Description[]
A Change of Heart is the fifth scenario of the Russian Campaign in Empire Earth.
Briefing[]
A Change of Heart: 2097
Grigor II has subdued all of Europe and Asia, but there is one world power with which he must still contend: the United States. Beyond a few skirmishes, little military nor diplomatic interaction has taken place between the Americans and Novaya Russians during this time. The US prepared for the presumed invasion, but refrained from launching offensives for fear of harming Grigor's captive population. Instead, they waited for him to come to them.
And now Grigor is doing just that. His troops under newly promoted General Molotov have been sent to set up operations in the Caribbean. The Americans have responded by sending forces to bolster the defenses of their ally, Cuba. The final showdown has begun.
Objectives[]
- Use the island of Hispaniola as a stepping stone to reach Cuba.
- Build a military base on Cuba consisting of 3 Cyber Factories, 2 Docks, and a Navy Yard.
- Destroy the Cubans' Capitol in Havana, and build a new Town Center or Capitol on the same spot.
- Build a Time Machine in Cuba and defend it while it powers up. Then, Molotov and Molly must be brought right next to it.
History[]
Years of war had taken more than a physical toll on Sergei Molotov. In addition to having a sizable portion of his body replaced with electronics, he had begun to wonder if Grigor II was truly acting in the best interests of Novaya Russia. The bloody campaign in China - and his unfortunate accident - had forced him to rethink what was truly important in life.
Novaya Russia was a strong State and had been for many years now, thanks to the first Grigor. this, Molotov felt sure, was a good thing. But when he considered the people... were they really better off now than they had been back then under their original leader? Of course, the State had to maintain order and security, but at what price? And did a strong Novaya Russia necessarily entail the complete domination of the rest of the world?
Following his lengthy recuperation, Molotov was promoted to General and given command of the forces destined to invade the Western hemisphere. He was assured by Grigor II that this would be the last war, for after the US there were no others strong enough to pose a threat to Novaya Russia. And even the US was not the force she had been at the beginning of the Century. With her allies and trading partners mostly gone, and her economy in decline due to oversea loans of money and material that might never be repaid, the United States could not hope to last long against Novaya Russia's battle-tested forces. After this final fight, Molotov hoped, he could retire to a simple life in a safe and united world.
Hints[]
- The United States is still quite powerful and an attack too soon is not recommended. You can also never tell when an enemy might become an ally.
- Space on the islands can be limited. You may be better off developing Carriers if you need Air support.
- The residents of Hispaniola do not need to be defeated, although leaving them alone may prove a hindrance.
- The Hyperion's ability to walk underwater and over cliffs could prove useful.
Walkthrough[]
Storyline[]
General Molotov and his forces have landed in Hispaniola, with him currently conversing with Grigor II.
Grigor II: Report, Molotov.
General Molotov: We have landed on the island of Hispaniola as ordered. No resistance so far - I expect the defenders are still concentrated to the West. We will regroup and then prepare to invade Cuba, but I must stress, again, that we have deployed too small a force for this operation.
Grigor II: You still doubt me after all this time, Molotov? Were I human, I would find your continued questioning of my orders insulting... even insolent. Perhaps your men need to be taught a lesson, one that I learned from Cortez. Humans always fight harder when they must succeed or die.
The ships are destroyed.
General Molotov: I understand. You certainly have a talent for motivating humans.
Grigor II: And those not quite human, I trust. Now proceed with the attack.
The attack begins, starting with the people in Port~Au~Prince.
Cuba is discovered.
General Molotov: People of Cuba! I'm offering you one chance and one chance only to surrender peacefully!
Molly Ryan: Just one chance? Then it seems I'll have the pleasure of telling you to rot in hell at just once!
General Molotov: Bold words from such a weak opponent, miss...?
Molly Ryan: Call me Molly. Be warned that the US isn't about to let our Cuban allies down! So we'll give YOU one chance to clear out! Past that, I'll let my guns do the talking for me!
The Cuban Capitol in Havana has been destroyed, with a new one built in its place. Along with 3 Cyber factories, 2 Docks, and a Navy Yard.
General Molotov: Grigor, we've finished setting up our operations in Cuba. The invasion of the United States can now commence.
