No Way Back

Somewhere over the forests of Washington, April 18, 2020. 5:42 PM PST

“Goddamn, this place gives me the creeps” Dingo stated, looking out from our chopper over the wooded area below.

“Tell me about it,” said Ashley, “Good thing they keep it far, far away from civilization.”

The IDT’s labs were about two hours away from the nearest town, by road, in a heavily forested area of Washington state. The labs were a collection of about 15 separate buildings, with lodging for its staff kept separate from the test sites. Overall, it took up about 2 square miles of space out here, with so many safety precautions that SEAL Team 6 couldn’t break in. Officially, the space was used for “Nuclear waste”, so the locals wouldn’t poke around.

“We’re boots on the ground in about 3 Mikes,” I said, “The area we’re headed for is the far corner lab, by the northern perimeter. We’ll check in with the security force before entering the portal. Got it?”

My team shouted various forms of “ok” and “understood”. We touched down in a clearing between some trees and a large, windowless building with the text LAB 04 in big bold letters above the entrance. There were 5 security personnel standing about 10 feet away from a huge steel door on the side, presumably to guide us to the portal. As soon as everybody left the chopper, it immediately took off and headed back to our staging area.

Another man walked out of Lab 04, wearing light blue security BDUs and greeted us.

“Hello, Sergeant Kent, and welcome to IDT labs. I am Leonard Hapkins, Head of security. As you already know, we’ve had a bit of an accident.” He held out his right hand.

“So I’ve been told,” I said, gripping his right hand in mine and shaking it. He had a surprisingly strong grip, for an IDT security head. “Where is this thing?” I asked.

Motioning behind him, he said “Here at Lab 04. We have the entire place locked down, just in case something decides to come through. As we are unable to close the portal, we have decided to make the best of it, by sending an expedition through to see if keeping it open will become a threat, and for exploratory purposes.” I couldn't place his accent. It sounded like a mix of eastern European and middle-eastern.

“Sounds reasonable.” I said. It didn’t sound reasonable at all, but I wasn’t going to ask questions, I was going to shut up and get paid.

“Excellent. We will send you through in approximately 1 hour. Until then, feel free to visit our mess hall, or get some sleep. We’re not sure how much you’ll be getting in the portal, so I’d recommend resting.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hapkins.” I said.

He pointed out the mess hall and our temporary lodging, bid us luck, and went back inside the building.

“I think I’ll get some food.” Said Xander

“Seconded.” Dingo stated.

“I think I’ll get some Z time,” Ashley said, “I didn’t get much last night”

“I’ll go with you,” said Ethan, clearly just trying to spend more time with Ashley.

"You perv." Ashley jokingly muttered. They walked off, joking and talking, towards the mess hall, flanked by a pair of guards.

Xander and Dingo headed over to the mess hall, also flanked, and I was left alone.

Unlike the others, I wanted to get some more information, so I decided to go into Lab 04 and see what I could find out. the fifth man followed me as I walked towards the door.

“Let me get that for you, sir” he said, swiping an access card through a reader. Hmm. That was easy… There was a soft beep and the door unlocked. I walked inside.

There were people rushing everywhere, incessant talking, and a general sense of worry that hung over everything. The main area was large, about 60 feet high and 30 feet wide, with several heavy blast doors placed equidistant on opposing walls. Three of the 4 were open, but one was closed, with 2 security personnel guarding it. Only two men? I expected more. I had a feeling that was our portal, so I walked up to the men guarding it.

“Halt! State your business!” One shouted, stepping up to me with a hand on his rifle.

“I’m a part of the expedition team, and I just want to see the portal before I enter it.”

“No can do, buckwheat. No-one is allowed through this, no matter who you are. Not without special permission fr-“ he was cut off by Leonard Hapkins, appearing out of nowhere, walking right up to him and saying, “This man will be allowed entry, or you will be disallowed your position here. Do I make myself clear?”

The guard shrunk, and slowly turned and undid the heavy security latch, opening the door.

“Right this w-way, sir.” He squeaked, intimidated by Hapkin’s presence. Odd...

I stepped through the door, with Hapkins close behind, and the door closed swiftly behind us with an ominous slam. The room ahead was large, with a door leading to a glass observation area to the right, and a steel pedestal with various wires and tubes leading away from a bright glow, emanating from the ground.

“So, there’s your portal. Impressive, eh?” Hapkins said, with a slight smile.

“Yeah, I guess,” I slowly said, a little wary of his tone.

“You know, there’s something about this place that screams, ‘let me in’, don’t you think”

Now I was full on unnerved, and I don't get unnerved easily. “Not really…” I glanced back at the closed door.

“Well then, I guess you’ll just have to see for yourself,” he said, grabbing the back of my vest and easily shoving me towards the pedestal. With all my gear on, I weigh about 220lbs. He pushed me like I was a piece of paper on the wind.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing!?” I shouted, trying to draw my rifle up, but he was already upon me. He slugged me in the face, once, twice, and then I managed to shove him off. I attempted to draw my sidearm, but he drew his so quickly that it was as if it just appeared in his hands.

Maybe it did just appear in his hands… Who is this fucker?

“Mister Kent, please step onto the pedestal. Now!” he shouted, shaking the room.

“Listen, Hapkins, we don’t have to do this.” I said, and noticed that his eyes were… green? What the fuck?

“Yes, oh, yes we do, now step up before I put a bullet through your brain.”

I did as I was asked, slowly stepping backwards onto the platform. I glanced over my shoulder at the swirling, green portal behind me. I looked back at Hapkins, still holding his pistol, and said “Look, there has got to be ano-“ I was cut off as Hapkins shifted his aim from my head to my chest, and fired, the force of his round knocking me back into the portal.

I screamed as I fell backwards, seeing green, then all I saw was blackness.