Poorly encoded messages are the best

Roleplay Library
1

A poorly encoded message sent to Drakkengard

Greetings friends of the Pax. I am sure you have noticed the growing strength of the northern states. The technology leaking into and out of these states is troubling. The Pax do not want to see a resurgence of the old EPTO. While directly intervening in the northern states would prove to be successful, the cost in resources and manpower would be severe. I propose that the “acquisition” of two or more of the islands in the chain that sits north of Vekaiyu would allow us to dominate the trade in this hemisphere. I look foward to the future.

Signed
Noi

OOC: The Pax are laughably easy to spy on.*

2

Building 38, Vekaiyu Security Sector, Eldura

“Incoming transmission from the Pax!”

Across Control Room B, various viewscreens changed from displaying bits of code, to plasma canon bases, to satellite trajectories, to even locations of known Hive nodes to showing the intercepted message from Packilvania to Drakkengard. Indeed, this unassuming building held some of the most knowledgeable people on the Pax in Vekaiyu, and with many resources at their fingertips, they could watch their powerful neighbor rather closely. Ever since the border clash of 2009, Vekaiyu stepped up its monitoring capabilities on the state, which it used one year later to drive into the nation and take some interesting technology.

Dozens in the room read the message over and over again.

“This is a clear breech of the Gulf of Itur!” one of them shouted. “We must do something immediately to stop this!”

“Negative,” an officer remarked. “We are impotent to do anything, it would seem. We all bared witness to the Pax’s attacks on Tasselvalta, and how they and Allegheny carved the nation up. Direct intervention would prove fatal to the Vekaiyun nation as we know it. We simply cannot win a war against the Pax, even if they choose to stand alone here.”

“Our navy is arguably the strongest in the gulf, though.”

“It will not be if we intervene,” the officer barked. “The best we can do in this situation is hold our cards and attempt a non-agression pact.”

“Question,” another person sitting at his computer screen said. “Why not sign a non-agression pact with the Pax and divert them to Dveria? We would kill two birds with one stone. The Pax would get their gulf territory, we would lose a pesky enemy.”

“Everyone in Vekaiyu is demanding retribution for the attempted assassination of Premier Levinile by a Dverian. Dveria is much more of a threat to us and Listonia than Hyseraea. There may be no better time than to propose this.”

“Indeed.”

“Enough,” the officer commanded. “I like that idea better. We will meet on it later to weigh any potential perils, then gain clearance from the military and premiere, but I do like that idea. We could essentially take advantage of the situation and tear Dveria in half. Once they are removed, Vekaiyu will take its rightful place as the leading nation in the gulf.”

“They must never know we are watching them.”

“That goes without saying,” the officer replied curtly.

3

After passing through a series of levels in the Vekaiyun military (including the recovering premiere) and various clearances given to other groups, an interesting message is sent Noi’s way.

— Begin quote from ____

Noi,

We’re having a lot of trouble recently with the volatile state of Dveria. We would be interested in neutralizing their threat to the gulf and to the region as a whole. While we are capable of taking the state on ourselves, Vekaiyu is not interested in a long-term war with a nuisance. We believe your state would benefit as a trade partner aligned with Vekaiyu on the gulf. Therefore, we wish to extend the opportunity of a non-aggression pact that results in the division of Dveria in twain - the south to Vekaiyu, and the north to your state.

I don’t do deals over email though. If you’re serious, meet me in the Vekaiyun border town of Ilyyorsku, in the Border Relations Building. I’ll be waiting there.

Regards,
Yamano Nevikalu
Kral Commodore of Vekaiyu

— End quote

4

East Malaysia Intelligence Agency Packilvania Task Force
Eastrovia, East Malaysia

An undisclosed location in Eastrovia, members of the EMIA Packilvania Task Force have gathered to discuss messages recovered that are transmissions from Packilvania.

“I think we should have Section 242 look into these messages to make sure they are real,” spoke an agent dressed in white.

“The AGC? Ha. Forget that. EMIA doesn’t even have full control over them. Plus they only do what they want, when they want. Besides that, you know they are legitimate, the Pax have never been the best at encryption,” replied the agent dressed in black.

