Africa--Updates & Comments

[DuQuense]

Some of us won't be posting Complete Story Arcs, This Tread is For Updates on our Area and Comments on such Areas.

[DuQuense]

Sunday August 1- 1100 hrs [11 am]

Perry White News Editor of the largest Paper in Ghana, was in a bad Mood, Of course that was to be expected considering what had happened Yesterday, Perry looked out at the Newsroom, Most of the Reporters, were out coving Stories, The few that remained were as Sober faced as Him. Perry looked Down at the Morning Paper in Front of him. The biggest story in the past 20 Years, since the start of the GW in the 1980's.

There in Banner Headlines Trimmed in Black : Princess Diana Assisanated By Anarchists; Tragedy Rocks Nation; Caesar vows Justice: Perry had spoke on the Telefono to many of His fellow Editors in Ghana Province, And they had all agreed not to print the terrible Wire Photos. The one Good point was that the Rangers had captured the Anarchists. In fact the reports were that the Rangers had a Tip and were only a couple of minutes, behind them when they left their hideout.

[DuQuense]

Libya 1355 hrs -- Joaquin Rabin, Governor of the Italian Province of Libya, sat in His Tripoli Office, and Looked out the Window. It was Sunday Afternoon, and He would rather be out at the Beach, on a Beautiful Day like this. Not sitting here Listening to the Director of Public Works. Unfortually He was the Governor, and ever since Egypt had followed Iran, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, in this wave of Islamic Fundimentlism, Lazy Sunday Afternoons were few and Far Between. Of Course from the way the Rest of the Cabinet were looking out the window, maybe they should have had....

Suddenly out the Window appeared a Wall of Light, Looking like the brightest of Aroura Borealis, It covered the Horizon and the Sky. For a Minute while everyone seemed to hold their breaths, and then it was Gone.

Rabin & the General Sahriff in Charge of the Provincial Defense Forces Picked themselves up off the Floor, and Looked at each Other. "That was no nuclear Fireball" "No, But ? What the Hell was it?" The Distant sound of Air Raid Sirens coming from the Naval Base Jerked them back to reality, and with a Quick Exquese Me, The General was out of the Door on the Run.

Turning Back to the Rest of the Cabinet Rabin Said "So much for a Short Sunday Meeting. Everyone Check with their Offices, Emercemcy Meetings, and we'll meet back here in Three hours."

[DuQuense]

Tangeirs Morocco, Capital 1600 hrs, Juan CarlosVII [House of Hapsburg], Defender of the Faith, King of Austria, Holy Roman Emperor, Emperor of Spain and all it's Possessions, Watched as High Cardinal Juan Miguel Alvarez paced the Throne Room. "No, The Light was a Sign of the Devil, I'm Sure of it." "The Godless Republicans In Spain are Gone, True. But now there appears to be a Jewish Libya, to the East. A new Large Muslim Country to the South. And some Heretic Negroes to the southwest, Claiming to be Romans. Even the Pope in Rome seems to be Different, and This Vatican Claims the Office of the Holy Inquisition, was disbanded over a hundred years ago." "It is the Work of the Devil And there is only one Way to Deal with his followers, These ones who tried to Sneak in and Destroy Gods Holy Nation.

That night at 2100 hrs the Auto-De-Fe Began in front of the Cathedral in Tangeirs, As the High Cardinal read the charges against Marranos & Moriscoes, The Guards tied the prisoners to the stakes. At 2200 the fires were lit, and the punishment of the sinners was broadcast, Across the Nation. Several minutes later the Burnt Bodies of the Travelers who had accidentaly stumbled across the border, were removed for burial.

[DuQuense]

Monday August 2 0900 hrs

The news Room was in chaos, Given what had Happened Yesterday Noon, it was to be expected. First had been that light Show like the Sky was on Fire, some of the Reporters said it looked like the Northern Lights, ?But this far south?. Then had come the reports of lose of Communication with Senegal Province and the Capital to the West. And the Lose of Communication with Porto la Rio to the West. Fortunally Radio with the Capital was rapidly restored, and it was discovered That every Fono & Electric Wire had been cut at the Ghana/Senegal Border, The repairmen were soon at work, and Communication was restored. what was funnier was the Stories about Roads and RailRoads were the two pieces at the border were misaligned by two inches to a couple of Feet. while other Roads appeared to Match exactly.

But to the West in Porto la Rio The Roads, RRs & Wires ceased rite at the Border as if they had never existed. And several planes that had flown over the Border came back with tales of Empty Land and small primitive villages were there had been Towns & Cities.

But even more puzzling was the complete lack of Follow up stories on the Princesses' Murder, Like it had never Happened. And then there was the Funny Stories, Like the Man who came home from a trip to Rome*, to Find Himself in Bed with his Wife, Or the mother sitting a Home with her only Daughter when a women Walks in Claiming to be Her daughter returning from Rome. Perry had Lois & Jimmy tracking down all those stories they could.

Perry looked up at the knock on his door to see Clark standing there with a Stranger. Hi, I'm Ranger Walker, and I have to talk about this hoax stories you printed yesterday, About the Princesse's Murder on Saturday." " Well, Good Day, But it wasn't any Hoax" Reaching in his drawer. "Here are the Wire Photos of the Attack, and the Roman Planet, With It's Headlines, Unless You think the Biggest paper in the Capital, was Hoaxing. Ranger Walker Looked At the Paper and reached in his Case and pulled out one of his own, laying it beside the First.

The one paper with a black Border ;Princess Diana Assisanated By Anarchists;, while the other said ;Princess Diana Opens new Hospital;. As the two men looked at each other, Clark started reading the second Paper. "Cheif, Here in this story about the capture of the Anarchists, In Our's Ranger Walker is Quoted {I guess that why your here} as saying [if the Tip had come five minutes sooner], while in Walker's He's Quoted as saying, [If the tip had been five minutes later]" What if there are both true." "we have the Stories of people returning from Rome to different lifes. and the cut wires on the Border, the mismatched roads, and the non exsistant ones in Porto la Rio." " The lights some how Moved us, Two worlds were thing happened slightly different." Turning the the Ranger, "?what do you think? Walker answered "It doesn't matter what I think. My Job is to Report Back to the Emperor." The Question is ?What to do about the differing stories?." Thats easy Perry said " I'll get with the other Editors acroos the Province, with a Speacil edition" " Princess Death a Hoax, Rangers Investigating". The Rangers are investigating , ?aren't they?. ?We can Quote you on that one?"


Monday 2000 hr- Roma De Sud- 2100 Ghana

As the Population of Hesperia, Listened to Caeser explain what had Happened to their World, The People Knew that the Roman Empire would continue to Thrive. For after all They Were Romans.

[DuQuense]

Port Harcourt, at the mouth of the Nigeria river, Afternoon 4th August.

He stood with a group of people from the Town, Most of them Friends and Fellow Merchants. Robin Locksley, forth son of the Earl of Nottingham, was sober. This fact would have astonished any one who had known him in the old days. As He owned ad ran a Bar, none of them would have believed It. Robin also ran the largest trading Post in Nigeria, this two would have astonished his family, who had shipped him off too Africa, as a Remittance Man. In Fact he was the richest man in Nigeria, richer than some of his Brothers back home, and hadn't had a drink for over 10 years. Today He felt like having one.

It had started this Morning when a Fleet of the biggest ships, anyone had ever seen had hove to in the harbor. All of them made of Metal, with three Hulls, and not a Sail or Paddle to be seen. Then one of them lowered a couple of Machines into the water between it's Hulls, and the Machines had taken to the air, and flew around the town and surrounding area for several hours.

Now there were what seemed to be Hundreds of Launches, moving between the Ships and the Beach. The way they were unloading Men and Equipment It didn't look like they were planning on leaving any time soon. Hundreds of Black Soldiers, Moving as smartly as any European Troop, unlike the local Natives, or any African the watching group, had ever accoutered. And sounding like they were speaking a Dialect of Latin.

Now one of the Launches, had tied up at the Wharf. Out Stepped what looked like a Senior Officer, and Looked up the street at the Group. Robin Realized that The Officer was looking for the Welcome Committee. Robin also realized that he was it. Trying to Remember that He had been a Major in His Majesties Army, before the Scandal, and hoping that expensive Eton education was good for Something, Robin Locksley Marched down the Wharf to find out what was Happening.

[DuQuense]

August 4th morning Egypt

In the sky over head was a plane, of course none of the Animals Grazing along the Nile had any idea what it was. In fact only a few even looked up, at the noise. Within several minutes it was gone, and the peaceful grazing resumed.

August 15th morning Cabinet meeting

Joaquin Rabin newly elected President of the Nation of Libya Looked around at his new Cabinet. While there were few new faces This was the first formal meeting of the new National Government. It had been a hectic two weeks since the EVENT. No one had any Idea what had caused the EVENT, thru soon the scifi types were arguing wether it was the Space Bats, or the Space Gerbils. What was known was that they were in a patch work World made of Countries with a verities of Histories. While at least the Historians over at the University were Happy, about it.

