News of the Nazis' treachery reached everywhere. This was an act of war against the Order and they would learn why Polis is not an authority to be trifled with. Many contingencies were in place in case any of the factions did step out of line and threaten the safety of the Metro. Despite the Fourth Reich having more numbers than the Rangers, the Red Army was quick to volunteer their services to the Council. It wasn't out of respect for the Order, but out of pragmatism and public reputation. This was their political ammunition to keep the Nazis in check.

Colonel Miller was in the company of his Rangers while the Polis Guardsmen established blockades around the Reich's embassy out of the station. Men clad in black armor looked over their walls of sandbags while the officer walked past them with a dozen men to clear the building out. He was certain that the enemy would contain some orders from their superiors.

The tight corners of these 'streets' could easily involve a machine gun and their access to the embassy would be sealed off. Thankfully, the Order knew all of the nooks and crannies regarding the entire station. None of their heavy troopers would know they would be attacked from the rear.

The Spartan Commander slowly walked underneath the floorboards of the Nazi embassy as his eyes noticed many of the Reich's personnel walk over them. Several meters away and they would be underneath a trap door and be inside. Miller climbed up the wooden ladder before he slowly lifted the cover out of place, only to see the Nazi officer on the other side of the room, looking at his plans on a table. Then he glanced down to his men below and placed a finger before his face.

After climbing into the same room as the officer, he looked past the man and noticed a green metal door waiting for him to open it up. However, he would have to take his time with this man while he drew his knife and quietly crept up on the officer. When he was a meter away, his hand shot out and covered his mouth before the cold rusty steel drew blood from its victim. "Ladna, get in."

Ranger-after-Ranger climbed up the ladder and joined their superior in the room while he began to look at the papers on the table. There were maps, but they were written with troop numbers and stations currently under their control. However, the colonel was not looking for that. No, his hand found a file hiding several papers printed in black ink while he flipped through each page while his eyes skimmed through the information. What was clear was that the Fuhrer had planned this himself while he was busy spreading his nonsense in the Reich.

He heard the door creak open, causing him to turn his head in its direction. A Nazi soldier stood at the doorway and became stiff when he noticed their presence alongside his fallen comrade. Before he had an opportunity to sound the alarm and raise his weapon, a quick whisper through the air was enough to silence him. The soldier looked at his chest, only to see a bolt sticking out of it. "I'm fucked." The Nazi stated before his body landed on the floorboards.

Another pair of footsteps came towards the door while the rest of the Rangers drew their weapons and aimed their barrels towards the entrance. Miller was quick to hold them back. "Don't shoot."

He recognized the old man with a sense of relief and confusion altogether. "Khan, what the hell are you doing here?"

The old man in the red bandana lowered his makeshift crossbow as he stepped into the room. "I found the man who leaked the information to the Reich." He began. "By the time I arrived, it appears you needed assistance in dealing with these men."

"I appreciate the help. Is there anymore outside?"

Khan shook his head. "No, I easily dispatched them from the shadows."

"Good." The colonel dismissed his men with the wave of his hand. "Rangers, secure the embassy. I want those fuckers to pay for this."

There was an immediate "yes sir" from his troops before they left the room for the ancient man and the old colonel.

"Khan, I'm going to ask the Council to allocate some men to find Artyom, but I need you to do something."

"What would that be?"

"Do you mind thinning out the Nazis in the Western Tunnel. It would be a blessing for my men."

"Will help, but do make it quick. I have a feeling the Nazis are committed to this war than the one against the communists."

Out of everything Colonel Miller had against Khan, he just found it odd that he would agree with the strange man. "That makes two of us." Then he focused his full attention on files lying about in the room.

Days had passed ever since the Rangers were cut off from Polis. Thankfully, the Japanese Self-Defense Force merely gave them a place to stay in the meantime a courtesy that even Artyom could appreciate. Although they were told they could move around and have the free movement to explore the base of Alnus Hill, they must have somebody around to keep an eye on them. A small sacrifice to enjoy what he saw as pre-war luxuries.

