ARCANA Chapter 8 by William James Johnson

The calm sea below the airship belied the horrendous storm of the previous night. The warmth in the mid-morning air was welcomed by André and Tuma as they went outside to collect specimens from the canisters on the nose of the crew pod. Moving gingerly along the catwalk, Tuma displayed the grace of an animal raised in a wild environment. André, in contrast, moved nervously behind the boy. His puffing, more from fear hyperventilation than from physical exertion, caught the young Eskimo's attention.

"Tuma get specimens, Doctor. No need for two of us to get them." André was relieved at Tuma's suggestion.

"You sure you don't need me? After all, someone should keep an eye on you in case something happens."

"Not take long for Tuma alone. With you, Tuma has to think about two of us. You watch for Tuma from inside."

"All right. But be careful."

Slowly André made his way back to the sliding panel, while Tuma scurried to the nose of the craft. From the pilot's position, Carlo was alarmed at seeing the youth alone outside the pod. Putting the controls on autopilot, he ran out of the tactical compartment to the side panel.

"What the hell's going on? You crazy? Letting that kid go out there alone." Taken aback by Carlo's abusive tone, André stammered an excuse.

"He...he...I wanted to stay, but he...told me to go inside."

The panel opened quietly as Tuma returned to the pod carrying four shiny canisters.

"Here they are, Doctor."

"Jesus, Tuma. You had no business being out there alone. What would have happened if you slipped and fell?"

Without any rancour, he replied, "Tuma be killed."

"That's right. Haven't we had enough problems already?"

In his characteristic wisdom Tuma added, "If Tuma slip and fall when Doctor be with him, Tuma still die. Me see nothing wrong in going alone. This way Tuma worried only for Tuma. Not have to worry for Doctor too."

André was delighted with Tuma's explanation. "He's right, Commander. What he says makes sense."

"Okay. Seems you've given this more thought than I have. From now on the judgement is yours. Sorry for jumping on you like that, André."

"That's all right, Carlo. I understand...Come, Tuma. Let's see what the storm brought us."

They went to André's cabin where a complete scientific laboratory had been provided; microscope, centrifuge, incubator, agitator, chrome and glass, anything and everything that went into processing specimens for a better understanding of the environment.

Gently removing the filters from the canister, André tapped the edge of the cellular substance on to a specimen slide. Orangey yellow pollen took up a random pattern on the shiny surface. Without disturbing the substance, he carefully placed it on to the viewing platform of his microscope and adjusted the light in the base. His nimble fingers moved skilfully on the chrome focussing knob, bringing the material into sharp definition.

"My God, I don't believe it!" exclaimed André. Moving from his lab table to a row of technical books, he selected a large volume entitled "Plants of the Tropics." Fingering through the index he located what he wanted and opened the text to p.317 on which was a large coloured drawing of the specimen he had just observed in the microscope.

"Henequen. See, Tuma. Look in the microscope and then take a look at this drawing."

The boy followed his mentor's instructions and came to the same conclusion.

"Powder on glass look same as picture in book."

"Of course. They are the same. Listen what it says. 'Henequen is obtained from the Mexican plant Agave Fourcroydes'. Mexican plant. Do you know what that means?"

"Tuma not know much about Mexican."

"Of course not. How could you? We're in the central Atlantic, and we've collected a substance from a plant more than 3000 miles away."

"Tuma still not understand."

"Let me explain. When I was asked to be a part of this expedition, I was told about Dr. van Arnhem's story of Amundson's experience when his ship became icebound in the Arctic. Apparently his vessel became covered with a fine dust, which everyone felt was volcanic in origin. Amundson had it checked in a laboratory when he returned from his voyage and the scientist identified it as pollen from tropical plants. Arnhem believed the pollen must have come from plants inside the earth. But do you realize, storms like that one last night can take clouds of pollen and carry them thousands of miles from their origins. Imagine Tuma...Mexican Henequen."

"How we know people inside earth not grow Henequen too?" André was amazed at his remark. As a scientist he had not even considered this possibility.

"We don't know for sure there is a world within our globe."

"Same as we not know for sure there is not such a place."

