Artyom waited patiently outside of the room as Uhlman was in a meeting with Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although he wanted to be in on the conversation, the senior ranger assured him that he could handle this matter himself. For a joker, he was unsure if he would give off the wrong impression as he sat quietly in his chair. However, he had to let fate take its course while the Imperials were in a discussion with another member of the Japanese government. This only left the Polis Ranger and the Imperial spy sitting across from one another.

He tried not to earn her attention by reading the few magazines on the table in front of him, but the young woman was unsure when she tried it. Then he remembered - she couldn't read Japanese or understand what the pictures implied. The best thing he could do was initiate small-talk with her, despite her status as a spy. "Don't even try to read it, I highly doubt you could make any more sense of what it says in those pages. Even I'm having problems with that."

A warm smile was the message she returned. "I appreciate your efforts to try and make my situation comfortable, but let's retain our sensibilities. Your companion must be doing a better job than her highness and her aide."

"I have my doubts," Artyom replied. "Uhlman and I were out drinking and we're lucky enough to become sober to act accordingly. At the moment, my fingers are crossed at what could go wrong?"

Her expression appeared confused. "Why are you crossing your fingers? Is something wrong? Should I get a healer of some sort?"

He shook his head. "No. It's an expression where I come from - one that these people are somewhat familiar with. Uhlman and I are taking a massive chance at meeting with a representative after drinking."

"Thank you, it clears everything up."

"Your welcome." Then he leaned back with his eyes looking at his watch to see the time pass by.

Artyom could hear the conversation in the meeting result with the doors being unlocked. As they swung open, he stood up from his seat while Milena watched from her side of the waiting section. Out from the room, Uhlman smiled to the Japanese representative and shook hands with him before stepping towards him. "It appears things have gone well while we waited for this moment."

"What happened?"

"I had expectations that the Japanese were not going to let the idea of getting the United Nations involved since they are getting their control of the Special Region," He answered. "However, it appears that the Russians from this world heard of our plight and somehow pulled off a stunt to convince a UN inspector to check our people out."

"So what does this mean?" Artyom questioned. "I'm sorry that I don't know much about this UN, but this sounds like a good thing from the way your smiling."

"It is a good thing. The United Nations might get us the things we've been fighting and dying for decades. They're going to establish a refugee camp near our Gate and get as many people as we can out of the tunnels. Do you think we should celebrate?"

The young man shook his head. "We already have enough alcohol, let's not ruin everything."

"Alright, we should get going."

"We're going back already?"

"Yes. The Japanese are giving us a ride on our way back to their base. They'll be in the lobby by the time we get down." Uhlman answered.

"That's good. Let me use the restroom and I'll meet you there."

As the older Polis Ranger went his way, Artyom stayed where he was before he turned his gaze upon the spy sitting in her chair. "It looks like I'm going."

She nodded her head. "I knew he would have a better conversation with the Japanese than her highness. You should go, your people need you."

"I know, but I hope things work out for your people as well." He replied. "Goodbye, Milena."

"Goodbye, Artyom."

A moment later, their attention was set elsewhere as they moved on with their lives. One with hope; one with dread.

If there was one thing Maxim hated, it was being in a wheelchair. The damaging effect a spear could do to his leg was apparent due to pulling out. There was the issue of never walking again, but it did have its perks as he rolled into a room full of television. The Japanese personnel was surprised by his arrival - most of them consisting of young men as they watched an animated show about characters using robots into battle. Pity he couldn't bring his brothers-in-arms in and relax in the lounge area.

Interested in the animation, the Russian stayed there as one of the Japanese soldiers turned on the subtitles. He didn't have to do that, but it honestly enthralled him. After twenty years of service to the motherland, he had every right to sit back and watch television. Despite the entertainment, his time was short-lived when a medical professional in a white coat walked up to him. "Is there something you need?" He asked.

The man nodded his head. "Someone wishes to see you outside. He's one of the locals in the Special Region. Does the name Hal ring any bells for you?"

"Yes. He's the one who I fought alongside at that town besieged by bandits. What's he doing here?"

"The young man says he wants to see if you are well."

"Shit, help me see him in person! It's been a while since I've had a friendly face come to me." The professional grabbed his wheelchair and moved his seat for him, going through the various hallways and past the rooms of local patients.

When he was brought to the front of the building, Maxim saw a young man in the same armor he fought in as the Japanese military police had disarmed him of his sword. "Hey, you're alive! I thought your wounds would have gotten the best of you."

