Sand would have been far more preferable, warmth of the sun for a good 12 hours each day would be welcomed even if water was scarce. But here, out in the cold far below negative 35 degrees Celsius, the abundant water has become the icy land that was tread upon tonight. It was the last day before the beginning of the slumbering sun, the time where the sun rested far below the horizon for 30 cycles. And in this period of time, the usual cold days would drop to a freezing hell, clouded in darkness that barely let even man-made light glow their proper sizes. Although wondering through this night would be a death sentence for all those but the most specialized of creatures, some shelters for less evolutionary specific creatures have been made.
Strategically made far ahead of time before the slumbering sun. After all, even though it was the first time any human properly was able to step foot and make a solid structure in this land of ice, they have long since known about the slumbering sun. They staffed this structure with multiple people but did not stuff it claustrophobically full. A few simple scientists and retired military individuals, mostly there to study the ancient ice, land and be self-sufficient in surviving the harsh year long winter. The scientists studied feverously, and the retired military individuals worked on gathering fresh fish and other creatures to sustain their facility off of. Some more gentle souls even took to gardening the indoor vegetable plants. One even dared to try to grow an avocado plant in these strange conditions.
Today was the day just before the slumbering sun was starting to end. The Chemist was getting worried, constantly checking over rations, materials, backup power, emergency health care supplies and other resources. Another scientist nearby was chuckling to themselves watching the antics of the Chemist, seeing the youth in them getting the better of them. They could tell this was the Chemist’s first real job outside on the field, after all they did the same thing when traveling the poisonous and humid rainforests on their last assignment. The new addition of this young individual had been a welcome sight for most on the team. Although some more strange members on the team started to make bets on how long the youth would last before having their first break down. It was something that happened to all of them at one point, although that did not make it any less childish. Either way, the Chemist after looking through all the places in the building 4 times over finally began to calm down.
After the Chemist sighed and started to take a break, the closest and oldest scientist started to walk over. “Although I’m glad to have a youngling like you check over everything but there’s enough things around this place for all 15 of us. It’s okay to rely on us to look for our own stuff, there’s no need to over exhaust yourself just before the big night. If anything, you’ll need to wrap yourself warmer, the temperature should be going below 45 Celsius by the start of the slumbering sun.” The old scientist laughed as they said this. Enjoying the view of the Chemist’s face go through many emotions but settling upon a sleepy exhaustion. The Chemist started to wonder of to their bed while nodding to the older member’s words, and as soon as they laid down upon the bed, they easily drifted off to sleep.
The Chemist awoke to a small, personalized alarm, and was confused for a small while. Maybe this was another prank, to get them up early because it was certainly not day. Looking outside the Chemist could see that it was still dark. Though it suddenly dawned on the Chemist, it was technically daytime, it was just that the slumbering sun event had started. The Chemist was almost slightly sad they didn’t stay up to watch the last sun for the next 30 days but their was no time to complain, work had to be done. The Chemist got out of bed and started walking towards the communal kitchen in the station. Not many were up at this time, and those who were, were in other places taking care of their own work. Though one other individual was still in the kitchen. The Sea Farmer they liked to call themselves, otherwise known as Bill. But Bill loved that small title because it sounded far cooler than food collector. Although everyone knew how to fish, Bill specially loved to go ice fishing with family. Bill even did it as a sport in their old town before adult life.
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The Chemist waved to The Sea Farmer, “Hello Sea Farmer, catch any good or rare fish. We are supposed to document the change to natural wildlife during the slumbering sun and I believe eating big and cool new night fish would be within realms of the job.” The Chemist said with a small chuckle at the end. Bill responded, “Unfortunately I haven’t been properly outside yet, its literally negative 50 degrees Celsius, and the slumbering sun has just started its slumber!!” The words Bill spoke with at the end were getting ever so higher and crazed as they were being said, but this was a known quirk of Bill’s which resulted in a chuckle from the chemist. “No worries then, I guess I will have the pleasure to leaving first into this eternal night. Maybe I’ll find a cute hibernating animal to talk about when I get back!” The Chemist stated gleefully. Although not the Chemists job, animals were always pleasing to see! As long as they didn’t try to eat you at least. After talking to Bill for a bit longer and grabbing a basic breakfast ration to eat, the Chemist made their way to their gear.
The Chemist came across a desk filled to the brim with scientific instruments. Today’s job was a regular one. Go out into the wilderness and cut a long cylinder hole into the ice. Bring back the tube of ice and log its contents for further study at a later date. The cutting didn’t take long to do, since the Chemist had the proper technologies they would be able to do it in 10 minutes. The longest part of the job came to looking for a good spot to cut the ice, and in this darkness of a world with no sun in the day, that would make the task far more difficult to accomplish in the usual time. But the Chemist was not feeling doubtful of completing their job, more so actually looking forward to being the first human to adventure into the hellish cold and darkness. Although those words might not have put this adventure in the best of light, the Chemist was able to pack their bag and bring extra items for warmth. Even if a massive snowstorm hit, the Chemist was sure they could bunker down for a few hours waiting for it to pass and properly make it back to the station quick and safely. And so the Chemist, with all their stuff, stood at the door to exit into the wilderness.
The Chemist, as they approached the door pulled a small leaver causing 15 small beeps to be heard around the station. Each beep was heard on one of the members inside the station, a way to tell everyone that someone was going outside. After pulling the leaver, the Chemist opened the door into the airlock, closed the door behind them and opened the last door. The onslaught of cold air from the arctic the station was atop of attempted to assault every single part of the Chemist, but this was not their first time braving these winds. They were able to push through the cold, closing the door behind them. The Chemist equipped their lantern in one hand with their other steadily on holding securely onto the backpack on their back. The darkness felt suffocating even with the lantern, but the Chemist pushed through, into the terribly dark wilderness beyond the station. To complete their job and hopefully find new wonders in this dark cold land.