Post by Nemo on Jul 3, 2007 19:15:49 GMT -5
Part III
Chapter 21
Unfortunately for the Americans, the mood was about the same in the Kremlin in Moscow. The Russian Czar called a meeting with his top officials to discuss the recent and joyous development. For them.
“Gentlemen!” Said the Czar once they had filed in and sat down. “I am sure you all know why we are here, despite the fact that that information was labeled top secret.” He said this with a congenial grin. “Recent intelligence has turned up the location of the renegade Americans’ base.”
The corpulent Czar viewed the gleeful expressions on his officers’ faces before continuing. “It is located in the southern pacific ocean at the coordinates (censored by DOD). Any questions?” He asked.
“What is the nature of this island base?” Asked one man.
“Funny you should ask that, actually.” Said the Czar. “We are told that the base is built right into a dormant volcano. We think that the dense rock prevented us from detecting their presence.”
“What defenses does this volcano base have, other than the obvious advantages of entrenchment and high ground?” Asked a military minded man.
“We are not entirely sure of that,” Replied the Czar uncomfortably. “But since we have encountered their forces in the past, we believe them to be highly formidable, and are taking no chances on this operation.”
The same man spoke up again. “You say that we are taking no chances.” He said. “How strong will our strike force be for destroying their troublesome base?”
The Czar gave a wide smile and said “We will hit them with our entire Pacific fleet, all 2396 ships.”
“Who gave us this information sir?” Asked a young advisor.
“We need not worry about that,” Said the Czar, grinning evilly, “Our informant is dead now.”
Chapter 22
Vorian and Xavier were deep in discussion about the attack on Moscow, the Russian Capitol, when Beowulf burst in on them. “I was thinking more along the lines of using the hovercraft as support fire than purely offensive.” Said Vorian.
Xavier shook his head. “Vorian, the hovercrafts are quite powerful. Use them as a-”
“Vorian, Xavier!” Shouted Beowulf. “We have a very bad problem! Vorian and Xavier stopped arguing and looked at him, dumbfounded. “The Russians have been informed of our base location.” He said.
The two generals exchanged shocked looks. “How did this happen?” Asked Xavier, barely containing himself.
“You remember that Norwegian janitor who worked in the command center, name of Ole or Sven?” Asked Beowulf.
“Sure, he was an agreeable sort of fellow.” Said Vorian uncertainly.
“Well, he was found dead in his room, with evidence that he was also an agreeable sort of traitor. He died of a remote-controlled clotting of the jugular vein by a chip in his neck, with a Russian codebook in one hand and a personal radio transmitter in the other. Convinced?”
They both looked about as convinced as could be. “Have you detected any ships heading toward us?” Asked Xavier, looking much calmer now.
Beowulf sighed. “Indeed we have.” Replied Beowulf. “There are over two thousand three hundred battleships sailing south from a base on the Kamchatka peninsula. Our intelligence reports that the flagship even has an “Iron Curtain” shield.”
“Well, I guess I got to leave the base last time.” Said Xavier grimly. “Our plans need to be put into action now on Moscow or our work will have been for nothing. Vorian, you will carry out the attack on Moscow and I will stay to guard the base.”
Vorian was very unhappy. “But, Xavier! Defending this base-” Vorian said, slapping the rock wall “Against two-thousand ships is suicide! You’d never make it!”
Xavier remained calm. “Vorian, this base is vital to the war, even as a diversion for the Moscow assault.” He said. “We can’t just discard it. Even if we wanted to, we do not have sufficient time to evacuate and start the self-destruct system. The best course of action is to go out fighting.”
Vorian sighed and looked resigned. “I guess so. I’d better use the time when they’re focused on this base to direct the attack on Moscow.”
Chapter 23
Five hours later, Vorian was near Moscow’s suburbs, and was armed for bear. He was commanding from a cruiser that was “parked” in a Russian farmer’s unused field. Ten mammoths were seated beside his cruiser, waiting for others to come so that they could go into battle. There were lines of ground units as far as the eye could see and the air was thick with the fleets of every type of aircraft conceivable.
