“As leader of our nation you deserve to know your commanders so that you will know how we might act and how we may serve. In this case, I also wanted to tell you of some of my concerns. That way you can understand my reasoning,” Andropov said calmly.
“I understand fully and hope we can agree on a course of action for this war. As you know, my orders continue to be to advance our army at any cost to the English Channel and to assimilate all of Europe under our control. Are you ready to carry this out?” asked Borodin.
“I will always follow the orders of the head of our government,” said Andropov with a grin. “I still have grave concerns, which I am sure you also carry. At the present time, I am afraid we may not be able to achieve our goals. The technology of the Allies has been extremely troublesome. Our troops are frightened of their drones. I ordered the issue of shotguns to some of the troops to attempt to down some of these drones, but it would have to get very close for this and so far this has been ineffective. When we use automatic rifles we get some success, but because they use them in teams, we may get one, but another will kill the shooter before we can get another. At night it is impossible. The Allied aircraft and ships appear to be using some sort of stealth technology we do not understand. They appear to be invisible to radar. The only way we can be successful in an attack is to get close enough to see them, but by then, they have effectively eliminated the strike force in its entirety. Even their ground units seem to have this technology. But most telling is their ability to know when we move things around. They see our convoys, troop movements, air strikes, tank movements, everything we do. As a result we are attacked unmercifully. When we press in an attack, we meet little resistance, then suddenly get attacked from a different direction, or they meet us with such devastating force, our units are torn apart,” he said listing off each problem. Andropov stopped and grinned. “Of course you know all this and I do not wish to seem defeatist, but it just means we must be smarter at what we do. For example, I have ordered all supplies be delivered by individual truck. They no longer travel in convoys. As a result, our supplies are getting through. A few trucks are hit, but the rest make it. I also ordered the use of civilian trucks. The Allies won’t bomb them because they think they are feeding our population. They are a caring bunch,” he smirked.
Andropov shifted in his seat. “I have ordered everything to travel camouflaged. Guns are transported in what looks like school buses along with troops. Trains look like they are empty, but are carrying a half load with what looks like an empty car on top. Our troops are dug in ten miles behind the lightly manned front lines. That way we know when the drones are in the air and can take shelter. These are just some of the ways we are getting things ready for the final push into Europe. I also ordered the remaining naval personnel to be given rifles and sent to the front. The fleet is gone anyway, so we may as well use them where we need them. I am doing the same with some aviation units. This should give us the people we need to get the job done. Because we no longer have use of our tactical nuclear forces, we will hit them with overwhelming firepower, then follow up with our tanks. It is the only way we have to get the job done. It will be costly, but should work,” he said to Borodin.
Borodin sat back in his seat. “This is a good plan. You seem to be thinking outside our conventional ways. That is good. We will need that to achieve victory. Since you think they are watching, I assume it is with satellites. How do you plan on eliminating this threat?”
Andropov sighed. “It is not within our capability as yet,” he said. “Everything we send up gets destroyed before reaching its orbit. I am told we are working on it, but that will take time. This is why I am using deception to achieve our goals. It is cheaper and still effective in the short run,” he said.
Borodin slid a stack of papers across his desk. “I read your estimate on our total loses so far. I must admit I was unaware it was that extensive.”
“I am afraid Marshal Pusko was not totally up front with you when he made his reports. I am more conservative and believe you need to know so that you can make better decisions. Russia is in trouble and steps must be taken to get her out of this situation. You need to know that I am here to serve my country. I will do whatever is in my power to save her and restore her to glory. Of that you can be sure,” he said proudly.
Borodin nodded. He liked this man and for the first time in months began to see hope. He got up from his desk. “Continue with your plans, Phillipe Ivanovich. You have restored my confidence in the Army. How soon before you strike?”
“Just a few days. Most of the supplies are already in place and I am now getting the rest of the troops where they need to be. This effort will change Russia forever,” Andropov assured him.
“Good, very good,” said Borodin as he escorted the man out of the office.
“In new just released, Polish authorities have captured a Russian field agent who admits that the Russian government sent agents into surrounding nations to stir up the populations just prior to the war. Robert Cartman has more,” said the host, Pamela Mason.
The image shifted to a small holding room where a man sat at a dark table. He had only one arm and was wearing an orange jumpsuit. Anton Bugayev sat looking at one of the men in the room. His face was haggard and his beard had several days of growth. There were bags under his eyes indicating he had been up for some time. He spoke in Russian with a text translation at the bottom of the screen.
“The plan was always to stir up rage against the seated government against our Russian people,” he said almost proudly. “My job was to do this in several large cities. It started in the Ukraine and moved to each of our former allies. My last job was in Poland.”
“Did this involve killing innocent people?” asked a voice from off camera.
“Yes, we did whatever it took. The whole purpose of this was to incite riots in each city. What better way than to have someone supposedly shot by local police,” Bugayev said with a grin. There was something about his face and voice. There was a drowsiness in his speech and actions. This became obvious when he sat back and laughed. “You people are so gullible. You have become so soft you cannot even tell when you are being manipulated. You should be strong like Russians. We never get taken in by such things,” he said.
The image switched to a reporter standing in front of a prison. “Russian agent Anton Bugayev was captured by Polish authorities after a demonstration in Krakow where he shot and killed three people and wounded two more. At the time, the incident fanned the flames of dissent by ethnic Russians for local authority. While the government was concentrating on this event and others throughout Poland, Russia invaded, starting the Third World War. Officials here say Bugayev and his fellow agents were part of an overall plot to weaken the Polish government just prior to their initial invasion. They say this further proves Russia had been working for years toward ultimate European control. In all, officials are telling CNN there have been four other agents captured and are saying the same things. I guess this is shaping up for an interesting war crimes trial. Pamela.”
The image returned to Atlanta and the CNN headquarters. “Any indication who all may be involved, Robert?” the Mason asked.
“Pamela, it’s obvious it goes all the way to the top, but we have received information from some sources that this was also backed by major business leaders in Russia who were anxious to expand their business efforts throughout at least Europe. If so, that would go into areas well outside their government,” said Cartman.