Krasny Prospekt received another train of trollies from the Moscow Metro. The news of the capital city was both hopeful and also demoralizing, depending on who you asked. Yet, the locals welcomed their fellow Metro dwellers with eagerness. Artyom felt like he was in a better Metro than the one he hailed from. The Novosibirsk citizens greeted the few dozen Polis Rangers stepping on the platform with gifts, from bottles of vodka to packs of cigarettes.

Most of the Moscow Metro dwellers mingled with their newfound brothers from across the country as the crucial members of the Spartan Order walked past them and entered the office of an OSKOM general. Uhlman led the way as Artyom followed him as they found the man they were led inside by Colonel Khlebnikov. When they entered the room, the two Rangers saluted him out of respect as their guide took his place behind his superior.

The young man observed the desk in front him to find a name tag with its owner's name in large letters. General Anatoly Vinogradov pulled out several cups and a box of pre-war cigars from his drawers. "Comrades, it is good that we are going out of our way for further cooperation. I'm glad that Colonel Mel'nikov could spare his men for this mission."

Uhlman took the moment to joke despite the severity of the topic. "If we're it, god help us." Yet, it let out some chuckles from Artyom and Khlebnikov.

After the tea was distributed and smoke filled the room, the OSKOM general continued. "As you all know, Novosibirsk has survived thanks to our anti-radiation drugs. For two decades, it is quite an impressive feat. Much as I do not want to compare our two Metros, the fact remains is that our population has not dropped drastically."

"Alright, there has to be a catch to this. Since your anti-rad is a supply you have been using for two decades, it is also getting smaller." He recognized as he took a seat and smoked his cigar.

"Yes. Our supply is running out. Thankfully, the consumption and distribution have not made any drastic increases and our logistics officers have determined that we still have two years worth of supplies. So there is room to make a decisive action that benefits both of our Metros," He grabbed his ashtray on his desk and planted his cigar in, "We're planning an evacuation of Novosibirsk, everyone we can get, and relocate our people there."

Uhlman rested his hands on his armored vest. "Our mission is to send an expedition on the surface and seek out a safe zone for everyone?"

Colonel Khlebnikov added on. "Pretty much. OSKOM has invested manpower, resources, and time into developing an armored train for us to get around the country along with enough anti-rad for emergency situations. Before we begin to seek out a good place for relocation, we have two additional objectives - seek out any Satcoms along the way and look for government facilities related to our teleporters."

Artyom was taken aback by the revelation. "Wait a minute, there are more teleporters out there? I thought the ones we used there just that."

"That is what we thought as well until we discovered that there were other installations. If they are safe enough, the connections to the teleporter network can be fixed. Depending on the information we get on any Satcom maps we stumble upon, it will also make relocation a much easier process."

"If that is our goal, we will have to make hefty preparations in order to complete this mission."

The general nodded his head. "Definitely, but let me handle that affair. All of you take the opportunity to rest and enjoy what our station has until then. Until then, you are all dismissed."

Khlebnikov led the two newcomers out of the general's office before they were greeted by guards snapping their boots to attention. Then the colonel was quick to drop his professionalism and look for a casual conversation. "The hotel rooms might be booked, but I think my place can take a Ranger or two if none of you do not have a problem with that."

Uhlman let out a puff of smoke from a cigar between his lips. "I'll gladly take the deal. It's always fun to take a look in other people's houses."

"I do not know who your colonel tolerates your humor."

"Simple, everyone else flunked out on being his second-in-command."

Colonel Khlebnikov returned home with company in hand. His son was there to greet him upon arrival, rushing up to embrace him with a large hug. The father fell onto one knee to return the gesture as he smiled with joy. "Private, how have you been?"

The boy quickly responded as he released his hold on him. "Sir, I have helped Uncle Petrovich just as you asked."

"Good job, soldier," He was proud that his son could relatively take care of himself while he was at work. Being a single father made it difficult for him to keep up with him when he needed his guidance. Thankfully, a neighborhood friend was still able to take care of him in the meantime. The colonel rubbed his son's head, "Kirill, I would like you to meet with our comrades who are not from our Metro?"

His eyes lit up as if it was a Christmas present. "So the rumors were true. Uncle Petrovich was talking about how the station was receiving visitors. I just thought they were from somewhere else."

"Do you want to meet them?"

He nodded his head, signalling Khlebnikov to rise up from his son as he turned around to introduce him to his guests. "Here in Novosibirsk, we have OSKOM. However, these men are Polis Rangers from the Spartan Order, who hail in Moscow. Son, meet Uhlman and Artyom."

The youngest of the Rangers smiled as he waved his hand towards him. "Hello."

