Operation Hurricane

[Michael McBride]

OOC: I'll get to missiles in a moment with my next post... but I need to know where all these ships are coming from. They seem to be popping in out of nowhere, lol. Like the Birmingham and Charlotte, those weren't mentioned before so they weren't taken into my calculations.

[Raritan]

OOC: Check my factbook, first post. They were all at bases in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic. I just sortied them together into two groups, one in the Gulf and one in the Atlantic. They're all traveling together as a group. TF 11 is in the Atlantic and TF 21 is in the Gulf. All the information on my Air Force and Navy can be found in my factbook.

[Michael McBride]

**Vinson (Pensacola)**

The two dying Mirages had managed to get off two missiles apiece, and one had struck it's mark. The fiery debris from Knuckle 6 drifted down over the city as the remaining twenty three planes targeted and fired at the remaining two, two AA missiles streaking out at both of them. The hope was to destroy them and show the Ardorians that Xaristani airspace was just that, Xaristani.

"Vinson Defense Squadrons, be advised. We have multiple contacts approaching you. They should be there any second. Reading enough contacts for twenty four, repeat, two four, planes."

"Roger that, command. Knuckle Lead, have your pilots form up with Moonshine Squadron. Moonshine Two and Three, you're on me. Everyone, stay in range of the city. We have homefield advantage, let's use it." The twenty one planes formed up over the far side of the city and turned to face their new enemies. It was time for a real dogfight. "Vinson Ground Command, can you guys toss a surprise up for them?"

"Roger that. Can do Moonshine Lead." The 90mm autoflaks facing the direction of the intruders would depress and start throwing up flak in their path. While the flak may not bring any planes down, it was going to be a hell of a distraction for what the fighters had planned next.

"Listen up, Knuckles and Mooners. Patch into the ground radar and lock onto your targets that way. We won't give away a lock tone for them and hopefully they won't know what hit them until they're already dead. We only have one chance on this. Patch now." After a string of affirmatives that they all had targets through ground radar, Moonshine Lead smiled. "Fox Three... Fox Three." Forty two missiles streaked out at the intruders, and a tone was never heard by any Xaristani pilot.

Off the coast of Vinson, each FB-66 Hellfire launched four of their ten anti-ship missiles, not only targeting the Mississippi with thirty two missiles, but, in order of importance, the Birmingham (twenty missiles), the Biloxi (twenty missiles), the Mobile (twelve missiles), and the Pinto Island (twelve missiles).

"XMC, we have a problem here. We have fighters launching off the assault carrier at us. Requesting backup," called in the leader of the 4th AS.

"Roger that, Chaos Lead. We're sending help." The 21st IS, callsign Winter, based in Egon, got the orders to fly north and assist the 4th and 8th AS. The 4th and 8th AS began evasive maneuvers and pulled back from the ships after firing their first salvo of missiles to await backup.

**Grancen (Jacksonville)**

OOC: 60 Xaristani aircraft (Interceptors and Fighter/Bombers), plus another 12 bombers.

IC:

The two squadrons of FB-66s and their escorts strafed the ground troops with the interceptors serving a "wild weasel" function to draw fire while the fighter/bombers swooped in with their munitions. Two planes from the 15th IS received ground damage, one being so bad that he had to return to Grancen for repairs. The Hellfires operated almost with impunity, their pilots hooting and hollering as they watched their munitions explode among the enemy.

The Hellfires weren't the only ones who got to have some fun. Six of the bombers from the 2nd BS released their payloads, consisting almost entirely of cluster bombs over the troops from over 60,000 feet. With their ammunition spent, those six turned to return to Redemptio.

"Grancen Assault Group, large group of bogies, repeat, large group of bogies in bound. Enough contacts for three squadrons. Also, the rest of the 2nd BS and the 7th IS have been requested off the coast... something about carpet bombing ships."

"Roger that, Command. Black Knights and Dueces, on me. We're going to go protect our friends. Shamrocks and Zombies, good hunting." That was the voice of the legendary Colonel David K. Atkinson, the most decorated pilot in Xaristan history with a track record dating back to the Federation of Pravus Ingruo. His custom painted matte black AS-37 Mamba was instantly recognizable to any Xaristani pilot and, if he had his way, after this war, to any Ardorian pilot as well. The two squadrons dropped from their escort duty to prepare for the new wave of fighters, using the same tactic that the Vinson defenders had. Ninety two AA missiles raced towards the Ardorian fighters.

