Bringing the Dominion to Easteros

[Mercantilist States]

"Damn it's cold out here," Jack MacAlister said from the deck of the Easteros Merchant Ship Merchant Sea said as he lit up a Alland Perique cigar and offered one to his first mate, Ervin Buck, who took one. "Fresh from Takasia."

They had been ordered by CEO Greg Defensor to modernize and "citify" one of their Easteros' trading posts and "explore the possibilities and potential of the greater Easteros continent". Much of the continent still remained untouched. Defensor, obviously, was a fan of big, pointless, flowery words.

They were flanked by the EMS Defensor, the first of three Merc class destroyers the company had purchased from the Northrup-Mercantile Company. The other two were scheduled to be completed in the next few months; and MacAlister was working all his angles to try and be named captain of one of them.

As they looked out over the sea they saw a submarine surfacing off their bow.

"What the fuck is that?" Buck said frantically as he was about to sound the alarm; until he noticed the design, Northrup-Mercantile Mercwolf class. "We order submarines to?"

MacAlister smiled.

The captain of the sub, Ryan Donovan, came out on the sub's deck and waved. The two men had served together when they did their compulsory service in the Merchant Defense Force a few years back. And both had left for the greener pastures offered by the Easteros Merchant Company. Little did they know they'd be out here floating in one of the coldest areas in Taijitu.

"How goes it Jack?" He yelled at them.

"Good Ryan, can I offer you a cigar?"

[Mercantilist States]

The EMS Merchant Sea and the EMS Defensor had just docked at the trading post East Jazzville on the Easteros continent. It wasn't anything impressive; but it was about to be. Jack MacAlister knew the submarine Eastai was lurking out there somewhere too.

"Ok, let's get to work on improving this dock," Nathan Temple, the Chief Operations Officer of the Easteros Merchant Company yelled off the deck of the Merchant Sea to the porters, deckhands, and construction workers who were transporting the supplies off the ship.

Up to this point, the trading post had been small time. While it was the center of the Company's operations on the Easteros continent, much of the activity had been limited to fur trading with the native peoples. They provided some nice furs which were a hit in the Mercantilist States.

Temple turned to Captain MacAlister who was watching the fiasco go on down below.

"Jack, once all of this crap is unloaded, I want you to take the Defensor north and patrol that area. Captain Dinan will be taking over as head of security and defense operations here, the Defensor is yours."

"Yes sir." MacAlister said, the moment he had worked towards had finally come.

"Also, I'm going to put you in charge of all our naval operations in the area, based off the Defensor. No auxiliary ships for the Easteros Merchant Company," Temple said with a smile. "You still report to me, and consider yourself on equal footing with Dinan. Our second Merc class destroyer was just completed and is on its way here now, bringing with it a shipment of arms. Congratulations...shall I say Admiral MacAlister."

The two men laughed.

"Thank you sir," MacAlister silently wondered why more arms were needed.

"Just to let you know what we're planning on doing. We are going to be establishing a subsidiary headquarters here that will actually be larger than anything we have in Jazzville. East Jazzville is going to be our new base of operations, although all major decisions will still come from Jazzville.

...

[Mercantilist States]

Executive Vice President and President of Easteros Operations of the Mercantilist Brewing Company, Vic Magasay sat in his office reading today's edition of The Mercantilist Free Press when his assistant buzz him on the intercom.

"Yeah?" he said as he pressed the button to answer it.

"Sir, Nathan Temple is on the phone and would like to speak to you."

"Who?"

"He says he's COO of the Easteros Merchant Company."

"Really? Ok, put him through....Hey Nathan, how are you today?"

"I'm good, you?"

"Good, good; what's up?"

"Just wanted to let ya'll know that we are establishing a pretty significant base of operations here in East Jazzville on Easteros and wanted to let ya'll know we'd love it if we could get a distribution hub here. You may even be able to market to some friendly natives we've met; I don't think they've been introduced to alcohol yet. We also think we may have found a native Easteros tobacco strain you might be interested in."

"Thanks for the tip. We'll get right on it."

"No problem."

Magasay hung up the phone and went back to reading the paper.

[Mercantilist States]

Randy Simons sat smoking a Loyalist Standard cigar taking his turn on watch at the outpost in Bayan, a small trading post north of East Jazzville. The population of the entire settlement was 43.

"Randy, you hear?" Jimmy Irons said as entered the watchtower.

