HI there, I'm OneWriterSalted, but you can just call me Salt, Salty, or Salter. Before we Begin, let me give the standard "I do not own RWBY, that belongs to Rooster Teeth, nor do I have any claim to The New Order: Last Days of Europe, its a enjoyable Mod with neat stories to read, but I have no claim to have worked on it in any way shape or form. Anyway here is a obligatory 'my first ever fic so all constructive criticism is welcome just don't be an ass' along with the standard, enjoy the fic
The Sun was high in the sky, the Russian people of Vyatka went about their usual day, selling goods, working on the factory floor, shopping, patrolling, and everything else found in one civilian's life or the other. The only exception was a group of about 200 men at the old Imperial Palace of Tsar Vladimir, the Tsar of the Principality of Vyatka and most legitimate claimant to the Russian Imperial Throne. 195 of these Men were members of the Imperial Guard, the rest were powerful men of the Russian Empire. Little did anyone know, that a decision to be taken in this building change the course of the Russian Empire forever
Mikhail II, Tsar and Autocrat of all Russia, was observing the empty throne room of Tsar Vladimir, that Cousin of his who would meet his end at the bullet of WRRF commissar in some dirty basement, alongside his wife and daughter. Mikhail only met the man once, A party where Vladimir yet again affirmed he was not a true Romanov and not deserving the title of Prince, even with this slit against him, Mikhail still feels sadness as another Romanov's life was stripped away in the chaos of revolution and an innocent soul was destroyed too soon. Thankfully Mikhail escaped this fate, but he still remains saddened.
The heavy doors of the throne room are opened, inside stepping 4 of the most powerful men in all of Russia: Nikolay Ukhtomsky Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexey Abaza Economy Minister, Dmitry Volkogonov Defense Minister and Prime Minister Anatoly Sobchak. These 4 men are some of Tsar Mikhail's closest and most trusted allies.
Volhogonov responsible for the defeat of the corrupt Prime Minister Boris Shepunov, the military man was dressed in full uniform, a ceremonial cavalry officer sword on his left hip and a sidearm on the right hip. He carried an air of authority, he like Mikhail and Abaza carry no memory of Russia during the reign of the old Tsars, this isolated them from the Old Whites and allowed them to more easily side with Mikhail in the power struggle against them.
Abaza being the trusted second and chosen successor to former Economic Minister Ivan Mikhailov, the man who gave the fire needed for Mikhail to remove the corrupt puppeteers in his empire. Abaza himself was an oddity, while loyal to Mikhail and the empire, he still carried the tendencies and controlling aspects of the Old White Regime, preferring more state control over the economy and even considering the return of Japanese investment, but the man was smart enough not to disobey the Tsar, or repeat past mistakes
Ukhtomsky, one of the Old Whites who remembered the old empire, the man always had a strained relationship with his superiors, preferring to fulfill his duties then involve himself in the affairs of the state internally or the power struggle, Mikhail trusted his experience and apathy to the old order to keep him loyal and around as Foreign Minister, something the man was grateful for and proved with his loyalty and competence.
Finally Sobchak, that Popular Mayor of the Capital Chita and now Prime Minister, is a key part of Mikhail plan to bring democracy, to end the military rule of his empire and establish free elections for all Russian citizens to vote in. Sobchak has chaffed under the Whites, kept around more as a symbol for the locals than anything else, but as the White Army marched west Sobchak grew more bold with his calls for reform until the faithful coup, where he was invited to serve as Prime Minister and begin his reform plans
"Gentlemen, come in come in, what do you need" Mikhail's Russian had improved tenfold since his time as a puppet in Chita, he could hold up a proper conversation with others and was capable of making more and more Public appearances and speeches to the subjects, raising morale across the Empire and closing the distance between him and those who called him there liege
"Your Imperial Majesty, glad we found you, we have the reports you wanted" Volkogonov stated, being simple as always when it came to his duty around Mikhail, the man was dutiful, loyal and rather dull when it came to being on duty, something Mikhail could appreciate if not wishing for a little more emotion from him, at least so he can get a sense of person out of the man.
"Yes, I have the budgeting reports for this quarter, it simply needs your review and signature" Abaza followed up, a good man if not intimidated by Mikhail due to his status as Tsar, not due to a lack of trying by him. Abaza was intimidated by a man who with a single phrase could have him arrested, tried and executed without ever answering for it, something Mikhail had yet to do during his reign
"Yes, speaking of the Budget, we need to get some money allocated for Debt payments, the American ambassador grows impatient" Ukhtomsky often finds himself knees deep in demands for debt payment demands and questions from Mikhail concerning the current state of the world, with great interest given to his home in Australia, something he didn't think would be a problem when he was made foreign affairs minister all those years ago in Chita, but now was a constant one.
