after reading the memo on the front page, Jason quickly scanned through the remaining pages. There were more photo copies of various documents all classified “TOP SECRET” or “PRESIDENT EYE”S ONLY”.
Most of it was technical data concerning the bell and something called “Flytrap” along with notes on quantum physics, anti gravity and possible time travel. There were more documents on Operation Highjump and Operation Deep Freeze.
He found it hard to read while trying to keep up with everyone. As they rounded a corner, he noticed everyone was quiet as they read. Every once in a while you would hear a few words of amazement.
But what surprised him the most was the lack of concern on Senator Cummings face, and that worried him. The senator was known for using his temper just to gather attention, and he rarely let an opportunity pass him by. It was the look of smugness that suggested he was up to something and Jason made a mental note to keep an eye on him.
They turned right at an intersection which dead ended at appeared to be an elevator of some sort. Admiral Flemings turned towards everyone paused for a few seconds letting everyone catch their breath.
“from this point on.” he began “You are being privy to America’s most closely guarded secret, even more so than this Battlestar. There has been lots of speculation concerning the end of WWII, most of it pure BS.”
He paused for a second catching his breath and then continued. “when Eden’s gate was first discovered in 1840 and yes I said 1840, The U. S. Navy was given the task by then President Tyler to gather as much information as possible. Unfortunately we were unable to find this island from nowhere as described by Wilkes. It wasn’t till operation Highjump, that we were able to penetrate the shields.“ the admiral stopped as the doors to the lift opened. He entered it and motioned for everyone to follow suite. As soon as everyone was on board the rather spacious lift, the doors closed and it began its accent.

“now for those of you who don’t know operation Highjump involved a naval flotilla of some 13 ships and over 4000 personnel. This included 2 destroyers, one submarine and the carrier Philippine Sea, along with support aircraft and ships. Officially this mission was to conduct scientific experiments along with mapping to the coast line.”
The lift stopped and the doors opened. Everyone exited and the admiral continued as he started walking.
“while we did carry out mapping of the coastline, train personnel and test equipment for arctic conditions, we secretly carried out special operations in the area”
The admiral stopped and turned towards everyone. He took a deep breath and continued. “these operations have been known only to a few select people. Mostly those originally involved, every CNO since then and only select President’s the Navy trusted enough to share the information with. And before you ask Fuzzy, your mad didn’t know. The last President to know before President sanders was Bush 41 as he likes to call himself, and that was because he was a navy man.
Senator Cummings upon hearing that bit of news looked like he was about to blow a gasket. But he settled down when he realized that “W” didn’t know.
“Before I continue, what you are about to see and hear may seem unbelievable, but the true mission of Operation Highjump was to rid the world of it’s greatest evil, that mission had mixed results.” he said as he turned and entered the heart of America.

To Jason the bridge of the America looked more like mission control at NASA. The bridge appeared to be a hundred feet across at it’s widest. There was a rather large view screen, perhaps 20 feet in width and some 8 to ten feet in height centered against the far end of the bridge. He would later learn this was actually a large window made of a highly dense plastic like material.
The lowest level held numerous workstations. It was here he thought most of the ship’s systems were monitored. The second level had only two stations, it was here he saw Captain Anderson and two petty officers gathered around one of these stations. It was the closest on e to the third level in which he was standing.
It contained numerous workstations along the sides of the bridge there was even a walkway from one side to the other underneath the main viewing port. So if one chose too, they could walk right up and peer out the window.
But what stood out was the center most station. It was own it own pedestal slightly above the third level, it was circular in shape and it looked like it rotated. It was from here he thought that the admiral ran things. It looked like a captain’s or this case admiral’s chair.
“pretty impressive isn’t it Apollo” he heard the president ask
“Breathtaking is more like it, just what in the name of Sam Hill have you gotten me into Dime bag?” he questioned his best friend.
“That is yet to be seen my friend. But do me a favor will ya? Have everyone hang out here till we find out what is going on. And please don’t touch anything” the president said heading down towards were the XO and the Admiral was at.
He said he would and motioned for everyone to gather around he repeated what the President asked of them They all seemed too awestruck to disagree.
Some like the two enlisted personnel found the nearest station and sat down, while others like the chopper pilots hung together, talking quietly amongst themselves.
Senator Cummings along with his aide and the other two civilians walked down to the command chair, he then hopped up on the seat and propped his feet up on the console in front of him
He shook his head at the arrogance of the senator, who else would show that much disrespect.
“cocky son of a bitch isn’t he?” he heard Jersey say as she too saw what the senator had done.
Batgirl too had been watching also chuckled in jest and she excused herself and walked over to where the senator was sitting.
He watched as she walked up to him, lean down and whisper something in his ear. The look on his face afterwards was priceless, for what ever she told him he removed his feet quicker than he had propped the up there.
Batgirl then turned and walked back towards them. There was a smile on her face that the Mona Lisa would have been proud to wear. Both Jason and Jersey looked at her with what the hell did you tell him looks on their faces. As she approached she shrugged her shoulders and said “I just told him if he wanted to keep those two pitiful things he called Jewels intact, that he should show some respect to the admiral and remove his feet.”
Jersey busted out laughing and a broad smile etched across Jason’s face. One look at Batgirl and one could tell she could actually do it without a seconds hesitation,

