Kreuzer Abteilung 101 and 15 have completed the annexation of the lower part of Omega-7, the selected points were surrounded by marker buoys deployed by the Hauptflotte Kreuzer Deutschland. The operation did not go without incidents.
The timeline of the events is as follows:
19:13- Kreuzer Abteilung 101 and 15 have regrouped above the designated waypoint, Stuttgart orbit. Vizeadmiral Steiner and Vizeadmiral Higham assumed command over the operation.
19:23- The Rheinwehr forces jump to Omega-7 under my orders, Kreuzer Deutschland of KG-15 is the spearhead, Vizeadmiral Higham, Gefreiter Hollweg and the Korvette Salzburg flying wing. Stage 1 of Operation Seelöwe begins.
19:25- The first marker is reached, the Seydlitz along with Vizeadmiral Higham assumes a holding pattern over Briesen. The Deutschland, with MND Agent Zaehler, performs a patrol cycle in the area below the trade lane. Gefreiter Hollweg and the Korvette Salzburg assume guard position of the gate to Stuttgart.
19:26- The annexation of the lower part of Omega-7 is announced by Vizeadmiral Steiner. A temporary blockade is established; traffic is barred from entering Stuttgart and the newly annexed territory.
19:26-20:17 The annexation message repeats, traffic continues to be turned around, bounty hunter vessels spotted around the area, including a battlecruiser which was turned around. Public unrest is created by the shipping agents, more bounty hunters enter the area.
20:17- A fleet of Bounty Hunters Guild Core vessels enter the area, the Samuel Koro, a Mako-class warship is spotted by the Kreuzer Deutschland. Additional vessels, the P.K. Karaz, a Bullhead and a another Mako, the Splinter arrive. Reinforcements are dispatched as the ships violate the blockaded territory and refuse to leave.
20:20- Firefight erupts. The Samuel Koro is destroyed, but succeeds in disintegrating the vessels of Gefreiter Hollweg and Vizeadmiral Higham.
20:25- The other two trespassing capital ships are destroyed, no further casualties are suffered.
20:28- Zoner carrier "Erebos" is spotted, the ship departs the area after several warnings.
20:35- Having laid new traffic markers and navigation buoys, the Rheinwehr forces depart the area. Stage 1 of Operation Seelöwe is completed.
The Rheinwehr contingent is standing by above the Karlsruhe to recieve further orders.
COMM ID:Hauptmann Joachim Landers RECIPIENT:Rheinwehr High Command / All Rheinwehr units in Omega-7 ENCRYPTION:Medium SUBJECT:Southern Omega-7
Meine Damen und Herren,
I heard the new announcement of the Rheinland Bundestag. To response, I hereby sent my gunship, the RNC - Victoria to Omega-7, to enforce the Rheinland laws, and protect our people in the system. Leutnant Hans von Gröbel is the current commander of the Victoria. Expect reports from him.
The Victoria should be there in a couple of hours. As soon it's arrived, it will be under command of the High Command.
::::Ubertragung von: Hans Putzkammer::::
::::Ubermittlung an: Oberkommando der Militär::::
::::Verschlusselung Ebene: Medium::::
The Koenigstein was deployed to omega 7 today, after IMG pilots were reported to have nearly shot down several Rheinwehr patrols in the system. It was decided that the might of the Koenigstein along might be enough to settle the matter into a forceful peace. Once the Koenigstein arrived on station, IMG forces flew into a panic; accusing Rheinland forces of openly attacking the IMG though no shots had yet been fired.
After a long discussion about the legality of Rheinland moving a Battleship to what is currently Rheinland House Territory, the discussion switched to why the two same bounty hunter Makos that had attacked Rheinland during the annexation were present in omega 7 once more. After warning them to leave, Rheinland forced opened fire on the Bounty Hunter Capital ships, and those ships only.
Quote:[25.04.2011 16:42:58] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: hunter battleships, I will give you one minute to get out before i personally avenge the death of my men
[25.04.2011 16:42:58] Wilde.Paul.Richter: More innocents will be hurt if you do not strike...
[25.04.2011 16:43:01] Kurt.Bohlmann: Bounty hunters?
[25.04.2011 16:43:07] Wilde.Geis: is the IMG now ordering ze Military around?
[25.04.2011 16:43:11] [RM]-Ge.W.Herrmann: Ja? Rheinlandic law no longer applies?
