This day starts in quite the unusual way. Getting dragged out of bed at 4 in the morning and told to head to HQ isn't exactly normal in the Red Army, and upon arriving there, all I am given are vague confusing directions to a meeting hall and vague congratulations for some reason unclear to me.
Struggling to remember just how those directions went due to my rude awakening, I eventually manage to find the place, even though it's just because of a large sign telling me I'm at the right place. Inside, I find a few dozen other soldiers, milling about and chatting. As I mingle, I come to realize that nobody seems to know just why they're here, just that they were told similar things to me about apparently being part of something special. Also, it seems odd that despite there being quite the large amount of diversity of appearance in the Red Army, everybody here seems to be at least somewhat attractive and feminine in appearance—while there are some smaller and some larger guys here, nobody has a large amount of muscles or excessive body mass, and the amount of people with long hair seems larger than normal too. Were we selected for our looks?
But just as I am about to start thinking more about that, I am interrupted by a voice. "Attention comrades! In formation!" the voice booms through the room, yelling with such authority that it sends everybody here scrambling to get into formation, copious bumping into each other and violent cursing included. Eventually, we do manage to stand in an orderly fashion, and it is only then that I manage to see just who was behind that voice. Standing there on the raised stage we're all facing is what looks to be just another regular soldier. In fact, he looks like a total runt: Small in size, a slim body and soft facial features. And yet, when he yelled, we all listened instantly, and one look at his eyes tells me this guy is for real. His posture, too, is impeccable, not like the somewhat slouched stance I have going. And only now, I notice that he doesn't even have a microphone. His voice just carries like that, full of confidence and authority.
With a wide, sweeping gesture towards us, the soldier on stage continues to speak. "Comrades! We are assembled here today to make history! I am Comrade Fedorov, and I am here to announce that you chosen few will be the inaugural members of the first expansion of the 3rd Support Battalion," he yells. Murmuring takes over in the crowd. We had heard the stories of the 3rd as an elite force, the First Comrade's chosen. And we are to be the next members of it? "Now, I will not lie, the path will be arduous. But I believe in you. I know that you will be able to make it. In fact, I believe that some of you will go so far as to become Men of the State!" he then says, his voice rising and falling with great enthusiasm. Again, there is murmuring in the crowd—a Man of the State is someone that has served the State so well that they are recognized as as a hero by the First Comrade himself. Men of the State frequently become propaganda icons, known the entire State over, and being one is essentially a free pass to a carefree life. In the end, we all aspire to be one.
By dropping that, Fedorov knows he's got us eating out of the palm of his hand, and he uses that well as he keeps talking. "I, and the other veterans of the 3rd, will see to turning you into heroes! You will be the thrust that breaks through the foe's defenses, taking them until they beg you for mercy! You will be the tip of the spear that penetrates their weak spots! In fact, let me begin your transformation right now!" he shouts, scanning the group before pointing in my direction. "You! The comrade with the slouched posture! Look at you—can't even keep posture while in formation. You're Ivanov, aren't you? A sub-par soldier, tired all the time, only gives maybe half his best at most. I swear on the honor of the 3rd, I will turn you into a hero! Now come here and let me get a better look at you!"
And somehow, as if hypnotized by his commanding presence, I walk up onto the stage. Fedorov steps right up to me, taking his hands in mine, his voice turning to a whisper. "You know of the habits of the 3rd, don't you?" he asks.
I nod. "I've... I've heard the rumors."
A soft smile crosses his expression. "Page 52 of the First Comrade's teachings. 'There is nothing more liberating than the love of two soldiers. Love for your country is nothing without love for your countryman.' The 3rd lives this motto like none other. And I... I want to show them. Perhaps you can consider this your induction into the 3rd," he explains, and my breath catches in my throat.
"You... want to kiss me? In front of everybody?" I ask in return, knowing full well that that's not what he means.
The smile on his face grows wider. "Oh no, Comrade Ivanov. Page 73 of the First Comrade's teachings. 'Show your love for your country to all, no matter what form it takes, and you shall be a patriot.' I wish to take you in the sacred bond between two men, right here on this stage, in full view of your new battalion mates. If I am to turn you into a Man of the State... you will have to lead by example."
Stunned into silence, my gaze sweeps out over the soldiers standing in formation in front of the stage, at least fifty. If you had asked me a day ago if I wanted to get fucked in the ass in front of over fifty guys, I would have called you insane. But today... I can't tell if it's the situation, a misplaced desire to perform, or Fedorov's winning smile and personality, but I feel like doing it. A careful nod is my only response.
"I'm so glad, Comrade Ivanov. I'll turn you into a hero, I promise," he whispers. His hands move to the buttons of my uniform jacket as the other soldiers stare. Fedorov looks them over, and they are captivated by this turn of events. "Now watch, comrades! This is how the 3rd achieves its results! Camaraderie beyond what any other battalion in this army can muster!" he proclaims before getting to work.