Frostpunk: The Last City On Earth
Chapter 12: The Observatory (Part 2)
Walter passed a ration to Jack, who eagerly devoured it, and gave a portion to Boris. In the dim light, Doctor Faraday began their descent down a narrow staircase, holding his lamp up to light the way.
"As you've probably realized, the breach in the walls not only left a gaping hole but also took our only generator, the steam core, the heart of our facility, rendering our sanctuary vulnerable to the encroaching freeze," Faraday explained.
"And are you the only scientist here?" Walter asked.
The doctor nods his head. "No, unfortunately, I could not keep my colleagues alive. However, it's been a struggle. With your arrival, we may finally have a glimmer of hope."
Walter's expression remained unchanged. "When you mentioned that there isn't much time, what exactly did you mean by that?" he asked.
Faraday's expression darkened as he continued, "I wasn't exaggerating the urgency. My statement meant both the dire condition of the survivors and, more ominously, the impending great storm that is set to arrive in less than a month."
Walter abruptly halted in his tracks, causing Jack to bump into him.
"What!?" Walter exclaimed, his shock echoing the gravity of the situation.
"I anticipated that kind of reaction," Faraday remarked with a touch of understanding in his voice.
"Because nobody said that there would be a great storm. How bad is it?" Walter asked.
Faraday adjusted his glasses, "The impending storm is bound to be exceptionally severe, I'm afraid. I regret to inform you that it's inevitable, and its impact will be quite catastrophic. Temperatures would be too low that not even the human body could withstand them. The air would be so cold that it could turn into ice within seconds."
Jack looks down, his expression mixed with sadness and realization as he absorbs the weight of the news. Boris noticed Jack's change in demeanor and gave a gentle nuzzle and a soft, reassuring roar, the bear cub offering comfort.
Walter's head shook slowly, his eyes wide and mixed with shock and denial. "This... this can't be true," he muttered.
Faraday's weary gaze settled upon Jack and Walter, his voice tinged with a heavy sigh. "I'm afraid there's no escaping that fact, young man. I wish there were a gentler way to put it. Regardless, we must move on. Time is of the essence. We must join the others and let them know of your arrival."
The Doctor continued to lead the way down the staircase, eventually reaching a metal door at the bottom. Jack and Walter exchanged glances before entering the chamber. Faraday reaches for the door handle and opens it, leading them into a larger room where a few makeshift beds and supplies were arranged, the basement storage.
Bookshelves and broken furniture had been dismantled and repurposed as fuel for the fires.
Walter could see remnants of charred paper scattered around his feet. They must have burnt some of the books to keep them warm. It was a grim reminder that even knowledge could be a cost for survival.
A few heads turned toward the basement entrance as Faraday entered, followed closely by Jack and Walter. But soon, several followed, intrigued by the newcomers. Several more survivors shifted their attention, their expressions a blend of weariness, curiosity, and perhaps a hint of hope.
"Everyone, if I could have your attention," Faraday's voice carried through the air, commanding the room's focus. He stepped aside and gestures towards Jack and Walter. "These two are scouts from New London, and they've embarked on a mission to locate their missing companions."
Their faces held a reflection of sorrow, their shivering indicating the harsh cold and shadowed by an underlying sense of fear.
The sight alone weighed heavily on Jack's heart, bringing a deep sadness as he surveyed the starving children and adults before him.
Walter's demeanor, however, remained unchanged, his expression carefully guarded, not wanting to let his emotions churn beneath his skin. He decided to keep his feelings hidden. Showing weakness to these people would only make it worse.
At this moment, Jack allowed his emotions to flow freely, tears welling up in his eyes as he grieved for the suffering of these survivors. His heart ached for them, and he didn't hold back his tears.
Walter remained composed, his stoic facade unbreaking.
It is not to say that the weight of the situation was not lost on him, but Walter couldn't afford to show his weakness to them as it would only make them feel worse considering their situation. These people need to be strong.
He needs to be strong.
For now, he chose to bear this in silence.
This encounter starkly contrasted the previous groups that Jack and Walter had encountered. It carried a weight of desolation and a heavy melancholy in the air.
Walter kept his rifle raised but lowered it slightly.
Jack gently put the bear cub down, allowing it to explore its new surroundings, shuffling over to the children. Despite the harsh surroundings, his tiny frame and innocent eyes made him appear more adorable than imposing.
Jack removes his headwear and wipes away his tears. Despite the sorrow he feels, he gives a genuine smile as a sign of trust and openness.
Jack addressed the group, "We're not here to harm any of you," he said. His words carried the weight of his intentions and tone with sincerity and earnestness. "My name is Jack, and this is my partner, Walter. We're to help."
