kalasin. When it was possible, this was done through direct flights to Kalasin. When not, giving the situation of the country, this was done through third countries along the Kalasin border. When it was possible, the transport was done legally. If not, Gabdatsin Inc. did this through smuggling along the border, thanks to business contacts it may have in the country.

Givi Kartlishvili, an associate of the company, was sent as main contact with the State of Kalasin. Kartlishvili had experience in organizing air flights, both legally and irregularly in the past, evading arms embargoes and similar risky business operations. Giving the opposing force that Kalasin was facing, it was not an easy task, but Givi Kartlishvili and his men were ready to do their best to complete the agreement in the current circumstances.

[Achkaerin]

It had been obvious from the start that an international intervention was going to be visited on Kalasin, it was obvious that against the forces arrayed against them that Kalasin's military such as it was would not be able to hold for long, that knowledge made the situation more dangerous than ever. Many of the Achkaerinese military remembered the Eugenics War in Seaforth, some had been first on the scene at Halsteads where in the face of defeat the SCC had massacred the whole village population. Others in the Achkaerinese military had been in Uppsalla on a humanitarian mission and ended up fighting the Gungnir in the streets among other places. Kalasin had all the hallmarks of those times, a quick resolution was required, was hoped for by those involved but whether it could be delivered that rested solely with those on the ground. For the Achkaerinese their part in the ground offensive was being the hidden lioness, in the wild savannahs where those beautiful animals hunted you could always see one or two of them but when the herd of prey moved to defend against it another would spring out of nowhere and make the kill. Commanding the Achkaerinese military detachment in the Vax Republic was General Kakashi Fuji, standing looking over a map, his staff gathered around. For days they'd waited, letting the separatists absorb the thrust of the amphibious landing, letting them focus their efforts there, now though the second front was about to be opened.

"Intel is a little weird on this one." Kakashi said "There's nothing indicating enemy positions around Silla, which considering it's the nearest separatist held town to us is odd. It's the gate to Pattani, take it and we have a straight shot down the road to Pattani. Colonel Brandt will lead the offensive against Silla, Major Mishima..."
"Sir." Fleur Mishima said
"You and your corps skirt Silla and punch out the route to Pattani." Kakashi said "There's a large amount of open ground and I mean a lot around Pattani."
"So that's where it'll be." Fleur said
"Yeah that'll be where the heavy stuff is." Kakashi said "Once the route to Pattani is secure it's going to be urban warfare to take the city, the separatist government is to be taken alive so they can answer for what they've done." he took a breath "The separatists are beaten and they know it but they're going to make us pay in blood for every inch of ground. Questions?" he nodded when no one spoke up "Then let's make this happen."

[Daitō]

CONTENT WARNING: THIS POST INCLUDES SENSITIVE TOPICS WHICH MAY CAUSE DISTRESS IN THE READER. IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH READING ABOUT SUCH TOPICS, TURN AWAY NOW.

Extract from research interview for 'Denial: Why People Deny Genocide' by Jun’ya Onizuka, 11 March, 2033

Jun’ya Onizuka: “Hello, Konishi-san, and thank you for conducting this interview. You were a soldier in the Daitōjin army stationed in Paechon, is that correct?”

Goro Konishi: “Yes, that’d be correct. For the record, if I might ask, what exactly would you like to know?”

Onizuka: “We’ll get to that, but first, I’d like to ask a few other questions, provide some context if that’s alright.”

Konishi: “Very well.”

[...]

Onizuka: “It was dawn on the 22nd of October when you crossed the Channel, right?”

Konishi: “We got permission to move from Paechon into what was at the time western Kalasin. Pretty soon after that, we started landing near the coast, Songkhla, I believe the city was. As it happens, I was one of the first people to make it over, so we—Alpha Company—were tasked with securing the area before we could move on. The plan from there was to seize Songkhla, and from there we—Daitōjin forces, I mean; the Achkaerinese were tasked with heading north—were to push along Highway 3 towards Ranong, liberate the former capital of the ‘Union State’, though we’d hopefully link up with Kalasinese Union forces who’d be doing a lot of the heavy lifting with liberating their homeland.”

