Siege
Siege
(Parts 1-13; there will be a second part as this is getting really long to scroll through...)
PLEASE NOTE: This is a ‘live’ event. The siege will be played out in real time (Schulmania Standard Time, with breaks of course for sleep, RLS and other stuff) and will be updated as events unfold. Check back frequently for progress on the battle (it may not be exactly in real time but it will be frequent). Additionally, your input will have an impact on the outcome of the battle. The outcome is not final yet and will depend on what you do. Your supportive comments can help rally the troops and increase their effectiveness. (Conversely, comments in favor of Queensferry will reduce our morale and effectiveness by the same margin.) When there are options available for us in the battle, we will wait to gather input before making a decision (the wait time will depend on the severity of the situation). These decisions will have consequences, good and/or bad, but that won’t be revealed until after the decision has been made. If you are a member of the Schulmania National Military and wish to fight in the battle (your survival is not guaranteed, however), please indicate so. And, if you wish to be in the battle and have not yet joined the SNM, go here and apply quickly: http://www.schulmani...les/careers.htm.(You can post your completed applications here to be added.)
(An updated roster is here:)
Disclosure Notice: To add more room for battle, a second city built in a compatible style has been used in the siege story (providing about 30% additional content). The original walled city of Schulmericho was too compact to make for good battle scenes so the city of Inskip, located in Francifloriana District, Tenne, has been used to serve as a stand-in. You will see Inskip later in its own chapter. But for now, it is serving as a ‘movie set’ to give extra room for combat. So, I am sacrificing accuracy for intrigue. Pretend like you didn’t notice.
And now, on to the show…
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Clues about the impending battle: http://community.sim...-18782-prelude/
Tactical Assessment: http://www.schulmani.../briefing09.htm
Military Training: Think you have what it takes to be a cat warrior? Try this link out and see: http://www.warriorca...untingGame.html
THE SIEGE BEGINS
Some views of the town before hostilities begin…
Meet our feline military leaders…
Our soldiers stand ready to defend our land
[siege Part 2 begins here]
Here are the current standings for the two armies. Remember, your support can increase or decrease these measures during the course of the battle. Here’s how your comments will impact the outcome:
1. Joining the Schulmania National Military during the battle will decrease the effectiveness of Queensferry by two ticks and increase the morale of Schulmania by one.
2. A positive comment for Schulmania increases our effectiveness by one tick and morale by one tick.
3. A negative comment for Schulmania will reduce our morale by two ticks and increase Queensferry’s by two.
4. A positive comment for Queensferry will increase their effectiveness, morale and weapons by two ticks and decrease ours by two ticks in turn.
5. If we receive suggestions which are helpful to us, in addition to their tactical assistance, these comments will increase our weapons by two ticks and morale by two ticks and decrease Queensferry’s by the same margin.
6. But, if we take your suggestion and it does not work, Queensferry’s weapons will be increased by three ticks and morale by two ticks. Our weapons, effectiveness and morale will all be reduced two ticks.
If Schulmania’s morale, effectiveness or weapons reach zero, the battle will be lost. If Queensferry’s reaches zero, the battle will be won. Do bear in mind that each skirmish will also impact all three indicators. So, your input is a critical component but not the only component in the battle. The graphical indicator shown below will be updated periodically as the siege unfolds. (Counting starts once the first shot is fired.)
Our soldiers are ready…
[siege Part 3 begins here]
Tactical Response Teams led by 1LT Ben Got’em and COL Tubaflame outside the walls of Schulmericho report enemy activity close to the front lines. Reports indicate that about 65% of enemy forces are east of town, 25% northeast of town and the remaining 10% south of town. All indicators are that a major attack is forthcoming. Join our military command in evaluating our options.
Option 1: Dig in and brace for an attack
Option 2: Concentrate forces on a preemptive strike on the lightly defended southern enemy flank
Option 3: Direct all forces to strike preemptively against the main enemy force to the east
Option 4: Direct half of our forces to attack the northern enemy line, leaving the balance of our forces in reserve to defend the city
NOTE: Schulmania will do the option with the most votes. The choices have been assigned a [secret] percentage of success. We will do what you suggest, regardless of the outcome.
