| From: | Doctor Doom <JCH8169@*****.TAMU.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Omega's Conquest... |
| Date: | Sun, 25 Apr 1993 17:15:06 -0500 |
Vici!"
***** Include: INN Report.German Victory.Omega Island
International Network News
<Image of the highest point of Mount Misery. A large flag, the ensign of
Imperial Germany can be seen flowing in the wind.>
<Shift to a shot of the capital cities harbor, where several German capital
ships and other small craft sit at their moorings>
<Shot of the capital building...the German civil flag of black-white-red flies
over it. In from of the building, an army band plays Preussens Gloria, or
Prussia's Glory.>
<Reporter within a large auditorium with other reporters milling about. In the
background is a stage with various maps and charts, all presently covered up,
with a podium in the center.>
This is Jessica Farbane, on Omega Island, following the landing of German
troops for the removal of the coup government which came into power just a
scant few days ago. Presently, we are about to hear from the German naval and
army commanders of this operation who will be giving a military debriefing as
to their progress so far.
>From what we've managed to gather, both Admiral Frederick von Zollikofer and
General Karl Donnersturm are quite experienced, serving in the EuroWars, and
the subsequent Unification War that expanded the German frontiers to their
present levels. Admiral Zollikofer has received numerous citations and...oh,
here they come now.
<Entering from far side of the stage, a tall man with a German Navy uniform
enters, wearing numerous medals and decorations. His expression is rather
stern as he surveys the media representatives who begin taking their seats.
Behind him is an impressive man in the typical field gray of the German Army.
The sharp staccato accompanying the footfalls of the general's cavalry-style
boots echoes through the assembly room as the two men approach the podium.>
ZOLLIKOFER: Good Afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the international press
corps. The general and I shall present our respective briefings, at the
conclusion of which shall be an opportunity to answer questions you may have.
Last night, the 5th Fleet of the Imperial German Navy arrived in the
Caribbean and entered Omega Island waters at approximately 2100 hours.
Stealth fighters were dispatched to destroy the Omega Air Force on the ground
and in the air. Several craft did manage to become airborne previous to the
bombing runs, but their technological inferiority caused their swift
destruction. The remainder were destroyed as their crews struggled in vain to
prepare them for take-off. In these preliminary strikes, measures were also
taken again the anti-aircraft positions on the volcano, most of which were
destroyed without further delay.
Encountering token token resistance by the various patrol and slightly larger
craft, the combat ships, lead by the frigate, the SMS _Scharnhorst_, soon
dispatched the remainders of the Omega Navy. In all, 30 ships, of no class
higher than corvette, were sunk in the confrontation. The Omega ships were
operating at a considerable disadvantage, not being equipped with modern sonar
or radar arrays, and were, at best, lightly armed.
Next came the rather weak shore defenses in the harbor. Precision-guided
explosives dropped by our stealth fighters in conjunction with several salvos
of naval artillery successfully incapacitated the batteries, which comprised
mostly rather small rocket launchers, but no fortified gun emplacements. Upon
closer inspection of the wreckage, there were the beginnings of a more
permanent installations.
Under the cover of darkness, we immediately initiated operations for the
prosecution of combined assault upon Omega Island. Previous to the naval
assault, members of the Luftwaffe's 35th Airborne division parachuted into the
capital city, with the intention of taking key communication centers and other
strategically important sites, including the Capitol building. Among the
airborne troops were several specialist troops contracted for this particular
operation by one of our cavalry commanders. Due to the nature of their
occupations, they have requested not being publicly identified. One thing I
wish to mention here: I wish to dispell any rumors regarding a Wendigo running
amuck on the island. The witnesses were in error when they identified the
individual in question.
This drop was executed with very little loss of life. Comparatively few Omega
troops were present. These troops then moved to secure the ports and docking
facilities, thereby ensuring a safe disembarking of our ground assault troops.
That, however, is more in my distinguished colleague's field. Herr General?
DONNERSTURM: Dankeschoen, Herr Admiral. With the successful and safe
deployment of mechanized ground forces, composed of several units of the
Totenkopf Division, we were prepared to sweep over the island to locate strong
points. Besides the capital city, Omega Island is practically devoid of
metropolitan areas. The native inhabitants primarily live in small rural
villages.
