The Encounter

by Donal Myrick

  “Definitely. Of course, you know that they can’t keep their mouths shut. They will inform the CIA, and then the CIA will be messing with us. I guess that can’t be avoided, and it might even be a good thing.”

  “I hope this doesn’t get in the papers. All we need now is for both the CIA and a bunch of reporters to start poking around.”

  Scott looked around the tent at all the new faces and asked, “Well, what do you guys think? Are you still with us, or are you ready to bail and go home?”

  Geraldo repeated Scott’s questions and previous comments in Spanish to make sure everyone understood. Basically, their response was that they understood and that they were excited to part of the unfolding drama. Geraldo said, “Please don’t leave us out. This is the most exciting and probably the most important thing we have ever been involved with. We are all with you one hundred percent. Just let us know what we can do.”

  Miguel announced that, on his last trip, Carlos had resupplied his pantry, and that he had been cooking all afternoon. He said that it was his pleasure to invite the entire new crew to enjoy some of his Canaima Camp Cuisine and beer and talk over the events of the day.

  Dr. Fred had been trying to get his head around this whole Kuznetsov thing, and he couldn’t come up with any concrete motives for his actions. He sat in the corner of Miguel’s tent and mused to himself, “It is obvious that he doesn’t want us here, and equally obvious that he can’t just run us off. That would create an international incident with lots of publicity. For the same reason, he just can’t kill us off either, which is a relief. But, it looks like his strategy is to make us very uncomfortable, and then see what we do.”

  Scott noticed that Dr. Fred was sitting alone and absorbed in his own thoughts. Scott went over and asked, “Okay, Doc, I can tell that you are thinking of something. Share your thoughts?”

  “I was just mulling over our situation. I suspect that Kuznetsov will be contacting us soon. We need to have our response ready. He is making our situation as untenable as possible without overtly threatening us. So, what does he expect to gain from this move? It should be obvious to him that we can’t just pack-up, turn tail, and run with our team still on the bottom. It should also be obvious to him that with all the new people coming to support us that we intend to continue with our presence here. From his perspective, he doesn’t want us here, but he can’t run us off either. So what is he going to do? He could try to marginalize us somehow, but what he just did works to the opposite effect. It puts our activities front and center. I also don’t think he wants a lot of publicity or to create an international crisis. So, again, I ask, what is he up to, and how do you plan to respond?”

  “What if we just tell him basically what we are doing and what we are going to do, and that is contact the American Embassy, run it up the chain in the Venezuelan Park Service and solicit help from our own government. All of that should get his attention, and if he doesn’t want this situation to be on the front page news, he will realize that he needs to tone it down and not interfere with our operations.”

  “It should, but I doubt that it will. The Russians are way too invested in whatever they are doing here. And again, I speculate that whatever the whatever is, they don’t want our eyes on it.”

  “I believe you are a hundred percent right there. On another topic, I was talking to Geraldo about this very thing. When Max and his crew return to the bottom of the pit, they are going to see the rope in a pile down there. They are probably going to panic until they know we have a plan. So, we need a plan. We can still send stuff to the bottom, but we have no means of communication.”

  At this point, Geraldo and Sam came over to join the conversation. Scott took a few moments to bring them up to speed on what he and Dr. Fred had been discussing. Sam said, “We can write up a detailed description of what has occurred and lower it on the provisions rope.”

  “Yes, we probably need to do that, but the problem is that we don’t know when they are going to get back to the pit. Things will probably change a time or two between now and then. We need the com system.”

  “Well, we have the back-up stashed in the attic.” Sam said, “We can install it fairly quickly.”

  Scott said, “I’m reluctant to do that. If we should lose it, we would really be up a creek.”

  “I’ve got an idea,” offered Geraldo. “Why don’t we put messages in plastic bags, number them, place them in empty water bottles, and just toss them in the creek? I’m sure they would survive the fall without any problems. Max could pick them up, and because they would be numbered, he would know their currency. Also, the Russians would never know that we were in contact with the guys on the bottom.”

  Scott said, “That’s brilliant. How did you come up with that idea?”

  “Army survival training; we are taught to think like that.”

  “That solves one problem. Let’s get some messages on the way. We probably ought to let them know that we will send messages down at particular times so they won’t be standing in the middle of the pit and get clobbered by a water bottle. That would be ugly.”

  Sam was feeling a bit guilty about enjoying one of Miguel’s sumptuous repasts knowing that the bottom team was probably eating canned beans and freeze-dried ham said, “Maybe we should send the provisions rope down with some extra food and tell them to tie the NMI rope on so that we can get our regular communications reestablished.”

  “The food, yes, but the rope, no. It is probably a good idea to keep the Russians in the dark regarding our potential ability to communicate with them. As things unfold, we can make a decision to retrieve or not retrieve the NMI rope. Let’s wait and see which action will benefit us best.”

  Sam agreed, “Good point. Let’s not make any hasty decisions that we might later regret.”

  The remainder of the evening was spent writing out detailed notes, carefully sealing them in locking plastic baggies, then stuffing them into empty plastic water bottles, and carefully doubly sealing the bottles with duct tape. Then, after making sure that there were no unwanted observers watching, tossing the bottles into the Churún River where twenty minutes later, they would be strewn across the rocky bottom of the pit waiting to be found.

