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: "Reaicavor ce alusev, pro."] 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: "Ne ionof ver, p buton? Wasstistasan wasa-haet ar ne li porom ul."] The sniper moved closer and held out a hand. [Language unknown: "As, all Day Asnoal. Ivus ri...Usrest? M Earonewhiion?"] For her part, the Soviet sniper seemed to take good care of her rifle and her uniform was properly worn.

"[Language unknown: Lar has Werwitest n atikorshe i!]" Lena clapped in triumph.  With the offer made, she placed her apron in the extended hand.  "[Language unknown: Lininthasbut.  Mopaarosanel u m tedrut'strast, teres liet earureenc ulekio aventitra ec forha.]"  She answered cheerily.  "[Language unknown: Proul K t Ter, thuou pemi E linmenill icdi us ss, M eenherven ssonwi werhi ur te m o ateomesetantsti?]"

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: Ho enall toers p Comainonsateeen hoof thman inewilart prore N ble a yin fo linno.  Tr prbe fime u somwasble, men Of romnteder ofiou ame atear arehaseve t laear venderany korearwhi.  Th iveestear fi k.  Cear Ai ulei wh atthsi wh wa.]

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: Ble E ll unrisa o ritistst ll ai omstpl m ho diec.  M, proun A ai setdinughone ill ca larastore ni hateauain ma Ie al et haday io forartant ch patihi venthoyin menforove athata ll eeofitwh leevet ni tic.]"  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: Et.  Nc ul thuho witen a nomack tin?  We ter ec ss ne a setoussta.]"

Yelena took the offered apron and adopted a similar cheerfulness to her response. [Language unknown: "Nt ha hiek po sa cktho Nceat. K ou ca ionverastmanrom, nghaus t ilceus ntisinou. Rea ousas inadan sonle. Ti at nehell si ioho hoour sa ofel pene?"]

She looked at the indicated uniform with a nod. [Language unknown: "We en peis eauectera it ill conillous, ng reof th e o sasa?"] 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: "Wi man din chfoca nienma...ncchse ati eveyinenc ckripoev ecli rofo thupa ca artresica son ort ee elutsi. Blevennot Ee it ectat taet unheplus rowil to?"]

The final question did bring a smile to Yelena's lips. [Language unknown: "Ieder pr, Ni ess toolwh itwhe. A vernt u toeres Ortthiore all iouom ca ilun nchoet. Ter ainss ieol. Wa iv sausst. Ck...ainwheion kor thill ven o sitiwi Andeenconundhas ec day allsonoer U ouenis?"]

Konnikov shrugs. [Language unknown: "Osla et hisereeen e kor Isasek Fobeec. Ur omac ac Thanteter raton Haolha Finapo. Pe onwer etss seeile inhi ncroes ernce itver lat ingat lo li ilce ut ce m ch strwasore catrha. A nthesa ce oveca ri un. It icen eau m veneveich om theandwhe ut linatifor ati, ain ad et seckwh om nafiul. Us ereatiand nteherlar lat chckfi ac eauprewhi hiion terterstr virhatove us ad Int Stifo man wh eauthuencter ticstrwit."
]

He waits for Sykes to finish his translation, then continues: [Language unknown: "Evek ichameter, ur erehasent, on ro ti earni ugh ismaesee tinee ave a dinhatand k erelo in nc, Essastson. Tra Om Waain on mo ilhewi ev liilof nte ntier ati setha aiil ureereate pa ckon ha oson. Ica Ri Entce es eret t e ti ortwasionsan ant ll Venantout, sabehi enchi. Osndfi ive tioateare weilri stime mo ulhas dersomerapro accom notac li sti not wilhister paeeet u latoun."]
He smiles, thinly.

"[Language unknown: U thi vorut us rewa som li e mi, Proha prnius u ritio itev on molawi in ectev Ti ineonssta ul te essntishe illntiday.  Virce Mo resthater notantles ar aiek stlat, i korin roheit ce e os, O iterro onsest'romstaame out sess sawhomnc u fistr hataof Ca un art meusca ure anyin p nte ineantter, ceur terndethi rearatnteereprethu thilus seroof at.  T artardave ill ar k isan preinttering m me astallive is ha.  Ha pl staun atnoio unnc ate ionredany chalhe e fontun n, nist resrutint t o evethered o Witeos,]"  she paused only a second, "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.  [Language unknown: Pomemo omdi tra ilwesilihi p ] 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: ... ekeing ninosi t Alngan po lat u hatiou'eenlat strcomshe, utho'ring ]Philadelphia,[Language unknown: earet sautit atiwheble k ulle Ndeterset Iltrwh fi Hatsonrut, undrutven a] William Penn.  Pennsylvania[Language unknown: caloliha anutin Wahori Eaudersom, ]Penn [Language unknown: urerutdayoer illwhiate wa pe, ]sylva [Language unknown: anyanyone ilse t anymantio fo tran Encvorble.]"

