Correspondence With The Bear 5

Below are various events, correspondence, and happenings that have occurred post-Colossus for Ivan Stanislav. Public events are obviously public, but private matters are just that. Stanislav's responses are, suitably, in red. 

CLASSIFICATION: SECRET

MEMORANDUM FOR: Starshy Praporshchik Ivan Sergeiovich Stanislav - Russian Ground Forces (Retired from Active Duty)

SUBJECT: Failure

Starshy Praporshchik Stanislav,

To say that we (to include all of Russia) are disheartened and saddened by your failure at the largest PRIME event of the year, Colossus, would be a gross understatement. Despite your best efforts, you failed to retain the Universal Title and continue to bring absolute glory to The Motherland.

Does she not deserve all the glory we can muster?

We go all the way back to South Central Asia, Ivan, and I have shown great restraint, flexibility, and also patience with this endeavor. It has, indeed, born fruit, and yet we cannot help but question at what cost? Not just to our own prestige, but to your own.

Could you not have done more to win the match against twenty-three year old Julien Lavigne?

We are not blind to the injustices placed upon you leading up to your defense. But as always, we must strive to overcome these obstacles, not fall prey to them.

Are you prey, Ivan? Had I ever been asked that in the past, I would have answered with a resounding no.

Now, some of us are not sure.

You have been quick to announce the defeat of your opponents. Brandon Youngblood lost a tag match against you and Mr. Ray, and then you defeated him at UltraViolence. Yet now we find ourselves in the exact same position.

Consecutive losses are the quickest means to terminating this exercise.

My understanding is that your contract negotiation is forthcoming with Lindsay Troy. I would like one of my own men to speak to Troy, and if you wish to tag along, you are welcome to. I want to make sure that Russia’s interests are tended to, particularly in the wake of your recent shortcomings.

Continue the fight, Starshy Praporshchik Stanislav.

For the Motherland,

R. Borisov Director. FSB.

Alexei- What can I possibly do to appease Borisov? He was never like this in Afghanistan, or when we were in PCW and OSW. I am not responding to him. I will deal with this myself.

Shortcomings… pah!

-I.S.

—

CLASSIFICATION: SECRET

DATE: 19 December 2023

MEMORANDUM FOR: Starshy Praporshchik Ivan Sergeiovich Stanislav - Russian Ground Forces (Retired from Active Duty)

SUBJECT: Staffing and Expenditures

Starshy Praporshchik Stanislav,

We did not bother to alert you, but I took it upon myself to hold an audit of your expenditures and staffing levels. What we found is alarming. See below:

International Travel- Traveling from Moscow to the continental United States on a bi-weekly (if not more) basis is very expensive. Furthermore, you have been paying for travel for Mr. Freeman, Mr. Schwartz, and Mr. Pleasant when necessary, as well as Mr. Speedy Riggs.

Staffing- You currently have three members of your staff: Arina Timofeyevna, Yanukovich Yanovich, and Maksim Stepanov. In addition, Alexei Ruslan is also considered part of this effort. This means five individuals (including yourself) are part of this overall effort. Is this truly necessary for your day-to-day operations?

It is our belief that maintaining this level of travel, coupled with the salaries being paid out to staff, is prohibitive. Something will need to give. We will leave the decision to you, but here are my recommendations:

-Remove A. Timofeyevna- Of all the members of your staff, Arina Timofeyevna lacks the fire and tenacity necessary to combat the West. Is she really useful at all? We suggest that she be removed from your payroll immediately. If she is so organized, we could use her in Ukraine.

-Remove Y. Yanovich- Yanovich is a gifted information technician and he, too, might be better suited for operations in Ukraine. Even if just on the front line.

-Retain M. Stepanov- This is not a recommendation. Regardless of your decision, this must happen. As you know, Mr. Stepanov’s father is close friends with some important people in our country. Need I say more?

-Cease paying travel for tertiary elements (Freeman, Schwartz, Pleasant, and Riggs).

-When I send someone to renegotiate your contract, perhaps we can see if Ms. Troy would be willing to pay for your travel? We believe relocation to the United States, even temporarily, would not only be an impossibility, but a black eye on international optics.

I welcome any other creative solutions that you might have to these problems.

For the Motherland,

R. Borisov Director. FSB.

—

DATE: 20 December 2023

To: Starshy Praporshchik Stanislav From: Gusina Ilyinishna (seamstress)

Subject: “Scarlet Sickle” outfit- Still missing!

