by R. B. Shaw
Tiana smiled for the first time since the altercation. ‘Kless is due back late tomorrow, so I could stay the night and tell you all I know.’
Fang put his arm around her. ‘Dave, let’s work out a plan to get Lani away from Kless. We’ve handled trickier jobs before.’
‘We’ll discuss it later. Our first priority while Tiana’s here is to find out all she knows about Kless’s gold search so we can compare it with the map and Seiji’s diary research.’
Jake disturbed them as he powered the Zodiac on to the beach. Seiji sat alongside. He clutched the photocopies, clearly excited. Ted and Joe jumped out and secured the small inflatable. They all settled around the campfire discussing Tiana’s revelations and Seiji’s interpretations of the diary.
Dave was quick to question Ted. ‘I know your memories are vague, but when the Sangami put you over the pit, did any of the gold go with you?’
‘I don’t think so. I didn’t see any after we were captured on the beach near here.’
‘Were there any large boxes or bundles placed alongside the men tied on the grid?’
‘I only remember some small bundles next to each of the natives.’
‘Okay, I think it’s safe to assume the gold’s not at the bottom of the Sangami pit. It must be somewhere between here and the pit, if it hasn’t already been found.’
Seiji held up the sheaf of paper. ‘It’s clear from the diary that my father’s men carried the majority of gold dust away from Kulili Beach when they were attacked by warriors.’
‘So where’d they go?’
‘They were separated into small groups during the attack of the Sangami. Harada’s father, with some Japanese marines and Aussie prisoners, were taken captive. They all must have gone over the sacred pit of the Fire Cult. Only Harada’s father and Ted survived the ordeal.’
Fang made it clear where his interests lay. ‘So what happened to the gold?’
Seiji rummaged through his rough notes. ‘Harada’s diary reveals that another armed group, probably with the gold, withdrew into the jungle and up the slopes of the volcano.’ Seiji paused with emotion and deep in thought. ‘This had to be my father’s group. Harada relates that the sound of gunfire could be heard for many hours after, indicating that they were still repelling the warrior’s attacks.’
Jan interrupted. ‘Did they take refuge in a cave?’
‘Yes, but wait.’ Seiji looked up from his notes. ‘Ted and Harada’s father survived the pit and the cult were obliged by tradition to release them. Ted was badly injured and tended by friendly villagers.’
Ted suddenly cut in. ‘That’s right, I remember. They did what they could for my mangled leg and I was later repatriated by the Australian Occupation Force.’
Seiji continued. ‘Harada’s father made his way directly to the coast. He stole a canoe and paddled around to the Japanese garrison at Kurum and survived the war.’
‘Your father’s group and the gold,’ Jan cut in. ‘You said there was a cave?’
‘Harada’s father states in his diary, that on his way down to the coast from the pit, he sneaked past a raging battle between the Sangami warriors and a group holed up in a cave. He could only assume it was the surviving troops from the wrecked barge.’
Jan contemplated the enigma. ‘Great lead, but did they win the battle and escape with the gold?’
‘My father and the gold never returned to Japan,’ Seiji responded simply.
Dave picked up the photocopied map. ‘We’ve got to search any caves that aren’t crossed off Kless’s map.’
Jan glanced at the scores of caves on the map. ‘No time to search them all before he returns, and access is a problem with his armed patrols.’
Fang schemed ahead. ‘When’s the Egg gonna be ready, Dave.’
‘Maybe late tomorrow, more likely the day after.’
For a change, Fang’s thoughts were not on gold. ‘With no access to Rimbula, we’ve only two options to rescue Lani. Raid the place from the sea, or better still, in and out in the chopper.
Better pressure ‘em in Madang—we’re gonna need the Angry Egg.’
Ted wanted revenge. ‘This is all very risky. We need guns.’
‘I’ve got a pistol,’ Dave responded.
‘You said these bastards are well armed. We need real protection.’ Ted demanded angrily. ‘Can’t ya organise somethin’ heavier than that?’
Jan looked directly at Fang. She remembered his gun-running, the Invader often full of boxed munitions. ‘You still got connections in Madang, Fang?’
‘Yeah. My West Irian contact’s there. I’ll call him now and organise some automatic weapons,’ Fang strode off and Tiana followed him to the radio tent.
