Kalistan

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Kalistani 3rd Fleet Officer fires warning shots in Schismatic
"Luthorian Navy is overstepping" says Admiral
Bentasur Naval Base, Gaduridos
May 2, 5736


Admiral Jane Quasney updates Press on engagement with elements of the Imperial Luthorian Navy at Bentasur

Today, Admiral Jane Quasney, Commander of Fleet Operations at Bentasur, updated the International Press on an incident which occurred in the Schismatic Sea over the weekend.

"The KRS-373, a Light Cruiser attached to the 3rd Imperial Fleet, was involved in an active fire incident that also involved a similar vessel of the Imperial Luthorian Navy. The incident occurred in open waters about 464 nautical miles from Bentasur at approximately 2323 hours. The Captain of KRS-373 is Captain Gregory Hinton, and the Officer on Deck was Watch Officer Lt. Commander Carl Green. At 2318 local time, the KRS-373 was on patrol about 3 miles from the main body of the fleet. At this time, radar indicated an approaching vehicle. LtCmdr Green attempted to hail the ship to see what it was doing, but the ship did not return communication, nor did it alter its course. LtCmdr Green attempted to raise the ship again, requesting that it not approach the picket, but the hail was not returned. At this time, Lt Cmdr Green called Captain Hinton to get advice, and the Captain told the Lt Cmdr to hail it one more time and request that it stop. The Captain also ordered the forward gun to be loaded with a single shot to send as a warning shot. When the Luthorian Ship did not return communication, the Captain ordered the Lt Commander to fire the gun to avoid hitting the Luthorian ship. The shot occured at 2323, and contact was established soon thereafter."

The Admiral said that there was no damage to either ship, but the Luthorians seemed shocked that Kalistan would fire a warning shot. "The Luthorian Frigate in question said they were carrying out other business in the area, were not at all a threat to the Kalistani unit, and felt the naval fires were excessive," said the Admiral. "We received a formal complaint from the Luthorian Naval units based out of Mordusia and attached to the Luthorian AC group in the area concerning the dangerous and disrespectful behavior of the Kalistani Navy toward the Luthorian Navy who is on a peaceful defensive mission in the region and expected to be able to operate in international waters with impunity."

But the Admiral stressed that refusing to return hails is a violation of the norms of regular behavior that keep seamen and women safe on the high seas. "If we hail you, its not for chit chat. We are hailing for a reason, and its disrespectful, and frankly quite unsafe, to make us call three times and fire a single warning shot before you return the hail. We are looking to see what their intentions are. We are looking to see if they are going to launch some sort of attack at us. We have no idea what they are doing here in this sea, we have no idea about their disposition toward us, and acts like this are the ones that get men and women killed at sea."

The Admiral affirmed that the Third Imperial Fleet was placed on alert after the incident. "The Luthorian Imperial Navy is greatly overstepping here. Given the increasingly bellicose rhetoric coming from the Luthorian Capital as well as this unprovoked incident in the Schismatic Sea, we could be looking at serious escalation here," said the Admiral. "All leave and liberty at Bentasur has been cancelled and a 24 hour alert has been issued for all personnel at the Naval Base here." The Admiral was unwilling to comment on the status of the other fleets in the Imperial Navy. "I would defer comment to the Naval High Command or (His Imperial Majesty's Defense Minister,) Col. Velasco. The Third Fleet however remains on alert and a few sub screens are being called into Bentasur to start potential combat patrols in the Schismatic Sea."

His Imperial Majesty's Government has remained silent on this recent incident, but rhetoric from Kaliburg has been heating up in recent months as Kaliburg aims to show resolve to defend the Southern Approaches from aggressive Luthorian advancement into the region. "The Security Doctrine known as Fortress Kalistan is about to experience its first real test," said Foreign Minister Sir Miguel Ontiveros last month. "Let's hope, for lots of people's sake, someone blinks before this becomes hot, because I can assure our adversaries, Kalistan will not hesitate to defend ourselves from foreign threats. Whatever the cost."

More as we are updated from Bentasur.

@TheRepublic