The Return of the Phoenix

Desertfox · September 27, 2009, 12:53:31 AM

January 1st 1917
Phoenix

In the first hours of the New Year, three shadows silently slipped into the harbor of Phoenix. To their right the 10 inch guns guarding the city stood silent, their crews sleeping after hours of drinking.

On this night they were not the only forces in motion. Fifteen miles away, 5,000 men marched in battle order. And in the sleeping city, men moved about her darken streets.

Aboard the Van Hake, Captain Joachim Kidd Jr. observed the dark hull of the mightiest ship in the Swiss Navy, the battlecruiser Invincible.

"Lieutenant, it is time..."

Blooded · September 27, 2009, 09:33:26 AM

I suppose it is useful to know that if I want, I can sail right into Swiss ports and also march right up to the gates of the cities. Hmmm... where did I put that notebook...?

Desertfox · September 27, 2009, 01:51:44 PM

It helps to have fully updated military grade maps of the minefields guarding the city, current info on patrol patterns, and support from the local population...

Sachmle · September 27, 2009, 03:11:18 PM

Quote from: Desertfox on September 27, 2009, 01:51:44 PM
It helps to have fully updated military grade maps of the minefields guarding the city, current info on patrol patterns, and support from the local population...

So basically "Japanese Level" intel, ala Kidd & Wint. ;) :P

Desertfox · September 29, 2009, 01:23:09 AM

...continued

A blinding white light illuminated the entire harbor, turning night into day. To some rude awakenings from deep sleep, to others a signal for action...

***

Phoenix Harbor

A lone voice broke the silence of the harbor. "Men and sailors of the Invincible! This is Joachim Kidd. Captain of the NSS Van Hake. In the name of the Republic of New Switzerland, I order you to stand down and turn your ship over. The time has come for New Switzerland to be restored to her previous glory!"

Aboard the USNSS Invincible Captain Torain stormed to the bridge, this interruption after a night of drinking was most unwelcomed. "Tell that fool to surrender himself or we'll blow him to kingdom come. Go to battlestations, I don't have time for games."

WAUUUU

WAUUUU

"Captain! They are going to battlestations!"

"They do not intend to surrender... open fire!"

The hiss of compressed air and the splash of water told of what had happened. Four torpedoes where on their way to the immobile Invincible. The crack of guns seconds afterward signaled the start of the Battle of Phoenix...

***

Phoenix, East Docks

The blazing magnesium flare told the armed force outside the docks that the time had come to act. The guards had no time to react before they were captured or neutralized. Within minutes, the men, a group of sailors and National Guard, came in sight of their targets. There silhouetted in the light of the flare stood the old battlecruisers, Constitution and Alliance.

***

Phoenix, Fort Arabel (Harbor entrance)

For the 400 men silently waiting outside the fort, the blazing light was like a key, for as the light flared the gates to the fort 'magically' opened. With her garrison asleep, the fort fell in less time that it took the flare to die out. Within a few minutes the black flag of revolt flew over the 10 inch guns defending the city of Phoenix. Not a shot had been fired.

***

15 miles from Phoenix, Royal Palace

From a small hill overlooking the palace, a lone figure observed his target. Like in other places, silence reigned over the complex. A slight glare behind, told him that it has started. But unlike others, the time to strike was not right. The 501st would strike at the crack of dawn, behind the blanket of morning fog. But there would be no worries of their prey getting wind of the actions in Phoenix, for all connections to the outside world had been cut...

ctwaterman · September 29, 2009, 03:52:42 AM

Wonders if the Invincible has her Anti-Torpedo Nets Deployed ;D

The Rock Doctor · September 29, 2009, 10:48:40 AM

QuoteThere silhouetted in the light of the flare stood the old battlecruisers, Constitution and Alliance.

I thought these got scrapped back in 1915...

Tanthalas · September 29, 2009, 12:06:12 PM

Quote from: The Rock Doctor on September 29, 2009, 10:48:40 AM
QuoteThere silhouetted in the light of the flare stood the old battlecruisers, Constitution and Alliance.

I thought these got scrapped back in 1915...

They Did but for some reason DF has insisted on using them. Ofcourse maybe its new builds using the old turrets, since I held on to them with intentions of building a Vanguard type BC.

The Rock Doctor · September 29, 2009, 01:47:32 PM

Not to be a stick in the mud, then, but if they're scrapped, they're scrapped...

Desertfox · September 29, 2009, 04:14:37 PM

Per the sim reports they where not scrapped. But they are in very poor condition and won't be activated.

