Dead Poets Society fin

While exploring the ruined city, just next to one of the main communication routes, in some dead end alley you come across a dead body. It's nothing unusual - you actually see dead bodies more often than living ones. What really catched your attention is a weird arrangement of those corpses: two sitting bodies, facing each other over a table. On the wall behind them you see an inscription written in red letters. It looks fresh, but you are not able to read it from the distance. Approaching, you notice that the corpses are... holding hands on the table. - These corpses are doing some casual arm wrestling. Totally normal. After a moment of hesitation you come close to the bizzare scene. - Either it’s the weirdest trap I ever got caught in or... something worse. [[Examine the corpses]] [[Examine the inscription]]

Body on the left looks quite fresh. Parts of its body armor suggest that one of the last Peacekeeper patrols didn't go very well. The right corpse, on the other hand, is so old it's almost mummified. [[Examine the Peacekeeper's body]] [[Examine the old corpse]]

Approaching the wall you realise what kind of fluid the author used to write his message. -Blood. Oh, how creative... [Read the inscription]<cl1|. (click: ?cl1)[//Saints died first Survived those who sin Say, who did win?// - Well, well. It's a poem. And they say that romance is dead in this city... [Examine the corpses]<cl2|. (click: ?cl2)[Body on the left looks quite fresh. Parts of its body armor suggest that one of the last Peacekeeper patrols didn't go very well. The right corpse, on the other hand, is so old it's almost mummified. [[Examine the Peacekeeper's body->Examine the Peacekeeper's body 2]] [[Examine the old corpse->Examine the old corpse 2]] ]]

Approaching the wall you realise what kind of fluid the author used to write his message. -Blood. Oh, how creative... [Read the inscription]<cl1|. (click: ?cl1)[//Saints died first Survived those who sin Say, who did win?// - Well, well. It's a poem. And they say that romance is dead in this city... It looks like you’ve seen all there was to see. - I guess this kind of art suits the world as we have it now. But it doesn't look to me like a one-night stand. Maybe I will find more... or even catch the poet in the act. A new quest:(link-repeat:"Dead Poets Society")[(show:?modal)] appears in the Quest Log. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> It looks like the city lived to see its own bard. Find other signs of the mystery Poet's "artistic" activity. </div> </div> ](modal|} [[Leave the alley]] [[Go back to the corpse scene]]]

Poems or not, this will have to wait a bit. You have some stuff to deal with in other parts of the city first. But you have a strong feeling that you will stumble upon more of these poems soon enough. It would be good to find the man behind all this weird art and ask him what the hell was he thinking. [Some time later...]<cl1| (click: ?cl1)[Sliding down the zip-lines connecting some of the roofs is a good opportunity to take a look around. This time, among the blurred greyness of concrete walls you've been passing by, you catch a glimpse of something red that wasn't there before. - Could it be another bloody poem? It's worth checking out. After landing, you go back to the place you've seen it. You were not mistaken - wall before you is covered with a few bloody verses, just like last time. Something lies on the ground underneath and you have an idea of what it could be. [[Come closer]]]

You go back to the bodies. They sit still in the same positions - which is not so obvious these days. You wonder for a moment about the poem's meaning. [[Move corpses hands to the benefit of the Peacekeeper]] [[Move corpses hands to the benefit of the doctor]] [[Smash it all into pieces]]

In a fit of optimism you set the corpses’ hands in a way suggesting Peacekeeper’s victory. - Always look on the bright side - at least we don't have a polar night here. [[Leave the alley]]

Your gloomy sense of humour makes you shift the hands to the side of the mummified body. - End of the world is not something anyone should have lived through. Well, we've managed to screw even that up. [[Leave the alley]]

A few hits with a bat solve the problem of taking a side for you. - I never liked philosophical questions anyway. [[Leave the alley]]

Almost mummified female body wears an ashen medical uniform. It seems to be very well preserved. You guess that until recently it had to be stored somewhere, preventing the process of decomposition. That means someone brought it here intentionally. - She had to lay hidden somewhere for a long time. Damn, maybe even since the outbreak... On the side of her covered with shreds of blonde hair head, there is a hole after a close-range gunshot. - Well, at least she died quickly. Not everyone had this luxury back then. It looks like you’ve seen all there was to see. - I guess this kind of art suits the world as we have it now. But it doesn't look to me like a one-night stand. Maybe I will find more... or even catch the poet in the act. A new quest:(link-repeat:"Dead Poets Society")[(show:?modal)] appears in the Quest Log. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> It looks like the city lived to see its own bard. Find other signs of the mystery Poet's "artistic" activity. </div> </div> ](modal|} [[Leave the alley]] [[Go back to the corpse scene]]

- A Peacekeeper, huh? Apparently not everyone in this city is afraid of you. You look at the face of the deceased. He probably died last night. You can see a black net of swollen veins under his pale skin. His bloodshot eyes stare at you with hatred. His mouth is smeared with blood - someone else’s blood. - Infected. So it wasn't a homicide, rather an issue of biosafety. It looks like you’ve seen all there was to see. - I guess this kind of art suits the world as we have it now. But it doesn't look to me like a one-night stand. Maybe I will find more... or even catch the poet in the act. A new quest:(link-repeat:"Dead Poets Society")[(show:?modal)] appears in the Quest Log. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> It looks like the city lived to see its own bard. Find other signs of the mystery Poet's "artistic" activity. </div> </div> ](modal|} [[Leave the alley]] [[Go back to the corpse scene]]

You were right - it’s a body lying face-down on the ground just by the wall. It's wearing a robust, but allowing to move freely clothing, with a white band with a crooked dove painted on it wrapped around its arm. This kind of uniform leaves no doubt about the deceased's profession. - I never thought I would say this, but... I hope this one was also infected. Because killing a neutral courier is worse than a felony. It's politics. [[Examine courier's body]] [[Examine the inscription on the wall]]

You crouch by the corpse and pull it by the arm to roll it over. - This guy is quite buffy for a... what the fuck! You jump away from the corpse like it’s on fire. Instead of a standard dead man's face, maybe covered in blood or with some nasty grimace you were expecting, you just had a really close-up contact with a terrifying, split in half jaw of a volatile. - Who would even bother to hunt a volatile only to make it into some damn doll? [[Examine the inscription on the wall ->Examine the inscription on the wall 2]]

You read aloud another bitter poem. //In this world bereft Humanity is gone Only people left.// - Couldn't he write something merrier from time to time? A limerick or something... That seems to be all. The Poet didn't leave any hints again. Maybe besides one - you now know that you’re dealing with someone who can handle his weapon as effectively as he can his pen. [[Leave the alley->Leave the alley 2]]

You crouch by the corpse and pull it by the arm to roll it over. - This guy is quite buffy for a... what the fuck! You jump away from the corpse like it’s on fire. Instead of a standard dead man's face, maybe covered in blood or with some nasty grimace you were expecting, you just had a really close-up contact with a terrifying, split in half jaw of a volatile. - Who would even bother to hunt a volatile only to make it into some damn doll? That seems to be all. The Poet didn't leave any hints again. Maybe besides one - you now know that you’re dealing with someone who can handle his weapon as effectively as he can his pen. [[Leave the alley ->Leave the alley 2]]

You discover the third piece of Poet's work on the same day, just a few blocks away. It is almost sunset, so you have to hurry up with inspecting the site and manage to find a hideout or prepare for the hunt before the night. You approach another red wall quickly. There are three figures sitting on the sidewalk before it - you assume other bodies. You look at them closely, because you really don't need another scary surprise today. This time, all the bodies belong to common biters, that - luckily - are not wandering the city in such great numbers as they once were. [[Examine third inscription ]] [[Examine sitting bodies]]

Big, curved letters look like they were written by a child and form a rhyme. //Roses are red Violets are blue My grave is ready And yours is too.// - Bravo, finally something fun. [[Examine sitting bodies ->Examine sitting bodies 2]]

Three dead infected are sitting in a circle on a chalk-painted sidewalk. These are also posing as Poet's dolls: one is holding a big, a bit muddy teddy bear, the other has a piece of red cloth tied around its neck in a way that reminds you of a superhero cape. Third corpse, sitting with its back to you, is wearing a funny little cap with a colorful fan on top and a penguin-shaped backpack. - Where is he getting all those things from? First almost-a-mummy, then courier's uniform, now a damn penguin. [[Search the backpack->Search the backpack 2]] [[Examine the rhyme ->Examine third inscription 2]]

You lean over the body to reach the backpack and search it. You accidentally poke its blood-stained head and before you can react, a biter grasps your arm. The monster pulls you down and you lose your balance. You fall on the biter which attacks immediately - you manage to stop its snapping jaws only centimeters away from your own face. You brawl for a moment, trying to free yourself from its grip. Finally you jump away. Zombie doesn't follow you - it just reaches out in your direction and tries to catch you again, grasping only air, roaring miserably. The fan on its cape waggles. It seems that the infected is fastened to the ground somehow. - Ugh, that's it. I'm done with this nonsense. Time to find this lousy romantic and tell him what I think about his ways of interacting with audience. [Kill the infected]<cl1|. (click: ?cl1)[With one nimble hit you cut through monster's skull, having no mercy for the waggling fan. Its body finally stops moving. The backpack turns out to be completely empty.] [[Look for a hideout for the night]]

You wonder about the best place to spend the upcoming night in when you realise that the Poet did leave a clue about his identity. - Hmmm. I’ve found each poem in a spot visible from one of the main tracks leading to the underground garage. Since I have to find some hideout anyway, why not head there and find out if the Mushroomers will be eager to talk about art... Your Quest Log is (link-repeat:"updated.")[(show:?modal)] {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> You think that the Poet may be hiding among the Mushroomers - a group involved in fungi cultivation in an old underground garage. Go there and gather some information. </div> </div> ](modal|} [[Go to the underground garage]]

Big, curved letters look like they were written by a child and form a rhyme. //Roses are red Violets are blue My grave is ready And yours is too.// - Bravo, finally something fun. [[Look for a hideout for the night]]

You've been here before a couple of times. A gloomy shape of the garage is split in two parts: the above-ground residential area and the underground, where the mushroom farms are located. The strong, humid and earthy stench of what grows beneath can be sensed just after passing a guarded gate leading to the compound's ground floor. You hang around the public part of the garage, hoping to catch anything that might help you with your investigation. Eventually, while passing a group of young people occupied with cleaning and sorting a huge pile of mushrooms, you eavesdrop a part of their conversation. (css: "color: green;")[- ... but funny? If you want to be funny, go and write some jokes. Poetry is not meant to be funny.] (css: "color: pink;")[- And who do you think you are to decide what is poetry meant to be or not?] (css: "color: green;")[- Have you seen HIM writing about follies?] (css: "color: orange;")[- Well the rhyme was quite...] (css: "color: green;")[- How many times do I have to explain? He used the infantile form as a clever contrast to the tragedy of our very existence!] Either those three are talking about the Poet, or you have missed a sudden appearance of a new poetry trend. Maybe they know the guy? [[Approach the group by the mushroom pile]]

As you come close, the trio cut the conversation short and get silent, trying to look very focused on their work. Now you know for sure that these folks are teenagers - none of them can be older than 17 years old. [Start a conversation]<cl1| (click: ?cl1) [- I accidentally overheard your conversation. The one about poetry. Teenagers give each other uncertain looks. (css: "color: green;")[- It's only to pass the time, you know. Nothing special.] (css: "color: pink;")[- It's not like we are interested in poetry or anything...] (css: "color: orange;")[- But it would be nice if you wouldn't tell Sukhoi about it.] (css: "color: green;")[- Now he certainly WILL do that, you genius!] [[- Sukhoi?]] [[- You guys shouldn't be talking about poetry?]]]

(css: "color: orange;")[- Sukhoi thinks it's trivial.] (css: "color: green;")[- And he doesn't approve our trips behind the gates.] (css: "color: pink;")[- He treats us like children!] [[- And he's right. This Poet is a madman]] [[- Well, as long as you're careful...]]

(css: "color: green;")[- A madman? He's a visionary!] (css: "color: pink;")[- He's brought a little life to this shithole.] - Life? By making bizzare exhibits out of dead bodies? (css: "color: green;")[- Eh... Another one with no understanding for art...] (css: "color: orange;")[- The Poet's... something else. He's not only an artist, but also a skilled warrior.] (css: "color: pink;")[- He's great!] [[- Do you know where to find this idol of yours, then?]]

(css: "color: pink;")[- We know how to handle ourselves.] (css: "color: green;")[- Just like the Poet!] (css: "color: orange;")[- That's why he's so special. He is not only an artist, but also a skilled warrior.] (css: "color: pink;")[- He's great!] [[- Do you know where to find this idol of yours, then?]]

(css: "color: green;")[- A madman? He's a visionary!] (css: "color: pink;")[- He brought a little life to this shithole.] - Life? By making bizzare exhibits out of dead bodies? (css: "color: green;")[- Eh... Another one with no understanding for art...] (css: "color: orange;")[- The Poet's... something else. He's not only an artist, but also a skilled warrior.] (css: "color: pink;")[- He's great!] (css: "color: orange;")[- And you can't say that about Sukhoi.] [[- Sukhoi? 2]] [[- Do you know where to find this idol of yours, then?]]

(css: "color: pink;")[- We know how to handle ourselves.] (css: "color: green;")[- Just like the Poet!] (css: "color: orange;")[- That's why he is so special. He's not only an artist, but also a skilled warrior.] (css: "color: pink;")[- He's great!] (css: "color: orange;")[- And you can't say that about Sukhoi.] [[- Sukhoi? ->- Sukhoi? 2]] [[- Do you know where to find this idol of yours, then?]]

(css: "color: orange;")[- Sukhoi is the boss here.] (css: "color: pink;")[- He doesn't like it when his people are doing anything that exceeds sleeping, working or shitting.] (css: "color: green;")[- Especially art. He just doesn't get it. The Poet does though.] [[- Do you know where to find this idol of yours, then?]]

(css: "color: green;")[- Are you kidding? No one knows who the Poet is!] (css: "color: orange;")[- No one ever caught him.] (css: "color: pink;")[- They say he works at nights. Badass, isn't he?] Suddenly you hear a strong, irritated voice behind your back. (css: "color: red;")[- Ooo, you whipsters! Are you impressed by working at night? Here you go, bastards, I invite you to the night shift on the farms!] (css: "color: pink;")[- But Sukhoi, we've only...] (css: "color: red;")[- Shoo! Go downstairs and wait for me there!] Teenagers sigh collectively and leave for the staircase. Sukhoi, a huge man with thick black beard turns to you as they disappear. (css: "color: red;")[- And you are...? Another fan of belles-fucking-lettres? Or maybe... THE POET HIMSELF?] [[- Quite the opposite. I'm trying to find him.]] [[- And what if I am?]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Not so fast then, there is a queue to this motherfucker! Ahhh, if I only knew who he is... One of my people, you know?He fucks with those brats' heads and doesn't care about the consequences!] [[- Well, poetry itself is not a crime...]] [[- His art is getting dangerous. He's started to use not only dead bodies, but the living deads too.]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Well, then I will shove so many shrooms up your ass that you will be reciting an ode to the champignons for the rest of your sorry life, how about that. Ha! No, I know that you are not the Poet. You're not from here, and this bloody lyricist is one of my own people. I just don't know which fucking one! So, did he piss you off too?] [[- These scenes of his are not funny anymore. Someone might get hurt.]] [[- His art caught my eye]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Art my ass! Arranging corpses 'round the city, pesky necrophile! And those three pains in my ass - Petro, Erick and Nina - are sneaking out to look for this shit. There was four of them roaming around not so long ago, you know? But all that was left from their gal was a fucking foot. Argh, to hell with that! I thought this psycho will get bored at some point, but something needs to be done about this. Maybe you want to help with unmasking this goddamn Poet?] [[- So, what's your plan?]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Not a crime? And have those three pains in my ass - Eric, Nina and Petro - told you that there was four of them not so long ago? Ha, of course they didn't. All that was left of their friend was a foot. Well, at least they stopped sneaking out beyond the gate... The question is for how long. Argh, to hell with that! I thought this psycho will get bored at some point, but something needs to be done about this. Maybe you want to help with unmasking this goddamn Poet?] [[- So, what's your plan?]]

