The North PacificBoard

The aesthetic of The Savannaside Outpost is very Montarcian. Patrons, at the moment all men, are scattered throughout the bar: some at the pool tables in the center, some at the actual bar (having a round and telling stories, and the rest in booths all around the sides of the establishment. An empty booth at the far end of the establishment subtly shines compared to the cramped room. The fans at the top of the ceiling whur semi-quietly, dispersing cigar and pipe smoke (likely with weed in the mixture, as the Montarcian Government barely regulates recreational drugs). The windows are open, and the faint sounds of the new electric-Oldsmobiles driving past can be heard; the commotion of the outside world is faint compared to the seeming bustliness of the inner world.

The bartender seemingly notices the woman, and without hesitation, walks over to the empty booth and sets down a lone menu.

OPERATION LORANA

11:48 AM, night of the war declaration from Western Vapia. A small fleet of ships cut through the harsh waves of the Tysnemmy Sea, like shadows in the moonlight that reflected off the black waters of the vast ocean ahead. Operation Lorana or Order 6.9, an executive order which was passed by the court and was put into effect immediately, worked as the clock ticked and time ran low. Operation Lorana was no assault on the Western Vapian land, it was an effort to secure the Jenovachi waters that would soon become the battlegrounds to the biggest war Great Jenovah, and its predecessors, have ever faced. A small minelayer sailed ahead, making preparations to lay down the newest generation of smart mines developed by the Jenovachi military. An enormous field, hundreds of kilometers in size and five hundred meters deep, would be set upon the waters that Operation Lorana affected, one that is much more dangerous than any other Great Jenovah has. Alongside the mines, Operation Lorana set up naval detection systems in the waters, connecting it with the OTH radar and SYBIL. In Lorana Metropole, many listened in for the first sight of enemy presence hundreds of kilometers away. A hundred kilometers away from Operation Lorana, was the first spark of Operation Sundown, a mobilization of naval forces to assist in the frontlines of the coming battles. A fleet conisting of the finest corvettes, cruisers, destroyers, battleships and an aircraft carrier commisioned 4 years earlier would make up this early force of Operation Sundown. Great Jenovah awaits for a response, millions watching anxiously for the first move of the enemy.

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GNV Euphoria

11:57 AM, aboard the cruiser, GNV Euphoria. Captain Jolanna looked upon the black waves which sparkled like diamonds in the bright moonlight. A few minutes from midnight, a slimmer of light shined through the cabin as the door behind Captain Jolanna slowly opened. A young, capable officer by the name of Luca Amylon walked into the room with a cup of steaming, dark coffee in his hand. Luca yawned, dark spots under his eyes evident at this late time of the day. He walked over to Captain Jolanna, saluting him and looking forward into the sea out the wide window which was covered in mist from the storming weather outside. Captain Jolanna picked up his favorite cup of black tea, already cold from standing outside for nearly four hours.
Luca watched the deck outside of the GNV Euphoria, observing the ongoing minelaying operations.

"Insanity, isn't it?" Luca Amylon said, with a small smile, adding on: "Si- Captain Jolanna?"

"Indeed; Operation Lorana is such a nightmare, especially at this time." Captain Jolanna said, stretching his arms and sitting down in his spinning, leather chair by the controls of the vessel. "I could be sleeping right now, in my warm, comfortable bed onboard the GNV Euphoria. I can't now, because of this."

"Look at all these.. mines. Thousands.. Thousands! ..are being lifted down into the cold waters below, just from Operation Lorana. Alone!" Luca Amylon responded, slapping his hand on the metal board beside him in a feat of outrage. "I understand wha- why they had us do this, but it is not suitable weather nor is it a suitable time for us.. to be running these sorts of dangerous missions. Ya know, Cap'n?"

"Yeah.. I know what you mean, Luca," Captain Jolanna said, shaking his head from frustration and continuing to look out the window. "Instead of.. Instead of helping the poor back home, they decide to spend.. billions on.. this. War. I hate it, I really do."

"How deep.. is the field?" Luca said, considering the statement that Captain Jolanna had just said. "500 meters, correct? I read the Operation Lorana order, I think that five hundy was what it said."

"It was, I am sure of it," Captain Jolanna answered, a stern look sweeping his face. "I think you should check the deck, it seems they could use the help from you."

"Yes, Captain," Luca Amylon said, saluting the captain and walking out of the room.

Captain Jolanna saluted Luca back, turning and walking to the side of a room, where he looked at a colorful, holographic display of the entire Operation Lorana. An intricate map showed the Captain their position, alongside where the rest of the fleet was. Captain Jolanna tapped the display, directing him to the an outline of the GNV Euphoria and information about Operation Lorana. He sipped the cold, black tea, analyzing the data in the map. Captain Jolanna watched the hologram fade away into the dark room. A light tapping could be heard above him, of the rain pouring down onto the GNV Euphoria. A storm was brewing, he could feel it.