Off the coast, the 5th AS was in for more than they bargained for. They had released their payload of anti-ship missiles, one hundred twenty in all, and were now fighting for their lives, dodging and weaving to avoid AA and SAM fire. Their main targets had been the cruisers, battleships, and assault carriers, though missiles had been fired at each ship. Already three were lost, and of the six crew, there had only been three parachutes seen. However, the bombers were nearly there and once they were, they would take a diagonal pattern across the fleet, crisscrossing and dropping their cluster bomb munitions. Carpet bombing wasn't the most effective way to destroy a fleet, but it was better than nothing at this point.

[Manetheren]

LT Nixon and escorts have set sail from Havana and met up with other vessels in the Caribbean to conduct combat cruises off the coast of Cuba and the Bahamas with the interest of providing a deterrent against the warring states of the Southeast continental America.

[Raritan]

*Pensacola*

"Missiles launched!" a pilot near the rear of the 24 planes flying towards the Xaristanis.

12 planes broke for the ground, trying to hide in the ground clutter, dropping chaffa nd flares on the way down. The other 12 tried other maneuvers, jinking left and right, up and down, also dropping chaff and flares. Flying down the streets, 10 of them managed to evade the missiles tracking them. The other 2 were hit and crashed into the buildings on the ground. Of the other 12 planes, 6 managed to evade the msisiles after them. The remaining 16 aircraft turned to chase their attackers, firing off missiles at 20 aircraft.

*ANS Biloxi*

"Vampire, vampire, vampire! Missiles inbound! 96 Targest on radar."

"Launch the SAMs, how many do we have on the ships?"

"24 ESSMs, 210 on the VLSs. We loaded 3/4 SAMs into the VLSs and 1/4 cruise missiles. We also have 189 RAMs on board the ships. If we lose anyone, it's going to be Pinto Island and Mobile."

"One SAM per missile. I don't want to waste these, we're not done with the ASMs yet. Anything that gets through is dealt with by the RAMs and the Phalanx."

A few moments later, 96 RIM-156 missiles were launched out of the VLS systems on every ship but the corvette and the assault ship. The missiles raced towards the inbound anti-ship missiles, killing 68 of them. Then, the ESSMs from Pinto Island and Birmingham, targeting 24 of the 28 remaining missiles, killing 18. 10 missiles were still flying when the RAMs launched and the CIWS powered up and began tracking targets. 3 Missiles eventually made it through the multi-layered defense systems and found their targets, 2 striking Mississippi and 1 hit Pinto Island. The small corvette was no match for the missile, and quickly began flooding and sank within 30 minutes. On the other hand, the battleship's thick belt armor absorbed most of the impact of one missile, but the other hit the rear superstructure, causing extensive damage to the galley, mess room, and living quarters housed there.

"How are our Intruders doing?"

"They're searching for the attackers, they've turned back towards the mainland for the moment."

"Are the cruise missiles ready?"

"Yes, sir."

"Fire them."

70 cruise missiles left the VLS systems on the 3 VLS equipped ships with cluster munitions. Their targets would be the southern airbases. The goal was for the bomblets to punch holes into the runways so that they couldn't be used until they were repaired, somthing that would take time, giving the ground forces some breathing room from the constant air attacks.

*Jacksonville*

Nearly the same things that happened over Pensacola happened over Jacksonville. Several dove for the ground, but the ground clutter over open terrain didn't provide the same shelter that it did in cities. Several on the back end of the attack maanged to fire off missiles at 10 Xaristani aircraft. Then they fired off chaff and flares and began evasive maneuvers. Of the 48 aircraft, some had as many as 4 missiles chasing after them. Others got lucky with one or even none with the confusion in the skies. 30 aircraft survive to turn around, acquire, and fire on 38 Xaristanis.

On the ground, the situation was even worse. SAMs had been fired on 6 planes, but the cluster bombs had destroyed much of what remained of the troops meant to attack Jacksonville. Artillery was destroyed and many infntry carriers were also destroyed.

*ANS Charleston*

"Fire the cruise missiles."

Like the ships on the other side of the Xaristan, cruise missiles were fired from the VLSs on the ships. This time 112 missiles also equiped with cluster munitions were aimed at other military bases around southern Xaristan.

"Vampire, vampire, vampire. 120 missiles inbound."

"Fire off the SAMs. Where did they come from?"

