Chapter Twenty Three
Rienus Lien was happy to see that everything in his cabin was still as he had left it. After settling in and greeting everyone on the site, he was glad for the opportunity to get back to working on the capacitor. He was happy to see that his Harley trike fired up at the first crank. It was pointless for Aaron to try and stop him from spinning the wheels and riding towards the horizon, with a trail of dust and sand rising behind him. Aaron watched and heard the throaty roar of the engine and followed the bike’s progress over sand-dunes, hills and valleys. He’s got to be the world’s oldest hoon. That guy is just too old to do that stuff; all we need now is to have him fall off his bike and break his neck...it’s not as if we can just go out and get another one of him.
“Shall we pursue him Mister Johns?” Abduls guards were similarly worried.
“No men, he’d only think it a game and do worse. There’s only a little gas left in his tank anyway. Maybe this is just what he needs before he gets his head down and makes us work harder.”
“Mister Johns, pleased to look at the South road. See, it is the convoy of machinery.”
Aaron thought to himself, this is one hell of a project; glad I’m aboard. Seven months from now, this whole place will be transformed. The Algerian government is going to do all the excavation and sealing off that valley I wonder why KR is paying for all of this? Come to think of it, I wonder what KR’s next project is going to be...and do I volunteer for that?”
Abdul sat atop the lead vehicle of the convoy and looked back at the long line of low-loaders and trucks carrying all the excavation equipment. He was no engineer and wished he had spent more of his education in learning all about geology and topography. He noticed a plume of dust on the horizon which told him that a vehicle was approaching; quickly. He looked through his binoculars and let out a laugh, “Ha ha, Professor Lien is back from his voyage; just look at him; like a young camel that has just found is legs and discovered the joy of free movement.” That loud motorcycle and the way he rides, it should bring apprehension to my mind, but the enjoyment in his play instead, brings a little jealousy to my heart. I shall make it my business to protect him.
“Hoy Professor! Shall we meet tonight for shisha and coffee?”
“It’s a date Abdul...but I can’t make any guarantees!”
-oOo-
Edna rewrapped the woven scarf around Aggie. “Here honey, don’t want you getting too cold. How are the new moccasins?”
“Fine thanks aunt. Can’t help but feel strange in these situations. We knew he would pass, we were prepared for it, and when it happened, we still hurt inside. I ask myself, surely I’m mature enough to not show so much sorrow and grief, yet I just can’t help it. I know there was nothing more I could have done for that beautiful man, and he himself said as much; still my mind seeks to find something I may have missed, something more I could have done for him.”
“You know the answer to that Aggie. We are human and all humans are related as we are to all creatures on the earth. When one of us depart our family, we also lose a part of us. This is life, this is nature; it’s beautiful and its brutal, and sweetheart I worry that you have lost far too many of our family. Our ancestors grow in greater number. How does Dwarg relate to these experiences sweetheart?”
“Oh he cares. He’s absorbed so much of our emotional make-up that I feel he actually experiences things beyond his analytical thinking. During the funeral for Megan’s father, I noticed that Dwarg did not recede far away from my sorrow. He keeps trying to calm me, but only by so much; I think he realizes what sorrow, grief and loss means and how a human needs to express it. I know he liked Chief Atian and carries a lot of his memories. You know Aunt, I actually think he also mourns the loss of our spiritual leader and friend...and Aunt Edna, Dwargs says he feels your grief also.”
“Er, thank you Dwarg.”
Aggie and Edna were two of twenty other women, gathered in a circle surrounding a funeral pyre which supported the body of Chief Atian. Modern times had seen the end of traditional first nation funeral ceremonies in this district; yet the passing of this great leader called for nothing less than a warrior’s ceremonial celebration; and the authorities saw no reason to forbid it. Most women were dressed in plain white calico dresses with strips of black saw-toothed velvet material attached and hanging down in random places. They wore hair bands of strings of shells; some held little flags of the Abenaki Nation. They were all waiting for the sun to set.
The Chief’s body had been wrapped and bound in cane, saplings, leaves and string. It was then placed into a small wooden cage which was also wrapped in bark and string. On top of this, there were various artefacts such as loose feathers, shells and stones. His chieftain headdress was pinned to the side of the cage alongside a large photograph of himself in full regalia. Looking at all the charms and trinkets on the pyre, Edna was not at all surprised to see her necklace there; the one she wore and lost back there in Cottonwood during her trance.
