Now that the threat of the creatures had apparently died down, the others started setting up a camp with whatever materials they could find. They leave me in the same room they took me to before. My limbs feel weak and strained, my head consumed by a dull ache. After a while though, I decide I need to help. Taking the blankets and pillows from the room, I walk over to a larger room, adjacent to the kitchen. The others are already there, creating makeshift beds.

The Russian turns as he hears someone enter the room. “Ah, little woman. We did not want to disturb you.”

I smile slightly, placing down the blankets on the cold metal floor. “I thought it only best to help, as gratitude for you all not killing me earlier…”

“We don’t tend to kill pretty women, just freakbags.” The American- I think his name was Dempsey, winks.

“Freakbags? Oh you mean the reanimates? The corpses?”

“You seem familiar with hell pigs, like you have seen them before?” Nikolai questions, eyes narrowed on me. The others look too.

“Yeah I uh…we have them where I come from-” I awkwardly try to explain, fiddling with my fingers to calm my nerves.

“And where exactly is that?” The Japanese man pries.

“I-its a long story, I don’t want to bore you with the details.”

“We have time, missy.” My eyes dart around to look at all of them, I’m going to have to explain…I’m sure they’ll understand.

“I was uh…just at a research facility in Vietnam…working for Спецгруппа Омега…we had the undead too, I was in charge of researching them.” They seem to soften slightly at my admission, probably just because I’m not being secretive.

“Ah, doll’s a scientist. Explains the coat. I do love me a lady with brains.” The others roll their eyes at this.

“But you are not Russian?”

“No, I do speak Russian but I’m originally from England.” Dempsey walks over.

“And how old are you doll, if you don’t mind me asking. You’re over 18 right?” I recoil at his statement.

“I’m 25. But if you weren’t lying in saying this is 1945, then I guess I haven’t been born yet. Where I came from, it was 1984.” They don’t seem too surprised by this, is time travel normal to them?

“We just traveled to future too, well this is future to us. We travelled here from France, during Great War.” Strange. These men have also manipulated space time to end up in 1945, however in the opposite direction. But 1945, a big facility containing these creatures…this isn’t right. I know aetherium and the creatures were discovered by the Germans during World War Two, but this isn’t like any of the facilities I have heard of. The creatures look different too, more like actual corpses than the ones I have seen. Could this be a different dimension, a parallel universe perhaps? God! My head is killing me.

“Enough questions for the lady, would you like some food? We don’t have much but I prepare rations for all of us.” The Japanese man asks, offering me a bowl of what appears to be potato soup, I take it thankfully.

“Thank you, uh-sorry I don’t know your name?” He gives a slight bow.

“Takeo Masaki, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Dr. Alvarie Brandt.” I reply, bowing back at him. Both holding out soup in our non-dominant hands, Dempsey comes over to introduce himself, shaking my spare hand.

“Tank Dempsey, the pleasure’s all mine.” I take a sip of the soup.

“Nikolai Belinski, and the crazy German you met earlier is Richtofen. I’d keep away from him.” I take another sip of my soup before replying.

“You don’t like Germans? Ah…world wars.” Nikolai lets out a grumble.

“You forget about world war so quickly?” I shake my head.

“No, it's just my parents are German so I tend to forget about that whole prejudice thing… People are pretty much over it where I come from.”

“You’re German?” Dempsey asks, looking annoyed.

“Well my parents are, but I grew up in England.” He grunts as he nods, seemingly still annoyed.

We all finish eating our soup. “We should probably go and bring some soup to Richtofen. As much as I do not trust the crazy German, he does seem to be the only one with a clue of what to do.” Nikolai announces, picking up a the fifth bowl.

“I can go take it to him?” The others look at me.

“No, we’re not letting you go to Richtofen alone.” Nikolai grumbles.

“It’ll be fine, I can thank him for looking over me earlier.” I assure. Dempsey rolls his eyes.

“Fine, but if you come back with a scratch, I’m gonna kill him.” Nikolai hands me a bowl and I leave the room. Walking down the corridor I realise that I have absolutely no idea where Richtofen is.

“Where would he be…where would he be?” I mutter to myself as I stroll past the many doorways. The library? Maybe? I enter the room, walking down the long aisles of books, all collecting dust, until I hear some noise. The sound of pages turning.

“Richtofen?” I call out quietly as I turn the corner. I see him sat at a table, surrounded by piles of books, frustrated.

“Vat do you vant?” He grunts as I approach his table slowly, placing down the soup.

“I just wanted to bring you some food, and to thank you for checking over me earlier..” He looks up from his book briefly.

“You’re velcome.” He gives a fake smile. “Now leave.” His harsh tone causes me to frown.

“Sorry.” I reply meekly, starting to walk away before he stops me, grabbing my arm.

“Vait!” I turn back, looking into his silvery blue eyes. “I shuppose I schould ask you some questions, Doctor Brandt.” He gestures for me to take the seat opposite him, I do so, cautiously sitting down.

