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Act II: Chapter XXI
Chernov found that mobilizing the army was easy, finding the location of the HQ was more difficult than he could ever imagine however. The spy planes had covered most stretches of land near the colony and village, yet found no signs of any major red smurf operations. For a define location of their base, raiding the red smurf outposts seemed to be his best bet. Its either that, or combing the entire region awhile risking an encounter with human beings.
There just so happened to be a red smurf outpost just 15 kilometers away, the spy planes managed to pick them up on one of their recon runs. The outpost was only 40 square meters big, it sits near a pine forest that was famously known for being a dead zone. Chernov knew the place well. Before he met the blue smurfs, Brainy was launched here accidentally by Brainy. After spending a few days looking for food and water, Brainy was starving and was weak. He would had made a good snack for a hungry vulture if the four-eyed smurf hadn't stumbled into one of Chernov's father's traps.
Chernov had no idea why Dimitri was way out here to begin with, nor he was sure why this place seemed to suck him in on occasion. On one of his personal adventures, he was marooned out in that woods and caught a bad case of Typhoid. Its what he get for being malnourished, and jumping off a 200 meter waterfall with Azrael. Due to these personal experiences, Chernov knew his way around the forest all too well. He almost wish he hadn't. So when the map came in of the area surrounding the red smurf outpost, Chernov felt like he had suddenly developed a 6th sense.
He, Rick, and Chad studied the map carefully in the Command Center. The map was detailed very nicely, the cameras on the spy planes did their job well. The green smurfs can clearly see that the outpost had walls could be no more than half a meter thick, and it was all probably built out of the timbers the woods had to offer. The way the walls were designed made the place looked like an irregular pentagon, appropriate for the nearby creek which nearly encompassed the outpost. Since this outpost was far from any human civilization, it was a wise choice for the red smurfs to pick out the spot on their part. There were some black spots on the earth, indicating possible fire pits for burning trash. If any one these pits were to be burning at the right moment, it would help the green smurfs locate the outpost in the forest.
"So how do you want to do this Chernov?" asked Rick.
"Small groups of triads will be positioned here, here and here," said Chernov, "We aren't sure how many red smurfs are inside the outpost, but due to the size of these fire pits then the number could be small."
"How can you be sure?" asked Chad.
"The bigger the fire pit, the more red smurfs. Since there are 3 fire pits, my rough guess would be around 7 to 10 red smurfs, give or take."
"The infrastructure appears to be made out of pine," said Rick, "They'll might burn the place when we attack them Chernov?"
"We can either go in using stealth or guns blazing, further recon suggest that there isn't any possible chance of reinforcements if we jam their comms."
Rick sat back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair, "So we jam their comms and get them surrounded, what's going to stop them from burning Intel?"
"You know what, we go in using stealth. How about that?"
"I agree," said Chad, "If we hold the element of surprise long enough for us to get a hold of enemy Intel, then we can sneak out without raising alarm."
"Raid strategy established," said Rick, "What about the training of these red smurfs?"
"Could be poor, red smurfs often neglect their subordinates a lot. Their leaders simply train them to use a firearm and that's it, they don't even train how to make a simple Molotov Cocktail, you have to figure that out on your own if you're in their army."
"A covert operation against the least experienced of the Red Smurf Army," said Rick, "May be the key to their main HQ, I would love to drill that outpost for as much information as my heart desire."
"You might get that chance, we're going in tonight."
"You and me?"
"With a few other green smurfs of course, we'll sneak in and cut them apart like bacteria. I'll let you swim in all the Intel when we find it, once we bring it back here of course."
"Ooh, goody."
"What about me Chernov," asked Chad, "What do I do?"
"You handle the radio. Even though Rick has more experience with communications equipment, his knowledge of reconnaissance and scouting goes further back."
"Ohhh. So what do we need for the covert operation?"
"Soft sole boots, tactical knives, and silencers for our weapons. I'll fill in the rest once we get a team together, its about time we get some experience built into our brethren."
Chad took a second look at the map and pointed at the nearby creek, "Does this creek by chance is a branch of the Smurf River?"
"Maybe, we couldn't fit in all the information into this map without blurring out the outpost."
"We can get in there by vertibird somewhere far from the outpost," said Rick, "Then walk to it, and use the creek here to lead us in our escape."
"Genius Rick," said Chernov, "Let's get started on this mission."
"Gather a team, brief them, then move in tonight," said Rick, "Right?"
"Affirmative."
"Excellent."
