The Downfall of the Kingdom

[High Evermore]

He saluted, slamming his fist against his chest causing a loud thunk. "Salve! I am Centurion-Captain Julius Moreano of the Third Temple Knights International Citizens Unit. I am acting commander of this operation under the orders of Regent Aelister Magreda who gives Bustos the best of his prayers. As of this moment, my troops are at your disposal, and we wish to get authorization to share intelligence with you." The commander places a folder onto Trice's desk and furrows his brow for a moment. Leave it to Bustians to request paperwork and bureaucracy... "We have here base plans to regain control of a cities Civic Center under Command Epsilon Quinque. We request information as to the makeup of the major cities in the area, and the insurgencies so that we may get to work, Colonel."

The Centurion stood in the room quite sternly awaiting the colonels orders...

[Bustos]

So much for that handshake...  The colonel sat back down.  He began to speak as he skimmed the folder.

"We dont have much of an insurgency problem, as we do a criminal problem.  With the collaspe of the government, people who have been oppressed for so long are not accustomed to the freedoms under our watch.  In addition to the collaspe of the economy and working infrastructure, there has been looting and pillaging, initially by the rebels, and now by the remaining civilians.

An urban environment might not be sound, considering your armor."  They'd hear you coming and run in the opposite direction.  "However, your men could be of use gaurding our distribution centers.  How many men are part of your unit?"

[Jelsi]

With the guided missiles removing all of the targets in the city, the air assault began inside of the city.  By this time, the two Marine brigades surrounded the city, with the Army's 1st Armored Division nearby as well.  Once the troops arrived, checkpoints were setup at all of the roads to prevent anyone from entering or exiting the city.  As people began to leave the city, all were stopped at the checkpoints, and searched for any weapons.  At this point, they were allowed to leave.  Numerous citizens gave tips on the location of the rebels located inside the city.  All of them matched up, leaving out any suspicion that the refugees were lying.  After the air strikes ceased, the ground assault began. 

One battalion traveled to the southwestern part of the city, and began to fire on enemy forces located inside of the city.  Their main objective was to touch base with Force Recon, and get them out of the city ASAP, due to the lack of supplies.  The next day, the 1st Armored Division went straight into the city, firing on all enemy armored vehicles.  Meanwhile, the 1st and 2nd brigades of the 1st MEF began to make their way into the city.  After facing heavy fire, the marines began to clear each and every building, block by block in search of weapons.  At this point the enemy was caught off guard, because most of the rebels were caught up with fighting the Marine battalion in the southwest.  After two days of fighting, approximately 250 rebels were reported dead, 400 injured and 50 capture.  Seven Marines were injured in the start of the battle, and were swiftly brought out of combat and flown via helicopter to headquarters where they were treated.

The Lt. General of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force then sent a message to the Colonel.

Colonel,

This message is to let you know that the RoJ Marine Corps has began an assault on the city of Mojave.  We are clearing the city of the rebel forces located inside, and plan on restoring order to the city before long.  It is in both of our interests that you are aware of these actions, in hopes of preventing any friendly fire situations.  Thank You.

[High Evermore]

"I understand, however it is Evermorian policy that the officers wear such armor. If you look out the window, my men are armed with standard combat armors. In other words, I am the only one in such crimson steel. Now, I can send for Captain Elmore and have him bring up our plans and other such operations if anything else we specialize in can help you, and we have forty army regulars, and 26 Temple Knights. Equipped with 2 HE101 airships, and two APC carriers to support the Temple Knight units. Also, I have the authority to call in two more units should the need arise, sir." The armor clad man stood and took his last shot at the Colonel, "I want to remind you that we are here for peacekeeping purposes and to aid the Bustian forces in such operations, not guard your bases." And that is why you never doubt and Evermorian's pride, Trice...

[Bustos]

Aid us with peacekeeping?  70 men and two APCs?  With that thought, Colonel Trice put the folder down and looked the captain in the eye.  "And I want to remind you I have not asked you to guard any of our bases.  Distribution centers serve the civilian populace.  They distribute food and aid to the civilian populace.  Your numbers are not sufficient to do much more than that.  Even if you do bring in 140 additional men.

