Ministry of Defence
Algiers, French National Republic
16 October 2004
0005 hrs
In early morning hours, political and military peak of French republic gathered at meeting in ministry of defence. President Dassault had the first word.
- Gentlemen, we're in war for two weeks already, but we haven't achieved any real results. Reports are always the same. We can easily describe this conflict with a few sentences. Turkey accused us for sabotage in their port in Cyprus and attacked us. Real shame, we had quite normal relations with Ankara. I still can't understand what really happened, but the fact is that we're in war now. In the first day, Turks launched their arsenal of cruise missiles at us. Quite annoying, because Tunis and Bone were badly battered by those missiles. Industrial zones were heavily damaged and Dassault aircraft factory in Bone was razed to the ground. Not to mention that port of Tunis was attacked just when entire Ferdinand Foch Strike Group dwelled in harbour. Fleet carrier Jaques Massu was badly damaged, along with many other ships of this strike group. Other carriers of strike group had more luck, but they also aren't in very good shape. Ferdinand Foch Strike Group is practically disabled for some time. To make things even worse, commander of strike group and supreme commander of our navy admiral Battet was inspecting his ships in time of attack and he was wounded in chaos that caught him and his fleet.
Prime minister Jaques Chirac continued. - Luckily our navy is still very strong, but we'll need new man to command our glorious La Royale until admiral Battet gets better. Admiral will recover, but we don't know how long will this take. Admiral also said that he isn't certain if he'll return to position of supreme commander when he gets better, he said there's a great chance he'll return only to active duty of fleet commander as he loves his fleet, but he isn't sure if he'll be able to operate with two positions in the future, so he would rather abandon place of chief of navy. That's why we'll need capable man who is able to take this position also for a long term if neccessary.
- And we'll also need a good plan to end this war. - President Dassault said. - Ankara refused to negotiate for peace and we must force them to end this war. Lucikly they ran out of cruise missiles as it seems, they probably spare the rest of their arsenal to use it against Arab oilfields and important instalations if hostile neighbours decide to attack them. Missile attacks stopped in first week of war, we didn't respond with similar missile attacks as we need to spare our capacities for more important oportunity and we also wanted to establish peace talks. We won't use our missiles in this war, but we must force our enemies to stop this madness. As you know, Turkish submarins are raiding our lone military ships and merchant convoys in Mediterranean Sea. We always thought that Turks didn't work much on their naval capacities, but it seems they established quite a strong submarine force to annoy their enemies. They are using mostly fine German submarines and they aren't easy to discover. Part of navy was assigned to hunt for them in West Mediterranean Sea. Our airforce is also taking part in this mission. As for airforce, we didn't spot any of enemy aircraft yet, but our airforce also isn't able to launch any serious operations in Eastern Mediterranean as we don't have any bases there. Turks have strong airforce and it's risky to move our Philippe Petain Strike Group there as we aren't sure if planes from carriers would be enough to counter enemy air fleets. This strike group was luckily left intact as it was based in Portugal when worst attacks happened. The bad thing is that this strike group deploys only one fleet carrier, other two carriers are light carriers and this fleet doesen't have such a strong firepower as Ferdinand Foch Strike Group has.
President Dassault looked at gathered officers. - We already made several defense plans for such events before this conflicts, but it seems they aren't very useful. Nobody really expected this war. We're planning to launch serious operations against the enemy in one week, but we need to make everything ready first.
Door of confederence room opened and a man came in room. All people that were gathered at large round conference desk in the middle of the place looked at him. Weak lights from small lamps, computers and big screens with maps on the walls make the guest even more misterious. The man approached the desk and he could be seen now. He was dressed in very elegant old-fashioned dress. All of his attributes pointed at his position in the very top of society. Handsome and well-mannered man spoke in perfect, a bit archaic French language.
- Gentlemen, forgive me for this unpleasant delay, I couldn't arrive in right time. I hope I didn't miss too much. Admiral Philippe d'Orléans Duc de France, commander of Philippe Petain Strike Group, at your service.
General Dassault stood up and greeted admiral. - Welcome, admiral. It's better to arrive too late than never. Have a sit, we'll be happy if you'll help us with your knowledge and experiences to find good solution for this conflict.
Duc de France answered. - Thank you. I already made a rough defence sheme during drive to ministry. If you don't mind, I'd present it to you, but I will of course wait a bit if someone else intends to present his plan right now. I don't want to jump over the que.
