Nikolai Volkov

Nikolai sips on his orange soda while continuing listening to the chatty duo. He doesn't care about what can be charitably described as office gossip - curses, gods, whatever nonsense people come up with when confined to one shared tin can for years and years - but it's hard to begrudge it. Cosmos knows, he'd certainly lose his marbles if he were working here for as long as some of other technicians. Wolf's already plenty stir-crazy, but at least these talks about sacrifices and mysterious watchers still only make him grimace.

The money, though, that's interesting. Not that he specifically needs it, but an extra boost would be perfect to finally abandon this place for something more exciting - a ship, or another colony, maybe an expedition to somewhere unknown. And rumors, even the most ridiculous ones, ain't born from nothing: if this so-called cursed place has anything to offer, then all the better. There are no "face" that one cannot punch, after all.

So once the duo pauses their conversation, Nikolai peels himself off the wall he's been leaning against and stalks over towards them. "Oi," he greets with a simple nod, which is the height of politeness in Volkov's book. "That message you talking about. Who's spreading it, and where can I find them?"

Volkov eyes Ruth skeptically, but doesn't dwell too much on his words. Frankly, the aforementioned prophet sounds like a marketer trying to lure in potential customers with vague promises about revealing the meaning of life - and Nikolai never liked vague promises.

"Sure, do that," He instead nods appreciatively at Shawn. Volkov's not the one to complain about life being made easier for him - the less he needs to communicate his intentions, the better. "Sounds like a good time. Some creepiness for 1000 credits." He sips his soda, then throws the can into a nearby bin, narrowly missing but not too concerned about it. "Where's this cursed site?"

"Hole in the ground with a creepy face in it, got it. Thanks," Nikolai grins slightly, which looks like a threatening snarl on his scarred face. "I'll go sharpen my claws and look for this officer then - unless she finds me first. Would be impressive." Without expecting an answer, he waves at his two colleagues and promptly turns away to the exit from the room - intending to do exactly what he stated. Well, maybe without the claw sharpening part - his gauntlets are already in perfect condition by his reckoning.

Nikolai isn't particularly concerned about time - the remaining time of lunch break is plenty enough to find some higher-up and sign up for a dangerous mission, - but he still reports to his superior just in case, scowls a bit so there's no hesitation about letting him go, and proceeds through the colony towards where he thinks the offices are.

Nikolai listens to the information quietly, then thanks the officer and affirms his interest in joining - just in case they need a formal agreement of some sort. The payment promised for the evidence of "site's nature" stuff is quite a delightful addition to his knowledge of the situation, seeing as "satisfactory report" is way too vague of a definition for sure payment. But at least bringing a piece of some creepy stone face will still net him good money, and Volkov sure has his claws to notch one.

So, after gathering whatever sparse equipment he thinks he'll need from his barely decorated room at the colony, Nikolai makes his way to the garage, whistling a little tune as he delights in a chance to do something new. He loves his job, but this place hardly offers a challenge even for an electrician...