The FSM

[quote name='Kankou' timestamp='1282848848' post='2431922'] About all these inactivity stuff: Why not have a reminder IG sent on the 18th day, and wipe on the 25th day (or is that the 26th?) That reminds me: does the inactivity deletion kick in on the 25th day or the 26th day? Just wondering. [/quote] Policing of inactivity is essentially left up to the community (there is no one person responsible for keeping track of everyone's activity levels). Usually the only people that will be paying attention to a nation's activity level are players who are hoping that nation will be inactivity deleted and they can gain some/all of that nation's territory. Since reminding that player to post would make it more difficult for them to acquire that player's territory, it usually isnt done. Unless of course you have people looking out for you, but that doesnt always happen. In terms of when people are supposed to be deleted for inactivity (in a cut and dry instance where the person is clearly inactive and there isnt a debate over when they last posted) my reading of the rule is that the person has a full 25 days from their last post before they are deleted. If Sarah posts at 3:01 pm today then she has until 3:01 pm September 20th (a full 25 days) to post. She would be eligible for deletion starting at 3:02 pm on September 20th because that would be the start of the 26th day since she posted. Thats my understanding of it at least.

Reports of fascist elements involved in the Athenian electoral process has become fodder for a number of hawkish pundits on Sicilian opinion shows and talk radio. The opinion of these pundits is that Sicily must begin to prepare for the overthrow of the Athenian government by fascists and ways to prevent this fascist revolution they expect to arrive from reaching Sicily. Most people pay no attention.

[b]SNBS- YOUR NEWS, YOUR WORLD, YOUR WAY[/b] The AI Corporation has announced that it will be directing a 400 million euro investment in new facilities in the greater Ajaccio area in coordination with the Ajaccio Urban Development Committee. The majority of this investment is devoted towards the construction of the 'League Financial Center' on undeveloped property between Chemin de Saint- Joseph and the Ajaccio International Airport which is also undergoing an extensive expansion program. The League Financial Center is a 550 million Euro business and financial complex that is being funded by AI Corp and Entera Financial, owner of the SLX Stock Exchange in Ajaccio. The LFC will consist of five skyscrapers. Four 50 floor buildings will be built as right triangles and will be arranged around the central tower of the LFC, known as LFC 1. LFC 1 will be an 80 floor, multitiered structure that will be designed by a team of the League's leading architects. The first three floors of LFC 1 will be circular, with a diameter longer than that of the main tower of LFC 1. This portion will be the new home of the SLX Stock Exchange. AI Corp. spokesmen have informed SNBS that AI Corp will retain a majority stake in the holding company that will be created to maintain the LFC complex. This project represents the largest commercial development investment in Ajaccio in the League's history and reports from Entera Financial indicate that much of the planned space has already been rented out to various companies from the Sicilian League. International corporations wishing to rent space in the LFC complex are encouraged to contact Paolo Andressini at Entera Financial.

My only comment is a hearty Boo for Yawoo

Jean would make the journey to Paris essentially by himself. There would be no motorcade, no helicopters, just Jean and his driver and bodyguard Paolo. Therese's death was taking a heavy toll on Jean, he needed the long drive to sort things out in his head. One of his closest friends, a woman he loved, had dissappeared in an instant. He hadnt met General Delacour, but as a friend of Therese's he was sure they would get along. Said would meet jean when he arrived.

We welcome this union between our two friends and neighbors. We will honor all the agreements we held with both the NPR and Athenian Federation.

The battered remains of the Sicilian Expeditionary Force that had been trapped in Lille did not quite know what to think when the German's stopped fighting. They had survived, held on just long enough, but for what? many of their comrades in arms had been killed and wounded for little other than their own self preservation on a battlefield far from home, in a war that brought about much suffering and ended in something that was not quite victory, not quite defeat. Regardless, they had survived, they had brought honor to their namesake. The Aosta and Steward Divisions of the MedCorps had proven themselves as some of the best fighters in the Sicilian Army, and that was cause for riotous celebration as the Germans pulled back across the border. The SEF and the Armata del Nord would begin the journey back to the League, and they would move as quickly as possible. The barbarians were threatening the Alps, one frontier was now quiet, but the situation on the other was deteriorating by the day. There would be no rest for these men.

