The Saga of Boris Unforgiven

Western Yantar has long avoided the attention of stalkers, and for a good reason. Even without the psi-emission field, there's plenty of reasons to avoid the area. Anomalies are abundant, and many strong mutants patrol the area, from snorks to chimeras. If one has ever wondered where the seemingly endless supply of snorks comes to Yantar from time to time, it is the labyrinthine maze under the radar complex of this area that is the answer. With little human contact, the mutant population of the area has exploded. There are multiple bases overlooking the middle complex, and each houses both immense riches and perils. But nothing in the area compares to the maze of identical looking corridors under the complex in sheer danger. Unfortunately for Boris' squad, that was their main destination. There was a large hole in the border wall of the central facility which the group used to get inside the walls. Numerous radar dishes encircled a large office building in the middle, protected...

  Oh shit, these maniacs again, Kruglov cried in frustration. Boris turned around to see the men commanding him. Five exoskeleton veterans in Loner camo scheme stood before them, their weapons drawn and pointed at the squad. Grozas, SIG rifles and Vals, heavy arsenal staring straight at Boris as he turned. The most distinct element of their leader was the gigantic cast iron cross on his breastplate. I see you damn scientists are now pushing into our territory, nothing is sacred anymore, the leader growled, pronouncing the word scientist like it was a curse. For the last time, it was Sidorovich who placed a bounty on you, not us, get over it, Kruglov hissed back. So you say, but I do not listen to the lies of domeheads. Alright gentlemen, could we perhaps calm down with the bickering and explain what the hell is going on? We've got bigger fish to fry than some old disputes, so please explain yourself or start blasting, Boris intervened, seeing the situation escalate dangerously. Yea...

The athmosphere inside the Yantar scientific bunker remained tense. While the machines and computers still hummed like normal, the inhabitants were gloomier than Dark Valley. Ever since the Sin assault had been repelled, everyone had turned their minds on what to do next. Sakharov was grateful for the assistance of the three Redemption members, but they had brought troubling news indeed. Especially Boris' vision had been a blow to morale. And you are certain that the first thing you saw was the Duga antenna of Limansk? First thing of note at least?, Sakharov asked impatiently. Yes. It was shining, and at the time I thought it was moonlight, but the sky was covered in thick clouds. It was just a flash, but it did strike me as an oddity, Boris answered, racking his brain for even the slightest clue. That's not good. We knew of the mind-control experiments performed in Limansk, but all the documentation suggested that they had failed miserably until the later emitters of the Group...

  Images flashed before Boris' eyes. Memories, places he had visited, faces, voices. Summers during his childhood, long boring days in the army, sleepless nights in the Zone. The battle of Flea Market during his first days as a renegade. Sultan spitting at him when he was still a gladiator. Friends he had made, Dima, Vityukha, Dimuha, many more. Lena, laughing at his jokes. The beautiful night sky at Truck Cemetery. The Duga antenna complex shining in the moonlight. Boris opened his eyes with a gasp. He was no longer in the Miracle Machine lab. He was standing on a rooftop, away from the Zone. The sky was blue, the air hot and the city noisy. He looked around. Judging by the large steel construct in the horizon, he was in Paris. He tried to move, but couldn't, as if glued to spot. What the hell? How'd I end up here?, Boris asked out loud. He did not get a magic answer. And he didn't really have time to wonder more, when a sudden flash of light struck upwards in the hori...

The Radar X-19 facility was aflame. A large Hind helicopter, armed with deadly rocket pods and a fast-firing 30mm autocannon, circled over the facility. It had unloaded its lethal payload at the poor stalker and merc outpost below. All that now remained of them was an assortment of bloody chunks, scorched armour and bent-up weapons. Another helicopter appeared from the north, this time another legendary Soviet era chopper, the cargo-hauler Mi-8. From it, squad of heavily-equipped men in red and brown uniforms descented. They quickly moved through the blasted yard, executing the few survivors screaming for help. Dimuha observed the scene through the scope of his rifle, his mind at boiling point. Vityukha placed a hand on his shoulder, their long friendship having made him capable of reading Dimuha's thoughts. Nothing we could've done for them. If we attack now, the Hind turns us into minced meat, Vityukha said, his voice full of compassion. I know that, far too well. Fuck, I wis...

  On the wall of lab X-16, a single lamp spun around. Its warm, yellow light illuminated the decrepit antechamber, barely holding after years of neglect from maintenance. Three stalkers in ebon and crimson coloured uniform stepped from the shadows of the staircase into the light. One of them, in a customized SEVA suit, let out a long sigh. Well, here we are again... Third time is not any more charming than the last one, right Boris?, Dima asked, his voice absolutely filled to the brim with disinterest. Can't say you're wrong, if I don't have to see another lab in my life I can die happily, Boris replied, swapping a magazine into his trusty RPD. Dima's visor glimmered as he crouched to inspect a body on the ground. A Sinner in their typical blood-red and dirt-brown uniform, 12-gauge sized hole in his forehead and finger still pushed against the trigger of his Chinese knock-off M14. Looks like someone else got here already, Zakarov perhaps?, he pondered. Whoever it was, t...

  In the crisp early winter air, the PDA message alert sound ringed clearly. Dimuha went through his pockets, finding the device finally. The call to action was here. His usually cheery face darkened for once, and he glanced over to the men standing nearby. Stepukha, Vityukha, Gleb Hawk, Valik Anti-Air, Seryoga Stunt, Micha Bustard and Leva Voyager. All Redemption members, all now veterans of the Zone. Lukash had sent them the location of a Freedom squad already performing recon of the area too, hopefully the guys would still be alive. If Boris kicked out the Monolith from here, why is this place still crawling with them?, Seryoga complained, as per usual. Freedom tried to hold on to the Scorcher facility, but couldn't. Loners have held it for the time being, alongside a squad of mercs, but I have a bad feeling they've all been wiped out by now, Vityukha explained. Aye, Monolith still raids this road but the facility has held on, until now. But enough chatter, Boris sent me the...