The King of Siberia

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine destroys Russia’s social fabric. Crime and corruption are far worse than before the war. A base commander in Siberia has two responses. First, he kills any criminals in his command. Second, he uses his captive - Catherine Johnson - to help him build a new Russian culture based on family. Schools will teach child care, sewing, and cooking to girls. Boys will learn marksmanship and computer repair. Girls will marry at 16. It will take a generation, but Russia will have the young soldiers it needs to be an empire again.

Catherine’s fellow captives are Ukrainian women. Most will be married off to young Russian men. She plots to get a group of these women – and her daughter - out of Russia. They make a run for Lithuania. To successfully escape, Catherine must pay a price.