Steel Soviet Union

Whether seven years is long or short depends on how a person lives and how he understands and feels about life.

Malashenko, who has been in the position of commander of the East German cluster for seven years, never thought that he would have this "seven-year itch".

The enthusiasm that lasted for quite some time when he took office is no longer there, replaced by endless longing for his family members whom he has not seen again in seven years.

Malashenko, who stood by the window and let out a long breath, still held the rank of general on his shoulders, and was looking at the Brandenburg Gate, which was not too far away from the outside, and at the Parliament Building, which was also within his sight.

Recalling every bit of the battles that I and my comrades fought here 19 years ago, I seem to still be able to see the bright victory flag flying high on the roof of the building.

Tuk-tuk-tuk——

"Please come in."

Malashenko's thoughts were brought back to reality and he turned around from the window. The person who entered the commander's office in front of him was Iushkin, whom he had not seen for a long time. He looked more like a lieutenant general than before. The gunner is even more impressive.

He raised his hand to signal Iushkin to avoid unnecessary red tape, and then took the initiative to come to the capable general under his command. He looked up and down and patted Iushkin's arm, and found that he was not shaken at all. Only then did Malashenko smile and speak.

"Okay, it seems that these days in Poland have not worn you out. You are more energetic than before."

Faced with the generous praise from the former veteran commander, Iushkin, who was a little embarrassed, just scratched the back of his head and laughed.

"It is an honor and a great pleasure for me to return to the leadership army and your command again, Comrade Commander."

"Um"

Malashenko, who nodded silently, did not say anything directly, but kept staring at Iushkin until Iushkin himself felt a little nervous before he slowly spoke.

"Suddenly I can't hear you being as talkative as before. I'm still a little uncomfortable with it. Maybe you should continue to talk nonsense with me and let me relive old memories."

Malashenko has never forgotten that Iushkin talked a lot of nonsense when he entered the battlefield a long time ago, and did not stop talking when he left the battlefield. In short, no matter whether it is on or off the battlefield, he has an old habit of not being able to keep his mouth busy.

After the passage of time, when the old commander said this, Iushkin, who knew what kind of virtue he was back then, became even more embarrassed. He didn't look like a tank corps lieutenant general at all, and he could only giggle.

Malashenko, who no longer dwelled on these trivial matters, immediately smiled and signaled.

"Come, sit here, sit down and talk."

After they were seated one after another, Malashenko, who started talking about business, spoke slowly.

"You should already know what appointment the superior is teasing you about, right?"

Hearing this, Iushkin nodded.

"Yes, Comrade Commander, I have received the written appointment document from the Commander of the Leading Army before I came here. But to be honest, leading such a force full of merit and glory makes me feel even more stressed. Sometimes I even They all doubt whether they are qualified for this position.”

Although the title of "Stalin" has been gone for many years, those veteran soldiers and old comrades who fought under the banner of the Leader's Army are still accustomed to using the title "Leader's Army" instead of the "Leader's Army", which naturally includes Ma Rashenko and Iushkin.

After seeing Iushkin's somewhat unconfident expression, Malashenko responded with understanding and encouraged him while nodding slowly.

"The key to this kind of thing is to believe in yourself, Iushkin. Believe that you can do it, and then you can do it."

"Not only do I trust you, but Kulbalov and Lavrinenko also believe that there is nothing wrong with you. This is our unanimous opinion and consensus."

"I have carefully read your resume report in the Standing Wave Cluster. It is very excellent. This report alone is convincing enough for you to take up your current position. To be honest, I even feel that I am not responsible for it. You were delayed. If you had been released to command the troops earlier during the war, you would probably be much more than that now, maybe already a general or even higher."

Before Malashenko finished speaking, Iushkin, who was about to say something, inadvertently noticed a magazine lying on the coffee table at hand.

Not a Soviet magazine, but an English magazine.

With the East Berlin front lines next door being hostile, this was no big deal, just commonplace.

With Malashenko's power and position, it is even easier to obtain and read these Western magazines, and no one has an excuse to accuse or say anything.

But the pattern on the cover of the magazine firmly attracted Iushkin's attention like a magnet, and he could hardly move his eyes away.

"Comrade Commander, this is"

"Huh? Oh, this was made by the Americans, and they were just sent to me not long ago. It has always been their specialty to make such ridiculous things, and this time is no exception."

As he spoke, he picked up the magazine on the coffee table and motioned to Iushkin. Malashenko, who was speechless at first when he saw this thing, now only laughed.

The magazine itself is quite famous, and it is famous globally, not just in one country or region.

Malashenko also did not expect that one day he would become the cover of Time magazine, and in such a satirical and parody-like form.

"It has been the seventh year since the East German Emperor, the most dangerous man in the Soviet Union, came to his loyal East Germany."

After subsequent studies, Iushkin, who can now also understand English, slowly read out the title and postscript on the cover of the magazine word for word, and then looked at the cover with the Capitol Building flying the victory flag as the background. portrait of Malashenko.

Iushkin, who was both amused and speechless, could only shake his head.

"These Americans will make up such fictitious things that have no practical significance at all. The more they do this, the more it explains the fear in their hearts and what they are afraid of. Only people who are truly afraid of something will keep going back and forth. Talk about it.”

Instead of continuing what Iushkin said, Malashenko, who had more important things on the agenda, changed the subject and went straight to the topic.

"Next month we will conduct a live-fire confrontation exercise with East German troops at the tank training ground in Dresden. But this is not a deterrent or some kind of warning of war, but a military exchange to promote mutual trust between the East and the West. The purpose It’s about reducing the risk of war.”

"The commander from the west will also be there to observe. Like me, he has been in the same position for seven years."

"This live-fire confrontation exercise will be played by the leading army. You have less than a month to prepare, so be sure to hurry up. Wittmann's 7th Tank Division will participate in the East German side. This It's their most elite tank unit."

"Wittmann will use all his strength to deal with you. This is what I ask. Likewise, you must use all your strength. Of course, there is no need to be too psychologically pressured. This is not a must-win battle. The exercise has no other meaning than military exchanges and discussions, just do what you should do.”