It'll be over by Christmas: The Caicos Affair

[snip]

A Roman follow-up, also broadcast in the clear.

WARNING STOP
ANY NEUTRAL VESSELS RESPONDING TO AZTEC DESTRESS CALL STOP
BE ADVISED THAT ROMAN MILITARY FORCES BELIVE THERE TO BE ACTIVE MINEFIELDS IN REGION STOP
NO KNOWN ABILITY TO VERIFY LOCAITON AND EXTENT OF MINEFIELDS STOP
EXTREME CAUTION IS ADVISED STOP

[snip]

OOC Note: I am getting this out first since we have battle results. The IC perspective stories are in progress.

Excerpt published in several newspapers in major Roman cities. Its contents would be readily available. Roman diplomatic personal would confirm that there was a battle fought and that the Imperial Republic considers it a major victory, but would not comment on explicit details such as ships present.

ROYAL AZTEC NAVY DEFEATED AT CAICOS ISLAND!

On August 22nd, the Imperial Roman Navy fought a decisive battle against the Royal Aztec Navy. Admiral Cédric Fabron lead the fearless men of the Navy into battle within the Southern Bahamas. Our forces engaged the Aztecs shortly after dawn. The Aztec forces fought bravely, but they were no match for the plan of Fabron. Our valiant men fought bravely and succeeded in ultimately driving the remnants of the Aztec Navy from the waters of Caicos Island. The rebuff at Grand Turk to open the conflict has been avenged.

FIGHTING IN NOVUS FRANCIA CONTINUES

The Aztec invasion of northwest Novus Francia continues, with the fighting continuing around Fort Lombard. The Roman Army continues to resist the Aztec forces.

[Desertfox]

Tatsuta Maru, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Wilno), Sometime after the battle

"Captain, we have received an emergency broadcast from Aztec forces on the Caicos requesting medical aid and supplies. How soon can you set sail?"   

"A couple hours to get steam up and recall anyone offboard. Do we have charts for the Aztec minefields?"

"The Aztec military attache is on his way with the latest charts. We've contacted Wilno authorities as well, extending them an invitation to come on board as observers."

"How about the Romans?"

"They have been made aware of our intentions and our mission, they've also been extended an invitation if they so wish."

"Very well, from the sound of it, there was likely a major naval engagement, I shall have extra lookouts and have the boats ready in case there are sailors in the water."

[snip]

The Battle of Ironclad Bay: The Roman Perspective Part 1

August 18th, 1914. IRS Respublica, offshore of Grand Turk

Capitan Vincenzo D'Onofrio scanned the beaches of Grand Turk with his binoculars. He had first served as a navigation officer on the IRS Sublimis and returning to the site of that ship's mauling at the hands of the Aztecs invited vengeance. Further in shore, the IRS Edgbaston and IRS Turones scurried as flashes of light and smoke emerged from their guns, firing at something in shore that had been foolish enough to expose itself. Respublica's guns where turned elsewhere, massive 340mm shells landing at identified targets along the lagoon. As the armored cruiser continued southeast, the guns fell silent. D'Onofrio smiled on the right side of his mouth, observing the pillars of smoke from the bombardment. There was more work to do, and Caicos Island lay ahead.

Hours later, Respublica's guns again opened up at some target in shore before she and her escorts slipped into the black of night. D'Onofrio hoped to continue this work as long as possible, the Aztecs needed to pay for what they had done.

August 21st, 1914. IRS Supremus, offshore of Port-de-Paxi, Hispaniola

Alessandro Valli took a moment to enjoy a morning coffee on the port wing of the IRS Supremus before stepping inside the comparatively stuffy bridge. The heat of the day was just beginning to swell from the climbing tropical sun. Supremus steamed at the rear of a column of Roman battleships, which was in turn surrounded by a screen of smaller vessels. The Supremus was led by her sister, named for the Emperor himself, as tradition dictated the first major warship constructed during a monarch's reign was to be. In front of them, Invicta and Indefessus cut imposing silhouettes with the tips of eight massive 340mm rifles gleaming under the sun. Ahead were three almost identical ships, the sisters Triumphus and Insuadibilis and their older sibling Imperito, seeking revenge for her fallen sister. This was the largest steam and steal armada assembled in Roman history, and it was pointed at a small number of islands.

