SDNWorld Redux: Story Thread the Third

[Master_Baerne]

Costa de las Cinquos Muertes
Baernish Border

Were one to stand at the border between the Costa and the Sovereign Duchy, one would be witness to a remarkable sight. The 5th Armored Division of the Baernish Ducal Army was moving, streams of tanks and IFVs rolling past the border defenses that kept the Costa's problems out of the Duchy, while attack helicopters and attack jets flashed by above, the sunlight glinting from missiles and wingtips.

General Evariste Hunter was impressed, though he was the one who had planned it all. A police action, and the Costa certainly needed policing, with it's corrupt government and destructive rebellions. The Duke had decided that the parts of the Costa that lay within reach of the 5th Armored should be protected, and that anyone, loyalist or rebel, who threatened the innocent citizens therein must pay. That these lands and citizens all lay behind the lines of Sam Austin's rebel forces was a coincidence that he and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were no doubt pleased with, but that was none of General Hunter's concern.

RESULTS: Elements of the Baernish Ducal Army take up defensive positions in the rebel rear areas, providing a fall-back point for them and freeing up rebel troops previously detailed to rear-area defense and patrols for front-line combat. Following the tank columns are humanitarian convoys with food, water, medicine, and other essentials for the population of the Costa, long neglected by it's rulers.

[Beowulf]

Ares Blog

PB-1F modification

The PB-1F is a modification of the B-1 Bone bomber to conduct maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare. As part of the modification, the forward bomb bay is rendered inoperable, being replaced with a cockpit extension to house an additional pair of crew members for sonar operations, and a sonobouy launcher. Two aircraft are currently being modified to this configuration.

--

Governor's Palace
Tian Jiao

"So you wish for help, do you?"

"Yes, we must have help! We have no hope against the rebels if Baerne is helping them, unless we get help of our own."

"There is a cost to this. One that is lighter than a feather, yet heavier than a mountain."

"And we will pay it, gladly."

--

Fielding Naval Base
Tian Jiao

There were three carriers homeported here. Now, two of them were gone. Deployed to the west coast of F-ing. One of them the newest V-class carrier of the Tian Xia Navy. The other, a light carrier built when the land was still called Westchester.

--

Costa de las Cinco Muertes
Rumors has been swirling about the entrance of the Duchy of Baerne into the internal affairs of Costa. Plans had been made by the largely loyal air force. Plans that were now in action. The objective: demoralize the Baernish will to fight. The easiest and most effective way to do that was to attack the enemies' strategic center. Hence, 4 out of the 6 F-106 squadrons, and 8 out of the 9 A-4 squadrons were taking part in this operation. They may not have been good pilots, but they'd be good enough for this.

The F-106s had been supplied by Shepistan, before the country went *poof*. The A-4SUs had been upgraded by Tonkin. Similarly supplied were the highly expensive laser guided bombs being carried on this mission. The F-106s were to fly top cover. They were to establish temporary air superiority, allowing the A-4s to operate unmolested by opposing fighters. Two squadrons of A-4s were detailed to the supression of enemy air defenses. Most notably, the ones around Fortress Baerne Air Base. Another squadron was detailed to destroy as much of the air base as possible.

Of the remaining 5 squadrons, 3 were detailed to strike specific targets in and around the capital. Infrastructure such as power plants, telephone exchanges, factories, television and radio stations, power substations, water and sewage treatment facilities. In short, everything that made modern life bearable.

As for the last two, well, it didn't take too much technology to make nerve gas. These planes were armed with a mix of nerve gas glide bombs, and cluster munitions. Due to the fact that they might face helicopters, they also recieved a pair of AIM-9 Sidewinders. They were to strike at the traitor Sam Austin's forces, and if the 5th Armored Division got hit, such were the fortunes of war. Additionally taking part were 32 PC-21s that had been armed with cluster bombs and rocket pods.

