No man has the ability to see into the future, and because of that, no one was able to predict how Governor Tarenin would take the news that his vice governor was actually a collaborator with the very rebels that he was trying to eradicate. He became contemplative and depressed after hearing said news, and even though his doctor had given him some medicine, some of that earlier depression still remained in him.
Aleksey Tarkovsky was dozing off in his office—it had been a busy morning earlier—when he was called for by the Governor.
"Yes, sir?"
"Aleksey, will you be kind enough to open that bottle of Stolichnaya in my cupboard over there?"
"Is there a cause for celebration, Comrade Governor?" Tarkovsky asked as he poured the drink into two glasses.
"No, not when I think about it, Aleksey," Tarenin replied. "I just wanted to share my thoughts with a friend, a real friend, a friend that I can trust."
"What exactly is on your mind, Governor?" asked Aleksey, taking a seat in front of Tarenin's table.
"I honestly thought that Kodudov was one of the good guys. I mean, he spat out enough anti-rebellion sentiment to shame even Kadyrov." He took a sip of the premium vodka. "He probably apologized for all that when they met. But then you never know. It's hard to read a two-faced man."
"You must feel disappointed, Comrade Governor."
"You have no idea, Aleksey."
"Anyway, I've heard that General Yevin isn't going to confront Kodudov and Beykurovich with the evidence of their duplicity."
"That's true, Aleksey," Tarenin replied. "Kodudov and Beykurovich are too popular with the Chechen people to be quietly removed from the scene. Besides, twenty photos aren't much evidence against a charismatic person like Zimyat, whose words people believe more than the Internet, if such a thing was possible. Yaroslav and his men are currently content with just gathering evidence against the backstabbing traitors. High on their lists are the rebels that they talked to that night."
"How about the troop movements to Stavropol?"
"Don't you remember? They have a training exercise scheduled with the First Shock Army and the 239th Stavropol Guards."
"Oh." Tarkovsky nodded. "Well, Governor, since we're on the subject, what do we do if the rebels make a move for the Third Chechen War?"
"Well, the operational assets, namely the Federal Government Airlift Group and the Gubernatorial Guards, have already been briefed on the possibilities of such an incident. In case this Third Chechen War does happen, the entire executive branch—yes, Zimyat is still included in that—will be airlifted out of the republic and into a safer area, probably Stavropol or some or oblast far away from Chechnya, where we will set up a government-in-exile and claim that we are still the rightful government of the Chechen Republic. Of course, the entire world will believe us—who would not when the Russian Federation still has lots of nuclear weapons in commission that can be used against anybody and everybody? Sure, it may start a nuclear war, but who cares about that?"
Aleksey Tarkovsky merely nodded. He knew that Tarenin really cared about nuclear war, meaning he didn't want it to happen as much as the next guy.
The Mil Mi-24 Hind helicopter gunship flew over the concrete jungle that was Groznyy before landing on the designated pad in Groznyy-Dzhokhar Dudayev International Airport, which also doubled as the main base of the Krakozhian Expeditionary Force to the Chechen Republic, the group of military advisors that fell under the command of the Krakozhian Liaison to the Chechen Republic led by Major General Yaroslav Mikhailovich Yevin.
This particular Hind, commanded by Captain of Aviation Ivan Maksimovich Arseni, had just finished a fire support mission for a Chechen battalion that had been attacking a suspected terrorist training facility somewhere north of the capital. He should add three more tank silhouettes and a grounded transport helicopter to the already impressive list of kills on the side of his cockpit. Of course, equal credit would go to his gunner, Sergeant of Aviation Segur Melitonovich Sonaria, who was the one actually behind the trigger that killed those vehicles. Arseni had guided him to the target, and Sonaria took care of the rest.
As Arseni and Sonaria stepped out of their chopper, they were greeted by a most surprising man: General Yevin himself. He was wearing the olive flight suit now common throughout the world's many air forces, even though he was an Army general and had logged in only a few hours in single-seat trainers. His hands were tucked into his wool-lined bomber jacket, yet another uncommon feature on him; he never tucked his hands into his pockets, whatever the situation. After getting over their initial surprise, the two flyers saluted Yevin, who returned it and motioned for them to walk with him.
"How would you two feel about working for the Federal Government Airlift Group?" Yevin asked them as they walked to the terminal.
"The Federal Government Airlift Group?" asked Arseni. "Isn't that a Russian unit?"
"Technically, yes," replied Yevin, "but with Chechnya about to finally gain independence—for the second time if I remember correctly—the FGAG detachment in the country would become part of the new Chechen Air Force, and under the terms of the Voronezh Treaty we signed with them two years ago, we are legally required to 'provide' them with advisors for a full year starting from their independence day. This 'chopping' to the Group will serve to get you acquainted with their personnel and vehicles, and the role that you two will soon serve is to advise our flying Chechen comrades on doing it right. The Krakozhian military has an impressive history of training the fighting forces of then-fledgling countries like Katanga, Biafra, Transkei, and the like from a ragged bunch of peasants that their oppressors see as bugs to merely crush under their heavy and brutal foot to real armed forces that nations fear and respect. We—that is, me and the FGAG commanders—hope to see you two as part of the continuation of that history. Is it all right with you two?"
Arseni looked up. "Is it a volunteer gig?" he asked the general.
"Of course," Yevin replied, acting surprised to hear the question. "Turmaryan Muktarbariyev and his Karoshan Defense Corps never brought along anyone who didn't volunteer to come with them."
"Well, count me in, General," Arseni replied, "Especially when you mention General Muktarbariyev and his heroic Corps. I can't speak for Segur Melitonovich over there, however."
"Count me in, too, Comrade General," Sonaria said.
"That's good to hear," Yevin said, patting their shoulders. "Now, continue walking with me."
"As you say, sir." As they walked into the terminal building, Arseni said, "General, may I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead, Ivan Maksimovich."
"Sir, I've been hearing these rumors. They said that there will be a big attempt on the Chechen government sometime soon, and that the rebels are preparing for a massive new offensive. Are they true?"
"Don't worry, Ivan Maksimovich. With the number of roadblocks and checkpoints we've recently established in and around Groznyy, and with our Russian and Chechen allies to back us up, there is no way that the rebels can successfully attack the government that we were all sworn to protect."
"But why did we just move three motor rifle divisions and an entire tank army to Stavropol?"
"They're participating in live-fire exercises with the Russian Army. Don't worry, Vanya; they'll be back as soon as the exercises are over."
"I don't know, Comrade General, sir. Speaking freely, sir, I would like to say that we're about to jump from a puddle of ankle-deep shit to a pool of waist-deep shit."
A/N: Sorry for Carter and Rosie's non-appearance in this chapter. They'll show up later. :-D - GR