"Ahh don't worry Nikolay, the Americans know they can't press us too hard, they wouldn't want to fall out of our good graces and risk losing such a valuable resource rich country and strategic position." Sobchak loves chiming in like that, he loves his two cents being heard and enjoys lessening the pressure on those around him, along with sticking it in small ways to the older generations in the government by proving his competence
"You underestimate the Americans, they will take any action needed to get there money, even if they need to make use of darker more clandestine measures" Ukhtomsky shot back, never appreciating Sobchak's small comments and exercising of authority as PM, despite the fact he was right in this specific instance, America wouldn't dare press Russia to hard and risk losing support.
"Gentlemen, just give me your reports, I'd rather not have you all fired, literally" This earns a few chuckles, but an uneasy glace from Sobchak and a blank stare from Abaza, both of which remember the purges of the Old Whites and the fear felt by many that they may be next on the list. They knew Mikhail wasn't like that, but the subject was touchy for those at risk of the old purges.
The men hand over the reports, which Mikhail lines up on a nearby table. He quickly signs the budget, which primarily focused on military investment along the border and expansion of the Trans Siberian Railway, making sure that debt payment is allocated to the Americans, while also diverting a few extra million to poverty relief, making sure to prioritize the regions of western Siberia, Abaza gives a bow while taking the report, waiting to be dismissed.
Next came Volkogonov's military report, the Russian army was nearing 1,000,000 strong, with 300,000 reserves ready to be called at a moment's notice, the report covered the deployment of new Motorized and Armor divisions, with experiments on Helicopter infantry entering the next stage. The report also covered a small fleet of destroyers and subs now patrolling the coast and hunting down pirates, mainly around the pacific, with the Heavy Cruiser Nicholas II nearing completion in Arkhangelsk along with reports of successful Aerial operations in the Urals, destroying several bands of Soviet remnants, mainly NKVD divisions around the mountain of Yamantau, and a group called the Black League, whoever they were the locals were extremely afraid of them, and grateful for their destruction.
Next came the Prime Minister's report, broken into two parts, the first half covered the new initiative to begin the destruction of symbols across Russia with connections to the communists, republican groups and other anti monarchist organizations. Mikhail quickly included into the ban fascist symbols, then signing the report and decrees. The Second half of said report covered the upcoming elections in Russia. Mainly polling numbers for the Parties, and expected seats to be won come Election Day, the report was a rough estimate, with the proper infrastructure for polling not fully in place across Russia, mainly in the west.
Russian Tsar League(RTL)
Polling at 34%, expected to gain 34 seats in Duma
Formed from the remnant of the Old Whites, the RTL wished to maintain the Status Quo from before the Coup, with power centralized in the Tsar and not the Prime Minister. Said Status Quo being close ties with Japan, military control over society, a large emphasis on Russian tradition and other such features, not the worse choice but defiantly one he wouldn't choose
Democratic Party of Siberia(DPS)
Polling at 38%, expected to gain 38 seats in Duma
Formed from democratic groups and remnants from the CIty of Sverdlovsk to Magadan and everything in between, the DPS advocate greater powers to be entrusted to the Duma and Prime Minister, greater ties and possible membership with the OFN, the liberalization of Russian Society and ending the monopolies of the Crown Corporations
Russian National Party(RNP)
Polling at 2%, expected to gain 2 seats in the Duma.
Formed from the remnants of the RFP in the far east, and some support from the Right-Wing elements from the former Republic of Komi, the RNP advocates for power to be centralized in the Prime minister, massive expansion of the Army, restarting policies of Russification and limited rights for Religious and ethnic minorities
All-Russian National Union(ARNU)
Polling 26%, expected to gain 26 seats in the Duma
A strange party, the ARNU are a large party based in western Russia that traces its origins to the Government of Tsar Vladimir III, they advocate maintaining russian tradition while granting some powers to the Duma and Prime Minister, keeping the Tsar as the supreme authority in Russia
The news itself was not the best, while the RTl is a democratic party, it stood for maintaining the status quo, meaning keeping most of the government's power in the hands of the Tsar, in the hands of Mikhail. Granted, this outcome is far better than say the RNP gaining a major amount of power, though such a thing occurring is impossible after the pain caused by them in Amur and Magden. Mikhail knew that the DPS and ARNU would put aside their differences to form a coalition, a united front for democracy in the Empire, a Front for freedom and equality, a front he could get behind.
As Mikhail handed the report back to the Prime Minister, Volkogonov handed him a sending top secret file, Labeled Project MOLNIYA. Mikhail dreaded what he was about to read, but fully understood the necessity of such a terrible mission to preserve Russian independence and the eventual full reunification of its lost land behind the German Line. As he read his dread grew, it was ready, his signature was necessary to go forward with the final test. The weapon would undertake its final detonation outside the Arkhangelsk test facility, in the right position for the Finnish Seismic sensors to pick up the detonation and spread word of the Russian status as a superpower.
