### Antarctica has this mythical weight. ### It resides in the collective unconscious of so many people, ### and it makes this huge impact, ### just like outer space. ### It's like going to the moon. John Krakauer ![Antarctica-Vapid2.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTwZAeypstz55HwYiPwZL2XfPuiny7qWdx3R1RLqDGg1k/Antarctica-Vapid2.gif) image via @animate []() *** It’s that time again. The second installment of my Conspiracy Creative Writing Contest. The original contest – [“What happened to Malaysia Flight 370?”](https://steemit.com/flight370/@v4vapid/100sbd-in-prizes-conspiracy-theory-creative-writing-contest-what-happened-to-malaysia-flight-370) - exceeded all expectations and was a huge success. If you missed out on the first contest, here’s your chance to showcase your talent. #### Edit: For reasons that escape me, I forgot to mention the previous winner - #### @pulpworx #### and the amazing winning submission #### [Flight of the Wrong Chords](https://steemit.com/flight370/@pulpworx/flight-of-the-wrong-chords-a-short-story-challenge-about-missing-flight-mh370-1000-words). #### I urge you to have a read through, fantastic through and through, it may even help inspire some writers for the current contest. *** This time I'm teaming up with Minnow Support Project (MSP) moderator extraordinaire @rhondak who runs the Fiction Workshop, the Steemhouse Fiction Trail (SFT) and the driving force behind [Steemshelves.com](http://www.steemshelves.com/) to help judge your fine-ass submissions! Equally exciting is the fact that _Carol_, who's a book critic and editor with Perihelion Science Fiction, has also expressed interest in selecting _La creme de la creme!_ http://weshapelife.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Satellite-Images-Reveal-A-Huge-Pyramid-On-Antartica-1.jpg Let’s get right to it then… *** ## Wild Conspiracy Theory Creative Writing Contest ### Writing Prompt []() • What’s happening in Antarctica? • What’s behind the heightened attention world leaders are directing towards the polar region? ### Background []() • Over the span of the last 2 years prominent figures from all over the world have made pilgrimages to the frozen continent, but for reasons unknown. https://68.media.tumblr.com/8ee0b19cca862cda6fbb4e16210a1ae7/tumblr_no3n8mk9fZ1tchrkco1_500.gif []() ### Recent High-Profile Visitors []() []() #### Secretary of State [John Kerry](http://www.state.gov/secretary/travel/2016/t32/index.htm) []() • Visited McMurdoc Station / Ross Island Shelf / Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station • He was the first Secretary and the most senior U.S. government official to ever travel to Antarctica. #### Russian Orthodox Religious Leader – [Kirill]( https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/18/for-russias-church-leader-a-trip-to-antarctica-is-not-just-a-photo-op/) []() • Visited South Pole after meeting with Pope Francis in Cuba • Performed Religious Ceremony #### 2nd Man on the Moon – [Buzz Aldrin]( https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cytl0pPWgAATjVw.jpg) []() • Medically evacuated from Antarctica Rumors that former NSA director James Clapper and President Obama have also made clandestine visits. http://mysticsauce.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/3.-Piramid-1-696x464-696x464.jpg ## Rules []() 1. Must resteem this post 2. Must keep submission to 1000 words or less. 3. Limited to 1 contest entry per account 4. Submissions must be made in a separate post (not in comments please) 5. Submissions have to include the lead tag: **“antarctica”** ![alien crash.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaWym5DrPs3dZtvecZS5mfsdMzMt3bF3FtGJLxTQbuicH/alien%20crash.jpg) ## Winners []() • The winning submission will meet the rules criteria • Winners will be announced 7 days from the time of this posting (7-day payout) ## Prizes and Categories []() * Overall Best (First Prize - 50SBD) * Most Humorous / Funny AF (10 SBD) * Most Realistic (10 SBD) * Best Style / Tone (10SBD) * Best Line (10 SBD) #### Bonus @v4vapid upvotes/resteems also in the mix ## All Kinds of Entries are welcome - Just be sure to include some conspiracy elements! ## Special thanks to @animate for lending their amazing talents. *** ### Antarctica is a very alien environment, ### and you can't survive here more than minutes ### if you're not equipped properly ### and doing the right thing all the time. John Krakauer *** ![neverending snowflake.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfAhuZNJcZVkm6gVnCwVonL3x7WkT3JyUXELug3gbfJpi/neverending%20snowflake.gif) *** ![Vapid-Bleed-SUPER-NEW.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNRX7s9kQgshwGn1fYvjKmSvWWK5GEuMXurevwixgC2EE/Vapid-Bleed-SUPER-NEW.gif) ![V4vapid1.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcHnHxmpEtNMUdSC3YwwAzAejfFHkB4bh5jqHMg16rSL3/V4vapid1.png)