Höllenbadt: Book two of the Torus Saga

by Berg, Michael

  Some of the others met in Saskatoon declined John’s idea of seeking a rural location, and voted for staying in the city. “There are some nice old houses and apartments here. We could look for work and find a place to live.”

  “Work is not going to be easy, that’s why I thought of a rural location.”

  “I’m willing to take my chances. So what will it be, city or farm?”

  All of the group who had showed up at Saskatoon decided they would like to stay in the city, except for Steve deciding on somewhere rural with the others. Those who were to stay, had voiced their opposition to the farmlands, saying they had been in deserted places far too long and they wanted to be amongst the people here who did not appear to be a threat. Whilst John agreed their ideas had merit, he was secretly pleased that the group of twenty-one and one horse would now spilt up. His decision to rescue Carmel and his taking of the Torus of Eternity, had not encompassed the others as they moved on that could interfere with the work yet to be done if they were to finally stop this life of running and hiding.

  “Ok, then that is settled. I suggest if any of you ever want to contact any of us, then we come to this place and leave a message. I will talk to the owner and tell him that we are people looking for a new life here in Arequipa and that from time to time we might meet here, or leave messages for each other. When he returned a few minutes later, he advised the owner had agreed so long as any of them made a purchase each time they visited, as he was not a meeting house, but a business and life was a struggle. All agreed this was a good plan and if ever anyone required another from either group, then they would come to this place and do as John had proposed, and as the owner had asked. John gave them some cash they were very grateful for, before they split into two groups and went their separate ways.

  Half an hour later as John stood discussing their best options with the others who were to seek rural accommodation. It was late morning and they felt there was ample time to come to a decision and at least find lodgings for the night. As they walked away from San Francisco Street, Chan approached John,” You have been wise in understanding of the choices ahead of us. It is best for our intentions to maintain our objectives and to not be distracted through doubts coming from the others. They are not aligned as we all are as a group for they have been running and they have done this in fear. Such things are not our calling to dispense at this time. The other people are embarking on overcoming this for themselves, though they do not have this in their thoughts. It is for their basis in understanding to pursue their path as they have chosen today, and similarly, the path we have chosen is for similar reasons. We do not hold the fears the others carry and so now I and the others are together with you in your strengths of determination for what lies ahead.”

  “Thank you Chan. I feel it is best to assist their recovery in a place where they can focus once again on what they experienced with you all those years ago, and since. The distractions of the city here just did not feel right for our path ahead, despite the easy going nature and low level of threat about.”

  By evening, they had reached the outskirts of the city and took lodgings at a roadside inn, also equipped to cater for horses. They were on foot now, and the going had been slow, particularly for Chan, Raynie, Jake, Jenna, and Lyle.

  “We can’t go on like this honey. How about we look for a wagon or cart tomorrow before we leave. The others are too weak, and I am sure we’ll find one somewhere about.”

  “I would agree there John,” Steve added. “We are not going to make it very far like this.”

  “How about we ask around the inn tonight…”

  “Excuse me please, but I could not help overhearing your conversation.” A man who was seated nearby had walked over to them. “I have a cart you could buy. I need the money you see. It is not big, but you could take those weak people.” He indicated towards Chan and the others who were lying on the grass under a large tree.

  “All right, we’ll buy it. Is it in good condition?”

  “Good enough condition for your needs. I’ll sell at a good price.”

  “What is a fair price?” Carmel asked.

  “No, no see. I am not a thief. I’ll sell it…”

  “At a fair price. We have some cash…enough to buy your cart. Show it to us.” The man took John, Tobias, and Carmel out beyond the grounds of the inn, to a shed in an adjacent property.

  “See. It is a good cart. Not so big like I said, but it will last.”

  After they paid the man, he helped John and Tobias drag the cart back to the inn, where they parked it beside Frieda in the shed.

  “Thank you. Thank you. My wife and children will be happy I have sold it to you.”

  “Our pleasure. Is food scarce here?”

  “Yes and no. Sometimes there is plenty, and at others, not so much food. I would say for you to go to the river valley. You will find farms there growing food. Wheat, rice, fruit. Your friends will become strong again.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Oh no need to thank me. You will find there are plenty of friendly people here. We are not so affected by the authorities or that Agent. People are peaceful and they are often clear of mind. But watch…there are still the odd ones who will steal and try to trick you.”

  “Thanks for the advice.”

  Tobias and Steve were discussing their experiences eight years earlier at HAARP where Steve had taken over command from Tobias after the authorities had attempted to remove him. “The irony is, they tried the same thing with me, but I was still of the mind to continue my service. I guess I just didn’t have the same insight you suddenly realised when you led them on that chase. Shunting me off to Mars was not a good outcome though. After my failure to successfully escort the Agent to the Asteroids, they did not look too kindly on me considering the trouble then cause stealing that ship, killing twenty one people at Mars One base, and then the havoc ever since. I guess you could say his rise to power or whatever you may call it, was in large part, my fault.”