As Italy had been moving closer & closer to the new European Union over the past twenty years, Libya had been discovering it's African ism. But there was a big difference between the Gradual planned Separation, and this Abrupt forced Independence. The Country as a whole had taken the EVENT well. The provincial Government had voted to reorganize itself as a national Body, and had reelected him as President, They had also granted him a lot of Power, for the duration of the Emergency, And today He was going to use it.

"OK we have all seen the Photographs, And we all know why we were building the Eastern Wall*. My proposal would eliminate any future need to finish it, and ensure the future economic wellbeing of this Country. " "Are there any objections to carrying it out. Then motion passed, and the operation will begin immediately" 'Moving on to other Business."

The Finance Minister gave a Report on the just started oil Sales to Italy & Spain. Then the Defence Minister got up. " As you know shortly after the Event, The Nation of Darcia, which apparently was our Romania on the Black Sea, Broadcast a Disturbing Announment condemning the Reichskommissariat Kaukasus, in the Caucasus." When We Sent two Reconasence Planes they were both shot down by advanced & better than any we have anti aircraft missiles." We then Contacted Darcia, and requested copies of what they had. So far there has been no Reponce, nor has there been any contact from Reichskommissariat Kaukasus, concerning the Status of our Pilots." " On a positive side, The airplane Factories in Jebel are in good shape, and Design work on a new Bomber to replace the ancient B-29J [J for jet]

Then it was the Turn of the Minister of State. " First I'll start with the Moroccians. It has been definitely established that over half of the People burned the first night after the EVENT were from a 707 ** carrying passengers returning to Tunis, which passed the new Border about a minute after the EVENT. It appears to be Controlled by the Spanish Inquisition***." " Over the Last two weeks it seems to be deteriorating into increasing pairinora. We have identified half of the remaining victims as coming from a nation called Hesperia. and we assume the last group is from the Empire of Songai." " On a lighter note we have made contact with this Hesperia, Which seems to be the remains of a Roman Colony that survived in Senegal." "Four Days ago a Freighter full of Missionaries, from Hesperia docked here. They wanted permission to buy some property and establish a Mission Church. They seen to be very well behaved & have Plenty of Gold to Spend, but the Policia are keeping a eye on them. They also have sent Missions to Spain & Italy." " And last Italy seems to be taking a lead in sponsoring a Meeting in Genoa, at the end of the month, I suggest that we attend, if for no more than observing our new neighbors."


August 17 what would have been Suez.

General Mier Watched the work unloading the Freighters for a minute, Two weeks ago He and his men had been on the Border of Libya/ Egypt, Guarding the Construction Crews as they build the Great Eastern Wall. Then had come that light show, and suddenly there was no Fundamentalist Egypt to build a wall against. Then a week ago had come the orders to move his men along with the Construction Crews & all their Equipment to the Port of Benghazi. And so here He and his men were, along the first of the Construction Crews. They were going to Build another Wall except this one would only be a Hundred miles instead of the Thousand of the last one.

Along with the Wall they would built several Roads. Then when that was complete They would Start on The Canal. But first comes Security, time to get Major Smythe and his Companies moving South to hold the Red Sea end. General Mier started walking toward the waiting Helicopters.

At the same time Freighters were dropping Anchor in the mouth of the Nile, what would have been "Cairo" would be the First major new City & military Base in the New Lands.

*50' wide 50' deep with the dirt piled on the West side forming a 100' wall the whole thing Concrete lined. In OTL Italy built Hundreds mile long fences during the 1930' uprisings. this is Similar to the Berm walls Morocco built in it's annexed Sahara.

**Analogue

***And -No one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition.

[DuQuense]

August 20 -Tripoli -1400 local [1200 GMT]

President Rabin sat back in his Chair and paused the Cabinet meeting as the "Calling of the Faithful" rang out outside his Window, He know that in Churches, synagues, and Temples, priests, Rabbi's, and Imans, would all be starting Prayers. No one had decreed this. It had just happened over the last 60 years, like morning Coffee break at the 10 am, allowed all religion to stop for prayers. Which reminded Him. Turning to the Interior Minister He asked about their latest group. " So ?How are this "Church Light Thingy" Doing?". Answer " For a group that didn't know TV existed a 10 days ago, they have taken to TeleEvangilism like a Camel to the Desert. They have Bought a TV/Radio station. And put up a new High powered Tower close to the Tunisia Border. Amazing what having half of Ton of Gold in the Bank can do to get things done."

Tunisia/ Libyan Border- 1420 hrs

Pedro Miguel Lead his flight of four planes across the Border, They were going to strike at the Infidels, and Heretics who were polluting Gods Holy People, with their foul Broadcasts. He had received his Orders from the Holy Inquesitior Himself. Pedro was proud of his orders, just like he knew the other strikes north at Gibraltar, and south against the Muslims of Songai, and the Hesperians. Ahead He saw one Libyan Fighter.

1425 hrs- Tripoli

President Rabin was about to close the meeting, when the door opened and a Aide rushed in and gave a message to the Defense Minister. DM- "It appears we have another Crisis" After reading the message The President turned to a Aide, "I want to Talk to the Leader of this, 'Earth School of the Light- Christian' , Now" The DM noticed the president didn't seem to have any problem with name at all.

1430 hrs -Rome [de Sud]

Julius Anthony Augustus-Caesar of the Imperial Roman Empire/Hesperia , was Angry, So angry He was pacing up & down across the Throne Room. stoping and turning to Ranger Walker head of the Imperial Police*. " ?It is certain that it was Imperial subjects these BarBarians Burned?." Oh Yes, Your Majesty, the Libyan's have perfected Radiofonic picture transmission. A retired Ranger with the School of Light Mission in Libya positively identified them from their news films." Turning to the Lord of War. "Five of our planes were destroyed? " "Yes your Majesty, Wing Master Felix was leading a Training mission. first Reports are that He shoot down one of them." Well if any of our Biplanes , could get one of these super planes, Triple Ace would be the one. I want a State Funeral, with all the trimmings, for our hero's." What About the Radio Tower & Station." "Your Majesty," the General in charge of Rescue operation Paused, then Remembering he was a Officer in Rome Service, Continued, " The Tower Collapsed on the Station, and all those people are Dead." taking a Deep Breath, " Their [Missiles] also hit the School Buildings, so far the Rescue Service, has pulled 50 Children & teachers out of the Burning Rubble." " Your Majesty there were over one thousand people in the school". "?What are the chances of Survivors?". "Your Majesty, there are always God's miracles, But they are very few and Slight of Chance."

Caesar resumed pacing for several minutes, while no one dared interrupt. Then having reached Decision, Caesar gave out orders, "I want to Address the Nation this Evening on all channels. I want the Army and the Fleet brought to full readiness. I want a fleet Group headed for this Libya within six hours, Carrying a full Diplomatic Group. You did say the intell believes that Libya, Ispania, & Songai were also hit. Contact the Songai, and see if they will lend us one of their Super planes, to convey Our Diplomatic mission to Libya. Contact Libya, and see if they will permit Our representatives to accomply them to the Genoa Meeting, and see if the Ispania War Lord will be there."

1500 hrs- Tripoli

President Rabin and his Cabinet were listening to The Bishop explain his Mission. "I know You believed that our mission was simply one of religion Missionary zeal, and to our shame, we let you believe that. But the Group of our people that were burned included the Cardinal of the Hesperian Province of Mauritania, and his Staff." Our Church is not Martial, but OTOH we couldn't sit back and allow them to simply get away with it."

Just them another aide rushed in with another message,which he gave to Rabin. As the president read it his face paled. "Gentlemen, It appears We were lucky in the Attack. The Message is from Hesperia, Requesting a immediate Meeting with our 'Lord of War' . We lost one plane who's pilot ejected safely. Hesperia lost a School full of a thousand Children." " They also want to travel with Us to the Genoa Meeting".

[G.Bone]

but OTOH we couldn't sit back and allow them to simply get away with it

Try write the abbreviation long hand DuQuense. No one says LOL in Real Life.

[DuQuense]

When the Fleet was still sixty miles from the Straights, the Lookout reported Planes spotted, and the Fleet went to General Quarters. But then before even a fourth of the Crews were on station, the planes were roaring past. The lookout thought the planes were louder & faster than anything had a right to be. But He did his job, and reported the markings- Red, Yellow, Red tri-color- As CIC reported the identification as Spanish, Admiral Anthony relaxed slightly, and ordered the Greeting to be sent,

Attention, Attention this is the Imperial Roman Naval Fleet*, we are proceeding thru the Straights in about three hours, on a Diplomatic mission to Libya, Do not interfere!.

The Message was in Latin, but the language, was close enuff that the two Spanish Pilots could understand the meaning. As they came around and made one more pass heading back to Spain, The Flight Leader called his WingMan, " Look at the Big Bad Baby and his Freinds, I would hate to be in the Vicinity when it starts delivering It's Diplomatic Messages".


