Factory yard, entrance.

[Διμι]

Pocketing the Kolobok, Seth sat down on the chair. "My job leads me into a lot of these situations, and, believe it or not, there are times when neither a medkit nor a medic can save someone out there. Quite a few men in my faction owe their lives to this little thing. As for the bloodsuckers, we cross paths regularly enough. They'll never learn to stop settling near our base, it seems." the stalker mused, tracing the scars on his neck.

"You see," he continued, "we are kindred of a sort almost. I have many young men under my wing that could pass for one of your researchers almost, in their original intentions, resourcefulness, and brilliance." He looked calmly across the room at the merc lying on the cot. "I've heard you've had problems with mercs in the Wild Territories, and that's part of the reason why I am here. They are not of an antagonistic relation to my faction, in fact, it is they that supply us with weapons, and we must maintain this relationship. They would have little issue with you as well, had you not ferried your research information to the faction of Duty, whose sworn purpose is to destroy this wondrous Zone you explore." The Freedomer pressed together the tips of his fingers, as if attempting to compose his next statement.

"My proposition is a very simple, and mutually beneficial one." He began, "All I ask is that you sever your ties with Duty, and share your research information with us instead. In return, we will arrange for the enhanced protection and purification of the entire Yantar area, arrange a truce with the mercenaries for your own benefit, and thus open up a path for you deeper into the Zone for your further projects." The Freedomer smiled, waiting for his newfound companion to reply.

[Zeno, Lord Camelith]

Vasily mused over the idea. Duty provided protection for them here at the Lab, and their frequent raids into the Wild Territories had made it even more secure for him and his teams to do research there. But Seth was offering to further secure Yantar, and even to make a truce with the Mercenaries! Vasily saw the potential flaws in the plan however, with Duty then being a potential enemy, their raids into the Wild Territories could prove deadly for his men, and the Duty raiders were always well equipped.

After a few minutes Vasily said, "I accept your offer, we will declare ourselves neutral to Duty, but no news of this alliance can reach them, Our research in the Wild Territories depends on their raids ignoring us." "As for the research results," he said "Kruglov is working on some controlled mutations, I can have the results sent to you as soon as he is finished."

Turning back to the Merc, Vasily removed a small bottle of Iodine and wet a rag with it. "This may sting." He told the Merc, and preceded to clean and bandage the wound.

"Now you said something about a path deeper into The Zone." Vasily said to Seth.

[Διμι]

Seth smiled warmly "You'll see that you have made the proper decision. With your assistance, as well as the good will of the mercs, I'm sure that Duty will not be a problem for much longer." The Freedomer was satisfied at the outcome of the trip already, despite his newly earned scars.

The scientist's question caught his attention. "Yes, as you know, Freedom currently holds the Barrier, commonly perceived to be the northernmost boundary of the 'hospitable'," Seth made quote marks in the air "so to speak, portion of the Zone. We have sent teams into the Red Forest, and as far as Pripyat with the Scorcher deactivated. The area is still rife with mutants and monolith troops, and needs to be pacified." The Freedom leader patted his rifle.

"Freedom has been focusing on arming itself lately, as well as purging dangerous zones south of the Barrier, such as Yantar. We are planning an expedition North through the Red Forest, which can also be accessed through the Dead City and Limansk, hence our business with the mercs there. Whatever it is up there that's of such value to everyone, we will acquire and use." Seth concluded his explanation.

[Zeno, Lord Camelith]

"We've been meaning to do some research on mutated vegetation in the Red forest. I can have a team ready to leave tomorrow, how long should it take you to contact the Mercenaries and get some men together?" Asked Vasily. There was no time to waist, every day since the Scorcher had been shut down was a danger, if someone reached the "Wish Granter" if it did exist, the consequences could be devastating to their research, not to mention deadly for everyone in The Zone, even possibly the world!

Thinking over Seth's words Vasily said, "From how you were speaking about Duty, my guess is you plan to attack their base in Rostok don't you?", "If you do, I could see to it that a few military choppers make some strafing runs on their headquarters."

Heading over to his locker, Vasily unloaded his rifle and placed it inside. "I'm going back to the laboratories to have a word with Kruglov. Feel free to look around, and if you need anything, just talk to Sakharov, he's a little hard of hearing though."

[Defunct FPX profile]

The factory seemed to be deserted. Not even a single zombie in sight. The only sound was a sound of rotor blades...It was getting louder and louder and pretty soon a Mi-24 appeared over the factory. It came to a halt just in front of the factory and a squad of eight soldiers rappelled down from it. Their uniforms said everything.

Spetsnaz.

They quickly scattered around, securing the perimeter. One of them pointed his AK at a bush and fired off a few shots. A dog ran out behind the shrub, only to fall down. A soldier drew out a pistol and put a bullet straight through the dog's brain. Pinpoint accuracy.

"Hostile down...Dog. I hate the fuckers."

They all gathered up at the entrance:

"All right, perimeter secure, listen up. Our objectives here are :

1) Investigate the disappearance of military personnel within the perimeter of Yantar factory.
2) Investigate the disappearance of scientific personnel in the Yantar swamps.
3) Investigate the disappearance of the tracking apparatus inside the mobile laboratory.
4) Check the status of the scientific personnel inside the laboratory.

One of the privates chuckled. The others quickly shut him up, and listened to further instructions.

"Sergeant, take three of your men and head for the the swamp. Northeast. I want two of you outside the factory entrance. Lieutenant, check on the personnel in the bunker. I am going to investigate the factory. In case of hostiles, you're all green, but try to stay discrete and avoid contact. Move out!"

The soldiers moved out without further questions. Dimitri knew he couldn't work with all of them on his ass. He put his pistol back in its holster, took the VAL out and put in a fresh magazine. The factory building looked haunted.

After all those years, he came back... He heard the call.