Onizuka: “Did you meet any resistance on the way?”

Konishi: “Oh, no. Well, I mean there was that ambush in Ko Samet on the first day, but generally speaking, as we pushed along Highway 3, we were met with… Well, an eerie calm. I want to say that from about the time we left Songkhla until we hit Kathu. People were just scared. I mean, we’d hit Kalasin hard in the weeks prior, don’t get me wrong, but that was almost exclusively against military targets. We hit things like power stations and telecommunications equipment, knocked out a couple oil refineries and destroyed the utility of most dams, yes, but we did our best to mitigate civilian casualties whenever possible. No, there was something terribly wrong. But you know, everything west of the Pa Sak river was at least relatively orderly. It was certainly more than anything we found from the east bank to Ranong. As the gods are my witness, there was just… nothing.

Onizuka: “How did people greet you?’

Konishi: “It depends, honestly. Many didn’t do anything, as it happens. I think they just went on about their day as though there was nothing that had happened. Old women complaining about the price of bread in stores, men playing shogi in the parks. I couldn’t believe it since we were all so unnerved by the silence, but I figured at the time that they just got used to the constant shelling. ‘What the hell, we might die, but we should at least enjoy what time we have left.’ I imagined they thought at the time. Now, however, I have reason to believe that what they’d seen, what they’d heard, what they knew had caused something in their minds to just break and they just switched off, because facing the horror of what had been going on was just something they couldn’t comprehend.”

[...]

Konishi: “Others greeted us as liberators, some genuine, others because the alternative was almost certainly worse. They were worried that they’d be next, that they’d be killed or worse. And of course, there were those who were loyal either to the government or to the old regime who either refused to greet us or actively hampered our efforts. Many of those just crumpled to the ground, realizing that their hope for independence had been crushed like a pile of refuse under a tank tread.”

Onizuka: “When you say worse, you’re referring to Aleywa, yes?”

Konishi: “Mhhm. ‘Holding Camp No. 5’, as the Kalasinese government called it.”

Onizuka: “What did you know about Aleywa before you arrived?”

Konishi: “We’d heard from the scant few locals who weren’t too scared to talk to us about the rape camp rumors, the brainwashing camp rumors, but to be honest, a lot of people, especially those who weren’t reading the broadsheets or even checking the news on their phones didn’t believe it. I don’t blame them, of course. The thought that camps like it had existed since before the war, and under the noses of practically every government was too hard to believe. A lot of people just assumed they were exaggerating in order to demonize the Kalasinese or to further justify the war despite the attacks on Awara and Pyrettania. I don’t really know what I believed back then, but whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t what we found.”

Onizuka: “I understand if it’s difficult for you to remember, but due to the rise of online denial culture about things like the rape camps and ‘Plan Khaw’, can you just say what you saw when you arrived?”

Konishi: “We arrived at ‘Holding Camp No.5’ pretty early in the morning on the 17th of November. The orders apparently came from pretty high up to confirm some of the rumors that were going on there. The guards had all left—ran before we came because they knew what we would find. We arrived at the gate and, you remember those images of some of the camps in the Amami islands and the Ardian POW camps during the Greater East Ardia War with the emaciated inmates waiting around the gate? It was like that, but they were all women and girls. Most, but not all of ‘em looked slightly different than the average Kalasinese, and our translator said that’s because they were related. Lanna, Vax, Antawsai, T’rung, those sorts of people. Others looked more Ardian, so I had to guess they were descendants from back when the old Empire ruled the place. Some were bald because they desperately tried to make themselves less attractive to get less attention. Almost all of them had bruises or black eyes, even bite marks. A lot of them actually ran in terror from us because after what they’d all been through they were terrified of the sight of a man, any man. So we already knew what had happened and were shocked—even though we’d heard all the rumors, they don’t prepare you for seeing what had happened.”

[...]

