Chapter LXXXVIII: Unlikely Allies

The inhospitable industrial landscape of Rostok greeted the first rays of sunlight eagerly. Around Voronin's bunker, a squad waited impatiently for the next unlucky group of Duty soldiers to begin their shift and release the squad from their watch. The men were tired and agitated, last few weeks had seen increased mutant attacks, spy shakedowns and tensions between free stalkers and Dutiers. News of the situation in Garbage travelled fast, and Duty's inaction during the military's rampage was well-known.

The Duty squad leader, long-time veteran of the Zone Sergeant Barin, flipped the sight of his special Groza's grenade launcher up and down. The rifle was his prized item, one of only a handful of such in the Zone, but lately it had been mostly a sort of stressball for him. The man's nerves were on the edge, and long nights of watch near the general did little to help. He'd take any excuse for a few hours of sleep. And luckily for him, such a thing came.

A Duty soldier approached quickly, trailed by two ecologists in the stale green SSP-99M suits. The soldier greeted Barin enthusiastically, his hand almost punching through his gasmask when he saluted.

  • Sir, lance corporal Kuragin reporting for duty, Colonel Petrenko sent me to release you from the watch and to escort these ecologists here, the soldier spoke, his body straight as plank as he stood in attention.

  • At ease, corporal. You have a written order from Petrenko? This seems highly unusual to leave the guarding of bunker to just one man, Barin questioned.

  • Yessir, here you go. I'll only guard the bunker as long as these two are inside, some highly confidential information for the general's ears only apparently.

  • Aw shit, another spy conspiracy suspicion. Sigh, fine then. The general's inside. And no need to fetch us when you're done, get Brome's squad instead, that loser has done barely anything this week, Barin replied in a weary tone and left with his group.

The two ecologists and their guard entered Voronin's bunker to the surprise of the general. He glanced at the soldier now standing in attention and spoke:

  • What's this? I have nothing scheduled for today.

  • General sir, Colonel Petrenko sent us, confidential information straight from Professor Sakharov regarding news on the nature of the Zone and Duty's mission, the Dutyer said.

  • I see. Dismissed, corporal, wait outside while we discuss the matter, make sure no one enters.

  • Sir yes sir!, the Dutyer shouted, made a perfect turn on his heels and marched out.

  • Peculiar fellow, like he was doing that mockingly, I think I need to have a word with his commanding officer. But now, gentlemen, what was it that you came here to tell us.

  • News from the north, General. Regarding a new threat, Sin, one of the scientists replied, his voice muffled by the helmet.

  • Sin? What does that have to do with Duty's mission?

  • Nothing, general. But it has all to do with your kind being sniveling cowards who hide in their little base while the future of the world hangs in balance, the suited man commented, his voice full of disgust and contempt.

  • What? You dare come here to insult us? Who the hell are you?, Voronin shouted. The scientist removed his screen helmet, revealing a weathered face, blond hair and grey, piercing eyes.

  • Dima Lord, captain of Redemption and second-in-command of Boris Unforgiven. I have come to get you fuckers in line.

  • What the hell? Guards, here now, the general yelled.

The shout had barely left his mouth when he felt a ring of cold steel press into his neck. He froze to the spot. The soldier from earlier had appeared at the space behind the general, raising his rifle to the general's back through the bars.

  • I wouldn't shout too much general, Sanyok there isn't too fond of Dutiers and won't hesitate to end you, Dima said in a cold tone before continuing.

  • Besides, you'll want to hear us out. We had to put on this show to make sure you understand the gravity of the situation. Sin has taken over Limansk. This would probably not interest you normally since it is far away from Rostok and Sin has yet to make an alliance with blind dogs to conquest this place, but they have a new psi-emitter. They salvaged it off the base in West Yantar, and mean to utilize the Duga antenna in Limansk as its basis. If it works, Sakharov estimates that most of Europe will be affected.

  • Bullshit. We'd know if that happened, the ecologists would have informed us.

  • We are doing so now. I'm Senior Researcher Oleg Zakarov, aide of Professor Kruglov and secretary of biological research department Alpha. We have all the data on a pendrive which you will receive once this meeting is over. I was there with Boris Unforgiven and Professor Kruglov when we tried to stop Sin from getting the emitter, but we did not manage to stop it despite our best efforts.

  • Why go through this theatre then? Why barge into my office and hold me hostage to tell me this?, Voronin lashed out, visibly agitated.

  • Because we want to make sure you armylarpers behave. You attacked Redemption squads multiple times without provocation, and a de jure war has existed between us ever since. We want you to end this silly shit, we have done nothing to harm the wider Zone community ever since becoming a proper faction, yet you continue attacking us unprovoked. If we are to stop Sin, I want a public confirmation of a ceasefire. The ceasefire will be broadcasted through the PDA Network.

  • Duty allying with a bunch of criminals? Murderers, scum and bandits? Have you gone mad?

  • Have you? Do you wish to fight the Sin alone? You're welcome to try. Or then you'll put aside your prejudices and listen to reason for once. Redemption is not large, but our men are devoted. We will fight till the last drop of blood to stop the zealots, whether you join us or not. But I'd suggest you do. If you refuse our offer, all of Zone will know that you did not answer the call to arms when the Zone burned, Dima said in a final tone.

  • Blyat. I guess you leave us no choice. I accept your terms, Redeemed. You'll have our support in Limansk. You leave us little choice, but this once Duty will stand with you. Even a criminal is better than a fanatic.

  • See, wasn't that hard. Now, here's the pendrive with all notable data. The message of ceasefire better appear today, or we'll be back. Remember. We are not doing this for each other, we do it for the good of everyone. At least that Duty can get behind.

Voronin took the pendrive with an agreeing grunt, and Sanyok withdrew from his threatening position. The new unlikely allies changed a few more details before the small squad of infiltrators left Rostok, heading back to Limansk. Voronin watched them leave, thoughts swirling in his head. He was still unsure whether this was a good idea, but he had to agree. It had taken balls to pull that move off. He nodded slightly and turned to head back in. Few minutes later around the Zone hundreds of PDAs chirped in unison with a simple message: Duty and Redemption have signed a ceasefire. 

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