With the Kerplah portal permanently sealed after the rise of the great fish, launching a ship to rescue Doctor Xecia was quite impossible.  

Andonian scientists that previously worked with Put, scoured his research for ways to detect other methods of reaching that tortuous world.

The squat fighter readies himself for the trip. A return to a cursed land that few others are willing to risk. But one of Andonia's own was lost and calls out.  

Another Venture must set forth.

At the outline system monitoring seminar, Professor Stumpt announces that a rupture has been detected in the quantum field setup by the researchers. The breach was very short-lived, but bore a preceding signature recognised by every scientist.  

Great surprise and enthusiasm followed the announcement. It was an encoded message from another reality. But the encoding used was that of someone from Andonia, the quantum researcher who died in Kerplah, Doctor Xecia Oblique.

Of Andonia's great birds, there is an odd fact. Though all have wings of massive span, only some can fly through the clouds towards the sun.  

Others, with wings as broad and weight as light can not free themselves from the earthly soil.  

They stare at those borne on the winds, wishing themselves away from the trap they are in.

Panel 1  

"Hurry! The ropes are breaking!"  

Panel 2  

*SNAP!* *SNAP!*  

"NOOOOOOOO!"  

Panel 3  

"Edward, I know it meant a lot to you, but I don't think a grappling hook rickety rope bridge gun is ever going to work all that well. Let's go to McDonald's and get a Happy Meal. I'll buy you a shake."

The barren abandoned military defense tower stands amid rubble and empty tanks. A cold rain of dust and soot falls from the sky, painting away the colour of the buildings.

One slice of a world torn from itself and meshed with a million others from all ages breeds emergent conflict. Quick death of unstable mutations maintains stability. Survival brings great destruction.