SD.Net World(RAR!) MK III

[Coyote]

Southern Seas
RMS Atlantica (Flag); Commodore Alex Manstein




Canissian submarines RMS Diamondback, RMS Anaconda, RMS Copperhead pulled away from the area around the stricken freighter. The rest of the Southern Seas Fleet, however, was still on the prowl.

"Satnav has something, sir," the radar officer informed the Captain of the RMS Atlantica. The Ticonderoga-class Cruiser was cutting seas at speed towards the area, knowing full well that an Adrianopolis rescue mission would be underway somewhere.

"A couple surface contacts have come to investigate," Commodore Manstein noted. "Put them in the plot board and get a drone ready."
"Aye, sir."

The fleet was already spread out, in layered defenses with the frigates on anti-sub patrol, and the destroyers watching the skies. The drone was readied, but Commodore Manstein stayed the launch.

"Any definition on the targets yet?" he asked.
"Looks like one Kirov class," the Intel Chief said, "We think its the Mar Sulu-- not entirely sure, though. One Hyuga with choppers spooling on deck for ASW and SAR, looks like. Three Oscar Austin DDs and three F-100 frigates."

"It would be about even if their air assets weren't diverted," Manstein said, "Alright, let's get ready. Call general quarters," he said to the bo'sun.
"General Quarters, aye!" The alarm rang out through the fleet.

"They've got us, too," the Intel Chief said. "They're changing course and deploying."
"Well, they knew we were out here somewhere," Manstein said, "After all, we was all buddy-buddy until awhile ago... alright, set prep conditions for V-launch tubes one through eight. I want a second sortie ready to generate ASAP."
"Aye, sir."

The Canissian missiles were in the air before the Adrionopils ones; the Marina Armada of Adrianopolis was coming looking for submarines, based on the description of the freighter's demise. They quickly found themselves being swarmed by cruise missiles. The Kirov cruiser fired back in kind, and CIWs on both sides were quickly set into action.

Both sides sought to put the playing field to their strengths. For the Canissian Royal Navy, who had submarine assets in the area, it was imperative to eliminate the MA frigates. For the Marina Armada, who had more air assets, it was important to get rid of the RN destroyers.

Three Canissian missiles targeted the lead frigate, racing above the waves at full burn into a withering hail of CIWs fire. The frigate and destroyer crews easily figured out what was up, and each frigate had a destroyer nearby to add defensive firepower. Crews on the Hyuga-class raced to swap out their SAR birds with anti-ship missiles, but they had to buy time-- and who knew if a couple of missiles were tasked to sweep the deck of the carrier, to prevent just that?

The lead frigate --with the destroyer that had adopted it-- destroyed two inbound missiles; the third plowed into the forecastle of the F-19 and detonated, setting the upper superstructure on fire.

The F-20 also faced three missiles, and the last one was hit seconds before it hit. The warhead detonated away from the ship, but still scoured part of the deck, setting minor fires and killing a handful of sailors-- it looked worse than it really was. Their sister ship, the F-18, facing two missiles, escaped damage entirely.

The Canissian fleet's destroyer RMS Owyhee absorbed a missile square on the bow of the ship, blowing away part of the structure almost to the waterline and sending damage crews scurrying to unass munitions overboard before they cooked off.

RMS Sonora set one missile on a runaway course with a well-placed chaff burst; the missile detonated overhead and cleaned off some of the antenna-farm on the mast but was otherwise unhurt.

The frigate RMS Damocles also suffered a near-burst from a warhead, and the frigate RMS Ceres took a hit just above the hangar, destroying its ASW helicopter.

The fleets closed, and more missiles filled the sky. In a wide flanking maneuver, Corvette-Captain Steve Anders sent 102nd HYFOIL to pick at the edges of the battle area. They approached the damaged F-19, spouting black smoke from the superstructure, and darted forward in an intensely dangerous maneuver-- if the fire-control on the frigate was intact, they were going into the valley of death.

At max range, the four Hydrofoils loosed their Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The F-19 moved to evade, but didn't fire-- the missiles swarmed the ship, half missing their mark-- Captain Anders shook his head and promised more drills if they survived-- but the rest found their mark, dotting the ship with eruptions.

