"It is getting pretty cold." "Where are you getting cold, eh?" "Mishanya!" " Leave me alone!" "I awfully respect you." "Judge foryourself." "What makes a man happy during the war?" "What?" " Look." "To stay awayfrom bullets, to have a good nap and a hearty meal." "Yes.To receive a letter." " That's true." "Stepa!" "What?" "What do you think..." " l'm not thinking now, I'm drinking tea." "There is no happiness at war." " Nobody has asked foryour opinion, man." "You are too young." "I'm leaving in 30 minutes.Will you take a bath?" "Then get ready." "No, I'm not going to take a bath." "I'm no bloody Onegin." "What?" "Can you tell me for sure when we are going out on a mission?" "Does your ex-con soul long for some action?" "You can not even kill a hen and you talk about missions." "I had no knife then." "When I'm armed, I'll do anything." "Stepa!" "What?" "Could you demonstrate to him how prisoners are taken?" "OK. I'll pretend to be a sentinel... and you'll attack me from behind." "lt's a risky exercise, man." "Take care!" " Do not be afraid." "Stepa will survive my attack." "I'm not anxious about him, I worry about you." "You may get bruised." "Nowwhat?" "Well, did you take this prisoner?" "You really know some tricks!" " ls yourwar over?" "Over." " l'll teach you how to use all these tricks against me, an ex-con asshole!" "It is not a real trick." "A pal taught me this move in prison." "Let me go!" "Let me go!" " Let him go!" "Ifyou do it again, you're dead." "Platoon!" "Stand up!" "Attention!" "At ease!" "Are you teaching the young ones again?" "Yes, we are, comrade corporal." "Well, listen to the battle order." "Tomorrow at 02:40 Odintsov's battalion will perform a battle recon mission at our hill." "Ourtask is to get as close as possible and disclose all alien firing positions." "ls it clear?" "Yes, completely." "Malakhov!" "You are assigned to Sergeant Pozdneeva." "What for?" " Too much hot air, my charmed one." "Ok, but I'm still wondering why she chose me." "She needs a mate." "The perfidious enemy is licking up his wounds during this temporary pause." "but very soon he'll feel the total punitive might ofthe strike of our Red Army led by its Commander-in-Chief Comrade JosefVissarionovich Stalin." "Our entire people is watching you, comrades..." "One more decisive blow and the enemywill be at ourfeet." "Are there any questions?" " No, what questions?" "Everything is clear." "No questions." "Comrade lieutenant, are you going to take this paperwith you" "Can we keep it forfurther study?" "OK, But I'll cut the editorial column out." "I have to make more presentations in other units." "Yes, we believe you.Why not?" " Folks, I'm not a smoker." "Pay some respect to us, comrade political officer." " Ok, I'll take one." "Thanks." "Ivan Semenovich, where are Party membership application forms?" "You'll have them later." "lt is all the same again. I'm getting tired ofwaiting." "Have you seen my application?" "There are references attached to it." "Your application has been discussed, but the Party Committee members decided to wait." "We'll return to it afterthe offensive is over." "Where will I look forthese Party committee members afterthis offensive?" "Exactly." " Listen, stop croaking, man." "l'm listening to you, comrade Bessonov." " l've already given an explanation." "I would havejoined the Party gladly, but I've been baptised. I'm a believer." "lt seems to be quiet." " Let's wait." "Will this show start soon?" "Yes, pretty soon." "I used to feel the sniper's look on my spine during the Finnish campaign." "The feeling made us freeze." "Although they paid more attention to officers." "We soldiers were less alluring forthem." "Listen, it seems to me that my dad was buried in the vicinity ofthis hill." "What made you make such a guess?" " The place is called Zabolotye, isn't it?" "Yes." " This is where he was killed during World War I." "Afellow villager came back from that war and told us that it happened near a city of Kaza, a marsh, a small river." "Everything seems to fit the description." "I neverthought I'd find his grave." "And if it is true, eh?" "The family's fate has brought me to this hill..." "There are a few mortar squads to the south ofthese pines." "The distance is about 400 meters." "No, it looks more like 500." "5 machine gun slots 30 meters awayfrom the hillock" "Are theyto the right to to the left of it?" " To the right." "OK, Germans, show more to us!" "Two more slots to the left ofthe hillock." " l got it." "Well, writers, are you working?" "Yes, we do, but there is not much to write about." "There is some dug-out there." "This is not some dug-out, but a full-scale communication point." "What's to the right?" "To the right, we see the cannon fire." "Are these cannons ortanks?" "Well, shit, there really are some Tigertanks." "Our people must be having a hard time." "The prisoner seems to have told the truth." "lt seems so." " 2,3,4,5,6,7,9!" "Two more!" "Hell, it is quite a number!" "Well, scouts!" "This has to be checked." "l'll check." " Come