Reading, a past time often considered for the intellectual man.
It's a double edged sword however, for if society catches you reading a book for Otakus (Light novels and manga) Then you'll be considered a creep and a nerd.
Wow.
What a double fucking standard.
Like I've said time and time again, Those Normies can go fucking die!
By that logic, the shit they read can also label them nerds and creeps as well!
...I digress.
To me, Reading is one of Mankind's most important inventions. You can learn so much yet have fun along the way with an appropriate book of your choosing!
It's honestly a good time when you enjoy both a book and learn something.
….But it's all a moot point considering that I'm not even reading a book right now, and that I'm barely learning anything at all!
Man, This Pravda newspaper paper is a huge load of shit. It's loaded stock full of propaganda that it makes uncle Sam seem like a normal guy! And that's putting it lightly!
...Hah.
What was this word again?
…...Tch.
Do I really need to play sleuth right now and piece the words together in context to make sense of this? Man, If only We had a Russian class in high school!....Eh, Knowing the slacker that I was, Chances are I wouldn't have taken it even if it was offered.
Hm...Lets see….
New educational programs? Check.
How is everything ok in the USSR? Check.
Oh my god, This shit is complex.
...Oh, so this word can be used in this context huh?
....
I don't think I should read this anymore.
This is ridiculously difficult to understand.
I'm barely learning as is!
It's even more difficult that with what little I can piece together and understand, Just as when the article starts to get interesting, It pops up a new word that I've yet to see!
Squinting my eyes, I try reading it once more.
Sigh.
This paper is 5 weeks old and yet I've barely finished half of the damn thing.
Well, It's not like I've got anything better to do.
I've loaded all of my magazines.
I've cleaned my ak47 recently so I probably won't have to clean it for another 5 years.
I have a cigarette in my mouth.
Well, It's either this or the dictionary. And I can't damn well be reading that shit out in daylight now can I?
My appearance here is already suspicious enough, I don't want to add more onto it.
...Well, the dictionary doesn't have any stories or articles for me to read about.
So that's a difference, I guess.
In the background, Some obscure Russian music plays, gently filling up my ears.
I strain my ears a little as I try my best to make out what they're saying.
Fortunately I can understand just about 80 percent.
So hey, At least I'm improving.
It's just the writing that's fucking me up.
...Just like Katakana.
Heh, I guess even in the past, some things never changed.
A small, barely noticeable smile formed on my face as a gentle gust of wind blew by, blowing the small ashes from my burning cigarette into the paper.
Ah shit!
With one hand still holding the paper, I hastily brush off the ash from the paper.
In my eyes, this was still a worthless piece of paper.
Worthless however only in the educational department.
That means that at the very least, It had some use eh?
As in the, you're taking a shit and there's no more paper kind.
That means, For the sake of my soft and delicate asshole, I'd have to keep these shitty newspapers clean.
As I take a drag, I hear the men around me hanging about near their tents get up and prepare their things.
I blew out the hot, tobacco filled air in my mouth as I sigh and folded the paper up. Tucking it into my pockets.
Standing up, I grab my Ak47 that was leaning against a crate near me.
Cigarette still in my mouth, I silently stretch and grab it, folding the stock as I sling it over my shoulder.
What? Surprised that I have a foldable stock?
Well excuse me, I was never a physically fit guy in the first place.
Although this shit hole of a country has hardened me somewhat, I still find that shaving off any weight especially in this hot sun is appealing.
And don't get me started with the ak's with the wooden stocks.
Ugh, First of all, It's heavier. That's a fact. Especially when you wear it slinged across your shoulder? Congrats, now you have the damned sling digging down on your right (Or left) shoulder.
And second?.. No, Never mind. I don't have time for this.
Double checking my magazines, I take a quick glance to see if they're filled up or not.
Gotta make sure you see, Especially in my sleep deprived state, I absolutely can not allow for even a single fuck up, or I'm most likely dead.
Satisfied by what I see, I quietly take one final drag before I take out my cigarette and snuff it out on the ground.
What? It's Afghanistan. Nobody's gonna notice a cigarette stub or two on the ground.
And besides, It's just common courtesy to, you know, Not smoke at a mission briefing.
I click my tongue at the thought.
Mission briefing.
I may not be a soldier, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm playing one.
I'm in a war right now.
And if my time so far In Afghanistan has taught me anything, it's that the soviets are straight up not having a good time right now.
Even whilst in the Mujaheddin, We killed far more Soviets then we lost men.
That means that literally in every mission, with just a small mistake, I could end up dead.
Fuck.
Of course, That won't happen. Not if I have a say in it.
But still. I can't believe that I have to go on patrol with these idiots.
Hm? What, you thought I'd like them or something?
Fuck that.
As soon as I can formulate a plan to haul ass outta here, then I'm doing just that.
I have no intentions on making any friends.
It would be both a waste of time and a waste of breath.
Sigh.
I can't help but let out a sigh as I walk to the mission briefing.
I Know for a fact that we're gonna get lit the fuck up while on patrol.
I know for a fact that I'm going to be shot at.
Ugh, gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
Have you ever been shot at before?
Well I have, and it's not a pleasant feeling.
I follow the men absentmindedly through the big ass tent that we're using, entering inside after the men and taking a seat at the very back.
To decrease the chance of anybody talking to me of course.
Look, I was never a talkative person in the first place.
My Russian is also bad. One of these days, If I'm not careful I really will slip up.
So really, I'm doing this for the greater good, Aka, Me.
I'm the greater good here,
My life is worth more than all of these bastards combined.
And that's a given.
I wait patiently albeit tiredly as the rest of the men trickle into the tent.
My arms are crossed as I slouch back. What? Might as well make myself more comfortable.
Man, this is really boring though.
My blue beret is angled to cover my eyes as I lean back.
My pose screaming to not talk to me.
Thankfully the bastards take this to mind and avoid talking to me, Instead opting to talk more to their friends.
Good.
This is what should happen.
Yesterday was only due to the booze.
In all reality, nobody would accept an outsider easily. I would have to do a whole helluva lot more than just saving one single soldier to earn their trust.
I'm an outsider, I don't know about any of their cliches, who's popular and who's not.
I'm just, In their eyes, another replacement.
