The winter weather of the city had calmed down that day as Russian soldiers were marching out of the hermetic doors of their stations. Yet, they were not the only ones who were leaving the city. Airlock doors slid open as an ancient train slowly moved out from its shelter as its workers escorted it out, like ants moving their queen. It was the combined effort of Moscow and Novosibirsk that had brought this to light. The mode of transportation was heavily protected by its thick armored hide with sheets of steel and lead. Turrets and gun emplacements housed heavy machine guns.

Artyom was in awe at the sight alone. Few ever seen trains in the post-apocalypse; however, it was a totally different matter to see armored trains.

A hand tapped him on the shoulder as Uhlman let out a chuckle. "You keep gawking there, you might end up swallowing radiation."

He turned his head towards his fellow Ranger. "Sorry, it's just there are some things worth taking in."

"I don't blame you," His senior replied, "The things that were once considered common are now considered special."

Colonel Khlebnikov could be heard from behind their backs, shouting at them. "You two, get on the train. We have to minimize our exposure!"

"Wilco! Alright, comrade, let's take a look at our new home."

Artyom silently agreed as he followed him onto the train, first climbing up the rails and then made his way into the modified carriages. There were shelves and boxes of ammo placed on the side for convenient use as the machine gun crews checked their weapons and closed the shutters to keep the snow out.

When the duo managed to get through the weapon stations and the various soldiers, they came across the passenger carriages. Although they were just as armored, the seats and the beddings were much more luxurious in design. Uhlman and Artyom quickly occupied a room to themselves before they dropped their backpacks and firearms onto their cots.

The young man looked outside of the window to see the frozen city. Unlike Moscow, Novosibirsk felt like it was landlocked in time as if the bombs did not occur in the first place. "I wonder what was dropped here to cause so much radiation, but not enough to tear the city apart?"

Uhlman answered his question. "It might have been a cadmium warhead, or so from what I have heard from the locals. We may never know, only that the stuff they dropped here is much harder than what had to deal with in Moscow."

Footsteps approached their newly acquired room as someone recognized the senior soldier. "Uhlman, is that you?"

"Idiot?" He turned around to face this newcomer, "Hey, what are you doing here? Did you also anger the colonel as well?"

"Unlike you, I actually stay on his good side, but no. Mel'nikov told me that we're going to be using maps from the satcoms and I just happen to be tech-savvy enough to qualify," The young man shifted his gaze from the window to take a good look at this stranger. The man immediately shook hands with a fellow Polis Ranger, "You must be that kid from Exhibition that just joined our ranks. Lucky you, it takes a while for new blood to properly get into the ranks."

Artyom nodded. "Well, is there anything you have managed to do while we were busy with our gear?"

"Yes. OSKOM's stalkers managed to find several maps for me to use, but it is only useful enough to get us out of Novosibirsk. Once out, we're on our own."

Uhlman let out a comment. "Why don't you take a look around? Idiot and I have hefty conversation that needs to be kept in private."

"I understand," He answered before he left the room, "Just don't kill our guide with your jokes."

Idiot laughed behind his gas mask. "Ah, I see your humor is still shit."

The soldier explored the train as a child on a playground. Instead of monkey swings and sandboxes, it was with ammunition and firearms. Artyom decided to take a good look at the front of the train to see what was happening with the leadership of the train. More began to climb alongside the Geiger counter ticking much faster the longer they waited.

When he had reached the front, there was a frail old gentleman sitting down on a few stacked boxes. His attention was pressed on the clipboard in his hands; however, he managed to shift his eyes towards the arrival on his section. "Hello, is there something you need?"

Artyom walked towards the spot where the conductor would be. "I'm just exploring. It's my first time on this kind of train."

"Really? What kind of trains are you used to?" He asked.

"The ones in D6."

His voice scoffed at the reference before he put down the clipboard and joined him. "Ah, that is not a real train. Those are automated and lack the real freedom of your Soviet designs. Here, I have my own place with enough space to let my mind dream while on the rails."

It was nice to hear his elders talk about the old times when life was good. He seemed interesting enough for an introduction, especially when he's going to spend a journey with strangers. "I'm Artyom from Exhibition Station."

The old man brought out a hand before the two shook. "Yermack. I'm a conductor for the rails in Hansa."

