Ever since the Japanese had left Italica, Maxim Basuda found himself lying on his bed with his head looking out of the window. Due to taking a spear in his leg, the doctors here had to go into surgery to remove whatever bits remained in his leg. However, the damage had already been done, he would be needing a cane for the rest of his life. Lucky bastards, but it wasn't a total loss. The colonel would need his help as a translator for the locals, but that battle would be his final day as an active Polis Ranger.

He heard the door to his room slide open before he turned his head to the other side to find a young Japanese officer step into the room. He wore glasses, cleaner than what he had seen on the scientists and the knowledgeable elders of the Metro. This stranger smiled as he held a tray of food in his arms. "You were one of the Russians, Lieutenant Itami encountered, it's good to meet you." The man began. "I'm Lieutenant Yanagida of the JSDF, I hope your stay has been pleasant."

Maxim chuckled. "To some degree, but would it hurt to get something to do. Can you get me a television in here? Hell, a book would do it."

The lieutenant placed the tray across from the wounded man as he grabbed a chair off in the corner to sit by him. "I've managed to convince the doctors to get you some fresh food from the mess hall, I hope you appreciate that."

"Well, that's better than nothing."

"However, I do have a few questions for you."

"What would that be?"

"There was a report that a second Gate had appeared. Both the locals and some of your friends have said the same that it is real." Lieutenant Yanagida answered. "Would help me locate it?"

Maxim saw through this ploy. The food was there to loosen his lips. Smart man, but his old training kicked in. "First, let me have this chicken." He grabbed the chicken leg and felt the warm cooked meat in his hand. "What importance would this have to the Japanese?"

As the Russian descended into his meal, he continued to speak. "It is for the safety of the Japan. When the Gate was opened in the streets of Ginza, we were invaded by the Saderan Empire. Now we seek to ensure that Japan is no longer threatened by a foreign terrorists."

After he swallowed his food, the Ranger found the last two words odd. "Foreign terrorists? Why the change in vocabulary? Wouldn't this attack by these foreign troops be considered an invasion?"

"Not necessarily, these people have terrorized the citizens of Japan and we are here to ensure that they remain safe and secure on this strange new world."

"I understand, but if you were attacked by a foreign power that would constitute a provocation of war and would brings your nation into a war." Then he looked outside the window to see a platoon of Japanese soldiers jogging outside. "Which begs me to question, where are the Americans? They should be here to help their Japanese ally in dealing with this threat an honoring their treaty they have with your government."

The lieutenant smiled. "I'm afraid that I cannot comment on my nation's current situation with the United States?"

"Bullshit!" Maxim bursted out, returning his gaze upon the young man. "I've spent enough time in the Spetsnaz to know when someone is trying to avoid the answer."

"You are from the Russian special forces? What brings your government into this world?"

The Russian government? The Ranger took a moment of silence to realize how long it has been since the Moscow Metro Command had fallen. In the initial years, the members of the government were doing well, but greed and power went to their heads - leading to the current situation within the tunnels. Then he thought about the Japanese officer and his government, didn't they know about the bombs? "Lieutenant, I don't know what you are talking about. The Russian government hasn't been formed ever since the bombs fell."

When Maxim looked at Yanagida, he saw the man's confusion surprised by his words. "Excuse me, could you clarify what you meant by that?"

"Didn't one of your soldiers in during the defense of that town get informed about my people's situation? He should have forwarded his report to you."

"He has, but I came here to verify whether what you say is true."

"You want evidence, go find my shit and find some nosalis skins or some of their teeth to support his report."

"What is a nosalis?" He asked.

"It's a mutant species that evolved from mole rats. If a report from some recon unit doesn't satisfy you then that will. Believe me, I have some scars to prove it."

"You survived World War Three?"

"Yes, but you also forgot the extra twenty years of surviving that five minute mess." Maxim answered. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"No, I just didn't think… I'd come across someone from such an event."

"Well, I would appreciate it if you gave me another question or stop gawking and let me finish my meal alone."

Ever since the locals were deemed the Rangers and the Japanese as their heroes, Artyom took a seat on a wooden chair and cooked a fresh batch of shroom tea. It had been awhile since he had a proper taste of home. Then he looked at his watch, ten minutes had passed - enough time to heat up the kettle of his favorite tea. The Ranger grabbed his cup beside him and poured its content inside before taking a quick taste of his home recipe.

He was quick to recognize Milena arrive by his campfire as she sat across from him. "Is that tea?" She asked.

Despite her friendly nature at the moment, he didn't feel comfortable around her company. She was a spy who almost tried to kill him and they always brought trouble. "Yes, why do you ask?"

"It's that I didn't expect that a soldier like yourself would be brewing tea. Most men would find abhor the idea that they would be cooking something us ladies would normally do."

Artyom shook his head at her comment. "My home station is renowned for its tea, the best in the Metro. Do you want some?"

"Yes please." He handed her his cup before he looked around in his knapsack for his back up cup if he ever lost the first one. "You speak highly of your home."

