Play@YSDC

Posted: **Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:41 am**

After a brief stay at a Hawaiian hospital known for discretion -- it's often used by Five-Oh agents injured in the line of duty -- Tony is back in shape. A few more days relaxing on the beach isn't unwelcome either.

After some time spent in rest and relaxation goes by, word comes down, through secure channels ("open channel D" is the key phrase, to be specific) that the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement has granted exclusive use of the captured airship to the adventurers. They will, of course, deny any connection to it through their front as a charitable organization. ("Just keep us informed of any THRUSH activities, via this channel.") The adventurers will be allowed to maintain the vessel at whatever base they like, and name it whatever they please.

All seems quiet for a while, as the adventurers ready themselves to face even greater challenges than before.

Spoiler:

Posted: **Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:45 pm**

Posted: **Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:52 am**

How much room is there is the airship's cabin?

Zara makes some portraits of the bad guys who got away, on the theory that they might prove useful later if they show up again.. And reads the airship's flight manual, if there is one. Otherwise she spends Tony's recuperation time drawing pictures of the island and some of the wolf-men.

Posted: **Thu Feb 11, 2021 4:48 am**

Liz spends a lot of time on the beach as well, pleased to get some swimming in without the danger of aquatic nasties taking a bite out of her. No doubt Tony is pleased to watch her doing it.

Posted: **Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:12 am**

SunlessNick wrote:
OOC,Going for +1 Wisdom, and the Asset Fast Learner, which seems like a good knock-on from her memory power. BTW, when you rolled up Zara's powers, you said it was perfect memory and immunity to most diseases. Would she know she has the latter?

Spoiler:

How much room is there is the airship's cabin?

Spoiler:

Zara makes some portraits of the bad guys who got away, on the theory that they might prove useful later if they show up again.. And reads the airship's flight manual, if there is one. Otherwise she spends Tony's recuperation time drawing pictures of the island and some of the wolf-men.

During all this sketching, Zara feels a strange compulsion to draw a landscape consisting of a bay into which a glacier is breaking off, forming icebergs. She gets the feeling that some unknown, unseen entity is trying to tell her something, but whether it's an invitation or a warning is difficult to tell.

Posted: **Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:14 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
Liz spends a lot of time on the beach as well, pleased to get some swimming in without the danger of aquatic nasties taking a bite out of her. No doubt Tony is pleased to watch her doing it.

OOC,I'll have to do my character enhancements over the weekend, when I should have time. Do I get the Spell/Psychic Power instead of an Asset, or in addition to it?

Spoiler:

Posted: **Fri Feb 12, 2021 2:48 am**

Ruefully, Zara shows the drawing of the glacier to the others. "Might be the bat signal."

Posted: **Fri Feb 12, 2021 4:55 am**

Liz comes in to shore on a surfboard, having also decided to try her hand at surfing, and takes a look at the sketch. "Just when I was getting used to the tropics," she says. "It should be interesting. But is it the Arctic or the Antarctic? Polar bears or penguins?"

Posted: **Fri Feb 12, 2021 11:12 am**

Relaxed and fortified from his sojourn, a tanned, toned and, most importantly, coiffured and tailored Tony saunters over to inspect Zara's latest piece.

"Ah, and I was so enjoying the tropical view," he says, winking at Liz. "I daresay we'll discover what gives soon enough, but in the meantime I'll arrange for my people to buy some cold weather gear."

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2021 4:29 am**

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2021 10:25 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
OOC,I'll increase my Wisdom and take Good Judge of Character as my Asset. I'd like to take Exorcism as my new Ritual, but I'm not sure what level of power I can take. It's a level 3 Ceremony.

Spoiler:

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2021 10:33 am**

Nothing much happens to interrupt fun in the sun for a few days, until Zara feels a compulsion to draw a picture of a zebra, covered with icicles. Although a cartoonish image, there is something sinister about it.

Posted: **Thu Feb 18, 2021 5:51 pm**

When given the opportunity, Tony looks at the drawing with some puzzlement.

“A zebra? Poor fellow must be rather lost! I shall make some calls and do some digging - maybe there’s an ice-breaker of research station called Zebra?”

Posted: **Fri Feb 19, 2021 2:24 am**

Whichever it is, Antarcica or the Arctic, we're going to need clothes a lot warmer than we did on our last adventure, so Zara goes shopping. Hopefully on Liz's dime.

Posted: **Fri Feb 19, 2021 4:51 am**

Liz is more than happy to buy cold-weather clothing and gear for both Zara and herself. It should be relatively affordable if it can be found at all, as there's little need for it in Hawaii. She picks out an elegant white fur parka with a hood.

Posted: **Fri Feb 19, 2021 10:18 am**

Playing a hunch, Tony is able to determine from his contacts that there was an "incident" at the Arctic weather station known as Ice Station Zebra. Although designated as "closed," the incident is still classified as Top Secret, so few details are available. What is known is that the tiny weather station, located on drifting ice, has failed to supply the normal daily radio reports from its small rotating crew of meteorologists for some time. Given the movement of the ice, as well as recent radio silence, it is impossible to determine its exact current location.

An old but fairly accurate map of the Arctic ice, found among the many reference materials aboard the airship, may provide a clue.

Of most importance is the fact that dark blue indicates permanent ice, and light blue drifting ice, including ISZ's areas of operation. Given its last known location, as well as the permanent ice and land masses that limit its movements, it seems likely that it is now located somewhere between the southern tip of Greenland and the waters above Scandinavia, north of the tiny bit of land known as Bear Island.

Posted: **Fri Feb 19, 2021 6:15 pm**

Tony also orders plenty of polar gear, including a thick parka coat, sleds, ropes and whatever this years stylish polar explorer is using.

“Let’s make sure this new vehicle of ours is able to withstand, and indeed function in, sub-zero temperatures, hm?” he suggests, whilst poring over the map, focusing between Svalbard and Bear Island.

Posted: **Sat Feb 20, 2021 3:38 am**

Zara's thin frame isn't suited to the cold, and she picks the warmest-looking polar/mountain gear she can find, regardless of style.

"For sure," she says to Tony's suggestion. "That doesn't look like a good place to get stranded."

Posted: **Sat Feb 20, 2021 4:40 am**

Liz has also bought a pair of matching fur-lined boots to go with her parka. "We could use a sled and a dog team to pull it," she says, studying the map. "Plenty of food and water as well for them and for us. We can land somewhere in the Arctic on the way and hire them there, as well as one or more guides."

Posted: **Sat Feb 20, 2021 9:52 am**

After collecting a good supply of cold weather gear, and checking the airship for polar safety -- the crew will be fine, if a little chilly -- the investigators, having shown interest in the regions north of Norway, head for that remote part of the world, well above the Arctic Circle. (It's fortunate that, after the long rest in the tropics, it's now summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Twenty-four hours of night would be difficult to handle, not to mention the increased cold.)

Spoiler:

A partially torn map of the area -- that's a close look at Bear Island in the lower left corner, a chunk of Greenland in the upper left corner, and Russia in the lower right corner -- reveals a tense geopolitical situation. Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land are Soviet territory. While Svalbard is under Norwegian administration, many of its few inhabitants -- miners and the like -- are Soviet citizens.

The airship glides over the Barents Sea, as the investigators consider a good place to land, and the best way to seek out the current location of Ice Station Zebra.

Posted: **Sat Feb 20, 2021 8:09 pm**

“I think it’s prudent to radio both the Norwegian and Soviet authorities that our ‘exploration vehicle’ is in the vicinity; we don’t want to cause an international incident,” suggests Tony.

“Then circle around Bear Island and look for a suitable landing spot?”

Posted: **Sat Feb 20, 2021 8:18 pm**

"That sounds like a good idea," says Liz. "We could land in Tromsø in northern Norway initially to take on supplies and hire a guide, and find out the latest information. It's almost due south of Bear Island."

Posted: **Sun Feb 21, 2021 6:40 am**

"Be sketchy about it," Zara suggests. "If they don't already have anything to do with this, we don't want them thinking there's anything interesting to come look at."

Posted: **Sun Feb 21, 2021 10:32 am**

After making landfall near Tromsø, a populous city with an airport only a few years old, the investigators make discreet inquiries about visiting Bear Island; no doubt they are thought to be wealthy eccentrics. The most common reply is "No one goes there." It soon becomes clear that the tiny island's only industry, a coal mine, has been closed for about forty years. There is a Norwegian meteorological station at the northernmost tip of the isle. The southern part is mountainous. The whole place is almost always shrouded in mist, even during the summer. There are a large number of small lakes on the flatter central and northern parts of the island. Seabirds are common.

