S12: Crazy American
1 Dec: Acacia had Professor Moore by the short-hairs, “This IS an international site. I thought we could use their help and supplies.” Some might call it an awkward standoff leaving Moore to politely accept the German Barsmeier-Falken Expedition’s surprise arrival. He accepted the invite of Dr. Meyer and Dr. Uhr to join them in conference. With Miss Lexington, of course. Leaving the trio to ponder their situation. “I’m sure Moore will give us our marching orders. Till then, we should be polite but observant.” Which was Oskar’s intent when he helped unload one of the Junker planes. Wilbur observant and not missing the slip-of-the-tongue “exploit versus explore” comment. And the southern-gentleman Robert taking note of those members who looked to be scientists. Which left a lot of ‘workers’ tasked with unloading the planes.
7am: As predicted, Moore
called upon the trio, “Come, please sit with us and let me introduce Dr. Meyer
and Dr. Uhr. We have worked out an alternate work cycle to tackle the myriad of
tasks at the cave and unearthing Lake’s camp. I’ve offered you as my liaison to
their night-shift to help catch them up on what we’ve already learned.” Oskar
was the first to introduce himself, which drew Meyer’s recognition, “Orendorf?
Ah, my condolences as I realize your father was on the Miskatonic
Expedition with Dr. Lake. Prof Cope, it will be good to have your
expertise on our shift as we did not bring a Paleontologist. And if I may ask, do
you have another cigar? I recognize its Cuban fragrance. Alas, even after the
Great War, Cuba refuses to do business with us.”
Awkward
moments when Dr. Meyer looked at Wilbur who only tipped his hat. Which forced
Moore to speak up, “Professor Sampson is one of our Biologists and assistant
survivalist.” Still no response from Wilbur which left a queer impression on
the Germans who departed. Moore offered his apologies, “I didn’t know what else
to do but accept their help. This IS an international site. So, I ask
for your help in a spirit of cooperation. And I’m sure once I inform Starkweather,
James would echo the same.”
Seeing the distain on Wilbur’s face, Moore continued, “The
Great War is over. They are not our enemy. Dr. Uhr is a well-respected
Anthropologist and their chief scientist. And as scientists, we must overlook
any cultural differences for the good of mankind. Yes, it was concerning when
Meyer’s used the word ‘exploit’ but he was referencing their financial backers’
interest in oil and mineral. Acacia is a shrewd business-woman who probably has
the same oil and mineral interests. And if you didn’t know, our expedition is
also financed by a couple of oil companies. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
Robert looked at Wilbur’s bleeding lip, “Care to explain?”
Wilbur took a deep breathe, “Did your family lose anyone in the Great War? Two
of my uncles fought in the trenches. They were overrun and surrendered with
their hands up waving the white-flag. But those bastard Krauts shot them where
they stood as reported by the few men who escaped. So, don’t ask me to trust
them. Excuse me Oskar as I know you are of German heritage. Your parents
immigrated long before the war and you born an American. But those men are Krauts.”
Robert consoled his partner, “I can understand your
feelings. Keep your suspicions and your eyes open but do your best to see them
as scientists in a spirit-of-cooperation. Now, since we are to join them for the
nightshift, I suggest we get back to sleep.”
7pm: The same meal
counted as supper for the S&M Team coming off work and breakfast for those
to join the German Team. Pemmican on toast. They finished in time to see Moore
enter the radio tent as Acacia departed… not even a hello between them. William
Moore had something more concerning on his mind as the radio crackled till the
radioman tuned it. “Hello, James, come in. Confirm your return tonight. We have
guests.” Guarded words trying to soothe the news. Starkweather replied, “I don’t
like the idea of those ‘Johnny-Come-Lately’ butting into MY grounds. Damn it
Bill, International? Not my camp nor my explored sites! I’m packing now, takeoff
soon.”
Soon, about a dozen Germans approached with Meyer and Uhr
in the lead. Dr. Cope spoke up, “I’m headed to the cave for those who care to
join me.” Johanne Benecke (the Engineer) spoke, “Yes, please. I’ve heard so
much about Pabodie’s drill. I’d like to see it in person. Of course, we have
many fine German drills ourselves. Why, we have…” He droned on about some ‘superior’
gear they had invented. Maxwell Rucker (the Geologist) also fell in line, “I
can’t wait to see the varied strata your radio reports spoke of.” A German
radioman (Heir Kleizer) and a cameraman tag along.
