Within the confines of a single room, a blue portal appeared in the bunker-complex of D6. Two figures slowly stepped out of the light as their bodies began to materialize. Artyom and Winter were the first to arrive in the old contained room where they found themselves standing together. The Polis Ranger was quick to see to his surroundings, but was unfamiliar with its look. "Strange, I haven't been to this part of D6. I should talk to Miller after we test out these knights General Ironwood suggests we use."

Winter displayed her curiosity as she noted the strange froom. "Artyom, do you know what this place is? I am quite unfamiliar with this place."

"This place is called D6. After you left, I was looking for a way to fight the Dark Ones and Colonel Miller mentioned a library to look some sort of bunker-complex that held some classified information before the war." He explained. "Here - we found the necessary information to designate some old missile silos to destroy the Dark Ones. Though, I'm happy that I'm not expecting its previous 'occupant' to be here."

The specialist stopped looking and directed her full attention towards him. "Based off of your voice, it sounds like there was something dangerous in this place."

Artyom focused his gaze on her blue eyes, it was strange he had not noticed it before. "When Miller and I explored this place, there was something below… something that couldn't be called mutant. It was entirely different." His voice began to change from being happy to see his home to remembering the terrifying sight he had witnessed. "We had a man named Vladimir, who managed to study it for a short time, told us it was a result of something called FEV. I don't know what it means, but the way he said made me afraid."

Specialist Schnee nodded before she changed the topic. "We should get the knights in." She commented as she brought her wrist to her attention, looking at a strange device attached to her arm. "The signal seems good, but I'll have to wait and see for myself if they can operate in the Metro." Her fingers began to press on the strange symbols that were shown on her device. "Okay, bring them in. Let's see if they can work."

On que, the Polis Ranger and the specialist stepped aside and watched as five figures arrived from the portal. Once their mechanical bodies materialized, they began to march forward with their weapons drawn. The Atlesian Knights scanned their surroundings just like the duo before them, but there was something off about these machines to Artyom. "You know, I don't know whether they'll be useful in the Metro."

"What makes you say that?" Winter wondered. "These are Atlesian Knights, they can take more hits than people."

"It's not that I'm worried about." He explained to her. "I'm not sure these machines can handle being mobile as us. For all you know, a Demon could carry these things off or worse, come into contact with the librarians."

"Librarians? What are those?"

"It's a very strong mutant I've came across back at the Moscow Library." Artyom answered. "They're very hard to kill. As for these knights, I doubt they can fit in pipes and try to get through small crevices."

"Artyom, you shouldn't worry too much. I'm sure we don't have to worry about that."

He wanted to believe her, but these machines didn't seem to have the ability of a human to get through certain areas without costing him time and effort. Plus, he would have to worry about their well-being since they were valuable. Then he noticed a strong whine screaming into his ear, emanating from the Atlesian Knights. "Winter, should these knights be doing something like that?"

Winter glanced towards her wrist device before returning her attention towards the Atlesian Knights. "No, they shouldn't be acting up like this. Why are they acting like that all of a sudden?" Then one of the machine soldiers leaned forward and fell to the ground without reacting to the fall. "No, no, no, they shouldn't be acting like this. There must be something wrong with the connection."

"While I would like for you to fix these things, we have to get moving. Those kids don't have the time to last in the Metro."

"You're right, I was hoping we would have some support with us." She replied. "Looks like we will have to go without it."

A chuckle escaped from Artyom. "We still have each other. You still have your powers and I have my guns."

"Then lead the way, this is your bunker after all."

The group found themselves walking alone as the old man who had captured him and Velvet was being dragged by these armored soldiers. Jaune's sword and Velvet's box device seemed to be around, but there wasn't any need to use them. These armored soldiers saved them and were helping him get through these strange network of dark tunnels. However, Jaune was worried about the previous reaction towards Velvet as if she was something different. As much as he would like to ask Hans about it, but he was truly alone in this matter. There wasn't a huntsman or a huntress around to help them out and they were kidnapped by these strangers from a place that was not like Remnant.

The leading man of the party stopped in his tracks and raised his fist. "Hans, hold up the group. I sense something." Immediately, the group stopped in their tracks.

Jaune looked around and began to notice the silence that had befallen upon the group. "What's going on?" The young man questioned.

Hans stepped beside him and readied his gatling weapon. "We might be in one of those tunnels filled with weird shit. Be ready everyone, we might encounter something entirely different."

There was a strange buzzing that echoed from the other side of the tunnel, a blue light that shimmered in the darkness. Although it felt strange, Jaune also sensed danger as his eyes noticed Hans tensing his muscles.

"Shit, everyone do not move. We've encountered an anomaly."

Jaune did as he was told. "Hans, what is an anomaly?" He asked with curiosity.

