A/N: I've started playing Sam's story. It's actually pretty good. Still haven't even started Two Colonels yet. So I'll have to play that next. It made me think of how in Last Light there were those DLC missions, and how maybe I could have little separate chapters just for them. But for now it's just a thought I had. Oh and as the Character description promised, Ruby will appear in the next chapter. As always please leave a review, whether it be good or bad, maybe consider following the story, and have yourself a nice day.


Chapter 15: Armory

''What exactly did Khan need to talk to you about back there?'' Artyom asked Velvet, as they continued to traverse through the new tunnel. Understandably, Velvet couldn't really give Artyom the straight answer he wanted. When they were still at Cursed station, Khan had pretty much called Artyom ignorant. So Velvet settled on giving a response that was only half of the truth.

''All he really did was give me some advice on surviving the dangers of the Metro. The kind of things that relates to the paranormal stuff that we saw in the old tunnels.'' She answered, waving her lighter around since Artyom's flashlight was beginning to run out of juice. That and there was little to no light in the tunnel. Velvet gestured the lighter towards Artyom, and asked, ''Are you sure you don't want this back? Seemed useful for dealing with all of those spiders. And not that I don't think it's pretty cool and all, but it being shaped like a bullet isn't really my thing.''

Before he could refuse to take back his property, Artyom's flashlight died. ''Der'mo!'' He cursed in Russian. Velvet gestured the lighter again, this time Artyom took it. ''Thanks.'' He said, after flipping the lighter on and shining it in front of himself. ''If we ever go back to the Market, I might just have to get one of those universal chargers. Because without my flashlight there's no light down here.''

Irony then played a factor, as light shinned its way into Artyom and Velvet's eyes. Accompanied by the light came a loud voice. Artyom couldn't be blamed for thinking the voice was God at first, even though he wasn't even religious. ''Halt!'' The voice shouted in the average Russian middle aged man tone. ''If either of you takes another step, we will open fire on you.'' That was enough to put Artyom on edge. Slowly adjusting his left arm and leg, he positioned himself so that he could easily reach for Hunter's Revolver before the men could shoot Velvet or him.

Luckily it wouldn't come to that. For a new, much more reasonable voice entered into the one-sided conversation. ''Loosen up, will you Alek?'' The new man said. He sounded much younger. ''Look at them, they're clearly human. Kill the light already, would you? Last guy who came here was blinded by you.'' The other man, now identified as Alek, spoke again. But not before taking a good look at Velvet, and more importantly, her ears. ''Well, I guess you both do look human. One of you more than the other, haha. Eh alright, come on in, this is a free station after all.''

A large wooden gate opened, inviting the two new travelers inside. Whispering, Velvet expressed her concerns to Artyom on their current situation. ''I don't think we should go in there. Didn't Khan say something about the Reds being all over the place? Maybe we could find another way, or just do anything else?''

Removing his belt holster, Hunter's Revolver still in it, Artyom attached it to Velvet's side and assured her of their safety. ''From what little Khan has told us about them. I'm guessing the Reds are the type of people who won't attack us, unless we attack them first. But, in case I'm wrong, keep this on you at all times. And whatever you do, don't lose this gun, it once belonged to a very dear friend of mine.''

Despite guns not really being her style, Velvet kept the weapon. Though she had major doubts she'd ever use it on someone. After they both walked through the gate. Artyom and Velvet were given a warning by one of the other present guards. ''You kids should be careful in there.'' He said to the two young Stalkers. ''Despite what people say, this isn't even a free station. The people here are always under the careful watch of the Reds. If you can try and stay below the radar.''

Seeing as it was their original intent to keep a low profile anyway, neither Stalker responded to the man. They kept on walking, until they reached a small metal staircase. Going up it led to what looked like a small storage room. An intercom placed on the wall sounded off. It talked of some sort of document inspection. Some of the station's inhabitants seemed to be in the middle of receiving inspections. A few of those trying to resist being beaten in response.

''Khan said to look for his friend named that goes by the Blacksmith. Where do you think we should start looking?'' Velvet asked. Artyom just continued to walk. He was in the middle of going over a few notes that he had taken earlier. Finishing, he gave his thoughts on the current situation. ''Whatever we do, we should try to keep a low profile. I don't want to be another victim of these inspections.''

