Wolf and Kursk

1943, on a road to Kursk

Holo woke up with a tired yawn. They had been marching for days, stopping only to sleep. Even when Holo attempted to sleep, mortar fire kept waking her up. It didn't matter whose mortars they were, they all woke her up. If wasn't the mortars, it was the wolves. Each night, they mocked Holo for loving a human and for being a traitor to her own kind.

"Shut up you young wolves, I have enough problems already!" She howled back at the wolves.

She hated to think it, but she wished that the mortars would hit the wolves.

Malik watched his squad sleep. To him, too much sleep caused one to not notice the beauty of the night. The moon was full, allowing him to see the encampment without shadows. The wolves howled at the moon, their songs becoming more and more common each night. Each time the wolves howled, Horo would wake up and howl back at them. Her howls seemed to have anger, almost as if she understood the wolves and was cursing them. Malik just watched her each time she howled; each time she sounded so much like a real wolf. It fascinated Malik, yet at the same time worried him.

As night became day, Holo woke up to the smell of meat. Opening her eyes, she saw Dmitri and Sasha arguing over what made up the canned meat known as "SPAM"

"I am telling you Dmitri; the Americans take road killed animals, and process them into square meat cubes."

"And where did you hear that Sasha, from the Vodka?"

"Hey, the Vodka has never lied to me since I drank my share last night."

Holo was in no mood for the soldier's petty argument; she had gotten very little sleep the night before. Being in a bad mood and wanting to end the argument, Holo decided to speak up.

"Look, if neither of you can agree on what it the meat is, shut up and just eat the damn meat."

The two soldiers looked at each other, and decided to follow Holo's suggestion. Holo had tried SPAM back in Stalingrad. It was meat, that much Holo knew. However, it was too processed for her to know what type of meat it was. None-the-less, Holo ate the SPAM. It was better than the other food the Russians had as food, and certainly better then what the Germans fed her back in that camp. Holo shuddered at thought of those humans living in that nightmare. Dmitri noticed Holo shudder.

"Horo, what's wrong?"

Holo looked at him while she answered.

"How can humans be so cruel to their own kind, treating neighbors like animals to a slaughter?"

"What do you mean Horo?"

Holo only looked at the Dmitri, not answering his question. "If only they knew" Holo thought, "If only they knew my pain."

As soon as they were finished with breakfast, a loud whistle could be heard. It was Commissar Boris's whistle.

"Come on Horo, we have marching to do and Germans to hunt." Dmitri said as he extended his hand.

Holo grabbed it, pulling herself up from the ground.

How the humans marched and moved during war confused Holo. At times they rode in vehicles, other times they marched in formation. To her, the army had too many troops to move and not enough vehicles to move them all. She did not like having to march, for it messed up her clothes and made her tired. However she did not like riding in a vehicle, for the engine roar was too loud for her.

"I wish I could ride in Lawrence's wagon again. At least in it I can rest without my ears bleeding from the sound of an engine, " She said under her breath.

Marching beside her was Malik, who over heard her talk to herself. He said nothing at the comment, only taking note of it and kept on marching.

Holo looked at her sides. To the left of her was Dmitri, marching like he was proud of being a soldier in this horrible war. To her right was Malik, still having an expression that made him seem to make the air ice to all those around him. On the far right was Sasha, attempting to walk despite the alcohol he had in his body. She turned her attention back to Dmitri. His features reminded her so much of Lawrence. Despite being young, he had grey colored hair, almost silver in color. His facial hair also reminded Holo of Lawrence's stubble like beard. But it was his face that struck her the most, as it looked almost like a copy of her husband's face. But as much Dmitri looked like Lawrence, he was nothing like Lawrence. He was warrior not a trader, and it certainly didn't help that he was a supporter of communism. Plus his experiences were different from Lawrence's. This made it difficult for Holo to talk to him, as she remembered from a past conversation.

"Holo, what was Lawrence like?"

