red moscow

Chapter 3152

Sokov nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Hello, Major Zhivagin! I really didn't expect that we would meet again so soon."

Zhivagin asked cautiously, "Comrade Deputy Commander! Are you not wounded?" At the same time, his eyes quickly scanned Sokov's entire body to check for any abnormalities.

Sokov shook his head slightly, his movements unhurried. He first glanced at Lieutenant Gulia standing to the side, who was warily scanning her surroundings, her hand still on her holster. Then, he turned his gaze to Captain Chekalov, who stood straight, his face showing a slightly tired but determined expression. Sokov's lips curled into a relieved smile: "No. Fortunately, Captain Chekalov and Lieutenant Gulia responded appropriately, promptly killing the attacker and ensuring my safety. Their reaction was very swift, which I greatly appreciate."

Zhivagin turned and looked at Chekalov not far away. A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his face, and his eyes revealed approval. He said softly to Sokov, "Comrade Deputy Commander, protecting your safety is his duty." After saying that, he raised his arm and waved in the distance, the movement crisp and decisive, clearly summoning someone.

A moment later, an NKVD lieutenant ran over quickly. He stopped in front of Zhivagin, stood at attention, and stared straight ahead, quietly awaiting orders.

Zhivagin turned to Sokov and said respectfully, “Comrade Deputy Commander! Since you are not injured, for your safety, I suggest arranging for someone else to escort you home. This will allow you to rest as soon as possible, and at the same time, we can concentrate on handling affairs here. What do you think?”

Sokov frowned slightly and asked with concern, "What about Captain Chekalov? Doesn't he need to go back with us? After all, he also went through that dangerous situation."

Zhivagin nodded and explained, “Comrade Deputy Commander, we need to conduct a detailed investigation of the scene, which requires the cooperation of personnel familiar with the situation. Captain Chekalov, as one of the parties involved, witnessed the entire incident firsthand, and his testimony and assistance are crucial to us. Therefore, he needs to stay and cooperate with us to ensure the accuracy of the investigation.”

After listening to Zhivagin's explanation, Sokov nodded readily, a hint of weariness in his voice: "Alright then, Major Zhivagin. Arrange a car for me; I want to get home as soon as possible. What happened today has truly left me feeling physically and mentally exhausted. I need to rest and clear my head."

Zhivagin turned solemnly to the lieutenant and ordered in a deep voice, "Lieutenant, you are responsible for escorting the deputy commander back to the military compound. You must promise me that you will ensure his absolute safety, even at the cost of your own life. This is an order, and it is also your responsibility."

"Yes, Major, I assure you!" The lieutenant straightened his back and answered with unwavering conviction, his eyes resolute: "I will protect you with my life and deliver the Deputy Commander safely to the military compound. Please rest assured."

Zhivagin was quite satisfied with the lieutenant's crisp and efficient reply. He nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his lips, and then gestured towards the convoy. A black sedan smoothly pulled up and stopped beside Sokov. Zhivagin stepped forward, opened the car door, and explained, "Comrade Deputy Commander, your original vehicle was damaged in the attack and is unusable. The Director specifically instructed that this new car be assigned to you, hoping to make your journey more comfortable."

Sokov thanked Zhivagin and, with Gulia's help, struggled slightly to get into the back seat of the car. The lieutenant quickly and attentively closed the door, then went around to the passenger side, opened the door, sat down, and nodded to the driver.

The car drove smoothly and soon arrived at the gate of the military compound. As soon as the car slowed down, a sentry on duty quickly stepped forward, raised his hand to signal the car to stop, and said in a clear and stern voice, "Halt! This is the military compound. No outside vehicles are allowed inside." The lieutenant rolled down the window, leaned out, showed his identification, and said, "I am a lieutenant from the Internal Affairs Department, ordered to escort the Deputy Commander home. Please allow me to pass."

Upon hearing this, the sentry looked puzzled. He leaned closer, examined the license plate carefully, and said cautiously, "Comrade, a vehicle from the Ministry of Internal Affairs did come to pick up the deputy commander this morning, but I remember the license plate number wasn't this one. According to regulations, I need to verify it."

Before the lieutenant could explain further, Sokov in the back seat leaned forward slightly and rolled down his side window. He faced the sentry, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Comrade sentry, the car I was in when I left broke down, so I had to switch to this one. I am Sokov, and I can verify your identity."

The sentry recognized Sokov's face immediately, and his doubt vanished instantly, replaced by respect and apology: "I see! I'm sorry, Comrade Deputy Commander, I was being overly cautious. I'll have the gate opened right away, please wait a moment."

After speaking, he took a step back, turned, and gave a clear signal to his comrade in the guard post. The railings slowly rose, and the gates opened to both sides. The sentry turned back to the car, stood ramrod straight, and gave a salute to Sokov inside, watching the car drive into the depths of the compound.

The car slowly approached the villa and finally came to a smooth stop in front of the ornate iron gate. Gulia got out first, walked around the front of the car, and gently opened the back door. She reached out and carefully helped Sokov out of the car. With Gulia's assistance, Sokov stood steadily on the ground.

The lieutenant in charge of the escort had already strode to the back of the vehicle, deftly opened the trunk, and taken out a folding wheelchair. He quickly unfolded the wheelchair, pushed it in front of Sokov, stood at attention, and politely said, "Comrade Deputy Commander, please have a seat!"

Sokov nodded slightly and settled into his wheelchair. He looked up at the lieutenant standing before him, a gentle smile on his face: "Comrade Lieutenant, your mission is complete. You may leave now!"

Upon hearing this, the lieutenant immediately raised his hand in a standard military salute to Sokov, then turned and got into the car, whispering an instruction to the driver. The car then started and slowly drove away from the villa.

Gulia pushed Sokov through the open gate into the courtyard. The courtyard was lush and tranquil, shaded by green trees. She suddenly stopped, looked around to make sure no one was nearby, and then asked in a low voice, "Comrade General, do you think the attack we just experienced was accidental, or was it deliberately orchestrated?"

Sokov didn't answer Gulia's question, but instead asked, "Gulia, what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)