Writing for Pandora's Realm was exciting and fun but towards the end my interest in Pitt and the forums sort of dwindled (after reading another Cussler novel last week it did the job and got me interested again )and I recentley went back and re-read it and remembered how fun it was to write (along with other forum members!). So is anybody else up for it?




If so, I guess the rules from the previous story will apply:

1. Please keep to the story-line, no sub-plots. (Leave that stuff to the Grandmaster himself)



I'm not to good with starting stories...so if someone else would like to do the honor.... th: :)

This is actually pretty funny. I had a topic labeled the same exact as this one, with the same idea in mind. It was met with much controversy :lol: and deleted. I'd like to see how people will respond to this one :lol: :lol:

I would be interested in another forum story, when I get time away from Explosion! th:

I would love to see another story!!! But no more than 15 lines?? When I get inspired I can't stop!! :lol: So let's start a story folks!! w:

GRANDMASTER (title) On a breezy day in Idaho a small plane lands at Cabin Creek. Out steps a tall blonde woman. Sheila Loring surveys the small plateau she just landed on. Reaching behind the cockpit seat she grabs a picnic basket. Sheila walks over to a grove of trees and lays a light towel on the ground and takes out her lunch and eats slowly enjoying the scenery and the peace.

The birds sang their songs and the animals produced their usual sounds. Spring was in full bloom as the plants and animals came out of hybrination and began to aclimate to the warm weather.
Suddenly, the singing and growling came to a stop and an erie silence enveloped the land. Shelia Loring barley noticed but it had been by chance that she had become aware of the sudden change in the environment.
She glanced up from the magazine she had begun to read and searched around the perimeter. Five shadows had begun to emerge from the vegetation...

I just copied the original rules for Pandora's Realm but don't worry all the writers usual go over the limit. I'll just go and edit that rule out. :) th:

Out of the bushes walked five bears and Sheila just stayed where she was petrified that they may attack. Slowly the bears walked towards the mountainside and walked up a natural path as they climbed up the mountain and disappeared around the other side of the mountain face. Sheila took it as a sign that she better leave. She got in her Cessna and taxied around to face towards the cliff edge that was about 120 meters away and revved the engines as she taxied and just barely got enough speed when she lifted off. As an experienced bush pilot she didn't take anything for granted and flew over the canyons and the vistas of the Divide. Not knowing that a slow leak had begun in the fuel tank Sheila flew on. Eventually she would disappear into the mists as just another bush pilot who is never found. Lothar Loring, her father would spend just over a million dollars trying to find his daughter but no one finds her.

Suisun Bay, east of San Francisco is the Boneyard of old ships no longer in use. Beneath the waters of Suisun Bay lays the hidden lair of Dr. Malachi Zeulithan. As he rides the elevator in a tube that takes him up to one of the middle ships in the pack of old ships he can't help but grin at his plan. He steps out of the elevator and walks up to the top of an old oil tanker and works his way towards one of the outer ships and gets into a speedboat that streaks out of an opening door in the ship that hides the speedboat.

Seattle. Austin Marine Salvage's founder, Henry Austin sat at his desk doing paperwork when a knock at the door interrupts. "Come in!" bellows Henry. Kurt, his son and Gamay Trout walk in to Henry's office. Gamay, the Director of NUMA is introduced by Kurt to his father. Henry tells them to sit. "What can I do for you?". "It was good of you to let me come visit you, Henry" replies Gamay. "Well, my son spoke highly of you" comes back Henry.

Later, at Arthur's Bar Henry Austin is sitting at the Bar drinking when Lothar Loring walks in and seeing his best friend, Henry at the bar, sidles up next to Henry and Arthur brings Lothar a drink. "Henry! Good to see you!" "Same here my good friend!" replies Henry.

An old, rusty ship with the name Oregon slips into the docks of Seattle. Juan Cabrillo walks off the ship and gets into a sedan and drives to NUMA Headquarters. He rides the elevator up to the 25th floor and speaks to the receptionist, "I am expected by Gamay Trout, I am Juan Cabrillo" says the man. "You are expected Mr. Cabrillo, go on in". Gamay stands up as Juan walks towards her desk. She stretches her hand out and the two shake hands.