Maxim let out a laugh. "It takes more than a fucking spear to kill me." Then he glanced to the man behind him. "Thanks to the Japanese, I'm getting better each day."

"Good news, maybe we can go to that tavern and get some drink from the wenches?" The peasant suggested.

He shook his head. "I'm sorry, but the beer might mess with my pain medicine. Once I'm out of this goddamn wheelchair then we can get started."

"Pity. I would have introduced you to some dice games and see who would have the favor of the gods."

Now that Hal showed up, he became curious what things have been like since the Battle of Italica ended in victory. "So, how are things going with you and your people? Is the situation getting any better?

"Yes. Ever since the bandit army was defeated by your otherworldly magics, trade is getting better without merchants getting attacked. Though it isn't a happy ending that all of us would have."

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Now that was enough to raise his attention.

"The lady knights of the Rose Order requested that I become the militia captain of Italica," He replied. "However, my father is not so keen on letting me go commit to these duties."

"Ah. So you come here for my advice?"

"You do seem to know a thing or two about life. Yes." Hal answered.

"Kid, you and I have lived different lives. There is not much advice I can offer. Perhaps the best thing I can say is what do you want for yourself."

"It's just that I don't have the courage to confront him myself."

"All I can say that such a matter is not easy. How long till this promotion of yours gets passed over to someone else?" Maxim asked.

The young man lowered his head. "The female knights say that I have seven days to decide."

He sat upright in the wheelchair and rolled forward. "Let's go to the mess hall, maybe I can cheer you up with some food."

The Battle of Italica had taken its toll on the mercenary captain's numbers, leaving less than a meager few mounted riders to join him on his journey to avenge the reputation of his company. Thanks to his small engagements alongside the bandits during the Siege of Italica, he had enough loot to entice potential soldiers-for-hire throughout the Empire. Now that he was away from the enemy, Severus understood he had something the Imperials didn't have - knowledge on the enemy's capabilities.

With his company's reputation tarnished, anyone would hire a larger company over his, but information was priceless. He had observed how the enemy fought in the field as the conventional engagement would result in a slaughter. Their flying iron steeds seemed effective at killing foes on open ground while he recalled the condensed battle formations being shattered by magical explosions. The infantry of the foreigners also seemed to be taught on fighting from afar - like archers. Based on what he understood about their lot, melee was their greatest weakness, but the rapid rate in which these people killed whenever cavalry charged their version of close-quarter archers seemed to go in their favor. Maybe he could convince a change in tactics and a method to mitigate their ranged attacks and allow infantry a fighting chance? Given that the Empire is on the defensive, they could pick their battles and strike where they lacked such support.

Such thoughts needed to be written down on parchment as the doors to Sadera had opened. The city guards took notice of their presence as Captain Adranos rode past them. In another place in another time, they would have been suspicious of a mercenary band from the north, but war makes a decent excuse to travel. Where there was war, there was money to be found. After all, only a lord would be an idiot to arm his serfs and join him into war. Rather, they had the coin to spend it on people like him for whatever reason that may be.

The city streets of Sadera became busy as he noticed a crowd of people surround a herald speaking to those present. "People of the Empire, the invaders have come into our lands! Young men, join the legions and cohorts to throw them out of Falmart! Women, there comes a time when you must roll up your skirts and produce strong boys just as our ancestors did after the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Akuteku! This is a test from the gods to our glorious Empire. There will be a day for a promising victory and celebrate in the streets with the enemy in chains!"

He scoffed at the Imperial citizens. Were they that arrogant to believe in their own lies? What did these heralds know of what went on the frontlines? The only ones who truly understood what happened there were the remaining bandits after the Battle of Italica and his company.

Captain Adrannos pressed deep into the city, searching for the destination of someone who would bring this information to the emperor. It wasn't hard navigating past these olive-eating maggots. After all, who could turn away help from heavily armored mercenaries asking for directions or else?

When he arrived at his destination, seven royal guards approached him with their senior man speaking up. "What business do you have at Prince Zorzal's estate?"

The mercenary captain cleared his throat. "I have information about the enemy who occupies Alnus Hill. It is vital that I speak with his highness before the Empire suffers a worse fate."

The guard was taken aback by the revelation before he regained his composure. "I will send for a messenger and inform the prince as soon as he is no longer indisposed."

