The Barbarossa Incident

Solomwi · October 9, 2003, 23:35

Part I

Private Halstead grumbled about the cold of New Hangchow 2, the way he always did when he pulled border patrol.

“You warm-blooded Scandinavian. This isn’t any colder than back home in New Bonn” scoffed his partner and friend, Erwin Schimmel, “anyways, it’s dark, and they can’t lay too much rail in the dark.” He jerked his thumb toward the Deutscherail workers on the hilly terrain.

“I still don’t see why we’re here. I mean, this outfit was good enough for frontline duty in the China War. Why are we stuck on this outpost now? Heck, why does Germany even hold onto this nowhere town?” replied Eric.

“You really don’t know much, do you? You ever been down to the docks and see how busy they are?”

“Yeah, I guess they’re sort of busy. Never really thought about it much, though.”

“You don’t really think that’s normal for a town of 30,000 people, do you? This little burg supplies the entire country with dyes. Besides, taking an isolated town deep in our own territory against a bunch of Chinamen waving spears is hardly frontline duty.”

“Well, if it’s that important, why send us here then, and not one of the big, bad infantry brigades, with those Rommel fighting vehicles they’re always going on and on about… or a Panzer division?”, Eric reversed his logic, hoping to find some way to reason himself back home.

“Boy, look at a map sometime. New Dnepropetrovsk, just over those mountains, is the only thing close to here that’s not Chinese, and the Chinese aren’t going to be dumb enough to try anything after the beating we just gave them. Those Rommels and Panzers cost money, a lot more than our rifles and jeeps. Face it, buddy, they don’t expect anything to happen here and we’re the most expendable if something does.”

Eric eyed his friend with a beaten look, “Well, why does it have to be so damn cold, then. It’s 1740, for crying out loud, put a heater in…”

“Shhh!” Erwin cut him off, whispering “You hear that, over there on the mountain?”

Eric listened, and heard the unmistakable rumbling of the Rommel Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which soon stopped, followed by voices. “Uh-oh, that’s no Rommel.”

“Nope, they’re speaking Russian,” was Erwin’s reply.

Eric’s blood ran a little colder.

Solomwi · October 9, 2003, 23:37

Part II

The news traveled fast, from a pair of privates cursing the lack of a heater in their truck to the Pentagon in Hamburg in a matter of hours.

“Sir, as these aerial photographs show, that’s an entire mechanized Russian brigade, and it deliberately moved inside German borders, when it had a free path to New Dnepropetrovsk.”

“I saw them, Jorge. What assets do we have in New Hangchow 2?” asked the colonel as his aide escorted him to the main situation room.

“Just the 2nd Warrior Division, Sir, three brigades strong, small arms, mostly, trained in guerilla tactics, though.” answered Major Salazar as they stopped at a closed door with a gold plate that read “General Staff Conference Room”. Colonel Finebaum straightened himself up slightly, more out of habit than necessity, before walking into the room full of generals, who had themselves been dragged out of bed and were in various states of disarray, all wanting to know what was so damned important to warrant a 3 am situation meeting. Colonel Finebaum entered to a murmur of grumbles, which collapsed into dead silence as soon as he got the first surveillance photograph up on the screen.

“As you see, as of 11:30 pm, local time, the Russians have moved into German territory in a clear act of aggression.” No one spoke as Colonel Finebaum gave the facts, outlining New Hangchow 2’s importance to the German Democratic Republic, the strength of Russian forces inside the borders and of those in New Dnepropetrovsk and the current state of Germany’s garrison. Once the facts were known, General Schlieffen, Chief of the General Staff, spoke up.

“Has Chancellor Bismarck been informed?”

“Yes, sir, and he is on his way back to Berlin from Istanbul as we speak. He wants to know the general disposition of our forces with respect to an invasion of Russia should a diplomatic solution fail.”

General Suleyman answered that question summarily, “Not good, I’m afraid. Sir, as you know our preparations and plans have been for a Zulu Island based invasion of Egypt. We have the initial skeleton of a Russian invasion plan, centered on an Atlantic invasion at Bryansk with the Zulu Island fleet providing a second front, but neither the Atlantic nor Pacific fleet is anywhere near in position for such an invasion. We can start moving them now, but they won’t be in position for quite some time, Sir.”

