Pax Europa: A European AAR

[Einheit_elf]

Pax Europa: A European MDS AAR

Pax Europa:
A European Federation AAR
​

Est Europa nunc unita
et unita maneat;
una in diversitate
pacem mundi augeat.

Semper regant in Europa
fides et iustitia
et libertas populorum
in maiore patria.

Cives, floreat Europa,
opus magnum vocat vos.
Stellae signa sunt in caelo
aureae, quae iungant nos.​

Ode to Joy, Federal Anthem of Europe

Hello! Welcome to my second AAR, centered around a resurgent European Federation, using the Modern Day Scenario mod for DH. I haven’t abandoned my Philippines AAR but I felt the need to do something that needed less work on my part. Style was inspired by TemplarComander's AAR United We Stand.

Table of Contents​

News Night - April 1, 2003
Panzerlehrbrigade 9 - Fulda Gap War Games - August 15, 2003
Panzerlehrbrigade 9 - Operation Rampant Lion - August 15, 2003
News Night - August 25, 2003
Ghostfighter Flight - Aerial Interception/News Night - November 16, 2003
Arsene Spiegel - December 2, 2003 - Moscow
News Night - December 19, 2003
Arsene Spiegel - December 21, 2003 - EDI HQ Briefing
Arsene Spiegel - December 24, 2003 - Istanbul
News Night - January 14, 2004
Arsene Spiegel - January 17, 2004 - Dubai

European Council Meeting - January 20, 2004
Panzerlehrbrigade 9 - January 22, 2004 - Standing to/ News Night - January 22, 2004
News Night - January 27, 2004 - Declaration of War With Libya
Briefing on Phase One of Operation New Dawn
European War College - After Action Report on Libyan War, Part 1
European War College - After Action Report on Libyan War, Part 2
European Kommandos - Hyperion Squad - February 21, 2004
Camp Von Geyr - March 3, 2004/Newsflash, March 3, 2004
News Night - March 13, 2004
News Night -March 15, 2004/European Federation Defense Force HQ - Invasion of Morocco
Operation Atocha - Battle of Casablanca - March 16, 2004
Opreration Atocha - Battle of Rabat-Sale - March 19, 2004
Europa Cable News - Europa Day Special Coverage - May 9, 2004
News Night - August 3, 2004
News Night - December 28, 2004
News Night - March 24, 2005
News Night - June 27, 2005
News Night - September 2, 2005
News Night - December 9, 2005
News Night - April 2, 2006
News Night - June 27, 2006
News Night - September 25, 2006
News Night - December 18, 2006

Chapter 30, Part One - January 9, 2007
Chapter 30, Part Two - Europe
Chapter 30, Part Three - Russia
Chapter 30, Part Four - USA
Chapter 30, Part Five - New Commonwealth
Chapter 30, Part Six - China
Chapter 30, Part Seven - South America

News Night - February 28, 2007
News Night - June 5, 2007
Chapter 33, December 17, 2007

INTERMISSIONS:
I: Encyclopedia Article: European Federation, Facts, Formation and History

 

[Einheit_elf]

EUROPA CABLE NEWS - NEWS NIGHT
APRIL 1, 2003

The introductory sequence of Europa Cable News begins with images of European cities flashing across the screen accompanied by the uplifting theme melody. As the segment comes to an end, Céline Delpy appears on screen before the familiar backdrop of an unnamed European skyline. She smiles before addressing the viewers.

“Bonsoir et - hello, I’m Céline Delpy . It seems that despite international money markets going down Europe’s economy is climbing without stopping for breath. News such as the near completion of the Western European Rail Network and the European Industrial Expansion Program bring greater confidence to Europeans everywhere. Minister for Finance and Industry Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul had this to say:

“

The Western European Rail Network and the Industrial Expansion Programs, both member state initiatives done before Unification are on the fast track to completion. These types of stimuli we hope are the key to getting people to stop living on the taxpayer’s money or on the street. The timely and successful completion of these projects is an opportunity for us, the New Europeans to show the world that our union can work.”

