Ioannes

The Fourth Decree of the Rhodean Monarchy, or Royal Decree IV, was issued by King Ioannes I in the wee hours of the morning after the renewed attack by Republican forces. The decree mandated that all Rhodean citizens with a pilot's license were to be conscripted into the newly-established Rhodean Royal Air Force, effective immediately, and were to report to government-chartered buses in their town to be taken to Rodos Military Base for a rigorous, fast-paced basic training in infantry and aerial combat, with the focus being on the latter. Exceptions were granted to individuals hospitalized for serious injuries or illnesses, or who were currently attending university; anyone else who failed to reach the base by the next morning would be tagged AWOL, and anyone who was absent by the end of the week would be labeled deserters and tried by court martial upon detainment. There were two thousand licensed pilots in the Kingdom of Rhodes; two hundred of them were in territory firmly under the control of Aniketos's Republic, and another 150 were in active combat zones and would require heavier military escorts to reach Rodos. An additional four thousand citizens were also conscripted into the RRAF for ground security and logistical operations. A panel of retired Athenian HAF officers and senior NCOs were called upon to provide an experienced officer corps to help get the air force up and running. When the UFE planes and trainers arrived at the airstrip, they were greeted by King Ioannes, General Serafeim, Councilors Photios and Ioannis, and a detachment of Royal Guardsmen. They were given a meal in the base's officer's club cooked by the king's chefs. The instructors were given spacious quarters in an unused barrack by the airstrip, separate from where the newly recruited airmen were situated, and the UFE pilots set up in a quality hotel in Rodos until their ships arrived. The new RRAF airmen would receive basic training in a T-41D aircraft, and after attaining a certain number of hours, would graduate to a PC-9 for intermediate training, and then a T-2 for jet training. Only after reaching a set number of total hours in training aircraft and proving an ability to fly capably would any of the airmen be allowed to fly an F-15 or F-111. In the meantime, those aircrafts would be flown by the most skilled of the HAF veterans now serving in the RRAF, after a re-familiarization course. ------------------------------------ Corporal Vassilis Anastasios, RRGF sat in a tall oak tree, some distance from the village of Empona, peering down the scope of his Dragunov SVD. The small, mountainside town had been occupied by mercenaries in the employ of the Republic of Rhodes, and was being used as the headquarters of Grand Commander Mikhael Thanos. The men in the camp did not, however, bear the insignias of any of the PMCs in the employ of President Aniketos; they wore no distinguishing marks, and appeared to be far less formal in their business than any of the companies; apparently, they were a former criminal group known as the Rhodean Shadow. Only when a select few individuals walked among them did they have any semblance of discipline, which worked in Vassilis's favor; according to a squad of Rhodean soldiers that had infiltrated the republic's ranks under Colonel Bastian Jochem's orders during the Battle of Atavyros, Grand Commander Thanos had banned the use of salutes in response to numerous casualties caused by what he thought was a 'squad of elite Royal Guard snipers.' Now, Vassilis could use the demeanor of the enemy soldiers to determine when an officer was walking among the troops. What Thanos thought was an elite unit of the king's personal guard was, in fact, Corporal Vassilis Anastasios. The son of an Athenian army veteran and a low-level bureaucrat before independence, Vassilis was conscripted into the RRGF when he was 19, and was chosen to be a sniper for his extraordinary talent on the firing range. He served for the mandatory two years, attaining the rank of private first class, and when it came time for him to be discharged, he opted to volunteer for a four-year term because he was offered a two-grade promotion to corporal. Two months after reenlisting, King Ioannes I had dissolved Parliament, and Aniketos had attacked at Atavyros. Vassilis had been assigned to the Second of the First, posted near Atavyros, and had been deployed with his sniper squad to the port town that had initially fallen to the mercenaries. When orders came to withdraw and regroup with his platoon, Vassilis was trapped in the port, and had to sneak his way through enemy-controlled territory after his squad had already left. By the time he reached the rendezvous point, the battle was over, and Second Regiment was making a retreat toward Notia Rodos. This had left Vassilis behind enemy lines with just his SVD, thirty rounds of ammunition, a 9mm pistol with a few clips, his Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife and a few MREs. He briefly considered destroying his gear and blending in with the locals, but dismissed the notion, instead deciding to take as many of those traitorous !@#$%^&* with him as he could. And so, over the first two days, he fired eleven bullets and killed eleven mercenaries, all of them at least a squad leader. He'd evaded capture by taking his shot, anticipating the path of the next few PMC patrols, and moving to another post without crossing any enemies. It had been seven days, twenty-two bullets, and twenty-three dead mercenaries (the excess had been one he'd caught taking a piss near his post, and he couldn't resist, so he'd slit his throat with his Fairbairn and taken his rifle, ammo, and rations) since he'd fallen behind. He had no doubt that he was officially missing and presumed dead, but that didn't bother him. He'd be found eventually, dead or alive. Vassilis scanned over a cluster of the soldiers standing near a tent in the village, rifles slung over their backs and a clearly relaxed air about them, a feeling brought about by a decrease in rogue RRGF attacks and the fact that the frontline was much further away. The first three days after Second Regiment withdrew, a diehard Rhodean soldier launched an attack of some sort on a Republic camp, ranging from a few mortar shells to a sniping spree, but after about two score of them had been killed, the attacks were now few and far between, and most of them were his shots. He watched the village for another fifteen minutes, cursing in his head. Officers were much more wary these days, and it had gotten to the point where he was lucky to find an important NCO among the soldiers. It made him paranoid; the longer he stuck around here, the higher the chance of being caught. He'd been sitting on the tree branch for so long that his ass was numb to the point that it hurt. Vassilis lowered his rifle and yawned, wondering idly if he should go ahead and move. The thought was blown away by a shrill whistle followed by an explosion in the distance. Vassilis quickly raised the Dragunov back up to his cheek and peered down the scope back at Empona. The cluster of soldiers had scattered, taking cover behind buildings and sandbags, shouting orders, unshouldering their weapons, and trying to find out what was going on. Another whistle pierced the air, followed by another explosion, which hit a tent directly, sending one mercenary flying out of the tent flap, with large splinters of wood impaled in his back. Vassilis guessed it was one of the HQ tents, and a desk had been fried. He found the culprit before the republic mercenaries could; he was further up Attavyros Mountain, obscured by some shrubbery, with a light mortar and a barely-visible brown box next to him. Vassilis could guess it was full of mortar shells. The Rhodean soldier continued to fire shell after shell down on the mercenaries in Empona, inflicting numerous casualties and causing significant damage to fortifications and several military-occupied buildings. Eventually, the mercenaries managed to spot the man, likely through the use of binoculars, and Vassilis saw one man making authoritative gestures and shouting at others through a slim crack in between two houses. He adjusted his aim and fired a single shot at the man's head. A cloud of red shot from the doomed mercenary's head, and he fell over dead. Only then did the other soldiers hear the Dragunov's report and duck for cover. The next minute was tense; Vassilis could identify no other officers, and the soldier with the mortar continued to rain explosives down on Empona. While he could find no more leaders, Vassilis did spot a mercenary sniper, leveling his own rifle to take aim at the mortar man, so he fired once, pegging the man in the temple and sending him toppling off of his rooftop position. Thirty seconds and two mortar shells later, another sniper took a shot at the soldier; Vassilis adjusted his view to see the Rhodean clutching a wound in his chest, then fall over, and he waited a moment to confirm whether or not he was dead. He saw the mortar's trajectory adjust slightly, then a blood-stained hand dropped another shell into it. This shot flew true; it arced over its former target area, and landed directly through the blown-open wall of the building being used as an ammo dump. The building erupted into a ball of flame, and a massive explosion dwarfed the sounds of gunfire directed at the Rhodean. Empona vanished in a cloud of smoke for a few moments, and when it cleared, the ammo dump was utterly obliterated, and many of the buildings around it were also destroyed. Smoldering corpses dotted the area, at least fifteen of them. It was then that Vassilis noticed the five-man squad of mercenaries rushing up the mountain path towards the Rhodean soldier, who had readjusted his trajectory and was now firing at the [i]de facto[/i] mess hall, with considerably less effectiveness. He was still on the ground, dropping the shells in with bloodstained hands. As the mercenaries left the path and started wading through brush to get to him, the shelling stopped, causing the squad to slow cautiously, wary of what he may do next. After an eerie moment of silence, Vassilis heard the rapid-fire popping of an assault rifle in the distance; two of the mercenaries dropped abruptly to the ground, dead or taking cover. The other three ducked behind trees, pinned down by this one wounded Rhodean. One of the mercenaries broke cover and fired two shots at the Rhodean soldier, receiving three in the shoulder as a result. They appeared to have been victorious, as the three approached the mortar cautiously, then stopped and stood in a semicircle. A sword suddenly drove through the torso of one of the unwounded men, somehow breaking through the body armor and mass of the man. The other two fired a half dozen bullets each into Rhodean's prone form. When the body stopped moving, one of them inched closer and prodded it with his rifle. One of them sighed in visible relief, and pushed the soldier's corpse over to collect its rifle. Vassilis couldn't determine what was going on when one of them leaned in, then shouted something and started to run; apparently, not fast enough. There was another massive explosion, igniting the remaining mortar shells and sending the two men sprawling. Vassilis watched for another minute, and they never stood back up. Vassilis smiled grimly to himself, making a mental note to mention this to his CO when he got out of this to see if the man could be identified. But for now, the men down in Empona were reorganizing themselves, and he had no doubt they'd be sending a patrol in his direction soon. He slung the Dragunov over his shoulder, slid off the branch, and landed heavily on the ground. He glanced about to determine his location, and sprinted off to the southwest, away from the town.

