Chapter 12

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I worked on it for a while
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Sitting on the cold stairs on the front of the train, Artyom sat next to you, gas mask on tight; Sam stood in front of you both with a Geiger counter in hand, Miller was standing next to Sam before looking at the Geiger counter

"How are the radiation levels?"
He asked, voice muffled from the gas mask; sam looked at Miller, brushing snow from the glass casing of the radiation detection device

"Ten times worse than Moscow and still climbing."
He informed the Colonel who turned his head towards you and Artyom, holding his hand out to Artyom who took it standing up fully; you also clasped hands with the Colonel pulling yourself off the stairs you had been sitting on, brushing snow off your shoulder you all walked back inside, but not before watching Miller almost slip on the frozen metal floor of the train platform, pulling himself away and into the warmth of the train car, snow already melting off of your clothes due to the heat from the firebox underneath your feet, Duke, Alyosha, Tokarev, Damir, Sam, Stepan, and Krest stood at the ready, filters changed and weapons in hands

"Do you all remember the plan? What we've come to do?"
Miller barked; Sam stepped forwards, nodding his head

"Tokarev and I will stay back to protect the train, watching over Anna and Katya."
He spoke, stepping back. Duke stepped forwards, nodding his head with Damir and Alyosha; they saluted the Colonel

"Damir, Alyosha, and I will company Krest to the Train Museum and look for the snowplow along with looting the hospitals and Akademgordok labs."
Miller nodded in content as Duke stepped back, looking around the room, Miller stood in the middle, you stepped next to Miller, face visible as you had a scarf wrapped around your neck covering your nose and mouth accompanied by a pair of night-vision goggles

"Artyom, Colonel Miller, and I will go in through the metro of Novosibirsk, splitting up. I will go on my own into the institute while Artyom accompanies Miller to the satellite station."
You spoke voice muffled from behind the scarf; Miller nodded before pulling each spartan into a hug, Stepan moved out of the way, letting you three pass; you gave him a shoulder pat as he nodded

"Good luck out there; come back in one piece."
You nodded at him while making your way down the steps; miller stood in the small corridor, lead sheets lined up covering any air gaps to keep radiation out, tracing his hand on the lead sheets, he nodded before walking into the kitchen area, Natya stood there, gasmask on with her Teddy in arms, walking up to Miller who looked down at her

"Are you going on an adventure to save aunt Anna?"
She asked, looking up at Miller with curious eyes; Miller nodded as he slipped both hands under her underarms, picking her up and gently setting her on the countertop

"We are. Would you do me the favor of looking after Anna while we are gone"
He asked the little girl who giggled, stareing down at her teddy while smiling behind the gas mask

"Of course! Isn't that right, Private Teddy?"
She asked before giving her Teddy bear a voice, also agreeing on watching over Anna while they were gone; Artyom and Miller continued walking, stopping at Anna's door; meanwhile, you rustled through your vest pouch, Natya watched you curiously, you pulled out a small ushanka from your vest pocket, smiling at her you placed it on 'Private' Teddy's head, Natya giggled, you walked past and towards the other two, Miller raised his hand to knock on the sliding door only for Katya to slide it open holding a finger to her lips silencing him

"Are you three already leaving?"
She asked. Miller nodded his head before peeking his head inside taking a glance at Anna, who rests motionless on the bed asleep after one of her attacks had passed

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