By the whiskers of Kurvi Tasch.

[IV/JG7_Warg]

AN URGENT REPORT.


The encryption arm of the Syldavian radio service has just intercepted an alarming message from Colonel Sponz (head of ZEP Bordurian Secret Police) to Marshal Kurvi-Tasch (Great Leader of the Bordurian nation).

Apparently, ZEP agents detected the arrival of a Professor Calculus at Klow Airport on Syldair Flight 714. An attempt the abduct the brilliant scientist was thwarted by that serial pest, Tintin. Evidently, he was absent from the battlefield and his dog Snowy was left at the front to run the show. Bordurian Zekrett Politzs (ZEPO) are now hunting the said animal and placed a substantial bounty upon its head.

The arrival of the brilliant Professor Calculus and recent destruction of Syldavain forces upon the frontier moves the conflict into a new chapter. Can the Bordurian offensive continue into the Syldavian heartland? What new weapons of war does Professor Calculus have in his kit and will they be in numbers to make any difference? Who can say, but my guess that some of it depends upon Charlie of the United Kingdom getting a HSFX patch out the door for 4.12.

PS. You didn't think I'd make it that easy for you Mr Hawk 5?


Regards,
Warg

[II/JG77Hawk_5]

Excellent.

Who wants an easy victory?!
Whatever new fangled weapons of warfare the Syldavian peasents aquire will not dampen the fighting spirit of the Bordurian forces. They look forward to crushing all opposition, small dogs included.

[IV/JG7_4Shades]

Can't wait to see the wonder weapons. Does it involve dying my hair blonde?

[IV/JG7_Warg]

It was just after a visit to the great leader, Marshal Kurvi-Tasch's palace that Colonel Sponz viewed the alarming report. It read:



To: Colonel Sponz
ZEP Bordurian Secret Police


Whilst our agents have been unable to penetrate the tight security screens around the recent visitors to Syldavian capital of Klow, they have been able to garner information from an informer within the diplomatic circles of the establishment.

It now appears the Professor Calculus was accompanied by his erstwhile friend, one Captain Haddock of Marlinspike Hall. Both were noted by their attendance at a banquet held at the Blue Blistering Barnacle Hotel in Central Klow. Despite the recent military defeats, the Syldavian High Command is decidedly upbeat. This may be due to the Soviet Military Delegation, which was prominent at the banquet and supplier of the premium grade vodka beverages at the function. Their boss, Comrade Stalin, is determined that the conflict be used as a proving ground to test out new Soviet weapon systems. He believes that there will be large scale war within Europe over the next few years and wants Russia to be ready.

Our diplomatic ear was able to hear part of the conversations around him. Professor Calculus especially impressed the Soviet delegation with his breadth of knowledge, though it was quaintly amusing the way he refers to tanks as "land ships". So there we have it, Professor Calculus prattling on about inventions, the Soviet delegation upon military intervention and testing, whilst Captain Haddock was primarily focused upon the vodka. Some important facets of information were gathered by our observer.

1. Professor Calculus has developed some sort of advanced radio detection device which allows early warning of enemy aircraft. The prototype was with him upon arrival at Klow. It can be reckoned that the prototype will be copied and or installed as a matter of urgency by the Syldavian High Command.

2. Noting the lack of effective tactical bombing by Syldavian aircraft and the increasing vulnerability of the big Tupolev bombers in recent days, the Soviet military delegation raised an interesting suggestion. Over the past few years, their airforce, the VVS, has been testing the concept of Zveno parasite aircraft. In this, two I-16 type 5 fighters are carried aloft, underneath a Tupolev bomber. The fighters can be used as tactical bombers or as escorts for a direct attack upon the target. It is a concept that requires combat testing and facilities are already in place within Syldavia.

3. Using this opportunity, the Soviet delegation also broached Professor Calculus on their problems with the fire control systems on their new T-28 and T-35 tanks. With blueprints conveniently on hand, Calculus was there and then, able to "solve the problems of the landships" as he put it. At this juncture a totally inebriated old seadog called Captain Haddock, vanquisher of untold numbers of premium vodkas at the banquet, valiantly voluntered to lead the fleet of landships into battle. The Soviets were delighted, they had an international face to command their test armoured brigade in Syldavia. Henceforth, it was announced the formation of the "Captain Haddock Landship Brigade". Supply of the requisite tanks will shortly be forthcoming from the land of the Soviets.

4. Finally, there a hints and idle speculation abounds that Professor Calculus is working on rocket or jet? aircraft designs. Nothing has been divulged as yet and it is to be seen whether this sees the light of day. Our observer will keep ZEP posted.


Regards,
Diplomatic Service Operative
ZEP Secret Police.



Sponz put the report away and reflected on the earlier meeting with Kurvi-Tasch. At least the Chancellor of Germany, Adolf Hitler, has promised a Karl Gerat super mortar to the Bordurian army in its coming assault into Syldavia. The Blackshirts and Nazis will want to test their weapons too.

[II/JG77Hawk_5]

Can't wait to see the wonder weapons. Does it involve dying my hair blonde?

Woah slow down there 4Shades, I'm not sure this world is ready for weapons of mass destruction at that level just yet.