"Air launched, sir. We also have high altitude radar contacts."

"Take them out. Use whatever's necessary."

120 SM-2 missiles came out of their launchers and raced towards the incoming missiles. Another 12 went after the six bombers high over the fleet. 83 of the inbound missiles are destroyed in the first wave of missiles. The ESSMs destroy another 14. The RAMs and CIWS destroy another 17. Of the remaining 6, 2 flew through chaff. The last 4 found their targets, 2 on Roanoke Island, 1 on Portsmouth, and 1 on South Carolina. Both the corvette and frigate sank within an hour. Once again, the heavy armor plating on the battleship saved it from the missile.

OOC:

Total Losses:

15,000+ Dead, wounded, or MIA

150 Tanks

650 Other Vehicles

31 Aircraft

3 Ships

[Michael McBride]

**Vinson (Pensacola)**

OOC: I'm going to assume the two Mirages were hit as well since you did not mention them in the post and only have 16 planes firing back. If this is incorrect, let me know.

IC:

"Eight bogies down, repeat, eight down."

"Missile lock! Multiple missiles, high and low! Count thirty two on RADAR!" (OOC: Assuming two per aircraft from your 16)

"Knuckles, Mooners, break high. Stay out of the way of our ground fire!" Moonshine Lead flipped his mic. "Vinson Ground Defense, get those damn flak guns active! We don't have all day!"

"Roger that, Moon Lead. Firing now." Below, the flak guns opened up in the city, focusing on the ten lower flying aircraft. In the air, the twenty Xaristani pilots flipped and twisted, releasing chaff and flares. Many dove towards the far side of the city, away from the attackers, and then pulled high G turns near the ground to lose their missiles, while others still used the sun as a distraction. Not all were successful. Knuckle 9 and 12 clipped wings as they tried to maneuver away, spiraling to the ground. Knuckle 9 never got there as a missile hit his plane while it was in a flat spin. Knuckle 12 managed to eject before his plane was destroyed. Moonshine 3 managed to evade his missile but his low flying escape sucked a bird into his engine, blowing it out. He ejected but his plane was lost. That left 18 of the original 24 planes from the two squadrons still flying.

"Vinson Ground Defense, hit them with everything you have!" A barrage of AAA guns, flak guns, and SAMs opened up on the remaining sixteen attackers while the other 18 pilots swooped around. There was nothing organized now, no fancy diversion from ground RADAR. As soon as there was a solid tone, missiles flew, and then the pilots closed in to gun range.

**ANS Biloxi Engagement**

"Cruise missiles! We have cruise missiles launching from those ships!"

"Activate Project Salvation... now!" Deep within XMC in Redemptio, the experimental system was brought online for the first time. The advantage of Xaristan being relatively small helped with overlapping coverage from many of the systems, and that was the case now. Minor tweaks since it's completion had brought the system to an estimated 50% success rate (OOC: 5 IG Missile Defense Systems). And now was the moment of truth. Anti-missile sites, both missiles and guns, tracked the targets and then opened fire. The system, for the most part, did its job. Thirty seven of the seventy missiles launched were destroyed before reaching their targets. With a majority of the fire concentrated around the major bases, including those in Egon, Redemptio, and Wahler, those bases remained undamaged. However, bases at Opinter (West Palm Beach), Hansevan (Naples), and Quden (Fort Lauderdale) were heavily damaged. With the military's engineers hard at work building fortifications along the Central Line, civilian construction companies were called into service to get the runways repaired as fast as possible. Two cargo squadrons, two homeland defense squadrons, and an assault squadron were grounded due to the attack.

As soon as 21st IS Winter arrived, both 4th AS Chaos and 8th AS Scissors turned to fire another salvo. Again, they concentrated on the cruiser and assault carrier primarily, with the battleship a secondary target. Each plane fired four of their remaining eight anti-ship missiles, sending ninety six missiles streaming at the ships. This time they did not back off, firing another round of 24 missiles, leaving each FB-66 with three anti-ship missiles left, a mere 15 seconds after the previous salvo. They pressed in, confident in the 21st IS ability to keep the fighters off them.

**Skies over Jacksonville**

"Eighteen down, repeat, one eight downed! We've got them on the run!"