The youth's insightful remarks had earned him the respect of all the crew members and particularly that of André Goulet, who treated him like an equal. The scientist closed the botanical text and went to his cupboard and took out two cups. From the main hot water supply he soon had a couple of steaming cups of instant coffee.

"Sit down, Tuma. You have always fascinated me, and I know so little about you, mon ami. Tell me about yourself, your parents, and your home. Please, tell me everything."

Hesitant to speak about himself the young native sipped carefully on his hot coffee while he decided how to begin. His shiny blue black shoulder length hair and finely drawn oriental features were so out of place in this meticulous laboratory drifting above the ocean.

"Tuma live now with new mother and father, Aegerta and Nikola. Many winters before I come to Baker Lake, Tuma live at place called Coral Harbour. It is small Eskimo village on island in Hudson Bay. Eskimo people not like stay in same village for whole life. In winter we go visit other village. See people who once lived in Coral Harbour."

"Why in winter?" asked André.

"Water freeze. Make it easier to go with sled and dogs. Summer we hunt and fish and put food away for winter trip. When we visit friends in other village, we stay until next winter. Sometimes they come back with us to our village. Eskimo like to see friends. Think nothing of going for many moons to get to new place."

"How do you do it without getting lost?"

"Sometimes do get lost. Most time dog smell village many miles away. Eskimo need dog very much. Not many dogs left in my homeland. Now Eskimos use snowmobile...white man machine. Not good. You not able to eat snowmobile when you starving. White man not good for my people. They now lazy. Not want to hunt...many not even able to make spear for walrus or seal. Eskimo now try hard to become white man. Long time ago my home nice place to live. Now it change. Everyone want oil and gas. Eskimo say yes, you give me money. Not the way the spirit of the wind want man to live."

"Why did you say you have a new father and mother?"

"The winter I go to Baker Lake very cold. I just small boy. About six winters have I lived. My father Tagoona want to see his brother Nikola and he take me and my mother. Ice across Hudson Bay very hard to cross. Piled high like white walls in many places. We go too far to turn back. Our food not last. We eat four dogs. Mother get sick from cold and father stop to make igloo. Before he finish, she die. We stay two nights with mother in igloo until blizzard stop. Then father say we leave mother to sleep and go on. We not reach Baker Lake until ice begin to melt. Father very sick. He cut leg when he slip through ice on edge of river. Leg get big and change colour, yet we go on. Before he die, he tell me dogs will take me to his brother. Not far now."

"I cover him with many stones like I see other people do. Then I sit for long time and cry because I not like be alone. Only two dogs still with Tuma. We sit on muskeg while Tuma think what to do. In small pond where ice melt, Tuma see many tiny fish. Holding hand quietly in water, Tuma soon catch lots of fish. Enough for Tuma and dogs. Taste good. Water taste good too. Tuma tie dogs together with long rope from sled. Then Tuma follow dogs who run ahead. In two nights Tuma see caribou tents. This is home of my uncle, my father's brother. He very good man. His wife Aegerta good woman. Hard working. Do much for Tuma. They now my parents."

"What a story...I can see now why going on a catwalk alone wouldn't be much of a challenge for someone who has been through such a terrible experience."

"All experience good for life. Sometimes bad experience better than good experience."

"Shall I tell the others about the Henequen?"

Tell the if you feel you must. Tuma would not tell them."

Then neither will I."

You tell Tuma now about you."

"Sure. Why not. First let's freshen up our coffee." André told him about serving with the Foreign Legion as a Medical Officer in Algiers. With a great deal of spare time on his hands while in the service, he devoted himself to his studies, eventually obtaining a Doctorate in Botany. When his hitch was finished in North Africa, he returned to Paris and began working with the French government in environmental studies. It was this work which took him to the Pacific island where the French atomic testing had taken place. His reports on cellular mutations in plants caused by radio activity became world standards. His expertise in this relatively new field led to his selection as a crew member of Airship Nobile.

"And your family...you say nothing about them."

"I had a family once...many years ago. My wife was a ballet dancer. Beautiful girl. We met as students at the Sorbonne. At first we lived together without getting married. When she got pregnant she insisted we get married. I didn't resist. She was such a lovely girl and I wanted her more than anything. But as students, we didn't have enough money to raise a family. We both wanted to continue our careers, and the baby was going to get in the way."