I will be in command of nearly 20,000 men and women in South Plains in the coming weeks.  As much we appriecate your government lending an helping hand, unwelcomed or not," the colonel emphasized the last three words and continued, "it serves our interest to keep your small unit together.  You'll be given command in defense of a distribution center in a nearby city if you accept this peacekeeping operation."

[High Evermore]

So this is Bustian foreign policy... "Very well sir. Please allow us two days to assemble and get to the target. I request information on the surrounding area so that my men may make the proper perimeter around the area. Thank you very much Colonel Trice." The Centurion bows politely and salutes the man, then steps out of the bustian office.

[Bustos]

Colonel Trice made sure the Evermorian Captain recieved the necessary information of the nearby city and distribution center but, nothing more.  The Bustian soldiers currently in defense of the center will be relieved by the Evermorians to join in on the city's patrols.
_______________________________________

Additional troops, supplies, and workers arrived everyday.  The South Plains had offically become a dominion of the Allied States.  The next step was recognizition as a colony.
_______________________________________

To:  Lt. General of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
From:  Colonel Trice of the South Plains Dominion of the Allied States of Bustos-21

We are aware of your movements and actions.  We have no intentions of going beyond our area of control of the South Plains Dominion.  I wish you good luck in your endeavors.

[Bustos]

A visit to one of the largest farms in the South Plains was informative to the colonel.  The open fields home to cows, pens home to pigs, and wired cages home to various polutry.  But the colonel was also happy to leave.  Being a native of a large city, the smells of the animals were overwhelming for him.  Although the prime rib alone was worth the trip.

The first ship hauling butchered meats was being loaded at the docks during the colonel's inspection of the farm.  Soon the people of the Allied States will indulge in the wondrous taste of meat.

[Mercantilist States]

Mercantilist West O Company granted colony charter
Settlement to be established in Supremo territories

DECARTES (Decartes Business Journal) - Congress today granted the Mercantilist West O Company rights to establish settlements on the islands in the Supremo territories. The Sugar Company Act, which also makes the company the sole exporter of sugar from the territories, passed Congress unanimously.

The Mercantilst West O Company was created last week in a series of acts passed by Congress referred to collectively as the Mercantilist Company Acts.

The settlements will be governed by local elected assemblies, although ultimate authority rests with the President of the Mercantilist States. They will have dominion status and be under the protection of the Merchant Defense Force. The MDF has recently deployed fleets to the region and has recommissioned a former Islas Filipinas base.

[Jelsi]

The battle continued in the city, as the 2 Marine Brigades continued to push through the city, with the help from the armored division.  Before long, the city was under control of the Marines, with 45 marines killed, and a total of 227 injured.  Approximately 2,400 Rebels were killed, and 500 - 1,000 surrendered.  The city was then occupied by the entire 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.   Riots began shortly after the occupation of the city, but were soon silenced by the Jelsian Forces who very fiercely cracked down on the acts of violence. 

The 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force in the mean time stayed on alert, as the second Armored Division from the RoJ Army was called up, as well as the 3rd, 4th and 6th Army Infantry Divisions.  The 31,000 Army soldiers were to replace the 18,000 Marines currently in the country, as well as the 1st Armored Division.  This, however was only to be temporary, once the area was under control the Military would soon lower the amount of troops in the area. 

In the meantime, the Force Recon company was given a week to recoperate from the long mission in Mojave.  Their next task was to prepare for a reconaissance mission in the city of South Malibu, which was located north east of their position.  J.I.B. Agents were currently working undercover in the city and were gathering plenty of intelligence on certain locations of the other rebels. 

[Mercantilist States]

We're going to build this city as close to that damn base as we can, James Neely thought to himself as he headed towards the location he had picked out on the map. He had heard stories from the continent about the war between the Filipinos and the native populations here in the Supremo territories; and while the government may have faith that they were going to welcome the Mercantilians as liberators, he wasn't as sure.

He had already sent others out to the smaller islands to start construction of settlements. He was going to build this sugar empire the same way the the Mercantilist Brewing Co. had built theirs, multiple small island settlements linked to a central distribution city. His company had been granted a sugar monopoly for the area for 21 years, and he was damned if he was going to let investment fail because they were harassed by a group of natives. They were going to have the safest spot on the block.