Private- at no one in particular Damn it, why has my lovely neighborhood gone to the dogs so damn fast, Jean said as he listened to reports of the Athenian engagements with J Andres and Louisiana

[b]Sicilian GHQ[/b] Admiral Calomar Acbari sat in the dark conference room, smoke hung in the air as he stared at the video feeds displayed on the side wall. His troops were either deployed to or potentially deploying to two of the League's neighbors, he did not welcome a further opportunity to stretch his resources. "The situation is still unchanged correct?" One of the other senior commanders at the table glanced at his papers. "Yes sir, same as last week" Damn, the Admiral thought. Looked like he had to start preparing for contingency operations. "Very well, inform the rest of the MedCorps to suit up for insertion duties. I was hoping this wouldnt be necessary, events seem to be forcing my hand here folks." ------------------ D'Avanti Division Carbonia AFB, Sardinia General Raul Santos watched as the first of the C-130 transports lifted into the bright Mediterranean skies. Only he knew where those planes were headed and he was under strict orders not to reveal that information just yet. All the pilots had been told to do was follow the waypoints given to them by base command, the final destination was as yet unknown. "General, your transport is getting ready to go sir, we need to get moving." Col. Auditore, his second in command, said, glancing at his watch. "Just where is it we're going exactly general? France?" The two began to jog towards a waiting C-130 at a brisk pace. "Im afraid I cant tell you that Colonel, I wish I could but I cant. Everyone will be recieving an in-air briefing once we're closer to arrival. This comes straight from the top." Col. Auditore gulped, he had not yet been in combat, though he had seen the devastating fighting against the rebels on Sardinia a few years ago. "Will we be in combat sir?" The General chuckled and they jogged up the ramp into the belly of the plane. "I certainly hope not Colonel, I certainly hope not." With a nod from the General, the pilot raised the rear hatch and taxied onto the runway. An unknown destination awaited. --------- At airbases in Syracuse and Messina the men and women of the MedCorps asked themselves similar questions as they too boarded onto C-130's bound for an undisclosed location. Back at GHQ, Admiral Acbari hoped he would be able to call the planes back. But if things kept going the way they were going, contingencies had to be planned for and what needed to be done must be done.

