“What about the bodies?” Obolensky asked.
Lena paused before answering.
“I say we leave them. Why risk infection or give Kuvayev an opportunity for an ambush? Let the crew that comes in the spring take responsibility for them.”
“There is some heat in the generator building.”
Lena hadn’t initially thought of that. Would preservation be compromised? She thought not. The meager heat source probably didn’t push the temperature above the freezing mark.
“Here’s an idea,” Hamlin said. He had debated as to whether or not it was appropriate for him to participate in a very sensitive conversation. But then he thought, why not? He alone represented over ten percent of the entire crew. They were all in this together now.
“Why don’t we think about it and sleep on it. We can vote tomorrow if you want. We don’t have to abandon them if that’s not what you want. But it will be a difficult job to properly dispose of them. If you decide as a group that’s what you want to do, I’ll go and help.”
Lena agreed. And that was important. She was the one who seemed to be stepping into the role of leader.
“As will I. But know that it will not be easy. The scene isn’t pleasant. Give it some thought. Anyone else?”
“What about Sokolov’s office?” This from an older researcher named Vitsin. He was usually quiet and Hamlin really hadn’t gotten to know him at all. “Might there be more weapons or other things that we can use in there? He won’t mind if we use them.”
Francis could sense Lena stiffen at the very suggestion of allowing uncontrolled looting of Sokolov’s room. But neither did she seem willing to openly oppose it. She let the idea hang there for reflection before answering.
“Dr. Hamlin and I have gone through it once very quickly. Sokolov left some instructions that indicate Hamlin is the one with authority regarding the room. I support this. My suggestion is that you allow us to go through it one more time. Then Francis can make a decision on whether to allow open access or not. Anything else?”
It was quiet now. It stayed quiet.
“Very well. I would like to take Dr. Hamlin out one more time to ensure both generators are still working and the shed is secure. After that, I am open to suggestions. Supper might be nice.”
Dr. Grekov seemed to be in the early stages of recovery from her shock.
“I will start working on it.”
Normally Hamlin would have wanted nothing to do with going out again, but he was certain that Lena had plans beyond what she had just revealed, so he went along willingly enough. Getting dressed for Vostok weather was becoming tedious. Maybe he would stay indoors for a few days after this.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
She met him at the door, rifle in hand. She acknowledged him with a nod, and then they exited toward the Cat.
“You drive. I’ll keep an eye open for Kuvayev.”
He slid behind the wheel and slammed the door shut. Lena wasted no time in removing her gloves and programming the GPS with the coordinates that Sokolov left them.
“Get moving. Nobody needs to see what we are doing. I will give you directions once we get started.”
Hamlin got the Cat rolling. The skid steer took a bit of getting used to, but not much maneuvering was required, so that made it much easier.
“Turn right. I’ll tell you how much. A little more…stop! More to the right. Now go straight.”
That was easy enough. They rolled along without incident, and Francis found that he was a little excited by their quest. He couldn’t imagine that there would be anything that could reverse the negatives they had experienced, but as long as they weren’t sure what awaited them, Hamlin decided to imagine the best.
“A little more right. That’s it.”
Hamlin looked at the GPS screen but it told him nothing.
“Any idea where we’re heading yet?”
She nodded.
“I think so. There isn’t much down here that is unknown or hidden, at least as far as our camp is concerned. There’s an old building that is basically abandoned out this way. Why he would want us to go out here is a mystery to me. But keep going—we are almost there.”
That didn’t sound too exciting. Surely Sokolov must have had some good reason in mind.
“Another two hundred meters. Steady on.”
He strained through the gloom but couldn’t see anything.
“One hundred meters.”
Still nothing. But then, abruptly, a large, run-down building came into view.
“All right, stop. Right here is fine.”
He was disappointed in its appearance. It looked like a piece of junk.
“What now?”
She actually smiled. “We go in, what else? Surely some treasure awaits, don’t you think?”
“Sure doesn’t look like it. We’re leaving this running, correct?”
“You’d better. It would be a long, cold walk back. And I wouldn’t be happy. Keep in mind I am carrying a gun.”
“And I’ve seen you shoot it.” Hamlin opened his door and stepped into the deep freeze.
The wind was picking up and the wind chill was brutal.
“Come on,” Lena yelled. “Let’s get in there. At least it will block most of the wind.”
Hamlin simply followed. Outdoor conversation moved too much cold air into his lungs.
The rickety door put up a surprising amount of resistant before they could force it open. They stepped inside. It was disconcertingly dark. Hamlin couldn’t make out any details at all.
“Now what?”
A sharp click and two rows of lights started to flicker on. Lena had her hand on the wall mounted switch and was smiling like she had just pulled one over on him.
“Who would think it? Lights!”
“Very funny.” He stepped into the structure. “Not much to see anyway.”
Everything that initially caught his eye was either old or decrepit, or a combination of both in most cases.
Lena walked further in, looking all around as she went.
“We should be careful. I don’t want to miss anything.”
“What exactly are we looking for, anyway?”
“I have no idea. Anything that looks usable, valuable, new or newer…or perhaps something hidden.”
Hamlin started walking. There were no sources of heat; the temperature seemed identical to the outside. His breath rose in great plumes of warm vapor. He had no idea why that still held some sort of fascination after all the time he had been down here. He stepped around a pile of rusty pipes.
“Anything yet, Francis?”
“Well, if there was a junk yard anywhere around here, we probably have a few hundred bucks worth of scrap. That would get us a nice night on the town.”
“Hmm. That sounds nice. The night on the town, I mean.”
“Oh yeah. A seafood platter, some warm cheesy biscuits, and nice bottle of chardonnay and who knows—I might even nibble on some Caesar salad.”
“Stop it. You’re killing me.”
Hamlin stopped walking. He was in the middle of the structure, looking toward what he perceived as the back wall.
“Hey, what’s that?”
Lena immediately started walking toward him.
“What is what?”
“Such great language skills.” He pointed. “There, along the wall. It looks like an upright freezer. I would guess you don’t have much use for anything like that down here, though.”
A large metal cabinet-like container stood innocuously by the wall.
“Hmm, I’m not sure. Let’s have a closer look.”
As they approached, Hamlin grew excited. The surface was shiny brushed metal, and it looked quite new and modern. That was when he noticed the cord.
“Hey, it’s plugged in. What the hell does that mean? Is it a freezer?”