Futuristic Whiteout: Origins

[Jabroni]

• Introduction
• Game Guidelines
• Operations Manual

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  This roleplay will contain mature content, including suggestive themes, coarse language, and extreme violence. Characters may swear without censorship and introduce topics of an immoral nature (in accordance with RPN's Site Rules).

  
  
  
  [media]
  
  
  
  
  
  [/media]
  Sometime in the very near future...
  
  
  You are one of approximately 20 personnel working at Aurora Station (also referred to as Outpost Aurora), a private research facility owned and funded by the Monolith Corporation. Your employer is investigating global issues, including climate change and shrinking habitats. A number of brilliant minds have been gathered here, including several biologists, geologists, and meteorologists. It is January 20th, and winter is in full swing. You and the rest of the team are currently preparing for a rather nasty blizzard.
  
  
  Today is much like any other day: dark, temperatures of 20 below, and a light easterly wind. Most of the crew are attending to their assignments throughout the base. There is also a small team out on observation, wrapping up their last minute studies.
  
  
  Where are you?
  
  
  Let me know what you guys think! I'm open to suggestions. If you're interested, go ahead and start building your character sheet. You can drop it in here anytime and I'll look over it.
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Rules:I know it's a lot, but they're necessary for what we're doing.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  1) No arguing, insulting, etc. Please notify me of any problems and I'll be happy to address them.

  
  
  
  2) No metagaming or powergaming. Again, if you have any questions feel free to PM me about it.
  
  
  3) Only the gamemaster can make events. These include changes in weather, actions by NPC characters, time changes, etc.
  
  
  4) Do not post out of order. Some situations involve multiple PCs and require them to react in sequence.
  
  
  5) I would like replies to be in 3rd person. You may write what your character is thinking in italics if you wish. Just make sure to distinguish it from "dialogue".
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  6) Your character portrait may not be a selfie, anime, or cartoon. Realistic photos are ideal. Professional sketches or drawings are also acceptable (DeviantArt is a good resource).
  
  
  7) Short posts (less than two (2) paragraphs) will be considered spam. This is to remove clog from the RP and to make things less sporadic.
  
  
  8) No ex-spec ops service records (Navy SEALs, Green Berets, SAS, that sort of thing). Basic military backgrounds are fine.
  
  
  9) Please use common sense. If it doesn't seem like it should belong, it probably doesn't.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Due to the nature of the setting, characters will die. Whether it's one person or the entire base is not set in stone. By participating in this RP, you agree to a character kill should IC circumstances call for it.

  
  
  Combat System:
  
  
  
  
  
  I prefer not to use dice. It's an RPG mechanic, not a plot device or similar storytelling tool. I feel that the roleplay can remain fluid as long as the GM facilitates the outcome (Undoubtedly some fellow GMs will contest this theory).
  
  
  Here's how it works:
  
  
  

  NPC Fights

  I control the NPCs' actions. When the player makes a move, I evaluate the action on its face (What is the likelihood that this will happen? Any conditions that need to be taken into account: whether the player is wounded, the NPC is considerably stronger/faster, etc). I then form a response based on what I believe would happen and in essence have made a ruling.
  
  
  This may appear as if the player has virtually no control. That's somewhat true, but I will say this: in NPC fights, I will generally favor the player(s). Feel free to message me personally about problems with any given outcome. I will be happy to discuss it with you.

  
  
  
  

  Player Versus Player (PVP)

  I only have one request for PVP: make sure the end justifies the means. We're not going to have people with evil or maniacal predispositions. Sure, a character can be a hothead, have concerns about self-preservation and what have you, but please know where to draw the line. I will keep a "hands off" approach with PVP unless there's a problem. It might be wise to discuss these situations beforehand with the player(s) you're going to fight.
• 
  
  
  Operations Manual (To be taken OOCly. Feel free to skim through some sections.)
  
  
  Spoiler

  - Roleplaying as a foreign national is completely acceptable, as the corporation that contracted Outpost Aurora seeks the most talented scientists. So feel free to get creative with your character's background (keeping it as authentic and realistic as possible).
  
  
  - Whiteouts, which are periods of heavy snow and extremely low visibility, are quite common in the North Slope. The base has developed a system of ropes, which are held up by stakes. During a whiteout, the crew hook themselves on as they walk the grounds for fear of getting lost.
  
  
  - The area is currently experiencing polar night, exhibiting approximately 24 hours of darkness each day. There is around a week before twilight (the appearance of a sunset).
  
  
  - A significant number of deep cracks or crevasses may be found across ice sheets. Some of them are marked, while others remain to be discovered. They provided a major hazard to those on foot, as one can end up falling several stories down and become trapped. It is advised that adventurers take a partner along with them and to tread carefully.
  
  
  
  
  
  Laboratory - Scientists frequent the lab to perform dissections on dead animals, test substances with a chemistry set, and observe samples under a lens. The chief scientist presides over the area and has an office nearby. Researchers must sign a checkout sheet for certain hazardous chemicals, and some substances are forbidden from leaving the lab.
  
