Saving the Romanov family #18

ГА РФ, ф. 683 оп. 1 д. 125 л. 17 фото 281

Copenhagen, December 1918

We were given shelter in Amalienborg, home of the Danish royal family. The Romanovs were jubilant, especially when they were informed there's a Russian Orthodox Church nearby. Over the next few days, the refugees began to go their separate ways. The Konstantinovich and Alexandrovich families left for Stockholm on the invitation of the Swedish queen while others went to France and England.

Our mission was finally complete. Where the Romanov family go from here is up to them. I advised Nicholas and Alexandra to avoid politics and not respond to any more letters from purported monarchists. Writing their memoirs for posterity is enough. It won't stop the Soviets from demonizing the Romanovs, but at least they'll get to tell their side of the story, something they were never given the chance to do in my time. Above all, I urged against ever going back to Russia, otherwise our efforts were for nothing. Their only responsibility now is to their five children.

The Professor met the Romanov family with a bountiful supply of clotting factor for Alexei. He was careful not to say anything about the future. The grand duchesses were sorry to see us go. They cannot thank us enough for all that we've done for them. There was no royal ball and no formal ceremony, just an icon and a Faberge egg for each of us from the Romanov family as farewell gifts. This was a covert rescue and we wish to remain a secret. If anyone asked the Romanovs about their escape from Russia, they'll deny any participation or even knowledge of our existence.

The five of us left the palace at nightfall to find a secluded location to return to the present. We didn't inform the Romanovs we were leaving. Tatiana discovered our departure and caught up with us. She handed me a photo album with her monogram on the cover, then slowly leaned forward to kiss me before running back to the palace. She never said a word.

We set out to rescue seven Romanovs and ended up saving the lives of over 40 people. The Professor was pleased with the mission's outcome, though he believes we should've killed Yurovsky. He can't be certain what the present will be like. If we return to our timeline where the Romanovs were murdered, I'll visit their graves at the Peter and Paul Cathedral to pay my respects. If it's a parallel universe affected by our actions, I'll still visit their graves and locate their descendents, if there are any.

No matter what happens, I cannot deny that this has been an incredible journey. It wasn't just the time travel, the rescues or having the upper hand over the regicides. It was Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia. They were my greatest adventure.

Saving the Romanov family #17

ГА РФ, ф. 673. оп. 1 д. 203 л. 10

Norwegian Sea, November 1918

Most of the refugees were on deck watching Murmansk fade into the distance. The Romanovs have finally been evacuated from Russia. Now the Standart is all that remains of their beloved home. In this timeline, Olga lived to celebrate her 23rd birthday. I presented her with belongings and valuables Geralt and I recovered from the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo, notably several Faberge eggs and photo albums the Romanovs left behind before their deportation to Tobolsk. It was my last surprise for her and her family. Olga was moved to tears. Her only regret was that we couldn't take Cisco with us.

The yacht was in poor condition when Geralt and I found her in Kronstadt. Revolutionaries used her as a barracks ship, stripping or defacing all the original furnishings. The Romanovs nonetheless occupied their cabins without complaint. Since the four of us were short-handed, Nicholas and his children were willing to help out anywhere they could, even offering to assist Chief in the engine room. They'll probably have to sell the yacht one day to pay for their expenses, but at least they get to sail on her again.

For once in a long time, the Romanovs were out of danger. More importantly, they were free. Anastasia was so happy that she was on the foredeck screaming with Alexei. The refugees wanted to contribute a portion of their remaining valuables to make a tidy sum as a reward for rescuing them. Neither me nor my companions accepted it. They'll need it more than we do. Such kindness reminded Olga that there are still good people left in the world, restoring her faith in humankind.

Ultimately, I chose not to tell OTMA that we were from the future. They would've plied us with questions and I don't want them to think the grass is greener where we're from. Telling them my real name and where I was born satisfied their curiosity, though I stopped short of letting them see my face. Olga has been impressed with our extraordinary fighting abilities, overcoming superior numbers while barely taking a scratch. She wonders where we received our combat training. Olga is smarter than I thought.

One evening, the grand duchesses messed around with me in the wheelhouse while I was on duty. Maria removed her scarf and wrapped it around my neck, believing I was cold. After Aragorn took over the helm, the grand duchesses stayed with me in the captain's cabin, resting on a sofa. Maria and Anastasia fell asleep on either side of me. They had been craving this proximity ever since we left the Ipatiev House. I looked like a brother to Olga and Tatiana, watching over the little pair with great affection. I have come to value them more than my own life. The Professor plans to meet us in Copenhagen, where the Romanov family will finally come face to face with the man who made this rescue possible.

Saving the Romanov family #16

ГА РФ, ф. 673 оп. 1 д. 204 л. 21 об.

 

Murmansk, October 1918

Maria was up early to fetch water. I had a surprise for the Romanov family and since she was the first to awake, I took her with me to the harbour. I told her to close her eyes before we came within sight of the harbour. When I let her open them, she saw the imperial yacht Standart moored in the distance. Her eyes adjusted for a moment before she turned and threw her arms around me, almost throwing me off balance. She missed me so much.

I did the same for her sisters when they awoke, taking them to the yacht one by one. Olga broke down in tears when she saw it and Tatiana almost fell to her knees, crying on my shoulder. Anastasia was the hardest to surprise. She kept trying to peek so I had to blindfold her. She burst into joy after I removed the blindfold. Another surprise for the Romanovs was their friend Anna Vyrubova, whom I managed to locate while in Petrograd. Geralt and I wanted to drop her off in Copenhagen while we continued to Murmansk, but she was eager to be reunited with the Romanov family.

