No, I wanted Tanna Tuva to lose. Stukov's victory is merely a sidebar to this great accomplishment. 
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Corruption:
Mettermrck: Interestingly, the first time I was playing through, the exact same attack occured and I lost. Then the game crashed, loaded up again, and I won.
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"There are very few problems that cannot be solved by the sword. But just because you solved it doesn't mean you solved it well." -Emperor Alexei Stukov.
December 17th, 1947 was the day that South America died.
South America was the victim of an unprovoked and unneccesary genocide. It was an act of unspeakable cruelty and aggression. The Empire did not need to slaughter millions. It did not need to purge an entire continent of habitation. It did not need to wipe cities off the map, loot billions of dollars in wealth, and erase centuries of culture and heritage.
But it did. And it was done with gruesome efficiency. The blame should have rested on the actions and policies of one man, the Emperor. But Stukov was not to blame entirely. The destruction of South America was a collective operation. Soldiers, generals, agents, and scientists all had a hand in the horrific carnage. Many, too many, and no trouble sealing the fate of millions.
On November 27th, the Empire declared war on the last bastion of defense in South America, the tiny, land-locked nation of Paraguay. Timoshenko and 120,000 soldiers marched from Argentine towards the capital of Asucion. On December 16th, hsi army reached the outskirts of the city, and the poorly prepared defenders. The battle was never in doubt, and Timoshenko smashed the despairing Paraguayian forces. On the morning of the 17th of December, the country surrendered and was annexed.
Two days later, massive shipments of biological products arrived in several South American ports. Timoshenko and all remaining armies were ordered to withdraw out of the interior. In hindsight, it is apparent what the purpouse of those shipments were.
Within two weeks, according to NKVD reports, 100% contamination had been achieved.
It was a dark day for the world.
And nothing could be done. The day of reckoning had arrived.
Mettermrck: Interestingly, the first time I was playing through, the exact same attack occured and I lost. Then the game crashed, loaded up again, and I won.
-------------------------------------------------
"There are very few problems that cannot be solved by the sword. But just because you solved it doesn't mean you solved it well." -Emperor Alexei Stukov.
December 17th, 1947 was the day that South America died.
South America was the victim of an unprovoked and unneccesary genocide. It was an act of unspeakable cruelty and aggression. The Empire did not need to slaughter millions. It did not need to purge an entire continent of habitation. It did not need to wipe cities off the map, loot billions of dollars in wealth, and erase centuries of culture and heritage.
But it did. And it was done with gruesome efficiency. The blame should have rested on the actions and policies of one man, the Emperor. But Stukov was not to blame entirely. The destruction of South America was a collective operation. Soldiers, generals, agents, and scientists all had a hand in the horrific carnage. Many, too many, and no trouble sealing the fate of millions.
On November 27th, the Empire declared war on the last bastion of defense in South America, the tiny, land-locked nation of Paraguay. Timoshenko and 120,000 soldiers marched from Argentine towards the capital of Asucion. On December 16th, hsi army reached the outskirts of the city, and the poorly prepared defenders. The battle was never in doubt, and Timoshenko smashed the despairing Paraguayian forces. On the morning of the 17th of December, the country surrendered and was annexed.
Two days later, massive shipments of biological products arrived in several South American ports. Timoshenko and all remaining armies were ordered to withdraw out of the interior. In hindsight, it is apparent what the purpouse of those shipments were.
Within two weeks, according to NKVD reports, 100% contamination had been achieved.
It was a dark day for the world.
And nothing could be done. The day of reckoning had arrived.
DOOM! DOOM!
But surely there would be parts of South America that Stukov would want to keep. None at all?
Well, only a year to go until you have to cheat for World Conquest. Good Luck!
But surely there would be parts of South America that Stukov would want to keep. None at all?
Well, only a year to go until you have to cheat for World Conquest. Good Luck!
anonymous4401: Wait......I thought the game ended on December 31st, 1947!
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January 12th, 1948
General Vassilevskij had only three weeks before been glad to be sent to Italy.
Now he cursed it.
Sitting alone in an open-air cafe just off the coast in Genoa, the general brooded, nursing a glass of hard liquor.
"Damn that Konev," he thought.
