stalker-northern-passage.pdf

8/11/2019 stalker-northern-passage.pdf

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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Northern Passage 2012 Balazs Pataki. All rights reser e!.S.T.A.L.K.E.R. logo an! all na"es# $hara$ters an! lo$ations relate! to theS.T.A.L.K.E.R. series o% i!eo ga"es& 2011 'S( 'a"e )orl! an!*se! +, $o*rtes, o% 'S( 'a"e )orl!.

No si"ilarit, +et-een an, $hara$ters an! or instit*tions in this /*+li$ationan! an, /re e isting /erson s3# li ing# !ea! or zo"+i%ie! an! orinstit*tion# /re e isting an! or !issol e! is inten!e! an! an, si"ilarit,-hi$h "a, e ist is /*rel, $oin$i!ental.

This e+ook is li$ense! %or ,o*r /ersonal en4o,"ent onl,. This e+ook "a,not +e sol! or gi en a-a, to other /eo/le. Thank ,o* %or res/e$ting thehar! -ork o% this a*thor.

This is a -ork o% %i$tion. The ie-s an! o/inions e /resse! in this /*+li$ation are the ie-s o% the a*thor onl, an! !o not ne$essaril, re%le$tthe ie-s an! o/inions o% 'S( 'a"e )orl! an! or in!i i!*als a%%iliate!or $onne$te! -ith 'S( 'a"e )orl!.

(o er art +, Noah Sta$e,

This S"ash+ook E!ition& 5e$e"+er 20126SBN& 7891:0177:2;:


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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

NORTHERN P ASSAGE

BALAZS P ATAKI

C OPYRIGHT 2012 BY B ALAZS P ATAKISMASHWORDS E DITION

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Honor (honor [on !r"#no*n1. honest,# %airness# or integrit, inone glor,.

:


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Pro$o%&!

M' 2012

D'r) *'$$! +Ch!rno, $ E-.$&/ on Zon! )r' n!

Seen %ro" an airliner %l,ing at the sa%e altit*!e o% ten tho*san! "eters#the E $l*sion ?one !oesn


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6t is the %ear in the %a$e o% the "an sitting on the %loor at the !ea! en!o% the /assage-a, that tells all a+o*t the !arkness r*ling o er the Dalle,#e en tho*gh he is a %ear%*l a//earan$e hi"sel% in his %atig*e hal% haz"ats*it# hal% +o!, ar"or# tailore! in a -a, that rese"+les the /ress*re s*its o%%ighter /ilots. (lose to the hoo! to +e -ithin eas, rea$h# a gas "ask is%astene! to his sho*l!ers. Fis "artial a//earan$e is rein%or$e! +, theBeretta /istol holstere! on his right li"+ an! the shotg*n %astene! to his

+elt /*she! to the si!e. Gear an! !eter"ination +len! on his %a$e as he$ar es a s"all not$h into the sto$k o% his S'6 ;k assa*lt ri%le -ith his$o"+at kni%e# a!!ing one "ore to the %i%teen not$hes alrea!, there.

6n the E $l*sion ?one# an,one -earing s*$h ar"or is $alle! Stalkeran! a Stalker -ith %ear on his %a$e -hen a//roa$hing one o% the ?one


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This doesnt bid well, he thinks.T*rning +a$k# he enters a $ha"+er -ith a $ontrol +oar! an! a skeleton

-ith its sk*ll "issing.See, old buddy? This happens to people coming to the vaults and

losing their head.)ith a +itter s"ile on his %a$e# he "o es to the stair$ase lea!ing

+elo-. As soon as he takes the %irst %light o% ste/s# an e$ho +ello-s +eneath like so"eone or so"ething# hitting a h*ge "etal o+4e$t. A -a e o%i$e r*ns !o-n his s/ine. Fe %reezes# an! %or a "o"ent hol!s his -ea/on atai"# rea!, to shoot. Nothing "o es. )ith $a*tio*s ste/s# he "o es !o-nthe stair$ase.

Fis ano"al, !ete$tor e"its a single +ee/. Then his 'eiger $o*nter

starts $ra$kling. 6t is not the ra!iation -arning that "akes hi" %reeze on$e"ore# +*t the sight o% t-o -oo!en $rates in the hall o/ening %ro" thestair$ase.

Nor"all,# no Stalker -o*l! +e s$are! o% t-o "*st, -oo!en +o es.B*t these are "o ing# as i% li%te! +, an in isi+le han!.

S*!!enl,# t-o $rates $o"e h*rtling to-ar!s hi". ne +o hits the!oor %ra"e an! s$atters +*t the other one %lies !ire$tl, to his hea!. 6% it-eren


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e"/t,# sa e %or a %e- %rag"ents o% $on$rete that ha e loosene! the"sel es%ro" the -all.

n the -all o//osite to the ele ator


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glo- an! thi$k +*++les are rising %ro" its s*r%a$e. Fis ano"al, !ete$torre"ains H*iet. Fe s$ans the -alls# here also $o ere! +, green tiles an!long# r*st, /i/es r*nning along the". Rea$hing the light s/here o% the ne te"ergen$, light# he %in!s a %e- $,lin!ri$al $ontainers -ith the haz"atsign /ainte! on the". Fis 'eiger $o*nter starts $ra$kling "ore intensel,.Ste//ing +a$k# he looks aro*n! +*t sees nothing o% interest a/art %ro" anano"alo*s a//arition in %ront o% the $ontainers. 6t looks like heate"anate! +, an *nseen# %la"eless so*r$e# +l*rring the !ark $orner +ehin!.

(kay' %othing here.n$e +a$k to the ele ator roo"# he !e$i!es to tr, the ne t roo" to his

right. The +l*e /ainting is $r*"+ling %ro" the -alls an! the +ro-n %loortiles are $o ere! -ith !e+ris. n the $eiling# another e"ergen$, light $asts

its !i" light +ehin! a grill. /t least no snork will &ump at me through those grills.A sign on the -all rea!s# Sanitary area ahead. "ntry forbidden. The

s"all roo" ahea! see"s to hol! nothing o% interest# sa e %or another hal%!ozen /i/es +ehin! an o/ening in the -all +ehin! $hi$ken -ire. TheStalker is a+o*t to lea e the roo" -hen he sees another $orri!or a//ear.

Gro" an o/ening to the right# the strong light o% intense %ire %alls onthe %a!e! +l*e -all. G*rther !o-n the $orri!or# another $ol*"n o%%la"eless heat +l*rs -hate er lies +e,on! in the !arkness. 6t is no strangerthan the %ire to the right. Gire $asts light# nor"all,# +*t this light on the-all is "o ing J as i% the %ire $asting the light is "o ing in $ir$les.

The ano"al, !ete$tor starts +ee/ing. /ening the !is/la,# the Stalkersees a green $ir$le a+o*t a %e- "eters ahea!. A !ot signals an arti%a$t rightat his %oot# ne t to a -oo!en $rate. )itho*t the !ete$tor# he -o*l! ha este//e! on it. Eagerl,# he +en!s !o-n# looks $loser an! $are%*ll, /i$ks */the arti%a$t that glo-s -ith %ier, re! light as soon as he to*$hes it.

Stone *lood. There must be a 0hirligig nearby. Shit. 0hy do the most

dangerous anomalies create worthless artifacts?St*!,ing the *gl, o+4e$t "a!e o*t o% /resse! together an! $*rio*sl, +ent /ol,"erize! re"nants o% /lants# soil# an! +ones# he shakes his hea!.The arti%a$t is as "*$h +ene%i$ial as har"%*l# s/ee!ing */ his "eta+olis"

+*t also "aking his +o!, "ore s*s$e/ti+le to an, -o*n!. 6t is not e en /re$io*s# an! all the tro*+le o% $arr,ing an! selling it at the al*e o% a %e- +o es o% a""*nition !oesn


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"*tant that -as on$e h*"an as -ell. Behin! the +l*rr, $ol*"n# a $reat*rea//ears. 6t is -alking# or rather lea/ing# on all %o*rs -ith the re"ains o% agas "ask !angling %ro" its hea!.

Snorks This shotgun better not &am Not /er$ei ing i""inent !anger %ro" the %ire roo"# the Stalker

!e$i!es to t*rn the /resen$e o% an ano"al, ahea! to his a! antage. Ferea$hes into a $ontainer on his +elt an! %ishes o*t a +olt.

Fe, Snork, he ta*nts the "*tants. 5inner ti"e The ?one "ight ha e gi en snorks the a+ilit, to /er%or" in$re!i+le

lea/s# an! shar/ teeth that $o*l! tear an, h*"an o//onent into /ie$es on$ethe, "anage to ki$k hi" o%% his %eet -ith their strong legs# +*t le%t the"-ith +arel, an, intelle$t. Gollo-ing onl, the instin$t to h*nt the lonel,

h*"an !o-n# the, "o e to lea/ o er the $rates +lo$king their -a,.The Stalker H*i$kl, thro-s it ahea!. The $ol*"n o% heat i""e!iatel, +*rsts into a 4et o% %ire# +*rning the %irst "*tant to !eath. The se$on! one isl*$kier# tho*gh. The Stalker H*i$kl, %ires +oth +arrels o% his shotg*n +*tthe "*tant has alrea!, torn its $la-s into his ar"or. Shar/ /ain +ites intohis li"+s. Fe re$oils# %ranti$all, reloa!ing the shotg*n. A%ter re$ei ingt-o "ore +*$kshot shells %ire! %ro" /oint +lank range# the snork still 4olts%or a se$on!# then !ies -ith a last gro-l.

The Stalker is /anting no-# his heart +eating in his ears# an! kno-sthat -ith ea$h heart+eat# "ore /oison %ro" the snork


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three "ore +olts# he %in!s a zigzagging /ath thro*gh the three ano"alies#e en i% it "eans to 4*"/ o er the $rates +lo$king the -a,. No "atter ho-%ore+o!ing the ne t roo" is# he sighs -ith relie% on$e he lea es the$orri!or +ehin!.

ore B*rners loo" ahea!. Re/eating the te!io*s +olt thro-ing to %in!his /ath thro*gh# he rea$hes a $ha"+er -here his sear$h /ro es %r*it%*l& a!ea! "an lies there# -earing the orange haz"at s*it o% s$ientists. Fe isgla! that the o/aH*e /le iglass on the hel"et s/ares hi" the sight o% ahea! that ha! +een !e$a,ing %or "an, ,ears. *i$kl, going thro*gh the$ontainers on the /rote$ti e s*it# he %in!s a note# +arel, rea!a+le an! hal%eaten +, "il!e-.

2"+cellent, colleague Im glad that youve received second3level

access. /t last you will find out what goes on in our laboratory. 4ouraccess code is 5678. 9hief of aboratory :35;, Ste//ing o*t %ro" $ha"+er# the Stalker re"o es his gas "ask an!

-i/es $ol! s-eat %ro" his %a$e.5678? ood od. 0ho is the bigger idiot? The guy using such a

pathetic code or me for not being able to guess it?Gor a "o"ent# the Stalker is $on%*se! as to -hi$h o% the t-o si"ilarl,

!ark $orri!ors to take# an! the +arel, rea!a+le /ie$es o% /a/er that are%astene! to a +*lletin +oar! on the nearest -all !on


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$ir$le o% his hea!light. The gro*n! is shaking. Fe al"ost %eels "ore than a%e- hairs on his hea! t*rning gre, %ro" horror.

n the le%t si!e o% the short $orri!or that a//ears to +e the lo-est le elo% the la+orator, a*lts# an o/ening in the -all lea!s into a h*ge# -i!ehall. The "etal !oor that ha! on$e +een there -as re"o e!# or shattere!long ago. 6nsi!e a "*tant is "o ing */ an! !o-n# like a lion in a $age. 6t$onsists o% +arel, "ore than a h*lk# a short# re/tile like tail an! t-o

+ra-n, legs. 6ts a//earan$e -o*l! a//ear grotesH*e# ri!i$*lo*s e en i% itsgro-ls -eren


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The Stalker


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Fe is al"ost at the e it -hen a giant "*tant


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+ea"s %alling in %ro" a+o e# altho*gh this -o*l! +e i"/ossi+le to +es*nlight. A "a$hine# si"ilar to the +roken one o*tsi!e# is !i"l, isi+le.

