To: Captain Dimitri Mayakovsky

From: Acting General Sergey Shoygu

Captain, my time is short so I will give you a quick synopsis. Two weeks ago GRU scientist have discovered an unknown signal from, believe it or not, another dimension. Now they have been able to open a path to this place. I know your unit have just gotten off deployment and were looking forward to going home, but it is out of my control. The other high brass in the Kremlin has selected you and your team. We have little intelligence on what is on the other side. Most drones we have sent have been lost, but provided enough infomation to confirm that they can send a man. Your orders captain, are to travel to this so called “new world” and provide a full report on what you find, if you manage to return. This mission is top secret Captain, not even Putin himself knows. I couldn't convince the Kremlin to cancel the mission or to send extra men, but I managed to get you access to a good size arsenal at your disposal. You have 36 hours to ready yourself and your men. Dima my friend, I wish you the best of luck. You will need it.

GRU Intelligence Mission Report Dossier #343//:
Operation//: New Horizon
Classified: Authorized Personnel Only

Unit: Spetsnaz, Spetsgruppa Vympel, Vampir Otryad

(Spetsnaz, Vega Group, Vampire Squad)

Date: 10/XX/2014

Personnel:
Captain Dimitri “Dima” Mayakovsky, Squad Leader/Medic
Warrant Officer Vladimir “Vlad” Kamarivsky, Engineer
Sergeant Boris Zadornov, Machine Gunner
Sergeant Kiril Yeltsin, Marksmen

Resources Requested:
~All:
MP-443 Pistols + suppressors x4
RGD-5 Grenades

~Dimitri Mayakovski:
AK-12 Assault Rifle

~Vladimir Kamarivsky:
AKS-74U Assault Carbine
Saiga 12K Shotgun
RPG-7V2 Rocket Launcher

~Boris Zadornov:
PKP Pecheneg Machine Gun
Symtex Explosives

~Kiril Yeltsin:
AS Val Sub-Machine Gun
Dragonov SVDS Sniper Rifle

~Vehicles:
Ka-60 Kasatka Helicopter
T-90A Main Battle Tank

Resources//: Granted

Dima looked at the two letters one last time as he sat on top of a wooden crate on the side of a dirt road. The starry night sky shining above him. He wanted to make sure he hadn't missed anything. But one thing kept bothering him. "Not even Putin knows", that seemed very strange. Also, why were they sending soldiers? Wouldn't cosmonauts be better suited for this? Soldiers and scientist rushed every where in the large field where the passage was being built. He paid no attention as truck after truck carrying large cargo covered in drapes roared past. The entire field had been turned into a military base. Two square kilometers of tents and men. Dima was steeling himself for what is to come. It was a great honor to be able to go into a place no man has set foot in the name of mother Russia, but also a curse. The scientist say that once we go through, there is little chance for going back. Due to the nature of the portal, it will either destroy itself or render itself inoperable after it is used. He knows their death is expected by everyone, but he and his men are Spetsnaz, they always seem to have a way of escaping the Grim Reaper. Dima felt a hand being placed on his shoulder. In a split second he spun his head.

“I hate it when you do that.” He said as he stood up and slapped his hand into his friend's. They gripped each others hand tightly.

“You alright Dimitri?” Vladimir asked noticing the worry in his friend.

“Just thinking...” Dima replied.

“We don't get paid to think Dima” The two friends chuckled as Vlad lead him to the conference room.

As the entered they were greeted by the rest of Vampir Squad. Kiril and Boris leaned against the back wall of the small room filled with scientists and expensive equipment. One of the scientist approached Dima.

“We all set for the jump sir. Your equipment is on the Kasatka.” The scientist said in a respectful tone,

“And the tank? There is no way in hell the Kasatka can carry that.” Boris asked.

“We plan to air drop it. The passage way will set you a few thousand meters over land. As for what lies on that land, we have no clue.” The scientist admited.

"Do you think there is any life there?" Vlad asked.

“Of course there is. E.T. has one hell of a phone bill, and we're coming to collect.” Kiril joked, drawing a few laughs from everyone.

The men continued talked and laughed for sometime until another scientist opened the door. The man walked in and saluted Dima.

“We are ready sir.” He said with the utmost respect.

Dima took in a deep breath of air. “Vimpir Squad, move out.”

Dima's heart sank as he gave waht was probably his last order. Vampir Squad made their way out of the room and boarded the flat-bed waiting for them.

“Traveling in style like always” Vlad said while they piled on the truck.

"Hey, the ladies love men with big cars." Kiril said.

"How would you know?" Boris asked.

"Oh, I know what the ladies like..." Kiril joked with a wide grin on his face.

"Is that why the girl at the bar poured her drink on you last week?" Dima said. The others bursted out in laughter.

"At least I try! When was the last time you had a date?" Kiril retorted. Dima had no response to that question.

"Come on Kiril leave him be." Vlad turned to Dima. "He can't help it if he is bad with women."

"Whose side are you on?" Dima asked as he playfully jabbed Vald in the shoulder.

"My side." Vald answered.

The short ride felt like hours for them. No matter how much they joked and tried to keep their spirits up, the looming possibility of death hung heavy in the air. Dima looked up to the sky. The one advantage of being in the middle of nowhere is that there is little light polution. The stars shined in their full beauty as the moon watched them from overhead. The beauty of the sky was somewhat poetic. Like a rose, and how it represents both beauty and death. Dima pulled out from his pocket a large cigar and lit it. He inhaled slowly and exhaled all the smoke in a large white cloud. He could taste the hueof cherry that was infused with the cigar. He took in another, feeling the warm smoke swirling in his lungs. The nicotine dulling his senses.

