I had left Mars.
The next thing I saw was some sort of...tunnel. It was only there for a split second. It was crimson, bloodied, and it felt like I was falling through it.
Then I was with the rest of the expedition. The site was partly excavated and the obvious signs of life were littered around me, but I could not be sure whether 'life' was strictly limited to 'human life'. I looked up. The sky was red and black. The choking, sickening air I was inhaling resembled that of a furnace. There was great pools and rivers of molten magma surrounding me, and tall cliffs rose from them. I could observe the faint hint of architecture, and moved to observe it. It looked like a ram's skull. My fingers rose subconsciously to touch it. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," commented a soldier, standing to my right. "A lab-coat touched that yesterday. Damn near singed his entire hand off." I hastily thanked him and moved off.
The inhospitable environment, however, did not stop me and the team taking samples and searching for signs of alien life.
Dimensional Uniqueness
Simon,
In preparation for your 'jump' next week, I wanted to inform you of another task-list item we need to cover. Since the Main Portal has not been operational for a few weeks, we have not had time to follow up on some of the physiological reports. While on the other side of the portal, pay close attention to your stamina while working and moving around. Many individuals have reported a lack of being tired, and some work constantly without the need for rest. One of the teams has called it 'the Hercules complex'. Anyhow, to help us further our study, please record any additional information related to this phenomenon.
Thank you, and good luck next week!
Earl Besch, Research Scientist
Work was simple and effortless, probably the effects of 'the Hercules complex' Besch warned me about. It was not a strange, unnatural sensation...I just did not feel tired. But I still had not warmed up to the place.
After a few hours, the expedition leader informed us we had a half an hour until we were supposed to be moving on, searching for 'specimens'. I relished the news...I was getting sick of putting the same old dirt or sculpture in a bag. I wanted to see these 'creatures' close up.
Then, something terrifying happened.