The Summer War
The Empire of Russia, Murmansk Oblast
Town of Murmansk, Fort Icebound
April 3rd, 3328 A.D.
Murmansk had at one time been one of the most valuable cities in all of Russia. Being one of the few ice-free ports on the Barents Sea, she had been used to shuffle goods and supplies into the Murmansk Oblast. Now she served as the center of the Murmansk Oblast, and the military center of Russia's Army Group North, and on this very day accommodated the Tsar himself who sat in General Vassily Chesnokov's crowded around a large oaken table that held a very ornate and detailed map of north-eastern Europe.
The Tsar, Peter VIII. Had been recently ordained, and in saying such he had come to the conclusion that he must validate his claim to the as of late hibernating Russian Bear. In order to achieve such he had decided to turn to an age old enemy, Sweden, or rather the Kalmar Union which contained Sweden and various other Scandinavian states. Peter slowly stood, beginning to address the council of generals and military commanders. "Gentlemen as you very well know Russia has, as of late become a mockery." The Tsar paused for a moment. "My fathers utter lack of activity and participation on the International scale has allowed a Crusade and various other armed incursions to insure that might have damaged the Russian state."
The council mumbled in agreement, letting on to the general dislike of the previous Tsar Peter VII. "However," the Tsar began again. "We shall not be ignored any longer. We shall remind Western Europe that the Russian Bear does not take kindly to agitation of the states bordering her south. We shall show those in Stockholm that their border is not an in-penetrable bastion, that they must fear and appease Moscow or perish." The various members of the military council began to clap as the Tsar finished returning to his seat.
Rising in his place Chesnokov began to speak in a loud booming voice, similar to the Tsar's own. "As you all know the Kalmar Union has recently finished constructing massive fortifications along the Russian-Finnish border." The General drew a long red line that only broke when the lakes of southern Finland appeared on the map. "That being said we have devised a plan to negate the fortifications. Army Group North shall initiate a four pronged attack, the first prong will move from Zelenaine Karelia to assault the Finish town of Kuusamo. The second prong shall then depart from Kovdor to assault the north of Kuusamo, cutting of the city from reinforcements." The general paused, catching his breath. "The third prong shall move to assault Kemijarvi from here in Murmansk, while simultaneously the fourth prong will move against Finmark in Norway."
The Council began to clap again this time ceasing as Boris Golovnin, the Empire's Supreme Logistical Officer began to speak. "We have devoted a total of 400,000 men to this operation. 100,000 going to each of the first two prongs, 150,000 to the third, and 50,000 going to the fourth prong." Golovnin made several lines on the map, each symbolizing a prong before writing the number of men allocated to each below the line. "It has been determined that the campaign shall start on May 30th, with enough provisions dedicated to each prong to last until October 2nd." Golovnin paused again, writing the respected date over the campaign date. "It has been determined that if a prong fails to capture their objective by October 2nd, then they should withdraw to Russian territory so as to avoid decimation."
The Tsar stood again to address the council. "After the respected objectives are captured, the Russian Empire shall sue the Kalmar Union for peace. Demanding the towns mentioned before, and portions of Finmark along with the right to garrison a fort in Gotland. Should the Union refuse this offer of Peace the four prongs will have orders to spread their control through Lapland and upper Norway until another army group is sent through the occupied territory to assault Helsinki and in general the rest of Finland." The Tsar set again, letting the General Chesnokov speak again.
"As always gentlemen this information is confidential and any man thought to be distributing this information shall be tried and if found guilty executed for treason." Then as if planned the council members stood and exited, leaving the room empty of all people.
The Empire of Russia, Karelia Oblast
City of Petrozavodsk, Fort Anastasia Parade Grounds
May 30th, 3328 A.D.
"Display muskets!" The ominous words cast echos around the parade ground which contained the 33rd Russian Line Infantry Regiment, the last unit that would participate in the campaign not yet stationed on the Russo-Finish border. "Fix bayonets!" The words cast out again, resonating from a very tall stocky looking fellow that was identified as a Colonel by the bars on his arm. "Prepare steady march, half pace, conserve energy and don't get left behind." The colonel stopped speaking as he turned from his men and began walking, noting with satisfaction that the drummer began to beat the correct tone and the flag bearer matched his step.
Towards the back of the formation, small talk enveloped between the privates of formation. "Hey Kebin you seem to keep your ears open, you got any idea where or what we might be after?" Private Egor Malenkov spoke quietly, attempting to conceal his conversation from any NCOs that might be near.
"I don't know to be honest, although purely speculative I'd say we were probably headed towards Helsinki I know that the Tsar wants Finland and taking the capital would be the knockout punch." Private Kirill Kebin responded in the same low voice, trying to avoid corporal punishment from his officers.
"Yeah I suppose that would make sense, although to be honest I'm not to excited about the prospect. As far as I know Finnish people are crazier than the damn Swedes and Norwegians. Not people you'd wanna come across in a dark alley if you know what I mean." Egor joked back to his comrade.
"Aye I know what you mean," the two men stopped talking as their formation reached the train that would carry them to the border. Climbing into the nearest car the men situated themselves comfortably, smiling happily as they noted the NCO that climbed in with them. Litvinov, one of the laxest in the entire formation. "Anyway wherever we go it'll be hell if we don't finish up by late September, early October by the latest. Finnish winters are just as bad as Russian ones, and in some places worse."
"Aye, I hope the Tsar knows what he is doing." The private finished speaking, allowing a sort of peaceful silence to come over the car that ended only when it came to a screeching halt near the primary Russian formation.
"Alright you lot out of the cars, form up with the rest of your corp." The men climbed out of the cars, assembling their regiment in line with another whose flag identified it as a unit from Arkhangelsk. At the front of the formation a man sat on a beautiful wide horse. General Chesnokov ready to lead the first prong against the Finns, urged his horse forward, knowing that across the Finnish border the other three prong's leaders followed his example and led their men into the Kalmar Union.