  
  
  Note:
  
  Please think about what you're doing in the lab. If you study rocks, you probably don't have a clue about chemistry and vice versa.
  
  The Clinic (colloquially referred to as the "medbay") - A full-time physician spends most of his/her time here, and usually two or three patients are being treated for minor injuries. You will find disinfectant, pills, syringes, bandaging material, and a laundry list of medical supplies in various storage bins and cabinets.
  
  
  Auto Garage - Thanks to intense funding from its corporate sponsor, Outpost Aurora has access to a variety of vehicles and other machinery. These include:
  
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  A pair of snowmobiles
  
  
  
  
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  A snowcat (able to shield occupants from severe cold)
  
  
  
  
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  A Bell 412 twin-engine utility helicopter
  
  Weapons Cabinet - Despite being a research facility for study and observation, the base does have a supply of weaponry for defense purposes. They're located in a slotted metal gun cabinet near the station manager's office. These weapons are rarely fired, but they are carried on longer journeys. The station manager is the only person with a key.
  
  Weapon stock:
  
  
  x2 M1911 pistols
  
  
  x1 Winchester Model 70 (scoped)
  
  
  x2 Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifles
  
  
  x1 Remington Model 870 shotgun
  
  Mess Hall - This is where people come to eat and socialize. The cafeteria is situated in the middle of the base. Several long aluminum tables fill the main room. There's a counter and an adjacent door that open up to the soup kitchen.
  
  
  

  It's colder than a witch's tit out there! Thank God for chicken noodle soup. A member of the crew

  
  
  Dog Kennel - Alaskan sleigh dogs are fed and housed here. They provide an excellent alternative to snowcats, as they can traverse more uneven terrain.
  
  
  
  
  Current occupants:
  
  
  6 Alaskan huskies
  
  
  4 Alaskan malamutes
  
  Living Quarters - All scientists are provided fully-heated rooms with an office desk, cabinets, beds, and a private bathroom. In the summer, most have to share with a roommate.
  
  
  Control Room - Electronic equipment, switchboards, and circuitry all run through this room full of wires. The systems engineer keeps a watchful eye on different readings from the view of his/her laptop.
  
  
  Satellite Dish - A large dish sits a few hundred yards outside the base. It provides all essential communication with the outside world.
  
  
  
  
  
  (A list of jobs that characters have. This is by no means a complete list! Please feel free to create other designations within reason).
  
  
  Station Manager: *This role is important to game progression. You must remain active. In the event that you cannot continue, please notify the GM* - As the defacto head of Outpost Aurora, you are in charge of all operations. Like the saying goes, "Heavy is the head that wears the crown". Don't be surprised when people start blaming you for the mess..
  
  
  
  
  Special items:
  
  
  Satellite phone capable of long-range verbal communication. It operates separately from the base's satellite dish, and comes with its own antenna.
  
  
  A set of keys to nearly all areas, including the gun cage. He/she is the only one authorized to distribute weapons.
  
  
  Note: You are not the "Master of the Universe", nor are you a grizzled special forces badass. And should you choose to accept this role, you are expected to have a good head about you. A large corporation isn't going to contract a psycho to run a $50 million installation. You have been forewarned.
  
  
  Helicopter Pilot/Rescue Team Leader (RTL) - The station is in isolation, and you're one of the few people who know how to operate aircraft. You are in charge of rescue efforts along with the station manager.
  
  
  
  
  Special items:
  
  
  Emergency kit which includes: first aid supplies and a flare gun.
  
  
  Bell 412 twin engine utility helicopter.
  
  
  Researcher (Unlimited) - Scientists are the backbone of the station; they're the whole reason everyone is out in the "White Room" (nickname for the arctic). You have one or several P.h.d's and may be the foremost authority on a particular field of study.
  
  
  
  
  Fields of study
  
  (There are many sub categories. These are just a few of the big ones):
  
  
  Biology
  
  
  Geology
  
  
  Astronomy
  
  
  Ecology
  
  
  Meteorology
  
  
  
  
  Note: Think about what your character is passionate about and why he/she is conducting research in the Arctic Circle. A physics professor isn't exactly going to be useful or relevant out there.
  
  
  Physician - You have an M.D. in a branch of medicine and may have a specialty within certain fields. It's your job to patch up the crew when they are injured and possibly save lives.
  
  
  
  
  Special items:
  
  
  
  Operating room with surgical instruments.
  
  
  A chemistry set, an operating table, IV lines, heart rate monitor, etc.
  
  
  Note: You may want to do some research on your character's specialization, as there are many different areas.
  
  
  
  
  Dog Handler/Musher - As the title suggests, you're responsible for maintaining the station kennel. You probably have a better relationship with these creatures than anyone else on the station (If for no other reason than a reliable food source).
  
  
  
  
  Special items:
  
  
  Dog food and grooming supplies.
  
  
  2-man sleigh with a backboard for mushing supplies and the wounded.
  
  
  
  
  Cook - The kitchen is your domain, your "oyster". Your job is simple: to make sure the station gets fed and manage all provisions.
  