"Fuck, get out!" he called. The F-19's escort destroyer moved around the stricken ship and as the frigate crew began to abandon ship, the destroyer put one shot that crumpled through the hull of the RMS Caprica. Only fast evasives saved the Gemonon from a similar fate; but the decks were awash with spray. Using the burning F-18 as line-of-sight cover, the 102nd HYFOIL got away from the deadly gun and made flank speed from the fight.

The heavies closed in, and the sky was a tableu of missile contrails and tracers. The fleets had closed in battle.


Results so far/Meeting Engagement:

MARINA ARMADA (Navy)
1 Kirov CGNs
1 Hyuga DDH
3 Oscar Austin DDs
3 F-100 Frigates (F-19 [sunk]; F-18; F-20 [slight damage])

==========================

CANISSIAN SOUTHERN FLEET
RMS Atlantica (Flag); Commodore Alex Manstein

52nd DESDIV:
RMS Owyhee (Flag); brevet-Commodore Rex Bartley [serious damage]
RMS Sonora; Capt. Randall Hearst [moderate damage]

2nd FRIGDIV:
RMS Hera
RMS Heracles
RMS Damocles
RMS Ceres [damage to fight deck]

102nd HYFOIL Squadron:
RMS Tauron; Corvette Captain Steve Anders
RMS Picon
RMS Caprica [utterly destroyed]
RMS Gemonon

HK Team 002:
RMS Diamondback
RMS Anaconda
RMS Copperhead

[Coyote]

RAF Z-001


"Set course for Atlantis," Arik sighed, "Let's see what this is about. Radio ahead and let them know we're coming..."

[CmdrWilkens]

An Address to the Nations of the World

Felow citizens of this world. For myself and Wilkonia as well as the rest of the MESS these past few days have been a true test of the spirits of manking not to despair when faced with the utter likelyhood of nuclear annihilation. Thsi crisi began when ships of various MESS members were viciously attack without warning by nuclear weapons utilized by armed forces of Shepnukistan. This crisis has ultimately been about President Sheppard's lust for power and his desire to do as he pleases to the detriment of other nations. He has utilized nuclear weapons without provocation or warning, has declared war upon half the world and threatned nuclear annihilaiton which will irrevocably damage the rest.

Yet even within that framework of aggression and offense against us we have always hoped and still do hope for a peaceful resolution. As such the MESS sets forth the following proposal:


1) All declarations of war that have been issued shall be rescinded

2) All forces of the nations involved shall stand down to the highest peacetime alert levels

3) A committee shall be formed with one representative each from MESS, FUN, and UAR plus a representative from all unaligned nations. This committee shall be charged with creating a program of nuclear monitoring of ALL nations

4) A commission shall be created, to be chaired by a third party exclusive of FUN or the IRT, which shall be charged with determining in what amount reparations are owed for damage to MESS naval assets by Shepnukistan's unprovoked and undeclared nuclear attack.

5) A joint moratorium shall be issued on arms shipment to ALL nations of the former Terra Libertia.


Concurrent but seperate from these five points the MESS also requests that Adrianopolis be declared a rogue nation and all ties severed from them.

The MESS has declared war on no nation yet we have had war declared upon us and nuclear weapons fired at us we must demand that the hostilities cease and Shepnukistan account for the damage they have wrecked.

[RogueIce]

Aboard SRS Ranger, JTF-1

Orders had come in: they were re-aligning. JTF-1, on the west coast of Terra Libertia, was ordered to swing to the south and take up position to oppose Adrianopolis. JTF-2 would stay on station, ready to intercept any UAR attacks against TL (though they didn't see that as immediately likely) and also to provide cover for the Royal Canissian Navy. JTF-3 had finished escorting the damaged frigates of TF-23 to Tian Xia and was now steaming back to take up positions to the south-east of Adrianopolis.

It was a dramatic realignment. When before they had formed a shield between Saddamistan and Terra Libertia, now they were closing the noose on Adrianopolis. The kidnapping of MESS military personnel would not go unanswered.

