Arc of Fire

Chapter 686: Chapter 24 Homesickness

Wang Zhong had barely finished speaking for less than an hour when the confidental secretary came in with the decoded telegram: “Urgent message from High Command.”

He directly took it from the secretary’s hands and saw that there was only one line written: “Agreed, wishing you a successful offensive, Tugenev.”

"No wonder the telegram arrived so quickly, it was only this short,” said Wang Zhong as he passed the telegram to Pavlov.

Pavlov said, “With this, we can legitimately relay the decision to commence the battle to all the units.”

Wang Zhong asked, “What about the plan?”

"The plan was ready-made, I’ve already made the modifications,” Pavlov spread his hands, “The plan I devised was based on the premise that the enemy had not suffered significant losses in the offensive combat, and the estimates of enemy numbers were based on previous intelligence. Now that many of the enemies have been redeployed, it should be relatively easy.”

Vasily said, “The only concern now is whether the enemy’s Southern Army Group will make any moves at the Coastal Fortress after we launch a pincer attack and cut off the Southern Army Group in the middle. Earlier this year, that Army Group had managed to retreat completely from Bolsk.”

Wang Zhong said, “The Army Group Commander, General Sheeplin, is very competent. He even managed to lead his ragtag forces to escape from the outskirts of Abawahan. Let’s leave the strongest Army Group to deal with them, the First Mobile Group Army.”

Pavlov said, “Indeed, I feel more confident about the old troops, and Yegorov is reliable. So it’s settled. When shall we launch the attack then?”

Wang Zhong looked at the calendar on the wall: “How about the 30th of June? Would that give you enough time to communicate the new combat plan and battle decision to every company?”

"More than enough, even if field mice cut off the phone lines again, it would be enough,” Pavlov stated confidently, “I will send messengers on motorcycles to deliver the orders!”

The Corps Command of the 63rd Army Group of the Kazarlian First Front Army.

Admiral Eugene, the Commander of the Army Group, was discussing with his staff how to further strengthen the group’s defenses when a messenger in a leather jacket burst into the room, “Report!”

Admiral Eugene looked up, “Who is it?”

The leather-clad messenger said, “From Front Army Headquarters communications team, I have been ordered to convey the new combat plan to you!”

After saying this, the messenger opened his leather bag and took out a manila envelope. The handle of the bag was cuffed to the messenger’s belt with handcuffs.

"A new plan!”

Admiral Eugene took the envelope, quickly opened it, and took out the documents inside, skimmed through the summary, and then handed it to the Chief of Staff.

It wasn’t that Admiral Eugene wasn’t concerned about the details of the plan; it’s just that he had learned these aspects in a crash course and didn’t grasp them as solidly as his Chief of Staff, so he simply didn’t make a fool of himself with a half-baked understanding. He would rather wait for the Chief of Staff to fully comprehend them before explaining, which was more efficient.

This was the experience he had gained over the course of the war these two years.

The 63rd Army Group’s Chief of Staff, Andrei, flipped through the combat plan and was amazed, “An offensive? It seems our three Front Armies have had a strong impact on the enemy’s Central Army Group. The Front Army Headquarters must have learned that a large number of enemy troops were drawn away to the Central Army Group.

"The attack is scheduled for June 30th? We need to get the attack plan to all the units as soon as possible. I suggest holding a military chiefs meeting immediately!”

Andrei had just finished speaking when he noticed that Admiral Eugene was looking thoughtfully out the window of the command bunker.

"General?” he asked.

Admiral Eugene said, “My hometown, the mine where I used to work, is just tens of kilometers away in front of us. It’s a small city born because of the mine, where half of the people work directly with the mine, and the other half are engaged in transportation and other business indirectly related to the mine. The ones with the least connection to the mine would be the cooks in the canteen.

"Our small town has twenty public canteens, almost all built at the same time as the mines, managed by the Church. There’s a reading nook in the canteen with bookshelves filled with various works of the Secular faction and the Secular faction’s government-sponsored newspaper.”

The staff in the Headquarters exchanged looks, but no one interrupted the Commander’s soliloquy.

After all, the Commander was an old soldier who had fought his way up with “that” Rokossovsky – someone who, like Yegorov, would refer to Rokossovsky as “Division Commander.”

Admiral Eugene continued recalling, “The canteen I often visited was No. 10, not because it was closest to the mine’s office building, but because it had the best pickled cucumbers, with a unique flavor that other canteens couldn’t match!”

Finally, a staff officer couldn’t help but interject, “Can there be such differences in pickled cucumbers? Aren’t they all pretty much the same taste?”

Admiral Eugene shook his head, “You think this way because you’ve only had mass-produced pickles from factories, individual pickled cucumbers are different! Just like handmade sausages, although they may not be as full-bodied as factory-produced Doctor Sausage, they also have a unique flavor!”