General Schlieffen sighed, “So I suspected. How quickly can we get reinforcements to New Hangchow 2?”

“Immediately” said Colonel Finebaum, “the airport is small, but large enough to handle our heavy lifters.”

“Good. Send the 2nd Panzer Division and two brigades from the 3rd Infantry. Now.”

This bit of good news seemed to lift a burden from the convened generals, and a flurry of potential scenarios were kicked around, sadly, all with the same outcome… no mainland invasion possible.

Conversation stopped as the red phone rang, and General Schlieffen picked it up.

“Yes, sir?… yes, sir… absolutely, sir.”

“Gentlemen, if there’s nothing earth-shattering you have to add, you’re dismissed. Stay here and be prepared to move as soon as you get my call. Admiral Healfdene, General Hengest, don’t leave.” As the generals stood and left for their offices, knowing that sleep would be a luxury not to be had this night, Finebaum rose to leave with them.

“Finebaum, come with me… and bring those pictures.” said Germany’s top soldier. The colonel followed the three men further down into the belly of the Pentagon, into an underground garage that opened into a concrete tunnel.

Schlieffen answered his unspoken questions, “Colonel, we’re taking a secure route to GIA headquarters. The Chancellor and key cabinet members will arrive soon, and we don’t want them waiting on us.”

Within minutes, they arrived at another garage, and were whisked into a stark conference room, still underground.

Solomwi · October 9, 2003, 23:37

Part III

Once Air Force One landed, the Chancellor joined his Defense, Trade and Foreign Ministers on the tarmac.

“The day they signed that damned Moscow Pact sixty years ago, I knew the Russians would try to drag Egypt along to try and bring us down. Give me the big picture, Claudia. I know we’re reliant on Egypt for their silks, but do we get any other goods from them or the Russians?”

“No, sir, just the Egyptian fabric. Although, both countries are dependent on us for various luxury items, and Egypt for rubber. They would be loathe to give that up if Catherine does force a war.” answered Trade Minister Claudia Kreissler.

“They won’t have any choice.” chimed in Bismarck’s Foreign Minister, Hassan Abdullah. “The Moscow Pact basically ensures that Asia will fight as one, as it stands now. But there may be a way to change that.”

Bismarck’s eyebrow rose. “Tell me more.”

Air Force one refueled and took off.

The limousine departed the airport and got on Autobahn 1, carrying only the Chancellor and Defense Minister Fritz Richtoffen and approaching the Hamburg exit.

Solomwi · October 9, 2003, 23:40

Part IV

Intelligence Director Gunnar Sigmundson paced his office floor, a cigarette with a long ash sitting ignored between his fingers. It was not news that Russia had nuclear capabilities, but it was news that they had built three more Molotov ICBM’s since Germany had cut off their aluminum supply. Fortunately, that was the only bad news he could give the Chancellor, who was due in the bunker in… he checked his watch… five minutes. Sigmundson made his way downstairs, dossier in hand.

Solomwi · October 9, 2003, 23:40

Part V

Bismarck sat down, and everyone else at the table followed suit. Colonel Finebaum had been expecting to see Claudia Kreissler and Hassan Abdullah, and momentarily wondered about their absence. He didn’t think it was a good sign that the Chancellor was accompanied only by his Defense Minister. Nevertheless, he put the photos up on the screen, explaining to the most powerful man in the world what he was seeing, what the Russians had in the area and what the German defenses at the time were.

“Worst case scenario, General Schlieffen, what can we do if they start a war?”

“Sir, we’re in the process as we speak of airlifting a Panzer division and two infantry brigades into the town.”

“Well, that’s good, General, but Germany has never let a war come to them. What can we do to take the war to Russia?” the Chancellor rephrased his question.

“Not much, I’m afraid, sir. All our forces are in position for an assault on Egypt. It will take us some time to get our fleets in position, and by then, it may be too late. Of course, in this case, Egypt is key, as we will be at war with them as soon as we counterattack the Russians. And we do not have the resources to fight both simultaneously. Ironically, it would force an Egypt-first policy, if we wanted to make the best use of current force allocation.”

Bismarck winced and sighed. “General, there is always one further option. One that does not involve the Navy.”