“Nonetheless. We should have YYY and EMCS be fully briefed on the situation so they can be prepared. They could be planning something bigger than we think,” said the agent dressed in red.

“I would have to agree,” answered the agent in pink, “but only as a precaution, no need to deploy full resources at this point. But I think we should have as much information as we can so I have assignments for your teams. White: try to contact AGC. Black: keep gathering transmissions from Packilvania to and from other nations. Red: start briefing officials from both the YYY and EMCS. In the meantime with our other members not able to come to the meeting today, I will inform the Empress.”

5

Tag for update

6

A reply with the same encryption standart

Well said, my friend.
The northern states are ones to watch over. We are glad to remind that we already gained two footholds in the area: the Strauchburg island (north of Vekaiyu) and a small mission in Elephana. While the later can´t do more than disencourage Listonian expansionism due to limitations regarding men and material, the former could be the right tool for the job.
Given the value dominating the trade in that area could have, i inform we agree with the proposed “acquisition” and suggest the island closest to Strauchburg as initial target.
If our suggestion is acceptable, all that is left to decide is how much forces we will mobilize and when we´ll do it.

Kind Regards,
President von Drakken

7

“We are glad to hear of your enthusiasm. After a tactical analysis, we propose to target the lands of Listonia. They have long been occupied by a foreign power, and may view us as liberators. We may gain a vassal state to expand our growing power base.”

“Secondly, Noi has expressed interest in blurring our borders a bit. Drakkenguard has long been ally to the Pax, and its citizens have been free to come and go as they please. We propose a melding of our foreign policies, and a strengthening of the ties between our peoples. In short, Pax citizens would become as Drakkenguard citizens, and Drakkenguard citizens would become as Pax citizens. To the outside world, we would be seen as a single entity, glorious in its power. We propose that we both retain our technical independence, but form a union of nations.”

8

Nevikalu raked his fingers through his parted brown hair. His mustache bristled as he read over the transmission tap from Building 38, which had been listening to the conversation intently since they received it some time ago. Clearly, this was a threat. Even more unsettling was how his message to Noi was never responded to.

“Hello. Yeah. Premier Levinile. Yeah, I’ve been better.”

Then came the technical bits from home. The human knew his relationship with Sipavu Commodore Yiisu Iskaristre, the man in charge of policing the Listonian state with Vekaiyun military personnel, never saw eye-to-eye with him. Iskaristre was a cold attack dog, Nevikalu liked to think of himself as more compassionate, more calculating, and, above all, more collected. But then there was the dilemma surrounding his recent trust with the Premiere, Ikrisia Levinile. She loved his work in Listonia. And it was hard to not love it: the powder-keg state had been kept relatively quiet and at peace during what was predicted to be a hard winter of potential revolt and unrest. Nevikalu supplied him seven divisions for policing; Iskaristre only needed four. Nevikalu wanted to station one of his divisions across from Dveria; Iskaristre countered by directly asking the premiere for another division to “police” the land near Dveria so it would remain under his control. He was tired of the chess game. It was time to remind everyone who was boss.

“Ma’am, I’m moving seven more infantry divisions and seven more armored corps divisions toward southern Listonia. Another three of each stationed in the interior. They’ll take up defensive positions in an effort to safeguard Listonia. I’ll pass the word on to the Ler Commodore and tell him to shore up his border.”

Here comes the hurricane. Listonia was to her what a mother was to a baby: even if it dies, she’ll never give it up. For whatever reason, her and the Vekaiyun people wanted the state to be safe, with “safe” meaning “under their supervision”. It wasn’t hard to figure out why: most Listonians felt themselves to be Vekaiyuns and vise-versa. Vekaiyuns got agriculture and resources from Listonia, Listonia got money and technology from Vekaiyu. Even if Vekaiyu had colonies located in other pacific realms, Listonia was special if not for its proximity and history. Sure, there were always those in Listonia who hated Vekaiyu, but Iskaristre made double-sure to pump in a message of Vekaiyu as a state who created the Listonian state then liberated it from a surreal dictatorial takeover two years later. Any real opposition was of course crushed swiftly.

