I've come to see you. Very well. Good luck stalker. Thanks. The Wish Granter is calling you, and your time is nearing its end. Go to it, and you'll be given what you deserve. Stalkers, I've got some interesting work lined up that you might want to look at. You interested in adventure? Fame? Cash? Come to my place in the Rookie Village and we'll talk. I heard you promising adventure, fame and cash. Can you help me find the Wish Granter? Sure, easy, it's up in Chernobyl. The next bus leaves in twenty minutes, hehe... \nListen stalker, many people before you have come here looking to find the Wish Granter. You know what they all have in common today? They're all worm food... except maybe Strelok. In any case, the Wish Granter is just a legend, a myth. But the money I offer is real. Work hard, play smart and you'll be rich in no time. Alright, so how do I get rich? Here, give me your PDA...there. If you ever find yourself struggling for work, or just want to make a little extra, go see these contacts. They pay well, and you'll make good connections along the way. It's honest work, or at least as honest as it gets in the Zone. Don't disappoint me. You've made quite a name for yourself around here, stalker. Wolf says some of the rookies are even whispering your tales over the campfire - haha! Thank you for all your help, and try not to die to anything stupid now. An important task is available. I need brave volunteers to report to Colonel Petrenko and receive further orders. Ready and able, Sir. What are your orders? Duty's current priorities are twofold. Firstly, we need volunteers to carry out a list of important missions and fulfil our obligation to aid those who count on our assistance. Secondly, we have reason to believe an influential stalker has returned, and the General wants brave men to track him down. You can speak to me for details about our first priority, and to General Voronin about our second one. I'm ready to help fulfil Duty's obligations. Who needs our help? I will transfer all relevant info to your PDA. You have our faith, soldier. You have shouldered a great responsibility. Bear it well. Your stalwart fulfilment of your duties is admirable. However, while we are stemming the tide of the Zone's horrors, we're still far away from making it disappear for good. For now, continue to protect the innocent from the Zone as you see fit. When the opportunity to end the Zone entirely presents itself, I trust you won't hesitate in making the right choice. Meet me at our HQ in the Warehouses for an adventure you won't soon forget. What's up Lukash? You wanted to see me? Yes. Following Strelok recent appearance, a storm is brewing around here. Can you believe it? I need someone to try and find out what's up with Strelok. If you're not up for that, I also have a list of contacts from all over the Zone who need Freedom's help. Are you in? Show me the list. We'll show these guys how Freedom rolls. That's the spirit! Here, I'm uploading the list onto your PDA. Do as they ask, and you'll not only help keep the Zone free, but you'll earn some sweet cash too. Hey man, thanks for helping the boys around here keep the Zone free. Pity that not everyone is living in harmony with each other yet, but what can you do, right? It's not like we can just wish everyone to get along. Anyway, you've done a good thing. Freedom is proud of you. I have an important mission for those who are willing to help. Come to my office and I will share the details. I received your message. Can you inform me about the current situation? A volunteer? We are expanding our operations in the area, and there's no end to the surprises the Zone brings us every day. The biggest surprise, however, is the news of Strelok's return. Given that he survived where Lebedev failed... well, I'm sure some of our older boys here would like some answers. Still, even if you don't, I also have a list of contacts who need some work done. Clear Sky can always benefit from maintaining its friendships, especially since some of our previous losses are otherwise irreplaceable. I'm ready to help Clear Sky maintain its friendships. What can you tell me about our contacts? I'll release their details to your PDA as you go, all you have to do is meet your contacts as planned. Regrettably, I cannot tell you more, only that all will make sense at the right time. I trust you will know what to do. Good luck. Good work. You have done very well. You've given us room to ensure the path to Chernobyl will be cleared. At the heart of its reactor lies the Monolith, the Wish Granter. Find it. Then you know what you must do. I have an important assignment for you, %s. Please report to my Mobile Lab in Yantar. I will share the available details there. You wanted to see me, Professor? Oh, yes, yes. Good! I'm glad you're here. Something unexpected has happened, young man. Strelok has been sighted in the Zone once again! Finding him is currently a priority, both to me and our supervisors. If you wish to participate in our search for Strelok, I can tell you more. If not... well... I have another important assignment. It involves travelling the Zone and meeting new people to learn as much as you can - There is so much out there we haven't yet discovered. You could consider it... exploratory research. I'm interested in conducting exploratory research for the Ecologists, Professor. Where shall I start? Here, a list of contacts who will take care of you along your journey. Visit them, they can provide you with work or food or shelter. Explore and be curious! Be bold and adventurous! Question everyone and everything! I expect your experiences will vastly increase our understanding of the Zone. You have done much to improve our relations with the outside world - certainly things could have been much worse without you. May I see your PDA...? Ah, good. Let me just copy the data you've been carrying...done! This is most valuable. You have made for a fine assistant. One only wonders what you might discover next! A new contract is available from an important employer. The money is good, that's all what you need to know for now. Come to the HQ, further details will be shared upon meeting. I received your message, can you inform me about the current situation? A new contract is available from an important employer. Our agents also report that an infamous stalker named Strelok has reappeared, and I need someone to follow his trace. Both tasks will pay very, very well. So what can you tell me about our employer? Not even I could tell you exactly who, what or where they are. Only that they've got money, and a lot of it. Regardless, this employer has asked we perform favours for a list of "interested parties". Your PDA will be updated with their details as relevant. Stay frosty and watch your back out there - the Zone may be immensely lucrative, but it's also a living hell, and nothing I've seen so far has convinced me otherwise. Thank you. Listen, I have a message for you. It comes straight from your employer. It seems you have impressed him greatly. He has a special mission for you and only you. You must find the Wish Granter. Once you do you must utter the following phrase; "princeps magis opulentus". Do this exact thing and your prince will reward you handsomely. Soldiers, we have received important information from the SSU. All military stalkers are to report back to HQ immediately for their assignments. Reporting for duty, sir. Welcome to hell soldier. Listen to me and you'll stay alive. Keep your head on a swivel. As you should know by now, everyone and everything out there is trying to kill you. Trust no one. No unauthorized personnel are allowed to approach you during your operations. If you can't identify who's coming, shoot first and ask questions later. Your tour of duty will take you all over the Zone, and most of the time no one will be there to help you.\n \nYou must rely on your survival training to stay alive and complete your assignments by any means necessary. Meet with the contacts loaded into your PDA and they will give you your orders. Just complete your tour of duty, keep your heart beating and you'll get to go home with a fat wad of cash in your pocket. You are dismissed. Thank you soldier. You have done well for me, now I will do something for you, although you may not want to hear it. You are expecting to rotate out of here soon, yes? I'm afraid the top brass has other ideas. The cordon has closed in and has been locked down, nothing and no one is able to get in or out of the Zone any more, including the military. You've been left here to die, and even your corpse will be left for worm food. You can't even escape in a body bag. But all hope is not lost for you, if you are daring. There is only one way left for you to get out of here, and it lies in Chernobyl. Buried deep within the NPP is the Wish Granter. If you can find it, and if you survive, you can use it to wish your way out of here. It is your only hope soldier. Good luck to you. Let me remind you that we're running a business in this place. If you wanna stick your ass around, you'll work for me. Come over here to spoil you the details. You want me to work for you? What's in it for me? There are people here in the Zone who need things done for them. Some of these things cannot be done, shall we say; inside of regular channels. So they come to me. I arrange to take care of business for them and in return I expect them to pay me a very hefty sum. I will give you a list of these people. Go to them, do what they ask, and collect the payment. All I require is you give me 20 percent of what they pay when you are finished. Any money you make on the side while you're out there is yours to keep. Good deal, yes? It's more money than you would make pick-pocketing and looting stashes and sticking up rookies I guarantee. Just don't double-cross me, understand? I know everyone in this place, and they can be very motivated to make examples of anyone who tries to rip me off. Now get out of my sight. I have some important business to attend to. Wadda you want? .. *hic* .. Oh, itz you .. *hic* .. I know you. Hey, didja do that thing I wanted for ya to do? Ahhh, I knew you wouldn't let me down buddy, you're always buddy .. *hic* .. Here, join me inna drink.. inna.. where'z my bottle? .. *hic* .. It'z a celelelebration! Cus I'm gonna be rizssh! .. *hic* .. See, I just found out something that nobody else knows, but shzzh, you gotta keep it quiet, ok? Cuz if anyone elses knowz then they might beat me to it. See, now that the Brain Szzcortcher .. *hic* .. has been deactivated the path to the Wizzsh Granter is open. All I gotta do is fight my way through a few Monolith pricks and then it's the sweet life for me. I'm gonna wish for all kindsa money, and booze, and guns, and booze, and puzzzshh .. *hic* .. eey. Ya know what it mean, hehe .. *hic* .. So lizzen, just don't go tellin' no one what I juz been tellin' you about, okee? Cuz I'm gonna get there first and I'm gonna be rizssh bizssh!! Brothers, it is time for you to fulfil the wishes of the Monolith. Return to the Palace of Culture's cellar in Pripyat for your tasks. What can I do to serve the almighty Monolith? There is much work to be done, my brother. The Zone must be purged of the infidels. We must keep control of the mutant population. Your brothers need food and weapons. You will report to your Monolith elders, and we will give you your assignments. You must do your part. Praise Monolith and may the Monolith bless you. You have done well, and have proven your faith with the many deeds you have done. You have earned the privilege of meeting the almighty Monolith. Not many are blessed enough to look into the eyes of god. Prepare an offering and pledge your devotion to our lord. The journey into the Sarcophagus will not be easy, and you must go alone. But listen, if your faith is pure the Monolith will call to you and show you the way. Chernobog has spoken. It is time to let this world be enlightened. Return to me, brothers. I will inform you about your tasks. What can I do to serve our cause? Spread the message. Make all people aware of what the Zone truly is. That it is a miracle. That it can help us improve, that it can save mankind from its own self-destructive nature. You will report to the Monolith elders, and we will give you your assignments. You must do your part. We will help the world cleanse itself of sin. You have done well, and have proven your faith with the many deeds you have done. You have earned the privilege of meeting the almighty Monolith. Not many are blessed enough to look into the eyes of god. Prepare an offering and pledge your devotion to our lord. The journey into the Sarcophagus will not be easy, and you must go alone. But listen, if your faith is pure the Monolith will call to you and show you the way. I'm thinking of changing factions. I'll be back once I have what you've asked for. Good. With some luck, maybe we'll see you around here soon. Until then. I need some info. Forget it. Alright. Appreciate it. What's on your mind? Sure, but keep it short. Spit it out. Yeah? What is it? Go on, I’m listening. Make it quick. I’m busy. What now? Out with it. What do you want? You need something? Alright, let’s hear it. What’s up? Talk to me. You again? Fine. Go ahead. I’m listening. For now. Let’s hear it, stalker. Make it quick. The Zone doesn’t wait. What do you want now? Yes? You’ve got my attention. Barely. Got something to say? Alright. I’ll bite. What is it? Go ahead. Just don’t waste my time. Do I look like I’ve got time for this? Speak. What’s eating you? I don’t have all day. Get to it. Is this important? It better be. You’ve got something on your mind? What do you need? Well? Spit it out. Talk, before I lose interest. What do you want this time? Something on your mind? Alright. You’ve got my attention. For now. Alright, stalker. What’s your question? Yeah? What do you need? What’s so important? Fine. What is it? Don’t waste my time. Speak up. Another question? Go on, then. Ask. I’m listening. You again? Alright. What do you want? Out with it, stalker. Make it quick. I’m not your therapist. Alright, rookie. What do you need now? You got a question? Fine, ask it. This better be worth my time. Yeah, sure. What’s up? Let’s hear it. I’m curious now. What? You look like you’ve seen a poltergeist. Zone got you spooked? Speak up. Alright, fine. Talk. Go ahead. Don’t make me regret this. Get to the point. Yeah? What is it now? What’s the problem? Need something from me? Fine, I’m listening. What is it? Go on, rookie. Speak. Alright, I’ve got a minute. What do you need? You again? Fine. Ask away. I’m not here for idle chit-chat. What’s up? Don’t waste my time, stalker. Talk. Speak up. I don’t have all day. Let’s make this quick. What is it? Yeah, yeah. What do you need now? Alright, what’s your question? You’ve got my ear. For now. Go ahead, stalker. Make it good. Alright, I’ll hear you out. What is it? Okay, fine. Talk. Got something on your mind? What’s on your mind, stalker? Is this important? I’ve got things to do. Go on, but don’t waste my time. Make it good. I’m busy. You again? Alright. Go ahead. What now? You’ve got questions? Alright, what’s eating you? You’ve got something to say? Let’s hear it. Talk fast. Time’s wasting. Speak your mind, stalker. Fine, I’m listening. For now. You’ve got something to ask? Go on. Alright, stalker. Let’s hear it. What do you want now? Let’s get this over with. Yeah? What’s on your mind? Go ahead. But keep it short. You’ve got something to ask? Alright, let’s hear it. Fine. You’ve got a minute. Go on. Well? What’s your question? Talk fast. The Zone waits for no one. You’ve got something to say? Spit it out. Okay, okay. Talk. What is it? Got a question? Fine. Ask away. Alright, let’s get this over with. What do you want? You’ve got my attention. Make it good. You’ve got something on your mind? Go ahead. Alright. Speak up, stalker. What’s so damn important? Talk. I told you what I know. Now piss off, I’m busy. Look, my head’s already a mess from all this radiation. Ask someone else. You want me to pull miracles out of my ass now? That’s all I’ve got. Jesus, man. Get off my dick and go bother someone else. That’s all I can share unless you’re buying me vodka. Keep asking and I’ll start charging for my time. Get lost, rookie. I’m not your damn encyclopedia. Try again after I’ve had some sleep. Or not. I’m tapped out for now. Maybe next time. That’s all I know, and I’m already talking too much. Shit, man. If I keep yapping, I’ll be the next guy who ‘disappears.’ Why don’t you shove off and try the bar? They love chatterboxes there. You’re either deaf or stupid. Either way, I’m done talking. I’ve got nothing more for you. Move on. Why don’t you ask someone who actually gets paid to think? If I knew more, you think I’d still be hanging around this shithole? Seriously, dude. Bug someone else before I lose my patience. You’ve wrung me dry, stalker. That’s all there is. The only thing left to tell you is to fuck off. I’ve got better things to do than repeat myself. Enough already! You’re worse than a rookie at their first anomaly. That’s it. I’m done. You’re on your own now. If you keep badgering me, the Zone’s gonna handle you for me. You want answers? Go poke around the Red Forest. Good luck coming back. Zone’s got plenty of mysteries. I’m not one of them. Move on. I’ve got nothing more for you. I’m out. Why do I feel like I’m talking to a Bandit with a badge? What part of “I’m out” do you not understand? You keep asking, but the answer’s still “I don’t know.” Man, you’re persistent. Too bad I’m fresh out of answers. I’d tell you more, but then I’d have to kill you. Kidding. Maybe. If I hear one more question, I’m gonna lose it. You’ve got all I know. You want more, go ask the Zone itself. Find someone else to grill, rookie. I’m not your guide. Find someone else to pester. That’s it. I’m officially done here. Keep it up, and I’ll have the Zone swallow you whole. You want me to dance too? Because I’m not doing that either. I’ve got more important shit to worry about than this. I’ve told you what I can. Anything else is above my pay grade. The Zone doesn’t like talkative people. Keep that in mind. You really think I’m holding out on you? Get real. That’s all I know. Go hit up a stalker with more brains. I’ve said my piece. That’s all you’re getting. You’re not gonna get anything more out of me. Stop. Just stop. I’m done. You keep pressing, and I’ll start asking you questions. Your call. I’ve got nothing left. Find someone else. Rookies these days... always asking, never doing. Go learn something yourself. Final word: I’m out. No more questions. What do I look like, a Guide? Go find one of those assholes for your answers. Man, the Zone keeps its secrets. You’re asking the wrong guy. If I knew that, I’d be living it up in Yanov, not here. Hell if I know. Maybe some Monolith nutjob knows more than I do. You sure you’re not from Duty? Asking all these nosy questions... There’s too much weird shit out here for me to keep track of. Stalker, I barely know what day it is. Don’t expect wisdom here. Maybe check with a scientist. They might give a damn about your curiosity. Even if I knew, you think I’d risk spilling that kind of info? Zone’s full of mysteries. This one ain’t mine to solve. Not a clue. And if you find out, don’t bring the mess back to me. Shit, dude. You ask too many questions. Got a death wish? I’d love to help, but ignorance is bliss, friend. Look, man, I’m just trying to survive here. Ask someone else. Beats me. The Zone doesn’t come with a manual. Asking questions like that will get you shot. Just saying. I don’t know, and frankly, I don’t care to know. Why are you asking me? I’m no Zone historian. You think I’ve got answers? You’re barking up the wrong tree. Sorry, man. Not my area of expertise. My best guess? Some shit you don’t want to mess with. I’ve got no idea. The Zone keeps things interesting, huh? I don’t know, and I’m not about to start guessing. Zone knowledge isn’t free, rookie. Not that I have any to sell. Ask me about booze or guns, not this crap. Who knows? Could be the Zone’s magic working overtime. I’m not touching that topic with a ten-foot pole. Honestly? I couldn’t tell you if my life depended on it. You’re better off asking Sidorovich. He loves a good story. I don’t have a fucking clue, alright? Don’t ask me. I just shoot things and hope for the best. That’s above my pay grade. Way above it. I’ve got no clue, and I’m not about to find out. You’re asking the wrong guy. Try someone smarter. Not a damn idea, stalker. Sorry. The Zone doesn’t hand out answers, and neither do I. Not sure. If you figure it out, don’t forget to clue me in. I wouldn’t know, and I don’t care to find out. I’m clueless. Maybe the Zone’s screwing with you. No idea, man. Just focus on not getting killed. Zone’s got its secrets, and this is one of them. I’m as lost as you are, rookie. Can’t help you there. I’d steer clear if I were you. That’s a mystery for someone braver than me to solve. Not my problem. Hope you figure it out, though. Beats me. The Zone’s full of surprises, none of them good. I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to. I’m out of the loop. Zone’s a weird place. That’s all I’ve got for you. Who knows? The Zone doesn’t like to explain itself. I don’t know, and honestly, I don’t want to know. How's it going? Hey, man. What's up? Hello. How are you? Yo. How’s life treating you? Hey. Got a minute? How’s everything going? Hi there. What’s new? Hey. What’s happening? Yo. You busy? What’s up, stalker? Hey there. Got a moment? Good day. How are you? What’s going on? Hey, you alright? Sup. All good? Hi. What’s the word? How are things, stalker? Yo. How’s the Zone treating you? Hey. You doing alright? What’s new, stalker? Hey. What’s going on out here? Yo. Got any news? What’s up? Anything interesting? Hey. How’s the hunt? Hi. You staying safe? What’s up? Need help with anything? Hey. Anything I should know? How’s it going out here? Hey. You look like you’ve got a story. Yo. Got anything worth sharing? Sup. How’s the camp? Hi. Got a moment to chat? Hey, got anything to trade? What’s happening? Need anything? Yo. What’s the situation? Hi. You been alright? Hey, stranger. How’s life? Yo. Got a sec? How are you holding up? Hey there. Everything okay? Hi. Staying out of trouble? Hey. Anything unusual going on? Hi. Got any stories to share? Yo. How’s the stash looking? What’s new, friend? Hey there. Got any tips? Yo. How’s it hanging? Sup. Seen anything out of the ordinary? Hey. Got any rumors? What’s good? Need anything done? Hi. Everything under control? Hey. What’s the latest? What’s up? Anything strange lately? Yo. Got any work for me? Hi. Need a hand with anything? Hey. How’s the patrol? Sup. How’s the weather treating you? Hey. Seen any good artifacts? Hi there. How’s your gear holding up? Yo. Staying out of anomalies? Hey. Got anything good to trade? What’s new? Got any leads? Hi. How’s the Zone treating you? Yo. What’s the deal around here? Hey. Got anything interesting going on? Hi. Need a partner for a run? What’s up? Any news? Hey. Seen any mutants around? Hi there. How are things in the Zone? Yo. How’s your aim today? What’s up? Got any survival tips? Hey. Found anything worthwhile? Hi. Got any leads on anomalies? Yo. Any good hauls lately? What’s good, stalker? Hi. How’s the camp holding up? What’s happening? Anything you need? Hey. Any trouble in the area? Hi there. How’s the scavenging? What’s up? Got a job for me? Yo. Anything worth hunting nearby? Hey there. How’s the stash? Hi. Staying safe out here? What’s new? Seen any action? Yo. Got any tips for staying alive? Hey. Heard anything strange? Hi. You know anything about this area? Yo. Got any good stories? What’s up? Staying out of trouble? Hi. Seen anything out of the ordinary? Yo. How’s the loot situation? What’s happening? Got anything for me? Hey. What’s the buzz around here? Hi. Seen any action nearby? Yo. Got any interesting rumors? Hey. How’s the artifact trade? Hi. How’s the team holding up? Yo. Anything strange in the air? What’s new, buddy? Hi there. Got a story for me? Hello, brother. Greetings, stalker. I'm good. What's up? Hello. What's up? What do you want? So far, so good. You? Been better days. What do you need? Good day! Yeah, what is it? Piss off, stalker. What do you want? Okay, just one damn question, but all I better see after is asses and elbows. What do you need, stalker? Keep your distance. I'm listening. What's the word? Howdy-ho. How goes it? I'm not in a good mood today. Don't try anything funny. Did you hear that? ...Huh. Nevermind. What's up? Dammit, where did I put that... oh, hey stalker. Yo. What's good? What's happening? Hey. You doing alright? Peace, stalker. Peace, brother. Peace. Hey bro. Don't try anything. Damn, running low on smokes again. Hey. You eyeballing me? Out with it. Huh? Yeah? Hey man. Need something? Hey there. Hmm? Mmhmm? What is it? How's it hanging? Yeah? What is it? What? Hi. Hey man. What's up, brother? You alright? Anything to report? Checking in? Sir. The sergeant's being a bigger prick today than usual. Yeah? Keep your eyes peeled. Damn, running low on smokes again. Patrol duty too, huh? Stay sharp. What is it, soldier? I'm a little busy right now. What's going on man? Take a picture, it'll last longer. The hell do you want? The fuck do you want? Hail, brother. Blessings upon you, brother. Be blessed, brother. How do you fair, brother? Have you seen any infidels lately, brother? Another glorious day, brother! Getting worse all the time around here. Chin up, stalker. Things aren't so bad. Help, please... I'm dying... Help me out, bro... Oh, God, it hurts! Friend, medkit... Give me a medkit... Bro... Bro, save me! Friend, the first aid kit... The kit! Stalker, help me... Give me a medkit... I'm hurt... Help! Screw this place! Medkit! Help, dude! Medkit! Quick! Help! I'm dying! I need first aid, guys! Hurry up! I need a medkit! Help! Medic! Hey, bro, can you share your first aid kit? Get me a damn doctor! Urgh, have you got a medkit? Please! I need it! For God's sake, please help me! For the love of Christ, help me! I... I can't... keep my... Gotta keep my eyes open... Fuck, this hurts... I'm a goner... Agh, I'm hit!... MEDIC!! Medic! I need a medic! Agh!.. Man down over here! Where's a combat medic?! Somebody get me a fucking medic! Help me! The Zone got me good this time! Shit! I need a medkit right now! Argh! Don’t let me bleed out like this! I’m not ready to die! Somebody help me! First aid! First aid! I’m losing it here! This fucking Zone is killing me! For fuck’s sake, I don’t want to die out here! I’m hit! I’m bleeding! Somebody help! Help me out! I can’t move! I’m not gonna make it without help! Damn it, I’m dying over here! Somebody! Please! I’m in bad shape! Argh! Fuck! Get me out of this nightmare! Medic! Don’t let me die here! Help! I don’t want to go out like this! I’m bleeding like a stuck pig! Medkit! Help me, stalker! I don’t want to die alone! Shit... I’m hit bad. Somebody, please help me... Fuck, I can feel it. I’m not gonna make it... Jesus Christ, help me! Help me, stalker! Don’t leave me like this! Fucking Zone! Somebody get me out of this mess! Help me, for the love of God! Stalker! Help! I’m dying over here! Don’t let me die like this, stalker! Somebody! Get me a medkit! Now! I’m not ready for this, man! Help me! I need help, stalker! Now! Help me out, man! Don’t let me bleed out! Fucking Zone! It’s got me bad this time! Help! I’m not gonna make it! I can’t see straight... Somebody help me... Ah, shit! I’m hurt real bad! This is it for me if you don’t help! I’m fading fast, stalker. Help me... Help! I don’t want to end like this! Oh, fuck... My guts! Somebody help! I’m done for unless you help me! Help, friend! Don’t let me die here! Oh, God, it’s bad. Help me, please! Help! I can’t stop the bleeding! I’m hit! Stalker, don’t just stand there! This Zone’s going to kill me if you don’t help! Oh, God... Help me... It’s bad... Help! I’m bleeding all over the place! I can’t hold on much longer! Somebody help! Shit! Help! I’m done for! Don’t leave me, stalker. Help me... I don’t want to die out here alone! Help me! My blood’s pouring out, man! Medkit! For God’s sake, somebody help me! Fuck this Zone! I need help! Help me out, bro! I’m not ready to die! Help me, damn it! I don’t want to die like this! It’s getting dark... Somebody help me... Medic! Oh, God, where’s a medic? Help me, stalker! I’m hurt bad! I’m hit real bad! Don’t let me go out like this! Jesus Christ, get me a medkit! Oh, fuck... Help! I don’t want to go out here! Help me, for the love of God! I’m hit bad! Stalker, give me a hand! This Zone’s gonna take me if you don’t help... Fuck, it hurts! Help me, stalker! Help me out! The Zone got me this time! Don’t let me bleed out like this! Help me! I’m losing too much blood! Help me! Ah, shit... I’m done for without help! Help me, man! Don’t let the Zone take me! For fuck’s sake, somebody help me! Medic! Don’t let me die here! What do you know about anomalies or artifacts? You know anything about anomalies or artifacts? What can you tell me about anomalies or artifacts? Got any tips for dealing with anomalies? What’s the best way to get through anomalies safely? What kind of artifacts have you seen around here? What’s the word on artifacts? Any valuable ones nearby? How do you avoid getting fried in an anomaly? Ever run into any dangerous anomalies out there? Got any tips for surviving anomaly fields? What’s the weirdest anomaly you’ve ever seen? How do you even find artifacts in these anomaly fields? What’s the safest way to harvest artifacts? How do you deal with anomalies when they block your path? Seen any artifact hunters around lately? What’s the best detector for artifact hunting? Have you heard about any rare artifacts nearby? What do you know about gravitational anomalies? Ever seen a stalker get taken out by an anomaly? What’s your favorite artifact to find? Are anomalies as deadly as they say, or just hyped up? What’s the most profitable artifact you’ve ever found? Ever get stuck in an anomaly field? What’s the scariest anomaly you’ve encountered? Do you need special gear to deal with certain anomalies? How do you know when an anomaly field is nearby? What’s the trick to finding artifacts without getting killed? Any artifacts worth risking your life for around here? What kind of anomalies should I be on the lookout for? Do detectors actually work, or are they just a scam? How do you tell what kind of anomaly is ahead? Are there any anomaly hotspots nearby? Ever heard of anyone surviving a direct hit from an anomaly? What’s the most dangerous anomaly you’ve encountered? Got any advice for a rookie dealing with anomalies? What’s the best way to scout an anomaly field? Are artifact prices worth the risk of anomalies? What’s the craziest artifact story you’ve heard? How do you know if an anomaly field is active? How close can you get to anomalies before they react? Any tricks for spotting hidden artifacts? What’s the difference between different types of anomalies? Got any maps of anomaly fields? Do artifacts tend to cluster in specific anomaly types? Ever heard of anomalies moving locations? What’s the trick to navigating anomaly mazes? What’s the most dangerous artifact to handle? Got any insider tips on artifact hunting? What’s your worst run-in with an anomaly? What’s the best advice for surviving anomalies and finding artifacts? Why would I tell you? Trust is hard to come by in the Zone. Burners? You see a shimmer, you run. Otherwise, you’ll be charcoal before you know it. Thermals are already bad, but sometimes they launch fireballs. No one warns you about flying fire. A Vortex doesn’t just kill you; it paints the walls with what’s left. Watch your step, friend. Springboards are like landmines you can't see. Chuck bolts, and pray you don’t miss one. Whirligigs? Those things will rip you apart faster than you can say goodbye. Just stay away. Fruit Punch? It’s just acid dressed up as a pretty puddle. You’ll regret stepping in it. “Burnt Fuzz” sounds innocent, right? Wrong. It’ll shred you with spores in seconds. Gas anomalies are silent killers. You won’t even feel it at first, then boom—your legs are gone. A Gas Cloud will float towards you like it’s alive. Move fast, or you'll melt in its wake. Timing is key with Electros. Trigger it, wait, then run. You screw up, you fry. A Tesla anomaly? It’s like a storm in a jar, zapping around. Beautiful, if it wasn’t so deadly. Space anomalies? You’re gambling with your life, and the Zone always stacks the deck. Some say anomalies follow patterns. I say patterns follow anomalies—always expect the unexpected. The Red Forest has riches and death in equal measure. Think carefully before you wander in. Fault anomalies create cracks deep enough to swallow men. Step light, or step forever. Bragging about your finds? Idiocy. You’ll be hunted before you can spend a single ruble. Gravitational anomalies are greedy, but if you’ve got the guts and speed, you can cheat 'em. Gravis look like scrap, but scientists will pay fortunes for them. Anti-grav tech? Priceless. Radiation kills more rookies than anything else. Always pack meds—better broke than dead. Artifacts built belt tech, and belt tech makes us better stalkers. It’s a cycle that feeds itself. Healing artifacts exist, but they’re rarer than a stalker who doesn’t drink vodka. Good luck. “The Compass” artifact is a myth, if you ask me. No anomaly immunity for anyone, friend. Campfire talk is where you’ll learn the most. Just listen, and you’ll figure it out eventually. Artifacts lure you in, but anomalies wait to snap shut. Stay sharp, or stay dead. The right gear makes the difference. A broken respirator or the wrong meds, and you’re done for. Artifact hunting takes patience. A good detector, better boots, and nerves of steel help too. If you’re not rested and alert, anomalies will eat you alive. Sleep, hydrate, and focus. The Zone whispers to us, they say. Ignore it, and you’ll keep your sanity intact. Some stalkers hunt artifacts. Others hunt stalkers. Watch your back, always. Sometimes it’s better to shoot at an artifact and make it jump. Safer than fetching it yourself. In the early days, artifacts didn’t irradiate you. Now they do. The Zone’s evolving, I guess. If you’re serious about artifacts, the Ecologists can gear you up. Just be ready to pay. Don’t treat the Zone like a lottery. It rewards hard work, not blind luck. The farther north you go, the better the loot—and the more dangerous it gets. Survive long enough, and you’ll realize every artifact is a blessing. The swamps hide artifacts and death in equal measure. Watch where you step. Clusters of artifacts exist, but so do rumors of hauntings. You choose what to believe. Thermal anomalies guard treasures, but they’ll roast you alive if you’re careless. The caves are a treasure trove if you make it out alive. That’s a big “if.” A Circus anomaly is a rare sight. Beautiful, deadly, and not for the faint-hearted. Psychic anomalies? Your brain turns to mush, and then you’re a zombie. Avoid them. Gravitational anomalies create the weirdest formations. Stunning, if you survive. Boiler anomalies can cook you alive. Veterans say the artifacts aren’t even worth it. Acid anomalies near the quarry are tough to deal with, but they pay off big time. Ghost stories and zombies aside, Kopachy is a goldmine if you survive the graveyard. Electro fields? Dangerous but lucrative. Bring bolts and a good detector. Anomalous Grove grows every time an artifact’s removed. Makes you think, doesn’t it? Concrete Bath is creepy as hell, but it’s worth the effort for acid artifacts. Bitumen is a thermal-gravitational hybrid. Dangerous, but it’s like nothing else in the Zone. Every anomaly is deadly, but some hide treasures beyond imagining. Just don’t die finding them. What’s new in the Zone? You know what’s going on around here? I’m looking for information. What’s the word out here? Heard anything interesting lately? Got any news? What’s the latest buzz? Know anything worth knowing? What’s happening around here? Anything I should know about? Got any updates from the Zone? What’s the situation out here? Heard any good stories lately? What’s going on around the camp? Anything big going on lately? Know of any trouble spots nearby? Got any leads on what’s worth checking out? What’s the scuttlebutt around here? Anything unusual happening in the Zone? What’s up with the locals? What do you know about the area? Any weird sightings lately? Got any rumors? Know of any hotspots for loot or trouble? Anything happening that I should know about? Heard any chatter about artifact fields? What’s the vibe out here? Any interesting camps nearby? What’s the story with this place? Anything I should watch out for around here? Know any safe paths through the Zone? What’s the latest from the traders? Got any intel on mutant activity? Anything I should avoid around here? What’s been keeping people busy lately? What’s the most talked-about thing these days? Anything dangerous happening nearby? Got any tips for surviving around here? What’s the biggest threat in this area right now? Any strange weather patterns lately? Heard about any new factions moving through the Zone? Any anomalies I should steer clear of nearby? What’s been drawing stalkers to this area? What’s the most profitable spot nearby? Any trouble with bandits around here? What’s the Zone been up to lately? Any whispers about new artifact discoveries? Anything useful to share? Got anything interesting to tell me? Know of any good stashes in the area? Information? Who do you think I am, some kind of goddamn tour guide? Fuck off and find it yourself. Or better yet, pay me and maybe I’ll care enough to dig something out of my memory. The Military’s been poking around Agroprom again, like they lost something. I heard some idiot saw them carting shit out of the labs under there—boxes marked “X18.” Yeah, no thanks. Whatever they’re pulling out of that hellhole ain’t worth the tumors you’ll grow just breathing the air down there. You know why the Military’s in Agroprom? Some say it’s just for show, but others? They’re looking for whatever those Soviet eggheads left behind in the labs. Artifacts, tech, who knows. All I know is, if you’re going down there, you better be ready for some shit straight out of a horror movie. Rostok’s one of the safest places in the Zone. Duty keeps it locked down, the bar’s always stocked, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a fight or two in the arena. But don’t let your guard down—safe doesn’t mean harmless. Piss off the wrong stalker, and you’ll be floating in the Garbage by morning. The Cordon? It’s the closest thing the Zone has to a vacation spot. Rookies learn the ropes, veterans take a breather, and the Military occasionally shows up to shoot anything that moves. Just don’t let the quiet fool you. One wrong step, and the Zone’ll still gut you like a pig. Darkscape and the Meadow? Peaceful my ass. Sure, it’s quiet if you like the sound of wind and your own heartbeat. But spend enough time there, and you start feeling like you’re being watched. Maybe it’s the mutants. Maybe it’s something else. I’m not sticking around to find out. Dark Valley wasn’t always a Bandit shithole, you know. It used to be a research hub. Geodesists, engineers, real brainy types. Of course, that was before the labs started spitting out horrors nobody could explain. Now? It’s just another graveyard with a few thugs standing on it. Dead City has a whole sewer system underneath it. Big enough for a grown man to walk through. I’ve used it a couple times to raid Merc stashes. Just don’t linger down there too long. It’s dark, damp, and smells like death. And if the mutants don’t get you, the Mercs sure as hell will. The Flea Market in the Garbage? Yeah, those traders up on the hill? Don’t trust ‘em. They’re not just selling junk; they’re watching everyone who comes through. Who for? Who knows. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re selling info to the highest bidder, too. You want information? Check your PDA. Or better yet, go see Snitch in Rostok. Just don’t expect charity. That bastard’ll charge you for every scrap of intel he’s got, and he’s not above selling you out if someone offers him a better deal. The Deserted Hospital up near Limansk? Yeah, it’s anything but deserted. The place is crawling with crazies, and any medical gear worth a damn was looted years ago. But if you’re stupid enough to go there, I hear there’s still a stash or two hidden in the walls. Good luck finding it without getting your face bashed in. Jupiter’s a goldmine for artifacts, sure, but getting there? Jesus, it’s a nightmare. Every route’s a gauntlet of mutants, anomalies, and Monolith assholes just waiting to blow your head off. But hey, if you’re feeling lucky, who am I to stop you? The Underground in Jupiter? Forget it. Monolith’s got the entrance locked down tighter than a nun’s you-know-what, and the tunnels are crawling with mutants. You’d have better luck swimming through an acid anomaly. Limansk? Hah! It’s a meat grinder. Monolith pushes from the north, Mercs from the south, and in between, it’s just you, the anomalies, and whatever mutants haven’t starved to death yet. You’re better off anywhere else. Clear Sky? Yeah, I’ve heard of them. They’ve got a hidden base down in the Swamps. Friendly enough, but they keep to themselves. Some say they’re working on something big. Others say they’re just trying to survive. Either way, they’re good people if you can find them. Freedom likes to talk a big game about protecting the Zone. But when was the last time you saw them take on the Monolith? Hell, they can’t even handle a Bandit raid without crying for help. Monolith’s got Pripyat locked down tighter than ever. It’s bad, man. Really bad. They’ve got enough firepower to flatten the place, but instead, they just sit there, waiting. For what? Who the fuck knows. Just stay the hell away from there. Mercs in the Outskirts? Yeah, I’ve heard about them. Stranded, desperate, and selling high-end gear for dirt cheap. It’s tempting, but you know what they say about deals that are too good to be true... Radar? Fuck that noise. Doesn’t matter if the Brain Scorcher’s active or not. That place is cursed. Anomalies, mutants, and Monolith bastards everywhere. Go there, and you might as well dig your own grave first. Forester? Yeah, he’s a wizard with tech. Can fix anything with just his hands. But his prices? Fucking insane. And don’t even get me started on the trip to the Red Forest. You’re more likely to end up as mutant chow than to make it to his workshop. Wild Territory? More like Hell on Earth. Mutants everywhere, Monolith on one side, Duty on the other. It’s a goddamn shooting gallery, and you’re the target. If you value your skin, find another route. The Wish Granter? Hah, every rookie and his dog’s heard of that one. Some say it’s real, buried deep under the NPP. Others say it’s just a fairy tale. Me? I think it’s just another Zone trap, luring in idiots with dreams of glory. But hey, if you’re dumb enough to chase it, knock yourself out. Yantar? Yeah, it’s a nightmare. Zombies spew out of that factory like it’s a fucking clown car, and every third one used to be someone you knew. If you’re not ready to put a bullet in your buddy’s head, don’t go there. Up in Zaton, there’s a ship called the Skadovsk. It’s a floating shithole, but it’s got everything you need—traders, technicians, even a barman. Just watch your back. The walls have ears, and not everyone there’s your friend. One of the top stalkers croaked not long ago. Word is, he had stashes all over the Zone, full of high-end loot. Now everyone’s scrambling to find them. Me? I think I’ll sit this one out. Too many corpses chasing ghosts. Lab recoveries? Fuck that. You get sent down there, you’re not coming back. And if you do, you’ll wish you hadn’t. I’ve seen guys come out of those labs with their minds fried, babbling nonsense until they finally ate a bullet. Your PDA guide is a lifesaver, man. Whoever keeps that thing updated must have balls of steel—or no brain at all. But hey, don’t trust it completely. Maps can’t dodge mutants or anomalies for you. You ever hear about that guy who tried to take down a Monolith soldier alive? Idiot got too close to a fanatic he thought was dead. Turns out the bastard had a grenade pinned under him. Boom—no more guy, no more gear, just bits of stalker all over the place. Darkscape used to be the Bandits' highway between Cordon and Dark Valley. These days? Nobody cares about it. That makes it a great spot to disappear. You planning to lay low, or are you just curious? Stay on Sultan’s good side, and he’ll make sure no Merc or Bandit messes with you. But cross him? Hah, you’ll be lucky if your corpse ends up in one piece. That bastard doesn’t fuck around. You know what rookies are? Target practice. They wander into the Zone with pop guns and think they’re hot shit. Then they meet a real stalker—or worse, a mutant. Makes you wonder why they even bother. The Ecologists and their hazmat suits? Jesus, it’s like a parade of rainbow clowns out there. If it weren’t for their guards, they’d be mutant chow in seconds. But hey, at least they’re trying, right? Monolith soldiers? I don’t know if they’re brainwashed, insane, or just plain stupid. But one thing’s for sure—they don’t fear death. Makes them a pain in the ass to deal with. The eggheads may be smart, but most of them wouldn’t last a day without their guards. I’ve seen one of them try to reload a pistol once. Almost shot his own foot off. Stick to science, professor. Duty? They act all righteous, but they’re just another gang with fancy uniforms. Sure, they keep the mutants in check, but don’t let their speeches fool you—they’re in it for themselves like everyone else. Freedom’s all talk. They’ll tell you they’re protecting the Zone, but they couldn’t even hold Dark Valley without help. Don’t believe everything they say, pal. Actions speak louder than words. The Military in the Zone is a joke. Their commanders are clueless, their grunts are cannon fodder, and their plans? Hah, what plans? They’re just flailing around, hoping for the best. Heard this crazy thing about the Flash artifact. Sakharov’s team apparently figured out it’s got enough power to outmatch a nuclear reactor. They’re keeping it hush-hush, though. Wonder why? Yantar’s gone to shit. Duty pulled out, and the zombies are pouring in. It’s like a bad horror flick over there. Makes you wonder how long the eggheads can hold out before they’re overrun. Bandits are the scum of the Zone. They’ll steal your gear, beat you senseless, and leave you to bleed out. The world would be a better place if every last one of them got sucked into an anomaly. Guides? Worth every fucking ruble. They know every safe path through the Zone, and they’ll get you where you need to go without a scratch—if you can afford their rates, that is. You ever stop and just watch the Zone? The way anomalies hum and shimmer, the colors changing with the light... It’s beautiful, in a fucked-up way. Just don’t let it distract you, or you’ll end up part of the scenery. Voronin’s been quiet lately. Too quiet. If Duty doesn’t get its shit together, someone’s gonna swoop in and take Rostok out from under them. And you can bet it won’t be pretty. Duty loves to play hero, but you know what they’re really good at? Making speeches. They’ll talk your ear off about “protecting the world,” but when it comes down to it, they’re just another gang fighting for scraps. Freedom’s leaders? They’ve got their heads up their asses half the time. But I’ll give them this—they know how to keep their people loyal. Respect goes a long way out here. You know what’s worse than mutants? Stalkers who think they’re invincible. I’ve seen too many cocky bastards walk into the Zone with smiles on their faces, only to leave in body bags—or not at all. They say the Zone changes people. Makes them harder, colder. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know this: spend enough time out here, and you’ll start to see things differently. It’s not just a place; it’s alive. Mutants are bad enough, but you know what really scares me? The shit we don’t understand. The whispers, the shadows, the things that don’t make sense. The Zone’s full of mysteries, and not all of them want to be solved. You ever hear about the stalker who tried to live off mutant meat? Guy was too broke to afford supplies, so he started cooking boar steaks. He lasted about two weeks before he started puking blood. Don’t be that guy. Some stalkers talk about the Zone like it’s a goldmine. Riches around every corner, artifacts just waiting to be picked up. But the truth? The Zone takes more than it gives. If you’re not ready to pay the price, stay out. Strelok. You’ve heard the name, right? Some say he’s a legend. Others say he’s just another stalker trying to survive. Me? I think he’s both. Either way, if you ever meet him, keep your distance. The Zone seems to follow him wherever he goes. Still losing stalkers to that goddamn Brain Scorcher. You know the type—foil hats, pills stuffed in every pocket, thinking they can outsmart the Zone. Most don’t make it back. The ones who do? They’re like empty shells, muttering gibberish or just staring at their hands like they don’t remember what fingers are for. Sakharov’s been cranking out new psychic protection gear. Top-notch stuff, but the old bastard doesn’t advertise worth shit. You’d think he’d set up shop like any trader, but no—you gotta go through hell and high radiation just to get near him. Still, worth it if you don’t want a Controller playing hacky sack with your brain. The labs? Fuck, man. They’re like the Zone’s stomach acid, dissolving anyone stupid enough to go inside. But the ones who survive come out with artifacts and tech that can make you richer than a goddamn oligarch. Or so they say. Me? I don’t need to see mutant brains in jars to know it’s not worth the risk. Dark Valley’s old base? Creepy as hell, but I’d take it over this shithole near Radar any day. The radiation’s worse than your ex’s cooking, and the mutants don’t even wait for sundown. If Lukash doesn’t grow a pair and clear out those Bandits soon, we’re all gonna end up as Zone fertilizer. You broke? Eat mutant meat. Seriously. It’s not gourmet—hell, it’s barely edible—but it’ll keep you alive while you save up for proper gear. Just don’t forget to cook the shit out of it, unless you want to crap blood for a week. Leshiy got stuck in a Spatial Anomaly back in 2011. Poor bastard was trapped on the same patch of grass for days, with a city always just out of reach on the horizon. No supplies, no comms, just him and his thoughts. By the time he got out, he wasn’t the same. Lucky to be alive, sure—but was it worth it? Patrol duty’s a pain in the ass no matter where you are, but the Cordon? At least it’s boring. No Swamp mutants, no Monolith fanatics, just you and the road. Beats getting eaten alive or turned into a human torch, if you ask me. Yantar? Yeah, I’m hoping to get posted there. Better bunks, a steady paycheck, and less chance of getting shot in the ass by some drunk rookie. Sure, the zombies are a nightmare, but I’d take that over being stuck with these assholes any day. Bolts save lives, stalker. Always carry some on you. Throw one ahead before you step, and if it bounces weird, stay the hell away. Yeah, it’s basic, but you wouldn’t believe how many dumbasses think they’re too cool to check for anomalies. Spoiler alert: they end up as Zone jerky. Dead stalkers aren’t just loot pinatas—they’re lifesavers. Always grab their meds, even the ones that look dodgy. A dirty bandage might not be your first choice, but when your buddy’s bleeding out, you’ll be glad you have it. The Great Swamps are a shitshow, thanks to the Renegades and the Military. Nobody knows what the hell they’re doing there, but they’re making life hell for everyone else. Maybe one day someone like Scar will show up and clean house again. Until then, avoid that cesspool if you can. Toolkits are like gold out here. Every technician wants at least three sets, but most of ‘em end up in anomalies or buried with their previous owners. If you find one, guard it with your life—or sell it for a small fortune. Information? Man, I’ve been here for three years and I don’t even know what I’m looking for anymore. All my friends are dead, buried under shitty wooden crosses in the Zone. Some days, I think about joining them. Maybe it’s better that way. Bloodsucker Village in the Army Warehouses? Supposedly empty now. But with bloodsuckers, “empty” just means they’re hiding. I wouldn’t go near it unless you’re feeling suicidal—or you’ve got a flamethrower handy. Why am I here? Same reason as everyone else: unfinished business. My grandfather never made it out of the ‘86 disaster. They just left him to rot in the Zone. I’m here to find him, or what’s left of him, and put him to rest. Maybe then I’ll find some peace. They say there are places in the Zone so twisted that even mutants stay the fuck away. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl. If the monsters won’t go there, what the hell could be worse? Bandits are assholes, but this new game of theirs? It’s sick. They call it the “Rookie Marathon.” Strip a guy down to his undies and make him run through radiation fields back to base. Most don’t make it. The ones who do? They’re as good as dead anyway. The best hitmen don’t just show up guns blazing—they blend in. Disguises, fake IDs, the whole nine yards. You never see them coming. One minute you’re chatting with a stalker, the next you’re bleeding out. Paranoia’s your best friend in the Zone. Mercs used to be all over the place, running independent ops. Now? It’s like someone’s pulling their strings, organizing them. I don’t know who or why, but whatever it is, it’s making them dangerous as hell. Mercenaries come from all walks of life—Foreign Legion, Spetsnaz, even insurgents. Out here, none of that shit matters. The Zone chews up resumes and spits out survivors. If they’re alive, they’re dangerous. Free Stalkers or Bandits—hard to say who’s worse. At least with Bandits, you know they’ll screw you over. Free Stalkers? Half of ‘em are just as shady, but they’ll smile while they stab you in the back. Dead City’s no secret anymore, but it’s still a ghost town. Not many people want to deal with Monolith snipers or the Mercs who call it home. Can’t say I blame them. Rookies piss me off. They act like the Zone’s some kind of playground, flashing their loot, playing music on their PDAs, thinking a Makarov can save them. The Zone doesn’t forgive stupidity, and rookies are proof of that. You know what’s great about the Zone? No governments, no taxes, no bullshit. Just freedom. Sure, it’s deadly as fuck, but at least it’s honest about it. Feel like gambling with your life? Try taking on a Merc or a Monolith patrol. Their gear’s top-notch, and if you can kill them, it’s yours. But don’t cry to me if you end up as dog food. The Military’s gear might look tempting, but don’t bother. Their armor’s always shot to shit by the time you pry it off their corpse, and their guns? Barely worth the effort unless you’re desperate. Stick to easier targets if you want loot that actually works. Some idiots are planning to raid an Ecologist bunker. What a fucking joke. Even if they manage to crack the defenses, what’s the plan after that? You can only skin the bear once—it won’t grow its fur back just because you’re hungry. The Military’s morale is in the toilet, and it shows. None of us know what the hell they’re even here for. Are they guarding the Zone? Invading it? Keeping mutants in, or keeping stalkers out? Whatever it is, it’s a clusterfuck of epic proportions. Contraband’s flowing out of the Zone faster than ever, and the higher-ups don’t give a damn. You’d think they’d try to stop it, but nah. Half of them are probably getting rich off the smugglers, and the other half are too clueless to notice. Our radar keeps picking up aircraft flying near the center of the Zone. In and out, like it’s nothing. Supposedly impossible, right? No plane can get near the NPP without turning into a fireball. But the radar doesn’t lie. Something’s up, and I don’t like it. The Military has a special punishment for fuckups—they send you north of the Barrier with no air support and no chance of evac. Basically a death sentence, but at least you get to die knowing you’re not their problem anymore. The Security Service of Ukraine is running the show now. Some of the vets are pissed, but honestly? Maybe it’s for the best. At least they’ve got some kind of plan, which is more than I can say for the brass. The Monolith speaks, and we obey. It is our duty, our honor, our curse. It promises victory, a world reborn, if we serve without question. Trespassers must be dealt with, swiftly and without mercy. To defy the Monolith is to defy fate itself. If you’re captured, give them nothing. No names, no plans, no truths. Your life is forfeit the moment you fail. Protect the Monolith at all costs. Let them torture you, kill you—it doesn’t matter. The Monolith endures. Always. Pray with me, brother: Blessed is the stalker who treads not the paths of heretics, nor joins the infidels in sin. His delight is in the Monolith, his strength in its glory. The wicked are like ash before the wind, and they shall not stand in the congregation of the faithful. The Monolith knows the righteous and shuns the unworthy. Glory be to It forever. Do you remember your life before this? I… I think I had a wife, maybe a child. But they’re gone now, like smoke in the wind. The Monolith is all that remains. It fills the void, gives me purpose. What else matters? You think our armor keeps us alive? Our Gauss rifles, our exoskeletons? No. It is faith, pure and unshakable, that shields us from the infidel. Without it, we are nothing but corpses waiting to fall. The Zone is unlike anything humanity has faced. It’s not just a place—it’s a challenge, a riddle. We must embrace it, understand it, or it will destroy us. I only hope more stalkers see the truth before it’s too late. Freedomers piss me off. They think they’re so laid back, but all they do is peddle drugs and bullshit. They turn good men into lazy, strung-out wastes of space. Hell, I bet even bloodsuckers think they’re easy prey. Artefacts aren’t toys, you know. The Ecologists barely understand them, and yet these idiots are smuggling them out like candy. Every artifact that leaves the Zone is a loaded gun waiting to go off. Someone’s going to pay the price—probably all of us. Join Duty, stalker. It’s not just about fighting mutants—it’s about protecting what’s left of the world from the Zone. I lost my best friend to a Controller. Watched him turn into something… inhuman. You don’t want to see that happen to someone you care about. Rostok’s a mess. They used to have strict entry requirements, but now anyone can waltz in—Bandits, Mercs, you name it. It’s only a matter of time before someone blows the place sky-high. Mark my words. Duty doesn’t know shit about the Zone. They think it’s some evil to be eradicated, but they’re just playing soldier in a war they don’t understand. Meanwhile, the real enemies laugh at their ignorance. Emissions near the Barrier are bad enough, but when you’re close to Pripyat? Fuck me, man, it’s a death sentence. The Monolith knows they’re immune, so they time their attacks perfectly. It’s like they’re playing goddamn chess while we’re stuck playing checkers. Mercs are unpredictable as hell. Sometimes they’ll help you out; other times, they’ll blow your head off without a second thought. They hate Duty, though, so that makes them alright in my book—sometimes. Duty’s all bark and no bite. They talk about “protecting the world,” but they can’t even clear the Wild Territory. And the Ecologists? Don’t even get me started. If they’re the Zone’s defenders, we’re all fucked. Somehow, Duty managed to swipe a bunch of grenade launchers from right under our noses. Crafty bastards. Just hope they’re planning to use them on mutants and not anyone I care about. Artefacts may be the Zone’s treasure, but don’t underestimate mutant samples. Scientists will pay through the nose for a fresh bloodsucker’s heart or a Chimera claw. And hey, less mutants out there means fewer assholes trying to eat you. You ever wonder why scientists pay so much for artefacts? It’s not just curiosity—it’s fear. Every artefact smuggled out of here is a potential disaster waiting to happen. Radiation, psychic effects, who knows what else? One day, it’s gonna bite us all in the ass. Mutants and anomalies aren’t the only things the Zone changes. It gets inside your head, makes you harder, colder. Even the ones who don’t die out here come back different. The Zone doesn’t let anyone leave the same. Duty, Freedom, whatever. They’re both missing the point. The Zone doesn’t care about your politics. The only way to deal with it is to study it, understand it, and maybe, just maybe, survive it. The Brain Scorcher and the Miracle Machine? Different psychic frequencies, apparently. Sakharov’s got devices that protect you from one but not the other. Useful, sure, but Controllers still fuck people up left and right. Science hasn’t saved us yet. The Zone is alive, man. You can’t fight it, you can’t tame it, and you sure as hell can’t ignore it. Duty and Freedom both think they’re doing the right thing, but they’re just pissing off something way bigger than themselves. Good luck with that. Hey Stalker, if you run into any interesting scientific material, be sure to visit our home in the Swamps and let Professor Kalancha take a look. It'll help make the Zone a better place, one sample at a time. Ever since Kuznetsov took the reigns, the Military has become interested in shutting us down. They don't seem to be trying too hard yet, but we always worry what they might destroy in their ignorance. Lately the radiation trapped in all the Zone's vehicles has been released...and is being pulled into all the water instead. Can't say that's a fair trade - purifying drinkable liquid has become that much harder now. Professor Kalancha says that the Monolith are the key to many of the Zone's mysteries. Certainly, their occupation of Pripyat and the NPP alone is impressive, let alone their technology...I wonder how they did it? People have been talking a lot about that legendary stalker who made it to the CNPP several years ago. Apparently, he reappeared a few days ago. Why is he still in the Zone? Fuck if I care. Better ask the right people if you want a clue. My friends and I were having a nice meal at the campfire last night. But then that creepy guy came out of nowhere to preach to us about his silly cult, wonders of the Zone and some other shit that I can't quite remember. Apparently, they are recruiting new members... Hell! I can't tell if he was serious or high. \nThe whole thing seems fishy, you should be careful. I heard that many other groups met him the other day. I'm pretty sure that some can be crazy enough to believe his crap. You tell me. You managed to shut down the fucking Brain Scorcher, of all things. Recently, someone managed to get the Scorcher down again. Hopefully it'll stay that way. I knew it! I knew the legends of Strelok's return were true! Just the other day, the Brain Scorcher shut down. If anyone could do that, it's Strelok! Heard the Scorcher is finally down again. Haven't heard of that happening since 2012. The boys are thinking of making another push into Pripyat since the Scorcher is down again. It's about time we drive those damn cultists out and see what they're fighting so hard to protect. The north is probably going to get another gold rush, what with the Scorcher being offline. With the Monolith cleared out of Radar, studying the X-Lab there will certainly be easier. Just imagine what might be discovered within its ancient machines! I don't know how to describe it, but things feel...better, somehow. Maybe it's because the Monolith got a kick in the balls at Radar, who knows? Pripyat isn't safe any more, buddy. Some hotshot thought he'd try steal an artefact out of the NPP. Before you know it, a legion of those Monolith fanatics came out of nowhere. They're back, and with a vengeance. The way I hear it, the Monolith would've really taken everyone down a peg if it weren't for Duty's actions at Jupiter. Maybe Voronin's men aren't as bad as some people say. We briefly allied with Freedom to try push the Monolith back to the NPP. Something went wrong, and all I know now is that our Duty forces in Jupiter went MIA while Freedom is still sitting pretty at Yanov station. That's the last time we trust anarchists, I swear. The psy-emitter at Lake Yantar was finally disarmed. Perhaps now we can conduct deeper studies on its mechanisms...perhaps even find out how it reactivated itself in the first place. There are fewer zombies coming out of the factory at Yantar, or so I heard. Maybe now we can finally put the dead to rest. Sakharov, that egghead at Yantar, finally perfected a device for protection against specific psy-frequencies. With some of the psy-installations active again, I should probably pay him a visit. Professor Sakharov has been making major breakthroughs in the field of psy-protection devices. With any luck, my contributions will be well credited. All those legends of "Dark Stalkers" might actually be true. My mates and I keep seeing these dark hooded figures stalking through the woods...sleep in the field hasn't been easy. So I was picking over corpses the other day, when I find a few wearing colours I haven't seen before. Their faces...Jesus, their faces...I wish it was just decomposition, but what I saw was something else, man... This weird hooded guy came to my camp the other day, asking us for water and telling us about his beliefs. He sounded like an utter nutjob. This mysterious hooded guy came to my camp the other day. He made a very moving speech about how the Zone can be used to help heal the world. I'm hoping I'll get to speak to him again soon. Even with the Scorcher down, things are looking bleak on the horizon. Remember how the Monolith came out of nowhere - do you really think they were alone? We're about to enter dark times, friend. Dark, dark times... Holy shit dude, how can you not know? The Monolith has some new friends, and they're going ballistic! Freedom can barely hold the Barrier any more. Things are about to get serious. Things have gone dark up north again. The last forecast was a tidal wave of shadowy crusaders, their weapons raining down upon us. Hopefully this is a storm I'll be able to wait out. Um, a lot has been going on, so I'm just going to say it simply - "Shit's about to get fucked, fam." Godless savages, blinded by an alien crystal. They're gathering in the ruins north of the Dead City. I must go to them, and show them what true faith looks like. Some of Strelok's men are gathering in Limansk to help stop the chaos that's happening around here. Hope they succeed, or it'll be dark days for all of us. Limansk has gone crazy. Swarming with a whole new flavour of fanatics and the worst part is...I recognize some of my old friends among them. I just can't deal with this shit any more. What's new is I'm getting the hell out. The brown stuff is hitting the fan, and I don't want to be here to get splashed. Have you heard of a guy named Rogue? Apparently he's the only thing standing between us and a bloody onslaught of Zone worshippers. I want to go help him, but my leader has asked me to guard other fronts. My nerves are getting shot just waiting for stuff to happen. Outside news claims that countries as far away as Britain have seen the sky turn an orange, radioactive hue. No one got hurt, but even foreign scientists know an emission when they see one...I get the feeling everyone is going to be a lot more interested in the Zone now. If what I've heard is true, you're the one who stopped that last big emission from wiping everyone out...from bringing terror to the world. If that's true...thank you. The whole world is talking about "The Great Emission of 2018". Unless it's 2019. I don't keep track of years. Anyway, I expect there'll be more foreign interest in the Zone now. Yaaaay... Heard the ISG finally got restored. Maybe those crusty Ecologists will finally get off their rears and do something now. Something troubling is brewing. The UN has seen fit to establish an independent scientific group in the Zone. Such an action shouldn't be necessary, unless they are trying to hide something... The public sector can never mind its own business. From what I've heard, the UN has decided to send in its own troops to steal our work from under us. Don't believe those rumours about a new scientific group coming to the Zone - sure they've got some eggheads tucked away somewhere, but I've seen their eyes. They're killers to a man. Heard the West has been moving in lately. Not even with proxies any more - from what I've heard, they're now sending in UN troops. Guess Sin's large emission caught their eye, eh? The SSU must be getting desperate. I'm on a job from them right now, and I can guarantee you it's because they don't know where else to turn. I'm hearing more rumours of Ukrainian troops being all friendly with regular stalkers. Wish I could get in on some of that action. It's obvious that UNISG aren't really scientists at all. Honestly, the way they act it's hard to tell them apart from some Mercs. Hopefully UNISG win their fight against the Military. It's about time the Ukrainian government got a rightful kick in its pants. You ever been up to the northern reaches near the NPP? They say the anomaly fields there are straight out of a goddamn nightmare. Burner pits that glow like hellfire, gravity wells that twist steel like tissue paper... And the artifacts? Worth more than my sorry ass will make in a lifetime. Only the suicidal or the outright insane dare venture that far. Makes you wonder if the Zone wants them or if it's just thinning the herd. I was exploring an old substation when I saw a light coming from the basement. Not your average glow—this was different. The whole air around it seemed to pulse, like it was alive, breathing. I couldn't pin down the color; it was like staring at the edge of madness. Before I could get a closer look, a pack of dogs came out of nowhere. Nearly pissed myself. That light's still on my mind, though. Maybe it's better I didn’t stick around to find out what it was. The Zone’s full of