on." "Folks!" "Dear!" "You, in the trenches!" "is anybody alive here?" "Respond, anybody!" "Here I am." "Have you seen this?" "These Tigertanks are made ofwood." "And theirteeth have long been covered with rust." "It was my dad, Vanya." "My dad." "Now I knowthat." "Kolya Malakhov, get up!" "What for?" " l need some help." "Please take a spade." "What do we need a spade for?" "A spade?" "To dig the earth, Kolya!" "Come on, help me." "What's up, Nikolai?" "ls it here?" "Where?" "Next to the dig-out." "He used to be a scout." "The place is dry here, it looks like a hillock." "Whom did you bury?" " My dad." "Well, come on." "Are you surprised, mayor?" "It means that everything except for the comm point and a fewfiring slots is a mock-up made ofwood." "A mock-up frontline." " Exactly." "What about mortars?" "Are they made ofwood too?" "No, the mortars, machine-gun slots and cannons are genuine." "Ifwe considerthe terrain and the water spaces here and there, the firepower is enough... to extinguish a batallion," "But not enough to stop the entire offensive, do you mean that?" "What's wrong again?" "What are you worried about this time?" "There is no such thing as a mock-up frontline." "Ifwe see wood here..." "There must be some metal as well." " lt is the same thing all over again!" "If "ifs" and "whens" were pots and pens..." "The offensive here has been confirmed bythe HQ ofthe front and we can not cancel it." "But we'll burythe whole regiment here!" "Do not teach me lessons here!" " l do not." "I've gone through all that before!" "They haven't had the time to replace it!" " Really!" "Samsonov!" "Mayor Samsonov reporting." "Replace it!" "Quickly!" "Yes, sir!" "He is about to replace it." " Have a smoke." "What is there on your mind?" " Thanks." "Tell me." " First, we witness all distinctive signs of a trap." "And ifthere is a mousetrap, there is a wayto deceive it." "There is no better place forthat than this hill." "I've already heard that." "Second, my scouts took a prisoner who clearlyfed us false data." "Why?" "He knewthat we'd check it and find out that the hill seems not to represent any imminent danger." "What ifthe Germans knew about the exact time ofthe offensive and were going to covertly pull their shock troops out to the hill bythe time it begins?" "The front intelligence units reported that somewhere here deep in the German defence... there were mobile reserve tank units." "The Germans are not so strong as they used to be in 1941, so they gather all theirforces into one fist." "How much time do you think they need to get to Hill 89?" "Well, ifthe road is good, it'll take them not more than two hours." "OK, tomorrowwe are going tojump into this boiler." "May I come in?" " Oh, it is you finally, Ivan Semenovich." "Come in." "The oven is fuming all the time, it is really hard to breathe. I do not knowwhat to do." "Can you help us?" "It is a nightmare." "Can you see that?" "Yes." "Look." " lt should go that way." "Ivan Semenovich, may I go out for a second?" "No problem." " Could you watch the communications as well?" "Everything is simple here." "Look, you simply press this button." "OK." " Then this one." "And then the red one." "That's all." "Do you follow me?" " Press this button, that one and the red one." "OK, daughter, go out and do not worry." "Fedorischev, Karapetyan, all the others - get into the truck!" "Asya!" " Grisha, what a look you have!" "ls it good?" " No, it isn't." "Well..." "Did you manage to have some meal?" "Surely, well." "Honestly I do not remember..." "Oh, my dissolute one, let's go, I'll warm something up." "Aren't you on duty?" " There is a replacement." "Let's go." "Saidov, stay here." "Sidorenko!" "Why are you silent?" "Yeah, this hill has to be stormed." "The timing is the key." "Ifwe delaythe Germans by a half an hour or more, that'll solve the problem..." "They'll face the encirclement." "How many people will you assign to the attack, mayor?" "I won't let you burythe whole regiment here." "I agree." "The Germans are not to be worried right now." "And I'll send my scout companythere." "Yes, I will." "What yes?" "They'll be there." "Who will be?" "Malyutin and his people." " Malyutin?" "Do you mean the guywho killed the saboteurs?" " That very Malyutin." "He isjust a boy, you know such people." "But a verytalented one." "Will you issue such an order?" "Yes, I will." "Because you'll give it to me." "And the orders are not to be discussed." "OK, it is all hot talk." "We might tryto find some other solution." "In any case, I'm not going to bury my people for peanuts." "Comrade colonel..." "What?" "A new one." "The former one was better." "OK. I'll help you if I can." "You know everything will be assigned to this breakthrough." "Please, pass overto your Malyutin my request. lt is not an order." "Which one?" " He should survive." "It is burning, Ivan Semenovich!" "Thanks a lot." "Did you feed your man?" "Well, he is worse than a kid." "Are the communication lines all right?" "Communications?" "It is all right with the communications." "Thanks." "lf