Cat and Mouse in the Snow

[Cozulul]

When the only surviving drone came back to the Super Carrier named the Cosiedon, Captain Rodhonem watched the recorded video of the Letonnan Navy taking the northern island off the coast of Union. He immediately called in Biryndra Ommos to review the video and give him further instructions.

"Well, the first thing I have to say is that we need to put more funding towards these drones if we want more to continue to be in service. Besides that, I believe our TRS Member will get permission for us to use their aircraft to safely evacuate the southern island." said Biryndra.

"If you wish to do so, we would have to act fast and have those birds in the sky by tomorrow, you really think they would give us permission that fast?" questioned Captian Rodhonem.

"Of course they will, it is a mission to give a helping hand, which is what the TRS is all about." Biryndra reassured.

As if she was psychic, the TRS, which is based in Samarinda, Cozulul, had accepted Biryndra's request to use their transport aircraft to safely evacuate the populace of the southern most island off of Union.

The TRS pilots flew their Ospreys the next afternoon to the island in hopes of beating the Letonnan Navy, and evacuating the populace to safely bring them to The Federal Republic of Cozulul.

Biryndra was proud of this heroic and humanitarian effort that she had ordered. She knew that the populace of the islands would be happy to be saved....maybe.

 

[Letonna]

The sun rise this far south was surely a unique experience. Great streaks of orange and yellow lit up the clouds, painting the naval grey warships with a soft fiery glow. The fleet had repositioned closer to the southern island over the night. Reports from arial and scout reconasance has reported cozulul military forces moving twards the southern island. The fleet admiral and his top staff phoned the capital, and were redirected to the Emperor himself. after some crackle, the communications officer in the background that they had a secure channel with an encoded signal.


       "My lord," as the admiral and his stafff bowed their heads, "We have recent sightings of cozululian aircraft and rumored landing forces heading to the southern Asclapo island."

     "Admiral...Use hostilities without discrimination and when opposed. The cozululians know their place, and they certainly know they've overstepped it, so they will be no less guilty in the deaths of our forces and the natives. best situiation we scare them away with a few minor exchanges, worst scenario you and the homeland will come under full attack. Either way, it is not unavoidable. Dismissed"

     The men bowed their heads again. They could not see the Emperor, but he could see them(if he wanted). Once reasured the transmission was over, did they relax their posture. The admiral turned to the only man amungst them not in dress uniform.
        "General Vaar, capture the northern part of the lower island and dig defensive positions. Contact me immediently if you see suspicious behaviour or experience agression. "
A slight bow and he was off.
       "The rest of you return to your ships and have observers in all directions, as well as your anti aircraft defences on stand by."
After they had left the bridge of the flagship Conquest, The Admiral picked up his binoculars, and silently scanned the horizon for any movement.

[Cozulul]

En Route to the islands off the coast of Union, the Cozululian Osprey flew valiantly throughout the southern skies knowing that they had to beat the Naval fleet from Letonna to the islands. The plan was to land the osprey inland and send out infantry to scout out people to evacuate. The main problem that the troops would have, would be the language barrier with only a few soldiers knowing the Union or Letonna languages.

Whilst landing in the inner part of the island troops started leaving the aircraft in search of the islands populace to evacuate. One unit found a settlement of people and the unit immediately tried to evacuate them, when they expectantly attacked the soldiers with what seemed to be Letonnan weaponry. The soldiers were astonished and started to run but, most of them were killed.

Throughout the islands lush jungles/forests a loud cry for help echoed, "RUN! SAVE YOURSELVES!!!!"  

Naturally the rest of the Cozululian infantry ran towards the sound to try and help, but when they got there they were also astonished how the natives attacked using Letonnan weaponry. They knew that they were to late. As if all hell broke loose gunfire echoed all throughout the island. The natives and the Letonnans fighting against the Cozululians. The Cozululians were greatly outmatched.

"GET TO THE OSPREY!" yelled the presiding general.

It was a mad dash to get to the aircraft and to get back home. The first few soldiers boarded the aircraft and started to take off as did the other aircraft. While flying away a whistle was heard through the sky as a missile bombarded one of the osprey knocking it into the water. Another missile fired another bird down. The other aircraft were lucky as they escaped the deadly grip of The Empire of Letonna.

