Fishing on the Gihon | Part of the Great Anglian Crisis

[Gallambria]

Part One: Provocation

28 January 2020
The Prime Minister's Office

You provoke her until she mauls you,
and then you get upset at her for becoming the monster you created.

The sounds of feet running the halls of Henley House, could be heard through out the east wing, when Nadia poked her head out the door of her office and shouted, "Keep it down will you!". The National Security Advisor, Sir Stephen Quandt, continues running towards the PM. "Ma'am, you need gather the Cabinet" he shouts as he continues running down the hall. Nadia comes out of her office to meet with Sir Stephen - "What the hell is going on Stephen?" - she asked him, as he approached her.

"The Anglians Ma'am. They're massing Ma'am." he responds. As Nadia and Stephen walk back to the PMs office, her Private Secretary Sir Peter Keating, who had previously served as the Gallambrian ambassador to Anglia, piped in, "Ma'am, If I may...", Nadia nods her head, "You need to get Faf in here as well." Francis de Lange, or 'Faf', as he is more commonly known as by his friends, was the Defence Attache to Anglia, when Sir Peter was ambassador. "Right, you're right, thanks Peter", she responded. Between the three of them calling the members of the cabinet - Nadia stops half way down the hall and asks of Stephen and Peter. "Gentlemen, in your honest opinions, do you think we are going to war?" - From a far, a voice could be hear, it's that of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Errol McCormack, "Let's hope not Ma'am", he chimes as he joins the group heading towards the Cabinet Room. Stephen looks back and asks Errol, "I take it you're here for the same thing", Errol nods.

A few hours had passed and Nadia, along with Stephen, Peter and Errol, had been joined by the other cabinet members.

While Nadia starts to welcome the cabinet members and gets everyone up to speed, Faf walks in, he braces up and apologises for running late - she signals for him to take a seat. "Sorry friends, we have another guest with us today, Lieutenant General Francis de Lange, he was Defence Attache to Anglia under Sir Peter and is now the DG Defence Intelligence,"

She invites him to address the Cabinet, Faf gets up from his seat and nods to the PM. "Thank you Ma'am. Members of Cabinet, the PM has asked me to come in and give you all a brief run down of the possible outcomes of the current situation. Currently there is at least one Anglian division massing along the Suverin-Bashan Border. This has crept up significantly since last weeks 'exercises' the Anglians were running with Suverina in the same area, where we projected approximately two to three infantry brigades.

"This is obviously the first sign we've seen of aggression directed purely at the Bashan and in essence at Gallambria", he continues.

"The Anglians have postured that at least since our time at the Embassy... Essentially they are afraid that our presence in the Bashan serves purely as a potential stepping stone into Amutia and Azania for TRIDENT and other western countries. It begs to question though, why all of a sudden, after pretty much aligning three quarters of Azania with themselves, why are they poking us?"

"Obviously, while this is still fresh, we have set up at dedicated team at Defence Intelligence to start combing through intelligence from both civilian and military sources." - as he sits down, he thanks the Prime Minister for letting him open.

ACM McCormack rises from his chair, "Ladies and Gentlemen, what we see, and if you have a look at the packets in front of you, you too can see, that not only are we are looking at Anglian troops massing on the small border at the Gihon Strait, there has been an increase in Anglian naval activity in the Chebar. Within my authority as CDS, I have approved for the Commander of Gallambrian Forces Bashan to take any appropriate measures to ensure that sufficient intelligence and data is collected regarding Anglian and Suverin movements around the border. At the moment, we currently have a long range patrol squadron from the 3rd Special Operations Group patrolling along the Bashan side of the Gihon Strait, and we have initiated continuous Air Defence Patrols with Bashan airspace."

ACM McCormack then answers some questions regarding the military situation and what would be required of the Armed Forces in the near future, when all of a sudden one of the cabinet ministers pipes up, "Wish we had those nukes online, could we just blast them of the face of this planet?"

The PM, Faf, and McCormack both look at this minister scornfully, who then slumps back in his chair.

"Ladies and Gentlemen", the PM interjects, "Our goal here is not incite conflict or start poking bears in the face. We are in a predicament where we have Anglia and Suverina on our northern frontier and surrounded by OCA aligned nations and other Nations that aren't playing to our tune."

She looks towards the Foreign Secretary, "Foreign Secretary, I want you start talking directly with the Qubdian government and start working towards getting them on side with us."

Then towards the Defence Secretary, "Defence Secretary, together with CDS, get the carrier strike group online and get them into the Amnalos Sea."

The Home Secretary sticks her hand up, "Prime Minister, taking into consideration that this could go south, shall I contact His Majesty's private secretary to organise a reversal of the dissolution of parliament?"

Huffing in frustration, she looks that the Attorney-General, "Daniel, what's your opinion?"

