Captain Symmes.

 

The Seaborn turned into the freezing winds, what rumours and so called facts there were of the heated climate leading on after the ice barrier were nothing but lies. The North pole's temperate world was nothing but a frozen Hell. Shard rain, blizzards and tall monstrous waves swelling like sub-volcanic chambers coursed out as far as Watchman Reynolds could see. Until shock found his voice as the sea drained into an abyss ahead.

“I see the hole!”

Crewman Halley confirmed the sighting to be fact, and ran to the bridge of the Seaborn; though a stolen crabbing vessel, it's service to the crew could not have been matched. “Captain Symmes!”

“What is it Crewman?”

“Word from Crewman Reynolds, sir. The entrance has been spotted!”

“Location?”

“North, sir, of course” Crewman Halley smiled.

“Of course” Captain Symmes replied. “Poe!”

“Yes, sir?”

“Full speed ahead! Do not break throttle for neither man nor beast! For today we write history. We shall sail the abyss! And if we return with failure, then I shall be dammed to another life of mockery!”

The Seaborn rose higher on the peak of the last swell, laying ahead the gushing spiral that bounced the innards doorway. The small crabbing vessel swooped inwards gallantly, the 4 man crew onboard knew with undoubted belief the path that their lives would soon take. To glory said all! The Seaborn buckled on the descending flow, it's hull bending under the oceanic force.

Captain Symmes gazed South at the gaping mouth, through blurred vision or blinded faith alone, he saw land up upon the Earth's inner crust, lush with forests and jungles all catching rays from a centred sun.

“Onwards!” bellowed Symmes. “To Glory we go!”