Fixing The Wire

It's a bitter late October night in Stalingrad. It's been snowing through the early evening, and boots now crunch on the forming crusts of ice on the street. The wind is bone-chilling, temperatures regularly dipping below zero now when the sun goes down. The cover of night blankets the eerily skeletal streets around Pavlov's House as the group leaves the negligible safety of the building for the street below…

Dimitri moves some rubble over to the window and stacks it up, making a little bit of a ledge. He props his rifle up on it, making sure the barrel of his gun doesn't stick out of the window, but he can still see out of it.

Sokolof was plucked for his technical skill, such as it is, for this little outing. He still looks pale but he's on his feet and moving with no visible discomfort. Thus far. It's not like they've had to trek a great distance yet. His hands are gloved and he hauls coils of wiring, trying not to make too much noise and he moves out into the snowy night.

Gregor is in the rubble pile, using the same position he used last night, a little more forward. This'll be nasty for rushing Nazis.

Elise is using a hole in the wall as a firing position, nowhere near as stealthy as Dimitri but she's still in cover. She watches anxiously. "Can't see them yet, can you?"

Novikova shivers a little. Even Novikova is not immune. Her eyes water a bit and her cheeks are pale, but tinged with red in spots. Novikova was apparently teachable enough to be deemed worthy of setting wire alongside Sokolof. Still, outside is not a happy place. She's sure some part of her decorates the landscape still. She trundles somewhat near Sokolof, paying attention to him as much as anything else. She keeps her wire and SVT near. Gloved (though the gloves look like they may have seen happier times much like their owner) hands wriggle a little nervously.

Dimitri shakes his head, peering out of the window with the one eye that isn't covered by a bloody bandanna. He doesn't take his good eye off of his scope but he does whisper, "Give them time. Our soldiers aren't even there yet."

Gregor shakes his head, "Far as I can tell, they sneak out, start laying wire. Nazis react, try to stop them, we open up on them, they lay wire, and come back. Simple plan, lots of room to react."

Taktarov has a length of theatre curtain velvet wrapped around his lower face, replacing his long ago worn out scarf. The skinny young man trudges along with the others, rifle slung acros his back as he helps the others carry the bales of wire.

Maschenko volunteered for this bit of nastiness, less because he knows what to do with wire and more because he knows what to do with a bleeding body. Rifle held at the ready, he keeps an almost overly alert watch around the street. His teeth are pressed together to keep them from chattering in the cold.

Yulia has returned to the area where the Germans hacked a hole in the wire, except this time they actually have the replacement for it. Yay. So far, it's been mercifully silent, save for the scrunch of their boots in the snow. She tugs her collar upward, scanning the area as they progress forward.

"I mean our guys," Elise clarifies to Dimitri. "They must be around the corner there still." She nods slightly to Gregor. "Da. I wish I was down there with them, though." Still, someone had to stay and Elise has no particular skill with wire.

Dimitri says, "Ah." then continues panning his rifle about the landscape, looking for a Kraut helmet to fire at, "Yes, I'd be taking my time if I were them."

Sokolof gestures his free hand, the one not occupied with hauling things, north of them. "It is not far from what the Sergeant told us. Should to be difficult." Should not. "We can get going if all are ready. Someone take a look ahead of us. Make sure we are not going to be greeted by any Fascist surprises."

Taktarov nods to Sokolof's words. "Yes, comrade. I can have a look?" he volunteers, words muffled by the scarf over his mouth.

Gregor keeps his eyes peeled, looking down, waiting.

Sokolof nods to Taktarov. "Yes. Please."

Maschenko can never see shit in the dark. When the war's over he'll probably be getting glasses, provided he still has his eyes. He breathes slowly through his scarf, trying not to send up too much fog with the hot air.

«Ground Combat» Taktarov moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Taktarov arrive at 9th of January Square.

Gregor says "Ah, here they come."

Novikova looks to the others, then Sokolof. She seems to trust his judgement. She nods. There's a faint smile at Taktarov, though it only lasts a second. She's got a job at hand.

Yulia watches Tak go north over the edge of her scarf. Hopefully there won't be a party waiting for them northward.

Taktarov slips northward.. he's good at being quiet, but the gangly young man is still easily seen by his fellows to the south. He takes an exxagerated look westward, reassured by the lack of bullets, grins once and looks to peer northward.

Dimitri nods to Gregor's remark, "Don't pay so much attention to them. They aren't the ones we're shooting at. He cracks a grin, but doesn't take his attention from looking for Nazis.

Elise nods to Gregor. "I see Aleks." Then to Dimitri. "Da, Comrade. Though I can't see much of anything in the square."

Taktarov pauses a moment. He looks south and makes the motion of a box rolling over the ground and points northward. Then shrugs, and motions the soviets forward.

Sokolof hunches his shoulders against the cold, peering after Taktarov as the younger man ventures up. "Keep a sharp look-out when we are in position. Zoya and I will not be able to keep a very good watch when working on the wiring line. Try to stay out of sight and do not fire unless fired upon. Silence is the key to this." He squints, catching a signal from Taktarov in the distance. Onward he goes.

Gregor frowns, "Tank?" He sighs, and settles in to prepare to drive off rushers.

«Ground Combat» Sokolof moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Sokolof arrive at 9th of January Square.

Maschenko nods to Sokolof, starting to inch on in the shadows.

«Ground Combat» Maschenko moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Maschenko arrive at 9th of January Square.

«Ground Combat» Yulia moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Yulia arrive at 9th of January Square.

Elise shifts over to the north window at Tak's gesturing, but then shakes her head. "I don't see anything."

Taktarov has hunkered down among the snow and ice, whispering, "Comrades.. there is a tank to the north, but it looks empty, comrades.. West is empty and no fascist rifles north, either."

«Ground Combat» Novikova moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Novikova arrive at 9th of January Square.

Dimitri keeps his gaze to the west, "That only means that they have not seen the German rifles yet. They're uniforms are grey…it's easy to hide in the bombed-out streets."

Maschenko glances up at the top floor, where their comrades are…hopefully. Then back down at the shadowed group. He backs up a little bit further into shadow, bracing his rifle against his shoulder.

Yulia crouches her tall frame forward and slips after the rest. As Tak speaks, she pauses, listening to his report and nods her understanding. "Da, I will keep a look out east." She tries to see the others' faces in the darkness to see if that's okay.

Novikova looks up to the top floor as Maschenko does. She nods at Yulia, not protesting. She glances to and shuffles a little towards Sokolof to take a look at what wiring needs to be done so she doesn't run over him. "I have this spot?" She asks quietly.

Elise tenses. "Two from the north!"

«Ground Combat» Elise fires her Mosin-Nagant at Stromm but misses!

Sokolof nods to Taktarov. Taking note of those words but not actually trying to see for himself. He creeps toward the eastern line of the square, where their fortifications were so thinned. With a slowness that's a mixture of meticulousness, rusty and untrained skills and cold joints, he begins work on the wire. "Start from there, Zoya," he says with a nod, pointing. "And we shall meet in the middle. As it were." Voice is kept very low, though he does try to sound generally encouraging. Another nod at Yulia's words, though he does not look up.