A line of twenty mammoths appeared on the horizon, just on time. Vorian was worried that this was not enough of a force and was discussing it with his right hand officer. “Are you sure this is a large enough force to take on the power of the Russian capitol?” Asked Vorian anxiously.
The officer rolled his eyes replied, “Sir, his force is apocalyptic. We could take on the armies of the titans and still win.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” Said Vorian. “I should pull my self together before the battle.”
The officer studied a screen. “Better get it together quickly, commander.” Said the officer. “The last batch of the mammoths just arrived. The total count of major weaponry is thirty-five mammoths, twenty-two corncob cruisers, one hundred and five battle blimps, and assorted hovercrafts, tanks, and aircraft.”
Vorian wondered how Xavier was doing and if the base was under attack yet. Shaking the thoughts off, Vorian ordered, “All units advance!” As he said this, he took the controls of his own cruiser and felt the roar as it launched into the air.
Chapter 24
At the volcano, Xavier was preparing for every possible form of attack of siege to the base. “Has emergency power been routed o the tesla coils and electromagnetic defense system?” Xavier yelled across the command center.
“All done sir. How shall we deploy the naval forces?” Asked an officer.
“How are the Russians coming, which direction?” Asked Xavier.
“All from the north, sir.”
“Send all the subs out and send all naval units to the back of the base, away from the way the Russians are coming. I have an idea.” Said Xavier. “Place an atomic bomb in the sub entrance tunnel and close off the inner entrance.” He looked around and spied a cruiser hanging above the command center. “Block it with a corncob cruiser from the hanger.”
Within five minutes, he saw a cruiser drop down outside of a window and splash into the water. “Good job. Let’s wait to use that till they come a bit closer.” The general said. “Start draining the oil pools and make a ring of fire.”
Flames blossomed all around, about a hundred meters from the base of the volcano as the oil hit the oxygen and burst instantaneously into flame. The oil fires served the dual purpose of being hot enough to melt the hulls of the ships and creating a very effective smokescreen. “Let’s see the Russians get through this!” Said Xavier enthusiastically.
Chapter 25
The American forces came into view of Moscow as they emerged from behind a ridge looking down on the city. Moscow was a huge metropolis, spreading almost to the horizon. In the dreary city, two buildings stood out among the others. These two buildings were St. Basil’s cathedral, its colorful spires pointing up at the sky, and the Kremlin, a dark sentinel towering above the city. A moment after they were in view of the city, a red, pulsing bubble expanded to enclose a sizable portion of the city.
“The “Iron Curtain” appears to be emanating from the Kremlin sir. It’s only covering about a quarter of the city.” His first officer said.
“Drat!” Said Vorian. “I guess we should have been expecting that. Oh well, we still have most of the city to conquer. Our main objectives should be the industrial sector in the north, the two command centers here and here,” He pointed to a map, “And the defense cannons here, here, here, here, and here. Send the cruisers to the industrial sector. I’m sure they can use the scrap metal.”
While the corncob cruiser went to harvest metal from the Russian industries, the mammoths plodded over the take out the city defense cannons. The cannons were, ironically, built in Maginot line style as turrets with subterranean barbettes and were as tough as nails against the mammoths.
A directed volley from the awesome cannons hit one mammoth square on the side, creating a power overload in the nuclear reactor and blowing its head apart. One well-aimed laser blast from a mammoth partially decapitated a turret and melted both of its barrels shut, causing it to go sky high when it tried to fire. Aside from the one destroyed mammoth and a few lost limbs, the cannons were dispatched easily.
The heads were detached and rolled right past the two command centers’ defenses and delivered soldiers directly to their doors. The soldiers took every officer in the two centers prisoner before they could even react.
Chapter 26
Out in the Pacific Ocean, the Russians were not doing as well at the Americans’ main base as the Americans were doing at theirs. When the first Russian ships had crossed the ring of fire, Xavier thought it was time to show them some power. “Arm the atom bomb and detonate on my mark.” Xavier ordered. “Mark!”