Grigor II: Well done, General. The civilian population of Cuba is too large to control and too small to be of value. Have them all rounded up and killed.
General Molotov: But Grigor, that is more than 18 million innocent people. They pose no real threat to us.
Grigor II: Must I remind you, Molotov? There is only the State and those outside the State. You said once you believed our forces were spread too thin. Yet you would squander them on policing irrelevant outsiders? Now do as I command.
General Molotov: I have served Novaya Russia to my utmost ability, but I cannot carry out such an order based solely on cold logic.
Grigor II: Your human emotions are overwhelming you, Molotov. Perhaps I have placed too much strain on you these last few years. The pressures of command can be great. Return to Moscow at once, and I will see to it that you get a much deserved... rest.
Grigor II's forces kill some Cuban civilians and an officer.
General Molotov: I suspect that your "rest" would be of the permanent variety. I may now be a monster in appearance, but I am still human underneath. Perhaps I needed the "accident" to remind me of this.
Grigor II: You have lost your senses - remember that you owe me your life. I warn you, Molotov, do not betray me.
General Molotov: I am prepared to take the risk. If I die now, at least I would die as a human being and not as a cold-hearted robot. I must meet with that bold American, Molly.
A few days later...
Molly Ryan: Why have you come here? You know, I could have had you killed.
General Molotov: That you did not speaks of your character. I have come because I see now that Novaya Russia is a fraud. One man's dream of a powerful Russian state has been twisted into a horrible evil, where innocent people are sacrificed for the "good of the State".
Molly Ryan: Those of us on the outside have known that for quite some time. But what makes you think anyone here will trust you? Are we to believe you've had a sudden change of heart?
General Molotov: No, not sudden. Since before I was disfigured I had bouts with my conscience. But since then... let us say more than my limbs where changed on that day. As for trust, what other options do you have? Do you believe the United States can succeed where all others have failed? Is it not worth trying to avoid more bloodshed in any case?
Molly Ryan: You have a point. But just what do you propose that we do? As you implied, the odds are against us.
General Molotov: Even my knowledge of Novaya Russia's forces wont be enough to stop them by conventional means. But I have a plan. The Chinese were working on experiments in time-travel, and I managed to steal the blueprints for the Time Machine. I assume the US must have known of the experiments, perhaps you are even researching time travel yourselves. As I see it, our only hope is to go back in time and prevent this all from happening. I don't know if it will work, or if it could even make things worse, but I see no alternatives.
Molly Ryan: I am forced to agree. Very well, General Molotov. I'll see to it that you get escorted safely back to the US and we'll try to offer you what help we can.
Some moments later.
General Molotov: I've shown the designs to your scientists, and they've given me some unfortunate news. I don't understand all the technical details, but it seems the forces involved in time travel will be easiest to manipulate if we build the machine somewhere in Cuba!
Molly Ryan: That will be difficult, seeing as your boys just finished overrunning the place. But if it's Cuba we need, it's Cuba we'll get!
The Missile Bases are highlighted.
Molly Ryan: The US wasn't idle while you were busy devastating China and Europe. We've been working on improved tactical nuclear missiles. The blast is localized, to minimize collateral damage - it's about as pinpointed as a nuclear weapon can get - but they should make short work of any resistance we encounter.
The Time Machine in Cuba is completed.
Molly Ryan: Well, we've built it. Now what?
General Molotov: It will require at least 5 hours for the Time Machine to power up. We must defend it, and then return to it later to see if our plan works.
Molly Ryan: Who do we send back? No offence, but you may not blend in very well in the past. I propose that I make the trip. My Russian is pretty fluent and I'm well trained for special operations, although they don't exactly cover these kinds of situations in the manuals.
General Molotov: Very well, Molly. But I know to when we should travel, and my intimate knowledge of that time period could prove essential. We shall go back together.
The Time Machine is soon fully powered up, prompting Molotov and Molly to go up to it.
General Molotov: We are about to perform the most improbable feat ever conceived by Humankind. May the world forgive us if we make a mistake.
Molly Ryan: I hope I'm still around in the new world we are about to create. And I hope our forged credentials keep us from being shot in the past.
Molotov and Molly are then sent back in time, disappearing without a trace.
