Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
This forum is used with the NationStates web-game designed and run by Max Barry. While not officially affiliated, this serves as the regional forum for the regions: Middle East, African Continent, American Continent, Asian Continent, and European Continent.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and can "read only".

In order to get the most out of these forums, please become a member and read this guide - http://z3.invisionfree.com/nationstates/index.php?showtopic=3060


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The Imperial Falcon Rises; Austria expands into the Balkans
Topic Started: Sep 9 2014, 04:42 PM (1,272 Views)
Porcu
Member Avatar
"Work is the curse of the drinking classes."

The 6th Fleet of the Republic, Classis VI, had served ICONOY well during its operations in Yoloys and had subsequently returned to its base in Malta in a straightforward and quiet manner. Now, with matters in the Balkans growing ever more tense, the Fleet Commander received orders instructing the entirety of the Fleet to sail for the Ionian Sea and to remained stationed near enough the Strait of Otranto that a quick sealing of the Adriatic could be conducted.

Furthermore, 7th Fleet (stationed in Gibraltar) was ordered to move to Malta. Orders for the 5th Fleet, stationed in Carolina-Georgia, to make for Gibraltar were drawn up but put on hold until the situation in the Balkans evolved further.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NRE
Member Avatar
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

Official Statement
Special Investigative Mission in Croatia
On behalf of the International Commonwealth of Nations, the belligerents of Austria, Translava, and all other combatants within the Balkan territories of Croatia are hereby called upon to an official ceasefire. This arrangement will be in place for the expressed purpose of the investigation as enacted by ESTABLISHMENT OF INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE No.1 on the purpose of discovering, where they may exist, instances of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Failure to comply to this ceasefire shall be seen as an admission of guilt and shall be dealt with within the confines of international law and agreements as established within the Charter of the International Commonwealth of Nations.


_________________________________________________________________________

With Russia's own delegation already in route to Croatia, back home Moscow was determining its options when it came to the possibility of war within Central Europe. The beauty of the situation was that Russia was not directly at threat of the war, unfortunately however the war would include Marslava an ally and Austria, a potential ally and business partner. Everyone within the inner circle of Russian politics understood that Russia would have the ability to balances these two allies for only so long before a point of choosing one over the other came about. Emperor Ivan was hopeful that time would not come during his own reign but this threat of war over the Balkans seriously jeopardized this hope. Though there were competing beliefs on how Russia would handle the war within the Emperor's government, the general belief that Russia would have to act was agree upon. The Prime Minister and the coalition government believed Russia should only use its diplomatic powers to end the hostilities, believing that a direct intervention of the military would only go to escalate the situation by alienating one ally over the other. The military, however, was more then confident that the only way to end a possible war would be with boots on the ground. The conversations over the situation were more like great debates between the two, Ivan having the mediate as best he could.

In the end, Ivan favored the belief of diplomacy not because he did not believe war was inevitable but more so to appease his government for the time being and because he did generally agree that using the military would alienate either Austria or Marslava from Russia. The Emperor did get his government to at least agree to heighten their military readiness, putting the fleet in Barcelona on alert and readying the troops back home. For now however, the Emperor held out hope that war would be avoided at least for as long as the investigation was underway.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Alberto
Member Avatar
Resident Italian
Prague, 20**

The Austrian attack was rapid, violent, and relentless. Two Serbian regiments, two good units, had been all but annihilated by the Austrian onslaught. The opening of a new front also put further pressure on the Marslavan forces.

Still no one was ready to give the clear and explicit order to attack directly the Austrian forces. Eventually, under the pretext of respecting the ICON sponsored ceasefire, the Marslavan and Serb units withdrew to their positions in Sarajevo. Vienna could claim that it had won the battle. The Grand Duke was furious, his wife relieved now that she was sure that Marslava was effectively fighting Austria.

Nevertheless, this Austrian attack awakened something new in its neighbour.
Marslava's, in demographic as well as economic terms, dwarfed considerably Austria. However, until then, it had underestimated its foe. Now the Austrians had proved that they could counter and defeat a Marslavan offensive. And this brought the Marslavan leadership to the realization that this war could not be fought by proxy through Translava, and the deployment of some divisions in Bosnia. Evidently, the means available in Sarajevo were insufficient and defeating Austria would require the mobilization of Marslava's entire awesome economic and human resources.

Also the Marslavan people, that had regarded Austria as a minor reactionary power, became aware that Austria was a threat as it might score considerable victories against Marslava's forces. This did not make them any more prudent: on the contrary, public opinion now clamoured for war. A rally in Prague, that demanded an all out war against Austria, was attended by nearly one hundred thousands people.

In effect, the Bohemian army group, counting hundreds of thousands of men with thousands of artillery and tanks, was mobilized so to threaten Austria's borders. At the same time, thousands of soldiers were airlifted in Belgrade and Sarajevo, while the latter city was being readied to withstand an Austrian attack. Finally, three army divisions and one Ducal Guard division, crossed the Hungarian border. The Ducal Guard had a fearsome reputation – not only in Hungary.

Until then Austria had been underestimated, but now all foresaw that the Habsburg's forces were a formidable threat and Marslava acted consequently.

Outskirts of Banja Luka, 20**

Goran and his men had evaded the hunt of the RSD, which had only killed innocent civilians. Hiding in the woods, they waited for the right moment to strike. Some of the inhabitants in Zelena had been killed, others deported, some unlucky creatures remained to serve the occupiers. All the rest had fled to the countryside or had died while trying to. Now, the settlement was only occupied by the Austrian army and the RSD.

Some of those who fled joined Goran. They had nothing bad to tell about the Austrian army, but their hatred toward the RSD was intense. And, together with Goran's battle hardened men, they set out to have their revenge.

A Croat patrol had recklessly crossed into the deep woods and low hills that were the base of the partisans. According to their papers, they had been tasked to reach and occupy a small hamlet that lied outside that area: surely they had got lost. The communists ambushed them in the evening: none could manage to run. And no prisoner was taken either.

Two nights later Goran's men and local civilians who were wearing the uniforms of the Croat militias presented themselves in the village of Zelena. They retained the papers of the poor Croats that had crossed their road, and reported that the partisan activity around their destination was so strong that they had been repelled with heavy losses. All around there was evidence of death and executions, and one could still smell the blood of the slain civilians. The Austrian forces stood uneasily in that place, and their looks revealed had not wanted to have any part in what had happened.

It is at that point that a young lieutenant of the panzegrenadiers walked in. He walked around the disguised partisans, and his intelligent eyes examined them. He stopped in front of Goran, and the two men looked into each other's eyes. The lieutenant was unconvinced by their explanation and made further questions.

At that point, Goran affirmed that the Croat militia was at the orders of the RSD and did not have to answer to a mere lieutenant (even if from an elite force such as the panzergrenadier). On the other hand, he would reply to questioning by the local RSD officer.

The panzergrenadier thought a moment to Goran's reply. His intelligent eyes finally turned away from him and he got aside.
“This is a matter for the RSD, you will find your masters in that farm” he said while he indicated a small farm at the outskirts of the village. He emphasized the word “master”, and pronounced it with contempt. Goran felt that the lieutenant guessed his visitors were not the RSD's auxiliaries. Yet, he had let them pass.

Rising at the outskirts, the farm stood isolated from the village. All around it, the Croats militiamen were enjoying the fruit of their plunder. Whereas the regular army had remained ordered and cohesive, the Croats had let themselves go – they were breaking, raping, arguing over the spoils. The partisans had no problem to get across: their papers were in order, and anyway the Croats did not bother to check them thoroughly. Once through, the partisans dispersed around the farm.

