A Whisper on the Wind

[Orion]

A Whisper on the Wind
A Steampunk Story

The sky was filled with billowing clouds, tinted white and pink by the midday sun, and the helm of the airship was swept softly by the cool breeze. Captain Amelia Regan cast a slow gaze over the horizon, her navigator Johan von Zeck nearby using his telescope to to assist his aging eyes, while young gunner Tyler Sparrow eagerly watched from behind. All around the GDS Infinite other airships were rising up from the earth and into the sky. Below stretched the city of Philbadelphia - a sprawling metropolis of coal-fired steam power. Furnaces burned hot, and smokestacks billowed smog into the sky. Industry churned in the city, like the gears of a giant machine, pushing forth the revolution that was modernizing the land of Jaris. Silently the ships rose into the sky, light puffs of steam emanating from their engines as they idled up to a comfortable altitude. Slowly the Jarisean fleet was assembling, amassing its power.

Regan looked back at her own ship. The Infinite was one of the best airships in the world. A sleek aerodynamic hull, its exterior plated in glistening copper, and its smoothbore cannons rippling with heat from the blazing sun. A stout gatling gun manned the prow; young Sparrow's weapon of choice. Her engine was a combination coal and diesel powered steam turbine, cranking out 700 horsepower at maximum drive. The other ships too were also armed for combat, and Regan could not spy a single civilian vessel in the sky.

The Jariseans had been battered and beaten for thousands of years. First by Lyricans, then Cognitans, later Shirerithians, Anticans, Jingdao, and countless others. An endless line of would-be masters bent on dominating this fiercely-independent people. They had come and conquered, but their reign never lasted. For the last hundred years the ruins of Philban had crumbled, and in their ashes arose Philbadelphia. Accustomed to slavery the Jariseans toiled all the more in their own factories when it became known that an heir of the old Grand Duke had been found alive. Secreted away by loyalists they slowly rebuilt the city, ignored by the feuds of neighboring countries, such as the Shiro-Apollonian Civil War. The Grand Duke, now twenty-two and having assumed his rightful command, made clear his intention to lead the Jariseans in open battle for the reconquest of their island. Today that fleet was preparing for its first offensive. Hundreds of airships had been built and were now rising up to form the largest air fleet ever assembled.

Jaris would rise again.

[Verion]

Interesting story! May I also congratulate you on your choice of colours for the national flag...

[Orion]

OOC: It's actually the old flag of Jaris, slightly revised.

IC:



The Grand Duke's ship slowly gained altitude, joining the other airships amassing over Philbadelphia. The Goliath was the largest airship the Jariseans had, and also the most powerful. Yet being the biggest and largest also made it the slowest. But Coby Titov, as Grand Duke, still felt elated. Manning the helm of the ship he couldn't help but grin as plumes of smoke billowed forth and the engines roared, driving the vessel higher and higher into the sky. Off in the distance he spotted the Infinite and began to steer a course that would bring the ship up alongside the smaller but quite powerful ship. Whereas Goliath had been built for heavy combat and bombardment, Infinite was built for close combat with other airships and fighters. Besides, thought Coby, his ship was the flagship of the fleet, it had to remain aloft no matter what.

As the Goliath drew alongside the Infinite, Coby could see Captain Regan on the deck. She looked quite fetching, with her red hair dazzling in the sun, although he would never admit such things to anyone. It simply wasn't becoming of a Grand Duke to go for a lowly dreadnought captain. Nonetheless, he didn't mind taking in the scenery whenever it was offered. Grabbing the microphone he called over the Infinite and watched as Regan picked up her mic.

"My Duke," she said before he could even offer a greeting. "The fleet is nearly assembled. Are we ready to disembark?"

"Yes," he replied, falling into his role as commander. "The Goliath was the last of the ships up. I wanted to make sure the ground forces were all in order."

"I take it the walking tanks are operational?" Regan asked.

