Rival private military companies River Stone Inc. and Shashka International clashed again yesterday on Isla Duala – this time in the capital city, Kinsella. It is believed SI forces were attempting to assist the Dualan National Alliance, a local separatist rebel group, in gaining control of the city. RS forces were deployed with the approval of the Dualan government to suppress the rebel threat and counter the SI offensive. Heavy fighting ensued around three key strategic points – The Kinsella International Hotel, a compound believed to be headquarters of the DNA, and a third site known to be a rebel training facility.
The Kinsella International Hotel, engulfed in flames
Hazena Coup Attempt Likely, say analyists
While Shashka forces moved to secure the famous old hotel, River Stone assaulted the DNA training facility, meeting little resistance. Having over-run the rebel training range, RS quickly moved to secure the DNA’s HQ compound. This aggressive move by RS left Shashka in a precarious position – with the Russian forces concentrated in the hotel area, and both friendly DNA facilities lost to RS control.
Two hours later, with the firefights seemingly abating, Shashka launched a successful counter-attack to retake both DNA sites, and briefly held all three locations. This shocking change of fortunes had RS on the back foot, but they too regrouped, and launched a daring aerial assault on the hotel, landing a Blackhawk helicopter on the hotel roof. Fierce firefights then continued around the hotel and the DNA HQ until eventually an uneasy ceasefire occurred.
River Stone attempt a daring rooftop insertion
Disaster struck for the popular Dualan hoteliers of the Kinsella International when a Blackhawk attempting to land on the roof of the hotel burst into flames – presumably struck by a shell from a Shashka T-90 tank. In harrowing scenes, River Stone men were seen jumping from the flaming helicopter – some even managing to deploy parachutes – as the burning chopper crashed into the building. The fireball quickly spread to the hotel, and engulfed the upper floors. Meanwhile, a large bomb exploded in the hotel lobby, devastating the lower floors and engulfing the conference suites with toxic fumes. The identity of the bomber remains unclear. When the fighting finally subsided, the hotel was but a smouldering shell of its former grandeur.
The role of the DNA separatists in this conflict remains unclear. Eyewitnesses report that the vast majority of the fighting was taking place between RS and SI troops – with very few reports of DNA involvement. However, there have been reports of DNA troops openly selling weaponry on the streets. These actions not only cast a shadow of doubt on the DNA’s supposed relationship with the Takistani company Zarga Oil and Minerals and their partners SI, but also on the DNA’s long-term goals. Are the DNA preparing to disband, or merely fueling the fires of revolution?
A lucky RS survivor parachutes out of the doomed Blackhawk
Further confusion has arisen following the shooting down of an unmarked Kamov helicopter on the outskirts of Kinsella during the conflict. It is not clear who owned this aircraft, or who shot it down. There were no survivors of the incident.
In the immediate aftermath of the Kinsella battle, the Dualan Government has declared martial law in the city, with River Stone assisting government forces to patrol the city and enforce curfews. Shashka, however, are far from beaten, and their strong show of force in Kinsella is sure to be of concern to both RS and the Dualan authorities.
Shashka forces disembark near Kinsella
Local sources have suggested that Shashka will now turn their attention to the isle of Hazena. Hazena, just off the Dualan coast, is home to the primary Dualan oil reserves, and is also the site of the Dualan Presidential Palace. If a coup d’état is to be attempted – now is the time and Hazena is the place. Our military experts have suggested that the keys to an attempt to secure Hazena would be the shipping lane between it and the Dualan mainland, the Port of Hazena, and the oil reserves close to the Presidential Palace. Whether Shashka (and the DNA) can rally sufficiently to make a final push is unclear – but regardless of the probability, River Stone and the Dualan Government are sure to do everything in their power to reinforce the area, fend off any attack, and crush the rebels and Shashka once and for all.
