Minsk

I followed Dimitri outside the train station . An old trains station which was quite resembling an old Russian town . It was snowing that time of the year , and as it turns out it snows quite often here . We walked out of the station , into the town . Great , it thought from one beat up old town to another . Dimitri picked up his pace and I followed him , with the heavy bags hanging over my shoulder . I finally managed to catch up with Dimitri . Dimitri , where is our accommodation . Is it inside the campsite . I asked him naively . to which Dimitri replied . Only if you want to die . He replied . And he said it in such a way , that I knew he really meant it . We stay a mile away from the campsite , which is the Nuclear reactor . Dimitri suddenly stood still and looked at me . He said , do not take this job lightly . It could get you killed . And plus too , they asked for a strongman . That is why you are here . I asked Dimitri , well . What do you do ? Are you an accountant . To which he replied , something like that . It was clear to me that Dimitri had changed . He was not the same person I once knew . He was hardened by the world . Rather hardened by the environment around him . We were all hardened kids , that was the way we grew up . But Minsk had its own way , that's what Dimitri said to me . We finally reached our accommodation . As I looked at it from the outside , I thought it was alright . It was a a 3 story building and it was really long . It had a lot of windows and I saw smoke come out from most of the windows . Dimitri saw me looking at the smoke , he said . Plato , its Minsk . everybody smokes here . You will too shortly . To which I replied , that is a habit I certainly will never pick up . He was right and I clearly was very wrong . I smoke to this very day . We went tot he third floor of the building . The stairs were alright , not all that too broken . Dimitri picked up a pair of keys and he opened the door . We went it . I looked around the room . It was alright . It was indeed quite spacious . As big as the house we lived in Greece , well almost . Dimitri switched on the lights . Only the two of us ? i asked him . To which he replied No . We stay with another person , a Russian . He is older than us and he is an orphan . That's too bad , I replied . What is his name ? i asked Dimitri . The Russian ? his name is Sergey . Just mind your business and he will mind his . Replied Dimitri . I said , yes Sir .

That right there is your bed , he said . Pointing towards the corner of the room . It was alright , although there was no bed . Just a Mattress . Go to sleep Plato , Dimitri said . We have to be there at the worksite early in the morning . And it is your first day at work . We certainly do not want to be late . To which I replied , Yes sir . I would like to be really early tomorrow . Good , said Dimitri . And Sergey I asked , he will not be here tonight . Did I not tell you about the whole mind our business thing , just now . Yes , sorry . I said and went right to sleep . As I was half asleep . Dimitri woke me up . Did you have something to eat , I forgot to ask you .

That is quite alright Dimitri , I am not too hungry . I replied

The next morning

I got up , and again it was just the two of us . I was yet too meet Sergey . Me and Dimitri got ready really early and left for the worksite . He had a Identity card on himself . What is that ? I asked him . That is for identification . He replied . You will get one too . We walked hurriedly , and I slowly began to realize that was the normal walking speed of his . As we walked ahead , I asked Dimitri

Any rules , that I have to follow . You know , something that should stay on the top of my mind .

Just keep your head down and do your work . He replied

That is fairly simple . I thought to myself

Finally we reached the worksite . It was a really huge building . Again a bit old , but i could say it was well maintained . The whole place was covered with electric fences , so no one could break inside at night . Which caught me by surprise . Why would someone break into a building which was surrounded by armed guards . Dimitri entered past the fences , he showed his ID card to the armed guard who was there at the entrance . He spoke something , I could not hear properly and he pointed at me . The guard glanced at me and then waved me in . I kept my head down , just like Dimitri had said

There were many buildings inside the fence , which I realized only after entering the compound . From the outside , it does not look like there were so many buildings . Anyway Dimitri again walked at his usual pace , and I had to catch up to him . He made his way to the office building . All the lights were on , as it was dark outside . There was a middle aged lady seated there with thick glasses on .

Dimitri pointed towards her and he said . Let's go meet her . You will have to fill in some details and then some other formalities , he said . So we walked towards the desk where she was seated . So you are the new recruit ? She asked me . To which I replied yes . We need you to take a photograph first and have a few tests taken , she said . Go there , the lady pointed . There you will have your photograph taken and then come back here , I will take you to room where the tests are to be taken . What tests , I asked Dimitri . As I was too scared to take ask the lady . Just some fitness and medical tests Plato , he replied . You need not worry about it . So , I went to the room and had my photograph taken by a man . I think he was a military man , that was my initial assumption of him , mainly because of the way he spoke . He smoked a cigarette too while he clicked my photo . After taking some photos , he simply said , you are done here . Then I went back to the lady and then proceeded on to take some tests . Dimitri got busy with his work , as I did not see him till the afternoon break . After the tests were completed , we had a lunch break in the canteen . The food was alright , although it was Russian . I did not seem to mind at all . The food was not too hot , that was the only complaint I had . As we were having our food , we were joined by another working member of the plant . He came and put his food down on the table . I could say he was not taking the job too well . He had a tired look on his face which was permanent through out our first encounter . Andrei , his name was . And Andrei was about 5 years older than I was . He was strong , but not as strong like me . You are the new recruit , he asked . To which I replied , yes . I think they might pair up the both of You , Dimitri said . Andrei laughed . How old is this kid ? 14 , 15 . He asked Dimitri . 12 , I replied . 12 years old ? Too young to be travelling in a vehicle . That's his job Andrei , said Dimitri . Andrei stared at me , as though he was analysing my capabilities . Let's see about that , he finally replied . He is a fast learner , Dimitri said . I pack a puck too , I said . And to this day I think it was a foolish think to say . We are not in the army kid , Andrei said . We just transport nuclear waste and dump it in a yard far away from the people . And personally between you and me kid , I don't even think it is legal . We do illegal things here ? I asked naively . It's the Russian government. There is no such thing as legal and illegal . These lines are not blurred , they are completely erased . I simply replied , ok . My time here is done , he said to the both of us and left . It's a tough job driving a vehicle , I asked Dimitri . It is if you have to wear a mask all the time , he replied . I again simply replied , ok . So what do they need you to do next . Asked Dimitri . Now I go to the inventory store and pick up my kit . Then I am done for the day . I have to report here at 6 in the morning . Did they ask yo my for a drivers license . No they said they will arrange it for me . Ok , said Dimitri . You head home and i will join you later . So , I finished my lunch and headed towards the inventory store . They handed me a slip where I had to sign . Saying I was responsible for the clothing and any form of poising because of the tear in suits and broken masks . They were responsible at all for the posting that could occur . And if I lost the suit or gear . I had to pay out from my pocket . The man clearly said . Careful son , these items are not cheap by any measure . I replied . Yes sir . I shall be very careful with the clothing . Ok you can go . He said . Again he looked to me , like he was a military officer. Why were there so many military officers in a place like this i wondered . But I didn't think too much of it . I took my things and went to the house where we were lodged . I had the keys . A pair for myself . Opened the door and went it . Again there was no sign of my roommate at all . Which made me wonder . Would I even see him at all . I looked outdoors the window . There was one on the streets , and it started to snow again a bit . Great , I thought to myself