The freedom movement had expanded its influence in the northern Ukraine and the numbers of its members was growing. On the other hand, the enemy had taken the industrial area around Donez after several strikes and mass demonstrations. Now Uljanin`s men controlled the streets in this large and important region. CLJ units searched the cities for supporters of the freedom movement and executed everyone who was suspected to be a Rus.
All in all, Vitali Uljanin was content with the progress of his men in the Ukraine. In his eyes, it was only a question of time until Kiev and also the rest of the country would be in the hand of the CASJ. So his functionaries developed a restless activity, leaving their opponents no time to rest.
Nevertheless, more and more Ukrainians showed sympathies with the Rus. Others feared that their country would soon be ruled by Uljanin or Tschistokjow. In the latter case, they knew, however, that they would life in better conditions as under the collectivist yoke.
Moreover, Tschistokjow was admittedly of Russian descent, but at least born in Kiev. Therefore, the blonde politician became not tired to stress this fact in his speeches again and again.
“I feel with the Ukrainian people and I will give them back their freedom”, he promised.
Now it was the question, who was able to prevail in the long run. Frank and Alfred returned to Minsk in the second week of January.
A thick blanket of snow blocked the roads in the endless vastness of Russia. Therefore, the political activism stagnated and it was quiet until the snow started to disappear. In February 2038, the struggle continued and both sides made their first rallies and demonstrations. In the western part of Russia, the collectivists proceeded now much more aggressive against the Rus and started a bloody guerrilla war in the cities.
Meanwhile, the Russian police looked away, trying to deal with the armed units of the two revolutionary movements. Overall, the frustrated police officers, who hadn`t received any salary payments since weeks, felt much more sympathy for the freedom movement than for the CASJ. For this reason, the Rus did a lot to convert the Russian policemen to their column. They promised them the termination of the collectivist chaos and the return of law and order.
Frank beheld himself in the mirror. He believed that his hair had become a bit grayer, and he had some more little folds. Some overgrown scrapes and scratches were running down his cheek and his forehead. But they were not to recognize at first sight, as Frank said to himself.
Furthermore, shadows had formed under his green eyes. Since when were they there? Frank wondered and did not find an answer.
“Maybe I'm just fancying all this”, he thought and continued to stare into the mirror.
Kohlhaas was now 36 years old. Damn old or at least not young anymore, as he meant. Meanwhile, he had become a general of the Volksarmee and the leader of the best unit of it. He was a great warrior, perhaps even a talented butcher. A lot of men had been killed by his bullets and blades. Therefore, his comrades were worshipping him.
He was also not stupid. Frank had a sharp intellect and was able to think strategically. The Varangians followed him, because of his inner strength, his iron will and his great courage. But nevertheless, the general was tortured by a feeling of emptiness and permanent exhaustion.
“I am marching from battle to battle. This is my destiny. One day I will be an old man – if they don`t kill me before - and I will have nothing but a pile of medals”, he sometimes mused.
He imagined a group of little children, standing in front of his house, who were shouting: “There lives the old gentleman, Mr. Kohlhaas! He has once been a great fighter. He was like Achilles, like Siegfried, like Leonidas! Oh, how great would it be to become a man like him.”
But it would not be his children. No, other people's children, because Frank would never have an own family. It would be his fate to live and die as a lonely man. A lonely but admired soldier, a forever fighting hero in a hamster wheel.
What would be if it was all in vain? If their rebellion would finally fail and nothing would remain of it?
He became increasingly unhappy, sad and listless. Nevertheless, Artur Tschistokjow would call him again soon. Today, however, he wanted to go out with Alfred, roaming through the pubs at night and going into a tavern, where they sometimes played “New Iron Metal”, Frank's favorite music. Today the general wanted to drink and forget.
Until five o` clock in the morning, Frank and Alf had walked through the streets of Minsk. Bäumer had flirted with a pretty Russian girl, while Frank had thought of Julia once more. Some young Russians had reverently come to their table and had asked, if he really was “General Gollchaas”. He had just nodded, with a broad smile.
Suddenly, the owner of the pub had come as well to shake their hands. Then they had drunken for free.
“I am also a member of the freedom movement, Mr. Gollchaas”, the pub owner had told. “We are proud, that you visit us today, general.”