After much discouragement, the party eventually locates a fellow, Jan Hansen by name, who is willing to act as a guide.

"Your balloon not land Bjørnøya," he explains, using the Norwegian name for the island. "Too big, land too rough. Harbor at north. I take, have good boat." He proudly points out a small but sturdy looking craft, obviously designed for icy waters. "Astrid. She strong. Pay good, I guide good. Why you go?"

Posted: **Sun Feb 21, 2021 9:34 pm**

"Oh I'll pay handsomely," Tony reassures Jan. "Enough money for no questions asked, yes?" He smiles "I pay good, you guide good."

Posted: **Mon Feb 22, 2021 1:41 am**

"Thank you," says Liz with a smile. "She's a fine boat."

Posted: **Mon Feb 22, 2021 1:44 am**

"Has anyone else asked about going there?" Zara asks.

Posted: **Mon Feb 22, 2021 9:20 am**

Shrugging at having his question unanswered, Jan replies "Russians." He spits on the ground. "I not take them. Can go Hell."

Boarding the Astrid, the investigators find an ample supply of kokekaffe to warm the body and akevitt to warm the spirit. The boat moves at a slow and steady pace, moving through the ever-present mist like someone finding the way through an impenetrable fog. The cries of seabirds are often heard over the noise of the engine. Once in a while, the mist clears enough to witness the towering, jagged cliffs that rise from the frigid water. Many of them are so heavily populated with birds that the rock can hardly be seen. The vessel passes by many sea tunnels, into which a small raft might be able to carry a few people to explore their mysteries.

At last, the boat reaches the harbor (if it can be called that, being merely a slightly larger than usual indentation into the stony coast.) As the Astrid's engine grows silent, leaving only the shrieks of countless birds filling the air, Jan secures the boat and steps onto less-than-dry land. The investigators follow. The island's meteorological station is visible a short distance away. There are no trees, only low-lying plant life adding a touch of green.

"Where go, Mister and Ladies? Can hike to pretty lakes, get nice view."

Posted: **Tue Feb 23, 2021 3:36 am**

"Perhaps later," says Liz. "I think we should go to the weather station first."

Posted: **Tue Feb 23, 2021 6:44 am**

Zara nods in agreement.

Posted: **Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:03 am**

“Topping idea!” enthuses Tony.

Posted: **Tue Feb 23, 2021 9:53 am**

The meteorological station is a simple but sturdy structure, constructed of wooden planks covered with heavily weathered red paint. A tall radio antenna sticks up from the roof. There are a few small windows of thick glass, covered with frost. The single door is made of tarnished metal, and is dented in several places. Nearby is an aluminum pole bearing several of those humorous signs that people put up in isolated locations, telling you how far it is to various places around the globe. (For example, Waikiki Beach 9363 KM.)

Jan tries the door, which proves to be locked. He then knocks, but there is no answer.

"Not home?"

Posted: **Tue Feb 23, 2021 8:57 pm**

Frowning, Tony breathes on one of the windows before rubbing it with a gloved hand in an attempt to clear the frost and see through.

Posted: **Wed Feb 24, 2021 2:10 am**

"Is there anywhere else they'd be besides here?" Zara asks Jan.

Posted: **Wed Feb 24, 2021 5:28 am**

Liz looks around for any tracks in the snow.

Posted: **Wed Feb 24, 2021 9:08 am**

jp1885 wrote:
Frowning, Tony breathes on one of the windows before rubbing it with a gloved hand in an attempt to clear the frost and see through.

The place is a shambles. Electronic equipment lies in pieces on the floor, laboratory apparatus is scattered everywhere, books and sheets of paper litter the room. There's a figure seated at a table, upon which sits a large radio transmitter. The person is completely wrapped up in heavy clothing and is facing away from the window, so nothing can be seen of his or her face. The figure does not move in response to further knocking.

Posted: **Wed Feb 24, 2021 9:09 am**

SunlessNick wrote:
"Is there anywhere else they'd be besides here?" Zara asks Jan.

"Could go south, to mountains. Study weather."

Posted: **Wed Feb 24, 2021 9:17 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
Liz looks around for any tracks in the snow.

At this time of year -- midsummer -- the island is covered with what might be better called slush than snow. There are areas of bare rock and patches of moss and scurvy grass that alternate with the soft, wet stuff.

Spoiler:

Liz is able to determine that somebody left a single set of tracks, heading south. (There is hardly any other way to go, except for a bit to the east and west.) The exact shape of the prints is not evident, given the slushy, wet conditions; they're more like vaguely foot-shaped depressions. About all that can be told, judging from their size, depth, and the distance between them, is that the person who left them behind was large, heavy, and was running with long strides.

Posted: **Wed Feb 24, 2021 8:55 pm**

"There's someone in there, slumped at a table," says Tony. "We'd better check he's okay. Unless anyone can find a key we'll have to put our shoulders to the door."

Posted: **Wed Feb 24, 2021 9:43 pm**

Zara circles the building to make sure there's no other door. If there's not, she searches around for anywhere a key might be hidden.

Posted: **Thu Feb 25, 2021 4:21 am**

"A rather large person has been here," says Liz, describing her discovery and pointing out the tracks. She also looks around in the usual places for a hidden spare key.

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 10:47 pm**

Despite her sharp eyes, Liz is unable to discover any key for the building's only door. What she is able to observe, however, examining the locked door closely, peering through a tiny crack between the door proper and the jamb, is that it has been bolted shut from within.

Posted: **Sat Feb 27, 2021 11:14 pm**

Liz reports what she sees. "Perhaps you could...get inside another way, Tony, and unbolt the door," she says. She distracts Jan with the pretext of showing him the tracks so that Tony can teleport inside without being observed.

Posted: **Sun Feb 28, 2021 10:51 am**

Tony blinks in puzzlement for a second. With all that tropical relaxing he'd completely forgotten about his strange ability!

"Oh yes, I could, um, pick the lock and such. Yes, good idea!"

Once their guide is suitably distracted, he'll teleport into the shack and unbolt the door.

Posted: **Mon Mar 01, 2021 1:12 am**

Did Zara see anything else from circling the building?

Posted: **Thu Mar 04, 2021 9:49 am**

SunlessNick wrote: Did Zara see anything else from circling the building?

Spoiler:

There does not seem to be anything of particular interest other than the tracks previously noted.

Posted: **Thu Mar 04, 2021 9:56 am**

As expected, inside the research station there is utter chaos. Books, journals, loose papers are scattered all over the floor. Equipment is smashed; bits of metal and glass lie everywhere.

Jan rushes immediately to what remains of the radio transmitter. It is, of course, beyond repair.

Approaching the unmoving figure at the table seems like an unpleasant chore, but it must be done. It may not be very surprising to discover that the person is no longer living. The corpse is several days old, it seems, completely desiccated, as if left in a desert for an extended period of time. Jan does not recognize who it is, but that may be due to the condition of the body. Given its condition, as well as heavy clothing, it's not even certain if it's a man or a woman.

Posted: **Thu Mar 04, 2021 7:43 pm**

"Oh dear..."

Tony gingerly inspects the corpse for an kind of ID, whilst trying to ascertain the cause of death.

Posted: **Fri Mar 05, 2021 1:44 am**

Not wanting to deal with the body, Zara looks around the rest of the room, trying to discern if anything that should be there - like outdoor clothes, rifles, flashlights, or food - is missing.

Posted: **Fri Mar 05, 2021 4:32 am**

Liz swallows her disgust and also examines the corpse, hoping her scientific eyes will reveal what killed the person.

Posted: **Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:02 am**

jp1885 wrote:
"Oh dear..."

Tony gingerly inspects the corpse for an kind of ID, whilst trying to ascertain the cause of death.

Spoiler:

Close examination of the dead person's clothing reveals that all the many pockets of shirt, jacket, coat, and trousers have been turned out, and are empty, as if somebody rifled through them in a hurry. During this procedure, bits of the body crumble away, like pieces of bark falling off a dead tree branch. The cause of death is not immediately obvious.

Posted: **Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:06 am**

SunlessNick wrote: Not wanting to deal with the body, Zara looks around the rest of the room, trying to discern if anything that should be there - like outdoor clothes, rifles, flashlights, or food - is missing.