“Sure…” He snaps close the book in his hand before placing it down on the table.

“How exactly did you get here? You are not shupposed to be here.” I don’t dare make eye contact with him, just continuing to look down at my hands.

“I was thrown into a teleporter, by my boss…against my will.” He hums in response.

“Und you sink zat I believe you? How do I know you veren’t sent here to shtop me?” At this accusation, I dart my eyes up to his.

“Sent to stop you? I didn’t even know where I was? My boss just hated me and threw me into a portal, and I ended up here!”

“Vhy vould your boss srow you into a teleporter?” He questions, leaning back in his chair, a hand on his chin.

“He hated me! He thought I tried to kill him when one of the specimens I was dissecting woke up on the table. How was I supposed to know? I thought it was dead.”

“Shpecimens? Do you mean the hell shpawn? You were researching hell shpawn?” I nod vigorously.

“I was part of Спецгруппа Омега, a soviet research group dedicated to the study of trans-dimensional travel and the fauna and flora of the Dark Aether! I promise, I have no idea what’s going on here! I just want to go home.”

“Hmm…zee dark aeser…interessant…vielleicht hat sie nützliche informationen…”

“Ja! I’m sure I do! Just please, don’t hurt me.” His eyes again connect with mine.

“Du sprichst Deutsch? Ah you get more and more interesting, Doktor.” He chuckles lowly.

“Please, I just want to go home.” I almost beg, my voice losing it’s prominence as my resolve withers away.

“Zen go home!” He snaps back.

“I don’t know how!”

He stands up, slamming his hands down on the table. “Tomorrow vee vill turn on zhe power und fix zhe teleporter. Hopefully I’ll be able to find your previous location und get you out of zhe vay.” I flinch, pushing myself backwards on the chair.

“That’s all I want…I didn’t want to disturb you Richtofen…I’m sorry.”

Dempsey, Nikolai and Takeo sit together in the ‘bedroom’. Their tired bodies ache after a long and brutal fight. Dempsey interrupts the silence, bringing up the one thought he can’t quite seem to get out of his head. “Did you guys notice Richtofen doing something weird when we first got here?”

“Strange describes much of what Richtofen does.” Takeo mumbles, his head rising from his pillow.

“No I mean right after he popped himself… before that girl arrived, he knelt over the body, why?”

“Maybe Richtofen wanted to pay respects, to himself?” Nikolai mused.

“And what is he even doing here anyway? He’s been missing for two fucking years, while we’ve been fighting off hordes of freakbags!” Takeo places a hand on Dempsey’s arm, in a calming motion, or perhaps just to stop him perforating the others eardrums.

“We know not where Richtofen has traveled, but I believe his experiences have changed him…”

“Crazy German is still as crazy as before, wherever he’s been.”

Tank scratches his chin in thought. “Come to think of it…isn’t it a little strange that that girl, Alvarie, just magically turned up here?” The others hum in agreement.

“It is strange, but so is much of what we have experienced.”

“I get that Tak, but here she arrives, this scientist. Who knows about the meat sacks, is german, and is currently alone with Richtofen. I think she works for him!”

“That is quite the accusation, Dempsey. I don’t believe it, the girl looked too scared to have known she would be brought here…”

“Speaking of the lady, she’s been talking to Richtofen for a while now, perhaps we should check she has come to no harm?”

Just as he finishes his sentence, I rush back into the room. “S-sorry, I’m not interrupting am I?” I pant out, having just ran straight from the library, their eyes all settle on me.

“Not at all darlin’, you okay? Richthofen didn’t hurt you did he?” I shake my head, sitting down on the blanket across from Dempsey.

“No, he didn’t. He just scares me a bit is all. Though he said tomorrow once we get the power turned on, he might be able to get me home. Then I’ll be out of your hair, and I can finally get back to work.” I sigh out, relived.

“So you don’t plan on staying then, барышня?” I shake my head vigorously.

“Not at all! No offence- it's just I don’t think I could survive with these creatures just walking around all the time, trying to kill me. I couldn’t even take out one, never mind the amount there was earlier.”

Dempsey chuckles. “We better get you back soon then doll, hordes will come again when that crawler dies.” Strange?

“Is that how they work here? They come in waves?”

Takeo nods. “We do not know why, but they behave so, and follow us wherever we are.” Hmm, this is strange behaviour…maybe I could learn from them. That’s it! If I can find out how these creatures differ from those of the Dark Aether, then maybe Peck will let me join the project again. Maybe he’ll think I’m useful and forgive me!

“You’ll have to tell me everything you know about them!” Nikolai puts out a hand to quell my excitement.

“Maybe tomorrow, I think we should all try to get some sleep while we can..” The others nod in agreement, before settling down on the floor. Is this it? I just have to sleep here in my bloody clothes? Well…I take off my lab coat, settling down in the pile of blankets on the floor, laying my head down on the old pillow. Closing my eyes, I finally realise how tired I really am..slipping into a deep sleep.