--

Statement from the Office of the Huang Di

Huang Di Beowulf looks upon the Baernish interference with the internal affairs of Costa de las Cinco Muertes with displeasure. The rebellion by Sam Austin against the government of Costa should not be interfered with by foreign powers. Such action would prevent the correct determination of the holder of the mandate of heaven.

[Zor]

Union Press

Zorian Petrollium reports record profits

Zorian Petrollium Headquarters, Port Victory-Today, crown corperation Zorian Petrolium has announced record profits for this year, with profits rising some 400% from last year. This success is in general due to the sucessful development of drilling operations in the Ironridge mountains in Zorian Veleria, to which ZP (formally limited to offshore drilling off the Southern Coast of the Zorian Mainland) has been given a crown granted monopoly over. Additional drilling operations are expected to begin in other areas over the next few years, with additional refinery activity to be set up in regards.

School District to be set up in Port Adria

Ministry of Education House, Port Victory-Today, the Ministry of Education has authorized the establishment of a school district in Port Adria. This decision was done in light of the growth of the population of the settlement's population, which includes numerous families with children which up until now have been seperated by thousands of kilometers of ocean or be forced bring the students over to expend money on an tutor for homeschooling purposes. The new school will allow families to remain together, even when working in Veleria. This facillity's funding and finance will be held to the high standards to which the Zorian education system is known for. This action was done in light of the defeat of a proposed bill that would allow for parental homeschooling in Zorian Veleria, over-ruling the Educational standards act of 1885. Considerations for the establishment of a Fort Michael based school to open are under consideration in the forseeable future.

[PeZook]

Press release by the Royal Office of the Court

The Royal Office has been authorized today to release this information:

In confirmation of rumors circulating on the Internet and amongst the general populace, the Office states that Queen Agatha is six weeks pregnant. This revelation was uncovered during a medical checkup requested by the Queen herself, and administered by Palace medical staff.

According to available information, the baby is developing properly. The Queen will be placed under care of the best gynecologists and pediatricians, and would like to assure the public she is feeling quite well, and will continue to appear publically, as well as her charity work, for as long as she is able to.

Members of the press are requested to direct all inquiries and requests to the Palace Press Officer...

[Shroom Man 777]

"Hey... yeah, congratulations man. To you and your wife. That's really great, you're gonna be a daddy!"

"Thanks. Yeah, even after being King of PeZookia a couple of times... this is probably gonna be the biggest challenge yet."

"Ah, yeah. But I'm sure you'd make a great father. I mean, if Arik can father fifteen children and lavish them in attention... I mean, unless Agatha's got octuplets..."

"Oh god, no!"

"Haha!"

"Shroom, that's not funny."

"Sorry."

"That's horrible. Having eight children at once. How would they even fit?"

"I don't know. Maybe like those egg-dolls Shady gave me last Christmas... oh yeah, speaking of gifts, you better check your mail!"


Orena, PeZookia



"Awww, how thoughtful. Your Prime Minister friend even wrote it by hand!"



"Yeah... maybe I should tell him to try and improve his penmanship."

[Shroom Man 777]

North Point, Shroomania



"Yeeehaw!" Kaptain T.J. "King" Krong hooted as he piloted his spanking new strategic bomber. "CSB-01, baby! Continental strategic bomber! Shroomanian designation 'Cuckoo!' Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Haw haw haw!"

"Cuckoo? Aw man," laughed bombardier Lieutenant Lothar Logg. "Wonder what the Byzantines'll think of that."

"They'll hate it, no doubt. But come on, these new-fangled 'C' designations were coined by us too, so I guess they should let it fly. Hah!"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean they won't hate us forever. Oh well. At least they didn't name it the goddamn 'Coelocanth'."

"Now that's a stupid name."

"Alright, back to business, gents. Accelerating to MACH 3 and heading for the Goldenberg Test Range. Arm prototype hypersonic cruise missile - designation 'KILLFUCK' - fire on my bark... bark!"

"Firing!"


Results:
Shroomania gets its first CSB-01s - designates it "CUCKOO"
Shroomania tests hypersonic air-launched cruise missiles - designation "KILLFUCK"

(Note: KILLFUCK is a joint Shroomanian-PeZookian design)

[Ryan Thunder]

"'Mandate of heaven', huh? Are you serious?"