The absurdity of the situation did not escape Alessandro. When Supremus and her sister had failed to catch the Aztec fleet now firmly cocooned within the archipelago, the mood had been dulled. Alessandro himself vividly recalled the ice-hot collected furry within Admiral Fabron at the first meeting in Novus Catinus. Fabron was clearly out for blood and wished to squeeze it from wherever possible. The cooler-headed Admiral De Campo was no longer alive to check Fabron's daemons. When Invicta and the other home fleet ships had arrived, Fabron's plan had merely to be lit like a fuse. The fast cruisers sent to probe in and around the islands had given useful intelligence, the near-loss of two to what was assumed to be mines would have been necessary casualties. When the fleet had left port days before, Fabron tucked away on the Invicta, the mood among the crews were vengeful. Now, Alessandro wondered how many ships and men here now would still exist in a scant forty eight hours. Contact would come much sooner than that, battle was a day away. The fleet continued west for hours before slowly beginning to swing north.

August 22nd, 1914. IRS Parisius, off Caicos Island, shortly after daybreak.

Parisius and her sister Bresta had pursued an Aztec destroyer since it had spotted them a short time before dawn. Using the Aztec ship to find what was possibly the edges of mined waters had played out like flushing a rabbit into a snare. Signal rockets notified the fleet and the screening 1,000t destroyers had preceded by them into the channel, each trailing two paravanes. Parisus and Bresta followed the twenty destroyers at a leisurely ten knots, behind them the fleet followed, the large Argonauta and her attending cruisers first in support of the sweeping destroyers, then the line of seven battleships lead by Imperito along with the remaining destroyers and cruisers. Ahead of them was arrayed the Aztec fleet, the six nearly identical battleships already moving the cross the T of the Roman column. The supporting elements buzzing around their charges, deploying for a clash of titanic proportions.

Aboard the IRS Invicta, fourth in the Roman line of battle.

Admiral Cédric Fabron smiled maliciously from the wing of Invicta's bridge. The whole of the Aztec force arrayed before him in an intimidatingly superior position. It did not matter to Cédric, the enemy commander was smart, too smart to come out and face the Imperial Roman Navy in open water. With the Aztec Fleet where it was, there was no possible way additional landings could be conducted. Cédric's mission was simple, remove the Royal Aztec Navy as a roadblock to the invasion of the Southern Bahamas by the Roman Marines.

Cédric had always been a gambler and had the vice's share of soring highs and crushing lows. This was by far the largest gamble he had yet made, throwing over one hundred thousand tons of steel and over sixteen thousand men into the teeth of the enemy. The enemy that had crushed his compatriot, Admiral Kilian De Campo. De Campo, unlike Cédric, had favored risking only the necessary. Cédric found himself wondering how rapidly De Campo's body was spinning in the wreckage of the Sublimis somewhere to the northwest at the amount of assets committed to this engagement. The distant pop of the sweeping destroyers opening fire on the Aztec light units pulled the corners of Cédric's mouth higher as he turned to walk back to the armored conning tower. The hands were delt, and Cédric knew what he held was good enough to bet the Imperial Roman Navy on. Whether his Aztec counterpart had a better set of cards was unknown.

[The Rock Doctor]

September 4, 1914

To:  Aztec Sultanate; Imperial Roman Republic
CC:  Parthia; Japan; Maya

Dear Sirs,

The Government of the Vilnius Union, having become aware of significant loss of life in the recent battle of August 22, 1914, wishes to reiterate its offer to host negotiations for a peace between your respective nations.

My government would notionally offer to host such a conference on the island of Bermudez, somewhat removed from the conflict zone and as equidistant between your respective capitals as our geography allows. The Minister of Foreign Affairs would lead the Union's representation at such a conference.

While the Union has full trust in the honor of both governments, it would nonetheless offer to provide transportation and/or a naval escort for the Roman and Aztec delegations.

Should you both agree to such a conference, we would propose to invite Parthian, Mayan, and Japanese observers given their direct interest in Caribbean matters.