As the combined arms force of Panzers and mechanized infantry initiated their
search, it was discovered that besides a small number of units, apparently
charged with "stand or die" orders, the enemy forces were largely absent from
the field. To their credit, those we did encounter fought with valor and
fervor, but they were poorly supplied and their equipment was substandard.
After several short battles we succeeding in securing the southern half of the
island.
It was soon concluded that General Delgado decided to withdraw with the
majority of his already meager forced from the cities and coast, and then
fortify a defensive perimeter on Mount Misery, to the northwest. The strategic
soundness of this idea is not for me to question; however, I shall say that
due to his deficiencies in terms of manpower, large tracts of the defensive
line had comparatively few soldiers.
In an enveloping maneuver, we orchestrated a feint frontal assault upon their
stronger entrenched positions on the southeastern side of the volcano. A swift
armored cavalry unit maneuvered along the shore around to the far side of the
mountain. Where a lightning-quick assault managed to pierce the entrenched
positions. Throughout the operation, the moral of the officers and troops
beneath them was quite elevated. An incident which typifies this was the
commander of the strike, previous to initiation of the operation recited
Shakespeare's famous "We Band of Brothers" speech in Henry V. But then again,
that particular Colonel possesses a predilection for sesquipedalian speech, in
his own words.
Driving through to the rear, it swept around the mountain face, dispersing the
Omega Army before it. Within a short time, the cavalry was around on the
southeastern face of the mountain, attacking Delgado's positions from behind.
Had the onslaught come any more slowly, they might have considered surrender.
This possibility aside, the officers apparently panicked. Lacking direction
and experiencing pressure on all sides, all cohesion was lost, and they soon
routed, and various mechanized pursuit units gathered up the fleeing troops.
Throughout the entire operation, we experienced 13 casualties, all of them in
the infantry. In some cases, they were endeavoring to protect civilians caught
in the cross-fire.
I shall take a moment now to answer questions.
Reporter: Yes, General. What is your impression of the Omega Army?
DONNERSTURM: They were very poorly equipped. They had shortages of weapons
and ammunition, and precious few mechanized forces. That which they had was
usually in substandard condition. However, do not misunderstand. The men
themselves were trained, although not exceptional. To their credit, they
fought with valor and determination. Herr Admiral?
ZOLLIKOFER: The Omega Navy fell victim to the same shortages that afflicted
their ground forces. The boats were extremely deficient of modern
technological devices and were poorly armed.
In view of the sorry state their logistics was in, it is apparent that when the
old government decided to leave they acquired the majority of the military
supplies. A rather unusual coincidence.
Second Reporter: Do you mean to suggest that you don't believe the story of
the coup d'etat?
ZOLLIKOFER: I openly challenge the veracity of such a blatantly fabricated
story. The old government merely decided to leave before undue pressure came
upon them. These men are international fugitives, fleeing from responsibility
for their barbarous actions. Now, the site of the massacre, Tirandor Square,
is occupied by my troops and the forces under Herr Marcus. It has been
suggested that a memorial shall be erected their in memory of those who
perished.
Third Reporter: What about the rebels? What allowances have been made for
them?
DONNERSTURM: Upon landing, the Admiral and I met with Herr Marcus and his
lieutenants. We arranged the terms of what shall be a very short stay here.
Herr Marcus has expressed wishes for an immediate election for new government
officers. That is, of course, none of my government's concern, merely that
following democratic elections, it is the Imperium's intention to formally
recognize Omega Island--assuming they do not alter the name--as a sovereign
state.
First Reporter: What is your impression of Jacob Marcus?
DONNERSTURM: As a man, he has proven himself to be very competent and
compassionate to the desires of his people. He is a very effective leader.
I expect that he shall be elected president, should he possess any such
ambitions.
Fourth Reporter: What about casualties for the Omega Army and Navy?
DONNERSTURM: We do not have sufficient data to make any definitive statements
in that regard. Our estimations run from approximately 50% all the way up to
70%. The balance of personnel are in the custody of the German forces, and we
expect they shall be placed under the authority of the pro tempore government
upon our departure. Realistically, the Omega Island Armed Forces have ceased
to exist.
ZOLLIKOFER: There are only 2 small craft remaining of their sea forces. The
rest were sunk in the invasion, and the damage to them was such that there
would be little merit in raising the boats with the exception of scrapping them
for metal. Also, their Air Force, such as it was, has been totally destroyed.
