Arctic Fire (31 page)

After reading a few minutes, Pike was surprised
to find out that the great ship did not sink because of icebergs or
poor seamanship. The Titanic fell victim to the Curse of the Mummy!
Pike smiled to himself as he read; he loved these urban
legends.

The Egyptian, Princess of Amen-Ra lived around
1050 B.C. When she died, she was laid to rest in an ornate wooden
coffin and buried deep in a vault at the city Luxor, on the banks
of the Nile. She lay undisturbed for over 800 years until she was
unearthed sometime in the 1880’s by four English explorers who drew
lots to see who would buy the coffin; that’s when the trouble
began. Of the original four men, one man wandered into the desert,
never to be seen again, another had his arm amputated, the third
lost his life, and the fourth suffered a severe illness and lost
his job. And that was only the beginning.

Calamity and bad luck continued to follow the
owners of the coffin until it was reportedly sold to an American
investor who wanted to bring it back to the States but knew the
coffin wouldn’t be loaded on board the
Titanic
because of
its cursed reputation, so he smuggled it on the ship under a car
chassis that he was transporting to America. He kept his mummy a
secret right up until the day before the ship sank when he was
overheard bragging about it to other passengers.

Wow, Pike thought, hell hath no fury like a
woman scorned. He laughed, the whole story sounded like it would
make a great Halloween movie, Jason verses the Mummy, or in this
case, being it’s at the bottom of the Atlantic, Jaws verses the
Mummy.

This one looks interesting he said as he opened
another link and began reading. The Titanic had a sister ship, the
Olympic
, which seemed to draw bad luck, including running
aground and colliding with the
HMS Hawke
. The owners of the
ships, the White Star Line, couldn’t afford to pay for the costly
repairs to the ship, so a scheme was hatched to switch the ships
names and sink the
Olympic
, posing as the
Titanic
, to
collect the insurance money.

Captain Smith was to scuttle the ship at a
predetermined location where there would “happen” to be several
other vessels in the area to pick up passengers from the sinking
ship since the White Star Line wanted no loss of life. It was even
proposed that the
Titanic
didn’t strike an iceberg at all
but actually ran into one of the rescue ships drifting with its
lights off. Unfortunately the
Titanic
was mortally wounded a
day before the supposed rendezvous spot.

Pike paused for a moment while he considered
that theory. It had a ring of truth that would tend to support
Cain’s story; insurance fraud was nothing new, even a hundred years
ago, he thought. Was Cain’s grandfather involved with the plot or
merely an innocent bystander?

Interesting.

Pike scrolled down a few more screens and found
a few more theories, one suggesting that there was a fire in the
coal bunkers that inadvertently led to the sinking while another
said the expansion joints failed and led the ship to sink quicker
with great loss of life.

He yawned. It was getting late and he knew he
had a long, difficult day ahead. He was just about to turn off
computer and go to bed when another theory caught his eye.

As he began reading, the whole story began
unfolding like a Dan Brown novel. The Jesuits were responsible for
sinking the Titanic.

The Jesuits had been around since the late 1500s
and were confessors to the European rich, and defended the Pope and
Catholicism throughout the world. Theorists argued that the Jesuits
were founded so the order could establish greater financial wealth
and thus influence business and governments around the world.
Furthermore, the sinking of the
Titanic
was a direct plot by
the Jesuits as a means to an end: the creation of the Federal
Reserve Board.

Pike stopped right there and grabbed a root beer
out of the mini fridge and threw a bag of popcorn in the small
microwave. This was going to be good.

According the article, in 1910 seven men met on
Jekyll Island off the coast of Georgia to discuss plans to form the
Federal Reserve Bank. At the meeting were representatives from the
financial empires of the Rockefeller’s, JP Morgan, and the
Rothschild’s, who were the banking agents for the Jesuits and held
the key to the wealth of the Catholic Church.

Their goal in creating the Federal Reserve was
to be able to not only influence the regulation of both private and
governmental financial institutions in the United Stated but also
to exercise that same control all over the world. But they knew
there would be opposition in many forms but the most prominent
three were Benjamin Guggenheim, Isador Strauss and probably the
richest man in the world at the time, John Jacob Astor. All three
had to be killed and in such a way as to not arouse any suspicion
whatsoever; the sinking of the
Titanic
was the perfect
solution.