(css: "color: red;")[- You meant - someone else? Because that is exactly what happened the last time those pains in my ass - Nina, Eric and Petro - sneaked out for one of their poetry trips. All that was left of their fourth friend was a foot. Argh, to hell with that! I thought this psycho will get bored at some point, but something needs to be done about this. Maybe you want to help with unmasking this goddamn Poet?] [[- So, what's your plan?]]

(css: "color: red;")[- No wonder that you found the common ground with those three pains in my ass - Eric, Nina and Petro. But have they told you that their fourth friend never came back from their last poetry-themed trip? Hm?!] - I know how to handle myself. (css: "color: red;")[- Maybe you know, but all I have left after a quarter of this nation's future is a left fucking foot! Shoeless, even! Argh, to hell with that! I thought this psycho will get bored at some point, but something needs to be done about this. Maybe you want to help with unmasking this goddamn Poet?] [[- So, what's your plan?]]

You stand at the bottom of the tower just as the last sunrays of the day are sliding down its peak. As you are halfway through the climb the sun sets and the city goes quiet - but only for a moment. Somewhere among the ruins first nightmares are howling as they are leaving their lairs. You get to the top of the tower and close the hatch, relieved that none of these howlers decided to follow you up here. A small room opens to all four sides of the world. Next to one of its edges sits a man so tiny as if he was created specifically to do this job. You assume that's Sambor. The mans turns to you and invites you to join him with a gesture. (css: "color: purple;")[- Chief mentioned you will come. He didn't tell me what for... but I guess you are not here to admire the stars, are you? Pity, Mars will be shining very bright tonight.] Sambor stares at the evening sky for a moment. Then he snaps out of it and continues. (css: "color: purple;")[- Oh, forgive me. You have a job to do. Here, take that, could be useful.] You take the binoculars from Smabor and sit beside him. You look down, on the illuminated outline of the garage. Sukhoi actually took care of the lighting the neighbourhood. You look through the binoculars to adjust the viewing sharpness. (css: "color: purple;")[- Try not to drop this, friend. It happened to me when I just started. I was peeking through the windows, out of boredom, you know. One empty, another empty, the third... and suddenly! There is a volatile standing in a fourth window. Just standing there and... looking directly at me! Brrr, even now I shiver when I think about it.] Did he notice that you have been doing exactly the same? Just in case you go back to scanning the garage's neighbourhood. (css: "color: purple;")[- Oh, I'm sorry - maybe my babbling's distracting you?] [[- Not at all. Go ahead if you feel like it]] [[- Actually, I prefer to work in silence.]]

(css: "color: purple;")[- You can't only talk to yourself, right? It could make one go crazy...] It's hard not to agree with that. Suddenly you notice some movement down on the ground - thick, large figure comes slowly into the light. You sharpen the view and... Unfortunately, it's only a volatile. At some point the monster stops, looks up and you could swear that you crossed gazes with it. You involuntarily shudder and Sambor notices that. (css: "color: purple;")[- Told you so! Sometimes I think they do that on purpose. Well, they were people once, after all. That’s why they’re so mean. Hey, what if they are still there... these people... inside them?] - I stopped thinking about that a long time ago. (css: "color: purple;")[- Look at this volatile - all night it’s just wandering around, looking for opportunities, searching for prey. Isn't that exactly what we do during the day?] - The hell if I know. I mean... You know, you should ask those poetry-fascinated youngsters about that. They seem to like this kind of stuff. (css: "color: purple;")[- Oh, most of us here are poetry-fascinated right now. People just won't admit that. But you also will be if the last exciting thing that happened to you was a successful grafting of a champignon mycelium on level -2.] All of a sudden one of the garage entrances opens almost noiselessly. Someone, and this time it is definitely a human, sneaks through the shadows along the wall towards the east route. You quickly pull out your radio. [[- Sukhoi? Someone left through the north gate and went towards the cathedral. I'm going after him.]]

(css: "color: purple;")[- But can I still talk to myself, though? Kind of a professional habit, you know.] You realise there won't be much silence around you tonight, so you just try to focus on scanning the area with your binoculars. Suddenly you notice some movement down on the ground - thick, large figure comes slowly into the light. You sharpen the view and... Unfortunately, it's only a volatile. At some point the monster stops, looks up and you could swear that you crossed gazes with it. You involuntarily shudder and Sambor notices that. (css: "color: purple;")[- Told you so! Sometimes I think they do that on purpose. Well, they were people once, after all. That’s why they’re so mean. Hey, what if they are still there... these people... inside them?] - I stopped thinking about that a long time ago. (css: "color: purple;")[- Look at this volatile - all night it is just wandering around, looking for opportunities, searching for prey. Isn't that exactly what we do during the day?] - The hell if I know. I mean... You know, you should ask those poetry-fascinated youngsters about that. They seem to like this kind of stuff. (css: "color: purple;")[- Oh, most of us here are poetry-fascinated right now. People just won't admit that. But you also will be if the last exciting thing that happened to you was a successful grafting of a champignon mycelium on level -2.] All of a sudden one of the garage entrances opens almost noiselessly. Someone, and this time it is definitely a human, sneaks through the shadows along the wall towards the east route. You quickly pull out your radio. [[- Sukhoi? Someone left through the north gate and went towards the cathedral. I'm going after him.]]

(css: "color: purple;")[- For fifteen years we've been doing only what's necessary, my friend. And maybe that's what we are lacking? Doing something unnecessary, trivial?] - For now the only thing that came out of those trivial actions was another death. (css: "color: purple;")[- Oh, you've heard about the girl? Very heartbreaking death. Unnecessary. But if she went to admire the evening sky that day, would you blame the setting sun for her death?] For a moment you wonder how to answer to that weird and not really sensible question, but it seems that Sambor asked rhetorically. (css: "color: purple;")[- Of course Sukhoi is only trying to protect his people. He wants us to survive. What he is missing is that surviving is not the same as living. Tell me, isn't it worth to sacrifice a part of this sad reality to make place for something... bigger? Something spiritual?] [[- No. Who loses sight of reality won't stay alive for long.]] [[- Maybe you're right. We need something more from life.]]

(css: "color: purple;")[- Artist were always drawing from whatever's been surrounding them, you know. And it seems that we are surrounded mostly by corpses.] - And now, because of all this poetry, there is one corpse more. (css: "color: purple;")[- Oh, you've heard about the girl? Very heartbreaking death. Unnecessary. But if she went to admire the evening sky that day, would you blame the setting sun for her death?] For a moment you wonder how to answer to that weird and not really sensible question, but it seems that Sambor asked rhetorically. (css: "color: purple;")[- Of course Sukhoi is only trying to protect his people. He wants us to survive. What he is missing is that surviving is not the same as living. Tell me, isn't it worth to sacrifice a part of this sad reality to make place for something... bigger? Something spiritual?] [[- No. Who loses sight of reality won't stay alive for long.]] [[- Maybe you're right. We need something more from life.]]

You hear Sambor sighing quietly. (css: "color: purple;")[- Right... This is the world we live in. What a shame. This talk is starting to tire you. What's more, the direction Sambor's monologue is going towards is making you feel weird. Like maybe you shouldn't be looking for the Poet down there. When, struck with this thought, you take the binoculars away from your face, you discover that Sambor is no longer by your side. You want to turn around, but suddenly you feel excruciating pain in your left temple. Power of the impact knocks you down. You can't move, the pain is too strong. The last thing you see before you lose consciousness is Sambor's boot and a thick metal rod he drops on the ground as he’s leaving the tower through the hatch. (css: "color: purple;")[- Thanks for the talk, my friend. It was truly... inspirational. I'm deeply sorry for ceasing it so drastically, but I also have a job to do tonight.] [[Close your eyes ->Ars poetica]]

(css: "color: purple;")[- So you understand. That's good. Very good.] This talk is starting to tire you. What's more, the direction Sambor's monologue is going towards is making you feel weird. Like maybe you shouldn't be looking for the Poet down there. When, struck with this thought, you take the binoculars away from your face, you discover that Sambor is no longer by your side. You want to turn around, but suddenly you feel excruciating pain in your left temple. Power of the impact knocks you down. You can't move, the pain is too strong. The last thing you see before you lose consciousness is Sambor's boot and a thick metal rod he drops on the ground as he’s leaving the tower through the hatch. (css: "color: purple;")[- Thanks for the talk, my friend. It was truly... inspirational. I'm deeply sorry for ceasing it so drastically, but I also have a job to do tonight.] [[Close your eyes ->Licentia poetica]]

You awake to a buzzing radio and Sukhoi's yells coming out of it. You open your eyes - it's dawning already. (css: "color: red;")[- ... copy! For fuck's sake! Man, you better be alive or I'll kill you myself!] All you can give in response is an indistinct moan. Your head is still pulsating with a dull pain. (css: "color: red;")[- Finally! What's wrong with you?!] - Aghhh... Sambor... Sambor is... the Poet. He knocked me out and ran away. (css: "color: red;")[- Shit... but that explains a lot.] - Explains what? (css: "color: red;")[- Well it would be best if you see it with your own eyes. Get back here.] A new quest appears in your Quest Log:(link-repeat:"Ars Poetica")[(show:?modal)] {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> Go back to Sukhoi and find out what happend in the underground garage. </div> </div> ](modal|} [[Go back to the garage ->Go back to the garage 1]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Maaan, you're fast! But I was just about to tell you - this one is clean, it's a courier. Keep searching.] You sigh, and Sambor smiles friendly and shrugs his arms with helpless solidarity. (css: "color: purple;")[- The night is long enough, we will make the most of it. But! Before, you sounded like you were not very fond of our poet.] [[- Not at all. What he does is dangerous and unnecessary.]] [[- I kinda am. I'm just not sure if the form he's using is right.]]

You awake to a buzzing radio and Sukhoi's yells coming out of it. You open your eyes - it's dawning already. (css: "color: red;")[- ... copy! For fuck's sake! Man, you better be alive or I'll kill you myself!] All you can give in response is an indistinct moan. Your head is still pulsating with a dull pain. (css: "color: red;")[- Finally! What's wrong with you?!] - Aghhh... Sambor... Sambor is... the Poet. (css: "color: red;")[- What? Hell, I thought it was you climbing down the watchtower at night! I thought you saw the bastard!] - No... He knocked me out and run away. I have no idea where he is now. (css: "color: red;")[- Oh, crap... All right, get your ass down here. We will figure something out.] A new quest appears in your Quest Log: (link-repeat:"Licentia Poetica")[(show:?modal)] {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> Go back to Sukhoi in underground garage and figure out your next steps. </div> ](modal|} [[Go back to garage ->Go back to garage 2]]

Sukhoi awaits you at the main entrance, surrounded by a cloud of smoke from a mushroom fag. He notices you, throws the cig on the ground and extinguishes it with his heavy boot. He looks at the painful grimace on your face. (css: "color: red;")[- There you are, looking like shit! Our Sambor really kicked your ass, didn't he? In that case maybe you'll even like what you're about to see. Come on.] Before you can say anything Sukhoi turns away, passes two armed guards and disappears behind the door. Only then you realize that on this time of the day there should be a lot more people around here. You eyes need a moment to adjust to the shadowy interior of the hall. You can't find Sukhoi, but there is no mistake about where you should head to. There is some kind of gathering on the other side of the hall. You squeeze through the crowd and a stunning view reveals before you. There is a body lying prostrate on the ground and you can see familiar red writing on the wall above it. Sukhoi stands by the corpse and waves at you, inviting to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- Here we are. Are you smart enough to guess who this is, or do you have to take a closer look?] [[Examine the body]] [[Read the poem]]

Sukhoi awaits you at the main entrance, surrounded by a cloud of smoke from a mushroom fag. He notices you, throws the cig on the ground and extinguishes it with his heavy boot. He looks at the painful grimace on your face. (css: "color: red;")[- There you are, looking like shit! Our Sambor really kicked your ass, didn't he? My god, he was the last person I would suspect. He could be writing poems alright, but I always thought that guy sits up there because he is scared of what crawls down here! Yeah, aren't I a damn expert on human nature.] - Well, he sure isn’t scared. Night isn’t a problem for him. He said that he has something to do, and... (css: "color: red;")[- And?] - He said that I inspired him. (css: "color: red;")[- What the hell have you been telling him? Well, I don't care. Maybe you became his muse or something.] - I'm afraid it will be something worse. Much worse. I didn't like his tone. Sukhoi sighs heavily, like he was expecting nothing less. (css: "color: red;")[- Always a hard time, eh? I was complaining about the zombies and I got a lunatic poet instead. So, wasn't he polite enough to share his plans with you? No? What are we supposed to do now, wait until he publishes a book of poems?] You wanted to propose searching his personal stuff for some clues, but instead of your own words you hear a quiet, nervous voice behind your back. (css: "color: orange;")[- S-sukhoi... Do... do you have a moment? Please?] [[Turn around]]

It's one of the teenagers you've met before. (css: "color: red;")[- What is it, Petro?] Petro gives you an uncertain look. (css: "color: red;")[- So? Either talk or bug off!] (css: "color: orange;")[- It's about Eric and Nina.] (css: "color: red;")[- Ugh, I don't have the time for your whining!] (css: "color: orange;")[- But... but they went with Sambor!] (css: "color: red;")[- WHAT? When?] (css: "color: orange;")[- A-at night...] (css: "color: red;")[- And you come to tell it NOW?] (css: "color: orange;")[- They... they said they will be back in the morning. But they are still gone.] Your bad feelings start to get specific shapes and you don't like them at all. Sukhoi starts to shake from anger though, so you have to take the initiative and ask the boy for some details. [[- Why did they went with him?]] [[- Did they say where are they going? -> - Did they say where are they going? 2]] [[- Why aren't you with them?]]

(css: "color: orange;")[- Sambor only said that in order to create something great you need to devote yourself to art completely. And that he will teach us... teach them how to do this.] (css: "color: red;")[- Perfect! So we still know shit about all this.] - He really, really didn't say anything else? Think Petro, it's important! Petro gets silent, searching his memory for anything useful. (css: "color: orange;")[- Well, as they were leaving, Eric shouted that tonight it would be them who will be steering the galleon of poetry. But he says that kind of things all the time.] The teenager's face changes as he comes up with another idea. (css: "color: orange;")[- We often discussed, you know, hypothetically... what would we do if we were in the Poet’s place. What would we write and... where.] (css: "color: red;")[- Who cares ab...] You silence Sukhoi with a gesture. - Go on. (css: "color: orange;")[- Ummm... Eric used to say that one day the cathedral gates will serve as pages for his poetry.] (css: "color: red;")[- Pretentious brat.] - All right. And Nina? (css: "color: orange;")[- She is much more chilled out. She bragged about having the funniest idea for a mall.] (css: "color: red;")[- Still sounds to me like a long shot.] - Better this than nothing. Good job, Petro. Petro nods silently and leaves. Sukhoi leans towards you. (css: "color: red;")[- So... Firstly - I understand that you're gonna check that out?] - ASAP. (css: "color: red;")[- Somehow I doubt that you will find them. But then again I really hope I'm wrong.] - And secondly? (css: "color: red;")[- Secondly - next time you will try to silence me, it will get violent. See, I also know how to write poems. Good luck out there.] Quest (link-repeat:"Licentia Poetica")[(show:?modal)] is updated. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> Go to the places that Petro gave you: - Look for Nina at the mall - Look for Eric at the cathedral </div> ](modal|} [[Leave the garage]]

The boy seems to get a little abashed. (css: "color: orange;")[- It was at night and... you always say it isn’t safe...] - Your buddies didn't seem to be bothered. You three do everything together and suddenly you bail out? (css: "color: red;")[- We don't have the time to nurse you, boy. Tell the truth or I will fucking compost you!] (css: "color: orange;")[- I... I got scared of Sambor. He was weird, like... like he wasn't himself. He was looking at as, but not as you look at another person, you understand? I know how lame it sounds!] - No, kid. You had a good hunch. There is something odd about Sambor, and not in a good way. The boy was not expecting confirmation of his words. He suddenly gets very pale. (css: "color: orange;")[- It means that Nina and Erick... Are they...] - Don't worry. I will find them. Petro nods silently and leaves. Sukhoi leans towards you. (css: "color: red;")[- So... Firstly - I understand that you're gonna check that out?] - ASAP. (css: "color: red;")[- Somehow I doubt that you will find them. But then again I really hope I'm wrong.] - And secondly? (css: "color: red;")[- Secondly - next time you will try to silence me, it will get violent. See, I also know how to write poems. Good luck out there.] Quest (link-repeat:"Licentia Poetica")[(show:?modal)] is updated. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> Go to the places that Petro gave you: - Look for Nina at the mall - Look for Eric at the cathedral </div> ](modal|} [[Leave the garage]]