Arriving at Sea-tac International's Virgin Galactic arrival/departure gate after riding aboard the Virgin Galactic's sub-orbital airliner, Vanguard, that took only three and a half hours flight, Dirk is still amazed at the short amount of time to get from his home in New Zealand to the states. After arriving he gets into a chauffeured car that takes him to NUMA Headquarters.

Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The home of Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center or AMARC for short. A mysterious aircraft escorted by several military jets arrives at AMARC to be decommissioned, lands on the caliche sands and taxies to a prearranged site. Workloaders from AMARC set to work after the pilot leaves where they remove objects that stick out, remove anything pilferable and the avionics system. Next, they remove the fuel and then pump it with a lightweight oil, which they again drain, leaving an oil film that protects the fuel system and all open spaces are taped and then using a vinyl plastic compound called "spraylat" they spray the covered areas to preserve the aircraft.

Dirk walks into Gamay's office where he finds Kurt Austin, Juan Cabrillo and Gamay waiting for him. Stunned at the serious looks Dirk knows something is up.

February 17, 1864. The crew of the Hunley is partying after defeating the Housatonic. After awhile everyone is tipsy and when tapping noises that sounds like morse code begins no one is quite sure what to think. Suddenly the side of the submarine is pierced by a metallic prow sharp enough to slice through most metals like butter protrudes into the submarine for a couple of minutes and then backs out allowing the water to rush in drowning the men and sinking the Hunley with all aboard dying. Laughing maniacally Julius Zeulithan watches from his submarine, the Zeus.

tonym5, Its a great story you have going there but already we have 500 sub-plots and a cast of thousands. Is it possible to back-track to your "5 bears" post and then wait till someone else posts. If we stick to one plot and wait till someone else continues the story, it should work ok.

If this is fine with you, we'll start from there.

Cheers ... Tony

It's all part of the same story. w:

"Gentlemen, we have a threat to the seas by a madman who is promising to sink any and all commercial shipping and has already sunk half a dozen and wants to be paid 50 billion dollars" says Gamay Trout to Kurt, Juan and Dirk sitting in front of her desk. They are stunned to say the least. "The governments of the world refuse to accede to blackmail and the United States government is silent on the matter and the United Nations is helpless in the matter" continues Gamay. "We already know who the man is because he identified himself, one Malachi Zeulithan". 'I think that it's our civic duty to stop this madman because we feel responsible for the seas and I think this man may be related to someone who knows about the sinking of the Hunley". Again Juan, Dirk and Kurt are floored by the startling statement."We believe this Zeulithan is the great-grandson of another madman who went on a rampage back in the late 1860s on the high seas". "I want you guys to come up with a plan of some sort to stop this Malachi Zeulithan".

"We need all the people we can get to help stop this madman before he hurts more innocent people," Gamay says looking intently at the three. "We have found out that he is hiding in a deserted castle near Bekdash,Turkmenistan with a guard of three hundred.

"You need to find a way to get into the complex without alerting anyone because if you do you do you will surely be caught. I have this map of the complex here," Gamay pulls out satellite photos and puts them on her desk facing the trio.

Pitt picks up the photos and looks at them while passing the other copies to Austin and Cabrillo.

So you know what they're looking at

Still seething at the loss of his lair beneath Suisun Bay, Malachi had to flee from the country and find another place to hide. After some searching he settled on a lonely, abandoned castle in Turkmenistan near Bekdash. Luckily he had most of his data stored on a private data server by a company that he paid to use. When he had gone back to his lab beneath Suisun Bay he luckily saw the law enforcement and military craft swarming around the Old ship boneyard. He turned the speedboat around and had fled before they saw him. Now in this creepy old castle he has to find the equipment to build his lab.

