04-30-2025, 09:02 AM
Chenalco Islands (Aoatea)
April 29th
Captain Rua Henare of the People's Navy smiled slightly to himself. His ship, the Taniwha, was the flagship and most powerful warship in the fleet. The destroyer had been given to Milintica by Wosteaque before Neina Arana had come to power. That nation had since dropped its support for the PDRM, but the Milinticans still had the ship. The two corvettes escorting the Taniwha (also donated), along with the destroyer, constituted the core of the Navy. Like the President, Henare felt that the three modern and capable warships would send a significant message to the Xiomeran interlopers in what were rightfully Milintican waters and land.
The planes escorting his task force were also part of that message. The ten Black Kite fighters (also donated) were as advanced as any Xiomeran warplane. If the minions of the evil Empire wanted to play, Henare thought, he was ready for the challenge.
As the task force neared Aoatea, their approach would not go unnoticed.
---
At the Pahatlan Joint Base, Operations Specialist Erennite was responsible for manning the powerful array of radars and satellite feeds that kept watch around the Imperial colony. He wasn't typically super observant. The Chenalco Islands were a small colony, halfway to nowhere as far as Erennite was concerned. Nothing ever happened there, typically.
Typical, however, had gone right out the window since Neina Arana had been elected. Because of that, the boring life and duty routine of Erennite and his fellow Imperials was about to get a lot more interesting. When the surveillance network picked up the approach of the Milinticans and began to send warnings, Erennite hastily shoved his phone back into his pocket. The mobile game he had been playing would have to wait. The Specialist slammed a button on his control panel. As alarms began to sound, the commander on duty sauntered into the C&C center. "What the hell, Erennite?" Commander Ayanaxi demanded. Wordlessly, Erennite pointed to his screens. Ayanaxi's eyes widened. She reached for the nearby microphone. "Incoming forces! This is not a drill! Sound battle stations and man your positions!"
While the garrison manning the Xiomeran colony had gotten used to a lackadasical indolence, they were still trained Imperial soldiers, sailors and airmen. When the alarms sounded and their commander issued her orders, the Xiomerans snapped into action. The rhythms of war, drilled into them with relentless training, came back easily enough. Xiomeran Itlanan warplanes began to scramble, rising from the Pahatlan airfield to meet the Milintican fighters. Imperial soldiers took up position at the islands' shore defenses. At the Pahatlan naval base, several Xiomeran warships prepared to sortie to meet the incoming Milintican task force. Led by the Teoxinoch, a Quiauhticue-class destroyer, the small Xiomeran fleet was soon on the move out of port.
As the two groups of ships and planes approached each other, Erennite began broadcasting towards the Milinticans. "Incoming Milintican vessels and warplanes. You are trespassing in Xiomeran Imperial airspace and waters. Withdraw at once or we will destroy you."
Onboard the Taniwha, Henare growled to himself in response. Arrogant Xiomeran bastards. "Maintain course. Do not break radio silence," he ordered.
Back at Pahatlan, Erennite shook his head wordlessly at Ayanaxi. The commander picked up the microphone again. "All fighters, engage weapons lock. All warships, lock systems onto the intruders and prepare to fire if they continue to approach."
The Xiomerans did as instructed. Onboard the Milintican fighters and warships, warnings began to blare as the Xiomerans acquired target locks on them. Henare growled again. "Return the favor. Lock weapons on those Imperial fascists."
Warnings were now blaring aboard the Xiomeran warplanes and ships as well, as the Milintican weapons spun up and acquired targets. Are these crazy idiots about to start a war? Ayanaxi thought. She grabbed the headset Erennite was wearing off his head, muttering a brief apology as it whacked him in the head. Putting it on, she began to speak in a voice she hoped was scary enough. "Milintican intruders. This is Commander Ayanaxi of the Imperial garrison of the Chenalco Islands. This is your last chance to withdraw before we end your annoying existence on this planet. Terminate your weapons locks and cease your approach. I will not issue another warning."
Back on his ship, Henare snickered. Why do the Xiomerans always feel like they have to imitate bad actors portraying villains in a B-movie? Luckily for Ayanaxi and the Xiomerans, his orders were not to actually start a war.
Today, anyway.