No one in her family or entourage could believe it. Geralt and I liberated the Standart from under the very noses of the Petrograd Soviet. I didn't go into detail as to how we infiltrated Petrograd, the epicentre of Red Terror. What matters is we finally have a ship. Olga said she would've been horrified if she had known what I was planning. She will never forget this. It's been four years since the Romanov family last sailed on the Standart and three years since they last saw it. Soon they will get to sail on her again.

The Standart needs a refit for the long voyage ahead. We planned to depart on November 16, the day after Olga's birthday which would be her last in Russia, but she is prepared to leave as soon as the yacht is ready to sail. It doesn't matter to her where she celebrates her birthday. The Russia she loved is gone. At least she'll get to celebrate her birthday on the Standart, the imperial family's home from home.

While the Standart was in transit through Denmark, the Danish royal family supplied us with provisions for the journey. In return, they asked us to bring the imperial refugees to Copenhagen where they will be granted asylum. Fitting, seeing as the Standart was built there. A few refugees had grown too comfortable in Murmansk, believing evacuation was unnecessary now that the Allies were here. I had to explain to them that the war-weary Allied troops had no desire to fight another conflict and the White Army was politically divided. The anti-Bolshevik movement was a lost cause.

Before Geralt and I captured the yacht, we went to Moscow to pay Lenin a visit at his dacha, the Bolshevik dictator responsible for murdering the Romanov family. He was recovering from a failed assassination attempt. I let him know I wasn't fooling around, driving a bayonet into the palm of his hand which pinned him to the bed. I threatened him at axe point to leave the Romanov family alone, then we disappeared into the darkness.

I ought to have done the world a favour and put Lenin down. But I didn't travel through time to kill a monster. We've meddled enough with history. The Russians can keep him since they love him so much. He won't live long anyway.

Saving the Romanov family #15

ГА РФ. Ф. 683. Оп. 1. Д. 125. № 414

Murmansk, August 1918

The rescue party was forewarned of the Finnish Legion at the train station. Igor and I awaited their arrival while also keeping a watchful eye on the legionnaires. It took my companions days to find every Romanov relative. Anyone they could not locate was either in the Crimea or had already escaped Russia. My companions said Petrograd was a hellhole. They had to incite a mass prison break at Spalernaia prison as a diversion in order to rescue the four grand dukes incarcerated there.

There are over 40 refugees now. More Romanov relatives than I thought, a few of them accompanied by their own loyal staff. The Konstantinovich family is by far the largest. Elizabeth Mavrikievna, her brother-in-law Dmitry, two daughters-in-law, seven children and four grandchildren are present. Vladimir Paley's parents, two sisters and two of Sergei Mikhailovich's brothers are also present. Any more relatives and I'll have to create a list.

The new arrivals were warned about the flu pandemic and advised to practice good hygiene. The Romanov family busied themselves by helping their relatives settle into temporary accommodations. Paul Alexandrovich is in very poor health and is being looked after by his wife Olga Paley with some help from Dr Botkin. Not all the relatives seem happy to be here. Some of them are still bitter towards Nicholas and Alexandra for their association with Rasputin. Olga is devoted to her father and it saddens her to see so much scorn for him.

I gave everyone the ill news that the British squadron will not evacuate us. We've ruled out going back to Arkhangelsk as getting a ride on one of the Allied troopships runs the risk of catching the virus. It's been days and we should've received word that the king had sent a ship by now. Can't afford to wait anymore. I didn't tell the refugees what I plan to do next, only that I'll be leaving Murmansk for a while. They'll probably think I'm insane if I told them. Geralt has volunteered to go with me as he doesn't want to babysit the refugees.

After leaving instructions with Aragorn and Chief, Geralt and I stocked up on supplies before heading out. OTMA saw us leaving and thought we were embarking on another rescue mission. They wished us luck. I left Cisco behind to give the grand duchesses some company. For now the Romanovs will continue to live in Russia, but they are not out of danger yet.

Saving the Romanov family #14

ГА РФ, ф. 683 оп. 1 д. 125 л. 14

Murmansk, July 1918

Woke up one morning to discover an insignia of Anastasia's regiment, the 148th Caspian Infantry, on my shoulder sleeve. Anastasia took my jacket while I was asleep and sewed it on. It bothered her that we have no insignias, so she made me a soldier of her regiment, affectionately calling me her darling Caspian. The actual regiment was disbanded after the revolution. Still, I won't disappoint her.

We've split into two groups. Aragorn believes he can rescue the other Romanov relatives in Petrograd, but he needed Master Chief and Geralt to go with him. It was a risky operation which I reluctantly agreed to. They were joined by Sergei Mikhailovich, Vladimir Paley, Ioann Konstantinovich and his brother Konstantin. Ioann's brother Igor stayed with the convoy because of his fragile health. After the convoy reached the outskirts of Arkhangelsk, the rescue party headed off to Petrograd, into the lion's den.

I warned the refugees about the deadly influenza pandemic before we entered Arkhangelsk. The city was bustling with Allied and White Army troops. We left our vehicles behind when we reached the port, using them to barter for passage across the White Sea. After crossing the sea by boat, we got on a train to Murmansk, finally getting there at dusk. The train station was guarded by the Finnish Legion, a Royal Navy unit composed of communist volunteers. It was only because I was in British Army uniform that they didn't detain Nicholas and Alexandra.

