Disclaimer: Command & Conquer: Red Alert Franchise belongs to none other than Westwood Entertainments.

Pre-Note: I have played the game and have seen the Soviet Commanders. If I may, however, veer off elsewhere when describing them, please do point out my mistakes. I will gladly appreciate them. And Leningrad is renamed St. Petersburg and then renamed Leningrad again today.

Chapter 2: Siege of Leningrad
Date: 09/24/10
Time: 04:00 AM
Current Location: Outskirts of Leningrad; Novgorod

Natasha Volkova woke to the sound of alarm blaring. She sat up immediately, her gray blanket cascading down her lithe but muscular form. Her mind was still disoriented and perplexed because of the sleep. Her first thought was that she was still in Budapest but when Natasha realized she was in a Kirov did she came to the fact that she was in Leningrad. She took a bath and wore her uniform after. She took out her sniper rifle and made her way out of her room. Soldiers were running into the Command Room where, in no doubt, Commander Vladimir Romanov was now briefing his orders.

Commander Romanov. He was a different Commander from others that she had served under for many years. Vladimir was a calm and calculating Commander who derived pleasures in the destruction of his enemies. He and Commander Nikolai Moskvin would have made good friends. Vladimir was a Commander who would execute anyone who defied his orders or anyone who failed to meet his expectations. And he never made empty threats. Only a fool would think he was bluffing when he says he will gut you. Still, Natasha can feel the bottled emotions under the raven-haired man's cold persona. After all, he was still human. Beneath those trenchant bloodred eyes, pale complexion, staunch perfectionism and regal demeanor lay a stalwart protector and friend.

Vladimir Romanov was a rare person. Aside from his inner self, he was not as big as Oleg. He was big but enough for his build. His crimson eyes were a unique distinction. No one had eyes red enough to be near his own bloodred. His mouth was always in a grim line but occasionally, Natasha would notice when she was around, that a smile; a genuine smile would rise from the line. Well, that's when she was around. She even heard rumors that the Commander only smiled when she was with him. She would quickly dismiss such absurd ideas but she could never help the blush that would creep into her cheeks, breaking her cold resolve. One more thing about him was his posture. From the way he walked to the way he sat and stood, Vladimir always had that air of aristocracy and authority. The aristocracy, of course, was because of his ancestry. He was born a Romanov, the ruling House of Russia when it was still an Empire before the Soviet Union was sired. If Imperial Russia hadn't faltered, he might have been Tsar Vladimir Romanov now, absolute ruler of the largest empire in the world. Yet the authority was unmistakable. His soldiers were always on their toes in case he might whisper an order or if they fail to notice, he would have them executed. Everyone feared him except perhaps herself, the Premier, Dasha, General Krukov and his Co-Commanders. He was so feared that he earned the title Death's Sire. Soviet soldiers not from his division would stand with jaws dropped as they watch Vladimir rain death on his enemies, overwhelming them so much that they thought the Lord of the Dead had come to devour the world itself with paramount vengeance.

It was official; Vengeance in flesh was Vladimir Romanov.

She dashed past other men and practically flew inside the Command Room. It seems that she was right. The Commander was now currently assigning orders and on the wide screen was a transmission box with Co-Commander Oleg Vodnik in it, giving out orders and advices as well. Natasha knew that both Commanders were like brothers. They both sported the same red, Soviet cap and they were also fierce patriots.

"...will breach the outer defenses and the infantry will besiege the captured city. Any resistance in the field of battle will be cut down by Kirovs when the Sickles have finally taken out the Rising Sun's anti-air defenses and units. Meanwhile, Commander Oleg" Vladimir gestured to his friend with a smile. Oleg returned the smile, showing the others the unbreakable friendship between the two. "will also dispatch his own troops in helping to eradicate the Imperials. He will also dispatch some of his troops to protect the Fortress, our main objective. Our Sniper Commando Natasha Volkova..." Another transmission box appeared and Natasha was in it. "will also help in protecting the Fortress."

Vladimir stepped closer to his men. He had a stern face on and commanded in an absolute voice.
"I want EVERY one of you to do your best. We will take back our city from their clutches. If I have to die to free the Motherland from these wretched beings, then I will. Dismissed!"

Men scattered as the Kirovs began to land nearby. Dawn was already creeping up, the pink glows of light climbing the skies. Legions of conscripts and Flak Troopers arranged themselves for the attack. The smoke from the city can be seen even at a distance. This had angered the Russian Army. How dare they enter and take the city as if they were gods!

Hammer Tanks, Sickles, Terror Drones and Kirovs awaited orders as they grouped en masse, ready to take back Leningrad from their foes. From his barracks, Vladimir could see the faint shape of Oleg's base. They were located on the other side of the city. At his signal, the Sickles will jump out and destroy the outlying defenses as the Hammer Tanks break down the opposition. Terror Drones would infiltrate enemy vehicles and Kirovs would let loose a fury of bombs in captured buildings. MIG fighters would rain down destruction and devastation on enemy troops patrolling around the city.

When Vladimir gave his signal, the army began its attack. It had gone as he and Oleg had planned. Even though Sickles were not powerful in their own right to destroy mechanical defenses, overwhelming numbers would crush anything. The Imperial defenses were swiftly dealt with and the Hammer Tanks destroyed the attacking infantry. Conscripts massacred the Imperial units retreating and fleeing the city. Flak Troopers shot down the Japanese's aircrafts. There were some mistakes but not that great to reverse the odds. Some Terror Drones were destroyed before they got the chance to destroy enemy vehicles. The enemy Commander had not yet made contact so the Soviet continued their fight to free their city.

