What used to be a book store, was remade in to the dining. A line of people in front of the counter were slowly going, each were waiting for his turn to get some food for today.
Nikolai - What is this?
One man were disaponted and frustrated, while looking at today's menu. This was a lean, middle-aged man in unusual, worn-out military uniform. Uniform had a logo of once a great mercenary group, "DUO" or "Derentev United Operators".
Irina - This is something, that you will be eating today!
An old woman behind the counter, were unsurprised. When line reached Nikolai, his plate were filled with mashed potato and three eggs.
Nikolai - Are we running low on food again?
Sergei - When we didn't? For the last few months, we were on the low
Nikolai - Then i guess this is the rock bottom!
Nikolai took his share and took a seat at one of the tables, where Danila was sitting
Nikolai - Mind if i seat here?
Danila - Sure.
The dining were busy, the smell of steaming potatoes were hanging in the air. As people were going in and out. Part of hallways on second floor were covered with foil, cardboards, rugs and wood. Few filters with a fan installed to keep the air fresh and safe.
Nikolai - So what was the plan?
Danila - What do you mean?
Nikolai - We rushed out of that motel so quick. You had to pick me up durning the patrol. Where are we going? If things stay the way they are. We will endup nowhere!
Danila - Green zone!
Danila took a bite of potato and took a sip of water. Nikolay cracked the eggs. They were a little bit harder than usualy. They were just chewing hard food.
Danila - If rumors are right, we will be able to reach a city somwhere north-west and we will be fine. Rumors saing, that they taking everyone in...
Nikolai - Slaving away at some sort of factory? Yeah... Sounds about right!
Danila - Got better ideas?
Nikolai - Join some mercenary group. Get rich! Spend the rest of my days with some fine girls around me!
Danila - So that was your plan when you were working for "DUO"?
Nikolai - The managment and orders screwed us over.
Danila - Then you trusted the wrong people
Nikolai - Then can i trust you, so this whole ordeal won't be another dead trick?
Boris - Even if it is, you can jump the board at any given moment!
Boris took a seat at the same table and put the whole potato in his mouth. And then drank from bottle of beer. Nikolai and Danila looked at him with frustration. But not because of Boris, but because he was the only one who had luxury of drinking something else rather then a water. Boris on the other hand, gulped potato, cleared his throat and then pulled two more bottles of beer from underneath of his jaket.
Nikolai - Boris... I hate you and i love you!
Nikolai grabbed the beer and swiftly opened the cap. The two of them raised their bottles and took a sip. Danila were about to object, but then he would sigh and grabed the bootle too.
Danila - Ah... Screw it.
Danila said and the three of them started drinking beer.
Nita was passing by, and took a glance at the drinking party, but quikly returned to her current duty. While holding few boxes, she was following Kikima who were setting up an doctor room. What used to be an bakery, now is occupied with few boxes. Kikima was a surgeon, and the only one who people could ask for help in case of health problem. Rarity in Yellow zone.
Kikima - That was the last one. Thank you Nita.
Nita - No problem. Anything else needs help with?
Kikima - No. I will do the setup!
Nita silently noded and turned to leave, but bumped into the Mikhail at the entrance, who nearly lost his ballance. Frustrated, he fixed his jacket and looked at Nita
Mikhail - Look where you going!
Nita - Sorry. Are you alright?
Mikhail - Just get out of my way!
Mikhail shoved Nita to the side, and headed to the dining. Nita watched at Mikhail who were heading to the dining room. Once he were inside, his frustrated face quikly changed to nice and smily one, as he started talking with other. Nita saw enough, and walked away. Today is her night at patrol.
=== Some Time Latter ===
Nita were walking among the streets. Her rout were just a few hundred meters away from the mall. They setteled in. Starry sky were filled with light. Unusual for this region, cloudless sky, filled with different patterns of light dots. But here, on the ground, there barely was any light. And so Nita was contemplating this sight. Untill she heard sound of car and some shots, and then again.
Nita - Nita reporting! There is some sort of a gunfight somewhere in the east. Approximately 800 meters away from the mall. Any orders?
