Chapter Text
“Cutter! We’ve got a possible sighting.”
Nick Cutter, a man rarely called by his first name, was a scientist and a professor at the Central Metropolitan University. His speciality was paleontology and Evolution Zoology. At 36, he was head of Department of Evolutionary Zoology. He spent most of his life fascinated by the prehistoric past, the studying how animals evolved, and evolutionary puzzles that still yet to be explained and can only be theorized.
In recent years however, the teaching part of his job lacked luster. The aspect of teaching the same class over and over to less than enthusiastic students dimmed. Not to mention the semester schedule was too restricting. There was far too much to go into, but not enough time to get through the course when the class only met a few days a week. Cutter had to gloss over as much as possible in the timeframe, test them, and then a new batch would come and the process would start all over. It became rather tiring.
The other reason he fell out of love for teaching came from personal loss. When he was getting his degree, he met his wife Helen. She shared the same love for dinosaurs, evolutionary mysteries, and prehistoric earth. They graduated together, got hired at the Central Metropolitan University in the same department, and traveled to dig-sights around the world together. A perfect marriage? No, but that was much like most.
Then about eight years ago, Helen disappeared without a trace. The last sighting of her was near the Forest of Dean. The police combed through the forest as best they did, but never found her or any leads. Cutter personally went out looking for her but also came up empty. It was as though she simply vanished. And as the years went by the case became cold. Eventually the investigation was called off and she was declared dead. Cutter wasn’t sure if she was alive or what had happened to her, but the mystery plagued his mind. The only thing he craved was an explanation of what happened to her.
The answer, at least partially started surfacing, was when he was approached by a young man named Connor Temple.
Connor is what you would call a nerdy fellow. A student taking Cutter’s evolutionary class, he was also very into video games, geeky movies, dinosaurs, and conspiracy theories. In the program working on his thesis to work towards a degree that wouldn’t help make others take him seriously. A nice lad, but young a dorky.
Unlike Cutter, Connor entertained the idea that Cryptic animals and creatures of fable could not only be real but have ties as undiscovered evolutionary chains. Lochness, Big Foot, Mothman were real just undiscovered. That’s what he hoped anyways. So any case of “mysterious creature” sightings always pique his interest. So when he read about a strange animal sighting out by the Forest of Dean, Connor was itching to take a look himself. Then realizing going by one’s self was not a smart idea, combined with the knowledge that Professor Cutter had a personal connection to the location, presented the case to his teacher.
Cutter was reluctant to check it out until the location was mentioned. He, along with his lab tech and good friend Stephen Hart, decided to entertain a look. Stephen was a former student of both Cutter’s, and after Helen disappeared he stayed in touch with Nick and ended up working together. While his studies evolutionary theory and zoology, his true skills were animal tracking as well as being a decent marksman. He saw Cutter as his best mate even though he was several years older than him. And was just as interested in finding answers of what happened to Helen.
When the three of then set out, they weren’t sure what to expect. Giant claw marks in the side of a truck bed? Not really. A dead cow drugged up into a tree twenty feet off the ground? Defiantly not. What started out as probably nothing more than a day trip was turning into an actual mystery with more questions than answers.
Things only got more interesting when they met Claudia Brown and Abby Maitland.
Abby Maitland was a 22 year old zookeeper at the Wellington Zoo. They crossed paths in the forest. She was answering a call about taking in a lizard a young boy found. When she inspected the animal, she knew he was not any ordinary lizard.
Rex, as the boy named him, was similar length to a mature iguana, though not as stocky of a build and different head features. On top of that, he had two thin skin flaps that popped out like wings. He was not like any lizard she knew or had ever worked with.
She and the boy took Rex into the forest. She suspected he must have come from a private property with exotic, and illegal, animals. That was the only logical explanation she could come up with in the moment. However, her and the boy got separated, and she became lost with Rex. It wasn’t until night fell did she run into Stephen and Connor.
Cutter met Claudia in a nearby bar. He struck up a conversation with her and found she’s a Government Official who didn’t specify what branch she worked for. Like him, she too was interested in the strange activity in the area. During their conversation she could see he was a smart man and was on the trail of something much larger than either were anticipating.
All five of them came together in the deep in the woods in the night where they found a large, dinosaur like creature. Cutter identified it as a Scutosaurus, and Rex was in fact a Coelurosauravus; a winged lizard-like reptile both from the Permian Period. After startling the Scutosaurus, it lead them to a strange glowing portal. When they looked through it, they saw another world long extinct.