Elsewhere, further transmissions were made, asking the UAR for their response to whether they would declare Adrianopolis a rogue state and help the MESS, or not. It was hoped that UAR observation that MESS naval forces were reforming away from Saddamistan would be taken as a sign of good faith on their part.

Vice Admiral Unther, commander of JTF-1, sent a transmission to the Canissian southern fleet:

Code: Select all

--TOP SECRET--

Pull back to cover of CJTF-4 carrier groups.  Request you do not engage Marina Armada units except in self defense.  We will answer this betrayal, but we will do it together.
-VADM Unther, SRN
 Commander, JTF-1

--TOP SECRET--

[K. A. Pital]

1) All declarations of war that have been issued shall be rescinded

2) All forces of the nations involved shall stand down to the highest peacetime alert levels

3) A committee shall be formed with one representative each from MESS, FUN, and UAR plus a representative from all unaligned nations. This committee shall be charged with creating a program of nuclear monitoring of ALL nations

4) A commission shall be created, to be chaired by a third party exclusive of FUN or the IRT, which shall be charged with determining in what amount reparations are owed for damage to MESS naval assets by Shepnukistan's unprovoked and undeclared nuclear attack.

5) A joint moratorium shall be issued on arms shipment to ALL nations of the former Terra Libertia

PRAVDA: Wilkonia's proposal upheld by the Red Technocracy Secretary General at the talks, along with other suggestions

However, the Red Technocracy's proposal is yet more simple: it only includes points (1), (2), (4) and in point (3) the task is to monitor the destruction of biological weapons instead of nuclear.

We are willing to drop the Libertia issue and I feel many nations may understand our position.

Also, we propose the following good will gestures towards the UAR: the Red Technocracy immediately rescinds Economic Warfare plan and opens it's straits for UAR shipping, as well as restores diplomatic contacts.

For the Neverhood issue, a demarkation line along the currently contested East-West Neverhood border should be clearly drawn and a ceasefire announced.

I hope these proposals are modest, and feel that the UAR stands to gain much from this proposal, as well as we all.

[MKSheppard]

However, the Red Technocracy's proposal is yet more simple: it only includes points (1), (2), (4) and in point (3) the task is to monitor the destruction of biological weapons instead of nuclear.

We are willing to drop the Libertia issue and I feel many nations may understand our position.

The Republic of Shepnukistan supports the Red Technocracy's proposal, and will be willing to have it's offensive biological weapons program destroyed at an unspecified site in the future at a date to be determined; and agrees on the international demarcation proposal for the Inner Neverhoodian Border.

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomSatTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
HECTIC HIGHLIGHTS

The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel now returns to regular broadcasting. We would like to thank all our viewers for their patience and understanding.

Much has happened in the recent hours since our last broadcast. The United Kingdom of Blackadder has called for a last-minute Conference in the Atlantis Neutral-Zone and it seems as though representatives and leaders from the FUN, the MESS, and even the UAR are arriving to negotiate a way to end this war before it truly engulfs the world.

Even President Sheppard of Nukistan has arrived.

We've also received reports of fighting in the seas near Adrianpolis as the Adrianpolis resigned itself from the MESS, siding with the UAR and ejecting all MESS military assets from its territories. The MESS has a sizeable naval presence in the waters between Terra Libertia and Adrianpolis and, recently, those same waters were the site of the UAR's unprovoked nuclear attack on a Shinra taskforce and a convoy of civilian freighters.

In the Atlantis Conference, Prime Minister Shroom and King Paul, of Shroomania and PeZookia respectively, have arrived and are currently participating in heated negotiations with their counterparts in the MESS and the UAR.

Prime Minister Shroom has, just this moment, stated:

"The Sovereignty of Shroomania supports the proposals of its FUN ally, the Red Technocracy. We would like to see a world free of the specter of biological warfare, and we would like to see a resolution to the Neverhood Nightmare.