[quote name='Vedran' timestamp='1300759227' post='2672802'] If you wanted to infiltrate people's countries, you could have done it without first announcing TIDO's presence and intent and thus causing everyone to be on the defensive. [/quote] Mhm. Kinda ruins the whole idea of covert ops when you tell everyone "Hey, check it out, we're gonna infiltrate your nations and wreak various forms of havoc on your governments in the hopes of furthering our extremist ideals! Also, here's the identity of one of our members!"

King Ioannes was once more awoken by Councilor Ioannis, who this time held the response from UFE and a form authorizing the transfer of $400 million from the treasury to the UFE. The king read the reply, signed the authorization, and rolled back over in his bed. Lefteris took the form and searched out Councilor Photios, who was working with some of his underlings to create an organizational structure for the Air Force. "What is it?" Photios asked without looking up from some notes on his desk. "We're about to wire the money for the aircraft to the Chinese," Lefteris said. "They gave us the information we'll need to contact flight instructors to teach our pilots. Since that falls under your authority, and also because His Majesty will probably shoot the next person to wake him up, I need your signature to authorize their employment." Photios glanced up at his FA counterpart. "Me? Why not Theodoros?" "Because he is in charge of the ground forces," Lefteris explained. "His jurisdiction does not extend to anything to do with any other branch, existent or not." "Ah." He beckoned with his hand, and Lefteris handed over the paperwork. Photios scanned it for a moment, signed it, and handed it back. "When will they be here?" Lefteris shrugged. "When they get here," he replied. "I've got no idea what sort of schedule to expect from the UFE." The war councilor rolled his eyes. "Alright, whatever," he said, returning to his notes. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have important matters to attend to." "Of course, of course, don't let me keep you," Lefteris said, rushing from the room to complete his next task. ---------------------------------- [quote]Official Message Sender: CoFA Lefteris Ioannis on behalf of HRH King Ioannes I Komnenos Recipient: August Imperator Jia OR Whomever It May Concern Sub: Re: Military Purchase Msg: $400 million have been wired to you. Please let us know when the aircraft are en route. They can land on the military-administered air strip in Rodos. -Councilor Lefteris Ioannis End Msg[/quote] ----------------------------------- [img]http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/7977/overallpicture1.png[/img] The second phase of the conflict began after dawn the next day. Ten thousand Paradigm Arms and New Crusader mercenaries launched a coordinated ground attack on RRGF fortifications near Kamiros, while another ten thousand Northwind contractors, arriving from Alimia, began a beach landing just behind the frontlines of the Fourth Regiment positioned there. The Rhodean forces at Kamiros were more prepared for an attack than the ones at Atavyros had been; they had larger ammo stockpiles, more extensive fortifications, minefields, and snipers posted throughout the municipality. The mercenary advance was far less steady than it had been at the Battle of Atavyros, and even the coastal strike met significant defenses. Despite superior numbers, the mercenaries were bogged down fighting a dug-in enemy at Kamiros, which bought the Rhodean armed forces valuable time. [img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3760214713_4811ce49e6_o.jpg[/img] [size="1"][i]Rhodean soldier of Fourth Regiment fires a machine gun near Kamiros[/i][/size] Near Notia Rodos, a more even engagement began. Ten thousand mercenaries from the Heirs of Achilles, Warhawk Int., and Stormrange WW clashed with around 7,500 soldiers from First Division, including the troops of Colonel Bastian Jochem, who had left an impression on the enemy after their bloody struggle to hold them back. After an initial attempt to overwhelm the RRGF in a blitz failed, the mercenaries withdrew and began to work out a new strategy. Although defenses in and around Notia Rodos were inferior and more hastily erected than those at Kamiros, the larger garrison meant that the Rhodeans had a good chance of turning the enemy back. [img]http://www.military-today.com/apc/marder.jpg[/img] [size="1"][i]A Mardar 1A3 of First Division moves to support infantry northeast of Notia Rodos[/i][/size] In the central part of the island, the two ten thousand-strong army groups, composed of ESMSC, Vanguard Global, PDSC, and Jurgen's Legion contractors, faced comparatively less resistance. Only about one thousand men blocked each one's advance, sent from Archangelos and Lindos to delay the enemy's march. They would hold their fortified defensive positions for a time, then withdraw the armor and artillery and engage in guerrilla warfare to thin out the mercenaries. As the two mercenary forces attacked and encountered resistance, their advance slowed considerably, as they were unable to discern how many soldiers they were facing. [img]http://wapedia.mobi/thumb/9ac5499/en/fixed/470/305/Royal_Thai_Army_soldiers_in_woods_2006.jpg[/img] [size="1"][i]Rhodean soldiers of Third Regiment await the mercenary advance[/i][/size] ---------------------------------------- As his soldiers fought their way towards Kamiros, the second largest city in Rhodes, Nicolaos Aniketos decided now was as good a time as ever to officially declare his new nation. After adding some final touches to the national constitution and his appointees, he released a statement to the global community. His televised appearance showed him sitting behind a desk, with a neat stack of papers, and an unnecessarily lit lamp. Before beginning, he took a swallow of water, cleared his throat, shuffled his papers, then looked directly at the camera. "People of Rhodes, leaders of the world, good morning," he began. "I am Nicolaos Aniketos, former Chancellor of Rhodes. As you may or may not be aware, the minuscule Kingdom of Rhodes is now embroiled in a conflict, and fighting has broken out across the country between Rhodean military and another, larger force. Allow me to recap the last few weeks, for those who are unaware of the current circumstances. In response to a series of deaths in the Rhodean Parliament, His Royal Highness King Ioannes I Komnenos proposed the Royal Security and Defense Act, which passed through Parliament via the majority Royalist and Nationalist parties. Not long after, King Ioannes cited the RSDA and dissolved Parliament and the office of Chancellor, deploying military and police forces to contain any protests. Just a day after, this other army launched an invasion in the municipality of Atavyros in southwestern Rhodes. This army answers to me; in the weeks before the dissolution of Parliament, I and my associates had grown wary of the King's intentions, and pooled our monetary resources together to contract the services of various private military companies and gathered them on the isles of Chalki and Alimia. And now I see that we were right to do so. "King Ioannes seeks to strip all forms of democracy from Rhodes, centralize power for his own gain. He does not speak for the people, only for his own interests. He has denied us our ability to elect our own governors, and I fear more of our rights will be taken away if this continues. That is why I wage this war; to restore democracy to our nation, and free it from the oppression of the Komnenid monarchy. To further this fight for freedom, I hereby declare the sovereign Republic of Rhodes, with the following government. "I, Nicolaos Aniketos, have been elected by my peers to be the first President of the Republic of Rhodes. My Vice President and Secretary of Defense is Matthias Panagiotos, a former businessman from Rhodes. My cabinet consists of three individuals; Secretary of Defense Panagiotos, Secretary of Foreign Relations Thomas Paraskevas, and Secretary of the Interior Nomiki Gregorios. A 50-seat Parliament has been established, largely out of former members of the Royal Parliament. For the duration of this conflict, all matters of military nature will be handled by the President and his military advisers, but Parliament may vote on civilian issues. "My first act as President of Rhodes is to establish the Army of the Rhodean Republic. Volunteers may enlist in the Army at local recruiting stations; they will be trained by instructors provided by Fenrir Global and the Heirs of Achilles military companies and deployed to reserve policing duties and in support of the contractors. "Secondly, I ask for the support of the global community in our fight for democracy, implore your compassion. We do not seek military assistance, only financial and humanitarian aid. It could be the difference between a republic and a dictatorship in Rhodes. Thank you for your time." Aniketos's image was replaced by a black-and-red striped flag, the one that would represent the Republic as a nation. [center][img]http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6366/parliamentaryflag.png[/img][/center]

King Ioannes was asleep in his quarters in his palace when the reply from the Federation arrived. He was broken abruptly from his dreams by the insistent shaking and hissing of another. As he woke, he squinted at whoever it was that was interrupting his slumber. "Your Majesty," Councilor Lefteris Ioannis whispered. "I hate to wake you, but we've received a response from the UFE." "Already?" the king asked, rubbing his eyes. "Let me see it." Lefteris handed him the missive, and he raised an eyebrow. "Odd. I was expecting terms of some sort, or at least a price tag." "As was I," Lefteris said. "What do you want to do?" Ioannes groaned sleepily and yawned. "Uh...ask them about delivery and see about getting some flight trainers to get us started." "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll wake you again when they give their reply." ---------------------------- [quote]Official Message Sender: Councilor on Foreign Affairs Lefteris Ioannis on behalf of HRH Ioannes I Komnenos Recipient: August Imperator Jia OR Whomever It May Concern Sub: Re: Military Purchase Msg: How and when will the aircraft be delivered? What is your price? Would it be possible to negotiate for UFE flight trainers to get the air force off the ground, figuratively and literally? -Councilor Lefteris Ioannis End Msg[/quote]

