Moscow,
"What do they want to do? Flank us from the orc's land this time?" Andropov asked annoyingly.
They do not have the extra effort to reinforce the Karak now.
"I believe it will be even worse, except for flanking from the orc's land, they might want to start another landing in Caucasus, Central Asia, or even in Novo-Australia," Orgarkov explained.
"Especially in Novo-Australia, we have already known that the Chaos are creatures from countless years before. I'm afraid that if they land there, they could awaken those mysteries as well."
Orgarkov sighs, his health condition has worsened for this half year. Yet the country still needs him to make the decision.
"So what is our option now? Mobilise more troops and send them to guard the coast that is more than 10,000 kilometres?"
"I'm afraid this is the only few options we can choose. Even according to the general staff, deploying newly mobilised troops from Plainspire and the Land of Plain would not be enough. No matter how, the best option is still to limit the battle in the Karak and Valeria."
Of course, Andropov knows that, but he even knows that the USSR does not have enough supplies and trucks to start another high-intensity battle on another line. Transporting troops would have been a big problem.
"How is the progress of the Kuznetsov Aircraft carrier?"
"Kuznetsov? The Aircraft carrier itself has been done, the SU-33 has also been equipped, pilot have also finished their training. But... It is far from forming a complete combat capability."
"If you like to provide air support for the Karak Army, our aircraft can depart from the Orc's land."
Andropov shook his head. This is not what he means.
There another two more aircraft carriers under construction now, and they are all located at Odessa, Nikolayev area.
"I'm afraid that we might need to send the three aircraft carriers to the far east for safety. Even some of the important machines in the dockyard."
Ogarkov frowned, though he knew that Andropov was correct; it takes a hundred years for a country to build its navy. Letting the aircraft carrier that did not even go out to sea for testing be destroyed in its dockyard was a shame.
---
"It's time, gentlemen, this is the battle that determines our destiny. We have to activate those portals now!"
In the holy temple that is located at the border of the three kingdoms, the temple where they decided to build those portals to summon another nation to fight against the USSR.
Aric shouted to Brutus and Garrick. He also knows the difficulty of the USSR, so even though they are having problems, he did not ask for reinforcement for them.
Both of them also know the situation, and they have nothing to disagree about.
"Gather as many army as you can, I will only give you one more extra day, it is either we survive in this world, or be reborn in another world. We will gather at the most massive portal first; the rest of your army can be gathered at other slightly smaller portals." Garrick said.
"However, unfortunately for you, Aric, Karak might need to sacrifice most of the troops to delay the time for us. You might only be able to bring a small part of your direct and most elite troop along with you."
"Spare with me, this is for the survival of our humanity. Nothing to do with personal."
Aric's eyes grew dim. Would he abandon his army and people and become a puppet at the feet of his former enemies?
"I will not follow, I will stand with my cities until the last moment. What I want is to provide you with some extra troops, so that I can delay some more time for you all."
Both Brutus and Garrick were shocked by what Aric said.
"If this is what you decided, we will not wait for you."
"Touching, I will send an army that is equipped with the latest weapons to support you. Just for your information, they are not well-trained." Brutus said.
Both of them then leave the temple, only Aric remain.
He sighed, though he said he would remain in Karakum, but this was the most safety he could think of to survive. He still remembered what Elowen said last night.
[Other with a sign that I have never seen before.]
The sentence most likely means the summon country is stronger than them, and joined the battle in the end as well. But how will they treat Valeria and Thalor? It is still a question.
One day could bring many changes.
Despite the stubborn resistance of the Karak Army at the front, the Chaos army, which has an advantage in both quality and quantity, still manages to break through their line and begin to rush into the deep mainland.
Under Chaos tactics that have different creatures with assigned tasks with excellent coordination, most Karak Army could only delay them for less than two hours using suicide squads.
The front has only left less 200 kilometres away from Karakum now.
Meanwhile, Brutus and Garrick have already gathered their most elite army in front of the most massive portal gate.
"How could we ensure that the country summons will help us to fight against the Chaos?" Brutus asks nervously.
"Same question for you, how do you ensure that the country's summons will be stronger than ours?" Garrick asks back.
"Errr... Maybe it is better to think pessimistically in this situation? Ya, why would they help us? If they find out the chaos is stronger than them, they could just leave here and return to the other side of the portal."
"Do you think there is another choice for us? Just assume they must be weaker than us, like I said, the country summon must have the portal technology as well. If they have a portal, it means they have magic; having magic means at least we have some understanding of them, unlike the USSR, we know nothing about them." Garrick replied unsatisfyly.
"Even if they are hostile to us, at least we still have the strength to fight"
"I hope so."
By this time, one of the generals came to Garrick and reported.
"My lord, the portal is ready to activate."
"Activate!" Garrick ordered with his firm voice.
While Brutus has already closed his eyes, praying to the gods.
Please, there must be a weak nation and world.
The great stone ring shuddered, runes blazing white. The air itself twisted and screamed as the portal core burned open, spilling a glare of cold blue light.
Finally, shapes emerged, black silhouettes cutting through the portal's glow.
Things didn't happen as he hoped.
When Brutus closed his eyes, he prayed to the gods, and in response, the dragon roared.
When Brutus forced his eyes open, his breath froze, almost fainted. It was not the roar of the dragon, but by fighter's engine, just like the USSR ones.
And when he uses his magic to look closely, he sees the symbol and recognises it.
A country that has a similar fate to the USSR.
A country that used to be the USSR's rival.
A country that was reborn in blood and iron.
The country is now here.
Wings of steel. Twin tails. The iron cross on the fuselage is extremely conspicuous.