[i]MESSAGE RECEIVED
8 Apr 2018 09:42
Sender: Prof. Kruglov

-Stalker, I have a job for you. We, at the mobile science lab in Yantar have made an... interesting discovery, and we require the assistance of certain individuals to gather more information. Unfortunately, I can't say more other than it's important and it pays well. If you are interested, you may come to the bunker in Yantar, and everything will be explained there. If you decide you're not so interested, you may safely delete this message and go about your normal business, though I would not advise it. Take these words to heart stalker. If you don't, we may all pay for it later.

-Kruglov[/i]

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Nomad was lying in a cot in Petrovsk, fortunate enough to have had a dreamless sleep last night, but unfortunate enough to having been startled awake by the sound of his PDA chirping as the message flashed onto it's screen. He shot bolt upright as his hand instinctively reached for the Pernach secured to his thigh. He yanked the pistol out of it's holster, knocking over an empty bottle of vodka in the process. Just as he brought the pistol next to his head, he realized where he was and settled down somewhat. He set the pistol down on his thigh and brought a hand to his face, exhaling as though relieving pressure. He took a moment to sit there and allow his breathing to return to a normal rate.

His PDA beeped again, reminding him about the message. He reached over and picked it up, reading the message carefully. Once he was done, he swung his legs over the side of the cot. The pair of converse he had owned for several months now were starting to show signs of damage, but they would still work for some time before he needed to get a new pair. He knew combat boots were really the way to go, but he preferred the comfort of the shoes which he had worn since Secondary School. He figured he'd invest in a pair of boots if and when he finally needed to go through a swamp for some reason. He slipped the black and white shoes onto his feet and tied the laces securely over his ankle, then put the Pernach back into it's holster and the PDA into his right pocket.

Nomad's eyes drifted over to the body sleeping across from him. He knew he'd have to leave Jet a letter saying why he had left, so he took out his pen and a piece of paper to scribble down a quick note saying where he was going and why. He pinned it to Jet's backpack, then lifted his own backpack onto his shoulders and grabbed his AK-107 and Wakizashi for the trip to Yantar. This being the scientists and all, he figured this might have something to do with his past. Hell, since they said it was important, maybe it had something to do with the rumors about the zone growing out of control. Maybe they'd also be able to tell him his blood alcohol concentration, since he couldn't remember shit about last night and had a bit of a headache.