"Oh, I didn't know you were from Moscow."

"Aye, my boss said that there was a special assignment for anyone. I decided to take a chance since the pay was good," He added, "Never thought I would be leaving Moscow or find myself in Novosibirsk."

One of the doors that led out to the front railing was opened as Colonel Khlebnikov entered. "Artyom, Yermack. We're almost done with the preparations."

The conductor turned his gas mask towards him. "How long before we start moving?"

"A few minutes. Give it time."

Now that the commanding officer was on board, the young man considered asking him a personal question as he approached him. "How is your son? I figured he's going to be lonely for quite some time."

"Kirill is a strong lad," He answered, "It is not his first time his father will be out at work. Petrovich, my neighbor, will do everything he can to help him out."

"I know the feeling as a son of the tunnels," Artyom put out, "It gives me more than enough of a reason to make sure you come back."

The radio on the colonel's person had sparked to life. "Colonel, sir. All personnel and supplies have been prepared. The station doors are closing and the trains are ready for take-off. Good luck."

"Likewise, slava. Good luck to the fellas at home. Stay safe and keep burning that slime while we're gone."

"Yes sir."

Yermack quickly walked up the console and reached for a handle beside him. He pulled it twice as loud horns signaled the expedition's departure. "All aboard!"

The castle gardens were a perfect place to spend more time with Prince Hans and Queen Elsa sat at a table with tea and cookies for a start. She nibbled on the treat before she looked across to find him taking a sip. "How is the tea?"

He smiled at her question. "It is wonderful. Perhaps not as wonderful as being with you."

"There is no need to flatter me," She blushed before putting her cookie was placed down, "How is your family."

The expression on Hans changed, "Same as always. I suppose it is time for me to talk about them at some point."

Elsa was somewhat surprised that he would refer his relatives in a negative tone. It seemed like he wanted to avoid the discussion altogether. "Is it all right? We do not have to talk about it if you're not inclined."

"It is fine," He replied, "Being thirteenth in the line of succession tends to do that."

"Hans, I did not know it was that bad."

He let out a small smile from her care. "My brothers and my father made it quite clear where I was. Those closer to the succession did not even talk to me even until I got older."

The queen never thought he would have it just as bad as her relationship with Anna. To her, it seemed like he had a normal life like most royals. "Were you able to find a way to get along with your family?"

"No," He shook his head, "My mother was perhaps the only person out of the family who did not follow my father's policy of strength."

"Strength?" Elsa felt her blood boil at the injustice her acquaintance faced, "How is this injustice supposed to be a strength?"

"My father believed that the strong should pick on the weak and he openly supported my brothers to pick on me. He is a demanding figure and no matter how much I try, he just won't accept me."

The story was enough for her to sympathize with his plight and then she leaned forward. "If it makes it better, you will always be welcomed at Arendelle. No one should suffer such horrible treatment because they were not strong enough."

"Your grace, I find it admirable that someone like yourself is willing to open up to me," He added, "Part of me was worried I would have to return back home and face my family once more."

She reached out and held his hand. His father would have another thing coming if he dared to come to her kingdom and attempt to inflict emotional damage on the prince any longer. "Everything will be fine, I guarantee it."

His shoulders were far more relaxed than before. "Thank you, your majesty. Perhaps we should meet again in the future."

"Definitely. Though, I do not know what we could do in the meantime."

Prince Hans rose from his seat as he walked up to her. "We could sing songs and have a nice dinner."

It was such a lovely thought for the queen. She never considered the ideal romantic setting since Anna was always the one who talked about it openly. "Yes. That would be fine."

Then his gaze became concerned as he looked around with shock. "Did you see that?"

Elsa looked around, but the gardens did not have anyone show up to interrupt them. "No, what is wrong?"

"I don't know," He answered, "For a moment, I thought there was a strange dark figure looking for us. Maybe I am just seeing things."

The queen thought about the strange sighting and remembered Artyom's relationship with the unknown. "Whatever you are seeing, I will see if my Russian friend can try to see if he recognizes it."

Hans was surprised that his name was brought up. "Artyom knows about it? I thought he was just a mere man."

She shook her head, knowing full well how much Hans did not know about him. "Looks can be deceiving, but let me take care of that."

