A True Tiger-Killer (Sasha)

[Laya Eteric]

For quite a while, Germany's Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger and Pz.Kpfw. V Panther tanks were extremely difficult in a one-on-one battle. The standard Medium tank, the T-34/76, could not defeat either of these at the ranges where the opposite would be true. While assault guns, such as the SU-152, could defeat them, they had no turret, and thus were of rather limited value. But in early 1944, a new tank reached combat, and could much more easily take on said German tanks...

"What a beast," said Laya. "This 'Stalin 2' should certainly give the Fascists something to think about!" She looked over the tank. The lower hull, particularly the running gear, clearly showed it's relation to the older KV-1. The armour was as thick as that of the Tiger, but much better shaped...because of this, this 46 ton "heavy" tank weighed less than the 49 ton Panther "medium" tank! The turret was large, with welding crude by Western standards, a DT machine gun in the rear, and, most importantly, the massive D-25T 122mm gun, which was even more emphasized by the large muzzle brake. It was all highly impressive to Laya.

"I love it!" she said. She rubbed her hand along the gargantuan cannon, clearly in awe. "Ohhh...I can't WAIT to get in this beast! OH, I wanna see the German tanks explode from this gun..." Laya climbed on for a peak inside the turret. She looked down the commander's cupola. The insides looked appealing also. She frowned when she noticed that the ammunition was two-piece...but what could be expected for a gun this size?

But Laya remembered that she wasn't supposed to be up on the tank...not yet, anyway. She quickly jumped down, in the hopes no one had seen her... "Oh..." She thought. "I hope I'm not in trouble for that..."

[Sasha Nosova]

As an extra security precaution, the new “Stalin 2” tank had to be inspected and pass a variety of criteria on a checklist periodically, and preferably every 24 hours. This lovely duty switched up between all the sergeants every day. This particular day was Sasha’s day and she enjoyed taking this extra time to appreciate one of the Soviet’s new and improved tanks.

She made her way to the hanger with all the new equipment. As she was walking, she couldn’t help but think about her anxiety issues. Luckily she has been able to keep it pretty hidden thanks to self-taught breathing exercises. She feared that it wasn’t going to stay hidden for long as her attacks were becoming worse. She didn’t understand the origin or the reason for her anxiety attacks anymore. They started happening out of nowhere with no warning, whereas before, she could feel it build up all the way to the climax of the attack. She decided she would have to eventually discuss what was capable of happening at any moment with the Master Sergeant and pray that the percussions of not bringing her anxiety up previously doesn’t come back to bite her.

She was almost to the entrance of the hanger when she could hear what sounded like someone talking. She had to stop before the entrance so she could listen better and heard pure excitement and admiration. No one was supposed to be in the hanger, especially right before the inspection. The hangers were always cleared out thirty minutes before each inspection so not anything or anyone could interfere. This particular person was going against clear and strict orders and Sasha should have been more than irritated. Instead, she was curious as to what this act of disobedience was about.

She started to walk in the hanger and noticed Junior Sergeant Eteric on the tank appreciating most of the improvements. Sasha noticed a look of realization on Eteric’s face, not because she had seen Sasha, but because she knew it was wrong for her to be on the tank, let alone around it, especially now. When Eteric swiftly jumped off the tank and prompted if she was in trouble, Sasha tried her best to hide a smile announced, “She’s something else isn’t she?” She couldn’t help but let out a little smile. “No, Eteric, you are not in trouble as I doubt you would do her any harm; at least that is what I gather from your profound admiration, but let’s not make this a habit.”

All Sasha could do at this point was chuckle. No one was going to come in this hanger as it was against protocol. She thought since protocol was already broken by Eteric, and clearly Eteric had a strong sense of respect for the “Stalin 2”, what would it hurt to have Eteric help her with the inspection? She was absolutely positive that Eteric would not speak of such events as it would definitely come with disciplinary measures for them both. She crossed her arms, still smiling, and asked, “How would you like to help me with the inspection?” and quickly added, “Please be reminded, you are not suppose to be in here and if it is discovered that I allow you to assist me with this tank inspection, we will both be reprimanded, but I think that will not be an issue neither one of us will need to worry with, correct?”

[Laya Eteric]

“She’s something else isn’t she?” was what Sasha had said, making Laya jump. She looked as Sasha smiled slightly before saying “No, Eteric, you are not in trouble as I doubt you would do her any harm; at least that is what I gather from your profound admiration, but let’s not make this a habit.” This made Laya noticeably blush, especially after Sasha's small laugh.

It took a few seconds for Laya to get her thoughts together enough to speak. "I...I can't believe I f-forgot that I shouldn't be i-in here..." She looked at the IS-2 again. She was definitely not going to speak of the 46 tonne behemoth, not until everyone had been introduced when they were supposed to. She'd been in the Red Army since mid 1941, so Laya clearly knew what would happen if she did.

“How would you like to help me with the inspection?” said Sasha. Laya paused as she let Sasha continue. “Please be reminded, you are not suppose to be in here and if it is discovered that I allow you to assist me with this tank inspection, we will both be reprimanded, but I think that will not be an issue neither one of us will need to worry with, correct?”

Laya was dumbfounded at Sasha's last statement. "Is she serious?" was what she thought. Laya looked at the IS-2, then Sasha, then the door. If they stayed and continued, an officer who WAS allowed in would find them. If they walked out right now, someone might see them doing such, but they'd have to leave eventually...and if they were discovered, the less they had seen, the better.

"I...I...I'm honestly not sure...there's still a chance we'll be discovered, someone could walk in, or see us walking out...in either case, it'd be best if we saw less, right?" She waited for Sasha's reply. "Okay. Who are you, anyway?"