A detachment of the Red Army led by Commissar Yevsyukov is moving along the sands of the Central Asian desert, pursued by whites, dying of thirst. Forty killed officers were on the battle account of the best shooter of the Maryutka detachment. In the last battle to capture the caravan, the white lieutenant Govorukha-Otrok was taken prisoner, sent on a diplomatic mission from Admiral Kolchak to General Denikin. The soldiers are trying to return to their own, fighting the hostile desert. Finally, they go to the coast of the Aral Sea, where Maria, Govorukha-Otrok and several fighters take a boat to reach the mainland. All Red Army soldiers die during a storm, and Maria and Lieutenant are thrown alone on the island.