The Northwest Passage (IC: Open)

[Vehemia]

The year is 1957 and much change is being brought to the world. Computers and rocketry revolutionize the sciences and new discoveries are made every day. It has been decided that to celebrate these achievements, an "International Geophysical Year" will be launched. As part of this international effort, one of the last blank spots on the map will be erased.

Scientists from all over the world are preparing to map the Northwest passage. The Canadian Navy icebreaker "HMCS Labrador" is being readied to brave the frigid wasteland. One of the most hostile environments in the world is going to be conquered once and for all. Will you live to see it, or die on the frozen sea like so many others?

OOC: http://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=220888

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Frobisher Bay, Northwest Territories
On-board the HMCS Labrador
June, 1957

Captain Walter Edwards woke in the early morning hours, not that you could really call it that, the sun came up at 2 am. He was already exhausted from a multiple week voyage to break ice for ships resupplying the DEW construction crews. He sighed as he got ready for the day, a few years ago he was on the way to admiral, now he was making milk runs. He opened the door of his cabin and went up the stairwell to the bridge. He smiled when he saw his departing first officer, Lieutenant Leonard McNaughton, and shook his hand. "I'm sad to see you go Leonard," McNaughton had proved to be an excellent first mate during their six-months of service together. "You know how it is Walter, they need me back in Ottawa," McNaughton replied with a tinge of sadness.

Edwards and McNaughton talked as they walked to to the helicopter pad on the rear of the ship. They opened the heavy bulkhead door and were hit with a blast of Arctic air. "Send my regards to Ottawa," Edwards attempted shout over the din of the HUP-3 helicopter that was taking McNaughton to shore. He gave one last salute as the helicopter lifted off the deck and headed for the nearby airfield. When the helicopter faded away, the deck was silent and Edwards was alone, observing the comings and goings of the base.

His silence was interrupted by the drone of a C-119 coming in for a landing on the rough airstrip. Onboard were the exchange crew for this expedition. After a bumpy landing, the passengers were taken to a Piasecki H-21 helicopter that struggled into the Arctic air and headed for the Labrador. The rotor-wash chilled Edwards as the helicopter touched down and opened it's doors.

[Aeken]

Taking a deep breath of the Arctic air as she opened the door to the helicopter, Solveig was immediately given memories of her native Stavanger. The climate was very brisk to her,making her anticipation even higher as she stepped out. It also made her think of how she was anle to achieve her position of Chief Medical Officer: her Magister. Solveig prided herself in the large accomplishment she had made, becoming renowned for her medical capabilities. Now she would be able to finally explore her surroundings in the North, something she had always wished for as a little child. Bringing her hood over head, she secured the cleats on her boots, making sure she would have string grip on the Arctic surface. Solveig could see a man awaiting their arrival. She walked cautiously up to him, and spoke to him with sincerity.

"Excuse me? Are you Edwards? I'm afraid I wasn't informed very clearly about my commanding officer," the Norwegian said in perfect English.

[Former Soviet Socialists]

When the door to the helicopter was opened, Alain was blasted face-first by the chilling Arctic wind. A lesson he will remember: Turn your back when opening doors leading to the wind. He struggled to keep his eyes open as he quickly exited the helicopter. A woman already ahead of him, went to greet what seemed to be the Captain. He gathered his things and decided to do the same. He walked up just as she spoke and shook the Captain's hand. Alain turned briefly and could see some others coming. Some were still straggling next to the helicopter. Looking towards the horizon, there was nothing but ice, white as nothing he's seen before. Staring at such bright whites hurt his eyes, so he looked away. The air is so pure and fresh it stings every time it enters your lungs. And the sun's warmth but a tickle. A physical as well as a mental challenge that Alain was looking forward to conquering. It was certainly going to be an adventure of the ages. One that he could tell and retell to family and friends.

[Vehemia]

Edwards smiled at the woman and said "that's correct, I'm Walter Edwards. I'm the CO for this expedition. And You are?" He could see the others shuffling out of the helicopter. It seemed a majority of them weren't used to moving around in the bulky winter-wear.

[Aeken]

"Medical Officer Solvieg Garness," she said as she gave a salute. "It's a pleasure to meet you. And you?" she asked the man who had shook Edward's hand as she spoke previously.

[Great Britonia]

When Phillip got out of the helicopter, he felt the strong breeze of the Arctic, freezing, even if he if wearing his very warm clothes. He then walks onto the deck, and see's the others. This moment when he got out made him remember the flashbacks he had during the First World War in the University of Tolouse, when it was colder than the Southern climates of French Polynesia.

"Man, this will be one hell of a journey. I am even freezing, even though this is not Bora Bora.." Phillip says while he is Drinking his Telicherry Tea.
Phillip walks on the deck, until he meets the captain, Walter Edwards, when he accideantly bumped into him.

