Battle of the Rodenius Sea

Standard missiles launched from American Arleigh-Burke class destroyers.

The **Battle of the Rodenius Sea** is a naval battle between the United States of America and the Louria Kingdom, it’s a significant historical event that marks the first major battle the United States Navy has partaken in Elysia, and the first battle between the United States and another Elysian nation.

* Wyvern Corp Commander Amalgeus **†**
* Captain Richard Vaughn (USS *Ronald Reagan*)
* Captain Victor Winslow (USS *Barry*)
* 4,400 warships
* More than 140,000 soldiers
* 250 wyvern knights
* Seventh Fleet
	+ Carrier Strike Group Five
		- USS *Ronald-Reagan* (CVN-76)
			* 2 Squadrons of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets
			* 2 F-35C Lightning IIs
	+ Destroyer Squadron 15
* More than 1,000 warships destroyed.
* All 250 wyvern knights shot down.
* More than 40,000 K.I.A. or W.I.A.
* The remainder of the fleet surrendered to the US Navy.
* Minor paint damage experienced by USS *Barry*

## Prelude to the Battle

Shortly after the United States established diplomatic relationships, trade deals as well as a defense treaty with the Principality of Qua Toyne and the Quila Kingdom, the Kingdom of Louria rejected diplomatic relationships with the United States due to their existing relationships with the 2 aforementioned nations, subsequent intel suggests that the inhospitality is due to their intention to declare war on Qua Toyne and Quila, as they have been amassing a large number of troops and constructing cities of tents along the former’s borders.

Concerned with the possibility of losing the first and only trade partners on the new world of Elysia, which are vital to the recovery of the US economy, the US Government decided to enact their defense treaty with Qua Toyne and dispatch the Seventh Fleet to Maihark and protect the economically vital port city.

The speculations of the Americans and Qua Toyians were soon proven correct, the Lourian Eastern Subjugation Army successfully captured the border town of Gim, and establishing a FOB in the town that will serve as a staging point for their further advancements into Qua Toyne. Many POWs and residents of Gim were either taken as slaves or massacred, men, women and children alike. The situation was dire for Qua Toyne, as Louria’s invasion force dwarfed their own military ten fold, and should Qua Toyne fall, the Kingdom of Quila will soon follow due to their barren landscape forcing them to depend on Qua Toyne for food imports.

Unbeknownst to the Lourians, the atrocities they’ve committed did not go unnoticed. A furious President Lee gave the order to purposely leak the drone footage the massacre to the American public, in order to garner support for the war effort, and discredit the more left-leaning citizens’ outcries against supposed “American Imperialism”. Morale in the US Military is also soared, as many servicemen were utterly disgusted by Louria’s genocidal campaign. However, due to precautionary actions taken by the HHS and the CDC, deployment of US military assets and infrastructure in Qua Toyne are slow in progress.

After the fall of Gim, the Lourian Eastern Subjugation Navy, a massive fleet of 4,400 vessels lead by Vice Admiral Sharkun, set sail for the Qua Toynian port city of Maihark, hoping to hit two birds with one stone by capturing the valuable trading center and cut off Quila’s vital food supplies to force them to capitulate.

While the new American ports, roads and air bases have yet to see completion, the USA is capable of deploying the Seventh Fleet to aid in the defense of Maihark. Qua Toynian analytics determined that currently the Lourian Army is holding Gim and awaiting further reinforcements from the Kingdom’s numerous nobilities. and will likely recommence their offensive once the Eastern Subjugation Navy reaches Maihark within the next several weeks. Hence, the United States plans to intercept the fleet on the open seas, and requested Qua Toyne to send an observation officer to be onboard the aircraft carrier USS *Ronald Reagan*. After resupplying and picking up the observer, Officer Breweye, the Seventh Fleet set sail towards the met their enemy.

## Initial Contact

The US Navy first dispatched a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter to fly over the Lourian fleet and issue a warning to turn back. The Lourian soldiers attempted to engage the Seahawk using fire arrows, but to no avail. Vice Admiral Sharkun, although puzzled and left unnerved by the sudden and inexplicable appearance of the mysterious flying contraption, decided in disregarding the warning and ordered the fleet to maintain course.

