It was a cold and dark night at the Siberian wilderness. The full Moon shone high in the starry night, its light reflecting on the snowy fields. A chilling silence reigned over the taiga, quiet and seemingly devoid of any kind of life... but, on the underground base beneath, it was everything but calm.
Swarms of Russian troops, scientists and workers of many kinds hurriedly went back and forth through the complex's corridors; the alarm lights were flickering like crazy, and with that one could sense the nervousness in the air. However, amidst all this tension and stress, two men could be spotted walking among the personnel...
"So, I've heard that you got invited to next week's conference by Gergeiev himself, Mr. Highstew. It's that true?"
"So it seems, Captain Sergeiveich." He replied.
Michael Highstew had changed quite a bit these past months. His beard looked more trimmed, and his countenance had grown serious and distant. However, the man's personality, as one could notice, hadn't changed in the slightest.
He continued talking.
"But to be honest, I'm surprised that he decided to hold this conference in Ursus, from all places."
"Well, the Russian Army is about to complete the conquest of the Ursus Empire, so it's only logic that the president wants to go there to visit the troops." Answered the officer in a merry tone.
"Good point." Soon the two men reached a lift. They got inside, and after pushing a button, the elevator started descending to the depths of the base...
As the lift went down, captain Sergeiveich asked his partner something.
"I'm kinda curious. Have you ever been to the other world, Mr. Highstew?"
"Well..." He shrugged. "I've sent many of my people to work on the other side... but personally, this is my first time crossing that portal."
"Hm, that's interesting.2 Replied Sergeiveich. From his gaze, he seemed to be lost in thought. "I've been to there a couple of times, and I must say that, although I'm more than familiar with it, I can't help but be amazed by the wonders it holds..." At that moment, the elevator came to a sudden halt and the doors opened. The officer let out a chuckle and said. "Would you look at that..." He then directed his gaze towards Michael. "Ok, let's get going."
Highstew and Sergeiveich stepped out of the elevator and entered the main hangar. It was massive in size, with lots of crates and cables laying around. Many workers were running all across the site, trying to finish their tasks as fast as they could... and, in very middle of this frantic activity, stood a machine. One which Highstew recognized almost right away. A light smile appeared on his lips.
"Heh, there it is. The traveler..."
"Yeah, an impressive machine, indeed..." Muttered the officer. "Anyways, the preparations should be done by now, so in a few minutes it should..." He saw the alarm turn on. "Forget it, it has already begun."
Suddenly, a strident noise reverberated across the entire hangar, immediately followed by a voice coming from the speakers.
"Внимание, Внимание. Последовательность зажигания активирована, портал появится через 30 секунд. Весь второстепенный персонал эвакуируется с территории. (Attention, Attention. Ignition sequence activated, portal will appear in 30s. All non-essential personnel evacuate the area.)"
Upon hearing the announcement, everyone except the two men and some technicians fled the area, leaving the hangar deserted. Moving behind a safety line, Highstew and Sergeiveich watched as the machine's rotors began turning quicker and quicker; and then...
"Нарушение протокола на 100%... Разлом успешно создан. (Breaking protocol at 100%... Rift successfully established.)"
Before their eyes, a black sphere appeared on top of the machine, where it started to grow and grow... until the gate was fully formed. Everyone present remained silent, not daring to say a single word.
Highstew and Sergeiveich quickly snapped out of it and started making their way towards the portal. Their excitement grew with every step they took up the ramp, and finally reaching its crescendo when the two stood in front of the black sphere. It was a breathtaking moment for both men.
"Wow..." Muttered Highstew in amazement. Never in his life he had been so close to the portal; and now, as he watched the sphere of darkness floating just in front of him, he couldn't help but feel anxious.
However, soon the sound of an alarm reminded them that they had to go.
"Well, time to cross the portal." Said Sergeiveich, stepping aside. "You may go first."
Not having any alternative, Highstew stepped forward and approached the gate. It was so close that its aura grazed his skin. Slowly, he extended his arm towards the sphere, and just before touching it he heard the Russian officer exclaim.
"See you on the other side!"
At that moment, his fingers finally came into contact with the sphere. A bright light enveloped him completely, and then... darkness.
