death of hope

Chapter 1013 "Psionic Storm" (87) Operation Preparation

135 Shizuoka Street, Niigata Reika Laundry Shop, is the secret headquarters of the Shin-Sapporo branch of the Commune.

The wooden sign that read "Temporarily Closed" was blown by the night wind and banged against the tightly closed roller shutter door.

Upstairs in the laundromat, only scraps of food remained on the table. The LED lights were off, and the dim candlelight flickered. People sat around the table, listening intently.

Paul Korchagin, clutching an old, worn-out "Yaroslav" brand accordion, pulled the bellows and pressed the keys to play and sing:
"

The babbling brook, however, does not rush forth for me.

The harsh winter frost and snow do not freeze me.

The autumn leaves fall, not for me.

The flowers of midsummer bloom, but not for me.

The nightingale welcomes spring, but it doesn't sing for me.

Blonde girl, marry my comrade-in-arms.
The Halloween bells don't ring for me; my loved ones raise their glasses, but I am not fortunate enough to share in the joy.

Forgetting is crueler than death.
Everything about this war has been forgotten.

For me, there is only the vastness of sandstorms.
A fierce storm raged, with howling and mournful cries.
Blood soaked the trenches, shells shattered the mounds.

The soldiers' corpses, piled high with weapons, became fertilizer, nourishing all living things.
Children of the grasslands, I lie there, crawling with maggots.

When next year comes, wild grass and flowers will creep over my bones…

Everything in the world is beautiful.
It's no longer my concern...

"

(Note: Adapted from the song "НЕДЛЯМЕНЯ" (It's none of my business), album Собраниесочинений, Том 3, artist: Lube/НикитаМихалков)

·
The ancient instruments played rich, melodious notes, and the singer's voice was captivating and full of emotion; even professional musicians couldn't have sung it better.
Paul put down his accordion, but no one applauded him.
Tonya and Takiya Rimi wiped away their tears, while Nikolai and Ando Shuichi sighed, as if recalling some old stories.

"On such a festive day, we should be getting together for a happy meal, but instead we're singing such sad songs..." Sergei complained.

“There’s nothing I can do,” Paul said, shrugging. “I only know these few songs. If I hadn’t lost the rock-paper-scissors game, I wouldn’t have bothered to sing them.”

“Don’t blame Paul,” Dimitri said; “I was the one who made him perform.”

In recent years, the federal and corporate armed forces have continuously squeezed the living space of the commune organization, launching brutal encirclements and suppressions on various bases. Fellow comrades who share the same ideals have fallen one by one, and the organization is filled with mournful songs and lamentations.

"Honestly, Paul, such a young man, always with such a sour face. On this holiday, I've come to bring some joy to everyone!"

"Hey! Ando, ​​blow out that damn candle and turn on the light! Takiya, clear the dishes!" Sergei, harmonica in mouth, jumped onto the table and started dancing a Cossack dance, playing a circus clown tune to accompany himself.

The crowd clapped along to the rhythm, and the atmosphere gradually became more cheerful.

Whether it was an unexpected accident or a deliberate attempt to be funny, Sergei's shoe slipped, and his burly body slammed down, landing on his buttocks with a thud.

"Ouch! My ass! It's shattered into eight pieces!"

As he cried out in pain, Sergei's harmonica made a funny sound, which amused everyone.
"What a bearded clown."

·
"Alright! I hereby declare the festival party over!" Nikolai clapped.

"Let's tidy up our dorms, wash up, and go back to our rooms to get some rest. We still need to scout out the mission location tomorrow."

"Is that all? No way! I still have a performance to do, and I haven't had enough to drink yet!"

"Can we stop drinking? Let's not delay our business. Old Z should set a good example for the young people."

"Pah! Go to hell! I'm going back to my room to drink!" Sergei gave him the middle finger and turned to leave.

Paul Korchagin's hawk-like eyes caught the details; Sergei secretly took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his nose, and Paul quickly walked over, pressed his shoulder and whispered in his ear;

"Old Xie, are you alright?"

"Don't touch me!"

Sergei shrugged, muttering and cursing under his breath as he carried the bottle back into the house.

Nikolai walked up to Paul and asked, "Old Xie's radiation sickness has reached a late stage?"

Paul sighed, "I don't have many years left to live..."

Nikolai said, "Back then, during the nuclear power plant accident, many people would have died if Xie and the others hadn't stepped forward." (Chapter 59 of "Psionic Storm")
“Yes, don’t let his foul language and low manners fool you; when it’s time to stand up, he won’t hesitate,” Paul said.
"So, I don't really care about his drinking anymore, and as for breaking the rules... I just let him be..."

·
The next day,

The group arrived at the most bustling area of ​​New Sapporo and climbed a towering, unfinished building.
According to the original design plan, this was supposed to become the tallest building in the new Sapporo, surpassing the Millennium Tower.

Due to the poor management of the investor, Enron Corporation, the project's funding chain broke down, and the entire design and construction team absconded with their belongings, leaving the once highly anticipated star project unfinished.

Even at rock-bottom prices, no one was willing to buy it, and the cost of demolition by explosives was too high. This massive, unfinished reinforced concrete structure was left to rust and decay under the elements, becoming a disgrace to the Shin-Sapporo Upper Town.

Homeless people are prohibited from entering Financial Street. Apart from some parkour influencers who come to take photos and check in, and occasional fire safety personnel who come to inspect and eliminate potential hazards, this unfinished building has been deserted.

Operation Siegfried is now in its final countdown, and the team members have begun scouting and reconnaissance, choosing this place as their first stop.