(css: "color: orange;")[- Poet... the Poet comes to US and we were supposed to refuse him? Are you kidding? He offered us becoming a part of his work! A big one, bigger than ever! Get it? Real, living art!] (css: "color: red;")[- Fuck...] (css: "color: orange;")[- That's what he said! Nina and Erick went with it immediately. Because it was kind of a dream we shared, you know? But they were supposed to come back before anyone notices they're gone!] - Don't worry. I will find them. Petro nods silently and leaves. Sukhoi leans towards you. (css: "color: red;")[- So... Firstly - I understand that you're gonna check that out?] - ASAP. (css: "color: red;")[- Somehow I doubt that you will find them. But then again I really hope I'm wrong.] - And secondly? (css: "color: red;")[- Secondly - next time you will try to silence me, it will get violent. See, I also know how to write poems. Good luck out there.] Quest (link-repeat:"Licentia Poetica")[(show:?modal)] is updated. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> Go to the places that Petro gave you: - Look for Nina at the mall - Look for Eric at the cathedral </div> ](modal|} [[Leave the garage]]

You come out of the dark garage and blink a few times getting used to the daylight. You have to decide where to go first. [[Go to the cathedral to find Eric]] [[Go to the mall to find Nina]]

The building of the shopping mall, once a modern, glass cube, is now haunting this area with its broken-glass teeth. You enter through one of the side entrances and sneak along the wall, hoping to spot any potential enemy before they spot you. A wide corridor takes you to a huge open space in the middle of the building. At first sight you would say it's empty. In the dim light you eventually notice something right in the middle of the center area. As you approach it turns out to be a pile of boxes and shopping bags. They are stacked quite neatly, so they couldn't have been there for long. Suddenly your foot slips on something wet. You look down - it’s red paint, and you happen to be standing on a one of many big, fresh-painted letters. But there is no sign of Sambor or the missing teenagers. You have this unsettling feeling of being too late, but you have no idea what are you late for. [[Check the pile of boxes]] [[Climb to a higher floor to read the inscription]]

Ropes lifting the body are fastened to the high, stone ornaments on both sides of the gate. You will have to climb up to cut or unfasten them. [[Unfasten the right rope]] [[Unfasten the left rope]]

//A deed of an angel or of a beast: Putting sentenced to life On a pardon list?// - You're already on my list, you monster. You look up at the body hanging between the ornamented walls. You have to get him down. [[Climb the right side]] [[Climb the left side]]

Ornamentally carved wall is pretty easy to climb, so you quickly get to the place where the rope is fastened. It turns out that the Poet attached this end to the sculpture of an angel. You try to undo the rope, but you will have to cut it free. - Manipulative... Sick... Bastard! Rope breaks after a few hits of your weapon and Eric's body hits the other side of the gate with a thudded slap. You go back down, trying not to look the dead teenager in the eye. [[Unfasten the left rope->Unfasten the left rope 3]] [[Read the inscription on the gate->Read the inscription on the gate 2]]

Ornamentally carved wall is pretty easy to climb, so you quickly get to the place where the rope is fastened. It turns out that the Poet attached this end to a hideous stone devil with a nasty grimace on its doglike mouth. - Manipulative... Sick... Bastard! Rope breaks after a few hits of your weapon and Eric's body hits the other side of the gate with a thudded slap. You go back down, trying not to look the dead teenager in the eye. [[Unfasten the right rope 2]] [[Read the inscription on the gate->Read the inscription on the gate 4]]

It would be hard to pass the gate and reach the other side of the entrance without looking at the poem written on its surface. //A deed of an angel or of a beast: Putting sentenced to life On a pardon list?// - You're already on my list, you monster. [[Unfasten the left rope->Unfasten the left rope 2]]

This time you don't waste time on sneaking. You run straight into the wide corridor of the shopping mall and notice two figures deeper in the alley. One is lying motionless on the ground, and the other was crouching next to it until this very moment. Now it straightens up and turns in your direction. You approach Sambor and Nina slowly. (css: "color: purple;")[- You are interrupting my work, friend.] In this very moment the only thing that matters to you is if Nina is still alive. - Nina! Nina, do you hear me? No reaction. Sambor watches you, tilting his head with interest. (css: "color: purple;")[- I'm forced to ask you to leave. Seeing an unfinished piece of art brings bad luck.] - Oooh, you don't even know how bad. Back off from her, monster! You circle the Poet slowly, closing at him with every step. Sambor follows you with his eyes. (css: "color: purple;")[- Oh, monster, monster. What a cliché. You disappoint me. I thought we've come to an understanding yesterday that we need art. And art - great art - requires sacrifices.] - This. Is not. Art. (css: "color: purple;")[- Well... It looks like you will became my first critic, then... if you would be so kind and leave now.] - No, Sambor. This show ends now. Surrender... and I will promise you a less painful death. Only a few steps separate you from each other now. (css: "color: purple;")[- Surrender?] Sambor bursts into laughter, which quite quickly breaks into a silent, full of delight sigh as apparently some unexpected idea crosses his mind. Then he looks you in the eye and you would prefer not to be an object of such a gaze ever again. (css: "color: purple;")[- I can't. I just saw a poem... in you.] Before you can react, he quickly throws a can with paint at you which he was holding all this time. A red fluid floods your face. [[Dash blindly to the side]]

Ornamentally carved wall is pretty easy to climb, so you quickly get to the place where the rope is fastened. It turns out that the Poet attached this end to a sculpture of an angel. You try to undo the rope, but you will have to cut it free. - Manipulative... Sick... Bastard! Rope breaks after a few hits of your weapon and Eric's body hits the other side of the gate with a thudded slap. You go back down, trying not to look the dead teenager in the eye. [[Climb the left side->Climb the left side 2]]

You come to the other side and climb the ornamented wall. You are almost able to ignore the fact that this time the rope is fastened to a hideous stone devil with a nasty grimace on its doglike mouth. You have enough of those symbolic lunacies. You cut the rope free and Eric's body finally lands on the ground. You land beside. You pull out your radio and wonder for a moment what to say, but you know no words could make it better. - Garage, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- And? Have you found anything?] - I... I did. I have found Eric. Sukhoi, Sambor made him into a... Your tone says it all. Sukhoi doesn't wait for details and interrupts you, barely able to squeeze the words out of himself. (css: "color: red;")[- I need no description. Go after Nina, now! - I took him down, you could collect... the body. I'm off to the mall. Over and out. (css: "color: red;")[- Catch this motherfucker.] Before Sukhoi disconnects you can hear his furious and helpless scream. [[Run to the mall]]

//A deed of an angel or of a beast: Putting sentenced to life On a pardon list?// - You're already on my list, you monster. You pull out your radio and wonder for a moment what to say, but you know no words could make it better. - Garage, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- And? Have you found anything?] - I... I did. I have found Eric. Sukhoi, Sambor made him into a... Your tone says it all. Sukhoi doesn't wait for details and interrupts you, barely able to squeeze the words out of himself. (css: "color: red;")[- I need no description. Go after Nina, now! - I took him down, you could collect... the body. I'm off to the mall. Over and out. (css: "color: red;")[- Catch this motherfucker.] Before Sukhoi disconnects you can hear his furious and helpless scream. [[Run to the mall]]

You come to the other side and climb the ornamented wall again. You are almost able to ignore the fact that this time the rope is fastened to the hideous stone devil with a nasty grimace on its doglike mouth. You have enough of those symbolic lunacies. You cut the rope free and Eric's body finally lands on the ground. You land beside it. You pull out your radio and wonder for a moment what to say, but you know no words could make it better. - Garage, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- And? Have you found anything?] - I... I did. I have found Eric. Sukhoi, Sambor made him into a... Your tone says it all. Sukhoi doesn't wait for details and interrupts you, barely able to squeeze the words out of himself. (css: "color: red;")[- I need no description. Go after Nina, now! - I took him down, you could collect... the body. I'm off to the mall. Over and out. (css: "color: red;")[- Catch this motherfucker.] Before Sukhoi disconnects you can hear his furious and helpless scream. [[Run to the mall]]

You come to the other side and climb the ornamented wall. You are almost able to ignore the fact,that this time the rope is fastened to a sculpture of an angel. You have enough of those symbolic lunacies. You cut the rope free and Eric's body finally lands on the ground. You land beside it. You pull out your radio and wonder for a moment what to say, but you know no words could make it better. - Garage, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- And? Have you found anything?] - I... I did. I have found Eric. Sukhoi, Sambor made him into a... Your tone says it all. Sukhoi doesn't wait for details and interrupts you, barely able to squeeze the words out of himself. (css: "color: red;")[- I need no description. Go after Nina, now! - I took him down, you could collect... the body. I'm off to the mall. Over and out. (css: "color: red;")[- Catch this motherfucker.] Before Sukhoi disconnects you can hear his furious and helpless scream. [[Run to the mall]]

This quick decision allows you to dodge Poet’s incoming attack and saves your life. You clear your eyes from the paint just in time to duck again when Sambor comes at you with a long knife in his hand. Finally you can draw your own weapon and stand to fight. The Poet turns out to be an even better warrior than you thought he would be. He avoids your attacks with great agility, then comes back at you with nimble ripostes and you feel that each time he misses only by millimeters. You have no choice but to fight though - if you won't get him first, you will probably end as another puppet in his next work. When you finally manage to hit him, Sambor is... delighted. (css: "color: purple;")[- Mmm. Nothing clears the mind better than a bit of physical pain.] Another clash. You parry his knife and use your elbow to smash his nose. (css: "color: purple;")[- Your stubbornness is poignant. Futile, but poignant!] Eventually you start to see that your opponent is weakening. That's your chance. But before you can try to take the advantage, you hear a weak groan from the side. Nina! The girl is alive! The Poet didn't repeat your mistake. He uses a second of your distraction to knock a weapon out your hands and cut you with his knife. You fall to the ground, and he immediately jumps on you. His fingers close on your throat in a cold vice-like grip. His peaceful face is more dreadful than any furious grimace could ever be. You try to break free, fighting for every breath. Unsuccessfully. (css: "color: purple;")[- And now please, let me give you a gift of immortality.] Your moves get more and more desperate. You get weaker with every second. The world before your eyes gets darker and darker... (css: "color: purple;")[- Yes... I see it in your eyes. The essence.] You are at the brink of losing your consciousness. You try to get away one last time. (css: "color: purple;")[- Do you feel it? Your own masterpiece is almost compl...] Sambor’s iron grasp suddenly loosens, and he himself falls on the floor beside you. With last spark of consciousness you take a deep breath. Your lungs feel like they are on fire. When you finally pull yourself together you look at the motionless Poet laying still next to you. There is a knife sticking out from the side of his head, burrowed deeply up to the handle. His knife, which he had thrown away just before he strangled you. You look up and you see Nina. The girl is staring with her eyes wide open at a blood pool spilling wider and wider around Sambor's dead body. - N-Nina! (css: "color: pink;")[- I... I didn't know what to do. He would have killed you!] - You... you did good. He had it coming. Nina falls on her knees and starts crying. (css: "color: pink;")[- He... I... Eric!] - I know, I know. It was not your fault. All that matters now is that you're alive. Can you walk? (css: "color: pink;")[- I guess so. Sambor anesthetized me with something, just after Eric...] She bursts in tears again, but quickly gets herself together. (css: "color: pink;")[- ... if you didn't come I would have never woken up!] You look at Sambor's dead body. - And vice versa. Very precise hit, good job. Sukhoi will be proud. You realise you should report to the garage, so you pull out your radio and don't waste time on standard phrases. - Sukhoi, I've got her! Nina is alive and well! For a moment there is no response. (css: "color: red;")[- You have no idea what a weight just fell off my heart. And Sambor?] - He couldn't get more dead. (css: "color: red;")[- That's what I wanted to hear! May he rot in hell, tfu! Now get away from there.] A quest (link-repeat:"Licentia Poetica")[(show:?modal)] is updated. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> Escort Nina to the underground garage. </div> ](modal|} [[Go with Nina to the garage]]

On the way back Nina shares with you last night’s details. (css: "color: pink;")[- Eric couldn't believe Sambor could harm us to the very end. He even put the loop on his neck by himself.] - Sweet jesus... Don't you kids have any self preservation instinct? (css: "color: pink;")[- I told him not to do it. But he only laughed at me, saying that I’m chickening out like Petro.] - I found you only because of Petro’s quick thinking. (css: "color: pink;")[- Oh...] - You’d better learn the difference between cowardice and caution. It's good for the circulatory system. (css: "color: pink;")[- What do you mean?] - It prevents early cardiac arrest... Nevermind. I think you've already had your lesson. (css: "color: pink;")[- You're right. I... will not be wasting time on follies anymore.] - Engage in something useful. Something you have a knack for. (css: "color: pink;")[- But what could it be?] - You know what? It was a really precise hit. [[Approach the main gate]]

Sukhoi, as usual, throws away a cig he was smoking and goes straight to Nina. He grabs the girl by her arms and shakes her like she was just a mere doll. (css: "color: red;")[- You dull girl!] (css: "color: pink;")[- Sukhoi, I'm sor...] (css: "color: red;")[- Don't ever do that to me again, child.] He pulls her towards him and closes her in a father-like hug of his wide arms for just a short second. After that he just puts her aside and turns her towards the garage's gate. (css: "color: red;")[- Now off with you. But don't flatter yourself - you will get your butt kicked for this. We will talk later, oh we will.] Nina nods and leaves. Sukhoi turns to you. (css: "color: red;")[- My folks recovered... Eric's body. I have to organise a funeral, I guess. Eh... And I thought all I have to do is fence us off from the infected and we would live happily ever after, you know? Maybe order kids to sit on their sorry asses after dusk. But no, those little brats always find a way to kill themselves.] - I'm really sorry. That I didn't get there on time. Sukhoi shakes off this little moment of reflection. (css: "color: red;")[- You did what you could. And you did good job, job which you will be paid for properly.] [[- Nina saved me just as much as I saved her. I guess we're even.]] [[- I hope you mean something more than a basket of mushrooms...]]

Sukhoi snorts and pulls a small purse out of his pocket. He gives it to you - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage at noon and go back to your business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi always greets you with a dose of a cordial sarcasm. He is often accompanied by Petro, who is now his personal assistant. You also hear that Nina joined a battle-patrol unit and is making amazing progress with her newly discovered talents. With Sambor's death the city walls come back to normal, which means getting covered only by obscene sketches and vulgar slogans again.