  
  Mechanic (2) - These guys are responsible for maintaining the vehicles and general base repairs.
  
  
  
  Special items:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Bending machine that shapes pipes to specification.
  
  
  Various other mechanical tools and equipment.
  
  
  
  Systems Engineer/Technician - Anything electronic falls under your purview: communications, lighting, ventilation, the power grid, and other essentials. You also supervise station repairs.
  
  Special items:
  
  
  A toolbox which includes: cable cutters, a voltage tester, wrenches, etc.
  
  
  Environmental settings/utilities accessed via the control room.
  
  
  Changeling - YOU EAT AND KILL STUFF. Your whole existence is based on infecting living organisms and replicating cells. For obvious reasons, I will not be accepting applications for this role. Changelings are invitation only upon recognition of your RP abilities.
  
  
  
  
  
  *This is pretty important, so you might not want to skip*
  
  
  Changeling - An extraterrestrial life form classified as a rapidly mutating intracellular parasite. It has the innate ability to replicate the identity of any organism it consumes (The process of which cannot be entirely explained by modern science). A host's memories and other genetic data are completely absorbed. It can, therefore, think AND act like the person or animal they imitate. As a changeling continues to assimilate organisms, it will become larger and may split into more creatures. This should be thought of as mitosis or the replication of cells. While the monsters operate independently from each other, they are still parts of a whole. These monsters are actually just one alien broken down into pieces.
  
  
  Difference Between Infection and Assimilation -
  
  
  If you should be unfortunate enough to come into physical contact with a changeling, there are two ways it can enter your body: fluid transfer and ingestion. Contact with an open wound, swallowing or injecting substances contaminated with the changeling will cause infection. Infection means that the parasite is currently in your body, working its way into the bloodstream and vital organs. Listen up, because the next phase is critical. You have maybe a six (6) hour window before assimilation is complete. Deep cuts, lacerations, and gore speed up the process dramatically.
  
  
  Assimilation process: The initial symptoms of the infection are unnoticeable for several hours. Gradually, the subject will experience hunger and fatigue. Their body will become dehydrated, requiring plenty of nourishment. This is the parasite leeching off nutrients before the inevitable takeover.
  
  
  An infected human still has control of their mental faculties for around four hours before he/she experiences headaches. By this point, the parasite has entered the central nervous system. It won't be long before the host loses all motor function and is rendered comatose. The coma is the last stage before assimilation, whereby the majority of the subject's vital organs have been compromised. The changeling will then initiate a hostile takeover of the host's cells (a phenomenon opposite of most parasites).

 

[LadyMatsudai]

It was really happening...here she was in the middle of a winter wonderland, far away from any towering skyscraper, angry cabbie, or the horrible white noise of cell phones, people yelling, and static. It was...quiet. But a peaceful quiet. The kind of quiet where the only things you heard were the sound of your own breathing and the rush of the arctic winds racing past the metal casing on land that was just part of the entire Aurora Outpost. While she still could not see much outside, Dr. Margaret Hawthorn still smiled to the rush of air hitting the sides of the metal outpost, her attention returning to the plate of steak she was cooking up for herself and whoever else wanted some. Hands reached up for the spices in the cabinet, some blonde hair falling in front of her jade eyes as she hummed softly. Her athletic frame remained a little hunched over the stove, turning her attention from the meat to the frozen peas slowly simmering in the pan to the right of the steak, stirring the contents carefully.


"Stars shining bright above you...nightly breezes seem to whisper I love you...birds singing in the sycamore tree..." started Margaret, pausing as a hint of a smile curled on her lips to the old tune. "Dream a little dream of me...Say nighty night...and kiss me...just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me...while I'm alone as blue as can be...dream a little dream of me..." The doctor swayed a little side to side while she kept the tune, unaware of anyone else who may be nearby.

 

[TheMadIceCreamMan]

John T. Colen

Location: Living Quarters

Even with the protection of the metal walls that blocked the sub-zero blazing winds and the heater in his room John still felt eerily cold. He was at his room's office desk encapsulated in the blanket from the bed. He was busily reading some of his notes occasionally poking his hands out of the safety of the blanket to flip the pages. With each breath he took he shuddered a bit and found himself wasting enough tissues on his nose to fill his trash bin. He flipped another page, "Fully-heated they said I guess it wasn't a promise." he said in a disgruntled fashion. In reality he didn't properly adjust the temperature creating his own issue. He was looking through his notes of sketches he made on the microorganisms he had observed. Most of the samples in question originating from frozen ice samples. He was stunned that some of these species seemed to jump back to life when a certain temperature was sustained in their environment. Mostly algae and few diatoms seemed to exhibit this. He gently closed his leather-note book and gave it an appreciative pat.