[25.04.2011 16:43:15] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: I repeat, you have 40 seconds to get out before I avenge the souls you killed
[25.04.2011 16:43:16] IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: For the Hunters!
[25.04.2011 16:43:16] [RM]-Ge.W.Herrmann: What is this?
[25.04.2011 16:43:17] BDM|Cpt-Sven.Nehaus: Damn fool, they be slapping us in the face! boom!
[25.04.2011 16:43:25] Burdan_Surdan: oh. the corsirs? and after that you asking proofs from bounty hunters
[25.04.2011 16:43:27] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: BHG are the only targets
[25.04.2011 16:43:28] BDM|Cpt-Sven.Nehaus: Lock and load chaps.
[25.04.2011 16:43:29] Kruger|-Lambda-04: SNAC armed.
[25.04.2011 16:43:32] [RM]-Ge.W.Herrmann: Novas primed, Vizeadmiral.
[25.04.2011 16:43:37] IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: Prepare all defenses
[25.04.2011 16:43:37] Kruger|-Lambda-04: Ready.
[25.04.2011 16:43:38] BDM|Cpt-Sven.Nehaus: Bombers on Splinter
[25.04.2011 16:43:38] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: twenty seconds
[25.04.2011 16:43:46] Kurt.Bohlmann: Ha, more business for me if the hunters get out
[25.04.2011 16:43:52] IMG|Miles.Green[D]: Prepare for evasive actions.
[25.04.2011 16:43:56] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: It seems they want to kill more Rheinlanders.. lets not let them have it.
[25.04.2011 16:44:01] Wilde.Geis: ze Kanzler demands it
[25.04.2011 16:44:03] Wilde.Paul.Richter: I will check the surrounding systems for reinforcements Herr Feldwebel.
[25.04.2011 16:44:03] Ozymandias: I'm dockin' with ma supplies.
[25.04.2011 16:44:06] Traffic control alert: Ozymandias has requested to dock
[25.04.2011 16:44:08] Kruger|-Lambda-04: You got it. Let's do it.
[25.04.2011 16:44:09] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: ALL SHIPS, target the BHG caps ONLY!
Despite this, almost all other Bounty hunter forces engaged Rheinland Military units. They were given a chance to stand down after the battleships and cruiser were destroyed, but they wouldn't not cease firing. Rheinland forces acted in self defense, shooting down the remaining hunters save one neutral one.
Even during the firefight, the IMG were all to eager to engage our ships.
Only one IMG attacked Rheinland forces though, the others' wills snapping like twigs before the true might of the Kanzler.
End the end, nearly all bounty hunter forces were destroyed, three Hessains had been taken down, and the IMG agreed to start new negotiations with the Nation of Rheinland.
Quote:[25.04.2011 17:03:55] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: please mein herren of the IMG. there is no need for conflict. Do come to the table and start talks with Rheinland
[25.04.2011 17:04:07] DCT|Aurora: What irony.
[25.04.2011 17:04:09] IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: Look what your doing here
[25.04.2011 17:04:21] IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: You have taken our homes
[25.04.2011 17:04:27] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: *smiles softly* taken?
[25.04.2011 17:04:33] IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: Omega belongs to the Indepemdents of Sirius
[25.04.2011 17:04:40] IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: Omega 7
[25.04.2011 17:04:42] Ozymandias: Director, shouldn't we wait for our diplomacy department?
[25.04.2011 17:04:42] Lamar_Paisley: Hah, gunboat diplomacy at its literal meaning.
[25.04.2011 17:04:45] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: I do nod see troops unloading on friesdat
[25.04.2011 17:04:53] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: how have we taken anything of yours?
[25.04.2011 17:05:02] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: you stole form DHC, so we responded
[25.04.2011 17:05:03] Ozymandias: Aye. They rant only.
[25.04.2011 17:05:06] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: that is all
[25.04.2011 17:05:16] DCT|Aurora: Well, your ships of war aren't really protecting what you claim to be protecting by your actions.
[25.04.2011 17:05:22] IMG|Miles.Green[D]: You never answered my question.
