In a matter of hours, tens of thousands are mobilised from active duty stations and moved into the area of terroristic action. The enemy makes motions to strike out, but they are quickly rebuffed by strong resistance and the prevalence of anti-tank rifles which seem reasonably effective on the enemy strider machines, able to take out the legs and even punch through the central torso with a clean shot.
After this show of force and the full encirclement of the area in question, the beginnings of negotiation take place, it is rapidly established that indeed the Soviet Union is not affiliated with these, at least anymore. Whilst the first few attempts to talk are chilly, after a week of hourly barrages to cut off their sleep, they are far more willing to talk.
The initial conversations are with, apparently, scientists and intelligentsia that command these striders. They are tight-lipped and nervous about all conversation before, amazingly, the realization strikes that you are indeed not Soviet.
Upon that realization, something which, when you realize they have been marching west, avoiding all urban centres or even villages since somewhere in Siberia, becomes far more reasonable, they are much more open with their history.
To a man, they are researchers, specialists, guards and trainers for what is being called the Stal'nyye Deti, the Steel Children. Working on a new generation of Warmachine, they have committed horrific crimes in the service of the Soviet Union, each of these mechanical warmachines is a miracle of science and indeed piloted by a wired in soldier.
Through rigorous testing, it was established the ones most able to adapt to controlling these machines were children in their pre-teen years given time to adapt to the machinery. They somehow manage the machinery via wires driven into their central nervous system, additionally having been reduced to merely a circulatory system managed by immunosuppressant medication and regular nutrient drips from internal reservoirs.
We have them in a bit of a bind, their nutrient supply, a transfusion which keeps the strider pilots alive and spare parts for said striders are running very low. Whilst the few killed are a black mark against us in their eyes, being more or less mentally children, they are also at fault for driving them to violence, using this browbeating, we've managed to push them into a corner.
Our options are many, but mostly relate to two categories.
What to do?
[X] Take them in as regular military forces to better study them and display Polish technical superiority.
[X] Promise to take them in, eliminate the handlers and disassemble the dangerous machines for study and reproduction.
[X] Something Else?
Publicity of Event?
[X] Tell no one, NDA's on the soldiers and enforced silence on the command staff should limit this tale to rumours that can be discredited.
[X] Make a fuss about Soviet experimentation being horrifically inhumane and against all reason. It should provide a diplomatic victory, but will incense the Union.
[X] Something Else?