It was a short snowshoe walk to the cave thru the biting
winds and sub-zero windchill that quickly turned their breath to ice on their mustaches
and eyebrows. Imagine their relief when they descended into the cave and its
30ish temperature. One could only imagine the warm temperature a result of the excitement
of the S&M scientists hard at work. Maxwell stood in awe, “I assumed Dr.
Lake exaggerated in his radio reports. My God, look at the wealth of fossils
from all eons past. A cornucopia indeed.” He asked Dr. Cope, “Do you mind?” As
he pulled out his own tools to begin exploring. Most of the other German
scientists were as polite and inquisitive as they offered, “If you don’t mind,
we could add our notes to your own…in English of course.” It wasn’t long before
the Germans picked up where the Americans left off, doing their fair share of
work.
The only hitch in the operation was Robert spotting
Willard Griffith scowling at the Germans. Cope had heard his comments when the
Germans landed. “You gonna be OK down here with them?” Willard pointed out, “See
those with scars on their face? Prussian dueling scars: a ‘badge-of-honor’
among their aristocrats…and military elite.” Robert repeated Moore’s words, “Keep
a cautious eye on them but appease them for now. Also keep an eye on OUR
fossils and records. Sharing space doesn’t mean sharing finds. Knowledge yes,
but not items.”
Meanwhile, Oskar (with Wilbur silently in tow) was
anxious to lead Meyer and Uhr into the specimen tent. Without any forewarning
brief he’d given to Dr. Cope or Prof Moore. He wanted to see their unbiased
reaction. Which surprisingly was quite tame. Not even a dropped or drooped monocle
as they leaned in for closer examination, “We realize your nightly radio news
didn’t mention these. I’ll assume you did an autopsy? Would you mind if we
reviewed your notes and borrow your medical equipment?” They began poking
around the 5-lobed brain. Dr. Uhr asked Meyer, “Can you confirm the sensory organs
we read about?” Meyer’s gaze silenced his associate. Prompting Oskar to ask, “I
take it you’ve visited the Miskatonic Museum and saw Dyer’s and Lake’s notes?”
Wilbur filled in the German’s silence, “Can you imagine
encountering a living one of these?” Little reaction at all; not even a look of
listening to a crazed man. Other than Dr. Meyer asking, “Would you mind taking us
to Lake’s camp?” And that’s when the dogs began to howl. The German dogsleds cutting
thru the S&M main camp. The dogs refused to go anywhere near the specimen tents.
Tugging at their harnesses, snapping at each other, even snapping at their
handlers to retreat. In German, Dr. Meyer gave orders for the sled drivers to
unleash the dogs and take them back to their snow-caves. Manual labor came
forward to drag the sleds to Lake’s camp. “We have some tools that will come in
handy getting thru the ice.”
Once again Oskar wanted to test their sanity as he led
them to the most horrific sites. Beginning with his father’s tent. Not all that
surprised nor much reaction to the smell other than to cover their noses, “What
do you suppose happened?” But Oskar wanted their theory first. Which agreed
with his findings: blood of human and creature, altercation with arterial
splatter. “Most extraordinary.” Next stop the human dissection tent. Their
reaction? To point out and question the triangular footprint. So far, 2 hours
into investigation and observation at Lake’s camp, and no sanity debilitating
reaction.
The next hour went quickly as the Germans exposed a
smaller mound to the east which proved to be an empty 55-gal fuel drum. Deeply
smashed on one side that caused a crack to leak out the fuel. Minor concerns of
the electric ice-knife igniting the fuel till Wilbur (Chemist) pointed out its
multiple year exposure degraded its volatility. Wilbur happy for the shift to
be over, but the Germans moved toward the frozen hangers. Where they made
initial chainsaw incisions thru ice and canvas before calling it quits, “Just
wanted to give Prof Moore a head-start on their shift.”
2 Dec 6am: Time
flies when you’re having fun. Or deeply involved. Meyer excused himself to go
find Prof Moore. Breakfast for both shifts concluding their work or about to
start. It wasn’t long before Bill Moore entered the dining tent and settled
beside the trio. Robert was the first to summarize his shift, “I’m beginning to
like Rucker and Benecke. Genuinely polite and professional. We documented a lot.”
