Fleet Command HQ
Troea, Troizen, Parthenopias
2.12.2019
“Commodore Artos what is the state of the fleet?” The voice was firm yet calm. The situation however was far from that.
“Ma’am the situation is better now than it was yesterday. Sonar sweeps indicate there is no longer a submarine in the area. We will continue to monitor the situation more closely as we proceed back to the homeland. The
Dorion and
Pelas are total losses though we were able to recover their black boxes. Half the crew of the
Pelas was rescued with about just under one third of the
Dorion’s.” A rather grim report.
“Thank you Commodore. Keep us apprised of the situation as it develops and we’ll monitor your progress from here.” With that the call was terminated with an audible click. “I want hourly updates during the days until that fleet is home.”
The woman shuffled through the papers in front of her. Her uniform was a dark blue offset by her gold insignia. Four gold stars flanked by a pair of anchors on her shoulder boards. A crisp uniform and with her cap tucked underneath her arm she carried a briefcase and set out for the Archoncy to meet with Jessero.
A dismal rain settled across the capital. Winter was not the most ideal of seasons for those in the southern heartlands. Cold and wet with a nasty northern wind. The car pulled out and police escorts took up their positions in front and behind. The woman’s expression was stoic, she looked straight ahead and ignored her surroundings for the moment as she thought about the ongoing situation. Things were more grim than the weather.
Weeks prior several destroyers had been destroyed or critically damaged with large loss of life among the crew and nearby civilians. A major embarrassment and tragedy for the navy and one for the nation. Now to compound that and months of prior heightened tensions with Ara’den, two destroyers were sunk in the Sea of Baalbek in what many in the Naval Intelligence Community (NIC) were labeling as an attack. Unified Intelligence (UNI) had yet to confirm that and the Armed Forces Intelligence Community (ARFC) wanted to have a third party intelligence community confirm before they gave the confirmation.
The Archoncy was an imposing building in downtown Troea. While the majority of the city was still in a very classical appearance the Archoncy stood out. It towered above the park in front and next to the ocean. The structure was a striking mixture of white sandstone mixed with black and gold. Lining the circle drive were the flags of the states that made Parthenopias. A makeshift covered walkway was assembled on rainy days such as this.
“Admiral if you will come this way the Archon will meet you in the Command Room.” An aid said as soon as the woman stepped out of the car. Cap tucked neatly under her arm again and holding onto her briefcase that held various reports. They made their way through the oddly minimalist interior, her heels clacking against the stone floor. A couple of junior aides followed behind her and her guide. Slowly but with purpose they made their way to the room where the Archon and her National Security Council were waiting. The room itself was about six stories underground which required a short elevator ride.
Upon entering the room those in the military stood and the Archon stood to shake her hand. “Welcome Admiral Kalanos.” The woman said with both warmth and authority. She took her seat and so did Kalanos. Getting settled in the Admiral took out the various reports and began to pass them out to the people at the table. A large set of monitors were present around with varying things on them. One was tracking the progress of the Second Fleet while another was tuned to a local news station though it was muted, another was tuned to a Deneshi station, also muted.
The meeting carried on for three hours and went into painstaking detail about what was going on, what had happened to to the
Dorion and
Pallas in the Sea of Baalbek. Admiral Kalanos would depart the Archoncy after the meeting concluded with her orders. A group of destroyers and submarines were to depart as soon as they were ready to meet up with the Second Fleet on its way home so as to increase protection. Several contingents of marines were also to be made ready in the event that military action were to be taken against Ara’den in response to the attack on the
Dorion and
Palas.
Meanwhile communiques were to be sent to the Embassies in Messelia and Byzantium to bring the AU members up to speed on what was going on. It would also include a request for a formal meeting of the AU’s Security Council to meet within one week to discuss a united front strategy to the situation and to consider joint military action should the situation devolve. Secretary of State Corvinus was to be dispatched to Ara’den to bring an ultimatum to President Al-Reza in which democratic elections under the supervision of the IA and AU would take place within two months, Al-Reza’s resignation and the implementation of a caretaker government under her deputy. Finally reparations were to be paid not only for the three destroyers damaged and lost in the Port of Baalbek but also for the two lost in the sea of the same name. The sabres were rattling and pressure mounting.