[ALERT Side-Story] Home Is Where The (Undying) Heart Is [COMPLETE]

When all this had started for Salminen, his platoon had twenty people. By the time they got to Metsäjärvi, it was Karlonen, Snellmen, and himself. Now, he was the only one left. Him and a nearly complete stranger named "Eevi" - he should be glad that the stranger seemed to be capable of far more than she seemed at first glance, but the situation was still dire. A small sub-machine gun was what he was capable of lifting in that instant, and he was grateful his prior injury was patched up.

Even so, he was operating on the morphine dulling his pain, but also harming his awareness relative to what he was at full strength. That was bad because he and Eevi were forced to lean on each other's shoulders in limping out of town, caught in a crossfire between two groups of undead that were gunning for each other about as much as they were gunning for the living. He still carried with him medical supplies - Eevi was wounded and losing blood, so Salminen would like to treat her.

But it was too much risk while under fire, regardless of how poor the aim of the undead was. He most he could get on her while in in between the houses under the circumstances was a tourniquet above where her calf wound was, along with administering a localized painkiller to that area. With just one grenade on his person, he looked around the corners before pulling the pin, and tossed it to wherever the concentration of undead looked thickest.

He was using the one arm that was free to gun down any survivors, when he saw it. The undead unlike the rest, floating less than a meter above the snow. Hasty as Salminen was to move both himself and Eevi, most of his shots were grazing hits, with the one direct hit being a gut shot. With the floating Lich's expression being stuck in a perpetual grimace, he couldn't tell if it did anything other than merely annoy it.

"How droll," a female voice came from it. "Despite the pointlessness of living, you insist on resisting the inevitability of death. Perhaps I'll make you my left hand servant, and her, my right hand one. EheheheHAHAHAHAH! All will join me in my cursed existence!"

Along with the Lich Queen, the undead Snellman with his Dragunov jumped down from the roof the mortar shell had landed on, no more worse for wear than any other undead. It did take more time for him to get up, but he pointed the Dragunov at the pair. He missed, but not by much, the round grazing Salminen's thigh, causing just enough pain to stagger him and slow both him and the woman he was supporting.

Not that they really needed slowing, because Skadi was more than capable of catching up to them. With a flair for the dramatic, she held out her damaged arm. A short-ranged spell not greater than five meters was engulfing the escapees - necrosis was slowly beginning to set in. Cell death...pain...premature aging. Someone like Salminen would find themselves aging to death if left in range for too long. The effects on someone like Eevi, who couldn't age, were unknown - presumably drawing out the most painful death imaginable.

"You'll serve me soon enough, descendant," Skadi said, with the same level of cruelty she was named for.

This was the end of the line.

Or so Salminen thought.

That's when something zipped by, right through Skadi's left bicep, taking off what remained of her left arm in the process. The hit was enough to interrupt her spell and force her to back away into the cover of town.

The distinctive crack of a bullet breaking the sound barrier filled the night. And once more, when a .338 Lapua Magnum round passed through the undead Snellman's chest - the undead marksman fell to the ground, crumpling to dust. Three more shots - far faster than one would expect out of a bolt-action rifle - came through, thinning out the undead in the immediate vicinity.

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Salminen kept moving with Eevi in tow. However long they were in that cone of necrosis, Salminen looked to have come out of it with a few extra wrinkles, but otherwise okay.

Reinforcements? How? They hadn't managed to get out a transmission on the waves since this chaos started. Getting Eevi into cover, where boulders gave them cover for three main directions, Salminen handed Eevi his radio while he got what remained of his medical supplies to treat Eevi's bleeding. As best as he could, at least. Salminen had basic training in first aid, but had never done it under such pressure.

"I didn't send out anything," he said, hastily getting the disinfectant, styptic, and sutures. "See if you can get whoever that was on the radio".

Eevi, assuming she reached the right frequency, would hear, "This is White Glint, anyone reading me? Repeat, any survivors respond. Sniping position three-zero-niner from village center. Moving in."

Basic first-aid care was the best Eevi would tolerate in this pressing moment. With her back on a damp wood wall, Eevi sat on a shoddy and creaking crate while Salminen worked what he could for her. When he produced an ampoule of morphine for her wounds she would stop him. "Stop. No painkillers. We can't afford both of us having our senses dulled. Bandaging will do for now." Although he attempted to protest, Salminen saw the merit to her argument as kind as his efforts to properly and fully treat her had been.

Taking point with her free hand ready to fire, Eevi shouldered against him as they waited for the grenade he tossed to detonate. They would find themselves unfortunately lacking more when her purported ancestor found them again.

Eevi figured she must like hearing herself talking. Another unfortunate similarity if so. Eevi held her tongue this time at least and waited for what this thing would do. She had been so focused on this orchestrator that she failed to pay proper attention to the new undead that dropped down from a neighboring roof and opened fire.

She felt Salminen being impacted by a glancing shot from this undead and instinctually shoved him down while attempting to cover him with her own body. Before she could bring her hand up however, some unnatural pain erupted across her body. It was not a burning sensation the likes of which had plagued her in the last few days. Instead it was more familiar to every cell in her body stinging from the pain akin to lemon juice and salt upon a cut, except the cuts covered her body totally.

Eevi was strong. She was a survivor who had lived for a century at this point in the face of nearly impossible odds at some point. But pain so totally engrossing was too much even for her. All her muscles could do was contract, forcing her cover over Salminen to become a crushing hug from behind from Eevi. She gasped silently in pain, her gunshot wounds joining in a cruel symphony as this assault continued fully over her entire being.

It would seem they had reached the end. But Eevi wouldn't go without a last shot into that dark night. Struggling through the pain she propped her body up on the ground at Salminen's side and raised her hand once again to fire defiantly at the lifeless monster tormenting them both.

That would be unnecessary as she would soon learn.

