Grey Phoenix

[Sovereign Dixie]

 Things had a way of happening when Anderson was asleep, he didn't know why, that's just the way it seemed to always turn out. Such was the case with the news of the Canadian declaration of war on the DSA. The news came at 3am, the phone next to his bed ringing with startling volume and surreal clarity.

 "Please tell me no one got nuked?" He said half jokingly and completely groggy.

 "No Jack." Replied the voice of Secretary of State Winger. "The Canadians have declared war on the DSA in our support, and have sortied what looks to be damn near their entire fleet. Initial reports say they have given the yanks one hell of a black eye already."

 "Great." He had expected Canadian involvement shortly after they had joined Pax Imperium, but not this soon, or this much. He continued, "We need to capitalise on this as much as we can, Fremont's gotta be really shitting himself now, if he wasn't already, I want the Enterprise and Endevour back out to sea as soon as possible, I want those boomers making another missile run as soon as they can be re-armed as well.

[Democratic States of America]

Jackson Hillard browsed FXXNews.com.
The image on the front page was that of Jack Anderson, President of the CSD, at a rally in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Jackson found the image somewhat amusing. Not the nature of the picture, just the Confederate flag that hung behind Anderson, with its twenty stars. Anyone who looked at a map knew the CSD only contained nineteen states. In fact in actuality the CSD never contained more then nineteen.
Back during the first Civil War in 1861 the Mormons of Desert has officially seceded from the DSA, but Federal soldiers had subdued the state before it could officially enter the Confederacy. Still, the CSD added a twentieth star to flag in honour of their "Mormon countrymen."
Fast-forward to the present. The nineteen southern states were in rebellion again, the only difference was that this time Desert hadn't seceded from the DSA, but that twentieth star remained on the southern cross.
In all fairness though, Desert was never really given a chance. Even before the CSD had been reborn Washington had sent troops into Desert to keep an eye on the then soon to be born CSD's western border. The DS army's presence hadn't stopped Nevada from officially throwing their lot in with the Confederacy, but things were different in Desert.
Mormons were never really happy to be part of the Democratic States of America. Jackson Hillard knew this better then most. His great-great grandfather had served as John Smith's second in command when the Mormon movement had started in northern New York. He continued on as Bingham Young's second in command when Smith was killed. In fact Craig Hillard stood to become the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but cancer had ended his life while Young was still in charge.
When Desert had been settled it was still Mexican territory, albeit neglected Mexican territory at that. After the DSA had conquered Mexico Desert was split off into its own territory, then state.
Polygamy was outlawed, and the Mormon church was only approved as a recognized religion by five votes in the Senate.
In 1861 they attempted to join the CSD, only Federal troops kept that from becoming a reality.
Now Federal troops kept the mere discussion of possibly joining the Confederacy from becoming a reality.

Jackson shut off his computer, and turned on the television, selecting channel 38, the Discovery Channel, before FXX News could appear on the screen. He just wanted to watch Shark week, not deal with any of the shit involving the war. He had his fill of that for now.
Almost as soon as the image of a moron trying to fit his head in a live great white's mouth graced his screen his phone rang.
"Hillard here" he answered in a casual tone.
"Jackson, it's Nick" Nick Tyler, Jackson's closest friend on the Church Council.
"You watching the news Jack?"
"No, I've had enough of the pissing contest between Fremont and Anderson for one day."
"Trust me, you need to see this."
"What's going on?" Hillard replied, his interest piked.
"Just turn on the news" Nick answered.
"Which one?"
"Anyone!"
With that Anderson switched to FXX. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Ezra Kimball, the President of the Church, stood on the steps of the Mormon Temple, on the other side of Salt Lake City.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the American nations" he said, "it is my duty to inform you all, that as of 4:00 pm SLC time, I signed an executive Church order. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hereby supports the Confederate States of Dixie in their war of freedom from a foreign oppressor. I prey for the government of the state of Desert to take the appropriate actions."