"Yes, they've gone through the final trials and we've declared them operative. They're being deployed now to follow up the air assault on the ground and provide heavy armor for our foot soldiers."

"Judging by the size of the fleet, they won't have much to do except mop up," replied Regan.

Coby chuckled. "That's the idea. Keep casualties at a minimum on our side."

"We'll be keeping pace with your ship," Regan said disdainfully, quickly adding, "m'lord," as a saving grace.

"She's slow but she'll knock anything else out of the sky," stated Coby proudly. "Let's move out," he ordered, switching the microphone over to the common fleet channel.

"This is Grand Duke Titov," he said, using his most authoritative voice. "All airships fall into formation. We're departing now. That is all."

The airships, large and small, began to form ranks and align in formation. Faster ships on the outside, protecting the heavier ships at the center, with the Goliath leading as flagship, escorted by the Infinite. The sky turned black as hundreds of engines poured forth black smoke. This was indeed a force that was nigh indomitable.

[Orion]

The skyline of New Nova, the first and largest target of the reconquest, loomed into sight. The Novatainians had built a grand city, and in its heyday New Nova was the jewel of the island. With the slow waxing of Gralus, the city became a city-state, exerting control over its own environs but nothing more. Tall-walled and isolated on an open plain, from the ground an attack would be difficult; but from the sky the city had little defense. The ground troops still remained three days behind.

Goliath remained at the head of the fleet. As the largest ship it also had the heaviest bombardment munitions, and therefore Coby needed to get the ship in position directly over the city in order to hit any of the targets. If the New Novans knew what was good for them, they'd raise the white flag before any shots were fired. Activating the microphone he called over to the Jacobite, a small fighter dirigible, and their captain, John Markham.

"Captain," asked Coby, "I want you to act as envoy. Raise a white flag and deliver a summons to New Nova. Tell them if they surrender now and join us we won't attack the city."

"I suspect I already know the answer, m'lord," replied Markham, "But I'll get on it right now anyways."

Within a few short minutes Markham's crew had raised the white flag and flew down in front of New Nova's gates, landing just outside. With a scope he could see Markham leave the dirigible and approach a group of guards that had emerged from the gate. Even from this distance he could see them making threatening gestures in reply. It was only a couple more minutes before Markham returned to the Jacobite and rejoined the fleet. Coby's microphone fizzed to life, and sure enough it was Markham calling. "They'll have none of it, m'lord. They still feel as though they're the rightful lords of Jaris."

"I understand," replied Coby coldly "Get you standard back up and return to formation. Get your ship ready for battle."

"Aye, m'lord," was all Markham said.

Coby switched the transceiver dial to the fleet channel and cleared his throat. "Attention fleet, prepare to attack. Corvettes and dreadnoughts, move ahead and start hitting defenses on the top of the city walls. Fighters, provide cover and escort for the corvettes and dreadnoughts. Destroyers and bombers form echelon with me; we move over the city and start hitting the central structures. Aim for the barracks and palace. I want this over with as quickly as possible."

The fleet, which had up until now been idling, began the massive shift in formation as ships fell into attack groups. New Novans could be seen clambering up the walls, long rifles over their arms, or rolling cannons out onto the top walk. The faster ships, like the corvettes, were the first to engage, and began peppering the wall with gatling fire. People scrambled as the top of the wall burst into flame, obviously hitting some unseen munitions or explosives.

To Coby's surprise a few dirigibles appeared from inside the city. So they had their own air fleet after all. He picked up the microphone and called over the Regan. "Get the Infinite on those Novan ships. I hope you can handle them."

"Piece of cake," she replied and abruptly the Infinite moved in to engage the enemy ships, both sides exchanging fire.

Coby himself began to move the Goliath over the city, followed by the rest of the heavy-gunned ships. The dreadnoughts had begun to bring heavier cannon fire against the walls and some of the towers within the city. The walls themselves were beginning to crumble and collapse, and fires started to rage within the city. Several smaller, faster bombers flew by the Goliath and began dropping incendiaries on the city, walls of flame shooting up behind as the ground rocked from explosions. But he knew his target, and kept a straight line for the palace.