"Commander Ayanaxi. We will stop our approach and withdraw - for now. But let this serve as notice, both to your garrison and to your leaders back home. The People's Democratic Republic will not cower to you anymore. We have a leader now who isn't afraid of you. It is time for you and all of your fascist bootlickers to go back home. Aoatea is ours. And we will reclaim it, one way or another." Henare cut off the transmission before Ayanaxi could respond, and switched to his inter-fleet channel. He gave the order.
The Milintican task force, both on water and in the air, began to turn around in a slow and deliberate manner. Taunting.
As the Milinticans began to withdraw, Ayanaxi was not amused. And as she ordered Erennite to open a channel to Central Command in Tlālacuetztla, she suspected her superiors would not be either.
---
Palace of Flowers
One hour later
Empress Calhualyana had absorbed the intelligence briefing on what was already being called the "Chenalco Incident" by the Xiomeran press in silence. After it was done, she folded her hands and looked around the room. "Opinions?"
"We need to send an unmistakable message to the Milinticans and the world. This kind of direct challenge to Imperial might by such an impudent and weak nation simply cannot be tolerated." Justice Minister Cuicanan tapped his fist lightly against the table. "A bombing run on Karauna should do it."
At the mention of Milintica's aging and insecure nuclear plant, Minister of State Toquauhtli snorted in alarm. "While I agree that the Milinticans need to be put in their place, blowing up their nuclear facility and irradiating half of Milintica is a suggestion that proves that you should stick to domestic crime and leave international matters to soldiers and statesmen."
The Empress looked at Cuicanan soberly. "I would agree, and remind you that I came to power by overthrowing someone who wanted to cause a nuclear catastrophe. As such, you can probably see why I am not eager to embrace your suggestion." Cuicanan reddened and did his best to shrink down to avoid Calhualyana's gaze, no small feat for a burly man.
"Perhaps a bombing run isn't a bad idea, but against a more sane target. We could always take out the Milinticans' pint-size fleet or their cute little air force," Defense Minister Chuanacoyo smirked.
"That might be a prudent suggestion. It would certainly eliminate the Milinticans' ability to pose a threat to Chenalco moving forward, even as minimal as their threat is," Security Minister Tochuitli noted.
"Perhaps we shouldn't be so hasty." Prime Minister Toquihu twirled a pen in his fingers meditatively. "After all, when your enemy wants to hang themselves, why not supply them the rope? I say, if Arana is serious...or even if she isn't...let her play her game. She's obviously trying to distract her population from the election scandal. But if she continues to give us an excuse to act, eventually, we could just make the rest of Milintica one of our colonies. Who would defend her, after all?"
"That could be overreach," Tochuitli protested. "Our military is already stretched a bit thin, in Taragai and, well, everywhere else."
Chuanacoyo bristled at that. "The Imperial Armed Forces can handle any challenge. And Milintica, even with our current commitments, isn't much of a challenge."
The Empress raised a hand. "I do want to be mindful that we don't overcommit ourselves. But an opportunity shouldn't be missed either. If it comes down to it, Ebegei and Taragai are expendable if it means we gain Milintica in exchange and strengthen our hand in Caxcana. I want the Expeditionary Fleet and its Imperial Marines pre-positioned in Chenalco. If Arana gives us another excuse, we'll give her a war whether she actually wants one or not."
---
Miyaoatzal International Airport, Ixtenco, Huenya
April 30th
Mahuihuani and Chimalma smiled at the Federation Immigration and Customs Service agent as he handed them back their passports. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome to Huenya. I hope you enjoy your visit."
"Oh, we will," Chimalma said as she gave the agent a dazzling smile. "We've been looking forward to seeing where our ancestors came from ever since Huenya gained its independence. This wasn't possible for us during Xiomeran rule."
The FICS agent nodded sympathetically. "Many things are possible now that Huenya is free. Have a good trip."
The two of them thanked the agent and entered the international terminal. After a quick stop to gather their luggage, they were ready to leave the airport. The two of them, despite what their passports said, were not visitors from Lauchenoiria. And despite their well-rehearsed cover story, the two of them were not the children of Huenyans who had been in exile in Lauchenoiria to escape the Xiomeran regime during its occupation of Huenya.
The two of them were actually members of the Red Wave Guards. And their visit to Huenya was more of a business trip, although it would also be a pleasure if they succeeded in their goal - eliminating the traitor Mikaere Tahana.
