Winter found herself surprised when the caravan she came with had immediately walked into the bar. After she began to follow Artyom and his companions into the bar, she was quick to take a seat beside her party members at a small round table.

Boris, the man who led the party to their destination, was met by an old man who carried a plate of cups. "Ivan, my friend. You're already putting out the drinks for all of us. You didn't even have to do that."

The old man laughed. "Ha, you're still going to pay me." The old man replied. "You'll pay for regular, just like everyone else, but I'll be getting out the good stuff." However, Ivan glanced over to the only person who was still sitting. "Evgeny, I didn't think you would be part of this guy's group. Are you going to take a drink with them?"

The Riga merchant shook his head. "Nyet, I'm just going to thank one of the people who saved my life and I'll get out. Okay?"

"Okay, just don't take too much of my time." Answered Ivan as he placed a bottle and four white cups on the table. "You boys have fun." Then he began to walk back behind the bar and man his station.

Evgeny walked over to Winter as she noticed his attention. "Miss since you saved my life, I've got something neat for you." He began as he pulled out ten giant Winter had not expected. "In case you come across a Preved, you could have a decent amount of sniper ammo."

Winter placed her reward into her bag as she smiled back at the man she saved. "I take that it's a sniper rifle."

"Oh yes, it's a big one." He replied. "Well, I better get going. I got some ammunition to make. Thanks for the ride, Boris." He waved his hand off to the experienced man, only to be given a wave back.

Once Evgeny left the bar, she focused her attention onto the table as she noticed Boris stand up and raise his drink. "I give a toast to Artyom, the young man who saved a caravan from being overtaken by anomalies and mutants alike." Boris began. "To Artyom." He grabbed his cup and drank its contents, only to be joined by Eugene and herself. When she drank the contents, it was not the sweet wine she once drank at Atlas. Instead, she felt the sensation of beer burning her throat.

She put down her drink and began coughing as Boris was quick to move beside her and tapped her back. "I take it's your first time drinking mushroom vodka?" He asked.

Winter nodded her head as she continued coughing. Once she cleared her throat, she found herself smiling. You guys drink this stuff?"

He laughed with an answer. "It's vodka, of course we do!"

She heard a burp on her right, only to grab her attention as she found Artyom showing mixed feelings about his drink.

"Ha, even it kicks his ass." Then he ran through his pockets as he placed a case of MGRs on the table besides Artyom. "Since you were the one who was awake when we were all knocked out by those anomalies, I think it deserve it."

Eugene was quick to comment on the recent events. "Artyom, are you immune to that shit?" Their companion asked. "It looks that way."

The young Russian took his compliments as he smiled back with joy. "I don't know what to say. I think so, but I haven't left my home station so that doesn't make any sense."

"Still, you should drink to the fact that you recovered faster than the rest of us." He stated. "It's something to be happy about."

As Winter was still dealing with the alcohol in her system, she was quickly brought in the center of attention as Boris spoke about her. "So, do you mind telling me what the hell you just did?" The older man asked. "I've seen some shit in my life, but I don't think I've seen anything you just did."

Now that she thought about it, she found it hard to explain the situation to him. He might not have understood the kind of power she had. Even though she was a specialist, it was still classified as the power of a huntress as she awkwardly smiled back to her companions. "I don't know where to begin."

"Ah fuck it, I think we should both drink to the fact that she saved Artyom's life when we thought they were both going to die." Then Boris snatched his cup and looked over to his fellow men. "Friends, one more drink to honor our lovely young lady before we all go our separate ways."

It was weird how the old man didn't even take the opportunity to ask her any questions, but Winter accepted it. At least it didn't obtain any more questions as she looked down to her trusty sword before she noticed Artyom taking another sip of his drink. Then she tugged him by the shoulder as she brought his full attention. "Artyom, we need to talk outside in private."

The young man was surprised, but was quick enough to realize its importance as she rose from her seat.

"Pardon me, but Artyom and I need to talk outside." She said to Boris and Eugene.

When Artyom rose from his seat, they both heard Eugene speak up. "Artyom, if you're out with her too long I'll understand." He said before he took another sip of his vodka.

