Icebound

Biscotte followed faithfully alongside, burdened with considerably fewer responsibilities and therefore managing his affairs rather better.

She had her head down, one hand rummaging through her satchel as she walked, when she very nearly bowled straight into the Colour Serjeant and Acting Captain Elias Clewer.

"Oh! Goodness -- Apologies!"

Viola stopped herself a pace short, clutching the satchel against her side and blinking up at the pair.

"Colour Serjeant. Captain."

She smiled, stepped neatly aside to let them pass--

--and then stopped.

Her brow furrowed. She looked back at them.

"Oh."

There was a small but unmistakable moment of revelation.

"Oh! You're on the Council too."

This was perhaps not the most reassuring thing one could say to two of the people responsible for keeping Boilertown alive.

"I've only been pestering Mister Kennethson and the others."

Her hand immediately disappeared back into the satchel.

"A number of us have been collaborating on a proper survey of Station Sixteen--the old French watchtower. I don't know if anyone has told you."

Judging by the speed with which she was now producing papers, Viola had decided not to risk the possibility.

"No matter. I've got it here."

Several sheets appeared in rapid succession. One was inspected and returned. Another was upside down. A third apparently had nothing whatsoever to do with Station Sixteen. She tucked this in a pocket instead.

Biscotte watched this procedure with the patient expression of a dog accustomed to administrative delays.

"Ah! This one."

Viola triumphantly extracted a folded report and held it out.

"The full reports are rather longer, but I made a summary for the Council. Nothing is presently falling down, which I thought an encouraging beginning."

The report read:

Station 16 remains in considerably better condition than its abandonment suggests. Its principal structure, metalwork, floors, and crane platform remain sound, and the building retains heat reasonably well.

One upper window has failed, apparently from weather and movement of its frame. Repairing the frame and replacing the pane should leave the station reasonably secure against the weather once more.

The crane appears the most immediately recoverable piece of useful equipment. Its structure remains sound, but it requires new rope, several small mechanical parts, inspection of the platform, and some means of motive force.

Restoring it may provide safer access down the mountain toward the old railway. Mister Bramwell Keene observed the railway grade running west to east toward an apparent tunnel and recommends following it to determine where it leads.

The station's telegraph instruments and most accessible wiring have been removed, although two grounding rods, wall connections, and possibly buried cable remain.

A makeshift telegraph or 'interrupter' may therefore be possible if suitable equipment can be obtained, providing the rather exciting possibility of discovering whether anyone remains at the other end. The lighthouse remains of particular interest, as the recovered records indicate telegraph equipment and replacement parts were associated with it.

Guards would likely need to be stationed to prevent further scavenging, lest we repair Station 16 solely for the convenience of whoever stripped it the first time. Remaining buried lines may also help establish the direction of other stations.

The siren itself remains intact. Its electrical motor may be repairable or useful for salvage, though further inspection is recommended before deciding its purpose.

The recovered French records have been translated. Forensic examination further indicates that Marcel likely assumed responsibility for the station ledger around October 22nd, shortly before its final entries.

The reason remains unknown, which is unfortunately becoming a familiar conclusion in matters concerning Station 16.

The following are proposed actions raised by members of the survey team during or following the inspection. They are presented for the Council's consideration in no particular order:

These suggestions are not intended as a proposed order of work, but as practical opportunities identified during the survey.

Full inspection reports are available in the mess tent and the translated French records remain available upon request.

~Viola Bellamy

"There!"

Viola looked distinctly pleased to have transferred the responsibility of knowing all of that to somebody else.

"The individual reports are in the mess tent if you should like them. Miss Delaunay, Mister Volkow, Mister Eisenhaus, Miss Jones, Mister Keene--everyone was frightfully useful. There is rather more detail than anyone could reasonably desire."

She adjusted her satchel, glanced down at Biscotte, and abruptly seemed to remember whichever of her original errands had survived this interruption.

"Anyway! I shall leave you to it. Come along, Biscotte."

Behind them, the Colour Serjeant remained holding Viola's report.

His attention followed the departing pair for another moment before settling upon the pages in his hands.

Then his eyes lifted to Acting Captain Elias Clewer.

Clewer was already looking at him.

Neither man said anything.

Several paces away, Biscotte glanced back over his shoulder at the two of them, ears perked with mild curiosity, before trotting dutifully after Viola.