It was a surprise to learn that Angelique had helped Cass recover from her wounds through a strange device called a Stimpack. The closest Artyom had to that was his medkits, but he was told that unlike his medicine, Stimpacks were able to help people recover faster than usual. Some were given to him and Pavel, the Red Line soldier. If stalkers back in the Metro had their hands on this, less people would die from their wounds and actually recover from. He needed to keep a few and learn about how to reproduce something so useful in the Metro.

The party walked east of Novac, only to find a checkpoint filled with NCR troopers and a single Ranger taking positions behind a wall of sandbags. Veronica was quick to comment on them. "Why does the NCR have a checkpoint like that?"

Then Cass was quick to reply. "I don't know, but they don't set up checkpoints for no reason."

"How do you know that?"

"Ever been to the Mojave Outpost? I know this because a bunch of caravans were not given permission to pass through." She answered.

"You're an NCR caravaner. Wow, you must have seen plenty of sights." The robbed girl expressed her curiosity about her.

As they continued on in their conversation, Artyom felt a tap on his shoulder, only to find the Red Line soldier smiling to him. "Hey, I have a few questions, but who are the NCR?" He whispered to him.

The stalker glanced over to his companions before starting. "They're one of the major powers here like Hansa back home."

Soon, he nodded his head at understanding what Artyom stated. "Ah, so why are they here?"

"They're expanding." Replied Cass. "At the moment, President Kimbell's foreign policy is to annex as much territory they can find. Turns out it's a bad idea when you meet guys like Caesar's Legion."

"Caesar's Legion?" Pavel asked.

"Similar to Nazis." Artyom replied.

"Never thought I would end up meeting people other than those crazed fucks."

Angelique laughed.

"What's so funny?"

The person in charge of the small expedition glanced over her shoulder. "Thankfully, you're a guy. Unlike me, you actually have a chance to accept their supposed values since you don't have any NCR markings on you. Girls like me are viewed to be their baby factories."

"Reminds me a lot about the Fourth Reich." Pavel commented.

"Really? Do tell. I appreciate something to talk about before we reach the checkpoint."

"In the Nazi stations, men and women are promoted to essentially fuck each other so they can produce pure humans and sterilize those who supposedly have corrupted genes."

That last bit was enough for the Courier to stop. "Wait, what is this about corrupted genes?"

"Nazis are assholes in the Metro because if you don't fit their version of humanity, you take a bullet to the brain." Pavel answered. "Anyone who isn't Russian or doesn't fit their criteria is to be killed or used for something else."

"Shit and I thought the Legion was bad. I know they put people on crosses and leave them out to die in the drought. If it's not dehydration, the animals will kill the poor people hanged up there."

"Better than what I heard on the frontlines."

When the five travelers arrived at the checkpoint, Artyom silently observed as an NCR Ranger stepped away from the wall of sandbags to confront them. Then he raised his hand and it was enough to tell them to stop. "If you prospectors plan on going through, you'll have to find another route." He said.

Angelique stepped forward to speak. "Excuse me, but what's going on, Mr. Ranger?"

It appeared she had caught his full attention. "It's Ranger Milo to you, prospector. The Legion has taken the town of Nelson and I wouldn't recommend going through here if you know what is good for you."

The caravaner joined the conversation. "I thought the NCR controlled Nelson."

"We used to, but the garrison was caught off-guard when the Legion made a breakthrough." Milo explained. "Those that weren't killed are now put on crosses. Now start going unless you're going to help."

"Help?" Cass wondered. "Help you with what?"

"Mercy killing. Those troopers are being hung out to die in the sun and god knows if the birds start picking on them."

"Damn." Pavel commented. "That is certainly not a way to go."

"That we can both agree on; however, the reason why I'm asking is because none of the troopers here can shoot for shit. I don't want the prisoners to go through the agony of being shot so many times before someone gets it right."

Angelique turned around and spoke. "Alright everyone, let's get out of here then."

Artyom watched as Pavel stopped her with his hand. "No." He replied.

"Pavel what are you doing?" Veronica wondered. "It's not like we can do anything."

"Actually, we can." He stated.

Ranger Milo crossed his arms with his eyebrows raised. "You're willing to help?"

