...parting always ends with a reunion, sooner or later, in autumn or summer.

?

Two people were dragging a third on their hands, under their arms. It was Mannerov. He, as well as another one and a half hundred people managed to get out of the camp.

— Comrade Commander, what are we going to do? We have only a hundred and fifty people left. And many are wounded. If they go in pursuit, they'll kill us all.

Vanya turned his head slightly so that he could be heard better before speaking. — If we stop, we will definitely be caught. And if this happens, it turns out that those who died died in vain. We should reach the train station soon. There we will hide and decide what to do next.

— And what are your ideas about this Future? They used to say that if we build factories, we will live like this! Then, that when we defeat the Germans, then the Japanese. Now the Sirens. And what's next?! There is no government, there is no party anymore. We've all been abandoned! — Someone from the crowd reasoned.

— But who could have known that this would happen? Another voice rang out. — There were always some problems. The same Germans, we didn't think that they would attack us, so we thought that we would heal. And they also said that we would lose. They fought near Moscow, and in the end they broke their back. It will be the same with Sirens.

— Yes, but Moscow has fallen. The whole government is unclear where, and the Kansen have disappeared. The one who attacked the camp was the only one I've seen in the last month. And do you really think we can win?

— Stand down! Mannerov barked. The disputants stopped, looking at him with fear. — In the forty-first they also said that they fucked up everything. So what? We're all going to die anyway, so why such reasoning?

— And what do you suggest? If we're all going to die, then why fight? One of the disputants asked.

— Turn me around. Mannerov said to the one who was carrying him. He found himself face to face with that man. — When in the forty-second I received a funeral for my wife and son, I thought to commit suicide. Just to see them. But then I thought... what would I do then? I won't avenge them. And then I began to live with only one goal, to kill as many Germans as possible before dying! I propose to make sure that even when we die, they do not forget about us. Is that clear to you, Lieutenant?!

— Yes, Major. He saluted.

Then they walked for some time in relative silence. The wind howled. Voices could be heard from the end of the column, who were also discussing something. But this silence was interrupted by one of the lieutenants who had been arguing before.

— Let's have a submenu. — He said, offering to support Mannerov. They exchanged and he took his arm. Mannerov looked at him for a few seconds, waiting for something. — Comrade Major, who do you think it was who pulled us out. I don't know much about our navy, I've been at the front all the war, I didn't have time to find out. But how many of them have I seen, their equipment, ours, is different…

— Yes, her rigging is more like the rigging of the British, but here the towers are clearly ours, with three trunks… I don't know, maybe our old… Although I don't know much about it either... and even now it's not so important. We have to get to the station now. — Said Mannerov.

They walked in silence again for a while. Overcoming another ridge. When they passed it, a railway station appeared in the valley, just a couple of kilometers away from them.

It was small, one delivery with two platforms, two main and three additional tracks. The most joyful thing for everyone was that there was a train on one of the sidings, abandoned here some time ago.

— Listen to the order! Mannerov shouted. — When we get to the station, we need to take care of the wounded. We should have plenty of time. And we'll have to start the train! The crowd cheered. The mood lifted. They continued on their way.

An hour later they reached the station and were able to stay in his building. Mannerov was seated on one of the chairs, but when a soldier came up to him with bandages and a disinfectant. — No need. — He said dryly. — Out. — he pointed in the direction of the soldier without an arm. — He needs it more. The soldier nodded and walked towards the one—armed soldier. Meanwhile, one of the lieutenants approached Mannerov and another man with him. — Well, what about the train?

The man who came with the lieutenant spoke first. — I am not an expert on the operation of trains… But I can say that we will be able to launch it, just not right away. The water in the boilers is frozen, so it will take us several days to kindle. We have coal... but I do not know how long it will last…

Then the lieutenant got into the conversation. — Everything is fine in places, too. We have enough to seat everyone, and even pick up the same amount.

— Very good… Set up sentries so that no one can attack us. Pay attention to the light cases first. We need workers.

Seriously ill and seriously injured, stabilize and maintain the condition. Treat if possible... and make me a crutch. So that I could somehow walk. And start stoking the boilers. We have to get out as soon as possible. — Those two had already started to leave when Mannerov called out to them. — And when the boilers melt, transfer the wounded to the train. It will be warmer there. — The lieutenant nodded, going to the train.

Mannerov looked with his only remaining eye at those people who were lucky to get out. They lost about a hundred people in the escape. Many were killed during the breakout into the street, and the exit from the camp. The squad that took Villersky was almost completely destroyed. And Mikhail himself... Ivan didn't know what had become of him. When he left, Villersky continued to shoot back. He really overlapped them. Even here, many people continued to groan and groan. A few soldiers not engaged in repairs and patrolling tried to treat the wounded, and surprisingly they coped well. Strangely enough, in this atmosphere, he felt calm, as if he had returned to his home, which he had long lost. Gradually, he began to feel sleepy. In the end, he fell asleep, continuing to sit on the chair, looking at his wounded subordinates.

...

...

The soldiers of the siren cultists tried to hide from the shots of heavy shells. Many did not even try to shoot back, although there were such.

Volkov was one of those, he desperately fired a pistol until he ran out of bullets. His arm was broken, so he could not reload the gun. Maria walked slowly towards him. — Who? Who are you?! "What is it?" he asked desperately, retreating step by step from her.

