10AM
26 June 2020
Fargo, Rufuina
A sleek black Gulfstream G650 pierced the Acturian morning clouds, swaying ever so slightly to avoid some isolated cloud groups and to stay visible- grabbing the attention of city dwellers in Fargo as it came ever closer to the city. It was unlike anything people had seen before; a bold crimson phoenix embellished on the nosel; its beak wide open and differing shades of crimson and dark orange manifested in the birds’ wings flowing miraculously down the plane’s black skin; the flag of the North Ethalrian Confederacy striked the sides, the flying plane nicknamed the Black Tourmaline was like a dragon swooping down to land.
The landing destination was at Fargo International Airbase, with an already well organised arrival party waiting for the Black Tourmaline to land, as the plane came into the correct position a nice red carpet was rolled out and the press gathered from a safe distance.
By one side of the carpet was a squad of well organised Rufuinan soldiers standing in a row with their new M27 standard rifles, and on the other side of the carpet were a few Rufuinan army, navy and airforce officers waiting for the arrival and opening of president Sarohart.
The black door of the plane opened, stepping out a half dozen NEC soldiers who rowed up parallel to the already welcoming Rufuinan forces. Immima Magolen was next to step out; she had been the closest ally of Sarohart since far before the Phoenix House Gunfight but even more strongly since then; her closest advisor and close friend. Then, moments later, a figure dressed in a black leather trench coat, her most prolific and alluring outfit, brandished with a small black leather handbag walked out of the plane and took her time down the stairs, giving small waves to the press. Lest she needed an introduction, the woman finished walking down the steps and stood next to her most trusted.
Only as Sarohart exited the plane and onto the top of the steps the army officer on the opposite side of the carpet to the Rufuinan soldiers, quickly looked up to the steps and then straight back to the soldiers.
“Company! SALUTE!”
As soon as the officer issued the command the Rufuinan soldiers would look up to Sarohart and in unison salute.
“Company! PRESENT ARMS!”
As the next order was insured the Rufuinan soldiers raised their rifles from the ground into their capable arms.
“Company aim!”
The soldiers raised their arms into the air again in near perfect unison, a very nice display for the North Ethalrian president and her guests.
“FIRE!”
And thus the Rufuinan soldiers shot the rifles into the air in unison, the bullets piercing the morning air and thus spooking a lot of nearby birds into the air, the fire would repeat three more times until the officer ordered it.
“Company stand down.”
The officer spoke the soldiers back to their original position by holding their rifles in their arms, looking straight forward for the North Ethalrian president to walk along the red carpet, at the end of the carpet was none other than Supreme President Hanlon walking up to greet the oncoming Ethalrians.
Clauzia Sarohart shook hands with Hanlon before he did the same with Magolen. Sarohart smiled.
“Thank you for the kind welcome, President, a good display.”
Hanlon would be sure to give their hands a good firm shake with an eager looking smile, he’d take off his glasses and place them inside his pocket.
“Thank you and welcome to Fargo president Sarohart, this has been long due, please we have a convoy waiting to take you to the state house.” He said beckoning the two ladies to come with him.
The army officer would raise his voice once more.
“Company! Left face! FOR-WARD MARCH!”
The company would turn left and begin to march alongside the supreme president and his guests until they’d reach the road where a few trucks and diplomatic cars were awaiting them, security was tight with the only guests allowed being the Morning Daily and the Nordethal Nachrichten (North Ethalrian News) to observe this historic moment.
The convoy rolled and about thirty minutes later the convoy arrived at the state building in Fargo, where the servants in the lobby room were waiting to cater to the needs of the Ethalrians and the supreme president.
Eventually they’d be escorted to the states room, at the door Hanlon would ask “Do you wish to bring Magolen with you? I’m sure she’s trustworthy to accompany us.”
“Of course, President. She is my most trusted advisor and is very competent in situations like these,” a brief pause, before she cracked a joke. “She didn’t come all this way to this lovely city to sit and drink coffee with your guards!” Sarohart smirked, but returned to her formalities.
