The big iron bucket for bathing that Commissar Petrov arranged for Malashenko was actually made of a used-up iron bucket for diesel...
After taking a good soak in the diesel barrel, Malashenko didn't realize anything was wrong until he came out. He was just taking off his clothes and jumping in without noticing it for a moment. Malashenko, who looked disgusted, suddenly felt as if something was stuck to his body.
There is a thick layer of diesel, although the barrel does look very clean...
"Why is it just a barrel of diesel? I deal with this crap diesel every day, and I don't even let me go on vacation. What kind of evil have I done!?"
Malashenko, who was still complaining but still unable to express his hatred, couldn't help but subconsciously put a little force on the bucket and kicked it. However, he forgot that he was not wearing any shoes at this moment and kicked it with his bare feet.
It's really quite painful.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck! My feet! Damn your diesel, fuck!"
At the same time, two communications staff officers passing by the bathroom door also noticed something unusual.
"Did you hear something just now? Was someone shouting something in the bathroom?"
"...It sounds like it's Comrade Brigadier. I think it's better not to open the door and go in. Comrade Brigadier went back on vacation today and must be taking a shower inside now."
"Oh, I really envy Comrade Brigadier. I also want to take a leave to go home and see my mother."
"I think we should wait until Comrade Brigade Commander comes back. Comrade Political Commissar will not approve your vacation. Now is the busiest time for the brigade headquarters. There are many things to be counted every day and a lot of help is needed."
The two young staff officers chatting without saying a word walked further and further away. Malashenko, who had put on a new suit of clothes, was already standing in front of the mirror and began to tidy up his last appearance before departure.
All the medals I have received so far have been pinned up, and the weight hanging on my chest is indeed very heavy.
But the most eye-catching thing among them is undoubtedly the Hero of the Soviet Union medal. Its shining golden appearance is very attractive just by looking at it in front of the mirror.
Malashenko, who became more and more happy as he watched, smiled with satisfaction. He took his large-brimmed military hat from the clothes rack on the side, put it on the top of his forehead, carefully adjusted the position, and then released his hands.
The hunk in the mirror is indeed a talented person, extremely handsome. Although the tall man of 1.9 meters was quite aggrieved when he was in the tank, at this moment he is the most handsome and handsome man in the world.
"That's it, let's go!"
Malashenko, who was wearing handsome new clothes, first went back to the second floor to say goodbye to Political Commissar Petrov and others, then strolled outside for a while and checked on the situation of the troops. Lavrinenko, who had just returned, happened to be there too.
Seeing Malashenko in regular uniform and wearing a lot of medals, Lavrinenko, who almost didn't recognize him, couldn't help but sigh.
"It seems that my fiancée is more important. I even took out the new clothes that I have been hiding and reluctant to wear. I have never seen you wearing this set of clothes before."
Lavrinenko often had "awkward chats" with Malashenko on weekdays. Malashenko, who knew his old classmate well, also picked up the conversation and replied.
"Do you still want me to show you new clothes? If you can turn into a beautiful girl, I can wear them, but it's a pity that you can't change in this life."
"Hahaha!"
The people watching all this in a relaxed and happy mood burst into laughter. Comrade Brigadier and Deputy Brigade Commander always have joy when they are together.
Lavrinenko gave Malashenko a big bear hug before saying goodbye for the last time. Lavrinenko also patted Malashenko on the shoulder before saying goodbye. He was sincerely happy that Malashenko could come home to see him.
"When you get back, remember to say hello to Natalia for me. I haven't seen her for many years since I was a student, so I wish her to always be as beautiful as she was when she was 18."
Malashenko, who also looked serious, nodded, and then spoke quietly again as if he suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, don't you take the time to go home and take a look? If I remember correctly, you shouldn't have been home for a year."
Facing Malashenko's question, Lavrinenko shook his head, with a smile on his lips.
"It's impossible for the brigade commander and deputy brigade commander to go home on vacation at the same time, right? At least one person must stay on duty. Let's talk about my affairs after you come back. You can finish your own affairs first."
Malashenko, who thought this was right, nodded, and after shaking hands with all the comrades on duty in the brigade headquarters one by one, he grabbed his luggage bag, turned around and left, disappearing into the corridor leading to the first floor.
In the stairwell.
The driver responsible for driving Malashenko away was still Iushkin.
When Malashenko walked out of the door on the first floor with a luggage bag in his hand, Iushkin, who parked his car at the door, immediately sat in the driver's seat and waved to Malashenko.
"Hey! Comrade Commander, this way!"
Following the direction of the sound, Malashenko turned his head and immediately saw the figure of Iushkin and the white Willys Jeep.
"Comrade Political Commissar asked you to see me off? Didn't he tell you where I should take the train?"
Malashenko, who opened the car door and got into the passenger seat, still didn't know where to take the train. Maybe it was because he had been spoiled by Commissar Petrov and lost his ability to take care of himself, but Malashenko, who only cared about the war,
But he didn't realize that he had a comrade, the political commissar, who handled almost all the complicated affairs for him. He just felt that life was as usual and everything was business as usual.
However, what Malashenko did not expect was that the means of transportation he wanted to take this time was not a train. The attentive political commissar directly brought him a plane! Although it was just a drop-in.
"Go to Pitomnik Airport, Comrade Commander! Since it was recaptured by our Red Army, the runway has been leveled, the debris has been cleared, and it is restored to use as soon as possible. So far, frontline bombers and transport aircraft can take off and land, and fighter jets are no problem.
."
"Comrade Comrade Political Commissar told me that there will be a special flight to Moscow at 12 noon. He has contacted us in advance and the notification is in place. Above are some people who have returned to Moscow to report on their work and take vacation. We can just make it, and there is still time.
Very abundant!”
Malashenko, who originally thought he would take a tanker truck to go home, never expected to be so lucky as to catch a plane, and his gratitude to Comrade Political Commissar really increased a lot.
"This is great, it can save a lot of time. I was originally thinking about bringing a few books to kill time on the train, but it seems I won't have to do that now."
"Who says it's not the case? Comrade Commander, you must thank Comrade Political Commissar."
"Yes, you have to do this, but you have to wait until I come back..."
The two brothers Malashenko and Iushkin, who were chatting and laughing, sat on the Willys Jeep and disappeared in a flash.
It was at this time that Anya, who had arrived late and still knew nothing about Malashenko's escape, had just hurried to the second floor of the brigade headquarters and met the political commissar who was about to eat something to cushion his stomach.