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Post by CaptainNips on Apr 11, 2013 7:59:22 GMT -5
Mikhail listemed intently. He was right.... the Baumannskayans were looking for something. But of all places.... the library. Filled with those grey, apelike things... Librarians. Rarely has anyone ever come back alive from that place....
Mikhail chuckled as to hide his nervous fear, "The library? You got guts, kid.... the Library is not the most pleasant place. Even the most experienced stalkers are likely to go missing."
The Hansa fighter leaned back in his seat more and paused.
But the Baumann says the pay is good... 300 bullets? Maybe 500.... or perhaps a fancy new gun, those ones that shoot electricity.
At least some of my childhood fantasies have come true.... laser guns and "adventure". Though that is not entirely true... this place is Hell, and we all struggle every minute to survive it's horrors
Mikhail grinned and spoke, "You can count me in. I'm Mikhail Zukov, I've been a Hansa guard for three years, Stalker for ten. You can trust me to watch your back."
He leaned in to the others. "And I hope you can watch mine," his eyes gaze over Kaz, as he continues "I also hope you, Kazmier, know what you're getting into.... and what you're looking for. It may not be your first time up There, but Balalaika and I are putting our lives into your hands."
Mikhail sighed and leaned back again, taking a swig of vodka. "I'm ready to leave when you are. The earliest we depart the sooner we get our cash." He pats his Kalash by his side as he says so.
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Zeus
Nosalis
Posts: 87
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Post by Zeus on Apr 12, 2013 17:20:30 GMT -5
"I'm ready to leave when you are. The earliest we depart the sooner we get our cash."
Kazmier nodded slowly with a small smile "Good, if you would like a down payment to show I'm not bluffing here," he reached into his pocket and pulled out two full magazines and layed them on the table. "Here, take them."
He took another swig of his drink and reclined a little. After a brief moment of silence he added "We can leave now or tomorrow, it's up to you guys, I'm ready to leave whenever."
Kaz thought to himself: good, with the burly Hansa it would be much easier to get through those beasts they called Librarians. Maybe I could find some good books while we pass through the Library, shame to let good books go to waste.
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Post by Commander Xillian on May 6, 2013 1:31:16 GMT -5
Surface, Outside the Library
Tulips. It needs some Tulips.
Pausing, Charcoal set down her small crayon she had scavenged, looking around the desolate surroundings with a degree of frustration. Of course, there were no Tulips, but that didn't mean that the soundnof the name didn't make her think they would look nice. She couldn't see anything that could be a tulip, so deciding to run with it, simply free-handed a nearby flower from a rugged shrub.
Blue, she had to admit, was an enticing color for a flower. Taking a look down at the dead and withered shrub, she sighed.
If only I could trade this world for the one in my art...
A sunlit market, it was. Albeit, it probably was very inaccurate, given what she had to work with was the ruined remains of a street with a few stalls here or there. Still, it didn't look bad, so it had to be better than this.
Cocking her head to the side, she re-examined her previous statement.
Amendment: Preferable.
To call it 'good' was a kindness. It was, at its best, okay. She wasn't too much a fan of landscapes, but she'd always been told "Do what your best at, and practice what you're not."
Rising from her rickety wrought-iron chair, she she collected her sky-blue crayon and charcoal work of art, and folded her easel under her arm. She was done here, and she felt more at ease back home in the Library anyways. Making her way through the treacherous ravines and valleys, her mind reforging the desolation into a grandiose adventure, she picked her footing carefully, ducking under and hopping over obstructions, and trying her best to stay clear of any open spaces above.
Demons liked those a lot.
She didn't like Demons too much.
Looking out from the edge of the sewer opening, Charcoal spotted the staircase leading into the library, and, to her chagrin, there was a demon poised upon the edge of the roof, looking out over it.
Their excellent eyes were too keen to miss her if she tried running, and it was too far away for her to trick or affect. With a sigh, she sat down, pouting. As much as she hated it, she would have to wait for it to pass. She could never get inside while it was right there.
Reaching into her bag, Charcoal pulled out a small pad of paper she had found, incidentally, next to the crayon. And a hand. The hand was less important in this case, though, as she didn't take that with her.
Wanted: Demonslayer. Damsel in distress trapped in tower, in need of brave sir knight. King will pay handsomely. Kiss guaranteed. May marry if in shining armor.
Charcoal stopped, and re-examined her hand-writing. It suddenly struck her that, in all actuality, she couldn't write very well. She could read, but that wasn't a function of her ability to work her hands in the tiny little motions needed for letters.
Drawing is easier... she mentally groaned, and slumped against the side of the pipe, prepared to wait out the long... Long... Long, wait.
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Zeus
Nosalis
Posts: 87
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Post by Zeus on May 8, 2013 2:16:41 GMT -5
After a day of waiting around and drinking, the unlikely trio set out for the fabled Library. Kazmier learned a little bit about his new companions, but he pushed that to the back of his head to focus on the daunting task ahead.
Kaz led the two through a series of passageways and alleys until they came upon a sealed gate covered in rust and decay.