You stand over the pile of boxes and notice that some of them are spotted with red dots. Drops of the paint? No, that must be... With a shaking hand you lift the lid of the top box. And you immediately close it back with terror, hiding its macabre content. There is a human head inside. Blood-stained light hair partially cover the face of a young girl. - Oh, God. Nina, no... Regretful sigh quickly changes into a furious roar. - ...eeergh! I will end this motherfucker with my bare hands! [[Run to the cathedral]] [[Climb to a higher floor to read the inscription->Climb to a higher floor to read the inscription 2]]

You climb to the floor above to get a better angle at the words painted on the ground. This time the poem is quite short. //The date of expiration Is past for human nation.// Maybe you would dedicate more thought to this idea once, but now you only feel more and more concerned. - It really stopped being funny a while ago. [[Go back down]]

You jump over the barrier and land back on the ground floor. You approach the pile of boxes and notice that some of them are spotted with red dots. Drops of paint? No, that must be... With a shaking hand you lift the lid of the top box. And you immediately close it back with terror, hiding its macabre content. There is a human head inside. Blood-stained light hair partially cover the face of a young girl. - Oh, God. Nina, no... Regretful sigh quickly changes into a furious roar. - ...eeergh! I will end this motherfucker with my bare hands! That's enough. You bolt out of the building and only then you remember that you should tell Sukhoi about your tragic findings. You pull out your radio and wonder for a moment what to say, but you know no words could make it better. - Sukhoi, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- Whoah, so fast? You haven't found them, have you?] - I did. The tone of your voice makes Sukhoi realise that something bad had happened. (css: "color: red;")[- Don't tell that... I mean tell, for christ sake!] - Nina... She's dead. For a short time the radio is silent. Then Sukhoi speaks again, with a voice as calm and cold as death itself. (css: "color: red;")[- She is... in the mall?] - Yes, but... Sukhoi, this is not a pleasant view. (css: "color: red;")[- What about Eric?] - He's not here. I'm running to the cathedral. (css: "color: red;")[- And Sambor... beat him... slay him... make him suffer!] [[Go to the cathedral]]

You’re breathless when you finally reach the square surrounding the cathedral. But you don't stop to rest, just run along the temple's wall to get to the main gate on the other side of the building. Just before the corner you hear some voices. You stop and carefully lean out to see what is happening by the gates. It's Sambor and Eric. They stand close to each other and apparently have a normal conversation. The boy seems to be alright and calm. Wait, does he have a loop around his neck? - I would rather not wait and see what is going to happen. You came out and rush towards them. - Sambor! The Poet turns to you - without slightest signs of surprise on his face. (css: "color: purple;")[- Ah, isn't that my yesterday's muse?] - Your today's bane. (css: "color: purple;")[- Come on, my friend, it's not worth to hold a grudge. I thought we've come to an understanding yesterday that we need art. And art - great art - requires sacrifices. - This. Is not. Art. The Poet sighs heavily. (css: "color: purple;")[- In that case, please let me use other arguments.] Sambor tightens the rope around Eric's neck with ease. You notice that the loop is made with two ropes - one is fastened high to the right corner of the gate, and the other to the left one. For some reason the teenager still stands like nothing was happening. What is wrong with him? You want to approach the boy but Sambor crosses you with a long knife in his hand. You draw your weapon too - the fight is inevitable. The Poet turns out to be an even better warrior than you thought he would be. He avoids your attacks with great agility, then comes back at you with nimble ripostes and you feel that each time he misses only by millimeters. You have no choice but to fight though - if you won't get him first, you will probably end as another puppet in his next work. When you finally manage to hit him, Sambor looks... delighted. (css: "color: purple;")[- Mmm. Nothing clears the mind better than a bit of physical pain.] Another clash. You parry his knife and use your elbow to smash his nose. (css: "color: purple;")[- Your stubbornness is poignant. Futile, but poignant!] Eventually you start to see that your opponent is weakening. This is your chance. You hit hard and manage to knock the knife out of Sambor's hand. The Poet backs off, but you give him no time to plan his next step - you charge at him, determined to deal a fatal blow and... you hear a sudden shirek. (css: "color: green;")[- No!] Your legs are stopped by an unseen barrier and you fall to the ground, hitting the pavement so hard that your teeth ring like cathedral bells. Injured Poet uses the occasion and flees, disappearing quickly between ruins. Before you know it, he is gone. [[Get up]]

- Ah, fuck anything that animal may have written. There's no time for that. You bolt out of the building and only then you remember that you should tell Sukhoi about your tragic findings. You pull out your radio and wonder for a moment what to say, but you know no words could make it better. - Sukhoi, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- Whoah, so fast? You haven't found them, have you?] - I did. The tone of your voice makes Sukhoi realise that something bad had happened. (css: "color: red;")[- Don't tell me that... I mean tell, for christ sake!] - Nina... She's dead. For a short time the radio is silent. Then Sukhoi speaks again, with a voice as calm and cold as death itself. (css: "color: red;")[- She is... in the mall?] - Yes, but... Sukhoi, this is not a pleasant view. (css: "color: red;")[- What about Eric?] - He's not here. I'm running to the cathedral. (css: "color: red;")[- And Sambor... beat him... slay him... make him suffer!] [[Go to the cathedral]]

You climb to the floor above to get a better angle at words painted on the ground. This time the poem is quite short. //The date of expiration Is past for human nation.// - Just yesterday I wondered what is going on inside this guy's head. I guess I will find out as I crack his skull open. You bolt out of the building and only then you remember that you should tell Sukhoi about your tragic findings. You pull out your radio and wonder for a moment what to say, but you know no words could make it better. - Sukhoi, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- Whoah, so fast? You haven't found them, have you?] - I did. The tone of your voice makes Sukhoi realise that something bad had happened. (css: "color: red;")[- Don't tell me that... I mean tell, for christ sake!] - Nina... She's dead. For a short time the radio is silent. Then Sukhoi speaks again, with a voice as calm and cold as death itself. (css: "color: red;")[- She is... in the mall?] - Yes, but... Sukhoi, this is not a pleasant view. (css: "color: red;")[- What about Eric?] - He's not here. I'm running to the cathedral. (css: "color: red;")[- And Sambor... beat him... slay him... make him suffer!] [[Go to the cathedral]]

You get back on your feet, feeling totally disoriented. It takes a while before you realise what actually happened - this little brat with a hangman's loop around his neck had just tripped you up! You grab the boy by his jacket and almost lift him up in the air. - Are you stoned?! What the hell are you doing?! (css: "color: green;")[- Leave him... Leave us alone! You and Sukhoi! We don't give a damn about your primitive rules!] - What the hell, kid? Did you not see what he was about to do to you? (css: "color: green;")[- And what do you think he was about to do to ME? Art! A per-for-mance! Do you even know what it means? You've ruined it all! But Sambor warned me that it could go like this. That your simple minds won't comprehend that! That you will strangle us! Luckily he is above all this. Me and Nina are too!] On this very moment you realise that Eric doesn't have the slightest idea about what really happened to his friend and what was about to happen to him. You loosen your grip, confused with all this absurd. - Wake the fuck up! He planned to kill you. (css: "color: green;")[- Oh god, this was all symbolical! Don't you get it? It is YOU who really do the killing. You kill each other over a chunk of meat, like animals! WE only try to show you what you really are. Through poetry, through art! Just like it was BEFORE!] - No, Eric, no... Sambor is long past using metaphors. (css: "color: green;")[- And how can you possibly know?] - Knowing that he is a murderer is quite enough for me. (css: "color: green;")[- Phew, virals don't count!] - But Nina does. Confident grin suddenly disappears from Eric's face, but he still tries to deny you. (css: "color: green;")[- No... You don't understand... This is just an act... Not happening for real...] You wonder if you should play this one gently or with emotionless frankness. [[- So why isn't she here with us now?]] [[- So her dismembered body in the mall is only na act, then? A per-for-mance?!]]

Eric, clearly abashed, looks around him. (css: "color: green;")[- Well, she could be here any moment...] - You haven't been with them in a mall to the very end, have you? (css: "color: green;")[- Sambor said that the last part of a creative process is very intimate... It had to be her poem in the end.] - Her poem? She became a prop. YOU were supposed to become a prop. He shakes his head with disbelief, but you can read from his face that he gets more and more scared with your every word. (css: "color: green;")[- No, no... That’s not right...] - He manipulated you. Used you. Don't you understand? He is not an artist - he's a monster. Come on, you know I am right. (css: "color: green;")[- But... I-is she...?] Now you shake your head in silence, but that's a clear enough sign to Eric. He sits on the ground and hides his head between his knees. You can hear him sob quietly. You put your hand on his arm and pat lightly. Then you take out your radio - it's high time to shorten the nervous waiting for Sukhoi. - Garage, copy. (css: "color: red;")[- REPORT!] - Eric is with me. I mean in one piece. Alive. Voice in the radio sighs with relief. (css: "color: red;")[- And this scum, Sambor?] - He managed to escape. I'm taking the boy home, we will talk there. [[Go back to the garage]]

The boy stares at you in silent terror. - Sambor told you to go here alone first, before he could finish his work, didn't he? And of course you rushed happily to tie a rope for your own neck while he was killing her, cutting her body into pieces and packing it into bags! (css: "color: green;")[- No... No, that’s impossible... He wouldn't...] - Oh, he WOULD! Wanna go there now and unpack some happy little boxes? I will give you a hint - the head is in a shoebox on the top. Eric slips on the ground. - You wanted to flesh your lyric skills out? Well she certainly did! Eric bursts into tears. Looks like you finally made your point. Now it's time to get in touch with Sukhoi. - Garage, copy. (css: "color: red;")[- REPORT!] - Eric is with me. I mean in one piece. Alive. Voice in the radio sighs with relief. (css: "color: red;")[- And this scum, Sambor?] - He managed to escape. I'm taking the boy home, we will talk there. [[Go back to the garage]]

You are not very far from the garage - and quite luckily, because the still shocked teenager stops every few meters to whine in despair. You try to make him get a hold of himself somehow. - There will be time for mourning. We have to get back. (css: "color: green;")[- I-it's my f-fault... I'm-m so-sooory-y...] Each time you have to make your point all over again. - Sukhoi waits for you. You don't want to make him more nervous, do you? (css: "color: green;")[- N-no... I'm coming...] Eventually his behavior starts to annoy you. Time to end this once and for all. - Listen, as long as we are out here, Sambor has a chance to finish his work with you as a puppet. Are you coming with me or would you rather wait for him? Eric finally gets more scared than crushed and keeps close to you until you reach the garage. Sukhoi is waiting for you by the main entrance. [[Approach Sukhoi]]

Sukhoi, as usual, throws away a cig he was smoking and goes straight to Eric. He grabs the boy by his arms and shakes like he was just a mere doll. (css: "color: red;")[- YOU DAMNED BASTARD! What the hell were you thinking?!] (css: "color: green;")[- I-i...] (css: "color: red;")[- I don't give a shit! Have your brains got all rotten from the humidity or what? You will be staying in the drying room until you get your fucking sanity back, understand?!] (css: "color: green;")[- Y-y-yes.] (css: "color: red;")[- Off with you then. And be fucking grateful that you are still breathing! Not everyone was so lucky...] - Sukhoi pushes Eric towards the garage. As the boy disappears behind the gate, he turns back to you and angrily lights up another fag. (css: "color: red;")[- And now be so fucking kind and tell me how the hell this bloody pest escaped.] You wondered how to answer this question all the way back to the garage. [[Tell him the truth]] [[Keep the truth to yourself]]

You do not owe this boy anything, and Sukhoi has the right to know who is he keeping under his roof. You make sure that Eric is gone and take a deep breath. - Eric helped him. (css: "color: red;")[- WHAT?!] - I almost got him, but the boy distracted me. On purpose. Sukhoi's right eyelid starts to twitch from anger. (css: "color: red;")[- You're saying that... Eric... with Sambor... they... Nina? TOGETHER?!] - No. I think that Eric wasn't really aware of Sambor's true nature. He wasn't in the mall with them when... Get it? He broke down when he realised the truth. Sambor fed him with all those art, performances bullshit. Made him easy to manipulate. He even put the damn loop around his neck willingly! (css: "color: red;")[- Fuuuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I just can't ignore that. It's not some common childish naivety... - I know. What will you do about it? (css: "color: red;")[- Close him up in the watchtower for starts. Give myself some time to consider what the options are. And then there is also a funeral to organise... Eh...] - I'm really sorry. That I did not make it on time. Sukhoi shakes off this little moment of reflection. (css: "color: red;")[- You did what you could. And you did good job, job for which you will be paid for properly.] [[- No, I failed. Sambor is still out there. ->- No, I failed 2]] [[- I hope you mean something more than a basket of mushrooms... -> - Basket of mushrooms 2]]

You decide that this young fool has already gotten his lesson, and it was a hard one. Sukhoi doesn't have to know all the details. - Sambor fights well. Very fucking well. How come you never realised what a damn terminator do you keep in that watchtower? Really, I wasn't sure if I could beat him. And as soon as he realised that his chances are lowering he just vanished. He knew that I wouldn't follow him because Eric was there with a damn rope tightened around his neck. Which, for the record, this stupid kid put there by himself willingly. (css: "color: red;")[- HE WAS ABOUT TO HANG HIMSELF BECAUSE THIS PSYCHO ASKED HIM TO?] - Well, he wasn't really aware of the Sambor's plan to the very end. He told him it would be just an act, a performance, you know? Not for real. Metaphorically, symbolically and that kind of bullshit. Just like the old days. (css: "color: red;")[- Fuck.] - Kids are stupid, Sukhoi. They always were and always will be. (css: "color: red;")[- Agreed, but couldn't they be stupid in a NORMAL way? I don't know, sniffing glue or jumping off the roofs? Eh. Nina was a good gal...] - I know. I'm sorry I didn't make it on time. (css: "color: red;")[- Well, if it wasn't for you, Eric would be probably hanging like a cathedral bell right now. Instead I will personally make sure that he wises up. You did a good job, a job that you will be properly paid for.] [[- No, I failed. Sambor is still out there.->- No, I failed]] [[- I hope you mean something more than a basket of mushrooms...->- Basket of mushrooms]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage at noon and go back to your business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi always greets you with a dose of a cordial sarcasm. He is often accompanied by Eric, kept close to himself by Sukhoi as he promised. You wonder if you did right by hiding the truth about Sambor's escape to Sukhoi. Who knows what Eric might do in the future? Sambor remains free and reminds you of his existence from time to time, leaving other macabre works around the city. It looks like murdering people became his opus magnum.

Sukhoi snorts and pulls a small purse out of his pocket. He gives it to you - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage at noon and go back to your business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi always greets you with a dose of a cordial sarcasm. He is often accompanied by Eric, kept close to himself by Sukhoi as he promised. You wonder if you did right by hiding the truth about Sambor's escape to Sukhoi. Who knows what Eric might do in the future? Sambor remains free and reminds you of his existence from time to time, leaving other macabre works around the city. It looks like murdering people became his opus magnum.

Sukhoi snorts and pulls a small purse out of his pocket. He gives it to you - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage at noon and go back to your business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi always greets you with a dose of a cordial sarcasm. He is often accompanied by Petro, who is now his personal assistant. You never see Eric again. You wonder if Sukhoi closed the boy in the watchtower for good, or maybe banished him from the garage. Sambor remains free and reminds you of his existence from time to time, leaving other macabre works around the city. It looks like murdering people became his opus magnum.

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage at noon and go back to your business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi always greets you with a dose of a cordial sarcasm. He is often accompanied by Petro, who is now his personal assistant. You never see Eric again. You wonder if Sukhoi closed the boy in the watchtower for good, or maybe banished him from the garage. Sambor remains free and reminds you of his existence from time to time, leaving other macabre works around the city. It looks like murdering people became his opus magnum.