Feeling someone tapping him on his shoulder, Artyom turned around to face them. It was a Red Soldier. He had an intrigued look on his face. Concerned, but even more confused, Artyom asked, ''Is there something that we can help you with, Sir?'' He switched to a startled face when the man raised his Machine gun to Artyom's head. Definitely not the best of first introductions.

''Why the need to keep a low profile around us? Either of you got something you need to hide?'' The Red asked, his gun still aimed directly at Artyom's head. His hands now in the air, Artyom didn't even get a chance to respond. The man continued to ask questions. ''Are you Nazis, undercover? Exactly what kind of business do you have here? And what the Hell is with those rabbit ears on that girl's head?''

Now actually able to talk, Artyom told the man, ''We're just a couple of Stalkers, Sir. We've traveled all the way from Dry station just to get here. We were kind of hoping for a more friendly arrival. As for my friend here. She's... not really from around here. Where she comes from it's normal to be born like that. Now, if you could please just let us pass, we'll be on our way.''

Artyom brought his hands back down to his sides, and attempted to walk past the Red. But was shoved back by him. He was then grabbed by the man. ''Not a chance I'm letting you two by.'' He said, while he wrestled with Artyom's arms. ''Especially if you're going to do something as stupid as trying to bring a mutant in here.''

Velvet lowered her ears, a little sad to hear the word mutant directed at her again. ''Don't you call her that!'' Artyom shouted to the Soldier. Velvet was a little shocked to see that someone actually standing up for her. The last time she was being bullied for her Faunus heritage, no one came to her aid. Artyom continued. ''Can you really compare her to all of the mutants out there? She looks just like any other human.''

The Red let go of Artyom, and approached Velvet. He took a few seconds to get a good look at her. Alarmingly, and suddenly he grabbed one of Velvet's ears. She gasped in response. ''Nope,'' The Red said laughing, an evil smile now planted on his face. ''She's definitely just another mutant that needs to be dealt with. And I think you know how we have to deal with mutants.''

Now squeezing tighter on Velvet's ear, the man pulled out a large knife, and pointed it at one of her eyes. ''We put them down like the disgusting animals they are.'' Velvet began to struggle with the man, looking over to Artyom for help. The Red placed his knife on Velvet's face. ''I'm sure the Nazis would be grateful if we'd hand you over. I know how they love to experiment on new creatures. Hell, they might even declare a truce if I were to deliver you.''

Finally, Artyom had enough of the man's shit. He reached for Velvet's side, and unholstered Hunter's Revolver. Pointing it to the Red's skull, Artyom had to try his hardest not to blow the asshole's head off. ''Back off!'' Artyom shouted. ''And drop the knife. Or I shoot your fucking brains all over the wall.'' Immediately his demands were met.

''Good.'' Artyom continued, his gun visibly shaking in his hand. ''Velvet get behind me, we're getting out of here now.'' Velvet didn't waste a second listening to Artyom. She wondered if he was just acting, or if he would really be able to shoot a man in cold blood. For now though her biggest concern was how they'd actually get out of the station without alerting anyone else in the area.

Waving his gun to the side, Artyom signaled for the man to turn around and face the wall. Not wanting him to alert any of his friends, Artyom smacked him across the head and he fell down to the floor unconscious. He handed the Revolver back to Velvet, who holstered it. ''We should go back through the gate.'' Velvet suggested, getting her bearings. ''We should start moving before anyone else shows up. Oh... and thanks for getting him to stop.''

''Don't mention it. That guy was a real asshole.'' Artyom said. He picked up the Red's Machine gun and took it for himself. ''Like I said before, we need to watch out for each another. Otherwise we won't be so lucky next time something like this inevitably happens. Especially since we haven't even encountered the Nazis yet. Now come on, let's get back to the gate.''

Before either of them could even move, the situation quickly went south. More Soldiers quickly stormed into the room, each of them having their weapon drawn. Obviously it would be difficult to explain things to them when the unconscious body of one of their friends is on the floor. There were about twenty men in total and they looked like they were eager to shoot something. Artyom was about to go for his new gun, but Velvet stopped him, grabbing his arm.