While the others enjoyed the new technologies and had easy access to showers, the young man found himself eating alone with his tray of food provided by the Japanese. He slowly took the opportunity to savor each taste as if it was his last, but was rather confused why these people used small wooden sticks to eat their food than something simple like a fork or a knife. Still, he didn't mind the struggle of eating his food as long as it was not cooked rats, mushrooms, or pork. Now he understood why his elders kept telling him that variety is the spice of life.

He felt the table shake as a stranger took her seat across from him. Artyom looked up from his food, only to find one of the Japanese express a smile in his direction. He had seen her before, one of the women that was under Itami's command. "Hello there," she began. "I hope I'm not interrupting you."

The Russian was quick to take a piece of salmon into his mouth, having an excuse from not replying back.

"I see you're enjoying the food. My name is Mari Kurokawa, 3rd Recon's medic."

He quickly swallowed the grilled fish, he gave out his hand, a respectful gesture she could hopefully understand. After they shook hands, the Polis Ranger took the risk to speak. "Artyom Alekseyevich Chyornyj, but you can call me Artyom for short."

"Hello Artyom, I have a few questions for you." She replied. "Do you have the time to answer them?"

"Sure, but really depends on the questions themselves."

"No worries, you don't have to answer all of them." Then she reached into her pockets and pulled out a notepad before him. "Why are you all by yourself?"

He was surprised at the question about him. "The other Rangers are enjoying their time with the luxuries of life. I suppose I just have my own ways of spending my free time."

"That would be the food, yes?" Kurokawa wondered.

Artyom answered her question with a nod of his head. "Honestly, I've never tasted this food before. It's amazing how much was lost when the bombs fell. It's a pity my childhood was wasted away by the sins of our ancestors."

"You mention the bombs falling? Do you have anything to tell me about it?"

"Most children in the Metro were usually too young to remember anything about it or just outright refuse to think about it. I don't blame them, the memory of seeing your families fleeing their homes before it burned to ashes is too hard to bear, even for me. Though, I doubt I can ever forget that day."

"You were there when the bombs fell?" She asked. "I thought you said they were too young to remember such an event."

"It's hard not to forget the moment you tasted ice cream for the first and last time of your life with your mother."

"I apologize if I've asked too much into your life."

"No offense taken, there is nothing neither of us could do about it. I've learned to live with it."

The young woman merely shook her head. "It shouldn't be easy to cope with such events. Somehow you have to face the trauma involved with it."

Artyom lowered his head and picked at the small white bits before putting them in his mouth. "My mother didn't die during the bombs, she was lucky enough to join me into the Metro. However, the amount of trauma the great bombs had was nothing compared to the things I've seen in the tunnels."

"How could there be anything worse than that? Surely, the fallout shouldn't be that terrible aside from radiation poisoning."

He straightened his back and placed his hands behind his head. "My station was attacked by a swarm of rats and my mother was one of their victims. Out of the hundreds that have survived the bombs, only a five-man patrol a baby boy survived being eaten alive by rodents. As for the things I've faced after that, radiation is a strange side of mother nature."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up something personal. Perhaps I should ask another time."

"Are you sure that you want to do that? I thought you were genuinely interested."

"With all due respect, my questions are asking you how you've been and I'm sure that you didn't survive a nuclear holocaust to be asked by somebody who has little idea." Mari replied. "It seems unfair that you're not angry."

"Death is normal as the air we breathe, such is life in the Metro. To be angry at our own plight usually gets a stalker killed. That's why I'm so calm about it. A cool-headed mind is a thin line between living another day and lying among some skeletons."

"Perhaps I should bring you into a sessions and discuss your psych evaluation later."

Then an honest question cameinto mind. "What's a psych evaluation?"

