Yelena squinted as Lena responded in English, as if narrowing her eyes would help her understand. The next response led to a curt nod. [Language unknown: "Aditho k herbuture, llee."] Unlike Lena's well-practiced accent that was likely tied to one particular town somewhere in the Reich, Yelena's was rough and obviously spoken by one foreign to these lands.

She gestured generally toward the work Lena was attempting. [Language unknown: "A esna heek, be thi? Heilenad ssmistee iv stlat ta ekbut vir."] The sniper moved closer and held out a hand. [Language unknown: "Ca, lar Ce Menoulwit. Ceca stwa...Onshathou? O Ecpl'ntti?"] For her part, the Soviet sniper seemed to take good care of her rifle and her uniform was properly worn.

"[Language unknown: Os isne Eraalllar na thitte o!]" Lena clapped in triumph.  With the offer made, she placed her apron in the extended hand.  "[Language unknown: Eennotrutnde.  Constasanshevorkor st pe tidietal, nipl er nehiul aststiine rutaveugh hawas inhi.]"  She answered cheerily.  "[Language unknown: Thu Ut a Ri, toun chis O thaprekor forma a usun, O comtraint thasetast compa whe beted ma m ofususecou?]"

It was a joke, again, not a very good one.  Lena had become surprisingly adept with needle and thread, not that she'd been inept with them before, but between Bad Arthur's constantly deteriorating uniforms (she shuddered, she did not like thinking about him)  "[Language unknown: M siri prni m Ngpeusecti pl plsa nonati ingse N ti u pre me ugh.  Trom arfi ortti e areredfor, he Ti besero ulpr thofo illfo onutev ai ensa arcaer thuresder.  Lo uretil derti re.  Oul Et her i placfi ure cala.]

She gestured at a small pile with an unlikely Luger pistol, filched from a dying patient's personal effects, a very short pen and pencil tied together with a piece of elastic, a compact, a curious locket, a set of lockpicks, an electric torch, a nearly depleted tube of lipstick Lena had modified to contain a carefully coiled scrap of paper, and something very thin wrapped in wax paper.  Where she had kept it all in that nurse uniform was a matter of some personal discomfort.  She was oddly bright about it and seemed eager someone would assist her.  But she had just been pulled out of deep cover among Nazis for years on end.


"[Language unknown: Sti P thu eenartiou e verratoulour urted der ivepretio wa u red.  Ie, aveni Ne neand paadcepl oltra as omewhions k antstiset u Ur p p strli ho utprio ar bleencica ncstri latthibut wainhe wasre menstitedant nccaca a hoic.]"  The simple omission or change of a cosmetic (well, you had to be careful with that in Nazi Germany, you technically weren't supposed to wear any which rather meant you had to wear it with great skill) or a different hair style and the right set of clothes was a much better disguise than commonly realized.  And that gave her an idea.

"[Language unknown: Ut.  N thi ut somee er omeila aithi?  Io weout menfi con nd ti herwhethe.]"

Yelena took the offered apron and adopted a similar cheerfulness to her response. [Language unknown: "Un m ha pa no lat Tioiv. In n tamo oulsheoultinpre, resine i tedingour ousughaveort. Ecos ssnot tealca arpr. El hi ilecio ec str taom k ven ni?"]

She looked at the indicated uniform with a nod. [Language unknown: "N thepe monc estastkor ut laiv elmono, pr one ce ou ek he?"] The blonde gestured with a thumb towards her back. Her brow furrowed as she tried to tactfully point out something to the nurse. [Language unknown: "Be con pe linineles conredlat...korthufor polo iockbe tedhouoventi and ughpe is ma intevesan elil lotha u iouithble. Nteiththe P ingur wil ie vorstr-allvir eeei isle?"]

The final question did bring a smile to Yelena's lips. [Language unknown: "Pa ri, T vente ugheauout as. O ic re vireenere Uloftr pre le ou stsi litrck. Lin lebut tra. N ill ingonewit. E...naolev tero ti mipro ic ainanttio Onsestthiratred ng any ainounint K meinta?"]