​

“In other news, top officials from the former national armed forces are in Strasbourg today. This will be the first day of the consultations for the revised structure of the European Federation Defense Force. Information has been withheld by official authorities for security reasons. However it has been revealed that progress on all ships, aircraft and weapons ordered unilaterally by the former governments have been put on hold pending the evaluation of the current state of the Defense Forces. Also reported was that readiness reports were requested of senior military commanders. This is speculated to be in relation to the upcoming consultations.”

“The known perpetrators of the revolts in Lisbon[1] were captured today in a clandestine operation by the European Gendarmerie Force and the 1st Regiment of the European Federation Kommandos.”

“In international news, the European Federation was all applause today as Slovenia and Slovakia ratified the Treaty of Accession, ensuring that the governments involved are taking measures at ensuring integration within the Federation by next year.”

“Representatives of the United States, China, North Korea and South Korea are Jeju today, as the conclusion of the May Crisis [2] is discussed, after the ceasefire proposed by the United States took effect. China while invited, declined to attend, insisting that the US had no place interfering within its sphere of influence.”

“In science, the European Parliament under Supreme Chancellor Romano Prodi has given the green light to the initiatives for both CERN and the Galileo Space Initiative. The 5 billion Euro Galileo Space Initiative was approved as part of a European effort to build its own Global Positioning Satellite network. Aside from the Federation, we are joined by the United Kingdom, Poland, Switzerland, Romania, Norway, Czech Republic, Finland and Switzerland. Another collaboration with Switzerland is CERN or the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Located along the French-Swiss border in the canton of Geneva, CERN's main function is to provide the particle accelerators and other infrastructure needed for high-energy physics research.”

“I'm Céline Delpy, this is has been News Night. Jean Girard is coming up next with 'The Strasbourg Report'. Goodnight” She smiled again.

[1]There was a revolt in Lisbon, probably due to the 2% dissent I got when I changed the Armaments Minister. Damn the revolters in MDS are crazy! (but realistic I guess)
[2]North Korea and South Korea actually declared a state of war over something near the start of the game.There weren’t any border changes though.

 

[Winner]

Europe united at last? Not yet, not completely! :happy:

[video=youtube;C_MeFZB4YZk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_MeFZB4YZk[/video]

 

[Einheit_elf]

Europe united at last? Not yet, not completely! :happy:

[video=youtube;C_MeFZB4YZk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_MeFZB4YZk[/video]

Welcome! Hope you'll enjoy it!

 

[Einheit_elf]

Top Secret
War Games, Central European Training Area
August 15 2003

Located near the town of Bergen in Saxony was Army Base von Geyr, home to the European Federation’s Joint Readiness Center. Formerly known as the Bergen-Hohne Training Area, its administration reverted to the European Army after the collapse of NATO. Permanent residents of that establishment were the OpFor, “the opposing force”. Modeled on the US Army’s National Training Center, the JRC is designed to teach the now unified European Defense Force, as well as the Enforcer Corps, to fight, survive and prevail against any possible adversary. Originally two battalions, one of armor, the other of mechanized infantry, recent administrative changes have designated a brigade of the EFDF to be the permanent OpFor.

The original Panzer-Lehr-Division was one of the most elite armored divisions of the Wehrmacht. It was formed from various training and demonstration troops, concentrating the cream of Germany's tank commanders and instructors in a single unit. Reformed during the Cold War, the Panzerlehrbrigade 9 is once again the elite training formation of the new European Military. Lavishly equipped with prototype Leopard 2A6 tanks, Marder 2 IFVs, it also has the role of evaluating new equipment.

Brigadegeneral Lars Beckenbauer had grown up with one reality in life: fighting the Russians on his home turf. Fortunately that nightmare was over. He could remember all the times where it had seemed pretty damned likely he’d find his death in the Fulda Gap. As he gazed over the fields of the training base, he remembered how they used this place to practice before as well. Then it was the Soviets they had to worry about, with 3rd Shock Army and 1st Guards Tank Army, those nice little armored divisions that were just waiting for the order to start traipsing into West Germany. Now? Who knows anymore who we’re supposed to be fighting. “Sir, forward elements are moving.”, he heard a member of the staff call out.

