The base itself consisted of one large building, where most of the scientists lived and worked, and then a few other smaller buildings, a radio tower and helipad, forming a compound with a large open space in the middle, the main entrance just being the largest gap between the buildings. As the convoy pulled into the centre of the base, Alex noticed 3 people standing by the main building waiting for them. It made sense, they would have been expecting them and the snowmobiles weren't exactly silent. The squad came to a halt and dismounted. Alex walked over to the scientists. Two woman and a man. One of the women stepped forward to greet him. She was late thirties maybe, blonde, certainly not unattractive.

"I'm Dr Jane Pierce, Head Scientist here at Dewitt." She said, offering Alex a hand. 
"Captain Miller." He said shaking her hand. "There was only one survivor of the crash, and he's unconscious. We brought back all the bodies apart from the pilot. Is they anywhere we should put them?" He asked. The other woman burst into tears and ran back inside. 
"She was... involved with Mike... The pilot." Dr Pierce said glancing back at the closing door. "Dr Thompson here can show your men where to take the bodies, and you can take the unconscious one to the infirmary." She continued. "Who was the survivor?" Alex had checked the man's identity card earlier.
"Dr Daniel Gooding, if I recall correctly. Mother take him to the infirmary, Summit, Kiwi, Pope, take the bodies with Dr Thompson."
"He'll be devastated when he comes round. Dan and Mike were practically inseparable." Jane replied. "Please come inside, it's far too cold to stay out here all day." She said, maintaining her reserved attitude, although Alex could tell she was clearly somewhat shaken by the ordeal.

The Doctor led them into a communal living area. Chairs, a coffee table and a tv, furnished the somewhat sparse room. Once inside Alex took off his goggles and pulled down the scarf he had been using to cover his face from the cold. He was still confused as to why the helicopter had crashed and he decided to question Jane.
"Dr Pierce, where was the helicopter headed before it crashed?" He asked.
"To the other US owned base down here, MacArthur. We were sending ice cores to them to be tested, our equipment here is broken. Then we got the mayday call and sent out a distress signal."
"Okay, how many people are on this base?"
"15. Well 12 now I suppose." She sighed.
"Hummingbird, Hawk, go find the others and gather everyone in this room." Alex ordered Andie and Hawk. Their second objective had been to secure the base after all. "Do you have a record of your radio transmission with the helicopter and the other base?" He asked Dr Pierce. 
"In the radio room. Follow me." She said, Alex indicated for Silver to follow.