War for Freedom

[Yawoo]

OOC: I'll be replying to the POWs question only in this post - all others will be replied to once Merger posts his response.

IC:

[center][img]http://www.irish-flag.org/dublin-424.jpg[/img][/center]

"As has been stated many times, once the war with J. Andres is over, the POWs will be released. Seeing as J. Andres has collapsed and is no longer a nation, by default, the Irish-J.Andrean war is over. As such, once the current hostilities cease, Ireland will give the POWs the chance to choose a destination - once chosen, the Irish government will pay for the transportation cost to take each POW to the chosen location. Until hostilities are over, however, the POWs will remain under Irish care.

If the hostile nations attacking Ireland wish to negotiate for a end to the current hostilities, then of course the Kingdom of Ireland is open to discussion."

Edited November 9, 2010 by Yawoo

[Executive Minister]

[quote name='Yawoo' timestamp='1288753703' post='2500427']
The subs would head west of the GUIK before making a final determination of their final destinations.
[/quote]

It was the Petty Officer, 2nd Class, assigned to the Enemy Search and Detection console within the Combat Information Center of the [i]'End'[/i] (essentially a cluster of consoles in a corner of the communal Bridge of the submarine) who first detected the tell-tale signs of the fleeing Irish vessels. The young woman had been listening intently to her hydrophone array and watching the passive sonar detector when a distinct hammering sound was heard. Immediately recognizing it for what it was - the active navigation sonar of a submersed vessel - she immediately placed a warning indicator on her OLED Overhead, immediately sending news to the Lieutenant-Junior Grade's [b](LTJG)[/b], own console several meters fore on the starboard side.

With a soundless indication of the sent information, the Officer swiveled in her chair to look at the [b]LTJG[/b], or 'Jay-Gee', apprehensively. The woman was her elder, yet not a day older than 25. Sporting the customary Officer's garb both the Enlisted and Non-enlisted personnel within the Naval Militant Command [b](NMC)[/b] wore - a white tunic embellished with black and rank insignias, as well as a matching skirt - she met her gaze and gave the girl a knowing look before fulfilling her duty as the Executive Officer of the [i]'End'[/i] and notifying the skipper of the news.

[i]"Three objects on an approach vector towards our position, captain... shall I inform the rest of the fleet?"[/i]

Lieutenant Commander L'Héraut [b](Lt. CDR)[/b] sighed from her elevated position above the Jay-Gee. The air was tense aboard the vessel, the faint scent of oil being repeatedly filtered throughout the boat's air system permeating throughout. All the women stationed within Gamma Group had known what they were getting themselves into - a hostile environment monitoring mission - yet they did not expect to be detected so soon, and in spite of their tedious preparations and routines.

"Inform Rear Admiral [b](RDML)[/b] Cauthorne at once," L'Héraut ordered.

",,,and Holtmeier..." she said looking down only to see the Jay-Gee's shock of black [url="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PowerHair"]power hair[/url] turn itself up towards her, "...get this vessel to General Quarters."

Holtmeier nodded from her position below L'Héraut, as she placed a black, white-peaked [url="http://media.animevice.com/uploads/0/7595/177594-54_large.jpg"]cap[/url] on her head, and its accompanying ear piece, [i]"Aye-aye, Ma'am."[/i]

As if with the flip of a switch, the entire vessel was launched into action. The normal vanity lights that illuminated the confines of the [i]'End'[/i] were immediately shut down, instead replaced with red hazard lighting. Petty Officers and Crewmen ([sub]rank, not gender[/sub]) of both classes quickly filled vacated consoles. Indicators soon showed the Low Frequency Towed Array being silently deployed, yet not activated.