"You know what this also mean," said Rick, "Big meal tonight, since it's going to be cold."
"Some spruce tea and granola along with that, the needed energy will keep us awake and warm. Let's recruit a team and get them set up, I plan to be back before midnight and be in bed with my Rachael."
. . .
Large groups of red smurfs line up at the POW Quarters, they stood by and watched as blue smurfs were led out of the building by gunpoint. Among all of his years of knowledge, nothing can prepare Grandpa Smurf from what he was facing. He knew the red smurfs all too well, actually met them during his travels around the world. The old smurf never thought that he would be captured by him, they were so different from the ancient days. Do they still remember him? None of the red smurfs seem to recognize him, in fact he hadn't seen any red smurf who was old yet.
He, along with the smurfs, were arranged in a square formation in the main square of the red smurf's base. The red smurfs seemed to be doing a headcount, Grandpa watch a red smurf go through all of the blue smurfs, checking if everysmurf was present. He hadn't spot Papa Smurf yet, no sign of him anywhere. He stood there among his fellow smurfs, trying in vain to stand without the use of his cane. His hunchback was going to kill him, if Grandpa trips, he might not get back up. Being a thousand years old had took its toll on him, and now it was tightening it's noose.
Grandpa Smurf looked up and saw a massive structure, brilliantly designed. The hammer & sickle was carved neatly in the balcony, which is above solid wooden doors that looked like a castle. On the balcony, he saw a tall authority-looking red smurf approach its edge and rest his hands on the concrete safety rails, two more red smurfs followed behind and stood on both his left and right each. Upon seeing the officer-like red smurf, everysmurf in the base went silent. Grandpa Smurf watched his little grandsmurfs tremble in fear, some of them were trembling in their pajamas. The red smurfs looked either annoyed or angry, maybe they were just grumpy.
"I'm General Adrian Dragovich," said the leader on the balcony, "I'm the Commander of the Red Smurf Army and leader of the entire red smurf race. You may be wondering why you're her. Well first of all, it was easy to infiltrate that Smurf Village of yours. We encountered little difficultly in snatching you up, your defenders were overwhelmed in the attack and were defeated. The reason why you're here is because we're holding you for ransom on the Green Smurf Colony's wealth and technology. It was way too difficult to penetrate the colony, yet getting into your village was no brainer. Once we've established contact with the green smurfs, you'll be informed. Once they agreed to our demands, you'll be freed. If they fail to give in to our demands, then you'll end up like your Papa Smurf."
Many blue smurfs began to mutter, but stopped when Dragovich continued, "During your stay here, you'll be working in our mines. You be wearing protective head-wear and respirators, you'll be mining Gypsum, a sulfate mineral used to make plaster. This plaster in turn will be used for medical purposes. So if you ever break a bone, you can thank yourself for getting the plaster that forms your casts. My fellow subordinates will set you up in the minds in a few moments. But first, one of my senior officers would like to meet one of you, personally."
The wooden doors opened and an old red smurf stepped on through, Grandpa Smurf felt a hand grab his arm and was jolted out of position, he nearly fell but managed to catch his balance. He turned and saw a red smurf pushing him along, saying orders in Russian. Grandpa Smurf didn't understand what he was saying, he safely assumed the red smurf wanted him to get a move on. He was brought to the front of the crowd as all eyes were trained at him, Grandpa watched as the old red smurf approached him awhile being escorted by two red smurf bodyguards.
"Long time no see Grandpa Smurf," said the officer, "What, you don't recognize me?"
All the blue smurfs muttered to themselves, "You know him Grandpa Smurf?" asked one of the blue smurfs.
A red smurf barked at him and Russian, shutting the blue smurf up, "No, I don't recognize you." said Grandpa Smurf.
"I'm Colonel Alexander Izotov, I believe we met long ago. I was a smurfling then, I stood by the Elder Smurf's side as you spoke with him personally."
"Oh now I remember, you were so shy. You wouldn't even say hello to me."
"Which explains why I'm... reluctant to be reintroducing myself to you. Now tell me, did you tell your smurfs about the red smurfs at all. In making contact with them?"
"No, I didn't."
"Well, I suppose that if it wasn't for you showing up at my old childhood home in the Ural Mountains, the red smurfs wouldn't even found your Smurf Village. Had that Great Oak Tree finally grew?"
"It did."
"How big is it?"
"Big."