He looked around the room which was more clean and kept then most places he had lived in. "Well it is nice to have a such a lovely room to call my own for a bit." he thought to himself. With that a violent sneeze erupted from his nose leaving liquid mucus leaking down his nose. He quickly grabbed a bundle of tissues and cleaned up his face. He got up and looked at the electronic thermostat. "You blasted thing!" he bellowed. He attempted to push the button to increase the temperature and found to his surprise it did. He paused for a moment in shock and started rapidly beating in the button with his finger. He was bearing his teeth "Are you kidding me!" he screamed and he punched the machine in anger. He winced back since punching metallic objects is never a good idea. His hands were already cold so the pain he felt was more intense then it should have been. He took a deep breath and headed to his bed to lay down. He flopped down against the mattress but didn't look very well and hit his head against the the bed post. Perhaps he could have stopped this with his arms but they were struggling with the blanket he was wrapped in. He simply whimpered at his event loudly.

 

[Detective Rascal]

Sonja rubbed her knuckles against the palm over her warm hands as she packed in more drilling samples into the large freezer used in the Laboratory building, her gloves causing a little friction against each other to make her hands feel a little less dumb, though it was probably the action of moving her hands differently that pumped warmer blood into them.


She had gone out with the mining crew earlier that day, mainly so they had a geologist on site to go over samples just as they were taken out of the icy ground, and the actual ice. Though Sonja mainly went out with the mining crew that day to relive the days when she was back home, admittedly it was much Warmer in the middle of the Australian Dessert than in the middle of an icy tundra, but Arctic mining wasn't too far from when she used to collect rock samples for her previous job.


The samples were already labelled with the date, time of mining, and the exact coordinates of where it was pulled from, which were all in Sonja's scribble. A chart was next to the freezer door that held the info in a neater scrawl, hanging from a piece of string, and after Sonja had packed all the samples into the freezer she added the newer information into the chart.


Sonja could have pulled out a core to start working on, since most of the other scientists working at the outpost used the cores to pull their own research from, finding frozen micro-organisms or fossils or going through the chemical composites of the ice in the cores. Mainly that was Sonja's job, going through whatever earth like material to find what exactly it is, and how much of whatever it is is involved, but being geologist on-site for drilling operations was also in her job description.


Though instead of doing that, Sonja headed out to go to her room. She'd done her quota for the day, and a warmed room with her laptop was a pretty perfect pass time.


With gloves on, she moved her snow goggles back down over her eyes, and shuffled her way out of the laboratory doors and outside to move to her living quarters.

 

[Jabroni]

ArthurAurora Station: Auto Garage
​

The hydro-blaster pumped a steady stream against what appeared to be rust. Rust was a common element in this oppressive landscape, which led to gaping holes in the bodywork or the axles locking up. And yet even with this looming symbol of decay, Arthur was content. He took comfort in the splashing water. Much like a cool rain on a cloudy day, its behavior was predictable. Certain.


He took a step back and turned the valve. The nozzle began to lose pressure until it merely dripped. Trading the hydro-blaster for a piece of fiberglass, he aimed to measure the fitting -- except he couldn't find the tape measure. Arthur prodded the top of the oil drums where a small gathering of tools laid. It wasn't there.


The quiet mechanic turned around as he rubbed a wet hand against his jumpsuit. He heaved a sigh, breaking the silence. It must be in the White Room, he thought to himself.


The crew often joked about such a place. Whenever someone asked where they could find XYZ, the response was always the same. It encompassed everything in the polar region. He eventually gave up thinking about. It can wait till later.


Instead he decided to fulfill another need. That need was hunger. He could feel the growling in his stomach as he entered the long corridor. The base had different meals for certain days like "Taco Tuesday" and "Filet Friday". Although truth be told, their taco shells were as brittle as the melting icecaps, and their "filet"...Well, let's just say there was a question about what animal it came from.


Arthur was always last in line and last to leave. He didn't like crowds, and he certainly had little in common with these save the planet types. Walking into the cafeteria, he anticipated the dead silence he was often accustomed to at this hour. On the contrary, something of a sweet melody or lullaby could be heard from the kitchen. What on earth is that? He went in for a closer look. It was a woman in her late twenties with long, blonde hair. Dr. Hawthorn?


Arthur stood there like a clownish mope. He deducted she was doing something weird -- if he could even say that about anyone but himself. Maybe he just didn't expect this behavior from an egghead scientist? Still, he was in a trance and ended up just staring at her creepily. His own awkwardness clearly outranked whatever was going on in here.


@LadyMatsudai

 

[LadyMatsudai]

Still singing to herself, Margaret sighed to the first steak being done, grabbing a clean plate to adorn the ceramic with a juicy steak and glistening peas, a dollop of mashed potatoes she had already made just beside them. She turned to set the plate on the table behind her, jade eyes glancing up only to be followed by a smile. She had only met Arthur very briefly when the team was introduced to one another just a few days prior to this moment. In the efforts they could speak a little more, Margaret held up the plate encouragingly.


"While it is the ungodly hour it is, I was feeling hungry," she confessed, setting the plate down in front of one of the empty seats of the island in the middle of the kitchen. "I was planning on making extra just in case anyone was in the same boat as I was. Did you want to try some? I could make a couple of other quick things too if you wanted something else," she offered, turning back to the stove to work on another piece of meat.