After saying this, Admiral Eugene was silent for a while before turning around and sweeping his gaze over everyone.

"Sorry, I just realized I am about to return home, and I got a bit sentimental. Let’s immediately distribute the combat plan, start mobilization! Has the Front Army enhanced our firepower?”

Andrei looked down at the plan in his hand, “No, we are not the main attack direction; our task is to tie down the enemies in front. We’ve only been reinforced with one brigade of tanks.”

Admiral Eugene sighed, “Looks like I won’t be able to return home just yet, but that’s okay, I’ve waited for over two years, waiting for another few months is nothing.”

Andre nodded and casually asked, “How is the person from the canteen doing?”

Vice Admiral Eugene replied, “The young cooks and helpers have all enlisted, and the old chef has been drafted into the cooking squad. Before the infantry regiment I formed from the miners set off, I went to take a look; in that huge canteen, there was only an old lady serving thin porridge, she was the last employee left.

"It seems she was called… I forget what her name was, but she was there, stirring the pot of porridge with a broken ladle and watching us.

"I asked her, ‘Granny, where are your children? Have them take you with them when they retreat!’

"She glanced at me and said, ‘I don’t know where they are, so I’m going to wait for them here. Even the Prosen people wouldn’t do anything to an old woman like me.

Vice Admiral Eugene paused, falling silent for a while before he continued, “I almost immediately realized that her children were either in the Prosen people’s POW camp or somewhere face down, buried in the mud.

"And I, along with the boys I’m leading, will end up the same way someday.”

"But you’ve come through,” Andre said. “I’ve been your partner since the Orachi defensive battle, and I know how many hardships we’ve been through.”

Vice Admiral Eugene replied, “Then you also know how many good lads are now face down, buried in the dirt.”

Andre nodded and said nothing.

Vice Admiral Eugene said, “In Orachi, we were in such a hurry and in such disarray that we had no time to bury our comrades.”

He hesitated, then his tone changed abruptly, “Now it’s the damned Prosen people who don’t have the time to bury their comrades! Sukabule!”

"Yes, finally it’s our turn!” Andre agreed.

First Mobile Army Headquarters.

Yegorov was furious, “Why is our mission defense? We should be the sharp edge of the Division Commander’s blade! No, I must go to the Front Army Headquarters and ask the Division Commander what he means!”

The Army Group Chief of Staff and the Military Bishop tried to stop Yegorov, “No! Our task is also very important! General Sheeplin of the Coastal Fortress, having slipped away from General Rokossovsky’s hands several times, means they value us highly by putting us on the guard against him!”

Yegorov tried to break free several times without success and could only sigh deeply, “I know they’ve given us an important task, but… this is our first time going on the offensive without being in a defensive position! I am from Kazarlia too! My wife and child died here! I want to take part in the attack!”

After saying this, he strained harder to break free, causing all the staff in the headquarters to surround him, fearing to let this wild beast loose.

At that moment, a sharp rebuke came from the doorway, “This is disgraceful, Yegorov!”

Everyone quieted down and looked toward the door.

Yegorov’s current wife, Doctor Kaja from the war hospital, stood in the doorway.

"Uh,” Yegorov seemed to regain his composure all at once, “how did you get here?”

"I came to report the current medical supplies to the logistics department and then heard someone yelling,” sighed Doctor Kaja. “Everyone here has lost relatives and friends in the war; you’re not the only one with a score to settle.”

Yegorov awkwardly joked, “You sound like the Military Bishop.”

Kaja said, “Right now is the crucial phase for planning the attack. Don’t go causing trouble for General Rokossovsky, just stay here and carry out the task assigned to you. The fact that this task was given to you and the First Mobile Army shows its importance.”

"Yes, yes! It must be important,” Yegorov nodded vigorously.

Doctor Kaja turned her head to look outside, her back to Yegorov: “However, I don’t dislike the spirit of vengeance in you. Tell me all about your plans for revenge after you finish work tonight.”

"My plans for revenge? Of course, with cannons and… Oh!” Yegorov suddenly realized, “Got it! I’ll tell you tonight! I definitely will!”

Doctor Kaja ran her fingers through her hair, “There’s a lot to do at the hospital; I should go. Don’t cause any more trouble! And these days are crucial, so no drinking!”

Yegorov shook his head repeatedly, “Not drinking anymore, not drinking anymore! Heh heh!”

Doctor Kaja left.

Everyone else in the room felt awkward.

The Military Bishop was the first to release Yegorov’s waist, “It’s so embarrassing; we actually had to rely on Doctor Kaja to stop the Commander from going mad.”

The Chief of Staff commented, “He’s quite popular with the soldiers, though.”

Yegorov grumbled, “Nonsense! As long as I’m not bad in battle, that’s all that matters! You’ve seen that my tactics have never been wrong! And that general we’re facing, what’s his name? Show me his information!”

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