"That's what they said, sir."

"Nerve gas!? Get me everyone. I want those bastards eating tungsten for breakfast."

---

Tickertape: The Principality of Miratia objects to the use of nerve gas in Costa de las Cinco Muertes and sends forces to assist the Duchy of Baerne.

OOC: Miratia deploys one of her deterrent brigades to Costa de las Cinco Muertes, and deploys a squadron of Falcons, assisted by two squadrons of Lightnings, to Baerne to deter further air attacks.

[Siege]

This is Worldwide One, news and entertainment straight from the heart of San Dorado!

CRISIS ON THE COSTA!
At least 307 people have been killed yesterday by fighting in the southern and central regions of the Costa de las Cinco Muertes, with hundreds more critically injured, International Red Cross director Victor Pillay has said. According to Pillay at least 3,000 people have been killed in the civil unrest so far, and that with no signs of ceasing violence the death toll will probably continue to rise.

Most of yesterday’s victims were claimed by fighting in the Queretaro and Tegucigalpa regions. In Tegucigalpa a Red Cross aid convoy was destroyed by artillery fire, and witnesses interviewed by Worldwide One reporters say that in the Queretaro regional capital of San Colima government attack craft indiscriminately strafed crowds of refugees, killing dozens and injuring many more.

Reports also continue to come in of airstrikes against Baernish troops carried out by the Ejército de Costa de las Cinco Muertes (ECCM), as well as of heavy aerial fighting over the Baernish border. A WWO correspondent in Fortress Baerne reported hearing air raid sirens followed by distant explosions.

The streets of San Dorado City meanwhile were rocked by not one but two full-fledged block wars as rioters took to the streets to simultaneously demonstrate for and against possible future NFT involvement in the growing conflict. Tear gas and jets of water were blasted at protestors by security forces as the two demonstrations began to converge on the Shroomanian embassy. This proved insufficient to deter a core of hardened demonstrators, and AIP officers and rioters fought a five-hour running battle through the Sprawl sections bordering the Embassy before the dissidents were quelled.

According to a spokeswoman for President Sidney Hank he and the Syndicate are ‘supremely concerned’ about the situation on the Costa. “I forcefully renew my appeal to parties in the conflict to immediately reach a ceasefire and to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and to search for ways to resume negotiations with the support of the international community”, a statement from the President read.

The Maharaja of Tanstaafl has expressed a similar sentiment. The Tanstaafl Mahrata Army has dispatched the 10th Armored Division ‘Meerut’ and 17th Infantry Division ‘Bahinda’ to the southern triborder region.

A small trickle of Costa refugees has managed to reach the NFTAF bases in the Buffer Zone North. The NFA has established field hospitals there to treat the injured, and has called on its allies in CATO to also send humanitarian aid to the region in preparation for an expected surge of refugees if the violence does not cease soon.

Although they have yet to come under fire NFT troops in the buffer zone and in San Dorado proper are still at a heightened alert state. Elements of 1 Mechanized Brigade, previously stationed at Valley Forge were seen arriving in La Palma earlier yesterday, and airspace south of Camp Kittyhawk remains entirely closed to civilian air traffic. The NFN Aeronaval Group centered around the Monkeylord is currently steaming south toward the crisis area.

[PeZook]

Orena Evening News

PeZookia to dispatch humanitarian aid in response to the Costa Crisis

The Foreign Ministry has confirmed today that a cargo ship is being loaded right now with essential humanitarian supplies, such as medicine, food, blankets, tents, bottled water and other goods gathered by PeZookian citizens in donations drives, as well as released from government strategic reserves.

The supplies will be delivered to NFT authorities, who will distribute them accordingly amongst any refugees who manage to reach their territorry. Several physicians and nurses have also volunteered to join the mission.