[quote name='Sigurd Odinnson' timestamp='1282187991' post='2422543'] INTERNATIONAL DECLARATION FROM KING SIGISMUND OF FRIEDLAND Due to the extensive debate on the expressed reasoning of the Gottische Reich for their invasion of Switzerland, His Majesty the King of Friedland feels it is necessary for Us to contribute a voice to the international discussion. To begin, as has been publicly announced, the Kingdom of Friedland will be offering aid and supplies to the Gothic army presently involved in fighting. His Majesty feels compelled to further inform the international community that the nobility of Friedland have volunteered to contribute from their personal funds in an effort to show solidarity amongst the people of Friedland in support of their neighbours and friends in the Gottische Reich. It is the opinion of His Majesty the King that the act of war undertaken by the Gothic army has strong precedent in the history of our World. Already, French citizens of Switzerland have been absorbed into the French nation. His Majesty further asserts that accusations of ethnic cleansing, tyranny, and oppression are sorely misplaced. Far from oppressing Swiss citizens, the ethnic Germans among the Swiss shall be freed of a government that does not allow them ethnic independence. The government of the geographic area known as "Switzerland" has thus far denied the individual ethnicities over which it rules the opportunity for self-determination, a right that can be afforded by a federal government to constituting ethnicities easily without sacrificing national integrity. His Majesty feels it is his duty in the interest of peace and self-determination in Europe to inform the government of Switzerland of the official policy to promote amity between the three independent ethnicities in the Kingdom of Friedland. Germans of Mecklenburg and Inner Pommerania and Czechs of Bohemia are represented by the nobility of their people. The Czech Nobility and German Nobility hold separate courts; no union of the Duchy of Mecklenburg and the Kingdom of Bohemia and Friedland have taken place, though they share a common King and Throne. It is in this way that the nobility of these nations are left their rights to rule their own lands and serfs as they see fit, not a single man of one nation answerable to any man of the other nation, and sharing common responsibility and loyalty to their King in Gitschin. His Majesty King Sigismund invites the ruler of Switzerland to officially and formally guarantee the independence of the Germans under his rule to determine for themselves the fate they desire. The Germans of the Gottische Reich, further, should be allowed to discourse with their brothers. It is only by this means that His Majesty believes Switzerland will have undertaken all avenues available to prevent further bloodshed and the forceful liberation of the ethnic German people in Switzerland from the multi-ethnic Swiss government. Done in the name of His Majesty Sigismund I, by the Grace of God King of Bohemia and Friedland, Duke of Mecklenberg and Inner Pomerania, Baron of Gitschen, Prague, Griefswald, and Rostock, Lord-protector of the Free City of Stralsund, and Defender of the Faith. Signed, His Excellency Karl Gustav, Duke of Pilsen Royal Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Friedland [/quote] INTERNATIONAL DECLARATION FROM JEAN D'AOSTA, STEWARD OF THE SICILIAN LEAGUE I find it necessary to rebut the recent statement of the King of Friedland and acquaint him with the recent historical record that surrounds the establishment of the current state of Switzerland. West Switzerland (now Switzerland) was established prior to the union of North Germany with the GDR that created the current VDL. It was the German Democratic Republic that granted the people of its province of West Switzerland the freedom to hold elections and establish their own independent government. At this time the GDR and Republic of France had already long adjusted the borders of their respective territories so as to allow the French speaking residents along the GDR-French border to unite with France. When the GDR granted the inhabitants of GDR's Western Switzerland province's request to form their own state this obviously did not include the French speaking regions as these had already been ceded to France. Thus the West Switzerland state that came into being was comprised of mainly German-speaking people. Therefore I find the reasoning that because the now defunct GDR renegotiated boundaries with France, the nation of Switzerland must negotiate away the majority of its population to the Goths to be very weak and poorly based. I further find the idea that Germans in Switzerland are being oppressed or in some way denied their fair say in the government of Switzerland to be very poorly informed. German speakers at this time comprise the majority of the population of Switzerland and I feel I must take this time to touch upon the ethnic makeup of Switzerland for the enlightenment of the King of Friedland. There is no such thing as an ethnic 'Swiss' that would be able to oppress or otherwise deny the ethnic Germans in Switzerland their equal rights as the King of Friedland states. The nation of Switzerland and its citizens either speak German, Italian or Romansch. At this time German speakers comprise the vast majority of the Swiss population. The idea that the Germans in Switzerland are being denied some right to band together along ethnic lines is also poorly substantiated. Had the German speakers in Switzerland wanted to unite with their fellow German speakers than I suspect they would never have asked the government of the GDR for the ability to form their own nation. The various ethnicities of Western Switzerland were given the opportunity for self-determination, they decided to separate from the Germans of the GDR and unite to establish a multi-ethnic state in Switzerland. Given that all citizens of Switzerland, regardless of ethnicity, are given the ability to determine who shall lead them through regular democratic elections causes me to find the assertion that the German speaking citizens of Switzerland are being "denied the individual ethnicities over which it rules the opportunity for self-determination" to be poorly formed and misguided. The various ethnicities are given the ability to determine their own fate every time they vote and there is no restriction on the formation or election of groups or leaders that advocate the union of Switzerland's various linguistic groups with other German and Italian speaking states. The invasion of Switzerland by the Goths is not a forceful liberation of Germans oppressed by another ethnic group. Not only are the German speakers in Switzerland in the majority by far, but they voted to separate from their German speaking neighbors long before the Gothic of Friedian nations came into existence. I cannot help but feel that this "forceful liberation" is the exact opposite, an attempt by a new state to forcibly unite with a people that have clearly shown their opposition to such a union. -Jean d'Aosta Steward of the free and multiethnic Sicilian League

[quote name='Drakedeath' timestamp='1282178261' post='2422291'] Yes, but Bio didn't RP mountainaircraftlauncherdevice things. [/quote] No technology is required, you store the aircraft and all essential personnel etc in the numerous caverns inside the mountains (what the swiss do, sometimes they burrow hangars in there but meh) and then roll them out on to an adjoining plateau to launch and land them. You dont actually 'launch' them from the side of a mountain, just store them inside the base of the mountain. EDIT: I think it would be better if we stop spamming the GM thread and take this to the OOC thread.