[25.04.2011 17:05:41] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: we are protecting civilians from crazed bounty hunter kaptains. kaptains who attacked rheinland the other day
[25.04.2011 17:05:43] IMG|Gene.Starwind[D]: I do not wish to disguss anymore of political matter you will ne contact soon over private comes of our new conditions
[25.04.2011 17:05:47] Ozymandias: And surely are an annoyin' bunch but for the sake or Rheinland and Independents, don't shoot will ya?
[25.04.2011 17:05:51] DCT|Aurora: They are gone now.
[25.04.2011 17:06:03] [RM]-Koenigstein: Hans: that will be most welcome frau starwind.
Rheinland Military High Command Officer, Vizeadmiral Hans Putzkammer
[font=Verdana][color=#C0C0C0]SUBMITTER: [color=#999999]Major Einar Harkonnen, Rheinland Military. [color=#C0C0C0]RECIPIENT: [color=#999999]Rheinwehr High Command. [color=#C0C0C0]SUBJECT: [color=#999999]Our first strike.
[color=#FFFFFF]
Sehr geehrtes Oberkommando,
This is indeed a great day for Rheinland, for we have finally made our first move towards pushing out the Ausländer vermin poaching on our fields in Omega-7.
During the deployment of our forces, we have found these communist criminals waving the flag of the ICMG hauling light arms to Freistadt. The ICMG transport China Red and Azurite were found carrying these items without licensing, so we confiscated them on spot. Later on, these wretched Ausländers were also heard spouting ear-tearing Marxist propaganda.
Since we found out that they were moving material needed for reinforcing Freistadt, in fear of a marine attack from the Rheinwehr, we blockaded the Omega-3 gate, though the majority of the Ausländer transports got through. They kept insulting and taunting us during the process, but we managed to strip most of the military shipments, until we got back to Freistadt.
Back at the base, we've found even more violators of the light arms licensing law, the director himself aboard the Emerald transport had illegal weapons on board.
Following a heated conversation and taunting that ensued, I gave orders to open fire at the vessel, since the captain refused to hand over the illegal weapons, and thus he violated Rheinland law. His escort retaliated, but most of our fighter wing was wiped out by the missiles from XB0-Excalibur, a cruiser of our own.
Later on, the miners were reinforced by their communist allies too; the Red Hessians and the SCRA. We took them all down, the ones that did not flee or dock, that is. Among a bomber and 3 or 4 fighters, we lost a cruiser too, the RNC-Passau. The opposing force lost two gunboats, about half dozen fighters, among them officers such as Major Skalski and Colonel Sterne. Sterne saw it fit to express how he'll have my head a hundred times before he went down. I can only hope neither of them survived, pesky Ausländers.
We've secured about two thousand weapons, I'm quite confident most of their Freistadt defense didn't get armed properly. Recommend cutting supply lines and annexing the upper parts of Omega-7 too.
Signed,
Major Einar Harkonnen,
Kriegsmarine Division 8,
Rheinwehr Hauptflotte.
Obviously most of you have heard of the fallout that occurred in Omega-7 just a few hours ago and I realize you're also eager to take vengeance against the defenders of Freistadt taking down some of your comrades in combat.
However, command is still debating the issue and so far opinions are more or less divided. The same applies to the Rheinland Bundestag.
Until ordered otherwise, do not treat the IMG and Colonial vessels hostile unless they violate any segment of Rheinland law. According punishment in that case, or in the case of self-defense is of course, authorized.
We don't want any more incidents occurring or any more lives to be lost unless necessary.
[color=#66FFFF]Comm ID: Leutnant Sarah Austerlitz Subject:Patrol report
Guten Tag
I'm reporting a direct evidence of the Unioner-Corsair cooperation.
I have been following a Corsair gunboat class vessel to the Alsterfeld and he even took me to an abandoned station and docked at it.
But it did look like the station is still operational so it might be the nest of the Rheinland criminals, known as the unioners.
I suggest sending a bomber wing to destroy it as a preventive strike agaisnt the revolutionares.
COMM ID: Ge Adolf Hoguf
RECIPIENT: Rheinwehr High Command
ENCRYPTION: High
SUBJECT: Trade embargo enforcement
i was alone on this patrol.
i started at Planet Hamburg then started to go to Alster Shipyard where i found a Mercenary with 200 Superconductors go to new berlin.
his ship was having problems with his IFF system i told him to fix it he said ok, then i let him go.
after that i found a Bounty Hunter who had cargo full of silver going to liberty when i was talking with him he said he was busy and told me to hurry up, i told him i will not let him take that silver to liberty so he ask if he dropped it could he go, i said yes, so he dropped the silver and i let him go.