After Artyom snatched his reward from Boris, he followed Winter down the steps as she groaned at the drink. "Uh, I have a feeling I might puke."

Despite his comment, Winter grabbed his attention when they arrived at the base of the stairs. "Artyom, when are we going to Polis?" She asked him.

He raised an eyebrow as he scratched his unshaved chin. "As soon as the station finished with its lockdown. We're not leaving until they lift it, but we'll leave as soon as possible."

"Why would they put the station on lockdown?" Winter asked. "We didn't do anything wrong."

Then Artyom began to explain to her. "From what my father told me, they're on lockdown because the guards want to see if the mutants will decide to leave the station alone." He reasoned. "Depending on how much of the threat, it might take a few hours to a few days. Even then, they warn against going. If we decide to go by ourselves, they might hold us for a few days. Even if they do, those who are important will get to leave first."

"Artyom, I need to ask some questions in Polis, but staying here in a few days is not something I'm going to stand for. I will not stay in this place for a while just so I could be safe."

"You're not the first person to tell that to the guards. I overheard some of the people trying to leave, but even those who don't care about their safety are just told by the guards no."

Winter shook her head. "Well, we should get ahold of some extra ammo and ammunition." She said. "It wouldn't hurt if we did."

After she finished her sentence, a small little boy ran up to him, and grabbed Winter's pants. "Hey lady, someone wants to talk to you and your friend to the Black Street. I'll lead you there for one bullet."

Her hand swatted the boy away from her. "Don't you have any manners. It's rude to grab someone by the pants." Winter stated to the boy.

Then he pointed his finger at her with an accusing moment. "You're so mean!" The nameless boy cried out.

Despite his attitude, Artyom laughed at him. "Okay, you go lead the way." He said before he pulled out a military grade bullet from his pocket and handed it to him.

"Okay, follow me. I know where he is."

. . .

When the small boy had arrived at their destination, he stopped in his tracks and looked back to the people he was leading. Then he pointed to a small area on his left. "He's right over there." Soon after, he left the two to their own devices.

As Artyom and Winter arrived at the small area, they saw a man who was slightly older than Artyom. However, his face expressed some degree of grim experience as he was not laughing when his words weighed something. "Both of you take a seat, I have a proposition for both of you." The two took their seats in two empty chairs across from him after he ate a spoonful of his goulash. "Riga has put the station on lockdown and I want to get out and get somewhere and I know both of you have places to be. Are you in?" He asked.

Then Artyom was quick to ask. "Excuse me, but who are you? It just feels weird that a stranger was so interested in our conversation."

"I'm Bourbon. Yes, its named after a drink, but that's not the point. I overheard that both of you want to go to Polis and I want to get the hell out of this station. I think we can help each other out."

Then Winter asked her question. "What makes you think we're so willing to trust you?"

"Because I heard both of you are capable of being immune to such bullshit when your friends started giving you a toast." Bourbon replied. "I know a set of tunnels where we can get our separate ways." Then he glanced over to the young man. "I'll give you my Kalash if you do so." Then he returned his gaze onto Winter. "As for you, I'll give you some shotgun shells. Though, I managed to come across some incendiary shells if that interests."

His rewards piqued her attention. "You have special ammunition? Where did you get your hands on that?"

"I stumbled upon an abandoned Ranger's hideout and they were what I managed to get from there. Everything else was empty before I left. So, are you going with this deal or not?"

Then Artyom spoke up. "We'll take your offer. I'll take the risk."

"Good, here is your initial payment for both of you." He brought out a magazine of MGRs onto the table. "That way, you can trust that we do have a way out of here. Now follow me. There is a small path we can take." Bourbon rose from his seat and began to lead the way. "Try not to get the attention of the guards." Then he pulled out a black mask from his pocket. "Girl, where we're going you are going to need this."

After the mask was presented, Winter was surprised by his concern. "Do you want me to wear it?"

"Yes, we're going to a set of tunnels that might have some dangerous people. If they discover that you're a woman. God help you." He explained.