Holo pondered the question before answering

"Lawrence was loyal man to me. Even at the expense of his dream, he still respected our agreement. This worried me at times, as no human had showed me compassion in many years. In one instance, even when he was tied up, he kept my clothes dry from the rain and clean from the mud." A tear formed in Holo's eye. "He kept his promises and agreements."

"So he was a loyal Husband?" Dmitri asked

"Yes, even when he left to resupply the store we owned, he never cheated me." Holo chuckled, "Then again, he knew that he could not hide anything without me knowing. You see, I know when a person is lying, and Lawrence would never attempt to spin a lie as big as cheating on me, for he feared what would happen if he did."

"For a capitalist, he seems like a good guy."

"CAPITALIST? You humans amuse me. Just because he sold wares and traveled, didn't mean he lived in luxury. In fact when I traveled with him, we often lived in conditions where wehad no roof above our heads. It also didn't help that other traders tried to trick us and that the Church was hunting us."

Holo Looked at Dmitri, a smile formed on his mouth. "Just what is so funny about my husband?"

Dmitri looked at Holo, continuing to smile. "How you describe your living conditions reaffirms my belief in communism. In fact, I am surprised communism didn't come up earlier." Then Dmitri's expression changed. "Still, you say the Church hunted you. Strange."

Holo only stared at the soldier. She knew Communism was atheistic in nature, so why was he so surprised at the Church's response to Holo. Curious, she asked Dmitri if he followed the Church.

"Believe It or not, I actually follow the Pope. There is just too much proof of Jesus existing that it just cannot be denied. At any rate communism is just a way of living, not a set of beliefs"

"So you are a communist, and a follower of the Church? Truly you are just as rare as me."

The two became quit, both looking around trying to defuse the awkwardness. Holo, deciding to break the ice, spoke up first.

"So tell me Dmitri, how did you meet up with Sasha and Malik?"

Dmitri just smiled, "Now that is story to tell. You see when I turned 18 the orphanage kicked me out. I got work at a nearby steel plant on my own. The conditions were hell, and I almost died on numerous occasions. Anyway after each day of work, I would go to the bar to drink and hear the stories of the drunks. One day, one of the drunks got really antsy.

"Give me more Vodka, suki, I am still not drunk."

Of course he was piss drunk. Being the Good Samaritan, I decided to end the man's rage. He simply punched me. Being drunk, I got on my feet and punched him back."

Dmitri then gave a small chuckle, "That second, our world was turned upside down. Other drunks grabbed chairs and bottles and started fighting. Soon the Militsiya arrived to put our bar brawl out. Fearing capture, the two of us ran like hell from the Militsiya. Soon enough, we lost them. Tired, we slouched on the ground staring at each other. I then remembered I had a Vodka Bottle, and I offered it to the man.

"Thanks, by the way what's name?" he asked me.

I answered back and we both laughed like drunks. The next thing I remember was waking up with a hangover in a boxcar. I noticed to my side was the same man form the night before. Suddenly, I remembered his name.

"Sasha, were are we?"

"Shit, I think we enlisted in the army while we were drunk."

The two of us just stared at the other men in the car. Suddenly, I remembered that I had a second bottle of Vodka. Of course, we drank it and became drunk again. This time, however, the commissar woke us up and had us run laps at the camp till we were sober." Dmitri continued to smile as he finished his story.

"So that's how you met Sasha, what about Malik."