They dubbed the portal an anomaly because there wasn’t more specific information about it. The anomalies are, from what Cutter could understand, a doorway to the past. They appear in this sort of ball of golden light and translucent shards mid blast from the light. Connor observed that they effect the magnetic polarity when being near one made his compass go haywire. How they formed or worked was unexplainable at the moment. But, the anomalies offered an explanation to many debates and mysteries, including, potentially, what happened to Helen Cutter.
Of course this discovery was quickly taken over by the government in the form of James Lester of the Home Office. The Home Office was a more unknown branch that’s job was civil contingency plans for every possible crisis (including alien invasion, according to Lester). They quickly created the Anomaly Operation; to track the anomalies, contain any creatures that come through and return them to their proper timeline, and to keep it all under wraps from the public. Cutter, Abby, Stephen, and Connor had to sign the Official Secrets Act and became part of the project and become the Anomaly Research Team. Lester was their point of command from the government, and Miss Brown became operations manager. She worked under Lester, oversaw the team, and managed PR when needed.
It had been nearly three weeks since that first anomaly that changed their lives. Part of keeping the project a secret was having the research team go about their normal routine and jobs. Yet all found it difficult to act as though their lives hadn’t been completely changed.
Cutter had spent his time going through all of Helen’s work. His office had become flooded with research papers he reread through with fresh eyes. He recalled having friendly debates over conflicting theories. She had clear, and sometimes controversial ideas about life on earth, but a brilliant mind nonetheless. Before she left, however, Helen had became obsessed with evolutionary puzzles. Specifically ones which could not be explained by conventional science. She came up with all sorts of theories that Cutter found ridiculous and dismissed. In the weeks leading up to her disappearance was an unstable point in their marriage. Her controversial ideas were no longer charming, and their spirited debates had turned into heated arguments. The fighting got to a point where she left. And at first he thought that she had left to take a break and only later realized she was missing altogether. Now Cutter wondered if she had known about the anomalies and had go through them. The idea of his wife still being alive now had renewed weight.
“Cutter! We’ve got a possible sighting.”
That was were Stephen found him when he got the call they had a possible sighting. In his office among the stacks of paper. He knew the only thing that could pull Cutter away was another Anomaly. He was also interested in seeing another one and maybe this time get the change to go through himself.
“What do we know?” The Scotsman asked as he quickly toss a folder and grabbed his coat.
“Not much. According to Claudia some teens were hanging in an abandoned area, not supposed to be, when they posted a picture that looks like an anomaly.” Stephen shared what was relayed to him.
“They got it on the internet?”
“Not for long I suspect.”
Cutter nodded, “I’m sure the Home Office took down anything incriminating and already has someone off to track those kids down and tell them what ever to keep them quiet.”
Lester and Claudia argued that by telling the world about the anomalies would only create panic. Lester especially saw the whole situation as threats they had no control over and so wanted to treat them with as much control as he could.
The professor did not agree completely with keeping the public in the dark about the anomalies. He’s first inclination was to warn people about them and the threats they could have. The first one they found had some friendly dinosaurs like the Scutosaurus and Coelurosauravus, but also a dangerous predator called a Gorgonopsid that terrorized the young boy and could have killed people given the chance. They were rather fortunate all three went back to the Permian Period before anyone got hurt. So he conceded that they needed more research and to proceed with caution.
The ride to location was slow due to traffic, but they arrived in a reasonable amount of time. The rest of the group was there when they arrived. Special Forces had the scene secured with Miss Brown supervising. It was very clear she wanted to avoid another gorgonopis loose.
The lead of the Special Forces team was Captain Tom Ryan. Cutter actually liked the man quite a bit. He went with him through the first anomaly to the Permian Era and made sure he returned home safe. Even when at the time he didn’t want to, it ended up being the right call.
Cutter shook Ryan’s hand as the stepped onto the scene. “What do we got?”
Claudia walked with him into the building. “Some teenagers acting as teenagers stumbled across and started posting online. We've already intercepted and had the post taken down and any further posts will be discredited.”
“But it is an Anomaly.”
“See for yourself.”
Cutter couldn’t help have his break taken away in wonder as they entered and saw the glowing portal. Just like the first time they saw in the Forest of Dean. A true wonder. His brain still couldn’t comprehend it was real and before him.
Stephen stood beside him in equal bewilderment. The golden sphere of light and shards enchanting them.