Malachi Zeulithan is sitting at his desk debating whether to leave the castle or stay. Then he starts thinking about the National Reconnaisance Office firing him for using his experimental aircraft with special weaponry to shoot down a civilian aircraft in the mountains of Idaho. Now that he has a newly designed aircraft that he has used for the sinking of the six commercial ships he can hope that maybe the U.S. Government will pay him to stop using his flying sub. If he is not paid he will use it to cause more havoc on commercial shipping on all the oceans. This castle, though near water is not the best of location to be closer to the oceans. "I think I will start searching for a better location to relocate as soon as possible" he mumbles.

After some searching Malachi finds a tiny South American country, San Martin, to relocate to. A small country with a pliable dictator who can be bought. With some effort in the costs and shipping of equipment he manages to get comfortably established. The weather is humid but definitely warmer. With some expense a couple of generators are purchased to run not just his equipment but a decent air conditioning system as well. And he finds out through the news media that a young, black female teenager named Amanda had been on shore who was stunned to see a small speedboat exit a bigger ship through some special door at the old ship boneyard. "Well, what's done is done" grumbles Malachi.

In Arthur's Bar, Henry Austin and Lothar Loring are sitting at a table talking when in walks a grizzled old man with white hair. At the bar, the old man loudly orders a mug of beer and proclaims to have seen an alien spaceship shoot down a civilian aircraft in the mountains of Idaho some time back. Lothar, barely listening until now perks up and asks the old man to come over. Lothar introduces himself and Henry to the old man. "I am Tibor Fabrizian, an old miner and prospector in the mountains of Idaho' replies the man. "Tell me about the civilian aircraft that was shot down" comes back Lothar. Tibor describes the aircraft to a tee. Lothar seethes when he realizes it was his daughter's aircraft. "Can you describe the aircraft that shot down that small plane?". "Why sure I can!" replies Tibor. He not only describes it but also does a reasonable drawing of it as well. Lothar finds it incredible but wonders how can such an oddly shaped craft be described in such detail if it did not fit any known craft. Henry says, "Let me pass this along to my son, who works for the federal government and see what he can find out".

The old, lonely castle outside of Bekdash is assaulted by a team that is lead by Kurt, Dirk and Juan and the men they recruited for the operation. Disappointed that the maniac, Malachi Zeulithan, is not found they report the place is empty to the authorities. When they return back to Seattle, Dirk is assigned a new project and Kurt is given a brief vacation and Juan is kept on to find the madman.

Henry Austin, after learning that Kurt is back but on vacation gives him the drawing and tells him of the story about the old man and what he witnessed. Kurt decides to head to Idaho and finds the area where the civilian aircraft was supposed to have been shot down. Looking down from a tiny plateau on the side of a mountain Kurt see's a small lake. He manages to work his way down there and taking a brief swim, he does spy the remains of an aircraft. After resurfacing and drawing several deep breaths he swims back down again. He finds the wreckage and spots the remains of the pilot. Swimming back to the surface and drawing some more deep breaths he goes back down to find something to bring back to the surface. He resurfaces with a small piece of metal that has the serial numbers. Kurt returns to Seattle and heads to Lothar Loring's home. Inside he hands over the metal piece with the serial number. "With my deepest condolence I have returned with this piece of the aircraft your daughter flew and found her remains. I assume you will have her body properly buried". "Thank you young man, I am very grateful you have found my daughter. I would like to ask that you find the monster who did this to her, if you please". "Yes, I will do this and see it through" replies Kurt. Later, Kurt hands the drawing to Gamay to get her opinion. "You know what this looks like? It looks lik a flying submarine but with wings that look like it can skim over water as well as fly" replies Gamay. Kurt is stunned by her thoughtful observation. "Who would build such a vehicle like this though?' replies Kurt.

Gamay spends some time thinking as she studies the drawing. Then it dawns on her why Commercial ships have been sunk but without apparent cause of their sinkings. Now it fits! Then at the same time she saw the possibilities of this "flying sub" for reconnaisance work and she knows that the only possibility of someone with such a budget is the National Reconnaisance Office. She calls the NRO but is given the runaround. Finally she calls the White House and tells the Chief of Staff what she suspects. He promises to get back to her. After a couple of days Gamay is still waiting but decides to fly to D.C. to confront the Administration about this.