A separate CATO humanitarian relief effort is reportedly also being prepared to leave for the Duchy Of Baerne, where air attacks left hundreds of thousands without electricity and running water. Reports are coming in of strategic transports being loaded with emergency supplies at the King Paul Air Force Base.

Results: PeZookia prepares humanitarian supplies requested by the NFT. Also, field hospitals, portable electric generators and rescue workers will be flown in to Baerne should they request them.

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomSat/StratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
COSTA CRISIS - CHEMICAL CONCERNS


Prime Minister Shroom makes his address in Miratia

Together with the Principality of Miratia's Mister Gero, Prime Minister Shroom the 777th of the Sovereignty of Shroomania has expressed worries over the state of affairs in Costa de las Cinco Muertes.

"We're very worried over the state of affairs in the Costa de las Cinco Muertes," the Prime Minister said. "The conflict has escalated to a new level, and the use of chemical weaponry in the Costa cannot be condoned. Moreover, the air attacks on civilians - on innocent men, women and children - in and around Fortress Baerne is also condemnable as an outright act of terrorism. It is imperative for negotiations to be resumed before the situation spirals out of hand, and before the hostilities between all parties escalates to an uncontrollable level.

"As such, the Sovereignty of Shroomania - on behalf of the Combined Alliance Treaty Organization - will send humanitarian aid to the region to answer the call of our North Frequesean allies. Specifically, aid in the form of Shroomanian hospital ships and doctors and nurses from the Mushroom Organization of Medicine, along with humanitarian supplies to be airlifted to the NFT authorities."

The Prime Minister is currently in Miratia as part of his 'Shroom Sojourn' - however, immediately after his announcement, the Sovereign Navy's hospital ships SSS Marine Mastectomy and SSS Vessel of Vasectomy have been dispatched along with an escorting Carrier Battle Group led by the SSS Murderous von Schrom.


The SSS Murderous von Schrom and its battle group on sortie together with the SSS Flattop and its respective battle group, before the Murderous and its group departs for Fortress Baerne.

[Siege]

Lord of War



Green Zone, former Astarian capital city, Astaria

Yuri Orlov, merchant of death and professional amoral bastard, stepped off the plank onto the harbor quay and shook the hand of the waiting Shroomanian marine general. “General Flynn”, he smiled handsomely, ignoring the faint look of disapproval on the man’s face. “How very nice to meet you.”

“Spare me the pleasantries”, grumbled the General. “You have the permits so I can’t stop you, but nothing in my orders says I have to like you.”

Orlov shrugged lightly. Twenty years of arms dealing and smuggling had left him impervious to the dissatisfaction of those who walked the straight and narrow. “I take it everything is prepared to specifications?”

“Yes”, General Flynn reported brusquely. He pulled a PDA out of his combat webbing. “Twenty land rover patrol vehicles. Thirty flatbed trucks. Maps of the island, and your GLONASS systems have been programmed with red and yellow zones.” He paused. “But let me be candid with you Mr. Orlov, I don’t like your grave-robbing operation and if you get into trouble in the interior, chances are I’m not coming to rescue you.”

“Oh but that won't be necessary general”, Orlov fiddled with the walkie-talkie he was carrying. “You see, I brought… Protection.” As if on cue, men appeared on the deck of the freighter, dozens of them, armed with a bewildering variety of high-powered weapons. The men began to file onto the quays in an orderly fashion that gave them away as ex-military types.

The merchant of death smiled at the Shroomanian general. “Now if you’ll excuse me? I have some old warehouses to rob.”

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Constantinople Times

Outrage at attack on Fortress Baerne by Costa. Aid to be sent

The Emperor expressed his outrage at the attack on Fortress Baerne by Costa, and has ordered aid to be sent to the fellow CATO ally at once. One of the newer MARS-H hospital ships would sail at once to the Duchy of Baerne, to be escorted by a IBNS Exarch. In other news, the 4th Air Heavy Regiment departed for Baerne, together with the accompanying logistics aircraft and air tankers.

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomSat/StratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
CHILDREN CHUM


A Baernish firefighter holds a bomb-mangled baby in his arms.