The admiral of the British North Russia Squadron has good relations with the Murmansk Soviet and he preferred to keep the peace by refusing to help the Romanov family. His priority was to defend Murmansk from the German-backed White Guard, hence the Finnish Legion. He gave his word that they won't harm the Romanov family, but I'll be keeping an eye on them. There has also been no word from the king, thus we're stranded in Murmansk unless we can find a ship that will take us abroad. With potential hostiles in the town and my companions away, I supplied Igor with ammunition for his rifle and gave Olga my M1911 pistol. I told her to be careful with it. Hopefully she won't need to use it.

Once the refugees had settled into temporary accommodations, Igor took the first watch while Tatiana and I went to have a look around. She's elated to see the sea again, something she'd missed so much in captivity. Alexandra and Alexei's health have improved both physically and mentally since leaving Ekaterinburg. Tatiana fears I may have burdened her family with a debt they can never fully repay. I'm just glad she's happy. On the way back to our lodgings, I lifted Tatiana off her feet and carried her the rest of the way. She's never looked at me with a blush before. I would've locked eyes with her too if only I didn't have to watch the road. Her life was in my hands.

Saving the Romanov family #13

ГА РФ. Ф. 683. Оп. 1. Д. 125. № 433

En route to Arkhangelsk, July 1918

The convoy didn't cover much distance today. Empress Alexandra was tired so we had to stop to let her rest. The four of us scouted the surrounding area and harassed a few Red Army patrols that strayed too close. Upon returning to the camp, we reviewed a map of the area. Anastasia took an interest in our meeting and silently watched us from behind.

Nicholas and his daughters were smoking cigarettes. I felt compelled to let them know that it was bad for their health, something that wasn't known during the Great War. People still smoke in the future, but the lives of the Romanovs are important to me and I hope I can encourage them to quit, especially OTMA. If the Bolsheviks don't kill them, smoking will. It was another vital piece of medical knowledge for Dr Botkin.

Anastasia later went for a walk with her pet dog Jimmy. I accompanied her in case she ventured too far from the camp. While we were walking along a river bank, she bent over to look into the water. She lost her balance and nearly fell forward, but I caught her with my hands. That was when I felt jewels hidden in her blouse, and there was a lot of them. Anastasia was embarrassed. She said the jewels are her family's valuables. Her sisters also have them sewn into their underclothes and they're carrying them for their mother. Not that they don't trust us, they just didn't think of another way to carry them. I promised to keep her secret.

The grand duchesses took the phonograph from their luggage and used it to play music in the evening. Ioann Konstantinovich danced with his wife Helena to lift the refugees' spirits. The couple later asked me if it was safe for them to go to Petrograd to pick up their two children, who are being looked after by Ioann's mother Elizabeth Mavrikievna. I advised against it as the Petrograd Soviet will recognize Ioann. Come to think of it, in preventing the murders at Ekaterinburg and Alapaevsk, we may have unwittingly endangered the lives of other Romanov relatives still in Petrograd. The Bolsheviks could unleash their anger on them.

Went behind a vehicle to run diagnostics on my cyberware optics. The program was almost done scanning when Maria appeared. She expressed her gratitude for the rescue. It's been a while since armed men treated her family with kindness and respect. She feels like a grand duchess again. Before Maria left, she could've sworn she saw my eyes glowing orange. Lines of code would appear in my optics during diagnostics, making the iris glow. Next time I'll be sure to keep my eyes closed.

Saving the Romanov family #12

"Потопление Мордвинова"
ГА РФ ф. 683 оп. 1 д. 125 л. 20

En route to Arkhangelsk, July 1918

We cautiously infiltrated the enemy frontline under the cover of darkness. The diversion we created gave the Red Army soldiers the impression they were under attack by a large force. While they were distracted, the convoy was able to pass through unnoticed. The refugees were in awe at the flares, explosions and gunfire when we rejoined them and continued on our way. Most of them have never seen combat before.

A few miles into enemy territory, we came across an abandoned Gulag. The prisoners had been massacred by the retreating Cheka, probably to prevent the Czechoslovaks from liberating them. The half-dug graves suggest they left in a hurry. The bodies had been stripped and mutilated similar to what Yurovsky would've done to the Romanov family. I warned the refugees to stay back but some of them wanted to see it for themselves. Despite Empress Alexandra's protests, we didn't bury the bodies and moved on. We had lingered long enough.

We set up camp in the evening. Our Mosin-Nagant rifles were passed on to the princes Ioann, Konstantin, Igor and Vladimir Paley, seeing as they were decorated war heroes before the revolution, though I stopped short of supplying them with ammunition. For now I only trust my companions with loaded firearms. Giving them bayonets for fixing to their rifles is enough.

A few refugees were gathered around a small campfire. They couldn't sleep after such an eventful day. I tried to take Olga's mind off it by asking her to think of a good memory, something that made her really happy. That was when she began reminiscing about one of her family trips to Mogilev in the summer of 1916, when they messed around with an officer by the name of Anatoly Mordvinov and sort of tried to drown him in the Dnieper river. Her sisters also remembered that day and spoke fondly of it, giggling for a bit. I finally saw Olga smile, though it slowly disappeared when she wondered what happened to him and the officers in the tsar's escort.

