Track 10: Sympathy for the Devil

[Mr. Handy]

"That's right, and thank you," says Liz. "You probably know more about what's happening than we do."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Understand. You come us, go Arkhangelsk, guests. Then talk."

The commander barks out orders in Russian, to the effect of directing the submarine to its home base, and to radio ahead to have an interrogation team ready. To some grumbling from the crew, he also directs the men to rotate shifts in their bunks, so as to allow their guests to get some rest.

[jp1885]

P lies back on his bunk and sighs contentedly, enjoying the rest.

“It’ll take some time to reach Arkhangelsk - enough, I hope, to interfere with their navigation systems and turn us around, don’t you think?”

[Mr. Handy]

"I like the way you think," says Liz with a smile. "A simple magnet strategically placed should play havoc nicely with their compass."

[SunlessNick]

Zara offers to sketch members of the crew, telling them it will soothe her nerves - which is quite true - though she also hopes the prospect of her attention will distract them from whatever Liz and P are up to.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Let's do the same working together thing as before; bad results in the unlikely event of a double failure.2d202d20

Spoiler:

Let's see which way the sub heads, based on clock directions. They are trying to go at about 7 o'clock.d12

After P and Liz do their subtle fiddling with the sub's navigational compass, they are able to tell that the vessel is heading due west, instead of the intended south-southwest. There's a chance that they might run into Bear Island; if not, it's all open water until hitting Greenland.

While sketching the sailors, your eidetic memory tells you that one of them was present in a newspaper photograph of the graduating class of the United States Naval Academy of a few years ago.

[jp1885]

“Zara, based on your prodigious memory, are you able to estimate our desired course based on the distance travelled and the sensations you may have felt when the sub was steered?” asks P.

“We might be able to fine-tune our course a tad.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, that's a good idea," says Liz. "We're more or less going back the way we came, which is good, though it's probably not the exact same route."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Zara is easily able to tell the others the exact route back to Bear Island. Altering the sub's course will take some subtle adjustment of the clandestine equipment they've concealed from the crew.

Same2d202d20 deal as before; consequences for double failure

Subtle enough to avoid detection by the commander and his men. Until the moment that it becomes obvious that the sub is about to run aground on an unexpected bit of land, that it. During the ensuing chaos aboard the vessel, with the pilot and navigator unable to explain what happened, the commander orders the crew to enter a harbor, of sorts, on the east side of the island.

In a tone suggesting a combination of dismay and suspicion, the commander orders a landing party to slog their way through the chilly water to shore. He suggests that the party keep an eye on their guests, to ensure that they do not get into any trouble.

"You know place?" he asks them.

[jp1885]

“One Arctic inlet looks the same as the rest to me I’m afraid,” P replies to the captain. “Perhaps we should explore a little to find our bearings.”

When he can, he will sidle up to Otto.

“Do your keen senses tell you anything my friend?”

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, looking around is the only way to tell where we are," says Liz.

[SunlessNick]

Zara feels miserable at the idea of going back onto the ice, but would rather stay with Liz and P than on the sub. Is she able to get a moment alone with them to tell them what she saw, or do the sailors remain too close?

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Otto's WIS = 9 + 3 for Sharp hearing and Sharp Eyes; let's make that two separate WIS 122d20

At his master's request, Otto sniffs the air, listens for any notable sounds, and peers into the distance. Pointing to the south, he says "Big building." The other cannot detect anything save rocks, ice, and seabirds.

The Soviet sailors stick close to the others, weapons at the ready. It would difficult, perhaps impossible, for the investigators to speak to each other without being overheard.

"For protect you," the commander says, indicating the firearms. "Maybe wolf, bear." Of course, there are no large predators on the island. "We go building, meet, what you say, 'boss' of you?"

[jp1885]

“I see no other alternative,” P declares. “By all means lead on,”

[Mr. Handy]

"Lead on, MacDuff," says Liz, hoping that if they run into the yeti again, it will leave her alone this time and bother the Soviets instead.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Marching in the direction indicated by Otto, the party soon reaches the Russeelva River, crossing over it at a narrow place. Beyond this lies a bulge in the eastern coast known as Kapp Heer. From here, on a low rise, they can see the ruins of the reactor in the bay known as Sorhamna. There also appear to be several small vessels afloat in the bay, apparently unoccupied, some of them charred and smoking. To the east of the bay, on the tiny island known as Makeholmen, there is a sign of life, in the form of a fire with figures gathered about it. Running from the bay to the west, in the direction of the triple peak known as Antarcticfjellet, is a disturbance in the earth, as if something scraped the land.

"Where go?" The submarine commander studies the scene carefully. "Mountain, island, get boat?"

[jp1885]

Suspecting that there’s little of interest left at the reactor, P nods towards Makeholmen.

“Some people in need of rescue perhaps? You can be a big hero commander!”

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, we need to help them," agrees Liz.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Barking out orders to his crew, the Russian commander has them wade into the frigid water and grab one of the boats as it drifts near the shore. It appears to be in workable condition, but has limited room.

Spoiler:

Let's first of all see how many Russians, not including the commander. Not too many;2d4 How many folks can fit in the boat.2d4Room for almost everybody, which changes the plot a bit . . .

It appears that at least one person will have to remain while the others take the boat to the island. The job of staying behind falls to the youngest and lowest ranking sailor.

"Must have someone be with Seaman Ivanovich, so no trouble, yes?" The commander indicates that he wishes to have one of the investigators remain behind with the sailor.

[Mr. Handy]

While Liz would rather not remain behind as what is essentially a hostage, nor does she want to miss what's on the island, she realizes that she's the best suited to wrap Ivanovich around her little finger, and that P is qualified to handle anything scientific that comes up on the island. If nobody else volunteers, she'll agree to stay behind.