A dull “boom” echoed in the command center and a giant wall of water rose from the side of the base and roared over the ships, totally engulfing the first hundred or so, before hitting the reef that encircled the volcano and subsiding.
The wreckage foundered for a moment before hitting the reef sinking entirely beneath the waves. “All ships and submarines move in on the Russians.” Ordered the general. “Give them all you’ve got!”
The Russians and Americans clashed about a hundred meters from the base of the volcano; one of the Russian ships spouted a tongue of flame as a torpedo hit it in the engine room. Once it began to sink and other ships did too, a splash came up as one of the Russian ships’ torpedoes struck home, hitting one of the unseen destroying machines. After a short time, both the American subs and ships were destroyed by the overwhelmingly greater Russian forces, but not before sending at least one Russian ship to the depths each.
The Russians that survived the oil and American craft proceeded onward and got quite a shock up close to the base. A thunderclap resounded as one of the tesla coils discharged its lightning bolt at a Russian ship, frying its crew and causing it to run into the volcano’s base and sink. The tesla coils recharged their static energy in about half a minute and zapped again, incapacitating whole ships with each jolt.
“Keep it up men.” Said Xavier. “ Launch all aircraft.” His eyes glanced over at the self-destruct switch, but he shook off the thought. We may still win, he thought. Just as he thought this, the Russians seemed to realize the tesla coils’ weakness. The Russian ships pulled back and a swarm of aircraft came from one ship, coming up and blowing up the tesla coils with minimal force. The Americans’ last line of defense breached, the Russians moved in and docked on the rocky base of the volcano, cutting into the rock until they reached the factory tunnels.
Xavier grabbed an intercom microphone. “All personnel, the Russians have breached our defenses, I repeat, the Russians have breached our defenses. All personnel take arms and prepare for internal assault.”
As he had ordered, he took a semi-automatic side arm and stuck it in his holster. The Russians proceeded slowly, but surely up from the factory levels to the labs to the hangers, all the way they were harassed and slowed by American forces who had entrenched themselves in the corridors. They even encountered a mad janitor who tried to attack them with a mop.
Suddenly, Xavier heard harsh Russian voices outside the door of the command center. Thump! They were breaking down the door! Xavier’s eyes darted to the self-destruct switch. He dashed over, flipped up the cover, and pulled the switch. A deep rumble shook the structure as the remote bombs detonated deep inside the volcano, shattering the magma plug and allowing the pent up lava to emerge.
Knowing it would take a minute or so for the volcano to erupt, Xavier kneeled behind a desk and leveled his gun, pointing it at the door. “Let them come!” He growled through gritted teeth. “We will die, but it will be for the freedom of America!”
The door crashed inward and three Russian soldiers burst in, followed by many more. “Open fire!” Shouted Xavier. The gunshots rang out and killed the first few soldiers. Xavier continued firing right up until the lava engulfed the command center and incinerated it instantly. If any officer had ever done his duty, Xavier did and died with honor, doing his utmost in the line of duty right up to his dying moment. His last thought was that Vorian would be proud.
Chapter 27
If anyone had been around to watch the fireworks caused by the volcano’s eruption, they would have been really impressed. The lava spewed out of the top in an enormous wave for almost a minute, engulfing all the ships docked around the base, including the flagship, which had let its shield down.
Due to convection currents inside the caldera, the hydroponics garden that capped the volcano was blown off before the lava even reached it. Once it had been blown sky-high, it fell back down like a parachute and was vaporized in the deluge of lava.
Due to tunneling and the stress of the atom bomb, the northern wall of the volcano developed deep fractures and began to spew lava from various newly opened cracks. As its structural integrity weakened, the entire northern wall crumbled and poured our lava from the caldera reservoir, destroying almost the entire fleet like a wall of liquid flame.
