I woke up at exactly 5 am. I always woke up early, even before the pandemic started. Thus, in a day I managed to do twice as many things as, for example, many of my friends did. If earlier, getting up early was like a habit, then during the apocalypse it turned into a reflex. During the time that I spent outside the Ark, I learned to sleep lightly, so much so that in case of approaching trouble, I could quickly react and be ready to meet it. And this saved me from problems several times...

But now it took me a few more minutes to fully awaken: the heaviness in my whole body after such a long outing seemed to pin me to the bed. Making an effort on myself, I was able to first rise, and then, already in a sitting position, I rubbed my eyes and climbed down.

Going down, I looked around and saw that everyone was still asleep. Yusuf is no exception. Putting the book on his chest, he snored quietly and from time to time muttered something under his breath.

Trying not to make any noise, I opened my drawer and took out a change of linen and bathroom accessories. I need to go to the shower while there is still some warm water. Showers were located next to the headquarters, in a building where people with children and old people were. Like the headquarters, this house was built as a small dormitory, with small amenities in the form of bathrooms, a dining room for the residents of this house and a warehouse. There were several more such buildings. But mostly people lived in tents, where they ate and slept...

Passing the tents, in which silence still reigned, I reached the dormitory. Entering through the doors, I immediately went to the nearest shower room. When I reached it, I did not find anyone, so I went to a wooden bench located along the wall near the shower rooms, put clean linen on it and took off everything dirty.

Going into the shower room, I turned the valves and a cool stream of water poured over me, washing away all the dirt, sweat and relieving muscle tension...

After the water treatments, I changed into a clean clothes and left the building and headed towards the dining room. My stomach began to grumble from hunger and I urgently needed to satisfy it...

The camp was still asleep, but the canteen was already working and beckoning me with the smell of food. In a couple of minutes I was already standing opposite the entrance to a huge tent, which served as a place for the inhabitants of the Ark to eat deliciously and gain vitality. Moving aside the fabric of the tent and going inside, I was immediately enveloped in the smell of oatmeal being prepared. Taking a deep breath, saliva formed in my mouth. It always smelled delicious in here. And of course, the smell matched the quality. Even though it is very difficult to get food in the conditions of the apocalypse, the locals were able to raise cattle in the camp and engage in agriculture. Also, the scouts brought with them all the supplies that they could find and left in the warehouse, from where they then went straight to the dining room, where skilled chefs prepared food for all the survivors. Since the beginning of the founding of the Ark, one of the main issues has been the provision of food as the population grows. Thanks to the Captain and his assistants, over time, he was able to stabilize and there are enough supplies for everyone ...

Now, I'm standing with a tray in my hands and looking at the morning menu. It includes the previously mentioned oatmeal, butter and cheese sandwich, apple and hot black tea. Just what you need for a proper breakfast. After putting the food on the tray, I sat down at the nearest table and immediately proceeded to the meal…

A little later, I finished breakfast and thanking the cooks, I left the dining room and headed towards the beach to meet the dawn. After passing through the tents and down the path to the sea, I stood near the water and took out a cigarette case. Taking a cigarette and lighting it, I began to watch the waves. The sea was calm and quiet, even the seagulls had not yet woken up and were not flying around. The sun gradually rose over the horizon and after a few minutes its rays colored the water in an orange light. A mesmerizing sight. I often come here to think about my own thoughts and enjoy the loneliness. It inspires me and also calms me down. I stood like that for a while, until one soldier called out to me.

"Hey, Spooky! The Captain wants to see you." the young guy in uniform said loudly.

“I’ll be right there” I replied, finishing my cigarette. Throwing cigarette butt on the sand, I headed back down the path to camp.

In 5 minutes I was already opposite the door to the Captain's office. I wonder what the task will be this time? Something tells me that it will be much more difficult than an ordinary sortie... Now we will find out.