Spoiler:

The few firearms -- which are probably only meant for protection against the rare appearance of a polar bear; uncommon, despite the island's name -- are still securely locked away in a gun cabinet, which appears to have not been disturbed.

The area that serves as a simple kitchen and dining area has been completely ransacked, with several packages of food torn open, their contents mostly missing, although there is quite a bit of stuff spilled on the floor as well.

Jan explains that the station normally has two scientists in residence, on a rotating basis. There is no evidence of any clothing belonging to a second person anywhere around, just what the dead one is wearing.

Notably, the station's plumbing -- fresh water supplied from a simple tank on the roof, which collects rain and snow to be filtered and purified -- has been completely wrecked, pipes torn apart and thrown everywhere. Despite this, there are no pools of water of any appreciable size on the floor.

Posted: **Fri Mar 05, 2021 9:21 am**

Mr. Handy wrote: Liz swallows her disgust and also examines the corpse, hoping her scientific eyes will reveal what killed the person.

Spoiler:

The body's condition, with the formerly living flesh reduced to a dry, crumbly, leathery state, does not resemble any common condition with which Liz is familiar.

Posted: **Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:27 pm**

Sighing, Tony steps away from the corpse.

“Something is amiss I’ll wager, but I don’t know if we’ll find anything useful here except maybe the rifles.”

In a last ditch effort, he checks the table the corpse is slumped over. Perhaps there’s a diary, logbook or something that could shed light on the mystery?

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2021 3:48 am**

Liz searches the rest of the station, looking for any clue as to what happened or why.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:57 am**

jp1885 wrote: Sighing, Tony steps away from the corpse.

“Something is amiss I’ll wager, but I don’t know if we’ll find anything useful here except maybe the rifles.”

In a last ditch effort, he checks the table the corpse is slumped over. Perhaps there’s a diary, logbook or something that could shed light on the mystery?

Spoiler:

Searching through multiple pages, many filled with scrawled and entirely illegible handwriting, Tony discovers one message, almost equally messy, but written in such large and bold letters that it is decipherable.

MUST NOT GO OUT MUST STAY HERE GOD HELP ME

(The author of these evocative words was, apparently, a native speaker of English.)

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2021 10:03 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
Liz searches the rest of the station, looking for any clue as to what happened or why.

Spoiler:

Thinking with remarkable insight and clarity, despite -- or perhaps because of -- the disturbing situation, Liz is able to put two and two together from scattered hints. The smashed remnants of a fully equipped biological research laboratory; journals of microbiology with certain articles heavily annotated in red ink; in a dark, nearly hidden corner, the corpses of white rats with swollen heads and swollen bodies. It is possible to deduce that some sort of biological experimentation involving inoculating animals with micro-organisms was going on here, although it is clearly not part of the station's official purpose.

The search is interrupted by the familiar sound of a boat's engine. Running to one of the windows, Jan looks in the direction of the noise.

"They steal Astrid!"

He dashes outside, ready to confront the as yet unseen thief or thieves.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2021 1:38 pm**

Without pausing to let the implications of their discoveries sink in, Tony races out of the shack. Running as fast as he can in his heavy clothing, he tries to get as near to the boat as he can before attempting to teleport onto the vessel.

Posted: **Sat Mar 06, 2021 8:16 pm**

Liz also hurries in the direction of the boat, not particularly wanting to be stranded here. Being marooned on a tropical island wouldn't have been as bad, but it's too cold here for her tastes.

Posted: **Sun Mar 07, 2021 12:16 am**

Zara follows.

Posted: **Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:25 am**

The investigators find two men standing on shore, both holding peculiar firearms that resemble M1 carbines, modified with large infrared projectors. There is a boat, similar to the Astrid, at anchor. The sound of Astrid's engine indicates that there must be at least one other person aboard her, getting ready to launch her. Seeing the others approach, the two guards don't waste any words, but immediately open fire. The weapons make a peculiar, bird-like chirping noise when first activated, and the infrared projectors glow with an eerie pale red light.

Spoiler:

Both prove to be excellent and deadly shots. Jan is struck in the shoulder, which slows him down, but doesn't stop him from running at the men, screaming in Danish. Zara suffers a more serious wound in the torso, forcing her to her knees. It is obvious that the men are not reluctant to eliminate all witnesses in cold blood.

Posted: **Sun Mar 07, 2021 11:55 am**

Tony brings his stick down smartly on the chap’s head, hoping to knock him unconscious.

Posted: **Sun Mar 07, 2021 11:32 pm**

Liz takes out her EMP device, points it at the obviously electrically-assisted weapons, and activates it.

Posted: **Mon Mar 08, 2021 1:20 am**

Zara presses a hand against her wound, not really up to doing much else. She pulls out the gun she acquired on the island and shakily aims it, but with Jan (and prsumably Liz) between her and the men she's reluctant to take a shot.

Posted: **Mon Mar 08, 2021 8:45 am**

jp1885 wrote:
Tony brings his stick down smartly on the chap’s head, hoping to knock him unconscious.

Spoiler:

The rolling of the boat causes Tony to just barely tap the fellow on the noggin, drawing his attention rather than truly inflicting any harm. Startled, he pulls away from the controls and fumbles with the deep pocket of his jumpsuit (dull green in color, with an image of a black bird on the shoulder patch), obviously trying to find something.

Posted: **Mon Mar 08, 2021 8:52 am**

Mr. Handy wrote: Liz takes out her EMP device, points it at the obviously electrically-assisted weapons, and activates it.

This causes the red glass infrared projectors to shatter on the weapons. The two men curse, but do not drop the carbines. It seems the weapons are still usable, at least to some extent. Meanwhile, an enraged Jan strikes.

Spoiler:

His passion is greater than his skill, as he does little but delay one of the two men from acting immediately. The other aims his weapon.

Spoiler:

The shot goes wild, flying way over the heads of everyone, scaring some seabirds but doing nothing else. It is obvious that the infrared projectors allowed for better aiming of the carbines in misty weather.

Posted: **Mon Mar 08, 2021 1:25 pm**

“Oh no you don’t!” cries Tony, attacking again.

Posted: **Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:14 am**

Zara fires at the man who just took the shot, unless Liz is in the way.

Posted: **Tue Mar 09, 2021 4:41 am**

Liz scrambles behind any available cover and draws her own pistol. If she can get a clear shot at the man who shot Zara, she'll take it. Otherwise, she'll try to shoot at the other one.

Posted: **Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:13 am**

jp1885 wrote: “Oh no you don’t!” cries Tony, attacking again.

Spoiler:

Having a better shot at the fellow this time, Tony gives him a hard blow on the head. The man sways on his feet in an unsteady manner, but remains standing. The object he pulls out of his jumpsuit pocket doesn't seem to be a weapon of any normal kind. Rather, it's a small black box with a red button on it that he pushes firmly. This done, he raises his hands in the air in the universal sign of surrender.

Posted: **Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:19 am**

SunlessNick wrote: Zara fires at the man who just took the shot, unless Liz is in the way.

Vicki,Just to be clear, the 2D6 damage you rolled, 2 and 5 - is that Jan taking 2 and Zara taking 5, or Zara taking 7?

Spoiler:

Probably still not quite used to the idea of shooting someone, Zara's shot misses its target, ricocheting off a boulder with a high-pitched ping!

Posted: **Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:22 am**

Mr. Handy wrote:
Liz scrambles behind any available cover and draws her own pistol. If she can get a clear shot at the man who shot Zara, she'll take it. Otherwise, she'll try to shoot at the other one.

Spoiler:

As bad luck would have it, Liz happens to be standing on an open piece of land, so there's no good shelter within reach.

Spoiler:

Her shot whizzes by the man, just barely missing him.

Posted: **Tue Mar 09, 2021 10:26 am**

Meanwhile, Jan still engages in close combat with the other man.

Spoiler:

Without much effect, it seems. Given the fact that Jan is so close that it's nearly impossible to fire the carbine at him, the fellow uses it as a club instead.

Spoiler:

Probably because his heavy gloves make him a little clumsy while swinging the weapon, he loses his grip on it and it goes flying into the sea. Unarmed, he runs back to his boat (not the Astrid) and starts the engine. His companion fires his weapon.

Spoiler:

Again, the loss of the infrared projector spoils his aim. You might expect him to surrender or join the other man on the boat, but instead he stands his ground, ready to keep fighting.