[i]"Commander,"[/i] Holtmeier began. [i]"We have an audio-visual from the Admiral on the closed Battle-net."[/i]

L'Héraut nodded, looking up from the LTJG to the image of Admiral Cauthorne, a woman who L'Héraut had often surmised would be the spitting image of a much elder Holtmeier. Both women were career military, both held a strict, by the book approach to operating a vessel, and both took care to remind L'Héraut that the 'team-mom' role she had adopted with regards to the other, often younger women on board was unprofessional.

<<Catherine... this is grave news indeed... yet, as always, we must press onwards - given the nature of our mission, we cannot afford to be engaged like this in International Waters.... the ramifications of a hostile encounter with ANY of the British combatants in this war are ones our nation cannot afford to face>>

L'Héraut kept a stern face, despite the personal address of the Admiral. The Nodic Navy, being the almost 100% female combat entity that it was, held a great sense of Sisterhood, with undertones of almost maternal respect permeating its upper ranks. L'Héraut and Cauthorne's relationship was no different.

"Do you suggest we allow the vessels to pass our immediate location on the hopes that they do not detect us?"

L'Héraut saw the Admiral sigh, shaking her head. Taking advantage of the momentary lapse of attention from the Admiral, she shot a glance down to her Second in Command. Holtmeier's arms were clasped lightly upon her lap, her knees leaning against an armrest. She said nothing as she watched the two elder Officers deliberate on the course of action, already with a firm battle plan set in her mind.

<<... and of course your boat is at General Quarters, no? Very well,>> she said, adjusting the communications so that it appeared throughout Group Gamma.

<<This is Vice Admiral Cauthorne. All vessels under my Command are to immediately break formation and prepare to intercept... [i]'Atramentous'[/i], do not move. Maintain your current holding position.>>

Holtmeier immediately sprung to action below the transmission, [i]"Valkyrie One and Valkyrie Two, launch now"[/i], she said, referring to the '[i]End's[/i]' compliment of Autonomous Torpedo Defense and Demolition Drones. The ROVs would keep a relatively loose formation with their host vessel, providing anti-Torpedo point defense via mine and decoy laying as well as a rudimentary offensive capability with their anti-submarine rockets.
[i]
"Prepare to engage Active Sonar Array, commence provisions for torpedo tubes one through four."[/i]

"Lieutenant," L'Héraut started, "I do not want weapons to be free as of yet."
[i]
"Of course, Mistress..." [/i]Holtmeier said ominously, before ordering [i]"Hard to port! Pull left 35, get us out of here!"[/i]

[...]


The Nuclear Attack Submarines immediately branched off under orders from Admiral Cauthorne, only to converge around the three Irish vessels at relatively close range. After coming into position, the trio would blast their Active Sonar Arrays at full power, leaving no question to the Irish that they were surrounded by overloading their passive auditory sensors with the banging. Immediately following that, the crews of the vessels would be treated to the sounds of eighteen torpedo tubes filling with water, the universal sound no crew wishes to hear in their hydrophone arrays.

Yet the Nodic vessels would not fire. Instead, the Commanding Officer of the lead vessel under the Irish would receive a signal from his or her Underwater telephone, or UQC.

Edited November 18, 2010 by Executive Minister

[Centurius]

[center][img]http://data.treksimming.com/athenian-federation/iannouncement.png[/img][/center]

With support from especially England to negotiate the Federation sees no need to continue fighting, therefore we hereby make the following offer to Ireland. If the offer is met the Federation will be willing to commence official peace talks.

-A mutual ceasefire will go into effect until formal peace talks have been concluded. No further movements into or out of Irish territory will be made.
-Ireland allows civilians from Apollo's Hand(a charity) to inspect the condition of the prisoners.
-The coalition will send representation to Ireland for the peace talks.

As a sign of good will Athens will suspend its military operations and further advances immediately. Forces will however return fire if fired upon. Violation of this offer would mean resumption of hostilities.

---

As said orders were issued to all forces in the combat zone to stand by but maintain caution. Submarines especially were ordered to remain hidden.