The grand duchesses speak to us in English nowadays. They had long suspected from our accents that we were not Russians. It disappointed them once I confirmed their suspicions, for they had hoped to be rescued by their compatriots, particularly someone they knew. But anyone still loyal to their father is either dead or powerless to help. Now their fates are in the hands of us mysterious foreigners. Nonetheless, they are deeply indebted to us for our aid.

Saving the Romanov family #11

ГА РФ, ф. 673. оп. 1 д. 203 л. 24 об.

Ekaterinburg, 25 July 1918

Geralt has returned, bringing Dr Botkin's children, Tatiana and Gleb, from Tobolsk. Finding them was not easy for him.

A Czechoslovak detachment came to the Ipatiev House this afternoon. We met them disguised as British troops. They didn't get in our way, so long as we vacated the compound which they intend to use as their headquarters. The local nuns have been told they don't have to deliver food anymore. The Romanovs presented them with gifts for their generosity. Maria regrets that she never had a chance to explore Ekaterinburg, having been kept in strict isolation almost throughout her time here. She'll never know if she likes the city. A priest and deacon arrived at the Ipatiev House to conduct prayers and bless the captives on their journey.

Thomas Preston from the British consulate visited the captives again and offered his advice when he heard we were leaving Ekaterinburg. The British North Russia Squadron is based in Murmansk. Preston suggested that if we can get there, a warship could transport us out of Russia. He will try and telegraph London informing the king of the Romanov family's whereabouts. Murmansk seems a fitting choice for the captives, after all its original name was Romanov-on-Murman. It's regrettable we can't take the Romanovs to the Crimea and I can see their disappointment.

Elizabeth Feodorovna and her companion Barbara opted to stay with the nuns at the local monastery, even though I warned her the communists will kill her. A few members of the imperial entourage have also decided to part ways with the Romanov family. On the bright side, this meant less people for us to worry about.

Anastasia thinks we look funny wearing Brodie helmets. Alexei, on the other hand, was quite impressed with our gear. Maria tried to snap a picture of me but I asked her not to because I was camera-shy, even though I wear a mask. I suggested she focus on taking pictures of her family as they're more important than I ever will be. The grand duchesses noticed our lack of insignias. In the event we were to cross paths with real British troops, our unmarked uniforms will make them think we're secret service agents.

With everyone accounted for and the vehicles' engines in working order, we waited until dark before moving out towards the frontline. Geralt took Cisco to scout ahead of the convoy. The Romanovs won't miss the House of Special Purpose and neither will I. Their captivity is finally over. Now they're imperial refugees fleeing Red Terror. Out of the frying pan into the fire.

Saving the Romanov family #10

ГА РФ, ф. 601 оп. 1 д. 1670 л. 15 об.

Ekaterinburg, 24 July 1918

Word reached us that another group of Bolsheviks was planning to attack the Ipatiev House. They were led by Pyotr Ermakov, another regicide. Aragorn and I found them in a saloon, all drunk, so we overcame them with ease. I wasted no time with Ermakov, slashing his throat and leaving him to die while we killed the others. He and his gang will not harm another soul again. We took their ammo and one of their horses. I named it Cisco.

The pain in Alexei's leg is subsiding. He still cannot walk but the clotting factor is working splendidly. Alexandra was in tears. It's a miracle she feared she wouldn't witness again. The downside of helping Alexei is that we've become more of a mystery to the captives. The questions keep coming. At least the boy will be ready for the long journey ahead. I've instructed the captives to begin packing their bags because we'll be leaving tomorrow after the Czechoslovak Legion arrives.

We gathered the captives in the living room to discuss our destination. Regrettably, we told them that going to the Crimea would be suicide because we'd have to fight our way through many miles of hostile terrain to get there, and even then the island is under German control. Murmansk is under Allied control but it's also behind enemy lines. The best option is probably Vladivostok. It's the farthest, but with the Red Army retreating from the east, our journey would be a breeze compared to the Crimea or Murmansk. We gave the captives until tomorrow to make their decision. One thing's for sure is they cannot stay in Ekaterinburg.

Today I asked Olga if she needed anything. I was a bit surprised when she asked for a gun. She used to have a Browning pistol which she concealed after the revolution in case the guards tried to harm her family. It was confiscated while they were imprisoned in Tobolsk. I gave her my M1911 pistol since I already use a tomahawk for close combat. To show her how to use it we had to go somewhere else. Once all the captives were asleep, I took Olga with me on Cisco to the Koptyaki forest under the cover of darkness.

We visited the mine that was meant to be used by Yurovsky to strip, mutilate and dispose of the bodies. Looking into the mineshaft gave me chills even though we prevented the murders. Still, I wanted to see it for myself. I didn't tell Olga what would've happened here had we not rescued her family, but she could tell something was bothering me. We stayed awhile after I taught her a few gun safety tips. She appreciates the advice, but ultimately chose not to keep the pistol as she's not confident of using it.

While we were sitting near a tree, Olga spoke of her anger at the bogus officer letters, how she was so naive as to believe they were authentic. For a while she remained hopeful that there were still people loyal to her father. The revolution and civil war we find ourselves in has shaken her patriotic resolve. We rode back to the Ipatiev House when we heard heavy gunfire from a distance, a sign the Czechoslovaks are in the city. Whoever we are, Olga thanks God we're here.