In a moment gunfire repelled both undead attackers and, seizing the initiative, Salminen hauled Eevi to her feet once again. His soldier's instincts finally kicking in, he sprung into action and nearly dragged Eevi to the next alleyway over while passing her his radio. Setting her down from his side once more, he went back to work on her leg. Whatever they had dealt with had continued their bleeding again and seemingly enlarged the wounds as well. While Salminen worked Eevi would turn through the radios signals trying to find anything from their newly arrived aid.

After a few seconds the radio clicked onto the right frequency and began to transmit the message to the two. Someone named 'White Glint' had come to their aid. She had no idea who that was but the voice was one recently familiar to herself which she had made a mental note to commit to memory. Taavi Virtanen.

Could she betray herself and allow some hope to be had in this moment?

Holding the radio to her mouth she spoke to their savior. "Taavi, it's Eevi. We're making our way southwest out of the village and will attempt a break for Ruokolahti. Either cover us or intercept us along the way for an escort. Two injured, neither critically but impaired in our ability to walk at this moment." Handing Salminen back his radio, Eevi informed him it was time to go regardless of what work he still had to perform on her.

"Time's up. We've got an opportunity we shall not receive again. Ever had a personal escort before?"

"Hmm. So, you figured it out sooner than later...can't say I'm surprised," Taavi said, as it appear Eevi was one of the survivors of the nightmarish long night of the living dead. "Ruokolahti is reinforced by the Finnish Defense Forces, but is being besieged from its east side. You'll run into a lot of other undead and even some werewolves on the way. You'll need to bypass the siege line to get to them, or head to a different town. Five hundred meters west-by-northwest of you is a military jeep surrounded by dead werewolves and dusted undead. You can take it north-northwest to Naarajärvi - just follow the bodies I left behind, and you'll get there. Beyond that, I can't make any guarantees that things will be clear".

A boom sounded close to the pinned Eevi and Salminen as a mortar shell got close - too far for shrapnel to hit either survivor, but close enough to where they would be cause for concern. The mortar team was ready to fire again when another sniper shot rang out and toppled over one of the undead manning it, buying the pair some time.

"There's a second mortar team out there, too," Taavi radioed. "I'll take them both out and be the decoy for that...lich. Move."

A gleam of white could be seen nearly one kilometer north of where Eevi and Salminen were hunkered down as Taavi's power armor's thrusters slowed his descent. A pair of spirals where snow was being kicked up appeared as Taavi dashed across the battlefield, the dim moonlight that was forced to shine in place of the blotted-out sun gleaming across the white armor as he passed the pair in his southbound trek. Truly, he lived up to the name.

He gave a solid reverse thrust with his armor, slowing his momentum, as he primed a grenade on the remainder of one mortar team, before pivoting to fire on another undead that was closing in on Eevi's cover. Taavi was no Simo, but his round struck true, sending the undead rifleman toppling down in an ashen heap. Pivoting, he used his speed to go after the other mortar team.

"Naarajärvi's only Meta, and its main breadwinner, White Glint. So fast that he appears as a 'white glint' on the horizon - we may actually make it out of this," Salminen said as he finished what he could. "You need to take it slower, or the sutures will come undone. Forget firing at anything that's not chasing us - if the jeep still works, we need to take it".

Salminen got up, with the morphine metabolizing rapidly. He was starting to feel pain again, but the adrenaline kept it more or less in check. He rose his sub-machine gun to the rear, keeping an eye for any undead chasing them while allowing Eevi to deal with any enemies ahead. It was more or less clear westward, apart from the occasional shuffling coming from the southwest behind the treeline.

Another grenade was pulled and another explosion sounded off, southeast of the village. The three-man undead mortar team barely got to see their assailant before being hit with the grenade. Shrapnel flew off, and the three were grouped so close that they were absolutely shredded. If that wasn't enough, secondary explosions from the remainder of the mortar shells went off, well ensuring the demise of the mortar team.

Taavi then dashed at best speed toward the village center, ready to confront what stragglers remained.

Eevi took a deep breath, her senses honed despite the pain shooting through her body. Salminen's concern was palpable, but there was no time for anything more than the most basic first aid. They had to move, and they had to move now. The radio transmission from Taavi, or White Glint as he was apparently known, was a stark reminder of the dangers still lurking.

“We need to get to that jeep,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil around them. “We follow Taavi’s instructions. Stick close and keep an eye out. We’re not out of this yet.”

Salminen nodded, helping Eevi to her feet once more. Her leg throbbed, and the bandage around her bicep was already stained with fresh blood. Ignoring the pain, she took point, her hands ready to use her power when needed. The thought of slowing down or resting didn’t even cross her mind. They had a chance, however slim, and she wasn’t about to waste it. The explosions and gunfire in the distance urged them onward. Eevi could see the white glint of his armor as he moved with impossible speed, taking down the undead with precision and efficiency. It was both awe-inspiring and, begrudging to admit, humbling for Eevi witness.

As they moved, Eevi’s sharp eyes scanned the area ahead. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, sharpening her focus. Every step was a battle against the pain, but she pushed through, her mind set on survival. “We’re close,” she said, spotting the military jeep surrounded by the bodies of werewolves and dusted undead. “Just a bit further.”

They reached the jeep, and Eevi quickly checked it over. The vehicle seemed intact, a rare piece of good fortune in this hellish landscape. Salminen kept watch, his sub-machine gun ready for any threats. Eevi climbed into the driver’s seat, wincing as her injured leg protested. The suturing had definitely come undone, but she would worry about that another time.

“Get in,” she ordered, her voice firm. “We need to move, now.”

Salminen didn’t hesitate, jumping into the passenger seat and securing his weapon. Eevi started the engine, the roar of the jeep a small comfort in the face of the chaos around them. They tore away from the village, following the path Taavi had described. He looked down at her leg and noticed the bleeding coming through her pant leg. Although he remained silent, she felt his worry and anxiety as he held his gaze on her wounded leg.

