Join my new squad

I follow Dadonov to the small room where our squad is resting up. Everyone’s eyes fixate on me as we walk through the door. I notice Artyom first, and he looks like he can’t believe his eyes. Smirnov is standing to the right, scowling.

“Everybody listen up.” Dadonov says. “This is Private Kulikova, the newest member of our squad.”

“Her?” Smirnov asks. “You are fucking kidding me!”

“That’s right.” Dadonov affirms. “And she’s on your team.”

“You can’t expect me to be responsible for her!” Smirnov argues.

“I can expect you to do your job.” Dadonov says before addressing everybody else. “As for the rest of you, introduce yourselves and teach her as much as you can. I have something else that I need to do.”

He leaves the room and Smirnov rushes off after him. I take a few moments meeting and greeting my new comrades. They’re all nice to me but I can feel that they doubt me and my abilities. I’ll have to earn their respect.

Once the room calms down, Artyom comes over to me.

“Tatya.” He says. “What are you doing here?”

“I took an offer to change jobs.” I tell him.

“Why?” He asks.

“It was better than the other offer.”

“You have a rifle.” He says.

“Do you like it?” I ask holding it up.

“It’s just like mine.” He tells me before pausing. “You don’t know what kind of a mess you’ve gotten yourself into, Tatya. You know this job is a dangerous one.”

“I do.” I say. “But at least we’ll get to see each other more.”

“I could get used to that.” He says with a smile. “I can help you out, show you some things.”

“I’d like that.” I tell him.

“Well come on then.” He says. Let’s sit down.”