Revolutionary Princes, Paupers and Pretenders

1773 --the biggest, most deadly, most tragic and most controversial People's Revolution in the history of the Russian Empire. At the center of it,Yemelyan Pugachev, a charismatic, deceptive, dedicated, deluded, effective and often cruel Cossack who challenged the oppressive Catherine the Great and the wealthy Aristocrats who enslave most everyone else. Behind the scenes…others who history never recorded. A one time close friend to Yemelyan, Stefan is a humble, intelligent and kind Cossack who unwillingly finds himself being a central cog in a revolt machinery that gets out of hand very quickly. Over-read, hyper-intelligent but pathetically life-inexperienced 23 year old Countessa Sventlana is prepared to dedicate her life and her very creative literary pen to the Cause, despite her well meaning father’s wishes. Father Basili, a people-serving Pacifist, reluctantly finds himself administering to the needs of serfs and peasants who rise up against their masters. Mustafa, an old, learned and dedicated 'godfather' to his fellow Islamic Tatars, joins the Christian rebels, making him an enemy to his own people. On the other side of the War that allows NO one to remain neutral, Imperial Army Major Alexi Stralnikov, scholarly, highly decorated and compassionate Aristocrat who does not agree with Catherine's oppressive policies, but fears the uneducated peasant rebels will turn into a mob that will do more damage than the Czars ever did. Mentoring, the middle-aged Alexi is Michael Kosinko, an old, wise and crafty Sergeant who has seen, and survived, more war than most anyone on either side of the conflict. As the revolt turns into a Revolution, the participants on both sides question their motives, as well as their loyalties, each becoming what they never bargained for.