Rasputin of the East

＜ Episode 349 >

The nuclear detonation that swept China, Taiwan, and Japan shocked the world.

There were not one or two troublesome tasks such as relief, humanitarian aid, and establishment of a provisional government, but what is certain is that first, nuclear weapons were used here, and secondly, nuclear warheads of this size were not enough to possess one or two nuclear weapons in secret. It was said that there were only two countries in the world capable of producing: the United States and Russia.

From the beginning of the crisis, information emerged that the United States had secretly deployed nuclear weapons to China and Japan to deter Russia in case of emergency, and just as the communists began to invade North Korea in the chaotic North China, the nuclear detonation evaporated the entire People’s Liberation Army, and Mao Zedong Most believed that it was true that the U.S. detonated a nuke, as his back was also caught up in the harpoon along with his loyal henchmen.

At least, the deployment of nuclear warheads by the United States was a consistent part of the declaration of conscience within the United States.

However, whether the United States triggered the nuclear weapons deliberately or accidentally, and even where the nuclear powers were located, has been a subject of debate.

First of all, the United States and Russia both disliked the expansion of communist power, but Russia was more urgent.

In other words, it was pointed out that Russia did not trigger nuclear weapons in the way that it requested the US, but that the US accepted the request because it was regrettable.

Or, there are speculations close to the truth that Russia has taken over the US system and triggered its nuclear weapons.

But this time, it was pointed out that why the United States is silent. It was much better to come out with the bipartisan theory that he was aiming the gun, but the trigger was pulled by Russia, so both of them were to blame.

The reason the US government failed to do so and took a cautious stance was that it had no information on how Russia’s power struggle would end. All U.S. interceptions were already operating at the highest level, and intelligence agencies in all countries, except for the CIA and U.S. military leaders, who were able to roughly craft a scenario from the seizure of a nuclear warhead to a nuclear detonation, were in a panic.

Even FOX reported an unknown gunfight in South Korea and opened up to the media about the possibility of an ‘anonymous intelligence agency official’ coup d’état in Russia, which was in line with what the CIA actually reported to the White House.

Following the nuclear explosion in China, a major bad news such as a coup attempt in Russia exploded, panic cells surged, and on Wall Street, a circuit breaker was struck three times a day.

The media blew the trumpet while discussing nuclear war, gold prices skyrocketed, and real estate and currency values plummeted.

The fact that there was no official announcement in Russia and that members of the imperial family did not appear in public has repeatedly amplified the suspicion, and the fact that high-ranking officials of the Russian Empire did not appear in public gave weight to the coup theory.

The turmoil soon subsided when the Russian Crown Prince made an official statement, but at the same time, it became an opportunity to convince countries of a coup d’état.

Basically, the military and intelligence agencies, dissatisfied with the emperor who was leading the Russian Empire, which had been mildly going out to the United States, joined hands with the Crown Prince – I don’t know if he led it or not – but it is said that he pushed his old father away. will be.

As a result, China and Japan, which were devastated by this, got better except for the parties involved.

Now that the head of the Russian Empire has changed, how will they set up their relationship with the United States, and what kind of relationship will they have with other governments?

Is this the prelude to a head-to-head confrontation between Russia and the United States, or is it the status quo?

People all over the world were focused only on it.

***

“The U.S. plan to land on Mars is making significant progress. father.”

Now Victor speaks directly to me.

That has changed over the years.

“There is no need to report that. Victor.”

“Father, there was also a proposal to sabotage the use of spies to bring explosives into rockets. You can blame it on the anti-American forces of the South American Federation. Anyway, due to the nature of the space mission, it is almost impossible to determine the cause, and the anti-nuclear atmosphere is high due to the nature of the propulsion system that obtains propulsion by blasting a nuclear warhead. And we have all the technology used to build Athena.”

The intelligence department also has detailed blueprints and technical data for Athena.

“therefore?”

“If we make a decision, we can build a spaceship comparable to Athena in a short enough time. And if we destroy Athena in the current state, the United States will have to investigate the cause, so if we make a decision, we can secure an advantage over the United States for three to six months.”

“therefore.”

“…….father?”

“So what do you want me to do?”

Clearly, Victor seemed perplexed by my words. But I said coldly.