Sargun, Liguria (that little green sliver in Italy. collapsed a while back and is part of Sicily again. Not sure if bio posted his ownership of East Switz in here, but he's been Rping it for a while. If bio didnt post that in here then I guess he's just lazy.

Vince, the RL Swiss do in fact shoot their aircraft out of mountains.

[b]SNBS- YOUR NEWS, YOUR WORLD, YOUR WAY[/b] At the Steward's request, the National Assembly has approved two pieces of legislation. The first, titled "The Defense Act of 2071," addresses concerns about the growing instability beyond the League's Northern frontier. The Defense Act, which was signed into law earlier this morning by the Steward at a public ceremony at the Carloforte Naval Station, allocates funding for the expansion of the Sicilian National Army by a full 25%, bringing the total number of infantry under arms to 250,000. The Act also contains funding for an expansion of the Armored elements to a total of 3000 tanks. After the signing ceremony the Steward remarked that in order to maintain the necessary level of training, the new units would be phased in to the existing structure over the next two years. The Defense Act will see the addition of one additional corps to Army North and Army South, giving each a total of 120,000 and 110,000 infantry under arms respectively. The Act will also correct the imbalance in the Armored Groups, leveling out the number of armor in each group somewhat. The National Assembly also approved "The Regional Redevelopment Act" which allocates funds for the largest series of infrastructure programs in League history. In order to "place this League on a firm footing for the future and give our people and businesses the modern infrastructure they need to compete and thrive" as the Steward said in his remarks at the Act's signing ceremony, the Act allocates funds for a number of projects that will improve the physical and digital infrastructure of the League. The largest of the projects allocates funding for expansion of the National Transit System over the next five years. Under the NTS expansion program new transit lines will be built to connect various local highways on the Peninsula into two major thoroughfares. One such line will run from Catanzaro to Turin along the West side of the Peninsula and will connect the Naples, Rome and Genoa areas. The second line will run from Taranto to Milan and will connect the Foggia, Pescara and Bologna areas. The routes will be three or four lanes in each direction and will be designed to maximize speed of travel and safety for users. It is expected that these new transit lines will reduce the time it takes to travel the length of the Peninsula by as much as an hour depending upon traffic conditions. The NTS expansion program also will see the construction of two major bridging projects. One, the Sicily Bridge, will stretch across the Straits of Messina and will connect Sicily with mainland Europe. The two level bridge will consist of a level for automotive transport with three lanes of traffic in each direction, the other level will have four lines for rail traffic. The Sicily Bridge will connect the NTS route on Sicily with the Catanzaro-Turin and Taranto-Milan routes. The other bridge, the Bonifaccio Bridge, will cross the Straits of Bonifaccio between Corsica and Sardinia and will be identical to the Sicily Bridge. The Bonifaccio Bridge will connect rail and NTS traffic on Corsica and Sardinia. The Act provides further funding for massive expansions of the Ajaccio, Syracuse and Milan airports to allow them to accommodate more trans-continental air travel. Expansion for the Milan Airport is expected to be finished within two years with the Ajaccio and Syracuse Airports finishing in 3-4 years. Another interesting, though comparatively minor, program in the Act creates an urban development pilot program. This pilot program will call together a number of city leaders in Ajaccio as well as developers from around the league to maximize the use of space for future development in the city. Though Ajaccio has little need for urban renewal, it is expected that if this program shows success in directing investment in teh city that it will be used to drive renewal in such cities as Naples and Syracuse that are still shells of their pre-crisis selves.