Saving the Romanov family #9

ГА РФ, ф. 640 оп. 3 д. 25 л. 78 об. фото 1168

Ekaterinburg, 23 July 1918

Was making my rounds when I overheard Tatiana talking to her parents in their bedroom. I couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation. The tsar and empress were enquiring about us. It was really nice to hear Tatiana vouching for us. She stayed indoors the whole day to help her mother look after Alexei.

Preparations for the journey are underway. Went down to the local garage to obtain tools and petrol for the vehicles. Also visited local shops to stock up on supplies, most of which had been requisitioned by the Red Army. I managed to find a few film cartridges which are hopefully compatible with the Romanovs' box camera.

During the captives' recreation in the garden, I gave chocolates to Tatiana's sisters. A smile creeped over Anastasia's face when she took her first bite. She enjoyed it so much that I gave her another bar. Maria and Anastasia plied me with questions to know more about us. Olga asked about the Bolsheviks' plan to kill them. Her parents told them of the attempted execution after all. It made them feel even more miserable, and they remained wary of us until we fought off the Bolsheviks. I asked the grand duchesses where they would want to go to if they were not under house arrest. The three of them were unanimous, they long for the Crimea.

The tsar was admiring the seized vehicles in the courtyard. He noted that the engines were in poor condition and believes their former owners were bad mechanics. I updated him on current events in Russia, though he was also interested in any news of the Great War. It sickens him to learn that the Bolsheviks had no intention of sparing his wife, children and servants. He's worried for them. I couldn't stress enough the danger they were still in.

It's strange to see the once powerful tsar like this, condemned to die in a basement and rot for decades under a muddy road. But I don't hate him. Whatever his blunders, he paid for them dearly with his life and the lives of his family and loyal servants, at least in my time. I asked Nicholas to think about their evacuation, reminding him that staying in Russia was impossible. After he went indoors, Maria said her father needed time as he's still mourning Mikhail's death. Whatever his decision, we'll be leaving Ekaterinburg anyway and he will have to decide on a new home for his family abroad. Stay in Russia and it will mean the death of them all.

Saving the Romanov family #8

Ekaterinburg, 22 July 1918

Geralt is leaving for a few days to locate Dr Botkin's children and bring them to Ekaterinburg. He hopes to be back before the Czechoslovak Legion reaches the city. I wished him luck and told him to stay in contact.

The Professor asked us to collect a blood sample from the tsarevich. Alexei cannot walk and we can't begin our escape from Russia unless he's fully healthy for the journey. The bumpy ride alone would probably kill him. Modern research determined that Alexei had hemophilia B, but we had to be sure.

Empress Alexandra reluctantly permitted us to try and treat Alexei, but under the watch of doctors Botkin and Derevenko. We sent the sample to the Professor and he identified the type of hemophilia the boy suffers from. Once we received the special delivery which included the appropriate clotting factor, Chief got to work administering it. Tatiana assisted while the doctors observed. Alexandra kept a close watch on the procedure, silently praying. Chief has detailed files on human anatomy which makes him an efficient killer but also proficient at treating injuries.

Whether Alexandra wishes to learn the truth about hemophilia or continue to believe only in faith healing is up to her. I just want to help Alexei recover. Chief taught both Botkin and Derevenko how to administer the clotting factor to the tsarevich, though he will always be around to supervise. Maybe they will be able to pass on their newfound knowledge of the disease to future generations of physicians. All we can do now is wait for the clotting factor to take effect.

The supply of clotting factor should be enough for Alexei to last the journey. Other crate contents from the special delivery include SMLE Mk III rifles, M1911 pistols, Brodie helmets, 1902 Pattern Service Dress uniforms, 1914 Pattern Leather Equipment and some treats for the tsar's children. To save us the hassle of wearing puttees, we'll be using modern combat boots instead of ammunition boots. The grand duchesses were quite impressed with the contents.

The shipment also included footwear and orthotics specially made for Anastasia to help with her bunions. She thinks she has a secret admirer.

Saving the Romanov family #7

Ekaterinburg, 21 July 1918

Sensors detected movement approaching the house this morning and Chief identified them as hostiles. Took them long enough. It was a pretty large convoy. We took the captives to the basement before heading outside to meet the threat. The thugs were led by Pyotr Voykov of the Ural Soviet. Beside him was Yurovsky and his assistant Grigory Nikulin.

They tried to arrest us but we outfought them, taking a few of them out. Chief ID'd the regicides and targeted them first. I dealt with Yurovsky and Nikulin, disarming the former and knocking him to the ground before he could shoot. Nikulin tried to flee and I threw my tomahawk at him, hitting him squarely in the back. The remainder quickly surrendered without a fight.

Death was too good for Yurovsky, so instead of killing him, I had him restrained and used a bayonet to carve a large hammer and sickle symbol into his forehead. Since he loves communism, he shall wear it for the rest of his life. I threatened to do the same to Voykov if he ever breathed a word of this back to Moscow. Broke his nose so he will remember it. The thugs were allowed to carry off their dead and wounded comrades but forced to leave their vehicles behind which we plan to use to transport the captives out of Ekaterinburg. All the weapons we confiscated were destroyed.

Regrettably, we couldn't avoid a violent confrontation and as a result the captives were greatly distressed when they heard gunfire and screaming. All I could do was explain the situation to them. I couldn't hide the fact that we're not Bolsheviks anymore. Now they know we're on a covert mission to rescue them. To Nicholas and Alexandra's disappointment, I'm not the monarchist officer who smuggled letters to the Ipatiev House weeks ago promising to rescue them. I'm quite sure it was the work of the Bolsheviks to give them false hopes. As far as I know, besides us, no one ever came for them.

