The Raccoons are copyright of... wait a sec! Here haven't any Gillis's raccoons... Written by Oblenn. Okay, it's just a prelude to my own fic "Evergreen War". Actually, when I wrote "Evergreen War", I wanted to make that fic larger. But then I decide, that it's just fic, not "War and Peace" by Tolstoy, and leave there only story, which happen in Evergreen Forest. But full story still live in my head, and... I wrote this. You won't find here Bert&Co, because this story takes place a week before "Evergreen War". WAR TIME - Wake up, comrade captain! - What? - Comrade captain, it's morning now, wake up! Den unwillingly opened his eyes. It was early morning, behind the window are only dark and rain. Near his bed standing a young badger in corporal uniform. - What's up, soldier? - yawned Den. - You're ordered to arrive to HQ at 8 o'clock. - Okay, I'm going. Dismiss, corporal. - said Den and slowly stand up. He want to sleep. Sleep and forgot all this horror, which was around. He come out from the barracks. It's rain and strong wind. Not far away sounds artillery fire and sound of helicopters screws. On the south are flashed practically indiscernible from here red glow. Front. He was on Alaska, on one of the military airdromes. It was captive on second day of battle, when NATO forces are panically retreated. And now on this airdrome based Russian airforce, which fly to bombing Ancoradge. It was a miracle, if from this flights half of the planes return back... Den going to the HQ. In hangar near the airfield two bears in uniform painted red stars on the wings of three trophy F-16, which was founded on this airdrome after retreat the americans. Very soon and this planes will rising in such hostile sky to carry death and destruction... - Are you offer to me, comrade colonel? - asked Den, coming into HQ. Colonel come off from the map and looked on him. - Yes, Den. But you're too early, it's 10 minutes up to briefing. Wait. - Yes, comrade colonel. On the colonel's table, except for map and two "Kalashnikovs" lie a small radio. Den sat on the chair and started to listen: - With you now still radio "Red star"! Good morning to all, who protect rodina that time! Our first song especially for our heroical infantry, which now battled on Alaska! Listen, "Aria", "Spirit of war": Vnov i vnov ya viju son: Krovju zalit gorizont I zemlya v ogne na mnogo mil. Shest minut do chasa "X", Nebo skoro ruchnet vniz, Veter vsech razveet, slovno pil. Vremya ubivat, Vremya nastupat. Vremya nastupat i pobejdat! Duch Voini Skalitsya iz tmi Vchodit v nashi sni Duch voini, i mi emu verni... Vot i vse, Mir obyat ognyom. No ne stichnet grom, Duch voini, on trebuet eshe... Razrushenje eto strast, Vse ravno, kakaya vlast. Vlast vsegda pila chujuyu krov... I kogda nastupit krach Solnce vspichnet na shtikach I tolpu na smert pogonit vnov... Vremya ubivat, Vremya nastupat. Vremya nastupat i pobejdat! Duch Voini Skalitcya iz tmi Vchodit v nashi sni Duch voini, i mi emu verni... Vot i vse, Mir obyat ognyom. No ne stichnet grom, Duch voini, on trebuet eshe... - Hey, Den! - sounds a loving voice from behind. Den turn around. Before him stand Julia. She was beautiful as usually in her lieutenant uniform... - Morning, Den! - said she - Are you sleep here? - Morning, Jul. No, but I wanted it. She smiled and sat near Den. - Are you already meet your new number 2? - asked she - He's arrived this night. - No yet, I wasn't know about it. - well, so you will acquainted now. He's so cute... Den jealously looked on her. She laughing. - Don't worry. - said she cheerfully - No need to jealous, I all the same love only you... That time door opened and another group of pilots come in. Colonel looked on his watch and said: - All right, comrades officers, let's start a briefing. So, squad "bereza", your battle mission is... After briefing Den and Julia are going to new number 2. He was young aardvark, just from air academy. He's stand near the door and nervously