Lost Continent

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "Here's your breakfast Captain JB. No bacon and eggs for you as you must watch what you eat," Gwen said while standing back and giving JB a salute. JB smiled and gave her a two finger salute back. On her way back she stopped off at the stern to see how Matt was doing with the air tanks. Matt was a stickler for safety. He personally filled their tanks never letting it be done shore side unless he supervised.

  Gwen said, "Breakfast time my Tall Man." He stood up as the wind whipped through his hair. The rising sun reflected off his brown shirtless body clad only in shorts. To Gwen he looked like a Greek God.

  "I'll be there in a few minutes. I'm almost finished here. I wonder how JB is doing."

  "He's fine. I just took him breakfast. Hurry up or your scrambled eggs will get cold."

  They arrived at the buoy just after nine am. Matt dropped anchor as the fishing boat pulled up alongside. These guys weren't wasting time. They had a small boat they towed behind and soon two guys were out fishing. The speed boat arrived not long afterwards. Maria reported that a fishing boat was about two kilometers between the boats and the shore.

  Matt and Gwen prepared to dive. JB stood back as he had no idea what to do or how to help. Gwen smiled at him and said, "Relax JB and enjoy the day. We'll be back within a half hour or so.

  With their powerful lights they hoped to spot anything out of the ordinary. Matt gave the thumbs up and off the stern they went. Gwen thought, as they slowly swam to the bottom, that the water was much clearer than before. She caught herself breathing too fast in anticipation of the possibility of finding an artifact. Nothing is more exciting for an archeologist to discover a hidden treasure. As they approached the bottom they followed their grid system for searching.

  For the next half hour they looked and prodded around finding nothing but a pile of rocks. Matt looked at his watch and signaled the dive was over. Up they went.

  Back on board JB was relaxing in a deck chair talking to Maria. She was helping him with Spanish and he was helping her with English. It appeared JB was totally enjoying himself; making Gwen feel good.

  After lunch and a short nap, they dove again. They expanded their area of search which included the area next to where they had discovered the steel box. Matt was using a long crow bar lifting a few smaller rocks when he saw something round sticking up staring him in the face. When he looked and felt the end of it, he could tell it was a tube of some sort. He had no idea how long it was, but it was sticking up between some fairly large rocks. Matt flashed his light at Gwen, but she was intent on searching behind some bigger rocks. Matt took out a buoy and line. He tied it around a big rock and sent it top side. Then he swam over to Gwen. He motioned for her to follow and when they arrived he pointed at the round tube sticking up. She felt it and nodded her head. Both backed off and looked the situation over to remove some rocks to free up the object. By that time the dive was over. They rose slowly to the surface.

  Once back on board, nothing was said until they had washed and taken care of their equipment. JB was in the galley sending an e-mail via a special wifi. After another shower to wash off the salt they sat down with JB and told him the story. His expression never changed. Then he said, "With this crane can you move those rocks to free up the object?"

  "Yes, I think we can JB. We can use our flashlights to signal up and down. I'd guess the rocks are around a hundred kilos. Should be a snap. We'll find out tomorrow morning," said Matt.

  "What diameter is it do you think," asked JB

  "I'd say six inches or a little less. No way to tell how long it is though."

  Gwen said, "It appears made of the same material as the box. We'll know soon enough."

  They spent the rest of the afternoon talking. Maria told stories about Sid and his role in the small town. As they understood it, Sid was kind of like the Godfather of the area. He was always helping the less fortunate when he could.

  JB asked, "How about you Maria. What are your plans for the future?"

  Sid is my uncle and he's sending me to the university to learn the tourist business. He thinks a nice small hotel with a good restaurant would be ideal for

  Cadiz. He wants me to run it for him. I like that idea."

  "I like it too," said JB.

  As the sun set and all was quiet, they went to bed. Tomorrow would be an exciting day.

  The men from the fishing boat helped to operate the winch the next morning. It was a team effort. Both Matt and Gwen noticed the fishing boat had drawn closer. They were sure to see the winch in operation. What they wouldn’t see is what came up.