Fear filled his eyes when he put his back against the wall and realized that there was nowhere else to retreat. — Stay back! No! He shouted as she approached him.

Even though she was half a head shorter, he couldn't look at her without fear. — What do you need?

— A pathetic traitor. Even now there are proud people, but you... you are the same as they were then. What is it? Betray your brothers?

"I... I... they have my family…

Maria grinned, looking away. "The family... if they are still alive, then I will try to save them. — Volkov relaxed slightly, but the next moment he felt a sharp pain in his stomach.

Maria stuck the saber almost to the hilt. — But even so, you will be their disgrace! His eyes fluttered as she tore the blade free, spraying crimson blood.

He fell to the ground almost immediately. Volkov continued coughing and choking on blood, already lying on the ground, but soon the wheezing and breathing stopped. A crimson puddle spread across the ground. With his last breath, he died.

The other cultists looked on with indescribable horror. Even those who a second ago watered her equipment with bullets stopped.

Maria turned around when she saw a man who threw a machine gun and started running away. She grinned as she rushed after him and soon she caught up with him.

The man desperately looked down at his chest and at the blade sticking out of it. Vision began to darken, and warm liquid began to pour out. Soon, his arms went limp and his body fell lifelessly to the ground.

Another soldier started shooting at her with a submachine gun, but the bullets just bounced off, striking sparks, from a part of the equipment that Maria put under this queue. Then a single shot sounded from the side. The queue stopped instantly. Maria looked at the place and saw the body falling to the ground, with a bullet through the head.

Before she could turn around, she was hailed. — Thc… I didn't think I'd see anything new in my life. — Villersky, slightly limping on his right leg, came out from behind the wreckage, covering his mouth from dust, gunpowder smoke and his own cough. — However. Apparently fate has other plans for me. He smiled a little. — And you said that black wouldn't do…

"Make no mistake, Captain. I would never have chosen it in those conditions... and I wasn't going to save you. - A slight smile began to spread across Maria's face.

Another soldier ran out from behind the wreckage, but he didn't even have time to aim his gun when a through hole with a diameter of thirteen centimeters appeared in his chest. His eyes fluttered and he fell to the ground. 1122

A thin wisp of smoke was slowly rising from one of her casemate guns. — Pathetic traitors. She muttered softly, looking at it. Maria looked at him again. — However, our meeting really diluted all meetings with this... trash…

— Was?! Captain, do you know her?

— Yes, I know. Mikhail replied as Maria approached them. "I served on her ship during the Great War, and...

was going to get married..." he said with an expression that simultaneously combined shyness, uncertainty and pride. — However, when she disappeared, I lost all hope of happiness. Who knew that Maria would show up like this and save us.

— Tkhe-Tkhe… I wasn't planning on rescuing you. She said in a voice as cold as steel. Her brows were furrowed, and the gloves on her hands were barely torn by her knuckles. — I didn't even know that someone was being held here.

She made a very strange expression on her face that few people could read. She was both angry and pleased at the same time. Her eyebrows relaxed, but her eyes remained just as cold.

"Then why are you here?" Linda asked.

Maria abruptly turned her gaze on her, causing the German doctor to shrink in fear. Even though Maria had removed her rigging, the blood on her clothes and blade did not make it possible not to be afraid of her. Her dull yellow eyes were as cold as ice, examining her.

After a few seconds, she nodded lightly before turning away and walking away from the camp, with slow steps. — Not far from here there is a bunker of the Red Army, times... maybe even imperial. He's my target. Or rather, what is in it.

Everyone looked at her retreating figure in bewilderment. "Something?" Mikhail asked uncertainly. I mean, you didn't even know... and that's not your goal... why then?

— Navigator. — She said briefly, looking back at the broken remains of the Siren. — She could have passed on what was there and traitors could have visited there.

At that moment, Linda's nerves broke down. — But you sent the message yourself! Where is the logic here?! She shouted.

— The logic is that I killed the siren, and reinforcements will be here soon, but during this time I will be able to pick up what I need and leave and take them away from the port to which I will follow. Besides, their problems are much more serious now, they just don't have time for us. And... — Maria smiled to herself, turning to them. — I will not refuse help, friends. Do you mind? Like I said there will be Sirens soon…

— Tell me, what's there?! Linda shouted. — I'm not going anywhere with it's not clear who! It's easier for me to die from sirens!

Maria looked at her coldly again. — My Fraulein, if you haven't noticed, we are in the center of Russia. We are very far from your homeland, no matter who you go with, you still won't understand where you're going! Where I'm going to take you is the Bunker where the third sword of the empire has been imprisoned for many years, and in combination — the wolf of the East! And I need her to give battle to the Purifier and all the scum that is with her! It's Clear to You!

Linda took a few steps back. She was saved from falling only by a soldier who woke up — Alexey, who stopped her.

— If you want, you can stay. I went. Maria said, turning around again and slowly began to move away from them. A dozen seconds later, Villersky caught up with her.

— How can I leave you. — He said. Maria nodded lightly. Maria arched her eyebrows slightly and showed a satisfied smile.

"I had no doubt, my captain.

Linda called after them. Soon she and Alexey caught up with them.

"I see you've been reasonable. More prudent than many ... Tkhk Well, follow me…

A/N I jokingly wrote this chapter a week ago. As for Maria's cough, it has become more rare due to withdrawal from the fight. In other words, she has a constant cough in battle, but there is almost no cough in a normal situation.