I think that's the last we'll see of Yurovsky. I tried talking to him at first, just to see what kind of person he is, maybe reason with him. But he was stone-hearted. His attempts to intimidate me was the last straw. I have never punched someone so hard in my life. If the mark of shame doesn't make him regret the way he treated the Romanov family, then he isn't human at all. Still, there's no better satisfaction than knowing we've defended the captives from evil.

P.S. No point disguising ourselves in Bolshevik uniforms anymore. Time to contact the Professor about that special delivery.

Saving the Romanov family #6

Ekaterinburg, 20 July 1918

Another day of chores. Moved the grand piano back to the dining room and returned the phonograph and its records to the Romanov family. All the electric bells linked to the guard posts have been taken down. I'm undoing almost everything Yurovsky did to isolate and torment the Ipatiev House captives. One downside is that the Romanovs need more water for their copious baths. The addition of the Alapaevsk captives and the imperial entourage at the Ipatiev House meant we have to make regular trips to the city pond each day to collect water.

On the bright side, the next time Grand Duchess Tatiana came to me with a request, I asked her to accompany me to the pond. We brought along a water barrel cart. Chief could easily perform this task, but just this once I hope to use this opportunity to know a little more about Tatiana. It has bothered me that no matter how many times she approached me for something, she's still a mystery to me. She's good at hiding her emotions. A beautiful enigma. What's the key to her?

Tatiana was pretty quiet on our way to the pond. While we were filling the barrel with water, she asked why we wear masks. Only the upper half of our faces are visible. She admits our appearance frightened her a bit when she first saw us. The masks hide our identities and protect the people closest to us. In secret, the masks prevent us from inadvertently spreading modern bacteria to the Romanovs. Their immune systems would struggle against microorganisms that has evolved over a century. I also want them to judge us by our actions, not our looks.

On our way back to the Ipatiev House, Tatiana thanked me for taking her out for a walk and is grateful for letting her family go out for prayers. She's especially appreciative that I've been very accommodating. Neither Yurovsky nor his predecessors were as kind-hearted, but for her family's sake she never stopped trying. Whatever she needed, I would do as she wished. It gives me pleasure to serve the Romanov family.

Tatiana gave me a tour of OTMA's bedroom while her family was in the garden. The walls were decorated with religious objects. No doubt the Romanovs are devoted Orthodox Christians. Tatiana's sisters entered the room while we were sweeping the floor. Maria and Anastasia greeted me, though Olga did not. She just sat on a chair with her head down, clearly despondent. It's the same when she's in the garden. This was the Bolsheviks' doing. I swear, if Yurovsky had harmed her in any way, I will not hesitate to kill him if I see him again.

Saving the Romanov family #5

Ekaterinburg, 19 July 1918

Aragorn and I discovered the fate of Nicholas' brother Mikhail Alexandrovich while in Perm. I had forgotten all about him. In addition to rescuing Hendrikova, Schneider and Volkov from the Bolsheviks, I ordered the local Cheka leader to hand over any valuables he looted off Mikhail, which I later gave to Nicholas II. I could've ordered him to take us to the spot where they disposed of Mikhail, but he was murdered over a month ago. His body would be badly decomposed by now and we don't have the tools for a proper exhumation. We also rescued another captive, Helena of Serbia. One of Ella's companions, Ioann Konstantinovich, is her husband.

On our way back to Ekaterinburg, we dropped by the train station to let the rest of the imperial entourage know that they were welcome at the Ipatiev House. A few preferred to shelter in the Popov House as they just hate the palisade. The others were given sleeping quarters in the basement of the Ipatiev House. There was no easy way to inform the Romanov family of Mikhail's death. His personal effects were of little comfort to Nicholas. Ever the bearer of ill news I seem to have become.

I agreed to Tatiana's tearful request to let her family travel to the nearby cathedral so they could pray for Mikhail and all the others who were murdered. The Alapaevsk captives also wished to go. After scouting the area, I signaled to Chief who escorted the captives one by one to the cathedral. This was the first time the Romanov family has stepped outside of the Ipatiev House ever since the Bolsheviks brought them to Ekaterinburg. Tatiana politely asked me to wait outside while they prayed. I think her sister Olga doesn't like me watching them.

It was very uplifting for the Romanov family to finally go out for prayers, something the Bolsheviks never allowed them to do. Before we replaced Yurovsky and his thugs, the Romanov family was in total despair. We've brought them a glimmer of hope. It feels good to be able to rescue so many people, giving them another chance at life. Sadly, we can't be everywhere at once.

P.S. Forgot to mention previously that we dumped Goloshchekin's body along with the jars of sulphuric acid, which probably dissolved him. It gave me no pleasure doing that, but I didn't want those jars anywhere in the Ipatiev House. What sick bastard thought of acquiring such a hazardous material in the first place? The Ural Soviets should've realized by now that he hasn't reported back. Whatever their next move, we'll be ready for them.

Saving the Romanov family #4

Ekaterinburg, 18 July 1918

Aragorn and I conducted a search of the Popov House last night. The rooms were a pigsty. We found a large supply of food delivered by nuns from a monastery, food that was meant for the Romanov family. The guards were keeping it for themselves, the gluttons. We spent the night taking all the food back to the Ipatiev House and left them in the kitchen. Got rid of all the stuffed animal trophies in the house as they're just creepy.

