[Jagera]

Minister Heikier nods at Secretary Carter's words.

"Agreed, Secretary. I shall set some of my staff on this personally."

Without a further word, she turns and hurries out of the room.

[Ferveo]

The hubbub quickly developing in the room is hushed some ten minutes later as Saxon walks slowly with an air of command back into the room, her stilettos clicking on the floor. She draws herself up to her full height and addresses the entire room.

"Friends, delegates, I'm sorry to report that Foreign Secretary Timothy Bishop has died. It appears that the cause of death was not a heart attack, but ingestion of Compound #176, or vasoactive benzene hydroxide. This highly toxic substance was discovered by chance by our scientists three years ago. Its existence was not released to the public, as its symptoms are very similar to those of heart attack and stroke.

"I'm sad to say that foul play is certain. Compound #176 is extremely hard to come by, and is only created as a byproduct of a chemical reaction used during the research of the AREV." To a completely silent audience, she continues: "I'm not going to mince words. One of our own poisoned Mr Bishop. Evidently this is why he has been feeling so ill. Compound #176 takes about 24 hours to kill, plenty of time for someone to have poisoned him by the end of yesterday's talks.

"With Mr Bishop's death I will be taking command of the delegation. We will inform the President immediately. We will communicate the problem in no uncertain terms. We cannot risk Bishop's death becoming a diplomatic crisis. Our governments are already on poor relations as it is."

She looks around. "I will take it upon myself to talk some sense into the President. I am so very sorry for all that is happened here, but we should forget our differences and concentrate on putting the object where he can make a decision. The Nimbus is leaving with the module shortly.

"Mr Bishop's death is a tragedy," she continues, struggling to keep her voice even. "But we cannot let the events of this conference spiral any further near war. We need to find who killed Bishop, bring him or her to justice, and resolve this situation with immediate effect. I am very concerned over President Seismos' actions. Since the Object came down he has been highly aggressive, spending many hours locked away from the world.

"I have very grave worries, ladies and gentlemen. Now, what say you?"

OOC: I just made up "vasoactive benzene hydroxide". It sounds quite nice, I think, suitably poisonous.

[Federalist]

Stark stands to address the conference room.

"We all mourn Secretary Bishop's death, he was a good man despite the problems facing us and I will have the Commonwealth Investigation Bureau look into the circumstances of his death. In the meantime Ms. Saxon my government is against moving the module from its current location until this matter is resolved. Admiral Jackson is under orders not to let the data module leave that island until I say so and that will only happen when this crisis is resolved. With the help and support of the Jageran diplomatic corp we have drawn up a petition condemning President Seismos actions and ordering him to reopen the Ferveo borders to trade and diplomatic personnel from Pagemaster and Jagera. If he chooses to ignore this we will be forced to issue orders for a quarentine of all trade to Ferveo until such time as Ferveo reopens its borders and diplomatic channels or President Seismos is removed from power. As President Seismos is ignoring communications from our nations your delegation Ms. Saxon is now responsible for the communication of this peition and bring your government's response before this conference."

Stark motions a nearby aide who hands a copy of the petition to Deputy Secretary Saxon.

"Your government has six hours to respond Ms. Saxon, if we have not recieved a reasonable and clear response by then we will have no choice but to allow the quarentine orders to go into effect."

Stark looks down at the table and then looks at each member of the Pagemaster and Jageran delegations before turning back Deputy Secretary Saxon:

"The fate of all of our nations now rests with you Ms. Saxon, please work to stop this."

OOC: I like the whole chemical compund thing Ferveo, very imperssive work.

[Ferveo]

Saxon bows her head. "Thank you, Ms Stark. I will relay halt orders to the Nimbus immediately, and I believe my transport is waiting. As soon as we receive word from the President, we'll let you know." With a steely glare, she adds: "I don't want this embargo any more than you do. But if it's the only thing that will make the President see sense, then perhaps that is what will have to happen. One thing's for sure -- if this boils over, the press will have a field day..." She exits the room, followed by her bodyguards and scientific personnel.

[Jagera]

Guardian Mikael stands as the Fervean delegation leaves the room.