The first group of tanks was rolling now. Scuttling around also were the MOWAG Eagles of the observers, watching everything and grading whatever they saw. The scenario for today was a tough one: Red Force advancing, making contact with and eliminating the Blue recon force. The Blue Force in this case was the 2é Brigade Blindée or the former French Army 2nd Armored Brigade, conducting some brisk catch-up defending, with the overall idea being one of a very unstable and confusing combat situation.

As he looked on his computer at the visuals transmitted from the overseeing E-3 Sentry aircraft, he noticed something that rankled him. “Verdamnt!”, he growled.

“Problem?”, his XO, Colonel Vernet, inquired.

He held up a map. “Blue didn't care to notice how that hill is able to control the chokepoints nearby." Already, OpFor had IFVs and Tigers racing for the unoccupied summit.

“Notify Tungsten Actual that they are to make 2 passes then remain on station till the Marders are able to dismount their infantry”. He heard the voice of one of the radio operators relay his orders.

“Forward elements making contact with reconnaissance screen.” an operator said.

As she called this out, he could see that, as predicted, the OpFor had overwhelmed the Blue reconnaissance screen of VBLs or Véhicule Blindé Léger. It would happen quite quickly now, he mused. And once again, he could see as his brigade maneuvered to the right, and was now overrunning the “enemy” brigade. Like a chain reaction, he could see more and more of the blinking red lights lighting up his console.


As he heard his radio operators receiving status reports, he heard an unfamiliar voice shout his name from the entrance of his CP. Turning around to see who it was, he saw a very young private holding a sealed manila envelope under his arm. “With General Moreau’s compliments.” He saluted and about-faced.

Tearing at the brown paper he read the message within:

BRIGADEGENERAL BECKENBAUER
YOU ARE RECALLED TO ARMY BASE BARBAROSSA
REPORT TO STRASBOURG FOR DEFENSE FORCE REORGANIZATION BRIEFING​

A short while later, he saw the unfortunate commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade, Général de brigade Dubois. He shook his hand. “Shame about today. Hopefully your boys will be able to learn the ropes quickly.”

A Gallic shrug. “Today was not our day. Alas, I will not be here to see it. I was ordered to attend that conference in Strasbourg. What about you?”

“Ja, I was also ordered to attend. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll need to see to travel arrangements.”

_________________________________________________

Yeah, that ending sort of... sucked. Haha. Comments are always welcome.

 

[Julius Clonkus]

It's about time Europe took its rightful place amongst the superpowers.

Still, I hope the world will provide you with a challenge: An united Europe is a beast in MDS2.

 

[Ticket Cookie]

Glad to see this is going on!

 

[Einheit_elf]

Sorry about the lack of updates everyone! Been retconning some stuff. Keep running into continuity problems in building the alt-history.

And, I've also been wrestling with Photoshop in building some graphics, maybe a title banner and a background template for the news.

It's about time Europe took its rightful place amongst the superpowers.

Still, I hope the world will provide you with a challenge: An united Europe is a beast in MDS2.

Heck yes! Always been a fan of a United Europe, moreso when EndWar came out.

Alas, while Europe's forces are indeed technologically advanced and her industrial capacity without par, crippling manpower shortages are proving to be the bane of Europe. Robot soldiers maybe?

Glad to see this is going on!

Good to see you! Hope you stick around!