"Speaking of your friend, where is he?" The man asked as he looked around, "I haven't seen him ever since we met."

"My sister said that he was busy on a secret mission in his world. It will be sometime until he returns."

He nodded his head in understanding. "Do you have any room for a dance?"

The thought alone made her excited. "Yes."

The fortress built under the North Mountain was still expansive despite Anna's experience. There were some places where she was not allowed in, but there were some sections where the Metro dwellers were a lot more open to her exploration. The idea of Artyom on a secret mission was interesting enough for her to ask questions and that let her back into an old acquaintence's office, which had a simple desk with a bed in the back. "Pavel! How are you?!"

He looked up from his desk as he finishing writing with his pencil. "Princess Anna, are you here to ask the same questions about Artyom?"

"Of course," She nodded her head as she closed the door on her way inside, "I want to know why Artyom is out on this mission in the first place."

"It was not my call since he follows a different chain of command than I," Pavel began, "The Order Commander is more likely to have the details on what he's doing back in my world."

She was getting nowhere with that initial question and so she sought out another angle. "Okay, so what is so important enough for Artyom to be sent in the first place."

The Russian looked to his right to see an empy chair by the wall. "Take a seat."

The princess made her way there, sitting down on the old wooden seat. "Are you going to tell me?"

He took a deep breath. "Tell no one about this, do you hear me?"

Anna nodded her head as he spun his chair towards her direction and rested his elbows upon his knees, forcing himself to lean forward. "In my world, there is a city called Novosibirsk. Moscow managed to connect with them and they are a recent people we've contacted, but their city is in a poor state. Although their Metro is much finer, the surface of the city is too radioactive to continue living there."

"So it is becoming unsafe based on what you are saying?"

"Yes," He nodded his head, "So Artyom is helping them."

"In what way?"

The major shrugged his shoulder. "That is it. Colonel Mel'nikov is being tight-lipped about it."

"Can you ask you him about it?" She wondered, "Maybe he could open up to you?"

"Not happening. Artyom is part of the Spartan Order and those lot keep to themselves. Nothing can be done about that."

"Is there something that could convince him to talk?"

Pavel was about to reply before he paused. Then he leaned back in his chair, which stabilized his shift in weight. "Maybe you can?"

Anna immediately felt hopeful about her curiosity. "Really? What can I do?"

"I heard rumors between the Order and OSKOM are seeking out representatives from your world. Your sister's help with our humanitarian needs is a good start, but it is not enough. We are self-aware that this kingdom is not enough to sustain us all and so we are seeking help from those from abroad. One thing I heard is that they wanted to meet with someone who represented Imperial Russia."

"Oh, I can help with that," She remarked, "There is a prince that my sister and I invited to help with our… issues. In fact, he is coming over with some Germans at the castle."

"I think that would be enough to earn the colonel's attention," His eyes looked like he was fully committed to handing her a chance, "If you can convince this prince to hold a conversation with the Council and OSKOM, you would do him a massive favor."

The princess smiled at the success of her idea. "Thank you for telling me this."

"Any reason why you're going through all this trouble?"

Anna thought about the times Artyom spent with the family. He was close enough to warrant care from the Arendelle royals. "My sister and I are just worried friends that's all."

He nodded his head. "I understand. Well, I wish you luck in finding this Russian prince."

The Baron sat quietly on his throne as his left hand rested upon his walking cane. His mind was filled with the thoughts of conquest, not for weapon stashes or demanding fealty from weaker gangs in the wasteland. No, his mind was focused on obtaining territory from another world. Saul's return was relatively uneventful, but the news of a world that was not of his own was promising. The technology that was being hauled from government-locked facilities was more than enough to bring fruitful endeavors.

His only issue in his rule atop of the oil rigs was that one witch that threatened the society he built together. Nonetheless, she would be made irrelevant the moment things came together. There was also the matter of trade. Sooner or later, someone bigger might beat the hell out of him.

Someone was allowed into the throne room as the Baron's inattentive expression shifted towards one of his lieutenants. "Saul, you have something to say."

The bandit nodded his head. "Yeah, I just got word that the boys returning from the raid are coming in tomorrow. They got the tribute you asked for."

"Good," Remarked the old man, "Tell them to rest up and be ready for a new incursion. We'll be more than just the toughest gang in the Caspian."