“Victor, did I not tell you? I’m telling you to put this father in the back room, it’s up to you to decide. It’s not me, actually, this procedure is unnecessary, who’s blowing that wind? military? intelligence department? Whoever it is, you have to take control, so that I am alive and that I am your father, so I will depend only on the authority of others?”

“that……….”

“If I do that, after I die, I don’t bury it in the imperial mausoleum, but stuff it and make a mausoleum in Moscow and sell it as a tourist product.”

“Wow, what are you talking about?”

I’ve seen a lot of yangbans who have suffered from Lenin, well, among those yangbans, there was not a single yangban whose body was intact until the end.

“I want to borrow my authority, but if I’m dead, I’ll have to use that number. What should I do?”

“that……”

“Of course you don’t deserve the crown yet. But if that’s the case, you shouldn’t ask me, but rather go to your mother and ask. Then I will ask you what you think, do you think it is right?”

“no.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s the main audience. Whether it’s the moon or Mars, there’s nothing you can do to get your money’s worth. The United States poured a budget equivalent to its own in World War II on this one project, which added to the financial burden on the United States. This alone was enough to achieve the goal of the Empire.”

“Not enough.”

For a moment, Victor’s face hardened.

Literally rolled his head with incredible speed.

Even so, even if he now orders him to drive him out and make him the old man in the back room.

To Victor, his father was not just a father.

He was a living Leviathan, an authority in itself, and the personification of a nation.

Because of that, Victor felt his heart drop just that he gave a negative answer.

‘No, my father didn’t say no.’

What did you say? Yes, not enough.

If so, the direction is correct. What I said wasn’t wrong either.

Insufficient, that means to say something more grounded.

No, he already knows why and why not. This is a test.

‘Deteriorating relations with the United States? No, no one will question it if it is disguised as communist retaliatory terrorism related to the last nuclear detonation.’

Then something.

In an instant, a picture that his father had hung on the wall caught his attention.

“…. In addition to giving a clear stop order, there is also a need to press firmly to prevent the military and intelligence from being vigilant.”

“okay.”

I nodded.

“For a country where the military is at the forefront, there are very few cases where the end is right. And, remember, you are my blood, no matter what, and I am the father of both, as the military and intelligence services of the Russian Empire have been reborn in my hands. I told you not to rely solely on my authority, but that doesn’t mean you should never use my authority, relentlessly wield it if you need it. I need to nurture a friendly force that is loyal only to you, not me, but you don’t have to look for it from afar. Whether it’s Konef or Vasilebsky, if you’re not loyal to yourself, you’ll be brave enough to strike it down. Don’t you also have an army to defeat them, no matter what you call a friendly force?”

“……These are my brothers.”

“okay. Starting with your mother, no one will help you if you’re in good health, but at least they won’t take the hand of the military. You would know better.”

The military should not lead the empire. The same goes for the Ministry of Information.

They are tools, not brains.

“You shouldn’t move until you have a cause, but if you see them making a mistake and seeing pods or cracks, don’t hesitate. And even if you fail everything. I have one last person to appeal to.”

“Where are you.”

“nation.”

Victor looked like he was about to choke at his father’s eyes.

“Do not underestimate the power of the people, fighting the people is like fighting the land, the air, and the sea. There is absolutely no chance of winning, and the past is usually glorified, and if you sell my name, the people will support you unless you fight your brothers or you commit a big misdeed.”

“And as a result, that power must be returned to the people.”

“That’s the way the imperial family can survive, so if we stay in power we’re going to make a mistake someday, and in the worst case, the empire will collapse. , because humans cannot do that.”

Yes, humans can’t.

***

“Houston, this is Base Arcadia, the Eagle has landed.”

Neil Armstrong’s communications erupted with cheers from the United States Space Force’s headquarters in Houston.

The feat of being the first in the world to reach Mars.

That feat was accomplished.

“This is a Mars lander pilot. I take this opportunity to ask whoever is listening to this broadcast, wherever they are now, to pause and reflect on what has happened over the hours and to give thanks in each way.”

Buzz Aldrin’s voice came out, and after a while Neil Armstrong’s voice came out of the communicator.

“This is a small step for one man, but a giant leap for mankind.”

It was a moment when the world moved once more.