Author's Notes: After quite some time, here's a new tale for the 1983: Doomsday Stories AU. Or rather, this one is a "RE" remake of sorts that incorporates and rewrites some of the older fics set in the 'verse. And more specifically, focuses on Doomsday itself and the immediate aftermath. The darkness before the dawn, if you will.

But as a significant warning, this fic is for the most part dark and at points, graphic. Which in a cruel sense, is logical given what happens in "World War III." Aside from Russia, expect America, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Hungary to show up eventually (along with some implied AustriaxHungary/AusHun and references to US-Russian rivalry during the Cold War).

Still, just to be on the safe side, this is a work of fiction and not intended to be a political, ideological or propaganda piece. Neither do I own Axis Powers Hetalia; all rights belong to their respective owners.

And lastly, hope you enjoy!

Doomsday RE: Before the Dawn

Or, a 1983 Doomsday Tale through many Nations' Eyes

CH 1 – Dead Hand

Undisclosed location outside Moscow, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. 1983.

It began with a warning from Serpukhov-15, a newly built military township not far from Moscow and home to one of those new-fangled satellite detectors. As Ivan Braginsky looked outside from the Mi-8 helicopter's window at the receding lights of the Soviet capital, he still wasn't sure whether to commend the operator, one Col. Gennady Akrimov, who made the call to him and the Politburo, or have him killed. I suppose the answer will come soon enough, the Nation embodying Russia and the U.S.S.R. mused coldly before turning towards his fellow passenger. It would be a shame if something were to happen over this…

"We should be approaching the bunker now, da?" the Russian asked aloud, his smile refusing to betray any exhaustion or anger as the helicopter began its descent.

"Da, Ivan. And if the estimates are correct, Murmansk should be hit at any moment." The old man known as Yuri Andropov nodded with a grim look on his tired face as he tried to adjust his suit. "I didn't think that those American pigs would really do it. And I won't stand idle and let socialism become atomic target practice! You know this as well."

Too well, comrade. Just like that Hungarian cleanup in '56. "I have accepted this. Dasvidanya to the Iron Curtain and all."

Russia's smile faded ever so slightly. The Nation, like many of his own Pravda-reading citizens dreaded this very "worst case" scenario as much as he looked forward to the triumph of Soviet communism. All that's left is to…nyet, something's wrong.

Surely, America and his "allies" were no doubt being childish with their resistance against the might of the proletariat. Yet even someone as young and brash as Alfred wasn't foolish enough to fire the first shots of what would be Armageddon. At least Ivan could count on the Warsaw Pact to take the full brunt. Even his dear sisters Ukraine and Belarus had pledged to support him should it come down to it. Even if they die. All of them… He kept shaking his head. That wasn't it. Why am I not feeling anything?!

The Nation musings were cut short when his weary leader called for his attention. The helicopter had finally landed outside one of the many Kremlin shelters outside Moscow.

"It's time, Ivan," Andropov mumbled before the doors opened, revealing a throng of nervous generals, soldiers and staff standing in attention. With little delay, he stepped down towards the group, the managing to keep some semblance of order. While not a Stalin or Khrushchev, it was something Russia respected – and expected – of a man who once led the KGB.

Especially in these times. But as a very anxious officer approached them, he wasn't quite so sure.

"Report, komandir," Ivan heard his leader speak as the young man stepped forward. "What is the situation?"

The staff member cleared his throat as though it was his last, before reading what looked like a hastily typed document. "Generalʹnyĭ Sekretarʹ. Col. Akrimov's report w-was a-"

"Out with it!"

"It was a false alarm! A-And it appears that the United States has already launched their warheads in response. Launched everything …"

Ivan didn't need to hear the rest as, with unnatural ease, he grabbed the old man by the throat. All he could sense at that point was tinge of shock and guilt in the old man's eyes as he tightly gripped the man's neck with his large hands. Will I lose everything…everyone…FOR THIS?! The world seemed to stop as he coldly tossed the late, and possibly last General Secretary of the U.S.S.R., the corpse landing close to the assembled group. It took all the Nation's willpower to not to become fully consumed by the madness.

Before long however, a cold, broken smile returned to his face as he turned to the speechless bystanders. Soon enough, he gazed his eyes on the hapless young officer, fixing his long scarf as he did so.

"It appears our leader has died of a heart attack, comrade," Russia intoned matter-of-factly. "Now then, we shall head in, da?"

"D-Da, Comrade Braginsky!"

As Alfred would have put it, there was no time crying of spilled milk. The order had already been given, he thought as he entered the shelter. His siblings and friends were in his eyes already condemned to the atomic fires. Perhaps some shred of the Soviet Union might survive in the Siberian tundra, once the world is done burning. Perhaps whoever will be left will unite under the banner of Marx and Lenin. Perhaps he may see his sisters someday on a field of sunflowers. One day… But in the meantime, Ivan would make sure his enemies pay the price of crossing him. Dead Hand would take care of the rest.

What was certain though, glancing at the calm sky one more time, was that the Cold War was over. And that the 26th of September was soon to become an eternal, global day of infamy.

As for some reference:

The events described are largely based on the 1983: Doomsday articles. While Doomsday as depicted (and the stories overall) aren't at all 100% "by the book" given all the difference, I tried keeping it as true to form as possible.

Colonel Gennady Akrimov is the Russian officer who reported the nuclear alarm that sparked the events of Doomsday in the source material. His appointment in 1983 was where this AU diverges from our reality, wherein Lt. Col. Stanislav Petrov was on duty.

Serpukhov-15 is an actual Soviet-era military township built in 1982 and named after the nearby city of Sepukhov in Moscow Oblast. A designated ground station for detecting missiles and satellites, it remains operational today in real life.

Yuri Andropov was the real life General Secretary of the Soviet Union in 1983. Not only was he infamous for his KGB record, but the man was also instrumental in the USSR's victory in the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. In the source material, he reportedly died of a heart attack upon learning the truth about Doomsday. Here, there's a reason why "heart attack" was preferable.

Dead Hand, also known as Perimetr was the Soviets' "fail-safe device for their nuclear weapons arsenal to ensure a second strike capability even if all command and control were to be destroyed." In real life, not only does it exist, but is believed to still be operational and upgraded by the Russians.

The title itself is a reference to the "Doomsday clock" which scientists devised, with "midnight" being effectively the end of the world.

Komandir - Commander (Russian)
Generalʹnyĭ Sekretar' - General Secretary (Russian)
Dasvidanya - "Goodbye/Farewell" (Russian)