"Quiet, Lieutenant. We're not out of the woods yet." Colonel Atkinson's words turned almost prophetic as the remaining thirty Ardorian aircraft turned and fired on the Xaristani planes. "Mamba's jink. Hellfires, hit them from below!" The bombers were already turning back to base out of harm's way (OOC: I'm assuming you didn't waste missiles on targets with low to nothing threat). The remaining fifty six aircraft (OOC: 2 squadrons of FB's, three of IS, two IS destroyed by the first sixteen (ten air, six ground) shots) started to execute evasive maneuvers, trying to dodge the thirty missiles sent their way. Those who weren't targeted fired on the remaining thirty. Colonel Atkinson was one of those lucky twenty six, and he dove in, targeting one plane from one o'clock high and snapping a missile as soon as he got tone and then shifting his target to another plane, closing to gun range and firing off a blistering barrage. Without checking to see if his shots hit, he went looking for his next victim.

The other thirty planes deployed more chaff and flares. There was so much anti-missile ordinance in such a small area that it was beginning to fog up the RADAR a little. Two planes from 15th IS Yodel and one plane from 2nd IS Dueces went down due to the next round of missiles, leaving fifty three aircraft. The engagement moved to a last salvo of missiles from most of the Xaristani forces before closing to gun range. The 1st IS Black Knights were the most proficient at this, experts in one on one and two on two engagements at close range. They were the best Xaristan had to offer.

**ANS Charleston Battle Arena**

"More cruise missiles, coming from the north east!" Another call went out from XMC, and, again, Project Salvation did its job. 68 of the 112 missiles were shot down, which still left 64 to fly in. Already being prepared, AAA batteries and flak guns around cities and bases opened up, the automatic guns using computer guided shooting on projected paths to take down another fifteen of the missiles, but 49 still made it through. Once again, Opinter, Hansevan, and Quden were the hardest hit, with two missiles each hitting Wenterall (Daytona Beach) and Bastanis (Melbourne). The bases at the latter two were still operational, albeit on a limited basis now.

The six bombers from 2nd BS Zombie heard the missile locks and took evasive maneuvers while still staying on course. The six bombers had split up into three groups of two, one group target to the cruiser, the other the battleships, and the final the assault carriers. Anything else they got would just be gravy. The 7th IS Shamrock flew beneath the bombers, spraying chaff and flares to distract the incoming 12 missiles. Ten of the 12 were destroyed by that diversion. The other two missiles flew towards the bombers. One pilot decided to take the fight to the missile and dove sharply, forcing the missile to overshoot him, which is when it detonated on a proximity fuse. The explosion knocked out one of the bomber's engines, sending it into a semi-controlled freefall towards the fleet. The bombardier opened the bomb bay doors, and the entire payload dropped, albeit slightly short of where they had intended, but the tail end would be on target they thought. Any ships to the side of their target should be caught up in the other blasts. The rest of the crew bailed as the pilot stayed, intent on crashing the bomber into what he saw as the biggest threat, the cruiser. He centered the massive ship in his cockpit window and held on.

The other bomber pilots crisscrossed over the fleet, dropping their bomb loads of cluster munitions under the cover of the 7th IS. The 5th AS withdrew out of the battle zone, as they were informed the 10th AS Madman was on their way to relieve them.

"Do any of the Project Magic torpedo banks have solutions?" Asked Supreme General McCutcheon.

"Um.... yessir. Banks A12 through A18 have low angle solutions."

"Fire them."

"Roger, sir." While Project Magic was only 30% finished, a few banks in the Grancen area were able to get targeting solutions from Project Eye. The six banks that were able to get solutions targeted the cruiser, battleships, and assault carrier, and fired twelve torpedoes in rapid succession, looking to overwhelm the ships from air and sea. Three torpedoes raced through the water at each ship.

Edited August 20, 2009 by Pravus Ingruo

[Michael McBride]

As the valiant Xaristan forces continued to defend their homeland, the following was broadcast:

**Foregin Affairs Release from the Government of Xaristan**

The forces of Ardoria are crumbling beneath our withering assault. Their surrender is imminent to the might of our superior armies, and as such, their lands will become a Xaristan protectorate post-surrender. Very soon, foreign troops will no longer march on our soil and our skies will be clear again, and our waters again pristine.

[Michael McBride]

OOC: Raritan has reached 25 days inactivity IG and has stated here that he will allow his nation to be deleted, which will be sometime today. Thus, I am moving on with this war and the aftermath.