Dear Diary,

The Giant

God! Where the hell am I? I slowly open my eyes, my vision clouded by fog. It begins to clear as I hear noises coming from- somewhere? I don’t know where I am, a metal room? The sound of metal scraping rings through my ears as the room becomes lighter. A door. I struggle to get to my feet, leaning on the wall to do so. My legs are jelly as I stagger forward, eyes stinging from the harsh light. I blink rapidly as my surroundings come into focus. People! There’s people! My excitement at this revelation stops me from observing the fact that these four men are all pointing weapons at me. My eyes whip around frantically, trying to take in the scene as my knees fail me. Four men. Four large men. A body, bloodied and bleeding on the floor. I go cold, I feel the blood drain from my face. I go light headed as I collapse to the floor. Using all the strength my weak body can muster, I back away into the metal room. I’m cornered.

“Hello?” One of the men calls out to me.

“You okay there missy?” Another one asks, I hear their footsteps approaching me. I don’t blink, staring down the ends of their barrels as they surround me in the room. One leans forward, looking down on me before squinting his eyes.

“Альвари Ирина Брандт.” My eyes dart to him after hearing my name. “I think she’s Russian.” He announces, turning to the others. “Are you okay, little lady?” He gently asks me in Russian.

“No-“ I cough out, my throat sore and scratchy. “No, I’m English. Sorry-“

“But you have Russian name tag? From Omega? What is Omega?”

“Stop with all the questions, Nikolai. She’s clearly in shock. How’d you get here, little lady?” The American one bends down to my level, placing a hand on my knee. I back away.

“I- through a teleporter…m-may I ask where I am?”

The one with a thin moustache and prominent bone structure steps forward. “Breslau, Germany. Group 935 research facility.” A German accent… I take the time to take notice of their clothes. Not very modern, I could be anywhere right now.

“And uh…what is the date?”

“13th of October 1945.” What. I-I’ve not been been born yet! What am I going to do!? How will I get home!? What the fuck!? I- I can’t believe this! I can’t believe this! My throat seizes up, my lungs desperately tugging for air that can’t quite reach. The others must’ve noticed my little freak out, all looking at each other before looking back at me, lowering their weapons.

“I- I..” I’m cut off by the sound of screeching and groaning, coming from outside the room.

“We’ve run out of time, freakbags are already back!” The American yells, running out of the room. Two of the others follow suit, one staying behind offering me a hand. I take it, cautiously.

“Do you have a weapon?” He asks with a strong accent, Japanese I think.

“No..” I blurt back in reply, shivering as I hear the shrieks get closer.

“Stay behind me.” He gestures me to follow him and I reluctantly do so. This place is akin to where I came from, a large facility. Many complicated machines decorate the space of the cold courtyard, wires and cables strewn around the floor. I look up at the sound of gunshots, the men firing rapidly at- no! It can’t be.

“T-they’re here!” I nearly faint at the sight. The man in front of me takes out any of the creatures that got near, all I can do is stand, shaking. As I continue watching, my vision starts to blur, my thoughts begin to lull.

I must’ve blacked out from shock because when I came to, I was in a different room, this one a little smaller. Blinking open my eyes I flinch at the bright light, I look forward towards the Russian soldier sitting next to me. “Small woman is awake!” He calls out, turning to the doorway. “Do you feel okay, барышня?”

I clear my throat before replying. “Yes I’m okay now, Спасибо.”

The American walks into the room. “Just tied up the last crawler, should be good for a while.” What’s a crawler, is that one of the creatures?

“Dempsey, go get Richtofen. He can check if little woman is okay.” He nods, leaving before I can protest.

“No, I’m fine.” I assure him, forcing my weak body to sit.

“You are covered in blood, барышня.” Shaking my head, I look down at the dried crimson liquid painting the material at my wrists and the bottom of my white coat.

“It’s not my blood…” I mumble, sitting up slightly. But as I do so, my head begins to spin. How do the Dark Aether miners do it? How can they teleport everyday? I mean, don’t appear to be in the Dark Aether… but where am I? The door opens again, this time the German and the American enter.

“Vat do you vant, Nikolai? Can you not tell I am busy at ze moment?” He questions sarcastically, raising an annoyed brow.

“I want you to check over little woman.” Gesturing over to me.

I shake my head, defensively. “No it's okay, I feel fine now. No physical symptoms.”

“I zhink I vill be zhe judge of zat, being zhe Doctor after all.” He tuts back. He kneels down to my level, beginning by examining the blood stains on my coat.

“Little woman is also a Doctor, Richtofen. Says on name tag.” Richtofen. His deep blue eyes meet mine as he scowls back.

“Shtill, clearly she requires my medical expertise.” He starts poking around at my ribs, waiting for me to flinch, but I’m too scared to even move. After very briefly looking over me, he determines that I am fine before dismissing himself. Not stopping the sign that leaves his mouth as he exits the room.

