At the remote TA-3 Arctic research site near Norðvik, a team drilling deep into ancient permafrost uncovers unusually well-preserved organic material and a hidden geothermal pocket. A minor, unnoticed breach during sample handling allows exposure to an ancient virus released from the thawing ground. As a severe storm isolates the base and systems begin to fail, the team evacuates—unaware the infection has already taken hold. In the days that follow, early cases appear, but the true source is not recognised in time, planting the seed for what will become The Great Collapse.

Episode List

Episode One: 4.1 Well Preserved

A new episode of this seven-part short story will be posted every Friday.

Characters

🧊 Thermal Array-3 Power Research Site
(8 Personnel)

🐾 Command

• General Marvin Huxley — Site Lead / Command
  (Hunde — French Bulldog)

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🧬 Science Team

• James Earl Jarvis — Lead Scientist
  (Human)

• Dr. Elena Varga — Thermal Systems Engineer
  (Human)

• Lucas Kovács — Scientist Support / Lab Technician
  (Human)

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🛠️ Engineering Team

• Markus Weber — Lead Drilling Engineer
  (Hunde — German Shepherd)

• Matthias Reinhardt — Drilling Engineer / Support
  (Hunde — St Bernard)

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🧑‍💻 Systems & Operations

• Eugene Park — Communications / Data Analyst
  (Human)

• Rebecca Collins — Site Operations / Logistics
  (Hunde — Border Collie)

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🛷 Arctic Division — Sled Team
(3 Personnel)

• General Jake “Ice-pick” Husky — Arctic Division Commander / Sled Lead
  (Hunde — Husky)

• Erik “Snow-Hook” Halvorsen — Sled Leader / Field Lead
  (Hunde — Husky)

• Sanna “Pulse-Check” Korhonen — Sled Leader / Medical
  (Hunde — Husky)