23 August, 1939 ( headline )

In a movement that has shocked the political universe at large ; the governments of FRG and the uniting of Soviet Socialist commonwealth have concluded and signed a treaty of mutual non-aggression. The unloosen financial statement of many earth leaders has ranged across the spectrum, from ones of rejoicing that the prospects of another keen war in EEC has been avoided, to others who unofficially are seeking Sir Thomas More information or are involved in a series of ‘ acute discussions'with ally governments.


1 September, 1939 ( headline )

peeress and gentlemen today it is my sad responsibility to announce that war has returned to the Continent of EU as on this day the armed violence of Germany have invaded western Polska. Heavy fighting is reported by all English, with Germany announcing ‘ late, monolithic and sweeping penetration'by its armed forces. Allegedly the Polish army is already collapsing ; surrendering in ever growing numbers game and the political science has fled the nation for psychiatric hospital in Romania. Unofficial accounting from radio receiver wheeler dealer in Republic of Poland speak of persist in impedance that is ‘ stout, strong and ascertain'in the face of the motiveless hostility of Germany.

Many world leaders have strongly denounced this aggression on the contribution of the government of Federal Republic of Germany, with Anatole France, U.K. and the United commonwealth of America demanding that the armies of Federal Republic of Germany stop all hostility at once. This is to be followed by coitus interruptus to the original border, while an external intermediation via the League of Nations occurs to settle the matter of aggression between the several governments.

No comment has been relayed from the German government.


3 Sept, 1939 ( headline )

On this day the crisis in Europe has grown exponentially, with the government activity of France and Britain officially declaring war upon the governance of Germany for the invasion of Poland. contact within the respective war machine and government departments tell that armed intervention in Polska, and the organize territorial invasion of Germany ‘ shall occur within a hand tally of days, or at nigh, before the next two week are over.'

The fighting continues on, with the government of Germany reporting more and more territorial dominion gained with each passing hour, while shine rootage report the main thrust of the German Blitzkrieg has been blunted, but that the Nation casualty have been luxuriously. The announcement of the declaration of war by Jacques Anatole Francois Thibault and UK has brought renewed promise for the badger state.


17 September, 1939 ( headline )

In a motility of blatant opportunism and aggressiveness the U. S. Army of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have invaded easterly Poland. The example of the Soviet Union declared that the motion is to ensure that law and edict and stability are maintained in the face of the complete collapse of the Polish government. Within hour the movement had been condemned by most penis of the conference of Nations…


5 October, 1939 ( Headlines )

Republic of Poland has officially ceased to exist according to the governance of Deutschland and the USSR. The minor Carry Amelia Moore Nation of Republic of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have been annexed by the USSR after being coerced into signing one sided ‘ reciprocal defending team pacts'with the exchange communist governance of Russia….

Unconfirmed reports mention that officials from Republic of Finland have been invited to capital of the Russian Federation for ‘ discussions of a most specific nature concerning the mutual defense of both countries.'One former high-ranking military officeholder explained that usually means ‘ Moscow makes the menace and Republic of Finland will work conceding, or there shall be war in the end…'


â‚°â‚°

Deep in the G. Stanley Hall of STAVKA, Supreme home office for the gird personnel of the USSR, the assembled drawing card stand at attention as the lone man walked calmly in the doorway and silently proceeded to the head of the long, map-covered tabular array.

His every footfall echoed like thunder across the room, and heightened the thick tension that was further magnified by his aura of power, confidence, ruthlessness and finding. He reveled in the fear that radiated from all of those present, for all knew with a simple motion, a nod, or one spoken Christian Bible, he could build or break-dance any or all of their careers, send them to the gulag for life, or have them summarily executed.

Taking his seat he motioned for all to sit and began to explain the matters at hand."brother, the conquest of Poland and the annexation of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are nearing windup. The ancient territories of our great Rodinia are nearly dispatch, with one vexing exclusion. Despite our most generous go to them, the lackeys of the Imperialist Rebecca West, especially those of U.K., who ‘ rule'in Finland, have slapped aside the helping hand of communist generosity."

"associate, as of now I am instructing all of you to enact the plan we have prepared for such an eventuality,"the man stated, hammering away on the mesa with his fist as his eyes, cold and grayness, blazed with violence and craze at the government who has defied him since he was forced to sign on the 1921 pact of Tartu forced upon the peaceful people of the USSR by the decrepit and Imperialist-led conference of Nations.

"Comrades, explain to me again every particular of the plans as they exist at this time, do not leave out one detail,"he declared as he motioned for the NKVD guards, fellow member of the fear State Department Security apparatus, to look on for the first hint of defeatism, hesitation or anything that may be construed as high treason. For those so surmise the solution would be publically declared ‘ a tranquility and well realise retirement'…

Something that all at the mesa, especially the man who inspired such awe and terror in all about him, knew to intend ‘ death by firing squad.'

For that lone man, PM Joseph Stalin, he wanted it no other way. He and he alone ruled in the Soviet Union, and he held the fate of all in his hands alone.

For nearly twenty years he had fumed over the humiliation Finland and her Imperialist backer had inflicted upon him in 1921. So now he will have his retaliation and have the proper lands of the Old Russian tsar's restored to the motherland, under right communistic guidance of course.

He listened as the details were explained over respective time of day, with only one lowly add-on proposed to ensure there will be no doubt as to ‘ Suomi aggression'being the cause of the coming invasion."Make it so,"said Stalin.


31 October, 1939 ( newspaper headline )

Today before the assemblage of the Supreme Soviet, Foreign Minister Molotov, for the for the first time time in world announced the condition ‘ requested'of the government of Suomi to ‘ ascertain the Department of Defense of the peaceful multitude of the labor union of Soviet Socialist Republics.'

The ‘ requests,'a polite term for what most people in the democratic nations of the world will name ‘ demand at the degree of a gun'were for land to be leased for thirty years, or transferred directly into the hands of the USSR while the government of Finland would invite in return ground that is desolate and worthless. German language Chancellor Adolph Der Fuhrer has called upon the people of Finland and their leaders to have the terms peacefully while prison term remains for them to do so…

Needless to say, the message of ‘ while time remains for them to do so…'has dramatically increased stress in a continent already at war between the Allies and the Axis tycoon.


â‚°â‚°

Sir Leslie Stephen half-listened to the news program coming from the daily radio set broadcasts that detailed the stream habitus up of tension between Finland and Russia. Day by day the negotiations had been summarized in the typical way of Stalin and his cohorts…

"Agree to our term with no compromise or face the fist of sword from our armies."That is the message they have sent before, when Finland finally won its independence at the end of the Great War.

Memories of that fierce clock time played across his mind as he examined the masterly-crafted rifle that he held ; its stark invention and balance, custom-built as a birthday present tense to one special to him, will make believe her one of the smashing of hunters ever to stalk game in the woods. The new CRO mounted to it was commissioned by a protagonist of his, whose designs were a multiplication or More ahead of their time.

Stephen twirled and tossed the rifle ; rapidly worked the bolt-action to benefit the final look of how still it will wager when time was of the essence - as he learned recently with a bear that almost had him for dinner. No flaw could be found, no mar, no misunderstanding in his bully creation of all the firearms he has handcrafted in his life as an armorer, soldier, hunting watch and…dealer in goods and stuff best left unexplained and preferably never found by agentive role of the law.

He and his friends had prepared to the best they could…let the Russians come, the hornets nest waits…

Pleased with the rifle he slid it into its white-fur-lined scabbard and double checked the harness for any fault. Again he found none, his friends having done their oeuvre to absolute perfection.

"She will love this rifle,"Stephen said as he mulled over the coming event,"her birthday is on the 30th of November. I will be there and show her how to hunt with her new rifle ; she will hunt as never before until all know her name."

All too soon Sir Leslie Stephen would hail to empathise the prophetic note of his words. For that rifle will be wielded by one to become a legend…


24 Nov, 1939 ( Headlines )

tenseness continue to construct between the governance of Finland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as two parry proposal were made to find an ethical result to the need of Moscow. Both proposals were summarily rejected as being completely unacceptable on the premise they would leave the USSR completely vulnerable in the region of Leningrad.

All diplomatic link between Suomi and the USSR have been severed by the divergence of the Finnish party after being ordered home to Helsinki for ‘ consultations.'


26 November, 1939 ( Headlines )

Unconfirmed reports coming from the party news show Service of the USSR have declared a ‘ surprise and dastardly attack on Russian territory has occurred by units of the Fascist government of Finland upon instructions by their masters, the Imperialist Industrialists of the West.'

Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov has condemned this ‘ slaughter of Russian youth and demolition of much Russian history in the border hamlet of Mainila…

â‚°â‚°

"My familiar companion,"declared the fabled ‘ man of steel,'prime minister Stalin to the Soviet High Command who stood at aid before the table where he sat."Negotiations have fallen through with the fascistic government of Finland, and now we have this unprovoked violation upon our homeland. As per plans already prepared for such an occurrence, the rules of order are henceforth given to you and your troops…just before dawn on 30 November the cracking USA of the Union of Soviet Socialist commonwealth shall infest Suomi and liberate her oppressed mint who cry for exemption under a proper communist government."

His choler flared hot in his heart and iron-cold in his give-and-take as he slammed his hand on the tough table,"I will be very sack in this matter. Failure will not be tolerated ; the slightest mansion of incompetency, cowardly action and lese majesty against the party or the state will mean succinct instruction execution by the NKVD. All rescript and plans made will be approved by them before any are carried out. Remember, they answer to me alone…"

needle to say everyone got the message.

Stalin grinned and reveled in the absolute fear the men around him displayed. HE was in dominance, the master of all in Russian Federation to do with as he pleased.

Soon enough the disgrace inflicted upon him by Finland so long ago will be avenged, a dark spot on his fierce reputation. Everyone exhibit knew that the words he spoke of bomb talks were bare window dressing, for the might of four Russian United States Army Corps was in place at key crossing points along the Finland - Russian border.

Invasion had been inevitable for some prison term, and the Fin's would pay for their obstinacy in fervidness and blood.



30 November 1939 rear-area of Russian one-ninth Army corp

Major-General Yuri Bogdan watched the border neighborhood from the wooded ridgepole just shy of the Finnish-Russian borderline. The low village, little more than a hamlet not even suitable of a Gospel According to Mark on any official map, showed at the limitation of his opera glasses, just one more youngster obstacle for the grand sacking of Finland that will be erased in a few Sir Thomas More minutes.

He turned to the regimental commanders who surrounded him, each standing tall and proud, as he gave them his final instructions in the great Crusade that is to commence. Each order was repeated back in precise contingent to him and to the division's chief political commissar, Major-General Vitaly of the NKVD ( State Security ). All of the officers knew that one misstep, one failure, one infringement, or the appearance of any of the aforementioned, can turn grounds for sum-up execution by the NKVD.

Anyone doubting that only had to glint at the freshly turned earth that marked XXX graves of chap officers who were shot an hour ago for ‘ out or keeping lack of fighting spirit for the crusade of the state.'

"Comrades,"Major-General Bogdan spoke to the gathered officer,"our division has been granted the purity of spearheading the movement in the liberation of our commie sidekick from the fascists who currently rule Finland. As you know, LE than 72 60 minutes ago, our sovereign soil was violated in a border friction designed to provoke the humans's sympathy for the banditti loss leader of Finland and thus change by reversal them against our honorable leader familiar Stalin."

He watched Major-General Vitaly casually stroll back and forth around the officers, as one would expect of a rancher or James Leonard Farmer inspecting his value ingathering of cows and lead before sending them to market. He went on with his speech,"Comrades, each of us will action our region to perfection, and we will maintain radio silence as per USA military headquarters order of magnitude until instructed otherwise. Use the motorbike couriers you have well and with due application, no chance to crush the enemy must be wasted."

He hammered his clenched clenched fist into his gloved hand,"Speed, shock and grim pressure, this is how we shall split this plane section of the front line spacious outdoors and march on ever onward. All captive taken are to be sent to our Comrade of State security system unless directed, as per orders signed by prime minister associate Stalin, otherwise by each regiments commissar or by orders of Major-General political commissar Vitaly."

He pointed to the recently filled Steffi Graf to one side of the get together military officer,"Understand, there is to be no hideaway or giving up,"his spokesperson deepened as his rage mounted,"those who do so are shamed of betrayal and shall be dealt with swiftly as these double-dealer to the state of matter have been dealt with."

"Now return to your regiments and get prepare to cross the border as per programme,"he watched the officers salute and flee for their staff vehicle like a panicked assembly of cony in the sight of a band of hawks on the hunt.

â‚°â‚°

Stephen had just crested the small hills superlative when he heard the first thundering of artillery unleashed from across the border. He watched in horror as attack after crushing blow of cannon shell and rockets landed around the hamlet of summertime Mist, where his granddaughter Nikkei's birthday party is taking place, a day of joy and happiness as his homeland neared war that no one wanted to have happen.

Sadly, as the cloud of fastball and churned earth merged with the vociferation and screams of his family and booster, he knew the war no one wanted had begun. He shouldered the cloth-wrapped present he had spent so many month crafting for Nikkei's natal day, and felt the bout flow down his cheeks as he watched his man taken from him for the second prison term in his life by warfare.


â‚°â‚°

Her cosmos spun in a haze of pain and dizziness as she struggled to spread out her eyes. The mollify crackling of a fervency flooded her capitulum and the intermixture of cooking pith, burning wood and former odors assaulted her sense of scent with consuming power. She struggled to rise, slowly lifting herself onto her elbow and then falling back to the terra firma still enshrouded by the thick blanket someone had put over her while she was unconscious.

A build leaned down side by side to her and handed her a cup of insensate weewee that she guzzled down, all but choking upon its chilled descent into her parched mouth and throat.

"Easy Nikkei, easy there contain your time,"Stephen said as he helped her sit up. He checked the large bruise she had on her forehead and chuckled as she swatted at him when he touched one sore smirch after another."You will be very well Nikkei ; at the least I still have my granddaughter with me."

"grandfather what happened,"Nikkei asked, not comprehending his last give-and-take he had said to her,"Where are all the others, mommy and papa and my brothers…"She stopped upon seeing the reflection that showed upon his face, understanding at finish what had happened to everyone else.

"No grandfather, no not that, please not that,"she said, collapsing into his weapons system as he drew her closing. She broke down completely, the prick coming laborious and fast for the loss of her entire family."Why grandpa, why did this induce to befall ?"

"I don't know Nikkei, I honestly don't know,"Sir Leslie Stephen said as he rocked her back and forth.

Actually he did recognize, having followed the intense negotiations between the Finnish-Soviet authorities. Each day the Russia had become more and more demanding in the grant it sought, making it crystalize with none-too-subtle scourge and gestures that war would be the result hold open for terminated and categorical surrender of all territorial reserve need made…a chemical chain of need that Sir Leslie Stephen knew could not be accepted by Finland.

Yet he, like near in the hamlet, had hoped for common sentience and peace to come about. So it was that Nikkei's 18th birthday offered a time to lionize and for the community to draw a blank about the away world for a short time…then the bombardment arrived, slaughtering nearly everyone and destroying every building in the area.

Only Nikkei survived due to her having been flung like a ragdoll into an irrigation ditch. Sir Leslie Stephen had found her half frozen and brought her to one of the pocket-size cabins in the wooded Benny Hill he called home, hoping to fancy out how to get her to rubber when she could travel again.

Nikkei pointed to the bound bundle next to Stephen and asked,"granddaddy, what is that you have there ?"

He looked into her pain-filled eyes, sword lily for something to cark her even for a short time from the crushing loss of all that she had known."This is my birthday talent for you Nikkei, just as I promised to cause last-place year, one all of your own."

Nikkei watched as Stephen untied the sheaf and removed a rifle scabbard from beneath the canvas. He turned and presented it to her as if she were a queen of some bury land worthy of a rarified and treasured endowment from her people.


She took the rifle scabbard in her hands and laid it across her lap, stroking the easy leather covered in Stanford White fur. The rifles stock certificate, made of finely lacquered Wood carved in detailed images of her hunting in the oceanic abyss woods spoke of Sir Leslie Stephen's skill as a sea captain gun Divine and armorer.

Gently Nikkei pulled it unloose of the scabbard and examined it for some clip, feeling the precise counterweight and flesh that already felt a lifelike extension of her. The telescopic sight glistened in the easy firelight, and she spotted the signature of an old friend of her grandfathers, a man who made masterwork optics superior to even the fine made in Germany.

Two wondrous gem for her birthday ; such a prize of riches she felt unworthy of possessing let alone being capable to hold in her hands.

"gramps I can't carry this, it's more desirable in your hands…"she shushed as Stephen shook his head.

"You saved me from that bear lowest yr Nikkei,"he said with a smile. He had made one mistake on the Hunt he had taken her on, one mo of carelessness in which the bear reared up and threatened his life-time. Nikkei proved the quicker though, as she placed three poke into the bears kernel and head and thus mortally wounded the brute. It still fought on for some time before it succumbed, but in rejoinder for saving him, Stephen promised Nikkei he would craft a rifle worthy of her phenomenal skills.

"I wish mama and papa could have seen this, along with everyone else…'she began to sob again as the truth slammed home hard in her heart. Her household is gone forever, as are her acquaintance, all save for Stephen. Something deep in her mortal snapped, flooding her with a fiery resolve that consumed her in an trice. The beasts who had done this to them will be made to pay, and in blood.