She yelled to him, ''Run!'' And that's exactly what they did. Three of the Soldiers started to charge them. Before Artyom could Pistol whip them, Velvet socked each of the men in the face. They all fell to the ground, while the two continued to run. Then the guns started shooting. Bullets came dangerously close to hitting either of them, but most of them just hit nearby boxes or the walls. A few unlucky individuals were struck by stray bullets. Thankfully no one was actually killed.

After rushing through an unoccupied hallway, Artyom slammed a metal gate shut so no reinforcements would be able to join in the chase. Then there was another hallway, this one actually containing people. The two of them had to crouch down to avoid being shot by the intense gunfire. They crawled on their knees until the shooting stopped. Either the Red's had ran out of ammo, or they had just given up. Turns out it was neither of those possibilities.

The Soldiers stopped shooting because there was nowhere left for the intruders to run to. The door up ahead was locked, chained up with multiple locks. Seeing no more need to even run, the Red's just walked to Velvet and Artyom's position. But upon reaching their location, the Soldiers discovered that they were nowhere in sight. They somehow vanished without a single trace.

God, if there is somehow still one in that world, is what was responsible for their escape. Only inches away from the Red's was Artyom and Velvet. Each of them doing their best to not make a sound. They were grabbed and yanked into a small room. The one doing so being none other than the very man they were looking for in the first place. Andrew the Blacksmith. When the coast was finally clear, he spoke to them.

''You've been here less than an hour and so much hell has already been stirred up.'' Andrew said, checking the coast once more. ''Khan was never the best at making responsible friends. I didn't think he was telling the truth when he said one of you had very... distinguishing features. But anyway, Khan told me why you're here, so I won't keep you any longer than I have to. Best we get you two out of here as soon as possible, after all you're both fugitives now.''

Andrew pulled out two chairs and offered his new friends a seat. Having been on their feet for the entire day, Artyom and Velvet accepted them. Andrew began to formulate a plan to get them out of the Communist station. ''The only way you two are getting out of here is if you go straight through the battlefield. He said, opening up a cabinet. It's the front line between the Reds and the Nazis. You'll have to look the part. Obviously that will be a little harder for one of you. If I were you I'd just stay out of sight.''

He gave each of them a pair overalls, telling them to put them over their clothes. Andrew continued. ''The Reds are gathering up unlucky volunteers to storm the Nazis defenses. They're sending an entire train full of new recruits right into the fire. You'll be riding the train unannounced. Your seats won't be first class, but unlike everyone else you won't have to pay with your blood. Once you pass the roadblocks you're on your own. Follow me, I'll take you to the train now.''

Now fully dressed in their new attire, the Stalkers followed Andrew out of his home. There were several heavily armored men in the area. Some of them whispered to one another on how excited they were to head to the front line. How someone could be excited about killing another person was something Velvet couldn't understand. Artyom however had a much better understanding on human nature. And how bloodthirsty they could really be.

''Okay, stop here.'' Andrew said, walking up to a few other individuals. He spoke to them. ''It's alright, these two are with me. And don't ask about her ears. Because I couldn't answer even if I wanted to.'' The men didn't really say anything, they just nodded. Walking over to a small train cart, they moved it, revealing a hole with a ladder. ''Jump in the hole.'' Andrew said, pulling out a few smokes and passing them out to his friends.''

Immediately Artyom jumped in, eager to get on with the mission, while Velvet was understandably skeptical at first. But with more Soldiers turning up in the area, she eventually followed Artyom in, only she actually used the ladder. The cart was then put back in place over them, so that they would not be seen. Andrew gave his final instructions. ''Climb into the luggage hold. It's not exactly made for people so it might be cramped.''

This time Velvet was the first to enter. They had to squeeze close together, Artyom getting a few splinters in his arm on the wooden floor. The cart began to move slowly, Andrew and his friends pushing it. One of them asked Andrew, ''Are you sure it's safe in there, Andrew? I'd hate to see them fall onto the rails. And if they do stay, they're heading right for Lubianka. So aren't they kind of dead either way?''

The question made Velvet's eyes widen. She wasn't exactly to become red paint on the tracks. ''It'll be fine.'' Artyom said, going over his ammo and weapons for the second time of the day. ''You need to stop thinking ahead so much. As stupid as it sounds, sometimes you should just let things happen. You'll be less dissapointed that way.'' Velvet thought Artyom was right, in that it did sound stupid. In fact it sounded very stupid.