red moscow

Chapter 2942

"Tell me what it is, and I'll see if I can help!"

Sokov turned to look at Khabarov beside him and said slowly, “If you stay in the city, your safety should be guaranteed as long as you don’t encounter the attacks we had recently. My blood has self-healing properties, so as long as I’m not blown to pieces on the battlefield, I should be able to live until the end of the war. My biggest worry right now is Anton’s safety. I don’t know what to do to ensure that he can live as well as we do.”

Victoria stared at Khabarov, lost in thought, pondering how to ensure he lived until the end of the war.

After a long while, Victoria turned her gaze back to Sokov: "Misha, are you asking me this question because you want me to help Anton become a policeman and stay in Moscow to work, so that he can live until the end of the war?"

Before Sokov could answer, she continued, "If that's really what you think, then I regret to inform you that even if Anton becomes a policeman, it's not very realistic for him to stay in Moscow. Recently, the battlefield situation became tense, and the head of the Police General Directorate drew personnel from various branches to form a police detachment, which was sent to the 16th Army's defense zone. If more personnel need to be transferred to the front lines in the future, strong and capable individuals like Anton will definitely be the first choice."

“No, no, no, Vika, you’ve misunderstood.” Sokov quickly waved his hands to explain when he saw that Victoria had misunderstood him. “Actually, I’ve always had two considerations regarding Anton’s arrangements. One is to keep him by my side so that I can help him deal with any difficulties he encounters. But this time, the higher-ups sent me to escort Lukin back to Moscow, which made me realize that I had oversimplified the problem. In the next few years, if the higher-ups transfer me to other units, I may not be able to take Anton with me, which means his safety cannot be guaranteed, and he could lose his life on the battlefield at any time.”

"So what's your second consideration?"

"The second consideration is to send Anton to work in the Weapons and Equipment Department. Although he won't have much freedom of movement, his safety will be guaranteed."

Victoria frowned: "Misha, where do you get the confidence to think you can get Anton into the weapons and equipment department?"

Sokov laughed: "Vika, I forgot to tell you. Not long ago, Anton designed a new type of rifle. After seeing the blueprints, the designers in the Armaments Department immediately invited him to join the department, but I declined."

Hearing Sokov say this, Victoria looked puzzled: "Why are you refusing?"

“I thought at the time that if Anton went to the Armaments Department, it would be difficult for us to see him,” Sokov explained to Victoria. “I think we might need all four of us to get together to have a chance to return to the future. If Anton can’t come out to meet us at the crucial moment, then the plan to return to the future may fall through.”

"Misha, I'd like to ask, what weapon did Anton design?"

"The AK-47 designed by Kalashnikov." Before Sokov could speak, Khabarov said proudly, "As a seasoned 'digging party member,' I am quite familiar with the structure of this weapon. I know the data of each component by heart, so I drew up the blueprints of the AK-47 in just a few hours."

"Anton, I'm not trying to discourage you, but even if there's a designer in the Weapons and Equipment Department who appreciates you, does he have the ability to get you into the department?"

“Don’t worry, Vika,” Sokov said with a smile. “I have a close friend who works in the Armaments Department. With his abilities and connections, getting Anton a job there would be a piece of cake.”

“Oh, a friend who’s been through thick and thin with you?” Victoria asked, somewhat surprised. “Then can you tell me your friend’s name and what position he holds in the weapons and equipment department?”

“His position is unimportant,” Sokov said with a half-smile. “But his name is Yakov!”

“Yakov?!” Victoria repeated the name, then her whole body trembled. She then asked cautiously, “Is the Yakov you’re talking about the same person I’m thinking of?”

Sokov extended his right index finger and pointed to the air, saying with a smile, "That's right, it's that man's son, Yakov."

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Since he is the son of that important person, even if his position is low, it shouldn't be a big problem to get Anton into the weapons and equipment department."

"My biggest worry is that if I find Braun in the future and bring him to Moscow, it might not be easy to get Anton to come out and meet him."