Very quickly, those who stood guard were stabbed, as were those who slept, who gambled, who argued. When the RSD men inside the farm realized what it had been happening, it was too late.
The partisans tossed few grenades through the windows, killing the guards inside. Then, they went inside. The local RSD officers was going for his weapon. One of the partisans – a huge Serbian peasant - found him before he could reach it – he lifted him, with his hands around the officer's neck.

But now, the Austrian army had heard the fight. The lieutenant and his men had to come to the RSD's help, even if they were not very eager to do so. And the partisans could not withstand their fire power. Goran jabbed his knife in the commander's throat and coolly observed his death. The other partisans cruelly killed whoever they found, including the wounded.

While withdrawing, the partisans threw other grenades and fired other shots in direction of the incoming soldiers. Rapidly, they withdrew into the woods. The Reichswehr did not want to risk an ambush in unfamiliar grounds and did not follow them.


This was the first partisan attack against the Austrians, but not the only one. Goran's men were the most organized partisan group but not the only one. Other villages had risen against the occupiers, fighting them in the most inaccessible areas. The partisans prevalently targeted Croat auxiliaries and the RSD, and attacked rarely the Reichswehr. And the partisan movement was not exclusively Serb: the atrocities committed by the RSD had angered also the Croat and Bosnian neighbours of the victims. This meant that Austria's tactic to draw Bosnia's ethnicities one against each other had not succeeded completely.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Margrave
Member Avatar
Is very much a holla-back girl.
 *  *  *  *  *
The Confederate delegation landed at the Ljubljana airport. The three men wore heavy woolen suits, and the lone woman, in addition to her suit, wore a large badge badge blazoned with strong hand holding a red star, marking its wearing as a Hero of the Confederacy. That holder was none other than Sara Ataturk, now the head of the Confederate Diplomatic Corps. She disembarked first, followed closely by the others. A little while later, one of her aides opened the door to the meeting place. "Gentlemen," She began, addressing the old Austrians in the room "How fare you?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Whal
Member Avatar
"Life is too short to be wasted on bad scotch"
 *  *  *  *  *  *
OOC: If I am correct, the ICON investigative mission only has a mandate for Croatia. Therefore, there is no restriction on continuing combat in Bosnia.

IC:

Bosnia-Herzegovina...

Word of the general Marslavan-Serbian withdrawal was met with overt joy and celebration throughout the Austrian lines. The soldiers of the Reichswehr had never doubted their efficiency and prowess, but watching their foes retreat in the face of their tenacious assault was not something they would easily forget. Despite the rampant jubilee, the Reichswehr's officer corps was quick to remind its enlisted men not be become overconfident - Austrian units had yet to actively cross swords with a determined Marslavan assault.

Nonetheless, the Austrians and their Croatian allies would enjoy an initiative boost from the Marslavan-Serbian retreat that they would be insane to pass up. With no more "first-class" troops in a supporting role, the Bosnian-Translava forces surrounding the beleaguered Croat-Muslim Confederation were quickly brushed aside with a few hours of sporadic minor offensives. Conscious of their allies retreat, and the arrival of more Austrian forces to the south, the remainder of the Bosnian Army fled quickly to their next defensive line - the Rustavi Line. Comprised of over 100 miles of defensive fortifications and earthen dug-outs, the Rustavi line was the Bosnian's last hope of halting the Austrian advance before it reached Sarajevo. If the defense of the front should fail, the Austrians would be given a clear and largely defenseless path in which to besiege the capital. Such a fate would surely lead to the fall of the country.

The arrival of more Marslavan infantry and artillery to Sarajevo angered the Austrian Archduke to the point of boiling over. In response, the cold war which had seemed dormant in Hungary now broke free into the spot-light. The Austrian forces which had already landed in Budapest were soon joined by an actual "invasion" from Austrian occupied West Hungary. The entire 9th Feldarmie, over 100,000 men, crossed the border into Central Hungary and fanned out in every direction. Assisted by hundreds of Grenzer special forces infiltrated over the last several weeks, the Reichswehr was quickly approaching Budapest and would arrive within several days.

On the home front, the Austrian propaganda machine was operating in full swing. The education policies which demonized the government of the Grand Duchy were now expanded to include a general condemnation of the Marslavan people. In tandem, the Ministry of the Interior in cooperation with the Colognian Catholic Church of Austria began orchestrating propaganda films and sermons respectively, which vilified the Marslavans whilst emboldening the Austrian cause. Hidden in this nationalistic propaganda were blatant attack against Slavs and racially motivated messages of Austrian racial supremacy. In Austria as in Marslava, the civilian population was rapidly turning to hatred and ignorance of their neighbor.

Back in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Austrian forces began their next offensive against their Bosnian and Translava foes. Returning from a day of recuperation, both Austrian feldarmies resumed their assaults; the 7th pushed upon the city of Kupres and the 8th Vlasenica. Meanwhile, in the south, the forces which had landed as a part of Operation Coastal Fury moved farther inland still and camped only a few dozen miles outside the city of Mostar. Despite the continuous small guerilla attacks occurring behind the lines, the combined forces of the Reichswehr and the RSD were still adept enough at containing supply lines to the offensive, but already signs of strain were appearing. Reprisals against partisans were becoming increasingly frequent and many soldiers of the Reichswehr were getting closer and closer to becoming a part. In fact, many in the high military staff were apprehensive about the tactics of the RSD attracting the attention of the ICON investigative mission currently underway in Croatia.

Posted Image

Edited by Whal, Nov 26 2014, 12:53 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Alberto
Member Avatar
Resident Italian
Banja Luka

Goran contemplated with spite that body. The mayor - former mayor - of Banja Luka had been tied to a chair and strangled. One Croat had been punished for his betrayal of his people, and more of them would follow his destiny.

Drazen, another Croat who however was a partisan, approached Goran.
"Comrade" he said "soon it will be dawn. We must go"

Another man, a strong Serbian peasant, pointed at the wife and the children of the dead, his look asked the question of what had to be made with those poor creatures. His face denoted indifference: the partisan life had definitely changed the peasant into a murderer.

"Let's go" said Goran "they will tell their peers that the revolution strikes - and never misses".

The three men left the mayor's house. The mayor's security party had been murdered, and the Austrian soldiers did not notice them.

Sarajevo

"This is an interesting penomenon" said the Colonel Horka, with a thoughtful look. He was talking to a friend, Vladislav, who was the Marslavan consul of Sarajevo. As such, he was now the most high-ranked diplomat in the city.

"Northern Bosnia is sliding into a civil war" affirmed the colonel of the secret services "my sources tell me that more and more partisan brigades are active in the north. The biggest formation is the communists', who are estimated to dispose of few thousands fighting men spread around Banja Luka"

"And, even more importantly, they now are sufficiently strong to hit in the urban centres. The collaborationist mayor of Banja Luka has just been murdered by the partisans."

Vladislav remained skeptical "But for now the Austrians remain in control and the partisans are not yet able to contrast their army on the open field"

"You are right. If, on our side, we increase pressure on the Austrians this will strengthen the partisans too." replied the colonel.

"Are they cooperating with us, the partisans?" asked the consul.