Luggage packed, and getting dressed Gamay tells Paul Trout, her six foot husband that she's going to demand information on the mysterious NRO flying craft. "Well, go give them heck, my dear. I'm with you all the way. Just wish I could be there to see their faces" Paul declares. Later, at the airport Gamay leans into the car to give Paul a kiss and waves. She enters the airport , takes care of her luggage and goes to the gate to catch the 9:30pm flight. Early the next morning Gamay calls the White House number and arranges an appointment with the Chief of Staff at 1:30pm.

At 1:30pm promptly Gamay Trout walks into Charlie Edwards' office. With a stern glare from Gamay she says "Tell me about the flying sub that the NRO has developed and why it has sunk six commercial ships!!!" declares Gamay. "Calm down and I will tell you the story about this craft, Gamay" replies Charlie. "Does the president know about this and why he is not here?" comes back Gamay. "But, of course the president knows about the project. However, he is holding a press conference at the moment. Now, please sit". "Very well". "Now this was an unofficially sanctioned project by a brilliant, but very disturbed man who created the flying sub. His name is Malachi Zeulithan. And we allowed him to run with it until he shot down a civilian aircraft and then we fired him but we kept the flying craft for ourselves before we decided to destroy it. Then when we heard of the destruction of those six commercial ships we could not say anything about what had been our project. But apparently Malachi created another flying craft for his own purposes. As for going after him we have decided to let others to do that because our hands are kind of dirty in the matter. Now, do you understand why the U.S. Government won't touch the man. I am sorry that you have been drawn into this because your purview does include the oceans of the world. And we can't or won't even sanction your own efforts in finding the man". "So you know where he has relocated to?' replies Gamay. "We have some ideas yes but the only sure thing of course is that he has to be close to the oceans". "Did you know about the man's great-grandfather?" replies Gamay. With a blank stare, Charlie says "No, why should we". "Because Julius Zeulithan, is the man who destroyed the Hunley and disappeared but is presumed responsible for many ships sunk in the late 1860s".

After Gamay left Charlie's office, his next visitor is Lothar Loring. "Lothar my friend, what brings you to Washington?" says Charlie. "I am here on behalf of the lobby that recently hired me. The Greece Historical Association. I understand that recently historical artifacts were found some time back in Arizona and the Greek government was most appreciative for the U.S. Government in handing them over to their government. Now they wish to reciprocate in like fashion with knowledge about a certain corporation in Europe that is causing some people to wonder about them. It's the Countess Cecile Corporation and the potential for trouble. It seems that it may be involved in a power struggle with other megacorporations to plunder the riches of our planet. You remember how we helped Hans Kohl take over the John W. Brown, back just after World War 2. Well, it seems there's a race for ultimate power that we set off by betraying our country. And now I have a young man helping me find the murderer of my daughter in the mountains of Idaho". Charlie breathes inwardly as it dawns on him that it was Lothar's daughter who was the one killed by Malachi Zeulithan. "Oh my, that's right your daughter was a bush pilot out west especially in Idaho" says Charlie. "You know what, I appreciate the information you just brought to me and we'll look into this discreetly as we can". Charlie, not knowing what to do with this nebulous information that probably won't amount to much because companies are always trying to strangle each other. "Well, it was great to see you my old friend and hopefully it won't be as long until we meet again" says Charlie.

After leaving the White House, Lothar is pleased with himself for hinting at the war that's about to begin. It is a nice spring day this April, 19, 2014. He takes a walk to an out of the way cafe and goes up to a table where a young woman is sitting. Helene Moran, daughter of the deceased Kelly Moran looks up into the face of her lover. Lothar, admiring the beautiful greek features of the young Helene is always refreshing to him. Especially at his age. Who knew that the Blue Ice was to be the trigger of a long struggle between powerful forces for 60 years. In discreet corridors of power, Lothar was known as the Grandmaster. It was he who helped his co-conspirator in the John W. Brown affair that helped Charlie Edwards and others begin their political or business careers. He notices a wireless computer next to Helene and smiles. Her face is stricken as she notices a news bulletin on her computer. "What is it, my dear Helene?' Lothar asks. "A large ship in the New York Bay was destroyed and parts of manhattan as well by this madman who is responsible for other commercial ships being destroyed. An unidentified flying craft described as an alien craft by witnesses is the perpetrator. Terrorists were believed responsible at first but apparently this madman named Malachi something announced over broadcast and online media claiming responsibility and unless he is paid a lot of money he promises more destruction" says Helene.