"grandpa, where are the monsters who did this, where are they ?"she demanded, her voice filled with anger and ramp none could have dreamed existed. None save for Stephen who had long recognized the same traits in her that he had, and understood nothing will hold her back from having her revenge on the Russians, no matter if in the end it cost her own life.

He shook his head, recalling the time back in the conflict of 1918 when Republic of Finland won its independency from the Tsar's of Russia, and the times of trouble which followed. He had been a colonel then, and for a sentence he fought as a partisan behind the descent, becoming such a scourge on his opposition that they called him ‘ trace Bear.'

"And so history will repeat itself…"he whispered. That drew a rum face from Nikkei who still waited for his answer.

"Nikkei we are going to get you to safety and then I and some admirer will begin to fight these monster, I will not lose…oh why I even bother…'He snorted and rolled his eye to the heavens as she struggled to stand up and storm out of the minuscule cabin to go it alone."God above, she is more like me than even her mommy could have figured…"

"Nikkei hold on there,"he grabbed her as she began to collapse to the base, still woozy from the blow to her head."mulct then, I have a few things to get ready for our hunt, we will be partizan then here in our area of the wood and hills ; one affair emphatically, I call the snap and we do this my way until we have driven those monsters out of our homeland."

"amercement grandpa,"Nikkei said as she wrapped up once again in the thick mantle."We do it your way, just so long as I get to kill Russians…"her words became opaque as she drifted off into slumber.


â‚°

As Nikkei slumbered away the day, Stephen headed off into the Wood, making contact with some old friends who dealt in matters best left unmentioned in the presence of the potency. They had prepared for the chance of war coming, establishing caches of munition and early cogwheel around the area for a band of partisans to use if they needed it…and now they will, for once again ‘ shade Bear'will enter into war and urinate his enemies pay for their crimes in blood.

He continued on into the woods, seeking a place where his personal cache of ‘ limited goods'waited retrieval.

As the address came into sight, little more than a bunch of rock 'n' roll and shrub covering a little cavern in their depths he reached into his coating and rested his mitt upon the hilt of his hunting tongue. The timid odor of cigar baccy filtered through the air, coming closer with each passing second, soon to be joined with the flabby crunch - crunching of several pair of snowshoes coming towards him.

He edged into the nearby shrubs and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, concealing himself so as to look as little more than another small clump of rocks at the stem of a mighty Northern pine as the masses who followed him closed in, step by footfall, and into striking distance of his ambush…

Lightning fast he slammed his elbow into the gut of the man who had snuck up behind him, following up with a fist to his enemy throat, as he grabbed the man by his coat and dragged him to the ground. Stephen pulled out his knife to deliver the decease puff and suddenly stopped as the man beneath him gently chuckled.

headwaiter Robinson of the Finnish United States Army grinned and looked at Sir Leslie Stephen,"You have not lost any of the skill you taught all of us those years ago Colonel Stephen. Now if you don't creative thinker, let me up and I will indicate my men not to try and shoot you…"

"Like they really could get that close,"Stephen snorted,"I heard them from a half km off. You learned the lessons well, but apparently your own students have not. Now why are you here senior pilot, and please I am just Sir Leslie Stephen now, no longer a colonel of the army…or will I be again."

"Sir Leslie Stephen is it then,"began Robinson,"we're here to scout and hassle the advancing Soviet Army as it heads up the road. Someone has to appease behind and become partisan, though from the grinning on your face I assume you already have begun that undertaking ?"

"In a way of public speaking,"Stephen filled in his old student and friend in on his programme."Right now I am off to contact others in the surface area who will watch and strike as they can. Even in our independent mode, we can puzzle out together and hit the Russians spirit a livelihood hell."

Walker Smith nodded as he caught the subtle usage of ‘ we'in his live on judgment of conviction, recounting of another who will run the Russians with Stephen.

"Fair enough Stephen,"Robinson said as his men advanced, shocked to see their leader talking to an old man who appeared to come in out of nowhere. He looked at Stephen and asked of his old friend,"So then, what name will our mysterious hunter be called ?"

Stephen grinned, knowing then and there Sugar Ray Robinson will go along with anything he asked or needed done,"The Charles Percy Snow Fox, for we will demonstrate the true wiliness us Fins have when on our menage ground. Now I have to get a few other things done and ‘ acquired'then the hunting will begin."

So it was, after a agile handshake, the men departed.


3 December 1939 near front melody of Russian 163rd Infantry Division


Major Joseph stood by the armoured staff car with his sub-machine gun clenched tight in his grasp. His superscript in the NKVD ( State security measure ) had made his instructions painfully clear ; save a skinny eye on the activities of Major-General Bogdan as he served as his device driver, courier and personal bodyguard out in the field. nonstarter in any way will result in summary execution.

Over a dozen more soldiers, young lieutenant and captains, stood around or waited in their own staff machine for instructions from the general. Almost all of them gazed from time to time to the advancing credit line of trucks, armoured combat vehicle and tank-riding foot that snaked its way along the single route ever deeper into Finland. The distant ground-shaking roar of the artillery no longer registered with them, having become little more than background noise in the fourth day of their lightning fast ( sort of ) pace of the attack.

Major-General Bogdan stood heights upon the exhaust hood of his car as he scanned the skyline with his exquisitely binoculars, a gift from his grandfather many long years past. His defeat mounted by the minute at the obstinance of the Finnish protector who have defied his ability to smash through them for the last three days. Three days and his variance were barely XX international mile across the border.

"Speed, fastness and ever more speed. That is how we win this war, hurrying, shock and uncompromising hostility against any who stand against us,"he muttered to himself."Captain Craigson, ensure that all regimental and down commanders understand the social club. persistent pressure, there will be no more call back or moving other than at the enemy ahead. Any failures and I will personally shoot the officers myself if need be."

The captain repeated back his instructions, saluted and retreated to his staff car, which tore off down the route with due haste to ascertain the message was received and duly carried out.

Major-General Bogdan growled as he watched his segmentation slowly crawl down the route."The Suomi lackey's of the Imperialist West and Capitalists will learn what it means to resist the Soviet Union. We will take back what is rightfully ours since long before the Revolution began. They wanted war, so now they shall possess it and we will rebuild their company into a true communistic state of matter as it should be."

His humour suddenly brightened at the sight of a of a battery of truck-mounted rocket catapult and two stamp battery of gun moved off the road and began to set up for firing at targets located by his talent scout. So much firepower being prepared meant that at least a multitude or two of enemy soldiers had gathered to pull in a do-or-die last stand against his armor and infantry tearing ever thick into their homeland.

The speech sound of a motorbike informed him that a courier had arrived, and he nodded in satisfaction as the man stopped his bike, handed his note to maitre d'hotel Dima who double-timed it to the cosmopolitan. When he read the government note, Major-General Bogdan felt his blood boiling point as he shouted, raged and cursed while directing another minibike mounted messenger to act forward and tell his divisional headquarters to push his three hint regiments forward with all speed or face implementation at his own hands.

He cursed the orders of ‘ absolute radio silence'that came from his superiors at U. S. Army HQ's 50 or more knot behind his section."hoot them for their defiance to the motive of the motherland !"he shouted while shaking his fist in the direction of the Finnish defenders.

Nearby another elderly officer smiled at the absolute fad of Major-General Bogdan. Of course when this military officer smiled, all the attendant police officer of the general cringed, instantly coming to attention and saluting, if only to make unnecessary their own life-time, not knowing death stalked all of them from another position…



â‚°

"Say what you will that one has a bit of a disposition problem,"Stephen said as he eased the binoculars down from his eye. Clad in solid-white winter clothing his center shifted across the horizon and then across the land before him. Even the little movement drew his attention as he quickly dismissed it as the wind, an animal or a Russian Soldier moving around on some mission or another.

He watched a second officer, probably the NKVD opposite number of the police officer who stood atop his machine exhaust hood, stroll with pure arrogance and insolence becoming of a Commissar of heights rank over to the fomite and mount upon the hood as well. The remaining officers stood at a healthy aloofness, all save for the officer's driver who looked and moved like a belittled terrier determined to protect its master from a pack of famished wolves.


â‚°

"Yes comrade they do have it coming for their defiance to the needs of the motherland,"said Major full general Vitaly, Political political commissar for the division of Major-General Bogdan."It appears you are ahead of schedule by a bit, despite parole climax of some opposition run into by your lead story elements."

"Comrade Commissar it is good to see you up and about."Major-General Bogdan said as he gave his comrade the best salute he could pull off."We are pushing hard for our days objective and I have ordered the men to drive all the harder. There is some describe ohmic resistance, yet we shall push strong than before and shatter them completely. In short order any prisoner will be in your hands, as they should be, and we shall be one step closer to flying the flag of International Communism high over this state of defiant banditti."


â‚°

To Sir Leslie Stephen left, slightly gamey up upon the hilly hatful of Lucy Stone and shrub among the nifty pine tree forest a duad of blue eyes stared at the officeholder through the oscilloscope of her rifle. She slowly brought her hand up to the scope and made some minute registration, allowing her to cover with the range, wind and other variable star to place her stab right hand on target when the mo arrived.

Both ship's officer on the cars hood turned to watching the visible horizon through their field glasses.

She drew the crosshairs level with the newly arrived officer's skull, and braced the rifles stock against her shoulder while resting her finger on the trigger.

"I'm going for them grandpa,"Nikkei whispered to Stephen, who nodded in response.

One net calculation of the kitchen stove and all variable flowed through her mind as she squeezed the trigger…


â‚°

Major-General Bogdan smiled as the heavy gun sounded off, the flashy roaring of the howitzers merging with the screaming cry of Katyusha rockets tearing off from their truck-mounted catapult. He shook his fist in delight, imagining the butchery beginning to hang on the hapless Suomi ground forces regulars'just kilometer ahead when he felt something wet splattering across the side of his head, left arm and chest.


He turned in sentence to see the body of Major-General Vitaly crash to the primer coat with all of the blessing of a butchered boar. The sight of the gaping lesion left from the bullet his header had intercepted caused Bogdan to freeze, unable to affect, speak, or even think. He knew then and there that destruction was only moments away from claiming him in its icy hands.

John R. Major Chief Joseph leapt upon the cars tough and tackled Major-General Bogdan. The bullet meant for the general took the man in the cover, severed his sticker and ruptured his middle, perfectly before he and the general plummeted to the ground, sheltered by the armour car from the snipers fire.

Pandemonium reigned in the generals unit as some of the men ran to help Major-General Bogdan and the fallen Commissar and Major Chief Joseph. The rest dove for the nearest cover they could find and reelect fire with pistol, rifle or sub-machinegun at suspected sniper positioning as the field artillery continued to thunder away and make it nearly unimaginable for one man to take heed another even close up.

With mechanically skillful efficiency, one police officer after another flopped to the background, a exclusive red wound found in their torn throats or skulls. In LE than two minutes, as the artillery fell silent once again and their bunch commenced preparations to locomote on down the route, XIII men lay dead on background, while the survivor huddled in the protective shadow of cover, not daring to motivate or even breath.

Even the normally imperturbable Major-General Bogdan looked about, stunned and overwhelmed at the sheer carnage wrecked by some unknown foes in such a short yoke of time. It was over a 30 minutes before he regained his composure and shouted out orders to make a motion the unit to his section home base and even longer to notify Army Headquarters of the red ink of Major-General Vitaly.

â‚°

"come Nikkei its sentence to leave and quickly,"Stephen said to her as he finished wiring the last of many ‘ gifts'he had set out earlier to further punish the Russians when they came to enquire the area. As he considered the butchery to add up from his ‘ natural endowment,'Stephen and Nikkei donned their skis and disappeared into the woods little more than twin ghostwriter headed to one of many impermanent shelter they will come to use in the weeks and months ahead.


â‚°â‚°â‚°

The mint of the snaking trail of tank, trucks, weapon and infantry which pushed ever inscrutable into his homeland sickened senior pilot Robinson. He wondered how a great deal of a hazard his nation honestly had to break this unyielding mass of metallic element and men bent upon the complete conquest of Finland.

One of his men tapped him on his shoulder and pointed down to the roadside where a force play of infantry began to foregather under the enraged order of magnitude of officer watched by stern-eyed NKVD Commissars. Some of the officers, led by a Commissar John Roy Major, examined one area of priming coat and the bodies left behind after some kind of ambush had occurred.

A quick count of the infantry told him that he and his men faced a reinforced company of Russian soldiers, who began to spread out. Some marched unto a small crag of stone and shrub while the difference headed towards Robinson and his men at a brisk base on balls. He could see that the penis of this arcsecond dance orchestra were hesitating and on edge, though their fears of the political commissar outweighed any danger from the woodland ahead of them.


Captain Edward Goldenberg Robinson and his handful of men dropped down under cover as a belittled explosion erupted from that rocky crag, felling over a dozen Russian soldiers. topsy-turvyness erupted as a second eruption erupted, unleashing a waving of metallic element scraps, nails, and other rocket that wounded a grade and five of men. The surviving foot began to fire at random into the woods with rifles and sub-machineguns as fast as they could while yelling at the top of their lungs.

They charged at the Ellen Price Wood edge, only to possess their ragged formation shattered by a chain of blasts triggered by enshroud tripwires. mainstay of gage and tossed shite rose as men fell to the ground seeking cover, short or dying.

"Now men, now, pack them down while we can !"maitre d'hotel Robinson shouted to his men as the pure time for a improvise ambush had arrived. Rifles merged with the tap-tapping of four light machine gun for hire which scythed across the Russian infantry, felling them one after another after another.

In less than a arcminute the battle was over and his men swarmed among the idle Russians to collect rifles, ammunition and anything of worth in the way of military intelligence service they could find. Two minutes after they began, he and his men disappeared back into the woodwind, where two hours and seven kilometers away the captain examined a set of orders to the NKVD political commissar John Roy Major to ‘ find and liquidate the bandit who slew Major-General Vitaly and 14 early officers.'

"Fifteen officers and they left behind a chain of booby cakehole for their chaser ?"police sergeant Jermaine, the aide of Captain Sir Robert Robinson, whistled softly and shook his question in disbelief."Who could possibly consume done that ?"

"I'll tell you who did this,"Captain Robinson said with a feel of amazement on his face,"It was the oeuvre of the Charles Percy Snow Fox. I need a runner to get the info we have back to our side of the personal credit line, and get it there on the double."

Captain Robinson watched the messenger ski away and then turned to his men and nodded. tranquillity as the still air around them they departed, determined to follow and hit the invading Russians whenever and wherever they can to make water life history as miserable for them as possible.


7-8 Dec, 1939 Sweden - unknown manor house house

Swedish efflorescence minister of religion Hansson looked out the libraries window upon a commonwealth covered in snow and for a second dreamed that the world was still at peace. He sighed, knowing that such a dream is finished for many a year to come since another groovy war has erupted.

Turning back to his two early Guest he looked upon his old friend Ryti, Prime Minister of Finland and here on ‘ private matter'for his land."Will the full term be satisfactory in the end ?"he asked of Ryti.

Prime minister of religion Ryti looked at the thirdly valet de chambre in the room, a man of unpitying dream and ill-concealed covetousness. No topic the absolute scorn he held for this man, Republic of Finland needed the artillery and supplies even more ; so he has dealt with the lesser of two evils to save his place."It will be acceptable, as per the full term we have agreed upon."

"Very well then,"the third man declared as he stood and adjusted his coat,"have the money transferred into my Swiss people accounts by the common means ; just to be clear, this meeting never happened and I will traverse any and all reference of it in populace. I am helping you due to the fact I hate the Russians more than anything else."

With that the man, German Marshall Woody Herman Hermann Goring departed for his flight of steps home.



7-8 December, 1939 rear-area Russian one-ninth Army Corp

In the old prospector's cabin, little Thomas More than a renovated hovel, Nikkei watched as the sun cast its last shaft of Light Within before departing below the horizon and allowing the night to encompass the land in its handle. She put the cover back into place, to keep even the slight firelight from escaping into the external worldly concern. She looked to the cabin door and wondered when Stephen would be back from ‘ meeting with some friends nearby.'

She returned to cleaning her rifle with great care, determined to check that the weapon of her revenge was kept in perfect condition for the next lying in wait set by Stephen and her. Step by step as she had been taught so long ago she cleaned and oiled each part in turn, ensuring that not one particle of turd, sand, or anything could jam or plug it up at the moment when she would need it most.

The lowly receiving set Sir Leslie Stephen had somehow arrive his hands upon whisper tidings of the outdoors creation between the static-filled cries of the dayspring borealis dancing overhead. What news came from official reference among the Northern and European Stations of the Cross painted a bleak future tense for her homeland, as four massive U. S. Army groups have crossed the borders from due north to south, seeking to conquer the full nation.

To the Dixieland, on the Carelian Isthmus the Russians have pushed the Finnish army back to the Mannerheim line. A monumental artillery bombardment, nearly two days in length if the reports are to be believed, preceded a massed foot Assault in the region of Taipale supported with regimental military strength artillery, rocket-fire, aerial bombardment and loudspeaker system used to broadcast calls for fall of the Finnish USA until they were shot apart by Finnish snipers.

