A phone call from the traitor himself

I stop by our observation posts and round up everybody else. I’m the last to arrive at Luda’s house.

Lyudmila is putting the finishing touches on Dadonov’s arm at the kitchen table when I enter, and I approach the two of them.

“Turn the radio on.” I tell them. “I want to see if I can hear anything.”

Dadonov fumbles with the radio while I sit down, but I have to step in and help him turn it on.

“Has everybody heard the news?” I ask Dadonov.

“I told them about Dima and the foreigners.”

“How did they take it?”

“Poorly.” Smirnov says, coming up from behind me. “One crippled, one dead, two as good as dead.”

“Don’t say that.” I argue with him.

“What? Do you think this is some kind of fairytale?” Smirnov asks me. “Do you think the Germans are just going to let them go?”

“Maybe they can escape.” I suggest.

“I doubt it.” Smirnov tells me. “They’re probably getting their fingernails pulled out right now. Let’s face it. This mission is over.”

“It’s not over. I’m not going to give up!”

“I hope you have a good plan.” He snorts. “If it were up to me, I’d pack up and get out of here. It’s only a matter of time before those two squeal and the fascists hunt us down.”

“Good thing that it’s not up to you.” Dadonov interjects.

“Do you really think the five and a half of us are going to hold them off when they come?”

“Shut up!” I hiss when I hear the radio crackle to life with the sound of a phone being picked up.

“Yes, Lieutenant?” The commander’s voice asks.

“Yes, I am aware.” He says after a pause. “Excellent work. How many did you say your men killed again?”

“Seven?” He asks after another brief pause. “Excellent!”

Smirnov wanders off, and I continue to listen.

“Yes, Lieutenant, I am sure your actions will be recognized.”

There’s a long pause.

“Johansson? Schutt?” The commander asks. “Not back yet?”

“Absolutely not.” The commander says sternly. “I’m not going to let you tell me that they let a little girl overpower them! They’re probably out drunk somewhere. The guards will be notified of their absence. They will be back, and when they return, they will clean every latrine in this garrison!”

There is another pause.

“This is on you, Lieutenant. You need to control your men directly! Next time, just shoot the bitch and be done with it!”

The phone slams back on the hook. I take a moment to fill Dadonov in.

“I just wish that there was something that I could do.” He tells me. “I’m worthless… like this.”

“You are not worthless.” I tell him. “You may not be able to shoot, but your legs are still good. There’s still something that you can do for us.”

“What’s that?”

“Get help. Go back and see if you can get us any reinforcements.”

“From where?” He asks. “Fedorov?”

“I guess.” I say with a sigh. “I should have thought this out more.”

“It’s worth a try.” He assures me. “We must act fast. I’ll leave tonight.”

“Good.” Smirnov says happily, rejoining the conversation. “Now that I’m finally in charge, there can be some changes.”

“About that.” Dadonov says, then coughs loud enough to get everyone’s attention. “I am making Tatya squad leader until further notice.”

“That’s bullshit!” Smirnov complains. “I outrank her!”

“Your attitude is bullshit, and I’m pretty sure that everyone will agree.” Dadonov tells him sternly.

“Yeah, you’re an asshole!” I hear Kapustin yell over from the other side of the room.

“Exhibit A.” Dadonov says calmly.

“Fine.” Smirnov agrees begrudgingly. “But if she gets me killed, I’ll track you down and haunt you for the rest of your life.”

“I’m glad that you’re so fond of me, Smirnov.”

The sound of the phone ringing turns every head in the room. Lyudmila approaches and picks it up.

“Yes?” She answers. “Tatyana?”

She turns to us. “It’s him.” She hisses.

“Fucking traitor.” I mumble under my breath.

“Yes, you can talk to her.” She says into the phone, and holds it out for me. I take it from her.

“Hello?”

“Tatyana, it’s me, Fritz.”

“What do you want?” I ask him.

“I want to see you, if that is alright.”

An evil grin crosses my face when an idea floats into my mind.

“It’s alright with me.” I lie to him. “I’d like that.”

“Can I pick you up at six?” He asks me.

“What about seven?” I counter. “I need a little more time to get ready.”

“Seven would be perfect, Tatyana.” He says. “I miss you.”

“I’m excited for our date.” I tell him. “I need to go now, my mother is calling me.”

“Okay, see you at seven?” He asks me.

“Yes.” I tell him. “I’ll be ready.”

I hang the phone up and point to Smirnov and Zhukov with two fingers.

“You two, come with me.” I tell them. “I have a plan.”