"Holy shit...." Hillard thought to himself. For all intensive purposes Desert had just joined the Confederacy, if not in actuality then in spirit. True, the head of the church was not head of the state, but almost the entire state government were Mormon. And Mormons saw the President of the Church as a prophet, much like Catholics and the Pope. With one press conference the entire fate of the State of Desert became linked to that of the CSD.

[Democratic States of America]

The 4th DS Army's artillery darkened the sky and thundered throughout northern Nevada.
Reno had just fallen to a combined force of Confederate regulars, Nevada state guardsmen, and Canadian soldiers. They had now fallen back into Los Vegas.
Things weren't good in California either. The 7th DS Army had held yet to be pushed out of Baja, but with the addition of Canadian forces, taking Los Angeles was out of the question.

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

Custer mulled over field reports. Iron City had more or less been reduced to the areas used by the three armies as their bases of operation. The rest of it had been turned into ruin, a system of trenches replacing the roads and sidewalks. Custer's latest plan to drive a wedge between the Confederate and Commonwealth armies had failed miserably, and had left the middle of his line weakened and in retreat. If the allied enemies of the DS could split his army in two it might open the way for all of Tennessee to fall to the Confederates.

"Sir, this just in from Washington" a private said, handing him the President's latest reply to his request to have the armies in Indiana and Iowa move south.
Custer read the letter.
"Situation not urgent enough" and "needless waste of recourses" burned into his soul.
Just as the crumpled up communication hit the floor more bad news was delivered.
"Confederate tanks have outflanked us in the west, Commonwealth tanks have shattered our centre!" Kennedy announced, reading over newly arrived field reports.

Custer lost all control. His long, blond hair giving him the look of a lion gone mad, he turned over the centre table, sending maps flying.
Riping his green-grey officer's jacket off he grabbed a flask jacket, throwing it on.
"Give me that" he grumbled, yanking a M-16 out of a nearby soldier's hands.

"Where are you going sir?" Kennedy demanded, standing up.
"To the fight. I will not lose Tennessee, even if I have to pull her up myself from the abyss of secession."
"I can't allow that sir" Kennedy asserted, confronting his commanding officer.
"We can't lose you to battle."
"Maybe you're right...." Custer said softly, apparently reflecting on his recent actions, before striking Kennedy in the side of his head, sending his glasses flying.
Adam Kennedy law there, knocked out from the general's punch.
"I'm heading to the front lines, and anyone who tries to stop me will get a black eye in the least, and a court marshal at the most."

[Myroria]

President Frémont,

The Myrorian government is tired of you denying the Southron people their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Does this not sound familiar to you? By denying the Southron people their attempt to govern themselves, you are breaking your own principals.

My father only supported the secession attempt. I will be more blunt about it:

If you do not withdraw your forces and recognize the Confederate States of Sovereign Dixie as a legitimate state, Myroria will join Canada and Inglo-Scotia in intervention on behalf of them.

Meneldur Tar-Ilium,
King of Myroria.

[Aquatoria]

The First Tank Army was moving towads Las Vegas. General Worthington was sitting in his Leopard II tank leading the 1st Tank Army as well as the Army of Nevada and the Nevada State Guard. These armies were closing in on Las Vegas ever so quickly. From hat Worthington knew, Las Vegas was being bombed and was hit by artillery every day. Also if Las Vegas fell, so did eastern Nevada. Then the Canadians can send soldiers to help the Mormons. But right now, it's about Las Vegas. The Allied armies were nearing the city. Las Vegas wasn't the City of Lights anymore, now it was the City of Darkness. Worthington and the Confederate general, Jeb Stuart looked over a map of the area.

Worthington pointed to the city's borders. "If we strike here constantly, the siege shouldn't last that long. Trenches of couse will be needed, but the 1st Tank Army can rip through the 4th DS Army's lines. They are demoralized and a siege will not be something a demoralized army can handle."

Jeb nodded. "We can use the Confederate tanks and infantry to strike from the north. The Guardsmen can attack from the south."