 

[spannbeton]

Europe is on full mobilisation, so sure, you wont get manpower. But europe isnt rly on a shortage. It can go to war with somalia without dissent per event, so station your planes over there (building airbases is cheap an fast), bomb them into oblivion, paradrop, dont annex them. With all of europe united (except switzerland, transnistria and moldova) i had an mp "Income" of 10 per day. So you can build a full brigaded mech div each 3 days.

btw, the tech teams suck compared to the usa.
(in current version you can have american and russian military focus researched at the same time, be sure to research the last american BEFORE you research the last russian, as it is 5% more gde)

 

[Einheit_elf]

Europe is on full mobilisation, so sure, you wont get manpower. But europe isnt rly on a shortage. It can go to war with somalia without dissent per event, so station your planes over there (building airbases is cheap an fast), bomb them into oblivion, paradrop, dont annex them. With all of europe united (except switzerland, transnistria and moldova) i had an mp "Income" of 10 per day. So you can build a full brigaded mech div each 3 days.

btw, the tech teams suck compared to the usa.
(in current version you can have american and russian military focus researched at the same time, be sure to research the last american BEFORE you research the last russian, as it is 5% more gde)

Yeah, I'm fighting the urge to build relatively large numbers of divisions for my garrisons on the Russian border. As it stands I have direct borders with them in Finland. Them having divisions instead of brigades=pain in the ass.

On the tech team issue, I worked around that by turning on tech team takeover when I selected the scenario. This gives me the tech teams of the formerly independent EF nations once the United Europe events kick in. It's more realistic IMO since Europe uniting wouldn't exactly mean Krauss-Maffei and Dassault stop making stuff.

 

[son of liberty]

not to be a stickler, but you have made a direct quote from a Tom Clancy novel unless you are Tom Clancy really should change it or properly attribute it to him.

 

[Einheit_elf]

Top Secret
War Games, Central European Training Area
August 15 2003

The liquid cooled V-12 twin turbo diesel engine in the Leopard 2A6 ticked over when the driver, Luca Maldini, hit the start button. "Top Gun is not a gay movie! They’re all kick-ass fighter pilots!" he insisted.

"Oh I beg to differ, mon frere. It is extremely homosexual. The part with Wolfman talking about how he has a hard on and Hollywood saying "Don't tease me"? Or maybe the air boss throwing pretense out the window and yelling "I want some butts!" It doesn't just have subtext, mon Dieu, it has a giant glittery rainbow spangled parade rolling through the Champs Elysee, with a big pink banner making it clear for all to see!" the tank’s loader, Mathieu Grenier, concluded.

Hearing the usual ruckus being made by his driver and loader, he again wondered how he got stuck with such a motley crew. The tank’s commander, Franz Zoller could only wonder. “Remind me why I let the Federation pull me out of my chalet in the Alps again.”

A shrug. “To work with the best in the world.” the tank’s gunner, Waldemar Podolski, deadpanned.

The radio crackled “Operation Rampant Lion is go. Operation Rampant Lion is go.”

“All right, that’s us. We’re Oscar Mike. Gunny, you see anything?”

“Nothing yet, sir,” answered Podolski.

Around them the rest of the first assault force moved toward their individual objectives - Grey Lady and the rest of Warpig’s Leopards in a column, rolling powerfully down a steep slope into the valley escorted by Tungsten's Tiger attack helicopters flying overhead. Meanwhile a platoon of Panzergrenadiers rode in their Marder IFVs attempting to secure objective Alpha, a hilltop where one could control the approaches to the valley, a formation of PzH 2000 self propelled artillery vehicles following.

“Warpig, Tungsten proceeding to objective Alpha.”

“Tungsten, Warpig, good hunting.” With this, Tungsten’s Tigers peeled off leaving Warpig very exposed indeed.

“Tigers are sweeping ahead to prosecute targets.”

“Got something. Looks to be four VBLs, at one o’clock, one klick.”

“Warpig One, this is Warpig One-One. Enemy contact, four VBLs, one o’clock, one klick, how copy?”

“Contact right!”

“Load HEAT!”

“Loaded!”

“Fire!” With this four HEAT rounds “came out” of their 120mm Rheinmetall smoothbore guns, administratively killing an enemy reconnaissance force.

“All Warpig One Victors, maintain speed, maintain dispersion two-five meters”

A hail of “Roger that” and “Copy” answered him.

"Got something on our 9 o'clock, sir," said Podolski.