“Ma’am we don’t have much of a choice. I’d rather be ready than taken completely by surprise. That’s why I’m doing this. It’s our responsibility.”

He held the phone an arm’s length away while she continued to vent. He almost didn’t call her - just simply move the divisions and be done with it. But, with Iskaristre getting on her good graces, he wanted to keep the reasons for appointing him as a Kral Commodore to a minimum. But he knew what her problem was: she wanted Dveria taught a lesson for the assassination attempt. She wanted him to play the Dveria card, desperately. She wanted that state wiped from the map.

“Ma’am, when have I steered you wrong? I’m not going to talk over you. Nope. You trusted me in the gulf. You trusted me with the civil war. You trusted me with the Listonian invasion. You trusted me with the Drakkengard island. I’ve hit the bulls-eye every time. Look, the Burdek Lowlands are an easy place to take up defenses. We’ve already got defense installations in there from 2009, and even in 2010 when Ryykovaa threatened to invade. We go a long way’s back, you and I. The way I see it, this is nothing more than border security. Keep it nice and far from the border, all nice and relaxed-like. Yeah. Relaxed like Evesuni on Valium.”

He laughed. “Look I’ll move two more infantry and armored corp divisions near Dveria too if it makes you feel better. We’ll keep it nice and balanced in case they try anything funny. I’m going to mobilize some of the newly-formed Listonian divisions to get them going. They gotta protect themselves, too. You just worry about keeping the Kivreskov in check. That and make sure Iskaristre doesn’t call in an air strike to wipe out Evesunigrad.”

He smiled. She was now on his side, for the time being. “Ma’am, nothing’s been set in stone of course. You handle the diplomacy, I’m just here working for you guys. Yeah. Thanks. Bye.”

9

The agent in Pink, came into the meeting room for the daily briefing and from what she heard it was very important information from the agent in Black. As soon as she entered the room, something was out of place. A PADD was setting on the table at her seat, suspiciously she approached it was slight caution and picked it up. It only had a very brief message on it, dropping the PADD on the table when she seen who it was from and sat in her seat.

— Begin quote from ____

There’s a growing storm on the horizon. Are you ready?

— End quote

The agent in Pink already could guess what the agent in Black was going to share. More than likely the day she never wanted to see was here. The rare communication from AGC confirmed it and made her a little more worried, they never give warnings about anything.

10

I doubt they´ll see us as liberators as a whole. But there is an anti-Vekaiyu human minority that´ll probably welcome us with open arms. The rest you think they´re trading a tyrant for another, but trying to please all is often futile anyway, so i agree with Listonia as a target.

A union of nations… A few of my people already suggested something along these lines. They call themselves “Hivists”. I bet you like them.
I can see this working… We are well integrated as it is, so i believe that my people would welcome the strengthening of our ties.
And i suppose that if we are having this conversation, the Pax citizens are favourable to it.
We never had much of a foreign policy anyway, and i expect that such union will cause a huge impression in the region… Very well. Unity, but with technical independence. While there are many details to be discussed before it can become a reality, we accept this offer as well.

11

“We are glad that you are agreeable to this arrangement. Some of our more forward thinking overlords have begun referring to the union as “Pax Pacifica” We can hammer out an official name in the future. I will have Pax generals contact your generals to begin planning the operation. If you will excuse me though, it seems the Vulpine have been sending urgent messages to Noi’s office for some time.”

Pax office of non-assimilated cultures --OOC: Embassy Equivelent–

“Nevikalu-san. We apologize for our rudeness. Noi is currently involved in a very important meeting in the southlands, and has not been available for some time. We are concerned that she does not respond to Hive communication. I have read over your proposal, and will forward it to the Hive overlord bodies for approval. I can predict that the overlords will most likely want to vassalize the northern part of Dveria, instead of outright annexation. We don’t want to be seen as war mongers anymore. I advise that you begin preparations for operations in the north, as I can assure you this proposal will be accepted in one form or another.”

The message was sent. Noi smiled. The games would begin soon. Whispers floated in the Hive, that only she could hear. The future would be glorious.