Adam Bover moved through the circle of women and began a slow chant...the death chant. Edna began a gentle stepping up and down on the spot and the women followed, marking time to the chant. The women then began a soft chant of their own in time with their steps. Adam raised his arms and invited the spirits to come to the celebration and take this mighty chief into their midst. Aggie noticed that he was bleeding from his hands and arms and the blood ran down onto his shoulders. Adam is to be the new chief; I don’t know that he had to go and bloody himself like this; he will be a good chief and being a lawyer, he will be able to further the recognition and upkeep of our tribal culture and traditions. Adam then began to extol the achievements of Atian, of his leadership through hard times, his fight with the US Government to find recognition of the Abenaki as a legitimate tribe, his devotion to maintaining the culture, pride and beauty of his people, his sponsorship of the young people to learn the ways of the ancient ones yet achieving scholastic merit in the modern world. He called out the individual messages from tribal leaders of the Lakota, the Pawnee, the Cree and Shoshone and other nations, messages from the White House, the US Senate, a number of State Governors. “This is a mighty chief O spirits; his fame is great; receive him with thanks; let our mother hold him to her bosom while we suffer with his absence from this place.”
As the last traces of the sun left the horizon a long line of men approached and walked through the circle of chanting women. The men were chanting individually, some were whooping, squealing and whistling and each carried a flaming torch, held aloft. The first five warriors began the ritual of the burning by applying the flames to the beneath the pyre. A steady procession passed and each man placed or threw their torch on the pile which fast became a huge fire and lit up the evening night. The whooping, wailing and noise increased as the fire raged and the mourners danced and stomped their feet; all utterly involved in fervent homage to a departed loved one.
Edna spied Jade amongst the dancers; he seemed to be in a world of his own as he pranced and stamped around the fire. That boy really loved Atian; it was he who put Jade on the path of self-discovery and success; oh dear we really have lost a great person and we owe him so much.
As the first of the embers fell to ground, some women rushed forward to put their palms on the ashes which they wiped onto their faces and mixed it with their flowing tears. Although most had never participated in such a traditional rite, it seemed quite natural for them to do these things without guidance.
The ceremony lasted for hours and in the early morning, the ground was littered with the sleeping bodies of the exhausted mourners. Aggie woke up to the noise of a beating drum far away; it was a slow soft beat. She looked at Edna who was still snoring mildly and smiled as she saw her aunt’s dishevelled hair, dirty face and dress which seemed to be coming apart at the seams. How are you Dwarg?
“Your revelations as to my understanding of the emotion of grief and mourning are most accurate. Whisps have n
o experience of such loss as we do not die. To be Human and to know of one’s inevitable death; this must be a disturbing emotion. Knowledge of death is the price that a Human must pay for being a Human.”
“Ah Dwarg, you are not the first to have said that...I have heard it before...can’t remember who said it.”
“It must have been an exceptional Human.”
“Oh Aggie, just look at your face; looks like you’ve been playing in a sandbox filled with coal.” Edna looked around her as other people were waking up. “End of Mourning?”
“End of Mourning Aunt. Adam told me that some of Chief Atian’s ashes are to be taken to Lake Champlain. Apparently he wanted some of his ashes to be scattered on the lake, at the exact point of where the borders of the USA, Canada, Vermont and New York cross; don’t know exactly why, he wasn’t born there was he?”
“No he was born in Burlington, but I think by spreading his ashes like that, he is still carrying out his silent protest with our benevolent government. Truly a warrior, even in death.”
“Hmm, and Adam mentioned something about the Chief’s last words?”
“Er, it’s a strange story that I’ve yet to piece together; when I do, we’ll sit down and have a laugh about it all. Anyway, you have so much on your shoulders now with Algeria and Alex being away...and an extra Rienus Lien roaming the countryside.”
“Ooh don’t remind me Aunt. Ernie should be with him right now. I’ve asked him to stretch it out at bit; I’d like to have both Rienus’s as far apart as possible; for the moment anyway. Ah here comes breakfast.”