April 29th
Captain Rua Henare of the People's Navy smiled slightly to himself. His ship, the Taniwha, was the flagship and most powerful warship in the fleet. The destroyer had been given to Milintica by Wosteaque before Neina Arana had come to power. That nation had since dropped its support for the PDRM, but the Milinticans still had the ship. The two corvettes escorting the Taniwha (also donated), along with the destroyer, constituted the core of the Navy. Like the President, Henare felt that the three modern and capable warships would send a significant message to the Xiomeran interlopers in what were rightfully Milintican waters and land.
The planes escorting his task force were also part of that message. The ten Black Kite fighters (also donated) were as advanced as any Xiomeran warplane. If the minions of the evil Empire wanted to play, Henare thought, he was ready for the challenge.
As the task force neared Aoatea, their approach would not go unnoticed.
---
At the Pahatlan Joint Base, Operations Specialist Erennite was responsible for manning the powerful array of radars and satellite feeds that kept watch around the Imperial colony. He wasn't typically super observant. The Chenalco Islands were a small colony, halfway to nowhere as far as Erennite was concerned. Nothing ever happened there, typically.
Typical, however, had gone right out the window since Neina Arana had been elected. Because of that, the boring life and duty routine of Erennite and his fellow Imperials was about to get a lot more interesting. When the surveillance network picked up the approach of the Milinticans and began to send warnings, Erennite hastily shoved his phone back into his pocket. The mobile game he had been playing would have to wait. The Specialist slammed a button on his control panel. As alarms began to sound, the commander on duty sauntered into the C&C center. "What the hell, Erennite?" Commander Ayanaxi demanded. Wordlessly, Erennite pointed to his screens. Ayanaxi's eyes widened. She reached for the nearby microphone. "Incoming forces! This is not a drill! Sound battle stations and man your positions!"
While the garrison manning the Xiomeran colony had gotten used to a lackadasical indolence, they were still trained Imperial soldiers, sailors and airmen. When the alarms sounded and their commander issued her orders, the Xiomerans snapped into action. The rhythms of war, drilled into them with relentless training, came back easily enough. Xiomeran Itlanan warplanes began to scramble, rising from the Pahatlan airfield to meet the Milintican fighters. Imperial soldiers took up position at the islands' shore defenses. At the Pahatlan naval base, several Xiomeran warships prepared to sortie to meet the incoming Milintican task force. Led by the Teoxinoch, a Quiauhticue-class destroyer, the small Xiomeran fleet was soon on the move out of port.
As the two groups of ships and planes approached each other, Erennite began broadcasting towards the Milinticans. "Incoming Milintican vessels and warplanes. You are trespassing in Xiomeran Imperial airspace and waters. Withdraw at once or we will destroy you."
Onboard the Taniwha, Henare growled to himself in response. Arrogant Xiomeran bastards. "Maintain course. Do not break radio silence," he ordered.
Back at Pahatlan, Erennite shook his head wordlessly at Ayanaxi. The commander picked up the microphone again. "All fighters, engage weapons lock. All warships, lock systems onto the intruders and prepare to fire if they continue to approach."
The Xiomerans did as instructed. Onboard the Milintican fighters and warships, warnings began to blare as the Xiomerans acquired target locks on them. Henare growled again. "Return the favor. Lock weapons on those Imperial fascists."
Warnings were now blaring aboard the Xiomeran warplanes and ships as well, as the Milintican weapons spun up and acquired targets. Are these crazy idiots about to start a war? Ayanaxi thought. She grabbed the headset Erennite was wearing off his head, muttering a brief apology as it whacked him in the head. Putting it on, she began to speak in a voice she hoped was scary enough. "Milintican intruders. This is Commander Ayanaxi of the Imperial garrison of the Chenalco Islands. This is your last chance to withdraw before we end your annoying existence on this planet. Terminate your weapons locks and cease your approach. I will not issue another warning."
Back on his ship, Henare snickered. Why do the Xiomerans always feel like they have to imitate bad actors portraying villains in a B-movie? Luckily for Ayanaxi and the Xiomerans, his orders were not to actually start a war.
Today, anyway.