"Alright guys, past this door is a tunnel that will lead us out of Polis and to the area right next to the Library. You guys ready?"
Before they could respond Kaz walked up to the gate and began turning the rusty grate to open it. He thought to himself, Alright Kaz, let's do this.
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Post by CaptainNips on May 8, 2013 2:43:59 GMT -5
Mikhail stood beside Balalaika, his AK-74 in hand and in full combat gear. His skull chalked visor was lifted up to allow him better vision in the dark. The Hansa patted one of his many pockets, making sure he still had his starter payment of one magazine. He then turned on his flashlight, illuminating the rusty gate in front of them.
"Alright guys, past this door is a tunnel that will lead us out of Polis and to the area right next to the Library. You guys ready?"
Mikhail nodded shortly and tightened his grip on the Kalash. The rusty gate let out an audible creeeaaakk in the soundless tunnel as Kazmier began to open it.
"We'd best stay on our guard... these kinds of passages hold many surprises," Mikhail stated and chuckled.
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Zeus
Nosalis
Posts: 87
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Post by Zeus on May 8, 2013 19:13:55 GMT -5
"We'd best stay on our guard... these kinds of passages hold many surprises," Mikhail said whilte gripping his AK-74.
Kazmier nodded as he swung the gate open and unslung his VSS Vintorez and switched on his headlamp.
"There shouldn't be TOO many surprises down this tunnel, but who knows, tunnel trash likes to move around."
He cleared his throat and took a step into the dusty and dark tunnel and silently said to himself, "This trip better be worth the trouble."
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Post by Lawnmower Joe on May 11, 2013 6:15:10 GMT -5
It was with a ponderous grinding of gears that the hermetic gate swung open. Small clouds of dust billowed outwards. Balalaika tugged at her dirty parka with a gloved hand, feeling the fear building up in her with every centimetre the door opened. Her other hand was clenched over her AK-74U's handguard, knuckles white as bone.
And to think this used to be easy, she thought. She glanced at the other two stalkers and saw nothing but calm.
With a clang the door came to a halt, showing a dark dank tunnel plunging into the darkness. Kaz spoke, but Balalaika was too tense to pay attention. She followed the young stalker into the tunnel, switching her headlamp on. The pale electric light revealed a thick coating of dust over the walls and floor. No beady eyes gleamed in the darkness and no rats ran from the intruding light.
"No rats", she said, uncomfortable. Her voice echoed down the tunnel. She told herself that a tunnel so close to Polis wouldn't have any particularly great threats.
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Zeus
Nosalis
Posts: 87
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Post by Zeus on May 12, 2013 1:03:03 GMT -5
"No rats." Balalaika said in an uncomfortable voice. Kaz could tell that she felt nervous and most likely was rethinking her decision of joining him.
"Da, but there might be something around here that could give us some trouble." Kazmier said in a humorous tone.
He looked around the tunnel and signaled for the others to follow him. He checked the ammo of his VSS and advanced casually. He choked on the dust after taking a deep breath and coughed a bit, but it didn't deter him from walking. He thought that he heard some sound, but thought it was nothing. Always think it's nothing, that's how every scenario begins.
The sound grew louder and more distressing, something he had never heard before. Like a mutant's growl, but deeper and almost like it was dying. Hmm, this will be fun.
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Post by CaptainNips on May 12, 2013 4:13:36 GMT -5
Mikhail suddenly stopped in his strong stride, hearing the ominous sound. He sighed and turned behind him. The animal-like sound was nothing like he'd ever heard before... a product of the nuclear spring he'd heard rumors about?
Of course... not too many surprises my ass...
"Everyone stop. Whatever this thing is it's obviously stalking us..."
Mikhail pulled out an old emergency flare from his combat jacket. The Hansa had gathered most of these flares around the old Moscow metro and made them standard equipment for it's caravan guards.
He twisted off the cap and struck it atop the flare. Bright red sparks jumped, illuminating a circle around the group. Mikhail looked at the other stalkers...
"Be ready..."
The stoic Hansa then tossed the flare back the way they came, hoping the bright light would reveal their unseen predator.
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Post by Lawnmower Joe on May 16, 2013 4:27:35 GMT -5
"Da, but there might be something around here that could give us some trouble", said Kazmier. Balalaika grit her teeth, her irritation thankfully stifled by the fear she felt. A strange sound was echoeing around the tunnel. It sounded like a growl, but not like any kind of growl that Balalaika had heard before.
Mikhail broke the tension by taking out a few flares and lighting them, illuminating the dark tunnel with waves of flickering red light. Eerie shadows stretched away from the flares, leaping and twisting in the red light like living things. Balalaika raised her AK and watched the edge of the light for any signs of movement.
"It's like Sevastopolskaya all over again", she muttered, her voice sick with fear and poisonous memory. Sweat beaded on her forehead, thankfully invisible in the diffuse light of the flares and torches. All the nightmares she'd had since the horrible battle in the Metro's southernmost station were coming back, digging their claws into her psyche.
And then she saw something. A big, deformed shape shifted around cautiously, just outside the light of the flares and torches.
"There's something over there", she whispered, nodding her head in the direction of the unseen creature.
