It had been several months since the expedition had been announced. Professor Kan Huai-chen, Geology Professor at the University of Iwashiro, had been selected to lead a group of scientists southward to Water Country to investigate what had happened. It took several more months before the expedition was ready to go, but it had finally arrived at its destination on April the 1st.
The expedition had received initial coverage from the newspapers, but had quickly been forgotten by the general public. This was not surprising; the general public liked to criticize the academic world for holing itself behind university walls but the truth was that the general public had little interest in keeping up with the latest scientific breakthroughs. Many academics submitted articles newspapers and appeared on radio segments but the general public ignored them. The public liked the idea of science, but was disinterested in it. They much preferred to spend their days watching the latest talkie or reading popular novels like The Adventures of Don Dakota Naichi.
Early last year the country of Water Country suffered a massive calamity. Those who were able to ran as far as they could. Many resettled themselves in the far northern countries of Earth, Mountain, and Craftsmen. Others reached as far as the southern ports of Wind, River and Tea countries but went no further. They insisted that whatever had befallen Water Country was temporary in nature and that they would soon return home. The hopes of this latter group had been unfulfilled thus far. Those who attempted to return to Water Country soon found themselves starving.
All the wildlife and crops had died out due to the calamity. The sea and rivers were devoid of fish. Even water was scarce. The rivers had been polluted and unsafe to drink. The sea water wasn't a practical option either. Melting the ice that littered the country was impossible. The shinobi in the expedition team tried their best to melt it, but were unable to make more than a few ounces of water out of it. One could only survive as long as their supplies allowed them to in these conditions.
The expedition made camp in the remains of the village hidden in the mist. They had brought enough food to last them two weeks at the most. They had expected to find the country in poor shape, but they had not the sheer extent to which it had been destroyed. During dinner the party talked among itself and wondered:
--- Day 1
The expedition had received initial coverage from the newspapers, but had quickly been forgotten by the general public. This was not surprising; the general public liked to criticize the academic world for holing itself behind university walls but the truth was that the general public had little interest in keeping up with the latest scientific breakthroughs. Many academics submitted articles newspapers and appeared on radio segments but the general public ignored them. The public liked the idea of science, but was disinterested in it. They much preferred to spend their days watching the latest talkie or reading popular novels like The Adventures of Don Dakota Naichi.
Early last year the country of Water Country suffered a massive calamity. Those who were able to ran as far as they could. Many resettled themselves in the far northern countries of Earth, Mountain, and Craftsmen. Others reached as far as the southern ports of Wind, River and Tea countries but went no further. They insisted that whatever had befallen Water Country was temporary in nature and that they would soon return home. The hopes of this latter group had been unfulfilled thus far. Those who attempted to return to Water Country soon found themselves starving.
All the wildlife and crops had died out due to the calamity. The sea and rivers were devoid of fish. Even water was scarce. The rivers had been polluted and unsafe to drink. The sea water wasn't a practical option either. Melting the ice that littered the country was impossible. The shinobi in the expedition team tried their best to melt it, but were unable to make more than a few ounces of water out of it. One could only survive as long as their supplies allowed them to in these conditions.
The expedition made camp in the remains of the village hidden in the mist. They had brought enough food to last them two weeks at the most. They had expected to find the country in poor shape, but they had not the sheer extent to which it had been destroyed. During dinner the party talked among itself and wondered:
What had happened here?
Where had the fish gone?
Had anyone survived?
Where had the fish gone?
Had anyone survived?
--- Day 1