Pike snacked on his popcorn and lost all track
of time as he read through the supporting details. This is
interesting, he thought. This theory had the captain of the
Titanic, Edward Smith, as a major conspirator. Reportedly, Smith
was a Jesuit and would do anything for the Order and for God’s
will. His job was to sink the ship, insuring the plans of the
Jesuits would succeed.

In December of 1913, about a year and eight
months after the sinking, the Federal Reserve was put in place as
part of the Federal Reserve Act. It is believed by some that the
Federal Reserve and the Jesuits were responsible for funding the
United States, Russia and Germany during the First World War.

Pike glanced at his watch. It was nearly
midnight. He would have to spend some more time on this theory
later. He enjoyed the political mystery and intrigue and there was
just enough evidence to put this conspiracy within the realm of
possibility. He smiled, but then again, that’s what a good
conspiracy theory was all about.

Reluctantly, he turned off his computer. He was
very tired, but the Curse of the Mummy story had been entertaining
and the Jesuits’ conspiracy was intriguing, igniting his
imagination and both had helped to clear his head and put things
back into perspective. He fell asleep with figures hiding in the
shadow, visions of the
Titanic
sailing through ice-filled
waters and of mummies going bump in the night.

Pike was still sleepy from last night’s foray
into the secret world of conspiracies but he was also a little
nervous as he walked to his first meeting with K.D. and Marilyn
after the showdown at the O.K. Corral last night. He decided the
best course of action was to pretend it never happened and just
conduct business as usual. Feeling the butterflies fluttering in
his stomach he rounded the corner and entered the room. He was
relieved to see that he was the first to arrive, which was the way
he liked it. He poured himself a cup of coffee but passed on the
donuts that Mallory had left for them. As he was getting set up,
Tony was the first to arrive. Pike could tell by the expression on
his face that he wanted to ask him about last night but he didn’t
give him the opportunity.

Next, Marilyn came in, greeted them both, poured
herself some coffee then sat down. Pike waited in anticipation for
K.D.to show up and he didn’t have long to wait. As she entered,
their eyes locked for a moment but he couldn’t get a read on what
she was thinking. She smiled pleasantly and greeted everyone,
grabbed a donut and some coffee, then sat down. Good, Pike said to
himself, this might be easier than he thought.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do.” Pike said,
opening up the meeting. “Have you all had a chance to look at the
files I sent last night and familiarize yourselves with what we’re
facing here?” He said, looking at K.D. and Tony. Both nodded their
heads.

“Good. Our major concern is the towing towers,
especially the starboard side tower. K.D., I’d like you and Tony to
take an in-depth look at the stress points and the fractures in the
base anchors for the towers and come up with a recommendation. I’ll
check out the relays for the juice and test their integrity. We’ll
meet back here at 1:00 for a working lunch, compare notes, and go
from there. Marilyn, I’m afraid I won’t have much for you to do
until then.”

“Not a problem.”

Just then they heard a knock on the door.
“Everyone, this is Brian Centers. I’ve asked him to play tour guide
for you two until you get your bearings. This place can be a little
overwhelming at times.” Centers smiled and waved.

“Any questions?” When none were asked, he ended
the meeting and everyone got up. “I’ll be right there,” K.D. said
to Tony, then turned to Pike. Here it comes, he thought, the moment
of truth. “Nate wanted me to give you this.” She said as she
reached into her laptop case and pulled out a small package.

“What’s this?” He asked.

K.D. shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. All
he would say is that you’ll need this.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Tony or I will call you if we have any
problems.” She said as she rounded the corner on her way out.

“Well now.” Pike said out loud to himself as she
disappeared. “That was interesting.” He quickly gathered his things
and headed back to his room to change and get to work; so much for
making a mountain out of a mole hill he thought.

