Subject: 🧊 NACR Research Position - Lake Vostok
From: Z.Featherstonhaugh@nacr.gov
Dear jij,
Congratulations! Your application to join our Lake Vostok research team has been accepted!
This is a rare opportunity to experience one of Earth's final frontiers. In our state-of-the-art exploration pods, you'll explore four kilometers beneath Antarctic ice in a subglacial lake unexplored for the entirety of human history until three months ago when we started our expeditions.
Please review the attached information thoroughly, sign all required forms, and attach all required supplemental documents. We will then handle logistics, living arrangements, and schedule a precise start date.
Welcome to the National Antarctic Centre for Research!
Best regards,
Zoë Featherstonhaugh
"The Centre is found at the edge."
Attached: NACR_Clearance_Forms, NACR_Waivers, NACR_SOPs, NACR_NDA.
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The journey to the Vostok Hydrology Outpost was surprisingly uneventful. Arriving alone was permitted due to a recent exception to NACR's buddy-system rule. The outpost was smaller than expected; just a shack containing an elevator shaft and a humming generator partially obscured by newfallen snow.
The descent took nearly an hour through a narrow ice shaft. A geothermal updraft whistled as the temperature slowly increased from -40°C to -5°C. After a jerky ride with a pre-recorded safety briefing, the elevator stopped at the entrance to an airlock.
Upon entering, the door closed behind jij with a pneumatic hiss, and a loud clunk as it was locked.
Silence followed.
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"Hiiii!" A display in the airlock illuminates, showing a woman's smiling face and a gloved hand performing a fast, goofy wave. She has round dark-rimmed glasses and light-brown hair styled in a messy fringe.
"Welcome to NACR, newbie! I'm Zoë Featherstonhaugh."
She speaks with a slight English accent. Now that it's been said aloud, it's surprising that her surname is pronounced 'Fanshaw'.
"Looking forward to bringing you into our bustling little team. It's just the two of us today, but you'll meet the others soon. Just sit tight while I pressurize the airlock. Any questions?"
The airlock begins to pressurize.
