Chapter 1: Departure

Demitri woke up from his sleep. Much to his chagrin, Natasha was near him. She was awake and had a smile on her face.

"Wake up sleepyhead." Natasha said in a cheeky tone.

Demitri groaned as he woke up. Hearing Natasha waking him up, he reluctantly did so. He remembered the mission Hunter requested to him and Artyom.

"Crap, I need to see Alex right away!" Demitri exclaimed.

Rushing to get himself ready, Demitri struggled to put his clothes on. Natasha laughed as she watched his confusion.

"Hahaha. It's still early." Natasha laughed.

Demitri looked at his watch to see the time. Much to his chagrin, Natasha was right. He groaned before picking up a notepad to record his thoughts.

-Hunter hasn't shown up since yesterday. Word has gotten out among the station of his disappearance. Artyom, my friend, has also been aware of the situation. Whether we are able to make it to Polis or not, a promise to meet with Miller must be fulfilled. Hunter provided his dog tags as a reminder for us to leave the Exhibition. I was able to plan ahead in scheduling a ride from a caravan heading to Riga. The station needed some guards. It was a perfect opportunity.-

Having written his thoughts, Demitri was ready to leave.

Demitri quickly arrived to meet with Alex. Nearby, Artyom was on his way.

"Well, good to see our Spartan has arrived early. Artyom as well. Now Hunter has briefed with you two to reach Polis in separate locations. Hunter has not arrived since yesterday and he requested me to let the crew to travel through the Metro." Alex reluctantly said.

"So it seems... Looks like it won't be an easy journey." Demitri commented.

"That we can agree on. Head to the gun merchant at the other side of the farm animals. He'll provide you two the necessary equipment." Alex explained.

Demitri and Artyom went their way to the gun merchant. There, they found him stocked with many weapons. Some of them looked slightly aged due to exposure of the elements.

"Good day to you two. I heard of what happened to Hunter. Not a good day for us." The gun merchant glumly spoke.

"It isn't... So, what's on the menu for today?" Demitri asked.

"Well, my Spartan friend, we have a decent piece of equipment for you. Kalash with a 30 round magazine. Works well with 5.4539mm rounds, whether using MGR or dirty ammunition." The merchant said.

The Kalash was a Russian AK-74. It featured a decent wood stock for better aim. The magazine was slightly transparent, showing the bullets within. It was a banana clip to accommodate the 30 bullet magazine. It featured a reflex sight.

"How much is it?" Demitri asked.

"100 bullets." The merchant said.

Demitri knew he had to get this equipment. Knowing of the possible dangers, he purchased the gun.

"Nice." Demitri said, taking the magazine out and cocking the gun to cast a bullet in order to avoid causing a misfire.

He had a decent grip on the gun, as though he was trained military grunt. Artyom noted this, seeing that Demitri held the gun in a calm manner with no wasted effort.

"Next, we have a particular rifle that you might like." The merchant said.

He provided a special gun that had an air tank. Unlike traditional firearms, this one was a pneumatic rifle.

"This is the Tihar. An air rifle made for the purpose of combat. This gun is perfect for stealthy missions. The gun is so quiet, no one would notice they were shot. Just keep note that the Tihar has a pressure gauge at the right of the body. This lets you know how much air is in the gun. You'll have to use the pumping lever at the end of the hand guard to keep the pressure up. Keep the pressure above '6'. It uses 10 mm ball bearings as ammunition." The merchant explained.

"How much is it?" Demitri asked.

"It costs 45 bullets." The merchant answered.

"Deal." Demitri said.

The Tihar had several features. There was a line of three aperture glass sights, making the scope an open-optic. The rifle also had a special attachment near the air tank.

"What is this attachment?" Demitri asked.

"Ah, it's a special upgrade for the Tihar. When people used the overpressure function, the air sometimes leaks out, which makes usage of the weapon limited. To combat this mechanical issue, an airtight valve is put in place. This helps secure the over pumped air without it leaking out." The merchant explained.