Half an hour later, Pike was in the Hoth cave
and had formulated a plan with Miles to inspect the juice relay
stations. Leaving the meeting, he decided to walk down the long
tunnel instead of taking the cart. The air was cold and had a stale
taste to it but he enjoyed the walk none the less. After a few
minutes of walking, he was beginning to feel that he really was on
the Planet Hoth on the far side of the galaxy. He hadn’t seen a
soul since he left the office area. The solitude was a little
unnerving but welcome just the same as it was a good chance to
focus on his inspection and try to forget how much more complicated
his life had become in the last 24 hours.

He came to the first of the main relay stations
and opened up the control panel then took out the c-pad Miles had
given him and tried to bring up the schematics. Come on hot shot,
concentrate…Hot Shot…he sighed.

“
Do you believe
this place?” Tony Roberts
said, standing on the deck of the number three ship. Like a
six-year-old on their first visit to Disneyland, he was staring in
wonder at the marvels of the huge cavern housing the support
ships.

“Now I know what Jonah must have felt like.”
K.D. replied.

“Who?”

“Didn’t you ever go to Sunday School? Never
mind,” she said, shaking her head.

“If you will follow me,” Centers said, “the
support towers Gabe wants you to look at are up here.” Tony and
K.D. followed Centers toward the bow. As they were walking, Tony
continued. “Boy what I wouldn’t give to be in Gabe’s shoes right
now.”

“Why?”

“Come on, are you kidding?” He’s famous, a
celebrity. He can get anything he wants.” Tony paused, “Well, you
are too, kind of sort of, after last night.”

She stopped and grabbed Tony by the arm and
swung him around. “What are you talking about?”

“Here, let me show you.” He pulled out his
iPhone and began searching the web. “Yeah, you’re all over the
internet. Some sights are calling you the mystery woman because no
one knows who you are. But on YouTube, you’re GB3.”

“I’m what? GB3?”

Suddenly Tony looked embarrassed. “I didn’t call
you that, the guys on the videos did.”

“What is a GB3?”

He hesitated for a moment, “Remember, I’m only
the messenger here.”

“What does it mean Tony?” she asked sharply.

He hesitated for a moment but a stern look from
K.D. made him continue. “Gabe’s Babes, you’re number 3”

“That happened less than twelve hours ago and
it’s already all over the internet? How?” Why?”

“The how is simple, we’re on a boat full of
reporters who are bored with nothing else to do. The why is because
you’re associated with Gabe, and right now he’s the hottest thing
around, especially after he saved the ship, or iceberg or whatever
you call this thing.” He showed her several different videos of
what happened in the restaurant last night. K.D. started pacing
back and forth as she watched the videos, shaking her head and
mumbling. “Oh come on, they’re calling me fat, that I’m not as
slender as GB 1 or 2.”

“You’re not fat,” Tony said sheepishly,
“remember, they say the camera adds ten pounds,” he threw in,
trying to make her feel better.

“Great! Just great!” She continued, “I’m
plastered all over the web and what am I wearing? I’m wearing jeans
and an old sweater, that’s what! And look at what the other two are
wearing. I’m going to kill him,” K.D. ranted, “I’m just going to
kill him.”

“Who? The guy who posted it on YouTube?

“No, Mr. Blast from the Past himself.”

“You’re right; after you kill him you can put
him on ice,” Tony said, smiling and holding his hands up displaying
the room.

She stopped and looked at Tony with a strange
expression then burst out laughing. “Okay, maybe I was a little
over the top there.”

“Just a little.” Tony said, holding up his thumb
and forefinger.

They looked around and saw that Centers had
discretely moved to the bow of the ship and was waiting for them to
catch up. K.D. waved and the two of them started walking again. “So
you think I can make some money from this celebrity thing, huh?”
she asked.

“Oh yeah, I heard they’re going to have this
reality show…”

“Shut up, Tony.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Here are the supports that Gabe wanted me to
show you. This is the starboard and that’s the port. There’s a
catwalk over there to get to the other side.” Centers pointed to
the right then reached into his coat and pulled out a small
notebook computer and handed it to K.D. “I’ve downloaded all the
schematics and pertinent information on here for you. The boss just
called so I have to go, but here,” Centered pulled a walkie-talkie
and handed it to Tony, “you can reach me on this anytime.”