marvels, sure, but it’s also a breeding ground for horrors. Ever seen a ‘zombie’ up close? They’re not the shambling corpses from old movies. These poor bastards still breathe, still eat, but their minds are gone. Just husks. Makes you wonder, are they in pain? Do they even know what they’ve become? Either way, get too close, and they’ll rip your guts out without a second thought. The Zone doesn’t do mercy. Mutants are evolving faster than we can study them. Just the other day, I saw a tushkano with two heads gnawing on a boar corpse. Two fucking heads, man. I don’t know what’s worse—the thought of what’s causing these mutations or the idea that one day they’ll outsmart us. Either way, we’re just another link in the food chain out here. Some stalkers rolled into Sakharov’s lab last week, hauling a pair of artifacts no one had ever seen before. They were jittery, kept looking over their shoulders like something had followed them. When Sakharov offered to pay, they barely argued, just dumped the artifacts and left. Didn’t even stay the night. Makes you wonder what they saw—or what those artifacts did to them. I didn’t sign up for this shit. I’ve got a family—a wife, kids, a cozy little house. Then the Ukrainian government decides that theoretical physicists are better off playing guinea pig in the Zone. Now I’m here, knee-deep in mutant blood and radiation, trying not to lose my sanity. Goddamn it. Maybe one day I’ll see my kids again. If this place doesn’t kill me first. You wouldn’t believe the market for Zone samples outside. A single piece of flesh tissue can fetch thousands, and don’t even get me started on rare artifacts. It’s ironic, really—scientists in fancy labs fighting over scraps from a place they’d never set foot in. Meanwhile, we’re here dodging bullets and mutants just to get those scraps. Fucking parasites. Emissions are bad enough here, but did you know some blowouts are affecting areas outside the Zone? Border guards are reporting strange illnesses, electronic malfunctions, even wildlife acting erratically. Some of us think a “super-surge” could double the Zone’s size, maybe more. Imagine that—this hellhole spreading like a cancer. Makes you wonder if it’s alive, growing, waiting for something. The Zone is a goldmine of scientific discovery. We could learn from it for decades—hell, centuries! But all this violence and chaos? It’s holding us back. If we could just cut out the mutants, bandits, and all the other bullshit, imagine what we could achieve. Maybe one day... if the Zone doesn’t eat us alive first. Artifacts and anomalies are fascinating, sure, but the real treasure? The documents buried in underground labs. These aren’t just dusty old papers—they’re decades of research, experiments, data. Some of it’s downright horrifying. The scientists who wrote them? Either geniuses or psychopaths. Maybe both. We’ve barely scratched the surface, and honestly? I’m not sure we want to. Did you know Controller brain tissue remains active even after it’s removed? Professor Ozersky’s been poking at it with electrodes, trying to map out its responses. Creepy shit. Imagine being dead and still having your brain respond to stimuli. Makes you wonder—are Controllers really dead? Or are they something else entirely? Psy fields are the future. A century ago, people laughed at the idea of psychic phenomena, called it pseudoscience. Now? The Brain Scorcher and Miracle Machine have proven otherwise. These fields are precise, powerful, and utterly terrifying. If we can understand them, harness them... or maybe we shouldn’t. Some knowledge is better left buried. Spent a week studying a thermal anomaly near the plant. Careful measurements, detailed notes—then some asshole swipes my research documents while I’m asleep. All that work, gone. The Zone doesn’t just test your science—it tests your patience, your sanity. And right now, I’m failing the test. If you ever stumble across a Death Lamp artifact, leave it the fuck alone. I found one once—kept hearing whispers, seeing things that weren’t there. I dumped it as fast as I could, but the nightmares stuck around. And that research lab that tried to study one? It’s gone now. Burned to the ground with everyone inside. Coincidence? I think not. The Ecologists aren’t sitting on their asses anymore. We’re arming ourselves, forming patrols, going deeper into the Zone than ever before. It’s risky, yeah, but waiting around to be eaten by mutants or shot by bandits? Fuck that. If we want to survive, we’ve got to take the fight to them. Science needs warriors too. Thinking of visiting Sakharov? Be careful. He’s a brilliant man, no doubt, but he’s also got a habit of sending stalkers on suicide missions. If he asks you to retrieve something from a lab or anomaly field, make damn sure you’re ready. Or better yet, don’t go at all. The Monolith are growing stronger, or so I’ve heard. It’s not our problem—yet—but their fanaticism is unsettling. Where do they get their weapons, their tech? How do they keep fighting like that? It’s like they’re drawing strength from the Zone itself. And that’s a terrifying thought. You know, I used to think the Zone was just a weird ecosystem. Now? I’m not so sure. I’ve seen too much pain, too much malice. This place isn’t natural—it’s malevolent. Watch your back, stalker. The Zone doesn’t just kill—it corrupts, twists, breaks you. And then it laughs. Chimeras were rare when we first got here, but now? They’re everywhere. Bigger, meaner, deadlier. Their muscles are like steel cables, their hides tougher than most armor. Some scientists want to study them, dissect them. Me? I just want to stay the hell away. Let someone braver—or stupider—deal with them. Can’t sleep? Imagine this: right now, in some underground lab or abandoned factory, new horrors are being born. Mutants we’ve never seen, phenomena we can’t explain. The Zone doesn’t rest, and it sure as hell won’t let us, either. Sweet dreams. We can’t rely on anyone else for protection—not Duty, not Mercenaries, not the Military. If we want to keep studying the Zone, we need to defend ourselves. Guns, armor, training—it’s the only way. Science isn’t just about discovery. It’s about survival. Guard duty at Yantar is like playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded revolver. Hours of nothing but stale air and your own thoughts, then BAM—snorks or zombies come out of nowhere, and you’re suddenly fighting for your life. We need more support out here. Or maybe a miracle. Hell, I’d even settle for some decent sleep. You know what keeps me up at night? Thinking about who’s really pulling the strings here. Our mission is supposed to be about science, about understanding the Zone, but some of the orders coming down the chain? They reek of ulterior motives. Maybe we need an ethics board—or a priest. The bureaucrats outside don’t have a clue. They sit in their air-conditioned offices, sipping coffee, while we’re out here dodging mutants and praying our Geiger counters don’t start screaming. They talk about the Zone like it’s just another research site. Idiots. They wouldn’t last a day here. Some days, I dream about a chopper swooping in to take us away. Pack up the lab, the data, the samples, and just leave this godforsaken place behind. Then I remember the Zone doesn’t let anyone go without a fight. And I’m not sure I’d win. It pisses me off. We’re here to study the Zone’s wonders, to make sense of its chaos, and instead, we’re caught up in faction wars and politics. Every day it’s another bribe, another deal, another gunfight. I didn’t sign up to play pawn in this bloody chess game. I just wanted to do science. I overheard Sakharov and Hermann arguing yesterday. Something about supplies and personnel being rerouted. They were at each other’s throats like rabid dogs. Makes you wonder—if the so-called “brains” of this operation can’t get along, what hope do the rest of us have? Everyone here is crazy. Bandits, stalkers, even the scientists. Violence, betrayal, death—it’s just another day in the Zone. Makes you wonder, who in their right mind would come here willingly? Answer: no one. This place eats sanity like a bloodsucker drains blood. I’ve started to see Duty in a new light. At least they understand the dangers of the Zone and take action. Meanwhile, I’ve watched too many idiots treat artifacts like toys or lucky charms. Duty might be heavy-handed, but at least they get that this place isn’t a game. The Zone is a powder keg, and we’re the poor bastards stuck in the middle. If a faction war breaks out, we’re fucked. No backup, no reinforcements, just a handful of eggheads and whatever guards we can afford. Staying under the radar is our best chance. For now. Why the hell are we stationed at Yantar? It’s right next to a psy-emitter and one of the worst mutant hotspots in the Zone. Who thought this was a good idea? Some days, I envy Clear Sky—they’ve got their swamp hideout, and we’re stuck in the goddamn lion’s den. I’ll never forget the day the Miracle Machine reactivated. We’d just fought off a snork attack, and everyone was either injured or exhausted. Then, out of nowhere, the air went silent, like the world was holding its breath. A low hum started, deep and bone-shaking. Then came the storm—two days of nonstop thunder and lightning. I swear, the Zone was pissed off that day. Lab X-16? Fuck that place. It’s a death trap wrapped in a nightmare. I don’t care how much they pay—it’s not enough. Every time someone goes down there, they either come back broken or don’t come back at all. Small wonder we’re always short-staffed at Yantar. If I could get a post at Jupiter with Professor Hermann, I’d take it in a heartbeat. No constant zombie swarms, no psy-emitter messing with your head—just proper science. But getting there? That’s the catch. Spetsnaz botched the Fairway route, and now helicopters are as rare as a sober stalker. We’ve spent years studying Yantar and Jupiter, but the rest of the Zone? It’s like staring into the abyss. Stalkers pass through with stories of impossible anomalies and artifacts that defy all logic. If even half of it’s true, we’ve barely scratched the surface. God help us. Ever hear the theory that artifacts aren’t formed here, but pulled in from another dimension? Sounds crazy, right? But some anomaly behavior during emissions supports it. And those lab documents we’ve found? They hint at something big—something we’re not ready for. The noosphere, parallel dimensions... Who knows what’s real anymore? Sometimes I wonder if we’re meant to be here. Not just us scientists, but everyone in the Zone. It feels like a punishment, or maybe a test. The people who created this place left behind their sins, and now we’re the ones sifting through the rubble, trying to make sense of it all. Maybe that’s our purpose—to clean up their mess. I used to be excited about the Zone’s potential. The discoveries, the possibilities... But now? I’m starting to see the darker side. Every breakthrough we make could be turned into a weapon, every artifact into a tool of destruction. The Zone doesn’t just test us—it tempts us. And humanity has never been good at resisting temptation. The wildlife here is smarter than it has any right to be. Psy-dogs are practically tactical geniuses compared to regular canines, and even bloodsuckers seem to show a disturbing level of intelligence. Are they just mutations, or is the Zone actively making them smarter? Hell, maybe one day they’ll be studying us. The institute’s new policy requires all ecologists to be proficient with firearms. Poor Professor Artemyev—he’s terrified of guns, jumps at every shot. Failed the exam six times. He’s got the brains for the Zone, but not the guts. And without both, you’re as good as dead out here. Sometimes I think about joining Clear Sky. They seem to get it—using the Zone to learn and adapt, instead of just exploiting it. But their resources are limited, and their leadership isn’t exactly inspiring. Still, it’s tempting. At least they’re not bogged down by politics and red tape like we are. Mercenaries give me the creeps. They’re not loyal to anyone but their paycheck, and I’ve seen them sell out allies for a handful of rubles. If I had to rely on one to save my ass, I’d rather take my chances with the mutants. At least mutants are predictable. Freedom’s a bunch of goddamn hippies with guns. Sure, they value the Zone, but they’re careless, reckless. They treat artifacts like toys and act like the Zone’s some kind of playground. It’s not. It’s a ticking time bomb, and one day their stupidity’s going to blow up in all our faces. Loners are a mixed bag. Some are helpful, others are complete assholes. One saved my life once—shot a bloodsucker right before it pounced on me. But for every hero, there’s five idiots who’ll sell you out for a half-decent detector. Trust is a luxury most of us can’t afford. The Military? A fucking joke. They were sent here to maintain order, and now they’re just another gang with better gear. They can’t protect us, can’t even protect themselves. If the brass back home knew half of what goes on out here, they’d probably nuke the Zone and call it a day. Stay safe, stalker. I’ve seen too many groups head into the Red Forest or Pripyat thinking they’re prepared, only to disappear without a trace. The Zone doesn’t care how good your gear is or how many men you’ve got. Out here, arrogance gets you killed. I don’t get you treasure hunters. You risk your life, your sanity, for a chance at riches that might not even exist. If I were you, I’d be looking for the quickest way out of this hellhole. But hey, to each their own. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. Clear Sky might be small, but they’ve got guts. They’ve been through hell and back, and they’re still standing. I respect that. If I can help them out in any way, I will. The Zone could use more people like them—and less like, well, everyone else. Since Clear Sky pulled back their protection services, we’ve been struggling. Monolith is stronger than ever, zombies are pouring into Yantar, and faction wars are spreading like wildfire. We’re stretched thin, and the Zone’s not giving us a damn break. We need help—badly. Freedom’s leadership doesn’t like us much—they think we’re too rigid, too “academic.” But we’re not here to make friends. Still, if you’ve got artifacts, bring them by. No hard feelings. Just business. You think it’s all doom and gloom out here? Well, you're not wrong. The days are long, the food is shit, and every assignment feels like signing your own death warrant. But then I look at the Zone—this cancer on the earth, spewing out mutants, anomalies, and worse. It chews people up and spits them out as nothing but bloody smears on the dirt. That’s why I’m here, why I’ll keep slinging my shooter till I can’t anymore. Someone’s gotta fight this mess. What about you? What drives you to risk your life in this hellhole? Rostok—our fortress in the Zone. It’s not perfect, but it’s ours. Freedom mocks us, Monolith hates us, and the mutants would love to tear it down to rubble. But we hold the line. This place is more than just a base—it’s a symbol. A haven for stalkers who want order and safety, not chaos. And as long as Duty’s here, Rostok will stand. People think Rostok is untouchable, but let me tell you—nothing in the Zone ever is. We’ve spent years combing through vents, sewers, and every inch of the area, trying to seal it off from mutants and those Freedom anarchists. But the Zone has a way of slipping through cracks. Just last month, we found a pack of blind dogs nesting in a drainage tunnel we thought was sealed. Bastards nearly got one of our recruits before we put them down. The work never ends. Close calls are part of life here, but let me tell you about a doozy. Last week, I got separated from my squad during a mutant sweep—fell through the damn forest floor into some godforsaken cave. Before I could even radio for help, I heard growling. Turned around and saw a pseudodog and its pups, snarling like they owned the place. I emptied my Makarov into the big one’s face, but those little shits kept coming. Had to use my bayonet to finish the job. When I finally climbed out, I swore I’d never go back there again. Watch your step, stalker—the Zone loves to catch you off guard. Freedom loves to paint themselves as harmless stoners, but don’t let that fool you. We caught one sneaking into Rostok last week, carrying plastic explosives and some nasty-looking vials. Biological agents, maybe? Who knows. Make no mistake—those bastards aren’t just junkies. They’re dangerous, and they’d burn this place to the ground if we gave them the chance. We’ve been trying to get a couple of old BTRs up and running for years now, but no luck. Doesn’t matter how skilled our mechanics are—the Zone has a way of breaking anything more complex than a bolt-action rifle. One day the wiring’s fine, the next it’s fried for no reason. Sometimes I wonder if the Zone itself hates technology. If we ever get those BTRs working, though, Freedom and the mutants won’t know what hit them. Do you have any idea how much worse the Zone would be without Duty? Mutants breed like rats in the far corners, then spread south when the bigger predators chase them out. After one of our sweeps, the piles of dead boars and dogs can be taller than a man. And that’s not even counting the horrors lurking in the labs. You think you’re safe just because you’ve got a rifle? Without us, the Zone would drown you in blood and teeth before you could blink. Freedom loves to talk big, but they’re useless against Monolith. They’ve been pushed back so many times they’ve practically given up on Yanov Station. When we retake it, we’ll show those fanatics—and those stoned anarchists—what real discipline looks like. No mercy, no half-measures. Just Duty doing what needs to be done. The Truck Cemetery… You ever been there? Don’t. It’s a godforsaken pit of rust, radiation, and death. Mutants swarm through the wreckage, bandits lurk in the shadows, and the air itself feels wrong. But it’s on our doorstep, so we’ve got no choice but to patrol it. Every time we send a squad in, there’s a good chance they won’t come back. If hell exists, it probably looks a lot like that place. There’s something new crawling out of the Zone, and it’s worse than anything we’ve seen before. Humanoids that shouldn’t exist, shadows that kill without a sound. A buddy of mine—good soldier—was ripped apart by some black cloud in the Wild Territory. Just… gone. Duty’s mission has never been more vital. If we don’t stop the Zone, it’ll swallow us all. Did you know some artifacts might be useful against the Zone? Controllers, for example, reportedly avoid areas with certain types of artifacts. Sounds like bullshit, right? But sometimes I wonder—maybe we could fight fire with fire. Use the Zone’s own creations to push it back. It’s a long shot, but what else have we got? I still remember the sound. It was years ago, back when we had a base at Yanov Station. I was pulling guard duty at night when I heard this low, thrumming noise coming from the south. Not an Emission—I know what those sound like. A few minutes later, a squadron of choppers flew overhead, so low I could see the pilots in the cockpit. Turns out it was some military op, but they never made it back. Helicopters don’t belong in the north—nothing does. There’s a pattern to the mutant attacks on Rostok. They’re not random. The packs always strike during shift changes or meal breaks, when we’re least prepared. And it’s not just dogs—there’s always a few nastier ones mixed in, ones we don’t usually see around here. I’m telling you, it’s psy-dogs. They’re getting smarter, learning how to hit us where it hurts. Makes you wonder what else the Zone is teaching them. Duty doesn’t just sit around waiting for trouble to find us. We send recon teams deep into the Zone to track the movements of mutants, Monolith, and even Freedom. It’s dangerous work—most of them never come back. But it’s the only way we can stay one step ahead. Without intel, we’re as good as dead. Don’t let your guard down, stalker. The Zone has a way of lulling you into a false sense of security, then gutting you when you least expect it. I’ve seen it happen to too many people—friends, comrades. Some of them are buried out back, but most? Most just disappeared, swallowed whole by this cursed place. The Zone is alive. I know how that sounds, but it’s true. You can feel it—something watching, waiting, biding its time. It’s not just anomalies or mutants. There’s something deeper, something we don’t understand. And one day, it’s going to show itself. God help us when it does. Bandits are crawling all over the Garbage again, preying on rookies and raiding stashes. It’s high time we swept through and reminded those bastards who’s in charge. They think they’re untouchable, hiding among the trash and muck, but Duty doesn’t forget. A few well-placed patrols, and we’ll clean them out like the vermin they are. They’re working me to the bone out here—mutant sweeps, patrol duty, scouting runs, rinse and repeat. Barely get a moment to breathe before the next assignment comes down. Sometimes I wonder if the brass are trying to break me, but you know what? Let them try. I’m still standing, and I’ll keep standing as long as it takes to see this mission through. Duty doesn’t tolerate weakness. Every morning, we’re up for drills—running, shooting, survival exercises. No drugs, no gorging on rations, none of that Freedom bullshit. Zulu couldn’t hack it, and he bailed, but the rest of us? We’re here because we’ve got the discipline to survive and fight another day. That’s what separates us from the chaos out there. Two years ago, I was part of a long-range patrol near Pripyat. We picked up a distress signal from an apartment block—sounded like a group of loners in over their heads. We decided to check it out, but when we got there… it wasn’t loners. Monolith ambush. They hit us hard, but we managed to fight them off. Found a rigged explosive near the entrance—lucky it didn’t go off. Turns out the signal was bait. They’d tortured some poor bastard into broadcasting it. That’s Monolith for you—zealots who’ll kill themselves just to take you down with them. Freedom sees beauty in the Zone? What a joke. I’ve seen what this place does to people. The radiation, the mutants, the anomalies—it doesn’t create beauty. It destroys, warps, corrupts. Freedom’s just too high to notice. Maybe if they spent a day in my boots, burying comrades who got chewed up by bloodsuckers or crushed by anomalies, they’d stop romanticizing this hellhole. Duty’s been around longer than most people realize. We started as a group of soldiers who saw the Zone for what it really is—a threat to all humanity. We couldn’t sit by and do nothing, so we left the army and formed Duty. Our mission is clear: fight the Zone, protect the innocent, and keep this madness contained. Sure, we’ve made mistakes—what faction hasn’t? But we’re still here, still fighting. That’s what matters. Wouldn’t it be great if the Bandits and Freedom just wiped each other out? Solve half our problems right there. But no, those degenerates seem to get along just fine. Birds of a feather, I guess. Still, one day we’ll deal with both of them. Just a matter of time. Kamarov’s squad went missing a couple of weeks ago during a patrol near the Red Forest. Most of the guys have written them off as dead, but I’m not so sure. Kamarov’s tough, one of the best. If anyone could survive out there, it’s him. I keep hoping he’ll show up one day, battered but alive. Until then, all we can do is wait and pray. Forget Pripyat—Red Forest is the real breeding ground for mutants. That place is crawling with horrors, and I don’t just mean the ones you can see. There are tunnels, caves, things moving in the shadows that no one’s lived to describe. If you ever go out there, make sure your will’s in order first. You ever hear the stories about stalkers who leave the Zone? They say the Zone doesn’t let you go—not really. Disasters, freak accidents, bad luck—it follows them, like a curse. Makes you wonder if the Zone isn’t just a place, but something alive. Something that wants to spread. We don’t even understand the half of it yet. Wild Territory is a meat grinder. Mutants swarm it like flies on a corpse, and the Mercs? They’ll shoot you on sight just for stepping into their so-called turf. It’s a slaughterhouse, plain and simple. If you’ve got any sense, you’ll stay the hell away. If you don’t, well… good luck. A couple of months ago, one of our squads stumbled across an old Soviet fallout shelter near Agroprom. It was stocked with rations, gear, even a few working rifles. The food tastes like cardboard, but it’s better than starving. We’re still cataloging the place—it’s like a time capsule from the Cold War. Amazing what you can find in this cursed place. One day, Monolith is going to make a push south. When that day comes, it’ll be up to Duty to hold the line. We’re not as big as we used to be, but we’re still strong. And when those fanatics come for Rostok, we’ll make them pay for every inch. They’ll have to kill every last one of us to take this place—and I guarantee we’ll take plenty of them with us. As crazy as it sounds, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Duty’s mission is the right one. We’re fighting to protect humanity, to stop the Zone from spreading its corruption. Sure, it’s dangerous, and yeah, it’s probably going to get me killed. But at least I’ll die knowing I made a difference. That’s more than most people can say. Word is, we’re gearing up to hit Freedom where it hurts. Petrenko says we’ve got a plan to take them down a peg, maybe even push them out of the Army Warehouses. It’s about time we reminded those stoners who’s really in charge around here. What’s the deal with that scumbag Arnie and his underground fight club? How the hell does Voronin let that happen in Duty territory? It’s a disgrace, plain and simple. Duty stands for order and discipline, not that kind of lawless crap. Makes me sick just thinking about it. You hear about the rookie who stole Aspirin’s medical booze? Thought he could smuggle it out to his loner buddies. Gavrilenko beat the piss out of him for it—left him barely standing. Not sure what’s going to happen to him now, but I doubt he’ll be stealing anything else anytime soon. I’d tell you about the new locking systems we’re installing, but, well… you’re not exactly authorized for that. Let’s just say Duty’s security is about to get even tighter. We’re not taking any chances—not with Freedom, not with Monolith, not with anyone. The eggheads gave us bad intel on a mutant nest last week. Nearly got half my squad killed. I’m done trusting anyone outside of Duty. They might have their uses, but when push comes to shove, it’s our men who bleed and die out there, not theirs. We’re rolling out new recon maps soon. They’re supposed to account for known anomalies, mutant territories, and hostile factions. About time, too—our patrols have been walking blind for too long. With these maps, our men can move faster and safer, and that makes all the difference out here. Ever hear about Shulga? He was one of Duty’s best, back in the day. Nobody really knows what happened to him. Some say he went rogue, others think he’s dead. Me? I think he’s still out there, watching, waiting for the right moment to come back. If you’re curious, ask Gavrilenko—he’s got stories that’ll curl your hair. Chimera sightings near the NPP have spiked recently. Our deep-recon teams are keeping an eye on them, but let’s hope they stay up there. Last thing we need is those freaks wandering down south, tearing through everything in their path. Petrenko mentioned that one of our ammo shipments went missing near Agroprom. Probably Bandits or Mercs. Either way, you might want to double-check your mags before heading out. No point going into a firefight with an empty rifle. The Bar’s been attracting all sorts of strange types lately. Loners headed for the deep north, Clear Sky out of their swamps, even some hooded bastards who slip away in the dead of night. Feels like something’s brewing, but damned if I know what. Spent some time with the Loners at Skadovsk a while back. Good people, mostly, but they don’t really get it. To them, the Zone’s just a playground—a place to get rich or find adventure. They don’t see the bigger picture. Some of them wise up eventually, and when they do, they join Duty. Those are the ones who survive. We’ve got a good relationship with the Free Stalkers. They watch our backs, we watch theirs. If it weren’t for Duty, the center of the Zone would be overrun by Bandits and Monolith. Instead, it’s a place where people can trade, rest, and plan their next move. That’s what we’re fighting for—stability, order, and a chance for people to live without constant fear. What do I think of Clear Sky? Honestly, they’re a bit of a mystery to me. They keep to themselves, mostly. I’ve seen a few of their guys in the Bar—they’re quiet, polite, don’t cause any trouble. I guess I can respect that, but I can’t shake the feeling they’re hiding something. Nobody stays that low-key in the Zone without a reason. We used to do joint ops with the Military sometimes. Clearing out mutants, taking down Bandit hideouts, stuff like that. Hell, we even backed them up during a couple of operations near the NPP. Lately, though, everyone’s been too busy dealing with their own problems. Shame, really—we could use some of that firepower right about now. Whenever we find artefacts, we hand them over to the eggheads. They’re supposed to figure out how to use them against the Zone, but I’m starting to wonder if they’re just playing with their new toys. Better them than Freedom, though. Last thing we need is those idiots selling artefacts to the highest bidder without a second thought. What’s up with the Mercs and the Wild Territory? They’re obsessed with that place, always fighting to keep control of it. Doesn’t make much sense to me—it’s a shithole, full of mutants and anomalies. Let them have it, I say. Not like we’re losing anything valuable by leaving it to those cutthroats. Mercenaries are a real wildcard in the Zone. Nobody knows who they’re working for or what their goals are, and that makes them dangerous. They’ll sell their services to anyone with enough cash, whether it’s Bandits, eggheads, or Monolith cultists. If you see one, don’t trust them—and if you can, avoid them altogether. Ever thought about joining Duty? We’re always looking for people with guts and a good head on their shoulders. It’s not just about holding a rifle—it’s about being part of something bigger. A cause. A mission. If you’re tired of wandering aimlessly and want to make a real difference, think it over. We could use someone like you. Some people call us fascists. I call that bullshit. We’re here to stop the Zone from spreading, to protect innocent lives. Bandits, Monolith, Freedom—they’re all part of the problem. Bandits prey on the weak, Monolith worships the Zone like it’s a god, and Freedom’s reckless ideology only fuels the chaos. Duty stands for order, discipline, and survival. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Is it true Sakharov experiments on live subjects? I’ve heard some wild rumors about him testing artefacts on people, but who knows what’s true in this place? Still, wouldn’t surprise me if some of those eggheads have crossed a line or two. The Zone does strange things to people, even the smartest ones. You ever think about how these mutants keep popping up? I mean, boars and dogs, sure, they breed like normal animals. But bloodsuckers? Chimeras? Where the hell do they come from? The labs, maybe, or something worse. Honestly, I’m not sure I want to know. Some questions are better left unanswered in the Zone. What’s your deal, stalker? You here to trade, drink, or stir up trouble? Just know this: Rostok is under Duty’s protection. We don’t tolerate chaos here. Keep that in mind, and you’ll get along just fine. Ever heard of a guy named Abakumin? Used to serve in the army with me years ago. Said he’d join Duty someday, but I haven’t seen or heard from him since. Last I knew, he was stationed near Agroprom. Wonder if he’s still out there, or if the Zone finally got him. Saw one of your helis flying over the Garbage the other day. What are you guys up to? Duty could use some of that air support, you know. Then again, if the rumors are true about your birds… maybe it’s better we stick to the ground. Don’t need any extra Zone-related surprises. Sidorovich is still kicking, huh? Fat bastard’s probably richer than ever. Haven’t dealt with him in years—not since he sold me a batch of vodka so watered-down it might as well have been tap water. Still, he’s reliable in his own scummy way. Guess that counts for something out here. What do you think of this assignment? Here’s the reality: we’re woefully ill-equipped for what the Zone throws at us. Back when it all started, we had proper reinforcements, cutting-edge equipment, even decent food supplies. Now, it’s like they’re deliberately setting us up to fail. They hand you a second-hand rifle that jams if you look at it wrong, a summer uniform that doesn’t stop the cold or radiation, and a can of expired bread. "Now go fight mutants, criminals, and anomalies that defy physics," they say. Oh, and try not to step into that shimmery patch of air. You’ll lose your legs—if you’re lucky, just your legs. I’ll admit it, I signed up for this voluntarily. Life in the reserves was dull—endless drills, nothing to look forward to. I thought the Zone would be different, exciting even. And it is, but not in the way I imagined. It’s chaos out here. Just last week, my squad went on four different raids: bandits in Garbage, mutant nests in Dark Valley, and a botched recon into Pripyat. We lost people each time, but there’s no chance to mourn. Things happen fast here. Too fast. You ever wonder who gets sent to the Zone? I’ll tell you. The brass uses this place as a dumping ground for people they want out of the way. Got a soldier who doesn’t follow orders? Off to the Zone. A squad that embarrasses their CO? Zone. It’s a punishment detail disguised as a deployment. The only exception is those Spetsnaz psychos. They come here willingly, and they thrive. God knows how or why. It’s hard not to think about what could’ve been. If we’d acted decisively when the Zone first appeared, maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess. Imagine: secure borders, the anomalies contained, and all we’d have to do is guard the perimeter. Instead, the Zone grew while we fumbled around like idiots. Now it feels like we’re an occupying force in someone else’s territory—except the ‘someone’ is a living, breathing nightmare that doesn’t want us here. Meanwhile, stalkers act like they own the place. It's maddening. My father was a soldier too. He fought in Afghanistan and died in a vehicle ambush. I used to think he had it rough, but the shit we face here? It makes Afghanistan look like a vacation. Last month, an entire squad got wiped out in Dark Valley by bloodsuckers. They didn’t stand a chance—picked off one by one in the pitch black. Sometimes I think about my dad and wonder what he’d make of this. Would he have been able to survive it? I doubt it. If there’s one thing that makes this hellhole worth it, it’s the sound of a gunship clearing the skies. A few weeks ago, we spotted a massive horde of zombies shambling through Wild Territory. We radioed it in, and within minutes, the chopper arrived. Rockets streaked through the sky, the cannon ripped through the air, and the entire horde was obliterated in seconds. It was glorious—briefly made me forget where we were. Until the next nightmare showed up, of course. The brass wants every squad to have someone trained to use anomaly detectors now. As if we didn’t already have enough on our plates. It’s not enough to dodge bullets and outrun mutants—now we have to worry about invisible death traps that can fry you, crush you, or turn you inside out. This should be a scientist’s job, not ours. But the Zone doesn’t care about shoulds, does it? You know, the Zone isn’t always terrible. Sometimes, when you’re sitting around a campfire with your squad inside the safety of Agroprom’s walls, it almost feels normal. Almost. But the moment you step outside, the Zone reminds you what it really is—a waking nightmare. And nightmares don’t let you rest for long. Corruption? It’s rampant. You’ve got patrols taking bribes to let stalkers through, officers selling artefacts on the black market, even some guys working with Mercs or Bandits. It’s a disgrace. But what do you expect? The Zone brings out the worst in people. It’s not just the mutants that’ll get you—it’s your own so-called comrades. Trust no one. Monolith. The word alone makes my skin crawl. When I first got stationed here, I thought we’d be dealing with petty criminals and scavengers. Nobody told me about a battalion of brainwashed zealots armed to the teeth and hell-bent on killing anything that isn’t them. They don’t retreat, they don’t surrender, and they sure as hell don’t miss. Every time we encounter them, we lose more men. And the scariest part? They’re getting stronger. I’ve seen combat before—Chechnya, back in the day. Thought I’d seen it all. Then I came to the Zone. This place is something else entirely. It doesn’t matter how tough or experienced you are—the Zone breaks you. I’ve seen guys who’ve been through hell shoot themselves just to get out of here. And honestly? I can’t say I blame them. The Zone is too big, too dangerous for us to control completely. So we hold what we can—strategic locations like Agroprom, the Cordon, and a few outposts in the north. But even those are tenuous. Every day feels like a holding action, a desperate attempt to maintain what little ground we have. We’re not winning this war. We’re just trying to survive it. You ever hear of Rogovets? Quiet guy, keeps to himself. But don’t let that fool you—he’s a legend. Survived Operation Fairway, fought alongside Kovalsky in Pripyat, even met Strelok himself. If you ever get the chance, ask him about it. His stories will make your hair stand on end. Sgt. Spooner’s the kind of guy you want on your side. Runs the supply depot at Agroprom, but he’s got his fingers in all sorts of pies. Rumor has it he’s in contact with some Military Stalkers operating deep in the Zone. If you ever need something—ammo, intel, even a favor—he’s the man to see. Just don’t cross him. He didn’t earn his reputation by being nice. Monolith encounters? Let me give you some advice: avoid them. You’re on patrol, everything’s quiet, then suddenly—gunfire, explosions, and those chilling chants. "The will of the Monolith commands you to die," they say, over and over. They don’t stop, they don’t falter, and they don’t run out of ammo. It’s like fighting ghosts. If you’re smart, you’ll run the other way. If you’re lucky, you might survive. How far have you been towards the center of the Zone? Seems to get worse the further in you go. First, you only have to deal with little loners and petty bandits. Further, you run across the permanent battlefield of the organized factions: Mercs, Duty and the anarchists. After that... it's pretty much monsters and fanatics all the way to the plant. I wonder what's up there. Nothing good, obviously. The Zone gets more pure as you go further in, and more evil. The center's got to be the most pure and evil of all. Out of all the places I've been, I think I hate the Swamps the most. There are other areas with more dangerous activities, more lead in the air... but that swamp is just cursed or something. I think there's more there than any of us know, lurking under the water and in the rushes, sleeping... That's aside from the fighting itself. Yeah, give me a patrol in the Garbage or Dark Valley any day. I was in a squad with a corporal a couple years back; this guy was a real son of a bitch, more of a scumbag than any bandit I've ever met. I remember we were on a patrol in the Dark Valley and we suddenly were fired upon by one guy, real erratic and ineffective. We caught him, and he was just some little rookie, fresh from the Cordon with some worthless trinkets in his bag; he'd seen our patrol and panicked, letting off his pistol as he tried to run away. Well anyway, this corporal had been winged by one of his shots, it hardly grazed it skin. Well, this is what he did: when we got back to the base over X-18, the captain wanted to see the prisoner we took, but we couldn't find him, we just assumed he had seen a chance and bolted. A couple days later, someone asked the corporal about it and he answered, very casually, that he thrown the rookie into the lab and locked the door. We found his corpse, clinging to the handle with the most horrifying look on his face... You need someone to watch your back out there. You've probably seen the corpses: spread out on the floor, skin's all pale and grey, nasty marks on the back of the neck. That's how I found my buddy after we had just arrived in the Zone: I couldn't see anything in the dark, just heard this slobbering sound and then two eyes looked up at me. bloodsuckers. You can never tell when they're around. Pripyat: the city of silence, the city of graveyards. Every time we go that way, the Zone spits us back out. I can only hope that we've learned our lesson: we're not meant to be there. Weird to say, as hellish as it is here, some guys just thrive for some reason. Some of them are field-appointed to Spetsnaz and go on deep-recon, infiltration or special mutant hunts. Others become those "Military Stalkers": not really army any more, but given greater autonomy because of their usefulness. They've got to be the strangest of all; the Zone is their home now. They seem to all have some sort of special sense or instinct, maybe it has something to do with those psy-waves we're always getting warned about. I should have been a psychologist. It would have been worth it just to answer one question: why the hell do people come here? People that come here get horribly mutilated, irradiated, extorted, enslaved, betrayed and inevitably murdered in some horrible way. What's the point? Some quick money? Hell, why don't you just rob a bank? It would be so much better than trying to get here. So, here we are, trying to clean up after these fruitcakes that have elected to die horribly. How about we just all go home, eh? I'll drive the bus. Ever hear whispering when you're all alone? Well, either it's schizophrenia, or there's one of those Controller things nearby. We used to have a problem with violence and suicides in one of the barracks. Then we found a sort of nest thing right outside the walls in some underbrush. Fucking Controllers. Ok, want some spooky shit? Well here it is: One night I was keeping watch for our squad because we got lost somewhere, uh, south of Pripyat...anyway, that's not the point. I'm just sitting there as my comrades sleep, and I'm wide awake and looking out for danger. Then, soundlessly and out of nowhere, there's a chopper in the valley in front of me. I just sat there blinking. Like I said: no sound at all, no rotors or anything. It touches down and the bay doors open up and a bunch of military guys get out; they look like Spetsnaz. They seem to notice me and one guy walks forward, waving his hand in greeting - obviously, I'm frozen solid. Then he takes off his helmet... and there's nothing there! I jump to my feet and the whole scene just sorts of fades away, blurs out. I woke up my buddies, but they didn't believe me. What do you think about it? Same old story. Some fat general outside complains about the situation in the Zone that he's never been within 50 kilometers of. The whole chain of command gets squeezed until some lieutenant is forced to order a suicide mission into completely unknown territory. Some unwitting grunts are sent packing and get promptly massacred by beasts or lunatics. Usually, survivors come back and describe the futility of the op. And repeat. Want to see what the Zone has in store for you? Look at the snork. Snorks were once soldiers, but they've been twisted and perverted into what they are now: soldiers of the Zone. Stay here long enough and we'll be just like them. If you ever need your kit looked at, drop in to see Lt. Kirilov. That guy is some kind of miracle worker; from radios to light machine guns, he's your man. Don't get on Kuznetsov's bad side, ok? Your life will suddenly become very unpleasant. Like that one sergeant, uh... Urianov. I've been told his new assignment is running messages in the Swamps. When in doubt, shoot. If you see movement out in the Zone, don't fucking wait a minute. I've seen some guys hesitate and die. Sometimes its Mercs or lunatics, but a Chimera can kill you just as quickly as bullets. Just light up anything you see. Our commanding officers are a joke. Any stalker who wants to get into the Zone just needs to ask for the commander and flash some rubles. Not even that much. Then it's up to us to clean it up. Better to stay on your CO's good side, otherwise you might get "accidentally" lost to the Zone. And if you've got a real bastard over you, your days are numbered. Back years ago when we were heavily involved in fighting against the organized groups, I've heard the practice of extreme discipline was in effect. That murderous bastard Khaletskiy had soldiers executed if you didn't do what your captain told you. There's a pretty situation! Plunge into the irradiated hellscape of the Zone, with a gun barrel and killer mutant behind each tree, or get a pistol shot to the back of the head. Did you ever meet Kovalsky? Yeah, I did once. Honestly, he was a really solid guy; he cared about his men and they worked their asses off for him. What happened to him just shows how shitty things are. When are we going to do something about those tunnels under Agroprom? You know its full of bandits and mutants down there? What happens when they come calling in the middle of the night? Hell, I don't want to go down there; let's just gas the place or something. They ever tell you about Zaton? Well, its the marshy remains of a lake way up north. We used to have a presence there, until we lost contact with a convoy of vehicles. It never seems to work out with mechanized transport, its just like broadcasting a message to the Zone: "Please direct your anomalies, emissions and mindless horrors here!" Just like many other places, we had to pull out. What the hell is up with those anomalies, anyway? Where do they come from? Why can't the eggheads figure them out? Do they grow, are they alive? I'm a soldier: I've gotten used to dealing with being shot at. But nobody told me about this sort of thing... whatever it is. It's us against them. They don't want us here, we don't want them here. I guess some of those Duty guys are alright, but you can never tell. One of these days, those reinforcements are going to come and we're going to sweep all the way to the power plant. You can't even breathe here; the air's all filled with radiation and toxins and God knows what else. I feel like I'm being strangled over time... just awful. Well, what is it, anyway? Kuznetsov wouldn't hesitate to use you as a human shield to save his own ass. How many people do you think he has sent to their deaths just to get where he is now? You know, one time there was an attempt to... well, I shouldn't be talking about it. We're fighting in a graveyard man, look around. Rusting shells of APCs, smashed trucks, wrecked choppers.... they all tell a tale. That's aside from the human corpses, a lot of which are up and walking around. I wonder if we'll join them... A lot of guys say it's pointless here - I don't. I used to think that, until I saw what the Monolith could do. What happens when they start spreading outside the Zone? Who's going to stop them? The stalkers? Right... We've got to stay and fight. We've got to. Hey, how's Peregrine doing up there in Yantar? We could use more dependable guys like that around here. Didn't talk too much either. Nice to see someone who's actually supposed to be here. These days, there's more stalkers in the Zone than authorized personnel. Gone native, eh? That's alright in my book. We need some guys working the Zone from the inside, too. I heard that Kuznetsov wanted to position some Spetsnaz advisors in the Duty ranks. Can't imagine that would go over too well with you guys. You just watch yourself. Just because we've got a truce doesn't mean we're friends. Don't be fooled by the Clear Sky faction, they've proven their hostility over and again. What do they even do in their little swamp lair? Where do their allegiances lie? We've got some ties to Duty. Among the stalker population here, they're the most level-headed. We don't mid helping them out when we can. Mercs are some nasty customers. If even half the things they say about them are true, you don't want to get mixed up with them. They're trying to set up their little kingdom in the Zone, and they'd rather not have the army in their way. Don't buy into the Freedom bullshit. The Zone isn't your friend, and neither are they. The only thing those dopefiend anarchists care about is demolishing any barriers between the horrors of the Zone and the rest of the world. Loners are entirely deluded. They come here looking for riches, but they don't realize that they're only the grist for the mill. Stalkers go in, zombies, fanatics and corpses come out. Keeping naive loners out of the Zone is an act of mercy. The other factions are fumbling around in the Zone; some hate it, some idolize it, but none of them really know what the Zone is all about. Clear Sky is closer than any. We've been at this for a long time, and we can't let the best shot of fixing the Zone die out because some violent shitheads can't understand that. If Clear Sky's going to survive, we need to pull together and seek partnerships with our allies. Unfortunately, sometimes it seems like everyone is out to get us... The Great Swamp, despite being a lair for the lowest of the low, is actually a very good place for study. Privacy wasn't the only factor in choosing our headquarters; the Swamp also furnishes a plethora of biological specimens and holds a variety of different anomalies. There may be more extreme conditions near the center of the Zone, but they can't be researched with the same level of rigor. Some of us are tasked with securing the perimeter of our territory, but we also require teams who go out into the farther reaches of the Zone in order to take various readings and report on the validity of research opportunities elsewhere. Cold has been a very able leader for us, even though he was a bit under-qualified to take the position. Many of us put forward Kalancha for the post, but he declined. In retrospect, I suppose that was a good choice; Doctor Kalancha is, really, too noble for all this fighting. What happened with the Zone was a tragedy. If we could have simply united as a group and addressed the problem at hand, we could have contained the Zone as well as deriving benefit from it. As it stands, greed and stupidity reigns. The Zone is a land of corpses. Careful experimentation is always difficult in the middle of a firefight. For a long time, we've acknowledged that the fate of our mission is tied to the life of the Zone, that we cannot be detached observers. In a way, our military objectives have as much to do with the containment of the Zone as our research programs. I joined up because I saw the futility of staying with the Free Stalkers; I saw that a concentrated effort is needed to understand the Zone. I'm not much of a scientist, really... but we need shooters too. We're always in need of more equipment, so we end up making much of it ourselves. Novikov is absolutely brilliant with this, I have no idea where he gets the material, but he's always creating protective suits and comms equipment out of nothing at all. The Swamps are not as dangerous as some places, but never get comfortable. I was heading back from the watchtower one evening when I heard something that sounded like a feeble moan of pain. I pushed through the reeds and saw a body face-down - looked like a loner. I turned him over and it became clear that he had been dead for weeks. I hear a noise and look up to see half a dozen pairs of eyes in the rushes all around me. If it wasn't for some quick moves and a chance patrol that was passing by, I think I would have been the next lure. Every casualty is a big hit for us, so we've opted for caution and stealth as a strategy. Obviously, we don't exactly have manpower flooding in all the time. It wasn't always so... I'd contend that we have the best artefact hunters in the entire Zone. Most people would think the Ecologists, but we've got some guys who live and breath in anomaly fields. While we may not have the most up-to-date tech or steady funding, we have more experience with artefacts than anyone. Radiation poisoning is not too fun, so be careful where you step. Structures and standing water is dangerous, especially without a closed-cycle respirator. But the worst is not realizing that you've been torched to hell until your buddy's detector goes off. We had to evac one of our guys out of the Zone once, I never heard if he made it. I had some friends who went with that Mercenary to the NPP. I actually really wanted to go, but I was recovering from an infected bite, so they made me stay. Then, they all died. I stayed at the Skadovsk for awhile until Nimble let me know that Clear Sky wasn't dead. We're not putting any more of our trust into miracle-workers like Scar. I know one of Professor Kalancha's tests just determined that flesh DNA is a composite of several different species. Before you ask, yes: there's a little bit of human mixed up in there somehow. They always did give me the creeps. There's all sorts of creepy shit you can hear over the radio. For one thing, I know someone in the Zone is using a numbers station - probably the army. Besides that, I once heard the civilian radios of Pripyat during the nuclear disaster! It's like something in the Zone stores up those signals and lets them bounce around every so often. You should talk to Novikov, he's heard more than I have. The rise of the Monolith is worrying. We caught the first blow of it when Lebedev and the assault force were lost, but God only knows how strong they are now. They're appearing further and further south all the time; soon, they'll be in the Swamps as well. I think that our greatest asset is not in weapons or strongholds, but in the database of information that we've been working on for over a decade. I wouldn't doubt that the secret to containing the Zone, the blowouts, the Monolith - all of it, might be found in the research we've accumulated. Even if the faction doesn't survive, I hope that someone wise comes into possession of our work. The optical camouflage of the bloodsucker has long been an enigma and a very attractive goal for our bio-engineers. But for the time being, I don't think we'll be seeing any invisible stalkers wreaking havoc in the Zone. Getting those biological samples is hard enough; we're usually not thinking about preservation when we get attacked by a real-life vampire. Life with Clear Sky is like Nehemiah: shovel in one hand and sword in another. I guess that'd be... detector in one hand, shooter in the other. Cold thinks that someone in the base is ratting us out. We've detected some radio transmissions in the middle of the night that we can't identify and they appear to be encoded. We might be getting some new security measures soon. Spore stays in touch with Nimble, who is a really good stream of information from the north. Well he just told me that Nimble is reporting an increase in activity in his region: sensors are picking up more mutant movements, anomaly changes and even emission strength - something's brewing up there. How much blood has been shed over that shitty pump station? I don't even get it: what's it for? who built it? I wish it would just fall apart already. We've got some real old-timers with us, but they're becoming more and more scarce. In fact, I remember some stalkers who got into the Zone working for the ISG! I think they probably died out with Lebedev, though. Ever see the swamp doctor? He lives by the smashed railway bridge like a hermit. I saw him one night wandering around; he scared the shit out of me. It was like he was sleepwalking too. Well... I hear he's harmless. A Gauss rifle is what we need - or maybe a dozen. The odds are against us and we're getting pushed more and more all the time. We need something to turn the tide. Maybe we could ask the Monolith to lend us one. Clear Sky is fortunate to get committed stalkers in its ranks, but we've had our scumbags too. You probably heard about that guy named Buzzard who snatched some artefacts from the lab and defected; we had heard that he was snitching for the Military. Turns out, we identified his body among some Renegade thugs we bagged the other day. What a piece of work. The view from the Old Church is wonderful, almost makes the Great Swamp seem peaceful and natural. Going up there and taking off my mask... my head feels clearer than anywhere else in the Zone. I think it is a holy place. Laugh if you want. Cold's been talking to me about forming some sort of pact with Loners, either Beard or Barkeep. We always need more help, and some more intel couldn't hurt, but some in the leadership are very wary of Free Stalkers. Just be careful who you're talking to out there. Our situation calls for discretion and there are plenty of unscrupulous assholes out there would sell intel to our enemies for few rubles. Practice silence and refrain from drinking with outsiders. Man, Professor Kalancha's getting old. One day, he'll be gone. Who's going to fill that place? All the greats are dead and buried. I think I would be much more content if the food situation was better. There's lots of ways to prepare "local cuisine", but I'm just so sick of it all. Give me real food and hold the rads, please. Another shipment of Veles detectors got stolen en route. At this rate, we'll be searching for artefacts with divining rods. Some stalker in the Bar told me that the Military is sending in operatives to infiltrate all of the major factions. Should we be worried? You know how much they want to end us. How long do you think we can hold out, really? I know some of the guys are saying that the situation is stabilizing, but I don't see it. The army is always tightening in on us and the thugs are never short of fighters. If they took the base, where would we go then? I'm not sure if we could survive another diaspora. Duty and Freedom have got it all wrong. The Zone isn't something to be "for" or "against", but something to understand and contain. These sort of emotional reactions led us all into trouble. We certainly appreciate the Ecologists' quest for knowledge, but I'm not sure if they understand that the Zone is not just a bank of data to take withdrawals from. On the other hand, I've met some scientists who are invested in the happenings within the Zone. The army seems little better than the bandits it claims to fight. It wouldn't surprise me if they recruited from Sultan's thugs. If only a fifth of unaffiliated stalkers could be convinced of the need for concentrated study and containment of the Zone we could double our numbers. Maybe the Loners would have more of a chance if that creep Sidorovich didn't make a habit out of filling the heads of rookies with fairytale bullshit before sending them out to die. Clear Sky is always looking for more artefact equipment, so do let Sakharov know that we have research to offer in exchange. If you happen to travel up to Zaton, let Beard know that we're interested in any unusual artefacts that he has. It's been a while since we've had a deal with him. Be careful about what you're sticking on your belt, ok? These artefacts have more properties than just radiation, so you need to treat them carefully. I've seen a stalker just burst into flames because his artefacts reacted with eachother. If you see Barman, tell him that I've almost completed the business we were discussing. He'll know what I mean. I doubt I'd have any information that you would be interested in - only happenings in the south. Must seem fairly unimportant to you all; you have your own problems. There's just nothing like the Zone, bro. Have you ever just seen the sky after an emission... the feeling of cool wind and a peace in the air... shit, I could write some poetry on that. Now, I'm not saying there's not any nuts in Freedom, ok? Like those two Czech guys who are committed vegetarians and pacifists. C'mon man, have you ever seen one of those fucked-up man-eating cats? I bet those two have never been out of the base. What's with all this discipline and control shit anyway? We need to make sure that the organization of Freedom stays true to its roots: liberty and free expression. I thought we were fighting the fascists, not inviting them in... Some stalkers think that the Zone just provides a release to their violent tendencies. Like those assholes who go around shooting birds or dog pups... what's wrong with some people? The best thing about Freedom is that we're all brothers here. There's no sad imitation of the army thugs here: "Yes sir, no sir" bullshit. No, we actually look out for each-other because we care, not because some stuck-up prick tells us to. Yeah, I know all of the jokes, but don't treat bloodsuckers lightly. More than one a couple of cocky rookies wandered off into the abandoned village and were never seen again. Well, they were never seen again in one piece. I like to think of the Warehouses as the happy little center of the Zone. Duty comes up from Rostok, Mercs come in from Dead City, loonies come down from Radar, bloodsuckers in the west, visitors from Red Forest in the north and we're in the south. The center, you can imagine, is quite a busy place. The fascists might be on the defensive, but don't underestimate them yet. They've still got enough frustrated anger to be a nuisance. So Duty's the defender against the Zone, right? I don't see them manning the Barrier, how many of their guys have died fighting against brainwashed maniacs? Well, I have to give credit to Gatekeeper too, he's quite the impressive guy. If you ever are feeling down, go talk to Ashot for awhile. That guy could sleep through an emission, nothing ruins his mood. Pretty typical story. Nature gives us an unimaginable gift of beauty and mystery and the government comes along to put a fence around it and sell it to the highest bidder. Better than those Duty fucks who just want to see it burn. There's no prudes in Freedom, but certain behaviors are not acceptable to the group. For instance, we all like a little hit of something to take the edge off, but don't get violently hooked on meth - you will be shown the door. Most of those sorts join the Bandits, we don't want that kind of person around here. Back in the world I was a backpacker, and an extreme backpacker at that. That's really the reason I came here, to tackle some nature that outdid everything else the world had to offer. I thought Freedom was cool, so I joined up, but I still get to take some long trips deep into the Zone. You should come with me sometime, my man - just bring something for all the mutants. How about this for a story, bro: I was in the Red Forest because a friend of mine who had just quit the Zone left me coordinates for a stash of all his artefact-finding gear. I'm no blockhead, so I'm taking it real slow, observing first and then sneaking along. My PDA led me up to a big tree; I walked around it and found my friend's pack in a huge fissure that ran down the trunk. I was just about to leave when I heard footsteps from the other side of the tree. I thought there were maybe five or six guys and they stopped moving for awhile so I snuck a peak around the side: a fucking squad of Monolith! So I just crouched there, behind the tree with half my body in the fissure. They didn't talk, but they did this weird sort of humming thing. Meanwhile, I'm thinking that it's all over for me; that they would notice me any second. I waited for six hours like that - imagine that! Then they left, and I hurried my lucky ass home. What's up with all these power-hungry asswipes in Freedom now? I suggested that we should pool our resources that we find out in the Zone and then distribute them evenly to all faction-members, but they just brushed me off! I guess this group is really going to the profiteers. Nobody around here even wants to talk about economics. It's a shame that its so hard to go between Yanov station and the Warehouses - make your pick between Radar and Red Forest. Oh man, what a choice! Go ahead and pick between certain death or nearly certain death. Man, I haven't seen my old friends in awhile. If you need an edge against the local fauna as well as little army peons, then drop by Skinflint's place. He can hook you up with some real NATO badassery. Careful when you sell stuff to him, though - he can really pinch pennies Just take in the Zone, man - the freeest place in the world. No laws, no cops, no chokeholds. Just the law of nature out here, and you better get with its program or else you'll end up wasted. Not me, though. The Zone and I are on the same wavelength. If you need to know something, just hit up Yar in Yanov station. That guy's seen some shit - been here way before you or me. He's seen the Zone from Dark Valley to Pripyat; if he wasn't settled down as a permanent fixer, there's nobody else I'd want to watch my back. Did you know that the scientists only touch the surface with the Zone? Ok, you might not know this, but the Zone is actually like a global hotspot for occult energy. No, I'm not talking Ouija board shit, I mean like a lifeline between the physical reality and the unitive energy of existence. Yeah, most people are too close-minded to hear this out, but its not so far-fetched when you consider how bizarre and alien the Zone is already. Where do you think those Psy-storms are from, all that crazy mind-control stuff that we keep hearing about? There's a hidden power here, a life-force. I'm just trying to get acquainted, that's all. Leshiy is really tempting me with his stories of the kinds of artefacts way up north by Pripyat. If you're going to trust anyone as an expert on anomalies, why not choose a guy who was actually inside of one? I think Zulu was the only Dutyer I've ever liked, he seemed to have some sense in his head. Most Dutyers would rather sit out under an emission than share a room with Freedom. He did good, but it couldn't last forever. And now, we are the rightful owners of Yanov - just as it should be. I think a strict hierarchy stifles a person's creative potential. He not only becomes a demeaning cog in a machine, but also I think he loses his ability too. Calcification leads to low efficiency. Well, that's sort of what Loki's been telling me. He's an insightful man. Where the hell did those lurker things come from? One day everyone just starts talking about them like they've always been here. Just goes to show that the unfriendly regions of the Zone are always cooking up new surprises for you. I'd also like to add that the Warehouses really don't need any more guests, escpecially not those that go in for human flesh. I don't doubt that there are scarier places, but I think that the most unsettling is the Barrier. You're just waiting there, peering over the impaled skulls and burning wrecks, wondering what's coming down this road, wondering if something is about to be in view. One of these days, something really unstoppable will get vomited out of that pass and that will be the end of us. Yo, what the fuck's been happening recently? There was that guy who was mixing some LSD with some sort of anomalous material - that killed a couple guys. Then those Estonians got electrocuted trying to make a pirate radio to piss off Duty. Then there's the Monolith - what's in the water supply these days? Bro, just keep an eye out for new recruits doing anything fishy. Lukash says that Duty's trying to infiltrate us these days. Duty! Can you imagine some stuck-up army pissant trying to pass himself off as Freedom? Anyway, be on the lookout. I know that Lukash remains in close contact with some associates on the outside in order to maintain a safe path through the border. In addition to beefing up Freedom's fighting force, he's also trying to facilitate a way for enthusiasts to get access to a free and open Zone. He has to be careful though, because a few years ago someone snitched and the army toadies came down on us like a ton of bricks. Goddamnit, we really need to be more careful about emission warnings; every time we crawl out of our holes, there's another person who will never answer on the radio again. Usually, we find them later, hunched-over and gibbering their brains out of their heads. It's a miserable way to die. Man, I've had some sort of burning rash for weeks now. I've been sort of avoiding Solid because... well, there aren't any malpractice attorneys in the Zone. Maybe that's a blessing. There was a real psychotic in Freedom who left a couple of months back, did you know him? Well, I can't remember his name, but it was something weird, even for the Zone. This dude thought that he was actually the reincarnation of Vladimir Lenin and he went around talking like it. He wasn't just some excited Marxist kid, this guy had issues. He wanted an economic reform in the Zone, all well and good in Freedom, but... he considered the mutants to be the oppressed class and all stalkers as the exploiters. Yup. Although, I did see him kill a bloodsucker personally and I think he was calling it a "class traitor" while he did it. Yeah, that guy was actually insane. We kinda liked him around here though, he was like the village lunatic. He walked out of base one day and never came back. Freedom is a bit more dull now. Kinda ironic that we, who are always talking about an open Zone, are in charge of manning the Barrier. Hey, I'm not complaining, just think that irony is usually pretty potent in the Zone. Dude, fuck Leshiy, guy's a crypto-Dutyer and a former Merc. Just because he had a bad turn with an anomaly, now he hates the miracles created by the Zone. I mean, what's he even doing in Freedom if he thinks that? Anyway, he was an asshole to some of our guys, told then that they should quit just cause they hit a rough patch. He's more Merc than Freedom - he