THE SIBERIAN WAR-KNIGHTS OF THE MOTHERLAND
By Red Star
NOTE: I do not own any anime or real characters mentioned in this story.
Two men will hold the fate of fate of Mother Russia in their hands today.
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VLADIVOSTOCK, EASTERN SIBERIA
General Lakov watched the Il-76 unload it's burden: 15 boxes of ammunition for machine guns and artillery guns, and 45 crates of food for the citizens. One of the pilots jumped out of the cab and ran to him. Lakov smiled and gave a salute. "Thank you, lieutenant. These shipments will last us for months." The lieutenant ignored the praise and instead handed him an envelope. The front of it said Colonel General Lakov. The envelope was sealed in wax with the Emperor's Seal on the back. Lakov looked up at the lieutenant, who just looked right back at him. Lakov excused himself and walked a short distance as he opened the letter.
To Colonel General Vladimir Sergeyevitch Lakov,
I have been impressed with the way you have handled the defense of Vladivostock. After consulting with my advisers at STAVKA, it pleases me to give you the following commands:
- To leave the Vladivostock Front in the hands of a capable commander and to make haste to an area to the north. If you wish, you may promote the person you choose and I will add him to the appropriate list.
- You will proceed to take command of the Eastern Theater of Military Operations.
You are now promoted to the rank of a full General.
- You will then proceed to at least slow the Japanese invasion forces until STAVKA can relocate our forces to Siberia.
Signed,
Dane I, Emperor of All the Russias
Lakov was silent for a moment. There was still much work to be done here.
But, he had a better chance of helping Vladivostock as CINCEAST than being a mere Front Commander. After informing his companions of his decision, Lakov drove to his headquarters to pack.
Half an hour later, a new Colonel General of the Russian Imperial Army saluted the Il-76 as it soared into the sky.
BELOGORSK, AMUR PROVINCE, SIBERIA
Lakov called Moscow. The Emperor answered.
"Your Imperial Majesty," said Lakov while staring at a map of the Sea of Japan,
"the Imperial Army is able to combat the Japanese on land very well. But I alone cannot defeat them." "Really, General?" the Emperor answered dryly.
"I must have support from the Imperial Navy; if they can wage war against the Japanese Navy and disrupt Japan's troop carriers, I may be able to tear the Japanese invader's heart out." The line was silent for a moment.
"I think I have something to attack them with. And the man to lead the way. Thank you for your input, General. Help is on the way. Good day."
SEVASTAPOL, UKRAINE, BLACK SEA FLEET HEADQUARTERS
Vice-Admiral Pasha Novoyev jumped at his secretary's buzzing on his intercom. "Sir, Commodore Victor Kolsov is here to see you."
His heart still pounding, Novoyev pressed the reply button and said, "Very good, let him in."
Kolsov let himself in. Novoyev had known him for five years and still couldn't believe such a man existed. Kolsov was 6'2 and had a beaky nose. His hair defied his age (47) and his face had few lines to prove his years as well. Over his left eye was an eye patch. He had lost his left eye in a clash with Greek cruisers during the short border war that had begun with the Greek Nationalist government attacking Russian ruled Bulgaria. The Greeks were hurled back by the Russians who then proceeded to destroy Turkish forces (Turkey had become Greece's de Facto ally when it simultaneously invaded the Caucasus.) As a result of the battle, Russia consumed large areas that gave her access to the Mediterranean. Kolsov was a strange man. He had an air about him that compelled nervousness out of the people around him.
Novoyev cleared his throat and motioned for Kolsov to sit in one of the armchairs facing his desk. Kolsov did so, while simultaneously pulling out a Cuban cigar, which Novoyev lit.
"Now, Commodore, word has come down from STAVKA itself to have you reassigned."
Kolsov blinked. That was taken as a reaction of surprise by those who worked with him. The CINCBSF went on. "You have been ordered to take a flight to Sakha in Siberia, from there you will proceed to a location that is not known to me." The Vice Admiral looked up at him just then. "Do you know something I don't, Victor Alexievitch?" The Commodore just smiled. He stood up and gave a salute.
At his apartment, Kolsov neatly folded up his sea service uniform; a black button down tunic with a half-inch high collar. He took one last look at it before he put it in his suitcase. He smirked grimly. "I'm back…"
KHABAROVSK, SIBERIA
Haruka strolled down the damaged street. The city had been hit by Japanese artillery shells and air strikes and it looked like it had been abandoned. "Haruka?" said a familiar voice. She spun to see an officer standing in front of the open door of a bar. In front of the bar was a burned out tank. Her eyes went wide. "Darien?" she ran over to him. "Long time, no see! How are you?" "I'm fine, Serena was a little upset at my leaving but otherwise it was rather peaceful." "You mean she didn't cry and get into a fit?" "Actually she did, but at least she didn't cling to my leg." Haruka laughed, and then realized this was the first time she had since she had landed in Siberia.
"Darien?" called a voice from inside, "More guests? Bring em' in!"
"Yes, sir!" Darien showed Haruka into the bar. Seated at the bar were two young men. One had goggles fixed to his head, with wild hair, and a dusty complexion, and the other was an officer who appeared to be one of those gentle, peace-loving creatures that had been dragged into a bloody battle. She heard glass tinkling and suddenly a man stood up. He had gray hair and was wearing four stars on his shoulder straps. Her eyes opened wide. "General Nohitomo!" She snapped to attention. "At ease, lieutenant," smiled the commander of the 2nd Army, "we're all just soldiers here, trying to escape this war." He took out five shot glasses and filled them up. Haruka began telling him about her recent mission. He froze suddenly. "Good Lord, you're the one who killed Marshal Belosovsky!" Her eyes widened. She had heard about the death of the senior Russian commander and had wondered…
And as they spoke, to the west, the children of Mother Russia were preparing themselves.
To the west, massive forces began heading toward the monolithic Siberia.
The 1st Shock Army, the 2nd Shock Army, the 3rd Shock Army, the 1st Guards Tank Army, the 2nd Tank Army, the 5th Guards Tank Army, the 6th Tank Army, the 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 21st, and 30th Armies were loaded onto planes and trains. River barges capable of carrying tanks or large numbers of men were seized on the Emperor's orders. Artillery guns were dismantled to make room on the massive Ruslan transports for other guns. The new generation of the Katyusha, Russia's famous rocket artillery system, sped to the East.
The Imperial Air Force carried these troops and also sent it's own waves of forces to the east. Hundreds of MiG-29M's and their cousins soared to the west. Included were 200 MiG-1.42s, Russia's latest stealth fighter. Su-35s, Su-37s, Su-25s, Su-27s, Su-30s, and their latest, the Su-S-37 with it's magnificent swept-forward wings , began relocating to Siberia. All in all, 2.5 Million men were on their way to the front, with three Air Armies flying overhead. The balance was about to be turned…