Armed Forces

Myriad Reality

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*Goes completely still*

*Raises one hand in a 'shh' motion*

*The rest of the group goes silent as well*

@Tank O The Lake

...
*Looks around*
What? Don't act surprised. After what I've shared, you should expect it.

Myriad Reality

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Not quite, but I don't doubt that with enough training, Alexandria could learn, and with enough research, we could shrink the Gateways to fit in the palm of a hand.

@Tank O The Lake

Such is the way of technological advancement.
*Taps a wristband that I'm wearing with a grin*
It's best when it's wearable, I'd say.

Myriad Reality

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It's untouched by any sophisticated life. All the natural resources Earth now hungers and starves for, they're there. If I can get this and bring it back, I can dangle so much in front of the rest of the world, and they will pay me any price I wish.

*Chuckles darkly*

@Tank O The Lake

Hmmm... That's an ambitious goal. I don't take it any of you developed the ability to travel dimensions freely, by chance? Or do you require the gate for travel.

Myriad Reality

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*Bows*

Alexei.

Yes, I have found things beyond this. A world, not like Earth. There are humans there, at least they look human, but they live in caves and roast aliens on spits. Their world is very bountiful, unlike this hellscape, but I will need to grow in manpower before I can set up any meaningful operation.

@Tank O The Lake

*Taps my chin*
What promise have you seen in this seemingly primitive world?

Myriad Reality

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Well, it's supposed to lead to Alpha Centauri, but my IDIOT COLLEAGUE-

*Points to a spot of freshly-dug earth*

*Sighs and calms down*

-Went and broke it. And then shut it off, thinking he could usurp my spot after I was trapped. My faithful wife here-

*Points to Katerina*

-Took care of him and stole the code to reactivate it. Still, it was two years away from my family, my work, and my home.

@Tank O The Lake

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But before I can get any further into that, I will need your name. Be truthful, else I will get my darling Alexandria to... compel you.

@Tank O The Lake

I'm sorry to hear that, truly. But I suspect that your attachment to it means you've found something grand on the other side, in some form or fashion?
*Crosses my arms*
But of course, proper introductions. Call me Leon.

Myriad Reality

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*Cocks my head in confusion*

What do you think the Gateway does?

@Tank O The Lake

I wasn't sure. You weren't exactly fully transparent with it. Is it a dimensional gateway? Likely. Wouldn't be the first I've seen.

Myriad Reality

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What do you define as 'human' then? Because I would define you as just like me.

@Tank O The Lake

Traditionally? As homo sapiens, in most places I've seen.
*Holds a up a second finger*
Which loosely leads into point two. I'm not just "not human", I'm from another dimension. You guys conceptualized multiverse theory here yet?

Myriad Reality

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Android?

@Tank O The Lake

Not quite. My race is an offshoot of humanity, from another world. Similar, though. Very similar.

Myriad Reality

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Why don't we? And believe me, these last few years have been more than strange. Judging by the Gateway behind me...

*Points behind me to the archway*

...You can tell as to why.

@Tank O The Lake

So the gateway is not a normality for you?
*Chuckles*
Then maybe you're right, one surreal experience begets the believability of more.
*Pulls my hand from my pocket and raises a finger*
Firstly, I'm not human.

Myriad Reality

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You are new to Moscow, no? I've told you more than enough of us. Not many come to Moscow with so little knowledge, and those are the people we find in the alleyways with a blade in their belly. How, precisely, did you end up here? Not only that, but make your way through the seediest, vilest district in the city, alone and with that threatening posture? I'm surprised you didn't walk into some sort of ambush on the way here.

@Tank O The Lake

I'm not from here. You wouldn't believe me if I told you exactly how not from here I am. But maybe you want to hear it?...