I've permitted the Romanov family access to their luggage in the outhouse in the courtyard and returned all their seized valuables. I also told them they don't have to speak only Russian anymore. At first Alexandra spoke to her children in English, but when they heard me and Geralt conversing in English they switched to French. They avoid eye contact whenever they walk past one of us. Clearly they still don't trust us. They're still under the impression that we're Bolsheviks. Best to keep it that way.

I'm doing what I can to make the Romanovs happy. Regrettably, I cannot let them go outside, either for walks or to go to church as the city is still infested with Red Army soldiers and revolutionaries. They can enjoy recreation in the garden for as long as they like, but that's it. I considered bringing down the wooden palisade surrounding the Ipatiev House. It's frustrating for the captives to not see anything outside of the compound, but it does give us protection. The Bolsheviks erected it to keep the Romanovs in strict isolation, now it shields them from the Bolsheviks.

There was a visitor at the entrance, Thomas Preston from the nearby British Consulate. He was enquiring about the Romanov family's well-being. We let him speak to them in private. Before he left the house, I urged him not to telegraph England about the Romanov family for the time being, lest the Ural Soviets intercept the message and alert Moscow that the captives are still alive. Preston deduced that we're not Bolsheviks, and I couldn't tell him who we really are.

Tatiana requested if I could check on the imperial entourage that is being held at the train station. She told me their names and became worried when I pointed out that Anastasia Hendrikova, Catherine Schneider and Aleksei Volkov are not among them. She hopes they are safe and asked if I could find them. Hendrikova and Schneider are imprisoned in Perm, where the Bolsheviks would murder them in September 1918. Time for another rescue mission.

Saving the Romanov family #3

(Source)

Ekaterinburg, 17 July 1918

Master Chief and I employed the same ruse on the guards that were holding Elizabeth Feodorovna prisoner in a desolate school. There were seven others with her: four princes, one grand duke and two retinue. Sergei Mikhailovich did not trust us and almost resisted. I placed Elizabeth and her companions in the back of the Fiat truck and we drove back to Ekaterinburg. It was still dark when we returned to the Ipatiev House. Elizabeth and her companions occupied the basement rooms where the internal guard slept. The Romanovs kept their excitement muted when they awoke and saw Elizabeth, probably to avoid attracting our attention.

I took over Yurovsky's office on the second floor which is across the hall from the Romanovs' rooms. When I was done tidying the room, Geralt brought in Nicholas and Alexandra. They were both shocked when I informed them of the attempted execution. I also told them of the deaths of several members of their entourage, namely Vasily Dolgorukov, Ilya Tatishev, Klementy Nagorny and Ivan Sednev. Yurovsky lied to Nicholas and Alexandra when he claimed that they were still alive. I left it to them to inform Leonid Sednev of his uncle's death and whether they wish to tell their children of the execution.

With the bad news out of the way, I assigned myself cleanup duty. Motion sensors were placed on all corners of the roof. They allow Chief to multitask while also monitor any movement outside the house, otherwise he'd have to be on watch 24/7. Geralt and Aragorn destroyed the guns and ammunition left behind by the thugs. I took a ladder and some tools and began removing the whitewash from the windows, starting with OTMA's bedroom. The grand duchesses were watching me. I unsealed the window, but none of them opened it.

I wanted to make a good first impression. There was a Kodak Bulls-Eye camera amongst the stack of confiscated Romanov belongings in the office. I was quite sure it belonged to one of the grand duchesses. After Chief made sure the camera was in working order, I took it to the first grand duchess I came across, Maria. She was wary of me when I handed it to her.

Not long after, Tatiana entered my office, asking if I could permit Dr Vladimir Derevenko entry to the Ipatiev House so that he can treat her brother Alexei. He has not been allowed to visit ever since Yurovsky became commandant. I granted her request and sent Geralt to find Derevenko. I told Tatiana to not hesitate to ask if her family needed anything. She's so beautiful. Doe eyes. A swan's soft, supple neck. And a waist so slim you could grip it one-handed. Hearing her voice for the first time felt as if I was falling under her spell. How could anyone murder and mutilate her is beyond me. The Bolsheviks are sick fucks.

Yurovsky's papers were on the desk, one detailing the strict restrictions imposed on the Romanov family and servants. Only speak Russian, must ring a bell before using the lavatory, no excursions, no visitors, no letters, no newspapers. The list goes on. I'm beginning to think it was a mistake letting Yurovsky live. What he did is just unforgivable.

Saving the Romanov family #2

«Перед расстрелом», фотореконструкция.
"Before the execution", photoreconstruction.

Ekaterinburg, 17 July 1918

We've successfully bluffed our way into the Ipatiev House. I convinced commandant Yakov Yurovsky that we were sent by Moscow to kill the prisoners and that he was relieved of his duties. I instructed him to order his men to leave behind their spare firearms, the Fiat truck, all confiscated belongings and the jars of sulphuric acid meant for destroying the bodies. The neighbouring Popov House, which was occupied by more Bolshevik guards, was also to be vacated.

Yurovsky was disappointed he wasn't going to partake in the execution, but ultimately never questioned me. He did request to be present at the execution and subsequent disposal of the bodies so he could confirm that the job's been done. I told him the Romanovs were not his concern anymore. One of the killers, Filip Goloshchekin, was here to oversee the execution on behalf of the Ural Soviet. Chief took him to a room and garrotted him without the Bolsheviks noticing. We later dumped his body far from the house.

