Today was supposed to be a normal working session about publishing out a new doujinshi, but then the internet exploded. Online sources, media outlets, and news organizations were quick to cover it when they began to distribute a document that was posted by an anonymous source whose account was deleted soon after. Risa would have disregarded the attention until the news articles started to show up on her blog regarding the Gate. Somebody had leaked the information from the Japanese government and the results were shocking. Everyone - including her - was busy sorting through the material to fulfill their curiosity. For Risa it was somewhat personal. After all, her ex-husband was among the three divisions deployed into the Special Region. Perhaps she could postpone her work and read the news while she tightened her blanket around herself.

As Risa looked through pages and pages of government documents that she downloaded for herself, she found the temptation to use this information for a future doujinshi when she had the chance? Yet, the idea would never be written on paper. Apparently, the JSDF was in a fantasy world where they fought against a nation that called itself the Saderan Empire, but that was not caught her eye. There was additional information about a second Gate connecting to this foreign continent. It was connected to a similar world like Earth, but the report mentioned that World War Three happened and was twenty years ahead of the current timeline. However, the JSDF had met with the survivors of a post-apocalypse war who were just as curious as them.

The lonely artist grew jealous of her ex-husband's involvement with the Russian survivors. Anybody from this world would pay to see World War Three survivors and the people of some fantasy kingdom in a far away land. The mere thought of the man who paid her bills came into mind as she brought out her phone, only to see that he was surprised she went through all of that money. He had every opportunity to leave her, but Risa understood her former husband more than anybody. He wasn't a bad guy.

She scrolled through the pages of content, only to see the Russian Federation was quite responsive to the news. Compared to their fellow powerful nations, there was outrage from their citizens that the Japanese didn't even disclose the topic about their fellow people enduring the radioactive fallout. Then she looked through the links, only to see references to radioactive disasters in the Soviet Union, such as Chernobyl. However, Risa noticed that in each article from the several news sources she trusted, the Japanese had not made a comment regarding the post-apocalypse Russians.

When Risa was half-way into the PDF, images and additional video downloads began to appear. Each image showed these Russians in worn out kevlar armor, some of which just consisted to be sheets of metal. They were laughing as it appeared they were having a conversation with a group of JSDF soldiers. After she downloaded the videos, she played them. The Russian language was present, but some of these survivors apparently were fluent in Japanese. "-What happened was that Dimitri bumped into this girl - while under the influence of moonshine - he mistaken her for a mutant. Which resulted in this pissed off girl who was so mad she slapped him into a hangover. Although funny right now, I had to drag is ass off so he doesn't sleep in the middle of the street."

It was truly a funny moment as the members of the JSDF joined the Russians in a great laughter. Despite all of this, Risa became concerned for his well-being as anything could go wrong on the other side of the Gate.

Hopefully, Itami would have some answers soon.

To her sudden surprise, Risa felt her pocket buzz to life as slipped out her phone. There was a message sent to her from the man himself. "Risa, I'm coming home." Good, with his help he could bring back the power, some warm food, and good old company.

. . .

When the group arrived at the restaurant, Artyom was quite surprised to see that this place was not as bad as he expected. Restaurants in the Metro always had trouble cleaning their workplace, but this level of cleanliness would have shocked the underground managers. Once he took his seat at an table, he noticed Itami making the orders for the rest of the group while Uhlman sat across from him. "Can you smell that?" The Ranger raised his head high to sniff the air while enjoying the smell from his chair. "Japanese food, it has been two decades since I had genuine Japanese food."

The young man simply waited as he appreciated the thought of eating anything that wasn't cooked pork and rat to mushrooms in mushroom sauce. The smell of cooked meat in the air was difficult to ignore as he hoped for the best to come. "Since you know a lot more about Japanese food than I do, what do you expect we'll be eating?"

The veteran shrugged his shoulders. "Hell if I know. The only time I remember about Japanese food is when I was eating it. Nothing else." Uhlman replied. "At best, the food should be one-hundred percent better than the best chefs in the Metro."

Moments later, Artyom found himself surprised when the waiters came up to the tables filled with foreign dignitaries and Japanese soldiers with trays of food. As the waiter brought their food to their table, both were given bowls of strange food he had never seen before. When they were gone, Artyom found himself curious. "What are these strange bits and what is that strangely shaped white thing?"

"That is called rice and that white one is called an egg. Try it, it's good for you." Encouraged the already eating Uhlman. What had surprised the inexperienced Ranger was the two sticks he was eating with. Usually the eating utensils were often metal spoons or forks, but how could one eat with two simple sticks. "I see you're having trouble eating your food, let me help you out." He reached across the table and grabbed the white egg as he cracked it open and poured it's contents out onto the rice and the rest of its contents. "Look, that is how you crack an egg."

A chuckle escaped from a young man. "Thanks, it looks odd that you're teaching a grown man like me how to crack something like that when it should be normal around these parts."

"No problem, just eat up. The food's good."