You carefully step over the body to read the poem written on the wall. //If the point is only To survive the fight Are we really different From what dwells in the night?// - Harsh words. (css: "color: red;")[- Yea... I understand, the guy was sensitive, an idealist, this kind of stuff. But to sprawl in the hall like that?] - So it is Sambor? (css: "color: red;")[- The hell it is! That's how he decided to entertain us to start the day.] - Did... did he do this to himself? (css: "color: red;")[- I guess so. The day guard found him like this.] - And what about the night watch? (css: "color: red;")[- Let's just say that you could exchange your impressions about the power and precision of Sambor's strikes.] [[Examine Sambor's body]]

You look up to read the last Poet's work. //If the point is only To survive the fight Are we really different From what dwells in the night?// - Harsh words. (css: "color: red;")[- Yea... I understand, the guy was sensitive, an idealist, this kind of stuff. But to sprawl in the hall like that?] - Like a volatile. I imagine he wanted to leave a strong message. To finally affect someone with his last work. (css: "color: red;")[- Oooh and he achieved this goal alright! Do you think I would be so insistent to have you here for a single dead body? The problem isn't to deal with the mess he made in the corridor, but with the one he made in those damn bastards heads!] - You mean those three youngsters? What about them? (css: "color: red;")[- The point is - I have no idea! They disappeared! Stared at this fucking posthumous display here for a bit and then puff! They're gone.] - Maybe they needed to cool down a bit? They liked Sambor, admired him even. (css: "color: red;")[- Waiting for teenagers to cool down? Man, I need them back earlier than in 10 years! No. I bet they did something more in their style.] - Like what? (css: "color: red;")[- Take the most stupid idea you could imagine. Now multiply it by three, because those dumbasses achieve together some kind of fucking synergy of idiocy. That's what they are doing right now and I bet it's going great. They have a lot of experience in that field. Eh... Listen - find them for me, would you? Because this time I fear that they will break the record.] - It would be nice to at least have a clue. Anything. (css: "color: red;")[- Maybe ask folks around here? Make some use of all this gathering. Someone must have seen something.] You nod in agreement and look around you. The crowd starts to loosen up, so you have to hurry. A quest (link-repeat:" Ars Poetica")[(show:?modal)] is updated. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> Try to get some information about missing teenager's whereabouts from the people gathered in the main garage hall. </div> </div> ](modal|} [[Ask the folks for clues]]

The body is lying facing the ground, so you have to turn it around. You peek at Sukhoi and he nods with consent. You grab the deceased by his arm and roll him over. You can hardly recognize Sambor, and the look of his face makes you shiver: his eyes are bloodshot and wide open and his lower jaw is split in half. - Uh... Even watching this hurts. (css: "color: red;")[- Yep, this is not pretty.] - Like a volatile. I imagine he wanted to leave a strong message. To finally affect someone with his last work. (css: "color: red;")[- Oooh and he achieved this goal alright! Do you think I would be so insistent to have you here for a single dead body? The problem isn't to deal with the mess he made in the corridor, but with the one he made in those damn bastards' heads!] - You mean those three youngsters? What about them? (css: "color: red;")[- The point is - I have no idea! They disappeared! Stared at this fucking posthumous display here for a bit and then puff! They're gone.] - Maybe they needed to cool down a bit? They liked Sambor, admired him even. (css: "color: red;")[- Waiting for teenagers to cool down? Man, I need them back earlier than in 10 years! No. I bet they did something more in their style.] - Like what? (css: "color: red;")[- Take the most stupid idea you could imagine. Now multiply it by three, because those dumbasses achieve together some kind of fucking synergy of idiocy. That's what they are doing right now and I bet it's going great. They have a lot of experience in that field. Eh... Listen - find them for me, would you? Because this time I fear that they will break the record.] - It's would be nice to at least have a clue. Anything. (css: "color: red;")[- Maybe ask folks around here? Make some use of all this gathering. Someone has to see something.] You nod in agreement and look around you. The crowd starts to loosen up, so you have to hurry. A quest (link-repeat:" Ars Poetica")[(show:?modal)] is updated. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> Try to get some information about missing teenager's whereabouts from the people gathered in the main garage hall. </div> </div> ](modal|} [[Ask the folks for clues]]

There is no familiar face among the crowd, so you could as well start asking random people (link-repeat:"An old woman near the Sambor's body")[(show:?modal1)] {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal1 content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal1)[] ]} </span> - Such a pity, such a pity... What, what are you saying? Kids? You mean Eric and his friends, dear? He is such a good boy. He promised to bring me a new rosary from the cathedral, you know? But no, I have no idea where they went now. </div> </div> ](modal1|} (link-repeat:"The night guard")[(show:?modal2)] {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal2)[] ]} </span> - Ughhh... My head hurts like hell... Go away, man... </div> </div> ](modal2|} (link-repeat:"A man with a cigarette")[(show:?modal3)] {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal3)[] ]} </span> - Huh? They loiter around, what else is there for them to do? Didn't you do the same as a kid? Yea, there are a few zombies, so what. Where there is a will, there is a way. Ah, good old times... </div> </div> ](modal3|} (link-repeat:"A boy with a ball")[(show:?modal4)] {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal4)[] ]} </span> - Oh, oh! They are great, you know? They are not afraid to go outside, not afraid at all! One day I will be that brave and will go write poems too! </div> </div> ](modal4|} (link-repeat:"A wandering tradeswoman")[(show:?modal5)] {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal5)[] ]} </span> - Did I see them? Why wouldn't I! Yes, those three were very mysterious with all that whispering and staring, I had to get closer to hear them properly, but it was no use. What they were saying was pure nonsense! Something about a test and a shopping mall... and what the hell our dear Peacekeepers have to do with all that, I have no clue. Ah, who knows what those kids are thinking these days. </div> </div> ](modal5|} You thank the last person for the information and you think that situation clarified a bit. - Apparently those brats decided to continue Sambor's legacy. In a shopping mall, cathedral and that damned Peacekeeper base. If I'm right they could very quickly end up like their idol. A quest (link-repeat:"Ars Poetica")[(show:?modal)] is updated. {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> After Sambor's suicide the teenagers from the garage decided to try their hands in poetry. Sadly not on paper, but on the city walls. Find the missing trio and bring them back to Sukhoi. - Search the shopping mall - Go to the cathedral - Check the Peacekeeper's base </div> </div> ](modal|} [[Leave the garage->Leave the garage 2]]

You leave the building - it's time to decide where to head first. [[Go to the shopping mall]] [[Go to the cathedral->Go to the cathedral 2]] [[Go to the Peacekeeper's base]]

The building of the shopping mall, once a modern, glass cube, now haunts this area with its broken-glass teeth. You enter through one of the side entrances and instantly hear sounds of some kind of scuffle coming from the storage above. You quickly climb up and follow the noises. Finally you hear a female voice coming from one of the ruined stores. (css: "color: pink;")[- Stop yanking, carrion!] (css: "color: pink;")[- It's almost... ha!] You run from behind the storage shelf, ready to defend the girl from a charging monster. It turns out she doesn't need saving, though. Nina has just finished tying a thick rope to the tubing, holding a dog restraining pole under her arm at the same time - but instead of having a dog restrained on the other end, she has a yanking biter. She doesn't seem to notice your arrival. - When I wanted to have a pet, I found myself a dog. Nina jumps up, frightened. She barely manages to catch the restraining pole again, just in time to pull away the zombie, which immediately used the occasion and came at her. (css: "color: pink;")[- Are you mad?! It almost got me!] - Well I guess no one ordered you to keep a biter two meters away from your face in the first place. (css: "color: pink;")[- No one did. But look!] Nina makes sure that her knot on the tubing holds strong and quickly takes the pole's loop from the zombies head. She jumps back to you with grace. The bitter tries to catch her again, but the rope tied around its body stops the monster at a safe distance. All it can do know is reach out and snap its jaws furiously. - Well. Congratulations, it's a... corpse on a rope. (css: "color: pink;")[- Are you blind? Don't you see what’s behind it?] Only now you notice an inscription written on the wall behind the biter. - //Don't let this offer flee...// Nina is so excited that she finishes it for you. (css: "color: pink;")[- //... Kill yourself here for free!// And? Did you get it?] - It is... a poem? (css: "color: pink;")[- What else could it be? Just like Sambor's, but funnier!] - Funnier indeed... (css: "color: pink;")[- Don't you like it?] [[- Actually I do enjoy dark humour. As long as the rope holds tight.]] [[- There is nothing wrong with the poem itself... it's your prop that's bothering me.]]

You head towards the camp of one of the mightiest groups in this city: the Peacekeepers, the self-announced public safety division with - gently speaking - a rather disturbing authoritarian inclination. To be honest the only thing that set them apart from being just another group of thugs was an officially written down statute and a blind belief in the righteousness of its contents. And maybe matching uniforms. Either way if Petro was dumb enough to mess with them... The camp is surrounded by a high wall, built throughout the years from every kind of material that was at hand at the time. It's impossible to be overcome by the infected and wasn't an easy obstacle for the living ones. - At least there is a small chance that the kid got inside. You go along the wall hoping that you would also solve this case without the necessity of going into the camp. Luckily you find Petro soon enough - the boy is totally focused on a writing he is making on the wall. You run towards him knowing that even being in this neighbourhood could be severely punished by the Peacekeepers. - What the hell do you think you're doing? (css: "color: orange;")[- Something that should be done a long time ago.] - And what exactly is it? Screw with those bitter motherfuckers and hang from their gallows? Believe me, people do that all the time! (css: "color: orange;")[- Start telling the truth. Aloud.] You sigh at this miserable fool and look at the words he painted on the wall. The first part of the inscription is written with big letters, and the second beneath it is much smaller. //WE KEEP THE PEACE away// - Umm, I'm not saying that I don't agree with you, Petro, but... (css: "color: orange;")[- But what?] [[Destroy the inscription]] [[Leave the inscription as it is]]

The city's biggest temple - cathedral dedicated to some saint whose name was rightly forgotten in revenge for not saving the world from the apocalypse - is located closest to the garage, so you head there first, hoping to find your first aspiring poet there. You circle the gothic building, since the main gate is located on the other side. You listen carefully before coming out from behind the corner to the openness of the cathedral square. The silence you hear might mean anything. This time it boded good - you see Eric, standing all relaxed by the gates and tinkering with them: with his back turned to the rest of the world, totally focused on his work, absolutely defenceless. You sneak up on him with ease. [[Fake an attack]] [[Speak up]]

The girl frowns. (css: "color: pink;")[- What is wrong with it?] - Well except that it will tear the head off of anyone who comes too close it's a perfectly fine decoration! (css: "color: pink;")[- But...] - It's dangerous, Nina. Believe me - I know what I'm saying. (css: "color: pink;")[- You sound like Sukhoi! Why you guys have to be sooo uptight?] - Maybe because we don't want to have a right foot as all that's left of you? Or was it the left? Nina changes her face from a rebellious to offended. (css: "color: pink;")[- You know what? You're an asshole. Double asshole! Ah, screw it, I'm going back home. Alone!] The teenager bolts out of the store. You neutralize the zombie with a quick fatal strike and follow in her footsteps. You stop when you're sure that she is heading in the right direction and exit the mall to continue your search. And you do that just in time - just as you're leaving, you hear noises of biters coming from the very place you both have been a few minutes ago. It's a good moment to update Sukhoi on the topic. - Sukhoi, do you copy? Nina is coming back home. A little sulky, but unhurt. (css: "color: red;")[- Oh, I can live with that. Wonderful. So now you only have to repeat it two times and we're good!] Eric and Petro are still missing. [[Head to the temple->Go to the temple 2]] [[Go to the Peacekeepers' base->Go to the Peacekeepers' base 2]]

The girl brightens up. (css: "color: pink;")[- Sukhoi taught me! It will hold, I promise! Don't tear it down, please!] - ... Eh, alright. (css: "color: pink;")[- Thanks! So you do like it? Would you tell the boys that you like it?] - Only if you rush back to the garage right now. Sukhoi really isn't happy about your disappearance. (css: "color: pink;")[- He is never happy about anything!] - Really? And what should he be more amazed by now: a bunch of insubordinate youngsters missing or a corpse lying at his doorstep? A smile disappears from Nina's face. (css: "color: pink;")[- Sambor...] - Exactly. Let's go. Nina nods in agreement and you go out of the store. You leave the mall just in time to hear noises of more biters approaching from the other side of the corridor. (css: "color: pink;")[- I can go back on my own from here. See you!] Nina leaves in the direction of the garage. It's a good moment to update Sukhoi on the topic. - Sukhoi, do you copy? Nina is coming back home. (css: "color: red;")[- Wonderful. So now you only have to repeat it two times and we're good!] Eric and Petro are still missing. [[Head to the temple->Go to the temple 2]] [[Go to the Peacekeepers' base->Go to the Peacekeepers' base 2]]

Closest to the mall is the city's biggest temple - cathedral dedicated to some saint whose name was rightly forgotten in revenge for not saving the world from the apocalypse. You head there, hoping to find another aspiring poet. You come out to the cathedral square and circle the gothic building, since the main gate is located on the other side. Just as you're about to go around the corner you hear voices. The plural form doesn't bode well. You lean out from behind the wall carefully just to get a glimpse at the situation by the gates. There is a gruop of people there - a few well-built men surrounds another one, a lot smaller, and you recognize it's Eric. Thugs certainly don't have good intentions. [[Attack them immediately]] [[Wait for a better moment]]

From your own experience you know that trying to negotiate with this lot wouldn't have much chances for a happy ending. You decide to hit them first, before they notice you, utilizing every advantage you can get. You injure the first one with an accurate knife throw, but the second one charges at you immediately. The third one first makes sure that Petro won't be going anywhere and knocks the boy down with a heavy kick in his stomach - then joins the fight. (css: "color: grey;")[- Get him!] (css: "color: grey;")[- I will bring you back to order, you punk.] (css: "color: grey;")[- You will beg for death!] This fight is not easy. There is more of them, they are also heavily armoured - but that also makes them a lot slower and less agile than you are. You neutralize one after another. When the three Peacekeepers finally lay dead on the ground, you approach Petro, breathing heavily. The boy lies curled up on the ground. [[Get Petro up]]

Even knowing that negotiating with this lot doesn’t have much of a chance for a happy ending you decide to give it a try. You come from around the corner, trying to look all confident and you let them know about your arrival with a loud greeting. - How is the hunt going today, gents? Three bullies turn towards you. One draws his weapon - a nail-studded bat. (css: "color: grey;")[- What do you want, straydog? Wanna join this brat?] - Of course not, I only wondered how this poor boy has crossed you if he had to be caught by the whole patrol. Peacekeeper with an unsheathed weapon gives you a long look. (css: "color: grey;")[- None of your bloody business. We deal with every piece of thrash, big or small.] - This one looks really tiny though. So tiny, almost not worthy of your attention, I would say. (css: "color: grey;")[- Oh, and maybe you are itching to get your hands on the boy? Ha, do you hear that, guys?] A Peacekeeper turns to his buddies for a second. This may be the last opportunity to strike. [[Start a fight]] [[Try to trick them]]

There are three of them, they’re all armed to the teeth and you are quite sure that they called for backup that would arrive uncomfortably fast. All you offered Sukhoi was to try and find the missing kids, not to stick your neck out for them. On top of it all, making enemies among the Peacekeepers was a really bad idea. All you can do now is report to Sukhoi and let him worry about the fate of his people. The Peacekeepers take a moment to torment the poor boy, having a disgusting fun out of it. Petro curls up on the ground and sobs, taking one hit after another. Eventually they lift their barely alive prey up and take him into the camp. You retreat into the cover of ruined buildings and pull your radio out. - Sukhoi, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- I hear you. What's going on?] - I have found Petro, but... I wasn't the first to do that. Peacekeepers got to him first. (css: "color: red;")[- Bloody hell.] - Forgive me, but I can't assault their base all alone. (css: "color: red;")[- I... I get it. Not everyone has balls bigger than their brains. Luckily.] - You can send someone here or... I don't know. I'm going for Eric. Over and out. [[Go to the cathedral->Go to the temple 3a]]

You approach the city's biggest church dedicated to some saint whose name was rightly forgotten in revenge for not saving the world from the apocalypse. Before you enter the square surrounding the temple you stop to take a look around. Then you circle the gothic building, because the main gate is on the other side. You listen carefully as you go, but everything is silent. Too silent? You came from around the corner and you feel something is off about this place. The main entrance area seems to be empty, but... only when you come closer you notice a figure hunched by the gates. - Eric? ERIC! You rush towards the boy, grab him by his arms and shake heavily, but without effect. A dark, bloody stain on Eric's chest tells you that you're late. He was clearly murdered and his body looted. - He was just a silly boy... Who kills a kid to get a bucket of paint? You know that this neighbourhood is full of all kinds of more or less organised bandit groups, who are able to kill not only for gain, but often only for mere entertainment. You wonder for a while how to tell Sukhoi about this. - Garage, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- Well? Do you have him?] - I've got... All I've got is Eric's body. Somebody assaulted him on the cathedral square. (css: "color: red;")[- I don't know how yet... but I... will get them. I will get them even if I have to butcher every fucking mugger in this city!] The radio remain silent for a while. (css: "color: red;")[- Go back now. Collect your payment.] - I'm sorry. No response. You're done here. [[Go back to the garage->Go back to the garage 0]]

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Nina and Petro. The teenagers are standing with their gazes focused on their feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks them out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, one more excess like this and I will banish them.] - Do they know about Eric? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course they do! And if this won't make them start using their brains, then nothing will. Damn brats. The natural selection really doesn't even have to try to get them.] - They are growing up in a harsh world. It makes them pay for every mistake a lot more than we had to. (css: "color: red;")[- Right... And since you mentioned the payment - here, take this.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Petro really took your advice - somehow got Sukhoi to make him his personal assistant and is learning the rules of dealing with all kinds of things in this city. The chief himself is rather proud of the boy too. Nina gives him a hard time though, as she keeps sneaking out of the garage to create other pieces of her happy little art among the city. As you stumble from time to time upon her dark humour works you have to admit that she develops both her skills in pen and knife. You guess it can only turn out to her benefit.

Sukhoi snorts and pulls a small purse out of his pocket. He gives it to you - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Petro really took your advice - somehow got Sukhoi to make him his personal assistant and is learning the rules of dealing with all kinds of things in this city. The chief himself is rather proud of the boy too. Nina gives him a hard time though, as she keeps sneaking out of the garage to create other pieces of her happy little art among the city. As you stumble from time to time upon her dark humour works you have to admit that she develops both her skills in pen and knife. You guess it can only turn out to her benefit.