"No, they are refusing to do so"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Whal
Member Avatar
"Life is too short to be wasted on bad scotch"
 *  *  *  *  *  *
The Reichswehr's window of opportunity to clinch a quick victory was closing rapidly. While they certainly hadn't performed inadequately, quite the opposite, the Oberkommando were self critical of themselves in that the Archduke's "two week" demand for a conclusion to the Bosnian conflict was unreachable, and now his armies were now pushing on over a month. As the fifth week drew to a close, the Austrian forces in Bosnia were still hammering away at Bosnian/Translava garrisons all along the formidable Rustavi Line. Progress had been slower than military planners in Vienna had imagined, no doubt underestimating the resolve of their enemy (and the brief arrival of Serbian/Marslavan forces), however this had only a limited effect on morale. The Austrians had learned earlier in the week that their brazen full frontal assaults were costly and expensive, and thus less demanding alternatives were needed. As the conflict progressed into its 6th week, the Austrians were relinquishing the task of penetrating the Rustavi Line to the skill of their special forces and the sheer manpower of their Croatian allies. When nightfall came, thousands of Croatian auxiliary troops and Croat-Muslim fighters staged ferocious yet utterly futile assaults upon the fortifications. From the hours of their continuous sacrifice came the success of their Austrian special forces allies. Using nightfall for cover and the battle as a distraction, several hundred Grenzer battalions staged covert infiltration missions all across the line and successfully reached their objectives. After hours of countless casualties to the auxiliaries, Austrian special forces began sabotaging and raiding the outposts and pillboxes along the defensive network. With the full might of both the 7th and 8th Feldarmies laying in wait, the Grenzers would not have to wait long for their comrades to deliver the crushing blow to the already fracturing Bosnian defense.

Over in Hungary, the Austrian advance was enjoying the most fruitful and docile military "invasion" it had ever seen. Devoid of any resistance and properly prepared for their arrival, the 9th Feldarmie marched over all of former Central Hungary with impunity. The irony that such lack of resistance stemmed from the duty of Austria to protect the western half of Central Hungary was not lost on anyone, Austrians, Hungarians, or Marslavans. Any Hungarian police units who operated in the area were quickly apprehended and reassigned to service with the Gendarmerie with assistance from West Hungary's own Royal Police. Soon all of Central Hungary would join the western half as an Austrian province. Only one obstacle stood in the way - the capital of Budapest. Split into two administrative zones following the Hungarian War, one Austrian and the other Marslavan, Budapest seemed the only place where conflict could arise - and a serious conflict at that. Wary that Marslavan forces would put up a harsh resistance, Austrian commanders in the city simply opened the gates for their allies and waited. With all of Budapest cut off from resupply by the Austrian advance, it was questionable how long if at all the Marslavans would remain.

-------

Banja Luka...

Lieutenant Wolfe surveyed the grizzly scene before him. A man lay dead strapped to a chair, his throat slit. The former mayor of Banja Luka was not a very well liked man; a collaborator who jumped at the thought of harnessing more authority if he assisted the occupiers. Now his body laid dead, an example for any who would follow in his footsteps. The Austrians were unimpressed and unamused.

"I suppose this will mean a reprisal?" A corporal inquired sorrowful. His panzergrenadier brethren also present looked on with a myriad of emotions.

"Not from us," Lieutenant Wolfe replied quickly. "Our job is to keep order, not seek vigilante justice. The culprit will be found and tried according to the law."

"Wrong on both accounts, Lieutenant," came a voice from a figure entering just that second. The room turned to view him - a black and tan uniform greeted their gaze. The RSD had returned.

Lieutenant Wolfe looked at the man with disdain. "My men will remain as police units. Nothing more."

"Your men will do as the chain of command sees fit," the RSD officer replied seriously. "Otherwise, they will be transferred under me and you'll be court marshaled."

The situation appeared immensely tense. Their had been a feud brewing between the RSD and the Reichswehr even since the former's inception. Believing the RSD to be bloated, cowardly, and cruel, many in the Reichswehr hated when they arrived as it often only meant "dirty" work and closer examination of their units. Worse still, many held further disdain for the auxiliaries who accompanied them - foreigners with a savage blood-lust and a poor combat reputation. The Reichswehr saw little use for them.

"I will be taking volunteers!" The Officer announced without specifying the task. All present knew the nature of the deed. The RSD believed making the task appear non-mandatory would breed comfort among the ranks. Many assumed failure of anyone to comply would mean punishment, but no one ever found out. Someone had always volunteered.

A few panzergrenadiers stepped forwards, many did not. Lieutenant Wolfe looked down as they passed by him. As the RSD left with its volunteers, sounds of the outside round up of the civilian population could already be heard. Later that night, the RSD conducted interrogations of several of the villagers in a bid to uncover the location of the partisans. No one said much, so the next day a reprisal killing was planned. At dawn, the panzergrenadiers were ordered to wake all the villagers and amass them in the courtyard. In front of them stood a recently erected gallows, equipped with a noose system dependent on strangulation rather than the breaking of necks. A slow death.

At random, the leading RSD officer selected 10 villagers at random and they were fetched by the volunteers and auxiliaries. Among them were 5 men, 2 women, 2 boys, and 1 unknown resistance fighter who had been caught unknowingly as he attempted to flee through the crowd. They were very promptly marched up the gallows and placed inside the noose. The RSD informed the village of the repercussion of aiding and abiding by partisan activities. He promised future attacks would be met with harsher punishments. Then he waved his hand and one of the panzergrenadiers led a horse slowly pulling the ropes. The villagers on the other end began writhing and suffocating. In about 2 minutes everyone had been strangled to death. As a gesture of humiliation and anger, some of RSD men and auxiliaries traveled down the length of the gallows pulling on the legs of the villagers to make sure they were strangled fully. Many in the crowd cried, but were soon dispersed by the panzergrenadiers. An order to kill any who attempted to move the bodies was issued.

Several feet away, Lieutenant Wolfe stared at the bodies with disgust. A simple tear flowed from his eye and rolled down his cheek. So this is what Austria has become

-----

Ljubljana, Slovenia..

The Confederate delegation was rather quickly met by their Austrian hosts. Leading the Austrians was Duke Josef Lichnowsky, the Imperial Minister of the Treasury. A stocky older man with thick glasses, the minister appeared less than enthusiastic about meeting with the communists, but he tried his best to appear jovial and polite.

"Yes, welcome to Slovenia. My name is Josef Lichnowsky, Minister of the Treasury," he replied machine-like. "I am pleased to see you have arrived safely. Perhaps we should retire to the pa-," the minister stopped cold when he noticed the red badge. He shook his head, but put his smile back on. "Please, if you'll follow me into the parlor, we have much to discuss. Namely, the issue of a normalization of diplomatic relations and an economic partnership. Now, are their any questions or concerns you have that I may alleviate, ma'am?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Alberto
Member Avatar
Resident Italian
Prague, in the evening

Otokar had just parried the counter of his adversary. Having done the parry, he fleched at his adversary - the latter was now unbalanced and the Grand Duke was sure that he would land a hit. Yet, Janos - the adversary - dodged and, with Otokar's foil beyond him, managed to get through with a counter.
A stupid mistake, thought the Grand Duke, had made him lose a golden occasion. He had been building up thataction, but had lost because he had attacked too early, when the adversary could still react.

It is at that point that Vladislav Clementis, the Prime Minister, and Anton Markovic, the minister of defense, came with bad news. The line of defense in Bosnia was retroceding and the predictions were that Sarajevo would soon be sieged by the Austrians. Moreover, Austrian forces were occupying Hungary and were cutting off Belgrade.
"If we do not do something, Slovakia and Bohemia will be threatened. We must keep the Austrians off our homeland" declared Markovic, and he added "I suggest that we leave the Bosnians to their fate and that we withdraw our forces to Sarajevo to reinforce our defences in Hungary and in Belgrade"

"The Slovakian Army will be mobilized and it will cross the border to Vac. Budapest is very close and we can keep a corridor open. This time no withdrawal is allowed.
Do not withdraw our forces from Sarajevo: Bosnia is on the verge of civil war and we need to wear the Austrians at the maximum extent possible if we want the partisans to make progress."

Bijielina, near to the Serbian border

Goran's was not the only partisan formation that operated in Bosnia. Other groups had armed themselves to defend their political ideal, their faith, or simply their village. There were groups of anarchists, of socialists, of nationalists. There were religious fanatics who needed to defend the orthodox faith from the Austrian invasor, there were Serbs, Bosnians and Croats who had escaped the RSD's atrocities.