Then he nodded his head. "I'm planning on rescuing them."

Then he scoffed at the mere solution presented. "That's suicide."

Silence came.

"You're not kidding, aren't you?"

Pavel stared at him. "Back where, I'm from. I rescue people from prison camps in order to keep them from execution. I think I can apply the same for those men."

Milo shook his head. "The Legion has guard dogs and sentries on standby. Hell, I don't think you'll get past the first patrol."

"I've dealt with situations worse than this."

It was strange watching these people simply disregard human life as another casualty in this cruel world that survived the apocalypse. Yet, Artyom was watching a soldier of the Red Line simply defy it's laws of survival in this part of the world.

"I'll make sure they'll live."

Perhaps, there is something to gain from this experience? "I'll accompany him." Artyom stated.

Then Cass was quick to look at him. "Are you really going with this?" She demanded. "You're going into a camp full of soldiers. You think you can play hero?"

"No, but it's the right thing to do." He answered. "Perhaps we'll distract the Legion long enough for you three to bypass their camp."

Veronica expressed her surprise. "So, Pavel and you are going to be the sacrificial lambs to help us get by? I could see that working."

Angelique pulled out a strange-looking weapon out from her backpack. "I like it, but I think you're going to need some additional fire power. Here's my plasma gun, you're going to need it. Don't forget this for ammo." Along came with strange-looking pieces that seemed to connect with one part of the gun.

When Artyom was handed the strange weapon, he inspected it with curiosity.

"If you're a good shot, try not to hit the NCR troopers. It tends to turn things into goo." She added.

"It's a weird gun."

"I know, but it should make those Legion assholes think twice before attacking two armed guys from Russia."

"So?" Milo pondered. "You guys want to try going past Nelson."

Angelique nodded her head. "Yep. There is some caps to be made and nothing is going to stop us."

"I'd accompany you, but until I get orders to raid the camp I'll have to stay. I wish you prospectors good luck." Then he turned around and glanced over at the dozen of troopers at their post. "Let them through, they all have a suicide wish." He ordered.

When the five passed by, some of the troopers wished them luck while others simply watched with horror. Artyom could feel their fear for his group's safety and they had a right to be so. To helplessly watch as five people try to get past the camp. While he inspected this so-called plasma gun, he heard one of the members speak.

The robbed girl commented on the current situation. "Are you sure it's okay for all of us to part into two groups. None of us aren't exactly armed. I mean, I got a power fist and all, but it's not much compared to the load of guns Artyom has."

"Don't worry, girly." Angelique assured her. "I got more weapons in my backpack just in case."

While those two continued their conversation, Artyom noted that Cass still carried his Duplet. Ever since the Courier had nicked her weapon off to some weapon merchant, she was using his weapon ever since she recovered in Novac. "Cass, I think you're going to need this." He said, taking off his belt of shotgun shells over to her."

The caravaner was surprised when given the belt, only to see the large quantity of shotgun shells ready for use. "You're giving me all of your shotgun ammo to me? You sure about that?"

"I got too many guns on my person." He replied. "Plus, you don't have your shotgun anymore. So you can have my Duplet."

"Thank you, I didn't expect you to simply hand me your gun."

"No problem, just a tip on that thing. The Duplet has two triggers, so you pull both of them if you want some extra kick on some mutant or a raider." Artyom explained.

"It's strange that I didn't have something like that on my shotgun." She commented. "Any other tips you want to share?"

There was a few more things to consider before she would end up using the weapon. "There is one. The gun has an extended barrel for extra accuracy. It has less spread, but the pellets bring concentrated firepower."

"You seem to know a your guns." She noted.

Artyom smiled at the thought. "It's something I learned after modifying some of my guns at the forgemasters."

Angelique stopped in her tracks and lowered her composure. "Alright, quiet down. We're coming over to the camp soon."

The group slowly began crawling towards the edge of a ridge, overlooking an entire town. However, Artyom could see the dozens and more soldiers clad in red armor, walking around the perimeter of remaining fence they had. Towers and defensive positions overlooking the roads into the town with strange-looking creatures walking beside some of the patrols. At the center of the town, there were three crosses with prisoners nailed to them. They almost reminded him of that cross Hunter wore with him before he left Exhibition to fight the Dark Ones.

