Chapter 5: Old Wounds and Nationalism

Author's Note: This chapter is going to deal with a few difficult themes and some real-world events that are going on right now.

Specifically the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

I'm going to come out and say I support Ukraine, with the Russian justification for war being contrived just like other fascist dictatorships. There is significant evidence of war crimes in places like Bucha, and the evidence of those is simply undeniable. Before this, I had at least a modicum of respect for Putin's geopolitical savyness and thought that the Russian Military, while not up to western standards was at least quite capable and deadly.

Needless to say, I've lost that respect in its entirety.

The reason I am putting this here is not to shill my political views (that isn't what this website is for) but because characters in this story will have varying views on the conflict. These views are not my own and even though I don't hold the same views I try to understand them.

If you have questions or concerns feel free to DM me, I'm always happy to talk.

I won't retcon anything since I haven't really talked about domestic issues on Earth and mostly kept to the war in space (and on other planets). Since this story in Earth years takes place a few years after the present day in 2022 (and I did begin writing this series in 2020)

I will have more stories about what's happening on Earth, however. Because as large as the threat of the Empire is, internal divisions between people and nations still exist (and would probably come to bite us in the ass if a similar situation occurred.

Unknown Location, somewhere in North America

"Imagine taking the best and fiercest soldiers from the nations of Earth and making them work and fight alongside each other. Not just allies, but people who have been anywhere from rivals to bitter enemies of one another for as long as they have been alive. We had back then and still today a very diverse group of people, from American to Chinese to both North and South Korean, to Russian and Ukrainian to Israeli and Palestinian. The Special Operations Force takes the best of the best from the military of Earth and in this was a war we couldn't afford to have the best soldiers in the right places. Back in the beginning many of us were forced to work together when in any other case some of us would be trying to kill each other."

Postwar lecture by Victoria Petrova

The headquarters of Earth's Special Operations Force was a fairly closely guarded secret, at least in its location of it. Most of the time its squads were off-world doing important missions but it was seated as an important training and rest area.

It was also where recruits were trained for the program. Since it already drew on the best of the best who came from Earth's military, the training was mostly to bring formations up to a higher standard of competency within their role in the unit and improve cooperation with other members of the squad.

Due to the ever-changing nature of the war and the need to select only the best units, many of the squads were made up of people from a variety of nationalities and backgrounds. (This wasn't entirely the case, since some well-established units such as the various American Seal Teams were generally not split up). This often meant people who had fought against each other in the past would now be fighting next to each other, a fact that more than occasionally created tensions within the units.

That was exactly the issue Colonel Petrova was dealing with right now. Looking across her office she motioned four new Ukrainian soldiers into her office. Not long ago there had been a brief fistfight between them and a few Russian soldiers. Considering the events that took place shortly before the Imperial attack this wasn't unexpected. There was a lot of tension between the two even though the conflict had technically been resolved.

"I have reviewed the footage of the event and to me, it's clear that Private Bylankov started it." He was one of the Russians who had already received a thorough dressing down after what he had done, along with the rest of the Russian force who had participated in the scuffle.

The four Ukrainians didn't say a word and kept at attention. Petrova knew that one of them, Sergeant Stepan Afanasijovych, was formerly a part of the Azov Battalion, a controversial far-right paramilitary group that had incorporated into the Ukrainian National Guard as the threat of Russia rose. Petrova strongly disagreed with his political views but he had said that he had joined the group at a difficult time in his life and not thought about it. And he had been seen to be an incredibly effective candidate for the force when he had gone through the initial trials due. In these exercises, candidates were split into two teams and given a variety of tasks that included simulated combat against each other. Afanasijovych had fought well in every battle he had been in, and his service record was especially impressive within both the UN Marines and Azov. The breaking point in her opinion would have been if he had committed any war crimes or crimes against humanity; as multiple Azov members had done so in the past. But there was no evidence of it, and it appeared that several times he had even been responsible for stopping his fellow soldiers from doing so. All of that meant that Petrova was going to give him a chance, just like she had done with other soldiers of difficult backgrounds in the past.

She didn't discriminate based on nationalities, she discriminated based on actions. And there were many Russians that had committed war crimes that she would not let into her force.

"He will be dealt with as his actions violated the code of conduct and are also reprehensible, but unfortunately I need every soldier of his caliber that I can get right now." The Russian who had struck the Ukrainian was a formidable fighter, just like all of the rest of the people here. "He will be punished but I won't dismiss him from that, because I also understand that many of us here have beliefs that are in conflict with one another but we need to get past those, as hard as it might be to fight the Empire effectively." Petrova knew that this answer would satisfy absolutely nobody but she didn't care. It was what was necessary.

