S11: A Call for Help?

29 Nov: “Dr. Cope!” Oskar and Wilbur were elated to see Robert step off the last plane along with the rest of the Lexington team. “Man, do we have a lot to fill you in on. But first, I think we could use your Paleontology skills to examine our specimen find. Lake’s radio broadcast and Dyer’s notes don’t do it justice. Steel yourself for what you are about to see.” After suiting up to enter the examination tent per Dr. Orendorf’s biohazard concerns, the southern scientist readied himself. [Sanity-extreme, Biology-extreme] His cigar continued a steady trail of rising smoke, “Beyond fascinating. Too advanced for the timeframe of the Comanchian or Archaean stratum in which it was discovered. At least a thousand-million years old.”

Dr. Cope continued his analysis, “These tentacles end in rows of teeth. Reminds me of an octopus and the hook-shaped teeth on the suckers along its tentacles. These tentacles are stronger than a man’s arm. And look at its 5-lobed brain…highly intelligent. How in the hell could Dyer define these as kelp-like?! Definitely NOT a plant! Now consider its pristine condition, as if in a state of sleep so well preserved. I’m a firm believer in the theory of a single earth landmass called Pangea. Plate tectonics caused the supercontinent to break apart. Meaning, this dead specimen would have been slowly transported across various temperate zones. NOT frozen for millennia. How is it possible it has survived in such excellent condition? Without bone structure, we should only be finding it as fossilized imprints.”

Meanwhile, Oskar and Wilbur did their own Chemical and Medical research to finally determine there was no biological threat. By that time Robert’s interest had spiked, “We need to exhume another hummock to compare specimen.” But Wilbur pointed out, “The Miskatonic report said only 2 specimens out of the 14 were recovered after the storm. And we’ve already unearthed both.” And that’s when Robert reasoned, “We’ve already established Dyer lied about the specimen as kelp. What other lies are to be revealed?” Which prompted Oskar to add reason, “It’s been a long day. We are already strained both physically and mentally. I suggest a good long sleep. Pick it up tomorrow.”

But Wilbur couldn’t sleep. Sitting in his tent with the lantern, he reviewed his notes from the ’31 expedition records:

• ·     Jan23rd drilled into limestone cave near camp. Blasted wide enough to enter. Treasure trove of fossils at least 30 million years ago. Triangular stipple-prints of species over one-thousand-million yrs ago. Found barrel-shaped fossil preserved by mineral salts yet still flexible. 6ft, membranous wings. Found 13 more (with soapstone star carvings) 40ft inside the entrance.
• ·         Jan24th: all 14 specimens brought by sled to main camp and laid out in snow. Lake tried to dissect one but skin too tough, so worked on one already damaged: weird/complex sensory organs. Strong winds…HUGE STORM. Radio silent.
• ·         Jan25th: Dyer rescue party found all dead, grievously torn and mangled. Gedney’s body missing. Dogs also dead. Only found 2 ‘elder ones’ (the dissected ones).
• ·         Jan26th: Dyer+Danforth flew into higher peak range, struggling to cross 24K ft pass that opened unto 20K ft super-plateau. Grotesque rock formations protruded thru snow. Noted ground crews could navigate the pass but the rarefied air the biggest problem. Similar to climbing Everest or Himalayas. Returned to camp to bury the bodies, gather notes and books, for return home.

30 Nov: Everyone woke bleary-eyed hoping breakfast would revive them. Powdered eggs, weak coffee (thinned to stretch supplies), and pemmican hash…oh my. At least Professor Moore’s morning announcement woke everyone, “Acacia flew off on her own exploration this morning. And Starkweather is still out on his 'Manly' adventure. Meanwhile, late yesterday, we broke thru the frozen cap at the drill site and widened it enough to enter. We’ll need a ladder and carabiners for the descent. Dr. Cope, if you’ll accompany me. Wilbur and Oskar, if you’ll continue excavation at the Lake camp.”

Jimmy Clark (photographer) and Avery Giles (student Archaeologist) joined Wilbur excavating specimen mound#3, while Lopez and Priestly joined Oskar uncovering tent#6. Both teams labored for hours with appropriate breaks.