Konnikov shrugs. [Language unknown: "Ivle com paaies wh ne Sethouare Formenred. Om pa n Hisestove wilal Chchom Wilthered. N seha en staingich ulac chalic wi il ons ni inpa nd urlin ca adou ha theur ndsece ughectugh. Ol thutioted ain estng osce ni. Es ate lahe ur cepaie ha blenceany ar eenounain but, di i ng ofofnt ilof staillica. Io ckonfo ekwiai ingsa thahatsom t iewiut prese wilrutthu tindaydin k of Her Sta stic all ainonesomset trwhll."
]

He waits for Sykes to finish his translation, then continues: [Language unknown: "Isss lesillour, k verderwer, ate sesa ivar our an eauallhasers nene manus pr yinromter pl in pe ulna, Etckal. Tertr His Dernc ni t hamiec wi lathatcon res et ar omwa not ortsetion i est any poro. Oun Stiwa Le a hatad p p les onslinvenone icev fibe Ineratund, erlafi ncie. Ieusle no wilatiast tinreaers ure st seca sonverovethi utur ers liil eau tin thithired stitrable a virbuttio."]
He smiles, thinly.

"[Language unknown: Us llng as ce ivho thu fo t liin, Ilnt thuatebut i isas moons ai sheainent p ashas A mackic ma latwe eauichnce rofona.  Ntut I iollre antineica m pre ect, on etpo ndtelo p o lat, A illaom peanoscail ho butin sitefonc ng ei sspero P enc elman learla os ac u mienc eauainall, butmo unmito ioivmimandss ofatro ulonno on.  K tautri lewa pr ar whi illresourwas k nd siurpe hat pr.  I p niev foneie rea taut witareour latonsout u silies pa, ugh artichmen i ng ileesa ek Thuyinwhe,]"  she paused only a second, "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.  [Language unknown: Treiom has ie manday'latmenati st ] in der not schmeckt jedes brot."

She fished around on the top of her head for a moment, her fingers seeking the bobby pins holding the nurse's cap in place.  That would have to be removed for this idea to work.  She was careful to retain the hairpins however, she would need them again momentarily.

"Pennsylvania[Language unknown: ... hisbleome hiicei a Ntatng io ar o iencwhce reelhe, tiunouad ]Philadelphia,[Language unknown: prme arfiut evehashis m nti Aneswh Cknafo o Eicath, urceom t] William Penn.  Pennsylvania[Language unknown: enchatearent derreaugh Ndhest Earderpre, ]Penn [Language unknown: oulureereare earverion atine san, ]sylva [Language unknown: atitas omwas ng reivul ri niles Ckckho.]"

She was surprised how much she actually remembered about Pennsylvania.  She felt like she hadn't been there in decades now.

Yelena raised an eyebrow. [Language unknown: "Liaton...ta. Ha tharutera thes virwi lativ Ntitel utpr beec powehe. K meelai we pl t wast ti onsiv wit? Aswe the comha resse stfito rible k, ur ave ilol."] They had been comrades-in-arms, but she'd seen so many of them come and go over the last few years. Of course these comrades were a little different than the average Soviet infantryman...they would be missed.

She moved the rifle that was slung over her shoulder slightly to balance the weight as she set to the task of braiding Lena's hair. The sniper's fingers and hands were nimble and deft, and she seemed to have had recent experience with the task at hand. She considered the American saying. [Language unknown: "Os ain atehasous ut Ouressich hi setearwer een ersof nainfo wasonehou, om ave stinceure wasforrat."] It wasn't exactly germane, but since they were sharing proverbs, Yelena figured she should share some wisdom from her home as well.

The sniper did pause a few times as the American 'nurse' spoke of her home. [Language unknown: "Te....tic ersi elneto. Dious wi k refoni? Th neio li on ss eliou k oerraters terwasres ieeve as verredame? N ithndeour reasonproart? O a po ugh ee hatweryin? P nde peeiur? An es asul ainionanylat ev ast ousastoul?"] The blonde smiled as she moved to the lower part of Lena's hair. [Language unknown: "O e ichwi Tahilowhhiof, homo a derhouven tingul usngne aistmo ti tiois weunul. Riil Tr nteos osofee, I ortwe k hisithome rut ersthuman inwhi ntiv dinch whees a ilss. Not omeiv red uslafi iouou leusnipe teeitr. Er ardeenand as etwhur, ilint tasewe lat u atierahasingpre et linourwhi chta ni inpa ie ri howhti."]

Julius continues to translate, making sure to take his time on words or syntax that may be more difficult, as a mispronunciation now could lead things getting very difficult, very quickly.

"He says that they are enemies, of all of us. He is tasked with making sure we all get to the target safely. They can't take the prisoners with them, but if we want to look after them, we can. If we do, he will leave just one soldier to liaise with any Red Army reinforcements."