"It's merely fact. Other stations would pay to get their hands on my home's secrets, but we would rather die than give that up to several people. Without that tea, we become irrelevant on the maps." He explained. "Now drink."

She lifted her cup began to drink it down. After she had taken in the tea's contents, Milena glanced at its contents. "I've tasted many drinks in my time in the Empire, but this is quite different. I feel relaxed despite my first sip."

"Exhibition's tea was made to be like that. The person paying for it would get their bullet's worth by having a warm and relaxing experience that the knock-offs can't compete with."

"What do these imitators do?"

"They use pig fat to try and replicate the taste, but it taste like excrement." Artyom answered. "That was probably my greatest regret, tasting tea made from anybody else who is not from Exhibition station."

He noticed the young woman smiling before laughing to herself. "Tea - it is what brings people together on such moments and a good way to get a conversation going."

Then Artyom smiled at the thought. Milena was indeed a spy, but she certainly had taste he had to give her that.

Their attention was turned away from the warm kettle over the fire pit when a loud noise was blown in the distance. When it was finished, the great announcement caught the attention of the sentries. Those standing at their posts upon the battlements pointed their fingers at the distance up ahead before they relayed the news to those living behind Italica's walls. "Worry not, my fellow people. It's the Knights of the Rose Order."

Although the news was noteworthy, the Ranger looked around to see the peasants return back to their normal lives as if the battle he had fought didn't exist before. However, he still gained the praise of several passersby trying to honor him as if he was some kind of savior. Yet, Artyom refused to accept such honor aside from smiling at the people he protected.

Then Milena spoke. "They are late."

He turned his head towards her. "You know about them?" He asked.

"Knights of the Rose Order, they are the Imperial Princess's soldiers. Do not be impressed by their ranks and equipment. Although the Rose Order is trained, the don't have the experience of the Imperial soldiers deployed throughout the realm of Falmart."

His head turned towards the main gates and saw dozens upon dozens of mounted knights trotting into the settlement with their banners held high and waving in the wind. "I don't know, they might be worth some military value. After all, I was just some mushroom farmer from a backwater station."

While he observed the arrival of these knights, Artyom noticed their eyes giving him daggers before returning their full attention towards the road. They noticed him, but were not fond of seeing him. The people close-by had stepped aside to let the knights get through; however, the expressions of such warriors became ambivalent to those whose status was beneath them.

Once the first three groups were finished passing by, the Ranger recognized a JSDF soldier walking behind them, but his hands were in bonds. His face was filled with scars and some bits of dried blood on his face. Although his face appeared tired, he was 'encouraged' by two knights with lances in hand. "What are they doing?" Artyom wondered.

He rose from his seat and grabbed his Kalashnikov as he walked towards the prisoner forced to walk to his destination. Yet, his presence to intercept him was found out when one of handlers rode her horse towards him. "Stay away from the prisoner!" She cried out. Despite her resistance, Artyom continued towards the man. Then she brought her horse to stay between him and her. "I don't recognize your clothes, are you the enemy who holds Alnus Hill?"

The Ranger stopped in his tracks and looked up at the girl with the strange purple hair. "No, I am not your enemy, but I am curious why you are dragging him along?"

"If you so wonder, this enemy of ours was leaving Italica to Alnus. His company left him behind to die and now we bring him to her highness."

He looked past her horse, only to recognize a familiar face. "That's Lieutenant Itami."

She drew her sword. "You know him?!"

"Yes. Itami and I were one of the few defenders who were fighting alongside the locals to keep the bandits out." Artyom explained.

On his right, there was a blonde knight riding towards the purple-haired one from the front of the convoy of knights. "Beefeater, what is holding the prisoner?"

She pointed her sword towards him. "Apparently, he knows the enemy who occupies Alnus Hill. However, he claims that our prisoner and his companions were here in Italica assisting her highness against bandits."

"I find that very difficult to believe." The blonde replied, scoffing at his appearance. "What proof do you have that you weren't the bandits."

Milena appeared beside him, speaking up. "My good ladies, I can attest that Artyom speaks the truth."

"Who are you?"

"Lower your voice, girl. That tone might find trouble where you least find it. I am Lady Milena di Revel of the Emperor's Blades."

Their faces turned white with horror, whatever title Milena had was important and these young women feared her. Strange how he always had a knack for finding the odd people on his journey.

"I recommend that you release the prisoner, her highness will have quite an explanation to handle on why we were fighting alongside the enemy upon the hill."

The girl with the blonde hair looked to the other knights. "Cut the ropes." They reluctantly did as they were told, releasing the JSDF prisoner of war, but his strength was failing him when he fell to his legs. Artyom walked over to the tired man as he slipped his assault rifle onto his back, getting the attention of the foreigner.

There was a slight smile from him as the Polis Ranger placed his arm around his shoulders and carried him. "Come on, Lieutenant Itami. Let's see if we can patch you up." Then he reached for his radio. "Alexsandr, mind guarding the wagons. I got to get someone to an infirmary if they have one."