Moreover - the Sovereignty of Shroomania would like to propose the creation of a series of treaties or internationally accepted protocols or conventions regarding the use of nuclear weaponry in warfare. The Shepnukistani nuclear strike on the MESS fleet nearly caused a nuclear nightmare for the New World, and I am sure all of us would not like any reruns of that unfortunate episode."

[MKSheppard]

UAR Spokesman

UAR Diplomatic Comminqiue regarding Adrianopolis

We salute the people of Adrianopolis and their far-sighted leaders who have bravely rejected the running dog warmongering of the MESS in favor of extremely aggressive armed neutrality.

However, out of humanitarian concerns for the good people of Adrianopolis' well-being, we cannot in good faith accept Adrianopolis' offer of alliance with the Unified Atomic Republic, for to do so, would open up the peace-loving people of Adrianopolis to destruction from the MESS' strategic arms.

[Coyote]

Southern Seas




Ships had closed to gunnery ranges, and the fight was moving into old-school phase.

Not a vessel was afloat that did not now have some damage to it; the RMS Atlantica had a gaping hole in the fo'csle near the bridge; the fight was carrying on as the last of its non-nuclear TLAMS tore into their targets. The Destroyer RMS Owyhee was limping away from the battle, but anti-ship missiles continued to slam into it-- defensive CIWS fire from the wounded ship was slackening, and the RMS Ceres, intact except for its flight deck, was tasked to escort it.

Royal Navy fire concentrated on the Mar Sulu and the limping F-20, but 102nd HYFOIL had withdrwn completely, it's utility against such heavy ships limited to near-uselessness. The Mar Sulu had deck fires amidships but was for the most part quite sound-- a lucky shot from the Atlantica's main gun had carved a gouge out of the superstructure but that was it.

The F-20, however, was in serious shape. It wa swithdrawing, and the three Marina Armada destroyers and the remaining frigate were providing it cover. To the rear sat the Hyuga, waiting to take the frigate in the protective embrace of its helicopters. ASW patrols flew from the destroyer-carrier, and anti-ship missile carrying helos formed a protective umbrella. It was the only ship left where the damage was minimal enough to be considered almost cosmetic.

The Marina Armada destroyers ran interference for the damaged F-20 when the vessels of the Royal Navy's 2nd FRIGDIV shifted fire to the lead destroyer. The RN's Halifaxs and the Arleigh-Burke Destroyer Sonora crumpled the foc'sle of the MA destroyer and raked the deck with heavy gunfire, ignoring the wounded frigate entirely now. The F-20 ran for the carrier as the MA destroyer's fate was sealed and she began a slow slide into the sea.

The RMS Owyhee, however, was meeting a similar fate. Unable to evade, with its badly-damaged bow, it absorbed more missiles that created raging fires on the deck. The RMS Ceres assisted with fire-hoses, but it soon became evident that the Owyhee was going to be a loss.

The two remaining Marina Armada destroyers returned the favor visited up on them by the Royal Navy. They, too, conentrated fire on the remaining Canissian destroyer, the RMS Sonora, which absorbed heavy damage. The ship returned fire with excellent fire control, assisted by the 2nd FRIGDIV, but the RN frigates were pebbles in a game of boulders.

2nd FRIGDIV tried to screen the Sonora as she attempted to break contact, but the Marina Armada destroyers shrugged off the frigates in pursuit of their prey. The F-18 remained behind, picking up some of the crew from the sinking destroyer. The Sonora ran, pursued by the two destroyers of the Marina Armada, only to be swarmed by torpedoes.

The three diesel-electric submarines of Hunter-Killer Team 2 had waited for some of the Adrianopolis ships to draw away from the fray and get a clean shot-- their pursuit of the wounded Sonora spread them out of the melee and opened them to shots from the torpedoes. The MA crews were fixated on the easy victory the Sonora represented; the frigates were not paying attention. A second Marina Armada destroyer took massive damage, hulled below the waterline.

The F-18 and the carrier's ASW helos leapt into action, swarming the area as the subs dove deep. Sonobouys and depth charges littered the seas around them; the Sonora managed to break away as the MA destroyer broke contact, its appetite soured by the loss of its sister ship.

