The ARC, Christine's former black site and then the Pliocene

[itsananomaly]

It had been a week since they had figured out that the artifact was as anomaly map and they had been instructed to find out what they could before they had to destroy it. It had been a lot of work and Cutter wasn't even sure they had scratched the surface of the secrets of the artifact but the deadline was approaching and they had to present their findings to Lester. "I still feel like there's something we're missing," he remarked softly to Connor as he stared at the artifact, "and we still haven't found a link to site 333 yet," [adapted in parts from series 3 episode 9 'Herd Logic' and episode 10 'The Chase Continues'. Major CW for NPC character deaths and disturbing imagery. Preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd NFB for distance but OOC welcome!]

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Maybe we were wrong? Maybe Helen and Christine are wrong... and the artifact doesn't have anything to do with Site 333?" Connor said, sounding more hopeful than he actually was. He knew the chances of that were slim. Helena and Christine both wanted the artifact, there had to be a good reason why!
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Maybe," Cutter bit his lip as he considered the alternatives, "but I think one of these anomalies would have to lead to site 333, unless ... its not a direct path to site 333?" he wondered, "what do you think?" he looked over at Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"That could be a possibility... maybe the artifact connects to an anomaly.... that... then leads to site 333?" Connor looked at Cutter then back to the artifact. "And also, I know site 333 is something we need to figure out but... there's all these other anomaly points too. Site 333 is just one of them, we need to try and see if we can figure out what the other anomalies are and how many we have already found. We might have already encountered the one that leads to site 333 and not even known it at the time."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, "I think that would make the most sense and it would explain why Helen and Christine are particularly after this artifact, maybe this has a map to that future anomaly that Helen is obsessed with," he considered thoughtfully.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"If this map we have uncovered IS the map that includes the future anomaly... then we def need to destroy the artifact, even if we can't figure it all out. That would be too big a risk that they could be the one to finally figure the map out" Connor said sombrely. "Itis better none of us have that knowledge than for them to end up with it."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded in agreement, "its too dangerous for something like that to end up with Helen or Christine," he said softly, "its a good thing most of my notes from when I was working on the anomaly prediction model are back in Fandom, they don't have access to them, as fascinating as it is to study the artifact, its too dangerous to be kept,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Yeah... I was thinking of running the idea by Lester of keeping a backup of everything we have about the artifact and the anomalies with us in Fandom." Connor stood back from the artifact and sighed as he stretched out his back. "It would be one of the safest places in terms of keeping things away from Helen and Christine."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"It wouldn't be a bad idea to ask, even if the main artifact is destroyed at least we have our notes and references that we can look back on if we need to and as far as we know Helen and Christine don't have access to Fandom so they would be safe there," Cutter agreed as he looked closely at the artifact to see if there was any other information he could figure out.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded as he walked across the small lab where they were and looked out the one small window that was in the lab. He stood looking out into the outer parking area and the entranceway that led off the main road to the ARC itself on that side of the building. He blinked as he saw a black truck come speeding up the road towards the ARC. "Ummm...Nick..."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter walked over to the window to see what Connor was looking at and he tensed considerably as he saw the black truck, "this does not look good," he murmured and right on cue the ARC's sirens started blaring.