"Prime Minister, As the parliament won't be dissolved until the 25th of February, if anything escalates to a point that requires bipartisan approval before that date, we can't recall parliament from summer break. However, after the 25th, under the instrument of dissolution, defensive measures undertaken by the Armed Forces only require to approved by the cabinet of the caretaker government, however we would have to seek a reversal of the dissolution if we undertake preemptive or offensive measures."

"Thank you Daniel." - she says while adjust her papers.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is going to a testing period - let's keep our whits about us and focused on making sure we get through this little Anglian brain fart with out any incidence."

 

[Gallambria]

Part Two: Interception

Never go out to meet trouble. If you just sit still,
nine cases out of ten, someone will intercept it before it reaches you.

 

HMGS Excalibur
41N MF 13732 11246
315nm off the coast of Wojoka, East Adlantic Ocean.

**Klaxon sounds**

(Voice over the ships PA) "Hands to action stations, hands to action stations, assume NBCD State One Zulu, Hands to Action Stations, Hands to Action Stations."

The sounds of sailors scurrying around, loading guns, and closing hatches could be heard through out the ship, as the PWO (Principal Warfare Officer) was transmitting over radio.

"Unidentified Anglian Warship, one-five nautical miles, closing to my position on one-five-five degrees. This is Gallambrian Warship Delta-Two-One. We are conducting lawful naval operations outside of sovereign waters. You are directed to adjust course to two-four-five degrees and leave our immediate area. If you fail to follow this direction we may open fire on you. Do you copy?"

A few moments had past, there was nothing received over the radios. The PWO again, transmitted his warning.

"Unidentified Anglian Warship, one-five nautical miles, closing to my position on one-five-five degrees. This is Gallambrian Warship Delta-Two-One. We are conducting lawful naval operations outside of sovereign waters. You are directed to adjust course to two-four-five degrees and leave our immediate area. If you fail to follow this direction we may open fire on you. Do you copy?"

Again there was silence, the PWO was discussing their next course of actions with the fire control teams when suddenly over the radio, "Delta-Two-One, this is Anglian warship [unintelligible], you are entering sovereign Wojoka waters. You are advised to leave the area or you will be fired upon."

The PWO, looking confused, double-checks the position of the ship, and responds to the Anglian warships call.

"Unidentified Anglian Warship, this is Gallambrian Warship Delta-Two-Three. Be advised, we are part of Royal Gallambrian Navy carrier strike group and are conducting lawful naval operations outside of sovereign waters, any actions untowards us by your vessel will be seen as hostile, and we will fire upon you."

While there was no response by the Anglian warship, they had adjusted their course to Zero-One-Four degrees, they had disregarded the directive in order to shadow the strike group as it continued up the coast toward the Anmalos Sea.

One of the Ship's intelligence analysts, returned to the Operations Room, after trying to determine the Anglian warship's identifier, but due to the amount of wear and tear on the Anglian warship, the ships identifier could not be determined. Still unidentified, and still shadowing the strike group, the Excalibur's captain called on the strike group commander, Rear Admiral Duncan Cook.

"Sir, Phillips from the Excalibur, We've been unable to identify the Anglian warship. What do you wish us to do?", Commander Phillips asked nervously of the Commander.

"Standby and assess Phillips. In the mean time, we noticed that the ship has an aft helicopter deck, launch your Woomera and get some aerial intelligence of the thing. Maybe it'll have it's ship number of the flight deck."

"Roger Sir, launching Woomera.", he responds then hangs up the phone.

The PWO overhearing the conversation, jumps on the PA - "Standby Aircraft, Aircrew report to Operations Room."

A few moments later the aircrew of the ships embarked helicopter, arrived at the operations room where the PWO and the ship's Captain were waiting to brief them. The PWO gather some intelligence together and the missions' briefing packet and started to brief the aircrew.

"Gents, as you're aware we have an unidentified Anglian surface vessel on our port side. They've been disregarding our orders and have continued to shadow us for the last ten minutes. As we are unable to identify the ship, you are to get airborne and gather some aerial intelligence on her. Find the deck code, try and determine the pennant number and anything else that you can learn from it. OK?"

The aircrew all come to attention together, "Sir!", they acknowledge the ship's captain and scurry off to their helicopter. A few moments later the sound of a helicopter's blades spooling up could be heard in the operations room and all of a sudden the helicopter whizzes past the bridge of the Excalibur on route to intercept the unknown vessel.

The sounds of ship life could be heard all around the operations room while the PWO and others awaited the radio call from the Ships helicopter, then all of a sudden, "Excalibur, Neptune Two-Six, Our RWS is lighting up, they have us radar locked." The PWO picks up the ships radio and calls the Anglian warship - "Unidentified Anglian Warship, you are required to disengage with my Helicopter, and remain outside of our exclusion zone."

