From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

Below are excerpts from Tatyana Stepanova's journal after her arrival on current Paragon Earth.

Journal Entries

Excerpt – Day 725 (May 28, 1985) / (May 28, 2008): I am found. I shall write more, later. But I am found. I am home. I am free. ((RP Log))

Excerpt – May 29, 2008: Who was it that said, “Oh what wonders I have seen / In a world never meant for the likes of me”? Truly, great things have occurred since I left. Scientific, social, and political strides that are almost unfathomable. Destruction as well, deaths and war; but overall it is a wonderful and almost magical time I am in and to which I do not belong. … … … Mama, Papa, did you know how much you meant to me? Did you ever hope to hear from me? Or were you told I had died years ago?

((Unrelated, but same day RP Log))

Excerpt – May 30, 2008: How wonderful to walk upon streets filled with people. And how noisy they all are.  … … … I have, with assistance from the SS8, been able to register at the local university. It shall be interesting to see how much new information there is to be learned in the fields of mathematics and interdimensional technology. I am hoping that with time and sufficient application of new principles, others transported as I was may be found and returned home.

Excerpt – June 1, 2008: Fate is indeed a cruel beast. She gives with one hand while pulling away with the other. You can see the delight that can be had, but is only for others and never for one’s self.

On the other hand, there is joy to be had in seeing others’ happiness. This I shall resolve to do. ((RP Log))

Excerpt – June 2, 2008: Did she know what she asked of me? Bah. It does not matter. It is done. ((RP Log))

Excerpt – June 5, 2008: Yevgeny’s daughters are delightful.

Excerpt – June 12, 2008: I am enjoying myself. It surprises me a little, but truly having not only work, but studying and companionship make for a satisfying life. At least, for now. The people I have met at the SS8, its allies, and the university have all been helpful, friendly, and enjoyable. I do not have everything I want, but everything I have is lovely and… satisfying. A great improvement over the previous 9 years.

Excerpt – June 17, 2008: In my attempt to locate other persons still missing from 1983 I have begun working with the Portal Corporation here in Paragon. To gain access to their scientists and mathematicians I’ve had to work quickly to increase my security level with Hero Corp and perform several services for Portal Corp, in pursuit of their own goals.

Today, I found a 1983 model KGB dimensional locator. Unfortunately I did not find the person who took it to that sadly destroyed dimension; only spirits of the deceased were left among the crumbling buildings. Perhaps Yevgeny, with his access to the Udachny records will be able to determine who the scientist or KGB agent was.

Excerpt – June 18, 2008: Yet another.

The attacks on various members of SS8 have been, in part, explained. Another interdimensional traveler, and her companions… this time the travel was intentional but… she appears to be from a dimension in which Hitler was successful. She is also the daughter of that dimension’s Yevgeny Korsakov. How can I put into words the feelings engendered knowing that her mother was that dimension’s Sasha Shokolova, a version of SS8’s Strike Leader?

Excerpt – June 19, 2008: The Menders of Ouroboros and the members of the Midnighter’s Club; both have set up “shop” in Paragon, both have access to time travel. While they do not seem to use dimensional travel much, perhaps I can combine their science with that of Portal Corp’s to determine how my temporal shift occurred.

Excerpt – June 21, 2008: Yevgeny was kind enough to gather a team to assist me in researching the time travel of the Midnighter’s Club. Unfortunately, while we were attempting to keep our time stream intact from an unknown meddler, my armor suffered some sort of malfunction. I can survive by staying towards the back of skirmishes, but any attempt to enter the heart of battle resulted in severe defeat.

I’ve left the armor in SS8’s workshop and Yevgeny has said he will take a look at it when he has the chance. In the meantime I shall just have to be extra cautious when performing my tasks for HeroCorp and Portal Corps.

Excertp - June 23, 2008: Svolatch. They thought they could get away with it, the stupid mraz’. Bah. ((Story and RP Log))

Excerpt – June 26, 2008: I continue my search for other Udachny survivors, but make little progress. I have to remind myself that I have only been home for a month and should not expect miracles of myself, but… I am only human, da? My classes are interesting but not very challenging and while much progress has been made in dimensional technology, little of it had to do with sonic vibrations. I should be able to revise my thesis and defend it as a doctoral thesis within a year or so. Then, perhaps, I may be employed instead of drain on others’ resources.

Excerpt – June 30, 2008: Today has been an interesting day… [tear splotch]… I do not think I can write of it now. ((RP Log))

Excerpt – July 1, 2008: So… it turns out that I am not home. This world is no more mine than that of the Hydra’s. But it is closer. Apparently, my alternate self from this world is dead. She… had a child. I envy her that; at the same time I greatly dislike how she dealt with facts. But I cannot know that I would not have done the same. I prefer to think that I would have found better answers.

I have mourned the fact that I will not see mama and papa again, but perhaps in my world they still live. Oh, they would still be older, but perhaps yet alive. However, moj vozl'ublennyj, I hope he has had somewhat better luck than the Field Commander, who seems to be beset with trials and difficulties.

I should ask the Field Commander… or Kohlstadt, if they might be able to find information on the Katya Borisova of this world. Perhaps she did not suffer the same fate as mine. She would not know me, but… it would be a nice thing to know.

I should also see if… Geny… if she will speak to me. I was rather harsh. It was only shock, but I do not… She is so angry with her mother. On one hand, I certainly cannot blame her. On the other… perhaps understanding could ease the hurt that is causing such hot emotion. I would also just like to know her better, the daughter of moj v… nyet… the daughter of the Field Commander and this world’s Tatyana.