Schlieffen nodded somberly. “Yes, sir. Our ten Jager missiles have all been targeted to Russian cities, including Moscow, and the Bergen, Istanbul and Copenhagen are all close enough to Russian shores to launch their missiles, though the Tenochtitlan is still too far north, targeting Thebes.”

“Well, we know we can hit them, God forbid. Gunnar, what can you tell me?”

Sigmundson exhaled heavily, “The Russians now have four Molotovs. They’ve built three with Egyptian aluminum, and of course the first with ours. We can hit them, but they can hit back fairly hard. We’ll win that battle, but not without getting bloody.”

Bismarck nodded, “Gentlemen, let us hope it won’t come to that. Hassan has contacted Ivan Marchinko, Russian Foreign Secretary, and the Russians show no intention of leaving our territory. Catherine refuses to speak to anyone. Randver, what about their capabilities for mainland invasion?”

Admiral Healfdene cleared his throat, “Not much concern there, sir. They have very little transport capacity. Even if they had every ship in prime location, were able to coordinate it, and got by our Berlin-class battleships in the Atlantic, they could only land four and a half divisions. Plus, they have no amphibious capability.”

General Hengest spoke up, “Our ground forces would annihilate such a force before they could sully the streets of a single German city, I assure you.”

Bismarck smiled tightly, “Their performance in China certainly backs up your assurances, Otto.”

“Thank you, sir, and keep in mind that China was won with Panzers and field guns that are now obsolete.”

Bismarck nodded and added, “Regardless, we can not let even a remote German city fall into Russian hands. I think we all agree that it would be an open invitation for them to take Zulu Island.”

Finebaum looked around at a chorus of nods, trying to digest everything he was hearing. Finally, General Schlieffen said what he had hoped to hear.

“Mr. Chancellor, it is my duty to be sure that you understand the magnitude of nuclear warfare.” He let the unspoken question hang.

“General, I assure you, I have no desire to be the man that unleashed such hell upon the earth. However, even if it comes to that, I will have made sure that Catherine, and not I, will go down in history as the butcher.”

Solomwi · October 9, 2003, 23:41

Part VI

The ride back to Berlin was silent, but for a single phone call, and short two advisors from the ride to Hamburg. Bismarck hung up the phone and turned to Fritz Richtoffen. “Claudia said they accepted the spice deal, and the incense we offered as foreign aid, but still show no intention of moving.”

“What the hell is Catherine thinking? She knows Russia has no chance to win a war with Germany.”

“Hoping to catch us with our pants down, Fritz. Russia has been jealous of Germany since before the Zulu War, and it didn’t help when China ceded us the town a hundred years ago, breaking our dependence on Russia for any goods at all. Where the hell is Hassan? We need him to be successful.”

Richtoffen accompanied Bismarck into the Chancellor’s office. Bismarck sat at his desk and gave his confidante a solemn nod before signalling for the cameras to be turned on. He was disturbed at the lack of news from Abdullah, but knew what had to be done. His face came into focus on millions of television sets across Germany… and millions more in Russia, including the most important one, he hoped.

“My German countrymen, we stand now poised on the brink of war. Russian soldiers are currently on German soil, for what purpose, we do not know. We can only assume that their intentions are hostile. Know, however, that this aggression will not go unchecked. Germany is a peaceful nation, but has never tolerated a bully, and will not start now. What I say next, I do not say lightly. Germany currently has ten Jager intercontinental ballistic missiles aimed at Russian cities, among them Moscow. Three of our Istanbul-class submarines are also prepared to launch nuclear missiles at Russian cities. If attacked, Germany will defend herself. If attacked, I will give the order to launch.” He paused, looking directly into the camera before continuing.

“Catherine, no economic motivation is worth this. It is not worth the life of one single German, nor is it worth the life of a single Russian… much less the millions that will perish if you attack Germany. Move your troops from German territory immediately. Any blood that is shed will be on your hands. My fellow Germans, the next several hours will be the most critical in our nation’s history. I assure you, however, that we will prevail. Thank you for your time, and God be with us all.”

The red light blinked off, and Bismarck sagged in his chair.

“Dammit, where are you, Hassan?” he exclaimed.

For the next hour, Bismarck and Richtoffen exchanged nervous glances and uneasy assurances.

