Ben Hammott - Ice Rift

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a more amazing sight than that which my eyes behold at this very moment,” said Henry.

Jane placed a hand on Henry’s arm. “It truly is wonderful.”

“And we’re the only people ever to have seen it,” said Lucy, her excitement hard to miss.

Max moved his light off to the side of the lake that didn’t butt against the cavern wall. The beam highlighted a tunnel trough ice. “The cavern seems to go further in that direction.”

“It’s difficult to know where to start,” said Theo. “I know of nothing like this that’s been explored under the ice before.”

“But how was it formed?” asked Lucy.

“It’s difficult to say without more information,” said Jane, “but perhaps a thermal vent is responsible.”

“I suggest we explore the area first, to determine its true size and what’s down here, and then we can divide into teams and start taking samples, measuring, documenting and recording everything with photographs and on film.”

“It’s a lot to do in five days,” said Max.

“And we still have to find the cause of NASA’s anomaly,” reminded Jane.

“Then we’d better get a move on,” said Henry. “Max, lead us down the tunnel to see what new wonders await us.”

They walked along the front of the lake to the ice tunnel until voices brought them to a halt. They turned to see someone wearing a blue thermal snow suit rappel down the rope.

“Who’s that?” asked Henry. “None of us has a blue suit.”

When the man slipped out of the harness, it was pulled up and a blue bag lowered down a few moments later. The blue suited figure detached the bag from the rope and placed it to one side before walking over to them. He slid his hood back, removed his goggles and grinned. “Hello, Jane.”

Jane was stunned. “Richard!”

“In the flesh.” He smiled. “You didn’t think I’d let you have all the fun?”

Henry looked at Jane. “You know him?”

Jane sighed. “Yes, unfortunately, we work together.”

Richard held out his hand to Henry. “Richard Whorley.”

Henry shook the man’s hand. “Henry Sandberg. But why are you here? We already have a full team.”

Richard glanced around the cavern. “From the look of this discovery, you need all the help you can get.”

Jane groaned. Richard was sure to try and claim some discovery or other as his own to make a name for himself and, if possible, a profit. “This is a team effort, Richard. We all share the discoveries equally.”

“Of course, Jane, I’m surprised you felt the need to mention that. You know I’m a team player.”

Jane knew he was not and was just about to voice that fact when Max spoke.

“Someone else is coming down.”

Richard glanced at the man sliding down the rope. “That’s the pilot, though how he got his flying license is a mystery. He crashed the damn plane and nearly killed me.”

Jane, well aware how selfish and annoying Richard could be, briefly wondered if the pilot had intentionally crashed the plane. If so, it was like Richard to survive.

“What do you mean, he crashed the plane,” asked Lucy.

Noticing Lucy for the first time, Richard flashed an appreciative smile while his lecherous eyes tried to discern the exquisite body he pictured hidden beneath the layers of thick clothing. “Hello, pretty, I didn’t see you there.”

Jane rolled her eyes. “Richard, you’re engaged. Making lustful advances at every pretty woman you see isn’t fair to your bride to be, God help her.”

Richard glared at Jane. “What I do to whom and when I do it is no concern of yours. You’re just jealous I don’t pay you the same attention.”

“That’s enough, pal ,” said Max, stepping forward to confront the new arrival.

“What the hell is happening here?” said Henry. “You, Richard, have only been here a few minutes and already you’re upsetting the group.”

“You try being stuck on a plane with him, and then you’ll know the true meaning of torment.”

They all looked at the grinning pilot.

Jane flashed him a smile. Though she’d hoped to see Jack again, she had imagined different circumstances.

“The comedian arrives,” quipped Richard.

Henry glared at Richard. “Another person you’ve upset.”

Richard shrugged and looked at Jane. “At least I didn’t have someone drugged so I could steal their place on the team like Miss Goody Two-Shoes there did to me.”

“That’s a lie and you damn well know it,” said Jane.

“That’s enough of this bickering,” said Henry. “I’ve only just met you and I feel like slipping you something to shut you up.”

“That’s right, all gang up on me.”

Eli joined them. “The blizzard’s arrived and it’s raging fiercely. I had no time to make it back to base camp, so I thought I’d give you lot a hand.”

“You’re welcome, Eli.” Henry refocused on Richard. “No one is ganging up on you Richard. You’ve brought this on yourself.” He took a deep breath to calm his rising anger. “For the sake of the expedition, I think it would be best if we start again. Forget about everything that has happened before this point. You are here now and we have no alternative other than to put up with you. If you’re willing to become an integral part of the team you can join us in exploring this amazing place. If not, you can wait here until the blizzard passes and head back to base camp until transport can be arranged to take you home. The choice is yours.”

“I would like to join the team,” Richard said, sheepishly.

“Good. We don’t have enough flashlights for everyone, so you’ll have to tag along and make do.” Henry turned his back on the man. “Okay, let’s go and explore.”

Max led the group along the right side of the lake.

Theo handed Richard his headlight. “It’s better than nothing.”

Richard tagged along at the end. Seething with anger at his recent humiliation, for which he held Jane fully responsible, he was determined to get one over on her and the team. Something in this unique environment had his name on it. When he found it the discovery would not be shared. It would be his alone and the chance for him to make a name for himself. He smiled as he pictured his handsome face on the front of Times magazine.

Jane gave Jack her headlight. “I didn’t think I’d see you again so soon.”

Jack slipped the light onto his head. “Keep the ladies guessing, that’s my motto,’ he said, adding a grin.

Henry glanced back. “Keep up, Richard. We don’t want to lose you.”

“Speak for yourself,” quipped Jane.

Richard glared at the back of her head.

Scott sat in the communication room with a worried frown on his face. He’d just received an updated weather report from the McMurdo ice station. It wasn’t good news for the team out on the ice. He’d tried to contact them to let them know, but with the combination of the raging blizzard and the team in the cavern below the ice, he’d failed to get through to them. Another worry was he had also failed to make contact with Eli and Byrd Station had contacted him to see if Jack had arrived safely.

Pike popped his head into the room. “Any luck?”

Scott shook his head. “Eli must have joined the others in the rift or he would’ve been here by now.”

“They’ll be okay. At least in the cavern they’re sheltered from the storm, and they have enough food and drink to last a while.”

“McMurdo says the storm’s going to increase in strength and could last a few days or possibly a week or more.”

“Oh shit!” said Pike. “They could be stuck down there when another tremor hits. The cavern could collapse.”