"MOWAG Piranhas. Ignore those. They're observers." said Zoller.

“Tungsten One, Badger Two, enemy contact: sixteen Leclerc battle tanks.” That would be the brigade's Marder platoon. I should remember to thank them later, he thought, if the Blue Force instead of them had seized that hilltop there would have been hell to pay.

“Roger that.” If this wasn’t simply an exercise, those infantry might just have seen the numerous smoke trails of HOT missiles and a hail of .50 caliber machine gun fire, which made for a nasty sight indeed.

"Badger, this is Tungsten: we show infantry with MANPADs mixed in with those Leclercs. We're disengaging." With Mistral MANPADs, those Tigers would have had to fight their way in and out to get to the Leclercs.

“Warpig, Scion, advance to contact near target Alpha.” With the sudden appearance of enemy armor, the 30mm chain guns and MILAN launchers of the Marder IFVs were outmatched. Looks like the company commander finally woke up, he thought.

“Scion, Warpig: acknowledged” They were now being sent to prosecute those Leclercs.

Switching frequencies, he called to his platoon: “Warpig One One to all Warpig One Vehicles: proceed to Alpha”

"Gunbarrel, this is Badger, fire mission on..." He gave the coordinates. Gunbarrel was the radio callsign for the brigade's artillery battalion, the Panzerartillerielehrbataillon 325.

​

"Warpig, Scion, be advised: fire mission on your designated targets."

“We’re about to drop some Leclercs. Eh Matty, you feel bad about killing your own countrymen’s tanks?”, Maldini grins.

Before Grenier could respond, Podolski had some news: “Enemy contact: eight Leclerc battle tanks, three o’clock, two klicks.”

“Load sabot!”

“Loaded!”

“Fire!”

“Hit! He’s gone!”

“Warpig One One, Warpig One Four: knocked out sir.”

Not bad for a day’s work: one tank “knocked out”. Looks like 1st Platoon/2nd Company/PzB 93/PzLB 9 had done well. The next few minutes seemed like hours as the tank platoon fought to clear out the valley, rushing up, taking a quick shot, then backing off. By this time it was perfectly clear who had lost. And who had won.

 

[Einheit_elf]

EUROPA CABLE NEWS - NEWS NIGHT
AUGUST 25, 2003

The introductory sequence of Europa Cable News begins with images of European cities flashing across the screen accompanied by the uplifting theme melody. As the segment comes to an end, Céline Delpy appears on screen before the familiar backdrop of an unnamed European skyline. She smiles before addressing the viewers.

“Bonsoir - and welcome to Europa Cable News. This is News Night’s special Quarterly Report. Hello, I’m Céline Delpy. There have been rather interesting times these past few months.”

“In June were bilateral talks between India and China, as Prime Minister Vajpayee of India met with top Chinese leaders in Beijing. It was reported that China and India have agreed on solutions to several pressing issues, such as border disputes. They also revealed plans for economic cooperation especially at the WTO, as well as signing two major agreements on expanding border trade and a joint declaration of guiding principles for bilateral ties.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had this to say:"

"India is our important neighbour. Developing friendly and good-neighbourly relations and cooperation with India on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence is a key part of our diplomacy with countries in our surrounding areas,"

“Vajpayee's visit is bound to inject further momentum to the bilateral ties that have witnessed improvement and development in recent years with a frequent exchange of high-level visits and continuous, intensified exchanges and cooperation in various fields, former Chinese Ambassador to India, Zhou Gang said. However, many Indian citizens are said to have disapproved of the talks, culminating in protests in New Delhi.”

"Aside from these were the Mumbai blasts in August, where two car bombs killed more than 50 and injured more than 200."

“Despite appearances it seems that China’s intentions are not all they seem. In July it issued very strenuous warnings against encroachment on the Spratly Islands. A collection of atolls, reefs, islets and islands to the west of the Philippines, they are disputed by various nations in the area as they are thought to contain significant petrochemical reserves. There have been fears that the disputes could spark Asia’s next major armed conflict and block free passage in the busy sealanes, where the bulk of the oil and cargo that fuel Asia’s bustling economies are transported."

