Tomb of Atlantis

by Petersen, Christopher David

  “Oh, my God. I got so wrapped up in the urn, I completely forgot about the scrolls,” Javier blurted.

  “Scrolls? What scrolls?” Serena asked, emphatically.

  “That towel I brought in isn’t just for taking showers,” Jack teased Serena. “I found a cylinder made of crystal and inside it appears to be some rolled up scrolls. I wrapped the whole thing up in the towel to protect them.”

  “Get out of here!” Serena shouted sarcastically. “I can’t believe that wasn’t the first thing we worked on. The urn is nice, but scrolls? That’s like finding the Holy Grail.”

  “Sorry, Serena, you know me, once I’m onto something…” Javier replied, slightly embarrassed.

  “I know, I know. You’re like a shark to blood,” Serena responded. Turning to Jack, she said, “Well, what are we waiting for? Can we have a look at these scrolls?”

  “Only if you can figure out how to open the cylinder,” he replied.

  “Open it? I don’t understand,” she said, confused.

  Javier retrieved the towel-wrapped cylinder from a table and handed it to Serena. As she unwrapped it, her eyes gleamed with excitement.

  “Jack, this is amazing. Look at the detail work on the outside surface! I honestly don’t ever remember reading about or even hearing about anything like this before,” she said.

  Serena turned the cylinder over and over, rubbing her fingers along its surface. Slowly, a perplexed look developed on her face.

  “I see you’ve spotted our dilemma,” Jack said, with a smirk.

  “Yeah, this is really strange,” she responded. “There’s no seam to indicate where the opening is.”

  “Shall we have a look under the microscope?” Javier suggested.

  Serena set the crystal cylinder on a mounting tray and placed it under the lens of the microscope. Carefully, she rotated the cylinder and shifted the tray, as she examined the length of the artifact. Stopping momentarily, she looked at the two men and smiled.

  “Well, we have a parting line,” she announced.

  “Cool, where is it?” Jack asked, the two men now moving in closer.

  “Well, you can’t really see it with the naked eye, but it’s right here,” she said as she pointed, her finger running just below the top of the cylinder. “I need a pair of rubber gloves so I can grip both sides of the parting line. I think it’s supposed to simply twist off.”

  Anticipating her request, Javier handed Serena a pair of gloves. She slipped them on and grasped the cylinder on each side of the invisible seam. Bearing down hard, she strained to twist the two pieces apart. With her face turning red, she let out an exasperated exhale, then rested a moment. Again, she re-gripped the cylinder and tried to twist it apart, but it was no use.

  “Damn, it’s like one solid piece. I was afraid of this,” she said, slightly out of breath from the exertions. “We’re going to have to clamp it in a vise and try to twist the two halves apart.”

  “I guess the years being so tightly sealed have really taken its toll, huh?” Jack responded. “I hope the cylinder doesn’t shatter under the strain. What a huge loss that would be.”

  “There is that possibility, Jack,” Javier confirmed. “Do you still want to open it?”

  “I don’t think we have much of a choice. The scrolls are what’s most important here, so we’re going to have to take the risk,” he responded.

  Serena slipped a rubber glove over the end of the cylinder, then placed it in a vise. As carefully as she could, she locked the jaws around the end of the cylinder. Grabbing the opposite end, she began to twist back and forth, hoping to unscrew the bottom from the top. After a few minutes of straining, she finally gave up.

  “Wow, this is really stuck,” she blurted out in frustration. “Jack, there is a possibility that we might have to break the crystal if you want to get to the scrolls.”

  “Before we do that, I’ve got an idea,” he responded. “I need some ice and a blowtorch. I’m going to use thermal expansion and contraction to separate the two pieces.”

  Moments later, Javier returned with a bucket of ice and a propane torch, his expression serious as he handed them to Jack.

  “Boy, I really hate to do this,” Javier said. “The heat could destroy the scrolls, Jack.”

  “I don’t intend on using that much flame, just enough to create differential expansion/contraction between the two parts. I’ve done this a million times while working on my cars in my teens. It should work,” he responded.

