War in East Africa

[Executive Minister]

OOC: Previous post continued

IC:

Boris reflected on what he just said.

Hammerdown Protocol... hmph! So its come to this...

Hammerdown was a tactic used only when the NoN was extremely desperate to kill as many enemies as possible, no matter the cost. Previously used in the First Battle of Addis Ababa against overwhelming numbers of Kane Loyalists, the tactic was drastic.

Homeguard units throughout the city had pre-placed explosives within the building super-structures of many skyscrapers and other multi-storey buildings.

These buildings were chosen out of strategic placement, closeness to main travel avenues and significance.

Essentially, the Homeguard had booby-trapped any and all known routes into the city with structures ready to be demolished, their rubble designed to fall on top of advancing enemies persuing the forces in Kolfe as they fell back deeper into the city's cover, block vulnerable passages with impassable rubble and force them down other routes where ambushes and smaller scale traps would be sprung.

The ultimate goal of the Hammerdown was to severely hamper the enemies movement, manuevering options and morale through losses of entire armoured columns and infantry divisions at whatever cost was necessary. What greater enemy is there than one who is prepared to bring his own city crashing upon your head?

Previous uses of the Hammerdown Protocol resulted in the final act of the Great Divide, the Great Purge.

In a cruel visit to the past, beautiful Addis Ababa would become another death trap. UMS forces would see many minor victories in the city, only to be corraled unto streets laced with High Explosives and Napalm munitions by the falling skyscraper traps. All were synchronized to go off at the same time - a massive funeral pyre of roaring flames, seeming to flush the enemy from the streets of Addis Ababa itself.

Boris shuddered at the thought of such a massacre. To have the power to kill so many in one instant...

Only the highest level military personnel were privy to the information, even then, they were only told Hammerdown was going to be enacted soon... Boris' experience in the First Battle of Addis Ababa meant that he knew what that code name stood for. Newer commanders only had educated guesses.

Boris looked at the melee that was continuing infront of him. The barbarity of the situation repulsed him.

UMS troops charged with massed bayonets, but others were armed with actual swords! These men arrayed in specially designed armour swung their weapons in wide arcs, some hitting there marks, sending their victims heads rolling, while other NoN forces struck back with sharpened entrenching shovels, bayonets, and wickedly curved shortblades.

The line the NoN forces held on the hill was holding fast against the overwhelming surge of UMS on the hill. Boris saw an Elite Cadre Sgt. that was momentarily cut off from the line.

Alone, the man looked up the hill to see a man charging, his sword held high above his head. The Elite Cadre was proficient in melee however, passing his PETs with 'outstanding' across the board. This man was a trained killer, throughly versed in various methods of killing up close and personal. This was not someone to be taken lightly.

His armour a flash of grey, he side-stepped the vicious swipe, bringing an armoured knee into the assailants face.

Taken aback by the counter, and the force of the knee, the swordsman staggered back. The Elite Cadre stepped forward, continuously flicking the catch on his 'Scorpion Sting', the blade flipping in and out omniously, like the rattle of an agitated rattle snake. In addition to a sharpened stabbing point, the 'Sting', hooked like a raptors claw, had a razor sharp slicing blade...

The swordsmen gave out a vicious battle cry, regaining his composure and lunged forwards with a lethal stab aimed at the Elite Cadre's chest. Positioning the blade to go under his armpit, the Elite Cadre gave his own vicious swing, the blade on his riflebutt flashing and aimed for the man's exposed and vulnerable throat. The slice struck true, with the blade cutting clean through the mans neck armour and throat, stopping only at the man's spinal cord, severing it in two.

With a quick jerk of his rifle, the man's head came off. Noticing another assailant charging from the right, the Elite Cadre 'bunted' the charging man with his rifle butt, Sting fully deployed. The man was promptly 'clothes-lined' by the move, the Sting penetrating into the man's faceplate, puncturing the composite material, but lodging the blade firmly in the man's face. As this new attacker's body became limp and fell to the ground, the Elite Cadre was forced to kneel, not wanting to lose the grip on his rifle.

Two men crested the hill to the left, and noticed the vulnerable Elite Cadre struggling to remove his weapon from his victim's head. As they advanced, the black armoured man pulled out his holstered sidearm, firing several .400 slugs each into their faces.

A man rushed in from the right and swung his blade in a decapitating arc, the Elite Cadre ducking at the last moment. The blade had such force behind it that it was able to slice a thin segment of composite coating from the top of his helmet.

Finally freeing the blade from its catch on the now dead man's head, the Elite Cadre remained crouched and with a firm hold on the barrel of his rifle swung his weapon like a sword of his own, catching the man in the jugular with the now throughly bloodied Sting.

With no more victims to kill, the man flicked the blade in and out again, the blood dripping unto the hill. Gathering his composure with heavy breaths, he rejoined his comrades.

Edited August 5, 2009 by Executive Minister

[Executive Minister]

OOC: Now we turn to Janus' side finally!

IC:

The streets of Addis Ababa were frantic.

Janus' heavy breathing reverberated within the passages Mertens led the men through. Up and down the tunnels and bridging, the men were safe within multiple connected buildings that hovered 3 stories above the rumbling cacophony street-level.

The Light Infantry forces of the NoN were seeking to link up with Homeguard forces, ordered to abandon their better trained, conditionned and equipped brethren West, in the hellish storm that was Kolfe.

"Here! We go down now!" Mertens informed the entire Cabal-worth of Light Infantry. As they descended the flights of stairs, their armour (OOC: the Halo 1 infantry armour seen previously) clanked furiously as the men marched hastily in step, adding to crashes and explosions that were heard coming from below!

"Dammit! Those !@#$%^&* followed us!" an unknown Militant Sgt. quipped.

UMS aircraft had plagued their retreat the entire time with the buzzing of cannon and rocket fire. The Vehicle convoy took hit after hit, with approximately 15% of the tanks listed as casualties, the high city line halting heavy intrusion effectively, however, the streets made them vulnerable to smaller-scale carpet bombings and napalm columns. Although less severe than all out bombardment, it was these strikes that inflicted the heaviest casualties with regards to machines, equipment, manpower and morale.

As Mertens finally reached the bottom landing, he struggled to come to a complete stop after the full tilt descent. Pressing both hands against either side of an open doorway leading to the embattled street, he stopped just in time to see a civilian vehicle thrown past - the victim of another airstrike.

