VILenin: Indeed. It would have been awful to abandon this AAR because of some stupid glitch after so much time spent.
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August 5th, 1943
General Popov stood patiently in front of Premier Stukov's expansive office desk as Stukov glanced through the report he had delivered. After several moments of silence, Stukov looked up from the papers.
"How recent is this update?" Stukov asked, setting the paper down.
"It was received early this morning, Premier," Popov replied formally, not forgetting his military discipline. "I forwarded it on to intelligence, and they confirm roughly the same estimates General Eremenko gave in the report."
Stukov nodded, allowing a smile to cross his expression. "Good. Order General Eremenko to begin the attack immediately if he has not done so already, and send him my congratulations. The country will be pleased to hear of the destruction of ten British divisions in Afghanistan.
Popov nodded in agreement and began turning to leave. Stukov held up his hand, indicating he had more to say. "Before you go," he began, sliding a seal envelope across the desk. "Be sure to also convey this to Mj. General Ivanov in Gorkij. Mister Kurchatov's recent expansion requests have been granted."
Popov hesitated before taking the envelope, nodding his understanding. "As you wish, Premier." The general saluted, Stukov nodding in response, before leaving.
General Popov spared only a temporary glance at Anton as Stukov's bodyguard entered the office, followed closely by an unassuming young man.
Stukov watched silently, leaning back into his chair and waiting as the pair entered the room.
"Good to see you have made a full recovery from your injuries," Stukov spoke at last.
Alexander nodded slightly as he took his seat, fidgeting slightly from time to time. "It was nothing serious..." he replied quietly.
Chuckling, Stukov turned his chair slightly to the side and steepled his fingers. "No doubt you have many questions, considering as I have barely spoken to you in a month. For that, I apologize. Running the country takes up more of my time than I realize at times."
Alexander hesitated, completely unprepared for the situation he was now in. "Well," he started at last. "First off, you can't expect me to be just start talking to you like you weren't some commie tyrant."
Stukov grinned but stifled a laugh. "No doubt your government has trained you to hate me, kill me, even."
"I certainly would enjoy doing that right about now," Alexander nodded, causing Anton to stiffen abruptly. "Might make the world a little bit brighter."
"Yes," Stukov drawled, taking his time in articulating himself. "I do come off as quite a villain in most people's minds. I'm used to that, because I really can be so
evil at times."
Stukov's honesty caught Alexander off-guard, having expected him to be more defensive. "Why me? Why am I here?" he demanded.
Stukov remained silent for a long time. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he gauged Anton before returning his gaze to Alexander. "Because," he said with great sobriety. "You are my great-grandson, Alexander."
He was unsure who was more surprised by the remark, watching both his bodyguard and the American closely. "G-great-grandson!?" Alexander stammered in disbelief. "What, are you insane?"
Stukov shook his head slowly. "No, what I tell you is the truth, Alexander. You are the last living descendent of the Imperial family, the rulers of the earth,
my family, Alexander."
Alexander and Anton's mouths fell open as Stukov finished, utterly speechless. "Time-travel," Stukov answered their unspoken questions. "Through a machine that could transport people through time and space, I was able to rise from nothing more than a scientist on the fringe of respectable learning to Emperor of the world itself!" he declared proudly, leaning forward in his chair and hitting the desktop with his closed fist.
"But I was betrayed," he continued, his eyes smoldering with righteous anger. "I went too far, became overconfident, and was nearly killed in the ensuing military coup. As the Red Army,
my army, descended upon me and my family from all sides, we escaped in time using the time machine."
He paused, letting his words sink in. His eyes flickered between both Anton and Alexander repeatedly, judging their reactions. "But just as we made our escape, an artillery blast sent a power-surge into the time machine. I was nearly obliterated in a nether world of indescribable horror and pain. I watched myself and my family become deposited in
America in 1836, watched them take power and repeat history all over again, and I felt myself
die. And then I woke up here, in Russia, seven years ago. And so I began all over again."
"But I never forgot what I had seen. I always wondered if somehow, my wife and child survived that cataclysmic journey through hell. Maybe that was what I saw. And here you are," he gestured triumphantly at Alexander. "The great-grandson of Emperor Alexei Stukov, master of the Earth!"
"I..." Alexander managed. "This is ridiculous! You can't prove any of this!"
Stukov chuckled and shook his head. "No, no I cannot. I don't have a time machine anymore, and no proof from my reign. But I do know your great-grandmother's name, even your grandfather's. How do you suppose a former-peasant from Russia would know the names of a fourth generation American's ancestors?"
"Your existence changes things. Before, I was content with what power I could obtain in this life, as
Premier," he said, furrowing his brow in distaste. "But with the last heir to my rule, I can create an empire once more! One greater and more glorious than the last! Leading humanity into the future!" He held out his hand, quivering with delight. "And you, Alexander,
you are the first chain in a link that will rule all of mankind in an empire the world has never known before! The ambition of the Stukov family still runs within you, don't deny it! Power, Alexander, unlimited power can be yours! Join me!"
Alexander hesitated, his lips quivering as his mind raced with this series of stunning revelations. He was silent for several minutes. Finally, he looked up at Anton, searching for some hint, some support to cling to. Despite his initial shock, though, Anton gave Alexander no such help. Finally, Alexander looked at Stukov, then down at his own hand. At long last, he reached out and clasped Stukov's hand, a familiar glimmer sparking to life in his eyes.
"You can have your empire, great-grandfather."
Stukov's eyes were alight with demonic energy, and a feral smile appeared as he tightly clasped Alexander's hand. "So it begins."