"About what? How bad this damn Chinese Loyalist Standard tobacco is, it's unfortunate it's the only thing we can get here."

"Well that may be changing soon. The cavalry has arrived, the Easteros Merchant Company just docked in East Jazzville."

"Really? Nice. Want one of these cigars?"

"Yeah."

Irons lit up a cigar and took a seat next to Simons as they saw a native trader in the distance heading their way with a wagonload of fur.

"Hola!" Simons said as he stood up and waved at the native. "Would you like a cigar?"

[Mercantilist States]

Easteros Merchant Co. steps up recruitment efforts
"See Taijitu"

JAZZO (Jazzville Banner) - The Easteros Merchant Co. announced today that it will be stepping up its recruitment efforts for its security and defense forces.

"We are looking for qualified, hard working, committed individuals to join our business," CEO Gregory Defensor said in a statement. "There are many opportunities for advancement and profit in the Easteros Merchant Company."

Its latest advertisement (see page 6) reads "Join the Easteros Merchant Co. - See Taijitu" and it is offering T$35,000 a year for entry level positions to those who have completed their compulsory military training. It is offering T$50,000 per year for those who have completed their two-year compulsory service in the Merchant Defense Force, and T$10,000 more per year for every year of service after that. There are also quarterly bonuses awarded based on performance. The offer is only open to Mercantilian citizens.

The announcement comes after the Easteros Merchant Co. expanded its private military with three Merc class destroyers, two Mercwolf class submarines, and a number of small and heavy arms purchased from the Northrup-Mercantile Company.

The Easteros Merchant Co. is a holdings company who holds interests in a number of businesses including Merchant Oil, the Aliburten Corporation, Merchant Airlines, Wallis Frieght, and Wallis Storage. Notable investors include the Mercantilist States Federal Government and JazPERS (Jazzo Public Employees' Retirement System).

[Mercantilist States]

To: Takasia Arms
From: Nathan Temple, COO of Easteros Merchant Company

Greetings!

The Easteros Merchant Company is interested in purchasing two Steregushchy class corvette, the total comes to $400 million™. The money will be transferred from our account in the First Takasian Bank and we request that the ships be delivered to East Jazzville on the Easteros continent. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Nathan Temple

To: Nathan Temple, COO of Easteros Merchant Company
From: Alland Shipyard

Thank you for your order. The corvettes will be ready in 12 weeks and delivered to East Jazzville in 18 weeks (9 hours RL). As our first customer in the decade (after the resumption of arm trade), we are pleased to give you a 15% discount. The discount of 60,000,000™ will be wired to your account.

Sincerely,
Alland Shipyard

[Mercantilist States]

Secretary of Defense Jeff Crane was reading the latest report on the naval movements of the Saletsian and Chinese Loyalist fleets off the western coast of Easteros when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket.

It was Nathan Temple. The two men had served together in the MDF when they did their compulsory service many years ago and they had remained in touch since. Crane had gone career military, while Temple opted for the private sector. They had both come a long way since then.

"Hey man, how are you doing?" Crane said as he answered the phone.

"I'm good, how 'bout you?"

"Good, I was just looking over fleet movements in your area. You're in East Jazzville now right?"

"How'd you know?" Temple asked.

"We have reports on your build ups too," Crane said with a laugh.

"Ahh right, well I wanted to make a request. And you know I've never asked for anything like this before and the Easteros Merchant Company would be indebted to you."

"Well we'll see, what is it?" Crane said, a little more serious and a bit skeptical.

"There is a wonderful island right off the coast of East Jazzville that would make a perfect location for an MDF base. I've already had our people scout some locations."

There was a long pause from Crane.

"We have actually been considering establishing a permanent presence in that region, though that's classified so keep it to yourself. But I'll take the location to Jackson and the President."

"Thanks man, you know there is always a position for you in the Company if you want it," Temple said, the tone of the conversation lighter again. "Maybe even some land in Easteros."

"Haha, you're relentless man. I'll talk to you later."

[Mercantilist States]

The War Staff stood to attention as President Washington entered the War Room.

"At ease," he said as he took a seat at the head of the table. "So what do you have for me for an Easteros presence."

"We've considered a few locations and have decided this is the best one," Secretary of Defense Jeff Crane said as he stood up and flipped on the screen:



"There are a couple Easteros Merchant outposts in this area of Easteros, and we thought it a natural location for a base. Ft. Jena."

Washington looked at the screen and smiled. Jena was his wife's name.