"We will be sitting ducks if we follow the convoy! We just don't have the same amount of AA firepower and armour to take hits like this!" Mertens yelled.

"We should split up," one of Janus' Squadmates piped, "that way we'll be harder to target than a single column, and we won't take as many hits if they do find us."

"I agree," Mertens answered, "everyone break up into your individual Cells! I want 10 man groups max, people! Everyone should head towards Lideta Military Complex! Its location and underground networks should be enough protection for us until command gives us new orders!"

The bombardment intensified, and soon, the approaching convoy could be heard, the Thrasher SPAAGs' work cut out for them. Deafening sounds of Spangle SAMs and 40mm rounds reporting soon filled the streets.

"Sir! Whats the rallying point?!" a trooper yelled the question over the noise.

"Anywhere but HERE! Come on people lets move towards Lideta!" With that, the men ran through the door way, spilling out unto the street. As the convoy continued to roar past, towards Lideta, the men split up and started their own frightening trek towards the base.

"Janus stay close dude," Mertens whispered as he led the Cell down an empty street. Craters and pockmarks were seen all over the streets, the Asphalt taking the brunt of the damage. Everywhere the men looked, there could be seen burnt out metal frames of unfortunate skycrapers, shattered windows, exposed interiors and ruined cars.

The men ran down the streets, and could see others running parallel each time they hit an intersection. The retreat was later called 'Organized' however, the only reason that was the case, Janus mused, was because they were all running in the same direction!

An explosion rocked the streets beside them. Janus was thrown several feet into a window, his large frame easily destroying it. Janus was dazed by the blast and could not escape the debris. He was face down in a pile of broken glass, concrete cinders and the remains of a curtain. He willed his neck to lift his head and could see the inside of a ruined shop. The effort made him dizzy, and soon he lost it, darkness enveloping him.

...

"A näT'a set!?!?!" Jolee exclaimed, he was incredulous to what Janus was telling him.

"Yes brother, Nyani is a white woman... I wanted to tell you fir-"

"Nyani will be the end of you, mark...my...words carefully! You know their culture views women that choose to be with us as shärmuT'a!"

"-st... I warn you brother, Nyani is not a whore and I beg you to choose your words more carefully - I am in love with her."

Janus and Jolee's conversation was a mix of the common NoN language of English with their native Amharic dialogue. Unbeknownst to them, an older man was listening intently, and gave a quiet snort at Janus' statement. The man was grisled and bitter, and had many empty shot glasses arrayed around his place at the bar.

Jolee rubbed the back of his neck, shaking his head.

"I am sorry brother, but still, you must be careful. They are not like us."

"This is the Nation of Nod!" Janus exclaimed in a hushed voice. "One vision, one purpose...brotherhood, unity, peace? You know all those words that are constantly told to us! These people are different! Our relationship WILL be different! I know it!"

"Hmm i do not know brother... at their cores, although they mean well, they are still the same race as far as I am concerned..."

"Nyani is different, I can FEEL it! Her and I have something special! The colour of her skin has nothing to do with it! Besides..." Janus looked ahead, musing over his thoughts, in a smug tone continuing, "She's a diplomat now..." he took a large gulp of his customary Ethiopian drink, "...you know what that means, eh? No one would dare cross her!"

"Ahahahaa... I hope you know the majority of politicians, leaders and Diplomats in our precious, 'Nation of Nod', are former assassins! You should be even more cautious!" Jolee turned away and looked forwards, his mind racing with a thought.

"Imagine, I do not hear from you... and find out she has murdered you in your sleep because you forgot to pick up the kids!" A large grin covered Jolee's face as he turned to his little brother. Jolee and Janus started laughing over their drinks and food, the bar being their favourite place after reserve training.

As their laughter subsided, Janus, with a firmer and serious tone, spoke up.

"You know, I do love her, and she loves me... I want to marry her... I will need your help and blessing to convince father and mother that this is real"

Jolee took a deep breath, and looked at his brother.

"I believe you... I will not stop you from persuing her..." Jolee turned to his brother again and stared intently, the seriousness of the situation showing on his face, "You must be prepared to honour and protect this lady at all costs Janus, if I am to bless you two and help you... your children will not readily fit into either race, this is known and accepted. You must watch over them and her in order for honour to remain in the Oshibutu family...father is a hero, and his sons should reflect that everyday of their lives..."

"I agree..." Janus was fully aware of their father's heroic actions during the Great Divide, and nodded, "...thank you for your help and trust brother. I will NOT fail you and father!" and with that, the two embraced.

"Fool boy!" The eavesdropping man exclaimed - in their conversation, they did not notice the man get up and walk behind them.

"The näT'a are a race of greedy and spiritually debased people that have destroyed our lands, enslaved our peoples and ruined our culture! You will bring no such honour by marrying that ShärmuT'a!! Your children will be blood traitors to mother Africa!" (OOC: this is a tribute to Firestorm's IC demeanor, )

"Shut up old man! You do not know what you are talking about! Leave us at ONCE!" Jolee had sprung from his chair, towering over the man, clenching both fists at his side.

"Leave him be brother, his empty words do nothing to me," Janus was unfazed by the man's foolish views- he could smell the liquor on the man's breath.

Jolee turned around and looked at Janus, "I will not allow this drunkard to besmirch our family's honour! If you refuse to act, I will do so myself!" Jolee did not notice the man's actions infront of him.

A gunshot rang out in the crowded bar, screaming women and the sounds of chairs being overturned followed in its wake.

Jolee was on the ground, a large wound was opened in his chest. His eyes were closed, and his lungs drew breath no longer.

The man waved the pistol in his hands, and in a drunken rage yelled, "This is the fate of all outsiders that impose their rule on us! We must rise brothers and sisters! Rise up against the foreign dogs!"

No one heard, nor cared for the man's speech...everyone had ducked behind tables and chairs, peering over at the altercation with apprehension.

Janus was wide-eyed, and looked up at the man who had killed his brother. Janus dropped his brother's now lifeless hand, rage coursing through his veins.

Without a second thought, he picked up the fork he previously used on his meal and grasped it tightly in his hand, intending on using it to satisfy a hunger that could not be settled with food, before placing it in his back pocket.