I hold no importance to them.
I was never there, training with them back in Russia. Hell, I never trained in the first place!
Yes.
Humans are astoundingly simple creatures.
We are naturally sociable things.
Always finding something to bond with, forming packs, never being alone for example.
"Hey, what mission do you think the Kapitan is going to give us?"
"I don't know, But knowing the Kapitan, we'll succeed!"
"Yeah, and perhaps you won't piss your pants this time~"
"Hey! That was one time cyka!"
"Yeah, sure."
A small frown forms on my face.
Great, even in afghanistan so far away, His mug appears in my face.
Tch.
This reminds me of Hayato's cliche.
It was extremely loyal to him. Blindly praising him for his every move.
Much like this Unit is to the woman known as Sofiya Pavlovna.
Everywhere she goes, the men look at her, Try to make conversation with her, just anything to get her attention.
Sigh.
They remind me of little puppies all gathering around a big juicy piece of meat.
It was quite frankly, annoying.
Don't any of you bois have any sense of pride damnit?
Sofiya Pavlovna was, after all, Only a single woman.
Much like Hayama Hayato.
What, did god put all of her stat points into beauty and charisma or something?
Sheesh, these people really are irritating…
Tch.
Shit, Now i'm thinking about those idiots again.
Stop it! Cease and desist!
This is not the time to pine over home.
You can do that after you get on the ship to Japan Me.
Keeping my breathing calm and steady, I sat there with my arms crossed, waiting for the damned briefing to start.
Seriously, these things are such a fucking drag.
A boring, waste of time is what it is.
A small bead of sweat appeared on the back of my neck.
Great, no air conditioning either.
It was hot and stuffy in here.
But eh, whatever, I'm more than used to this shit by now.
Man, I wanna smoke!
This is so boring!
The men continue to chatter on idly, not minding the fact that the meeting hasn't started yet. And I mean why not?
Why not enjoy guaranteed time in which you are alive?
These men are only men, much like me, minus the blinded loyalty to Sofiya Of course.
I mean, the Kapitan.
Nobody wants to get shot at after all.
Nobody wants to die in this shit hole after all.
As I sat there moping about, I heard the loud, distinct, confident footsteps of the woman coming from outside. Which was only natural, after all I was in the back row of seats.
The tent flaps were opened Gently as she made her way inside.
To which all the men stood at attention, Their hands stiff in salute, including my own.
The air was heavy with an easy going mood, Like, It's just another typical Wednesday vibe type of deal.
The Woman bore an easy going smile to her men, nodding in acknowledgment to their salutes.
Soon she made her way to the makeshift podium, and quickly with much exercised ease, returned the salute silently.
As to which, the men immediately sat back down, quiet and eager to hear her words.
Sheesh, Catch a load of these guys.
The silence was only interrupted by the click of a button on the projector, turning it on in the process it wirred to live. The soft, stead wirring filling the air as the light from the projector shined on the screen, showing quite visibly the floating pieces of dust that was in the air.
AHEM!
With a forced cough, and a quick glance at everybody, The woman began.
"Good morning gentleman. Command has just informed us of our next action." She said with a serious face, the man running the projector automatically switching the slide as soon as she finished her first sentence.
"As you've all known, This sector has been prone to… heavy fighting." She said solemnly, pointing at the map projected on the screen with a stick.
"...Just last night, We received reports of the enemy ambushing and destroying many of our supply convoys as they were driving down this road." With a nod, the projector moved to the next slide.
"Now, Intelligence pins this specific area as the most likely base of operations for our enemies."
"...The plan shall proceed with squads, Anna, Vasily and borris taking the northern approach. Following the road down and sweeping up any enemy resistance."
"Then squads yelena, gregory and dimitri are to take the western approach while tatyana, ulyana and fyodar take the eastern approach."
"Squads pavel, Olga and Nikolai are to take the southern approach. Please note that only the southern and northern attacking squads are to ride in the btr's and trucks. The rest of the squads are to attack from the helicopters." She said as she nodded her head to signal for the slide to be changed.
"The plan is to completely box them in from all directions."
Tch, Figures. The Soviets are only inviting trouble with this plan.
They should have left a direction open, so the enemy could run away more easily. Hey, Why die today when you can die tomorrow?
This would only invite them to fight more ferociously with no means of escape, But I would only assume that all of them know that.
So why?
Why would they go through all of this trouble?
Hm….Something just doesn't add up.
...What ever, As long I don't see any of the heavy fighting, then I'm fine.
"...Of course, All of you are to immediately sweep all of the villages on the map when you come into contact."
"The plan is to rendezvous directly at the center. If all goes well, then we'll be back by tomorrow afternoon.. If not, then expect continuous fighting for at least a couple of days."
"And also, If you come upon any intel whether it be enemy or friendly, you are to report it to your nearest commanding officer. Am I making myself clear?" She said, Looking around the room.
When she was met with silence and men nodding their heads, she continued.
"Alright, now that that's all been sorted out…"
"Any questions?" She asked with a raised brow, her expression relaxed now as the projector continued to softly wirr in the background.
As expected, nobody raised their hands.
Tch.
Damn, she really was completely trusted by her men wasn't she?
These guys should really get a life.
"...Alright! If there's no objections then let's start!" She said with a smile. A smile meant to reassure the men and boost their confidence.
But I knew.
At the end of the day, she was the same as Me.
She was a fucking Liar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I lit a cigarette and took a drag as I waited out in the hot, Afghanistan heat.
The men around me were chatting idly as they loaded their gear into the trucks and btr-80s.
It was...noisy to say the least. The helicopters had just landed, and are currently refueling. Soon to be thrust upon combat again.
Sigh.
This is a shitty situation.
I wouldn't be caught dead in a helicopter or a btr, much less a toyota truck.
Yes you heard me right.
The soviets had Toyota trucks.
Well, technicals are the actual term. Regardless, these trucks were still toyota trucks, they just had a gun stand mounted on the back.
"Sheesh, Toyota, Let's go places." I quietly utter to myself, making a lame yet amusing joke.
...What? It's funny.
But I digress.
This mission really was dangerous.
Here we are, with our vehicles and shit. Armed to the teeth with guns out our asses. But you see, there's a problem.
