On an Island in the Sun [Drubang Expansion into Free Heiwanan States]

[Flo]

Huakarta, Drubang
Early Spring, 1597

The mist moved in with the ocean breeze, as Admiral Hideki Onegada paced the upper deck of his flagship. It was Drubangs first naval carrier, and the largest ship in the fleet. It was heavily armed, and not only by the accompanying cadre of aircraft that were in its belly. 

At his command, the massive hulk of metal moved, along with several other vessels. The Drubangi fleet was on its way northeast, to engage in some... questionable diplomacy with the so-called Free Heiwanan States. 

First, however, they would rendezvous with other Drubangi military elements in Kityakishi where they would assemble and develop their plan. The goal was not to seize all of the islands. Just the ones Drubang saw as the most important. They would likely ignore the largest island, Mitasai, as it would be difficult to slog through. The smaller islands, however, would likely be easier to deal with, as any sort of threat of bombardment would likely spook them into submission. Or so they Drubangi leadership hoped. 

While the Free Heiwanan States were technically associated, it was very loose, and coordinating themselves effectively would take some time. Time that the Drubangi would hope to take advantage of.

Back home, the President For Life, Tomat Mogu, had high expectations, not only for this campaign, but for another, more significant campaign on the mainland that was still being planned. 

 For now, things were still quiet. It was a nice morning, and there was no reason to ruin it just yet.

[Flo]

Kityakishi, Drubang

The fleet was largely assembled. It wasn't the entirety of the Drubangi navy, but it was still a significant portion of it.

The Free Heiwanan states, regardless of their name, were hardly free for everyone. Pirates were common in the region, and the islands themselves presented excellent choke points for seizing cargo. While this had almost always been the case, it became especially severe in recent years. This was Drubangs justification. Drubangi cargo was being seized and Drubangi sailors were being enslaved (while this did occur, it was not nearly as common as Drubangi media made it out to be). 

They object was to sail their fleets to various islands and demand they turn over any pirates or stolen cargo. While not every island was a pirate haven, there were plenty of unmarked settlements on various small islands. While Drubang was not interested in significant conflict, there was confidence that the pirates could be easily defeated and Drubang would likely retain some sort of territorial acquisition in order to "maintain free trade" in the region. 

Still, the orders had not yet been given, and time would yet pass before they were. The buildup could likely be noticed but this was not uncommon for the Drubangi navy, who often merged their navy in various ports for retrofitting or in preparation for wargames.

[Flo]

At sea near the Free Heiwanan States
---

The ship groaned as the ropes were pulled, bringing several small craft closer to the large commercial rig. Once the craft were brought close enough, armed men began climbing up the ropes. As they climbed, they passed a large label: NS Oppo.

There was smoke coming from the ship, as it had been hit by a small shell from one of the smaller craft. There had been a single gun on the Oppo, but it was struck and rendered useless, the mercenary operating the gun left a smoking blackened mess. The other mercenaries had holed up in the ships main cabin, but the assailants blew the door open and they were dealt with quickly. This had been a fast operation, compared to the usual. It was rare a takeover went this smoothly. The assailants, pirates would probably be a better term, took to the deck, ransacking the cargo for whatever could be of use. 

A larger pirate vessel pulled around a nearby island, where it had been hidden from view. It was used to store whatever the pirates wanted to take from the Oppo. 

When they had gathered whatever they wanted, they placed charges on the interior hull of the vessel and when clear, they detonated them. The Oppo, with all its size and girth, sank rather quickly.

[Flo]

At sea near the Free Heiwanan States

The Drubangi Navy was on the move. They had split into two main forces. One going north, and one going southeast.

https://imgur.com/a/u9enj1w
A very technical chart showing approximate movements of the Drubangi Navy.

The larger portion was heading north, where there would be more islands. The Admiral, Hideki Onegada, was also going in this direction.

Southeast was the island of Fushu, a moderately sized island with important mineral reserves. It was of strategic importance to the Drubangi to seize this island, so a sizeable force was sent in this direction, though not as large as the one headed northward.

[Flo]

Nykoping, Nyland

Roxanne Dietrich-Hall, President of Nyland, was presented with a choice. Ignore the raids on Nylander shipping in the seas in and around the Heiwanan Free States, or send in a fleet, rough them up, and establish Nylander justice in a region that so desperately needed it, apparently.

This was a delicate decision. There was no guarantee the legislature would agree with her decision, and they could make things difficult. She had the right to use military force, but only temporarily. Furthermore, the locals seemed to be doing things on their own. The backwater of Drubang had a large amount of military elements in the area, and surely they were plotting something.

