THE SIBERIAN WAR-THE GUNS FALL SILENT…
By Red Star
NOTE: I do not own any real or anime characters mentioned here.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
President Jesse Ventura stared at the letter in front of him. It was delivered to him personally from the Japanese Ambassador a few hours before. Before the ambassador was found dead in his office from a self-inflicted gun wound.
Your Excellency,
On behalf of my country and my Emperor, I request that you mediate between my government and that of the Russian Empire in discussing terms of surrender.
Signed,
General Fashiro Nohitomo, Acting Prime Minister of the Japanese Empire.
The President of the United States was shocked, and of course somewhat honored. He got up, buttoned his jacket, and left for a meeting of the National Security Council.
"Mr. President," the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff began, "During the conflict in Asia, the Russians have exposed to the world new technologies. This list includes Radio Frequency Weaponry, a strange new kind of stealth technology for it's submarines, and an incredibly powerful bomber that we've termed the 'Vampire'. The Russians have also made use of the new jet carrier technology that has recently been developed, something which the Japanese used to attack the Russian Far East." He looked around the room and at the Federal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, who was whispering something to the Federal Secretary of Defense. "Fortunately, as you all know, the Emperor of Russia signed a Non-Aggression Pact with the United States President. The Russian Emperor has also failed to show any interest in threatening American territory. So, I must assume that we face no danger from the Russian Empire."
The President then stood up. "Gentlemen, there is a new government in Japan…"
THE KREMLIN
The Emperor of All the Russias sat beside Vladimir Putin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, as his projectionist prepared to show the Imperial Inner Circle a new movie from America, Austin Powers 4: From Russia with Shaggin'!
The Ministers were in a jovial mood over the conquest of Tokyo and were sharing the latest jokes about the battle that they overheard from either MGB agents or their own subordinates. "What is next, my Emperor?" asked Marshal Kulikov, "Shall we march on Washington?" The Emperor laughed. "Yeah right, I'm not cruel enough to send any of my boys to that country!!" This summoned up more laughter. And then the doors were opened by a footman who announced the American Ambassador.
Peter Roberts, the 44 year old United States Ambassador to the Court of His Imperial Majesty Dane I, couldn't help glancing at the giggling Government officials who seemed to watch him with amusement. But he had a mission from the President and nothing should distract him. He bowed before the Emperor, waited for Dane to finish greeting him and said, "We have a message from Prime Minister Nohitomo," The Emperor's smile vanished, and he looked at his subordinates who seemed confused. The Emperor gave an order to the projectionist, "Hold the movie until I'm finished with Mr. Roberts,"
The Emperor read the message calmly. "So, he wants peace…" said Dane I. He looked over his shoulder and peered down a darkened hallway. "Is something wrong, sir?"
The Emperor turned back to him. "No, it's just that I saw something a month ago and I don't…never mind. I will send instructions to Lakov immediately. Thank you, Ambassador Roberts."
MARSHAL VLADIMIR LAKOV'S COMMAND POST, TOKYO CITY HALL
Lakov stood at attention as the screen in front of him came to life. His technicians had set it up to receive the Emperor during special consulting with his Supreme Commander in Chief. In a few moments, the Russian Emperor, complete with Imperial Uniform, appeared on the screen.
"Marshal Lakov, you have served me well…" "It pleases me to hear you say that, Your Imperial Majesty," Dane nodded. "I received a message today from a Japanese leader I think you might be interested in, Marshal. Fashiro Nohitomo." "General Nohitomo, sire?" "Acting Prime Minister Nohitomo, Marshal. He has asked for a ceasefire and wishes to discuss terms of peace. From what our American friends can gather, he will send a personal representative to meet with you at a place of your choosing. If you two can agree on the terms of a ceasefire, the Foreign Ministers will take over from there and hammer out a formal treaty of surrender." The Emperor paused to let this sink in. "What is your choice, Marshal?" The CINCEAST was surprised. He whipped around to a map spread out on the table. He scanned it quickly and made a decision. "Yes, sire," "Well?"
"Masaki Shrine, tomorrow, sire," "Very good Marshal. I will inform the Japanese of your choice of a meeting point. SUPERCINC out." The screen flipped off, leaving Marshal Lakov to his thoughts.
NOHITOMO'S TEMPORARY HEADQUARTERS, NORTHERN HONSHU
Nohitomo gave a deep sigh and leaned back in his chair. Finally…
He leaned forward and pressed a switch on his desk. Within a few seconds, Major Darien Shields came through the door. "Yes, General?" The Acting Prime Minister motioned him to a seat before the General's desk. Darien sat down and Nohitomo began pacing behind the desk. "Darien, I have just received a communiqué from the Russian Emperor via the U.S. Government. The Russians are willing to negotiate with us." Darien smiled. Finally, he could see him in Tokyo now. Serena in one arm, tossing away his tunic in the other. "Major, I want you to go and make peace with the Russians." Darien started. The Prime Minister had just ordered him to take on a diplomat's job.