Choose well, my friends.
[siege Part 4 begins here]
Enemy planes are spotted overhead!
Enemy planes are prepared to strafe and bomb at will…
The first few passes over the city seemed to be more of a test of our air defenses…
The surveillance planes no doubt saw Schulminion forces massing as per their orders from Major General Neyland. 13 of his 21 military advisers suggested Option 4 – attacking the northern enemy line with a substantial force. Small numbers of dissenters supported other options. As forces move into position, enemy planes record troop movements and the position of ships offshore. What happens next should prove… interesting…
We have reinforced our lines outside the city walls with artillery and armored vehicles (the Wampus Cats are produced at our secret military factory in nearby Port Orange, New Atkinos)
LT Phillip de Purrton leads the 132nd Regiment’s artillery group. Two groups of cannon are placed outside the northeastern tower. One is led by LT Muckity Muck and the other by LT Mad Cat Imvhozzi.
They have great confidence in their men. But, de Purrton is concerned about PVT Nutsy McAcorn. He’s been a bit squirrely as of late…
[insert groan here]
Admiral Hestorb has deployed the First Fleet close to the shoreline to provide cover for our maneuvers. The Second Fleet is a few meows offshore to provide relief and support as necessary. The Second Fleet is commanded by Vice Admiral Robert April, headquartered on the Enterprise.
CAPT Dunsel of the frigate Mousepouncer has asked his crew to prepare for an amphibious landing if needed to support the defense of Schulmericho.
Luckily, new recruits CPL C. Master, CPL Majoral Nepell and CPL Gannet recently completed amphibious landing training at our secret naval base in the Admiral Islands. We’ll see if their services will be needed in that capacity soon.
[A brief musical intermission...]
[siege Part 5 begins here...]
Enemy planes relayed our positions to their leaders. One of their most powerful leaders, Lord Smirque of Accolade, is presiding over the battle personally in hopes that the glorious victory will enhance his chances of becoming the Deputy BuggUla. He was informed of our massing along the northeast and the impending action. He decided not to move forces to compensate but to strike preemptively with air and ground forces. He is hoping that a moderately sized attack will draw our forces into the open so they may be carpet bombed.
Helping our forces to communicate and respond quickly is some new technology – the iPurr 5. Our technicians have been working with Leech Labs, Sobol Labs and Wolowizard Engineering to bring this cutting edge technology to the battlefield.
The enemy has troops in position. It’s go time!
[From this point forward your posts can influence the strength and success of both sides, as mentioned in Part 2 above]
The city of Schulmericho is empty, except for its defenders. And now they await the opening salvos of the battle…
Enemy forces advance on the walls while artillery units provide cover. The battle is on!
Elements of the VI Corps have moved to confront the advancing enemy. Schulminion forces sustain moderate losses while apparently driving back the invaders. COL Hazmat dispatched the 142nd Regiment to hold the ground recently vacated by the enemy foray. Several TRT squads were reinforced as they tried to take the ground.
Enemy forces were waiting for them and attacked the 142nd quickly
Enemy artillery began shelling the town for positions along the northern line.
The first salvos did not make it past the town walls. Cannon fire along the walls brought down several shells.
General Neyland continued with the plans to attack the enemy’s northern lines, electing to send in soldiers from the northwest, along the coast, rather than from the northeast, where enemy fire was heaviest. As soldiers moved position, ships offshore provided cover fire. Movements needed to be careful and quick, as more and more enemy fire was hitting the town.
A field hospital was hit and destroyed
[siege Part 6 begins here...]
Enemy artillery hit the city repeatedly. Our cannon returned fire. A massing of troops along the northwest perimeter pushed forward, thanks in large part to cover provided by heavy cannon fire by navy ships just offshore. Part of why this battle is so important is that right now only we have ships in the Tenne Sea. The enemy has no naval presence. If Schulmericho falls, all of that will change. We are playing to our strength by reinforcing the northward push our advisers selected.
