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CSRF Support Station Kitezh, Island of Kitezh, Sibir Special Administrative Region
Artem Rakovsky silently cursed the day the Generalissimus decided the tiny island of Kitezh would make an ideal government retreat. Named by Novgorod explorers for a legendary Rus town which vanished into the sea in the face of the invading Khazar hordes it was best described as small, cold and barren. The island wasn't even charted by topographers until the 30's and after that remained forgotten for decades.
Not until the Slavian Soviet Republic began testing nuclear weapons was it remembered. The remote island was identified as an ideal place for the detonation of nuclear devices safely away from prying eyes. The island was taken over by the then newly formed Rocket Forces and a test range was constructed. It was not to be though as the difficulty of accessing the island coupled with concerns that the tests could be monitored from international waters led to the plan being scrapped in favor of test ranges deep inside Sibir.
The island languished for years under nominal Rocket Forces administration. It enjoyed a brief stint as a missile target range which too was scrapped after a missile went long and sunk into the ocean. Fearful that such debris could be recovered by foreign submarines the range was closed and the island was again forgotten.
It was not until the late 1990's that the Island was again remembered. For reasons unclear to any but himself the Generalissimus asked the Military Construction Corps of the General Staff to evaluate the feasibility of building a personnel retreat on the island. They complied and upon confirming the feasibility of the project and presenting a draft plan for the facility the Generalissimus ordered they begin immediately.
The project was highly classified from it's inception and so the Island remained nominally under CSRF control with all work done under the CSRF mantle. And so a few years and many billions of karbovanets later much to the Generalissimuses satisfaction and all others confusion the MCC rolled out CSRF Support Station Kitezh complete with luxurious retreat, bunker, airfield, security garrison, docks and everything else the island might need along with the new bases the Coastal Defense Corps, Interior Corps and CADF would use to defend the region.
In truth Artem understood the attraction of the island. Unpleasant as it was it was perhaps the most secure and isloated location in the Commandry. Nothing approached this island without the permission of it's wardens and Artem knew Tarassenko was deeply involved in all aspects of the Islands security. It was the Generalissimuses fortress, secure from all threats foreign or domestic.
Artem was the second highest ranking officer in the Commandry, but even he needed special permission to set foot on the island. The only reason he was here now was because the situation in Freiheit had deteriorated rapidly and the SHC and GSAFC were clamoring for action. Why Tarassenko had brought him here instead of simply returning to the capital... Artem had no idea. Being the go between for the Generalissimus and the rest of the government had it's benefits though so he wasn't inclined to ask to many questions.
"What, Artem, is so important that you came all this way to disturb me?"
Outwardly Tarassenko appeared relaxed, disinterested, bored even. But Artem knew him to well to be fooled. He had no doubt the Generalissimus was already fully briefed on what had brought him here. He also knew the air of boredom was a mask for a mind that was razor sharp, constantly alert and endlessly planning. "The SHC and the General Staff are concerned sir. They are concerned about the situation in Freiheit, they are concerned about your decision to greenlight the sale of weapons to the Otchi rebels, they are concerned about the possibility of Carentania expanding it's influence in the region and they are concerned about the fate of Freiheits nuclear weapons."
Tarassenko's face showed no discernible reaction. "Unsurprising. The Officers again lack vision. When you return tell them the situation is under control. Tell them if they cannot see the objective they need only to have faith" he smirked at that "But tell me Artem, what do you think of the situation in Freiheit?"
Artem knew were this was going. "I trust your judgment on the situation sir... but I am concerned the Otchi rebellion might interfere with the transfer of nuclear weapons to our custody. I also share the concern that Carentania might interfere in the country and expand it's influence to our detriment."
Tarassenko remained inscrutable. "I am not a gambling man Artem, but if I made a bet I would say the Otchi already have those weapons..." Artem couldn't help but raise his eyebrow at that, was he just guessing or did he know something Artem didn't? "...which is a shame really. Securing those weapons would have been quite the propaganda coup. But our mission in Freiheit has not failed. The parameters have changed but success is still within reach."
Artem's mind scrambled for an answer. Trying to keep up with the Generalissimus's leaps of logic was always a challenge as often that logic seemed to exist only in his mind. This one he think he had though "Carentania Sir?"
Tarassenko smiled. "That's why you have this job you know. The SHC would take weeks of bickering to figure that out. Carentania must be watched closely, but they could open a new world of opportunities for us in the west. When you return tell this to the SHC, the GSAFC and tell this to the Sarmatian King."
"...Sir?"
"Oh you were not informed? How unfortunate..." Artem didn't believe for a minute anything here was unfortunate, far more likely just the opposite. "...you will be representing the Commandry at the coronation of the Sarmatians new king or emperor or whatever. They could do many things for us so of course I expect you to make a good impression."
More diplomacy? Inside Artem was groaning but he knew what this opportunity represented. "I will not fail sir. After I will brief the SHC I will prepare immediately for departure."