* Battleship and Screen.

[GBW]

"...military forces of the Empire of Songhai continue to mass along their border with Spanish Morocco following the burning of Songhay citizens immediately after the Event and the air attacks committed only eight days ago. Songhay Foreign Minister Sule Ouane has reportedly called the Moroccan attacks 'acts of utter barbarism that will be avenged swiftly and decisively'. When questioned about diplomatic dealings with the nations of Hesperia, Libya and Spain, who suffered similar attacks, Foreign Minuster Ouane replied, 'We have pursued all diplomatic channels with those nations and are united in our condemnation of the Moroccan regime'. When asked whether they would join Songhai in the use of military force against Spanish Morocco, Foreign Minister Ouane had no comment..."

[DuQuense]

Roma De Sud -August 24th On the Beach

The Emperor looked down at the Airship Parked on the Beach out side the City. When they had announced that they would provide a Refueling stop for planes and Airships on their way to the Conferences in Europe, he had never imagined this. 1200 ft long, 400 ft wide, and 120 ft high, It had landed on the water and taxied onto the Beach, there being no room at the Air Base for such a Giant. And the small Airplanes surrounding it, like Fly's around a Elephant, had all landed in side it. Well at least these planes had propellers like a plane should, Not those 'Jets' like the Songhai Super Planes that had taken the Crown Prince to the Songhai Capital en route to the Conferences in Europe.

Princess Diana, Stood on the Landing Deck in the Center of the Airship, gazing around in Delite. A accomplished Pilot herself, She was fascinated, by the planes parked on the Deck. Cornell Julia von Helsing Captain of the IMN AS Vera Cruz, was explaining that the four planes were the Ready Cap. Ready to takeoff immediately if there was a Attack, not that they expected one, but then no one had expected the Moroccan attack four days ago. It was weird, the Mexicans, [who seemed to be the replacement for the Aztec Empire of Vinland] had already know all about the Attack. They even had photos of the Attacking Planes returning to their base in Nouadhibou Morocco.

Diana decided that a Ride in one of these Planes would be Great for the Depression that had been plaguing Her ever since She had read the papers about her assassination. She understood that it had happened in another Time Line, But She still shivered thinking how close.. Turning to the Captain, A Woman in Charge of Some thing like this, and the Mexicans, had other Women in command positions in their Military. Wait till Father hears About this. The Princess Made her request, She had requested the same from the Songhai, But the Hesperian Officers, had nixed that proposal, and She half expected the same again.

Ignoring the Protests the Hesperian Officers were advancing to the Princess, the Captain turned to one of her Officers. "Major Smith, Your Call." Major Smith of the Republic Navy, looked Up and Down at the Princess, and the Princess felt Herself coming to attention under His Stare. "A New Trainee, and a Training Flight, Captain" "My, Idea Exactly." Turning to the Protesting Officers, "Major Smith is our Senior Training Officer, Trainee Diana will be perfectly safe."

As He turned to go Back inside to the Waiting Diplomats, from Mexico and the Republic, the Emperor saw a Plane takeoff from the Airship. Wonder what that is About, No Doubt I'll Hear about it tonight at the Royal Dinner.

[DuQuense]

August 31st Imperial Palace, Royal Dinner

The Songhai Planes had returned bringing the Crown Prince back from the Conference in Genoa. And the AS Vera Cruz, had returned as well. The Emperor had the Mexican Minister siting on one side, And the Captain of the AirShip on his other. Looking down the table at his Daughter with Major Smith beside her, the Emperor, asked the Captain, "Could they really be talking Airplanes." Looking at the way the two were waving their hands, The Captain replied, "Of Course, the hands are the give away." The Emperor looked at the Captain. "Why are your people really willing to do this" As Juan Valdez started to answer the Emperor stopped Him. "I want to hear the Captain's explanation.

Realizing that most of the table was listening Von Helsing started. "Your Majesty there are three main reasons.
One- As the Minister explained at the Conference, Our Nations were already fighting this War. And Whe don't think it stopped, it just moved to a new Battle Field, and Whe promised Aid to others who had to fight it with us.
Two- Whe are asking Hesperia to sign a Treaty of Mutual Aid and Defense, as well as major Mining Clauses. You can look out the Window at the Fleet, and the Air Base, and know what you can offer, whe on the other hand are a Dark Horse. You Need to know, How whe hold up when the Race starts.
Three- And this is a little more Complex. Forty or so years ago when our world started developing Rockets to put Satilites in Orbit , Whe had a chance to build Jets. There were even some experimental Models Made. But for what our world thought was valid reasons, whe turned away. Whe went down a different path. As far as whe have been able to learn, whe are the Only Fragment, that followed that different Path. Whe need to know if whe made a Mistake."

The Emperor Looked at her again. " And if You Lose Your whole Ship and all it's Crew." "Then Your Majesty, So be it, as your People say 'that is the life lesson our people need to learn'. Our Emperor, Military, & People would Mourn. And, consider the lesson Cheap at the cost. Better a Airship Tomorrow, than the Nation next year."

The Emperor Turned to the General sitting across from Him, I approve the Operation.

[ConfederateFly]

The Georgian Congo has put all troopson alert in case of attack

[DuQuense]

New Bordeo, Georgian Congo

Admiral Adda Augustus, stood on the Bridge and looked at the Ships sitting in the Harbor. It looked like a dozen Coastal Destroyers, and Patrol Boats., Earlier A couple of those Super Planes, had flown pass. And then had come a couple of Biplanes, that looked like they were 90 yrs old. He could hear sirens and Bells going off on the ships and the airfield along the Beach. He supposed it was probably General Quarters, or some such, But it looked like the last Drill must have been ten years ago. And Most of the Crews had slept thru it.

He turned to the Captain beside him " Have the Bosun make my Launch ready." The Captain Replied "What about Those Ships." "I'll be in Town Lunching with whoever's in Charge, before they get their act together."

Two hours later when he stalked aboard, A lone alarm was still ringing on board one of the Destroyers. "Captain, signal raise anchor and get us out of here." "Yes I found the so called President, Didn't have any Idea what has happened to the World." "Keep Asking were my Superiors were." Finally found out He meant Whites, Didn't think 'Blacks' could run a Battleship." one last look at the harbor " A couple of Destroyers and a Legion, no, a Company of Marines, could take this whole Country."

"So anything happen while I was Gone." "Yes Admiral, I must report that Seamen Cladius was injured, during our Port Visit." So, ?what has Seamen Cladius done this time?" "Well it seems he was Laughing so hard over the antics of our Hosts, that he managed to fall overboard." "?Any thing serious?" "No, he fell head first."

As the Admiral walked Chuckling down the Passage, He hoped there was something better at the next port.

[DuQuense]

Imperial Roman Battleship Victorious Headed for the Cape Republic [Note the twin Hulls]

[DuQuense]

0645 [0545 Zulu] off Algiers's Beach

General Emilio looked thru His Binoculars at the City. Below him thousands of men waited to climb out of the Freighter into the waiting improvised landing crafts. He looked again, Still no sign of activity in the City. His Freighters were less than 500 meters from the beach, They were also less than a Kilometer from the Wharfs. He made a Decision, "Helm head for the Pier." Radio Room relay my order for the Piers. We may be able to take the Wharfs, and Warehouses intact.

0650 IRN BB Invincible one click off the beach.

Admiral Aquila realized what General Emilio was trying to do. "Radio, order a Couple of the Destroyers to follow the Freighters and provide covering Fire if needed. The Admiral Looked at the Naval Docks, were there were three destroyers, and five patrol Boats tied up. Radio, Order three Destroyers to head for the Naval Docks at Flank Speed. And request General Emilio send one of his Freighters after them."

O655 Airport Tower

Miguel Eduardo go up off his knees were he had been listening to the radio broadcast of the Bishops Morning Mass. As he looked around He saw several dozen Helicopters headed from the Beach. Lucky guys got to miss Mass.. Miguel saw the Fleet out beyond the Breakwater, As he hit the Siren Button Eduardo realized, the Copter Pilots didn't care about missing Mass.

General Diego Epifanio Commander of the Spanish Forces defending Algiers, was standing on the Cathedral steps talking to the Bishop, when the alarms started sounding. He was still standing there as the first Shells from the Invincible starting hitting the Fortifications along the Waterfront.

0700

The First Spainish Guns, began to answer back

[perdedor99]

Hey Duquesne, you should post the war entries in a different thread so the interested parties could also post on it. For example, Spain and Songhai. Sorry but Italy is only giving public support. Nothing to gain in the post war land grabbing. ;)

[ConfederateFly]

So are the other nations going to enter the Georgian Congo?

[DuQuense]

I thouht GBone was going to delete the war post for me
I started a seperate thread

[G.Bone]

I did erase the war post. You didn't specify which thread the particular post was in, DuQuense.