Janus strode up to the man, the drunk turned towards Janus, pistol in hand. With one fluid movement, Janus grabbed its muzzle with his left hand, pointing its business-end towards his right. He smashed the man's face with his right hand and then, reaching under with his right hand, grabbed the slide of the pistol and yanked it towards his chest, the force snapping his adversary's trigger finger.

The old man gave out a horrid scream, the liquor not able to suppress the pain. The smell further enraged Janus and he pistol whipped the man with his own gun.

The man staggered back, and fell into a seat against the other wall. His revenge still hot on his mind, Janus menaced closer, dropping the gun on the floor. Janus gave out a beastly yell as he 'unsheathed' the dining utensil into his right hand and brutally thrust its prongs into bottom of the man's jaw with such force that it lifted him off the seat. Although the man struggled and gurgled fiercely, the final, desperate attempts of a man dieing a slow and agonizingly painful death, Janus did not stop until the fork's prongs broke off, the remains of it firmly lodged in the man's brain.

The deed finished, Janus backed up putting his hands behind his head in sorrow for the murder he had just committed and the loss of his brother. The bar was silent as its patrons left their covers and rushed over to both dead men. Janus again kneeled beside Jolee and placing both hands on his now still chest, gave out a long, pain-filled wail....

Edited July 22, 2009 by Executive Minister

[Maelstrom Vortex]

Dragonisia views this war as mostly concluded, that said it is pulling its remaining troops from the area. Aether is no longer occupied at all by Dragonisian forces and control has been returned to their national government.

Edited July 22, 2009 by Maelstrom Vortex

[SpacingOutMan]

OOC:

I was fairly sure the Kolfe district wasn't filled with sky scrapers, at least not in real life. Had no idea it was in the RP, my apologies. However, with proper guiding systems, you can easily soar above sky scrapers and launch an air-to-air rocket. That or if one of the land-borne grenadiers laced a laser tracker on it with their air burst systems, of which they are designed for, the coordinates are fed to strike bombers which can easily launch guided missiles toward that set target. The wonders of post-modern technology, really.

That or you can just start lugging random rockets down a street and hope it hits a target. Both work well enough.

Also mind you that the body armor UMS soldiers wear are full body suits composed of bullet-proof vests, along with the swordsmen who wield spike-stab-proof vest (35 J of energy resistance). I suppose a neck vulnerability would be plausible, but not likely, but no biggie. If the EC (I'm calling them that for now on OOC ) were swinging in arc, that would be enough momentum, I'd surmise, to apply enough blunt-force damage to break the neck, let alone actually tearing the neck-portioned vest and hitting the throat.

IC:

"!@#$%^&* got Nate," Alex calmly muttered over his comm. link as Nicholas grunted in retort. "Jack, didn't he train you?"

"Yea man, he trained me back at Windurst..."

"Buggers have some switchblade mechanism that launches out of the butt of their rifles. They got him right in the throat with it... his body armor must have already been worn down. Be on guard boys, these guys are a tad nastier," Alex murmured as he slowly inched through a blown out window, drapes floating in the wind.

He raised his XM-8 and viewed the scope down the alley. Empty. His right hand made a fist, and then released into a three finger raise, prompting two men to rush out the opening, grenade launchers in hand. Nicholas pushed his way through the men and trudged forward, shadows consuming his eyes.

The earth shaking reverberations from explosions menaced all around as the unit pressed forward. Alex squinted his eyes as he took a step forward, the unit following behind him. It's as if they are playing coy with us, he thought to himself as he stopped in his tracks. "Jim, get a satellite GPS reading on the lay ahead. I want Antie, Sam, and Charger to charge dispersal emplacements. We'll need some cover if we get caught in a cluster $%&@ ahead. We are not going into this blindly."

"Sir, recon says coast is-- ack!" shouted Shawn, a man in the back, as he stumbled backwards, a steaming bullet crushed against his body armor. He cringed in pain as the blunt force of the strike knocked the wind out of him.

"Disperse!" he shouted, but was quickly muffled as an explosion ripped through their entry point, cutting off their only means of direct escape. Two men rushed through, automatic weapons blazing. Bullets rang out, belting against Shawn's chest pad more until blood began spewing from his face mask. He tried raising his pistol, but another explosion engulfed the opening, causing the structure around the window to collapse on Shawn.

"Grenade in!" hammered Charger as he tossed as high explosive grenade toward the explosion opening. Rubble flew in all directions as the alley wall on the left of the now completely destroyed window blew out, ripping through one Nodic soldier instantly. Two more pressed through, slinging their automatic weapons around the helm and fired blindly.

The entire unit ducked, avoiding being nicked in the head by any stray bullets. However, to no avail. Another explosion sounded behind them as Sam and Antie turned their bodies and aimed their XM-8s toward the flying debris. A sole figure in a seemingly iron clad suit broke through, rifle in hand, and butted the rifle head into Sam's hand and shot, blowing a hole into his hand. His scream pierced the muzzled fire as his rifle slammed against the ground, slowly scrambling backwards in carnal fear.

---

It was the moment Nicholas was waiting for. He lunged forward, unsheathing his sword as it all happened in slow motion. The spike device lurched out of its latent hideout, arcing around to its resting position. Let's see what you've got, he maniacally exclaimed inwardly as he slashed at the assailant. The figure heaved himself backwards, regaining his ground with his foot stalling his slide backwards.

Nicholas, however, was just as unrelenting. He quickly pulled the pistol out of his holster and pointed it toward the figure. A sadistic smile consumed his already maniacal scheming face. "You can get down on your knees and beg for your life, or I'll make your death slow and enjoyable," his voice sputtered as insanity crept into his mind once more. He received no verbal response. He remounted his pistol, though only to find a surprising physical response.

Arcing around in a circular motion the man thrust the stinger toward Nicholas' right leg, but it was easily parried. In a fluid motion the same strike occurred, but on the other leg. Again the strike was parried, but not nearly as clear as his right leg. !@#$... Nicholas realized as his weakness was already revealed.

With a physical display of confidence the combatant arced his strike again toward his left side, though Nicholas this time pressed against the wall, simply moving out of its radial reach. In one intense burst of energy, however, he charged the enemy with a piercing stance. The sword tip was chipped downward, throwing him unbalanced.

A bullet whistled by his helmet as he resorted to a basic tackle, hurling the man backwards with his rifle floating midair. His body armor clashed against his as he pressed his body against the assailant, hoping to pin him to the ground. Both of them attempted to win the tussle by ending up on top, but neither could find any substantial advantage. They rolled off from one another, pouncing towards their weapons.