We escorted the regicides to the entrance. Yurovsky tried to give me the communist salute to commend my "revolutionary duty", but I snubbed him. I was tempted to kill him for what he did or was going to do, but he's not worth it. The regicides had already herded the Romanov family into the cellar under the pretext of transporting them to another location. I couldn't wait to finally see them in person. By dismissing Yurovsky and his thugs, we had already altered the fate of the Romanov family.

Geralt and Aragorn stood watch by the entrance while Chief followed me downstairs. I took a deep breath and slowly opened the double doors. And there they were, all eleven of them, including four servants. I could hardly believe my eyes. They were positioned in the back of the room. It was quite dim because of the weak wall lamp and the window, which the Bolsheviks had nailed shut, made it stuffy. The four grand duchesses whom the Professor spoke so fondly of were now standing before me. Our face masks, gloves and rifles slung over our shoulders must've alarmed the captives.

I broke the silence by asking the man in front of me if he was Tsar Nicholas II. He nervously replied with a yes. I stepped forward and shook his hand, saying I was honoured to meet him. That seemed to put him at ease. He asked where Yurovsky was and was glad to hear of his dismissal. I returned to them the kitchen boy Leonid Sednev, who was being held in the Popov House, before letting them return to their rooms. The Tsarevich Alexei was staring curiously at me as his father carried him away.

So far so good, we've saved the Romanovs from death. Chief thinks I should've told them on the spot that Yurovsky was going to kill them, but I want them to enjoy the sleep they never had on July 17. The bad news can wait until morning. There's still ample time to complete our secondary objective, rescuing Elizabeth Feodorovna, Empress Alexandra's sister. Geralt and Aragorn will remain at the Ipatiev House while Chief and I will travel to Alapaevsk in the Fiat truck.

Saving the Romanov family #1

[Note: this is just a work of fiction. There's a lockdown as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and I'm bored. Besides, if others can write fictional stories like Anastasia's survival and Rasputin selling his soul, I don't see why I can't either.]

Ekaterinburg, 15 July 1918

The Professor asked me to keep a journal to record my adventure. I was curious, why rescue the Romanov family? Why not prevent the Titanic sinking instead? Or save as many people as possible in Pompeii before the volcanic eruption? The Romanov family is the Professor's favourite part of history. He could never get over the fact that they were brutally murdered. And at least there were lessons learned from the Titanic disaster, not so much a murder. Besides, he did me a favour once, now I owe him.

The plan is simple. Free the Romanov family from Bolshevik captivity and get them out of Russia. We'll hunker down in Ekaterinburg until the Czechoslovak Legion takes the city, after which we'll leave. Where the Romanovs wish to go to will be up to them. They just cannot stay in Russia. We're not going back to 1918 to stop the Bolsheviks from winning the civil war. We're a rescue team, not assassins. The Soviet Union will still exist but they won't get their bloody hands on the Romanov family. Much as the Professor hates the communists for what they did, he wants me to try and avoid bloodshed whenever possible.

Once our mission is complete, he'll send me back to the future. I don't have to stay with the Romanov family. They'll be on their own from there. And if any of the Romanovs are killed during our escape from Russia, even if it's accidental, it'll be irreversible. This will be my only chance to save them. But even if anyone is killed, the Professor still wants me to get the bodies out of Russia and give them a proper burial somewhere safe and beyond reach of the Soviets. That should be enough to prevent persistent rumours of survival, imposters and never-ending DNA tests by the Russian Orthodox Church. If protecting all seven Romanovs proves too difficult, then the Professor wants me to focus on saving the children: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei.

I will have three companions for the journey: Geralt, Aragorn and Master Chief. Not their real names, just aliases. Master Chief is a cybernetic organism, living tissue under metal endoskeleton. We gave him a name anyway as it's better than calling him by his serial number. We could've armed ourselves with modern equipment like battle rifles and combat fatigues but that would've been conspicuous. So we took Mosin-Nagant rifles and Bolshevik uniforms that are accurate for the period. There are exceptions though: masks, Aragorn's compound bow, cyberware implants, earpiece translators to bypass the language barrier, modern first aid kit, and my tomahawk to name a few.

The Professor could've sent us back to 1914 to warn the tsar against mobilizing the Imperial Russian Army, an action that provoked the Germans into declaring war against Russia. But that would've been complicated. Much as the Professor would've liked to prevent World War I from happening, saving millions of lives in the process including that of the Romanovs, that's just too much meddling with history. A rescue operation is much simpler. Plus it's better to rescue the imperial family when their need is dire, not when they still feel safe in their bubble.

Prior to our departure, I spent a few days studying about the Romanov family. Reading about the murders made my blood curdle. The Bolsheviks lured the Romanovs and their loyal servants into a basement where they were shot and stabbed to death. The children were not even spared, the youngest of whom was only 13. The bodies were stripped, looted and mutilated before being disposed of in a forest. The perpetrators were never brought to justice and the Soviet Union covered up the murders. I can see why the Professor has so much sympathy for the Romanov family.

The time machine took us to the outskirts of Ekaterinburg, about 24 hours before the Romanovs were to be murdered. The world hasn't changed at all. War never changes. We used the spare time to explore the city and observe the Ipatiev House from afar, gathering intel on guard positions and movements. Soon we'll decide how best to rescue the Romanov family on 16 July, their last day alive. We either storm the house using lethal force or masquerade as communist revolutionaries. I pray we will be successful.