"Ms Stark, I now move to adjourn. We seem to have reached the limits of what can be done until the current situation in Ferveo is resolved. Before we do, I would just like to put on record that Jagera will only support movement of the module so long as at least six Jageran f302 fighters can escort the Nimbus, with orders to intervene if any similar hijacking event takes place. Until later."

With that, the entire Jageran delegation stands and slowly makes their way out of the room. Minister Heikier can be seen among the crowd frantically trying to catch the attention of Ms Saxon.

[Ferveo]

"Minister Heikier!" says Saxon briskly. "Whatever it is you want, please make it quick. Six hours is a very short time in politics."

[Jagera]

"Ms Saxon, you need know something," replies Heikier, without bothering to use a translator. "Our Specialv?pen, they catch message from President Seismos to some unknowns on island where module is. They to us forwarded, and now I to you give it. We don't know what contents are; gesture of good faith. Perhaps you want review, maybe give hint of what happening with President."

She hands a small compact disc to Ms Saxon before hurrying after the rest of the Jagerans.

[Ferveo]

Saxon looks down at the disc with foreboding in her eyes. She walks on quickly.

Half an hour later. Saxon's air transport, off the coast of Pagemaster.

Saxon examines the disc, then takes it out of its case and slides it into her laptop. A video transmission pops up, showing President Seismos in a dark room she recognises as his office.

"Friends, Brothers," he says quickly, the camera shaking. He appears to be recording himself. "The time has come. I, as His -" - the word "his" is said with a certain reverence - "- successor, hereby initiate Operation Starfall. Send the signal immediately. No doubt my underlings will react, but I cannot afford to reveal myself.

"We need to dispose of anyone who could be a threat. First off, Foreign Secretary Timothy Bishop. I've sent you an attachment-" (Saxon sees a text file entitled "StarfallOne.txt") "-detailing how you should go about getting rid of him. The formula we talked about is enclosed."

"No..." whispers Saxon. The man she had had so much faith in ordered the murder of Foreign Secretary Timothy Bishop? It doesn't make sense, she says to herself.

"Now, as for that bitch Saxon -" (Saxon gasps) "-let's just say that she should be keeping an eye on that transport she's so fond of!" Saxon looks up to the sound of mirthless laughter.

He's rigged the transport...

She quickly ejects the disc, puts it in its case, and slides in into an inside pocket. She runs to the cockpit and batters on the door.

"For God's sake open up!" The door unlocks and she sees the pilot looking at her with irritation.
"What is it, Ms Saxon?"
"I think this transport is rigged with a bomb of some sort," she said levelly. "Send a Mayday signal. You-" she gestures to the co-pilot "-search the aircraft. If you find anything suspicious, for God's sake don't cut any wires. Get back here as fast as you can."
"Ma'am, with all due respect, that's-"

"DON'T ARGUE WITH ME, SOLDIER!" she bellows. Both personnel nod dumbly. Saxon seizes her laptop and hurriedly types a message to Minister Heikier.

As she finishes, she hears the co-pilot's voice come over the PA system. "Ms Saxon, I've found it." She blanches.
"D-does it have a timer?"
There is a pause. "Yes. One minute, forty-three seconds."
"Pick it up, for goodness' sake, and ditch it!"
"I can't! It's nailed in!"

"Get the hell back up here!" she roars down the line.
"Yes, ma'am." The communications link shuts down.
She turns to the pilot. "We only have one option."
"You can't mean..."
"Yes. Get the parachutes, now.

Sixty seconds later, all three are standing by the cabin door wearing large backpacks.
"Gentlemen, it's been an honour," she says with a hint of her trademark dark wit that had ascended her so quickly through the ranks.
"The same, ma'am," replies the pilot.
The co-pilot checks his watch. "Twenty seconds."
The pilot, looks at Saxon. "No time to talk. On three!"

[Federalist]

Three Hours later
Nike Naval Hospital, Pagemaster City, Commonwealth of Pagemaster

Secretary of State Jack Carter walked through the hospital corridors, the same worry on his face that had been there for the last two days. He reaches a set of rooms under heavy guard from a detachment of Night Whistlers, he shows his id card and confirms his fingerprint and voice id before entering one of the rooms.