Nicholas peered over his shoulder as the race began, noticing his opponent was beating him out. He grunted as he crinkled his nose. With his hands reaching down toward a smaller sheath he tore out a large dagger and leapfrogged over a piece of torn wall onto the man's arm and jabbed the blade into the underside of his armpit.

A yelp bellowed from the man's mask, giving insatiable pleasure to Nicholas, but his fetish hadn't finished being fulfilled. Instead of giving into the pain the soldier threw his elbow towards Nicholas' wrist, dislodging his firm grip on the dagger and threw himself upwards to a crouching position, throwing Nick back.

He rolled back into a crouching position as well and jumped forward at the man as he reached for the impaled dagger in his underside. Just as his gloved fingers touched the handle Nicholas desperately tossed his foot into the mix, kicking the dagger's handle in, jabbing through the interior of the man's shoulder pad armor hanging over his superior deltoids. The man grimaced in pain as the dagger was now impossible to dislodged without medical assistance. However, adrenaline always had an upper hand.

He shot himself around as Nicholas recovered from his lucky strike and threw a heavy fist punch at his stomach and despite his body armor, Nicholas could feel the wind retreat from his lungs. His opponent unleashed a barrage of unbearable punches as he stumbled back toward the smokey rubble.

Enough of this !@#$, Nicholas yelled his mind as he recoiled from another blow. His burly fingers wrapped around the man's wrist and pulled him forward. The man's body became unbalanced and Nicholas found his opportune moment. He thrust his palm toward the man's neck, cutting off an instant amount of air supply and pushing them man into physical shock.

Another hand pulled out his pistol and rang off five bullets into the man's chest, shoving him into the ground. Blood began seeping out of the holes in the armor as his hands dangled from his desperately angled arms. Nicholas calmly walked through the haze of billowing blazes and snatched his sword. In a single moment he dislodged the man's helmet, practically succumbing to a state of ecstasy at what he saw.

Blood spurted from his lips as his eyes strained in defiance. "Die you scum," Nicholas casually chuckled as his raised the sword overhead and pierced the tip through his skull. The crunch of bone crumpled the squishing arterial spray as a few drops splattered on Nick's face mask. It was an utter delight for him.

With a sigh of relief and near out of body experience he crawled back toward his unit, to find them already finished in their combat. Bodies littered the alleyway as Nodic weapons were strewn out everywhere. Alex, helmet sitting on his lap, looked up teary eyed and heavily earthed.

"They got Antie and Jim, along with Shawn from before... I knew their families too..." his voice solemnly trailed off as his hands slowly clenched into tight fists.

Nicholas showed no reaction. His blood lust still reigned from his opponent's death, wishing to find more optimal opponents.

To a deathly dark voice turned from a calm soothing persona Alex's face winced. "These !@#$%^&* are going to pay with their lives. I swear on my life they are going to pay." He simply stood up from his position and motioned for his team to continue advancing, with Sam staying in the rear with his wounded hand...

---

The sight was awful. The crash site was a complete blast zone... literally nothing left. Haffrin's face wanted to well up in tears, but he knew he had a mission. Hache was his younger brother and he loved him more than all of his other brothers combined.

Now he was gone, eviscerated in this fiery storm.

"Alright boys, we are moving 1 kilometer due west to Henderson's position," he coldly announced to his crew as they moved out... his brother now long gone.

---

Henderson remained silent, barely clinging on to his consciousness... his wounds needed to be treated as soon as possible, or else he'd face severe shock and end up dead. He tried to hold on for all dear life... literally...

---

Cmdr. Callin ordered a complete standstill on the UMS forces advancing into the Kolfe district. She sent in a mild percentage as recon in order to better coordinate further strikes... the invasion was now set into full motion.

Edited July 24, 2009 by SpacingOutMan

[Executive Minister]

X

Edited August 5, 2009 by Executive Minister

[SpacingOutMan]

X

Edited August 6, 2009 by SpacingOutMan

[Executive Minister]

X

Edited August 5, 2009 by Executive Minister

[SpacingOutMan]

X

Edited August 6, 2009 by SpacingOutMan

[Executive Minister]

X

Edited August 5, 2009 by Executive Minister

[SpacingOutMan]

X

Edited August 6, 2009 by SpacingOutMan

[Subtleknifewielder]

xxxxxxxx

Edited August 4, 2009 by Subtleknifewielder

[SpacingOutMan]

OOC: Feedback is greatly appreciated.

[Subtleknifewielder]

xxxxxxxx

Edited August 4, 2009 by Subtleknifewielder

[Executive Minister]

X

Edited August 5, 2009 by Executive Minister

[Subtleknifewielder]

xxxxxxxx

Edited August 4, 2009 by Subtleknifewielder

[Executive Minister]

X

Edited August 5, 2009 by Executive Minister

[SpacingOutMan]

X

Edited August 6, 2009 by SpacingOutMan

[Executive Minister]

IC:

Things were not going well in Kolfe...

"I AM TAKING FIRE CONTROL OVER FROM LUIZ!" Boris bellowed into his driver's bleeding ear. As Boris ordered his tank forward, his automated warning system started pinging - he was getting locked-on!

Boris swung the Tank's turret to face several men crouched over their anti-tank launchers. Like a cymbal crashing against itself over and over again, the 30 mm autocannon lashed out, mauling Boris' assailants without any remorse or mercy.

The threat ended, Boris watched as the crest occupied by the brutal melee slowly started to fall...

"Hold the line! HOLD THE LINE!! WITH ME!!! STAY WITH MEEE!!!!!!" an unnamed Elite Cadre Sgt. was calling out to his brethren. Although they fought bravely and ferociously, they could not hope to stem the tide of the UMS indefinitely. Already several squads were bypassing the ridge - Boris watched as several enemies burst through broken windows and doors, into the apartment ruins the defenders were holled up in, both sides bringing terrible close-in weapons systems to bear on each other...

"EVERYONE! WE ARE SURROUNDED!" Boris bellowed over the Comm Channel, "OUR FORCES HAVE MADE IT INTO THE CITY'S PROTECTION! WE HAVE WON! CHARGE THE ENEMY POSITIONS! DO NOT ALLOW OUR LIVES TO BE TAKEN EASILY!"