"Eskimos love children. Many children die in first two years. That is why all children are cared for by everyone in the village."

"That's the way it should be. White men are now more interested in things than people. I don't know where it's all going to end."

"Was your baby boy or girl?"

"Girl...darling little thing. Suzette was her name. I loved her. It was so hard trying to earn money in my spare time while continuing with my medical studies. My wife Marie was disappointed when the baby came. She had a rough time delivering it. A Caesarean section had to be done."

"Tuma not understand."

"Sorry, mon ami...I am getting too technical. Suffice it to say that the birth of our child damaged my wife physically so that it took a long time before she could return to dancing."

"Why she want to dance when she have small baby?"

"Exactly my sentiments. Things got worse as time went on. We were blaming each other for the setbacks in our careers. After a year or so, Marie disappeared. She took tiny Suzette. I never saw them again."

For several minutes neither man spoke. Tuma broke the silence.

"That very bad. Must make you unhappy."

"Indeed it did. Police looked everywhere, but not a thing. It was then I decided my career in medicine would be my life. When I graduated, I signed up with the Foreign Legion to try to forget."

"Tuma sorry you never see them again."

"Thanks Tuma. I appreciate your sentiments...it was many years ago...but what about you? Do you have a girl friend?"

"Yes. Tuma have very beautiful girl called Meelanie. When Tuma come back to Baker Lake, we get married."

"That's wonderful. I'm glad for you. Tell me, what's she like?"

"Her eyes very dark and sparkle like the sun on the water. She look happy all the time. Hair strong and shiny. Tuma like to touch her face and her hands. They soft and brown like the colour of my land. Meelanie very good to make warm clothing out of caribou. She know how to chew the skin to soften it. She trim kamik with hair of rabbit. Tuma like to eat char she cook over fire."

"That's beautiful. You're a lucky young man."

"Tuma know. Spirit of the wind good to Tuma."

"The spirit has certainly protected you. You're something very special...My family, now, are my books."

"You like read books?"

"Very much. They were my best friends until I met you and the others of the Nobile."

"You know many things. You be good Eskimo."

"Im not sure Tuma. I have knowledge...but you have wisdom."

The two finished that coffee and then had more...passing the time swapping stories of former lives. As different as they were, it would be difficult to find two more compatible persons.

The cut on Helga's forehead had healed very well in the next four days of uneventful flying. André attributed her quick recovery to her physical fitness.

The Azores storm was the last trial for Airship Nobile. Except for the occasional summer squall, the remainder of the trip to Canada's east coast was relatively quiet. All of the crew were convinced that their craft was indestructible. The time it took to transit the Atlantic gave them a chance to discover more about each other, and it was to the amazement of all that such a diverse collection of nationalities and cultural backgrounds could have so much in common. They all agreed it must have been due in large part to the programme designed for the Central Computer by President Koster before he became the Nation's chief executive. They were all anxious to meet this man if Arnhem's Hollow Earth World were actually discovered.

The minor conflicts evident during the crew training phase between Carlo and John vanished by the fifth day of their journey. Both recognized qualities in each other which they had been reluctant to acknowledge during the initial weeks of their encounter. John was still miffed by Carlo's comparison of Koster to Hitler because of the President's determination to test the neutron bomb on the natives of Rocas. He got back at Carlo by accusing him of being uptight about this mission because he was trying desperately to regain approval of his countrymen after the way they had rejected his grandfather during the twenties.

The intimacy which had developed between Sandra and John quickly became evident to everyone and to promote this relationship Carlo insisted, with their joyful approval, that the two be paired for duty watches. Everyone favoured the arrangement, and the felicity which began with the two of them spread to other members of the crew.

Carlo was even taking initiatives with Helga, with the complete agreement of Nicholas. The old Russian scientist had become immersed in the problem of designing a new form of energy collector which would permit the storage and reuse of the energy freed when a substance was converted by the Ionization technique. He and Liu had become very close and the mission of the Nobile seemed less important than their attempts to make a scientific breakthrough.

