The barracks reeked of a suffocating mix of dampness, sweat, and old smoke. A thick layer of dust covered the floor, the rusty bunks creaked at every movement, and the soldiers sat in the corner like lost shadows. Their uniforms were torn, their boots ripped, and their faces bore the marks of exhaustion and indifference.
As soon as Anna crossed the threshold, she felt rage boiling inside her. She had expected to see strong, proud defenders of the homeland, but instead found men reduced to poverty and despair.
She walked firmly up to the captain.
— “Why are your soldiers living in such conditions?” she demanded sharply. “Where are the uniforms, the proper food? Why does this barracks look like a pigsty?”
The captain frowned and, realizing there was only a defenseless girl before him, smirked mockingly:
— “And who are you to ask questions? Aren’t you afraid of losing your job?”
— “I’m not afraid,” Anna replied firmly. “I’m disgusted at having to wear torn boots and eat food one would be ashamed to give even to pigs. This concerns me and my comrades. We came here to serve, not to survive.”
The captain suddenly stepped forward, grabbed her by the collar, and snarled angrily:
— “Get out of here, woman! In my company, there is no place for people like you!”
Anna calmly looked him straight in the eyes and said:
— “You’re wrong. I came here precisely for you.”
The captain blinked in confusion.
— “What? Who are you to speak like that to a superior?”
She pulled out an ID card and held it right under his nose.
— “Lieutenant of Internal Investigations. Numerous complaints have been filed against you. Your soldiers are starving and wearing rags because the money allocated for the unit ends up in your pockets. You are a thief and a traitor.”
— “You have no proof,” muttered the captain, but his voice trembled.
— “You’re wrong,” Anna replied coldly. “I have everything: documents, testimonies, bank transfers. You are no longer a captain.”
With those words, she tore the insignia from his shoulders. At that moment, two military policemen entered the room. The captain tried to break free, but they seized him and snapped handcuffs onto his wrists.
The soldiers, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, came to life for the first time in a long while. A spark of hope lit up in their eyes.
Anna turned to them and said firmly:
— “From now on, you will have a new life. There is no longer any place here for traitors.”
