Piper Maru

Sebastian de Rosa POV

''Weyland's check cleared.'' Tom says.

''Good. You know what? We're going to listen to whatever he has to say. We nod. We smile and politely decline whatever offer he makes. We take the money and head back to Mexico.'' I say.

''Right.'' Tom says.

''Right.'' I say, thinking I won't be here so long.

Aurora Sandra Weyland POV

I look around at the surroundings as I love the expedition. I may be only three but I love all the adventures dad takes me on.

I see a man calling another a beaker. That's mean.

''Welcome aboard everybody. Please. Your attention.'' Daddy says.

''Mr. Weyland.'' I hear Stafford say.

''Seven days, ago one of my satellites over Antarctica hunting for mineral deposits discovered a sudden heat bloom beneath the earth which outlined this. The red lines indicate solid walls. Through thermal mapping we've generated a three-dimensional image of the structure. It's massive, containing hundreds of rooms all built around a central core. My experts tell me it's a pyramid. What they can't agree on is who built it and when. One expert tells me this has features reminiscent of the Aztecs. Another tells me it's probably Cambodian. What they all agree on is that the smooth side is definitively Egyptian.'' Daddy says.

''I think your experts are right.'' a man called Sebastian says.

''Which one?'' Daddy asks.

''All of them.'' Seb says.

''Meaning what exactly?'' the woman called Lex asks. Daddy let me know all their names.

''This pyramid contains the features of all three cultures. This might be the first pyramid ever built.'' Seb says and I wonder why he's so excited.

''But built by whom?'' Miller asks.

''By the first civilization.'' Seb says and everyone gets a look I can't describe on their faces.

''Thank you.'' Daddy says.

''But how could anyone possibly build a pyramid out here?'' Miller asks.

''Ancient maps show Antartica free of ice. It's likely the continent once was habitable.'' Sam says.

''I can't tell you who built it. But if I could take a sample from it, I can tell you how old it is.'' Miller says.

''Dr. Miller, I'm offering to put you right next to this thing.'' Daddy says.

''What caused the heat bloom?'' Sam asks.

''I don't know.'' Daddy says.

''Where exactly on the ice is this?'' Lexa asks.

''Bouvetøya Island. But it's not on the ice It's 2,000 feet below it.'' Daddy says.

''Mr. Quinn?'' Stafford asks.

''Mr. Stafford. You're looking at the best drilling team in the world. We'll chew to that depth in seven days.'' Quinn says.

''And add three weeks on top of that to train everyone here.'' Lexa says.

''We don't have that kind of time Ms. Woods. I'm not the only one with a satellite over Antarctica. Others will be here soon.'' Daddy says.

''Maybe I wasn't clear. No one in this room is ready for this trip.'' Lexa says.

''That's why I asked you here.'' Daddy says.

''Bouvetøya is one of the world's most isolated places. The nearest land is 1,000 miles away. There's no help if we run into trouble.'' Lexa says.

''You're right. It's a no-man's-land. But the train has left the station. And I think I speak for everyone aboard this ship. This is worth the risk.'' Daddy says.

''Find another guide.'' Lexa says as she leaves.

Lexa POV

''I've spoken with Mr. Weyland. The money's been wired into your account. Chopper's refueling to fly you home.'' Stafford says.

''Who'd you get?'' I ask as I pack.

''Gerald Murdoch.'' Stafford says and I rush to Weyland's door and knock.

''Come in.'' I hear Weyland say and barge in.

''Gerry Murdoch has two seasons of ice time. He's not ready.'' I say.

''Don't worry about it.'' Weyland says.

''What about Paul Woodman? Or Andrew Keylaw?'' I ask.

''We called them. They gave the same bullshit answer you did.'' Stafford says.

''Bullshit? Mr. Weyland, what I told you in there wasn't bullshit. If you rush this people will get hurt. Maybe die.'' I say.

''I don't understand your objection Ms. Woods. It's not like we're not asking you to take us up Everest. We need you to take us from the ship to the pyramid and back. That's it.'' Weyland says, also indicating his daughters.

''You're bringing children?! Are you insane!'' I say as he must be.

''Only a little while and then, they'll be on land. They always go on my adventures and I don't want them to think they can't explore for a few minutes to satisfy their curiosity. I tried to stop them once but they got hurt because they followed. At least, I will know where they are.'' Weyland says and I can't argue with that.

''What about inside the pyramid?'' I ask.

''Well you don't have to worry about that. Once we're on the site we have the best technology and experts that money can buy. Is this new?'' Weyland says.

''It's the latest.'' Stafford says.

''Mr. Weyland, when I lead my team, I don't ever leave my team.'' I say.

''I admire your passion. I wish you were going with us.'' Weyland says.

''You're making a mistake.'' I say.

(Little Time Skip)

I look at the Nothern Lights, thinking.

''It's in the upper atmosphere.'' Miller says

''Streams of protons and electrons affected by the sun being deflected by the earth's magnetic field.'' he continues.

''Shackleton called Antarctica ''the last great journey left to man.'' It's the one place left in the world that no one owns. It's completely free. Me? I'm sort of partial to the penguins.'' I say.

''I wish you'd reconsider coming with us Lex. Come on, don't make me pull out pictures of my kids again.'' Miller says.

I laugh a little.

''Your kids aren't that cute.'' I say.

''What if we got pictures of other people's kids?'' Sebastian asks.

''Want my advice? Stay on the boat.'' I say.

''Okay. Let me ask you something. Do we stand a better chance of surviving with you or with the number-two choice?'' Sebastian asks.

And now I have a choice to make an I look at little Aurora. Darn.