SDDD Naval Munitions Research Center, Area 3, Sardinia "I have the material composition documents here sir." The scientist handed Silvio a sheaf of papers outlining the chemical composition and properties of the new explosives compound they had been developing. Silvio took a few moments to skim through the summary, he had neither the time nor the interest to read the whole technical report. [u]Compound SNM-11 is a new explosive compound which has been engineered to maximize the volume of gasses created by the detonation of the compound. With its intended use in the Kraken warhead, SNM-11 has been designed to convert into large quantities of gas in an extremely short span of time in order to maximize the underwater shockwave produced by the blast. SNM-11 has exceeded expectations in this regard, though safety and the stability of the compound is still problematic. SNM-11 has shown a propensity to detonate under anything less than ideal conditions and is currently unfit for use on board a submarine as is required.[/u] [i]Well if we cant safely use it as a weapon, its basically a waste of time,[/i] Silvio thought. [i]Ive had so much money dumped into this project, and all we have is a new explosive that cant actually be taken out of a laboratory.[/i] One of Silvio's aides walked over and handed him a piece of paper, "message from Area 6 for you Silvio." [u]Silvio, Progress on Belonidae is going well, the design we have created is holding up surprisingly well in field testing and we are nearing the point where live fire demonstrations will be in order. I am assuming you wish to use standard explosive material from our other torpedo models for this? It should be enough to get the job done but I would be concerned against using it against heavy capital ships. It may be prudent to develop a more powerful explosive than what we have now if we want the Belonidae to be a true anti-carrier torpedo. -Girondolo Mattini Director of Area 6[/u] [i]If these idiots can turn their new compound into a useable explosive, I may have just what you need Giro.[/i]

[quote name='Vince Sixx' timestamp='1282074345' post='2420083'] Why find it disturbing, are you afraid we will soon turn our sights on you? We have no interest in Italy, rest assured of that. No, the German focus remains north of the Alps. [/quote] While that is reassuring, it does not alter the fact you have just invaded a neutral nation which this country has a history of good relations with. Regardless of your intentions, your actions have shown you to be aggressive expansionists, as a nation that has close relations with almost all of your neighbors, such expansionism at their expense is disturbing and distressing.

Classified Message to Marscurian Siberia: It appears we back the same horse in this contest, I will see to it that anything you want sent to help the Swiss arrives in Switzerland with as much discretion as possible. -Jean d'Aosta Steward of the League ------------- Private Message to Marscurian Siberia: I would like to contact you about purchasing a number of cargo and transport aircraft. AI Corp. is always looking to diversify its portfolio of businesses and we feel this is a good time to get into the aircraft fleet leasing business. A friend tells me you have a number of spare aircraft you are willing to part with, we would be willing to purchase them. -Andrei Gryshkin Vice President for Acquisitions- AI Corporation ------------- Classified message to the Union of Slavic Republics- James Drake II, Chairman of the Council of Ministers My friend, As I am sure you have noticed this new German state that has formed on our respective borders has seen fit to start marching its armies around claiming new lands for its self. I personally find their invasion of Switzerland appalling because their reasoning is that multiethnic states just shouldnt exist. As leader of a rather large multiethnic state, I find the Goth's attacks to be disturbing. I fear that they may have designs on Sicilian territory as well and I would prefer to put the Goth's in their place now rather than later when they are a much larger threat. I would like to know if you can help me in turning back the Goth armies before they become a much bigger problem. Your friend, -Jean d'Aosta ------------------ Classified message to the New Palma Republic- Edward Moshum Greetings Edward, We havent spoken in a while, and I hope this finds you in good health. Though the Franco-German conflict may have gotten in the way of our cooperating in that conflict I hope it has not precluded our cooperation on other matters. Most pressing is the matter of the Goth's invasion of Switzerland. I find it distressing both because Switzerland is a long-time neutral nation in matters of world politics and war and because the Goth's stated reason for their invasion is the fact that Switzerland (like Sicily) is a multi-ethnic nation. I see the Goth's as a destabilizing force on our borders if some action is not taken quickly to show them that their blatant expansionism and warmongering is not acceptable. Your friend, Jean d'Aosta --------------- Classified message to the Athenian Federation- Empress Nikita Akhitova Greetings Empress, While I realize that both of us are currently straining our resources to save the French I wanted to discuss the Gothic invasion of Switzerland with you. I cant help but feel that the Goth's will turn their sights on Northern Italy next if Switzerland falls, they certainly seem to have no good feelings for multi-ethnic nations like Switzerland and Sicily. It is my belief that it is best to address problems such as the Goth's sooner rather than later and I intend to do just that. I have sent a letter to President Moshum in the NPR to get his opinion and possible assistance on this matter, and I am hoping you may be able to reiterate the importance of dealing with the Goth's before they become a much bigger problem. Sincerely yours, Jean d'Aosta