Vladimir was watching from his base when Dasha Fedeovorich reappeared on the screen. Vladimir walked to the center to where she can see him.

"Commander, we have a problem. Reinforcements from the Empire had began its attack on the Fortress. Emergency landing on the island is now necessary. As of now, the Fortress is currently taking damage." Dasha explained the grave situation. Oleg appeared in another transmission box. "She's right, Commander. I will help you kill those men. Send in Natasha Volkova through the Bullfrog AA before the Empire has a chance to destroy the hope of Mother Russia." Both flicked off and Vladimir quickly set a transmission for Natasha. She was located on one of the barracks very near the city.

"Natasha Volkova reporting. What is it, Commander?" She asked through the transmission. Shots and screams could be heard in the background. Occasionally, a flicker of explosions would pass.

"Emergency evacuations is now necessary. You have to reach the Fortress or else Russia will fall." Vladimir's transmission disappeared from Natasha's computer screen. She stood up and ran as fast as she can towards the nearest Bullfrog. There was none in the base since the others were used in combat.

The Sniper Commando shot two Imperial soldiers when she saw them approaching a defenseless Bullfrog AA. She was running towards it when a couple of Imperial soldiers trailed after her. Natasha couldn't kill them in time. She had better things to do than kill useless Imperial soldiers. A large explosion was heard from above and Natasha looked up to see a falling Kirov Airship. It was burning from the inside so it must have overused its engines and created an internal explosion. She had an idea. She kept on running until she was past the area where she was sure the Airship will fall. Sure enough, when it had crashed down it brought along the trailing Imperial soldiers behind her. With them dead, she kept on running and reached the Bullfrog AA.

"Hurry! Shoot me towards the Fortress, now!" She was loaded inside the mancannon and soon she was shot. It was a weird feeling. Being shot through the sky. The wind battled against her flying form. It was like swimming upward and against a fierce river current.

From her position, Natasha could make out the Fortress. About twenty Shinobi soldiers were already there, wreaking havoc on the Fortress and its surroundings. She released her parachute and slowly descended towards the ground.

"Eat this, Imperial bastards!" She aimed her rifle and shot a ling of Imperial soldiers. Her bullet passed through bodies, killing six Imperial soldiers. She shot the other line and killed the other six soldiers. Natasha ran straight ahead. A large gate sided by long brick walls rose in view. Statues of Saints Peter and Paul stood on the inside, centering the monolithic Fortress of Saints. The walls of the Fortress were slowly eroding by the bullets from the Shinobi.

The gate was no problem though. Natasha can call her Badger Bomber to destroy any building. Even a mighty Construction Yard will fall to a simple airstrike from her. Not only that but also her special skill in shooting down vehicle drivers, leaving them empty for her troops to acquire. She aimed her sniper rifle at the gate, releasing a bright red laser at it. She didn't need to be so close to the gate for an airstrike. She only needed to hold on, though. Just long enough for her Badger Bomber to fly down and level the target.

The Badger Bomber flew past her and released a bomb to strike down the gate. Surely enough, the gate exploded into splinters and flying bricks as a small missile fell and destroyed the obstacle. The leviathan Fortress that had stood since Tsar Peter I was now being shot down by arrogant Imperial bastards. She wasted no chance. It was time to retake the city.

-==-

Vladimir watched the Sniper Commando's progress through his wide screen monitor. A Russian satellite backed up by his Radar granted a clear vision of Leningrad and his troops. Oleg's soldiers were now pouring through all sides of the city, fortifying Vladimir's already effective troops as they lay waste to the Motherland's enemies.
Unexpectedly, Dasha Fedeovorich appeared, blocking his view on the map.

"Commander! We have a very serious problem." Dasha stated. There were times when Vladimir was already winning when Dasha arrived just to reveal more startling news. This was on of those times.

"What is it now, Dasha?" Vladimir inquired with an irritable wave of his hand. The Head of Intelligence didn't seem to be fazed by his annoyed demeanor. On the contrary, she seemed more serious than ever.

"The Hermitage Museum is under attack. It contains Russia's most valuable artifacts. Saving it will go a long way in giving our people hope in this dark hour."

Simultaneously, Oleg came into view. He had a very grim face, no doubt worried about the Hermitage. Quite a large man, Oleg was. With broad shoulders, a fierce face backed by his military uniform and cap and that dark glare, Oleg towered over most men. His form made others seem insignificant and little. But none of those came to be more terrifying when Oleg was unleashed in battle. Enemy Commanders would cower when Oleg appeared in their Radar, his face angry. Most enemy Commanders' knees, and sometimes even Soviet Commanders', buckled under his glower. He was Death's Shadow in the field of war.

"My troops will defend the Fortress to the last. Go and save the Hermitage. If we lose it, the Soviets' spirit will falter." They both vanished from the screen when the map surfaced back online. It was true. The Hermitage was under attack. A small group of Imperial soldiers were shooting down the museum. Vladimir looked back to the Fortress. Battalions of conscripts and Flak Troopers, both his and Oleg's, were defending the Fortress of Saints.

"Deliver this transmission to Natasha Volkova. Report to her that she is to fly using the Bullfrog AA towards the Hermitage. It is under attack and I need her to eradicate those men. The number of troops if she wishes to bring does not matter. Just let her leave enough defense for the Fortress." Vladimir pressed a gray button and the transmission was sent.

"Sending transmission-----Transmission received." The mechanical voice of the Soviet battlefield control spoke with that same tone of indifference.

Seconds later, Natasha's reply was heard.

"Understood, Commander." The sound of conflict did not go unheard through the transmission.

But before she could cut off the transmission line, Vladimir added.

"And Natasha, be careful."