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Portnov, the Nazi interrogator: You want to save the woman without giving up anything? That won't work. You'll have to trouble your conscience. One way or the other, you'll have to. There's no way out. None.
Sotnikov: I won't betray anyone. Not anyone. There are things more important than one's own hide.
Portnov, the Nazi interrogator: [laughs] Where? What is it? What's it made of? That's nonsense. We're mortal. With death, everything ends for up, all of life. The entire world. It's not worth it. For what? As an example for future generations? But you won't have a heroic death, either. You won't just die. You'll croak like a traitor. And if you won't tell, someone else will. And we'll write it off to you. Understand?
Sotnikov: Scum. Human scum.
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Portnov, the Nazi interrogator: [Sotnikov asks for Portnov] What now?
Sotnikov: Do something... for them.
Portnov, the Nazi interrogator: And that's all, citizen "Ivanov"?
Sotnikov: No. Not Ivanov. My name's Sotnikov. Commander, Red Army. Born in 1917. Bolshevik. Party member since 1935. Teacher by profession. At the start of the war, I commanded a battery. It's a shame I didn't kill more of you bastards. My name is Sotnikov, Boris Andreevich. I have a father, a mother and a motherland.
Portnov, the Nazi interrogator: [returning back] Herr Major, nothing important.
Vladimir Gostyukhin
Extended Reading