The cramped construction of the metropolis made navigation difficult, and more than once the great ship skidded off the side of a building, or rocked violently as a cannon hit home. But the dense hull of the battleship could only be bruised. As the golden columns of the palace loomed up before him, Coby ordered his gunners to start firing the cannons at the front of the structure. Columns shattered and the portico collapsed in a spray of ash and dust. But the Goliath kept firing cannonade after cannonade. Shots smashed the tiled roofs and drove holes through the walls. Flames began to rise from the smoking structure and soon burst into roaring fire. Finally the palace could take no more, and the walls gave a brief shudder before the entire building imploded. Coby gave the order to gain altitude and start hitting any other defense buildings that could be identified. From around him he could see other bombers decimating the city, and the wall defenses had been utterly destroyed, with the corvettes now moving in on urban targets. Within an hour the Infinite had joined him, badly damaged but victorious.

For several hours the fighting continued, but in the end the New Novans raised the white flag and surrendered the city. The destruction of the palace had killed off their leaders, and without a command structure the city's remaining defenses had fallen into anarchy. The first objective of the reconquest had been won. Jariseans cheered on the decks of their ships, and a silent pall fell over the city as the defeated began to count their dead.

[Harvey]

Its all fun to go bombing around the world with an airship armada, but wait until you guys get the bill for that fleet. Ruined my flying nations twice, that did.

[Yfirstormarksgythia]

Its all fun to go bombing around the world with an airship armada, but wait until you guys get the bill for that fleet. Ruined my flying nations twice, that did.

A High Priestess wishes to convey that the Grand Duchy of Jaris has plans to create a Central Bank that can create money out of thin air, just like the U.S. Federal Reserve so paying bills won't be a problem at all.

[Orion]

Expenses? Pshaw. The ancient Jacobite Treasury is bottomless.

(At least that's what we told the creditors....)

[Orion]

Atacama. The southern port, and key point to hold if the Jariseans wanted to win the war. But to the east of New Nova was also Rasal, another city that, if in the wrong hands, could open a road directly for an assault on Philabadelphia. Titov didn't want to choose, so he split the army, ordering one group to assault Rasal, and another to take on Atacama. The victory at New Nova had galvanized his pride, and he assumed that the other cities would present little resistance to the combined air and land forces. Captain Regan was ordered to lead Group II, which would assault Rasal, while he would lead Group I in the attack on Atacama. Both cities were about equidistant from New Nova, but about twice as far as the original trek from Philbadelphia had been. Although sad to see her go, Coby knew Regan was the right person to lead the attack on Rasal.

After a long journey across Central Jaris, the combined air and land forces finally came within visible distance of Atacama. The city had a distinct Alexandrian flair, something it had picked up in recent years thanks to the close proximity of Alexandria's colony, no doubt a result of necessitated trade between the two. Like New Nova, Coby intended to first assault the city by air, weakening their defenses in preparation for a ground assault that would mop up the remains and occupy the city. Despite some differences in architectural style and more urbanization, Atacama looked little different from New Nova. In fact, it didn't even have a city wall. This will be an easier victory than New Nova, Coby thought to himself.

"Prepare to attack," he barked into the intercom.

A brief static followed, then the voice of Admiral Stevens, his chief officer of the fleet. "Aye, m'lord. What formation?"

"Echelon. They have no visible defenses, so let's use forward guns and proceed with caution. I want bombers behind us. We'll scope out any ground targets and provide them with cover so they can move in and drop."

"Very good, sir. We're on it." Stevens' intercom clicked off and Coby switched his off as well.

"What are you hiding, Atacama?" thought Coby to himself. "No city can be completely defenseless."