Representatives from various groups had gathered in this little village. They had understood that the enemy was not invincible and that the partisans would have a chance to win if they united their forces. Yet, the negotiations were not easy. The anarchists despised the communists, who in turn despised the socialists, who despised the orthodoxs, who hated everyone else. No one wanted to take orders, and all wanted to command. Yet Goran's communists were the most organized force, and also the best equipped. His successes against the Austrians and their Croat underlings were respected by all.

Playing down his poitical faith, he tried to act as a honest broker. He was helped in this by Father Zenko, a priest who understood the importantce of unity. What came out of an intense night of negotiation was the "Bosnian Liberated Zone", which was to be headed by Father Zenko and defended by the Bosnian Army of Liberation headed by Goran. This entity could of course not contend openly with the Austrian army, but it could lead a successful irregular warfare and undermine Austrian control over Bosnia.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Alberto
Member Avatar
Resident Italian
Vac, beyond the Hungarian Border

The Marslavan columns had been thrown beyond the border between Slovakia and Hungary. Around 100.000 soldiers, with their vehicles and artillery, had crossed into Hungary with the purpose of ensurig a corridor around Budapest. The order given to the soldiers was that if the Austrians were to attack, the Slovakian Army would return the fire and attack the Austrian positions in Hungary. The imperative was to reach Budapest before the Austrians.

The Marslavan Ist Division of Paratroopers was the spearhead of the advance. Its task was to secure the suburbs of Budapest and an Austrian conterattack would have to deal with these resolute and battle-hardened troops. Behind followed various brigades of motorized infantry, armoured units, an impressive array of artillery units. The Marslavan force seemed invincible - yet it had to more to Hungary with a very short notice and the advance of such a high number of units was imperfectly coordinated.

Finally, the leadership of the Slovak Army was divided on what the army should do in the case of an Austrian attack: that is whether to ram its way through Buadapest or to consolidate the gains made in Northern Hungary through a defensive position. Finally, the leader of the army, General Zdenek, had a slow and methodical temperament. He was not the right man for taking rushful decisions.

The battalion of Major Stanislavsky was the first Marslavan unit that came to Budapest's sight. However, they soon noticed that an Austrian unit had taken position so to cut the way between the Marslavan forces in Budapest and the army sent to relieve them. The two army faced each other, and were now in position to attack each other. Ths was the first time that the Austrian and Marslavan armies found themselves in such a predicament. For now, nothing was done, but the Marslavan paratroopers prepared themselves for the eventuality of an Austrian attack.


From the Proclamation for the Peoples of the Balkans


The sovereign of Marslava promesses independence to the Southern Slavs, proposes a personal union between Marslava and an independent, united, Hungary. The speech will probably infuriate the Austrian monarchy.

The Grand Duke Otokar I of the Premyslids:

"This is promess to the peoples of the Balkans, to the Serbs, to the Croats and to the Bosniaks.

They shall be free of Austrian oppression and shall live independent of any external power, cultivating their friendship with Marslava and with any other power willing to respect their political, economical, cultural independence.

They shall be free to join the economic union between Prague and Belgrade, as they shall be free to take part to any other arrangement with Marslava or with each other.

Finally, this is what I say to the Hungarians.

The invasion of Hungary was a deplorable mistake which divided the Hungarian people between two masters. The Hungarian people shall have its polity and shall live united.

Thus, there are the promesses that I make for the Hungarians, when the Austrian monster will be defeated.

The Hungarians will live in one, separate, state with its own laws and its own institutions. Hungary shall be united under one crown, in a personal union with Marslava. It shall be completely free to determine its internal policies, and shall have its own police and army. It will be a democratic state, ruled according to the constitutional principles chosen by the Hungarians...."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Whal
Member Avatar
"Life is too short to be wasted on bad scotch"
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Bosnia...

The sacrifices made by the Croatian auxiliaries coupled with the success of the Grenzer special forces made the task of piecing the Rustavi Line that much easier for the Reichswehr. On the morning after the night assault, elements of III Corps from the 7th Army assisted by armor from the 7th Panzer Division made the final assault against the shaking defensive line. In little over an hour, the Austrians had succeeded in delivering the coup de grace to the Bosnian's last line of defense before their capital. Within a few days both the Austrian 7th and 8th Feldarmies had surrounded the city and placed it under a tight siege. Without wasting a minute, the artillery and air power were unleashed on the city for a miraculous and unrelenting 6 hour assault. As the night approached, the Austrians solidified their attack with the inevitable entry of their ground forces. A mixture of Panzergrenadiers, Grenzers, and Grenadiers assaulted the city from all angled and pierced its armor with minor intrusions in several of the outlying suburbs. Adding to the attack was the deployment of several brigades of Fallschirmjaeger with the task of airdropping into the city and siezing key positions. With all retreat cut off and more Austrian forces arriving in the south in any day, the cities' Bosnian, Translava, and few Marslavan defenders were in serious peril.

Meanwhile to the north, Marslava's attempts to rile partisan retribution against the Austrian occupation had heightened attacks against all branches of the Austrian military machine. In several towns and forests across the countryside, partisans had encircled and murdered multiple Croatian patrols and RSD convoys, yet it was the murder of an entire platoon of Austrian Gendarmerie in the forests outside of Banja Luka which prompted the largest uproar. So enraged was the Oberkommando that they dispatched an entire Panzergrenadier Division to surround the forest and "cleanse" it of all partisan activity. Toting the motto: "Toten Sie Alles! (Kill them all!) the Austrians tightened the noose around Banja Luka.

Budapest, Hungary...

The arrival of Marslavan forces to negate a total Austrian victory in Hungary was inevitable, but still no less irritating. Budapest had been surrounded, but not taken - a full half of the city still held Marslavan units and they would need to be removed before the golden eagle could fly confidently over the city. The Oberkommando did not imagine that such an evacuation would take long - and it would be an evacuation. The 9th Feldarmie outnumbered the Marslavans by about 25,000 men and they held more of the country. More still, the 9th had placed Budapest under a 360 degree siege and stood 50,000 strong in the way of their saviors.

A simple message was relayed by the Austrian commander, General Anton von Ludendorff, to the Marslavan Command:

"Evacuate Budapest and Hungary or face annihilation."
Edited by Whal, Jan 21 2015, 02:25 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Alberto
Member Avatar
Resident Italian
Budapest, Hungary

(excerpt from a Marslavan history book, fifty years later)

The Marslavan reply was given immediatel: it was short and abrupt:

"The Austrians must be mistaken. It's them who should evacuate Budapest or face annihilation"

In reality, both parties were right, and wrong, at the same time. The Austrians had a certain numerical superiority, their fighting spirit was high and their preparation flawless. Yet, the Marslavan forces in Budapest were solidly entrenched, whereas the Marslavan relieving forces could be quickly reinforced from Slovakia.

This meant that the two sides checked each other: the Marslavan forces in Budapest could not win, but they could inflict horrific losses to the Austrians. Similarly, the Marslavan relief force could not hope to take back Budapest, but it could keep the Austrian siegers pinned around their current position around Budapest.

The Austrian reply would come soon. It would not be positive, but it could take many different forms - one worse than the other.

What is most impressive is the futility of what the two sides were doing. Marslava had built its position of economic prosperity on the basis of pace and good relations with its neighbours, and had thrown everything away to pursue confused projects of "Slavic friendship" in the Balkans. Austria, on its side, had engaged in a challenge that was by far superior to its forces. Its magnificent army and navy had behind them a country whose the economy was 30 times smaller than Marslava's.
Austria could not win.

But it could make Marslava lose everything it had so painfully gained over one decade of peace.

