References

376 | John W. Warner IV Nemo the tyrant… The Bear eased over the cliff and floated with the intense rapids as they entered the tunnel. Frothy churning water was all they could see. Vibration was minimal but steady. Descending, eighteen degrees down at the bow, said Alice. After an hour of churning water and […]

Lion, Tiger, Bear | 377 Jesus, icebergs, thats just goddam great, said Bernie. All stop. Giant ice chunks reflected the ships lights with an eerie green glow. Bea took over the helm from Klemperer. The bubble setting was on low, Ill increase it. What now, Capm Bligh? Torpedoes? Bernie rubbed his beard. Let me think.

378 | John W. Warner IV megaliths covered in gold, black sand beaches, rivers.. .places of the distant past perhaps. For Stalins sake, think of someplace sunny with tropical fruit, rum, palms, and plenty of solid food. Think Tahiti, said Bea, avoiding an ice chunk. I hereby quit the war. Klemperer sat next to her.

Lion, Tiger, Bear | 379 Klemperer awoke with a mouth of puke next to the starboard bulkhead; the ship was listing to starboard, half submerged in a dim light. The hull gently scraped the side of the anthracite-lined tunnel as it moved with the gentle current. Water dripped from the top node onto his face,

338 | John W. Warner IV She turned. Where to? Were bloody well trapped like rats in a constipated drainpipe if you hadnt noticed Schafer pointed ahead. Down the main tunnel, we explored it for kilometers, its endless. Push the rocks out of the -way,push them. Underground? asked Alice, two fingers at Baumanns throat. Hes

Lion, Tiger, Bear | 339 When Gwafa placed his hand on the generator panel, it fit almost perfectly. The panel glowed. XZut Something is happening here. He then felt a warm, indescribable hallucinogenic connection to Alice, the universe a warm golden metallic bath swirling around them. Alice slumped on the floor, dazed. Helluva jump start…

340 | John W. Warner IV being buried alive, Walter. Gripping a large custom-made wrench, Gerlach twisted a quartz crystal with Gwafas help, a two-man job. A meter showed improvement. Ninety-five, six.. .weve got plasma running through the drainpipe! yelled Gerlach, barely able to see even with his goggles. The blades are finally ejecting it.

Lion, Tiger, Bear | 341 Noise soft, the view out the windows showed nothing but a black hole ahead, the only visible clue of their progress being the eerie yet sublime reflection of the running lights off-the smooth, shiny tunnel walls. Who knows? Now it was Schafers turn to grip the railing. These legendary tunnels

25 Make your speed one hundred, said Bernie, now seated behind Bea and Alice. AU three men opened the hatch and tossed out Baumanns corpse. My poor old friend.. .wept Shafer in tears. Oh Gott, why?He then tightened the seal. Saddened, Klemperer sat on the stairs and said a few words from the Bible that

344 | John W. Warner IV Find us a way home, Ernst. Klemperer exited the command compartment. Im heading to the engine room to see if they need help. Ill inspect for damage along the way. A whoosh sounded from the rubber seal upon closing. Yes, many thousands, but I have never seen a map,