[Nosb]

Update on the Empire of Abyssinia and the Republic of Eritrea.

Empire of Abyssinia: The border was closed and the entire population traumatized by the lost of there known world. The entire national government and economy collapsed and the nation descended into tribal fighting that had been just under the surface for years. Blacks, Muslims, Whites, Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic Christians, Jews, and dozens off tribal groups all descended into quick fighting in the country. The national government under the Emperor Menelik IV (granted emergency powers after a coup by pieces of the royalist military) still ruled in quickly starving Addis Ababa. The city was been cut off from the rest of the country, with the only thing leaving the cities being military forays into the country to seize food. In the country guns quickly ran out of ammunition and the fighting went back a thousand years to spears and shields in most of the country.

Republic of Eritrea: All of the countries cities and most of the major towns disappeared. The only surviving towns being very small and most of the transported country is desert. The army, mostly located along the border, sized control of the surviving villages and towns and reinstated order. Racial fighting between the army’s white officers and black enlisted man resulted in most of the officers fleeing to Ethiopia or being murdered. Starvation quickly ripped through the civilian population and reports of cannibalism are widespread.

[GBW]

Update on the Kingdom of Madagascar:

August 1, 2004: Event occurs. All contact with outside world lost except for radio transmissions from non-existant nations.

August 3: Reality of what has occurred is discovered after flights over an empty Mozambique, all of Madagascar's territories appear to have been brought with them. King Radama VI makes a speech on national television calling for calm and immediately institutes measures to carefully ration the kingdom's remaining supplies.

August 4: Radama IV, realizing the kingdom can be self-sufficient for its population, decides to forego diplomatic contact with other nations for the moment and sends Malagasy naval vessels to explore the east African coastline.

August 21: Madagascar occupies the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba and immediately begins constructing a port and airfield on the site of Zanzibar Town. Preliminary reports on the exploration of the coastline of the Empire of Abyssinia are sent back to Antananarivo.

August 30: Malagasy soldiers occupy the city of Mogadishu and some of the surrounding area. The local militias are hired on by the Malagasy government as security forces and food is brought in from Madagascar. The surviving local authorities are placed back in charge and report to an overall Malagasy military adminstrator who oversees 'security operations' for the region.

[Marius]

Update on Cape Republic

Following the event, the country's military was put on high alert. The borders have been sealed, and all flights grounded. However, the populace has been relatively calm, and there have been few incidents. Religious nuts have, however, claimed that the Biblical end times are occurring. The government has adopted a wait-and-see attitude. Current thinking in government circles is to try make contact with the other liberal democracies of ME. This is still under debate, and the country is currently waiting to see what will happen.

[Marius]

Cape Republic

Cape Town, Presidential meeting room. Meeting of the State Security Council

President Mnyantheli looked at his State Security Council, made up of the the vice president, defence minister, foreign minister, minister of intelligence, minister of commerce, head of the military, and head of the country's intelligence agency, the State Intelligence Service. "So what are we to do gentleman", asked the heavyset Xhosa.
"Mr President, I believe we should occupy all surrounding areas of our country, and establish buffer zones," said Ricardo Williams, defence minister.
"What?", exclaimed, the country's foreign minister, Allan du Toit. "And provoke a war with who knows what is out there."
Williams shook his head. "And just roll over and get attacked by expansionist powers. Is that what you want?"
"Gentlemen, gentlemen calm down", said Mnyantheli. "What do you think we should do?", Mnyantheli asked Michael Merriman, his deputy. Mnyantheli had enormous respect for Merriman. When the president had first met him, he had believed that he was simply an opportunist spoiled rich white kid, but as he had got to know him better he had come to respect him, and realise he had the best interests of the country at heart. Mnyantheli had been rather pleased when he had been selected by the UADM as his deputy at the party's congress seven years ago.
"Mr President, I reccommend we seal the border, and wait to see what happens. Our military should be put on high alert. Our immediate concern is to see what has happenned to the South African Republic. If they still exist they may take this opportunity to invade, if their army is still capable of that." Merriman was referring to the SAR's nine-year civil war which had virtually decimated the country. However, the SAR's army was still acknowledged as one of the best in the world (at least in the Cape Republic's earth). "I also think you should address the nation, and calm them."
"Let us put it to a vote," said Mnyantheli.
"All in favour of Ricardo's proposal?". Three hands went up. "All in favour of Michael's proposal?". The rest of the council raised their hands.
"So, no gung-ho invasions yet?" said the president with a smile. ""Dismissed gentleman. We have a country to run."
With that the meeting ended.

[DuQuense]

Sept 20th what would have been Suez.

General Mier Looked over the latest Reports, The Cement Plants had been up and running, for 2 weeks now. 95% of the ditch had been dug, and the steel reinforcement was in place in about half of that. They were dismantling the rebar along the Great Eastern Wall, were concrete hadn't been poured. The rest was going to just be left, like the Marigot , or the Siegfried Lines. The four lane highway along the Eastern side of the Ditch, was Complete. And the six lane Divided AutoBahn on the Western side of the Berm was nearing completion. The hold up had been the reinforcing rebar, and the Concrete Plants.

But if all went to plan they should be ready to Flood the Ditch by the 28th. This would give a 25 foot deep 50 foot wide , canal with a fifty foot berm wall, across the Suez to stop either of the Crusader, or the Ottoman, Crazies that tried to cross the Sinai. General Mier wondered what had processed the Italians to get them selves involved in the Craziness. Libyan Intelligence was still trying to figure it out. But Whatever, It was giving Him time to get his defenses in Order. And next Month they would start work on the Canals.

[GBW]

September 10, 2004

Songhay forces begin moving into the 'Sudan' region to their east as well as the coastal region to its east and between Egypt and Eritrea. They are claimed by the Empire of Songhai.

[DuQuense]

From Admiral Adda Augustus, Hesperian Navy, Exploration Fleet
To the Government of The Federal Republic of the Cape of Good Hope.

Whe will be pulling into Port in about 24 hrs [sept 15th]

{ Aside to self [as the Couple of your Destroyers You have had shadowing us since Wallis Bay could tell you]}


Septembre 15th Capetown, The Federal Republic of the Cape of Good Hope.


As the Hesperian Navy, Exploration Fleet entered the Port, Admiral Augustus, Saw a Modern clean city with a towering Skyline of Large Skyscrapers, a bustling port, Thru almost all the trade was intra national at the time. As He saw the tugs approaching. The Admiral ordered the Fleet to halt, and the Boarding Steps lowered. Counting the Tugs, and seeing there was one for each Ship, The Admiral knew that the Destroyers had been doing more than just following .

As Three men started up the Steps, two in uniforms and the third a tall black man in a Business Suit, The Admiral couldn't help contrasting this with his Welcome at the Georgian Congo. As they reached the top of the steps, the Black man stepped Forward and in impeccable Latin introduced Himself and his Companions, The port Pilot, and the chief Medical Officer, Both from the Port Admiralties Department. Yes , a Great Difference, This was much better.

As the Tugs pushed the Battleship into place Between two ships equally as large as the Battleship, but with flat tops, The Admiral wondered what Seaman Cladius would get up to in a place like this.

[DuQuense]

Septembre 20th Djibouti, Eritrea

The fleet of 6 Airships prepared to land, First was the Troop Ship Tripoli, It settled down on its hover fans just off shore and taxied to the Beach. with it's helicopters circling around the ramp opened and the troops stormed the Beach. The troop ship had stoped in Roma where they had taken on 2.000 troops, then Goa for a 1.000 Songhay, then Tripoli for another 2.000 libyian soldiers. There was another fleet 24 hours behind with 3.000 Songhay, & 1.000 each Hesperian/ Libyan, headed to Addis Ababa.

After the beach was succored the other ships landed in the same fashion. The four food Freighters, and the fuel tanker.

Septembre 21st

The City was under control. There had been Riots, when the population realized what was in the Ships. Private Bonito was proof that while a Kelvar jacket may stop a black powder Mimi Ball, no padding could protect the ribs underneath. The Libyans had been amazed at the Hesperian & Songhai attitude to Rioters. The Roman Way was the same as the Romans who put down the Nika riots in 535 Constantinople, and the Songhay, had been happy to help. But the City was calm and the port was ready to be reopened.