Stingers.
The enemy had just recently been equipped with stingers.
And man let me tell you, It's fucking devasting.
I should know, I've fired one myself.
...But let's keep that small factoid to ourselves shall we?
I take another drag.
This really was gonna be a long fight huh.
Knowing the enemy, there was no way in hell that they would easily lie over like dogs.
Shit, I really don't want to do this!
...
Sigh.
My helmet's gonna have a couple of dents in it by the end of this huh?
I continue my silence as I mope around, leaning against the back of the toyota truck. Now all I had to do was wait until the order to move out was given. Which should be, soon.
Yes, you see? Military life is super fucking boring.
It consists of waiting.
A whole lotta waiting.
Either that or you have to clean some shit up.
Jesus, look at me. I'm so bored, I'm literally talking to myself in my head.
It's not like anybody's gonna hear this, much less know that I was in afghanistan. Except for of course my parents when i get back, but only if I don't come up with a convincing excuse. Which, being the smart little arrogant bastard I am, will no doubt have.
The other soldiers pass me and say nothing, as it should be.
...Well, the scowl that I have on my face could have possibly been attributed in their very apparent avoidance of me.
What? It's not like there's anything for me to be happy about.
I'm literally in fucking afghanistan.
This place is a shit hole.
Fuck it.
I close my eyes tiredly as I take a drag.
The smoke quickly left my mouth much like flames out of a dragon.
What are the odds that we'll get hit by small arms fire and a couple of rpgs down the first road we ride on?
Very fucking high.
Not to mention, there was that shit that Sofiya Pavlovna said to everybody about the intel or whatever the fuck.
Great, Not only am I being sent into a death trap, I'm being sent into a death trap for dubious means.
Fan fucking tastic.
I'm just so...fucking tired, you know?
Sigh.
I slowly take another drag.
And the worst thing?
I know it's a death trap.
And yet, I'm willingly throwing myself into this messed up hell.
All for the sake of a chance.
A chance to escape.
To go back home.
To chiba.
To my home.
To them.
I might die.
Hell, I probably will die.
But I have to suck it up.
I have to just...hope.
And that was the worst part.
Hope.
I hated it, and yet….I'm now relying on it.
So that I can get through another day of this messed up hell.
Hell, It's even more messed up when I'm much too tired to even care anymore.
Frankly, these days….I'm just terribly exhausted.
The only thing that I care enough about is home.
And that's what's driving me.
I don't care If I hate myself.
I don't care if I turn into a monster.
I don't care if i'm a hypocrite
This medal pinned on my uniform? I don't care for it.
My new rank? I don't care for it.
I care about going home.
And to me, that's enough.
It will always be enough.
Shit.
My fingers are trembling.
Tch.
I slam it without hesitation against the back of the truck, Scaring the soldiers nearby.
But they just walked away, showing me no mind.
I shed a small smile, devoid of any amusement.
This was how it should be.
Yes, Pay the creepy weirdo/outsider no mind,
In fact, please. Feel free to ignore me completely.
It'll be easier for me when you all die.
If I don't know your names then I won't care for you.
Well, It's not like I will care for you though.
I really don't.
...
The wind blew by, rustling the hair under my beret that wasn't covered as I took another drag.
Blowing some of the ashes on to my exposed arm.
...Yeah I roll up my sleeves.
But seriously, ouch.
That burns.
….
CRUNCH CRUNCH.
I hear footsteps from my front.
I don't even need to open my eyes to know who was in front of me.
I immediately stand at attention
Saluting her as she salutes me back, a small smile on her face.
"Yuri, Excited to get thrown in the fray again?" She asked with a fake smile.
Tsk tsk tsk woman. You really should stop that shit, I can see right through you, you know?
...Well then again, It wouldn't really bode well for the men.
I finish my salute as I begin to speak.
"You got it comrade Pavlovna. I am just "so" excited to see some action, where I will no doubt be shot at by Rpg's and small arms fire."
My wording of the sentence made Borris merely raise a brow. Oh? So he's at least smart enough to notice sarcasm when it's in front of him huh?
The woman chuckles at this, an amused smile on her face as her eyes look at me in warmth.
Oi, Stop this woman. Don't look at me like that!
"Yes, I know where to put you." She said with a sigh.
Please be the rear.
Please be the rear.
With the gear.
And the beer!
…You know what? Never mind actually, alcohol is actually quite flammable and I am not burning to death.
Fuck that.
"Congrats Yuri. You're with me." She Said as she kicked the side of a btr-80.
"Paratroopers, We're moving out!" She yelled, only to be met with cheers as engines revved up and people hurriedly hopped into their vehicles.
"...Wat?" I managed to utter out before she was on top of the damn thing.
It was too late.
Borris merely looked at me with a raised brow of suspicion before he walked to the btr.
….Really woman? What happened to the overly shy and self conscious girl that was in front of me as I had my breakfast this morning? Was it all a lie huh? A trick to lull me into a false sense of security?
….
Sigh.
Seriously, this woman was too foxy.
I dejectedly grabbed my helmet which was seated on a crate and sadly put it on top of my head.
With one last drag, I snubbed it on the ground and quickly made my way to the btr.
Shit.
This really was happening huh?
Expectedly, I scowled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ride was….bumpy to say the least.
Not to mention all those damn stares and glares that I was getting.
Look, I get it alright? I'm an outsider! I'm weird, the creepy guy that nobody likes, so get off my back already okay? It's not like I wanted to be in this cramped vehicle with you lot!
"Hm, hm~"
Ah.
There's little Miss I say everything is fine but In reality it's not right next to me humming cheerfully.
Sheesh, I never will understand this woman.
How could she hum right before she goes into battle?
Like, Are you insane, woman?
…..
But then again, I have no right to say that.
I'm no better then her after all.
Hell, I'm pretty sure all of us are a little insane for fighting this war.
".....Say…" The woman says, A finger on her chin.
"Now that I come to think of it, You never did tell any of us where you were from." She said curiously, a little too curiously I might add.
…..
Fuck!
Have I been compromised?
If so then why don't these fuckers blow my brains out right here, right now?
Interrogation? No, I wouldn't have teeth left by now If that were the case.
So….Why?
Fuck! This woman is really getting on my nerves!
