death of hope

Chapter 1027 "Psionic Storm" (101) Live for today, for tomorrow we die
For several weeks in a row, the commune soldiers were extremely busy;
Intelligence gathering, resource procurement, planning, site reconnaissance, physical training, combat and shooting training, electronic and information warfare simulations, etc...

Every day was busy and fulfilling, with no time to think. Operation Siegfried was drawing ever closer, the team was well-prepared, and morale was high.
According to organizational tradition, before every major battle, the comrades must relax. Those in the headquarters office will open the wine cellar for a good drink, those on the front lines will hold a social gathering, and those working behind enemy lines will find ways to have fun.

As the organization's most elite GRU agents, even the youngest among them, Paul, was a seasoned guerrilla fighter, intimately familiar with the organization's traditions.
Everyone is well aware of the cruelty behind this tradition; like the last cigarette of a death row inmate, this mission is not to assassinate some small fry, but a big shot at the core of the Terra Human Federation's power.

Since we've made up our minds, let's just relax and have some fun. Maybe this is the last time we'll ever have this party. As Nikolai said, "We GRU agents are fearless, ruthless, and merciless. We live in the moment and don't think about tomorrow's sun."

·
That night, at the most upscale nightclub in Kabukicho, Uesugi District, the GRU agents were drinking and partying in a private room.
Every bottle of wine, every cigarette, every piece of pastry or fruit could be the last enjoyment; every hearty laugh caused by a vulgar joke could be the last smile on one's face in this cold and cruel world. Everyone tries not to think too much and indulges in unrestrained pleasure with Z.

Paul Korchagin was wearing his most expensive outfit, a vintage Baleno brand, which Tonya had helped him find at a secondhand store. It had been dry-cleaned and disinfected before he put it on. It sounded shabby, but for the impoverished commune organization, it was a luxury.

Compared to the stylish customers at the nightclub, Paul looked like a country bumpkin with a felt hat and a rope around his waist, fresh out of school.

Having grown up in the simple, idyllic environment of the planet where he was based, Pavel Korchagin found himself very uncomfortable with the bright lights and bustling nightlife of Shin-Sapporo's Kabukicho district.

The lighting effects here are too flashy, the sound system is too loud, and the lyrics are too cheesy.
After several rounds of drinks, everyone was drunk except for him. Even the usually reserved detachment commander, Nikolai, was completely drunk and talking nonsense.

·
The nightclub's regulars were mostly young masters and princesses living a life of debauchery, wildly twisting and swaying on the dance floor illuminated by disco balls. Everyone was high on drugs, decadent and indifferent to reality. The chaotic and depraved scene made Paul shake his head repeatedly.
"These maggots...they're just bored and have nothing better to do..."

"Go ahead and be so sour! I can smell the sour cucumbers!"

Sergei, holding a bottle of liquor, said, "I'm quite envious of these rich kids. They don't have to go to work and get scolded by their bosses, nor do they have to squat in flooded trenches getting shot. Every day, all they do is eat and play. Capturing towers is so much fun!"

Paul seemed to disregard these words, or perhaps he hadn't heard them at all, and simply stared at the crowd dancing wildly under the disco ball, casting a contemptuous glance at them.

"You're just being sarcastic!" Sergei said again.

"Shut up!" Donya retorted, still dizzy. "Since you're so envious of those rich kids, why don't you leave the organization and join them? After all, with your professional skills, making money shouldn't be difficult for you~"

"Envy it may be, but I'm a man of high ideals, loyal to the GM cause, and I wouldn't stoop to joining these monsters!" Sergei downed the rest of the vodka in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and gave Tonya the middle finger. "You little brat, you're really protective of your own. You said a couple of things to that kid, and he didn't even say anything, but you're already getting upset." "Exactly, exactly! These girls are just brainwashed; they think even a handsome guy's fart smells good," Dmitry, with a similarly greasy beard and a drunken stupor, chimed in. "Just have fun at the club, stop pretending to be so high and mighty!"

"Shut up!" Before Tonya could speak, Takiya Rimi, her face flushed from drinking, retorted, "You two ugly men aren't allowed to talk about my Paul brother!"

"I don't understand. What's so good about that kid? He's as boring as an old monk and as dull as a blockhead. How can he be popular with women? It's outrageous!" Dmitri complained sourly.

"You two ugly guys are just being sour! Even if he were a monk, Paul would be a high-minded monk who has transcended vulgar tastes. Of course, the most important thing is that he's tall and handsome, hehehe~"

·
"These two lovesick fools are hopeless!" Dmitry waved his hand, turned to Sergei and said, "These two girls are so boring, let's go to the dance floor and find some pretty ladies!"

"Let's go, let's go!" Two drunken, bearded men left the private room and staggered toward the dance floor.

"Pah! Disgusting!" Takiya Rimi made a face and sneered, "If I were a nightclub security guard, I would definitely kick these two ugly men out!"

Paul's eyes darted around, his face full of confusion. "Why do other tables have to pay expensive tickets, but our table gets them for free?"

Nikolai laughed heartily and patted Paul on the shoulder: "You grew up in the base area, you haven't been baptized by the mud, you're out of touch with the outside world. Let me ask you, what do bars and nightclubs rely on to attract customers?"

Paul looked toward the dance floor. Sergei and Dmitry had already found dance partners. The two girls were heavily made up, dressed scantily, covered in tattoos, and behaving provocatively.

"Don't just stand there, I'm asking you, what do nightclubs use to attract customers?" The drunken Nicolai banged on the table, urging him on.

Paul blushed, not from the alcohol, but simply from being shy, and stammered, "Woman..."

"Correct answer~" Nikolai slapped his hand, spraying spittle and alcohol fumes all over Paul's face;
"Nightclubs rely on pretty girls to attract customers and generate revenue. The higher the quality of the girls, the higher the turnover. This is considered the secret to making money in this industry."
If someone's figure and looks are perfect to a certain degree, even their pretty companions get free admission! Not only that, they also get free private rooms, unlimited drinks and fruit platters—it's like our base's 'ration coupons'!

“I see. We were able to come to this upscale nightclub because of them,” Paul nodded, having learned some more vulgar and useless social knowledge.