Chapter 37
“So Skinny”
Evan and Molly sat on the observation deck, chatting with Druk. Their conversation was being shared with anyone in the fleet who wanted to follow along. They could also ask questions via their flashnet link if they wanted to.
Really, Druk was doing most of the talking, filling them in on her own journey, including her incarceration by the secret society pretending to be Buddhist Monks. Then she told the story of David’s activation of the device from her own perspective.
Everyone was totally amazed at David’s resilience and determination to succeed.
“One thing you must all be aware of,” Druk explained, “Is that I can only jump four times for each time I feed. I have to be very careful if I allow anyone other than David or Skye to call me, and I have warned them as well. But until we can safely re-establish a dolphin population on Earth, I must be very careful about being trapped there without food or I will be no good to anyone.”
Molly thought for a moment and then said, “So why don’t you stay here, and be prepared to be called at any time?”
“I thought about that,” Druk responded, “But I don’t think it makes much difference. One jump from here to earth is still one jump. Then I can only jump twice when on Earth before I must jump back here to feed. I may as well be stationed overhead, so that they can call me directly without me having to jump. Otherwise, I am going to place too much stress on the dolphin population here on Gamma Cygnus Three.”
“Umm, that would be Soom Druk. We changed the name soon after we landed,” said Evan.
Druk and Molly just looked at each other and shared a raised eyebrow moment.
“Just a thought,” said Molly, “Can you take a dolphin back with you each time you jump and re-establish a secret population somewhere. It’s not like anyone will be looking, they think they are all gone.”
Druk thought on that for a moment. “I honestly don’t know the answer to that, but it might be worth trying. But not for the reason you think. If I discover that I can jump with another being, I might be able to rescue your family if this mission goes badly.”
Molly and David’s eyes snapped up to meet Druk’s. “That’s a new angle on all of this Druk,” said Evan thoughtfully, “but it might be best to not let them know.”
“Well it’s conjecture at the moment anyway.” Molly looked a little relieved however. “But if we are on a mission of open communication, I don’t think that this should be hidden from the kids. Unless you can think of a very real reason why it would put them in danger, I say we let them know. Or at least Druk can, once she finds out if the dolphin makes the trip ok.”
Druk rose up on her hind legs, “So be it then. I will conduct this experiment and will mention it to David, only if I am successful.”
With that, Druk leapt into the air, and headed towards the glow of the sun which was now well below the horizon. A male dolphin spiralled into her path in a shower of water droplets, sacrificing itself. But this time, a second dolphin leapt into the air. Druk caught the pregnant female carefully in her claws. Druk was full of wonder as she realised that pregnant females never presented themselves for sacrifice, for obvious reasons. So how did this one know that she wasn’t to be eaten?
Molly and Evan saw the flash as Druk departed and then looked at each other with that ‘What Now’ expression.
Evan addressed the fleet.
“It has become obvious to me, following the skinny dipping incident this evening, that everyone needs a good meal and a holiday. The fleet is safe at the moment, so I want everyone to relax, eat and recover from our incredible journey. Unless there is an emergency, I want everyone to turn up for duty when they feel ready to do so. The automated parts of the colonies are continuing their work on our behalf, so please, feel no pressure to perform just yet. We have a lifetime to build our new home, so let’s relax and enjoy the process. Good night everyone.”
Chapter 38
“A Promise Of Mountains”
The young monks left the group once they got back to the road, they indicated to David that they would be heading back toward Paro.
“We are very grateful for your help,” said David. The others all acknowledged that they agreed with him. “Please have a safe journey back to your monastery and please spread the word of what has happened here. I feel that we are going to need your help again before this is all over.”
The monks bowed deeply towards David, and made the thankyou sign with their hands, raising them to their third eye, the ultimate gesture of respect and gratitude. They then turned and walked silently down the road, the youngest one turning and smiling his final acknowledgement.
Wayne let out a deep sigh, and then said, “Well, here we go again, the next adventure awaits.”
As they began to walk in the opposite direction to the monks, Skye turned and noticed that Pema was still standing on the side of the road. She looked at her questioningly.
“There’s no point walking five hundred metres up the road only to be picked up by a car that has to drive past this spot anyway kids.” She said with a laugh. With that she held out her thumb in the universal hitch-hiking signal. Moments later a passing truck stopped and indicated for them to jump in the back.
Jack spoke to the driver in fluent Bhutanese, “We just need to go as far as Drukyel Dzong please.” The driver acknowledged him and barely waited for them to jump into the empty tray before flooring the accelerator. The truck lurched down the road leaving a cloud of choking black exhaust.
Sonam and Pema stood at the front of the tray looking forward over the cab of the truck, squeezing Skye in between them. Pema looked down at Skye and said, “It’s a very long time since we’ve done this Skye, what a blast.”
