It was a cold night in Washington in the year of 1939; typical of the late fall weather as the cold winters of the northeast would be settling in soon. Looking out from the bed of the small inn, an older gentleman with almost white hair and a thick mustache stared out the window, looking towards the night sky.
Sleep was fairly fleeting for Thaddeus Thatch in recent time, ever since he had gotten his hands on what had become his life's work. So much time and effort and yet the reward was still far away that the old man was fairly convinced that he would never live to see it to the end.
He sat up; obviously sleep was avoiding him for the moment, so he walked over to his bags before he dug through them, looking for what he was trying to find. After a few moments, and much to his relief as it was still where he last left it, was a fairly old book that had strange symbols embroidered on it.
A book that had been lost to the ages until found recently in one of the most remote locations in Iceland. The sheer fact that it still looked to be in good condition was a testament to what it was… and the secrets that it held. Secrets that Thaddeus was practically going paranoid about in terms of trying to hide all knowledge of the book from everyone except for one of a very small number of people whom he trusted to keep it safe.
Hence why he was in Washington DC that night; the meeting with his trustee would come in the morning as he was much too tired to meet with him at such a late hour since he arrived by rail only a short time prior into the night.
Thaddeus took a deep breath as he reverently held the book, gazing at the incredibly pristine pages in the start of the book, "I still think I'm in a dream, yet you're very real, and in my hands...Atlantis, so much invaluable yet somehow intact to give way to myths, rumors, and even fairy tales...Ah, if only I could go back to the past...A great wave...the lost continent washed over in a single day and night...I pray your people didn't die in vain for the history of your incredible acts will be remembered, if I can and will do anything about it.",
"Even to meet a citizen of Atlantis before the wave came, that would have been the greatest day of my life, and perchance Milo as well...", murmuring to the book, talking out loud to himself as it doesn't hurt to wonder out loud in private without eyes looking at him like he's a lunatic or dreaming in the clouds.
The infamous legends of the ancient and advanced society; that left such an impact on history in many ways as even the great societies from eras past made reference to them. The legendary philosopher, Plato, spoke much of them. And yet they hardly had left a trace of what they once were. Others, like the Egyptians, their legacy still remained in the sands of the Nile River, their everlasting monuments practically untouched by the time and elements.
But of course; it wasn't just simply having what could be the greatest piece of proof of Atlantis existing, and a pathway to finding the lost society too. No, the issues for Thaddeus, came from what had come practically the moment he had held the book close.
Thaddeus started to see the written language of Atlantis swim before his eyes, and he began to gently rub his eyes, sighing softly, "It's getting late, I suppose.", before seeing a glow of blue, a dim glow, and he looked down, and gasped as the borders of the book ever so faintly glowed blue, and as his hand moved to hold it closer, his fingers landed on the 'A' symbol of the front book.
Before he knew it, he was in a place that seemed like foggy glass in a way as the air looked like it, and he then heard a heavily accented voice speaking English, a feminine voice, it sounds like, and he seemed to feel like he's flying, and then saw the very dark sky, with fireflies and few torches in the sky and the ground.
Sitting upon a pedestal stairway, is two shadowed women, from the shape and feminine curves he can decipher, he heard the younger voice again, "It's strange, sister...I hadn't been having visions otherwise I'd be a shaman already, and now I hear that you have one, and on the same night as well...".
The other woman replied, "Perhaps the Great Kings of the Past was looking for people to help our city...Yet the man in my vision isn't Atlantean at all...He had those strange clothes and his eyes...They somehow get bigger with circles of glass on his face, yet those eyes, they're gentle, kind, and curious, and they are like the color of the earth when lit by the light from up above.".
The younger woman replied, "You haven't heard him talk?", and the older woman replied, "No, so I do not have knowledge of his name, but I presume you have the same vision.".
"Actually, sister, I do not, but strangely, it's similar...A man, he isn't Atlantean at all either. He had strange clothes too, though he seems to make fire, as he made fire with a power I haven't seen before, and he has this peculiar form of hair on his chin, and under his nose as well, yet it made him even more exotically handsome and ruggish, and oh, his eyes, they are mischievous and glad yet fearless and quiet, but not shyly quiet, but like how he knows when to say while having all eyes directed at him, and the color...Oh, they are somehow like the chocolate we sneaked from the kitchens when we were younger.", the younger woman said.
The older one chuckled upon hearing that, "I see... sounds like someone has taken a bit of a liking to this stranger.".
"Oh, like you're one to talk, I know you're also having those same thoughts as I am for the man in your vision...", the younger one said as the older one sighed.
