Chapter XVII: Terror and unexpected companions Red Forest

 Operation Scorched Earth, as Boris had named his little expedition into the Brain Scorcher, had been a success. The new equipment Dushman had sold him served Boris well, and despite unexpected situations he was still in one piece. Now, he could have returned to Dead City to rearm, rest and replenish his supplies. Or he could also push on, moving Red Forest and pushing onwards to Zaton. Gatekeeper had told him that Streloks group might have visited Skadovsk, and there apparently was some barkeeper who could know something. All Boris really knew was that he needed some rest. He was more exhausted than never before, and the undersuit he used with his Nosorog was soaked in sweat. Few hours of rest was all he asked for.

However, he could not stay in Radar. Monoliths had somehow attacked him from behind while he was wandering in the Scorcher facility, and there was no telling when more would appear. Dangerous hellhole as it was, Red Forest could still be more hospitable choice. Boris had no time to trek back to Army Warehouses or Dead City, not when Strelok was moving onward at such a speed. His choice made, Boris moved to the road to Western Red Forest.

Arriving to Red Forest at the break of dawn, Boris was utterly broken. He was slightly wounded, had barely eaten a bite in 24 hours and slept last 2 days ago. But now, he could not sleep yet. Despite all the hardship, Red Forest would not let him go unnoticed if he made a slip. All he could see were trees, Burnt Fuzz and darkness ahead of him. His shotgun was once more ready for anything, and he continued on, anxious and tense. Distant gunfire could be heard coming from the other side of the ridge, and growls, screams and barks of mutants appeared between the trees at times. But nothing seemed to be interested of Boris. Little by little Boris inched forward, passing an entrance to a mine, which seemed far too dangerous a place to make a camp in.

Boris arrived to a large opening with standing trees. Something about the place screamed ambush to Boris, and he did not move to open instantly. Laying low and keeping his breath as quiet as possible, Boris observed the opening. Just as he was about to stand up and continue, a group of Monolith warriors broke cover. This was their last mistake, as three rapid shots from Boris' SVDS ended their lives. Seconds before, it could've been the other way around, Boris thought. Such was life in the Zone.

Continuing his slow advance, Boris passed by the opening and moved through multiple anomaly fields. More out of habit than cognitive thought he also whipped out his Echo detector but to no avail. Good thing perhaps, he thought, as he was far too done to actually hunt for artefacts right now. With the final anomaly passed by, Boris sighed of relief. It had been a nightmare to pass through the area in the darkness. Sun had partially come up but the foliage here seemed too thick to pass anything through. Or perhaps the forest itself wanted to protect its secrets. If that was the answers, Boris would gladly let it. Nothing here interested him or suited his plans, all he wanted was a few hours of sleep and an exit.

His thoughts came to an abrupt end as sporadic fire started nearby. He quickly rushed forward, seeing a group of Loners fight an uphill battle against Monolith fanatics. Joining the fight from behind the warriors, his surprise attack managed to catch them unaware. The crossfire soon became too much for the fanatics, and a loner nailed the last one with his Mosin. Boris readied himself to fight the loners, when they raised their hands and waved at him to come meet them, their weapons held down. Boris warily closed in on them, and they seemed really cheerful. Their leader asked Boris if he was the madlad who had just turned off the Scorcher, and Boris nodded, still confused on the Loners attitude. The leader explained that thanks to his actions, a Zone-wide ceasefire between Loners and Mercs was put into action. Boris was grateful for the information, and asked the loners if they would allow him to stick around for a little while. The loner leader responded that they'd be honored to do so, and finally, after the Loners took watch, Boris could sleep.

After a complete restoration of his strength had been achieved, he discussed his plans for reaching Strelok with the loner leader. The Loner group had actually also been on their way to Skadovsk to get some new weapons from Nimble, and thus could lead Boris there as well, it was the least they could do after all Boris had done for the stalker community. Boris agreed to their offer, and they set off, leaving the cursed forest behind. Things finally seemed to be looking up for Boris, and for a second he almost forgot all about his past and grand plans for the future.