Track 10: Sympathy for the Devil

[jp1885]

While learning the secrets of a Soviet submarine is tempting, P acquiesces to Liz; the mysteries of the island being much more tempting.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Remaining behind, Liz soon discovers that Seaman Ivanovich, who appears to be in his late teens or early twenties, does not understand a single word of English. He also does not seem to take his duty as a guard particularly seriously, keeping his sidearm in its holster and frequently looking around to admire the scenery.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The boat carries its passengers safely to the island. After a bit of hiking to the fire, they spot Jan, as well as some men the investigators don't recognize. Everyone seems to be in good condition and well-clothed. There are several boxes of supplies here and there, and a large, strong tent.

"You know these?" the commander asks. "Friends or enemies. I not wish fight, but will if need."

[jp1885]

“I don’t know them,” says P truthfully.

“Let us assume foe, until events dictate otherwise, hm?”

[Mr. Handy]

Not for the first time, Liz wishes she had her ancestor's gift of languages. He had spoken excellent Russian, the better to communicate privately with his servant Ivan. However, she does know a handful of words in Russian. "Vodka?" she asks Ivanovich, miming taking a drink.

[SunlessNick]

"We thought one of them was a friend," Zara says. "But maybe not. I've not seen the people with him."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Not for the first time, Liz wishes she had her ancestor's gift of languages. He had spoken excellent Russian, the better to communicate privately with his servant Ivan. However, she does know a handful of words in Russian. "Vodka?" she asks Ivanovich, miming taking a drink.

The sailor shrugs and grins, then shakes his head. He seems amused by the remark, but obviously spirits are not included in the pack he wears on his back. He does, however, take out wooden matches and a pair of stubby brown cigarettes, lighting one and inhaling it with a sigh of pleasure. He offers the other to Liz. The smell of the smoke coming from his mouth is not very pleasant.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Hearing the warnings uttered the investigators, the commander orders his men to ready their weapons, without showing any signs of aggression.

"You talk him," he tells them. "Say we friends, too."

[jp1885]

“Perhaps you’d better introduce us Zara,” P suggests. “You’ve met the fellow before. I suggest playing it cool, as you young folk say.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Nyet, do svedaniya," says Liz. She doesn't know enough Russian to explain that the American Surgeon General had determined that cigarette smoking could be hazardous to your health. It probably wouldn't matter to him if she could.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

On the mainland, the sailor shrugs and continues to smoke. He takes a pair of binoculars out of his pack and looks toward the island. After a moment, he says something in rapid Russian. Seeing that he is not understood, he flaps his arms like a bird, while pointing at the island.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

On the island, when the introductions are made, Jan says "Yes, we are quite familiar with the famous Professor P." Oddly, there seems to be no trace of his Norwegian accent. "Now that you have brought reinforcements with you, we need to know whose side you are on." He points to the ruins of the containment dome in the distance. "As you can see, the war is over. Will you stand with THRUSH or SHRIKE?"

[Mr. Handy]

"A bird?" asks Liz. "Let me see." She makes circles out of her hands and puts them to her eyes to show that she wants to use the binoculars, then reaches toward them. If Ivanovich lets her borrow the binoculars, she will take a look through them at what he sees. If not, she'll try to make out the details with her eyes alone.

[jp1885]

P studies Jan and his men for any insignia.

“That very much depends,” he replies.

“One: what the Dickens is going on here and two: who won?”

[SunlessNick]

"Or to put it another way," Zara adds, "who are SHRIKE and THRUSH and what does it mean for one or other of them to win? Also, do you know where that monster went?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"A bird?" asks Liz. "Let me see." She makes circles out of her hands and puts them to her eyes to show that she wants to use the binoculars, then reaches toward them. If Ivanovich lets her borrow the binoculars, she will take a look through them at what he sees. If not, she'll try to make out the details with her eyes alone.

Through the binoculars, Liz recognizes Jan, as well as several men she does not know. Bringing the glasses into sharp focus, she notices that many of them wear jackets with a curious patch on the shoulder.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

P studies Jan and his men for any insignia.

The shoulder patches of many of the men are obvious.

“That very much depends,” he replies.

“One: what the Dickens is going on here and two: who won?”

"A struggle between order and chaos," Jan replies. "Those who would ensure that the world is controlled in the proper manner, and those who would destroy it. The former has triumphed, for the moment, but the struggle is far from over."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Or to put it another way," Zara adds, "who are SHRIKE and THRUSH and what does it mean for one or other of them to win? Also, do you know where that monster went?"

"SHRIKE is an organization of disgruntled THRUSH agents, out to disrupt all of THRUSH's plans. Discordians, if truth be told. Lovers of disorder.

"We were just about to track down the whereabouts of the entity summoned by SHRIKE when you showed up. Perhaps you can tell us where to look."

[jp1885]

P ponders for a moment before replying; such a question distracting him from the potential dangers of the situation.

“Order or chaos… an interesting conundrum… Honestly? I believe neither is absolute. Like most things in life, equilibrium is the key - compromise and balance if you will.”

“Consider our predicament: grounded on an Arctic island, miles from civilisation with at least two monsters on the loose, ideologically opposed factions of several flavours and the merciless elements giving no quarter. Cooperation is the only logical answer to our survival, is it not?”

[Mr. Handy]

Liz nods and hands back the binoculars. "Could be trouble," she says, though she knows he won't understand. "Nyet khorosho. Not good." She doesn't know the Russian word for bad.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Very good," Jan responds to P. "Survival is paramount. If you could convince your Russian friends, as well . . ."

It is true that the Soviet sailors and their commander seem unconvinced by the man's friendly overtures, arms ready at a moment's notice if the situation deteriorates.

At that moment, a sudden scream from the mainland is cut off by a loud splash.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

[
Liz nods and hands back the binoculars. "Could be trouble," she says, though she knows he won't understand. "Nyet khorosho. Not good." She doesn't know the Russian word for bad.

The sailor is about to respond when a huge, slimy, blotched purple and red tentacle rushes out of the water next to him, grabs his leg, and pulls him screaming below the surface. Much churning of the surface of the water follows, as well as a darkening to a deep ruddy brown.