"Sorry for bumping into you but, are you Captain Edwards?"

[Cylarn]

The next person to climb out was Major Ed Ross, who wore an OD Green parka over his OD Green fatigues, as well as a pair of black winter combat boots, black leather gloves, and his OD Green utility cover. He carried his duffle bag over his shoulder, looking on at his fellow officers and crew, watching them silently as he approached the Captain, saluting him.

"Major Ross, United States Marine Corps sir," Ross said.

[Former Soviet Socialists]

Alain shook the Captain's hand and introduced himself. "Enchanté, Captain! It's a pleasure. I am Alain Bélanger." After introducing himself, he stepped aside to allow others the chance to greet Cpt. Edwards. Everyone now was by or coming near the captain. The helicopter was now returning to field. It was a relief, it caused such strong gusts of wind and was very loud.

[Vehemia]

Edwards replied to Philips, saying with a chuckle "don't worry it takes a while to get used to the wind. I'm Captain Edwards, good to meet you" Edwards shook the man's hand.

Edwards returned Ross' salute and shook his hand. "Good to meet you major, I assume you're my security chief? I'll brief you on the security situation once everyone is aboard."

A crewmen helped each new member of the crew find their cabin and get stowed away. Since conversion to peacetime service, the size of each cabin was increased to be almost "roomy" by naval standards. Each member of the exchange crew was given a small private cabin.

[Great Britonia]

Phillip replied to Edward as he carries his bags to his Cabin with an Obnoxious accent,
"Alright, Nice to meet you, too. And I DON'T want to get used to this wind. It is way better down south."

Phillips goes to his private cabin, and see's the inside. It is at his naval luxury level (probably poor), and he decides to settle in afterwards.
"Jesus christ, do they ever clean this place? Oh well, at least I am getting money for the family." Phillip arrogantly says to himself.

[Former Soviet Socialists]

Alain picked up his belongings and followed the fellows the Captain ordered us to. He escorted Alain to his quarters. It was adequate, he thought. You can't expect much on a ship. He threw his things on the bed and sat at the desk chair to rest a moment. Even though his room wasn't warm, it certainly was much better inside. After some pondering, he got up exited his room. He wanted to greet the rest of the crew and explore his home for the coming voyage. Outside his room, the fellow who escorted him was still there. "Are you now my bodyguard?," Alain asked the crewman, with a warm smile. "No, sir.," the crewman responded. "I am just here to make sure accommodations are acceptable. If they are not I will inform the captain." Alain closed his door, and began to study the lock mechanism. "Accommodations are perfectly fine.," said Alain, still studying the lock. "Say, can you help me figure out how this lock is supposed to work? Is there a key? Don't want my things to end up missing, do we now?" The crewman walked over and demonstrated the locking system to Alain. "There you are. And here is the key.," said the crewman. "Exemplary! I'll remember it.," proclaimed Alain as he is handed his key. "Why don't you show me around? You know, to see the finer parts of this vessel." The two began towards the exit of the quarters area while discussing the ship and other matters. "So, what events are scheduled? I imagine the Captain would like to speak to us as a group, no?," Alain could be heard saying as he is exiting the area escorted by the crewman.

[The Tiger Kingdom]

One of the last people to exit the chopper onto the deck of the Labrador, ex-Captain Brian Gorham shivered in the blast of Arctic ocean wind as he climbed out. Clad in a winterized and adapted Army uniform he'd bought surplus in preparation for the mission and carrying a formidable pair of duffel bags over both shoulders, it was quite a chore for him to even move. But it was the only way for him to be sure he was equipped for any eventuality out there in the ice. If there was one thing he'd learned in all those years of combat, it was that preparation counted.

He'd spent most of the flight inspecting his equipment and trying desperately not to stare at the cute Norwegian, with varying levels of success. He'd also tried to anticipate the possible threats they would face, but he couldn't come up with much. What would they realistically face out there that would require security? It sounded more and more like a milk run, the more he thought of it.

He saw a man inspecting the new arrivals, wearing a Captain's uniform - clearly Edwards, the master of the boat. Gorham approached him and saluted.
"Deputy Security Chief Gorham, reporting for duty, sir."

[Vehemia]

Edwards returned Gorham's salute. He appeared to be better prepared for the Arctic than some of the inexperienced young researchers. "Glad to meet you, I'm Captain Edwards. Our crew will get you squared away in your quarters as soon as possible. I'll convene a briefing as soon as everyone's aboard." Edwards motioned for a crewman to assist Gorham.

