I stepped up to the monitor Col. Briggs was pointing at and sat down. "What am I supposed to be looking at, sir?"
"A compilation of all the recordings the probes sent back before malfunctioning, after going through the portal. None of them transmitted for more than 30 seconds."
The portal was an energy vortex that had mysteriously appeared on the Army base. They had built a wall around it and sent mechanical probes through with devices that transmitted back the view from the other side. The portal seemed stable, but the universe it connected to was... weird.
I pushed the PLAY button and the clips ran sequentially. 20 of them in all, 7 minutes and 36 seconds of video.
"On the other side seems to be... a universe made up of various video-game and comic book and anime worlds. But they're different than the ones described here in subtle ways."
"We want you to go through and report back, Tim. We figure a live person can avoid whatever was causing the probes to malfunction."
That was a politely phrased order, not a suggestion. I dressed in my full gear, including weapons. I had a body-cam activated, charged and attached.
"Ready, sir."
Col. Briggs guided me into the room where the portal was, egressed, and closed the door. I was alone with the vortex of energy.
His voice crackled through the microphone. "Go!"
I strode powerfully towards the portal and leaped directly into the center of the whirling vortex. I could feel my clothes and gear being shredded or stripped off as I landed with a thump on a new world. Then a burst of energy slammed me backwards, and my head bounced off what felt like a rock. I passed out.
***
I blinked my eyes open and tried to remember where I was.
Through the portal! I had gone through the portal!
My eyes re-focused and I looked around at my surroundings. I had been stripped of all my gear and was down clothing-wise to just my undershirt and my boxers. I was lying on dirt and my head was resting against a rock.
And there was a shadow looming over me. I looked up.
"Who the hell are you?"
The scowling woman glaring down at me clearly had some Chinese ancestry mixed in. An unlit cigarette dangled from her lips, and she was carrying a brace of Beretta 92F's. Her shorts were unbuttoned and held up by a belt, and she was wearing a black crop top. She appeared to be in her mid-40's.
"Tim Swan. You must be Rebecca Lee."
The Berettas were drawn faster than I thought was humanly possible and pointed directly at my chest.
"The name's Revy. Got that, cocksucker? Call me Rebecca again and it'll be the last thing you ever do."
My voice did a good impression of a mouse's squeak. "Y-yes, Revy."
She drew a booted foot back and with tremendous force, kicked me directly in the crotch. My hands flew down to cover the injured area and I rolled over in pain.
"Get up, asshole!"
Revy shot a hand downwards and yanked me to my feet.
"Where did you come from?"
"A portal appeared connecting this world to mine. My bosses volunteered me to go through it."
Revy's expression seemed to soften just slightly.
"So you also know what it's like to be bossed around."
I nodded. "I don't exactly run my own life. How's the Lagoon Company doing?"
"Don't know. When we went legit a few years back, Rock and Dutch decided my services were no longer needed. They gave me a very generous amount of money as severance pay."
"Does Rock still have feelings for you?"
"Not in a romantic sense. But he stays in touch as a friend."
"Where are we?"
"Rural New York State. Nearest town is about 10 miles from here."
"How's Eda doing?"
"Like me, she's retired now. I haven't seen her in two years."
"What are you going to do with me?"
"If you prove yourself useful, I'll keep you around. Just remember that I haven't killed anyone in a while and my trigger finger may get itchy if you fuck up."
Revy grabbed my wrist and started striding towards a house about 50 yards distant. I kept up easily. She guided me inside and shoved me down into a chair.
"You can make yourself useful by cooking and cleaning. And you won't be needing those clothes."
I stood up and removed what was left of my outfit. Revy pointed towards a cabinet. "Cleaning supplies are in there. You can start with this room."
One thing the Earth military teaches you is how to clean. I scrubbed the floor clean, then set to work on the furniture, openly admiring Revy's muscular, busty body. She'd kept herself in excellent shape.
She, of course, noticed. "See something you like, Tim?"
"You're a beautiful woman, Revy."
"People said that a lot more often when I was younger," she chuckled. "Not too many men call a 47-year-old beautiful."
When I finished cleaning the room, I straightened up and walked over in front of her. "My dick wouldn't be hard if I didn't find you attractive."
Revy grinned and looked over my naked body. "You make a good point. I'm hungry. Go into the kitchen and cook a meal for two."
"Is there anything in particular you had in mind?"
"Nope. Just make sure it's tasty."