IC:

**Two Days Later**

It was finally silent. The guns and bombs had stopped. The suprise attack by the Ardorians had devastated the northern part of Xaristan, particularly the city of Vinson. But the people would rebuild.

As for the government and the people of Ardoria, their fate was now in the hands of the Xaristani government. Their military, their lives... all at the discretion of one who had been called a madman to the south.

**FOREGIN AFFAIRS DISPATCH**

The Ardorians have unconditionally surrendered in the Ardoria-Xaristan War. Xaristan is victorious. Ardoria's land is now a protectorate of Xaristan. More information will be coming later.

**In Ardoria**

Xaristani troops began marching northward to secure all borders. There was sparadic resistance at points, but nothing major. Xaristan was once again victorious.

[JEDCJT]

Following the collapse of Ardoria, the Department of Defense issued orders to the Army: they were to take over the Ardorian base of Pierre-Miquon, located just south of the State of Newfoundland.

Army soldiers promptly moved into action, moving upon the island and occupying the base within a matter of hours. The island, leased to Ardoria as per an agreement, was now back under New England's control and sovereignty.

The same occurred to the city of Newport-News in southern Virginia, in what used to be in Ardoria. Army soldiers, moving southwards from Hampton, occupied the city. They also took over Fisherman Island, at the southernmost tip of the Delmarva Peninsula.

OOC: Breaaaking the lock.

Also, didn't Raritan say his lands would turn white? >_>  

[Michael McBride]

OOC: Jed, that would be a godmod. My troops were moving north to secure all borders. Your troops would have had to fight mine to get Newport News, and that's simply not happening. All Ardorian lands in what is today the continental United States are under Xaristani control. Period.

[JEDCJT]

OOC: Jed, that would be a godmod. My troops were moving north to secure all borders. Your troops would have had to fight mine to get Newport News, and that's simply not happening. All Ardorian lands in what is today the continental United States are under Xaristani control. Period.

OOC: Oh, okay. Scrub the part about Newport News out, then. Your post wasn't detailed enough, so...

[Michael McBride]

OOC: Oh, okay. Scrub the part about Newport News out, then. Your post wasn't detailed enough, so...

OOC: Moving north to secure all borders? lmao. More detailed stuff will come later today. It's just been real !@#$ty in RL lately, so I haven't gotten to it.

[Arkantos]

All Ardorian lands in what is today the continental United States are under Xaristani control. Period.

OOC: Against Raritan's wishes.You seem to have a problem respecting defeated enemies' wishes.

[Michael McBride]

OOC: Against Raritan's wishes.You seem to have a problem respecting defeated enemies' wishes.

OOC: Choosing an OOC attack simply because I turned down your request for land? That's a new low, even for you. Tell me, how would you landgrabbing the land as soon as it turned white to get what you wanted been respecting Raritan's wishes either? I claimed the land as a protectorate, fully within my right as winner of the war, to prevent exactly the type of landgrabbing you and Jed tried to do.

[Arkantos]

OOC: Choosing an OOC attack simply because I turned down your request for land? That's a new low, even for you. Tell me, how would you landgrabbing the land as soon as it turned white to get what you wanted been respecting Raritan's wishes either? I claimed the land as a protectorate, fully within my right as winner of the war, to prevent exactly the type of landgrabbing you and Jed tried to do.

OOC: No, I'm not, but I love how you OOC attacked right back. I was just saying how you disrespected my wishes for my old land, then Raritan's for his land. And no, I wouldn't be "landgrabbing it" as soon as it turned white. I currently have a nation whose collapse I would have to RP out. And, I believe Jed never said he had any plans to claim some of the land.

[Michael McBride]

OOC: No, I'm not, but I love how you OOC attacked right back. I was just saying how you disrespected my wishes for my old land, then Raritan's for his land. And no, I wouldn't be "landgrabbing it" as soon as it turned white. I currently have a nation whose collapse I would have to RP out. And, I believe Jed never said he had any plans to claim some of the land.

OOC: Jed already tried to grab a city in Raritan's old land. We have worked it out. As for the war with you, you broke the rules. You refused to respond to attacks on a war you started, and therefore forfieted your lands. As Sargun was leaving, I got it. Those are the community's rules, along with OOC landgifting, which you tried to do. And if you have a problem with how I do things, too bad. If you are defeated, you lost. If you're defeated and leaving your land, you don't get to decide on how your land is dealt with, the victor does.

On a second point, Raritan had cleared my plan on IRC and said it was fine.