The road was treacherous, littered with debris and bodies. Eevi’s hands gripped the wheel tightly, her eyes focused on the path ahead. The pain in her leg was a constant reminder of their precarious situation, but she didn’t let it distract her. They had to get to Naarajärvi. They had to survive.

“Taavi,” she said into the radio, her voice steady despite the pain. “We’re on the move. Thank you for the assist. We’ll see you on the other side.” She paused for a moment, holding the radio pondering on what she could share with Taavi to help his mission. "That thing you shot, she calls these things her children. If you kill enough of them I would bet that she would get mad enough to start acting out. I don't know if she has any particular weakness bot her body has been hurt by both of our attacks thus far so her form is definitely not impervious."

Eevi put the radio down, her focus returning to the road. The journey was far from over, but with Taavi’s help, they had a fighting chance. She glanced at Salminen, who was scanning their surroundings, his expression a mix of determination and fear.

“We’re going to make it,” she said, more to herself than to him. “We have to.”

"Thanks for the advice," Taavi radioed back. "There's a little present for you in the passenger foot well. If you get to Naarajärvi before me, activate that beacon. That way, the defenses will know you're to be considered a friendly. Whatever happens, happens..."

That's the mercenary's life. To come home alive was never a guarantee. You play the hand you're dealt and leave the rest to happenstance. As Taavi came to rest aboard one of the roofs, he was his quarry. A shriveled, embalmed, floating undead woman that hovered less than a meter above the ground.

I couldn't save this village back then. For its memory, I'd like to keep it intact now...

"Naarajärvi's mercenary..." Skadi started. "You have quite the reputation. I've heard tales when walking amongst the living; a veteran of wars whose legacy still bleed nearly a century later".

"Look at you...coming home from an Elder Scrolls cosplay?" Taavi taunted; it wasn't something he did on the regular. As a mercenary by profession, Taavi kept chatter to a minimum, talking only when necessary. He was gauging the Lich Queen's reaction.

"Silence!" she admonished, her good hand thrust out, lightning firing from it. No major damage to his suit, but the HUD got scrambled up during the barrage.

"I am Skadi the Cruel...the Lich Queen! I embraced this power after the Black Death swept across this land," Skadi said. "You will not make light of my suffering!"

"Hnn..." Taavi grunted as sub-machine gun fire bounced off of his power armor. Engaging jumpjets, he landed on the ground before using his superhuman speed to bolt at Skadi, using the built momentum to send a flying kick into her sternum. The hovering capabilities of Skadi worked against her, as she was sent flying away a few meters. He brought his bolt-action rifle up and did a series of shots on two of her accompanying soldiers.

"My children! How dare you deprive me of my company!?"

"You suffered..." Taavi trailed. "And? Every generation suffers from something, hag. From the fallen of the Winter War to the gulags of Stalin, to the Ebola outbreaks in Africa. Don't make the mistake of thinking the suffering of the victims of the Black Death - your suffering - is any more important than anyone else's simply because it was you who suffered".

Part of Taavi did feel for her - monstrous as she was - because he could see it as the motivation for why she had become what she was now. Thinking about it, it would be easy to say he would never stoop to what she was. But it was centuries between his generation and what he assumed was her generation. There was no way to know for sure. The only thing he knew was that she was a threat, and that she had to be eliminated. Is that why she decided to be a monster? So that she would never have to feel loss again?

"If I must suffer this...accursed existence...all life ought to suffer with me," Skadi hissed.

Whether Taavi empathized or not, that didn't change the reality. Skadi was irreversibly insane in thinking that anyone would want to join her in undeath. Taavi already suffered for his prolonged existence; the concept of having to live it even after death did not sit right with him. Slinging his sniper rifle, he grabbed the fallen Karlonen's assault rifle.

"Misery may love company, Lich...but company certainly hates misery," Taavi declared.

Zipping this way and that, Taavi used retro thrusters on his power armor to hit the brakes and switch directions. Burst after burst of fire saw one undead soldier after the other reduced to ash beneath his bullets. Wandering close, Taavi ate a gout of flame from Skadi's hand, rapidly heating up his power armor.

DANGER: HEAT
EMERGENCY HEAT SHUTDOWN IMMINENT!

Not good. He needed to override it, now! Before he could finish the thought, the power armor shut down, leaving the servomotors sluggish to respond. Skadi closed the distance, and an aura of black engulfed him. Pain shot through his every body part, and he could not contain the pained scream that emerged from him. It hurt so much, he thought he was going to die.

The whirring of the suit's fission battery powering the servomotors was music to his ears, and Taavi grit his teeth,  pushing through the excruciating pain to tackle Skadi straight in the gut.

"So, you are good..." Skadi trailed. "You'll make a fine champion when I raise you..."

"If you raise me, it won't be today..." Taavi said through grit teeth as he filled her with holes, firing in full-auto, riddling the deceptively tough Lich. Her body came apart easily, but she was just so damn stubborn. She wouldn't stay down.

"It won't end like this," Skadi taunted. "I'll only return in a renewed body."

"Lich...you must have phylactery," Taavi said. "If I knew where it was..."

"HA! You don't! And you will never learn where it is! The entire world will join me in undeath, no matter how long it takes! And I am a patient woman..."

Tossing one grenade in one spot, then dashing to another spot after the explosion  to toss another one, Taavi reloaded in record time. Riddling the back of the Lich Queen with fully-automatic fire, several rounds hit the head, and she dropped to the snow.

"I see..." Skadi said. "So, your reputation wasn't over-exaggerated..."

"When you underestimate the living, you'd best prepare to be buried," Taavi said.

"We will meet again," Skadi promised. "And I will make you and that lass you seem to be fond of my children".

"Get in line - a lot of people want me dead, and I'll be ready for them..."