Vienna, Austria

Hermann was the Austrian member of the triumvirate that headed the Balkanic communist network. His colleagues were Goran, now the leader of the Bosnian partisans, and Maximilian, an ethnic German from Marslava. Their plan was not to fight Austria - at least not only to do so - but to transform the whole of Central Europe and Balkans into a communist federation. To do this, they needed both Marslava and the Austrian Empire to fall. Their fall, together with the emergence of a communist Bosnia, would allow the creation of one whole - a loose federation of communist republics.

Yet, for this to happen, they needed alliances. Marslava had a strong communist party. Maximilian was currently in Prague to look for alliances with a strong, but reluctant party. In Austria, there was no democracy, and thus no real communist political party. Yet, Austria had an opposition: it had people who disagreed with the Habsburg. And these people could become allies. From what he understood, the Austrian opposition was a loose alliance of small communist and liberal groups. They were weak and they were afraid. Yet, they could become useful if they took new direction, and if they understood that terrorism was the only possible path to defeat the Austrian tyrant.

In a cold night of January, Hermann stood in a dark corner of a small park in Vienna's perifery.

There, he was waiting for a member of the Austrian opposition. His plan was to commit them to a common alliance, and to pass into action. Communism would strike in the Balkans, in Austria and in Marslava. And it would bring down both the Habsburg and the Premyslid dinasties.

OOC: I apologize for the delay in replying: this is being a wildly busy week and I have little time to reply.
Edited by Alberto, Jan 24 2015, 05:30 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Whal
Member Avatar
"Life is too short to be wasted on bad scotch"
 *  *  *  *  *  *
OOC: Its all good Alberto, college has me pretty busy too.

IC:

Sarajevo, Bosnia..

The Austrian siege of the Bosnian capital was rapid, brutal, and unforgiving. All the ground held ardently and ferociously by the cities' Bosnian defenders was maintained only through a tremendous loss of life and limb. As the battle proceeded into its second day of fighting, the Austrians had managed to secure and lock down three of the cities four municipalities; the cantons of Stari Grad, Center, and Novi Grad were firmly under the Empire's control, whilst the remaining Novo Sarajevo continued to hold out offering up stiff resistance. This successful bout of defiance was held largely by the presence of Marslavan infantry units within the sector, which forced the Austrian Command to plan assaults around them.

The most terrifying of the skirmishes was the continued struggle for the Sarajevo International Airport. Laying a few kilometers outside the city limits, the airport had briefly been a staging area for the Marslavans before being abandoned after the Austrian advance began to threaten the efficiency of the location. Soon after the Marslavan withdrawal, several units from the Reichswehr's 3rd Fallschirmjaeger Division landed in the facility and began organizing resupply missions, but not before several advanced units of the Bosnian Army returned to retake the exposed landing strips. While the arrival of the Bosnians came as a surprise they were unable to penetrate the Fallschirmjaeger's defenses; however, they're attacks continued to make Austrian control of the facility a perilous objective. Meanwhile, in the downtown areas of the city, fighting over the Novo Sarajevo municipality continued to swallow up men and material from both sides. The Bosnian resistance was well orchestrated and fearless, yet the Austrians held the manpower and supplies to eventually snuff them out. It was only a matter of time before Novo Sarajevo fell and with it the whole of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Budapest, Hungary...

The Marslavan response came swiftly and it was not met with acceptance or understanding. As the situation grew more and more tense, the Oberkommando continued to hold its ground. It didn't take long for the debacle to reach the ears of the ever calculating Karl II.

News that the Grand Duchy was refusing to back down from the impending stand off, the Archduke was pressed with a daunting decision to make. He could order the Reichswehr to assault the Marslavan positions, causing a war he knew Austria was unprepared for, or he could order his units to stand down and face the ridicule and suspicion of his people and his own advisers. While Karl II was a military man and not afraid to use warfare as an empire builder, he was also nonetheless not a political novice who would throw away all his progress herein simply on a vendetta. Time would be needed before Austria was ready to combat the Grand Duchy and its allies, most notably the naval power of Porcu. Despite this however, the shrewd monarch and statesman could indeed find alternative ways of coercing the Marslavans out of Hungary. It would appear that recent international events could be used to persuade the Grand Duke that more pressing matters than the loss of Hungary were on his doorstep.

The recent Roman invasion of Serbia was Austria's best chance of diverting Marslavan attention (and forces) to where they were most needed - protection of an ally and major business partner. The best way to do this would be to persuade the Roman Emperor, Austria's tumultuous friend, to revamp his empire's assault on Serbia. No doubt the Marslavans had already diverted serious forces and funds to the Kaegorevich dynasty, but had yet directly declared war. If Roman legions pushed close enough to threaten Belgrade, then maybe Marslavan units would be diverted from Hungary and moved south. It was then deemed appropriate for more arms and funds to be sent to the Roman Empire in the hopes of pushing the Byzantines into forcing Marslava's hand.


Encrypted Communique
Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
TO: The Roman Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Austrian Empire commends its friend, the Roman Empire, in its invasion of the illegitimate state of Serbia. Austria will continue to support Roman efforts to subjugate Serb forces and will honor the commitments made under the Zalesky-Dovler agreement. Therefore, a gift of 200 Leopard II tanks and 20 of the new Marder V tank destroyers will be sent to the Roman Army for the assistance of a new offensive. Furthermore, the Reichswehr will continue to offer logistical assistance and raw materials for Roman forces.


Vienna, Austria....

Herman waited within the dimly lit garden for several hours before anyone came to greet him. As he waited, he was conscious of every sound, every shadow, and every potential danger. The RSD and the Gendarmerie were everywhere and his label as a communist made him among Austria's most hated enemies of the state. He almost jumped out of skin when his shoulder was touched from the side unexpectedly, revealing a shaky and hooded figure.

"Are you my contact?" Herman said quietly.

"Depends, whats the callsign?" the man whispered guardedly.

Herman wasted no time. "Defiance" he stated confidently.

A moment of silence passed before the man nodded his head and motioned for Herman to follow him. As the man turned to leave, Herman noticed that he sheathed a knife and the action suddenly made the hair on his neck stand straight up. Had he missed the callsign or waited too long, the man would have driven the blade directly into his flesh, silencing him for good.

The pair strolled through the street for a while in utter silence, passing through alleyways and avoiding any cars or the prying eyes of any would be "do gooders". One never knew who was an informant or an undercover RSD operative. The silence continued until the pair traveled to a manhole, to which the man opened it and ordered for Herman to travel into the sewers.

Herman complied readily, but he was on guard.

"Where are you taking me?" he inquired, growing more impatient.

"Underground.." the man replied before he whacked Herman over the head.

Pain, cool water, and then darkness.

When Herman awoke he was instantly blinded by light and the presence of intense heat. As his eyes struggled to make out his surroundings he came to inside a terminus of sorts. Several tunnels connected by a central open area covered with lit torches and suspicious gazes.

"Can someone tell me where the hell I am?" Herman managed to say through coughs. The sewer's dirty water still stuck in his lungs.

"Why, your underground, my boy," said a patronizing, but friendly and familiar tone. "Sorry about the head-bump, but we had to make sure you weren't a Habsburg agent."

Herman looked up to the face of well known Austrian.

"Joachim von Franke," Herman gasped. "Former East German Minister of Foreign Affairs?"

Von Franke smiled widely. "Indeed, welcome to the Austrian Underground, my friend!" The still somehow jovial and portly man exclaimed arms open and sprawling. "Now, I do believe you have a proposition for us?"
Edited by Whal, Feb 2 2015, 08:06 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NRE
Member Avatar
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

OOC: Better late than never, I guess we should move this more along. I'll contact Kas and RD just to make sure everyone else is still on board.