"There is a bunker past this place, but there is barely any other way we can go through. We could head north and bypass Forlorn Hope, but I overheard that you have to go through a field of Cazadors and I don't want to deal with those things." She stated. Then she brought out a pair of binoculars from her pack and looked through its sights. "Pavel, Artyom, if you do plan on rescuing those NCR troopers, there are three guards keeping an eye on them."

"That's relieving to know." Pavel commented. "Thank god I have a silencer."

"I thought you and Artyom are going to go loud - you know… go loud."

He chuckled. "We could do that, but that should be a last resort option. Sneaking in allows us to inflict enough casualties with their guard down."

Then Veronica whispered to him. "I hate to break up the optimism, but what makes you think that their guard is down? The Legion doesn't exactly have sluggish guards like the NCR."

"Well, we're not the NCR now are we. I mean, if they expect the NCR to mercy kill their own from afar it's not really worth the effort to be on guard duty. Now if they were going to plan some sort of attack then maybe, but that Ranger doesn't seem to be preparing those men if he's asking people like us to put a bullet in their soldiers."

Angelique was quick to silence them. "Then change of plans, once you and Artyom disrupt the Legion, we'll be making are way past the camp. When you get those prisoners out meet me in the no man's land northeast of here."

"We understand." Artyom acknowledged.

"Good, Veronica, Cass, with me."

As the women departed from the two Russians, Pavel brought out his silenced sub-machine gun before glancing over to his weapons. "I see you spent enough bullets to upgrade your Bastard gun." He commented. "I haven't met most stalkers who would do that since most of them would spend on more ammo or flashy upgrades like a laser pointer."

Artyom switched out his plasma gun for his poor man's weapon. "I had to do something with all those cartridges I have in my bag." He replied. "I picked quite a few from the poor guys who didn't make it."

"Then you placed a good investment into quite an asset I say. Let's go, but stay at my back." Pavel rose from the ground as he crouched his way towards the Legion camp. "Stay away from the light and stick to the shadows."

The stalker followed after him while they slowly made their way towards the entrance, but dozens of figures were standing there with two furry creatures at their side. "They blocked the entrance."

"Don't worry, we're not going to use the front entrance." The Red Line soldier turn to the right as he made his way towards a broken opening in the fence. However, there was a small post of a Legion soldier looking out from his perch. "Shit, they got that one covered as well. Got any knives on you?"

"Yes, I'll take care of him." Artyom replied as he began to dig deep into his pockets to bring out a throwing knife.

As he moved closer to the guard post, he saw the man's head towards him. "Who goes there?" He questioned. Seconds later, a blade was struck onto his forehead.

"Good kill." Pavel commented. "Now let's save those three." He said. Then the soldier took the lead and entered the area unopposed while his silenced weapon was raised.

After Artyom removed the knife from his victim, he followed after him as they moved closer to the platform. The last time he had done something like this was when he going through a bandit checkpoint with Bourbon. Except this time, he was working alongside a communist.

"Opa, now we just need to get those guys down before anyone else notices."

Artyom noted the three guards protecting the men nailed on the cross, only to see them respond to two masked soldiers. Then he heard them speak. "Ave, true to Caesar!"

It appeared their superior was inspecting the surroundings. "Have the profligates tried to fire on them?"

"No, Decanus, the NCR has not done so." One of the guards stated.

"Strange that they haven't sent anyone to liberate them from our justice." He replied. "Carry on with your duties for I shall return."

"Yes, Decanus." The guard acknowledged.

When the Decanus and his liaison departed from their guards, Pavel noted his presence. "He has to be the garrison commander."

Curious, Artyom asked. "What should we do about him?"

"Nothing." He said. "Just get these three out of here and we'll be home free. Now get your Bastard ready, we've got a show to put on."

The Red rose from his stance as he walked towards the guards, their backs presented to him "Aim for the head and be quick."

Artyom did so as he lined the sights up to one guard's head. He felt there was something wrong, but his heart couldn't put a finger on it. Still, there was no other choice in handling that manner. When he tapped the trigger, he felt the recoil while the guard's cranium was struck with blood splattered on the sand.

The other two turned around, but the stalker and the soldier dropped in quick succession. "Good, now watch my back as I help these guys down." He whispered as he unsheathed his knife.