Dmitri's mood changed drastically at Holo's question. "During the early stages of Stalingrad, many comrades died from the German guns. As our first deployment, we were sent to Stalingrad." Holo noticed Dmitri wince. "It was pure hell, nothing I expected. Back in Moscow, I heard the gunfire from the battle, but never saw it. At Stalingrad, I lived in the hell as its resident. During a raid on a German fortification, we got ambushed in the Square. Sasha and I hid among the dead, praying the Germans would not find us. We were lucky that day, maybe too lucky. Once it was clear, we found some weapons and hid in a bombed out house. It wasn't even an hour before a patrol was near, and one of the soldiers needed to piss. Scared, the two of us just hid from the German. Despite this, we were noticed, and the German tried to call for his comrades. Then out of nowhere, a man pounced on him, stabbing the German's neck. The soldier noticed us hiding, and gestured for us to follow him. For three months, we hunted Stalingrad like wolves. We killed many unsuspecting Germans. During this time, we learned his name was Malik and that he was a Chechen. Despite our hunting, the red army was losing. When were found by some of our own soldiers, were forced into a line with the others. Then one of the Officers pulled out a pistol and started killing every tenth man. I counted; I was one of the tenth men. Then out of nowhere, Malik switches my spot with another soldier. That soldier died in my place, and ever since I feel as if I have a debt to pay to Malik." Dmitri sighed as he said his story.

To Holo, Dmitri's account of Malik was not so different then when she met Lawrence so many years ago. A person giving up so much just to help a stranger in need was not something wolves did often. Holo just felt sad as she realized that the years living among the humans made her feel less of a wolf. Just then a shell came down close to Holo, disrupting the memory of the talk. She ran for cover, hiding behind the heap of metal that was once the tank she was marching behind. She looked to her sides, seeing her squad mates ok. Then, Commissar Boris climbed onto the tank, pulling out a bullhorn and started to speak.

"SOLDEIRS OF THE RED ARMY, MARSHALL ZHUKAV WANTS KURSK RETAKEN. DO ANYTHING AND USE ANYTHING TO ACHIEVE SOVIET VICTORY!"

Holo looked down the scope of her Nagant, shocked at the number of the giant vehicles on the field.

"I really hate tanks." Holo said as she fired a shot at a German commander stupid enough to have his head stick out of the tank.

Dmitri poked his head out of the trench, examining the battlefield. All around him, burning husks of tanks littered the field. So many tanks he saw, but he know that these were only a fraction of the beasts sent to war. Sinking back down the trench, he looked to his side to see how Holo was doing. Holo was getting some well-deserved rest after days of battle. She looked like she was at peace, something Dmitri had not seen in months in the she-wolf. Resting his back against the wall, he looked at his other comrades in arms. Sasha was also sleeping, but his sleep was influenced by alcohol. Malik on the other had kept watch over the squad, making Dmitri wonder if Malik every slept.

"We need something to knock out tanks."

At that instant, Malik answered Dmitri's question.

"Couple of hours ago, I saw an Anti-Material unit go out hunting. I have heard no rifle report and they have not come back." Dmitri pondered Malik's comment. From what he gathered, Malik wanted to find the Anti-tank rifle and use it. The problem was finding it. On cue, Malik again answered.

"I know where the rifle is and I have a plan."

Dmitri only stared at the Chechen in wonder.

"I will wake up Horo, you wake up Sasha."

Malik only nodded in agreement.

"Apples, Apples everywhere, if only I had time to eat them all." Holo said in her dream.

All around her, there were mounds of apples. To Holo, it was like a dream come true. Just then, she heard the report of a rifle. She looked at her body and saw blood oozing out of her.

"No, NO, That's not possible. I am Holo the Wise Wolf, I cannot die!"

"So you think that by saying that, you won't die?"

Holo froze a second, turning her head at the man. Upon seeing that he was Dmitri, she became less tense.

"Sorry, I had bad dream."

Just then, Holo noticed a bottle in her hand.

"Maybe I should not drink after days of battle." Holo said with uncertainty before asking Dmitri why he woke her up.

"Malik has a plan to take out some tanks, and you will be using the rifle."

Holo laughed at the comment. Even If she tried, her rifle would never be able to punch through tank armor. But Holo realized then that Dmitri was not kidding. Quickly she changed her mood.

"What is the plan?"

Dmitri only coaxed Holo to come with him to another part of the trench. There she saw Malik trying to sober up Sasha.