Sonam spoke loudly over the rushing wind and the noise of the truck’s engine, “I wonder what the driver would think if he knew he had both of his Queens in the back of his truck.”
At that moment, the truck’s brakes slammed on and the truck skidded to a halt on the dusty road. The dust enveloped them all in a choking cloud as it caught up to the truck.
A head emerged from the driver’s window and looked up to where they were standing, his mouth agape. Once he recognised the Queens, he bolted out of the cab and prostrated himself in the middle of the road, almost getting run over by a motorbike heading in the opposite direction.
“Get up before you kill yourself,” yelled Pema. “It’s ok, please just get back in the truck and drive, we are enjoying this. Think of the story you will be able to tell your wife tonight when you get home. Assuming you don’t die beforehand.”
Another truck overtook them from behind, it’s horn blaring loudly. The driver had to jump back into the cab to avoid being hit. He re-started the truck and drove forward very slowly.
Pema yelled out again while smacking the cabin roof of the Tata truck with her hand, “Faster please driver, don’t you know we have a train to catch.”
The little group erupted in laughter once again and held on for grim death as the truck lurched over a large pot hole, bouncing their butts on the dirty tray they were sitting on.
They turned a corner and descended towards a small river crossing, but before they got there, they turned right, into a rubble paved area where quite a few ponies were milling about, picking at the grassy edges.
The truck came to a halt and the driver bolted to the back of the truck to help everyone down.
The last to jump down were Sonam and Pema, and as Pema went to grab the Driver’s hand, he realised that maybe he wasn’t allowed to touch the queen and withdrew his hand. This caused Pema to overbalance and she face planted into the dusty gravel road. Everyone gasped in shock, and the driver was certain that he was about to be executed on the spot.
Sonam, seeing that Pema was actually ok, diffused the situation by saying, “Just get up before you kill yourself, don’t you know we have a train to catch.”
Everyone laughed uproariously as Pema dragged herself up out of
the dirt, her nose bleeding rather profusely and turning to mud as it mixed with dust on her shirt. She was trying hard to look hurt, but eventually gave in to the funny situation and laughed so much that it actually did hurt.
The poor driver still thought he was going to be executed. So Pema, wiping at the mess after being handed a gross looking cloth by one of the horsemen milling around, addressed him and assured him that she understood what had happened and that there would be no ramifications. This time.
Grandpa Jack introduced himself to the lead horseman. “Jack Matson,” he said as he held his hand out for him to shake.
The horseman took his hand and said, “There is no need to introduce yourself sir, I know exactly who you are. My name is Tandin Dorji and my grandfather Tandin Phurba provided yaks from Langshe on your first great adventure across the mountains. It would be my great honour to offer my help in any way that I can sir.”
“Well this is going to be a great adventure Tandin, but first we will dispense with the ‘sir’ and will you please call me Jack?”
“Yes Sir,” Tandin replied.
Grandpa Jack sighed. “We need to get to Jomolhari, Tandin, not just to Jangothang, but up to the foot of the glacier at least.”
David, Wayne, Timothy and Lurch had joined the group, listening in as Grandpa Jack went to work, doing what he does best.
“Other than sleeping rolls, we have no gear and no food,” Jack continued. “We might also need some basic mountaineering gear, crampons and ropes at least. Can you help us out?”
Tandin thought for a moment and then lifted his old style mobile phone to his ear. He talked in Bhutanese for a few minutes before turning back to Grandpa Jack.
“We were here to meet a trek leaving in about an hour, Tandin said with a wide grin on his face. “I just arranged for them to have a break down, and they will not be able to leave until tomorrow, by which time my brother will have organised another train. We have everything you need except for clothes and the mountaineering gear. I can’t help with clothing, but there is a small village along the way which might have some warm clothes for the children. Crampons and ropes will be sent up from Paro and will leave from here with a fast porter tomorrow. He will catch up with us before we arrive at Jangothang.”
Jack knew how fast these guys could travel with a load, so he wasn’t at all concerned that he would make it in time. “Have another porter stand by, I will have another package delivered here before this time tomorrow,” He nodded toward Pema and Sonam who acknowledged that they knew what Jack was on about. Pema made a connection via her flashnet implant.
“How soon can we leave?” Jack asked Tandin.
“Within the hour Sir,” Tandin replied, noticing Jack’s sigh. “But you could leave now and have a look in the next village for some extra clothing. We will catch up with you and have camp set up ready and waiting by the time you arrive at Thongo Zampa Campsite. Have the clothes you purchase placed in a bag and left out for us, we will pick them up on the way past so that you don’t have to carry them.”
Jack touched Tandin’s shoulder in gratitude. “It looks like we have the right man on the job, thank you for helping. But seriously, please call me Jack.”
“Yes Sir,” he replied, with a cheeky grin on his face.
