"Hello." A guy with a thick accent greeted as you hurried inside the helicopter and settled into a seat across from him and another person beside him.
"Hey. Did Weyland send for you guys too?" You asked though you felt that was already a given.
"Yeah, I assume he sent for you as well. I'm Sebastian." He leaned forward with his hand held out to to shake, and you leaned to reach and clasped your hand with his.
"Y/n. Say, not to be rude, but where are you from?" His accent was familiar, but you did not want to start making assumptions. It was quite rude, especially for others you don't know, yet sometimes it was complimentary.
"Not at all. I grew up in Italy. It must be the accent that gave it away." You could tell he was politely joking which earned him a smile and small laugh from you.
"I would have never guessed. And you are?" You looked to the other person next to Sebastian.
"Thomas, it's nice to meet you." He seemed to act a little awkward but you didn't mind. The conversation carried on through the ride and before you all knew it you were already flying over icy waters.
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Ross Ice Shelf
Antarctica
"Wow, I can't believe this is really happening. I mean, nothing has happened yet, but I can feel it." You commented as you looked out the window and to the waters.
"What do you mean?" Sebastian asked.
"As I said, I'm twenty-two." You paused to look over at him. It was amusing to see people's reaction to how young you were every time. They just could not believe it. "I have no official experience, but I had official training. If Weyland is gathering us for something like an expedition this would be my first." You smiled proud to be invited.
Your father knew Weyland, which is how he became fond of you. Your father could not stop himself from bragging about you, but doesn't every parent do so when they are proud? You were so young, yet so different. Usually the smart ones are bullied, but in your case you were a different kind of smart that kept the other kids away. Reason being you weren't just mentally smart; you were physically smart and capable which made you stand out. Not that you were a bully, but you just stood up for yourself and did not take anyone's bull. Yes, you were young but you are one of the rare cases of being human. As rare as finding kindness in the world.
"Wow, I still can't believe it. That is really young. What is it you do again?" Not that you mentioned your abilities and specialties, but before you could answer the pilot called out for the landing and you both could feel the sway and slow into the helipad of the ship.
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Ice breaker — Piper Maru
Current heading: classified
You, Sebastian and Thomas were few of the first ones to arrive. There was a gathering of men who seemed like a team of some sort. Considering you were surrounded by ice they must associate with that.
Soon enough more and more people were arriving. You learned a few new names. One guy had seemed as if he was trying to flirt with you; his name was Graeme Miller. One thing you got out from him was that he had two kids and he was documenting the trip for them.
A woman named Alexa Woods interrupted as to save you from him. You learned that she took scientists on trips on the ice and it only heightened your imagination of the possibility you were finally going to go out. Going out on ice was one of your trainings, but it wasn't a total area of focus. You knew enough to get by and live. Time passed and soon enough Maxwell began speaking.
"Welcome aboard, everybody. Please.
Some of you may be wondering
why this team has been assembled.
Your host will give you the answer now." The room had fallen quiet. You sat at the edge of the row in the back a seat apart from a woman. She introduced herself as Rousseau not too long ago.
"Mr. Weyland." Maxwell announced.
A projector flicked on displaying an image on the wall. A man emerged from nowhere behind everyone at the top of a rail letting his presence know by his footsteps. Everyone turned to see him as he then began to speak.
"Seven days ago one of my satellites over Antarctica was hunting for mineral deposits when a sudden heat bloomed beneath the earth... which outlined this." An image came up on the wall and he began to explain what the image was.
"The red lines indicate solid walls. Through thermal mapping we've generated a rough three-dimensional image of the structure. It's massive, containing hundreds of rooms... all built around a central core. My experts tell me it's a pyramid. What they can't agree on is who built it and when. One expert tells me this has features reminiscent of the Aztecs. Another tells me it's probably Cambodian." The slide changed. "What they all agree on is that the smooth side is definitively Egyptian."
"I think your experts are right." Sebastian quickly interjected as he turned looked up at Weyland. He then stood, which you could tell that Sebastian was quite excited with this discovery. It probably described how you felt about being able to go out. Hopefully, that is what you were here for.