«Entrenchment» Sokolof lays down some wire obstacles on East <E>.

Gregor moves, "I've got you."

Maschenko flinches at a rifle report to the east.

«Entrenchment» Novikova lays down some wire obstacles on East <E>.

«Game» Taktarov assists Novikova!

«Game» Maschenko assists Sokolof!

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Ludeker but misses!

A jerk as Yulia hears fire. She shakes her head, not seeing anyone.

Elise takes a shot at one of the moving Facists. "Someone wave to them so they know where they're coming from."

«Ground Combat» Elise fires her Mosin-Nagant at Stromm and hits!

Stromm suffers 4 wound damage to his right leg.

«Ground Combat» Stromm fires his Kar98k at Gregor but misses!

Sokolof flinches at the sound of rifle fire as well. Trying to hurry. He gets one length down before the shooting starts. "Hold this, please," he says, pointing to an area for Maschenko to steady for him as he emplaces it.

«Ground Combat» Ludeker fires his Kar98k at Elise but misses!

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Ludeker and hits!

Ludeker suffers 2 wound damage to his left chest.

Elise clarifies. "I mean our guys." She manages to peg one of the soldiers then ducks slightly as a bullet dings off the window frame in return.

Taktarov keeps stealing glances at the idle fascist tank, even as he hurries to help Novikova spread the wire over the indicated area. The scarf conceals any expression.

Maschenko grabs the wire for Sokolof, trying to hold it in place as the man works. he's no engineer, but 'hold it' is pretty easy.

«Ground Combat» Elise fires her Mosin-Nagant at Stromm but misses!

Gregor fires, "North, how novel."

Novikova flinches, hearing the shots. She nods and smiles a little at Sokolof, grateful for the guidance. "Da, got it." She's a bit less experienced, and concentrates, eyebrows furrowing. It's almost a little comical if they weren't in a war zone. She murmurs a soft thank you to Taktarov. The wire is uncoiled, placed and pinned down.

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Ludeker but misses!

«Ground Combat» Stromm fires his Kar98k at Elise but misses!

«Game» Maschenko assists Sokolof!

«Entrenchment» Sokolof lays down some wire obstacles on East <E>.

Dimitri quietly curses and slowly moves over to the northern wall, steadying his rifle.

«Entrenchment» Novikova lays down some wire obstacles on East <E>.

«Game» Taktarov assists Novikova!

«Ground Combat» Ludeker fires his Kar98k at Gregor but misses!

«Game» Elise changes her style to Standard!

«Ground Combat» You notice Kammerling arrive at 9th of January Square.

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Ludeker and hits!

Ludeker suffers 4 wound damage to his head.

Sokolof continues at his laborious task at a pace that seems all the slower as the gunfire sounds around them. "I've got mine down. Zoya?" A look to the young woman.

Gregor fires, pinging the head of a German, but not dropping him, "Thick skull."

Elise shifts to a better firing position. "Good shot, Comrade."

«Ground Combat» Elise fires her Mosin-Nagant at Stromm and hits!

Stromm suffers 5 wound damage to his right chest.

«Ground Combat» Stromm has been mortally wounded!

Kammerling comes strolling along, attracted by the rifle fire. He squints in the darkness.

Novikova nods, scooting. Ah hah! There's the middle. Or at least she's spent her two coils. She starts to smile at Sokolof then blinks, noticing the Fascist. "Daa- Facist near us!" She hisses softly.

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Ludeker but misses!

Gahhh. Yulia takes her eyes from the darkness in the east for a minute, hearing a distant crunch of snow. She grips her rifle.

Gregor fires, dropping to reload, "And you, Comrade."

Taktarov fumbles to grab his rifle as KAmmerling stumnbles into their pathc of ground. "Gah-" he hisses under his breath..

«Ground Combat» Gregor reloads his Mosin-Nagant!

From 9th of January Square, a male voice shouts, "Soviets!".

Novikova just frowns, and takes a deep breath. She moves to - sneak up on the man. Maybe?

«Ground Combat» Ludeker fires his Kar98k at Elise but misses!

«Ground Combat» Novikova moves to engage Kammerling in close quarters combat, and succeeds!

Dimitri finally makes his way to the window, "How is everyone doing?" He chuckles quietly, setting up to try and make a shot.

«Ground Combat» Elise fires her Mosin-Nagant at Ludeker but misses!

«Ground Combat» Maschenko fires his Mosin-Nagant at Kammerling but misses!

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Kammerling but misses!

Gregor looks to Dimitri, "We're shooting North, cover the west."

«Ground Combat» Wollheim fires his Gewehr 41 at Taktarov and hits!

Taktarov suffers 8 wound damage to his right chest.

«Ground Combat» Taktarov has been mortally wounded!

«Ground Combat» Dimitri snipes Ludeker and hits!

Ludeker suffers 2 wound damage to his head.

«Ground Combat» *boom* Headshot!!!

Elise frowns as she misses a shot and then ducks down to reload. "Only one left here and he's pep… dead."

«Medic Code» Yulia attempts to stabilise Taktarov and succeeds! Taktarov is gonna make it!

«Game» Taktarov unwields his Mosin-Nagant!

Sokolof finally gets his head up from the wiring line. "We can make our way back…" And the Germans are here. Well. So much an easy escape. He hefts his rifle at Wollheim.

«Ground Combat» Elise reloads her Mosin-Nagant!

«Ground Combat» Novikova sneaks up on Kammerling and delivers a SILENT KILL! (Kammerling, do not pose or page your demise so as to warn others.)

«AngelOfDeath» Stromm breathes his last…

Dimitri finishes off the German and grins, "Will do, comrade." Quickly he begins moving over to the western wall.

Wollheim scrambles back as he plugs one in the chest.

Gregor moves to the west, seeing Novi shovel a nazi, "Wow."

Novikova tiptoes up, squirming amidst the rubble. Hazel eyes narrow as she sneaks up on Kammerling. Snickersnack, her bayonet darts out in the darkness and quietly makes the score even.

«Game» Novikova assists Maschenko!

«Ground Combat» Maschenko fires his Mosin-Nagant at Wollheim but misses!

Taktarov brings his rifle up in numbed hands at the shouting Wollheim, but is blasted through the chest by a rifleshot. The only expression visible past the scarf swatheing his face is wide eyed shock.

«Ground Combat» Sokolof tries to fire his Mosin-Nagant at Wollheim but his weapon is jammed!

«Ground Combat» Wollheim fires his Gewehr 41 at Maschenko but misses!

"Zoya—" Yulia swallows, watching her slink off, and feels a whish of air as a bullet zips by and gets Tak in the chest. "Comrade!" She scrambles after him, slipping slightly in the snow.

Elise reloads and gets back up in the window. "Are they all right?" she asks, wanting very much to go over west but deciding instead to continue covering north.

Sokolof has technical difficulties with his rifle. Ironically.