On November 8th, the Empire had declared war upon the mountain stronghold of Switzerland. The mountains, backed by an impressive standing army and a formidable array of fixed fortifications, were a daunting challenge for the forty three divisions assigned the task. The attack had come from every direction, striking at every major Swiss city, hoping to overwhelm some portions of their defense and break through.
Three of the four major attacks had failed outright. The armored divisions proved themselves virtually useless in the narrow mountain passes and completely hostile terrain. Casualties had been astronomical in all the attacks. The only major gain was made in the north, where Antonov's 12th Army had siezed Bern. But the Empire had lost the initiative. What followed were a series of blunderous attacks on the city of Lausanne, hoping to cut of Geneva from Zurich, and destroy the split armies. These assaults were doomed from the start. Backed mainly by useless armored units, the infantry took appaling loses, made worse when Swiss forces from Zurich and Geneva struck south, taking Grenoble, Torino, and Milano, if only for a short while.
Stukov had finally given up on the generals of the 7th and 8th Shock Armies, sacking Generals Fedoranko and Burdanov on December 17th. Proven talent and experience was needed. Vassilevskij had immediately volunteered, sick of idling in Mexico with an obsolete tank force. Fortunately, Emperor Stukov had recognized his obvious talent and placed him in command of the 7th Shock Army, located in Italy. Unfortunately, he had also recognized Konev's obvious talent and placed him in command of the 8th Shock Army, located in Bern.
Vassilevskij sipped his drink, staring out over the water. He motioned to the waiter to bring him another glass.
"If only I had gotten the 8th," he muttered.
From the start, Vassilevskij was at a disadvantage. Located in the south, he had to deal with the Swiss forces that had pushed into Italy. Though a threat, their small numbers made them hardly noteworthy to the people. Vassilevskij easily crushed them, throwing them back into the Alps. Meanwhile, luck was on Konev's side. Geneva's defenses were almost completely empty. Only one Swiss divisions was present. Konev immediately launched an attack, ordering the infantry forces to follow in support.
It had been a tough, bloody fight, with Swiss reinforcements pouring in from Lausanne, until they had mustered an additional thirteen to Konev's twenty-seven. Konev had attacked on Christmas Day, his infantry following on the 27th, 28th, and 30th. It had lasted until January 11th. Geneva had finally fallen, and Switzerland surrendered. Konev had gotten the glory. And nine state of the art armored divisions.
Konev had once again proven his skill at command and his tactical genius.
And Vassilevskij had not.
Konev would be trumpeted as a hero.
And Vassilevskij would not.
The waiter brought another glass for him, taking away the empty one. He idly gave him a generous tip. The waited smiled and bowed as he backed away.
"At least that's one way to be remembered," he grumbled under his breath.
-------------------------------------------------
January 12th, 1948
General Vassilevskij had only three weeks before been glad to be sent to Italy.
Now he cursed it.
Sitting alone in an open-air cafe just off the coast in Genoa, the general brooded, nursing a glass of hard liquor.
"Damn that Konev," he thought.
On November 8th, the Empire had declared war upon the mountain stronghold of Switzerland. The mountains, backed by an impressive standing army and a formidable array of fixed fortifications, were a daunting challenge for the forty three divisions assigned the task. The attack had come from every direction, striking at every major Swiss city, hoping to overwhelm some portions of their defense and break through.
Three of the four major attacks had failed outright. The armored divisions proved themselves virtually useless in the narrow mountain passes and completely hostile terrain. Casualties had been astronomical in all the attacks. The only major gain was made in the north, where Antonov's 12th Army had siezed Bern. But the Empire had lost the initiative. What followed were a series of blunderous attacks on the city of Lausanne, hoping to cut of Geneva from Zurich, and destroy the split armies. These assaults were doomed from the start. Backed mainly by useless armored units, the infantry took appaling loses, made worse when Swiss forces from Zurich and Geneva struck south, taking Grenoble, Torino, and Milano, if only for a short while.
Stukov had finally given up on the generals of the 7th and 8th Shock Armies, sacking Generals Fedoranko and Burdanov on December 17th. Proven talent and experience was needed. Vassilevskij had immediately volunteered, sick of idling in Mexico with an obsolete tank force. Fortunately, Emperor Stukov had recognized his obvious talent and placed him in command of the 7th Shock Army, located in Italy. Unfortunately, he had also recognized Konev's obvious talent and placed him in command of the 8th Shock Army, located in Bern.