After several minutes of shaking hands and making small talk with the arriving crew, Edwards reentered the ship and headed for the bridge. He got a quick status report from his original crew and pondered the newcomers. From the little he gathered, they seemed competent and decent enough, besides one particularly obnoxious Frenchman. He glanced at his watch, it was only a few minutes before the briefing was scheduled.

[Kryskov]

Roger Almquist, the head of the scientific endeavors of the expedition, stepped out of the helicopter to the all-too familiar wind on his face. The 36 year old scientist was abnormally young for his post, but had enough experience to win him this privilege. After the war, Almquist did not further pursue a wealthy life researching tools of war like his friends and family wished. Instead, he focused on new discoveries and possibilities in Iceland and Greenland. Roger also boasted of being a part of the 1953 Everest Expedition (although he merely arranged for equipment to be brought to Nepal). Now, he thought of a bunch of new possibilities. Would there be new wildlife? New plants? Would the expedition find a Northwest Passage?

Almquist did not accompany himself with the captain nor anyone else. He was busy checking his supplies. Almquist then approached a group of people, wondering where his deputy was.

[Former Soviet Socialists]

After a brief tour, the crewman explained that the captain had scheduled a meeting for us and everyone was to be present. He escorted Alain to the area where the captain was was readying himself to make some sort of statement. He glanced at the captain when he entered the room, and the captain glanced back. It seemed as though the captain was having a bad day by his facial expressions. "Captain," he said giving a quick nod. Some were already in the room, and others just arriving. He took his seat and waited for everyone else to get situated. The crewman he was with, now gone. He guessed, this briefing is meant for certain ears only.

[Cylarn]

After a brief tour, the crewman explained that the captain had scheduled a meeting for us and everyone was to be present. He escorted Alain to the area where the captain was was readying himself to make some sort of statement. He glanced at the captain when he entered the room, and the captain glanced back. It seemed as though the captain was having a bad day by his facial expressions. "Captain," he said giving a quick nod. Some were already in the room, and others just arriving. He took his seat and waited for everyone else to get situated. The crewman he was with, now gone. He guessed, this briefing is meant for certain ears only.

After stowing his bag and gear away, Ross made his way down to the briefing room, taking a seat at the back of the room, watching as everyone else entered the room.

[Great Britonia]

Phillip De Mount dresses into his more warmer clothes, and then goes outside to view the arctic.

"Ahh, the Arctic, now helping me freeze out that big scar on my back from Midway.."

[Unicario]

Phillip De Mount dresses into his more warmer clothes, and then goes outside to view the arctic.

"Ahh, the Arctic, now helping me freeze out that big scar on my back from Midway.."

Anna, who had been relatively silent and stepped from behind Phillip and chuckled nodding, "Da, Midvay... I heard zat battle vas quite... exciting. But how unfortunate for you..." She pulled her coat back and revealed a burn-scar running along her shoulder to her neck. "I got zis in the Battle of Berlin..." She pulled her coat back up and said, "Either vay... so... I'll be inside, da?"

She walked quietly into the interior of the building to meet with the Captain.

[Great Britonia]

"Indeed. The big scar on my back was from a Japanese torpedo. By the way, my name is Phillip, and I have a really fancy Estate in Bora Bora, and I will stay out, and view the arctic, which is far from Tahiti.." Phillip replied

Phillip goes back to his cabin and makes more Telicherry tea, and then goes outside on the deck, looking over the Arctic ice and landscape, while drinking his tea.

[Aeken]

As Solveig had gotten acustomed with the ship, she was informed of the meeting Edwards had planned. She did not spend much time socializing with ther members, as there was much to do in the med bay. It would be Solveig's main home for the exploration. She continually held back butterflies, as her anxiety could not hold itself in. Trying to calm herself down, she went to the top deck, and found Philip looking over the ice.

"Beautiful?" Solveig simply says.

[Great Britonia]

"Bora Bora is way better than this place, as the Arctic is nothing but an Ugly place that the British fools colonized, only for "gold", and more of to Enslave the Eskimos, and its Way too cold here for me. I only got here to make more money for my family, Unfortunantely, I am divorced, meaning I have to give a third of my profits to my bitch Ex-wife." Phillip Replied
"By the way, my name is Phillip, Born in Tahiti, and served in the French Navy as a High-ranking engineer. Your name?" Phillip also says as he spits at the arctic ice, as a sign that this place is uglier.

[Unicario]

Anna sighed and returned to outside where Phillip was, she stood beside them, sipping coffee and fixing a stray hair. She chuckled quietly and sighed a bit and sipped again.

[Aeken]

Giving a slight grunt at Philip's comment about the Arctic, she departed from the railing, not eyeing the woman who had just accompanied Philip. Solveig went down below deck, and began her routine check of medical supplies for the crew. Who would know what happen in the Arctic.