Edited November 9, 2010 by Centurius

[Zoot Zoot]

[center][IMG]http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb144/zoot_zoot/england-flag-pic-rex-361150275.jpg[/IMG][/center]

Messages have been dispatched to all English combat units in the land, sea and air, to cease fire and return to friendly lines.
All ground forces have begun consolidation of the ground gained during the conflict and will not proceed further into Wales.
All strategic air forces have been ordered back to bases in Germany, fighter and interceptor aircraft will remain in English airspace, but in the air.

All Naval assets have been ordered to cease operations with immediate effect.
[quote]
[b]Classified to the Coalition[/b]
England has but two terms that the Irish [b]must[/b] meet.
*Pay the war damage to London, be it in yearly payments or a lump sum.
*Wales is to either:
-pass into English hands
[i]or[/i]
-be partially, if not fully demilitarised.

Their attack on London was unlawful and an act of evil, not one of desperation or a last ditch attempt to end the war and millions of families grieve for those lost. It was nothing more than an act of genocide. England will not request a warcrimes tribunal if the Irish can adhere to our terms.

As it stands, their attack is considered by England an act of total war, and we would be well within our rights to continue the fight.

Signed
Prime Minister Cthulhu[/quote]

[Bacharth]

The Southern Authority of Germany cannot support the terms on Wales, but will support a London reparations act.

[Kaiser Martens]

"Hmm."

Before saying anything else, the Northerners waited to see what the Irish answer may be. The Germanic Divisions, which were just about to continue their invasion, got told after the first few meters to stop. It was a dissapointment to them, but they stayed put in alert for possible attacks and waited for news from Berlin.

After receiving new intel and having spoken to the south, Berlin issues a statement:

"I believe, it is just my opinion, that the only condition to finish this war is that the Irish fix what they have done. I consider their nuclear attacks on military targets to be lawful and fair game, but I also consider for the attack on London to have been wholly unappropiate. What should be done is simple, either they pay for the reconstruction damage or they rebuild what they destroyed themselves. A secondary alternative and a less desireable one would be for Ireland to undergo nuclear disarmment for a few years. If it were not for the nuking of London, I would support a white peace. Separately I would be willing to fix the damages of our non-nuclear missiles towards the civilian facilities of Ireland: Civilian Airports, Power Plants and non-military Factories. What's fair should go both ways, but military damage is still fair game indeed."

"We would like to know what the Irish government think of this offer. Both sides seem to want reparations...that is fine with us, we'll do reparations for our side if Ireland too assumes the responsability for London."

Edited November 10, 2010 by Kaiser Martens

[Mergerberger II]

[center][img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Flag_of_Scotland.svg/500px-Flag_of_Scotland.svg.png[/img]

[b]Scottish Announcement Regarding the War in Ireland[/b]

Scotland currently sees no reason for it to continue fighting in this war due to the alteration of circumstances.

We will ask nothing of Ireland for ourselves. Our only term is that Ireland must satisfy the demands of our allies, especially England, during negotiation.

The current demands do not have to be met, but so long as our allies are dissatisfied, Scotland will not consider peace.[/center]

[Yawoo]

[quote]With support from especially England to negotiate the Federation sees no need to continue fighting, therefore we hereby make the following offer to Ireland. If the offer is met the Federation will be willing to commence official peace talks.

-A mutual ceasefire will go into effect until formal peace talks have been concluded. No further movements into or out of Irish territory will be made.
-Ireland allows civilians from Apollo's Hand(a charity) to inspect the condition of the prisoners.
-The coalition will send representation to Ireland for the peace talks.

As a sign of good will Athens will suspend its military operations and further advances immediately. Forces will however return fire if fired upon. Violation of this offer would mean resumption of hostilities.

[/quote]
The first offer is accepted, that of a mutual ceasefire.

The second offer is accepted only on the condition that a neutral charity be with Apollo’s Hand at all times to ensure the legitamacy of the findings.