Zagreb, Croatia...

The mission to find facts in Croatia was essential to not only peace in the region but peace throughout Europe. The International Commonwealth of Nations believed that the situation was dire enough to send a delegation to investigate the possibility of human rights abuse. Whether or not abuses had been committed was irrelevant. In conflict abuses were always committed even when the fight was believed to be just. At the end of the day war was an abuse in and of itself.

The Russians were among the first to arrive in Croatia. Though the Russians had many Ambassadors and other intellectuals to send, they decided on Nikolai Fyodorov. Fyodorov was not a known name in diplomatic circles though his diplomatic resume was extensive. He'd been with the foreign ministry most of his adult life and in that time had served as one of the more important voices in almost every major treaty or agreement worked out between Russia and other nations. His talents were many, though he was generally a man that felt better in the back of the crowd than a the head. Still he accepted the position as chief investigator of the Russia team because it was what the Emperor wanted, it was what Russia wanted.

Now in Croatia it was time for the Russians to meet their counterparts. It was time for their investigation to begin. It was time to see where the finger would be pointed and who would get the blame.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Alberto
Member Avatar
Resident Italian
Godollo, Outskirts of Budapest

"Whatever happens" stated with a large smile Major Fursten "the Austrians will hear from my howitzers" he gave a pat to the closest cannon. Like all the others, it was ointed toward Budapest's outskirts, and it was ready to fire. His eyes expressed excitment. Major Fursten was not considered to be a very brilliant man: he was not amiable, he was not witty and not cultured. He was however an excellent artilleryman: what he did best was to calculate and direct his battery's fire - that was his life and passion, the only thing he knew how to do. His call was the army, and was unable to do anything different.

"That is sure" replied Cpt Koren, his Slovak second in command who had all the qualities which his superior lacked of. "The problem is that my may hear from theirs."
"I have seen the Austrians in action in Bosnia" admitted the Major "they are fine artillerymen, but we are stronger... and well-fortified" the perspective of fighting excited the Major, yet his demeanour showed that he did not believe in a quick victory.
"The only thing that I know" dared to say the captain "is that we are starting this war without a clear numerical superiority over the Austrians - their armies are fully ready and mobilized, and ours not. This means that we cannot undertake any offensive... while they can. They will unleash all they have on us, while we will have to resist before we can acquire a definite advantage. This will be bloody and long."
"Hmmm" commented the Major "we are still better off than those poor devils in Budapest" he said, pointing out the city. Marslavan units were in Budapest and they wer completely surrounded by the Austrians. If war was to break, they would be the first to suffer.

Budapest

Some of the Marslavans' best units were in Budapest, including the paratroopers and one division of the Ducal Guard. The Third Division was well equipped for urban warfare, as it included a regiment of sharpshooters and a battalion of engineers specialized in explosives. In Marslava, the Ducal Guard was the best of the best. One of the aristocracy's last bastions in a country that was becoming more and more democratic, the Ducal Guard had never surrendered before. It had been defeated - on rare occasions - in the past, but it had never surrendered.

"Djábel" exclamated the Colonel Hurban-Stefanik of the Ducal Guard. The colonel was a coleric man, and observing the Austrian positions could not put him in a good mood. He was standing at the top of Budapest's old parliament building, which provided a good viewpoint. The Austrians surrounded their force from all sides, and stood just between the colonel's division and the Marslavan relieving forces.

"The situation is desperate" sentenced the old colonel "there will be a battle, and we may not win it"
The men around him were grave and silent, their silence signifying agreement.
"But we are the Ducal Guard - we are aristocrats. And we will keep them out of here. To do otherwise would be for us a source of shame"
"Vivat!" exclaimed his staff.

The Marslavan forces were not losing their time, and were working relentlessly to prepare the terrain. Trenches and bunkers were being dug, large boulevards were being covered with rubble so to obstaculate the enemy infantry, and anti-tank barriers were being lied out so to prevent passage of armoured vehicles. Snipers and machine guns nests had been deployed in the city's key buildings. All waited for the start of war - they had their backs against the wall and for that reason they were ready to fight until the end.

Vienna, Austria

Hermann had met the Austrian underground both metaphorically and literally. Discredited and desperate, the Austrian democrats had been pushed at the margins of society, but they could still help greatly the cause.

"I think you know what I stand for - I stand for a new democratic, socialist federation to unite all of us - Austrians, Czechs, Slovaks, Hungarians, Serbs and Bosnians. Bosnia is rising against the fascist occupier and is fighting a cruel partisan war against them. But they can win only if they have intelligence of the Austrians' movements and intentions. You are Austrians, you want to stop this craziness, and I am sure that some of your people work in Austrias institutions and have access to the information we need."

"Work with us, give us information and intelligence about their troops, their plans, their movements, and we shall accomplish great things" concluded Hermann.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rhadamanthus
Member Avatar
Legitimist

Zagreb, Croatia

Karl von Stamm and Friedrich von Berg, high officers of the Baltic State, arrived in Zagreb to meet with the Russian investigator Fyodorov. Their position at the head of the Baltic German investigators was intended to signal to the International Commonwealth of Nations that the Baltic State took its international obligations seriously. While the Baltic State and its ICON ambassador, Jurgen von Whal, had often been seen as contemptuous of international law, their presence on the commission would provide the opportunity for the Baltic State to present itself as a dedicated member of the international community. More diplomatically minded members of the War Council held that a strong international profile was necessary for the Baltic State to accomplish its goal, foremost being the survival and prosperity of the Northern race.

Stamm, for his part, had designs for a northern war. The meeting in Vienna had gone well; he had found in Pless a likeminded ally. A quid pro quo was in place. If the Baltic State showed understanding of Austria's recreational activities in the Balkans, Austria would do likewise regarding the northern lands. Stamm also saw the opportunity to establish close relationships with other powers, Russia and the Colognian Church. The Baltic State had already gestured to the Colognian Church in the past, by liquidating the Genesian Church in the Baltic State and leasing its properties to Cologne. However, the geographic location of Russia, as well as Colognian control of the Danish Straits, made building a relationship with both powers essential. Furthermore, Russia was known to be on friendly terms with her East Slavic sister Quaon. The War Council had become increasingly convinced that Quaon was the primary obstacle to Baltic designs in Lithuania and White Ruthenia, a problem that had to be addressed.

Berg had been less comfortable with the meeting in Vienna. Pless' annihilatory designs did not sit well with Berg's Christian conscience. He could accept a certain degree of "unclean" behavior, but wholesale genocide was another thing. Furthermore, he had little regard for Pless' scientific amorality or for Stamm's heathen mysticism. Ultimately, however, Berg believed that he had to do what was best for the German race and the Christian confession. The new Austria was a German and a Christian state, as was the Baltic State; neither Pless nor Stamm could change those facts. Furthermore, he had an interest in developing relations with Russia and Cologne as part of an anti-Genesian alliance. The Genesian Church was the Whore of Babylon and had to be defeated. Furthermore, he knew that both Austrian and Russian support would be necessary for a project close to his own heart - the liberation of the Baltic German people of Courland. So he resigned himself to the Vienna agreement. He only hoped that the Austrian war crimes would not be too blatant.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NRE
Member Avatar
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

In Zagreb....

Nikolai Fyodorov was made aware of the Baltic German delegations arrival and was eager to meet his counterparts. He was told before leaving that as far as Moscow was concerned, the Baltic Germans would be leading this particular expedition. That was all the well for Fyodorov as he was particularly uninterested in having Russia lead this investigation. Of course, the Russian couldn't know how the Baltic Germans felt when it came to this particular feud between Marslava and Austria, but Russia had a very direct opinion.