I quickly glance around the inside of the vehicle.
Yep, the fuckers are all looking at me with a vested interest now too.
Shit.
I have no choice but to tell them now.
…. It's okay.
It's okay.
Nothing to be worried about, I've practiced this scenario in my head for possibly over a thousand times.
I know what to say.
I can do this.
"...The Urals." I say with a frown. Showing her that I clearly do not wish to talk about this topic.
"Hm, I see."
I see my ass! Just leave me the fuck alone!
"...." She said nothing now, eyeing my face as she so clearly studied my features.
Fine, so we're playing that game then?
I don't care, I don't need to say anything.
You're not gonna get much out of me woman.
(Because I don't have much anyway)
But that's not the point.
The point of the matter is that I am filled to the brim with lies.
Hell, Yuri sokolov was a lie in itself.
So you would never actually get the truth out of me, no matter what you asked.
As she continued to study me, Her walkie talkie buzzed into life.
Hey eyebrow merely raised as she listened to the man on the other line.
"This is the eastern strike force, we've received the contact from the enemy, over."
I silently sat there and listened.
These paratroopers were impressive, Not gonna lie.
Remaining calm as you get shot at in a helicopter?
Kudos to you.
Sofiya nods with her eyes closed.
….Huh, It looks as if she had expected this to happen.
...No, I'm just over analyzing everything like always.
They sound calm now, Wait until-
"SHIT! STINGER! KAPITEN, THEY HAVE STINGERS- BOOM!"
...Yup.
I was expecting this.
Tch.
I see The Woman angrily grit her teeth as the walkie cuts off. The man on the other end of the line now most likely dead.
The btr-80 was filled with dreadful silence as the men said nothing, the weight of their comrades' death now weighing upon them.
This is on them though,
They knew that this would happen.
They're not amateurs, they never were.
Tch.
This is all too risky.
So why?
I just can't seem to shake this feeling of unease.
Death was in the air.
And I was caught right in the middle of it.
"This is the western strike force over, Our lead helicopter was just hit by a- BOOM!"
The woman grimaces at this as she remains quiet.
The men are all uncomfortable as well.
The silence was deafening, the only thing that I could hear was the rumble of the engine, and the angry breaths of everyone on board.
Sigh.
I need a breath of air.
Turning to the woman, I ask.
"Comrade Pavlovna?"
"...Yes?" She asked, my question shaking her out of her grimacing.
"Permission to open the hatch?"
!
She looks surprised at this for a second.
She thinks, Her brow furrowed as she weighs the pros and cons.
"....."
She opens her mouth as if to speak, but stops herself.
She eyes me once more, as if asking me silently If I still wish to.
Good god woman, you're looking at me as if I'm making a last, final stand or something.
Which in itself is a foolish endeavor that I would never attempt.
I say nothing as I look into her eyes, Nodding slightly at her.
"...."
She says nothing for a few more seconds, still thinking.
Sigh.
With a sigh, She reluctantly gives the nod.
Fucking Finally.
About time for some fresh fucking air.
The hatch opens up as I pop my head up, With my helmet on of course.
I lay low, hugging the vehicle as much as possible, I mean, it wouldn't bode well if I was shot dead, now would I?
I quickly scan the surrounding area, following my hunch as I look for anything out of the ordinary.
...Shit.
They're watching us.
Well, at least they have some noobs on their side.
Fuckers forgot that binoculars and scopes shine under the sun.
I saw them almost immediately.
But the most worrying thing was that they were watching.
They're holding their fire.
…..
Why?
The east and western attacking squads have gotten lit the fuck up while the northern squads and the southern squads are just being monitored...Why?
Could they?
...No.
It couldn't be.
Gritting my teeth in frustration, I move my head down back inside the vehicle.
"Comrade Pavlovna, we need to stop." I say with a scowl on my face.
She raises a brow at this, A look of seriousness now adorning her face.
"....And if I may ask why?" She asked cautiously, taking my words into account.
"They're watching us."
"...!" She took in the information as she clicked her tongue, only for Borris to speak up.
"Comrade Sokolov, you forget your rank."
"....." I say nothing. I mean, technically the man was right.
But still, I am not dying here.
Not in this shit hole!
"Rest assured, If they're merely watching us then they don't have the means to take us out. Kapitan, you're orders?"
He said while shooting me a dirty look.
How dare you speak to the Taichou like that?
That was the look that he gave me.
...Well, It was only normal after all.
I was still an outsider to their eyes.
It was only to be expected of them to jump on any sign of disrespect.
"...." She paused for a second as she quietly thought to herself.
"...We shall proceed with the plan as usual….Comrade Yuri, I must thank you for the report." She said with a well practiced smile.
A smile that was meant for her subordinates as the rest of the men visibly relaxed, their tension now mellowed out as they couldn't help but smile at her smile.
Tch.
Don't give me that crap woman.
You know something.
That in itself is now a fact seeing on how you continue to proceed with the mission.
Which begs the question, What do you know?
…..
Reluctantly, I close the hatch and sit down. With a well practiced poker face.
Well, Given the fact that I've been judged my whole life, It was only natural that I developed one.
And let me tell you, It was a damned good one.
….But still.
…..Now that I think about it, this was a very strange operation since the beginning..
They're paratroopers, They may not have planes, but at least they've got Helicopters right?
Naturally troops meant to descend from the skies would flock to a thing capable of flight.
Even more so than officers and ncos.
So why?
Why did she and her staff all choose to ride the btr-80?
...Did she….Know that this was going to happen?
….Nah, Who am I kidding?
She knew that this was going to happen.
She knew that the helicopters would be hit.
Now the only thing that I don't know for sure is whether or not she knew the enemy would simply just observe us.
Borris was right.
It doesn't take a genius to realize that its simply stupid to attack a thing when you don't have the weapons nessicary for it's destruction.
But that just means that they know that we're here now.
That means that they could get reinforcements that have the rpgs and stingers that they need to take us out.
Even now, continuing on like this is without a doubt, risky.
Sofiya Pavlovna is by no means a stupid woman. She knows the dangers and risks of this.
So I must ask again, why?
Is she doing this because something that benefits her is at stake? And when I say that, I don't mean her career.
Not at all.