After an hour of uneventful sailing, the Lourian fleet encountered 5 *Arleigh-Burke*-class destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 15, lead by USS *Barry* (DDG-52). The *Barry* broke off from formation and approached the Lourain fleet where her Captain, Victor Winslow, issued final warning over the loudspeaker. Despite being baffled by the sheer size of the American destroyers, Vice Admiral Sharkun once again decided to disregard the warning and instead sought confidence in the overwhelming numerical advantage of his fleet, which he believed could even challenge the Parpaldia Empire. He ordered his warships to approach the Barry and hundreds of archers let loose their fire arrows upon the destroyer. Much to Sharkun’s dismay, the arrows proceeded to inflict virtually no damage to the ship.

Seeing that the Lourians are determined to initiate hostilities, the *Barry* returned to formation with the other 4 destroyers. At first the Lourians believed that they have managed to scare off the Americans, but Sharkun suspected something was amiss, as the Barry seems to be returning to formation with the other 4 warships rather than retreating. Very soon his suspicious were proven correct as the 5 destroyers returned fire with their 5-inch guns. Thanks to the powerful shells and the advanced FCS of the Arleigh-Burke, each shot landed with pinpoint accuracy, each thunderous impact signified the complete annihilation of a Lourian ship. Vice Admiral Sharkun was left frozen in terror by the level of firepower displayed by the USN, something that is unfathomable to a man who is only familiar with the usage of arrows and ballista in naval ranged engagements. The 5 destroyers paused their attacks after 10 salvos. Believing that the ships may have exhausted their mana supplies and that the enemy possesses no air units, Vice Admiral Sharkun requested air support from Jin Hark Wyvern Command.

## Aerial Engagement

Upon learning that already 50 vessels have been lost to the enemy fleet, General Patagene authorized the deployment of 250 wyverns, having determined that this naval engagement will likely turn into a decisive battle. Unbeknownst to the wyvern knights, they have already been picked up by American radars, in response to reinforcements from the enemy's air force, Vice Admiral Hawthorne ordered the deployment of four squadrons of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and two F-35C Lighting IIs, the F-35Cs, piloted by Squadorn commanders Harrison Richthofen and Lin, tailed the wyverns from high above without being noticed, after collecting enough targeting data, the two jets regrouped with the Super Hornet squadrons. The rest of the Seventh Fleet is to hold fire until they have regrouped with Destroyer Squadron 15, as Hawthorne hoped that such a drastic demonstration of force will convince the Lourians to surrender.

After learning that 250 wyverns are inbound to reinforce his fleet, Vice Admiral Sharkun regained his composure, confident that the combined force will be more than enough to overwhelm the mere 5 enemy ships. His confidence was soon doused when the American fast movers appeared over the horizon, managing to cover the 50km distance between them and the Lourian fleet. Before Sharkun can even come to terms with the sheer speed of the American flyers, arrows of light detached themselves from their wings and launched themselves at the Lourian wyverns. Desperately, Sharkun ordered the wyvern knights to perform evasive maneuvers, only to discover in his dismay that these "arrows" have tracking abilities, and the wyverns were simply too slow to evade. The subsequent explosion decimated the Lourian air support, downing more than 60% of the wyverns.

Outraged by the sheer amount of losses his forces has suffered, Sharkun ordered the fleet to continue their assault, only to be shown that the Arleigh-Burke has even more tricks up its sleeves when the American ships suddenly engulfed themselves in smoke, from within even more missiles emerged. Thanks to the tightly packed formation of the remaining wyverns, the more power Standard Missiles made short work of them, leaving just 5 still airborne. Still undeterred despite the American's overwhelming firepower, wyvern knight captain Amalgeus in a courage attempt lead the remaining wyverns in a desperate assault against the American destroyers, which ended unceremoniously when the five vessels responded with yet another accurate salvo from their 5-inch guns.

