Stranger - part nine

The morning in the Exclusion Zone had arrived. Clouds were merely covering the sun, shining above the forests and the roads of the Zone. Birds, mutants and stray animals were enjoying the beautiful day, that was just starting . The only things, that were disturbing the animals, were the sounds of a barking RKM mashine gun and assault rifles , comming from the depths of the forest, indicating ,that there was a battle raging on between unknown stalker factions. The effects from last night's emission were not hidden and they were everywhere- bodies of misguided stalkers from various factions and mutants were covering the ground, only to be attacked by hungry mutants and animals, who were now eating the bodies, like there is no tomorrow. Also in the ditch, near the forest was a derelict UAZ jeep with the isignia of the Duty faction. The passengers of the jeep were still inside ,who were now dead, because of the extreme radiation from the emission. Meanwhile , Sniper and Edik were on their way back to the Mobile Lab, near Yanov station , to bring back to prof.Hermann some of the Chernobylite artefacts, that they found in the control rooms of the CNPP, so that the professor could examine the artefacts more closely and decide what to create from them. Sniper was driving his Niva carefully, so that he and his teammate, Edik didn't land into a anomaly. Sniper turned the jeep's radio on, started to browse through the stations, until he found a suitable tune. Sniper heard a familiar tune- it was Firelake's Fighting Unknown and he started bobbing his head in the rythm of the tune. Then he said to Edik:
- Finally to finish with that mission and go back to base, were we can take a well deserved rest and to repair our gear, right Edik ?
-Yes, you're right. We definetely need a rest, after all, that we experienced together.- answered Edik.
After two hours on the Soviet era roads, they finally reached the Mobile Lab ,near Yanov Station. One from the group of stalkers, guarding the Lab, Sheriff , noticing Sniper's Niva, said to the others:
- Guys, look whose is back. It's our boss and the janitor, Edik. Let's go and welcome them back to our base.-and then Sheriff and his teammates went to the warehouse, were Sniper was parking his Niva. Then he and Edik climbed out, only to be surprised by Sniper's teammates.
- Welcome back to our humble base , boss. Also a welcome to you, Edik . We missed both of you . Without you, the base is such a boring place.- said Sheriff to both Sniper and Edik.
- Thank you for your welcoming ,guys, but we have a job to do with Hermann,as soon as possible, so we will celebrate later.- Sniper answered back and he and Edik went inside the Lab.First they met up with Novikov, the Lab's technician.
- Hello, guys. Did you made it with the mission ? And how did the suits perfomed-well or bad? -he asked them.
- First of all, we made it with the mission and I think that Hermann will be happy from us , and second- the suits were absolutely fantastic- you did a fantastic job on them, Alexander.- Sniper answered . Then he and Edik met up with Katya, holding some papers.
-Are you OK , guys and can I get you something to eat or drink ?-she asked them.
- No, thanks, I'll eat later. But I''ll ask Edik if he wants something.- Sniper aswered-Edik, do you want something form Katya or not ?-he asked Edik.
- Yes, I want a ham sandwich and a can of Coca- Cola.-Edik aswered Sniper's question.
- Well, you heard him, Katya, go and bring the things, that Edik wants- Sniper said to Katya and she went to the lobby bar with a frowny face. After the meeting with professor Hermann's assistant, both Sniper and Edik went to the office of Ozersky and Hermann. When Hermann saw them, he said:
-Very well, come on over ,what can I do for you ?
- We are here to bring you the artefact,that you requested.-said Sniper and he and Edik tooked out the artefacts from their backpacks.
-Well,well. Both of you did an excelent job. You did a great contribution in the name of science . Here is the reward for both of you-each one of you will recieve 800 000 Rubles. - Hermann said to them and he gave them their rewards. Then Sniper said to Edik:
-Go and wait me in the lobby, I'll go and visit Tanya.-and he first went to the office of Dr. Pavlov. He asked him:
- Styopa, were is Tanya now and can I see her ? Also how is she ?
- Tanya is now at the surgery, were the nurse is changing her dressing and she is OK, you can visit her.- Pavlov answered. Sniper went to the surgery , were he saw Tanya. She was looking a lot different, than the last time, that he met her. She was now dressed not in a gym suit, but rather in a SEVA suit, that was outlining her beautiful body. She noticed Sniper and said to him:
- You're back allive . I thought that you were dead, but now ,when I'm seeing, that you're allive and well, there is nothing better, than seeing you here.
- I'm also happy to see you well, Tanya,and you look fantastic in your SEVA suit.- said Sniper to her.
- Thank you- she answered and she jumped from the bed and hugged him .
- You're welcome- said Sniper to her and he hugged her with such a force, that she said:
- Don't hug me like that , you could smash me.
-Sorry. But anyway let's go to the lobby bar and celebrate your recuperation and my return to the base.- Sniper offered to Tanya.
- Ok, let's go and party.- she said to him and they started go the lobby bar.