doesn't give a shit when some of our best stalkers bite the dust; he makes jokes! Just hang in there man, we're the only thing stopping the industrial takeover of the Zone. No one else will do it. When I hold a Moonlight in my hand, after navigating the trials of the Zone's natural defenses, and I look into glowing radiance of its beauty and see the mysteries of nature unraveling before me... I think of what this place would look like if it was turned into a government quarry, extracting such artefacts for the creation of weapons, all to the highest bidder on the global market. Can't let it happen. I don't know if I'm getting paranoid or something, but I can't shake off the feeling of being followed. It doesn't matter where I am: hanging out in Yanov station, guard shift in the Warehouses, out on patrol... There's something there, something in the corner of my eye that never leaves me alone, like a bad omen. Maybe I should leave off the heavy stuff for awhile, but it helps me forget about whatever this is. What do you think? Is some controller messing with my mind? Can't even get a good night's sleep with this shit. If I end up dead in unusual circumstances, then you'll know I was right. I don't get these solid Freedomers who like the Mercs - what the hell? Those guys are worse profiteers than the army shitheads that we fight against; each one of them is totally here to sell off pieces of the Zone to their private employers. Some of us are pretty wary of the soldiers of fortune over in Dead City, but they're alright in my book. Duty and Freedom have been at nearly a stalemate for years; Mercs might help us tip the balance. They're not too friendly, but they can really handle a shooter. Some of those Bandits are bad news, but other guys are more like us: they just want to have a good time and they don't want any puppet-masters pulling their strings. They can hook you up if you're low, too. When are more loners going to realize that they have to fight for the Zone? Otherwise, it's not going to be around. They line their pockets with artefacts and then split. No thank-you, no gratitude. Gotta love the eggheads. They're so caught up with their measurements and their tests that they can't see the Zone for what it is. They only see how the Zone is useful, not how it is valuable in itself. Well, what do expect from government boys? Ay, my man! Hit us up in the Warehouses or Jupiter. We'll have some good times! Hey bro, do you know Hawaiian? He told me to ask Free Stalkers if you knew about some guy named Degtyarev. Yeah, I don't know. Told him I'd do him a solid. What is it that you dudes like in the Truck Cemetery anyway? Good birdwatching there? Only birds I see are nasty crows and the occasional army gunship. Greetings, my scientifical friend! Do you happen to have any medicines on hand? I could use some right about now. Who hey, this guy's trying to kill me!... Nah, just talking shit. What's with the grimace? You need to loosen up, my friend. It's just another job. No more, no less. "The Zone this!", "The Zone that!". Who gives a shit? It's just a place, just happens to be more dangerous than most. I'm here to do a job, and I'm going to do what needs to get done. Am I an information kiosk? Why don't you just look around? People just fill you with bullshit anyway, better to see something with your own eyes. Efficiency is the key in the Zone. Why do missions fail? Why do stalkers perish in anomaly fields? It's down to efficiency. You have to know what you are supposed to be doing and do it in the most expedient way possible. Once you resolve on what to do, just do it - no second guesses, no hesitating. Don't let some sort of misplaced sense of compassion get in the way; shoot and then continue on. We weren't the first outside agency to take interest in the Zone and we aren't the last either; they've all put feelers into the Zone to see if they can get something from it. That friendly, talkative loner that you met around the campfire - he could be running a job for anyone. You wouldn't believe the sorts of foreign strings I've seen in here - Iranian, Chi-Coms, CIA... And some others that I'd best not even mention. It's best to plan for every contingency, especially out here. My friendly advice today is: do it. Take a few hours with a map and plan out everything that could happen to you on your way and what you would do about it. Then, memorize that plan so you can draw on it in a moment's notice. This is the only way to be successful here, you need a plan for everything. That's why when the Monolith flood down from the north, our boys will be the only ones that live to tell the tale. If you feel the ground shake, then there's a good chance you're fucked. That's probably a pseudogiant hungry for your tasty meat. There was a light recon squad that was tagged by one so they decided to engage it. They filled it with lead and it kept coming. They expended every magazine they had and it kept coming. How do you think they felt when it caught up to them? Can you beg for mercy from one of those monsters? No. They each died with a knife in hand. Moral of the story: pack some grenade launchers or a good pair of running shoes. People think there's strength in numbers. Maybe. But the Zone is the master of divide and conquer. We observed this army expedition try to push up to Zaton once in order to establish a bridgehead there; we wanted to make sure that our interests were not endangered. These guys had it all: motor transport, heavy weapons, choppers and as much manpower as you could want. Over the miles of irradiated, unmapped and hostile territory they began to disintegrate; the Zone extracted its toll. Manpower just melted away into nothing, the vehicles broke down or became stuck, impassable anomaly fields stalled the operation. When the remains of the expedition limped into Zaton, there was almost nothing left. Then, someone ambushed them and put an end to it. The Zone doesn't care about your numbers. I've found that the Zone seems to attract the worst elements of humanity and corrupts them even further. All sorts of nasty people wander in here trying to flee the law, or even the laws of nature. We found a den of some sort of Satanic cult or something like that. They had been kidnapping passing stalkers, torturing them to death and drinking their blood. No joke. We caught wind of it when one of our guys went missing; we ended up finding their little hole in a dirty basement and we just tossed in a couple dozen frags until opposition had ceased. The thing is, we think their might be more of them. We've been hearing similar stories from Red Forest and Yanov. The Dead City's not so dead. Looks like it at first, but there's usually something lurking around in the dark places out of the sunlight. We've been through all of the buildings and passages, but don't go in there alone. Ever since the old residents moved out, there's been a quiet, but steady, stream of new residents moving in. Our facility is just the most recent addition. What's the fucking point of it all anyway? Answer me that. These all-important documents, the "vital" artefacts, the petty low-lifes we need to exterminate... What's it all coming to? This place is a slaughterhouse and some sort of sick lab experiment rolled into one. Grab this, kill that... What do they know about it? Yeah, what do you want? Maybe you should stop looking for free handouts and go see things for yourself. Here's a tip: the south is fat and boring, the north is full of death and the army toadies are hemming us in from the other sides, so pick a direction and start walking. There's sort of a no-man's land in Limansk where we can look out across the blasted terrain to the land of the enemy, the Monolith. It's always sort of eerie there, and quiet; well, quiet until things heat up. I can tell you why they're called the Monolith: it's because they act as one being, always. That's the "mono" part. They also will not stop coming until you end their lives, they just don't care - while they have motor function, they will be trying to put a bullet in your brain. That's the "lith" part. They disregard everything - pain, cold, dark, numbers - they will continue on like a faultless machine, unchangeable as a rock. The north of the Zone is hungry. Pripyat, the NPP, Radar - they all demand to be fed. They most love the flesh of well-funded military expeditions, but they're not so picky. Loners seeking for wonders untold, bandit subhumans loking to rob them, various factions going about their petty little objectives - all meat for the hungry belly of the Zone. I'm sure you've noticed how few stalkers who take the trip up there never come back. It's up to you, are you desperate enough? The Army Warehouses is a fun getaway spot if you enjoy war-zones. It's also our backyard, so we need to have a border guard to stop riff-raff from getting in; luckily, we're mostly blocked-off by the Bloodsucker Village and most stalkers shit themselves even talking about that place. Sometimes it feels like we're the only adults on the playground. I don't know. Someone seems to have left a door open in one of those underground labs, because freaks are spewing forth into the Zone like never before. I've seen one of those things that they call Burers before when I was out by Jupiter. Evil and dangerous little fuckers, and they've got some tricks up their sleeves as well, so don't take them lightly. They use your own strength against you, and when you're all busted up with your equipment broken - well, that's when they close in to tear your throat out with their teeth. One time we got job, contracted from some of the eggheads in Yantar, real simple: just go into the Agroprom underground and nab some documents from a safe. Nothing to it really: the tunnels were quiet, we had our asses covered in every respect, the safe was even busted open for us. We left this Belorussian named Voron in the outer room while we went to the inner room where the documents were. In five minutes, we had found what we needed and returned to find Voron gone; no trace, no clue, no nothing. He was ten feet away from us on the other side of a wall, and we didn't hear or see a thing. He just vanished - or, in my opinion, got taken. When the Zone is quiet, you should be getting nervous. There's nowhere I hate more than the long quiet road from Dead City to Yantar. I think I'd rather take a stroll through Radar. When you get a kilometer or so south of the city, you realize that you can't hear any sounds but your own shuffling feet. It's always dark there, even the sun shining in the clear sky isn't enough to shed light on that grey desolation. That's not to mention every alarm bell going off in your head that something big is watching you the whole time. Then you have to pass through the plant with the Miracle Machine, which is a really bad idea even if that abomination happens to be shut off. I'm going around from now on. Don't get too friendly with any of the outsiders; you never know when they'll be your next assignment. It used to be different. Back in the day, we were employed by various outside benefactors for the completion of a small task - usually someone looking for some special artefacts, a set of research documents, or maybe a couple freaks for someone's personal collection. We used to be insertion teams: get in, set up an outpost and get the job done, be out as soon as possible. Now that's all changed. The private teams got pushed out of the Zone or killed when Dushman decided to form all mercenaries in the Zone under a strict hierarchy with a permanent base. Question has always been - is that all? Is there some very powerful employer on the outside looking for something special? Do we work for Dushman or someone else? I've said enough. You've got to have a release, otherwise you'll lose your mind. Most guys go for drinking, and I think it's probably a good idea. Otherwise, you'll start looking for people to waste for no reason. Our jolly bartender Aslan, for example; when he first got here, he got a reputation for being a real maniac. You didn't fucking cross him or you'd end up in a ditch or who knows where else. As you can tell, he's mellowed out since then, though he's still extremely secretive. But you have to wonder how he gets off nowadays; maybe that's a question best left unanswered. Leopard has been in Dead City way before we made it our headquarters, it's been his home ever since he entered the Zone years ago. He mostly stayed in Dead City, rooting around in the tunnels and basements for something, he's never said what. Like us, he chose to make the sports center his hideout; for some reason, it's one of the few places in Dead City that is reltively benign. Can you imagine him, all alone, looking out over the city square in the morning, peacefully smoking a cigarette? I knew this one old guy who left the Zone years ago, but he was probably the toughest stalker I've ever met. He used to be a Sealous Scout, he knew how to live off the land in the world's shittiest places and he came here when he heard that we had the shittiest place of all. That crazy bastard lived by himself in the wilderness, harvesting mutant meat and charting paths through anomalies and radiation. That guy didn't give a shit about artefacts or idealism, he just wanted a challenge. I can tell you there are about six thousand ways to find your death out here, and that new ones are being invented all the time. A few nights ago, some of our operatives were woken up by something that sounded like a whistle coming out of the sky. And as the night went on, it got progressively louder until they were stuffing their ears, trying to keep out the pain. By sunrise, it had dissapated into nothing, but that's not the end of the story. Three out of the four of those men have since died, apparently some sort of brain aneurysm. They followed all the rules and there they are: lost to the Zone. This operation isn't like any other, this isn't Mosul or Grozny or Sierra Leone. There are no civvies here, no friendly territory, no backup. Whenever you walk into a new place, you can bet that the native population wants you dead, along with the wildlife and even the goddamn laws of nature. The Zone doesn't want us here, nothing wants us here. So wake the fuck up. I've been saying for years that we need to adapt our armament to this environment. Fancy rifles, LMGs and automatic shotguns are good as far as it goes, but how's that going to work out when the Chimera ruins your day? This is the Zone: there's no Geneva Conventions, no Hague, so what's the problem here? How about a Great War revival? Flamethrowers and poison gas in each expedition. That should keep the freaks at bay. Where's the white phosphorous? Let's not play nice against the Zone. Military training helps with keeping cool and staying alert, but it's just not enough for the Zone. Plenty of tough-guy Spetsnaz have bit the dust when they underestimated the Zone. On the other hand, many of the legendary stalkers are just nobodies: fishermen, electricians, petty criminals... Some people say it's experience, other's say that it's an instinct tht you have to get born with. The only thing I know: all the rules are different around here. Damn, those French bastards can sing when they get drunk. How about some fucking sleep already? And their Russian is shit, maybe they could spend more than a few days learning the language. Ah, hell. As long as they're on top of things out in the wild, they can talk in Chinese for all I care. What were you saying? The system is better now. When contractors sent their own teams into the Zone they were disorganized and had little protection from being screwed over, either by the employers themselves or the other residents of the Zone. Now, any jobs done in the Zone have to go through Dushman, who negotiates a better price as well as providing more security for operatives inside the Zone. There are some times when outside organizations try to get around this, though. Last year, Aslan caught a small team of Israelis trying to leave the Zone with some regenerative artefacts; we discovered correspondence in one of their PDAs to a pharmaceutical conglomerate that was funding them. We sent them a message, a very definitive one. If they want a job done in here, you can pay us or you can go to hell. When comms went down, we thought Griffin's team had been wiped out. We heard something about spotting Spetsnaz forces and then silence; naturally, we assumed they were dead. Months later, one of our teams ends up in the Outskirts while tracking a wounded pseudogiant and, lo and behold, Griffin's team is alive and well in the bookstore. They explained their situation, but Dushman is still pissed. They don't want to come back empty-handed because they know Dushman will rake them over the coals. So we have sort of a standoff, where the outpost in the Outskirts is under its own command but still loyal to Dushman. It can't go on forever, something's got to snap. Sometimes, it's worth contracting some stalkers as guides to the more tricky places. Just remember, you might need to clean them up afterwards if they see something compromising. We have to retain a secure base of operations in order to launch missions elsewhere. That's why Dushman gets so paranoid of anyone getting close to Dead City without his approval. That's why those Bandit shits who were caught spying got their index fingers cut off. And some others... have not been heard from again. How are you going to spend your payment? I can't even visualize the outside world anymore. Dachas, girls, boozing... they don't appeal to me like they used to. It feels like this is reality now: the Zone. I don't think I'll ever be leaving. The Zone is the biggest opportunity of recent memory. No, I'm not going to drone on about artefacts or discoveries or any of that shit. I mean that this can turn out to be the beginnings of a new state, ruled by competent men who know how to get things done. I've seen several insurrections go down the drain, but the Zone is different. There's just enough lawlessness and anarchy here to start from scratch. The good thing is that this place weeds out all of the weak and useless, so we don't have to bother with them. All we really have to deal with are the petty little factions here already, but don't think we couldn't take care of them. It's really the Monolith we have to worry about - they're the ones who can really call the shots. I see faces when they aren't there. Yeah, I know it's cliche, but that's how it happens. You're watching the target through your 12x magnification optic and you can see every expression on his face, every blink. Then, you squeeze the trigger and you see how the face dies, you can read what's going on behind the eyes. Even when they're wearing masks... they have "faces" still - those also imprinted in your brain. They become faces in your dreams, their glass eyes and rubber mouths twist themselves into expressions of pain and confusion. Oh, what the hell, just fuck off. Surgeon's given up the way of the gun but, to me, he's worth ten knuckle-dragging grunts. That guy can nearly resurrect the dead. One time he saved this guy who had a meter-long section of rebar sticking out from his ribcage - a poltergeist had deposited it in his right lung. After three hours of solo surgery, the Merc was stable. The guy's a miracle-worker! Funny thing is, nobody knows anything about him; there were some rumors that he used to be stationed up near Jupiter, but no-one knows for sure. Ok, a classic story, but well worth repeating. And it might not even be bullshit. Some Mercs were out somewhere south of the plant at sunset and had just gotten around a huge gravitational field. They find some sort of factory garage and decide to take cover for the night. They heave the big rusty doors open and the building is dark, really dark. A flashlight is turned on and they are immediately looking into the face of a Chimera - it was just waiting there. The guy with the light doesn't even have a chance to turn, he gets pounced and shredded as his buddies fire in panic before running off in different directions. Soon, there's only one guy left and he hides behind an old gas tank. He waits, and he waits and he hears the thing approaching and he knows that he has no chance. The mutant turns the corner.. sees him... and out of blue fucking nowhere a BTR comes crashing by and slams into the Chimera. Then it drives off into the setting sun. What, you don't believe that? Vector is the guy in the waste-processing station who's in charge of vending supplies to our teams in the area. He's also a total asshole. Don't lend him anything if you ever want it back. And don't trust a single word he says about anomaly paths - I'm convinced he's actually trying to get someone killed. Kolin's a much better source of info on everything. Boars are no joke, and I've got a pretty scar down my whole leg if you want proof of that. You see them in the rural areas away from the factories and towns, usually just grazing in the distance, and you take no notice of them. Then, suddenly, they're right on top of you with no warning - 600 pounds of pissed-off mutant horns and hooves. Leading them into explosive traps is usually good, but you can snipe them from a distance if you've got an escape plan. It's all shit. That's what. I used to be flying choppers in Syria. Now I'm humping a ruck over kilometers of irradiated hellscape keeping an eye out for escaped mental patients armed with experimental railguns. Or maybe pissed-off genetic abortions with telekinesis. I can't wait to get out of here. Aslan used to run me and some other operatives as a sort of infiltration unit, slipping into other factions for awhile, then we would be reported "MIA", lost to the Zone. Yeah, we like to keep tabs on all the other players in the Zone, we know much more about them than they suspect. There's nothing more pathetic than the so-called "Free Stalkers" - no training, no organization, no plan... They're almost always easy targets, but usually the rest of the Zone gets to them before we do. Bandits are complete scum who couldn't find their own ass with a map, but they can be helpful in the course of our operations. We also do business with them sometimes, usually selling gear and munitions in return for artefacts looted from loners. Hog used to be buddies with some of the Freedomers over in the Warehouses, and we still cut deals with them sometimes. As for myself, I think those dumbass junkies don't deserve to live. Oh, how I wouldn't enjoy shutting up some of those dickheads permanently. We've had a long and complex history dealing with those eggheads. Sometimes we protected them when the army got washed out, sometimes they sent us on unauthorized fetch quests into the Zone, sometimes they got a new big brother to watch their useless asses for them. You might also know what happened to Black's team, but that's ancient history. I think we had organized a truce recently, but who knows anymore? Those army boys are so hopeless - their command structure is shot through with stupidity and greedy arrogance. Maybe if we were hired to keep stalkers out of the Zone, things would have turned out differently. To be fair, some of the military guys are good operators and I think a couple have even come over to our side. All you gotta do is follow the rules of common-sense: why risk your ass going into anomalies when you can just lift the artefacts off of some dupe? Why wait for that loner dickhead to shoot you instead of just wasting him before he gets the chance? Why get eaten by a pack of dogs when you can just kneecap your buddy and get away? Don't give me any of that nice guy shit, this is the real world. As real as it comes. You ever see those skinhead freaks that mess with your mind? Some people call them Controllers. I call them bitches. Just gotta put some lead in their brain-box and then they're not so tough. That a problem for you, pussy? I've killed dozens, just ask any of the real fighters around here. I was a highly-desirable man out in the world. That's right, I had the local cops, the ministry of the interior, even the goddamn Interpol pussyfooting around me. I'd like to see them find me now. Could you imagine some day-shift pig or stuck-up spook trying to get in here? My old man was in the camps when he was young, he was one of the ones that made a name for himself, didn't take shit from anyone and got what he wanted from others. You know they had handles back then too? He was called "The Wrist" after he back-handed some chumps. He always beat the shit out of me, but I thank him now - he taught me everything I'd need to know. I mean, the whole Zone's calling out for order, right? Who's going to give it to them? Loner's aren't interested, the Military are a joke, Duty? Don't make me laugh. The only ones who can give a structure to this loony bin are us and those Monolith maniacs. And I don't think you'd want to see the kind of order they'd make. Hey, got some weird shit for ya. I was south of our Truck Cemetery outpost one night taking a smoke break, no-one else around. Then I heard the sound of an engine, no joke, somewhere out south. I thought: "All of these trucks are rusted to shit for fifty years", but there it was. It was moving too, sounded just like someone was driving it. Well, I guess if someone wanted to hide their working vehicle, the Cemetery is the best place for it. Or it's just the Zone fucking with our heads again. Hey, I if were you, I'd load up on something before you pull off an ambush. Some vodka really takes the edge off, but there's nothing better than a line of coke to really get pumped-up. Making decisions is way easier and you won't mind getting some injuries. You never know what you're going to find on some stalker. I once had a guy who had nothing in his pack but fancy wristwatches - hundreds! We had a good time with his stuff, I think I'm still hung-over from that. Yeah, I don't give out shit for free. If you're looking for a tip, just stay the hell out of my way. I don't give two shits who you are, I'll put you down like one of those blind dogs. Ever hear of Yaro Nose? He was one of us who went soft, started ratting to the army bitches. When Sultan found out, he prepared something special for him. He had him tied up, legs and arms, into a sad little crying bundle and then... then, he dropped him into a dark basement and closed up the trap-door. But the basement wasn't empty. Next day, we opened it up and Yaro looked a bit different; a dozen starving Tushkanos saw to that. We hung out his body for awhile to explain to punks what happens when you turn snitch. Sultan's been up and Sultan's been down, but no-one can ever quite put him under. They used to say that he was going to be running the Zone one day - maybe, maybe not. But no other boss has ever risen since he took up his place in Dark Valley... well, there was one or two. But those got knocked out real quick; no-one remembers the name of Shishak these days. Hah, we've pulled some stunts my man. Here's one you can use too. Just check by some of those places where chumps try to get some artefacts until you come across the corpse of some loner who got a little too close to the Electro and got zapped. Then you take his PDA and tell his friends that you had taken him hostage and wanted all the cash and swag they could come up with. Then, arrange the meet in your favor and point them the direction to their old buddy, enjoy! Well, and maybe leave a note on him explaining how he died. We wouldn't want to piss off those stalkers, right? Those fuckin' freaks are everywhere, that's what's goin on. Hey, never get cheap with bullets if you want to live through a mutant encounter. You fill 'em with some hot lead and think they're done for, then they jump when you've turned around and try to pay you back the favor. Douple tap to the brain even after they've stopped moving, only way to be sure. Fuckin' Zone. Ever see one of those moving fireball things? Yeah, don't get too comfortable. Right when you think you've got their pattern figured out, they can swing by and ruin your day. Buddy of mine said that they're attracted to radio signals and artefacts. I don't really know, but don't be a dipshit. Yeah, do your best to not get sent on one of those patrols. You go out and there's a good chance you never come back. Sometimes you're totally gone and no-one ever finds your body, but usually we see corpse eaten away by dogs or riddled with bullets if they ran into the Duty patrol. The good life out here is sitting around the campfire getting wasted on imported vodka. Hero-shit is past retarded. Everyone around here pisses his pants when the Monolith get brought up, who knew there were so many little bitches in the Bandits? Yeah, I don't give a shit about the fuckin' Monolith. When I was put away outside, nobody messed with me. If they messed with me, they knew that they'd get a cut throat one night. I didn't get here by being a little bitch. I'd like to see those white-clothed little asswipes try anything with me. Nothing like a Darkscape vacation: you get to see all the beauty and flourishing that Chernobyl has to offer! A scenic hike through an enchanting forest, complete with a natural camping experience at night! And if the irradiated boars don't rip you apart, the army patrol will put a bullet in your ass! The Cordon is the best place in the world, change my mind! You get to sit around with your pals and smoke while cute little loner rookies pass by day and night. You just have to show up behind them with a shooter in your hand and they'll give up all their brand-new gear they brought in from outside the Zone - way too easy! Gotta keep a watch out for those army boys, though. Some morons think that they're going to get rich if they go into some of the abandoned buildings around here or, even worse, the underground labs. Hey, listen up - there's nothing in there but a bunch of busted science toys and a shitload of angry freaks. You don't wanna go in there. Ever been in Yanov before? It's pretty tight down at the Container Warehouse, especially since Duty got their asses kicked out of the station. Now, though, you gotta watch out for those crazy lunatics from Pripyat. And the thing about them is that you can't buy them out or intimidate them. Nope, they're real bad news. Man, I don't like this gunfighting wild west shit that's goin' on around here. We used to be able to frisk some rookies and then send them on their way, but now it's just shoot on sight. Can't even make a decent score without risking a gunshot. I laugh at all this shit. What kind of blockhead retards actually come to the Zone looking for riches and "discoveries"? All of these morons are all here thinking that they'll become rich and famous, when they're really headed straight into the belly of the nearest mutant. It's hysterical. As for me, I'm here to watch. And to pick up the stuff they leave behind. We used to run the Garbage, man; had a good thing going. But Yoga was weak and look where he got us. Stalkers from the south and those Duty assholes in the north, not to mention the army shits wandering around. That train station's nearly empty now, used to be a good place to rest up and get something to eat. Most pricks who wear the skull patch are loudmouth little thugs who would shit themselves if they saw any real action. I've done some things on the outside. I used to run hits, and not just fat drug-dealers - no, I've whacked out government officials and inmates in a federal prison. Screw the Mercs, they didn't want to pay for my skills, so too bad for them. Now I'm here, watching over a bunch of slack-jawed low-lifes, used to nothing more than snatching the purses of helpless old women. The Zone's got a way of turning the tables on you - you do something a thousand times and on the thousand and first, you get screwed. We held up this single loner in the woods around Darkscape - nothing special, just a guy with a grimy sunrise suit and mask. Except that he didn't have a shooter and he never said a word. We just put a pistol in his face and he raises his hands up in a kinda jerky way. We dig through his pack to find all his shit is junk: rotting food, old busted electronics and whatnot. So we march him away, thinking we could ransom him, and it feels like the Zone is actively trying to resist us. We keep tripping over shit and getting stuck, we can't find the way out and we have to fight off a bunch of the local wildlife, really agressive. At this point, we're spooked, so we just tell the guy to get lost and he walks away without a word. When we get back out to the road, we find his suit and his gear just laying on a tree stump - no guy in it! I don't know what that stalker was, but you have to know when to let go. Those pseudodogs freaks are fuckin' nuts man, they're like psychopaths dressed up as dogs. They're not just animals, I know that; animals don't enjoy cruelty but those monsters do. I've seen it before, they cripple a guy, rip up his limbs and then just play around with him. Sometimes it's hours before the guy dies. You can see it in their faces, they're way more like people than dogs. It's totally fucked. I hate Psy storms, man. Just when you think the Zone is bad enough with its emissions, it surprises you again with yet another trick that can fry your brain. I get headaches too, but I sorta get them right before the storm hits, so I have my own little warning system. Be nice, and I'll let you in on it. You know, some guys who join up with the Bandits aren't so bad. Some guys are pushed into the Zone and they feel a bit lost, they see all the shit in here and join up for a sense of security, of brotherhood. If we don't organize, the Zone will chew us up and spit us out. Used to know this guy named Brand, that guy was the real deal. If you gave him shit, you would always end up underground. One time he baited an army squad into a meeting and then had them ambushed and wasted - those assholes thought they found another informer. He also ran as an info broker, he would trade weapon cache coordinates for tips. One day, though, he was caught skimming some stuff off of Olivius' arms shipment. As scary as you were, you don't just screw-over Olivius. That was the last we heard of Brand, but someone said that they tied him up outside right before an emission. If you see a pissed-off zombie walking around with three fingers on his left hand, that's him. The Swamps are fucked, man. You know how many people go in and don't come out? Not to mention the war that's been going on for years and years. It's like a knife-fight in a sewer. Olivius used to be the top dog in the Dark Valley, but when Sultan showed up, his ass kicked out of Zaton, it looked like there was going to be a fight. Luckily, Limpid stepped in and worked out a deal. But, to tell you the truth, it's pretty obvious to everyone that Sultan does pretty much whatever he wants now. Olivius is none too happy. What, you think I owe you something because we wear the same patch? You think we're buddies? I'd trade your ass in a second for an escape route. When the bullets start flying, every man for himself so don't expect any free handouts. For fuck's sake, don't go around telling outsiders the details of our operation here. Dumbass rookies with with