“I thought you didn't smoke anymore?” Vladimir asked.

“I don't. But I’ve been saving this one for an important day.”

"Hey, we'll be alright." Vlad reassured him.

"I don't know Vladimir... What if we don't make it?"

"We will make it."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I'm not sure. But has that ever stopped us before?"

Dima looked up to the sky for a moment, then back to Vlad. "You're right."

"When have I ever been wrong?"

"Remember that bet we made when you thought you could make a tank go 100 kilometers per hour?" Dima asked.

"Point taken."

They arrived at the main site, they stood in awe of what was before them. A large metal arch built into the open ground, with men swarming around, prepping it for it's first and last use. The arch was as big as the doors to an airplane hanger. It looked like something out of a movie. In front was their helicopter, fueled up and ready to go. Vampir Squad jumped off the truck and slowly approached the helicopter. Vlad dawned his gas mask. The scientist say that the air is safe, but Vlad wasn't taking chances. Kiril opted for his usual style of wrapping a black scarf around his head, covering all but his eyes. Dima wore his helmet with NVG mounted on top, shooting goggles, and a scarf wrapped around his neck. The team slowly approached their ride. Kiril was the pilot for this mission so he climbed in the cockpit and began started the engines. Lights lit up the cockpit and the helicopter slowly roared to life. Dima, Vlad, and Boris sat in the edge of the main cabin, letting their legs dangle. Dima finished his cigar and threw the butt on the ground. A loud voice blared on the base's intercom.

“Attention all personnel, we have a go for the jump. Begin final preparations.”

Scientist rushed around every where. The helicopter was up to speed and ready to take off.

“All preparations complete. Opening portal”

The arch started to glow like a christmas tree. Dima stared at the marvel in front of him. The arch formed a slowly expanding rift in the air. A swirling mixture the colors of the rainbow glowed brightly. The scene was unreal, and yet he was witnessing it. After a few minutes the portal was now fully open. The T-90 tank was the first to go. It didn't have a crew so they put a remote control linked to the throttle and the steering. The controllers guided through the portal, where it disappeared without a trace. They were next. The ground crew signaled for Kiril to take off. Kiril slowly powered the engines. The main rotors began to accelerate. The down wash blew the frost off the ground they were on. The helicopter began to lift itself, slowly rising to a few meters off the ground. Kiril tilted the nose of the helicopter down and the helicopter began to inch forward.

“Ready my friend?” Vlad's voice came over their radio head sets.

“To late to stop now” Dima replied.

"I miss home already." Boris added.

Kiril pulled pushed the stick forward and helicopter slowly entered through the portal. Scientist stared in awe of the once-in-a-lifetime show. Dima held on tightly to the hand rails as a swirling vortex slowly enveloped the helicopter.

"Make us proud!" The intercom said just as they pulled through.

Every man on board shut their eyes and hoped for the best. Dima felt the portal passing through his body. It gave a burning sensation, like passing through a hot shower. Dima shot open his eyes, looking back to see the portal now behind them. He looked down and saw that they were at least a couple hundred meters in the air over a forest area. Just to the right was a large canyon that ran through the ground. The helicopter was filled with cheering from Vampir squad. Hugs and high fives went all around. But the merriment was cut short by the sound of alarms going off in the Kasatka. Loud clanking and puffs of smoke came from the engine. The helicopter slowly started to spin. Dima quickly made his way to the cockpit. Kiril was panicking over the controls, flicking switches and pressing buttons all over the cockpit.

“Whats wrong!” Dima shouted,

“The portal fried the electronics and snuffed the engines, were going down!”

Kiril pulled back hard on the stick to try to stabilize the aircraft but it didn't respond. They were now spinning violently in the air as the hurtled towards the ground. Everyone held tightly as the spinning got faster and faster. Dima checked the altimeter, they were now at five hundred meters and dropping. A loud scream was heard on the their headsets. Dima turned and saw Vladimir hanging out of the door of the cabin. Vlad held the skid of the Kasatka for dear life. Dima rushed to his friend and held out his hand.

“Hold on!” Dima shouted. He gripped Vlad in one hand and the hand rail in the back of the cabin as they continued to spin out of control in the air. Dima felt himself slipping off the cabin.

“Dima, save yourself!” Vlad shouted when he noticed Dima struggling to hold on to the helicopter.

“I won't let you die!”

“I wasn't asking you Dima.” Vlad let his hand slip from Dima's grasp.

“Vladimir!” Dima shouted.

Dima watched helplessly as his friend fell towards the ground. Boris pulled Dima back in the helicopter He looked down and saw that they were at least a couple hundred meters in the air over a forest area. Just to the right was a large canyon that ran through the ground. They strapped in and awaited their fate. Kiril looked back into the cabin from his seat.

“Brace Yourselves!” He shouted.

Dima watched as the forest became closer and closer. Dima began to tear up. This is it... this is how he dies.

“It is an honor to know all of you.” Dima said with solemn voice.

He then closed his eyes, the last sound they heard was the sound of the rotor blades hitting the ground and tearing
metal. A loud boom echoed all through out the snowy forest. Then...silence.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. This my first fan fic here. I would love to hear any critism you may have. Good or bad, it won't face me. Any suggestions and comments will only help me get better. Thanks!

Notice: This chapter has been remastered and may be slightly different to those who have read the orignal version of this chapter.