The Costan attack on Fortress Baerne struck not only military air bases, but also civilian targets - power plants, sewage treatment facilities, and television stations.

In one of the television stations, there were children watching the taping of Mr. Rodger's Fascinating Dinosaur World. The children were singing along with Rodger Rex when the bombs fell on them and demolished the building they were in.


The ruins of the Shroomfred P. Murrah building.

Twenty four hours later, emergency rescue teams are still attempting to find survivors in the building's collapsed remains, or digging out the bodies of those killed in the bombing.

As backhoes and bulldozers excavate the ruins, Mr. Rodger - who survived the bombing and helped rescue five children from the collapsed rubble - gazes on.

He sheds a tear and sings a song for peace.

The current casualty count in Fortress Baerne is more than a hundred dead, and twice that number of injured.

[Shroom Man 777]

MERCENARY ACES

Fortress Baerne



"Gentlemen," said the man in the leather flight jacket. "You are here not at the behest of your own government, for you have none. You belong to no nation, are affiliated with no military or air force, and no longer have neither name, rank nor serial number. Whatever you were before partaking in this mission, you are no longer, for there is no mission.

"Now you are mercenaries, and the current job is to conduct clandestine operations for the Duchy of Baerne - against those cocksucking Costan crapsacks! Your mandate, if you will, is to conduct plausibly deniable retribution!

"As such, your operations will consist entirely of night raids. Invisible on radar and coming in when the sun won't shine, the Costan crapsacks will not see you, and will only know your presence when you have rained fire upon their screaming heads.

"At day, you will hide in your hangars, lairing like bats, nocturnal, with deathly pallor, bloodshot eyes and an obscene lust for the perverse and violently pornographic. After dusk, then you will come out and dispense death from above. Is that clear?"

"Sir, yes sir!"

"Good. Now let's make the name 'Costa de las Cinco Muertes' a truly fitting one. Mercenary Aces, sortie begins after sunset!"

"HOOAH!"


Results:
The Baernes have one more tool with which to exact violent revenge from the skies.

[Beowulf]

Statement from Office of the Huang Di

The recent instability, and subsequent attacks by Costa on Baerne are regrettable. However, Costa's attack is a direct result of a Baernish invasion of sovreign Costa territory. We regret the loss of Baernish life, but must stress that it is entirely a result of Baernish decisions.

The legitimate Costa government at San Juan has asked for help in maintaining air sovreignty. We have decided to grant this request, and have dispatched the Vengeance to the sea off Costa to help ensure it's sovreignty against foreign air power.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Statement from CATO

The recent allegation that the Baernish forces invaded Costa is patently false. Baernish forces merely attempted to aid the flight of refugees, many of which were fleeing for the Baernish border due to the civil war. Unless the Emperor of Tian Xia suggest turning back the refugees and refusing humanitarian aid and that the Baernish government has no right to enforce the security of its border. We also condemn the support given to a "legitimate" government who continues to oppress its people and allow criminal elements to run wanton throughout Costa extorting from the people, and uses chemical weapons no less against its own people.

[Coyote]

CANISSIAN NETWORK NEWS




"Good evening, this is Chad Chadler, with tonight's Canissian Network New lead story.

"Forces of the Duchy of Baerne have opened up a major offensive against their neighbor, the Costas de los Cincos Muertes, ostensibly to provide stability during a Costan revolution that was taking place. Columns of tanks streamed into the small coastal country in a surprise attack that took place shortly after the Baernish government was inducted into the CATO alliance."



"Rumors fly as to the exact nature of the revolution in Costas, before communications were shut down some Costan government officials were accusing the Baerenish government of organizing the coup that prompted their invasion on the grounds of peacekeeping; but these allegation remain unproven.

Coastan forces struck back, conducting an air strike in Baernish territory, which Shroomanian sources say struck a civilian building full of children attending the filming of a 'Mr. Rodgers' TV show."