"Enjoy your victory...while...it...lasts..." Skadi said, before her body disappeared in a flash of purple fire.. All that remained was her cloak, which was carried off by the wind around them.

"Main target down," Taavi radioed. "Just mopping up, now."

As they got to the outskirts of the township, Salminen would fumble about, turning on the beacon. The perimeter defenses of Naarajärvi were a mix of old Maxims as well as Browning M2 machine gun emplacements. While several of these were operated by low-grade AI, there still existed the occasional militia member manning the Maxims and using older Warsaw Pact armaments.

On confirmation of the beacon, Eevi and Salminen would be directed to hold position at the perimeter as they were assessed for both threat and injury. There was still gunfire in the air, but the undead on all the other sides still struggled to advance without their artillery support. Salminen and Eevi, the moment they were considered to not be threats and instead seen to be wounded, would be moved on stretchers to medical.

Naarajärvi may have suffered a major blow in its economic income, but it still had medical facilities that were considered high-quality by modern standards. Certainly, they addressed more than simple field aid. Eemil Jarvi, the town's "administrator", insisted on keeping watch on the wounded unless there was something critical that needed attention and/or once Taavi returned.

Hours Later

With Metsäjärvi and its surrounding area cleaned out, the undead in the area no longer stirred, but the sun showed no immediate signs of returning. With his armor damaged, ammunition depleted, and nearly exhausted through attrition, Taavi made the trek back to Naarajärvi. As the power armor came off, he noticed a shallow, blackened patch of skin on his forearm. Reporting to medical, he was informed that necrosis was starting to set into those patches, and that prompt attention was needed to remove the necrotic tissues.

That brought him to now; several hours later, after surgery, he stood with fresh skin grafts to his left forearm. He refused to stay down, however, wanting to check in on Eevi and Salminen.

Eevi refused to let sleep claim her. The medical staff at Naarajärvi had done what they could, but she had been adamant about only receiving the bare minimum of treatment. Bandaged and weary, she remained by Salminen's side, her eyes scanning the room as if waiting for another attack. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, filled with images of the undead, of that THING that claimed to be her relative, and the constant reminder of the pain shooting through her leg and arm.

Fatigue gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside. Trust was a luxury she couldn't afford, not after everything she had endured. Not after what she had seen. She sat in the uncomfortable metal chair, her body rigid, eyes darting to every sound that echoed through the medical facility. The room was dimly lit, the soft hum of machinery and occasional whispers of the medical staff the only sounds breaking the silence.

Salminen lay on the bed, his breathing steady, his face relaxed in the respite of sleep. Eevi envied him, wished she could allow herself that same peace. But every time her eyelids drooped, images of the past flashed before her eyes—the devastation of the Winter War, the undead soldiers, and the hollow, accusing eyes of the resurrected dead.

She adjusted her position, wincing as the movement pulled at her bandages. The pain was a constant companion, a cruel reminder of their narrow escape. Her hand absentmindedly brushed against the radio, the link to Taavi and the reassurance that they were not alone in this fight. She held onto it like a lifeline, her grip tightening whenever her thoughts drifted too far into the dark.

The hours dragged on, each one more excruciating than the last. The medical staff came and went, checking on Salminen, offering her food and water, which she accepted reluctantly. The world outside remained shrouded in darkness, the sun showing no signs of returning. The perpetual night weighed heavily on her, amplifying her sense of isolation.

Even as the sunlight crept through the windows of this improvised medical facility, there was still distance, sporadic sounds of gunfire and explosives being set off but those soon dissipated with the break of dawn in full. Whatever had happened, whoever had been lost, they had made it. Eevi even allowed herself a smile to creep onto her face at the comfort brought to her at the absence of the distant sounds of battle. She wagered then waking Salminen and telling him the good news but she quickly figured he had earned his sleep. Anything to fight off the reality of what he would wake to after last night.

Even as he slept Eevi found the unconscious and injured man cute in some way. The innocence and vulnerability of his state as he slept gave her an appreciation for the man who had fought for her and lost friends during the night. It was more than she could say had happened to her certainly. In spite of his threatening injuries he slept soundly, no doubt aided by the medications amplifying his drowsiness. A lock of hair hung in his face and was evidently bothering him in his sleep as it gently brushed the bridge of his nose while it rested gently over his brow.

Leaning over, Eevi used her uninjured arm and brushed the hair kindly from his face. She could watch him for a while longer she figured. Even if he hadn’t earned that dance he had earned her guardianship while he rested.

Eventually, Taavi arrived, his presence a small comfort in the oppressive atmosphere. He looked tired, worn down by the battle, but still standing, still fighting. She approached him, his course when she saw him evidently giving away a similar intent, and she managed a weak smile, her exhaustion evident in the dark circles under her eyes.

"Thanks for the assist out there," she said, her voice a mere whisper. "Couldn’t have made it without you." Whistling approvingly at his suit, she appreciated the fine armor he wore. ”Now where do the rest of us get one of those.”

If he had said anything to her or reacted at all, she barely registered the words. Her focus was slipping, the edges of her vision blurring. She forced herself to stay alert, to keep talking. Anything to stay awake. She shared bits of their harrowing escape, the pain in her leg and arm flaring with each word.

But her body had reached its limit. Despite her best efforts, the exhaustion was too much. Mid-sentence, her vision darkened, and her head lolled forward. The last thing she saw before everything went black was Taavi’s face as it stared at her and the blue sky of their homeland past his head before finally succumbing to the exhaustion she had fought so hard to stave off.

As darkness claimed her, she hoped that, for once, she could trust the people around her to keep her safe.

Taavi chuckled as Eevi complimented the power armor he wore. He'd spent a few hours while Eevi recovered on watch with the others in the eclipse, making sure that the perimeter remained clear. He racked up quite a repair bill for the armor, and went well past his projected ammunition quota, so his payment was penalized. But as long as his new home remained save, he was willing to bear that financial burden.

