Riley and Naz found themselves sitting together in the Rolls Royce.
Stacy and Angel were still shopping. Naz had earlier chosen Georgian eateries to do her stocking up, and Marilyn was probably now in a Central Asian grocery with extensive halal selections.
“Riley?” Naz turned to Riley. “I want to ask you about something.”
“Go ahead.”
“You read a lot?” Naz had sensed that Riley was the introverted type who liked books and computers and working alone.
“You could say that,” Riley replied noncommittally.
“Come on, I don’t think I ‘could’ say that. It’s obvious. You wanted to visit the libraries in Moscow. Even though you think this is Mordor,” Naz said.
“We visited the libraries together,” Riley pointed out. “Just couldn’t take out the books.”
“I don’t think of Moscow as Mordor,” Naz added. “More like, maybe, the village of Stepanchikovo. You know, just one main charlatan brings out the worst in everyone.”
“I think it’s going to be worse. Moscorep by the year 2042.”
“Um… Riley, I don’t get that reference.”
“Oh, it comes from a 1986 dystopian novel. Written by a Russian in exile in Germany.”
“At the rate they’re going, you might not have to wait until 2042. 2028 is enough,” Naz returned after a few seconds.
And now it was Riley who didn’t understand the refence, so it was Naz’s turn to explain. This was from a recently published dystopian novel by Sorokin.
The two women looked at each other, bemused yet slightly troubled. It was nice that despite their very different origins, they could still communicate in a common language. And very pleasing that they had both read plenty of books in their common language.
What was not so pleasant to know, was that their common language was one imposed by imperialism. And they didn’t like the imperial attitudes still emanating from Moscow. Which could turn dark very easily and quickly. That’s why they had both read dystopian, menacing books in Russian lately.
Besides, there wasn’t that much cheery, life affirming fiction available in Russian…
Or maybe the very thought of reading in Russian made Riley and Naz feel somber, and primed them to look for dystopian political satire. Naz didn’t read such serious stuff in her father’s native language.
After a few more literary exchanges, they found themselves speculating about their newly appointed leader.
“How do you think she compares with characters in Russian literature?”
“Not Natasha Romanova, that’s for sure,” Naz replied.
“You mean Rostova?”
“Sorry, slip of the tongue.”
…
“I’ve had this feeling that in Russian literature, you’ve got more mystical and irrational characters than in other countries’ literature.”
“It’s just the religious influence. Orthodox Christianity, icons, monks and meditation. They love mystery. And this has spread into normal secular literature.”
“Well, I don’t like being unable to understand someone’s motivations.” Riley bit her lip, thinking. “I hope Stacy is not going to turn out like many Russian literary characters.”
“I don’t think we have to deal with some incomprehensible Russian mysticism,” Naz replied. “She’s not even ethnic Russian. As was stressed to us. Not Slavic, not Orthodox.”
“I heard she was registered as Chuvash at birth. Chuvash are Orthodox Christians, you know.”
“Very much doubt she is a practicing Orthodox Christian,” Naz commented.
“But you never know,” Riley made a face.
“And you are?” Naz asked randomly.
Truth be told, although by this point Naz had been with Riley, Marilyn and Angel for several weeks, she still didn’t really know all that much about her teammates. Out of a desire to avoid anything sensitive, the four women had only given each other a moderate amount of information about themselves.
But Stacy’s joining the team seemed to have caused everyone to change. They didn’t know why. Maybe it was something about Stacy’s personality or presence. There was something very journalistic about Stacy. It seemed to draw out truths and frank admissions from each other.
Naz looked out of the car window. What was Stacy’s effect exactly? She didn’t understand how that Tranquility Aura worked. But it did work. Naz felt comfortable enough to say whatever she pleased. And Riley didn’t seem uncomfortable either. Even though Stacy was not currently in close proximity, both Riley and Naz had sensed that their team would be more friendly and open than traditional workplaces.
That had led to Naz asking Riley about her religion.
“I’m an electrical engineer cum computer technician. I want logic in everything,” Riley replied sternly.
Really, how could Naz think that Riley had religion?
Meanwhile, Naz was thinking.
Riley had shown herself to be invested in a Lithuanian identity. Odds were strong on Riley being a Christian. But Riley wasn’t.
So far they had not really had many exchanges. Stacy didn’t come across as irrational or mystical. But you never knew, since the new team had not been put to the test in stressful situations.
What if they were in some difficult situation, and Stacy resorted to Russian style magical thinking? Wishing for something didn’t make it so! Naz didn’t want to be trapped behind a leader like that.
If they were a normal private company, Naz could just quit. But ZIL was more like a covert research and information gathering operation, comprised of people who got into trouble in their home countries. What if they were discovered and arrested in Russia?
What if they got into a fight with some criminals or corrupt local officials and the enemy wanted to eliminate them?
Right now the ZIL members hadn’t known each other for long enough and well enough. Naz really didn’t want to take too many risks with this unknown new leader.