"Which one?" Asked Weyland.
"All of them."
"Meaning what exactly?" Asked Lex who had turned her head to look back at Sebastian. He looked over to her before he walked around towards the screen.
"This pyramid contains the features of all three cultures." He turned around and faced everyone.
"This might be the first pyramid ever built."
"But built by whom?" Miller asked.
"By the first civilization."
"Thank you." Weyland said.
"But how could anyone possibly build a pyramid out here?" Asked Miller once more.
"Ancient maps show Antarctica free of ice. It's likely that the continent was once habitable." Said Thomas.
"Well, I can't tell you who built it, but if I can take a sample from it, then I could tell you how old it is."
"Well Doctor Miller, I'm offering to put you right next to this thing." Weyland said, which peaked your excitement once more. You couldn't wait to see what you would be doing out here. Of course your training could imply what you could be doing, but not with this. This seemed different, especially from what you expected. Moreover, this is still quite exciting if this really were to be the first pyramid ever built. Being in Antarctica added onto the amazement. You knew that back in history there was some sort of treaty signed that established that no one owned Antarctica, so it's practically free.
"Uh, what caused the heat bloom?" Asked Thomas as he looked up at Weyland.
"I don't know." Weyland said.
"Where exactly on the ice is this?" Lex asked.
"Bouvetøya Island. But it's not on the ice. It's two thousand feet below it." Weyland said it is under ice, which sort of made you rethink this decision. This began to sound extremely dangerous. More dangerous than you anticipated in the beginning—more than it would be for your first.
"Mr. Quinn." Max alerted. You made a mental note to remember his name just in case.
"Mr. Stafford, you're looking at the best drilling team in the world. We'll chew to that depth in seven days."
"And add three weeks on top of that to train everyone here." Lex added on.
"We don't have that kind of time, Ms. Woods. I'm not the only one with a satellite over Antarctica. Others will be here—soon." Weyland said and it was clear that he was serious about doing whatever it took to get there first.
"Maybe I wasn't clear. No one in this room is ready for this trip." She had a sort of smile that was sarcastic, yet showed that she was serious about this as well.
"That's why I asked you here. And y/n." Weyland looked over to you and others' gazes fixated on you as well, including Lex.
"I don't believe I'm the right one, Mr. Weyland." You objected without hesitation. Despite your eagerness to finally do something this didn't feel right. It was too dangerous especially for a first timer.
"Bouvetøya is one of the most isolated places in the world. The nearest land is a thousand miles away. There's no help if we run into trouble. How much ice time do you have?" Lex asked looking at you.
"None. I'm a beginner." It was sad to admit it. You were probably the only inexperienced one of this team. Hopefully no one shut would you out for that though. Especially not Weyland since he did bring you here with no exception to objection.
"But y/p is good. I've seen what y/n can do and I know y/p could handle this." You felt a little bit proud by the compliment, yet you still felt that you could not accept it.
"And you're right. It's a no-man's-land. But the train has left the station. And I think I speak for everyone aboard this ship." He walked down the stairs to the ground where everyone else was. "This is worth the risk."
You looked around as everyone seemed to be in thought of what he had said. This wasn't just a risk, it was a major risk. You weren't even sure yourself if you would take it, but in the end you probably would. You were already here after all.
Lex sighed as she stood. "Find another guide." She said, then walked off in disappointment.
With her disagreeing to go on this expedition and leaving you as one of the alternatives you suddenly wanted to object as well. You could not have these people counting on you to keep them alive and well in a dangerous environment. You stood from your seat and walked over to Weyland.
"Y/n, it's been a while." He greeted you with a gentle smile.
"Yes, it has. But I wanted to say that I'm not comfortable with taking lead. I'm glad you invited me to accompany the trip, but I can't do that." You immediately explained to not let the moment get carried off topic.
"I understand, y/n. And we already have another person in mind in case you were to decline as well." He explained, which should had relived you but you weren't so sure. "Are they well-experienced?" You asked in curiosity.
"Don't worry about it. I hope you're ready for this trip." He changed the topic and left you to ponder. With a soft sigh, you walked off and headed to your room. Hopefully, you were ready.