"Well Ms. Saxon you are very lucky individual. If Minister Heikier hadn't informed us of your message I doubt we would have been able to use the signal to find your aircraft's last position. Your pilots are also ok, they have a few bruises and a dislocated shoulder but they will recover. As you requested when you were brought in we have not informed anyone outside of Minister Heikier of your survival. Now then I would really appreciate it if you could tell me why someone would want both you and Secretary Bishop dead and just why the hell your President is pushing us toward the brink of war. The Jageran military is already mobilizing as are Pagemaster's forces in response to a widespread Ferveo military mobilization."

He sits down in a chair next to her bed and waits for an answer.

[Ferveo]

Saxon sits up and places her head in her hands. She moans gently. After a moment, she speaks quietly.
"Gabriel Seismos is an ex-member of the Unseen Master Army. To be precise, he was a colonel. He swore repeatedly that he'd cast off the evil ideology of the Unseen Master, but I'm starting to wonder how true that is." She raps her forehead gently. "No. It doesn't have an ounce of truth. I won't dignify his lies."

She looks Carter straight in the eyes. "I believe the diplomatic route has failed. I think you, and Jagera, should prepare for a war footing. The man's a nutcase - he knows he can't win, but he'll try to kill as many of your citizens as possible. Just be grateful we don't have nuclear capability, or neither of us could be here right now.

"Our forces are in disarray, our citizens wondering what the hell is going on. In light of this confusion, I think you should order a surgical strike against the President himself. If you're concerned over the PR, I can defend your actions. The Fervean public trust me, even trusted me more than Bishop."

A tear forms in her right eye, and she looks away quickly. "Mr Carter -- Jack -- I am sorry for everything that has happened. But Seismos doesn't have the module. If he did I shudder to think what could have happened. And to think I wanted to load it onto the Nimbus!"

A look of grim resolution comes over her. "As far as I know, he's no longer at his official residence in Ferveo City. I happen to know he's probably at his personal fortified bunker, on an island some three hundred kilometres southwest of Exordium Island -- where this whole mess started in the first place.

"It won't be easy, but if you kill him there's a good chance that we can return to the stable status quo. If you really want to talk to him, be my guest, but during his tenure in the UMA he was well known for executing the bearers of bad news."

[Jagera]

The door opens again, and Minister Heikier hurries into the room.

"Forgive me for bursting in on you like this, Ms Saxon, but I must inform you and Secretary Carter of the latest news.

"Firstly, the Jageran Njordheim Battle Fleet has left en route for the island where President Seismos has sequestered himself. We have two Asgard-class fleet carriers, the JAS Thorskip and JAS Mjolinr, along with two Bevakare-class light carriers and a number of supporting vessels accounted for.

"The JAS Ni?hogg and JFB Bonaventure have both recovered and resupplied their aircraft, and are ready at a moment's notice.

"The Specialv?pen that participated in the island's capture are ready for deployment; we also have a full division from the Jageran 3rd Army en route from Njordheim bases.

She pauses, and takes a deep breath before continuing. A pained look comes over her face as she begins speaking again.

"Secondly, it seems the Royaliste rebels in Jonquiere-Tadoussac are working with the Fervean Front and President Seismos. Soldiers of Jagera's 22th Battalion recently recovered weapons of non-Jontadain manufacture after an engagement outside the town of Rolandie. These weapons closely match specifications of some of those used in the UMA. Furthermore, we nearly lost the Ni?hogg to a Royaliste submarine pack northeast of Terminus Island, and did lose two Achen-class destroyers and the Fenrir-class heavy missile cruiser JWS Frostj?tte to the attack. Normally, the operation of any Jontadain rebel submarines in this location would be unthinkable, but someone seems to be supplying them.

"Secretary Carter, Ms Saxon (Secretary Saxon now, I guess), we must get moving and remove the traitor Seismos once and for all."

[Federalist]

Carter looked pained at the idea of a possible conflict with Fervean forces, but he leaned back and resigned himself to the only course of action.