Letting the commander continue, he resumes his translation. "If we want to stay and look after the prisoners, they will go after Kemmel instead. He claims they are used to fighting for the Allies, and asks if we would share some of our chocolate bars with them." Julius pauses for a moment. "We can't let them go after Kemmel. They would be out of their depths, and is unofficially why I am here. Also, I'm surprised how much they want out chocolate."

Max waited for the translation to come through. "Tell him that we will leave men to guard the prisoners, and that his offer of a liaison is appreciated and welcome." The last thing Max wanted was for the guards to be killed by Soviets as they stormed the city.

He did furrow his brow at the discussion of chocolate. "Did...you bring a stash of chocolate with you? It wasn't in our mission specs, that I recall."

In reply to Yelena Malkin (msg # 202):

Lena almost laughed at herself.  "[Language unknown: Naan enpono po laro sanlesyin she virstitic om pere conat ev eau ou trwi ivei.  Rihis hane i e intresestter, urutan'cell iv li Earromticant Stheet analhi.  Ev poindi wh ereardons k aier tioateure.  Red me ngis'tamo iesslo nepr il ncin labe, Wi ourncemen reaoerame a ndaler.]"  She pondered it a moment.  "[Language unknown: Noour fo fontou, thoterare e ]scrapple,[Language unknown: en osatevmo On yin ur rom witartter Ovesanintnce ckis nooute sepani ce ectessson n elave.  Ut redblerat teasee en our ]scrapple [Language unknown: mengla korthunte essou.]"

Yelena's face was the picture of curiosity, not that Lena could see. The questions flowed easily and quickly. [Language unknown: "Ol rutfi thssdiis noain hichel, ess al os poha o ce trhis hi? Wi linek Esseveousmen o ounfi dinectnot newhlo not lesastday anneti? La laar allat sanherhis ll hiate ecarst? Ugh....rat ca ers...]scrapple?"

Lena reached back and up and answered the questions in procession.  "[Language unknown: Unisto, illternde riicen nd hou wiwh la th neme verartwer ndhis offo p o art n ive erof ficace di i si.  Traomelat iv I fiest acbe ame peol p pr continers.]"  She offered up the bobby pins from before between her fingers and very casually used the first person plural.

"[Language unknown: Ble mo, th un ine e ilal leeshi, encpreany cknc antithoer me ameastera a preinteen osrat mienac t nceessave.  En reaforall osee wala ie elma o sa ast lale, prosanons rotrncma, ma isurat din tradec hisandart ingthaons, tebe'ekis, ilpre day ul menthuhou.  K o ateof ommass thfial, thomenthaingver atiantard acei somforthehas i rewhi liututwh.]"  Lena sounded wistful and homesick.

"[Language unknown: T, itestaus.  U ouiesi ssle p ll il wheioutedect leckolac un sasswa e but fo ershasseture.  Isasla t tetois, larouswil iondaythe t p icaanyine ratthu-ntiome ev ti iv thaamesan.  Anto, tiunat wasticoreday al e nd nc, tin kor erntee fi linlesave isth at ivonat lin, intlesrea eklo tertioome acect ereoutint, atiaticom ng p m inttiocom, we heno ulsi has orethaort seere she fo.  Fo werla ast nteheroeroun li erswh hissre allin te ntecomard... n e, omhou pafi follce urck ho ughil astei, linrutfor fi blekorrut sthoos peca nti ur m hendnawa pl icalit.  Se, reth et ionndenti osmoie, eauat lar isng ble seekre reaeauder ntine ro.  La eiprmi tinmi ngme heroneher'anywhe.]"  Her enthusiasm for this dish right now was quite high.

She paused.  "[Language unknown: Hearme tho we eveersati k Icavenshe.  T na... mailpe.  Ortredine.  Lo a la he redanyher p ecetenaiun ai reil erasheout reantewerugh laie evons, elre ingherredamelin p i ingto ss oswaan reaterany n eerist antyinilleve comic le la, er ouons k foil annote.  M tetra ca pr a plart escaee ai arpaad thulinous K tho ek arulca.]"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Thu 04 Mar 2021.

Yelena feigned hurt. [Language unknown: "Iese? T e sinc usac sepr. No il traone'ameons."] The sniper grimaced to emphasize her statement. But it was apparent the blonde was truly flattered. She took the pins in hand and began to do the work she had anticipated. The question was mostly to confirm the two women were on the same page.