Having grown up in Greece with her father, Georgios Zavakos until he passed away when she was twelve, Helene was then allowed to live with Aunt Athina until she was of legal age and moved out. It was her Aunt Athina who explained that her father was reluctant to raise her and gave her the last name of her mother with whom he had an affair. She did meet her mother when she was 19 and the reception was civil between them. Drifting into civil service work after school was ok but not exciting until she met a young man from America that she fell hard for and followed to the shores of freedom. Then the relation turned bad and she found a job with the Greece Historical Association in D.C. where she hired Lothar Loring to represent the association as counsel and lobbyist. Lothar treated her right and the two drifted into a friendship before they became intimate. Her mother tried to give her a sense of legacy tracing out the family history and how it had been influential. Now the two of them walk together to her apartment where they share the afternoon together. Later, after dinner Lothar annnounces his travel plan to go back to Seattle and tie up some lose ends before he comes back to settle in the D.C. area.

Charlie Edwards, exiting the Oval Office, where just moments before the President was madder than a hornet about the attack on New York and demanding something be done about it. Charlie, stumped about what to do sits at his desk. Then it slowly dawns on him that to attack fire with fire you need something equal to the effort and calls AMARC to restore the decommissioned first flying craft. Now to find someone qualified to fly the craft. Then he remembered Gamay and her NUMA trained personnel. He calls up Gamay to inform her of his need for someone to fly the first craft that was built and inquired about the search for Malachi Zeulithan. "We are zeroing in on the probable area as we speak and should know something within 24 hours hopefully" replies Gamay. "Thank you, and remember this is not officially supported by us. Good bye".

Juan Cabrillo, on the phone, says "Hiram, with both our computers scouring the planet, it would be interesting if you were to wager with me as to whose computer finds Malachi Zeulithan first. Are you interested?". "Juan, you're on, I will wager that Max can find this man first" comes back Hiram chuckling.

AMARC manages to restore the first flying sub in 12 days. A record for them. Then it is sent to the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii where Dirk and Al are awaiting it on the NUMA Ship, Anthony Krome. Her captain, Oswald Greer Jackson, a shaggy looking man who actually looks like the cartoon character. Skinny, tall and with a goatee he manages to belie his looks with a sharp wit and intelligence. He is looking at the flying sub with a stunned but admiring look at the flying craft. "So one of you going to fly this odd looking mini-sub, I take it?". "Yes, captain. We are both to take her out and see who does best with this thing" says Dirk with his twinkling green eyes. "Guess, I shall go first and see how I fare with this craft" and Dirk walks down the gangway to the floating craft and enters it and within five minutes takes her down into the water first for ten minutes until the craft streaks into the sky half a mile away and flying it in the air for nearly a half hour and returns to the NUMA ship. "How does it feel Dirk?" Al asks. "Not bad but it was tricky trying to maneuver her in the air compared to the water" replies Dirk. "My turn, now" says Al with a grin. He dives into the water with the craft and in fifteen minutes streaks into the sky, taking her into a professional training setup with all the maneuvers. Flying for just over half an hour Al returns to the ship smiling from ear to ear saying, "Wow, she handles like a dream underwater and in the air". "Looks like it's your job to take the other one down then Al" Dirk says with a smile.

May 11, 2014. Max, the computer, searching the South American coasts with both satellite images and data transmissions finds Malachi Zeulithan's hideout in the tiny country of San Martin. Hiram, so happy that Max found the hideout first contacts Juan and boasts of finding the hideout. "Well, congratulations are in order Hiram and to Max of course". "Thank you, Juan, now you have to pay up with some information about your connection in supplying Al Giordino with those cuban cigars". "Ok, yes I am involved through my connections inside Cuba that helps those either with the money or American influence" comes back Juan. Later, Gamay talks to Al Giordino on the phone telling him where Malachi is hiding. "But I want backup with you before you attack so Juan and the Oregon will be there within 24 hours to help just in case". "Thanks for the vote of confidence, boss" says Al in a mocking tone.

