I do not own anything relating to the Teen Titans.
Opening the Closet Door a Crack – Chapter 19
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The flight to the most forbidding continent on earth was silent as each titan remained lost in their own thoughts. As Cyborg had forecast the previous night, the flight took around four hours as the T-Jet was able to utilize a rather quick suborbital trajectory to enable the crew to make their way around the globe.
And so, in the late morning, the titan's T-Jet came down out of the clouds into the darkness of Antarctica. The darkness was both figurative and literal. Early September, although the tail end of summer in the northern hemisphere, is the tail end of winter on the continent. Darkness had covered the land for months, many of them in total darkness as the sun did not rise during this time. This was the time when the continent was largely abandoned. Scientists who researched the continent left before the bitterest time arrived. There was a reason this was the coldest spot on the planet. There was little sun for half a year, it is covered in snow and ice that had not melted for millennium, nay, for millions of years. It was a continent covered in mountains, therefore, it was elevated, making it even colder. Much of the continent remained to be explored. Other than a few mountains that intrepid mountaineers attempted, and some scientists and explorers, the vast wasteland that was the planet's southernmost continent was largely unexplored. Oh, it had been mapped out from space and plane. But down on the ground, there were large stretches that had never seen the foot of man.
Into this unknown darkness, the titans ventured.
Aiming for the coordinates that were set down in Eliot's letter, the T-Jet flew on.
"Looking over the terrain that Eliot wrote about, we're going to head for the Continental High Plateau, that's the general region in the area. There's two different mountain ranges that could be where Marsh went." Robin began. "Almost dead on those coordinates is the Kohler Range. Problem is, they're pretty small, only a couple thousand feet. They're also plateaus and volcanic. Logically, it doesn't seem as if they would have presented the kind of difficulties to Marsh that he couldn't have climbed up. They're pretty tame."
"TAME?" shouted Beast Boy, "IN THIS WEATHER?"
"Well, I'm assuming he went during the summer months down here. In the winter, just walking around here is an adventure. Besides, Eliot mentioned the temperature was about 5°. That's definitely not winter weather here. More like mid spring. In some areas of the continent, the temperature gets noticeably above freezing. Problem is the Continental High Plateau doesn't usually get that warm, not even in the summer. Almost never gets near 0, let alone about it.
"And the second mountain range?" interrupted Raven, before Beast Boy could start up and argument again.
"That would be the Crary Mountains. They're on the same basic line, but a bit closer to the pole. Now THOSE are mountains. Mount Frakes is the tallest, about 12,000 feet. Mt. Steere is next at 11,700 feet. They're largely unexplored. Anything could be hidden up there. If there is a lost city, it would certainly be more logical to put it there rather than on top of a volcano, which would be the Kohler Range."
"Oh joy," sulked Beast Boy, "You know how thin the air is up there? We're talking over two miles above sea level. Not to mention that it's COLD! It's the coldest place on earth. Did I mention IT'S COLD!"
You could practically see the steam coming out of Robin's ears. Before the explosion hit, Cyborg said, "Yeah BB, I think you mentioned it a couple of times. Do you know how well metal reacts to cold? Not well. And my skin is grafted to it. So I don't want to hear about it."
Although the titans could hear Beast Boy grumbling, it seemed his complaining was tapering off. Robin continued. "One thing we won't have to worry about is storms. This region is classified as a desert."
"Desert?" interrupted Starfire, "But are not your deserts covered in sand and rock?"
"Starfire," continued Robin, "Deserts are a classification used to describe the amount of precipitation a region gets. Most earth deserts are in regions where there is a lot of sun, so the ground turns to sand and rock. In this case, there's very little sun, so there's no sand. This area get's only an inch or less of precipitation in a year."
"Yo, only an inch of snow? Where'd it all come from then?" Beast Boy was honestly curious about this.
"Add an inch every year for thousands of years, with little or no melting, it adds up. Still, the winds can be fierce up here and will blow what little snow and ice exists. And just in case Beast Boy hasn't mentioned it," Robin smirked, "it'll be a little chilly. We're at the tail end of winter here and the average temperature will be about 85° below zero."
"Can't we come back in the summer?" Beast Boy whined.
"Sure, the temperature will be a balmy, 25° below zero in about four months. Much better. Unfortunately, we need to be here now." Beast Boy began to grumble again under his breath.
"That is right, friend Beast Boy, there is no time to waste. If we are to stop the rise of Great Cthulhu, we must find sunken R'yleh. Robin, where do we begin the search? How long will this take? The Esoteric Order of Dagon may be there at any minute."
"I've given it some thought. We should probably head for the highest point. Defensively, any city should be situated on the highest point to repel invaders. Therefore, we should make for Mount Frakes."
"Yeah? And how are we supposed to SEE anything? It's dark. Cyborg can't even use the sensors because there's nothing down that that isn't COLD!"