  Sure enough, early the next morning, a Venezuelan soldier from the Russian compound arrived at Miguel’s dining tent to deliver a message from Dr. Kuznetsov to Scott. The brief message read, “I would like to apologize for the carelessness of my technicians who are responsible for the loss of your equipment. I propose that we meet later today, and discuss how we can help resolve the situation. If 10:00 am this morning would be convenient, I will meet with you then at the Park Ranger’s compound. Let the messenger know if this is satisfactory.”

  Scott said, “Well, to say no would be rude and counterproductive. So yes, tell him yes. We will be here at 10:00 am.”

  At 10:00 am sharp, Dr. Kuznetsov’s jeep rolled up, and he was met by Miguel. Miguel escorted him and his Lieutenant into the dining tent where Scott, Dr. Fred, Sam, and Geraldo were waiting. After brief and icy introductions were made, they sat down to begin discussions. Kuznetsov began by reiterating his apology and then said, “I think we are once again in a position where we can work together to help each other. We have examined our capabilities for placing some of our scientists on the bottom of the pit, and we feel that it will be highly risky for us to attempt to do so. On the other hand, you already have a party successfully located and functioning on the bottom. We have a need for the collection of a substantial amount of rock and other debris, if any, from the bottom. I propose that if you would agree to collect the required samples, then we would make available our resources to aid you in the rescue of your team.”

  Scott thought for a moment before replying, “I appreciate your offer of help, and I am sure that we can use some help. However, we have not fully evaluated the situation sufficiently to formulate a course of action or to know what kind, if any, help that we might need. Our team down there is, in all likelihood
, unaware of their situation yet. They are pushing the passage as far as they can, and I don’t expect them back to the bottom for at least two more days. We plan to lower a note later today with a provisions package to let them know what has happened. Obviously, they will see our main rope piled up down there and know something has happened, and be looking for some explanation. Until we get that rope back up, communications will be difficult.”

  Kuznetsov asked, “What does that rope have to do with communications?”

  Scott explained, “That rope not only was our primary method for descending the pit, but it was also was our means of communication. It has a set of embedded wires that, when used with our headsets and the transceiver to which it was connected, enabled our two-way communications. On the other end of the rope is a shield with a secondary transceiver, and the shield has been specifically designed to protect the caver during both the descent and ascent of the pit through the waterfall torrent. So you see, that rope is of paramount importance. If it was damaged during the fall, they will probably have to remain on the bottom until we can get a replacement.”

  Kuznetsov asked, rather churlishly, “Why don’t you have a backup?”

  Scott answered, taking the opportunity to display a smidgen of annoyance, “We are a privately funded expedition. That rope is a very expensive item that was specially manufactured for this particular purpose. It is very strong with built-in redundancies, so it is unlikely to fail. We don’t have an open checkbook from our government, so we could only afford one. We didn’t anticipate that someone would just drop it down the pit. We weren’t ready for that one.”

  “I understand, and again, I apologize. However, we do have our large winch system in place above the pit that we can make available to you to resupply your party until the rope can be retrieved. The winch proved satisfactory in lowering cameras to the bottom, although the resulting video and pictures haven’t been of much use to our scientists. We really need a comprehensive set of samples from the bottom. I hope you will give consideration of our offer to help.”

  “I’m sure that we will.” And with that, the meeting came to an end.

  After they left, Scott turned to the group and asked, “What do all of you think about what he just said? Do you think his apology was sincere?”

  Geraldo asked, “Do you think they dropped the rope just to get us to do their sample collecting?”

  “No, there has to be more to their motives than that,” replied Dr. Fred. “Besides, they could have had our complete support in the collection of samples if they hadn’t precipitously terminated our previous agreement and kicked us out of their lab.”

  “I think you are right on that. I also think he was being truthful when he admitted that they couldn’t do their own collecting. Now they are back-tracking to make amends. I also think they are having second thoughts about cutting ties with us because I don’t believe they want us to involve our government in any way. Too late for that; I’m sure the embassy killed that possibility for them.”

  Geraldo pointed out that, “In order to take advantage of this situation, we need to come up with a reason not to be able to retrieve the rope immediately.”

  “You are right. Prepare to prepare another bottle!” commanded Scott jokingly.

  CHAPTER 19

  Gobsmacked

  It was decided that scavenging the four-fifty from the slot and re-rigging the slot with the shorter ropes could wait till the morning. It was also decided that the three ropes that had been used to ascend up to the overhang should also be scavenged since useable lengths of rope were now in short supply. With these three lengths of rope, they would have a backup for the four-fifty. Buford, Spider, and Jim undertook the task of scavenging the ropes, and Max, Ted, and Peggy returned to the crack opening where they decided which was the best if not the only place to rig for rappelling to the bottom of the new abyss where they could hear once again the flow of the Churún River.

