Chapter 2281
Something is wrong with Zayev
In addition, although Shakova had previously made the mistake of running away with her belongings alone, she returned in time at the critical moment to support everyone and helped them escape from the dangerous situation, which undoubtedly made a great contribution. After the merits and demerits were offset, when Long Zhan brought her back to the team, she quickly reintegrated into the group.
What Colonel Coltrane had said in his previous report to the boss was complete lies, with the purpose of covering up the truth. At the same time, he secretly made up his mind not to carry out the ruthless orders from the headquarters anymore.
The knot in Sharkova's heart had been completely untied. She knew that Colonel Coltrane would not harm her again, and her mood became particularly relaxed and happy. When Norman called her a "bastard" without any hesitation, Sharkova was not angry. Instead, she smiled brightly and playfully teased him, "Have you ever thought about taking away the dominance? Maybe you will do something worse?"
"You should know that people like us have to obey orders unconditionally most of the time." Sergei raised his eyebrows and spoke in a humorous tone, trying to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere.
"So, are you going to drink this glass of wine or not?" Chettri looked a little strange, carefully picking up the glass, and looking at everyone one by one, asking for their opinions. After all, Colonel Coltrane had just announced that Shakova had unfortunately died, and suggested that everyone toast her, but now the "resurrected" Shakova was sitting in front of them alive, so what to do with this glass of wine was indeed a rather tangled problem.
"Of course I will." Long Zhan stood up first with a smile on his face, raised his glass high, and said in a loud and resonant voice: "Cheers to our brave heroine Shakova."
Everyone seemed to enjoy this slightly dramatic and funny atmosphere. They actively cooperated, raised their glasses with great interest, and shouted in unison: "Cheers to Sharapova."
"Ding~" The wine glasses collided with each other, making a clear and pleasant sound, as if playing a hymn for Shakova. Everyone raised their heads and drank the wine. This joyful scene made Shakova feel a little amused and couldn't help but scold: "Is this necessary?"
"Of course it's necessary. You're 'dead'. This is tradition." Colonel Coltrane said seriously, but he couldn't hide the sly smile in his eyes.
"Okay." Shakova shook her head helplessly, stood up and walked to the wine cabinet to pour the wine.
"Dead people can't drink alcohol." Colonel Coltrane tried to stop him in a serious tone.
Shakova didn't care about all that. She deliberately widened her eyes and looked straight at Colonel Kechuan. In front of everyone, she unscrewed the bottle of wine and poured herself a full glass of wine.
"It seems that you, the 'dead man', are quite special. You can still drink alcohol even after being 'dead'." Seeing this, Colonel Kechuan couldn't help but teased again.
"That's right, this 'dead man' is so different, haha." After hearing this, everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere became particularly relaxed and harmonious, as if all the previous conflicts and unpleasantness had disappeared.
However, when the joyful atmosphere was at its peak, Shakova suddenly picked up the wine glass, drank the wine in it, then slowly put the glass down, her expression became extremely solemn, and she said softly: "Let's say goodbye now." Her words were like a huge rock thrown into the calm lake, instantly breaking the cheerful atmosphere and making the air at the scene seem to solidify.
"Goodbye." Shakova's voice was trembling slightly. She expressed her gratitude to everyone in Russian with a heavy heart and said goodbye. Her eyes were full of reluctance and attachment, as if she wanted to engrave everyone's face deeply in her heart.
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
……
Everyone responded in their own native language, two simple words, but full of deep respect and reluctance to part with Shakova. The sound echoed in the air, like a farewell movement, telling of endless friendship.
"I'm glad you're safe and sound, Corporal." Sharkova walked up to Chhetri and thanked him sincerely. Although she didn't say it clearly, Chhetri understood her meaning immediately, which was her deep gratitude for his risking his life to tip him off. Chhetri said nothing, but nodded gently. When their eyes met, they understood each other tacitly, and a special tacit understanding quietly flowed between them.
"Let me take you there." Colonel Kechuan slowly picked up the phone and car keys, stood up gently, and his eyes revealed an indescribable complex emotion, as if he had a lot to say to Shakova, but didn't know where to start.
"Why do I feel that Shakova is no longer a captain?" Sergei joked with a smile, trying to break the slightly heavy atmosphere.
"What rank do you think she is now?" Long Zhan also asked. "Probably second lieutenant." Nowen responded humorously with a faint smile on his face.
"I have no military rank now. I will send you a postcard, little one." Shakova looked at Novin with tears in her eyes.
"Don't forget to put the stamp on it, you stingy guy." Nowen responded with a smile, but there was a hint of sadness in his voice.
Shakova did not continue to speak. She looked around at everyone present for the last time with deep affection, her eyes full of reluctance, gratitude and attachment. Then, she resolutely turned around and walked slowly away from the beach with firm but slightly heavy steps. Colonel Kechuan followed her silently. The figures of the two gradually lengthened in the afterglow of the sunset and gradually went away, leaving only the quiet beach and the still sparkling ocean, as if quietly telling this story full of legendary colors and joys and sorrows...
After Sharkova and Colonel Kechuan left, everyone returned to their seats and continued their interrupted conversation. The air around them seemed to still have a hint of sadness, but everyone tried to dispel this faint sadness through conversation.
"I know he is not a regular member of our team, but Spiegel is indeed a good kid. It's a pity that he chose the wrong line of work and fell into this dangerous situation by mistake. Come, let's toast Spiegel." Stonebridge said, slowly raising his glass, with a trace of sadness on his face, that sadness is like the thin frost in winter, although not strong, but revealing a hint of chill. After years of struggling on this road full of unknowns and dangers, separation and death have long been commonplace for them, but every time they face the departure of their comrades, they still feel a sharp pain in their hearts, just like a stone thrown into a calm lake, rippling layers of water.
