Red Wheels Turning by Ashton Hugh

Author:Ashton, Hugh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, steampunk, alternate history, alternative history, treachery, spy adventure, first world war, russian history, steampunk adventure, steampulp
Publisher: j-views

Chapter 9: Kubinka, Imperial Russia

Brian had leapt to his assigned machine-gun, and was squinting along the sights, as soon as the Zaamurets started sliding to a halt.

The journey to Kubinka took most of the morning. The weather was mild, and Brian and Harry enjoyed sitting on the roof, once they had found a place out of the wind. Petrov puffed his way up the ladder once or twice, but declined the invitation to join the two British officers. Maria stayed below for the whole journey.

Eventually, after a long stretch through birch forests, the train stopped.

“Hello?” said Brian, standing up to see what was happening. “We’ve come to a damn’ big fence with a gate, running across the track, and there are some fellows pointing their guns at us.” He put his hands above his head and shouted something in Russian.

“What’s that?” said Harry, who had likewise raised his hands.

“I’m telling them that we’re friends, and they should be talking to Colonel Petrov about us if they are worried about who we are and what we’re doing here.”

At that moment, Petrov himself, attracted by the noise, put his head through the hatch.

“Ah, Colonel,” said Brian. “Would you mind explaining to those gentlemen below us that we are not spies or Bolshevik agitators, and we would welcome the chance to put our hands down soon?”

Petrov came up onto the roof. The sight of his colonel’s uniform seemed to make the rifle muzzles waver a little, and the stream of Russian abuse directed at them had even more effect. The guns were lowered, and Brian and Harry put down their hands with a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Colonel,” said Brian. “I’m glad to see your chaps are on the ball and all that but it would have been dashed annoying if we’d been shot as spies or something.”

“Not to mention embarrassing,” said Petrov. “Still, as you say, it is a relief to know that at least this part of the Imperial Army is carrying out its duties efficiently. There are certainly days when I have my doubts.”

The Zaamurets started off again and crept forward into the test area – a huge clearing surrounded by dense forest. Petrov stayed on the roof with the two British officers, obviously proud of what he was showing them.

“This is impressive,” said Brian. “You’re re-creating different kinds of terrain here, it seems?”

“Yes, we have a trench system over there,” pointing to one corner, “based on the trenches where we have been fighting against the Austrians. We also have forest terrain, as you can see all around you; and we have steppe here. In winter, this is all covered in snow, so we can test winter warfare plans and tactics. And there’s a river and small lake just over that ridge to test amphibious assaults and river-crossing tactics.”

“Am I right in assuming that all this is your doing, Colonel?” asked Harry, waving a hand at the area surrounding them.

“Yes, Lieutenant, I suppose this is my contribution to the Imperial Army.

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