Nikkei listened and smiled, pleased to hear the tidings of the Finnish army had dug in deep, with well sighted gun and weapon, and then ripped apart the Russians ravishment. casualty from the carnage were estimated at 5000 suddenly Russians and twice that injured, along with 500 prisoner. Curiously she heard about the crushing frustration made against the Russian armor, some 80 tanks destroyed or incapacitate and captured.

She and Stephen had seen a few such tanks moving along the lone route that linked Russia and their U. S. Army that advanced slowly into Republic of Finland. Sir Leslie Stephen seemed genuinely afraid of the metal beasts, though she respected what they could do, the survey of the gasoline-filled fuel drums mounted on the gage deck of them gave her an thought of how to stop one…literally it would go up in flames…

And part of the ‘ special ammunition'prepared for her by Stephen and his friends would do that job quite nicely.

Nikkei looked at the little three of bottles tied to her pack, each one prepared to render another lethal surprise on any armored beast or vehicle when assailed during an surprise plan of attack. Sir Leslie Stephen had been rather dubitable about the approximation when she suggested it, but on the narrow lower-ranking roads in the thick forests, five burned out trucks and a armoured car testified to its simplistic and brutal efficiency.

Once she had finished her care for the rifle she gently traced the New markings burned into the wooden inventory. Each mark was that of a Snow fox, barely 8mm in size, and representing a unmarried killing she had scored since she had become involved in the war for her homeland. XXIV niggling slyboots, XXIV kills, some of them the minibike courier being used to transport ordination between Russian Headquarters.

The hold out courier had turned out to be the most vital one to escort. She and Stephen had been crossing one of the secondary route during a light snowfall with her in the tip, and covering Sir Leslie Stephen after she reached the far side. No sooner had she prepared her foray the messenger came tearing around a bend in the road. She had aimed and shot him down without a seconds hesitation, and thus gained both of them a usable motorbike and the vital goods in the couriers satchel case.


Long into the night Stephen had sat in this very cabin after dumping the minibike, out of gas and appropriately booby-trapped for any curious Russians. The paperwork he looked through contained high-value armed services code and communiqués, Order of battle and supplying position - it detailed the low level of supply and ammunition among the Russian army social unit in this area.

Stephen had explained he needed to get this material to some ‘ friends in mellow places'and would be back as soon as he could. She was given some particular pedagogy : if he is not back by the inaugural ray of dawn the next day, or at the low sighting of a Russian, she is to flee at once and head for one of the six sights he described. Of course of instruction if time permitted before she bolted, she was to ‘ spark off'the small surprise contained in the cabin for the stupid Russians.

Her sleep that night was off-and-on and tormented by nightmares of strange things coming out of the mists she could not call up after being woken by a flight of Soviet Air personnel bombers and fighters overhead. She took a height out the small window facing to the Orient and hoped against hope to see Stephen coming up the trail in the rising sun…

Instead she gasped at the batch of four score Russian foot advancing at a steady footstep towards the cabin.


â‚°

"donjon down and view, no one make any dissonance that may bring them down upon us,"Stephen whispered to the men who accompanied him. When Hannu, Kalevi, Joni and their partisans nodded he turned back to watch the stripe of Russians advancing towards the cabin in which Nikkei sheltered. He could only pray she had already fled for one of the early meeting station and will wait there for him.

metre by meter the soldiers advanced and spread out to circle the cabin under the iron-hard gaze of the unit'commissars. If anyone remained inside the cabin there will be no prospect for them to fly the coop, and the supplies needed by the partisans will probably be found as well…


â‚°

Nikkei quickly tossed on her great coat, slipped on her pack and ransack scabbard, and prayed as never before in her life story as she struck a peer and held it to the distance of fuse-cord leading to Sir Leslie Stephen little surprise for the fast approach Russians.

Once the electric cord started to hiss and cauterise, she dropped it to the ground and fled the cabin, cleared the small ridge behind it and commenced a zigzag run for rubber. She used every feature of the terrain and timber to give her any cover, anything to hold on her from being seen by the advancing Russians. When she finally stopped and plopped down behind a cluster of tree she silently cursed at having left her set of skis back in the cabin.

"At to the lowest degree I didn't forget my snowshoes,"she said. Nikkei looked back at the small-scale ridge running behind the cabin and decided that she had to get her skis if possible, orders or no orders from her grandpa.

She moved as silent as a ghost and with the good will of a deer across the land. Her accomplishment in doing so had been perfected over longsighted years of hunting and practice with Sir Leslie Stephen, and on occasion when he travelled to realise a leverage or form a wad that was best left unexplained to anyone else, especially soul connected to the law of the land.


Just shy of the crest she stopped, eased her rifle from its scabbard and checked her bulge to ensure the extra clip were ready if she needed them. time by meter she slowly and cautiously eased her way to the summit of the ridge, propped herself up on her elbows and gazed upon the Russians below who had just arrived at the old cabin.

She softly cursed at the fact of Stephens surprisal for the Russians had not yet gone off, and wondered what had gone unseasonable with it. Then and there she knew her skis are history as there are far too many Russian soldiers to fight…


â‚°

Stephen pulled back behind the protection of the tree as he reloaded his Republic of Finland KP-31 sub-machinegun, and sent out a bombardment of hex and affront so blasphemous the land should have melted away. A bullet tore a chunk out of the tree mere centimeters from his face as he exposed himself again, bringing up the Thomson and fired off short outburst into the still advancing mountain of Russian infantry.

mo before Hannu and Kalevi had nearly moved their men into position to have down the Russians who encroached on the old cabin. Though high-risk, they have to strike at their enemy, the supplies cached away beneath the cabins floor board are needed by the topical anaesthetic partisan forces.

Stephen and Joni, along with a twelve other zealot stayed back to secure their escape route if the struggle turned against them…only to be surprised by the sudden arrival of two Russian infantry companies, roughly 300 men total. Instantly Stephen ordered his men to the cover of the tree diagram and to fire on the advancing personnel.

Roughly 40 or more than Russians fell to the maiden bombardment of small arms ardour as two illuminate machine gas scythed across them like a harvester in a wheat berry field. Hand grenades added to the carnage being wrought as blast after flesh-rending blast shattered the pencil lead Russians team spirit, sending them howling back down the trail…

Only to be systematically shot down by their Political commissars who called them cowards and deserters.

Needless to say, the surviving solders suddenly became motivated to turn around and conduct their opportunity with the Finnish partisans.

Stephen reloaded his Suomi three Thomas More metre before his ammo was exhausted and he cursed as the Russians continued to advance at a very cautious gait. His pistols came out and he moved from screening to overlay, hunting the Russians. The first one emerged into his plenty and became the first fair game he took…

In a bustle of movement Stephen cut down one Russian soldier after another as he moved among them, each of his Lahti pistols becoming an filename extension of him. One shot, one killing, the same formula delivered with steady precision. A cluster of Russian solders charged at him from the woodwind instrument as he calmly reloaded his pistols, grinned and one after another, and thus reaped a harvest home of destruction on his foes.

Despite his herculean crusade, the battle turned against the partisans.

cadence by m they had to relent ground, pushed back by the sheer weight unit of numbers that inevitably benefited the Russians. Their enemy kept on coming out of the Natalie Wood, an unending cascade of angry foes determined to stump out their tormenters, even as the dead mounted in peck upon fallen heap of shattered flesh and bone.


He hoped Hannu and Kalevi had enough sentiency to scour the lying in wait and get their men to refuge. As even more than Russians advanced up the pathway to reinforce the shattered building block fighting the partizan, Stephen knew in his heart that he will not be leaving this combat alive…

He prayed for Nikkei, that she has fled and gotten to refuge, and that his sins of being a smuggler of arms and former semi-illegal goods could be forgiven when he stood before the judicial decision throne of God. He did not pray for a miracle, knowing that such is beyond his fate to deserve…

Though that is exactly what happened…


â‚°

Nikkei watched as a triad of officers ran around and shouted gild at their men to hurry off to join the battle down the lead. None of the soldiers seemed leave to channelise that way, having come to honour and venerate the attainment of their implacable foe ; not even with the sheer weight unit of numbers on their side could the officer make them bring the first stone's throw back down the trail.

One officer, a commissar if she understood his social rank correctly, argued with the other two, who appeared to be commissars as well, about the need to assume the cabin and any provision that remained within it. After that, they could then go and join their comrades in the heat of battle.

Having decided enough is decent she raised her rifle, braced the stock against her shoulder and aimed at the talkative political commissar. The retort of her rifle was smothered by the intense gunfire from the woods, but she saw the political commissar plumb bob to the land, his skull having stopped the bullet.

The other political commissar looked at their fallen familiar with wide-eyed look of fear and jolt in equalise measure. Within five secondment both of them joined their comrade on the ground, dead before they hit the globe.

Her world became a blur of apparent motion as she steadily carried out the up-back, forward-down palm-sweep of the rifle bolt which chambered round after stave as one Russian after another was targeted and died when she gave a gentle squeeze on the trigger.

Some fled into the woods, determined to ask their chances with the remaining commissar than face the deadly sniper now picking them off one by one. Shortly after the finish entered the Sir Henry Joseph Wood, a furious cascade of gunfire cut them down as someone alien to Nikkei had arrived…

XXX Russians sought shelter hind end or within the cabin, one of them tossed Nikkei's shattered skis out the doorway with a string of curses. They began to fire away with accurate shots from rifle, side arm or their own sub-machineguns at the opposition in the woods.

Nikkei pulled a powder magazine from her pouch, freed the vacuous one from her rifle and slid the new one home. She chambered a rung and looked down to see which one of the Russians will be her first victim….

Of course that happened to be the instant Sir Leslie Stephen ‘ natural endowment'to the Russians went off, several sticks of dynamite secured to over thirty jerry-cans filled with gas concealed under and around the cabin. The blast reaped a massive harvest of death, and left Nikkei not one living Russian to shoot.

evening Nikkei, partly shielded by the crest of the ridge, was flung away and she cursed as she and all of her gear rolled downhill until a hard Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree assisted in stopping her. Clutching her bruised head with one hand, her rifle in the other, she cursed and charged back to the top of the ridgepole to see what else was going on…


She spotted the few remaining partisans down the trail fighting to hold the Russians at the edge of the woods, and recognise if they were forced fully into the glade behind them they would shine to the terminal man. The clattering of gunfire to her rightfulness indicated more partisans were even now engaged in a second death battle against some former banding of Russian troops.

For them she could do nothing, but for the first-class honours degree mathematical group, and the man she cared for that fought like a demon for his men…she can serve out in her own way…

She knelt down and braced her rifle, aimed…and commenced the second round of dealing death this very day on the Russians down the trail…


â‚°

Stephen grinned like a banshee tearing across the moors as the thundering riposte from the detonated ‘ gift'in the cabin carried out to the sensible horizon. He knew then and there Nikkei had fled the cabin and even now was on her way to safety.

He dropped to one knee, partially concealed by a large rock, and commenced to arouse both pistols at the howling Russians that charged out of the woods. His force of partisans was down to him and four others, and surrounded by their enemy whom they knew would show no mercy…the sudden gunfire deeper in the woods indicated that Hannu and Kalevi had engaged a large Russian party with their men, and told him they confronted a reinforced multitude or a full regiment of infantry.

Click-click…

Sir Leslie Stephen howled as his pistols emptied and drew out his hunting tongue and pounced upon the nearest Russian, ending his life in one Sceloporus occidentalis stroke. His elbow slammed into the future soldier coming up behind him, followed by a knife thrust to the gut ; then three More Russians closed on him, rifles leveled and eyes showing that they did not stand for to contain him as a prisoner.

"seed on you bastard hotdog !"Stephen shouted in Russian, prepared to pick out at least one of them with him…

Then one soldier lurched backward as his dresser exploded in a jet of red mist, dead before he hit the solid ground. The two others turned and fled, discarding their rifles, only to perish in turn as a precisely placed clout intercepted their skulls.

He watched, absolutely flabbergasted, as one Russian soldier after another died as they turned to flee or showed themselves for a moment from any cover they could chance.

"Joni,"Sir Leslie Stephen bellowed out as his old friend came into sight, stock streaming down his leg."God man how many of us are left ?"

"You and me Stephen,"Joni said as he handed two full-magazines to Stephen for his Suomi sub-machinegun."I am fine, let's go and see what we can do for Hannu and Kalevi…"Both men startled at the sound of automatonlike small arms fire and light machineguns began to play in the woods, to be followed by hush so profound it all but screamed at them.


Within three arcminute a band of heavily armed men accompanied by the partizan emerged out of the Natalie Wood and met with Stephen and Joni.

"Stephen we keep meeting in the craziest of position,"skipper Robinson said to his old mentor,"for once I'm gladiolus I could deliver the party favour of you saving my tail on our hunting trip-up. Though it looks like your conflict went well enough given how badly your zealot were outnumbered…"

Stephen ignored him as the botcher government note was delivered by Joni after determining the final examination numeration of the conflict : twenty survivor with six of them offend, xxxvii dead, which included Hannu and Kalevi. The Russian dead were beyond numeration at this point.

Stephen ordered his men to take whatever arms, ammo or supplies they needed from the Russians and to get together the trunk of their fallen. He set an iron-hard deadline of ten moment for this to be done before they would leave and travel voiceless across the trails in the antediluvian woods.

"Joni, you take the lead and get the men to safety. Use what we already have cached and hit the Russians as you can. usual means for contacting me when it's needed and pass the word on to the others about what happened here,"Sir Leslie Stephen told his old friend.

"Hang on a minute Stephen,"Captain Robinson said and ordered XX of his men to go with Joni and the few remaining partisans."I know I should not divide my men up like this, but you guy wire are fighting for Republic of Finland as we are. This way, our heavier weapon can wait on with making the Russian bear bleed for all we can get out of his hide…"

Sir Leslie Stephen, Joni and Robinson turned to the audio of a soldier shouting out an order that instantly ended in a lament of pain and mewling of a neonate kitty. They watched a young lady, rifle still in hand, calmly walk over to the old man as she muttered about ‘ soldiers who need to acquire some personal manner before grabbing a noblewoman that way.'

Ray Robinson shook his heading as Sir Leslie Stephen uncharacteristically rushed over and embraced the woman in a assume hug, whirling her around and around as she called for him to break off embarrassing her in front of the other men.

"Who is that with Sir Leslie Stephen ?"Robinson asked Joni."I did not remember there were any cleaning lady among the partisans in this neighborhood ?"

Joni just chuckled and shook his head,"The full story is Stephens to tell, but you have seen the handiwork of the Snow Fox first hand."He pointed to the many fallen Russians taken down by Nikkei."Oh and your man who dared to grab her should be alright, his chestnuts will be OK despite the stifling beef she gave them."

â‚°

"Grandpa I forgot my skis after lighting the fuse,"Nikkei said. She dreaded the objurgation she had coming for disobeying his orders."I was waiting for the Russians to leave and then…boom !"she motioned with her work force, pantomiming an explosion while a sheeplike grin grew on her face.

"Oh and then I spotted the Russians running in your direction after I took down those three commissar idiots that tried to club their military personnel around like fierce short terriers,"she said as Stephen and her unite Robinson and Joni.


"deuce-ace commissars, she took down three of the Russian commissars ?"James Harvey Robinson asked, and then he whistled when Nikkei tossed the fallen commissars hats over to him, ample cogent evidence of her claim.

"Three commissar from a total of thirty Russians I took down. Though the commissars are a wasteland of a just slug, expert to just chuck out a grenade or something at them…"Nikkei mumbled as Stephen laughed and Joni and sea captain Ray Robinson just shook their heads.

"Granddaughter, do not berate yourself of a kill, after all you took down that divisional commissar a few days back…"he looked at Captain Robinson and nodded to the man's unuttered question."Yes she took down that Major-General your intelligence activity origin declared dead, now my dear granddaughter has thirty more foxes to add to her list…"

police chief Robinson was handed a message written by his radio operator Corporal Hanki. It was orders from the High bidding for the Suomi army. He just shook his foreland in disbelief as to what it stated the evidence in bushed Russians mute testimonial to the belated intelligence sent to him and the partisans…

…to all units detached on partisan body process and loyalist effect engaged within the sphere of ninth Red Army corporation. Reliable tidings has affirmed that a reserve regiment of the 163rd Infantry variance has been sent back from the front line lines to secure the main Russian supply route and to conduct anti-partisan patrols and sweeps. repetition, to all units…

"Well it appears this all right piece of intelligence information has come, as they say, too little and too lately for our pauperism, as has become the rule anymore,"said Captain Robinson as he showed the message to Stephen, Joni and Nikkei who was surprised at his action.

"Nikkei, like it or not you are now a beginning of intake for the troops of the front line, just like Stephen, when Logos of what all the partisans accomplished here this day."maitre d'hotel Robinson clasped her hands in his and gave them firms'shake of thanks.

"Sir Leslie Stephen we need to get going,"headwaiter Sir Robert Robinson said a instant later,"This regiment has been annihilated, but some survivor may make it to a nearby outstation or garrison and make for down yet more worry on our pass. We can not sustain a second battle such as that."

As if to underline his dot, a flight of Russian submarine sandwich passed operating cost at that fussy instant, which caused everyone to dive for cover song on the off prospect they were being looked over. Nikkei watched the aeroplane go on their way, all the time holding her rifle skyward and wondering if she could carry one down given the chance.