"Cheers to Spiegel." Long Zhan and the others responded one after another, their voices full of respect and remembrance, raising their glasses, clinking them together, making a crisp sound, as if it was a farewell to Spiegel. Then, everyone raised their heads and drank the wine in one gulp, the spicy liquid flowing down their throats, just like their complicated feelings at the moment, bitter with a hint of missing Spiegel.
At the same time, Colonel Coltrane, who walked outside with Shakova, looked a little solemn. He carefully took out a brown paper envelope from his arms and handed it to Shakova, saying with concern and helplessness: "These things can help you go to Beirut and settle down there. The current situation is complicated, and this is the limit of what I can do for you. I hope it will be helpful to you."
Shakova was slightly stunned, with a hint of surprise and gratitude in her eyes. She slowly opened the envelope in front of Colonel Coltrane. Inside was a brand new passport, the cover of which was slightly shiny, as if telling of a brand new beginning. There were also some plane tickets and related supporting items, each of which was neatly arranged, showing the care of the person who prepared it. She opened the passport and looked at the name on it, and couldn't help but smile softly: "Rester Moskova? This name is a bit special, but I always feel that I don't have the unique temperament of Rest. I really hope that when I use this passport, I won't be exposed because of the mismatch in temperament." There was a hint of ridicule in her smile, trying to ease the heavy atmosphere at the moment.
Colonel Kechuan looked at Sharkova with concern in his eyes and asked softly, "What are your plans for the future? After going through so much, I believe you are also rethinking your future."
Shakova raised her head slightly, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, including reluctance to the past, confusion about the future, and an imperceptible expectation. She slowly reached out her hand, with gentle movements and obvious hints, and gently touched Colonel Kechuan's hair, saying: "I'm afraid I will never be able to go home in this life. I have devoted my life to military career without reservation. Now, those former glory and responsibilities have become the past, and perhaps such an ending is not too bad. You can also try to let go of everything, put aside those heavy burdens, and start a new life with me." Her voice was very soft, as if she was afraid of disturbing the tranquility around her, but every word was full of expectation.
Colonel Kechuan immediately understood what Shakova meant, and his heart was actually moved. Shakova's proposal was like a beam of light shining into his world filled with responsibility and mission, allowing him to see another possibility. However, his mind kept reminding him that he could not agree. Because the responsibility he shouldered was like a heavy shackle that bound him tightly. It was a burden that he could not easily unload, and it was his commitment to the country and the team.
"You have a responsibility?" Sharkova saw that Colonel Coltrane was hesitant to speak, and a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes, and she said what he was thinking for him. She knew Colonel Coltrane too well, and she could read his hesitation from his eyes.
"Yes!" Colonel Kechuan nodded heavily, his voice low and firm. His eyes were full of helplessness and struggle. He knew that his decision might disappoint Shakova, but he had no choice.
"Okay." The light in Shakova's eyes dimmed instantly, and the corners of her mouth drooped slightly, revealing deep disappointment. She had originally expected Colonel Coltrane to abandon everything and run away with her, but the reality was so cruel.
Colonel Kechuan felt sorry for her when he saw this. He forced a smile and tried to comfort Shakova, "Maybe, let's wait until we complete this mission. Maybe this will be the last mission. Then, everything will change." There was a hint of longing in his tone, as if he was describing a beautiful future.
Hearing this, Shakova, who was originally disappointed, smiled again. That smile was like a ray of sunshine in the haze, although weak, it brought a glimmer of hope. But after just a few seconds, her face became heavy again, and she slowly said: "There will always be the next task to do, right? It seems that we can never get rid of this endless mission and responsibility." There was a trace of fatigue and helplessness in her voice, as if she was tired of this repetitive life.
This time, Colonel Coltrane did not make any further explanation, and his expression became extremely complicated. He wanted to hug Shakova tightly, to comfort her and let her feel his care and reluctance. But in the end, he just patted her hand gently, his movements were gentle and restrained, and he said two words in a deep tone: "Take care." These two words contained all his emotions, including his concern for Shakova, his worries about the unknown future, and a hint of unspeakable apology.
Shakova understood Colonel Coltrane's helplessness and did not continue to pester him. She silently picked up the envelope and held it tightly in her hand, as if it was the only hope for her future life. She turned and strode away, each step was firm and resolute. Before turning the corner, she could not help but turn her head and take a last look at Colonel Coltrane. Their eyes met, thousands of words were contained in them, as if time had stopped at this moment. Then, she gritted her teeth, disappeared around the corner, and said goodbye to Colonel Coltrane.
……
In the remote and turbulent Sarajevo, a hidden safe house was occupied by terrorists, which was filled with an atmosphere of oppression and danger. The tranquility of the night was broken by Mach's scream. He woke up suddenly from his nightmare, and cold sweat rolled down his forehead like beans, soaking his clothes. He hurriedly reached out to pick up the glasses on the coffee table next to the sofa and put them on. The eyes behind the lenses were full of fear and confusion. He hurriedly opened the door and walked out. The scene in front of him made him open his eyes wide instantly, and he froze in fear, as if he had been cast under a spell.
The living room outside was a bloody mess, like hell on earth. The floor and walls were splattered with blood, and the pungent smell of blood filled the air, making people sick. Zayev stood quietly by the window with a dagger in his hand, his body also stained with blood. His figure, under the moonlight, was like a Shura walking out of hell, exuding a chilling aura. In the corner on the west side of the living room, a man was lying. He had several deep wounds on his body. The blood from the wounds was still gushing out, staining the ground red. He had no breath long ago, and his body was cold as a piece of ice-cold stone. (End of this chapter)