As the ships aligned in formation and began to move forward, the city became more visible down below them. First farms and fields stretched out in the rural outskirts, and then more tightly packed homes as suburbia reared its ugly head. They began to drop in altitude, and Coby pulled out his telescope to see what he could on the ground. People had begun to scatter, and soon the wail of an air raid siren could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Coby noticed several small towers and saw what appeared to be soldiers running to them. Before long gunfire started to ping off the sides of the ship as the towers fired at the incoming fleet. Was that their meager defense?

The fleet had moved over the suburbs and into the central area of the city. Residences had given way to tight commercial buildings, narrow streets, and large factories. Coby believed he could pick out a government building, and made especial note to target that as soon as the defense towers had been dealt with. Already several ships had begun to engage the towers, and the resounding boom of exchanged gunfire could be seen as well as heard. Just then the air quaked with a resounding crash, and Coby turned in time to see part of the city collapse in on itself, as if the very ground beneath had given way.

He immediately brought Stevens on the com. "What the hell just happened? Was that from our bombers?"

"No, sir. We're not sure what that was, but it wasn't cause by any of our ships."

Just then Coby noticed the ground shimmering around the gaping crater where a portion of the city had collapsed. Quickly there began to rise numerous airships out of the ground. Fast ships that swept up behind the fleet and began firing upon it.

"Their defenses were hidden underground! The towers were a decoy!" he shouted at Stevens. "Get the fleet into a circle formation. Back-to-back. Quickly, before we lose the bombers!"

The Jarisean fleet scrambled to re-assemble itself, but already it was engaged with the enemy ships while still fending off the towers on the ground. Several bombers smoldered in flame and began to arc in a descent towards the ground. Destroyers tilted at sickening angles trying to turn. Even the Goliath was spinning on its axis as Coby fought the controls to get the ship around. For the first time Coby's confidence was shattered. Atacama would not be the quick victory he thought it would. This was blood. This was death. This was war.

[Orion]

Atacama turned out to be a reversal of fortunes. Several destroyers awkwardly stood poking out of the ground, flames billowing as they crumbled to ash. The fleet had abandoned the city and was waiting for the rest of the ground troops to withdraw - what remained of them at any rate. The Atacamans had received reinforcements from some third party. Was it Alexandria? Apollonia? Shireroth? Who knew. But they must have gotten those weapons from somewhere else. The city could not have put together that kind of defense on its own. Broken, battered, the fleet had lost the battle but not the war. But as it stood, the army could not endure another assault, and would have to retreat back to New Nova for repairs and medical attention.

For Coby, the loss was a complete shock that had shattered his confidence. Heretofore he had seen nothing but victories, and his soldiers were always cheerful, loyal, proud warriors. But now they hung their heads low, and sneered in anger. These once strong men had come back broken. The glory of war had been washed away, its shiny veneer removed, revealing the darker side underneath. It was a side he had not been exposed to, and the young Grand Duke was deeply shaken by these events.

Rasal had fared better, though also with considerable losses. Coby regretted having split the army, but it was too late now for regrets. Regan had radioed earlier saying that they had won the city, but as a result it had been utterly destroyed. The battle had been fierce, and the enemy had resisted until the very last. But rather than hand it over the Rasalians razed the city and fled into the countryside. They had won a deserted, burning city that was utterly useless. She, likewise, would be retreating back to New Nova after making sure the city was completely destroyed - to prevent the enemy from retaking it.

The Atacamans, for their part, were not advancing beyond the city, having suffered severe losses themselves. Much of the city was burning along with the crashed ships, and ground forces were still heavily engaged. The mechanical tanks were still walking, although a number had been lost due to heavy fire. Admiral Stevens had wanted to use chemical weapons, but Coby refused, stating that the battle had become bloody enough. Those weapons had been kept as a fail-safe if they were in tight quarters. Their ethical base was also questionable, since chemical weapons were generally frowned upon. Given the death and gore spread on the battlefield, Coby was starting to understand why.

