After engaging with the C-Consciousness Representative during the Visions of Truth main mission in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, you'll receive a call from Dr. Shcherba. He'll request your assistance, initiating the side mission "In The Name of Science," where you'll need to collect electronic collars from various mutants.
This mission is quite extensive and involves making several decisions that can alter its outcome. Let's delve into the complete walkthrough and the choices you'll face.
How to Find All the Electronic Collars for Dr. Shcherba
The initial phase of the "In The Name of Science" quest involves locating all five electronic collars from specific locations marked on the map in Stalker 2. If you don't see all five locations, it's possible you've already collected them during another mission or while exploring The Zone. Here are the details for each collar:
| Region | Collar Location | Mutant |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage | The Brood | Snork |
| Wild Island | Boathouse | Psy Bayun |
| Zaton | Hydrodynamics Lab | Controller |
| Malachite | Brain Scorcher | Kill or Buy Collar from Yevhen Mamay |
| Red Forest | Containers | Pseudogiant |
Once you've gathered all the collars, return to Shcherba at the Roofed Warehouse in the Chemical Plant region.
Note: If the mission gets bugged because you've previously collected and traded the collars, you can use the console command "XEndQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S2_SetJournal_WaitForSherbaCall_Finish_Pin_0" to progress.
Should You Disable or Recalibrate the Jamming Device?
After handing over the collars, Shcherba will discover a jamming signal affecting their functionality. He'll then ask you to investigate and disable the source of this signal at the Storage on the Hill, west of the Roofed Warehouse. You'll encounter poltergeists, zombified soldiers, and rodent mutants before reaching the device.
You have two options:
- Destroy/Disable the Jammer (Recommended): This will allow the mission to progress, and you'll receive coupons from Shcherba. It will also lead to an encounter with multiple bloodsuckers and another decision point.
- Recalibrate the Jammer: This will end the mission with coupons from Dvupalov as a reward.
Should You Kill or Let Shcherba Go During the "In The Name of Science" Quest?
If you choose to disable the jamming device, Shcherba will inform you that the collars are now operational and send you coupons. He'll promise to call again when he needs your help, and the mission objective will shift to "Wait for your reward from Shcherba."
To progress, you can either complete other missions or rest to pass time until Shcherba calls you back. If he doesn't call, use the console command "XStartQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S3_Technical_SherbaInvitedToLab" to move forward.
Upon returning to Shcherba's lab, you'll receive two bottles of Magic Vodka from Dr. Dvupalov. Heading to the lower floor, you'll find Shcherba with three Bloodsuckers. He'll send you to a room for your reward, but it's a trap exposing you to PSI-Radiation to awaken Faust-like abilities. Drinking the Magic Vodka will counteract the radiation effects.
After escaping, you'll need to kill the three Bloodsuckers and confront Shcherba, who's holding Dvupalov at gunpoint. You'll then face the choice to either kill Shcherba or let him go. Both options yield the same rewards, but it's advisable to let him go to maintain good relations with the scientists and Dvupalov.
Once resolved, you'll receive a Gauss Gun from Dvupalov and unlock the "On a Leash" trophy in Stalker 2.