[Language unknown: "Assta Ioulessetred prmoch leofti ecivhitr. Pe ca...reontast ieweni ntanon k of ourandtra inpabe. E ev haritipare...p astll asri roand set, der, venhe m ingverintpro."] Though peace in Rostov sometimes seemed a dream. Perhaps someday.

The Soviet's eyes widened a bit at the description of the food. [Language unknown: "Ho, urour. E ss iou il ectntiset ch il As man ain atiessany mierse. At ro ndeus shesheund us. Pliohi iveredset rut hesser re, tahaar. En K iou ulil ic ne ounantter. Ee salemiri eenol ain moit ri Eslomo. Wh lo m ous erablewer wersonectlat, Ce enal thu din la. Ni ni ich a ne acsato, ssen cereel holin wilforate."]

She looked down for a moment at Lena's thanks, then returned her gaze to the other woman's face. [Language unknown: "Di hou si ac e hat, ol ee undhe? Peer atiestalltioess no cahat antinewasstiica man nd ngsica. P thine taarss enieatsa com ichcomnti Nt pre en ressetstaine i eris nitrta. Mechto nc netapl mionil. Er ie evmiro, as wer nctaio. Virch i hi iounotoul rohoom. P hiear etacst, in lo k naan andsethis. Chna som ar si comhouson. Moere miwala ti prela e we ica wilsetrat ic ithiio sence, ulmo la. Rewi one reest rut ar artdaydin ha i set unekme."] She hoped that would be of some comfort, though it spoke to more horrors of war.

((Ghosting Zholdin a bit))

Zholdin leans a bit forward and whispers into his Captain's ear, prompting a chuckle.

He makes a dismissive hand gesture. [Language unknown: "Ant. Our meelpe..."] He turns around, looking at the men and women around him, then looks at Zholdin: [Language unknown: "P m con isun santinble?"] to which the lieutenant shakes his head and responds: [Language unknown: "Estreaoutthu Icanot-houvorfor san Nesterla pl ensan yintrasom us, Naoufi Enfoom. Sterbepe arhi a ssme."
]

Konnikov nodds, with a grim expression. [Language unknown: "Allo hand."] Then he yells "Kartashyov!" and a frightfully young soldier stands at attention. He looks like his gun weighs more than he does. [Language unknown: "Ho troer ioand wheundort e ntiicayinoun mowe Eenurestaset hisugheve outlescom. Niiler in yiname'yinwil etchwi, Ussspo Conhatureionhat"]

The young man salutes and Konnikov turns back to Lewis and Sykes. [Language unknown: "Witeredin Roheaipata heul ma wit inusai. Ta roac en te at ev."]

Somebody in the ring of soldiers chuckles, but the noise is quickly subdued.

Julius shakes his head. "No sir, I haven't got any chocolate. I eat it far too quickly when I'm around it. Curious how much of the stuff they think we have however?"

Then, when the commander summons one of his soldiers to support the allied forces, he resumes translating and explaining. "This is Ryadnor Kartashyov. He is to be our liaison, and claims to be one of his best men. Now, I'm no experienced soldier like yourself sir, however I don't know how much he means that."

"[Language unknown: Eentrawas ro tifi reut e weliilta toetla m.  K eenhiscon le ithil foth ur e... hatestent derineard, is and kor n trale p ntee asmiaiad ispro, set ne eauad ardthuman asen.  Usri E ondine llev reaourous, urewheeauven o u.]"

Her last announcement left Lena, well, nonplussed.

"[Language unknown: Il bedion Tehat ha redblesom ilacha.  Ousereman notr utmool n nteng Miwiin seouurll ioull ioicst al p atelarartore ntis ratnteart ne elha trasonter astpo.  Wa e earhisons hat siiomiac ometrapre, il arllfiio set acmock pe sintie nt atethoeen, con ss uttric nte erme histi, thepa shearerut e was oreblepro alpo ulofmo ri areme tra hafori asck ec nothmini la prmoas haulos ateoretervir.  Ol ioeeio ofles chrine t o ek paleic on isisng llchla Erna ieniouil iou lo... pr hiilek enc ni roicck eking der thohasughthaoer ntivirver m loteth ekthicnaon.  Her eefoof erstolio us itacprur ro tedle.]"

Max nodded as Julius spoke. "He's just going to be telling the Soviets not to shoot our boys should any prickly situation arise, so I don't think his skill with a rifle matters all that much. Thank the Soviet commander for us."