“Silence on the bridge!” Captain Anderson yelled as the noise of jerseys laughter reached him
“sorry sir it won’t happen again.“ Jersey said trying to stifle the laughter with her hand.

“see that it doesn’t Major” the XO replied

“So Batgirl just what magical charms are you using on ol Fuzzy over there?” Jersey asked.
“Oh nothing special, just my sweet feminine charm, you know how men are!” she said as she stuck out her tongue out at senator Cummings who was staring at her with daggers in her eyes.
“Yeah right and monkeys might fly out of by butt! Jason said doing his best Garth imitation.

“Oh my god!” exclaimed Batgirl “The might Apollo has a sense of humor, who would have thunk it!”

“Oh I wouldn’t call what he has a sense of humor Batgirl, its more like watching paint dry, about as entertaining too!” quipped Jersey as she jabbed her elbow into Jason’s ribs.
Jason letting out a rather loud “oomph” as Jersey’s elbow stabbed his ribs brought his left hand up to where the damage was done was quick to reply “Very Funny Jersey, don’t make me tell her about what happened between you and Perez.”

“you wouldn’t dare!” she replied knowing the embarrassment that would cause her.

‘Who’s Perez?” asked an intrigued Batgirl playing along.

Jersey just rolled her eyes and was about to tell Apollo what to do with himself when the booming voice of Captain Anderson filled the bridge

“front and center everyone!”

Jason felt a knot form in his stomach as they walked. By the looks of their faces, things did not look good. As he approached them he heard the president say. “I want a copy of this first thing in the morning Admiral, along with any other helpful information you can come up with. As you know I have a photo op tomorrow. The press has to see me go Christmas shopping for the old lady and the kids. I’m getting cleaned up and I’ll call you when I am ready to depart.”

“understood Mr. President, I’ll call the Air boss and tell him to get my fighter ready. And that report will be on your desk first thing in the morning.”

“Good now if everyone will excuse me, um Apollo can I see you in private for a moment?”

Before Jason could say anything Senator Cummings butted in “Mr President, with all due respect, I have been patient with you and the Admiral here, but I demand an explanation for all of this.”

“Fuzzy, now is not the time.” Admiral Fleming said trying to calm him down.”

“the fuck it isn’t. I want answers and I want the NOW!” he said shouting at the top of his lungs. His face turning a crimson red

‘Senator, Please calm down” said his aide putting her hand on his shoulder.

“ah shut up Christie.” He said removing her hand away quickly and with such force she twisted and fell. A loud snap could be heard as she tried to catch her self.
“aw shit” cried out Christie as she gazed upon the bone sticking out from her forearm. Her eyes rolled back and she passed out
Batgirl who happened to be closest to the senator at the time had just about of the senators bull crap. With both her fists and teeth clinched she grabbed him by the shoulder, jerked him around and proceeded to knee him in the groin with all her might.
His eyes bulged at the impact and he dropped to his knees, she then lifted his chin with her left hand and smiled. She then asked him “Do you remember what I did to you the last time you hit a woman?”
His eyes widened in horror at the memory.

“Stand down Commander!” shouted Captain Anderson “and that’s an order!”

Batgirl realizing her temper had gotten the best of her again, let go of the senator, she then came to the parade rest position. Senator Cummings realizing he escaped the wrath of Batgirl fell to the floor and curled up into a ball at her feet.