"It would seem that you are right Ms. Saxon...Jennifer, . Minister Heikier have your military move into position to begin a quarentine around all Ferveo ports. You will be reinforced by a number of Pagemaster forces as well. That however is for show, we'll move the Pagemaster 7th fleet centered around the carrier CPN Longsword and the battleship CPN Ares toward Seismos fortified island. We'll have them meet up with the JAS Ni?hogg and JFB Bonaventure and their escorts. The Night Whistlers and the Specialv?pen will also take part. Our forces will no doubt take heavy losses, but we will have to use every ounce of firepower available to those ships in order to complete this mission. Secretary Long has also ordered a flight of F/AS 37 Firefly fighter-bombers to be staged off of Nowhere Island, its an artifical island made up of barges that can serve as an airfield or any other type of base once its been towed into postion. Nowhere should be in strike range by tomorrow. Vice-President Stark is calling this entire problem the Exordium Crisis. Long is going to call this Operation Redemption. Admiral Jackson will have command of the Ferveo quarentine, I believe that the Jageran commander of the Ni?hogg battlegroup is senior to 7th fleets commander so Jagera will have command over that operation."

He leans forward, rubbing his hands together in worry before looking up at both women.

"I'm afraid Jennifer that I have some bad news for you also. Seismos had all cabinet members and their senior deputies executed an hour ago. Its not in the news yet, our intelligence agents were able to catch an encoded recording of the executions being transmitted to Seismos. As of one hour ago you are the senior most member of the Ferveo goverment that is not dead or in league with Seismos. I hope that when this is over you will still have a government left to return to. What do you say Minister, Jennifer?"

[Ferveo]

Saxon stares blankly ahead. "I don't believe it..." she whispers. "Charlie, Anthony, Jonathan, Amelia..." She is silent for some time before continuing heavily, holding back tears. "There is time for mourning later. As Acting President -" (grimacing painfully) "- I request that Seismos is captured if at all possible. I want to know just what the hell drove him to do this, before he's executed for war crimes. If not, just shoot the treacherous, evil conniving son-of-a-bitch right between the eyes.

"Our forces are at your disposal, my friends, if you require them, but I think it's important that our troops hear a Fervean voice before attacking their former comrades. As such, I would like to accompany you to somewhere secure where I can contact them. Even if our remaining forces aren't taken, I would like to monitor the Crisis. The FSC Nimbus should serve you well."

She goes quiet. After a second, she speaks again, utterly devoid of emotion. "I'm sorry. I should have told you about his past long ago. When Tim died, I just assumed we were dealing with some dangerous bunch of lunatics, but Seismos has well and truly crossed the line. This monster ordered my death and the deaths of my colleagues -- no, not colleagues; friends.

"Let's end this. Now."

[Federalist]

Carter looks at the two officials for a few seconds.

"Jennifer, I mean no disrespect but how do we know what members of the Ferveo military are loyal to our cause. Neither Pagemaster Intelligence nor the Jagerans probably have a clue who can be trusted. I know our commanders would enjoy help from the Ferveo military but we can't be certain who is capable of actually turning against Seismos."

Carter looked longingly for an answer that could decide the fate of Ferveo.

[Jagera]

Kristina Heikier looks back at Carter before answering.

"Jack, I agree with you, but I can only worry about the ramifications of a foreign force killing the person who is still legally President of Ferveo. We could inadvertently destabilize the country further, not to mention cause problems with international opinion. We need to involve Fervean troops. However, we cannot endanger the lives of our own soldiers by risking them fighting turncoats in the ranks, nor can we risk loyal Ferveans fighting traitors from within their own units.

"Here is my suggestion." Turning to Acting-President Saxon, "Jennifer, do you know of a Fervean military unit, probably no larger than a battalion, which will be more-or-less reliable? Such a number should be manageable if the worst occurs, especially if we tell off one of the three Jageran regiments to supervise. Barring them turning, this should give us enough Ferveans to show this isn't entirely a foreign action.

Heikier then walks over to the back of a chair, and begins gripping it so hard her knuckles turn white.