Robin began to lose it. "If you don't shut up about the cold I'm going to eject you over the pole. I KNOW IT'S COLD! THIS IS OUR ONLY LEAD! SHUT UP!"
"Umm, guys? Despite his complaining, Beast Boy has a point. (I can't believe I just said that.) How are we going to find Mount Frakes and investigate?" interrupted Raven, trying to head off what appeared to be a major blowup between the two.
Between gritted teeth, Robin replied, "We're just going to have to fly on instruments. The US Geological Service has mapped out most of the continent. I have the coordinates for Mount Frakes and we can simply fly there. Once we get there, we'll use the radar to look for an area to land. After that, it'll probably take a bit of time to locate this city, if it even exists."
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The city exists. For uncounted millions of years it had lain there, hidden in the crevices beneath the ice and snow of Antarctica. Long before mankind had begun its long evolutionary journey, it had been there. It had seen dinosaurs come and go and had lain there. Long before the continent had settled into its current resting place at the southern point on the planet it had lain there. Its building had occurred when there were only two continents on the face of the earth and its location had been chosen for the warm tropical climate as the beings who had lived there could not handle the cold. Still, that was not the issue at the time, as most of this young planet was still tropical.
And so, the city was built. The beings made use of the native materials, but they used their own construction methods, and their own geometry. These beings had come from a far different background than young mankind. Whereas mankind's fundamental perception of reality is grounded in Euclidian geometry, these beings were from a far older, more advanced civilization, one for whom Euclidian geometry was for children. And so, they constructed their city based upon foundations for which mankind has no understanding, and no ability TO understand.
Perception. Change a person's perception of reality and you tamper with their fundamental awareness and ability to deal with reality. Hence, the appeal, and ultimate terror, of funhouses where on a limited basis, mankind can expose himself to mind altering changes in perception and reality. But, there's always an exit.
What happens when there are no exits, and everywhere you turn, reality is not what it seems? It doesn't have to be a large change. In fact, sometimes the smallest changes are the most disturbing. The unconscious mind sees things that its conscious awareness does not register. Sometimes, the circle does not add up to 360°, sometimes the four corners of the room only add up to 359°. For mankind, that way lay madness.
And so, the titans venture into those mountains of madness.
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The darkness was near complete around the Crary Mountains. While early March was reaching the point where the sun was considering rising any week now, deepest night still lay over the continent. Although the sky was clear, there was no appreciable light given by stars or moon. Making use of their instruments, the adventurers flew towards the mountains at a slowing pace in order to examine the region and look for a possible landing area.
Robin piloted the ship towards the largest mountain in the area. Looming over the plateau, Mt. Frakes was joined by its brethren. Like an older brother who just slightly exceeded his younger siblings, the mountain top was less than a football field higher than the neighboring peaks. Yet it was enough. As Robin began to circle the craggy top, Cyborg began utilizing the radar instruments to see if anything below them bore a resemblance to a city.
The examination was painstakingly time consuming, as is all detailed work. After about an hour of circling the mountaintop in an ever widening band, Cyborg spoke.
"Rob, break off and head northwest towards Mount Steere."
"Do you see something?" he replied.
"Not sure. I'm getting odd readings on the radar. There are a number of square level areas and a number of odd shapes. Could be a plateau and a wall, could just be random boulders. But it's the closest thing I've seen yet."
"OK, altering course for the northwest."
A few minutes later, Cyborg broke the silence again. "Yeah, there might be something down there. I'm seeing a lot of flat surfaces, lot's of square patterns, a large open area. And some really weird shapes. Could be rocks from an avalanche or collapsed building, but it's not random…" his voice trailed off.
"Cyborg, are you saying we should try to land?" asked Robin.
Coming back to his senses, Cyborg replied, "Yeah, guess I am. This is the nearest thing I've seen yet."
"Where should we head?" asked Raven, "I'll need to know to prepare for landing if the terrain is at all uneven."
"OK, Rob, continue heading northwest for another 200 yards. Looks like there's a large open space there. Seems relatively flat on the radar."
Robin nodded. Slowly bringing the T-Jet to the designated area, he began to cut the motor and lower the ship to the ground. Raven let down the landing gear and took over the controls from Robin so that she could handle the delicate landing procedures, preparing for any disaster due to the wind and darkness.
The ship landed gently down on the plateau. "Wow, that was easier than I expected." Raven said. Looking at the ship's gyroscopes, this seems to be a perfectly flat surface."
"OK Titans," interrupted Robin, "Break out your thermal gear and prepare to leave the ship. It's only about 75° below zero, so brace yourselves."
"DUDE, I DON'T HAVE THERMAL GEAR! I can't morph with thermal gear. I'll be frozen in seconds if I leave the ship. Even if I morph into a polar bear, I'll freeze within minutes, they can only handle down to around 50 below."
Robin gave a disgusted look. "So why didn't you bring your thermal gear."