Desertfox · October 11, 2009, 12:53:28 AM

Phoenix Harbor

BANG

BANG

BANG

Anyone who still slept was awakened by the quick staccato of 4 inch guns and the rapid fire of 40 mm cannons. For the crew of Invincible it was the sound of death, as they were caught in the open at pointblank range. There would be no return fire from the Invincible as her starboard secondaries remained silent, their crews dead or hiding.

WHAMMM

WHAMMM

WHAMMM

While the 4in and 40mm shells had caused havoc, the battlecruiser remained intact. This however changed in an instant as three waterspouts rose alongside her. She was in peacetime conditions, most of her watertight doors opened. Water rushed through the ship giving her a 15 degree list. Efforts to run pumps where severely affected as the main power was lost.

***

Phoenix, East Docks

"Captain, the ship is secured, we have some power, rear turret is inoperable, but the forward one is in working order."

"Ammo?"

"Enough for four salvos, the hoists are not working either."

"Get all the gunners to the forward turret, target is Invincible, fire when ready..."

***

Bridge of Invincible

"Sir! Flooding is progressing thought the ship! We have slowed it down but we can't stop it."

"Counterflood! And get Inflexible, blast that destroyer to hell!"

A flash and a roar interrupted the conversation.

WHANGGGG

WHOOSH

"Flood the mags!!!"

A column of flame marked the latest hit on Invincible. But this was no 4 inch shell. Across the harbor, the smoke of cordite rose from the forward guns of Constitution. The old battlecruiser had struck again, landing a 12 inch shell into Invincible's forward turret.

***

Bridge of Inflexible

"What the hell is going on?"

"We don't know sir, all hell just broke lose! Van Hake opened fire on Invincible, and apparently Constitution did too!"

"Constitution? She's gonna get scrapped."

"I don't know sir, but we are having been hailed by a second Van Hake, they want us to surrender."

"She's burning bad. I have workers aboard and my ship is in no fighting condition. I am not having my ship sunk, strike colors..."

***

Bridge of Invincible

"Sir! Inflexible has struck! Pumps aren't holding! Shall we strike?"

" I'll be dam..."

A shell cut the captain's final words as the wounded battlecruiser settled into the harbors bottom. Quiet settled over the harbor as the Van Hake ceased fire. The rebel forces had won their first battle.

OOC

Invincible: 55% (sunk upright on harbor bottom ala Pearl Harbor), foward turret badly damaged, two starboard secondary turrets destroyed, extensive topside fire damage starboard side, extensive internal water damage, limited torpedo blast damage.

***

Outskirts of Royal Palace

"Fix bayonets..."

Desertfox · November 06, 2009, 05:21:47 PM

The dawn of the New Year brought more than just a date change. In two hours most of Phoenix had fallen under rebel control, helped in part by the 10 inch shells from Vesuvius. Those few remaining pockets of resistance were under siege, and the cruiser Constellation and her escorts entered the harbor to a thunderous salute. But other forces were afoot. General Veers with two monarchist divisions began moving towards the city, a city defended only by less than a division's worth of mixed untrained and unorganized infantry units.

***

Outskirts of Royal Palace

In the midst of the dawn's fog, the 501st silently advanced towards its target. Advanced units were already in place and prepared to strike. As the mist lifted, the royal guards were stunned as a lone mounted figure rode out of the fog followed by the grey clad troops of the 501st. No alarm was sounded as the guards were silently struck down by crossbow bolts. For those inside the palace, their first warning would be the pounding of boots on the palace steps, and by then it was too late to fight back. The soldiers of the 501st ruthlessly and efficiently eliminated all resistance within the palace in the space of 10 minutes.

"Your Majesty, I hereby arrest you in the name of the Republic of New Switzerland."

"Who are you that dare speak in such a manner?"

"I am Colonel Skywalker, commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade of the 1st Heavy Infantry Division. Your reign is over; the time has come to return New Switzerland to the people, and to exact revenge on her enemies. Phoenix has fallen, Sydney has fallen, you have nothing..."

"Go ahead and kill me and I will surely be avenged."

"You will live, live to see what you sought to destroy grow to greatness, live to ponder your sins..."

OOC I used two movie scenes in this last scene. One should be pretty obious, but not the other one. Props for whoever can figure it out.

TexanCowboy · November 06, 2009, 05:41:20 PM

Isn't the second one that part with the magma planet, or the part will Palpetine is about to die to be saved by Skywalker?

Desertfox · November 06, 2009, 05:45:30 PM

Nope, its from a totally different movie and its the the first part I'm talking about.

Desertfox · November 07, 2009, 08:27:29 PM

Found the scene I was looking for... some pics!

Anyone recognise the movie?