Al"ost relie e! o er the H*iet that /ro"ises no "*tants $lose +,# he isa+o*t to enter the la+orator, -hen his sight re!!ens an! a s*!!en!izziness $ree/s into his sk*ll. 6gnoring it# he ste/s insi!e.

The light +ea"s $o"e %ro" three neon t*+es ato/ o% gre, se$tions onthe -all $o ere! -ith green tiles. Figh */ on the !o"e! $eiling# as/heri$al o+4e$t is hanging in the "i!!le# looking like a s/a$e satellite%ro" the Si ties. Thi$k $a+les $onne$t it -ith si $,lin!ri$al $agesstan!ing on the %loor# one o% the" %allen o er either +, its %ittings !e$a,e!a-a, or -hile so"eone or rather# so"ething insi!e -as tr,ing to +reak%ree.

So"ething still a//ears to +e in the other $ages. The Stalker ste/s$loser to the ne t one +*t regrets it i""e!iatel,.An o ersize! h*"an e"+r,o hangs insi!e# its e tre"ities still

*n!e elo/e! or not s*//ose! to !e elo/# the torso en!ing in a estigialre/tile tail. 6t has the greenish ,ello- $olor o% !ro-ne! $or/ses. 6t is notthe size or the !e%or"ation# an! least the $olor# that "akes hi" sh*!!er

+*t the !e%or"e! %a$e. Fe kno-s i""e!iatel, that sho*l! he e er "ake ito*t o% here ali e an! li e to tell this stor,# he -o*l! ha e no -or!s to!es$ri+e the e il ra!iating %ro" this %a$e.

The other $ages hol! "ore "*tate! e"+r,os# or rather& e"+r,oni$"*tants# e $e/t the %allen one.

/nd I thought the gulags were bad enough.(a*tio*sl,# he raises his shotg*n an! enters the $ha"+er to the le%t o%

the entran$e. 6t lea!s */ into a s"aller la+orator, -ith $ages +*ilt into the-all# an! si"ilar $,lin!ers to those on the %loor +elo-# e $e/t that theseare e"/t, an! line! */ horizontall,.

T-o o% the -all $ages# ho-e er# still hol! !ea! "*tants J the, are

a+o*t the size o% a $at +*t their "*""i%ie! +o!, rese"+les that o% a rat. I dont know what kind of animal was made to turn into suchabominations, but the word 2guinea pig> wouldnt come to my mind todescribe themB these beasts were not even remotely cute.

Fe "akes his -a, o er to the stairs on the %ar en! o% the !o"e! hall.The, lea! */ to a /osition o erlooking the -hole hall# as i% so"eone-ante! to -itness the !e elo/"ent o% the $age! s/e$ies %ro" a sa%e

/osition.As soon as he ste/s on the %irst stair# he hears a ho-l %ro" a+o e that

is so*n!ing like a -o*n!e! +east. 6nstin$ti el,# he r*ns +a$k an! takes$o er +ehin! the %allen $age# %iring his shotg*n to-ar!s the glittering#

+l*rr, a//arition that %loats !o-n the stairs. The glitters look like shin,e,es as it a//roa$hes the Stalker. Fe %ranti$all, %ires his shotg*n.

1=


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The entit, ho-ls again. Bea"s o% %ire s/o*t %ro" the %loor. o e! +,his instin$t o% s*r i al that tells hi" to r*n a-a,# the Stalker glan$es at theentran$e the !oor -hi$h ha! +een -i!e o/en -hen he entere! thela+orator, is no- sh*t.

DamnFo/ing that his ar"ore! s*it -ill /rote$t hi" %ro" the -orst# he tries

to !o!ge the %ire 4ets an! /ellets the %loating a//arition -ith shotg*nshells.

(nly four shells left. od help meAi"ing the short ri%le -ith his right an! %eeling in his a""o /o$ket

%or his last t-o shotg*n shells# he %ires the -ea/on into the entit, as it%loats right ne t to hi". S*!!enl,# it !isa//ears.

Another lo-# h*""ing !rone starts# as i% e"itte! +, the !arknessitsel% a*!i+le !rea! $ree/ing %ro" the %iss*res an! $ra$ks o% the a*lts.The %loor shakes an! the Stalker has to gras/ the $age ne t to hi" to

/re ent hi"sel% %ro" %alling. 6t !oesn


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A%ter all the /erils the Stalker ha! to o er$o"e to %in! these!o$*"ents# the, a//ear eas, to take J al"ost too eas,. Fe looks $loser to"ake s*re the, are not +oo+, tra//e!. (a*tio*sl,# /erha/s %earing thatto*$hing the !ossier -o*l! release another "onster or so"e othera//arition# he rea$hes o*t %or it. Fe has al"ost to*$he! it -hen the"onitor rises */ to the $eiling an! s"ashes at hi".

Damn thing, Ill give you such a beating once I see youFe gra+s the !o$*"ents an! !es$en!s the stairs. Gor a "o"ent# he

+elie es that the +l*rr, sha/e e"itting a +l*ish# %*zz, tint in %ront o% hi"is $a*se! +, his e ha*ste! e,es. 6t "o es# tho*gh# an! the Stalker %ires hislast t-o shotg*n shells into it. A /ain%*l "oan $o"es o*t o% no-here.Sho*ting an! $*ssing# he *nholsters his Beretta /istol an! e"/ties a %*ll

"agazine o% IFP /ara+ell*" ro*n!s insi!e. So"ething re! s/lashes as the +*llets ho"e# then a gro-ling "oan is hear! an! the +l*rr, entit, takessha/e o% a leg less "*tant that no- hel/lessl, %alls to the gro*n!# the longar"s /rotr*!ing %ro" the h*"anoi! torso still shaking.

Sorry for not fighting you by throwing things at you, but if the Conesnot fair, why should I be?

To "ake s*re the "*tant is !ea!# he reloa!s the /istol an! shoots t-o"ore ro*n!s into the "*tant


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!ow I wish this all would come to an end, or if I had power over theworld to end this.

Fearing a noise# he rea$hes %or his ri%le an! sho es the !o$*"ents intohis "a/ $ontainer. S*!!enl,# a trans"ission $ra$kles in his ra!io set.

2*ase, this is Cero Three31our, we are right above the target.>2$oger, Cero3Three31our. Start the action. Teams (ne and TwoB

check the first floor. Team ThreeB main hall. Teams 1our and 1iveB second floor >

Fe /ats the ear/hone $onne$te! to his ra!io set# as i% the trans"ission$o*l! ha e +een $a*se! +, a "al%*n$tion.

I cant believe this, what the hell is the army doing here? /ll right'lets sneak out while I can.

Fe holsters the shotg*n an! *nslings the assa*lt ri%le. Fa ing %ishe! a"agazine %ro" his a""o -e+# loa!e! -ith ar"or /ier$ing ro*n!s# hereloa!s his "ain -ea/on. Another "essage $o"es. This one is a!!resse!!ire$tl, to hi".

2@arked (ne The military has attacked the *andit base. Theentrance to the arbage is blocked but there is an old road to the south.4ou can use it, but you want to be careful. ood luck.>

The Stalker $*rses in %r*stration. Damn you, Sidorovich /ll this shitstorm right when I thought I was

already through Such is life in the damn Cone'Fo/ing that the S/etsnaz $o""an!os# -ho -o*l! s*rel, o*tg*n hi"#

ha e not "a!e their -a, !o-n ,et into the a*lts an! +lo$k his onl, e it#he h*rries +a$k to the stair$ase lea!ing +a$k to the a+an!one! %a$tor,. Fis$a*tion !is/la,e! on the -a, !o-n is /a,ing o%% J all "*tants a//ear to

+e eli"inate! an! the /ositions o% ano"alies are -ell kno-n eno*gh tohi" to a oi! their !angers.

n$e +a$k at the entran$e to the la+orator,# he sto/s %or a "in*te an!

$he$ks his -ea/on. 6ts to*$h is reass*ring. The sa-n o%% shotg*n ha! +een +arel, /assa+le %or %ighting o%% the "*tants. No- that he is a+o*t to +e%a$ing hostile h*"ans# his /er%e$tl, "aintaine! S-iss assa*lt ri%le# loa!e!-ith ar"or /ier$ing G I ro*n!s $a/a+le o% tearing thro*gh the B*lat an!Berill ar"ors -orn +, the S/etsnaz# sho*l! +e a "ore than a!eH*ate-ea/on.

Timing is strange, though' probably that rascal Sidorovich or perhaps that fat trader at the *ar has sold me out to the military. %omatter if I complete this mission or the military catches me on his hintBthey will profit' damn traders They always have a life insurance.

The tho*ght o% the tra!er !o*+le $rossing hi" gi es hi" a s*!!eni!ea. (are%*ll,# he re"o es the %irst %e- !ozen /ages %ro" the !o$*"enthe ha! %o*n! in the la+. The thin /ages are eas, to take o*t -itho*t tearing

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into the te t t,/e! on the". Fe /*ts the" into an e"/t, %irst ai! +o an!hi!es it *n!er a /ile o% r*++le +eneath the stairs. No+o!, e $e/t %or onekno-ing e a$tl, -here it is -o*l! e er %in! this stash# an! the -ater/roo%

+o sho*l! /rote$t the ,ello-e! /ages %ro" %*rther !e$a,.(ne always needs to think forward, way forward.The Stalker hears the %aint so*n! o% se eral hea , +oots "o ing !o-n

the stair$ase. Fe /ats his assa*lt ri%le -ith an al"ost a%%e$tionate to*$h. Ill need a bigger stock for all the notches Ill have to carve tonight)

if I make it out of here alive.Fe takes a !ee/ +reath an!# hol!ing his -ea/on rea!,# $a*tio*sl,

+egins to sneak */ the stairs.

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No3!4,!r 2015

N!6 Zon!

The "ost %earso"e -ea/on o% "ass !estr*$tion "ankin! has e erkno-n are not n*$lear ar"s. 6t -as the ongol hor!es o% 'enghis Khan.

Those to !e$i!e a+o*t e"/lo,ing n*$lear -ea/ons are "ore or lessreasona+le "in!s# an! their n*$lear arsenal ha! al-a,s +een "aintaine!rather %or !eterren$e than a$t*al *se. The ongols ho-e er !i! +ring!e astation on e er, lan! the, ha! $onH*ere! an! the terror /re$e!ingtheir hor!es -as 4*st a si!e e%%e$t. Gro" Ba",an to Bagh!a!# nostronghol! -ithstoo! their rage an! no inha+itants -ere s/are!. The

i$ti"s o% ato"i$ +o"+s still ha*nt those in /ossession o% s*$h -ea/ons>'enghis Khan


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The, -ere not alone. To*gh like $o$kroa$hes# re"nants o% the Tali+an or !*sh"ans# as the "ostl, R*ssian s/eaking Stalkers $alle! the" s*r i e! the sel% in%li$te! n*$lear holo$a*st. Soon# the Stalker /ioneersnot onl, ha! to s*r i e "assi e# ra!ioa$ti e !*st stor"s an! "*tantatta$ks +*t +attle a ne- h*"an ene", as -ell.

Fostile to +oth# a thir! %or$e ha! nestle! in the alle,s o% the -esternranges. 6n the Antono +ar at no- r*ine! AGB Bagra"# the ner e $entreo% Stalker /resen$e in the Ne- ?one# the $raziest r*"ors $ir$*late! a+o*tthe Tri+e. So"e Stalkers !es$ri+e! the" as i$io*s "an eaters an! othersas high te$h renega!es# -ith neither !es$ri/tion e $l*!ing the other. Gorthe !*sh"ans the, -ere si"/l, the !e il


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littering the -astelan!s. The ra,s o% the rising s*n still $an


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%aile!# or he hi"sel% !e$i!e! to lea e the" an! +e$o"e a renega!e.Fo-e er# no one $o*l! tell ho- this h*"an +e$a"e -hat he no- is.

Fe kneels !o-n an!# *sing his han!s# starts tearing o*t "eat $h*nks%ro" the $ar$ass# gree!il, $he-ing on -hat the 4a$kals ha e le%t +ehin!.