“What is happening to our lives?” Cutter muttered quietly beside him.
Claudia looked at the wonder on their faces before going to address the Captain. “Make sure the perimeter is secure and check the building for any activity.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Connor was already walking around the anomaly, checking to see how strong the magnetic field was. To him, this was the coolest thing to ever happen to him. It was like a comic book arc come to life. Partly anyways. Okay, majorly. But what would make it better was if he caught the eye of a certain attractive blond zookeeper.
Abby went by Stephen’s side. She was aware of Connor’s crush on her. Yet in her eyes he was an awkward nerd who’d grow out of it soon.
“What do you think? Wonder what hole in time this one leads to?” She asked.
“Who knows.” Stephen shrugged, eyes still glued to the doorway.
“I’d love to find out.” Cutter said quietly. He looked at Stephen. The two of them went to the truck to get their equipment out. The anomaly was in the back corner, far from the front windows. But could be seen clearly as it hummed quietly.
Claudia checked in with Captain Ryan and he confirmed no sign of any creatures. They had managed to arrive before a incident. At least that made her pleased.
Cutter came back to the anomaly. Connor quickly started filling him with what he had been doing since he arrived. Despite his nerdy, young nature, he did have some smart ideas. He started his own catalogue of identified species from fossil evidence at 14 and now could be used for the anomaly research. Yet it was clear he was trying a little hard to impress both Cutter and Abby for different reasons.
Cutter moved closer to the anomaly. Temptation to reach out and stick his hand through was strong. So many questions floated in his mind: What were the anomalies? How were they created? What was on the other side? Was Helen on the other side?
“Cutter.” Claudia said loudly.
He dropped hand and looked at her.
“A word.”
He stepped away from the anomaly and the team to sidebar with her.
“Ryan has the scene secure and says no signs of a creature.”
“Good. Thats good.” He nodded.
Her brown eyes flit between his face and the anomaly behind him. “Do you think Helen could be on the other side?”
He looked back and then to her again. “I don’t know. I don’t have any proof she’s still alive. Just that these anomalies might explain her disappearance.”
“But you hope she’s there.”
“Am I hoping my wife’s still alive and not dead? Of course.”
“You want to take a look?”
“If I would be allowed.”
“And what if she’s not there?” Claudia questioned. She worried his loyalty to the team might not be strong if there was a chance his wife was alive. That he’d abandon the project to chase her and they’d loose the closest thing to an expert. His knowledge about the past was highly valuable. So her job was to keep Cutter apart of the team.
“Then we’d still get information. See if this one leads to the Permian era or another point and time. Without a creature to worry about, we have a perfect opportunity to take a closer study before this one closes. If we can understand these, we might predict, and contain these better.”
While they debated, Stephen walked around the golding shards. Just like Cutter, he was sorely tempted to peer through.
“What’d ya suppose is on the other side?”
“Who knows until we look. Think they’ll let us check it out?” Abby said.
Connor looked around. “Well, I did bring a camera.”
Stephen looked at the handheld camcorder. “You gonna stick your arm through then?”
“No, well-“ he realized he didn’t think about how to get it through otherwise. “I guess I’d have to. But, it’s safe right.”
“Sure. As long there isn’t any predators waiting on the other side.” He nodded.
Connor looked at the anomaly with concern while Stephen smirked. Abby also smirked recognizing he was pulling his chain a bit.
Stephen looked back to his friend to see how the conversation was going.
As he looked back, the anomaly flickered. A figure took form amongst the shards and burst through. A woman ran straight into Stephen. She was running full speed and did not expect him, and he didn’t see her so he was left unexpected as well.
Both fell. Him hitting the ground on his back and her on top of him. Stephen instinctually tucked his head to avoid bouncing it off the concrete, so he recovered a little quicker, looking down at the face of a bewildered woman.
Several of Ryan’s men pointed their weapons at the commotion but quickly lowered when they saw it was nothing more than a human. Cutter and Claudia approached quickly.
A young woman looked up at Stephen with her mouth open wide, eyes locked for a moment before she realized she was still on him and scrambled to get up.
“Are you alright?” Abby asked, moving around Connor to help Stephen up.
“Oh my God I am so sorry!” The woman said quickly as she got up. “I had no idea you were gonna be there— Wait you need to move!”
She remembered why she was running in the first place, rolling on her hands and knees sideways as two bipedal dinosaurs come through. About 2.5 meters (8 feet) slender with thin heads that sported visible teeth.