The out defenses of the city had utterly collapsed, but the hidden tunnels of the Atacamans still gaped, where the recessed doors had slid back, revealing a dark pit beneath the city. One Jarisean destroyer had dived into one of these openings as it was crashing. A final stab at the enemy by a doomed ship. The flames from the wreckage illuminated the entrance like a candle that had been thrust into a dark cave. Even from this distance, hovering above the outskirts of the city, Coby could see the glisten of metal walls and the cogs of engines. They had technology comparable to Jaris.

Coby secretly began to question the motives of the war. The objective had been to liberate Jaris, and the people of Philbadelphia had wholeheartedly supported him in this measure. But here he was, one city conquered, one destroyed, and one where he had been defeated. Nowhere had any of these cities or their people welcomed him as a liberator. Indeed, he was the enemy of these people. Yet they were also Jarisean, were they not? Why didn't these people understand that he was trying to help them? Unification of Jaris would create prosperity for these poor, disenchanted people!

He shook the feeling of depression from his shoulders and narrowed his eyes. He would have to convince these people that they were better off under his rule. The fleet and army must recuperate and rejoin with Regan's army. Once restored to its full vigor the army will once again be unstoppable. He would show them. He would show them all.

[Orion]

Atacama was lost. Rasal had been destroyed. So when the battered and exhausted armies of Jaris returned to New Nova they were surprised to find the city walls had been quickly repaired and the gates firmly closed. A quickly dug mass grave outside the walls indicated what had become of the garrison they had left behind to hold the city. Likely any survivors were held up inside as prisoners. Weary of battle yet left with no choice, Coby ordered the army to lay siege to New Nova once again. Regan's army had joined him from Rasal, and he was relieved to see her.

Covered with soot and grime, Coby hardly looked the prim little Duke anymore. His hair was matted with sweat and blood, and his uniform had been shredded. Regan likewise was battle-scarred. One arm was in a sling and she had a long cut running vertically down the side of her face. They greeted one another warmly, each not daring to reveal the emotions they truly felt in front of the soldiers. But they were no longer the enthusiastic leaders of the revolution. Instead their demeanor had diminished into one of dour responsibility. The war would have to be fought to its bitter outcome, no matter what that may be.

Behind them Goliath rested on its landing pads. It, too, had suffered extensive damage in the battle of Atacama. Bullets holes zigzagged across the metal plates, some bigger than others. Here and there smoke came from some of the holes. In other places the metal had been torn away completely, revealing wiring and gears underneath. But there was no time for repairs. A small number of reinforcements bringing fuel and supplies was coming from Philbadelphia - but that was it. They would have to conduct the siege in this haphazard condition.

Beyond the encamped forces the ground forces had begun the siege, supported by some of the air ships that had suffered the least damage. One corner of the wall had been scaled, and soldiers were advancing on the area by foot, hoping to breach it. One brave bannerman had climbed to the top of the tower and was waving the Jarisean flag, rallying the troops to him. Artillery rolled slowly by, bringing up the rear, clanking over the uneven ground as the heavy iron pieces were dragged into place. They had lost a lot of their mechanical tanks at Atacama, so the bulk of the ground forces was now made up of foot soldiers.

Regan abruptly turned to Coby. "The Infinite is grounded. I don't think she'd last another fight. I've ordered the crew to fly her back to Philbadelphia for repairs."

Coby looked surprised. "Then why are you still here?" he asked.

"I want the gunner position on Goliath," she said, matter-of-factly.

Coby couldn't help but grin slightly. "Alright, you're on the guns. Go see Admiral Stevens, I'll radio and let him know you're coming. I want to get up in the air in ten minutes to assist with that breach." he said, pointing to the advancing army at the wall.

"Aye, m'lord," she said, saluting smartly and then turning on her heels and marching off to the Goliath.

Coby found a radio and called Stevens. "Captain Regan is coming aboard. Put her on the cannons," he said.

Stevens' voice crackled over the speaker. "Aye, m'lord. Are we preparing to launch?"

"Yes, get the ship ready. I want to put everything we've got into bringing down those walls. This time it's do or die." And with that he marched off behind Regan towards the Goliath.