Tamurinian Observers Enter Ide Jima

[Ide Jima]

Northwatch airbase, area 121?

 

It was the cold season. Harsh winds blew in off the inland sea and up on to the north Ide Jiman plateau. Northwatch airbase was the largest military installation in 121, it was also accredited with being the most high up airbase in Ide Jima, lying 5620 metres above sea level. It consisted of several small bunkers, along with a large concrete central complex, adorned with a giant red star. Across the concrete runway were several massive hangars, which housed Ide Jiman heavy bombers and some fighter aircraft. On the roof of the main complex was the outline of a gunship, which had landed on the helipad there, while it?s crew, lasted out the blizzard inside the airbase.

 

From the control tower commands were being sent to a Tamurin aircraft which carried the civilian observers?

 

IJ Ground control: You are cleared to land? proceed

 

Plane: Ok, we are coming in?

 

IJ Ground control: It?s a blizzard down here, tell your passengers to put their coats on?

 

The plane?s landing gear creaked down, beneath it was the primary runway of the airbase. There was a thud as the wheels hit the ground and the aircraft started to come to a halt. It taxied towards the main complex. As the steps came down from the door the observers came out, shivering as the biting wind whipped across the airfield. Outside the complex the group was met by a commander in the Ide Jiman air force. He was obviously very cold, and he invited the group into the base, where they could discuss the route that had been planned by the Ide Jiman government.

 

 

[Tamurin]

The observer team members asked for coffee to warm themselves up. The army coffee was average at best, but at least it was hot.

 

Karsten Bellheim took a glance at the route and was puzzled. The route took them around several areas he wanted to visit due to reports he read.

 

"Could we go this way?" he asked while pointing into a region that they would miss when driving the Ide Jima-government-way. "It might be interesting to see the area and the locals there."

[Ide Jima]

The Ide Jiman Airforce officer sat at the head of a table with the observer team. He started to speak to give the observers:

 

"There are several things I need you to be aware of. Ide Jima has a has a massive crackdown on spies recently, after Europtima openly admitted to spying on us. Here are Observer badges, any Ide Jiman troops you come across will be only too glad to help if you flash these. They have specialised microchips in, so they are difficult to forge. Secondly, for your own safety would all observers wear a Kevlar jacket. The possibility of ambush is high in some areas, and these will protect you from small arms fire. Finally for your own defense, we recommend you each carry one of these".

 

The officer opened a box full of self loader pistols IJ army standard issue pistols.

 

"Of course I am not forcing you to carry these, however they would come in use for defending yourself and other observers. Despite the military escort there are still dangers".

 

"Now, we understand you have several problems with the route, here is a map, if you shortlist for me the areas you would wish to visit we shall go to great lengths to see to it that you visit them. One area which is out of bounds is the Felanzhau Nuclear facility, shut off for obvious security reasons, however there is nothing concerning the natives there".

[Ide Jima]

After a while in their rooms at the airbase, the Lietenant called the observers from their quarters for a meeting...

 

"Tomorrow there is a delegation ariving from Akiiryu and Mongol Swedes arriving. We are postponing our movement to Gauteng by 1 day because of this. We have prepared a second route, we have incorporated the following in and we hope it reaches your standards:

 

-We visit Gauteng and Urumqi and then head around the coast, visiting many villages of the lowland tribespeople.

 

-When we reach Korfan we head due north into the highlands to visit some of the more war torn regions. We will also visit suburbs of Formental, where there is a large population of natives who chose to live in the city.

 

-Then we go back into the highlands and visit some more warzones.

 

-We then return here, and catch a flight to Serekan, where a chronicle of all Ide Jiman military movements in the invasion of 120 and 121 shall be handed out. From there you return home.

 

If there are any other specific areas you wish to see then please tell me so that it may be added to the program.

[Akiiryu]

The Akiiryan observers got of the plane and examined the Ide Jima delgation waiting for them on the tarmac. The hostility in the eyes of the Ide Jima soldiers said it all - the Akiiryan's weren't really wanted here. The Akiiryans ignored the the looks and headed off to the waiting vehicles, if the Ide Jimans had be committing acts of genocide the Akiiryans would find out whether or not it aggrevated a few half educated childskin (OOC: Akiiryan insult for people without facial tattoos) bullies.