Fyodorov knew that Moscow desired noting less than to have Austria cleared of war crimes but at the same time, wanted to appease their Marslavan allies so that war could be averted. How he was going to do this, Fyodorov had no idea. He was as of yet, not privy to what crimes had been committed or if any had been committed at all. Meeting the Baltic Germans would be the first step and Fyodorov was eager. Making himself more presentable he was soon shown by an aide to where the Baltic Germans were, as all the delegates were being housed in the same hotel.

"Gentlemen" said the Ambassador, "My name is Nikolai Fyodorov and I am am Russia's Ambassador to this expedition towards the truth. I was told you had a arrived and felt it was prudent to present myself."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Whal
Member Avatar
"Life is too short to be wasted on bad scotch"
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Sarajevo, Bosnia...

The terrible siege of Sarajevo had lasted longer than anyone had predicted or had even thought possible. The Bosnian Army, or what was left of them, had maintained a staunch defense despite their precarious circumstances. Cut off, surrounded, and with ever dwindling supplies, the skeleton crew garrison continued to maintain Bosnian sovereignty even if that sovereignty added up to only a few blocks inside the center of the burning maelstrom that used to be the country's capital. No matter their courage, the Austrian Oberkommando was aware that their luck would soon run out.

The Austrian's calculated and honestly sluggish progress was amounted more to their own strategic planning than the resistance of their enemies. Reluctant to relinquish the war support drummed up at home over a "low cost" campaign, the Archduke and his Imperial advisers had designs to starve their enemies into submission rather than pulverizing them. The conclusion of the war would be decided on a simple factor - time. The Austrians had plenty of it, while their enemy's was rapidly deteriorating. Abandoned by their Marslavan and Serbian allies and buckling under the weight of their own internal issues, the Bosnian Army was crumbling faster than it could consolidate its winnings. The Bosnian defenders were running on borrowed time now and the Austrians knew it. Eventually, the day came when the Reichswehr cashed out on their surplus of time.

Finally, after almost a two month siege, the Austrians unleashed their fury on the skeleton army of Sarajevo. It didn't take very long, either. From what began like any other morning quickly descended into the type of chaos familiar with the realities of war. Austrian armored columns advanced against defenses armed mainly with small arms and brushed them aside. The Austrian infantry, preceded minutes before by continuity and accurate artillery fire, followed behind the tanks to mop up any resistance. The Bosnian resisted defiantly, but their efforts simply couldn't stem the tide. Throughout their last gasps they played the Bosnian national anthem over hundreds of loud speaker across the city, but to no avail. As the Austrians seized the radio stations, they replaced it with their country's own national anthem. In little under 2 hours, Sarajevo fell to the clutches of the imperial falcon.

Like Croatia before it, Bosnia fell to the unrelenting Austrian war machine and ceased to exist.

Budapest, Hungary...

News of the fall of Sarajevo spread through the Austrian lines like wildfire. All across the city, Austrian units held celebratory gatherings and played the Austrian national anthem proudly and defiantly towards their adversaries across "no man's land." So quickly they had forgotten the Archduke's plan to avoid open war at this time, but they didn't seem to care. With the fall of Serbia to Roman forces, there were no more distractions, no more excuses to avoid war.

Surrounded and cut off, the Marslavan defenders were preparing for the battle of their lives. Their concerns were well founded; the events in Bosnia had shown them that the Reichswehr was a determined and relentless adversary despite its smaller size and its country's industrial supply lines. The Marslavans were outnumbered and cut off, but they weren't beaten and their comrades in Eastern Hungary and Marslava Proper knew it. If war was coming, they'd be prepared and eventually, after all the blood and carnage, they'd come out the victor.

The Austrians spat at notions of Marslavan superiority, but they weren't blind to the facts. Austria's economy was significantly smaller than Marslava's even with the Archduke's reforms, and sooner rather than later they would be eclipsed by Marslavan heavy industry. With this is mind and the situation in Hungary dragging her closer to war, Austria prepared for the grim possibilities of a total war with its neighbor. Austrian citizens were comfortable, yet forces inside the empire were slowly working to whip them into a wartime mentality. Rationing, cut backs, death, and sacrifice were all factors that Austrian officials like Jurgen von Pless and his RSD were foisting upon the public. If war was to come over Hungary, then Austrians would be ready, or they would die trying.

As another night fell over Budapest, the Austrians trained their guns in counter-battery array against their Marslavan counterparts and their soldiers studied Marslavan positions in anticipation of an order to attack. Across the city, forces were moved or transferred to places of interest. The presence of Marslavan Ducal Guard units motivated the Austrian Commander, General Anton von Ludendorff, to request two full divisions of Royal Uhlans to head the vanguard in the possibility of an altercation. Supported by Grenzer special forces, Fallschirmjaeger, and a host of other more "common" Austrian units, von Ludendorff was confident that he could take the city. His fellow commanders along the flanks of his army and beyond the city reassured that they could support him if war broke out. All that waited was a direct order from the Archduke, or a Marslavan attack.

Vienna, Austria...

There was much discussion following Herman's words. Among the ranks of fellow communists there were shouts of joining in support of a 'glorious revolution. The socialist camp was split down the middle with supporters for joining forces as well as keeping the resistance native to Austria alone. The Anarchists seemed pleased simply to be given the chance to cause more disarray and chaos. Finally, the republicans and few anti-regime nationalists remained vocally opposed to offering assistance to a foreign-based communist movement.

Among all this debate and hushed discourse, Von Franke stood confidently and frozen in deep thought. While his political affiliation remained firmly entrenched with the Democratic-Socialists, the aging politician couldn't deny the fact that the Austrian resistance movement was still quite weak in the face of pervasive RSD security apparatus and a mostly hostile public. Perhaps, he thought, change would first need to arise from within Austria's territorial holdings and with a multinational effort, rather than from solely inside the belly of the beast? Before von Franke could respond however, a man from the crowd cried out.

"What do we get in return?!"

Soon he was joined with many others: "How can you help us?" "You're not the only one's fighting and dying!" "We don't even know you or your organization!" "Fuck the Reds!" Soon everyone in the sewer began arguing with one another to the point of futility.

Von Franke just shook his head and took Herman aside. "They make some compelling arguments, son," He said sincerely, walking with Herman down an adjacent tunnel;. "Understand that you are not speaking to a unified movement here in Austria. We convene as a council; each headed and directed by its own power source. We meet to organize major events and learn from one another, but we simply don't have the cohesion needed to undertake anything major. We continue to get weaker, while our enemies consolidate their power and get even stronger."

"I suppose the socialist wing or the nationalists could manage to get someone on the inside to monitor the Army's movements, but this will be no simple task. Life is very difficult here for dissenters and impossible for communists. If I am to motivate the resistance to cooperate with your organization I am going to need some more info. Who are your connections? Do you have the backing of Marslava or Porcu? Give me something concrete to give the council and I might be able to help you."


Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rhadamanthus
Member Avatar
Legitimist

Zagreb, Croatia

Karl von Stamm and Friedrich von Berg each in turn shook Nikolai Fyodorov's hand and greeted him. The Russian struck Berg as polite and intelligent, presumably a gentleman or at least a burgher by extraction. It was Berg's understanding that Russia had, in recent decades, evolved a middle class akin to the City Germans of the Baltic State. The mercantile interests of this class were the main counterweight to the military aristocracy in Livonian politics, though the Baltic State's governing system was structured as to maintain the supremacy of the nobility and the army. Still, some of the noblemen were favorable to middle class tendencies, especially those of a conservative sort. Berg suspected that Fyodorov's background was from the corresponding stratum of Russian society.

