Based on events in 1912, 1943, 1960, and September 9th 2017
History tells us that the RMS Titanic sailed into an iceberg and sank in icy North Atlantic waters on April 15th 1912. Or did it? What really did happen? Well, it’s complicated. For a historical perspective, later in the 20th century a big idea guy named Albert Einstein (and others) worked with the US Navy on a top-secret project called The Philadelphia Experiment. The project was to develop technology to hide US warships from radar detection. It did not end well. Later, this led to Project Rainbow with the same objective for CIA spy planes. Much has been said and written about that, but the technology was deemed overly complex, too expensive and unnecessary. Gary Powers* would disagree. That was mid 20th century. The early 1900’s were full of powerful magnates with lots of money that were willing to fund projects that would advance their and maybe even societies agenda. Big idea guys like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Nikola Tesla forged business and personal relationships with big money guys like John J. Astor, Andrew Carnegie and John P. Morgan and a lot of stuff got done. Much of it good and some of it well intended, but in the end not so good. That’s what happened to our ill-fated RMS Titanic. Big money, met big idea and big problem resulted.
The technology of the early 1900’s fell far short of WW-2 technology much less what is available today. So back then what was not doable by man was quite doable by nature, and the big idea guys were well aware of this. Black holes have been around since the beginning of time, and if studied and understood they could be very valuable to those who could harness them. The black hole phenomenon has many guises: portals, vortexes and temporal distortions just to name a few. My noun of choice is portal. If a ship could be steered into a portal it could theoretically exit at another location undetected. A handy trick for shipping during wartime to ensure safe passage.
In early September of 2017 Hurricane Irma devastated much of Florida, the Caribbean and just about anywhere else she went. On September 10th and 11th, the people of Gainesville had to hunker down and weather the storm. September 9th was a Saturday so I made my usual trip out to Pithalachocco for my weekly photo walk at dawn. High water level at Powers Park had made the pier inaccessible all of August and September, so Palm Point Park was my destination this morning. I arrive earlier than normal at 6:00 a.m. and it is still quite dark. I park in the usual spot, turn on my Bushnell cap light, step out of the car and unload my Lowepro backpack, tripod case and small folding hunting chair.
As I head down this narrow fifty yard long trail I sweep my headlight back and forth: I don’t want to step on any critters of the snake or alligator variety! At this hour I am usually quite alone out here so the figure my light picks up at the end of the trail startles me. A well-dressed tall slim man walking towards me with a parrot on his shoulder? As he approaches I can make out a thin mustache with a bushy head of dark hair parted down the middle. And that’s not a parrot on his shoulder it’s a pigeon! The last time I saw somebody with a pigeon on their shoulder was during a feeding frenzy at St. Marks Square in Venice. St. Marks Square is a very crowded, public place, and Palm Point Park at this hour although a public place is anything but crowded, and it’s a bit eerie.
“Greetings” he says in a thick Eastern European accent. “Good Morning” I reply. “The water is dangerously high this morning,” he says. “Thanks" I say as I continue on past him. “Wait, please!" he says urgently. “You should go no further on your own.” “I am on this trail almost every weekend on my own, and it is safe.” I say. “Not this day” he replies with a very serious tone in his voice. “This day will be different…very different.” He is quite sure of himself, but he does not seem hostile. More like he is actually concerned, plus he does have a pigeon on his shoulder so I stop and face him. “What do you mean?” I ask. “It’s an idea I have been working on for so long...,” he says with a tinge of sadness in his voice. “What’s your big idea?” I ask. “Let me show you!” he says as his tone perks up. The sky was starting to lighten just the slightest bit as we headed back down the trail side by side. “I’m Glen,” I say as I extend my hand. “Nikola” he replies as his huge gloved hand envelops mine. “Nicholas?” I say. “No, Knee-coo-laa” he states emphatically. “Like the cough drop?” I ask. “That’s Ricola,” he replies. “Swiss herbal!" I chirp. He smiles and says, “You can call me Nick.” “Nick it is.” I say.