An explosion on the water signalled the possible end of one submarine; wreckage boiled to the surface, as radio contact was had with SRS Ranger.

"Vice Admiral Unther," Commodore Manstein replied via encrypted channels, "We are in heavy contact with Marina Armada fleet, request assistance..."

Both fleets maneuvered carefully-- the game was bloody, and both had suffered terrible losses-- and the frustrating thing of it, so far, was that it was still anybody's game. Would Shinra Republic forces arrive in time to make it decisive..? An eerie lull settled as fire slackened, and the opposing commanders considered the situation-- a nearly undamaged carrier on one side; certainly some undamaged subs on the other...



Results so far/Continuing:

MARINA ARMADA (Navy)
1 Kirov CGNs [moderate damage]
1 Hyuga DDH
3 Oscar Austin DDs [2 sunk]; [1 moderate damage]
3 F-100 Frigates (F-19 [sunk]; F-18 [light damage]; F-20 [serious damage, withdrawn])

==========================

CANISSIAN SOUTHERN FLEET
RMS Atlantica (Flag); Commodore Alex Manstein [moderate damage]

52nd DESDIV:
RMS Owyhee (Flag); brevet-Commodore Rex Bartley [sinking]
RMS Sonora; Capt. Randall Hearst [heavy damage, withdrawn]

2nd FRIGDIV:
RMS Hera [moderate damage]
RMS Heracles [moderate damage]
RMS Damocles [moderate damage]
RMS Ceres [damage to fight deck]

102nd HYFOIL Squadron: [withdrawn]
RMS Tauron; Corvette Captain Steve Anders
RMS Picon
RMS Caprica [utterly destroyed]
RMS Gemonon

HK Team 002:
RMS Diamondback
RMS Anaconda [missing, presumed lost]
RMS Copperhead

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times Bulletin

The Emperor issues his statement on talks in Atlantis

The Emperor supports the MESS position and also the added addendum by the Red Technocracy.

However, the Emperor is adamant that Terra Libertia be kept at the lowest possible state of armament. It will not allow any power to pursue proxy wars against any state in Terra Libertia.

Should his demands not be met, the Emperor warns that anyone who lays a hand on the Diocese will be met by the forces of the Emperor.

[CmdrWilkens]

However, the Red Technocracy's proposal is yet more simple: it only includes points (1), (2), (4) and in point (3) the task is to monitor the destruction of biological weapons instead of nuclear.

We are willing to drop the Libertia issue and I feel many nations may understand our position.

The Republic of Shepnukistan supports the Red Technocracy's proposal, and will be willing to have it's offensive biological weapons program destroyed at an unspecified site in the future at a date to be determined; and agrees on the international demarcation proposal for the Inner Neverhoodian Border.

There is concurrence upon the issue of biological weapons destruction but clarification must be made that point (3) of the MESS proposal refers to a joint committe of reciprocal inspections of facilities and not to any paticualr target for force drawndown. This proposal is what we feel is the miimum neccessarry to establish a stable international arena in which discussions about interntional limitations on nuclear weapons could be based.

Having said that the demarcation of Neverhood is acceptable as a basis and a formal document defining the exact extent of the division may be held as a sperate confrence between Shepnukistan and the MESS.

With that aside we still wish to know how Shepnukistan stands in regards to points (1), (2), (4), and (5).

We also note with thanks the UAR's dissavowment of Adrianopolis' actions and their rejection of their offers of alliance. Concurrent with this Wikonia is announcing that elements of CJTF-4 (commonly the MESS Terra Libertia taskforce) formed from the Wilkonian Imperial Navy are withdrawing from the conflict zone as a gesture of peace towards Saddamistan.

[Shroom Man 777]

"As a gesture of thanks for the cessation of hostilities, the Sovereignty of Shroomania will also rescind economic sanctions on the UAR and will restore diplomatic contacts," Prime Minister Shroom said, with what seemed like hope in his voice. "If we can avoid war, we will all win, gentlemen. And ladies."