"Our troops should be arriving shortly. Time is not with us, friends, but let us make the most of what we can. I recommend we move ourselves to a more effective command area. We will need to bring Guardian Mikael in on this; he is the current head of the Jageran Military, and therefore needs to be involved in the command structure. Orders have already been issued to Amiral L?nroth, commanding the Jageran forces in-theatre, regarding commencement of the action.

"With luck, we can have this entire operation sorted out soon."

[Ferveo]

"I am unsure," Saxon answers tiredly. "But with Seismos the control freak he always was, chances are he'll have put all his eggs in that one small basket." She raps her fingers on a bedside lamp. "I believe that our Special Operations Regiment has always been quite politically active. A retired member writes for the Fervean Observer, remaining somewhat critical of the Seismos r?gime. I suppose if I told them the full story, we'd have them on our side. I believe the same applies to the crews of the Primordium and the Nimbus, the prime vessels in our Navy and Air Force."

She sighs. "The SOR are similar in fashion to your Specialv?pen or the Night Whistlers. Heavily armed and well trained. All recruits are vetted before entry into the force, and no ex-UMA members are permitted. Same goes for the crews of our flagships.

"Now then," she says with an air of finality, "may I contact all three?"

[Federalist]

Carter smiles a little at this news.

"Yes, if you're up to walking I'll escort you and Kristina to the CPN Victory River, she's a command-amd-control ship and has every method of communication available for use. IF we can get the Special Operations and at the minimum the Nimbus we'll have a better chance of winning this. A fresh set of clothes are in the closet, we'll be outside making the necessary calls to get the ball rolling."

He nods to Kristina and they both leave the room to begin making the arrangements.

[Ferveo]

A short time later, the door to the room opens and the tall form of Jennifer Saxon walks out. She moves only a little slower than she previously has been, and is wearing a kind of leather jacket and trouser combination that only serves to further her natural air of authority.

"So, are we in business?" she asks.

[Jagera]

Heikier smiles at Saxon's appearance and nods.

"We're ready to go. Let's go aboard the Victory River and get this over with. Jageran forces are holding station near the island, awaiting the signal, and Amiral L?nroth's missile cruisers are ready to begin bombardment at any time."

Determination becomes evident in her carriage and face.

"Let's go. Which way to the ship?"

[Federalist]

A few hours later they are all standing in the communications room of the command ship Victory River. Secretary Long has also joined them there as the ship sails towards Seismos Island. Carter speaks up as Saxon takes a set before the communications console.

"This ship is capable of every form of communication possible; internet, telegraph, phone, radio, satellite, carrier pigeon, etc. Just tell the commputer what you want and it'll bring up the options for the method."

A seaman brings a note to Carter before saluting and leaving.

"Admiral Jackson reports that the Jageran and Pagemaster fleets have quarentined all Ferveo ports. Admiral L?nroth reports that he will have everything in postion in a matter hours abd he would be pleased to have the Nimbus and Ferveo SOR in his force if possible. We'll just have to see how they respond.

He looks at Jennifer Saxon for a moment and hands her a dvd case.

"Jennifer, if you need to further encourage your military commanders here's a copy of the execution video. I hope you won't need it, but just in case."

OOC: Sorry about taking so long but I've been caught up in Maymester midterms

[Ferveo]

"Get me Air Commodore Sebastian Murphy and Colonel Terence Wither," says Saxon, giving their locations.
"We'll need about two minute to authorise and link, Ms Saxon," replies one of the technicians. Saxon nods her assent.

She crosses to a wall terminal and inserts the disc. She is looking down on what appears to be a small, metal-walled room, somewhere in Ferveo City. She can see Seismos, the Cabinet and all senior deputies sitting at a large, round table. Surprisingly, there are no soldiers present.

"You called us, Mr President?" asks Vice-President Anthony Browne, a stout man of fifty-nine.
"Spare me the formalities, Anthony," replies Seismos coldly. "The Jagerans have sent a delegation directly here, as has Pagemaster. I'll be sending them in shortly." He turns on his heel and marches briskly out of the room. The Cabinet begin to murmur amongst themselves.
"Never been here before," says Home Secretary Charlie Bethan grumpily. Treasury Secretary Amelia Hawthorn nods.
"Just a military installation, Charlie, don't worry," she replies playfully.
Defence Secretary Jonathan Blaire is, however, scrutinising the mirror on the wall. "I've been at this job for a long time," he said slowly, "and that's not a mirror. It's one-way glass."
"Standard procedure, yes?" asks Browne snappishly. "Where's Jennifer? I heard Tim had a heart attack."

