City of Eternal Light
Located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, Vladivostok has long been a melting pot of different cultures and nations. The city, dubbed Yongmingcheng or The City of Eternal Light, by its early Chinese inhabitants, was formally ceded to the Russian Coalition as part of the treaties of Aigun and Peeking. The Russian Coalition rapidly established a strong naval presence in the city, building up the city's infrastructure; replacing wooden buildings with stone, and constructing a modern port.
The Ruler of the East
Sturgeon's discoveries in the Antarctic ice, and his subsequent betrayal, changed life in Vladivostok forever. Many of the secrets stolen by the former Covenant scientist, Markov, first saw the light of day in experimental prototypes built in Vladivostok warehouses and factories. These developments led to a rapid modernisation of the White Navy Far East Fleet makes its home in the cities port. As these secrets were gradually leaked to the world, other nations began to take an interest in Vladivostok, increasing their presence in the city in trade missions, research institutes, as increasing the large numbers of their citizens moved to the city.
Growth and Prosperity
The Empire of the Blazing Sun were first to capitalise on this opportunity, pouring funding and materials into the city through a host of Imperial agents and friendly industrialists, all the while ensuring the Chrysanthemum Throne had access to new technologies and developments through a mixture of commerce and subterfuge. The Empire even established a branch of the renowned Imperial Alchemical Institute, drawing on the skills of the community of international scientists that made their home in the city. So great was the influence of the Blazing Sun in Vladivostok that the districts on the southern bank of Golden Horn Bay were soon almost entirely under Japanese control.
For years Vladivostock experienced unparalleled growth and prosperity largely untouched by the escalating Global conflict. Factories, refineries and ship-yards worked around the clock to produce marvels undreamed of just a decade earlier. One of the most visible and significant accomplishments was the construction of the Zolotoy Bridge, a suspension bridge built across Zolotoy Rog Bay, built using advanced technology, years ahead of its time.
A Long Shadow
The increasing Japanese influence in Vladivostok did not go unnoticed by the Russian Coalition. There was considerable unease within the Imperial Duma about Japanese ambitions, despite the current peaceful relations between nations. To forestall any aggression, the Tsar ordered a large White Army garrison be deployed to the city.
The arrival of White Army tanks in Vladivostok caused alarm amongst non-Russian residents of the city. Tensions reached boiling point when Aleksandr Agarev, Mayor of Vladivostok, attempted to extend his control over the predominantly Japanese city districts through the imposition of additional taxes on goods shipped to and from Japan. This proclamation prompted outrage amongst Japanese residents, and subsequent rioting escalated rapidly until both Japanese and Russian troops were forced to intervene to restore order. In the aftermath of the unrest, The Empire of the Blazing Sun formally established control over the southern part of the city, creating a Japanese administered zone.
Prelude to War Military forces from both nations were rapidly deployed to the city, and both sides began construction of fortifications intended cement their hold on their respective parts of the city. Although tension was already high, it was rumoured that Victoria Woodhull, a well-known American political figure and Covenant of Antarctica Special Emissary, was negotiating with both sides in secret, offering military aid. Although external influence was denied by both Russian and Japanese Government officials, there was a noticeable escalation in the military build-up. Last minute talks to avert war were hastily scheduled between emissaries of both governments, but when the meeting hall was torn apart by a swirling energy vortex, killing all present, it became clear that hostilities had begun, and conflict was inevitable…
The Combatants
The Empire of the Blazing Sun has deployed the 3rd
Division of the Imperial Army of the Shield under the command of General of the
Sword Ōyama Iwao. Iwao is a leading proponent of armoured walkers, and has personally
overseen the modernisation of much of the Imperial Army. Iwao knows he will
need to defeat the mighty Russian Far East Fleet in order to secure victory,
and as the bulk of the Imperial fleet is occupied elsewhere in the world, Iwao
has called upon Imperial Bond allies, the Chinese Federation to provide naval
support.
The Chinese Federation dispatch the 15th Sea
Division of the Northern Oceanic Army, commanded by General Zeng to blockade
the Russian fleet. It quickly becomes apparent that the Chinese are as
interested in the valuable oil resources and heavy industry of the city, as
they are in supporting their allies. To ensure his allies maintain their focus
on the task at hand, General Iwao details elements of the Ninth Expeditionary
Air Group, and an early prototype Yurei Terror Ship along with a squadron of
corvettes, to support General Zeng.
As his spies scout the strength of the Russian
military, General Iwao soon realises that even the might of his assembled
command might not prove sufficient to wrest control of the city from the
Russian Coalition. To further reinforce his army, he turns to another member of
the Imperial Bond, the aged Frederick Count von Wrangel, Master of the Teutonic
Order of Scandinavia. Wrangel commands a small but powerful company of armoured
robots that protect Prussian interests in the East, operating from Hwangnyong
Fortress in Korea.
The Forces of the Russian Coalition are commanded
by Grand Duke Nicholas
Nikolaevich. Nikolaevich sets great store in the massive
tanks of the White Army and he has deployed the full might of the 65th Armoured
Rifle Army, with the expectation that he will sweep aside the Japanese forces
with ease. The Far East Fleet of the White Navy is commanded by Admiral Ivan
Grigorovich, a popular and well-decorated officer, who does not share the
overwhelming confidence of the Grand Duke.
Accordingly he has solicited the aid of Canadian
adventurer and veteran solider, Major General Garnet Wolseley, who commands the
Kings Royal Landship Corps, a small but mobile force of tanks supported by
Steele Robots based in the Crimea.