As per orders, the Chancellor's mercenaries began to establish a series of bases throughout their beachhead. The main headquarters was built in the town of Atavyros itself, with smaller ones across the region and defensive strongholds on Attavyros Mountain and the large hill previously occupied by RRGF troops. Advance parties had already been deployed to root out any straggling Rhodean soldiers, with larger forces being organized behind to sweep in and occupy the territory. Thirty thousand reinforcements were sent from Chalki, and ten thousand more were marshaling to launch a supporting coastal attack further up the Rhodean coast, leaving about sixty thousand more on Chalki, in cramped and rather insecure conditions. Rhodean troops were in retreat, offering no resistance at present to the Chancellor's army-for-hire, save for the occasional diehard or straggler with a machine gun or mortar. Such individuals would cause a little damage, usually killing a few mercenaries or damage supplies, or both, before a patrol pinpointed their location and eliminated them, save for one sniper that seemed to appear for a shot, then melt away without being detected. Despite an increase in patrols, the sharpshooter always seemed to be a step ahead of the mercenaries, and had already claimed eleven victims, ranging from a few senior NCOs to the commander of an entire company of Fenrir Global employees. The Chancellor's army was made up of fourteen different companies, originating from several different regions; the Heirs of Achilles, Fenrir Global, Northwind, Marx's Marksmen, Jurgen's Legion, Paradigm Arms, Gottorp Grenadiers, Warhawk International, New Crusaders, Stormrange Worldwide, Vanguard Global Security, Phoenix Defense and Security Corp, Emerald Snake Military and Security Company, and Guardian Security Firm. It was a multicultural coalition of individuals from across the world, all brought together by money and thrills. One would expect a severe language barrier between each group, and that's exactly what Chancellor Aniketos had anticipated in his business days. When he lent the funds to each CEO-to-be's, part of the contract signed required each employee to be taught fluent English, at the company's expense if necessary. This proved fortunate, as it allowed different nationalities to speak in a common tongue and prevented confusion through translators or language barriers, though each group often reverted to their native language when speaking with their fellows. The compilation of PMCs was headed by one Mikhael Thanos, a member of Rhodes's Shadow and a former field commander for the Athenian army, who was styled Grand Commander Thanos. He was aging, but he was still a capable and strong leader, and that's what Aniketos needed to keep his various mercenaries under control. The detachments from each company were led by officers trained and appointed by the CEOs of their respective companies, and each one answered directly to Grand Commander Thanos. Problematically, since they had not been incorporated into a single, coherent military structure, a lesser soldier did not have to obey a superior's orders if the superior was of a different company. For instance, a Fenrir Global NCO was not obligated to obey an order from a Northwind captain, unless the order went through Thanos and came through a Fenrir Global officer. Existing rivalries also did little to help maintain the status quo; fights had been barely prevented between several different groups. In response, Thanos broke up each PMC and assigned them a different camp, and filled his headquarters with heavily armed Shadow members, as the alternative had been to call a contingent from each PMC, and that was a situation he sought to avoid. While Grand Commander Thanos tried to keep the peace in his mercenary army and advance their gains, Chancellor Aniketos was building his own ideal government, to legitimize his efforts to take the throne. He had already enlisted the assistance of many of his old Conservative Party allies, and was in private contact with several former members of Parliament, trying to buy their support by posing as the republican savior of Rhodes. This had resulted in several more leftist and centrist MPs joining his cause. He and Overseer Matthias Panagiotos had been writing a constitution for a 'Republic of Rhodes,' which would have power centralized around a president, with an ornamental parliament. The basics were in place, and holes in the emerging government were being filled by political defectors. Aniketos was also working on swaying the populace to his side, and had local broadcasts sent to Atavyros and the surrounding countryside, explaining the cause of the invaders and denouncing the King. He appointed one of Panagiotos's men as a recruiting officer in Empona and other villages, looking for volunteers for a future Republican army; the rather limited population meant that only about 1,000 men and women had volunteered, hardly enough to make up for the almost sixteen thousand lost in the Battle of Atavyros. Technicians managed to breach national television and transmit their message throughout the nation, stirring dissent against the King and favor for the Chancellor. Aniketos continued to deal with affairs of his 'state' from Chalki, deciding that Atavyros was still too close to the frontline to transfer his base of operations. Overseer Panagiotos remained busy with the logistical branch of an invasion, coordinating ammunition, food, fuel, and other materiel between camps and units, and Grand Commander Thanos ordered the next phase of his invasion to begin. Four different ten thousand-man units, plus a fifth arriving from Chalki, launched follow-up attacks all along the beachhead's perimeter. With their frontier regiment pushed back and little manpower with which to hold the border, the RRGF was powerless to hold. The regiments set up defensive positions in and around the larger towns of Rhodes, waiting for battle and hoping to weather the storm. ----------------------------------------- In Rodos, a constant session of the Royal Court continued, with reports from the field in the combat zone and retained provinces, both good and bad...but mostly the latter. "Latest intel suggests that Aniketos is launching another wave of attacks," General Serafeim said, pointing to a few locations on a blown-up map of Rhodes. "He has reinforcements from his little base of operations on Chalki, and we don't have the firepower or manpower to hold them back right now." He pointed at the area around Notia Rodos. "All of First Division, which, at this point, is only about 8,000 personnel, has entrenched in this area. A significant portion of Second Regiment, which was present at the initial Battle of Atavyros, has been positioned here-" Serafeim indicated a road that led from the southeastern coast of Rhodes to about halfway into the island. "-to prevent the enemy from strolling down the road and isolating Notia Rodos. The odds are more favorable toward them now than they were at Atavyros, as only about ten or fifteen thousand mercenaries are being sent against them, and one to two odds are better than one to five odds, especially with our army's training." He shifted his attention up towards Kamiros. "In the north, however, the situation is considerably more bleak. We only have 5,000 men there; Fourth Regiment, Second Division, under Colonel Dimitrios Spiridon. They have the ten thousand coming by land, and reports indicate that another ten thousand have departed Alimia and are making their way to Kamiros for a beach landing." Serafeim waved his pointer at two more enemy units in between the two. "As for these two, they are largely unopposed at present, and appear to be angling toward Lindos and Afantou, yet no force seems to be marching for Archangelos, which is larger. We suspect that they intend to seize Lindos and Afantou, cutting our nation into three pieces, centered around Rodos, Notia Rodos, and Archangelos, which would allow them to conquer each one at leisure." "Worrying," King Ioannes I Komnenos muttered, flipping a page in a file. "How goes the search for recruits?" "Well, it has been made difficult by Aniketos's broadcast," Councilor Photios answered. "But many veterans of the RRGF are more than willing to reenlist at an equal or lesser paygrade. We're seeing a rather high retention of RRGF combat skills, so the veteran units should be battle-ready within the week. The rest, up to four months, at our current training standards." "Do you have a solid number in terms of veterans?" King Ioannes asked. Photios glanced at his clipboard and said, "About twenty thousand, Your Majesty, far more than we expected, and so quickly. I suppose its good that we promoted loyalty to the monarchy in training." "Indeed," the king mused. "And what of your investigation into aircraft?" Photios and Serafeim exchanged glances, and Photios cleared his throat. "Well, Your Majesty, in ideal circumstances, I...we, would recommend F-15 fighter aircraft and F-111s for a support role, but if we buy F-15s, then it'd be more economical for us to purchase MiG-23s instead of F-111s, for the time being. We have been able to determine that the United Federation of the East has surplus of both F-15s and F-111s, so we should see if we could strike a deal with them." "I'll contact the UFE," Ioannes said. "Anything else?" "Our citizens are getting a bit uneasy, with the invasion and all," Councilor Stelios Yannis mentioned. "With so many RNPF personnel deployed in an auxiliary combat role, we're a bit undermanned to handle the protests in the city. Considering their low effectiveness on the field of battle, I recommend redeploying a portion of our combat RNPF units to cities to keep the peace." "Agreed. Redeploy the Rodos RNPF Auxiliaries to peacekeeping roles in Rodos, Petaloudes, and Afantou," Ioannes ordered. "Yes, Your Majesty," Councilor Yannis replied, dipping his head. "I must sleep soon," Ioannes said, rubbing his eyes and looking at his court. "I will contact the UFE and sign the paperwork for my orders. Photios, I want you to create a structure for an air force. I'll officially establish it tomorrow. Everyone, carry out your orders." "Yes, Your Majesty," most of the advisers said simultaneously. "Good," Ioannes said. He yawned, stretched, and stood from his chair. "Do not wake me unless something truly urgent occurs." He turned and strode from the conference room, and the advisers rushed to do their part before it was too late. ------------------------------------------ [quote] Official Message Sender: HRH Ioannes I Komnenos Recipient: Chairman Jia OR Whomever It May Concern Sub: Military Purchase Msg: Dear Chairman Jia, As you may or may not know, my nation was recently attacked by contractors hired by our former Chancellor, Nicolaos Aniketos. His troops currently outnumber my existing ground forces, and we require an edge to turn back the tide. We have determined that the best course of action is to establish a Rhodean Air Force, but the problem is that, with our conflict with Aniketos and the efforts to expand the royal ground forces, we are low on excess funds. We were hoping to strike some sort of bargain with you, in exchange for thirty F-15 Eagle and twenty F-111 Aardvark aircraft. Would you be willing to make an agreement? Sincerely, Ioannes Komnenos End Msg [/quote]