"See that you do"
Artem Rakovsky silently cursed the day the Generalissimus decided the tiny island of Kitezh would make an ideal government retreat. Named by Novgorod explorers for a legendary Rus town which vanished into the sea in the face of the invading Khazar hordes it was best described as small, cold and barren. The island wasn't even charted by topographers until the 30's and after that remained forgotten for decades.
Not until the Slavian Soviet Republic began testing nuclear weapons was it remembered. The remote island was identified as an ideal place for the detonation of nuclear devices safely away from prying eyes. The island was taken over by the then newly formed Rocket Forces and a test range was constructed. It was not to be though as the difficulty of accessing the island coupled with concerns that the tests could be monitored from international waters led to the plan being scrapped in favor of test ranges deep inside Sibir.
The island languished for years under nominal Rocket Forces administration. It enjoyed a brief stint as a missile target range which too was scrapped after a missile went long and sunk into the ocean. Fearful that such debris could be recovered by foreign submarines the range was closed and the island was again forgotten.
It was not until the late 1990's that the Island was again remembered. For reasons unclear to any but himself the Generalissimus asked the Military Construction Corps of the General Staff to evaluate the feasibility of building a personnel retreat on the island. They complied and upon confirming the feasibility of the project and presenting a draft plan for the facility the Generalissimus ordered they begin immediately.
The project was highly classified from it's inception and so the Island remained nominally under CSRF control with all work done under the CSRF mantle. And so a few years and many billions of karbovanets later much to the Generalissimuses satisfaction and all others confusion the MCC rolled out CSRF Support Station Kitezh complete with luxurious retreat, bunker, airfield, security garrison, docks and everything else the island might need along with the new bases the Coastal Defense Corps, Interior Corps and CADF would use to defend the region.
In truth Artem understood the attraction of the island. Unpleasant as it was it was perhaps the most secure and isloated location in the Commandry. Nothing approached this island without the permission of it's wardens and Artem knew Tarassenko was deeply involved in all aspects of the Islands security. It was the Generalissimuses fortress, secure from all threats foreign or domestic.
Artem was the second highest ranking officer in the Commandry, but even he needed special permission to set foot on the island. The only reason he was here now was because the situation in Freiheit had deteriorated rapidly and the SHC and GSAFC were clamoring for action. Why Tarassenko had brought him here instead of simply returning to the capital... Artem had no idea. Being the go between for the Generalissimus and the rest of the government had it's benefits though so he wasn't inclined to ask to many questions.
"What, Artem, is so important that you came all this way to disturb me?"
Outwardly Tarassenko appeared relaxed, disinterested, bored even. But Artem knew him to well to be fooled. He had no doubt the Generalissimus was already fully briefed on what had brought him here. He also knew the air of boredom was a mask for a mind that was razor sharp, constantly alert and endlessly planning. "The SHC and the General Staff are concerned sir. They are concerned about the situation in Freiheit, they are concerned about your decision to greenlight the sale of weapons to the Otchi rebels, they are concerned about the possibility of Carentania expanding it's influence in the region and they are concerned about the fate of Freiheits nuclear weapons."
Tarassenko's face showed no discernible reaction. "Unsurprising. The Officers again lack vision. When you return tell them the situation is under control. Tell them if they cannot see the objective they need only to have faith" he smirked at that "But tell me Artem, what do you think of the situation in Freiheit?"
Artem knew were this was going. "I trust your judgment on the situation sir... but I am concerned the Otchi rebellion might interfere with the transfer of nuclear weapons to our custody. I also share the concern that Carentania might interfere in the country and expand it's influence to our detriment."
Tarassenko remained inscrutable. "I am not a gambling man Artem, but if I made a bet I would say the Otchi already have those weapons..." Artem couldn't help but raise his eyebrow at that, was he just guessing or did he know something Artem didn't? "...which is a shame really. Securing those weapons would have been quite the propaganda coup. But our mission in Freiheit has not failed. The parameters have changed but success is still within reach."
Artem's mind scrambled for an answer. Trying to keep up with the Generalissimus's leaps of logic was always a challenge as often that logic seemed to exist only in his mind. This one he think he had though "Carentania Sir?"
Tarassenko smiled. "That's why you have this job you know. The SHC would take weeks of bickering to figure that out. Carentania must be watched closely, but they could open a new world of opportunities for us in the west. When you return tell this to the SHC, the GSAFC and tell this to the Sarmatian King."
"...Sir?"
"Oh you were not informed? How unfortunate..." Artem didn't believe for a minute anything here was unfortunate, far more likely just the opposite. "...you will be representing the Commandry at the coronation of the Sarmatians new king or emperor or whatever. They could do many things for us so of course I expect you to make a good impression."
More diplomacy? Inside Artem was groaning but he knew what this opportunity represented. "I will not fail sir. After I will brief the SHC I will prepare immediately for departure."
"See that you do"