Yours truly,

etc, etc,

Sigismund VIII Vasa

[TacCovert4]

From the Desk of the Foreign Minister,

After consulting with His Majesty, the Sultanate would be willing to enter into good faith negotiations.  Due to Roman depredations upon sovereign Aztec territory, the Sultan has no confidence that the Imperial Roman Republic will allow free passage of consular vessels and would accept the offer of an escort from the Vilnius Republic Navy or the Imperial Japanese Navy at their discretion. 

[snip]

To: Zwiazek Wilno Foreign Ministry

Subject: Intermediary Party to Roman-Aztec Negotiations

On behalf of the Imperial Roman Republic and Emperor Trajan VIII, please accept our gratitude for the offering of an intermediary to help bring about an end to the conflict between us and the Aztec Sultanate. What the Aztecs have boisterously and repeatedly described as a fight for their very survival, it is in fact a colonial disagreement similar to the situation that Rome was able to help mediate between yourselves and the Iberians a few short years ago. That there has been more extensive loss of life in this affair is indeed regrettable. Rome is willing to meet with the Aztecs on neutral ground to discuss the matter, but with the past demands on the subject of negotiation over this dispute, we do not feel such negotiations would produce an radically different result than past attempts until a larger change in the defacto reality of the disputed territory is achieved. It is hoped that the offer of mediation will remain available once there is sufficient cause to believe that a different outcome is possible. Rome wishes for the ultimate resolution of this issue to be a solid foundation for peace in the region moving forward.

--Aloisio Landi, Foreign Minister

[TacCovert4]

From the desk of the Foreign Minister:

The response of Rome to the offer to mediate negotiations made by the Vilnius Union is telling.  That they somehow are able to conflate two colonization efforts arriving at an unclaimed land simultaneously or near enough as makes no difference, with a nation clearly claiming sovereign territory for Years, must utilize some level of legal flexibility that scientists are at a loss to explain.  The status of the Caicos throughout the year 1913 and well into 1914 was never in question.  Indeed it was not in question even before 1913 but we will remain to just the reign of his Majesty Ali the 8th.  Rome approached this office well into 1914 with concerns that the Caicos were Aztec territory that sat astride lines that Rome wished to have exclusive rights over.  They did not approach this issue with a counterclaim, but rather a desire that the Sultanate sell them the islands or sell them to a third party that Rome approved of.  Rome presented unfounded concerns that the Sultanate was planning to use the islands as a base for cruiser squadrons and a baseless claim that the Sultanate was preparing for war with Rome.  The opposite was clearly true, as Rome used this pathetic and baseless pretext to first demand, then threaten, then invade sovereign Aztec territory. 

Rome's statement that this is merely a 'colonial dispute of competing claims' is as flimsy as his Majesty laying claim to the Channel Islands.  The Caicos was established sovereign Aztec territory well before Rome manufactured a claim, and the Caicos are within the area of the world that would be considered 'Home' for the Sultanate.  It is obvious that Rome fully intends to take by force that which it could not by threat of force demand an immediate sale of, and it has treated the Sultanate as a tribal rabble that it can colonize at its will.  Will Rome next demand the isle of Hispanola, after all it would allow the Vilnius Union to station cruisers in a place where they could raid Roman supply routes at will. 

It is the position of his Majesty that if Rome intends to behave in the barbaric manner that they have behaved, and to continue this aggressive war to acquire sovereign territory while dismissing the loss of near on twenty-thousand of its own personnel as a 'colonial dispute', then every nation should consider themselves on notice.  There is nothing stopping Rome from considering the Vilnius, Parthian, Iberian, or Japanese possessions as mere 'colonial disputes' in the offing as soon as Rome considers them to be advantageous to 'acquire' for its own avarice. 

[snip]

How did a copy of our response get to them in the first place?

Probably some low-level who earned the position via connection rather than merit, we all know someone like that who just does not belong.

Well, nothing we can control there. Best it be responded to.

