Radios

Edward Richtofen: Log Entry: 38. Date: December 4, 1939. The matter transference prototype is prepared for test run number 151. We have now reduced our test subject's mass to prove that this is possible. Dr. Schuster, please give an overview.

Schuster: Yes, Dr. Richtofen. We have the new test subject, a walnut, weighing in at ten grams. The target platform is now at three feet with no obstructions. We have one microgram of the element which, according to our calculations, will be entirely used up during tests.

Edward Richtofen: Excellent, Dr. Schuster. Commence test number 151.

Schuster: Yes, Doctor. Uh, please, insert your earplugs.

(Door comes closed, buzzing, walnut falls onto something metal)

Edward Richtofen: Good God! We've done it!

Schuster: We have powered up the prototype, and it moved a walnut directly from the prototype device into the receiving device! It moved instantly! It- it-

Edward Richtofen: Teleported. Get me Dr. Maxis immediately!

Ludvig Maxis: … but this is not the crucial experiment that you were supposed to be working on!

Edward Richtofen: With all due respect, Dr. Maxis, this is a breakthrough of unimaginable proportions.

Ludvig Maxis: What? That you moved a walnut a few feet? Yes, Edward, we will improve the human condition by revolutionizing the walnut industry. I can see it now: 'Edward's Walnut Delivery.'

Edward Richtofen: Don't be obtuse.

Ludvig Maxis: How dare you call me that! We are at war, Edward! I will admit that there is promise here, but until this war is won-

Edward Richtofen: Correct me if I'm wrong, Dr. Maxis, but Group 935 is a research organization. What was the motto? 'To improve the human condition?' What business of ours is this war?

Ludvig Maxis: Fine, Dr. Richtofen. I will let you in on a little administrative secret. We are finalizing a deal with the Nazi party. We need funding, we need equipment, they need new weapons. Chances are this war will end soon with a treaty or two and we will be in a much better position to help the world.

Edward Richtofen: Are you certain this won't cause massive defections? We have scientists from all over the world working with us.

Ludvig Maxis: That is why it is with the utmost confidence that I share this with you. No one will know of this. This is simply the breaking of an egg to make an omelette.

Edward Richtofen: Think of the tactical advantage we would have!

Ludvig Maxis: Think of the cost, think of the time! We can provide the Nazis tactical expertise in various areas without putting all our eggs in your walnut basket. Good day, Edward, and get back to your real work.

(Maxis walks away, slams door)

Schuster: Bloody jerk.

Edward Richtofen: I think Dr. Maxis has lost his perspective. No matter. We’ll do this on our own and publish the findings before he has a chance to-

Schuster: You're not suggesting that Dr. Maxis would steal this technology and perfect it without us, are you?

Edward Richtofen: I would by no means discourage that thought. Great scientists must stick together and achieve great science.

Edward Richtofen: Entry: 42. Date: January 4th, 1940. Dr. Schuster and I, despite mounting pressure from Dr. Maxis, have continued working on the matter transference prototype. We have made great strides in the last thirty days and are ready for our first human subject. If our calculations are correct, we will send a test subject, me, to the receptacle station sitting thirty yards away and behind a cinder-block wall.

Schuster: Are you certain you want to do this, Dr. Richtofen?

Edward Richtofen: Nein, Dr. Schuster, but this must be done. Quickly, put in your earplugs and power up the machine.

(Door closes, buzzing, teleportation sound)

Edward Richtofen: Was there a power outage? Why is it so dark? I feel almost... weightless. How very unexpected. Dr. Schuster? Hello?

(Lighter is ignited)

Edward Richtofen: There, I can see now, I-... Oh my god. I am standing in a circular cave, surrounded by some kind of... machinery. It's like nothing I've ever seen before. It looks almost alien in nature. There's a pyramid structure at the center of the room. I'm going to try and carefully touch it.