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: "Notredera...ev. Ni acbehe menut san chek Hisene wit fo ngunck. U proupo ec dilo m our ard llall dayth? Il dihi hat ivcon thceli set al, ha pawa al."] 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: "I ev tedoundin on Ovehaslar i asteenent conie ica taacev entiouome, oflat li fiicom houoerter."] 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: "Pro....he ica foilce. Is wa a thaconlar? Ul mami rat fi rohis kor ch terwiltic esweel wa lo ateredhis? Ni thoredtra niecngel? Pe si o ant p diatlo? Di ck userna? Ure cahe nti honi'olul po haer reseraave?"] The blonde smiled as she moved to the lower part of Lena's hair. [Language unknown: "Le te lowhe Nculouilouti, olome e ratromect hithei oerstrour linessver a lo sanainous. Are Po miive eenoulard, Ca aric we leuswh ev utitli aiel wimen res peic ch oer. It ss ha korromati ioou ntmehowe venrutmen. Wa tiobutund o tiothacon, na ilprmi waser e ingandhasaverat ch siprce he eve pr at u arloou."]

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: Load isitei ekeau ictio estiouthi butnd ioulwi a hint thi p terce wa eknde riai.  Romie nc is o witaacal, reckul'teus re saou Wilsomughvor Whchus acneie.  M haseni a evplol pe vir redomewil.  Paiv in ticveroreyin eaurutwhi foson p icon wiom, K wheithlat tedforter iv ticardhas.]"  She pondered it a moment.  "[Language unknown: All m oneatesan, mialic o ]scrapple,[Language unknown: no vorratartich U il avear stain rosaai Intantntiwas ort trecch ourareave e ermiom ur an.  Of echece ilprca vir wer ]scrapple [Language unknown: prelat lesntiout fiec.]"

Yelena's face was the picture of curiosity, not that Lena could see. The questions flowed easily and quickly. [Language unknown: "Ss wil oulver'antenc icli ostind, inac be yin ers n ol roho is? Th ic Iotrpeck ha ta aralpo itannd di acnaut laevce? M lahe wehe eauvenons we est hengfo? Ouliv....el k set...]scrapple?"

Lena reached back and up and answered the questions in procession.  "[Language unknown: Itncle, taaiwe redingate ng rome ho pafi acek icaan eeiliv out int ta at eveca m ee di heronsera ei se etss.  Plriac er O eete ti ith res e a prolarhat.]"  She offered up the bobby pins from before between her fingers and very casually used the first person plural.

"[Language unknown: Onsck er, it ic ckin ei aswa oulstiter, hatoreant ecwi ousyinrea k noenpa e thpout ansta oreverove o whinlo.  T ortandnot lesad one o ie m n has ore, ressanant inellang, iou adonet lina iontha hoelta wheousnde, previrromica, etnde set ac virthaine.  El il saeve butdineve tratioate, eenallmenoutpro ectundame ons presnipr ut tohis arecomlatsom.]"  Lena sounded wistful and homesick.

"[Language unknown: P, inse'ekpe.  T whneur sihat a me ll pehaeiul rothmale u ieofus na onle i evasernd.  Veroulant e isndce, thundeshe whiwhiwit p ec meicou ughinetiotic i ine ing reswertin.  Plos, aresheare unulniil rea re pa se, hefo ion ecasch n traoutiou pein t ectenteve lirat, pourpr dimo fiplol nc yinounstr, unmant esmo o wi naeeai, te thi eilar utwe seeces pavor entha ven.  Utit si thble sionlast il teome eauproder sapl korch mauset... ur o, pe of illromand rutet m eve toear, usanca ec ersereiou hatncehat inean latwa dayri o aranceio o werwheore.  Of, ntsa and wibeek disana, weta herbe nd mowhe amereaort nahoes innc io.  Be polell etnde thi astatiwerameill.]"  Her enthusiasm for this dish right now was quite high.

She paused.  "[Language unknown: Inedinder ard yinin eenpreany io Taiclo.  P on... icacin.  Pradpl.  E i ices fo hodiwa a alinlafili si siar tronev ouronetioast es pr, werur enofousshe u en tasi mo artainall sanoersti iv mensomsom comlinardame osenc i caame, o meles il str ratlarugh.  Ch nttra whe ort i er intandera ti ousreslar diweol Es oulin nt ntisonres.]"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Thu 04 Mar 2021.

Yelena feigned hurt. [Language unknown: "Te? P t osma ess at. Po p laricamanare."] 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: "Ion Eretheartthu wapont iveterast blewhivirsan. Stwer el...erssonrutthe essvirund theomeica o t wechul sspeno. En str plfolanato...i hatet ome ek trfi, ioiv, oupro te leswheesting."] 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: "Ic, ouwi. O di st om virandith fooun p P one lice blethable daypreoer. T m om antwerted butun. Comderave orewerthi ore nepefo somhe, thusro. Et U adev ouser st povir viranyble. P outhisicahou nacon ilwe urla t Ithncestr. E kor pa ilnot allarepro seaionin, T urla and he fola. Nti es ounng ha ev onwhdi, ticlo tedsetast olres anilno."]

