red moscow

Chapter 3096 German Translation
“How is this possible? How could such a bizarre thing happen in the world?” Braun stared wide-eyed at Sokov in disbelief, his voice trembling slightly with shock. “Even if time travel really exists, how could so many people travel through time at the same time? This completely defies common sense!”

Looking at Braun's shocked expression, Sokov sighed softly, his tone calm yet resolute: "I know this sounds like a fantasy, hard to accept, but it all really happened. Since you're Bakharov's friend, you must have seen that movie called 'We Are From the Future,' right? In the movie, four modern people travel back to the Great Patriotic War. Reality is often more incredible than movies."

Hearing Sokov accurately state the name of the film that wouldn't be released for decades, Braun's doubts immediately lessened considerably. The ability to describe a future cultural product in such detail suggested that even if this person wasn't truly from the future, he must have some intricate connection to it.

However, Braun remained cautious. He didn't respond immediately, but nervously glanced at Belkin and Karsokov not far away, fearing they might overhear this shocking conversation. If such remarks were known to others, not only would his own life be in danger, but the Soviet lieutenant colonel would likely be implicated as well.

“Don’t worry, Braun.” Sokov saw through his worry, smiled slightly, and reassured him in fluent German, “That’s why I insist on communicating with you in German. Here, no one but me can understand what we’re saying.”

Braun finally breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the fine sweat from his forehead. He was genuinely afraid of the uproar that would ensue if their conversation had been overheard. In that case, not only would he, a prisoner of war, be unable to escape, but even this esteemed lieutenant colonel would likely be in trouble.

“Lieutenant Colonel…” Braun began cautiously.

“Bakharov usually calls me Misha,” Sokov interrupted him gently. “You can call me that too. After all, a friend of a friend is a friend.”

“Misha!” Braun readily changed his form of address, his tone tinged with urgency, “Did you travel to this era alone, or did someone accompany you?”

"I am accompanied by a close friend," Sokov confessed candidly. "We came into this era together."

Braun's eyes lit up immediately: "I've seen that movie you mentioned many times. I remember in the film, the protagonist and his three companions entered the lake they had initially crossed after a battle and eventually returned to the future. I wonder, if the four of us got together, would we also have a chance to go back to the future?"

“While I can’t be sure of the specific method of returning,” Sokov replied calmly, “I think the primary condition is that the four of us must be together. If we can get together, perhaps we can find a way to return to the future.”

However, after hearing this, the expectation on Braun's face was gradually replaced by frustration: "Misha, I'm afraid we won't have that opportunity at all."

"Why do you say that?" Sokov asked, puzzled.

“The reason is simple.” Braun looked at Sokov with a bitter expression. “I am now your prisoner of war, and according to custom, I will soon be sent to a rear POW camp. Once I am sent there, especially if I am exiled to Siberia, it will be harder than climbing to heaven to find me again.”

Sokov silently agreed with this assessment. The POW camp had a strict management system, especially for German prisoners of war. If Braun was indeed sent away, getting him back would be virtually impossible.

“Don’t worry, Braun, I have a way to keep you by my side.” Sokov thought quickly for a moment and soon came up with a win-win solution. “Aren’t you fluent in Russian? I can appoint you as the brigade’s translator. That way you can stay with official status and won’t have to worry about being sent to a POW camp.” Braun’s face immediately lit up with surprise: “Really? You can really let me stay with you as a translator?”

"Of course, I do what I say."

At this point, Sokov turned to Belkin and Karsokov and raised his voice, saying, "Deputy Brigade Commander, Chief of Staff, please come here for a moment. I have something important to announce."

Berkin strode over to Sokov and asked curiously, "Comrade Brigade Commander, what is it?"

Sokov gestured towards Braun and introduced him to Belkin: “Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, this is Braun. After some careful communication and persuasion, he finally agreed to serve as our brigade headquarters’ German translator. In this way, he can take on the translation work for any German prisoners of war captured at the front, as well as any German operational documents, maps, or telegrams seized, providing strong support for our next tactical decision-making and intelligence analysis.”

"This is just in time!" Belkin's face immediately lit up with a relieved smile, and he said loudly, "I was really worried about this. The troops are advancing very quickly, and we are taking more and more German prisoners, but we have always lacked professional German-speaking personnel, and many things have been delayed in the translation process. Now we have this... uh..." He suddenly paused, unable to recall the other person's name for a moment, and his tone became somewhat hesitant.

“It’s Braun, Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander.” Sokov quickly took over, adding in a steady voice, “You can call him Braun. From today onwards, he will be officially incorporated into the brigade headquarters as our full-time German translator.”

"Hello, Comrade Braun!" Belkin extended his hand warmly and said sincerely, "Welcome to our brigade! Your arrival is of great significance to us."

"Hello, Deputy Brigade Commander!" Braun quickly extended both hands and firmly grasped Belkin's hands, responding earnestly and slightly nervously, "I will definitely complete every translation task diligently and will never let down the Brigade Commander and you who have placed your trust in me!"

Taking advantage of the brief moment when Braun shook hands with Belkin and Karsokov, Sokov strode to the entrance of the command post and called out loudly, "Captain Bobrikov!"

Upon hearing the sound, Bobrikov, the guard company commander who had been waiting outside, immediately jogged over, stood at attention, saluted, and asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, what are your instructions?"

“Comrade Captain,” Sokov gestured with his eyes to Braun, who was standing in the room, and solemnly instructed, “this is Comrade Braun, who has just joined our brigade. From now on, he will serve as the German translator for the brigade headquarters. Take him to a suitable place to settle down, and make sure he changes out of his German uniform to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings at the garrison.”

"Yes, Comrade Brigadier!" Bobrichkov answered crisply, then entered the room, approached Braun, smiled amicably, and said, "Comrade Braun, I am Captain Bobrichkov, the company commander of the brigade headquarters guard company. By order of the brigade commander, I will take you to rest. Please follow me."

Braun glanced at Sokov with slight hesitation, seemingly awaiting final confirmation. Sokov nodded to him and added in a gentler tone, "Go ahead, Braun. Captain Bobrikov will take good care of you. Remember to change into one of our uniforms; it will make things easier for you when operating at the brigade headquarters."

(End of this chapter)