Kirill was raised in the company of soldiers an in time, wanted to act like them. The colonel let him have his moment as the boy walked up to them and saluted the soldiers. "Private Kirill Khlebnikov, it is an honor!"

Uhlman entertained him by snapping his boots together and returned the military gesture. "Likewise, private. I see you would make a great officer if you keep going down this path."

"Really?"

"Yes," He added, "If you salute hard enough, you might become marshal in no time. Marshal Kirill Khlebnikov, riding a horse as he inspects the troops in a military parade."

"A horse? I thought those animals were extinct and only exist in the photos."

The Polis Ranger turned towards his fellow. "They're still alive, and wouldn't you know, Artyom knows how to ride a horse."

Unlike his more humorous senior, the young man was much more reserved in the conversation. "Just a little."

"Just a little," He mocked, "You clearly have some knowledge about some horse riding. Maybe you could teach the kid how to ride in one."

Colonel Khlebnikov laughed. "Okay, how about we talk about this over a meal. Kirill, do we have anything for our guests?"

His son turned around to see him. "Yeah, we just received a shipment of pork from Sibirskaya."

"Good, I like a bit of meat alongside my bowl of vitamins!"

Weeks had passed since the coronation and Queen Elsa was already busy. Her desk was filled with paperwork from royals and representatives across the seas. A pen in her fingertips had been making signatures everytime someone requested her approval or whether she needed to prose a letter to someone without insulting the recipient.

Someone knocked on her door as she quickly looked up from her desk. "Come in."

Anna stepped into the room with a tray in hand. "Hey sis, Gerda managed to make enough sandwiches for you alongside a treat."

The queen smiled as her sister approached her desk with two plates full of several sandwiches. Yet, there were also wrapped chocolates placed on the side. "Thank you. I wanted to raid the kitchen, but was busy with work."

She grabbed a nearby chair and sat across from her. "How is the work? Anything interesting while on the throne."

"Actually, there is," Elsa took out a slip from all the papers she was looking at. It was a list of what she had to worry about, "I have to send out letters to all the nations who couldn't attend my coronation, Prince Vaska will make an official visit alongside representatives of the Holy Roman Empire, and ever since I opened the castle there are many letters about princes courting me."

The last detail grabbed her attention before Anna could reach for one of the sandwiches. "People are already trying to have your hand? Oh, you have a wide variety of choices to pick from. What I would be in your shoes?"

She shook her head at her sister's optimism before she grabbed a sandwich and took a small bite out of her meal. "It is not that easy. The princes are from prestigious positions across Europe who heard about a beautiful queen with magic."

"What is so difficult about it? Are there choices too hard for you to make?"

"No, it's that I have already had someone in mind," One large bite was taken before it filled her stomach, "Such a shame that I would have to reject their advances."

Anna laughed as she leaned back in her chair and twisted her hair. "Who did you have in mind to refuse everyone else?"

The queen thought about the young man who helped dance with her that night then admitted it to her sister. "Prince Hans of the Southern Isles. We have been sending letters to each other and I am beginning to like him the more I read them."

"That is so romantic! What does he say about his life at home?!"

"He has a large family. In fact, he's thirteenth in line to the throne, but his brothers are enjoyable enough in being a prince enjoyable," She added, "Since our kingdoms are so small, we're considering a union between our kingdoms."

"If you're considering, should I get busy with the decorations?"

Elsa shook her head at Anna's eagerness. "Not yet. There are no official declarations for that to happen."

Anna crossed her arms. "You love him, don't you?"

"Yes, but love does not work like that."

The subject of the conversation changed with Anna's attitude shifting. "Pavel told me that something is happening in the Metros. The Council managed to get everyone on the same page and made preparations for an evacuation. However, they're having issues on who is first."

She looked at his sister with curiosity for someone she did care about. "Does he know what Artyom is doing?"

"No," The princess shook her head, "I was told that Artyom is on a secret mission with people from a city called Novosibirsk. He didn't say anything else."

Her eyes looked at the food and thought about consuming more for the rest of the afternoon.

The ground thumbed as a snowman entered the room with his hands carrying a letter. "Elsa, I have something for you!"

"Olaf!" The queen exclaimed, "Who is it from?!"

He stole a glance from the front of the letter. "I don't know. I can't read."

Anna laughed. "At some point, I got to help you do that if you're going to be Elsa's assistant."

"Does either of you know what it is all about?"

The snowman passed the letter to the queen as she looked at the seal to be surprised by what she had discovered. It was red wax with a double-headed eagle imprinted at its center. When she opened it, the letter was far more official than the others she had opened. "It is…"

He asked, "Why are you speechless?"

"It is a letter from the tsar of Russia."

The room became silent after that.

Author's Note: If you guys liked the chapter, please leave a comment.