Forum:The Red Stars

Plot summary
Russia, 1942.

Nazi Germany has invaded the Soviet Union. Hitler's armies advance mercilessly through the war-torn nation, brazenly - and openly - executing those who would dare to defy them. They have reached the city of Stalingrad, and half the city is in ruins. Amongst these ruins is a nineteen-year-old Jewish boy, who saw his family murdered at the hands of the SS. He is determined to get to the safety of his aunt and uncle in the city of Omsk, but he can only do it with the help of a group of renegade Stalingrad rebels, called the Red Stars.

In the midst of an enemy the like of which the world has never seen, five men must fight for survival and push through what's left of Soviet Russia, while one of them vows to avenge his deceased family ...

Sgt. S.S.
Mikhail Sidorenko - A nineteen-year-old Jew who saw his family murdered at the hands of the Nazis. Trying to get to the safety of his relatives in Omsk.

The Red Stars
Sergei Andropov - Unofficial leader of the Red Stars. Hates Nazis with a vengeance and is never afraid to shoot to kill.

Nikolai Broushka - Red Stars member and designated marksman. While not as fanatical as Andropov, he still holds a serious grudge towards the Nazis.

Natasiya Petrenko - Red Stars member, radio operator and the only girl. Has a brother, Dimitri, serving in the Red Army.

Luka Grzegorzk - Red Stars member and radio operator. Was forced to flee from his native Poland by the advancing Nazis.

Prologue: The Darkest Night
Mikhail Sidorenko stared out his bedroom window at the gleaming Volga River. He would often sit here for hours at a time, just looking out. It was a form of escape from the banality of his everyday life. Suddenly, overhead, he heard a droning sound.

He looked up and saw three planes flying towards the street. They were flying unusually low, Mikhail thought. One of the planes flew over the street. Moments later, there was a huge explosion.

Mikhail was thrown back by the force of the blast. The two other planes flew past, followed by two more explosions.

His father, Oleg, ran in. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I think so", Mikhail replied.

"We have to get out of here", Oleg snapped, and pulled Mikhail out of the room. His mother, Tanya, and eight-year-old sister, Anna, were already there in the hall.

"Let's go!" Oleg yelled, and they ran out into the street.

Outside, they saw a chaotic scene. Dozens of people were running, screaming, amidst the sound of explosions and the howl of the planes overhead.

It's an invasion force, Mikhail thought with a shudder.

"Where do we go?" Tanya screamed.

"Into the Metro!" Oleg yelled. "It's our only chance!"

They ran. When they were about 60 metres from the metro station, a half-track rolled around the corner and started to unlod troops. The soldiers were dressed in all-black uniforms. Some wore gas masks. Some wielded flamethrowers. Some had rifles or shotguns. And all of them were terrifying.

A harsh voice blared out from a loudspeaker mounted on the half-track. "Halte! Kommen sie!"

"RUN!" Oleg screamed.

They ran, but not before the half-track opened fire.

The bullets shredded through Oleg, Tanya and Anna, killing them instantly. Mikhail kept running. He knew they were dead, there was nothing he could do, but just as he made it to the metro, one of the planes came back on one last strafing run.

There was yet another explosion. Mikhail had just enough time to look up and register a piece of masonry falling towards him, before the world became black, and silent.