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Chapter One, Part One: Crisis in Russia

It was not a quiet day for Moscow. Indeed, it was not a quiet week for the city. Alexander Rutskoy, the Acting President of the Russian Federation, understood just how dire the situation was more than anyone else.

Sitting on the leather couch was Anatoly Kulikov, General of the Army and Commander of the Interior Troops. While he agreed to a drink, he was not relaxed. Upon him was the significant factor in deciding the outcome of the crisis.

"Anatoly," he referred to him informally. "This cannot go on. Dozens have been killed, God knows how many wounded!"

The general nodded, but was not swayed. "I understand your predicament, Alexander, I really do. But we have to consider all of the options."

Suddenly, the President slammed his fist on the tabletop. "Goddammit it, Anatoly, can't you see! The fucking bastard caused all of this in the first place! It would be ridiculous, outright treasonous, to align with him!"

The general was somewhat stunned by Rutskoy's change in attitude, but he kept his cool. "This is not just about that. The fact of the matter is, I don't like what Yeltsin did, but, well, our main focus should be to restore order."

"That is what I'm trying to do!"

He put down his glass.

"With all due respect, I am simply unsure whether or not you will be able to do that."

Rutskoy, while angered, sighed and looked toward the window. He saw policemen in riot gear stave off demonstrators, many of them throwing stones and whatever available. He saw a country in utter chaos.

"We are both soldiers, Anatoly. Perhaps I am no longer in active service, but once you are given your rifle, you are a soldier for life.

"Anatoly, just over a year ago, the flag to which we swore allegiance since childhood was replaced by the one to which we see today. It was hard to accept, but we accepted it.

"When this new flag was raised, we were told that it was a symbol not only of Russia, but also of the democracy that would come.

"But now, Anatoly, Yeltsin is attempting to subvert it. He betrayed Gorbachev, and now he betrayed the people who elected him. On that uniform of yours, there is the tricolor. The tricolor of that very flag, the symbol of our democracy.

"So choose, Anatoly: join the forces of self-serving bureaucrats, or the forces of democracy. If we are to lose this battle, then we will join all of the other damned in the last century!"

Kulikov nodded again. After a long, tense moment he stood up. "Let us hope, then, that our efforts will be worthwhile."

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General Kulikov

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Special thanks for @Konrad Sartorius and @Dr Rostov for helping me out with this TL!
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