“You know young lady, the RV is only just down the laneway and the refrigerator is stocked full. Do you really want to eat dry flour biscuits with syrup? Nobody would mind our wealthy princess living it up a bit. You’ve been more than generous to all the people here; they shouldn’t mind.”
“I feel it’s only proper to leave here without anyone thinking I’m pretentious. This is still my family and I’m humbled by being accepted without the need for showmanship. Come on aunt, these biscuits aren’t too bad; you just have to chew them a few times more before you swallow. Tell you what though; I wouldn’t mind sneaking back to the RV to have a nice hot shower right now. Look over there, it’s Jade; and he looks like one of those cartoon characters who’s been through an explosion. Hoy Jade!”
“Hi guys, wow just look at you two; I reckon a beauty parlour wouldn’t let you near their doorstep. A fire hose is what you need now...come to think of it,” he sniffed under his arm, “I could use a quart of Midnight in Paris right now.”
“How’s Phoebe?”
“Improving. I hated leaving her back in Lebanon; but she absolutely insisted I come; nothing I could say would change her mind. We spoke on the phone last night and she said that her appetite was improving; I’ll be home this evening anyway. Aw come-on you guys, those looks are questions aren’t they? I honestly don’t know...really...yet.”
“Jade, had I been a true and dedicated Shaman, I may well see messages and signs in the timing of these spiritual events.”
“Hmm, I’ve not missed the co-incidences aunt. Now, would you have room for a dirty, smelly and thoroughly worn-out refugee and take him back across the border?”
“Lucky for you we’ve got a shower in the RV; well lucky for us I suppose. Try these biscuits Jade?”
“Er no thanks, I’d rather hope that we could pull into that diner a few miles south of here; I’ve heard they make pancakes better than Heaven’s Kitchen.”
“Damn good idea” said Edna, placing her uneaten dry biscuit back on the communal tray...as did Aggie. “Oh, I just need to pick up some stuff from Adam, won’t be long.”
-oOo-
Ernie Tonges and Rienus Lien sat on the balcony overlooking the Brisbane River. “Those boats are called City Cats and are always crisscrossing and going up and down the river. I’ve been watching them for a while; seems there are more tourists using them than the locals, but on days like today, who could not enjoy a day on the water; I just love the sunshine here.” Rienus didn’t fail to notice that something was troubling Ernie.
“What’s up Ernie? Seems you’ve had something on your mind since you arrived. Is there some bad news? Is everything OK with Aggie? Should I be worried? Don’t tell me I failed your GSR testing...I’ve told you everything that happened to me..honestly.”
“Whoa Rienus, everything’s right with the boss and KR, and you didn’t tell me any fibs. No, I guess I’m a bit jet lagged and not exactly the life of the party. What’s that you’re holding, an Aboriginal artefact?
“Yes it is. It was given to me by Mizzy, the woman who found me wandering around in the bush. It’s a piece of wood with writing that’s been burnt into it...see, it reads Maroochy. What is interesting Ernie, is that it is very old; and I’ve no idea of why Mizzy insisted I have it and take it with me. She looked after me and took me back to civilization, well to a small town not all that far from here; it’s called Murgon. She gave me some other things including this little hand-sewn basket. And in that basket was more stuff; trinkets, a few quartz pebbles, some red beads...no clue of just what it means. She said to take it, and that everything would find its place. Don’t know exactly what she meant, but the least I could do was to accept it.”
“Seems only right to go back there Rienus, before we leave Brisbane. Perhaps we can do something for her; I don’t know, maybe some chocolates, gift vouchers, scarves and stuff, money if you think it appropriate.”
“Yes, I would really like to do that; it’s a nice drive and the police in Murgon should know where Mizzy lives; yes, that would be good; thanks Ernie...first thing in the morning? Maybe by then your jet-lag will have eased somewhat.”
“Tell you what Rienus, this is something I could get used to...just sitting out here, watching the world go by. Did you notice that people here drive on the other side of the road? See that round-about over there? The cars are going around it clockwise. I’ll have to keep my wits about me tomorrow when I have a go at driving in that traffic. I see in this hotel folder that there’s a map of South East Queensland. Ah, here’s Murgon...it’s not a long drive from here...we just follow the Burnett Highway all the way to...to Goomeri, and turn left onto the Bunya Highway until we reach Murgon. Goomeri, Goomeri? Rings a bell with me somehow.”
