«IN THE CIRCLE OF KUNDUZ» Page #9

ADROIT TAILOR:

That's if you're lucky!

And if you're not lucky, then less!

The young, feeling awkward, sit down on the pairs of stools standing at the foot of the bunks, fastened together. Lepecha notices a large backpack stuffed to the brim in the Mongol's hands.

LEPECHA:

And what is this?!

Lepecha pulls the backpack on himself, Mongol holds tenaciously, does not let go of his hands. Lepecha pulls the backpack with effort. A scuffle ensues, Mongol frown and throw Lepecha, like a piece of fluff, through the torso with a turn, spreading it on the concrete floor.

In an instant, everyone who had been busy with something hitherto come from different ends of the tent, except 2 tarjimons who continue to play backgammon and serene Armand, who had withdrawn from the worldly bustle. A tough battle begins, more than thirty people attack 6 young men - Mongol, Strela, Rust, Kostyan, Sidor, Koster.

The newcomers successfully resist, the old men are using paired stools. Kapusta stops the skirmish with a loud cry of "Amba". Kapusta squeezes between the opposing sides, step up tightly to Mongol and, pulling down, adjust his tunic with the top buttons torn out. Five shamanic copper mirrors, the size of a 5-kopeck coin, hanging on a black leather cord, flash on the Mongol's bare neck.

KAPUSTA:

(for newcomers)

I see that you are all athletes, bone crackers, and even shamans among you

(in a mentoring tone)

I say occasionally! We will not waste time and effort on education! And we will ask the company to remove you from the unit — serve in another place!

(he pauses for a moment, looks at the young people intently, and continues)

In the intelligence department, the entire responsibility lies with the old-timers. Our requirements are simple — the equipment must be on the move, the weapons are working properly, ammunition and provisions are in abundance, the tent is clean, the scouts in the regiment are bold and welded together.

48. INT. RECONNAISSANCE TENT – DAWN.

Kapusta comes into the tent.

KAPUSTA:

(with piety)

Armand, your "Military ID" is ready. So, quickly put on a uniform for the parade, go out to say goodbye to the regiment's banner.

Armand, feeling excited, begins to change clothes in a hurry. The Order of the Red Star and the Medal for Bravery sparkle on Armand's ceremonial tunic. The young people are watching Armand with envy. The whole reconnaissance company pour out to see Armand off.

49. EXT. AFGHANISTAN. THE LOCATION OF THE REGIMENT — DAY.

More than 2 dozen demobilized soldiers with ceremonial overcoats and the same type of dark gray briefcases have accumulated. The orders of the "Red Star", medals "For Bravery", "For Military Merit" shine on their chests. Two soldiers carry out the Combat Banner of the unit from the headquarters. A fit officer of the regiment HEAD OF STAFF, with the rank of major, who came out behind them, distributes military IDs to the demobee and gives the order to build up. The demobilized soldiers put their briefcases, overcoats aside, standing in two rows.

HEAD OF STAFF:

(loudly)

Be equal! Attention!

(pause)

Unfurl The Battle Banner!

Get ready to say goodbye to the regiment's Banner!

The demobilized soldiers in turn, with a clear marching step, approach the red flag and, kneeling, apply their lips to it. At the end, from the horn loudspeaker above the door of the regimental headquarters, the march "Farewell of the Slavs" begin to play loudly.

The demobilized soldiers, holding the alignment to the banner, striking a step with a high lift of the leg, begin their march. The solemnity of the moment makes friends — Kostyan, Mongol, Rust, Strela, Sidor and Koster — tremble.

50. EXT. AFGHANISTAN. THE LOCATION OF THE REGIMENT- EVENING.

The day is fading, the sun is sinking. The green tent city, faded under the scorching sun, stretches 10 steps from the airfield runway, against the background of a dozen Mi-8MT and Mi-24 helicopters. Their propellers wearily bent their blades.

51. EXT. THE LOCATION OF THE REGIMENT — DAY.

The reconnaissance company formed up before going on a combat operation in the provinces of Kunduz, Takhar and Badakhshan.

In front of the formation opposite the tent are the company commander, Senior Lieutenant Boris Naletov, slightly behind his replacement - Senior Lieutenant Leonid PETROV, the head of the regiment's intelligence, Captain Vasily PROKHOROV, Senior Lieutenant KHROMOV, platoon commanders, Senior Lieutenant DEMICHEV and Lieutenant VIKULOV.

Company commander, senior lieutenant Naletov, tall, with an oriental type of face, pitch-black hair, mustache, orders:

NALETOV:

(addresses loudly)

Company! Straighten up, attention! Freely.

Fellow scouts!

I present to you Senior Lieutenant Petrov — from today he is your new company commander.

I am proud that I went through this war with you. The difference in ranks did not prevent us from saving each other's lives, eating from the same pot, sharing the last sip of water in the mountains.

As a commander, I considered my main task in a combat situation to be saving the lives of my subordinates!

Let the relatives and friends of our fallen comrades, whose lives I could not save, forgive me. I wish that, like me, each of you has a happy moment of farewell to Afghanistan at the stage of service. When we return home, we will be proud to say: We defended the southern borders of our homeland and helped the Afghan people build a just society. But!

(pauses)

Even though I am no longer the commander of the reconnaissance company, I am going out with you on the last operation. This will allow us to introduce the new company commander, Senior Lieutenant Petrov, to the course as soon as possible.

Company - disperse! We are heading in 10 minutes! Everyone be ready!

The company is dispersing. The chief of the regiment's intelligence, Captain PROKHOROV, approaches Naletov and speaks softly.

PROKHOROV:

Boris Alekseevich!

It is a bad omen to go to the "combat" when the substitute is already in the regiment — time has checked.

NALETOV:

Comrade Captain!

Petrov is in Afghanistan for the second day, and it would be useful to share the accumulated experience with him in a few days.

Perhaps this will save the lives of our fighters.

PROKHOROV:

You are already behind the staff, so I will not order you!

But they don't joke with omens at war.

52. EXT. AFGHANISTAN. HIGHWAY — DAY.

The armored vehicles of the reconnaissance company - 5 infantry fighting vehicles BMP-2, 3 combat reconnaissance vehicles BRM-1, stand in the vanguard of the regimental column and, having smoked with black clouds of working engines, begin to move. Fox tails are tied to the long tower antennas of the armor units, and the fighters sitting on top of the armor are dressed in various ammunition – camouflage suits, mountain overalls, sweaters, “Olympians”, and colorful Afghan woolen knitted socks worn over knee-length trousers. Various hats from panama hats to sports hats are on their heads, and white PUMA and ROMIKA sneakers are instead of the usual army boots.

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