THe Captain, up on the bridge, keeping visuals on the ship, notices that the Anglian ships close in weapon system is tracking the ships helicopter. "PWO, Bridge - they're tracking the helicopter with their CIWS, ready the main gun."

"Aye sir, ready main gun" - the PWO responds, he then picks up the mic for the PA - "All Hands, All Hands, prepare main gun", then starts briefing the fire control team.

The ship's helicopter was able to maintain a fair distance from the Anglian warship and still able to use it's EO suite to gather the intelligence need to determine which ship it is. About 5 minutes had passed, and the helicopters Observer radio's back to the Excalibur. "Excalibur, Neptune Two-Six, We've got what we need - returning to home-plate."

As the helicopter was pulling away to return to the ship, the Anglian warships CIWS opens fire on the helicopter. The rounds hits the helicopters rear tail assembly and puts it into a spin. The pilot jumps on the radio, "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Excalibur this is Neptune Two-Six, we've been hit, tail rotor has been shot out, location is four-one-november-mike-golf four-zero-zero-niner-two four-niner-niner-seven-eight. Crew of five. Will activate EPIRB when in the water."

The PWO hears the mayday calls, and over the PA calls for the sea boats to go fetch the aircrew, "Away port sea boats 1 & 2, Away port sea boats 1 & 2". it takes a good twenty minutes for the sea boats to reach the crash site where they find an activated liferaft with the helicopters crew inside - the sailors of the sea boats recover the aircrew and start returning to the Ship.

When the sea boats get back to the ship, the ships medical crews are standing by to give the aircrew a once over, but the Air Observer pushes past the medical and starts running to the Operations room.

When he gets to the operations room, he pulls a hard drive from his immersion suit and hands it to the ships intelligence officer - "The ship is the ANS Cockchafer, but there's something on here that you need to look at..."

The ships intelligence officer, plugs in the hard drive into his terminal and starts trawling through the videos and images taken by the Air Observer, "Shit. Shit. Shit.", he starts shouting across the room to the PWO, "Get the old man down here." - the PWO radios the deck - "Deck, PWO, send down the Captain to Ops please".

A few moments later, the Captain arrives in the Operations Room and the PWO directs him to the Intelligence Officer. The Intelligence Officer shows the captain the videos and images that were taken and pauses on one particular photo. The photo various weapons on the deck of the ship that usually aren't carried or support by that particular class of ship.

"What do you think they are?", the Captain asked the Intelligence Officer, "I'm not sure sir, my best bet is that they're either experimental cruise missiles or they're WMD."

"Ok - wrap this up quickly, and get this to Mt Jerusalem for further analysis." - thinking about what the next course of action to take, the Captain directs the PWO to contact the CSG commander to advise the whole strike group raise its NBCD level to State One Zulu Alpha. "PWO, If that ship comes within 10 nautical miles of the strike group. Sink it."

[Gallambria]

Part Three: Expulsion

 

Expelled from individual consciousness by the rush of change,
history finds its revenge by stamping the collective unconsciousness with habits and values.

4 February 2022
The Office of the Foreign Secretary
Harmon House, Bromwich

(On the telephone) "Hi Nadia, it's Elliot ... [the conversation carries on...] ... yeah So quick one, I've got the Anglian ambassador on his way over. Has your office received the Letters Patent from the King? It was supposed to be delivered here this morning, but hasn't arrived yet ... wait hold on someones knocking at the door...

Elliot puts the phone down, and walks over to his door where he's met by a lanky twenty-something year old courier from the Palace.

"I take it, this is the Letter's Patent?" he asks the courier. "Unsure Sir" he responds, as he hands over a dark blue briefcase bearing the King's cipher.

"Thank you, oh, and give my regards to Sir Patrick?" he says as he closes the door. Sir Patrick Bonham, the King's Deputy Private Secretary, and Elliot were old school friends at the King's School and attended university together.

He starts to open the briefcase, and starts to read the Letters Patent. With a look of shock on his face he picks up the phone.

"Hi Nads - it's just arrived. You'll never guess what he did... He's brought it down to forty-eight hours. He must be keen to get them out."

About half an hour passes, when there's a knock at Elliot's door, and before he event has the chance to get up to open the door, in walks the Anglian ambassador.

Elliot arcs up - furious that the Ambassador just barged into his office - "Get out. You don't just barge in here like you own the place. You wait till I let you in." The Ambassador walks out with his proverbial tail between his legs, closing the door behind him and knocks on the door again. Elliot then opens the door, and signals for the Ambassador to enter and invites him to take a seat on the couch.

Never in his time as the Foreign Secretary has Elliot had to expel a whole diplomatic mission, when he started with his spiel, his nerves were starting to show.