  Jack took handfuls of ice and ran it up and down the cylinder, cooling it down considerably. As quickly as he could so as not to lose the cooling effect he had just gained, he clamped the end of the cylinder in the vise once more. Grabbing the blow torch, he lit it and began to heat the other end of the cylinder. Back and forth he ran the flame until it became very hot to the touch. He then sat the torch down, gripped the cool end of the cylinder and tried to turn it. Just as Serena had done before, Jack strained against the clamping forces of the cylinder, but it was of no use. The two pieces refused to separate.

  “Serena, I’m going to try the heating and cooling sequence one more time. Can you try to twist it off while I’m heating it,” Jack asked.

  “I’ll do my best,” she replied simply.

  After working the ice around the cylinder, Jack lit the torch once more.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  With a simple nod from Serena, Jack lit the torch once more and began to warm the end of the cylinder. As it heated up, Serena gripped the other end and started to twist. Gritting her teeth, she tried rotating the cylinder back and forth, but with no results.

  “It’s not budging, Jack,” she said through clenched teeth.

  In frustration, Jack reached for a rubber mallet nearby. With Serena rotating and pulling, Jack tapped on the heated surface.

  Instantly, Serena flew backward, out of her chair and onto the floor… still holding the long end of the cylinder.

  “Yesss!” he blurted loudly. “Nothing like a little elbow grease to get the job done.”

  Still seated on the floor, Serena stared up at the two men and said, “Either of you gentlemen care to help a damsel in distress? Or is chivalry completely dead?”

  With an embarrassed grin, Jack extended his hand and asked, “Can I help her highness to her feet?”

  Grabbing his hand, she replied sarcastically, “Hmm, it’s a start but I think your chivalry needs a little work.”

  As she stood, she held the cylinder out in front of her. Protruding from the end, were the rolled leather scrolls.

  “Great work, guys,” Javier said enthusiastically. “Looks like everything’s intact. No damage.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Serena replied. “I broke a nail.”

  “I’ll alert the media,” Jack teased. “Should take top billing over the scrolls.”

  With a small chuckle, Javier donned his gloves and gently pulled the ancient cloth from the cylinder.

  “Wow, do you smell that? The scrolls have a leathery smell about them,” Javier said, excitedly.

  “Yes, and also an essence, like some kind of spice,” Serena added.

  “Jack, these are in remarkably great shape. In fact, they hardly feel aged,” Javier added.

  He laid the scrolls on a desktop and delicately began to unroll them. Weighting the top, he pulled down on them to reveal their contents. With the scrolls nearly unrolled, he began to count their quantity.

  “Wow, Jack, there’s four scrolls here. You’ve hit the jackpot,” he announced.

  “Can you read them? What do they say? Are they Egyptian?” Jack asked in quick succession.

  As Javier separated and weighted the scrolls for examination, Serena began to study the hieroglyphics. Suddenly, she stopped. A cold chill ran down her spine.

  “Brace yourself, Jack,” she said in serious tone. “Look what I’ve found.”

  “Oh my God!” Javier blurted out in shock and excitement.

  “What is it? What’d you
find?” Jack responded, rushing in for a closer look.

  The three stood silent for a moment, each looking on in disbelief, each struggling to comprehend the implications.

  “Is that really what I think it is?” Jack asked, fully aware of the answer that was to follow.

  “Yes, Jack,” Serena said, in an ominous tone. “It’s your symbol. It’s the pyramid.”

  “With the all-seeing eye,” Javier cut in, finishing Serena’s statement.

  “There’s your connection, Jack. These scrolls prove the photo you took is real. That golden pyramid does exist,” Serena said, her voice trembling with excitement.

  Jack took a seat beside the desk, his legs weak from the discovery. With his eyes in a daze, he stared straight ahead and contemplated his next move. Moments later, he stood quickly and headed for the door.

  “Where are you going? We just started,” Serena asked, surprised.

  “I have something I’ve got to do,” Jack said. “Could you hang onto the scrolls for me?”