He signed it, handed it back to the General, and finally took a moment to breath as he approached the window, observing the city and its people. Soon he would be counted among a group of men capable of clicking a button and ending the world, he would be accounted among the great leaders other nations wish to keep appeased unless their nation is destroyed.
Suddenly, the earth began to shake
Dimitri walked the halls of the bunker, making his way to the observation post, the cold airs of Arctic Russia were felt even in the heated and insulated bunker, with Dimitri wearing thick furs over his coat and lab gear. The halls themselves were barren concrete, holding no detail or joy in there efficient design to resist strain and now the coming weight of there special project
As he entered the observation port, he found himself standing alongside dozens of other scientists, engineers, military officers and political representatives of the Tsar and Prime Minister, observing the open plains of Arctic Russia as the test entered the final phase, soon Russia would take that final leap to the status of Superpower. He had worked on this project for the better part of 3 years, beginning work just after the defeat of the Central Siberian Republic in 1970, now he stood at the final testament of his work in anticipation to grant Russia its greatest victory yet
"Gentlemen, please put your protective eyewear on, we are preparing for the final test of the weapon" I made the last call, dozens of men, put on the googles as we observed the icy fields, the Prime Ministers men seemed confused as they put on the goggles, clearly they have been kept in the dark for secrecy. The final countdown Started, the enthusiastic if not completely excited voice of Head Engineer Stanakov voice over the speakers
"Detonation in 5...4...3...2...1" Our vision was overtaken by a blinding light, protected only by the glass of the bunker and our goggles, the light would subside after a few moments and we were left in wonder of a mushroom cloud on the skyline, there were no cheers or congratulations, just a silent acceptance of Russia joining the other great powers in holding the power of death. May the Lord have mercy upon us, for this bomb grants no mercy but swift death. complete shock and mild horror crossed the faces of the Prime Ministers men, clearly this was not what was expected by them.
Suddenly, the earth began to shake uncontrollably, several men fell over as others grappled to safety rails in hopes of standing, I myself fell over and banged my head against something, everything turned dark as a warm feeling pooled around my head. Alarms blaring and shouting overtaking, I could barely hear the calls for a medic as I faded out.
Hans stood in his watchtower, Huddling next to his small lantern in the cold snow of winter, listening to the soft singing of the radio and the latest radio broadcast of a speech by Fuhrer Bormann, it sounded oddly familiar to him but the cold prevented to concentrated thinking, he rather focus on the task then some case of Deja Vu. But the nagging feeling wouldn't leave him, so much so he lowered his radio's volume to a near whisper with hope the commander wouldn't realize he turned down the radio below regulation limits.
Watching the road that connected Ostland and Moskowein, probably one of if not the most boring assignment in the entire Reich, there was little traffic along this road, most resources being shipped west went though rail lines in Ukraine or by ship in the Baltic, so the only traffic they saw was someone from Ostland visiting family in Northern Moskowein, the occasional military convoy or inspection. A nice quiet checkpoint job that gave good pay, decent living conditions, and little risk of combat or death. Perfect for those in the Heer who were deemed less than useful in a pacification mission to the Caucasus region or watch duty on Russian Border, Italian Border or the dreaded Burgundian Border assignment. Yet Hans hated it, he wanted some excitement and enjoyment in his tour of service, not glorified gatekeeping duty. He would take an assignment in Caucasus Region, deployment to Serbia or even assignment to the Breast garrison to enjoy the Black Market.
That quite of the most boring assignment in the Reich was suddenly interrupted, with the shaking of the earth and buckling of his tower. The shouts around him fazed in and out of understanding, soldiers were rushing for cover and stable ground, his commander rushing to the road with most of the men to avoid falling objects and collapsing buildings. Hans himself panicked, he grabbed his rifle and ration meal, trying to make his way to the stairs of his tower, however before he could his tower creaked and moaned before suddenly collapsing to its side, hurtling him to the ground and knocking him out cold. Hans had hoped for an exciting adventure and no longer being stuck with his border job, seems the man got wish in the most unconventional manners.
As the shaking of the Earth stopped, men from the cold Siberian Port of Magadan to the Border posts of Moskowein, from the Camps of Caucasia to the former gulags of Arctic Russia, looked to the sky and saw a shocking and truly terrifying sight, a shattered moon occupied the skies. Across the Russian Empire, border guards looked upon seas where once land was seen for miles, priest preach divine intervention and the coming end of days, military and civilian government deployed every measure to maintain order in the confusion, and a confused Tsar is filled with a horrible fear not felt since that first day in Russia.
Across the German east, any and all contact was lost with Germania, the borders of Ukraine and Ostland became an open sea, the local slavs panicked as the german garrisons rushed to maintain order as two confused Reichkommisars and there military staff rushed to maintain order and communication to determine the fate of the reich.
Russia had entered a new world, and the balance had forever been changed