With response to the Aztec concerns expressed in their latest communication, it is clear that further negotiation at this juncture would be an improper use of valuable time. The double-standard perpetrated by the Sultanate with regards to this action is clear as the Sultanate has itself pursued militaristic acquisition of colonial lands. As is widely known, the Aztec Sultanate perpetrated an aggressive action against the Mayan colony of San Diego. The Mayans attempted to resist this action but were unsuccessful. While the Aztecs claim to have been in a state of war with the Mayans, they approached the conflict in the same colonial nature that Rome has for this one, as an isolated incident fit to be resolved around the territory in dispute. The Mayans had already occupied the area uncontested. If this action was part of a wider conflict as claimed, why then did the Aztecs not attempt to prosecute additional seizure of Mayan territory in the time since? It is clear that the Aztecs will attempt to spin any war to whatever narrative will garner them the greatest approval on the international stage.

While it is in fact true that renewed and greater interest in the Southern Bahamas did come more recently, it would be dutiful to publicly record that Roman interest in the Aztec holdings there dates back to their acquisition in 1912. At the time, the relationship between Roman and Aztec governments was far different than it has become.  Sultan Ali the 7th and his government worked to maintain a cordial, if variable, relationship with various powers in the region. Nothing in the previous government's actions lead Rome to feel the need to express greater interest than monitoring the situation as it continued to unfold. However, the actions off the Aztec government under Sultan Ali the 8th showed that the new leadership was less predictable and as such timely, decisive action was necessary to protect Roman interests in this geographic region.

It is the position of this government that the Aztecs have been treated, and will continue to be treated, as a civilized nation and as such is accorded the respect of formal process. While the losses of life in this dispute are regrettable, it should not go unacknowledged that the Atzecs have committed many lives to their actions. Accusations of barbarism are the resort of those who know that their argument has a foundational failing; that there is no reasonable or appropriate argument to equate this dispute to the survival of the Aztec Sultanate as a power on the world stage. At no time in this conflict has Rome endeavored to undertake the destruction or seizure of Aztec territory outside of the Southern Bahamas. Rome has a great respect for diplomatic norms and the precedent her actions set, therefor other nations should be assured that in the event there are any territorial disputes in the future that Rome will always and faithfully attempt to resolve such disputes within the confines of the diplomatic sphere. That this has been the first such colonial disagreement that required military action is a testament to Rome's commitment to the diplomatic resolution of conflict.

[The Rock Doctor]

"Should matters evolve, the Vilnius Union stands ready to mediate discussions as may be desired by both parties."

The policy analyst waited expectedly as the Deputy Minister pondered the sentence.  "Do we need to say peace discussions?" the deputy asked.

"I don't think it's necessary, sir," the analyst replied.

"But it could be unclear."

"I'm not sure they have any other kind of discussion to have at this point, sir."

The deputy considered this.  "No, let's add it in."

The analyst nodded and made a notation with his pencil.  "Should matters evolve, the Vilnius Union stands ready to mediate peace discussions as may be desired by both parties."

"Could evolve imply some sort of increased complexity?"

"It's meant to imply a change, Sir.  Away from the current situation where one party does not desire mediated discussions."

The deputy frowned.  "Let's just say change, then."

The analyst struck out the offending word and added the replacement above it.  "Should matters change, the Vilnius Union stands ready to mediate peace discussions as may be desired by both parties."

The deputy looked pensive.

"Sir?" the analyst queried, hesitantly.

"I'm just not sure about the use of both parties.  Too vague?"

"It refers to Rome and the Sultanate, Sir."

"But not explicitly."

"We're sending the message to them, Sir."

"Let's change it."

The analyst jotted down words.  "Should matters change, the Vilnius Union stands ready to mediate peace discussions as may be desired by the Imperial Roman Republic and the Aztec Sultanate."

"No, alphabetically..."


*****

To:  Aztec Sultanate; Imperial Roman Republic
CC:  Japan; Maya; Parthia
From:  Vilnius Union

The Vilnius Union stands ready to mediate discussions between the Imperial Roman Republic if matters should evolve.

[snip]

Sorry for the delay on this, I'll try and get part 3 up a little faster.

The Battle of Ironclad Bay: The Roman Perspective Part 2

IRS Argonauta

Sylvestre Villeneuve, Capitan of the IRS Argonauta, did his best to keep is nerves in check as he scanned the line of destroyers ahead of his ship. All around them shells fell, and the hits began to mount. One by one or in distant pairs, the dagger-fine hulls began to break apart under concentrated fire. What had started as twenty modern ships was all too quickly cut down to zero, many not having enough time for any crewmen to escape. The closer IRS Parisius lurched off its course, one of the large shells splashing around it must have connected. Villeneuve hardly had time to finish offering prayer for the ship before a second shell connected and broke the protected cruiser in half with a muffled crack.