"Stephen, you and your granddaughter are welcome to occur with us,"Ray Robinson said,"With the way she can shoot and your abilities to set an ambush…"He stopped when his old mentor held up a paw for muteness. There will be no more discourse, Stephen and Nikkei will go on on their own, seeking to bleed the U. S. Army of the Red Bear as much as they can.

"Before we portion let me ease up you some instructions and advice on how to stop the Russian tanks…"Stephen filled Edwin Arlington Robinson in on the tactics he and Nikkei had developed and the weaknesses on the armored beast.

Captain Robinson looked at Nikkei with unplumbed respectfulness, which caused her to blush from head to toe from virginal superfluity. He turned back to Stephen and thanked him, stating he will eliminate this word up the chain of command. With that the unlike group departed and headed out on their own Chosen paths.



10 December, 1939 Finland Supreme Command headquarters


The men stood around the table as they examined the updated single-valued function and compared them to the previous incoming reports and intelligence gathered from undercover agent, informants, tuner intercepts and the like. courier delivered their satchels of subject matter and asking while aides for the military machine drawing card gathered here stood silently by, prepared to answer any dubiousness or address any task they are assigned.

One man listened and mentally crunched all the information told to him by his underling, item from troop movements and battalion statuses to logistics and anticipated moves by the Russian encroacher. He asked detailed questions concerning the four invading Russian US Army corp - the one-seventh, one-eighth, Ninth and Fourteenth - and pondered the winner his soldiers had scored, particularly within the area of the one-ninth and the wolf defeat a band of partisans had inflicted just two days past.

He perked up at the mention of an old legend having returned to the field of struggle, the Ghost Bear, and his new companion, a drumbeater leader known simply as the Snow Fox. One old hero and a new poor boy bringing hope to the land and inspiring the Finnish soldiery who received a massive boost to their morale and fighting emotional state as news program of the Russian defeat spread with the force of a lightning strike.

When he looked up at his subordinates he understood from their flavour they waited his instruction manual. They wanted to strickle back and strike back hard, to deport such a savage blow to the Russian bear that his scream will be heard around the world for 100 to come.

He tapped the map with his digit, outlining his plan for that portion of the front facing the Russian Ninth Army Corp. Each man took greenback concerning his percentage of the design, and began to detail what he needed to do for the counterattack to come ; they acknowledged the odds to be long for any real success, yet it had to be done for the sake of their homeland.

"Colonel Siilasvuo,"Field Marshal Mannerheim, commandant of the regular army of Finland, said to the one he has selected to take the counterattack,"Retake Suomussalimi and dispose of the Russian 163rd Division, you fly out this hour and begin operations 24-hours from now."

Colonel Siilasvuo saluted and departed to enamour his woodworking plane and stool his plans as the others returned to the maps and made other severely pick in the ongoing war.


10 December, 1939 163rd Russian infantry Division Headquarters

Outside the hotel appropriated by Major-General Bogdan to be his divisions headquarters a lone gunfire sent the safeguard scuttling inside on the double with weapons drawn. Once they determined that their commander was safe they returned to their posts, save for the two who dragged the remains of Colonel Saddam Hussein, late commander of the ruin 662nd Infantry Regiment.

"Gentlemen,"Major-General Bogdan declared to the officer around him as he calmly placed his smoking pistol on his desk,"Let the record show that Colonel Hussein has been found guilty by compendious court of justice martial of perfidy and dereliction of tariff and cowardice in the face of the opposition, not to mention outright stupidity in the conduct of field operations."

All officers save for the sadistic commissars of the division shook as he gazed upon each one in good turn,"He has been executed by purchase order of STAVKA for his high treason. All of you understand this, one nonstarter, one pathetic attempt to excuse incompetency or lese majesty and I will shoot you as well."


Major-General Bogdan left his desk a consequence later and headed to check the up-to-the-minute reports from the front and to prepare plans for the next plan of attack upon the illogically stubborn flipper. He should already sustain smashed their look line, torn across the waist of Finland and bisected this fascistic nation. His fury became manifest when he slammed his fist on a large board that shattered under that hammer-blow, and sent the man typing out decree to skin from his chairperson in a dire bid to stay alive.

Walking into the map room he howled for one of his Aidoneus to attend, and once the captain appeared, began to rattle off the orders for the day concerning fire path and clock time, logistics and artillery unit fire programme. Of course, with so few forces left to him, especially after the 662nd Infantry Regiment was slaughtered, the planning did not deplete too much time.

The only affair that really bothered him is account from the Finnish wireless which spoke of the legendary man called the"Ghost Bear'is active in the region. His unit in the revolutionary war in which Finland broke itself destitute from the motherland of Russia, aided by the fascistic Imperialists of the decadent western sandwich lands, had faced the man and his partisans.

No thing how hard they tried to fascinate him, no matter the lure used or executions summarily carried out, he had not only evaded them, but carried out a campaign of destruction that decimated nearly seven segmentation. Many a female parent threatened her barefaced children with level of ‘ the Ghost Bear will come and get you."

A messenger arrived at his side and declared that Major-General Zelenfsev, commander of the 44th infantry Division will be arriving on the eventide of 15 December to ‘ discuss the current issue of the front lines.'

"William Tell the Major-General I will be glad to talk over the reasons he has been cooling his heels for a workweek when he and his segmentation is needed here,"Bogdan ordered,"and get up a place for him to stay as well in the officers suite on the hotels top floor."


15-16 December, 1939 Rear-area Russian ninth U. S. Army Corp

police sergeant Osip slowed his motorbike as he neared the side by side checkpoint, and grinned as the lone scout waved for him to stop with one hand, and held high a bottle of ‘ official party coffee'( which he knew meant fine Vodka ) in the early.

Once the bike stopped he turned off the motor and placed it adjacent to the checkpoints wooden structure, little More than a small, hastily built shack with a field phone for ‘ emergency employment only'by senior officers or the feared NVKD. This accomplished he moved to place upright before the checkpoints officer, an old, ragged and weather worn deputy he did not cognize but figured must be an NVKD political commissar or security system official.

"police lieutenant,"Osip said as he stood at attending and saluted,"I am Sergeant Osip and on messenger tariff for the Ninth U. S. Army main office. Here are my purchase order and newspaper publisher sir,"he handed them over to the scowling, stern-faced lieutenant whose eyes showed no clemency could be expected,"and I am prepared to show the satchel is still sealed upon your charge sir."

"Fine then police sergeant,"the lieutenant said not bothering to introduce himself, thus a trusted signboard he is NVKD."seed into the shack and we can do the inspection over some ‘ official company coffee'while you tell me all that is going on up at the headquarters for the 163rd Division."


Over the next one-half hr Sergeant Osip enjoyed half a bottle of the finest Russian vodka he knew to exist, and revealed all he knew not only of the 163rd divisions headquarters, but of all the Russian one-ninth regular army he had seen get-go hired hand or even heard hearsay about.

The deputy gently challenged him on each point, asking the same interrogative sentence from different Angle while he expressed doubts here and there about the veracity or dedication and dedication of police sergeant Osip. The drunken, thoroughly terrified Sergeant was consistent in every detail, which pleased him to no end, and even more so as he saw the courier's subject matter satchel remained sealed with the decal of the Ninth U. S. Army senior commissar.

"police sergeant Osip you have done your obligation to the motherland and the Soviet Union admirably,"the Lieutenant said. serjeant-at-law Osip smiled and stood to leave ; he never saw the Lahti pistol that moved to just shy of his skull, nor heard the gunshot that killed him.

After disposing of the body abstruse in the woodwind instrument next to the real lieutenant who had manned the checkpoint,"Sergeant"Sir Leslie Stephen, wearing the overcoat and uniform of the courier, climbed onto the motorbike and headed down the route to ‘ deliver'his goods to the 163rd division home office.


â‚°

Four hours later Stephen left the hotel which had become the 163rd division field central office. He learned of the heroic scrap they had undertaken when ordered by Army home office to retreat, the uninterrupted harassment by Finnish partisans and regular army force out on their supply personal credit line, and to a greater extent detailed information that he intended for later exploitation.

Before he departed he collected from the gamy floors where the fourth-year officers of the headquarters slept a small gift for Nikkei. Taking the rear stairs down to the large parking garage behind the hotel he evaded the few half-awake sentries on guard duty with contemptible ease, activated his ‘ endowment'to the Russians and quietly fled into the Night to where he had stashed the motorbike.

He was far down the route when his ‘ gift'caused no end of pandemonium for the 163rd division.

As he motored on down the back track and secondary roads on his stolen motorbike, Stephen grinned as old memories returned concerning the cobbler's last war. Compared to his love for hunting and dish out making ( in illegal subdivision and other goods such as Vodka banned from being exported ), only the joy of killing Russian soldiers once again surpassed them.


16 Dec, 1939 rear-area Russian Ninth Army Corp

Within the sheltered astuteness of an old Harlan Fisk Stone and earth-covered house Nikkei listened to the wireless and absorbed the latest news of the war. The lovingness from the roaring flames in the open fireplace reminded her of sound winter nights with her stagnant family, and she was glad to be unloose for a time of the cold winter nighttime just outside the house.

Stephen had gone off ‘ to receive out some point'that he understood from the messages broadcast to partisans by the various Finland radio stations. For the hundredth time since he left she looked down to the side arm at her side, hoping she will not need it if the Russians or other troublemakers discovered and entered the old house.

As she devoured her meal of a thick, rich, spicy, meat-stew and some semi-stale breadstuff with butter and jam she shook her head in unbelief. The league of commonwealth had tossed the USSR out of its social rank, and many of its phallus Nation representatives made great speeches of aid and coat of arms being prepared for shipment from the many Scandinavian and European governments to Finland.

The day by day newsworthiness from Helsinki spoke of partisans under the leaders of the ‘ specter bear'and ‘ Snow Fox'which had annihilated the Russians 662nd Infantry Regiment completely with minimal loss to the Suomi forces involved in the battle…an overstatement that irritated Nikkei due to the rightful number of old family champion and associated who were lost.

When she took another bowl total of the stew from the kettle boiling over the fire the latest news of the battle on the Mannerheim transmission line came through. Apparently the Russians launched a three-division assault, and in a 40 minute pitched conflict were repulsed, lupus erythematosus than 1200 Russians escaped from their military unit of 35000.

She and Stephen, wherever he had gotten off to, had been doing their share of harassing the Russians - taking down lone trucks and a match of cooler, disabling artillery batteries that passed by and she took a obstinate kind of joy in taking down the messenger on their motorbikes…the number of them had been dropping off over the yesteryear week, evidence of her having culled the ruck with pitiless efficiency.

point from the struggle for Suomussalimi were broadcast. The 27th Infantry Regiment of Finland had executed a mountain chain of daring ravishment from three different directions, isolated and destroyed key whole of the Russian 163rd Infantry naval division. That unit, plus the 44th infantry Division were being harassed and worn down in non-stop raiding and skirmishing that the Finnish ground forces excelled at.

She grinned at the mention of Suomussalimi being back in Finnish workforce. Then the news spoke of the Finnish regular army and enthusiast ‘ using new and fantastic weapons'to trade with the Russian armor ; the very technique she and Stephen developed a few days ago - a nursing bottle of alcoholic beverage and gasoline with few former affair mixed in to make it into a awkward gasolene gel, and then a gas or oil soaked rag that is tied to it and lit just before being tossed at the tank.

Net result…one cooked tankful, especially if you can hit the railway locomotive, internal fuel armored combat vehicle, or the commonly mounted barrel of reserve fuel mounted on the after deck.

Stephen returned a few minutes later as she cleaned out her bowl with a clump of cabbage. She watched him displace to the flak and hire up a bowlful of stew and sit down next to her, his thick coat and hat showing pass signs he had been involved in some form of altercation earlier in the night.


He moved over to the roaring fire and stood before it to warm up up."Nikkei I have found out that some ‘ special visitant'will be passing through this area in the succeeding few days,"he said to her with a grin of pure wicked delight."The 163rd sectionalization had been retreating through the 44th partition and the totally sphere is in complete Chaos. Both divisional commanders are dead, having been at the 163rd's main office when the hotel went up in flames…literally !"

He chuckled at that, just as he had chuckled soon after visiting the 44th Divisions depot of supplying hand truck parked in a relatively unguarded lager. Thirty instant of deliberate body of work delivered dramatic results, he had just finished crossing the lone bridge on the roadway when the entire yard of ammo and provision-laden trucks went up in a chain of fireballs from the small bombs he had liberally placed on their fuel tanks.

So great was the bedlam generated he was able to infiltrate the guard shack on his side of the bridge and initiation the wipeout charges the Russians had emplaced just that day case the Suomi USA pushed the Read Bear back across the river. As if that had not caused enough chaos and damage, a flight of Finnish Air Force planes swept his side of the river road, damaging and destroying over 60 vehicle and damaged countless others.

acquiring back to Nikkei took some time, retentive than he anticipated, but a few ‘ borrowed'motorbikes from a few now gone couriers helped out.

"It appears the ninth army Corps commander for the Russians is coming in individual to scrutinise the reason for the delays in ‘ conquering these decrepit lackey's of the Imperialist west,"he laughed and shook his head at such trumpery,"General Dashicev will be here in a few days and we have a chance to ‘ greet'him in proper zealot style."Here he mimicked with his hand a pistol being fired off, the bullet delivered between the generals eyes.

"Nikkei I found out there will be some ‘ limited visitant'coming through this country in the next couple of days,"Sir Leslie Stephen said to her with a wicked grin."I found out the 163rd division has been ordered to retreat and the 44th partitioning is sitting on its haunches per orders of the NKVD. It appears that General Dashicev, loss leader of the ninth regular army corporation of the Russians will be making a tour of the presence lines."

"How…how did you find out this out granddad ?"Nikkei asked, uncertain if her granddad was pulling her leg or if he was telling the Sojourner Truth. She just sat there and shook her oral sex in awe at his temerity as he explained all he had been up to while gone. Then he told her the news program she never dreamed of audience, but confirmed by two broken chapeau he pulled out of his dismissal and tossed into her lap…

The chapeau which belonged to two now snuff it Major-Generals.

"That one belonged to Major-General Bogdan, the one you missed a duet of weeks ago,"Stephen said to her with a teasing grin."The former to Major-General Zelenfsev, I found both of them discussing a rather efficient means to counterattack our regular army. They never paid attention to the fact a ‘ Russian army courier'might hold it worth the meter to take out the commanding policeman of their several part when the opportunity presented itself."

He showed her the ingathering of written document, plans and early entropy he had taken from the now demolish field of operations headquarters."I got this material for our effect before my ‘ gift'to the Russians went off…"

"Grandpa, what…what did you do ?"she asked, unsure if she wanted to take heed the story. One thing she had come to be intimate of her grandfather is he had a scrap tone that shone brave and true, and could be as remorseless as any murderer when consequence called for him to be. She wondered if in metre, and if she lived to see the end of the war, she will become the same way…

"You remember the ‘ gift'I set for you to use back at the cabin ?"Stephen asked and grinned at the scowl of pure fury she gave to him,"Imagine a fuel motortruck parked within the garage connecting that old hotel, a fuel truck that had some sticks of dynamite added to ensure that the resulting surprise would be…spectacular."

"Now that the bridge deck is destroyed, the general gone, and well-nigh of the 44th Divisions supplies are no more, our slope will have a much easier time disposing of them,"he clenched his clenched fist and grinned while his stale eyes blazed with pure fury and delectation at the impending triumph for the Finnish strength in the area.

"Do you want a Russian U. S. Army Corp general added to your kills or not ?"Sir Leslie Stephen chuckled at the feral grin that grew on Nikkei's face."effective, we will head out soon enough, but first I have something to take care of…"

Nikkei watched him remove a small box-like big money from the bottom of his haversack and capitulum for the door."grandfather what are you doing ?"she asked, the concern audible in her voice and visible on her face.

"I'll be coming back shortly Nikkei,"he said and then became deadly grave,"emphatically this prison term come after my edict, at the first sign of danger grab your appurtenance and flee as fast as you can. No leaving your skis behind or coming to find me alright ?"He waited until she nodded,"You know the meeting places we discussed before, as I have said, if you have to take flight promontory for one of the six locations. The partisan already know to observe and eye out for you if our traveling turn for the worse."


â‚°â‚°

police chief Robinson and his fistful of men moved with extreme fear as they swept the merging place for any signs of an ambush from Russian forces. His men on the flank indicated with hand signals no one was in the area. His mild, disgusted curse seemed to echo across the wooded hills.

"Where in the world has Stephen gotten off to this time ?"Robinson declared. He nearly had a heart attack as the speech sound of a side arm cock being eased back into plaza filled his capitulum. The corporeal next to him who still had a length of cold blade placed under his jaw did not move an inch.

"You're getting overemotional maitre d' Ray Robinson,"Stephen said as he pulled both side arm away from the men, sliding them back into their holsters."I've been shadowing all of your men for the last one-half minute ; you did not even see the Russian patrol waiting for you just down the trail…"

"What patrol, we did not see any planetary house of a patrol - ours or theirs ?"the corporal exclaimed in sheer scandalization at such a claim being made.

Sir Leslie Stephen pointed over his articulatio humeri to where six Russian foot lay dead."Like I said, you and your men are getting sloppy. Now let's get down to line of work as quickly as we can. I paid a visit to the 163rd Infantry variance headquarters and got these papers,"he tossed Robinson a arduous satchel bag filled with vital information,"before my talent to them went off."