Back in the first paragraph I stated that this would be complicated. This is that part. As we near the end of the trail, the point if you will at Palm Point Park, the skies begin to get dimmer instead of brighter as is normally the case. My cap light picks up detail in the trail but the sky has gone black and it’s as if a curtain of darkness is being drawn. “Listen to me carefully” Nick states. “From this point forward, walk only in my footsteps”. “Why is that?” I ask. He responds, “The water is not the only thing out of place here.” “What a strange thing to say” I think to myself. I drop behind him and follow carefully in his footsteps; they are all that my light can illuminate at this point. I flick my cap light on and off but push the wrong button, instead switching on the red LEDs instead of the white one. “Better” Nick says, “watch for the distortions.” The red LED’s emit much less light, but as I closely follow his footsteps I can see faint trails of light radiating outward from every footstep he takes.
As we continue down the trail the distortions intensify, like little lightning bolts radiating from each footstep. And then they stop, and so does Nick. “It is safer now," he says “but we must still be careful where we walk.” My red LED’s continue to shine but they don’t illuminate anything, much like pointing it up in a dark night sky. As we continue, I can see dim light ahead and ask, “What is that?” “That is where you were going” he states, “Were going?” I ask. “Yes were, you still are, and now you are there.” as he comes to a stop. Before me I see a rather small circular window with a thick hard rubber gasket surrounding it, very solidly constructed. He sits at what appears to be a window seat and says, “Does this look familiar?” “Yes” I reply “that is my favorite bench, Banco del El Nino.” “Appropriate play on words” he says. “It works on many levels” I reply. “For me also” he states. “I haven’t ever seen the inscription on the side before. Is that something you added?” I ask. “Yes" he replies, "and that is why I brought you here. Please sit.”
“To see this?” I ask. “I’ve seen this many times.” “But not in this time” he replies. “Give me a moment,” I say as I try to put together and comprehend what he is saying. “Does the date April 15th hold meaning for you? Nick asks. “Tax day? I reply. “For your time yes” he says. “Well, not to go all Dale Cooper** on you, but what year is this?” I ask. “1912”he replies. I guess my expression required no words because he continued “I have a dilemma; a dilemma for the ages if you will. In my time I have two associates named John. John J., a brilliant, sucessful dear friend, and John P. a despicable shortsighted toad of a robber baron. John P. was supposed to be on board this ship on this date, but somehow John J. wound up in his place. I have been trying to remedy that situation for some time. With my wireless remote navigation system, I have been able to steer this ship away from its untimely encounter with an iceberg and into this portal where we now find ourselves.” “So what’s your dilemma Nick?”
“To get John P. where he belongs and to keep John J. from boarding this ship.” "In my day according to sci-fi, you are not supposed to try and change the past.” I say. “Something about unintended consequences.” “Ah yes, those pesky unintended consequences!” Nick exclaims. They are of great nuisance with one person’s time line. Two is much more difficult!” “You didn’t think I would have your solution did you?” “No. “ he replies. “You were just early this morning, and I thought you might like to see a different view of the bench that you seem so fond of.” “Oh, OK. Thanks.” I reply “But I've got a bunch of questions for you” “Of course you do. Ask me three.” Nick replies. “OK, what you’ve shown me here is pretty far out there. Aren’t you worried I will talk about this to somebody?” “I expect you will, but who would believe you?” “Good point” I reply. “All right then, tell me, is there a connection with the approach of Hurricane Irma and the appearance of this portal.” “Fabulous question my friend. There is every connection! A portal the size of this one requires a great deal of energy to stay open even for a moment much less the time this one has been open. This hurricane Irma that is approaching possess great wind, water and electrical energy, and all can be harnessed. Last question Glen” “OK, OK, OK I think to myself. This has got to be a good one. Lottery numbers maybe or how about who killed JFK. OK I got it." “Tell me Nikola, what’s up with the pigeon?”
Fin
*American U-2 pilot shot down over USSR and held as a spy.
**On Twin Peaks Agent Dale Cooper's lost somewhere in time comment.