Joe had remained withdrawn since their return from the volcano; now he rejoined the conversation. ‘If you want to get near the region riddled with caves, there’s an old mining trail above Rimbula Plantation. With volcanic activity and the sulphur deposits uneconomical, the access road never got completed. There’s a labyrinth of caves up there. Many are Tambu, sacred with sinister legends. There’s a cave of the Elders, the cave of fire, cave of the evil eye and the cave of the crocodile. You’ll be busy.’
Fang and Tiana returned and heard Joe’s advice. ‘Dave, I’m flying over to Madang to get the guns tomorrow, why not take the Thunderbox up that trail and have a look?’
‘Yeah, I’ll do that.’
‘You mightn’t get far,’ Joe advised. ‘The road’s never been maintained, so it’s washed away and overgrown.’
‘A few tricks and my Thunderbox’ll get ya through,’ Fang boasted. ‘She’s no ordinary Landcruiser, more like a bionic buggy on steroids.’
Dave studied the map again. ‘If only I can just get ‘round Rimbula, it’s a start. I can set up a campsite, then check any caves from there.’
‘How about I go with Fang in the Invader?’ Jan suggested. ‘We could overfly the caves on return and I’ll take some video. We can review the tape later to find other possible tracks around Kless’s estate. Better than nothing until we get the chopper back.’
‘Good idea,’ said Fang. ‘I’ll be takin’ it easy—the Invader’s still runnin’ on temporary repairs since I was shot up in West Irian. Dave, take Joe with ya. He knows the terrain up there.’
Dave turned to the stocky volcanologist. ‘Joe, you gonna come along?’
‘No worries,’ he replied, knowing the stakes were high. ‘If you make it worthwhile.’
Jan turned to Fang. ‘What’s the deal in Madang?’
Fang lit a small cigar, Tiana still by his side. ‘I’ve arranged for four Uzi machine guns and ammunition to be delivered to Madang airport. On arrival, we simply leave the bomb bay doors hangin’ open. We’ll go for a walk an’ check on the progress on the chopper. When we return, we close the doors and fly back.’
Jan nodded vaguely. ‘What happens while we’re away?’
‘My contact is familiar with a secret compartment in the bomb bay,’ Fang explained confidently. ‘The guns’ll be safely stowed inside ready for our return flight.’
‘Did you know Collins is in Madang?’ Dave warned.
‘No!’
‘Yeah. He must have covered his arse somehow. I called earlier. He’s grounded the Angry Egg, even though they’ve nearly finished fixing it.’
43
Late in the evening, everyone settled into tents on the beach. Joe and Ted decided to sleep out in the open on spread sleeping bags. Fang and Tiana planned to renew their relationship aboard the Lahara. The rubber dinghy quickly disappeared in the gloom carrying them out to sea.
Dave felt unsettled deep in thought, trying to fathom the significance of certain diary passages already translated by Seiji. He tossed and turned in frustrated anger.
A loud disturbance down the beach disrupted the quiet tropical night. Dave and Jan heard shouts and the sound of fighting.
‘What the hell’s goin’ on?’ Dave shouted, as he slipped on his shorts and ran out of the tent
.
Jake was awake and ran to where Joe and Ted struggled with two intruders. Dave could not find his pistol, so grabbed a speargun and armed it. Even in the dim light he could see two natives smeared with charcoal and grease. Both advanced, armed with spears. Dave immediately jumped the larger one as he tried to stab Joe. He was a fine physical specimen and very powerful but Dave threw him to the ground. The other native panicked and ran off.
The big warrior quickly regained his footing and charged. His teeth flashed in the night. The attack faltered when he saw the harpoon tip of the speargun pointed at his stomach. Uncontained rage blazed in his eyes as he threatened Dave with a Wuvulu Island battle-axe carved from brown ebony. The vicious weapon tapered from the grip to a broad flat blade. It resembled a cane cutter’s machete. Instead of a blade, both edges were studded with razor sharp shark’s teeth.
Dave thrust the barbed point near the warrior’s chest. ‘Piss off arsehole! Go back to Kless and tell him next time we’ll be ready. I’ll blow anyone’s brains out that bothers us again.’