[Raj Ahten]

Iron General at the Conference
General Alexander arrived in the ProTec plane and lost no time in making an announcement. He said there was no need to limit arms sales to Alexandria what so ever. He had not engaged in offensive actions of any kind outside his borders for several years, and had no intention of doing so now. His willingness to work with the MESS on arms controls, and everyone else with development projects, showed that Alexandria was more concerned with development than belligerent action. All he wanted was the same ability to defend his nation that everyone else took for granted. He didn't even have an air force yet.

He also got a private meeting with Shep. In it he said he was sorry he had to break ties with Shepnukistan, but their actions had left him little choice. If Shepnukistan had made its concerns clear, the Iron General could have changed the deal. Keeping the tanks locked in depots in Alexandria might have been arranged. Shepnukistan could pick up its men in new Delphi at what ever time he wished. They would depart with full military honors. He also said their previous agreement regarding Shepnukistani forces going after Jihadi's could continue. That was all the Iron General could really offer Shepnukistan, as a friend.

On the issue of Biological weapons, the Iron General was willing to sign up to the international effort to run inspections.

ProTec at the Conference
ProTec met with Shepnukistan and said they regretted canceling the contract in Neverhood, as it was a good one with a stabilizing mission. It was the threat of thermonuclear war that caused its cancellation, and ProTec was willing to resume it, and it appeared the international community was willing to enforce a two state solution there.

Indhopal at the Conference
Indhopal agreed that some form of agreement of biological weapons and the use of nuclear weapons would be necessary, and said that their services as a neutral country could be used to run inspections or do whatever else was necessary.

[Coyote]

RAF Z-001




Now we see the disadvantage of zeppelins. Arik thought. Slllloooowww. He was, however, monitoring events via teleconference.

1) All declarations of war that have been issued shall be rescinded

2) All forces of the nations involved shall stand down to the highest peacetime alert levels

3) A committee shall be formed with one representative each from MESS, FUN, and UAR plus a representative from all unaligned nations. This committee shall be charged with creating a program of nuclear monitoring of ALL nations

4) A commission shall be created, to be chaired by a third party exclusive of FUN or the IRT, which shall be charged with determining in what amount reparations are owed for damage to MESS naval assets by Shepnukistan's unprovoked and undeclared nuclear attack.

5) A joint moratorium shall be issued on arms shipment to ALL nations of the former Terra Libertia

Arik approved of these, and also approved of the adoption of the situation on the ground in the Neverhood. So far, Adrianopolis was a completely seperate issue, and hopefully would remain that way.

"Send a message," he informed Colonel Rassnar, "Tell Saddamistan we'll withdraw from the region as well... and let's hint to the MESS that I'm of the opinion that we need to come to a resolution on Libertia or we'll be back at this again in another six months."

[phongn]

Summary Note: The IRT is in general agreement with the Red Technocracy's proposal, despite not being a signatory of the BW Convention.

Howver, the IRT will not be party to any nuclear inspections and control regime.

[Shroom Man 777]

This wasn't 'on the record', as the Prime Minister met with a small mob of world leaders and basically just began talking shit with them.

Also, he had a hand-portable ShroomSatTV uplink that had a tiny telescreen with King Arik's face on it. A tiny webcam, microphone, and a speaker set. Well, he actually had Motto Skorzeny carry it.

"Mangs," Shroom began to an assembly of dudes, from the MESS, a few FUN guys, and even some UAR delegates - including President Sheppard himself. "We're still gonna have to talk about war reparations. I know the MESS, particularly the Canissians, have suffered the loss of many brave men and women, sailors, airmen, in the brief but intense battles in northern Canissia and in the Southern Sea. We've also got the issue of all those livestock the Canissians took out in its initial show of force - and any innocent Nukistanis who got caught in that."

Right now, Prime Minister Shroom was looking pretty good. Sober, and no longer a gaunt and emaciated skeleton. The prospect of something other than global nuclear annihilation, the prospect of some peace (no matter how tenuous) being forged out of this, resulting in the non-deaths of countless millions... well, he wanted to be alive again.