It’s been a few months since then. We’ve been testing the teleporters for weeks, every time something went wrong. Something about phasic misalignments, always resulting in numerous anatomical displacements. I’ve had to examine specimens so many times, arms attached to legs, multiple bodies fused, it's been awful. However today, March 19th, has marked our first successful teleportation test. After my thorough investigation I determined that Private Pashkov arrived with all parts intact. It's good we have finally managed to sort this out, maybe we can slow down on the amount of ‘Aethernauts’ we’ve been using. Poor souls either don’t come back, or return with physical and physiological symptoms including infection and amnesia… they’re not the only things that have been coming back through. Strange creatures have been reported being spotted within the Dark Aether. I asked Peck if I could get a hold of a specimen for dissection and he agreed surprisingly. It should take place tomorrow.

I walk into the lab where Dr Peck and Dr Kuhlklay are waiting. “Can you take any longer Brandt?” Peck asks sarcastically, standing over the specimen.

“Someone has to fill out the paperwork.” I mumble back in reply, donning my gloves before stepping over to the body of the creature. “So… specimen K7-1924 a very interesting creature… I reported that it has the ability to take form of many different objects.”

“You’re correct Alvarie. When I observed the creature I took note of five different objects the creature transformed into. Including a rifle and an aetherium containment canister.” I nod.

“Sadly that led to its termination as someone mistook the creature for a real rifle.” I tilt my head to the side, eyeing the guard gulping at the other side of the room.

“Enough of this chit chat, care to actually begin the autopsy, Doctor. Brandt?” Passive aggressive as ever, Peck.

“Of course… would you begin the recording Dimitri?” He nods, pressing the button on the recorder.

“This is Dr. Alvarie Brandt, 20th March 1984, beginning examination of specimen K7-1924. Proceeding with examination of upper abdomen.” I take a scalpel from the bench, slicing down a Y line from the creatures ‘chest’ “Dimitri, retractors please.”

“Placing retractors.” He pulls back the retractors, opening up the chest cavity.

“Seem normal to you, Brandt?” Peck asks.

“Well the organs appear…very similar to our own. But it's almost like everything’s merged, interlinked. Observe the lungs ,” I point them out, moving them to the side to see the connective tissue. “They’re in a similar location but it’s pleura extends and connects directly to the heart, passing through the endocardium.” Peck nods. “Wait, Dimitri, hold this open.” He moves the merged organs aside to get access to the back. “There appears to be…something engraved on the interior of the creature’s back. Wh-“

“что за черт. That- is a face.” I feel along the ridges.

“I mean, there does appear to be a warped, stretched pigmentation that resembles a human face.” I turn to peck in shock.

“Resembles!? Look, Peck it even has a bump where the nose should be.”

“Wait-“ Dimitri interrupts. “говно! It is Private Glaskov! We sent him to the other side last month, but he never came back. Is this…is this thing him?” I look at Kuhlklay with wide eyes.

“That explai-“

“That last remark is to be struck from the record! We have no proof that this creature is Private Glaskov. Continue your examination Dr. Brandt.” Shaking my head to clear my mind, I look back down at the creature, just as I pull down my scalpel on the mass of organs-

“Well-uh… I suppose that is a good place to terminate the session. Subject has turned itself into a cassette tape.” I throw down the scalpel, Peck pressing the ‘stop’ button on the recorder.

“I’ll go organise for a new specimen to be brought through.” Peck throws down his gloves into the bin before leaving.

I give a glance towards Kuhlklay before speaking. “I think that creature was Glaskov…” He turns to me, urging me to continue. “Before I came into the room, I was doing an analysis of the creature's DNA…that’s why I was late, I couldn’t understand-”

“What? What couldn’t you understand!?” He grabs my shoulders, shaking me.

“It’s human! It’s human DNA, mutated but almost entirely human…I didn’t understand it either, but now it makes sense. Human organs, miners coming back distorted and now…a human face. These creatures, they are people Dimitri.” He lets go of me, pacing around the room.

“The miners! How many men have we condemned to this fate!?” I shake my head.

“It’s not our fault Dimitri…and we can’t do anything about it, Peck will never admit the truth.”

At least now I have a lot of specimens to dissect. Actually having work to do is a lot better than pretending that I knew what was going on with those portals. Looking down at the decomposing body laid down on the bench beneath me, I think ‘I wonder who this was…’. Peck has been trying to get me to keep a ‘live’ specimen to test his truth serum on, see if they can tell us anything about the Dark Aether. I’ve been telling him that it won’t work. Even if their vocal chords and tongues weren’t destroyed, their brains are mush, there’s no way we could salvage any information. Now where is my bone saw? I look down on the metal bench by my side, picking up the long serrated blade before holding it to the specimen’s sternum.

“Have you found anything useful yet, Dr. Brandt?” I jump in shock, thinking I was completely alone in the room. Holding up the bone saw, I turn around, nearly cutting the man who had decided to stand directly behind me.

“Dr. Peck! I didn’t know you were in here!” He pushes the saw away from his face.