Konishi: “We went inside of a barracks in the camp and we all fell silent. We were met with a vile smell, something like decay mixed with waste and blood. Lines of women had been literally chained to the wall, some dead and many more wishing they were. Solely because it’s still too painful to think about, you’ll forgive me if I don’t go into more detail other than that we all knew what had happened there. The bruising, the rashes, it all told us what had happened. On that day, in that room, part of me died, the part that believed there was a god, because if there was, then either we were in hell or this wouldn’t’ve happened.

Onizuka: “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything else that stuck with you from the camp?”

Konishi: “Yes, of course. I recall… I’m sorry, I just need a moment.”

Onizuka: “Take all the time you need.”

Konishi: “I recall, when we first entered that camp, I felt something tugging on one of the pockets on my pants. It was so weak, but I knew what it was. A little girl, no older than four or five I thought, so horribly emaciated that it had to hurt just to walk. And yet, there she was, her eyes watering, perhaps in fear or joy that she’d be free, that the torment she’d gone through was over, begging for me to give her a bite to eat. Anything to push back that horrible feeling when the body starts to break down its own muscles just to survive. So of course, I contacted our battalion over BCTNet and requested ‘immediate support’, specifically requesting medical personnel and additional rations.”

Onizuka: “Whatever happened to her?”

Konishi: “The girl? She died that day. Refeeding syndrome, one of the medics said. Essentially, we gave her too much to eat, which caused a ‘metabolic disturbance’ in her body. We didn’t know at the time, but we should’ve. Admittedly, I blame myself for that. She would’ve been fourteen last June, per the records we found in one of the administrative buildings in the camp.”

Onizuka: “Were there any guards left in or around the camp?”

Konishi: “Well, when we went to the camp headquarters, we expected that, like everywhere else in the area, it’d be completely empty. Instead, as we went inside, we saw a boy crawling across the floor. It was the first male we’d seen in the camp that whole day, and we later found out that he’d been transferred from the mens’ camp a few dozen kilometers up the road. He couldn’t’ve been more than ten at the time, very naturally innocent looking, and he was crawling across the floor, really cautiously, looking at us and then back to the room behind him in terror. His face looked okay but we could quickly realize he was in severe pain. It turned out that he’d had both of his legs broken and that he’d been ordered to walk around on them for the amusement of his abuser for months. Not just his legs, this boy had essentially been tortured daily by the man who was just behind him in that room.”

[...]

Konishi: “Now, the man who had done this, it turned out he was actually quite infamous among the Kalasinese. His name was Wittaya Sriroj, and he had the nickname of “Pisac”, or “Demon”. Now, I’m sure you can guess how I feel about him, but suffice to say, that was an apt nickname. He took particular delight in abusing and torturing the children in the camp, particularly but not exclusively the Lanna. We walked, guns at the ready, right into the room to see Sriroj at a desk just reeking of Raon khao. He’d apparently had a nervous breakdown—not because of what he’d done, but because he’d been abandoned by his men. When he woke up he saw three guns practically in his mouth. What blew my mind was how young he was—he would've been a university student back at home, but here he was, committing things that were beyond what we thought anyone was capable of.

Onizuka: “How hard was it not to kill him?”

Konishi: “Well, as I said, when I saw those women before, I told myself there could be no gods. So when I realized that I sort of had the choice of killing him right there, punishments be damned, I realized how stupid it would be to kill him. He dies, then nothing. That’s why I sorta never understood why so many people were in support of the death penalty. ‘Oh, if we don’t have the death penalty, then we’d force him to suffer’, among other arguments. Exactly. He’d die and then he wouldn’t get to suffer. If he was going to suffer, as I wanted him to, I wanted him to live as long as possible—in that sense, it was a good thing he was so young. We beat the shit out of him, obviously. I think we must have taken half his teeth out.”

Onizuka: “What did you do after liberating the camp?”