  Before they dove, the speedboat made a couple circles around the fishing boat spotting a high powered telescope sticking out the cabin window. Matt and the captain of the fishing boat decided to block the view at the last minute by moving the boat around to the opposite side.

  It was decided Matt would do the rigging and Gwen would relay the up and down from just below the stern of the boat. Matt dove with a half inch nylon rope attached to his belt.

  He attached the rope to the first rock and gave off three flashes of his flashlight to Gwen. Gwen raised an arm for the go ahead. It worked slicker than a whistle. The crane would raise it about six feet and swing and then lower it upon Matt's signal. A half our later the tube was free. It wasn't so heavy and he tucked it under his arm and slowly made for the surface.

  By the time he broke the surface, the fishing boat had moved to block the view. Gwen was on her knees when Matt surfaced. He slid the tube onto the deck keeping it below the sides. JB and one other guy went around the side of the yacht to hide it. To confuse them, they decided to stay there and dive the next day. Meanwhile, they would clean it up and look at it.

  JB did the clean up job while Gwen prepared dinner. Nobody was very hungry so cheese and bread with wine was the main course. The side course was more wine. JB and Matt brought the tube down to the galley. They laid it on the table. Matt took a tape measure. Without a set of calipers he estimated it to be just over five inches by two feet long. Both ends were round and directly in the middle was the same fine line as the steel box. It appeared the same color and the same type of metal.

  Matt said, "Well Gwen and JB what do you make of this tube. Do you care to guess?"

  JB said, "Looks like a map case. No matter what we think is inside it, we are sure to be mistaken."

  "I'm with JB, Tall Man. How do we open it," asked Gwen.

  "Last time I popped it on the side and it sprung open. Should I bang it on the floor and see what happens. Or maybe just use two hands and smack both ends at the same time."

  "Matt, slap both ends and see what happens," said JB

  Matt took both hands and slapped each end at the same time. Low and behold the tube popped open about a half inch. All three stared at the open tube. Matt took a small Maglite and took a look. Indeed a rolled up papyrus was visible. Slowly Matt eased the two pieces apart. Once the papyrus was free of the tube, Matt shined the light into both pieces. The only thing the tube contained was the single rolled up papyrus. Ever so gently Gwen helped JB unfurl the paper. Once weights were placed to keep it from rolling back up, all three archeologists viewed the writing.

  "Can you believe it," Gwen said.

  "No I can't," said JB.

  "This can't be dated like the other one," said Matt.

  "These numbers are in English. I suspect these are the numbers for us to enter into something to send the message," said Gwen. "The more I look at it I see it's in binary code. Computers use it and it was developed eons ago. We just need to search engine the code to the alphabet and bingo we have a message."

  "I'm sure there's software that once you enter these numbers it will translate in mere seconds. Well, I'd say we're a step closer but still a long ways off," said Matt.

  JB was examining the tube. He was curious how it was once sealed and then opened so easily. Where the two joined together, there was no space to collapse to release a spring loaded apparatus. So how did it work, he wondered. Well, not my j
ob and we need to decipher the code. While he was thinking about that, Matt said, "Hey JB, if the code was written in the leather book, did I miss something where it might have mentioned a tube?"

  "No, but then we were and still are a long ways off from understanding what is really said in the book. I think some of the puzzle is in-between the covers of the book."

  +++++

  Lisa, with a surgical knife deft cut through the leather tie. It was like an operating room with a group of doctors observing the procedure. Next, Lisa took a strong pair of tweezers and slowly unwound the roll tie. When she reached the end, a long leather strip from a camel dated thousands of years ago was placed in a Ziploc bag.

  Lisa then handed the tweezers to Mac. All eyes were on him as he very carefully lifted the top sheet of leather revealing a thin piece of what looked like tin, but later when Eddie tested the metal, he came up empty.