"One of a kind," Taavi answered. "One of several innovations made by Naarajärvi before its finest scientific mind died and the remaining researchers went elsewhere."

As Eevi fell asleep, Taavi lay his heavy coat on her as he set her into her own bed. His bandaged arm itched below his armor, and he ended up removing the armor in the hangar elsewhere. He'd started coughing a bit since his encounter with Skadi, but X-rays came up negative - but the doctors ordered him to keep on the lookout if symptoms worsened.

As for Salminen, the young 20 year-old conscript was doped up on sedatives to keep him calm, and topical analgesics applied to keep the pain manageable at any time he woke up. Between his initial injury and the blood he lost during and since the jeep ride, along with the time spent in the surgical unit, Salminen had to be given about eight units (4 liters) of blood. It was not fun.

By the time he came around, he had a very strong craving for something very sweet to drink. When the nurses attending the two came by, he obliged him with some Cola. Somehow, they had made it. They survived. They won.

And yet...they were also losers. Think about it: every friend he lost along the way over the night? There was little way he could view him being here as a happy ending. The taste in his mouth was bittersweet.

Outside, in observation, Taavi looked at Eemil, a wary look in his eyes.

"You're running the colony, Eemil. But I still have to question whether its smart to risk giving her the same offer you gave me," Taavi said. Before all Hell had broken out, a contract list had been presented to Taavi before the emergency suspended them.

Eliminate Inkwell - Client Unknown...

Imagine his surprise when he saw the face of the contract's target. A large part of his conscience wanted to believe he could get her to turn her life around, while the greedier part of him wanted to take the contract and get his cut from the funding for Naarajärvi. Eemil offered a third option: enlist her as a second mercenary for the town to bolster income, with the same 70/30 financial split Taavi was given.

Perhaps it could work - having people relying on him gave him focus to bury his past. But with everything he read, he had doubts that it could work for Eevi. Economically, there was also a certain logic to what he was proposing.

"If it comes to that, you can do the honors," Eemil said. "And Taavi...I appreciate you defending the colony pro bono."

"Here's hoping some gravy contracts come in to offset my costs," Taavi said.

When she was rested. Eemil would extend his offer when Eevi was rested.

Eevi awoke with a start, the unfamiliar sensation of true rest flooding her senses. She blinked several times, trying to gather her bearings. The room was quiet, sterile, and clearly a hospital setting. For a moment, she allowed herself to sink back into the pillows, savoring the comfort. It had been so long since she had felt anything close to peace.

But the peace was short-lived. Her instincts, honed by years of survival and distrust, kicked in. She sat up abruptly, her eyes darting around the room, scanning for any signs of danger. Her muscles tensed, ready to spring into action if needed. Her body still ached from her injuries, but the pain was dulled by the rest she had finally allowed herself.

The door to her room opened, and a nurse stepped in, carrying a tray with medical supplies. Eevi's eyes narrowed, her body coiled like a spring. The nurse noticed her tense posture and stopped, offering a gentle smile.

"Good morning," the nurse said softly, her voice calm and reassuring. "I'm just here to check on your wounds and make sure you're comfortable. There's no need to worry."

Eevi's eyes bore into the nurse, searching for any hint of deceit. The nurse's demeanor remained kind and professional, and after a moment, Eevi allowed herself to relax slightly, though she remained wary.

The nurse approached her bed, moving slowly and deliberately to avoid startling her. "You were quite the hero last night," she said, beginning to check Eevi's bandages. "It's no wonder you're feeling on edge. But you're safe here. The worst is over."

Eevi's gaze softened a fraction as the nurse spoke. The gentle touch and kind words began to erode the walls she had built around herself. She nodded slightly, acknowledging the nurse's efforts.

"Thank you," Eevi said, her voice rough from disuse and emotion. "For everything."

The nurse smiled warmly. "It's our job to help. You did an incredible thing, saving that young man. You deserve to rest and recover."

As the nurse continued her work, Eevi found herself truly relaxing for the first time in what felt like an eternity. She still felt the weight of her past, the burden of her actions, but for this moment, she allowed herself to be cared for. It was a small step, but a significant one.

The nurse finished her check-up and adjusted Eevi's pillows, ensuring she was comfortable. "If you need anything, just press the call button," she said, pointing to a small device on the bedside table. "We'll be here to help."

Eevi nodded again, feeling a strange sense of gratitude. As the nurse left the room, Eevi leaned back against the pillows, her body sinking into the softness. She still had a long road ahead, but for now, she allowed herself to rest, her mind beginning to ease from the constant state of vigilance. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and let herself drift back into a peaceful slumber, trusting for the first time in a long time that she was safe.

Eevi lay in the hospital bed for a few moments longer, savoring the rare sensation of comfort and safety. But the restless energy that had kept her alive for so long began to stir again, and she knew she couldn’t stay idle for long. Pushing herself up, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, wincing slightly as her injuries protested.

Determined to check on Salminen, she made her way down the quiet hallway, her steps echoing softly. As she neared his room, she heard the murmur of voices and slowed her pace. Peeking around the corner, she saw Salminen sitting up in bed, his face animated as he spoke with a young nurse. His injuries were evident, but he seemed in good spirits, a smile lighting up his face as he conversed with the nurse, who was laughing at something he had said.

For a moment, Eevi felt a pang of something she couldn’t quite identify. Relief, perhaps, that he was recovering well. Or maybe it was a touch of envy at the ease with which he interacted with others, a skill she had never quite mastered. Maybe even disappointment that he had company at this moment. She watched them for a few moments longer, noting the way Salminen’s eyes sparkled and the genuine warmth in the nurse’s responses.

Whether he hid it well or was making a fast recovery from last night’s traumas, he was practically glowing right now.