Jessica Farbane: What about General Delgado himself? Has he been captured?
DONNERSTURM: He was captured by the rear-attacking cavalry force. Presently,
he is within our custody being debriefed by members of our officers in Military
Intelligence and agents of the Staat Schutz--State Security Ministry.
Jessica Farbane: Has any useful information been revealed?
DONNERSTURM: In the interests of security, we are not free to divulge any
information as of yet. We do intent to ascertain what information he possesses
in regards to the actions of his superiors as well as the legitimacy of this
supposed coup.
One fact I may tell you is that when he was captured, he was suffering from
various injuries including severe laceratinos, contusions, and burns.
According to his testimony, they were a result of a recent, and judging by his
appearance, narrowly-escaped assassination attempt, the blame for which he
attributed to his former superiors.
Fifth Reporter: Admiral Zollikofer, you referred to the former rulers of this
island as "international fugitives". What do you intend to do in regards to
this?
ZOLLIKOFER: We intend to hold them responsible for any criminal acts they may
have committed. Should sufficient evidence be found, we intend to provide
copies of all information accrued to Interpol and many nations' intelligence
agencies.
Now, if you shall excuse us, we have several administrative functions that we
must attend to today. My apologies that we were unable to answer all of your
questions, although you may decide to seek comment from representatives of the
Imperium. Thank you.
<The Admiral and General walk off stage to the same side they entered from.
The reporters rise to their feet, many furiously scribbling in notepads,
others typing on lap-top computers. Jessica Farbane looks to the camera.>
Jessica Farbane: Well, there you have it. The German land and sea force
commanders give their description of the taking of Omega Island. I had the
opportunity to question one of the U.N. observers of the operation and he
expressed how pleased he was great pains were undertaken to avoid hurting the
populace. It is expected that elections shall be held within the next few
days, and most agree that Jacob Marcus, should he choose to run for the office
of President, shall be easily elected. Once the new government is in power,
the German forces are said to withdraw, their final act probably being
extending diplomatic recognition of the new government. This is Jessica
Farbane, reporting for International Network News, on Omega Island.
<end of file> ]<<<<<
-- Doctor Doom <17:09:18/17-APR-54>
***** Encrypt: Riddle_wrapped_in_a_Mystery_inside_an_Enigma
>>>>>[ My most sincere expressions of gratitude are extended to the various
shadowrunners who joined in the air drop upon the capital city and the
subsequent search-and-destroy operations for Omega patrols. This includes my
history pupil, Legion, Bunker and their associates. And never to be forgetting
my old and valued associate, Flare along with his T.I.C.s, who, despite the
potential peril, seemed quite enthused at the idea of an assault upon
parachuting behind enemy lines. ]<<<<<
-- Doctor Doom <**:**:**/**-***-**>>
>>>>>[ Good God, Doom...your "friends" didn't really give them a
chance, did
they? ]<<<<<
-- Hangtime <17:10:07/04-17-54>
>>>>>[ What would you prefer? Kid gloves? ]<<<<<
-- Doctor Doom <17:10:13/17-APR-54>
>>>>>[ Well, no... Still, it seemed sorta one-sided. ]<<<<<
-- Hangtime <17:10:20/04-17-54>
>>>>>[ Of course. When Quention, Trevor, and Tirandor withdrew, they did
so
with the majority of their elite forces and equipment. ]<<<<<
-- Doctor Doom <17:20:31/17-APR-54>
>>>>>[ Doom's right about that one. The Big Three skipped the island
before
the heat got there. I just hope they don't get away with this. ]<<<<<
-- Jack Hack <17:20:45/04-17-54>
>>>>>[ Well, remember we've got Dark Elf & Co., Nightstalker &
Crew, and all
sorts of others all reeeeally interested in gettin' the fraggin' dragon and the
other two. Maybe even we can get involved in this.
Still, we can talk 'bout that later. Jaez, if you're out there, if someone's
gonna call me by any single name, I prefer it to be Sonic, as opposed to Boom.
Basically because that sounds too close to Doom, and I wouldn't want to get any
personal communication screwed up. See you (and your music collection) at the
wedding. ]<<<<<
-- Sonic Boom <17:21:30/04-17-54>