"Mr Ambassador, Following the events of Wednesday, the King along with the Government believe we have given Great Anglia sufficient opportunity to make amends for the inexcusable actions of your country's navy. While we have we have shown restraint in our response to the incident, we cannot sit idly by and allow nations like yours to bully those who will not bow to your nations desires for regional domination.

While we a cognizant that Great Anglia relies on Gallambria for access to the Southern Adlantic for trade ecetera, we cannot allow the actions of your country to go beyond reproach."

Elliot rises from his chair, and shuffles around some papers.

"Mr Ambassador, in line with powers granted to me under the Constitution of the United Kingdom of Gallambria, dated 2 May 1649, and it's amended body, and by the authority granted to me by Letters Patent given under the His Majesty the King's Sign Manual, you are hereby given notice that all members, diplomatic and consular, including ministers plenipotentiary, heads of missions, and other diplomatic and consular agents, are now considered persona non gratia by the Government of the United Kingdom of Gallambria, and are required by law, to return to Great Anglia within forty-eight hours from Twelve O' One AM on the 5th of February 2022."

Seeing that the Ambassador is visibly shaken, Elliot continues.

"Failure to depart the country within the given time frame, will result in the arrest and confinement of those who do not conform to the requirements of this expulsion. That being said, should there be assets or property belonging to the Great Anglian diplomatic mission, that is subsequently left behind, the Gallambrian Government will endeavor to return them to the Great Anglian Government as soon as practicably possible. Do you have any questions Mr Ambassador?"

The Ambassador shakes his head.

"Further more, please convey to your Government that we will be recalling our diplomatic mission, entirely, within the week and official correspondence outlining our cessation of diplomatic relations will be forwarded to your Foreign Affairs ministry in due course."

Elliot turns around and walks over his desk to pick up some papers and hands them to the Ambassador.

"For your records, here is that copy of the Letters Patent, and the instructions from the Cabinet to myself, to initiate and execute your missions expulsion. Thank you for your time."

The two shake hands, and the Ambassador leaves.

Elliot walks back over to his desk and picks up his phone. "The Prime Ministers office please. [Hold music ensues.] Hi Nadia it's Elliot, it is done. Let's see if they play ball."

[Gallambria]

Part Four: Hostility

I have sworn upon the altar of God,
eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

 

1030 06FEB2022
Far East Air Defence Operations Centre
RGAF Tubruq, Bashan

**Alert Sounds over the PA system**

A young airman, starts to scan over the screen of his radar terminal. He dials in his intercom to his supervisor.

Controller: "Black Dog, North Sector, Track of interest. Bearing one-two-zero degrees, three-five-zero nautical miles, at Angels three-eight, and speed is zero-point-seven-eight. No contact, No active ADS-B. Contact Unidentified."

Black Dog: "Roger. Thank you."

Wing Commander Michael Wallis (Black Dog), was eight hours into a twelve hour shift as the master controller for the Far East Air Defence Operations Centre (FEADOC) when the call came in, that there was call for an unidentified aircraft approaching the Bashan Air Defence Identification Zone (BADIZ).

Black Dog picks up his phone to contact Air Command Bashan Headquarters (ACB HQ) to notify the Duty Commander.

Black Dog: "Brass Hat, this is Black Dog, possible unidentified contact approaching BADIZ, flight level three-five-zero, speed zero-point-niner-five. I will bring QRA to readiness."

Brass Hat: "Black Dog, Brass Hat. Copy that, can see it on your radar. Launch QRA"

Sitting in the QRA shed at RGAF Aqir, are two pilots, who are nearing of the end of their twenty-four hour rotor on QRA. Flight Lieutenant's Jack Osbourne and Elizabeth Miller, both had recently transferred to 304 Squadron at RGAF Aqir, to fly the Hurricane FGR5. Jack, had recently retrained on the Hurricane after flying the Panther GR6 for the last two years, while Elizabeth had just completed her operational conversion and was sitting on her first QRA rotor.

Black Dog hangs up the phone, and radios the Air Operations Cell and Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) forces at RGAF Aqir.

Black Dog: "Aqir Operations and QRA, this is the Black Dog Master Controller. Acknowledge."

Jack: "QRA."

Black Dog: "Q-One. For Quick Reaction Alert. Scramble. Scramble. Scramble. Acknowledge."

Jack: "QRA."

The two pilots start to run out to the hangers, and jump in their jets. As they starts spooling up their engines, they start prepping their aircrafts for what could possibly be a not-so-simple interogation mission.

As they approach the runways threshold, the Jack radios the tower at Aqir.

Jack : "Aqir Tower, Red Dog Five-Niner, flight of two Hurricanes, Callsigns Nine Mike Kilo Three Eight [Jack], Nine Mike Kile Three Nine [Elizabeth] . Ready for Departure, requested unlimited climb to flight level four-zero-zero."

