Begin our day of extra duty

The smell of bad breath hitting my face wakes me up. I slowly open my eyes. Fedorov is only a nose away from me, staring with his yellowed, bloodshot eyes.

“You look very peaceful when you sleep, Tatyana.” Fedorov says softly, playing with my hair. I don’t know what to say so I simply nod and look back at him.

“It’s time for you to go.” He says. “But I want something first.”

“What- what’s that?” I ask. Fedorov rolls back on top of me and starts trying to smooch me again. I squirm underneath him.

“Just give me one good kiss before you leave!” He pulls back and demands. I nod and he leans back in. I close my eyes and do what I think is the bare minimum to satisfy him.

“Much better!” He says, and sits up on the bed. I take the opportunity to flee the bed and stand up.

“I have such a hangover!” Fedorov complains, holding his head with one of his hands. He grunts and reaches to the table, rifling through the empty bottles until he finds one with a small amount of vodka left in the bottom. Fedorov takes a big gulp of it, about half of what remained. He burps.

“Get dressed, then go make sure your useless squad is ready and get them outside.” He orders, before taking a small sip out of the bottle. “Go on. Shoo.”

“Yes, comrade commissar.” I say, and eagerly pull my boots on, in a hurry to get away from him before he changes his mind. I hastily gather my equipment and step out of Fedorov’s room while he lights a cigar, still in his underwear.

I’m still tired but I’m relieved to be away from him. I put on my coat, hat, and bandolier before slinging my rifle over my shoulder and heading down the passageway.

Smirnov is leaning against the wall outside of our room.

“I guess the extra duty already started for you!” He pokes, and laughs at me. “What did he make you do? Suck his dick? Take it in the ass?”

“Just shut the fuck up. I’m not in the mood.” I tell Smirnov, and walk right past him into the room, where the others look up at me.

“He told me to make sure everybody was ready.” I tell Dadonov.

“We’re not ready.” Smirnov says, walking in behind us and rubbing his eyes. “We’ve slept for three fucking hours. Putting us out there with this little rest is retarded.”

“Orders are orders.” Dadonov mutters.

“I shouldn’t have to do this shit, with my leg.” Smirnov complains.

“Do you want me to kiss it better?” I ask him, and elicit a few laughs from around the room. He scowls at me.

“We’re even thinner now than normal, so you’re just going to have to suck it up.” Dadonov tells him. “Let’s go before we’re late.”