Becker(thearcfamily)	A moment later the door to the lab opened and Becker came in, the look on his face serious as he looked at Cutter and Connor. "We have company" he said simply, the look on his face saying who it was. "Come on. We have to get to the saferoom."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter noticed the look on Becker's face and reached out to take Connor's hand, "what's happening?" he asked fearfully, terrified that they were under attack again.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"It's Helen... isn't it?" Connor asked in concern, as he pulled his gaze away from the window just as a figure climbed out. "We think so. We need to get the two of you, and that artifact somewhere secure" Becker said as he opened the door to the lab again and poked his head out into the hallway, sending the men out to check the area.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was trembling, trying very hard to remember to breathe, "okay, I'll take the artifact," he said as he reached over to take it with, "at least until we find somewhere that we can keep it safe,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor grabbed the backpack with his gear in it and shoved his notes and their research into it as well. He reached out and grabbed Cutter's hand giving it a hard squeeze as he held onto it. He Waited till Becker signed them and then stepped out of the lab and into the hallway. "It's going to be ok Nick" he said softly, trying to convince himself as much as Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gave Connor's hand a squeeze in response as he held the artifact with the other hand, "we're more prepared this time, right?" he said softly, "it's not going to be like last time?" he trembled.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We have a better chance this time. We have a bargaining chip if nothing else" Connor said as they made their way down the hall. As they approached the main central area they could hear shouting and voices. Becker held a hand up to have hem wait and then went on ahead to see what was going on. Standing there waiting, Connor slipped an arm around Cutter and held him close.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled as he leaned against Connor, "I love you Connor," he said softly as they waited, "I will always love you, so much,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor clung to Cutter, leaning his head into his shoulder as he did."I love you too Nick. Always... so very much" he said softly even as the shouting got louder and he gave a small shiver when he recognized one of the voices was Helen.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter couldn't help but let out a sob when he heard Helen's voice, he was terrified, Becker wasn't back yet and he didn't know if it was safe to move, "do you think we should try and go to the safe room?" he asked softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor held onto Cutter for a moment before pulling away. "I think we should try. The safe room is down the hall... If we can sneak past the main room without being seen... We should be able to make it."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Okay," Cutter took a deep breath as he tried to focus and ignore all the shouting that he could hear, "let's try and make it to the safe room, at least from there we can wait for Becker, Lester or Danny to come back and get us,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor took Cutters hand and started to try and make a run past the open sres that lead to the main room. But just as they got midway, one of Helens clone guards stepped out of the shadow and blocked their way. "Shit..." Connor muttered as he felt eyes fall on them and he knew Helen saw them, even before she said anything.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Well, well, well Nick, Connor it's been a while," Helen smiled as she began to make her way over towards them, Cutter moved in front of Connor to try and shield him, "clearly I didn't do as good a job as I thought I had," she smirked as her gaze flickered to the faint scar that was on Cutter's forehead.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor stood behind Cutter and stared at Helen, not seeing anyone else who was there or hearing anything but her chilling voice echoing in his ears. He tried not to tremble and tried to keep his voice from quivering as he stayed behind Cutter. "What.... what do you want Helen?"
Helen(itsananomaly)	"I want a lot of things," Helen smirked, "but right now I'll settle for a trade, how about it you, Nick and the artifiact for someone you've been trying to find," she turned her head towards the hallway, "you can come out now," Cutter's stomach sank when he realised it was Christine who was being shoved roughly into the room, needless to say Christine had had better days as well, there was bruises on her face and her clothes were ripped and her hair was dishevelled and then he realised the implications of what Helen was offering and he stared in horror at Lester, Danny and Becker they wouldn't make the trade would they?
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor's eyes went wide as well when he saw it was Christine...and they went even wider when the realisation that evidently Helen had finally shown her true colors and apparently turned on Christine... "Ch-Christine?" he gasped before he could stop himself. He looked from Danny to Lester then back to Helen, his head starting to swim with the implications of what Helen was asking.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Christine didn't say anything she kept her gaze firmly on the ground. "How about it?" Helen smirked and then she brought her gun out and aimed it at Christine's head, "I think it's a fair trade don't you?" Lester was staring at Christine with no expression on his face and then he looked at Helen, "there'll be no trade," he said simply.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker stood where he was behind Lester watching everything unfold. For a moment his eyes went to Lester, a look of concern on his face until Lester turned down Helen's offer. He knew he wouldn't give up Cutter and Connor... but it was still a relief to hear it. He turned his gaze back to Helen. "It's over Helen, your ploy won't work. Cutter and Connor are staying right here. And so is the artifact!"
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen scowled but kept her gun aimed at Christine's head, "I would reconsider if I were you," she said simply, "I won't ask again, Nick, Connor and the artifact for Christine or I'll put a bullet in her head and this time I won't miss," Cutter shivered at that thread and he held the artifact closely to him. Lester shrugged nonchalantly, "go right ahead, she means nothing to me,"
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny opened his mouth to say something but closed it. He knew they couldn't make a trade. And after everything... as much as he hated himself for it... he couldn't find himself in a position to try and bargain for Christine's life. "Looks like your little 'partnership' has failed to deliver for both of you' he said as he kept his eyes on Helen but was watching Cutter and Connor out of the edge of his vision to make sure whatever happened they were ok.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"I won't beg for my life," Christine suddenly spoke just then as she finally looked up and her gaze swept the room, "you can do what you want for me, it doesn't make any difference, I won't beg," Helen smirked at that, "there was a reason that I liked you Christine, it's a shame really, there was so much potential," and then she brought her gun closer, "well since there's no trade, then I have no reason to keep you alive," and then she pressed the trigger and Christine crumbled to the floor dead. Cutter stared at Christine's body, for a few moments all he could hear was that gunshot and then nothing. He stared terrified and instantly moved even closer to Connor to shield him from Helen.
