Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of its characters, they all belong to Disney. Rated M for sexual themes.

Of Things to Come

Chapter 22

USSR – west of Vladivostok – Sino-Soviet border – Friday, September 10, 1989 3:27 am China local time.

His was the first Soviet armored division to cross the border and the Lieutenant smiled as his tank lead the others. For the first twenty miles they'd only saw trees and only a few herds of deer. One tank excited reported a large tiger and he'd had to chuckle at that. The forest grew thicker and the road, if one could call it that, narrower. Occasionally he heard helicopters overhead, delivering soldiers farther inside China to capture airports, road crossings, and military bases.

They drove for another twenty minutes and when they came around another sharp corner a tree lay across the road. The Lieutenant reported it and his tank slower and then stopped as did all the others behind his. Then he and another man crawled out of the turret and went to have a look. The tree was fairly good size and would take time to move which of course would make them late reaching their first objective. Out of frustration he gave the tree a swift kick and a moment later an explosion threw him over it. He landed on his back, knocking the wind out of him and then more explosions shook the ground around him. He was still trying to catch his breath when they stopped and it grew quiet, but for ammunition cooking off in the burning tanks and the smell of oil, cordite, and burning men.

He attempted to sit up when something large and striped landed on the log before him. The Siberian Tiger grinded and he slowly reached for the pistol on his hip.

"Don't," the Tiger said in perfect Russian.

He felt his jaw drop and the Tiger smiled, showing all his impressive dentition. Then he moved his hand away from his pistol and sat up. The Tiger hopped down, landing just in front of him.

"You're from alien ship!"

"I am," he said and grabbed a handful of shirt, bringing the man to his feet. "You're gun belt." For a just moment he thought of reaching for it again and the Tiger lean close enough that felt the big cat's breath on his face. "Don't." Then he very slowly and very carefully unbuckled it and handed it over. "Thank you. I'll add it to my collection. That way." He pointed into the forest and gave the Russian a little push. "We have to meet my comrades."

The Lieutenant looked back at all the burning tanks and then at the Tiger. For a moment and just a moment he thought of taking a swing at him. The Tiger's nostrils flared and he smiled again.

"What happens now?"

"For you the war's over and you'll go to a prison camp," the Tiger said as they continued toward the forest. "After the war's over you'll go back to Russia."

"You mean the Soviet Union."

"No, I mean Russia," he said and put a hand on the man's shoulder. "After this war they'll be no more Soviet Union."

Sol Oort cloud – Zootopia III – Rabbit Garden – Judy's House – Wednesday, October 11, 1989 11:22 pm EDT.

Mikhail Gorbachev and his family had watched the Alliance broadcasts over the last several weeks as the Soviet Army's invasion force was quickly defeated and then the combined Nationalist, Human Federation, and Alliance forces pushed into Siberia, cutting the trans-Siberian railway and occupying Vladivostok. Then they turned east, following the trans-Siberian railroad. One of the Nationalist Armies had even entered Afghanistan apparently with the Afghanis permission and then later their active participation. When they entered the first of the five 'Muslim' republics all them rose in revolt in a seemingly coordinated effort.

Then a few days later and just as he'd predicted one hundred and three of the massive landing craft appeared in orbit. They entered the atmosphere with trajectories to land close to military bases across the Eurasian continent. Then the fools with nuclear launch codes attempted to retarget the missiles to fire the invading spaceships, but soon found that the ICBM silos had been infiltrated. None would launch and upon close examination they'd been rendered inert. The ones aboard Soviet submarines where also inactivated too as were the subs themselves. Soon the subs were popping to surface unable to be scuttled by their crews. At the same time all Soviet surface ships found themselves in the same predicament, powerless and adrift in the open ocean. Navies around the world had a field day rescuing their crews and then by maritime law salvaging abandon ships on the high seas.

In the European part of the Soviet Union the Red Army revolted and pledged their loyalty to 'President' Yeltsin. The next day Ukraine declared its independence and then was soon followed by Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Also, President Yeltsin asked for a ceasefire and ordered all Russian soldiers to return to the Russian Republic. Then it seemed only right to the non-Russian soldiers in the Red Army that they too should return to their home republics. At that point both the Red Army and Soviet Union simply ceased to exist and Alliance was only too happy to help repatriate the stranded soldiers. President Yeltsin immediately received his ceasefire and a Chinese delegation was sent to Moscow with President Lee leading it.

That left a million Soviet soldiers stranded in Eastern Europe and surrounded by populations who had long memories of what the Soviet Union, the KGB, and Red Army had done to them and their countries over the last forty years. It all began with a small demonstration in Budapest over Soviet occupation of their country. Of course this was all broadcast with Alliance help across the world.

Washington, D. C. – White House Oval Office – Friday, October 13, 1989 11:30 am EST.

He heard the knock, looked up, and leaned back in his chair.

"Come."

Just as they had daily since this crisis began back in June James Baker, Dick Thornburgh, William Webster, and Dan Quayle entered and took their seats. The President looked at them and indicated that they should begin.

"Congress is losing their collective minds," James Baker said and chuckled.

"Ah, just the status quo," the President responded and they all laughed.

