This is my highly speculative take on a ST4-type story. Clearly it will become extreme-AU as soon as ST4 is actually released but there's plenty of time before that happens. I apologize if the dialogue is a bit choppy but I have little talent for natural-sounding human speech patterns. Updates will be irregular: sometimes within hours and sometimes within weeks. I will make no promises because "friends don't lie."
In this story any Russian dialogue is written in transliterated form. English translation is in brackets at the end of the "paragraph."
Example: "Slova," X said. [Words.]
Transliteration is used so English readers (seeing as this is written in English) can grasp the sound.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to or including Stranger Things, Netflix, or related media properties. This is a work of fiction meant entirely to entertain and delight. It is not being done for profit or material benefit.
Furthermore, if someone thinks they can do a better job using this premise feel free to do so without asking permission. I don't take personal ownership of any part of this work. It is entirely a matter of personal fulfillment and endeavor.
Please enjoy! Спасибо за чтение!
April 1976: Arkhangelsk, Russian SFSR, USSR
Down an unlit hallway three figures became clear from the darkness. A woman in a uniform with two large men flanking her turned from the passage into a metal doorway. Pushing through, she opened a second door into a better lit space with a bed and austere furnishings. There was a little boy sitting on the bed; he stood when she entered.
"Vy gotovy?" she asked him. [Are you ready?]
"Da mem," he replied. [Yes ma'am.]
"Khorosho. Vremya prishlo," she said with a laugh as she exited the way she came. [Good. It is time.]
June 1976: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
"We're so excited to finally take our new son home! We wanted a second child—hopefully a boy this time—but never could manage it. But now we've got one!" Karen Wheeler shouted with glee as her husband passed a clipboard to a serious-looking official.
"Yes. It's taken a while," Ted added absentmindedly.
"Well congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler. This is a special day. The boy—Michael—is waiting for you in the hall now. Are you ready to meet him?" the official replied.
The couple nodded and followed the woman out into the aforementioned passageway. There a small boy sitting on a bench. The new parents bent down and greeted the five-year-old with smiles and outstretched arms.
1983: Episode 1: The Vanishing of Will Byers
Mike had stormed out of the dining room and into his bedroom. It was a bit unusual for family squabbles to explode into such chaos but he needed an excuse to get back upstairs. He had heard a soft electronic beeping during dinner and knew he had to inspect the source. Reaching under his mattress, Mike pulled out a silver metallic box with five controls and a single headphone piece. He placed the speaker to his ear and pushed a red button.
"Vy aktivirovany. Aktiv byl poteryan komandoy Brennera. Naydi yeye," a voice said firmly. [You are being activated. Asset has been lost by Brenner's team. Find her.]
"Priznannyy," he answered into a microphone on the box. [Acknowledged.]
Mike stowed the device back in its hiding place after deciding to call Lucas on his Supercom.
1983: Episode 2: The Weirdo on Maple Street
After leaving the girl—Eleven—in the basement, Mike returned to his room and withdrew the silver box again. Pressing a green button he quickly lifted it to his mouth.
"YA nashel devushku. Ona v podvale. Zakazy?" he said. [I found the girl. She is in the basement. Orders?]
"Podderzhivat' tekushchiy status. Ne dat' amerikantsam zabrat' svoy aktiv. Deaktivirovan do dal'neyshego uvedomleniya," the stern voice replied. [Maintain current status. Prevent Americans from retaking the asset. Deactivated until further notice.]
"Priznannyy," he answered again. [Acknowledged.]