She looked over at the senators aide who by this time was receiving medical treatment from Opie. He had taken his shirt off and was applying pressure on the wound, being careful not to jab himself with the exposed bone.

“Major Shore escort Commander Harris to the brig” Captain Anderson said

“Belay that order Major.” President Sanders said over ruling the Captain

“Mr. President with all due respect, Commander Harris assaulted a member of the United States Senate. That is an courts-martial offense.”

“Oh really Captain, and what the senator did to his aide was excusable?” the president came back sharply

“No sir, it wasn’t. But still sir Commander Harris…”

“Did what I was about to do captain; only I wouldn’t have been so gentle.” Admiral Fleming said cutting off Captain Anderson. “I suggest you get a corpsman up here.”
Captain Anderson nodded and ran over to the BMOW who had gone to retrieve a first aid kit. Taking the kit from him, Captain Anderson asked him to call for a corpsman
“All ready have sir, they should be here momentarily.” The third class petty officer said.
“Very well carry on then” he said running back.

He handed the kit to the young Ensign who by this time was joined by the TV reporter. She was comforting the visibly shaken aide. He looked over at Senator Cummings who was still reeling from the blow to the nads; he had managed to haul himself into the nearest chair and sat there doubled over. Captain Anderson felt no pity for the man at all. But still the man was hurting, he went over and picked up the first aide kit and rummaged through it. He found a cold compress, one of those chemical reaction jobs. As he snapped the vile inside causing the chemical reaction he handed it to the senator.
“Here you go sir, this should help.” He said turning his attention back towards Batgirl
“Commander you’re lucky, do you know that?” he asked staring her in the eyes.

“Yes sir!” she said looking straight ahead.

“I’ve read you last evals it wasn’t pretty, the only reason your still in this man’s navy is because the Navy couldn’t give it’s first female ace an dishonorable discharge! I suggest you straighten up and fly right Commander Do I make myself clear!”

“Sir, yes sir!” she said unflinching even though the words stung her very deeply.

“Now get out of my sight, as a matter of fact your excused from the bridge.” he said turning to admiral Flemings and suggested “Admiral, I think we need to reschedule this briefing until tomorrow morning. I feel we need to rethink our strategy. Especially with the new information we saw.
Admiral Flemings who was kneeling by the senator’s aide, nodded yes. He then stood up and made room for the corpsman that just arrived.
“Alright everyone change of plans, please return to your assigned berthing area, we will reschedule for tomorrow. I’m sorry but if you want to know more about the America, please tune to channel three. That is the ship’s information channel. There is a twenty minute program that starts at the top of the hour every hour. It has helpful information much of it we was going to tell you here.” He said as he walked over towards Jason.
“Dismissed” Captain Anderson said
Everyone turned and started exiting the bridge as Jason turned to leave as well, admiral Flemings put his hand on his arm and asked him to stay put.
“Yes sir!’ He said not sure what to make of what just went down. He watched as more corpsman arrived. They were carrying a stretcher. He watched as they asked her if she could walk or if she wanted to be carried to sickbay. She told them she could walk and slowly they got her to her feet and the slowly exited the bridge.
He heard a muffled groan and looked over at fuzzy. He held the cold pack as he too slowly got to his feet also. A young corpsman offered him help, but he waved it off. Walking gingerly he slowly made his way off the bridge also, each step just as painful as the last.
“Pitiful sight isn’t it Apollo?” he heard the president say
“Yeah sure is, almost feel sorry for the poor man, and I said almost! So what do you want to talk about Dimebag?”

“Walk with me Jason.” The president said waving bye to the admiral.
“Uh oh” Jason thought this was very serious. Dimebag never called him by his first name unless it was serious.
As they walked in silence, Jason’s mind was abuzz with questions. What happened during operation Highjump, how did the US gain control of this ship and the pyramid all jumbled his thoughts. To him that last one weighed the most on his mind. He shook the thoughts from his head as they arrived at what appeared to be the president’s quarters. He waited while the president punched in the code on the cipher lock and opened the door and motioned for him to follow. As he entered he closed the door behind him.

“I see you still travel with Gertrude” Jason said pointing towards the pearl white Gibson Les Paul.

“Like they say in the commercial, I don’t leave home without her. Go ahead I know you want to, I hitting the shower, got to wash this crap off my face. Speaking of which turn the game on and give me a score.” The president said heading into the private bath.