Boris and the men occupying Kolfe District began a final, valiant last stand. Spotting a group of charging Militants trying to flank under an enemy position, Boris ordered his driver to move in and support them, hopefully drawing enemy fire away from them. Spotting an enemy position Boris chose his target on the slightly elevated ridge.

"RIGHT!!! RIGHT JEREMY!!!! RIIIIGHT!!!" Boris ordered his Tank to move towards the enemy, while his men crossed underneath. This was a war weary group, many had only their sidearms left to fight with. Boris ordered his tank into a shallow AH-DM position, the grinder submerged just enough to remain hidden. Clanking sounds were heard above, a couple militants had mounted Boris' tank, and acted as Anti-tank infantry deterrants.

"Loading Fragmentation Rounds! Aiming both guns for maximum effect.... FIRE!" and both of the tank's cannons opened up at once, decimating the enemy infantry with lethal shards from the highly-specialized rounds.

Men occupying the Eastern most positions were free to join the Western face of Kolfe - they charged across the ruined square enmass. Several men scrambled up the small hill, one stopping to face the rear and wave over more men to join the fray. Their Heavy Infantry Sgt, responsible for leading this Heavy Infantry Squad had flipped up his faceplate - his face was smudged with a mixture of mud and dried blood, his grimace and words were powerful amidst the fighting, "WHAT WE DO IN LIFE ECHOS IN ETERNITY BROTHERS!!! WE SHALL DIE AS MEN!!!!!"

Almost in reply, several incindiary rounds impacted the buildings to the left of the advance, showering the men with flaming shards of glass and rubble. The leader turned and with a flip down of his faceplate, ran with the others towards the frontline, once again rejoining the ranks of nameless and faceless NoN martyrs.

As more and more men flooded the front, Boris could see the flanks folding. The entire square was filled with clashing men from the North and South that had displaced towards the center of the crater, the enemy persuing them, both sides merciless in the conflict. To the left, Boris could see men descending a pile of rubble, the rushed formation stopping at a ruined wall, only to round it, spraying suppressive fire at the enemy, while moving towards him.

Boris could not see the original frontline, as a new one had formed just behind it. As a trooper adorned with the NoN Flag charged up the hill, an airburst grenade exploded over the ridge, shrouding it in smoke. When the smoke cleared, the men that were previously charging over the top in defiance were lying still on its surface, the flag bearer was dead and the flag in tatters. Men behind the blast quickly took their brethrens' places, and one could be seen briefly bending over the flag bearer's body to retrieve his precious cargo, before advancing once more with the flag's remains draped over his back.

Beside an overturned Hunter Fast-Attack Vehicle (OOC: Read Otokar Cobra), a small Militant Cell had congregated. Its turret still operational, the group opened fire on advancing enemies, men literally crawling over their dead comrades to get into the fight. Boris looked away as one prepared to throw a grenade.

A loud swoosh was heard followed by a vicious jarring of Boris' coupola, as an Anti-tank round impacted Boris' rear tread housing, instantly immobilizing it. The 'Enemy Lock-On' warning system did not do its job, a victim of the battle. For all he knew, Boris mused, his passengers on the top were already dead.

"WE ARE SITTING DUCKS HERE JEREMY!!! GET US OUT OF HERE!!!!!!"

The tank was able to leave its shallow grave, but like a great bear trapped in a snare-trap, the tank could do no more except pivot around its destroyed tread. Boris felt a great lurch as the tank went over the debris mound his previous AH-DM position used for cover.

Several enemy MBTs had joined the fray. One had appeared over a ridge a ways away from the supporting infantry. Taking aim, it fired on Boris' tank, the round nearly overpenetrating the top of his tank's turret. Thankfully, Boris could see his hull integrity monitor showed yellow on the turret - it was damaged, but still operational! Remorsefully tapping the red coloured tread housing, Boris ordered to engage the tank.

"Loading HEAT-FS rounds in the barrels!"

As the tank's turret moved to face the enemy, the autocannon continued to crash, its sharp report continuing its grizzly cymbal-like sound. With a heavy metal introduction, the tank's dual barrels muffled the sound with two loud reports, as Boris' continued to show his defiance in the face of utter defeat and death.

Another tank crested the ridge, however Boris was lucky, several Heavy Infantry had noticed Boris' plight. As one lifted his Light Assault-Weapon, his crewmate ducked for cover, clutching the sides of his head. With a large plume of smoke and a bigger swooshing sound, the rocket left its launcher, careening towards the enemy. No sooner had this final act been finished, several high-caliber rounds impacted the men, causing them to writhe on the ground in pain.

Boris continued to pivot his tank in a futile attempt to avoid enemy fire, his autocannon continuing to make its distinctive crashing sound, occasionally overridden by his main guns' firing. Several grenades impacted his tank, and soon the entire top section was ablaze. Boris could see that the last stand was falling, the enemies numbers too much to match.

*I am truely sorry Hilda, please, watch over our sons, as I will continue to watch over you in the afterlife...*

Boris thought as he glanced at a photograph of a smiling woman cradling two children in each arm.

[...]

Two tanks forded the ridge previously occupied by valiant Elite Cadre and Heavy Infantry forces of the Nation of Nod, the original frontline. They were UMS Delta Paros models, and they were travelling over the remains of the the NoN's final stand. The air was a lot clearer, at this point the fighting had died down significantly - for brief moments utter silence could be heard inbetween random and sporadic gunfire.

One of the UMS tank commanders looked at the pityful sight of Boris' woefully outnumbered and disabled tank in a clearing of sorts made from its bizarre circular movement pattern, no doubt the result of a damaged locomotive system the man thought. Strewn about the clearing near this final obstacle were several dead or dying men, some still trying to put up a fight.

The bizzarely designed chassis of the tank was in ruins, several armour plates had become dislodged exposing bare hull plating underneath. Several sections of the tank were ablaze, and the Commander could barely make out the remains of several men on the top of its hull. One of the tank's main guns was warped, obviously the victim of a high explosive grenade, and black smoke was seen billowing from beneath the tank's frame. A gruesome, blood-spattered drum resembling an oversized meatgrinder was spinning, a loud roar eminating from it in spite of the several "teeth" the drum was missing.

The tank, like an injured animal writhing and lashing out in pain continued to pivot around its now visibly ruined tread, growling fiercely, firing its remaining weapons desperately.