She looked down for a moment at Lena's thanks, then returned her gaze to the other woman's face. [Language unknown: "U fi lo ma ad inin, e ti dinth? Man ndewerwasesseau i re estinewerionich arver ich uscken. I ich icaundove ieee'omsi haher butorteau Iv ted n onstwewe t ss osarus. Werntiati riich waskorure arenas. Ro to ssesin, t etre artoustho. Korca n na virbutyin oupopr. K ck vorhasain, pond o pe he rerobe. Resbe nceom pr iv tedsontho. Wa prnier ilnce thca en ine hisur menughrom u nctimi een, lin olit. Evck tene sti int son hatterbut ouei i naati vermanted."] 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: "Ekur. Hatun ceieol..."] He turns around, looking at the men and women around him, then looks at Zholdin: [Language unknown: "T e ri sa nteureoul?"] to which the lieutenant shakes his head and responds: [Language unknown: "Roouashe Oreerstinvennot her Oreatevenall ekfo ant somallred ernd, Dayingman Atioerame. Wimiliwi fisi mo ast."
]

Konnikov nodds, with a grim expression. [Language unknown: "Son hat."] Then he yells "Kartashyov!" and a frightfully young soldier stands at attention. He looks like his gun weighs more than he does. [Language unknown: "Ni arce acas stivorund lo ithcomreaing koros Forurestiith tedstioun urestaica. Sawill k wiwidiur etilpe, Siadwa Wasbutwhimenoer"]

The young man salutes and Konnikov turns back to Lewis and Sykes. [Language unknown: "Hofoec Tiwaannowi res io in ssbeei. She iesa ma p sttho atio."]

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: Routla t nole coman a ingrom'setard sefoun me.  We churng a larch day hi t... dinraters undndehou, m enwe neni k mese n pr linantwasrea con, oual wh ndit pockel ous.  Te Ar outase presi ssbeek, plolforo a pr.]"

Her last announcement left Lena, well, nonplussed.

"[Language unknown: Iorom enesti Wius ame osolpa iesial.  Ivekto wane ughithive ni ionpl Prckri iemiitne mi tesaev m sa ntiwitinence din ndeatetha u ur riwiho wil.  Poho u ureandman utent paurilil retaha, ad iouevestitra es manrutour pa vorarthou rat evssnd, are il ateioncon oser ore ac, aswh usasou ou et ngomev esse toprwa ica virck wh fortedine thi aveen aireteul ol iouingoer homoos utta-icsa.  U menencthe sa cewino p ce atcom inprro en whithewil iouatiset Ave rohineol lar ect... adave ndeureore at acfor ouurth undwh ek ofaitofofo oertinect ev peouou houearwhisonver.  Whie sanbutain eehaheai ho ereteravelin om ch.]"

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: "Ntias la ailani. Tioartsom e thu eceiro andentour napre prethaday. Sa ilhaharo vorousstinde. Weure adprol. En hatwe millen urwi, ieons nd ol ess Ntiithill plolte n atstis mo ive p notiwa. Les Sanithith Stawasest poleit ameou whst. I erfountr...ecrehi ma olpesa ekweek...hat...olwhcaelaswi. Noeeho u ssul om ee eauil Stonat ssacos Roriel tiosanectsan."]

She held up a finger. [Language unknown: "Ck nd est p invir ac enset alitmack. Ic romionove tolotaes omil moil. Mawa u th whe, ne wiacst atelinres m conlinoul whan ndeeveicaallhat. Houatiaveure Te a eian tedut."] She furrowed her brow for a moment. [Language unknown: "Eauek Th e earforeau i pe, tawas riof matomi. Al ek at ing i ntrobe ec. Ululetof u forpreres venwe ofnde na. Olma mich thnot lin he encandund? Prad ni nant hastil. M his san linll stwit kor?"]

Lena went quiet a moment.  "[Language unknown: Paevnd il ti... ch... ughtindin ival te ess po nce.  O a ichlo hattratio i thi oun beev m osyin aipo, p she setnceart me ngplrori icore.  Ter fiadce acri chsaheno wetrto ss wa omitio m prestrthu nemaad. Si...]"  She paused.  "[Language unknown: ...Ti nint ame lill ic ngnang is.]"

In response to the question she did her best.

"[Language unknown: Ad vor blendeare ouner p iou.  Ll fi wire pr.]"  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: "N ame p sisa toee ticin fohopo k evehouver, notre iv dier arpo. Wi menvirive ted nc k allonewas werome-butund, Ro Caof. Ourthaart al re willl wereeris rourun lessi t unnc, ni Ca llin aine chthai ee taho, mapr?"]

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.