"Well genius, because when we left the Tower, we were going to New England in the summer. We've never BEEN to the Antarctica in the DEAD OF WINTER. So I had NO REASON TO PACK ANY! Besides, I don't even OWN thermal gear. Even when we fought Dr. Light in the Arctic, it was warm enough there that I could morph into an animal. NOTHING LIVES DOWN HERE EXCEPT PENGUINS. And they only survive in packs during the middle of winter. Unless you can find me some down here that I can huddle against for the next couple of months, I'M STUCK!"
And with that, Beast Boy folded his arms and began to sulk again.
The four other titans looked at one another. They hadn't quite realized the difficulties their green teammate was laboring under.
"Uhh, I guess that that fox you change into is also out?" Cyborg asked. Beast Boy nodded.
"Got it," exclaimed Robin. "Wooly Mammoth. They could probably handle these conditions." Beast Boy gave him a disgusted look. "Couldn't they?"
"Yeah genius, they could. And when we reach the city and try to enter a building, how do you suppose I'm going to get inside? Through a doggy door?" Robin looked a little sheepish at that. "I need a variety of animals, large and small, all to handle various situations. And it also means I can't morph back to human. No talking."
"Thank Azar for small favors." Muttered Raven
"So if I see or find something, I can't communicate it. Plus, if we set up camp inside, I CAN'T GET THERE TO GET WARM! I'm trapped outside if I stay a mammoth. Finally, how do I change into a mammoth? In here? I'd wreck the ship. If I step outside I'd freeze almost before I have a chance to morph."
Once again, the four other titans looked at each other. None of them had really considered this.
"Could Beast Boy borrow one of the other outfits?" asked Starfire.
"No, in these conditions, the suits are fitted to the individual. Any air or wind getting in the clothing would lead to frostbite. And since BB is smaller than the rest of us, it would far too roomy." Answered Cyborg.
"Could he change into a small animal or something, one of us could carry him." Suggested Raven.
"Still wouldn't work," replied Beast Boy. "I still have nowhere to go to. Basically, I'd just have to curl up in someone's pocket. And even there, I'd still have some exposure to the cold. And mice cannot handle the cold very long."
Robin pondered the issue. "OK, the only thing I can see at this point is for Beast Boy to stay here. We'll search the area. If it looks like we're in the right area and there IS a city here, we can look for an enclosed building to set up as a base camp. We'll come back to the T-Jet and get our equipment. Then after setting it up and getting the camp buildings warmed up, one of us can come back for Beast Boy."
He looked at his companion. "I'm sorry, I don't see anything else we can do at the moment."
Beast Boy stared at the titan leader. After a moment, he nodded. "Yeah, well, this'll give me time to get past level six on MegaMonkeys 4. I brought it on my portable gamestation."
"Yo, grass stain. Make sure you keep the generators on and the T-Jet warmed up. AND DON'T GO PRESSING ANY BUTTONS!" Cyborg said. Then, more softly, "Sorry pal, looks like you'll have to sit this one out for the moment." The girls made similar notes of sympathy. No one particularly liked to leave one of the team behind.
"OK Titans, move out." Robin issued the command and the four titans left the confines of the T-Jet, making their way into the night, leaving Beast Boy alone, in the dark of the Antarctica night.
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A bit different. More science than 'spooky' towns. Lovecraft wrote 'At the Mountains of Madness' in mid 1931, shortly after Admiral Byrd became the first person to fly over the South Pole. At that time, the continent was almost completely unknown. In the novella, these mountains were higher than the Himalayan mountains.
Of course, 80 years later we know there are no mountains of that size on the continent. But remarkably, there are extremely high mountains that are largely unexplored nearby. So I borrowed a bit and adapted. Lovecraft was also a bit careless regarding science, not realizing that the air would be incredibly thin at that altitude. I've, obviously, made allowances for that. In fact, almost all of the facts mentioned in this chapter are true, although I stretched a point or two occasionally for drama's sake.
My thanks to everyone who has been reading. Especially since it appears FanFiction had a hiccup over the past week and the last chapter would appear and disappear at will. Hopefully, whatever problems existed have been corrected and everyone can catch up.
Meanwhile, there were two intrepid readers who braved the FF craziness and were able to write a review.
ForceIsStrongWithThisOne – Scratch a clown and find a tragedy. I've always believed that there are tremendous hidden depths to BB. In fact, the show hinted on numerous occasions at such depths, as well as the reasons behind many of his actions. He is the most moral, and bravest, of the team. Who else do you see standing up to Terra, seconds from death and still trying to show her the consequences of her actions with no fear in his eyes.
Until next time my friends, sleep well.
Novus Ordo Seclorum – Orgasmic? Wow, glad that the chapter met with your approval. There will be two more 'end of the day' scenes that, I think, you'll enjoy. I'm very much enjoying bringing our two friends along on a slowly building romance. Fun times amidst the darkness. That reminds me, I really enjoyed 'Joke's On You'. Thought you were going to extend it beyond one-shot, but I see now that it's complete.