The proud but wary figure stepped back, less aggressive. ‘Leave our land, white man. There is nothing here for you—we have no gold. If you violate the sacred ground of the Sangami again, then you will die by fire. You have been warned.’ The athletic warrior suddenly turned and disappeared silently into the night.
‘Everyone okay?’ Dave called out to the others.
‘Joe’s got a cut on the arm,’ Jan replied. ‘I’ll get some antiseptic and a bandage.’
Ted warily scanned the nearby jungle for a possible follow up attack. ‘It’s gettin’ too dangerous here. What about we move out to the boat?’
Dave considered, then shook his head. ‘That’s probably what they want. They know we can’t move all our equipment with us. They could come back and destroy everything. I’ll get Fang and Tiana to come ashore and we’ll rotate lookouts till dawn.’
Fang arrived, tethered the dinghy and ushered Tiana up the beach. ‘What happened to the native sentry we had?’
‘They probably scared him off. We can’t find any trace of him.’ Dave’s tone conveyed his uncertainty.
Jake and Seiji completed the first watch over the camp and the Lahara then bedded down. Three hours later, during Ted and Joe’s watch, Dave’s restless sleep was again disturbed, this time by Ted. ‘Dave, Joe’s not well, so I’ve told him to bed down and have a rest. Probably a bit of delayed shock from what happened earlier.’
Dave checked the time. ‘Thanks, Ted, your watch is nearly done. Hit the sack, too. Jan and I’ll take over early. Have a good sleep.’
At dawn, it only seemed like a few minutes sleep after their vigil when Fang broke urgently into the tent. ‘Dave, get out here quick!’
‘What’s up now?’ Dave grumbled angrily.
‘I dunno. Somethin’s wrong with Joe!’
Dave and Jan quickly dressed and joined the group that stood around Joe’s prone figure. Tiana knelt down, feeling for a pulse, while Ted stood alongside, silent and morose.
Fang carefully checked the volcanologist over. Joe’s eyes looked glassy but wide with terror. His mouth hung open, evidence of foam and spittle on his cheek and shoulder. ‘He’s stone cold dead. Has been for hours.’
Dave crouched for a closer look. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Christ knows. ‘Cept for the scratch, there ain’t a mark on ‘im!’
‘Radio the Police, Fang. Ask them what they want us to do. Something’s odd about this.’ Dave crouched down beside Joe’s body and closely scrutinised his swollen nose and particularly his nostrils. Rigor mortis had begun, a look of terror frozen into his pallid features. Though he looked to have been poisoned, Dave remembered what Joe told him about the Sangami sorcerer and flying fox wing bones.
‘Do you wanna mention what happened last night?’
‘No, not yet, tell them as little as possible.’
As Fang radioed the police, Tiana joined him and snuggled into his embrace. Dave felt uneasy. The only night Tiana stayed in camp and someone dies. He wondered about Kless and his influence over the Thai girl.
‘They can’t come out.’ Fang disturbed Dave’s thoughts. ‘They said to take the body to Kaviak Hospital.’
‘Right. It’s sun up. What are we gonna do today?’ Dave queried. ‘Stick to our plans or wait till we settle Joe’s death?’
‘Time’s critical,’ Fang responded without hesitation. ‘We need the guns, and the air and ground search is urgent. Let’s do it.’
Tiana interrupted their plans. ‘Chris, I must get back, Kless is due to return today. Let me know as soon as you’re ready to rescue Lani. Please, don’t leave it too long.’ She kissed Fang on the cheek, bid everyone farewell and walked up the beach toward Rimbula Plantation.
After she left, Ted turned to Fang. ‘Was she with you all night?’
‘Yeah, why?’ Fang retorted defensively.
Jan joined in. ‘Does seem odd. Joe died the only night she stayed with us. Maybe just a coincidence, but we’d still better be careful with her.’
Fang ignored the inference and stormed off to his tent, shaking his head and muttering oaths. He returned with his keys and handed them to Dave.
Dave broke up the confrontation. ‘Fang, I’m taking Joe’s body in to Kaviak in the Thunderbox. I don’t want to leave the Lahara anchored here unprotected. We don’t need it for a while so use it to get to the airstrip. Leave it tied up at the wharf where there’s more security. You sure about the Invader?’
‘Should hold together.’