Worthington shook his head. "No, the reservists will need experienced soldiers with them so they don't falter. The Fourth Motorized Divison from my army and the Second Light Infantry from yours can help there. Our CF-35s will constantly fly over the city, becuase I hear that the DS Air Force still is a power that needs to be elimanated. Our artillery and the bombers will continue their attack on the city daily. We will force that army to surrender. If the Fourth surrenders, then the northwestern CSSD is offically free from DS control. Then we can head east to liberate the Mormons and stop any attacks on this area."

Jed Stuart nodded and put on his helmet. "General Worthington, I will lead the northern Confederate attack sir." 

[Prydania]

Admiral Tobias Paine stared at the smoke rising from the DS' two great twin cities, New Yorkshire and New Ustio. Since breaking the Yankee blockade he had taken the carriers of the fleet north to harass the enemy's coastal cities. Boston and Philadelphia had taken a beating, but orders from Beaconsfield had told him to focus on New York's Twin Cities. The propaganda value alone would be enough, not to mention the psychological devastation it would cause for Americans to see their two greatest cities under attack, unable to defend themselves.

Paine grabbed a pair of binoculars, staring at the Freedom Tower and the Empire State Building in New Yorkshire, before switching over to the Prudential Building and Packard Building in New Ustio.
Rather then stunning, tall buildings they now looked like the ruins of a lost civilization. They were still standing, but they had been hollowed out, the soul kicked out of them by Commonwealth bombs. The Statue of Liberty still stood, but that was an Inglo-Scotian courtesy. The LP had made that clear. To a lot of Confederates the statue still stood for something noble, the country it was located in just lost its way. Destroying the statue was sure to cause a lot of grief in Montgomery.

"Send the Tornadoes" Paine ordered into the wireless, referring to the Tornado GR-4 fighter/bombers.


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

General Cooke ducked in the trenches as a Yank shell went off over his head.
"FOR YOU GENERAL!" a private yelled over the chaos over head, "from General Theriot!"
Cooke nodded, taking the wireless.
"Field Marshall Theriot, Cooke reporting."
"How are you holding up General?" the FM asked, knowing the answer already.
"Fine sire, the Yanks' push backfired, they're weak up the middle"
"I know, I need you to lead your platoon into that soft spot, make them see 6's and 7's"
"Yes sir!" Cooke responded.
"Long Live the Victorious Revolution Sire!"
"Long Live the Victorious Revolution General."

Switching frequencies, Cooke yelled into the wireless.
"This is General Cook, I Platoon V-79-F8 advance up the Yank centre!"
The transmission was carried to the platoon lieutenants, who would in turn lead the charge. 

[Democratic States of America]

Fremont sat in the bunker of the White House, the only place he as President could logically be at the moment. He had to stay in Washington, but he couldn't leave the bunker.
He hated the bunker. Even if the war was going splendidly for the Democratic States he would still hate it. The atmosphere just gave off a feeling of dread. The mood was not made any better by the letter the President was holding. Soon the cream-coloured letter was crumpled into a ball and discarded to the floor.

"Punk."
That's the only word that crossed the President's mind.
Meneldur Tar-Ilium, the new king of Myroria, was a punk. He was a young, cocky PoS as far as Fremont was concerned. He thought he could just throw his military power around, at the DSA no less? It was bad enough he had let the damn Canucks set up their puppet state, now he was jumping on the growing dog pile forming atop the Democratic States of America.

"Your official response Sir?" Greg Emery, his Secretary of State, asked.
Fremont had made it his personal policy not to respond to PI nations. It was his way of stabbing back at them for recognizing the independence of the Confederacy.
"My response? That 'king's' response is me authorizing an other bombing of Charleston."