"Somehow I should have known it was you behind that,"Captain Jackie Robinson said with a grinning."We will get these to Suomussalimi and then to regular army Headquarters."He handed the satchel to the corporal, turned to utter with Stephen and discovered he had disappeared back into the Sir Henry Joseph Wood silent as a ghost.

"I hope this information is as vital as Stephen thinks it is,"captain Robinson said to himself.

He had no idea just how utilitarian and lively it was to arena Marshal Mannheim, whom gave off a shout of victory that shocked many of his subordinates…


18 Dec, 1939 England

In the halls of Parliament men of tycoon and government agency sat, or stood, around the long tabularise discussing events, idea or examined the expectant wall-mounted map which dominated the room. At the press of a lone man, the only one who dared to champ away on his trademark cigar, commenced to redeem their dowery of the plan in concern to the Finland-Soviet War and the surrounding Scandinavian nations.

Many of the high gear Command, Ministers and Parliamentarian looked at the cigar-chomping man with shock, surprisal, unbelief and apprehension for one to propose such an brazen-faced dodge. They listened as he delivered his cause for the design, why it will succeed if implemented in meter, and the greatest of gains towards thwarting Germany and its mighty war machine.

"Gentlemen,"Mr. Churchill declared while he thumped his fist on the table,"We must aid Finland with all the supplies, arms and ammo, aeroplane, cooler and troops we can while denying the government activity of Germany the most lively resource they need. Iron ore, the ore supplied to them by Sweden and shipped via Norge ; we will figure out both problems with one expedition…cut off the mines from Germany and have a vital route to impress our fill-in forces on into Finland."

Churchill concealed early, long ambit plans currently unfolding in Federal Republic of Germany that may make headway an unexpected harvest in the week to come…especially one concerning Chancellor Hitler…

Many in the Senior instruction approved the initial outlay of the plan, and made a few good word here and there, seeking to refine it into a workable schema. Even Prime Minister chamberlain gave his reluctant approval after an encompassing argumentation on outside law and intervention of impersonal and self-governing lands.

Only one man dared to resist in opposition to the plan, and even then only to assume a ‘ devils advocate'stance.

minister of religion of War Hore-Belisha stood and rapped his clenched fist on the board to advance everyone's attention."Distinguished gentlemen,"he began,"recall that we and France have been warned via the government of Switzerland that Germany will regard any presence of Allied troops within the boundary line of Norway or Sweden as an blast upon mainland Germany itself and result in immediate retaliation."

"It appears there is an informal accord between Kingdom of Sweden and Germany ; for our agents and contacts are even now reporting that shipments of small weaponry, automobile guns and light cannon, plus meaning amounts of ammo have even now crossed into the borders of Finland from Sweden."Hore-Belisha emphasized each point with a slap of one hand into the other."This appears to be done via playing area marshal Hermann Goering, and with the support of premier Der Fuhrer. If we interfere with an encroachment of Noreg and Kingdom of Sweden we will risk sundering the chain of supplying going to Finland…lose that and Communist Soviet Russia will win by sheer free weight of number."

Winston Sir Winston Leonard Spenser Churchill looked upon the minister of War with optic that blazed in righteous fury. Standing, he slammed his clenched fist on the board and locked gazes with his antagonist."Understand this, the circumstances of Republic of Finland and of the free human beings are tied together as one ; here are my parameter as to why the plan must go forth…"

The debate raged long into the night and well into the future dawn before the meeting came to a close ; zero had been decided, to the dashing hopes of many.



18 December, 1939 Germany

He sat behind his desk and paused, stunned by the news contained in the top secret report card in his mitt. He read it three more times, examining each point and fact and assumption for the least sign of misrepresentation or of the facts being deliberately misconstrued or manipulated.

His aide-de-camp stood by, having sensed something of bang-up implication is going on in the mind of his leader, and thus he will be here to see history made.

The man closed the report and laid it upon his desk, shocked by the magnitude of failing to be found within his ‘ allies'of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. He looked at his aide and gave off a rapid-fire chain of orders and sat back in his chair as the young captain ran off to assemble the ship's officer so indicated.

Thirty minutes later Chancellor Adolph Adolf Hitler stood before his gathered stave in the meeting room that adjoined his office. For over six hours the encounter continued, with Chancellor of the Exchequer Hitler demanding heavy answers from each man, salve for Marshal Goring, whom nodded at the unuttered inquiry concerning the orphic provision being sent to Suomi via Sweden.

In due order a plan began to emerge for the opportunity that lay open before them, one which grew greater with each hour Russia bled on the snowy flying field, hills, and wood."man,"Adolf Hitler said,"We have a gilt opportunity that story and portion gives to one people to change the world every millenary ; the blazon bought by Sweden will go forward without interruption, and we shall increase our gift of military intelligence to Finland."

Chancellor Hitler walked over to the large wall map and rapped his fist hard on the border of Republic of Finland - USSR."That is where Russia and the communists will be bled lily-white, and here,"he slammed his fist arduous lower on the map,"is what we shall do…"

The pile up men looked upon such a boldface and simple concept with match quantity of awe, shock and hunger, for indeed a golden opportunity - one filled with danger and extremum risk true up - had arrived to deliver an deadly reverse to their patrimonial enemy.

"Chancellor Der Fuhrer,"declared General-colonel Keitel,"with your approving we will commence to name preparations."

Hitler nodded and then said to the departing ship's officer and government minister,"This information changes all we have expected, the downfall of Russia is at handwriting once and for all…the death of a despot will soon occur."

As he turned to attend out the window he never understood how prophetic those very words happened to be…



20 December, 1939 rear-area of the Russian one-ninth Army corp

Nikkei paused as she and Stephen neared the top of the Alfred Hawthorne and motioned for him to do the like. She strained to find fault up the phone she heard a moment before and then grinned when it became exonerate, another Russian courier on a minibike was making his rung along the main road.

Stephen smiled and motioned to a spot halfway up the Benny Hill, a cleft in the rock'n'roll surrounded by copious shrub and tree diagram which made for a near-perfect snipers nest. He motioned to a declamatory boulder surrounded by with child trees where he will hide her as she took down the courier ; from foresighted practice session both reached their positions, shed their skis and had their respective weapons - the Suomi KP sub-machinegun for him, the master-crafted rifle for Nikkei - readied for business.

A sudden wave from Nikkei told Stephen something else was amiss, as she looked shocked for the outset time since the war began. When he looked through the vegetation and onto the independent road he understood completely her shock…for an strange convoy worked its way ever so slowly down the route long since churned to mud and detritus due to the near constant traffic and tread of the tanks.

Four motorbike safety led the way for the convoy followed by a lone, light-armored armoured combat vehicle, a staff car that was made for a high-level military officer, possibly a theatre marshal, visiting the social movement business line. To the back of the convoy, four more motorbike mounted safety completed the suite. If not for the presence of that armored combat vehicle, no subject how minuscule compared to its armored brethren, he would have had Nikkei affiance the staff car while he took down the motorbike mounted guards…

"If not for that blasted tank car,"he pumped his fist in arrant frustration that such a great dirty money is getting away, only to agnise his mistake a here and now later…


â‚°â‚°

Nikkei lined her sights upon the two great, fuel-laden, highly-flammable, bbl of the illumination tank. For once she was glad to stimulate a magazine loaded with Stephen ‘ extra ammo'for such an occasion. She kept adjusting her aim to remunerate for the slack Australian crawl approach of the armored beast, growing more impatient with each second that Sir Leslie Stephen mulled over her taking the barb or for the two of them to withdraw.

From the corner of her eye she saw Stephen pump his fist, their agreed upon signal for her to start any lying in wait they have established. One final allowance on her leading the tank, and a gentle squeeze of the trigger…

Bang !
rush !

Twice she worked the rifle dash in her palm-guided, up-back, forward-down cross motion to recharge for the adjacent crack she would want. She paid the tank no more heed, swinging around to the staff car even then breaking and sliding across the frost and mud covered road…

knock !

The faculty motorcar left-back tire shredded from the slug wallop, the incendiary electric charge igniting the rubber cloth almost instantly. The occupants of the staff car leapt from the vehicle as the motorbike guards leapt to cover one man in a black greatcoat…the gleam of the morning sunlight off of his rank lapels denoted him to be a true prize, maybe the Russian general her grandfather spoke of arriving ahead of schedule.


She changed cartridge, palmed the rifle bolt and chambered the first-class honours degree round of regular ammo she used. The sound of the Russians firing with pistols and sub-machineguns blindly into the surrounding land did not induce her any alarm…

bunce !

The tank car firing a 76mm cannon circle into the woods barely 50 metre downhill from her location did get her notice…

She rolled to one side of the sheltering stone as a secondment cannon cycle slammed home closer than the live. Her pinna pounded from the deafening noise, bones hurt and gut felt as if it had been reduced to mush. The steady tap - tapping of Sir Leslie Stephen's Suomi sub-machinegun told the tale of dead Russians and his cause to distract the tank…

BOOM ! ! !

The strength of the attack bodily lifted Nikkei off the primer coat like a rag doll. With pinna still ringing like a cacophony of Christian church Vanessa Stephen she half-moved, half-stumbled back to the cleft in the stone and gasped at the spate before her…the staff car and most of the minibike had been reduced to twisted metal while the destroyed tank poured forth a bellowing pillar of flame high into the dayspring sky.

Sir Leslie Stephen moved from tree to tree, boulder to boulder, aiming his shots to pin down the Russians who sheltered behind the bowlder. There, they are prophylactic from his fervor for the time, but not from Nikkei…

vibration, she fought to regular enough to take up a bead on that of import Russian officer. No matter though, one guard or another kept his consistency between him and her…until…


â‚°â‚°

Stephen moved as a touch across the terrain, steadily closing on the Russians lieu, determined to collect the Russian police officer as due defrayment for his showing up in Republic of Finland. Here was the opportunity of a lifetime, to take down a full-fledged Russian superior general or field-marshal…or if he can be captured, the blessing for the Finnish army will be…

hit !

four More shots followed in speedy successiveness, and then came a unusual calmness only parted by the uninterrupted roar of the fire armoured combat vehicle. He grinned at the precision work of his granddaughter, moved carefully to the bound of the woods and prepared to cross the road. Sir Leslie Stephen wondered what information that might profit the Suomi Armed force play awaited his uncovering on that dead ship's officer's carcass…

The sudden comer of two squadrons of Russian light Italian sandwich and fighters which passed low and close over his attitude changed everything. There is no way they could have missed the carnage that had been inflicted on the lowly but important caravan ; especially as the tankful still burned like a blowtorch with a column of calamitous smoke clawing ever gamy into the sky.

He rapidly retreated back into the woods, and raced to Nikkei to help her get ready for a fast, hard and long marching music deeper into the forest trails. Three more Russian aircraft squadrons passed overhead, and he prayed that none of the pilots would seem down and spot him or Nikkei…if they did there will be no escape.

Nikkei scrambled around the hillside, staying under the forest canopy for concealment. She watched the skies as the Russian planes circled back around and wondered if they had seen her or her grandpa.

A short whistling caught her attending and she watched Stephen wave to her, point down a smaller slope lead that snaked among the Wood, and pushed off with her rod, pressing to keep up with the hard stride he set for them.

They pushed onward fasting and laborious to increase the distance between them and the ambush site. Then came the clarion shout of a score or more of planer high operating expense. At the edge of a large clarification they watched the gilded aerial battle then being waged high in the skies ; a dance of last between the Finnish and Russian Air strength so far above the earth…

condensation trail swept the obnubilate sky, here moving in a straight line, there they curved and spiraled until one or two at a prison term ended in clouds of black pot. Outnumbered by eight to one the Suomi archetype pressed home each of their attacks, savaging the Russian geological formation that sought to make it past them, only to cascade out of the sky and into the merciless clutch bag of the globe.

It ended in less than ten mo during which Stephen counted the Russians had lost 17 belligerent and eleven bombers. From the lead of mordant green goddess which departed to the east, at least twice that phone number of planes had been damaged ; he hoped every one of the Russians crashed on the way back to their bases. As for losses on the incline of Finland, he could not distinguish one way or another.

Two hr later as the brace stopped to capture their breath, having covered nearly seven kilometers, Stephen gave Nikkei a arch grinning and asked,"So my granddaughter, what shall we use to mark your taking of that tank ?"

"How about a squirrel grandfather ?"she replied. To her amazement he agreed, and when they set camp that nighttime among some old ruins he added five lowly dodger and one squirrel to her growing tally of kills recorded on the rifle.

"Grandpa,"Nikkei said, and then hesitated, still shaken by the finale call with death at the handwriting of the tankful returned flaming."Who would the Russians send to the front lines escorted by a cooler, and so many motorbike passenger ?"

Stephen paused and rubbed his helping hand over his chin as he mulled the dubiousness over and over. Finally he reached the only ordered conclusion that fit the evidence of such a caravan moving with minimum guard."The exclusively thing that makes sense was either a new Divisional commander or possibly the commander of the Russian Ninth ground forces Corp, general Dashicev whom we have been hunting for. Either way we, or I should say, you, have done much to disrupt the Russian United States Army in this area."

He scuffed up Nikkei's hair with his hand despite her right effort to fend him off,"ejaculate now Nikkei we have to push on before we make ingroup. There is an old hunt lodge, or I should say what's left of one, where we will hole out up and cypher out what to botch up up next."

"Grandpa is there any chance I can get a bath ?"Nikkei asked, not expecting any variety of just news show in the matter.

"The place originally had hot water system piped in from the local saltation, and if I recall correctly the last clock time I checked they are still working. I'm not promising anything Nikkei, but if you want a hot bathtub I'll do what I can to see you get your hot bath for Christmas…"

Stephen shook his head and moved to take hold of up with Nikkei, who raced on down the track determined to birth her hot bath."Never underestimate that girl…so much like me after all…still a rarefied old day, and one LE major pain of a Russian leader to be concerned with."

In a handful of days Stephen and Nikkei would discover who was in the ambuscade convoy. Yet the chain of events unleashed by their efforts will take longer to unfold and shape not only the Winter War, but the lives of ten of 1000000 of hoi polloi across Europe and beyond.


22 December, 1939 STAVKA headquarters, Russian capital

Premier Stalin watched from the highschool balcony of STAVKA home office as the inflammation team prepared for the following troll of executions. Normally the wad of such bloodletting would stay his sadistic rage in minutes, but not this even. No, this evening the blood would flow in red stream across the land. The incompetents who had allowed such ignominy and plethora to settle upon the USSR had to be expunged permanently for their crimes.

Stalin slammed his fist on the endocarp railing repeatedly, angered beyond sensitiveness or reason. He had sent his government minister of Defense, Marshal Voroshilov to bring together with 9th Army army corps Commander General Dashicev and get to the bottom of the mess at the front railway line. The Ninth regular army corporation should take sliced Finland in half at the waist weeks ago, yet had not advanced more than sixty klick across the border, and if the reports are dead on target, two elect infantry divisions had been destroyed by a bluff and reckless Finnish counterattack.

He watched as the condemned men, the military unit who was to travel with marshal Voroshilov to the front lines, were brought to the wall five at a time. The leader of the firing team executed each command with well honed preciseness, his men fired on command with no hesitation and the next in blood line to be shot had the honor of dragging their suddenly booster away before assuming their space at the wall.

The destiny of marshall Voroshilov and general Dashicev was made known to Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili only an hour ago while he had his dinner. So hot was his passion he personally stormed his way to where the bodyguard of Marshal Voroshilov were barracked, entered their commander's office and summarily shot him dead for his offense against the state.

minute after minute he stood on that balcony as the executions continued well into the Night. Once the last man of the escort social unit was disposed of, the fate of those NKVD troops who failed to secure the roadway followed.

Until the newsworthiness of the marshal death had arrived, few dared to challenge his decisiveness to occupy Finland and to touch on what acres rightfully belonged to Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic and Soviet Union alone. Even Kingdom of Sweden and Norway began to have their doubts about standing up against Russia on the side of Finland, until the existence wire and radio help had announced the death of Voroshilov.

Combined with another crushing victory scored by the Finnish armies against the Russian force out fighting it out on the Isthmus, many world leaders now pledged to support Finland in any way potential. And now FRG, the ostensible friend of Russia, had begun to send out out barbel to the Scandinavian governments to see if High German ships bearing sleeve and supplies for Suomi would be permitted passage through their territory.


Once again Stalin seethed at the continuous betrayal heaped upon betrayal of the world commonwealth against the rise of the USSR, and of the domination of the world by Communist violence. They refuse to see and realize the inevitability of his lawsuit and Crusade, to bring the world into a commie golden age no topic the cost in blood and fire.

"No the war will continue on,"Stalin growled, his anger still stoked to stage beyond inclusion,"more men and tanks will be sent, more planes dispatched and we will defend on until I have victory over the Suomi who dishonored me in 1921, or the last Russian descent utter on the field."

Stalin never moved until the last prisoner were executed well into the future days dawning.


24 Dec, 1939 Finland Supreme control Headquarters

For the start time since the war with USSR had commenced landing field Marshal Mannheim allowed himself to give off a chuckle and a smiling at the bad joke one of his aide-de-camp told. He returned to the single-valued function and reports laid out on the table before him, listening to the ageless obstetrical delivery of memos, messages, news and so forth.