[Myroria]

Colonel Mevan Arethan sat at the desk in the Myrorian embassy in Letonna. It was strange, he thought, not sitting behind it. It had been many years since he was the one arriving - the one giving news to someone else - the one requested to stay put while the ambassador of Myroria left for a moment. He felt in his pocket for the picture of his son and his wife in his pocket and took it out to look at it. He had been fighting Neustrian rebels trying to encroach on Resdaynean territory. Marayn had been gone for... two years now. The rebels were still in their border fortress.

Now Myroria was sitting on the edge of another war - one with a real nation, not a bunch of rebels trying to carve out their own little set of farms and towns. Mevan looked at the flags perched on top of the embassy wall. One was the vertical banner of Myroria, the other the horizontal flag of the Cefnor Community. He knew deep down when it came down to it the Coalition would win. Or at least make peace. But how many sons would have to be lost before that happened?

"The staff's burning non-essential documents," said the ambassador, closing the door behind him. "How much longer before the evacuation can begin?"

"However long it takes for the choppers to get here. How many friendlies besides the staff are there?"

"Not many. Most have shown up already. I'd say no more than a hundred more." Mevan looked outside. He already saw 50 people out there. Myrorian, Eluvataran, Letonnan. The choppers hadn't even come yet. No more than a hundred. Right. Mevan stood up.

"Thank you, Ambassador. I have to give the order."

"Of course, Colonel." Mevan turned to leave. At least the Letonnans were letting them in. Any illegals in McMasterdonia - he had the feeling that they wouldn't be there much longer, but they wouldn't be leaving on Coalition helicopters.

[Letonna]

Emperor Titus paced around his office while one of his generals stood at attention, steel faced and silent. Titus was pondering the recent coalition evacuation of citizens. although the gesture was a positive act in the dark feelings between the union and the coalition, doubtless it would do anything to help an eventual conflict. Titus turned to his top General
"General, have the coalition forces finished and moved to the designated distance offshore?"

"Yes m'lord. They had 12 hours to space, and the embassy is abandoned. We detect they have moved to at least 150 km offshore. We very certain that 99% of their forces have evacuated."

"Very good general."

Titus turned towards the window. It was raining as usual in Letonna City.

"How goes our conquest of the Asclapo Islands? Have the Cozulian forces intervened?"

"Yes M'lord, The northern island is ours, and we have most of the southern island under our control. The Cozulian forces did intervene and stole many natives from the islands. Our forces did succeed in driving them off, but they still hold the southern tip of the island and have a notable naval presence on the western shore."

"Deploy our fleets. Have the 7th defensive positioned in defensive formation off our northern coast. I want them to be on the look out for any cozulian ship or coalition vessel. I want all trade ships detained and captured, as well as any military ships sunk that come to close to our boarder. Then deploy the 3rd battle group to drive out the Cozulian navy off the Asclapo islands. Questions?"

"No M'lord"

With a bow the general left the office. When the door shut Titus let his posture slip, and slunched his shoulders. He sat down at his desk and took out his near empty bottle of fine Myrorian Brandy. It would be almost impossible to get his guilty pleasure with war on the horizon.

[Cozulul]

The cold water violently sploshed against the Super Carrier, Cozeidon. The Cozeidon was a true innovation. It was Superior in transportation of aircraft, and speed. Surrounding the Cozeidon , were submarines firing sonar waves in every direction in the event of another attack. Another defeat would be unacceptable. Biryndra could not afford another embarrassing loss. She put more funding towards the military in case of all out war. This next meet up with EoL would be A LOT different. This time FRoC was ready.

"Keep an eye out!" Screamed Captain Rodhonem. "We will defend the remaining part of this Island!"

Right as he finished his sentence a submarine's sonar picked up an unusual signal.

"Sir, we believe we have picked up the signal of Letonnan ships and submarines 17 knots away." said a shipmate.

"Be on the ready!" Rodhonem exclaimed.

Cozeus drones landing on the Cozeidon confirmed the sighting of Letonnan ships to the north.

Rodhanem had ordered the drones to head back out and try to deter them from coming any further.

