While Europe reeled from the shock of Operation Winter Fang, a new front stirred in the frozen North.
[Strategic Alert: Arctic Theater Active]
British ambitions had not died with the sabotage of the Baltic Fleet.
Instead, they redirected—toward the Arctic shipping lanes and the vital port of Murmansk.
Icebreakers were spotted.
Supply ships disguised as whalers navigated the frigid waters, escorted by experimental British dread-submarines known only as "Valkyries."
The Tsar's spies confirmed it: the British sought to establish a permanent Arctic base.
One that could cut off Russian trade and strangle the Empire's northern lifeline.
[Intel Gained: Operation White Guillotine – Enemy Arctic Naval Base Construction Underway]
Mikhail responded in kind.
He unveiled Project Ymir: an Arctic response force made up of hybrid land-ice crawlers, low-profile submarines, and autonomous drone outposts powered by geothermal vents.
[New Unit Deployed: Ymir-Class Arctic Siege Platform]
The first clash occurred off the Svalbard archipelago.
Using cryo-camouflage and sonar-deceptive hulls, Russian submersibles ambushed British escort vessels. Torpedoes laced with electrified shrapnel tore through their armor, reducing the proud Valkyries to twisted metal tombs.
[Naval Engagement Outcome: Russian Victory – British Arctic Capacity -40%]
Simultaneously, Russian marines launched a daring raid on an under-construction British base beneath the ice shelf near Franz Josef Land.
Guided by Cipher intelligence and armed with short-range cryo-carbines, they neutralized the garrison, planted seismic charges, and vanished into the frost.
The ice cracked.
The base collapsed into the Arctic Sea.
[Operation Success: British Base Neutralized – Propaganda Victory Secured]
But as victories mounted, cracks began to form within the Empire's own ranks.
In Petrograd, whispers spread of scientists questioning the ethics of the war machines.
In Kazan, a rogue syndicate of industrialists attempted to siphon off resources to fund their private militias.
[Internal Threats Detected: Ideological Tension + Industrial Corruption Rising]
Mikhail convened a midnight council.
Surrounded by his generals, scientists, and Cipher operatives, he posed a question:
"Shall we remain a military empire alone? Or evolve into a civilization of vision?"
He issued a proclamation:
The formation of the Imperial Institute for Advancement, a state-sponsored nexus of science, innovation, and propaganda.
It would educate, indoctrinate, and elevate the next generation of Russian minds.
[System Upgrade: Knowledge-State Protocol Initiated]
The Arctic theater was contained. The enemies humbled. And yet...
The real war was only beginning.
A war not just for land or resources.
But for what the future itself would look like.
Would it be ruled by kings, parliaments, or technocrats?
Mikhail intended to answer that question—with fire and reason.