"My decision is likely final, and while such a practice is perhaps frowned upon, you are all responsible soldiers who should be given initiative. Your ability to handle such initiative is why you are here with us and why I am going to let you give your free thoughts on this."

There was silence for a moment before one of them spoke up.

"They started the fight. They deserve punishment. Maybe execution. It is like they were just the Russian government again." One of them said, was a murmur of agreement. While to get into the force everyone had to know English some people were better at it than others. He could communicate effectively despite not having a great deal of experience with the language.

"Was his background checked for war crimes?" Another asked. "Cause I don't want to see him around civilians."

"People like him… They caused great pain for our nation." The third said.

Only Afanasijovych had neglected to speak so far. Out of the four Ukrainians in the squad, he appeared to be an unofficial leader. Probably this was due to his rank and experience. Despite his former affiliations, his record showed that he was a professional leader who was not only respected by many of his comrades but also merciful and restrained. He had let surrendering Russian conscripts go after their weapons had been seized for example.

But there were also a couple of unconfirmed reports that he had executed prisoners as well. Petrova had let these go since there was little evidence that he had done so and his addition had changed, but they may very well have been a part of his past.

"They should be punished." Was the only thing said? He looked nervous as he was saying that, almost as if he was unsure of what would happen if he spoke his mind.

Petrova understood why a few seconds later. As she dismissed the men, Afanasijovych requested to stay for a moment. Petrova suspected he had wanted to say more but not in front of his men.

"You have something else to say." She said, not phrasing the question as a question but rather as a statement.

"Major, I have an increasing desire to go kill that man." He was referring to the man who started the fight.

"I understand why you want to do so, and I understand why he wants to do it to you." She said, "But what purpose does it serve? He's a military asset and is a well-trained soldier who was effective just as you are. He's fallen prey to propaganda just like so many throughout history. All that divides you are nationalities." She said, not knowing if it was enough. "The empire is who we are supposed to be fighting, not each other!"

"Your opinion is your concern but your actions are everyone's concern, here at least. I'm giving you the rest of the day off tomorrow. You can take a shuttle essentially anywhere and then come back." Petrova said.

"Major, am I not still needed here?"

"You need to take your mind off of this for a day. It will be for medical reasons and since it is under my orders it will be followed. People do not ask questions of the special operations force."

"If you say so." He said.

"Dismissed." She said, As he walked out she had second thoughts about what she had said and decided to add something else.

"Russia should never have invaded Ukraine. When I heard what was happening I wanted to stop it, but back then when the fleet was still secret I was told that we couldn't act on such matters. We all wanted to do something but we couldn't." She said, in a more emotional tone than usual. One that she generally used only around her squad and people she had served with.

He gave a small nod and then saluted. After he had left the room she sighed.

Only a few moments later Lieutenant Hans Meyer stepped in.

"Why the fuck can't we all get along." She muttered. The expression that Hans had implied that he had been listening as well, which made sense since both of their offices were right next to each other.

She needed his thoughts on the situation.

"You know if the Empire came back we would suddenly be more unified." He said. "This war is getting distant to people, even though they all know it's still a threat."

"You've seen the mainstream news recently? It's all propaganda. Not that it is wrong what they're reporting, no but now it's just people trying to take advantage of the situation. We've gotten past the shock where some people aren't scared shitless like they used to be and they're trying to take advantage of it." He said. "If people saw more of our enemy we'd be in a better place."

"We hear all about them."

"I mean see."

"Oh," Petrova thought for a second, realizing what he wants.

"You've got inroads with Johnson and that's a pretty damn valuable thing. He'd try to fuck you if Allison didn't exist."

Petrova laughed. She wasn't sure how funny that joke was but it had hit at the right time as she had been unsure of herself.

And members of the special forces community weren't ones to get offended by jokes, considering what they had to put up with regularly.

"Don't get jealous Hans, you're pretty damn lucky already." She said with a smile.

"I meant the first part seriously, not necessarily the second part…" He smiled. "We can worry about this later. You are going off duty in a few minutes, aren't you?" He said with a small smile."

"Certainly." She said, "Let's go back to my quarters." With a devious smile she lunged at him, Hans accepting her wrath with pleasure, and soon they were both back in their room.

For the next few hours, the two of them were engaged in certain passionate activities until going to sleep. While Petrova was in a much better mood now she still wanted to the most recent events were still crowding her mind.

Because at the end of the day Earth was only one planet that had conquered a few dozen worlds and had some good allies to help it out. The Empire's response had been very little over the sector level, meaning that they weren't paying much attention to Earth.

But when they decided to them a quite formidable force would be heading earth's way. So they would need to be prepared, regardless of what ended up happening.

Everything might have been good according to plan so far that might not always necessarily be the case.

Especially as they attracted more and more attention from the Empire.

But at least that was not happening right now.