  On the thin sheet of metal was a more detailed map of concentric circles with a much closer view of the Scio solar system. Alice sucked her lungs full of air. Nobody moved. Alice said, "This is unbelievable. We are looking at a solar system not so much unlike our own. I feel a little faint so I must sit down. Forgive me. The implications and the evidence of life outside our solar system have just been verified. It appears they've used Latin names for the planets and the sun. What do we do now Mac and friends?"

  "Do the same with the back cover Alice; that's what we'll do? Lisa, once again perform surgery please," said Mac.

  The back cover went a little faster. Mac did the honors and lifted the two bottom sheet of the back cover up. Again a metal sheet was revealed and on it was a very strange set of concentric circles staring at the viewers. Alice bent lower and shook her head. The others had no idea what lay in front of them. "We need to take side by side pictures of both pieces. At this point I don't know what we're looking at. At first glance it appears to represent another solar system. What we have discovered is totally mind boggling. If what we're looking at are two solar systems with life containing ancestors of Atlantis is really bizarre. I'm afraid nobody would believe it. This will be very interesting as time goes on."

  +++++

  "This is what I've been waiting for," said Sir Blake. "Now we can make a plan. Blake Aviation is going to be the one who flies to the moon. We've spent millions of pounds preparing for governments to set up a base on the moon. You boys have done your job. Tell that woman to stay with it and pay her well."

  "Already done that Sir Blake. From what she told us, there is a message from aliens on the moon. We're curious sir as to what is happening in the waters just off Spain. Any news there?"

  "Boys, they're diving, but hiding behind a screen of fishing boats. They're on to us, but let's see what happens in the next day or so."

  "We'll send some guys around the town of Cadiz to do some snooping," said James.

  "I'm going to California and meet with some guys. When we confirm what you are telling me, then we'll be on the front line to transport a crew to the moon," said Sir Blake.

  +++++

  The next day, after the tube discovery, Matt and Gwen took a relaxing dive down to the site. All three of them the night before agreed that more evidence must be either buried or exposed; it was up to them to give it a close inspection.

  The spy fishing boat had moved even closer overnight. They made no bones about using a high powered telescope to keep watch. Matt said, while standing on the transom as it bobbed up and down, I think after our afternoon dive we'll head on out. I also think it's in our best interest to protect this site by posting a boat here until we are finished with the site; if ever."

  "Good idea, Tall Man. However, let's give the site a careful look," said Gwen.

  JB said, "I'll tell Maria what we've decided and I'm sure they will leave a boat here and rotate a crew. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay here for a few weeks. Do you think we could hire some divers who are qualified underwater archeologists?"

  "Damn fine idea JB. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll contact that Spanish lawyer and have him set up an account for you to work out of. You might look into renting or leasing a barge with accommodations aboard. I'll see if Sid knows about that end of things. Gwen, what do you think?"

  "I really like it and with JB here we can be assured of no pilfering. Also, it might be a good experience for Liz and Barry to be on an underwater site."

  "It's a done deal," joked Matt. Let's go diving my love."

  Nothing of much interest came from the days two dives. They left the two boats and sailed back to the Cove of Cadiz. Sid saw them coming even after they had radioed their arrival time. He was Johnny on the spot, eager to help and happy to please.

  Sid had two men stand guard on the boat while Matt and Gwen had dinner. Sid said, "Two men came into town and they've been hanging around trying to find some gossip about you guys. I've instructed the town to fill them full of stories about a giant eel just off shore."

  Matt and Gwen laughed while sipping some fine wine. Matt told Sid what they needed in the way of a barge. Sid frowned and sat thinking then his face lit up. "I know a guy. Let me see what I can do. I'll be back before you finish your dinner." He scurried away to his office.

  It was a lovely evening on the coast. Spring was upon them and so were the insects becoming a nuisance. A waiter came by with a smoking coil to drive away the pests. Gwen put on a sweater as the sun went down. An on shore breeze was just a little chilly, but tolerable.

  They ate a fine shell fish dinner. After dinner Sid came back smiling. He said, "It's taken care of my friends. My friend in Lisbon has what we need. He'll have it towed down here in about five days. I told him to make it ship shape for sleeping, stores of food, fresh paint, air compressor checked out, crane inspected for safety, new lines and God knows what all. I'm sure your friend JB will check it out when it arrives. I've a small apartment over this restaurant JB can stay in. Maria will tend to him. You can rest easy that we will do whatever you request."