Maschenko fires back, trying to press his back against the wall. Shit shit shit.

«Ground Combat» Novikova moves to engage Wollheim in close quarters combat, and succeeds!

Gregor grunts, "Tak got hit, they're taking fire from Nazis out of range. Stay on North.

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Wollheim but misses!

«Ground Combat» Wollheim tries to fire his Gewehr 41 at Maschenko but his weapon is jammed!

Taktarov lies in the snow of the square, gasping for breath, and cuiously trying to swallow at the same time. He blinks, and struggles for breath, but that is the extent of his contribution to the present fight.

Wollheim jams his weapon. Srsly.

Sokolof sees Daschke file in while he's working feverishly to unjam his rifle. "Another!"

«Game» Sokolof unjams his Mosin-Nagant!

«Ground Combat» Novikova attacks Wollheim in melee combat with her SVT-40 but misses!

Novikova sneaks up on Woll and … whiff! Uh oh.

Elise frowns in frustration, youthful impatience rearing its head. "Damn damn." She forces herself to stay put.

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Wollheim and hits!

Wollheim suffers 6 wound damage to his right arm.

Yulia at least stopped the bleeding, but is fumbling a little too much with the bandages apparently. Her head jerks up with Sokolof's announcement.

«Ground Combat» Dimitri snipes Wollheim and hits!

Wollheim suffers 7 wound damage to his left hand.

Gregor fores, almost taking off a Nazi arm.

Wollheim gets peppered.

«Ground Combat» Novikova attacks Wollheim in melee combat with her SVT-40 and hits! Wollheim suffers 6 wound damage to his head.

«Ground Combat» *boom* Headshot!!!

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Daschke and hits!

Daschke suffers 2 wound damage to his abdomen.

«Ground Combat» Sokolof tries to fire his Mosin-Nagant at Daschke but his weapon is jammed!

Dimitri looks over at Gregor, "Good shooting, Comrade."

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Fedor and hits!

Fedor suffers 5 wound damage to his left arm.

Gregor fires again, another arm.

Maschenko can barely see. Bugger.

Sokolof curses as his rifle jams yet again. That's Soviet craftsmanship right there.

Novikova finally proves that apparently Soviets can win knife fights. Even if it's not quietly, Novikova comes from behind and quietly makes sure Wollheim is ahead of himself. Ahem.

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Fedor but misses!

«Ground Combat» Daschke fires his Kar98k at Sokolof but misses!

«Ground Combat» Novikova tries to hide!

Crouched by Tak, Yulia pops one at the newly arrived Nazi. Well, at least he was new until the other one came in. Looks like Gregor and Dimitri are earning their keep though.

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Daschke and hits!

Daschke suffers 4 wound damage to his left chest.

«Ground Combat» Maschenko fires his Mosin-Nagant at Daschke but misses!

«Game» Sokolof unjams his Mosin-Nagant!

«Ground Combat» Fedor fires his Kar98k at Maschenko but misses!

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Fedor and hits!

Fedor suffers 6 wound damage to his right hand.

Gregor fires, Asches a NAzi.

«Ground Combat» Novikova moves to engage Fedor in close quarters combat, but fails.

«Ground Combat» Gregor reloads his Mosin-Nagant!

Daschke is kinda freakin out down here. But he fights on!

«Ground Combat» Daschke fires his Kar98k at Yulia but misses!

«Ground Combat» Sokolof fires his Mosin-Nagant at Daschke and hits!

Daschke suffers 7 wound damage to his right chest.

«Ground Combat» Daschke has been mortally wounded!

«Ground Combat» Fedor moves to engage Sokolof in close quarters combat, and succeeds!

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Fedor but misses!

Novikova quietly cheers for Sokolof. Although Novikova frowns as the Nazi closes on the man.

«Ground Combat» Maschenko moves to engage Fedor in close quarters combat, and succeeds!

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Fedor and hits!

Fedor suffers 4 wound damage to his right leg.

Sokolof finally gets his rifle unjammed and does some actual damage with it. And then is promptly jumped by Fedor. He fumbles.

Gregor blasts a NAzis leg as he gets close.

Fedor gets up in Sok's grill.

«Ground Combat» Novikova moves to engage Fedor in close quarters combat, but fails.

«Ground Combat» Fedor attacks Sokolof in melee combat with his Kar98k but misses!

«Ground Combat» Sokolof fires his Mosin-Nagant at Fedor but misses!

«Ground Combat» Maschenko attacks Fedor in melee combat with his Mosin-Nagant and hits! Fedor suffers 3 wound damage to his left arm.

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Fedor but misses!

«Game» Novikova unwields her SVT-40!

«Game» Novikova wields her Shovel!

Fedor gets stabbed, shot at, you name it. Still he swings like a madman, just trying to hit something.

«Ground Combat» Fedor attacks Maschenko in melee combat with his Kar98k but misses!

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Fedor and hits!

Fedor suffers 7 wound damage to his right chest.

«Ground Combat» Fedor has been mortally wounded!

«Ground Combat» Dimitri snipes Fedor with his Scoped Mosin-Nagant but misses!

Fedor then dies. Messily.

Gregor nods, "Comrade nurse is not to be trifled with."

«Ground Combat» Gregor reloads his Mosin-Nagant!

Yulia clenches her rifle a bit too much in her annoyance but makes a hit. Splattery, but whew.

Dimitri grunts as his target is put down right before he fires, "This is true, Comrade." He chuckles and cycles another round.

Maschenko grits his teeth as Fedor goes down. That was nasty.

Novikova is about to whack the Nazi but good. She blinks owlishly at Yulia and the carnage. Nurse of doom indeed. She just nods. But her expression twists and she looks to Taktarov, "Is he-" She seems worried about the man, but unwilling to get underfoot.

Sokolof scrambles out from Fedor, splattered with the Fascists blood. He seems intact himself, however. "You all right, Luka?" he asks, offering a hand up to the doctor. He blinks in the direction of the shot. "Th-thank you, Comrade Nurse. We should go before more come down on us. We've done what we came to do. Someone help Comrade Taktarov?" He doesn't ask what state they'll be carrying the poor lad back in.

«AngelOfDeath» Fedor breathes his last…

«AngelOfDeath» Daschke breathes his last…

Elise glances over. "Did Yulia get another one?" She peers out the north window. "North is still clear."

Gregor nods, "She did, and they're pulling back."

Yulia's scarf has sliipped a bit, and her breath steams out. Slowly lowering her rifle, she takes her eyes off Sokolof and Fedor, meeting Novi's expression. "Da— he'll be all right. See?"

Maschenko breathes hard, glancing up at the window and then back at Yulia and Taktarov. Relief in his eyes as the man moves.

Sokolof sags a little in relief he can't quite hide when Taktarov speaks up. The dead can't talk. That's at least encouraging. "Back to the south, the way we came, then back to the house."

«Ground Combat» You notice Gietl arrive at 9th of January Square.

«Ground Combat» You notice Breinlich arrive at 9th of January Square.

