The Long Dark

Wilson's first day in ice core laboratory where he meets Dr. Emily Jessup who appears scattered and ditsy. Emily makes sophisticated comment about isotope analysis that catches Wilson off guard, hinting she's not what she seems.

Administrator Richard Chen gives Wilson a comprehensive tour of Aurora Station's three buildings (Alpha, Beta, Gamma) connected by underground tunnels. Population is about 45 people with city amenities. Chen explains the six-month cycle and Sundown tradition.

Wilson travels north via commercial flight, bush plane, and convoy truck through increasingly desolate terrain. Driver Mackenzie warns about isolation and strangeness. Wilson experiences first doubts as he gets his first glimpse of Aurora Station.

Wilson Hayes receives an unexpected job offer for Aurora Station, an Arctic research facility with six-month isolation. Despite colleague warnings about the extreme isolation, Wilson accepts the position seeing it as his dream research opportunity.