Posted: **Tue Mar 09, 2021 3:38 pm**

“What did you just do old chap?” asks Tony, nodding at the box. “And while we’re at it, would you care to ask your chums to stop shooting my friends?”

Posted: **Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:38 am**

Zara tries another shot, at the man still holding a weapon.

Posted: **Wed Mar 10, 2021 4:33 am**

Liz tries to correct her aim and take another shot at the one still shooting at them, but this one is even wider thanks to the mist.

Posted: **Wed Mar 10, 2021 9:38 am**

jp1885 wrote:
“What did you just do old chap?” asks Tony, nodding at the box. “And while we’re at it, would you care to ask your chums to stop shooting my friends?”

"I have no control over their actions," he replies, with a vaguely Middle European accent. "As for this little device, you shall soon see for yourself."

The distant sound of a loud engine somewhere above suggests a possible explanation.

Posted: **Wed Mar 10, 2021 9:38 am**

SunlessNick wrote:
Zara tries another shot, at the man still holding a weapon.

Spoiler:

Gaining much more confidence in her ability to handle firearms, Zara strikes the gunman in the throat, sending a jet of blood streaming out as he falls to the ground. His companion raises the anchor and heads out to sea, as the roaring sound of an engine fills the foggy air. As the boat heads for open water, a large helicopter appears out of the mist and hovers overhead. From a loudspeaker, hardly audible over the noise of the engine, comes a warning.

"Leave the boat and step away from the shore. It will be destroyed in thirty seconds."

As a means of demonstration, a rocket flies out of the helicopter and hits one of the many rocky outcroppings on the island, blasting it into bits.

Posted: **Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:23 am**

Zara was trying to hit the gunman, sure, but the sight of apparently killing him still dismays her. With the chopper overhead, she tries to get to her feet and back away.

Posted: **Thu Mar 11, 2021 3:36 am**

Liz also withdraws quickly away from the shore and takes out her EMP device again. "I'm not sure whose side they're on," she says, "but they haven't attacked us yet. If Tony and Jan aren't clear of the boat shortly before the countdown is over, I'll shut down that chopper. Although maybe I should do that anyway. That boat is our only way off this island."

Posted: **Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:37 pm**

Tony raises an eyebrow at the sound of the explosion.

"Well I was prepared to talk this thing out like gentlemen, but threatening to blow up my friends is beyond the pale old chap."

He lashes out again, hoping to surprise and tip the fellow into the water. If he succeeds, he'll pilot the boat back to the shore. If he fails then he'll continue to grapple with the miscreant.

Posted: **Fri Mar 12, 2021 5:45 am**

Seeing that Tony is still on the boat, Liz points her EMP device at the helicopter and activates it.

Posted: **Thu Mar 18, 2021 8:52 am**

jp1885 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:37 pm
Tony raises an eyebrow at the sound of the explosion.

"Well I was prepared to talk this thing out like gentlemen, but threatening to blow up my friends is beyond the pale old chap."

He lashes out again, hoping to surprise and tip the fellow into the water. If he succeeds, he'll pilot the boat back to the shore. If he fails then he'll continue to grapple with the miscreant.

Spoiler:

Tony smashes his stick dead center into the man's head, sending him flying out of the boat and into the water, where he vanishes from sight.

Spoiler:

Unfortunately, it seems that the boat's controls are labeled only in Norwegian, so Tony is unable to bring it to shore.

Posted: **Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:00 am**

Mr. Handy wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 5:45 am

Seeing that Tony is still on the boat, Liz points her EMP device at the helicopter and activates it.

The helicopter's blades spin wildly out of control, filling the air with a ear-splitting shriek. The chopper tilts at an acute angle just as another rocket flies out of it.

Spoiler:

The rocket goes flying into the air, exploding at a great height, causing no damage as fragments of the shattered weapon fall into the sea.

Spoiler:

The chopper crashes into the ocean, sinking quickly out of sight.

Meanwhile, the other gunman, now weaponless and without allies, heads out to the open sea in the other boat at a rapid pace. Jan shakes his fist at him, cursing in Norwegian.

Posted: **Thu Mar 18, 2021 11:23 am**

Tony continues to wrestle with the boat controls, knowing that the vessel is the only way to get his friends off the island.

Posted: **Fri Mar 19, 2021 1:37 am**

Zara takes stock of her injury, while casting anxious glances in all directions (she's not assuming the gang are in the clear now).

Posted: **Fri Mar 19, 2021 3:05 am**

Liz quickly helps Zara with her injury now that the immediate danger has passed.

Posted: **Fri Mar 19, 2021 3:38 am**

"Is Jan ok?"

Posted: **Fri Mar 19, 2021 10:33 am**

jp1885 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 18, 2021 11:23 am

Tony continues to wrestle with the boat controls, knowing that the vessel is the only way to get his friends off the island.

Spoiler:

With helpful advice from Jan, who shouts instructions in a voice that would have done a Viking proud, Tony is able to bring Astrid to shore safely.

After all the excitement, as Jan and Zara do their best to recover from their injuries, with the help of the others, a eerie silence descends upon the island. The seabirds, frightened off by the noise, are wary of returning. Even the constant wind grows calm, and the ever-present mist grows heavier.

"They be back," Jan says, indicating the spot from which the other boat took flight. "We leave? Or you want explore, find out what this about?"

Posted: **Fri Mar 19, 2021 1:54 pm**

"I wonder if we should poke around a little before we leave," Tony suggests. "Try to find out what's been going on here."

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2021 2:08 am**

"Someone took the food from the station," Zara says. "They might need help."

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:40 am**

"Agreed," says Liz. "We must get to the bottom of the mystery and help whoever needs it."

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2021 5:46 am**

"The guy I shot," Zara asks slowly. "Did I kill him?"

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2021 9:44 am**

Jan, who the investigators know, from casual conversation, to have been, as a very young man, a member of the Norwegian resistance during the Nazi occupation of his homeland, is familiar with dead men. He doesn't have to examine the fellow very closely to determine that he has been killed.

"Mourn not," he assures Zara. "You are good soldier. He was enemy."

He does not care to deal with the dead man any further, suggesting that he be allowed to throw him into the sea.

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:11 pm**

“Let’s see if this chap has any information on him before we tip him into the sea...”

Tony searches the body of their assailant, while wondering whether he’s seen the black bird symbol anywhere before.

Posted: **Sat Mar 20, 2021 8:25 pm**

"It's all right, Zara," says Liz. "He was trying to kill us. It was self-defense. I understand how you feel, though. I don't think anyone in that helicopter I brought down survived either, but they were about to kill our friends."

Posted: **Sun Mar 21, 2021 2:30 am**

"Thanks," Zara says to Liz, offering a wan smile to Jan too. "I know you're right. Has he got anything that'll help, Tony?"

Posted: **Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:39 am**

jp1885 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 4:11 pm
“Let’s see if this chap has any information on him before we tip him into the sea...”

Tony searches the body of their assailant, while wondering whether he’s seen the black bird symbol anywhere before.

Spoiler:

The symbol of the black bird does not suggest anything in particular, but, examining the dead man closely, Tony finds a tiny white tablet, disguised as a button on the fellow's shirt. Other than the weapon he was carrying, there does not seem to be anything else of interest.

Meanwhile, Jan has been examining the ground where the large footprints were left.

Spoiler:

"Cannot tell where big one went," he says, after returning to join the others. "Where you think?"

He explains that the northern half of the island, where they are now, is at a lower elevation than the southern half. Journeying in any direction other than due south or southeast, they would remain on the lowlands until, reaching the sea. The path to the southern tip of the island is longer but rises less steeply. The path to the southeast is shorter but steeper, and it ends at the highest point of the island. Whichever way they decide to go, they will pass many lakes.

A topographic map retrieved from Astrid confirms this. (The tiny star at the top marks the meteorological station.)

Posted: **Sun Mar 21, 2021 4:48 pm**

“High ground perhaps?” muses Tony.

He shows the others the pill he found in the dead assailant.

“I’m thinking suicide pill. If I’m right, these chaps are serious; we shouldn’t hang around too long.”

Posted: **Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:26 pm**

"Looks like he wanted to get well away from the weather station, and that place would do it," Zara adds.

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 1:45 am**

"What about those tracks I found leading away from the weather station?" asks Liz. "We should follow those first."

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:31 am**

Those tracks did seem to be leading due south, so that would seem to be as good a direction as any to travel.