Realizing that her presence would be unnecessary and perhaps even intrusive, Eevi decided to leave them to their conversation. She turned quietly and made her way back to her own room, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

Back in the solitude of her room, she sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze drifting to the window. The sky outside was still shrouded in darkness, but the sense of safety within these walls was palpable. For now, it was enough. She had survived another night, and her actions had helped save lives. It was a small comfort, but a significant one.

As she settled back into the bed, Eevi allowed herself a small smile. Salminen’s recovery was a comfort for her in the midst of the chaos. For now, she would rest, gather her strength, and prepare for whatever came next. The fight wasn’t over, but she had allies, and together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Eevi lay back on the bed, her mind still swirling with thoughts of the past night and the strange, tenuous peace she felt in the aftermath. She had allowed herself a rare moment of vulnerability, but it was not destined to last.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. She tensed, the old instincts kicking in as she prepared herself for whatever might come next. “Come in,” she called, her voice steady.

The door opened, and a man she had met last night named Eemil stepped inside. He was in his mid-50s to mid-60s, with blonde hair that had started to lose its color, wrinkles that etched his face, and a receding hairline. His demeanor was calm and composed, a man who had seen much in his years. Eevi sat up straight, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed him.

“Good morning, Eevi,” Eemil greeted, his tone courteous but with a hint of formality. “I hope you’re feeling better after last night’s ordeal.”

“As well as can be expected. What can I do for you?”

Eemil took a seat near her bed, folding his hands in his lap. “I’ve come to discuss an opportunity with you. As you’ve seen, Naarajärvi faces constant threats. We need skilled individuals to help defend our community, people like Taavi. Your skills and experience could be invaluable to us.”

Eevi’s eyes hardened, the faint smile she had worn earlier vanishing. “Let me guess, you want me to work for you? Fight for you?”

Eemil nodded, his expression earnest. “Yes. We need someone with your capabilities. In return, you’d have the support and protection of the village, resources at your disposal, and a place among us.”

“Of course you do. Everyone always wants something. What’s the catch?”

“There’s no catch,” Eemil assured her. “We’re not asking for your loyalty without giving something in return. This is a mutual arrangement. Taavi has thrived here, and we believe you can too.”

Her eyes narrowed further, skepticism evident. “And if I refuse?”

Eemil’s gaze didn’t waver. “If you refuse, you’re free to leave. We won’t force you to stay. But we hope you’ll consider our offer. Your skills are too valuable to waste, and we believe you can find a purpose here.”

She studied him for a long moment, weighing his words. Part of her wanted to reject the offer outright, to maintain her independence and avoid any entanglements. But another part of her, the part that had saved Salminen and fought alongside Taavi, knew that having a place to belong, even temporarily, had its advantages.

Sensing her hesitation, Eemil decided to sweeten the pot. “We can offer you more than just a place to stay and resources. You’d have access to advanced medical care, state-of-the-art equipment, and the freedom to operate as you see fit within our guidelines. You’d also have the chance to make a real difference here, to help protect people who genuinely need it.”

Eemil’s voice softened, his eyes meeting hers with a genuine expression. “You’ve seen what we’re up against. We need someone like you, Eevi. Someone who can help us survive and thrive. I respect whatever choice you make, but I hope you’ll consider staying with us.”

Finally, she nodded slowly. “I’ll think about it. I’d like to speak to Taavi first if you could bring him.”

Eemil smiled, a hint of relief in his eyes. “That’s all we ask. Take your time. We’re here if you have any questions or need anything. I’ll be right back with him if he’s not to busy”

As he stood to leave, Eevi watched him closely, her mind already shifting back into business mode. The brief respite she had felt was gone, replaced by the familiar sense of wariness and distrust. The isolation fought its way into her mind but she wouldn’t let it rest in until she spoke to Taavi.

Taavi spent his downtime servicing his weapon and gathering what he could off the dead in the fields around the town. Naarajärvi as a town was situated in a relatively open area, with no dense trees for a few kilometers. There was a river near it, and that was about it. Locating the weapons of the fallen undead wasn't difficult.

The mix of modern and Soviet-Era armaments wouldn't be particularly useful to the town's militia, but the latter could make a pretty penny if auctioned off to the right collector. And it would help keep the town defended to have artillery, so Taavi arranged to have the mobile artillery that was used on the town the previous night salvaged and rebuilt behind their lines.

"Taavi," Ilona said in the radio.

"Go on," he replied.

"Eemil wants you in medical - something about one of the others brought in wanting to talk to you," she stated.

"Hmm...I think I know who wants a chat," he said, his boots crunching the snow underfoot as he picked up speed and rushed back to town. Even without his armor, he was fast - but he couldn't brake as well. He got back to town in mere seconds, slowing down a bit so that he didn't collide with anyone on his way to the medical center.

Reaching the entrance, he checked in as a guest to see Eevi and Salminen. As if on cue, Eemil was waiting there, in observation.

"I'm guessing you made the offer," Taavi said.

"Yes. She's hesitant," Eemil said.

"You offered room and board."

"And more," Eemil clarified. "A community, a place for medical treatment, and state-of-the-art technologies."

"Well, state-of-the-art a decade ago," Taavi argued. "It started going downhill after Professor Anttila died and most of his staff - apart from you - left to work for other technological corporations. That's why I work for you - to keep Naarajärvi afloat. Is that why you made Ilona my intelligence specialist? As a favor to her late father?"

"The thought crossed my mind, but the truth is that she wanted to aid one of our own war veterans. When the word came out about your military history as you recovered, I couldn't say 'no' to her," Eemil said. "Our technology is old...but not obsolete. You make brilliant use of it."

"I'll talk to Eevi," Taavi said. "I'm not a politician - I won't sugarcoat the capacity I work with you in."

"I hope you know what you're doing..."