Still, this was an opportunity to show Nylander strength and demonstrate that no one, no matter how remote, could attack Nylander ships abroad. The Nylander Navy would be dispatched, and the legislature would be notified shortly.

The best part? The Nylander Navy would surely outgun any local elements. It was time to show the world what Nyland could do. It would take time before the fleet arrived, but when they did, it would likely be over.

[Flo]

Just offshore of Heima
Fushu Island

The Drubangi fleet that had left for Fushu was now waiting offshore of Heima, the capital and largest city on the island.

They had received notice of the Nylander announcements regarding their involvement in the theater and had decided to move posthaste, lest they deal with Nyland mucking things up. 

Fushu had a navy, but it was rather small and, presently, was docked in a naval base near Heima...a naval base that now had a Drubangi ships just outside. The Drubangi sent a missive to the President of Fushu, announcing that Drubang wished to meet with them to discuss matters of state.

[Flo]

Heima,
Fushu Island

The President of Fushu, Shizoku Yunu, was flustered as he watched the Drubangi enter the conference room. They had shown up, unannounced, with an entire flotilla and now, with guns pointed at him, they demanded a diplomatic meeting? It was absurd, but he had no choice. 

He had tried to have his people communicate with the other Free Heiwanan States, but their communications were being blocked and he was unsure how much got out. There was a chance something got out, but he was unsure. In the meantime, he had these dogs to deal with. 

"I would say welcome to Fushu, but I don't make a habit of lying to visitors." He said flatly. 

"President Yunu, you seem so angry?" The Drubangi Vice-Admiral, based on his uniform, said with a cheeky grin. "We are merely here to negotiate a new understanding."

"What sort of negotiations begin with pointed guns, Vice-Admiral? These are not negotiations."

"That is where we disagree then. We have an opportunity for Fushu to join the glorious Drubang Confederacy. This is what we wish to discuss."

So, the President thought to himself, it is annexation on their mind. He obviously wanted to say no, but with so many guns aimed at his capital, at his people. What choice did he have?

[Flo]

President Yunu was fuming as he put pen to paper to sign the new agreement offered by the Drubangi. It established Fushu as an "independent protectorate" of the Drubang Confederacy. It was not as far as he had initially expected -- he expected direct annexation -- but this was not much better. 

He was still President of Fushu, and had jurisdiction over his island, but Drubangi were now free to come and go as they please, and a Drubangi fleet would now be stationed in Fushu. Fushu was allowed to send officials to the Drubangi capital to participate in government, but likely in only a nominal way. 

---

The northern islands

The admiral received the news with good spirits. This has gone splendidly, and fast too. They were nearly upon their first island. Fushu was the largest target Drubang had, and for it to lay down without so much as a fight was very pleasing. 

Though it was concerning how close the Nylanders were getting. It was unclear what their motives were. The Drubangi government intended to request a meeting with the Nyland ambassador to discuss the future of the region shortly. 

In the meantime, the Admirals fleet continued.

[Flo]

The island of Mitasai, Free Heiwanan States

The Nylander fleet arrived. Carrier group four represented some of the latest in Nylander naval military technology. 

While they could have simply engaged the Drubangi, they chose instead to meet with what remained of the Heiwanan Free States, namely the government controlling the largest island, Mitasai.They had come just in time.

The Drubangi, unopposed by the Heiwanans to the north, had spread like a fungus in the formerly Free Heiwanan States. By this point, nearly all the islands other than Mitasai had been either directly or indirectly subjugated. There had been little actual fighting, as Drubangs gunboat diplomacy did more than enough talking, and where there was fighting, it was quick and violent. An island in the north had begun firing on the Drubangi, who responded by unloading salvo after salvo on the islands military installations, as well as harbours, airports, and other more soft targets. After that, resistance was over.

The Mitasai government was elated to see the arrival of the Nylanders, who would save them from the Drubangi marauders. A provisional treaty was quickly signed and ratified by the Mitasai government, as well as what remained of the Free Heiwanan States confederate governing body, led mostly by exiles from the other islands. The treaty established the Free Heiwanan states as an indirect protectorate of Nyland. The treaty was sent back to Nyland for ratification there. From this new base of operations in Mitasai, Nyland would operate in the theater. When the crisis was resolved, the Free Heiwanan States would work with Nyland on ensuring lasting peace, as well as an end to any overseas piracy.

Their first goal was to make an offer to the Drubangi, to see if negotiation could happen. If the negotiations failed, the shiny Nylander ships would be put to work.