12

Iglia Volitari, Headquarters for Vekaiyun Operations in Listonia

It wasn’t every day the Kral Commodore of Vekaiyu met with the man in charge of operations in Listonia, Sipavu Commodore Yiisu Iskaristre. Neverhteless, Yamano Nevikalu knew it had to be done.

It was really a combination of reasons. One, Iskaristre was becoming increasingly popular among the Vekaiyun leadership. They adored how swift he had acted in Listonia to restore order and quash even the faintest sniff of rebellion - all without rousing the anger of Evesuni and his fragile government. Two, he was vulpine. Not that that really meant anything, but there was just a certain level Iskaristre could interact with higher command - also mostly vulpine - that Nevikalu couldn’t. Third, and this was perhaps most pressing, he was becomming more and more obstenante. More contrary. More unwilling to bend.

“So you will position the seventeenth and fifty-first divisions along the Packilvanian border to join up with Army Group Burdek. Move the forty-fifth up near Cestinglavoiga and link with the eighteenth armord corps.”

Iskaristre raked a hand through his black hair as Nevikalu began moving three of the seven divisions he was more or less given to some five months ago. “No, no that’s not going to work at all. Move those divisions back where they belong.”

“Now I didn’t hear a question in what I last said to you, did you?” Nevikalu grimaced. “I didn’t ask for your input, sipavu commodore. You’re out of order.”

“But that doesn’t make any sense! You can’t just take away half of the policing forces and devote them to a cause which you haven’t even set into motion!”

Nevikalu rested his chin on his hand. He wasn’t one for playing games. “The winter’s almost over. Listonians will be too busy working to stage any rebellions. Plus, you’ve done a great job so far. Why, I reckon there’s been no major problems since January, wouldn’t you say?”

“That’s not the point. I need every bit of those armies to keep the nation stable. The news will get ahold of this. If you change the dynamics, it could be all over. We will have all the divisions we need because we’ll be completely pulled out of Listonia!”

Nevikalu waited for Iskaristre to finish. “That’s kind of a long way to say ‘yes sir’ isn’t it?”

“I’m the one in charge of operations in Listonia! I say where my divisions go.” He started to move his divisions back on the map.

Nevikalu watched him move across the map. “You about done there? Move those divisions back.”

“Why don’t we ask what the Premier thinks?” Iskaristre remarked. “She is not going to give up Listonia. Not for your inklings, not for your demands. You could just as easily move divisions in from Vekaiyu over to here. I need everything I have to keep things to the letter here.”

“Now look here,” Nevikalu said, pointing to him. “The chain of command goes like this: me, then you. Not you and me. Not you then me. I get you’re concerned. I get that Listonia must be protected at all costs. But if we are invaded, there’ll be nothing left to protect. You’ll be out of a job, friend. And you’ll need to come through me to accept your next assignment. Not the Premier. Not the people. So I’d think very carefully, soldier, before making your next move.”

Iskaristre begrudgedly move his hand off of one of the division markers. “So that’s it, eh? You’re just going to strip three divisions from my command, just like that?”

“I never said you’re losing those divisions,” Nevikalu reminded. “I just said move your divisions there.”

“Very well,” Iskaristre said, crossing his arms. “And in the meantime, what will they do?”

“Take part in the southern defensive front and the northern offensive front. Once this is over, I’ll remove orders from your divisions and you can move them around however which way you want.”

“You mean until more divisions arrive from Vekaiyu,” Iskaristre said sternly.

Nevikalu shook his head. “Lebivistre needs those divisions for defense.”

“I will be stretched dangerously thin.”

Nevikalu leaned back in his chair. “Now I don’t think you should sell yourself too short there.” He smiled. “You’re so good at this, I think devoting three of your seven divisions to the current cause is going to be any skin off your back. Consider it an honor to have your troops moved. It means you’re doing an excellent job.” He smiled.