"It sadly may just be nothing, sister... you must know that; maybe just a cruel gift from the Gods as a continual punishment for us.". The older one sounded very downcast upon saying that as if the pain and weight of millions spoke out with her at that moment.
The younger one murmured, "You had argued with Father again, had you not?", and the older one replied, "He doesn't understand! He keeps saying that the people are content with everything, but I can't help feeling that they need help, more than ever.".
"I must admit I agree with you, sister, but perhaps he's partially right...After all, we hadn't any wars with any other people since we came here. The only trouble that gives us is the hunting expeditions, especially if we are after the great beasts once again.", the younger one replied.
The older one gave a hum of acknowledgement, "You do not fail to say so, and I am anxious to join in the hunting expedition as I know it'll be your first time to come, and I promised Father I'd look after you, sister...It's a good thing that the hunting season will last a few months so you'll have practice to be much as good as me.".
The younger one giggled, "You've been the best warrior in this family for decades already, sister! I'd need a few years to get up to the great skills of hunting to be on equal ground with you, not a few months.".
The older one chuckled, "We will see about that. You're very lucky that Father's letting you go as well. Come, sister, let's head to bed as it's very late.", and the younger one replied, "Do you think we might see them out there someday?".
"Perhaps... but perhaps not... we shouldn't worry about that. We should worry about what will come soon.", the older one sighed as the younger one clearly agreed.
For Thaddeus, the sort of movie he was watching in a way ended, leaving him once more as he was before, alone while holding the book, still stunned by what he had witnessed.
Thaddeus's mind was whirling with so many questions, and then he realized that he held the journal, the journal of Atlantis's location and all, and he realized that the dream, no, a vision, showed people that was related to Atlantis...Was it the past? Or had Atlantis survived somehow despite the great devastation of the wave?
And the descriptions from the women, he knew that the descriptions would go for literally anyone here, yet one of them sounded so familiar...There was one who is very kind, gentle, and curious, and he taught him himself, knowing him all his young life...His grandson, Milo James Thatch...Yes, it's true that the women do not know the names of the depicted men, but Thaddeus knew that Milo is the kind of person who'd help anyone in trouble.
Thaddeus then exhaled, knowing that he has to get the Journal to his trustee immediately for security, especially if anyone saw the dim of the blue glow outside. He prays Whitmore wouldn't be very upset for the impromptu meeting, but if he could keep the book safe for his grandson when he's ready, then perhaps Milo deserves to be the one who discovers Atlantis as his passion for the lost continent is even greater than Thaddeus's obsession of it.
After all, he uncovered the Journal at Iceland, it's only fair that Milo gets his turn. And if Atlantis is in trouble, Milo could decode the journal's clues, to see if the ruins of Atlantis can be saved somehow. He nodded to himself; yes, it's best to get to his old friend's estate now as waiting would be futile.
Thaddeus gathered his things and headed over to the estate; braving the elements and the deathly quiet hours of the night as practically there almost wasn't a single soul to be seen in his journey. Everyone had turned in for the night; if there was anyone left, it was more than likely the night owls or the hard drunks that were leaving the bars hours after they probably should have.
He was grateful that he got practice driving a car for years, through riding a carriage was easier when he was younger, but he knew if he had drove even a rental car, anyone who's watching him would be suspicious.
Thaddeus made it to the gates, seeing another friend of his, and he smiled warmly, "Hello, Helga.", and Helga nodded, "Thatch. Surprised to see you.".
"Preston told me that he hired you as his personal driver and guardswoman over the phone. How's the job?", Thaddeus nodded, and Helga hummed, "Not as exciting as it was on the journey up north, but it pays either way.", with a wry smile.
Thaddeus smiled, "Fair. So, can I come through? I apologize for the late hour, but I couldn't wait any longer for morning.", and Helga replied, "Sure thing, though I have to warn you. Mr. Whitmore is currently in a meeting with an Abraham Erskine. Government secrets, I suppose.".
"Erskine?", Thaddeus asked as Helga shrugged.
"Some German who apparently left the Fatherland once the Nazis took power. I have to assume that Erskine is some Jewish name I'm not familiar with since it's probably not the smartest idea for those folks to hang around after those Nuremberg Decrees.", she said.
"Sounds an awful lot like the segregation laws we have in this country.", Thaddeus had a sorrowful tone to his voice; the man detested the racial laws that much of the nation had; at least local if not as high as state level in locations. He had met plenty of those with darker skin who were as equal in his eyes as anyone who was light skinned.
And of course, a man of history like himself; with how much of society's greatness actually originate from Africa or the Middle East, certainly showed that those that thought themselves superior because they descended from certain parts of Europe just how foolish they were.