Lieutenant Yanagida walked into his superior's office and saluted the commander before him. "Lieutenant, do you have any information from our Russian guest?" General Hazama questioned.

The young man nodded his head. "Yes sir, the man's discussion with me has matched up with several evidence from Third Recon's report. There is a consistency that these men claim to be survivors of World War Three and have entered the Special Region from a second Gate."

"Has this man confirmed where it is located?"

"No, not at the moment, but he also has additional information from his side that might be true?"

"Is there?"

"Yes sir. Maxim has informed me that he carries some skin of a creature along with some teeth from his world. As for what purpose, I do not know, but that might prove his point."

"I will have to send those items over to the scientists we currently have right now to see if they're real to some degree. In the meantime, we're going to have to locate that second Gate and secure it. Since Third Recon was the first to contact this strange version of Russians they will be tasked in finding it."

Then the lieutenant was reminded of who was in charge of that recon team. "Sir, Lieutenant Itami is the leader of Third Recon. Isn't he needed for the Diet."

"Yes, but all he needs to do is locate the second one. It should be a milk run for him before returning back to Alnus."

"Are you sure that we should delay his arrival to the Diet?" He asked.

Hazama nodded his head in confirmation. "The government would understand, the Special Region is a vast land and Lieutenant Itami might get lost getting back. Although he could have have been transported from Italica by air, it would have left his team leaderless."

"I understand." Yanagida knew what the general meant by this. Since the lieutenant was in the field it shouldn't be too hard for that man to find the second Gate to pin on the map of the Special Region. It's not like he would have a knack in getting himself along with his team in a world of trouble.

Two Rangers patrolled the tunnels between the Gate and Polis Station. Every now and then, they would encounter a lurker passing by or a stalker who just got out of the surface. Rost pulled out a small pack from his breast pocket, getting the attention of his partner beside him. "May I have one?"

He smiled as he opened it and then handed one to his friend. The Ranger reached into his pocket for a lighter and flicked the bullet cap open. Normally, a small flame would have appeared, but it did not. Rost tried to flick the lighter to life, but to no avail. "Scalp, mind using your light?"

"Sure." His friend pulled out his lighter and flicked his cap open, with a small flame ready to light the tip of his cigarette.

"Spasibo." When Scalp brought his lighter to his face, Rost heard gunfire fly past their heads. "Get down!" He shouted as the two Rangers fell onto the tracks. "Put the lights out." He changed the tone of his voice before stuffing the burning light into the concrete.

The gunfire had came from ahead of him, but it was too dark to see. Rather than waiting, he lowered his night visions goggles. The naked eye couldn't see that far; however, the goggles showed dozens of men in Nazi uniforms slowly proceed towards them.

"Scalp, take the left side of the tunnel, I'll take the right." Rost whispered.

"Got it."

Soon, the Ranger crawled to his designated position where the concrete would protect him. Once he found his small corner, he looked across to see his friend do the same on his side. The darkness disappeared when the Nazis turned on their flashlights. Rost could hear one of their men talk. "Watch your corners, those Rangers are still alive!"

Scalp peeked out of cover and fired off his Kalash back at the enemy before slipping back to safety while gunfire chipped off bits of concrete. Rost drew his Bastard and aimed his sights down at three targets pushing up on his fellow's side. When he pulled the trigger, two of them were riddled with bullets as the last man fell to the ground. If this kept up, the Nazis would overrun them by numbers alone. He reached for his radio, calling for support. "Spartan Command, Spartan Command, this is Rost. Scalp and I are under fire."

He heard a young start asking questions. "In that tunnel? Who's attacking?"

"The fucking Nazis." Rost answered before lighting a grenade from his lighter and tossing it over at the enemy. "Warn the colonel and inform base camp."

Then he heard Scalp shout to him. "Fuck, they have panzers!" Just as he said those words, a rocket grenade flew past them.

"We have to do our best to delay the bastards!"

Author's Note: This chapter felt like a struggle to get through. I just have this odd moment whenever I try to get past the tenth chapter, it somehow feels like it is the hardest activity to do. Now that I am done, I hope all of you enjoyed this… new development to the plot.

king Quinn The Last Heir: Depends on how dangerous the threat is.

Assistant Elite General Matteo: Okay.

Mutant Vodka: Yeah, but it's still going to be the Russian countryside still.

delta2177: Yes indeed.

last admiral: White Russian? I'm not ignorant of them, but how would that be relevant at all?

headreviewer mk2: I'm going to reiterate what I said before, they haven't been maintained for twenty years. Even if the Russians do find them working, they wouldn't be able to get them out because nuclear war probably made some tunnels collapse and made it impossible for these vehicles to get out. Even if they do clear the rubble, the vehicles are unsuitable for the surface because whatever roads that were before are gone.

Guest: Okay?

Psihopatul: You're welcome.

SabereCommander: Yep.