Beyond all his depressions, Frank had been happy when he heard these words. Apparently, he meant something to many people. It did not solve his inner problems, but it sounded good, really good. Totally inebriated, the two men finally returned to Frank`s apartment in the gray of dawn.
A few days later, they drove back to the barracks in the outskirts of Minsk. Here, the Varangians were waiting for the next mission. The motorized force advanced into the rural area in the east of Nowgorod. With waving dragon head flags, the trucks drove through the villages and towns to show their colours. How strong were the collectivists here? They didn`t know it and it was their task to find it out.
In these tiny villages, it came to no incidents. All in all, the people reacted positively on their appearance and often the Varangians distributed data discs and pamphlets with headlines like “What are the Goals of Artur Tschistokjow?” or “Uljanin – The Face of Treason”.
The trip to the east brought Frank and his soldiers in desolate, impoverished regions. Here they found a lot of dilapidated and already half abandoned villages. Haggard and unhappy faces gazed after them out the windows of run-down houses. Sometimes there was nobody to see on the muddy, rain-soaked village streets, except for an old woman or a straying dog.
When they drove further eastward, they came into a wild country with meadows, large forests and only a few small farms. Russia seemed to be endless.
A cold wind was always blowing through the Russian vastness, and some villages could not even be reached, because mud and snow were still blocking the roads. Finally, the trucks stopped near Rybinsk. This city was in the hand of the collectivists. It would have been a pointless provocation of the enemy to drive through the streets there. So they went back to Nowgorod and then made their way to St. Petersburg.
“Here we go! Artur says, that we shall distribute these data discs only in the suburbs. Prior in front of schools and in the neighborhoods”, explained Frank.
“What? Even the Varangians?”, wondered Alfred.
“Yes, every man is needed. We stay together in groups, if the red-black scum appears! The local chapter of the freedom movement is already working since weeks. They have warned us, because most parts of the city are in the hand of Uljanin`s men.”
Bäumer laughed gleefully. “I have thought, we are an elite unit, and not a bunch of paperboys...”
“Well, the distribution of advertising material is also very important. St. Petersburg can`t be taken without a good preparation”, Kohlhaas gave back sullenly.
“These words out of your mouth, Frank!”, muttered Bäumer, looking listlessly at his friend.
”I have meanwhile realized, that the mental preparation of the population is the base for any political change”, lectured Kohlhaas, while Alf raised his hands.
“Yeah, okay, Frank! Come on now!”, he grumbled.
Shortly afterwards, the truck convoy drove through the western outskirts of the city. Then the Varangians distributed leaflets and data discs in some streets. Many of the people seemed to be frightened and hardly anyone dared to refuse the “gifts??
? of the uniformed Varangians. Today, the collectivists were nowhere to be seen in this suburb. Nevertheless, one time a few guys shouted insults at Frank and his men in a side street. But otherwise all was quiet. Apparently, Uljanin`s followers were waiting for a better opportunity to attack their enemies.
Apart from that, a lot of ordinary Rus were nonetheless assaultet by members of the CASJ at that day. Some armed troopers tried to give them protection, but St. Petersburg was far too big to keep every street in sight. Furthermore, many of the Rus, who distributed leaflets or data discs today, were normal young men or sometimes even women.
In the north of the city, four members of the freedom movement were attacked at a subway station by more than 40 collectivists. Elsewhere, an activist of the Rus was stabbed down with a knife and another heavily wounded with brass knuckles.
Although the collectivists already controlled large parts of St. Petersburg, above all the inner city, they were nevertheless not that numerous and well organized as in Moscow or in the other cities of the east. But their organization was anyhow growing.
The propaganda campaign in the suburbs of St. Petersburg was the so far greatest operation the Freedom Movement of the Rus had ever started. Almost 200000 leaflets and data discs could be distributed in the city. In particular, the digital documentary “Who are the Forces Behind Vitali Uljanin?”, which was distributed as a data disc, found a lot of interest among the people.
Of course, the collectivists hated this video, that had been produced by the Belarusian television, from the bottom of their hearts. Hence, the local leaders of the CASJ told their men to destroy any data disc they could get. However, the campaign became a great success and brought Tschistokjow a lot of sympathy. For the 10th of March, the leader of the freedom movement was finally planning a rally in the district Pushkin, a heartland of the collectivists.