"Yeah, well, I'm not paid to talk about politics and all...", Helga rolled her eyes. "See if you can catch him but don't be too surprised if I have to escort you out because of this late hour.".
Thaddeus nodded, "Of course. Thank you, Helga. And perhaps I wouldn't be too imposing on Preston if I could ask for use on one of his guest bedrooms.", before heading through the open gates once Helga buzzed them opening up, and went at a slow run, to not be too hasty and rude as he got to the mansion, and nodding at the doorman, walking in, gazing around in warm delight as he saw the historical monuments and such in his old friend's collection, noticing that he has gotten a few new ones since the last time he saw him.
Not seeing him on the ground floor, he decided to use the elevator to head into the private floor, hoping that Preston would hear him out despite the late hour.
And then of course, there was this Erskine man that apparently Preston was meeting with; Thaddeus had no real idea what to make of the man as he got onto the elevator. He could only hope that he wasn't about to cause a huge mistake by showing up during those two meeting. He took a deep breath as he started to head up to where he was, more than likely, guessing that Preston would be at.
After a couple of minutes, the elevator finally reached the private floor, and Thaddeus stepped out, glancing around before hearing a hearty voice, "Thaddeus! How are you doing, old friend?", as he looked over to see Preston Whitmore getting up from his long table besides the ginormous fish tank of unique fish species that was imported from Asia, seeing a man at the other seat looking up in curiosity and surprise and almost awe.
Thaddeus smiled widely, "Preston!", hugging him with one arm, with his other arm grasping around Preston's other arm in a best friend/warrior handshake, "I hope I am not interrupting, my old friend.".
"Er, well, I'd be lying to say that you weren't...", Preston admitted as the other man stood up. "I apologize, Herr Whitmore, we've obviously talked too long tonight...", the man said.
"Nonsense!", Whitmore insisted. "Thaddeus, I want you to meet the smartest Hun I ever think I've met... though, I'll be honest that I haven't met too many from Germania.".
The other man smiled, "Herr Whitmore, it's most refreshing to hear compliments. Can you be the famous Thaddeus Thatch our common friend has talked about?", with a warm smile, "Oh, I'm rude! I'm Abraham Erskine, pleased to meet you.", holding out a hand, waiting for a handshake, while bowing slightly in respect.
"Pleased to meet you... Doctor?", Thaddeus guessed as Erskine nodded. "You are correct.", he said as the two men shook hands.
"Erskine here has been talking to me about a sort of secret project that he's been, well, it's still more of a theoretical phase rather than any physical progress.", Whitmore explained as Erskine had a nervous look to his face.
"Is it really wise to be talking with-", Erskine started. "Doctor. I promise you; Thaddeus is trustworthy. You need not worry about Herr Hitler catching any whiff of what we say tonight.", Whitmore insisted.
Thaddeus nodded, "I'm much ashamed of my nation giving bigotry and segregation to many people, and I despite it for many dark-skinned people I've come to know are just as equal as us, and of course, that there's more to the people here even if they had suffered the hardest time of the Depression thus far.", with a desolate sigh.
"I was lucky that I and my grandson lived on the remains of the grant money the Smithsonian Museum gave us, and of course, it didn't hurt when Preston here helped a bit, through I'd have to be honest. It was almost too much as Milo had questions, but luckily, he knew how much the museum valued my discoveries recently prior to my admittedly off-putting observations towards certain myths and stories.", Thaddeus murmured.
Preston smiled, "You're my old friend, Thaddeus. Friends deserve to be given help, even if money is cliche in many ways, but I'm glad it gave you a way out from poverty. Thaddeus here literally gave some of the money to the homeless shelters around here as Washington, D.C., is the same as New York City. The Great Depression, indeed...".
Erskine nodded, "I have pity for those people, and I have hope that they will strive out better than ever. After all, a depression cannot last forever, and of course, there's what's to come soon... Hitler has made it no secret that a new conflict will come: you can hear it in his speeches. He's already marched troops into the Rhineland, the Treaty of Versailles is practically all but torn up by now. Sooner or later, war will break out in Europe again. I'm most disappointed that I am one of the few good ones, yet I hope I'll be of help, due to my theory that good people of great heart would more than just save soldiers but stop the war...".
"Yes...". Preston nodded. "That's what we were discussing before you came, Thaddeus... Erskine's theories and experiments... they're certainly world shaking to say the least in terms of what he's seen in his dreams.". Thaddeus almost wanted to chuckle at that considering what he was seeing in his dreams as of late.