Jonathan and Poul spent the rest of the day finalizing the details of the order with their team. They were both excited and nervous about the prospect of fulfilling such a large order for a foreign government, especially considering the current state of war in the region. However, they were confident in their abilities to deliver quality products on time.
As they sat in their office, surrounded by piles of paperwork and contracts, they couldn't help but reflect on the gravity of their situation. They were no longer just businessmen, concerned only with profits and market share. They were now players in a global conflict, with the power to shape the course of history.
The war between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire had been brewing for years, with tensions running high in the region. The involvement of the British Empire and France had only added fuel to the fire, with both sides now fighting for control of the Black Sea and the surrounding territories.
Jonathan and Poul knew that the rifles they were producing would play a crucial role in the conflict. They knew that their products would be used to take lives, defend borders, and shape the future of entire nations. It was a responsibility that weighed heavily on them, but it was also a challenge that they were eager to take on.
Over the next few weeks, the industrialist duo worked tirelessly to ramp up production and ensure that the rifles would be ready for shipment as soon as possible. They hired additional workers and invested in new machinery, working around the clock to meet the demand.As they worked, news of the war continued to reach them. The conflict was escalating, with both sides suffering heavy losses. But the lead was on the Russian Empire who just won in the Battle of Sinop, which took place on December 30, 883. It was a decisive victory for the Russian Empire, causing significant damage to the Ottoman Navy. However, the victory had unintended consequences. The European allies of the Ottoman Empire, Britain, and France were alarmed by the Russian aggression and the defeat of the Ottoman Navy. This led them to take a more active role in the conflict. In early 884, the allies sent naval fleets to the Black Sea to establish a blockade of the Russian coastline, effectively isolating the Russian army in the region and limiting their ability to receive reinforcements and supplies.
Despite the turmoil, Jonathan and Poul remained focused on their work. Actively looking up the news to check the development of the war.
Finally, after weeks of hard work, the first batch of orders was ready for shipment. Ten thousand AN-M1 rifles, carefully packaged and labeled, were loaded onto a cargo ship bound for Russia.
As the cargo ship sailed away from the port, Jonathan and Poul watched it disappear into the horizon with a mix of relief and trepidation.
"Phew," Poul sighed. "At least we were able to produce ten thousand rifles. I hope their introduction in the war would increase our market share in the region."
"Well, they'll know soon enough that our rifles will prove superior to the ones they are currently using. I wonder what faces the allied forces are going to make when they meet Russian forces equipped with AN-M1 rifles."
***March 10th 884.
Meanwhile, in one of the towns in Crimea, General Gorbachev was in the tent, debriefing strategies and tactics with other generals and officers. He pointed at the map, moving his finger across the terrain as he spoke. The atmosphere in the tent was tense, with everyone acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.
"We need to establish a strong defense line here," Gorbachev said, pointing to a spot on the map. "If we can hold this position, we can prevent the allied forces from advancing further. Our priority now is to secure our supply lines and hold our ground until reinforcements arrive."
The other officers nodded in agreement, but there was an underlying sense of unease. They were facing a formidable enemy, and their resources were dwindling. The blockade of the Black Sea had made it difficult for them to receive supplies and reinforcements, and they were outnumbered by the allied forces.
The Black Sea was an essential waterway that connected Russia to the Mediterranean and beyond, providing a critical link in their trade and supply chain. As the only warm-water port that Russia had access to, it played a pivotal role in the empire's logistics and transportation. Without it, the Russian Empire would face severe challenges in importing and exporting goods, as well as in supplying its military forces, which they are facing right now.
Though there had been strategies employed to counter the naval blockade imposed by the allies in the Black Sea such as using smaller and faster ships to evade the blockade and transport goods and troops and strengthening their coastal defenses. But it was an uphill battle. The allies had a significant advantage in terms of naval power and were determined to keep the Russian Empire contained.
As he was scanning the map and speaking to his officers and generals, a thought suddenly struck him, causing him to pause mid-sentence.
"Wait a minute," he said, turning to the group. "Aren't we supposed to receive a shipment of new weapons from the United States?"
Just as the words left his mouth, a messenger burst into the tent, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he saluted the General.
"Sir, a row of carriages carrying crates has just arrived in our position," the messenger reported, his voice filled with urgency.
"What does the crate contain?" Gorbachev asked.
The messenger paused for a moment to catch his breath before answering. "I'm not sure, sir. But they bear markings that suggest they are weapons crates from the United States."
Gorbachev's heart raced with excitement. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. With the blockade in place, the Russian army was in desperate need of supplies, and the arrival of the new weapons would give them a much-needed advantage in the conflict.
"Get those crates open immediately," Gorbachev ordered, his voice ringing with authority. "I want to see what we've got."
The officers and generals moved quickly, gathering around the crates as they were pried open. Inside, they found rows upon rows of brand-new rifles, still gleaming from their packing grease. The soldiers carefully lifted the weapons out of their crates, inspecting them with a mix of curiosity and awe.
"These are AN-M1 rifles," one of the officers who delivered the rifles said, his eyes widening with excitement. "They are the latest weapons that were developed in the United States by the Axelsen & Nielsen Arms Manufacturing Company. According to its manuals, it is a semi-automatic rifle that can fire ten rounds in quick succession without cycling a lever. As compared to our rifles, the Mosin-Nagant 878, the AN-M1 rifles are far superior in terms of accuracy and rate of fire. They are also lighter and more compact, making them easier to handle and transport."
General Gorbachev examined the rifles closely, nodding in approval. "You said that it can fire in quick succession without cycling? I want to see it."
"Very well, General. Allow me to demonstrate."
The officer quickly loaded the rifle and took aim at a nearby tree. With a steady hand, he pulled the trigger, and the rifle let out a series of rapid-fire shots, each one hitting its mark with precision. The soldiers around him cheered, impressed by the weapon's speed and accuracy.
Gorbachev nodded in satisfaction. "So this is what you are talking about huh? It can indeed fire without cycling."
Gorbachev's mind raced with thoughts of a potential encounter between his troops and the allied forces. He imagined his soldiers marching forward, trampling over the opposition with the aid of their AN-M1 rifles. With their superior fire rate and simplified reloading process, the AN-M1s would give their troops a distinct advantage over their enemies.
He can't wait to test it out on the actual battlefield.
"How many AN-M1 rifles are delivered to us?" Gorbachev asked.
"About ten thousand rifles, General."
"Distribute the weapons to our trained men," Gorbachev ordered. "Let them have a feel of the new weapon, fire a couple of rounds if needed but without wasting it too much. I'm sure we have a limited supply of bullets."
The officers and generals quickly set to work, distributing the new rifles to their trained soldiers. As each soldier held the weapon in their hands and tested its weight and balance, they could feel the difference from their old rifles. They marveled at the AN-M1's sleek design and impressive firepower, and the excitement was palpable among the troops.
Gorbachev watched with satisfaction as his men quickly adapted to the new weapons. Now, they just have to wait for the allied forces to come at them in Crimea.
Three months later, the allied forces made a surprise landing in Crimea on June 14th, 884, and marched towards Sevastopol. General Gorbachev was informed about that and marched towards the defensive position in Alma Heights.
There, the AN-M1 rifle will make its debut.