[quote name='BaronUberstein' timestamp='1282068207' post='2419944'] OOC: Are you part of CNRP or is this something else? [/quote] OOC: He's new to CNRP

OOC: Bio controls eastern Switzerland as well, not sure if it has been updated on the map. IC: The Sicilian League condemns this invasion of Switzerland by the Goths. Switzerland has established itsself as a stable multi-ethnic nation, we shall not stand to see our neighbor and friend torn to shreds in the name of some quest for ethnic unity. We find the blatant aggression and expansionism of such a new nation to be very disturbing. [quote]Classified to the Swiss Federal Government: You have a blank check, ask away. -Jean d'Aosta[/quote] -------- Classified deployments: -Northern Command of Territorial Defense Force placed on combat alert -30,000 men from the Northern Army deployed to the Milan-Turin area -Northern Air Command placed on combat alert

[quote] Classified TO: Lt. Gen. Laxman Sethi, Theater Commander, Cochin Expeditionary Force Germany FROM: Admiral Calomar Acbari Commander, Sicilian GHQ I thank you for reciprocating our efforts, and my government understands that in the heat and confusion of battle, accidents may happen. We recognize that any loss of life on our side due to your forces is accidental and will be treated as such by my government. While we hope it does not happen, I would like to take this letter to apologize in advance for any accidental casualties caused to Cochin expeditionary forces as a result of our aerial operations in the A/L theater. Regards, Adm. Calomar Acbari Commander, Sicilian General Headquarters[/quote]