"Canissian intelligence and political analysts have theorized that the Baernish government had carefully harbored its intentions against its neighbor until it could be admitted to CATO, and then using the CATO defensive umbrella as a shield against any potential retaliation. How much CATO leaders knew about this, or even if they were complicit in the expansion-by-force, is unknown at this time.

"So far, the Throne has had a muted response to the whole situation."



"The King released a statement saying that the internal affairs of Costa de los Cincos Muertes should be dealt with by an international panel of observers invited by the Costan government to arbitrate the situation, and not by force of arms from a neighbor. The people of Canissian would be willing to help facilitate this, but ask that the Baernish government cease its offensive in place and allow the Coastan government to assess the situation and ask for international arbitration.

"This is Chad Chadler, and you're on CNN."

[Coyote]

CANISSIAN FOREIGN OFFICE



"I'm sorry, and you are...?" the receptionist asked.
"I am Harcourt Jindaloo," the man said, "I am the undersecretary of the Taanstafl Raj Embassy here in Canissia."
"Oh," the Secretary said, "Um, do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked, "I'm afraid the Minister is out of the country right now."

"No, no appointment," Jindaloo said, "This desire for a meeting-- it is hasty. Some of us in the Taanstafl Raj are very concerned with the regrettable incidents in Costa de los Cincos Muertes right now."
"Well, everyone is," the receptionist said. "Let me see if I can get one of the assistants... ah, it looks like Assistent Director Claire Tenja is in. I'll buzz her office... Ms. Tenja? This is the front desk. I have a Undersecretary Harcourt Jindaloo of the Taanstafl Raj here to... no, it's sort of a walk-in thing. I'm sorry, sir, what exactly is this about?"

"Some of us in Taanstafl Raj fear that we may be under attack next," Jindaloo said, "We wish to see what kind of recourse we have to protection from Canissia in case war spreads..."

The receptionist still had her hand on the com button. "Did you hear that, Ms. Tenja?"
"I did," Tenja said, "Send him in."



Results:
Others on Frequesne begin to fear for their security, given recent events.

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE from ShroomSat/StratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
CROSS CANISSIAN-CATO CONTINENTAL CONNECTION


A tunnel formwork under construction outside Farbanti.

The project, recently announced by King Arik of Canissia and Prime Minister Shroom the 777th of Shroomania, has officially commenced - with the groundbreaking ceremonies done at both sides, in Canissia and Shroomania. Present at the Shroomanian side of the groundbreaking were Minister Melchett McMeistervater of the SHAFT and Lord Mordechai Moonbeam of the House of Lords, along with many other Dukes, Earls, Barons, Counts and the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

The project, coined by Prime Minister Shroom as the 'Cross Canissian-CATO Continental Connection', is a planned link between Shroomania and Canissia that incorporates extensive tunneling - much like that of the Chunnel. However, aside from creating a tunnel for just automobiles and passenger trains, the CCCCC is intended to allow for mass transit of much larger freight trains to further facilitate trade and commerce between Shroomania and Canissia, as well as further connecting Shroomania to the rest of the continent. .

Shroomania, being an island nation, will also use other easier and non-tunnel forms of transit as part of the comprehensive CCCCC to better connect it to the Old Continent. Also planned are heavy lift zeppelins for tourism and short trips from Shroomania to Canissia, or vice versa, as well as the mass usage of hovercrafts and ekranoplans for ferrying purposes. The possibility Canissia-Shroomania bridge is also being explored, as a potential mega-project for both nations.

This comprehensive transportation network, incorporating air, ground, underground and sea transit will allow Shroomanians quick and easy arrivals at Canissia and then, through roads and rails either already existing or under construction, further access to the rest of the Old Continent as well.

"Aye, this is a great moment of history," Minister Melchett McMeistervater said during the groundbreaking ceremony. "The construction of this Cross Canissia-CATO Continental Connection, the construction of these great shafts that will allow us to slide smoothly beneath the dark depths of the ground, all this is a great undertaking that will further Shroomania's intercourse with Canissia and, indeed, the rest of the Old Continent."

