Extend the Story - Add a Room

By the time Shaffer and Davison reached the deck of the Polar Star, the rest of the crew had arrived to get their individual share of pets and hugs with the husky. Through all the hugs and head rubs the dog sat remarkably still, tolerating the cooing with a stolid palor.

Pulling Riles aside while keeping one eye peeled on the slightly unnerving dog, Shaffer asked "So, anything come over the squawk-box this morning, any e-mail?" Shaffer reiterated by asking, "...and did anything come over about dogs!"

Riles, with a coy look replied, "Yeah we got some news."

Shaffer, trying to hide mild impatience with a half-cocked smile said, "And?"

Riles replied self-satisfactorily, "Command called and said that an American scientific research outpost, 31, has responded to radio contact or e-mail for over two weeks. They would like us to drop anchor in the Bay of Trepidation and track 20 miles inland to see what is going on."

Shaffer grimaced. He didn't have any desire to go 20 miles inland for any snow-scared scientists that probably had forgotten how to plug in a radio or type into a computer. 'Sides, taking the time out would possibly hamper the time sensitive sampling of what ever buggies Dr. Ramos wanted from somewhere near the Artic Straights.

Riles, reading Shaffer's thoughts asked, "So what do you wanna do, drop anchor for the scientists or push on for Dr. Ramos?"

Push on to the Artic Straights?