"They named an outpost that lies to our west, East Jazzville?" he asked.

Crane shrugged.

"What were the other options," Washington said. "Just so I can know what could have been."

"The large island to the north," Crane said as he put his laser pointer on it. "And this smaller island to the south closer to the coast. There was also an island even further south, but we all agreed that would be a poor strategic location."

"Ok, Make it so. And forward deploy the 8th and 9th fleets to that area."

"Yes sir," Crane said.

"How are we coming on a location for the O continent."

"Still working on it sir."

"Keep me apprised. Thank you gentlemen," Washington said as he stood up and left the room.

[Mercantilist States]

East Jazzville granted Dominion status
Protectorate expands

DECARTES (Free Press) - The Mercantilist States Congress voted unanimously today to grant East Jazzville and the islands off its coast Dominion status. East Jazzville is a city on the Easteros continent under the administration of the Easteros Merchant Company. The move comes after the Merchant Defense Force recently established a base in the area.

"We are delighted by the news," said Nathan Temple, Chief Operations Officer of the Company from his office in East Jazzville. "The MDF and the Mercantilist States know a good investment when they see one."

Congress and the President's office declined to comment.

[Mercantilist States]

Mark Simpson, an advance scout for the Easteros Merchant Co., entered Nathan Temple's office in East Jazzville. A few weeks ago Temple had instructed Mark to take a team into Easteros and "see what he could find." In addition to being a mean shot with a sniper rifle, Simpson was also a former professor of linguistics at the University of Old Mercantilism. He had just returned.

"How goes it Mark," Temple asked as he rose to greet him and shook his hand.

"It's good Nathan, check out what I got you," Simpson said as he handed Temple something that looked like a rock.

Temple examined it.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Hardened buffalo dung," Simpson said.

Temple quickly dropped it.

"What the hell?" he asked.

"The Patawki Indians think they bring good luck. All of their warriors carry it."

"Warriors eh?"

"Yeah, they were friendly to us though. From what I could gather, they are at war with another tribe further north, and are allied with two in the immediate area."

"Nomadic?"

"The Patawki's have four major cities that share a common language, ruled by a chief, who is descended from God. Don't know about their allies, though I would assume it's something similar. And, they actually have a pretty developed domestic market. They use a resource, what I think is copper, as their primary medium of exchange. I had to give my watch to get this piece."

Simpson put a piece of copper-like rock on the table.

"Thanks Mark. I'll be in touch"

Simpson nodded and left the room.

Temple picked up the phone and called, Jimmy Irons in Bayan.

"Can you make it to East Jazzville, I want to ask you about the natives in that area....OK. see you soon."

[St Oz]

Privateer Fleet- The First Shiia Inc. Fleet 1000km east from East Jazzville cruising south at 10 knots
"Admivi Hielpinov, Why have we come all this way? There's not much out here except G Junkers and useless Morthian ships." asked the aide. He put the Zuavka in his mouth and added, "Domi Vistela has been impatient with you and we must do what the 'ice princess' wants."

Admivi Hielpinov blew smoke out of his mouth and then said, "There's new neighbors in these waters, some Dominion ships have decided to colonize and imperialize some more, Might as well deter them for the good of Ozia."

"Ozia? Since when did you get patiotic?" asked the aide. He stood up slowly to get the map.

"Noce," asked the Admivi, Noce was unrolling the map of the area. The map must of been 20 years out of date because it still have the boundaries for the Yadak Empire. "What are you doing?"

"Show me..."

The Admivi pulled out his knife and stuck it on East Jazzville. Noce looked at it and mentioned, "That's about 1000 kilometers from our position. What are you planning?"

"Alert the Submarine, these 3 Idovks are going to have a fun night. Wake up all Staii pilots and crew, We launch tonight! Then Alert AEGIS cruisers to be on the look out for the rare instance of a submarine, if so, They can use any method of destruction of these submarines if identified as an enemy, tell them they can even use Malafon Rockets"

Noce bowed and exited the room to go to the communication bridge.

Tien Class Carrier (Small Carrier)

Ozian Percussionists performed the War Ritual. The powerful Timpani that they beat on could be felt throughout the ship and Large drums rattled even the captain's coffee this morning. The Ozians bowed to the high moon and tied Maroon Bandanas with Gaeanistic Symbols on them. 20 Staiis were brought up and they put a maroon dab of paint on the wings with the Sign of Luna painted over the dab of paint. This was not the Ozian Airforce Emblem but rather the sign of Luna was in Ancient Moacian Lore. The Staiis were loaded up with their missiles, including their armaments. The 20 planes were loaded up and began flight towards the East Jazzville shores in four squadrons.