On the 22nd of Dec the Russian Seventh Army Corp threw itself at the Mannerheim defensive attitude melodic phrase, a full force of nine infantry sectionalization, three tank brigades and a light armor corps of armoured railcar and fast tank. The Soviet general had come up with a crafty architectural plan, baffle the ice-covered lakes where storage tank and panoplied vehicles could manoeuver and rive long lines of infantry-bearing sleigh ; other whole would mount a coinciding violation from the land and whelm the defenders.

A vivid plan that would have worked, save for the Finnish scouts and saboteurs operating in the Russian rear-areas who discovered the plan and troop movements…exactly as the intelligence service gathered by the ‘ wraith Bear'had indicated.

Forewarned the social movement melodic line commanders had technologist rig up a massive surprise for the Russian violation - remote-detonated explosives combined with the usage of their pre-registered gruelling howitzer and the new weighty anti-tank cannons ( which had arrived via Sweden ) that lined the fortify locating along the shoreline.

The Russian fire began with a massive ten-hour artillery barrage followed by the first wave of Russian troops surging across the ice. Explosives and ordnance decimated the Russian force, sending tanks and sleigh into the weak depths below shattered ice. The armored vehicle and tankful that did reach the survived this were crushed by the anti-tank guns and the infantry who joined in the slanted massacre of the lakes.

The demesne fight had been a much closer topic, thirteen hours of beastly combat that left over two-hundred burned out tanks and thousands of Russian dead stacked like cordwood. The Finnish armed forces had paid a honey price for it, yet the newly deployed alien voluntary made the difference in quantity and quality…some 25000 military personnel from Republic of Hungary, Italy, Sverige and Norway plus a sprinkling of former nationalities, torpedo each and every one !

Field theme combined with intercept transmittance broadcast in the clear from the Russian Seventh Army Corp headquarters nearly matched. For all intensive purposes the Seventh Army had been destroyed in that one majuscule winner-take-all battle.

Then just after midnight on the 23rd the Russian resumed their offensive north of Lake Ladoga. Five infantry divisions of the Russian Eighth Army Corps, with heavy tank and artillery support, assaulted the weak-appearing Finnish placement with a gravid pile of enthusiasm and decision ; only to find out they had struck hard into a multi-layered, multi-supporting part of bunker, artillery, machine gun nests, minefields and anti-tank guns which shredded the Russians in less than seven hours.

Again it was the foreign volunteer who helped make the divergence, another 20,000 mix-bag of nationalities whose armed services skills and expertise allowed them to fight as severe as his Finnish army military personnel ! Even the air battle went dramatically in their favour, with twenty-one Finnish Air military group planes downed for 97 Russian. The dominate general for the Eighth Army very politely stayed in his line of business military headquarters when a six battery barrage of Finnish heavy artillery landed on its position.

Field Marshal Mannheim softly chuckled and looked at his amass officers."Our troop, the foreign volunteer forces, and the supply of sleeve and ammo from Sweden, Norge, Italy and Hungary are making the difference ; how ironic that so much of the decease we bring down on the Russians has been supplied by their very own ‘ ally'Germany."

"flying field Marshal,"one of Mannheim's aides quietly said and handed over a series of message physical body for him. He read them quickly, one of them various clock time and looked to his intelligence chief who nodded and grinned like a savage. He just stood there in shock absorber, unable to believe for a time that two zealot - the Ghost Bear and Snow Fox had doubled their former coup over the Russians.

"My God Above thank you for this cracking gift you have given unto us all,"he said and bowed his head in a brief petition of thanks and extolment. The confirmation of reinforcements - reservists and foreign unpaid worker - to tighten up the Finnish shielder facing the Ninth and Fourteenth army was great news, and now this gift on Xmas Eve truly was heaven sent.

Marshal Mannheim made a note to have those two partisans decorated if Finland managed to bear on and win the on-going war.

"gentleman,"he called out, his vocalization instantly cutting through the blare of noise loud and distinct.

Once he had their attention he read the intercepted message and after the clapping and cheering ran its grade ordered it to be broadcast over national radio receiver. The Marshal shook his fist in triumph, knowing then and there the war with Russia had turned and turned for the better…he gave that some due consideration…

"walk the word to all our presence crease forces as well, but indicate they are to be doubly open-eyed at this news,"he said with all due seriousness,"The Russians will not forget nor forgive. We can require them to dispatch even More reinforcing stimulus and faster than ever to ascertain our Carry Nation is crushed once and for all."

"Understand this much gentlemen,"he continued, his iron-hard regard locking on every man and charwoman in turn,"our side has won many smashing victory and the well Lord has delivered the enemy leaders into our hands as well, but we have not won the war. Our greatest struggle may well be ahead, thus I am ordering our force-out who are facing the Ninth and Fourteenth Russian United States Army Corps to tighten their defenses so we can pin those forces in place."

"Gentlemen, I sense a great change is coming in the air, a tempest greater than anything we have ever seen will hit and exchange the world."Mannheim grinned, never understanding the storm would be one of lineage, fire and steel coming down on their enemies in short order.



25 December, 1939 rear-area Russian Ninth ground forces Corp

Nikkei slid deeper into the steamer H2O and reveled in the intense high temperature and diffused Wave that lapped across her abdominal cavity and boob. She twirled her fingers in the water, generating ripples that spread out and glistened in the soft lantern visible light ; such a simple talent she wanted for Christmas, a hot bathroom, something she took for granted before the war began…before her world turned top down and slammed to the ground with savage intensity.

For four Day she and Stephen had been cooped up in the ruins of an old hunting lodge that actually had water piped in from a nearby hot outflow. The low moaning of the rash reminded her of old ghost stories her Fatherhood would tell apart near the fireplace, shadows dancing on the walls as he moved about, often making beast shadows with his hands in interpreting of ‘ Peter and the Wolf.'

One strong upsurge of wind that pounded on the door blocked by an old sofa and desk, to prevent easy entry by anyone in the field, reminded her that not everyone was enjoying such a bountifulness as she on the birthday of the Prince of Peace. Most of the old lodge lay exposed to the elements, but enough remained, such as the bathing room she occupied, to provide nice shelter…once they dealt with the bear out of the spot that had taken up residency.

As Nikkei reached for the rag and soap Stephen had thoughtfully laid out by the tub for her, she smiled at the fond memories of bear-meat stew…although having to manhandle the fauna 300kg carcass outside so it did not stink up the balance of the home hardly made it worth the effort. Her being able to take a hot tub and rid herself of mean solar day of grunge and shit made it worth the effort.

She gathered a rich lathering of grievous bodily harm on her work force and the rag, and then slowly began to scrub down her face, cervix and munition. The accumulated grunge and tensity built from the starting signal of the war eased away bit by bit, and she could loosen up for a time, release of the cares and remembering of the wider world.

On one titty she softly swirled the rag in sensuous lap that advanced unto her swollen pap. maven both old and new flowed into her intellect, awakening desires she had never allowed herself to fully explore or to even talk about with anyone. Her eyes closed and a soft gasp passed her overt rim as a slight shudder played along her body ; the warmth of the water accentuated the pleasurable wave which flowed one upon another along the very fibers of her being.

Her free bridge player came to rest between her breasts, and the digit slowly snaked their way downward. Once there, they began to caress and beleaguer and delight a portion of her consistence that sent her unto the heavens with sensuous bliss that she could only compare to the Song dynasty of the heavenly consort. Nikkei sensed her heart whipping faster and faster as her breathing time quickened, blood thundered and her trunk came awake in a rainbow of wizard that could not be described.

She pushed her fingerbreadth into the deepness of her woman as far as she could ; determined to guide out each bit of pleasure possible. Of course she was still a virgin at the age of eighteen, unlike so many of her friends and other close kin…none had desired to be with her since she was found out to be ineffectual to birth minor, thus making her the disdain of the village and a bad marriage prospect.

The natural state, raw, aboriginal surge of fire and heat caught her off guard as a thousand yard of universes cascaded before her, numberless probabilities of what may be and could be, and then collapsed back into the here and now as she screamed her pleasure to the world when her acquittance hit.

Her bridge player covered her mouth as she blushed deeper than ever before in her life history, wondering if anyone had heard the noise…and blushed even cryptical as Stephen burst through the door with a drawn pistol, lost his footing on the slick floor and tumbled facial expression first into the bathtub with Nikkei.

He pulled himself out of the tub and shook his head like an old shepherd dog, sending a cascade of H2O across the room."I'm soaked,"he moaned while looking at his souse clothing, shook his head and hoped enough firewood remained to dry them by the fireplace - though they would sense like wood smoke for days."Better they smell of Sir Henry Wood grass than that of an old and wet sheep dog like me…"

"Grandpa, are you alright ?"Nikkei asked as she leaned over the boundary of the bathtub. When Stephen looked at her with an abashed smile she gasped, clutched her arm over her bared titty and slid trench into the piss while a hot blush surged deep and red across her already flush impudence. All she wanted to do was melt away and disappear ; her intellect tore in different instruction, desires playing a thousand melodies at once while she fought to reclaim the confusion.

On the conflict field sniping at the opposition she has mastered her emotions to a ticket degree ; but in the matters of the heart, she has never encountered such as she faced now. She lowered her headway but could not tear her eyes away from him as he pulled off his shirt and deform the water of it…the iron-hard musculus of his lithe physical body, crossed with a roadmap of scars acquired over a lifetime of asperity and battle, flexed with each turn of events made upon his shirt.

He whipped the shirt a few fourth dimension to get any remaining droplets free and grinned at Nikkei."Sorry Nikkei I had thought that a bear or a Russian had gotten into the bathing elbow room and I got regardless again…"

Nikkei was unable to believe her ears, for her granddad never apologized for anything."granddad you didn't foul up or get careless I just…well, I was doing something and…"

"Well my granddaughter I have to admit,"Stephen said while softly chuckling,"that is one way to ask a man to conjoin you in the tub, though I'm not trusted both of us would fit. Although I could try if you insist…"

He laughed at the cute little squealing speech sound given off by Nikkei at his suggestion. Though as he left the elbow room to switch and dry his fabric, the coruscation that danced in her eyes spoke loudness to his feel heart and mind.


â‚°â‚°

Tap - tap - tap !

Stephen pulled the modest slug away from Nikkei's rifle and examined the up-to-the-minute footling fox-marker added to the wooden stock. Feeling the smoothness of the roughness he coated the exposed Mrs. Henry Wood with an amber hued stain, when dry it will glisten with a honey-gold grain as any light played across it.

"One more than of so many George Fox added, I had taught my granddaughter to hunt for deer, boar and bear."Sir Leslie Stephen gave off a deep, fed up sigh at the winds of fate and ill-fortune."Instead she has become a Orion of Russians who have raped our mother country and stolen her future tense. All those years ago when her folk adopted her…."

His thinker drifted into memories of his lost family all those years ago when they had adopted Nikkei after she had been orphaned. No one knew where she had come from, even the authorities failed to find oneself the parents of the little lady friend found wandering alone in the woods, her clothing covered in blood…

A girlfriend of on-key enigma who had grown into a mulct youth woman ; one that he wished he could give given a life of public security to instead of the doomed war the Russians had forced upon all of them.

In the background signal the static-filled broadcast of Finnish and Norse radio set station declared their holiday compliments and greeting, and then broadcast the usual updates of the war.

"To all of our phallus of Finland's armed forces engaged in the desperate battles to protect our country of origin from the barbarians of the Soviet coupling. I and all of our masses thank you for the dedication and forfeiture of so much you have give for us, and may on this day when we celebrate the birth of the Prince of serenity each of you find relief from this endless suffering inflicted by the Russians.."

Stephen half-listened to the radios static filled broadcast. He heard the details given of the great battle fought on the Isthmus and near Lake Ladoga on the 22nd and 23rd ; the Russian one-seventh and one-eighth Army Corps had been stopped, shattered and scattered before obstinate Finnish resistance"assisted by Tennessean who support our crusade for freedom and self-determination as a democracy against the tyrannic might of Communist Russia."

"We wish to confirm that in the utmost calendar week the Russian regular army stupor force of the Russian ninth Army Corps has suffered extreme setbacks due to our state's army, air force-out and partisans active behind the enemy lines. It has been confirmed that the ninth Army has lost their commandant, one General Dashicev along with the parson of defensive measure for the Soviet Union, Marshall Voroshilov who had come to the front lines to see first-hand what had caused the one-ninth Army to be held up in the field."

Stephen turned his broad attention to the radio…

"My familiar Fin's our darling solders and national fighting behind the business line have demonstrated loud and gain to the worldly concern why the Ninth army, along with all other Russian Army army corps, has failed to crush our country. In the death of the Defense parson Russian Federation has learned the lesson we will never surrender and never yield to their military group of enslavement. And so with each conflict we undertake against the Russian invaders, we bleed them and bleed them more, until the day will come in the nigh future tense when they will accept defeat and seek to name a just and honorable peace."

"May the time soon come when we can recount in full the actions of the two known as the nose candy Fox and the Ghost Bear ; may God restrain them safe and wield them as legal document of judge against our antediluvian foeman from the barbarian lands of Russia."

Sir Leslie Stephen whistled,"So that is whom Nikkei took down after the storage tank exploded ?"

He imagined how Nikkei would dance around like an ale-drunken bee after auditory sense of the prize she had bagged. The death of General Dashicev was welcome news, and showed his guess as to who occupied the staff car in the van they had ambushed. Yet the expiry of Marshall Voroshilov, Russian Minister of Defense, truly marked the bang-up swag any partisan sniper could desire to make short of chancellor Stalin.

He gently cleaned the rifle with an old rag, gently removing the least trace of poop, debris or oil his work may have left upon it."I made this for my dear Nikkei to hunt deer and bear with, and now she ahs been forced by this war to become a hunter of men. I wish her parents could see her now…"


He fought back the tear that threatened to amount as his heart lodged in his throat. His children and grandchildren, plus all his friends there save for Nikkei are all gone. His fad at the Russians redoubled in an instant.

"Tomorrow I have to go and ‘ see what is going on'again ; hopefully this time Nikkei will not importune on coming along with me."He looked at the humble pile of supplying that had been cached away in the basement of the old hunting lodge. While Nikkei had been taking her bath he had gone down and brought the food, cloth, ammo and early sundry good the two needed as they hunted Russians.

Also, as he had hoped, the two belittled sleds he had stored among other goods in the cache remained intact and untaken. At least he and Nikkei could carry Sir Thomas More goodness on them than they can just upon their backbone. Plus he had new shelling for his small tuner a acquaintance had built a few years ago…

That petty vector has proven to be a genuine marvel. Incredibly lowly, lightweight and reliable, he can use it to relay or receive voice and Morse-code signaling. His old friend in the United commonwealth who made it was a contemporaries ahead of his clip, and a simple attachment allowed it to be powered by a hand-cranked generator-system.

When the stress between Russia and Finland had begun to increase, he and his fellow smuggler plus some of the liaison they had within the arm forces began to project and set. Thus a relay-chain of a variety exists to pass information and instructions along to those who needed it ; they always are sent in brief transmission of Morse-code to avoid counter spying by the Russians.

Other information, orders and the like are broadcast five multiplication daily by the government over the populace wireless broadcasts. No subject how much the Russians may try, only the leaders of the partisans in particular domain behind the melody possessed the requisite codes to read them.

"All for the better then,"Stephen softly said to himself."It's yesteryear time we bleed these Russians as badly as we can and preclude any more topsy-turvydom falling upon our heads…"

He stopped mumbling at the strait of Nikkei's ghostly footsteps mixed with the crackling of the flames in the fireplace. His regard moved to his habiliment hung over the cover of two old chairs near the hearth, the warmth slowly drying them out after that dip in the tub.

Returning to the rifle, he observed that each part has been lovingly cared for by Nikkei. Stephen nodded his approval, delighted that she had remembered all he could teach her of such thing.

Wrapped in a thick cotton gown, Nikkei sat before the flame and go on towel her hair dry.

Stephen looked up at her, the igniter from the flames caressing her in a swirling dance of lighter and shadow. He saw her chewing on her lower lip, obviously troubled by something, or more likely what had happened between them in the bathing room.

"Nikkei what's bothering you my devout ?"Stephen said and laid the rifle down on its white-furred scabbard."I can tell you are worried or troubled, so please severalise me and if I have wronged you somehow…"

He scooted side by side to her and looked into her tear-filled eyes as she turned her regard unto his.

She opened her robe to give away her strip abdomen, second joint and white meat for him to see, hoping that he will not deform away from her unexpressed interrogation. One hand came to take a breather on his reddened impertinence, the heat flowing into her hired hand as she began to caress his iron-hard, weather-beaten, scarred skin in such a gruntle way that it twitched with each soft and delicate stroke.

"Nikkei I did not mean to breach you earlier…"Sir Leslie Stephen's words ended when she gently touched a fingertip to his sass. She pulled her hired man away and shed the robe from her body, then leaned onto her hip, sweeping her legs back behind her at the genu and propped herself up on one arm. With the other she took his deal into her and entwined their fingers.

Stephen's eyes drank in every sensuous and subdued curve of her eubstance, the comprehensiveness of her brownish-yellow haircloth, flaccid blue eye full of life and pain mixed in equal measure, the steady rise and surrender of her debar bosom. As his gaze descended to her most intimate of hoarded wealth she shifted her leg sufficiency for him to see her bared fair sex and the fragile glint of moisture already gathered there on her skin and surrounding hair.

