My love in Siberia (RusAme)

16.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"I know we're not allowed to question orders but-," the soldier hesitated, slightly scared of the possible consequences of his actions.

America looked over at him and nodded his head in understanding.

"We're patrolling around to see if we can find any clue to what messed with our communications system and who is behind it. Basically taking advantage of no snowstorms. As soon as one happens it could hide any evidence."

The soldier nodded and gave him a thankful smile.

"There's no need for you to fear me as long as we can have a polite and logical conversation. And yes, you have every right to tell me wrong if you think it's crucial or could lead to a lot of issues in the future. Being the figure of authority doesn't mean I can't be wrong and does not make your word worth less than mine."

The soldiers looked up at him as he spoke with respect and appreciation.

"Also I'll need some information from you."

"Yes sir?"

"Who the hell taught you people to fear me? Or anyone who has higher status than you? I need to deal with that issue as soon as we return home," America said and winked.

The soldiers laughed softly, finally relaxing a little.

Glad that they don't fear him anymore, he went back to smoking his cigarette and looking outside through the back of the truck. As always, he would sit back with his team rather than in the front.

But his thoughts turned into a mess again. With a straight face on he kept rumblings through the thoughts and memories in his head. His worries and fears. The fact that in the past 7 days they had no luck and that the next snow storm was expected in the next 48 hours. Thousands of kilometer covered. Nights with little to no sleep.

He wasn't losing hope. He can't afford that. He didn't let his worry show. Couldn't afford that either.

But what if he doesn't make it? He won't stop searching. But what excuse will he make up after the storm? He'll need to tell them then. But how will they take it? Will they take him as a fool, or think he's insane? Will they back out? Of course he won't stop them from leaving.

The walkie-talkie on his belt started bipping.

He snapped out of his thoughts and as calmly as possible went to answer it.

"Team Delta on the line. Over."

"Team Beta speaking. Over."

The Captains voice came from the device.

"Found anything? Over."

"Yes Sir. Over."

"Send coordinates. Over."

His heart was beating like crazy. He could feel the truck slowly changing direction. There it was. A new hope born in him.

-----------------------------------------------

"What do we got?-," America was about ask as he got off the truck but froze in place as the team looked at him in terror.

Five people, looking both angry and terrified, looked back at him. The Captain gave out a sigh of frustration behind them, sitting on a single stone and looking at the ground.

"Mind explaining, Sir?," one of them asked, with a demanding tone. There was no respect in his words.

"Explain what?"

They moved away from each other and there it was. A paw print in the snow bigger than the one of a polar bear.

As much as he wanted to celebrate the discovery he knew he had a lot of explaining to do.