Nita silently said through radio signal. Waiting for response. For a long time nothing came. Sound were coming closer and closer. She already could hear shouting. But still, no response came to her. So she repeated her report once again.
Nita - Nita reporting! There apperars to be a gunfight at the eastern side. Approximately 600 meters away from the base! Any orders? Should i stay put or inspect situation?
But once again, nothing were coming out. No one were answering. Then the sound of machinegun filled the air. There was no time to wait. Nita hurried to the sound of shots.
A group of people were under atack from Varyag's. And Nita came just from behind. The group were cornered in some restoraunt, but were managing to make few shots to defend themself. Varyags's surrounded the restoraunt, had much more numbers and more firepower. One of two cars were mounted with machinegun.
Nita came closer and made first shot at the man behind machinegun, and the new wave of panice encored. Another man was starteled and saw Nita way to late, he fell to the ground, when Nita punched him in his face. The rest were much more quick to respone, and turned their atention away from cornered people. Another shot from Nita, and someon's hand was sent flying, seppareted from the rest of the body. There were just a four more. One tried to rush inside restoraunt, but recieved well deserved shotgun blast.
Two more came in with idea of coming closer to Nita, while keeping shooting at her position. That plan worked. When one rushed to shoot down the enemy, he didn't expet it to be a doll. And after making few more bulletholes in her outfit, he was sent flying with a gaping hole in his chest.
For a few seccond. The silence were kept in the air. Once the ringing sound cleared up from ears of two last Varyag's, they looked at eachother. The sound of someone crying in pain was heard from restoraunt. Carefull but heavy steps somewhere on the other side of the card. And then another shot. Bullet pierced the whole car and blew another man like watermelon. The last Varyag screamed in fear. And tried to run, but was shot in the back, by a man from restoraunt.
Nita - Are you alright?
Nita appeared from behind the car, and lowered her weapon. The man was injured, leaning against the wall, holding his handgun side ways. Everything was wrong. But man lowered his gun too.
Unknown man - Inside... Help...
The man collapes on the floor surrounded by debries, pointing his finger at the back of the restoraunt. Where the pained cry of a woman could still be heard.
Nita - Alright. Just stay here.
In the mean time, Nita once again were trying to make a report.
Nita - Nita reporting! There was a group of people chased by Varyag's. I intercepted the fight Varyag's were killed. The group of people were injured! Any instructions?
Behind the counter. Were two dead man, one injured man and an injured woman. As well as little girl. The man was covering girl's eyes. And was about to say something to Nita.
Nicolai - God damn NITA!
Nikolai appeared witha bang. Shoting Varyag, who was left unconcious, in the head. After that he ventured inside the restoraung. The man at the entrance wasn't moving.
Nita - I wasn't reciving any orders so i decided...
Nicolai - You wasn't reciving any because our radio is busted! It can only recive the bloody signal!
Nita - I am sorry i was just...
Nicolai shot the man that was laing on the floor at the entrance.
Nita - What are you doing?
Nicolai - Something you never had the guts for!
Nicolai then looked behind the counter. Saw injured man, injured woman and an little girl.
Nicolai - So what was your plan? Help them, give them food and let them go?
Nita - I was just about too...
Injured man - Please... We just...
As the man started to talk, Nikolai pointed his gun at him and shot in the head. Then he did the same with a woman. Little girl was scared and run, to hide behind Nita. Nita was dumbfounded at what just happened. Then Nikolai tried to aim at the girl.
Nita - No wait! She is just a girl!
Nicolai - So what? This will be just another mouth to eat. And she just lost her parrents. What will she do? Out there, she will just die in a few days... if she is lucky!
Nita - We can take her in. No need for that! Let the Sergei be the judge of that!
Nicolai - Aren't you a pescy little doll? Wonder who taught you to be so caring? You and a Sergei... The whole group is filled with softies.
Nicolai finaly lowered his gun. looked around, and headed to Varyags car. Nita was overwhelmed with what just happened. And then the girl grabbed her by the hand.
Nita - It's ok! You will be fine!