The next two hours were tense. Both sides adjusted and readjusted their forces, and tried to get a better understanding of their enemy's strength. Both sides were forced to rely on intel gathered by scouts, as neither had aerial drones or satellites to deploy, and the use of scouts led to the deployment of patrols along the lines. An hour after the assault ended, Rhodean snipers located a mercenary scouting unit of four men near Atavyros, and eliminated them with four shots to the heads before they could radio back. When this report reached Colonel Jochem, he ordered four of his own, best men to take the contractors' uniforms and weapons and infiltrate the First Wing's camp. They were to gather as much intelligence as they could while feeding misinformation to the invaders. Meanwhile, headquarters made radio contact with nearby RRGF forces, informing them of the situation and requesting support in the form of munitions and manpower. ----------------------------- Major Akakios returned the salute of two guards before ducking into the command tent in the RRGF field headquarters. Inside, he offered a salute to Colonel Jochem, who was poring over maps of the terrain in the area and reports by scouts. Jochem looked up and returned the salute. "Sir," Akakios said, holding up an official RRGF Communications Report, "We've made contact with the First Regiment, First Division. They have acknowledged our situation and have sent a battalion under Lt. Colonel Yavuz Can, but with their armor, they will not be here until tomorrow. As for military, a convoy has been sent with ordnance for our artillery. Colonel Silas has also made contact with General Serafeim, so the situation is now known to the entire military. We expect extensive support to back us up soon." "'Soon' is not soon enough, Major," Jochem replied, taking the report from his hand. "Our reports estimate that the enemy still has at least 15,000 troops left, and God knows how many more are on Chalki. We're but a single regiment against an army, and if support doesn't arrive before the next attack, we're $%&@ed." The radio on the side of the tent crackled to life, and a voice on the other end frantically shouted, "This is Major Zayn of First Battalion. Our position is under attack on three sides, and our outer lines are on the verge of breaking. Requesting additional support immediately! We'll take whatever we can get, just help us! Now!" "Sir?" Captain Stathis said, looking to Jochem. The colonel snatched the microphone away from Stathis and broadcasted, "Readjust all artillery and target the enemy; scatter, disorganize, and demoralize them. I want the 2,000 RNPF personnel at HQ to mobilize immediately and attack the southern flank of the enemy. Third Battalion, launch an attack on the opposite side. Stave off the enemy and prevent them from encircling First Battalion; Zayn, I want you to hold onto your position until relief arrives, then begin a steady withdrawal from your position towards HQ." ------------------------------- Third Battalion, located at Attavyros Mountain, responded immediately, launching an all-out attack on the eastern flank of the PMCs. Meanwhile, the RNPF unit, supported by two companies of Rhodean soldiers, organized and lashed out at the mercenaries' Second Wing as they tried to wrap around the southern end of First Battalion's hill. Third Battalion engaged in fierce fighting with the mercenaries, preventing them from allocating troops to the southern part, with the Leopard tanks launching successful counterattacks alongside the infantry, and the RNPF succeeded in halting the flanking maneuver, but could not push the enemy back further. Mercenaries swarmed the hill, undeterred by the barrage of artillery on their ranks, using their overwhelming numbers to take the Rhodean position. They reached the sandbag fortifications and engaged in bayonet fighting with the Rhodean soldiers, who drew their various melee weapons and began hacking down contractors with abandon. But all the quality in the world could not have saved them from these overwhelming odds. They killed hundreds of mercenaries, but each individual soldier would wind up surrounded by enemies. While the perimeter struggled, Major Zayn had the artillery withdrawn from the hill, then tried to extract his troops from the bloody situation. A company of Rhodean soldiers from Third Battalion reached the hill and offered much-needed support for First Battalion's withdrawal. The RNPF and Third Battalion launched a renewed assault on the mercenaries, allowing Zayn's soldiers to remove themselves from the hill. They began to withdraw in good order towards HQ and Attavyros Mountain. Then, the artillery pieces captured by the contractors in the last battle were turned against their former owners. Shells began to rain upon the withdrawing Rhodeans, enough to disorganize them, especially the RNPF. The PMCs launched another attack, focusing on the less-trained policemen and demoralized First Battalion. A bloody struggle ensued, ending with the shattering of the RNPF and decimation of First Battalion. The Rhodeans grew increasingly disheartened; no matter how many mercenaries they mowed down, more were ready to take up the fight. First Battalion withdrew to HQ while Third Battalion formed a defensive line at the front. Auxiliary RNPF personnel were deployed to reinforce it, and three more companies were deployed alongside them to delay the enemy. They had no hope of holding off the mass of contractors, but they could hold them off long enough for a clear escape route to be formed and the artillery evacuated. Colonel Jochem had already begun to withdraw his artillery, as it seemed very likely that the mercenaries would ride their momentum to headquarters. He radioed Lt. Colonel Can and informed him that the Second was being forced to withdraw, and told him to return to First Regiment. He then adjusted his remaining reserves to hold off the enemy as long as possible. Third Battalion was under extreme pressure, and was losing ground to the onslaught. ------------------------------------ "Colonel, sir, we have a broadcast from General Serafeim himself," Captain Stathis reported. Colonel Jochem grabbed the headset from him and put it on his head. "Colonel Jochem, this is General Theodoros Serafeim," a voice said on the other end. "I have been made aware of your dire situation, and I need more eyes-on intel from your unit." "General, things are looking bad. The enemy is approaching headquarters and is battering Third Battalion as we speak. My artillery has begun to withdraw to prevent the enemy from capturing it. I still have 1,500 men with artillery support on Attavyros Mountain, but they are cut off from HQ. We're outnumbered and losing ground fast. Once Third Battalion breaks, Headquarters itself will be under attack." "How many personnel do you have at your HQ?" General Serafeim asked. "About one thousand soldiers with two thousand national police, but I wouldn't rely too much on the police, seeing as they're not professional soldiers," Jochem replied. "Sir, it pains me to say this, but I don't see any way for us to hold our position. We don't have the manpower to hold off a continued enemy attack, and our forces at Attavyros Mountain are too meager to hold out forever; even if they could, they don't have enough supplies to last them a week. Each of my men are willing to fight and die to the last man for Rhodes, but I don't believe that to be the best option here. Have you any orders for us?" Serafeim paused for a moment, then replied, "Yes. Colonel, I want you to begin an organized withdrawal from the area. Do what you can to thin their ranks as you withdraw, but don't get bogged down in a prolonged engagement. Extract your forces and head east; rendezvous with First Regiment and establish defensive positions, and I'll need you to hold the enemy there. We're doing what we can to relieve you, but this time, we need you to hold them as long as possible. Can you do this for me?" "Yes, sir," Jochem replied. "Without question." "Very well. Carry on." Serafeim cut the connection before Jochem could say anything else. No sooner had the link been destroyed than Major Akakios burst into the tent. "Colonel, Third Battalion has been removed and is now on the retreat towards headquarters. What are your orders?" Jochem handed the headset back to Captain Stathis and said at length, "Continue to withdraw the artillery from the camp. Send three of our available companies to support Third Battalion's retreat." He tapped Stathis on the shoulder and said, "Contact the CO at Attavyros Mountain and tell him to begin a withdrawal, but send some of his forces to launch a diversionary attack on the enemy's flank. Tell them to make their way toward the First's position to the east." "Are we retreating, sir?" Akakios asked, visibly surprised. "Of course," Jochem replied. "We're outnumbered and in danger of being outflanked. I know my men would die for their country, but I'd rather not throw lives away in a futile defense." He whistled. "Dorotheos!" A soldier with the insignia of a captain on his shoulder entered the tent and saluted. "Begin withdrawal protocol. Load up the trucks, put everyone on high alert, and deploy the engineers to plant mines as we retreat." "Yes, sir," Dorotheos said, darting back out of the tent. "Sir, if we're retreating, you need to get ready to leave now," Akakios said. Jochem shook his head. "No," he responded. "I needn't." Akakios stared at him, frowning. "Sir, with all due respect, you're our commanding officer. You need to leave with the initial convoys to avoid your death or captu-" He