Roleplay > War and Conflict

Under Crimson Skies

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Daitō:
Background
For nearly eighty years, the skies and waters of the Rokkenjiman Sea have been the site of a long-lasting dispute between the Empire of Daitō and first the Federal Republic and later First Empire of Rokkenjima. At the heart of this dispute, though the conflict has dormant since the end of the Second Patriotic War, is a pair of island chains, the Tokara and Satsunan Islands. It was hoped, with Daitō's accession to the Cross-Straits Treaty Organization in 2020, that this dispute would, ultimately be resolved, however, following Daitō withdrawing from the organization in 2022, those hopes have appeared dashed. Now, with the appointment of Prime Minister Sadazane Konishi and the election of Premier Charles Ofdensen, nationalistic firebrands in their respective nations, it is now possible that the long-standing dispute is soon to come to a head.Rokkenjiman Sea, 77.03 km SSW of Tokara, Tokara Islands
06 Feb, 2023
Early Morning

   It is a cold morning on the Rokkenjiman sea, not far from the maritime borders of the Empire of Daitō and the First Empire of Rokkenjima set in 1945. It is a border which neither side formally recognizes, both of whom lay claim to the entirety of the strategically valuable island chain which makes up the tail end of the Strait of Austrana, and thus it, alongside the Satsunan Islands further west, grant control over major shipping routes through the Rokkenjiman Sea. At around 0430 Hours, a Daitōjin Q-6 Akugyo maritime patrol aircraft, "Akawashi 304", had taken off from NAS Awara on the mainland as part of ongoing trials involving the IDN Taihō roughly 150 kilometers to the southwest. Aboard the Taihō, an element of VF-111, the "Spearpoints", was preparing to take off in order to perform CAP duties as part of the exercises underway. Said element, comprising of two fighters—Spear 102 and Spear 105—flown by Cmdr. Genta "Sparks" Saeki and Lt. Hirokuni "Hiro" Fukura, took off Taihō at 0535 Hours and began heading north-east towards the islands, accompanied, albeit further back, by an E-2 Senbōkyō AEW&C aircraft designated "Byakko" from VAW-28.

   A few hours later, at 0700, as Akawashi 304 continues its patrol and the Spear element begins to approach the airspace, Byakko detects two unidentified contacts coming from the northeast. They are heading towards Akawashi 304.
   «Akawashi 304, buster northwest immediately, bearing 350.» "Byakko" transmitted to the lone Q-6.
   «Roger, wilco.» the pilot of the aircraft replied before diving in order to pick up speed before fleeing the area, heading north. His aircraft, while equipped with an array of countermeasures, would not stand a genuine chance if attacked.
   With Akawashi 304 on its way out, Byakko's mission director turned his attention to the radar contact and to the Spear element. «102, 105, fast-movers inbound, BRAA; 50 for twenty-two at angels 18, flanking. Spear, you are cleared for cutoff.»
   «105, climbing to angels 22.» Answered Lt. Fukura as he pulled back on the stick, raising his aircraft's altitude to 4,000 feet over 102 and adopting a fluid two formation. As far as either pilot or their RIOs know, this is going to be a normal intercept, the sort of thing they practiced in Sipura, and with any luck, that would be all this would amount to.

Beatrice:

The two RK80 fighters, operating from Imperial Air Base Southkeep, maintained their trajectory. Premier Ofdensen had made clear that the Tokara and Satsunan Islands were Rokkenjiman, brought into existence along with Azukishima Isle, a gift to Mundus from the All-Mother herself. Many had hoped that with the Anselmo Restoration that Empress Saisei would finally bring some resolution to the Tokara and Satsunan Question, yet she had chosen appeasement over the just liberation of the island chains, a day which proved to never come under Saisei, Evanthe or even now, Shizukesa. While it was true they were operating without the sanction of Chrysanthemum Throne the message that the Anselmos had grown weak in confronting foreign threats had grown in some ranks of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces, thus this most risky of missions.

Eliminating interference from the Grand Marshal had been paramount; hence the timing as Rowe happened to be occupied at the moment. The two Rokkenjiman pilots soon found their focus upon two aircraft, with the RK80s accelerating as they approached Akawashi 304. While in similar past instances a wide berth would be given to the aircraft of Daitō this time went much different. The first Rokkenjiman aircraft would pass within just 25 feet of the nose of Akawashi 304 whilst the second would chance fate even further, at just 19 feet. Increasing the bluster of this act, the second pilot would also raise her middle finger even if the opposing pilot might not see it.