"The prince is unwilling to see me himself?" Severus wondered.

"No, sire. Zorzal is indisposed with the queen of the bunny warrior tribes to fulfill his carnal desires." Came his answer.

"Very well then, my men and I can wait. Better to discuss this matter with him when he is… presentable, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes, it would be embarrassing for his highness to come forth without any attire."

General Hazama received important news that the digging teams at the second Gate had encountered a problem. He would have expected it to be about some maintenance problems or the cave-in being too difficult for the machine to dig through, but that was not the case. Instead, he learned that monsters from the second Gate had revealed themselves and tried to attack the workers. Thanks to the Russians being present there, they were able to obtain intact samples for the science community to look at.

News should have ended there; however, there was still more from the Japanese and Russian soldiers there. Apparently, someone on the other side of the cave-in was also digging through and managed to get into contact with more of these post-apocalypse survivors. "Lieutenant, is this all?" The general asked as he raised his head to find Lieutenant Yanagida standing across from his desk.

The young officer was quick to speak. "No, sir. This is a developing report. I merely needed something more substantial to inform you about the situation at the second Gate. Shall I continue observing the situation?"

"Yes. This relates needs to be brought up to the prime minister as soon as possible."

"Why should the prime minister be concerned with the situation in the Special Region beyond our objective?" Yanagida asked.

"The Americans and the Russians found out about our post-apocalypse survivors since someone leaked a file to everyone in the world," Hazama answered. "This also involves the United Nations since there is a possibility of a humanitarian crisis regarding the civilian populace of the Moscow Metro. So I'm trying to get the full picture of the situation there before I can make any drastic action."

"Shall I form a new deep recon team to solve this problem? What better way than to deploy boots to understand from the locals in their side of the Gate?"

He nodded his head. "Lieutenant, this is going to involve plenty of politics so we're better off forming a new team to replace Third Recon's new mission - going through the second Gate since they're the only ones who made contact with the Russians and fought alongside them, it would be easier for them to meet familiar faces."

"With Itami in the diet, we're better off looking for a new replacement."

"Not necessary," The general added. "Itami should be coming back soon so it would be better to prepare Third Recon for the hostile environment ahead. Inform him when his unit is back in one piece, but do meet with the Russians on what they should expect in the meantime."

The lieutenant understood what he was going to do. "Understood, I'll try to see if these rangers are willing to cooperate with us in the meantime."

News of the cave-in being cleared out had reached Major Morozov's attention as he joined his comrades through the Gate. Rumors of clean air and blue skies on the other side had enticed many to travel through the anomalous object within the Metro and see if such small-talk was worth its weight.

At first, he became unimpressed when he and his fellow communists were traveling through endless darkness. Most of the time they had to turn on their lights to actually have a chance not to trip on anything - which was strange to him since there was nothing within this abyss. If he was not a true believer in the revolution, he would call such a moment in darkness a magical experience. With each step, the entire journey went through minutes of boring walking. Then for a moment, he noticed something on the other side.

Pavel saw a white light waiting for him as he jogged towards it. His conviction that there was an other side clashed with his doubt of the rumors, but the young man needed to see what lay on the other side of the Gate. Others took note of his quick pace and joined him to sate their own curiosity as well. With the major's focus solely on the light, he didn't notice an army of Reds following him as the brightness of the exit had begun to subside

There was something on the other side and everybody needed to see this for himself.

When the darkness was left behind, the Russian's eyes had begun to hurt. Despite the affliction of the light affecting his sight, he was able to see the life that was once seen in pictures, but now he was looking at clear green grass. It was hard to take in, but the landscape of the apocalypse of seeing mother nature in its natural state before the bombs even fell was an amazing sight to see for himself.

Before he had the time to explore, a Polis Ranger walked up to him with a pair of dark glasses in his hand. "Before you go out, wear these."

Major Morozov looked at him before stealing a glance at the item presented to him. "What's this?"

"Sunglasses," The soldier answered. "You and I have been stuck living in the tunnels for far too long. Since I've been deployed out here, longer than you Reds, my eyes are already adjusted. Trust my word on this, wearing them makes the transition a lot more easier."

Pavel reached out for the sunglasses and started to wear them. "Thanks for the advice, chuvak. I appreciate that."

"No problem, brother. Now don't go anywhere yet, the Japanese sent some medical examiners to check up on us. Until they get here, why don't you go to our local kitchen and have some rabbit stew?"