Danny(thearcfamily)	Connor jumped at the sound of the gunshot and reached out and grabbed Cutter's hand even as he stepped in front of him, eyes darting between Christine's lifeless body and Helen. "Alright, you made your point" Danny said as he started to take a step towards Helen, trying to put himself between Connor and Cutter and Helen. "It's over Helen. Just surrender now and maybe.. MAYBE we will go easy on you."
Helen(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled fearfully as Connor grabbed his hand, he was trying very hard to remember to breathe, "now why would I do that," Helen looked over at Danny with a smirk, "in fact I think this is just the beginning," she nodded at one of her men and they came up to block Danny's path to her and then this time she aimed the gun at Cutter's head, "this will be a lot better for you and your fiancé Nick if you just come with me now, we don't want a repeat of what happened now do we?" Cutter was still shielding Connor, "let Connor and the others go Helen..." he took a deep breath, "I'll ... I'll go with you," he said softly.
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny stood eye to eye with the guard that blocked his path even as he spoke, addressing Cutter. "Don't do it Nick. You know she cant be trusted!" "Nick... no... y-y-ou can't" Connor said as he tightened his grip on his hand. He looked at Helen and then took a shaky breath and closed his eyes, leaning his head forward slightly and against Cutter's shoulder. "I'm not letting go... not again Nick.'
Helen(thearcfamily)	"It's the only way," Cutter said softly, resigned as he still clung tightly to the artifact and leaned against Connor. "I don't care whether you come willingly or not," Helen growled and then turned her gun towards Connor resting his head on Cutter's shoulder, "unless you want your fiancé's brains to be splattered all over you, I suggest you both come with me now," Cutter flinched at that threat, "you're not going to hurt Connor, not again,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker looked from Danny to Lester. This wasn't good... this wasn't good at all. He saw Lester nod slightly and he stood where he was, locking eyes with Danny. "Alright, alright Helen" he said as he held the hand that held his gun up slightly. he looked at Cutter and Connor trying to let them know silently that they weren't giving up. "Nick... I love you" Connor whispered softly. "I'm so sorry" he said as he clung to his fiance's hand as one of Helen's guards walked over an grabbed the and started shoving them on towards Christine.
Cutter(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I love you too Connor," Cutter whispered as Helen's guards pushed them towards the door, he stared back at Becker, Lester and Danny silently trying to convey that they didn't blame them, that this was the best alternative under the circumstances. "This isn't your fault, it isn't any one's fault,"
Danny(thearcfamily)	"It's not over" Danny said as he took a step like he was going to follow them only to have one of Helen's guards level his gun at him. Danny froze, hands lifted slightly as he watched Helen drag Cutter and Connor down the hallway. "We'll find you! Nick! Connor! We're not leaving you!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled as Helen led them out the door and down the hallway, he knew they were in a really bad position but right now Helen seemed more interested in keeping them alive this time, he had to focus on that until they could be recused. "Where are we going Helen?" he asked softly as Helen kept leading them down the hallway. "We're going on a little trip but we have one more stop we need to make before then," was all Helen would say.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor kept close to Cutter, almost tripping over him as they went as he tried to keep as far from the guard behind them as they could. He didn't like the sound of what Helen was saying and being at her mercy and under her control was the last thing they needed right then. "Helen... you don't have to do this... you can..." Connor's words were cut off as he felt the butt of the guards riffle push against his shoulder in a silent warning to stay quiet.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen just smiled as she led them out the back to the truck, "Oh but I do," she said simply, "this is my ultimate plan and I'm very close to pulling it off, once everything is in place, we're going to change the world Nick and Connor,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor froze when he saw the truck. He glanced back, past the guard and tried to see if he could catch sight of Danny or Becker or any of the security team. He barely heard anything Helen was saying, everything seemed to be a soft echo in his ears and everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. This couldn't he happening. It had to be a dream. He would wake up soon...