[Letonna]

Under the heavily stormy clouds of the southern seas of the Asclapo islands. A radar officer turned to the admiral, who was maintaining a steel scowl while overseeing his bridge officer.
      "Sir, it looks like we will have a thunder storm within the hours, we won't be able to deploy landing vessels in this weather."
     "Very well Leutinentant. Have the soldiers remain on stand by below deck. In the mean time have our escort ships-"
It was at that moment a smaller escort vessel suffered a large explosion off the starboard bow. Drones all of a sudden flew low over the fleet followed by a series of explosions a few seconds later. Without having to give the order, his flagship and some other vessels that could muster the man power erupted in anti aircraft fire. As the drones turned around and headed back into strike a second blow against the fleet, many of their numbers exploded in air. Only a few managed to succeed in dropping more explosives onto the fleet, and within a few minutes all had either been recalled or had been shot down.
      Back in the bridge of the flagship Conquest the admiral retook control of his crew, who had partially fled their positions after a piece of shrapnel had blown through one of the front windows.
     "Move us into attack position and prepare for full conflict. Send the damaged vessels with an escort back to port for repairs."
A military adviser chimed up from the safety the back of the bridge,
"Uhh, sir. Shouldn't we wire Emperor Titus for direct permission for fleet to fleet confrontation?"
"I don't have time to play bureaucracy and listen to Titus's broad and unspecific orders, we have only one clear option, and that's retaliation!"

While under rough seas and torrential downpour from the raging storm, the attack fleet sailed south east to the Cozulian fleet. Once they were on the horizion, bombing aircraft were released from an accompanied air craft carrier.  And when the Cozulian ships were within range of the large artillary of the Conquest all guns thundered and fired large explosive shells. The first shots of The Battle of South Asclapo had been fired.

[Cozulul]

Complete and utter chaos is what some would describe this battle. Planes and drones whizzing above bombing and firing at the Letonnan ships while dodging artillery shells and bullets. The seas were uncontrollable and dangerous. A storm above made everything much more difficult. Under the water was a different story, Submarines fired torpedoes at each other in a wild manner trying to get the upper hand. It was stalemate. The Cozeidon shadowing the entire battle like a giant.

The Letonnan admiral shouted to his submariners, "Fire at that behemoth!"

Like that, the submarines fired there remaining torpedoes at the Cozeidon. A loud screech confirming the ship was hit. It was a race for the remaining aircraft to get off and into the skies to fight. The left over drones were turned on and shot into the sky. The Letonnans might have started to sink the Cozeidon, but now the Cozululians had the upper hand in the sky. The drones and pilots started to attack any ship they could see.

However, again a stalemate arose. One side would get the upper hand, then the other...

[Letonna]

The battle was already 90 minutes old. The Letonnian navy had already lost 6 escort ships and a few submarines, while the flag ship and air craft carrier suffer seveir topside damadge. It was right after a artillary shell blew out half the bridge of the Conquest that the admiral gathered his remaining alive officers.
"Message all ships, move out of the fray, and spread out in 4 directions. Have the submarines dive down and wait for furthur orders. We're going to trick them into thinking we're retreating, then swoop in and surround them."
A bloodied and battered officer spoke up "Sir, that makes many of our heavy ships open to heavy artillery from the rear."
The admiral stopped and thought. He appeared to go into a day dream, almost forgetting the urgency of the situation.
"we will leave something to keep them busy. Have the aircraft carrier stay behind and draw their fire."
The same bloodied officer objected "But....what of our men on that ship?!"
"There's no way that ship will make it through the battle at this rate. The men are doomed, and they might as well make one last sacrifice for their nation"

The men aboard the bridge were speechless. None of them could object, it was likley to work. However the obvious abandonment of thousands of crewmen was a little unsettling.
The order was sent out to all but one ship, the doomed aircraft carrier, and the ships made a retreat like formation is various directions. The captain of the air craft carrier frantically radioed the admiral. His pleas were ignored.
"Uh, Sir, shouldn't we at least tell them of the plan?" said one of the radio officers.
"NO! They might rebel and attempt's to flea as well, ruining our plan"
A few officers of the remaining bridge crew gave each other saddened disgruntled looks and carried on their work. The calls from the crew of the air craft carrier became more and more desperate until an explosion followed by various blood curteling screams finalized the transmissions. Nobody looked back as many large explosions were heard from the distance. A few of the officers took of their hats and bowed their heads, however most swallowed their guilt and feelings and carried on under the steel faced gaze of the admiral.

[Cozulul]

What seemed like eternity, was actually an hour and a half. The Letonnan ships seemed to be retreating except for  one.

"Sir, the Letonnans seem to be retreating, but are leaving behind a ship." an officer said.

"I have a feeling, but I am not sure. Nonetheless sink that ship, then we will see what to do next." responded Captain Rodhonem.