  Matt and Gwen both were sitting there with their mouths open listening to Sid talk about what they sorely needed and then he makes a phone call and it's a done deal. Matt said, "Sid, you're a miracle worker. We appreciate it. Before this is over, this place will be flooded with tourists seeking a glimpse of what we have discovered."

  "I hope so as I'd like to leave a legacy behind that Cadiz was assisting a noble cause. And of course, it doesn't hurt the pocket book either," he smiled.

  Later that evening Matt and Gwen sat aboard the yacht feeling safe with two guys keeping watch out. Matt said, as he looked at the new content from tube, "What do you make of this my love?"

  "Of course it's a message, but what it says or alludes to is the real question. I know I've said this before, but I think we're in way over our heads. But then again, we might never be in over our heads. I think we need to be humble. If nothing else we must maintain our control over what happens. There's always someone or some entity looking for personal or capital gain as primary instead of secondary. Science always sucks hind teat; don't you agree?"

  "When you put it that way, I can't disagree. I’m like JB, how did they make this and how does it work that by transferring a force it comes apart. Well, I'm a little tired. Let's call it a night and pack our bags tomorrow. We have to go to Madrid and see the lawyer to set up a bank account."

  "Me too Tall Man. All this excitement has me worn out. We'd best get our rest while the getting is good. Soon, I think, this will bust wide open and then privacy will be difficult to find," said Gwen.

  The next morning, via radio to JB, the information on the barge, bank account and so on was given to him. JB told them to be safe at all times. Also he would send word of note as time went on.

  After meeting the lawyer at the bank a letter from Matt's home bank satisfied the banks requirements for withdrawals submitted by JB or Sid. Matt was nobody's fool and had built in alarms if bogus claims were submitted.

  Flying out on a sunny late afternoon from Madrid, into a sogg
y spring night in London, both Matt and Gwen were happy to find their warm bed in the loft.

  Matt told Barry and Liz they would talk in the morning. A downcast look at first, then when they were told a new find was discovered, happy faces replaced the gloomy looks. Gladys had a biscuit and hot chocolate for the weary travelers. It wasn't long after the two, soon to be celebrities, went to bed.

  Chapter Eleven

  Gwen rose early the next morning. Gladys found her in a yoga position with the balcony glass doors open facing a still grey morning just before the sun rose. She didn't want to disturb Gwen so went hustled to the kitchen to make some morning coffee. The day before, Gladys found some farm fresh eggs and then she went to the bakery for French bread. French toast was on her menu for the morning. With that she would serve lean ham. Gladys felt sure Gwen was with child and wanted to make sure she didn't eat too much fatty foods.

  Barry and Liz came out about the same time as the coffee was ready. They noticed Matt had yet to put in an appearance. Gwen had finished her meditation and left to take a shower. By 7:30 am all were sitting down feasting on French toast with pure maple syrup. "If nothing else," Barry told the table, "America is good for something with this wonderful maple syrup."

  "Hey take it easy Barry," said Gwen. "How about our Wisconsin cheese?"

  "Let's not start a word war here guys," said Matt. "This smoked ham is island grown so let's not knock the any countries food. Besides, you're lucky we don't eat corned beef everyday from my ranch in Argentina."

  "I love corned beef sandwiches," said Barry. I heap a lot of horseradish and let my nose drip."

  "That's gross Barry," said Liz. I wonder what they eat on Scio?" That stopped the conversation cold.

  "I've no idea Liz, but hopefully, in our life time, we'll have an idea what they do eat," said Matt. "Now the news is this: we have discovered another artifact not far from the steel box. This is a tube about five inches in diameter and not quite two feel long. It's being shipped by air to the museum. Inside we found a papyrus with a binary code that shouldn't be too difficult to read what it says. I've copies of it in my bag, but let's wait until we go to the museum to look at them. Now, anything new here?"