Seismos' voice booms over a loudspeaker. "I'm afraid Ms Saxon won't be joining us today. Neither will Mr Bishop."
Faces look around, confusion evident. Why on earth was he speaking to them over a loudspeaker?
"Hello!" he says jovially, as the one-way glass becomes transparent. He is waving.
"Mr President, what's going on?" enquired Hawthorn gently.
"I'm taking control, Amelia. Starting here and now. I have a duty to perform." Seismos turns to the right, and orders, "Lock doors. Engage."

There is a loud clunk, and a large machine-gun turret unfolds itself from the ceiling. The Cabinet turn a variation of shades from snow-white to beetroot to bright green.
"Fire," says Seismos icily. There is a hum, and a series of loud bangs.

The noise suddenly cuts out as Saxon halts the footage, tears streaming down her face. "He slaughtered them...like beasts..." She spins around, ejecting the disc. The main screen bursts into life, split between the faces of the two soldiers.
"Air Commodore Murphy, Colonel Wither."
"Deputy Foreign Secretary Saxon, yes?" asks Murphy presumptuously. "You need our services?"
"It's Acting-President Saxon, and yes." She breathes in deeply. "I'm sorry to tell you both this, but your Commander-in-Chief, President Gabriel Seismos, murdered the entire Cabinet a few hours ago and tried, unsuccessfully, to kill me."
"WHAT?!" cries out Wither. A strong, almost mechanical soldier, Wither has served since the establishment of the Fervean Army and worked his way up the ranks to become head of the SOR.
Murphy gives a more measured response. "How is this possible, Ms Saxon?"
Saxon sighs, not for the first time today. "Seismos views himself as the successor to the Unseen Master, and intends to slaughter as many Jagerans and Pagemaster citizens as he can. He was behind the arrival of the Exordium Island Object."
"That's preposterous!" scoffs Wither. "Seismos is a Liberal! He's about as far from the fascists as you can get!"
"Evidently not, Colonel. I have in my possession two video recordings, one transmitted to the terrorists off the coast of Terminus Island, ordering my death and the death of Timothy Bishop; another showing the executions of the remaining Cabinet." She hands the discs to a tech. "Run them back to back," she says quietly. More loudly, she adds, "Watch."

She views the faces of the two as they change over the course of the next few minutes from incredulity, to disbelief, to fear, to anger and finally to stony-faced acceptance. After a short silence, Murphy speaks up.
"What would you have us do, Acting-President Saxon?"

Saxon permits herself a tight smile. "I'll hand over to Minister Heikier of Jagera and Secretary of State Carter of Pagemaster. They will brief you. One thing's for sure, however: you won't like it one bit."

OOC: What is the demonym for Pagemaster?

[Jagera]

Minister Heikier steps up to the screen, a small disc in hand.

"Air Commodore, Colonel, the attack on Seismos' redoubt is being coordinated by Amiral L?nroth on board the JAS Ni?hogg. I'm bringing him on the channel, and also transmitting you some encrypted versions of the battle plans. Amiral?"

Another face appears on screen, that of a weary but hard military officer, with the twin shields of a Jageran Amiral on his shoulder straps. His brown eyes stare from the screen as he speaks.

"Air Commodore Murphy. Colonel Wither. A pleasure, I'm sure. I regret we meet under such unfortunate circumstances. Let me brief you on the battle plan and your roles. Please pass any required information to the commander of the Primordium.

"Essentially, we will be running a two phase attack against the island. The end goal is the capture or, if necessary, execution of the traitor Seismos.