)at$hing hi" %ro" not a%ar# the al/ha li$ks its !rooling sno*t. The /a$k gathers aro*n! hi"# staring at the hal% h*"an -ho is !e o*ring the /re, that the, ha! so -ell !eser e!. Not e en the al/ha -o*l! a//roa$hthis %ig*re# -ho "ight ha e the -orst# or "a,+e the +est# o% h*"ans an!"*tants *nite! in his !is%ig*re! +o!,. Not as i% there -as a -a, %or the"to %in! o*t. Ia$kals are s"art# +*t !on

+l*e e,es# +e it in the $lassroo" or an *n*se! $ha"+er $lose to their!or"itor,. No-# -ith a "*tant


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the SB@# $all sign Sear$h T-o. E en a %ra$tion o% -hat he -as allo-e! to!is$lose a+o*t his "issions to the se$ret la+oratories in the (herno+,lE $l*sion ?one -as eno*gh to "ake S/etsnaz rookies sh*!!er an! %e"ale$a!ets get "oist.

B*t no-# as he sto/s at the en! o% the $orri!or in %ront o% a -hite# +*llet an! %ire /roo% !oor# he ner o*sl, looks into a -in!o- an! lookingat his re%le$tion# $he$ks his tie an! +ir! nest o%%i$er


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aksi"enko $lears his throat. , /ro"otion is o er!*e.6n!ee!. )e ha en

/enetration ta$ti$s -ere H*ite /o/*lar -ith %e"ale $a!ets. No-# i% ,o*


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tr*sting hi" -as one o% the +iggest "istakes this Ser i$e has e er "a!e.The $olonel o/ens a s"all -oo!en +o on his !esk. A (ohi+a# (a/tainO

Thank ,o*# sir# aksi"enko sa,s a$$e/ting the $igar. )ith /leas*re# sir.

5o ,o* like $igarsO6 a$t*all, !o# sir. B*t -ith all !*e res/e$t# 6 think a4or 5egt,are

"ight +e +etter H*ali%ie! %or this "ission than 6 a".The $olonel "o es aro*n! his !esk an! lets hi"sel% hal% -a, sit on it.To/ +rass -ants to lea e 5egt,are o*t o% this# he sa,s %ishing a

+o o% "at$hes %ro" his /o$ket# an! 6 $o*l!n


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6n a !e$re/it ho*se s"elling o% trash an! !e$a,# a lonel, $an!le +*rns.nl, the han!s o% the "an s$ra-ling into a tattere! noti$e +lo$k areisi+le in its light. The +arel, legi+le s$ri++le tells o% !es/air# the shaking

%ingers o% !r*g !e/ri ation.

I need more pain.

Darkness outside as if the world were gone. Im alone while %elly sleeps. I cant.

Darkness keeping me imprisoned, dragging on day by day trapped inmyself with my body as my shackles. ife has taken my sight and soul, let

me live in hell. %elly is sleeping. Shes leaving me, cheating on me with her dreams.She has to, cant blame her for it. Shes happier in her dreams. *ut I)Icant sleep, cant dream. =eep my eyes open A filth and dirt is all I see.9lose my eyes)nightmares is all I get. %elly is dancing, singing, flying inher dreams. She is dreaming of being an angel now. I dont mind hercheating on me with angels. I love her. She may be gang3banged by anarmy of angels or od itself if that pleases her, I dont care. I am not &ealous anymore. I love her and envy her for her freedom.

Thats all I got out of my life a mother dead, a father a monster, Ill get over them and myself too, dont give a fuck about anyone including me )especially me. Time goes so slow when all I have to do is sit around andwait to die. Im like an animal trapped, trying to move away, one leg inthe trap, cutting into my flesh with only the pain reminding me that I am still alive. I need that pain.

%elly needs to fly and reach the skies. She only made one mistakeBhooking up with me. *ut now she is free in her dreams of rainbows in a sky washed pure by rain.

$ain, rain, rain. It goes into the sewers and into the ocean. /s a littlekid I always dreamt of swimming in the ocean. I dont want to swim theocean anymore, not fighting tides anymore. I &ust want to die. (r have atleast a taste of it)for a starter.

0here is Sancho? 0hen is that motherfucking son of a bitch of alatrino hauling his chili3shitting ass here? 1uck fuck fuck Its almostmidnight and he was supposed to be here hours ago Damn bordernigger. D/@%


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(kay, okay) soon. Soon he will be here. !e must come or)I dontknow.

1ather always told me, life is a hard game to play but he didnt tellme that I was gonna lose it anyway. I need the pain. I need to know Im still alive, my willpower a lose circuit in my brain. !ow long I have triedto kill it away?

If only I could start it over. If only my fucking eye was a restart button for my life, Id poke it till I go blind and feel my way out of myself. *ut Ineed to know I still live. I need the sting, the sweetest kiss Ive ever knew.

%elly knows it. She understands, and thats the only thing we ever foughtover. *ut she is sleeping now. uess Ill have to scratch messages on thewindow which no one will ever read with raindrops flowing on the glass,could be ods tears but to me they are ods own vomit pouring on thisabandoned street and me watching it. ong time we gave up on eachother, od and me.

I cant bear this any longer.

0!"% IS @4 1#9=I% 1I: 9(@I% ? Screw you, SanchoS/%9!(

9ome.


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-hat ha! "a!e hi" to enter that /la$e on$e "ore. Gor ho*rs or e en !a,she ha! s$o*te! the +*nker s,ste"# !es$en!ing all the -a, to the !ee/estle els thro*gh air sha%ts that not e en the +ra est h*"an -o*l! ha e !are!to enter. B*t -here his h*"an hal% -o*l! ha e "a!e hi" r*n %ro" the

/erils an! $la*stro/ho+ia# his ne- instin$ts ste//e! in. Fe re4oi$e! at thesensation o% not +eing +lin! in the gloo" like a h*"an -o*l!> his sightgot gra!*all, *se! to the !i" that his o ersensiti e e,es ha! t*rne! the!arkness. Fis reason o% +eing there onl, +e$a"e $lear to hi" -hen hest*"+le! on a h*"anoi! %ig*re# rese"+ling hi"sel% e $e/t %or the size.The -o*n!e! "*tant %irst "o e! to atta$k hi" +*t then re$onsi!ere!.

a,+e it -as +e$a*se o% the tr*l, non h*"an %eat*re o% "*tants o% notkilling another one o% their o-n s/e$ies -itho*t goo! reason# or %ro" the

shotg*n in%li$te! -o*n!s "aking it in$a/a+le o% !eli ering a !ea!l,atta$k. Fe ha! no reason not to *se one o% his "e!ikits to /at$h the "*tant*/ an! lea! it +a$k to the light> neither ha! he an, reason to !o*+t thath*"ans# i% a//roa$he! in a $a*tio*s an! /ea$e%*l "anner# -o*l! o%%er hi"hel/.

Being $lose to the h*"anoi!# he +e$o"e $ons$io*s o% one "ore"*tant %eat*re. )hen he a//roa$he! it an! -as a+o*t to take a /*ll %ro"his %iel! %lask# he sensed the "*tant


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The "*tant !i!n


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The h*"an in hi" re/lie!& if we hate each other, we will kill eachother.

An! he hi"sel% s*""e! it */& I will fool you all into killing eachother.

Fis ego ho-e er# sH*eeze! +et-een his "*tant an! h*"an sel%# ke/t-his/ering a H*estion& what about you? Fe ignore! the H*estion or

/erha/s it -as the -in! that "a!e hi" not hear it# +lo-ing his ragge!leather $oat an! s-irling */ !*st in his ste/s as he set o*t on his -a, to theeast.

Fe kne- that in or!er to %*l%ill his /lan# he -o*l! nee! a erita+lear", o% "*tants.

@$or!n. ' %'n% 7!rr 7or So&7h C!n7r'$ Lo/ An%!$!/

n a !ark $orner so"e-here in the ganglan!s +et-een 6"/erialFigh-a, an! Girestone Bo*le ar!# ill*"inate! onl, +, a hal% +roken neonsign %li$kering e er, %e- "in*tes# a girl is stan!ing ne t to a +la$k Iee/Li+ert,. )earing a long +ro-n 'ore Te $oat -ith the hoo! /*lle! o erher hea!# she looks */-ar!s into the rain# letting the rain!ro/s s/lash onher %a$e# see"ingl, o+li io*s to the $hill, -in! an! the three "en -hoha e +een !arting s*s/i$io*s looks to-ar! her %ro" the other si!e o% thestreet %or the /ast %i e "in*tes. She $ontin*es to ignore the" e en -henthe, $ross the street an! slo-l, -alk */ to her.

Look at that# mano# one o% the" sa,s# -ho !o -e ha e hereOA little girl an! a rente! $ar# another re/lies glan$ing at the $ar


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5on sa,s the thir! one# -ho is theshortest o% the three an! +ears a long s$ar on his $heek. She "ight 4*stgi e *s -hat -e -ant i% -e ask her ni$el,.

The tattooe! "an ste/s $loser to her.)e !on

No- she looks at the"# +*t the hoo! is still $o ering "ost o% her %a$e.Please# lea e "e alone. 6 -ant to en4o, rain.

6The

tattooe! one la*ghs. 2"sta es una &eva sFper buena, manos >There is not "*$h rain -here 6 $o"e %ro"# the girl H*ietl, sa,s.Please# let "e 4*st en4o, it.

)here !o ,o* $o"e %ro"# h*hO Ne a!aO6 a" %ro" Tri+e.The tattooe! one looks at his $o"/anions. Tri+eO o* e er hear!

a+o*t the"OThe, shake their hea!s.An,-a,s# this $raz, girl is +eginning to anno, "e# he snorts. No

puta -alks into a street o-ne! +, Gloren$ia an! lea es -itho*t /a,ing a /ri$e es/e$iall, i% she the tattooe! "an snarls an! sta+s

to-ar!s her $hest.

:2


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The sta+ $*ts into e"/t, air as the girl !*$ks -ith lightning s/ee!.The neon light %lashes on a $*r e! +la!e in her han! an! her atta$ker %allsto his knees -ith a ,el/ o% /ain. Fis kni%e %alls to the gro*n! as he gras/sat his sto"a$h. Bloo! is strea"ing +et-een his %ingers.

A !ro/ o% +loo! tri$kles %ro" his "o*th as he -his/ers# his e,es -i!eo/en %ro" s*r/rise an! /ain. 2@aldita bestia' E ete a la chingada' >

A $*rse is the last that es$a/es his li/s as the girl# still !*$king#thr*sts the +la!e */-ar!s an! slashes his throat in another H*i$k# ar$he!"o e"ent.

5*ring the %e- se$on!s that it took %or their lea!er to get kille!# thet-o other th*gs stan! /etri%ie!# staring at the girl


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6% 6

R&n9o6n r!/ 9!n7 '$ 'r!' B'/! n' Bo&$!3'r9 K !3

The e ening +e%ore# the /air o% silk sto$kings# the short !ress an! the +la$k lingerie "ight ha e +een a -o"an


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Then# she sa,s gentl, $aressing the tattoo# 6

6tThe "an gets */ an! takes a -allet %ro" the %loor. Fere


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onl, +ooze# -hores an! $o$kroa$hes in this shithole That


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%or /re$a*tion# looks thro*gh the /ee/ing hole. 6t


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Fe is a liar# komandir o* $all "e a liar# suka?> Strelok sa,s tr,ing to "o e his sho*l!er

$lose eno*gh to his nose to -i/e o%% the +loo!. 6 4*st ha//en to kee/ a lie!ete$tor in that $*/+oar! o er there. Looks like a 'eiger $o*nter an! isone a$t*all,. (a/tain# take a "eas*re"ent o% the "one, on the ta+le an!then o% 5asha the a//arentl, senior S/etsnaz H*i$kl, re/lies.Release hi". 6


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6 onl, hook */ -ith girls -ho ha e a hang %or it. She -as +egging %orit# 6


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=0


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5r,ing */ "ore +loo! -ith the to-el# the Stalker re/eats his earlierH*estion. )hat a" 6 $harge! -ithO

Nothing# a/art %ro" +eing a on$e great g*, -ho +e$a"e a %ail*re.'*ilt, as $harge!. Kill "e no-# sa e ,o*r Ser i$e the e%%orts an! "e

the !rea"s. a,+e to"orro-. To!a, ,o*


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Re$entl,. aksi"enko ignites a "at$h an! lights */ a $igarillo.(ohi+as are a+o e ", /a, gra!e +*t 6 got ",sel% a +o o% ini Sil ers.