 

20 minutes later the Akiiryan delegation looked over the Ide Jima "tour plan". The leader of the delgation, Joranic Thyricicu, looked at his Ide Jiman hosts critically.

 

"I assume we will be able to talk to the natives of our choice without your presence? No offense is intended, but how are we to know that the people you propose us to met will tell the truth? Knowing your laws the natives on this list might fear reprisals if they should say the wrong thing."

[Mongol-Swedes]

The representative from the Sub-Tribunal on Diplomatic Affairs, Hermin Hyultward, and his small contingent of 'watchdogs', better known as the nationalized Mongol-Swede National Broadcasting Company, departed from the specially commissioned C-130. A single commando cell remained onboard to secure the craft. All passengers were clothed in large wool-lined overcoats as well as their standard winter uniforms, including Kevlar and plate-Lenax body armour for the commandos, issued to those cells whose job description entailed wary diplomatic missions. The representative was eager to set foot on foreign socialist soil, despite the reports of atrocities being committed here. He told himself he was not here to push the envelope with the Ide Jimians, merely to act as an official liason for his peoples' media, one of the few near-objective organizations to be found in the world, according to a report by the beaucracy-choked United Nations.

 

Quickly he and his...moderatly sized entourage approached the Ide Jimians awaiting them on the tarmac...

[Ide Jima]

Once the Akiiryans and Mongol Swedes had rested inside for a while, the air force officer came in and said it was time for the observer convoy to move out towards Gauteng. On the way they would stop by at a native village which had not been affected by conflict.

 

The large delegation left the main wing of the airbase, and outside 13 BTR-152V1 waited. With several other armored cars behind. All the observers and a large group of Ide Jiman military police entered the vehichles. The Lieutenant turned round to a Akiiryan behind him...

 

"You asked about whether natives had reprisals to fear? Ask the children, they will tell you what they've seen, without the fear for reprisals. The adults wont have anything to fear, they know not the power we posess, threatening them would be useless".

 

The officer thumped the metal partition between the passengers and the driver, the conoy started to move, out across the north Ide Jiman plateau. The officer engaged one of the Tamurin observers in conversation...

 

"Sorry about the bumpy ride, it's a right bastard building roads at this altitude, and we didn't have the right equipment to break through the rock. If you start to get height sickness don't worry, Gauteng is on the valley floor, it is a steep descent from here. We'll reach the first village in 1 hours time, only a short stay there, nothing much to see, just a few huts clinging to the side of the valley"...

 

There was a roar outside as 4 SU - 25s blasted overhead...

 

"Don't worry, Just a routine patrol out of northwatch, every day at 2!"

[Ide Jima]

The convoy pulled into the village. On the steep slope next to the road, a young boy hearded goats, whilst beneath him a large convoy of armored vehicles drew into his hometown. It was a peaceful town, and there was little sign of any violence or bloodshed that may have happened here. As the armoured cars (an unusual sight to such an isolated settlement) pulled into the town, several elders came out to meet them. The Lieutenant jumped out of the lead car and ran to explain to the elders that there were some people that wished to speak with him and his villagers.

 

The doors in the back of each vehicle creaked open and observers and troops poured out. The sight of so many troops scared some of the villagers, but they were quickly reassured when the Lieutenant spoke to them. The officer then turned to the elder?

 

<In native language>

Officer: You don?t mind if these people talk to you, they need to ask a few questions about our occupation of these lands?

 

Elder: Yes please we are glad to talk to them? if they need food or drink they are welcome?

 

Officer: Good ? food wont be necessary but thank you for the offer? now ?

 

He waved his hand back at the convoy and the observers entered the village.