”A march through Pushkin?”, groaned Frank, clutching the cellphone in his hand.
“Yes! We must mobilize all of our men. The police will leave us alone. Meanwhile, they are more on our side than on that of the collectivists!”, explained Artur Tschistokjow in German at the other end of the line.
“I hope so...”, returned Kohlhaas and looked worried.
“See you, Frank!”, said Tschistokjow and ended the call.
Alf wanted to know more details and tortured his friend with his questions. The general just rolled his eyes and remarked: “The last thing I need is that...”
“Be happy that the ordinary Russian policemen are facing us with so much sympathy. Believe me, meanwhile, the hate the collectivist scum too, after all the riots in the last months”, said Bäumer grimly.
“This rally will end in another big street fight, Alf. I`m too exhausted for all this. This never ending struggle eats me up”, groused Kohlhaas.
“Get a grip, Frank!”, grumbled Alf, positioning himself in front of his friend, while his muscular arms were twitching under his shirt.
“Soon there will be civil war in Russia. It is only a question of time”, moaned Frank.
“After the rally in Pushkin, we will drive back home to Ivas. Then we`ll enjoy a few free days, okay?”
“A good idea! I want to see Julia again. Moreover, HOK and me wanted to play...”
Bäumer interrupted him. “Svetlana has called me yesterday. Have I already told you?”
“Svetlana?”
”Yes, the cute, blonde girl from the pub in Minsk. Can you remember her?”
“Oh! Yes, she was really cute!”
“I gonna meet her tomorrow”, explained Alf proudly.
“What?” Frank looked distraught.
“Yes, why not? She seems to like me!”
“Congratulations!”, said Kohlhaas with a hint of jealousy in his voice.
One day later, Bäumer had met Svetlana and was somewhere in Minsk now. They wanted to go to a restaurant in the outskirts to eat comfortably, as Alfred had told.
Meanwhile, it was already 22.00 o` clock. Frank boredly sat on the couch in his living room and watched television. The Belarusian TV program was sometimes not very interesting, as he had to admit. Now he watched a report about the resettlement of young families in rural areas. His friend Artur Tschistokjow was interviewed once again and explained, that he would do everything to help the Belarusian farmers, who were still fighting for their existence.
Finally, a movie followed. It was an old film from the last years of the 20th century called “Braveheart”. Nevertheless, Frank liked it, at least, it was about a rebel.
After “Braveheart”, Kohlhaas started to clean up his traditionally messy kitchen, washed some dishes and tried to restore some order, because Alf wanted to stay for the night in his apartment.
Suddenly the phone rang. It was 1.12 o`clock in the morning.
“What's up?”, asked Kohlhaas and yawned.
Alf chuckled at the other end of the line. Frank could also hear the high, clear voice of Svetlana in the background.
“I won`t come anymore, buddy. I go home to Svetlana. Is it okay for you?”, Bäumer wanted to know.
“Yes, sure! No problem!”, replied Frank.
“All right, I just wanted to tell you. So don`t wait for me. What are you doing tonight?”
“Nothing special! I`m tired and looking forward to some sleep, Alf”, came back.
“Okay, Franky! See you tomorrow, I`ll be there around noon.”
“Have fun!” Frank hung up.
A second later, he threw the cellphone on his sofa and whispered a curse. Somehow he felt behind-addressed, treated like a fifth wheel.
“That's nonsense”, he said then to himself, “Alf has a right to do what he wants. Do not act like a concerned mom!”
He looked out the window and beheld the rain-soaked streets below, thinking of Julia. Eventually he went to bed with a bottle of beer, stared at the wall and emptied it with a few strong sips. It took a while, until he was able to find some sleep.
Now it were only two days till the first big rally of the freedom movement in St. Petersburg. The tension was growing and Artur Tschistokjow had increasingly become nervous. This time, he admitted that he was really scared of the coming demonstration.
The protest march through the 8 million metropolis of the Russian north was smelling of violence and bloody clashes.
Thoughtfully, the blond man sat in front of a laptop and tried to finish the text for a bill. Suddenly the phone rang.