13

Imperial Palace - Strategy Room
Eastrovia, East Malaysia

Empress Jung was intensely listening to the briefing and take notes on everything that was being explained. Half of the people in the room she only knew by their code names and the other half were her trusted advisers and defense commanders. She was very troubled by the information she had been receiving over the past several weeks with the possible annexation of sovereign territories. ‘Only I can make the hardest decision of them all. Would she allow this to happen or would she intervene,’ she thought to herself then realized all eyes were on her and that she had wandered off into her own thoughts.

“Excuse me, I must apologize for being lost in my thoughts. I promise I heard everything you said,” she nodded towards the agent that was speaking last. “Now I do have to say I do agree with some of the suggestions that were made in that presentation. The one that I will implement is the re-positioning of our forces around our planetary territories to be on the safe side that if we do end up in this conflict we will be ready. As for our travel routes, double up on the patrols and until further notice we will not allow any military forces to use them except for our resources. As for around our territories, here on Earth… we are going to have to do the same re-positioning and I will allow surveillance from very high orbit conducted by the EMCS.”

“Now one other thing, Agent Pink, I believe you will be able to answer this. Section 242 or AGC as we know they go by… any thoughts to how they know everything, seem to be everywhere, and answer to no one? I can barely find any information on them at all and funny thing is… I have access to everything.”

Agent Pink knew the question was going to come and she was prepared for it. “I do have to apologize ma’am. We don’t have that much information about them either and that is because they removed the information about them. What I know is basically from what I do best: putting together information when none seems to exist. And I am more than willing to share this information with you and everyone else here now.”

Standing up Agent Pink turned on another presentation and started to go over the information.

“Basically from information I was able to recover or put together I have learned the following. Section 242 or what is know known at AGC was founded between 75 to 100 years ago as a deep undercover division of EMIA. About 30 years after they were formed they for unknown reasons broke away from the EMIA and started to do what they do today; what ever they want. We have no control over them and from what information I have been able to put together, they have a regional network of deep undercover spies in what is likely every nation in region but not doing espionage, just collecting information and helping local intel agencies if they deem it necessary if it could help East Malaysian interest. They are not really against us but at the same time they are not for us either. As for the meaning of AGC, we can only speculate at this time because it could mean anything.”

14

As the initial talks ended, President Von Drakken smiled and whispered
“So the vulpines are nervous already. Is this coincidence or eavesdropping… Nevermind. All the spying in the world can´t save that terrorist now.”

Then he files the following orders on the comset: “All military commands - Prepare for high level of mobilization in short notice. Public affairs office - Create name suggestions for a possible supranation union with Pax. Trade Ministry - Prepare analysis of potential consequences of further integration with Pax”

15

— Begin quote from ____

From the Office of the Premier,
Kivia Ikrisia Levinile

To: Kral Commodore Yamano Nevikalu
Subject: Army Placements

Nevikalu,

I have overridden your decision to move three of Sipavu Commodore Yiisu Iskaristre’s 17th, 45th, and 51st divisions. His divisions would be better suited for the continuing policing of Listonia as the ground continues to thaw and the nation wakes up from a difficult winter. They will remain under his guidance. Carry on with your other plans as usual.

— End quote

“That son of a-” Nevikalu said aloud.

— Begin quote from ____

To: Premier Ikrisia Levinile
Subject: Army Placements

With all due respect, milady, but those three divisions are needed for a much more important cause: the defense of the Listonian state from foreign interests. If we lose the nation to outside forces, Iskaristre can parade his seven divisions down the streets of Eldura for all I care, because there will be no Listonia left to defend.

Those divisions will remain where they have been assigned. I have been charged with the command of the Vekaiyun Armed Forces outside of Vekaiyu; I will do my job. If that’s not kosher, then remove me from my post and let Iskaristre take it over. I’m not going to have a sipavu commodore undermine my duty to the Vekaiyun nation.

Regards,
Kral Commodore Yamano Nevikalu

— End quote

16

“We have to assume if they move on Vekaiyu, it will be at their weakest points and the surveillance ships have been taking scans of ground movements between all involved nations. Our movements have been on the more covert sign but it is only a matter of time before The Pax catch on to the schedule of our ships and that they are taking surveillance,” Glendale said after going over the latest report and images. “The only thing we can do is stay diligent during these uncertain times.”