 

[Mongol-Swedes]

The representative was well-versed in the local customs of the area as he gestured for the media folk to begin their filming as he approached the elder in quiet conversation. He offered a ceremonial medallion bearing the Mongolian Star superimposed by the Swedish Cross, the symbol of his particular tribe set from which he hailed as a youth, and, with a traditional grasp of the forearm, he began to ask about the conditions the village had endured since the presence of the Ide Jimians became apparant, how the soldiers had conducted themselves in the area, etc. After a couple of hours he parted ways with the Elder, gathered up the media folk, and imparted the details of his interview, of which were to be sent home via an instant burst transmission under the thickest of encryptions.

[Ide Jima]

Back by the convoy, the Ide Jiman officer approached one of the Mongol Swede observers...

 

"So what did you talk to the elder about?, I hope your findings were enlightening".

[Tamurin]

The tamurinian observers were surprised about the peace in the village. It seemed that nothing violent happened there. Although the military presence in the area was strong, it seemed really peaceful.

 

The Tamurinians had objected carrying weapons; they wanted to be seen as observers, and weapons could be a problem when dealing with people who suffered in a war.

 

"No destruction, people talk openly and freely, no fear in their eyes when seeing Ide Jima military, supplies seem sufficient." the observers wrote down.

 

"We are finished here. We can move on to the next stop." Karsten Bellheim said.

[Ide Jima]

Whilst he waited for the Akiiryan team to finish the Ide Jiman officer started to tell the others about Gauteng...

 

"Gauteng is a large city, built on the valley floor. It has many ancient buildings. When we reach there we shall stay in the airbase overnight. The town square there is huge, however we wont stay long, there are no natives there, only an armoured brigade on the road Urumqi".

[Tamurin]

"Is the city abandoned or is it just an ancient city in which nobody has lived for hundrets of years?

 

In the first case - where are the former inhabitants now?

 

In the second case - why are armed forces residing inside a cultural monument? This could be dangerous for this historic site."

[Ide Jima]

The Lieutenant laughed...

 

"No need to be so suspicious!, people live in Gauteng now, it has a population of over 100,000 it does have some old buildings. It does have newer sections, but we will be residing in the older quarter".

 

"The armored brigade is on the way to Urumqi to assist in defending the construction of some defensive emplacements. You will like Gauteng, it is far more welcoming than the harsh exterior of Northwatch".

[Akiiryu]

The leader of the Akiiryan delegation looked hard at the Ide Jiman...

 

"Seems to me your facts change with every sentence. First you imply the city is an ancient settlement abandoned by all except military personal, now it has a population of 100,000 and some 'old buildings'. Which is it? Oh, and while you explaining your 'mistake' please tell us where the native peoples are? Given the city as a number of new quarters I assume they were living here until your people arrived. If this is the case why did they leave?"

 

The Akiiryan observer paused and the continued with is questions in the same cold but civil tone.

 

"Or is it that your country is in the habit of building new settlements over archaeological sites in an effort to hide evidence of those live in this country before you invaded?"

 

OOC: Another linked post follows

Edited May 18, 2005 by akiiryu (see edit history)

[Akiiryu]

While the Akiiryan leader waited for the Ide Jiman to reply the other members of the delegation exchanged notes in low tones in Akiiryan about their first stop. The engine noise and the debate about the next stop meant that no one else could hear their comments.

 

"It seemed fine...but I'm not sure, the people seemed too happy, too welcoming. Either they've been coached under the Stag nows what threats or, if this is what they are truly like, the Ide Jiman use of martial law is entirely unnecessary."

 

"I agree - it just feels too scripted at the moment - that elder acted like someone out of a children's textbook. Let's reserve judgement at the moment - but I doubt we'll see or hear much of the truth while we travelling in Ide Jiman vehicles and escorted by Ide Jiman troops. God, did you notice who quick our guide got to the elders so he could speak to them before we did."

 

The other man nodded and they both turned their attention back to the main conversation.

 

OO: Yes, they're suspicious. I am not saying Ide Jimans have done anything here, just making it clear the Akiiryans - partly due to their relationship with Ide Jima - are susupicious of the the 'tour'.

 

 

[Ide Jima]

The officer spoke to the Akiiryan who had been suspicous about Gauteng...