As fighting continued throughout the day, the military command post came under sustained fire. The building was evacuated.
(the picture is animated; reload it if you missed it)
Fortunately, casualties were light and the building collapsed shortly after the last of the command staff had left. General Neyland has moved his headquarters to the Feline National Bank Building.
[siege Part 7 begins here...]
Things might not look too good at the moment, but thanks to the positive comments Schulmania has received, our force’s morale and effectiveness have surged, giving us some positive momentum as the siege continues.
As we noted, new recruits CPL C. Master, CPL Majoral Nepell and CPL Gannet recently completed amphibious landing training at our secret naval base in the Admiral Islands. Are you curious about the advanced combat techniques our feline warriors deploy? Check this out and be impressed!
Our military has relocated its HQ to the vaults of the Feline National Bank. Let’s hope this is a more secure location from enemy fire.
A series of blasts in a residential district, courtesy of a bombing run by enemy planes
Since the residents have been evacuated, GEN Neyland decided to allow the planes to attack unimpeded for the most part. Lulling them into a false sense of security, he hopes they will fly low and close so they can get a dose of feline ferocity… soon.
[siege Part 8 begins here...]
Enemy fire continues, though it has been returned in kind by heavily armed Schulminion troops. The town itself is getting the worst of the battle, but our forces have not budged in the face of withering attacks.
Though buildings fall, we remember our motto and it will propel us to victory:
THE BUGG STOPS HERE!
An enemy plane broke up and crashed after being hit by our ground fire. These flames are welcome! May we shoot down many more!
Eight meownicopters from Maxis Air Force Base challenged the Queensferry air force. They were all shot down. But, as SGT Kenny Jay and COL Leaci said as their copter crashed: “We have nine lives to give for Schulmania. And we’ll be back!” They took great satisfaction in the fact that their fire brought down an enemy bomber, which burst into flames upon impact.
Now you see why General Neyland wants the enemy planes to fly low and close… we have a little present waiting for them!
[This picture was just gloatingly published by Queensferry...]
[siege Part 9 begins here]
Heavy fighting continues along the north side of town. Enemy soldiers have advanced to the outside of the walls along the northeastern perimeter. Patrols of army and TRT troops are reinforcing those holding the wall. Artillery fire goes back and forth over the wall, with plenty of it hitting the walls as well.
Members of the SNA 132nd Regiment, including LT de Purrton and CPL Bigglesworth, have been tasked with protecting the gate
Some TRT squads have been pinned down in a nearby neighborhood. SMAJ Archean and CPL Bigbuilder have called for backup. Unfortunately, no one can come now… the battle rages on…
The situation at the gate quickly degenerated. LT de Purrton decided on a heroic act to save his unit and make the enemy pay dearly…
For his action, he has been awarded a medal, the Order of the Golden Paw – Cross of Valor. And he still has eight more lives to give in the fight for freedom and victory!
[siege Part 10 begins here]
Military intelligence brought to us by MAJ N. M. U. Spidey at the cost of one of his lives indicates that the enemy has shifted its forces to concentrate some 40% along the northeast of town, 50% due east of town and the balance south of town. Additionally, reports from a reconnaissance unit led by LT Muck and LT Imvhozzi reported that a large airfield seems to be under construction to the northeast, presumably for a large fleet of heavy bombers.CPL Logan and CPL Cefien report that enemy forces have reached the coast south of town and are starting to build a makeshift port to accommodate their transport vessels.
MAJ GEN Neyland and Chancellor Mooky have reviewed the tactical situation and have four possible responses. As our advisers, your selection will help to determine our course of action.
Option 1: Continue the offensive to the northeast and concentrate more forces on breaking through enemy lines
Option 2: Concentrate forces on a preemptive strike on the lightly defended southern enemy flank
Option 3: Prepare trenches, mine them and prepare for urban combat as enemy forces breach our walls to the east
Option 4: Continue the offensive to the north and redirect naval forces to eliminate the enemy beachhead south of town
NOTE: Schulmania will do the option with the most votes. The choices have been assigned a [secret] percentage of success. We will do what you suggest, regardless of the outcome.