"Oh come ON! I was having good time with the Ladies Malik. Then you had to ruin it." Sasha said in a drunken tone.

Once the four were together, Dmitri explained the plan. " Malik says that an Anti-Material squad went out hunting last night. They have since not returned. According to Malik, he knows where the rifle is. How he knows this, I do not know. Anyway, we will use the rifle to decommission some tanks. Hopefully our AT men will fire at the tanks."

Just as Dmitri finished the sentenced, Malik pulled out a bottle with cloth wick.

"MOLOTOVS, Malik where did you get those?" Edward asked in a shocked tone.

Malik opened his mouth and began to speak.

"I just collected your bottles and siphoned off any fuel from the tanks." Malik said in a voice that had ice in it. No one else asked questions, and instantly they got up following Malik to the rifle. Soon enough, they found the dead squad. As Holo watched, she saw the men pick up the bodies and throw them out of the crater. Thankfully it was still dark, but Holo know that sun would soon rise.

"Hurry up! The sun is almost up." Holo said with concern. The men however kept moving at the same pace, there were only about 5 bodies to move. Soon they reached their prize.

"A PTRD Anti-Tank rifle, not exactly what I was expecting but it will have to do."

Holo only stared at Dmitri as he said it. Confused, Holo asked what a PTRD was

"A PTRD is a bolt action rifle that uses Anti Material rounds. We used one back in Stalingrad to pickoff troops hiding behind cover" Dmitri said to Holo. Holo just nodded and examined the rifle. The rifle was large and heavy, but that was nothing she could not handle. She knew, however, that she could not lift the weapon without the men being suspicious. Almost as if he could read her mind, Malik slung his rifle over his shoulder and picked up the PTRD. He then rested the weapon behind his head, holding on to it by the bipod and the stock. Holo was awe struck by the Chechen.

"Malik, are you sure you can carry that weapon? I don't want you to get hurt carrying that thing."

But Malik just stared at Holo, showing no care on his face. Just then an artillery round hit close to the group's position.

"Shit, they see us. Horo Malik, find a position to hide. We will follow close by."

Holo acknowledge Dmitri's order, and started running to the nearest crater. Malik followed, running with the rifle.

"I hope my tail won't get ruined with this war going on." Holo said to herself. Unknown to Holo, Malik heard her, adding the quote to his list of secrets about Horo.

Upon finding a crater,Holo went into prone position, aiming down the large rifle. Malik unslung his rifle and was acting as protection for Holo. Five minutes later, a German tank was moving in their general direction. Holo was ready to take the shot, but Malik stopped her.

"Wait, Horo, attack where the armor is weaker."

Holo eased up, but still kept a sight on the tank. Once the tank's side was in front of them, Malik tapped Holo's head. Malik noticed two bumps when he tapped her head, but kept quiet. Understanding what he meant, Holo fired the PTRD. The report was loud, almost causing Holo to go deaf in one ear. The pain from the sound hurt Holo, as she was not used to such sounds. Despite the pain and discomfort of firing the rifle, Holo was saddened when she noticed the round was not penetrating the side armor. Surprisingly though, the tank had stopped moving. She could smell blood from the vehicle, understanding she at least damaged someone inside the beast. Just then the turret started to move, aiming in their general direction. The two braced the ground, expecting the worst. Just then Dmitri and Sasha ran up to the tank, throwing a Molotov onto the tank. As Holo watched, the flaming liquid seeped into the tank. Even outside, she could hear the muffled screams of the poor men inside. One of the hatches opened, and a flaming German crawled out. Malik just steadied his gun and fired a shot at the German. Holo just smiled at Malik's mercy killing.

"At least someone has kept their Humanity in this chaos." Holo said to Malik.

Malik just looked at Holo, and then he picked up the PTRD. Holo understood what he meant, and any sense of happiness in her left. There would be much mercy killing today.