- Are you ok? Petro gurgles rather than speaks in response. Then he spits out a tooth and some blood out of his mouth, grabs your arm and stands up on his legs. - What the hell have you been doing here anyway? (css: "color: orange;")[- I only wanted to... W-write...] You look at the wall and read a few words painted in hurry on its surface. The last letter ends abruptly with a long line, and you see a paintbrush lying on the ground beneath. //WE KEEP THE PEACE// - Somehow I don't think you would come all the way up here only to give them some dull puff piece. And judging by the state of your face - the patrol also didn't buy it. So what else did you mean to write there? (css: "color: orange;")[- We keep the peace... away...] - Are you fucking crazy? (css: "color: orange;")[- But it's true!] - Oh god, it's even worse - you are dumb as a brick. (css: "color: orange;")[- But...] - These are not the kind of people to be played with. Even if you're right. Damn, especially when you are right! What are up to next, huh? Tell the zombies it's not cool to eat people? Oh, sorry, you are more subtle than this. You will write them a chant! (css: "color: orange;")[- No, I... Eh. Ok, I understand. I'm sorry.] - Listen, I get it. A lot is fucked up with this world, like A LOT. But you have to use your brain more if you want to ever make any of this right. Or at least get really good at not getting caught. Can you walk now? (css: "color: orange;")[- I guess...] - Then go. Straight to the garage and for heaven's sake, don't take the route through the mall. I'm off to find your friend. You make sure that Petro leaves this area unnoticed and head to find the last missing teenager. You connect with the garage along the way. - Another minor is on his way. Battered a little, but alive. And there is even a chance for him to wisen up. (css: "color: red;")[- What a delight for my ears, friend. Find the last one and we will have a set.] [[Go to the temple->Go to the temple 3]]

After giving it a second thought you decide that negotiating won't lead you anywhere and the only option left for you is to fight. The sentry you are talking to is close enough to precisely strike him in an aunarmoured part of the body. And that is exactly what you do. As the Peacekeeper falls on the ground with his throat cut open and blood flowing through his fingers, the other two pounce on you. (css: "color: grey;")[- Get him!] (css: "color: grey;")[- You will beg for death!] This fight is not easy. There is more of them, they are also heavily armoured - but that also makes them a lot slower and less agile than you are. You neutralize one after another. When the three Peacekeepers finally lay dead on the ground, you approach Petro, breathing heavily. The boy lies curled up on the ground. [[Get Petro up]]

- Do you really want to waste a cell for such a runt? Embarrass yourselves? It would also be such a shame to kill and waste this kind of... livestock. I can see you gentlemen are capable to hunt much, much more grand trophies. (css: "color: grey;")[- And what's that supposed to mean?] - As a proof of my good will and respect for your work I would like to share with you the whereabouts of a certain mercenary group that I believe is well known for you. They are at the shopping mall at this very moment. (css: "color: grey;")[- You don't say.] - In exchange, I will gladly accept this little sorry piece of thrash and I will punish him in my own way - as you already noticed. Or maybe you have similar plans? Second Peacekeeper, who was holding the barely conscious Petro by his jacket, suddenly throws him into the mud and steps back. Peacekeepers look at each other. (css: "color: grey;")[- So... how many of them? In this.. mall, you were saying?] - Not more than five, I believe. Nothing you guys won’t be able to handle. I'm sure you will eliminate those pests with ease. (css: "color: grey;")[- You know what? Agreed. But better for you if they will be there. Because if they won't, we will make sure that you'll enjoy your impalement very soon.] - Happy clear-outs, then! Second Peacekeeper gives Petro one last kick and the patrol leaves towards the shopping mall. As they disappear between the buildings you exhale like a flat tire. [[Get Petro up]]

You don't waste time on excessive planning. You knock down the first mugger from distance with a deadly knife throw. When their comrade falls lifelessly to the ground, the rest of the group turns to you with already unsheathed weapons. Terrified Eric squeezes into the gate so hard as if he was trying to integrate himself with it. (css: "color: grey;")[- Waste him!] (css: "color: grey;")[- Come and fight like a man, you rat!] The fight reminds you of a brutal dance - most of the time you are forced to duck, dodge and parry the upcoming attacks from your opponents and patiently wait for any chance to deal at least one blow. But as they are nothing more than common thugs, they fall one after another. As you kill the last one, barely seeing from the fatigue, you finally approach Eric. He got beaten up a little, but it seems that he will be alright. (css: "color: green;")[- Oh god, thank you! If it wasn't for you...] - ... They would slay you like a blind pup? Probably. (css: "color: green;")[- I-i thought that during the day it's safe.] - The back alleys are full of corpses of people who were thinking the same, Eric. And this all for what? For some... You peek at the gates and words written on them with fresh paint. There are only four of them: //CHASE TAINT PRAY DECAY// - ... some poem. It is a poem, right? Like, a finished one? Eric rolls his eyes over, as if it wasn't the first time someone asked him that. (css: "color: green;")[- Yes, it is a poem. Minimalistic form holds a great content. The reality closes up in just those four words for the lyrical...] - Yeah, right. How about closing your reality in just four walls of the garage for now? (css: "color: green;")[- I... I actually don't mind. It's quite awful out there.] - Finally you make some sense, man. And run straight to the garage now. The path should be clear.] (css: "color: green;")[- A-alone?!] - You had the balls to go out, so you should have them to go back too. I have yet to find your buddy. When Eric finally leaves, or rather runs like the death itself was chasing him, you pull out your radio to inform garage about another success. - Another minor is on his way. Battered a little, but alive. And there is even a chance for him to wisen up. (css: "color: red;")[- What a delight for my ears, friend. Find the last one and we will have a set.] [[Go to the Peacekeepers' base->Go to the Peacekeeper's base 3]]

You decide to observe the situation and wait for the best moment to strike. Suddenly, Eric uses the lack of attention of one of the robbers and bolts behind him, trying to escape to the nearest building through the open area of the cathedral square. Bandits don't chase him for some reason. (css: "color: grey;")[- Oooh, this brat got us bamboozled!] (css: "color: grey;")[- Oh no, he will run away!] One of the thugs pulls out a throwing knife and before you can react sends it towards the running boy with a nimble throw. He hits him straight between his shoulders. Eric falls on the ground and the robbers burst into laughter. (css: "color: grey;")[- Should have zig-zaged, kid!] [[Attack them->Attack the bandits]] [[Wait for them to leave]]

You charge at the four thugs with a furious roar. They draw their weapons as they spot you. One of them comes ahead to get to you first. (css: "color: grey;")[- Another one? Get him!] (css: "color: grey;")[- You are done!] The fight reminds you of a brutal dance - most of the time you are forced to duck, dodge and parry the upcoming attacks from your opponents and patiently wait for any chance to deal at least one blow. But as they are nothing more than common thugs, they fall one after another. As you kill the last one, barely seeing from the fatigue, you finally approach Eric. They boy lies motionless, facing the ground. He's dead. - Poor, stupid kid, what the hell were you thinking... You pull out the radio to share the tragic news with Sukhoi. - Garage, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- Report!] - Some fucking thugs got Eric. I failed to save him. (css: "color: red;")[- ... What?] - They killed him. On the cathedral square. I made sure to end them all, though. (css: "color: red;")[- That was supposed to cheer me up or what? Damn... Better hurry and bring the last kid in one piece, for fucks sake! Over and out.] Sukhoi is right. If Eric already lost his life, then Petro has even better chances to follow him to the grave. If he didn't do that already. [[Go to the Peacekeepers' base->Go to the Peacekeeper base 3a]]

The thugs don't even bother coming to Eric's body to make sure he’s dead. For a little while they linger by the gates, ransacking Eric's belongings. Then they finally leave. You come out and approach the body lying on the pavement. Eric doesn't give any signs of being alive. - Poor, stupid kid, what the hell were you thinking... You pull out the radio to share the tragic news with Sukhoi. - Garage, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- Report!] - Some fucking thugs got Eric. I failed to save him. (css: "color: red;")[- ... What?] - They killed him. On the cathedral square. I'm sor... (css: "color: red;")[- Spare me your sorriness. Better hurry and bring the last kid in one piece, for fucks sake! Over and out.] Sukhoi is right. If Eric already lost his life, then Petro has even better chances to follow him to the grave. If he didn't do that already. [[Head to the Peacekeepers' base->Go to the Peacekeeper base 3a]]

You head towards the camp of one of the mightiest groups in this city: the Peacekeepers, the self-announced public safety division with - gently speaking - a rather disturbing authoritarian inclination. To be honest the only thing that set them apart from being just another group of thugs was an officially written down statute and a blind belief in the righteousness of its contents. And maybe matching uniforms. Either way if Petro was dumb enough to mess with them... The camp is surrounded by a high wall, built throughout the years from every kind of material that was at hand at the time. It's impossible to be overcome by the infected and wasn't an easy obstacle for the living ones. - At least there is a small chance that the kid got inside. You go along the wall hoping that you would also solve this case without the necessity of going into the camp. Along the way you have to hide from a Peacekeeper patrol passing by, to avoid uncomfortable questions. You hear that some armed to the teeth sentries are laughing out loud at something. - Something put them in a good mood... I don't like it. You discover what it was soon enough. You find Petro hanging by his neck on a rope fastened to the top of the wall by the fresh-painted inscription that must have been his doing. And was probably the cause of his death. //WE KEEP THE PEACE// - What? Why would they kill him for something so meaningless? Only after you cut the rope and Eric's body falls to the ground you notice that it was covering the second part of the inscription, written with a lot smaller letters. //WE KEEP THE PEACE away// - Petro, you fucking moron. Poor, dead moron! You assume that the same or some other patrol will be back here soon enough, so you take the boy's body and drag it a litle further, inside one of the ruined apartments. You take the radio out and connect with Sukhoi. - Sukhoi? I'm at the Peacekeeper base. (css: "color: red;")[- Sweet mushroom jesus, which one went there?] - Petro. They got to him before me... and you know what they do to people that they suspect of anything... (css: "color: red;")[- Oh, shit... I knew that it all is going too well... Fuck!] For a little while the radio remains silent. (css: "color: red;")[- Just... Just come back and collect your payment.] - I'm sorry. You're done here. Time to head back. [[Go back to the garage->Go back to the garage 2]]

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Nina and Eric. Teenagers are standing with their gazes focused on their feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks them out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, one more excess like this and I will banish them.] - Do they know about Petro? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course they do! And if this won't make them start using their brains, then nothing will. Damn brats. The natural selection really doesn't even have to try to get them.] - They are growing up in a harsh world. It makes them pay for every mistake a lot more than we had to. (css: "color: red;")[- Right... And since you mentioned the payment - here, take this.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 2]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms 2]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Eric really learned his lesson and keeps away from any trouble even further than you would suspect - he voluntarily reported to take the Sambor's place on the watchtower. The chief himself is rather proud of the boy too. Nina gives him a hard time though, as she keeps sneaking out of the garage to create other pieces of her happy little art among the city. As you stumble from time to time upon her dark humour works you have to admit that she develops both her skills in pen and knife. You guess it can only turn out to her benefit.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Eric really learned his lesson and keeps away from any trouble even further than you would suspect - he voluntarily reported to take the Sambor's place on the watchtower. The chief himself is rather proud of the boy too. Nina gives him a hard time though, as she keeps sneaking out of the garage to create other pieces of her happy little art among the city. As you stumble from time to time upon her dark humour works you have to admit that she develops both her skills in pen and knife. You guess it can only turn out to her benefit.

You happily assume that you should teach this incautious brat a little lesson. You came close behind his back and in a split second put a knife to his throat. The teenager shrieks with fear, but doesn't move as he feels cold steel pressing against his skin. You only hope he won’t recognize your voice. - What do we have here... are you lost, sweet boy? (css: "color: green;")[- N-no... I...] - Maybe you came here to pray? To confess? That's just right, it would be unwise to die with a guilty conscience. (css: "color: green;")[- Please, d-don't... I will give you all I have!] - Give me your brain then, it looks quite unused. You take the knife back and turn the boy around with a heavy pull to face him. (css: "color: green;")[- It's you!] - Very fucking lucky for you that it's me. (css: "color: green;")[- Are you mad?! Couldn't you come up like a normal person? I was sure that I'm done!] - And you may have been done for real as well. Even a roaring biter would have gotten you. (css: "color: green;")[- Well... I might have gotten a little lost in thoughts. Look.] The teenager steps away from the gates to present his work - just four words written with red paint one under another. //CHASE, TAINT, PRAY, DECAY// - It is a poem, right? Like, a finished one? Eric rolls his eyes over, as if it wasn't the first time someone asked him that. (css: "color: green;")[- Yes, it is a poem. Minimalistic form holds great content. The reality closes up in just those four words for the lyrical...] - Yeah, right. How about closing your reality in just four walls of the garage for now? (css: "color: green;")[- Come on...] - Listen, if you come back home first you will get the lightest scolding from Sukhoi. Your poem is ready, so there is really nothing more here for you. - Argh, I guess you're right. Eric leaves and you pull your radio out to inform Sukhoi about first success. - Garage? I've sent Eric home. (css: "color: red;")[- Wonderful. So now you only have to repeat it two times and we're good!] [[Go to the shopping mall->Go to the shopping mall 2]] [[Go to the Peacekeepers' base->Go to the Peacekeepers' base 4]]

You circle Eric, so you would be directly behind him and grunt loudly. - Ekhm. It's unwise to turn your back like that. Eric almost jumps out of his skin, but immediately gets a hold of himself and turns to you, trying to look all confident. (css: "color: green;")[- Phew, why shouldn't I? There is nothing here.] - Quite the contrary - everything could be there, boy. A robber, a cutthroat, even a damned zombie. You were so engaged in whatever you are doing here that I bet you wouldn't even notice being dead. (css: "color: green;")[- No, I heard you before you came! I didn't react because I knew it was you and I am doing something really, really impor...] - Oh, yeah? So which side did I came from? Eric looks around, finally realizing that he lost this argument. (css: "color: green;")[- Well... I didn't catch such details.] - Eh...You have more luck than brains and humility combined. And what is this all for anyway? Teenager steps away from the gates to present his work - just four words written with red paint one under another. //CHASE, TAINT, PRAY, DECAY// - It is a poem, right? Like, a finished one? Eric rolls his eyes over, as if it wasn't the first time someone asked him that. (css: "color: green;")[- Yes, it is a poem. Minimalistic form holds great content. The reality closes up in just those four words for the lyrical...] - Yeah, right. How about closing your reality in just four walls of the garage for now? (css: "color: green;")[- And what if I won't?] - Well, what comes to my mind first is to beat the shit out of you, bring your sorry ass to the garage and wait for Sukhoi to reward me greatly for rescuing a poor child from the hands of some terrible thugs. The teenager glowers at you. (css: "color: green;")[- I knew that you won't have solid arguments. Aaalright, don't bother yourself, it would be bad for your Zen. I'm going.] Eric leaves, muttering something to himself and you pull out your radio to inform Sukhoi about first success. - Garage? I've sent Eric home. Alive, well and such a pain in the ass as usual. (css: "color: red;") [- Wonderful. So now you only have to repeat it two times and we're good!] [[Go to the shopping mall->Go to the shopping mall 2]] [[Go to the Peacekeepers' base->Go to the Peacekeepers' base 4]]

The building of the shopping mall, once a modern, glass cube, now haunts this area with its broken-glass teeth. You enter through one of the side entrances and instantly hear some thuds and biters roarings coming from the higher storage. You quickly climb up and follow the noises. Finally you hear a female voice coming from one of the ruined stores. (css: "color: pink;")[- Leave me alone! Go away! HELP!] As you enter the store you notice a few undead surrounding one of the shelves and bashing it furiously. Nina, who is standing on top of it and barely keeping her balance, is trying to beat them with a piece of rotten plank. You start to shout and bang your weapon on anything to make a noise as you rush towards the shelf. - Hey, you rotten assholes! Come here! You strike the first monster, slamming its decaying torso. It is not fatal, but the impact pushes it away from the shelf and finally brings the biters' attention to you. Three of them charge at you. You jump away and hit the closest one, which howls miserably. You can barely hear Nina shouting something to you from above. (css: "color: pink;")[- Weapon, throw me a weapon! Anything, you won't make it all alone!] [[Throw her a weapon]] [[Tell her to stay on the shelf]]