The Islas Filipinas base that the Merchant Defense Force had recommissioned was much different from a standard MDF military base. All MDF bases sat right on the coast for easy access by the Subcorps and Navy. The Islas Filipinas base, on the other hand, placed much more of an emphasis on the Army and outter defense. The Navy, though they'd never admit it, probably had a lot they could learn from the design. The Corps of Engineers was having a hell of a time expanding the base and he was betting he could get construction started before they got there.

As he arrived at the location he got out of his Mammoth X5 and look around at the location. He could see the complex now.

He pulled out his cell phone and dialed his construction manager, "Jim, we've got a location."

[High Evermore]

The Evermorian centurion looked around the city as his units moved through their perimeters. Islas Filipinas is not worth my time... He signaled for someone, and a radio operations specialist came over. He picked up the radio phone, and started speaking into it. "Salve, Dominus! This is Centurion Moreno calling from Islas Filipinas region. I have had a look at some infrastructure and Bustian operations in the area. I think it best for use not to attempt any form of colonization of the area. Not a good plan for our first colonization attempt, sir." The regent whispered over the phone. "Understood sir. Operation Epsilon is called off, I will get on the line with the Defense Minister asap." The phone clicked out and the specialist went away.

The centurion shot his rifle into the air and held his sword high in the other hand, "Epsilon non verum est! Continue your patrols, were under Bustian primary command until further notice." The centurion walked over to one of the APC's, which drove off with him in it.

[Jelsi]

The Air Assault began around the city of South Malibu.  The F-14 Tomcats dropped numerous laser guided bombs on multiple targets, holding weapons, and suspected rebel headquarters.  The 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force moved towards the city along with the 1st Armored Division, which was now on it's way from Mujave.

Meanwhile, Mojave had been occupied by the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, and was experiencing some retaliation from a small group of rebels, in the northeastern portion of the city.  A company of 100 RoJ Marines was sent to the area, and were quickly involved in a fierce gun fight with the rebel group, estimating to be approximately 125-150 fighters.  Most were part of the remaining forces left over from the initial battle in the city.     Before long, there were three other areas in the city, now engulfed in fighting.  Three other companies were in the northwestern portino of the city, a major hot spot for the Marines.  The battle in the northeastern part of the city left 5 marines dead, and approximately 45 rebels killed and many more injured.  Soon after the battle Colonel Fratuzzi ordered numerous patrols in teh areas, in an attempt to control the hot areas.

[Bustos]

With the Evermorians busy in a city, near the now named South Plains Base, gaurding a distribution center, they remained out of sight and out of mind for the colonel.  At least with them being here and engaged in peacekeeping, it supported the cover of our true intentions.  The South Plains Dominion is on its way to meet colony status.  At worst, this area would make a fine occupational zone for military operations.

[Jelsi]

The Army's 3rd Infantry Division arrived in the Jelsi controlled territory within the former state of Supremo.  The 10,000 soldiers made their way towards Mojave, and began setting up their headquarters.  The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force was expected to hand over control of the city to the Army over the next few days, but for now, they had to remain in place.  J.I.B. Agents (Jelsi Intelligence Bureau) were sent into Rebel territory.  By blending in with the population, they were able to discover a plot to over throw the Jelsi Military.  Three known War Lords in the area were expecting to team up and form a large scale attack on the city of Mojave, and if possible take over the city of South Malibu.  The combined forces estimated to be 10,000 soldiers and were armed with russian made AK-47's and numerous other updated weaponry.  The intell was delivered back to the headquarters, and as a conclusion, the Marines had to extend their tours until the 2 other Infantry Divisions were in place. 

In South Malibu, the fight began to take control of the city, with the 2nd MEF and the 1st Armor Division plowing through the city, going house to house, block by block with air support from A-10s, and AH-1Z Cobras.  The M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles also provided support for any possible rebels trying to infiltrate the city.  The Humvees provided support with the .50 Calibur machine guns mounted on top, preventing overbearing resistance from the enemy. 

In Mojave, the city began to calm down, with little to no resistance left from any rebel fighters.  The citizens favored the Jelsi Military, and have began working to rebuild the city after the war and riots.  Contractors from Jelsi traveled to the city and helped in the recovery process.