Major Mikhail Aristov had just recently graduated from the Moscow Military academy and was already on the frontlines. He was proof of the idiom of the Soviet military "One can move quickly in the ranks but be warned when you do." He was assigned command of a company in a mechanized infantry division, the 23rd Iron Bears. He and his tanks, bears, flak troopers and the nameless faceless legions of conscripts were part of a force pushing through Northern Europe crushing the allied Forces in Sweden and Norway. He had won many battles on the frontlines, he was there when the Soviet Union took Berlin he fought throughout Europe gaining many victories in the Union's liberation efforts. He was a good communist and member of the party. So of course because he hated the intrigue of the party and scheming officers who were jealous of his abilities he was sent to the North where the only Allied forces were the last remnants of Swedes and Norwegians who were conscripted like his soldiers and without bears or heavy tanks to aid them while other officers were taking cities he had to be content to take villages.

He was disappointed the Allied forces did not fight hard enough to keep the Scandinavian lands leaving behind the most untrained soldiers while they use the Special Forces and Veterans of the northern countries in Britain to stave off a Soviet Invasion. It seemed they did not care enough for most of Europe or they would have fought harder to keep it.

He was planning an attack on an armory for more supplies while sitting in the former commanding officers office in a forward base that once belonged to the Swedish Military when one of his NCOs knocked on his doorway, the door was destroyed during the firefight so he just stood outside the threshold, Mikhail waved him in as the officer saluted "Sir, Moscow wants to speak with you on the large communicator." When he said Moscow it meant it was either General Krukov who was planning an invasion of Britain and would not have been there… or the Premier himself but why would Premier Cherdenko want to speak to him?

And normally for messages they would use the communicator every Commanding and Executive officer is supplied with which is on their wrist. To use the large screen means that they do not want to be listened in on and it was a more important matter.

"Thank you connect me with Moscow." The screen on the desk turned on and he saw the beautiful Dasha in her less than conservative black uniform with well-earned medals and stripes. They were acquainted before when they were in a communications training class together. "Hello Lieutenant Dasha, how is the weather in Moscow?"

She gave a small smile looking at the man who was shorter than the average for the Union and unlike most Soviets who were heavily muscles from their lives in factories and farms he was more toned and a completely shaven head reminding her of Lenin. Although he was young he has clearly seen the scars of war and his blue eyes seemed colder than winter. His fine pressed black uniform made her smile not that she was paying attention to his looks at all, well maybe a little she conceded to herself and she spoke "Probably one of the times you will envy the winds of Sweden I imagine. I am patching you in to the Premier's office itself." Mikhail noticed the hint of reverence for the leader of the Soviet Union and saw him. He could not help but feel awe struck by the mere presence of the Leader of the Soviet Union. A man he pledged his life to.

He was watching a screen of his own showing the devastating invasion from this so called Empire of the Rising Sun, the only light for this world is Global Communism Mikhail thought to himself as Cherdenko turned and saw him "Commander this invasion is shockingly grim, this Empire of Japan knows we are vulnerable with so many of our forces stretched thin in Europe, the cowards think us weak, you will prove them wrong Commander."

Mikhail was stunned both at this invasion from Japan and the Premier's trust in him. "Your victories in pushing Allied forces out of my birth city of Stalingrad and the many skirmishes and battles won by your armored forces have proven to me you are a commander that does not believe in defeat. You will prove to the Imperials we are not so easily broken and you have the honor of defending the USSR. From what I have read in your reports you do not only drive back our enemies but annihilate them and we need that once more."

Half of the screen cut to General Krukov himself. Mikhail doubted he would recognize him but the young officer certainly knew the Marshal of all Soviet Forces both from attending every lecture he did at the academy and during the speeches he gave to the new officers who replaced those lost in the Third World War telling them that they were necessary for the continued survival of the USSR.

"General would you like to meet our new commander?" Aristov sat up a little straighter hearing his new rank. Krukov seemed curious "New commander?" Cherdenko looked at Mikhail with pride "Yes we are sending him to defend Leningrad."