“Well this is my lab. I don’t need permission to come in.” He replies sarcastically.

“What are you looking at here, or do you just like making a mess and wasting resources?” Still after the months I’ve been working here, doing good research, he has no respect for me.

“I was just doing a thorough examination…I wanted to have a good look at the creature's bone structure before I examine the brain, as you requested.” He pushes me out of the way slightly, to have a better look.

“What’s up with its bone structure then?”

“Well-“ I start, moving to the other side of the body. “It’s similar to the organs, all fused together. Look here, the creature only has about 4 ribs. Thicker than normal, as if a human's ribs have been fused together.”

“Hmm, and this is important for me, how?” I look down, discouraged.

“I thought you would just like a better understanding of them?”

“I understand them enough, Brandt. I want you to look at the brain.” Biting the inside of my cheek, I nod firmly.

“Of course, Doctor.”

I turn around to search the bench for my skull chisel. I move my hand over the tools when suddenly I hear a crash. “AHhgh!” I whip back around to see that the creature had woken up! Moving from its position towards peck. I freeze. Peck looks at me, before grabbing the chisel from the bench and stabbing it through the creature’s skull.

“I-I’m-”

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Brandt!? You nearly got me killed!” Peck storms over to me, pushing me back into the corner of the room.

“I’m sorry Dr, I-“

“You will be fucking sorry! You stupid little incompetent girl! Why didn’t you tie the restraints down on the creature!?” I flinch as he continues to shout, spitting in my face.

“I didn’t think-”

“You never fucking think do you, bitch!” He slaps me across the face, I still remain frozen, unable to even reach my hand up to cup my now reddened cheek. “Clean up this mess.” He spits before storming off. Sinking down to the floor, my head falls into my hands. I hold back tears as I take a moment to calm down…I never expected this would be my career. I never wanted this.

An hour later, some other scientist come in and take care of the mess. They tell me to just leave, promising not to say anything to Peck. I thank them, straightening my coat before leaving the room. I decide to go to one of my very few ‘safe’ places in this facility, Dimitri’s lab. As I approach the door, I begin to hear shouting.

“Fucking stupid Peck! ‘Dimitri do this, Dimitri do that. Shame on you, Dimitri. I will have you turned into soup! I’m Dr Peck, I’m a big smart real scientist!’” Is he- drunk? I open the door, looking down at Kuhlklay slumped into his chair, glass of what appears to be vodka in hand. “Fffffuck you. How about that, Pecker-man? Fuuuuuuck you.” Still he hasn’t noticed me, I walk over to him, laying a hand on his arm.

“Are you okay, Dimitri?” He jumps slightly at the contact.

“Oh! Alvarie, I didn’t see you there! Are you okay- your face..?” Reaching a cold hand up to my cheek, he looks at me with worried eyes.

“Yeah I’m fine, just had a little incident with Peck…” at this news, he shots down the rest of the drink in his glass.

“Stupid fucking Peck. Alvarie I’ll tell you something. You know that new invention I was working on, a new rifle that would make Kalashnikov weep? Well I show it to Dr. Peck and he LAUGHS! He calls it a child’s toy! ‘Stop being so small-brained, Dimitri.’ Small-brained? I will show you, Peck.” Throwing down his glass, he grabs my hand. “He thinks he is the only smart man in this facility. He wants me to give up, probably because Peck wants to steal my design for himself. But he can never assemble it! Alvarie, when we leave this place together, I will take it with me and sell it to the highest bidder. ‘Maybe I underestimated you, Doctor Kuhlklay.’ Of course you did Peck. You see, Alvarie, I have always had a keen eye for opportunity.” He looks back at me, a mischievous grin pulled on his face. I smile awkwardly in return, he’s quite scary when he’s drunk.

“What do you mean ‘when we leave’, Mitya?” I sit down in the chair next to him, to be on his level.

“I've been talking to Dr. Valentina, she’s going to send me to a new facility, said I could bring you, милый.” He leans towards me but I pull back, choosing to ignore his terms of endearment.

“You mean we can get away from Dr. Peck?” He nods excitedly.

“Yes I can get you away from here Alvarie, just leave it to me.” He gently kisses my hand, I stand up.

“Keep me updated then Dimitri, I’m uh…gonna head over to get some food. I’ll see you later.” I turn, leaving through the door.

God I’ve got myself into a bit of a pickle here. 1. Peck hates me even more than he already did. He’s going to fire me if he doesn’t kill me first. 2. Kuhlklay’s got me involved in some secret situation, kinda sounds risky. So either I can try and convince Peck that I’m not worthless or leave this place and potentially betray my boss. I enter the kitchen and pull out some rye bread crisps from the cupboard before sitting down on the metal chair. Munching on the crisps, I look down at my slightly bloodied lab coat. No clue how I’m gonna get these stains out… I’m pulled out of my thoughts as I hear the kitchen door open.