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter saw where Connor was looking, he knew once Helen had them in the truck the odds of them being successfully rescued were not good. He took a deep breath, he had to believe that Danny and Becker would find them. When they were taking too long to get into the truck one of the guards gave a growl and shoved Cutter in the back with his rifle to get him moving. Cutter helplessly climbed into the truck, moving over so that Connor could get in after him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor finally tore his eyes away and half climbed was half shoved into the back of the truck with Cutter. As they were getting in he locked eyes with Cutter for a moment and reached out and put a hand on the artifact. "They'll find us" he said softly and simply, hoping Cutter would remember the tracking device Becked had put on the artifact as soon as they had realized what it was. As long as Helen kept them together...and kept them alive... Danny and Becker could still catch up to them.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stared blankly at the artifact for a moment, trying to fight the sinking feeling of hopelessness that was overwhelming him as Helen got into the front seat and one of her guards got into the drivers seat and took off. And then he remembered that Becker had put a tracking device on there, "they will find us won't they," he said trying to keep his voice steady as he looked back up at Connor, he knew they couldn't give up hope not just then, right now they were the only ones who could stop Helen.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor reached out and took Cutter's hand and gave it a squeeze. He was about to say something as Helen looked back at them and laughed as they pulled out and started to speed away from the ARC. He felt his heart sink as he watched the ARC quickly fade into the distance."Where are you taking us?" he asked, trying to keep the shiver out of his voice as Helen fixed her eyes on him in the rear view mirror.
Helen(itsanaomaly)	Helen merely smirked at that, "I'm going to be taking you to a place where we can change the world Connor," she remarked as she looked at him, "but to do that we need to make a stop to the future and there's only one location where that anomaly is," she said simply.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You... you found it again? The... the future anomaly?" Connor asked, his voice soft, the fear and defeat obvious in his voice. If she and Christine had managed to find the future anomaly, regardless of what had ended up happening between them to make them turn on each other, if Helen had the future anomaly under her control again.... Connor shivered as he clung to Cutter's hand.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen chuckled at that, "You see, it turns out the future anomaly was a lot closer than any of us realised and its why my partnership with Christine had to come to an unfortunate end, Christine just did not see the bigger picture," she remarked. Cutter clung tightly to Conner's hand, fearful of what it meant that Helen now had control of that future anomaly, none of them were going to be safe.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Why Helen? Why do you care about the future anomaly so much? If you want to get to the future then go... what do you need us for?" Connor based as he curled up against Cutter, the fear gripping him in the pit of his stomach at what all Helen might wat to do. "If you want to see the future then go... you don't have to do anything with us if you have it already."
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Now, now Connor you know it's not that simple," Helen remarked as Cutter leaned against Connor fearfully, "I need this future anomaly to get to the past and that artifact that you're holding will help me get there ...and I want the two of you to witness everything ... to change the future, we need to change the past,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Despite the fear he felt Connor looked at Helen and shook his head. "You are crazy Helen! You know the risk of meddling with the past! The smaller change could undo all of this... you change one thing and... you could wipe out all of humanity!"
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen merely chuckled darkly at that, "but that is precisely my plan Connor," she said, "humanity has become too dangerous to live, they've polluted this world, ruined and we have the chance to stop that, to go back to a simpler time, let the dinosaurs become the natural rulers of this world," Cutter flinched at hearing Helen's plan, "you're insane Helen," he gasped, "there's no telling what damage that will do to the timeline,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You know if you succeed... if you manage to do that... you are going to erase yourself from existence along with everyone else?" Connor shook his head and looked at Cutter then back to Helen. "As bad as it is, the natural course has to be allowed to continue. You cant go and interfere with the past Helen!"
Helen(itsananomaly)	"It will be worth it," was all Helen said, "humanity doesn't deserve the Earth, I'll be doing it a favour," she shook her head as the car began to pull up to a familiar looking building. Cutter tensed, while he had not been inside Christine's building, he recognised the photos from the files, "this is the government black site," he said softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"The....the future anomaly was here..." he stared as they pulled to a stop. Danny and Becker had been there... they were that close to where the anomaly was... Connor shivered when he realized how close Christine and Helen had gotten to finding out everything... they had had the artifact there... the anomaly was there... He closed his eyes and leaned his head against Cutter's shoulder as the truck came to a stop and he heard Helen laugh.