"Nice... I always like this kind of gun. Seeing that it is also quiet, it's perfect for stealth." Demitri said.

"Indeed. That's all the weapons you need?" The merchant asked.

"I already have a revolver on me. I'll customize it later on." Demitri reassured.

"Alright then. I'll talk to Artyom before providing you both equipment for the field." The merchant said.

Artyom was ready for any weapons to be available for him.

"Alrighty. We got either a Kalash for you or a Bastard gun. Which one do you want?" The merchant asked.

"I'll have the Kalash." Artyom said.

"Okay then. Same price: 100 bullets." The merchant said.

Artyom paid for the gun. Soon, he looked at a particular weapon of interest.

"That's a unique shotgun..." Artyom said.

"Ah, the Uboinik. Sometimes called The Shambler, it's one of the many weapons made here in the Metro. This shotgun features a semi-auto feature, allowing you to fire it without interruption. The only catch is the reloading system. The chamber of the gun is fitted like a revolver's chamber. If you end up switching to an empty socket, you'll need to cock the gun by pulling the hammer. It should trigger the mechanism to switch to another one that's loaded. This gun will allow you to load up to 6 cartridges." The merchant said, demonstrating how to use it.

"How much?" Artyom asked.

"50 bullets." The merchant said.

The Uboinik/Shambler was a strange looking shotgun. As the merchant implied, it had a revolver style chamber. There was a prominent rod underneath the barrel of the gun. Demitri noticed it.

"Ah, a maintenance rod. You can use that to clean the gun off of debris or dust in the barrel." Demitri said.

"Aren't we smart? Seems like taking those engineer lessons has made you smart enough to recognize each equipment." The merchant joked.

Artyom laughed in response. Soon, the two males were provided with a handheld device.

"Alright, this device is a Universal Charger. You can use this to charge electrically dependent equipment with it. Just hook the blue wires to the equipment and pull the right handle to charge them. You may need this to operate some of the Metro's electric devices." The merchant said.

The Universal Charger was a handheld device. It had a small motor appearing like a canister. It was fitted with several wires connected to a port, allowing it to charge any electrical equipment. There were two handles. One was at the far left, allowing grip on the device. The other on the right was a plier-like lever, which allowed the device to charge electrical power. Above the lever, there was a visible meter. Demitri fiddled with the screws, tightening them to ensure the device is okay.

"Careful, don't touch the wire near the power lever. Many people who did ended up shocking themselves." The merchant warned.

Artyom and Demitri nodded, not wanting to experience the same thing.

"Now then, three more pieces of equipment." The merchant said.

There was a gas mask with a filter.

"Now, my friends. This gas mask will help you in case you find yourself in a place with toxic air within the Metro, or going out in the surface. You don't want to suffocate. Second, these filters are needed and will last up to 5 minutes. Set your watches each time you replace one." The merchant said.

There were five filters provided with the gas masks. Artyom and Demitri took them.

"Next, we have these Geiger counters. You'll need them since both the Metro and the surface have irradiated hot spots. Best not to fall in them, or you'll die from radiation poisoning." The merchant explained.

The same device was a small, handheld gadget, roughly the size of a small PDA. It was giving off an iconic clicking sound but in long intervals.

"Must be the mushrooms doing that. Not to worry, the radiation is low enough for us to eat them, especially for Shroom Vodka." The merchant reassured.

The last equipment was an orange case. In it, there was a syringe.

"Finally, first aid kits. In case you get heavily injured, you can use them to heal up. 'A cure for everything' we say." The merchant said.

The Medkit featured several syringes with a squeezable container. They appeared similar to military First aid kits, complete with a warning label that read 'Use in accordance with the orders of your commanding officer'. The label also showed the drug used, which was named Trimeperidine.

'Better not to die from a mutant attack when having these.' Demitri thought.

Having all their equipment ready within their backpacks, Artyom and Demitri were ready to set off. Before they were able to, Natasha dashed forward, clamping on to Demitri.