Konishi: “Well, we were ordered to stay in the area for a few days while our sister company went up the road to that other camp I told you about. During that time, our priority was to provide as much assistance to the survivors as was possible until more aid could arrive. Honestly, I think those days were some of the hardest of my life—maybe not physically but mentally and emotionally. But eventually, we had to move on. Ranong awaited us, after all, and from there, well, all roads lead to Pattani, I suppose. Every so often, as we continued on our way, we’d pass through villages which had been entirely emptied out. Some had no signs that anyone had lived there, since I figure the PAFK had done a good enough job clearing out the bodies, but far more often than not, the slain were left out in the open, some brutalized beyond recognition in some grizzly act of desecration against people who were, just a few months prior, their neighbors. And now, because of that, Kalasin as a single country just doesn’t exist anymore… And many of us, the boys who liberated that infernal country, well… We were never the same again.”

Onizuka: “What do you think about the denial of not just the rape camps, the idea that the camps were just holding camps that gets spread by some far-right and even sometimes far-left types on the internet?”

Konishi: “Well, it’s like the attacks in July, the idea that the bombings of Awara and Pyrettania were actually done by us in order to discredit the Rangsitpol regime and the PAFK. We can’t use facts and logic to untangle that mess because no adult in a society with access to information has ever been a genocide denier out of facts or logic. The only thing I can say to the people who say the rape camps didn’t exist, that it all was made up to justify the nuclear strike, I wish you were right, mate. I really wish you were right.”

Onizuka: “Thank you for your time.”

Konishi: “By all means, you’re welcome.”

[Achkaerin]

Silla

The town of Silla had been viewed, by those who knew the plan, as the gateway to Pattani. The Achkaerinese had expected a hard fight here, what they got was the open door, an eerie feeling to say the least and for the man in charge Lt Colonel Sebastian Brandt highly suspect, after all any military commander worth their rank knew that this front could have been opened and knew therefore the importance of Silla in that respect. What hit him first as he took his squad into Silla was the smell, something wasn't right, something had been unleashed here, tapping his radio button he took a breath "Colonel Brandt to all squads anyone got eyes on any inhabitant or sign of life?" he said
"No sign boss." came one response
"Nothing seen." came another
"Negative" came a third
"Major Skarsgård?" Sebastian asked
"Not found anything yet." came the response of Major Ezri Skarsgård
"Where are you?" Sebastian asked
"Northern sector just cleared a police station." Ezri said "I don't like this."
"Neither do I." Sebastian said "It screams trap."
"But where's the cheese?" Ezri asked
"I don't know but let's be vigilant." Sebastian said, he took a deep breath, he had to admit it was clever of the PAFK, the nature of urban warfare meant that they'd have to search and clear every building which would take time, however that didn't help nor did it explain the missing civilian populace.

It happened about an hour later as the Achkaerinese military units pushed closer to the centre of the small town, the sound of gunfire punctuated the silence out of nowhere "Contact." the word lit up the radio frequencies followed by positions, Sebastian and his squad found themselves pinned down by fire coming from what looked like a school.
"Colonel Brandt pinned down by fire coming from the school in grid Juliet fourteen." Sebastian reported
"I'm right next door Colonel, Lima fourteen." Ezri said responding "School complex has several buildings."
"We'll draw fire you go in." Sebastian said
"Copy that." Ezri said
"Go." Sebastian said, he and his team began laying down covering fire while Ezri's squad got inside.
"We're in proceeding to clear." Ezri reported
"Have that." Sebastian said, it took a few minutes but eventually the fire directed at them ceased but the gunfire itself didn't, taking the chance Sebastian led his squad in through another entrance, it was an explosive breach, it had to be it seemed like whatever was going on in Silla this was a big part of it.