The submarine tunnel, now unplugged, allowed lava to roll out of it, ramping up outside to make a large, obsidian promontory about fifty-five meters from the volcano. When the carnage had ceased, all that was left of the once proud volcano-fort was a smoking ruin with a giant concave cliff that came to a point on one side and low, semi-circular wall on the other with the promontory viewing it all.
Chapter 28
In Moscow, Vorian was just getting the news of the defeat of their main Pacific base. “Satellite imagery has confirmed it, sir.” An officer told Vorian. “Our base has been destroyed, but it took every last one of the Russians to depths with it.” Vorian sat quietly in the command seat of his cruiser. “Were there any survivors?” He asked solemnly. The officer looked uncomfortable. “We haven’t found any yet, sir.” Said the officer.
Suddenly, a mad fire glinted in Vorian’s eyes and he grabbed the controls of the cruiser, flying them toward the “Iron Curtain” field. He grinned with a trace of insanity and said “I have an idea to make those Russians very scared.” Once they were directly over the shield, he flew the cruiser high up into the air, then brought them crashing back down like a hammer onto the “Iron Curtain”.
“What are you doing?” Shouted the officer, obviously thinking that Vorian had totally lost his mind. The general grinned again before bringing them back down again and knocking the officer off his feet. “The trick of this shield is that it takes all the energy put into it on one side and redirects the energy around its surface to go out the other side.” Said Vorian, bringing the cruiser down again. “The Russian will soon realize that that section of the city is swiftly sinking below the ground.”
The officer continued to stand, or rather lie, there dumbly until Vorian gave him a sharp glance and snapped, “Get up, get on the radio, and call some other cruisers to help us! We’re making about an inch a hit and at that rate, our lower hull will break before we can squeeze a surrender out of the Russians!” The Officer quickly scrambled to the radio station and began calling for assistance, as ordered.
Chapter 29
In the swiftly sinking city of Moscow, The Russians were experiencing a strange side effect of the “Iron Curtain”, utter silence. This was because the shield absorbed the energy in the sound vibrations from one side of itself and redirected it out the other. An interesting effect on those inside, but an inconsequential one for the attackers outside.
The Czar called a meeting of he senior staff in the Kremlin. He stood at the head of the table, not bothering to sit down. “Everyone here knows that we are under attack.” Said the Czar briskly, obviously losing his nerve. “I want details and options on the table now!”
The officials glanced nervously at each other, fearful of their leader’s rage and questionable sanity. “They’re pounding on top of the shield’s dome, sir.” Replied one man quickly. “We cannot be hurt inside of it, but they are steadily driving us into the ground. If this continues for too long, we will not be able to lower the shield again for fear of the ground collapsing and crushing us beneath it.”
The Czar looked forlornly around the table at his officials’ stony faces. “Options?” He asked in a high pitched, quavering tone.
A brave young advisor answered the obvious, “Surrender.”
Chapter 30
“How far have we dug their grave?” Asked Vorian as he brought the cruiser back up.
“Six feet, two inches, sir.” Replied the officer at the radio.
Vorian paused to think for a moment. “I suppose that’s enough for them to get the picture. Tell the other cruisers to lay off for awhile and give the Russians a chance to surrender.” Ordered Vorian.
The Officer did as he was ordered and the relentless pounding of the cruisers ceased. “Sir!” Said the officer after waiting a few minutes. “I’m picking up a surrender from the Russians!”
“Very good.” Said Vorian. “Put the Czar on the line so that I can deliver our ultimatum.” An hour later, Vorian had a signed treaty from the Czar himself that agreed to their surrender and the immediate removal of all Russian troops from America. “Well,” Said Vorian softly as he exited the Kremlin, “We’ve won the war. I hope Xavier is proud.”
Epilogue
After the war was over, all Russian invaders in America were shipped to Hungary before taking transports back to Russia. Vorian was promoted to five-star general and make the supreme commander of all American forces. Xavier was given an honorary promotion to five-star general and several posthumous medals for valor, including the Purple Heart. Vorian made it his first official act as five-star general to erect a memorial on the promontory that was created in the volcano’s eruption. The memorial was dedicated by Vorian to Xavier and all those who had died in the war to rescue to America.
