Of all the stories I've written this one has the most become a learning experience. With every story I learn something. I was drawn into a really contentious subject - European diplomacy. I had originally intended this a simple story of Strela's past. I would show a balanced view of the Lithuanian-Russian History. But the more I read about that history the harder it became to stay 'balanced'. Like Strela I found myself dealing with the often violent and usually ruthless handling by Russian of it's neighbors.

As I wrote the story the crisis in the Ukraine started. I read about Russian units moving in as I was researching the 1991 Soviet invasion of Lithuania now known as the January events. I started to have a feeling of Deja vu. What units were used in 1991? 76th Guards and the Alpha unit. And the SAME units were being used now. And even the same excuses - To protect innocent lives. And of course the Russians blame the Americans.

To be honest it kind of creeped me out. It did bring a few thoughts to me. Communist, monarchist or democratic the government in Moscow was still the same aggressive one.What came to mind was the line from an old James Bond movie "Governments change but the lies remain the same'. But what really sticks in my mind is a line from an old song 'What's old is new again.'

But rest assured THIS tale is just starting. And as it showed the Russians in a bad light to begin it also brought up World War 2. And that opened up a whole world of issues. Having grown up in the cold war era I learned to almost reflexively disbelieve whatever the Soviets said about WW2. With the fall of communism the truth has finally come out. And that was a real eye opener. But more on that in a later chapter.

To understand it helps to have read my previous stories. Part of this story takes place during the January events http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_Events. It also helps to be familiar with the Communist coup that took place in 1991 in Moscow. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_coup_attempt_of_1991.

Researching this story brought up world war 2 in Eastern Europe. Having grown up in the cold war era I learned to almost reflexively disbelieve whatever the Soviets said about WW2. With the fall of communism the truth has finally come out. And that was a real eye opener. Many books coming out of Russia seem to tell the truth.

I was amazed by the sheer ferocity and the scale of the fighting. Like how the Soviets lost more people at Stalingrad then the U.S. did in the whole war! But the communists propagandized the war turning the history of it into a fantasy. Only after the collapse of communism did the full extent of the lies become apparent.

The one Russian made the mistake in the 1960's of writing the true story of what happened during the partisan warfare he was in. He was summoned to the Lubyanka in Moscow and found himself interrogated by the KGB. They were upset in that he told the truth and not what the communists wanted. He was told 'Don't tell it as it was. Tell it as it should be.' A telling phrase.

The debate between Strela and the professor brings up many questions that in a way I cannot answer.

This story is intended for enjoyment and I apologize if anyone is insulted. That was not my intention.

As always comments and suggestions are welcome.