GALVESTON, CTX, June 12 (HNS) – A major naval invasion of Confederate Texas by the forces of Sovereign State of New Orleans began on or about June 5. Using ships taken through piracy or former river patrol ships of the New Orleans fleet refitted for deep sea travel, a naval invasion with the purpose of landing troops and ultimately altering Texas and eliminating the New Corning thread to support expanding the Kessel Run began. Three separate attacks were launched on Corpus Christi, Galveston and Port Arthur. The Corpus Christi attack was successful and landed a massive army that is expanding in the southern portion of the thread. Galveston managed to hold off forces sufficiently to maintain control although skirmishes and battles continue. The Port Arthur attack was mostly held off. Secretary of War Hamilton P. Bee commented: “Demon-Government of New Orleans hit us hard but our government and people have held them back. It will be a hard fight to drive his forces out but we will persevere. We thank all of those states who warned us of this incursion. Without their help, we would have suffered far worse.”
It was the attack at Port Arthur that drew international and JET attention. During the Salem deployment of JET Team A, a system of gate couriers traveling back and forth from Galveston and getting periodic telegram and semaphore reports allowed Team A representatives to review and guide the battle. Texas forces consisted of five vessels: The Yellow Rose, Rosalee, James Bowie, Dixie and Pride of Houston. Opposing forces were: The Hand of Glory, Leviathan and Raven. The goal of Confederate Texas naval forces was to prevent the landing of any forces. Texas naval forces managed to sink the Hand of Glory and the Leviathan prior to their landing. Only the Raven landed troops which have had minimal effect on the overall campaign. The Confederate Texas Navy lost The Yellow Rose but maintained their other ships for future battles. The results leave Texas with two ports: Galveston and Port Arthur. Sovereign State of New Orleans forces have complete control of the port at Corpus Christi. Periodic sea battles still occur between naval forces and against supply ships of both sides.
The forces landed in Texas appear to use zombies as infantry, werewolves (or Lycans) as cavalry as well as siege engines and other specialized forces. There are also reports of morale issues amongst Texas forces and all available ministers have been asked to find forces to assist in boosting the faith and determination of troops. Sources that refused to speak on record have stated that this is a major concern and some sort of witchcraft is suspected. Dr. Edgar Palmer of the Penn State Department of Esoteric Studies commented: “Apophis or one of the members of his court have found some artifact that is raising the Kellner rating of Confederate Texas. This will allow his forces to use magic in ways that the Texans have never seen or experienced and represent a serious challenge for them.” Einstein-FFFFE00A, top physicist in the Scientist Caste of the Hive said: “It is our hope to send a team to assist the people of Texas and take readings to better understand this new threat and provide countermeasures.” The Cherokee Nation in the Indian Territories located in the north of the thread near the Lincoln Country and New Corning gates are mobilizing to support their Texas allies. Stand Watie and his Cherokee along with other tribes supported the Confederacy and were rewarded with their own territory.
Political support for Confederate Texas is still complicated by the slavery issue. Having won the United States Civil War only 15 years ago from their perspective, they still maintain African slavery which makes it difficult for modern states like the Empire of New York to allow them to take actions like invite Confederate Texas to NATO. Texas is also hampered by the fact that it is an Econ poor nation which has communicated primarily by sea and the Republican blockade in Manhattan limits the travel of ambassadors and military support.
