The Bosporus Question

[Markus Wilding]

SYRIAN WARSHIPS FIRED UPON BY WEST TURKISH NAVAL UNITS

BOSPORUS STRAIT - The Associated Press reports that the West Turkish Navy has fired upon several Syrian warships anchored in international waters in the Mediterranean, in an act the West Turkish naval and foreign ministers describe as "self-defense in the face of increasingly hostile foreign powers." The clash comes after months of fruitless back-and-forth discussion in Istanbul over the rights of the Turkish government to block the movement of warships in the Bosporus Strait, where Caucasian and Syrian diplomats have been stonewalled and rejected in their appeals to allow their vessels to move freely to the Black Sea and Mediterranean. The Syrian foreign minister has stated that the number of casualties is "unknown" but they firmly believe that at least two dozen Syrian sailors are dead and at least a hundred more are wounded. In response, the Caucasian Union has declared it will fire upon any Turkish ship which approaches their ships while in international waters. The Soviet Union, representing various states in the CIS, have supported the position of the Caucasian Union and Syria and pledged their support diplomatically and militarily. Neighboring Greece has reportedly mobilized their armed forces, for reasons purported to be unrelated to the potential brewing conflict. News from Bucharest reveal that Romania has not taken an interest and only urges peace in the area.

[Sabriel]

The Victorian Foreign Ministry offered to host talks between the nations arguing over the straits.

A detachment of Victorian Royal Army forces was dispatched to Turkey in order to assist their ally in the situation, however, and Victorian aircraft soon began to patrol Turkish waters.

[Markus Wilding]

The Caucasian Union and Syria agree to talks, but emphasize they will not be withdrawing unless a satisfactory result comes out of the talks.

West Turkey also agrees, rapidly mobilizing its armed forces.

[Sabriel]

Crown Princess Khadija al Victoria, commander of the Ascendant Host, was dispatched to oversee the talks. Her arrival coincided with the arrival of several units of the Host, as more began to quickly arrive.

Rather than host talks in an embassy or civilian location, she had the Host prepare a military command for herself, and brought the Syrians and Caucasians there. She sat, in full uniform, waiting their delegates. Tea had already been poured, and the command was busy with soldiers going about their duties. Once the delegates did arrive, they were ushered into seats with a minimum of pleasantries.

"What's all the noise about?" The princess put the question to them in Swahili, an aide translating for her.

[Markus Wilding]

"The West Turks have locked the Bosporus from us, which represents a serious commitment in terms of maintaining the Syrian-Caucasian alliance," the Syrian delegate said. "It is fundamentally impossible for us to reinforce one another in case of a war if the Turks continue to prevent our national navies from utilizing the Bosporus."

The West Turkish diplomat waited until the translation was complete, before handing a document to Crown Princess Khadija. "This document outlines Istanbul's attitude towards non-aligned nations utilizing the Bosporus for the purposes of moving military vessels. They are free to send unarmed transports, but unless they are willing to assist us in defending our territory and sovereignty, they will not be allowed to move military vessels through our waters."

[Sabriel]

The princess listened to the translations, glanced at the document, and placed her face in her hand. After several moments of silence, she glanced up and spoke, her voice a mask of strained courtesy, "So. The Turks are maintaining their territorial waters, the way any of us would, and restricting military traffic. As international law allows them. And they've given you a way to secure access to the waters. But. You'd rather bitch. Are... What... Just do the obvious thing and make yourselves useful friends of Turkey, and gain access to the Bosporus that way. And if you try to force the matter by attacking, or trying to sail through without their permission, be sure that Victoria will guarantee that you will never be in a position to take such ill-advised actions again. Ever."

[Markus Wilding]

"We in Damascus and Tbilisi have been assured that if our conditions are not met, or if we are deliberately attacked, the Soviet Union and the CIS will assist us. Does Victoria wish to earn the ire of the Confederacy of Independent States? Does Victoria see this as a fruitful effort of military expenditure and lives?" The Syrian diplomat shook his head. "Our case is clear. The Turks stand in the unique position of controlling a vital waterway, and this waterway blocks several nations from defending their allies and safeguarding their people abroad. If a Turkish ally should see fit to destroy our allies in Caucasia, we will have no way to defend them without sacrificing Turkish integrity."

"Naturally, we agree with our Syrian counterpart. The Turks must realize they cannot hold other nations hostage. We have had enough of being bullied by Istanbul."

[Sabriel]

"The Soviet Union will assist you?" The smile that spread across Khadija's face was not a friendly one. The laugh that followed it was equally harsh. "Do you really think that some failed vestigial empire scares us?" She gestured dismissively, "of course not. Do you think that I won't personally see to it that Judgment is enacted against you all if you attack our ally? It would be my pleasure to do so."

She slammed a hand down on the table, "do not fuck with us. You've been given peaceful methods for getting what you want. Either pursue those options, back off, or prepare for war."

[Markus Wilding]

The Syrian and Caucasian diplomats both spoke to each other quietly, before the Syrian diplomat sighed heavily, shaking his head. They appeared to have a disagreement, before the Caucasian cleared his throat. "We do not consider this matter settled, but for now our naval forces will be returning to port. We hope that in the future, Victoria and West Turkey can be more reasonable and accommodating to the changing world situation."

[Sabriel]

"The changing world situation? The situation is that the Covenant keeps peace across the world, and you're either with us in this or against us." Khadija stood and opened her mouth to say more when an aide gestured to her and approached, whispering to her quickly.

"Son of a fucking bitch," the princess swore in Swahili, which was not translated by her aides.

"It looks like one of your boys jumped the gun a bit, and now there's a dead fucking Colonel. I gave you a peaceful out to all this, and you were here in bad faith the entire fucking time." She gestured sharply to her guards, "detain them."