[b]Seclin, France Sicilian Expeditionary Force (SEF) Headquarters Shortly after the German offensive[/b] General Chanson and General Saloix sat at a small table with the rest of their senior officers. The SEF had only just finished deploying to its positions around Lille and Beauvais and now it appeared that the whole force may be overrun by the sheer numbers of the advancing Germans. An attempted German air attack on the landing zone at Beauvais a few days earlier had succeeded in disrupting deployment for a day, but had caused few casualties on either side as the French airforce was able to chase off the intruding Germans fairly quickly. nevertheless, the German sortie may have been enough to jeopardize the whole 20,000 man force deployed in the area. The delays caused by the German sortie had led to delays in setting up defensive positions and delays in integrating with the French garrison at Lille. In the blink of an eye it appeared that 20,000 of the Sicilian League's finest soldiers would be cast to the winds, crushed by the oncoming German wave. The room was sombre, but they were all in agreement with what must be done. Chanson: "Inform General Al-Malak that the Germans are launching a sizable offensive in our direction. It is likely that we will be overrun in a few days if help is not sent. Also tell him that I am relocating SEF HQ into the city of Lille. If my soldiers have been sent to their deaths in Lille, then so shall I." --------------------------- General Said Al-Malak Hotel De Ville 30 minutes later I opened the small laptop, my fingers flew over the keys, there was little time to spare. I logged in and clicked one of the shortcuts.... SEARCHING.... SEARCHING..... CONNECTION ESTABLISHED... The logo of the AI Corporation filled the screen, I pressed a few keys and I was in. WELCOME TO AI SATELLITE RELAY NETWORK! ESTABLISHING CONNECTIONS Within a few seconds a secure and encrypted videoconferencing link would be established between myself, Jean and Calomar at his office in the GHQ building. All of this was thanks to the special relationship shared by the Sicilian Government and the AI Corporation, AI had agreed to allow their communications satellites to be used in exceptional circumstances by members of the Sicilian military and government, this was just one of those situations. Within a few seconds, both their faces popped up in little video windows on my screen. "I just spoke to General Chanson, she tells me that the Germans have launched a sizeable invasion, hundreds of thousands of men, and that the SEF positions in Lille are likely going to be surrounded and cut-off. All told I believe there are about 60,000 soldiers in Lille if you combine the SEF with the Lille garrison. They should be able to hold out, but without any way of resupplying them I wouldnt expect them to hold out more than a week and a half." Jean nodded. "The fact that our own troops are now in harms way because of the Germans really leaves me with no choice but to escalate our involvement in this. What are our options Calomar?" "Well, the location of the SEF puts them out of range of missile strikes by the Navy, and the distance is too great for our fighters to reach without refueling or re-basing and still be combat combat capable on arrival. Of course we can speak to the French about setting up in-air refueling for our fighters, but on a large scale that could be difficult. The air battle over A/L is well within our fighter's combat range, it would make more sense to send our fighters there to relieve pressure and allow the French to shift their attention to the air war over Northern France." "But that wont change the situation for the SEF, Calomar," I chimed in. "There must be something more that we can do?" Calomar paused for a second, thinking. "The Armata del Nord is still holding North of Milan near the Swiss-French border and could be moved to Northern France relatively quickly, within two or three days given that the force has been waiting to deploy for combat for some weeks now. Another option could be to speak to the Swiss about sending the AdN through Switzerland and open a new front in Southern Germany. It would force the Germans to redirect forces to deal with defense and could blunt their invasion." Jean waved his hand dismisively. "The Germans have escalated the conflict by invading France, and in so doing have put our soldiers lives at stake and that will be our primary focus. Tell the AdL to begin moving to Lille to meet the advancing German force. I also want the remainder of the 2nd and 3rd Armored Groups to be transported to the Northern French front near Lille, they will meet up with the AdL when they arrive. I want the troops to take a route that avoids the A/L incase there is a sudden breakout by enemy forces, have our troops rally at Amiens for now. Send orders through to the Fleet to begin air operations against enemy positions in A/L, the priority is air superiority first. Said, I want you to work with French High Command to secure refueling bases for our aircraft so that they can help in Northern France as well." -------------- I slipped the following note to General St. Croix at the Hotel De Ville: [quote]Sicilian troops (80,000 infantry, 1200 armor) are moving en route to Amiens to rescue Sicilian and French troops in Lille. Carrier based aircraft are moving to assist in air superiority operations in A/L so French assets can be moved to meet oncoming German advance. We request use of French airfields for refueling operations so that more of our air assets can be deployed to assist in N. France. -Gen. Al-Malak[/quote] ---------------------- [quote]Classified message to Cochin High Command From: Admiral Calomar Acbari, Commander- Sicilian GHQ It is my knowledge that the Kingdom currently has both air and land assets deployed to Germany near A/L and I wish to inform you that Sicilian aircraft will be launching sorties to defend A/L airspace from German, Finnish and Slavorussian incursions. As we wish to abide by our non-aggression arrangements as much as possible, our pilots have been given strict orders not to fire on Cochin aircraft and our IFFs have been set accordingly. We would like to see similar efforts taken by Cochin pilots involved in that area of operations. Sincerely, Admiral Calomar Acbari, Commander- Sicilian General Headquarters[/quote] Deployments summary (classified) [b]Sicilian Expeditionary Force/Chanson[/b] --> Currently deployed in Lille, France MedCorps- Aosta Divison/Chanson (10K mechanized infantry) MedCorps- Steward Division/Saloix (10K mechanized infantry) [b]Armata Del Nord/Giannoulas[/b] -->Currently deployed in Northwest Italy; Deploying to Amiens via Turin, Lyon, Paris. ETA 1 day for lead elements, 3 days full deployment. Commander of Infantry- Luc Sommeil Rapid Reaction Corps/Giustianni (20K mechanized infantry) 1st Corps AN/Bastienne (30K mechanized infantry) 3rd Corps AN/Vergenne (30K mechanized infantry) Commander of Armor- Abdur Bouteflika 4th Armored Corps, 2nd Armored Group/Ettienne (100 armor) 6th Armored Corps, 2nd Armored Group/Abdel Rahman (100 armor) 1st Armored Corps, 3rd Armored Group/Hasan (100 armor) [b]2nd Armored Group/Abdelaziz[/b]--> Currently on Sicily and Malta; Deploying to Amiens, ETA 1 week 1st Armored Corps/Rahim (100 armor) 2nd Armored Corps/Soltere (100 armor) 3rd Armored Corps/ Bazziani (100 armor) 5th Armored Corps/Czek (100 armor) [b]3rd Armored Group/Petoir[/b] --> Currently in Corsica; Deploying to Amiens, ETA 1 week 2nd Armored Corps/Zidane (110 armor) 3rd Armored Corps/Zhukov (100 armor) 4th Armored Corps/Roskov (100 armor) 5th Armored Corps/Petrich (100 armor) 6th Armored Corps/Saintogne (100 armor) [b]Carrier Air Group Aosta[/b]--> Deployed to combat (air superiority) operations in A/L area Squadrons 1-7 (7 squadrons total) [b]Carrier Air Group Admiral Abruzzi[/b]--> Deployed to combat (air superiority) operations in A/L area