"Kid, it's something that you'll have to see first-hand. I can't really explain something like this."

The blue light finally revealed its origins as a blue ball of energy began to float into the tunnel. As it came closer, the huntsman-in-training watched with awe and fear as this anomaly struck anything within its perimeter with lightning. No one, not even his parents told him about strange stuff like this in their careers.

It was strange to such exist when it shouldn't. Why did it exist? As the blue ball of energy continued to get closer, there was a strange buzzing feeling that made Jaune's hairs stick out.

After the confrontation between the armored soldiers and the ball of energy, a monstrous cry echoed in the distance. However, it was enough for the anomaly to focus its attention elsewhere. Then Jaune noticed Hans' shoulders relax. "Alright, let's get moving before it returns." He ordered.

Velvet walked past the young man, rubbing her arms with enough to tell him she was afraid. She had every right to be afraid, these men insulted her and called her a mutant. No person should be called that name. Despite Jaune's willingness to defend her, he did not wish to anger the men he was traveling with. For all he knew, it might be his last journey.

The group continued its path in the tunnel with their flashlights on while one of the soldiers complained. "You know, this old fuck should learn to stop resisting. I'm thinking about shooting him for causing me so much trouble."

"Don't." Hans ordered as the group continued to walk. "We hand him over to the Gestapo and forget about his sorry ass once he's in their custody."

Another spoke up. "So Hans, what are we going to do about these kids. I know the girl with the bunny ears is going to have a nice chat with the brass, but what about the boy. Should we care about him at all?"

"Alexei, show some sympathy for him. He probably doesn't know where the nearest station is."

"True, but we don't do babysitting on the side. We're Nazis for Christ sake."

"At the very least, we show them some human decency. That has been lacking ever since we've been fighting the Reds." Hans added.

Then Velvet made her comment since the group's departure. "You know, we have names. Why don't we introduce ourselves to one another."

"Not worth the time and effort. If there is one thing the Metro taught me, there are people who you will never be introduced because they're dead. Such is life."

The faunus girl began to argue from her perspective. "If you say that you want to show decency then you are a hypocrite."

"Um, well. I'm not sure I can argue with that logic."

To Jaune's surprise, the rest of the armored Nazis chuckled. "What do you know? This girl has some mouth."

Another made a comment. "She might not be a mutant, perhaps she is a sub-human."

However, a third Nazi spoke about the matter. "Even if she is a sub-human, I doubt the Gestapo would be nice and all. Still doesn't improve her chances."

Then Hans submitted to the embarrassment involved. "Alright then, what are your names?"

Strange to find Velvet talking back. "Now you want to know about us after calling us mean names."

"You can't exactly blame us. The Metro is a dangerous place and we don't want to end up having stations disappear because some mutant freak decided to let his pack of nosalises loose on everyone else." He explained to the teen.

The Metro? These "Nazis" kept mentioned about the Metro as if it was their only part of the world. Why? "You keep mentioning the Metro." Jaune began. "Why do you keep saying that there isn't a place beyond the Metro?"

The heavy trooper halted in his tracks and glanced over to the blonde. "You kids are truly not from here."

There was a strange gut feeling in his body, one that didn't with this man's answer. "Yeah, Velvet and I are not from here."

"Long ago, there was a life before the Metro. When the air wasn't toxic and we lived like people, actual people… until the bombs fell. That was twenty years ago. Since then we've been crawling through these tunnels like rats and the wildlife has become very hostile to humans." Hans explained before a small paused fell upon him. "I guess I'll never see my shop." His tone was saddened by a past event.

One Nazi walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hans, we got to move. Headquarters is expecting us."

Then he nodded in agreement. "You're right. We got to go." Soon after, he looked to the teens. "Okay, Velvet and…"

"Jaune." The young man answered. "My name is Jaune Arc."

"Huh, strange names you two have. We both better get moving."

Velvet began to ask a question. "Why are you in a rush? It doesn't seem like we might come across anything."

"Don't jinx it." Hans replied. "Packs of nosalises occasionally pass through, but we I'm worried that we might come across one of those anomalies. So it's best that we start speedily depart from this tunnel. It's giving me the creeps."

Curiosity piqued Winter's mind as she walked through the hallways filled with weapons, equipment, and personal belongings while the doors of the occupants were open. She looked around and noticed the Rangers spending their leisure time to themselves while earning a few glances from the men themselves. However, they often overlooked her just to greet the person she was accompanying.

Whenever the duo found themselves in the presence of another group of Rangers, most of them smiled and simply said "hey Artyom" as if he was the good thing that happened to their lives. Perhaps it was, she didn't know what effect Artyom had on these men, but that was a question she would add for another time. "Artyom, where exactly are we going?" Winter questioned. "We seemed to be going through a maze."