Doing so, he felt so vulnerable being out in the open like this. Years of living in enclosed spaces made him feel comfortable in the natural fortress made by man, but this town was beyond him. The enemy was everywhere and they could easily be alerted by a simple mistake.

A bestial growl made him realize his fear while he looked over his shoulder. One of those creatures on the patrol was here and it leaped towards him with jaws open for the kill. Artyom realized he wouldn't have enough time to bring his gun to bear.

When the four-legged creature crashed into his body, it almost felt like a railcar crushing him. As he was slammed into the wooden platform, the growls intensified as it snapped after his neck. Reaching for his knife, he stabbed the cold steel into his attacker before hearing it whimper at his attack. However, he couldn't stop there. Tossing it over, he repeated the same technique to ensure it never had a chance.

After the deed was finished, Artyom sheathed his trench knife feeling the blood stain his fingers.

"Artyom, are you alright?" Pavel wondered after he freed the last NCR trooper.

The stalker acknowledged him with a nod.

"Good, chuvak. Let's get these guys out of here."

One of the freed prisoners spoke up. "Michael doesn't look too good, we'll carry him if you cover us."

"Ok, but follow my lead."

All of the effort the duo had accomplished was gone when Artyom heard bells ringing and Legion soldiers shouting. "They have taken down the profligates! Show them retribution!"

"Fuck, I'll lead the way. Artyom, watch our backs."

Pavel and the three NCR troopers began running towards north of the town while Artyom chased after them, blindly firing back at the first responders. He feel the bullets whistle past him as he ran, but his first concern was keeping them back with enough firepower.

Turning around, he brought out the weapon Angelique handed to him as he pulled the trigger. The plasma gun charged up and produced a heated shot at the dozens of Legionnaires running towards him. As the shot landed, Artyom watched his victim literally melt before his very eyes.

Two more Legionnaires ran past their fallen comrade with spears in hand, but it was clear that they were throwing it at him. The projectiles fell short and landed on the dirt road, a blessing that their aim didn't aim true. Quickly gunned them down, but this time they dropped to the ground screaming in agony.

Before he could join Pavel in the escape, he heard gunfire from the north catching the enemy off-guard. "Fall back to the defenses!" One of them cried, firing their bolt-action rifles at the threat that beset them.

Artyom took the opportunity to join his comrade as he switched the plasma gun out for his Bastard gun.

The stalker was following the last tracks of where Pavel went while distancing himself from the town. The darkness of the night didn't help as he turned on his flashlight, only to hear the clattering of guns drawn. "Identify yourself?!" A voice cried out.

"Pavel?" Artyom pondered. "Where are you?"

"It's okay soldiers, that's my friend escaping from the Legion." After recognizing the voice was Pavel's, his flashlight found dozens of NCR troopers while the Red came up to him. "You can relax Artyom, turns out we just met a recon patrol that just so happened to be sent to probe out those Romans."

One the NCR troopers stepped forward and greeted the stalker as the light shined on him. "Not exactly, but I appreciate the effort you guys did to rescue our troopers. I never thought they'd get rescued."

"Are you the head of this group?" The stalker questioned.

"Yes, indeed. My name is Sergeant Cooper, I'm part of the Forlorn Hope garrison." He answered. "Say, what brings you two in the middle of these parts?"

"Expedition, but we decided to short cut through the Legion camp."

The sergeant raised his eyebrows. "You have balls to do something crazy like that. What's your name, kid?"

"My name is Artyom, I'm a stalker."

"Well, what you did might become the most bizarre story I have to tell in the barracks." He stated. "I wish you luck on whatever expedition you two are on. Hopefully, it's worth going through Caesar's Legion." Then glanced over to his men. "Alright troopers, let's head back and bring the news to Major Polati."

While the dozens of NCR soldiers walked to a road north of their position, Pavel made his to him and chuckled. "What do you know, we might be the craziest people in this part of the world."

"Perhaps, but we were very lucky they were around."

"Turn off your light, we don't want to get spotted." Pavel advised. "Stay close to me and let me lead the way. I have a night vision scope."

