ARCANA Chapter 3 by William James Johnson

The Italian government, in posthumous recognition of the great arctic explorer Umberto Nobile, had commissioned the world famous industrial designer, Paulo Verdi, to create an airship with the ultimate in state of the art technology, to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the General's tragic voyage in airship "Italia". To be named "Airship Nobile" in his honour, the slender, silver craft was nearly completed in Pozzuoli, an area in southern Italy famous for dirigible construction.

Italy offered to provide this brilliant new structure to transport the scientists in their arctic search for David Koster. It was appropriate that it would be used to honour a former arctic explorer.

Arnhem and Moysev flew to Italy with Carlo Nobile to check on its progress. They all agreed it would be the most suitable type of transportation for the journey to the top of the world. Thorpe was pleased to accept their recommendation.

A corps of designers and engineers from the US, France, and Japan, worked around the clock under the supervision of Paulo Verdi, and by early spring, hovering over the warm valley was the huge shining craft, the product of many fertile imaginations. The project had been completed in only eight months since the mysterious disappearance of the US president.

The shining helium filled craft cast a long shadow across the valley as they arrived for a final inspection of their handiwork. Attached to the bottom, about midship, was the spectacular gondola designed by Verdi. The sleek exterior had been built with acrylic monofilament which gave it tremendous strength.The shatter proof windows which surrounded the gondola, enhanced the bullet shape of the craft. Made of coated monoflex, the windows afforded the maximum exposure for all the crew members to view thoroughly every step of their mission. The coating protected them from the harmful ultraviolet which would be experienced at the higher latitudes. A narrow catwalk skirted the gondola along the front and both sides. This would give the scientists a chance to take specimen collections while transiting to the north.

Arnhem was one of the first to arrive. His limousine parked close to the upright crane which supported the basket used to lift the crew to the pod. Within a half hour, more than twenty vehicles had assembled under the "Nobile". Greetings were exchanged in an atmosphere of joviality as they all realized that the thrill of the voyage would soon begin.

Arnhem had been selected by the others to be the leader of the expedition. As he stepped into the crane basket, Thorpe noticed what the others had missed; Arnhem had aged many years in these past several months. He wished someone else would take the lead, for he felt Arnhem might never make it. Arnhem addressed the enthusiastic group of scientists.

"Gentlemen, it really should not be me addressing you today, but Nicholas Moysev. As you know, we now have his Synthetic Ionization Chamber on board the Nobile, and if you will come into the basket we will go above for a demonstration of this marvelous device."

The crane lifted five scientists at a time. Waiting above to greet each man as he stepped off was Moysev. For the first time in months he was smiling again. He had been working intensely, modifying his SIC for use in the Nobile. He warmly accepted the cheery greetings of his associates. They moved quickly along the pristine corridors of the pod into a central chamber. Amidst flashing lights and the constant whirring of computer tapes, they saw a glassed-in room made of the same acrylic material that was used on the exterior windows. Forming a circle in the ionization chamber, there were ten seats with straps fastened to the floor. Behind the seats was a circular tube, similar to the circular magnet used in Arnhem's experiment back in Washington. In the centre of the seats was a dark blue velvet cloth on which had been placed a model of Airship Nobile.Moysev asked the visitors to take up places around the ionization chamber where they could observe the proceedings.

"As we are all aware, matter is merely the visible manifestation of energy. I believe when we go to the opening at the top of world, we will enter an area of zero magnetism. In such an area, matter collapses upon itself and is converted into pure energy. We can prevent this happening by synthetically creating an opposing charge. For this reason, the ionization chamber has been made. The bank of computers on the right will make observations as we go north, continuously recording magnetic intensity which surrounds our craft. When field intensity starts to move from maximum to zero, I will expect the crew to come to this chamber and strap themselves into their seats. If calculations are correct,a synthetic charge, focusing on the chamber will permit us to go through zero magnetic field without our physical matter collapsing upon itself. What I have said is just so much theory. I will now demonstrate a practical experiment, something you can see for yourselves."

