The Fifth Codex Read Free Page A

is a very kind description.
    “We have accommodations ready for you and your soldiers.  Follow me, please.”  In her husky tone – distinctly Aussie – this sounds more like a command than a suggestion.  She does not offer her name, and we do not ask for it.
    Horribly disoriented after a handful of loopy turns, she leads us into a dreary, gaping room.  Still, washing areas and decent looking beds await our exhausted selves.  Not home, but good enough – this is Antarctica after all.  As she watches, we begin to unpack our personal belongings.
    “Food is on the way.  It is a good bit past midnight London time, but as Discovery Point follows UTC minus 6 hours, it is now,” she stares at her timepiece, “1845.  Adjust yourselves accordingly.”
    I hurriedly rip off my cheap travel watch and pitch it aside.  The luxurious feel of my favorite Patek Philippe around my wrist exudes a sense of normalcy and calms me.  As I set my beloved timepiece to the correct hour, with a grunt, our unsightly guide takes a few steps back as if to leave us.
    “Excuse me,” I say somewhat loudly.  “Upon landing, I noticed five large half-spheres of different colors.  Which one is this?”
    “You are in none of them, Madame Rothschild.  This is the underground bunker.  Concerning you and what your men guard, security is important is it not?”  My sleep deprived head nods weakly in agreement.  “Even in Antarctica, bad things can happen to those who fail to prepare for them.  At 0900, Admiral Vanderbilt will call on you to meet your peers and begin work.  More than enough time between now and then to eat and sleep, I very much suggest you be ready when he does so.”
    Her quick departure leaves us all both together and alone for the first time in three days.  Curiously, blank stares are the best way we can think of to celebrate.  Our dinner, well, I suppose you can say it was edible, arrives fifteen minutes later.  Upon picking through what we deem safe, my men and I at least own half-stuffed guts.  The first night of our next adventure finally here rekindles the delightful thrill only a new quest can.  This excitement as if charges of lightning sparking through the air, six hours pass with the feel of one.
    March 1 st quickly becomes March 2 nd – it is now 0120 Discovery Point time.  This passing of time suddenly realized and eager to fall asleep quickly, we tuck ourselves into our foreign beds.  My alarm set for 0800, its whiny ring comes within moments of actually dozing off.
    *****
    At exactly 0900 enters not the Admiral, but this Aussie woman once more.  Uninvited, unannounced, she opens our door and steps right in.  Motionless and with vacant eyes that look me over from head to toe, you would have thought I had walked in on her.  I feel for my darkened glasses to ensure they are on – they are – and stare straight back at her.
    “A slight change in plans, Madame ,” she drawls as she melts out of her frozen stupor.  “You will be staying with the other scientists in the barracks on the west end of Discovery Point.  As for your men, this will be their permanent housing.”  My mouth agape in prepared protest, she closes it tight – “Admiral’s orders.”
    With a fake smile much too wide to be real, I spin around to gather my personal belongings.  My equipment and precious wares will stay safely behind with my soldiers.  For now, this is fine.  I will not need them until later.
    “Here are your access cards.”  She starts handing these cards out to the nine of us.  “They give each of you complete access to all areas aside from the Command Information Center in the blue igloo.  If and when necessary, your soldiers will have the chance to set up their equipment in the CIC.  As each of you surely noticed from the air, the four outer igloos all join the red one at the center.  If you get lost, just start going about in circles … you will find your way again.”
    Every one of us