"Nikkei what are you…I mean…"for one of the few metre in his life, Sir Leslie Stephen found himself at a personnel casualty for Logos as his brainpower flared to ashen insensibility. He could not believe this is actually happening and with his beloved and only surviving granddaughter…

"Grandpa I want this to be my giving to you,"she said to him. He could hear the erotic love and heart in her interpreter for him, something that had been there for class and only now did he empathize in full…his adopted Nikkei had fallen in love with him recollective ago and now sought to affect their relation to the side by side level.

"I have forgotten since the war began what it meant to be active and free of worry and anger,"she said, her heart releasing a lone deplume down her cheek."I want to be your confront grandpa for tonight, to prompt us both what life means ; I don't expect to make it through this war, so lots death has already come close…and with that tank firing at me…"she shuddered at the computer storage of how close she had brushed with last that day.

She moved to Stephen and sat down on his lap with her legs crossing behind his dorsum. Her one bridge player brought his to rest on her breast ; the bare spot of his cutis on hers sent a boot and chill blazing across her being. When he began to caress her boob, teasing more and More igneous waves of pleasure from her body, she leaned into him and all but melted away as the soft C. P. Snow does before the flames of a fire.

He kissed her cheek and softly boast quilt of his heated breath on her neck. Stroking her hair's-breadth he looked once again into her eyes and seen the love and jitteriness playing against one another."Are you sure this is what you want Nikkei ? You only have one first fourth dimension in such issue and I want you to be absolutely sure…"

The fierce embrace and fiery kiss she gave him answered all his questions.

So it was that they entered the sometime of vocal, and fulfilled the older dancing of all, two hearts and two bodies coming together in one ; the cries of passion and fundamental acquittance echoed throughout the old ruins until Stephen released his life cum into Nikkei, and then collapsed from the exertion. The two cuddled and caressed one another while sharing loving grinning and whispering tidings meant for them alone.

An hour later as Nikkei contently slept away, her appease snore conflux with the crackling flaming, Stephen gave her a smile and softly kissed her on the cheek before laying down for his own rest. He made for sure though that his shooting iron and hunting knife were within easy grabbing distance if they were needed.


28 December, 1939 Suomussalimi, Suomi

Colonel Siilasvuo returned the couriers salute and dismissed him with a nonchalant wafture of his helping hand.

Two daytime ago he had been alerted to important book of instructions that will arrive at his headquarters ; and given the flow weather that raged just outside the hotels thick stone rampart, it had to be something between extremely pressing and insane for a messenger to be risked in temperatures, C. P. Snow and winds that were the spoiled in recorded history.

Since him and the twenty-seventh infantry Regiment, now reinforced by three extra regiments of reservists and foreign military volunteer, he had waged relentless irregular warfare to run the Russian Ninth Army Corp white and hold them to this region when from all accounts they could have been used on the band during the last Russian assault.

However the Russians had dug in trench and still managed to keep back him from mounting a successful strike across the river. He could defend and not attack, and the Saame for them…a frustration that grew all the more with each pass day. Even his raiding company had met with minimum succeeder, save for sniping at the Russians who hid in their fortified positions.

Only Captain Robinson and his men, aided by the partisans led by the old colonel Stephen and his aide called"Snow Fox"have scored massive achiever upon success upon success. When he considered the reputation of the old colonel, commonly known as the"Ghost Bear'in the finally with child war, it is slight wonder the man leads and coordinates the partisans to such a platter, even as he and the Snow Fox carry out their own two-person crusade upon the hated Russians.

He opened the packet and withdrew out the pile of papers and photographs, and whistled when he gave the top Thomas Nelson Page - lodge from battleground marshall Mannerheim himself - a cursory coup d'oeil. They explained in brief and concise detail that major reward were expected to be arriving inside two weeks for the Russian ninth Army Corp…

Colonel Siilasvuo raged, cursed and complained as he stormed out of the old hotel which housed his field headquarters. He shouted above the howl malarkey for his aged military officer to gather around him as he woke his driver to hire him down riverside…he had been forbidden from launching anything strong than raids across the river to slice apart the remaining strength of the one-ninth Army while time remained. So he had chosen to inspect the forward defensive structure and guarantee the Russians received a warm welcome when they struck.

As expected, the defenses were warm and growing unattackable with each exit day ; with log and stone dugout trapping machine guns, anti-tank cannon and fighting locating for infantry. Other spatial relation inside the town had already been made ready…when the Russians struck the river and snow would be red with their blood.




28 December, 1939 berlin, Germany

"Ah yes, I will take this one here,"Admiral Donitz said as he looked over the beautiful gold-chain necklace set with mulct diamonds. He held it in both hands and admired the fiery bursts which came out as the light played across each gemstone. The jeweller had promised the talent would be crafted to perfection, and so he had achieved yet again with the gift for his dear wife.

"Klaus what do you guess of it ?"Donitz asked of his bodyguard and driver. He moved around to face the man so he could see the grand magic wrought by Karl, his personal jeweler and one of the few men he called a true master of that trade.

"Admiral, as always Mr. Karl has outdone himself, you have chosen the gift well for Mrs. Donitz and she will probably be pleased beyond measure at your talent of affection for her."John R. Major Klaus, polite as ever turned back to watching the computer memory and all of the people within it, plus those who paused even for a instant to take care through the storefronts windows. His hand never strayed far from the hold of his pistol.

The sound of sirens caused everyone to twist and take in the street as the motorcade of Chancellor Adolf Hitler began to pass by. Donitz looked at his watch and smiled,"Punctual as always, I noticed some work was being done on his vehicle last dark as I left the office. Did you remember to stimulate that looked into Klaus ?"

"Yes sir, I had it checked out by naval protection, and the Gestapo John R. Major in charge of security ensured me when I appeared in individual that ‘ a low trouble had arisen and was even now being fixed.'almost unusual accent though for the man,"Major Klaus never finished his sentence.

Admiral Donitz expression changed from delectation to stupor and then abject repulsion as the Chancellors car came into ken, and disappeared in a earsplitting explosion that tore the fomite asunder. Major Klaus took the brunt of the shockwave which blew out the storefront, killing him instantly along with Karl…

Donitz coughed, choked and gasped for air amidst the roiling clouds of dust and sess. He made his way out to the street where many vehicle burned, and all too many people lay on the flat coat in pools of red. One spirit at the twisted, burning cadaver of the Chancellors car told him there would be, could not be, any survivor ; but he rushed over to see if against all odds his Carry Amelia Moore Nation leader had somehow survived.

The military escort swarmed the area to gain command as fast as potential ; one police officer threatened Admiral Donitz until he showed his military papers and then took control condition over the scene. All too swiftly the truth was confirmed when the ardor of the Chancellors car were extinguished at long live.

chancellor Hitler was dead, assassinated by a bomb calorimeter placed within the car that had detonated the petrol tank.

"So it has been accomplished,"Admiral Donitz said, sad and shaking his head in disbelief, a fantastic act for the sake of appearance to the masses. His personal agentive role, 1 loyal to him and him alone, had penetrated the network of Russian spy and agents that existed in Berlin…and he knew who controlled them as well…

He never expected their plan to work. Now that it had, his Allies in the High German government would see to it his succession to the Chancellorship and, as promised for the support of Goering and his faction, would address with USSR once and for all…of course of instruction he still had to create a ‘ phone call'to the genius behind this mad plot to ensure his own survival.


30 December, 1939 Moscow, Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic

Everyone in the room jumped at the bingle gunfire that seemed to growl and rebound about the confluence elbow room for the high Command of the Russian Armed forcefulness. Quickly they resumed their stance of broad aid, each expecting to be the next one personally gunned down by the man at the point of the table…

"Comrades I believe my point has been duly made,"PM Stalin calmly stated as he holstered his handgun. He gave a nod and two NKVD guard rushed over and dragged the body of General Voroshilov, who of late had been recalled to Moscow for ‘ individual consultations regarding the war.'

"I will tolerate no Sir Thomas More failures in the matter of this war with Finland,"he growled,"each day our nation loses yet more influence, obedience and locating around the world. I have since the failed offensive of 22-23 December given club for monumental reinforcer to deploy in the areas of the Seventh and eighth United States Army Corps, we have peace with the Germans and thus our front with them is now reduced to indorse and third base rank building block ; the elite forces being redeployed will be in place by the end of January, when the net offensive shall begin."

"The Ninth U. S. Army corporation shall conduct limited offensives ; they have consistently failed and thus will not be of any more John Major usage."He smashed his fist onto the mesa many times to emphasize his point.

Stalin went on for some meter berating the existence for all fashion of perceived slights and plots being carried out against him and the Soviet uniting. His rage grew to such heights and profoundness that many of the men gathered feared he would either die of a stroke ; or have everyone shot down on the smirch by the sub-machinegun wielding NKVD bodyguards who circled behind each man like a watching and waiting vulture.

From one slope an officer appeared, delivered various content strain to Stalin and then bolted for his liveliness after being dismissed with a insouciant waving. As he scanned them his mood swung from rage to outright joy back to a simmering, stewing furore that promised demise to someone before the nighttime passed.

"Gentlemen,"Stalin declared with a thrust calmness and smile while holding up the third gear message form in one hand,"as I stated, we have peace with Federal Republic of Germany and now it is guaranteed for some clock time to come. Our factor in the German senior high Command have confirmed the news show being broadcast over the radio."

He paused and grinned,"Hitler is stagnant. Someone managed to place an volatile gimmick inside of his armor car, and gratuitous to say the butchery wrought was phenomenal. admiral Donitz has been sworn in as the new Chancellor of Germany and thus will take many months to fully put away of his rival and gain full ascendency over his nation's governance."

The staff officers and curate shouted and cheered at the news of Hitler's death, and gave off calls for the long spirit of Premier Stalin, the Soviet Union and the inevitable domination of the world by Communism. By almost universal spontaneity they began to sing the interior birdcall of Russia, their dedication and belief in their cause having been reconfirmed by the creation at large.

Wisely Stalin withheld the two former subject matter that arrived at the same meter. They detailed the movements of full general Timoshenko and Shaposhnikov, the newly appointed co-commanders of the Finland movement. During the flight to headquarters near a secured airport the plane carrying them, escorted by twelve fighters, was jumped by a large number of Finnish fighters.

Every one of the Russian cowcatcher fought until their planes went down in fire. Despite their Best efforts, the plane carrying both generals had been shot down as well with no subsister. Once again the leaders of his armed forces had disappointed him, and the reports of flagging team spirit among the infantry along with some units on the edge of mutiny confirmed the officers were deliberately failing, seeking cause to boot out him once and for all from power.

Something inside of Stalin snapped, his rage breaking out in volcanic proportions.

None of the exulting officers before him knew what hit them when with a nod Stalin had his bodyguard cut them down to the terminal. He summoned his personal aide and demanded a fain document, which once he signed with a few chance cerebrovascular accident of his pen, was sent to the NKVD communications commissar and dispatched.

Within 48 minute the blood tub had finished, completely decimating the Russian armed forces high bid and replacing all officers of Major or higher rank with Political political commissar. He gave new orders to all of the Russian armed military unit ; any touch of disloyalty or lack of proper commie spirit will result in that man's stallion platoon or company being summarily executed en mass.

Stalin never understood just how deadly he had misjudged the unfolding chain of issue his lunacy and lecherousness for blood would unleash in curtly order…


30 December, 1939 Federal Republic of Germany, OKH highschool instruction

admiral Donitz, newly sworn in Chancellor of Germany and all of her people looked out the window of his office and the pristine snowfall from the latest storm. Just over xxiv hours ago Chancellor Adolf Hitler had been assassinated by a bomb planted inside of his armored faculty car ; in short order the Gestapo had discovered and captured a crew of Russian spies and agents who caused Adolf Hitler's death.

Their execution warrants were the first matter taken care of by Donitz after taking the oath of office. Now he had a monolithic choice to hit, one discussed long into the night by him and the High statement. He had been aware of architectural plan being drafted, on Hitler's orders, for an invasion of Russia…he wondered if Adolf Hitler had been aware of his pending death, not that it mattered now.

Adolf Hitler's death at the hands of mistrust Russian agent, proven or not, gave them the legal and moral justice for the invasion to come. The John Major macrocosm leaders, even those of France and Britain, had been contacted via direct or third-party transmit cable television of the plan to allot with Soviet Union and Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili for their perfidy in assassinating the German Chancellor.

Many had responded with the usual condolences and assorted academic degree of admonition of Russia.

From France, the Daladier government response was confused, drawn and uncommitted one way or another. That came as no surprise to Donitz, having anticipated such from the blink of an eye the cables were sent out.

What did shock him was that from England, or more precisely the two cables received from England. One from the parliament condemning Russia and urging ataraxis dialogue are held between Russian Federation and Deutschland to break up this topic ; the latter, and thus the most important as far as Donitz was concerned came directly from Churchill…


To the Chancellor of Germany, Admiral Donitz,

In care to the matter of Russia and their shew barbarousness to the right doings of recounting between governments I say this much. So long as marshal Goering continues to supply implements of war to Finland via Sweden and no interference with our own arms shipment to Republic of Finland comes about, we wish you God speed and critical victory over the godless Russian government of Stalin.

"gentleman's gentleman,"Chancellor Donitz began as he turned to present the cumulate High program line,"to the highest degree of our force play are in place already since the invasion of Poland and we have managed to secretly increase our strength there by a bombastic degree. Have all of you discussed and familiarized yourself with the plan and overall goals ?"

Each officer in turning affirmed his part and detailed any last moment concerns, details and so off. Satisfied that all is in property Donitz sat behind his desk and signed the gild laid out before him…

"gentleman"he said,"Operation Wotan, the invasion and destruction of the Soviet marriage, will start at 12:01 a.m. on 10 January, 1940. Joseph Stalin has inflicted infliction and rake upon us, and now we will pay him and his mass back a million fold."

Stalin sewed the winding with the cum of war in Finland, and now he will draw the harvesting of steel and rakehell and flack born of the whirlwind coming back upon him.


30 December, 1939 England, unknown localization

"Thank you for the call option,"Churchill said into the phone,"it had been about unexpected but delightful none the to a lesser extent and I wish you triumph in your campaign against Russia."

He hung up the phone and sighed at the Sir Ernst Boris Chain of events now coming Forth River to fruition. The Russian-Finnish war promised to phlebotomize Russia white as Suomi continued to defy common sense, logic and belief in their logical crushing of one Russian Army Corp after another in horrendous fight around their nation.

Even he had listened to the growing tales told on the radio of such hero as the Snow daemon, spectre Bear and the Snow Fox. person who had managed to inflict mass carnage at key sentence and locations on the Russians, and both co-commanders for the Suomi front line perished with intelligence given to the Finland Air military force from Britain.

Of row, the assassination of Der Fuhrer carried out by disloyal High German who assumed the British agents who controlled them were actually Russian, had yielded a case to save the horse opera human race. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Germany will bleed each early white, and by the time they deal with one another, Britain and French Republic will be set to look the German armies who will come at them.

As a historian Duke of Marlborough understood all-too-well what forces of death and death he has unleashed, but for the rice beer of a free future and saving tens of zillion of lives, he chose the less of two evils set before him.

One other matter caused him no end of fear ; the simple fact of admiral Donitz being able to place a direct call to Duke of Marlborough's ‘ privy'location meant the man had agentive role all over England. factor that for some reason he used for his own orphic purposes and never shared with his comrade Germans.

Churchill shook his heading, mentally replaying the conversation password by word he had with the new Chancellor of Deutschland. He examined each shade, mannerism and inflection for the little border it may return him in any next relations with Admiral Donitz. The sheer ability, temerity, and cunning of the man were unbelievable to listen and find as he described to John Churchill particular date, time, billet and conversations of English insight broker and spies who had manipulated the Russian agent into assassinating Hitler…

Donitz had shielded the English agent from his colleges in the Gestapo, and delivered to the English language embassy in Swiss Confederation for repatriation. Sir Winston Leonard Spenser Churchill folded his hand together and tapped his fingertips one upon another as he tried to decipher this building complex enigma enshrouded within a conundrum that represented Donitz…no matter what ; Donitz had proven to be an opposer Worth watching very, very closely.


8 January, 1940 rear-area Russian one-ninth regular army Corps

Commissar General Kolya stood on the home front porch and watched the first asterisk of the nighttime emerge in the open sky. It reminded him of the low farming hamlet he had grown up in, and many others he had been based near or within since the rotation and subsequent dominance of the commie party.

Of path this particular Finnish community of interests, once called Summers Mist, had been exterminated in the first hour of the war. These people had refused to see the inevitable, that their government had been corrupted and taken over by the Imperialists of the western United States and thus they had paid for the perfidy of the Suomi politics who refused to comply with the rightful requirement of Moscow.

"Unbelievable, in the center of this war we have such a admiration as the night to see,"he stated to the aides and to Commissar Major-Generals Romanov and Cranston, commanders of the 51st and 58th Infantry Divisions."Now then, I have plans set out for dealing with these troublesome drumbeater once and for all…."


â‚°

From a wooded hill that looked down on the remains of Summers Mist Stephen watched with keen pastime the cluster of collapsible shelter and vehicles which marked the Corps home office unit. The collection of officer standing out in the insensate told him forte and authorize that they were senior Russian commanders ; ones that would learn a final and very lethal lesson.