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

General Derick Armstrong of the 4th DS Army sighed as he retreated north to Oregon. He had been pushed out of Nevada, making the Silver State the first DS-occupied Confederate state to be fully liberated. He could only wish that the Los Vegas slogan "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" was true. With the east in a stalemate and the navy more or less decimated the DSA needed good news, and losing Nevada didn't help.
Armstrong wasn't sure what would be next. Maybe he'd be stripped of his command, maybe Washington was to busy with the happenings in Tennessee to worry about what had just happened, and he'd get the chance to swing into Desert and help quell the Mormons. Or maybe the War Department realized they need a success somewhere, and they'd send him to try and break the stalemate on the Baja/California border. If the DS could capture Los Angeles it would mean Baja would be forced back into the DS. That's only if the War Department in Washington had any sense though, which they had so far proven they didn't.
"I guess that's hat you get after 12 years of the Progressive Party meddling with the military" he thought.
If anything good was going to come out of the DS getting their teeth kicked in, he thought, it would be that the Progressive Party would more or less fade away.

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

Custer was like a man possessed. It all seemed like slow motion. He knew where the Confederate soldiers were before they did. His M-16 lit up the smoke-filled battle ground, the flashes of the rounds giving his blond hair and beard an eerie glow. Come hell or high water he would keep the Confederate army from out-flanking his men, even if he had to shoot every damn Rebel and Limy his self.
Suddenly he saw it, a grey tank, the CSD battle flag painted on the front.
The man with his torso exposed, firing away at good old American boys? Frasier Pershing.
He aimed his weapon, and just as he was about to pull the trigger and explosion had broken his concentration.
Regrouping himself he re-aimed his weapon at Pershing. Only the view he saw was different. Rather then a Pershing unaware of his position the old southern general locked his gaze on his northern counterpart.

[Aquatoria]

Admiral Trudaeu watched the Canadian fleet moved silently towards the American city of San Fransisco. The Pacific Fleet was anchored in the harbor ever since the Canada-Quebecois Empire declared war on the Democratic States. A few squadrons of the DS Pacific Fleet were truly out in the Pacific hunting the Canadian Fleets. Guess they think that we won't raid San Fransisco, or they think that we can't. The High Seas Fleet was reinforced with one of the three new Artorion-class supercarrier, and four Ontario-class battleships. The Kaiser Paul was a monster of an aircraft carrier. Over a thousand feet long, this ship contained more fighters then the average carrier. The new CF-35s were preparing to fly off the deck of the supercarrier and the smaller Nimitz carriers. Over four hundred planes were going to be used on this raid. The admiral was on the bridge of the lead battleship Ontario He looked to the left and the right of his ship and saw the three other battleships, theManitoba, the Nova Scotia, and the Newfoundland. They were protecting the transports that carryed the troops and tanks that would destroy the port city. The night sky was covering the ships. He turned to Commodore Hudson. "Tell the planes and trnasports to go. If the Yankees find the transports, I want the fleet to fire cruise missiles to keep them busy. Understood?"

Commodore Hudson saluted. "Yes sir."
Captain Arthur Brown was in the cockpit of his CF-35. He liked the new fighter jets. They were stealth fighters and were hard to find, and when they were found, it was hard to bring one down. This plane could outfight any other jet in the world. He flew over the ocean towards San Fransisco. The Army boys would land and destroy important buildings and military buildings. The Canadian Air Fleet was moving in and were almost on top of the city. The anti-air missiles weren't fired meaning that the Yanks hadn't noticed them. Arthur could see an aircraft carrier. That's mine. "All units pick a target and let them have it." The other fighters veered off to take out their targets. Arthur turned to attack the aircraft carrier. He fired four missiles at the ship. One hit the tower and the other three destroyed the airway. "Yeeha!" The Canadian air force was decimating the DS Navy. Arthur could see the transports land their troops. The raid was going as planned. With the Pacific Fleet all but destroyed, the Canadian Navy is in full command of the western coast. Ships were burning and sinking in the harbor. The aircraft carrier that Artur hit was capsizing. He briefly read its name on the back. It was the Thomas Jefferson. He had hit and destroyed the Pacific Fleet's flagship. This day was a day that would live on in infamy for the Democratic States.

[Xyrael]

STATE COMMUNICATIONS

To: Democratic States of America
From: The State of Xyrael

We have heard of the Separatist insurgency which
ravages your nation. We are appalled by the support it
is receiving in overthrowing the legitimate and rightful
government that you have established.
The State of Xyrael wishes to offer economic,
morale, and material support to the Democratic
States of America so that it may maintain national
and cultural unity. A fractured region of would-be
brothers is not needed in this day and age.