Jack just laughed, shook Tandin’s hand again and said, “See you on the trail a bit later then.” Jack gathered everyone together and motioned that it was time for them to get moving.
“Sir?” asked Tandin, “I have two ponies ready to carry Queen Sonam and Pema. I have also appointed two of my sons as their attendants, to manage the ponies sir.”
Jack looked carefully over at Sonam and Pema who were both giving him that ‘Don’t you dare, Jack Matson’ look.
“Thank you Tandin,” Jack replied carefully. “Please have your sons walk the ponies just behind us for when the Queens tire of walking. For now, they wish to walk.”
Tandin acknowleged Jack with a bow, and turned to give his instructions to his sons. There was quite a lot of finger waving happening with threats of what would happen to them if anything went wrong.
Jack made a mental note to walk with the two young boys a little later, to put them at ease.
David walked up to Grandpa Jack with an excited look on his face. He indicated towards the staff and Grandpa Jack looked down to see what it had to say.
“Let’s Go Climb A Mountain.” it read.
A thrill coursed through Jack’s body. “Ok everyone, if we’re going to make camp at Thongo Zampa before dark, we really need to get moving right now.”
The funny looking group straggled out of the rubble car park onto the road. They immediately turned right and onto a rickety looking suspension bridge that crossed the Paro river. Everyone except Jack got a bit nervous as the ponies walked onto the bridge behind them, causing the bridge to sway unnervingly. David grabbed the wire hand rail, feeling like he was going to fall into the river. The bridge was only just wide enough for one person, so David looked back to see how the others were doing. The ponies looked totally confident and sure footed, so David realised that they must do this all the time which made him feel a bit safer.
Grandpa Jack talked calmly to him. “We will cross this river all sorts of different ways in the next few days. Just relax and try to walk with the swing, you will get used to it.” The others all heeded his advice and loosened their hips as the bridge swayed and instantly felt more balanced.
After crossing the bridge to the Northern side, they turned upstream, leaving the ruins of the Drukyel Dzong behind them and the promise of mountains ahead of them.
Chapter 39
“Someone Over Yonder Lurks”
Sonam and Pema chatted with the owner of the shop in the tiny village where they were looking for some clothes. They had managed to find socks, warm pants, a tee shirt and a warm woollen jumper for each of them. They even found a jacket for Lurch. They thought it would help him to keep the rain off when it inevitably arrived, as well as helping him to blend in a little.
Flynn and Wayne were sniggering behind their backs as they tried to adjust the jacket to fit him. Wayne whispered to Flynn, “I think that jacket is just going to make him stand out even further, surely they could have found something a bit less,,,,,, Bright?” They chuckled quietly.
As Pema tried to pin up the flappy sleeve that had no arm to go into it, she looked over her shoulder at Wayne. “There is no need to be cruel Wayne. Lurch is just as important to us as the rest of you, you know? We wouldn’t encourage you to go walking naked through the mountains now, would we?”
Lurch glared at them both, obviously very happy to be receiving the attentions of Sonam and Pema. Wayne just shrugged his shoulders at Flynn who rolled his eyes in return.
“I can’t wait to see them get some pants on him,” laughed Wayne, having a mental vision of these two diminutive ladies trying to get his big mechanical feet through the legs of a pair of jeans.
As they walked on out of the village, Sonam and Pema came up on each side of Flynn and put an arm around him. Their eyes barely came up to his shoulders, but Flynn could feel their powerful presence. “You don’t mind do you Flynn? We thought a jacket would be enough, just to make him feel a bit more a part of the family, you know?”
He was about to say that he really didn’t mind, but right at that moment, Lurch reached into a small bag that he was carrying over his shoulder and pulled out a hat and put it on his head. It wasn’t a traditional Bhutanese style hat, but a straw boater that strangely went perfectly with the multi coloured jacket. All three of them were trying hard to suppress their laughter.
Sonam looked at both Flynn and Pema and laughed out loud. “Oh my God, what have we created?”
Lurch looked over his shoulder at them with a cheeky grin. Like a model on a catwalk.
They walked on through a reasonably flat area with lots of rice paddies. As they meandered single file along the earth walls that outline each paddy, a local farmer who was driving a wo
oden plough pulled by two buffalo waved to them enthusiastically.
Shortly after that, the path found the edge of the river and the rest of the world disappeared as they walked into the forest. It was beautiful, and Grandpa Jack was explaining what the different trees were, paying special attention to the Rhododendron trees which were on the verge of flowering.
The tinkling of the bells around the lead pony’s neck could be heard coming up behind them. Grandpa Jack motioned to them to get off the path and allow the pony train to pass by. As they did, Timothy sat back against a tree and admired the decorations on the ponies. They had coloured ribbons tied into their manes, and what looked like paint daubed onto various parts, all adding to the colourful parade.
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