Idovks
"Do you have a reading of the island?"

"Yes, we got some pictures new from the area. One of our Satellites picked up some activity but one of these cities still hasn't been checked out."

The Ozian sat down next to the terminal and added, "Well no need to attack all three cities anyway, our main objective is the fort that they're building. We need to sabotage its production. Make sure to target the infrastructure, housing districts of the workers, and warehouses. Also target any SAM or AA sites if you see them to help out the Staiis.

Once the missiles were programmed to target what they're supposed to target they began the launch sequence. The three submarines started to launch cruise missile after cruise missile until they ran out (160 missiles). The Idovks started to then patrol around for any submarines with the AEGIS Cruisers who were on constant watch on their all their different instruments and were ASW mode. 

[Mercantilist States]

Construction of Ft. Jena was nearly completed and the 8th fleet had just arrived from Decartes. The 9th fleet wasn't far behind. Chief Engineer Jonathan Mulroy was directing tests of the mortar system. Like all MDF bases, its mortar cannons had an effective range of nearly 17 miles and could out range even their Jazzo class battleships.

"Ok, do a 360 degree turn," Mulroy said into the microphone.

Moments later the mortar cannon was swiveling on its base.

"Oh shit!" he heard come back through the speakers.

He turned on his chair outside and looked outside saw missiles reigning down on the AA defenses and the mortars.

"Someone call Decartes!" he yelled.

[Mercantilist States]

Red Chanson, captain of the MSS Tenokee of the 4th Subcorps, a part of the 9th fleet was about 1000km east of East Jazzville on its way to the MDF base off the coast.

"Sir, we got a may day from Ft. Jena before the transmission was cut."

"Anything on sonar?"

"There is something out there, but it could be a school of dolphins."

"Does the 9th have anything?"

"No, but we can see further than they can."

"Contact the other subs and let's pursue it. Let the fleet know we're breaking formation, the 5th Subcorps can cover them."

[Mercantilist States]

"What do you have?" Captain Chanson asked.

"It sounds like an Idvok class submarine."

"To alert! Tell Decartes the Ozians are attacking us."

"How many?"

"Only one."

"Ready tubes one and two. Are we in range?"

"Yes."

"Fire."

The torpedos took a few seconds to travel to its target before detonating on impact.

"Direct hit sir."

"Press on, there are probably more out here."

[St Oz]

The fast Staii fighters managed to get within 200 km of their targets. They launched their long ranged Air-to-surface missiles simultaneously at the Cities, managing to clean up any other Anti-Air stations or try to just bomb some more. First group went low and fast traveling at Mach 2, The second group of Staii went slightly lower and was right of the first traveling the same speed, the third stayed where it was, the fourth climbed up and went to the right of the third
....................x
.............x
......x
x

They all practiced this exercise Formation before, they climbed north after slowing down below Mach 1. Their inverted wings made it possible to quickly maneuver. They armed all their missiles and kept steady on their flight sticks.

"Paparov!!" Break! yelled the flight leader.

The Ozian aircraft spread out into a strange spiral pattern but kept traveling under Mach 1.

They climbed hard up at Mach 2 again. At 17,000 m they slowed and went back to a normal foreward motion. They were approaching what was said Ft. Jena. On night scan there was some scrambling and smoke strewing up from the Fort. The Pilot smiled and they got directly over it.

"Decapliavi miev Aeperevi!" Dive my Comrades! The aircraft dived down with their Missile barrels armed and ready.  With a spiral formation still in contact the Ozian aircraft released bombs and all had a different area that they droped on making a spiral of explosions

"Paeperovi" Must Break now!

The Staii-7s scrambled, firing their missiles and shooting their Cannons down and raining hell on the poor Colonists. When they ran out of Air-to-surface Missiles they patrolled around until all the others released their armament with their Air-to-Air missiles armed. The Second squadron had already darted out at Mach 2 northeast instead of where the fleet was at southeast. When out of sight the second turned towards the fleet.

The other squadrons still were raining havoc all over the place.

One of the Squadron leaders asked, "What are we doing waiting for their planes to take off?"

"Well play a little bit of Viveci eh?"

Many of the Ozians laughed on their radios.