R-328
Welcome to Greenland!
Said R-328 once they had landed.
JUNIOR
I thought we were going to the North Pole...
He whispered to Lwazi.
LWAZI
Aren't we at the North Pole?
JUNIOR
The North Pole's not in Greenland!
LWAZI
How should I know? It all looks the same outside...
JUNIOR
A globe would help...
LWAZI
Ah-ah.
Fake-laughed Lwazi.
LWAZI
I have never seen so much snow in my entire life...
JUNIOR
Me too, and we're not the only ones I believe...
Junior looked around and he could see that most of the candidates were pressed against the portholes, mesmerised by the landscape.
R-328
This is't your final destination, but you will be continuing your journey on an alternative, less evolved... that's not really true, is it...
R-328 stopped to think for a moment.
R-328
...a more rudimentary mode of transportation.
PAAYE
What do you mean?
Firmly said the tall man sitting closest to R-328. Weirdly, Junior did't recognise him. Among the remaining candidates he looked the oldest by far.
R-328
They are outside, so if you kindly follow me...
Replied R-328, turning around and heading towards the hatch. As soon as he opened it, the freezing cold hit Junior in the face.
In that moment, for the first time, Junior realised the enormity of the task ahead. He had always liked winter, but not because he liked the snow or enjoyed the chilly air, but because he enjoyed staying at home when it was cold outside.
JUNIOR
I only brought one sweater...
Lost in thought, Junior was the last off the ship. Everyone else was following R-328, heading towards what looked like a badly damaged hangar.
JUNIOR
Gosh, I hope we're not flying by airship...
By walking at the back of the group, Junior could take a good look at all the candidates. Only Irina and Boris looked at ease in the cold. Everyone else was, just like Junior, clearly underdressed. He was pleased to see they were evenly split between genders, and was even more pleased by their diversity.
R-328
These are your new-old friends, humans!
As they turned around the corner, they saw dozens of Husky dogs chained up in rows.
R-328
You will be travelling by sled to your final destination, hundreds of miles in...
He looked around before pointing his finger directly North.
R-328
...that direction. Needless to say we expect you to behave as a team.
R-328 suddenly changed his tone of voice.
R-328
You will, of course, have drivers with you, but your journey will be long and anything can happen. Out there you will truly be on your own. There are no safety nets this time. No coloured poles, no checkpoints, just you and the cold. Try to make it to your destination alive, otherwise you'll find your chances of getting selected will have been cut down to zero.
Declared R-328, ominously.
R-328
We have prepared some appropriate equipment for you, just inside there.
He pointed at the dilapidated hangar.
R-328
Get in there, get changed and prepare yourselves, as it will be tough.
R-328 paused and shot meaningful looks at each of them, as if to challenge them.
R-328
What are you waiting for?!
He said, and everyone raced into the hangar to get ready for the journey ahead.