trailed off at the icy glare cast his way by Jochem. "Major," he said coldly. "I may be an officer, but first and foremost, I am a Rhodean soldier. My rank does not entitle me to safety where my men are dying. I will withdraw when every last Rhodean soldier has left this headquarters. Dismissed." "But, sir-" Akakios protested. "Dismissed," Jochem reiterated firmly. ----------------------------- The contractors pressed their advantage, pursuing Third Battalion as they withdrew back to Headquarters. The RRGF continued to give ground and inflict severe casualties on the enemy, while engineers took positions throughout the area, equipped with anti-personnel frag mines. As the RRGF withdrew, they would place the mines in the path of the enemy advance and link up with the soldiers, repeating the process as they went. A few fougasse mines were also placed wherever any surviving mercenary IFVs were expected to move. The mercenary advance was greatly slowed by the minefield the RRGF left behind, but it wasn't stopped. Second Battalion, one of the units on Attavyros Mountain, launched a diversionary attack on the flank of the attacking force. After some initial success in pushing the mercenaries back and stressing their lines, they were slowed down and held their position in order to inflict more casualties on the enemy; their lesser numbers and more spread out positions allowed them to take shots at the enemy without exposing themselves to significant return fire, except whenever the Leopards made an attack, in which case it was the mercenaries that tried to keep their heads down. The engagement lasted for a further two hours, with the RRGF and RNPF units being pushed steadily back as HQ's valuable assets were evacuated from the field. As the last of the artillery and sensitive reports were carted away, Second Battalion cut off its attack and began to retreat. Headquarters' units continued to stave off the attack, until, at long last, they broke into the camp. The retreat was fairly organized, considering the contractors were nipping at the RRGF's heels the entire time. The surviving Leopard 2s and Mardar 1s formed the rear guard of the convoy as it extracted itself from the battle. The mercenaries pursued the soldiers out of the camp, but broke off unexpectedly, likely due to a shortage of anti-tank rockets. The Second of the First finally succeeded in escaping their unsupported position, and Aniketos's hired guns finally managed to gain his foothold on the territory. Over the next two days, the small, unsupported RNPF garrisons in Atavyros and other small towns would be wiped out by superior numbers, and more contractors, with more armor and artillery support, would land in the beachhead. The mercenaries would be reorganized, and prepare for a second attack on the Rhodeans. [i]Battle of Atavyros[/i] RRGF: 5,000 (lost: 2,786) RNPF: 7,000 (lost: 5,942) Rhodean Total: 12,000 (lost: 8,728) Artillery: 120 (lost: 14) Leopard 2s: 54 (lost: 13) Mardar 1s: 9 (lost: 4) BTR-60s: 6 (lost: 5) Mercenaries: 25,000 (lost: 15,943) Artillery: 11 (lost: 7) IFVs: 26 (lost: 19) Pyrrhic Victory for the Chancellor's Forces ----------------------------------- News of the defeat at Atavyros reached the Royal Court by way of General Theodoros Serafeim. He informed them of the dire situation in that area of the country, and elaborated on the current situation. "Our forces inflicted severe casualties on the invaders," he said, standing before a map of the battle. "But this was purely because of their terrain advantage and fortifications. Had they been stuck in an open battle, we would have lost. The enemy on Chalki is reported to number at least 100,000, and our standing army consists of merely 35,000 men. They are well trained, but quantity can overwhelm quality in many circumstances. As it is, we will be sucked into a straightforward, ground-based slug match with the mercenaries, and I don't know if we can win a war of attrition. Our best bet would be to expand our military immediately, and I'd also recommend exploring weapons options to give us an edge over the enemy." King Ioannes I sat at the edge of the table, quiet. He had his hands clasped together and was leaning on his elbows, mouth covered by his hands. He set his arms down in his lap and grimaced. "I want the size of our army doubled; target veterans specifically, and give them the same training as any standing unit; I won't let war degrade the quality of my soldiers." He paused for a moment, considering the situation a bit more. "And I believe we'd be better off as a nation if we established an air force. It'll give us a definitive advantage over the rebels, and it'll serve us well in the future." He looked down the table at the Councilor on Defense and General Serafeim. "Photios and Serafeim, I want you two to look for fighter and bomber craft within our budget, durable, quality aircraft that we can afford." "Yes, Your Majesty," the two said together. "Report back to me when you have recommendations," Ioannes said. "Serafeim, keep in mind that your primary objective is managing the war effort and swelling our ranks. Do not let this task cause our defeat." "I won't, Your Majesty."

The Chancellor's attack came at six that morning. Four regiments launched from Chalki and made for the southeastern corner of the island. A small RRGF defense force had taken up positions in strategic defensive positions near the expected assault area. Auxiliary RNPF personnel equipped for a supporting combat role were posted in towns and cities in the area. Artillery had been drawn up on the hills and RRGF positions. [img]http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3036/initialstrike.png[/img] Only one regiment, 5000 men, was stationed in the area, but this regiment was Second Regiment, First Division, under the command of Colonel Bastian Jochem. The regiment had occupied ridges and hills near the coast, plus the foothills of the Attavyros mountain, and had worked constantly since receiving orders to fortify their positions. Sandbags, machine gun posts, and artillery batteries had been erected along the lines. Armored units supported by infantry had been positioned where they could reach hotspots on the battlefield quickly. A large number of RRGF personnel and artillery pieces had been deployed near a small port town in the area, which was expected to be a primary target. A squad of snipers equipped with M82 rifles had been deployed within the town to take shots of opportunity at the enemy as the enemy marched. Because of Colonel Jochem's remarkable abilities in leadership, ordnance operations, and supply acquisition, the Second of the First had some of the best weapons in the best condition in the entire RRGF. Every soldier was equipped with an M16A2 assault rifle, due to Jochem's emphasis on accuracy over spraying bullets, whereas most of the RRGF was equipped with AK47s. A series of M2 HMGs had been placed along the sandbag fortifications and in buildings on the edge of Atavyros, supplemented by the PK and MG3 MGs deployed to the weapons squads. A number of soldiers had been equipped with M72 LAW anti-tank rockets, and others with M79 grenade launchers, usually in addition to an MP5 SMG. And, because of the king's approval of then-Lieutenant Colonel Jochem's proposal, each soldier had a sword or axe strapped to their back or belt. Twenty D-30s and ten Mod 56s were positioned in sandbag-enclosed batteries near the fortifications. Twenty heavier M110 and Giatsint-B howitzers were deployed in the center and rear of the hills and fortifications. Twenty pieces of TOS-1 rocket artillery were stationed in the area, behind the lines in supporting positions. The regiment's 55 Leopard 2A3 tanks and nine Marder 1A1 IFVs had been divided between the defensive positions, in positions that would allow them to reach hotspots quickly without being in danger fighting straight out. Colonel Jochem had set up his headquarters in Monolithos, with a mid-sized defense force. His command tent was set up near the center of the town, and RNPF personnel had been tasked with keeping any dissenters away from the military forces until they were called upon to fight. Jochem had been ordered to prepare for the attack in all ways possible, so he spent just as much time calculating various strategic options as issuing orders. He knew he had 5,000 RRGF soldiers with artillery and armor support, plus about 7,000 RNPF stationed in Siana, Monolithos, Agios Isidoros, Atavyros, Lakkio, Kamiros Skala, and Mandriko. The RNPF, with their Kevlar and MP5s, were intended to be used in support of the military, but would not last in a prolonged engagement with most of the contractors. They would be facing at least 25,000 mercenaries and their armor support in the initial confrontation, and there was at least four times more back on Chalki. They were vastly outnumbered, but they had the advantage of terrain, fortifications, and superior training and discipline. And it was entirely likely that the sheer size of the enemy attack would overwhelm the RRGF before reinforcements arrived. Jochem leaned back in his chair from the map on his desk in the command tent and sighed. There were so many variables and risks in the battle to come. He was doubtful that even his well-trained regiment could defeat these odds. ---------------------------- As the mercenary boats came within range of the RRGF artillery, the long-range artillery opened fire. Scores of artillery shells flew through the air towards the approaching fleet, which appeared to be mostly sorts of armored civilian boats. Many shots splashed harmlessly into the water, doing nothing more than getting the mercenaries wet, but a considerable number hit targets, sinking and shattering ships, killing soldiers, and even taking out a few mercenary IFVs. About fifteen minutes after entering the range of the Giatsints, S-23s, and M110s, already sustaining steady fire, the invading force came within range of the Mod 56 and FH-70s, which also opened fire. With eighty pieces of artillery raining constant fire as they advanced, the leading force suffered severe casualties. Numerous ships were damaged or destroyed in the incessant barrage; the artillery crews staggered the shots to ensure that there wasn't a quiet moment as they approached. By the time the five rebel regiments reached their destinations, more than three thousand of their troops and a dozen IFVs had been lost, due to the typically feeble construction of the ships and lack of long-range