@Jabroni

 

[KillGill]

William

​

William laid himself back in the cushioned chair that rested on the left wall of the Living Quarters. His face, buried deep in his John W. Campbell novel. John's cries of anger and dissatisfaction trailed outside of William's range of concentration. "If your so cold then why the hell don't you try stepping into the freezer, then stepping outside of it. You'll feel warmer then you were inside the freezer." William's highbrow sense of humor may of been what he needed, but definitely not what the rest needed


He wrapped himself deeper in the thick blanket he'd found in the supply closet. As William flipped through the final pages of The Moon Is Hell he couldn't help but giggle like a sixth grader at the cheesy atmosphere and cardboard characters the book contained. William tossed the book gently onto the coffee table next to him before heading off towards the Kitchen.


He sent Margaret and Arthur friendly waves before digging through the fridge like a bear. William shifted through the fridge's contents, searching for something to snack on. A full meal didn't seem quite pleasing at the moment for him. William quickly spun around and gave Arthur a puzzled look. "Is there any more trail mix?" William's weak appetite bothered him greatly. A term most people would call 'Hangry'.


Quickly, he remembered the stash he held under his pillow. "Scratch that, enjoy the meal". William darted to his room, rushing to get to the pile of trail mix, and chocolate bars he hid from the others. Something to feed his never ending want for snacks.

 

[Jabroni]

Arthur

​

The smell of sizzling beef and vegetables filled the air. Arthur did a double take just to make sure. "Is this real food?" he wanted to say, but he declined to speak out of anxiety. It was a welcome sight nonetheless. He studied her mouth and then the plate. "Did you want to try some?" He would have made a bee line back to the garage, but she was less "official" than he remembered.


Instead he bowed his head and pulled up a stool, staring down at the meal. As he began to dig in, someone else entered the mess area. It was the station manager. He's asking me something? Arthur looked up at William with a stupid expression, his mouth half full. "I uh.." He felt the need to pat himself down, as if to show he had nothing. Before he could string together a coherent sentence, their boss was already on his way again.


While Margaret continued to use the stove, Arthur discretely tasted the mashed potatoes. He then scooped a spoonful and raised it to his shirt pocket. A furry white ball popped out, sniffing the potatoes before nibbling on them. There were three diners after all..


@LadyMatsudai @KillGill

 

[LadyMatsudai]

Watching Arthur slowly remove himself from the doorway to settle down on one of the chairs and begin to eat the food she prepped, Margaret could only smile more to seeing him digging in immediately. She may not be the best cook, but she could do a thing or two to make some delicious meals. "I am glad you like it," she cooed over her shoulder, finishing off the second steak she was preparing before assorting it beside the helpings of peas and mashed potatoes. Resting the second plate on the table, Margaret managed to catch a glimpse of this little white fluffy ball in Arthur's pocket, giggling to see a small mouse eating away at the potatoes with big chubby cheeks and beady little eyes. She also did not miss out on the quick intro and exit of the big boss himself. Maybe leaving out a dish for the man in charge in the fridge would be a good idea, and not just him, but for everyone.


"Looks like you were not the only one who was hungry," teased the doctor, sighing to the relief of being able to have some of the food herself, Margaret began to cut away at the meat and chew on it, staring down at her plate in silence, not wanting to make Arthur uncomfortable while he enjoyed his meal.


@Jabroni @KillGill

 

[TheMadIceCreamMan]

Mitch started to move around again as the the air started to carry a bit of heat. He threw the thick blanket aside and cracked his knuckles. "Highest quality systems what a load." he said angrily shaking his head. He grabbed his leather notebook off the table and was going to head to the lab to see the new samples that the diggers should have brought up by now. He wanted to see how many of the algae species were simple in suspended animation rather then fossilized. He rubbed his chin thinking of shaving but thought he would need to the warmth. At that moment his stomach gave off a growl. He held his hand against his gut. "When was the last time I ate?" he pondered. His stomach grumbled in discontent again. He sighed, "Can't work with an empty belly." he decided.


He started to slowly trot over to the mess hall encumbered with the thoughts of a good meal. He started to imagine the scent of cooked potatoes and and delectable steak. As he entered the mess hall he then knew he wasn't imagining the smell. He looked briefly over to the pair eating their meal in awkward silence. He remembered their faces from the introduction but their names escaped him. Mitch thought to ask them if they had any food but he instead shuffled over to one of the aluminium tables to see if there were some scraps left. His stomach growled at him again in its discontent.

 

[Detective Rascal]

It was freezing as Sonja moved across the the snow, her boots crunching on the crispy stuff as she walked next to the tethered rope leading to one of the buildings. It was dark, as it had been for the past couple of days, and one of the few things that helped Sonja find her way oustide was the tethered rope acting like a pathway, and the light coming from the building ahead of her.


She made it to the door, having trouble opening it since it was sealed at the bottom to help stop the cold coming in, nearly having to bust in with her shoulder in order for it to open, but as soon as she got inside she quickly shut it so that the cold from the outside wouldn't get in.


Sonja turned around from the door, and found herself in the canteen, or the mess hall, or whatever the place was called.


