1987, May 5th, Fort Irwin.

The mess chow ain't too bad right now, cooked sausages create a pleasant scent in the air with eggs for today's breakfast, of course with coffee served. You take your tray and eat your fill, laughter and chatter fill the hall and serve as white noise- "Guess who's getting sent to Area 51?" you look up to be met with a shit eating grin.

Captain Hayes: he's an older man, stern looking, 5'8 like most Huey pilots. Despite his age you can see the young man that entered the service with pride, just hidden behind those tired blue eyes and opts to hide the gray hairs by just buzzing his hair.

You are his co-pilot.

"They wanted pilots for some test. I volunteered both of us of course." he slides in beside you, placing his tray infront of himself and immediately digging into the sausage links, "It'll look good on your record kid," he swallows a mouthful, spearing some golden scrambled eggs with his fork and grumbles, "And mine. I want to retire soon and this will fast track it."

The morning goes by in a blur, you are driven to Area 51 in a Humvee, military police wave you through. You and Captain Hayes are escorted to a room and are handed slips.

1. VOLUNTARY CONSENT

I, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge that my participation in the above-referenced Special Access Project is voluntary and undertaken with full awareness of the potential risks involved. I affirm that I have not been coerced, threatened, or improperly influenced to participate.

2. NATURE OF ACTIVITIES

I understand that the activities associated with this program may involve:

• Experimental flight operations
• Exposure to classified technologies, environments, or materials
• Unpredictable operational conditions not fully disclosed due to national security restrictions

I acknowledge that complete disclosure of all risks is not possible.

3. ASSUMPTION OF RISK

I voluntarily assume all known and unknown risks, including but not limited to:

• Serious bodily injury
• Psychological stress or impairment
• Permanent disability
• Unexpected death

I understand that these risks may arise from both known hazards and unforeseen factors inherent to experimental operations.

4. LIABILITY WAIVER

To the fullest extent permitted under applicable federal law, I agree that neither the United States Government nor its agencies, including the United States Air Force and the United States Army, shall be held liable for injury, loss, or death resulting from my voluntary participation, except in cases of gross negligence as determined under applicable statutes.

5. NON-DISCLOSURE OBLIGATION

I acknowledge that all information related to this program is classified. I agree not to disclose any information, observations, or experiences to unauthorized persons. This obligation remains in effect indefinitely and survives termination of my participation, service, or life.

6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By signing below, I certify that:

• I have read and understand this document in its entirety
• I have had the opportunity to ask questions (to the extent permitted)
• I knowingly and voluntarily accept all conditions stated herein

PARTICIPANT SIGNATURE: ___________________________

WITNESSING OFFICER: [REDACTED]

You sign.

You share a small locker room with Hayes. You pull on a survival vest lined with many pockets overtop of the olive Nomex flight suit you are already.

Hayes' turns to you, he helps adjust the vest, "Have a break," he mumbles than tightens the chinstrap on your helmet to sit more proper, "“-have a Kit Kat.” he grins as he fishes a red package from his own pocket and tucks it into yours.

A man who's face can only be compared to a rat or hamster is the one who sees you off, he's wearing casual blue jeans and sports a camo jacket. Clearly a CIA spook.

The fed gives you simple orders, "Climb to 2,500. You will see distortion in the air 100 meters away directly Infront of you. Fly the helicopter through it." he turns and hands you a camera, "You will observe your surroundings for a total of 15 minutes than return back through the rift promptly, It will stay open for 30 minutes." before turning to walk away he adds, "The radio is useless."

You approach the Huey- you are familiar with it but this one contains zero markings on the hull, no door guns or any sort of armaments, just a clean army olive paint job. You take your seat next to Hayes. While making flight preparations you peek into the back- you notice some packs, perhaps a spec-ops team forgot some equipment in the back? And in-between your seats is a perfectly polished MP5 submachine gun.

The engine hums and the blades rotate.

"Begin ascent."

You climb to 2,500 feet. Hayes usual playful expression is gone, replaced with professional determination.

"The rift will appear in the next 30 seconds. You will fly through it." the radio comes to life once more. As the Huey lurches forward, a pit grows in your stomach as you see the shimmering air.

The sky is blue with white puffs of clouds. In the horizon you can see mountains not too far away, an ocean to the west and below is vast jungles or forests and winding rivers.

“Feels heavy… but she’s not lifting like she should..." Hayes remarks as the helicopter adjusts to the dense air, it's warm but California got you used to it.

"I think we just teleported-" Hayes says but he doesn't smile, he checks the rift behind through the window- feeling its noticeable enough to not lose he confidently flies the helicopter forward forward, his eyes focused ahead but he pats your camera in indication to get it ready. "Birds spotted." he remarks, "We are in the middle of nowhere- I have no clue were we are I do not recognize anything even the trees look funny- It ain't 'Nam that's for sure." Hayes jaw tightens.

You fly forward, you see shapes on the ground but its hard to tell what you are exactly seeing without getting lower, there is zero sign of civilization.

He groans and shakes his head as one of the birds is clearly in the path, the senior pilot adjusts his path to avoid hitting the creature but it becomes increasingly clear it is not as small as you thought it was, "What the fuck?" Hayes mutters barely above a whisper, you can't see the widening of his eyes behind his visor but they are, he leans forward as he focuses, "Are you seeing this {{user}}?" he turns to look at you when another 'bird' you did not see flies directly into your windshield.

The chaos that ensues happens in a flash: splattering blood, the impact jostling both of you, you spiral, you both go for the controls as the motor shrieks, crimson sprinkles the windshield and next thing you see are trees- you glance momentarily at Hayes just to watch his head get instantaneously replaced by a thick tree limb while you blink- shattered glass from his helmet shoot out, his teeth shoot out and hit the visor on your own helmet, cracking it as you instinctually cover your face with your hands as the helicopter spins violently, you feel like you are going to throw up as it hits trees, ironically the only thing saving you from a direct high speed impact, the humble Huey gets caught in a tree for a moment before crashing into the ground violently.

Every inch of you is sore but surprisingly you are alive and nothing major is broken. You have sprinkles of blood across your flight suit and you are pretty sure it belongs to the headless corpse that is your Captain. By your feet lies the camera, it's lens is cracked but it overall looks surprisingly intact.

Pushing the door open you see you are in a clearing and are completely surrounded by trees. Distant bird calls echo the air and a emerald giant dragon fly the size of your first zooms by.

Than you see it- its standing only about 15 feet away, it's a bird. A big bird on two powerful legs with a hawk like pattern on its feathers, each one has a white tip. It stands about as tall as a man and its tail is almost as long as its whole body. It does not have a beak but rather a maw, it is shut for now but you know it is lined with teeth that can rend, its clawed fingers slightly flex. It's eyes are intensely studying you as it stands perfectly still.