Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

Baltusian Aircraft carrier sounds Alarms in Yoshimi
3rd Fleet returns to alert, while subs deploy south of the Limit toward Gaduridos
Yoshimi Station, Duchy of Suldanor
October 7, 5530


Elements of the 3rd Regular Fleet deploy to the Southern Limit, while subs took up stations further south

The rising tension in the Middle Anantonese Ocean south of Kalistan took a sharp turn toward escalation today as His Imperial Majesty's Defense Minister, the aging Rear Admiral Guillermo Davis put the 3rd Fleet on full alert following the deployment of an aircraft carrier in Baltusia. "We are currently monitoring that ship very closely," said Admiral Davis, "and if it so much as drifts in the direction of our Empire, we have authorized our submarine captains to take decisive action."

The statement is an acknowledgement that this alert is significantly more serious than previous alerts over Baltusian militarism. "The existence of that Aircraft carrier, built right in our back yard, poses something of an existential threat to Kalistani and Anantonese Security," said Admiral Davis. "It is a weapon of force projection, and it is unclear why Baltusia felt the need to build it, or why they felt it wise to deploy it. Surely they knew what kind of reaction it would provoke in the Empire, and yet they made the choice to do it anyway." Davis' statement is also an acknowledgement that Kalistani submarines are now patrolling the waters off Baltusia, which is a significant change in SOP for the 3rd Fleet. "Deploying that carrier on a northward heading, while it remains undefended would be a catastrophic mistake on the part of Baltusia," said Davis. "We are all hoping that Baltusia doesn't do something stupid," adding, "Well, more stupid than launching the thing in the first place."

So far there is no word from the Government of Baltusia. Admiral Davis reported that Baltusian diplomats have not yet arrived in Kaliburg to talk with the Foreign Minister at press time. "Normal countries would have prepped our government for anything remotely provocative in this area," said Davis. "The more information we have, the better we all sleep. But Baltusia does things a bit differently. I have it on good authority that the Foreign Ministry and the Prince Regent are currently going over various diplomatic scenarios, while the Defense Ministry is ready to move on a moment's notice."

A hair trigger mentality doesn't bode well for peace in the region. Nor does the deployment of the Militia to the Lucid Morass, in preparation of any sort of land action from Baltusia. As the 3rd Navy is deployed in the Central Anantonese Ocean, they will be joined by elements of the 1st Fleet, including a strong submarine contingent to greatly bolster the 2nd Fleet's assets in theater. "We are also deploying the new Lodamese AWACS which will fly surveillance missions off of Baltusia to ensure that there are no surprises from any other quarter," said Davis. While this deployment of forces does not amount to a blockade or quarantine in the strictest sense of the word, Kalistani seamen obviously have one and only one target. Accomplishing their objective will certainly lead to war, so, as Davis points out, it is imperative that Baltusian diplomats arrive in Kaliburg post haste to begin discussions aimed at avoiding the war.

"We cannot tolerate the existence of this offensive weapon system in waters adjacent to Kalistan," Admiral Davis added. "His Highness the Prince Regent was very clear on this point. Whatever Baltusia does with it, we would obviously prefer that it had never been constructed in the first place." When asked how Kalistan missed the construction of the Aircraft carrier, Davis responded, "We didn't miss it. We underestimated Baltusia's resolve to provoke this Empire. It is a mistake we will not make again."