Chapter 21
Unfortunately for the Americans, the mood was about the same in the Kremlin in Moscow. The Russian Czar called a meeting with his top officials to discuss the recent and joyous development. For them.
“Gentlemen!” Said the Czar once they had filed in and sat down. “I am sure you all know why we are here, despite the fact that that information was labeled top secret.” He said this with a congenial grin. “Recent intelligence has turned up the location of the renegade Americans’ base.”
The corpulent Czar viewed the gleeful expressions on his officers’ faces before continuing. “It is located in the southern pacific ocean at the coordinates (censored by DOD). Any questions?” He asked.
“What is the nature of this island base?” Asked one man.
“Funny you should ask that, actually.” Said the Czar. “We are told that the base is built right into a dormant volcano. We think that the dense rock prevented us from detecting their presence.”
“What defenses does this volcano base have, other than the obvious advantages of entrenchment and high ground?” Asked a military minded man.
“We are not entirely sure of that,” Replied the Czar uncomfortably. “But since we have encountered their forces in the past, we believe them to be highly formidable, and are taking no chances on this operation.”
The same man spoke up again. “You say that we are taking no chances.” He said. “How strong will our strike force be for destroying their troublesome base?”
The Czar gave a wide smile and said “We will hit them with our entire Pacific fleet, all 2396 ships.”
“Who gave us this information sir?” Asked a young advisor.
“We need not worry about that,” Said the Czar, grinning evilly, “Our informant is dead now.”
Chapter 22
Vorian and Xavier were deep in discussion about the attack on Moscow, the Russian Capitol, when Beowulf burst in on them. “I was thinking more along the lines of using the hovercraft as support fire than purely offensive.” Said Vorian.
Xavier shook his head. “Vorian, the hovercrafts are quite powerful. Use them as a-”
“Vorian, Xavier!” Shouted Beowulf. “We have a very bad problem! Vorian and Xavier stopped arguing and looked at him, dumbfounded. “The Russians have been informed of our base location.” He said.
The two generals exchanged shocked looks. “How did this happen?” Asked Xavier, barely containing himself.
“You remember that Norwegian janitor who worked in the command center, name of Ole or Sven?” Asked Beowulf.
“Sure, he was an agreeable sort of fellow.” Said Vorian uncertainly.
“Well, he was found dead in his room, with evidence that he was also an agreeable sort of traitor. He died of a remote-controlled clotting of the jugular vein by a chip in his neck, with a Russian codebook in one hand and a personal radio transmitter in the other. Convinced?”
They both looked about as convinced as could be. “Have you detected any ships heading toward us?” Asked Xavier, looking much calmer now.
Beowulf sighed. “Indeed we have.” Replied Beowulf. “There are over two thousand three hundred battleships sailing south from a base on the Kamchatka peninsula. Our intelligence reports that the flagship even has an “Iron Curtain” shield.”
“Well, I guess I got to leave the base last time.” Said Xavier grimly. “Our plans need to be put into action now on Moscow or our work will have been for nothing. Vorian, you will carry out the attack on Moscow and I will stay to guard the base.”
Vorian was very unhappy. “But, Xavier! Defending this base-” Vorian said, slapping the rock wall “Against two-thousand ships is suicide! You’d never make it!”
Xavier remained calm. “Vorian, this base is vital to the war, even as a diversion for the Moscow assault.” He said. “We can’t just discard it. Even if we wanted to, we do not have sufficient time to evacuate and start the self-destruct system. The best course of action is to go out fighting.”
Vorian sighed and looked resigned. “I guess so. I’d better use the time when they’re focused on this base to direct the attack on Moscow.”
Chapter 23
Five hours later, Vorian was near Moscow’s suburbs, and was armed for bear. He was commanding from a cruiser that was “parked” in a Russian farmer’s unused field. Ten mammoths were seated beside his cruiser, waiting for others to come so that they could go into battle. There were lines of ground units as far as the eye could see and the air was thick with the fleets of every type of aircraft conceivable.