Soon the telephone lines would be ringing at Imperial High Command and the two pilots knew that their time here would be short, thus it was paramount to squeeze as much as they could out of those fleeting, most precious moments.

Daitō:
   Within moments, thanks to the work of the lumbering Q-6's co-pilot, SLt. Riki Uekawa, the aircraft would be identified, and before long, the pair of J-7s would be on their way to assist their intercepted comrade.
   «Akawashi 304 reporting two Flints[1], bearing 350 for about 18,000 feet.» the Sub-Lieutenant said over the radio.
   «Roger, 102, 105 turning, bearing 350 from bulls.» Cmdr. Saeki responded before saying, over the same encrypted channel, "Hey, Hiro, what say you pull out the script we used back in Sipura?"
   "That one?" "Hiro"—Hirokuni Fukura—replied as the two aircraft flew, slowly approaching the impromptu formation. With a sigh, he said "Fine. Just a few."

   The next few minutes would be rather tense as the element from VF-111, their tails marked with the rising sun, made their way to assist Akawashi 304. It seemed almost laughable, sending a pair of aircraft which, in appearance, seemed straight from the cold war against a pair of the most modern aircraft currently in service, but as they were the closest element and the situation was dire, they had no choice. Neither pilots and RIOs were too concerned, after all, it was the right thing to do, and heavens willing, they would come out of it alive. Eventually, with the trio of aircraft in sight, "102" would carefully bring itself "alongside" the second RK-80, though giving more than enough clearance from the Q-6. Spear 105 would remain above them, watching and waiting in case further action was necessary.
   «Spear 102 is visual, aircraft are at approximately 25 feet off starboard wing and 19 feet of port.» Saeki reported over the radio as his RIO, Lt. Goro Tanimura, took a moment to capture an image of the formation. It was going to be important to document it for the debrief, if they made it back, anyways.
   "The hell kind of intercept is that?" He asked as he watched on.
   «Bogeys are designated threats, weapons safe.» Byakko responded to Saeki. «Get them to peel off.»
   «Roger.» Hiro said over the secured line before, with the flick of a switch, opening an open channel to the Rokkenjiman aircraft. «Attention, Rokkenjiman aircraft. You have entered an Air Defense Identification Zone of the Empire of Daitō, established in keeping with the provisions of the Fair Seas Concordat, without a verified flight plan and are being intercepted by two armed Air Defense Fighters. If you hear this transmission, acknowledge, pull away from the Q-6 aircraft you are currently close to, and turn northeast immediately.»

   The message transmitted would, if they did not respond, be repeated for the time being. However, if they did not respond, then it would become... complicated.
 1. "Flint" is the reporting name for the RK-80

Beatrice:
"I'm tired of this game," Charles, who had been monitoring the situation from the Residence of the Premier said with a sigh. "Those islands are Rokkenjiman, and they dare invoke the Fair Seas Concordat? Send Akawashi 304 into the waters, then deal with the mosquitos. We're short on time, so make the most of these moments."

Within moments of Charles making his decision one of the Rokkenjiman aircraft maneuvered quickly and took up a position behind Akawashi 304, whilst the other would be joined by five RK80-Ns dispatched from IRN Kurogitsune, escorted by her carrier group in the Rokkenjima Sea. "Attention Daitojin aircraft, piss off," the pilot of the RK80 which had taken up station behind Akawashi 304 said as he fired two AIM-9 Sidewinders at the plane, banking to prepare operations against the J-7s. Meanwhile, the RK80-Ns readied their AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles to engage the remaining targets.

As these events transpired an irritated Grand Marshal Rowe activated the hotline between Rokkenjiman and Daitojin military commands whilst giving orders. "The assets operating in the Rokkenjiman Sea are operating without the sanction of the Crown and Imperial High Command, I rue any loss of life due to this exchange. As we speak I have designated these assets as rogue and have initiated procedures which will render them removed from combat capability, as I maintain control of our ICON cluster. Do what you must to defend yourselves, but I have assured that Rokkenjiman naval assets will not be capable of providing further support for these operations. On behalf of the Empress I convey our sincere interests in bringing this situation to an abrupt resolution and to limit any potential for the loss of life on both sides. For our part I have ordered the Kitsune to deploy her aircraft to engage these rogue assets and request your cooperation alongside their operations."