Starshy Praporshchik Stanislav,

I am Ms. Ilyinishna,

It has been a trying year for me. After returning from my harrowing experience in Siberia (the plane crash, if you recall), I then came down with a severe case of food poisoning. The doctors stated that somehow, the level of poison inside of me should have killed an elephant.

I was bedridden for months, but through strength of will and my own tenacity, I was able to overcome the illness and from there was I able to get back to work as a seamstress.

Which leads me to the point at hand:

I still have not received the “Scarlet Sickle” outfit that was commissioned for a Ms. Lindsay Troy.

I believe this could be simply rectified by returning the outfit.

It has been months!

Thank you,

Ms. Ilyinishna

Alexei- There are few things more irritating than finishing this year with an email from this woman! Now, I am not saying that you are responsible for the plane crash. Nor do I think you're responsible for her unfortunate bout of food poisoning. But this woman seems particularly resilient. So resilient that I wonder if a catastrophic explosion would end her.

Food for thought…

—

DATE: 24 December 2023

To: General Staff (Arina Timofeyevna, Yanukovich Yanovich, Maksim Stepanov) From: Starshy Praporshchik Stanislav

Subject: Thank You

Staff,

Allow me to take a brief moment of your time to thank you for your contributions to our great patriotic endeavors. Yes, the outcome was not what would have been preferred, and there will be consequences for said failure.

It does not matter who is at fault.

Nor does it matter who is not at fault.

All that matters is that our beloved country mourned a loss that could have been prevented.

The bulk of the responsibility falls upon my shoulders. This is the nature of such things, and I accept it. It must be embraced.

You are all so young, but you must understand that Mother Russia deserves our best. Even if our best falls short of her expectations.

With PRIME currently on hiatus, enjoy this time however you see fit. Do not get into any trouble. We will reevaluate all of our roles in the beginning weeks of the new year.

-Starshy Praporshchik Stanislav

—

Message left on Ivan Stanislav’s voicemail

DATE: 25 December 2023

From: Alexei Ruslan

Ivan, it is Alyosha. I have tried to call you several times but there was no answer, and you would not answer your phone.

Are you okay?

I know the outcome of Colossus was not what any of us wanted. I am wracked with guilt that my own oversight may have caused the outcome, and for that I am truly sorry, old friend.

December is a difficult month for us old Communists, isn’t it? I know this day, in particular, is one that we never can forget. When our great experiment ended with a whimper so many years ago.

Do you remember that night, when it happened?

The two of us, together, knowing that when the sun rose the next day we would be in a different country? So common and typical to our eyes, and yet in our hearts something so foreign and dangerous?

We promised each other that we would survive the ordeal. I knew when I looked into your eyes, after all we’d been through, that you were confident in your side of the promise.

To be honest, Ivan, I didn’t know if I could deliver on my end. I very much ran the risk of liquidation. Yet I took comfort knowing that you would protect me. As you always have.

How I hate that I brought pain to you, Vanya.

I am rambling, Ivan, and I am sorry.

Sometimes, I feel it is easier for me to state these things when you are not actively listening. What I want to tell you, Ivan, is that win or lose, country or not, I am very fortunate to have you as a friend and a brother.

I have trouble being honest with people, Ivan. I never had anyone to trust growing up. It was difficult for me, living in that broken home and with nothing but scraps. I had to learn, quickly, that the end justifies the means and that most people might smile at you but they hold a dagger close to your heart.

Sometimes I wonder if I, too, have become one of those people? And if so, is that a bad thing? You’re the only person I have ever been able to trust, Ivan. Completely. You are my only friend and confidant. Even when you act contrary to what I believe or want, I know that I can trust you to still be my brother and that I can cling to you when I need you.

These things cannot record forever, so I will let this end now, Ivan.

Just know that, Ivan, I care about you and I am sorry. Please don’t be too hard on yourself and if you need to talk?

I am here for you, Vanya.

Message deleted five seconds into playback and never finished

—

DATE: 27 December 2023

To: Starshy Praporshchik Stanislav From: Olga Karishnikov

Subject: Thinking about you…

Ivan,

I am sure you have heard it very much (and unfortunately seen the news coverage) but I am sorry about what happened at Colossus. I was hoping perhaps you would call me, and I did not want to appear needy by sending you a message.

Would you like to get something to eat?

Did you receive my fruit basket? I wanted to congratulate you on the end of the year awards.

I hope to hear from you soon,

Olga

Message deleted