The technology was developed hundreds of years ago in order to study creatures from other universes in environments safe for both parties. They'd study them for a bit then send them home. However, like any well-intentioned technology, use of it was soon perverted, stolen, and sold so anyone who wanted to dabble in "studies" could do so. Use of the interdimensional studies technology now is only allowed under extremely strict circumstances that the government and otherworlder rights activists keep an eye on, otherwise, it's highly illegal and severely punishable if one is caught using it.

I got involved simply because I've been trying to find this man for years. The IST hadn't really been in use for some time as there have been other side effects of its use that directly impact us, plus the morality issues alone have turned countless people off it. Unfortunately, not everyone feels this way. The man who's done this, for example, stole some of the unused IST units and ran off, bouncing between different universes until he finally settled in this one. When this whole thing began for you and your friends, I was still trying to find him. It was only thanks to people like Audrey and her brother that I was able to find this place, but I had to stay hidden.

We both know how well that went. [He sighs.] I exposed myself here too much and not long after I sent one last person home, I was found and kidnapped. [He sounds rather insulted by this point.] I wasn't able to stop him doing what he's now done to you all...and for that, I'm sorry.