It took about another hour to be able to satisfactorily clear the school, but that was just the beginning of the discoveries, each classroom was full of people almost like overcrowded dormitories, they didn't look that well nourished or clean either. "Contact base let them know we need medical and support here." Sebastian said
"Colonel can you come down here?" Ezri asked over the radio "I'm in the sports area."
"On my way." Sebastian said, he walked down the stairs and across to the sports building to where Ezri was waiting "Report?"
"Changing rooms are where they've stored dead bodies." Ezri said "The five enemy working in here surrendered when we entered, they thought we were going to kill them when we burst in. They told us there's a mine a couple of miles north of here that's part of this."
"Take your squad and investigate that." Sebastian said

The Marble Palace

The sound of a phone vibrating prompted a mumbled and slightly chaotic affair as Serenity opened her eyes and rubbed the sleep out of them before carefully reaching over to the bedside table and picking up her phone "Yes?" she asked before listening "I'll be right down."  she hung up before nudging Euphy who was asleep on top of Serenity, her head on Serenity's chest "Euphy." Serenity whispered running her hand through Euphy's hair as the Rokkenjiman Princess stirred a little "I've got to go to work."
"I guessed." Euphy whispered
"I'll be back soon." Serenity said as Euphy rolled off of her.
"How much would asking you to take the girls to school cost me?" Serenity asked as she got out of the bed
"That bad?" Euphy asked
"It's a war in Kalasin it's bad." Serenity said
"It'll cost you a night out dancing with me." Euphy said
"All right." Serenity said

When Serenity walked into the Round Table Room she raised an eyebrow at the room "What you've never seen an Empress attend a meeting wearing Pokemon pyjamas?" she asked "Don't answer that... what's going on?"
"Rokkenjima surfaced three submarines in what looks like in relation to what's coming out of Kalasin." Rion said "They say something else but there's no such thing as a coincidence."
"And King David is offering assistance to the survivors of these camps." Nettie said
"Admiral Rankin?" Serenity asked looking at William Rankin
"There's a legal reckoning coming for everyone involved in this." William said slowly "When this is over we're going to want everyone from the Rangsitpol regime, the Kalasin military and anyone else in a courtroom to answer for crimes whether that be the Uppsalla Convention or the Historical Crimes Treaty. It's already murky, we don't want it getting murkier."
"It's high stakes." Serenity said "Adam, when are we expecting Daito's advance to hit Ranong?"
"Within the next forty eight to seventy two hours, we're continuously touching base on that." Adam said
"Ok let's time a humanitarian insertion with that, create a safe zone." Serenity said "Meanwhile let's not let this get out of control. The separatists aren't winning this war so let's start focusing on not letting them win the peace as well."
"Do I put people on the ground?" William asked
"Yes let's get that rolling." Serenity said "Anything else?"
"When do we hit Pattani?" Peter asked
"Could be any point within the next week." Adam said "And the fight within that city? Who knows how long that'll take."
"Keep me updated." Serenity said "Nettie speak to Emerson, you know what to do."
"Yes." Nettie said
"Adam you talk to Captain Watson, you know what means." Serenity said
"Yep." Adam said
"I'm going back to bed, let me know if anything else happens." Serenity said

[Daitō]

Chiang Dao, Kalasin
11 km West of Ranong
3 December, 2023
1709 Hours

   The sun hung low on the horizon, to the west from whence they came. General Hayao Okuda, the commander of Daitōjin forces in Kalasin, had arrived only a few hours prior in order to visit the troops, at least officially, but there was more to his visit to the front than he let on. It had been a short trip by air, having taken an Ikuchi from Songkhla to a location just a few klicks west of here before arriving at this command post, yet even from above, it had been a sobering one. He had a list of names burned into his head; those members of the Kalasinese government and military who had planned the war and who had exacted the worst excesses of human depravity upon the world. And today, he was going to accept the surrender of one of them. He had to be polite, to maintain a sense of decorum as befitted a man of his station, yet every fiber of his being hated the man he was soon to meet with, to have his photo taken with. He could only take solace in knowing that his counterpart in Ranong would face justice for his crimes.