"Sir, I…I can't do that. I don't have the authority." "I say you have the authority, Darien." Nohitomo walked around to Darien. "Major, throughout this horrible battle, I've admired your ability. I saw how you treated our dangerous situations with all the calmness of an old campaigner, and I must say I admired you." He grasped Darien by the shoulders and said, with a voice choked with emotion: "Darien, it is because of you that I got that far." Darien blushed a little. "Now go and make that girl of yours even more proud."
Darien nervously buttoned up his semi-dress uniform and turned to the sound of the door opening. There stood Captain Tenchi Masaki in his own semi-dress. "Uh, Sir? May I go with you on this flight?" "Why, Captain?" Tenchi looked down. "Because, sir, Masaki Shrine is my home. I'd like to see my family." Darien nodded. "Very well, Major, be out by the BK-117 by 10:00."
TOMEDA
Sakura walked slowly down the street. Depression had held an iron grip over her life ever since Tory had vanished. She didn't see the Russian until she bumped into him. "Sorry, sir," she murmured as she went on. "What's wrong there?" Surprised, she turned around to look up at the Russian. He was not armed and wore a field-command cap. He had a single gold star on his trench coat's epaulets. "My brother was shot down over Russia a long time ago," The man appeared to understand. "I see, no wonder you're crying." He approached her and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm Major General Anatoly Rilov. Come, tell me about it." The two then walked into King Penguin Park.
MASAKI SHRINE
Darien could barely hold back his laughter as Tenchi was suddenly pounced upon by two young girls. One had spiky, silver hair and yellow eyes. The other had longer, purple hair that was tied into two long pony tails going down the back. The expressions of loneliness during the young Captain's absence was swiftly and suddenly replaced by arguing as they tugged at the poor fellow. But for some reason, the boy seemed content, with a little smile even. And Darien knew why. He was home.
The Major glanced at his wristwatch. 11:30. The Russian Commander would arrive…
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of three helicopters chopping through the air.
Darien looked up to see three Mil-25 gunships lurching toward them from the mountains. The helicopters hovered over to a clear area to Darien's left. The three then landed.
With the helicopter blades still lashing through the air, two choppers had their doors slid open and 8 troops tumbled out of each of the two. They hurriedly took up positions by the house and then turned to the third helicopter. The door slid open to reveal Marshal Vladimir Sergeyevitch Lakov, in the olive-uniform of the Russian Army. Three gold stars hung above his four rows of medals, indicating that he was a Hero of the Russian Empire three times over. The Marshal acknowledged the salutes of both the Japanese and Russian soldiers present. He turned to Major Darien Shields. "You are Nohitomo's Representative?" "Yes sir!" The Marshal looked the Major up and down and finally said, "I am the Commander in Chief of the Eastern Theater of Military Operations of the Russian Imperial Armed Forces, and I am authorized to discuss Terms of Surrender with you. Come, we walk."
The two soldiers had been silent as they had begun their climb to the Masaki Shrine. Darien swallowed once, but Lakov seemed to be a giant. The veteran of campaigns against Turkey, Greece, Chechnya, and finally Japan showed no sign of slowing down as he stalked up the long stone stairs up the mountain. But Darien could hear the slight whispers of some wheezing in the man's breath. This fellow had been hit hard by the war, probably harder than Darien himself.
"You have a girl back home?" Darien almost jumped at the question. He was stunned for a moment, causing the Russian Marshal to lumber ahead of him. He quickly sprinted back to the CINCEAST's side. "Yes I do, sir." "Ah good. You look like a fine man Keep up your line, my friend." They were silent for a moment. "And you, Marshal Lakov?" The Marshal was not as stunned as Darien was. "I did once. She died." "I'm sorry sir."
Lakov smiled at him and then turned his eyes back to the ground. Darien could have sworn that the Marshal had then said, "Chechen savages," under his breath before saying, "The Imperial Government told me that damage costs in our little combat areas run up to $15 Billion. Not only that, but 930,000 Russians soldiers are dead because of the war."
Lakov cleared his throat. "The Russian Government wants about $18 Billion. To rebuild our industries in the East, and repair our Fleet." "Marshal, you know you have not conquered Japan yet." "Then tell Nohitomo to send his Army to Tokyo and see if he can get me out." The two had reached the Shrine and sat down on a stone bench.
"Let me be frank, Darien," sighed Lakov. "We'll give you every single prisoner of war back, except for those who will be tried for War Crimes." Lakov then stood up and walked over to the Shrine's entrance. Darien followed him. "Too many have died, Darien. Too many…" he trailed off and was silent for a moment. Then he turned to the Major. "Do you wish to fight any more?" Darien shook his head. "No, Marshal Lakov." Lakov's hand then reached over, pulled Darien's out and shook it.
"Then peace is made!"
ONE WEEK LATER…
Igor Ivanov, in the uniform of the Russian Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed the document before him. It was in Berlin, capital of the German Reich. The document was then handed to the Japanese Acting-Minister of Foreign Affairs. The eyes of the President of the United States, the Emperor of the French, the King of Great Britain, and the German Emperor were all on as they watched the Minister sign the Treaty of Berlin.
The Siberian War was over…