The hike begins easily enough, and is quite scenic, with crystal clear lakes, patches of moss, and even an occasional Arctic fox spotted at a distance, wearing its pale brown summer coat. After a while, the land starts to slope up slightly. The walk doesn't turn into much of a climb until near the southern end of the island. Pausing for a well-deserved rest, as well as some water and provisions, the adventurers listen to Jan point out four major peaks that lie ahead.

Slightly to the right, Alfredfjellet (420 meters); to the left, and a little south of the other, Antarcticfjellet (a double peak, 360 meters on the right and 337 meters on the left.) Why the latter is named "Antarctic Peak" instead of "Arctic Peak" is something of a mystery. Perhaps it was a joke.

In any case, beyond Alfredfjellet to the south is Hambergfjellet (440 meters.) At the very tip of the island Fuglefjellet stands at 411 meters. From these last two peaks one can see an inlet to the west known as Hornvika. Just beyond the southern tip are tiny islets called Stappen.

To the east of the twin peaks of Antarcticfjellet is a bay called Serhamna, something of a natural harbor, as the eastern side is protected, to some degree, from the raging of the Barents Sea by an arm of land known as Kapp Heer on the northern side, and an islet called Makeholmen just to the south of it.

There is much to consider, as the adventurers catch their breath (and, most likely, step away briefly from the others to take care of bodily needs.) A hike to Alfredfjellet would be rather short, but steep. Hambergfjellet is a little further, and quite steep. It offers the best view of Hornvika. All the way to Fuglefjellet is even longer, but not so steep, and offers the best view of Stappen. A trip through the double peaks of Antarcticfjellet and beyond would be quite long, not very steep, but an up and down trip. The land slopes down to the east from there, so it would be possible to reach Serhamna on foot. (The sea is not nearly so accessible from the other peaks, as they drop suddenly down as sea cliffs.)

Posted: **Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:41 pm**

Tony scratches his head, unsure of how to proceed.

"Well call me a dunce, but I've no idea what to do next. I'll defer to beauty, brains and, in Jan's case, experience."

Posted: **Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:33 am**

Zara smiles slightly at being implicitly called the beauty (since Liz is obviously the brains). Probably surprising Jan a bit with how easily she reproduces the pronunciation, she suggests, "Sounds like Serhamna is the best place to hide out in. Start there?"

Posted: **Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:26 am**

Liz knows that both she and Zara are beautiful, but she's happy for Zara to have the compliment to herself. "Sounds like a good place to begin," she says.

Posted: **Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:56 am**

The party prepares for a fairly long hike, Jan in the lead to scout out the easiest paths up and down the double peaks. With the increase in elevation, the temperature drops. In addition to that, climbing higher reduces the protection from the nearly constant wind. The two effects create quite a wind chill factor, so it's a challenge to keep warm.

Spoiler:

By the time they reach the top of the first peak, Jan and Zara both seem to be more affected by the cold than the others, suffering a little from frostbite.

Spoiler:

In particular, Zara seems to be slowing down quite a bit, and needs some time to rest.

"Rain comes," Jan notes, scanning the thickening mist. "We rest."

After descending from the first peak, the party finds shelter under a rock shelf. The rain begins, lashed by the wind into an appreciable downpour. It would seem best to pass the night here, waiting for the weather to improve. Huddled together in the shelter for warmth, sharing Jan's supply of chocolate for energy, the adventurers spend a pretty miserable night.

The next day, the rain stops. The party scales the second peak, with perhaps less enthusiasm than the first.

Spoiler:

Jan doesn't suffer any more ill effects, while Tony remains as hale and hearty as can be expected. Liz gets her chance to experience mild frostbite, while poor Zara gets ever worse than before.

Spoiler:

It's something of a relief when the landscape slopes down again, and the party is able to reach the shore of Serhamna by midday. The unpleasant trip may have been worth while, it seems, as there is a sort of dome-shaped tower in the middle of the harbor, which seems to have its foundation well below the water. Beyond that, there's some kind of building on Makeholmen, the islet of moderate size that just barely fails to meet up with the finger of mainland known as Kapp Heer.

"Never seen that," Jan remarks. After watching for a while, some kind of vessel is seen leaving from Makeholmen and sailing in a southwesterly direction, apparently towards the tip of Bear Island rather than the open sea.

"Might cross water from Kapp Heer to Makeholmen," Jan says. "Not wide, but need way to cross. Or could go south, walk along coast to end of island. Pretty long hike. Not have to climb, but some places must walk along cliff."

Posted: **Wed Mar 24, 2021 12:28 am**

"Great, more hiking," Zara says sourly, despite this being her idea. She's fished out her ubiquitous gin flask and is taking frequent sips, which probably isn't doing much for her condition either.

Posted: **Wed Mar 24, 2021 2:27 am**

"I think I'd rather cross the water than risk falling off a cliff," says Liz. "We could probably build a small boat or a canoe. There's plenty of wood around."

Posted: **Wed Mar 24, 2021 9:13 am**

Jan chuckles, rather grimly, at this suggestion. Liz has apparently mistaken some rock formations, seen in the shadows, for small trees.

"No trees on Bjørnøya," he explains, using the Norwegian name for the island. "Moss, grass, yes. Trees, no. Maybe have idea."

The party walks to the end of the cape. The islet can be seen across the water, tantalizingly close.

The others watch him gather the longest, toughest strands of grass he can find. He spends quite a bit of time cutting these with his knife and weaving them together, until he has something like a big, rough carpet.

Spoiler:

The bizarre and, frankly, not very reassuring craft proves to be sea worthy enough to carry one passenger at a time across the very narrow strait between the cape and the islet. With a clever system of ropes, it can then be hauled back for the next person. This all takes a lot of time, and everybody gets pretty wet, so by the time everybody is across, it's dark again.

During the brief voyage, the adventurers note that the domed structure in the harbor, seen from a new angle and at a nearer distance, seems to consist of concrete and steel, with several pipes leading up from the water to the interior. Huddled around a small campfire, the flickering light reveals, at a moderate distance, what looks like a few Quonset huts in the middle of the islet, surrounded by barbed wire. An occasional dog bark is heard.

Posted: **Wed Mar 24, 2021 1:26 pm**

“If they’re chums of the guys who attacked us, we’d better tread carefully,” says Tony, nodding towards the campfire.

“Let’s creep forward and take a look.”

Posted: **Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:29 pm**

After the raft trip, Zara's shaking to a bit of a scary degree. "Whose idea was this trip?" she mutters to herself. "When I catch up with her I'm going to kick her in the ass."

Posted: **Thu Mar 25, 2021 1:12 am**

Having volunteered to act as an advance scout, Tony covers his hands and face with dirt and sneaks towards the fenced compound.

Spoiler:

The dog heard barking is obviously trained to alert its master of intruders, as it begins yelping fiercely as Tony approaches. A man with a flashlight can be seen nearing the fence from inside the compound, moving the beam of light back and forth.

"What is it, Diablo? Somebody out there?"

Posted: **Thu Mar 25, 2021 1:57 am**

"I'm sorry, Zara," says Liz, giving her a hug for warmth. "I'm usually smarter than that. I blame the cold."

When the guard starts waving the flashlight around looking for Tony, Liz points her EMP device at it and activates it.

Posted: **Thu Mar 25, 2021 4:58 pm**

"Thanks," Zara says. "Anyway, I think this bit was my fault. Those guys are going to start looking for us."

Posted: **Thu Mar 25, 2021 7:45 pm**

"Ah, we're all partially to blame - we came here of our own volition after all," whispers Tony, crouching down and waiting for the effects of Liz's doodad.

Posted: **Thu Mar 25, 2021 11:46 pm**

With an audible pop the flashlight's beam vanishes, followed by many curses from its wielder.

"Cheap Russian doodads. C'mon, Diablo, there ain't nobody out there but those damn birds. Better check in with the chief anyway, just in case."

Man and dog walk toward the center of the fenced compound.

Posted: **Fri Mar 26, 2021 4:53 am**

"So the Russians hired these guys," whispers Liz. "Well, if we're going to sneak in, now's the time, while the guard and dog are away."

Posted: **Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:57 am**

"If they see us, we can tell them our boat went down and we need help, Zara says. "We sure look the part, by now."

Posted: **Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:48 am**

“Capital idea m’dear!” enthuses Tony. “Certainly beats skulking around outside. We could tell them our boat was shot up by some crazy helicopter.”