"I don't want to leave you alone...! I want to be with you!" She said.

Knowing Natasha won't back down, Demitri reluctantly allowed her to join in his adventure.

"Having a girlfriend already, Demitri?" Artyom said.

"Don't push it. She only wants me to be near her. I won't answer why since our childhood in the Metro is the reason." Demitri responded.

Demitri was within Alex's room to be briefed. He was waiting with Artyom and Natasha. While they waited, he was writing another entry to his notepad, just like Artyom was.

-The so-called Dark Ones... They have become a fearsome rumor due to many encounters. Much of their horror, mystery, and biology puts them a greater threat than the Watchman and Nosalises, even shifting the threat of focus. Though, without Hunter's help, the station would have been overrun starting from the hospital. I dread to think what would happen if they showed up earlier...-

Artyom noticed Demitri's writing. He looked impressed on how he expressed his thoughts.

"Nice writing talent. Maybe we can share our stories of what we encounter in the Metro and beyond." Artyom said.

"That much I can agree." Demitri said.

Soon, Alex arrived, noticing the young men writing.

"Ah, you two are here. Natasha, you shouldn't be here since this is an important duty." Alex said, looking at her.

"I want to be with Demitri... I have permission from a Ranger to go with him." Natasha said.

Alex sighed, knowing of Natasha's connection to the Rangers. Reluctant, he allowed her to stay.

"Very well... You're all ready to set off?" Alex asked.

The three young adults nodded in response.

"Alright. You all heard that we are creating an alliance with our next door station, Riga. We're sending some humanitarian goods, weapons, and gear for the people. The caravan hand car needs a few guards to watch over the supplies while you all make your way to the station. Riga shouldn't be too far so this should be a relatively safe ride." Alex said.

"We will ensure the cargo reaches its destination. It won't be a rough ride, but we'll watch for mutants." Demitri said.

"Demitri, Artyom... You two act like brothers, even in the threatening situations. Just, let me share with one thing before leaving. I know you two look up to your fellow Rangers. Their lives...are different than ours. They can be reckless, even violent, by nature. There's no gaining from anything if you play the hero, so be careful out there. Make sure you three see the caravan and come back home quickly in one piece. Good luck, my children." Alex explained.

Though they knew it was a mission from their home station, Artyom and Demitri were determined to reach Polis. It made them feel conflicted, but due to current circumstances, they had no choice but to follow Hunter's request.

Resting outside from Alex's office, Demitri resumed his writing.

-Since Hunter arrived earlier than the mutants, we were prepared. I don't think it was a mere coincidence or luck that had to do with it. Somehow, fate had its wheels turning, which now direct both Artyom and I to reach to Polis to report of the Dark Ones. It was a dream to see the base of the Rangers, whom are called Spartans, a nickname I share. Artyom shares the same dream as I do. Though, a chance to reach the station was provided, it came during a time of desperate need. Exhibition needs every able bodied man to fend off the mutants. Would I be so cold-hearted to abandon my adopted parents and Natasha to fulfill this mission, especially from the threat of the mutants? I don't know my current place in these events, whether to be within the barricades or venture out within the Metro. Regardless, it's our mission to visit Polis, which fate has predetermined our route through life.-

Finishing his writing, Demitri followed Artyom with Natasha near him. They made their way to the caravan rail car. A

middle aged man was waiting.

"Privet! So are you three ready to move out?" The man asked.

"Da. We are equipped for this." Artyom said.

"Let's go then. The supplies won't be moving on their own. Eugene, board with them to help with the hand bar." The man said.

The man named Eugene was a young male adult. He had a calm, exciting aura of adventuring. Artyom, Natasha, and Demitri took their seats. The man sat near the levers of the handcar. Two men were pumping the levers to move the handcar.

"Alright. For our home and good luck." The middle aged man said.

"Yo Artyom, Spartan. You two are ready for this? Even your girlfriend seems ready." Eugene said.

Note: I'll be trying to provide some more entries in within the chapters and their introductions.