There were people sitting at one of the tables, looking as though they were eating something, though Sonja couldn't exactly tell with her snow goggles still on and her slightly big and puffy parka getting in the way of her vision. Another person was standing near the entrance to the hallway that lead to the living quarters, and Sonja removed her goggles to actually see who she was looking at.


Goggles in one hand, Sonja gave a small wave to the people in the canteen, as a means of a hello since her lips were freezing from the night air outside.


@TheMadIceCreamMan @LadyMatsudai @Jabroni

 

[Odek Lorehunter]

"Kennel up." Sam said happily as the twelve dogs chaotically made it back to their individual pens. Twelve dogs, panting and tails wagging, looked expectantly to their trainer. Lilly, the oldest and pack leader, sits calmly in the first pen holding her food bowl in her mouth. Moon Moon, the youngest and definitely not the brightest, stood in the last pin with his nose in the corner wagging his tail. Everything was wonderful.


Truth be told, Sam did love his job. He loved the barking brood of dogs always so happy to see him. He loved the people he worked with. He loved the brisk sled rides. As far as jobs went, Dog handler at Aurora Outpost was something he loved to do. The hours though. The one thing he did not enjoy was the months away from his wife.


Laura. Laura was Sam's one true love, his soul mate. If it was not for her, Sam wouldn't be up here in the cold. Having met her in the hot southern summer at the University of Georgia, Sam fell in love with this beautiful and quirky chem major. He often would joke she was the only reason he kept showing up for his veterinary degree. Over four years their relationship blossomed. With their degrees came debt. With the marriage, the debt doubled.


It was for her he was now working six months of the year in The White. He had been away from home four times before. This was his fifth and his last. Here he was four months into his last tour with the Monolith Corporation, and debt free working to save up enough to start his own practice. The price of the money though, here he was, four months away from a wife who was six months pregnant.


His thoughts turned to his wife as he poured the dogs food. From Lilly, accepting hers with grace, all the way to Moon Moon who immediately flipped over his bowl in excitement, Sam thought of the life he would be going home to. He smiled gently as he turned to his new task.


The new task wasn't official Monolith business, but important none the less. Sam had managed to become somewhat of the station bartender in the evenings. Each time he started a six month shift, Sam smuggled in a few cases of decent Irish whisky. Alcohol not being allowed on base because the Monolith company apparently didn't like fun, Sam had taken it upon himself to supply the camp. Most evenings, More than a few of the employees would find their way to the kennel for a glass of the rationed booze, pleasant conversation, and to make fun of bad sci-fi movies.


Sam started setting up his laptop along with the projector he "borrowed" from the conference lab. The movie he picked for tonight was the classic John Carpenter's "The Thing". He laid out the clean specimen cups he had allocated as shot glasses. A glance at his watch told him it was about time for people to start straggling in. He sat down in his chair and watched the dogs eat.

 

[LadyMatsudai]

In the midst of her second bite of her steak, Margaret glanced up to see two more members of the crew arriving in the mess hall. Quickly feeling inclined to cook for them, Margaret wiped her mouth quickly in the midst of chewing, standing up from her chair. "Please...have a seat you two. I can cook up a couple more steaks quickly," she encouraged, gesturing to the table before washing her hands to prepare another batch of meat and veggies.


"How is the steak, Arthur? Do I need to add any more spices or have it cook for a little longer?" she inquired to her dinner buddy, setting down the run for both and laid them carefully in the pan. "How well do you two like your steaks too?"


@Detective Rascal @TheMadIceCreamMan @Jabroni

 

[Detective Rascal]

Sonja rubbed her lips with one of her gloved hands in order to warm them up, so she could respond to the other woman in the room currently offering her food, since hand signals probably weren't going to work now.


"I'll skip the steak, I haven't had my meds in a while and I don't want to risk anything. But I'll eat some veggies, what's on the menu?"


Sonja smiled, she could probably eat something before she went to her quarters, maybe even hang out with the other members of the outpost currently in the canteen while she ate. It wasn't like Sonja really got the chance to hang out with everyone, since she was either busy with drilling or in the lab, or was hiding in her room with her laptop.


@LadyMatsudai

 

[Tom-Pen]

Gavin laid on his back in bed, the heater in his room cranked up, writing in his notebook. He wrote ideas for the title of a book he hoped to write one day, it would be a sort of memoir of his entire life. His hand stopped its writing and he put the notebook down, his eyes closed and he rested for a moment. He was tired, days here in the arctic were long, and regular sleeping hours didn't really exist. He slept when he could, when he chose to, but then he worked when he chose to, and when he needed to. It was always night and it felt like that. Day never came, he could tell. Waking up in the "morning" felt like waking up in the middle of the night. Upon giving it some thought, he found that - to him - it was actually kind of funny; it was always night time, the time people normally sleep most, but because it was always night time he could hardly sleep at all. His thinking did not stop there, but continued on for a long while...