After knocking on the door and hearing the invitation to enter, I turned the knob and went inside. The following picture appeared before me: sleepy Yusuf, who was sitting on one of the chairs opposite the table, at which the rather cheerful Captain was sitting. The latter peered at the map and wrote something down in a notebook. Yusuf, hearing me enter, woke up abruptly and looked at me with a smile and wished a good morning. I nodded to him. Moving my gaze to the Captain, I immediately asked: "Would you like to see me, Comrade Captain?" He nodded without taking his eyes off the map. "There is an important assignment. Quite difficult." he said. "Our technicians lack the parts to improve the quality of the connection. It is extremely difficult to get them, given the current circumstances, but there is a place where these parts should be enough." He motioned me closer to the table. I went over and also began to survey the map. The captain pointed to a place circled in black marker: "There is a secret facility 10 kilometers east of Leskino. During the Cold War, weapons schemes were developed there and also specialized in radio engineering." "But there is one"but " " - added Captain. "The scouts reported that they saw fires from the fireplaces there. Bandits must have settled there, so be as careful as possible." After thinking a bit about this information, I asked: "How many people will go on this assignment?" Captain, leaning back in his chair, replied - "Only you and Yusuf. It is too risky to send a whole group." I was surprised and Yusuf, who until now sat in silence, apparently, too. "And if there are too many opponents? Going together means going to certain death..." "You are one of the most experienced scouts, Spooky - the Captain snapped sternly - And I have no doubt that you will do an excellent job with this task." I was silent for a few seconds. "Besides ... - said the Captain again - our soldiers will be watching you, who at the end of the mission will wait for your signal to help bring the parts to the Ark." "So, clearing the territory and transporting the cargo, right?" - I specified. “Right, - Captain replied in the affirmative. “Okay, but why Yusuf?” I asked incredulously. “With all due respect, I don’t think he will be able to provide support if there are still many opponents...”. At this time, Yusuf threw an indignant glance at me and was about to object to something, but Captain got ahead of him and looking me straight in the eyes answered: "Do not hesitate, Yusuf is well trained and, moreover, he is well versed in radio engineering. He has a list of everything necessary, so he can figure it out quickly. " I nodded. It makes no sense to argue with the Captain anyway. If the operation is thought out, then I really have nothing to worry about. "Also, go to the armory and the warehouse, there you will be given everything you need for the task. Then go to Stepanych, he will take you to the eastern checkpoint, from there you will go on foot" - added the Captain. “Accepted,” I replied. "If there are no more questions, then proceed to the mission," said Captain.

Saluting the commander, Yusuf and I headed for the exit. As soon as we left the building, Yusuf turned to me with the question that still bothered him: "Don’t you trust me?" “I'm used to working alone." - I said. When I lit a cigarette and let out the smoke, Yusuf frowned in a funny way and, repelling it with his hand, said: "This is understandable, but as the Captain said, you cannot cope with my knowledge of radio engineering without me." "Plus to everything... - he added with pride - I also know how to hold a weapon in my hands." "And shoot it?" - I quipped shortly. Yusuf pouted immediately. “Okay, let's go already, time isn’t waiting,” I said, walking towards the warehouse ...

After 15 minutes, fully equipped, Yusuf and I walked towards Stepanich, who was already standing near the truck and smoking, waiting for us. Coming closer, he noticed us and waved his hand. "Well guys, are you ready?" he asked good-naturedly. I nodded silently. “Then I’ll finish smoking and we’ll go” Stepanych said, blowing smoke through his nostrils, “In the meantime, you can throw your backpacks into the back.” We did just that. A couple of minutes later, Stepanych, having finished smoking a cigarette, climbed into the cabin of the old GAZ and shouted, slamming the door: “Ayda, guys, it's time to go!” I was the first to climb upstairs and held out my hand to Yusuf to help him climb."Don't bother, I'll do it myself"- he said slowly climbing the stairs. I didn't say anything and sat down next to my backpack. When Yusuf finally got into the back, I patted the roof of the cab, thereby giving Stepanich a signal that we were ready to move out. "Well, with God!" - Stepanych's voice was heard. As soon as we left the Ark, I lay down on my backpack, staring at the already bright sky. I hope that the road will be calm...