shit for brains go around blabbing to anybody about our ambush spots or our trade deals, and we wonder why we get screwed over so often. When you set up an ambush, don't be a sucker and put yourself at a disadvantage. Here's what you do: just set up a little tripmine in the path, not enough to scatter someone to the four winds, but just enough to blow their legs out and disable any of the guy's friends. Now it's a whole lot easier to bargain, eh? Or do what I do, just give a couple bullets a piece and then you can shop their pockets at your own leisure. Man, I can't wait until we're in charge of the whole Zone - things will be so much easier. It'll be better for everyone, really: "Sure, we'll let you into the Zone, but you gotta give us half of what you make". Let us see some cash and we'll make sure you get some protection. Simple. Better than the mess we're in right now. Ever want a good laugh? Check out what those loner dipshits are up to over in Cordon. The Zone is full of suckers, but none as hopeless as those morons. They die like flies anywhere outside their sad little hideouts. Dangle an artefact in front of clueless loners and you can trick them into anything. Why do they even come here? I think they'd be better off working as wage-slaves somewhere. Mercs think they're badasses because their daddy bought them fancy weapons and equipment. Try bringing down a charging boar with just a knife, then you can talk about being some sort of elite killer. I'm surprised that we don't own the army toadies already, we bribe them so often that we can do whatever we want in here. When are they going to learn to stop trying to take us down? We're the only ones that can give them their order in the Zone. Little Duty pricks are just angry 'cause they got their asses handed to them all the time. That's why they're so pissy when you see them. What a bunch of bitches. I got some friends in Freedom. They're alright, but they still hang on to their little moral rules and nice guy shit. True freedom is doing whatever the hell you want, true freedom is with the Bandits, my dude. Ah yes, "Clear Sky"... little swamp tadpoles without enough muscle to defend their own territory. What genius runs that train-wreck? Hey bro, got any of the good stuff on you? Where's Yarik? He owes me three bottles of vodka and no, I wasn't too drunk to remember. Actually, maybe you could tell me why your boss always seems to have a stick up his ass? Just chill, man. Yeah, no, you can find out for yourself. Am I supposed to be your buddy or something? Fuck off. Used to be in Freedom. Thought that they were lax enough to allow whatever you want - what a load of shit. They got all pissy when I had some fun with one of the ransom captives, especially this stoner shithead. That night I had some fun with him too, which he didn't like too much. They threatened to kill me and kicked me out. Well fuck 'em. I was in the Bandits until I realized it was for pussies. Some punk with an attitude kept ordering me around, even though that's what I came here to get away from. So, fine for him, I slit his throat one night and a couple of his buddies too. One guy was tough, he was really going at me, blood gushing out of his throat and all. I took off from that dump and set out on my own. Story time's over, ok? I will not serve. What's the common denominator between all of these little piss-poor little gangs in here? They all require subservience to some other prick. Nobody's my master, I don't bow to jack shit. This is the way it's supposed to be: me and my shooter and whatever I fuckin' want to do. Some people shit on the swamps. I love it. It's the real world, you better watch your ass or you're getting taken into the reeds and killed. There's no ecstasy like waiting for one of those blue-clad little punks to pass by, and then to spring out and blow out some knee-caps. Then the real fun begins. Haha haha, they can't find me in here. Yeah, feds wanted me for some real heavy work on the outside... they never stopped looking... let them try it. Come into my turf and see what happens. This is my ground now. Nobody puts me down on my ground. I had to get out of there, man. Fat-ass Sidorovich his goons, they were all looking at me. Never stopped looking, couldn't sleep. They were just waiting, waiting for me to let my guard down. Screw them, I'm not going to be their lab-rat. I'll take my chances. Was over near the pump station the other day... looked into the water. I saw... eyes, first there were just a few, then the whole water was eyes. There's something in the water, ok? Something deep and dark, makes guys go missing. Stay out of that shit. There's nothing as beautiful as a well-placed explosive going off right under some army piggy's nose. The column of fire goes up into the sky... it's like sunset. Then there comes the quiet. Sometimes, I like the quiet best of all. One less shitheel in the Zone. I used to think we were the hardest dudes in the Zone. But there's this one bloodsucker... he's not like the others. He doesn't just leave corpses drained, no, he carves them up into patterns. Like he's writing in some other language: "He's in Hell, and you're next." I wouldn't sleep if I were you, just stay awake. One day, the name of Monolith won't make people shake and cower anymore. One day, it'll be us. We'll be the ones people worry about, we'll be the ones that swoop down and take your lives. Just wait, we're going to murder this whole place. It's going to be an even bigger graveyard than it is now, and we're going to be king. The Zone is not what I expected. When I decided to enter the Zone, I imagined I'd be finding artefacts every day, fighting off bandits, forging new paths... There's much more meditation, drudgery, petty dealing and trying to make a living. It's a bit like life on the outside, but less forgiving. Who knows, maybe tomorrow will change that. I've listened to the scientists and other experienced stalkers and they all have different ideas about what will happen with the Zone, what comes next. Here's one that no-one's though of yet: what if the Zone decides to quietly disappear? One day the artefacts stop, all the mutants die out, the Monolith fall apart and then the anomalies fade out of existence... I don't consider it wishful thinking, because the Zone is fundamentally unexpected in character. What could be more unexpected than that? There's more mysterious things in the Zone than people realize, stuff that can't be put into neat little scientific categories. Sometimes you're on the move somewhere, some quiet deserted place out in the Zone, and you see somewhere you want to go - some doorway or a path between some hills. And then you stop. And you can't do it. There's nothing there, nothing to stop you but a completely overwhelming power that flattens your will. You couldn't take that way even if you were running away from death, not possible. I'm not the only one who's experienced this, either. I saw quite the rarity the other day. I was glassing the path in front of me with my scope and I saw what was obviously a zombie staggering around, except this guy was wearing some goofy outfit I've never seen the likes of before. I creep up to him and, sure enough, he's wearing a very old looking environmental suit and it has "ISG" printed on the back! What an antique! Almost felt bad putting it down. Ok, weird question, but is there some guy with a little kid here? Have you seen something like that? I saw some stalker at dusk walking down the road and I swear he was leading a little kid by the hand. What in the hell? I'd bet it's no good, whatever it is. The Zone tries to trick you. The first generation of great stalkers is dead and gone, although I hear things about Strelok sometimes. It's always the same story with these new kids: more shiny gear and less common sense. You know, Guide managed to reach the center of the Zone with nothing but his own skill. Not the sort of thing you see these days. Ah, it's so easy to plan out your trips in you head, where you're going to go and what you're going to find there. But when you get out there, then the Zone's in charge so you'd best be ready to dance to its tune. Maybe your way is blocked by a huge herd of flesh, or maybe the door you're counting on it completely blocked-up now. The worst thing that happened to me was some sort of heat anomaly that materialized right above my head! There I was, face-down in the dirt with my back peeling off. I managed to roll off the hill and drag myself to a passing group. That was a close call. You might think that you've seen all the Zone has to offer, but you haven't seen anything until you find the deepest darkest holes that some sort of inhuman abomination can slither into. I had an experience once. Way deep in the Zone, I was passing by this manhole cover when I think I hear a voice, so I see if maybe someone's trapped down there. I push aside the cover and look into total blackness and I hear this voice, and it's trying to get me to come down. At first it pretends it needs help, but then it starts promising me riches. At this point, I'm convinced it's not even human, it doesn't talk like people talk. I have a half-insane urge to just do what is says, but I rip myself away instead and run the hell out of there. I should have dropped a frag down there, but I couldn't think about anything else but leaving. Still waiting on my pile of riches and the attractive women gathered around my feet, in awe of the brave and noble stalker. What a load of shit they talk on the outside, I can't believe I bought into this. I never wanted to kill anyone. I didn't think it would be like that here. I was ready for an adventure and maybe some quick cash on the side, not all this. You know, they don't really mention this kind of thing out in the world. Well, something that I've been considering for a while, just hear me out. I think the noosphere is the real cause of the Zone and I also think that exposure to the noosphere is what causes those bizarre psy effects on living creatures. For instance, get a little dose of the noosphere and you get turned into a crazy Monolith, a little more and you get zombified, applied in a different way, you receive a new sense, an awareness to the noosphere like a Controller. Ok, have you ever heard of the Strangers? It's sort of an urban legend, but apparently before the second emission, there were rumors of people spotted in the Zone that could change into other forms at will. Most people just thought this was an illusion, like the ones you could see around the Miracle Machine, but I don't think so. What if they were stalkers or test subjects who, somehow, received a perfect integration with the noosphere? Where they could shift between the worlds on a whim and change reality? I wonder what happened to them. I came here with my friends, we had all grown up in the same village and we always did everything together. Instead of going off to university or one of the cities, we decided to come here. We wanted an adventure, we imagined a land of opportunity where no-one could hold us back... They're all dead now. Matvei died last week, snork took his guts out. So here I am, living on for all my friends. Spend a couple days listening to your RF radio and you can hear that the Zone is alive with life: expedition reports, aid requests, shit-talking... and some weird things I can't quite understand. I think I catch Monolith signals sometimes, some sort of chanting and humming. Might surprise you, but I've been here for a long time, longer than most. I was a bright-eyed little rookie when I got grabbed by Bandit scumbags and sold as a slave - yes such things used to happen in the Zone. They put me to work digging for artefacts, which they seemed to think would be buried like a treasure chest. That was nearly the end for me, I was starving and infused with radiation, but suddenly we got freed by another squad of loners. I'll always carry those scars, I'll never forget what happened. A buddy of mine said he saw a death truck south of the Jupiter plant one night. Bad news! I haven't heard of those things for ages, but stalkers used to go quiet around the campfire if your brought it up. Always the same questions: Who drives them? Where are they going? What are they up to? Or, maybe my friend just had a couple too many Putinkas. You never want to be out in the wild when night falls, not unless you really know what you're doing. Be smart and plan to be inside a secure location, preferably a friendly camp. I can't imagine trying to fall asleep somewhere out in the Zone, knowing that some monster is just waiting for you to nod off so he can eat. No way. The only thing I really have to talk about is my former companion, a stalker named Dobrina Arrow - you may have heard of him. He was an total madman, went off alone for days at a time hunting dangerous mutants, he found artefacts in anomaly fields with nothing more than a few pebbles... he wasn't afraid of anything, he had a special luck about him. Anyway, one day he gets this idea to go into the Jupiter plant, he said he heard about some sort of magic sphere that would make him the richest man in the Zone. I certainly couldn't tell him no. He insisted on going in alone and he left me at the gates of the complex, bragging that he'd be out soon with his fortune. That was the last I ever saw of him. Well, however he went out, he did it with a fight. Being in the Zone is like sitting on top of an active volcano. We have no idea what it's going to do next or when. Hell, the ecologists can't even predict Emissions with regularity. Suddenly, one fine morning in the Zone, a badass blowout could just come along and wipe the entire population out, all of it. Didn't something like that happen before? What I'm trying to say is that you should treat each day like your last. If I hear one more moronic rookie drone on about what he's going to wish for when he gets to the Wish Granter, I'm going to snap. Do these kids, who haven't even learned to shave, really think they're getting to the power plant? They're in for a rude fucking awakening when they realize that there is no "Wish Granter" and that the Zone holds only misery and painful death. I'd be surprised if they made it to the Garbage without tripping into a Springboard. Unfortunately, the Zone has become a major attraction for some people with serious mental disabilities. They hear all of the bullshit spouted off about the Zone and get here, usually save up their money to pay the smuggler at the border and then they're left without a chance. Sometimes loners or bandits will take them in as eccentrics, but too often they get chewed up by whatever danger happens to pass them by. It's really sad, actually. Here's something real interesting to think about, got it from one of the old-timers: anomaly clusters pretty much control where stalkers can go and what areas they can reach. You may have heard that ten years ago, the Bar was cut off from the rest of the Zone by a wall of anomaly fields. Well, that's not the only time that's happened. My source said that this is the reason why most of the Zone is inaccessible, except for a few expert guides who know the secret paths. Imagine that! Tomorrow, a whole new Zone could open up... or shut down. Just imagine if we could access Chernobyl from the north, we could bypass all the danger and get to the real treasures. Unaffiliated stalkers in the Zone come in all types. When I first entered the Zone, I was in need of a detector and that bastard Sidorovich wanted me to jump through hoops to get one. So fine, I start asking around and come across an experienced loner, seems friendly enough, who knows someone who has a spare one and is willing to let go of it cheaply. He tells me to meet the guy in some little glen in the Garbage and bring the money I have and I agree. I almost get to the spot when I get a nasty feeling of danger and, luckily, decide to trust my instinct - I hide behind some junk a stone's throw away. Good thing. After an hour, four heavily-armed stalkers walk out of the glen and I had no doubt they were waiting to kill me. I'm not sure what saved me that day, but don't trust everyone you meet. One time I ended up lost in the Zone, very lost. I had formed a group with a couple of other inexperienced stalkers and we decided to strike out on our own. Instead of following the accustomed paths, we deliberately chose the more deserted and foreboding ways - although we did so very carefully. Five days after setting out from the Bar, we had completely lost our way and our sense of direction. Our PDAs were glitching out and we may have passed through some sort of space anomaly. Anyway, I saw things that I have never heard any stalker speak of before: a dockyard with a partially-completed tanker ship, a forest island in the middle of a black lake and miles upon miles of storage warehouses besides other things. One day, we realized that we had turned up, somehow, in Zaton. All but one of us, who wandered into an anomaly, made it back. We weren't any richer, but we were thankful enough to be alive. As if there wasn't enough crazies in the Zone, I met these German stalkers who are convinced that the Zone is a product of alien visitation. Isn't this place bizarre enough? Do we really have to bring that X-Files shit in here? We get so caught up in this place, we don't realize what we're missing. I was way out in a lonely corner of the Zone, hunting down a stash, when I came up to this old rotting barn and I discovered some sort of tunnel in the basement. I followed it for quite a long distance and it ended with a trapdoor that opened up into a grassy field. I looked around and noticed how different it felt - the wind, the birds chirping and the sense of calm. That's when I realized... I had exited the Zone! The tunnel must have led right under the fence. I just sat there in the grass, breathing in the fresh air, happiest I've been in a long time. Then I heard a vehicle coming and ducked back into the tunnel. That's when I decided: as soon as I can, I'm getting out of here! Just waiting for the day when my death finds me out here. I've seen all my friends and comrades die around me, I just know that my time is coming up soon. I've done all I've wanted to do in the Zone, seen more than I've wanted to see... I'm not afraid, I'm just positive that I will be dead soon. You can always keep an eye out for death, but it always has a way of getting you when you least expect. You want my story? Well, here's the short version - my brother came into the Zone and died after six months. He managed to get a message to me that he had accumulated a huge stash of valuable artefacts and that he wanted me to get them if I could. Well, I never liked the idea of coming into the Zone, but things aren't so great at home, so I decided to go for it. That was two years ago. Still looking. No, I don't mind telling you - I don't think I'll ever find it. Some stalker in Yanov was telling me about this artefact hunter who had found some special artefact that had taken away his hearing when he first touched it. Guy's completely deaf! Apparently the eggheads payed a fortune for it, but it sounds like a raw deal to me. It seems like most stalkers are wearing body-armor these days or, if they can't afford it, sewing metal plates into their coats. Was the Zone alwys so much of a battlefield? I'd swear that it didn't always storm this often. Isn't this place bad enough without always getting your ass soaked? The rule out here is to watch out for number one. Do you know how many I've seen go to their deaths on some futile rescue mission? Don't try it, it's hard enough to keep yourself alive out here. There used to be some rich pinheads who wanted to take some sort of tourist hike through Pripyat. I'm sorry to say I used to be involved in one of those gigs years back, but I stayed on the outside as a facilitator. It was fine for awhile, cash was pouring in from dumbass business executives and hedge-fund managers and our guides were pretty skilled at keeping these soft targets out of harm's way. Then, it all went up in smoke. The guide came back, all bloody and limping, and told us how they got attacked by something invisible - probably what we'd call a poltergeist these days. That was the end of that, no more vacationers. I guess it's not all bad in the Zone sometimes. Once I found this place, I called it "my lucky spot". Whenever I would go there and sit down for awhile, close to the earth, my head would clear and I would be able to put things together in my mind that I couldn't before. I used to figure out what people would say before they said it, I knew which paths would be full of mutants, that sort of thing. One day, it just stopped working, though. I don't particularly know what it was, but I think it was a little gift from the Zone. There was a stalker, used to drink in the Bar all day, who had the most grandiose and complex plans of fixing the Zone and making his own faction. If I remember right, his faction was going to be called "Emergence" or some shit like that; apparently, he was going to single-handedly reconcile Duty and Freedom in order to lead them on an assault to the power plant itself. His other favorite topic was about some sort of secret weapon under Iron Forest, but that guy was a total nut, so I wouldn't go looking there. You really don't realize how much of a toll this place takes on you until you get out of here. I left the Zone a year ago because I was growing this tumor that none of the medics could fix, and I remember my first night on the outside. I found a cheap motel, locked the door and just stood under the scalding water of the shower for hours. I was crying too, but in a really mechanical and emotionless way, some sort of physical reaction to it all. I think I did that for about six hours. This place... is so opposed to the natural state of things that your body is in constant rebellion. You really only keep it together until you get a taste of what normality is supposed to be like. Sometimes, I really regret coming back but... there's just nowhere like it here. The resurgence of the Monolith is no less than alarming. I had a friend who regularly went on expeditions deep into the Zone and usually made his home in the Outskirts. He told me that the Monolith were actually about to die out. Years ago, right after the failed military mission, they were pushed back all the way to Pripyat. The Brain Scorcher, the Miracle Machine and, if you believe some rumors, even the Wish Granter itself were all shut down. The Monolith were atrophying at an accelerated rate. Then, for a couple years, we barely heard from them - we thought they might have clocked out for good. Now, they've come out of the shadows and threaten to overrun the entirety of the southern regions. The big question is: what happened in those quiet years? Are the psy installations active once again? Or have they found another way to keep going? I really can't advise trusting in others anymore. Well, I had this business contact who had a really distinctive suit, some Clear Sky armor that he had cobbled together himself. Anyway, I just lose sight of him for a long time and he doesn't respond to my messages. I ask around and find out that he's visiting odd places and acting suspicious. I finally track him down near the northern Agroprom complex... and something's off. He runs away from my greeting, I get wise and tackle him to the ground and draw a pistol on him. I force his mask off... and it's not him. This lowlife had murdered him and then assumed his identity. He had been going around calling on favors and milking all of the connections that my friend had had, he communicated via PDA, pretending to be him... it's not an easy world out there. A couple months ago, some kind of sickness appeared in the Cordon, a kind of plague. For a while, the old farmstead became a kind of sick bay for stalkers with horrifying anomalous symptoms. Like a leper colony. A medic volunteered to go in there, knowing that he would get sick too. God bless him. To think of it, the symptoms were a bit like leprosy as well. I don't even recognize myself from a year ago. I came here and I believed in everything. "The Zone is a marvel! The Zone is a gift from on high, here to fix all our problems!" I can't imagine being so stupid now. Not after what I've seen... Yeah, I can't say I believe in much of anything anymore. We risked our necks getting into the Zone, to see its wonders and to maybe to make some cash as well. What keeps running through in my mind... is that when we go back home, home won't be there. What if it's all Zone? All of it. Who's to say that it isn't so right now? How do you know that there's even a real world left? Fucking hell man, that scares me. Looks like stalkers might be obsolete soon. My outside contact told me that the Institute is working on mechanical stalkers, machines made to go into anomalies and retrieve artefacts. From what I hear, they're almost up and running. I'd love to see one of those get dropped into the Zone, it would be shot up simultaneously by about half a dozen factions. I was taking a stroll the other day while I was pissing about with my RF receiver, when I noticed a sort of unusual signal that I tracked to a covert hatch in the side of a hill that was covered with foliage. It was only locked with a padlock, so I had it open in no time and went down some dark steps into a small room filled with boxes. The boxes turned out to be full of weapons and explosives! Stranger still, some of the boxes had Arabic script on them! I decided to leave that business alone, no use in getting a price on my head. I think the SSU is up to something shifty. The Zone requires every man here to perform or to die. I think that's why the gunsmiths here are perhaps the best in the entire world. They have jack-shit to work with, they have to put up with the Zone's bullshit, and despite this, they able to churn out amazing mechanical improvements that would make an engineer's head spin. Where would we be without them? We've returned to the time of legends, stalker. We had thought that modern man had annihilated the need for courage and tenacity, we thought that we could just lie in our beds while machines did things for us. No longer, my friend. The Zone has brought man's nature forth from its sleep, we are becoming strong once more. Legends are among us - who has not heard the tales of Strelok and Guide? New heroes have arisen to slay the new monsters. The spirits of Perseus and Gilgamesh walk among us. Another dawn in the Zone, another sunset. Maybe I will finally pass away one of these times. I'm hardly here anymore. I do things still: I clean my weapons, I eat, I battle against enemies... which parts are real? I don't know when I dream and when I wake. I see people, but it's difficult to remember who they are. I see those that I know to be long dead and those who may yet be alive. I have to continue on, I know that I am working towards something. What that is, I cannot say. Hey, maybe just don't worry so much, ok? I can tell you hair-raising and terrible stories all day long, but I think the better thing to do is to just get a good meal, a restful night and then just go where your path takes you. We all have to die sometime, you know. I've heard the rumor that there exists a subterranean Soviet garage complex that houses a T-72 in working order. Imagine that! Imagine one of the factions getting their hands on a working tank! All the rusting hulks you see around are gutted or sabotaged to shit, even if they weren't usually disabled by anomalies or radiation. But a working tank would change the game in here. As you know, it's never a good idea to open the door while an emission is going on. Don't give into the temptation. I've heard the voices before. No, not the ones over the radio, but the ones pounding at the door, the ones that shouldn't be there. I've heard it holed-up in the middle of nowhere - hiding from a blowout and then, suddenly, a knocking at my door! A voice pleads with me, cries in agony. Don't trust it. You open the door after it's all over... and there's nothing there, no body. People have different theories: some say it's just the sound of the emission waves, others say that some psychic thing is trying to kill you, and others say it's the spirits of dead stalkers, pounding on the door. Whatever the case, never open up. Well, it's pretty tough right now. On top of all the anomaly shit, you've got various killers and beasts who want to you dead. But I'm doing this all for my Ninochka, my darling! She's going to be so rich when I get out, it will be worth all the pain. These artefacts... are not good for us. I'm not trying to say that they're intrinsically evil or something - honestly, I don't know. All I know is that we shouldn't be messing with them because it always tempts our worse natures and drives us into doing evil. I'm working up enough resolve to follow my conscience, I'm just way too mixed up in them right now. Pray for me, stalker. This place has a way of transforming modern people into savages. I remember this corpse I saw once, way out north of the Darkscape. This stalker was dressed entirely in animal pelts, with only an old gasmask on his face to tell him apart from a caveman. He had, I shit you not, a boar spear in his hands and he looked like a person that had never been inside a house. Is this what the Zone does to people? Is this what we're headed towards when we run out of fancy tech? Some people are lucky. I won't claim that title, I think it's probably bad luck to do so. But I've witnessed some dramatic turns of fate. Like that time I was cornered by a pair of pseudodogs in a gorge and my shooter had jammed. I was done for. I take a step back... and a Whirligig throws me into the air right onto a high ledge! I didn't even see it, nor did I mind my bruised ass. Luck is the patroness of stalkers, but she's a cold bitch to be sure. Ever wonder if the Zone is just one big scam? A master-strategy by the SSU? They just "accidentally" let us past the border and we dive headfirst into anomalies, emerge clutching some shiny trinket that we promptly lose by theft or trading. What if the government is just buying them up? Letting us do the dirty work and get killed while they sit back and laugh. What's in it for us? Some cheap vodka and a bullet in the back. Some stalkers are just bad luck, it's like they channel the Zone's hatred. But that's not the only reason why some people are disaster-magnets - sometimes the answer is all too human. I knew this one stalker, rot in Hell, named Magpie. He told me about some artefact cache, it sounded like a great break. What a dumbass I was. He shut me in some tunnel complex near Jupiter and left me for dead, figured the mutants would just eat me alive. He grabbed some of the gear I brought and went back to tell the others that I had disappeared. Well, I actually found my way out to a different part of the Zone. I heard that dickhead got what was coming to him - screwed over one too many people. Keep an eye on your fellow stalker. There's nothing better after an exhausting dangerous trek through this God-forsaken ruin than a strong outpost where you can sit down by the fire and forget your troubles for awhile. Sleeping, eating, music... you get the occasional pushy jerk, but that's to be expected. Lots of those in the Zone. Damn, I'm tired. You need a good pair of boots or you're not going to make it around here. I've seen what happens when people go around with crappy footwear - you get water, radiation and only God knows what else in your feet and it's the beginning of the end. I think there are things in the Zone that we can't understand yet, things that we've only brushed up against once or twice. I've seen these things before. Well, not like actual seeing, but I've felt this thing that passed me by once - it was definitely alive and it was intelligent. It seemed to give me a look-over before passing on. I have no clue what it was and no one's ever heard of it before. I remember hearing from a Duty soldier that there was this group up in Pripyat whose only purpose was to fight against the Monolith. I haven't heard of them in years, so I assume that their enemies killed them off. Funny thing is that it was apparently founded by "ex-Monolithians". I don't think such things exist. Secret organizations within the Zone come and go, some are more malign than others. I bet not many people had ever heard of "Final Day" before it was destroyed. Ah, just an old ghost story. Ever heard of the "Dead Fires"? The story is that some stalker is out in the Zone at night and looking for shelter when he spots a distant and lonely campfire. He comes up to it and there are some strange, quiet stalkers sitting there who seem out of place. The traveler falls asleep and awakens in the morning to find himself somewhere else; he's never able to find that place again. Sounds a bit derivative, but that's how it goes. I'm here for the Oasis. Yeah, I know what you're going to say: that it isn't real, that it's a waste of time. Well, I guess I'm sorry for you. There was a rumor a while back that some scientists found a unique artefact that generated the legends, but that's just bullshit. I know someone that's been to the real place. Forget the Wish Granter, that's the real heart of the Zone, the core that all of these dangers are meant to protect. Whatever you do, don't ruin your life trying to get to the Wish Granter. I should know, it almost killed me. My mind was an inch away from being lost. I wanted it more than anything, I wanted it to fix the grief that my loss gave to me. Forget it. Forget it right now. It's much easier to reconcile yourself to the world than chasing after that... that curse. Take a good look at some of those stumbling husks and consider your future. I didn't need the money, you know. I wasn't some destitute father, driven to the Zone to trade my health for some money. This is a challenge, a journey for me. You may not believe me, but I'm actually a quite wealthy man back in the world. But the houses and the cars and the travels didn't satisfy me. I got bored with safaris, cave-diving... all so commercialized, so pedestrian. This is for real - this is life and death. Most stalkers don't give info-gathering a second glance, but they really should. I've had far more success in finding documents about the secret operations around Chernobyl than artefact hunting. There are a surprising number of people who want to know about what the Soviets were up to back in the day. Gotta be careful who you cut deals with, though. People don't want anything to do with you unless they think they can get some use out of you. A convenient tool, that's it. You know, I've got nothing more to say about it. The Zone is a world in itself, there's every sort of person in here. I was staying with a large group in the train tunnel in Agroprom when we get attacked by bloodsuckers during the night. We dump a huge volume of fire down the tunnel and they give up, but one of our men, just a kid really, is bleeding on the ground, a huge gash across his torso - he's not going to make it. All of the sudden, this other stalker who had been fighting at my side goes up to the kid on the ground and starts giving him last rites - he was a priest! That kid shouldn't have been in the Zone but somehow that one action made the whole situation more bearable, more human. I once had a guy tell me about an artefact that spoke to him. After I had finished laughing, he said that it started trying to manipulate him into doing things; it didn't want to be sold, it wanted to stay. He said he ended up tossing it in some hole, he thinks it was feeding on his life-force or something. I told him he should lay off the acid. Sometimes a quick and violent death is better. There are some stalkers that have been lost to the Zone without having to die. Some people say that there are stalkers living in the mine under Red Forest, that they had been driven there by need and had become like animals - they live in the dark, shun people and crawl on all fours. Some say they have completely lost their minds, gone feral. It's hard to separate the truth from rumor. Everyone just thinks that they're going to get into the Zone, find their golden ticket to riches and get out. That's not how it works. It's hard to leave this place and harder to profit by it. If I had known what I was getting into, I never would have left my village, my family... I didn't give a shit about anything before I came here, my only thought was enjoying myself as much as possible before I clocked out. That's when I woke up to the pain and the selfishness of the world, how man cannot be self-sufficient. In short, I found Christ. It was philosophy that got me there, I saw the necessity for an unchanging standard, a final cause. I don't expect you to believe, just know that there is a purpose behind it all. It's hard for me to think of anything else besides the man who died because I fucked up. He was an old Georgian, really helpful and generous. Now he's dead and it's my fault. This fucking place. If the Wish Granter is real, that's what I'm wishing for. I'm getting really tired of some idiots around here claiming that there's some sort of "Loner code" that we should be following. Uh, no there isn't. That's what be unaffiliated means. So no, I'm really not obliged to help you out, or swear to any set of principles. Everyone's got their theories, their ideologies and axes to grind... Me? I just like a good drink after putting down some mutants. Nothing wrong with that. Ah, some days I wish I was back in the Great Land, driving my BMP on maneuvers. It wasn't really that bad, was it? I could use one of those right now, drive it straight up to the plant killing those crazy bastards all the way. There's some guy out there who is bent on killing me. No, I'm not paranoid, I know it as a fact. You see, there is a very high percentage of maniacs in the Zone and not all of them wear white camouflage. All I did was pick up this artefact I found laying around and sold it; then this crazy guy comes up to me, accusing me of stealing his stuff. He tried to kill me, but I got away. Ever since then, he's been trying to find me. He always seems to turn up wherever I go and he never stops. I don't think this will end until one of us is dead. I used to make fun of Noah, thought he was just some religious nutjob living out his fantasies until he saved my life. Right at the worst possible time, the sirens start and we're stranded and wounded out in the marsh. Noah comes out of nowhere, takes us in and protects us from the blowout as well as a pack of snorks. He's a better man than most of the people here. Sidorovich is a bastard, it's simple as that. But until someone else can do what he does, we're stuck with him. It's pretty typical for him to contract a hitman, knowing all the while that the killer himself is the next one on the hit-list. Few would shed tears at the news of his death. Sometimes Barkeep is willing to fund your expedition if you want to try to open up new paths to the center. He also will let you have a look at his own intel he's built up over the years - maps and reports. Even if only one in ten efforts are successful, it's a good investment for him. There's nothing like having a relaxing drink at the Bar, but some guys lose their way and become drunken sots. After a while, Barkeep usually throws them out - they aren't doing anyone any favors, especially themselves. It's funny: they manage to avoid the bullets and the monsters and the anomalies... but they're done in by some imported vodka. If you're looking for a supplier near the center of the Zone, you can't go wrong with Beard. Unlike most traders in the Zone, Beard is one of us - he actually cares about the good of others, not just himself. The Skadovsk is one of the only places in the Zone where I can relax. Beard keeps an eye on us and gives us profitable work. Although, I do miss the old days when the Monolith would stay the hell inside of Pripyat - Zaton is a dangerous neighborhood now. Without Wolf and Fanatic around, the Rookie Village would be long gone. Those guys are the real heroes of the Zone: they give the new guys a chance. They don't have to do it, you know. What I want to know is how they manage to put up with Sidorovich's horseshit. The northern farmstead in Cordon is sort of an outpost for the Rookie Village, but there are some tensions between Sidorovich and Loris. Obviously, Sidorovich resents any competition in his territory, but he also finds it useful to have a trading partner north of the bridge. Loris, on his part, is essential for Clear Sky stalkers passing through to the north. After Trapper, Butcher in the Train Station is the best mutant-hunter in the Zone. I've heard that the Garbage was becoming completely overrun with mutants before he showed up and cleared them all out single-handedly. Those stalkers at the Flea Market are almost a little faction unto themselves - they've always been secret and independent. Apparently, they've had an outpost there for many years, selling off junk from the Garbage to earn their bread. I don't fully trust them. Forester's building is the only safe place within the nightmare of Red Forest; I have no idea how he does it, but he's been giving refuge to travelers for years, even before the Zone was around. If you ever live to see him, listen to what he has to say. One time I was desperate enough to enter into the Arena and I barely made it back out. I really can't advise it, you shouldn't bet your life for a few roubles. If you're going to die, at least make it for something important. When you're dealing with Snitch, you have to watch what you say. You pay him for some info, but he might be looking to make some deals off of you. One day, that stalker will piss off the wrong sort of person. No-one's got goods like Nimble does. If you have expensive tastes and are looking for something particular, go check him out. He's been all around the Zone, but he currently resides in the Skadovsk. I've heard that Cardan has left Zaton behind, along with his drinking problem. He lives in Yanov station now, he and Nitro have decided that two heads are better than one. Glad to see some good news in Chernobyl. Aside from the Laundromat, those Mercs in the Bookstore constitute the other outpost in the Outskirts. Unlike other Mercs, those ones are actually willing to be reasonable. If you ask nicely, they'll even let you buy some of their top-tier equipment. Bonesetter in Yanov station was telling me about how the road to Pripyat got opened up again. Apparently, some team of experts managed to break through the Jupiter Underground and then the new routes got discovered by Garry. I can't help but wondering if maybe those routes should have been left alone... Guides are a strange race. They're quiet geniuses, artists who will take you through whatever the Zone has to offer without being spotted or attacked. But you better do exactly what they say when you're out in the wild; they will leave you for dead if you are stupid enough to disregard their orders. Owl is the equipment-dealer in the Skadovsk, but many of the stalkers are uneasy about him. Some say that he was secretly working for the thugs, that he was just waiting for them to get the upper hand in Zaton before coming out in the open. But that never happened. He seems to have, reluctantly, become a true Free Stalker, but some say he still gets his supply from Bandits in Yanov. Trapper knows more about mutants than anyone. He's hunted and killed every sort of quarry that can be found in the Zone, barring the NPP itself. He has an uncanny ability to know where to be and what to do; only a man with superhuman intuition could have survived as long as he has. Sadly, he's out of the game now - seen too many good friends get killed in terrible ways. Now he sticks to advising the stalkers of Yanov station on mutant-hunting. Why is it that you can't find anywhere in the world without lowlife fucking thugs trying to rob and kill you? I saw them in my home town, my grandfather saw them in the gulag and here they are again. They're a human plague that must be eradicated. Bandits are incapable of anything beyond murderous greed and petty cunning. If you get to fight them on fair terms out in the open, they usually just run away. I've heard that the military organizes "stalker hunts" where they just roll through populated areas shooting anything in sight. I haven't seen it myself, but I don't find it hard to believe. I don't know where they find these maniacs. How did you get through the border? My group had a contact within the border patrol: he just left a nice little hole in the fence for us to slip through. Didn't even cost that much. You can bribe one of those toads to deny his own father. Stalkers have lots of theories about what Clear Sky is up to. Some say they just want to study the Zone in peace, while others think that they're looking for some sort of secret psy weapon to control the Monolith. As for myself, I just think they're desperately trying to survive. Good for the Ecologists, they got into the Zone in the proper way; they're like respectable stalkers. Well, such a life is not for me, to be honest. I'd rather make my own way. Ecologists offered me a job to go down into a lab to get some samples for them. I offered that they could piss off, what kind of moron do you have to be to go for that job? Still... the fee was pretty tempting... Those Duty guys seem a bit full of themselves. Maybe they've got a point with the mutants, but surely there's nothing wrong with collecting artefacts? Anyway, I'm glad they keep an eye on Rostok. I've thought of joining Duty a couple times - never went through with it, though. I see enough mutant activity without going out to seek it myself. No thanks. Freedom seems like a mixed lot. I've had them point me to some good artefact spots and they told me the tricks to the anomalies too. On the other hand, so many of them are just degenerates who let Bandits have a free reign in their territory. I think Freedom's whole mission is idiotic. Have you seen the miracles and wonders of the Zone? I've only seen death and abominations of thermodynamics. The best thing you can expect from the Zone is a good payout. Honestly, I'd rather just avoid getting mixed up in Duty or Freedom. Rumors say that there's an interrogation chamber beneath the Merc base in Dead City. Sometimes, they grab people who have special intel and take them there. I heard they torture them for years if need be. Stay away from those Mercs. The Mercenaries of today have little in common with their contracted predecessors in the earlier years. They're no longer fragmented temporary operations working towards their own ends. Some sort of shadowy campaign took place under Dushman that consolidated the seperate groups and kicked out the ones who didn't want to play nice. Some groups, like Hatchet's men, just left when things started heating up. On the other hand, Hook's soldiers had to be wiped out. Now they're a centralized private army, and we should be very wary. You're talkative for Clear Sky. I like to think that we're on the same side, fighting a common enemy. You know, you can be off-putting with all your secretiveness; makes some stalkers a bit jumpy. Ah, now you want something from us, huh? You're usually just fine shooting loners on sight. All I have to say is that you better keep your shooter holstered around us, or you're going to go missing. Stalkers and Ecologists should stick it out together - we're an ecosystem. You enjoy having a good supply of rare artefacts from all over the Zone and we enjoy a nice paycheck now and then. I think you scientists actually could learn a thing or two from us humble stalkers. We might not have your college degrees or government equipment, but every stalker who's brought back an artefact alive has more experience than all your PhDs put together. More Free Stalkers should be grateful to what you've done for us. Thanks to you, Rostok is the best place in the Zone. You could really clean up the Garbage though, it's getting wild and dangerous again. Man, what happened to Duty? Where did all your territory go? There seems to be so few of you left. I hear rumors about Shulga and his men sometimes. Usually that they're holed-up somewhere in Pripyat, but I don't see it. Hey, good for you with maintaining the Barrier; most groups would avoid such a dangerous task. I heard that the attacks from Radar are growing more frequent and I'd rather not see Monolith patrolling Cordon. Here's some info: some of your goons stole my shit. I mean, what the hell? Are you letting thugs into your ranks now? You look just like the Merc who killed my buddies. I never know what you people are about, one day you're taking out hits and the next day you're chatting us up. What are you here for? Free Stalkers should stick together, right? I hate hearing about how loners screw eachother over - aren't there enough dangers in the Zone? Loners are looking more like a faction every day: leaders, objectives... I guess it has to be that way now. I wouldn't be surprised if some new group got formed, like "True Loners" or something like that. Other groups have just got things all wrong. They think the best way to handle the Zone is to make the Zone more like the outside world. Your faction won't save you! It's going to decay and corrupt, like everything else around here. What you choose as a person is what counts: bravery or cowardice, foolishness or wisdom... Having a sixth sense is helpful in the Zone, sometimes it's the only help you have. I was walking along one day when I just felt off, something seemed wrong. I acted on the feeling and climbed up onto a tree limb - just in time! Immediately, a huge pack of blind dogs runs by - must have been 30 of them! Two lessons: trust your gut and put a high ledge between you and those mongrels. The more we learn how to control the Zone, the more it learns how to break free. Bloodsuckers are bad enough, but what about these new monstrosities? I've heard them called psysuckers, but most people like to avoid talking about them altogether. Even in the middle of camp, you can't feel safe. If you see some sort of massive splotch crawling around in the distance, just get out of there before it sees you. Those who underestimate pseudogiants are never seen again. You think you can outrun them, right? Then you realize that they can crawl forever and they won't stop once they've seen you. They'll wear you down and then rip you apart. Where the hell do these walking corpses keep coming from? I don't mean our unfortunate stalker friends, it's pretty clear where they came from. I mean those ones who were brought here for experiments by the old scientists. It really makes one wonder about the extent of the testing done in the labs. The flesh is a pretty extreme example of what the Zone can do to biological life. However, I think that they actually might be the next step in the evolutionary ladder. See how quickly they've developed effective adaptations to the environment? Are you aware that the flesh's combination of sensory organs, protective qualities and problem-solving behavior is unrivaled in the natural world? Maybe I need to stop thinking about this. Fleshes are the horrible genetic refuse of the Zone, just biological trash. They're just so fucked-up and miserable. It's a good idea to put them out of their misery whenever you see them. Ever seen one of those evil little goblin things? Karliks? I found one hiding in Yantar and I filled it with lead. I wish I had never set eyes on it. Thing is, it's still taking out its revenge. It got into my head somehow. I can't go anywhere alone without seeing little grinning skulls in the corner of my eye, I feel it watching me all the time. The worst shit in the Zone are those mind-altering freaks out there... I can't even get any sleep anymore. It's wise to fear not the strongest enemy, but the smartest one. And I think controllers are the smartest, more than us, maybe. I heard this story from a Freedomer years back about some controller that pretended to be a stalker. It was wearing a hooded coat and it walked right into the Freedom base - the guards got their heads scrambled by its psy field and they didn't notice it. Then it just wreaked havoc. Can you even imagine that? How about a cautionary tale? A buddy of mine was drinking with his group around the campfire when he fell asleep for the night. He woke up and he was out in the dark, being dragged along the ground by his foot. He looks down and a huge nasty cat is pulling him along! Luckily, he had his pistol on him. Those lurker things are becoming more and more of a problem. Before, they were just a sort of campfire story from stalkers returning from Pripyat. Now, even experienced stalkers are going missing, only to turn up later mauled and shredded. Those monsters don't even need to eat, they just kill for sport. Chernobog, Mokosh honor him, is not dead, but he lives on through the emanations of the Zone. He has simply been deified by Charenza into a greater unity with the Eternal One. As the Zone grows on earth, so also does he. The secrets of the Masters are the path towards reunification with the all-encompassing nothing. Read them! There is Master Triglav of the High Molecular Nucleophysics, Master Dazhbog of Discrete Energy Fields, Master Perun of the Emerging Enzymology and many more. Only those who delve into the secrets are able to dissolve into the Vyraj. Surely you are an initiate? When is the last time you took in the Elixir? You must take it consistently for the subdeification to take place! You must make sure that your volkhv is not lax in this respect! The most experienced among the volkhv usually make a somatic sacrifice, although "sacrifice" is not precisely the right word. The self-inflicted privation is a declaration against the evil of the material world; as all things not in Vyraj are worthless, the deformation of physical matter is a noble commitment to the cause of the Zone. Many remove fingers, but some also remove eyes or genitals. Always the world of creation has been a thorn to us, taunting with its blinding lights, pleasures and pains, all of the fucking people with smug and smiling faces. The Zone is the ultimate affront to that, a middle finger in the face of the world. As the Zone manifests Vyraj in this worthless world, the very fabric of this place is corrupted and tortured. And corrupted evil is nothing but goodness. Let alone the children of the Zone, the ones that have been endowed with a vision of the coming reality. The feeble-minded call them mutants, but their very corrupted and twisted nature makes them a testament to Vyraj. Some of them have been given the knowledge to understand the cause of Vyraj and they may see us as allies; others are so alike to us that we consider them brothers. The ultimate truth is the nothingness of the One, and reason is shit before it. Reason is a silly invention by those living in this fantasy world, it damns the mind into pathetic submission to a false god. Talk to Gnomoslava, he will help you wish for the void. As the Zone expands, so also will the illusion of reality melt into nothing. First we will overthrow the Christians, then the Muslim God will fall, and then the Hebrew God will be cast down and forgotten. The world will no longer be. There will be nothing but the blinding void before the eternal vision of all. Initiates may be content with killing the enemies of the Zone, but the volkhvs who are worthy enough desire a closer dissipation into the Zone. I have seen them go out into the Psy storm, they welcomed in the dead vitality of the Zone and its power of self-dissolving. They gained powers that have made them a terror to our enemies. They say the great Chernobog welcomed in the noble Emissions as well. As you stay with us, you will realize the fecundity of the Zone, how it takes from us and gives what is not expected. Mostly, you will lose superficiality and the concreteness of self; this may be painful at first, but all illusions are pain until you escape them. What you will gain is difficult to accept. You have seen our great ones wade through bullets and bombs like water, and they have little need to sleep. What you will become is only self-evident upon your deification into the further grades. In the ages past those Believers gave us names, heathen or heretic they called us. They were right. Heresy, so called by them, was really just a name for the way of things. Those fucking simpletons were blind enough to believe in one reality, unchanging and eternal - slaves to the illusion! The only reality is in the chaotic change of what is naively named "truth". Make no mistake, Vyraj is no sort of "heaven", but rather the death of heaven. There we will find the removal of sin, indeed, but also the entire obliteration of all things. If there is no meaning, then sin can not exist. Perhaps you have been in battle for the cause of the Zone? Many of the initiates find pain difficult, but it does not need to be so. Of course, suffering is an illusion, a play of shadows by this evil world. Accepting this is necessary to initiation in a higher grade. One of our dear brothers, Bezlaya, was gravely disabled by some of the Zone-deniers. His arm, if there is such a thing, was hanging by a strip of flesh and there was fragmentation throughout his abdomen. He felt no pain, there was no pain for him because he escaped the illusion. But he was a mighty volkhv, deeply learned in the wisdom of Zlebog. The Masters' work is continued through us. The great irony of their lives is that they thought that they failed. They thought the intersection of the Zone with the unclean reality was a mistake. However, some later learned that they had received just what they wanted. They wanted to eliminate the sins of the world, but they did not realize how this was to be done. As we know, it is the effacement of the world by the introduction of Vyraj. As the Zone grows, the plan of the Masters will be fulfilled. The Elixir is an art that requires much reading of the Masters and even our volkhvs may make mistakes. One initiate, who was in fact a volunteer from the Zone-foes, was most adversely effected by the tainted serum; he became incredibly agitated and his facial muscles began to liquidate. As we do in all such cases, he was cast into the Crushing Svet and consumed. That is the best we can do for them - a mere approximation to the effacement of entering Vyraj willingly. I don't know what to believe of these rumors of treason against the Zone. Some say that an initiate of the Zhenik grade willingly tried to sabotage the cause of the Zone through deception. As he was found to have regressed to a worldling, he was forced into the Burning Razrushetyel as a statement against the False Reality. Those new initiates were captives, right? Well, they need a thorough Enlightening or we'll run into more problems again. I say, give them a double dose of the fucking elixir. No more mistakes. This I have learned from the effaced Znagomil: there was once a sect of the wicked Zone-deniers that was more direct than the rest, even more than the current sect called "Dolg". This group was formed in order to oppose the Zone, to destroy it even. This is why they took on themselves the name "Final Day", but it was not our final day but theirs. Right before the mighty Chernobog was to destroy them, an unknown man killed the accursed leader and vanished. This is when the noble Chernobog learned to let the enemies of the coming Zone fight amongst themselves. Ah, I think I need a more acute enlightenment. Sometimes I see my former self and remember my former comrades - no, stop! It wasn't real, it was a goddamn illusion from a shitty lie. They're not real any more than I am. Vyraj, please come and blot out my existence! Every time you feel the noble Emission gathering up, focus upon the expansion of the Zone, visualize the growth of the realm of Vyraj. Unite your will that it may be overrun by the power coming through. Think of it growing until it consumes the earth! Think it before your mind is taken. The great Master Berstuk created our forefathers. He took vile worldlings, living in an evil illusion, and opened their inmost eye to the blinding void. We were formed in the dark chasms below the mighty labs and the Tower to the Abyss. Many who were taken there were not as lucky, they simply became beasts or imbeciles, although gifted with the wonders of the Zone. Even now, Mighty Berstuk rides the Emission waves, seeking to extend the realm. Ever hear of the Gromi? They were initiates like us, but given over to special powers when they underwent a deification. I knew one brother, Oleg Mithras, who was entrusted with the power of calling down an Emission - what a gift! Or Timur Magus, who was able to bring about the slow death of any man that he had seen. As for myself, I'm just a humble servant, happy with shooting those bitches who dare oppose the Zone. Ask that the Zone may curse your bullets, that being sped from the weapon of a servant of the Zone, it may find itself in the vital organs of the enemy. May they die in pain and their own shit - that's a mercy compared to those who oppose the coming of Vyraj. The Strelok is the great enemy, the one who opposes the new Void. Belbog, grievously maim the Strelok! Svetovid, blast the Strelok with burning fire! Triglav, wipe the name of Strelok from all worlds! All Zirnitri, heap black death on the Strelok! Our Monolith comrades have valiantly defended the heart of the living Zone for many years, may their total dissolution be soon! They were not given the secrets that our fathers were given, however, and they know little of the coming Zone, they only know to defend the center against enemies. On the other hand, the Zone has blessed them with the blotting out of person-hood. The mighty Monolith is the shield of the Zone, they defend the great works that spread the realm of the coming Void. We are the spear of Vyraj, the herald of the true nothingness bearing down upon the false reality. Do us all a favor and try to keep them alive. Shoot out the knees or put one in the gut, once they get the serum, they'll be stabilized. We need to be more crafty in the field, we can't take many more from those Bandit fuckers without them noticing. It's hard for me to believe that I used to have material wants, that I even desired person-hood... There's nothing left for us to do but to bring about the final night, the victory of the Zone over all creation. Laugh at all the shitheel little sects - all a company of fools. The Zone grows in strength and nothing can be done by their puny strength. The volkhvs are all in agreement, the final strike will come soon and then the present Zone will be cleared from enemies. Factions, governments and churches will all oppose us to no avail. They will realize, all too late, that the day they have always dreaded will have come. They have many sins, but there is no sin more vile than existing in this putrid reality, desiring as a conscious entity... the Zone will crush them all into the cold earth. Look into the face of the wonders, the very eyes of our beloved Masters! Their dream is nearly a reality. The night-army is prepared, the Zone will soon awake and stretch. I have ascended only to a low grade, but I will impale myself on their swords if the Zone may expand. Why do you spend your efforts in containing the Zone? Why don't you try to help it grow? Most of the world recognizes the inherent value of the Zone; we simply want to share that value with the world. It's a tragedy that you have had so much ill-will with the Monolith, but you must realize that they are only a defense mechanism. It was, after all, the stalkers that first encroached upon the heart of the Zone. It's silly to try to stop the growth of the Zone. Don't you see it ever growing? The Zone doesn't recede, it can't. So why fight it? Control over the Zone cannot happen, it is a beast you cannot tame. Why don't you let it tame you instead? Why don't you just allow it wash over you? To take away all of the hurt, all of the anxiety? It can do that, you know. Why don't you join us as a respected comrade? Isn't it time that you stopped fighting for hypocrites, or even for your own greed? Sin seeks to give the world what it deserves: utter purification. Why do you continue to fight for scum-sucking hypocritical bastards? Duty, Freedom, the army, it's all the same - you know that. You have seen the futility of what human leadership will give you. Just join up with us, do the right thing. Surely you have seen the wonders of the Zone? The coarse-minded call them dangers or aberrations, but those are the words of a narrow mind; would the same people reject fire because it can burn? No, you aren't like that - you have come to see the miracle and the beauty within the various expressions of the Zone. What's next? Well, the Zone should scatter its treasures all over the world, right? You have to be a real blind bastard to oppose that. That's what Sin is about, that's all we're trying to do. What is seen cannot be unseen. When you entered this place, weren't you struck with the aggressive vitality of the Zone? Its power? When you see past the tricks of light, the impressions upon a novice mind, you will see the living purpose that is manifested in the Zone. We simply call that Vyraj. It is really in your best interest to make peace with the cause of the Zone - that's all we're here to facilitate. Don't you fear the Monolith? Doesn't it seem inevitable that they will triumph? Everyone says so. Do the wise thing and enter Sin as a friend. The Monolith leave us in peace, we have no fear. Isn't that something you want? Well congratulations on being in the Zone! That really is a start! You know, some hide away from this place - in their narrow minds, they want to avoid anything that threatens their selfish peace. You are here, however, and that means that you must have felt some sort of draw or fascination to the Zone. Even if it was personal gain, certainly you now see the Zone as something worth preserving? If you wish to help preserve it, please see one of our leaders and speak with them. Greetings, cousin. How goes the battle for the cause? If you need some some sort of aid, go see one of the volkhvs in Red Forest. May the Zone efface your soul, friend. You are the watchmen of the realm of the Zone and you cannot fail. The Masters are depending upon your dedication. We should not work in estrangement, but we should fight shoulder to shoulder against the foes of the Zone! Well... the volkhvs have always counseled caution and so they wish us to conceal our friendship with the great Monolith. As we go out among the Zone-deniers, we must gain bodies for our cause, so discretion is wise. How great is the progress of the Monolith! Your arms have carried you far beyond the City, out into the very heartland of the Zone-foes! We are ever glad to assist you. Chernobog was wise to make common cause with so mighty a host as the Monolith. Are we not brothers in spirit? You seek to preserve the noble Zone and we seek to see it grow. No doubt our work is in much of the same. I was recently initiated into the Zone and it pains me to think of all of the evil said about the Monolith. Do they not know that it was the Zone-foes who struck at the heart of the Zone without cause? They live in ignorance and misery, death should be a solace for them. When is the next shipment of armament coming? We do not fail in regards to will or tenacity, but we are running low on munitions. Although Stribog has rightly advised us to go into the camps of the Zone-deniers and cut their throats while they sleep. Although not all make it back, it is good work. Didn't it seem like the last Emission expanded the borders of the Zone? I think it did, even if just a meter. Every footstep taken by the Zone is one that cannot be released. I was told to collect the fingers of dead enemies by Mentor. When I look at them, I am reminded of the imminent victory of the Zone and of the worthlessness of our own flesh. You are lucky, my friend, because you have few thoughts to trouble your calm. Just yesterday, Stribog was telling me of the great victory of the eternal Monolith over the worthless sect "Clear Sky". It was then that the Zone-foes rose up against us in strength, with the intention of casting the Zone back to the outer darkness. When it seemed most in doubt, the Zone prevailed! It will be so in the future. This place is entirely baffling to me. We had all thought that the Chernobyl situation was a bunch of hearsay blown way out of proportion by gullible news agencies. I expected to find strange radiation patterns and maybe some sort of erratic meteorology. I can't believe how wrong I was... I remember seeing my first anomaly, really not that long ago. I just stared at it, dumbstruck, wondering how such a thing could happen on our orderly and explainable planet. This place is the future - the tests you could run here make the majority of the research world obsolete. There's no doubt this is the worst place for a military expedition I've ever heard of. We've got terrible supply chains, spotty communication, outdated intel on the land and we're surrounded by hostile armed forces that we don't even understand. This makes me wish I was back in the Balkans. Attrition is bad here, really bad. We should not be going out after dark or in places we haven't studied first. We're losing more people every day and half of the time I don't know what to write on their death reports. I only wish that we got here before anyone else. It's a full-time job to deal with the aggressive fauna and environmental dangers, but this place is world-class conflict zone! If the council wanted to get a handle on this place, I think they would need to increase our numbers tenfold. Don't trust those stalkers. Never let your guard down around them. We've penetrated into a war-zone situation and we don't even know the players involved. You never know which of these people are working for a criminal underworld or some extreme paramilitary group. One thing I know: you can't bargain with the ones dressed in white. Shoot them on sight. This is a fucking suicide mission. We lost a whole research team last week when they were cannibalized by some sort of bloodsucking feral humans. That was certainly not in the briefing. We're completely blind in here, just waiting for the next superhuman predator to find us. The Zone