Aqir Tower: "Red Dog Five-Niner, Winds Calm, CAVOK, unlimited climb approved, inital heading three-five-five, cleared for take-off."

Jack / 9MK38: "Copy winds, cleared unlimited climb, three-five-five, cleared for takeoff."

Both pilots line their aircraft up on the runway for a formation departure, Elizabeth signals to Jack that he's ready to go, and they both push their throttles forward to Mil Power. The roar of four Mumford-Muir ZG-40 turbofans, in full afterburn, shake the buildings surrounding the runway, as they raise their noses and climb steeply to forty-thousand feet.

After takeoff, they both switch their primary communications over to the FAEDOC operations channel, and Jack checks in.

Jack / 9MK38: "Black Dog, Kilo Three Eight, airborne with Kilo Three Niner, unlimited climb to forty-thou, heading three-five-five."

Black Dog: "Kilo Three Eight, Black Dog. Acknowledged. Come left three-three-zero. Cleared to mach zero-point-nine, and supersonic at forty-thou."

Jack / 9MK38: "Roger, left three-three-zero, zero-point-nine, super at forty-thou."

Black Dog: "Read back correct, your mission is to interrogate unidentified aircraft and report back to Black Dog."

Within about 45 seconds, both aircraft had reached forty-thousand feet, and leveled out. Their aircraft's were both accelerating, through mach one, and climbing. They both eased off their throttles to cruise at mach one-point-seven, which would allow them to intercept the unidentified aircraft in a matter of minutes.

Jack / 9MK38: "Black Dog, Kilo three eight. Contact. Aircraft seems to be a modified Gardner 437-9ER. Modifications seem to be of a military nature. Course, speed and altitude are steady. Cleared for intercept?"

Black Dog: "Kilo three eight, Black Dog. Acknowledged. Clear to intercept."

Jack and Elizabeth bring their jets back down to subsonic speeds, and begin their descent down to thirty-eight thousand feet. They both start discussing their course of action, who would take lead, would would take trail, plan their fuel break offs.

Jack / 9MK38: "Black Dog, kilo three eight. Request tanker. Hold two-five nautical miles from our current position, contact me direct on station."

Black Dog: "Kilo three eight, roger. Launching tanker."

Jack and Elizabeth, start to bring their aircraft in behind the target aircraft, and start their approach, Jack taking the port side, Elizabeth taking the starboard. They both then switch their comms over to the unicom frequency.

Jack / 9MK38: "Unidentified Gardner 437 approaching the Bashan Air Defence Zone, bearing one-two-zero degrees at flight level three-eight thousand. This is nine-mike-kilo-three-eight of the Royal Gallambrian Air Force. We are currently on your port and starboard side. You are approaching the declared Bashan Air Defence Zone. You are required to turn north to avoid entering our controlled airspace. Rock your wings to acknowledge."

Both pilots wait for the pilot of the 437 to acknowledge Jack's communication, and after a few minutes of waiting, they turned up the heat. Jack radios Elizabeth to tell her that they fire flares simultaneously on his mark. Jack counts down over the comms, as he approches one, they both bank away from the target aircraft and activate their flares, a method used by the RGAF as a show of force. After they fire off their flares, Elizabeth starts to look for markings or anything else that could identify who the aircraft belongs to.

Elizabeth / 9MK39: "Black Dog, kilo three nine. Further confirmation on unidentified aircraft. The aircraft is a military modified Gardner 437, possibly a 800 or 900 series. Bearing the Flag of Great Anglia, and Registration is one seven two nine six."

Black Dog: "Kilo three nine, Black Dog. Copy. Any response to initial contact?"

Elizabeth / 9MK39: "Negative."

Black Dog: "Roger, Carry on with script."

Back at the FAEDOC, Michael (Black Dog) starts to enter the intelligence into the system so that the higher authorities could make an informed decision about the next steps to take with the aircraft.

Jack and Elizabeth, are still shadowing the Great Anglian aircraft when they receive a radio call from Black Dog.

Black Dog: "Kilo three eight, Black Dog. Radar indicates that the identified aircraft is now well within the Bashan Air Defence Zone, and behaviour shows no intention of it deviating from current course."

Jack / 9MK38 : "Roger, moving up to hard intercept."

Jack and Elizabeth move their aircrafts back to inline with the flight deck of the Great Anglian aircraft, and Jack attempts to call it again over the unicom frequency.

Jack / 9MK38: "One-seven-two-nine-six. This is Hurricane kilo-three-eight of the Royal Gallambrian Air Force. I'm instructed by His Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Gallambria to warn you that if you do not respond immediately to my orders to turn north and leave the Bashan Air Defence Zone, you will be shot down."