"Lets put this guy out of his misery boys..." the Tank Commander muttered. With the two tanks side-by-side and still advancing, both let out reports of their main guns, hoping to put down this miserable beast.

One round impacted the tank's top glacis, deflecting upwards into the highly elevated "turret". The other struck the tank's grinder housing, penetrating the armour and knocking out the drum's locomotive parts. Slowly the drum came to a grinding halt, the previous roar turning into a moan, then a whimper.

"Man, this thing is built! Soldier! Bring your weapon to the front!" the bewildered tank commander motioned to a trooper lugging a heavy anti-tank weapon below him. Two more rounds impacted Boris' tank, followed by an almost "point blank" round from the trooper. Unable to widthstand the punishment any longer, the tank erupted in a ball of fire, its remaining rounds igniting, creating a funeral pyre for Boris, Jeremy and Luiz....

Edited August 5, 2009 by Executive Minister

[Executive Minister]

X

Edited August 5, 2009 by Executive Minister

[SpacingOutMan]

Callin looked at the sight before her. These men sat in futile effort defending against a much larger force. "So is the way with war..." she muttered under her breath as five FB-22s flew over head, scattered, dropping their final payloads on the steadfast enemy.

Her eyes met the backs of men overcoming a single hill, charging into a hail of bullets. One bullet sliced through one of the men's helmets. The others unleashed their high caliber rounds, shattering the remnant armor of the demoralized enemy combatants. She upholstered her .50 caliber pistol and unmounted the tank she stood atop, briefly behind the front line.

Woefully she followed a group of Purgatory infantry... the main clean up squads intended to prevent back-line retaliatory fire, along with providing extreme suppressing fire on enemy positions. With their RPG-32 Hashims they locked on to an enemy column congregated around a truck, floundering in their own wounds as they resorted to blindly firing with pistols.

A wall of rockets jettisoned towards them, igniting their bodies into a plume of explosive fire. Just next to Callin a XM-307 squad had finished final deployment preparations and began belting out rounds at closed down enemy positions, ripping through a few side lined enemy units who were attempting a desperate flanking maneuver.

Her feet slightly gave way to the slope of the hill as she trekked down it, stepping over the remains of fallen Nodic veterans. One man was trembling in pain as both of his hands and legs were missing... most likely from the MK-47 grenade barrage. Painful ecstasy excited his body as blood splurged from all orifices in his body, including his eyes. The sight was truly brutal as she raised her pistol toward the man's hand and clicked on bullet into his helmet, putting him out of is ultimate misery.

The flaming remains of charred vehicles and flesh marked the street as the firefight had died down into roved shooting and hand-to-hand combat. Ahead she watched as an elite Nod was thrown from a window of an apartment, with his body crashing into the ground. Five more soon followed out of the street-level doorway, surrounded by eight armed Mechodamians. Their plight would soon be known.

A flash emerged from one of the captive men, and then another and another. Instantly an explosion rocked the earth, tossing about shrapnel and ground fragments. Body parts were strewn across the street as Callin hunkered down behind as broken down car. In all of its morbid distaste a bleeding and amputated arm peppered the hood of the car, prompting a splash of blood to overcome the vehicles side.

She immediately peered over through the window as several men lay screaming in agonizing pain and began wondering where the medics were. And just as she thought about it several EMTs dashed out of another building, tending to the survivors' wounds. The Nodic !@#$%^&* had blown themselves up in a last ditch attempt to inflict pain. They weren't going to go down easily...

Her fingers clicked the comm. link and announced, "This is Commander Callin. Operativa Exterminata VI is now in effect. I repeat, Operativa Exterminata VI is now in effect. Hostiles are resorting to suicide infliction tactics, so take extreme caution in apprehending enemy combatants. If apprehension seems impossible, lethal means are now allowed for captive combatants..." her voice shut off as another explosion ripped through a building wall a few dozen yards behind her.

---

Henderson groaned in dismay as the sight of explosions had died down from his presumed alley tomb. Just as his eyes began to close, several armed individuals peered down the alley and began inching toward him... Who are they...

---

Alex and Nicholas had smirked when Commander Callin had executed the 'no prisoners' order. Just around the corner they had reached their destination: a heavily armed position holding off one street, preventing the final wheel in the pincer from turning.

Their unit had ten men left of the original eighteen, but none were less glorified than those who had fallen in their brothers' defense. Alex peered around the corner with a corner-hugging camera, displaying the position of the Nods. His right hand made a fist as he unhitched a high explosive from his side pocket. Everyone else did the same. He then raised five fingers and lowered four, leaving his index finger the remaining finger up.

In one synchronized swing Alex shouted, "FIRE IN THE HOLE!". Ten high explosive grenades arced into the teetering enemy defense as the unit fell back to avoid any fragmentation or liquefaction from the surrounding infrastructure. A few scrambled shouts were heard, but they were instantly muffled by the explosive might unleashed. A moment passed by and Nicholas fool heatedly charged with his sword and pistol blazing. He needed blood.

Alex and the rest of his unit, not surprised, gave in and pursued his venture. Nicholas rounded the corner and saw the ashed remains of several survivors. Their gun emplacements had flown over the defenses and steamed on the cracked street. He fired off two rounds into the head of one man as he tried to reach his pistol. Two more men in the emplacement handled their pistols and began firing off at the oncoming ambush, with a third joining in with a fully automatic weapon. Nicholas wheeled around the emplacement, crouching behind debris after debris, until he was behind the defenders. Alex and his men were pinned down behind a strewn tank, firing off purposeful missed shots in order to deter the enemy's attention away form Nick.

In one majestic strike Nicholas jumped from overhead, shoving the sword's blade straight down the middleman's head. He then kicked the left one in the head and swung his foot around to the right, bunting him in the chest. Gracefully he unsheathed the sword from the now teeming skull as both combatants rolled away, picking up an all-so-familiar rifle.

"Oh, it's more of you righteous !@#$%^&*. Well then, I guess you too will be eating !@#$ as I kill bother of you $%&@ers," Nicholas shouted out as he charged toward the left man. The man barely managed to parry the strike as Nicholas spun around, tweeting out a lone attack by the other man as he swung his rifle's stinger.

The left man arced his stinger around, forcing Nicholas to parry and recoil a few steps. This, however, was a major blunder as the second man charged at him with the stinger at his side, taking advantage of the new opening. There was nothing Nicholas could do.