armaments to counter the artillery. Two of the regiments, nicknamed Aniketos's First Wing landed near Lakkio, where they had been expected, meaning they took the brunt of the casualties. Fifteen hundred RRGF personnel and about a third of the artillery were located there, positioned to contain the assault there as long as possible. The artillery on Attavyros Mountain fired on the First Wing in support of the troops there. On the peninsula, two more regiments, called Aniketos's Second Wing, landed with less casualties than the First, but had to march through a hail of artillery to reach the RRGF position, on a large hill. Their IFVs were divided into two five-vehicle groups; one, with its infantry, was sent to attack the rear of the RRGF post that was encircling the First wing. The other was to circle around to the flank of the hill and try to locate a weakness. The IFV pincer effort was held off by the swift movement of the Marder 1s, followed by RRGF squads armed with LAWs. The Rhodean soldiers and IFVs held the mercenary force at bay, but neither could push the other back, until a trio of Leopard 2s arrived, destroying the IFVs and sending the surviving soldiers retreating back to the main force. Near Lakkio, the First Wing suffered severe casualties as they tried to organize themselves on the beach, but they also began to spread out, making each subsequent volley less deadly than the last. The mercenaries advanced into the port town, setting up a base camp in one of the larger houses. The squad of snipers wreaked havoc on the contractors as they occupied the town, taking shots at anyone who appeared to be giving orders. Their efforts helped delay and slow the mercenaries, but they couldn't be halted immediately. The man in charge of the First Wing gathered together the two regiments he had at his disposal, totaling around 7,500 men and fifteen IFVs now, and launched a concentrated attack on the southernmost RRGF position. Their plan was to strain the thin line as much as possible on the one spot until it shattered, weakening the Rhodeans' position and compromising the position. --------------------- "Colonel, the Second Wing has reached our frontier position after severe casualties and are now trying to attack our forces there and overwhelm them with numbers," Major Alexandros Akakios, Colonel Jochem's direct subordinate in the regiment, said, pointing out the position on a map. "About 9,000 infantry remain there, against our 1,000. The defenses should be able to hold them for the time being, but it may not be wise to leave them unsupported for too long." "Dispatch 1,500 national policemen to the location, and divert five more tanks and two IFVs to the area," Colonel Jochem ordered his aide, Captain Georgios Stathis. "Have them standby and remain in contact with the officer in charge there for when they're needed." Captain Stathis nodded and relayed the orders through the radio. "Meanwhile, the First Wing is applying all their efforts to one part of the defensive ring there," Major Akakios continued. "The enemy there has taken more casualties than the other wing, but our limited forces in the area cannot contain the invasion, and if that part of the line breaks..." "There's too much valuable equipment there to allow the enemy to break through," Colonel Jochem decided. "Tell the men there to fight to the last breath, and that reinforcements are on the way. Move a company of soldiers and ten tanks from HQ to the front line to reinforce that area, and deploy an additional 3,000 police to support them and further secure the artillery. If they can't hold it when they arrive, then have the artillery and ordnance withdrawn from the area while the infantry and police hold them off, then have them retreat, supported by tanks and Marders. Have them resupply at Atavyros and rendezvous with the forces at the mountain." Again, Stathis nodded and relayed the order. --------------------------- The front line action was bloody. Elite Rhodean soldiers mowed down scores of mercenaries advancing on their position, but they were taking casualties too. For every three mercenaries killed, a Rhodean fell, and each loss hurt Rhodes more than the rebels. In some areas, infantry engaged in hand-to-hand fighting, almost always ending in the Rhodeans' favor. The soldiers fought like men possessed up close, swinging their blades swiftly and furiously, and physically overwhelming the mercenaries with their raw strength. As the battle raged for the next two hours, neither side gained the upper hand. The contractors' tactical options had been seriously limited by the stout Rhodean resistance, troop repositioning, and artillery, and had been forced into a slug match. Mercenary forces suffered severe casualties whenever they made an attack on the RRGF positions. The numerous howitzers, mortars, and machine guns on a height advantage blocked the enemy from taking advantage of their numbers. However, the Rhodeans knew they had a limited amount of ammunition; once it was gone, they stood no chance, and there were more mercenary bodies than there were Rhodean bullets. In the northern part of the invasion, the First Wing at last succeeded in pushing part of the Rhodean force back. Following orders, the Rhodean soldiers withdrew all artillery from the area, while the Leopard 2s and Marder 1s advanced to support the infantry as they delayed the enemy. The six-man sniper squad managed to extract itself from the port, but two of the snipers were killed by mercenaries. The First Wing established the port as their base and posted their troops to defend their toehold. Just as Colonel Jochem began to worry about the artillery shell stockpile (for the unit had originally been deployed for security reasons, and had a relatively small stockpile), the PMCs ended their offensive. The Second Wing withdrew to a more tactically sound position on the peninsula, while the First Wing continued to hold their own position. Jochem ordered his artillery pieces to cease fire, in the interest of saving ammo. In the meantime, they would count their losses and reorganize to better face the next assault...and potential reinforcements. The regiment had won a temporary victory for the morning, but it was likely not over for the day. In the meantime, they would count their losses and reorganize to better face the next assault...and potential reinforcements. Artillery crews were ordered to be on standby, but to begin firing if they saw a major shift in the enemy's position. The Second of the First had lost 453 men, two Marders, seven artillery pieces, and 11 Leopard 2s; all very painful losses for the isolated unit. The mercenaries had lost around 6,750 men and most of their armor in the initial battle, but still had the means to defeat the defenders. If more RRGF forces didn't arrive soon, the unit was as good as gone and the battle as good as lost.

Protests and small riots continued to occur throughout the nation, and were contained by the RNPF detachments. A dozen people were arrested for violent action at protests in Rodos and Kamiros. Two suffered severe injuries when a man lobbed a Molotov cocktail into a pro-Royal rally in Archangelos. One man died in a scuffle with police in which a nightstick struck him in the temple after drawing a knife on an officer. The newly appointed royal intendents posted in the regions were overwhelmed with the opposition's complaints, almost all of which demanded the reestablishment of Parliament. Because the king refused to budge on the issue, these complaints were thrown out without consideration. ---------------- King Ioannes I kept his Royal Court in session almost continuously after his decree. The Royal Guard presence at the palace was doubled, and another hundred were posted on security efforts in nearby areas of the city. The Court was primarily concerned with National Police reports on the protests around the country. "Every member of the Royalist Party that was formerly in Parliament has declared their support for you," Councilor Stelios Yannis said, sitting in his chair near the edge of the table. It was about two in the morning, and many of the councilors were drifting off in exhaustion. "Many Nationalists have also come to view this move as a potential to further the power and prestige of Rhodes. The minority parties have denounced your decree as an authoritarian power grab and have attempted to organize the opposition. Fortunately, the political differences divide the protesters more than the parties can organize them." "How has Aniketos responded to being removed from power?" King Ioannes asked. "Well, Your Majesty, that's what has me worried," Yannis answered uneasily. "We haven't heard a think from Aniketos since yesterday. We'd expected him to be our most outspoken opponent, but there's been naught from him since this began." "Yes, we have," Councilor Dionysios Photios interrupted. He held up his phone. "I just got a message from the Military Security Operations. They sent a plane over Chalki and the islands around it and saw something that...quite frankly, scares me. A massive number of armed individuals, with artillery and armor support. They're moving. And I don't think that's good for us." Ioannes paused, taken aback. "What?" he growled. "You're telling me that an army has been gathering within our country...and we were none the wiser?" "That about sums it up, sir," Photios replied. "And I fail to see how it can be anyone but Aniketos. I recommend moving troops into defensive positions near Atavyros. He is likely to launch an invasion soon." "Do it. Now. Raise our Defcon level to 1, equip RNPF personnel to act as auxiliary forces to the army," the king ordered. "Yannis, I want the penalties for breaking curfew made more severe and efforts increased to enforce laws. Penalties for resisting arrest and assault on military and law enforcement personnel are to be doubled for the duration of this conflict." "But what of the peoples' rights?" Yannis asked, raising an eyebrow. "Their rights will be restored once they're not in danger of being subjugated to the will of a power-hungry sociopath with an army of hired guns," King Ioannes I snapped. "Now get to it. We're in a state of emergency." Yannis, Photios, and General Serafeim stood from their chairs and rushed out of the room to carry out the king's orders. The RRGF and RNPF would be deployed as ordered, but they would have just four hours to get in position before the first battle began., though they were unaware of it at the time.

