Greetings. I never had any ambitions to write fanfiction, but I took my enthusiasm and courage, so my first fanfiction was born. English is not my native language, I'm very sorry for any grammatical errors and incorrect structure of sentences. Thank you and please, enjoy.
This story is set in World War 3 of the Toaru Majutsu no Index arc from the point of view of the Russian side. To understand it, it is necessary to see the 3rd season of A Certain Magical Index (or read Light Novel). I try to stick to the canonical events, so they are in coherence and heroes and villains are somewhere in there, not far away from the protagonists of Russian side.
NOTE: Thanks for correction, fixed. I totally mised such basic thing.
Chapter 1: The War has begun
October 19
The main command center of the Russian armed forces is busy. Dozens of people in uniform answer phone calls, run from one place to another, and give or receive various papers and documents. A wide range of data and information can be seen on large screens. One of the dominant images shows a satellite map of Japan, suspiciously focused on the small metropolis known as Academy City. Even a casual observer of these events will instinctively understand what is happening. It was on this day that the Academy City rejected the demands of the Russian government, which forced the Russian Supreme Command to take a decisive step that would change the world – to declare war on the Academy City.
A landline rings on specific desk. General's elderly hand picks up the phone and puts the white receiver to his ear.
"I'm listening.", he says into the phone.
From the other side comes a voice that the general knows and respects intimately. It is the voice of Krainikov, the President of the Russian Federation and thus the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces.
"General Alexeyevich, you are certainly already familiar with the decision of the leadership of the Academy City, and thus also our decision. Therefore, you have permission to start an operation to repel the forces of the Academy City on Russian territory and continue to retake the territory of the Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations. The Minister of Defense has already been informed about everything."
"I understand, Mr. President. I believe in our victory."
With these formalities wrapped up, the Russian Supreme Commander ordered the start of a military operation that immediately became known as World War III. One of the largest military and nuclear power challenged the most technologically advanced city-state in the world. The general only laconically stated his understanding. The initiation of global military actions did not surprise him, but it still worried him. Anatoly Oleynikov Alexeyevich – chief of the General Staff, and his General Staff have been preparing all the operational plans for this war for the last months. Just a day before the phone call, the Russian president appeared on television, announcing to the whole world and above all to Academy City russian's demands. No one, neither the Russian command and soldiers, nor foreign observers should have doubted that the battlefields would be the snowy landscape of the Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations and seas around Japan.
Russian forces on the eastern front, which includes the Sea of Japan and the Philippine Sea, have been activated for combat operations by order of the command. At the beginning of October, the Pacific Fleet already deployed nuclear attack submarines in southern waters, near the Philippines and Indonesia. Their primary task will be to cut supply lines of the Academy City. Obtaining the capabilities of direct attacks on the Academy City was a task for Russian Air Force. Its primary goal was to win air supremacy over the Sea of Japan. Russian forces on the Western Front have been conducting offensive actions since October 18, when they attacked the breakaway Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations. The entire nuclear triad was put on alert. On airfields with Tu-160 bombers were prepared cruise missiles with nuclear warheads, land bases were ready to launch ballistic missiles, and SSBN submarines hiding in the oceans received informations about the start of war.
Evening of October 19
Russian military base, 50 km from Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations border.
The entire base of the 42nd mechanized brigade suddenly came to life. The General Staff ordered full alert for all bases of the Russian Federation. Most of the soldiers and officers anxiously awaited it. Gathering of units, weapons and supplies, cancellation of leave for soldiers, control of equipment, tightening of security measures... All these are direct indications of an approaching war. Vasiliy Kovalyov, commander of the T-90A tank with tactical number 213, ran among the nervous and at the same time enthusiastic soldiers in his tank uniform. He feels worried and excited, just like other soldiers.
"I'd rather fight against all of NATO than against what they have."
Those words belongs to Fyodor Galitsky, the commander of another T-90A of his tank company.
"Come on, it's just army of one city. Yet we are the greatest power in the world." – Vasiliy answered with a little sneer.
Vasiliy instinctively took his prepared equipment and go to find his crew members with a quick step. On the way, he passed the commander of the 2nd tank company in which he serves.
"Hey, Vasiliy, you are going in wrong direction!"
"I know, but I don't know where my crew is, I have to…!"
Before he could finish sentence, the company commander called out to him as he ran, "I saw them take their personal weapons, they'll be by the tank soon!"