She doesn't seem like the greedy, selfish type.
She also cares for her men as well, So i'm pretty sure she doesn't want to lose them pointlessly.
…..
Fuck!
This woman really is troublesome!
What am I huh, Conan? I'm not a fucking detective!
Yet here I am, acting like one as I try to piece the puzzle together.
I hate this situation.
It just screamed fishy.
Sigh.
I want a cigarette so bad right now.
The plan was simple.
Drive to the point on the map, Dismount and make our way to the village, check and clear out any hostiles. And make our way back to the trucks. Rise and repeat until; we reach the rendezvous point and you have yourself a completed mission.
This was going to be a hell of a lot harder now that they know that we're here.
….Shit.
This was going to be bloody.
It also doesn't help that we're the first fucking vehicle in the column.
I keep my arms crossed as I sit down, suppressing the urge to tremble.
Being shot at is fucking frightening.
Even more when you know that you're going to be the first one that gets lit up.
And to make matters worse, This was the soviet union.
I wasn't in the JSDF.
I wasn't in the American army.
Both of which, mind you, Supply their fucking soldiers with Kevlar.
I literally have nothing.
It's just me in my fatigues, with some ammo pouches.
That's it.
Hell these idiots around me don't even wear a helmet.
I'm literally the only guy in the car wearing a helmet.
….
Sigh.
Fuck it, when we get into that tight spot, We'll no doubt just radio for an artillery bombardment, or hell, Call in a gun ship or something.
The soviets aren't that helpless.
They're one of the world's largest superpowers for god's sake!
….
Well, I mean, Granted that they're gonna, you know, dissolve in the next couple of years….
But, that's neither here nor there.
Fuck, the soviets are such a pain in the ass.
…
You know what?
Screw it.
I'm tired of this.
Sigh.
Giving them a disapproving sigh, I slouch back against the wall.
I hate this shit so much.
The woman merely looks at me sternly now.
Yeah yeah.
I know.
I'll play nice.
"I apologize, comrade Pavlovna. And comrade Borris, I must thank you for reminding me of my place." I say with a lazy, lackadaisical smile.
What?
Fuck these guys.
The only ones I'll genuinely smile at are Komachi and Saika dammit!
The woman's eyes widened in shock at my sudden apology.
What? Thought I was gonna keep quiet? Well fuck you lot and your expectations of me.
Sides, It won't do well for me to have a bad relationship with them.
Less than friends, more than strangers. That's what I'm trying to keep this at.
The point being that they'll be less suspicious of me if I only remain the outsider.
No more, no less.
And I'm perfectly fine with that.
...Good god, It's just like those old school dating sims on the ps2, isn't it?
Well fine, I pride in my damage control thank you very much,
"....Think nothing of it comrade Sokolov. Just don't do it next time." Borris says after a pause, eyeing me keenly.
He was still cautious of me huh?
His posture screamed so.
Look, He's all rigid and uptight, Sheesh. Reminds me of Yukinoshita…
....
No, stop it.
Don't think about it now.
Not right before a fucking battle.
Silently, I nod. Keeping up my fake ass smile as I do so.
Out of the corner of my eye, I look at the woman.
What?
Oi, stop looking at me.
That's creepy you know?
If you keep looking, I might get the wrong idea.
Luckily, her walkie talkie lights up as a voice starts speaking.
"Kapitan, This is the Northern strike force, we're approaching our first target. Over and out."
She nods at this, taking note of this new piece of information.
Sigh.
Her face is now deep in thought.
Sheesh, It looks like she's playing a chess game, and losing badly at it.
She knows as much as I how dangerous and foolish this is.
The eastern and western squads have been hit already.
The enemy attacked them because they were confident that they could take them.
The eastern and western squads could probably fight their way through, but it'll be bloody.
And us? The southern attack force is simply being monitored right now.
The northern force hasn't been hit yet either.
This seems suspicious.
It's almost like the enemy knew that we were gonna come.
Hell, that's probably why they had all those stingers and rpgs in the areas that our helicopters would fly in from…..
...
….
What?
...No...It can't be...
"Kapitan, We're approaching our first target. Should we stop?" The driver asks casually as he looks over his shoulder, a serious look on his face as he does so.
".....No. Drive slowly until you reach the center of the village, then stop." She said as she opened up the hatch. Standing up tall and having the upper portion of her unprotected body exposed to the world as the btr slowly pulled up.
Oi, this is a dangerous thing to do woman.
You might get shot.
Do you really need to cling on to your sense of justice that desperately?
You've seen much more combat than me, you of all people should know.
These villagers can't be trusted.
They hate you.
They want your bunch out of their country.
Stop pretending to be a hero.
Close the hatch and order the machine gunner to light up the damn place already.
We're in an enemy country, surrounded by enemies.
We have no friends here.
These villagers couldn't care less if we ended up with a bullet in our heads, so please. Stop this nonsense.
It's embarrassing seeing you behave like this.
People will always be people.
They will always hate, especially those different to them. I found that out the hard way.
The men said nothing as the engine slowly rumbled in the background. Hell, nobody says anything at all. Not even the woman herself said anything.
The air was quite tense.
This may be a village, but it most likely house's the enemy militants.
If we're not careful, we'll find ourselves in a fire fight.
I hear the wheels slowly traverse the road before they finally stop, everyone takes a breath, even me.
The woman is the only one who is exposed at this point.
A show of trust and non hostility no doubt.
A worthless show.
I say nothing as I grip the pistol grip of my gun.
Borris sees this and scoffs.
"There is no need, comrade. The Kapitan has done this time and time before." He says with a mocking smirk.
The hell?
Is that really meant to reassure me?
Fucking hell I despise you soviets.
Reluctantly, I take my hand off the pistol grip of my rifle.
…..
Fuck this situation is making me so nervous.
They may trust the woman, but I don't
And that's the most important part.
Trust.
I don't know why they trust her, That's why I'm so on guard.
And I don't really want to stick around to see why they trust her either.
I don't want to make bonds.
I want to make a run for it.
That's what I want.
I cross my arms, and she speaks Russian. No doubt to the villagers.
"I am Kapitan Sofiya Pavlovna."
"My men are not here to harm you."
"We are only here to fight the mujaheddin. If you know anything then tell us."