Cutter(itsanaomaly)	Cutter clutched the artifact tightly as Helen and the driver got out of the guard, "what are we going to do Connor?" he asked softly, knowing they didn't have long before Helen would force them out of the car, "we need to stop her,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor looked at the artifact then up at Cutter, his fiance, the man he loved and sighed. "I can only think of one thing we can do... We can't try and destroy the artifact here. Helen and her goons will stop us... but we can go through the anomaly... go to the past... destroy the artifact so it is never even created." Connor looked at Cutter sadly, knowing full well what he was suggesting was a one-way trip there was no coming back from. But he also knew it was the only way.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter took a deep breath at that, he knew that was the only logical explanation, "I don't see any other way," he admitted quietly, "we need to stop Helen, if that means following her to the past ... I mean, we can both survive in the past right? We know enough about it to ... to ..." his voice trembled, he couldn't bring himself to say 'live out the rest of the days'.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor pulled Cutter close into a tight hug and held him for a moment even as he heard Helen and the guards talking outside. "We'll go with her, do what she wants, till we get the chance to make a run for it. We'll be fine. We'll be together..." Connor's voice trailed off as he swallowed hard around the lump that had formed in his throat. At least if that was how they were going to live their final days, they would be together.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled as held Connor tightly, "alright, we'll do that ... we'll ... we'll be together, I love you so much Connor," he said softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor held onto Cutter tightly. "I love you Nick... so much" he said and when the door opened a moment later and Helen stood there with a smug smirk on her face, he didn't let go right away and just stared at her.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept clinging to Connor, terrified of what was about to happen, Helen just shook her head, "come on boys, let's get this show on the road we've got a lot to do, let's move," she instructed.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor slowly let go of Cutter and slid out of the back seat, dropping his gaze as he stood in front of Helen, feeling her eyes on him as he helped Cutter out. This was it... Connor knew that once they went through the future anomaly they would never see the others gain... he just hoped they would understand that it had to be this way.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled as he got out of the car, looking nervously up at the building but still staying close to Connor and the car, not wanting to go far unless it was necessary. He had to hope that the others could get to them in time otherwise ... "Alright, let's go," Helen smirked as she began to lead them towards the building, "I should warn you, its a bit of a bloodbath in here, so watch your step," Cutter did not like the sound of that, "what happened here?" "Let's just say there was a hostile takeover and leave it at that," was all Helen would say.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor clung to Cutter's hand as he stayed close. They walked in and he tried to keep his yes forward, following after Helen and trying not to see what all was around because it was true- it was a bloodbath in there and Connor felt his blood run cold.
Cutter(itsanaomaly)	Cutter's stomach churned as he stayed close to Connor, holding his hand and keeping the artifact close in the other. He was trying very hard to not look at the blood or what were clearly dismembered body parts that were covering the hallway. He couldn't help but wonder if Wilder was one of them but it was hard to tell as Helen kept walking, eventually stopping before a door. "In here," she said simply, pushing the door open and ordering them inside.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor kept close to Cutter trying to not look around too much. He too couldn't help but wonder if Wilder had met a similar fate to Christine or if he was still alive and working with Helen somehow. Despite everything, Connor still couldn't bring himself to wish a messy death like what he was seeing on Wilder. He shook his head, trying to push the images from his mind and then focused on where Helen was lading them. As bad as things around them were he knew all too well that what lay behind the door Helen was leading them to could be much much worse.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter knew that once they were through that door there was no going back but he did not see any alternative to their current predicament and with a resigned fate reluctantly followed after Helen. For a moment all he could see was pitch black and then he saw it, in the middle of the room was that elusive future anomaly. He stared at it, "the future anomaly," he said, rather dazed that after everything they had endured it had come to this moment.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor also blinked a bit at the darkness then the shimmering brilliance of the anomaly as if stood flickering in the middle of the room. It almost didn't seem real, that they were there standing in front of it again. He looked at Cutter and then to Helen as he stood in the doorway, still hoping that there would be some last-second saving miracle. That something would happen and stop this... but he knew this was happened and that it had to happen like this. The important thing was to stop Helen- no matter what. And at least, if this was going to be the end, then at least he and Cutter were together in the end.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Come on boys," Helen smirked as she stood near the anomaly, "we've got a lot of work to do, your friends aren't going to save you now" she taunted Cutter trembled, looking back at Connor and then at the door, he knew that Helen was right but that didn't mean he wanted this to go any quicker.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I'll go Helen. Let Nick go.. I... I can give you what you need for the anomaly... and the artifact" Connor said trying to stall and buy them just a little more time before the inevitable happened. He knew it wasn't going to work and he couldn't help but flinch a little when Helen took a sudden step towards him and reached out and grabbed the front of his shirt.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Loyal to the last," Helen shook her head, "but no, I want both of you to witness my greatest achievement and that means both of you are going through the anomaly even if I have to drag you both through there myself," and she pulled at Connor's shirt hard to get him to continue moving forward.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor stumbled forward as Helen yanked hard on his shirt and he tried not to trip over his own feet as she pulled him past Cutter and closer to the anomaly. "Nick!" he called out despite himself and reached a hand out and grabbed hold of Cutter's hand desperately even though he knew that was just going to force him to get dragged into the anomaly as well.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"CONNOR!" Cutter cried as he reached out and grabbed Connor's hand, "no Helen let go!" Helen didn't listen, she stepped through the anomaly, still holding onto Connor, Cutter clung to Connor as the anomaly began to envelop them.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor clung to Cutter's hand tightly and closed his eyes as the brightness of the anomaly made him wince. He'd been through his share of anomalies but it never got any easier. For a moment he stood still before opening his eyes, afraid to see where it was they had ended up. "Nick?" He opened his eye and sighed and threw his arms around Cutter when he saw he was there with them. "Nick..."