“No idea Ernie. Care for some more Sauvignon Blanc? This stuff’s from New Zealand...not at all a bad drop. By the way young man, any result from my swab test yet? I’d hate to retire to my bed knowing I’m not the person I think I am...don’t panic man, I know all about your protocols; I helped you write them, remember?”
Later that night, Ernie was still sitting on the balcony enjoying the ambiance of the city of Brisbane at night. He loved the light breeze which also brought a wafted scent of a pizza parlour nearby. Although he had thoroughly devoured the large hamburger special from the room service menu, he now wished he had instead found his way to that pizza place and order a Meat Supremo with anchovies. I wonder if there’s a pizza place in Murgon.
He looked back to the last few weeks of crazy and puzzling situations with KR. The disappearance of Rienus Lien then Ken Kain and their subsequent appearances were baffling enough. To now have a second alleged Professor Lien beggared belief. He had to put his full trust with his boss. She was the most amazing person he had come across. Still so young, so intelligent and charming. Now she had a man of her own; and damn it all, yes I am jealous of Alex. But then again he seems to be the perfect partner for her. Just to see them together makes my heart melt. Oh well, better make my report to the boss. He picked up his phone and texted a short note; all it said was...”confirmed”. He had another sip of the Oyster Bay wine. I can only do so much and I can only hope that Miss Aggie Kellor will, at some point, tell me everything.
It was early morning, the traffic flow was smooth and Ernie turned onto the Northern Expressway. Rienus turned to him and asked, “So Aaron is still going ahead wit
h the pulsing platform at Reggane?”
“I believe so Rienus. Miss Kellor wanted everything to proceed as normal; seems she had no qualms about your return to the site.”
“And the sculpturing?”
“Er, as far as I know, that’s in hand.”
“Wow, I wish I could see the start of that. I bet Abdul is carrying on like a kid with new playthings; all those machines; all those big boys’ toys.”
“Er, the truth is Rienus, I’m not privy to what you call sculpturing...even Abdul wouldn’t tell me about it.”
“Can’t see why not, old boy. Did you see the valley to the North of the site? The mountains which ring it? Well Aggie thought that it would make a nice lake. There are areas which require building up; some dams need to be put in place, but all-in-all, if that valley was filled with water, it would be an enormous environmental asset to the country, indeed the desert. Add to this, a number of canals, rivers and smaller lakes and cheap power from the geothermal generator, it would mean a dramatic improvement to a quarter of the continent of Africa.”
“I see...but the water?”
“Hmm..a detailed answer to that would require many hours of explanation. In essence, Aggie plans to harvest the clouds. Yes, I imagine I had the same look on my face when she told me. It involves sending certain frequencies and electromagnetic radiation into the clouds to attract and achieve dissipation; almost too easy to be believable, don’t you think?”
“Fair enough. To be honest, there have been so many strange things happening of late, that I feel I’m just here for the ride. In a way I’m rather glad that I’m a little naive about science and progress. You know, there are actually kids out there who would not believe that I’m older than the internet and that once, we didn’t have TV, just radio?”
“Ha, I can better that one Ernie...my father drove a horse and cart... and when I was a teenager, Elvis was a little boy.”
“You win Professor. Ah... Here we are, Welcome to Murgon.”
-oOo-
“Ah yes Mizzy Ooloo. She’s one of those characters that come into town now and again; originally hails from Cherbourg, a few clicks from here. I think you’ll find her somewhere around Goomeri; that’s her stomping ground now, so to speak. It’s good that you’ve come back to see her; she really went out of her way to see you safe, Mister Lien; other people would have just left you in your delirium.”
“I agree sergeant, and yes, it’s only right that I come and thank her personally; God knows what would have happened to me if she didn’t get me to safety; I was in a real mess.”
“Bloody oath you were. I didn’t know what to think when she brought you here. You looked like the wild man from Borneo. Trying to get any sense out of you was hard enough. At least the drug test proved negative. The nurse at community mental health lost no time in transferring you to Brisbane. Anyway you certainly look a lot better now; good to see everything is working out for you. Ah, just for the record, I would like to close the report on this little event. My last entry here was releasing you from Murgon Hospital for special needs care; I take it that your story will be that you were temporarily disorientated and lost?” Rienus nodded. “You are both American citizens? have you recovered Mister Lien’s passport? do you have some means of formal identification?”