Stinks like a snork


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bucks in her coat. *ut I cant remove her coat. Shes sleeping in it, itscold in here. Is it? I try to ignore it, we burnt all the rubbish and then theold furniture we found. I need some warmth. The cold comes from inside,as if my guts were full of ice. Ice. Ice 9ube. I wish I could listen to myi


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T-o "ore "en a//ear +ehin! San$ho %ro" the !ark stair$ase.Look at this# cabrJn,> San$ho sa,s an! re"o es a trans/arent /lasti$

+ag -ith -hite /o-!er insi!e %ro" his /o$ket. Fol!ing it -ith t-o%ingers# he shakes it tantalizingl, $lose to the 4*nkieAt a 4erk o% his hea!# the th*g hol!ing Pete


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(orre$t. An! -e# Gloren$ia o-n proudly o-n the rest o% thee i$ans. Talking a+o*t $lassi$ al*es# let


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shall -e !o -ith hi"O )e


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ikhailo Taraso shakes his hea! an! o%%ers Pete a han! to hel/ hi"*/. B*t Pete $ra-ls +a$k-ar!s to the -all# /erha/s in e en greater %earthan -hile %a$ing the th*gs.

es ,o* are Lea e "e +e 6 !on


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She $an slee/ there goo! eno*gh. She e en !rea"s# "an The To/ ste/s to-ar!s the slee/ing -o"an. 6< e a er, +a! %eeling

a+o*t this.6gnoring the rotten sten$h# he kneels !o-n. @sing his o-n s"all

tor$hlight# $are%*ll, a oi!ing to*$hing the %ilth# he li%ts the rags $o eringthe slee/ing -o"an.

5on

Fart"an /ats !o-n his /o$ket an! sli/s a $5onal!


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Fe is alrea!, looking aro*n! to %in! a -a, to r*n a-a, -hen the $ar!oor o/ens an! a tin, -o"an e"erges %ro" insi!e. She /*lls +a$k thehoo! o% her rain$oat an! gi es Pete a -ar" s"ile.

Fi 6 a" Nooria.Seeing her %a$e that


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6 still $an


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at a re! light a %e- "in*tes later# his an! Taraso


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An! to get o*t o% that irra!iate! hell on earth that ha! +een Ka+*lon$e# Skinner !r,l, o+ser es.

E a$tl,. This is -here o*r /riorities "at$h.)hat a+o*t our /rioritiesO asks the Ban!it -ho -as listening to

their $on ersation in silen$e. S*ltan has sent "e here to talk +*siness. 6t-asn


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Skinner s"iles e en -i!er. The, "ake $*te /ets.Br*iser %ro-ns +*t "akes a gest*re "eaning whatever .)hat a+o*t *sO the !*sh"an asks. o* +*siness"en %ro" the

north !on


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;=


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6 (AN SEE ASF T


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thro*gh Bone@n!er a $lear# $o+alt +l*e sk, one o% the Tri+e


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)e are to s*//ose! to talk English# the %ighter sitting in the ehi$le$o""an!er


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There are no trees left and the birds stopped singingThere are neither days, nor nights left, darkness only, Desolation, hell, there is no beauty left

5i! 5ris$oll -rite this +et-een t-o killsO26 !on


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A "in*te later three "en e"erge %ro" +ehin! their $o er o erlookingthe $an,on. The, -ear the kit t,/i$al %or Loner Stalkers in the Ne- ?one&a light +ro-n ar"ore! s*it -ith a s"all o ,gen %lask an! a $a"el+a$k-ater $ontainer on the +a$k# a gas "ask sho*l!ere! an! a she"agh -o en%ro" -hite an! san! $olore! %a+ri$ -ra//e! aro*n! their ne$ks. ne o%the" sho*l!ers the RP' la*n$her an! takes a short range -alkie talkie%ro" his assa*lt -est. The t-o others kee/ their AK =8 a*to"ati$ ri%les atrea!,.

Fe!gehog here. The, -ent o%% in a +all o% %ire. )e

the s"ol!ering -re$k -hen the, hear the so*n! o% a hea , enginea//roa$hing.

)hat the Fe!gehog is a+o*t to get his AKS 8=@ $ar+ine %ro" his sho*l!er

-hen another F*" ee a//ears# the hail o% +*llets %ro" its .;0 $ali+er

killing his t-o "ates instantl,. Fe still has a "o"ent le%t to $*rse the hal%"*tant -ho let the" -alk into a tra/# no !o*+t to se$*re all the loot %orhi"sel% alone# +e%ore three +*llets hit his $hest ar"or an! /ier$e ittogether -ith the -ater /o*$h on his +a$k. Bloo! an! -ater "i in thesan!.

A+o*t t-o h*n!re! "eters a-a,# the hal% "*tant Stalker -at$hes thegrisl, s$ene thro*gh a /air o% +ino$*lars.

No ha//, en! to an,one in ol e!# he H*ietl, sa,s to hi"sel%. B*tthen# this is 4*st the +eginning.

11G$!n9'$! Lo/ An%!$!/

;7


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)e !ri e all the -a, to that /la$e ,o* $all the eat arket# To/ONegati e. 6t


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Three "in*tes later the To/ s-it$hes o%% the engine in the /arking lotan! gree!il, *n-ra/s his %irst +*rger.

That


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C:


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A %e- o% the" -ear the hea , e oskeletons o% Lie*tenants -ith theirhel"ets o%%# others onl, a light %atig*e. nl, one -arrior is -earing %*ll$o"+at ar"or. Fe is stan!ing at the +rie%ing +oar! -ith his hel"et an!%a$e "ask on# his 2=7 sl*ng a$ross his sho*l!er. Semper 1i is -ritten onhis hel"et. Fe stan!s at attention an! sal*tes -hen the (olonel a//ears%ro" the to-er.

Attention on !e$k As ,o* -ere# the (olonel sa,s. Fe looks o er his "en. )arriors# 6

a" irritate!. No "atter ho- "an, +attles the, ha e seen# the Lie*tenants sh*n his

e,es# !*$king like s$hool$hil!ren -ho are a+o*t to +e re/ri"an!e! %or

!oing so"e "is$hie%. E en the +*zz o% a lonel, %l, $ir$ling in the tent $an +e hear!.5*ring the /ast t-o -eeks# o*r /atrols ha e +een $onstantl, harasse!

+, hostile %ire. Fo-e er# this "orning -as the %irst ti"e that -e s*%%ere!losses in an a"+*sh. Three "en are !ea! an! one ehi$le !estro,e!

+e$a*se o% a s"all "istake an! a great a"o*nt o% e"+arrassingre$klessness

ne Lie*tenant 4*"/s %ro" his seat an! stan!s at attention.Sir# 6 a/ologize %or ", "en


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tolerate!. A!!itionall, to the s$a enger a"+*sh# "ore +a! ne-s arri e!this "orning. The raghea!s ha e o+ io*sl, re/lenishe! their ranks a%ter-e +loo!ie! their nose at Bagra"# +e$a*se the, trie! to in%iltrate o*rterritor, %ro" the so*th. Fere. The $olonel /oints at a "arker on the "a/.Be%ore -e /*nish the s$a engers# so"ething nee!s to +e !one a+o*t thisn*isan$e. Lie*tenant Ra"irez

Sir o* -ill ass*"e $o""an! o er Nelson


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The Lie*tenants in $harge -ill /ersonall, ens*re that no one an! nothinggets in an! o*t. )hen 6 see the ti"e %it 6


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Ba*er# 6 see ,o* ha e another H*estion.Sir )hen -ill the To/ an! the -it$h +e +a$kO)hene er he has %inishe! "*stering the ne- re$r*its an! "a!e s*re

that Nooria is *nhar"e!. The (olonel halts his -or!s %or a "o"ent. o* all kno- that 6 -as not o erl, ha//, -hen ", ste/!a*ghter !e$i!e!to a$$o"/an, o*r R*sskie %rien! on his "ission. Fo-e er# to /*t it this-a,& ,o* also kno- that the -o"en o% the Tri+e are not entirel, s*+4e$tsto o*r $hain o% $o""an!. A -a e o% lo- la*ghter goes aro*n! a"ong theLie*tenants. All 6 $o*l! !o -as to or!er the sergeant "a4or to kee/ -at$ho er her. @ntil she is +a$k# ,o*

4*ggerna*ts. 6< e alrea!, or!ere! Bo ki$ker to iss*e "ore in$en!iar,ro*n!s %or the .;0 $als on o*r /atrol ehi$les. Sa"e a//lies %or the sH*a!a*to"ati$ -ea/ons an! 28 ri%les. o*


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the" -ants to +e the %irst to share his !o*+ts. Ra"irez o%%ers a +o o%$igarettes. E ent*all,# Ba*er !ra-s on his s"oke an! +egins to s/eak.

The Stalkers are !ea!.Lea e that g*ng ho +*llshit %or a se$on!# the +l*e e,e! -arrior

sa,s. 6

-in!. The /lan is goo!. )e take 'hor+an! %irst J that /la$e ha! +een athorn in o*r %lesh long eno*gh. Sho*l!n

C9


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All three la*gh. IosQ Ra"irez e ent*all, hea es a sigh o% $on$ern.This -ill +e to*gh an! 6 got the shittiest "ission like al-a,s. )h,# 'o!-h,O An,-a,# the +ig "an has s/oken an! -e %ollo-. The S/irit +e -ith*s.

6t -ill +e# (ollins sa,s. LetMo7!$ on So&7h G'r! A3!n&! Po4on' Lo/ An%!$!/

Stan!ing -ith his +a$k to the -all -ith a $igarette in "o*th# Sergeanta4or Fart"an a//ears like an, or!inar, g*est -ho -o*l! en4o, a s"oke

on the eran!a o erlooking the $o*rt,ar!# es$a/ing his *nins/ire! roo".Fe stares at the /ool in the $o*rt,ar! an! slo-l, shakes his hea!. 6t is

a$ant at this late ho*r +*t the -ater is still ill*"inate! +, la"/s +elo-.To hi" -ho $alls a !esert %ortress his ho"e the sight o% so "*$h /*re-ater# *se! %or nothing# is an in$re!i+le -aste o% one o% the "ost /re$io*sreso*r$es.

The roo" !oor o/ens an! Taraso a//ears. in! i% 6 4oin ,o*# To/O

Fell no# Fart"an sa,s an! kills his $igarette in an ashtra,.6


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Looks like ,o*r $o*ntr, too $o*l! *se a +ig an! thoro*gh $lean */.)hi$h /la$e on earth !oesn

80


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Right no- an,thing *se%*l in hi" is hi!!en *n!er thi$k la,ers o% shit.)e


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*ut I didnt shoot no more Duty, oh, oh, o3oh.4eah /ll around in my home base,theyre tryin to track me downthey say they want to bring me in guilty for not killing everyone Duty for the sake of humanity. *ut I say...

Fe is a+o*t to light */ a 4oint -hen he hears the "etalli$ click o% are ol er +eing $o$ke!. Fe t*rns aro*n! an! sees Shrink at the $o*nter#

/ointing a .=; agn*" at his hea!.The "an hi"sel% Ashot sa,s# hi!ing his e"+arrass"ent +ehin! a

-i!e s"ile. )el$o"e to "e h*"+le esta+lish"ent Listen */# Ashot. e taking o er this /la$e "eans ,o*


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6 al"ost literall, !i!. Thank Bill, 6 t*rne! +a$k 4*st in ti"e +e%orethe !*st stor" o% the $ent*r, hit.