“Oh no she’ll just have to tolerate and drink coffee with us prats instead.” He’d say jokingly in return, snickering slightly inviting them into the states room with the door shut behind.
“Oh I’m sure she’s used to it by now, the amount of formal talks and drinks of coffee would make anyone resign, but not this woman,” Sarohart winked at Magolen, and smiled to Hanlon.
In the room waiting for them was a man in an army uniform with various decorated medals, Hanlon would point toward him. “Sarohart, Magolen, this is supreme commander of the armed forces George Hardeen, he’s here to discuss with us things concerning the UCA and their troop movements.”
The commander saluted to all three of them and then went to shake their hands. “A fine pleasure supreme president, my ladies, it is an honour.”
“The pleasure is mine, commander.” Sarohart appreciated the salute.
Magolen bowed her head slightly when she shook his hand. “Thank you commander.”
“So as you’ve likely been informed the UCA is mobilizing all they have at Lokania and South Peregan.” The commander would say leading to a table with a map of the Rufuinan, Lokanian, Pereganese border.
“Fortunately for us our border with South Peregan is a deep river, we intend to fortify and entrench all across the river line with infantry, short range artillery and anti tank guns, if war breaks out we’ll be given a significant defensive advantage at first.”
“I want to say first that we stand with Rufuina in this anti-communist rhetoric,” Sarohart pointed out. “Just so that there’s no confusion- I cannot stand for this shit,” she looked over her shoulder to make sure they were alone. “This river serves as a good natural defence line. Where is the next best natural defence line?” she asked.
The room they were in was indeed only filled with them, there were armed guards outside the states room but for now it was just the foursome of them with their trusty brains and maps.
Hanlon gave a genuine smile to Sarohart as she spoke her anti communist rhetoric, something he admired in Sarohart, he’d give her a smile and a wink, he’d even go to offer her his secret whiskey flask from inside his shirt.
“Unfortunately if we lose the river line defence the city of Histranza is next for attack, we can expect to see heavy bombings of the city, we’ll have the S.O.D. posted in the city and the conscripts from the river line to defend the city.” The supreme commander stated looking to the two Ethalrians, expecting them to know who the S.O.D. were, then realising they didn’t know. “Oh right, the S.O.D. special forces, mostly trained for urban combat.”
“What are your plans for if the UCA makes an advance from Lokania?” Sarohart asked.
“Once again we have conscripts all along the border, however we have one advantage we’ll be able to use.” The supreme commander pointed to a costal fort near the Lokanian Rufuinan border.
“While we don’t expect them to join the war, we have made preparations, the combined Puntalain Rufuinan fleet is docked at this fort here, it’s mostly open combat with a Rufuinan controlled air space, from what we know there aren’t many air bases on the Lokanian border with us, so we’ll be able to bombard them with naval and aircraft guns.”
“Hmm,” Sarohart stroked her chin and thought. “I have been discussing Lokania with Magolen on the way here in case of the worst scenario,” she looked to Magolen before firmly pointing at Gronmund Port. “Lokania’s main bloodline to the outside world is this place,” she pointed at it again. “If things go south, this is our best bargaining chip, this is such an integral part of Lokania that if it were lost they’d have to resign from any engagements. Best of all is that they’ve put most of their military resources in the city further north which leaves it vulnerable,” she moved her finger up slightly. “Arinport.”
“They have no reason to defend Gronmund Port from a naval attack. For years the region has been peaceful and if an attack ever came it would be in Arinport. A river runs from Arinport to the heart of Lokania so that’s where they’ve put their main defence line.” Magolen interjected.
“I may have an idea…” Hanlon said after letting the others discuss, he’d bring up another connecting map from Puntalia.