I hear a short pause before someone starts speaking in this accursed lands language. No doubt translating what the woman had just said ruffly.
…..
A pause filled the air as soon as the voice stopped speaking.
Another voice now spoke up, breaking the silence as the foreign language now filled the air.
They spoke briefly and shortly before stopping.
Letting the translator do his work.
"The Mujaheddin that you are looking for is further down the road. They have encamped themselves up in the pass.
"We are just peaceful villagers, we do not want any trouble."
The translator said in barely passable Russian. It was rough, But rougher than mine that's for sure.
"I see, Then allow me to thank you." The woman said simply. I couldn't see her face but no doubt she was smiling.
"And we thank you as well." The translator replied.
Nodding her head, The woman closed the hatch and took a seat.
A relaxed smile on her face meant to lighten the mood.
Pulling out a map, she quickly scanned it and found what she was looking for.
Standing up, she walked over to the drivers and pointed at the map.
"Drive us here."
"Understood Kapitan."
The woman then walked back and took a seat, this time pulling out a….what is it?
It was a small, curious thing. With an antenna attached to it.
The woman then pressed a button, turning it on.
Holding it, it made no sound as she lazily swung it around.
With a murmur, she then turned it off.
Crossing out this village's location off of her map.
Ah….
She was looking for something.
But for what?
That was the question.
Not to mention the pass.
The villager gave that information away a little too easily.
….
Fuck, they want us there.
They want us to go to the pass.
No doubt to slaughter all of us.
I could only furrow my brow as the btr started up once again, taking us to a guaranteed fight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The machine gave us supporting fire….like far away.
Well, I wouldn't blame them though.
They're our ticket out of this hell hole once we finish what we have to do.
The stone wall in which I was taking cover behind was currently being shot at by a variety of rifles. All from the enemy.
Hah.
I couldn't even fire back.
This was gonna be some intense close quarters combat.
We were you see, currently at an enemy outpost at the foot of the pass.
And we were being fired at tremendously.
Shit.
We had to do something or otherwise we were gonna be stuck here in this stalemate.
….What? Don't look at me.
I'm no hero.
Fuck bravery, I'm not gonna die for this shit.
The woman was behind the wall near me, also taking fire from the enemy.
We were, In military terms. "Pinned down."
Tch!
Clicking her tongue, she quickly looked around, her eyes settling on me.
Oi, Stop that. That's creepy.
She looked at me, then at the small little pipe line behind me.
Oi, Stop. Don't even dare-
"Yuri, Tunnel, Now!"
...
FUCK!
Are you crazy woman? I'm only one man!
There is no way in hell that I could flank them by myself, I'm not train from black cat!
I was going to complain, but she looked like she was just about to kill me if I refused.
And I don't plan on dying anytime soon.
So, With a scowl, I fold up my stock.
I'm not gonna need that shit in close quarters.
I crouch run through the pipe tunnel, my rifle always at the ready at any given moment.
The first enemy appeared quite soon.
Right after I exited through the pipe tunnel in fact.
I saw his face, He was quite shocked.
Without thinking, I raise my rifle and fire a short burst, Killing him instantly.
I step over his dead body and continue onwards down the flank of our position.
Well well well, What have we here?
There was at least 2 squads attempting to flank us through the fucking pipe line.
Sigh.
That woman really does know what she's doing on the battlefield after all.
As soon I see them, I drop to the ground, emptying my entire magazine into them.
Bullets flew by my face as I let them face my fury.
Fuck.
That was close.
I reload shakily as I breathe heavy, The adrenaline now flowing in my veins as I pull the rack back.
Shit.
I grit my teeth in anger.
I switched sides to avoid this. Not to do more of this shit.
Crouching down, I slowly and steadily made my way up the flank.
I was hid well by an old wooden fence.
Of course, there were some buildings here and there, helping conceal me even more.
I quickly scan the area in front of me and to the left of me.
My objective is clear.
I am to flank them.
How however, was up to me.
As I stalk up the fence line, I see it.
The back door to a two story building, even when before I entered through the fucking pipe tunnel, This building was a huge problem to us.
I:e, It was a machine gun position.
Hopping the fence, I practically ran into the building, My rifle always at the ready.
Bursting through the door, I sweep the lower area, Finger always on the trigger.
As soon as I clear the fucking floor, I bolt for the upper floors, Moving up the stairs both carefully and quickly.
Hugging the wall, I hold my breath, each moment could very well be my last.
Continuing down the short, crude hallway I soon find it.
The door is closed, But I can quite clearly hear the sharp distinct sounds of an RPD.
….
Shit.
I really don't want to do this!
Tch.
I hastily hop into the door frame and Just unload my gun.
They didn't even have the time to cry.
They just fell down dead.
The man on the machine gun now slumped over the makeshift cover for the machine gun.His friend? Dead on the ground still grasping onto the bullet belt.
I didn't waste even a single moment.
Running to the RPD, I unhesitatingly maneuver it to the side where the enemies were.
I aim down the sights at the building across from me.
Sighing, I pull the trigger. Killing the machine gun nest and immediately aiming at the other militants behind cover.
I keep my fire short and precise.
I don't have any time to waste, Soon they'll spot me and-
Shit.
Debris flies by as the bullets start to land near me.
Welp.
Time to haul ass.
I run out of the room before Some fucker with an RPG aims at me or some shit.
Running down the stairs with my weapon at the ready, I fully expect some fucker to pop up and light me the fuck up.
Luckily, no one popped up as I went down the stairs.
Hugging the wall next to the back door, I pull out a grenade.
Pulling the pin, I toss it out the door, Just in case.
An explosion accompanied by the screams of pain confirms my suspicions.
They roughly knew my position.
Without thinking, I put my helmet on the muzzle end of my rifle.
Grimacing for the incoming fire, I stick out just a little bit of my helmet.
As expected, They shoot at it immediately.
Jesus, that was some precise fire to.
My helmet was soon knocked off my muzzle, and I saw it full of holes as well.
Well, there goes my only form of protection.
Shit.
I'm surrounded.
Come on Woman, Break through before enemy bullets break through my body!
Still hugging the wall, I stick out my rifle and blind fire, hoping to kill a couple of them.