Walter mirrored Jack's gesture, removing his headgear to reveal his face. His grip on the rifle relaxed as he casually slung it across his back. With a watchful eye, he surveys the faces of the survivors, looking for signs of danger.
However, there was no indication of danger in the group.
The survivors eyed the bear cub with curiosity, and some were a little frightened at the sight. But a small child, one brave girl, no older than eight, her eyes widened as she reached out and gently touched Boris's soft fur, approaching carefully.
Boris tilted his head, sniffing at her outstretched hand before nuzzling it affectionately.
"He's so cute," the girl exclaimed, her voice filled with happiness.
"Are you really here to help us?" One of them asked, his voice mixed with hope and skepticism.
Jack nodded, "Yes, we're here to help," he said. His voice carried the weight of his words. Walter gives a small smile and a nod.
As the realization of Jack and Walter's sincerity settled in, their hesitance changed with newfound hope. They slowly rose from their makeshift resting places, gathered around Jack and Walter, and greeted them. Warm hugs and heartfelt handshakes intertwined with expressions of gratitude.
It was as though they regarded them as bringers of much-needed hope in a cold, harsh world. Some even found tears in their eyes as they stood before Jack and Walter.
/-/
Walter was initially hesitant, yet after a moment of consideration, he had decided to leave Jack and Boris in the company of the survivors.
It was a risky decision to make, but it was a practical one.
It would allow Jack to extend his care to their people. They have mentioned that they got lost in the aftermath of the last blizzard, ultimately leading them to their unfortunate separation.
Doctor Faraday had requested that Walter accompany him on his mission to retrieve his team's research.
The Observatory had seen better days. While it was clearly inhospitable for a long-term stay, it did promise valuable knowledge that could benefit the Captain and New London.
Doctor Faraday's role as an astronomer could prove to be immensely valuable. Faraday's expertise in the celestial phenomena could offer a crucial advantage in the face of the impending storm.
If they were to stand a chance against the storm, having a consistent and accurate update on the weather patterns could significantly benefit New London's chances of survival. Maybe even more advantageous for Jack and Walter in their roles as scouts, navigating through the plains would be so much easier for Jack.
As much as Walter wanted to leave as soon as possible, he couldn't help but feel his curiosity grow the more he remained inside the confines of the Observatory. Following Doctor Faraday, Walter felt compelled to follow his lead, venturing deeper into the facility to look for his research. Walter kept a watchful eye on their surroundings as they explored the rest of the observatory.
Faraday spoke in a hushed tone as they walked, his words laden with relief and desperation. "I'm truly grateful that you've found us. Our situation here has been dire, to say the least. The cold seeps through every crack every day, and we've been struggling to keep the fire running. Food is scarce, and hope... well, it's a rare commodity these days."
"What happened to this place? If you don't me asking," Walter asked with curiosity.
"Well, it's quite a tale, one that stretches back before the great frost," Faraday paused for a moment before he began. With a softened voice, he carried a tinge of nostalgia.
"We were here long before the world was plunged into ice. Back then, our pursuits were centered on the celestial wonders above, studying the stars in the night sky. But as time turned and the frost descended, our focus shifted, our gaze directed towards the clouds that now dominate the horizon. Counting the clouds and measuring their density became our solemn task, an effort to grasp and understand the extent of the sun's blockade."
Faraday's voice wavered with the weight of memory, each word carrying a trace of the sorrow that accompanied their shift from stargazing to cloud counting.
Walter remained in silence, his curiosity now mingling with a respectful understanding, as he allowed the Doctor to continue to tell his story of the Observatory's journey.
He understood the weight of Faraday's words and the effects of the cold that had taken place within these walls. In this moment, Walter felt the corridors of the Observatory echoes with the weight of their past, each step he took felt a blend of life and death.
The Doctor meticulously searched through shelves and drawers, his fingers carefully selecting papers that held profound meaning within their worn, delicate pages.
"I'd prefer not to delve into the harrowing details of the trials my team and I endured during those times," Faraday's voice carried a somber tone as he shared his memories.
"How many months have passed since the onset of the great frost? Nearly a year, perhaps? We were given assurances, promises that we would be relieved from our posts and reunited with our loved ones."
Faraday reaches into his coat and reveals a small picture of him and his family back in London, caressing his fingers along the frame as he reminisces on the photo.
"A promise that, as it turned out, was built upon falsehoods." Faraday carefully tucks the photo back into his coat and clenches his hands into fists.
"I stand now as the sole survivor, the lone bearer of our collective endeavor. Despite the isolation and desolation that surrounded me, I alone persisted, carrying forth not only my own work but the legacy of my fallen colleagues. A sense of duty that pushed me forward, a determination to comprehend this unfortunate phenomenon that had gripped our world."