X-X
BUMP! – As soon as he left the portal Highstew hit the concrete floor pretty hard. He laid there for a couple of seconds, only to then get back to his feet.
"Ughh..." He grunted while massaging his back. "That bastard should have warned me..."
Before he could finish, the black sphere suddenly became engulfed by a light so bright that it blinded him. Seconds later, it vanished.
Upon reopening his eyes, Highstew saw that the sphere was gone, and on its place stood Sergeiveich. He waved at him and said.
"Seems like you had a bumpy arrival, my friend."
"C'mon, don't tell me!" He scoffed. "I got thrown to the floor like a fuck*ng bag!"
To his annoyance, the captain made a smirk.
"Hey, I was just joking. Nah, don't worry. The first time it always happens, you'll get used to it."
"Whatever..." Letting out a sigh, Highstew turned his attention to his surroundings. He saw that they were inside of an old warehouse, crammed with ammo crates, IFVs, trucks, and Russian soldiers going around. Some of them threw glares at the two for a brief moment, but ended up going back to their business shortly after.
"Where are we exactly?" Asked Highstew.
"In Novaya Volga." Answered his partner. "We use this place as kind of a terminal for trans-dimensional trips."
"I see..."
That said the duo set out for the exit, but as soon as they took a step they heard a voice calling them.
"Mr. Highstew! Mr. Highstew!" Among the mass of military men, he spotted a boy trying to reach over to him. He was somewhat young, with neck-length auburn hair and brown eyes. Also, he had some small bangs.
Upon seeing him, the captain let out a small laugh and exclaimed.
"Oh, Mr. Roberts! What a surprise to see you here!"
"Yeah, I came as soon as I heard you were coming." The boy turned to Highstew and extended his arm towards. "I'm glad to see you again, sir."
"It's been quite a while, Northwood." He replied as he shook the boy's hand. "How are the company's operations going?"
"To be honest, we aren't producing nearly as much Originium as I would have wanted... But there's some hope that the extraction rate will increase as we acquire more mines and upgrade our extraction capabilities."
"Good to hear that." Answered Highstew. "I can't wait to start selling all of that sweet, sweet Originium in Earth..."
There Sergeiveich intervened in the conversation.
"I must say that you have a really capable assistant here, Mr. Highstew. He's proved to be very diligent and good at representing World Beyond Labs in front of High Command."
"I know, that's why I chose him in the first place..." At that moment he realized something. "Changing the subject, shouldn't be Orlov here as well?"
"Coronel Orlov wasn't able to come here. He had to assist a conference or something." Replied Roberts. "We should go to the HQ of the Russian Army, there we'll find him."
"Ah, before I forget." Segeiveich took out what turned out to be a mask with filters and gave it to Highstew. "Please, put this on."
"A mask?" He asked in confusion. "Why the fuck are you giving this to me?"
"The air here is filled to the grim with Originium dust, so I would recommend you to wear it, least you accidentally contract Orypathy... But do not worry, your body will get used to the toxic air in a few days, and from there you can go without the mask."
"Fine..." Highstew reluctantly answered.
"The car is already waiting for us." Intervened Roberts. "Let's go."
/ /
Looking through the car's window, Highstew could see the scars that the Russian invasion had left. Many of the buildings had been somewhat brought back to shape, but their walls remained riddled with bullet holes. Other edifications, meanwhile, were complete ruins.
The car continued driving down the streets of Novaya Volga, until ten minutes later it finally arrived at their destination, a building with a rather beautiful neoclassical façade. Once they got off Highstew and the rest hurriedly walked over to the entrance of the HQ.
Inside there was tension on the air. Officers and administrators went back and forth carrying copious amounts of paperwork, all while others were attending multiple phone and radio calls. The three men, ignoring all of that, kept walking down the corridors, and eventually got to the conference room.
"He should be inside..." Said Roberts.
The boy reached for the door handle, he was about to open it... but then he came to a sudden halt. Why? Because someone was yelling inside.
"ВЫ ГОВОРИТЕ МНЕ, ЧТО ОНИ НЕ ХОТЯТ ОТДАВАТЬ НАМ СВОИ ЗЕМЛИ?! (ARE YOU TELLING ME THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE US THEIR LANDS?!)"