  “Don’t be too hard on yourself Steve. The authorities should have taken him there all the way themselves. Changing him over to the transport you were on, just so they could use the ship to steer the asteroid into Earth, was their doing. If they had proceeded as planned, a lot of his catastrophes may have been avoided.”

  “I suppose you are right. Their pursuit of efficiency certainly let a lot of people down, including setting them back years.”

  “The identification chip would have never worked. The reports of Russia and China, and some African nations not holding up to the regulations coming mostly out of New York, was a catalyst for its undoing. It was bound to come unstuck.”

  “Besides, they were always going to be looking for me as well,” John interjected. Until they obtained and still they are after it…true flux mechanics, there were always going to be incursions into their systems. Perhaps not by me, as I was not really interested with involving myself that way, but at least from others like Tim…” He trailed off as Carmel approached them, not wanting to upset her by mentioning the man she had had grown to have a close relationship with, and had not been seen in a long time.

  “John, Chan and the others have gone to sleep. They looked so relieved to find comfortable beds to rest overnight. It is still difficult for them.”

  “Yeah. Thanks Carmel. I meant to help but I was distracted. Where is Kerry Ann?”

  “She’s taking a shower, and will be down here in a few minutes. It is so lovely to be here tonight John. Staying here at the inn with all those troubles seemingly thousands of miles away makes me feel like myself again. It was trying being held captive by the Agent, and if you had not rescued us when you did, I’m sure we would have all been injected with nano technology.”

  “I wonder why he didn’t do it previously. He had the others for eight years.”

  “I think we can only assume John. He is a maniac and such things…um, the capacity to deliver the technology into human cells, eluded him up until some of h
is people recently had raided authority data using a virus that opened up a lot of secure information. He told me of this. It must have taken him a long time to develop the viruses to get past their security. Anyway, we are here now, thanks to you and Tobias, Kerry Ann…and Frieda of course. Chan said your strength would endure when I was first sent to join them in the room the Agent was holding them. He was right John. He is a most insightful man.”

  “Yes, I see things in his eyes that raise questions you want to ask him. Unique indeed.”

  “He told me to speak to the locals here at the inn John. Chan reckons on there being a purpose behind our travelling to this region, aside from just leaving the Agent and the authorities far behind.”

  “Did he suggest anyone in particular?”

  “No. He just said it would be of help to us to understand what the people are really like and what the places are like to then consider where we might stay.”

  “We could do with some extra hands at our community, but there would be no payment, just accommodation and the food you can harvest,” a local farmer told them when they had approached him and they had asked about possible places they could go. He was sitting with another man and they had been discussing obtaining a few supplies from the city, prior to returning to their property. “You are welcome, but we live a simple life. You could almost say a life from the past. We need you to have faith in what we do and to be trustworthy. We can deal with anyone who we find we cannot trust.”

  “Oh, you can trust us. Why John here is a great man…aren’t you honey?” Kerry Ann gave John a jab in the ribs.

  “You said great Kerry Ann. I just like to get things done. But yes, you can trust us. We are all seeking to live away from the city for a time and your offer sounds good.” Tobias, Steve, and Carmel agreed the offer to stay on the farm was exactly what they were looking for.

  “Then if you all come to our community farm, understand we do not have much technology. Such things are scarce in these places. You need to understand that our way of life is not focused on what you would have been doing in America. Our life is not just of survival either, but one of peace and as I have told you, it is one of faith. When I say faith, it is the faith in all who live there, to be honest and to work creating a good life without any disrespect towards anyone.”

  “It sounds ideal…exactly what we are looking for, isn’t it honey.”

  “Sure. It will be a good place for the others to recover and for us to just be able to relax…and work. We would like to accept your offer, but please tell us your name. We have not introduced ourselves yet.”

  “I am Juan and this is Diego.”

  John and the others introduced themselves to the men in turn, and when they had finished, there was already a warmth of friendship between them all. John then told them of their friends who were already asleep, gave the men their names, and also said they had Frieda with them

  “So many of you. Ten in all, and a horse. Our farm will be very productive. You are lucky, for we live in a hidden valley and there is plentiful water and the soil is good. We do have some machines, but not like you may be used to, for they are old, but they are strong and work well.”

  “Great, we are all good with our bare hands.”

  “You will need them, both to work the land and to work our machines. But do not be concerned for our machines are simple and we use them to help us with the much heavier work our hands cannot do. Here is the map to our place. Diego and I are going to the city tomorrow for supplies we need. Not all we use is from the farm you know, but maybe one day we will be self-reliant.” Juan gave them a rough hand drawn map and told them to just arrive there and to say that Juan and Diego sent them.

  “It’s a secret valley, so please do not speak of this to anyone else. There are some simple and honest people in these parts, but there are also those who are desperate. Many are not interested in the hard work we do to live, but some of them would be quite willing to steal from us.”

  “Yes, you see desperate people in so many places. Thank you Juan and Diego. We are very pleased to have met you, and please be sure that all of us will do our very best to help on your farm and to be trustworthy.”