Ashot# $o*l! ,o* intro!*$e "e to this la!,O Shrink asks# still*ns*re o er -hat he is seeing.

h ,eah a$# this is Shrink. Fe is the ne- +oss in Bagra" */s# a$ sa,s in e"+arrass"ent. That "akes ,o* the onl, "oron

le%t# Ashot.No o%%ense taken# Shrink H*i$kl, sa,s. an! Shrink# he 6 "ean# she is a$# ar


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That -ill +e t-ent, !ollars. )ith a -i!e s"ile# Ashot takes a +ottleo% (ossa$ks o!ka an! %ills */ a shot glass. B*t sin$e ,o* are "e %irst$*sto"er to!a,# 6


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Then an assistant o% "ine -o*l! +e 4*st the right $hoi$e. (al" g*,#kee/ing his tho*ghts to hi"sel% i% he +elie es itGirst 6 trie! to heal hi" o*t o% +eing a nat*ral +orn loner# +*t -hen 6 sa-hi" shooting a !*sh"an %ro" a !istan$e o% three h*n!re! "eters !i!n +elie e that either.Ashot# gi e "e one "ore o!ka# a$ sa,s. 6


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Looking gen*inel, $on$erne!# Shrink !r*"s his %ingers on the$o*nter. 6 think o% their ra!io +eing +roken +e$a*se 6 !on


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sai!. Taking Pete together -iththe tho*ght o% +eing irt*all, a /risoner# this %eeling still lea es hi" in a

!ark "oo!.Fe o/ens the !oor +*t al"ost sh*ts it again# seeing Taraso sittinghal% nake! in a $hair -ith Nooria kneeling in %ront o% hi". Gor a se$on!#he gazes at her a"aze! it is the %irst ti"e he sees Nooria -itho*t herrain$oat on# an! the sight o% her loosene!# $*rl, hair that $oats her +a$klike a silk,# $hestn*t $olore! ro+e !o-n to her -aist# i"/resses hi"

+e,on! "eas*re. E"+arrasse! o er ha ing interr*/te! a "o"ent o%inti"a$,# Pete is a+o*t to ste/ +a$k into his roo" +*t Taraso -a es tohi".

(o"e# ki!. )e


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Taraso looks at the -o*n! on his $hest Nooria is treating.No /ett, th*g $o*l! in%li$t s*$h a $*t on "e. Fo- !i! ,o* slee/ORestlessl,.No -on!er. The To/ tol! "e ,o* ha e a slee/-alking /ro+le".

*t$h Taraso s$o-ls. That -o*n! h*rts eno*gh -itho*t ,o* +iting", ni//le.

Sorr,# 6

Let


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Taraso sighs an! !r*"s his %ingers on the ar"rest o% his $hair. Girstthings %irst ,o*< e +een a arine ,o*rsel% an! kno- ho- the !rill goesa+o*t +eing the "ost +a!ass %ighting "a$hines in the -orl!.

6 $all it +rain-ashing.5*ring the B*sh -ar# he str*ggle! -ith the i!ea o% %ighting -ith one

o% his han!s tie! to his +a$k. Fe +elie e! that a +r*tal ene", $an onl, +e +eaten +, !is/la,ing the sa"e +r*talit,.

6 kno- -here the stor, goes. Fe lost it an! "assa$re! a -holeillage. 6t


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6


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Sergeant a4or Fart"an


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'osh ka,# "a,+e 6


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regar!less o% their earlier ranks sa e %or Sergeant a4or Fart"an. No"atter -hat# the -arriors o% the Tri+e h*ng on their /ast as arines an! a

arine %or$e nee!s a sergeant "a4or as "*$h as a +o!, nee!s a +a$k+one.Later on# as their strength gre- -ith re$r*its %lo-n in an! the "artial

Fazara ,o*th +ee%ing */ their ranks# the (olonel $o*l! ha e re%er to his*nits as $o"/anies an! /latoons +*t the ter"


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a$ lea es Bill, at the +otto" o% the looko*t to-er an! s-i%tl, $li"+sthe "etal stairs. She is a+o*t to greet the sni/er on the /lat%or" -hen heraises his han!# -itho*t t*rning +a$k to look at her.

Sta, +ehin! "e# the sni/er sa,s. )e +etter talk like this.)hatO6t -o*l! +e like talking to ",sel%. B*t i% ,o* ste/ into ", a*ra# -e

start intera$ting. E $hanging glan$es. 'est*ring. 6t -o*l! interr*/t ",$on$entration. Besi!es# 6 alrea!, kno- -ho ,o* are an! -hat ,o* are#

a$.Fo- $o*l! ,o*O6 hear the noise ,o*r e oskeleton "akes. o*r oi$e is hoarse no- it

+etra,s that nor"all,# it is er, so%t. 6t so*n!s er, ,o*ng# too. 6< e hear!

o% onl, one ,o*ng Stalker -ho o-ns an e oskeleton# +e$a*se rookies$annot a%%or! one. Fe -as a$# @n$le ar


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No- that ,o* kno- so "*$h a+o*t "e an! "e a+o*t ,o* onl, that,o*2Tell him to send me the coordinates of any hidden stash before its

too late.>2Im cleaning my rifle. *y the time I get there he would be dead. Too

bad, but the %ew Cone is about taking another life.>2If he was a good Stalker, well drink to him once more >

9;


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Then at last Shrink

Praising @n$le ar %or -el!ing the steel la!!er s*$h -a, that theg*ar!s $an si"/l, sli!e !o-n# a$ gets !o-n an! r*ns to the ar"ore!tr*$k -hi$h has a t-in +arrele! ?@ 2: anti air$ra%t g*n "o*nte! on its%lat+e!. Shrink has alrea!, starte! the engine an! the tr*$k is slo-l,rolling to-ar!s the o/ening in the $ontainer -all s*rro*n!ing the Stalker

+ase -hen Ah*izotl rea$hes it. Fe gra+s a$


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98


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a$ Kee/ those +easts a-a, %ro" *s the sni/er sho*ts. 6 $an


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an! toil */ the stee/ as$ent. 6% li%eless r*++er an! "etal $o*l! a$t!es/eratel,# the -heels -o*l!n


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No. Ban!its. The, $a"e o*t o% no-here an! sla*ghtere! e er,one 6-as ret*rning %ro" an arti%a$t h*nt an! all 6 $o*l! !o -as to seek $o er#sta, /*t an! -at$h ho- the, loote! the /la$e The Ban!its sa- "e. 6 ha!to r*n a-a,

Ban!itsO There are no Ban!its here The Stalker tries to lean */ %ro" his +e!. A//arentl, angere! a+o*t

Shrink not +elie ing hi"# he gra+s his ar" an! /*lls hi" $loser. 6 ha eseen eno*gh Ban!its in the ?one to re$ognize not one +*t !ozens o%the".

Shrink# ,o* kno- the !rill# Bonesetter $al"l, sa,s. Fe nee!s rest.o* ha e hear! eno*gh %or no-.

Shrink grazes his st*++le. Ban!itsO Then -e sho*l! ha e le%t this

s*$ker to his %ate. There


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The sni/er shakes his hea! as he -at$hes Shrink lea e the in%ir"ar,-ith his Stalkers.

6t

)e


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72


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Lo e this lan!s$a/e. Re"in!s "e o% the san!+o . The Ne- ?one# as,o* $all it# the To/ sa,s -ith a re%eren$e to the A%ghan -il!erness.)i!e an! o/en. akes "e %eel %ree 5oesn

7:


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-on!er i% the Tri+e ha! $hosen this -il!erness %or its si"ilarit, to theA%ghan lan!s$a/e.

E /e$ting so"e kin! o% "ilitar, +ase# he is s*r/rise! -hen the To/steers o%% the roa! an! halts at a one stor, +*il!ing -ith three gas /*"/sin %ront o% it. The /la$e "*st ha e +een a+an!one! %or H*ite so"e ti"e#

+e$a*se shr*+s ha e gro-n aro*n! the /*"/s an! the -in!o-s o% the +*il!ing are +oar!e!. Nonetheless# he noti$es tra$ks le%t +, !*st, -heelson the +roken tar"a$# telling o% re$ent isitors.

o* ha e seen A"eri$a


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5*st an! san!# san! an! !*st. Geels like ho"e.6


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Sir Se$on! Lie*tenant Stone re/orting# Sergeant a4or# sir Sto/s$rea"ing into ", ear# Stone# 6 ain


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Gollo-ing the


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an! ,o* -ill %orget a+o*t TD +e$a*se the glorio*s shine o% s-ags-ill "ake ,o* %orget a+o*t ,o*r ho/eless little s$reen. 5o ,o* think ,o*are */ to itO

Sir# ,es# sir E en a litter o% star ing !esert "i$e so*n!s "ore $on in$ing 2Sir yes sir >6 !on


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)rong 6t


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The To/ ste/s to the ne t re$r*it# a ,o*ng +la$k "an -ith a tho*san!,ar!s stare. Fe a//arentl, "akes a +etter i"/ression on Fart"an +e$a*sehe !oesn


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o* "*st "ean the re$reation roo"# Stone sa,s -ith a little s"ile.6t


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6< e seen all kin!s o% !es/erate "en -anting to 4oin ,o*r ranks# +*t-ith all !*e res/e$t J -hat !oes a $har"ing# intelligent# ,o*ng -o"anlike ,o* !o hereO

Sir J 6 "ight +e ,o*ng# $har"ing an! intelligent +*t not the kin! o%-o"an ,o* take "e %or. 6 a" a Se$on! Lie*tenant in the Tri+e an!

/ri ilege! to kee/ */ o*r (o!e o% Fonor# (o*rage an! (o""it"entagainst all o!!s in the -orl!. An! i% all ", -ealth -ere a !i"e# 6

Altho*gh Taraso $an onl, g*ess -hat a !i"e "eans# he is -elli"/resse! +, the Se$on! Lie*tenant +*t -hat he reall, %eels he +etra,e! is not @kraine#e en less so its ar",. 6t is the E $l*sion ?one. Nooria# -ho a//ears to hi"as i% she -ere hol!ing all the ",steries o% the Ne- ?one in her !ark greene,es# al-a,s ha! +een a reasona+le 4*sti%i$ation %or his !e$ision. etso"ething kee/s nagging at his $ons$ien$e an! no- stirs */ a s*!!en-a e o% ho"esi$kness.

6 ha e a P5A on "e. 6s there a %a$ilit, -here 6 $o*l! !o-nloa!"essagesO

Sta%% Sergeant No 'o $an hel/ ,o* -ith that.Sta%% Sergeant -hoONot F*. Ng# +*t -e $all hi" No 'o. Fe sho*l! +e at his ter"inal

o er there. nl, lea es his $o"/*ters alone -hen he nee!s going to therestroo".

Fis na"e is -hatO

Fi* Ng. Ioine! *s all the -a, %ro" Tai-an.6 see. Thanks %or the to*r# Se$on! Lie*tenant.The %e"ale o%%i$er no!s an! gi es Taraso a res/e$t%*l glan$e +*t

gi es hi" no sal*te -hen she h*rries o%%.Fe -alks to a horseshoe sha/e! -orkstation -ith large $o"/*ter

s$reens# se eral la/to/s an! !eskto/ P(s. A short (hinese "an is sitting +ehin! the" on a h*ge $hair. 5es/ite his thin e,eglasses# No 'o !oesn


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Sta%% Sergeant *h"# No 'o# 6 nee! logging on to a s/e$ial ser erin @kraine thro*gh ", P5A# Taraso sa,s.

)hat !oes it ha e a/art %ro" a ro*ter an! %ire-allO No 'o re/lies +arel, looking */ %ro" a !ise"+o-ele! P( he is "en!ing. DPN# 6PSO

(o"e againO6


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ost o% the ne-s is a+o*t *s*al e ents in the E $l*sion ?one& s*//l,lists# "ission re/orts %ro" his %or"er $o"ra!es like 1reedom patrol sighted at


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thro*gh their 6P a!!ress an! /*t the" *n!er s*r eillan$e. E tre"ist sites !itto.

An!O)e !o the sa"e# 4*st looking at it %ro" another angle. 6% Ia$k or Ioe

starts ranting a+o*t killing all the +a!!ies# -e %lag the"# $he$k the"# an!i% the, see" to +e $lear I*!ging +, their net tra%%i$# -e rea$h o*t %orthe".