  “Certainly, but where are going?” Javier replied, a little confused.

  “I’m finding that golden pyramid... Tomorrow,” Jack responded in a serious tone. “And I’m pretty sure I know right where it’s at.”

  Atlantis – Chapter 9

  Jack burst through the door of the FBO, startling Moses and causing him to nearly fall out of his chair.

  “Moses, you’re never going to believe this,” Jack blurted loudly.

  “Dang it, Jack, has your brain shriveled from too much time in the sun? I nearly crapped my pants. Give me a warning before you barge in here like a bull in a china shop,” he scolded, clutching his heart for added effect.

  “Sorry, Moses, I guess my excitement short circuited my brain. But you’ve got to hear this,” Jack implored.

  “Ok, ok, don’t soil your britches. What’s the big news? You finally found a decent job?” he said, now teasing.

  “No, Moses, I already have a decent job, remember?” Jack replied dryly, then continued, “Anyway, do you remember that picture I showed you of the golden pyramid? You know, the one I photographed under the water?”

  “Did you find it?” Moses shot back eagerly, now genuinely interested.

  “Well, not yet, but I’m now sure it exists,” he replied. “We were able to get the scrolls out of the crystal cylinder and examine them. Serena found a symbol on them that resembled the photo I took of the pyramid all but proving that what I saw was in fact real and not some old soda can.”

  “So you didn’t find the pyramid yet?” Moses responded.

  “Well, no, not yet, but I will shortly. I’m certain of it,” he said.

  “Hmm, that’s what I was afraid of. You’re planning on making another trip out there aren’t you,” Moses asked, his tone now becoming serious.

  “I have to, Moses. I know the pyramid is real and I’m fairly certain of where it might be. It’s just too valuable to not take the risk,” he reasoned.

  “I had hoped the scrolls would’ve been the end to this dangerous venture of yours. I don’t mind telling you Jack, this really scares me. I can only imagine what it’s doing to your parents,” he said.

  “One more dive and that should be it. I know it’s down there. I’m sure it’s just hidden by seaweed or something like that,” Jack responded.

  “Frankly Jack, I think you’re pushing your luck. You know there’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity and I think you’re crossing over into the latter,” he said.

  “Moses, I appreciate your concern, but I’m a little confused. I only met you a couple of days ago. Outside of the obvious, why are you so concerned about a total stranger? It just doesn’t make any sense. Things aren’t adding up,” Jack questioned.

  “I have my reasons,” he said simply.

  “Could you share your reasons?” Jack pushed.

  “No,” he replied bluntly.

  “Ok, you have your reasons. I can respect that, but Moses, you have to understand that this is something I must do. If I were to walk away now, the mystery of the unknown would haunt me forever. If it makes you feel better, I promise I’ll do my best to minimize the risks,” he said.

  Knowing there was nothing he could say to persuade Jack against going, Moses quietly sat and accepted Jack’s decision.

  After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Jack searched his mind for another topic.

  “Well, I need to rest up for tomorrow. Is the couch still available?” he said, smiling to break the tension.

  With a simple nod, Moses gestured to the pilot’s lounge.

  “Thanks, Moses, I really do appreciate your concern,” he said sincerely.

  As Jack rounded the corner and walked out of sight, Moses called out for him.

  “Jack, hold up a minute,” he shouted.

  As Jack came back into the main lobby, Moses cleared his throat and spoke.

  “Jack, many years ago, I knew a young man who was filled with the same courage and enthusiasm that you have. He was a good boy; smart, kind, fun loving. He was also very adventurous. One day while his dad was working, he took a small boat far out into the bay. He’d been warned before not to do it, but he was headstrong and went ahead and did it anyway. Well, as bad luck would have it, he got caught in a storm that dragged him far out to sea. It was later reported that his boat capsized and a few days after that, his body washed up on shore, half eaten by damn sharks. It was his parents’ worst nightmare, one they never got over. The boy’s mother died a few years later. The medical examiner listed her death as heart failure, but I’m pretty sure she simply died of a broken heart. The strain of losing her only son was just too much for her poor little heart to handle.”