"Eastern Europe is a flaming mad house," CIA Director Webster said. "In Poland the Army and ordinary citizens have surrounded all the Red Army bases and the Alliance has offered to mediated and repatriate the Russians. Most non-Russian soldiers have defected to the Poles and for the most part are being treated quite well. The Russians seem to be split on obeying President Yeltsin's order to return to Russia. In the Ukraine their newly formed Army which were mostly active and retired Ukrainian Red Army soldiers and citizen volunteers have done pretty much what the Poles have. But those Russian soldiers seem to be following President Yeltsin's orders and are being escorted to Russia, but without any of their personal weapons, heavy equipment, or aircraft. Much the same thing is happening in Belarus too. We have a feeling that those three countries as well as the Baltic states are working together. Also, the Ukrainians have also blockaded the Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol's harbor."

"Oh I'll bet the Russians will just love that," President Bush said and sighed.

"After the incident in Budapest the people with the defection of their Army overthrew the government and then went after the Red Army with a vengeance. All the non-Russian units of the Red Army immediately surrendered after killing any Russians in their ranks and then joined the Hungarians. We've reports of Red Army retreating cross the Hungarian borders into Austria, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania, and Ukraine. They're certainly not being welcomed with open arms especially Romania which is having their own revolution against Ceaușescu. That's another bloody mess! Besides Hungary that's another place where the Alliance is involving themselves and they are being welcomed with open arms."

"Czechoslovakia's revolution has been almost bloodless by comparison. The Red Army there is obeying President Yeltsin and crossing into Ukraine. We have no idea what's going on in Albania or Bulgaria. Then there's East Germany."

Director Webster signed and leaned back in his chair.

"They have civil war going on with the people and most of the East Germany Army on one side and the Stasi and some Red Army units on the other. The people in West Berlin have overwhelmed the local police and have begun tearing down the Berlin Wall and as of an hour ago the people in East Berlin have joined them. The East German Army has control of all the major cities with the help of their reserves and the citizens. So most of the fighting is taking place in the countryside. We're afraid that some of it could spill over the border in Poland, Czechoslovakia, or worse the German Federal Republic. West Germany is already moving some units of their army closer to the border and are beginning to call up reserve units. They're also flying combat air patrols along their common border with East Germany."

"I probably need to speak to Chancellor Kohl after this meeting," the President said.

"Maybe during this meeting," James Baker said.

"Anything else?"

"The Nationalist Army and their allies which are now being led by General Chiang himself have reached the Urals and Siberia is now completely under their control and thankfully all the Russian nuclear weapons," Director Webster said and leaned forward toward the President. "We think they intend to force the Russians to cede it all to them, but with the situation as it is what else can the really do? Soon and I mean very soon we also think the Alliance is going to jump into East Germany with both feet."

"I wonder why they haven't done it yet?" the President said and Director Webster shrugged. "Maybe I should speak to the Admiral and Mr. Kohl at the same time."

"Good idea.

"And southern Russia?" the President asked.

"Well the Germans, Chinese, and their alien allies have been welcomed with open arms in the five Muslim Republics," Director Webster said. "Since the Russians took most of Red Army units from those republics for use in China there was almost nothing to stop the uprisings or the invasion. What was left of the Red Army was either killed in the uprisings, retreated toward Russia, or surrendered to the Germans and Chinese. Trust me they definitely preferred to surrender to them. As of today Field Marshall's Rommel's army has reached the northern shore of the Caspian Sea and we think they're heading toward Volgograd."

"Why?" the President blurted out.

"Remember Volgograd use to be named Stalingrad and the German 6th army was destroyed there at least in ours and 2976 Earth's history."

"So he's refighting World War II?"

"Rommel never fought the Russians in his world since he was in North Africa fighting the British."

"Where's he going to stop?"

"We think General Chiang and President Lee have given him carte blanche so they can get what they want out of the Russians."

"Which of course is Siberia."

"Exactly."

Sol Oort cloud – Zootopia III – Rabbit Garden – Saturday, October 14, 1989 9:27 am EST.

Judy found him sitting under a tree just watching the Dragons flying in lazy circles. She sat beside him and put her hand on his. He looked at the Rabbit and gave her a sad smile. Then she squeezed his hand.

"Mikhail, what do you want to do?"

"Now I'm a man without a country."

"Russia's still there."

"I doubt I'd be welcomed with open arms," he said and put his head against the tree, shutting his eyes. "I certainly don't want put my family in danger."

"Mikhail, there's an entire universe of things to see and do," she said and chuckled. "Sweet cheese and crackers, there's actually three of them!"

He looked at her for a moment and then laughed.

"What would you suggest?" he asked, wiping the tears from his eyes.

"I don't know... uh... go to 1942 Earth and talk to some of the people there. They need help putting that place back together. Mikhail, you ran the largest country in the world."

"Apparently not well enough to lose my job!"

"Sometimes bad things happen to good people!"

"What do you think I should do there?"

"I don't know go talk to Stalin!"

He looked at her for a moment and then laughed again until tears ran down his cheeks.

"That's just crazy!"

