Warp Gate: Tales Between Worlds

A Time and A Place

Sonoran Desert, Arizona, USA

122200SJUN94

Mission Objective: Secure, and destroy, strange energy source

Transcript:

PVT. White: The squadron has arrived at the source of the strange radar signature. It appears to be some sort of glowing crack in the air. Our commander, Sergeant Winters, describes it as a "Rift".

PVT. White(cont.):We have stationed an observation platform nearby in order to keep further tabs on the anomaly. (Dear God, please let this not be something bad.)

130400SJUN94

PVT. White: Military scientists have spent the past six hours attempting to analyze the rift. Results have been ... inconclusive... to say the least. Morale has stayed high for a majority of the squadron. (Not including my own anxieties.)

130531SJUN94

SGT. Winters: The rift seems to have become unstable over time. Our local scientists are making attempts to figure out why the energy amounts are fluctuating, but readings will be sent out for review. Despite these troubling developments I hold a strong faith that this anomaly will be under control shortly.

PVT. White: Sergeant Winters, sir, the rift has disappeared.

SGT. Winters: What do you mean it disappeared?

PVT. White: Well you see sir, the light coming from it swelled up a bit, then the entire rift collapsed in on itself.

SGT. Winters: Bring me out there at once.

---

The desert air ran cold and dry across my face. I knew I had a bad feeling about this mission.

Still, the rift seemed to be more than an anomaly. When I was on patrol, it sounded almost like I could hear a voice coming from inside it. That's crazy. It's just a weird energy thing.

"I suppose the rift is no longer our responsibility" the sergeant said, facing me. "However, you still have to finish that mission report, don't you White?"

I gave him a salute and a quick "Yes, sir". But as I turned away, I saw yet another gleam coming from the corner of my eye. Before I could even turn my head the light enveloped everything.

I woke up to the sound of a familiar voice, the same one I heard coming from the rift. I was on a cot in the observatory, and beside me was Sergeant Winters, lying unconscious.

"My apologies to you in regards to the accident." said the voice. It came from the mouth of a tall woman sitting at my other side. She had slick hair and an ashy complexion, and what I originally interpreted as a headset was actually two goat-like horns.

She looked like a demon.

Noticing my fear she stepped back. "I suppose it's a little jarring to wake up and be greeted by someone you haven't met yet. I'm Victoria Thorngate, a wizard from the Solmeir Institute of Magic, and a diplomat from another world".