CLICK CLICK.
Sigh.
I hastily reload, putting in another magazine and racking it back.
I'm full on growling now.
Pissed at what I have to put up with, I was not in the mood for mercy today.
The debris starts flying as they shoot at me now.
"KUSO!" Ah, I'm not even speaking Russian anymore.
Fuck it, I don't care.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the flash of another militant.
Instantly, without hesitation, I raise my rifle and fire. Killing them in the process.
...
With the end of my muzzle, I prod it to me, well just the foot at least.
Now with the foot in reach, I quickly grab it and drag the body through the doorway
The bullets fly by but I don't care.
I'll survive dammit.
Pulling up the body, I prop it up as I hold it by the collar.
…..
Here goes!
I run out, Holding the body up in front of me as I get, In American terms, Lit the fuck up.
Please shoot through the body, Please don't shoot through the body!
With my rifle, I fire.
Fuck!
The recoil is fucking all over the fucking place with one hand!
Well, At least I'm managing somehow to gun them down.
As I run, I see a piece of cover.
Ditching the body, I frantically dive at the son of a bitch.
THUMP.
Reloading my mag, I frantically look around, Checking My surroundings.
Great, Just fucking great!
I'm right in the middle of their entire fucking position!
….
Peeking my head over the cover, I notice something.
A Toyota technical. Next to a couple of oil cans….
What?
Were they transporting something?
No, Now's not the time to be playing detective dammit!
With an exasperated growl, I pull out a grenade.
"Last one, Better make it count." I mutter to myself in Japanese.
With a quick peek, I hurl the damn thing at the Toyota technical.
....
Come on, Come on!
…
The bullets still whizz by as i'm stuck right in the middle of the fucking fray!
....
BOOM!.
About fucking time!
I take advantage of the explosion as I pop up from my fire and just start shooting.
It doesn't matter what I hit, It matters that I fire, Suppressing them.
I can hear their screams of agony as I fire.
As expected, There were many of them near the technical.
Here's a tip for your next life idiots.
Maybe don't take cover near a car surrounded with Oil cans.
Many of them were burning alive, not caring if bullets were flying by.
…
What?
I take cover as I reload, taking in the scene.
M16's.
There were m16's.
It also didn't help that I saw an American with blue eyes burning to death right in front me as well.
Hah.
Don't tell me that the CIA is also involved?
What could be so fucking important that CIA operatives were here?
In the background I can hear the enemy calling for retreat.
Sigh.
Great, the main show is over. Now time for the mop up.
Crunch crunch.
Shit, More enemies?
Growling, I quickly pop up, my finger on the trigger as I aim at the approaching foes.
I am not dying here!
....
Ah shit.
In my sights Is the woman known as Sofiya Pavlovna.
A look of surprise adorned her face whilst her men had their guns up and aimed right at me.
"Good job Yuri, as expected of a recipient of the order of Lenin!" She said with a grateful smile.
Grateful that she didn't lose any of her ACTUAL comrades.
Hm? What's that?
"...."
"Erm, Yuri? You can drop the gun now." She said with a look of concern, her men now holding me in their sights.
"Yuri?"
Jesus Christ woman! Shut up and let me focus!
"Yu-" She managed to say before I cut her off, A short burst of fire from my rifle flying towards the balcony right behind her.
"What the!- Why you siberian savage! I was right to not trust you!" Borris yelled at me angrily, His finger on the trigger as he aimed right at my head.
"Wait." The woman said, cutting him off as she looked at where I had fired.
She was greeted with the sight of a dead enemy militant slumped over the balcony wall. His rifle hanging loosely from his hands.
I lower my weapon as I walk towards them, Their rifles now lowered as they have seen what I've just done.
I'm glaring at them now, not caring for their reactions.
"Permission to resupply?" I asked with a scowl, not caring about the woman's rank.
"... Permission granted." She said with a stern face.
The men avoid me as I make my way through them back to the rear.
Their faces, a mixed depression of anger and shame.
I still keep my scowl as I walk to where the trucks are.
I'm pissed.
Pissed that that Woman accepted this operation from her superiors.
Pissed that there were Americans here.
Pissed that this was probably something bigger than I initially thought it was.
I'm not stupid, and I know that that Infernal woman isn't either.
The enemy knew we were coming.
She knew that they knew we were coming.
Sofiya Pavlovna was looking for something.
Something important, Important enough for the Americans to actually have CIA operatives attached here.
And the worst part is?
I can't do anything about it.
…
FUCK!
I gotta get a new helmet.
My rifle is slung over my shoulder As I walk, slightly bumping up and down as I do so.
With a trembling hand, I take a cigarette and light it, Taking a much deserved drag.
Sigh.
Stop it.
Stop trembling.
… Please, stop.
My empty magazines bump up and down in their pouches as I make my way to the trucks.
I take another drag as I continue to walk.
Truthfully? I don't need to make this tiring trek.
If I actually wanted ammo, I would have just asked them for any extra mags.
It's just, I was still so pissed, That I would have actually shot that jackass Borris.
He was pissed at me as well.
So, in an act of self preservation, I asked to go to the rear.
…
Well, It did turn out for the better.
The magazine in my ak47 was actually the last mag I had that still had ammo in it.
The trucks were getting nearer and nearer now.
Sigh.
I'm so fucking tired of this shit.
Taking yet another drag, I walk to the trucks to resupply so that I can fight once again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Urgh!"
"..."
"Argh!"
"..."
Jesus, the guy in the porta potty was having a field day huh?
It was night time now, and with the night, comes the coolness of air.
And, being the funny guy that I am, Will now make wordplay as I Have also cooled down.
The woman had decided for us to make camp here and to attack further into the pass for tomorrow, which was fine by me.
I was just sitting on the ground, trying to comprehend the shit Pravda writes in their papers before the guy in the shitter started dying.
"...Wah?- Oh come on! No toilet paper?" He asked himself with a despairing voice.
"..." I say nothing as I couldn't help but smirk a little bit
"...Oh no…" He moaned dejectedly.
Hah…
Okay, I'm not that mean.
Standing up, I shortly make my way to the shitter and knock on it.
KNOCK KNOCK.
"Wha-what? Who's there!" The guy asked nervously, fear in his voice.