“Ah, Dr Brandt.” Peck. “Just the person I wanted to see.” As he approaches, I move back in my chair, the man scares the shit out of me. “Sorry, I’m not gonna hurt you. I wanted to apologise for earlier.” Is this the same Peck? Has he been replaced. My eyebrows furrow in confusion. “I shouldn’t have hurt you like that, it wasn’t professional of me, I’m sorry.” I can’t even speak, what’s going on? “I understand if you don’t forgive me, but I wanted to make it up to you. I was about to do some tests of the new teleporter but I thought you might want to see it first?”

“I- uh, sure?” He gestures me to follow him, we head over to the teleporter room outside mission control.

“This is it.” We walk inside, the large metal contraption in the centre of the room. “This is the largest one yet, still not sure where exactly it goes, changes every time.” He walks over to the control panel, pressing a few buttons and switches before the machine comes to life. Purple and blue lights flash along the edges before stabilising into a large circle. “We still don’t know what’ll happen if we throw a person in this one.”

“Wouldn’t you want to send through some inanimate objects first, or animals? I have some spare monkeys if they would be of any use.” I suggest. He lets out a low chuckle.

“No, I’ve thought of a better idea. Guards!” Suddenly my arms are grabbed behind my back. I try to turn frantically, pulling at the men restraining me.

“Hey! Let me go!” I turn back to peck, eyes pleading.

“Throw her in.”

“NO!” I scream as they drag me over to the anomaly. My feet scrape against the floor, trying to find any friction that might allow me to fight against their hold. “Peck! Don’t do this!” He laughs again.

At 3:50 I hear a knock at my door, engrossed in the material I was reading I forgot to check the time. “One minute!” I yell, quickly putting on my lab coat and lacing up my boots. I flatten down my hair before opening the door.

“Don’t worry, you’re not late. I just thought you might want to walk down to the meeting with me?” I turn back, picking up my notepad and pen before going back to the doorway.

“Yeah, sounds good, Dimitri, I lost track of time there. I was trying to read up on the data packet Peck left me.” We both walk out, down the hallway and towards the conference room.

“It’s a good job you read it, I wouldn’t put it past Peck to try and quiz you in this meeting. Do you know a lot about dimensional rifts?” I look at him, confused and slightly worried. Of course I’d now read the information, I know what they’ve been trying to achieve as of recent, but that can’t be why I’m here…right?

“Uh no…actually I know very little…not really my forte. I’m more of a biological scientist to be honest.”

“Yikes, well you’re going to enjoy this meeting.” He replies sarcastically. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. If you’re not here to help with stabilising the dimensional breaches then I’m sure there’s a lot of other things for you to be working on.”

“I hope so…” I mumble back.

We finally reach the conference room, Dimitri holds the door for me to walk in. “Ah Kuhlklay, Brandt, you’re not late, I’m surprised.” Peck announces from the end of the room, sitting at the head of the table.

“How could I possibly be late to my first meeting at this facility, Dr Peck?” Confidence, confidence is key. I can’t let him walk all over me.

“Is that sarcasm I hear, Brandt?” He grunts out, albeit slightly amused.

Sitting down in the seat next to him I reply. “Not at all, Doctor.”

Kuhlklay sits down in the seat opposite me, giving me a look of approval before speaking. “So, what is this meeting for, Peck?”

“Well Dimitri, I thought it would be a good idea to fill in our new addition on our work. I assume you’ve read the data packet Alvarie, you’ve had all day to do so.” He turns to look at me, I nod shyly. “Good. I know Kravchenko doesn’t want you here to assist with the breaches but until we achieve one, you’ll have to help out. We’re not just gonna pay you to sit around looking pretty, pretending to have a clue of what’s going on.” God he’s such an asshole. “Anyway, tomorrow we’re gonna be continuing our tests for the dimensional portal, and we’re going to achieve one. Alvarie, I want you to manage some of the controls, if you’ve read the data you should know what they all are and how they work. Even with your limited knowledge, I think you should be able to follow instructions. It’s what children are good at anyway.” I narrow my eyes at him slightly, he’s a horrible man but he’s not exactly wrong, I don’t know much about physics.

“Of course sir, I can assure you that I will follow orders to the best of my abilities.” He chuckles at this.

“I’m starting to like her, maybe you could learn a bit about respect from her, Kuhlklay.” The meeting continues, Peck explaining how the tests will run tomorrow before eventually dismissing us.

Dr Kuhlklay and I leave the room before giving each other a knowing stare. We don’t say a word until we get to the kitchen. Walking over to the cabinets, he pulls out some dry pasta before looking at me. “So he was an asshole, but he wasn’t as much of an asshole as I thought he would be.” I walk over, grabbing a pan and filling it with water before putting it on the hob.

“Yeah, I don’t appreciate him calling me a child but I suppose it could be worse.” Dimitri adds the pasta to the water before sitting down in one of the metal chairs.

“He just likes making people think they’re worthless to boost his own ego. One day he’s going to pay for his attitude, I won’t mind the blood on my hands when that smug look is wiped off his face.” I chuckle slightly, his eyes going dark as he slips into his mother tongue.