Vassilevskij sipped his drink, staring out over the water. He motioned to the waiter to bring him another glass.
"If only I had gotten the 8th," he muttered.
From the start, Vassilevskij was at a disadvantage. Located in the south, he had to deal with the Swiss forces that had pushed into Italy. Though a threat, their small numbers made them hardly noteworthy to the people. Vassilevskij easily crushed them, throwing them back into the Alps. Meanwhile, luck was on Konev's side. Geneva's defenses were almost completely empty. Only one Swiss divisions was present. Konev immediately launched an attack, ordering the infantry forces to follow in support.
It had been a tough, bloody fight, with Swiss reinforcements pouring in from Lausanne, until they had mustered an additional thirteen to Konev's twenty-seven. Konev had attacked on Christmas Day, his infantry following on the 27th, 28th, and 30th. It had lasted until January 11th. Geneva had finally fallen, and Switzerland surrendered. Konev had gotten the glory. And nine state of the art armored divisions.
Konev had once again proven his skill at command and his tactical genius.
And Vassilevskij had not.
Konev would be trumpeted as a hero.
And Vassilevskij would not.
The waiter brought another glass for him, taking away the empty one. He idly gave him a generous tip. The waited smiled and bowed as he backed away.
"At least that's one way to be remembered," he grumbled under his breath.
January 16th, 1948
It had been quite some time since Stukov had actually read one of the millions of reports he had recieved in the last 12 years. He had learned early on that if he expected to get anywhere, he would have to filter out the useless from the mildly important, and to glean the information from the mildly important in ten to fifteen seconds. Actually reading each report would drive any man mad.
Some said Stukov was already mentally unstable. A brave few dared suggest he was insane.
He might very well be, but that didn't stop him from doing his job.
Stukov flipped the page of the report, more of a collection of Intelligence repots and scientific predictions made by Dr. Schenker and his R&D teams, actually interested in the results.
Many thought he was a murderer.
That much was certain.
Stukov, and to a lesser extent Azuren, were responsible for mass-murder on an unprecedented scale. He had, without a doubt, changed the world forever.
And even if the Empire crumbled, his legacy would not be forgotten.
Many, if they were brave enough, would ask him why he had put these events into motion. Why he had killed off so many so unneccesearily. Why had he poisoned an entire continent.
At least now, there would always be a frontier for humanity. An open place where people could dream of venturing into to seek a new life and new fortune. South America offered little to benefit the Empire. The cost of subduing and rebuilding would be too much.
In the end, it would destroy everything. Unlike the rest of nature, humanity would continue to grow beyond its natural capacity. More people than could be fed would appear, and the resources of the planet would trickle away to virtually nothing.
And then, who would have those resources?
The battle to control what little would be left would ultimately destroy everyone and everything. It was inevitable, at the current state of things, that humanity would grow and grow and expand and expand until the planet was bursting at the seams. Overpopulation, starvation, disease, war, and resource exhaustion would destroy them all.
Stukov didn't want that to happen. If he had to kill millions or control the birth rate of the rest, then that was what he must do. He didn't do it because he enjoyed it, not that he did or did not, but because it had to be done, or else far more would die in the end.
Wasn't that worth it. Isn't the existence of the entire human race more important than that of a few million?
Of course it is.
Stukov put down the report, sighing softly. Dr. Schenker's team had completed their task admirably. South America was all but purged now.
Stukov leaned back in his chair, his thoughts turning to his infant son. Feodor would grow up in the shadow of this massacre, raised by two parents who had no qualms with destroying so many so without remorse.
Did that make them sadists?
Stukov dearly hoped Feodor wouldn't become a warped, sadistic child. The world could ill afford another Stalin. Unable to keep his exhaustion at bay, Stukov drifted off to sleep, faintly lingering on his thoughts.
Could the world afford another Stukov?
He hoped with every fiber of his being that it could.
It had been quite some time since Stukov had actually read one of the millions of reports he had recieved in the last 12 years. He had learned early on that if he expected to get anywhere, he would have to filter out the useless from the mildly important, and to glean the information from the mildly important in ten to fifteen seconds. Actually reading each report would drive any man mad.
Some said Stukov was already mentally unstable. A brave few dared suggest he was insane.