He went to the bank of computers, taking a card from his tunic,programmed to simulate a zero magnetic field. He placed the card into a slot on the front of the computer.

"Please! Watching carefully the model of Nobile. May none of us have to experience what is about to happen."

The ionization chamber hummed suddenly as he pressed a red button on the computer. A blue aura appeared in the centre. As the aura disappeared the model of the Nobile disappeared as well. The astounded scientists had felt this was the weakest part of the thesis. Now that the model had vanished, no one needed further convincing.After a few seconds of stunned silence, they rushed to Moysev, congratulating him. Those who were inclined even kissed the jolly Russian on each cheek. Arnhem shared in the thrill of his friend's moment of glory. Both in the twilight years of their lives had come to experience a fulfilment which neither had ever thought would happen.

Dr. Liu Chow had gone back to look into the chamber.He was the first to ask about what had just occurred. "And what has happened to the model? Where is it now Moysev?"

"I never said I could bring it back. It's in the chamber in the form of pure energy. When we open the chamber door I would assume its energy will then be in this pod. All of you must understand. What you have seen is the opposite of what will happen to us when we go to the Arctic. Without SIC, Nobile and all the crew would disappear just like this model. When we see the computer tell us there is a change in the magnetic field, we apply to the crew in the chamber a reverse charge than one I have just used so that the lack of an external magnetic field will be compensated.I cannot make an external zero magnetic zone, so I make the reverse. The principle is the same."

Still uncertain, Chow pursued further. "And the ship Moysev? What about the ship? You cannot put it into your chamber. How will it be protected?"

"I was coming to that my friend. The SIC is for crew only. If you will look at the red computer on the end, that is device which will determine how much of magnetic energy from our coil will have to be applied to external surface of Airship Nobile."

Thorpe, who never pretended to be a scientist asked a most obvious question.
"Tell me Dr. Moysev, what we have seen today, is this what happened when President Koster was taken from us several months ago?"

"I'm thinking not very likely, Mr. Thorpe. Controlled dematerialization is quite different from total annihilation of substance you have just seen. Your President's energy was collapsed upon itself in a finite way so that it did not entirely reach zero point of pure energy. Whatever did this may have used a dematerialization technique to provide ease of transportation of your leader to another place, and who knows, maybe even another time."

Arnhem interrupted, "Enough questions gentlemen. We've seen it and it works. Now let us take a look at our craft."

As they filed out of the ionization chamber, they proceeded along the corridor to the front of the gondola. They saw spacious well-appointed cabins. Verdi's modular plastic units gave the craft the slick appearance of a science fiction film set. The top of the corridor, along the outside wall had a series of screened openings which took in the outside air, scanning it for radioactive and toxic properties before letting it descend upon the crew members. The pilot's compartment was sumptuous. A pair of large plush chairs which automatically conformed to anyone who sat in them was Verdi's special contribution to the comfort of the pilot and copilot who would invest long hours at their posts. Several small video screens surrounded the captain's position, providing him with instantaneous pictures of the various chambers in the gondola. One monitored the collection of specimens on the catwalk. The food provided for the crew was an update on the concentrated foods used during the astronaut program. This was chosen because it took up less space, produced less waste, and was easily obtained if a crew member felt the need. Navigation for the Nobile was to be provided by international weather satellites, supplying instantaneous weather information, and presenting on a visual screen the actual position of the airship at all times, relative to the earth.

Thorpe, who had been the instigator of all this, asked for the group's attention.
"Gentlemen, as you know, tonight, at a formal dinner, I will announce the names of the ten crew members of Airship Nobile. I don't know how to adequately express my admiration for the outstanding work you have all done in this most important project. I know I speak for President Koster and all my countrymen when I say we are indebted to all of you and I hope someday that President Koster will be able to personally thank you for your unstinting devotion under pressure. When creative men like yourselves can take a fantastic concept and turn it into a reality, man is operating at his peak. My personal thanks to Dr. van Arnhem, who supervised and integrated all this talent. I will see you all this evening at dinner."