“I’m glad I took the time to learn Russian.” I sit down across from him, leaning my elbows on the table.

“How long did it take you?” I look off in thought.

“About six months.”

“That’s impressive, took me a few years to learn English.” I shrug.

“It’s a bit easier when it's your fourth language. I was raised speaking English and German, then I did a year of my PhD in Tokyo and picked up Japanese.”

“You’re full of surprises.” I grin at him.

“What can I say, I am a woman of many talents.” We continued talking before finally eating our food. After both calling it an early night, I head to bed to be prepared for my busy day tomorrow.

15 hours. 15 goddamn hours we have been doing these stupid tests- and not a single one has worked! Every time we get close, we approach the limits, we have an unexpected power surge, we lose membrane integrity. All day I’ve been following orders like a good little dog, pushing buttons, pulling levers, reading out numbers. I’m so tired of this shit. Dimitri and I are so frustrated at this point, we just want to give up.

“Are we sure we need to keep going today? Clearly we need to change something…it’s clearly not working.” I gesture over to the countless logs, how can he not see that this is pointless.

“I’m sorry, when did you become in charge of this project, Brandt? Did you suddenly gain a PhD in theoretical physics and nearly 30 years of experience? Oh-wait sorry, you haven’t even been alive that long.” I roll my eyes at him as he walks over to his cassette recorder, pressing a button.

“This is Dr. William Peck. It is the 8th of January, 1984, 1:13 a.m. this is test number 32 for dimensional breach-”

“Must you start with that every recording?” Kuhlklay groans.

“Do not interrupt, Dimitri. This is your chance to learn something from a real scientist. Now, as I was saying. Test number 32. ‘Dr’ Brandt, you may proceed.” I walk over to the panel.

“Activating resonator…beginning magnetic amplification.” Dimitri looks over at my monitors. “Dimensional Barrier identified. Beginning particle distortion.” He pulls down a lever, keeping his eyes on the monitors.

“Barrier membrane integrity at fifty percent.” Peck announces. Kuhlklay whips his head back to look at Peck.

“Amplification is still approaching the limits prematurely!” Peck still stays calm.

“Increasing voltage output from Aetherium Crystal.” We look out to the test chamber, the anomaly expanding and contracting rapidly.

“It’s working! Membrane integrity at forty percent!” My eyes go wide, unable to speak. I frantically tap at the glass displaying amplification. “Amplification has reached safety parameters!” Kuhlklay screeches. Peck chuckles.

“Let it ride, Dimitri. let it ride! Increasing voltage output.”

“Amplification exceeding safety parameters! I’m shutting it down!” He reaches out towards the termination button but Peck smacks his hand out of the way, pointing his finger towards Kuhlklay’s throat.

“You touch that button, I’ll have you gutted like a fish and fed to your comrades in Solyanka soup!” My eyes dart back to the monitors.

“Doctor! Membrane integrity down to ten percent!”

“You mудак! You’ll get us all killed!” Peck rushes back over to the controls.

“Wait! Adjusting distortion frequency to pattern echo-four!” As he does this, the anomaly stabilises…a- a portal.

“Mein Gott…” I mutter, eyes fixated on the purple glowing anomaly.

Firebase z

6th January 1984

I had thought it might be difficult to get a job after I finished my studies. My PhD doesn’t lend itself to versatility; intense studies of human catatonic states and re-animation of organ systems, it’s obviously very interesting but not very useful to…anyone. Or at least that’s what I thought. Turns out my research wasn’t far off, at least according to some secret government organisations. I suppose the Cold War has made the Americans and the Russians research some strange things, and they both have eyes everywhere. They even managed to pick up on my little project. The day I graduated with my PhD, just as I left the hall I was accosted by some strange men in black suits. They asked if they could talk to me about some promising new research I could be involved in.

Today I actually get to start. So it turns out the Russian government got to me first, I now work for an organisation called Omega though I’m not exactly sure what it’s about yet. Something about different dimensions. They did say that my research was very relevant so I’m excited. I arrive at outpost 25 in the A Shau Valley of Vietnam at exactly 6 a.m., not too early for me, thankfully. I’m escorted from the helicopter by a soldier, I didn’t quite catch his name but I don’t suppose that matters really. “Dr Peck should be here to meet you shortly.” He salutes me before leaving me alone in the room. My first impression of the facility is that I’m not going to be living the life of luxury…the place looks like it was built in a few weeks with little budget and no regard for safety regulations. All the buildings appear to be made of corrugated metal sheets with a little bit of plasterboard for insulation. My eyes scan the perimeter looking for any signs of the actual work that takes place here, but the facility seems new, I’m not quite sure yet.

My thoughts are interrupted as I see a man in a white lab coat walk into the room, he looks quite a lot older than me, fine lines etched into the skin around his eyes, maybe from stress. He has brown hair, receding slightly. “You must be Dr Peck?” I ask, standing, moving my suitcase behind me and extending my hand for him to shake.