Taktarov remains on his back, staring up and leaking only slightly as he nods at the word south. Laboring to roll onto his stomach in the snow and ruddy ice, he grunts with effort of getting his legs under him again and staggering southward.

«Ground Combat» You notice Schact arrive at 9th of January Square.

Dimitri sets the rifle down and pokes his head out the window, looking around for any running Germans to pick off, "It looks like we've done our jobs, comrades. I think they've all made it." A smile back to the support squad.

Novikova frowns, "He's quiet." That's something to worry about. But she nods meekly. "You're right though," She whispers softly. "I can help carry him," She offers. Now that she doesn't have wire. She inches over. She glances around at the others for now. She frowns, "Stop that," At Taktarov. "H-here." SHe'll at least help support most of his weight. "You'll stain our welcome mat," She jokes softly, though there's more water in her eyes.

«Ground Combat» Sokolof moves South <S>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Sokolof arrive at 9th of January Square.

Gregor mutters, "Not till they're back inside.

From 9th of January Square, a male voice shouts, "Don't come this way! Fascists!".

Maschenko blinks at Sokolof's cry. "Fuck."

Gietl is headin along, following the sound of shooting. OHAI.

«Ground Combat» Dimitri moves out of Rubble pile.

Gregor blinks, "What was that?"

Elise looks over. "What was what?"

"Ah— three of them." Yulia manages.

Dimitri looks at the others, "Move to the south! Now!"

«Ground Combat» Breinlich fires his Kar98k at Sokolof but misses!

From 9th of January Square, a male voice shouts, "Efim!".

«Ground Combat» Yulia reloads her Mosin-Nagant!

Gregor nods, moving.

«Ground Combat» Gregor moves out of Rubble pile.

Sokolof makes his way back the way they came. Unfortunately, it contains more Germans this time.

«Ground Combat» Elise moves out of Rubble pile.

Gregor says "Some got into the building, I guess."

«Ground Combat» Schact fires his Kar98k at Sokolof but misses!

«Game» Novikova unwields her Shovel!

«Game» Novikova wields her SVT-40!

«Game» Taktarov assists Novikova!

«Ground Combat» Novikova fires her SVT-40 at Breinlich but misses!

«Ground Combat» Sokolof fires his Mosin-Nagant at Breinlich and hits!

Breinlich suffers 2 wound damage to his left arm.

Elise mutters a curse under her breath and starts racing in that direction.

«Game» Elise changes her style to Sprint!

«Ground Combat» Maschenko fires his Mosin-Nagant at Schact but misses!

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 8 wound damage to his left leg.

«Ground Combat» Novikova fires her SVT-40 at Breinlich but misses!

«Game» Taktarov assists Novikova!

«Ground Combat» Gietl fires his MP40 at Sokolof and hits!

Sokolof suffers 2 wound damage to his left arm.

Sokolof suffers 4 wound damage to his right hand.

«Game» Gregor changes his style to Sprint!

«Ground Combat» Gregor moves South <S>.

«Ground Combat» Elise moves South <S>.

Novikova frowns, "I'm going to help him. It'll be okay, I'm good with a knife now." Novikova hustles after.

«Ground Combat» Breinlich fires his Kar98k at Novikova but misses!

«Ground Combat» Sokolof fires his Mosin-Nagant at Gietl but misses!

«Ground Combat» You notice Dimitri arrive at Buildings.

«Ground Combat» Schact moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» Gietl shoots in the general direction of North <N> with his MP40!

Sokolof does not see the German with the MP40 until he's peppered with it. Ouch.

Dimitri slowly sneaks in from the north, "Don't rush yourselves, Comrades. Time your shots."

Yulia's heart hammers, hearing that submachine gun. Before long there's a few bullets zipping past.

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 8 wound damage to his right arm.

«Ground Combat» Maschenko fires his Mosin-Nagant at Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 6 wound damage to his left arm.

«Ground Combat» Gietl fires his MP40 at Sokolof but misses!

«Ground Combat» Breinlich fires his Kar98k at Maschenko but misses!

«Ground Combat» You notice Novikova arrive at 9th of January Square.

«Ground Combat» Sokolof moves to engage Breinlich in close quarters combat, but fails.

«Game» Elise changes her style to Standard!

Taktarov notes the arrival of another, "Comrades!" he points at the newly arrived Schact.

«Game» Taktarov assists Yulia!

Schact comes a-runnin, trying to cover his shot friends south.

«Ground Combat» Novikova moves to engage Gietl in close quarters combat, but fails.

«Ground Combat» Gietl fires his MP40 at Novikova but misses!

«Ground Combat» Sokolof moves to engage Breinlich in close quarters combat, and succeeds!

«Ground Combat» Breinlich attacks Sokolof in melee combat with his Kar98k but Sokolof blocks it!

Elise moves to a firing position near the west window. "Submachinegunner. Hell," she swears as the man takes a shot at her cousin. "Bastard." She raises her rifle to fire at him.

«Ground Combat» Elise fires her Mosin-Nagant at Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 2 wound damage to his left hand.

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Schact but misses!

Taktarov can;t do much, but attempt to get in the fascist's way. He does so, stubbornly.

«Ground Combat» Maschenko reloads his Mosin-Nagant!

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

«Ground Combat» Novikova moves to engage Gietl in close quarters combat, and succeeds!

«Ground Combat» Sokolof attacks Breinlich in melee combat with his Mosin-Nagant and hits! Breinlich suffers 6 wound damage to his head.

«Ground Combat» *boom* Headshot!!!

«Ground Combat» Dimitri snipes Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 1 wound damage to his head.

«Ground Combat» Gietl reloads his MP40!

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

«Ground Combat» Schact moves to engage Maschenko in close quarters combat, and succeeds!

Novikova almost quietly cheers for Sokolof. At least Novikova offers a distraction as she comes swinging at Gietl. Stabbin' time.

Schact brushes off Taktarov. Aside, wounded one.

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

«Ground Combat» Novikova attacks Gietl in melee combat with her SVT-40 but Gietl blocks it!

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Gietl but misses!

«Ground Combat» Elise fires her Mosin-Nagant at Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 7 wound damage to his right hand.

Maschenko ducks backwards, trying to get away from Schact. At least far enough that someone can shoot him.

«Ground Combat» Gietl fires his MP40 at Sokolof but misses!

Taktarov falls back into the snow with a pained gasp, but stumbles back to his feet in an effort to grab the man from behind.

Gregor fires, curses, and resets to fire more.

Sokolof stabs rather desperately. Which is not a bad way to go, as he punctures Breinlich's brain. He scrambles away from the German as fast as he can, now quite covered in blood. Some of it his own this time. "Zoya!"

[span style="color:green;margin:5%"]]«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact![[/span]]

«Ground Combat» Sokolof fires his Mosin-Nagant at Gietl but misses!

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Schact but misses!

Elise shoots Gietl rather badly in the hand. There's some poetic justice there somewhere.

«Ground Combat» Schact attacks Maschenko in melee combat with his Kar98k but misses!