 

"If you remember what we said we never implied it was abandoned, we merely said it had some old buildings, like with many cities. There were no natives in the Gauteng region at the time of Ide Jiman arrival, the old sections were built by an ancient civilisation, pre dating the culture you see today".

 

"We are not sure why the natives did not settle the region of Gauteng, those who we have spoke did not enlighten us, we think it is mainly due to the fact Gauteng is flood prone on the valley floor. Our army has built flood defences, it is safe nowadays".

 

"You must understand we need to overnight in Gauteng, it is the biggest settlement you will see for some time. Compared to the industrialised south the north is sparsely populated".

[Akiiryu]

"You said there were no natives there, only an armoured brigade. Nothing about 100,000 colonists. That to me, and to any other reasonable person, would seem to imply it was abandonded. You still have answered the rest of my question...awhy are you building on such an important archaeological site? Oh, and while you're explaining yourself perhaps you can tell us what proof do you have there were not natives here when your army arrived?"

[Ide Jima]

"Please, calm down, we were speaking to you only about the things that would have been relevant to your journey here. We know you observing Ide Jiman treatment of the natives so we told you about that. And in case you worried about increased military presence, we felt it best to inform you of the armoured brigade there".

 

"We are not building on the site, more around it. When we reach Gauteng you will see how clean the division between new and old is. We do have proof for you that there were no natives here when we arrived. When Marshall Radomir's division first moved into the area, the trees were all flatened around the river, as though there had been some sort of cataclysm. The old buildings were in a sheltered spot they survived but there are still tidemarks on the walls".

 

" Without flood defences that place would be uninhabitable. But then why build a city there? You are probably wondering. Well the fertile plains provide Ide Jima with a great deal of food. The soil here is mineral rich, once we have descended in altitude more, you will notice the land has been terraced by farmers".

 

"We figured that at some time in the past the river had changed it's course, spelling the end of the line for the mysterious culture that built the structures. They must have dispersed northwards into Sevrun".

 

The officer called the group together, and as all the people filed into the personnel carriers, the officer thumped the partition and the convoy began to roll. The natives in the village waved for a while before quickly returning to their village. The officer turned to the Akiiryan delegate...

 

"Sorry if this ride is uncomfortable, we are travelling in a secure area, so our carriers are slightly outdated. When we reach Urumqi in 4 days time we switch to more modern vehicles".

[Akiiryu]

The delegate looked the Ide Jima soldier coldly.

 

"Yes, I can see that, but rest assured I am quite comfortable, thank you. I am also quite calm."

 

He then lapsed into silence.

[Ide Jima]

The Ide Jiman picked up the reciever on the radio in the car spoke into it in a very odd dialect of Potonghua, one he was sure only Ide Jimans in the car would understand...

 

Officer: Come in Gauteng HQ, Come in...

 

GHQ: We are here, report your status and position,

 

Officer: We are 39 miles from Gauteng, we will be arriving shortly

 

GHQ: Copy that, anything else

 

Officer: Yes, it's the Akiiryan observers, they have been most ungrateful ... despite our best efforts they are still letting political rivalries cloud their vision...

 

GHQ: I see, what do you want do about it?

 

Officer: Treat them the way they have been speaking to us. Once we reach Gauteng, all units are to act cold towards them.

 

---------------------------------------------

3/4 Hour later...

 

The Officer opened an escape hatch on the top and scrambled on to the roof. In the distance he could see Gauteng, he could see the plumes of smoke rising over the industrial district. On the valley floor there were lush green fields, whilst over in the old city, he could see the ancient ruins, surrounded by gigantic town squares...

 

"We are nearly there, start gathering your things together" He shouted dwon the hatch.

 

As the convoy passed 5 challenger 2 tanks drawn up at the side of the road he gave a salute. And the commander saluted back.

 

 

[Tamurin]

Karsten Bellheim instructed his team.

 

"Allright, when reaching Gauteng I have a couple of tasks for you.

 

One: Talk to the colonists there. What they're doing, what they've seen, what happened, the usual stuff.

 

Two: Look at the buildings twice. Look for any damage or recent repairs.