Stamm had less curiosity regarding the Russian. While Stamm had a vested interest in the social structure of the Baltic State, he was indifferent to the social structure of another state. To him, such concerns were purely internal matters. Fyodorov had been designated by the Russian Empire to lead the Russian members of the investigatory committee - that was enough for Stamm. He lacked the good-natured interested of his colleague Berg, but also the zeal of the fiery Jurgen von Whal, who believed that any state with a different social structure was an inherent threat to the survival of the Baltic State. Stamm's interest was not in Fyodorov's background, but in his views and his purpose. Stamm understood that Fyodorov was, in essence, an extension of the Tsar himself, that awful and mystical figure whom the Slavs worshipped as a second Christ. While the Baltic Germans had once served the Tsar (and some still did), their Germanic conception of loyalty to a leader of old Varangian extraction was, in Stamm's mind, of no comparison to religious veneration that the narod had for the "Emperor of All the Russias." Stamm's desire was to understand the strategy of the Russian state, to know whether it could be harnessed for Baltic German goals, and to be aware of any threats that may lay in wait.

So both curious in their own way, the Baltic German noblemen invited the Russian to dinner. Their hotel was a fine one, with a first-class restaurant available to patrons and persons of class. As the group moved to the restaurant, they asked the concierge to inform the leaders of the remaining delegation of their whereabouts, in case the remaining investigators should arrive while they were at dinner.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NRE
Member Avatar
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

Nikolai followed the two Baltic Germans to the elegant restaurant and took his seat. He was very curious over the complexities of the two men seat at the table with him. He found both to be highly interesting already, for different reasons. Though he could not tell for certain yet, both men seemed to be interested in different aspect of a variety of things, including Nikolai himself. Nikolai also took in the sights around him, he found it particularly interesting the variety of people in the restaurant and the hotel itself. After all, war seemed only miles away yet many of the people in the current room seemed oblivious to it. Or maybe they weren't, maybe they knew exactly what was going on just beyond the city's horizon and each was handling it their own way. Going about their day as if nothing was happening when deep down inside they were all frightened, worried that at any moment their world would be crushed. Perhaps the harsh truth was that their world was already crushed and none of them were truly aware of that fact yet.

"i imagine the Colognians will arrive soon though I have not heard any news from them as of yet" Nikolai stated. His counterparts agreed, they had not heard from the Colognian government either on an estimated time for their representative's arrival though they too, believed it would be soon.

"I am hopeful this investigation will not take long" Nikolai continued, "as I know much is at stake with our findings here. Still Russia, as I am sure all parties involved are, is prepared to remain here in Croatia as long as it is necessary to determine to true nature of things here. I am also hopeful that both the Austrians as well as the local public will be as cooperating as I am told they should be."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rhadamanthus
Member Avatar
Legitimist

"Indeed," replied Stamm, "I should hope that all parties will cooperate with this investigation as the truth depends on it." In reality, did not care very much about the actual facts on the ground, and was more concerned about his country's relationships with Austria and Russia.

"I cannot imagine that any party will defy an ICON investigation," Berg responded, "Surely that would be international suicide? Besides, the Colognians are supposed to be part of this investigation team. They will lend a certain authority to the proceedings, as I believe there are many Colognians in this part of the world."

"Perhaps," responded Stamm idly.

OOC:
NRE, do you know if Kas is still planning to take part?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NRE
Member Avatar
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

"So I am told, which is surprising given the long history of the Genesisian Church" Nikolai stated with a raised eyebrow. "Of course, Catholic Europe is a thing of the past and the Vatican is not in the business of winning hearts and minds these days. I guess its a pleasure for the Catholics that they have two churches to choose, from. Still, the Colognians have done nothing to tarnish the name of their church or their state. Despite what we may find in these proceeding, I believe your assessment is right in stating that it will be their findings that may carry the most unbiased voice." The Russian stealthily checked his watch just as the waiter brought the party their meals. The hour was getting late and whether or not the last party showed up, Nikolai would be turning in soon.

"I wonder if something has delayed our good priests?"

OOC: I've sent Kas a PM but I don't think he's been on in a few days, so guess he won't get it until he gets back.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Kasnyia
Member Avatar
Chairman of the Bank
And just then, out of breath, came the delegation from Cologne.

"Forgive our lateness. Traffic."

OOC-

Sorry. Been busy.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Whal
Member Avatar
"Life is too short to be wasted on bad scotch"
 *  *  *  *  *  *
The arrival of the Colognian priests was the final piece of the puzzle and exactly what Oskar Metternich, the Austrian contact and official connection between the Crown and ICON, was waiting for before introducing himself to the delegates. A tall and relatively thin man with a clean shaven face and a rather pleasant demeanor, Metternich was a good choice for the Austrians. He was friendly and likable; traits the RSD had believed would make him amenable to the foreigners and would impose a sense of aloof innocence regarding the attitude of the Austrians in Croatia. Afterall, if any acts of human rights abuses were located, it would be the Croatians who would suffer not the RSD.

"Guten Abend, Gentlemen," Metternich stated politely, introducing himself to the seated men. "My name is Oskar Metternich, Assistant Director of RSD Operations in Croatia. I have been instructed by my superiors in Vienna to assist you in any way possible throughout your investigation here. I will be your official contact here in Croatia and shall do my best to connect you with adequate transportation to the declassified areas and arrange meetings with the necessary individuals. Now, is there anything i can do for you?"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NRE
Member Avatar
Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

Nikolai Fyodorov smiled as the Colognians joined the group, he found their excuse rather amusing. He'd never really dealt with many Catholics, Catholicism in Russia was a dying religion ever since the Emperor banned Genesisian sects, confiscated their property, and deported their priests. Colognianism was the only major Catholic sect left within the Empire that was legal and it was, according to the interior ministry, losing its practitioners slowly as those few Catholics left were slowly converting for fear of public ridicule. "Well my good friends at least you made it, which means we shall all be prepared to begin in earnest by tomorrow morning I hope."

At about that time the Austrian agent, Oskar Metternich, introduced himself to the group. It startled Nikolai when he first spoke as the Russian hadn't noticed the Austrian before he spoke. Smiling, he thanked Oskar for his introduction and warm welcome. "Thank you Herr Metternich for that warm welcome. I was about to suggest to my colleagues that after we finish this fine meal that we retire for the evening and start at once in the morning into our investigation." Nikolai turned to his colleagues. "If I may suggest, there is a considerable amount of territory that we could cover by Russian intelligence has highlighted these particular areas here." The Russian pulled a tablet from his briefcase and pulled up a map of the general area. A few spots were circled, some rural, others more urban. "If we could get transportation to these areas Herr Metternich for in the morning, I believe this investigation can get underway."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Whal
Member Avatar
"Life is too short to be wasted on bad scotch"
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Metternich starred at the Russian with a veiled hatred and distrust. Of all the men sitting at the table before him, it was the Slav that had taken the initiative; the racial enemy of his people. Metternich had, like many Austrian nationalists, a deep anger at the Archduke's willingness to work with the Russians - who were afterall the greatest of the nation's racial enemies (or so the Ministry of Communication/Propaganda had stated). No matter this anger, this mission was of a great importance to Austria and Metternich was too hold his tongue.

"Yes, of course, gentlemen," he replied with a smile. "There are, however, so minor problems with your current selections that will need to be addressed first." Metternich motioned to join the table and sat next to the Baltic German representatives. "This spot here, the area surrounding Nova Gradiska, is still a dangerous location thanks to the presence of dangerous communist guerrillas and must be circumvented. The other locations you have mentioned should be reachable without any delay."

"Additionally gentlemen, I hope you wont mind a contingent of the Kampfen RSD to accompany you for your own protection in other more dangerous areas?"

OOC: Made a mistake in the area of danger. It has been changed
Edited by Whal, Oct 6 2015, 01:44 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Free Forums with no limits on posts or members.
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · European Continent · Next Topic »
Add Reply