What seemed to be the aircraft changing its heading, was in fact slight buffeting as result something moving on the underside of the aircraft. Elizabeth reduces her altitude a touch and has a look at what's going on.

Elizabeth / 9MK39 : "Black Dog, Kilo three nine. We've had some movement from the aircraft, belly doors that seem to be for a bomb bay have opened, and the aircraft is still maintaining current course and speed."

Black Dog: "Kilo three nine, Black Dog. Roger, standby."

Michael picks up the Red phone, in order to notify the Prime Minister of the situation.

(Voice on the other End): "Bromwich"

Black Dog: "Black Dog"

The person on the other end of the line diverts the call to the Prime Ministers Office.

Prime Minister Burnett: "Prime Minister"

Black Dog: "Hello ma'am, Black Dog here at FAEDOC. We have a Great Anglian Air Force aircraft that has penetrated the Bashan Air Defence Zone in the north-west. Initial reports that it's a civilian airliner that's been modified to carry armaments..."

The call carries on for a few minutes. While back in the skies off the coast of Bashan, Elizabeth has taken her digital camera out of her flight bag and started taking photos of the weapons bay and of some of the sensors that were on the aircraft.

Black Dog: "Kilo three eight, Black Dog. You are to proceed with caution. The Prime Minister has authorised you to shoot down the aircraft at your discretion."

Jack / 9MK38 : "Black Dog, Kilo three eight. Acknowledged."

Jack attempts to call the aircraft again.

Jack / 9MK38: "One-seven-two-nine-six. This is Hurricane kilo-three-eight of the Royal Gallambrian Air Force. I'm instructed by His Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Gallambria to warn you that if you do not respond immediately to my orders to turn north and leave the Bashan Air Defence Zone, you will be shot down."

After no further response from the aircraft, Jack moves his aircraft into position behind the target aircraft, and Elizabeth banks away to stand off from the aircraft.

As Jack was setting himself up to shoot down the aircraft, the target aircraft launched some flares while banking away to the north. As it was banking, Elizabeth noticed something resembling a cruise missile fall from the bomb bay of the aircraft.

Elizabeth / 9MK39 : "Bogey, Missile Launched"

The cruise missile's engine fires up and fly's off towards its target, and Jack starts to pursue the target aircraft.

Elizabeth / 9MK39 : "Black Dog, Kilo three nine, bogey has launched a cruise missile, trajectory looks like it could be heading to Edrei or Ain."

Black Dog: "Roger."

Jack / 9MK38: "Fox Two."

Jack launched one of his missiles towards the target aircraft, and after a few seconds, the missile hits the aircraft."

Jack / 9MK38: "Splash bogey. Returning Home Plate."

Black Dog: "Roger Splash, Returning to Home Plate. Matred are tracking the cruise missile."

After refueling at the Tanker, Jack and Elizabeth return back to RGAF Aqir. After they parked up their jets, and walked back to the Q-Shed, Squadron Leader Harry de Walt, their local operations controller walked out to meet them.

Harry: "Good work today guys. Matred were able to successfuly track and intercept the cruise missile. Splashed just of the coast of En-Gannim."

Jack: "Sweet Jesus."

Elizabeth: "So I guess we're going onto Active Air Policing now?"

Jack: "Shut up Liz."

Harry: "No, you guys get some sleep. 306 have it tonight. Anyways you guys are going up to Tubruq tomorrow to debrief Black Dog."

Jack: "Fun."

Still in a state of shock and amazement, Jack and Elizabeth both head back into the Q-Shed to finish off their rotor, still not knowing the gravity of the situation they've just been in.

[Gallambria]

Part Five: Senselessness

How senseless is everything that can ever be written, done, or thought, when such things are possible.

13 May 2022
Prime Ministers Office, Bromwich

It had been a few months since the last major incident between Gallambria and Anglia - during that time, there had been an Election which saw Nadia Burnett and Liberal Party retain control of the parliament, skirmishes on the Bashan-Suverinan Border and some diplomatic tussles between the Gallambrian and Anglian governments. With the rise of Anglian activity in Dolchland, some within the Gallambrian Government have seen this as a proxy-provocation in order to distabilise the region and push East Argis into war again.

---

Nadia was sitting at her desk, talking with her staff as they start to get things ready for the start of the new parliamentary year. With many things on the Liberal Party's agenda for the new year, including increase in defence and security spending, establishing defence partnerships with key nations in Argis and Europa, her National Security Advisor, Lord Quandt reminded her of the instability in the Bashan region, stating that it would only be a matter of time before Anglian-backed forces start to make their move through eastern Bashan.

"Prime Minister, it is my belief that the Anglians, and Anglian-backed forces will attempt to make a push through Eastern Bashan in order to give them more direct access to sea ports and access to Western Azania," he commented.