“As of right now the professional mechanised army is holding here in Puntalia along with the Puntalian army, if we were to swap the conscripts on the Lokanian border and replaced them with the professional army, we could quickly overrun Lokania if they join the war and swiftly capture Grommund Port, the army consists of mostly armoured trucks and tanks.” Hanlon stated to the three of them, motioning some sort of quick movement throughout the plains of Lokania.
“It’s a thing that should be considered in this shitstorm,” Sarohart gestured. “By capturing Gronmund Port it’s like capturing the Queen in chess, we can force Prime Minister Arngrímur Sigurdarson to stand down.”
“He won’t be in the capital?” The supreme commander asked inquisitively, raising a brow not challenging the Ethalrians in any way but more curious about how they’d be sure on such a thing.
“Parliament is in Efraford, but you forget his constituency is Chelsing, which is in Gronmund Port. He lives there when he isn’t summoned to his duties.” Sarohart showed a little of her teeth in a short smile.
“Aaahhh very well deducted madam.” The supreme commander stated with a soft smile in return, it was a genuine smile.
“The important thing is that we think of a plan for each outcome, whether or not they join we require a plan, what do we do if Lokania does not join the war?” He asked the Ethalrians for advice on the matter.
“I have considered still sending the mechanised forces through Lokania even if they don’t join, if we can take Lokania fast enough South Peregan’s western border will be exposed.”
“If they don’t join the war, there’s no bargaining chip, and there’s no reason to expend forces there when the fight is elsewhere,” Sarohart advised. “In regards to what we are willing to send over, initially we want to help you by sending fifty thousand troops, and later as much as one hundred thousand in the event of total war. We see our nations as fit allies for our strong opposition to communism and feel that as we have defeated it before, it’s our duty to help other nations defeat it again. I’m not printing that the UCA are communists, but your cause is too great to ignore.”
“That is mighty generous of you madam, your troops are very likely to get along with ours, they’re somewhat eager to meet staunch anti communsitic allies.” The supreme commander stated with a wide smile and Hanlon too.
“Sarohart, it gives me great satisfaction that you’re willing to help us out, as we will do the same for you in the future, rest assured, where would you like for your troops to be posted? If I may suggest that they be posted on the South Peregan border upon the river.” Hanlon would state pointing on the map, but allowing Sarohart to come to her own decisions.
“I would like to divide the deployed to two areas; I want my focus to be the south Rufuinan border, but also its northern border with Osterlicsh who has not yet made an official statement on this matter. It’s going to be thirty five thousand in the south and fifteen thousand in the north, if that suits you.”
“Hrm, that does suit us quite well, I don’t think the UWI will be intervening or saying much, I don’t really think they have the authority to do so without the MBE intervening, that sounds good however, we’ll put your commanders in contact with ours and we can make preparations.” Mark Hanlon stated, he’d go over to a special drinks cabinet, producing two glasses for whiskey. “What would ladies like to celebrate our cooperation together?” He’d say with an encouraging smile, gesturing the drinks cabinet with a lovely collection of what ever drinks they’d like.
Magolen smiled. Have you got any Dragonian Vodka? It’s one of those drinks combined with lemonade, are up there on top.”
“Nothing for me-” Sarohart thought. “Actually, If you have some, I haven’t had brandy in years.”
Hanlon would snicker as he got another glass out and filled it with brandy, and finally another glass for the requested vodka and squeezed a lemon inside, offering the drinks to the three in the room alongside him.
“Cheers all, to the defence of Rufuina, and glory to the confederated state.” He’d say with a smile raising his glass, the supreme commander raised his staunchly. “Glory to the confederated state!” He’d proclaim loudly clinking his glasses with all who’d clink back with him.
“Cheers,” Sarohart and Magolen both said with optimism. “And after these talks, it would be very wise to discuss our economic ties.” Sarohart gave a smile.
“Oh yes that will be excellent, but for now, drinks and then supper at the state’s dinner room.” He said taking a nice big gulp of his whiskey glass, Hanlon gave a wink to the three and proceeded to sit down on the sofa.