Signed, Ge Adolf Hoguf
Im back baby! may even start CODEYs again but will have to see how Bases affect that who know maybe i will save for a base
COMM ID: Ge Adolf Hoguf
RECIPIENT: Rheinwehr High Command
ENCRYPTION: High
SUBJECT: Escorting a miner to Munich
A major order me to take Ben.Skar to Munich
on the way i found a crazy freelancer he shoot the trade lane then when we drop out he started to attack us
i order him to stop, he didn't I powered my guns up and fired a shot he took his shield down but he was still attacking us refusing to stop i fired again and the 2st shot rip thru his hull and he use a escape pod and i tractored him in. then we continued to Munich
We got there safely.
Gun cam shot of Ben.Skar docking ###
Signed, Ge Adolf Hoguf
Im back baby! may even start CODEYs again but will have to see how Bases affect that who know maybe i will save for a base
Würzburg III was the largest Rheinwehr-controlled building complex on Stuttgart, its unique shape resembling a sun was the home for most of the defense forces of the planet, including the crew of the Battleship Karlsruhe. The numerous barracks, garages and control towers were now unusually empty, save for the heavily armed guards responsible for guarding the establishment. Most of the personnel gathered in the central yard, which was now re-decorated to give shelter for a classy promotion ceremony.
Flags and icons of strength and power were put all over the walls, the dawning sun composed an eerie montage with the green of the Rheinwehr uniforms worn by about two hundred of the Rheinwehr's finest, standing in lines for the ceremony. A podium was erected in the middle of the yard, on it stood several former and current Rheinwehr commanders of high esteem, including Admiral Alec Voelkel, Gunther Rall, Hans Putzkammer, Ludwig Meyer and Malexa Malte. In the middle of the podium, a microphone booth was placed, at which Bundestag politician Siegfried Heilner was just finishing his speech.
The audience remained silent once he was done, applause had no place during a military ceremony. As he stepped away from the loudspeakers, he nodded towards Admiral Alec Voelkel, now an aging man covered by almost as many wrinkles as decorations.
Not even the slightest notion of nervousness was shown by the Admiral, unlike the time when he assumed command of the Rheinwehr a considerable time ago. He now was determined, straight and steady, knowing his time has come
He stepped to the microphones and spoke with a deep, inspiring voice.
"Soldiers! Officers! Comrades!
For centuries now, we have stood side by side against whatever opposition the deepest reaches of space have thrown at us, often facing unimaginable odds or even enemies, but never crumbling, never giving up. Our Vaterland, our families remains secure thanks to the sacrifices we make daily, many of us have perished for a greater good, which is Rheinland and our homeland's integrity.
However... my time in this struggle is over. I have aged, I have been worn out by battle and the grip of bureaucracy alike, having spent decades within the service of Rheinland. Alongside you all, I have defeated many foes, saved many lives and lost many friends and comrades. A lot of you have seen me as someone often committing radical moves and making harsh decisions, but these are actions we all perform and must continue to do if we want our Heimat to persist against the impossible odds space throws at us.
To continue this struggle, examples must be set and leaders are needed. You all, any of you can raise to be an example of courage, determination and talent and become a leader, however I am no longer fit to serve as one. Time is advancing, and though the shadow of death is constantly above us, we must not disregard the call of aging and tiredness.
With that, I am now officially resigning from the Fleet Admiral position from the Rheinland Military; I am stepping aside and going to retirement to give room for a younger, more persistent and motivated officer, Major Ludwig Meyer.
Major Ludwig Meyer is taking full command of the Rheinland Kriegsmarine, and is now officially promoted to Fleet Admiral. Admiral Meyer, please step forward.
Meyer came out of the line of officers standing on the podium. Voelkel turned towards him, reflecting might and trust with his moves, yet maintaining an emotionless expression. He took down the badge representing his rank and position from Meyer's uniform, then from his own and placed the Flottenadmiral insignia he previously wore to the Major's Meyer's coat.
Finishing the process, he stepped back and saluted the new Fleet Admiral, Ludwig Meyer. The soldiers standing in the courtyard repeated the process, the entire Stuttgart garrison went to attention and did a perfect salute.