The Patriarch led the crowd in prayer before addressing them. “Children of God, today we being His voice to those who run our government. His voice fills our hearts. His voice rings in our ears. It tells us what they are doing is wrong! It tells us that you may no longer rule our hearts and minds. In the name of our God, you must step away from your posts and leave. In the name of our God you are beyond redemption until you do so. If you do not, I declare you excommunicate from the Church of our Mother Russia and condemned. In the name of our God, I command the gates of the Kremlin be opened. We, the free people of Russia wish to enter!” he shouted.
The crowd let out a yell and began moving toward the main gates to the Kremlin. The Patriarch stepped down and moved with the people. To their utter amazement, the gates opened.
Borodin heard the singing from his office. One of his aides burst into the room and told him of the crowd. Angered, Borodin called for the Army to restore order. He tried to work, but the sound of the hymns filled the air. In a few minutes there was a knock on the door. Marshal Andropov entered the room.
“What are you doing about the crowd in Red Square?” demanded Borodin.
“It is being taken care of,” said Andropov. “I have finally gotten all my people into position and we are ready to move. I have also taken steps to end the bombardment that has been going on for two days. When you are ready, I will give the orders,” he said.
Borodin smiled. “Then give the order. I want things to happen now,” he said firmly.
Andropov saluted and turned and gave an order through the door. Two squads of soldiers suddenly entered the room with their weapons facing Borodin. Borodin looked in horror as Andropov pulled his pistol and pointed it directly at him.
“You may recall I told you I would do all in my power to save our nation. Now I shall. You are under arrest. You will be taken to Butyrka prison where you will be held on charges of crimes against the Russian people. Do not resist, or I will shoot you myself,” Andropov ordered.
“Have you lost your mind? I am President of Russia! You cannot arrest me,” shouted Borodin.
Andropov barked an order and a strait jacket was forcibly placed on a protesting Borodin. A gag was placed in his mouth and he was led to the window to see that the gates of the Kremlin were open and the crowd was gathering inside. He saw the Patriarch move to the steps of his building and silence the crowd for a moment.
“They are waiting for us,” said Andropov.
The soldiers dragged Borodin down the halls from his presidential office and down the main staircase. The front doors were thrown open and the crowd erupted as the men pulled a resisting Borodin past the Patriarch and into a waiting vehicle. Andropov stepped beside the Patriarch and watched him leave, then turned, knelt, and kissed the Patriarch’s hand. The crowd erupted in joy, gathering around the men until the Patriarch once again called for quiet.
“People of Russia, I am Marshal Andropov, in command of the Russian Army. We have overthrown our dictatorial leader and have assumed the responsibility for the state. Today I have called for the Duma to reconvene. I am asking for general elections so that we may reestablish a representative government of the people in Moscow. Once this is done, that government will once again rule our nation. I am also contacting the Allied powers so that we may bring this unholy war to an end.”
The crowd let out a cheer and it took several minutes before they quieted again. Andropov continued. “Fellow Russians, I ask your help. We have been led down the wrong road for a long time. It will take time to get things going again. We are going to do what we can to bring civilization back to our nation. Power needs to be restored and our businesses rejuvenated. I will not rest until we have brought every person who has led us to war to justice. Until then, reach out to your neighbors and friends. Let us solve our problems together. Let us build Russia into a place of prosperity for all. Let us go to work,” he said. Then he began to sing another song. It wasn’t their national hymn, but something much older. The crowd immediately recognized it as the old Imperial Anthem, except instead of singing ‘God save the Tsar,’ he sang ‘God Save the People.’ Smiles spread around as others picked up the notion and began to sing. It was a new day in Russia and the people were in control.
“Admiral!” shouted one of the officers. He was pointing to a news broadcast. The room got quiet and the sound was turned up. It was a crowd of people singing. Hammond recognized the song, but not its significance. The label said it was inside the Kremlin in Moscow.
“My God, that’s the old Imperial Anthem,” said Dortmund.
The announcer began to speak over the music. “Just a few minutes ago President Borodin was seen being taken away in a strait jacket. The officer is identified as Marshal Philippe Andropov, a relatively unknown player in the Russian Army’s hierarchy. He is standing beside Patriarch Gregory of the Russian Orthodox Church. In a brief statement to the crowd he stated that the Army had taken over the government and they were calling in the Duma, something that hasn’t happened since Borodin assumed full control. He pledged to restore order and services in Russia and told the crowd he was contacting the Allies to put an end to this war.”
Hammond turned to his staff. “Order an immediate cease fire on all fronts. Everyone hold their positions. Contact the Russian government and offer to meet at a place near the border. Let them know we are initiating a truce in order to negotiate a cessation of this conflict,” he ordered.
Hammond turned to his supply coordinator. “Harry, we will need to get food, fuel and power to as much of Russia as we can, as quickly as we can. If this is legit, we just changed from an army to one big nonprofit. See what you can do to get some things rolling,” he said.
The men and women began rushing to telephones and issuing orders. Within minutes all bombardment of areas inside Russia ceased. The front lines became silent.
Everyone had been watching the news feed. No one knew it was being provided by a CIA asset who had been provided with a small camera and battery operated satellite feed. Most had predicted that the demonstration would be met by violence. No one had expected that Borodin would be arrested. The image of him being led out of the presidential office in a strait jacket had stunned everyone there. They were even more stunned when a military man, in uniform, had stepped up to take control.
The phone rang in the situation room and a staff member answered it. On a separate monitor Hammond’s face appeared. The President tapped a button at his seat. “Admiral, did you just see this?” the President asked.
“I was going to ask you the same. I have ordered a cease fire on all fronts for now. Since this new guy, Andropov, wants to talk, I am going along. I need some advice though. Since I’ve never handled a surrender before, I need a little input,” he said.
“Have you received any word on when or where it will take place?” asked the President.
“Not yet, but I’m hoping it will be shortly.”
“Well, just use your best judgment. I’m not sure I trust them yet. This is happening way too fast. I felt sure we would be well into Russia before anyone even hinted at talking,” said the President.
“I agree, but we need to get some sort of coalition to determine what the terms will be. I have my ideas, but this is a job for the politicians, not me,” said Hammond.