“Misha, you’re worrying for no reason,” Victoria said confidently. “Aren’t you good friends with Yakov? If you want to see Anton, just have Yakov bring him out. I think he’d be more than happy to help you with that.”

"Alright then." After hearing Victoria's words, Sokov finally dispelled his concerns and turned to Khabarov, saying, "Anton, it's settled then. When I meet Yakov tomorrow, I'll have him arrange for you to join the Armaments Department. You have no objections, right?"

"I will follow your orders." Khabarov had participated in the counter-offensive a few days ago and witnessed the brutality of the battlefield firsthand. He was still somewhat hesitant to stay on the front lines, but when Sokov asked him if he would like to stay in Moscow, in the weapons and equipment department far from the battlefield, there was no way he could disagree. He nodded vigorously and said, "When we meet Yakov tomorrow, please put in a good word for me with him and try to get me to stay in the weapons and equipment department."

"No problem, I'll try my best to get you to stay."

“Misha, I have a question,” Victoria asked. “After Anton entered the weapons and equipment field, besides the original AK47 blueprints, did he need to ‘design’ new weapon blueprints to solidify his position?”

“If possible, of course we should bring more future weapons to market ahead of schedule. These weapons can improve the combat effectiveness of our troops.” Sokov turned to Khabarov and asked, “Anton, what weapons do you think could be developed ahead of schedule?”

Khabarov thought for a moment and then said, "What's most lacking on the battlefield right now is various anti-tank weapons. I'd like to start by drawing up the blueprints for the RPG rocket launcher. As you all know, this portable anti-tank launcher is a portable anti-tank weapon that can demonstrate powerful strike capabilities in close-range combat. Whether it's tanks, armored vehicles, or fortifications, none can withstand its fierce attack."

“That’s right.” Victoria nodded after hearing this. “The RPG’s high versatility and flexibility make it not only a man-portable anti-tank weapon, but also a multi-functional portable artillery piece that supports infantry.”

Khabarov also confidently stated, "I think it won't be difficult for me to get into the Armaments Department."

“Anton, you can’t be blindly confident.” Seeing Khabarov getting a little carried away, Sokov quickly reminded him, “Although Yakov and Alekhin both want you to join the Armaments Department, things can change. If someone objects, you might miss out on this opportunity. When I meet Yakov tomorrow, I plan to mention the RPG rocket launcher blueprints you’re preparing to draw, and use that as your stepping stone into the Armaments Department.”

"Okay, Misha, I'll do whatever you say."

Sokov glanced at his watch. The three of them had been chatting for over half an hour. Although no one had bothered them, it was too cold outside, and Victoria was still injured. Staying any longer would have a negative impact on her health.

Sokov stood up and said to the two of them, "We've been chatting for quite a while now. If we continue, we might attract attention. Let's take Vika back to her ward now."

As Sokov pushed Victoria toward the hospital building, Victoria turned to look at him from her wheelchair and asked, "Misha, I...I have something else to ask you."

"What is it?" "Where is my great-grandmother Rita now?"

Sokov paused, then shook his head and said, “Vika, the last time I traveled through time was in early December 1941, and I met your great-grandmother in 1942. I don’t know where she is now.”

Hearing Sokov say that, Victoria couldn't help but feel a little disappointed: "That's such a shame. I just wanted to see what she looked like when she was young."

“Vika, I assure you, if I ever meet Rita again, I will make sure you two meet, as long as the conditions allow.”

"Then thank you in advance."

As soon as Sokov and his two companions entered the inpatient ward, the nurse who was looking after Victoria came to greet them.

After Sokov pushed Victoria away, the nurse stayed at the nurses' station, chatting with other nurses, but her eyes were always on the door. So she spotted the three of them as soon as they entered.

"Comrade Commander," the nurse said with a sweet smile to Sokov, "Could you please give me the wheelchair? I'll push Vika back to her ward."