Faraday paused in his search, his gaze locking onto Walter's eyes. Walter nodded in response, somewhere he could relate to the doctor's suffering.
"I'm genuinely sorry to hear about the loss of your crew, Doctor," Walter's voice carried a rare sincere empathy. One that he normally doesn't show. "I, too, had a family once, but I was already alone, long before the frost came. The isolation, in a sense, was something I had gotten used to."
In that moment, as their eyes held a silent conversation, the Observatory's walls seemed to bear witness to their unspoken stories.
"I found myself at the brink, stripped of companionship and resilience waning," Faraday's voice carried the weight of his memories.
"The cold's relentless grip seemed hellbent to claim me, a battle it appeared I had lost. Yet, hope emerged from the darkness—distant cries and the faint glow of their lamps pierced through the icy haze."
The Doctor smiled and continued.
"At that moment, I knew I couldn't stop. With little resources at my disposal, I guided their attention towards this place. I used the final moments of the Observatory's dwindling electricity before it surrendered to the void, offering them refuge within these walls. It was a small act, offering shelter, sharing the last of my rations, and even sacrificing precious books to kindle flames that kept them warm."
The smiles on their faces were something that the Doctor missed. How much he yearns for some company. The children, in a way, reminded him of his own. Had he got a chance to come home and see his family? Are they still alive?
"In those moments, as I worked to sustain their lives, a question gnawed at me: Had I made the right choice? Would my sacrifices be worthwhile?"
Walter didn't know what to say, and he had never been in that situation before. Walter found himself grappling with the weight of the doctor's unspoken plea for understanding.
All this was new, we all have our own problems to face. But the desperate look on Faraday's face looked like he needed an answer right here and now.
Searching for the right words, Walter's voice gave sincerity.
"Doctor Faraday, our world is fucked by the frost, and every choice we make is a gamble. I don't know what would happen to me. But what you did is not a mistake, you chose to protect these people. Your act of kindness, of lending a lifeline to those in need, your humanity, giving what little you have. And while I don't really have an answer. It was your willingness to make that choice, to offer hope in a fucked-up world. Hope, Doctor, it's something we desperately need, especially now. If that's not what you think, then I don't know what is."
As Walter's words hung in the air, offering solace and understanding. Faraday broke into a small laugh, his eyes filled with tears.
It caught Walter completely off guard but let him finish his laughter. Faraday's laughter subsided, replaced by a contemplative expression.
"I suppose it's time for me to seek out a new home," Faraday's voice held a quiet resolve.
"Tell me, does New London have a place for an astronomer? Could my observations and insights find a purpose in your city's struggles?" His question, delivered with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty, hung in the air, the Observatory's shadows seemingly poised to unveil a new chapter in his journey.
/-/
The children gathered around Jack, their eyes drawn to his smile like moths to a flame.
His expression brings out the joy in others. His smile gave them hope. It was a sign of reassurance to the kids, and they felt safe and happy. But not Walter. He had already seen plenty of it.
However, Jack's smile held meaning. It was a reminder that even in these harsh times, moments of safety and happiness could still be found in them.
The thought of it danced around in their little minds. They couldn't help but notice Jack's unusual unwavering cheerfulness. How could someone like him continue to hold onto that precious smile? In a realm where survival was a daily struggle, gripped by frost and hardship.
Jack's ability to radiate positivity was both a mystery and a gift. One that could ignite a spark of optimism within each of them, a small flame of hope that burned against the cold.
A small, curious child tugged at the fabric of Jack's coat.
Their innocent eyes fixed on his beaming smile. "Mister, why are you so happy?" asked the child.
Jack's shoulders lifted in a simple shrug, "I guess I just am," he replied, his tone light and genuine. "Nobody ever told me I should stop smiling." His words were simple as if his cheerful expression was as natural and unforced as the endless winter.
However, behind Jack's carefree demeanor, back in London, there was a depth of understanding born from witnessing countless children lose their innocence and smiles in the face of the approaching danger posed by the frost.
The children gathered around Boris, laughing as the adorable little bear cub roared. They looked very happy as they played with the furry creature.
The same little girl from before, her eyes wide with wonder, approached Jack again and couldn't contain her curiosity. "Where did you find him?" she asked.
Jack smiled as he recalled the events. "Well, Walter and I stumbled upon him after we rescued another group of survivors from a couple of bears," he explained. The words seemed to hang in the air, prompting a collective gasp of surprise from children and adults alike.
"Whoa, you fought one bear?" a young boy's voice carried a mix of amazement and disbelief, his eyes widening.
Jack chuckled, "Actually, it was two bears. Boris was just a tiny cub when we found him left behind by his parents. We couldn't leave him, so I took him in even though my partner Walter wasn't exactly thrilled about it."