Without sparing a glance, Artyom replied. "I'm heading to the armory to refill my ammo and checking if the quartermaster has anything new in stock." He answered. "Since we found this place, the Rangers and I end up finding some stockpiles of weapons and some pre-war tech that was locked behind some doors."

"Like that teleportation device we came out?".

"I'll have to ask Miller or Vladimir about that one. Never seen that before." He answered. "The other stuff I did get to see was some old simulator, old unused tanks, and some rocket artillery pieces. If Miller started opening the rest of the steel doors, we might find something more valuable than ever."

"Then why hasn't he done so?"

"Caution. Remember that monster I told you before? We don't want to open something up and allow something that couldn't be contained into the Metro."

Colonel Miller seemed to be a sensible man than what she had expected from him. "I understand, I never thought he would be the one who would be worried about safety."

"We have to be. Polis represents most if not all of the humans who live in the Metro. If we somehow make a drastic mistake, our political status might degrade and people might not think we are competent or trustworthy. Polis relies on that trust so if we fail to protect the Metro, we fail to protect humanity." Artyom explained. "From what Uhlman told me one time, if that happened people would look to the other factions for help or protection and it would diminish our role here."

"Never thought the person I knew a year ago would be so politically-minded." Winter commented. "Strange to think that you were the same man who showed me his stash of postcards."

Artyom stopped walking and glanced over to her. "I had to go through the frontlines between the Reds and the Nazis, but their political 'ideals' were enough to wake up my mind and understand why they fought in the Metro. It's a necessity in the Metro if the Council is to keep open relations with factions who despise everyone equally."

She raised her eyebrows. "Then you got a lot on your plate. This might be something that General Ironwood would be interested in."

"Would he? I never thought the man would be interested about us?" He wondered.

"If you plan on coming to Remnant, he might want someone who understands the… situation you are dealing with." The Ranger shook his head. "What's wrong? You don't trust the general."

"No, it's not that. I'm worried he doesn't know about the possibility of war breaking out now that the Reds and the Nazis are conscripting everyone into their armies for this place."

"Why? Why would would they fight over an old bunker-complex?"

"They must have heard the rumors that this place had large stores of foods and weapon to last people generations and are arming themselves to pry it off of us. The odds don't look too well if you ask me."

"Artyom, don't doubt yourself. You are with the Rangers, I remember you told me that they are very tough soldiers to begin with."

"That is true, but do we have the numbers to sustain attrition? We barely have a hundred Rangers and even if the Order counts the Kshatriya and the cadets from Polis, it's not enough to defend this place in one assault. Sooner or later, we'll be tired before they lose more men."

"You sound like the idea of peace might not happen."

"The Reds and the Nazis are both volatile groups. Both see everyone else as a threat to their expansion and both want to control the Metro for themselves. D6, this place, would be a perfect advantage for them and I fear they already have plans in place to remove our bodies so they can move in." Once more, he shook his head. "We should probably get going, I don't want to delay the rescue of those kids any further."

Artyom and Winter stepped out of the entrance of D6, only to find themselves alone on a platform. However, the Polis Ranger was the one to lead the way. "My few encounters with the cannibals has taught me that they lurk in a specific tunnel. We could go there by foot, but there is a train that we can get there without wasting any time on." He explained.

Then Winter commented on the lights flickering to life in the platform area. "There are trains still being used?"

"Yes, a group of Rangers and I were surprised as well considering the state of the other tunnels and the lack of maintenance there. It should be coming soon."

A voice over the PA systems began to earn the duo's attention. "Artyom, I've managed to get a nearby train to head over to your way. Now be careful when you arrive at your destination. I heard rumors about being too close to Nazi territory. Also, try to keep your flashlight on. I recall that there are spidebugs in that section of the platform." The PA systems immediately powered down as a monorail train arrived in swift succession. Once it stopped, the doors slid open for its passengers.

Despite the welcoming arrival, Artyom's reaction was colorful. "Shit, spiderbugs." He looked over his shoulder with concern. "Winter, do you have a flashlight?"

The specialist was quick to nod her head. "Yes, but why does that matter? Do I need it?"

"Yes, spiderbugs are afraid of light and if we split up, I don't want you to be lost."

"No worries, I have access to some dust. I'll could probably use if it's necessary."

"If you got incendiaries, it will kill the bastards. However, if you come across a single one, shine your light on them. These creatures hate the light."

"They hate the light?" She asked. "Why?"

"I don't know, perhaps they are some sort of dark creature that hasn't seen the light in over twenty years." Artyom gestured his hand towards the train. "We better get on before the speaker gives me an earful. Ladies first."

Then he noticed Winter smiling. "Even in this world, there are still gentlemen." It was a compliment, but one Artyom did not understand.

After she stepped into the train, he followed with a simple question. "What is a gentlemen?"