Thorpe and several of the others left the pod. Those who remained continued their tour. Many had mixed feelings about being selected for the journey. Curiosity mingled with fear was an honest emotion many experienced. Captain Carlo Nobile wanted so much to go in his grandfather's footsteps to the Arctic, he had found it difficult for several weeks to think of anything else. He had even qualified himself as a dirigible pilot with the original squadron Colonel Umberto Nobile had served during the early twenties.

Returning to the main crew deck, he reclined in the Captain's chair and soon became oblivious to the others who watched the dreamy expression which came over his face as he grabbed the controls. His lips moved silently, issuing orders for the take off. Tonight he would know for sure.

A warm evening breeze from the Mediterranean made the heavy velvet drapes in the formal hall of mirrors of Cardinal Vallenti's palace flutter gently. Through the open windows the melodious strains of a string quartet floated softly over the spring blossoms that skirted the courtyard of this world famous Naples fortress. The venue of many extravaganzas in the past, the prelate's staff gloried in its role as host to the world's celebrities.

Long shining Mercedes limousines and Rolls Royces pulled up to the carved stone entrance. Doormen and ushers in gilded livery greeted each guest. A bystander would have thought he was back in the thirties watching an MGM musical premiere. Klieg lights and bunting added to the splendour of this important event. With all this pomp and ceremony it was difficult to realize the world was in a serious depression.
As each of the distinguished guests arrived, a suitable amount of time was choreographed between vehicles, permitting the paparazzi and journalists from many countries to capture this auspicious occasion electronically and on film.

Nicholas Moysev stepped out of the Russian Embassy Mercedes wearing the Colonel's uniform of the Russian Red Army. He reached back into his vehicle to assist his strikingly beautiful companion, Helga Korb, former gold medal winner in the Montreal Olympics, and now one of his country's top electronic experts. Miss Korb had been assisting Moysev for several years in developing the focus beam of the synthetic ionizer. Gossip was rampant in their homeland when she divorced her husband to dedicate herself to Moysev's work. Her pale blue formal draped fluidly over the athletic thighs and waist of this former gymnast. The couple paused for pictures and Moysev, a widower for the past fifteen years, relished this moment as he let his arm touch Miss Korb, who in turn warmly took his hand and smiled for the admiring gathering.

Liu Chow's arrival was low key. The only continual skeptic in the group, his knowledge of mathematics and computers, was essential to the mission. Now 58, he had spent his life in dedication to the ideas of Chairman Mao and devotion to the new China which developed after the so called cultural revolution. His commitment took the form of excellence in his scientific endeavours. Although married, Chow did not bring his wife to Italy, but rather came accompanied by two aides. Of all those who worked on Project Nobile, Chow was the most solitary.

When a vehicle displaying the Canadian Maple Leaf pulled in front of the palace, spectators were surprised and amused to see a young Eskimo named Tuma Tittigapu. He had been flown to Naples to be a possible crew member because of his expertise on native culture and survival techniques in the Arctic. Although only 16, Tuma had earned the respect of the villagers in Baker Lake in the Northwest Territories of Canada. He had demonstrated judgement beyond his years, and his knowledge of traditional practices had been considered by Arnhem to be of great importance to the crew should Airship Nobile have to put down in the Canadian Arctic.

Accompanying Tuma was a young American who had earned a world reputation as a volcanologist. Even as a boy, Michael Easton had shown an outstanding interest in the physical universe. Now in his late twenties, he had completed post-doctoral work in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. Centcomp selected him not only for his background in physical sciences, but also because he was expert in communications.
Arnhem had convinced the strategists that the best approach to the opening in the north would be accomplished in the Canadian Arctic rather than in the land north of the USSR. Most of the historical exploration of this area of the world had been conducted in the North American region. For this reason Arnhem felt Tuma should be selected so there would be some Canadian representation on this journey. It was up to Thorpe to decide which of the two young men would be selected to join the Nobile crew.

There was great excitement as the Vatican representative arrived. Sporting his princely pendant, Cardinal Vallenti was the next best thing to a Papal visit. Faithful Italians crowding the curbs thought at first it was the Pope and began making the sign of the cross. The prelate, from years of automatic response, raised his hand in a blessing. His scarlet cape sparkled like a flame when the photo bulbs went off as he stepped out of the car. He turned to the crowd pressing in on the cordon, and blessed all and sundry before entering into his official residence used only for special functions.