[Marius]

President's Office, Republic of the Cape of Good Hope

Mnyantheli sat in his office, his brow furrowed with worry. He leaned over to the intercom in his desk, pressed the button and said, "Jenny, get Mr. Merriman down here please."
"Yes Mr. President," came the swift reply.
Ten minutes later Vice-President Michael Merriman came into the president's office.
"You wanted to see me sir?" asked Merriman.
"Mike, I've told you before. Stop with all that sir nonsense when its just the two of us," admonished Mnyantheli.
"Yes Mist...Amos."
"So what are we to do about these Hesperians, and what are they," asked Mnyantheli.
"Well Amos, I've given all the information we've managed to gather from their radio broadcasts and their insignia to Prof. Rademeyer down at the history department at the university. His best guess is that they are from a world where the Roman Empire survived, or maybe even some lost colony of the Roman Empire."
"Interesting. Does he think we should try form an alliance with them?" asked the president.
"He's not sure. My reccommendation is Amos, we form a committee of the brightest historical and political minds we can muster, and we let them advise us on diplomatic matters. At least we can make sure we ally ourselves with strong, upstanding nations."
"Do we know if any countries have been transferred from a world where the Nazis won the Second World War?"
Merriman replied, "We don't know yet for sure, Amos, but we have picked up broadcasts talking about some sort of Nazi Republic in the Caucasus. It doesn't seem that a Germany under control of the Nazis has been transferred as of yet."
"Thank god," sighed the president.
"But as with regards to the Hesperians we should look into at least forming some sort of mutual defence pact with them in the short term."
"Agreed. I'll call a state security meeting for tommorrow. And good thing I took Latin at school. These Hesperians do speak Latin?"
"Yes, a bit different from classical Latin which we are used to, but close enough."
"See you at the meeting tomorrow Mike."
"Yes Mister... I mean Amos."

[DuQuense]

Septembre 23rd Addis Ababa

From Major Tariq Shousha
To Songhai High Command

The Allied Troops Under my Command have Secured the Airport, and the area around It. The Airport is open, Repeat, the airport is open. Whe have started distributing the food. And are restoring Order to the City.

[GBW]

September 20, 2004

Malagasy troops and engineers land on various islands throughout the Maldives, the largest numbers on the islands of Malé and Hulule where they begin constructing harbor facilities on Malé and an airfield on Hulule. The Maldives are claimed in the name of the Kingdom of Madagascar.

[GBW]

September 21, 2004

Malagasy troops and engineers land on the islands of Socotra, The Brothers and 'Abd al Kuri at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. Port facilities begin construction on Socotra and 'Abd al Kuri, an airfield on Socotra and radar stations on The Brothers. The islands are claimed in the name of the Kingdom of Madagascar.

As the claim is staked, Malagasy radio announces to the Libyan, Songhay and Hesperian soldiers coming into Eritrea and Abyssinia that "The city of Mogadishu and its immediate surroundings are already under the protection of the Kingdom of Madagascar and the people of the region are being fed and well cared for. No further assistance is needed or wanted."

[GBW]

September 24, 2004

Radio Broadcast from Antananarivo, Kingdom of Madagascar
Broadcast in Malagasy, English and Arabic

"Good afternoon, peoples and nations of this new world. I am King Radama the Sixth, monarch of the Kingdom of Madagascar. As you may have noted, our island nation has made some territorial claims in the past week, namely the Maldives as well as Socotra and the other islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. These in addition to the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba off of the East African coast. Here today, as soldiers and engineers of the Malagasy military stand ready to make good these claims, I shall make a sweeping announcement of the new islands and territories I now claim in the name of the Kingdom of Madagascar and the Malagasy people:

"The Seychelles, Mauritius, Rodrigues, the Cargados Carajos Shoals, Mafia Island, Diego Garcia, the Chagos Archipelago and Minicoy Island. (Also, Africa 17 and 18)

"These islands and territories are vital to the stability and security of the Kingdom of Madagascar, the Malagasy people and, indeed, the entire western Indian Ocean. By no means do we attempt the claim the islands of Lakshadweep as we see this territory as rightfully within the sphere of influence of the Indian subcontinent. With these islands, it is our hope that Madagascar can guarantee the flow of commercial traffic through the western Indian Ocean and see that there is no threat of piracy or the actions of rebel groups as has so recently plagued the New Hebrides in the Malay Archipelago.

"As for the matter of Abyssinia, I shall reiterate the statement transmitted to our fellow African nations looking the ease the plight of the Eritrean and Abyssinian peoples: the city of Mogadishu and its immediate surroundings are already under the protection of the Kingdom of Madagascar, and have been since late August, and the people of the region are being fed and well cared for. No further assistance is needed or wanted. If any foreign journalists wish to visit Mogadishu, please make arrangements with our Foreign Ministry here in Antananarivo for both travel to and from the city and for security provided by Malagasy soldiers for your personal protection. Travel by land from the rest of Abyssinia is impossible due to the vigilance of Malagasy soldiers in making sure no militias from other parts of the country infiltrate into the area, while the security is necessary in the event of attacks by rogue militias still within the area.

"Thank you and good day."

(Here's a map of the region with all of the islands involved. The islands not mentioned were brought along with Madagascar and were already part of it.http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/islands_oceans_poles/indian_ocean_w_96.jpg)

[DuQuense]

Great Hesperian Dam

http://www.alternatehistory.net/discus/messages/40/4341.html

[DuQuense]

Octobre 12 Inga Falls, Zaire River.

Colonel Felix Camillus Stood in the observation deck of the Airship, The Ship had been Leased from Pan Am, and had transported his Construction Legion here. Before him on the Table were the Plans For what in another Time Line was called the great Inga Dam. Behind him on the wall was a Picture of the Great Hesperian Dam. But that too was from another Time Line. One were the Hesperian Empire had Controlled all of Africa South of the Sahel. Now it shared the Continent with many other nations, and they had objected to the Flooding of all of the center of the Continent.

Colonel Felix Looked out were his Construction legion were putting up the Housing for the first of Thousands of Workers who would be arriving soon. And this was just one of Many Dams Designed to turn these empty lands West of the Nile Lake,* into a major industrial area.

http://www.groupelavenir.net/anglais/av_theenergetic.htm

* Lake Victoria.

[swamphen]

This may or may not be SME canon. You be the judge.

---

Being an emperor is not all it's cracked up to be. People always imagine the Emperor wearing a diamond-studded crown and sitting on a throne made from pure gold with a luxuriant Persian rug stretched out in front, numerous pretty girls waving large fans to keep His Highness from getting too hot, and fawning courtiers to do all the real work.

This is no longer the case, thought Emperor Patrick II of the Mozambican Empire, as he sat in his office in his (new) capital of Beira. He was wearing a white dress shirt and a tie, was sitting in an ergonomic office chair behind a desk made of pressed fibreboard, there was nary a rug or woman in sight, and my Inbox runneth over.

He snorted in disgust and turned to the next report. Suddenly there was a flash of light in the corner of the room, and a tall humanoid-appearing being, dressed in an impeccable Mozambican Grand Admiral's uniform, appeared.

Patrick didn't even look up.

"I was wondering when you'd put in an apperance."

"Ah, mon emperor," said the being known as Q. "I suppose you think I'm the cause of your precidement."

"You think right, Your Qness." The Generalissmo's tone was sarcastic as he leaned back in his chair. "And I don't think I'll believe you if you claim otherwise."

Q snapped his fingers, and reappeared sitting in the 'visitor's chair'. "Actually, I am involved, but only indirectly." He popped a Jelly Baby into his mouth.

"And how exactly are you 'indirectly' involved?"

"Well, Mint-boy (1), you're into Alternate History, aren't you?"

"Indeed..."

"Well, those 'Alien Space Bats' you're so fond of hand-waving about actually exist in this universe, and they'd decided to start this 'Mosaic Earth' as a science experiment. I convinced the head bat that they'd made a mistake in not inviting you - so here you are." Another Jelly Baby went down the hatch. "Getting Ace Girl (2) too was a nice bonus."

"You've raised quite a ruckus, you know." Patrick pointedly ignored the fact that Q was devouring his candy stash. "A lot of nations are calling off colonizing the 'uncharted territories' (3) because we appeared in one of them."

"Oh, they've got nothing to worry about. The bat men will only pop a new country into an unclaimed uncharted territory."

"And if I believe that..."

Q chuckled. "No bridges to sell here, mon generale."

O'Connell looked his unwelcome guest in the eyes. "Now perhaps you can take your leave, and let me get back to some real work. Or maybe you want to take me off on some starship again?" (4)

"That's mighty tempting, Mintbreath, but no, not this time. Unless you want to go back to your own time..."

"And leave my people leaderless? Sorry Q, no games today. Now scram."

"As you wish. Just remember, beware gifts bearing Greeks!"

And with a flash, he was gone.

--------

(1) Emperor Patrick II = Patrick = Pat = Patty = Peppermint Patty = Peppermint = Mint! ;)

(2) Colonel Lydia O'Connell, late of the Siberian Air Force.

(3) Another tip of the cap, this time to Farscape.

(4) But that's another story... :p

[DuQuense]

Septembre 31th Capetown, The Federal Republic of the Cape of Good Hope.


As the Hesperian Navy, Exploration Fleet Started to leave the Port, Admiral Augustus, was pleased with the results of the Visit. His meeting with President Mnyantheli Had gone well. The President had even spoken Latin, A little rusty, and not Quite the Same, But understandable. Of Course the Work had been done by the Diplomats with interpreters. But his Gifts of several Histories of Rome, and of Hesperia, were well received. As was the Report about the Georgian Congo.

