Thaddeus replied, "World shaking, eh? Stopping a war sounds quite impossible compared to my dreams, and I know Preston here can finance it well.", with a smile.
Preston rolled his eyes amusedly yet having heard it for the thousandth time with a wry smile, "Ah, have it away, Thaddeus. You've bent my ear for years with that dream of yours, it's fair that someone else gets his turn!", with a laugh.
Thaddeus chuckled, "Alright, then. My dream, doctor, is not on Earth itself, but below it all. I aim to find and uncover the ruins of Atlantis, the lost continent that has been rumored to be under the Atlantic Ocean somewhere, and if possible, save any archeological evidence so it can be made into facts to help the world, like technology, medicine, and more.".
"You wouldn't be the first." Erskine admitted. "Many men through the years have attempted to find it; to find any trace of what once was..."
"True.", Thaddeus admitted. "But now with recent years; it may be more than possible to find it. For starters, we can explore under the oceans now with submersibles.".
Erskine nodded, "That's very possible, through you'd have to be careful in the waters...Hitler is a man who is obsessed with occult myths, and Atlantis may have been an advanced, ancient civilization, but yet I couldn't think of a reason why a rogue, giant wave would hit an empire like that, if it was advanced...".
Thaddeus replied, "They would have almost no warning, especially if the wave was deadly fast. After all, nature changes like a whip, and so, the oceans can change, and we never had any estimation or evidence of how the weather was back then before the wave came.", still wondering if his vision was in the past before the wave came, or now these days, as he is still feeling a bit sad for those women who clearly had been through something. He wished that he saw their features and such, but he assumed the power of the book only had strength enough to show a foggy vision.
"But what is general agreement with the history of Atlantis is that it was wiped away in almost one night by a massive wave...", Erskine said. "Sounds almost familiar to the plagues of Egypt with just how fast things would change.".
"Exactly.", Thaddeus nodded as he took a deep breath, he was still holding onto his things and still felt hesitant to mention the journal in front of Erskine.
"Thaddeus... you have something you want to say, don't you? You wouldn't come here at this hour if it's important...", Preston got right to the point.
Thaddeus exhaled, and looked at Erskine, "Have you ever had visions? Not ones of deja vu, like of the near future, but a strange, bittersweet premonition?".
Erskine took a deep breath, "Sadly, I have...There is someone else, a partner of sorts to Hitler, a brilliant man, but believes in much more than occult superstition...Johann Schimdt. He...forced me to do something, and my wife and children paid for it when I refused...I saw a vision, a terrible premonition if someone doesn't stop him as he pays to Hitler, the war, and his organization, and then he will change the world for the worse.".
Thaddeus was a bit surprised to hear that... but he felt Erskine was talking more of simply the mind dreaming up what the future could bring; not exactly the visions he was having.
He took another deep breath before he dug through his bag, "What I've seen... it's... it's different. And it all started when I got hold of this.", as he pulled out the journal.
Erskine looked before widening his eyes, "Is that a book about Atlantis?", and Thaddeus replied, "Not just any book. The famous Sheperd's Journal. This is of the clues, directions, and more about Atlantis, and it's very real. Someone had been to Atlantis after it came down through the ocean so long ago, and they took care to keep it secret. The language isn't one I'm familiar with, yet the scripture style matches the little evidence from Plato who spoke much about Atlantis.".
Whitmore replied, "I paid for the expedition where Thaddeus and a team uncovered it in Iceland. Let's say that I had to fork over something embarrassing on our bet. And now, I'm still working on earning enough money for an expedition to Atlantis as it's much more expensive than Iceland was.".
"Of course, you can't deny it now, Preston.", Thaddues chuckled as he showed the millionaire the book. "I know you still had your doubts about it when I told you that I had found it...".
"I put my money where my mouth is...", Preston nodded. "But still, the sheer existence of that... proof of Atlantis can't be too hard to deny.".
"Except for the fact that there's not exactly any artifacts from Atlantis, just a firsthand account in a book.", Erskine admitted.
Thaddeus exhaled deeply, "Yes, it's true, but I am determined to find similarities on my journeys through America and Africa. After all, the native tribes here are copper skinned, so evidence of Atlanteans cannot be too different to compare, as Atlantis is said to be originated somewhere near the Old World for trading and such, yet far off into the middle of the ocean...After all, how can you explain about Plato personally knowing about them, along with myths and stories?".
Erskine nods thoughtfully, "Stories and myths start from truth, and we all know how oral interpretation spins words on things over the centuries.".
"Exactly.", Thaddeus pointed. "But I must admit, I'm old... and I don't think I'll live long enough to see my life's work bear fruit. To be able to see even a small ruin of something...".
"I'm trying to put things together as fast as I can... but, this isn't something that can be rushed with what needs to be prepared...", Whitmore sighed as Thaddeus nodded. Better to be safe than sorry, after all.