After an hour, having laid in silent thought all the while, Gavin got up; he tossed his notebook onto the desk next to his bed. His hands brushed back through his hair and he took in a few deep heavy breaths. His thoughts had begun to turn away from easy light-hearted ideas to all too real facts, facts about himself. It was this sort of thinking that he tried to avoid, and he wasn't alone, a lot of people tried to avoid it. That sort of thinking starts to answer the questions about yourself that you typically prefer not to even ask, the sort that you sometimes already know the answer to but would rather not remember. Enough thinking... he thought at last.


He didn't know what time it was, so when he exited his room he tried to be quiet, not wanting to disturb anyone that might be sleeping. He made his way to the kitchen, to his surprise half the station was there, eating and cooking away. After grabbing an apple from a bowl, and nodding and smiling to the crew member, he sat down with them.


"Scientists eat? I thought they just worked and.." he paused for dramatic effect, "Photosynthesized," he finished jokingly, addressing the lot of them, knowing perfectly well that they were not all "scientists" really. In his mind, however, they were all similar to being one, having degrees or skills in mechanical fields. He had neither, and at times felt a little like the odd man out because of it. He laughed at his own joke, not loudly, but enjoyably in a friendly manner, then took a bite of his apple.

 

[TheMadIceCreamMan]

He noticed that the mess hall had started to fill in with people to his dismay. He heard the woman's offer for some cooked food to eat. He was considering it as he walked up the aluminium table. The only occupants of the aluminium table were some fruits and a left over grease. Disgruntled he grabbed an apple and headed over the table with that growing group of people. More familiar but nameless faces to Mitch.


He sat down between Author and Gavin. Rather then make small talk he nervously pulled out his leather notebook. He start to flip through its pages to occupy time as he occasionally bit into his apple. He didn't enjoy talking within groups as he always felt he gets snuffed out of conversations. He started to feel more at ease among the pages of his book not checking to see if anyone was eyeing its contents as well.

 

[Jabroni]

Arthur

​

Peeps retreated into Arthur's pocket as the room got bigger. Apparently the midnight moon appealed to everyone's appetites. Now if only he felt the same. By the time Margaret asked Arthur about the meal, he had already stopped eating. "It was - good..." he replied, shoving his hands in the jumpsuit's pockets and shriveling up like a noodle. Almost all the mashed potatoes remained along with half the steak. Two "coworkers" sat beside him; Monolith had a PR policy that made Arthur want to puke. Still, no matter how little their fields intertwined, they were all stuck here. Together.


It would be bad form to bow out just yet. He felt his bladder turn to water as the stress crept in. A few minutes longer. He found himself looking around nervously, spotting a familiar face. It was Gavin Sayer. "Scientists eat? I thought they just worked and...photosynthesized." This forced a soft chuckle from Arthur, which was not an easy feat. He looked up to Gavin like he did his father. They both served in the military..sort of. Perhaps the witty helicopter pilot had a few war stories of his own.


@LadyMatsudai @Francis Stickmin

 

[haydenly16]

Cody's dark grey eyes scanned over her things. She just wanted to be done unpacking and move on with her life. She pulled multiple things out of a box and laid them next to it. Trying to decide where these things were going to go, she crossed her arms across her chest. She pulled absentmindedly at the stomach of her "Have Mercy" sweatshirt, a annoying habit she had picked up when she was younger and bigger. She sighed, closing the box that she had just finished unpacking and shaking her head. She blew her bangs from her eyes and glanced around the room, deciding to finish it later.


Cody was tired. She was cold. And she was hungry. It being very close to midnight. No one would be awake. Except maybe Sam in the kennel. She could use a drink. That would be wonderful. She raised her eyebrows at the thought of some good whiskey. "I'll stop by the mess hall first. Then head to the kennel." Cody decided, speaking outloud to herself when she should have said it in her head. She had picked up the nasty habit of talking to herself at her last job. She had had a lab to herself and everything made more sense to her if it was said outloud so that was always something she did. She grimaced, shaking her head. "Stop talking to yourself." she chided herself and then shook her head, her long naturally wavy hair falling over her shoulders. She pulled a thicker jacket from one of her big bags, threw it over her shoulder, and pulled her khaki baseball cap over her hair. She exited her room and smelled food.





"Dear God. Somebody's cooking." Cody said, entering the mess hall. "Dr. Hawthorne? You cook?" she teased the gorgeous blonde that was only a few years older than herself. "Any chance you'll make me one?" she asked, peeking over her shoulder and inhaling through her nose. "They smell so good." Cody said with a smile. She looked around. Everyone was sitting at one table, most of them had or were waiting on food. "Hey guys." She said with a smile to almost the whole crew. "I thought I was the only one that ate this late." she said with a chuckle. Cody had never been one to be quiet or awkward. She never met a stranger and learned people's names quicker than anyone she'd ever met. She grinned at the group.

 

[Odek Lorehunter]

Sam sat idly biting his nails, a habit used to fill the oral fixation left from the days of his smoking. He was mildly puzzled the usual suspects hadn't shown up yet, but not surprised. This was the onset of the polar night after all. Most of the base wasn't used to a full week without daylight wreaking havoc on their schedules. This long night was something of an enjoyment for Sam though. Ever the eternal night owl, Sam found he thrived during this period of darkness.


