Smirnov is sent for me

Morning. Everybody is almost ready to leave. I have all of my ammunition ready, my coat and hat on, rifle over my shoulder. I tap my foot and wait for the others.

Smirnov enters. “You.” He says to me. “Come with me.”

I follow him into the passageway.

“Commissar Fedorov has sent for you.” He mocks. “Why is it that he always wants to see you?”

“I’m not sure, Smirnov.”

“Maybe because you’re sucking up to him for special treatment.” He suggests.

“Special treatment from him is the last thing that I want.”

“I know what you’re doing. You aren’t fooling me.” He says. “You know that I have the advantage over you.”

“What do you even want?” I ask.

“I want you to do something for me.” He says coldly.

“Let me guess.” I say, rolling my eyes. “You want to fuck me and make me suck on your smelly cock, right?”

“You wish. I know what you’re doing, that you’re trying to impress him for personal gain. Here is what you will do. You’re not going to go in there and suck up to him for a promotion, or for any special favors. You’re going to go in there and be the soft, weak, little girl that I know you are, or I will tell him everything. I know about your little crush.”

What a fucking weasel. This is about his career. Smirnov continues.

“I wonder what the commissar would do to your sweet little Artyom if he knew. I know how he feels about you. I know he would be very jealous. He’d probably send him off on a suicide mission, if he doesn’t just shoot or hang him first.”

“You’re talking about your own comrade!” I hiss.

“You’re forgetting to think about what the commissar would do to you. I can only imagine how angry he would be. You know, if I turned you in, I would be the hero. I’d probably even be promoted.”

“You would sell us down the river for a promotion?”

“Maybe I won’t this time, but know that I can tell him anytime I wish, should you give me a reason to or should you disrespect me.”

We stop before Fedorov’s office.

“Alright.” I say to Smirnov. “You win this time. I won’t be asking the commissar for any special favors.”

I wasn’t going to anyways, but I’ll tell Smirnov what he wants to hear for now.

Smirnov steps up to the door and knocks.

“Comrade commissar!” He calls. “I’ve brought her!”

“Come in.” Fedorov’s gravelly voice responds through the door.

I follow Smirnov into Fedorov’s office.

“Excellent!” Fedorov says, before standing up and looking at Smirnov. “You. Go find Captain Zaitsev and tell him to muster all of his men outside. I will be there shortly.”

“Yes, comrade commissar.” Smirnov responds. He gives me a stern look when he turns to leave.

“Lock the door.” Fedorov orders me. I step back, turn and lock his door for him.

“Very nice.” He says when I turn back around. “Take a seat.”

I cautiously lean my rifle in the corner before making my way to the desk across from Fedorov and sitting down. I take my ushanka off my head and hold it in my lap.

“You are a very special girl, Tatyana.” Fedorov tells me. His tone is sentimental. “Very pretty.”

“Thank you.” I say quietly.

“You know, it’s a shame for a girl as beautiful as you to have such a dangerous job.”

I sit silently and look at him as he continues.

“You don’t want to be killed, Tatyana. You don’t have to. There is another way.”

I grit my teeth, a nervous expression on my face.

“Come back to the communications room. I’ll give you back your job as a decoder.” He offers.

“I don’t know.”

“All you have to do is let me fuck you! Trust me, Tatyana. You don’t want any part in this next mission.”

“Answer me!” He barks.

“I don’t want to.”

“Don’t be stupid, bitch! I’m going to give you one last chance to give in to me, to submit to me. This is a second chance at life for you. I suggest you take it.”