THIS IS ALTERNATE UNIVERSE LAURA ROSLIN FICTION AND I FEEL LIKE IT REQUIRES A DISCLAIMER.
1. I USE OR REFERENCE MOST OF THE BSG CHARACTERS BUT THEY'RE NOT EXACTLY THE SAME.
2. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS ON BATTLESTAR GALACTICA IS RELEVANT AND NONE OF IT IS DISCARDED. I WOULD COMPARE IT TO THE NEW STAR TREK - MINUS THE SCI-FI
3. IT TAKES PLACE ON EARTH IN A FICTIONAL RUSSIA OF THE 20TH CENTURY. SOME OF THE REFERENCES ARE ACCURATE BUT THE PREMISE IS TOTALLY MADE UP. I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE HISTORY, POLITICS, ETC. I JUST USED RUSSIA BECAUSE IT WAS THE MOST CONVENIENT PLACE FOR ME.
4. IF YOU #BSG OR #BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ON TUMBLR YOU CAN SEE THE GRAPHIC FOR EACH CHAPTER
5. OBVIOUSLY I OWN NONE OF THIS AND IT'S JUST FOR FUN
"Grozny?" Laura squeaked out attempting to maintain composure.
"It's really a lovely town if only they'd stop blowing it up," Helena joked with a light laugh. "Given the tension between the military and civilian populations the Empress wants a eyes on the ground. More than that she wants you to establish a civilian government and open communication between the interested parties. Hopefully if we can get them talking we can get them to stop shooting each other."
"Me?" Laura asked stunned. "Why me?"
"Because I recommended you. You're a smart girl Laura. And we need a smart person for this job."
"I haven't done anything like this - "
"Nonsense. You've done community outreach and development since you were a teenager. You do it now and you've showed a lot of talent in being a liaison between the Internal Affairs office and the Duma - no easy task. Not to mention your work in Cameroon with the United Nations."
"But what about someone with more experience? Davydova, Savinova, Golokivna. I'm happy to accompany them to Grozny," Laura added eager to assure her boss that she wasn't trying to escape a virtual war zone.
"That's very gracious Laura," Helena chuckled at the obvious tactic. "Another reason you've been picked for this role. And no. I want you to head this assignment. We're putting a new - young - face on an old enemy. Offer a more relatable and open minded liaison. Understand?"
Laura silently shook her head in shock.
"Now you're taking Bunin office but you should pick your own staff. You'll leave next month. Prepare for hours of briefings Dear. You've got three weeks to become a Chechen expert."
Laura Roslin sat staring out the window bouncing slightly in the back seat of the town car as the vehicle traveled on the bumpy unpaved road and wondered how she had ended up in this position. Although, assured by her boss and mentor that the assignment was not a punishment but an honor and opportunity, Laura remained doubtful.
The isolated town often made the papers for the latest conflict, disaster or death. She could hardly understand how a town with a population of 50,298 and industry limited to an oil refinery and an air force base could have so many problems. The conflict was primarily rooted in the ethnic tensions between the Chechens, Ingush, Ossetians, Kumyks and ethnically Russian populace; however, after escalated violence led to military authority in the region the groups had come to find a common enemy in the government.
Three weeks passed quickly and she did not feel prepared to confront the challenge that laid before her; however, she didn't have a choice. She would do her best. She just hoped that it would be good enough.
At 27, Laura hardly felt prepared. Yes, she had been at the Imperial Office of Internal Affairs (IOIA) for a decade. Accepted as a high school intern her senior year, her dedication and competence gained her the attention of Helena Kulikovsky, senior adviser to the Empress for matters of state. Helena took Laura under her wing and invited her to continue as a fellow during college. After graduation she earned a permanent position monitoring community development projects in the county. She had volunteered for one year humanitarian aid mission with the United Nations in Cameroon. And more recently she was tasked to be an IOIA liaison at the Duma. With her resume she was determined to be the perfect candidate to resolve the concerns of Grozny.
The area had long since lost its political or strategic significance; however, it had maintained economic value as a source of energy for the region. Consequently, the constant acts of violence and increased ethnic tension could no longer be ignored by the crown. Eager to quickly and quietly resolve an unending headache, the Empress agreed to remove Grozny from military control and re-establish a civilian government.
The airbase in Grozny was officially intended for training and security/rescue missions in the Caucasus region; however, it did a lot more than flight missions. Following a series of violent attacks, including the bombing of a government building, the Army was sent to secure the city. Once the violence was contained, the Air Force was left to manage the recovery as it was deemed more practical and fiscally responsible to duel-train airmen during peacetime. As a result, for five years an appointed authority was charged with managing the city and the military was assigned with the responsibility of enforcing compliance and preventing disaster.
Laura was being sent to replace the civilian authority, Igor Bunin, an uncompromising older man who did not believe in working with the "enemy". In light of Bunin's political philosophy, Laura listened to Helena's advice and cleaned house with his staff. However, with only a short time to prepare for the transition she was forced to rely on human resources to fill the open positions. Although she did make the ultimate decision as to who was hired Laura found that she was limited in her options due to the small pool of candidates who were willing to take an assignment in a undesirable region.
"Billy," Laura said in what she hoped sounded like an authoritative tone. "Do you have the briefing memo on the commanding officer? I want to go over that again."
"Yes Ma'm," Billy Keikeya replied fumbling with the files in his briefcase before finding the folder.
"Thank you," Laura replied with a tight smile, internally questioning the brilliance of hiring an inexperienced person to assist her.
Accepting the folder Laura carefully reviewed its content. The commanding officer of the base was Colonel William Adama. He had been assigned to the base two years earlier but only assumed the top position within the past six months. He was a young man - 33 - according to his records and had risen quickly in the ranks. Enlisted in the Navy at 18, assigned to Naval Aviation by 20 and transferred to the Air Force with a promotion after exemplary performance in the air at age 25. He was highly decorated and well liked.
Helena's husband and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Konstantin Kulikovsky, had only positive things to say about the young officer. The General told Laura that Colonel Adama was a Moscow native and had two young sons who lived outside St. Petersburg with his ex-wife. Like herself, Bill was selected for the leadership position at Grozny as part of the new strategy of putting a new, young face on an old enemy.
Early reports proved promising and suggested a decline in violence; however, these earlier numbers were based on a strong military authority - not civilian rule. And although the change was welcomed by many, it was not expected to come without cost.