Operation Open Sky

Chapter I: Icebreaker Aurora

Chapter I: Icebreaker Aurora

16 Degrees, Greenlandia Sea, Afternoon.

Claire Elford, 12th February 1894, Icebreaker Aurora;

"My name is Claire Elford. I am a meteorologist, studying the state of our environment in hopes of getting a better understanding of what may come in our future. In my current expedition to the North Pole, I along with my colleagues studied the rate at which the ice caps were melting. It made things abundantly clear, with how things stand, the infamous gulf stream which brings in hot water from the equator will come to a standstill. Causing catastrophic changes in the northern hemisphere's climate, resulting in a rapid temperature reduction in the continent of Europa. We must come together and enact change. Otherwise, we'd reach a poi-."

"Mrs Claire?" I jump the instant I hear my name, nearly letting a shriek in response. Darting my eyes straight towards the iron bolted door which in turn cackled three little knocks in pitchy echoes. I attempt to shake the nauseating feeling of embarrassment as I finally respond.

"Yes, is there anything I could do to help?" I finally let go of my stare and look around at the state of my room. Dear Irene, please save me...

"The telegram from Blossom-Fall's Outpost has been sent for you, would you like to receive it now?"

I catch a glimpse of myself from the mirror on the wall directly in front of me. My hair was tangled in little knots that make no arbitrary sense in how it came to be like that in the first place. Damn you Claire!

"I'll be out in a second!"

Reaching my brush I attempt to recover the situation, quickly brushing the little knots stubbornly holding on for their lives. Still feeling the little sea of embarrassment lingering within me, I kept trying to convince myself that there was no feasible possibility he managed to hear me. Especially considering I was talking aloud to myself about global catastrophe and doom, right? The iron walls and doors should hypothetically absorb all the sound, thankfully my pitiful attempt wasn't necessary as the gnawing feeling of anticipation replaced it. I bolt out of my chair, heading straight for the entrance. Once unlocked, a man stood there patiently waiting.

"T-thank you, could you please lead me to the telegraph room?" He was tall, sturdily built, with eyes like the ocean and complimented by his golden brown hair.

"Of course ma'am."

He leads, branching out towards a wide range of corridors of hallowed steel plates, the thudding of my boots echoes with each passing step we take. The ship, which up until recently had now started swinging from side to side, almost like a pendulum in a clock. Must be the winds... Many at the outpost called it piteraq, the strong winds tugging at the waves however they please. Legends say thousands of years ago there once was a wind elemental the size of a city clashing at any vessel that ventured too close to Greenlandia. How it disappeared remains a mystery, but my guesses would say it was in reality just the seasonal storm thats common here. Few managed to traverse through the sea here back then, and for the ones that did, never came back.

The thoughts in my mind halted, realising the growing awkward silence between the two of us.

"And whom do I have the pleasure to meet?" I ask with the most joyful expression I can follow through with.

"The names John, engineer here. I got a request to inform you about the telegraph since I am on break and in their words, had nothing better to do." He looked back at me expressing a smile. I imitate with a grin that probably looked forced in comparison.

"You a weather girl?" I pause, my heart dropping the instant those words came out. Don't tell me... But before I could let my mind torture me further, he continued pointing at his hair.