06/14/2020,

Lt. Commander Richard Terse,

The chances of someone finding this message are slim, but I can't think of any other options. For whoever's reading this, my assignment was that of a government attache to a routine study in Antarctica.

We were to analyze the status of climate change based phenomena, and to what degree it was effecting the area. Besides security, I had been assigned here due to my experience as both a mechanical and computer engineer. I was to keep the equipment in peak condition and ensure there would be no alterations to the tests.

There were no alterations, and we determined that the temperature wasn't just rising, but ludicrously so. We were then called back to report our findings to our superiors. But as I disassembled our more valuable equipment, I heard a loud noise. And I ran out of the station only to gaze in horror as our helicopter took off without me.

As for the rest of my unit, I could only find the melted remains of their firearms and bits of torn cloth flecked with blood. Before I could determine who a group of researchers had done this, I saw a storm approaching. My plan was to inside the facility and cobble together some kind of comm unit.

But before I could take a step, the ice broke. I tumbled and then slid down what felt like stories worth of Ice. I admit that I was terrified beyond reason, and thought that I would crash into the wreck of my former sanctuary. But there was no crash. I stopped twenty feet away from the frozen ground, as did the facility.

When I did touch the ground, I looked up to see the storm passing over and then repairing the gap in the ice. The facility hung in the air as if it were a chandelier, and just beyond it was a tower. It was a massive and twisting spire of crystals bluer than the ocean, which then belched out my current a captors. They were human skeletons sheathed in transparent gemstone, which crinkled and twisted into face and expressions as if they were naturals skins.

They spoke English. They sensed my fear and taunted me further. The researchers had been to this very city and had left me and my fellows behind as offerings. I looked at the metropolis of sapphires and diamonds rise from the ice as if the twisting spire was pulling it from the depths. It was then that I was given this choice. I could join these creatures in their strange existence, or become fuel for their efforts.

I cried into the ice and gave in to them. Whoever is reading this may judge me, and rightly then damn me after what is to come. But if you could hear the voices I've heard, and see the things these people worship...I dare not call them gods. For the creatures view such "petty titles" as unworthy and childish

Please hide, and please forgive me...