Chapter 1

As the white smoke began to clear, the conscripts began to advance over the rivers of blood and tears. Some of them where crying themselves; many good comrades had given their lives today, in the name of Mother Russia.

"Comrade, radio HQ and tell the commander that the river and valley have been cleansed of this vermin," I said, kicking the body of a GI as I did so.

"Of course comrade general!" was the reply that I got, and it felt good to have power over so many men. I, General Menshikov, and my Battalion of 200 conscripts, had ravaged the territory around New York for 2 weeks, losing none but a few men.

Our men had grown rich, over looting the bodies of Allied GIs, often finding some money, and even an occasional watch.

"Comrade! I have news from HQ! Allied Battle Tanks have been spotted advancing down the valley on the other side of the river!" exclaimed the Radio Officer, interrupting my thoughts.

"Give the order to retreat to the abandoned bunkers comrade, I remember some anti-tank turrets there," I said quietly to the little man.

"Yes Comrade! Of course I-"
"SHUT UP AND DO WHAT I SAID PRIVATE!" I roared. The conscript ran out and I heard shouting outside of the tent that I had set up just 10 minutes ago.

The men had already formed an orderly column, and were awaiting the order to start the march. 
"MARCH!" I barked and the men started marching, at a fast but organized pace. 

As I gave the order, the first tank shot hit the ground just 10 meters away from the last man, and the men broke the march and scrambled away in every direction, whimpering like mere children.

I cursed at the cowardice of my men and started running for the bunker. I was within 30 steps of the 1st bunker when a bullet whizzed past where my head had been a millisecond earlier, for I had bent my head to run faster.

I whirled around jumping sideways at the same time, and a bullet hit the wall of the bunker next to me. I unclipped a hand grenade from my belt, and threw it into a seething mass of GIs accompanying the tanks. Then I noticed the girl. She was laughing as she aimed her pistols at me and shot me in the waist and leg. But as I fell I fired of and hit the girl in the head.

So, I thought. I won't die in vain. I kept firing my AK-47 into the mass of GIs, but I was only one man, fighting 500. A bullet ripped into my shoulder and another hit my chest.

But now my men had recovered from their fear and were coming out of the forest, guns roaring. They made short work of the GIs and as I breathed my last few breathes, I saw the sleek, deadly and powerful MiGs flying over-head, destroying the Allied tanks.. Victory was ours, and though I would not live to see another day of fighting, in the last 10 seconds of my life I appointed Captain Vladimir Serghzey leader of the Battalion, and slipped away into blackness.

Continue with Chapter 2, 'The Battalion's Revenge' here »