Ernie reached into his briefcase and placed both his and Rienus’s passports onto the counter. “Right here Sergeant; and before you delve too deeply into this man’s history, you must know that diplomatic immunity is applied and the Australian Official Secrets Act 2001 also comes into force... should you require formal statements from us.”
“Hey, I’m only a country cop; no need to come the raw prawn with me. I’m not particularly interested in indemnities and legalese jibber jabber bullshit. Just give me the fair dinkum story so I can log off on it...OK?”
“Fair enough Sergeant” said Ernie, “Off the record, this is Professor Rienus Lien; he is a physicist working on an international project, far from this place. Simply put, he has suffered a breakdown and somehow ended up in your town. We’re still investigating the circumstances; and to be quite honest with you, we haven’t a clue how he managed to cross this continent in the condition he was in. He’s been examined by doctors at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and given a full medical clearance; you may care to verify this. We both work for the same company and I’ve been sent here to bring him back to the USA for convalescing. God’s truth, the reason we’ve come here is to thank Mizzy for her rescuing the Professor.”
“Ah yes, Mister Tonges, your passport seems to be in order. But Mister Lien, I can’t see an Australian entry permit or an endorsement stamp in your passport...hmm last entry was for...Honolulu. Before that, Algeria...not all that long ago either. I recall you said something about the Sahara in your rantings. May be just as well that our Missing Person Database doesn’t extend beyond this country...should I ask more?”
Ernie looked around and whispered, “Er, Pine Gap sergeant”
“Bloody hell, I hate this cloak and dagger stuff; don’t want all those bureaucrats, pollies and AFP taking over my station. Look, just piss-off and I’ll put it down to post alcoholic induced behaviour. No further action deemed necessary...OK? By the by, Mizzy is regarded as a VIP around here; and I mean by all and sundry. Don’t think because of her lifestyle that she’s in need of charity. She’s probably got more dosh than all of us combined; and then some. Do not embarrass her with cash. Fair dinkum and meaningful offerings would be correct; oh and she loves the colour red. The pub in Goomeri serves a great steak; have a good day.”
“And you too sir, and again thank you for your co-operation.”
He watched the two Americans leave the station and get into a car. A couple of years ago I would’ve put both of them in the piss-can until I found out what the flip-flam was going on; frigging CIA freaks playing in my backyard; bugger it all, I won’t burn the damper; I’m too old for that shit. Please... Yankee go home. He scribbled Closed, N.F.A. on the bottom of his report, opened the second drawer of his filing cabinet and stacked the folder nowhere in particular...amongst the many others. Do I warn Stubbs in Goomeri?..nah– no, bugger him.
“Honolulu? Official Secrets? Immunities? Pine Gap? What was all that about Ernie?”
“Sometimes bullshit baffles brains Rienus. Anyway if it got to that, I’m sure Mrs Kellor would’ve been able to pull some diplomatic strings for us. That policeman back there is no fool and we’re very lucky he decided not to press the issue. Still, I’ll keep looking over my shoulder...just in case.”
“But I’ve never been to Hawaii Ernie. Is this one of your clever little cover-ups? One of your little intrigues? Oh never mind; maybe that officer’s suggestion as to a good steak is worthy of consideration. Just look at this countryside, it’s beautiful, those rolling plains, the greenery, all those orchids, the cattle; this sure is a big country. We may have to spend the night in the area, what do you think? it’s getting on a bit.”
Ernie was pleased that Rienus did not press the point about his passport. “Welcome to Goomeri; population 521. There should be a hotel or motel around; yep there’s a sign; Joe’s Grand Hotel; Fine Food; Accommodation... and it’s right in the middle of Goomeri; let’s check it out.”
-oOo-
“You know” said Ernie, “that would have to be one the best meals I’ve ever eaten...and I’ve been to a few Michelin three star eateries in my day...congratulations to you and your chef sir; I thoroughly enjoyed the experience...as has my friend here.”
“Thank you sir, I’ll pass on your comments to the cook. Would you care for some samples of our wines? We have a vineyard nearby and you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality from our last vintage.”