He might very well be, but that didn't stop him from doing his job.
Stukov flipped the page of the report, more of a collection of Intelligence repots and scientific predictions made by Dr. Schenker and his R&D teams, actually interested in the results.
Many thought he was a murderer.
That much was certain.
Stukov, and to a lesser extent Azuren, were responsible for mass-murder on an unprecedented scale. He had, without a doubt, changed the world forever.
And even if the Empire crumbled, his legacy would not be forgotten.
Many, if they were brave enough, would ask him why he had put these events into motion. Why he had killed off so many so unneccesearily. Why had he poisoned an entire continent.
At least now, there would always be a frontier for humanity. An open place where people could dream of venturing into to seek a new life and new fortune. South America offered little to benefit the Empire. The cost of subduing and rebuilding would be too much.
In the end, it would destroy everything. Unlike the rest of nature, humanity would continue to grow beyond its natural capacity. More people than could be fed would appear, and the resources of the planet would trickle away to virtually nothing.
And then, who would have those resources?
The battle to control what little would be left would ultimately destroy everyone and everything. It was inevitable, at the current state of things, that humanity would grow and grow and expand and expand until the planet was bursting at the seams. Overpopulation, starvation, disease, war, and resource exhaustion would destroy them all.
Stukov didn't want that to happen. If he had to kill millions or control the birth rate of the rest, then that was what he must do. He didn't do it because he enjoyed it, not that he did or did not, but because it had to be done, or else far more would die in the end.
Wasn't that worth it. Isn't the existence of the entire human race more important than that of a few million?
Of course it is.
Stukov put down the report, sighing softly. Dr. Schenker's team had completed their task admirably. South America was all but purged now.
Stukov leaned back in his chair, his thoughts turning to his infant son. Feodor would grow up in the shadow of this massacre, raised by two parents who had no qualms with destroying so many so without remorse.
Did that make them sadists?
Stukov dearly hoped Feodor wouldn't become a warped, sadistic child. The world could ill afford another Stalin. Unable to keep his exhaustion at bay, Stukov drifted off to sleep, faintly lingering on his thoughts.
Could the world afford another Stukov?
He hoped with every fiber of his being that it could.
A little guest-piece for TC
--------------------------
The Quiet Conquest
The Asian allies of the Russian Empire received a much different reward than the one they had predicted. They had stood by Russia during over a decade of disbelieving conquest, their divisions playing a supportive yet helpful role in the fall of Russia’s many enemies. Now, at long last, they anticipated gain, whether material, hopefully land in nature. They were, in their view, the new landlords of Asia. Unfortunately for them, they reckoned without Emperor Stukov.
Having proceeded to eliminate all independent nations from the earth, the Stukovian Empire now adopted a more rigid standard, removing any semblance of autonomy and reducing their allies – namely Mongolia and Communist China, to mere puppets. And it was done swiftly, with surprisingly little chaos. Summoning the leaders of both countries to a post-war planning conference in Irkutsk, the result was as efficient as it was shocking. The leaders simply never returned, and in their place, Soviet advisors moved in. Of course, the advisors possessed the support of the Seventh and Eighth Shock Armies under Vassilevskij and Konev, a remarkably powerful argument. In addition to this military persuasion, there was the example of The Great Secret, the horrifying deeds in South America, an open secret which, as censored and classified as any secret in humanity, was also known to everyone. In this fashion, the Asian populations were generally cowed as Stukov’s minions moved in.
Mongolia, poor and vulnerable, was quickly gobbled up and turned into the imperial domain of Stukov’s family, turned over to their son Feodor as a kind of princely fief – administered in his name rather. In this respect, it was expected that future leaders of Russia would grant Mongolia to their eldest sons. China, however, was a larger entity to absorb. To forestall any true hope of Chinese nationalism resurging, Stukov calmly divided the lands up into several Chinese republics – warlords really, appointed directly from Moscow. Communist China became Xinyiang, and was added to Shanghai, Kunming, and Manchuria, among others. With very little power to begin with, these “warlords” would loathe each other, with no time for loathing their true master. This was similar, in some respects, to the division of Japan into two entities, to decrease Japanese nationalism. It was this, ‘divide and administer’ policy, that allowed the Stukovian Empire to enjoy its initial success and its quiet assumption of world rule.