"Calm down, I have paper."
"..Really?" He asked quietly, hope apparent in his voice.
"Yeah, open the door and I'll pass it to ya." I sigh with a sigh. Sheesh, this shit was just plain awkward.
"..." Saying nothing, He unlocked the door and to which I handed him the newspaper that I was reading.
"..."
He says nothing as he Locks the door once again.
Oh thank god.
No need to make it awkward, just accept it and say nothing.
Sigh.
There goes my other form of entertainment.
I can't smoke either, The enemy would see my five miles away if I do.
I'm not in the mood to sleep either, It's ironic actually. I'm tired as fuck and yet I cant sleep.
Hah.
I want a smoke~
Welp, might as well sit on the ground and try to relax for a moment.
"..."
"Hah! That was great, thanks so much dude-" The door to the shitter opened abruptly and suddenly as The occupant left, a smile on his face.
"..." I said nothing as I looked at him, Memories of a not so distant past now filling my mind as he looks back at me.
"..."
"..."
"You!"
"You!"
We both say in unison, cutting each other off.
"You're the mujaheddin militant that helped me escape!" Great. At least he has the common decency to whisper.
"And you! you're...J-J-Jojo? Jack?" I ask, disbelief in my voice as I reply to him.
"No, it's johnny! Don't you remember?"
"A-ah..Yeah! Of course, Johnny boy!" I say in English, trying to impress him.
"...Please don't patronize me." He said with a sigh.
"...Yeah, sorry."
"So, what are you doing here?" He asked curiously, his blue eyes studying my features.
"...Ah, well, you see.. That's a long story." I say scratching the back of my head.
"Shoot, I got time." He said with a grin, happy to see me.
"...Well, If you insist I guess." I say with a sigh as he sits down next to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Splat splat splat.
The dirty water dripped from the dirty roof as it splashed onto the ground.
I yawned, Guard duty was boring.
I silently checked my watch.
Ah, It was that time again.
Slinging my rifle over my shoulder, I grab an MRE that the Americans supplied us with.
It tasted like trash, but hey. Food was food.
Another guard saw this and snorted.
"You. Feed. Russian?"
I nod my head.
He simply snorted once more as he turned away, clicking his tongue disapprovingly.
I make my way to the cell and stop.
I slid the MRE into the cell as I watched the prisoner, who was now currently balled up.
"I'm gonna die here! I'm gonna die before even being able to tell Sasaki that I love her!" I hear him utter, dejectedly to himself as he whimpers in fear.
Normally, I wouldn't bat an eye at this.. But he intrigued me.
You see, He was speaking English.
Not only that, He said Sasaki.
A Japanese name.
With a sigh and a raised brow, I speak to him. A plan now forming in my mind as I keep up my poker face.
"You, American?" I say, with my barely passable English.
"..." He doesn't say anything as he stops muttering to himself and begins to look at me.
"...Huh?" He finally said as he looked at me, Shocked at what he saw.
"Me, Japanese. Me health you, you health me. Ok? Let's go!" I say, A blush on my face as I know that I most certainly fucked that sentence up.
"What?" He asked with a look of genuine confusion.
Sigh.
This was gonna be one of those times, wasn't it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"..." He said nothing as he took in my story, a look of contemplation on his face as he nodded.
"...So, you ended up here." He finally said, breaking the silence as he looked at me seriously.
"In the paratroopers no less." I nodded.
"..."
"..."
"Pft!" He suddenly broke into laughter.
I merely raise a brow at this.
"I..Im sorry..it's just..so funny! Who would have thought!...You, in the paratroopers!" He said through light hearted chuckles.
"It's….It's crazy!" He continued on, laughing at this absurd situation.
I know I shouldn't, But I chuckle as well.
In a world full of enemies, It's nice to have at least one guy that doesn't fucking hate you.
"...I know! That's the best part!"
"Hah! Hahah!"
We both chuckle for a little bit as the minutes pass before we finally stop.
"Phew!" Johnny exclaimed as he wiped away a tear from his eye.
"Yep." I say with a deep sigh.
"So, what are your plans now?" He asked with a smile.
"You know, same as always, Hitch a ride to Vladivostok, and take a ship to Japan." I say, managing to not growl.
I was still pissed that I was even in this situation after all.
"I see, I see." He nodded in agreement with me.
"How about you, what are you doing here?"
"Ah, Well. It seems that the higher ups have finally seen my worth! I've been given this mission you see…"
"Really? Nice! Go on!"
"Well, the thing is… GRU is looking for something, something that can change the tide of this war once and for all…"
"And just my luck to! My buddies and I were attached to you guys. I know for a fact that we're gonna be safe!" He said with a small chuckle.
"Oh really?"
"Yep!, Oh! Don't worry. I won't snitch. You helped me with escaping after all." He quickly said, trying to reassure me.
"Oh? I seem to recall helping you with something else as well." I say with a teasing grin.
"H-hey! I taught you Russian as well, so we're even Stevens!" He said with a large blush on his face, making me grin even more.
"...." I say nothing as I raise a brow.
"...She said yes." He said with a shy grin as he twiddled his fingers together, much like a child.
"Naisu!" I say as I pump my fist in the air.
"..But still, what did you teach me to write? In a letter that replied to me, She said that I was, and I quote, "Quite forward.""
"Ah."
"Well…."
"Hey, don't tell me you made me write anything inappropriate, Hikigaya!" He said with a crimson blush now.
"Lets just say...You don't need to know for now." I say with a wink
"Hikigaya!" He said in exasperation, shy and embarrassed now.
"Don't worry, It wasn't that Raunchy~"
"Hikigaya!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sigh.
I study the piece of paper quite vigorously now as I rub my temples.
On it was everything I knew so far.
We were looking for something? Check
The enemy knew that we were coming? Check.
The CIA were involved? Check.
Those Trotskyites known as GRU were also involved? Check.
Hah.
Dammit!
I need some fucking rest!
Tired, I fall into my sleeping bag.
Sigh.
Why am I even caring about this shit?
I just want to go home!
My eyes are heavy as I reluctantly close them.
"..."
Still though, It was Nice seeing him again.
He reminds me of Saika.
Sigh.
As expected, My Life is so wrong.