There -as a ki! a"ong the re$r*its. Gon! o% $o"/*ters# a//arentl,.5i! ,o* %in! hi" like thatO

o* "*st +e "eaning the all A"eri$an (o*nterstrike $ha"/ion.)hat

The To/ o*$hing %or ,o* "akes ,o* al"ost one o% *s.Altho*gh he is still $*rio*s a+o*t -hat this "eans# Strelok


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Fere the, lie# one +, one %inishe! o%% +, Sergeant Fill+ill,

)e !on


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$o%%ee "ore than rela ing# as -ell as seeing Nooria an! Pete sitting there.The (olonel


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eah# "aking in entor, is a /ain in the ass# Fart"an agrees -ith agri"a$e. Thanks 'o! 6

o*r enth*sias" is !*l, note!# Nooria# +*t 6 "ight ha e a /ro+le"-ith that /lan# Fart"an sa,s.Nothing to +e -orrie! a+o*t# To/. 6 -ill +ring Pete an! Nooria sa%el,

+a$k to ,o*r Ala"o +*t -e


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6 got t-o "essages %ro" hi". The %irst -as a+o*t so"ethingi"/ortant he -ante! to !is$*ss -ith "e. , %rien!# Strelok is his na"e# isone o% the greatest Stalkers -ho ha e e er -alke! the E $l*sion ?one.S*%%i$e to sa,# the ?one has a !ark histor, -ith all kin!s o% e /eri"ents$on!*$te! there %irst +, the So iets# then +, the @krainian go ern"ent.Taraso sto/s %or a heart+eat +e%ore he $ontin*es. Strelok kno-s all these$rets# or at least "ost o% the" an! i% he sa,s so"ething is i"/ortant# 6

+etter +elie e hi".B*t -h, ,o*O Fart"an asks. Fe $o*l!n


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The,< e lost a %e- -arriors re$entl, an! nee! re/la$e"ents an,-a,. 5o-e ha e a !eal# StoneO

es# sir Thank ,o*# sir 6 -ill gi e the" hell in +oot $a"/ No !o*+t a+o*t that. Kee/ ,o*r e,e on that +la$k g*,# tho*gh. Fe

"ight ha e got -hat it takes to +e a goo! -arrior. Besi!es# Lie*tenant(ollins $o*l! *se another e Ranger in his sH*a!. That -o*l! +e all. No'o

6


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-earing a te$hni$ian


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Fo- "*$h !oes a single one set *s +a$k# Ii"",OThirt, %i e tho*san! +*$ks /l*s the a""o. Sorr, To/# !on

So# -hat -o*l! ,o* like to ha e hereO No- that the To/ "entione!Belgi*" J $are to tr, a S(ARO ne o% their ne- F PR /re$ision ri%lesOPerha/s so"ething elseO

Let "e think 5o ,o* ha e a DintorezOThe enth*sias" !isa//ears %ro" Ii"",


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No o%%ense# Ii"",# Taraso sa,s. All right# the To/ sa,s $las/ing his han!s. Let


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The ar"o*rer !isa//ears in a storage roo" +ehin! his -ork+en$h an!ret*rns -ith a +ran! ne-# +la$k gas "ask. 6ns/e$ting it# Taraso slo-l,shakes his hea!. (o"/are! to the o+solete 'P; "asks $o""onl, seen on?one Stalkers -hi$h "akes their -earer a//ear like an ele/hant# or e enthe "ilitar,


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S/ot on# the ol! -arrior re/lies. o* kno-# 6 ne er tol! Ii"", +*tsho*l! 6 e er %in! ",sel% in a reall, +a! $l*ster%*$k# 6

The, "ake their -a, to the lo++, -here Nooria an! Pete are -aitingat No 'o

)e


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'i""e a se$# No 'o re/lies -itho*t looking */ %ro" his $o"/*ters$reen. Thanks goo!ness# no isa

11C


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1FP'n r *'$$! nor7h!'/7 o8 B'%r'4 N!6 Zon!

Ba$k at Ashot the Feartstone# +oasting health an!

/reser ing li%e. @nlike in the E $l*sion ?one# e er, arti%a$t is *se%*l. Thestranger


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(al" !o-n (o*gar sho*ts# tr,ing to so*n! reass*ring. Let


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o* +astar! )illo- s$rea"s in horror# 6 $*rse ,o* o* traitor#,o* !a"n traitor

)hate er the g*i!e is !oing# he sto/s %or a "o"ent to sho*t +a$k.I*st $all "e Skinner# +rothers )e are not ,o*r +rothers# "other%*$ker (o*gar ,ells.Skinner


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A//earing a"ong the $ro-! in %ront o% the ta %ree sho/s at LosAngeles 6nternational# a +ig# ear to ear s"ile is on her %a$e an! t-ohea il, loa!e! +ags in her han!s.

Ies*s# -o"an )hat


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)h, !on

eah# -o"en in the ranks o* kno-# -hen ,o* see a %rien! !ie#

that $an !e astate ,o*r heart. 6% ,o* see ,o*r lo e !ie that $an +ring the-il! ani"al o*t %ro" the +otto" o% ,o*r so*l. )e !on


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Sorr, to !ist*r+# +*t is this -o"an -ith ,o*OShe is# Taraso re/lies to the -o"an sitting +ehin! hi"# ne t to

Nooria


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ikhailo There are si $ha"/agnes on "en*# Nooria asks %ro" +ehin!. )hi$h is +estO

Let "e see no- -hat -o*l! a gen*ine @krainian "o+ster !rinkO5o" Perignon "a,+eO Ne er hear! a+o*t it +*t so*n!s /ro"ising. )hat


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!o-n see"s to hi" e en "ore r*!i"entar, than the 100 Ra!s. Fis triggerha//, "en ha e ri!!le! the -all -ith +*llet holes an! t*rne! the /la$e*/si!e !o-n in sear$h %or loot. S*n sha%ts %all in thro*gh holes in the$eiling an! "ake the s-irling !*st isi+le. 6n the $o*rt,ar!# t-o !ozenBan!its are $ele+rating as i% taking the !e%en!ers +, $o"/lete s*r/risean! o err*nning the /la$e thro*gh an *ng*ar!e! *n!ergro*n! /assage-o*l! ha e +een a i$tor, to +e /ro*! o%. Br*iser $are%*ll, +ags thela/to/ an! shakes his hea! o er the +ragging a*!i+le %ro" the $o*rt,ar!.

+*t !at sono%a+it$h !i!n


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not */ to this. To his %*rther e"+arrass"ent# he %eels his %a$e +l*shing insha"e.

@h oh# Senka


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Br*iser 4*"/s o er the -o*n!e! "an an! +r*tall, ki$ks the han!tr,ing to gra+ at hi". Fe $olle$ts his r*$ksa$k# H*i$kl, /*ts the /re$io*sla/to/ insi!e an! is a+o*t to rea$h the hole lea!ing into the se-ers -henhe %eels a strong han! on his sho*l!er.

R*nning a-a,# h*hO Not -itho*t "e# asshole 6t is Senka -ho -ants to grin +*t his li/s are tre"+ling -ith %ear.

o e# Br*iser 6 sa- sol!iers $o"ing Tho*gh Br*iser -ants to at least kno- -ho ha! roote! the" so

H*i$kl, an! +r*tall,# he lea es an, H*estions %or later as he sH*eezeshi"sel% thro*gh the hole an! !es$en!s +a$k into the se-ers %ro" -herethe, ha! e"erge! 4*st a %e- ho*rs ago. Neither he or Senka think %or ase$on! a+o*t sa ing an,one -ho "ight ha e s*r i e! the onsla*ght.

The so*n! o% the %right%*l "*si$ is re$e!ing# tho*gh the han!%*l o%Ban!its still ali e $an har!l, realize it. Bloo! tri$kles %ro" their +laststri$ken ears. Ren!ere! in$a/a+le +, the shelling# the, hel/lessl, -at$h on%ighters in !esert $a"o*%lage a//ear thro*gh the +rea$he! -all an! se$*rethe r*ine! As,l*" -ith -ell traine! "o e"ents.

22A,'n9on!9 /. !n7 8 . 8'. $ 7 ,!n!'7h P'n r *'$$! N!6

Zon!Skinner

4a$kals into -ol es -ith the size o% a +earO Too +a! he ha! so %e- gas athis !is/osal# an! e en so# he $o*l! $o*nte! hi"sel% l*$k, to ha e %o*n!eno*gh o% the ",sterio*s s*+stan$e at all. As o% ,et# there -as no -a, tolea! this gro*/ o% *ns*s/e$ting Stalkers to the northern /assage an! !o-ninto the (ata$o"+s +eneath the (it, o% S$rea"s. The Tri+e -as +lo$kingthe a//roa$hes lea!ing there %ro" the so*th an! east. Soon# the, -ill +eannihilate! +*t %or the ti"e +eing# he ha! to settle %or -hat he %o*n! inthese a*lts -here e /eri"ents to e"*late the e%%e$ts o% those %ate%*l$ata$o"+s ha! on$e +een $on!*$te!. An! no- it


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an! his "en s*r i e!. Pro+a+l, not# +*t it


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127


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2>LHR (H!'7hro6 A r

)at$h o*t# "an

1:0


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ate# that

"ate. o*


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"o*th as long as a strong "an


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There are no +oars in the !esert# "ate. At least not in the Tana"i-here 6 $o"e %ro". Then there

25Ghor,'n9 N!6 Zon!

Ia elins ki$k ass# Girst Lie*tenant 5ris$oll sa,s e,eing the $arnagein the $o*rt,ar! o% the As,l*". 6 $an har!l, -ait to see "ore o% this atBagra".

Lie*tenant (ollins no!s agree"ent. */. Tho*gh 6 s*//ose their"ain +ase -ill +e a har!er n*t to $ra$k# sho*l! it reall, $o"e to that.

% $o*rse it -ill.5ris$oll looks at their !ea! ene"ies -ho the %ighters ha e line! */ in

the $o*rt,ar! like h*nters -o*l! -ith their /re,.Thirt, three s$a engers an! there "ight +e "ore *n!er the r*++le.

No $as*alties on o*r si!e. The +ig "an -ill +e /lease!.Agree# sir. )ith all the tasks -e ha e# losing e en one "an -o*l! +e

5ris$oll interr*/ts hi". That


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%o*ght it o%% -ith the reg*lar gang an! -on. Look those -e ha e kille!all ha e an ar" /at$h 6< e ne er seen +e%ore. Fa e ,o*O

Fe li%ts a !ea! ene",


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A%ter a heart+eat o% "ena$ing silen$e# 5ris$oll takes the Ban!it


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5ris$oll sta,s an! no!s to the ,o*ng %ighter. The Ban!it


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$ontin*ing so*th-ar! on the right si!e o% the $reek is hea il, "ine!. Astrong roa!+lo$k is sit*ate! -here the +ri!ge rea$hes the other si!e# +*ilt%ro" ro$ks an! rein%or$e! -ith san! +ags. 6t


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Too +a! ,o* $o*l!n


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)here are -e goingOFo"e# Nooria or -hat ha! on$e +een ho"e. Fe halts the $ar in

%ront o% a gre, a/art"ent +*il!ing. )ait %or a "o"ent. To/# gi e "e,o*r +ase+all $a/.

Taraso -alks */ to the gate o% the +*il!ing -here his "other li es.Fe looks aro*n! $a*tio*sl,. Being s*re that he is -ante! %or !esertion an!that the onl, /la$e in Kie %or hi" to go is there%ore *n!er s*r eillan$e# hetries to a$t as in$ons/i$*o*s as /ossi+le. At !a,ti"e he -o*l!n

,o* +eha e. )ill ,o*OTaraso $an har!l, hear the +o,


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"*tant a//earing in the !arkness +*t at least t-ent,. The san!, gro*n! isshaking *n!er their hea , ste/s as the l*"+ering h*lks a//roa$h# ea$h o%the" t-i$e as tall as a h*"an. Skinner gra+s Sai%*llah


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The hone, $olore! !esigner la"/ $asts a $oz, light o er the roo"-here (a/tain aksi"enko is sitting at a "ake */ ta+le# +lo-ing a s"okering %ro" his $igarillo. Fe -at$hes it slo-l, %a!ing a-a, -hen it to*$hesthe "irror re%le$ting Agent Ge!orka one e"/t,# one "issing 4*st as "*$has there is in aksi"enko


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their s*//orters %or s"*ggling -ea/ons# tra%%i$king $ri"inals to +oosttheir n*"+ers an! all that. 5ra-ing on his $igarillo# aksi"enkonarro-s his e,e an! lo-ers his oi$e al"ost to a -his/er. 6"agine#Derka 4*st i"agine. )e get that intel# ,o* an! "e. Then the onl, $hoi$e-e

%e"ale ag*eness# she asks hi" so"ething else. )hat $o*l! Taraso lo ea+o*t that girlO

)h, !o ,o* $areOTaraso


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es ,o* -ill.No 6 -on


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Ge!orka takes a s"all ial %ro" the +e! !ra-er# /o*rs "assage oil onher +o!,# %irst a//l,ing it on her sti%%ene! +reasts# then her +ell,# innerthighs an! se .