--------------------------
The Quiet Conquest
The Asian allies of the Russian Empire received a much different reward than the one they had predicted. They had stood by Russia during over a decade of disbelieving conquest, their divisions playing a supportive yet helpful role in the fall of Russia’s many enemies. Now, at long last, they anticipated gain, whether material, hopefully land in nature. They were, in their view, the new landlords of Asia. Unfortunately for them, they reckoned without Emperor Stukov.
Having proceeded to eliminate all independent nations from the earth, the Stukovian Empire now adopted a more rigid standard, removing any semblance of autonomy and reducing their allies – namely Mongolia and Communist China, to mere puppets. And it was done swiftly, with surprisingly little chaos. Summoning the leaders of both countries to a post-war planning conference in Irkutsk, the result was as efficient as it was shocking. The leaders simply never returned, and in their place, Soviet advisors moved in. Of course, the advisors possessed the support of the Seventh and Eighth Shock Armies under Vassilevskij and Konev, a remarkably powerful argument. In addition to this military persuasion, there was the example of The Great Secret, the horrifying deeds in South America, an open secret which, as censored and classified as any secret in humanity, was also known to everyone. In this fashion, the Asian populations were generally cowed as Stukov’s minions moved in.
Mongolia, poor and vulnerable, was quickly gobbled up and turned into the imperial domain of Stukov’s family, turned over to their son Feodor as a kind of princely fief – administered in his name rather. In this respect, it was expected that future leaders of Russia would grant Mongolia to their eldest sons. China, however, was a larger entity to absorb. To forestall any true hope of Chinese nationalism resurging, Stukov calmly divided the lands up into several Chinese republics – warlords really, appointed directly from Moscow. Communist China became Xinyiang, and was added to Shanghai, Kunming, and Manchuria, among others. With very little power to begin with, these “warlords” would loathe each other, with no time for loathing their true master. This was similar, in some respects, to the division of Japan into two entities, to decrease Japanese nationalism. It was this, ‘divide and administer’ policy, that allowed the Stukovian Empire to enjoy its initial success and its quiet assumption of world rule.
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soviet78: Then an update you will get. Sorry for the lack of activity recently. But finals, along with a sudden drop in the amount of replies I've gotten completely sapped my desire to continues.
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The "Quiet Conquest", as it would later be called, created a create deal more noise than the Imperial Throne would have liked. The abrupt and unambiguously hostile takeover of Mongolia and Communist China sat well with very few, and the presence of two notoriously dangerous Shock Armies made the situation even more tense.
The situation reached a boiling point on January 20th, when one of Mao's lieutenants, Wang Jiagiang announced to the Chinese people of the assassination of Chairman Mao at the hands of Imperials. Calling for a mass uprising against Imperial power, Wang hoped to galvanize the situation and perhaps force Stukov to concede some form of home rule for China.
What the former Communist Chinese Minister of Security had hoped as a singular uprising of overwhelming porportions. What he got was a scattered display in futility. The call to arms met a mixed reaction in the western provinces. The revolts that did occur were minor and easily contained by the veteran Imperials. Even more dissapointing, virtually no uprisings occured in the eastern and southern regions, where Soviet and then Imperial domination had been a fact of life for almost eight years. Order prevailed, allowing further concentration against the few revolts still taking place. By February 2nd, the uprisings had been crushed and Wang Jiaxiang was captured by Imperialist elements of the surviving Chinese army in Yanan. The last hope of Chinese sovereignty was thus swept away.
What should have more accurately be called the "Quiet Conquest" was the invasion of Saudi Arabia during the revolts in China. With the public's attention drawn to this, Imperial armies invaded the last free Middle Eastern nation on February 1st. Marshal Pavlov took charge, using his own, obsolete Shock Army as the spearhead of the invasion, driving along the Persian Gulf coast and sweeping aside any resistance. After siezing Az Zahran a mere six hours after the invasion, his army turned inland to the Saudi capital. Though obsolete, the venerable T-34s proved unstoppable in the flat, open desert against the Saudi defenders. On February 7th, Riyadh fell, and with it, the Saudi kingdom.
Imperial Intelligence soon uncovered damning evidence that elements of the Tibetan and warlord armies of Sinkiang had in fact provided arms for the Chinese rebels. Under these pretenses, Stukov immediately launched an overwhelming invasion of both countries using the 7th and 8th Shock Armies.
