Kassian walked with Isaev and Charushkin back toward the yard to gather the other Ocelots. Isaev led the way. The lieutenant looked strung as taut as a bowstring, angry, affronted. Entirely focused on his mission. Even Charushkin, who seemed to be the good-natured sort - when he wasn't singling out Kassian for his ire that was - looked subdued, preoccupied.
In a squad as tight-knit as the Ocelots, Borishnakov's flight came off like a slap in the face.
Brotherhood was inflicted in this squad. Isaev had told him that. Now Kassian saw what he had meant. Once accepted, an Ocelot became a brother for life. To have someone reject that was the greatest insult they could suffer.
They reached the yard where the others gathered, milling like caged panthers. As soon as they saw Isaev they surged forward, rifles clutched in their hands. Some of them looked as angry as Isaev, while others just looked like they were still hungover and spoiling for a fight.
Not a single eye turned in his direction. No one seemed to be questioning his presence.
If there was a benefit to Borishnakov's dereliction, the sniper thought wryly, it was that Kassian now looked good in comparison.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-11-16 04:34 pm (UTC)In a squad as tight-knit as the Ocelots, Borishnakov's flight came off like a slap in the face.
Brotherhood was inflicted in this squad. Isaev had told him that. Now Kassian saw what he had meant. Once accepted, an Ocelot became a brother for life. To have someone reject that was the greatest insult they could suffer.
They reached the yard where the others gathered, milling like caged panthers. As soon as they saw Isaev they surged forward, rifles clutched in their hands. Some of them looked as angry as Isaev, while others just looked like they were still hungover and spoiling for a fight.
Not a single eye turned in his direction. No one seemed to be questioning his presence.
If there was a benefit to Borishnakov's dereliction, the sniper thought wryly, it was that Kassian now looked good in comparison.