The Capelanders had Proposed a Mutual Defense Treaty. While Tempting, till Hesperia had more information about the Nations, here in the South, He had been instructed to hold to a Mutual non-Aggression Agreement. There were Reports about Madagascar, causing Concern back north.

As the Admiral gave the Captian orders to proceed to the next stop in Durban, The Union of South Africa, and proceeded to go below, the Captain stopped him. I'm holding Captain's Mast this afternoon. The Admiral knew what was coming. "?What happened to Seamen Cladius? " " Sir I must report that Seaman Cladius, spend most of his Liberty in the Capelanders Guardhouse. He was reported as having made improper Advances to a Superior Officer." The Admiral was Shocked. " ?Our Seaman Cladius?!!" " Oh, the Capelanders have Women Officers in their Service." " Well Captain, That is a great relief. For a minute, I thought the World had Ended."


From Admiral Augustus, Hesperian Navy, Exploration Fleet .
To State President Rolf Kruger ,The Union of South Africa , Pretoria.

Sirs Whe request permission to visit Your nation, for the Purpose of opening Diplomatic Relations

[DuQuense]

TemporaryMap till Diamond updates

[swamphen]

In response to the India-Sri Lanka crisis, Mozambique is sending the following ships into the Indian Ocean.

BBN (Battleship, Nuclear-powered) General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck
~75,000 tons standard displacement
15" armour belt
8" armour deck

8 x 21" guns, four twin turrets
16 x 5" guns, eight twin turrets
12 x 25mm guns, single mounts
4 x 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS

Four Sea Wolf 16-cell SAM launchers
Sixteen Exocet anti-ship missiles
Sixteen Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles *

Two F-7E Sea Dart seaplane jet fighters, one catapult

(* - Unconfirmed reports are that two are armed with PROMETHEUS
warheads)

-----

CVN (Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear-powered) Oceano Índio
24 Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker
24 Dassault Rafale M
12 SEPECAT Jaguar M
12 Blackburn Buccaneer
4 Breguet Alize
Grumman E-2 Hawkeye
4 Westland Sea Lynx

8 x 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS
Four Sea Wolf 16-cell SAM launchers

-----

CVE (Aircraft Carrier, Escort) Emperor John I
6 Yakolev Yak-41 Freestyle
8 BAe Sea Harrier FRS.72
5 Westland Sea Lynx
3 Westland Sea King AEW
2 Kamov Ka-52 Alligator

3 x 25mm guns, single mounts
2 x 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS

32-cell Sea Wolf SAM launcher

-----

CBGN (Battlecruiser, Missile, Nuclear-powered) Maputo and Tanga
http://www.swamphen.net/graphics/aerospace/maputo2.gif
6" armour belt
3" armour deck

2 x 8" guns, twin mount forwards
4 x 4.5" guns, single mounts
4 x 57mm guns, single mounts
6 x 25mm guns, single mounts
2 x 30mm Goalkeeper CIWS

128-cell VLS; standard load 64 Nectarinia (Sunbird) AAM
(52 Mk 2, 14 Mk 3A, 2 Mk 3B), 12 Guarda-Rios (Kingfisher) ASWMs,
36 Tomahawk Anti-Ship, 8 Tomahawk Land-Attack, 16 (4x4) ESSM*.

32-cell Sea Wolf SAM launcher
4 Falcão (Falcon) ASAT tubes

Eight Exocet anti-ship missiles

4 x 24" tubes (2x2 trainable) for Anequim (Mako Shark) torpedoes
6 x 16" tubes (2x3 trainable) for Agarrador (Remora) torpedoes

4 ASW rocket launchers (4x18)
2 ASW mortars

6 Sea Harrier FRS.72
3 Sea Lynx

-----

Two DDG (Destroyer, Missile).

Your plain, common 'tin cans'. ;)

[swamphen]

22 October 2004
----------------

Beira Naval Base
1130 hours

So far, the morning had been like any other post-Event morning. The gulls cried, the waved lapped lazily against the seashore.

Suddenly, the alarm klaxons wailed...

As sailors ran for their ships, the loudspeakers crackled. "Code Red. Code Red. Repeat, Code Red..."

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

Karonga Spaceport
1530 hours

Major Ezekiel Sharon pulled his MiG-31S into a vertical climb. Five...four...three...two...one...NOW! He pushed the red button on the control stick, and the Thunderbolt satellite launcher streaked from its mounting on the plane's belly...

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

Karonga Spaceport
2240 hours

The space shuttle transport Enterprise glowed in the launch pad's high-intensity lighting. That morning, she had been four days from launch, carrying a cargo of GLS (Geosynchrous Locating System) navigation satellites, to replenish the constellation lost in 'The Event'. At noon, a call had come in, directly from the Emperor himself: Enterprise and her cargo were to launch within twelve hours - with a military crew.

"T minus 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...ignition...1...li ftoff!"

************************

[swamphen]

0037 hours
Somewhere in the western Indian Ocean

Rear-Admiral Michael Wyznowski stood on the bridge of his flagship, the battleship General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. In a few hours, they would be rendevousing with a naval force from the Empire of Madagascar, and together they would face down the Indians...

"Conn, Radio."

His thoughts were interuppted by the comm system. "This is the Admiral, go ahead Radio."

"Recall orders, sir. The Indys stood down. RED TWO is called off."

"Confirm that."

"Already did, sir."

"Thank you." He turned to the helmsman. "Well, the Indys don't want to play after all. Contact the Malagasy fleet and let them know the good news, then we'll return to port."

-----------

0045 hours
Somewhere in the African desert

Colonel Tina Yzerman and her squadron (No. 007 Squadron, "Licensed to Kill") had been on alert most of the day. As the only F-24 Fireball squadron in the RMAF, they were prepared to meet any Indian offensive.

The radio crackled. "Agents, we have a stand-down, repeat, stand-down. Secure from Code Red."

Well, she thought, looks like space-to-space combat will just have to wait.

************

[Cockroach]

With the lack of any significant activity in the New Hebrides the commonwealth's forces are going to be diverted in the direction of Africa...

The carrier HMAS Canberra, the missile destroyer HMAS Ballarat, the cruiser HMAS Melbourne and the frigates HMAS Hunter, Swan and Yarra were cruising at 15 knots in the direction of Africa to investigate reports of recent unusual happenings. Now the task force was with in range of the African coast in the region of Madagascar. Aboard HMAS Canberra four CAC-25 Thylacine fighters were being readied for recon missions over what ever nations existed there.
Pilot Officer Chris Bennet sat in the cockpit of one of the CAC-25s, he ran throught his check list... full ammo in both 20mm cannons? the four antiradar missile loaded correctly? the six short range AAMs loaded? the recon pod connected properly? Good now to launch...
The CAC-25 shot off the catapult into the air and turned towards the coast...

[swamphen]

(OOC: I'm assuming this takes place ~10 October)

"Scramble...scramble...scramble!"

Two F-20 Tigersharks, still in Siberian Air Force markings, and two Su-37 Flanker-Ls blasted off the runway at Beira. Radar had picked up an intruding aircraft, and they had been dispatched to intercept...

--

Lieutenant Colonel Lydia O'Connell eased her F-20 into formation on the right wing of the intruding aircraft, as the two Sukhois eased in behind it. It was of a strange design, but she recognised the Australian roundel.

She dialed the radio to 121.5 and keyed the mic. "Australian aircraft, you are in danger of violating Mozambican airspace. Turn to heading zero-eight-five and egress this area."

After a moment, the Aussie pilot wagged his wings, and turned to the egress heading.

He could at least have let me fire a warning shot,, Lydia mused, wondering if the pilot had noticed that the F-20s and Su-37s had different insignia...

-----------

Siberian AF F-20 Tigershark:
http://www.swamphen.net/graphics/aerospace/f-20_saf.jpg

[Cockroach]

Pilot Officer Chris Bennet followed the instructions he had recieved from the unidentified aircraft. He recognized the planes' designs and he was puzzeled: what the hell were aircraft of both american and russian designs doing being opperated by the same nation? Even more confusing how the hell had an african nation afforded the top of the line Sukhoi fighter?

Well he had been turned back once bu he wasn't going to go home empty handed. He put the aircraft into a dive... his next attempt would be at tree top height

Edit: Adding description of CAC-25 fighter:
CAC-25: This fighter aircraft was developed by the Commonwealth of Australia during the mid 1970s and entered service in the early 1980s.
The CAC-25 shows many similarities to the F-15 but has a large delta wing and foward canards. The CAC-25 has two 20mm cannons positioned in the wing roots with 150 rounds each. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 and a cruising speed of Mach 1.2. The CAC-25 has a range with a usual combat load of 1750 km.

[GBW]

Radio Transmission from Madagascar
Accompanied by numerous lock-on signals and the approach of many Malagasy aircraft and warships

"Australian vessels, you have violated the territorial waters of the sovereign Kingdom of Madagascar. You are to turn back immediately. We will not tolerate the intrusion of foreign militaries into our territory."

