A/N: Hi everyone! I'm glad I'm able to get started on a semi-new chapter story. As you now know, this is a prequel to my story 'The Beauty of Annihilation'. This will give background to my OC, Netta, and explain a few things that I didn't make too clear in my previous story. I'm hoping this will prove to be okay. Please, please tell me if Netta seems to be Mary-Sue. That's definitely something I'm really trying to avoid. Thank you for reading, and please review honestly!

Doctor Netta Lopez stood next to the unfinished teleporter, gazing at it with an intense stare. So many emotions were floating through her mind now, and the young woman wasn't sure what to feel. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. So, when Doctor Harper walked into the room and called out her name, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Oh! My apologies Doctor Lopez. I just wanted to tell you that the teleporter will be ready in an hour."

Netta nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Doctor Harper."

No matter how many times Doctor Ray Harper heard Netta speak, he could never pinpoint what made her voice so beautiful. The young woman had a Spanish accent, and no matter if she was angry or calm, her voice always had this majestic sound to it, as if she were a princess.

She wasn't half-bad in ways of looks either. Her parents both being native to Spain, she was very dark skinned with long, dark, thick hair that was usually pulled back in a ponytail. She was very tall, standing at about 6'1" and very slim. Despite her beauty, she was unmarried and did not have a boyfriend or fiancée.

He cleared his throat. "Professor Smith just wants me to make sure that you are definitely ready for this mission. You know what to expect, yes?"

Netta scowled. "Yes. I am aware, Doctor. I can't tell you how many times I've had someone ask me that! I know what I need to do. My God, just because a woman is doing field work, doesn't mean I must be treated like a hospital patient."

Doctor Harper nodded. "My apologies. This is a bit more than field work, however. We're mainly concerned about Doctor Richtofen. He's had...well, there are many reasons we have not to trust him, as you may know."

Netta glared darkly at him. "I trust that man with my life. Have you ever worked with him in the lab Doctor Harper? Have you really been able to see just what a brilliant genius he is?"

Doctor Harper grimaced. "Doctor Lopez, there was a report...Richtofen disappeared for hours, and then came back...and he-he just went insane! I mean, we honestly think he may have a clinical case of schizophrenia. And now he's out there, with three other men, and some of the most powerful weapons in the world...I-I just think you need to take caution. I wouldn't put so much trust into that man."

Netta was silent.

"Just take care of yourself while you're out there...for all our sake." he pleaded.

"Goodbye, Doctor Harper." Netta murmured coldly.

"Right...one hour Netta."

She nodded, and he left.

Netta began gathering her things into her bag. Ray Gun, MP-40, AK-47, and extra ammo for everything. Strapped onto her back was her personal favorite: The ThunderGun.

She walked around, tossing other things into her bag as well. Extra boots, leather gloves, a jacket, dehydrated food, her small medical kit. It wasn't much, but it was all about staying on your feet out there. Using your head and being alert would save your life more than any medical kit would.

Netta's mission was to teleport to the shipwreck where the four actors and their director were stranded. They were low on food, ammunition, and were getting overrun. Once she met up with them, they would teleport to the old space station where, hopefully, Doctor Edward Richtofen and his team would be able to meet her there. Edward had a mission he had to complete, and it was top-secret to everyone but his team mates.

Making sure no one was looking, she also packed a small piece of paper with hers and Edwards handwriting on it. Five months ago, Edward had written on a small piece of paper, joking about Doctor Maxis's serious nature. They had been dissecting a guinea pig that had been tested with 115, and Ludvig kept snapping at them for the tiniest little things.

I swear, Ludvig is about as stiff as a board. It's a wonder he was once married.

Like a girl in elementary school, she had giggled and written a note back under it.

I know! He makes me want to just throw something at him.

Edward had laughed quietly.

I could arrange that.

Netta had actually made her lips bleed that day from biting them so hard, holding back laughter. They had decided that one of them should put a dissected zombie eyeball into his soup someday.

The horrible thing was, Edward had actually done it. No one was able to prove it was him.

In all of Netta's time working for Group 935, she had never seen Ludvig Maxis so angry. Or so green in the face.

What Doctor Richtofen didn't know, was that Netta had actually kept the note.

Smiling at the memory, Netta tucked the piece of paper into her bag.

"Doctor Lopez, the teleporter is ready."

Looking up, Netta heaved her bag over her shoulder and hurried into the main room. The teleporter was now glowing purple. Netta gave a small smile.

Doctor Harper, Professor Jaquelyn Smith, and several other employees hurried into the room, as Netta stepped inside. Despite the warmth of the teleporter, Netta shivered.

"Are you ready, Doctor Lopez?"

Netta nodded. "I'm ready."

Doctor Harper placed a hand on her shoulder. "Just be careful."

She smiled at him. "I will."

"Systems online...coordinates locked in...when you are ready, Doctor Lopez."

Netta took a deep breath, smiling to herself. With a determined look in her eye, Netta pulled the lever. Purple static erupted around her, and then she was gone.