The next couple of months were tense for officials on both sides of the coming conflict. King Ioannes I dealt with the problems of mobilizing an army in such a way that would not draw attention to his plans. Chancellor Aniketos and Overseer Panagiotos had to suffer the nightmare of landing over a hundred thousand soldiers on a chain of tiny islands while keeping the peace between rival contractors. They managed to keep Rhodean attention away from the island with the help of Shadow plants and informants that diverted Rhodean resources away from the sub-islands on the coast. Yet, the Chancellor made not a move; Ioannes would have to make the first move. ----------------------- The first move came just over three months after the RSDA was passed. The King chose to make a statement on Friday afternoon, when everyone was getting home and people out and about at work were an exception rather than the rule. When the time came, he walked up to the wooden platform in the Rodos plaza and came to the podium bearing the royal seal. The stage was surrounded by Royal Guardsmen, and the plaza was surrounded by RRGF troops and snipers from both the Guardsmen and the Ground Forces. K9 units were deployed at all entrances, sniffing down all entrants into the plaza. "People of Rhodes," King Ioannes I Komnenos began, shuffling a few papers and gazing out into the crowd. "It has been over two years since our islands declared independence from the Federation. Two years of a limited monarchy, governed by a multitude of rulers. In that time, we have come far, but not nearly as far as we as a nation are capable. We are held down by a weight, a weight that brings us down and prevents us from breaking the surface. It has blocked educational funds, rejected research proposals, and maintained ideas that cripple our economy and might. What is this insufferable cancer, feeding off the life of Rhodes? The answer may not come easily to you; it is Parliament. In a small society, a young nation, a multitude of rulers arguing over the slightest detail of a plan is not an advantage; it is a curse. The people's will has not been solidly translated into governance. The people want free speech? Parliament censors entertainment. The people want privacy? Parliament tries to strip that privacy away. The people want change, jobs, and prosperity? Parliament gives them the same; overly high unemployment and economic stagnation. We are not helping ourselves by electing men of false promises to govern ourselves. "Homer once said that a multitude of rulers is not a good thing; let there be one ruler. One King. And so Rhodes shall be. By the power vested in me by the Rhodean Security and Defense Act, I hereby disestablish Parliament and place all functions of government under the authority of the crown." Gasps of shock rippled across the crowd, and some people began cheering or hissing. King Ioannes I continued to speak over them, raising his voice. "On that note, royal officials will be appointed in each region of Rhodes. Citizens may voice concerns and complaints to the official in their region. The officials will take note of high-concern issues and have them forwarded directly to my desk. Other than that, while a document is drafted organizing the official responsibilities of those in this new government, a curfew will be set at ten PM and last until five AM. Exceptions will be granted to those who obtain Night Passes from their local official to work on a night time job. No one is permitted on the streets in between these times, and police may take anyone breaking curfew into custody for up to, but not more than, three days in the local prisons. "These measures are all in effect as of now. May Rhodes shine upon a new horizon." The crowd exploded into action, some pressing forward against the line of soldiers defending the stage, others turning on other people in the crowd. "Freedom crusher!" one voice cried above the noise. "Glory to Rhodes! Glory to the King! May he lead us on to greatness!" another roared, as if in retort. This served to send the crowd into a frenzy, as the king's supporters and opponents began to turn on each other. Ground Forces tried to break up the fights, but in return had the opposition taking swings at them. Under the RSDA, soldiers on policing actions were permitted to arrest people for crimes, and striking a soldier was an offense equal to or greater than assaulting a police officer. RRGF personnel began arresting violent members of the crowd, using nightsticks where necessary. They made a point of arresting supporters on the same terms as opponents, though they'd been given orders to release supporters without pressing charges. While this was going on, the Royal Guardsmen took up positions around the King and ushered him back to his car, which, protected by armored cars, would return him to the palace. After a half hour of intense battle between the two groups, the military and police succeeded in breaking up the crowd. Suspects were loaded into police cars and military transports to be taken to Rodos City Penitentiary, but those carrying supporters would slip off the path to the prison and release supporters in various points around the city. ------------------------ Similar scenes were seen in several cities across the nation. In Archangelos, anti-royal forces seized the plaza and clashed with supporters of the King and his police forces. In Kamiros, a small minority of oppositional protesters took to the street, only to be driven away by throngs of royal supporters. As conflicts brewed across Rhodes, it became apparent that the opposition and pro-royal sides were roughly even; about 42% of the population supported the King's decree; 39% did not. Almost a fifth of the population was undecided on whether the King's creation of absolutism was a good thing or a bad. ------------------------ While National Policemen fought dissidents across the country, Chancellor Nicolaos Aniketos didn't miss a beat. When the country broke into chaos, he issued an order to his contractor coalition. "Begin the Revolution."

The Kingdom of Rhodes recognizes Latium.

Councilor on Foreign Affairs Lefteris Ioannis will attend on behalf of Rhodes.

Royal Decree III: Royal Security and Defense Act passed through Parliament far easier than the king and his court had expected, with 47 For, 2 Against, and 1 abstaining. The overwhelming success of the RSDA removed the power of Chancellor Aniketos's veto, and the king signed the act into law immediately after signing. King Ioannes I Komnenos placed his signature on the bill he had authored on live television, broadcast live to the entire nation, sitting behind his desk in the Royal Palace, with his Royal Court assembled behind him, with the rather unremarkable exceptions of Commandant Jakob Poldi and General Theodoros Serafeim. Crown Prince Andronikos I Komnenos, finally out of the hospital, was also in attendance. Chancellor Aniketos had declined to attend the signing. The king signed the bill with a flourish, and then addressed the nation, stating, "People of Rhodes...today, the terror that has gripped our nation comes to an end. Our unknown assailants succeeded in their efforts because of our inability to centrally define ourselves. Now that our security forces and agencies are all working together, they will find a unified, iron wall where they once found disunity. I pledge to you, citizens of Rhodes, that I will do all in my power as King to bring our enemies to justice, and make our nation secure for years to come. Those who attacked us will find no mercy from us, and they can count on receiving the harshest penalties possible." ------------------------------- While Ioannes addressed the nation, General Serafeim and Commandant Poldi were at work carrying out his first orders under the RSDA. Poldi was organizing the Royal Guards, stationing them in and around Rodos and the Palace, while Serafeim was sending out deployment orders for each RRGF regiment, stationing them in and around the five biggest cities in Rhodes. RNPF personnel were deployed across the island in all cities, equipped in riot gear, with nightsticks and rubber bullets. All of this was in preparation for the King's next decree, which would undoubtedly be unpopular with the common folk. ------------------------------- Similarly, Chancellor Nicolaos Aniketos was busy while the king addressed the nation. He had driven himself to Ialysos, the second largest city in Rhodes, where Overseer Matthias Panagiotos had fled after the failed assassination attempt on King Ioannes. Matthias had determined that Rodos was no longer safe for him, and had opted to move his personal headquarters to his second home in Ialysos. Now, he pulled into the lavish estate of the crime lord, which could almost be described as a compound. It was enclosed by a wrought iron fence, with numerous Shadow 'soldiers' posted along the boundary and gate. Two of them, armed with AR15 rifles, had stopped Aniketos's car as he entered, confirming his identity before allowing him to enter the Overseer's estate. Nicolaos parked in the driveway, behind Panagiotos's Corvette, and locked the doors to his vehicle as he walked toward the house's entrance. It was a beautiful building, built in Victorian style, doubtlessly with money earned on the black market, and looked more like a home in New England than Rhodes. The entrance was locked, so Nicolaos rang the doorbell and waited, leaning on his ornamental cane and peering around impatiently. A guard opened the door and ushered him inside, closing and locking the portal behind him. Nicolaos gave the guard an inquisitive look, and earned the response, "Upstairs, fourth door on the right." The chancellor nodded his thanks, and ascended the stairs at a brisk pace, turned a corner, and approached the fourth door. He found Matthias inside, behind a teak desk, feet propped up and reading a book. He glanced over the top of the text at Nicolaos as he entered. "Chancellor, so good to finally meet you! How may I help you?" Matthias Panagiotos was a muscular, blond-haired man of average height, with piercing green eyes and olive skin. A soul strip of hair decorated his chin, and he would have looked like a surfer, were it not for the suit and the pistol on the desk. "A pleasure, Overseer," Nicolaos began. The criminal waved his hand and put the book down. "Please, call me Matthias." "Then call me Nicolaos," his government counterpart replied impatiently. "Matthias, I am here with a new proposition for you." Matthias held up his hand to stop him. "If this has anything to do with the last proposition, then two things. One, no way in hell am I risking that again, and two, no, you can't have your money back. No refund policy and whatnot." Nicolaos chuckled. "Worry not, Matthias, that is not why I am here." The overseer relaxed visibly. "But it is still a pressing matter." "Please, do share," Matthias said. He stood and walked over to a liquor cabinet situated in the corner of the room. "Would you like a drink, first?" "I would enjoy that, actually," Nicolaos said with a smile. "Do you have absinthe?" Matthias scratched his goatee as he scanned the cabinet. After a moment, he uttered, "Aha!" and reached to the top shelf. "I have a few bottles of green fairy, yes," he said, taking a bottle down. "Lucid Absinthe Supérieure, imported from France." "I prefer Hausgemacht style absinthe, but that will do," Nicolaos said, reaching for the bottle and examining the label. "Alas, it is rather difficult to get decent quantities of Hausgemacht," Matthias replied, taking down a bottle of vodka and two glasses. "It's typically not sold on any market, black or otherwise." "I understand," Nicolaos said with a smile, pouring himself a glass of absinthe while Matthias did the same with the vodka. The overseer sat back down, taking a sip of vodka, and looked intently at Nicolaos. "So, what is this proposition of yours?" "Well, it is a bit of a grand scheme, I would say," the chancellor began. "Over the years, in my business dealings, I created quite the network of military contractors, or mercenaries, or whatever they call themselves. They each promised me one favor in exchange for interest-free funds to establish their companies. Now, about a dozen companies owe me these favors, and I have called none of them in. In all, the twelve companies' personnel numbers around 130,000, with armor and artillery support. Recently, I've had them prepare to return my favors." "And you tell me this why, exactly?" Matthias asked, sipping his vodka again. "Because the King is now in a position of power, Matthias," Nicolaos said, leaning forward. "This new act that he pushed through Parliament gives him utter control over the Rhodean military, police, and all security actions. Those powers are undefined in the act, and I know that Komnenos, being the sly son of a !