RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 59-1: Happenstances elsewhere (Part 1)

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 59-1: Happenstances elsewhere (Part 1)

As the train chugs along, First Lieutenant Kemper now finds himself boiling a kettle of water. Though the train has an air conditioner system, it doesn't hurt to always have a tumbler of hot Darjeeling tea on hand. After all, the journey to Moscow will only get colder and colder, even though it's springtime. While waiting for the water to boil, the Lieutenant picks out a filter bag of Darjeeling tea and places it inside his tumbler, just in time for somebody to knock on the door.

Sparing a glance at his wristwatch, the good Lieutenant checks on the time before inviting the person outside to come in. Stepping inside is a Sergeant, his name, Lukas Hultebring, is embazled on a patch.

"Adam." The Sergeant greeted, moving to place his cap on a coat hanger by the compartment wall.

"Lukas." Adam replied before pouring a now hot kettle of water inside the tumbler. After that, he starts dipping the filter bag a few times to diffuse the dried tea leaves.

"How come that every time I see you here, you are always busy making yourself a pot of tea?" Lukas asked wryly.

"The tea keeps me focused on long trips like this one." Adam answered while taking a whiff of the tea scent.

"Hell, I am surprised that it doesn't take you that many trips into the loo with how much tea you consume." Lukas jested.

Adam shrugs. "My fiancee does applaud me for my strong kidneys."

After two trips aboard Thomas the train, it's safe to say that Adam and Lukas have bonded over, enough to be called friends. It's why Lukas dares to jest with the Lieutenant in private. Adam himself is also a prime example of work-life balance, he will even joke around when it's free time. That said, Adam tends to keep a serious exterior when on duty.

Adam makes a finger gun. "Bingo. While we surely can push for the truth or an investigation of sorts, I don't think we are in a position of power to make such requests back there. It doesn't mean that I hadn't reported this to command, however. The intelligent department can work on our suspicion, whereas we can't."

"Suddenly, I really don't want to make Warsaw a stop on our return trip." Lukas sagged his shoulders, now believing Warsaw to be something of a bad omen.

"Unfortunately, we have to deliver cars of Rusviet coals there, otherwise the city won't be able to power itself. If that's to be the case, whatever's going on in Warsaw may turn from bad to worse. Still, here's hoping it's just my brain overthinking things." Adam commented.

"I would drink to that if I had my flask." Lukas smirked. "Unfortunately, my shift is just about right now. Gonna makes my way to the control car, be seeing you pal."

"Don't fall asleep while manning the helm, Sergeant." Adam reminded while nodding his head in Lukas' direction.

The man does a two-finger salute. "And let you tear my badge off? Fat chance that would happen. Also, I'll be calling for you when we're about to hail Rusviet border control."

Adam just nods while grabbing his tumbler for a drink, letting the door close behind Lukas. As the warmth of Darjeeling tea spreads across his body, Adam quietly mulls over the conversation that happened prior. Aria always says that Adam has a good head on his shoulders, one that is accompanied by a similarly good heart, with the two balancing each other nicely. Although Adam's heart murmurs for him to act on his suspicion, Adam's logic has determined that it's not quite the time to call out the Polanians on their ruse. Adam will let the analysts back home to work their magic, and hopefully, he will get the answers he needs to determine a course of action before they return to Warsaw. They will be carrying Rusviet VIPs on their way back to Belka, unpreparedness may prove to be costly then.

"Perhaps it's best that I talk with the Security Captain, there's no telling of what can happen on the way back. Better be safe than sorry." Adam said to himself.

If only he knew how this decision would come to affect the future. Due to a few pointed instructions from the new Polania government, the nation now runs a deep undercurrent beneath its civilized facade. One that threatens to swallow the entire train if they're to ride off the wrong line.