- Are you ok? Petro gurgles rather than speaks in response. Then he spits out a tooth and some blood out of his mouth, grabs your arm and stands up on his legs. - What the hell have you been doing here anyway? (css: "color: orange;")[- I only wanted to... W-write...] You look at the wall and read a few words painted in hurry on its surface. The last letter ends abruptly with a long line, and you see a paintbrush lying on the ground beneath. //WE KEEP THE PEACE// - Somehow I don't think you would come all the way up here only to give them some dull puff piece. And judging by the state of your face - the patrol also didn't buy it. So what else did you mean to write there? (css: "color: orange;")[- We keep the peace... away...] - Are you fucking crazy? (css: "color: orange;")[- But it's true!] - Oh god, it's even worse - you are dumb as a brick. (css: "color: orange;")[- But...] - These are not the kind of people to be played with. Even if you're right. Damn, especially when you are right! What are up to next, huh? Tell the zombies it's not cool to eat people? Oh, sorry, you are more subtle than this. You will write them a chant! (css: "color: orange;")[- No, I... Eh. Ok, I understand. I'm sorry.] - Listen, I get it. A lot is fucked up with this world, like A LOT. But you have to use your brain more if you want to ever make any of this right. Or at least get really good at not getting caught. Can you walk now? (css: "color: orange;")[- I guess...] - Then go. Straight to the garage and for heaven's sake, don't take the route through the cathedral. I'm off to find your friend. You make sure that Petro leaves this area unnoticed and head to find the last missing teenager. You connect with the garage along the way. - Another minor is on his way. Battered a little, but alive. And there is even a chance for him to wisen up. (css: "color: red;")[- What a delight for my ears, friend. Find the last one and we will have a set.] [[Go to the shopping mall->Go to the shopping mall 3]]

After giving it a second thought you decide that negotiating won't lead you anywhere and the only option left for you is to fight. The sentry you are talking to is close enough to precisely strike him in an unarmoured part of the body. And that is exactly what you do. As the Peacekeeper falls on the ground with his throat cut open and blood flowing through his fingers, the other two pounce on you. (css: "color: grey;")[- Get him!] (css: "color: grey;")[- You will beg for death!] This fight is not easy. There is more of them, they are also heavily armoured - but that also makes them a lot slower and less agile than you are. You neutralize one after another. When the three Peacekeepers finally lay dead on the ground, you approach Petro, breathing heavily. The boy lies curled up on the ground. [[Get Petro up->Get Petro up 2]]

- Do you really want to waste a cell for such a runt? Embarrass yourselves? It would also be such a shame to kill and waste this kind of... livestock. I can see you gentlemen are capable to hunt much, much more grand trophies. (css: "color: grey;")[- And what's that supposed to mean?] - As a proof of my good will and respect for your work I would like to share with you the whereabouts of a certain mercenary group that I believe is well known for you. They are at the cathedral at this very moment. (css: "color: grey;")[- You don't say.] - In exchange, I will gladly accept this little sorry piece of thrash and I will punish him in my own way - as you already noticed. Or maybe you have similar plans? Second Peacekeeper, who was holding the barely conscious Petro by his jacket, suddenly throws him into the mud and steps back. Peacekeepers look at each other. (css: "color: grey;")[- So... how many of them? In this... church, you were saying?] - Not more than five, I believe. Nothing you guys won’t be able to handle. I'm sure you will eliminate those pests with ease. (css: "color: grey;")[- You know what? Agreed. But better for you if they will be there. Because if they won't, we will make sure that you'll enjoy your impalement very soon.] - Happy clear-outs, then! Second Peacekeeper gives Petro one last kick and the patrol leaves towards the shopping mall. As they disappear between the buildings you exhale like a flat tire. [[Get Petro up->Get Petro up 2]]

The building of the shopping mall, once a modern, glass cube, now haunts this area with its broken-glass teeth. You enter through one of the side entrances. Interior seems to be calm and quiet. You follow the corridor, peeking into one store after another. Finally you hear some scraping noises coming from the higher storage. You climb up there. - Nina! Nina, are you here? More noises come out of one of the ruined shops. You draw your weapon - just in case - and go inside. You almost trip over a biter corpse, half-crushed by a fallen shelf. As your eyes get used to the darkness you notice another body. And another... Then you finally notice Nina in the corner of the room. She has her back turned to you. Is she writing something on the wall? - You scared me, girl! You hide your weapon and reach out to touch her arm. Then she turns around and gazes at you with the rabid eyes of a viral. - Oh, crap... She instantly jumps to rip out your throat, and you barely manage to push her back. Her infected body is much stronger than she was before. She attacks you again and again, howling furiously. Neutralizing her takes a lot of effort but eventually you manage to break her neck with an awful crunch and a monster that used to be Nina falls lifelessly to the floor. - I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... You look at her for a moment and only when you lift your eyes up do you notice a writing on the wall. This had to be the girl's poem, which she was working on before she turned. //Don't let this offer flee Kill yourself here for free!// - Wait, did she... did she turn on purpose? No, this had to be an accident. What a fucking irony. You take the radio out to report to Sukhoi one last time. - Sukhoi, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- Report.] - Nina is dead. I... I had to kill her. (css: "color: red;")[- WHAT? Don't tell me that she...] - She turned. I'm sorry. (css: "color: red;")[- You know where you can put your sorry? Just... Just come back to collect your payment.] You look at Nina's body one last time, lying by the wall with her prophetic rhyme above, then sigh and leave this cursed place. [[Go back to the garage->Go back to the garage 3]]

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Eric and Petro. The teenagers are standing with their gazes focused on their feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks them out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, one more excess like this and I will banish them.] - Do they know about Nina? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course they do! And if this won't make them start using their brains, then nothing will. Damn brats. The natural selection really doesn't even have to try to get them.] - They are growing up in a harsh world. It makes them pay for every mistake a lot more than we had to. (css: "color: red;")[- Right... And since you mentioned the payment - here, take this.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[-- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 3]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms. 3]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Petro really took your advice - somehow got Sukhoi to make him his personal assistant and is learning the rules of dealing with all kinds of things in this city. The chief himself is rather proud of the boy too. Eric gives him a hard time though, as he keeps on sneaking out of the garage and wandering around the city, leaving his minimalistic poems here and there. However, as you stumble upon them from time to time you have to admit that maybe there is some poetry involved.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Petro really took your advice - somehow got Sukhoi to make him his personal assistant and is learning the rules of dealing with all kinds of things in this city. The chief himself is rather proud of the boy too. Eric gives him a hard time though, as he keeps on sneaking out of the garage and wandering around the city, leaving his minimalistic poems here and there. However, as you stumble upon them from time to time you have to admit that maybe there is some poetry involved.

You head towards the camp of one of the mightiest groups in this city: the Peacekeepers, the self-announced public safety division with - gently speaking - a rather disturbing authoritarian inclination. To be honest the only thing that set them apart from being just another group of thugs was an officially written down statute and a blind belief in the righteousness of its contents. And maybe matching uniforms. Either way if Petro was dumb enough to mess with them... The camp is surrounded by a high wall, built throughout the years from every kind of material that was at hand at the time. It's impossible to be overcome by the infected and wasn't an easy obstacle for the living ones. - At least there is a small chance that the kid got inside. You go along the wall hoping that you would also solve this case without the necessity of going into the camp. Along the way you have to hide from a Peacekeeper patrol passing by, to avoid uncomfortable questions. You hear that some armed to the teeth sentries are laughing out loud at something. - Something put them in a good mood... I don't like it. You discover what it was soon enough. You find Petro hanging by his neck on a rope fastened to the top of the wall by the fresh-painted inscription that must have been his doing. And was probably the cause of his death. //WE KEEP THE PEACE// - What? Why would they kill him for something so meaningless? Only after you cut the rope and Eric's body falls to the ground you notice that it was covering the second part of the inscription, written with a lot smaller letters. //WE KEEP THE PEACE away// - Petro, you fucking moron. Poor, dead moron! You assume that the same or some other patrol will be back here soon enough, so you take the boy's body and drag it a litle further, inside one of the ruined apartments. You take the radio out and connect with Sukhoi. - Sukhoi? I'm at the Peacekeeper base. (css: "color: red;")[- Sweet mushroom jesus, which one went there?] - Petro. They got to him before me... and you know what they do to people that they suspect of anything... (css: "color: red;")[- Fuck... They will regret this. They will get what they deserve, sons of bitches!] For a little while the radio remain silent (css: "color: red;")[- Just... Just come back and collect your payment.] - I'm sorry. You're done here. Time to head back. [[Go back to the garage->Go back to the garage 2a]]

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Nina. The girl is standing with her gaze focused on her feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks Nina out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, if she wasn't the only one who made it out alive I would beat her to death myself.] - Does she know about her friends? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course she does! She has to understand that their deaths are of her making as well. I sent people to... you know, I can't leave the boys out there for some scavengers to feed on. Eh, crap.] - I'm really sorry, Sukhoi. No kid should be growing up in such a world. (css: "color: red;")[- As you see a whole lot of those kids can now avoid it. But enough of this useless deliberations - here, this is for you.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->I cannot accept it a]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->Basket of mushrooms a]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing two more of his fosterlings really got to him. And Nina makes it even worse - she keeps sneaking out of the garage to create other pieces of her happy little art among the city. As you stumble from time to time upon her dark humour works you have to admit that she develops both her skills in pen and knife. You guess it can only turn out to her benefit.

Sukhoi snorts and pulls a small purse out of his pocket. He gives it to you - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing two more of his fosterlings really got to him. And Nina makes it even worse - she keeps sneaking out of the garage to create other pieces of her happy little art among the city. As you stumble from time to time upon her dark humour works you have to admit that she develops both her skills in pen and knife. You guess it can only turn out to her benefit.

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Nina. The girl is standing with her gaze focused on her feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks Nina out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, if she wasn't the only one who made it out alive I would beat her to death myself.] - Does she know about her friends? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course she does! She has to understand that their deaths are of her making as well. I sent people to... you know, I can't leave the boys out there for some scavengers to feed on. Eh, crap.] - I'm really sorry, Sukhoi. No kid should be growing up in such a world. (css: "color: red;")[- As you see a whole lot of those kids can now avoid it. But enough of this useless deliberations - here, this is for you.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 2a]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms 2a]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Nina makes it even worse - she keeps sneaking out of the garage to create other pieces of her happy little art among the city. As you stumble from time to time upon her dark humour works you have to admit that she develops both her skills in pen and knife. You guess it can only turn out to her benefit.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Nina makes it even worse - she keeps sneaking out of the garage to create other pieces of her happy little art among the city. As you stumble from time to time upon her dark humour works you have to admit that she develops both her skills in pen and knife. You guess it can only turn out to her benefit.

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Eric. The boy is standing with his gaze focused on his feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks Eric out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, if he wasn't the only one who made it out alive I would beat him to death myself.] - Does he know about her friends? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course he does! He has to understand that their deaths are of his making as well. I sent people to... you know, I can't leave those children out there for some scavengers to feed on. Eh, crap.] - I'm really sorry, Sukhoi. No kid should be growing up in such a world. (css: "color: red;")[- As you see a whole lot of those kids can now avoid it. But enough of this useless deliberations - here, this is for you.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 3a]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms. 3a]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Eric makes it even worse, as he keeps on sneaking out of the garage and wandering around the city, leaving his minimalistic poems here and there. However, as you stumble upon them from time to time you have to admit that maybe there is some poetry involved.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Eric makes it even worse, as he keeps on sneaking out of the garage and wandering around the city, leaving his minimalistic poems here and there. However, as you stumble upon them from time to time you have to admit that maybe there is some poetry involved.

You quickly take out a steel pipe you keep as your backup weapon, smash the face of a zombie attacking you with it and throw it towards the shelf. Nina catches it and immediately jumps down on the ground to join the fight. You keep your eye on the girl, who quite nimbly crushes a biter's ankle and then strikes it with all the power she has. A rotten head explodes like some horrific piñata. With the power of two people you quickly deal with the rest of the attackers, even though you're quite sure that this number of infected wouldn't pose much of a problem to you if you were fighting them alone. Eventually the fight ends as four biters lie lifeless on the floor. You know that this was close. Too close. - Are you alright? Nina seems to not only be quite alright, but even euphoric. (css: "color: pink;")[- Of course. And you?] - You weren't so cocky five minutes ago. A little longer and you would be dead. (css: "color: pink;")[- But you came! Oh, I know, I know - I should be more careful. I WILL be. But did you see that? How I hit him there and then in the head?] - Yeah I saw that. Not bad. (css: "color: pink;")[- Not bad? Phew! That was great! Better than jumping from the roofs, than poetry even! And surely better than, ugh, mushrooms.] - If you say so... (css: "color: pink;")[- I KNOW! Let's go find some more biters to crush, what do you say? We are quite the team!] - O no, you've had enough. You will go back to the garage now. STRAIGHT there. (css: "color: pink;")[- Come on, don't be so uptight...] - Nina. (css: "color: pink;")[- All right, all right. I will go. But I will take this with me!] Before you could protest, Nina bolts out of the store and takes your steel pipe with her. You let her be. The last thing you have to do now is to report to Sukhoi. - Sukhoi, do you copy? Another minor is on her way alive and almost well - I am really not sure if she is right in the head. (css: "color: red;")[- You noticed it just now? Go collect the last one.] [[Go to the Peacekeepers' base->Go to the Peacekeepers' base 5]]

- Stay where you are! (css: "color: pink;")[- But...] You don't have the time to negotiate with her, as rabid undead keep coming at you. You focus on the fight, putting down the first, then second and finally third biter. But were there only three of them? As you pull your blade out of the last zombie head you look at the shelf. It's empty. - Nina?! You look around, but there is no trace after her. You start to search the room in panic. Eventually you find Nina sitting with her back against the wall, hand in hand with a dead biter with a crushed skull. You rush to her. - Oh my god, are you ok? (css: "color: pink;")[- A-almost...] She gives you a weak smile and then her hand falls limply away from her neck, revealing a nasty wound pulsing steadily with blood. You immediately jump to her to try and stop the bleeding. (css: "color: pink;")[- If I only... Knew how to fight...] - No, Nina, don't close your eyes! Talk to me! Nina! I will teach you how to fight, look at me! It takes a while for you to admit to yourself that there is nothing more you can do. She is dead. - Why wouldn't you stay at this fucking shelf? You have to tell all this to Sukhoi somehow. You almost had her... - Garage, do you copy... (css: "color: red;")[- Well? What is it?] - Nina... she is dead. (css: "color: red;")[- NO.] - She died in my arms, Sukhoi. Biters got her, I tried to get through... There is only a white noise coming from the radio for a while. (css: "color: red;")[- I don't care what you tried. Better hurry and bring back the last kid in one piece. Over and out.] [[Go to the Peacekeepers' base->Go to the Peacekeepers' base 5a]]

You head towards the camp of one of the mightiest groups in this city: the Peacekeepers, the self-announced public safety division with - gently speaking - a rather disturbing authoritarian inclination. To be honest the only thing that set them apart from being just another group of thugs was an officially written down statute and a blind belief in the righteousness of its contents. And maybe matching uniforms. Either way if Petro was dumb enough to mess with them... The camp is surrounded by a high wall, built throughout the years from every kind of material that was at hand at the time. It's impossible to be overcome by the infected and wasn't an easy obstacle for the living ones. - At least there is a small chance that the kid got inside. You go along the wall hoping that you would also solve this case without the necessity of going into the camp. Along the way you have to hide from a Peacekeeper patrol passing by, to avoid uncomfortable questions. You hear that some armed to the teeth sentries are laughing out loud at something. - Something put them in a good mood... I don't like it. You discover what it was soon enough. You find Petro hanging by his neck on a rope fastened to the top of the wall by the fresh-painted inscription that must have been his doing. And was probably the cause of his death. //WE KEEP THE PEACE// - What? Why would they kill him for something so meaningless? Only after you cut the rope and Eric's body falls to the ground you notice that it was covering the second part of the inscription, written with a lot smaller letters. //WE KEEP THE PEACE away// - Petro, you fucking moron. Poor, dead moron! You assume that the same or some other patrol will be back here soon enough, so you take the boy's body and drag it a litle further, inside one of the ruined apartments. You take the radio out and connect with Sukhoi. - Sukhoi? I'm at the Peacekeeper base. (css: "color: red;")[- Sweet mushroom jesus, which one went there?] - Petro. They got to him before me... and you know what they do to people that they suspect of anything... (css: "color: red;")[- Oh, shit... I knew that it all is going too well... Fuck!] For a little while the radio remains silent. (css: "color: red;")[- Just... Just come back and collect your payment.] - I'm sorry. You're done here. Time to head back. [[Go back to the garage->Go back to the garage 4]]