"The assault will begin with a full scale aerial attack, launched from the Ni?hogg as well as JAS Erickur and Sigur?, JFB Bonaventure, CPN Longsword, and Nowhere Island. This will be supplemented by a bombardment of the north shore of the island by Jageran missile cruisers, along with the FS Primordium, CPN Ares and its escorts. The Nimbus will support and participate in this part of the action.

Air Commodore, your actions will be at your discretion, as the commanding officer of the Jageran Air Force in this area ranks ?veroverste, which is between Air Commodore and Group Captain. It goes against my better judgment to suborn an officer to his subordinate.

"Stage two will commence at the end of the bombardment. We will launch a two-pronged assault against the northern and southern parts of the island to cut off escape. Reports from all three forces, Jageran, Pagemaster, and Fervean, tell us the eastern and western parts of the island are too rugged to use for escape purposes, but we will have several destroyers from the Jageran and Pagemaster fleets watching them, as well as a constant air patrol. Essentially, the north shore will be the main point of attack, with the Jageran 26th Division entering combat alongside the SOR. Colonel, you will receive your orders from ?veroverste Hallen, commanding the 2nd Brigade. Meanwhile, the Night Whistlers and Specialv?pen will land on the southern edge of the island and attempt to infiltrate into Seismos' fortress while the northern assault draws the defender's attentions. If the traitor attempts to slip away to the south, he will be apprehended there.

"If all goes according to plan, we should be able to take the traitor without having to risk a frontal assault on the main fortifications. If not... the 26th Division are no pushovers in combat, and with the SOR to support them, we'll get Seismos one way or another. Once Seismos is captured, he will be extracted on the Nimbus by the SOR.

"We have a go for Operation Redemption. The bombardment begins at 2300h local time tonight, with the assault to follow at 0500h. Gentlemen, let's protect the IDU and restore honour and order to Ferveo!"

[Federalist]

Carter and Long look to the thier Jageran and Ferveo friends, worry in their eyes over how a peace conference had turned into a military action.
Long speaks up:

"The Victory River will be a couple dozen miles from the outer ring of ships at Seismos island by the time phase one begins. Hopefully Seismos will surrender before we actually have to commit to an invasion and lose many lives."

Carter looks to them all.

"We can only hope Admiral L?nroth can pull it off without losing too many lives. Time will tell."

OOC: Ferveo, there isn't really one. Pagemaster is just too awkward a word to create a possessive out of.

[Ferveo]

Saxon makes a small noise. It sounds almost like a mirthless chuckle.
"Surrender? I don't think you quite understand just how the Unseen Master trained his soldiers. They were brainwashed never to surrender. He even operated on some subjects' brains to see if he could physically remove cowardice. Children were indoctrinated, becoming emotionless killing machines before their twelfth birthdays."

"I'm sorry, Mr Long, but the only people with any hope of surrendering are our own forces. Seismos will fight to the death." She creases here face into a tight frown.

"I'm certain of it."

[Federalist]

A few hourss later the Victory River is within visual range of Seismos island fortress.

Saxon, Carter, Long, and Heikier are standing on the bridge with the ship's Captain, Warren Black. Carter looks at the distant island now under attack through a pair of binoculars as he spoke:

"Seismos appears to be putting up a fair defense against our planes, however he doesn't have anything that can stop the Ares sixteen-inch shells."

Long lowered his binoculars:

"Not surprising. Kind of hard to stop a giant size bullet. You have better chances of holding off missile attacks with a bb gun. Captain how far are we from the island?"

Captain Black confers briefly with his helmsman and XO before answering:

"We're about thirty miles from the island. According to reports from the fleet Seismos hasn't got anything that can hit us out here. Also I've got our jamming and stealth systems running so we're safe. I suggest you get some rest or at least something to eat. This bombardment is going to last another few hours before we'll consider sending the troops ashore assuming that Admiral L?nroth thinks it'll be ok to send them in without getting slaughter outright. I'll send someone for you if the situation changes."

Carter looks to the Captain:

"Thank you Captain, I think I'll take you up on that offer. ladies if you care to joing me I'll be in the mess."

Carter leaves the bridge. Long stifles a yawn before going to his cabin for a few hours of rest. As he leaves the bridge he's heard saying to himself:

"To think we came together in Peace."