Faint knocks are heard from your Bedroom's door. Slowly you awake and open it.
"Morning Dan, my Husband has sent his thanks in form of a package. It's said to arrive today." Katya teases.
"Morning Katya... *yawn* that is nice to know. Do you know when it arrives?" you ask.
"Hm... in about an hour." she says calmly.
The Clock says it is 10:37 AM, some nice hours of shut-eye you've gotten there. But now it is time for work. Katya heads downstairs to prepare coffee, so she said. You wake the Foxes and tell them to head downstairs.
A few minutes pass and after a morning coffee, you notice the dark weather outside. Guessing, it is going to rain today. Which is fine, you have no big plans today.
"Dan, you know you have one more mission....right?" Katya says.
"Sure do! After that... retirement." you tell her.
Time passes, and the 1-hour mark has been achieved. Cars drive into Town as you hear their engines roar. You quickly head outside to find a Four-Men Squad walking towards you.
"You're Dan Walker?" one of them asks.
"Sure am, you got a package for me?" you say noticing they're holding a small crate.
They hand you the package and leave towards their Vehicle. The Crate is a secured container, plastic-looking. Opening it, reveals a few stacks of Roubles and a small paper, reading "Thank you for taking care of them. This is my Thanks. Have fun with it!". Good to see he still cares for his family, be it true or not.
The Stacks of roubles turn out to be five stacks of 1 million roubles each, for a total of 5 million roubles. A hefty sum for just pulling the trigger... and risking your life.
Returning to the House, you show your rewards to your Family.
"Congratulations on the Promotion Dan, there should be a second paper inside thought~" Katya adds.
Searching through the crate, you find paper on the bottom of it. It's a Retirement permit! For the whole Squad as well!
"Congratulations Dan, here is our Reward~" the Foxes lean into to kiss you on each cheek.
"Thank you, couldn't have done it without you~" you tell them in a gentle tone. They smile and laugh at you.
Kally and her Daughter congratulate you as well.
"Congratulations Dan~!" Mila says, jumping in your arms.
"Congrats on the success Dan." Kally says.
"Congratulations Dan." Tilu adds.
With the weather outside turning from cloudy to heavy Rain, you sit down in your office, which is your Weapons Chamber as well, with a cup of coffee and start to write the Retirement paper, which you will check-in at the Townhall later on today.
Not much everyone can do, the Girls pick a lecture of their Choice from your... quite impressive library and sit on the Couch and the neighbouring comfy Chairs. Each of them having a warm beverage to saviour the reading with.
Going past mid-afternoon. The rain stops, you head directly to the Townhall, turning the Retirement Permit in.
"I'm glad you chose to stay put Chief, congratulations on your Retirement." the Lady at the counter says.
"Thanks miss, take care!" you wave at her as you head home.
Unlike other professions, the Stalker retires when he finds a family to keep him warm. Thus making the Retirement highly sought after. In some cases impossible, due to the small numbers of Stalkers still on active duty.
With things wrapping up between Russia and NATO, everyone finds a way of life that doesn't include fighting day-in-day-out. Russia will soon see a massive rise in new families, that is to be expected. Love is scarce and nobody knows how to keep it safe and sound better than a Stalker.
Heading Home, you take a glance at the setting sun, a sigh you've seen before. But couldn't admire. Now, you've got all the time in the world to admire it. Any time you want.
Arriving under your own Roof, your nose picks up the smell of Stew.
"You two made stew right?" you ask, unsure if your Nose is being honest.
"We sure did Dan~!" Kate and Katie point at the Stew.
They let the Stew cool off for a while before setting it on the Table for eating. They spot you on the Couch sitting, reading the Newspaper again. Gently placing their Bodies up against yours, they wag their Tails.
"We're going to make you a Cake later on today~" Kate says, resting against your Shoulder.
"Alright, but don't overdo it." you add.
"We love you a lot, Dan~" Katie shows her love, digging her face into your chest as she lies on it.
"I know that. But I love you two more." you tease them.
They respond with pouts, staring directly at you. Aggressively wagging their Tails.
Just a few days until the last Operation that you'll partake in. Until then, you'll rest together with the Foxes. The Summer Operations, will not happen. As NATO's presence has greatly been reduced to some minor Strongholds and scattered Outpost.
A soothing thought, meaning you're going to spend more time with your Loved ones.