A lone Polis Ranger walked alone amongst the ruins of the Dead City. Ever since the nuclear war that destroyed the heart of a beating country, he cautiously walked through the open areas with his Kalashnikov in hand. His superior wanted him to secure a particular location that wouldn't be too far from the bunker complex known as D6.

There were reports of a strange red sighting that appeared in one building from a single stalker who survived an engagement against the undead; however, his detailed report also included that they suffocated to death from breathing the toxic atmosphere. Perhaps it was worth checking out. If the watchmen and the demons could handle breathing the toxic air, maybe there would be something worthy of looking at.

When he arrived at the front of the apartment, Artyom noted the difference between the this building compared to the others. This one was filled with strange red materials that were sticking out of the walls and windows. As he made his way up the steps, he looked inside to see a dark hallway with pulsing red light on the other side of the room. He couldn't see too clearly before turning on his flashlight and witnessing the scene that lay before him. Dozens of bodies were lying on the ground, lifeless as their hands were holding onto their throats.

These people choked to death.

Getting a closer look, Artyom walked forward and noticed that their hands turned into these sharp protrusions sticking out. Was this some kind of mutation he hadn't seen before? Did these people willfully embrace the radiation to get this?

On the other side of the hallway, there was a red glowing door-like anomaly that was pulsing out to reality. He didn't know what it was, but it didn't try to kill him. For some odd reason, he was entranced by the light as he walked forward to try and reach it.

Despite being entranced by it, the Polis Ranger heard a low growl behind his back as he turned around and saw a mutant pushing back against its hind legs.

Artyom pulled his assault rifle to his side and fired his weapon as the creature pounced on him. The body slammed into his as he fell back and was engulfed by the strange red energy of the anomaly.

When he fell on his back, the Ranger felt the creature deepen its claws into his body, but he reacted faster. Reaching for his trench knife, he stuck the blade in it's jugular as blood seeped spilled onto his gas mask, but whatever strength it had was gone. The young man shoved the mutant aside and swiped the blood off the glass as he rose up from the ground.

Yet, he was filled in shock when he looked around to no longer recognize the Dead City of Moscow. Instead of daylight it was night time, where there should have been tall buildings of Moscow there was these small homes, but the strange red crystal-like material was evermore present. Wherever he was, thoughts about returning back home to the Metro entered his thoughts. After all, he didn't have time to waste his air filters exploring a place that might get him killed.

He turned his full attention towards the red anomaly and tried to make his way back, but it disappeared on him. "Fuck!" He swore to himself, filled with frustration and a slight sense of fear. He was expected to return to the Metro as soon as he learned what was inside this apartment.

When he looked at his surroundings, Artyom was afraid. That anomaly brought him here and now he had no way back. There was no point in staying as he braved through the empty buildings.

Unlike the Dead City, he heard nothing, but an eerie silence. No gunfire in the distance or people calling out for help. Since it was too dark, he turned on his flashlight and began to walk alone in the streets and hoped that he could survive this strange endeavor.

Technology had advanced and with each decade it would become more complicated and bring new bugs for the operators to fix, but the drone's feed never lied. The entire area was put under quarantine ever since the outbreak had occurred. Most of the inhabitants couldn't get out, but those who did had managed to be cleared by the medical teams waiting at the checkpoints. However, they had to be closed when those "roaches" descended on the crowds of civilians trying to escape to freedom.

An FBI agent along with many others were watching the camera feed with their own eyes, witnessing a lone man walk alone and all by himself. One of her peers spoke up and commented on the matter. "Ash, didn't you say that everyone in the quarantine zone is considered dead?" The man spoke up.

The woman wasn't afraid of the truth. "That's the estimate, but we're still getting stragglers coming out to the checkpoints. Unlike the others all of you just saw him appear out of those red summons with whatever tried to kill him."

A Russian who was sitting in his chair commented on the situation. "Could it be that he's behind this entire mess?"

"I don't know, Tachanka. We'll have to conduct a search operation after we try out Thermite's special charges." Then Ash placed a finger on her earpiece. "Jager, get your helicopter running and inform Buck to join you. Tachanka and I will be there shortly."

"Why would you need a guy like me?" Tachanka asked.

Ash glanced towards the other FBI agent crossing his arms. "If his charges are anything he says, it will take some time. We'll need your machine gun."

"Very well." He said as he rose from his seat. "Thermite, try not to have fun being in charge."

"No worries, pal." He answered. "I just hope Fuze's charges don't explode on you."

"You chose Fuze of all people to design this thing?"

Thermite nodded his head. "Yeah, he's good at this stuff. Now get going before Eliza gives you hell for waiting too long."

Author's Note: Thoughts? I've been given too many plotbunnies and I need to write it out to get rid of them.