Whitmore then looked back to Erskine, "Well... Thaddeus has come clean about what he's planning... so I think you probably should do the same, Doc. Tell him what you were telling me before... I think you two might find your little causes to be mutually beneficial to one another.". He had a small smirk on his face.
Erskine exhaled deeply, "How much do you believe in powers beyond the skies?", and Thaddeus replied, "Just as much as I respect the beliefs of many kinds of civilizations, tribes, and peoples. After all, native peoples here in America believe in the Creator, the Egyptians believed in several gods and goddesses, and the Africans believes in deities of nature.".
"Johann Schmidt, the man I spoke of, he personally believed in the Norse gods, specifically about the secrets and powers of Odin the one-eyed god, and he has found something otherworldly that he calls the Tesseract. With only a silver of it, it's powerful and dangerous. His team of scientists made a coin-sized portion of it into a liquid, and Schmidt forced me to make a serum, a serum that would make a normal person into something powerful...A Super Soldier Serum...When I was rescued, the excess of the Tesseract's serum was destroyed, yet I saved the papers of my formula, hoping I'd find someone worthy to be a hero, a hero to stop Schmidt who became mad...", Erskine replied.
Thaddeus whispered in horror, "Schimdt took the serum, didn't he?", and Erskine nodded somberly, "Yes, Herr Thatch. You see, my theory is that within the serum, bad becomes terrible, while good becomes great.".
"So, I assume that the idea is trying to create armies of these supermen?", Thaddeus asked as Erskine nodded, "Well, that's the theory that both Schimdt and I came up with. And anyone else with a military mind in the practicality of it. Have one man be the equivalent of an entire platoon, no company of men.".
Erskine sighed, "But... with my research so far; the numbers that could be done... would be less than satisfactory to many.", with a somber frown.
Thaddeus replied, "Because someone with a military mind couldn't grasp the bigger picture, only caring about killing enemy soldiers and the thrill of battle...", with an exhale, and Erskine nodded, "Yes, and I fear that it would go to their heads...I want someone of a good heart, someone who is not afraid to get up after a fall, someone who doesn't like bullies, someone who has a soul of humility and love. Let's say the idea of drafting civilians up to the super soldier serum is not appealing when they already got soldiers from the earlier wars and such to many in your government.".
Thaddeus chuckled, "My grandson, Milo would be a good pick, but alas, he's very much like me, having a soul of an explorer, and a good heart, yes, but I wouldn't want him to be in the war...It's...He's my legacy, and his parents died when he was little; a train accident...I cannot afford to lose him to the war, especially if one day the States will decide to join into the war on Europe.".
"If that even comes...", Whitmore said. "I get the feeling many would be willing to repeat the last one and sit out for much of it until we get dragged into it.".
"Sooner or later, the United States will need to pick a side; I fear much of Europe still doesn't see the true threat the Nazis pose to the entire globe.", Erskine warned.
Thaddeus exhaled, "It's that bad?", and Erskine sighed deeply, "You know the history of African tribes keeping prisoners in the pit when they are at war?".
"Yes.", Thaddeus nodded, and Erskine replied, "It's even worse for my people, the Jewish. It is a rumor to most of Europe, but I was in one before Schimdt pulled me out, making me leave my wife and children for the last time. A prison camp, but far more barbaric...The Nazis are monsters...", with a hard look of weary grief.
"I'm sorry...", Thaddeus said as Erskine nodded, "It's alright... I pray one day that this evil will be stopped very soon, but right now; it seems like no one has the stomach to do the right thing.".
Preston cleared his throat, "Best we can do right now is aiding the people in the Depression they're going through, and perhaps, you two could work together. After all, Erskine has a wee bit of more pull with the government than I, and Thaddeus has experience of archaeology and knowledge of dead languages...Perhaps there's power in the Atlantean language in that Shepard's Journal, and perhaps, Erskine's formula would have a wee bit of ancient Atlantean mathematics to assist.".
Erskine and Thaddeus looked surprised, and Thaddeus replied, "When I thought I knew you after being best friends and all for years, you keep surprising me!", and Preston chuckled, "Well, I'm always looking for a lifelong alliance, and besides, even if I'm not the smartest mind out of us all right here, right now, this alliance would benefit us all...That is, if you two agree with me for lending you money to do your research, and I get a little adventure out of it...After all, it's not every day I get to fool the government and the Nazis at the same time!", with a wry smirk.
Erskine chuckled upon hearing that, "Well, Herr Whitmore, I wouldn't exactly think it's fooling the government per se, but certainly giving them a hand never hurt. Still, it'll take time, and things will need to go more our direction which isn't the case right now.".