"Hm, seems that you're memories are in order. Even after 500 years, you still have difficulty getting to know the red smurfs. I had to persuade the Elder Smurf to spare you once you had been captured by our armed forces, he had me serve you drinks and everything."
"Yes, you didn't appear to like it."
"It was punishment, of course that's the past. Now the Elder Smurf has past, his own direct descendent had took his place. Ah Adrian, I remembered that time where he went streaking across the red smurf village when he was just a toddler, wearing nothing on but his birthday suit."
"I heard that." said Dragovich through the speakers.
Izotov looked at Dragovich and made a remark in Russian, suddenly all the red smurfs snickered and laughed out loud. Dragovich seemed to be having steam coming out of his ears as a result.
"What did you say?" asked Grandpa Smurf.
Izotov turned towards him and said, "I said what I'd just said to you, few red smurfs knew his past today old timer."
"Izotov," said Dragovich, "Take Grandpa Smurf inside the bunker and deal with him privately. Oh, and bring in the smurflings as well, they will get the same treatment."
"Da." said Izotov.
Dragovich made a final remark in Russian and all the red smurfs began to usher the blue smurfs away. Grandpa Smurf was soon taken inside the massive structure, he didn't look back.
. . .
The Smurflings were taken through the VIP bunker without incident, they wondered what will become of them. The only smurflings who weren't scared were Cherskey and Nelly, they had been kidnapped by the red smurfs once, they knew what to expect. It was predictable that the red smurfs separated the twins from the main group, they took them down a separate hall where they separated the duo. Nelly put up a struggle when they were seperated, but Cherskey kept his cool. He didn't react when his sister was scooped off the floor by a red smurf, she called out his name, but was cut off when she was thrown inside of a cell and the sliding iron door slammed shut on her. Cherskey walked inside the cell across from Nelly's, once inside the door slammed shut behind him.
It was a small concrete room, the only thing inside was a small bright LED which glowed brightly on the ceiling. Cherskey knew he was going to be interrogated, he expect Nelly the same fate. So he sat down against the wall just across the iron door, crossed his legs, and placed both hands on his knees. He shuts his eyes and listened to the environment around him, it was eerie silent, just like the night he last remembered being at the Smurf Village. He didn't knew what really happened, all he knew was that he was captured by this so=called Spetsnaz. Cherskey knew some Russian, which might help him in his "counter-interogation" plan.
A few minutes went by and the door opened, Cherskey's eyes followed suit. He was stupefied to discover his interrogator was a red smurfling, dressed in the usual red smurf conscript uniform. When the iron door slammed shut, Cherskey cracked a smile, "Look at that," he teased, "They're sending in a red smurfling, isn't that adorable."
"Pipe it Reznov," barked the smurfling, his voice sounding squeaky, "I'm here to beat the intel outta you."
"Вы так мило."laughed Cherskey. He said You're so cute in Russian.
The red smurfling's eyes flew wide open, this was getting too easy, "How do you know Russian?"
"Does a Russian last name tell you anything genius?"
"A little."
"I bet not."
The red smurfling growled in frustration, "Okay then, let's start with the basics. Where's the-"
Cherskey let out a loud fart, the concrete walls amplified the noise as well as the small, "Oh you gotta be kidding me!" pouted the red smurfling.
"What," said Cherskey, "You're scared."
"No!"
"Well you're grumpy then, like a little brat you are."
"I'm not a brat!"
"Prove it then."
When the foul odor kicked in, the red smurfling turned to the door and began to pound away on it. He screamed in Russian, crying to be released. Eventually the red smurfs in the hall let him out. When the door flew open, the red smurfling collapsed in the middle of the hallway and vomited all over the floor, a red smurf who was standing nearby was disgusted at the smell.
"You got anyone out there more mature?" Cherskey asked in Russian.
The iron door slid shut in response, and Cherskey was alone again. He heard the red smurfling outside was crying heavily, it must be loud since the concrete walls were thick. He smiled to himself, proud that he one this round. Seemed that the psychological tactic had paid off, but it might get more tougher when they start sending in an adult for a change. His thoughts soon shifted to Nelly, natural for a twin to think of the other. He wondered how she was holding up, he kept his fingers crossed and waited. Escape was an impossibility, yet he can torment his captors as much as he can torment him. He loved the game, yet he knew it would soon become unpleasant.
All the red smurf's could do was hold onto him and Nelly until further orders from Dragovich, he doubt that its not going to stop the red smurfs from performing some kind of harm. A part of him thought it was about to become reality.
TO BE CONTINUED...