Arriving in a US Embassy car was Captain John Robins, former United States Viet Nam veteran, who had years of dirigible experience flying the Goodyear blimp over football games in the US. Now forty two years of age, married, and separated, John Robins flashed his friendly grin as he soaked up the attention. He even risked reaching out to touch the hand of a young Italian girl, who was so caught up in the excitement of the moment that she pushed her way out of the crowd to kiss him on the cheek. This unexpected gesture threw him for a moment. He had always felt that he knew his way around women.

The warmest reception was given to Carlo Nobile, the handsome young Italian scientist, who at age 32 was an international favourite of the jet set. Still unmarried, the tabloids were constantly trying to match him with available European royalty, but Carlo never took any of this publicity seriously. His fellow Italians extended to him the kind of welcome they believed his grandfather Umberto had deserved many years ago but had not received until the last few years of his life. Arnhem's willingness to accept the airship fabricated in southern Italy and dedicated to Nobile, had given the Italians a much needed boost to their morale.
Breaking through the cordon of ropes, the excited spectators thronged around Carlo, grabbing their hero, while lightning flashes from the photographers revealed the incipient expression of panic developing on his young face. Assisted by the police, he climbed the steps of the palace and, looking back over the crowd, waved, smiling, and shouted, "Ciao."

The other distinguished guests had arrived earlier and now waited for their host Gerald Thorpe and his wife Kathryn, who had delayed leaving the embassy because they were to pick up Henry on the way. Unable to wait any longer they decided to go ahead without him.

A metallic silver Cadillac of the US Embassy, its American pendant waiving proudly, was cheered as it approached the entrance. Waving and smiling, Thorpe more than adequately played the role of visiting dignitary. He had never admitted to anyone, even his wife, what he alone knew: how intensely he enjoyed the change in his life since the disappearance of David Koster.

Kathryn Thorpe, a former cover girl for high fashion magazines in the US and France, wore her champagne hair in a regal upsweep held in place by a diamond tiara. She resembled a younger Princess Grace.

As the handsome couple entered the foyer, the splendorous gathering applauded warmly. Thorpe went directly to the scarlet figure of Cardinal Vallenti and apologized for being late. Then with the ease of many years of diplomatic experience, he introduced his beautiful wife to the delighted Prince of the Church. With his wife on one side and the Cardinal on the other, he led the procession into the grand dining room.

Sparkling above the royal ballroom was the famous crystal chandelier presented by Czechoslovakia to one of the earlier kings of Naples. Designed originally to hold candles, the glistening prisms had a harshness about them with the advent of the electric age. The banquet tables were arranged in a long open u-shape and the exquisite silver and china table settings had been loaned for the occasion by Christofro Cardinal Vallenti. This distinguished member of the hierarchy was there to represent the Pontiff and had been invited to read a scriptural text for the benefit of those who still believed in such things. The co-operation on this project had been so outstanding that Thorpe did not mind making this minor concession.
Not until he and his guests reached the head table did Thorpe realize Arnhem was still missing. He leaned gently towards his wife.

"Have you seen Henry?"

She glanced at the empty seat beside her. "He must have been delayed leaving his hotel".

Signalling to his aide, Thorpe excused himself, stepping back from the table. "Find out what's happened with Henry. Be quick about it." The authority in his voice made the aide instinctively give him the Koster salute. Always diplomatic, Thorpe returned to the table and apologized to the Cardinal for this interruption.


"I'm sorry, Your Eminence. It would seem my key man has been delayed. If you would not consider it too much of an imposition, I would like to call on you now to present your scriptural text."

When all the guests were seated, Thorpe tapped his wine glass gently with a spoon and the bell like tones of sterling silver against expensive crystal brought silence to the room.

"My friends, we are privileged this evening to have as our guest His Eminence, Christofro Cardinal Vallenti. His Eminence has kindly consented to present us with an inspiring text from the scriptures."