(Edward is shocked, gasps)

Edward Richtofen: Static electricity! It's smooth to the touch. Very cold. Not a speck of dust.

(Edward bangs against the pyramid)

Edward Richtofen: Hmm, might be hollow. The chamber's quite large. I see what looks like capacitors at the ceiling of the chamber, but there are no obvious connections to anything electrical. What is this place? Dr. Schuster, is that you? Dr. Schuster! Look at this. It appears to be covered in some kind of hieroglyphic language. I've not seen anything like it before. Why are you whispering to me? There's no need for that.

(Buzzing)

Edward Richtofen: Was ist los? Do you hear that? It sounds like…

(Strange teleporter noise, unlike the MTD, distorted voices in background)

(Edward falls to ground, water flowing in background)

Edward Richtofen: Mein gott, what happened?! I seem to be in some kind of jungle. I can't be certain of where I am.

(Men are heard yelling and approaching Edward, throwing things)

Edward Richtofen: Oh no!

Schuster: Log Entry: 43. Date: January 23rd, 1940. I cannot be certain what happened to Dr. Richtofen once the test was commenced. He just disappeared from the machine into thin air. I have searched the area for days and have no evidence that he is anywhere. I am afraid I might have to scrap the en-

(Door is slammed open)

Edward Richtofen: Do not scrap anything! (Edward walks up to Schuster) We have done something, something wondrous! Shhh! Do you hear them?

Schuster: Dr. Richtofen, you're alive!

Edward Richtofen: I'm more than alive, Mr. Schuster. Is the device still intact?

Schuster: Yes, but, what happened to you?

Edward Richtofen: Ohhh, something wunderbar. That chamber was incredible! The wonders we can learn!

Schuster: What are you talking about? Are you alright?

Edward Richtofen: Get in the matter transference prototype, Dr. Schuster. We have work to-

Edward Richtofen: Gentlemen, for two long years we have toiled here and at Eagle's Nest to build up fortifications. For two long years we have taken equipment to build up our labs. For two long years we have worked under Group 935, believing that Dr. Maxis truly wants to help the world. For two long years we've led a double life. Today, that all ends.

(Tarp is removed from the pyramid, members of crowd gasp in background)

Edward Richtofen: I bring to you what this project is all about. What I have worked to keep from my enemy.

Groph: What is it Dr. Richtofen? It looks alien.

Edward Richtofen: It is an ancient Vril machine. Und you, Dr. Groph, are now the lead scientist here at Griffin Station. (Crowd begins to applaud) You will be the one to discover how it works.

Groph: We first must discover what it does.

Edward Richtofen: Nein, Dr. Groph. I know what it does. It is a direct connection to another dimension.

(Crowd murmurs)

Crowd Member: Preposterous!

Edward Richtofen: No more preposterous than teleporting all of this gear to the moon und building Griffin Station, is it?

Groph: I suppose not. How do you know what it does?

Edward Richtofen: I have found many interesting Vril artifacts here. I have decoded some of their language. All signs point to this device being a stable gateway to the Aether.

(Crowd murmurs)

Schuster: Dr. Richtofen, I am aware of a project being run by Dr. Maxis at Der Riese concerning Vril.

Edward Richtofen: As am I. I am going back to my post at Group 935 to continue the charade. I will be finding out just how much information Dr. Maxis has on Vril. Once the machine is operational, I will enact my plan und return. Gentlemen, let the games begin.

(Crowd applauds)

Edward Richtofen: Sh! The voices are so loud!

Dr. Monty: Moon. It's gone now. Well, recently it has, but don't worry. I will make, slash, have made, a new one. But at this point in space and time, things were going to reach something of a crescendo. Richtofen, crazy Richtofen, evil Richtofen, remember him? Fucking idiot blew up the Earth! It didn't really all go to plan though, did it? If he even ever had a plan... He ended up trying to enlist the help of some other idiots left in the apocalyptic wasteland.