The little girl frowns. "Your friend Walter sounds mean," she remarked.
"Well, he might seem a bit tough on the outside, but I don't mind. He saved my life when I almost got eaten by that bear. But Walter saved me, and he's a real dead-eye shot with his rifle. And I remembered exactly how it happened. I charged down the ridge and attacked one of the bears with my ice ax. And he shot that bear off me by its ear from all the back up the ridge. I don't know how he did it. But it was so cool and scary for my part."
The children's eyes widened in awe as they absorbed the tale, their faces lit up with wonder at the daring feat. Imagining the wild story with images of the icy confrontation.
"There's no way that's true. I'm not believing it for a second." One of the adults said.
"I get it," Jack responded, "It does sound like something out of a fairytale, doesn't it? But sometimes, life happens in the most extraordinary ways. But Walter did save my life that day. And if you want, I can get that guy I saved to vouch for me."
One of the adults walks up to Jack, and her expression carries a mix of longing and uncertainty. "Will you and your friend take us back to the others?" she asked. Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.
The rest of the survivors nodded in agreement.
Jack rose to his feet, "Yes," he nodded. "We've established a home not too far from here. There's food, shelter, and heat. There will be enough for everyone."
A parent's concern resonated in the air as another voice chimed in, "But what about the children? Will they be forced into labor?"
"From what I've seen, the captain has allowed the children to choose their own paths. The engineers have taken it upon themselves to teach the younger ones the skills they need. It's not just about labor—it's about fostering growth and development." Jack explained.
Jack's words seemed to have caused a positive reaction among the adults, and it must lift off the weight of any uncertainty that had weighed on them. The notion of their children receiving proper education and the chance to determine their own destinies was a promise that held immeasurable value.
"And that's not all. Recently, our engineers were encouraged to make something for the little ones. They're building toys in their spare time," he gestured with a fond smile toward the children. "Just a little something to bring a smile to their faces."
Jack looks up, meeting the eyes of the adults once more.
"We're doing all we can for our new home. It may not be like London. But we're making everything we know that feels like home, like we never left at all."
Another raised his hand from the back, "Is there a pub?" he wistfully asked. "I do miss going to the pub." A playful nudge from his wife drew chuckles from those nearby, and he shrugged. "They were all closed back in London."
"Well, I can't promise a pub just yet," he replied with a wink, "but that's for the captain to decide. Who knows, maybe he'll consider building one."
/-/
Faraday and Walter moved through the corridors, their footsteps echoing softly against the wooden floor. That last conversation lingered inside Walter's mind as they ventured deeper.
As they reach Faraday's study room, the astronomer looks over the familiar surroundings, his eyes scanning the shelves and drawers for any more information he needs. "If I can recall correctly," Faraday began, his voice thoughtful, "the Observatory's steam core isn't exactly destroyed. It's just buried under a massive amount of snow. The freezing temperatures must have rendered it unable to activate."
Walter walks overtakes a seat on one of the ornate chairs, he relaxes himself as he considers the options. "Do you have any plans on rebuilding this place?" he asked, his tone casual yet curious. "We could take that steam core back to New London."
Faraday nods.
"Yes, you're right. You may take it," he said. "I would assume that you and Jack have brought along some shovels to clear the snow?"
With a grin, Walter reached into his pack and pulled out a sturdy shovel, presenting it to Faraday. "We came prepared," he smirked. "Clearing the snow won't be a problem. There's still enough time to get that steam core before sunset. And until then, you should secure what's left of your research in a secure container. We can transport it easier with our sleds."
Walter taps onto the wooden board strapped to his backpack.
Faraday nods, impressive.
A/N: I'll try to wrap things up with the Observatory. The next chapter will be the last of the Observatory, But I am pleased with it turned out. I originally intended for this to be short, but as I continued to write it, there was so much that I couldn't leave it out.
But I want to finish this up and move on to Winterhome. Will it be just like the canon version? Who knows? I do.
First was deciding if I wanted to have some astronomers alive, as none were in the game. Maybe the game already had these guys in "A New Home," but there is none in this iteration, and no one can tell if it's getting colder. So in comes Doctor Jonothan Faraday, the sole surviving astronomer from the Observatory.
I mentioned last time that I wanted to focus more on Jack and Walter. I am really into this route. Focusing on multiple characters is exhausting, as much as I would like to rewrite the previous chapters. I think leaving it as it is is fine for now.
Now, for the characters of Jack and Walter. I've mentioned it a few times, but they grow on me. Their contrast in personalities are so different from each other, but they still go so well. And Boris, of course, I was like Walter. I did it anyway for some wholesomeness. And that little furball is also starting to grow on me.
Thank you for reading.