The thrid offer is accepted, providing representatives arrive in non-armed vehicles and inform the Irish military of their travel paths.

[Zoot Zoot]

Admiral Joona will represent England in peace talks.
With permission from Ireland, HMS Southhampton will move within helicopter range of Dublin so that an un-armed Lynx can fly him to a designated landing zone for transpoort to the meetings location.

For reference, HMS Southhampton, is a Duke Class Frigate.

If this is unavailable, he will make his way to Manchester Airport and take a British Airways flight to Dublin, although it may tage longer to arrive.

[b]Classified [/b]

Admiral Joona was transported to HMS Southhampton.
The Air Division of the Kings corps was redeployed off the frontline to assist in search and rescue operations.

[Yawoo]

[quote name='Zoot Zoot' timestamp='1289400506' post='2509326']
Admiral Joona will represent England in peace talks.
With permission from Ireland, HMS Southhampton will move within helicopter range of Dublin so that an un-armed Lynx can fly him to a designated landing zone for transpoort to the meetings location.

For reference, HMS Southhampton, is a Duke Class Frigate.

If this is unavailable, he will make his way to Manchester Airport and take a British Airways flight to Dublin, although it may tage longer to arrive.

[b]Classified [/b]

Admiral Joona was transported to HMS Southhampton.
The Air Division of the Kings corps was redeployed off the frontline to assist in search and rescue operations.
[/quote]

So long as the HMS Southhampton withdraws out of helicopter range once the Admiral leaves, it is acceptable. Irish planes will monitor the transfer to ensure it proceeds without issues.

[Zoot Zoot]

That is acceptable, HMS Southhampton will be within range tomorrow afternoon.

[Zoot Zoot]

HMS Southhampton set sail for the Irish sea. It would set its anchor down inbetween the Isle of Man and Ireland when it arrived.
Admiral Joona onboard, he restimated it would be an over night journey, and that he would arrive in Dublin around noon the next day.

[Subtleknifewielder]

[quote name='Yawoo' timestamp='1289399841' post='2509315']
The first offer is accepted, that of a mutual ceasefire.

The second offer is accepted only on the condition that a neutral charity be with Apollo's Hand at all times to ensure the legitamacy of the findings.

The thrid offer is accepted, providing representatives arrive in non-armed vehicles and inform the Irish military of their travel paths.
[/quote]
The White Cross offers to be a neutral party in these investigations if required.

OOC; Assuming this is public

[Kaiser Martens]

The FA Minister, Marijke Hinna, will arrive in no time by plane.

In the meantime, Berlin sends the results of their private talks with the Irish to its allies:

"I have been speaking to the Irish and have been able to gather the following terms:

Ireland will fix London.
Germanic Union will fix Ireland with England's assistance.
Germanic Union will protect Ireland for five years.
The POWs are freed.

Both sides wanted some sort of reparation. So even if we have to use our Silver Marks to do it, we will arrange it to happen. Either way I think that this is the best offer both sides are going to get. Please tell me what you think so that when we arrive to the Negotiations we can present an unified front."

[Margrave]

The Hanseatic Republic requests an observers seat in these talks; European Peace is imperative if we as a continent intend to continue forward along the path of history.

[Zoot Zoot]

England does not want Hanseatic observers in the talks.
The war is of no concern to them and so they should not be allowed entry.

[Margrave]

The Republic is an advocate of peace in Europe. As neutral observers, we observed the transfer of prisoners from England to Germany during the political crisis between yourselves and the Africans, and reported the fulfillment of your vows to the world. Having been your advocate before, why not allow us the opportunity to observe what should be a peaceful conference, and show the world once again that Europeans are ultimately a peaceful and civilized race?

[Zoot Zoot]

Because if the conference is a positive result, it will be obvious peace has won out whn the annoucement comes through that a peace has been declared.
You do not need to have observers present, and England will object to anyone else attempting to be an observer. Coalition parties and the Kingdom of Ireland should be the only Nations involved.