So much to take in, to mourn the loss of, to hope for. Is it wrong to hope that when we eventually find other survivors of Udachny, that they may be from my world? Da. I should hope that they find their way to our real home, where their loved ones are actually theirs.

Excerpt – July 8, 2008

Eisenwand, apparently, cannot return home either. We were attempting to do so when we were interrupted by a Mr. Marsh. He appears to be a member of some interdimensional police force, which has the ability to lock access to and from certain dimensions. Svetlana’s was interdicted thus. I feel for her. She and her team are barred from ever returning home.

On a brighter side, Mr. Marsh may be able to locate the locators for my home. I will certainly be working closely with him in hope of this.

Excerpt – July 17, 2008

Which is worse? To never hope and thus never have dreams yet never be disappointed? Or to hope and dream only to have it crushed… constantly and repeatedly?

Mr. Marsh and I have done quite a lot of research recently with the assistance of a Dr. Paladin. Pieces of the interdimensional universe are missing. Entire dimensions are missing. We can’t tell how many, or which ones unless we’re specifically looking for one. Like mine. As far as we can tell it no longer exists. My home, my family, have apparently been wiped from existence. What use then, is hope?

Excerpt – July 29, 2008

I’ve been horrid about writing. I just can’t find the words. I continue to attend classes and lectures. I continue my search for Udachny survivors. I exist.

Excerpt – July 30, 2008

We found someone. She calls herself Novaja Zemlja. We do not know if she is from our dimension or another, but she was part of the Udachny rescue efforts on her world.

...

I am grateful for the friends I have found here. It is easier to continue when one is not alone. Natasha… I do not think she actually likes me, but she tolerates me and is a bulwark. While I can not lean on her, she offers a fine example. Jack is always ready with a handy joke and a willingness to help. He is arrogant, but he is quite good at what he does. However, I don’t think he realizes his true reasons for “solving problems”. He is not as detached as I think he would like to be. The Patriots are a mixed group, but not one I have met is unwelcoming. And Geny and Alisa… I do approve the name the Field Commander chose… the daughters that might have been. So different from each other, yet so similar; and, without knowing it (nor will I tell them), they give me hope. I desperately need that right now.

((Her relaxed evening is interrupted))

Excerpt – August 13, 2008

I attended weekly training again this week. No one questioned my nearly month long absence. I shall assume then, that they assumed I have been diligently working on other projects. I’ll not disabuse that notion.

Excerpt – August 15, 2008

I think I may be working too hard; not getting enough sleep. But the dreams… nightmares… chase me. I hope, at least, the time is put to good use and the information will prove fruitful. I did take a break today to assist the Field Commander with some time mending he was doing. I was, frankly, surprised that only two were able to complete the series of tasks necessary. But it was done, nonetheless. ((RP Log))

Excerpt – August 19, 2008

Jack has some data he needs to collect from several dimensions. As there is some crossover with my searches we will be working together a bit this week. It should prove entertaining, at the least.

Excerpt – August 20, 2008

I come to the conclusion that I am a masochist… Is the pain worth it? I do not know, but I continue to expose myself to it. Durak! ((RP Log))

Excerpt – August 22, 2008

My search is not going as well as Jack’s. He’s still not ready to tell me why he’s collecting the information, but I look forward to hearing his theory.

Also, I’ve been approached by someone at the university. She does not actually attend classes or work there, but apparently uses their tools for research. Hypatia Theonidus. She claims to be a descendent of “the” Hypatia, Hypatia of Alexandria. Whether that is true or not, she is apparently searching dimensions as well… for the legendary library. It is an intriguing tale. However, she is also highly regarded by hero groups here in Paragon. As such, I’ve asked her if she would like to compare notes on dimensions visited and search in tandem. Unfortunately, I did not think of whether or not an additional person would affect the data Jack is gathering. I’ll ask him, this evening, if he minds an additional member of the search party.

Excerpt – August 27, 2008

Interesting times indeed. And thank the heavens for Novaja. We’ve gathered first hand observational evidence of disappearing dimensions. Yesterday’s dimensional search has resulted in an unusual situation. The dimension we were searching has been, for lack of a better word, erased.

Novaja, fortunately, was with us and discovered that she can transport others when she is dimension hopping. She managed to pull us to a different one as our target dimension was disintegrating.

That is what it seemed like. That the world around us was disintegrating; although more likely transforming and merging with another through unknown means.

Unfortunately, Novaja still does not command the ability to target a specific dimension when she jumps. We do not know our current location, only that Portal Corps has no beacons here as our communicators no longer connect to the system. We are still debating the best method of finding our way home.

Hypatia would like to continue “hopping” dimensions, collecting our data and hoping to locate a Portal Corp explored dimension in which our communicators *will* work. Zhanna believes there will be a search mounted and that we should stay where we are. Who knows if we’ll continue to find hospitable dimensions? Although Novaja would be the better person to ask about that. Jack would like to stay as well, and explore our current dimension… essentially “hugging a tree” for now, although I know he wants to get back as much as any of us, for good reason. Novaja appears to have no opinion, but she is also the only one with no apparent connections at home, no reason to be there instead of here.

I’m, personally, of two minds. While waiting in one location worked before (I had no other choice), it took two years, and being found was either luck or fate or a combination of both. I’m not alone this time, but I would still prefer to return to my new home sooner than that. Not to mention, if someone were to search for us, they would find our previous destination gone. If they still believe we are alive, where would they begin to look for us? On the other hand, even with disappearing dimensions, there are too many to count. How many would we need to search before finding “home”? I do not know which method would be better.

At least I am not alone this time.