Posted: **Sat Mar 27, 2021 8:04 pm**

"Sounds like a plan," says Liz, "but let's try not to be seen at all."

Posted: **Thu Apr 01, 2021 9:57 am**

Spoiler:

As the four intruders approach the barbed wire fence as quietly as possible, they learn that Diablo and his master were not the only guards on duty. Loud, angry barking is followed by a man and a large German shepherd confronting the figure of Jan, barely visible in the misty moonlight. The Norwegian raises his arms in the universal gesture of surrender. The man points a pistol at him.

"Step to your right, nice and easy, buddy. I'd hate to sic Princess on you. She can be awfully mean. You and me are gonna have a little talk with the boss."

Jan plays for time by pleading in Norwegian, feigning ignorance of English. The guard gestures with his pistol until Jan can no longer pretend he doesn't understand his instructions.

This delaying action allows the others to enter the compound through a gate, which the guard opened to allow Jan to be captured. They sneak in undetected, except for the fact that Tony's jacket catches on the barbed wire, leaving a piece of cloth behind. The guard notices this as Jan enters.

"Got some buddies with you, huh? Yeah, we're gonna have a real nice talk, pal."

Princess snarls a bit, but the guard hushes her before she can point out the others, hiding near a small storage building. The guard leads Jan to a large building in the center of the compound.

Posted: **Thu Apr 01, 2021 12:36 pm**

"You two stay hidden," Tony tells the girls. "If they're expecting another trespasser, I'll give them one. That'll allow you to snoop around unnoticed I hope."

The detective dirties himself up a bit, rubbing snow and mud into his clothes and (horror of horrors) messing up his hair. This achieved, he staggers into the camp.

"Jan you sonofabitch! Where are you?" yells. "Leaving me to get lost while you cosy up to your pals huh?"

Posted: **Thu Apr 01, 2021 5:54 pm**

Liz remains concealed, her white parka blending in with the snow. "We should follow them to the building and look for a way to sneak inside," she whispers to Zara.

Posted: **Fri Apr 02, 2021 1:21 am**

Zara nods.

Posted: **Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:31 am**

Startled, the guard turns around to face Tony, while keeping an eye on Jan. He moves the pistol back and forth, trying to cover both of them, while getting ready to loose Princess at a moment's notice.

"What the hell is all this? You clowns know each other?"

Jan, quick to pick up on Tony's bluff, says "I wish I did not. This one gets himself lost, blames me."

Meanwhile, Liz and Zara make their way to the main building. It appears to have no windows, and only a single door. The jingle of a set of keys on the guard's belt suggests that it is kept locked.

Posted: **Fri Apr 02, 2021 5:56 pm**

"Looks like we'll have to pick the lock after they've gone inside," whispers Liz.

Posted: **Fri Apr 02, 2021 6:22 pm**

“I get myself lost!?” Tony yells with incredulity.

“Listen pal,” he turns to the guard, seemingly oblivious to the gun and guard dog. “I wanna go hunt polar bears, so I hire this schmuck. ‘Five hundred dollars’ he says, so I say ‘sure, small potatoes, have a thousand.’ But he still manages to beach the goddamn boat on this godforsaken island!”

He pauses, patting his coat.

“Got my wallet in here somewhere... what say you let me in your hut there to get warm and dry? I’ll make it worth your while. What d’you do here anyways? You hunters or science guys?”

Posted: **Fri Apr 02, 2021 9:12 pm**

"I think Tony's having fun with this," Zara whispers. (Selfishly she's a little glad not to be the one walking into the villain's clutches this time)

Posted: **Sat Apr 03, 2021 10:34 am**

Spoiler:

"Cut the crap," the guard replies. "Everybody knows there ain't no polar bears on this island. As for what's goin' on here . . ." He grins. "You'll find out, whether you like it or not."

He unlocks the door, keeping an eye on the two.

"Now move!"

He gestures with the pistol, following the men into the building and leading them to a small cell, where he locks them in with another key.

"Just take it easy until the boss shows up."

He walks away.

Outside, the two women fiddle with the locked door.

Spoiler:

Working together, they are able to jimmy the lock successfully.

Spoiler:

Even in the near darkness, the echoing footsteps of the guard and the talking of the imprisoned men allow the women to tell which way each went. The prisoners are not far away, just down the first corridor to the right, while the guard has gone straight ahead for some distance.

Posted: **Sat Apr 03, 2021 5:40 pm**

"Let's free the chaps first," whispers Liz to Zara. "Of course, Tony can just teleport himself out of the cell, but we'll still need to get Jan out. If we can't find a key outside the cell, we can just pick the lock again."

Posted: **Sat Apr 03, 2021 7:57 pm**

“Crap indeed!” Tony huffs. “I thought my acting was superlative! That fellow is quite the square.”

He stands up, examining the cell door and craning his head in an attempt to look outside.

“Not to worry, we’ll soon get out of here.”

Posted: **Sun Apr 04, 2021 1:15 am**

"Yep," Zara says. "I wonder who this boss is they're waiting for."

Posted: **Sun Apr 04, 2021 2:24 am**

"If it's who I think it is, we've met her before," Liz whispers back. "Rescued her from Fu Manchu, in fact. Let's hope she still remembers it and is grateful."

Posted: **Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:40 am**

Spoiler:

With their newly gained experience with lockpicking, the two women are easily able to free the two men. Multiple footsteps can be heard coming from the direction in which the guard went a few minutes ago.

Posted: **Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:29 pm**

"Quick," whispers Liz, "let's find somewhere to hide."

Posted: **Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:39 pm**

“Told you,” Tony says to Jan.

“Well done ladies. Yes, let’s go.”

Posted: **Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:18 am**

"I thought it might be her too," Zara agrees with Liz's theory.

Is there another turn-off in the opposite direction from the footsteps?

Posted: **Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:48 am**

Scanning the area quickly, it can be seen that the interior layout of the building, from the door, consists of the cell to one side and the direction from which the footsteps are approaching to the other. On both sides, a ninety degree turn leads to unexplored areas. Dashing around the far side of the cell could lead to a hiding place.

Spoiler:

Perhaps because their brief time in the cell gave them enough of a chance to get used to the place, the two men are able to vanish around the corner silently. The two women are not so fortunate, drawing the attention of whoever is approaching. The footsteps grow more rapid.

"See what's going on," an unseen man says with a light Middle European accent. "I heard someone moving around over there, and I don't think it came from the cell."

Spoiler:

Driven by desperate circumstances, Liz's senses are heightened to the point where she perceives a carefully hidden trap door on the floor, which she is able to open quickly and drop through to an area of total darkness, closing it behind herself without a sound. Still disoriented from the long hike, Zara doesn't see how her friend got away, and winds up being spotted by those approaching, who turn out to be the two guards, their dogs, and a man in early middle age, dressed in a conservative business suit, pale of hair and complexion, tall and slender.

"Do not move," he commands. "Tell me who you are, who you work for, and how your fellow agents got away."

Posted: **Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:16 pm**

Zara can't see either brazen or bluff making things any better or worse, but given her present bedragged appearance, bluff is easier to lean into. "I-I don't work for anyone. I'm lost, I came looking for help."

Posted: **Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:30 pm**

Tony waits around the corner, tensing and making ready to attack the guard.

Posted: **Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:26 am**

Liz remains hidden, holding her mace ready in case things turn violent.

Posted: **Tue Apr 06, 2021 8:05 am**

With a thin smile, the man in the suit replies "How curious that you should happen to appear in a secured facility. We shall soon know the truth." To the guards, he says "Take her to Interrogation."

Posted: **Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:20 pm**

Not wishing to put Zara in further danger, Tony steps out from his hiding place, smiling.

"No need for interrogation dear boy: the young lady is here on my orders."

He leans on his stick.

"Kudos to your guards for not falling for my deception: I must be getting rusty - blame the exhausting hike. My employer will be most displeased, alas."

Posted: **Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:11 pm**

"It was worth a try, right?" Zara says lightly, playing into Tony's approach. "And your door wasn't that secure I'm afraid."

Posted: **Wed Apr 07, 2021 2:32 am**

Liz stays in her hiding place for now, continuing to listen.

Posted: **Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:48 am**

"Very well. Since you are willing to be sensible, perhaps we can discuss this situation in a more civilized manner. First of all, however, where is the other fellow? The Norwegian. Surely he has not deserted you."