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

«Ground Combat» Maschenko attacks Schact in melee combat with his Mosin-Nagant and hits! Schact suffers 4 wound damage to his head.

«Ground Combat» Novikova attacks Gietl in melee combat with her SVT-40 and hits! Gietl suffers 1 wound damage to his head.

«Ground Combat» Sokolof moves to engage Gietl in close quarters combat, and succeeds!

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 3 wound damage to his left chest.

Gietl keeps firing, argh.

«Ground Combat» Gietl fires his MP40 at Novikova but misses!

«Ground Combat» Elise fires her Mosin-Nagant at Gietl but misses!

«Game» Sokolof stymies Gietl!

Gregor blows a hole in the Nazi, but not enough.

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

Yulia grunts, squeezing her trigger. No luck yet on the one closer. Go figure.

Novikova frowns, "I am glad you're mostly ok! And da, none other." She frowns as her blow glances off the man's helmet.

«Ground Combat» Schact attacks Maschenko in melee combat with his Kar98k and hits! Maschenko suffers 5 wound damage to his left hand.

«Ground Combat» Maschenko attacks Schact in melee combat with his Mosin-Nagant but Schact blocks it!

«Ground Combat» Novikova attacks Gietl in melee combat with her SVT-40 and hits! Gietl suffers 3 wound damage to his right chest.

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

Elise grunts. "Come on, just f-ing die," she urges the Nazi.

Gietl is swiss cheese.

Novikova thought Gietl was German.

Gietl keeps tying to brain Sokolof, though.

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Schact and hits!

Schact suffers 5 wound damage to his left leg.

«Ground Combat» Gregor fires his Mosin-Nagant at Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 1 wound damage to his right chest.

Sokolof doesn't so much try to stab the submachine gunner as generally get in his way. He's not brained yet.

«Ground Combat» Gietl attacks Sokolof in melee combat with his MP40 and hits! Sokolof suffers 3 bruise damage to his abdomen.

«Ground Combat» Sokolof attacks Gietl in melee combat with his Mosin-Nagant and hits! Gietl suffers 3 wound damage to his head.

«Ground Combat» *boom* Headshot!!!

«Ground Combat» Elise fires her Mosin-Nagant at Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 3 wound damage to his right leg.

«Ground Combat» Schact attacks Maschenko in melee combat with his Kar98k but misses!

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

«Ground Combat» Maschenko attacks Schact in melee combat with his Mosin-Nagant but misses!

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

Maschenko gets stabbed but good in the hand. He swings his bayonet, still trying to get the hell backwards. Shoot it!

Gregor fires once more, and he gets messed up by others.

«Ground Combat» Gregor reloads his Mosin-Nagant!

«Ground Combat» Dimitri fires his Scoped Mosin-Nagant at Gietl and hits!

Gietl suffers 2 wound damage to his left hand.

«Ground Combat» Maschenko attacks Schact in melee combat with his Mosin-Nagant and hits! Schact suffers 5 wound damage to his right hand.

Gregor looks around, "Alright." He listens, "Any more?"

«Ground Combat» Schact attacks Maschenko in melee combat with his Kar98k and hits! Maschenko suffers 6 wound damage to his left chest.

«Ground Combat» Maschenko has been mortally wounded!

«Medic Code» Yulia attempts to stabilise Maschenko and succeeds! Maschenko is gonna make it!

«Game» Maschenko unwields his Mosin-Nagant!

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

Schact stabs. A lot. He drives the bayonet right through the Russian's chest and turns around, swinging for the next target. YARR.

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

Novikova blinks again. She seems in awe of Sokolof. "You're not hurt too badly?" She looks over him, "You scared us," She admits. "And Taktarov-" She lost herself in the urge to stab the hell out of things. She just wipes away at her face.

Elise fires even as the man is toppling. "Finally." Tempted as she is to shoot him for good measure, she conserves the bullets. "Any more? Where'd that other one go?"

Dimitri fires another shot at the German, "Fucking Nazi. He was too close to our comrades…I couldn't take the good shots." He shakes his head, slapping himself across the face once.

Sokolof shakes his head. "I'll mend," he says shortly, though he does cradle his bleeding right palm quite painfully. "Any of them still to the north of us?"

«Ground Combat» Elise moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» Gregor moves North <N>.

Novikova shakes her head, "I see our comrades, but no other Fascists."

«Game» Taktarov stymies Schact!

«Ground Combat» Schact fires his Kar98k at Yulia but misses!

Sokolof squints. "They're tangling with…something. I can't make it out." He checks to see if he's any bullets left.

«Ground Combat» Yulia reloads her Mosin-Nagant!

«Ground Combat» Sokolof reloads his Mosin-Nagant!

«Game» Taktarov assists Yulia!

«Game» Dimitri changes his style to Sprint!

Schact is bleeding like a motherfucker. He shoots wildly at the woman still standing and turns to try and run the fuck away.

Novikova frowns, "I see him now." She lifts her rifle.

«Ground Combat» Novikova fires her SVT-40 at Schact but misses!

«Game» Schact changes his style to Sprint!

«Ground Combat» Sokolof fires his Mosin-Nagant at Schact but misses!

Yulia curses, seeing Maschenko go down. She leaves Tak and scrambles over to him. "Comrade doctor," managed in a panicked breath, as she rips gauze from her pack. She flinches as bullet whizzes past her ear , but shaking hands keep working.

«Ground Combat» Dimitri moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» Novikova fires her SVT-40 at Schact but misses!

Schact runs. RUNS! Aaaaaugh.

«Ground Combat» Yulia fires her Mosin-Nagant at Schact and hits!

Schact suffers 4 wound damage to his left hand.

«Game» Taktarov assists Yulia!

«Ground Combat» Sokolof fires his Mosin-Nagant at Schact but misses!

«Ground Combat» Novikova fires her SVT-40 at Schact and hits!

Schact suffers 6 wound damage to his right hand.

Novikova frowns, "I think - I think Comrade Doctor is hurt." Novikova doesn't feel quite proper using just his name. She looks to Sokolof. "I can help carry one of them," It's an offer - perhaps she picks up that it's hard to see a comrade that way. Either way, she slinks off north.

Sokolof squints. "I think you got him, Zoya." He tries to offer the woman a grin but he can't quite. What little he can make out of the shadows of their comrades looks grim. He signals with his good hand. It's clear here now.

«Game» Taktarov assists Maschenko!

«Ground Combat» Novikova moves North <N>.

Elise blinks as Maschenko goes down. "Ah hell, they're in trouble. I can't see who they're fighting."

Gregor grimaces, lifting his rifle.

«Game» Pavlov's House is no longer a war zone!

Gregor blinks, looking down. "Crap."

Maschenko lies in the street, quite useless for the next while. Blood turns the snow red underneath him, but he's still breathing.

Taktarov gives up his feeble efforts to restrain Schact as the german breaks loose and starts fleeing. Catching his labored breath for a moment, he half crawls over to where Yulia tends to Maschenko. "We.. we should go, yes? Before out clothes get anoy more properly revolutionary, yes?"

Maschenko grabs hold of Taktarov's arm, as best he can. Matching chest wounds, isn't that precious.

Dimitri scratches at his scruff and sets his rifle down, "It's a shame, Gregor."

Gregor keeps scanning for more, "What is?"

Yulia has at least got the majority of Maschenko's blood staying where it should be. That doesn't mean it's not messy, though. Her hands are quickly turning red and slick themselves. Novi's arrival causes her to look up in panic, which is stilled slightly seeing that it's…. just Novi. And Sokolof. "Are you two okay?"

Novikova is slinking along the rubble. She seems to be getting good at that moving quietly thing. She huffs softly. "I am," She doesn't speak for Sokolof. "I um, I'm sorry. I can help carry one of them," She offers, looking a bit guilty. Did trying a new thing work out? Or lead to this? Hmm.

Dimitri looks over at him and says, "That we didn't get him."

Sokolof is cradling a bleeding right hand, and there's a spot of blood that looks like his own on his right shoulder as well. Submachine guns are damaging. He's still on his feet, however. "I'll mend," he says simply to Yulia. "Luka?" He grimace as he approaches the doctor's side. That's not at all pretty.

Elise frowns. "I couldn't even see him." She reloads quickly and says, "I'm going to help them inside." She's already heading for the stairs.

Gregor looks down his rifle sights, "We got enough, if they get out of range, they get out of range. Take care, Comrade Elise."

Maschenko is about as white as the snow around them — at least where it hasn't been dirtied by brown and red. He struggles up as Yulia gets bandages on him, sitting in a crumple over his right knee. "Get…out of here…"

Dimitri also joins Gregor in looking for enemies, although he's got the aid of a scope, "I still do not like it. I feel like I could've done my job a little bit better. We all could have done better for Stalin."

Gregor says "The wire is repaired, Nazis are dead, none of us are dead. Mission accomplished, tomorrow may bring more."

Elise rushed downstairs once Schact ran away to help the wounded inside, fretting all the while.

Sokolof trucks back in with the beaten wire party. Helping to carry Maschenko if it's needed. And probably if it's not, if no one will stop him.

Dimitri nods to Gregor's rationilization, "I suppose you are right." Another nod to reaffirm it with himself. A look over as the others enter, "Good fighting, comrades."

Novikova will help Taktarov, if he accepts it. She looks a bit thoughtful. She offers quietly, "Comrades." Almost out of habit.

It's needed. There's some karma in the role reversal; now Maschenko's the near dead weight on Sokolof. The bayonet ripped the front of his coat on its way past a rib, the front of his green jacket soaked with blood. His hand drips too, leaving a print on Sokolof's arm.

Taktarov will certainly accept it, thankyouverymuch! The skinny soldier half staggers in, half leans on Novi. With a forced grin, he mumbles, "Zoya? If you are ever going to kill me horribly, please tap me on the shoulder first?" Looking to the others, he starts to ask a question before losing his breath briefly.

Yulia is helping Maschenko too. And yeah, definitely with Soko's assistance, because she's about as strong as a wet rag right now, and trembling somewhat.

Elise tries to get a dressing on Maschenko as soon as they're back upstairs, knowing he'll be rushing off to help the others.

Sokolof eases Maschenko down for Elise's dressing attentions as gently as possible. It takes all his concentrated efforts to keep from just flat dropping him. His right hand in particular is sporting a nasty cut. "Easy, Luka. We've got you."

Gregor watches the Medical people work, moving to cover to resume watch.

Novikova smiles at Taktarov, "I thought catching bullets was my job and yours was using the big gun…" She murmurs and then laughs softly. "Well, I would probably just use the borscht." And bad borscht of the Novikova sort could probably kill a weaker man dead. She'll help sit him near Maschenko. "Here we are. Sit down," She murmurs.

Dimitri keeps an eye out of the window, "You know, I think we use Novikova's borscht to clean our rifles in sniper school…or maybe it's axle grease. Either way…" He grins at her.

Maschenko isn't rushing off anywhere anytime soon. He'd easily have bled out on the street within a few minutes if Yulia hadn't done a miracle on the chest wound. His knees wobble and sink him down into a heap by the wall as Sokolof lets him down, face white as a sheet. A few blood droplets mist onto Elise's hands as she bandages.

Yulia also helps guide Maschenko down, watching her hasty — miracle? — bandaging on his chest wound as they do so, to make sure it doesn't rip. Elise is there to deal with the other half of his injuries, thankfully, so Yulia turns and uses stained fingers to dig for more bandages, now that she's seen Sokolof's injuries.

"Don't worry, Comrade Doctor," Elise tells him, though the way she immediately looks at Yulia is possibly not the most reassuring gesture in the world. "Can you breathe okay?"

Sokolof seems reluctant to turn away from Maschenko but his hand is bleeding quite awfully, and his shoulder will need to be dressed as well. So he sits still and lets Yulia see to his injuries without any fuss. When he's done he looks to the doctor again, biting off something under his breath that sounds like a curse, though it isn't spoke in Rusian.

"That was my problem," Taktarov realizes exaggeratedly. "I forgot the big gun. And with that Tank sitting right there!" he bemoans as he settles into a seat with a wince, disguised incompletely by a smile and forced chuckle.

Novikova lookss to Dimitri and snorts. "Is it that bad?" She looks amused. "I mean it must be if you're melting your barrel." She comments wryly. A look to Taktarov, "You know, that was odd. I have some mines still though. I wonder if I should set them," She will sit next to him at least. "Is there anything I can fetch?" That might help?

Maschenko starts to cough and immediately tries to clamp it back, blood reddening his lower lip. He spits a small spray of streaked saliva onto his shoulder and stifles the rest through his teeth. His mouth opens to talk, stuttering on the first words as he trip out in Ukrainian…then he finds the Russian. "Can breathe…is Efim alright?"

Elise gets a stained but "clean" rag from her pack and wipes at Maschenko's mouth, giving it over to him to use as a hanky. "He seems so. Comrade Yulia is tending to him." With his immediate wounds bound, she's kind of at a loss. "Can I do anything to help you?"

Yulia ties off the bandage on Sokolof's hand with a tight knot that takes twice to get properly, her hands are shaking so. She glances over, hearing her name. "Da. He's right here, doctor. Comrade Taktarov also was shot in the chest… I can't remember if he was properly bandaged." She speaks the latter to Elise.

"I'm fine, Luka," Sokolof says. Well, 'fine' may be something of an over-statement. He's doing much better than Maschenko and Taktarov. So at least he's got that going for him. He grunts as his bandage is tied off, though the "Thank you, Comrade Nurse," he offers to Yulia is sincere. And very grateful.

Taktarov nods to Novi. "Once.. I can lift the gun again, maybe-" Pause for breath. "Maybe you should go set mines, and I should go shoot at it?" He grins, mischievously, and after a few wheezing breaths, notes, "It would be like a social date," he jokes with a wink.

Maschenko's fingers close clumsily around the bloody hanky. Right handed; his left's out of commission for tonight. His breathing's labored but steady, color still quite pale as his mind starts registering that things hurt. A lot. "Thank goodness. Check to Taktarov…please…Elise."

Novikova blushes, and grins. "Yeah, but we've not even met one another's parents, still-" Explosions! And Taktarov! Possibly exploded Nazis! It hides the worry in her expression. "Ssh for now though… Your lungs are going to be mad," She does crane her neck, looking to Sokolof and Maschenko, ust to be safe. "I think everyone made it back though," She offers quietly.

Elise nods to both the nurse and the doctor. "Da, I will." She heads over to Novi and Tak. "Aleks, you won't impress Zoya by your bullet-stopping. She's got you well beat." The teasing falls a little flat given the concern in her voice, but she's trying, at least. A look over to Novi. "Are you all right, Zoyuschka?" She starts checking Tak's bandages.

Taktarov forces another grin, and his shoulders stir as if in a chuckle, but no sound makes it out of his throat. He nods at the hushing, before grinning broadly at Elise's scolding. He shrugs, before nodding. A few breaths in and out, before he whispers, "True. But… can't blame.. me for trying?"

The words of gratitude don't exactly go in one ear and out the other, but they do rattle around inside Yulia's mind for a second before they register. "Da," she mumbles, rooting around for another roll of bandages. She looks up to watch Elise cross over to Taktarov, hand still stirring around in her pack. Then back to Soko. Her blues blink. "Oh. Your glasses, someone found them?" One less thing to worry about.

Maschenko's eyes slit open, breaths filtering in and out between his teeth. He watches the three younger ones for a few moments with what — if he weren't quite in the condition he is — could have been a little smile. It's not quite that right now. His bandaged left hand shuffles by his leg and he turns it palm up, eyes half-lidded as he looks at the dark bloom of blood discoloring the white.

Novikova nods sagely at Elise, "It's true." She's absorbed almost every sort of bulletfire. Sniper. MP40. MG42. It's like a smorgasboard of pain. Each with its own little sting and peculiar healing. Most of it seems to be at the hands of a certain redhaired nazi too. She'll get him. ONE DAY. She looks to Elise and nods. "Da, I am fine. I was scared when I saw them go after Comrade Sokolof," Doesn't feel proper to use his first name after all. "Still can't smell a thing." She sighs. "Still… I'm much better, so if I can help you or Comrade Yulia, let me know." For now, she leans against Taktarov, so he can breathe a bit more easily. Relief at the news of Soko's glasses too. "That's good," She agrees quietly.

"Da," Sokolof says, nudging the specs up the bridge of his nose. As if just remembering they were there. And wanting to remind himself they were still in place. "One of the sergeant's men found them on the stairs. It is a wonder they are not broken." Those glasses have fared better throughout the war than he has.

Elise smirks a little at Tak's response, glancing at Novi. "No, I can't. But I think she would if you keep getting yourself hurt." She inspects the wound, smirk fading a touch. "Fascist bastards got you good, Aleks, but you'll be all right. Comrade Doctor will patch you up, I'm sure, soon as he's rested." From his own serious chest wound. "rested". "I wish I could do more. Do you need some water or anything?" Novi gets a puzzled look. "You can't smell anything?" she asks, baffled. She vaguely remembers her saying that yesterday, before the artillery, but never got a chance to follow up.

"Oh, good." Yulia shakes her head. "On the stairs? It's fortunate they found them, considering all the chaos in this place." Maschenko's movement snags her gaze; she turns back to him and kneels slightly. "Comrade. Need something?" There are very few 'somethings' around here, and even less that could remove pain, but Yulia wonders if his hand is motioning for an object.

Taktarov leans back against Novi, forming a sort of mutual proppoing up between her, him, and the wall. "Good thing… you.. got to him," he comments to Novi's rushing to the aid of the wounded Sokolof. "Comrade Doctor has his own clotting to be doing, I think. But I'll be fine.. At least they didnt shoot at my head this time!" The babble of words runs out his wind once again, and the young man spends the next several moment getting his breath back.

Maschenko watches his own hand for what turns into a very long time, carefully twitching his fingers. Index and middle anyway; moving the ring finger sends a bolt of pain up his arm that prompts him to stop. He looks up unsteadily at Yulia, tension at the corners of his eyes bringing out all those lines on his face that shouldn't be there quite so early. Blues skip from her left eye to her right. "That was your face, wasn't it…" He chuckles, without smiling. "Thank you."

Novikova smiles, seeming glad for the lean. "I only wish I had done so faster." She remarks quietly. "I'm just glad we all made it back. But for now, you should rest Aleks. If you get thirsty or anything, let me know. Alright?" She offers quietly. She smiles at Elise and nods. "Correct. I smell salt or metal sometimes- but it's probably just because I got knocked in the side and back of my head. Thank goodness for ponytails I guess," She doesn't seem to fret too much. "It is a perk in some ways, and disconcerting at the same time," She admits, eyebrows furrowing. "It should come back. Brains just don't like being rattled." she looks to Sokolof. Still relieved.

"Fortunate. Yes. My grandmother would call it a minor miracle. I am just happy to have them back," Sokolof says. Going to over hover near Maschenko. He follows the doctor's gaze to the trio of younger folks. Novikova and Taktarov in particular. It goes make him smile, though his dark eyes are rather wistful as well.

Elise peers at Novi's report about her lack of smell, concern obvious. "That's awful. Though… I suppose you're right, about it being a mixed blessing. There are times I wish I could do away with my sense of smell." Though it's amazing what you can get used to. She frowns a bit. "I wish I had been down there with you. But I'm glad you're both going to be all right." Elise pats Tak gently on the shoulder, "Rest up. I'll be back to check on you." For now, though, she's going to leave Tak and Novi alone. A duo of younger folks.

"Thank you, Elise," Taktarov mumbles through the scarf wrapping his lower face, before raising his left arm- the one further away from his newest injury, to pull it down around his neck. The resulting wince fades quickly. Another few breaths, and he comments further, "I am resting… I was just before- laying down.. in the snow, remember? Much.. much softer than the floor."

Yulia pauses. She finally says, "I suppose it was." Then lets out a shuddering breath, leaning forward on one arm to brace herself as she sits. That hand goes up to drag across her forehead, meeting cold sweat. "Unless you were looking at Zoya or somebody," she tries to joke. Fail. "Don't think about it. Just think about resting right now." A shadow hovers in her expression. Her mind is still dwelling back out there, in the seconds where life and death were determined.

The bottom of Maschenko's ribcage feels like a ball of molten lead, pain twisting both deeper into the muscle and up into the shallower nerve endings of his skin. "I am…glad you're alright." The talking keeps the pallid Ukrainian conscious, which he seems to be clinging to for all it's worth. He looks up as Sokolof gets closer, not moving his head. "Efim. You've…/got/ to stop scaring us."

Novikova mock-gasps at Yulia, "Ack. I'm wounded." She winks. Novikova smiles a Sokolof in turn, a sort of fond smile for the fellow. Probably looked up to him for a good while. She glances to Elise too. "Dah, worse things in the world to lose I suppose. Hopefully your chores will be easy and watch slow," She smiles. The new blessings. She looks to Taktarov. "Sssh. Just lean on me if you need. I can prop you up with my coat," And hang out under a blanket. "That wall's no good for you. She lets everyone lean," Novikova wrinkles her nose. She's sympathetic for Elise though. Not always fun to be up above when a Comrade is hit. She looks to Yulia and then maschenko. "Da." Although there's some concern. Frown.

"Fine.. fine," Tak mumbles with a grin, shifting away from the wall with another wince to lean fully on Novikova. "I won't even complain," he promises with a grin before voicing further, "Comrade Yulia? Thank you. Very much. Very good work. Tonight." Again, the run of words is followed by several long breaths taken for air.

Elise surveys all the folks laying about. It's an odd reversal for her, being one of the few unwounded ones of the bunch. Only a slight shiner remains as testament to her broken cheekbone. She finds a pair of cups in the common area. Looking at them askance for a moment, she wipes them and deems them clean enough. She fills two for Yulia and Sokolof, bringing them over. "Here, Comrades." Once delivered, she takes out her own canteen and brings it to Maschenko. "Do you want any, Comrade Doctor?"

"I do my best, Luka, but I do slip up sometimes. I blame your poor example," Sokolof says with a mock-stern look to Maschenko. Lips then twitch toward a smile but he can't quite manage one. He sits as well, shoulders sagging, trying to rest as comfortably as possible. Or at least be still for a time. "We are safe now, Comrade Nurse," he says to Yulia. He means it to be encouraging. It falls flat. But he tries. With a soft thanks he takes the offered cup from Elise, drinking.

"Thank you Elise." Yulia accepts the water, grasping the cup and taking a long drink. Her mouth was quite dry. Lowering the cup, she listens to Taktarov, her eyes getting a telltale red tinge. "Please. I …" She seems to want to protest Tak's words but goes quiet, bowing her head and looking into her cup, now half-full. (Or half-empty?) A nod at Sokolof's encouragement. She goes back to drinking.

Maschenko answers Sokolof scratchily, "/My/ poor example, my foot." He smirks, just a little bit. It's little more than his upper lip thinning against his teeth. The enamel's still stained bloody red. He closes his eyes for a few moments, skin around them baggy and gray, then looks up again as Elise comes over with the canteen. "Thank you." Whether he can lift it, that'll be something to find out. And out of nowhere he mutters, "I miss that stupid couch."

Maschenko answers Sokolof scratchily, "/My/ poor example, my foot." He smirks, just a little bit. It's little more than his upper lip thinning against his teeth. The enamel's still stained bloody red. He closes his eyes for a few moments, skin around them baggy and gray, then looks up again as Elise comes over with the canteen. "Thank you." Whether he can lift it, that'll be something to find out. And out of nowhere he mutters, "I miss that stupid couch."

Novikova smiles at the older group in the room. She seems fond of them all. Dork. "Thank you," Novikova agrees and nods. "You take good care of us. Comrade Doctor and everyone too," She's grateful for that. She smiles at Taktaraov, not seeming to mind being leaned on. She gently puts an arm behind him so he can lean back if he wants. "Alright. Well, stop talking now before I have to stick a sock in your mouth and /you/ can still smell." She threatens. She smiles at Elise. Then a giggle at the couch. "I think that couch was just jealous of you. It wanted to be a doctor, but no - it is a couch."

The good doctor doesn't have to lift it. If he allows, Elise will help him sit up and hold the canteen to his lips if need be. A glance over to Sokolof. "If anything, you're following my and Zoya's bad example." Then she wonders, "What couch?"

Taktarov grins at the scolding he gets, lifting his left arm to rest across his chest, with the hand settling atop the one Novi reached behind him. He draws another few breaths, before mumbling, "You.. are out. Of socks," with an easy smile, only slightly marred by the brief wince which twinges his face with a particular breath. He doesnt interject further into the banter, for the moment. See? He's behaving!

Sokolof drinks largely in silence. He's not the most conversational sort normally, and that is magnified tonight.

Maschenko lets Elise shift him around enough to get a sip of water. It's awkward and his head nearly thumps her shoulder, but one can't be picky about grace sometimes. "Apartments. Horrible couch." Novikova can explain the saga of the poor thing. He rests his head back against the wall, closing his eyes. Not asleep by any stretch of the imagination, but it helps the dizziness.

With a sniff, Yulia sets aside her cup, leaving a print of brownish red on its surface. She retrieves a crumpled cloth from her satchel and dips that into her drinking water, pressing it against her fingers. The blood is mostly gone, though she won't be drinking from that cup any more tonight. She seems to be joining Sokolof in abstaining from conversation for the time being.

Elise helps Maschenko drink, not bothered by the lack of grace. Sokolof's silence to her attempt at banter causes her lips to press into a line, but she can't really blame him, not honestly. She reaches into her pack for her spare, raggedy blanket, rolling it up and placing it behind Maschenko's head as a pillow. She shifts a concerned glance to Yulia. "Are you all right, Comrade Yulia? Can I get you anything?"

Novikova watches the others, and grins. "It would sink people in, sometimes the springs would poke out. Or if you got up … it would flip you because the cushion would tip. 'Well Fine! Leave me!' it would say and just toss you end over end. Or sink and you'd flop like a fish to get out, - are but a few of the horrors that lie within the heart of the COUCH," She winks. She smiles at Taktarov and blushes as his hand rests atop hers. "… well played." She eyes him at his sock comment. She just smiles. "I'll find one and wear it a few weeks," She promises. Doom! She looks to the others quietly. "I think I should be quiet too. People are resting." Nod.

Taktarov nods twice at the threat. "In. A couple weeks, then. *Then* I be quiet.." Still, despite his protest, bloodless and faded adrenaline are combining to make the skinny soldier sleepy.

For all his praise about how others have dealt with injuries - especially through his fishhooking - Maschenko's not the most stoic of the bunch. While he may be quiet through the pain, his closed eyelids occasionally make little shivers as they sting. Even if no tears ever actually ever fall. He's gone quiet now too, listeing to the room fade in and out.

"No, no thanks." Yulia replies to Elise, meeting her glance for a moment with tired, tinged eyes. She squeezes the cloth into her fist, the reddish water dribbling through her fingers and back into the cup. "I don't know. Perhaps we should have brought the couch. We could have used it as a weapon if it's so belligerent." She chips in quietly while tucking the cloth back into her satchel, once Novi's finished with the saga

"Ah, that couch." Elise has heard the story before, she just blanked on it, apparently. "Our secret weapon." As the conversation dies down and nobody seems to need anything more, Elise picks her rifle back up and heads to the window to keep a quiet watch.

Novikova snickers at the reaction to her couch story. She just looks sympathetic for poor schenko. She just smiles at Taktarov. A little yawn from Novi. Stabbing Nazis from behind is tough work. "Perhaps. It had its moments." She considers. She's getting quieter, probably out of being considerate and tired.

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