"The Greenland Ice Sheet is the largest ice sheet in the northern hemisphere. It is 2,530 kilometers long from north to south and 1,094 kilometers wide at its widest point. The thickness of the ice layer is astonishing. The deepest part is more than 3,000 meters, covering a basin. That is to say, the thickness of the ice layer gets thicker the closer it is to the center. There are also two large ice caps on it, and the place we are going this time is near one of the ice caps.
"In the past few days, the expedition team continued their good luck on the first day. The weather and the journey were very smooth. Because the expedition was in summer, the edges of the ice sheet had begun to melt. The thickness of the ice in many places had become very thin. From time to time, ice blocks would break off and fall into the sea near the seaside. We had to be extra careful when walking on it, but the deeper we went, the more stable the ice sheet became.
"We also unearthed some slate and fossils. The geologists and biologists in the team were very happy. If it weren't for the fact that we had to continue moving forward, they would have probably started studying it on the spot. I was a little worried at first because I felt that the configuration of this expedition team was a little strange. But as time passed, the retired soldiers really did what they were supposed to do, just like Mr. Time said. So I gradually relaxed and began to enjoy the expedition.
"After all, the reward was one of the reasons. What really attracted me to this operation was my love for the ice sheet, especially to explore the unknown secrets hidden in it. It was like unveiling its mysterious veil little by little. The most wonderful thing was that every time I thought I knew enough about it, it would reveal a new side to me in the blink of an eye. It was like a lover that I would never get tired of.
"So, I thought to myself that this expedition was really suitable for me. Of course, just in case, I still found Dr. Baker. After all, he was the only person in the expedition team that I knew about. Although the Chinese couple was nice and gave me a good impression, and the other scientists were actually good people, I had only known them for a short time. So, of course, I was more willing to trust Dr. Baker.
"We agreed that we would advance and retreat together. At the same time, we would pay attention to the people around us, mainly the retired soldiers. We would exchange information regularly. Baker thought I was overthinking it, but he still agreed. After all, it was better to be safe than sorry. After that, our team continued to move forward, but our luck seemed to have run out.
"The first to show signs of abnormality were the dogs. They suddenly started barking inexplicably, and they seemed to be reluctant to move forward. I had never encountered such a strange thing before. The Greenland dogs that pulled the sled were domesticated by the ancestors of the Inuit. They had completely lost their wolfish instincts and became very docile. They were also very hardworking. Even at minus ten degrees Celsius, they could spend the night in the wild.
"Although the temperature began to drop as we went deeper, it was far from the level that the Greenland dogs couldn't stand. So, I didn't expect the situation of the dogs at that time. I had to ask the expedition team to stop first. After that, I spent half a day comforting the dogs and preparing more food for them. Only then were they willing to move forward. But it was obvious that they didn't want to do so, just because it was my order, and they were used to obeying human orders.
"The incident with the dogs did surprise me a little, but to be honest, I didn't take it too seriously. This is an expedition. No matter how well prepared you are, there will always be problems of one kind or another. This is the role of a guide and a leader. We solve all kinds of problems and ensure that the expedition can continue.
"After the problem with the dogs, the geologist and the biologist had nothing to do. When they wandered around the area, they found a new fossil specimen on an exposed rock. After that, they quarreled about the age of the fossil. The geologist inferred that it came from the primordial period based on the formation of the rock, but the biologist had a different view. From a biological point of view, the thing in the fossil had obviously evolved very well. Although it was a little ugly, its various organs looked quite mature.
"The biologist thinks that this thing is at least a creature from the Triassic period, and after he hugged the fossil, he didn't want to let go. He looked extremely obsessed, as if he was a painter who had obtained an authentic painting by Da Vinci. The others watched them quarrel, unable to get a word in. Mr. Time still had a smile on his face. Only when the two were about to get angry did he speak up to mediate.
"In the end, we agreed that the fossil would belong to the biologist. The next time they found a fossil or rock sample, the geologist would have the priority to choose. Also, the biologist had to lend the thing to the geologist for a period of time after he finished his research.
"Coincidentally, I also solved the problem with the dogs, so we continued on our way. But strangely enough, when the biologist came back with the fossil, the dogs that I had managed to appease became restless again. So I asked the biologist to find a bag and seal the fossil. Only then did the mood of the dogs calm down.
"However, after that, we only walked a few kilometers before the weather suddenly changed. This was a precursor to the arrival of a snowstorm. After discussing it, we decided not to continue our journey. We decided to camp here and wait for the snowstorm to pass before continuing our journey. I took a few retired soldiers with me to check the tents and reinforced them with ice bricks. I also built a fence for the dogs. I wanted to build another ice wall for them, but the snowstorm was already here, so we had to let the dogs enter the tents with us.
"They began to become restless again, and this time, I felt it very clearly. They seemed to be afraid of something, but before I could think about it, the snowstorm had already arrived. All we could hear was the howling wind and the sound of ice and snow hitting the tents. I was glad that I had reinforced them before. Otherwise, I really don't know if these tents could survive the snowstorm.
"Because we couldn't go out to make a fire, we just ate some biscuits at night. The dogs kept barking, and it was difficult for me to sleep. I lay there in a daze for about an hour. Suddenly, I heard gunshots outside. When I opened my eyes, I found that the two retired soldiers in my tent had disappeared. Only Dr. Baker and I were left in the tent, staring at each other.
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