Uhlman walked into the room with one of his ex-Spetsnaz Rangers to accompany him. The veteran knew what he was getting himself into when he saw the gaze of several Japanese officers sitting at a single table with their commander focusing his full attention on him. Thankfully, Aleksandr understood the Japanese language better than he could. The older man spoke in his native tongue before he gestured his hand to two empty chairs opposite from him. "I take that he wants us to take a seat."

Although the man's face no longer carried his cumbersome helmet with the face shield, his mask did everything to hide his identity save for his eyes. "Da, let's not stand her like watchmen." After they sat down, the Japanese general spoke up once more with Aleksandr doing everything he could to translate every sentence for Uhlman. "This is General Hazama, the commander of the Special Region."

"Tell the general that we appreciate the JSDF's willingness to take us in while we wait for your tunnel equipment to open that out." When he was finished, Aleksandr translated the Russian language back into Japanese while General Hazama nodded approvingly. He raised his voice as he spoke in great detail based on the length of his words. "Mind telling me what's that about?"

"He says that the Japanese government is surprised by your presence and that our ambassadors are willing to conduct business with the highest rank of your people. General Hazama also states that you will discuss whatever matters with them in Japan since he doesn't have any clearance to negotiate with foreign nationals." The heavyweight Russian answered.

"Do inform him that I am the only 'qualified' person who has the seniority over the men, but we would be better off to open the tunnel to the Moscow Metro and clear the way to Polis Station. That way, I can get in contact with our civilian council to agree to a diplomatic discussion between our respective governments."

"The general understands your concerns; however, he says that bringing us to Japan will cement any future diplomacy with your superiors. Better to start somewhere than nothing."

Uhlman was okay with the offer. Had it been the Nazis or the Reds, he would have been wary, but the Japanese were neither of those two politically extreme groups. At the very least, they wouldn't kill them over being racially non-Russian or hold political views that went against the communist ideals. It was a blessing and a risk he was taking, but until the Council brought a representative to conduct a full-fledged meeting with these pre-war foreigners. Now if Colonel Miller had a say in this, he would scream in his ear for agree to this in the first place. "Tell him, I'll come with your people to Japan. However, I have a condition. I want to bring a friend along to keep me company."

After Aleksandr translated his decision, General Hazama nodded his out of respect and smiled. "Very well, I will be making the arrangements for your transportation."

Emperor Molt Sol Augustus sat on his throne after a long day of contending with the Senate and the dealing with the matters of the court. The age-older leader of the Saderan Empire relaxed with his shoulders no longer feeling the tension of expectation. It was quite the burden, but a small price he paid to have this power all to himself.

His retainer, Marcus, stepped into the room on his right flank as he carried a scroll in hand. Was it another report? "Your majesty, I have news from one of your agents out in the field. She has discovered there are two Gates opened into Falmart."

That was indeed fresh news despite the defeat of his rivals at Alnus Hill. The emperor knew the enemy's counter-offensive from the first Gate allowed them to fortify their positions on the holy imperial grounds. However, the mere mention of the second Gate was complete surprise. Did these foreigners have a full understanding of the magical properties of the gods to open a new route?

When Marcus was beside him, he walked up the steps on his throne and handed the scroll to him. He would have to learn more about dealing with this new incursion into imperial lands. Molt personally opened the scroll before his eyes fell upon paragraph after paragraph of details regarding these foreigners. Yet, he noted they were not the same as the Jay-ess-dee-eff soldiers who held the ground on Alnus Hill. Instead, he was reading about warriors who were more foreign than the invaders, but didn't appear to have any alliances against his army. Although different, they were willing to protect the subjects of the Empire under their watch and prevent bandits from taking advantage of them. "Marcus, thank you for bringing this to me. I find this second Gate an interesting opportunity."

"Sire, what opportunity would that be? Do you intend to subjugate them as vassals?" The bald old man questioned.

"No, nothing that far out. I do intend to welcome them into the Empire. Are they enemies with the Japanese allies with the enemy who occupies Alnus?"

