Steel Soviet Union

Malashenko was worried about whether Iushkin could bear it psychologically, taking Kirill's ashes with him on the way back, and having to bury Kirill's ashes next to his mother with his own hands.

But what was unexpected was that Iushkin’s next tone was unusually calm.

"Well, it's decided. Since this is Kirill's final wish, then I must help him fulfill it."

"Of course it would be better if you could go with me, but orders are orders. You are in an important position and there are more things that you need to deal with personally. So it's okay. I can understand it. I'm also prepared to go alone. Be prepared. Don’t worry, nothing will happen to me. After all, I still have a great revenge to take, and I have a reason to return to the battlefield.”

""

War itself is the most cruel trial in the world. The strong ones who can survive this cruel trial will gain all kinds of growth and transformation, which cannot be matched by all the original deformations given to any creature by nature. match.

Iushkin's transformation is obvious, from the slightly unfamiliar T34 commander at the beginning to now one of the most capable commanders at Malashenko's side. Iushkin's transformation was so great that Malashenko saw it in his eyes and marveled in his heart. Even Iushkin himself often lamented that he no longer recognized himself.

As for whether this change, which has both gains and losses, is good or bad, it is even more unclear, and only time will tell.

"Take care of yourself, I don't want to lose any more brothers before the war is over, remember that.

The expression of emotions between men does not require too many words. Everything is unspoken and expressive. Just the contact and communication between the eyes is enough to understand everything.

"The same goes for you, we must live together until the day of victory!"

"Then it's a deal!"

Malashenko stretched out his big hand, and the old days when they were tightly held together in 1941 reappeared in Iushkin's mind at this moment, but several other figures from the past were no longer there. Back to the old days.

"Then let's make a deal this time! It must be a deal!"

As Malashenko said to Iushkin, the late morning flight forced Malashenko to sleep hastily and within two hours he got up in a hurry to pack the things that had been packed. Luggage and belongings ready for departure.

"Send hello to Natalia for me. I haven't seen this little girl for a while. If you have time to go back this time, please spend more time with her. In recent months, the letters have been more frequent than before."

It was not only Malashenko who got up early, but also the political commissar comrades who were preparing to see him off.

Some materials and documents that Malashenko may use when he returns to teach have been sorted out and prepared by the attentive political commissar comrades. They are as thorough and comprehensive as ever before.

Taking the folder handed over by Comrade Political Commissar while laughing and talking, Malashenko felt the heavy weight in his hand and suddenly felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.

I have become accustomed to life with political commissar comrades around me, and to every detail of this life.

Kirill's sudden departure made Malashenko once again clearly aware of the huge and difficult-to-fill hole that the sudden absence of important people around him can instantly create in a person's heart. Such a heart is as if whatever is poured in will flow out again, and there is always a gap that cannot be filled.

"You should also take care of yourself. Take care of yourself when I'm not around. No one is watching, but don't stay up late or smoke too much. When I come back in half a month, I will see you standing in front of me intact. . This is an order, a special order given to you by the division commander. Only you can complete it. Do you understand?"

Speaking of which, Malashenko has never spoken or issued so-called orders to comrades in the political commissar in such a tone. It has always been "Let's discuss it with whom."

But precisely because of this, the more it gets to this time, the more it makes people feel an indescribable taste and an indescribable feeling.

In the end, the silence was broken by Comrade Political Commissar who answered.

"I will persevere until the day of final victory, not only to you, but also to myself. I have been going all the way for so long, and there is no reason to give up halfway. I believe that I can continue to persevere and wait. Take a look."

Knowing that the comrade political commissar will definitely give such an answer, this is to be expected.

But somehow, this kind of expected answer makes people feel inexplicably reassured, and they feel the encouragement of an invisible force, like a warm sunshine shining on people, which is as beautiful and beautiful as the sun. And invisible.

Stop thinking about those things that will inevitably be lost in the future. People who live in the shadow cannot move towards the future.

Malashenko, who was well aware of this, finally left his still resolute figure to Comrade Political Commissar, turned around, picked up his luggage and strode out of the division headquarters camp, and boarded the guard company that was already ready at the door to escort the convoy. He left and disappeared into the thick darkness of the night. Only Comrade Political Commissar was left standing at the door of the division headquarters camp, looking at the dark night in the distance, and paused for a long time.

"He has really grown up, just like us back then, brother"

Except for the two guards who accompanied him on the plane, helped with luggage and provided security, Malashenko, who was wearing a brand new tank corps major general uniform that he did not often wear, did not bring anyone else back to deal with those Yankees and John Bulls. The arduous task will be completed by him alone.

By the time the Li-2 transport plane, which took off at dawn, landed again, the sun was already shining, and the weather was exceptionally good. The sky above Moscow was cloudless. Even the strong winds that had returned several times in the past had stopped at the empty airport.

Malashenko took a deep breath and walked down the gangway. Before he could do anything, a long-awaited figure in the crowd immediately strode forward and embraced him with open arms.

"Haha, my good brother is back. It really made me wait! Let me see if all the parts on this body are still complete. The great hero of the motherland is back again."

There is no need to guess too much. Apart from Natalya, there is only one acquaintance in Moscow who can be waiting at the airport for Malashenko's return at this time.

He was an old subordinate of Comrade Political Commissar, a good NKVD comrade who loved the party and the country, a middle-level manager of the Lubyanka Hotel, and Colonel Malokov of the Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who had already reached the rank of colonel.

Malashenko was still a little out of breath when Malokov gave him a strong bear hug when he came up. When this guy, who was as strong as an ox and only slightly shorter than him, let go of his hand. Malashenko, with a smile on his lips, spoke.

"I guessed on the plane that you must be the one who was arranged to pick me up. You were the only one who rushed to do this. I'm afraid it would be too late for others to avoid it because of the trouble."

Malokov, who was dismissive of Malashenko's Versailles scene and pouted his lips in a pretentious manner, seemed very disapproving.

"What you are saying, do you really think that there are people with two Heroes of the Soviet Union landing at Moscow Airport every day? There are many people who want to take over this job, but no one can compete with me. Whoever dares to compete with me will follow me. Urgent! They are picking up comrades, and I am picking up brothers and comrades. Can we compare? It must be incomparable, right?"

"Hahahahahaha"

The guy in front of me who was startled and laughed suddenly looked nothing like a colonel of the NKVD intelligence department. Once he took off his military uniform, you would say he was a rude man who had just sobered up but was not fully awake yet and was still a little over the top. Malashenko Most people probably believe it.

However, this is the most powerful thing about this kind of person. You never know how many faces you don't know are hidden under this seemingly real appearance.

Fortunately, such a person is not an enemy after all, but an old friend that I can absolutely trust. At least when he is in front of me, he is absolutely true and unadulterated. Malashenko is very clear and convinced of this, which has gone through many things and the test of time.

Malokov, who had finished speaking, did not say much more. Instead, he turned sideways and made an invitation gesture to Malashenko and spoke boldly.

"Let's go, great hero! The car has been prepared for you for a long time. Today I will be your driver myself."

Malashenko smiled. If nothing else, at least in terms of work, he Malokov has never let you down.

"Then I'll ask Comrade Colonel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to drive and walk."