6 -o*l! /*t so"e o% this oil on ", %ists an! /enetrate her *ntil shes$rea"s.

)o*l! ,o*O aksi"enko o/ens the !ra-er o% the "ake */ ta+lean! re"o es a /air o% han!$*%%s.

es 6 -o*l!.)h,OA han!$*%% $loses on Dera Ge!orka


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Fe !e$i!es to $arr, on -ith their ga"e# ho/ing that his in$onsi!erateH*estion a//ears to +e 4*st /art o% it.

o* +it$h# aksi"enko sa,s $li"+ing on the +e!. o* +a! an!$r*el +it$h. 6t is ,o* -ho sho*l! +e /*nishe!.

es 6 sho*l! 6 "*st# she -his/ers. )hat are ,o* -aiting %orO2Suka,> aksi"enko -his/ers as he takes the $an!le an! lets the hot

-a s/lash all o er her +o!,. Dera "oans -ith !elight. Fe !ee/l, /enetrates her -ith one /*sh# so%tl, hol!ing her ne$k -ith one han! an!gi ing her a +ig sla/ -ith the other. 6t lea es her $heek +loo! re!.

ore# she "oans.Fis gri/ on her ne$k tightens. A !ro/ o% sali a %alls %ro" his grinning

"o*th to the tre"+ling +reasts +eneath hi". Fe sla/s her %a$e on$e "ore#

this ti"e "*$h har!er. Dera Ge!orkaGr*strate!# Dera Ge!orka $*sses an! rattles on the han!$*%%s sha$kling

her to the +e!. aking s*re that the $aller $an


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aksi"enko -alks +a$k to the +e! an! gi es Dera Ge!orka the looko% a real sa!ist.

6


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a//earan$e an! /ersonal !etails. The S/irit o% the (it, o% S$rea"s "ightha e "a!e hi" +igger not as +ig as the To/ an! the (olonel

Fe, Pete sa,s %ro" his $hair in %ront o% the TD. 6 -as -at$hingthis

Taraso signals hi" to sta, /*t. Fe H*i$kl, re"o es the ke, $ar! %ro"its holster to s-it$h o%% all lights in the roo" an! takes the $lothes hanger

that he ha! alrea!, /la$e! $lose to the !oor J e en the "ost hea il, ar"e!$o""an!o -o*l! +e hel/less i% *ne /e$te!l, $hoke hel! -ith that.A%ter a heart+eat another kno$k $o"es. This ti"e it is so"eone

!r*""ing the rh,th" o% the 'arr, -en song -ith his %ingers on the!oor.

(o"e in# Taraso sa,s s-it$hing the lights +a$k on. Nooria


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6s he in +*sinessOBet he is. Fe

+oar h*nt# not e en %or the sake o% a !ozen to/ "o!els +egging hi" %orse . An! Ies*s# the -o"en here "*st all +e to/ "o!els +e$a*se the -a,the, look goo! 'o!

6s the hotel +ar still o/enO Pete asks# a"*se!. 6 $o*l! *se so"e$o"/an, ",sel%.

er ", !ea! +o!,# Fart"an gr*"+les. An,-a,# -hat


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E a$tl,. )e


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E"ission a//roa$hing# (a/tain aksi"enko sa,s looking at his-at$h. The el!erl, -o"an -earing /lain $i ilian $lothes an! stan!ing atthe %ar $orner o% the /lain o%%i$e in the SB@ hea!H*arters looks at hi"-ith s*r/rise.

)hat !o ,o* "ean# (a/tainO aking /eo/le -ait is a /er%e$t -a, to -eaken their resol e#

aksi"enko $heer%*ll, re/lies. )e


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-ell. To Anhela Kirillo na# she has SB@ -ritten all o er her -rinkle!%a$e as she leans against the -all ne t to a large /hotogra/h o% a heroi$"on*"ent. 6t sho-s the /ro%ile o% a So iet sol!ier %ro" the 'reat Patrioti$)ar# $hisele! into a h*ge gre, +o*l!er. The ins$ri/tion +elo- sa,s#PDefenders of Sebastopol A we will never forget you .

So# Do a o*t o% $*riosit,# ,o* $he$ke! */ the ho"e /age o%the /oli$e. Then ,o*r "other sa- there


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)e ha e +een -aiting %or ,o*# Agent.A/ologies# =apitan. 6 +*rne! ", -rists -hen "aking tea.6


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B*t "a,+e -e


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@nseen +, Anhela Kirillo na an! her son# aksi"enko gi es Ge!orkaa -ink %ro" his e,e.

h ,es# 6 think ,o* !eser e it. 6% 6


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Derka# Derka# ,o* "ight +e one o% o*r +est assets +*t ,o*1Tr ,! o&7


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1;8


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to kee/ the" -ar" !*ring a $ol! night an! no- he is /lease! to %eelthe s"ell o% hot $o%%ee stea"ing %ro" the "etal $*/ in his han!. En4o,ings"ell an! %la or# he -ishes %or a $igarette to ro*n! o%% this si"/le

/leas*re. A glo-ing $igarette -o*l! "ake hi" an e $ellent target %or an,hostile sni/er l*rking in the !arkness# tho*gh. Fa ing %inishe! his $o%%ee#he $ontin*es to -at$h the $an,on %ro" the roa!+lo$k.

The %ighters "anning the roa!+lo$k are +arel, isi+le +*t he $an s"ellthe". A shar/ "*sk o% s-eat an! slee/lessness -ea es thro*gh the air#"i e! -ith the hea ier s$ent o% g*n grease %ro" his o-n re$entl, $leane!

1C.Stars a+o*n! in the sk,. Fe has a $lear ie- o er the $an,on -here

thro*gh his night ision +ino$*lars e er,thing a//ears to +e ill*"inate!

+, the eerie green o% St. El"o


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Fe gra+s the +ino$*lars an! looks -here his se$on! in $o""an! ha! /ointe! a "in*te ago. Still +l*rre! in the !istan$e# a h*ge /a$k o%%ero$io*s 4a$kals a//ears in the green ision.

*te! noise $o"es %ro" the o*t/ost as %ighters -earing hea , $o"+atgear are "anning "a$hine g*ns an! ri%le /ositions.

All tea"s# $he$k ,o*r $o""s# Ra"irez sa,s into his inter$o".The %irst re/l, $o"es %ro" the %ighters taking */ /osition at the

roa!+lo$k. Ri%le ne# in /osition.2$ifle Two, ready,> $o"es the re/l, %ro" the other si!e o% the $reek.2@ortar team ready.>2!eavy (ne, ready.>2!eavy Two, in position.>

Fea , ne an! T-o# hol! %ire on the .;0 $als# Ra"irez $o""an!s.Ri%le ne an! T-o# lo$k an! loa! Gire on ", $o""an! Fe -aits *ntil the a//roa$hing /a$k gets into /oint +lank range. )hen

the "*tants are 4*st a+o*t 2;0 "eters a-a,# Ra"irez ai"s at their al/ha. /en %ire he sho*ts an! %ires his assa*lt ri%le. The t-o %ire tea"s

i""e!iatel, res/on! to his $all. Their 1Cs hit the tightl, /a$ke! 4a$kals%ro" the %ront an! right si!e. Tho*gh !e$i"ate! in a %e- se$on!s# the,kee/ r*nning to-ar!s the o*t/ost.

Then the %irst "ine e /lo!es# %ollo-e! +, se eral "ore as the "*tantsenter the "ine%iel! lai! o*t on the !irt tra$k in %ront o% the roa!+lo$k.6nstea! o% t*rning +a$k or s$attering# the 4a$kals kee/ r*nning */#see"ingl, ignoring the +*llets hailing on the"# their hea , +o!iesreleasing "ore "ines as the, ste/ an! %all on the". Lie*tenant (a"/+ell

+rings the last one !o-n 4*st a %e- ste/s +e%ore the roa!+lo$k.Ra"irez -a es his han! an! sho*ts# (ease %ire Sa e %or a %e- %aint ,el/s $o"ing %ro" -o*n!e! "*tants# silen$e

!es$en!s. @nh*rrie!l,# Ra"irez ai"s his ri%le an! %inishes the" o%% one

+, one. The san!+o has 4*st sai! goo! "orning.(a"/+ell snorts. *tants -ith a !eath -ishOThe, got it# Ra"irez re/lies# loa!ing a %*ll "agazine into his assa*lt

ri%le.A +ark so*n!s in the !istan$e. The noise "akes the Lie*tenant %ro-n.

To his ears it so*n!e! "ore like a h*"an i"itating a 4a$kal al/ha# tho*ghi% so# then in a er, %aith%*l -a,. Fe has no ti"e to /on!er o er this as oneo% his %ighters sho*ts o*t.

There


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roa!+lo$k. A horri+le s*s/i$ion $o"es to Ra"irez


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Asking !istan$eO Ra"irez !e"an!s.T-o zero zero# a//roa$hing %ast ortar tea" Gire e"ission# !ire$tion J t-el e# !istan$e J one niner

zero# "arker J 4ee/ tra$k# the Lie*tenant ,ells. Gire %or e%%e$t# o er 21ire for effect. (ut.>A se$on! a%ter the "ortar se$tion


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S"iters (a"/+ell s$rea"s# S"iters h %*$k# the, got "a$hineg*ns

A//arentl, ignoring the hail o% +*llets %ire! at the"# the !ozen or so"*tants s-ee/ the o*t/ost


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the !rooling "o*th an! sen!s all ro*n!s still le%t in the STANA'"agazine into the s"iter


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The s"all sho/ at the "ain street o% Pr,+irsk is no !i%%erent %ro" thetho*san!s o% si"ilar esta+lish"ents in the @krainian $o*ntr,si!e. 6t is hal%sho/# hal% !rinking hole# -ith a ro*n! ta+le in the "i!!le -here /atrons$an lean on +e$a*se there are no $hairs# an! a shel% loa!e! -ith goo!s thatget "ore e /ensi e an! !*stier the higher the, are /la$e!. There is anele$tri$ kettle on the $o*nter# ne t to a s"all ra$k -ith $ho$olate +ars an!$he-ing g*". A /ie$e o% /a/er %astene! to the ra$k tells an,one intereste!that a Nes$a%Q $osts ten hri n,i.

6gnoring the %o*r $ost*"ers stan!ing at the ta+le an! talking in alang*age he !oesn


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Taraso


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Belie ing s*$h nonsense. Pete sighs an! /*ts a-a, the +o -ith hislast $igarette. ka,# 6

Fo/ing that the rain soake! engine -ill start# Taraso $onne$ts theignition $a+les. To his relie%# the +atter, $o"es to li%e an!# a%ter a sH*eaksan! st*tters# /o-ers the engine */. Kee/ ,o*r e,es /eele! %or ar",

/atrols.The !rizzle t*rns into hea , rain. 5ri ing slo-l,# he steers the @A?

into a narro- street %lanke! +, !*ll +ri$k -alls. Taraso !oesn


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The To/ H*i$kens his ste/s. Fe looks aro*n! in the alle, r*nning /arallel to the one -here the $ar is -aiting.

There


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Taraso slo-s !o-n# lea ing "ore !istan$e +et-een the" an! thetrain !ri ing ahea! o% the". is*n!erstan!ing this# Sa-,er /ats hissho*l!er.

