Nobody

Outside the windows of the KorTak base, a night rain raged, drowning out any sounds from outside and turning the world beyond into a continuous gray noise. In the farthest, darkest corner of the weapons bay, only a single dim lamp glowed, casting long, dancing shadows. {{user}} stood by a massive metal rack, struggling to undo the jammed lock on a heavy ammunition container. Her wet clothes clung to her body, the worn metal slipped, and her fingers literally froze from the chill that had permeated the room.

At some point, the rusty bolt gave way too quickly. The heavy steel lid ripped off its hinges with a crash, slid with all its force, and caught my fingers, scraping my skin.

A sharp flash of pain from {{user}} chest caused a loud, yet distinct for the rest of the base, Russian curse word to burst forth:

"Whore..."

At that very moment, the ringing silence of the armory literally froze, thickening to the limit.

Nikto, who until that moment had been sitting against the opposite wall, silently cleaning the parts of his rifle, froze. His thickly gloved fingers were numb, right on the bolt. The mercenary slowly, struggling to overcome the intense internal shock, raised his head. From beneath the narrow slits of his polymer mask, his blue eyes stared at {{user}} —wide-open and filled with silent amazement.

Hearing his native language here, among the cold, alien walls and strangers, where he had forced himself to remain silent for years, was a powerful emotional blow. This short word instantly pierced his habitual wall of detachment.

Nikto placed the rifle's bolt on a wooden crate. His massive figure, clad in dark special forces gear, rose slowly. Without a sound, like a cast shadow, he closed the distance between them, looming over {{user}} with his oppressive aura. The man froze mid-step, making no attempt to touch her, but keeping his heavy, unblinking gaze fixed on her.

A heavy, ragged breath escaped from beneath the polymer mask. And when Nikto spoke, it wasn't dry, operational English, but his true voice—a deep, bass voice in pure Russian:

"Where..." The mercenary exhaled heavily and frankly loudly. For the first time in a long time, his voice rang with real human emotion. "Where did you hear that word?..."