Sokov handed the wheelchair to the nurse, then bent down and said to Victoria, "Vika, I'll come see you again tomorrow when I have time."

"Okay, Misha, I'll wait for you."

The nurse pushed Victoria toward the ward.

After walking down the corridor for a while, the nurse looked back and saw Sokov and Khabarov's departing figures. She tentatively asked Victoria, "Vika, is that commander your friend?"

"Hmm, is he my friend?"

"Boy friend?!"

“No, he’s just a close friend.” Victoria thought the nurse was just chatting with her, so she told her the truth: “He just came back from the front lines and when he found out I was hospitalized here, he came to visit me.”

Upon learning that Sokov wasn't Victoria's boyfriend, the nurse smiled. "Your friend is really nice; he came to visit you after learning you were injured. By the way, is he married?"

"No, he's still single."

……

The conversation between Victoria and the nurse went unnoticed by Sokov and Khabarov, who were leaving.

Khabarov was particularly interested in Sokov and Victoria's last few words. After leaving the hospital and arriving at an empty street, he finally asked the question that had been on his mind: "Misha, do you know Vika's great-grandmother?"

“Yes, I know her,” Sokov nodded. “Vika’s great-grandmother, Rita, was a commander in an anti-aircraft machine gun company. But I won’t have a chance to meet her until next year. I don’t know where she is now or whether she has joined the army.”

"What a coincidence!" Khabarov thought of his great-grandfather and couldn't help but say with emotion, "You met Vika's great-grandmother during your last time travel, and this time you met my great-grandfather, Captain Olga."

What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener. Sokov's heart skipped a beat when he heard Khabarov's words. He wondered if he had already traveled through time twice, and if he would be transported back to the battlefield of the Great Patriotic War after returning to the future with Victoria and Khabarov. If that happened again, he would probably have no choice but to find a way to end his own life and see if he could return to the future.

“Anton, it is indeed something to be proud of for you and Vika to be able to fight alongside your ancestors,” Sokov said helplessly. “But what I think about all day now is how to return to my own time as soon as possible.”

"Don't worry, Misha, I have a feeling," Khabarov said excitedly. "Sooner or later we will return to our own time, and not one of us will be missing."

“But we have no clue where your friend Braun is now.” Sokov thought of Khabarov’s German friend again and said with some worry, “Besides, I have never met him. Even if he stood in front of me, I would not recognize him.”

Sokov's words reminded Khabarov: "Yes, Misha, you've never seen Braun before. Even if he stood right in front of you, you wouldn't recognize him. What are we going to do? What if he becomes a boon for you, and you order him to be shot?"

"It's a pity you don't have a photo of him, otherwise I would know exactly what he looks like."

"I didn't bring anything from the future with me this time," Khabarov said with difficulty. "Otherwise, I could have shown you the photos I have on my phone."

Knowing that Khabarov was skilled at drawing, Sokov tentatively asked, "Can you draw his portrait?"

Khabarov shook his head and said, "Misha, don't be fooled by my good drawing skills. If you ask me to draw a portrait of a person, I really can't do it."

But Sokov said reluctantly, "Anton, although you can't draw a portrait of Braun, I can get Vika to help solve this problem."

Khabarov was quite surprised to hear Sokov say this. He asked in astonishment, "Misha, Vika also never met Braun. How could she have drawn his portrait?"

Sokov smiled slightly and then said, "Anton, you should know that the police station has officers who can draw a suspect's profile based on eyewitness accounts. Before she transmigrated, Vika was a police major with many years of service, and she also underwent special training at the St. Petersburg Police Academy. I think it should be possible for her to draw a sketch of Braun based on your description."

These words were like a wake-up call. Khabarov nodded repeatedly and said with some excitement, "That's right, that's right, Misha, you're right. I can describe Braun's appearance to Vika and have her draw a jigsaw puzzle of Braun's portrait based on my description."

(End of this chapter)