President Dassault turned to other officers. - Well, we were planning to listen to suggestions right now. Has anyone any good ideas? - High ranking commanders started to look at each other, it seemed that some of them even fell asleep, one of commanders even played games on his mobile phone. – Hey, we're in serious crisis and you sleep and play games on meeting of crucial importance?! - Silent voice from somewhere protested against President's critique in grumpy tone. - Does he think that we're Germans or what? Angered Marechal turned back to Duc de France. – If nobody doesen't have any suggestions, it's time that admiral Philippe presents his plan.
Presidental Office
Algiers, French National Republic
16 October 2004
0013 hrs
Minister of the interior Lois Nicolas Bonaparte seemed to be very upset. - President, you need to call off him, why did you name this man for position of chief of navy?
President Dassault was surprised because of reaction of his minister. - Well, mister Bonaparte, he is very capable man and he has the best plan. Strange, I didn't hear much about him before, this must be because of my work, I barely have any time to know people better and to inform myself about social issues. I don't care who he is, the thing is that he's real professional. Right man for this job!
- Marechal, you don't know this man, please, remove him from this position!
- Lois Nicolas, do you envy him or what? According to his name and character, he seems to be a member of nobility. Is there any rivarly between you and him?
- Of course not, altough he really is a noble. And this is main problem. He is royalist claimant to French throne!
- Interesting, where are all you nobles hidding? So many claimants, and I don't know anything about that?
- Well, we nobles don't use our titles to achieve positions in republic, our France isn't monarchy, after all. But this Duc de France really is a show-off, entire North Coast knows him. If you know social life of highest classes well, you can't miss him.
- I don't care much for those things, I have more important work to do.
- Indeed. But I know about situation and I know this man is not to be trusted.
- Oh, don't be so suspicious, Lois Nicolas. I'll have two nobles in my goverment, isn't this nice?
- But Marechal, he is a Bourbon!
- And you are a Bonaparte. Can you please spare me with your private rivalry? Nobility means nothing here, you need to get over with him.
- But sire, he is connected with largest opposition party, far right Action Francaise, led by Segolene Royal!
- Can you prove that, mister Bonaparte? Is he member of this party? And even if he is member of Action Francaise, my party has majority in both chambers and I'm President of the Republic. There's no danger at all.
- He isn't member of Action Francaise, but he has strong connections with party! Sire, don't you know they want to restore ancien regime, Bourbon kingdom? Leader of Action Francaise Charles Maurras pressed on Marechal Petain in late 1930s and in early 1940s to allow Count of Paris to take the throne and restore the monarchy. Some historical sources even say that most radical monarchists planned to assassinate Marechal Darlan in late 1940s, so they could restore the kingdom.
President laughed. - What a joke, will you Bonapartes then restore Empire? Please stop with such nonsense, his plan is wonderful. We'll win this war.
- As you wish, President. I warned you. You know, it's important that you're encirled by people that really enjoy your trust. You never know what can happen one day.
Louis Nicolas Bonaparte left the office and President was thinking about those words for some minutes. Then he reached for a phone. - Pierre, please inform general staff that we have a meeting today at 7 pm in ministry of defence. Thanks.
Prince Philippe d'Orléans, Count of Paris, Duke of France, admiral of Marine Nationale and commander of Philippe Petain Strike Group.
Military airbase near Nicosia
Cyprus, Turkish Federation
27 October 2004
0002 hrs
French paratroopers had landed in Southern Cyprus and quickly captured all key points in South of island. It seemed that plan of Duc de France was working perfectly. Philippe Petain Strike Group under command of admiral Philippe d'Orléans moved in East Mediterranean to distract the enemy. French planes took off the carriers and striked Turkish defence instalations in Beirut and Tripoli, but there was no sign of Turkish airforce. Turks probably didn't expect French invasion in their territory and Cyprus was poorly defended. When massive French fleet appeared at Lebanese coast, Turks reinforces defences in Lebanon and Syria, but left Cyprus almost undefended. Two brigades of elite paratroopers landed in Southern Cyprus and advanced in island without serious challenge. Main military airfield on the island was fine airbase, being able to shelter entire air fleet. It was defended only by regiment of Turkish military police and was quickly secured by paratroopers. Other key points were also secured without larger problems. There was no real army in Cyprus, island was defended only by some small units of various reserve forces and other security formations. Just after main military airfield was taken, French planes started to land in Cyprus. Entire wing of eight squadrons of Mirage 2000 fighters arrived at airfield. In next days, brigade of paratroopers moved North and rest of the island was secured. Important foothold in East Mediterranean was gained for French republic.
