by JC Ryan
Latet, got up from his desk and left, driving half an hour around the Washington, DC belt route to a safe house that he’d acquired and equipped on his own. He had known Sidus, and he knew what had brought him down. The same wouldn’t happen to Latet, he’d make sure of it. His escape route was nearly complete, and then it only remained to secure his fortune. That he was doing so by playing both ends against the middle was beside the point. At the house, Latet picked up a clean laptop he hadn’t used before. He drove to an internet cafe and purchased a block of secure data transmission before sending an email.
“S: A’s operative compromised. Your two apparently undiscovered. Will report when assets are in place.”
Septentrio read the missive a few minutes later, and clenched his fist. Auster’s schemes had grown tiresome. He would make her pay, but the punishment must be subtle and commensurate with the infraction. Something involving her insufferable teenaged daughter, perhaps. Though he himself preferred the pretty boys his manservant acquired for him. It would be more amusing, perhaps, to watch someone else debauch the girl, before killing her. He could be patient, however. It need not occur just yet. Perhaps as an object lesson once his plans for the ruined city the Rosslerites sought were implemented, as a celebration. Yes, that would be most pleasurable, a celebration and punishing the bitch Auster at the same time. How delicious!
~~~
On the frozen continent, a hung over and subdued JR moved cautiously as he prepared to leave the base. His head felt like Mt. Rushmore—as if he had multiple heads, all pounding. Andersen had turned him out of the room he’d shared with Misty, so he had to either take all of his gear with him or move it to a storage locker until he returned. Roosky had been gone from the room where they’d both passed out when Rebecca Mendenhall came to wake him with a foul-tasting concoction she said would help his hangover. He suspected it was just a mixture of the worst stuff she could think of, a punishment for his role in delaying the expedition one more precious day. If it had just been him, they’d have left without him probably. But, because he’d involved Roosky, they all had to wait because Roosky’s presence when they began to explore the cave was critical.
All of the expedition members were traveling lighter these days. They’d discovered they were too exhausted to read or play games once they’d finished their day’s work and eaten dinner, even if they didn’t also have to pitch their tents every night because they were in a stationary camp for the duration. JR left behind everything he could possibly spare, as had everyone else, since they needed to lighten the load on the Sno-Cat so they could make better time. It was now the fourteenth of February, and Summers wanted them back at the Pole to load out by the twenty-sixth. They could make the trek to the cave in two days if the weather cooperated, but since it never did, they expected to use eight of those fourteen days just traveling. That left four to explore the cave, a woefully short time according to Robert Cartwright.
They could afford absolutely no more delays. While Roosky and JR recovered from their binge, Summers had made executive decisions about who would be left behind. Misty’s presence, of course, was off the table. Summers decided Carmen should go, and gave LeClerc the option, which he of course took. The Foundation scientists he asked to stay at the base, since there was little likelihood they could do much, even if the city were found; there just wasn’t time. They agreed. The Sno-Cat would be a tight fit, but by crowding everyone into it, they were able to leave the snowmobiles behind and more than make up for the extra weight.
Finally, they were ready to go, though LeClerc made one last plea to Andersen to stop them. The storm the meteorologists had predicted was gathering over the Ross Ice Shelf and would likely catch them before they reached the mountains and relative shelter. Andersen had made up his mind, though. These troublesome scientists could sort out their own issues. He’d be glad to be rid of them when they returned. The long months cooped up with just four dozen winter caretaker personnel were beginning to look like a good long rest to him. The only thing he wanted was to be sure they’d be back in time not to get stranded there.
Summers had asked him what the hazards were if they were delayed past the first of March. Andersen encouraged him not to think that way.
“First, if the storms start early, there’s no going outside. Period. The temperature is somewhere between minus seventy-two and minus seventy-nine, not that you’d notice the difference. I don’t even want to try to calculate the wind chill. Suffice it to say, it’s brutal. Everyone who stays is subject to winter-over syndrome, and that’s not pretty either. Insomnia is common. No one can sleep, so everyone’s irritable if not outright depressed. Some develop cognitive impairment. The magnetic storms interfere with communications, so we’re very isolated. Then there’s polar T3 syndrome. Ever hear of the Antarctic stare?”
“Sounds serious. T3 as in the thyroid hormone?”
“Exactly. No one knows exactly why, but levels of T3 drop, and you get the more disturbing of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. We think that’s what causes the cognitive impairment and forgetfulness. The Antarctic stare is a fugue state, where people just freeze, their eyes open, staring into the distance.
“Mood disorders, sub-clinical seasonal affective disorder, you can imagine when you’ve got such a small sampling of other people, it causes problems. People who just didn’t click before become bitter enemies. We have to break up fistfights, all while we’re suffering from the same symptoms.
“Now, add your crew to that, and we’ll be on short rations, too. No, it’s imperative you leave. You might find a short window of opportunity in the first week of March, but after that the polar vortex closes in and there’ll be no escape.”
