Dimensions I: Recruit

Chapter 1

John was hurtling down a bright vertical tunnel. Rainbow lights flashed before his eyes as he struggled to reach out for something - anything that could bring an end to the drop: He had been falling for what seemed like an eternity and could still see no bottom.

He tried again and again, but he could not move. It was not that he was bound in any way - the signals just did not reach his arms. His head swam and the world fragmented as he realized his eyes were closed. He opened them with effort and was struck by a searing headache as he adjusted to his surroundings.

He lay in a soft but shaped beanbag in the corner of a circular room. The walls were glass but he could not see anything out of them due to the angle. On the other side of the room was a large desk, with something he couldn't quite make out stationed behind it. He could move now but not without great pain, and resolved to go back to sleep and try to make sense of it all when he was feeling a little better.

Before he could close his eyes, however, the thing he hadn't been able to make out earlier stood and walked over to him. He was, as far as he could tell, human, but over three metres tall and slightly overweight. He wore a black suit with the letters 'DHQ' etched upon it in silver, and a black metal gauntlet with inferences of technology adorned his right hand.

John drank the drink he was offered, which looked and tasted like tea, and sighed as life and strength returned to his body. Bursting with questions, he sat bolt upright.

"Who are you? Where am I? What was that tunnel?"

The giant laughed and dragged out a chair from his desk. He sat down and leaned back.

"Well, well, I do suppose you want an explanation! People always get a little... disorientated after their first portal, and what with you being from Earth and all..."

"Are you telling me that I'm not on Earth now?! And why do you refer to it in such a disparaging way?!" John said, rather loudly.

"Patience! And yes, you are no longer on your home planet, Earthling." The giant said, with a touch of spite, waving away any interruptions John might have postulated. "But first at least let me introduce myself! I am Doctor Parvus, and have the job of formally welcoming you here to Dimensional Headquarters, of which I happen to be in charge. We are a universal defence force and you are our latest recruit.

It is regrettable that you could not have prior warning due to your planets primitive status, but you will have to come to terms with it. I do not have time to talk further as I am afraid I have some pressing paperwork."

John was handed a couple of sets of the same uniform Dr. Parvus was wearing, minus the epaulettes and gauntlet, as well as a map, before being sent off to find his dormitory.