The Foundation Files: Expedition Appraisal

Professor Dyer’s expedition to Terra Antarctica has attracted the attention of The Foundation…

To: REDACTED, Director, THE FOUNDATION
Subject: Starkweather-Moore Expedition Ongoing Observations

Director,

I am submitting the weekly appraisal of the Starkweather-Moore expedition’s progress. As of September 16^th, the expedition has reached the Ross Ice Shelf. It appears they had some trouble navigating the winter sea ice. However, as of today, they have reported that their camp is established on the ice shelf.

The weather is proving unpleasant this early in the Antarctic spring, but so far they have not suffered any major setbacks. Additionally, the wireless stations in Panama and San Diego have been able to receive their signals without any great problem, so I can avoid re-tasking ONI Station HYPERION to pick up their transmissions. I was not looking forward to explaining that request to my superiors.

While they are on the Ross Ice Shelf, I doubt they will discover anything that matters to us. I will send you an update once they begin traveling inland.

Respectfully,

Cmdr Howard McDonough

To: REDACTED, Director, THE FOUNDATION
Subject: Starkweather-Moore Expedition Ongoing Observations

As of last week, Starkweather and Moore began focusing their attention toward the interior of the Antarctic continent. Although publicly Moore derided the Miskatonic Expedition’s discoveries two years ago, I have suspected part of Moore’s goal in this expedition has been to upstage his old teacher. It appears I was correct.

At 0400 this morning, Harvard, Boston University, and the University of Rhode Island received a relayed wireless report from the expedition. They reported locating the unusually massive mountain range first discovered by the Miskatonic Expedition. Preliminary estimates indicate they are indeed larger than Everest and the Himalayas. Furthermore, they described “unusual geological features along the ridgelines and summits” of the mountains.

The expedition plans to relocate their main camp just below one of the passes leading through the mountains. As always, I will keep you informed as to their progress.

Respectfully,

Cmdr Howard McDonough

To: REDACTED, Director, THE FOUNDATION
Subject: Starkweather-Moore Expedition Ongoing Observations

Director,

Our greatest concerns have come to pass. Last night the Delaware (the expedition’s support ship) reported having lost contact with the inland portion of the expedition for almost 24 hours. They said powerful storms were making searching impossible, but once the weather cleared, they would dispatch an aircraft to the inland camp.

Then, at 0238 this morning, wireless stations picked up a distress signal from the Delaware. It simply consisted of the ship’s name and coordinates, followed by an SOS. This repeated for thirty seconds. Then, after a two minute pause, the message “stay away.” So far, all attempts to contact the Delaware have been unsuccessful.

Since the signal was picked up by commercial wireless stations and passed on to several public universities, there was no opportunity to intercept or suppress the final message. I assume it will be headline news in all major newspapers this evening.

Given our inability to deploy our own Antarctic mission (something, you will recall, I argued forcefully for during last year’s budgetary meetings), I believe our best course of action is to enact the Dyer contingency. If you give your approval, I am prepared to begin at once.

Respectfully,

Cmdr Howard McDonough

Subject: Dyer Contingency

Please inform Mr. Hollingsworth at the Department of Inter-Agency Discretionary Funding that we will need $250,000 transferred to our accounts immediately. I believe after your previous correspondence with him that he will be amenable to your request.

Once you have the money, set up an account and shell organization under the name “Lewis and Clark Foundation.” Speak to <REDACTED>; she should have all the necessary paperwork to make it look legitimate. List Howard McDonough as the chief operating officer for the Lewis and Clark Foundation; all other positions can be filled with false identities as need be.

Once you have done this, provide Commander McDonough with all necessary information about the Lewis and Clark Foundation. If McDonough sends any additional requests, comply with them at your own discretion.

Qiana Taylor

Boldly Exploring the Unknown

Dear Mr. Dyer,

Recently it has come to the attention of our Foundation’s Board of Governors that you are planning an expedition to the Ross Ice Shelf, with one of your stated goals attempting to rescue the lost members of the Starkweather-Moore Expedition. Everyone here at the Lewis and Clark Foundation has been following the progress of Starkweather and Moore with keen excitement, and we were all horrified when they vanished. Our governors were equally horrified that our government and the British Empire have refused to mount a rescue operation.

Your bold quest to advance human understanding and rescue fellow explorers has touched the Board, and they would like to circumvent the usual application processes and offer you a grant of $250,000 to help fund your expedition. The only conditions are you set sail as quickly as possible, for we are sure time is of the essence in these circumstances.

If you are willing to accept this generous offer, please write to us immediately at:

On a personal note, I have some experience with outfitting and equipping expeditions. If you are looking to charter a reliable vessel, I know of several that would fit your needs. Please let me know if I can be of service, or if you need any help obtaining rare or unusual pieces of equipment.

Humbly yours,

Howard J. McDonough, Esq.

by Sam Gregor-Stewart