[b]Classified[/b]

HMS Sheffield had moved with range of Dublin and Irish radars would see a radar blip leave its deck, its signature that of a helicopter. The warship then changed direction and sailed into Liverpool. The helicopter flew to Dublin airport and on landing, Admiral Joona made Irish authorities aware of his arrival.

[b]Classified to Coaltiion[/b]

England is curious as to why the Germanic Union has been talking to the Irish in closed channels. All other communications with them have been made public for all to see. Secondly, I believe we are giving Ireland to much. Three nuclear detonations inside English terrritory, and one inside their own land. Almost all of the border towns between Hereford and Telford have been devestated by nuclear wind and heat damage. England has no idea what its like in Wales in the Cardiff area, but our troops occupying the city of Newport report the area is devestated. The POW's being freed should not be a term of peace, as they should be released anyway now that J'Andres is no longer a political entity or military power.

[Centurius]

Upon approval of the terms outlined and confirmation from Field Commanders a single Learjet 60 left the Athens International Airport, on it was Isabella Isai, High Envoy on European affairs and her staff. While under normal circumstances a higher official would be send for obvious trust issues those higher were kept in their bunkers. Until entering Irish controlled airspace the jet was escorted by a Squadron of F-1s which left as soon as the aicraft entered Ireland from the south. Authorities were informed of the flight path. The Athenian delegation was send out with a strict but fair mandate. Athens would not demand anything else than acceptation of terms of other members.

**Private to the coalition**

The proposed arrangement with Ireland does seem too light indeed, we are dealing here with a rare situation and 7 million dead civilians. An example must be set that we do not let people off light who use nuclear force on our civilians.

[Kaiser Martens]

"We spoke to them separately because we had heard reports of others attempting to negotiate different peace terms repeatedly while we were not able (OOC: due to not being online then) able to participate. So for the sake of efficiency we decided to see if they would be more reasonable when approached to separately...which, so far, seems to have worked. Regardless of the terms which we have obtained, which are the best we feel we could agree to, we will not peace with Ireland if the rest of the coalition decides that these terms are unacceptable. At that, we'd need to see what others think.

I think this is the only option that leads to anything other than major issues, if what has been seen are not already major alone.

I hate to say this but if this is not accepted it is clear that a Nuclear Holocaust will engulf [u]all[/u] of the nations involved in this conflict."

Edited November 12, 2010 by Kaiser Martens

[Zoot Zoot]

[b]Classified to the Caotlion[/b]
"We shall see at the conference in Ireland if some revised terms will be accepted. If not, England will be going weapons free with its arsenal"

[Michael McBride]

[center][img] http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/That_Bum/EPIflag.png[/img][/center]
[center][i]Flag of the Empire[/i][/center]

[b]ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE EMPEROR[/b]

As we have witnessed recently, our world has been in a state of turmoil. North America, Antarctica, and now Europe have been embroiled in war, !@#$%* have risen and fallen, and now we are faced with Nuclear Armageddon. It is because of the current, ongoing war between Ireland and the European Coalition and the recent fall of the Maritime Republic of J Andres that I come before you today.

With the loss of the Maritime Republic, the Empire was asked to protect and oversee the original homeland of J Andres. We accepted this task with a heavy heart, and all citizens in these lands are being treated as citizens of the Empire. As such, the Prisoners of War currently being held in Ireland are our citizens as well. It goes without saying that we would like them back so they may be reunited with their families and loved ones.

It is our understanding that Ireland and the European Coalition are currently in a cease fire to negotiate the end of the war. This is obviously a development we welcome. However, should the situation degrade back into total war, we have a warning for the European Coalition.

It is our stance that since the Kingdom of Ireland has offered to release the prisoners at the conclusion of hostilities now that the Maritime Republic no longer exists, the onus to end this war rests on the shoulders of the European Coalition. While the nuclear attack on London was regrettable, it should be noted that Ireland was attacked first and responded in defense, just as the Empire and many other countries would have done.