"Then I hope the same goes for the rest of our unit!", called Vasiliy back.
With these words, Vasiliy turned and ran out of the barracks towards the tank parking areas, hastily putting on his tankistic jacket. Heavy black boots hit frozen snow. Looking at their contrast with white snow, he remembered that they had put winter camouflage on their tanks only a few days ago. As he approached the row of standing ten T-90A, he saw the other tank crews get into their machines and start their engines, drowning out orders. Vasiliy ran to his tank while his crew members were already there. They quickly jumped on their T-90A. In the moment when he took his position as commander, he remembered his conversation a few days ago with one of his acquaintances who serves in a tank regiment equipped with the latest T-14 Armata.
"Vasiliy, you have the third generation of tanks, thanks to Armata I have the fourth generation, the Academy City introduced the fifth. I have no doubt that we will end up in front of their sights."
Vasiliy Kovalyov answered with only a small smile, "Or them before ours."
"Since when are you so optimistic?" His acquaintance asked him with a little surprise.
"I have never been, but if there will be war with Academy City, it will be also on our Russian soil. And for us that means more than just foreign intervence." Answered Vasiliy.
"Determination will not make us immortal." His acquaintance objected with a serious expression.
"No, but we already won one world war with its help. I hope we win next one too."
While Vasiliy recovered from his memories, he put Tankoviy shlem on his head and checked the radio communication. They slowly drove their tank into the evening illuminated by the yellow light of the base. The entire tank company quickly formed into a column, heading for their designated positions. Ten T-90A tanks moved smoothly through the snowy landscape. Thanks to the moonlight reflected from the snow, the trees and the outlines of the mountains in the background were faintly visible. The cold wind only added to this beautiful picture of the last hours before the first fight. The small tank column quickly joined the other vehicles from its brigade. Vasiliy looked around and saw various models of Russian equipment in the convoy: tanks, BMP-3, Terminator, Typhoon-K, GAZ Tiger, Pantsir, trucks and another types of vehicles... The emotions of excitement still lingered in him.
"I've seen it in photos from other wars, but until now I only dreamed of being part of such a scene!" Vasiliy said in a cheerful tone to his gunner Nikolay Burda. Nikolay just answered him with an agreeable grin. The convoy, with its lights off, headed at night towards the borders of the Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations. Vasiliy's driver, Taras Baksikov, faces long, tiring hours.
Morning of October 20
Near the borders of the Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations.
The tank company arrived at its positions, only a few kilometers from Elizalina Alliance of Independent Nations.
Most of the tank companies from 42nd mechanized brigade were divided into platoons that would support the mechanized infantry. The 2nd tank company, which also includes T-90A that is under Vasiliy Kovalyov's command, received a more specific task and therefore a unique battle order. A platoon of three BMP-T Terminators was added to the tank company for the purpose of covering tank forces and also six BMP-3 for infantry support. So the battle order for this special task group now is: 2nd tank company that has 10 tanks T-90A Vladimir, one platoon of 3 BMP-T Terminator and two platoons of 6 BMP-3.
Vasiliy Kovalyov advanced with his squad to the edge of the snowy forest. Task group received a message from the UAV team. A location has been discovered where the enemy is trying to build a small base. Cover is provided by six soldiers in mecha-suits HsPS-15 and two 5th generation tanks. No artillery unit was near this location, so tank company was send to take care of enemy. They carefully deployed tanks in an arc line about 1000 m wide, less than 5 km from the base that being built. Each russian tank is covered behind terrain obstacles. The platoon containing Vasiliy and his tank was on the left. Their primary goal was autonomous anti-aircraft weapons, which did not allow attack by helicopters and aircraft for close air support even from a low altitude. Bombardment from high altitude was not safe, because the range of other anti-aircraft systems in the area was hundreds of kilometers. Vasiliy Kovalyov tracked the target through his thermal sight. The plan was simple: two tanks will hit both anti-aircraft defense systems together, and then immediately the other tanks and BMP-3s advancing from the side will attack the small unit of the Academy City that is protecting the base. Subsequently, the armored forces will withdraw and the air force will destroy the enemy at the base with Ka-52M and Su-25.
"Nikolay, aim that system on the right, when the platoon leader fires at his target, fire immediately. They won't even have time to react." Vasiliy tells his tank gunner.
Nikolay Burda replied with a simple "I understand."
The platoon leader's voice was suddenly heard in the headphones, "Vasiliy, I count to three and we'll shoot."
