A Rude Awakening

Chapter 21

Theme Song: "Peace of Mind" by Above and Beyond

December 17, 2022

Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation

By the time the renegades had arrived, it was two in the morning. The lakeside city had become much quieter. Yet there was still tension that could almost be felt in the cold, damp air. The trucks slowed their advance into the dimly lit city roads, and the drivers glanced around to see the remnants of earlier chaos that had ravaged the city. Looted cars and stores with broken windows and doors laid desolate. Gangs of city residents stood outside of their apartment complexes holding baseball bats and sometimes pistols. Pungent smoke from earlier fires drifted in the air among the dimly lit buildings and streets. Some streetlights were even struggling against the night in flickers.

What caught their attention most of all were clear signs of two major factions forming. The speed by which the Russian people had begun to split apart both shocked and surprised the renegade soldiers.

Those who likely supported the current Russian regime had images of the traditional Mother Russia mascot stepping on a demon by the head. Those who did not support the current regime had a vastly different image. It was somewhat similar to the Romanov iconoclast- Except that it depicted Jesus Christ descending to earth under a heavenly beam of light shining onto the kneeling, robed figures of OTMA.

Anton had to admit that the rebel symbol pleased the eye more. It even evoked feelings of hope among the serious circumstances his homeland had entered... Hope for a better future for not only Russia, but the world!

He continued to gently press the pedal, glancing around for a place to stop. He squinted ahead, spotting a four-way intersection. Either he would turn or continue straight ahead. Anton held up his hand, signaling a brief stop. His fellow guard spoke into a walkie-talkie.

"All units, cease movements. Further directions will be given."

The following armored vehicles stopped their drive for the moment. Warm engines hummed and tailpipes smoked wisps in the frigid, gloomy night air. Snowflakes gently fell ahead. Anton glanced around, paying more attention to signs of friendly territory... And a hundred meters ahead, there was a barricade of vans and cars. Flanking the sides of the barricade were banners. Armed civilians with rifles and shotguns peeked from behind the blocking vehicles.

"Can you zoom into those banners, Alexander?"

"Yes... I see they are rebel banners, but how would we identify ourselves as on their side? Our food is getting lower, and our men may be tired."

"We will still proceed forward, but we will have to wake the four sisters, especially Olenka."

"Sir?"

"I have an idea."

"What if it does not work?"

"It will work. Olenka will have to demonstrate her powers that she told me about earlier."

"Yes, sir. Should I give your order?"

"Yes, you may tell the previous vehicles to remain still. The soldiers will wake up the four sisters and ask them to follow me."

The other soldier besides Anton nodded before speaking into the walkie-talkie again. Within a few moments, the engines of the vehicles stopped. Soldiers opened the doors and back hatches before getting out of their trucks. Anton stepped out of his truck as well, glancing back to see Olga and Tatiana stepping out with shaky legs. They glanced around with worried faces.

Olga wiped her eyes and blinked a few times. She had dozed off on the truck for just three hours. She had fallen asleep just an hour into the trip once the initial shock of the escape had worn off. How she had woken up so quickly despite her shortened rest confused her, especially the sight of the quiet urban surroundings. So, they had arrived at Petrozavodsk!