-------------------------------------------------
The "Quiet Conquest", as it would later be called, created a create deal more noise than the Imperial Throne would have liked. The abrupt and unambiguously hostile takeover of Mongolia and Communist China sat well with very few, and the presence of two notoriously dangerous Shock Armies made the situation even more tense.
The situation reached a boiling point on January 20th, when one of Mao's lieutenants, Wang Jiagiang announced to the Chinese people of the assassination of Chairman Mao at the hands of Imperials. Calling for a mass uprising against Imperial power, Wang hoped to galvanize the situation and perhaps force Stukov to concede some form of home rule for China.
What the former Communist Chinese Minister of Security had hoped as a singular uprising of overwhelming porportions. What he got was a scattered display in futility. The call to arms met a mixed reaction in the western provinces. The revolts that did occur were minor and easily contained by the veteran Imperials. Even more dissapointing, virtually no uprisings occured in the eastern and southern regions, where Soviet and then Imperial domination had been a fact of life for almost eight years. Order prevailed, allowing further concentration against the few revolts still taking place. By February 2nd, the uprisings had been crushed and Wang Jiaxiang was captured by Imperialist elements of the surviving Chinese army in Yanan. The last hope of Chinese sovereignty was thus swept away.
What should have more accurately be called the "Quiet Conquest" was the invasion of Saudi Arabia during the revolts in China. With the public's attention drawn to this, Imperial armies invaded the last free Middle Eastern nation on February 1st. Marshal Pavlov took charge, using his own, obsolete Shock Army as the spearhead of the invasion, driving along the Persian Gulf coast and sweeping aside any resistance. After siezing Az Zahran a mere six hours after the invasion, his army turned inland to the Saudi capital. Though obsolete, the venerable T-34s proved unstoppable in the flat, open desert against the Saudi defenders. On February 7th, Riyadh fell, and with it, the Saudi kingdom.
Imperial Intelligence soon uncovered damning evidence that elements of the Tibetan and warlord armies of Sinkiang had in fact provided arms for the Chinese rebels. Under these pretenses, Stukov immediately launched an overwhelming invasion of both countries using the 7th and 8th Shock Armies.
Good stuff, TC, and don't let replies govern your writing. It's a great story, and I think many anticipate an imminent ending? Plus HOI2 is looming and we're all distracted.
Mettermrck: Ending? Perhaps.
Evil Capitalist: Then obviously you're not trying hard enough.
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"You know you have too much power when you can't remember why you had two dozen ICBMs built. Not that I'm complaining, mind you." -Emperor Alexei Stukov
April 1st, 1948
General Vassilevskij watched in grim satisfaction as his armored units rolled through the warlord forces of Sinkiang.
He gazed across the battlefield from his perch on a rocky hill, the carnage of the past month stood out like a hideous scar on the rugged landscape. Imperial T-54s rolled through rows of barbed wire and several lines of trenches. Imperial infantry rushed in after, crushing any resistance left behind. Ahead of the tanks, terrified soldiers of the warlords fled for their lives. By the time they reached the smoldering ruins of Urumqi, only a few hadn't been machine gunned or run down.
Vassilevskij turned his head, "Inform General Konev my forces have broken through the northern flank."
The aide saluted and hurried along. Despite the bloody scene before him, Vassilevskij couldn't help but smile. For once, Konev had not snatched the glory of victory from him.
Vassilevskij had boldly struck out against the warlord forces concentrated around Urumqi, outnumbered 90,000 to 130,000. Poor weather and snow, compounded by the rough terrain, had limited the effectiveness of his tank armies. The bloody fighting began on February 16th.
Meanwhile, Konev was slashing his way through Tibet. And after only a week's worth of fighting captured Lhasa. After several hours of negotiations and assurances of the preservation of Buddhist religion, the Dhali Lama was persuaded into surrendering the Tibetan nation. Konev had not faced the harsh weather Vassilevskij's Shock Army was suffering, and was immediately redeployed to reinforce the floundering soldiers.
Konev arrived with reinforcements at a critical point, joining in on March 22nd. The combined force slowly pushed the warlords back towards their capital, inflicting heavy losses. Finally, the exhausted men had lost the will to fight and broke in rout. A pitiful last stand had been made at the gates of the capital, the aftermath of which Vassilevskij was witnessing.