"Okay, my crew is ready."
"1...2...3!"
Suddenly, both tanks fired an ATGM 9M119F1 with an explosive warhead that flew on anti-aircraft systems. Nikolay hold target in his sight. And then... both missiles hit almost simultaneously. Suddenly, the other tanks opened fire on groups of soldiers in mecha-suits, who took cover immediately after the explosions, facing attacking russian tank company. From the left side, however, the mecha-suits began to be hit by 100 mm cannons and 30 mm autocanons. The six fast BMP-3s launched a flank attack that was meant to bring chaos to the ranks of the HsPS-15, but their weapons were not strong enough to destroy the mecha-suits. One BMP-3 scored a hit with ATGM Kornet. Although the suit was not destroyed, it was damaged and disabled. Immediately after that, BMPs began to escape. Meanwhile, a pair of 5th generation tanks opened fire on the Russian tank positions. Unfortunately, one T-90A was hit and exploded, a few seconds later was destroyd another. Vasiliy didn't notice it at that moment and just watched with sinister smile through his sight as his tank fired APFSDS at the enemy. But 5 kilometers was too much distance for effective direct fire, so the tank company get order from commander to retreated back into the forest.
"That's it. Beautiful. The Air Force will take care of the rest. You wretches from Academy City, you can go to hell!" – Vasiliy literally yelled.
At that moment, Nikolay spoke, "Commander, Fyodor's crew has died. And someone from the third platoon too. I saw their tank explode right after tanks from Academy City fired."
Vasiliy stopped and his smile smoothly turned into a serious expression.
He start speek with calm, a bit sad voice, "I didn't notice that. Damn... I've been studying with Fyodor since I joined the tank force. Only yesterday he said that he would rather fight against whole NATO than against weapons from Accademic City."
After the remaining time of retreat and subsequent movement to new positions, the crew was quiet for hours. In the noise of the engine, watching the sunset illuminating the column of tanks and other vehicles, Vasiliy thought. He replayed in his mind the conversation about the new tank generation and scared words of Fyodor about military technology from Academy City.
"Well, after all, we were the first in front of the sights. But in that case, I want to be the one who take last shot," he talked to himself in his mide.
Losing friends and enemy is on home soil. Feelings of insecurity and anger began to manifest themselves in Vasiliy.
At dawn, the convoy stopped at a small field base to refuel, replenish ammunition and perform minor rights.
"Commander, come look on something." Vasiliy was called by his driver Taras Baksikov.
When he came to the tank, he was horrified. On the right side of the turret, launchers for the smoke screen were destoyed by hit from tank round. On side armor of turret was a few centimeters deep dent.
"Maybe fifty centimeters to the left and you could be dead. I don't believe that armor of our tanks could withstand a hit from guns on their tanks." – He spoke in an instructive tone.
After a moment of silence, Vasiliy finally began speek in a deep but optimistic voice,
"You know, I was thinking about this war, about the fight and the loss of our comrades. I decided to destroy at least one of their tanks. No one will stand against us, no one will look on russian army from above!"
"Commander, did you hear from the crew of that BMP-3 that the Kornet barely damaged their hi-tech mecha-suits. Only suits. How durable can their tank armor be? Do you believe we have a chance?"
"Taras, do you know how big difference in power was between the Tiger II and the T-34 with the 85 mm gun?"
"Of course, I'm a tanker like you. Where are you going with this? "
Nikolay sat down on the turret and began to speak, "In Poland on August 1944, three Tiger II were destroyed by single T-34/85 from the 53rd Guards Tank Brigade. That T-34 was hiding in a cornfield field and managed to attack them with a surprise flank attack. Our grandfathers defeated a stronger enemy with their skills, their tactics. Well, and a bit of luck. I want the same thing. I want to pull the trigger in the moment when I see that new tanks in sight of my T-90.''
Taras looked at him and said silently, "If you are so determined, I have one request. Don't threaten our lives. Don't let your military pride to cloud your judgment."
Vasiliy just lowered his eyes, without any words.
The task group of military vehicles left in a few hours. Everyone was anxiously watching the sky. They heard rumors about the failures of russian air forces over the Sea of Japan, so they were affraid of bombers. Everyone knows about the firestorm they caused in Avignon, less than two weeks before the start of war.
Tanks and other vehicles set off for the next task, but without the two tanks that proudly went into battle yesterday.