When Artyom grabbed his two sticks, he watched how Uhlman picked up his meat before eating it. Then he slowly followed the technique while doing his best to make sure not to drop the strange strips of meat. After the effort of getting it to his mouth, he was quick to suck it in before chewing on the warm and juicy meat that filled his mouth. He savored the spices involved into this delicacy as he broke it into smaller pieces before swallowing. By the time he was finished, Artyom felt a great satisfaction in his body. "I have never tasted this before. What's it called?" It was a great question, perhaps he would request such a meal to be made if he returned to Alnus Hill.

"It's called beef. It comes from cows. Pity that there weren't any when the bombs landed. We would have a lot more variety than pigs and rats." Uhlman commented.

The conversation between the duo had quietly ended with their chopsticks digging into the bowls and savoring the foreign meal the JSDF had offered. It almost reminded Artyom of a particular station in the Metro where he ate well-good rats from a group of strangers. Someone had told them they were not Russians and that they didn't eat pork, but they knew how to properly cook a rat and make sure it didn't have parasites. However, that kind of food would not hold up against something like this.

While he ate, he began to think about the possible food that he had a chance to eat again. Then there was a small pause in his chewing. Did they have ice cream in Japan? It was a childish request, but the last time he had ice cream was when the bombs fell on that very day. Perhaps the Japanese would allow him to have a chance - even if it was just one.

Yet, he was not alone in his mind. "This world was just like yours, but without the destruction." Spoke a familiar tone of a Dark One. Artyom knew these creatures had a knack for hiding away and by extension disappearing into thin air. It was good that he was still on good terms with them despite their… previous transgressions against one another.

A small smile was all he could do without appearing strange to the others by talking to himself. "What do you think of it?" Came his question.

"It is strange, the energy here is not as strong as the other world. We will learn as we follow you."

"Next time, tell me you're accompanying us. You already knew what happened when my station reacted badly to your existence. The same might occur in this world."

"We understand. You're the first."

"The first? The first of what?"

"Not now, there are strangers outside. Not malicious, just curious."

The mental conversation ended with the Dark One as Artyom turned his head around and found several white vans outside of the restaurant windows. He had seen these vehicles before - only they were wrecked by nuclear fire. This time, these vehicles had stranger antennas attached to the top of their vehicles. The young man became curious about the purpose of these vehicles as he noted their presence with his only comrade. "Uhlman, do you know what kind of purpose those antennas are for?"

His senior stopped eating after stuffing his mouth with his meal. After swallowing it down, he turned to take a look at the sights. The older man's expression turned his face pale. "Shit, those are news vans." Then he looked over at the table where the JSDF were sitting. "Itami, I didn't get the memo that we would be on the news." The Russian commented.

The JSDF soldiers were surprised by his words as Itami looked out the window to see reporters storming out of their vehicles to approach the restaurant. "Tomita, Kuribayashi, keep them out. We can't let them in." Two of them immediately rose from their seats and walked towards the front entrance to stop them in their tracks. In the meantime, Itami pulled out a small device in his hand and pressed buttons on it. "I'm sorry about this, but could all of you get into the kitchen and eat there instead? We don't want to bring anymore attention to ourselves."

"I shouldn't be surprised." He replied while grabbing his food. "It's hard to blend fantasy royalty, strangers with magical stuff, and two Russians with three JSDF soldiers." When he started moving, his hands quickly tapped Artyom's shoulder. "Tell the girls to follow us."

When Uhlman made his way towards the back of the restaurant, Milena looked around at the immediate change in the room's hungry atmosphere. "Where is your friend going?" She wondered.

Artyom grabbed his bowl and chopsticks before approaching the strangers. "Everyone, get into the kitchen. We don't want to bring attention to ourselves."

A girl in the black and red dress remained ambivalent to his suggestion. "I am the Apostle of Emroy, it shouldn't matter as much."

"Look, just move!"

. . .

News of the post-apocalypse Russians coming from a second Gate and another world had only increased curiosity throughout the globe. Many - reporters and nations - started pondering questions whether the Japanese was not letting the rest of the world know about the situation in the Special Region. Prime Minister Motoi Shinzo sat behind his desk as he received a call from the President of the United States. "President Dirrel, it's good to hear from you. I am sure you are well aware of the leak of information that has been released throughout the internet."

He could hear the American tone echo into his ear. "Yes, I have. It's an interesting case you got there. Post-apocalypse Russians who survived World War Three. Now that is hard to believe given the initial reports of medieval armies arriving in your streets."

"Yes. My government is doing everything it can to help these people out. However, there has been some clashes with several of their people who live in the Moscow Metro." If there was anything Shinzo knew, this was no simple check up call. "So why did you call me?"

"Look, I hate to break it to you, but President Zyuganov intends to involve the United Nations into the Special Region on the grounds that the post-apocalypse survivors are Russian citizens. Of course, we both knew he wants in on the Gate, but he's technically not wrong. I want you to let the United Nations in on the Special Region as well."