Instead of finishing the sentence you grab the bucket of paint that Petro has been using and flush its contest on the wall. The inscription quickly disappears, flooded by the red fluid. (css: "color: orange;")[- What are you doing?! You’ve ruined it!] - And what do you think the first Peacekeeper patrol coming through here would have done? (css: "color: orange;")[- At least they would see it!] - Ah, and then they would see their mistakes, shed one, pure tear each and change their ways? (css: "color: orange;")[- So what, it's better to do nothing?! You hear the steady stamping of heavy boots coming somewhere from the left side of the wall. - It's better to get the hell out of here while we still can. A patrol is coming, come! You grab Petro by his jacket and drag him with you towards the nearest buildings. Just a few seconds after you hide behind a half-ruined wall, a group of three men, armed to teeth - as the peace lovers should be - appears by the wall. They stop by the red stain that just a while ago might have been Petro's doom. Patrol's commander touches the wall to check how fresh the paint is, then looks around and order the other two with a gesture to search the area. They almost literally step on your toes as for a few minutes you play a game of cat and mouse - you sneak between one hideout and another, still dragging Petro, who is now completely terrified, with you. You barely avoid being caught. Eventually you crawl away far enough from the wall to lose the patrol. - I guess we are safe now. And you better learn that you will need much bigger guns to mess with those folks, Petro. This silly scribbling won't do. He seems to still be a bit sulky. (css: "color: orange;")[- I had to start somehow. I mean, now I’ll have to start again because of you!] - Start? Eh… you know what, just go home. Let Sukhoi worry about your career. Petro nods in silence and leaves towards the garage. You report to Sukhoi before moving on. - Garage? I have some good news - I’ve sent Petro home. (css: "color: red;")[- Perfect. Now just do this twice again for me.] [[Go to the shopping mall->Go to the shopping mall 4]] [[Go to the cathedral->Go to the cathedral 4]]

- You know what? I will gladly see those Peackeeper's faces when see this. Come on, let's hide somewhere before they come. (css: "color: orange;")[- Yeah! I knew that you're cool!] You go to the nearest buildings an climb to the second floor. You choose a location with a good view at the wall but that will cover you well at the same time. - Now sit down. No talking, no moving until I will allow it, all right? I will throw you out of this window directly at them otherwise. Petro agrees with you with a nod and sits by the one side of the window as you sit on the other. You don't have to wait long for the Peacekeeper's patrol. Three armed to teeth sentries comes from the west. The quickly notice the blood-red inscription - at least the bigger part, which doesn't seem so suspicious to them. The almost pass it, but at the very last moment one of the Peacekeepers finally reads the smaller part and pokes his comrades. - You've got what you wanted, kid. Your message has been delivered. Patrol gathers around the offensive inscription on wall and clearly is discussing, what to do about it. - You know, I heard that Peacekeepers assign only one brain to each patrol. They have to stand near to each other to use it collectively. It looks like the Peacekeepers didn't come to any agreement. One of them grabs Petro's brush and starts to cover the smaller addition, while the second one clearly hav a different idea - he takes the bucket with paint ant throws it at the wall. Some of the paint obviously lands on his comrade, who takes revenge and hurl the brush straight into the other one's face. It quickly changes into a regular fist fight. Petro giggles, covering his mouth with his arm, and you can't say you are not amused too. But you also know that when they will finally finish beating each other, they will be pissed off and it would be really unwise to be around then. - Come, Petro. Let's get out of here while we can. You silently leave the building and go away at a safe distance from the wall. - Now you go back to the garage. And hide this arm, you stained it with paint. Petro obediently put his red-spotted hand in his pocket. (css: "color: orange")[- Thanks. You're great!] Petro head's out home and you take out the radio to update Sukhoi on the situation. - Garage, do you copy? I've sent Petro back home. (css: "color: red;") [- Wonderful. So now you only have to repeat it two times and we're good!] [[Go to the shopping mall->Go to the shopping mall 4]] [[Go to the temple->Go to the cathedral 4]]

You head towards the camp of one of the mightiest groups in this city: the Peacekeepers, the self-announced public safety division with - gently speaking - a rather disturbing authoritarian inclination. To be honest the only thing that set them apart from being just another group of thugs was an officially written down statute and a blind belief in the righteousness of its contents. And maybe matching uniforms. Either way if Petro was dumb enough to mess with them... The camp is surrounded by a high wall, built throughout the years from every kind of material that was at hand at the time. It's impossible to be overcome by the infected and wasn't an easy obstacle for the living ones. - At least there is a small chance that the kid got inside. You go along the wall hoping that you would also solve this case without the necessity of going into the camp. Along the way you have to hide from a Peacekeeper patrol passing by, to avoid uncomfortable questions. You hear that some armed to the teeth sentries are laughing out loud at something. - Something put them in a good mood... I don't like it. You discover what it was soon enough. You find Petro hanging by his neck on a rope fastened to the top of the wall by the fresh-painted inscription that must have been his doing. And was probably the cause of his death. //WE KEEP THE PEACE// - What? Why would they kill him for something so meaningless? Only after you cut the rope and Eric's body falls to the ground you notice that it was covering the second part of the inscription, written with a lot smaller letters. //WE KEEP THE PEACE away// - Petro, you fucking moron. Poor, dead moron! You assume that the same or some other patrol will be back here soon enough, so you take the boy's body and drag it a litle further, inside one of the ruined apartments. You take the radio out and connect with Sukhoi. - Sukhoi? I'm at the Peacekeeper base. (css: "color: red;")[- Sweet mushroom jesus, which one went there?] - Petro. They got to him before me... and you know what they do to people that they suspect of anything... (css: "color: red;")[- Fuck... They will regret this. They will get what they deserve, sons of bitches!] For a little while the radio remains silent. (css: "color: red;")[- Just... Just come back and collect your payment.] - I'm sorry. You're done here. Time to head back. [[Go back to the garage->Go back to the garage 4a]]

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Eric. The boy is standing with his gaze focused on his feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks Eric out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, if he wasn't the only one who made it out alive I would beat him to death myself.] - Does he know about his friends? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course he does! He has to understand that their deaths are of his making as well. I sent people to... you know, I can't leave those children out there for some scavengers to feed on. Eh, crap.] - I'm really sorry, Sukhoi. No kid should be growing up in such a world. (css: "color: red;")[- As you see a whole lot of those kids can now avoid it. But enough of this useless deliberations - here, this is for you.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 4a]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms. 4a]]

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Eric and Nina. The teenagers are standing with their gazes focused on their feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks them out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, one more excess like this and I will banish them.] - Do they know about Petro? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course they do! And if this won't make them start using their brains, then nothing will. Damn brats. The natural selection really doesn't even have to try to get them.] - They are growing up in a harsh world. It makes them pay for every mistake a lot more than we had to. (css: "color: red;")[- Right... And since you mentioned the payment - here, take this.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 4]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms. 4]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Nina really learned her lesson - she assumed that killing zombies was her true purpose and somehow she got Sukhoi to let her begin battle training. The chief himself is rather proud of the girl too. Eric gives him a hard time though, as he keeps on sneaking out of the garage and wandering around the city, leaving his minimalistic poems here and there. However, as you stumble upon them from time to time you have to admit that maybe there is some poetry involved.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Nina really learned her lesson - she assumed that killing zombies was her true purpose and somehow she got Sukhoi to let her begin a battle training. The chief himself is rather proud of the girl too. Eric gives him a hard time though, as he keeps on sneaking out of the garage and wandering around the city, leaving his minimalistic poems here and there. However, as you stumble upon them from time to time you have to admit that maybe there is some poetry involved.

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Eric makes it even worse, as he keeps on sneaking out of the garage and wandering around the city, leaving his minimalistic poems here and there. However, as you stumble upon them from time to time you have to admit that maybe there is some poetry involved.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Eric makes it even worse, as he keeps on sneaking out of the garage and wandering around the city, leaving his minimalistic poems here and there. However, as you stumble upon them from time to time you have to admit that maybe there is some poetry involved.

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Eric and Petro. The teenagers are standing with their gazes focused on their feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks them out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, one more excess like this and I will banish them.] - Do they know about Nina? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course they do! And if this won't make them start using their brains, then nothing will. Damn brats. The natural selection really doesn't even have to try to get them.] - They are growing up in a harsh world. It makes them pay for every mistake a lot more than we had to. (css: "color: red;")[- Right... And since you mentioned the payment - here, take this.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 5]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms. 5]]

The thugs don't even bother coming to Eric's body to make sure he’s dead. For a little while they linger by the gates, ransacking Eric's belongings. Then they finally leave. You come out and approach the body lying on the pavement. Eric doesn't give any signs of being alive. - Poor, stupid kid, what the hell were you thinking... You pull out the radio to share the tragic news with Sukhoi. - Garage, do you copy? (css: "color: red;")[- Report!] - Some fucking thugs got Eric. I failed to save him. (css: "color: red;")[- ... What?] - They killed him. On the cathedral square. I'm sor... (css: "color: red;")[- Spare me your sorriness. Better hurry and bring the last kid in one piece, for fucks sake! Over and out.] Sukhoi is right. If Eric already lost his life, then Petro has even better chances to follow him to the grave. If he didn't do that already. [[Go to the shopping mall->Go to the shopping mall 5a]]

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Petro. The boy is standing with his gaze focused on his feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks Eric out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, if he wasn't the only one who made it out alive I would beat him to death myself.] - Does he know about his friends? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course he does! He has to understand that their deaths are of his making as well. I sent people to... you know, I can't leave those children out there for some scavengers to feed on. Eh, crap.] - I'm really sorry, Sukhoi. No kid should be growing up in such a world. (css: "color: red;")[- As you see a whole lot of those kids can now avoid it. But enough of this useless deliberations - here, this is for you.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 5a]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms. 5a]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Eric really learned his lesson and keeps away from any trouble even further than you would suspect - he voluntarily reported to take the Sambor's place on the watchtower. The chief himself is rather proud of the boy too. Petro gives him a hard time though, as he considers "speaking loud what everyone thinks" his life mission and keeps on creating his slogans - often risking his life during. After some time though you start to think that maybe what he does is something more than tilting with windmills.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Eric really learned his lesson and keeps away from any trouble even further than you would suspect - he voluntarily reported to take the Sambor's place on the watchtower. The chief himself is rather proud of the boy too. Petro gives him a hard time though, as he considers "speaking loud what everyone thinks" his life mission and keeps on creating his slogans - often risking his life during. After some time though you start to think that maybe what he does is something more than tilting with windmills.

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Petro makes it even worse, as he considers "speaking loud what everyone thinks" his life mission and keeps on creating his slogans - often risking his life during. After some time though you start to think that maybe what he does is something more than tilting with windmills.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Petro makes it even worse, as he considers "speaking loud what everyone thinks" his life mission and keeps on creating his slogans - often risking his life during. After some time though you start to think that maybe what he does is something more than tilting with windmills.

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Petro and Nina. The teenagers are standing with their gazes focused on their feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks them out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, one more excess like this and I will banish them.] - Do they know about Eric? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course they do! And if this won't make them start using their brains, then nothing will. Damn brats. The natural selection really doesn't even have to try to get them.] - They are growing up in a harsh world. It makes them pay for every mistake a lot more than we had to. (css: "color: red;")[- Right... And since you mentioned the payment - here, take this.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 6]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms. 6]]

There is no trace after the morning mess in the main hall. People are acting casually, entering and leaving the garage, trading and talking like nothing really happened. You see Sukhoi in a corner - he is currently waving his arms around and having a good yell at Petro. The boy is standing with his gaze focused on his feet. As the garage chief notices you, he almost literally kicks Eric out of the room and waves at you to come closer. (css: "color: red;")[- I swear, if he wasn't the only one who made it out alive I would beat him to death myself.] - Does he know about his friends? (css: "color: red;")[- Of course he does! He has to understand that their deaths are of his making as well. I sent people to... you know, I can't leave those children out there for some scavengers to feed on. Eh, crap.] - I'm really sorry, Sukhoi. No kid should be growing up in such a world. (css: "color: red;")[- As you see a whole lot of those kids can now avoid it. But enough of this useless deliberations - here, this is for you.] Sukhoi pulls a small, linen purse out his pocket. [[- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request.->- I cannot accept it. I didn't really fulfill your request. 6a]] [[- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms.->- Whew, I started to think that you will reward me with a basket of mushrooms. 6a]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Nina really learned her lesson - she assumed that killing zombies was her true purpose and somehow she got Sukhoi to let her begin a battle training. The chief himself is rather proud of the girl too. Petro gives him a hard time though, as he considers "speaking loud what everyone thinks" his life mission and keeps on creating his slogans - often risking his life during. After some time though you start to think that maybe what he does is something more than tilting with windmills.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. You notice, not without satisfaction, that Nina really learned her lesson - she assumed that killing zombies was her true purpose and somehow she got Sukhoi to let her begin a battle training. The chief himself is rather proud of the girl too. Petro gives him a hard time though, as he considers "speaking loud what everyone thinks" his life mission and keeps on creating his slogans - often risking his life during. After some time though you start to think that maybe what he does is something more than tilting with windmills.

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Petro makes it even worse, as he considers "speaking loud what everyone thinks" his life mission and keeps on creating his slogans - often risking his life during. After some time though you start to think that maybe what he does is something more than tilting with windmills.

Sukhoi snorts and gives you the purse - it seems to be heavy enough. (css: "color: red;")[And you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Hold your horses - we have to make a living on something here! But you will get a fat discount. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage when the sun is slowly starting to set. Time to go back to business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi tries to hide it, but losing another two of his fosterlings really got to him. And Petro makes it even worse, as he considers "speaking loud what everyone thinks" his life mission and keeps on creating his slogans - often risking his life during. After some time though you start to think that maybe what he does is something more than tilting with windmills.

(css: "color: orange;")[- Sukhoi thinks it's trivial.] (css: "color: green;")[- And he doesn't approve of our trips beyond the gates.] (css: "color: pink;")[- He treats us like children!] [[- And he's right. The Poet is a madman ->- And he's right. This Poet is a madman 2]] [[- Well, as long as you are careful... ->- Well, as long as you are careful... 2]]

(css: "color: orange;")[- Sukhoi is the boss here.] (css: "color: pink;")[- He doesn't like it when his people are doing anything that exceeds sleeping, working or shitting.] (css: "color: green;")[- Especially art. He just doesn't get it. The Poet does though.] [[- - You guys shouldn't be talking about poetry? ->- You guys shouldn't be talking about poetry? 2]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Ah, pretty simple one. There will be dusk soon, and it happens to be the favourite time of the day of this inspired pest. Go to our watchtower, north of the garage. You should have a decent view of all routes and entrances from the top, and chances are that you will notice this bastard as he goes in or out. Sambor, our lookout, will be there and he'll show you what's what. And I will make sure there's plenty of light around. When you see something suspicious, just let me know through the radio. And then, well... You mentioned you're not afraid to wander around the city at night?] - I'll get by. (css: "color: red;")[- Good lad. But remember, he's not some flimsy penman.] Your Quest Log is (link-repeat:"updated.")[(show:?modal)] {[ <div class="modal"> <div class="modal content"> <span class="close"> {(link-repeat: "&times")[(replace: ?modal)[] ]} </span> Go to the watchtower at dusk ant monitor the garage's neighbourhood. </div> </div> ](modal|} [[Go to the watchtower]]

(css: "color: red;")[- Oooh, a noble one, aren't you? All right. But you can collect as many mushrooms as you want. Just make sure you don't destroy the mycelium!] - The magic ones too? (css: "color: red;")[- Ah, why not, help yourself. But only for your own needs, not trade, understand? Competition would be bad for monopoly. And now... be a good lad and leave me alone. I need to get a drink.] You leave the garage at noon and go back to your business that you had to put on hold because of all this damned poetry. A little bit of prose would be nice now. Your endeavors bring you back to the underground garage every now and then. Sukhoi always greets you with a dose of a cordial sarcasm. He is often accompanied by Petro, who is now his personal assistant. You also hear that Nina joined a battle-patrol unit and is making amazing progress with her newly discovered talents. With Sambor's death the city walls come back to normal, which means getting covered only by obscene sketches and vulgar slogans again.