Arctic survey ship 'Northern Lights' lost power in its forward and aft thrusters. Without propulsion it was in danger of being blocked in by the surrounding pack ice.

Captain Douglas Stewart sat at the table in his cabin which doubled as his office. Sweat trickled from his forehead as he spoke into his fist microphone.

"Mayday, mayday. This is the survey ship Northern Lights. We are dead in the water and require assistance. Please copy!" He released the trigger on the mic and listened to the static over the loud speaker. As he was repeating the distress call, metrologist Alison Dodds stepped in to the cabin. She was carrying a printout of the latest deteriorating weather. The captain looked up to see her shake her head.

Captain Stewart called an emergency meeting of his staff. "Ladies and Gents, with the blizzard outside and the pack ice closing in. It looks like we are unable to be...