While the scientist of the group would still be locked away in their labs tinkering, The dogs and he got the week off. While most of the base would still be hard at work with repairs or cooking, a good number of the crew had little to do. Gavin Sayer, the chopper pilot and poster boy for the united states coast guard, would soon be along with wonderfully exaggerated stories of pulling people from the waters, something Sam never got tired of hearing. In general, Gavin was a friendly guy who was a delight to have for drinks. And if Gavin walked through the door, Cody was sure to follow.


Cody, or Code as Sam had come to know her, was a marvelous addition to the nightly drinkers. She was one of the more quirky science types Monolith had brought aboard. She had seemed a bit guarded and abrasive when she first showed up, always writing in her notebook and snapping sarcastically, but over time Sam had been one of the few to crack her shell. She seemed a bit unwilling to open up at first, but, through the magic of contraband booze and puppies, Sam had won her over. It gave him a someone to talk to, and the fact that her voice reminded him of home only served to sweeten the deal.


In the dimness of the kennel a faint growl broke Sam's silence. Stirred from his revel, he glanced over the dogs. All of them were sleeping, coiled nose to tail. Moon moon slept on his back, bent at an angle that did not look possible much less comfortable. All the dogs slept except for Lilly.


It was a slow growl. A low growl that seemed more mechanical than biological as it slowly passed through Lilly's barred fangs. She stood slowly, ears flat against her head. Her tail drooped away from her body at a relaxed slant. Her head lowered inline with her body. As her hackles raised, so did the volume of her growls. Lilly looked every bit as menacing as her wolf ancestors. Her eyes betrayed no glimpse of fear. Only hatred and malice burned in them as she stared though doorway across from her kennel and into the darkness beyond.


"What is it girl?" Sam asked, rising slowly from his seat. He glanced over the other eleven dogs, surprised to them still asleep. Sam had never seen Lilly angry or even upset. Sure she had nipped another dog who was getting too rambunctious, especially Moon moon, but this was something else. It's not that Sam was prone to fear or superstition, but the supernatural was a lot easier to believe in in a darkened room, on an isolated arctic base in the middle of a polar night.


More growls, punctuated by rasps of inhales, were Lilly's only response. The alpha didn't so much as glance in Sam's direction. She held her ground, not giving up a blink, not shifting her weight. She just continued to send her lethal threats through the ominous door.


"It's okay, girl!" Sam whispered as he felt the first pricks of doubt press against the back of his neck, "There's nothing...."


He stopped. Apprehension was quickly replaced with dread. The room that stood before him was only a supply closet. A room no bigger than twenty feet long by fifteen feet used to store dog food and his vet supplies. Sam looked through it's only entrance, not daring to approach it.


He understood. It was the thing that had stopped him mid-sentence. It was the thing that had risen Lilly to her new found aggression. It was something so terrifying, and yet it didn't even register at first. Something Sam was so used to hearing, it didn't even seem out of place. Until now. Sam could hear it. Even over the Lilly's growls, Sam could hear it. Echoing gently through the dark door, low and rhythmic, came a dog's whine.


Sam broke his gaze from the doorway long enough to count the dogs. All twelve kenneled. On shaky knees, he made his way the short distance to his desk. He returned to Lilly's side, flashlight in hand. With a deep breath, he flicked on the light and stepped into the room.

 

[Jasminum]

Kordana woke up from her bunk. She hadn't really talked to any of the group lately. She arrived later than the others and hadn't had a chance to acquaint herself with them yet. She unpacked her luggage and got dressed. She looked around and saw that she was alone. She sighed and walked towards the mess hall. She hadn't eaten in a few hours and she was a bit peckish. She was really tired and walked sort of sluggishly. She thought she heard a scratching noise but she assumed it was just the weather outside and ignored it. She walked passed the kennel and thought of her dog back home. She arrived in the cafeteria and ignored everyone else who was near her. She just wanted to get her food and leave. It's not that she didn't like them, she was just exhausted.

 

[Jabroni]

(This is long overdue. Let's get things back on track!)


As the night grew colder, the easterly winds swept up in a violent flurry. Snow and debris smacked against the walls of the base. Like the beginning of a siege, it meant a whiteout was coming. Most everyone would hear the clacks and clanks...perhaps except for poor Sam Hoffman, the dog handler. The kennel drew a separate echo..the sound of an unwelcome guest. Sam, who bravely sought to investigate this strange noise, entered the storage closet from which it originated.


With use of a flashlight, he was able to decipher the contents of the dark room. The usual assortment lined the floor and shelves bordering the area: sacks of whole grain dog food, cardboard boxes filled with miscellaneous veterinarian supplies, and a small tranquilizer gun which had collected a considerable amount of dust. There was no one in here. Not even a canine as Sam was led to believe. But there was something..something not quite right about the room. The air reeked of a pungent odor that could only be described as a cross between sulfur and fish. The smell strengthened toward the back where a wetness caked itself behind one of the boxes. It had the consistency of a thin slime. What the hell was it?





@Kordxna @Detective Rascal @TheMadIceCreamMan