That is, until Alex leaped into the fray, slicing off the head of the charging combatant. Alex gave a relieved sigh as both him and Nicholas stared down the sole survivor. The man, instead of retaliating, dropped his rifle and unpinned an explosive from his chest. Both men hurled themselves over the barriers as an explosion pillowed the emplacement.

Behind their recovering bodies as they began to bend upwards stood an entire column of Mechodamian soldiers, marching down the battle harrowed street. The battle had been won.

Over their comm. links a voice happily gave way, "The Kolfe District has been successfully occupied with 98% of known enemy forces being eradicated."

---

St. George walked up behind Callin as she sat down at the makeshift command center, holding a map of the rest of Addis Abba. "Commander, tell the men to stand down. Peace has been made," his voice promptly noted as she stood up in disbelief. Whether it was an instinct or a carnal reaction they embraced one another in a prolonged kiss, arms wrapped around one another.

The war was now over, finally.

[Executive Minister]

X

Edited August 5, 2009 by Executive Minister

[SpacingOutMan]

X

Edited August 6, 2009 by SpacingOutMan

[Executive Minister]

OOC: Ok, the promised memorial service! Also guys, I'm going to ask all that posted a post that was either purely an OOC comment or a post that included a bit of OOC in this RP to either change the whole post to an X or remove OOC. So that this RP will be clean and easier to follow!!!!!!!

With regards to the X posts, a mod has gracefully agreed to delete them...While ignoring posts Firestorm made...some of his posts were integral to the war, and of course all will remain.... think of this war as a memorial of sorts to that awfully unpleasant and controversial IC character

I thank everyone for reading our RP, and especially want to thank SOM for his professionalism and desire for a detailed War RP, not a 'muahahha I invaded jooo kekeke' one... thank you for enduring all of our TL;DR posts...i promise this is the last one for this RP!

IC:

Janus awoke with a start. He felt sick and uneasy - he did not have the nightmare about Jolee's death for a long time, the repressed memory was almost too much to bear for him. Of all the men he's ever killed, the old drunk was by far his most regrettable.

Struggling to get up, he noticed he was no longer wearing his combat uniform. He was lying in a bed, pale sunlight filtered through white drapes that shielded a nearby window giving the only source of light in the small room.

Janus noticed his left eye was covered with a bandage - lifting his arm in an attempt to touch it resulted in a sharp pain in his wrist - he was hooked up to an IV line!

"At last!" a familiar voice exclaimed at Janus' movement, he turned to look at a figure sitting near a small table beside him.

"The doctors feared you would be in a coma!" Nyani continued.

"Please," Janus tried to steady himself as he strained to sit up in bed, Nyani rushing to his side to move the IV stand closer.

"Don't struggle... Janus," Nyani said as she looked Janus in the eyes and kissed him, "the war is over!... I succeeded in my mission!"

Janus sighed as he lied back against the pillow. "I owe you my life then... thank you my love..."

Janus was struggling to comprehend what he was just told. It seemed impossible that all these months of fighting were over...

Turning his head quickly to face Nyani again, Janus urgently asked, "Kolfe...we were ordered to fall back towards the city by the Russian commander... what happened to those men?"

Taking a deep breath, the previously warm and crooning wife turned back into the cold spokesperson for the NoN. She looked straight ahead past Janus as she answered, "Kolfe was overrun by the UMS dogs in the last moments of the war... No one survived, the UMS liason told us... however, we do not believe that...as we speak search and recovery efforts are underway in the ruins... those men fought to their last breaths and they single handedly prevented Addis Ababa's invasion...they all died with honour and as martyrs..." ice was coursing through each word as she ended it.

Janus did not reply, and looked at the ceiling, shaking his head.

"So many against so few... so few...." the giant Ethiopian stammered his last words as hot tears dripped from his eyes across his cheeks unto the pillowcase...

"Here... Janus... the doctors recommend you take this, it will help you get better..." Nyani said, handing Janus a pill.

With a heavy heart filled with remorse, he grabbed a nearby glass of water and held out his hand to Nyani as she placed the tiny pill in his comparatively giant hand. Janus could not help but think that he should have stayed with his comrades in Kolfe, even knowing what would have happened if he did...

Janus' head hit the pillow as soon as he swallowed, he had ingested a powerful sedative and would be out for hours.

Patting her husband's forehead with a regained warmth, Nyani pulled up the covers and strode out of the hospital room. She stopped to talk to a large figure standing in a neighbouring doorway.

"Are you sure you didn't want to greet him? That sedative is going to last for hours you know.... this might have been your only chance..."

The figure sighed and shifted his weight, the previously held shotgun clinked as he shouldered the weapon.

"Naw... let him rest... I think I'd give him even more of a headache!" Mertens answered.

"Very well...thank you for saving my husband's life..." Nyani solemnly kissed Mertens on both cheeks, a European greeting that was prevalent amongst the female citizens of the NoN.

"I hope you don't tell him that I was the one that dragged his fat $@! back!!!" Merten's blurted out in surprise, before sheepishly stopping, and averting his gaze downwards. He had suddenly realized that he just swore in front of a lady, let alone a governmental official... "Please forgive my harsh language Milady.." he answered, his gaze still not leaving the floor tiles below his boots.

"Don't worry Mertens, lets just say we're even now, okay?" and with that Nyani walked away...

When Mertens was sure that she was fully out of earshot, he said to himself, "Hell, Janus sure knows how to pick em'..." and with that and a shake of his head he peered into the bedroom.

After making sure his friend was fast asleep, he silently put his helmet back on and proceeded down the corridor to the waiting truck that would take him back to base. Mertens had been assigned for Pall Bearer detail and needed to be fitted for the ceremonial armour he would have to wear...

[...]

Not long after the announcement of a full cessation of hostilities was announced by both diplomatic envoys to their respective nations, the War Room of Temple Secundus was alight with cheering and celebrations. As if it was a New Year's celebration, female console operators jumped for joy, embracing the nearest guard to give a victory kiss. Other celebrants clasped their neighbours hands in a firm shake, while two men stood stoicly in the midst of the festivities.

The Executive Minister and General Michaelson stood in the center of the room, arms crossed and silently watching the footage that trickled from various sources. Silently ordering a certain stream to be broadcast on the main screen, the two watched the scene infront of them intently.