“We’ll be back in time. That description gives me all the incentive I need, believe me.” Summers thought Andersen might have exaggerated a bit to make sure he was sufficiently impressed, but what he’d said was consistent with Summers’ lay knowledge of the winter conditions. Since they hadn’t intended to winter over, he’d done less thorough research about that than about the conditions he’d find during the summer, but he knew winter conditions were brutal.
Summers counted heads in the Sno-Cat and took the driver’s seat for the first leg of the journey. He could hear LeClerc still complaining in the back and decided it was bad for morale.
“Knock it off, LeClerc, or get out. No one wants to listen to you complain for two days.”
“Two days, merde. Mark my words, it will be four, if we get there at all. This is a foolhardy journey, my friends. When we are in the midst of the crap, don’t say I did not warn you.” Satisfied he’d had the last word, LeClerc withdrew into sullen silence, and they were off.
~~~
Rebecca was lost in thought, staring without realizing it in JR’s direction, though her thoughts were turned inward and she wasn’t paying attention to what she saw. Bitterly disappointed, she had thought JR was turning out to be someone she could admire after all. This latest stunt of his had dropped him in her estimation again, though she couldn’t blame him for being devastated at his girlfriend’s behavior. She harbored a secret that would have mortified her had anyone known.
In truth, Sarah probably suspected. She and Rebecca, whom she called Becca as the doctor’s other good friends did, were very close. Rebecca was the younger sister of Sarah’s best friend from high school, with whom she’d reconnected when she and Daniel moved back to Boulder. When Sarah suspected she was pregnant, Cindy recommended her sister and the three rapidly became inseparable. The bonus for Rebecca was that Sarah had a dreamy brother-in-law.
Too bad that the dream was a nightmare, Rebecca thought. JR had the looks that turned her head, but his personality was a trial. She understood, of course. Sarah mentioned he’d just come back from his last tour of duty in Afghanistan a few months before, and that he was being treated for PTSD. That ruined so many lives, she knew. But, understanding and being able to tolerate the behaviors were two different things. She’d backed off before he
even knew that she was interested.
Her thoughts drifting, Becca eventually fell asleep and slumped against Carmen’s shoulder. Carmen, in turn, was sleeping leaning on Robert, who at that moment was wishing he’d sat between the two women. He’d rather have the lovely Rebecca pressed against him than Carmen, who was a little brash and forward for his taste, though beautiful in her own right.
~~~
Because they were in a hurry, Summers insisted on fewer breaks than usual. Everyone was therefore rather stiff and sore when they did stop for a meal. Bart complied with Summers’ wish that it be a quick one, and they were soon on their way again, over LeClerc’s protests.
“Will you please make up your mind, man?” Robert finally said to him. “First you complained that we’ll be longer than we planned, now you want to slow us down. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to sabotage this expedition.”
While LeClerc gasped in indignation, several of the others gave him speculative looks that indicated the accusation had merit. He was left with no choice but to make haste along with the rest of them. Back in the Sno-Cat, he took the last seat in the back and withdrew into himself to avoid eye contact with anyone. He’d always been somewhat of a loner, but he’d never felt so disrespected before. He cast a bitter glance at Summers. It was all his fault. If the man had wanted to run the expedition logistics himself, he shouldn’t have hired me in the first place, he thought.
As the hours passed, sporadic conversation broke out, but more often everyone slept away the boring sojourn. After more than five months together, they’d worn out every topic of conversation and more than a few had developed resentments toward each other. Watching their dynamics, Summers reflected that it would be an unmitigated disaster if they were forced to winter over. He must avoid that at all costs, even at the risk of not finding any corroborating evidence that the city existed.
The storm LeClerc had warned them about struck late on the second day, with only twenty or so miles left to cover. Gale force winds rocked the Sno-Cat, prompting LeClerc to recommend that they turn the Sno-Cat leeward and stop to avoid capsizing it. His smug expression had ‘I told you so’ written all over it.
Summers consulted the printout of the forecast and noted that the wind was expected to blow for four days without lessening. If it had been only one or even two, he might have taken LeClerc’s advice despite their differences of opinion. However, he knew they couldn’t wait it out for four days. He directed JR, who was driving at this point, to keep going on their plotted course. After only an hour, JR requested to be relieved, his arms aching from holding the course steady with a buffeting side wind to fight. Robert took over and drove until Roosky offered to relieve him, and the stronger man drove the rest of the way, managing to cover the remainder of the twenty miles in only six more hours. When they reached the mouth of the canyon, he kept going far enough that the Sno-Cat was sheltered from the wind by the high canyon walls nearby.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief at the sudden cessation of the howling wind, though they could still hear it faintly behind them. The team dropped out of the Sno-Cat stiffly, one by one, and stretched, joints popping, before moving to set up their tents and other gear. It had been twelve hours since they slept, and once the wind hit there was no stopping. They needed food and sleep, in that order. Bart got busy right away and prepared something that was tasty and filling, but quick to cook. Almost before they were through eating, the crew were snugged into their sleeping bags inside their tents, planning on an early start the next day.