As Carlo left the rocky coast of Newfoundland to head north west to Goose Bay, they thrilled at the tremendous icebergs floating like a ghostly fleet of pale green vessels below them, some as large as football fields.

The military radio at Goose Bay assured them of clear weather for the long flight across America's great inland sea, Hudson Bay. They steered for the Keewatin District on the western shore. At the end of the Arctic river would be their next landfall of Baker Lake, the home of their Eskimo companion Tuma.

Putting in time as their airship moved relentlessly towards their goal gave the crew a chance to discuss a variety of topics, not the least important of which was their search for the opening in the Arctic region. Carlo's voice increased in pitch as his debate with Helga heated up.

"Even if there is no hole in the earth, we will have disproved Arnhem's theory. That's got to be worth something."

"Why are you so cynical? My Nicholas has given the world the most important discovery in many years. The earth's magnetic pole is a circle of magnetism, not a point as was believed for many years."

"Sometimes, I even doubt that. You Russians are always trying to be first with something. It comes from your basic sense of inferiority."

"Inferiority. If it had not been for Sputnik, man still would not be in space. We are not inferior to anyone, and I don't like you saying anything against my country...the largest country in the world."

"Precisely." said Carlo. "That's why you are always striving to be ahead of everyone. The size of your country inhibits you and you try to overcome this inhibition by trying to be first in the world in everything."

Moysev overheard the dialogue and wanted in. "My dear Commander. You Italians had your Golden Age four hundred years ago. It is now our turn. Please do not envy our achievements."

"I don't envy you Nicholas. I feel sorry for you. You took centuries to overcome your rulers and enter the modern age. Now you are struggling to pass every other country. I say it is because you are inhibited. Due to living with these feelings of frustration your countrymen have become over achievers."

"Not at all. My country is motivated by the desire to excel for our people, and loyal Russians have made tremendous sacrifices to reach this excellence."

"You guys are talking in generalities. Be specific," said John. "Both the US and Russia are comparatively new to the international struggle."

"That's not so," said Helga. "The problem with you Americans is that you have no past and because it is only in recent times you have become aware of my country, you think our experience only began when you discovered we existed. Russia has been a force to be dealt with for over five hundred years. Your country is a mere child by comparison. For years your nation was satisfied to sit it out in isolation. You almost had to be forced to take part in the two World Wars."

"But we won them, didn't we?"

"With our help," said Nicholas.

"Who helped whom? If it had not been for US aid, the Germans would have overrun Russia."

"But, my dear boy," said Nicholas, stressing the age difference and subtly implying John was still too young to fully understand, "trying to maintain two fronts led to the German collapse. We Russians gave millions of lives in that conflict."

"Nicholas is right, John," said Carlo. "You must admit that Russia has taken the initiative in many areas."

"Including the destruction of millions of its own loyal people through forced starvation during the collectivization phase."

"That was essential to accumulate sufficient capital so that Russia could progress out of the Middle Ages and become a modern nation."

"At the expense of its people."

Liu seldom took part in these political debates but his new closeness to Nicholas provoked him to reply.

"In China we had the same difficulty. Many people lose their lives in a revolution. You Americans lost more of your own people in your Civil War than you did in all the wars since."

"But the Russians legislated starvation as a means to achieve their ends."

"All men's goals have a price which must be paid," said Moysev.

"And at the end of the war you marched into Europe and set up your puppet governments."

"We only did what had to be done. You Americans quit too soon. You should have listened to Prime Minister Churchill."

"And the scientists. You captured the German rocket scientists. That's how you got ahead in space."

"And your country," added Helga, "I suppose you did not get help from von Braun after the war?"

Tuma and André had come into the flight compartment and stood quietly listening to the exchange which was becoming very loud. Tuma was the first to speak.

"In my land we do same as you. When other person not believe what we tell him, we tell him again much louder."

His remarks and astute appraisal of what had been going on had an explosive effect on the crew as they all broke into gales of laughter. Many of the things that had been said needed saying, and the debate had resulted in a better understanding between different ideologies.

"You're right, Tuma," said John. "Maybe what we need is another storm to get our juices flowing."