Posted: **Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:07 am**

"That bit about hiring him for his boat was true," Zara says. "He's an innocent party in all this."

Posted: **Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:34 am**

Liz keeps eavesdropping, not wanting to reveal her presence yet.

Posted: **Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:06 am**

"Indeed; there is an element of truth in that at least. Dear Jan, not being the most reliable of sorts, has, I think, scarpered."

Tony grins ruefully.

"A civilised discussion then - somewhere more comfortable than this chilly corridor I trust?"

Posted: **Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:30 am**

Mr. Handy wrote: ↑Thu Apr 08, 2021 2:34 am
Liz keeps eavesdropping, not wanting to reveal her presence yet.

Remaining absolutely still, Liz can hear the sound of a large volume of water rushing by, somewhere not far away. The noise is hollow, as if the water -- or perhaps some other liquid? -- is contained in some sort of tube or pipe.

Posted: **Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:37 am**

Barking orders to the guards, the man leads his guests -- or prisoners? -- through a maze of corridors to an office, which is furnished in simple but comfortable fashion. The guards remain standing by, dogs at their heels. The man directs the two to sit, in a pair of plain metal chairs. Both Zara and Tony feel a tiny tingle as they sit; not strong enough to be unpleasant, but noticeable. The man sits at a large desk. Pressing some kind of control under it, he causes a flat glass panel to rise from the surface of the desk. It tilts toward him, and he observes it carefully.

"You may address me as Lazlo. My family name is beyond the ability of most to pronounce," he adds, with a slight smile. "Now tell me. What do you know of SHRIKE?"

Posted: **Fri Apr 16, 2021 3:25 am**

Liz slips out of her hiding place and stealthily follows the group, staying out of sight and relying on the sounds of their footsteps to track them.

Posted: **Fri Apr 16, 2021 8:39 am**

From a nearby location, Liz is able to overhear Lazlo's questioning of the others.

Meanwhile, Jan seems to have slipped away somewhere else, unknown.

Posted: **Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:21 pm**

Tony drums his fingers on the arms of the chair.

“Hmm, tingles... what is it? Some kind of lie detector?”

Posted: **Sat Apr 17, 2021 1:09 am**

VictoriaSilverwolf wrote: ↑Thu Apr 15, 2021 10:37 am"You may address me as Lazlo. My family name is beyond the ability of most to pronounce," he adds, with a slight smile.

"Try me," Zara says, knowing that her memory power will allow her a good shot at pronouncing his name. "And have you got any booze? Or coffee at least. Since we're being civilised." (She keps her tone of voice polite, though her choice of words is mostly down to the ratty mood the hike has put her in).

Posted: **Sat Apr 17, 2021 3:24 am**

Gathering that there is something electrical in the room, Liz has her EMP device ready just in case she later needs to use it. She continues to eavesdrop.

Posted: **Sat Apr 17, 2021 8:48 am**

With a thin smile, Lazlo continues. "You are both avoiding my question. What do you know of SHRIKE? Answer properly, and we may be able to provide you with a more comfortable environment and further amenities."

Posted: **Sat Apr 17, 2021 3:35 pm**

Liz continues to listen from concealment, ready to intervene if Tony and Zara are in immediate danger.

Posted: **Sat Apr 17, 2021 4:36 pm**

“Well, let’s see...”

Tony wracks his brain. Has he heard of this no-doubt villainous organisation?

Posted: **Sun Apr 18, 2021 8:03 am**

jp1885 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 17, 2021 4:36 pm

“Well, let’s see...”

Tony wracks his brain. Has he heard of this no-doubt villainous organisation?

Nothing comes to mind. How should he respond? Admit ignorance, or bluff his way through?

Posted: **Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:52 am**

“Truth is, I’ve never heard of you. Care to enlighten me?” Tony says with a disarming grin.

Posted: **Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:55 pm**

Liz keeps listening.

Posted: **Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:00 am**

jp1885 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:52 am

“Truth is, I’ve never heard of you. Care to enlighten me?” Tony says with a disarming grin.

After studying the screen, Lazlo says "Truth indeed. How fortunate for you. And SHRIKE isn't us, not by a long shot. The Supreme Hierarchy for the Removal of Incompetents and the Killing of Enemies is a rogue organization, not sanctioned by our own. Their methods are crude and extreme. They are interfering with our work here, upsetting the balance of power in the world.

"Since you are not associated with SHRIKE, there is no need to dispose of you. On the other hand, you present me with a serious problem. What shall I do with you? Clearly you have motives of your own for infiltrating this facility, but I believe it would be to your own advantage to co-operate with us.

"Tell me; is there any reason why you would not be prepared to work with THRUSH?"

Posted: **Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:57 am**

“Well, assuming you sigil is a black bird on a white background, then your chaps tried to do us in,” explains Tony. “You’ll forgive any suspicion on our part.”

“We are freelance troubleshooters acting on... shall we say... intelligence,” he continues. “Contact had been lost with Ice Station Zebra and so we decided to investigate. We found a smashed-up weather station; from which we inferred something unpleasant had escaped; before your goons assaulted us. Naturally we responded with vigour and, following our noses, stumbling upon this location. Fortuitously or not, it remains to be seen.”

“That’s our story in a nutshell. Care to reciprocate?”

Posted: **Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:26 pm**

Zara gives a nod-shrug to Tony's account of the visit, saying "Pretty much that, yeah."

Posted: **Tue Apr 20, 2021 3:12 am**

Liz continues to eavesdrop from her hiding place.

Posted: **Tue Apr 20, 2021 9:30 am**

Lazlo displays marked interest in Tony's story.

"The symbol you describe is that used by SHRIKE agents. Highly unprofessional, to say the least, and ridiculously melodramatic. Revealing one's identity during a clandestine operation! Mere foolishness. They are fanatics, but very dangerous. Their attack on the meteorological station is typical of their idiotic methods. As far as Ice Station Zebra goes--"

A woman of middle years, wearing a lab coat, comes in the room.

"Excuse me, sir, but there's been a breach in the reactor."

Lazlo stands up, alarmed. "How?"

"We don't know. It's as if something broke right through!"

To the investigators, Lazlo says "If you're really fighting against SHRIKE -- and I know you're telling the truth -- come with me to the dock. You'll see for yourself the kind of damage they can do." Turning to one of the guards, he adds "And find that damned Norwegian! I suspect he's behind all this. As for you," he adds to the other, "keep an eye on our guests, whether or not they decide to come along."

He follows the woman out the door.

Posted: **Tue Apr 20, 2021 4:08 pm**

“Oh I’ll gladly tag along.”

Tony stands, extending his hand to Zara to help her up.

“Keep your unique senses peeled, eh?” he whispers before following his interrogator.

Posted: **Wed Apr 21, 2021 1:37 am**

"Yep," Zara says. During the journey she casts her eyes about constantly, trusting in her memory to make sense of everything later.

Posted: **Wed Apr 21, 2021 2:26 am**

Liz discreetly follows from a safe distance, again staying out of sight. If there's a breach in a nuclear reactor, they may need her help.

Posted: **Wed Apr 21, 2021 9:01 am**

The group travels through a labyrinth of corridoes, passing several locked rooms, until reaching a large pair of metal doors. The guards pushes them up, revealing a view of the bay known as Sorhamna, with the large dome in the middle of the water. The peaks known as Antarcticfjellet loom in the background. A small dock holds a speedboat.

"All aboard," Lazlo says, gesturing at the boat. "But first, wear these." He hands everyone a small square of plastic, to be pinned to clothing. "Things might get a little overheated."

Posted: **Thu Apr 22, 2021 1:40 am**

"What's happening?" Zara says. "Are we heading towards or away from this reactor?"

Posted: **Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:51 am**

Liz breezes out into the open and joins Tony and Zara. "I'm coming with you," she says, as if she has every right to be there. "My guess is towards, as those are radiation detectors. I'd like one too, please. If there's a problem with the reactor, you may need my help to fix it."

Posted: **Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:05 pm**

"I was wondering where you'd got to," says Tony with a grin.

No doubt their hosts will be somewhat alarmed at Liz's appearance, so he attempts to calm them down.

"Allow me to introduce Liz; another colleague of mine - and a brilliant one at that. You know you really must train your guards more effectively. Rest assured, there are no more of us lurking around."

Posted: **Thu Apr 29, 2021 7:35 am**

With a grunt, Lazlo merely directs Liz to join them in the craft, offering her one of the plastic badges. As the craft approaches the reactor, Lazlo carefully scans the badges of all present. They remain pure white.