   General Korakod Sanya, the commander of the Southeastern Theatre, the man who had overseen the capture of Ranong and who aided in the continued operation of the camps. A man so vile, the aged Daitojin general, a man who had been in the country more times than he could remember, couldn't help but shudder at the thought of meeting. What kind of man could engage in such actions so willingly? What soldier would disgrace the uniform they wore so proudly? Such a contemptable individual, he thought as he looked out towards the city. It was hardly recognizable, or at least it was from the air, owing to the smoke from the many fires that had raged for the last few days, not to mention many of its buildings were in a poor state due to shelling. He could only take solace in knowing that they had been able to get as many innocents out as they could, and even that was tainted by the knowledge that not everyone had fled.
   "Okuda-taishō, sir, he's here." One of his subordinates, a Maj. Yōichirō Ishida, reported with a salute.
   "Very well, Ishida." Hayao replied before turning around and following the Major. "Anyone else with him?"
   "No sir, other than a few members of his staff, he's alone."
   "Good. Let's hope he's actually here to surrender." Hayao nodded as he glanced over to him. "Oh, who am I kidding, in this day and age you don't come all this way to say you won't give up."

   A few moments passed, but soon enough, they'd round a corner and see the Kalasinese delegation. Three men: the driver, a young lad no older than twenty-four; an adjutant holding the rank of colonel; and of course, the man of the hour. The driver was leaning against the side of their vehicle, while the Colonel and General Sanya were discussing amongst themselves in the native tongue. Of course, what it was, exactly, Hayao couldn't say as he didn't speak Kalasinese, but that didn't matter too much. Ishida would be translating for him anyways.
   "General Sanya." Hayao said, almost biting his tongue as he offered to shake his hand. It would be a moment, but his counterpart would reciprocate the gesture.
   "Your terms, General Ishida?" Korakod replied, his words translated by Major Ishida. "I propose-"
   "No proposals. The terms won't change, only thing we'll accept is your immediate and unconditional surrender."
   "Sir, listen, we need to offer terms." Major Ishida tried to interject. "The people in that city, if the Kalasinese refuse to surrender they're gonna suffer."
   "No."
   "At least think about how we're gonna handle the defenders. That's at least twenty thousand prisoners we're going to need to process." Ishida replied.
   "General?" Korakod said, still waiting for a response as Ishida had not translated what was said.
   "Immediate, unconditional surrender. You have until ten o'clock this evening or we take the inner city by force." Hayao stated plainly. "Good day." He added before walking off. The ball was now in General Sanya's court. Whether or not he would agree was on him, but Hayao hope he would. Any sane man would hope that.

[Achkaerin]

"That one was way too close." the voice of Fleur Mishima said as the Shadowfox tank she commanded just avoided an incoming projectile, this was battle for Pattani, for days the area outside the city, the open terrain had been the site of a fierce confrontation between the Achkaerinese and Kalasin forces, and then the balance had tipped and the Achkaerinese had started to push into the city. This wasn't unexpected, a hard fight was what they'd prepared for and now in the urban environment the pace of the advance had slowed, this was methodical block by block, clearing insurgents and Kalinese military from each area before moving on. It wasn't anything Fleur hadn't seen before she'd been in charge at the battle of St Catherine's in the Seaforth Eugenics War and that had been brutal, the devastation of both the city and the surrounding countryside was something she wouldn't forget in a long time. As for Pattani well this was a far more dangerous battle, the separatists were beaten, they were cornered but they were going take as many of the invading force with them as they could. There was a loud explosion off to one side "What the hell was that?"
"These insurgents just collapsed a building." the voice of Caspar Schiffer came over the radio.
"It's their last stand." Fleur said "Keep pushing we're almost into the government area."

Ever since Ranong had fallen this had become the primary focus of the push in Pattani, forcing the hand of the separatists, making sure an end was put to this and that those responsible were in custody and would go on to face justice for what they'd done. As each block of Pattani had been cleared, those who'd surrendered had been put under guard. Fleur had hoped for an easier time of it if Ranong had fallen first but while the Kalasin military seemed to be prepared to surrender other militia associated with the enemy had other ideas. It did take time but eventually the advance into the centre of Pattani brought the Achkaerinese forces to the home of the Separatist Government, it was deathly quiet, after a few moments Fleur put her head up out of the tank megaphone in hand "This is Major Mishima of the Achkaerinese military, the building is surrounded, come out now with your hands up or we will come in, let's end this now."

