Having evaded pursuit, we reach the village and go down to Sidorovich’s basement. As usual, the old geezer refuses to share information for free and demands in exchange that we find and return the briefcase with the loot already prepared for the client. We head to the “Stalkers” group’s camp, along the way getting involved in a skirmish between the lone fighters and the soldiers near the bus stop. Having won the battle, we gain the opportunity to upgrade our weapons.
After speaking with the group’s commander, Father Valerian, we go to speak with the captured Major Khaletsky. The major is being stubborn, refusing to reveal exactly where he hid the briefcase, but makes it clear that his men will not abandon him in his time of need and will certainly rescue him.
A return visit to Father Valerian prompts a plan to wipe out Khaletsky’s entire “support group,” so as to disabuse him of any illusions about his own future. No sooner said than done. Finding the rusty box, we take it to Sidorovich. In return, we receive a meter-long thank you and information about a stalker nicknamed Fang, who is searching for some electronic components but won’t say what they are for. Sidorovich doesn’t understand electronics and doesn’t have any components.
