Fristed

Summary
The episode opens with an introduction from The Documentarian.

Several days ago I came into the full collection of documents and recordings that I will be presenting here. Although many of the recordings and documents are dated, some lack explanation for where they fit into the constructed timeline. Additionally, due to the multiple viewpoints present, I have taken it upon myself to edit and sort documents or recording into appropriate points,in the hope of presenting a fuller picture.

This report includes the records of Dr. Rosa De La Torre, Walter Heath, Graham Casner, Dr. Karina Schumacher-Weiß, and Jónas Þórirssonduring an expedition in Svalbard. This recording comes from the phone of Dr. Schumaker-Weiß...

Documents from Walter and Karina describe their life circumstances at the time of joining the expedition. A group recording finds the team assembling as Jónas gives them a presentation about their expedition to Outpost Fristed.

The team heads out and arrives at Outpost Fristed with ample supplies. They discover some crude external damage that will take a few days to repair (once the storm dissipates) and Walter reveals there appears to be some sort of intentional sabotage to the internal computer with the purpose of sending out a signal.

The team decides to drink some Scandinavian alcohol they discovered as they wait out the storm.

Document 1 - A recording from Dr. Schumaker-Weiß
 Medium: Recording | Language: German |  Documentarian Intro: "This recording comes from the phone of Dr. Schumaker-Weiß..."

Dr. Karina Schumaker-Weiß sits in a train car recording a greeting for her parents. She describes getting an offer from company she hopes to work for, hoping this assignment will solidify her chances of joining their geological team.

Karina regrets missing her father's birthday, but notes that this opportunity was too good to pass up.

She mentions talking about the assignment with her boyfriend, Rolf, who was upset but supportive. Most assignments for the company happen during the summer months meaning they wouldn't have to move to Svalbard permanently, and this work would help with house payments. She discloses that she discovered a ring while cleaning and is certain Rolf will propose before the Spring.

Document 2 - Journal Entry from Walter
'' Medium: a collection of emails he sends to himself labeled "Documentation" | Language: English | Time: Dated slightly before Dr. Schumaker-Weiß's recording. | '' Documentarian Intro: Dated slightly before Dr. Schumacher-Weiß’ recording, Mr. Walter Heath of Reading, UK,had written in his personal journal, a collection of email she sends to himself in the folder labeled Documentation.

Recently divorced from his wife Molly, Walter Heath describes receiving a job offer at "serendipitous timing." He mentions that after months of searching for a job he received an offer from Sidja Group (an independent mining contractor out of Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) even though he had not applied for their company. He mentions that they are short staffed as many people don't want to "head to the dark, cold, endless night of a hungry-bear ridden glacier." As he has nothing else going on, he accepted the job.

Walter will be on a team going to the outpost so that Sidja Group doesn't need to send multiple expeditions. As a repair technician and IT Specialist, he is being tasked with addressing an equipment malfunction.

He notes that the pay is very generous and that there will be no reason to return after this job is done.

Document 3 - Group Recording
Medium: Recording | Language: English | Time: | Location: On Svalbard in Ny-Ålesund

Jónas Thorninsson enters to greet Walter Heath, initially thinking he's Grant Kasner. Jónas introduces himself as the Sidja Group’s projects’ representative for this expedition, ensuring that everyone fulfills their duties correctly.

Walter bemoans the cold conditions and mentions that his flight from Longyearbyen experienced some extreme turbulence. He notes that he's recording for his travel logs.

Dr. Rosa De La Torre enters and introduces herself as the medical doctor for the expedition, noting that she has worked on Svalbard for companies before.

Dr. Karina Schumacher-Weiß and Graham Casner enter. After introductions are finished, Walter esquires about Graham's role to which he responds that he's there to ensure the safety of the team and make sure, "you don’t break down and get stuck out atop a glacier in -17°, or get stalked by a polar bear."

With the team assembled, Jónas notes that he has a presentation prepared.