Tent#6: More heavy snow but this tent didn’t spring up…the guy-lines had broken. Except Lopez noticed the fine edge of the rope, “This has been cut. And look at this interior tent pole: cut clean in half. Neither lines nor pole broken.” Which meant more digging for explanations. Till they staggered at the smell. Oskar immediately recognized the reek of the unearthed specimen. Did they find Lake’s lab? But as they uncovered more, the sight of 2 cots and torn clothing proved otherwise. Sleeping quarters. Stained with varying shades of red…oxidized red…blood! Most disturbing … both human and specimen blood! And that’s when he saw mixed blood across the floor, cots, and inside of the tent canvas. [Sanity failure] Oskar dropped his magnifying glass when he realized the spray pattern of an arterial splatter: the specimen MUST have been alive and fought the tent occupants! Both cut and spraying blood. “WILBUR!!!”

Wilbur dropped his shovel and rushed to the tent where he found Oskar sitting on a cot trying to compose himself as he explained his discovery. Wilbur tried to reason, “You’re still stressed from yesterday. There’s no way those things could be alive. No, no, it was Gedney. Remember the stories of him an axe murderer. HE cut the lines and sliced thru the pole. Whomever was inside held a dissected piece of the specimen. They fought over it and thus slung specimen blood everywhere. Till Gedney axed his opponent.” And that’s when Oskar saw the wallet on the floor. Oh God, so familiar to the one he gave dad decades ago as a kid. His hands trembled as he picked it up only to find his dad’s IDs and a folded family picture. [Sanity 94 failure] “No! Dear God, NOOOO!”

Wilbur led him outside as they sought rest and recovery inside the comfort tent. Almost 30 minutes to compose himself. In which time Lopez reported discovery of a hat inside the tent with the name ‘Daniels’ inside the brim.

Drill site: Meanwhile, Robert Cope accompanied Moore and most of the other scientists for the chance to enter the fabled cave of Lake’s lore. Drill scaffolding had been removed to provide access to the 5x5 ft opening. A rope ladder for the 12ft descent opening to a natural river tunnel about 7ft tall. Equipment from the ’31 expedition littered the muddy floor. Mud. Surprise that the temperature was well above freezing down there. Willard Griffith setup torch lamps to reveal the entire cavern. He and the other geologists studied the exposed sandstone and limestone strata rich with fossilized marine creatures. Someone found an old notebook documenting various fossil finds and the strata from which they came. Robert focused on a tray containing 3 unknown fossils.

Robert shined his light on the wall and realized more new fossils awaited. “A treasure trove waiting to be named and cataloged!” He pulled out chalk and began circling the unfamiliar fossils imbedded in the walls. More scientists marveled at what awaited them, “It will take decades to investigate.” Dr. Cope added, “Think of the paperwork alone. If only Professor Moore would let us explore further into the cave.” And that’s when he noticed, just 15ft further in, the tall oval imprints, “THAT’s where they must have discovered the specimen!” His light reflected off of an unusual shape. A shell? With a little digging, he popped out a smooth 5-pointed starshaped stone that fit in the palm of his hand. Definitely not natural like a sand-dollar star. This looked carved, crafted, handmade. And warm to the touch! “Hey, Professor Moore. Come take a look at this.”

Moore turned in over inspecting all sides, “Definitely crafted. This shouldn’t be here. Doesn’t belong in the timeframe, too soon before man’s appearance on earth.” When he handed it back to Dr. Cope, Robert realized it was even warmer to the touch. And when Porter and Griffith approached, even warmer. Realizing more discoveries awaited, Robert pocketed the stone, “I’ll note its find but keep it for now as a good-luck charm.”