Choose well, my friends.
[siege Part 11 begins here]
Apparently Queensferry decided that night time was the right time to attack the city. Of course, we felines see well in the dark. Here’s a series of scenes of heavy fighting involving BFA Military units and SNA troops.
[siege Part 12 begins here]
The enemy is trying to set up a port on the Tenne Sea to add a new element to the battle
Their troops continue to push against the town walls
Meanwhile, The Royal Schulmania Navy has sent the First Fleet south of town to eliminate the enemy presence. Admiral Hestorb is personally commanding the forces. They are supported by all of the remaining meownicopters in the air force. Since the enemy position is well beyond their lines, eliminating it was not too difficult. Unfortunately, the First Fleet expeditionary force members lost one of their lives in the battle. But the importance of this strategic victory and their heroism in completing it cannot be overstated.
We turn our focus again to the town, which has been under relentless attack for days. Intelligence reports indicate that the enemy has moved a large number of aircraft into the region in preparation for saturation bombing. GEN Neyland has already prepared for this with the addition of many anti aircraft weapons both mounted on the walls and mounted on wampus cats. COL Leaci of the Schulmania National Air Force requested permission to speed up final training of the new pilots at Maxis Air Force Base so that they may join the battle. Permission was granted. Leaci sped south to report the news and have instructors finish a crash course on flying (not literally, of course!).
The happy town of Schulmericho was once verdant and prosperous
Residents were reluctant to leave Sardine Street for the safety of Schulmanicus, but it needed to be done. Casualties amongst civilians are light since most evacuated early.
Enemy forces shell the town relentlessly and indiscriminately. Since it is evacuated, it is actually not too bad for us, since they are not concentrating their fire anywhere and hitting targets just to watch them burn. As they squander their advantage in weapons, we judiciously fire back and disrupt their supply lines.
Queensferry lost 13 tanks to cannon fire just to set these building alight. Lord Smirque, the enemy commander, is either very confident or very stupid.
Of course the assaults against the town’s gates and walls is continuing as well. LT GEN Muffincat reports that the walls have yet to be breached and that we are maintaining consistent return fire in all directions.
This fire cost the enemy two helicopters
The showdown is coming… only one will survive!
[siege Part 13 begins here]
You may remember LT Phillip de Purrton, whose heroics earned him a very prestigious medal during the siege. He is back in action and starting his second life now. And, he has company!
Felines from around the world have rallied to he cause, inspired by the heroic actions from the defenders of Schulmericho!
Including CPL Tinachris Eliza de Purrton , sister of the recently returned lieutenant. She is in the 107th Regiment. Asked why she joined, she replied: “Anyone who messes with my big brother has to answer to ME!”
And here’s an updated list of our Simtropolis contingent serving in the Schulmania National Military:
We have created our first propaganda to use against Queensferry. Do you like it?
Meanwhile, heavy fighting and shelling continues unabated. Even though the town is getting destroyed by fires and bombing and appears to be a total loss, Schulminion forces have not yielded and the walls still stand. Furthermore, the heavy-handed and clumsy strikes made by the enemy prove marginally effective with very heavy losses. One would almost think that the enemy commander considers his troops expendable and simply throws them at a target until the sheer number of attacks crumbles the enemy. Definitely not the kind of military strategy our officers learn at Glenwood, the national military academy.
The IV Corps and BFA military units have been at the front lines recently. They have been joined by navy soldiers who, upon destroying the enemy’s attempt to build a makeshift port, have been reassigned to reinforce troops along the walls. LT Harold Mew suggested that soldiers wait for the enemy to fire at buildings (which seems to be their habit) and then use that fire to quickly triangulate the enemy’s position to return fire. Using this strategy, each empty building set ablaze shown below was accompanied by withering return fire.
Meanwhile, we have a big surprise coming for Queensferry…
The Schulmania National Air Force is on the way!
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