[Cdnwolf]

Major Petrofski of the Russian 3'rd Border Guards looked up as his lead Sergeant came into his tent with a confused look on his face. God, he thought to himself, is this the best that our mighty Motherland has to offer, as his gaze wondered up and down the tattered Russian sergeant.

"Comrade Major! He is here! He is outside the west gate with a white flag and wants to talk to you!!"

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"So let me get this right... you want to stop running and join the mighty Russian army - as private mercenary soldiers - under MY command. I point you at my enemy and let you kill them for me? In return you just want food and shelter?"

Major Petrofski was intrigued.

"Why fight it", I replied with vigour, "we could go on for months and for what? More death and destruction. You are using up your food, precious ammo and men for what? Did they promise you a promotion and a dacha by a lake for my capture. Look around you Major. There are no more promotions! No more Dacha! What we do have are our men, our wits and our will to survive. I am sick of living on the run. I was born in a country that no longer exists and yet I still follow the orders of its "Best" military minds. NO MORE! From what I see... you are my greatest hope to survive in this hell."

Major Petrofski looked over at his Sergeant, “ Well Nicolai, what you think of Captain Everest's idea?”

“Major! It is a betrayal of everything we have worked for. The Motherland has been good to us through these trying times. Shoot him. Or let me have the honour of eradicating this enemy of the State!" Sargent Nicolai put his hand on his pistol.

Major Petrofski gave a heavy sigh, "Yes Sergeant. You are right. Our enemies must be destroyed to make us stronger." Major Petrofski whipped out his pistol and shot Nicolai in the forehead.

"And old ideologies make you the worse kind of enemy my friend! It’s time to seize the moment and live for ourselves. Well Captain Everest – I too believe it’s time to take what we can. So welcome, you and your men are the first recruit of…. Petrofski's Private Army!"

Laughing, I whipped out my special gift... a bottle of pre-war merlot and we celebrated the start of our new life.