STATE COMMUNICATIONS

To: Pax Imperium
From: The State of Xyrael

We are curious if supporting insurrections within
legitimate and recognized nations has become
the doctrine of the Pax Imperium. Does the Pax
Imperium seek to cause discord and anarchy
among civilized peoples, and endanger the lives
of countless innocents?

[Myroria]

Xyrael,

When the state in question is abusing, stereotyping, and taking away the rights of the state that wants to secede, yes.

And if you don't like anarchy, tell your communist friends to stop supporting revolutions and invading legitimate territories.

Meneldur Tar-Ilium

[Xyrael]

STATE COMMUNICATIONS

To: Meneldur Tar-Ilium
From: The State of Xyrael

Perhaps your Grace should pay more attention to international politics.
The State of Xyrael did not support the UASS with any direct
military action in any of its actions. The State of Xyrael seems
to recall Inglo-Scotia's oppression and stereotyping, of
the Eire people. Furthermore, the State seems to recall your
support of said oppression. Perhaps you consider
yourself and your allies justified in oppressing minorities while
holding the rest of the world at a double standard.

[Aquatoria]

To: The State of Xyrael
From: The Canada-Quebecois Empire

The Confederate States of Sovereign Dixie is a founding member of Pax Imperium. This is a PI matter. We as members can by choice defend the soveriegnty of the CSSD. We are asking you, nicely to back down from this matter.

[Myroria]

Xyrael,

The Eireans immediately began a campaign of terror against innocent Inglo-Scotians, which is why we did not support their secession. The Southroners, however, declared their independence and did not strike at all. The DSA was the one that invaded and attempted to force them to rejoin. The Eireans would kill hundreds of innocent Inglo-Scotians, without knowing their ideas about their secession or anything. The Southroners would only attack soldiers. The Eire Republican Army are a bunch of murderous criminals, while the Confederate States are politicians, citizens, and, contrary to what the Democratic States would have you believe, civilized individuals.

Roosden Vyarden East Army Base, Western Leitzembourg
168 hours after the Myrorian ultimatum

The Empeurer had waited and waited for a reply to his letter. 72 hours after it was sent, and with no reply, he decided the time for surrender was over. Now a cargo plane was touching down at the airstrip, unloading the last of the 16,000 Myrorian troops. The head of the base stood on a stage there, with the men assembled below.

"Men, you are the first part of a Myrorian offensive into the Democratic States of America. They have been oppressing and spitting upon their Southern countrymen, and they had enough of it. Not long ago, they declared their independence. Peté only supported the secession, but His Majesty has decided the time to stand by and cheer on is over. One week ago, he sent an ultimatum to the American government. With no response within 72 hours, the men on standby were loaded onto planes like the one taking off now and flown to Roosdan Vyarden East.

"To the south of us are the American states of Cascadia and California. We will stop at the border of the two, and split into two groups of 8,000 each. We'll burn down a few courthouses, maybe occupy Portland or San Francisco, they'll surrender by the end of the week. If they don't, well, we'll push south and then east, meeting the Southern armies for some last couple of battles. A few more thousand will be sent from Myroria just in case we need more, but I personally doubt it. Dismissed, we'll head out at 0800."

[Xyrael]

STATE COMMUNICATIONS

To: Meneldur Tar-Ilium
From: The State of Xyrael

So should a full half of Myroria sign a piece of paper
denouncing your government and declaring theirs
legitimate, you would allow them to do so? We have
no doubt that the Southrons are upstanding and
good spirited individuals, but the actions of the DSA
are perfectly legal by all accounts, and the Northerners
should not be punished for any actions their government
takes. Furthermore, the new government of Xyrael wishes
to state that should any force threaten the legitimate
governments of the Pax, it would provide the same support
to Pax forces. We are not lending military support, merely
offering to trad goods between one legitimate nation to another.