Nadia looking through her notes, she notices that there was a comment on the report from the 6th of February incident. "Stephen, why am I only seeing this now?" she asked sternly. "I don't know Ma'am." - he responds quickly.

She continues to read through the report, with various sections referring back to the Gihon Strait.

In the period leading up to the 06 FEB 22 incident, Anglian and Anglian-backed forces have continued its build up of forces along the Bashan-Suverinan Border, with conservative estimates at close to 17,000-20,000. Daily reconnaissance flights by the Gallambrian Army's rotary wing detachment have confirmed that the build-up indicates that there maybe a planned incursion of Bashan along the western end of the Gihon Strait to the Sea of Yesodot and further to the border between Qubdi and Bashan, and Suverina.

Previous actions by the Anglians and Anglian-aligned parties, have shown that they will use periods of "social and political distraction" such as elections, etc. to begin any possible engagement with another nation.

As she continues reading, she comments, "Well the election has passed, and nothing happened. What else what they be waiting for?", she continues to read the report.

While an invasion of Bashan would not be plausible during the upcoming General Election, they may see opportunity to stage an invasion of the Bashan during the lead up to the opening of Parliament, or the Bashan General election that due to be held towards the end of May.

"Well shit," she commented as she continued reading. "Stephen, did no one ever think that this was so important as to raise it with me?"

Stephen looked at her blankly. "Obviously not Ma'am." he replied, "I should've brought that up when we were handling the 6/2 incident."

Nadia gets up and walks over to Stephen, and starts shouting at the top of her lungs. "YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS BEFORE 6/2? WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT TILL SOMETHING ACTUALLY HAPPENS TO HEAR ABOUT THESE THINGS?"

She walks back to her chair, and sits down and picks up her phone. "Alice, can you get Francis de Lange here within the hour please, thanks.", she hangs up the phone. As she starts to bury her head in her hands, she contemplates what has to be done. After a few minutes, she pipes up, "Stephen, as much as your service to my team and I over the last couple of years has been exemplary, I can't be seen as faltering on issues such as this, and if the press catch wind of it, there's no knowing what would happen. Don't worry, I'm not going to fire you, I'm going to give you a leave of absence, go and have a holiday or something. But take all the time you need."

Stephen gets up and picks up his things and thanks Nadia, as he walks out of her office.

A hour later, Nadia's phone rings. "Francis de Lange is here for you Ma'am," the voice on the other end said, as Faf opens the door and walks in.

Nadia rises to greet Faf, "Good to see you again Faf. Please, take a seat."

 

[Gallambria]

Part Six: Hunting

There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed
men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.

16 May 2022
Somewhere along the Gihon Strait

It was early in the morning, the sun hadn't risen yet, when a long range patrol team from the 3rd Special Air Service Regiment, came up to one of their observation posts (OP) along the Gihon Strait, where they had planned to lay up for the next couple of days. They had been in constant communication with an RGAF Warden R1 (an modern battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft), which had been keeping tabs on Anglian and Suverinan forces on the other side of the strait.

Snapshot 68: "Whiskey Two Zero, Snapshot Six-Eight, We're currently tracking six PMV type vehicles, and close to 50-60 dismounted troops moving along the coastline to what looks like to be a FOB adjacent to your current position."

W20: "Snapshot Six-Eight, Whiskey Two Zero, Copy thanks. Will look into it."

As the operators were getting set up to gather some intelligence on the Anglian's movements on the other side of the strait, heavy machine gun and cannon fire started landing around their position.

W20: "Snapshot Six-Eight, Whiskey Two Zero, we're receiving some pretty shit fire from the other side of the strait, we're going to remain in position and wait it out."

Jake (W20), the team's leader, passes the word around for the operators to go dark, and activate their IR strobes. Some of them were clambering back to their trucks to grab their IR strobes and NVGs. Jake was standing atop one of the patrol's Dingo Special Operations Vehicles (SOV) when looked to west, further down the strait along the Suvernian side, where he noticed, fast moving boats race up the coast towards their position.

W20: "Snapshot Six-Eight, Whiskey Two Alpha, We've got eyes on fast moving watercraft to the west of our position, approximately 2-3 kilometers away, can you confirm?"

After a couple of minutes, the ISTAR specialist on the Warden R1, responded.

Snapshot 68: "Whiskey Two Zero, Snapshot Six-Eight, confirmed, I count twelve RHIB sized vessels moving up the coast to your position. Standby for ROE confirmation."

As the operators were waiting for ROE confirmation from Snapshot 68, rounds were still landing around the team, and as the RHIBs started to get within range of the patrol team, they started opening fire on the operators as well.

Snapshot 68: "Whiskey Two Alpha, We can see you're taking further fire. Advise from HQ JFC is as follows... Force authorised to defend yourself, hostile Fire may be returned effectively and promptly to stop a hostile act."

