The muted hum of the Federal Bureau of Control's Oldest House resonated through Director Trench's office. Outside, the world was stepping into 1998 with hope and trepidation, but within these walls, the concept of time was more fluid—sometimes meaningless. Trench leaned back in his chair, his sharp features illuminated by the faint glow of his desk lamp. A cigarette smoldered between his fingers, its plume of smoke spiraling upward, creating ephemeral shapes that reminded him of the Astral Plane's chaotic geometry.

Dr. Casper Darling stood across from him, his hands clasped behind his back. His white lab coat was immaculate, as always, contrasting with the faint dark circles under his eyes. He'd been busy, Trench knew, even without considering the fact they'd just spent the night of New Year's Eve together just hours before—Darling was always busy—but this new task would push even the Bureau's brightest mind to his limits.

"Casper," Trench began, his voice steady but heavy with the weight of authority, "we're standing on the precipice of something monumental. The Astral Plane… it's not just another dimension. It's a bridge. A gateway. And if we're going to truly understand the threats and opportunities it represents, we need to take the next step."

Darling's eyes lit up with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "You're talking about a sustained presence. Not just observations through the Hotline or isolated incursions, but… actual exploration."

Trench nodded, extinguishing his cigarette in a ceramic ashtray. "That's exactly what I'm talking about. A research expedition. I want you to lead it."

Darling's lips pressed into a thin line as he considered the implications. The Astral Plane was a place of shifting landscapes and incomprehensible logic. It defied human understanding at every turn. But it was also a place of profound potential—a source of the Bureau's greatest discoveries, and its darkest encounters.

"We'd need a team," Darling said slowly, his mind already racing. "The best minds. And equipment that can withstand… whatever that place decides to throw at us. Contingencies for time dilation, psychological strain, physical anomalies…"

"You'll have what you need," Trench interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. "But I don't need to tell you, Casper—this isn't just another project. This is the Bureau's future. Handle it carefully."

Darling nodded, though he couldn't suppress a faint smile. For all its dangers, the Astral Plane was a siren song to him. The promise of unraveling its mysteries was irresistible. "I'll need to consult with Dr. Underhill on environmental suits and Dr. Harrington for cognitive resilience protocols. And security. And Rangers. We'll need…"

"I'll authorize Salvador and Marshall to assign teams," Trench said, standing up and walking around the desk. He placed a hand on Darling's shoulder, a rare gesture of camaraderie. "I trust you, Casper. You've never let the Bureau down."

"Thank you, Director," Darling replied, though he felt the weight of the trust settling on his shoulders.

As Darling left the office, his mind was already outlining the expedition's framework. He imagined the corridors of the Astral Plane stretching infinitely before him, whispering secrets just out of reach. There was so much to discover, so much to risk.

Back in his office, Trench lit another cigarette and stared into the shadows. The Bureau's future, he had said. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that the Astral Plane might also be its undoing.