His retainer shook his head. "Your agent claims they will be neutral, but not for long. Milena believes they have cooperated with the enemy and an Imperial garrison in dealing with the bandit forces threatening the breadbasket of our Empire."

Now that caught his attention. This third party was willing to help his Empire quell an army of marauders from taking the very town from Sadera. It was almost unheard of, but real life was stranger than fiction. Tales from the north were very enjoyable to those who had a romantic naive view of the world. When his eyes fell upon the final piece of the scroll, the spy mentioned how much she was compromised. One of them found out she was spying on them, but was merciful enough to stay his hand. Perhaps it was because she was a woman, nonetheless it was a pity any more information about these people will never flow anymore. "I should speak with my generals, another legion would safeguard the Empire's lifeline."

"Sire, are you sure that is wise?" Marcus questioned. "A hastily formed legion consisting of poorly-trained and ill-equipped soldiers into combat would be a disaster."

"At the moment, it's the only force capable of securing Italica." Molt answered. "They will hold that town until one of the legions pulled from one of our trusted vassals replaces them. A temporary measure to keep the enemy at bay."

The bald man nodded his head. "My apologies for my ignorance."

"No need for forgiveness, I believe you deserve insight to what I have in store. Given that our scorched-earth policy is in place, the Empire needs that supply of grain to keep flowing."

Within the darkness of the Metro tunnels, three Nazi soldiers were following the line of the tracks until they found a broken-down trolley smashed into the gates. One of them was irritated at the sight. "What the fuck?! Does anybody understand how much cartridges it costed me to get this installed?"

His fellow man on his right drew his makeshift sub-machine gun and aimed it at the seat. "Command told us a spy was coming this way. Where is the spy?"

A charming surprise came from behind. "If you're looking for insurance, it's right behind you." When the trio turned their heads, the stranger from the darkness mocked the suppressed pistol in his hands. "Pew, pew, pew." Three headshots later, the Nazi patrol found itself lying on the tracks as the communist nicked every single weapon off the fallen and walked away into the night. "Pathos to command, I'm going returning back to Revolution on foot. Don't worry about me."

Static echoed throughout the room before it cleared up for the person behind the radio. "Understood, keep safe. General Moskvin will be waiting for you."

"Well, time to double-time it then."

Perseus12: Something like that will happen in the future.

Junior VB: Indeed.

Psihopatul: Thanks for the review. I wanted to accelerate the story somewhat, because I have a tendency to drawing out the plot to a point that it might end up with fifty chapters. However, given the objectives of the story, the idea was to have a natural problem block all access with the MetroRussians in Falmart which brings up a whole assortment of issues for the Japanese.

headreviewer mk2: Not really. Mortar shells have much power as the makeshift tanks of the Metro.

last admiral: Given that the US and the Russians are on the UN Security Council, Japan doesn't really have a choice. As for White Russians, the only one I know of is a RWBY fic about Team RWBY being sent to several parts of Russia during the Russian Civil War, but it's on SpaceBattles and not on . However, that fic has been dead for awhile.

Commanding After Dark: The makeshift juggernauts are only juggernauts, because the sheets of metal on their armor are enough to block the makeshift bullets built in the Metro. The actual problem the JSDF have is that they have no textbook knowledge on how to deal with an enemy that fights in a nuclear-razed territory and holds the home advantage. What makes it problematic is that blowing up one tunnel makes the fighting even fiercer like the German rattenkrieg to the Allies during WWII. It's the location that is the problem, not the troops or the tactics.

As for the Rangers relying on the JSDF, they don't have any good reason not to rely on them. The JSDF have the only route to a modern world that isn't destroyed by a nuclear war. The Rangers don't have much of a choice, because they truly need to get past them in order to inform the UN about the atrocities of the Nazis and the Red Line and get somebody to enforce an actual rule of law that makes a Order a legitimate leader of the Metro. Resisting the JSDF's help would worsen the problems found in the Metro, because everyone else is scrounging up anything to survive.

Someguy the Anon: Thanks.