Play@YSDC

"Looks like we need to get out of here now," says Liz. "I don't think there's time to reroute the coolant flow back to the reactor."

Zara follows the crowd.

As the investigators rush to safety, managing to reach speedboats in time to escape the impending meltdown, they notice that there is no sign of the Soviets, the Ice Station Zebra crew, or the THRUSH agents who stayed behind. Whether they have managed to escape, or whether some other fate befell them, is unknown. There's not much time to ponder the question, as what remains of the containment dome after its encounter with the monstrous being that attacked it collapses, releasing a vast cloud of superheated steam into the air, hovering above Bear Island like a portent of doom. It remains to be seen what would be the best destination to head for.

“Common sense dictates we head for safety,” yells P over the noise. “But we need to look for survivors I assume.”

"We don't want to head east," says Liz. "The prevailing winds will blow the radioactive fallout in that direction. Besides, the Soviet Union is that way, and I'd rather not go there. They have a tendency to execute aristocrats. I think we should head south, toward Norway. That's where we left the airship, and with that we can go anywhere."

"Yeah... Norway," Zara says. She takes a big swig from her gin flask. "I did something really bad. What made that spider-thing leave. It was the spirit, the one haunting me. But it wanted a price. It..." She takes another swig. "It asked for your blood. All of you. And... and I said yes if it swore not to hurt you. I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do - the spider was going to kill us. I don't know what will happen if you say no - but I guess it'll only be able to take that out on me." She takes a third swig.

"How much blood, and how soon?" asks Liz. "I'm in rather bad shape right now, but I've been bleeding rather profusely after getting splattered by those blobs. I'm sure I can collect some of it. I understand how terrified you were of that thing. So was I. I think blessing the carbine gave me the edge I would have needed, but we'll never know."

P exchanges a look with Otto, knowing how the fellow feels about having his blood taken.

“Let us discuss this when we are back at this airship of yours. Certain questions will need answering I suspect.”