Ice Chase (Syberia 2)

~A Syberia Short Story~

Cover art belongs to Nausinoisette on tumblr. Enjoy!

~~~

As the final amount of required coal had been shoveled into the train's firebox, Oscar set aside the shovel he was no longer using. Then, he reached for the rag he'd left hanging on the handle of the firebox door. Using it, he wiped off the coal dust that had inevitably ended up on his metal forearms.

While doing so, the automaton could hear the door to the passenger car open-and-shut a second time. The sound indicated that one of his two passengers, Kate Walker, had exited the car. Climbing out of the train cab, Oscar was greeted by said passenger, who'd just been in the other car moments prior.

"Hey there Oscar!" She greeted warmly. "Hello, Kate Walker. Are we prepared to leave?" The automaton inquired of her. "Almost. Hans asked me to sort out a mechanical problem at the Cirkos Cabaret. As soon as I can get back, we can get going." Kate explained to him.

At that, Oscar replied with, "Do be careful, Kate Walker. A cabaret is no place for a young lady." Kate smiled and shook her head subtly. "Don't worry. I'll be back before you know it, Oscar." And with that, Kate turned on her heels, and returned to the staircase leading to the town below.

As she left, Oscar turned to the train behind him. He wanted to do a final once over of his locomotive, before it was full steam ahead again.

While inspecting the wheel workings of the train, Oscar heard two sets of unfamiliar footsteps approaching him. "'Oi you!" A voice called to the automaton, before he could even turn to address the people who'd approached him.

The individuals in question were two men. One of the men was significantly shorter than the automaton himself, and was wearing musty, almost old looking clothing. He also had some dirt on his face, and was somewhat hunched over. Just behind the first man, was a much taller man. He had lighter colored winter clothing, that also had some dirt on it. The taller of the two appeared to be taking in their surroundings, and not fully paying attention.

"Good day, sirs. May I help you?" Oscar politely asked in greeting. "Name's Ivan. This here's my bro, Igor." The shorter man quickly introduced, before continuing with, "You with the pretty lady--erm, what's 'er name--oh, 'Kate Walker?'" Ivan asked, in a tone nowhere near as polite as Oscar had used. "Kate Walker? I-- Why yes. May I inquire as to why you wish to know that?"

"We's deliverin' a message to you from her." He continued, as Igor chimed in with, "Uh, yeah. Message." The automaton was a bit confused by that information. "And what message might that be?"

"She told us she ain't comin' with yous no mor'." Ivan claimed, with his brother adding, "Yeah. No mo'." Oscar wasn't sure what to say to this. Before he could say anything, the shorter brother continued. "She told us to tell you, she'll be returnin' to America instead."

Oscar was silent for a moment while he processed that information. Surely, that wasn't true... was it? "She.... told you all this?" The automaton asked slowly. "Yep. Oh and uh, she also asked us to go in her stead."

"Pardon?"

"'Sos to keep yous company,' said she." Ivan explained, and Igor added, "Yeah! Go with you. On... On the...train."

"I..." The automaton felt a sense of confusion, and sadness. He wasn't even aware his own mechanisms allowed for him to simulate two different emotions at once. "So, best we get goin', yeah?" The man urged. "I... suppose so..." Oscar slowly answered. He took one final glance towards the end of the platform, to where Kate had disappeared to, before turning to return to the driver's cab.

Just as the automaton went to get the train started, he heard Ivan say something to his taller brother. Then, the two came in after him. Not long after, the train went out into the endless white of the Siberian tundra.