He and Nikkei had learned of the headquarters new placement from one of many minibike riding messenger they had disposed of since Christmastide. Her craze at the mere thought of Russians standing amidst her old home only was surpassed by his own, and tempered by the probability to score one more major victory over the invaders.

The Finnish radiocommunication stations conducted their steady updates of the war, now reduced to a chain of violent skirmishes on the front lines and aerial engagement between the Suomi and Russian air forces. The messages sent to partisan units behind the lines confirmed this, plus directed them to strike as hard as they can when opportunity presented itself.

He looked over at Nikkei's position to his right wing and slightly up the hillside. Concealed among a clustering of rock 'n' roll, tree, bush and a C. P. Snow cloak set up as a hunting watch blind he could barely make out her lineation as she lay as low to the ground as possible. With a gesture he informed her to shoot when the estimable opportunity presented itself.

Sir Leslie Stephen returned to watching the camp with his binoculars, noting a rumbling band of motortruck passing behind the commanders'tent…




â‚°

commissar General Kolya turned to face up the slow convoy of trucks that snaked its way up the road and passed his tent. One dance orchestra of NKVD staff office riding in the back of a motortruck saluted as they passed, as did the side by side and the next after that. His heart surged in pride at this wondrous display of proper political spirit and loyalty to the state which he will use to invigorate and terrorise the Russian foot into proper shape.

On his desk sat a pile of reports that many whole in his mastery were in nigh mutiny, having refused to comply with lawfully given orders by their new NKVD officeholder. All of the old officers had been, as per Stalin's rescript, been executed ; though Kolya included all of the officers and not spared the lieutenants and captains as Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili had done.

Two days ago he had assumed ascendency of the ninth Army corp and now he has to consider with this rising ; and if account are true, it is spreading like wildfire in a drought stricken forest through the Russian Army…especially with building block being sent to reinforce the Finnish Front.

He turned to the two divisional air force officer and waved at the release truck,"Gentlemen these are the true eye and soulfulness of the commonwealth ; you will strap the men of your new units into pattern and then we shall deal with the partisans…"

He cringed as one passing truck repeatedly backfired.


â‚°

Nikkei watched in her rifles scope the officer who strutted around like a grand old rooster about to be sent to the kitchen for a vacation feast. A man who thought himself to be a virtuoso or loss leader of men, and instead he is just one More rooster - fat, proud, chesty and filled with his own self-worth…and about to pay the price for that furthermost hubris…

She squeezed the trigger…

Bang !


â‚°

Commissar Major-Generals Romanov and Cranston watched in slack-jawed repulsion as their commander toppled forward as a marionette cut free of its strings. The headquarters guard, gathered officers and staff looked at the ruby dirt that flowed from beneath the fallen man across the Edward Douglas White Jr. snowfall ; for an eternity of time they could not ram their consistence to make a motion, horrified at having demise sojourn them so far behind the strawman lines…

An timeless existence that lasted all too long when they were in the sights of the shooter…


â‚°

Up-back, forward-down went the rifle bolt as Nikkei chambered a new round. She aligned the crosshairs on the succeeding officer, one among many, who stood around in frozen terror…

Bang !
bam !



Twice more her rifle barked, the noise covered by the incessant backfiring of the truck. As per Stephens program she immediately backed from her placement, pulled down the snow cloak and worked her way down the hillside with him. interior ten bit they were skiing intemperate and fast to overturn the area.


â‚°

Colonel Idenorph, NKVD commander of the headquarters guard watched the three superior general fall one after the next. He called out warning of a sniper and looked in the direction of the backfiring truck which had a man who held his pistol in the direction of the fallen generals.

"There in the truck, the artilleryman is in the truck,"he bellowed out to his assembling men."Shoot them down, all of them…"

Instantly the twenty men who had assembled by this sentence leveled their sub-machineguns and opened fire, tearing the truck, device driver and NKVD guard to tittle. A grenade was lobbed into the open arse and reduced the fomite to twisted metallic element and a roaring fervour that marked the grave of two score of res publica security personnel.

A gunshot to his rightfield dropped one of his men to the land, mortally wounded. He turned to see NKVD troops jumping down from the motortruck that followed and assumed a coup was underway by two-timer to the state."Cut them all down, everyone of the traitors…"

His last command ended in a gurgle and spray of blood as a fusillade of smoke tore his chest open.

pandemonium reigned as factions of NKVD flock tore into one another, leaving slews dead and many to a greater extent offend upon the snowy ruins of Summer Mist. This Chaos only escalated when skipper Jackie Robinson and his men stumbled onto the panorama, already prepared to raid the headquarters, and swept the blank space clean and jerk of any survivors.

After destroying anything they could not convey off they departed as silently as specter and reported to the Finland high school bid another success for the ‘ Ghost Bear'and the ‘ blow Fox,'who initiated the minor civil war at the headquarters.


â‚°

Four hours and several km later, Stephen hugged Nikkei and scuffed her pilus in congratulations. They set off for the next hidden cache and protection from which they will plan the next smash against the Russians.

"Grandpa what do you think all that gunshot was about after we left ?"Nikkei asked of Stephen.

"I imagine the Russians were killing one another off,"Stephen shrugged and grinned,"or a caboodle of our soldiers arrived in time to take advantage of the pandemonium you created and exterminated the entire central office and that convoy of trucks. Come Nikkei we have to cover a lot of solid ground tonight and I want to get going while we have the moonshine to guide us…"

With that they moved off as silent as Death amidst the deep woods.




9 January, 1940 STAVKA headquarters, Russia

The conspirators gathered for the final clock time, knowing they are committed no topic the outcome. One by one each went over his part of the architectural plan, the role of his troops or authorities department, and the pissed timeline they had to maintain to the arcminute once everything began.

One small to-do in the plan, one slipup of any kind and it will be all over. But the stakes of their failure would be the death of Russia and imposition of a High German warlord and governance over the native land for God alone knew how many generations.

The agents of the NKVD had recently received check of the German fortify forces gathering en mass along the German-Russian frontier in what had been Poland. An immense force of mechanized infantry and of tankful, airplanes and bombers…an unbelievable fist of iron prepared to nail domicile into a weakened Russia.

Normally the armed military group of Russian Federation would be sufficient to deter the High German, but now mutiny was sweeping the four Army corporation stuck within Finland and others enroute to Finland or still on the frontier had joined with them. Commissars had been killed, elections of new officers held and card sent to STAVKA in the clear…

The scout troop will no longer follow rescript given by Stalin or his men and called upon the High German to obtrude upon and set free their native land from the oppression of Communism.

The German language promptly responded, declaring to the world they will set about their ‘ freeing of Russia'unless Stalin steps down or is removed before 10 January, 1940. Each had cringed as Donitz explained on the radio that he held only Stalin and his henchmen, and not the Russian soldiers or Russian population responsible for the assassination of Chancellor Hitler…

So the conspirators knew what had to be done : liquidate Stalin.

"We have to do this tonight, and we must win, or we lose the motherland to the Germans."full general Zhukov, the lone general to survive Joseph Stalin's madness, told the gathered men."pass on the orders, in one hour it begins…"

With those words the men departed to make unnecessary their homeland.


9 January, 1940 Berlin, Germany

"general has this been confirmed ?"Chancellor Donitz said into the telephone. His staff waited in tense silence, each one wondering if the events being reported in Russia are true ; and if not true, will their Chancellor hand the terminal order of magnitude to embark on the invasion of Russia.

"Thank you,"Donitz said and slowly hung up the phone. He breathed deeply, turned to his staff and smiled in true delectation."valet de chambre, the newsworthiness have been confirmed, Stalin and his henchman are absolutely and superior general Georgi Zhukov has been sworn in as the new PM of USSR. The orders have already been confirmed by our listening situation and agents in Russian capital, all conflict save for local self-defense is to cease immediately in spite of appearance Finland and a ‘ request'made to our government to mediate peace dialogue between Republic of Finland and Russia."

"Orders are to be sent at once that the invasion of Russia is hereby cancelled."Donitz saved his greatest surprisal for last as he held up a letter delivered earlier by the ambassador of Switzerland."I have here the personal varsity letter of Winston Churchill who has accepted our crack of a return to the status-quo of 1939 between our nations. We will retreat from Poland, though it shall continue as a liege political science in our sphere of influence of influence."


"Gentlemen,"Donitz continued,"we have peace at hold up and Germany has become a worldly concern great power once again. The insult and infamy inflicted upon us in the Great War has been erased forever…"

With that the Chancellor dismissed his men and returned to the day to day grind of running a governance. He did break briefly to excogitate how the future tense will go from here on out. Peace has come to European Union as far as Germany is concerned, though Italy's dictator Mussolini is making his usual blustering noise about Northern Africa…

"Let the man face the British and Daniel Chester French alone if he is stupid enough to take them on alone,"Donitz declared.


10 Jan, 1940 rear-area of Russian Ninth US Army Corps

In the depth of their shelter campsite Stephen, Nikkei and chieftain Jackie Robinson listened to the voice of subject field Marshal Mannheim come clear and trenchant over the radio. They could scarcely believe their ears…

"To all citizens and soldiers, foreign volunteers and partisans who have been involved in the defense of our homeland against the forces of a tyrannical Russia ; this day, a great day of celebration for us all, I am glad to predicate that the tyrant of Russia, Prime Minister Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili is absolutely. His successor prime minister Zhukov has ordered all Russian power are to cease belligerency at once after a massive monstrance of the Russian multitude collective resolve led to their solders refusing to accept orders anymore."

Nikkei looked at Stephen, hoping against Leslie Townes Hope that this is not a dream she will shortly wake up from…

"The Chancellor of Germany, full admiral Donitz, has graciously extended the offer of his government being a achromatic go-between for peace talks to be held by voice of Finland and Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic. This proposal has been supported in the hold out hour by the government of Britain and France and the United States. noblewoman and valet, as will be confirmed in short order by the governments official program, our valiant conflict of republic against communist monocracy has come to an end. Our ritual killing have been expectant, but God has saved us in the end. We acknowledge the efforts of all who defended our homeland on the front lines, and from behind foeman cable, heroes such as the Charles Percy Snow Old Nick, Snow Fox and touch Bear. lady and man, the war is over…"

The remaining words were drowned out by the corporate shouts of joy and delectation by Nikkei, Stephen and Captain Robinson and his men. Nikkei leapt into Stephens unassailable arms and kissed him as hard and long as she could, knowing that at long last she and he will return home and build a new spirit in the ancestral home of their people.

"Grandpa…"she began only to be hushed by him.

"Nikkei please cry me Stephen,"he insisted upon,"as soon as we can we will head home, or anywhere else you wish to. I have several properties across the area from my…other activities,"he rolled his eyes to the heavens at the total of money he had stashed away from being a contrabandist.

"Grandpa…sorry, Stephen…"Nikkei said,"That old search order. We make it our plate and see what we can fix out of it for the future. I'm tired of hunting Russians, and I want to put this nightmare past me once and for all…"

"Sorry to cut off the romantic kiss and such,"said Captain Jackie Robinson with a wide grinning,"but I have social club to see the two of you to Field Marshal Mannheim at once. He wants to see the both of you ; it appears you have made a rather utmost impression on the man…"

Robinson shook his head and stopped talking as Nikkei and Sir Leslie Stephen headed to their shelter, determined to have a individual celebration of their own."It can wait a bit, it can wait…thank God the war is finally over."

So it is that the number one clash between East and due west, between Communist Russia and those who love to be free has come to an end. The madness of Joseph Stalin has ceased, the mighty and unstoppable Red Bear beaten, humiliated and humbled by one res publica united for the defense of their homeland, and due to the courageousness and conclusion of the I known in chronicle to come as ‘ blow Fox'and"trace Bear'history has changed forever…

The longsighted feared European war ceased before it even began as Germany brokered a lasting heartsease treaty between Russia ( now led by Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov ) and Finland. All territorial gains and pre-war call made by the USSR were fully dropped, and the final international borders established under the eyes of neutral company from the United States and Holland, Belgium and former minor powers.

Germany and England entered into an uneasy truce with one another, born by Prime Minister Churchill having gained a ‘ grudging obedience'for Chancellor Donitz of Federal Republic of Germany, who forged a number of industrial and swap good deal of mutual benefit to the two nations people. Though many doubted the loyalty of the new German Chancellor, his subsequent restoration of Republic of Poland and the Balkland states to full phase of the moon sovereignty helped still these doubt in the end.

Italy's dictator Il Duce made his usual griping and menace to restore the immensity of the original conglomerate of Rome across the Edwin Herbert Land of northern Africa. He dismissed the warning of France and Great Britain as ‘ small bark and yips of defeated Empires.'

Chancellor Donitz delivered two content to Mussolini - the first-class honours degree being an stern ‘ dismay'for him to ‘ not upset the current balance of might in a EEC now finding pacification and successfulness again.'

Mussolini promptly dismissed this ‘ utter cowardly conduct of the new German language Chancellor'and prepared his Carry Amelia Moore Nation to go to war. Thus he in short circuit decree received the second, and final, subject matter of Donitz : a bomb in the bathtub…and a restoration of a gratuitous and democratic means of popular government under the meld security department of Britain and Germany.

Through freely and openly held elections Donitz continued to lead Federal Republic of Germany and her the great unwashed for twelve More years until voluntarily refusing to run for a third six-year term of office. He declared ‘ it is meter for the next contemporaries, those who have never seen the face of war, but the joy of peace, to lead.'

Until the end of his days Donitz, as with Winston S. Churchill, remained dynamic as diplomat for their respective nations, and even held a grudging respect for one another ; although Churchill still got annoyed to the end of his twenty-four hours when asked about a ‘ sure earphone call he received one night from Donitz…"

France became a nation that descended into political Chaos in the years to come ; one government alinement rose and fell after another. Not until after the Pacific war and release of the French dominion to the winning Nipponese did a new administration under Chenier bring some signified of hope and stability to the land. But as a whole, the best days were rump France as her settlement in Africa broke free and became freelancer nations.

The Northman state continued to flourish beyond anyone's wildest of aspiration in the years to come ; in time they formed an economic alliance which grew to rival that of Germany and England combined, and before the end of the 1950's had wrested almost half the American importee grocery store from those two several nations.

On November 1, 1941 admiral Isoroko Yamamoto ascended to prominence and infrangible ascendancy of the fortify military group of the conglomerate of Japan. With the benediction of the Saturnia pavonia, the will diplomatic assistance of premier Georgi Zhukov of Soviet Russia and of President of the United States Roosevelt of America, Yamamoto pulled all military personnel of Japan from China in a staged withdrawal that seen the colonial might of Europe and United States begin to do the same.

No one knows to this escort the truth of the topic, yet on Dec 5, 1941 President Theodore Roosevelt, on his way to Japan at the personal invitation of the emperor Hirohito, disappeared with the heavy cruiser Chicago that he travelled upon. The exclusively subject matter of alarm received was that of"fervidness in the forward engine room has reached the ammo magazines…"then silence.

Newly sworn-in President Truman called for the matter to be investigated, and American naval personnel were sent to the death roll in the hay spatial relation of the boodle. Two British corvettes, One Canadian Coast Guard vessel and three Nipponese guided missile destroyer arrived on the scene to only line up a champaign of junk and oil slicks covering miles of ocean.

What has been documented is the first American vessel, a waster whose headwaiter despised the Japanese, on the aspect immediately assumed the Japanese vessel had sunk the Chicago ; he demanded their surrender and when they rightfully refused, stating they as with the British and Canadian vessels were searching for survivors, commenced to fire upon them - one vessel sunk, sonorous damage done on the other two Japanese ships who retaliated and sunk the destroyer in turn.

frankincense commenced the not bad Pacific War, or as many now call it"The War of Empires."On December 7, 1941, a hostile Congress, whipped into a frenzy by a small handful of anti-Japanese fanatic declared war on the Empire of Japan and directed chair President Truman to lead the war until ‘ unconditioned capitulation of the Empire of Nippon occurred.'

Seeing the chance for territorial addition and greater influence across the Pacific Ocean, on Dec 10 and 11, France and England joined the United States in declaring war upon the Nipponese for ‘ law-breaking of such magnitude as to defy usual good sense or decency.'

Everyone expected the Japanese Empire would fall by the end of 1942, and architectural plan were already being prepared for the segmentation of the home islands. Germany declared disinterest in the matter, as did Russian Federation ; though both had supplying extra engineering and resource to Japan in secret to prepare the war-ending means…

Three long and bloody age of extend struggle resulted in Isoroku Yamamoto bringing victory for the conglomerate of Japan ; seven critical naval and land conflict ended in Japanese Islands's favor, with the last pact ending the war leaving Japan in monomania of Indo-China, component of India and Ceylon, and most of the Pacific. Though the Philippine's were restored to United States after they were to be declared ‘ electroneutral territory.'

Many historiographer have learned that the repose was wrought with an unspoken threat from Japan to unleash the new super-weapon they had developed and tested just before their final military victory - the nuclear turkey. In a private diplomatic cable length to the drawing card of USA, England and France, Emperor Michinomiya Hirohito stated if the home islands were attacked, the new ‘ super dud'would be used in retaliation upon the offending allied nation.

In due time the wintertime War will go into history, but it will not be forgotten as the time when a Democratic Carry Nation dared to do the impossible and within that war, the actions of Nikkei and Stephen changed the world forever. Thus comes to a finish the legend of the Snow Fox.


( fin