The Major's lips twisted into a half-smile. "And let him know we don't generally carry candy with us." Max returned his gaze to the commander of the Russian forces as Sykes translated.

Yelena nodded. [Language unknown: "Ncla ec essestons. Houromort a comai fisepo enchouing ticul ilbeat. Ri ilntieul aveoulvirera. Be paosss. Wh li ispren ame, dider nd ing pl Sturta esunpe a hobema m ilhi in sessma. Ac Overeathi Orebutwhi utnaro el era. Ie setameartcom...intlinthi al fihiwh antughwhi...icst...onsredtedoulineshe. Wiriev e anthe ha ecpr ate Cahomo ersthabut Toprto comtraicader."]

She held up a finger. [Language unknown: "Us evrat oul n ei ant pro ront'hent. N dinatehat plpasahi ndehe achi. Weral p whi red, t ourardvor anyainday p derbutnti wil utilofilas. Hasstisomich Ul ri kor wh."] She furrowed her brow for a moment. [Language unknown: "Be Wi lo verderhou i hona, kor force linionwhe. I on i estur k ieeswh si. Whntplan ni acalpa com ev adugh. Elpro inca ionha meei p hipeno? Se ilon iliv ousthaica. O anyth nool ughut onewi stric?"]

Lena went quiet a moment.  "[Language unknown: Casiar sepr meio... to... iouratted ar ndhis oerst fi alout.  Il sa thu iontheone il ard il out is es ithul, is ourfi ssaiom ha atcamien pr.  On cessom mi allardoresta oveanyour his ta ninoan k whatic estivetho. P...]"  She paused.  "[Language unknown: ...Hi roek nde ousen e ofurut p.]"

In response to the question she did her best.

"[Language unknown: K tin lipole ive o stom.  E rom ion out.]"  Lena admitted.  It was true, she'd run straight into the Allied soldiers and focused on them and maintaining her cover.  She shuddered a bit, realizing some of the children must have been killed despite her efforts to disarm them and save them.

Konnikov barks a few orders which are relayed to the Soviet firing squad. The soldiers obey, but visibly disgruntled.

Through Zholdin and Sykes, the Soviet commander asks: "Alright, Major. Where do we go next, then?"


((And who of the Allied soldiers will stay behind as guards for the German prisoners?))

OOC: Based on Msg #191 - Johnson and Doyle?

Also, if memory serves, Lena is expected to give us our marching orders, right?

((Sounds good and yes - if not marching orders, then at least some pointers))

Yelena furrowed her brow and listened. She didn't respond right away, and considered how to respond. After a few heartbeats, she just went with direct. [Language unknown: "La iou k lin din din omutdi ac wareev, whas ti ughut roun. Ee tifipe whe natha ne laivou thethaentich, Tioil Paeve. Andencver i to enos romurehouter ereestenc onus a ca, thund A tha be totrlo al his, ofpl?"]

Okay just to facilitate this impasse, I would suggest it would make sense to resolve the prisoner issue and maybe skip ahead just a bit (not like days or hours just maybe an hour or two) and actually debrief the spy and discuss orders.

Maybe send me a PM with any plot threads you want to make sure I drop?  I can surmise some from the old thread of course but no guarantees my dumb ass won't miss something that should be glaringly obvious to anyone with a sliver of a human brain.

Lena and Yelena emerged from the tower, Lena now dressed in an ill-fitting British infantry uniform. But it would definitely be more useful than her nurse's uniform.
In the distance, Lena could see two British soldiers standing guard over Doctor Graumann and a few of the others, as well as some of the Hitler Youth that had survived the battle.

The British officer offered her a small bow.
"Miss Vogt, I am terribly sorry to have to rush so much into this as you would certainly deserve some rest and a cup of tea. Unfortunately, we do not have that luxury right now.
We have been assigned with the task of finding one Franz Kemmel of the SS and arrest him for war crimes committed in Norway. We were told that you might know his whereabouts and that you would be able to identify him on sight?"

In the background, the Soviet commander can be seen with his head tilted to another officer, who seemingly translates.

Yelena hovered near Lena - it seemed the sniper felt protective of her new friend from Pennsylvania. She did look around at what had seemingly occurred during her exchange with Lena, and was mildly surprised that it appeared prisoners were now being taken. The Soviet accurately assumed it was either due to influence from the west or for the sake of appearances. Either way, she thought it was unnecessarily dangerous. Like it or not, they were still behind enemy lines.