"I openly stated that it should be a Japanese endeavor." The prime minister replied. "You should know that."

"Yes you did, but the situation has changed. Based from what is known from the leaks, the Russians found in the Special Region have discovered that they have passports." He explained. "This is going international; however, it does permit me to send additional aid to your people. As for the Russian Federation, I'm going to get a word with their president."

"You are going to talk with Zyuganov. Why?"

"While your people were busy with damage control with the leaks, my intelligence has informed me about Russian army groups mobilizing and going on military drills." Dirrel answered.

When he heard of this news it did not comfort him. The tensions with the recent news coming from the Gate had not helped him in any way, but this seemed to be taking the situation even further than he expected. "He's willing to deploy troops over this matter?"

On the other side of the phone call, he could hear a long sigh come from the American leader. "That is why I'm going to have a word with him while you try to allow the United Nations into the Special Region."

"Look, I am very adamant about not letting them in." Shinzo stated. "The Japanese Self Defense Force can handle the humanitarian matters."

"It's not even that. I'm trying to prevent World War Three and you're being stupid about it. Either let the United Nations on this matter or expect Russian paratroopers in Japan." When he was finished, the line closed on the prime minister.

After putting away the phone, Shinzo looked up to several of his advisors in the room. One of which had spoke his thoughts out. "I take that the conversation with the American went well?"

Shinzo lowered his head as his arms leaned onto his desk. "President Dirrel was merely expressing his concerns after the leak of information towards the rest of the globe." He answered. "Minister Taro, what is the situation with our foreign guests."

The middle-aged man straightened his back. "They are currently trapped by an army of reporters. It appears the leak also included the route to the Diet. Which is the reason why they're late."

"Postpone the Diet matter until tomorrow. Kohara can wait with her questions until tomorrow."

"What of the Imperial representatives and the Russians?" The minister wondered.

"That is for you to solve, but we need to make an official impression that we're welcoming them on their visit into our country."

. . .

The Fourth Reich's declaration of war against the Council had involved an all-out offensive from the Red Line and Hansa. Although they were once enemies back during the Hansa-Red Line War, what they could benefit from destroying one of the major powers throughout the Metro was worth the temporary alliance. It wasn't easy for Polis from keeping the capitalists and the communists from having their ideologies clash with one-another, but it was better than letting the Nazis find a way into the new world. With the access denied due to the tunnel collapsing, hundreds of Nazis placed themselves into defensive posture while consolidating their recent gains from the whole of the Metro.

Two hundred meters out and away from the main defensive line, a Nazi forward observers had taken up positions within the tunnel as an early warning system. Their rail car was always ready, just in case a counter-offensive from the Rangers would occur. Yet, they failed to realize that they were being watched the entire time. Colonel Miller's eyes observed his targets through the scope of his assault rifle - his crosshairs resting upon the Nazi manning the machine gun position atop the rail car. "Now." He ordered.

One moment later, the enemy soldiers stumbled and slumped to the ground. With their weapons already suppressed, no one from the defensive line would ever know what they just did. Then hundreds of footsteps began to echo throughout the darkness until their number was made clear when they approached the rail car's headlights. Polis Rangers, poorly equipped Red Line infantry, and well-armed Hansa soldiers stormed through the position.

"Rangers, man the rail car. It's going to be our way in." Without question, the bodies of the fallen were taken out of their seats - only to be replaced by the able-bodied Rangers. The engine rumbled to life while the armored hull slowly joined the direction of the main army. Then machine gunner had started cranking the turret to join the assault.

The colonel continued to follow after the troops as they proceeded past the observation point with their weapons drawn. When the soldiers saw the outline of the enemy defenses and their enemies, tracer fire flew in their direction. "Machine gun!" A nameless soldier screamed to the top of his lungs.

Many of the Hansa and Red Line soldiers in the first ranks were cut down and torn apart. Forcing others to fall to the ground, but their captured rail car was quick to return fire on the enemy. They had to push forward, if they stopped in their tracks, the trapped Rangers in the new world were relying on them. Thankfully, he prepared for this situation. "Get the shields up here, right now!"

Ancient weapons from the past had returned when smoke grenades were tossed before the attacking force. As the enemy was out of sight, dozens of soldiers quickly ran past their comrades with thick and large metal shields in hand. One-by-one they formed a wall of protection before the army as an officer ran up behind their ranks with a pistol drawn. "Advance!" He cried out while Miller stuck to the left side of the tunnel to witness the coordination of the Red Line soldiers.

Men lifted the heavy protection off the ground and slowly marched towards the enemy positions. In the meantime, the rail car machine gun fired bursts over their heads as the occasional soldier peeked over the shield bearers to fire off several rounds before huddling behind the slow and mobile cover. Then the Polis colonel followed these men into battle as he looked over his shoulder to encourage his fellow allies to ready themselves for the ruthless and inhumane warfare that ruled these tunnels.

Author's Note: Apologies for the surprise change, but I accidentally posted the wrong revision of Chapter 16.