“Yes?”
”Mr. President, there is a man in the foyer who wants to speak to you, it`s a foreigner!”, said a guard.
“Good for him! But I`m working!”, grumbled Tschistokjow.
“The man is quite persistent. He says that he is a scientist and has very important informations for you. Shall we throw him out, Mr. Tschistokjow?”
The President pondered for a moment. “Search him for weapons and bugs!”
A few minutes later, the phone rang again. “Mr. President, it's all clear. The man is clean!”
“Now tell me who he is!”
“He says that he is a physicist and would like to present you some important discoveries!”
“Aha...”
”He is begging me to let him in, Mr. President!”
Artur Tschistokjow did not really know what to make of it and scratched his chin.
“Send him up! Two security men shall accompany him!”
Shortly afterwards, two tall guards entered the office of the Belarusian head of state. An elderly man with a bald head, glasses and tousled white hair followed them. The leader of the Rus got up from his chair and walked towards the strange looking guest.
”What can I do for you? I`m Artur Tschistokjow!”
The visitor bowed and smiled. “Prof. Karl Hammer!”
“Are you from Germany, Professor Hammer?”
“Yes, from Hamburg. Can you talk German, Mr. President?”
The rebel leader started to grin. “Once I have learned German and two good friends of mine are Germans too! I can sp
eak a bit of your language.”
The scientists appeared relieved. “Now I`m standing in Tschistokjow`s office...”
“What can I do for you?”, asked the leader of the Rus.
The older man opened a suitcase and took out some DC-Sticks and a laptop. Then he said: “I want to show you something, Mr. President!”
A little later, Artur Tschistokjow was staring at the screen of the laptop in amazement. He beheld some blueprints and construction plans and didn`t knew what to say. However, he did not understand much of what he saw, but Prof. Hammer immediately started to explain everything.
“I have lead the faculty of physics at the university of Hamburg until I have left half a year ago. For about 30 years, I am already dealing with laser and plasma technology and I claim to be one of the leading scienctists in this sector in “Central Europe”. I have lectured at several universities: Berlin, Vienna, Paris. Most of the time in Hamburg, my hometown”, told the scientist and looked at his surprised interlocutor.
”Laser and plasma technology?”
“Yes, exactly! In the course of my decades-long researches, I have won a lot of new insights. Among other things, this technology can be used even in the military sector...”
”What's that gun there on the screen?”, Tschistokjow wanted to know, pointing at the laptop.
“This is a plasma gun”, said the white-haired man.
“Plasma gun?”
“Yes, a plasma gun! It is my invention!”
“You have worked on a plasma gun?”, asked Artur puzzledly.
”Right, Mr. President! And I am still working on it. However, I work not only on weapons. Laser and plasma technology can fortunately be used also in many other ways!
But you can guess, that certain people are particularly interested in my military researches. What you see here on this screen, has never made public before. These construction plans are my intellectual property and nobody knows about them.”
“But why did you come to me?”, inquired the leader of the freedom movement.
His guest was silent for a moment and looked around nervously. “That's a long story. Of course, I would have also had the possibility to go to your enemies, Mr. Tschistokjow, but I didn`t do it.
Believe me, your opponents are very interested in these things. The GSA has asked me again and again about my inventions, after I have published a scientific report about the using of my technology for military purposes.
Anyway, they don`t know that I already have complete construction plans for new weapons. They wanted me to come to North America or the Middle East, to put my knowledge into their services. I did not do it!”
“Plasma gun! This is crazy! Verrückt!”, remarked Tschistokjow in German and laughed.
“The GSA has put me more and more under pressure. They offered me huge sums of money and threatened me, if I would dare to refuse”, told the scientist.
“And now you want to help me with your inventions?”, asked the rebel leader, perking his eyebrows up.
Prof. Hammer smiled and replied: “Well, maybe I can help you somehow, Mr. Tschistokjow. I do this with burning conviction, because people like you, and also president Matsumoto, are the only sparks of hope in this terrible times!”
The Belarusian president was still overwhelmed, while the German showed him further plans and told him about his life. The old man stayed in Tschistokjow`s office until deep in the night, and the Belarusian president listened to his words in disbelief.
Enemy Territory Pushkin