"Will do. Directing drones and transmitting message to pilots." retorted the officer.

The remaining drones and pilots flew through the lightning and rain to fire at the remaining ship. As soon as the first shot was fired against the remaining ship, the Letonnan crew was startled. They raced to battle stations but were not a match for the drones and pilots alone. The ship started to sink in a matter of minutes. It was defenseless without the rest of the armada.

Now in standby, everyone was wondering what was happening with the rest of the Letonnan armada. Everyone in command started to cheer uproariously, but not Captain Rodhonem. He just stood, arms folded, pondering...

[Letonna]

The storm was starting to clean, and the afternoon sun was breaking through the clouds. Beams of sunlight lit up the spread out Letonnian fleet. The fleet spread out to form large arcs around the former battle area, and as the order was given, imminently swooped back in large waves ready for the second stage of the battle. The submarines which had dived to the bottom of the ocean began to rise and fire torpedo upward to the unsuspecting cozulians. Once the letonnian forces were within range all hell broke loose as deafening artillery broke the peaceful silence. Chaos arose again, and the sky was once again filled with fire and gunfire. The cozulians returned fire, and hit and sunk many of the smaller vessels, however the causalities were clearly more heavy on the cozulian side. An hour of constant barrage of artillery and torpedo fire had reduced the cozulian fleet to a crippled remnant of it's former glorious self. With the sun on the horizon, the Letonnian army ceased fire, and after a minute as did the cozulians.

The admiral of the letonnian fleet send a transmission to the cozullian fleet, which was quickly received. "Captain, you have been beaten. I demand your surrender, and evacuation of your vessels. You are to take life boats to your nearest port."
Captain Rodhonem made a angry scowl, and replied "You and me both know that's over 500 Km away, we'd never make it, especially in this weather"
With a slightly devious smirk the admiral said "This is none of my concern. You and I both know your involvement was uncalled for and unwarrented. You have 20 minutes to board your lifeboats before we sink your vessels."
Captain Rodhonem was outraged at this point. "THESE ARE WAR CRIMES! Let me save my men and we will leave the area in peace"
Now the Letonnian admiral was in a full evil looking smile, and he mused back "I think you forget captain, that we aren't officially at war, and leaving you ships to use against me in the future is not a risk I'm willing to take"
The Captain began to yell something but the call was broken. The admiral turned to one of the bridge technicians and said "give them 10 minutes, then open fire." Turning back to gaze at the cozulian fleet, the admiral still held a sicking smirk on his fact. One of the communication officers behind him said "Sir, the Emperor want's to know if you've encountered any resistance."
The smirk disappeared. Turning around to address the technician he said "Tell Titus we've just had some...rough seas". Turning around to relay the message, the technician couldn't help but noticing a evil glare in the admirals eyes.

[Cozulul]

With the storm clearing up around them, Captain Rodhonem had a decision to make. There was no way that they would make it to the nearest port, or for them to fight on. He decided to wire a message about the failure of the battle to Biryndra. She immediately asked what she could do. Rodhonem thought he had a plan.

"Chancellor, if we can get to the southern tip of the island by lifeboat, can you send your fastest transportation to pick us up?" questioned Rodhonem.

"I can, however, it will still take hours for the transportation to make it to your destination." replied Biryndra.

"I know, that is why we will surrender, get in the lifeboats and head towards the island, but what the Letonnans don't know is that I myself, will stay in the Cozeidon and let my crew go. I will then proceed to set the Cozeidon on a course strait at their main ship." Rodhonem hesitantly said.

"RODHONEM! You cannot be serious." exclaimed Biryndra.

"It was an honor serving for you m'lady..." Rodhonem replied.

------Connection Ended------

Rodhonem had explained to all of his crew what his plan was. Only a few objections came up, however Rodhonem ignored them and couldn't be convinced. He had ordered them all to board the life rafts. While they were boarding the life rafts, Rodhonem had contacted the Letonnan Fleet:

In broken Inglish, and accent, Rodhonem spoke, "Sir, we suvvender. Please give time, we ave evacuting ze vessel. Should be out in tirty minutees."

With a devilish smirk, the Letonnan Admiral responed, "Lovely..."

As soon as all of the life rafts were deployed, the crew started out for the island. Once Rodhonem saw this, he belted the Cozeidon forward full steam aimed at the ship that the Admiral was in. The Letonnan Crew was too busy celebrating their victory as they laughed at what they thought were weaker humans...