The ruined traffic surveillance cameras flickered to life and surveyed the ruins of Kolfe District and its square, or at least, what was left of it. The images on the screen were many, but all shared the destruction that was wrought upon the innocent residential area...

Under close watch by tense military guards from both sides of the conflict, medical teams and recovery personnel flitted about to ensure that all combatants in the square would be treated with respect and given over to their respective nations for burial. Men searched through rubble and stepped over the myriad of craters and pock marks that littered the streets. The sky was heavy with rain, as if the clouds themselves wished to wash the blood and grief away. The air was filled with tension - no one from any side dared make any noise, an almost permanent hush had covered the square. The men respected the fact that many had died there, and treated the area like a cemetary.

Not long after that, all 1073 Heavy Infantry and Elite Cadre lost during the Siege of Kolfe were recovered. A day later, the UMS similarly reported that all of their casualties had been found and accounted for. The Nation of Nod soon prepared a mass memorial and "victory" celebrations within the heart of the saved city of Addis Ababa....

[...]

(OOC: If you can read this part for the duration of this, then that was the tone I was looking for)

The skies above Addis Ababa remained the grey wash they had been during the recovery operations. The city was still and as silent as could be as the thousand casket procession and the thousands of pall bearers slowly made their winding way down the streets leading towards Temple Secundus, where they would recieve their last rites.

As the first caskets reached the beginning of the procession route, the Nation of Nod's national anthem, Peace Through Power was heard throughout the streets, its solemn and wordless music lurching the hearts forward of whom ever heard that woeful tune.

[0:05]

The citizenry of the NoN, previously cooped up in the Undercities were free to roam about the city, but nearly all of the populace had lined the procession's paths. There was almost no need for guards to hold the crowds back as the spectators watched their heroes silently, the air filled with a collective solemness and realization that the entire City-state owed its survival to the fallen in that convoy.

Those who could not be on the streets watched from the many windows adorning the path below. Most had NoN banners thrown out of the windows, long enough to grace the building's sides and touch the streets. Others carefully dropped black-dyed rose petals, as if to replace the lack of rain.

Standing on a balcony looking over the procession, The Executive Minister, General Michaelson and all the accompanying retinue and officials watched in silence. Soon, as the procession finally entered the Temple, the EM stood forward and took the podium that had been assembled there.

In a strained and quiet voice, punctuated by loud outbursts he spoke:

[0:29]

"My people... sons and daughters of the Nation of Nod..."

"This much, I vow... The history of these months will be written in stone.

These are the broken and dead bodies of those few...those brave men that FOUGHT for our VERY EXISTENCE!

"Before all else, these men defended their country with unwavering loyalty and valour...

To Preserve their beloved nation's integrity through uncomparable courage and the ultimate sacrifice...

WITHOUT HONOUR, A MAN IS WEAK AND WORTHLESS!""

"These men did not lust for blood or for violence like our detractors would have us believe!

They died to shield their friends and loved ones from PAIN! From HUNGER! From MISERY!...

FOR WITHOUT FAMILY, EVEN THE MOST FORTUNATE MAN IS CONDEMNED TO LONELINESS!"

"They BELIEVED that that honour does NOT come from a SINGLE MAN'S HEROISM, BUT A COUNTRY OF MEN WILLING TO DO THE SAME!

FOR WITHOUT A COUNTRY, A MAN IS LOST!"

"Their love and loyalty for their country and its people has been proven..."

"THEIR IMMORTALITY HAS BEEN ATTAINED!"

[0:57]

"The world is filled with those that would deny us PEACE, those that would take away what is rightfully ours!

"The enemy may shatter our bodies...BUT THEY CAN NEVER...DESTROY OUR RESOLVE!"

"They sought sweep over our lands like the sands of a great desert... never again will we bow to them. Never again endure their oppression...."

"If these martyrs taught us NOTHING, then let us learn that in order to survive we must be prepared to strike as one HAND, one HEART and one SOUL!!!"

[1:09]

"Even as our last breaths escape our throats, they now know that we would rather choke our streets with our dead than surrender like cowards...

As we rise again from the ruins of our city, we wear our wounds like badges of honour!

[1:17]

The Executive Minister ended his tirade and clutched his helmeted head in visible sorrow over the loss of the men. Stepping back, General Michaelson took the stage. Speaking in a clearer and restrained voice, he spoke:

"As we speak, preparations are underway to turn Kolfe District into a mass memorial monument to the fallen Cabal responsible for holding back the UMS offensive into our city.

[1:31]

The image of the giant crater that was once Kolfe Square showed on a large screen that had been set up behind the balcony. The same image and infact the entire speech was also broadcast across NoN territory, some international news organizations also having access to the live feed.

His voice speaking over the image, Michaelson continued.

"We will not marr the sacrifice this Cabal made to our nation by simply rebuilding the square and paving the site over.... measures have been taken to ensure the sanctity of the area will be maintained for future generations to marvel at the heroism present to the West of our City..."

[1:50]

"The rest of Addis Ababa, however, will feel the might of our reconstruction efforts. Damage will be repaired, infrastructure will be improved upon and our military might will continue to ensure our safety in the future. I am proud to serve you as Supreme General of the Armed Forces of the Nation of Nod...."

"We have shown the world we are not to be trifled with...they know to what lengths we are all willing to take in order to ensure our survival and prosperity in these troubling times..."

"For now, let us rest... may the world leave us to our grief in peace..."

[2:11]

Stepping back, Michaelson lead the collective chant over the loudspeakers.

"One Vision, One Purpose!"

The collective crowds and militants throughout the Nation answered with a loud voice:

BROTHERHOOD! UNITY! PEACE!

with a collective roar the NoN populace screamed,

PEACE! THROUGH! POWER! PEACE! THROUGH! POWER! PEACE! THROUGH! POW-

Edited December 16, 2009 by Executive Minister

[SpacingOutMan]

The United Mechodamian States offers any financial assistance is setting up this memorial as it is without a doubt an honorable act upon the citizenry of Nod who fought for their lives.

[Executive Minister]

The Nation of Nod will reject any and all outside aid with regards to the memorial monument...

this is our grief, and we will set it right ourselves...

Any aid will be accepted with regards to rebuilding Addis Ababa's super structure, however any UMS aid will be rejected for obvious ideological reasons.