Embark on a challenging side quest in Stalker 2, “A Sign of Hope.” After meeting Professor Lodochka at the Noontide base, you’ll be tasked with reaching the top of the base to disable a dangerous Psi radiation antenna and make a crucial decision about the fate of Kvashka, a tragic victim of the Zone’s harsh realities. This guide will walk you through the steps to complete the quest and navigate the consequences of killing Kvashka.
A Sign of Hope Quest
The side mission “A Sign of Hope” is no exception. This task, unlocked after meeting Professor Lodochka at the Noontide base. During your conversation, he offers you a side quest: to reach the top of the Noontide base and disable an antenna emitting dangerous Psi radiation. Lodochka asks you to put an end to Kvashka, a “zombie noontider.” The professor believes this would end his suffering.
After accepting the “A Sign of Hope” quest from Professor Lodochka, head outside the bunker and towards the main building. Follow the straight path to reach one of the building’s rooftops. You’ll see some stairs leading upwards in the distance.
Find the Antenna
Climb the first set of stairs and enter the door on your right. Go forward, down some more stairs, and then turn left. Climb up the wooden planks, then the next set of stairs, and enter the first door on your right. Jump onto the pipes in the middle, then the platform, and go through the door. This will lead you back to the stairs that you can climb to the roof. Keep going until you reach some broken stairs. Go around the building and you’ll see a structure in the middle with ladders leading to Kvashka. You’ll also see stairs and a ladder leading to the antenna in front of him.
Deactivate the Antenna
Once you reach the antenna, interact with it to shut it down and stop the dangerous Psi radiation. With the radiation gone, you can decide what to do with Kvashka. You will also find a loot box on the right side of the roof, where you can find many consumable items. Lodochka had asked you to kill Kvashka, claiming it’s the kindest thing to do. But as you get closer, you’ll receive a radio message from Khors, urging you to spare Kvashka’s life.
Kill Kvashka
If you follow Lodochka’s advice, you can shoot Kvashka in the head, ending his suffering and looting his body for consumable items. When you return to the professor, he’ll reward you with an upgraded detector, a valuable tool for your continued exploration of the Zone. You will also be rewarded with 3500 Coupons, and that will be the end of the story. Khors won’t be upset; he’ll understand when players talk to him again in his shop.
Spare Kvashka
If you choose to spare Kvashka, you’ll need to return to Khors at the base to discuss your decision. Khors will reward your kindness with an additional 2,600 coupons, on top of the upgraded detector you’ll still receive from Lodochka. Professor Lodochka won’t be angry with you and will still reward you with 3500 coupons. He’ll even joke that he thinks they might have caught the same disease as the Zombie, but it’s just a lighthearted comment.
Conclusion
No matter what choice you make, you’ll still receive the upgraded detector, a crucial tool for exploring the Zone. If you spare Kvashka, you’ll also get an additional 2,600 coupons from Khors, which can be used to buy supplies or upgrade equipment later in the game.