Sandra nudged him at this remark and those who knew about their romance roared again. Tuma was unaware of the subtle meaning which was exchanged in their glances.

"I hope our debating is as exciting as its going to get from here on in," said Carlo. "No more storms, thank you."

Helga's sharp mind tied it all together with a question they had all been thinking about but were reluctant to express. "Will there be an opening or not when we get to the top of the world? Do any of us really believe there is such a thing?"

Liu responded. "Until I saw the result in the Ionization chamber with the dematerializing of Dr. Armstrong, I had my doubts. But now I'm positive we'll encounter a magnetic curtain when we get further north, and beyond that curtain of energy will be the opening we seek."

Moysev was elated to hear his friend speak. "Distinguished Professor...You make me so happy with your remarks. I too believe in this mission. What will be found, I do not know, but I am certain we will have more exciting experiences than weathering a mere storm."

"And what happens if we are taken prisoners?" asked John.

"That is not nearly as risky as this mission itself," said André.

"Just suppose there is a super race located inside the earth. They have let us come this far. Surely they must be observing us now. They could end it all for us before we ever get there."

"Unless they're certain we could never make it," said Sandra.

"Why you talk like this?" asked Tuma. "We find out when we get there. This talk only make you afraid and it is not good to be afraid of something you do not know."

"I agree," said Helga. "Do you think there will be an opening in the north, Tuma?"

"My people tell many stories. In the land where the sun always shines, are many fresh streams and beautiful flowers. No one dies and no one kills. It is forever land. When Eskimo die, his spirit wants to go this beautiful place."

"Sounds like Heaven," said Carlo.

"Now you're talking," added John. "We're on the flight to Heaven."

"You Americans...when will you grow up and leave all these myths behind," said Nicholas.

"You mean to say you wouldn't want to go to Heaven?"

"What is Heaven? No worries. Enough to eat. A place to live. Friends to argue with. I'm in Heaven," replied the Russian.

Again they all laughed. Many hours of fruitless debate and friendly banter filled the time as the greenish grey waters of Hudson Bay waved gently below the silver craft. In the west the sun was dipping below the water's edge. The crew returned to their cabins, leaving John and Sandra on the late watch.

"Wasn't that enjoyable John? I like it when I hear other people's ideas."

"Yeah. I like it too. It got pretty hot there for awhile when we got into that thing about the Russian people."

"I agree...but you forget, Nicholas is old enough to have vivid memories of those hard times. I was surprised he didn't get more hostile than he did."

"Oh he was cute...watch it sometime when he calls me my dear boy. The old tyrant has a way of putting you down, without hurting too much."

"Helga surprised me too. I didn't think she felt that strongly about Americans."

"Conditioning. Part of the Russian way. The thing that got me was the way Tuma eased himself into the conversation."

"Can you believe that kid? Where would such a young guy like that get such a straightforward approach to life?"

"André told me about his childhood. It's a miracle he's still alive. Maybe that's the key to his wisdom. Maybe when our decisions involve our survival we too will become more straightforward."

"I liked what he said about fear...are you afraid, John?"

"Not really. We're all in this together. I went in with my eyes wide open. I suppose I feel uncertainty more than fear."

Sandra placed her arm gently on his shoulder and kissed him softly. "I've got to tell you this, John...I was terrified when we got into that storm at Kalmar. It was then that I saw how cool you were. I can assure you, that helped me get through it. Believe me, Johnny, I'd go anywhere with you. You make me feel safe."

Her words made him feel good but he wished he could tell her that he too was afraid of their uncertain future. His life had been like this many times before. It was a life of taking chances, hoping to come out the other end of a new experience enriched and more together. But if the truth were known, he was pretending. Inside he was a frightened child, afraid to show his fear, and on the outside he was the laid back, I can take anything, brash American.

The hours drifted by peacefully. The sun rising in the east at the end of their watch, shone on the rocks along the west coast of Hudson Bay. A white polar bear plunged into the icy waters of the Bay as the shadow of Nobile crept across the jagged edge. The smell of coffee and sound of voices in the companionway revived Sandra and John who daydreamed in each other's arms as their watch ended.

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