The Search For Vladya the Coward

[imre-nico.livejournal.com]

Andrei breathed a sigh of relief as he closed the door behind him.

That had been easy. Pleasant, really.

He wasn't sure why he lacked the instinctive fear of the man that everyone else seemed to carefully carry in a handkerchief. Probably had something to do with being the son of a party member, and growing up seeing far worse beasts.

The Fury was a violent, tormented man. Russia was full of violent, tormented men. He'd seen them all his life- on the streets, in the taverns, in the Palace Square. Beating their wives and daughters, knifing other men in alleys, sodomizing the weaker. Dragging themselves upright in the morning again, to drive his father's car and shine his boots.

Those were broken men. Wounded and furious. Dangerous, certainly, if one was too trusting, or in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But they weren't beasts.

Real beasts were sleek and well-fed, and their wives wore white mink. Real beasts had smiles and platitudes that killed more slowly and painfully than any britva to the gut.

Andrei had been raised by wolves.

It might have made a good folk tale, if not for the lack of a cautionary moral.

Isaev sighed. The scarf was his again. And next time he saw Ilya he'd be wearing it, prominently, so as not to catch hell from his comrade.

Ilya was very sentimental. Especially when he was drunk.

Andrei grinned.

Irinarhov. He'd almost missed spotting the fucker, he was so still and unflinching in his perch.

"Ochi chornoyje," he sang loudly, throwing open his arms. "Ochi krasivy..."

Comments

[andrei-isaev.livejournal.com]

Ocelot's eyes widened at the sight of the crocodile, briefly and then he looked at Borishnakov.

"You did this?"

Before Borishnakov could answer, Andrei interjected.

"Sir, the Lieutenant noted some non-personnel track this morning before duty commenced, and followed it, assuming it was a...scientific defector. He came across this gavial with the missing scientist in its jaws, and shot to kill."

He paused, letting Ocelot look the animal over.

"The man will be all right, and we thought perhaps the crocodile could be tomorrow's solyanka. Since we have her, and Charushkin can cook." He grinned.

Then he turned to look at Borishnakov, remembering that Ocelot would be looking to come down on the AWOL Ocelot like a ton of bricks.

"So Major, Lt. Borishnakov is not guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer, but merely overzealous judgment in the commission of those duties. He is duly apologetic, and meant only to prove himself a valuable asset to his new squad."

Ocelot tilted his head, smirking.

"Well, then we'll skip the brig, in light of this lesser offense." He scowled at Borishnakov sidewise. "It was still an inconvenience. But a few hours of desk duty should teach you a lesson. Assigned to the East Wing as Major Raikov's personal assistant, that is."

Isaev grinned and cringed, as did Charushkin, and he thought even Irinarhov shot him a wry crinkle of his eyes that suggested amusement.

It could have been much worse, but an afternoon in Raikov's company could prove plenty harrowing. Many of them had been there.

Ocelot's eyes slatted coolly as he cocked the gun in his hand and spun it.

"Nice lizard," he added. "Haul it out of here. I don't want to see it again in this form."

[capt-kasya.livejournal.com]

"Yes, Major," the Ocelots said, saluting. A group of them moved forward to wrangle the crocodile in the direction of the mess hall. Charushkin went with them.

As the group began to break up, Kassian turned to Isaev. "Good call," he murmured, shifting his gaze to Borishnakov for a moment.

Even though he'd been irritated at Borishnakov earlier, Kassian thought that if the junior lieutenant had the presence of mind to shoot a rampaging crocodile, he probably would find the stones to continue with the Ocelots.

Sure, it had been a mistake, but maybe Borishnakov had learned his lesson.

After all, Kassian was a firm believer in second chances.

"What now?" he asked Isaev. He still did not have the squad's routine down, and besides, the search for Borishnakov had neatly broken it. It was probably too late to deal with the medical procedures. That could be handled tomorrow.

Ocelot seemed disinclined to issue orders, but instead twirled his guns and looked contemplative.

Kassian regarded Isaev's youthful, well-cut features and watched those reflective, pale eyes. "Any more accessory extractions on the itinerary today?"

[andrei-isaev.livejournal.com]

"Now might be a good time to show Isaev how to fire a fucking gun," observed Ocelot, mildly, looking at his own and clicking the trigger meaningfully.

He smirked.

"That is, if you're not too busy."

Andrei glanced at Irinarhov and nodded.

"What do you say?" he said. "I'm willing if you are. And I tend to be a pretty apt pupil."