In a surprise move, Canada announced recently that it is in the process of withdrawing land forces committed under Operation Athena. Canada's contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), consisting of combat troops and support personnel, are expected to be back in Canada by the end of the year.”

“A blessing may soon turn out to be a curse, as Philippine oil exploration ships announce yesterday the discovery of oil fields two miles from its shores on the island of Palawan. The find is expected to provide a boon to the struggling Philippine economy. The Philippine government as well as PNOC have announced that they have been in talks with Royal Dutch Shell, Total, ExxonMobil, Chevron and BP to jointly develop the offshore oil fields and to explore the surrounding areas. The Chinese government has made no comment."

“I'm Céline Delpy, this is has been News Night. Jean Girard is coming up next with 'The Strasbourg Report'. Goodnight.” She smiled again.

 

[Dr.Livingstone]

I will be following this.

 

[Einheit_elf]

I will be following this.

Welcome!

 

[Einheit_elf]

Patrol Flight of F-18s
Callsign: GHOSTFIGHTER
Somewhere over Finland
November 15, 2003

The director lights on the bottom of the brand new Airbus A310 MRTT indicated that the F-18 was ready for an in-flight refuelling. Juhani Ojala hummed a few bars of “Try A Little Tenderness” over the UHF radio. As the probe made contact with the drogue attachment of the refuelling aircraft six thousand pounds of fuel were quickly pumped into the Hornet. Ojala easily compensated for the weight change and kept the jet in position. Then they were finished and cleared off.

"Ghostfighter, check in."

"2"

"3"

"4"

"Ghostfighter Lead, Doghouse," The AWACS quarterbacking the patrol called, "Unidentified aircraft, range 240 miles, angels 30. Head northeast to intercept." Flying one of the few remaining ex-French Air Force E-3 AWACS, the type was being phased out in preparation for the new AEW aircraft based on the Airbus A330, equipped with Thales radars.

​

"Roger, Ghostfighter turning 050 to intercept." Switching to his flight's frequency, he said "Got a couple bogeys. Heading in on 160, 240 miles out. "

“Didn’t think we’d have any company out here,” Three mumbled.

After a few minutes on afterburner, he slowed down to 400 knots, right around where AWACS said they would be. “Going to take a look for those bogeys,” Ojala said. “I don’t have a visual on them yet.”

“Tallyho!” he told his squadron. “Got them.”

Picking them up on visual he decided to do a flyby. Spying the Russian red-white-blue flag and the Air Force star on the tail, the swept wings and the four engines, he identified the bogeys as Tu-160 Blackjacks.

"Doghouse, Ghostfighter Lead. Visual on two Russian Blackjacks flying in formation. Repeat tally on two Tango Uniform one six zero." he said.

Switching to the guard frequency, he said "Unidentified Russian aircraft, this is European Air Force flight on your six. You are entering sovereign European airspace. Turn around or we will fire."

“Stay frosty gents. Weapons safe. Repeat, weapons safe.” Lead radioed his wingman. What the hell is Ivan up to?

“Yeah,” Two replied, “but it’s not like Ivan can shoot me down in a damned bus.”

_____________________________________________________________________

EUROPA CABLE NEWS - NEWS NIGHT
NOVEMBER 16, 2003

The introductory sequence of Europa Cable News begins with images of European cities flashing across the screen accompanied by the uplifting theme melody. As the segment comes to an end, Céline Delpy appears on screen before the familiar backdrop of an unnamed European skyline. She smiles before addressing the viewers.

"Hello and welcome to News Night. Troubling developments these past few weeks."

"In October, both Indian and Pakistani forces accuse the other of violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed state of Kashmir. Both nations have made statements stressing “peace and creating an environment conducive to economic development for the well being of people”. A ceasefire has since been put into place."

"Meanwhile, there has been lingering nationalist sentiment as China has launched their first manned spaceflight, the Shenzhou 5, making China the fourth nation to have independent human spaceflight activity."