"Commander Ayanaxi. We will stop our approach and withdraw - for now. But let this serve as notice, both to your garrison and to your leaders back home. The People's Democratic Republic will not cower to you anymore. We have a leader now who isn't afraid of you. It is time for you and all of your fascist bootlickers to go back home. Aoatea is ours. And we will reclaim it, one way or another." Henare cut off the transmission before Ayanaxi could respond, and switched to his inter-fleet channel. He gave the order.
The Milintican task force, both on water and in the air, began to turn around in a slow and deliberate manner. Taunting.
As the Milinticans began to withdraw, Ayanaxi was not amused. And as she ordered Erennite to open a channel to Central Command in Tlālacuetztla, she suspected her superiors would not be either.
---
Palace of Flowers
One hour later
Empress Calhualyana had absorbed the intelligence briefing on what was already being called the "Chenalco Incident" by the Xiomeran press in silence. After it was done, she folded her hands and looked around the room. "Opinions?"
"We need to send an unmistakable message to the Milinticans and the world. This kind of direct challenge to Imperial might by such an impudent and weak nation simply cannot be tolerated." Justice Minister Cuicanan tapped his fist lightly against the table. "A bombing run on Karauna should do it."
At the mention of Milintica's aging and insecure nuclear plant, Minister of State Toquauhtli snorted in alarm. "While I agree that the Milinticans need to be put in their place, blowing up their nuclear facility and irradiating half of Milintica is a suggestion that proves that you should stick to domestic crime and leave international matters to soldiers and statesmen."
The Empress looked at Cuicanan soberly. "I would agree, and remind you that I came to power by overthrowing someone who wanted to cause a nuclear catastrophe. As such, you can probably see why I am not eager to embrace your suggestion." Cuicanan reddened and did his best to shrink down to avoid Calhualyana's gaze, no small feat for a burly man.
"Perhaps a bombing run isn't a bad idea, but against a more sane target. We could always take out the Milinticans' pint-size fleet or their cute little air force," Defense Minister Chuanacoyo smirked.
"That might be a prudent suggestion. It would certainly eliminate the Milinticans' ability to pose a threat to Chenalco moving forward, even as minimal as their threat is," Security Minister Tochuitli noted.
"Perhaps we shouldn't be so hasty." Prime Minister Toquihu twirled a pen in his fingers meditatively. "After all, when your enemy wants to hang themselves, why not supply them the rope? I say, if Arana is serious...or even if she isn't...let her play her game. She's obviously trying to distract her population from the election scandal. But if she continues to give us an excuse to act, eventually, we could just make the rest of Milintica one of our colonies. Who would defend her, after all?"
"That could be overreach," Tochuitli protested. "Our military is already stretched a bit thin, in Taragai and, well, everywhere else."
Chuanacoyo bristled at that. "The Imperial Armed Forces can handle any challenge. And Milintica, even with our current commitments, isn't much of a challenge."
The Empress raised a hand. "I do want to be mindful that we don't overcommit ourselves. But an opportunity shouldn't be missed either. If it comes down to it, Ebegei and Taragai are expendable if it means we gain Milintica in exchange and strengthen our hand in Caxcana. I want the Expeditionary Fleet and its Imperial Marines pre-positioned in Chenalco. If Arana gives us another excuse, we'll give her a war whether she actually wants one or not."
---
Miyaoatzal International Airport, Ixtenco, Huenya
April 30th
Mahuihuani and Chimalma smiled at the Federation Immigration and Customs Service agent as he handed them back their passports. "Everything appears to be in order. Welcome to Huenya. I hope you enjoy your visit."
"Oh, we will," Chimalma said as she gave the agent a dazzling smile. "We've been looking forward to seeing where our ancestors came from ever since Huenya gained its independence. This wasn't possible for us during Xiomeran rule."
The FICS agent nodded sympathetically. "Many things are possible now that Huenya is free. Have a good trip."
The two of them thanked the agent and entered the international terminal. After a quick stop to gather their luggage, they were ready to leave the airport. The two of them, despite what their passports said, were not visitors from Lauchenoiria. And despite their well-rehearsed cover story, the two of them were not the children of Huenyans who had been in exile in Lauchenoiria to escape the Xiomeran regime during its occupation of Huenya.
The two of them were actually members of the Red Wave Guards. And their visit to Huenya was more of a business trip, although it would also be a pleasure if they succeeded in their goal - eliminating the traitor Mikaere Tahana.
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