"Concentrate fire on the closest Aztec." Villeneuve calmly ordered. "Send them to the bottom."

Fire Control had been ahead of Villeneuve and almost on time with his statement Argonauta loosed a full broadside from her 210mm guns. The fire continued as Villeneuve observed the Aztec Tenochitilan straddled by geysers of water. The Aztec ship took offence to the shower and began firing in return. Argonauta began to score hits first, damage becoming apparent as the coal smoke from the Aztec ship began to show bursts of orange.  Argonauta was not unscathed, the Aztec taking great offence to one of the searchlight installations and blasting it into the sea. The Tenochitilan finally could take no more and broke off course, upper works wrecked to splinters and heavy smoke pouring from any hole it could.

"Next target!" Villeneuve called over the cheers of the bridge crew. The day was just beginning.

IRS Caerleon

Leonzio Amadei franticly cranked the training gear on the Caerleon's forward 530mm torpedo mounting. Aft of him, smoke and flame leapt from a jagged hole in the deck, courtesy of an Aztec shell. Abeam of him, the Aztec battleline sailed, main guns trained on the Roman capital ships behind him. Their secondaries were pounding Caerleon and the small cruiser could not take much more. Leonzio slowed his turning and began to focus on where the torpedoes would be going. Quickly becoming satisfied, he nodded to one of the other men who began launching the torpedoes. Leonzio saw all three tracks began making a line to where the Aztec formation would be in minuets time. Then another Aztec shell whistled in, striking just above the armored belt below and exploding. Leonzio was thrown off the opposite side of the ship and sank into the warm water unconscious.

IRS Triumphus

Gervais Vicario had the fortune of being an exceptionally large and strong man. As he hefted another 140mm shell to the waiting loading tray, sweat drenched his head, running into his eyes, and all over his bare torso. With adrenaline fueled strength, he returned for another round as his last delivery was rammed into the breach and sent down range. The call of Torpedo Boats sighted had sent fear pumping though the veins of all the men, many of whom like Gervais did not know how to swim. The faster he and others could deliver the cumbersome shells to the waiting guns, the less likely their first lesson in such would be beside, or inside, a dying warship.

IRS Argonauta

Sylvestre Villeneuve felt his ship shudder as another huge Aztec shell connected, the tenth such hit. His gun crews and fire control team had been working wonders, the groups of 210mm splashes tight, though Villeneuve had no way to truly know now that the old battleships which mounted similar weapons were shooting. The eleventh and twelfth hits felt different. First the distant concussive rumble from far to the ship's stern followed quickly by an unintelligible cry from the helmsman. Second came a loud snapping sound from much close to the conning tower. Argonauta shuddered with the energy of a terribly, but not fatally, wounded predator, pain vibrating the steel under the feet of her crew. Villeneuve heard the damage control reports and knew that Argonauta could no longer be the tip of the Roman spear.

"Radio the line behind us." Villeneuve called out to the communications officer "We have taken damage to steering and are unable to pull out of line, go around us."

The coded message blasted out, and Villeneuve wondered how long until enough shells found Argonauta that the will of her crew to continue the fight would no longer match her capability to do so.

IRS Triumphus

"THEY ARE BREAKING OFF!"

The cry from some gunner further down the line was repeated through the choked casemates of the Triumphus. The gun crews continued to work, sending additional 140mm shells after the routed torpedo craft formation.  Gervais Vicario joined the rest of the gun crews in brief celebration before a large shudder moved through the ship from the bow. Slowly, the deck under his feet began to slope downward

IRS Invicta

Cédric Fabron watched the departure of the remaining Aztec torpedo craft with great pleasure. Now likely free of the threat, the gunnery battle he sought was to proceed uninterrupted.
"Signal the remaining cruisers to regroup for a torpedo attack." Fabron ordered the radio operator before turning to the signals officer next to him. "Run up the order to split by division to turn, alternating direction."

Calmly, Fabron watched his orders unfold around him, the closing line of Aztec ships having enjoyed the advantage of their position long enough. It was time for the Roman heavy guns to become fully involved.