anything goes wrong, call me." " Good luck to you." "Are you the charmed one?" "Yes, I am." "l want to get married so much." " To get married?" "No, not me." "Mytime is ahead." "Do you have a beloved one?" " lt is a secret." "We plan not a wedding, but a farewell party." "And I seem to be ready to marry any stranger." "Malakhov!" "Take it!" "Yes, sir!" "Go to our positions quickly." "I'll followyou." "I will not lose a drop." "Your security officer captain Shulgin visited me and asked a lot of questions." "It is hisjob." "The war is around." "We are in the front line." "I see." "He asked who frequented my house." "What did you say?" "There are different visitors." "You, folks, are among them." " He knows about that anyway." "I did not tell him any names,God forbid!" "I'm a Russian,Vanya." "That's how it is." "That's what I thought." "Welcome to the table." "Everything this house can offer." "You are welcome." "I'm Markel Andronov." "I was born in the Tambov region." "In 1920 I served in the Tukhachevsky army and was taken as a prisoner under Byalostok." "Herfathertook me from the camp to work for him." "We made love with her here, in the haystack." "Oh, Virgin Mary, do not mention it." "And when she got pregnant, I had to become a Catholic and marry her." "When her parents died, I became the master ofthe farm." "Now I'm Pan Marek." "Have you evertold this to anyone else?" " No, just to you only." "Listen, if Shulgin finds that out, he'll get you from underthe ground!" "He's got me already." "Listen, Vanya, may be I should go to him myself, shouldn't I?" "Should I confess sicerely until it is not too late?" "The powerwill be yours now." " Everything looks that way." "I will not come empty-handed." "I can bring a barrel of vodka." "I hid it in the basement before the war." "A 60-gallon barrel." "He'll confiscate your amazing barrel without you." "Sit here quietly." "Vanya, I'll get you acquiainted with some folks." "Which folks?" " From the Vlasov units." "What for?" "The Germans made them set all the minefields here." "They know all the passages and easily get to my house." "They either stay awayforweeks or visit us every other day." "So introduce them to Shulgin." "It is his business." "Shulgin will execute them." "And you are a scout." "Aren't you afraid to offer such things to me?" " No, I'm not." "Why?" "You a real man, Vanya." "They are traitors, do you understand that?" "Traitors." "I'm a traitor as well." "Have you ever shot at ourtroops?" " Never." "Can I have yourword of honor on that?" "Yes, you can." "Do not tell anyone about that." "Think about saving your own life." "is there anyone to feel pity for us when these boys kill us?" "Maryska, my niece." "Her parents were executed when yourtroops came in 1939." "She has the pneumonia." "We treat her in all possible ways." "But she'd better be taken to a hospital." "Where is she?" " Overthere." "Was it what you wanted to tell me?" "Yes." "Let's go." "Oh, Lord." "Why are you keeping her here?" "At this time everyone is hiding theiryoung maidens." "She has to be taken to the hospital." "OK, I'll send Mikhail over." "Do you recognize this buffoon?" "Yes, it is the guywho used to dance around with an officer's cap on." "Do not shoot." "Let's playwith him." "Wait!" "The onlything l do not need now is a bullet in my back." "What a bastard." "Can you imagine that I was shot at bythis sniper again." "He has made a hole in my vodka canister." "Not much of a marksman." "But the remains ofthis vodka seem to be inside you." " l hate losing such good things to the wind." "Do not breathe myway." "Wow!" "Well, some people are charmed against bullets and some -for luck." "Right?" "Do not worry, Olya." "What are you talking about?" "It is a question oftime." "We'll kill him, be it me or not." "lt is a question oftime." "What are you talking about?" "And you?" "About this sniper." "Have you swallowed some gas as well?" " This was a gas canister, after all." "Where is it?" " Overthere. lt has a hole in it." "I long for a drink right now!" "Did the canister remain in place afterthe shot?" "I'm not so stupid as to carry it here afterthe shot. I was underthe fire." "I ask you again." "Did it remain in place?" "Yes, itjustjumped up a little bit." "Where is that place?" " On the road to the farm of Marek." "Do you want me to showthe place to you?" " No, I'll find it myself." "Listen, and why did you take me?" " l did what?" "Why did you take me as a mate?" " l like your looks." "Do you?" "Listen, I can marryyou." "I need a woman like you who is serious and beautiful." "Eh?" "Let's go." "We have no more business here fortoday." "You smell medicine." "It resembles some perfume." "Asya and I helped to bandage the wounded." "You know, there are so manywounded people." "lt is a war after all." "Yes." " Everything is all right." "You know I was going to face a real war." "I prepared myselffor hardships or even death." "And we live in the headquarters like in paradise." "We sleep on beds." "As ifthere were no war around." "We drink milk, listen