[quote name='D34th' timestamp='1281582112' post='2412075'] Congratulations and just a quick question: With the same theme and nearly the same name, why not merge? [/quote] We'll merge once IAA and NSO merge. In all seriousness, we considered it, but mergers are a big thing and we figured that rather than risk botching a merger and ruining two perfectly good alliances we would upgrade our treaty.

A corporate jet bearing the maroon outline of the Mediterranean that served as the AI. Corp's logo touched down at the Oslo airport shortly after 11am on the 9th. Owner-President Alexei Illyushkin would be accompanied by the man he had picked to head this prospective operation, Fyodor Ryanov. Fyodor was a tall man, entering his mid fifties, and solid as an ox. He had been one of the many children who had been evacuated from St. Petersburg to Alaska when the Federation fell. Though he was too young to remember his time in the Federation, he was a legacy of that nation's collapse. His parents had both died in the turmoil of those days and he grew up as so many Okhranan children had, first in Alaska, then cast about the globe, most making their way to Gebiv as they grew older. Though those days were little more than stories now, the Okhranan population in Sicily could not help but feel that something had been taken from them, that something was missing, and that they wanted it back. Alexei and Fyodor would be whisked to Minister Piirto' office in a discreet black town car.

[quote name='Pravus Ingruo' timestamp='1281496619' post='2410621'] When Sir Michael Harland received the message from the Steward, he was actually at dinner with none other than Tom Dobbs. Laughing a little despite the seriousness of the message, Harland turned to the paralyzed man. "Think I should send you, Tom? That ought to rekindle old relations in a hurry, wouldn't it?" "If by "old relations" you mean "possible nuclear war", then yes." Harland laughed again as he dialed a number. "No worries, Tom, you're saved. Arthur is still over in France." ============================================================================================================== Just hours before he was due to return home, Arthur Sinclair Jr. received the call to head for, instead, the Sicilian League. Grumbling a little, he got on the plane, turning it in the other direction, and headed for the Italian state to the location Harland had given him. [/quote] Upon entering Sicilian airspace the Yorkian transport would be escorted by Sicilian Sa-17M's to a small airfield outside of Syracuse. A secure hangar would be provided to house the transport and a helicopter would take Arthur Sinclair Jr. to a private heliport near the Messina waterfront owned by the AI. Corporation. Three bullet-proofed black sedans would take Mr. Sinclair up to the Steward's Messina Compound. As with the Swiss, Jean would be waiting in the entryway to greet Mr. Sinclair personally.

[quote name='Biohazard' timestamp='1281496201' post='2410607'] Dominik received the message and immediately began to pack. He notified Aurelia that he would be gone for a while, and for her and Principio to continue the reforms of the military, eastern Switzerland, and the Alps' military, industrial, and civilian quarters. Alighiero, the Administrator of the Vanguard, would accompany Dominik as they left for Messina via plane. "What do you think we're being invited for, Dom?" asked Alighiero, once they were on the plane, enjoying a glass of alcohol. "Well, we are allied to the French. I expect its for some type of counter-attack on the Germans and co. As far as I know, the French haven't tried anything except holding onto Alsace-Lorraine. We'll see when we get there, though," he said, as he adjusted his seat so that he could take a relaxing nap before they arrived. [/quote] The Swiss transport would be escorted by a flight of Sicilian Sa-17M's from the Swiss border to Sicily. On nearing Sicily, the Swiss transport would be instructed to proceed to the Palermo International Airport where they would be given Priority 1 landing priviliges and a well secured private hangar. A helicopter would be waiting to take them from the airport to their final destination, Villa Aosta in the hills above Messina. They would land directly on the grounds and be escorted inside by the Steward's security staff. Jean would be waiting for them in the entryway.