@#$%* he is, will use that to consolidate royal power and remove his enemies...and we are amongst those enemies." "And how do you know that our glorious king considers us enemies?" Matthias inquired, raising an eyebrow. "Common sense, friend," Nicolaos responded. "Gregorios has been in custody for nigh on a month, and with the interrogation tactics that the king's Royal Guardsmen use, he has doubtlessly betrayed us." "Then why are we not dead or imprisoned now?" Matthias shot back. "The King would doubtlessly have come after me, thirsty for blood, after what we did to his son." "Because it did not serve his interests to do so," the chancellor explained. "The deaths of those MPs over the past few weeks? Those have all been Komnenos's doing." "How do you know this?" "Each of the dead MPs were my political allies," Nicolaos continued. "By killing my allies, the king would both weaken my already-feeble grip on Parliament, while instilling fear and paranoia in the representatives." "I'm confused, none of this seems to be interconnected," Matthias interrupted. "The contractors and the assassinations have what to do with this?" "There's not a doubt in my mind that our 'beloved' king is attempting to establish absolutism in Rhodes," Nicolaos said. "With the utter backing of his military and police force, and the potential power to abolish Parliament, he now has the means. I intend to lead a revolution, one that will overthrow the king, and install myself as the benevolent despot of Rhodes, with a weak, figurehead Parliament to give the pretext of choice." "A civil war?" the overseer asked, surprised. "Are you sure that would be wise?" "It is our best option," Nicolaos said firmly, putting emphasis on the word 'our.' "I don't know about you, but when I am faced with death, every option is preferable." "Chancellor, this is one of the riskiest things I've heard in all my years as Overseer of the Shadow," Matthias said. "I have had businessmen, CEOs, rival crime lords, and even a few politicians killed, but a revolution? What in the hell could you want me for?" "You and I both know that the Shadow is amazing with logistics and covert operations," the chancellor said. "You can ship thousands of weapons through heavily guarded ports without any trouble or any suspicion. I need individuals capable of handling the logistical needs of a massive coalition army of contractors, and committing espionage if need be, and your organization is the primary candidate." "Why should I risk all that I have built for this scheme of yours?" Matthias asked, leaning back and folding his arms over his chest, eyebrows forming a V-shaped frown. "Why shouldn't you?" Nicolaos countered. "It would seem to me that you have every reason to. First of all, my faction has an advantage over the king's: Numbers. The entire Rhodean military numbers just under 40,000. My forces could swell to 130,000. That's a 3 to 1 superiority. And then let's see what happens if we lose. No matter what, the King's forces will come for you. He will seize your assets, your money, your trade. He'll strip everything, right before he executes you. Do you really want the man whose son you ordered shot to come after you, when he has absolute power?" Matthias averted his eyes. "No..." "And if we win...you will be one of the most powerful men in Rhodes, my leading official. You will bask in power, your organization will flood you with more wealth than you've ever dreamed of. All you have to do is put your bet on us." Matthias took a deep breath to steady himself. He was unsure if he should throw his lot in with Aniketos. Nicolaos had a valid point, but his punishment would be much more severe if he outright turned against the king. But then, for all intents and purposes, he had already turned against the king by attempting to have him killed. Swearing softly to himself, Matthias turned back to Nicolaos. "Fine, Aniketos. You have a deal. The Shadow is at your service." Nicolaos smiled broadly. "How wise of you." "When does it all start?" Matthias asked, downing the rest of the half-cup of vodka in one swallow and gasping at the burn. "Events have already been set in motion, Matthias," Nicolaos said. "My contractors are en route to Chalki and the other minor islands near Rhodes. That will be our base of operations for the war to come. I will need you to assist in the movement of the troops, supplies, and weaponry to the main island when the time comes." "It shall be done," Matthias sighed. "Now get out of my sight. Send me a message when it begins. "I will," Nicolaos said with a smile. "Until next time." With that, he stood, swallowed the rest of his absinthe, took the bottle, and exited the room. Matthias groaned as he heard the chancellor's car start. He now answered to someone, a concept that was foreign to him. He didn't particularly like it, but, as Nicolaos had said, every option was preferable to death.

[i]Two Weeks Later[/i] Nicolaos Aniketos was afraid. It was a peculiar feeling, to the man of iron resolve, a man used to using terror, blackmail, and murder to his own designs. In the past month, someone had been assassinating members of Parliament with connections to his party, and both of the Conservative delegates had been killed. His remaining allies were unfaithful at best, and several of them were leaning away from his sphere of influence, towards the Royalist-Nationalist alliance. Six were dead, one hospitalized, and four now drifting toward the chancellor's enemies. Nicolaos was fairly certain that the King was somehow involved in this. For all his flaws, King Ioannes I Komnenos was not a fool, and Aniketos knew this all too well. Matthias Panagiotos, the Overseer of Rhodes's Shadow, had informed him the day after the attempt on Crown Prince Andronikos's life that Gregorios, the agent charged with the death of the prince, had not returned, and that he feared the worse. Nicolaos knew that the assassin had been captured, and was most likely in royal custody now. Yet, no charges had been filed against him, and not even a whisper of the successful arrest had been reported on the news, and since then, many of King Ioannes I's [i]de facto[/i] and [i]de jure[/i] enemies in Parliament had been killed, but in such a way as to move suspicion away from the Crown. The dead politicians were all over the political spectrum, ranging from capitalists to communists, libertarians to authoritarians, brought into the Conservative Party's alliance more for personal gain than any common political interests. Therefore, no one would believe that anyone, especially the king, who was, publicly, at least, working so hard to bring the terrorists to justice, was working to destroy the minor Conservative Party's political influence. But there was no other possibility as to why Nicolaos's allies kept dropping like flies, and no one was being brought to justice. He knew damn well that the King was behind this, but to bring any evidence forward to support that would prove his own guilt for the attack on the Prince. Throw in the fact that all of his evidence was fairly weak, and his hands were tied. And he now feared for his own life. After a month of holding Gregorios in custody, the King more than likely knew of his involvement in the incident, and his life would soon come to a bloody end. He could not let that happen. Nicolaos realized that his backup plan would have to be put into action. The original plot to kill the king and take power for himself had failed miserably, and now he would have to reopen his old connections, and wrest control of Rhodes from the Komnenos by force. During his years as a businessman, Nicolaos had lent vast sums of moneys to militant minded clients and partners, many of whom established successful contracting companies across Europe and Asia, with some even managing to spread into the Americas. He had never called in the favors owed to him, and now seemed as good a time as any. And he could contract Panagiotos and enlist the Shadow's assistance on the covert and logistical branches. It'd be most convenient for him to go see Panagiotos first, but the Overseer was unlikely to commit his vast array of criminal resources to his cause unless there was something tangible for him to commit them to. Nicolaos opened his cell phone and accessed his phonebook, then the Private Military Contacts sublist, which pulled up a list of about a dozen names, all the CEOs of private contracting armies. A smile came to his lips. "Oh, my eventful little life. It's about to get even more eventful." --------------------- "My King, Parliament is clamoring for action," Councilor Yannis said, taking a seat at the conference table. "But the multitude of voices rising with suggestions and complaints makes it impossible for them to establish a decisive course of action, and Aniketos can't seem to bring order to them. The Royalists are now looking to us to bring security to the nation, and I believe it is time to act." "And I have acted," King Ioannes I replied, dropping a packet of papers onto the table. The papers held the royal coat of arms of the King of Rhodes, and was titled, 'Royal Security and Defense Act.' "This, gentlemen," Ioannes continued, "is the next step in consolidating our power. This act officially gives all control of the Rhodean Armed Forces and Rhodean National Police Force, and grants the Crown power over all security measures; as King, I will be allowed to impose laws and decrees for the safety of the people and the nation. The powers are undefined, and the inability of Parliament to ever agree on a Constitution gives us massive leeway with this. This is going to vote this afternoon, and we already have massive support from the Royalists, Nationalists, Socialists, Communists, and several independents. Aniketos's party now lacks the grip to hold it off, and we have as good as succeeded." "Do not celebrate until it passes," Councilor Photios warned. "Let's see how it turns out first." "I am no fool," Ioannes said. "But gentlemen...our break may have soon arrived. We may now wash the blood from our hands and start afresh."

[center][u][b]Terror Strikes Rhodes![/b][/u][/center] The peace of early afternoon in the capital of Rodos was abruptly shattered by a massive explosion in the heart of the city. A large amount of C-4 plastic explosives were detonated in the home of Pavlos Gerasimos, an independent member of Parliament. This tragedy comes just days after the shooting of Dimitrios Leonidas, a Conservative in Parliament. Pavlos Gerasimos, 39, was found dead in his bedroom just after 2 pm. Police reports indicate that the plastic explosives had been planted under his bed and in the bedside table while Gerasimos was out, though police found no signs of forced entry into Gerasimos's home, suggesting that the perpetrator had a key of some sort into his home. "We have ruled out the possibility of this being a random act of violence," Commissioner of Police Yannis Charalampos said. "No civilian could have gotten access to the explosive devices used in the attack. This can only be an assassination, which we believe to be linked to the death of Leonidas a few days ago." Many are now speculating whether this is part of a campaign against the government, due to the wide variation of the political alignments of the three victims thus far. Crown Prince Andronikos I Komemnos is a royalist and possible absolutist; Dimitrios Leonidas was a strict conservative; and Pavlos Gerasimos was a socialist voter. However, no reports indicate such at this time.