Cutter(itsanaomaly)	It took Cutter a few moments to realise that they had gone through the anomaly, he blinked against the darkness and he looked around the room they had ended up in, "Connor are you alright?" he asked softly as he returned the hug.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded as he clung to Cutter, unable to say anything just then. He looked around the room over Cutter's shoulder, his eyes darting over fearfully to Helen who was standing nearby with a smug and victorious grin on her face.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept clinging to Connor, not liking the look that Helen had on her face, the look that said she had won. He trembled, still clinging onto the artifact. "I'll be taking that artifact now Nick," she smirked as she walked over to them and began to pry it from Cutter's hands. "No Helen please don't do this..." Cutter tried begging again, knowing that it wouldn't help anything.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tightened his hold on Cutter, knowing that Helen had said she needed them to make her plan work, yet he still was terrified of what she had planned and what she was going to do next. He watched as she wrestled the artifact from Cutter and turned his face away, knowing he was being weak but he didn't care. The helplessness of what they were facing hit him hard just then and he had to remind himself to breathe and to try and stay calm.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter let out a sob as Helen wrestled the artifact away and walked over to a console in the middle of the room, the console had definitely seen better days. He kept clinging to Connor, terrified of what was going to happen, of Helen's ultimate plan ... Helen tinkered at the console for a few moments, before she placed the artifact in the console and the room was lit up with the familiar site of all the known anomalies. "Now isn't this beautiful," she remarked as she took in the site.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor lifted his head just enough to look at the display as the artifact was engaged and the anomaly map was displayed again. He had seen it before and he knew that now it was in Helen's hands.. but he still found the sight breathtaking. He looked at the anomaly points, still wondering which one was the one they had just walked through.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen studied the map carefully, "so by my calculations we went through this anomaly here," she pointed to a spot on the map, "then we need to go to the anomaly located here," she pointed out another anomaly that was a fair distance away from where she had pointed, "thanks to the artifact and to you Nick, I now can create a link to the anomaly that will take us to site 333 and change the fate of the world as we know it," she crowed as she went back to the console and began to type in the calculations. Cutter flinched at that, he knew this was all his fault that Helen now had everything she wanted and he was going to be responsible for the fate of the world. He trembled as he tried to cling to that small possibility that someone had followed them and would find them, they didn't have much time left.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor watched Helen and listened as the spoke of her plan, but didn't hear much. At the mention of site 333 his mind started spinning again. And then suddenly, it hit him. His eyes went wide and he looked at Cutter and then over to Helen. "S-site 333... oh my god... Helen you can't! You... you wouldn't do that..."
Helen(itsananomaly)	Cutter had began to start piecing things together as well and his eyes also went wide with realisation as he looked back at Connor in surprise and disbelief at what Helen was planning. Helen merely laughed as she continued to type in her calculations, "oh but I can Connor and you're going to witness my ultimate triumphant, no humans left on Earth," she crowed, "and I really have to thank you and Nick for this, without it I wouldn't have gotten nearly as far as I have,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Everything fell into place as Connor stared at Helen in disbelief. They had to come to the future because it was the only place where she could use the artifact. And the artifact opened the doors to accessing and controlling when anomalies open. And Helen now knew what anomaly to open to take her to the past.... to site 333... where she was going to wipe out the first humanoids on the planet. "This is all on you Helen" Connor said weakly."you are the one who is insane!"