“Don’t shoot! Civilians in the way!” Ryan shouted as special forces raised their weapons.
“Careful!” Cutter shouted at the same time.
The dinosaurs squawk at the numerous bodies in the new environment. Seeing how outnumbered they were, they quickly flanked back and through the anomaly they came from, disappearing in a flash.
“Everyone okay?” Cutter asked.
Stephen, who had gotten to his feet fast and put himself in front of Abby and Connor when the dinosaurs popped in, went for the woman still on the floor. She had managed to narrowly avoid being trampled rolling out of the way. Rolling onto her back to relax.
He bent over and offered his hand, “Are you alright?”
“Right as rain.” She accepted his hand.
As she got to her feet with his assistance, Cutter and Ryan had moved in. Ryan ordered everyone to back from the anomaly. Once they were a safe distance could they talk about what happen.
“What were those?” Abby started.
“Looked like some type of Coelophysis.” Stephen said and Cutter nodded.
“Coelophysis Bauri, specifically.” The new woman said.
“They’re a type of dinosaur from the Late Triassic period. Theorized to be small game hunters but could group up to take down larger prey. 3 meters fully grown.” Cutter filled in to Claudia.
“Those ones seemed to be smaller than that.”
“They were.” The woman nodded. “Couple of youngsters I accidentally got the attention of.”
“And you are?” Connor asked the next question on everyone’s lips.
“Oh, yeah, Amelia. Amelia Rogers.” She offered her hand out. A younger woman, likely closer to Connor and Abby’s age, with short light brown hair pulled up into a ponytail. She was dressed in a regular tank top, flannel around her waist, yoga pants and sneakers. There was a cross body bag she managed to keep on despite the excitement.
“And you guys are…?”
“That’s classified information.” Claudia interrupted. “You’re going to have to sign some paperwork to get it. Now, I want to know who you are and how you know about the anomalies.”
Amelia dropped her hand. “Uh, okay. I’m a scientist. Aspiring I guess you could say. Got a degree in Paleontology from Plymouth, uh, as for- you called them anomalies? Fitting name. Anyways, I uh, discovered my first one about two ish years ago,”
“Two years!” Connor interrupted. “How can you have know about them for two years?”
Abby elbowed him. “Shh!”
“Well, I was on this hike down in Hope Valley when my compass started goin’ nuts. Then this bright light flashed and this noise, like something burst, got my attention. I though I was hallucinating. And then this little creature popped out of it. I chased the bugger down a mountain and figured out it was a Megazostrodon, early small mammal, later. Anyways, got it back in the thing and got a glimpse of another world. And then the whole thing disappeared. Poof! I couldn’t stop thinking about it for months, it was like a fever dream. Almost though I had made the whole thing up, until I saw another one seven months later. And since I’ve been trying to find and study them.”
Cutter couldn’t believe his ears. Someone else had done the same thing they were doing now. This young woman on her own stumbled upon and was investigating the anomalies.
Amelia was excited to finally share with someone. Two years of her on investigating was rather lonely. She knew when she found her second one she couldn’t tell people about it. She’d get thrown into a mental institution and branded as a crazy woman. Just her luck she’d stumble onto a group, with government backing it looked like.
The Manager looking woman Claudia, and the blond older professor Cutter had the most questions for her. How long she’d been actively investigating, how many anomalies she found, had she shared her knowledge with anyone else, posted online, did she even travel through them beyond the modern day and the first opening, and the big one; had she run into anyone in the anomalies.
“Nope, no one else outside the anomaly or in them. Not until today.”
Claudia nodded, but could only take her word so far. She stepped away to call her superior and to have them take a closer look on Amelia Roger’s life. She wanted to know where she lived, where she worked, who he hung out with, and if she was being truthful or hiding anything.
“Hey, sorry for tackling you.” She told the man she knocked over earlier.
Stephen smiled, “No hard feelings. You alright?”
“Yeah, I think so.” Now that the adrenaline was passing she could take stock. Maybe wrist a little sprained, some scrapes, but nothing serious.
Claudia approached the woman again after she got off the phone and cleared her throat. “Miss Rogers was it?”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to have to ask you to come with me. We have some further questions to ask you.”
“Oh, okay.”
Cutter frowned as he watched her follow Miss Brown. Of course Lester would want to question her. Yet she seemed genuine. Despite only just meeting, he had a feeling she was eager to help. Frankly, they could use any and all help they could get.