The red phone lit up. Bismarck leapt to answer it and, after a short conversation, turned to Richtoffen, who thought he detected a smile. The Chancellor emotionlessly signalled for the cameras to be turned back on.

Solomwi · October 9, 2003, 23:42

Part VII

Eric Halstead and Erwin Schimmel basked in the heat being given off by the engine of the big Rommel IFV, part of the 32nd Infantry Brigade now in New Hangchow 2. The Rommels and Panzers that had seemingly flooded into the small town did little to ease their nerves, though. Not much could do that with the Russian troops in plain sight from their current position. They were thankful, at least, to be a smaller part of a massive line at the moment, though, rather than being the lone patrol looking at the fearsome Russian machines.

Every man on the line froze as the Dneiper fighting vehicles across the field roared to life. Slowly, what started as murmurs up and down the line built up until it burst into euphoric cheering as the Dneipers turned and disappeared to the south… into Russian territory.

Solomwi · October 9, 2003, 23:43

Part VIII

“Hassan, dammit, first-rate job!” gushed Fritz Richtoffen amid the socializing crowd at Berlin’s Crystal Palace as he grabbed two drinks from a passing tray, handing one to the Foreign Minister. Soon, the crowd of dignitaries, German and Egyptian, quieted down and took their seats for the event for which they were all there.

Bismarck and President Cleopatra of Egypt walked down the red carpet, side by side, and to the flashes of many cameras, stopped at the table and signed the Thebes Agreement, forging an historic alliance across the oceans.

Colonel Finebaum, sitting at his desk in the Pentagon with the small television displaying the scene from Berlin, chuckled softly and went back to drawing up plans for Operation Barbarossa.

vovan · October 10, 2003, 00:08

Good work, Solomwi! Engaging plot, and quality writing style. I especially like the fact that the dialogs aren't at all cheesy, as they sometimes tend to be. An altogether pleasant read. Keep this up.

Solomwi · October 10, 2003, 01:30

Thanks, vovanism

This was fun, and I'm finding it a bit addictive. I may have to comb back through my game histories and see what else I can write about.

unscratchedfoot · October 10, 2003, 11:31

"was"? You mean its finished? NO!! I want to see a big rumble between Germany and Russia. C'mon!

ChrisiusMaximus · October 10, 2003, 12:42

Brilliant!!

No more needs to be said

Solomwi · October 10, 2003, 15:28

Or maybe the images still aren't working all that well. Oh, well.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'm glad you're enjoying it and you can definitely look for some more submissions.

Solomwi · October 11, 2003, 03:44

Woohoo, images are back! Here's the world map, which I also wanted to post with the first installment.

Of course, the blue is Germany (me), brown is Russia, yellow is Egypt, black is Zulu and light blue is China, though they're both small and insignificant to this story. The German island you see to the east of Egypt is Zulu Island (yes, it was all black before I decided that should change).

ChrisiusMaximus · October 11, 2003, 04:23

Nice pictures, thanks

Philosphy · October 12, 2003, 20:21

Your realistic and eye grabbing writing style has really caught my eye and the pictures make it even better! Please keep going! Or else...

Elias · October 12, 2003, 21:44

WOW now that I think about it this reminds me of the cubin missle crisis. Were you trying to do somthing similary or was it just a concinidence?I would like to see somthing similar acutually happen the game but with little diplomacy options you cant really have cold wars. Maby when and if civ 4 or 5 comes out.

Elias · October 12, 2003, 21:45

Although by then I will probably have a job and not near enough free time to spend on such a great game.although i can always quit and live on wealfare doing nothing but playing civ and drinking mountian dew.lol

Solomwi · October 13, 2003, 03:39

Quote:

WOW now that I think about it this reminds me of the cubin missle crisis.

The original title of this was actually "Two Minutes 'Til Midnight", obviously a reference to the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War Doomsday Clock. That said, I didn't intend to parallel it to the missile crisis, but was very aware of the similarity of events while I was writing it, so that probably had some influence, whether I realized it or not.

Philosophy, thanks. This one's wrapped up, but there will be more stories to come.

SKILORD · October 13, 2003, 17:33

quite nice my friend, quite nice indeed.

Shogun Gunner · November 4, 2003, 10:32

Cool story! With a cliffhanger ending???