[CmdrWilkens]

While I do not wish us to be distracted by the other issues of the day the one item for which we have the most concurrence woudl appear to be for a comission to oversee the destruction of biological weapons.

As such I would propose the following nations send representatives:

Red Technocracy (for FUN)
UKB (for unaligned)
Wilkonia (for the MESS)
Saddamistan (for the UAR)

If there is concurrence on that a draft treaty could be written and endorsed so that we may continue to work on other more critical matters.

/OOCIf everyone is okay with those nations as the inspectors I will post a sperate treaty thread for everyone to sign off on as they will.

[Raj Ahten]

Indhopal would like to be part of the commision to oversee the destruction of biological weapons (Lets just say that with the UKB's history of secrecy, some people don't trust them to represent all neutal nations, just their own interests.)

[PeZook]

PeZookia also lifts any economic sanctions and withdraws from the blockade of the Central Sea. Additionally, PeZookia admits the measure was too harsh in these circumstances and issues a formal apology if our actions led to further escalation.

However, before supporting the measures put forth by other honorable delegates, His Majesty the King would like to hear the UAR's vision of the world order and their place in it.We feel it will shed additional light on many issues under discussion today.

[MKSheppard]

Shepnukistan's position on the following issues are:

1) All declarations of war that have been issued shall be rescinded

Agrees.

2) All forces of the nations involved shall stand down to the highest peacetime alert levels

Agrees.

3) A committee shall be formed with one representative each from MESS, FUN, and UAR plus a representative from all unaligned nations. This committee shall be charged with creating a program of nuclear monitoring of ALL nations

Disagrees. UAR will not accept any international regime on nuclear production.

4) A commission shall be created, to be chaired by a third party exclusive of FUN or the IRT, which shall be charged with determining in what amount reparations are owed for damage to MESS naval assets by Shepnukistan's unprovoked and undeclared nuclear attack.

Agrees.

5) A joint moratorium shall be issued on arms shipment to ALL nations of the former Terra Libertia

Will only agree if arms shipments to Terra Libertia are tied into resolution of the West Neverhoodian situation.

[Shroom Man 777]

It would also be nice if Shepnukistan could talk Saddamistan into being more open in these world affairs - perhaps asking Emperor Saddam the Great himself to have his say on these matters, including the issue of the bioweapons ban.


[OOC: Pwease be a dear, Sheppy-poo! ^___^]

[Coyote]

RAF Z-001, via Teleconference



"Part of the problem will be that the UAR relies almost entirely on a nuclear-based defense philosophy, and any attempt to impose restrictions will be seen as inherently disavowing the UAR's right to self-defense," Arik chimed in, "It would be like putting an international inspection regime on conventional weapons for the MESS.

"What we may have to do is acept that the UAR relies on a nuclear-based doctrine, and instead ask for guarantees that their conventional forces will not exceed a certain percentage instead.... the UAR just does not see nuclear weapons as 'special' weapons, but simply powerful and useful explosives that are deployed as a matter of course in any conflict... weapons that allow them to have smaller armies overall..."

[PeZook]

We would suggest not a moratorium on nuclear production, but rather a regime of "Mutuallly Assured Peace-of-mind" inspections. Much like the way Fastbeards are stored in secure bunkers, without warheads and guidance systems in times of peace, I'd guess most nations simply want to be secure in the knowledge that no nuclear weapons are on a hair-trigger anywhere in the world.

We welcome Shepnukistan's willingness to terminate their bioweapons program, which is a clear sign of good will.

PeZookia would be most curious to hear of the UAR's views on world order, as this would lead to understanding, rather than just an exchange of talking points. What could the MESS do to ensure the UAR of their peaceful intentions? What could the FUN do? What are the UAR's views on foreign intervention, economy and world trade? On international agencies and organizations?

EDIT: Furthermore, I suggest we sign mutual non-agression treaties between the alliances if the conference is succesful.

[CmdrWilkens]

3) A committee shall be formed with one representative each from MESS, FUN, and UAR plus a representative from all unaligned nations. This committee shall be charged with creating a program of nuclear monitoring of ALL nations

Disagrees. UAR will not accept any international regime on nuclear production.