Another aide approached the general, "Sir, Konev reports he is still encountering heavy resistance on the western flank and requests you attack them from the rear."
Vassilevskij laughed triumphantly, "Send our forces in immediately. I'll show that Konev how it's done."
The aide hesistated before saluting, "At once sir."
Vassilevskij's tanks continued their attack, encircling the shattered city as heavy artillery was brought up. He had ordered the complete elimination of resistance, and he intended to see it through.
"Things are finally starting to go my way again."
Evil Capitalist: Then obviously you're not trying hard enough.
-------------------------------------------------
"You know you have too much power when you can't remember why you had two dozen ICBMs built. Not that I'm complaining, mind you." -Emperor Alexei Stukov
April 1st, 1948
General Vassilevskij watched in grim satisfaction as his armored units rolled through the warlord forces of Sinkiang.
He gazed across the battlefield from his perch on a rocky hill, the carnage of the past month stood out like a hideous scar on the rugged landscape. Imperial T-54s rolled through rows of barbed wire and several lines of trenches. Imperial infantry rushed in after, crushing any resistance left behind. Ahead of the tanks, terrified soldiers of the warlords fled for their lives. By the time they reached the smoldering ruins of Urumqi, only a few hadn't been machine gunned or run down.
Vassilevskij turned his head, "Inform General Konev my forces have broken through the northern flank."
The aide saluted and hurried along. Despite the bloody scene before him, Vassilevskij couldn't help but smile. For once, Konev had not snatched the glory of victory from him.
Vassilevskij had boldly struck out against the warlord forces concentrated around Urumqi, outnumbered 90,000 to 130,000. Poor weather and snow, compounded by the rough terrain, had limited the effectiveness of his tank armies. The bloody fighting began on February 16th.
Meanwhile, Konev was slashing his way through Tibet. And after only a week's worth of fighting captured Lhasa. After several hours of negotiations and assurances of the preservation of Buddhist religion, the Dhali Lama was persuaded into surrendering the Tibetan nation. Konev had not faced the harsh weather Vassilevskij's Shock Army was suffering, and was immediately redeployed to reinforce the floundering soldiers.
Konev arrived with reinforcements at a critical point, joining in on March 22nd. The combined force slowly pushed the warlords back towards their capital, inflicting heavy losses. Finally, the exhausted men had lost the will to fight and broke in rout. A pitiful last stand had been made at the gates of the capital, the aftermath of which Vassilevskij was witnessing.
Another aide approached the general, "Sir, Konev reports he is still encountering heavy resistance on the western flank and requests you attack them from the rear."
Vassilevskij laughed triumphantly, "Send our forces in immediately. I'll show that Konev how it's done."
The aide hesistated before saluting, "At once sir."
Vassilevskij's tanks continued their attack, encircling the shattered city as heavy artillery was brought up. He had ordered the complete elimination of resistance, and he intended to see it through.
"Things are finally starting to go my way again."
anonymous4401: There's only so many left now....
Churchill2004: Expect one in the next update.
Corruption: Conclusion.... hard to believe that, really.
Mettermrck: Indeed. And with the conclusion of your own AAR, you can dedicate more time to extolling the supreme awesomeness of my writing
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"Communism isn't anti-capitalist, it's capitalism with a smile." -Emperor Alexei Stukov
April 1st, 1948
Konev grimaced as the artillery barrage continued. Rows of heavy cannons wre lined up perfectly, blasting the nearby mountains into molehills.
His tank drive had been stalled along the fortified warlord positions, preventing him from reaching the city of Urumqi in time with Vassilevskij. Though from the word he recieved from his HQ, it wasn't really neccesary.
But still, the artillery fired. A bloody toll was to be exacted upon the impudent warlords, as decreed by Emperor Stukov. Anyone who resisted, or who resisted well enough to stop an Imperial force, was to be destroyed.
A series of firery explosions slashed their way across the hilltops, billowing smoke rose up into the air. Wave after wave of shells were being lobbed up at a most likely broken enemy force.
But orders were orders.