Kurkov brushed him aside as he protested "Even though I told you it was foolhardy trying to defend that city." Mikhail said nothing in this exchange of titans but thought about the importance of this city to the Soviet People knowing he would rather die before he saw it occupied. He was disheartened that Krukov showed him no respect but perhaps with everything going on it was understandable.

"He is facing an Empire that is highly advanced and will be hugely outnumbered. But of course it is an honor to die for the Motherland." Mikhail did not mention the fact he was actually Belarusian. "Indeed it is General." Cherdenko did not appreciate the fact Krukov was implying his plan was a folly and his new commander may die."

"Now excuse me I have a nation to defend." His communication ended and quickly replaced by Dasha again. "Major Aristov because of your successes before that seemed to have been overlooked I would like to present you with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel." Premier Cherdenko showed him a box with the epaulettes of such a rank "If you survive these will be waiting for you. Commander Lieutenant Dasha will be your Intelligence and Logistic officer."

"I wish she was more." Mikhail said under his breath. "Thank you your Excellency the armies of the Empire are closing in on Leningrad, we have an advanced transport plane arriving at the closest airfield to your position your battalion will be recalled back but we need your leadership now."

"Yes commander Time is of the essence, defend Leningrad and the Soviet Republics show them the price of invading our lands." The screen turned off and Mikhail quickly gathered his officers. "Gentlemen the Empire have invaded our homelands, the Battalion will be sent back home unfortunately I will not be leading it, I am being sent to Leningrad to lead the defense of the city. Lieutenant Gagarin is in command." They saluted him and were disappointed, Aristov was one of the few officers they liked and now they may come under the command of another.

The officers saluted him and he took one of the motorcycles to the airfield. He saw a sleek looking jet plane waiting for him with its pilot, one of the idolized fly boys of the Red Air Force waiting for him.

"Commander Aristov I presume?" He saluted and Mikhail returned it "Yes I am." The pilot smiled and put his helmet back on that reminded him of the Kirov's with the shark teeth "Commander Zhana asked me for you to tell her how you like the plane, we may use it more often in the days to come."

"I hope it gets there in time, I will file a report about its success if we save Leningrad." Mikhail was not smiling like the pilot, one of their most important cities was at stake now was not the time for pleasantries. "Very well sir get in and we should be there in a few hours." Mikhail jumped into the back seat putting on his helmet before they flew off the runway. Mikhail hoped the report would be an approving one.

After General Krukov ended his message he quickly had his intelligence officer bring him a file on this young commander. He said it was because he wanted to know how to support him but to himself he was nervous. A new commander that was the star for the Premier meant two things. One was Cherdenko while untalented himself in war can spot a talented officer miles away and two if he is successful he can rival him in power and with the support of the Premier can overtake him in authority and power.

FILE 14068URI

NAME: MIKHAIL IVANOVICH ARISTOV

RANK: MAJOR/ POSSIBLE PROMOTION PENDING

BIRTHDATE: 08/09/1961

BIRTHPLACE: VITEBSK BSSR

Interesting, there are not many officers of note from Belarus, probably because we Russians are more favored and have more military academies. So why would Premier Cherdenko who always had pride in Mother Russia choose him? Too many question and not enough information from the file so far.

EDUCATION: BELARUS MILITARY ACADEMY, MALINOVSKY MILITARY ARMORED FORCES ACADEMY.

COMMUNSIT PARTY MEMBER: YES REGISTERED 04/25/1979.

OFFICERS NOTE: Adept at all forms of combat but seems most comfortable in armor warfare using Air, Infantry, and Armor in tandem at the Battle of Tannenberg Railroad and opening a gap in the Allied lines allowing General Zortov to break through and take the town. Relies heavily on hammer tanks and sickles not being requisitioned many apocalypse tanks that he reserves for heavier battles. He started off the war as a tank commander and was promoted quickly for his accomplishments coupled with the loss of many senior officers since WWIII.

Krukov thought to himself "He is no more impressive than other young commanders. If he proves himself at Leningrad maybe he will earn my respect. Maybe."

The timeline says the War of Three Powers starts in 1986 when the Empire invades Russia. And I tried to explain why in the game series why you can see people on a small screen in the corner so I guess it is like a Soviet version of an Apple Watch.