(A pause, then a different person speaks)

"This is Prime Minister Rakohaja Andrianantoandro of the Kingdom of Madagascar. I have noted the direction of your aircraft and can understand if you wish to investigate the arrival of the Empire of Mozambique into this world. However, the Kingdom of Madasgacar has been here ever since the initial Event took place on August 1. I would hope your nation had noted that. We, as any other sovereign country would, will not tolerate the unannounced arrival of foreign military forces into our territory. Your fleet is to turn back immediately or we will be forced to determine your intentions as hostile. Our country is willing to assist in opening diplomatic dialogue between Commonwealth of Australia and the Empire of Mozambique, but you are to recover your aircraft and turn back immediately."

[DuQuense]

Suez, Octobre 8th, 1200 hrs.

Joaquin Rabin. President of Libya, Held the large golden Scissors, and cut the red ribbon. At the exact time a explosion destroyed the Coffer Dam at the entrance of the Canal, thirty seconds later a 25 foot high, 50 foot wide, Wall of water was thundering down the concrete channel at 100 kph. That evening he would cut a second ribbon declaring the Suez Highway open. The Road engineers would move on to Building the Highways for the new Towns of Cairo & Alexandria. The construction workers would get back to work on the two main Canals.

October 11th Presidential meeting Room. Tripoli Libya.

The Afternoon Cabinet Meeting was in full session. The Intelligence Chief was giving his Briefing..

.... With the opening of the defense channel, whe now have some small Patrol Boats in the Red Sea. They have orders to stay close to the African shore, and not to get involved with the Crusader/Ottoman craziness. And with the Defense Fortifications in place, whe have started a phased draw down of our active duty troops. As agreed whe are transferring them to active Reserve. This frees up a pool of trained talent, while keeping our defenses high. Whe are still having troubles with our Occupation of the Algeria Republic.

Internationally the United Provinces of India is hosting a International Conference, They have proposed a "United Nations" to over see certain international functions.
Sweden has announced It's setting up Camps on the Estonian Islands in the Gulf of Riga. Supposedly to search for Baltic Oil. It is the Same Rock as the North Sea oil Fields, and Estonia has extensive Oil Shale. But They were talking with Iceland & the Empire of the North, About that attack on Scotland. Sweden and Russia were Rivals in lots of Mosaic time lines. This may be a opening of their expansion. They have raised their purchase of our Tankettes. Whe are keeping a eye on the situation.

As for Africa, Persia as Expected has claimed the Horn of Hormuz, and is moving Troops, & Settlers into the Oman area. Whe expected the Ottomans to claim the Yemen area. except they immediately went to war with the Crusaders. Whe at least waited versus the Moroccan's, till whe know what was around us. So whe think the Persians may step in to the Area. This may bring them into the War.

Hesperia has moved troops into the Empty lands of the Congo region. Once again this is announced as Constructing Hydro Power facilities. They did lose a lot of their infrastructure. including The great Hesperian Dam on the Mouth of the Congo River. Evidentully this Flooded 3/4 of the Congo Basin some million square Miles . They don't plan any thing as extensive here. But once again Whe don't expect them to leave the new areas either. They have also received the first 200 Falcon WarPlanes from Sweden. This gives them the most advanced piston warbirds in the World. A big step up from their Biplanes. They also just received several score of the Mexican Electric Planes, along with Several shiploads of transmitters, for their hydro Electric Facilities.

The Songhay Have requested permission to move some Troops and some Patrol Boats thru our Suez Territories, to protect their new Red Sea Coast.

Farther South the Hesperians have Concluded a Treaty with the Capelanders, mostly commercial and Diplomatic. But, it does contain a mutual non- aggression clause.

And there is the Sudden appearance of the Mozambique, This has put a slowdown on the race into the Empty lands. Mozambique appears to be 10-20 years in advanced of us in Technology. It appears that several of the Space Nations got a good look at the EVENT from Space, But if they learned anything, they are keeping Quiet about it.

As for The Pacific ....................................

[swamphen]

(ooc: sorry for the delay - power went out ~11:45 last night, just came back on 15 minutes ago (3:45pm).)

Colonel O'Connell pulled her F-20 into a steep dive. Although the Australian fighter had at first turned away, it had suddenly reversed course and dove for the deck, and a second (and last) warning had been ignored...

Remembering the Standing Orders for contact with unknown forces - "Shoot to cripple, not to kill" - she lined up the crosshairs on the intruding fighter's right wing. Back in the Siberian Fighter Training School, she'd been tagged "Annie Oakley", and her aim didn't fail now, as of the four rounds fired from the Tigershark's twin 20mm cannon, all four ripped into the intruder's right wing...

Pulling up along the crippled fighter, she pressed the microphone button. "Australian fighter, you have invaded Mozambican airspace. Lower your landing gear and follow me..."

-------
OOC

Insignia of the Royal Mozambican Aerospace Force:
http://www.swamphen.net/graphics/aerospace/rmaf.gif

The stranded Siberian aircraft have insignia as in the F-20 image above.

[DuQuense]

From Admiral Adda Augustus, Hesperian Navy, Exploration Fleet
to The Union of South Africa , Pretoria.

Whe are presently Three miles off shore awaiting The Escort.

Admiral Adda Augustus Reviewed the Rules and Regulations the Union had sent with their permission, He had the Rules announced over the intercom, and posted in every Mess Deck. and He would have them posted again at the Gangplanks. At least Seaman Cladius was still serving Captain's Mast, and would be confined to ship.

I would suggest that you tell you sailors to be on their best behavior. The jails of the USA are not a fun place to be. The jails are segregated (although a foreigner belonging to a diplomatic mission would be placed in a temporary, non-segregated prison). The laws of the USA are somewhat of a cross between our 1970s SA and Singapore. They are very strict. And the policemen are not pleasant people to be around. For your knowledge:

1. Heavy fines and community service are levied on people who litter or discard items in public areas.
2. Vandalism and graffiti are punishable by mandatory caning.
3. Pornography is not allowed.
4. Certain political material is not allowed.
5. Material which may disturb religious and racial harmony is not allowed.
6. IMPORTANT: Anyone caught with more than or equal to 13-14 g (0.5 ounces) of heroin, 28 g (1 ounce) of morphine or 480 g (17 ounces) of cannabis faces mandatory capital punishment.
7. Sex deemed by the Government to be "against the order of nature", including oral and interracial sex and homosexual penetration, is illegal.


[[BTW, just so you don't get the wrong image: These are the OTL laws of SA mixed with the current laws of Singapore. I didn't make these up just to be sick.]]

[Cockroach]

____________________________
(ooc: sorry for the delay - power went out ~11:45 last night, just came back on 15 minutes ago (3:45pm).)
Hardly mattered didn't check the forum until 11:00 Australian Eastern Standard time
____________________________


Pilot Officer Chris Bennet relised that these aircraft were being serious; warning shots had been fired, his aircraft was damaged and he had been ordered to lower his landing gear and follow the unidentified aircraft...
Well, he thought, I will comply but I will just show I have a little fight left in me first. He poped his airbreaks and rapidly fell behind his escort; at the same moment his two 20mm M61B2 (a varient of the M61 cannon with fewer barrels and lower rate of fire but taking up less space) whirred into life. He shot bloody inaccuratly, understandable given the damage the CAC-25 had incured, of the 300 rounds (i.e. both cannons are emptied) less than 10 hit but still Tigershark was going down in flames...

[DuQuense]

Octobre 25 Imperial Offices, Roma

Daria Onnassis was not a happy man, as owner of one of the largest Merchant Marine companies in the world, He was used to the employment of power, but the Room he had just entered was a whole other order of power. Four months ago it had been the office of the most powerful man in the World. Now it may be the Office of the Single most powerful man in the World..

"Come in and sit down." Julius Anthony Augustus: Caesar of Rome, may be the most powerful man in the Empire, But for a thousand years before the First Hesperian Caesar, It had been SPQR. The People and Senate of Rome. And For 1200 years, Caesar Had not forgotten. They Ruled, not just Reigned, due to immense Family Self Discipline. The only ones , in this New World that came close seemed to be the 950 year Rule of the Plantagenets in Scandia. The Caesars were People, and they acted like it. Non of the silly "no sitting in the kings presence' here. Of Course that didn't count the Squad of Guardsmen standing at the back of the Room.

Augustus handed Onnassis a Report, and asked him to read it. When Daria was finished he asked "?And what can I do for You Sire?" "Whe are Romans." Onnassis sit up a little Straighter. "There are those in this new World who accuse us of being Imperialists." "This is Ridiculous. Accusing a Empire of having Imperial Ambitions is like -Accusing Water of being Wet,- or- Ice of being Cold. But even so there are political realities. There are things a Private Company or more, can do that a Government, however powerful can not do. " "? Do You understand, Mr Merchant House?" "Take the Report with you, Maybe you know some others who would be interested in reading it."