"Strange," he muses. "I would have suspected at least a small amount of leakage. Hand me those binoculars," he adds to the guard.

He studies the reactor's dome for quite a while.

"Broken through, then sealed back up again. The scar is hardly detectable, but definitely there. This is most peculiar. We'll have to go inside, I'm afraid. If you're still game, that is," he says to his guests.

Posted: **Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:48 pm**

“Oh I’m always game,” Tony says with a grin.

“Now we’ve established a rapport, as we press on, perhaps you’d care to enlighten us as to what you’re doing here?”

Posted: **Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:49 am**

"You're talking like you're worried about someone more than something," Zara adds.

Posted: **Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:41 am**

"I'm keen to see the inside," says Liz.

Posted: **Fri Apr 30, 2021 9:05 am**

jp1885 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:48 pm

“Oh I’m always game,” Tony says with a grin.

“Now we’ve established a rapport, as we press on, perhaps you’d care to enlighten us as to what you’re doing here?”

"I'm afraid that will have to remain on a 'need to know' basis. I'm sure you understand."

Posted: **Fri Apr 30, 2021 9:06 am**

SunlessNick wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:49 am

"You're talking like you're worried about someone more than something," Zara adds.

"The distinction is not always meaningful. But I've said too much."

Posted: **Fri Apr 30, 2021 9:16 am**

Mr. Handy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 2:41 am
"I'm keen to see the inside," says Liz.

"Of course."

Lazlo directs the guard to proceed to the reactor, which has a small dock attached to it at one point, just large enough to tie up the speedboat and allow a few people to disembark. Next to this are nearly invisible lines on the surface of the dome that reveal an entrance. Lazlo orders the guard to remain on the boat with the dog, while he walks up to the door. A pale green beam of light emerges from it as he nears, moving across his face. The door opens silently, like a dilating pupil. Inside, all is darkness, until Lazlo steps inside, when dim white lights reveals the interior, where several radiation suits line the walls. Lazlo selects one and seals himself inside it.

"I'm sure you can find something that will suit you," he says, his voice muffled by the suit. "The breach was made on the opposite side from this entrance," he adds. "There'll be quite a way to go to reach it, assuming we don't run into trouble along the way. First stop, the control room. Fully automated, but the sensors may tell us something."

Once they are suited up, he leads them to a room full of flickering gauges and dials, with no human operators to be seen.

Posted: **Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:35 pm**

“I suspect we’ll ‘need to know’ very soon...” Tony mutters as he struggles into a suit.

He inspects the control panels but, not being much of a technical whizz, holds little hope of understanding them. As such he looks quizzically at Liz.

Posted: **Sat May 01, 2021 2:11 am**

"Ah, a facial recognition scanner," says Liz when she sees the green light. "Very advanced." She picks out a radiation suit that fits her and still manages to make it look stylish. When she enters the room of gauges and dials, she studies them with her trained scientist's eyes.

Posted: **Sat May 01, 2021 9:24 am**

Everything seems to be normal, with all the gauges well within the "green" zone.

"We better continue to the reactor room. Watch your step everyone."

Passing through a set of heavy double doors, the party sees a pool of liquid, lit from within by an eerie bluish glow.

"Cherenkov radiation," Lazlo mutters. "Very pretty."

He inspects the control rods, currently set well down into the liquid.

"All normal. Wait a moment, what's that?" He leans over the pool for a better look.

At that moment, something comes out of the pool with great force, sending the liquid splashing everywhere, making it difficult to see what's going on. The brightness of the blue increases to a dazzling level, and the sound of churning liquid fills the room. While trying to adjust their eyes to the sudden glare, the party is able to make out some kind of massive dark shape near the pool, much larger than a human being.

Posted: **Sat May 01, 2021 4:38 pm**

Tony squints in the bright light, trying to make out the huge form.

“Will someone please tell me what the Dickens is going on here?”

Posted: **Sat May 01, 2021 5:56 pm**

"I don't know," says Liz, taking out her chalk from one of the pouches where she stores things outside of her radiation suit, "but I don't think it's good." She draws a circle with it and performs the ritual for protection from evil.

Posted: **Sun May 02, 2021 9:49 am**

Once their eyes can adjust to the intense light, the party can see what appears to be a shapeless blob of brightly glowing tissue, throbbing and shifting and dripping with thick ichor. The massive thing slithers at a languid pace across the floor, leaving a trail of slime behind itself. It nears Lazlo, who stands frozen with shock. With a sudden move similar to an amoeba sending out a pseudopod -- assuming an amoeba were the size of a Volkswagen microbus -- the thing shoots out a tentacle-like appendage in his direction.

Spoiler:

The thing wraps around Lazlo's body, lifting him from the ground like a child's toy, and squeezing.

Spoiler:

The sound of bones being crushed can be heard, even through the protective suit.

Spoiler:

With a last desperate effort, Lazlo manages to free himself from the thing. He falls to the ground and remains motionless. The pseudo-tentacle moves back and forth as the thing moves toward the others.

Posted: **Sun May 02, 2021 6:49 pm**

Acting on instinct, Tony immediately interposes himself between the monster and the others.

“Quick! See to Lazlo and find out what they’ve been doing here! I’ll try to distract the thing while you work out how to defeat it!”

He waves his arms at the giant blob.

“I say! Yoohoo! Over here!”

Hopefully Tony can dodge the flailing tentacles...

Posted: **Sun May 02, 2021 10:12 pm**

"Everyone get in the circle!" calls Liz, helping Lazlo into it.

Posted: **Mon May 03, 2021 9:52 am**

jp1885 wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 6:49 pm
Acting on instinct, Tony immediately interposes himself between the monster and the others.

“Quick! See to Lazlo and find out what they’ve been doing here! I’ll try to distract the thing while you work out how to defeat it!”

He waves his arms at the giant blob.

“I say! Yoohoo! Over here!”

Hopefully Tony can dodge the flailing tentacles...

Spoiler:

Maybe the weight of the radiation suit makes it difficult for Tony to avoid the constricting tentacle. In any event, the thing seizes him and squeezes, inflicting serious damage. Struggle as he might, Tony is unable to free himself from the slimy tentacle, as the others look on in horror.

Spoiler:

Posted: **Mon May 03, 2021 11:14 am**

Once again Tony’s rash action has landed him in big trouble.

Thrashing around desperately, he instinctively teleports himself into Liz’s chalk circle, regardless of the dangers of radiation.

Posted: **Mon May 03, 2021 3:22 pm**

"Port out through the doors!" Zara yells at Tony, even if he can't do it immediately. She gets between him and the pool, figuring it's most likely the source of the radiation in the room.

Posted: **Tue May 04, 2021 2:11 am**

Now that they're all with the protection of the circle, Liz prays to banish the blob back to wherever it came.

Posted: **Tue May 04, 2021 11:39 am**

Spoiler:

There appears to be a battle of wills between Liz and the creature, neither one dominating the other. At least there are no more attacks coming from it, for the moment.

Spoiler:

Posted: **Wed May 05, 2021 2:41 am**

Liz continues the battle, trying again to banish the creature.

Posted: **Wed May 05, 2021 8:18 am**

Tony remains resolute.

“Must... protect... my girls...” he says through gritted teeth.

Posted: **Wed May 05, 2021 9:09 am**

Spoiler:

Her forehead shining with sweat from the battle of wills between herself and the creature, Liz is finally forced to withdraw. It seems that the being's stubborn desire to remain in this plane of existence has overcome her best attempts to defeat it.

Perhaps a joint sigh of relief will escape from the investigators, as the thing shuffles away from then, sliding along the floor to the other side of the reactor pool. And perhaps that sigh will be cut off when they observe the creature smashing its single tentacle against the walls of the containment chamber, with reverberating booms that suggest that the structure will not long remain stable.

Meanwhile, Tony notices that his badge has changed from white to yellow.

Posted: **Wed May 05, 2021 5:56 pm**

"You can't do that if you're dead," Zara insists. "Liz, if you grab Lazlo and I help Tony, maybe we can make it to the door. We can't let him stay in here."

Posted: **Thu May 06, 2021 3:13 am**

Liz nods and helps Lazlo to the door.

Posted: **Thu May 06, 2021 12:58 pm**

Protesting weakly, Tony allows himself to be dragged out by Zara.

Play@YSDC

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