Oskar summarized the rest, “I wonder how long Acacia had been in radio contact
with them? They seemed to know a lot. Little surprise on their part as they
examined the specimen and Lake’s camp.” And that’s when Dr. Meyer entered the
tent, “Gentlemen, if you’d please join me in Lake’s camp. I’ve something to
show you.”
Wilbur was pissed when he saw the German team still at
work at the middle hanger. The initial hole had been expanded to reveal a
sunken area below. The hanger apparently had been dug into the snow with
ice-block walls and a circus-sized canvas top. Winds whipped the area thinning
the metallic odor. But enough for all to recognize the scent of blood.
Single-file they descended a wooden ladder, ignoring the wrecked plane to the north
as they focused on the carnage to the southeast.
Another makeshift laboratory that explained the sled-dog
cairn outside to the southwest. Muscles, bones, hides laid out. Guts hung
frozen to the wall. A dog brain laid upon an ice-block, thinly sliced and
fanned out on display. While the S&M team members reacted with shock and
horror, the Germans stood stoic and composed. Wilbur realized there was no-way
Acacia could have reported any of this beforehand. Nor did Meyer and Uhr have
time to view this themselves before all arrived. Even a verbal briefing by
those who excavated the area could not have prepared the German doctors for the
scene.
And that’s when Robert spotted different colored ice depressions.
Nine pink ovals that he realized were human outlines. Patches of human epidural-skin
frozen in some places. Shocked and silent till he muttered, “Not right. They
were laid out here.” And then upon spotting the imprint of a long-ago cleated
boot, “Dyer must have found them here and transported them to their own cairn.”
Enough omission in his description to entice the others to come forward and
understand what they too were witnessing.
And that’s when Moore turned to Meyer, “How did you
know?!” To which Dr. Meyer invited, “We need to discuss this with you alone. If
you’ll join us. In the meantime, I suggest we close this site so as to not
frighten more.” Leaving the trio to stare in bewilderment. “There were 12
members of Lake’s team. We know Gedney was missing, leaving 11. Where/who are
the other two unaccounted members?!” As Oskar lifted his flask of scotch,
Robert noticed a shaking Benecke lifting his own flask before silently offering
it to Robert. A human exchange of sorrow and comfort and uncertainty.
Robert was the first to ask, “How did they know? Did
Danforth spill it? Was there a German member of the ship crew that reported to his
motherland?” Oskar chimed in, “I don’t know about you, but I think we deserve
an explanation. I suggest we join Moore and Meyer to find out for ourselves.” Yet
by the time they finally took action, Moore was already alone at his tent. With
a manuscript in hand. Dyer’s notes. “Gentlemen, if you’ll allow me a few hours
to read this myself, I’ll give you time to read it yourself.”
No one noticed Wilbur silently stewing. His memory of the
Russian diplomat Nicholas
Roerich kidnapped by Germans from Acacia’s gangplank. The Dyer manuscript
he was to handover to Starkweather, taken. Thus, as Oskar retired to their tent
to nap till Prof Moore finished reading, Wilbur walked out and headed north
toward the German camp. “I’d like audience with Dr. Meyer.” Long minutes till
he was escorted to the largest tent where Dr. Meyer offered greetings, “Mr.
Sampson, how nice to…” Wilbur cut him off, “You sick bastards! You knew all
along! Kidnapped Roerich and stole the manuscript intended for Mr. Starkweather.”
But Meyer was quite surprised, “While I am aware of a famous Russian painter
named Roerich, I have no idea about any kidnapping. I’ll have you know I
received that manuscript from my sponsors. I was told to keep it confidential
but notice how I’ve shared it with you.” Again, Wilbur cut him off, “Bullshit!
You Krauts are all alike. Probably only half of the Dyer papers. ‘Exploit’ as
you said. Don’t tell me you’re here for science. What are you really after?!”
And that’s when guards appeared at the door to escort the crazed American away. Meyer sent him on his way with a few choice German words.
Next episode: https://rigglebmm.blogspot.com/2020/12/s12a-dyer-manuscript.html
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