“Wonderful. If we may, we’d like to book overnight accommodation here...two rooms and reserve a table for dinner?”
Ernie paid at the reception counter and asked the very friendly, bright red-headed lady behind the counter, if sh
e might know the whereabouts of Mizzy Ooloo. “She normally lives just out of town, down Goomeribong Road; it leads into the State forest. She comes here now and again to buy supplies with other women. Nice soul, never any trouble, but I’ve heard she went off on a trip somewhere just recently.”
He explained that they were here to personally thank her for all she did for Rienus. “Do you know if any of her family or friends may be around? Seems a shame that we’ll miss her after all this effort.”
“Around 10 am, some of her friends normally stroll in to the supermarket; you may try to ask one of them about her.”
Ernie and Rienus took a leisurely walk through the town. “Not much happening here Ernie, although I see the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll Festival is only a few weeks away; poster says the town will swell to 12,000.
Wow, it’s classed as an international event as well; we could always come back later and roll a couple of pumpkins down the hill for a prize.”
“For a small town it sure has a lot of antique stores; look at the size of that one The Goomeri Emporium; let’s have a browse.”
Dinner again, was superb and both men relished the experience. The wine was outstanding and Ernie was delighted with the quality and quantity of the mixed grill which he had only just managed to get through. “How was your Bangers and Mash, Rienus?”
“A serendipitous and yummy meal, old boy. Will you be speaking with Aggie later? Tell her I’m fine, although my belt is stretching from all this gluttony.”
“Ha ha, you and me both Rienus. Yes, I need to give her a progress report; that’s what I get paid for. I’ll see if she has been able to clear the way with the Australians to allow your exit from the country. Damn paperwork..as you well know.”
“Yes, the sooner I get back to the diffuse lamellar keratitis the better.”
“What’s that? Another one of your amazing machines?”
Rienus laughed; he was teasing Ernie. “Sorry for being a smart-ass Ernie; that was a clue in a cryptic crossword puzzle that had me completely stumped. Diffuse lamellar keratitis is an eye complaint commonly known as Sands of the Sahara. Sorry, it must be this lovely wine; think I may have another glass...er miss.”
Ernie sat on his bed and redialled. Finally he heard the words, “Hullo, Edna Kellor here.”
“Yes Mrs Kellor, Ernie here.”
Edna explained that she had just got home to Putney. She told him of the death of Chief Atian and of the funeral in Canada. Ernie was not too happy about the obvious breach and laxity by his security staff in allowing Edna and Aggie to leave the country unescorted. Those over-paid bozos didn’t report this to me. Then Edna told him about her trip to Minnesota and about her purchase. He made a mental note to kick-ass his team when he returned. “Aggie’s resting at the moment Ernie. She did get your message about the confirmation; as far as I know she hasn’t put forward any plans for Rienus, so delay as long as you can. Tell him there’s some problem with Homeland Security; that’s normally par for the course. Anyway, didn’t Aggie tell you to have a short vacation there?”
“Well we’ve been motoring through the rural area around Brisbane. At the moment we’re staying in an old fashioned hotel; circa 1911 fully restored art deco. The food is great and it’s good to see that Rienus is his old self again...God, I’ve just realised what I’ve said. Anyway we came here to thank a local Aboriginal woman named Mizzy who was the one who rescued our man. But it seems she’s left Goomeri for some reason or another so tomorrow we’ll try to find if she has family here.” “Ma’am...Mrs Kellor?..are you there?” Edna could not say a word; she tried, but nothing would came out.
Finally...“Ernie, you did say Goomeri didn’t you?”
“Yes ma’am, it’s a little place just down the road from the township of Murgon; the place where Rienus was found.”
“Give me an hour or so, I’ll get back to you Ernie, bye.” Damn you, pointing bone; you sure have your strange ways of getting my attention. Edna sat down and began writing a list; a list of things that she wanted Ernie to investigate. I could go on and on with these questions, don’t know if Ernie can handle it. Maybe I should take a trip Down-Under myself; maybe I can help Aggie sort out the problem with Rienus in Goomeri. Seems Goomeri is the epicentre of everything. Gees I hate travelling alone, but at least I may be able to meet up with Ernie and Rienus there.
The Goomeri Pointing Bone : Sequel to Dwarg in the Seventh Dimension Page 23