Should any Irish target knowingly housing now-Imperial Prisoners of War be hit, and those prisoners and Imperial citizens be killed, the Empire will be holding the European Coalition directly responsible for their deaths. If it seems, in the eyes of the Empire, that the POWs are being killed without discrimination then the Empire will take action to ensure their safety, up to and including declaring war on members of the European Coalition to bring a swift end to the war in Ireland and bring our citizens home. You may consider this your first, and last, warning.

The Empire wishes to see this war end as quickly as possible. However, if Ireland is offered unfair or exploitive terms, then we will support them in their right to reject them. Light terms, or white peace, would be the best option for all parties involved.

I hope this call is heeded and not taken lightly. We can avert this nuclear holocaust while there is still time. If we do not, it will not be us or even our children who reap the consequences. It will our grandchildren and their grandchildren who suffer the consequences if we do not end this now. Goodnight.

- Sir Michael Harland
Emperor of Pravus Ingruo

[Triyun]

A holocaust has already happened, in fact there we as many civilian deaths in this as the crime from which that word has arisen in its modern context. It cannot be discounted lightly. Its astonishing that the death of millions of civilians is so callously disregarded. As a nation which has suffered the horrors of nuclear war words cannot convey how horrifying the use of nuclear weapons against civilian population centers is.

In the Federation's opinions while we do not practice and in fact denounce a nuclear first strike posture, we can see the relevance of hitting military targets. Nuclear weapons in a first strike against enemy army groups or major airbases would have done far more to cripple England's war effort than hitting a capital which does very little even basic manufacturing. The targeting of London was nothing more than the deliberate butchering of millions of civilians, this is a crime beyond horrific. I've seen the international community become horrified over much more minor offenses, like the targeting of a single world leader, I for the life of me cannot comprehend why anyone would find killing millions of civilians an acceptable response when there are plenty of other more militarily effective solutions which were available. I'm simply shocked.

[Zoot Zoot]

Then perhaps Ireland should use this ceasefire to release your citizens.
In the unlikely event that war should break out once more, it would be a most wise decision, and a well respected decision to release the prisoners whilst there is a chance to remove them safely.

If Ireland is unable to do with or unwilling too until a peace accord is signed, then it should be made public the locations of the prisoners in the event a peace is not brokered and hostilities commence. However, with any luck, a peace can be brokered and the above precautions will have solved nothing, however, it is better to be cautious.

[Michael McBride]

And how many more Irish civilians would have died had they simply continued to use conventional weapons against overwhelming force? The Irish are a proud people, they would have fought to the last man, woman, and child. How many more deaths would have been caused at the hands of England's own troops?

The main purpose of nuclear weapons is a deterrent. They are not simply meant to sit in silos and look shiny. If attacked, they are meant to be used to defend your country, along with any other weapon at your disposal. The use of nuclear weapons is much more of a deterrent to being attacked that the threat of the use of nuclear weapons. Look what the Irish did, and look how their attackers responded. The attacks stopped, the advances stopped, and peace negotiations are underway. Had the Irish not used nuclear weapons, what reason would the European Coalition have had to sit down at the negotiating table. The answer is none.

While London was not a military target, it was still a high-value strategic target. It was a massive psychological blow to the English, as well as a significant blow to their morale. In what Ireland did, they knew there would only be two outcomes: either it would harden the resolve of the European Coalition and they would double their efforts, risking more nuclear hellfire on the European continent for both sides, or the English, and by extension the Coalition, would weaken in their resolve, sue for a cease fire, and begin negotiations. As you can see, the Irish gambled, and they won.

While the thought, and action, of attacking a civilian center with nuclear weapons is deplorable, we feel the Irish chose the lesser of two evils. Had they not responded with every force necessary, I can guarantee more than seven million civilians would have died, on both sides.