Specimen cairn#3: By the time Wilbur returned to the 3^rd cairn, Clark and Giles had already removed the layer of snow and ice. Revealing another 5-pointed starshaped cairn. But this one topped with a smooth green soapstone disk about 4-inch diameter. Polished, one inch thick, with a stippled dot pattern across its surface. Wilbur carefully wrapped it before they removed the rocks to reveal another specimen. In excellent shape. “Should have known Dyer lied about only finding 2 specimen. Why the secrecy? And why cap the cairn with the soapstone disk? Is something Occultist going on?”

Cairn#5: Wilbur directed his team to the 5^th hummock. Where it dawned on him: the 3^rd and 5^th cairns were taller and seemed more deliberate in construct. Another green soapstone disk. This specimen damaged. Something nagged Wilbur about the shaft. So, he returned to the first specimen shaft that was now empty. And studied it. Soon realization: the Lake team cairn was excavated with dynamite. Scarring on the piled rocks as evidence. These specimen holes are perfect shafts. Drilled. Larger diameter than the drills available. Perfectly smooth sides. Who could have done this? WHAT could have done this?! He returned to his team, “Cover the sites with canvas. No need to lift the specimen out yet.” Silently he thought, “God help us if Oskar’s theory of them being alive. Hell yes, keep them in their hole. Hopefully, they can’t get out!”

Wilbur found Oskar in the comfort tent along with his team. “We need to talk.” Oskar could hear the trauma in Wilbur’s voice, “Lopez, why don’t you and Priestly get some coffee and snacks from the main camp.” Alone, peeking out of the tent to confirm, Wilbur confessed, “I’m losing it doc. Two more specimen. Then realization something other than man created their cairns. The shafts too perfectly round. I’m beginning to reconsider your theory about what happened to your father.” And that’s when Robert entered the tent, “What about his father?” Which is why Robert was led to the tent, “Make your own examination and conclusion before I tell my theory.”

After listening to the arterial splatter description, Robert suggested, “All the more reason to exhume Lake’s cairn to autopsy the team members. Determine just what happened.” Robert continued, “Bear with me as I’ve an experiment to perform. First, tell me what you think of this starshaped stone I found. Trust me, that’s not body warmth.” Wilbur offered, “Could it be radioactive?” Robert answered, “The geologists confirmed no. Now follow me to the main camp dining hall.” Where, the closer they got to more people, the warmer the stone became. “What the hell?!”

By now, Moore and the other scientists returned from the cave. Consulting him about exhuming Lake’s cairn, Moore declined, “I’d prefer to delay exposing them so soon to the elements. Where would we store them? It would make more since that be a last-minute ceremony before we depart at the conclusion of the expedition.” Thus, Dr. Cope excused himself to his tent to compile his notes from the cave exploration.

Tent#7: Dejected, Oskar turned his attention to the last tent beside his father’s. Hoping for more startling discoveries that would get his mind off of his father. But this tent showed little damage or disturbance. The cots and clothing and gear neatly placed. Evidence the owners (supposedly the last 2 members, Boudreau and Watkins) were absent during the storm.

Most southern hummock: Wilbur’s team excavated the hummock southeast of cairn#1. Which proved to be another tent. The roof collapsed. And stuck to the floor and the cot bulge in the center. Wilbur delicately played the blowtorch across the canvas hoping to melt the ice holding it down. Finally, able to pull it free. To reveal carnage inside! Dark red icicles hung from the sides of a dissecting table covered in frozen blood. Used matches scattered everywhere. And there, at the head of the table, a medical book opened to pages referencing human anatomy. Time stood still as Wilbur visualized the scene: the now familiar pattern of arterial splatter…human blood...the human subject alive while being dissected!!! “OSKAR. ROBERT. Come quick!”

Wilbur was already standing outside the tent boundary, “Oh my God. You dissect us, we dissect you.” Oskar stopped to examine his new patient, “What are you babbling about?” Meanwhile, Robert entered the tent. And took in the scene. And saw the triangular foot pad imprints in the frozen bloody floor. Crisscrossed with booted prints over the top of some. Dr. Cope exited to explain the obvious, “Dyer entered this tent. He knows damn well one of those specimen was alive and dissected one of the team members during or just after the storm. This is just Fucked Up Shit!”