to birds, walk around with boys like you." "Everything is as usual, do you understand?" "The offensive is to start soon." " Really?" "Olya, can I have a look in the gunsight?" "You'll survive without that." "You know, Kolya, a real marksman never makes two shots from the same place." "And this guy does everything the otherway." "He way not be a real ace after all." " No, he is." "He seems to play hide-and-seek with me." "He seems to say:" "" lfyou are smart - look for me." "He must have about five secure firing positions here." "This one is the fourth one." "And your canister shot was made from the last one." "What?" " Forthe first time you..." "What?" "You smiled..." "At last. I see his position." "Where is he?" "At last orthe life was becoming boring.." "Where is he?" "Look at the neutral strip in this direction." "Why isn't he making any shots?" " He does not shoot because he is an ace." " OK, he will not hide from us." "We'll get him afterthe sun moves to the right position." "There are about 20 minutes left." "And what?" "The sun will get a little bit lower." "And what?" "Have patience and you'll see." " Listen, let me get out with the cap on." "Wearing this cap?" "Stay quiet." "He will not hit me." "And if he makes a shot, you'll fire." "Remain seated." "He knows your cap." "Why am I sweating in it?" " l dunno." "What are you doing?" "Were you fond of playing with sun reflections in your childhood?" "Surely." "So I recall my childhood." "At about one the reflection will get directly into his eyes." "And we'll see what he does." "If he shoots," "He'll think I'm dead." "Why did you become so silent?" "Hey!" "Go on talking." "I feel merrierthat way." "It is this buffoon again!" "Let him go away." "Get away." " OK, guys, off I go." "Go away!" "What crap they consume!" "When he comes to his senses, he'll take us directlyto her." "Do you still think a lady sniper is after us?" "This sucker smells of a woman." "A lucky one." "Bitches!" "Dirty scum!" "Smelly beasts!" "I'll tearyou to pieces." "You thought you'd finished Malakhov off!" "Up yours!" "Dirty scum!" "Beasts." "Up yours." "Fuck you." "Get down!" "Mines!" "Get down!" "Mines!" "Get down!" "Where are you going?" "Get down!" "Come here, I'll kill you." "I'll kill you." "Olya!" "Olya!" "You are alive!" "Alive, Olenka!" "What a fool you are!" "What a fool!" "You are alive. I'll tearthem to pieces." "To pieces!" "What a fool!" "Alive!" "Sucker!" "What's wrong?" "Windbag!" " Calm down, everything is all right." "Get lost!" "I do not want to see you here again." "Listen, why did not you shoot?" " l was not going to." "He must think I'm dead." " lt's one ofthe tricks ofthis trade." "What's that?" "Did you summon me, comrade mayor?" "Yes I did." "The talk is to remain between you and me only." "The Malyutin company is to be reinforced with experienced soldiers" " but there remained veryfew ofthem, right?" "Yes, sir." "So you'll augment the companywith the ones who have already been sentenced." " ls everything clearto you?" "Yes, everything is clear." "But I do not have the right to fulfil your order." " Theywill be sent on a mission that will nicely replace a firing squad." "You know perfectlywell, Sergei Pavlovich, who can give me such orders..." "Damn the rules!" "You have changed a lot recently, comrade mayor!" "I'm sending my best soldiers out to this mission" "We have been fighting side by side forthree years." "Should I feel pityfor some criminal scum?" "To make a long story short, do you have such people?" " Surely." "How many?" " 11 people." "Eleven." "I take all ofthem." " No, there is no wayto take all 11." " Captain, I hate repeating my requests." "Sergei Pavlovich, you do not have the slightest idea who they are." "Two deserters, three military criminals... who started a drunk fight and gave a beating to the duty officer." "There is one rapist and a maraudeer." "These two have capital punishment sentences." "So go and tell them that their Motherland gives them their last chance... to wash their shane offwith their blood." "That's all." "Filfil this order." "May I ask you a question?" " Come on." "is lieutenant Malyutin guilty of anything?" "Why should he be?" "Otherwise you wouldn't be sending him out on such a mission." "I do not have any information on that man." "It is very good that you do not." "And do you have any information on me?" "Answer quickly!" "You have gone huts, accountant..." "Get outa here!" "You'll rememberthis day!" "That's how it is, brother." "Do you understand the assignment?" "Yes, sir." "ls the mission possible?" " lfwe were given this mission, it is possible." "Do you understand what all this might end with?" "If everything is all right, I'll get the USSR Hero Star." "Posthumously." "No, everything is all right, comrade mayor." "Everything is OK." "Everything is all right." "is the line from the Chapayev movie?" "And I'm not good at singing." "Neither am I." "Join in." "And I do not know any more lines." " Neither do I." "Still go on singing." "Let's go overthe same line again."