Helen(itsanaomaly)	Helen merely laughed as another anomaly soon appeared, the anomaly that would lead them to site 333 and the end of humanity. "This is for the Earth," she crowed, "the Earth will have a chance at surviving now, without humans polluting it and destroying it every day," "Helen stop please," Cutter pleaded, "please don't do this," Helen just smiled, "well since I now have the anomaly, no sense in leaving this artifact around and then she took it off the console and threw it into the air, getting out her gun and destroying it. Cutter stared in dismay as the artifact was destroyed, even though that had been their plan, it still hurt seeing it destroyed like that.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	At the sound of the gunshots ringing out, Connor flinched. He watched the artifact fall apart. They had been planning to destroy it.. but now the cold truth his him that Helen might have destroyed the only thing that would let them possibly find what anomaly could bring them back home... if there was a home to go back to soon anyways.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was trying to remember to breathe as he stared at the remains of the artifact, their last possible chance at putting a stop to this, to find their way back home. "Well boys it's been fun but I really need to get going," Helen smirked and then after one final mocking wave, she disappeared into the anomaly. "We need to stop her," Cutter said softly as he stared at the anomaly that was still open, he didn't know how long it was going to remain open for and he knew they didn't have a lot of time left.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor watched Helen disappear into the shimmering light of the anomaly and turned to Cutter. He knew the anomaly could close soon. It could close with Helen on the other side doing who knew what back in the past. It could close with them on the other side too trapping them wherever it was the anomaly led to. But whatever happened, Connor knew this was the only choice. "I love you Nick" he said as he pulled Cutter close and kissed him. He had no idea what waited on the other side of the anomaly other than an insane Helen. He wanted to make sure Cutter knew he loved him and that it was ok, they were together, and he wasn't going anywhere. When he finally broke the kiss he stood Cutter's hand in his and then gave it a squeeze and stepped with him through the anomaly.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I love you too Connor, so much," Cutter said softly, hardly daring to believe what they were about to do but it needed to be done. They needed to stop Helen, no matter what. He followed Connor through the anomaly, blinking back against the brightness of where they ended up. He looked around, trying to see where they were or how far ahead Helen had gone. What if she had gone through an another anomaly and it was too late?
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor held onto Cutter tightly as they walked through, the bright sun and the heat were the first things he noticed. The second was the stark landscape- all rock and sand and hardly any trees or green that he could see anywhere. As his eyes adjusted he looked around trying to find Helen. He then pointed a little ways down the hill they had ended up on. "There she is" he said as he took Cutter's hand in his and started down after her.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter took a deep breath, "okay let's do this," he said softly, trembling as he took Connor's hand and followed him in the direction where Helen was. Helen was standing on the hill over looking the site where the first humans were and at first didn't notice that Cutter and Connor had followed her through the anomaly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor went slow, keeping Helen in sight but trying not to let her know they were there. He wanted to see what she was doing. He peered down the hillside and into the valley where a small river ran below them. "Nick" he said softly. "Look.." he nodded down to the river. "Site 333... the site of the first known family unit of hominids... this is... is this how Helen plans on wiping out all of humankind?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter's eyes were wide as he took in the site, the first humans unaware of anything happening around them, "she's going to poison them," he realised, looking at the river and then back up at the river, "we can't let her get near the water supply, there's no telling what kind of damage she'll do, not just the first humans but to the ecosystem as well,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded. Messing with such a key moment in evolution not just for humans but untold other species could have effects not even Helen was aware of or even considering. He started down the hillside trying to keep his footing without letting Helen know they were there until they were close enough to try and stop her. "We have to get to her and stop her. She doesn't even have to kill them all..." he realized. "Taking out enough of them would render the population virtually extinct. It could derail the entire evolutionary path for humans."
Cutter(itsanaomaly)	Cutter took a deep breath, looking back up at the cliff where Helen was, "we can't let anything change the course of evolutionary history, we have to do everything we can to stop this," he looked at Connor, he knew there was a chance that that they weren't going to make this, "I love you so much Connor," he said softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I love you too Nick" Connor said as he swallowed hard and gave Cutter's hand a squeeze before letting go and stepping out to face Helen and to let her know she wasn't as alone as she thought. "Helen! Stop this! You can't do this!" he called out trying to throw her off and buy them some time to get to her an try and stop her.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen looked surprised to see Nick and Connor coming towards her but she couldn't stop not now, she held out the vial that was containing the poison over the cliff, "its too late," she crowed triumphantly, "I'm going to change the course of history forever, restore the Earth to how its supposed to be, you can't stop me," "Helen please, you don't know what damage you're doing," Cutter pleaded as he and Connor continued to make their way towards the cliff.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Helen, you want to undo the damage mankind has done. But don't you see what other damage you would cause" Connor said as he kept walking towards her. "Think of everything else that could get undone, stalled, whipped out... all the other plants, the animals. You could destroy more than just human evolution!"