Jason searched for the remote, finding it on the desk that sat beside the bed. He turned it on and caught a quick glance at the score.
“Miami’s up twenty eight to ten with five minutes left. And they have the ball.”
A loud cheer came from the bathroom as his best friend whooped it up. He cut the sound down and picked up the Les Paul. He felt unworthy to handle the 45 plus year old guitar. Especially considering who owned it once. He turned it over looking at the newest autographs that adorned it. He smiled as he guessed rank does have its privileges. He saw Dave Mustaine, Angus Young, and Tom Petty just to name a few. He smiled as he saw that every member of KISS was on there also.
While he wasn’t in the same league as the president, he plugged it in and let rip a few riffs he knew. The sound that flowed through the Amp was sweet heaven to him.
The before hand thoughts quickly left him as his fingers made sweet music. He played on for about five minutes running the songs together. He was so engrossed in his playing he didn’t here Dimebag walk in
“Damn son, you’re getting better.” He said toweling his hair dry.

Jason sheepishly stopped playing and turned towards his best friend.
“I think it’s the guitar, not the player. This thing is just awesome. You lucky son of a bitch! Just how in the hell did you ever talk him out of it?”
“Let’s say Uncle Ted and I had a common interest, and it wasn’t hunting” smiled Dimebag

“I bet here give me the honor” Jason said handing the president Gertrude.
Smiling as he accepted it he quickly entered into the opening riffs of “Walk” by Pantera. Jason smiled knowing the true Dimebag was looking down smiling knowing one of his songs was being done justice.
He watched as the president played for a few more minutes closing on blistering solo.
After he finished, he sat Gertrude down and turned towards his best friend.
“I bet you have a million questions?” asked Dimebag as he started dressing.

“That’s the understatement of the year” Jason replied not sure where to begin.

“well let me guess a couple of them, you want to know how the America came into our hands, what happened during operation Highjump, and what all this has to do with you. How am I doing so far?” Dimebag said as he finished dressing.

“That’s three questions Dimebag, but yes that’s some of them. Just what the hell is going on?” he asked

He watched as his best friend picked up Gertrude and wiped her down with a cloth from her case. As he watched the president he knew the man had the weight of the entire world on his shoulders.

“As it states in the memo” Dimebag began “we knew the Germans had a secret base in Antarctica. It was called Point 103. The Germans believed it was the spot where the Aryan race originated.” He paused for a few seconds then continued “we were unable to locate this base for the longest of times till we came across Intel saying that U-234 had left its home base of Kiel on the 25th of March. We were able to locate her and follow her to her destination near the Wilkes ice shelf in Antarctica. From there we lost her.” Again he paused as he placed Gertrude in her case.
“Any questions so far?” he asked Apollo, nodding no Dimebag continued “we knew about where the base was located, but we couldn’t pinpoint it so we backed off and waited for the U-boat to reappear. It did several days later taking a course towards the US. From there we were able to track it until it surrendered to US forces on May 14th 1945. You with me so far?” asked Dimebag
Jason by this time had begun taking notes using the back of the paperwork he had been given earlier. As he finished jotting down a few notes he asked “correct me if I’m wrong, but the math doesn’t add up. You said she left on the 25th of March correct?”
“Yes I did” answered the president knowing where this was going
And she surrendered on the 14th of May?”

“Again you are correct”

“then how in the hell could she go that fast, she was a diesel and if I remember my history correct she had maybe a top speed of 20 knots and that was when she was surfaced, how was she able to travel such distances so fast given her slow speed?”

The president had just finished packing his overnight bag, zipped it up and replied “she was an unconventional nuke. The bell put out so much radiation, they were able to jury rig some sort of nuclear engine. They ran submerged the whole time only running at snorkel depth so they could recycle the air. We clocked her once at 40 knots. We had a hell of a time keeping up with her.”
Jason whistled upon hearing they clocked her at 40 knots, that was the top speed of today’s nukes and the Germans achieved it at the end of WWII.
“I bet so I guess when they arrived at this base of theirs they removed the bell and replaced it with a conventional diesel?” Jason asked

“Not quite, she still carried her diesels during the voyage, they did a quick change, and the sub was designed for one mission and one only, the transportation of the bell, plain and simple. When they left the U-boat was nothing more than plain old conventional diesel.” said Dimebag