[The Rock Doctor]

Good stuff.

I'm curious if each side has a "star performer" for this battle.

I'm also curious as to the situation in Novo Francia.

[TacCovert4]

November 24th, D-Day.....the Second Attempt

Warmaster Abidi and Major Hadrian shelter in a covered trench overlooking Lighthouse point on Grand Turk.  The namesake lighthouse being little more than a pile of bricks scattered across most of a hectare after the Roman fleet had spent a month pounding anything taller than a shrub with battleship shellfire.  Commodore Abidi makes a mental observation about how the battleships should need new barrels now after all the firing.  Hell, the cruisers and destroyers as well, since the Romans were extremely thorough in shooting up anything that stood out as a defensive post.  After a few attempts to return fire, the gunners of his artillery had wisely bided their time, digging their guns in to support directly and had become masters of camouflage.  Everyone had imitated the Hidalgo prairie dog, and any buildings not destroyed by shellfire had been disassembled to make supports for tunnels and trenches criss-crossing the island. 

"It will be today" he remarks, looking at the Roman Major.  Months of intermittent heavy shelling had caused a macabre bond between the Aztec Warriors and the Roman Marines, the latter prisoners but despite all efforts had still taken about a quarter of their number in casualties from their own fleet's shellfire.  "I agree" Hadrian responds, peering out from the trench without the benefit of binoculars.  Dozens of transports line up a half mile from shore, and white painted whaleboats can be seen lowering from their davits.  After burying themselves in the sands and earth for weeks, the pent up frustration of the Seal and Eagle Warriors was a spring, ready to be released upon a target that had finally presented itself for battle.  "It didn't have to be like this" Abidi says, absently.  "This could have been settled peacefully, or in single combat."

Major Hadrian winces as the boats approach the beach, expecting a storm of machine gun fire.  But the Aztecs hold, knowing that the cruisers and destroyers sitting a mile beyond are just waiting for the opportunity to shell positions revealed.  The Warmaster looks over at the Marine and smiles, saying "No Major, we'll bring them in close.  Close enough for a sword.  This is our way"  The first boats hit the beach and Roman Marines scramble off, charging forward for the dunes as the whaleboats come ashore in a line.  Abidi motions with his hand.....and with a muffled *crump* a couple of dozen boats disappear in smoke and flying sand.  Major Hadrian looks on in openmouthed horror as the sea breeze reveals four craters at the waterline, bodies laying everywhere.  "When your fleet started sweeping the mines we knew that the landings were coming.  We dug mines into the beaches at the one place you wouldn't shoot." the Warmaster helpfully explains as the Major witnesses the literal vaporization of a company of the Emperor's Marines by nigh two tons of high explosive. 

But onward the landings came, maybe shocked, but undeterred.  "That's the Albion Legion, 7th Legion, Roman Marines" the Major says as he recognizes a standard flying from one of the boats.  In their numbers, the Romans making landfall was never really in doubt, especially with their fleet present to shoot up any crustal defense.  But the Aztecs had months to plan and prepare, and so they had.  The Flag of the Republic was raised on the tip of lighthouse point, and the Romans began pushing their way down the half-mile wide strip of land, most of it invisible to the position the Major and Warmaster occupied. 

But once inside the dune line, that's when the real gunfire erupts.  Though not visible, they can hear the chattering of 6.5mm machine guns and pops of 40mm guns firing canister.  Hadrian shivers at the sounds that had heralded his own battalion's destruction on the southern end of the island.  "Trenchline after trenchline" the Warmaster says, pointing to a map that almost looks gridlike.  "And none of it immediately visible from the beach.  I fought this battle once before, and San Diego was a nightmare even with the Mayans having almost no forces and horrifically outnumbered.  Here, we have better than three times the numbers the Mayans had, and far longer to dig in and prepare."  Major Hadrian grimaced as he thought about the hundreds of boys being mown down as they came over the dunes or through the saddles and off the beach into a maze of strongpoints, outposts, and earthen bunkers. 