As the transmission from Rowe concluded those aboard the Kurogitsune, and her escorts, would find controls unresponsive, their courses changing to return to Rokkenjiman waters as ICON commands overrode local commands. "Old man has a few tricks," Captain Imai Hiroshi of the Kurogitsune sighed. "Inform our aircraft that they'll soon be flying blindly, do what damage is possible but their return is mandated. At least give the Daitojin a bloody nose." Meanwhile RK80-Ns from the Kitsune took off to engage those aircraft designated as rogue assets.

Daitō:
   «This is 105, Akawashi 304 has been fired upon!» Fukura screamed over the radio as his RIO, alongside his counterpart in Spear 102, activated the aircraft's radars. With their Rules of Engagement met, the battle was on; now was the time to put these rabid dogs down.
   "Hiro, you take the guy that shot down 304. The wingman's mine." Saeki said calmly over the radar.
   "Roger." Fukura said, looking over to the enemy aircraft as he pulled on the stick to remain behind his quarry; via his helmet-mounted cueing system, he was able to achieve radar lock without pointing the aircraft itself at the enemy. With a pull on the trigger, he said Fox-2! Fox-2!" He called out as, with a plume of smoke and a trail of fire, a missile, an AIM-9X, broke free, tracking towards its target. Less than a second later, as it approached the RK80-N's tail, it exploded, downing the first "Flint".
   Meanwhile, for Cmdr. Saeki, the situation was somewhat different. The wingman, evidently more skilled than the lead, was forcing him into a battle of maneuver. Even with a lock, at the present angle, it would be a much, much more difficult shot to make, and being a life-or-death situation, there was no room for mistake. Finally, as the Rokkenjiman aircraft made a hard turn to starboard, Saeki followed, pulling six Gs in the process before firing a missile off. Initially, the sidewinder did not track towards the target, instead flying past it. Saeki then switched to guns, but as he did this, the missile finally located the Flint, pulling forty-five G turn towards it before impacting near its cockpit. "Fox-2 kill for Sparks, Fox-2 kill." He reported.
   «102, 105, you are cleared to engage. Pass from the ship.» Byakko finally reported, giving "clearance" for the two aircraft to engage, though given the situation, it was expected that they had already done so.
   «And this is 102, 105. Two enemy kills.» Saeki replied. In total, the engagement, from the moment the Rokkenjiman aircraft downed Akawashi 304 to the end, had lasted for two minutes and fifty-six seconds. But though this phase of the fight was done, they knew the battle was only beginning.Meanwhile...

   The General Headquarters of the Imperial Daitōjin Armed Forces was abuzz with activity as reports came in about the engagement in the Rokkenjiman Sea. Even during the Cold War, though there had been intercepts over the Tokara Islands, not a single shot had been fired in anger between the two countries. This was different. As far as Eijirō was concerned, as he listened in via a conference-call from the Palace, this was a repeat of the engagement which had brought Daitōjin aircraft into the war in Toshikawa. But this time, the opposing force was sending forces, ostensibly to aid Daitō in mopping up rogue forces, but no matter how he looked at it, he felt chills go down his back. How could they be certain that this wasn't a cover for an invasion, not just of the remaining Tokara Islands, but of Daitō as a whole?
   "...Taihō is en-route to return to Kyūre, while Utsugi is expecting to enter the Dauntel this evening..." Admiral Satoru Hazuki said, speaking from the GHQ. Could they trust Rowe? How could they?
   "What of Tytor? Any idea if they're moving to assist Rokkenjima?" One of a number of officers asked a few minutes later.
   "It's... too soon to tell. The fact remains though, we have to treat any Rokkenjiman movements going forwards with suspicion." Marshal Esashi responded. "Unfortunately, your Majesty-" He said with a sigh. "-I fear that Rokkenjima has just fired the first shot of the Second Greater East Ardian War. Unless it is your command, we must respond accordingly."
   "In that case... I'm going to need to consult with my advisors... That and speak with the Achkaerinese, seeing as they undoubtedly have a better idea of what is going on."

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