  “Yes I know. I can sense your values,” Diego said.

  The map directed them to follow a dirt track at first following an old railway line, and then a small river into a valley north of Arequipa. When they arrived at the entrance to the valley, there was barely any sign of what lay beyond the narrow chasm in front of them. To a casual passerby, it would appear as though the river emerged from the hillside. Upon seeing this they all agreed the location was indeed a hidden and secret valley suited to their purpose where they wanted to live. When they passed through the opening, all could sense an uplifting feeling releasing them of most burdens they were carrying. Amongst those on the cart, Chan lifted his head at this moment, and Carmel noticed a slight smile come across his face.

  She walked over to be beside John, “See?” She indicated towards Chan.

  “Yeah. I have a good feeling about this too.”

  After journeying on for another five miles, the narrow valley opened out into an area of flat lands, bordered by steep peaks on either side, with the small river running down the centre. The far end of the open area was a further mile onward, where the valley once again narrowed in as it continued its way towards the rugged high Andean peaks they could see in the distance. Massive formations of rocky outcrops made for impenetrable country beyond the valley where it became enveloped within a steep canyon, ensuring there was no access from its western end.

  Upon arrival, they went to the large farmhouse to introduce themselves and tell the people there, Juan and Diego had sent them. A woman came out to greet them, followed by a few men who gave the group a suspicious look.

  “Hello, I am Lolita. Who are you?”

  “Hello. Juan and Diego sent us. They said it would be beneficial to your farm for us to come and stay. We are honest people and peaceful. I am John.”

  “Hello John. And the others?”

  Each of them introduced themselves in turn, with the group on the cart having sufficient strength to have walked over to where John and the others stood with Lolita. By this time, the men behind her had eased and greeted the group openly.

  “Hello, I am Pablo. It is good to see you all. We have only a few of us here and now with such numbers, our farm will thrive.”

  “It is good to be here Pablo,” Kerry Ann replied. “I see there is a mill house here. I do love grinding grain, and John here is good at it too.”

  “Oh yes, we have a mill house for the wheat, and we have other things too. But there is no need to grind by hand…the stone is so heavy.”

  “Do you use a horse or a mule then?”

  “No, no. Come see.” He led Kerry Ann over to the mill house where they looked around for a few minutes before returning. The others were in conversation with Lolita and the other men, who had introduced themselves as Manuel, and Ricardo.

  “Hey honey…and you too Carmel! You’re going to like it here. They have a steam engine out back of the mill house to drive the shaft connected to the stone.”

  “Really Kerry Ann! Oh that is fantastic. My engine will be right at home here.”

  “Yes, we have a few steam engines at the farm,” Lolita added. “You could say we live in an era from long ago.”

  “Juan did mention old machines,” Tobias added. “I guess he meant steam engines.”

  “Yes, yes. Juan is very proud of how well they operate. He restored them himself, and he keeps them in top condition. But…for now, you all should settle in and relax. We do not have any room for such a group as you in the house, but you can choose either of those two barns over there. They are clean and weather proof. Sorry we cannot accommodate you in the house.”

  “Oh don’t be sorry Lolita,” Carmel replied. “You…and everyone we have met this past day have been so gracious. We will be very happy to live in the barn. All the other travellers agreed,
for to each of them, life in a barn in such warm and peaceful surrounds was precisely what they wanted.

  “Ok, it is settled then. Take your time and feel at home. Come to the house any time, if you want anything.”

  “Thank you Lolita, and you Ricardo, and you Pablo, and you Manuel. We are so very thankful for such kindness.” Carmel had spoken for them all, as they all felt exactly how she had said.

  “We will have a dinner to celebrate tonight. Say at around six. We will see you then.” Lolita and the three men then left the group to find their way to whatever barn they chose, and then to settle in.

  Sunset spectacularly illuminated the peaks surrounding the valley whilst casting a gold and orange glow over the farm. Chan remarked on the essence within the light bathing the scene as the group walked to the house for the celebratory dinner. “It is with reverence that we must take in all this from our very first times here in this valley. Circumstances have brought us here, as they do to any place. And the strengths in all of us, even when Raynie, Jake, Lyle, Jenna, and myself appear weak, are of noteworthy significance. Simplicity is what it takes to recall those elements showing us the beauty within and beyond this valley, and this notion is the underlying auric properties of all we are and are yet to recall. This light is like so many things, as it reflects back to us our intentions and now we are placed here so far from the adversity of recent times, through this cause.”

  “I can feel strength returning almost with every moment Chan. I have not felt like this since many years ago when we first travelled and your guidance awakened spirit within.”

  “Yes Jenna. I can see in your eyes, the essence of what you speak. Hold on to this, but also release it and cast in outward beyond you, as far as you can imagine.”

  When they arrived at the house, dinner was prepared and they were invited to come in and eat immediately. “You look ravenous,” Lolita said looking at those who had travelled on the cart. “Have you not been eating enough?”