[Coyote]

NORTHERN TIAN JIAO


In a remote Army training camp used by the forces of the Tian Xian army, a small convoy of trucks arrived bearing the symbol of the Canissian Légion étrangère Second Command Group. Within 24 hours, the number of permanant structures used by the Tian Xia forces --built years ago by the forces of then-Westchester-- was matched by the tent city erected by the Canissians.




From one of the trucks emerged a man who, while not exactly of impressive physical stature, carried tha aura of command about him: Major-General Louis leLombard, a legend in unconventional warfare circles and a proud bearer of his Picon Province heritage.



"Here on this spot," leLombard said in his Piconese-accented Canissian, "We shall lay the foundation upon which legends will be built. The Légion étrangère Second Command! Vive la Légion!"



Results: Second Command begins to build a home. Only a few hundred cadre are present at the moment, but it will build into an impressive force:

COMBAT GROUP II /TIAN JIAO
Major-General Louis leLombard, Commanding
Barracks:

19th Infantry Motor-Rifle Division:
2 Infantry Motorized Brigades
1 Medium/Cavalry Brigade
1 Attack Helicopter Brigade


20th Infantry Airborne Division:
1 Airborne Infantry Brigade "I-Nightfighters"
1 Airborne Infantry Brigade "II-Nightfighters"
2 Heliborne Assault Brigades (AS-555 Fennec-2s used as G- or K- Cars; EC-725 Cougars)
2 Tactical Transport Groups: 4 Sqdns. (2 C-130s; 2 C-212)
1 Aviation Tactical Strike: 4 Sqdns. (2 F-15E; 1 YA-10B; 1 FB-111)

[Master_Baerne]

Baernish News Service
Assorted Headlines

Costa Uses Nerve Gas on Valiant Rebels[/b]: Loyalist forces dropped large amounts of nerve gas on the brave freedom fighters in and around Sandypoint, as well as several platoons of BDA troops that happened to be in the area. The Duke has condemned this action in the strongest terms, and international agencies have also expressed disgust...[continued on pg. 4]

Declaration of War Signed: Responding to the treacherous attack on Fortress Baerne by Costa Loyalist aircraft, Duke James signed a declaration of war affecting the Costa, and is reported to have instructed Countess Truman to prosecute the war "until those behind this attack have been utterly destroyed". [continued on pg. 6]

Humanitarian Workers Welcomed: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that it welcomes any humanitarian workers who may wish to assist in mitigating the effects of the conflict on innocent victims.
--------------------------------------
Fortress Baerne Air Base
Sovereign Duchy of Baerne

Clearing away the wreckage from last night's raid was proving to be a most enjoyable task for the airmen stationed at Fortress Baerne. Most of it, after all, was from the Costa bombers that, after ignoring warnings to turn away, had been fired upon from the massive batteries of S-400 SAMS around the capital, as well as the squadron of MiGs that had scrambled to meet them. Though they had caused some damage, it was relatively minor compared to that which the Duchy was about to inflict on their home.

Giving a thumbs-up sign to the pilot of the Silver Streak orbiter on the runway, Airmen Davis got out of the way as the Duchy's 1003rd Strategic Bomber Squadron rolled down the runway, blasting into the air and heading upwards, the better to deliver destruction from above on the Costa de las Cinquos Muertes. On the other runways, twenty B-1Bs and forty MiG-31s for escort duty took off, taking a more direct route towards the air bases from which last night's raiders had launched.
------------------------------------
Baernish Headquarters
Sandypoint
Costa de las Cinquos Muertes

"That's settled, then. Order the 1st and 5th Divisions to advance towards the capitol, and ask Austin's rebels to support us. Orders are to bypass enemy forces where possible; 2nd Division is to follow on and destroy the stragglers." General Hunter, the designated commander of the Baernish Ducal Army's forces in the Costa, spoke quietly, unable to be completely happy about the weight of metal he had just dispatched. A great deal of devastation was coming for the Costa, and he was the one chosen by his Duke to dispense it.

