###%%†~,,, ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, orange-clad train-climber crew, moving ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, along the rusty cargo cars like some ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, species of ferrophage insect. up and ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, down the train, checking bolts, oiling ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, joints, drinking coffee, smoking ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, cigarettes. ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, ############################## ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, we were going south through finland at ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, the time, sleeping close to the ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, furnace, watching the aurora borealis. ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, twenty-something members of the crew, ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, most of which were mechanics, or ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, loaders, with large and hairy hands ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, that could swallow my entire body. and ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, me featuring as the cute and asocial ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, radio operator, stationed in the back ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, of the kilometer-long train, which ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, served me good and well. ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, and then one night, there's a missile. ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, we would routinely pick up new cars at ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, the tail, and drop some off, as a way ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, of earning some extra money. but a ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, missile, and appearing silently in the ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, middle of the night at that? not ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, entirely... comfortable. ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, i call it in on the walkie-talkie. not ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, many others awake, they know nothing ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, about it, and appear concerned as well. ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, ############################## ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, when i fall awake in the afternoon, ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, karl is there, smiling at me. "hey ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, boy," he says, "wanna help me make a ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, call?" ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, after he's brought me coffee, i dial ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, the frequency from his notebook, and ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, after a while there's a reply in ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, pan-slavic. karl laughs and makes a ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, reply in the same language. even though ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, we both have headphones i can't follow ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, at all, but i hear the word "missile" a ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, few times. ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, i'm almost snoozing again at the time ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, karl puts down the headphones and slaps ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, me on my back. "allright boy. i just ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, sold a missile." he practically beams ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, at me, teeth filed sharp. "wanna make a ,,,~†%%###
####%%†~,, detour?" ,,~†%%####
###%%†~,,, ,,,~†%%###
##%%†~,,,, ,,,,~†%%##
#%%†~,,,,, ,,,,,~†%%#
##%%†~,,,, ,,,,~†%%##
###%%†~,,, ,,,~†%%###