As the Cardinal stood up, Thorpe saw out of the corner of his eye that his aide was moving anxiously towards him. In the sonorous tones of a churchman, the Cardinal began.

"Thank you, Mr. Thorpe, and thank you, ladies and gentlemen. You honour my people and me with your presence on such an important evening. I have taken some random verses from the Prophecy of the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 1, verses 4 and 5, and verses 15 and 16. 'And I saw, and behold a whirlwind came out of the north, and a great cloud and a fire enfolding it, and brightness was about it. And out of the midst thereof, that is out of the midst of the fire as it were the resemblance of amber, and in the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures, and this was their appearance; there was the likeness of a man in them.'"

"My dear friends, I don't know what it was Ezekiel saw. But I have been following closely the plans you have made for this mission, and God willing, you may better understand Ezekiel's message after you have completed your journey."
"And now verses 15 and 16. 'Now as I beheld the living creatures there appeared upon the earth by the living creatures one wheel with four faces, and the appearance of the wheels and the work of them was like the appearance of the sea, and the four had all one likeness and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the midst of a wheel.' It is not my place to speculate on the scripture but if I were as young as many of you and had been born in the space age, I would be wondering what sort of craft Ezekiel was describing. I must admit I am glad he referred to the structure as a wheel and not a saucer. God willing the crew of Airship Nobile may uncover this mystery. It is what I would call 'Arcana', a great mystery, a holy secret." As he spoke, he noticed Thorpe and his aide were hurriedly leaving the ballroom.

"I realize there are many among you who consider belief in God a weakness. We all serve Him in our own way. We serve Him when we serve mankind. Whether or not we do this in a Church or by prayer, somewhere in our daily activity we are doing God's work. On this journey may God bless you and protect you and may you return safely to us with the Arcana. This is my prayer for you and Airship Nobile."
The dignity of the Italian Prelate added a royal ingredient to the occasion. When he sat down he realized there were now vacant seats on each side of him. Kathryn Thorpe, left her seat to move next to him.

"Please excuse Gerald, Your Eminence. He was suddenly called away."

"I hope it's nothing serious."

"I expect he will return momentarily."

Sensing that something had to be done, Carlo Nobile went over to the orchestra and had the music begin. He ordered the waiters to serve dinner. By the time Thorpe returned, everyone had finished their meal. The guests had become very anxious with his unexpected absence. Reaching his place at the head table, he didn't have to ask for their attention. The orchestra stopped suddenly as Thorpe remained standing.

"My friends! It is with deep regret that I must tell you; we have lost Henry van Arnhem." The shock of his remark was electric in the ballroom.

"Fortunately I was able to get there before he was taken from us by a massive heart attack. Henry's final request was that we would not let his death interfere with our planned mission, and he begged me to put Carlo Nobile in his place as head of this expedition."

"I must say I agreed with Henry. Carlo will be a good leader. He has youth, energy, good health, and a remarkably active mind. Throughout these past months, I have seen this man genuinely demonstrate initiative and determination to qualify to be one of the crew. He has spent many hours acquiring proficiency as a dirigible pilot. Carlo, the mantle of Henry van Arnhem is now on your shoulders."

Always the master of adaptability, Thorpe now altered his grim tone as he tried to restore the enthusiasm of his associates.

"Much study has gone into the selection of the crew of the Nobile. Centcomp analysed the various candidates, and on the basis of suitability in fulfilling the terms of reference, the following will be your crew.

"Your new Commander as I have already said, will be Carlo Nobile. I know, Carlo, you would always wonder whether or not you would've made the crew if Henry van Arnhem had not passed on. The answer is yes. Centcomp had selected you to be the co-pilot of the craft, and your reputation as a mathematician provided a second string to your bow. I understand that mathematical calculations are critical when it comes to determining the strength of the magnetic curtain you will encounter.

"I'm proud to present to all of you the pilot of Airship Nobile, Captain John Robins, a fellow American."

John Robins stood momentarily to acknowledge the applause of the audience.