smoked. - Hey, hi, Boris! - exclaimed Julia. He turn around and saluted, when saw Den. - Comrade captain, lieutenant Bo... - Stay easy! So, you're my new number 2? - asked Den. - Yes, arrived today for serv... - Stay easy, I say. I knew. Whence are you? - From Vladimir. - Oh, I was there one time. Nice city. - Boris, show the photo. - asked Julia. Boris take out photo of the young girl from the uniform's pocket and stretched it to Den with pride. - Your girlfriend? - asked Den, looking. - My bride... - answered Boris with loving - Lena... - She's beauty... - Den looked on the watch - Okay, C'mon, we're must flying soon. They're going to planes. When Den started to get into cabin of his MiG-29, Julia stopped him. - Return back alive, please. - quiet said she. - I'll try... - asked Den. - So, good luck to you... - she kissed Den. - To you too... And two planes flying up to the sky, to the battle... Tank column of 15-th canadian division moved to the north. John sat on the tank turret and throughtfully look on the trees near the road. At last, his education in academy ended, and now he has a tank under command. Ordinary black "Abrams", number 058, but it is HIS tank. And he want to show this ivans, what can this battle machine! That time he remembered, that he forgot to do something. He let down inside a turret, get a photo from his pocket and attached it above his seat, near the cannon. - Wow! - exclaimed Paul, crew machinegunner - Your girlfriend? - Ex-girlfriend. - She's beauty. How's her name? - Lisa. - Hey, can I look at she? - heard voice of Max, driver. - Drive the tank, corporal! You'll look, when we'll stop! - shouted John. - Yes, sir! John get out of turret and sat near upper machinegun. "Soon the war will end." - throught he - "At least, senator Midas spoke so. I'll returning home as a hero. And we're look, with who she stayed: with me or with this foolish Bert!" Tank column moved to the north, to front... Squad of planes with red stars on the wings flying to the Ancoradge. Den carefully looked on radar, but haven't see any danger yet. - Sosna 1, Sosna 1, it's Bereza 3. - heard in head-phones voice of Ivan, commander of Su-27 squad - We're coming to target, how's the situation? - Bereza 3, All clean. Come on to target, we'll cover you. - Roger you, Sosna 1. - Sosna 2, Sosna 2 - begun to called Den - Boris, follow me, we'll rise higher and cover the stormplanes. - Roger you, comrade captain. - Ohhh... C'mon Boris, just call me Den. - Yes, comrade captain. Soon Den saw at radar some points, which quickly came nearer. - Bereza 3, it's Sosna 1. - called he - We're have a guests now. - Roger you, Sosna 1. - answered Ivan - Squad "Bereza", return to base! - Come to work, Boris! - exclaimed Den cheerfully. Two MiG-29 fighters rise more higher and fly towards three F-16 with white stars on wings. Battle was fierce. Enemy fighters trying to hit Su-27, but Den and Boris don't allow to do it. - My first! - shouted Boris and exact launch of a rocket turn one F-16 to the fire ball. - Yoo-Hoo! Eat this, yankees! - heard his delightful voice. But this time Den saw HIM. Black F-16 with yellow lighting on fuselage come up from the clouds behind MiG-29. - Boris! Behind you! Turn right! - shouted Den. But it's too late. Two F-16 rocket torn off a wings to MiG-29 and it fall down as a piece of smoking metal. Den heard a faint shout in head-phones, but then coming silence. - Son of a bitch! - shouted Den and launched two rockets to F-16. It left from them without a trouble. - Sosna 1, Sosna 1 - heard the voice of Ivan - Mission accomplished, return back. - My number 2 killed! I can revenge for him! - No, captain! Return back, it's order! - But... - I say, it's order! - Yes... "We'll met again..." - thought Den, looking on the black F-16... Two days passed. Tank column moving nearer to front. Near the road began to come armored technic, destroyed by enemy aviation. Often lie a charred "Hammers" and M-113. One time John even see a "Abrams", same