Now Oskar tried to reason, “Remember the 2^nd specimen without head or feet? Gedney could have faked the scene. Stuck the feet on the end of ski poles and created the hoax to cover his own mayhem.” But Wilbur was now convinced, “The radio! Remember the radio broadcasting the eerie sounding beam? What if one of the specimen awoke, and rigged the radio to call for help from that mountain range?! There’s more of them alive and out there!” Robert slapped Wilbur hard across his face, “Snap out of it man! You’ve our survivalist. Remember, just one crazy man can cause chaos. Dr. Orendorf, can you give him anything, laudanum, to calm him?” And that's when they heard the Bell on approach for landing. Acacia returning from her exploration.

During dinner, Moore couldn’t help but notice the silence from the trio. All of the other scientists abuzz with excitement about the cave find. But silence from these three. He pulled them to the side, “Care to explain yourselves?” To which Oskar fessed up, “I’ve got everything in this report, but I suggest you see for yourself and draw your own conclusions.” So off to his father’s tent then the dissection tent. Moore visibly shaken, his hand trembling, “Why? Why did he lie about this? Why didn’t Dyer at least tell the Miskatonic staff? Someone forewarn us. Change of plans. First thing in the morning, I want you 3 to exhume Lake’s cairn. Examine the bodies. Find out what else that bastard lied about. In the meantime, keep this to yourselves. We’ve another 4 months on the ice and I NEED you sane. Take a break and try to relax.”

The nightly radio broadcast was a lot of scientific jargon about the cave find. Acacia summarizing her side-trip while Starkweather rambled about southern lights. Robert sat in his tent looking thru his notes. Wondering about the ‘elder ones’ in their cairns. Are they just sleeping? Meanwhile, Wilbur cleaned, loaded, and pocketed his pistol before exiting to go play cards… to relax. The laudanum aiding the disappearance of his cash without a care in the world. As for Oskar, the doctor stayed busy tending to the medical needs of the camp. By the time they all gathered in their tent, Moore poked his head in, “I just wired Pabodie asking why they covered this up. Hopefully we’ll get answers soon. As for Miss Lexington, I had to tell her. She’s agreed to cooperate.”

1 Dec, 4am: Robert awoke at the sound of low buzzing noises. He looked at his watch when he realized the sound of approaching planes: 4am? Didn’t sound like their Boeing planes. He looked out then quickly woke the others, “Wake up. Three large tri-motor planes are on approach and they have an iron-cross emblem on their tails. Germans!” By the time the planes taxied to a stop north of the main camp, everyone was outside their tent. Moore and Acacia both approached the lead plane as passengers climbed out. [Moore looked concerned but friendly while Acacia was smiling.]

“Professor Moore I assume. I am Dr. Johann Meyer at your service. From the Barsmeier-Falken Expedition on the Weddell ice shelf. I heard your broadcasts about your discoveries and thought you could use some help in exploiting, I mean exploring the cave. I brought a team of experts. As asked for by Miss Lexington.” Those close enough could hear Willard Griffith’s whispered snarl, “Fascists! Experts…at assassinations. Exploit indeed.” Meanwhile, did anyone else notice Dr. Orendorf absent? Packing food and weapons to hide at the Lake cairn. Just in case. Or did they see Wilbur sneak away to the drilling tent where he collected 4 sticks of dynamite and cord fuse?

Acacia couldn’t suppress her smile as she spoke up, “This IS an international site. And we ARE short on supplies. I happened to remember they in the area and suggested a combined effort.” By now, Oskar had returned and offered his help unloading the planes. Herr Benecke welcomed the offer. Which gave Oskar the chance to notice crates of rifles, and more crates of backpacks with hose attachment that he recognized as flamethrowers. Meanwhile, Dr. Cope silently took it all in as he puffed on his cigar. Chewing on the end maybe a little bit more violently as he watched dog teams unloaded along with radio gear and BIG antenna. Apparently going for a direct broadcast rather than the Starkweather/Moore radio relay setup. 

Next episode: https://rigglebmm.blogspot.com/2020/12/s12-crazy-american.html