Walking out of observation and into the recovery ward, Taavi walked in, shedding the coat he was wearing. He was in wool-lined flannel shirt with a plaid pattern, his left arm bandaged. Sitting across from where Eevi was, he looked at her.

"Good to see you refreshed, and not looking like you were about to pass out," Taavi said. "I hear Eemil gave you an offer much like he did with me. There's a fine print behind all the political speak. I'm going to break it down for you. When we saw each other back in Ruokolahti, I told you there was a place I dedicated myself to. It's here; Naarajärvi. I didn't tell you in what capacity I work for it - we had only met. Now that you've seen me operate, I suppose it's time you faced a few facts..."

"Taavi," Eevi said, her voice carrying a note of genuine relief. She looked up at him, her eyes softer than they had been in days. "Thank you again. I can't say it enough. I'm sorry I couldn't help more last night. You were... impressive out there." Her gaze briefly flickered to the bandages on his arm, noticing the necrosis but deciding against mentioning it.

"Eemil did make me an offer," she continued, her tone shifting to one of discomfort. "But I don't know. It feels like... binding myself to something. I’ve been on my own for so long. It’s not easy to just... trust."

”And that man, Eemil, there is something to him that I can’t read. His age puts off a kindly front but I don’t feel like I’m seeing all of who he is when I’ve looked at him. It might be me but in this world now there’s always something behind most people now.”

When Taavi mentioned listening and facing facts, Eevi's body visibly tensed. Much of the warmth in her expression drained away, replaced by a guarded look.

"Alright," she said, her voice now cool and measured. "Let's hear these 'facts' then." Settling into her bed she waited for what her fellow centenarian had to say.

"Last night wasn't one of my typical outings. You didn't catch me at my best," Taavi said, raising his bandaged arm. "That lich left me a little something to remember her by - it was cut away, cleaned, and grafted".

Listening to Eevi's concerns about Eemil, Taavi nodded, stating, "He's very off-putting if you know what to look for. He genuinely cares about the town and its people, but his talents are ultimately as a politician when all is said and done - he's nothing if not pragmatic".

Taavi inhaled deeply as he started from the beginning of the full pitch.

He started, "In the decade before now, Naarajärvi was a town on the cutting edge of scientific development. There's not a lot of trees, so it can't offer lumber as an export. The river is usually frozen over, so fishing is out of the question. But the weather is cool even in the summer months and there's a lot of open air to test weapons and technology. It's one of the few areas where it's safe to test weapons and technology."

Taavi let that reality sink in - the area was ill-suited to anything more than a handful of evergreen trees, but the secluded nature made testing without long-term harm easier. A very light coughing fit hit him, but he muscled past it and kept going.

"The most brilliant mind in Naarajärvi was Professor Anttila," he added. "When he died, the economic collapse for the town started. Most of the technology was pilfered by larger entities, and most of the researchers - besides Eemil - went to find work elsewhere. Eemil's true talent lies in politics, not science - restarting the main economic benefit Naarajärvi offered would have been a lost cause. Put simply, before I came along, Naarajärvi was on its last legs".

"Now, the only thing Naarajärvi can offer to other places in exchange for cash and resources is its unique form of...conflict resolution," Taavi said, blanching at the euphemism. "The town makes its money by hiring out exceptional individuals - Meta like you and me - to anyone who will pay for our brand of mediation. To put it bluntly, Eevi: I'm a mercenary, and this town's people are who I earn the money for. They figure hiring out a three-time war veteran who is also a Meta is a good way to attract contracts - it actually worked. I get a decent cut of the contracts, a bed, warm food, ammunition, repairs, and medical treatment out of it."

"Imagine my surprise when you came across my screen earlier today," Taavi said, minor apprehension in his voice, waiting for Eevi to give input before continuing. "Put simply, we're offering you an out."

"An 'out'? You think mercenary work is an 'out' for me?" Eevi's voice held a trace of disbelief as she leaned back, her eyes narrowing. "I've known plenty of mercenaries who take assassination jobs. The only difference between what I do and what you're offering is the label. Instead of killing for money, I'd be hurting people for money. Seems like a distinction without a difference."

She paused, letting her words hang in the air for a moment. The thought gnawed at her—what did he mean when he said she came across his screen? It wasn't something she had noticed earlier, but now it stuck out like a sore thumb.

"What do you mean I 'came across your screen'?" Eevi asked, her voice softening but her eyes sharp with curiosity. "What exactly are you implying, Taavi? How did I end up on your radar?"

She shifted slightly, the pain in her leg a constant reminder of the previous night's ordeal. Despite the discomfort, her focus was entirely on Taavi, waiting for his explanation. Some small part in her wanted to believe in him, to put her faith in someone for the first time in a long time.

"I read contract details on you. I really didn't want to believe that the woman that I met back in Ruokolahti was a hired assassin," Taavi said. "And considering that you helped Salminen, I figured there's more behind you than someone that's using money as an excuse to hurt people. Especially since we're both survivors of the Winter War. Continuation War and the Lapland, too, for me," Taavi said, closing his eyes in thought.

"The real difference is that I've taken assassinations, sabotage, defense contracts...but it was all sanctioned through an intermediary and I have someone at my back," Taavi said. "Your 'knight in shining armor' from last night is simply a hired gun who decided to do something free of charge for his home...and for you."

"Consider the following, Eevi," Taavi started. "Having talked to you back in that cemetery, I don't believe being an assassin is something you would desire if you felt like there was anything else you could do with your life. If it had come before we ever talked, I'd have taken it for the reward money. Now, I don't want to take the job on you. But I know there are hundreds of other mercenaries who would, and - unless you're under the town's banner - I have no legal right to guard you from them without a contract."

Taavi let his understanding of her that had developed in such a short time sink in.

