You wake up to the sound of bombshells and mortar guns propelling millions of rounds of
ammunition into the air every minute. The solid walls of your quarters muffle each explosion
as they rip into the strucutres above, flinging shrapnel across the
earth's surface, never to be useful for anything ever agin. It was a typical morning.
You nearly ignore the sound, as it has been so common to you for so many years. You know not
whether it is from your auto-defense systems or from the onslaught of enemy hoardes from hell.
Both have the destructive power to destroy this very planet. Both know it and are probably
the only thing keeping the other from doing just that.

You get up and dress, sure to grab your standard issue M-141 laser pistol. Though unsure of
your exact duties this given day, you remember to report to Sayin's office at 07:00. You're sure
it'll consist of carrying out some crazy-assed strategy that the brass thinks just might
stop this demonic invasion. You're also pretty sure it'll put your life out there on the
line and quite possibly get you killed.

After the last time, when you were sent to run that plasma core into a new dimensional fracture
research facility, you really haven't felt like you wanted much except vacation. It was pure
luck that you didn't get killed - The power core was unstable to begin with. Then there was the
route they picked: Anyone ever told them never to take shortcuts? Of course, there's
nowhere to go to take a vacation. It's all been destroyed.

You walk down the hall and recieve your substinance infusion, thinking "What the hell ever
happened to real food?" - But you know the answer. The fields of Earth have been bare for
decades. You turn to walk down the hall when a large rubmle shakes the facility and the
power dies. That's the third time this week. It should be back up soon, only each generator
must be re-started manually. There's enough light coming through the 4-inch thick skylight
to see down the hall, so you go ahead down anyway. What else is there to do?

Upon arriving, you force open the electronic sliding door without much problems. On the
other side sits the all-too-familiar face of Captain Sayin. He leans back in his chair,
looking at you somewhat mysteriously. There's something wrong, and you know it. More wrong,
that is, than normal. "Sit down" come the only words in your direction. You look for a chair
and find one in the corner. It's not the most comfortable one, but what would you expect
these days? No one has the time to build decent furniture anymore.

"The enemy has moved in closer. Sectors 28 and 33 have fallen."
"Great. We're going to lose this fucking war. We haven't gained ground since 2160."
"The good news is that dimensional fracture technology seems to be advancing well."
"Yeah - and I almost got the shit blown out of me getting it that way."
Silence. The lights flicker and then glow, slowly warming their plasma centers as the power
rushes though them once more. They gradually illuminate the room and reveal its characteristic
monotony.
"Look, I know you're angry about that last op, but-"
You nearly explode into rage. "ANGRY? I'm more than that. You and your alternate realities
are a little over the edge. What have they got us? A hundred more dead soldiers!"
"There was no way of knowing that ambush would have been there."
"And I'm sure there wasn't any way of knowing that reactor core was unstable either, was
there?"
Silence again. The lights hum softly, somehow adding to the quietness of the room.
"Look, that's not important now. I've got something else for you."
You think, "Damn! I hate it when I'm right."
"We've got another possibility. Are you familiar with project 2024?"
"What, that thing on Deimos where they're sending rats through time?"
"Yeah, that's it. Only they've proven that their systems are capable of more than that."
"What, are they sending dogs and apes through, too?"
"I really wish you'd shut up. No, they can send weapons - people - a small squad. Only
problem is they haven't got the power to send more than that. Well, a plan has been devised
to send that squad. They think it is now our only hope of surviving this war. Personally,
I don't know how anyone could possibly even think that project would help anyone."
"I think it's a good idea. Who gets to go?"
"This came for you, from high command. My guess is you. You've got an hour to read that
and decide what you're doing - then I want you back in here. Dismissed."

You sit down at a terminal in the hall and shove the disc in an open port. The terminal
asks you for your name and PIN, then prompts for the de-encryption password. After each
security check you finally begin to read...

********************
United Universe Defense Forces
Department of Chronological Sciences
24 February 2182
********************

Those recieving this message have been selected to participate in a project which could
very well be our last hope for survival. It will consist of sending a squad through time
back to 2024. This squad will perform the task of destroying the center of the invasion
on our universe in this time period, which will in turn result in the end of war in this
day. Chances of return are close to non-existent. If you choose not to accept this mission,
you must do so now. You will be briefed further at a later date.

********************
END OF FILE


You return to Sayin's office as directed, with a million questions in your mind. One
sticks out more than the others, and you say it before he's had a chance to say much
of anything.
"So I'm either committed to saving the world, or I can leave it here to die?"
"That's pretty much it."
That's a hard one. They picked me, so I must have something other people don't. This place
sucks, and I've got nothing to lose. "I'm in."
"Good. I knew you would be. The enemy forces have entered the eastern side of our complex
here. The generator hasn't been restored yet, so the power will be down. You'll enter
that wing and be sealed in, so that none of the demons get in here. Once you restore the
power, access to the rest of the complex will be available. Make your way through to the
hangar and launch pad on the far end. There will be a transport waiting to take you to your
next destination. We don't have much of an armory left here, but be sure to pick up what
you can on the way out. And good luck."

Damn, this is going to be a bad day.
