>”Fuck it, I’m getting my money’s worth. I’m going to Pripyat” you grumble. 
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>The next several days are quite busy for you, preparing yourself for the first deep raid into the Zone

>Even with two experienced guides/smugglers you can’t shake off the anxiety. Like the moment before jumping off of a plane. 

>Except the parachute may or may not deploy. The rumors of Sid’s ‘faulty’ products makes you more weary about the supplies you’ve purchased from him.

>Field medkits, several magazines for your pistol, food for the trip, water and vodka.

>Sid was nice enough to throw in a detector, a basic one but it’ll warn you of radiation hotspots and anomalies.

>You pressed to ask why he was throwing extra stuff to you.

“One, I have a good feeling about you. And usually my gut feelings are right" as he jokingly pointed to his stomach

“And I’m also doing this to rebuild my reputation”

>Figures, he doesn’t seem like the type who does things extra without something to gain

>Then again, that’s a businessman right?

“Tell you what Tourist, since you’re gonna be out there with the tour guides; look for someone in particular for me would you?”

>You tilt your head, “Go on”

“There’s a guy out there posing as a… ‘sales representative’ of me and passing along shoddy goods at several times above the market price around here.”

“You’re a smart guy, I don’t really have to explain to you how this impacts me when stalkers out there find out they have a… defective product on their hands”

>”You know where to find him?”

>Sidorovich simply shrugs. Great.

“Not exactly, but last I heard of this guy he was wandering around Agropom Military Research Institute. If he isn’t there, try the Dark Valley; there’s no shortage of shady characters in that place”

>You raise your eyebrow, shady characters, here?

>He seems to catch on to your thoughts.

“Yes, Tourist. There are shady characters even for us. We try to follow some rules around here, even if they aren’t written down or spoken about.” he drawls.

>”What’s in it for me?”

“Aside from the usual monetary payment? Well… I’d owe you pretty big for this and you’d be in my favored client list, might point to some other folks who can get you things…” He lists.

>You drum your fingers a bit on the counter.

>”Alright fine, I’ll look for him. What do you want me to do when I find him?”

“Hmmm” he poses to contemplate but you’re pretty certain he’s already came up with several ways to make that stalker’s life painful if he ever gets his hands on him.

“Up to you, really. Kill him, scare him shitless into stopping or better yet bring him here; I don’t really care, so long as he stops what he’s doing right now.”

>”I’ll keep an eye out… wait I don’t even know what he looks like”

“Hrm? Oh right, here.” Sidorovich hands you a group picture, one with a red circle on one of them.

“That’s him right there, the one with the steel helmet”

>”You know his name?”

“Not anymore, he changes his name so many times it’s better off to just recognize him with the helmet”

>”He never parts with the helmet?”

“No, as far as I know. Probably means something a lot to him. Might want to keep that in mind if you need a leverage” 

>You take the photo and mull for a bit when you hear Dima calling for you

“Better get going STALKER, your guide is waiting for you.” He points to the door.

>You turn around, then you hear Sid once again.

“Good hunting stalker…”

>You nod at him and close the bulkhead door.
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