"John Robins has the skill a military pilot would gain during two tours of operational flying in Viet Nam and in military flying in Desert Storm. He also has thousands of commercial flying hours as the skipper of weather dirigibles and our famous Goodyear blimp.

"This next selection is no surprise to any of us. Nicholas Moysev, at 73, has shown all of us the Russian Bear still has vital energy and we are proud he will be on Airship Nobile. Our Centcomp has also selected Dr. Moysev's brilliant assistant Miss Helga Korb who has helped him perfect the electron beam used in his SIC. At least when the terrain of the Arctic becomes monotonously dull, you crew members will have some beauty to contemplate.

"From the United Kingdom, I am proud to present Dr. Henley Armstrong, an outstanding chemist and Cambridge don who will be accompanied by another of his countrymen, or should I say countrywomen, Miss Sandra Wright who is a specialist in audio-visual equipment, and will be the official recorder on this mission."

At 25, unmarried Sandra Wright, with the lithe body of an avid tennis player and the sophisticated beauty of an upper class background, would give Helga Korb a run for the attentions of the men of the Nobile. Or could it be that Centcomp decided the presence of these two very attractive women would neutralize the energy they evoked and the men enjoying their company would still keep their minds on their task.
Thorpe continued with his introductions.

"Since the importance of properly functioning computers on board the Nobile cannot be over stressed, Centcomp had no difficulty in selecting Dr. Liu Chow to fill this capacity.

"France has given us Monsieur Andre Goulet, the world's foremost expert on radioactivity and its effects on the environment. We are all pleased he has consented to be a member of our team.

"Without taking anything away from this young man, Michael Easton, from the US is the crewman who will be replacing Dr. van Arnhem. Michael had been selected by Centcomp to be on our standby crew should a replacement be necessary. Don't let his youth fool you. Michael has a post-doctorate in volcanology and Arctic flora. He has been gathering specimens from the Canadian Arctic for National Geographic over the past year. He is very familiar with the terrain you will be crossing.

"And now last but certainly not least, at only 16, an original native of Canada, Tuma Tittigapu from Baker Lake. It was Dr. van Arnhem who insisted that Tuma be included because of his personal experience with the harsh environment of Canada's arctic region. Henry felt that if anything should happen to the airship and you were forced to land, Tuma's survival skills could be the difference between life or death. God forbid anything should happen." Even Thorpe resorted to the divinity when cornered.

"Well, that's it, my friends. I know some of you will be disappointed, and I feel certain several of you are now relieved. Working together as a crew begins tomorrow. As for all those who have made this possible, a mere thank you is so inadequate. We are all indebted to the government of Italy who so generously offered us their brilliant creation 'Airship Nobile' to carry this brave crew on its search for our lost President. I would be remiss if I did not personally thank His Eminence, Cardinal Vallenti, for this splendid evening. Now, let's celebrate. Henry van Arnhem would have wanted you to enjoy this happy time. In conclusion, let us all pledge that we will succeed for our associate who gave this venture all he had."
The guests gave the impression of enjoying themselves. The glistening ballroom, the expensive gowns, and the black tie and tails of the dignitaries made this a memorable evening for everyone. Underlying the external mirth was the emptiness they all felt with the absence of their friend and leader.

The forced joviality came to an early end just after midnight when the stream of luxury vehicles collected their distinguished passengers and delivered them to their hotels. The crowds waited eagerly for the appearance of Carlo Nobile. Word had reached the throng that their favourite was to be the expedition's commander. His grandfather would have been proud of him. As he approached the main entrance of the palace the crowd could see, holding his hand and smiling in her sophisticated way, beautiful Sandra Wright. She knew enough about the media to exploit this unique photo opportunity. Dr. Henley Armstrong did not look very kindly on her move to latch onto this handsome Italian hero. He had made concessions to get Sandra appointed as official recorder for this voyage. She had obviously made concessions to him. Here she was already looking in another direction once her appointment had been confirmed by Thorpe.

The crew members made it an early night, because on the next day their intensive training would get under way. Sandra and Carlo were the only two members of the Nobile crew to see the sun rise over the coastal mountains on the first day of their work as a team.

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