One of the most central conflicts in revolves around the power struggle between the Ward and various independent Stalker factions spread throughout the Zone.
Power-hungry and authoritarian, the Ward repeatedly attempts to seize control of small tracts of territory and independent settlements, hoping to understand all the Zone's secrets and use them for its own nefarious purposes.
Each independent faction has its own territory and purpose, but each of them resists the Ward's attempts at conquest on principle.
In particular, Simon Dubny is a heavy hitter in Noontide, a faction of former Monolith cultists who broke free from its brainwashing and established their own society.
During the main mission "," after determining Professor Hermann's fate, Skif will run into Dubny, who forces him to decide then and there whose side he's on.