Chapter 19 - The Rossler-Cartwright Cave
Summers woke with a start, taking a moment to recall why he’d set his alarm. Oh, yes, this was the day they’d enter the cave system that Robert and JR had found. He needed some time to steel himself for the ordeal. He got up and dressed for the day, pulling on layers of gear that he could shed as needed. Robert said the conditions in the cave were warmer than expected, but, Summers’ shameful secret meant that he’d need to stay comfortably warm, not just sufficiently. Claustrophobia was bad enough, and would make it difficult to lead the others into the cave, but that coupled with cold would unman him. No one else knew he suffered from claustrophobia, and if he had anything to say about it, no one would know when the day was over, either.
He finished dressing and went to get some coffee from Bart, who was up and preparing a large breakfast for the crew. Virtually everyone was going into the cave today, and wouldn’t come out again until time to retire in the evening. Each would take a couple of sandwiches with them, tucked inside their clothes so they wouldn’t freeze, as well as enough water for the day.
Robert and JR were up already, and having an animated discussion on how to best explore the cave. Robert wanted to map the main room first, and then explore each passage in turn for a methodical approach. JR, cognizant of the short time available, was arguing in favor of sending a two-person team down each passage while Angela mapped the main room. However, that plan required at least three experienced spelunkers, and this team only had one and a half…counting JR as a half because of his inexperience.
Bart would not be going into the cave, nor would Roosky unless his presence were needed to clear something inside. Instead, he’d maintain a position outside and monitor the overhang. If it gave way, he’d be able to blast his way to them and get them out. That left only eight to explore the cave, and Angela was needed in the main room. Summers thought JR’s suggestion sensible, but knew he couldn’t lead a team because of his claustrophobia. Therefore, Summers volunteered to stay in the main room with Angela, but added his vote to the other approach. Robert, giving in with grace, said he’d lead the way in the smallest passage, and invited Rebecca to go with him. JR opted for Cyndi’s company since Rebecca was going with Robert. Carmen said she’d had some experience in Chile, but had to settle for LeClerc, who protested going at all, but gave in when Carmen’s heated gaze challenged him.
With the approach settled and the teams matched up, it remained only to finish breakfast and trek to the opening. They’d scrabbled together cave gear from what they’d brought for glacier safety; harnesses and a five-hundred foot nylon climbing rope for each of them to carry coiled on their shoulders until needed, helmets, which fortunately had headlamps attached. Warm clothing, of course. In addition, each had a small waist pack or low-profile backpack for their food, water, spare batteries, flashlights (those that didn’t have the kind that clipped to their belts), chemical hazard lights and various other items that Robert thought might be useful.
By ten a.m., they were at the opening. Roosky would be left behind here, studying the overhang and surrounding areas for rescue routes if there were a cave-in. Summers felt he should say a few words on such a momentous occasion, but before he could gather his thoughts, Robert was leading the way inside. Summers allowed everyone else to go first, telling them he’d bring up the rear. It fooled everyone but Roberts, who had given him a long look when he’d volunteered to stay in the main room. Roberts had seen claustrophobia before, and knew that Summers could be a liability if forced into a smaller space. He said nothing, though.
Once inside, they paused to get their bearings. Those who hadn’t been there before paused to exclaim over the size of the cave, which they could sense but not fully see in the darkness. Following the main wall of the cave to the right, JR located the first opening they’d seen previously. Robert took charge and directed Carmen and LeClerc to explore that one, telling them to secure one end of Carmen’s rope to a piton driven into the wall at the opening and string it out behind them as they went.
If they came to branches, they were to continue turning right each time and explore until they reached the end of both of the ropes, were blocked, or found an exit. Then they were to return unless they found an exit, and continue past the first branch to the next. When they’d reached the end of the main passage or the end of the ropes, they were to turn back, exploring the branches on the other side from the opposite end, until t
hey’d done as much as they could.
Robert’s and JR’s teams would do the same in their passages, but before they headed for the easily visible ones, they followed the wall around to be sure none had been missed. Satisfied that the large ones were the only ones remaining in the right half of the cave, they drew straws, JR choosing the downward-sloping passage. He had a hunch that there was something extraordinary to be found in it, and set out eagerly, Cyndi in tow.
~~~
JR led the way, appearing more confident than he actually felt. He’d fully recovered from the party with Roosky, but he didn’t really have that much experience with caving in wild caves. He’d been to Linville Caves in North Carolina, and to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, but more as a tourist than anything else. Robert had given him some pointers, and he had an eidetic memory that would serve them well when it came time to map this passageway. He had no doubt that he could get himself and Cyndi in and out safely. Whether he’d look like he knew what he was doing when it came to making the right decisions, was another question.
The passageway was wide enough for the two of them to walk in side-by-side, so they chatted as they walked for about the first fifty yards. Then it narrowed, and Cyndi dropped behind him, still chattering away. She’d become quite the expert with the drone, probably the only expert in the world at this point, since the one they were using was a prototype built from 10th Cycle plans. If the escarpment into which this cave entered hadn’t been so tall, they could have used the drone to map it, she was saying. However, after entering through the canyon wall, they were at least five hundred feet underground from the top of the mountain, and the range that the drone could map under the ice was about one hundred and fifty feet.