It took a couple of minutes but eventually the white flag was flown out of an upstairs window, much to the relief of everyone in the square, shortly followed by the procession of officials coming out of the building, a fair number of whom would be facing up to the legal reckoning heading their way and once the dust settled the full extent of that would be known. Regardless in the official sense the white flag and the nod from the man standing under it was enough the city was taken. "Get on the radio to command." Fleur said ducking back down into the tank "Rangsitpol and officials in custody, Pattani has fallen."

[Daitō]

Mepale, Kalasin
72 km Northwest of Ayothaya
20 March, 2024
2200 Hours

   The town of Mepale was quiet, the nearly-full moon hanging overhead. Off in the distance, a dog was barking, and there was the occasional rumble of an engine which passed through onto parts unknown. It had been a few months since major combat operations had ended on the part of the Fusanese, but the war was hardly over. Nintau would be sure of that. This war would not end until either men like him were dead or Kalasin was free. Free of exploitation, of domination by foreign powers, of a so-called "democracy" which represented only the interests of shareholders and the one percent. Free of foreign lapdogs like Kaikaew and Montri, yes, but also self-serving butchers like Rangsitpol. To think Prateung would ally with him, even after all of that... It was unconscionable, but at the same time, they had a shared enemy, one which now occupied this sacred land. Eventually, the middle-aged Kalasinese found his way to grate, entering the town's sewers through it before reaching the hideout. To the outside world, it would've been as though he had simply disappeared.

   Inside, the hideout was abuzz with activity, even at this hour. The contrast was like night and day, truth be told, and it was clear that something was up. What it was, however, eluded Nintau, though he ignored it for a moment, instead pulling out a map from his bag before walking over to his commander, Parat Anand.
   "Sir." He spoke up, "I have the map you asked for." He added before placing it on a table. The map, which showed the local area, charted out what appeared to be supply lines for the enemy forces, with several of them converging on a bridge not too far outside of town. "If I may make a suggestion, we should hit them this week, blow the bridge over the Ping, and cut their supply lines up to Lamphun. I-"
   "We will do no such thing, Vipavakit." Parat cut him off. "I appreciate the work you've done, but... For now, our orders are to stand by. Prateung's got something big in the works, and he wants us all ready."
   "Big, sir?" Nintau asked. "What do you mean?"
   "I don't have the details, but whatever it is, it's going to send a serious message to the Fusanese."Nagatoro, Shinkyo Metropolis
16km East of Shinkyo
21 March, 2024
0430 Hours

   Another long night at the office, Jiro thought as he poured over documents. He didn't like being kept this late, not being home to see his kids head off to school, or even just getting to sleep in his own bed. But alas, fate seemed to have different plans for him. Fate, or the orders of his superiors. He might've complained, but the truth was, there was scarcely a nobler job than furthering the security of his nation. It's why he'd been so eager to go to work for CIRA, now nearly a decade ago, and it was a job which he took much pride in, even if it had its drawbacks. "Military Analyst." That was what his title was, and it was a role he personally thought he excelled at. But this morning had been filled with dull work, just reviewing files and dossiers about Kalasin, the PAFK, and other groups operating in the region. Compared to a few months ago, just after the attack on Awara—an attack he felt in some way culpable for not finding out sooner—it had been awfully quiet these days. No word about Prateung, no signs of any major offensives brewing, nothing. That was, at least, until a few hours ago, when he found something.

   It might've seemed like a good thing, having a large number of PAFK cells in Kalasin had go dark and leaders go into hiding, but it seemed too sudden, too organized to simply be a response to the continued peacekeeping mission. But in his line of work, it paid to be vigilant, and so, over the last few hours, everything seemed to be falling into place. It seemed, at least in his eyes anyways, that the PAFK was preparing for something big. If he was wrong—and he hoped he was—then this was nothing and the war might be over sooner rather than later. But if he was right, then Fusan was going to be struck hard and a lot of people were going to die as a result. By the gods, he hoped he was wrong.