 * As the representative of Sidja Group, Jónas thanks everyone for joining the expedition for the examination and repair expedition of Outpost Fristed on such short notice.
 * Sidja Group recognizes this short notices and hints that at further work for all of them.
 * Several weeks ago Sidja Group's primary receiving station in Ny-Ålesund received a transmission from Outpost Fristed. While Sidja mostly operates mining contracts around Svalbard, they're also an established surveyor across multiple Scandinavian countries.
 * Karina interrupts to ask about polar bears. Walter notes that they're probably hibernating to which Graham replies that polar bears do not hibernate.
 * Sidja has specialized equipment at several outposts, including Fristed, that receive input signals from several research rovers. These rovers belong to Sidja Group and multiple other organizations who prefer to use Sidja's network instead of setting up their own.
 * The signal Sidja received from the station was unintelligible. Outpost Fristed was only meant to receive and aggregate data for collection in the summer, not send messages or signals unless a malfunction or emergency has taken place. Based on the single message received they were unable to tell what the problem was, so they chose to send out a team to determine the reason for the signal.
 * Karina asks why a geologist would be needed on such an expedition, which leads Jónas to break down the team's roles.
 * Jónas describes how the rovers use algorithms to take in data about the safety and changes to Svalbard itself such as glacial and seismic activity. Karina is needed to see if this data might have triggered the emergency signal.
 * Jónas then describes how Walter will be required to inspect and repair the transmitter for any possible damage. Sidja doesn't know the reason for the signal, but the cost of sending two groups at separate times is too high. Either Walter or Karina might prove to be redundant, but they will both be paid.
 * Rosa and Graham are assigned to get the team there and back, safely.
 * Jónas will accompany the team in case of any damage or event that requires documentation for Sidja Group’s records.
 * The next rover is scheduled to transfer information to Outpost Fristed three days from now, so the team must assure that the station’s receiver is operational by then. Every instance of lost data costs Sidja time and money.

The Documentarian notes that at this point Walters recorder dies.

Document 4 - Action Report from Graham
Medium: Written Action Report | Language: English and Russian | Time: | Location: Outpost Fristed

The group arrived successfully having used five fully-fueled snowmobiles (four of them hauling supplies). Graham exactly details that they were supposed to leave at 5:00 am, but were delayed 25 minutes by mechanical difficulties (one of the belts on Rosa's snowmobile was shredded).

The team traveled 53 kilometers (roughly 33 miles) slowly over the course of two and a half hours. Graham notes that it's obvious that Sidja invested in the station as it's built like a bunker. The team has brought along a week's worth of supplies to provide for themselves and restock the bunker.

Graham mentions that Rosa was slightly disappointed that the signal didn't turn out to be an injured tourist. Since arrive she's helped unload supplies in the nearby auxiliary bunker, and Graham notes (in Russian) her attractiveness.

Walter mentioned something being broken and suspects vandalism, but Graham did not understand more than that. Karina is upset about arriving to find nothing for her to do, but has found geological data of the surrounding area to contain something of interest.

Document 5 - Group Recording
 Medium: Computer Recording from the Outpost's Built-in Radio | Language: English | Location: Outpost Fristed 

Walter and Jónas quickly discuss the weather changing quickly before Walter notes that he got the outpost's recorder working. Graham notes that between the supplies left from the summer expeditions and the extra they brought they will be able to wait out the storm.

The team hears and roar. Graham notes that it's rare for bears to come this far inland from the coast, but that it does happen. The team discusses how they would handle a bear attack.

Walter notes that he wants to repair the exterior mechanical damage (the transmitter-receiver tower outside was manually, and rather coarsely, disconnected) the next day once the storm is over. Walter tells the team the exterior repairs will take a couple days, but the internal problems are more concerning.

The internal computer which acts as an interface for incoming and outgoing data has some obviously malicious coding, meaning it was intentionally done and not simply a computer glitch. The purpose of this abnormality is to send out a message. Walter says it could be a virus, but tells the team he can't be sure until he investigates (after fixing the external damage). Jónas asks to be kept in the loop as it will impact insurance claims.

To pass the time during the storm, the team decides to find some glasses and enjoy a bottle of aquavit they discovered.

Document 6 - Recording from Rosa
 Medium: Written Letter from Rosa's Note Pad | Language: Spanish | Location: Outpost Fristed 

Documentarian Intro: "Documentarian:The following letter was taken from the note pad of Dr. De La Torre, though the page had been torn out.Her handwriting, though legible, is disordered and unpunctuated. Given the content of the letter, I believe she was intoxicated."

Rosa bemoans the aquavit and food available on their first night, although she expected such fare on Svalbard.

She describes the team drinking session. Walter drank heavily and fell asleep at the computer desk. Karina also drank heavily and opened up about her being a geology prodigy who recently lost a big job. She eventually devolved into talking about her fiancé in a confusing mix of English and German.

Jónas showed everyone pictures of his twin girls.

The only two left awake were Rosa and Graham. She claims he has interesting stories and wonders if he'd like tequila.

Script
The script for Season 1, Episode 1 is available on the Fool & Scholar Productions Patreon page.