We will not be supporting the DSA with military forces, and
should the Southrons be successful we hope that they will
be kind to the Northern citizens, who are not to blame for
their governments 'misdoings'. We would also welcome any
representative of the Southron people to meet with a
representative of the Xyraeli State.

[Democratic States of America]

General David McMahon, the brother of the Vice President of the Democratic States, crouched in a trench just north of Portland.
The Myrorians had just entered the war against the DS. No sooner had he taken his men away from the fight on the California/Baja border to meet the Myrorians had they hit him with everything they had.
McMahon was determined to make a stand though. The Crouts may not have faced any opposition on the way over (the DS Navy had been rendered useless in embarrassingly quick order), but that didn't mean their march from Portland to San Francisco was going to be a cake walk. If General Smith down south could keep the Confederate/Canadian forces from breaking through the Baja/California border and sandwiching the DS' west coast armies he might be able to hold the Myrorians in Cascadia.
An other Myrorian shell went off over his head, as the northwest rain made life in the trenches that much more miserable.

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

General Adam Kennedy turned around in his seat to take one last look at Nashville, the vertical red and white stripped flag, with the 50 blue stars on the white field, the civilian flag of the Democratic States, flew in the wind. The setting sun gave it a majestic feel, Kennedy had to admit, but it was still a somber sight. Within a day the Confederate flag, the white banner with the battle flag in the canton, and the Inglo-Scotian military banner would take its place.
Kennedy then looked ahead. The Rebs and Limies might have been held to a stalemate in Iron City, if Custer hadn't gotten himself killed.
By all accounts the fool had gone after Pershing himself, only to have the old general from Kentucky place a bullet in between his eyes. Kennedy was promoted to General and placed in command of all DS military operations on the east coast.

He had new orders now. Swing to Charlotte in North Carolina to prepare for an other stand. Pershing was moving his army north, he was going for Virginia, the key objective of the Confederate war aim. If they could capture Virginia they were a stone's throw away from the state of Columbia, and it's largest city, the DS' capital of Washington. Stopping Pershing in North Carolina was essential.
"Well at least I won't have to deal with Theriot" he thought to himself.
That was a calming thought. After Iron City had fallen Pershing had gone east, then north, heading to Virginia. Theriot, however, had decided to advance west, then north. The Commonwealth commander was trying to take Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. He would be General Craine's problem.
"Good" Kennedy thought.
"Let him deal with the Limies."
The Inglo-Scotian infantry unnerved him. It really did. They just kept coming, even in the face of the heaviest fire the DS Army could throw at them.
"That's probably because their own officers shot them if they retreat" Kennedy said quietly to himself.
"They would probably prefer to be buried as heroes rather then traitors."
That aside, the sight of the boys in black continuing to advance was something he would rather leave to someone else.

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

Private first class William Skinner peaked over the trench south of Little Rock. The Inglo-Scotians had just attacked. Tornadoes, recently arrived from the Commonwealth, had been launched from air fields in Alabama, their bombs were wreaking havoc on the defences around Arkansas' capital.
"Where the fuck are they?" he thought to himself, thinking of the F-18s from Ohio.
"Skinner!" his sergeant yelled.
"Yes sir!"
"Grab your weapon, we're heading out to meet the Limies head on!"
"Is he crazy?" Skinner thought.
"I know, it's nuts" the sergeant replied, seemingly reading his mind.
"General Caine's lost it, he's just decided to throw bodies at the enemy, hopefully our numerical advantage will grind them down."
"Yes sir!" Skinner replied.

He was making his way through the lunar-like terrain around Little Rock, dust, dirt, and smoke creating a thick fog around him.
Suddenly he heard gunfire.
"Shit!" he yelled, ducking into a recently made creator.
"They're coming!" he heard one of his fellow soldiers call out from a creator just a metre or so behind him.
Skinner quickly pulled a pin from a grenade and lobbed it in the direction of the advancing Commonwealth army.
"You got a couple!" his comrade remarked just as the explosion rocked his surroundings.

TBC