Very well as this is the principal sticking point will you accept a temporary moratorium, to last 1year, on nuclear armament by all three major parties (MESS, FUN and UAR) purusant to trilateral talks on arms control?

4) A commission shall be created, to be chaired by a third party exclusive of FUN or the IRT, which shall be charged with determining in what amount reparations are owed for damage to MESS naval assets by Shepnukistan's unprovoked and undeclared nuclear attack.

Agrees.

Do you have a nominee in mind? I have been vetting potential intermediaries on our end but I would like to offer you the opportunity to provide a name as well.

[Coyote]

Southern Seas




The Royal Navy and Marina Armada fleets circled like wary sharks. Firing had died down, as sailors were pulled from the water. Each fleet commander pondered the situation.

The Royal Navy had more hulls in the water, but on the average they were lighter, smaller ships. The Marina Armada had half the number, but much heavier vessels. One had an advantage in the air, the other an advantage beneath.

The seas were choked with debris-- oil, wreckage, bodies. A couple miles from the battle zone, the crew of the freighter that kicked off the whole adventure watched, in train-wreck fascination, as the drama unfolded.

The two cruisers were damaged but still very much fightable; the Marina Armada had a nearly undamaged helo carrier; the Royal Navy had two undamaged submarines.

Marina Armada also had one frigate and one destroyer, both with moderate damage...

The Royal Navy had four frigates with moderate damage-- one destroyer was now a watery tomb, the other destroyer was floating but would not be able to contribute much to another round. The RN had seen three ships lost, while the MA had lost two ships and another withdrawn, also unable to fight further.

Fires had been put out and damage control teams worked furiously while the two sides considered their next steps in the bizarre and unspoken cease-fire that had settled over them. The Marina Armada continued ASW patrols, seeking the Royal Navy subs.

Away from the action, the freighter crew watched as more vessels approached them. Was it a rescue party from Adrianopolis? Hopes were dashed, however, as the hulls of three Pegasus-class hydrofoils approached. The freighter crew waited, tense, as the RMS Tauron hove to. A young man with senior lieutenant's insignia came out, calm, flanked by a pair of crew with submachineguns. They all still wore their MOPP suits, but the gloves and masks were off, carried in their belt packs.

"You genetlemen could probably use a lift," Corvette-Captain Steve Anders said grimly, "Your guys won't get out from under the blanket of their ASW patrols to come get you, so we'll pick you up. Don't worry," he said, "No one's going to be keelhauled."

Meanwhile, the Marina Armada commander considered his options. He'd received word that the UAR had hung them out to dry; in fact the UAR was actively participating in a peace conference. That meant that a lot of MESS fleets were free of their actions around Saddamistan, and would be steaming for Adrianopolis, looking for something to do.

A cruiser and a destroyer, with air support, against a cruiser, four frigates, and two subs... he pondered the situation...



Results so far/Standoff:
Civilian freighter crew rescued.

MARINA ARMADA (Navy)
1 Kirov CGNs [moderate damage]
1 Hyuga DDH
3 Oscar Austin DDs [2 sunk]; [1 moderate damage]
3 F-100 Frigates (F-19 [sunk]; F-18 [light damage]; F-20 [serious damage, withdrawn])

==========================

CANISSIAN SOUTHERN FLEET
RMS Atlantica (Flag); Commodore Alex Manstein [moderate damage]

52nd DESDIV:
RMS Owyhee (Flag); brevet-Commodore Rex Bartley [sinking]
RMS Sonora; Capt. Randall Hearst [heavy damage, withdrawn]

2nd FRIGDIV:
RMS Hera [moderate damage]
RMS Heracles [moderate damage]
RMS Damocles [moderate damage]
RMS Ceres [damage to fight deck]

102nd HYFOIL Squadron: Retrieving survivors.
RMS Tauron; Corvette Captain Steve Anders
RMS Picon
RMS Caprica [utterly destroyed]
RMS Gemonon

HK Team 002:
RMS Diamondback
RMS Anaconda [missing, presumed lost]
RMS Copperhead