Beautiful Caladria

[Ayzek]

HIMS Picea Glauca
12 km NE of Histria Island
Earlier

"Come in Unidentified aircraft. Come in unidentified aircraft. You are approaching a Holy Lanlanian Imperial Navy vessel. Identify yourself and break course immediately or be shot down. Over."


HIMS Elintar
38 km NW of Caladria
07:54 P.M.

"Target vessels have hidden themselves in the shadow of the island, sir," said a radar operator. "Coordination with other vessels suggests they've docked at Histria's outer ports facilities."

The Captain nodded curtly. "Which vessel confirmed this?"

"The Saint Islands. They're on a course approximately 56 kilometers to our east and have a clear view of the Histria." The Saint Islands was another of the empire's Halvadag-class battleships.

"Sir," began a radio officer, "Rear Admiral orders that we refrain from firing on unidentified vessels. Says that three vessels have escaped from the harbor and are seeking shelter. The 45th is to intercept and search them before they reach Argune. The Saint Islands will continue to monitor the enemy vessels."

"Captain," started a second operator, "Charlie Division reports they're experiencing jamming attempts and are requesting ARM fire."

"Are the sources on the authorized targets list?"

"Just checked, sir," said a lower officer. "We've been authorized to engage any commercial and governmental high-powered radios used by the insurgents to sabotage our signals. That includes 70% of EM emitters currently broadcasting on the island. I've isolated those reported to be radio and television stations liable to be under occupation."

"Target them all and prepare to fire."

There was a flurry of activity as his officers dove to work. Within a few minutes, the volcano's plume wasn't the only smoke rising into the heavens. The trails of multiple Holy Lanlanian anti-radiation missiles streaked from the Elintar towards Caladria. Though most were targeting the more powerful broadcasters attempting to jam the allied fleet, the radar station was also targeted.


HIMS Cidrus Dedora, 45th Squadron, Bravo Division
Between Histria Island and Argune
08:14 P.M.

"Attention Osak Express," said the destroyer's radio operator, "this is the HIMS Cidrus Dedora of the Holy Lanlanian Imperial Navy. You are in a combat zone and must be searched before we direct you to a Argunian port. Do you comply? Over."

As the communications officer contacted the last of the three vessels that escaped Histria's port, the last of six helicopters loaded with marines left the decks of the Hioly Lanlanian ships and made their way low over the water to meet them.

Southern Histria Island, Caladria
02:14 A.M., 27 Fien 1582

The southeastern coast of the island was fairly quiet under the dim moonlight. The waves were lapping and roaring softly against the sands and rocks of the beach nearly ten kilometers south of the nearest city. Needless to say, this was perhaps not to last, as this was one of the locations chosen as a potential landing site. The allied forces were already finalizing preparations for a landing that'd been planned since news of the coup first hit the Holy Lanlanian Empire.

So it was that a faint buzzing approached the island from the open sea, as a shadow moved against the cloudless sky. The small quadcopter drone zoomed up and down the beach, surveying it and area behind. It was largely flat, with a road crossing not far behind the sands, one end heading towards the city to the north and the other following the coastline west. A splattering of trees lay not far beyond the road, and it was there the drone focused its attention, attempting to spot any signs of hidden of life.

Within a few minutes, an inflatable boat of Florinthian Special Marine Service Specialists would follow the drone onto the island.

Other teams, of both the Florinthian SMS and the Holy Lanlanian SPEARS, were simultaneously being deployed at other points on the islands by submarines.


Polonda, Caladria
05:14 A.M., 27 Fien

The allied liberation of Polonda began with drones. A multitude of Holy Lanlanian Skörd Heavy Combat Support drones appeared from Argune, flying at a low altitude to avoid the plume. These drones would soften defenses not only with their guns and rockets, but also by enabling target acquisition and fire directing for the fleets around the island.

Within an hour of their arrival in Polonda skies, they'd be followed by transport helicopters and landing craft under destroyer escorts. The island of Polonda was selected as a priority due to the humanitarian crisis sparked by the eruption of the volcano there. Red Cross volunteers were eager to land on the island to help, while medical facilities on Argune and the nearby Carpathian hospital ship were available to take on any injured.