"Yeah, that's what they said." They heard the soft voice of a woman answer the man. "The entire region of Veliky Omsk depends on these lands for food; the local nobles fear that if you expropriate them it might lead to a widespread famine..."
"МНЕ ВСЕ РАВНО! ИЛИ НАМ ОТДАЮТ ЗЕМЛИ ИЛИ Я ОТПРАВЛЯЮ ВАС И ВАШИХ БЛАГОРОДНЫХ ДРУЗЕЙ НА ШАХТЫ! ПОНЯЛ?! (I DON'T CARE! OR THEY GIVE THE LANDS TO US OR I'M SENDING YOU AND YOUR NOBLE FRIENDS TO THE MINES! UNDERSTOOD?!)"
"Yes, understood."
"ТОГДА Идите И РЕШИТЕ ЭТУ! (THEN GO AND GET THIS SOLVED!)"
At that moment the door opened and a Liberi woman hurriedly left the room. Unfortunately, bad luck made her run into Highstew, making the two trip to the floor.
"Ugh..." Highstew raised his gaze, and soon he found himself staring right into the woman's gray eyes. "..."
From his position, Michael could appreciate more details about her, from her long white hair and the two feathers sticking from the sides of her head to the fitting black dress she wore.
They stared at each other for brief instants, until the woman stood up, and muttering an apology she quickly walked away, disappearing between the corridors. Highstew was left quite stunned by this incident. "Huh, that was rather strange...", he thought to himself as he stood up. The memory of this incident was gradually fading from his mind... But that moment he remembered. He had seen this woman's face before, he knew her. Then a terrifying realization came.
He suddenly turned to the direction she had gone, and with wide eyes he exclaimed.
"Fuck*ng shit! That is...!"
"Yeah, that was Koshelna." A voice interrupted him from behind. He turned around, and standing there was Coronel Orlov. "...Although we usually refer to her as The Black Deathless Snake"
The coronel was a rather tall man for his age, in addition of boing robust and strong-looking. Unfortunate, in contrast to his body his hair wasn't in such good shape. In fact, he was almost completely bald. His expression was very serious, and his brown eyes gave a chilling look.
Highstew, still visibly lost, tried to reply.
"Bu- but... Can someone explain how the hell did "he" end up here, from all places?"
"He's working for the Russian Army. Some of our guys managed to convince him to collaborate with our forces here." Said Orlov. "We don't trust him, that's for sure; but he's proven to be quite a useful asset in our conquest of Ursus... so for now we've decided to let him live."
"..." Highstew remained silent for a while.
Looking at him, Orlov realized that they hadn't even introduced to each other.
"Oh, for God's sake!" He suddenly exclaimed, extending his arm towards Highstew. "But where are my modals? I'm Coronel General Ivan Orlov, commander in chief of the Ursus Military District. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Highstew."
"The pleasure is mine." The two shook hands.
Once the introductions were over, Sergeiveich spoke.
"Now, with that done, I think there are some things we need to talk about."
"You're right." Orlov turned to Highstew and his assistant and said. "If you don't mind, we can go to my office and talk there. I have vodka, by the way."
"Great! Let's go then." And with that said, the four of them followed him to his office.
X-X
Not far away from Highstew and the rest, a certain liberi woman could be seen, moving silently through the halls of the HQ. She seemed to we wandering aimlessly around the building, but soon her motives would become clear as she reached a lone corridor. She stood there, without making any movement, but then...
CRACCKK! – Suddenly, Koshelna threw a punch at the nearest wall, hitting it so hard that it began to crack.
"THAT FUCKING BASTARD OF ORLOV...!" , she thought to herself. "If I could, I would rip that superb tongue of his from his mouth...!" She kept mentally insulting him for a while, but after ten minutes she had finally steamed off her burning rage. "Ok, let's calm ourselves. Take some air, then exhale, take some air, exhale... like that." She could think clearly now. "At this rate I'm going to explode someday. Orlov is such arrogant guy that makes me sick... but I can't leave yet. If I want my plan to succeed, I must remain with the Russians, like it or not..."
A very sinister smile appeared on her lips. "Hehehe... soon I shall see my vision come into fruition. Very soon..."