Konev's opinion of the Emperor, once that of respect and admiration, had steadily degraded over the years. The purges of South America, the atrocities of war, the transformation of the Soviet Union into a monarchy, and the wholesale conversion of the Red Army into a pack of unrestrained murderers.
Another volley of artillery roared up.
Something suddenly snapped inside Konev.
"Enough!" he yelled, balling his hands into fists, "Cease fire immediately!"
His aides, caught off guard, scrambled to send word down the line. It took only a few moments for the guns to fall silent.
"This slaughter has gone on long enough! We're suppoused to be soldiers, not criminals!"
"But sir..." an aide spoke up.
Konev glared furiously at the man, who shrank back dejectedly, "But nothing! This isn't war, it's murder! Send our men up to those hills!" he said, pointing with a quivering finger.
He continued raging, "No one is to be hurt! Send up ambulances, food, water, doctors. I don't care, so long as not another one of them dies!"
Another aide gathered up the courage to speak, "But sir, the Throne has decreed that no one who resists the Empire is to be spared."
"I don't give a damn anymore!" he bellowed, his face turning bright red, "It's time we started acting like civilized people again! Now get out of my sight, all of you!"
The aides hesistated.
"NOW!"
The aides ran away to carry out their orders.
Konev turned back to the hills, breathing through barred teeth. His hands slowly clenched and unclenched into fists. It was time for someone to finally stand up and do something about this butchery. Konev hardly cared what would happen to him now. His conscience told him he was doing the right thing, even if only he believed it anymore.
"Stukov may have taken my motherland and he may take my life. But what good is a life without a damn soul?"
Churchill2004: Expect one in the next update.
Corruption: Conclusion.... hard to believe that, really.
Mettermrck: Indeed. And with the conclusion of your own AAR, you can dedicate more time to extolling the supreme awesomeness of my writing
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"Communism isn't anti-capitalist, it's capitalism with a smile." -Emperor Alexei Stukov
April 1st, 1948
Konev grimaced as the artillery barrage continued. Rows of heavy cannons wre lined up perfectly, blasting the nearby mountains into molehills.
His tank drive had been stalled along the fortified warlord positions, preventing him from reaching the city of Urumqi in time with Vassilevskij. Though from the word he recieved from his HQ, it wasn't really neccesary.
But still, the artillery fired. A bloody toll was to be exacted upon the impudent warlords, as decreed by Emperor Stukov. Anyone who resisted, or who resisted well enough to stop an Imperial force, was to be destroyed.
A series of firery explosions slashed their way across the hilltops, billowing smoke rose up into the air. Wave after wave of shells were being lobbed up at a most likely broken enemy force.
But orders were orders.
Konev's opinion of the Emperor, once that of respect and admiration, had steadily degraded over the years. The purges of South America, the atrocities of war, the transformation of the Soviet Union into a monarchy, and the wholesale conversion of the Red Army into a pack of unrestrained murderers.
Another volley of artillery roared up.
Something suddenly snapped inside Konev.
"Enough!" he yelled, balling his hands into fists, "Cease fire immediately!"
His aides, caught off guard, scrambled to send word down the line. It took only a few moments for the guns to fall silent.
"This slaughter has gone on long enough! We're suppoused to be soldiers, not criminals!"
"But sir..." an aide spoke up.
Konev glared furiously at the man, who shrank back dejectedly, "But nothing! This isn't war, it's murder! Send our men up to those hills!" he said, pointing with a quivering finger.
He continued raging, "No one is to be hurt! Send up ambulances, food, water, doctors. I don't care, so long as not another one of them dies!"
Another aide gathered up the courage to speak, "But sir, the Throne has decreed that no one who resists the Empire is to be spared."
"I don't give a damn anymore!" he bellowed, his face turning bright red, "It's time we started acting like civilized people again! Now get out of my sight, all of you!"
The aides hesistated.
"NOW!"
The aides ran away to carry out their orders.
Konev turned back to the hills, breathing through barred teeth. His hands slowly clenched and unclenched into fists. It was time for someone to finally stand up and do something about this butchery. Konev hardly cared what would happen to him now. His conscience told him he was doing the right thing, even if only he believed it anymore.
"Stukov may have taken my motherland and he may take my life. But what good is a life without a damn soul?"
Oooh, a rebel! Is the aid really one of Stukov's observers? Are Konev's days numbered? Or can he topple an empire?