 

Three: I'd like a look on the ancient ruins. I wanna know if they're really that ancient or if someone used them as a military hide-out. We know that kind of behavior from the Imperials, don't we?

 

Four: Talk to the soldiers, but let them know that we're Tamurinians. Maybe they'll be more open to us than to the team from Akiiryu.

 

Got that? Let's move, people."

[Ide Jima]

The convoy pulled up in Gauteng town square. The officer jumped out and went to speak with the HQ guard there. The military escort filed out of the leading cars and went to help obeservers out of theirs. The officer stood on the steps overlooking the square and adressed the crowd...

 

"Here we are! In Gauteng finally, we will be seeing more native areas on the road Urumqi soon, so our stay here cannot be long. All those of you wishing to see the ruins please go with colonel Seikan here, I shall be inside, I need to talk with the local governor..."

 

Not surprisingly all of the observers went to see the ruins. Leaving the Lieutenant to speak with the governor...

 

Officer: You wished to see me sir?

 

Governor: Yes, tomorrow you leave for Urumqi correct?

 

Officer: Yes, we are travelling with the 19th armored brigade...

 

Governor: I find I must congratulate you on your excellent conduct so far. Please do continue, I support your decision to take the hard line with the Akiiryans. Keep up this level of conduct and you shall have a promotion waiting for you in Urumqi.

 

Officer: Thank you sir,

 

Governor: That's not all though, there has been a huge fight on the road to Urumqi. Some natives ambushed a motor rifle regiment, the natives underestimated it's power and were massacred. I would rather you took a detour around the battleground. I think it is best that the observers do not see the carnage that took place there.

 

Officer: Yes sir, what should I tell them?

 

Governor: The road is undergoing repairs in that sector, I wish you best of luck on the journey, goodbye Lieutenant

 

Officer: Thankyou sir, goodbye...

 

------------------------------------

 

At the ruins Colonel Seikan answers the queries of the observers under the gigantic archway. To keep such an amazing archaeological site safe, it is constantly patrolled by Ide Jiman troops. The Colonel glares harshly at the observers as they make they're way around the site. He quickly shouts at any who try to touch the delicate plasterwork on the walls of the structures.

He addreses the group:

 

"Here are the ruins, if you look closely here you can still see the faint tidemarks from the flood. We are still getting authorisation to restore it to original splendour. These buildings originally formed a type of lowland citadel, which was common amongst the river people of southern Ide Jima. This is the only example in the north. As you can see the ruins are under constant patrol from the Army, this is to prevent looters taking any artefacts from the site".

 

"Please return to the cars when you have finished"

 

There was shouting and a commotion on the far side of the ruins, a man ran in with a revolver, shouting slander against the presence of foreign observers. he fired a shot in the air and ran up the steps behind the colonel. Behind him troops shouted at him to stop where he was. He wouldn't listen, three Ide Jiman troops blocked the path between him and the observers. They shouted at him to stop one more time. He fired wounding one of the troops in the stomach. The other 2 opened fire, within a second he was dead.

 

The colonel cursed. He yelled at one of the troops to call for an air evacuation of the wounded man. He turned to the observers...

 

"It is unsafe here, there are anarchists in this quarter, we should return to the HQ very shortly. Your lives are in danger, those who seek to kill foreigners are here. We must get going".

[Tamurin]

Note to the travel diary:

 

Were shot at today. Area unsafe. Armed guerillas running around shooting at everybody. May be normal - had the same problems after the civil war. But if this occurs again...how frequent are these things?

 

-------------

 

"So far for the tour", Bellheim said. "What now? How is your soldier doing? Will he be allright? And who the hell was this guy?"

[Ide Jima]

The colonel spoke:

 

"You leave for Urumqi as soon as possible, the soldier is being treated for major injury in Huang He, he has a 90% chance of survival. We have positively identified the attacker as a right wing activist, from a group who want Ide Jima to become a fascist nation. He has committed other terrorist crimes in the past. if we'd taken him alive he would have received the death penalty".

 

"The Armored brigade are ready, you leave tomorrow morning at 5".