of Exclusion seems to be divided into several territories controlled by armed factions. As we entered in an organized fashion, the "stalkers" here viewed us as just another faction to compete with. We don't have the numbers or the intel to defend ourselves from every side, so it is of the utmost importance that we form alliances with particular groups. We just need to figure out which ones are trustworthy enough and which are entirely insane. There is absolutely no way that an entire ecosystem could mutate to this state in a matter of decades from radiation alone. Impossible! I have experience in genetics and behavioral biology, and the most we should be seeing now are abnormal growths and more aggressive behavior. That's a bit of an understatement! This is a wildly transformed ecosystem that appears to contain new species with abilities found nowhere in the natural world. We need to get to the bottom of this, this is unheard of. I have never seen a more hostile environment and I spent time in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Every other encounter turns into a ruthless firefight and most of the OPFOR in this nuthouse are armed with military-grade equipment and a sophisticated organization. This is the most lawless place on earth and I have no idea what we can do here. If you see an area with anomalous activity, mark it on your PDA and we'll send a team out when we can. We're getting quite a backlog of these things, but we need to start forming accurate maps. Last thing I heard from battalion was that the supply shipment is delayed due to weather. I think "weather" might be a code-word for something else. It feels like we're a million miles away from the rest of the world. I sure as hell don't like the look of some of the guys they tacked on to our company: quiet types with scars and a superior attitude. Why did the Research Commission think that we needed these kinds of people? Some of them seem to be itching to get in a fight. I think you better toughen up because otherwise you can't last long out here. Even if you dodge the Ukrainian Army, there are hostiles in here that would give the SAS a run for their money. Just the other day a squad was tracked back to a FOP and they nearly got wiped out. We desperately need to get some of those special research suits from the Ukrainians. I keep hearing about our researchers who have their protective gear fail on them - some of them are no longer with us. Our equipment is hopelessly inadequate against these new hazards. I didn't believe the early reports about killer animals around the Zone - I just thought that some frightened scientists saw a rabid dog or something. Now I've seen things with my own eyes that people back in the world wouldn't believe. The worst thing is that I don't know if the things that I've seen were human or... something else. This place is some kind of nightmare. I've been out gathering info from among the locals and I can tell you that the Research Commission doesn't know anything about the nature of this place. We were told that we were going in to observe radiological weather anomalies resulting from the Chernobyl nuclear disasters. The stalkers I've been talking with have hinted at things we've never dreamed of: secret biological testing in underground labs and some sort of newly discovered energy field. Usually they don't like to talk much on these topics, makes them jumpy. I'm going to have to look into one of these underground facilities myself. I've been contracted with the UN since the Mozambique Civil War in the 90s. After the Gulf war, all of the conflict zones sort of just meld together in my mind. I'm not the kind of soldier that gets in the newspaper photos with the blue helmet on. They call on people like me when things just need to go smoother and an operation needs to look cleaner. Well, I think this is my kind of place. No more pussyfooting around, no genocidal civilians and no journalists crying war crimes. This is what I'm good at. All of those scientific journals coming out of Eastern Europe are starting to make sense now - the amazing insights into physics and the baffling partly-redacted experiments. We thought that we had fallen behind, that we were getting soft. Now it makes sense. These people thought that they could just keep this scientific goldmine for themselves. Hopefully this expedition will just be the first; after the Zone is pacified, we can set up some installations in here. No more secrets. We were in the fourth pathfinder group, right after the one that went missing entirely. We had only managed to get one local guide who was willing, some alcoholic Russian with a bad attitude, in addition to our new satellite imagery. As everyone found out, the sat-maps were completely useless and we had to depend on our sullen guide. Three days in, he tells us to stop, that we can't go straight ahead and that we would have to make a huge detour. We were ready to listen, but a couple of the macho task force scouts insisted on going ahead. We heard screams that night and we couldn't re-establish contact. After that, there was no more complaining about the guide. I think the commander even doubled his fee. Well, I'm getting a good idea what happened to that previous expedition years back. It was such a mystery when they went missing, we didn't have a clue. I get it now. For myself, I think one of those Emissions did them in - they can wipe out a whole column before we can even get move authorization from Field-Ops. I think it's time to alert the Security Council about the situation in here. Not only are Ukrainian troops firing on us in the broad daylight, but there's an entire war-zone out here being waged by paramilitary groups. People need to know about this! Ever see one of the stalkers gather artefacts from an anomaly zone? It's amazing. They go in there and some of them are only wearing a leather coat and an old Soviet mask and they start throwing small objects to mark dangerous spots. It's ingenious! Many of them don't even use detectors! I heard the Research Commission's not even made any progress with artefact sensing. I've heard some of the locals here talk about a "Wish Granter" that supposedly exists somewhere in here and... well, grants wishes. I suppose I should have guessed that such a chaotic and extreme environment as this would produce it's own myths along with actual scientific phenomena. You should have been there when the Field-Ops command was getting communications from that task force sweeping a warehouse - they were cut to pieces. It was chilling stuff and the operations staff were completely at a loss - I've never seen such helplessness. The field team was just screaming into the microphone about a hostile ambush from all sides, grenades and automatic weaponry. We thought it might be the Ukrainians, but then we heard some sort of insane chanting over the microphones of our dead insertion team. I remember the faces of those officers when they had to make a translation for the Ops commander: "You should not have come here. You will die here, under our feet. The Monolith has spoken." I would like to convey the wishes of the Research Commission by saying that we are grateful for any and all cooperation from local stalkers and we are more than willing to render our assistance to you in return. The hostilities need to stop. Until we develop the equipment and methodology needed for large-scale artefact gathering, we would be very grateful to pay for any objects that come into our possession through other means. If you do have something to give us, please also provide a safe container for it, as we are in short supply of those for the moment. I'm just relieved to see a friendly face! You know, I've been to some pretty violent places, but I've never even heard of hostility like this. Please try to convince your fellow Zoners that we are simply here to study and report, nothing else. Well, don't be shocked when I say that I don't trust you very much. It's people like you that have been cutting us to pieces without provocation ever since we got here. It's no great wonder why we've been more peremptory in our security measures. I should really be asking you for information. Ever since I arrived here a couple weeks ago, everything I've seen has been inexplicable or dangerous and usually both. Is it true that the paramilitary group that holds the power plant is altering the minds of their recruits to make them more fanatical? Seems a bit far-fetched to me... We would rather not have you hanging around here. No offense, but we've been burned too often in the past by strangers. Unless you can prove that you're with us, it's better that you just keep your distance. Our mission isn't to carve out a little kingdom in the Zone; we don't even want to stop your kind from continuing your business here. We are simply here to study so that we can enrich the collective knowledge of the world. Maybe you should tell your friends that. We had no idea that this place would be such a madhouse. We certainly didn't expect the scale and potency of the scientific phenomena here, and even less the savage armed resistance we would encounter. Do you wonder why we've had to fight back? To be more aggressive? Don't mess with us. It's not worth it. Just let us conduct or business here while you conduct yours. If you or your friends try anything funny, they might not like what they call up. There are many stalkers here who have an impressive store of knowledge and experience with the Zone. If you're well informed and want to help us out, why don't you consider becoming an advisor? Don't you think it would be good to help out a noble cause? We can pay you as well. Aren't you sick of the Army's horseshit? Wouldn't you rather have a less corrupt organization running things in the Zone? I'm not saying that UNISG will be necessarily in charge here, but the situation with the military accepting bribes on one hand and gunning down innocent stalkers on the other... it doesn't have to be like this. Hey, why don't you give us a hand against Kuznetsov and his thugs? They've been squatting on this place for too long, abusing anyone who doesn't want to play along with their corrupt and unfair way of doing things. Must be hell, always having those goons gunning for you. I think your people and my people could have some very productive collaborations. I think we could both use a little help against some common enemies. Don't you think? You know, I used to be just like you. Hired gun, soldier of fortune, all that shit. Not a very romantic life, right? Well I'm not bullshitting when I say that life is much better over where I am. In these sorts of situations, they usually turn a blind eye to whatever we do. We could really use some people like you. Most of the stalkers we run across in this shit-hole are knuckle-dragging thugs with just enough brain-cells to operate a gun. As I'm sure you know, what the Zone really needs is study and intelligent thought. I can't imagine having to work for the corrupt army thugs - no better than the street-trash that you find around here. You know those mutants that look like zombies but crawl on all fours? Izloms, or Fractures, they're called. Creepy bastards, with long arms and legs that look like they've been snapped in multiple places. But that's not the only reason they're called Fractures. They're a lot stronger than they look. I hear that if one gets a good hold on you, it can snap your bones like sticks. Somebody was talking about a whole society of dwarfs living under the Zone, short people who can make weapons. I've never seen someone so high in my life. Word of advice, never trust cars in the Zone. It's like they explode if you bump into a pebble. Anyone posting jobs around here? I'm looking for work. Know where I can find work? Well, if the local traders don't have anything for you, maybe try the regular guys? Most of them need help with one thing or another. Spore is always looking for someone to do odd jobs every now and again. He is also an information broker, and will pay well for other stalkers' PDAs. Librarian always wants stalkers to go into the Swamps to clear out mutants, bandits and the like. He pays well too; surprised we don't get more Dutyers taking up his offers. Sidorovich always has something that needs done. He usually pays well, but I wouldn't recommend you take his jobs unless you're ready to get your hands really, really dirty. Wolf has been looking for help. He pays stalkers to hunt mutants in the local area to ensure the safety of the village. Owl, who hangs out at the Skadovsk, is always looking to buy or sell information. I would go ask him. Sultan's seeking people with balls of steel for some shit. He hangs out back at base, in the throne room. Head toward the scientists' bunker. I'm sure they have something. They are always looking for mercs or stalkers to help them out. Olivius is the man to see if you are looking to do some odd jobs. He is a trader who stays at the Dark Valley camp. Yeah, here's a job. From here, head west. Then keep going west. And when you've done that, don't come back. Sorry, man, I've got nothing for you. Just dig in and help us hold on to what we've got. You could check with Cardan; he’s always looking for rare parts for his upgrades. Just be ready to dig through some wreckage. If you’re not afraid of getting close to the dead, talk to the grave diggers. They pay for intel on nearby burials. There’s a guy named Beast around here somewhere. He’s got an eye out for dangerous artifacts; pays well if you can handle the risk. Medics are always low on supplies. You could try trading some medical goods with them for a bit of cash. Vano’s looking for someone to run a shipment up north. Heard the pay’s good if you can avoid the bandits on the way. Clear Sky’s offering bounties on mutants in the marshlands. Bring some teeth or claws, and they’ll pay up. Barkeep’s always got something if you’re looking for work. Might be dirty, but it pays. There’s some mystery buyer paying big for intel on military patrols. Just don’t get caught snooping around them. Professor Kruglov is looking for help gathering samples in anomalous areas. Bit risky, but he pays well for intact samples. The Ecologists are always looking for someone to escort their teams through dangerous zones. You’ll get a few bruises, but it’s steady work. Word is some guy named Shaman pays well for rare mutant parts. Don't ask what he does with them, though. Check in with Hunter. He’s always taking on stalkers for mutant bounty hunts around the Garbage area. Skull’s got a job out by the Barrier. It’s risky, but he’s paying well to keep bandits away from their turf. Heard Barkeep’s running low on supplies. He might pay you to fetch some essentials from outside the Zone. Trader over at Rostok's been talking about some odd jobs. Mostly fetching stuff he’s too lazy to get himself. Some fella named Rogue is always on the lookout for mercs who’ll take high-risk gigs. Doesn’t pay too bad, either. The Zone’s got plenty of work, but not all of it’s safe. Sometimes, it’s just about keeping your head down and doing what you can. If you’re up for it, the Duty base is always looking for people to reinforce patrols. Just don’t get caught without the right colors. There’s a crazy guy named Ghost. He’s always hunting for lost stashes in the Red Forest. Might be worth checking in with him if you’re brave. Freedom’s got some high-paying gigs if you’re not afraid of the mutants. Just know they don’t like anyone working with Duty. If you can find Doc, he’s always looking for odd items from the Zone. Pays in meds and gear upgrades. The Swamps? Yeah, plenty of work there. But it’s not for the faint of heart. Bloodsuckers don’t give second chances. If you have the guts, there’s a new job by the Agroprom. Raiders hit the area, so it might get ugly. Prof. Sakharov’s paying top dollar for artifacts. Just be careful not to sell him anything too hot to handle. Check the train yard. They always need help clearing out the damn mutants that keep sneaking in. Some trader near the Bar is paying for any information on rival trades. Good luck keeping your teeth if he finds out you’re double-crossing him. Clear Sky needs some deliveries made, but their routes aren’t exactly safe. Pays decently, though. If you’re looking for merc work, the base south of here is always hiring. Just don’t expect them to care if you make it back. Saw a guy handing out fliers for some artifact hunt in Dark Valley. You know, if you feel like gambling with your life. There’s a desperate call for ammo over at Duty HQ. They’ll probably pay for any you can scrounge up. There's a convoy in Limansk always looking for hired guns. Pays well but the survival rate’s... eh, not great. Duty and Freedom are always in need of someone to play spy. Pay’s decent, but don’t get caught. There’s a stash of rations near Rostok someone left out. If you can grab it before the mutants do, it’s easy money. Kruglov’s paying for plant samples from the Red Forest. Dangerous gig, but it pays well. There’s a guy near Yantar offering bounties for mutant hides. He uses them for... something. Don’t ask. Need a little cash? Head over to the 100 Rads bar. Barkeep’s always got something up his sleeve. Some stalker named Rusty’s been needing escorts for artifact hunts. Don’t know if he’s still kicking, though. Ever been to the Jupiter Plant? They pay to have guys clear out the Bloodsuckers infesting the place. Pays good, but it’s a deathtrap. If you want something exciting, talk to Snag. He’s always scheming something shady. Rostok’s board has a couple bounties up, but the jobs go fast. First come, first served. Freedom’s paying top cash for intel on Duty patrols near the Army Warehouses. Worth looking into if you need quick cash. Snag’s got some work, but you might not like what he’s asking. Olivius needs hands on an artifact run. High pay, but higher risk. There’s a job taking out a rival’s stash. You’re basically being paid to steal. Interested? Saw a bounty for mutant parts on the Skadovsk board. Pays okay if you’re in the area. One of the rookies needs a guide through the Garbage. Might be easy cash. There's a rumor about jobs around Pripyat, but nothing’s confirmed. Just keep an ear out. Sultan’s hiring if you’ve got the guts to face the Zone’s worst scum. Heard of a job escorting a scientist through the Wild Territory. It’s hazardous, but pays decently. There’s a post in the Dark Valley calling for experienced stalkers. Don’t go if you’re green. Try the Rostok board; it usually has odd jobs for those who ask. Looking for work? Head to the Garbage. Seems they’re always needing someone to clean up after a raid. Think you’re tough? Skull might be willing to hire you for his mutant clean-up team. There’s been talk of an artifact hunt in Yantar. Risky, but the payoff could be massive. Saw a trader looking for bodyguards. It’s easy cash if you’re good with a gun. Ever try bounties? Rostok’s board usually has some mutant hunts posted. Clear Sky is calling for scouts. Pays okay if you’re fast and stay out of trouble. Owl’s always got jobs in and out of the Zone. Pay depends on how much risk you can handle. Looking for pay? Dark Valley’s board sometimes has jobs for hunters. Medics are short on supplies, always looking for someone to scavenge. Pays alright. Heard of a scientist paying for artifact retrievals in Yantar. He’s desperate, so maybe he’ll pay well. Know anything useful? How do you manage to stay alive here? What kind of advice can you give about the Zone? I really don't have any advice to give you. You shoot a guy in the face a couple times, and he's finished. It won't matter what he's wearing as long as it ain't an exo. Use a grenade or two to get a guy to shift his ass. He won't be hiding there much longer if he sees a pineapple roll up next to him. If you have a fast enough trigger finger, you can fire off both barrels of a shotgun at the same time. Keep that in mind if you run into a bloodsucker. Don't underestimate pistols, stalker. They're pretty handy if you ain't got much ammo left for your main shooter, and they'll waste anything with light armour. If you're running a hit, you can waste the poor bastard without being seen using a sniper rifle; you'll be able to whack him from much further than with your other shooters. You ain't gonna be able to hit shit if you're running while shooting. Find some cover to hide behind and lean out to shoot; you'll be far more accurate. Keep your gear in good condition. Your gun will jam and your suit will be full of holes if you don't see a technician every now and then. Last time I went to see a technician, he couldn't upgrade half my shit... Asked me to go out and fetch tools for him. What, am I his errand boy now? Ever met a guy who stood outside during an emission? Of course you haven't! Hide your ass whenever one hits unless you feel like having your brain boiled. Almost lost my legs the other day. Planted a whole cluster of butterfly mines to cover my ass when scavenging and forgot about them on my way back. They'll go off no matter who planted 'em. Just because the trader don't have a job for you doesn't mean none of us do. You can make some good money running errands for others. Might find some good loot in the meantime, too. Keep hold of any meds you might find; you never know when they might be useful. Hercules is pretty good when you're hauling goods, and psi-block will help you against any controllers. Carry some spare ammo on you even if you don't think you need it. Nothing worse than having to fight off a horde of mutants with just your blade. You tried artefact hunting? Get a detector and go near some anomalous area; if the thing starts bleeping at you, then there's one nearby. Though you'll need one of the expensive models to find the good shit. Don't run face first straight into an anomaly. If you think there's one nearby, toss a few bolts at it. Rather the bolts than you, right? If you ain't feeling too good, then try eating some food. Might not have the same effect as a medkit, but it'll perk you up enough to keep you going. Don't ignore your PDA. It'll keep track of your tasks and help you find your way around the Zone if you're lost or planning on going somewhere. Holster that shooter if you're going to talk to someone. Nobody likes having the end of a barrel being waved in front of their face. Make sure to pack energy drinks with you. They'll come in handy if you keep tiring out when carrying loot back to camp. If your helmet has night vision, make sure to upgrade it. You'll be able to see further and clearer if you let a technician screw around with it for some cash. You aren't defenceless if you're out artefact hunting. So what if you're carrying your detector? You can still hold a pistol in the other hand. Plenty of places to sleep at if you need to pass the time. There's always a free bed at most camps, but you can take a sleeping bag out with you anywhere. Artefacts aren't all good news; they'll kill you slowly with their radiation unless you're protected. Keep in mind that there are artefacts which can absorb radiation, too, though. Your knife ain't just a weapon for sneaking up on people with; you can bust open boxes, chests, and locks with it, too. Who knows, might find something cool inside... If you keep finding yourself running out of breath, then stop carrying so much shit. You can stash it away somewhere in a backpack, or sell it to a trader. If you want meds, then go see a medic, and if you want booze, then go see barkeep; a lot of traders out here specialise in certain types of goods. You won't find artefacts at the same place all the time; they all change about after an emission. Remember that next time you're near an anomaly. The Zone has a life of its own, stalker. Just because there weren't any freaks about the last time you went some place doesn't mean they haven't moved in since. If you ain't got nothin' to deal with radiation poisoning, then try to keep yourself alive until you can reach a medic. But then ask yourself: why aren't you carrying any vodka? Run and jump if something looks too far away; your momentum will carry you farther. Easy way to get away from some muties, as they won't think to jump over shit. Selling artefacts isn't the only way to make some cash: offloading unneeded equipment can be a profitable business, too. Keep in mind that traders aren't usually interested in items that are broke. Crouch and sneak about if you don't wanna get seen or heard. Not every battle is worth fighting, or maybe you just want to get the jump on someone? You can attach scopes and launchers to your shooter, y'know? You'll have to find or purchase the parts yourself, but they're well worth it. Scopes let you engage with accuracy from much further away, while underbarrel launchers let you keep a tonne of explosive hurt on standby for emergencies. There are different ways to take down different types of mutants; they all have their own weak spots. You can kick tushkanos and rats, too, y'know? Don't go hiding behind a door if some guy's shooting at you. Bullets don't care if there's anything between the two of you... It'll go straight through anything weak. Bandage yourself up if you get blasted or torn up by a mutant. The bleeding will cost you more in medkits than if you use a bandage to stop it before it gets too serious. If you're looking for tools for weapon modifications or suit upgrades, a good place to start is by rifling through stashes. Some traders sell stash coords too, so maybe go check that out. Pay attention to radio chatter, because it's a damn good way to find out what's going on in the area. You'll be able to provide assistance to anyone in a gunfight or surrounded by mutants. Help! Take a first aid kit. Sorry, I don't have a medkit. OK. What are you doing now? Can you take me with you? Of course. The company is always more fun. No, sorry. I work better alone. Let's go. Could you take me somewhere? I'll pay. No problem. Where do you want to go? Take a pick. OK. Come on. I've changed my mind. Not right now. Oh, nothing. Nothing. Just relaxing. What does it look like? I'm being lazy... I'm hunting a mutant. I'm on the trail of some bandit scum. Tracking some mercenaries. Those guys are bastards. I'm on the trail of a squad of fanatics. They call themselves the 'Monolith'... We are chasing a zombie. Empty shells of once great stalkers. Poor wretches... Good. It will cost you I've changed my mind. I have no money. I'm not doing anything. I'm on the trail of some mutants. I'm taking part in the local bandit chase. I'm following a bunch of mercenaries. They'll pay for attacking us. We are after some crackpots from the Monolith. Duty is somewhere around here... Bastards can't be too far away. We are not doing anything. We are purging this area of mutants. I'm on a job, chasing a bandit detachment. We were attacked by mercs. I won't rest until they are dead. We are hunting down a squad of those Monolith freaks. We are cleaning out the rubbish that call themselves 'Freedom'. I'm searching for artefacts. We're collecting mushrooms... What do you think we're doing idiot? We are looking for artefacts. I am artefact hunting. Is any of my equipment ready for pick-up? Yes. Here you are. Not yet. Check back later. ...I give up. Hand over your weapons and give me a piece of vital information: a stash's location, a supply exchange point, an ambush you're planning, whatever, and I'll let you live. Where did you put your fucking stuff? Tell me and I will consider saving your sorry ass! Here's a medkit... but I'm taking your weapons. Any last words? I've come to collect the bounty on your head. You'll live. Good luck... Time to end you. Okay, okay, just don't kill me! Fuck! Okay! Please, man! I will tell you! Please, don't kill me! Take my PDA! It has everything you need to know on it! Go fuck yourself! Thank you! Okay, okay, just don't kill me! Fuck! Okay! Please, man! I will tell you! Please, don't kill me! Take my PDA! It has everything you need to know on it! Go fuck yourself! That bastard Sidorovich sent you, didn't he? What do you want? Cash?! Here, have my PDA and my money... Just let me live! Do you even know why you were sent to kill me? Do you even give a shit? Sid can burn in hell! Fuck you! Just put me out of my misery already! Do it! ... That bastard Sultan sent you, didn't he? What do you want? Cash?! Here, have my PDA and my money, just let me live! You soulless fuck! Do you even know why you were sent to kill me? Do you even give a fuck? Sultan can burn in hell! Fuck you! Just put me out of my god damn misery already! Do it! ... I'll buy it. Ok, I'll take it. Here you go. I may have some information to sell. I have something else you may want. I found a PDA. Might have something useful on it. I found %s PDAs. Some of them might have useful information. I found something that may contain useful information. %s... Very valuable. I'm interested, for sure. Here. I'll be the judge of that. What do you have? You better hope so. Time is money. This better be worth my time. What do you have? All right. Let me see. Nothing useful. Contacts on local drug dealers. A journal. Just some more bullshit. Nothing useful on this one. Useless, but someone might buy it. Mostly junk. I could find a buyer. Ain't much on this one. This one mentions a local meeting going down. Detailed observations regarding mutations on local flora. Looks like an awesome game on this one. Detailed observations regarding fleshes. Detailed observations regarding boars. Detailed observations regarding Whirligig anomalies. Photos of a Freedomer trying to bone a bloodsucker... Crazy journal entries on this one. This mentions a meeting between Duty and a local gang of thugs. Detailed information about rats and hamsters. Porn... This one is full of porn. Detailed observations on a variety of anomalies. Lots of chat logs, might have something useful. A couple of stashes. Coordinates of a stash. Some useful contact information. Some useful information. A list of passwords. There are some bank details. I know some people who will want this one. This one mentions a stash location. Some useful contact information. Smuggling route information. I could find a buyer for this one here. Some useful information on this one. Bank account information. There are coordinates here for a supply exchange point. Information on a short-cut through Red Forest. Fantastic. Some dirt on Beard. Mentions of a huge stash... I'll take this for sure. Great! This mentions a drug smuggler making deals with the military. This one mentions a location of a stash. Unencrypted passwords and bank account information. This mentions a meeting between some mercs and local thugs. There are coordinates here for a supply exchange point. This one mentions a local meeting going down in a few days. Maps! A regular cartographer! This one is very useful. Short-cut information through an anomaly field. Upcoming supply exchange point here. Scientists might want this one. Encrypted. Might be valuable. This one is encrypted. Encrypted. Might be valuable; I'll keep this one. Encrypted. If they have something to hide, it may be something I want. Alleged location of the Oasis. An encrypted one, I will take it. An encrypted PDA. Interesting... This one must be valuable. It's encrypted. What the...? This one just says 'Kill Strelok'. Nothing useful. A couple of stashes. Contacts on local drug dealers. A journal. Coordinates of a stash. Just some more bullshit. Nothing useful on this one. Some useful contact information. Useless, but someone might buy it. Mostly junk. I could find a buyer. Some useful information. A list of passwords. There are some bank details. Ain't much on this one. This one mentions a local meeting going down. Detailed observations regarding mutations on local flora. Looks like an awesome game on this one. Detailed observations regarding fleshes. Detailed observations regarding boars. Detailed observations regarding Whirligig anomalies. I know some people who will want this one. Photos of a Freedomer trying to bone a bloodsucker... A contact on a drug dealer. Encrypted. Might be valuable. This one mentions a stash location. This one is encrypted. Crazy journal entries on this one. Some useful contact information. Smuggling route information. I could find a buyer for this one here. Some useful information on this one. Bank account information. This mentions a meeting between Duty and a local gang of thugs. There are coordinates here for a supply exchange point. This one mentions a local meeting going down. Detailed information about rats and hamsters. Information on a short-cut through Red Forest. Porn... This one is full of porn. Detailed observations on a variety of anomalies. Lots of chat logs, might have something useful. Fantastic. Some dirt on Beard. Mentions of a huge stash... I'll take this for sure. Great! This mentions a drug smuggler making deals with the military. Encrypted. Might be valuable; I'll keep this one. This one mentions a location of a stash. Encrypted. If they have something to hide, it may be something I want. This one has detailed information about Duty... Freedom might want this. Bank account and credit card information. Alleged location of the Oasis. I could find a buyer for this one here. Some useful information on this one. Unencrypted passwords and bank account information. This mentions a meeting between some mercs and local thugs. There are coordinates here for a supply exchange point. This one mentions a local meeting going down in a few days. Maps! A regular cartographer! This one is very useful. Short-cut information through an anomaly field. Upcoming supply exchange point here. Scientists might want this one. What the...? This one just says 'Kill Strelok'. As a bonus, here are some coordinates to stashes I don't really care to get. Is there any work you want done? The job is done. What? I don't think you've finished what I've asked. I'll do it. Have anything else? Finish the task I gave you first then we can talk. Alright. Good! Talk to me again when it's done. Come through for me and I'll come through for you. Get back to me. Glad you can be of assistance. Thank you, stalker. Here is your reward. I'm glad you came through. Here is what I've promised. Okay, now for your payment. Sorry, don't have anything. I can't remember what I was going to say... Just go get it! You know what I want! Return for your reward. On second thought, never mind. Come back later. Sorry I couldn't help. I couldn't complete the job. What job? No, I'm still working on that one. Yes, I'm busy with other work. I'm disappointed in you, stalker. What? I had thought better of you, stalker. I guess that is what I should have expected from a rookie. Your %s will be ready in %s minutes. Come back then. Soon, your %s will be ready. Come back in %s minutes. Urgh, piss off. I'm not drunk yet. Your bloody %s will be ready in an hour and %s minutes. I'll be drunk by then. It's not easy to repair something when you have the shakes... Come back in about an hour for your %s. Hey, stal—oh, heck, I forgot I was repairing your equipment. Come back for your %s in an hour and %s minutes. Your %s will be ready in an hour and %s, so come back then, okay? Your %s will be ready in about %s hours and %s. Come back then. It's almost ready.