THE MEMOIRS OF COMMANDER VALERIYA BORISLAVA
A Soviet Commander's Journey During the Third World War

DISCLAIMER: Valeriya Borislava is a character created for fan fiction on Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. All creative rights regarding the other characters, structures and units belong to their owners and I do not profit from this story.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm just getting back into fanfiction so there might be some blatant mistakes and as reviewers/readers, I hope you will help me spot them so I can try to make things right. I also apologize in advance if I show a lack of military and technological knowledge in writing this story.

CHAPTER ONE
The Trial with Nikolai Moskvin

News of a third World War made rounds in the streets of Moscow. During an evacuation, I scanned the faces of the civilians that were ushered into trucks and guided by the red-coated conscripts who served the Union faithfully. Some looked forward to bringing glory to the Motherland while the majority looked frightened. Children shed their tears while resting in the bosoms of their silent mothers. I understood where their fear came from as I entered the bunker. Engineers were operating the technology while a titanic display of the radar was shown on the screen ahead of me. The radar was reduced to half when Premier Cherdenko made his presence known in the building with the use of the screen.

"Commander!" he boomed with an enthusiastic grin on his face.

"Sir, I directed the conscripts to evacuate the civilians from the battlefield. They are in good hands."

"Excellent, Commander. The citizens of Moscow need not witness our battle with the incoming forces of the Empire. But I take it that the battle will be swift?"

I chuckled at his words. Perhaps he did not mean to stroke my ego but nevertheless, I enjoy my skills as commander to be praised. I tucked the stray strands of my jet black hair behind my ear and replied, "I assure you, sir. The Empire will be crushed by the force of the Soviet Union. They can go ahead and try to break through the almost indestructible armor of our Apocalypse Tanks."

"That's just the answer I was looking for!" he replied. He followed it with a chuckle. The screens were reduced again to make way for Dasha. She was staring intently into the computer but she showed a confident smirk on her face when she looked up.

Premier Cherdenko added, "I will now leave you with Dasha, our Soviet Intelligence officer. She will be briefing you on your mission."

His screen dematerialized while the others became big enough to fit the whole display. "What do you have for me, Dasha? Who will I be working with here?" I asked.

Dasha answered, "You will be working with Commander Nikolai Moskvin. His base will be situated on the east side of the city."

The position of his base was pinpointed on the radar display. I sighed at the sight of his image when it was shown. He was in no way charming when I first saw him inspect the Tesla Troopers. I heard him knocking on their armor and being bemused by the sound it made. I was a bit hesitant to enter the busy barracks of my co-commander but I had to discuss matters with him. I have heard stories about him. Stories of his rough, brash and unpredictable attitude. I tried to clear my mind of these thoughts and simply entered the structure.

He must have heard my footsteps or noticed light enter the room because he turned around to look for the source of change and then he found my figure making an entrance. He did not have a hospitable look. He must have been thinking, "Why must these newcomers waste my time?"

Still, he looked me up and down and asked, "Valeriya, I presume?" I nodded silently in reply. It was understood so he returned to his infantry. It looked like he wanted to end the conversation as quickly as possible. I felt unwanted.

I was thinking of leaving instead of discussing with him but he quickly turned his attention back to me and asked, "Do I need to introduce myself to you, Valeriya?"

I slowly shook my head and added, "I know who you are, Commander Moskvin, but... you may call me Lera if Valeriya seems too long for you."

"Lera..." he repeated. He sneered and looked back at his beloved Tesla Troopers. He gave another tap to their shell. This time, I was not compelled to leave the vicinity. Yes, I still felt uncomfortable around him but what would running away do to improve the situation? I stood behind him at an angle and tilted my head slightly with a bit of hope in having his mood lighten up around me.

"So what brings you here to my barracks, Lera?" he asked. He began to walk in front of his infantry as well, assuming I would catch up with him. He also knocked on the armor of other Tesla Troopers.

I trailed behind him and replied, "Well, comrade... I have heard rather, er... great things about... you and your ways of battle and, um... I was wondering if you could help in showing me the way to... becoming a Soviet commander as skilled as... you."

I told him with no ounce of conviction. I regret having spewed the words out of my mouth when I heard his taunting chuckle. He slowly shook his head and stopped at his tracks. Bumping into him would have been dreadful so I also took a pause at my position.

He retorted, "Teach you the ways of being a skilled commander? Never in my life as a commander have I asked others to assist me on my warpath. So why should I give you that pleasure? Because you're a woman and you expect me to be a gentleman to you? Well, if it's that you want then maybe you weren't cut out for this job. Maybe you should have stayed behind a desk at HQ so you wouldn't have to break a precious nail in the battlefield. Even Zhana was not as delusional as you. She knew her place, even as a commander."

Unbelievable. What motivational words from my fellow commander.

He did not see me glare at him but I bet he felt pleased to know that he struck a nerve. I did not retaliate. I did not defend myself. I did not stoop to his level to insult him back. I left him with his bulky Tesla Troopers and vowed to prove him wrong when the time came.

Becoming a ruthless commander was demanding work. My units were not listening to me at first but I became more aggressive and merciless towards my opponent and later on, they felt this same intensity on themselves. I enjoyed seeing MiG Fighters take down an Allied Century Bomber. I took pleasure in watching the Empire's Rocket Angels succumb to my Flak Troopers. I even loved it when Terror Drones infected the opponent's helpless Ore Collector.

I became just like him.

Nikolai Moskvin has molded me to become like Nikolai Moskvin.