"In November, Japan reelects the Liberal Democratic Party with Junichiro Koizumi serving as Prime Minister. The center right party has stayed in power with promises to speed up rearmament in the face of Chinese aggression, and greater military integration with its neighbors and of course the United States.”

“Protests continue in Stockholm, Helsinki and Warsaw in response to the "Heirs of Empire" speech issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin several days ago. The contents of the speech have not been well received by several countries, notably Poland, the United States and the European Federation, who called it "the return of Russian hegemony and imperialism". However Russia has dismissed criticism as ‘baseless and slanderous’"

“Meanwhile, in what Strasbourg is calling “a worrying development”, Moscow has announced today the resumption of strategic deterrence patrols. The Air Force has announced that it has intercepted two Russian supersonic bombers attempting to enter European airspace. The Russian government has not responded to the criticism.”

"Finally, yesterday in Turkey, four trucks carrying bombs crashed and exploded in Istanbul. Two were exploded near two synagogues, while one exploded at the headquarters of HSBC Bank AS and one at the British consulate, killing fifty-seven people and wounding five hundred others. An Islamic militant group, IBDA-C has claimed responsibility. However Turkish officials have dismissed these claims pointing out that this minor group did not have resources to carry out such an attack. Whether they were indeed supported by a larger organization is unknown."

“I'm Céline Delpy, this is has been News Night. Jean Girard is coming up next with 'The Strasbourg Report'. Goodnight.” She smiled again.

 

[Einheit_elf]

European Directorate for Intelligence
Arsene Spiegel
December 2, 2003

The mind wanders when it has nothing to do. Boredom, inertia, indolence - all these serve to steer the mind's eye down gloomy alleys and side roads, the road less traveled. For some the destination may result in the sublime - a Beethoven symphony perhaps; for others the mundane - the gas bill, the children's school fees. Some fall between the two.

As he watched the shapely pair of calves return to the curtained galley of the Lufthansa A340, Arsene Spiegel wondered why air stewardesses always seemed much prettier on outward-bound flights. Perhaps it was that they promised that the grass would indeed be greener on the other side of the fence.

Ice tinkled in his glass of vodka as the plane banked sharply for its final approach to Domodedovo Airport. The captain's announcement of Flight LH 1148's imminent arrival in Moscow interrupted his reverie. Stewardesses made their way down the aisle collecting glasses and checking seat-belts. He felt a gentle cuff at the base of his spine as the plane kissed the runway, then was nudged forward as the A340's brakes gently slowed the great metal tube to taxi speed.

The sun's rays bounced off the expanse of dirty runway as Spiegel rehearsed his cover on the way to the airport building. No being whisked through Customs this time. A customs officer scrutinised Spiegel's Canadian passport, advertising for all to see that he was Andre Laurent, fresh from a connecting flight in Frankfurt.

"Is your visit to Russia for business or pleasure, Mr. Laurent?"

"All business, I'm afraid", said Spiegel, his English colored by a slight Quebecois accent. Despite his mixture of German, French and Italian ancestries, he was able to speak English with a number of accents. Thus he found it amusing that people would much more readily believe he was American than a European.

"Purpose of your visit?"

"I'm a travel writer, freelancing at the moment. Come to see what's new here in Moscow. Might make my way to Sochi," he smiled.

The customs officer pursed his lips and handed back "Laurent's" passport. "Yes. I'm sure you will enjoy it here." A thin smile. "Dosvidanya."

He thanked him. In his experience it never hurt to indulge delusions of power when dealing with bureaucrats. Especially former Soviet Union bureaucrats. Once through customs, he exited the terminal and managed to hail a taxi relatively quickly. A Maybach taxi. He smirked. Let the bean counters at HQ make something of that.

"The Marriott Grand," he ordered.

Arriving on Petrovka street, he saw no indication of being followed. Entering the hotel's grand lobby, he went to the front desk of the hotel. A desk clerk was in sight.