  Max said, “As you all know, we are beyond help from the top. Down here, we are totally on our own. Therefore, in the interest of safety and self-preservation, I think we should rig two ropes. It will be better to be safe than sorry. Besides, carrying those extra ropes with us to the bottom won’t do us any good if the four-fifty should fail for any reason. We will rappel on the four-fifty, and if necessary climb the knotted rope if necessary,”

  “I’ve climbed over knots before; it is no big deal,” Ted said. With that said, they set about establishing two separate secure rig points, each with a backup bolt for redundancy. After finishing the rig points, they waited for the others to join them with the ropes.

  Peggy asked, “What, in your wildest dreams, do you expect that we will find down there?”

  Max said, “Based on the airflow, I expect that we will find an incredibly large canyon passage with maybe side passages leading off to other equally incredible areas. But what I’m really hoping for is a lower entrance. What do you think?”

  “Well, first off, I don’t know what to expect, but what I do know is that I wish I had brought Charlie. Even though I couldn’t fly him through that narrow slot there, I could carry him through, and once we are on the bottom, he could be very useful.”

  “I agree. Why don’t you go back to camp and get him? We aren’t accomplishing anything useful here, and it will be a while before they finish scavenging the ropes.”

  “I think I’ll do just that. Ted, you want to go back with me?”

  “Sure, why not. It’s boring, just sitting here.”

  Max said, “I think I’ll just sit here and be bored and wait for everyone to get back.”

  The trek back the mile and a half to base camp was fairly easy and was accomplished in a little less than forty-five minutes. On the way back, they met Jim, Bufford, and Spider with their load of ropes. They explained why they were headed back to camp, and that Max was waiting alone for them.

  Ted said, “We will probably catch up with you about the time you get the ropes rigged.”

  “That will be just in time to draw straws to see who goes down first,” said Spider.

  “No,” Jim remarked, “No need for straws, I’m sure Max will opt to go down first. And you know what? If we all go down and we find some extensive passage, we are not going to want to turn around and come back up here just to get something to eat. Ted, why don’t you and Peggy pack up some extra provisions so we can stay down there for an extra day?”

  Spider thought that that was a good idea, and she volunteered, “I can go back with you all and help with the provisions, that is, if I can get Bufford to carry this rope. Bufford, can you manage this with all the other stuff that you are carrying?”

  “No problem,” he replied.

  While Jim and Bufford made their way back to the crack where Max was waiting, Ted, Peggy, and Spider pushed on back to the base camp.

  “How much food do we have left?” Ted asked with a bit of concern.

  “Probably about three days’ worth if we are careful,” Peggy replied.

  Ted did a little bit of logistics planning in his head before responding, “Let’s take a full days’ ration with us, and maybe a meal or two more. That will give us the rest of today, plus all day tomorrow, and then most of the next day to explore and get back here. From here, it is only a day’s effort to get back to the bottom of the pit where additional provisions should be waiting.”

  “That sounds like a plan. Let’s get to packing.”

  When Jim and Bufford arrived back at the rig point, they found Max in the dark, sound asleep. As Max stirred awake, Jim said, “Well, I see that you have been busy.”

  “I thought getting a bit of shut-eye was the best use of my time. By the way, where is Spider?”

  Bufford replied, “We met them back in the passage, and we discussed some ideas. We were thinking that we might be spending a good bit of time down this hole, and some extra provisions might be a really good idea. Spider went back to base camp with Ted and Peggy to help pack up an extra days’ grub.
”

  “Good thinking. So how much rope do we have?”

  Jim said, “We have the four-fifty, two one-fifty’s, and a two hundred. You said the drop here was about four hundred and twenty, so we should be good for two rigs.”

  “Okay, let’s get to it.”

  Rigging the drop required less than an hour, and while they waited for the others to return, Max donned his rappel gear as he was eager to make the descent. Max said, “When they get back, I’m ready to go.”

  Thirty minutes later, the full team was together again at the top of the freshly rigged drop. The extra provisions were divided up between them to facilitate carrying everything down. Peggy’s drone was packed securely in its carrying case along with two spare batteries, an array of spare parts including extra rotor blades, two memory sticks, the drone controller, and her virtual console visor.

  Max asked, “Peggy, are you sure that you can navigate that case through this crack, or do you think that you might need to send it down piecemeal?”

  “I’m pretty sure that I can just suspend it below me when I rappel. The case will protect everything as I push it down through the crack. Once through the crack, no problem.”

  “Okay, everyone, are we ready?”

  “Affirmative!” was the reply.

  Max rigged into the four-fifty and shouted, “Geronimo!” as he slid through the narrow crack. About fifteen feet down, the crack opened up. Max stopped his rappel and shouted back up to the others, “It opens up into a huge room. I can’t see the end of it. It has to be over five hundred feet long.”

  He then resumed his rappel and was soon on the bottom. He unrigged and signaled the top that he was off rope so the next person could begin their descent. As Max explored around the area where he had just touched down, he made a discovery that shook him to his core. He found himself standing in the middle of what was obviously a path. Not a naturally occurring path, but what appeared to be a manmade path. He suddenly realized that he was not the first person to be in this area, but that obviously many others had preceded him here. He was beside himself with excitement, and he couldn’t wait for the others to get down. He shouted up to the others, “HURRY ON DOWN! You’re not going to believe what I just found!”