A line of twenty mammoths appeared on the horizon, just on time. Vorian was worried that this was not enough of a force and was discussing it with his right hand officer. “Are you sure this is a large enough force to take on the power of the Russian capitol?” Asked Vorian anxiously.
The officer rolled his eyes replied, “Sir, his force is apocalyptic. We could take on the armies of the titans and still win.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” Said Vorian. “I should pull my self together before the battle.”
The officer studied a screen. “Better get it together quickly, commander.” Said the officer. “The last batch of the mammoths just arrived. The total count of major weaponry is thirty-five mammoths, twenty-two corncob cruisers, one hundred and five battle blimps, and assorted hovercrafts, tanks, and aircraft.”
Vorian wondered how Xavier was doing and if the base was under attack yet. Shaking the thoughts off, Vorian ordered, “All units advance!” As he said this, he took the controls of his own cruiser and felt the roar as it launched into the air.
Chapter 24
At the volcano, Xavier was preparing for every possible form of attack of siege to the base. “Has emergency power been routed o the tesla coils and electromagnetic defense system?” Xavier yelled across the command center.
“All done sir. How shall we deploy the naval forces?” Asked an officer.
“How are the Russians coming, which direction?” Asked Xavier.
“All from the north, sir.”
“Send all the subs out and send all naval units to the back of the base, away from the way the Russians are coming. I have an idea.” Said Xavier. “Place an atomic bomb in the sub entrance tunnel and close off the inner entrance.” He looked around and spied a cruiser hanging above the command center. “Block it with a corncob cruiser from the hanger.”
Within five minutes, he saw a cruiser drop down outside of a window and splash into the water. “Good job. Let’s wait to use that till they come a bit closer.” The general said. “Start draining the oil pools and make a ring of fire.”
Flames blossomed all around, about a hundred meters from the base of the volcano as the oil hit the oxygen and burst instantaneously into flame. The oil fires served the dual purpose of being hot enough to melt the hulls of the ships and creating a very effective smokescreen. “Let’s see the Russians get through this!” Said Xavier enthusiastically.
Chapter 25
The American forces came into view of Moscow as they emerged from behind a ridge looking down on the city. Moscow was a huge metropolis, spreading almost to the horizon. In the dreary city, two buildings stood out among the others. These two buildings were St. Basil’s cathedral, its colorful spires pointing up at the sky, and the Kremlin, a dark sentinel towering above the city. A moment after they were in view of the city, a red, pulsing bubble expanded to enclose a sizable portion of the city.
“The “Iron Curtain” appears to be emanating from the Kremlin sir. It’s only covering about a quarter of the city.” His first officer said.
“Drat!” Said Vorian. “I guess we should have been expecting that. Oh well, we still have most of the city to conquer. Our main objectives should be the industrial sector in the north, the two command centers here and here,” He pointed to a map, “And the defense cannons here, here, here, here, and here. Send the cruisers to the industrial sector. I’m sure they can use the scrap metal.”
While the corncob cruiser went to harvest metal from the Russian industries, the mammoths plodded over the take out the city defense cannons. The cannons were, ironically, built in Maginot line style as turrets with subterranean barbettes and were as tough as nails against the mammoths.
A directed volley from the awesome cannons hit one mammoth square on the side, creating a power overload in the nuclear reactor and blowing its head apart. One well-aimed laser blast from a mammoth partially decapitated a turret and melted both of its barrels shut, causing it to go sky high when it tried to fire. Aside from the one destroyed mammoth and a few lost limbs, the cannons were dispatched easily.
The heads were detached and rolled right past the two command centers’ defenses and delivered soldiers directly to their doors. The soldiers took every officer in the two centers prisoner before they could even react.
Chapter 26
Out in the Pacific Ocean, the Russians were not doing as well at the Americans’ main base as the Americans were doing at theirs. When the first Russian ships had crossed the ring of fire, Xavier thought it was time to show them some power. “Arm the atom bomb and detonate on my mark.” Xavier ordered. “Mark!”