  He paused a moment to collect his thoughts, then continued. “You’re probably thinking I’m telling you this story ‘cause I’m just trying to scare you out of making that dangerous dive. Well, I ain’t. I know you’re going to do it and I know that because it’s in your spirit to do so. There are doers and there are spectators and you ain’t no spectator. So, the reason I’m telling you this is not to convince you not to go. The reason I’m telling you this story is so you’ll remember that with great risks come the potential for great tragedies, tragedies that linger long after you die. That young man sailed far beyond his capabilities and more importantly, out of reach of safety. He’d be alive today if he hadn’t taken such a great risk, and so would his mother, I suspect. Three lives were ruined that day he died, so do what you feel you must do, but for your sake and for the sake of your parents, do your best to minimize the risks.”

  Jack stood quietly for a moment and digested Moses’ words. He thought about his recent close-calls while diving and realized he had been pushing the limits of safety. His regulator malfunctioning under water was a happenstance event, but running out of air and risking decompression sickness were foolhardy choices he consciously made. Jack thought about his death and visualized his parents in anguish and for a moment thought about calling off the rest of his adventure. But quitting was not in Jack's nature and the lure of accomplishment was too great. With the knowledge he just received from the Arista's, Jack knew he had to go back.

  “Thank you, Moses,” he started. “You’re right. I’ve been pushing the limits of my equipment and safety and if I were to die, my parents would be the ones to suffer the most. While I’m not willing to give up my dream, it doesn’t mean I can’t do it in a safer way. This next dive will be safer, I'll promise you that.”

  “Good man, Jack. Make smart decisions and your mother and father will live as happier parents,” he responded, proudly. "Now, how about I help you out with safety."

  Moses reached under the glass cabinet and pulled out a rectangular pouch with a large white cross imprinted on its front. Tossing it to Jack, he said, "Here, I'm sure you already have some form of first aid kit in that plane, but this one's pretty complete. It has things in it that normal first aid kits don't have. It's mainly designed for boaters, due to the islands, but it's great
for pilots too."

  "Wow, what's in this thing. It weighs like a hundred pounds," Jack joked.

  "A whistle, a signal lens, some batteries I think, way too many things to list," Moses replied.

  "I don't know what to say. Thank you, Moses," he responded graciously.

  “Well, let's just hope you don't need it,” Moses said, then added, "Now get out of here and go get some sleep."

  "Good idea," Jack responded with a fake yawn.

  As he turned and rounded the corner, he stopped himself short. A question gnawed at him: one he already knew the answer to but was afraid to ask. With curiosity driving him, he headed back to the lobby.

  “What's the matter? You want me to fluff your pillow for you too?” Moses joked.

  “Actually, I was just wondering... you never finished your story. You said three lives were ruined. What ever happened to the father?” Jack asked in a delicate tone.

  Moses straightened his back in his chair. His hands trembled slightly as he took off his glasses. Clearing his throat once more, he spoke.

  “That father is me,” he replied simply.

  Jack’s heart began to race. He could almost feel the anguish surfacing in Moses as he stared back at him.

  “Oh Moses, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say. You have my deepest sympathy,” he said, now consumed with sadness for his new friend.

  “We can’t bring back the dead. We can only learn from their deaths. Just remember the lesson, Jack: no unnecessary risks,” Moses said, his voice low and purposeful.

  “I won’t forget,” he replied, simply.

  ----- ----- ----- -----

  Jack woke feeling more tired than when he went to sleep. The thought of Moses’ sad tale caused him to toss and turn nearly all night. By early morning, he realized any further attempt at sleep would only be a waste of time. Bringing his watch up to his face, he checked the time: five eighteen.

  “Well, the sooner I get out of here, the sooner I’ll get back and take a nap,” he said to himself.

  After checking the weather, he loaded his plane with the necessary equipment and departed. Flying at daybreak, the winds and weather were generally calm, and the air traffic was nearly non-existent. Peaceful and low stress, it was his favorite time to fly.