Daria Onnassis was a very happy man, as owner of one of the largest Merchant Marine companies in the world, He was Rich and powerful, With Lots of Big Expensive toys. And He had just been given the Keys to a Even bigger Toy Box.

[DuQuense]

Octobre 25th Tripoli New Algeria Republic, [Libyan Protectorate]

Admiral Aquila Looked at the Message he had Just Received, Orders to proceed to the Crimea at all possible Speed, there to place his Fleet at the disposal of the Anti Reichskomissariat Kauskaus Alliance. He was to Be especially polite to the Romanians as He passed thru the Constantinople Straights. Turning He started giving Orders to start getting under way.

[swamphen]

Pilot Officer Chris Bennet relised that these aircraft were being serious; warning shots had been fired, his aircraft was damaged and he had been ordered to lower his landing gear and follow the unidentified aircraft...
Well, he thought, I will comply but I will just show I have a little fight left in me first. He poped his airbreaks and rapidly fell behind his escort; at the same moment his two 20mm M61B2 (a varient of the M61 cannon with fewer barrels and lower rate of fire but taking up less space) whirred into life. He shot bloody inaccuratly, understandable given the damage the CAC-25 had incured, of the 300 rounds (i.e. both cannons are emptied) less than 10 hit but still Tigershark was going down in flames...

Feeling that her aircraft had been hit and was becoming uncontrollable, Colonel O'Connell pulled the rings on her ejection seat.

Floating down under her parachute, she watched the Sukhois close in for the kill. You just shot down the heir to the Mozambican throne, you idjit - now you're gonna pay.

----

The pilot of the lead Su-37 (Murphy's Revenge) lined up the Australian aircraft in his sights. The Mamba air-to-air missile growled in his helmet, and he squeezed the trigger. The missile streaked forwards, and exploded upon contact with the enemy's jetpipe...

[Cockroach]

Feeling that her aircraft had been hit and was becoming uncontrollable, Colonel O'Connell pulled the rings on her ejection seat.

Floating down under her parachute, she watched the Sukhois close in for the kill. You just shot down the heir to the Mozambican throne, you idjit - now you're gonna pay.

----

The pilot of the lead Su-37 (Murphy's Revenge) lined up the Australian aircraft in his sights. The Mamba air-to-air missile growled in his helmet, and he squeezed the trigger. The missile streaked forwards, and exploded upon contact with the enemy's jetpipe...
Missile warnings were blazing in Pilot Officer Chris Bennet's ears. Given the damage to his aircraft he had one choice -eject.
He was blown clear of the aircraft moments before it was torn to pieces by the air to air missile...

[swamphen]

...A half-hour later, both pilots were fished out of the water by the destroyer HHS Chimoio. It is said that their discussion shortly afterwards was...interesting, to say the least...

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

To: The Dominion of Australia
Fm: The Empire of Mozambique

We are pleased to report that your pilot is safe and sound, with the exception of a black eye and broken nose suffered following his recovery.

We note that there are other means of establishing diplomatic relations then intruding on someone's airspace, and we reccomend that you use these other methods in the future, other countries may not be as forgiving as we. Particulary seeing as the pilot you shot down is the heir to my throne.

If you could send a small, unarmed boat to the port of Quelimane, you can pick up your pilot, and we can engage in a more...conventional...diplomatic encounter.

Patrick II
Emperor of Mozambique

[Cockroach]

To: The Empire of Mozambique
From: Commonwealth of Australia

Sorry about the incident, but we had a naval task force in the area and in order to maintian its safety we needed to run some recon missions of the surrounding Ocean and coastline. In the future we will issue orders for any such sorties to return to base in case of interception.

A diplomatic mission will be landed shortly.

Sir Thomas Hall

[swamphen]

To: The Commonwealth of Australia
Fm: The Empire of Mozambique

My apologies for previously addressing your nation as 'The Dominion of Australia'. That is obiously 'Brisbane State', with which we already have a treaty - I find it difficult at times keeping all the different Australias straight.

We await your delegations' arrival.

Patrick II
Emperor of Mozambique

[Cockroach]

To: The Empire of Mozambique
From: Commonwealth of Australia
Captain John Thompson the commander of one of the ships on station will lead the delegation. Due to the lack of unarmed Australian shipping near your territory would it be acceptable to use the frigate HMAS Swan to deliver the delegation?

Sir Thomas Hall

[swamphen]

That would be acceptable. The battleship General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck will escort your ship in.

OOC: since this has strayed into diplomatic-thread territory ;) shall we commence negiotiations via PM?

[DuQuense]

In the End it had been surprisingly easy, Daria Onnassis had shown the Report to a few other influential Men and Women, Including some of the new Mexicans. The Finances had slipped into Place. A few greased palms, and the Papers had been approved. The previous owners had been surprised by the identity, of the new owners. The Money had taken care of any Questions. , If the new Owners thought the had gotten it cheap, The Salvers had gotten all they asked for, And 'Seller Beware ' was a Very old Roman Saying. The Workers, had been ecstatic till they learned the color of the new owners made no difference to the amount of Work expected. The Property needed some investment, to bring it up to proper Standards, but the new owners had the Capital, and the property could help pay while the upgrades were going on. Best of all there were lots of Properties just like it around the Country.

New Bordeo, Georgian Congo

The United Mining Consortium would like to announce that it is open For Business. Whe have lots of Copper, Zinc, Tin, and Anthony. available at reasonable rates, Delivered to your Port of Choice. Please Contact our Mangers for Prices and Avalibility.

Daria Onnassis, President UMC inc.

[ConfederateFly]

Georgian Congo has Tropical wood, rubber(from when the Southwestern Confederate Republic was here) and exotic fruits and vegatables as exports for our nation. We would like to buy some military vessels such as Inteligance vessels for our navy

[Imajin]

The United States of America does not currently have the manpower or money to maintain the three warships sent along, let alone the smaller ships. In exchange for a treaty of permanent peace between Georgian Congo and the United States of America, which currently occupies many islands in the South Pacifica, we would be willing to sell the small ships USS Buffalo and USS America's Spirit, two small swift craft, which we believe would work well as intelligence craft.

[swamphen]

(ooc: first bits continued from the Spacefaring Nations thread...)

To: The Boss
Fm: (censored)
Re: Quickfire

Sir,

All projects are being speeded up per Quickfire protocols. I do have a question, what sort of budget is there for this activation?

McLanathan

---

To: (censored)
Fm: The Boss
Re: Quickfire

Colonel,

The pursestrings are open.

The Boss

---

To: The Boss
Fm: (censored)
Re: Quickfire

Sir,

Here is the timeline of the various projects, revised to reflect the new situation:

DELTA - 1 November
TUGBOAT - 1 February 2005
HAWKEYE - 1 February 2005
ENDEAVOUR - 1 April 2005
PULSAR - 2 years
KINGFISH - 2.5 years
FIREFOX - 5 years

McLanathan

************************************************** *****

Beira Harbour

The squadron was getting steam up. Lettow, Maputo, Tanga, Kigoma, Save, Chimoio...

Where they were headed was unknown. Nor was how long. But scuttlebutt was, there'd be some shooting before they got back.

[Cockroach]

To: The Empire of Mozambique
From: Commonwealth of Australia
Captain John Thompson the commander of one of the ships on station will lead the delegation. Due to the lack of unarmed Australian shipping near your territory would it be acceptable to use the frigate HMAS Swan to deliver the delegation?

Sir Thomas Hall

Captain John Thompson had once again resumed command of HMAS Melbourne.
He had recently led the diplomatic mission to formally establish contact with The Empire of Mozambique and to recover a pilot who had taken his mission a little too seriously; standing orders had been that if a recon intercepted the pilot obey instructions from the interceptor unless they were a direct risk to the aircraft, while pilots had been encouraged to try to reenter such areas one the intercepting aircraft had departed this fool had decided to go back in full bore right in front of the intercepting aircraft. John had been expecting to see the pilot courtmarsheled once he was returned to the task force- instead the pilot, Pilot Officer Chris Bennet, was going transfered to a ground pounder (i.e. attack/bomber) unit flying CAC-22s against the Reich -just as soon as soon as the carrier got in range to launch a plane with him aboard.
The Captain's thoughts turned back to the nation they had visited; a damn decent nation for one that occupied what had in his previous experiances been one of the most backwards part of the world.

[Cockroach]

The task force had made brilliant progress, the carrier, cruiser, destroyer and three frigates were now cruising in the Atlantic off the coast of what had been South Africa. Fuel was starting to run low now but the squadron was mere hours away from their planned destination, Hesperia.
Captain John Thompson stood on the bridge of HMAS Melbourne. Some news had arrived recently arrived reguarding opperations against the 'Reich', a complete victory from what the Captain had heard, so the task force instead would divert onto the standard round of diplomatic duties...