May 12, 2014. Malachi, finishing up final plans for an attack because funds are still not coming into his account in the Caymans is sitting in the flying sub going through the technical data sheets. Meanwhile, just over 20 miles from the coast of San Martin is the NUMA ship, Anthony Krome at rest, with the first flying sub. The Oregon is just over 300 miles away and closing in fast.

Gamay Trout, sitting at her desk knowing of the coming shootout between the two flying subs decides to let Kurt in on what's going on and calls him. "Thank you for telling me, Gamay, I appreciate it" replies Kurt Austin. Kurt, knowing he has to tell Lothar the whole story decides to call him. "Kurt, good to hear from you my young friend. How are you doing? And any progress on your investigations for me?". Kurt tells Lothar how the NRO had fired Malachi after he killed Lothar's daughter and then disavowed him and how Malachi began his attacks on commercial ships and then the attack on New York City. "Thank you Kurt for finding all this out for me and if you ever need anything just call me". Lothar hangs up the phone and is furious that Charlie Edwards held out on him. He dials the White House. "Charlie, I need to speak to you in person now, as fast as you can get to Rock Creek Park". 30 minutes later, in Rock Creek Park Charlie walks up to Lothar, who is sitting on a bench and seeing his face knows that Lothar is aware of what happened. "Lothar, when you first told me about your daughter dying in the mountains I had no idea what had happened until three days later and even then I thought it was somebody else who had been shot down. And then when you came to the White House later, it dawned on me. I am so sorry for your loss and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. After all the years together helping each other out since World War 2, it would be a loss if you can't forgive my lack of forbearance". "Yes, I am mad but after I gave it some thought, it did strike me that was what had happened and you didn't know how to express it when I came to the White House. I guess, when all is said and done it comes down to destroying this madman today in South America. Yes, I know about it all and don't look surprised because you know I have the connections to find out nearly everything".

Looking over the technical data sheets and testing the systems in his flying sub, Malachi hears an explosion that destroys his residence and part of the lab, jerking him into reality. He turns on the radar of the flying sub and picks up an identical signal of his flying sub hovering overhead. He drops the technical data sheets and moves over to the command chair and straps in turning on the systems to operate and flies straight up to be parallel with the other craft. Looking into the perspex windows of the other craft and see's a stocky, short italian man with dark hair in the command chair facing him grinning. "Who are you?!?!" demands Malachi. "Death" replies Al Giordino looking into Malachi's face as a shot appears from Malachi's craft. Al, sends his flying craft up and back corkscrewing as the craft reaches its apex.

Malachi, anticipating a shot from Al duplicates the same maneuver hoping to avoid any firing from the other craft. Malachi, approaching less than 100 feet from the ground in his corkscrew movement, turns his craft on a dime facing back up towards the sky and pivots a tighter corkscrew by flipping the craft in a tight rotation that would make any pilot dizzy as he flies back up towards some altitude maintaining a close eye on the radar as Al turns his craft back towards altitude himself. The propulsion systems on both craft allows them maneuverability that can't be done with regular jet aircraft as both of them are pulse engines.

Malachi and Al square off as both achieve altitude at 2,500 feet. Both of them maneuver and try to gain a measure of each other. Malachi, admitting to himself this man is a natural who learns very fast. Meanwhile, both the NUMA Ship, the Anthony Krome and the Oregon are out less than twenty miles from shore and are watching the dogfight in the air on their long range video cameras as Al shoots a pulse laser shot that Malachi barely escapes. Malachi, flips his craft around getting off a pulse laser shot at Al, who dodges it with a dance like move in the air. Malachi thinks "Let's see what this fellow can do below the waters" and streaks down into the water.

Is Anthony Krome related to Tony Krome? :lol: