Taktarov greets "Comrades," aloud before walking in through the shattered doorway to the south, carrying a scoped rifle on his back. "No shooting, please." The young man's spirits are muted as he asks toward the familiar face of Mikhail, "Is it true about Comrade Sergeant?"
Maschenko has been away for hours, dragged out in the middle of the night to run southward. The Germans had brought an MG 42 to an attempted push into the cemetery, and we all know how MG 42s end. He comes back into the room, shivering and blowing on his blood-encrusted hands just in time to hear…that. "Is what true about comrade sergeant?"
Arms wrapped around her as she and Mikhail considers their options, Yulia glances at Taktarov and Maschenko as they enter. Well, of course it's true. Yev's body is going into rigor mortis right there on the floor. She gives Maschenko an ashen stare. "Comrade sergeant was shot— he's dead."
Mikhail looks away from the window, and over at Taktarov now. Studying the man for a few moments, he quietly nods, "Afraid so," he replies, before looking over at Maschenko. "We had some fascist visitors in the kitchen," he offers, after a few moments. "Two riflemen, one with a SMG. Fired off a few times, hit Yevgenich and Gregor…" Taking a few breaths, before he gestures towards the body of Yev. "Gregor wasn't hit that bad, though…"
Taktarov drops his eyes briefly and nods once at the news. Having asked and been answered, he is left in a moment's awkward silence. "Good that Comrade Gregor will be well," he voices after a few mute moments. He regards Maschnko with a nod at the other's arrival.
Maschenko's hands stay wrapped at his lips, though now he can't even feel his own warm breath on them anymore. He inhales through his mouth as though about to say something, which just stays frozen silence for a few moments. "Dammit." His blue eyes turn down to that body, that when he left was only stilled for sleep. "We'll have to take him outside." Practicality covers up anything else, for now.
Yulia's eyes find the floor, then Yev again. She doesn't want to look, but she can't help it. "Outside? We can't just leave him there, with the fascists," she says quietly. There seems something wrong about that.
Mikhail nods a little bit as he hears that. Turning to look out the windows again now, "I was considering getting together some of the broken pieces of building and making some kind of cover over his body," he says, a bit quietly. "Should be enough of it out there, and if we work quickly, we should have him covered. If nothing else a mound of rubble over his remains…"
Taktarov nods to Maschenko's comment. "You think we can get shovels deep enough into the ground, among the trees?" he asks with raised brows. "I'll get his feet," he offers to Mikhail after another moment. Yulia's protest is met with another nod. It's all the answer he has for most circumstances, these days.
"What would you like to do with him? Keep him in bed?" Maschenko asks Yulia, pointedly. "You're a nurse, comrade, you of all people know you can't leave a corpse in here." He steps around Yevgenich rather than over him, heading for the man's head side to help with his arms. "And somehow I doubt he would want us treating him like he were better than any other of our comrades that have died here." He looks at Mikhail and Taktarov. "You want to leave him above ground? If it's cover, the militia has a place they've put their dead. It's not much but it's in the earth at least."
Mikhail pauses for a few moments as he hears Maschenko. "Where is that place?" he asks, after a few moments of pause. Glancing around the room for a few moments.
"Of course not. That's not what I meant." Yulia mutters. She knows. With a bitter sigh, she rubs her arms vigorously and does what she can to shut down the personal side of this. Wherever the place Maschenko is talking about, it sounds more appropriate than flinging Yev out in the street.
Mikhail pauses for a few moments as he hears Maschenko. "Where is that place?" he asks, after a few moments of pause. Glancing around the room for a few moments. Pausing to look over at Yulia for a few moments, then over at Maschenko again, "We'll take him there, he's deserved that final resting place…"
Taktarov leaves the rifle slung across his back as he moves to Yevgenich's boots, bending down in a crouch to get a good grip on the dead man's feet, ready to lift when the others are. "That sounds best," he notes quietly. "Which direction?" he asks Maschenko.
"South," Maschenko answers Mikhail. "Across the road south of the front door to this place. We'll have to work in the dark, and very quickly. The tracks to the east aren't secure." The doctor's not crazy, he's not going to unnecessarily spend four lives in burying one. "Comrade Yulia, can you grab Zoyenka's shovel in case we need it. Have someone tell her where it's gone." He's sure the girl will come looking soon as she gets back. Eyes turn back to Taktarov, hands under Yev's dead weight arms. "On one, then. Three…two…one."
For digging or defense? Yulia collects Novi's shovel and waits behind Maschenko with proper diligence.
Mikhail checks his rifle rather carefully as he nods, "We'll have to move fast, and carefully." Spoken a bit quietly. As he sees Maschenko and Taktarov preparing to carry the dead, he makes sure to have both hands on his rifle for now.
On 'one' Taktarov lifts the dead man's feet, making a point of keeping his eyes fixed ahead, with his back to both the dead Sergeant and the men who help him carry the man. "Say when yo walk, Comrades." He has no intention of tripping over something by walking backward.
Hoist. "Khrin," Maschenko mutters between his teeth. Something in Ukrainian, and probably unpleasant. "Ready. Watch the wall." Awkward for the first couple steps until he figures out the rhythm of Taktarov's gait.
"Watch the wall," Taktarov echoes with a nod, stepping experimentally at first, but with gradually coalescing coordination toward the doorway out of the shattered room, eyes on the ground in front of him, rather than the woods, road, and rails behind which fascist snipers might be hiding. Oh, happy night.
Destroyed Grove
The Grid-----> > > > > THE GREATEST GENERATION < < <
Coordinates : 3 1
Before the war, this was part of a small park just behind one of the many apartment blocks for the Red October workers. Heavily shelled and used as a battleground, it's now a destroyed wreck.
Trees that once grew here are ruined, lying broken and twisted a thick layer of mud, broken concrete, and ruined war machines. It's less clogged with bodies than some other places, part of the half-frozen earth dug up for some semblance of burial. The air here is thick and acrid, gray smoke that clogs the lungs with each breath.
It is currently night time.
Sub-Rooms :
1. Militia Grave
The path the group had walked wove between shell-holes in the pavement, and sprays of rubble that could have tripped the unwary. After a lengthy walk, with the occasional pause to allow one man or another to adjust the grip of Taktarov's numbing fingers on the dead man, they at last arrive at the intended location.
The echoes of gunfire haunt this area even in the dead of night, especially from the east and south. Across the tracks the fighting rages on with particular ferocity, the chatter of an MG 42 blasting away with a chorus of booms from some larger gun. And the shelling, of course. That hair-raising whistling sound goes on over their heads, sometimes even rumbling the ground underfoot. It is not safe out here. Maschenko walks as best he can with Taktarov, Yevgenich's arms-half supported as his boots trudge through the half-frozen ground. There's another dusting of snow, making it ungainly to walk even without a corpse.
Mikhail has picked up two pieces of rock on the way over here, frowning a bit as he looks around at the area. Looking around carefully for now, he takes a few deep breaths once in a while.
Huffhuff. Gotta wear that Sniper B Gon and pray that MG 42 isn't that close. Novikova closes her eyes for a second at the noise. She inches along cover as she can, but she's definitely moving fast and with a sense of purpose.
Taktarov is huffing in great lungfulls of the chill air by the time they reach the site. Its enough to make his chest complain with every inhale, and moan with every exhale, but as they at last reach the gouge cut into the froken earth, he takes a moment to catch his breath through the threadbare scarf he has wrapped around his lower face.
Vladmir is close behind Novikova. He tries to move quickly, still wounded. He keeps his Mp40 slung across his shoulder, hobbling at a fast pace. He finally stops, coughing. He re-adjusts his weapon, keeping it in the ready position, just incase. He looks at the body with a sigh.
Maschenko nearly trips over something, making the mistake of looking down to see…a leg ripped off, wearing a Fascist boot. The winter air already has his face dead pale, else he might've just turned that shade right now. Breaths taken shallow way up in his chest, his heart's beating quickly as they edge up towards the pit in the bloodsoaked earth. "There…that's it."
Taktarov nods once, muttering between sharp breaths, "I see it, Comrade. Shall I climb down, and you can lower him in? Or.." he hesitates to say 'Do we just drop him in?'
Mikhail pauses as they reach the pit, and kneels down, as he brings out his chisel. Using the help of the smaller stone he's brought with him, he works as quietly, yet quickly as he can, carving the fallen's name into the larger piece of stone. Nothing fancy, just the name in letters that seem to show that he hasn't had much experience in carving letters into stone.
Maschenko blinks as Mikhail puts his weapon away. "Is anyone keeping watch? Preferably with, you know, a firearm?" His eyes flicker east across the tracks towards that sound of combat not far away, then back to Taktarov. "Uh…yeah, climb in, that'll be best." Throwing Yev in there, he can't quite swallow.
The path has such grizzly monuments. Poor Maschenko. If Novi sees it, her face twists into a look of sympathy. She is huffing as she moves. She looks to the east and the west. She stays near Vladmir, grateful for the company even if she's huffing. "I think I see them," She offers.
Taktarov lowers the deceased sergeant to the ground, and bends low to hop down into the corpse-filled gouge which hard word with blunt shovels has hacked into the frozen ground. The ground is uneven, and Tak nearly stumbles, shivering. No doubt from the cold. Adjusting the lie of the rifle on his back, in order to keep both hands free for the unpleasant work. He reaches up to recieve the lowered Yevgenich.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
Maschenko is struggling with the body, crouching down right at the edge of the filthy pit. His knee makes a squishing sound as it lands in bloody, snow-slushed dirt, and he pushes one of Yev's legs into the hole, then the other. This is harder than it looks. His arms wrapped around a dead man's torso, he's trying to hand Yev down to Tak when the ground rumbles. "Fuck."
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
Speaking of shovels, Yulia offers Novi's shovel that she grabbed earlier back to its rightful owner. She watches the progress of Maschenko and Taktarov, then Mikhail, and then, catching her breath, sweeps the surroundings with hard eyes. The artillery elicits a slight jerk in her shoulders.
Mikhail keeps on working on the carving for a few moments longer, until he seems to have finished with that. Putting down both pieces of rock by the edge of the grave, he pockets the chisel, and readies the rifle again. Frowning at the sound of the artillery in the distance.
«Game» Mikhail unwields his Chisel!
Vladmir stands to attention as the Comrade is lowered into the grave. He stands silent, saluting the grave. Then comes the Artillery. A wince, then he begins to inch away. "We will not Avenge our Comrade Sergeant if we are dead. Come Comrades, let us pull back." A wince at another explosion.
«Game» Mikhail wields his Mosin-Nagant!
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
Novikova is just in time to see them lower the sergeant into the ground. It's hard not to choke up again a little. She takes a deep breath and accepts the shovel, "I can help if you like, otherwise if you still need it-" She offers quietly. There's a crack to her voice, she's not happy to see her old friend go. But it's slowly being accepted. Crap. Artillery.
«Game» Novikova wields her SVT-40!
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
Taktarov lets Yev's boots pass lower, and sets one arm beneath the dead man's knees, grunting with the awkward weight as Maschenko tries hard not to drop Yevgenich on him, but has little choice. Managing not to lose his footing, Tak steps to the edge of the unoccupied section of the mass grave and sets the sergeant down. He looks back up, wide eyed. "Cover him, or leave now, comrade Maschenko?"
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - East (3 2).
Mikhail has turned a little towards the west, looking towards that direction rather carefully for now. "Can't see anyone over there," he says, rather quietly. Then hearing the artillery closer, he grimaces a little.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - East (3 2).
Yulia swallows. At least Yev is with comrades, now. Yes, they really should get going, as Vlad says, considering the artillery thundering like the fall of giants' feet. She gives Novi a gentle pat on the shoulder, understanding.
Mist rises from Maschenko's mouth in uneven puffs, his eyes up and skimming the sky. Fascists never fire just one salvo. "It's rolling…" He glances north, gritting his teeth. "They're rolling it this way." Now this is one call he doesn't want to have to make - "Get in the pit, comrades. We'll have to wait it out, can't run through this. Hurry before it gets to us."
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - East (3 2).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - East (3 2).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - East (3 2).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - East (3 2).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - West (2 1).
Vladmir winces at the suggestion; It's what Vladimir was thinking, but didn't want to voice the idea. "He is right…There is no time. Come Comrades, into the Grave. The Fascists are coming." He moves to the Grave, but stops at the edge. "I..uh.." He can't seem to bring himself into the Grave. The Stench is terrible; the view is even worse. "Maybe.." The Explosions get closer…
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
Maschenko hisses as the barrages get closer, "Hurry up!"
«Ground Combat» Vladmir moves into Militia Grave.
«Ground Combat» Maschenko moves into Militia Grave.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - West (2 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
Taktarov steps to the edge of the pit to offer a hand down to any of the Comrades who are ordered in who require it. A cautious look to the east is stolen in between offered hands.
With the dea… oh. Novi's face falls at that. She looks to Vladmir, and winces. She inches in sadly. Yulia's pat on the shoulder gets a sad smile. It's hard not to cry but- there it is. She doesn't particularly want to -join- yev in the afterlife after all.
«Ground Combat» Novikova moves into Militia Grave.
And you thought a basement was bad place to wait out artillery? Yulia's nostrils flare with the mere thought of what Maschenko is suggesting — and the smell—, but do they have a choice? She shudders and forces her limbs in action, ducking her head.
«Ground Combat» Yulia moves into Militia Grave.
«Game» Taktarov wields his Mosin-Nagant!
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - West (2 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - West (2 1).
Mikhail frowns a bit as he listens, nodding a little as he looks to the west, "Getting closer," he mutters, before he ducks down into the pit, making sure all the others are there first.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Cemetery (1 1).
«Ground Combat» Mikhail moves into Militia Grave.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - West (2 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Settlement Road - West (2 1).
Maschenko's foot lands atop several bodies, and oh dear God the sound. All these /corpses/. He crouches down, holding up a hand to grab for the nearest person trying to get into the mass grave. "Get your head down."
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage batters Destroyed Grove ineffectually.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage batters Destroyed Grove ineffectually.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage batters Destroyed Grove ineffectually.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
Mikhail mutters a little as the fireworks come in above them. "Okay…" he says, loud enough to be heard. "Stay in as much cover as possible." As if anyone needs to be told.
Taktarov had been craning his neck for a look at the eastern rails- both to look out for fascist rifles, and to avoid getting too close to the dead comrades underfoot. But the first incoming shell changes his mind. He crouches low, and flinches with each incoming shell.
«Game» Mikhail changes his style to TakeCover!
«Game» Novikova changes her style to TakeCover!
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage batters Destroyed Grove ineffectually.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage rips through Destroyed Grove to deadly effect, filling the air with lethal shrapnel!
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
Control the gag reflex, Yulia. If there was enough light, they might see her face turning a telltale sign of green. It's one thing to deal with the dead in a sanitized, sterilized place like the hospital. This is another matter. And Yev is somewhere—- well, the explosions cut that thought off, thankfully. Loud. She covers her head.
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage batters Destroyed Grove ineffectually.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
Maschenko keeps his head ducked too, for as good as it'll do if a shell lands close to them. He cracks an eye open to find a dead militia man's dead, rotting and blackened face turned towards him, one milky eye still open, and he has to grit his teeth again a spike of nausea. Cough.
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage batters Destroyed Grove ineffectually.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage batters Destroyed Grove ineffectually.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage batters Destroyed Grove ineffectually.
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
Mikhail tries keeping himself busy with looking around, instead of panicking about the corpses around, and the shells. Humming a tune under his breath, a bit quietly.
Huddled near poor Tak, Novikova looks kind of green too. She is torn between ralphing and weeping for an old friend. It's a tough call. She just huddles.
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage rips through Destroyed Grove to deadly effect, filling the air with lethal shrapnel!
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage batters Destroyed Grove ineffectually.
«Artillery» Artillery barrage at Destroyed Grove has lifted!
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage rips through Destroyed Grove to deadly effect, filling the air with lethal shrapnel!
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Railroad (4 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
«Artillery» 105mm Haubitzen artillery barrage rips through Destroyed Grove to deadly effect, filling the air with lethal shrapnel!
«Artillery» Artillery barrage at Destroyed Grove has lifted!
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Red October Railroad (4 1).
«Artillery» You hear artillery pounding Destroyed Grove (3 1).
Vladmir crouches near Novikova, hat covering his face. He pats her on the back, trying to make her feel better. "Do not worry Comrades! It will end soon!" He tries to inspire the others, while praying that his words will come true. "Do not fret Comrade, we will leave soon." He talks to Novi, as calm as he can.
Taktarov had been keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the patch of ground (or rather, very thinly covered corpse) on which he huddles, but the gradual recognition of details- the coat buttons and shape of a pallid hand cause him to squeeze his eyes shut, as he flinches again with each falling shell. He is shaking by the time the shells relent.
In between the slamming artillery, Yulia could swear she is hearing someone humming. Her eyes pinch closed. This is getting surreal. Somehow Vlad's 'it will end soon!' isn't having a very comforting effect.
Maschenko is shaking by the time the artillery barrage starts to roll eastward towards the tracks and, presumably, the besieged factory beyond. With one stray shell left behind just to make him nearly jump out of his skin again. He barely hears his own teeth chattering, only noticing it when he has to force his jaw to open. Crack. He shifts his weight, feeling his knees press into bloated, frozen corpse bellies, and looks up towards the night sky.
Novikova snifft. Novikova smiles weakly at Vladmir. "I know," She admits quietly. "It's just hard to imagine he's gone." She shakes her head. "We'll be okay," She offers quietlyy. She tries not to breathe too depply.
Mikhail doesn't manage to keep his humming as neat as it usually is. At the moment it's probably all he can do to keep his mind from leaving him. He tries his best to seem like everything's okay, though. Need to keep that act up, for the others…
Maschenko slowly starts breathing more like a normal person, eyes pinned to the sound of gunfire springing back up to the east. No peace. He stands halfway up, head not yet sticking up above their gruesome trench. "Alright. If anyone wanted to…say something. Let's get it done and get out of here before they decide to do that again."
Vladmir is one of the first to climb out of the grave. He grabs the edge of the grave, and quicly climbs up, getting out of the literal death pit.. He reaches down and extends a hand to Novi.
Yulia shifts gently, uncurling, wanting to get out of here. Her quivering continues unabated which is not helping her stomach one bit.
Mikhail looks around now, letting out a deep breath, "You okay there?" he offers to Yulia, rather quietly. Glancing over at where the body of Yevgenich would be in this collection of corpses, he speaks up a little louder. "We will all miss you much, some of us more than others, I suspect. We will try to live through this all, so we can tell the world about you, and the other Comrades that gave their lives for us all here. Rest in peace." And then he goes silent again.
Novikova smiles up at Vlad, "Thank you." She tries not to look green, taking Vladmir's hand. Her fingers curl a bit, to make sure she doesn't pull them both in. She's grateful. She offers a few quiet words for Yevgenich though, her old friend. But- can't stay forever. She seems grateful at least.
Maschenko has nothing to say out loud. There's plenty going on behind his shadows-covered eyes, but not a sound. His hands are trembling as he hauls up out of the pit, the stains on his clothing now a mix of dirt and things that's best not to think about for very long, and he turns around on his hands and knees to hold a hand down to Yulia. "Come. Let's go."
"Yes," Yulia replies weakly. She accepts Maschenko's hand with a grip and clambers out of the grave. "Thank you." She doesn't have words for their comrade sergeant either, nothing eloquent at least. Instead, she lets Mikhail speak for her too, better than anything she could come up with at this point.
Vladmir stands attention again. He looks around, waiting his turn, then speaks, "Comrade Sergeant, you were one of the most dependable, brave men I've ever met. It was an honor to serve with you in Combat, and a privlege to serve under your leadership. We all know for your sacrefice for the good of the Soviet Union that your death shall not be in vain. Your death has inspired all of us to fight harder, to make sure not another single Comrade should be lowered into this Grave. Thank You Comrade." A salute, then he steps back.
Novikova's words to Yev are soft, and quiet. There's a promise in there. She looks to Vladmir, "Thank you again." For his hand and the kind words. She seems fond enough of Jr. Commissar. She tries not to breathe too deeply, looking to the others. "Da… I'm sad, but - I think he would have lectured me for sitting and crying too long."
Maschenko is paying less attention to pretty words than the horizon by now, letting go of Yulia's hand once she's up and secure. He pulls his rifle off his shoulder and into his hands, eyes fixed on the shadows of the hell that is the Red October factory. Pinpoints of light from gunfire flicker and die. "Comrades, we have to go. Reminisce when we're not sitting ducks for snipers."
Mikhail climbs out of the pit after the others, lowering his head a little as he looks down into the grave. "Goodbye…" he mutters then, before he nods at Maschenko's words, "Time to hurry back," he agrees.
Yulia is ready to go, back turned to the grave. There's no sense in hanging around only to add another body to the pit. She waits for the others, eyes struggling to see if there /are/ any snipers in the shadows.
"Da," Snipers. Yev wouldn't approve of Snipers. Nor does Novikova. She will start moving after the others then. "We have some new comers to the apartment too," She offers quietly.
Maschenko makes an absent sound in his throat. Sort of questioning. But he's distracted by getting the fuck out of here without someone else dead, and he starts to walk with rifle in hands. "Road looks clear. Go, quickly."
Mikhail nods as he hears that, and starts moving. Walking at a pace that's not the fastest, but not especially slow either, he looks around for any enemies in the way. Keeping quiet for now.