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Zeus
Nosalis
Posts: 87
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Post by Zeus on May 16, 2013 23:23:32 GMT -5
"There's something over there", Balalaika whispered, nodding ahead of them.
Kazmier nodded and shouldered his VSS and aimed down the PSO-1 scope, scanning for anything. After a brief moment he saw movement, a dark shade moved in a circular pattern around the trio, looking for the best possible way to enter the light.
"It's probing for a weakness, keep your guard up," Kaz spoke in a quiet tone.
Without taking his eyes off the beast, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, he flicked it until a yellow flame popped up. Nice and easy Kazmier, nice and easy..
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Post by CaptainNips on May 17, 2013 2:46:38 GMT -5
Mikhail aimed down the sights of his AK-74, watching the shadow circle them. He could hear the creature grunt as it eyed it's new prey. The veteran took deep breathes, a bead of sweat going down his forehead.
I won't let this thing scare me... I will not die in this tunnel, I WILL NOT!
Dark thoughts crept into his mind.... Memories from the past.... A group of grinning boys stared ahead at a dark building. The mere sight of the crooked windows and abyssal dark sent chills of terror down Mikhail's spine.
One arrogant, hulk of a kid pushed the scrawny Mikhail ahead, "Go on! Go inside you turd! Scared of the dark?!"
"I am not!"
"Then go in! Prove it, wimp!"
Mikhail shivered and finally stepped towards the building. He opened the door and walked on in. The air was cold and moist... the boy couldn't see anything ahead. The young mind began forming evil apparitions... cackling monsters, growling beasts.
Mikhail turned back, "Ok let me out! Lemme out!" The other boys laughed and closed the door, preventing it from being opened. Mikhail shouted and shouted, banging the door with his fist. Eventually he gave up and curled up on the floor, the cackling apparitions edging closer... and closer...
In the tunnel, utter fear began to nestle inside Mikhail... he wouldn't let this thing scare him and the fact that this creature was doing so.. pissed him off.
"Fuck this..." he cursed and shouted, "Bring it on, suka!"
A loud rattle of gunfire went off as Mikhail's AK spit out a mad burst at the shadow. The bullets zipped straight at the beast. The blast of gunfire echoed at down the tunnel. Mikhail was in a trance... he would kill this thing...
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Post by Lawnmower Joe on May 17, 2013 9:25:47 GMT -5
"Pizda!", yelled Balalaika before firing several controlled bursts in the direction of the creature. The dusty tunnel thundered with the sound of gunfire and bullets ricocheted off rotting concrete. Over the mayhem came a long, throaty yowl of pain. Balalaika saw a long, lean thing collapse and remain still a few metres away.
"Cease fire!", she barked, eyeing the fallen creature. In the light of her torch, the thing looked long, pale and emaciated. Long mishapen limbs sprouted clumsily from its body. Cautiously Balalaika edged toward it, keeping her assault rifle ready. As she got close to the mutant, one of its deformed legs twitched and Balalaika almost jumped out of her skin.
"Fucking son of a bitch!", she shouted before savagely kicking the undoubtedly dead creature in the belly. Dozens of bloody bullet holes peppered its pale manky hide. After closer examination, Balalaika concluded that the creature looked like some unknown breed of Howler, and she told the others her conclusion.
"It's dead", she said, "but I've never seen one of those before...looks like some new kind of Howler or something. Does this tunnel lead directly to the surface?"
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Zeus
Nosalis
Posts: 87
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Post by Zeus on May 18, 2013 1:33:37 GMT -5
Kazmier was able to get off a few well placed shots before seeing the lumbering beast collapse to the ground. He checked his weapon and unshouldered it, slinging it back onto his shoulder. He followed Balalaika over to the beast and examined it closely.
"It's dead, but I've never seen one of those before... looks like some new kind of Howler or something. Does this tunnel lead directly to the surface?" Balalaika questioned while staring at the beast.
"This tunnel leads to a ladder which ascends up through a manhole to the surface. Either this thing has been here a while or climbed down the ladder. Interesting.."
Kaz stepped over the creature and scanned the area, looking for any friends late to the party. Should be clear, let's get a move on.
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Post by CaptainNips on May 18, 2013 23:50:22 GMT -5
Mikhail sighed and lowered his weapon, seeing the beast collapse. He then checked his magazine's ammunition and kicked the mutant's corpse with his boot. Balalaika commented on the creature, saying it was most likely a new kind of howler.
Kaz spoke, "This tunnel leads to a ladder which ascends up through a manhole to the surface. Either this thing has been here a while or climbed down the ladder. Interesting.."
Mikhail nodded and followed the rest of the group, still a bit haunted by his near breakdown. He grew quiet... looking all around for any hostilities. The whole tunnel was motionless and seemingly harmless... a sleeping ghost of it's past horrors. Small rats scurried around and old maintenance rooms remained dark, unimposing.
Soon, one of the group's lights revealed a rusty, metal ladder going upwards. Mikhail suddenly took in a raw, tainted breath of air and scrambled for his gasmask, being sure to put in a filter.
"Masks! We're close to the surface now."
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