Returning to the Motherland

After receiving the order to return to the USSR, Chernov boarded a cargo ship heading toward the USSR. He notices significant changes at the port compared to his first visit. Previously, the port had only basic equipment for ships, but now, more advanced machinery from the USSR has arrived and is operational.

Construction of a train station has already begun, and railway tracks are visible. The docks are evolving into a more modern industrial city. The army camp, which once appeared simple, has also been upgraded, and workers from the Soviet Union have built a new camp that is more stable and comfortable.

This situation leads the soldiers from the Karak to neglect their duties, with many of them simply accepting the 'gift' brought by the workers. The consequence is that more Soviets leave the docks without oversight from the Karak.

Perhaps, the next time he arrives in this city, it will not be much different from those in the Soviet Union. Chernov then returns to his room to rest, as the journey will be long.

----

One week later, Chernov arrived in the city of Sevastopol.

The air in the motherland is far better than in the Karak regions, at least he doesn't have to stay in a medieval town for the next few months. As he disembarks from the ship, two KGB officers approach him and seem to be waiting for his arrival.

"Colonel Chernov, welcome back. Please come with us; we have something for you."

Chernov did not resist, he knew this was just a standard procedure for the KGB to check on every member returning from abroad, ensuring that nothing unexpected had compromised their loyalty to the Union. He is used to it, it just, not feeling that well.

He was then taken to a dimly lit room in a secure KGB facility. Chernov sat in a cold metal chair, his hands calmly resting on the table in front of him. Across the table sat the two KGB officers.

"Colonel Chernov, before we begin, I would like to give a brief introduction of myself."

However, the officer beside him seemed to reconsider and interrupted with a few words in his ear.

"Never mind, Colonel Chernov, we will skip the introduction. Let's begin. We understand your mission took you deep into Karak territory. Weeks, wasn't it?" The officer leaned his body forward and wanted to see through Chernov's eyes.

"Six weeks, to be exact. I returned as soon as I received the order." The trick does not work for him, of course, how will it work on those who got the same training?

"You were close to the Karak forces. How can we be sure they didn't… attempt to influence your loyalty? It's well known they use magic and mind tactics. The minds of men like us, without magic, can be easily broken."

 "My loyalty is to the USSR and always will be. The Karak may be skilled at their mystical games, but they underestimate our training and mind. Maybe I don't know all their techniques and how to counter them, but you all can keep the surveillance of me, I will prove my loyalty with time."

Perhaps Chernov's firm answer has reached the officer's expectation, and both officers exchange a final glance, then nodding slightly.

"Very well, Colonel, I believe what you have said is true. Colonel, you need to know we will keep on watching you, if we detect even the slightest indication of abnormal behaviour in you, we will do something, and you will be here again."

Chernov smirks slightly, he knows that at least for now, he does not need to stay in this KGB facility for long.

The officer then passes him some paper.

"Write down your combat experiences in Leningrad and the Baltic states in detail. Most importantly, include any improvements or suggestions you believe could lead to a more decisive victory. You have one day to do this."

"Additionally, you will need to write another report about your trip to Karak. I require it to be detailed, do not overlook a single thing you encountered during the journey. I need to know who you spoke with, whom you met, what you saw, what you touched, and where you went."

The officers then leave the room, leaving him alone. What Chernov does not know is, that the officers then go to another room, where in this place they can see what Chernov is doing. A few technicians are here, working on a machine.

"Any suspicious signal?"

"No, sir. At least not for now, and if this equipment is working." One of them said.

They are from Moscow, using this latest developed equipment to examine all those that have returned from the Karak. With the help, some sailors and workers were caught, and after the interrogation by the KGB in the specially built room, very soon some abnormal things were done, including banging their heads on the wall and laughing loudly for no reason.

With the help of other equipment, all are proof that they are controlled, brainwashed, and hypnotised, they don't even realize all the abnormal things that have done.

How were the Soviets able to come out with such equipment? Thanks to the undead.

"This does not make sense, how would the Karak not do such a thing on our senior officer while they did on those sailors and workers?"

"Perhaps this is due to the limitation of their magic, I guess?"

"It is useless guessing here, it is impossible that the Karak has done nothing on him. Just wait for the report he wrote, we will analyze it and not miss even the slightest clue."

"Affirmative."

Chernov has no idea what the others are doing to him and continues to write the report, finishing the first one in the middle of the night. Suddenly, he feels a strong pain inside his brain, a pain unlike any he has experienced before, it feels as if someone is tearing his body and soul apart.

Meanwhile, the personnel surveilling him also notice the strong signal indicated by the machine, a signal that stands out from the others.