A dull “boom” echoed in the command center and a giant wall of water rose from the side of the base and roared over the ships, totally engulfing the first hundred or so, before hitting the reef that encircled the volcano and subsiding.
The wreckage foundered for a moment before hitting the reef sinking entirely beneath the waves. “All ships and submarines move in on the Russians.” Ordered the general. “Give them all you’ve got!”
The Russians and Americans clashed about a hundred meters from the base of the volcano; one of the Russian ships spouted a tongue of flame as a torpedo hit it in the engine room. Once it began to sink and other ships did too, a splash came up as one of the Russian ships’ torpedoes struck home, hitting one of the unseen destroying machines. After a short time, both the American subs and ships were destroyed by the overwhelmingly greater Russian forces, but not before sending at least one Russian ship to the depths each.
The Russians that survived the oil and American craft proceeded onward and got quite a shock up close to the base. A thunderclap resounded as one of the tesla coils discharged its lightning bolt at a Russian ship, frying its crew and causing it to run into the volcano’s base and sink. The tesla coils recharged their static energy in about half a minute and zapped again, incapacitating whole ships with each jolt.
“Keep it up men.” Said Xavier. “ Launch all aircraft.” His eyes glanced over at the self-destruct switch, but he shook off the thought. We may still win, he thought. Just as he thought this, the Russians seemed to realize the tesla coils’ weakness. The Russian ships pulled back and a swarm of aircraft came from one ship, coming up and blowing up the tesla coils with minimal force. The Americans’ last line of defense breached, the Russians moved in and docked on the rocky base of the volcano, cutting into the rock until they reached the factory tunnels.
Xavier grabbed an intercom microphone. “All personnel, the Russians have breached our defenses, I repeat, the Russians have breached our defenses. All personnel take arms and prepare for internal assault.”
As he had ordered, he took a semi-automatic side arm and stuck it in his holster. The Russians proceeded slowly, but surely up from the factory levels to the labs to the hangers, all the way they were harassed and slowed by American forces who had entrenched themselves in the corridors. They even encountered a mad janitor who tried to attack them with a mop.
Suddenly, Xavier heard harsh Russian voices outside the door of the command center. Thump! They were breaking down the door! Xavier’s eyes darted to the self-destruct switch. He dashed over, flipped up the cover, and pulled the switch. A deep rumble shook the structure as the remote bombs detonated deep inside the volcano, shattering the magma plug and allowing the pent up lava to emerge.
Knowing it would take a minute or so for the volcano to erupt, Xavier kneeled behind a desk and leveled his gun, pointing it at the door. “Let them come!” He growled through gritted teeth. “We will die, but it will be for the freedom of America!”
The door crashed inward and three Russian soldiers burst in, followed by many more. “Open fire!” Shouted Xavier. The gunshots rang out and killed the first few soldiers. Xavier continued firing right up until the lava engulfed the command center and incinerated it instantly. If any officer had ever done his duty, Xavier did and died with honor, doing his utmost in the line of duty right up to his dying moment. His last thought was that Vorian would be proud.
Chapter 27
If anyone had been around to watch the fireworks caused by the volcano’s eruption, they would have been really impressed. The lava spewed out of the top in an enormous wave for almost a minute, engulfing all the ships docked around the base, including the flagship, which had let its shield down.
Due to convection currents inside the caldera, the hydroponics garden that capped the volcano was blown off before the lava even reached it. Once it had been blown sky-high, it fell back down like a parachute and was vaporized in the deluge of lava.
Due to tunneling and the stress of the atom bomb, the northern wall of the volcano developed deep fractures and began to spew lava from various newly opened cracks. As its structural integrity weakened, the entire northern wall crumbled and poured our lava from the caldera reservoir, destroying almost the entire fleet like a wall of liquid flame.
The submarine tunnel, now unplugged, allowed lava to roll out of it, ramping up outside to make a large, obsidian promontory about fifty-five meters from the volcano. When the carnage had ceased, all that was left of the once proud volcano-fort was a smoking ruin with a giant concave cliff that came to a point on one side and low, semi-circular wall on the other with the promontory viewing it all.