Helen(itsananomaly)	"But the main threat is gone," Helen shook her head, still holding the vial, "the plants and animals will adapt and survive, which they haven't been able to do because of humanity, this is the best way, the only way to reverse that," she said. "No Helen," Cutter pleaded as he came closer, "you don't know that, Connor's right, you could end up poisoning the Earth, there'll be nothing, you'll have achieved nothing,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor stopped where he was for a moment and let Helen's focus go to Cutter as he spoke with her. While she appeared to be distracted he started to slowly move closer trying to get to the side of her vision. Then he started towards her quickly and as soon as he got to her he reached out and grabbed her arm that was holding the poison vial and started to try and wrestle it free from her hand.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen had been distracted and had not seen Connor grab the vial until he was trying to wrestle it out of her arm, "no!" she cried as she tried to get the vial back, "this has to be done!" she had not noticed how close to the cliff edge she was as her focus was on Connor and trying to stop him from taking the vial. "It's over Helen," Cutter said softly as Helen began to loosen her grasp on the vial, "its time to end this,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Just give up Helen. You tried. You failed. It's over... for all of its faults, you can't change the past" Connor said as he finally wrestled the vial free from Helen's hands. He sighed and looked at the vial in his hands. "It was a crazy idea anyway..." he muttered as he slipped the vial into his pocket to keep it away from Helen even as she still made a weak attempt to snatch it from him.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"NO!" Helen cried as she made that attempt but that was when she noticed her foot was over the edge and she began to lose her balance, she tried to reach out for something to hold but it was to late and she fell over the cliff edge. "HELEN!" Cutter cried as he raced to the cliff edge, extending his hand to help her. Helen just looked up at him from where she had grabbed onto the ledge, "we could have been brilliant Nick, you and I, we could have achieved so much together!"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Helen!" Connor cried out. He ran over towards where Cutter was and grabbed hold of his belt as he leaned over trying to reach out to Helen. "Nick... careful I got you" he said as he made sure Cutter didn't slip over the edge with Helen. He looked over at Helen as he tried to pull Cutter back a little. "Helen, just take his hand! Come one!"
Helen(itsanaomaly)	"Helen please!" Cutter pleaded, "just let me help you," he kept his hand outstretched, grateful that Connor was holding onto him as well. Helen stared up at him, considered it for a moment and then as it looked like she was about to reach out to take his hand she lost her footing, screaming as she fell to the bottom of the cliff. "NOOOO!" Cutter screamed, helpless as he stared down towards Helen had fallen, "NO HELEN!" There was no response.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor held onto Cutter desperately even as he heard Helen cry out as she fell. "Nick... Nick come on... I got you" he said as he started trying to pull Nick back from the edge when it seemed like he wasn't moving and wasn't trying to get back up. The last thing Connor wanted was for the ledge to give out and Nick fall over as well.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter just stared in disbelief at the spot where Helen had been standing moments before he didn't even feel Connor holding on to him as he tried to process what had just happened. He couldn't feel anything and then he felt his legs give way and he stumbled backwards away from the cliff.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	For a moment Connor stood there, finally letting go as Cutter came away from the edge. He watched his fiance closely and then he sighed. Reaching out he stood behind Cutter and wrapped his arms around him in a hug and held him close.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter just leaned against Connor, not able to process anything, what had just happened ... he didn't know how he was supposed to respond, Helen was dead ... for real this time. He leaned against Connor and then a few moments later started sobbing.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor knew that for everything they had been through and all the progress he and Cutter had been making with things, he knew it was still going to be hard for him. He knew Nick still cared for Helen in some way, and he had learned to accept that. And despite everything he couldn't bring himself to be glad or to celebrate her death in any way. Connor knew deep down that it had been the only way they could have likely stopped her... but he knew that didn't make it any easier on Cutter. "I got you Nick" he said softly.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter didn't know how long he spent there sobbing, he knew this was going to take time to process, that it had been necessary to save the world and he knew that he and Connor were going to be trapped in the past, that eventually he would have to move but right now all he could focus on was the fact that Helen was dead. "I'm sorry," he finally said after he had managed to stop sobbing for a bit.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor shifted and led them over a few steps further from the cliff and sat down with Cutter under the shade of one of the small trees that were in the area. "Nothing to be sorry for..." Connor said softly as he kept his arm around Cutter and sat there with him for as long as he needed him to. This was one of several things they had to contend with now... and he was going to give Cutter that chance to try and cope a little before they tackled the next looming threat.