## Target Practice

Left shell shocked and infuriated by the sheer amount of destruction inflicted on his forces by the US Navy, and fearing the consequence of failure. Vice Admiral Sharkun’s judgement becomes clouded, and he ordered his remaining ships to continue engaging the American vessels, a decision that would only cost more Lourian lives. The proceeding engagement continued to be laughably one sided, described by Commander Richthofen as “shooting fish in a barrel”. Thanks to the Arleigh Burke’s powerful cannons, as well as their gas turbine engines, the Lourian ships are simply too slow to even get into effective range and are bombarded relentlessly by 5-inch shells, sometimes multiple other ships are disabled with a single hit due to high velocity shrapnel. Worse still, after several minutes of shelling from the destroyers, the jets from the Reagan returned and performed strafing runs on the Lourian vessels with their Vulcans, their explosive shells easily ripping apart the wooden hulls, sending even more Lourians to their watery graves.

After a gruelling ten minutes, the fighters have finally exhausted their ammo and returned to their carrier, and the 5 destroyers have paused their attack once more. Vice Admiral Sharkun’s relief, however, was short lived. As at that very moment, the rest of the Seventh Fleet emerged from over the horizon, nearly covering the entire stretch of waters before him. Captain Winslow made an even more dramatic announcement over the loudspeaker demanding the Lourians to surrender. Finally realizing just how hopeless the situation is, Sharkun reluctantly ordered to hoist the white flag. He, along with Parpaldian informant Varhal the rest of his men, are taken as P.O.W. by the US Navy.

## Aftermath

Having witnessed the entire battle via drone, Officer Breweye was astounded, especially with the American’s usage of guided missiles, which he compared to that of the notorious Ancient Sorcerous Empire (ASE). This comment intrigued Lieutenant Vasquez, who decided to file a report regarding this supposedly ancient yet malevolent lost civilization, prompting the Government to launch an investigation.

Back in the Principality of Qua Toyne, Breweye’s report was derided by various officials as “fantasy” and “tall-tales” during a government meeting, to them the idea that only 5 ships and 4 squadrons of aircraft are capable of sinking 1,000 enemy ships within just 10 minutes is simply unfathomable, causing several officials to become fearful of the United States. Thankfully Prime Minister Kanata was willing to listen and accept the possibilities, and the Americans are capable of procuring video evidence to back up Breweye’s report. Nonetheless, the operation ended in resounding success as it essentially neutralized any danger of a Lourian naval invasion, and the Qua Toynians are more than willing to permit the Americans to construct military bases in Maihark and the Daidar Plains east of Ejei.

For the Lourians, the results of the battle is a massive blow to their war effort. The Over 90% of the Kingdom’s available warships were placed in Eastern Subjugation Navy, and whatever remained in their current inventory are only enough for costal patrols and anti-piracy. While the Lourians resolved to continue their invasion over land, they were greatly shaken by the implications of the battle. King Hark Louria found the after action report so lubricious that he reasoned with himself that there must have been a mutiny. General Patagene, in a desperate attempt to save face and appease his liege, tried to convince the king that the “homing light arrows” are a fabrication and there exist strategies against the Americans despite not fully believing them personally.

Vice Admrial Sharkun and the Lourian sailors and soldiers were all held as POWs until the end of the Rodenius War, when they were released from captivity and send back to Louria along with the 3,000 or so ships that remained in the Eastern Subjugation Navy.

The battle also did not go unnoticed for other superpowers of the world. Varhal, an informant of the Parpaldia Empire, managed to transmit most of the battle to Lord Aeveron of the Third Foreign Affairs Department before being forced to cut the transmission, leaving Aeveron very unnerved. Although initially skeptical of the existence of the United States, Aeveron was more convinced when his subordinate presented him with genuine products procured from that land. However, he opted to remain cautious and excluded information that will sound too fantastical in his report regarding America, lease he gets fired for just doing his job.

The United States was also brought to the attention of the Gra Valkas Empire for the first time. However, due to local Lourian information quarantine and propaganda campaign, as well as the general distance of Louria from the Empire and limited infrastructure, the intelligence agents were only able to send their report via telegram in early August when the Rodenius War has already concluded. Although certain elements of the report are thought to be rather fantastical and “in the realm of science-fiction”, the Gra Valkans none the less were concerned when they noticed that there still notable similarities doctrine and technology wise between them and the United States. And thus they considered America a possible adversary and submitted the report to the Information Technology Department for further reviews.