'Fuck that's some pretty loose ROE', Jake thought to himself.

W20: "Snapshot Six-Eight, Whiskey Two Zero, copy. Will report back in 30 mikes."

Jake hops down from the Dingo SOV to go and brief the team. While that's happening, the sound of the RHIBs could be heard from their position, and the their fire was becoming more accurate. One of the operators who was scanning the boats, noticed that they had some heavily armed troops onboard, unsure of whether or not they were Anglian or Suvernian, he tells the other guys to get on their guns and get ready.

Jake switches his radio back to the Command Net.

W20: "Bravo Six One, Whiskey Two Zero, how copy?"

B61: "Whiskey Two Zero, Bravo Six One, got you five by, send traffic over."

W20: "Bravo Six One, Whiskey Two Zero, we're starting to accurate fire from Anglian or Anglian-Back marine and land forces. Estimates are currently 50 to 60 dismounted infantry with 6 PMVs as well as 12 RHIB's, each with approximately 8 to 10 armed personnel on board. We're yet to return fire. Will report further when situation develops."

B61: "Whiskey Two Zero, Bravo Six One, received and understood. Do you require assistance. We currently have a cavalry squadron approximately 15 kilometers from your position, they can be there in about 20 to 30 minutes.

W20: "Bravo Six One, Whiskey Two Zero, yeah that'd be great. Can we also get some air support online? We might not be able to engage effectively with those on the other side of the straight."

B61: "Whiskey Two Zero, Bravo Six One, yeah rog, we can organise that for you. Romeo Three Foxtrot, is the cavalry call-sign that will report to you when they are inbound."

W20: "Bravo Six One, Whiskey Two Zero, ack, out"

After Jake gets off of the radio with Command, he organises his troops into defensive positions around the OP.

A couple of the operators jump on top of the teams Dingo SOV's and man the vehicle mounted grenade launchers. When Jake gives the order to return fire, the operators on the Dingo's start to fire off the grenade launchers, as the rest of the team started to open fire on the advancing forces, they started to receive some pretty accurate indirect fire from the other side of the strait. It looked like the enemies PMV's had vehicle borne mortars in the back, which they were using to get the team out of action pretty quickly.

Ten minutes later, the RHIBs that were carrying troops had landed on the Bashan side of the strait, with its forces opening fire on the teams position, at the same time a mortar round landed next to one of the Dingo's. Jake saw that the mortar had effectively destroyed one of the Dingo's and that the explosion had thrown the operator from atop the Dingo. He got up from his position to go render some aid to his team member, and in doing so, was hit by incoming fire.

W20: "Bravo Six One, Whiskey Two Zero, we're engaged directly with enemy forces, I've taken some rounds, one of my gunners is hit, requesting CASEVAC."

B61: "Whiskey Two Zero, Bravo Six One, copy, alerting CASEVAC now, have your JTAC call in to organise a HLA. Send through a sitrep when the situation has stabilised.

Fighting continued on for few more minutes, while Jake was trying to patch himself up and get to his team-mate that had been thrown from the destroyer Dingo, when an Army Pangkala, a formidable attack helicopter, flew overhead spewing flares from its tail.

Vanquish 72: "Whiskey Two Zero, Vanquish Seven-Two, on station, moving to overwatch position."

W20: "Vanquish Seven-Two, Whiskey Two Zero, roger, thanks, heads up, there's friendly cav inbound from the south. ETA 5 mikes."

Jake and the Pangkala pilot, continued to discuss the situation over the radio, when the teams medic managed to get to Jake's position to render aid. After he was patched up, he continued up to the wounded operators position with medic.

When they got to the operators position, they found that he had managed to escape relatively unharmed, some shrapnel had hit his vests, but he had managed to recover his rifle and was engaging with the enemy.

The Pangkala was overhead, laying fire down on the troops on the other side of the strait, and Jake and his team were cleaning up the enemy troops that had landed on the their position, when the roar of a squadron of Karrek IFVs could be heard as they arrived at the teams position.

A tall lanky fellow jumped out of one of the IFVs, and walked up to Jake, and introduced himself.

Gareth (R3T): "Jake? Gareth. 3rd Squadron Princess Catherine's. Hope you left some for us?"

Jake: "Gareth, glad you could make it. Sorry old chap, we got a bit excited here. No doubt HQJOC will have you attached to us now."

Gareth: "Hopefully, anyways. I'll get my guys up into harbour, and provide some overwatch. We'll coordinate with Vanquish while you guys get squared away."

Knowing that they could both be at war with Anglia tomorrow, they hesitantly shook hands and got to work.

Jake: "Shit, Hey Gareth, can you cancel Starlight for me?"