Preston nodded, "You speak truly, doctor.", before noticing the hour on his grandfather clock, "Now it's very late, and I'd be so rude to send you two out, especially with winter coming on in the next couple of months, so you two can stay here, and I'll make an excuse to Colonel Phillips when he comes calling, doctor, and Thaddeus, you probably want to make a call to the inn in the morning, and I'll pay for the few hours you were there.", with a warm smile.
Thaddeus nodded, "Thanks, Preston. You're a lifesaver. The cold isn't easy on those old bones of mine.", and Erskine smiled, "Much thanks, Herr Whitmore.".
"Ah, what are friends for? Come, I'll take you to a guest bedroom that bunks two single beds as a fireplace would be easier to keep than two in separate rooms, and I'll have the boiler on steady for the vent registers to warm the room up when the fire goes out.", Preston nodded with a hum.
The two men smiled gratefully, and after changing into night clothes, with Erskine being given one from Preston, "Never liked this nightshirt, anyway, and I hear those fancy pajama pants are cozy, so you can have those, Erskine.".
"Thank you, Herr Whitmore.", Erskine replied, and Preston waved a hand, "Ah, just call me Preston when we're here at my home. You call me Herr Whitmore or Mr. Whitmore out in public at the government office or whatever, deal?".
Erskine nodded, and smiled, "Of course, Preston.", before Preston nodded, and left, and Thaddeus replied, "He may be eccentric at times, but he's a good friend.", with a smile as he read a few pages of the Shepherd's Book on his bed.
"Indeed. I understand if you don't want to say, but what happened to Mrs. Thatch, your wife? You spoke of your grandson, and his parents' death.", Erskine asked softly, as he fluffed his pillows.
Thaddeus sighed deeply, "Pneumonia...Grace never got the chance to see Milo at the hospital...And then there was my son, Augustus, and his wife Lucille only six years later when he was only five years old...It took me so much strength not to break down before him when he asked when they'd come back...".
"By the Lord...that must have been hard...", Erskine whispered, and Thaddeus replied, "It was...The pain is now dulled, and it has been getting better and better for me, and Milo, he barely has a few faint memories and the stories I told about them...Milo is about 26 years old now.".
Erskine exhaled, "He's very lucky to have you, Thaddeus. Greta, my wife and I were married for almost a decade when the Nazis came...My daughter, Marlene was only 8, and my son, Klaus...he was just five...".
"I'm sorry...", Thaddeus said. "Any chance that they're-?". Erskine shook his head, "No, Schmidt saw to that... at times I really contemplated ending my own life; just to escape him. But I knew that if I was gone; then the chance for anyone to truly stop him would be lost.".
Thaddeus looked at him, "And the chance to save your people.", and Erskine nodded softly, before exhaling deeply, "You said that the pain dulls away...Does it ever go away?".
"No, it doesn't, because the love goes altogether with the pain when someone leaves you, but it dulls away a bit at a time...Best to save their memory is doing something worthy of them, and I hope they appreciate what I've done to raise Milo, and for you, Erskine,", before being interrupted gently.
"Abraham. We're friends now, aren't we?", Erskine smiled softly, and Thaddeus gave a warm smile, "And for you, Abraham, saving your wife and children's memory is doing something worthy of giving someone the gift to do good for the world, to stop Schmidt and the war, and I'm sure they're appreciating what you're doing for your people.".
"I hope you're right... but right now, it just feels all so helpless at the moment. I just hope that will change.", Erskine said as Thaddeus nodded, "It will... I promise you.".
Erskine nodded, "Somehow I believe you, Thaddeus.", before yawning, "We best get to sleep. Preston was right that it's very late. Have a good night, my friend. I have the feeling that we'll be keeping in touch for the next few years.".
Thaddeus replied, "And I believe you there, Abraham.", with a chuckle before he glanced at the Shepherd's Journal, whispering softly, "Someday, Atlantis, someday.", as he gently tucked the book away in his backpack, and calls out, "Have a good night, my friend.", tucking the blankets around him as he and Erskine went to sleep.
The group kept in constant communication with each other for the next few years; as the storm of war as Erskine predicted, engulfed Europe once more. The Nazis and their blitzkrieg tactics steamrolled over Europe with an iron fist. The Western Allies of France and Britian tried to delay what eventually became the inevitable; when Hitler annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938 and 1939 before on September 1st, 1939: the Polish would be the first to fall victim to the unstoppable Nazi war machine. Then came Denmark, Norway, Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium and finally France before the summer of 1940 found Britian standing alone.
Despite the odds, the British hung on, giving the Germans their first true overall defeat, but the Swastika still flew all over Europe as British tried to hand on to their colonial possessions in Africa against Hitler's ally in Italy. British victories there shattered the Italians forcing the Germans to send some forces to the north African deserts, but the true enemy of the Third Reich laid in the East. A clash of titans would come as on June 22nd, 1941, the Germans and many of their fellow Axis allies would invade the Soviet Union, letting to a war practically unmatched in size and brutality.