"Wouldn't you like to see his face when you introduce yourself?" she said and grinned. "There are several ships leaving for 1942 Earth tomorrow." He looked back at the Dragons. "Mikhail, come on!" She lightly shaking him. "Damn it, you're a smart person! You didn't get to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union just by luck! I'm sure you could find something interesting to do there."

"Well..."

"It would be just a start," she said and gave him a little shake. "Just give a try! And if nothing works out you could come back here and we'll find you a spot. You could be a carrot farmer just like my father!"

Mikhail laughed again.

Earth – German Democratic Republic – outside Dresden – Saturday, October 14, 1989 3:27 am local time.

The first of ten massive Alliance Troop Carriers made ground fall in East Germany, immediately began to launching drones toward the besieged city. Since the carrier was within twenty miles of their target they'd have eyes on it and the surrounding area within the next five minutes. The first of the tanks and APCs rolled down the ramps and began to spread out, intending to envelope the attackers. They knew they'd be spotted soon enough and started to move slowly toward the city, still waiting for the tactical information from the drones. Within a few minutes the information was uploaded to their computers and the appropriate orders were received. They soon heard their aircraft overhand and quickened their pace toward the besieged city.

The lead elements of the Alliance ran across a Soviet tank battalion and opened fire. The battle was brief and soon they rolled past twenty-one burning tanks while their infantry stopped briefly to collect prisoners, treat the wounded, and mark the dead. The next enemy formation had been bombed and strafed by their aircraft and after a quick inspection they preceded to their next objective. Within an hour Dresden had been surrounded a second time by it's soon to be liberators. As the Alliance had pushed the enemy closer to the city some units began to surrender while others fought on doggedly until they'd been completely annihilated.

When the Alliance reached the city's outskirts its defenders accidently fired on them with little or no affect. As the sun rose the Alliance armored infantry begun to filter in amongst the tanks and once the city's defenders could get a better look at what they'd been shooting towards their sporadic firing abruptly ceased. One of the tanks moved out of formation, spun it's turret toward the rear, and approached the defenders lines. It stopped twenty feet away and the top hatch opened. A person in armor nimbly climbed out and dropped to the ground and walked toward an officer who'd stood, waiting to make contact. The armored figure stopped a few feet away, saluted, and then his armor opened and he stepped forward and offered his hand. The Colonel leading the defense of this sector immediately recognized the man and his jaw dropped. The other man just smiled.

"Field Marshal Erwin Rommel at your service," he said, clicking his heels and nodding.

"Erwin Rommel is dead."

"On this version of Earth that's true," he said and smiled again. "You must have seen some of the Alliance broadcasts."

"We were told to turn our TVs off," the man said and quickly looked around.

"I seriously doubt that anyone cares about that now, do you?" Rommel asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I guess not," he said and finally took the proffered hand.

"I would like to meet with the General in charge of the city's defenses to arrange a formal truce and maybe coordinated our efforts in fighting the Stasi and Russians."

"Of course," the Colonel said and called another man over to send the message.

Rommel walked the Colonel back to his tank and invited the man and several of his subordinates for a tour. While the tank's crew explained various aspects of the machine to the visitors he thought about he'd gotten volunteered for this particular mission. The Fleet Admiral had called General Chiang and told him of their invasion of East Germany and suggested it might be helpful to have several German officers for technical advice.

Of course General Chiang agreed and then suggested that said officers might actually command some of the Alliance forces in the field. Then a few hours later he and several others found themselves aboard an Alliance shuttle and meeting the large landing craft just entering orbit. He smiled, thinking that the Fleet Admiral was very clever Rabbit and that both the General and Admiral both probably thought they'd the better part of the deal. He chuckled.

Earth – United States of America – New York City – UN Building – Monday, January 1, 1990 10:00 am EDT.

Actually it was the first time that the United Nations had met on the New Year Day, but for the first time in history at least on this version of Earth there were no wars being fought anywhere. It was also the first time Dragons flew over New York City, offering rides much to the consternation of the city government. The police tried to chase off the crowds that immediately form when they landed, but it was to no avail. Soon enough the city relented and citizens of New York had an interesting day.

All the major fighting had ceased by the end of October and over the last two months popular revolutions had toppled the last of dictatorships - communist or otherwise. Seventeen counties had come into existence while three simply ceased to be. The reason for this auspicious meeting was to sign treaties establishing the final borders and settle reparations between ex-enemies.

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel greeted the Fleet Admiral and then General Chiang and took his seat between them. The Admiral and General had had several heated discussions over the last two months on his 'actions' during the wars. He had participated in those meetings and had come to be the chief mediator between the two of them. He smiled at that and noticed the Admiral looking at him.

"So what are your plans?" she asked in German and raised an eyebrow.

"Well I'm going back to Germany to be with my family for a while," he said and smiled. "Then I'm going to do a bit exploring. The Human Federation has offered me my own ship and yes, I'm taking my family and some of my old comrades and their families along too. My ship won't be as large as yours, but we'll have some gardens, rabbits, maybe even a few Dragons too. We'll just see what we can find."

Judy smiled and then sat back in her seat.

"Heaven help the universes," she muttered.