"Hello, I believe a friend of mine is staying in this hotel. Katinka van Tassel. I'd like to know what room she's in," he said, with a slight smile.

"Forgive me but we can't give out that sort of information about our guests." she said, frowning.

"Yes, of course. But you see, it's really something of a surprise for her." giving her another smile and letting her spy at some roses and a box of chocolates.

"Ah, I see. Room 1138. She's a lucky girl.", smiled the desk clerk.

Having made his way to the target's door, he made sure that no one was in the corridors. He then got onto checking his weapon for today, a H&K USP Compact Tactical, complete with suppressor. He missed his usual Jericho 941, which sadly was back in Frankfurt, at HQ. He kept his gun out of sight as he knocked on the door.

Inside the room, she was alone, a glass of Chablis her only companion. She heard a knock on the door. Has to be my contact. she thought. Unless it's Interpol. Or FedSec. Or worse, her former employers. She paused to check her own weapon, a SIG P239.

"Who is it?", asking as she gripped the gun tightly and checked the peephole.

"Your worst nightmare.", the phantom voice at the door answered.

Just then the locks were shot out and a man with fluffy dark hair was going through her hotel room door. He slams her against the wall, knocking her gun out of her hands onto the floor.

"How did you find me?" she asked as he made her face the wall twisting her right arm as she screamed in pain.

"I'm the man.", he smirked. "And besides you know what being on the organization's radar is like." She shuddered. Yes she indeed knew what lengths they were willing to take. While people would rather think that a European intelligence organization would be all tea and cookies, people seem to forget that a lot of Europeans had been brutal and ruthless in their own right.

Just then a shout of "Dermo" was heard. A maid was screaming. Scheisse indeed. He forgot to close the damn doors!

Katinka took the chance to release herself and pushed him back. A phone to the back of his head was all she needed to escape. Grabbing the gun, she made her way to the elevators. Momentarily dazed, he struggled to get his gun, switching the safety off and managing to get three shots off.

Seeing him chasing her and hearing the sirens of Russian militsiya outside she decided to take her chances and go for Plan B: The roof. Off to the stairs then.

Spiegel meanwhile was a bit luckier. Having arrived at the elevators he managed to catch one which was heading down. Fortunately, he didn't look all that disheveled. A fight with his wife, perhaps, the other passengers thought.

Making her way onto the roof, she blessed her luck that it was still there: a rappelling harness and enough rope to get her down. Making her way down, she was somehow waiting for the other shoe to drop. How could she have lost him?

Arriving in the deserted alleyway she checked the surroundings. No mysterious assassin.

The militsiya outside were numerous and seemed trigger-happy. Fortunately Andre Laurent was just another Canadian on vacation, and simply nervous around cops. Making his way through the seeming wall of police, he checked his PDA, equipped with one of S&T’s more useful new developments. Just then he spotted a redhead looking furtively around walking quickly. Van Tassel. Yes.

Despite losing whoever had tried to kill her, she felt no relief. She couldn't go back to the hotel. There were still police and the agent might still be there. She decided to move up her plans. Making her way to a phone booth she dialed a number.

"Da?"

"I have a problem. Someone's found me."

"FedSec?"

"Maybe."

He hissed. "How? You were supposed to leave with a fake passport and not be suspicious."

"I did but..."

Fingering her coat idly, she came across something hard in her pockets. Taking it out she saw a metallic button. GPS tracking dot! But how? She vaguely remembered how she had been thrown against the wall and then, a memory of his hands brushing against her pocket.

She then heard a hand knocking on the glass. Turning around she saw... him.

He wasted no time in pulling the trigger, sending three .45 bullets slamming into her.

"No sense in me making the dramatic speech first. She would have just escaped again", he said to himself. Walking away from the scene, he made his way back to the EDI safehouse kept near Bolshoi.

"Later, traitor", he quipped as he disappeared into another busy night in Moscow, just another tourist on vacation.

 

[Einheit_elf]

As always, comments are welcome.

 

[Aniknk]

Very subbed!

 

[Dr.Livingstone]

Excellent update.