‘Right. After that, I’ll take the Thunderbox up the mining trail. I’ll take Seiji, the diary and the map. Jake and Ted can stay and watch the camp.’ Dave wrapped Joe’s body in a canvas sheet and tried to fathom the enigma. Joe’s death might be a result of the Harada incident on the volcano, flying fox wing bones or the curse of the sorcerer. There were so many possibilities and all seemed too unlikely.
44
Bruno Kless powered his Skymaster off Madang airstrip. He turned and selected cruise power and crossed the harbour heading for Karkar Island, already visible on the horizon.
The smuggled haul from the Taiwanese freighter was now safely stowed in secret compartments of the Skymaster’s airframe. Later, he would transfer some private stock into his boat. The rest he would leave hidden on board for distribution in Port Moresby and points beyond. He felt relieved and smiled greedily. The street value would be over 200 times his outlay. Suddenly his smug daydream evaporated, disturbed by a familiar woman’s voice crackling over the radio to Madang tower.
He recognised Jan Harper’s voice. Suspicion tormented him and he picked up the microphone. ‘Madang tower, Bravo Echo Kilo. I’ve received a company request to overfly and spot schools of mackerel near Kulili. Cancel my landing for Kaviak and request clearance for spotting ops north east region of Karkar.’
‘Bravo Echo Kilo, clear to proceed. Only other traffic your area is veteran Invader twin on low level research flight north east foothills.’
‘Bravo Echo Kilo, thanks Madang,’ Kless responded, then swore loudly and punched the instrument combing. He thought about Stark and his plans. ‘Bastards,’ he shouted, opened a secret panel in the cabin upholstery and pulled out his small Uzi. He placed it on the seat alongside him.
Jan had parked the Invader in a quiet spot to avoid another confrontation with Collins. The bank official had also been inquiring about the aircraft. With no time to check, Fang and Jan had to assume the guns were safely stowed as requested. After taking off from Madang Fang flew low and slow over the volcanic foothills so that Jan’s video resolution wouldn’t suffer from tremor.
Fang pulled back the control column. ‘I’ll bank for another run higher up the slope.’
As he levelled out of the turn something large drifted into his peripheral vision. Fang turned with a shock to see Kless in his Skymaster alongside. The fish spotting window was retracted and his dark hair bounced in the disturbed slipstream.
‘Fa
ng!’ Jan screamed. ‘He’s aiming a gun at us!’
As Kless fired, Fang banked steeply away. The bulky starboard radial engine shielded the cockpit from most of the bullets. Some tore through the front and destroyed the central instrument cluster.
Fang banked sharply again, applied power and surged skyward. ‘The starboard engine’s runnin’ rough and smokin’. I think my repair’s let go!’ Fang easily outran Kless’s lumbering Skymaster. He completed the shut down drill on the bad engine, corrected on controls and again scanned the sky for their adversary. ‘We got a 2000’ height advantage. Even on one engine we can still leave that arsehole behind. Try the radio, Jan.’
Jan tried receiving without result. ‘Nothing. The radio’s dead.’
‘Along with most engine instruments.’ Fang added with concern and turned cautiously for the distant airstrip.
The Skymaster closed in and Fang’s boast evaporated. It climbed steeply, threatening to cut off their escape back to Kaviak. Fang banked away to the east. He lost precious height and speed in the turn. Kless’s Skymaster accelerated within dangerous firing range. Bullets tore through the tail and rear fuselage.
Fang applied full power to the port engine and turned south. ‘Our only alternative is to approach Kaviak strip from the south side of the volcano.’
Jan suppressed panic and urgently scanned the skies ahead. It looked like another cumulus build-up typical of the leeward slopes. ‘Fang!’ She shouted horrified when she realised what lay in their path. ‘The volcanic cloud!’
The wind noise of the Invader’s flight was suddenly muffled. The airframe bucked and jolted severely in the heated turbulence. A sound like sandblasting rapidly turned the windscreens a milky opaque. ‘We’re losin’ RPM on the port engine!’ He swung back to the engine controls urgently. Despite all his efforts reselecting ignition and fuel, the engine continued to die.
They exited the cloud too late. Microscopic shards of airborne volcanic glass had been sucked through the engine in huge volumes. It fused in the internal heat to form clumps and glazed coatings that destroyed engine thrust.