RESULTS: 3 divisions and a bombing campaign are coming for the Costa, while the Ducal Navy is sitting just off the coast, waiting for the Tian Xian ships to show up so that it can keep them from interfering.

EDIT: And the Mercenary Aces are being deployed to cause general mayhem and destruction too, because Shroom was kind enough to lend them to me.

[Siege]

Joint statement by President Sidney Hank of the NFT & Maharaja Moolam Thirunal of Tanstaafl

The Tanstaalf Raj and the North Frequesuan Trust jointly condemn in strongest possible terms the decision by the Empire of Tian Xia to impose itself on the already complex situation on the Costa de las Cinco Muertes. The rash decision of the Emperor to side with a notorious despot against a popular uprising shows a clear inability to grasp the complex reality of the state of affairs on Frequesue. His decision is in no way or shape an improvement for the nation or for the people of the Costa, and constitutes a grave threat to the stability of the region. We strongly urge the Emperor to withdraw from this conflict, and once more call upon all warring parties to reach a cease-fire and begin negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting peace.

[PeZook]

Diplomatic communique to CATO members

His Majesty's Government has taken with great alarm the recent development in the Costa Las Cincos Muertes. It is the opinion of His Majesty The King that further ground offensives hurt image of CATO in the eyes of the world, exarberate the already poor humanitarian situation in the Costa, reduce chances for a ceasefire and democratic elections and will cost thousands of lives, both soldier and civilian, for no ultimate gain.

Furthermore, the risk of provoking a full MESS intervention is unacceptable considering miniscule possible gains. His Majesty condemns the renewed offensive most strongly and would like to suggest Baerne ceases the advance immediately and call for a ceasefire.

[Shroom Man 777]

LIVE on ShroomSat/StratTV
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel
ELEPHANTINE ESCALATION


Baernish retaliation results in the destruction of Costan airfields

Following the Costan attack on the Baernish capital city, Fortress Baerne, the Duchy has launched a series of counterattacks aimed at the Costa's air force - deploying fighters and bombers into the conflict zone. Moreover, reports have emerged that Baernish ground forces are moving in on the Costan capital city in an unprecedented military incursion.

The surge in hostilities comes as a result of the recent Costan surprise attack on Fortress Baerne, targeting not only military air bases but also civilian infrastructure - such as power plants, water treatment centers, and television stations. Simultaneously, Costa forces also launched attacks on targets in the Buffer Zone in the southern hinterlands of the Costa where Baernish troops were performing peacekeeping missions.

The Buffer Zone is a region in the Costan hinterlands behind the front of the Costan conflict zone between the Costan government forces and "Austinite" rebels. Behind the Costan conflict zone, the area bordering the Duchy of Baerne had degenerated into lawlessness, prompting the initial deployment of Baernish soldiers into the Costan hinterlands.

The Costa struck back at the Baernish peacekeepers in the Buffer Zone with aircraft armed with chemical weaponry, such as nerve gas.

Now, in reaction to the Costan attacks in the Buffer Zone and Fortress Baerne, the Duchy of Baerne has begun a series of operations directed against the Costan government - including a strategic bombing campaign and a ground invasion.

In light of this, the Kingdom of PeZookia has issued a statement calling for the ceasation of hostilities.

The Sovereignty of Shroomania has also called for the cessation of hostilities. Prime Minister Shroom the 777th, who is in Miratia, has stated that the hostilities be ceased. Both the Sovereignty of Shroomania and PeZookia have sent humanitarian aid, as well as personnel, to Baerne to aid with the continuing crisis.

[RogueIce]

Shinra President Calls for Ceasefire, Talks in Costa de las Cinco Muertes Conflict

Today, the President of the Shinra Republic called upon all sides to agree to a ceasefire in the current conflict between the government of Costa de las Cinco Muertes and rebel forces, now apparently backed by Baernish forces.

"This situation has grown rapidly out of hand, and we need this ceasefire to give all parties time to talk, to pursue a peaceful resolution. I call upon all warring parties to agree to a ceasefire and diplomatic talks to resolve this issue at the soonest."