as his. It staying near the road, powerlessly lower a cannon to the ground. From engine come out a smoke, Beside it staying medical M-113 and lie three black plastic sacks. When John understand, what's this, he quickly look aside. All crew was nervous a little. Paul is sat on the armour and smoking. John take out a bottle of Whiskey and drink a little. Sometimes it's helped. - Can I drink? - asked Paul. John silently hold out a bottle to him. Paul wanted to take it, but this time behind the column heard a sound of helicopter screw. When John looked there, he drop the bottle. Above the road flying a battle helicopter with red stars on armour. - Shit! - shouted Paul and throw oneself to the machinegun. But looks like, this Mi-24 don't want to attack. It flying low above the column, and flying farther to north. - Sir, do you know, why he wasn't shoot? - asked Paul, still compress fingers on the handle of machinegun. - I don't know, sergeant. - answered John. - It's simple. His rockets are ended. - inserted Max - I think, that tank... it's his work. Set in silence. - I think, soon we'll in battle... - at last said John. That night Den and Julia are lie on the bed in barracks. Except their, there are nobody. - You look upset. What are you thinking? - asked Den. - About Boris... You know, he was only 20... Why so young must to die? - It's war, Jul, you're know... - Yes, war... But why we're at war? What are we doing here, on Alaska? - Americans started the war. We just defence our country. - By the way, americans think, that we're start the war! - When you brought down their planes in the sky of Moscow, you think so too? - No... Maybe... - Calm down, Jul, sleep. I love you... - I love you too... Private Bix Wheelie are sitting in trench near Ancorage and nervously clean his M-16. It was third russian attack for this day. Attack was stopped, ivans lose one more BTR. But and in Bix's platoon survived only a few peoples. That time he heard something strange sound from the left. He reload rifle and go towards it. He find place quickly. It was dead russian soldier. Young mouse. His eyes are looking into the sky, on the armor jacket was a small blood stain near the heart. At his pocket Bix find a small CD-player, which still work. "Interesting..." - thought Bix - "What this russian heard before death..." It was song "Aria", "Your new world": ...Vse menyaet vremya - Zalpi batarei, Pod ognyom idesh ti Po chugoi zemle. Zemlya propachla krovju Sniper metko bjet Padaesh ubitim, Nebo vse tvoe... Idet voina S utra i do utra... Pulja stavit tochku Znak proshenja i lubvi. Novyj mir ostanetsya tvoim... Tvoi novyi mir... That time not far away heard a strong explosion. Russians are going to attack again. Bix poke player into pocket and run to his platoon. He find their hiding behind the burned M-113. - Bix, son of a bitch! Where was you going?! - shouted sergeant - We thought, you already killed. - Sorry, sir. - Shut up. Platoon, let's work, and save your asses one more time! They're run into position and open fire to the russians. - Tanks! - heard a shout from the right. Bix looked there. "Damnit!" - thought he. To his trench going four russian tanks. - Mother fucker! - sworn sergeant - Okay, wait a sec... He begun to targeting bazooka to one of tanks, but don't have time. Explosion thrown him upwards, and when he fall back to ground, in his body was carefully to known same bear, which he was a minute ago... - Abramses! - heard a shout from the left. From Ancorage going three black "Abramses". First shooting, and one of T-90 smoking. Next shoot demolished a turret to T-72. "Abrams" staying and start to targeting cannon to one more T-90, but tank with red stars shoot first... Explosition demolished a black turret and thrown it into 10 meters. On the fired armour still can read a number 058... Three more days passed. Den and Julia standing in HQ with pilots of Su-27 squad. - Comrades, your next mission will be very important. - said colonel - You must to make a raid to deep rear of the enemy and destroy their supply lines. Squad "Bereza" you must destroy this objects: - colonel unfold a map. - what's objects? - asked Ivan. - Your primary target is destroy this bridge. - colonel show it on map - Your secondary target is destroy this railroad station. "Evergreen station"... - read Den on the map. However, had no difference, how its named, through few hours on this place should be only a ruins... - Your mission, squad "Sosna" - colonel said to him and Julia - is take cover to squad "bereza" from enemy fighters. Be careful, here against us war a enemy ace, major Malone. He already brought down 8 our fighters. But, I think, you knew it, Den... - Yes, I know him. - answered den - He killed Boris. - He is a very dangerous enemy, so be careful. Dismiss. Pilots come out from HQ and go to their planes. - It's excellent, that I'm your new number 2. - said Julia - Now we'll be together everywhere... - Yes, excellent... - said den dreamy. This flight is only one for today, then will be night and... - Hey, good luck to you. - Ivan break off his dreaming - I hope, flight will be ordinary. - I hope so... - answered Julia. Planes flying up and take cource to Evergreen forest... Den turn on radio. There was a song "Lube", "Come on for..." Serimi tuchami nebo zatanuto, Nervi gitarnoi strunoju natanuti, Dojd barabanit s utra i do vechera, Vremya zastivshee kajetsya vechnostju... Mi nastupaem po vsem napravlenijam, Tanki, pechota, ogon artillerii... Nas ubivajut, no mi vijivaem I snova v ataku sebya mi brosaem... Davai za jizn, Davai, brat, do konca... Davai za tech, Kto doma gdet tebya... Davai za jizn, Bud proklatya voina! Pomyanem tech, Kto s nami bil togda... Davai za nich, davai za nas, I za Sibir, i za Kavkaz Za svet daljekich gorodov I za druzei, i za lubov... Davai za vas, davai za nas I za desant i za specnaz Za boevie ordena Davai podnimem, starina... - Sosna 1, Sosna 1, - bridge destroyed! - Ivan was glad - Taking cource to railroad station. - Roger you, Bereza 3. We'll cover. - Den, I see three targets on radar. - heard excited Julia voice. - Okay, I see, Jul. Bereza 3, lowered, we have a guests. - Roger you, Sosna 1, lowering. But on my radar has noth... - Bereza 3, Bereza 3, answered! Ivan, what's up? - Sosna 1, it's Bereza 2. Ivan has killed. - Shit! Turn around to the battle! Three F-16 came, hiding in clouds. As last time, their target is Su-27. - Julia! Don't allow to they flying nearer! - Shouted Den. - No problem! - heard her cheerful voice. She launch a rocket. One F-16 fall down. But this time... In Den's head-phones heard shout of a second pilot of Su-27, then sturmplane is brought down. From behind flying another F-16, with yellow lighting on fuselage... - Dammit! It's HE! Julia, I'll engage him! - Who HE? - This ace, major... what's his name?... - Malone. Fighter with ligthing that time turn around, launch a rocket and brought down last Su-27. Then he hit Den from autocannon. - Den, you're smoked. Are you alive? - heard scared Julia voice. - Everything normal. Don't worry. - Well, I'm gla..... Den see, that Julia's plane slowly fall to pieces. - Nooooooo! - shouted he. In his eyes are tears. To his memory come a one song: ...I'm not saving you, And my way is damned... He turn around and fly to two F-16 with only one wish in his brain. - Die! Die! - shouted he, launched new and new rockets. At last, both F-16 was destroyed and all rockets are ended. Den left with major Malone. He trying to brought down him from autocannon, but it's was impossible. "Oh, Not!" - thought Den - "Maybe, I'll die today, but you're die too!" He turn around his plane and flying across F-16. He knew, that he die now. All his life is carried in front of his eyes... "No..." - thought he - "I can't die, can't..." In last moment he pull up a catapult lever... This time on the ground four raccoons looked at this battle... Moscow, 00:35 16/05/2004 Translated in 02:20 19/05/2004