Shellfire screamed overhead, pounding the half-mile.  But it couldn't be adequately aimed with no specific points to aim at.  And much of it was falling willy-nilly, hurling earth and splinters and keeping heads down but not too much more.  Some gun positions fell silent, a direct hit by a naval rifle would wipe out a crew and smash the gun.  But enough were still active, and the fleet couldn't fire too close to the Marines lest they kill their own forces. 

Having moved positions himself that afternoon, Hadrian watched across North Creek as a Roman battalion hurled itself forward twice in an hour only to be thrown back by machine gun, cannon, and carbine fire.  "First Brigade, Seal Warriors" Abidi nearly beamed.  "Most are veterans of Zealand and San Diego, they were due for leave and a soft assignment before Rome decided that they wanted a war".  "They're tenacious" the Major says, grudgingly acknowledging fellow professionals.  "I'd put them alongside the best Rome has to offer, these men cleared Point Loma in a night attack, most of them were involved in the hurricane attack that captured you" the Warmaster points out. 

As darkness falls, the gunfire does not abate.  Roman Marines of the 3rd and 7th Marine Legions have secured a half-mile enclave on 'the claw', the prongs of land around North Creek.  But the Aztec defense was showing no signs of cracking, and gains of yards were being made at the cost of companies and battalions.  The sheer firepower of the fleet just offshore ineffective in providing timely support to troops in contact out of view of the spotting tops, or in close contact, as the Seal Warriors were content to let the Roman Marines close, sometimes as close as fifty yards before snatching aside camouflage and opening with a fearsome rapid fire from their smaller caliber rifles and carbines.  Abatis made of splintered wood from shellfire could snarl an advance in a kill zone for moments, but when 6.5mm machine guns, 40mm guns, and even the occasional 100mm field gun firing canister were lashing it with fire, an abatis could be the headstone for a platoon or more in that moment.  And Aztecs running clear of a dugout now flanked would be cut down by 8mm rifle and machine gun fire.  The only thing clear as the night flickered with gunfire, was that North Creek would be red with blood before this is over...

[TacCovert4]

"Warmaster,  why do you enjoy having me in your command post so much?" Major Hadrian asks.   "Why major, its because I'm fond of you of course" commodore abidi chuckles.  "And because someone needs to bear witness to this war if gone am I." 

They silently watched the battle continue to unfold,  the Romans having poured get more troops ashore in an effort to break the grinding stalemate.   Into the maelstrom the Roman Marines poured,  battleships firing with great crashes from offshore.   Hadrian shook his head at the sight of such valor from his countrymen being wasted into naught. 

Just then, the whole world went white with a deafening roar.   A near hit by a shell the size of an automobile shook the command post.   When Hadrian could get his with about himself,  he looks at the Warmaster.  The left side of his black tunic is slick with blood, his arm mangled by a splinter.  In near silence the Commodore suffers, gritting his teeth against the pain.  "Medica" the major cries out, the Aztec may be the enemy,  but there is no personal animosity here.

[snip]

December 23rd, 1914. Grand Turk.

Major Eliáš Moreau, Imperial Roman Marines, followed the short zig-zag of the shallow trench hunched low over his feet. The short respite in incoming fire from the sturdy Aztec defenders allowed for the journey to be completed much safer than it had been minuets before. Spattered blood stains and fragments of blue-grey fabric made no secret of how fleeting the protection could be. Moreau finally exited the slit trench into a much larger one that extended parallel to the Aztec line about one hundred meters away. The human-shaped husks in uniforms like his own hardly noticed the Major's entrance, something that would have resulted in immediate discipline in peacetime easily forgiven, instead focused on the sounds coming from the outside of the trench. Whatever they hoped to hear was buried under a muffled thunderclap as the IRS Supremus loosed another volley of its huge main battery at some Aztec position.

Moreau only had to look for a moment to find Captain Hugo Pavoni, much like Moreau Pavoni's uniform was far too clean.  "Captain Pavoni, are we ready to proceed?"

Pavoni noticed Moreau when he spoke and turned to salute. "Yes sir, we are ready to proceed."

"Good." Moreau replied crisply. "Let us hope that our opponents are also in a negotiating mood." Moreau then grabbed a long piece of wood, and produced from a pocket a large white sheet of fabric. Securing the fabric to the wood with some knots, Moreau approached the outer edge of the trench.

