A/N: Written as a gift for a friend.


Over the Mountains

The Antonov commenced its slow descent towards Bagram Airfield, Balalaika managed to get a glimpse of the snow-capped Afghan mountains through the cockpit. "We're landing in five, get your men prepped to get the hell out of my plane Captain." Balalaika turned and walked into the cargo bay where her unit was sleeping. "Get ready to move, we're out of this can in less than five minutes!"

"Sergeant get these men ready!" Balalaika shouted again over the droning hum of the engines. Boris began shouting orders to the drowsy men, and one by one they got up and slowly moved around the plane grabbing their equipment, and hauling it over their backs. The plane jolted forward and everyone nearly fell flat on their asses. "We've landed hurry your asses up!" Everyone began waiting by the rear doors to be the ones to get out first. Balalaika elbowed her way through the crowd and stood in front of the doors, checking her watch.

11:32.

The doors finally opened and rays of sunlight flooded the cargo bay. She stood, amazed at the sights and smells before her. Bagram Airfield was a busy place compared to the military airports of Moscow and Kazakhstan. Everyone around her rushed off the plane and to the parked trucks. Balalaika strolled off onto the tarmac and greeted the commander of the airbase. "I take it you must be Captain Pavlovna?" She cringed, hearing that name was the equivalent of grinding nails onto a chalkboard. "Everyone calls me Balalaika."

"Well Captain or Balalaika, or whatever the hell you call yourself, we've got a situation and you're needed in the command center, my driver will get you there."

"And what about yourself?" She asked. "I have more pressing matters to attend to." He called back as he jogged into Antonov. She pivoted on her heels and looked at the driver. He opened the door and motioned for her to get inside. After she got in her slammed the door and got into the driver seat. Turning the ignition, he sped off in the direction of the terminal. "Christ I didn't know a UAZ could go this fast." Mumbling to herself as the images outside the window became a blur.


The communications room was in a buzz as Balalaika walked through, dozens of radiomen were busy responding to nearby calls and or attempting to direct troops to their correct destinations. Her driver still accompanied her, up until a door came between them. "The commander is waiting inside." The door was again opened for Balalaika as she walked inside the office. A desk had been set up in the middle of the room with detailed maps and a few pencils. The commander looked up and stood by the table, offering his hand. "A drink, or perhaps a cigar?"

"I don't smoke or drink."

"Ah." His voice trailed. "Anyway, we still have this issue to deal with, here come sit with me." She sat across from him and stared at the intricate maze of positions and supply dumps on the map. "If you didn't know already we have a bit of a problem here in Bagram and Northern Kabul." He cleared his throat before continuing. "Other than the soldiers going missing in broad daylight – Actually that brings me to one thing. I've gotten reports of soldiers being pulled into the air by balloons, (1) believe it or not." Balalaika yawned. "It's been like this for days, and my blood is running cold through my veins."

"You sure that it's blood and not something else running through you and your men's veins?" (2)

"Very funny. You know for a stupid shlyukha (3) like yourself, you're a very funny girl."

"And for an annoying dick, you're really an annoying dick." She responded bluntly.

"Well for an annoying dick, I have powerful friends and your only connection is your piece-of-shit weasel of a father who kisses the General Secretary's ass!" He shouted. "So, we're gonna get going on this plan of yours or what?" Came Balalaika's lazy response.

"Yes, if you cut the stupid remarks of yours. Other than what I just said, you and your men are going to help with the movement and distribution of supplies near the main road into Khost. 'Place has been under siege by those muj (4) assholes for months."

"Logistics? You're pretty much sending me to pack boxes and drive trucks?" She interrupted.

The commander paused for a bit, then chuckled to himself. "This isn't like punching a clock at the local supermarket in Moscow girlie. The Rebels usually destroy these convoys whole and take no prisoners." Her mood only worsened hearing this. "I'll be sending you support obviously, but we can only follow you out to 30 or so miles, then you and your boys are on your own."


"Slow down idiot you don't even know which one it is." Balalaika called to Boris. "You sure this is the one Captain?"

"Yeah this is it right here."

Boris banged his fist on the wooden door. "Open up!" He repeated it again, "Open up!" The door opened a crack and a figure peeked their eyes through the opening. "Who the fuck are you dumbass?"

"Who the fuck are you these are my quarters damnit." The door finally opened fully and a half-naked man had a gun to Boris' face. "I suggest you put that piece away." The man looked at Boris and Balalaika, then back to Boris. "So, you're the jarheads staying here before deployment. Hurry the fuck up and bring whatever you have in before someone sees me."


A/N: Kept it short, didn't want to overwork myself. Hope you enjoyed, also Happy New Year.

1 Reference to MGS5: The Phantom Pain's Fulton Recovery System, where a target is launched into the air and retrieved by a helicopter via balloon.

2 A myth/rumor that Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan used Opium and/or Heroin whilst on deployment.

3 Russian for "whore"

4 Mujahideen