Chapter 28
In Moscow, Vorian was just getting the news of the defeat of their main Pacific base. “Satellite imagery has confirmed it, sir.” An officer told Vorian. “Our base has been destroyed, but it took every last one of the Russians to depths with it.” Vorian sat quietly in the command seat of his cruiser. “Were there any survivors?” He asked solemnly. The officer looked uncomfortable. “We haven’t found any yet, sir.” Said the officer.
Suddenly, a mad fire glinted in Vorian’s eyes and he grabbed the controls of the cruiser, flying them toward the “Iron Curtain” field. He grinned with a trace of insanity and said “I have an idea to make those Russians very scared.” Once they were directly over the shield, he flew the cruiser high up into the air, then brought them crashing back down like a hammer onto the “Iron Curtain”.
“What are you doing?” Shouted the officer, obviously thinking that Vorian had totally lost his mind. The general grinned again before bringing them back down again and knocking the officer off his feet. “The trick of this shield is that it takes all the energy put into it on one side and redirects the energy around its surface to go out the other side.” Said Vorian, bringing the cruiser down again. “The Russian will soon realize that that section of the city is swiftly sinking below the ground.”
The officer continued to stand, or rather lie, there dumbly until Vorian gave him a sharp glance and snapped, “Get up, get on the radio, and call some other cruisers to help us! We’re making about an inch a hit and at that rate, our lower hull will break before we can squeeze a surrender out of the Russians!” The Officer quickly scrambled to the radio station and began calling for assistance, as ordered.
Chapter 29
In the swiftly sinking city of Moscow, The Russians were experiencing a strange side effect of the “Iron Curtain”, utter silence. This was because the shield absorbed the energy in the sound vibrations from one side of itself and redirected it out the other. An interesting effect on those inside, but an inconsequential one for the attackers outside.
The Czar called a meeting of he senior staff in the Kremlin. He stood at the head of the table, not bothering to sit down. “Everyone here knows that we are under attack.” Said the Czar briskly, obviously losing his nerve. “I want details and options on the table now!”
The officials glanced nervously at each other, fearful of their leader’s rage and questionable sanity. “They’re pounding on top of the shield’s dome, sir.” Replied one man quickly. “We cannot be hurt inside of it, but they are steadily driving us into the ground. If this continues for too long, we will not be able to lower the shield again for fear of the ground collapsing and crushing us beneath it.”
The Czar looked forlornly around the table at his officials’ stony faces. “Options?” He asked in a high pitched, quavering tone.
A brave young advisor answered the obvious, “Surrender.”
Chapter 30
“How far have we dug their grave?” Asked Vorian as he brought the cruiser back up.
“Six feet, two inches, sir.” Replied the officer at the radio.
Vorian paused to think for a moment. “I suppose that’s enough for them to get the picture. Tell the other cruisers to lay off for awhile and give the Russians a chance to surrender.” Ordered Vorian.
The Officer did as he was ordered and the relentless pounding of the cruisers ceased. “Sir!” Said the officer after waiting a few minutes. “I’m picking up a surrender from the Russians!”
“Very good.” Said Vorian. “Put the Czar on the line so that I can deliver our ultimatum.” An hour later, Vorian had a signed treaty from the Czar himself that agreed to their surrender and the immediate removal of all Russian troops from America. “Well,” Said Vorian softly as he exited the Kremlin, “We’ve won the war. I hope Xavier is proud.”
Epilogue
After the war was over, all Russian invaders in America were shipped to Hungary before taking transports back to Russia. Vorian was promoted to five-star general and make the supreme commander of all American forces. Xavier was given an honorary promotion to five-star general and several posthumous medals for valor, including the Purple Heart. Vorian made it his first official act as five-star general to erect a memorial on the promontory that was created in the volcano’s eruption. The memorial was dedicated by Vorian to Xavier and all those who had died in the war to rescue to America.