The duo walked east as the stalker noted the Red relying on his scope to see through the dark. He had heard of such equipment being used, but only for armies such as the Red Line, Fourth Reich, and Hansa. Polis Rangers also had them as well, but it was to be expected from their ranks. However, there were a select few merchants who would sell these scopes behind their backs.

"Veronica and Angelique said there was a bunker nearby so we just need to be alert and keep an eye on the details."

There was a slow beeping before them, but as they stepped closer Pavel took a step back. "Artyom, get back. I don't know what the hell that thing does."

Artyom headed his command as the beeping faded. "It looks like it has a sensor to anyone nearby. It could be a proximity mine?"

"Probably, but I don't want to find out. Let's see if we can get around it. Split up, I prefer not having to get both of us killed. You can turn on your flashlight, I don't think those guys will chase us here."

As the stalker activated his flashlight, he noted its power was fading. Bringing out his battery charger, Artyom increased the light, but also discovered what he had stumbled on. "Pavel, I think we're in a minefield."

Glancing over to Artyom, Pavel swore. "Shit, I didn't think we would become this knee deep in mines." He commented. Gunfire erupted from behind their backs as he turned around. "Shit, they're here."

"Kill them! Make sure they don't make it out."

"Fuck it, run!"

"But we're in a minefield." Artyom replied.

"I know, but I'm taking my chances."

Pavel started running, various cries of beeping could be heard from his side of the field before an eruption of explosions followed. Either the explosions were delayed and Pavel was lucky or he just wasn't complaining. Realizing there was an open and safe path, Artyom ran after him as the gunfire chased after him. "They're terrible shots that's for sure."

"Thank Lenin for that, chuvak."

When the explosions were no longer present, it was clear that Pavel crossed the field successfully. Then he noticed the communist fall forward.

"Shit, I didn't think that dip was going to be big."

As Artyom arrived near the edge, he saw the Red get up from the ground and reach a hatch at the center of this dip.

"Hurry up, Artyom. We'll be safe here."

Without hesitation, he slid from the edge and joined Pavel. He pulled the hatch open as Pavel was first to get inside.

Cries from the Legion caught his attention. "Get a grenade on them!" Half a dozen of grenades were tossed into the pit before Artyom joined his comrade and closed the hatch. Explosions followed with fragmentation tapping on the outside.

After such an encounter with a minefield and their Legion pursers, both men breathed hard as Pavel placed a hand on his shoulder. "You know, I never thought I would be doing so much running." He stated. "Hopefully, they won't come after us."

Artyom looked around and noticed a locker near the ladder to the hatch and stairs to a lower level. "The others must have gone downstairs are waiting for us." He said.

Then the Red Line soldier pointed his finger at a sight beside the stairs. "Are you sure?"

Glancing to his left, the stalker found a body laying there with blood splattered on the concrete, but the head was nowhere to be found. It was a disgusting sight.

"I've seen things happen to people's heads that most men would puke, whether it be bandits or Nazis, but this is a whole league of its own." He replied. "I have a feeling we're not the only people heading to this Sierra Madre."

"We should well-armed if that was the case, don't you think?" Artyom asked.

"You would be surprised at what people bring and call weapons. Let's go Artyom, those Legion fuckers might be trying to find a way to bust the hatch open."

When Pavel and Artyom walked downstairs, the stalker's mind heard the calls of the Dark Ones. 'It's… a… trap…'

"Huh? This door looks a bit complex, I have a feeling we should be careful. There might be something I don't want to deal with on the other side." Pavel reached out for a latch and turned it, only to see the door slide break up and slide out of their way. He began sniffing the air as he took a step back. "Something is off about the air here, do you have a gas mask?"

"Yes." He acknowledge reaching for his.

"Put it on, I have a bad feeling about this."

After Artyom covered his face and attached his air filter to his gas mask, they stepped forward with their guns drawn.

"Lead the way, my mask is cracked. I don't want to risk it getting broken." He said.

As they stepped into a hallway, Artyom looked around and noticed strange symbols with two gears, wings, and a sword pointing upwards. They stepped closer and found a strange radio broadcasting its message he had heard before, but there was something wrong here that didn't ease the stalker. Beside the various bags and weapons put together, he saw a bottle of whiskey and his Duplet.

Author's Note: How's that for a cliffhanger?