“Yeah, and you’re Dr Brandt? Little young?” He replies in a strong American accent, looking down at my hand, not reaching out with his own. I let out an awkward laugh, putting my hand back down to my side.

“Yeah I’m uh…25. I-is that okay?” He scowls back at me.

“I mean there’s no age requirement, I just want to know you’re qualified for this research project. I don’t just wanna let any little girl that waltzes in have access to my research.” God, someone got out of the wrong side of bed this morning, still I try not to let it discourage me.

“Uh, well Dr Peck. I assume you have read my file and know of my research, if you feel I am under qualified to be a part of this project then that is your own decision. However I would appreciate being permitted to begin working here and prove myself to you. If after this time you still believe me to be of no value to you, then I will happily leave.” I cough, trying to keep my composure. He huffs before reaching out his hand to shake mine.

“Well I suppose you do have some balls kid, I’ll give you a chance.” I take his hand, he gives it a firm shake before gesturing to me to walk with him.

We exit the building, walking over to the next, labelled scientist quarters. “You’ll be working directly under me, along with Dr Kuhlklay. I’ll show you to your room and then I’ll have to leave you, busy job.”

He walks me over to a small room with glass windows facing the hallway. The sign outside says ‘Dr Alvarie Irina Brandt’, nice it's spelled correctly. He opens the door for me, giving me the key card. “Here you go, the next room over is Dr Kuhlklay. To close the window shutter it's this button here.” He presses a small red button next to the window, metal shutters crash down, blocking the view. I think I’ll just keep those down. “You should have everything you need, lab coat is over there or you can just wear one you already have, I don’t care. Name tag is on the desk. If you need anything, don’t ask me, I’m far too fucking busy for admin work.” He walks over to the door and leaves before poking his head back in. “Meet me in the conference room at 4pm, don’t be fucking late.” He finally leaves, closing the door after himself.

“Lovely.” I mutter to myself, throwing my suitcase down on the bed. I take a look into the wardrobe to see the labcoat, it's good quality but it definitely will not fit my figure…I’ll just wear my own, good job I brought it. I walk back over to the bed, opening up my suitcase to start putting some of my things away. They didn’t allow me to bring much, I’ve got some clothes: mainly turtle necks, shirts and suit trousers, there’s a few other items such as pyjamas as well as undergarments. I was permitted to bring through my own toiletries thankfully, I doubt the ones here are any good. They let me bring some documents of my old research but only paper, no digital files. I start to put away my clothes into the small wardrobe, still big enough to fit my small volume of garments. Next I put all my books in the cabinet underneath my desk, and place my toiletries in the little basket I brought to take to the bathroom when I need to. “Done, nice. Now what?” I mutter to myself, looking around.

Maybe I’ll have a walk around? I really need to find out where that conference room is. I pull out my lab coat from the wardrobe, slipping it on before attaching my new name tag. Next I go over to the door, opening it. As I walk out I immediately bump into someone. “Извините меня!” He squeaks out as my face collides with his torso.

“No-no, it’s okay. I didn’t look where I was going.” I reply quickly in Russian, shaking my head before looking up at his name tag. “Oh you’re Dr Kuhlklay!”

He leans back to have a look at my name tag. “And you’re Dr Brandt. I thought you were English?” I tilt my head in confusion. “You were just speaking Russian and you have a German name, you’re confusing.” I giggle awkwardly.

“Oh my family is German and uh..I learned Russian when I was given the job here. I wanted to be able to understand everyone better.” He nods, seemingly in approval.

“Well you’ve done more than Peck. I assume you’ve met him, our ‘boss’.” I nod.

“Yeah he just left, showed me to my room.”

“Sorry about him, he’s just a Мудак, but you’ll get used to it.” I give back a meek smile. “I can give you a quick tour if you like, the facility isn’t too big but it can be a bit of a maze.” Nodding excitedly I agree before quickly calming myself down.

“Yeah, sounds great! Sorry- I’m just a little excited. I’ve never worked anywhere like this before.” He gives a low chuckle, waving his hand as if to waft away my concerns.

We begin to walk. “I understand, is this your first time ever being evolved in something like this? A top secret project.”

“Oh yeah, I mean I only just graduated two years ago… I’m still not entirely sure why they let me on this project, I don’t even know what it is.” His eyes widen at this.

“You only graduated two years ago!? I thought you seemed young…” I look up at him.

“I know I am young but it doesn’t mean I won’t work hard.” He hums.

“Maybe it's what we need, a fresh set of eyes.” I smile back at him.

“Thanks for the encouragement Dr Kuhlklay.”

“Please-“ he interrupts. “Call me Dimitri, no need for the formalities.”

“Then you may call me Alvarie, but not around Peck. I don’t want him to think any less of me than he already does.”

“Sure Alvarie. Anyway, the meeting at 4pm is in the room right here. It’s actually right next to the kitchen so you can just come there to eat with me after the meeting if you would like.” I tilt my head, smiling.