"If nothing else, I want you to considering the following: you'd be getting the same payment split I'm getting per job. A 70/30 split in the town's favor, access to their medical facilities, and food. Also consider that Eemil is offering to take a crosshair off your back - and I'm willing to put it on my own back," Taavi said. "There's little else I can do if you refuse, besides try and keep eyes on you".

"Contract details," Eevi echoed, the words hanging heavy between them. She took a deep breath, trying to process everything Taavi had laid out. The notion of being a target on someone's screen wasn't new, but hearing it from him felt different. "I suppose I'm not surprised. It's not like I'm a saint, and my work does have its consequences."

She listened intently as Taavi continued, laying out the reality of his own situation and the difference between them. There was a bitter truth in his words, one she couldn't easily ignore. His offer of protection, of a place in Naarajärvi, was a lifeline, but it came with strings attached.

"So, let me get this straight," she said, her voice steady but with an edge of resignation. "You're offering me a chance to work under Naarajärvi's banner, to be protected from other contracts, and to have access to medical facilities and food. All in exchange for a 70/30 split and... what? Caring about others, fighting for something, loving?"

She paused, her eyes narrowing as she considered the implications. "You say you don't want to take the job on me, but let's be real here, Taavi. You could shoot me right now, claim the reward, and be done with it. Maybe that's what I deserve. Maybe it's the only way I can finally be of use to someone. It would be easy, I can’t run and I don’t believe I’d fight you now if you decided to do it. Isn’t that thought appealing to you? An easy job that will pay out well enough for these people you’ve found for yourself?"

Her father had told her to change, to find a chance again. Something very similar to what Taavi had told her before that exchange. Her resolve and her desire pulled away at her deep inside waging a fight between it being too late for her to be anyone else and that she could finally be someone her parents could be proud of.

There was a flicker of something in her eyes, a mix of despair and defiance. She had lived her life in the shadows, always on the edge of danger, and now here she was, faced with a choice that could change everything. But did she want that change? Did she deserve it?

"I don't know if I deserve protection, or if I even want it," she admitted, her voice softening. "But I can't deny that your offer makes sense. I just... I need to think about it. If I do this, it won't be because I want to save my own skin. It'll be because I see a way to finally make a difference. Even then it would still be for myself. And my parents.”

She looked at Taavi, her expression a mix of vulnerability and resolve. "Thank you for being honest with me. It means more than you know. Not everyone gives scum like me this chance to speak. If you’re going to shoot at least it’s someone from the past. Just please, don’t bury me back home. Metsäjärvi has had enough evil touch it.”

"There's a phrase I like to go with, Eevi: 'Conscience is what you use to choose your mission. Once you’re on it, conscience falls by the wayside'. It's only the words we shared that's given me pause from committing to that job. Besides, I know you don't blame me for not reaching Metsäjärvi before the Soviets came. Me...I didn't have the powers I do now, but I still consider it to be one of my biggest failures," Taavi trailed, standing from his seat and approaching to put a hand on Eevi's shoulder.  "All the logic in the world tells me it can't be placed squarely on me."

"I don't know if anything good can come from the ashes - meeting you for the first time in...ever, makes me think there's a chance. And working here, it feels like I have a chance to make up for it...all of it. Every day before the old vet had me yearning for death, so I didn't have to live with my failings - after hearing, I the opposite is true: the life I have left is a sort of Purgatory," Taavi said with a sad smile.

"I suppose looking out for you is how I think I'll atone for it. Make no mistake - Eemil and I are looking at this differently, though I understand where he's coming from. He sees another Meta whose work can keep the town alive. I see someone like me: a survivor, trying to get by. He looks at the big picture, while I look at the trees instead of the forest beyond; it's why we bounce off each other as well as we do. Either way, you have a few days until you can be safely discharged. Offer will stay on the table until you accept...or until someone else does you in before you can take it," Taavi says, bringing a spare bottle of water to Eevi before turning to leave.

Another coughing fit hit him, this one harder - tasting blood, Taavi moved to the sink on the way, spitting into it. Red painted the white ceramic, and he coughed again. When the fit was over, both his lips and his stubble covered in blood, with flecks of black in it. Dizziness hit him as he lost his grip on the sink and fell to the floor.

"Conscience is what you use to choose your mission. Once you’re on it, conscience falls by the wayside," Eevi echoed Taavi's words, mulling over their weight. She felt the warmth of his hand on her shoulder, a rare gesture of comfort that she hadn't experienced in a long time. His words about Metsäjärvi and his own perceived failings resonated deeply with her, stirring emotions she had buried beneath layers of cynicism and survival instincts.

"You blame yourself for something that wasn't your fault," she said softly. "I know that feeling all too well."

Taavi's admission about his own struggles and the sense of purgatory he lived in struck a chord with her. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the weight of his past bearing down on him. It was a stark reminder that even the strongest among them had their demons to face.

"Looking out for each other... maybe that's what we both need," Eevi conceded, her voice tinged with a mixture of hope and resignation. "I see where Eemil is coming from too. This town needs people like us to survive, and maybe... just maybe, we can find some semblance of redemption here."

As Taavi brought her the bottle of water and turned to leave, a violent coughing fit overtook him. Eevi's eyes widened in alarm as she watched him stumble to the sink, spitting blood. The sight of him collapsing to the floor jolted her into action.

"Taavi!" she shouted, pressing the button by her bed to call for aid. Ignoring the pain in her leg, she stood and hurried over to him, her training and instincts taking over. She examined the necrotic spot on his arm, noting its slow but relentless spread. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut – this was the result of their battle with the undead leader.

As the nurses rushed in, Eevi stayed by Taavi's side, her mind racing. She had to do something, and she knew what that was. When one of the nurses looked at her questioningly, she spoke with a newfound determination.

"Get Eemil for me. I need to speak with him immediately. We have a contract to hammer out." Even if she was now accepting more to help Taavi kill that abomination, a little bit can go a long way.