GATE - After the Final Unification (TNO Second West Russian War x GATE)

Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the men who leads that gains to the victory.

-George Smith Patton Jr.

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July 3rd, Special Region, Italica Oblast, border area, 7 am:

General Kozin left the command car and approached the podium that held the microphone that was connected to every radio, every unit of the Russian Federation involved in Operation Spark. In addition to hearing the general over the radio, every Russian soldier in those units, many would hear him live, as the three divisions were stationed in close proximity to the mobile command center that would be moving with the 6th Guards Mechanized Infantry Division.

-General, you may begin. said one of the radio operators

-Soldiers of the Russian Federation, you will once again take up arms in the crusade against evil. You will once again fulfill our moral duty, which the Federation set for itself on the day of its foundation, that is, the destruction of every tyranny and the establishment of democracy. For days, you will be on the lips of our entire world from beyond the Gate, and in the hearts of our enemies you will be like divine or even demonic beings. But remember, do not let hubris get the better of you, for I expect each of you to return from this operation alive. If that happens, it will be the most perfect example of our dominance and power. Go ahead! Attack the Imperial Capital! Kozin said

-URAAAAA! the shouts of the Russian soldiers echoed, who after a while went to their vehicles.

At each border crossing the gates were opened for passing vehicles, huge columns of trucks, transporters and various other combat vehicles stretching for miles, began to penetrate the Empire like a knife through butter. Russian flags flew on many of the vehicles, as well as the banners of the units to which the vehicles belonged, most often the banners and pennants appeared on the first vehicles of the units in question. On the first day of Operation Spark, the third of July, the Russian troops moved, without any signs of resistance, a little more than a hundred kilometers, in case of each breach. Aviation, in the form of planes and helicopters, confirmed the presence of fortresses and towns along the routes of the Russian troops. These were the first stops for the Russian army, where it was decided whether a city or fort would be attacked or considered a potential ally in further offensive.

July 4th, positions of the central breakthrough made by the troops of the Russian Federation, 11 am:

The central and most important part of the offensive finally hit the first point of resistance, which turned out to be a city with a garrison of about 10,000 Imperial troops. Although the Federation troops could just as easily bypass the city and wipe out the garrison themselves with the help of air power, as previously agreed upon, it was decided from the very beginning to try to negotiate with the defenders to get them on their side.

The Russian troops positioned themselves at a distance of about 400 meters from the city walls, close enough for the defenders to see them well, but at the same time far enough away to be unafraid of archery fire. The Russian troops awaited the arrival of the Knights of the Rose Order, especially their commander-in-chief, Bozes Co Palesti, who, by the way, served as Regent of the Empire. Around eleven o'clock, a group of knights arrived on horseback. They dismounted and went to the Russian commanders who were waiting for their arrival in the mobile command center.

-Mrs. Bozes, good to see you, I guess you know what to do now. Kozin said

-Yes, General, I know very well. I should try to convince the defenders to join us. The only thing I could ask for is a white flag or a large piece of white cloth. Bozes said