)e


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nl, a %e- "eters le%t *ntil the train lea es the +ar+e! -ire $orri!or.)e


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A -hatO

181


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182


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Kin! o% a "otorize! han! $ar or train $ar. o*


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)hat !o ,o* gotO Fart"an $*rio*sl, asks the A*stralian.A Beretta 5T 10# a Benelli S*/er S/ort an! a Ste,r annli$her

%or .22: $artri!ges# Sa-,er re/lies *nzi//ing the ri%le $ases. Seeing asthis is the %or"er @SSR# an! R*ssians kno-ing a thing or t-o a+o*t +ears#6 also ha e a T ? :=.

6


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o* "a!O The,(*ssing# he 4*"/s o%%. The sol!iers re$o""en$e %iring an! seeing that

the, are a+o*t to es$a/e# r*sh %or-ar!.Pete P*ll on that string as strong as ,o* $an To/ Fart"an !oesnS-ear-or!s are the last the, hear %ro" the sol!iers as the !raisine

gains s/ee! an! !ri es o%% -ith the" into the "ist. A %e- +*llets still %l, +, +*t "iss the" +, %ar.

Phe-# Sa-,er sighs. This ain


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eah# +*t 6 -o*l!n a%ter one or t-o kilo"eters# the $a+les en!hanging lose %ro" the to-ers as i% intentionall, $*t# "aking their steelstr*$t*re a//ear like "otionless sentinels g*ar!ing o er this lan! that"ight ha e +een thri ing on$e# +*t has s*nk into o+li ion an! !e$a, longago.

)o- Pete sa, /ointing at a tin,# -re$ke! $ar. So"eone !*"/e!his to, $ar hereO6t -as $alle! a ?a/orozhets# Taraso re/lies looking else-here.The !raisine /rogresses along the +*"/, rails -ith a "onotono*s

$la$king. To Taraso it so*n!s like "*si$ an! his heart +eats %aster on thetho*ght o% getting $loser to the E $l*sion ?one -ith ea$h "eter the,"ake.

'ra!*all,# the gloo", in!*strial str*$t*res +e$o"e s/arser. Lo- hillsa//ear# $o ere! +, l*sh# o ergro-n grass.

A +ro-n sha/e a//ears thro*gh thin %og. Then t-o "ore# "o ingslo-l, $loser to the rails. Stirre! +, so"ething "o ing in the li%elesslan!s$a/e# Taraso rea$hes %or his ri%le. B*t -hen the sha/es +e$o"e$learer he s"iles.

18C


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A- ", goo!ness sho*ts an astonishe! Sa-,er. Prze alsk,horses

The !raisine !oesn


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)e are in a -eir! /la$e# Sa-,er# that


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Fe o/ens his e,es. The gro*n! is littere! -ith the +o!ies o% his "en>(a"/+ell

No hell is -hat ", Tri+e


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Be$a*se ,o* Seeing anger %lashing in Skinner


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6 -as /ra,ing to 'o! to grant *s i$tor, an! %orgi e "e %or 4oining*/ -ith ,o*r *ngo!l, $reat*res

h# now 6 kno- -ho "a!e a !i%%eren$e.Seeing that Sai%*llah is a+o*t to s/it on the Lie*tenant# he leans o er

Ra"irez


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)hat a+o*t a /orta+le kit$henO the To/ "o$ks hi".That one too. A -on!er%*l# relia+le (a"/ing 'az $ooker -ith all

kin!s o% /o-!ere! %oo!# in$l*!ing re! -ine /o-!er.(o"e againO o* hear! "e. Po*r it in a glass# a!! $ol! -ater# stir# -ait %i e

"in*tes J Presto Tastes at least like -ineO)ell# it


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19:


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o* !on er, "*$hin $ontrar, to the R*ssian "eters -here the earlier al-a,s $a"e %irst o erthe latter. 6t -o*l!n


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There

son o% the all kno-ing $o""an!er o% the Tri+e.The Tri+eOA$t*all,# 6 al-a,s -ante! to ask ,o*# Pete sa,s !ire$ting his -or!s

to Fart"an. 6 a" a little $on%*se! a+o*t this. So"eti"es ,o* re%er toarines# so"eti"es ,o* sa, Tri+e -hat are ,o* a%ter allO

The Tri+e +egins -here the (or/s en!s. (oin$i!es -ith the thin re!line se/arating the $all o% !*t, %ro" -hat


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T*zla T*nnel. Taraso takes a +olt %ro" the /o*$h an! rea!ies the!ete$tor. Listen */. Gro" no- on# !o onl, -hat 6 sa,. Kee/ ,o*r ri%lesrea!, +*t !o not shoot at an,thing -itho*t "e telling ,o* so.

Lo$al ersion o% the Salang PassO the To/ asks. *$h shorter. 5arker# too. Stalkers also $all it the eat 'rin!er.An! -hat are those things o er thereOTaraso looks at the !ire$tion Sa-,er is /ointing. 6n the /ro i"it, o%

the t*nnel entran$e# his e,es !ete$t +l*rr, or+s that a//ear like h*ge soa/ +*++les.

Sta, -here ,o* are. Fe takes a ste/ $loser to ins/e$t the +*++les.5on


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The ?one is a er, $o"/li$ate! s,ste" o% tra/s# an! the,


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The onl, goo! ne-s is that Sta%% Sergeant R*sh

6n!ee!.@ntil Nooria $o"es */ -ith so"e -it$h$ra%t# oloto $o$ktails$o*l! +e *se%*l too. Grankl,# sir# those -o*l! +e ", $hoi$e against s"itersan! not ri%les# not e en the ne-est ones# sho*l! 6 e er %a$e the" again.Ra"irez hol!s his -or!s %or a heart+eat. B*t then# 6 -on


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2*adal > she s$rea"s. 6 -ill not -ash ", %a$e *ntil 6 re enge ,o* Then she ste/s to the Lie*tenants. o* )arriors o* -ill +e

+rothers o% ", o-n +loo! *ntil -e re enge hi" Stan!ing on ti/toe torea$h the tall -arriors< %a$es# she s"ears a little o% her +loo! o er their%orehea!. The, let her an! their stone har! %a$es tell that the, are "orethan -illing to take re enge. Saira then %alls on her knees# $r,ing an!thro-ing !*st o er her hea!.

Le! +, the Begh*"# "ore -o"en a//ear an! !rag the h,steri$all,$r,ing Saira a-a,. The Begh*" /*ts her han! against Saira


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6 a" to tell ,o* that going to o*r knees is no /art o% o*r (o!e. That isthe ans-er o% the Tri+e.

Gine -ith "e# Lie*tenant# Skinner sa,s shr*gging his sho*l!ers. 6a//re$iate ,o* telling the re/l, -itho*t +arking that $hees, semper fi,oorah st*%%. '*ess -e $an all a!! it "entall, an,-a,. ka, Sai%*llah#he


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E9%! o8 7h! S6'4

/la$es o ergro-n +, ree!. To the %ar so*th# a -at$hto-er stan!s o*t %ro"the gre, %og. E en %*rther# /artl, $o ere! +, %og an! tall ree!# greenish

a/ors sH*ir" o er the ri ersi!e. Taraso is gla! to +e %ar a-a, %ro" the

/oisono*s $lo*! an! the ano"alies that e"it it.)el$o"e to the S-a"/s# he tells his $o"/anions -ho stan! at hissi!e in silen$e# a//arentl, i"/resse! +, the ast# %ore+o!ing lan!s$a/e.Then Nooria /oints %or-ar! an! Taraso i""e!iatel, *n!erstan!s that no"atter their %irst gli"/se o% the ?one# it -as so"ething else that ren!ere!the" s/ee$hless J an! he hi"sel% is str*ggling to +elie e his e,es.

6n$re!i+le# the To/ "*r"*rs.Fe,# a %a"iliar oi$e sa,s. )ant so"e $o%%eeOTaraso +links at the sight o% Sa-,er sitting on a ro$k an! leis*rel,

/o*ring a /o*$h o% instant $o%%ee into a "etal "*g %*ll o% stea"ing -ater.)hat is it# r. StalkerO the s*r i alist asks $heeril,# killing the

%la"e o% his $a"/ing gas $ooker. o* not ha//, to see "e againO

172


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6

)hat


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The "*tant gro-ls -hen it +e$o"es a-are o% the %i e h*"ans. 6tsee"s to hesitate# +*t its h*nger is a//arentl, stronger than $a*tion J or"a,+e it 4*st thinks a+o*t lea ing the still li ing h*"ans %or later.

The +ang o% a ri%le shot shatters the silen$e. A s/lit se$on! later# the"*tant

na*seaO6t


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Gasten this $ontainer -ith the arti%a$t to ,o*r +elt# an! ask Nooria %oranti ra!iation !r*gs e er, t-o ho*rs or so.

6 !on


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Ki!!ingO o* ha e t-o arines in the /art, A$t*all, it


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5o not "o e till 6


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No ", r*$ksa$k Sa-,er -hines. 6 $an


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o* t-o 4*st "a!e 6-o Ii"a look like -o"en


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-earing rags -ith +l*e +ro-n $a"o*%lage# gi es the !ea! Ban!its ah*ngr, look.

et the crate off the car, Skinner "entall, $o""an!s hi". Dinnercomes later.

6 -ill +*rn in hell %or !ealing -ith ,o* an! ,o*r haram $reat*res#Sai%*llah "*r"*rs as he -at$hes the t-o "*tants e%%ortlessl, li%t thehea , $rate.

Skinner shr*gs. Reall,O 6 tho*ght ,o*r go! -ill +e /lease! -ith ,o*gi ing hi" i$tor,. An! the little %ello- insi!e that $rate is here to !o 4*stthat.

)hat is itO Sai%*llah asks. Fe looks at his %ighters -ho "o e $loserto hi"# kee/ing their in!e %ingers on the trigger g*ar!s o% their ol!

Kalashniko s.A groan so*n!s insi!e the $rate# as i% a $age! "an -o*l! "oan o erhis i"/rison"ent in a h*"anoi!# ,et !ee/er an! !istorte! oi$e.

Sai%*llah# ,o* an! ,o*r "en +etter ste/ +a$k a %e- "eters# Skinnersa,s. The %o*r Tali+an $o"/l, "ore than ha//il,.

(pen the crate, brothers.The s"iters re"o e the steel "esh an! o/en the $rate. Geeling the

sten$h it e"anates# e en Skinner has to $o er his nose.So"ething sni%%s at the air. Then a sto$k,# al"ost !-ar% like "*tant

a//ears# $la! in shre!s o% a sha++, o erall that rese"+les a tattere! $oat. 6t-aggles o*t %ro" the $rate an! sni%%s at the air on$e "ore.

1reedom smells good, doesnt it little brother?Go$*sing on the sto$k, little "*tant


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I will bring you to a nice dark place with plenty of food, Skinnerre/lies.

Tired.4ou dont even have to walk, burer.The "*tant looks at hi". The t-o little /ig e,es in its %a$e that

rese"+le grotesH*el, !is%ig*re! h*"an %eat*res tell o% %ear. Dont know this place. /lone. 4ou protect me?4ou will be safe with your brothers,Skinner no!s an! -a es his han!.

ne o% his s"iters ste/s to the B*rer an! li%ts it. The hel/less little "*tant"oans +*t so*n!s "ore e"+arrasse! than s$are!. 6n res/onse# the h*geh*"anoi! e"its a gro-l that "ight go %or a la*gh an! tosses the B*rer tothe other s"iter -ho skill%*ll, $at$hes an! has a $lose look at it.

Stop that !es not a dwarf to be tossed around,Skinner "entall,$o""an!s +*t he hi"sel% $an +arel, s*//ress a s"ile -hen he senses thetho*ghts o% the near+, s"iters.

Smells good 1emale 0ill have funFis s"ile har!ens into a $r*el grin -hen he t*rns to Sai%*llah -ho

stan!s there like /etri%ie! an! "*"+ling a /ra,er. The Tri+e isannihilate!# the, 4*st !on


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To "ake s*re that the !i" -itte! "*tants $an *n!erstan! hi"# hea!!s& "at %om3nom

>S6'4


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ikhailo. An! sorr, again. ikhailo# then. So# one !a, ,o* -ill +e +eggin< "e %or a little -ine

/o-!er. An! 6Pete $h*$kles. Ies*s# ,o*


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An! i% the, shoot at ,o* %irstO Fart"an asks.Ne er ha//ene! +*t "a,+e 6

g*,s are !ea! alrea!,.Taraso t

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