NationStates Jolt Archive

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It is my wish that you should travel to the position related in the recently uncovered work, "In the Mountains of Madness", by a one Lovecraft, who we believe to be a researcher into the paranormal of the early 20th century.

Your orders are to recover, by any means neccessary, proof either of pre-human intelligent life on this planet, or, failing that, proof of its unexistence. A bonus will be payed for delivery of organic evidence. Also, of course, any territory you claim for us in Antarctica will be named for you.

You have the following at your disposal: One (1) Century, fully equipped. Mass transport vehicle, one (1), aerial, name of Repentance. 3 (3) Light Assault and Transport Vehicles (LATV), class: Gabriel. A scientific complement will also be assembled.

Captain, these are your orders.

The means of carrying them out, I leave to you.

Prince Alexander Tyral Black
Roania Uber Allen

Tekeli-li! Tekeli-li!

Er. I mean, "tag".

Having recieved my orders, I instantly began to put them into action. My men were all ready, and waiting, when I reached the docks.

It was odd, the reaction of the elves when I told them of my orders. It could best be described as a mocking laugh. I think that they know what is down there, and think that we can't deal with it. Or maybe they know something about the document that we do not?

It is unimportant. The Prince's orders were sent out, and I must obey. Boarding the transport, we set off for the southern wastes. As we flew, faster than Lovecraft could ever imagine, my mind wandered. I considered the tour of duty I had taken to Pinnacle Base in my Legionnare days. That was an alien wasteland. It rose up out of the ground of Phobos, hundreds of stories, extending throughout the moon, up and down. Compared to that, I am sure nothing will be unique. Also, having read the single copy of the document in our archivist's hands, I am prepared for the worst.

My scientists, however, are not. Useless, the lot of them. Scared out of their minds. Wouldn't be surprised if this was their first time off the island, the lot of them. Not like me and my Lieutenants.

Will write further when we reach the base camp.

We have managed to arrive at the site we would use for our main camp. I ordered several of the squadrons to advance towards where we believe the mountain range to be. They are ordered to set up at a point where their accompanying geologist believes that there might be fossils.

Organic material is to be riddled with bullets, should any be discovered. I have my doubts as to that possibility, and am beginning to think that perhaps we should turn back, say that the storms were too high.

The radio transmissions we recieved from the advance guard, and which I display here in part, show that perhaps there might be more to this than the ravings of a confused scientist. I must confess that I do not believe the book to be 100% factual, though if we had uncovered a copy of this... 'Necronomicon', whatever it may be, I might be more inclined to believe it.

The relevant portions of the transmission are displayed here, as the entirety was immediately relayed back to the archives.

[code:1:b2b510c534]It's a wasteland here, Captain... a diabolic one... several of the men have reported seeing strange mirages... personally, i... oh... In the name of Christ, begone foul image!

<Confused speaking in background, words "City! It's... what is it?">

It is gone. Was it ever there? I pray, for my soul and the soul of my men, that it was not.[/code:1:b2b510c534]

<>

Perhaps it was a mistake to so assiduously obey his Highness's orders, and not show the document to my officers.

My chief of science, Dr. Ludwig, came to me today with an interesting request. He wished to take several of my men, and a few of his companions, to go look for the location of the cave wherein the unfortunate soul known as Lake had found the organic specimens. When I asked him how he knew of them, he replied only, "Did you truly think that I had not been given a copy of the document?"

Needless to say, his insolence was punished. However, I saw no harm in assenting to his request, and I sent him with Squad #3. I am certain that he will find nothing, and if he does, I am sure that the soldiers with him will be enough to remind him of who is in command here.