Pavoni spoke quickly. "We are ready to move sir."

Moreau did not acknowledge the comment, instead sticking the improvised flag above the trenchline. Taking some comfort in the fact that it was not immediately perforated by a hail of bullets, he called out as loud as he could. "This is Major Moreau of the Imperial Roman Marines. I wish to parlay with your commanding officer regarding a cease fire."

A heavily accented reply in Modern Latin emanated from the other side. "Very well, you may approach. Do not bring any weapons with you, nor any other men."

Moreau quickly removed his BA Model 1912 from its holster on his hip and handed it to Pavoni. "Those terms are acceptable. I will approach carrying the flag you see now."

With that, Moreau climbed the ladder leading to the pock-marked ground between the two trenches. Carefully, he picked his way through the gap between the trenches, moving around broken equipment and the occasional piece of a Roman or Aztec body. In the trench opposite, a pair of men clambered out. One clearly an officer, the other not. Moreau stopped a few steps shy of the pair, quite aware of the emplaced machine gun off to his left that was aimed in his direction.

The Aztec officer declined to introduce himself. "Search him."

The Aztec solder approached Moreau and efficiently, but quickly, patted him down for any weapons. Finding none, he nodded to the officer and stepped back from Moreau.

"Come with me." The officer waved his hand for emphasis, then said something in Aztec to the solder.

Moreau followed the officer, aware of the other man behind him with a rifle at the ready. He was lead though the Aztec trenches, remarkably like the Roman ones he had just exited from and into the rear area. The landscape was occasionally blasted apart, courtesy of the Imperial Roman Navy, and splintered buildings and flora were sometimes splattered with the familiar crimson of gore. After walking for some time, Moreau found himself at what seemed to be a medical tent. The Aztec continued shortly past the tent to another that had been set up neatly behind it. Outside this tent stood another Aztec officer in a all-black uniform rather than the khaki of the one Moreau had been following. The pair exchanged a few quick sentences, then the black uniformed officer spoke directly to Moreau.

"My name is Captain Acalan. The Warmaster is inside." Acalan wasted no time answering the obvious questions. "His injury courtesy of your navy, I might add." He then said something in Aztec to another man that was just about to enter the tent.

Moments later, Moreau was surprised to see another Roman Marine exit the tent, followed closely by the man who had just entered. His uniform was extremely well worn and covered in dirt and dried blood. "Major Hadrian?"

Hadrian seemed almost as shocked to see Moreau. "Major Moreau. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see the Aztec commander about negotiating a cease fire." Moreau cut directly to the point. "How many others of you are there?"

"Less than we started with." Hadrian replied. "They did disperse many to camps on the other islands, so I don't know a current count. Abidi will know more, and he is quite reasonable. Come, we should not keep him waiting."

"What are his injuries like?" Moreau asked as the pair of Roman officers entered the tent.

"The command post took at hit from whichever wagon is throwing 340's at the island."  Hadrian answered. "He is lucky to have survived."

The pair approached a rather comfortably in the back of the tent where Moreau saw Commodore Abidi for the first time. The Aztec's left side was covered with various bandages, more where his now-missing left arm should have attached to his shoulder. He was sitting up sipping something clear from a cup, various items obfuscating what must have been a map lay scattered on the table in front of him.

Hadrian spoke first. "Commodore, this is Major Moreau of the Imperial Roman Marines."

Abidi spoke before Moreau had a chance, his voice worn and cragy beyond his years. "That makes two more Roman Majors then I ever thought I would meet. So, you have come to have some sense talked into you?"

Moreau failed to produce a clever reply.



Starting late in the afternoon, runners brought a message throughout the Roman lines on Grand Turk. Beginning at midnight, there was to be a cease fire. By the next day, a similar agreement had been reached on the continent as well. For the end of the year, the war was brought to a standstill.



TO: Zwiazek Wilno Foreign Ministry

Subject: Intermediary Party to Roman-Aztec Negotiations
As previously noted in these communications, the matter between the Imperial Roman Republic and Aztec Sultanate as changed sufficiently to warrant continued negotiations. We hope the offer to host a conference on Bermudez can be reapproached.

Albin Confortola, Interim Foreign Minister on behalf of His Majesty Emperor Trajan VIII.