Part 21
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The next morning most of the crew fanned out on the ridgeline above camp. With plenty of time to plan the previous week, they were able to immediately get to work on their assignments.
The men marked the trees which most closely met their requirements. They were fortunate to find more than enough trees close to camp which were tall and straight enough to suit their needs. Once cut, the trees were cleaned of branches and dragged downhill one at a time. John Danziger carefully choreographed the entire project, ever mindful of the dangerous nature of dealing with such large objects and an inexperienced crew.
While Magus guarded camp, Devon and Denner cleared the beach of debris with Zero's help. The beach extended slightly into the river, forming a small sand bar where the river took a slight jog around it. By its very nature, the promontory collected a variety of debris, mainly the broken husks of logs washed downriver. Yale had surmised the small drop gouged between the beach and the meadow above was the high water mark for the annual spring runoff. With summer now in full swing, the river had settled to its lower level. Once the beach was clear, the women set Zero to dig out a ramp down to the beach for the smaller vehicles.
Yale worked with the children to carefully unwind the cable, making sure it was neatly laid out at the ready and that it had not become damaged while in storage. Chafing at the lost time since their last lessons, the tutor was determined to make as much of the river crossing educational for them as possible and had insisted they stay with him. Once the cable was properly laid out, he surveyed the opposing shore and worked with the children to plot the best crossing. With his project easily disguising the many lessons which could be drawn from it, Yale was pleased to see the children compete to triangulate and work out the formulas, then present their findings and the reasoning behind their choices. They then made a scale model of the ferry to see how the current would affect the vessel.
With Bess rotating her time between camp chores and him, Morgan's boredom had finally gotten the best of him. At the noontime meal, he approached John to request a job for himself. At first, the mechanic had demurred, pleading concern that Morgan be as rested and recovered as possible for the crossing as well as the travel which would soon follow. When pressed, the mechanic sternly turned him down, citing Morgan's clumsiness with the crutches and the liability that brought the entire crew with it. But, when John looked later, Morgan could be seen hobbling around the woodlot next to camp, logging their inventory on gear in precise detail.
Except for an occasional break or Morgan's physical therapy, Julia spent most of her time in the med-tent. Alonzo had fallen into an exhausted slumber while still on the TransRover and did not awaken until the morning of the third day, tired and hungry. By then, the raft had been framed out, the launch area prepared for the cables' scaffold. As the raft took shape, everyone fell into their stride, finding the jobs which best suited them.
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Alonzo awoke slowly. The racket of construction filtered through the thin canvas trailing the aroma of Bess Martin's cooking. He could tell it was midday by the lack of shadows all around him in the bright tent. Yale sat next to him, his attention riveted to a long stick in his hands. The tutor held a damp cloth in one hand and was slowly rubbing it along the stick, seemingly oblivious to the pilot's scrutiny. Bellows from beyond the tent answered Alonzo's unuttered question as to Julia's whereabouts. He placidly watched the tutor continue his project, hypnotically sliding the stick up and down in the cupped cloth, checking it, then starting again.
Left to his own musings, the pilot dozed lightly as he watched the wood's grain come to life, the knot on one end of the stick begin to shine. He was growing tired of being placated and hovered over and appreciated this opportunity to be awake without pressure. Watching the tutor dip his cloth into a bucket of water then grab another handful of fine, powdery grit, Alonzo realized how thirsty he was. He swallowed carefully as his eyes wandered the tent.
"Alonzo, would you like something to drink?"
If not for the unmistakable lilting voice, Alonzo would have wondered who had spoken since Yale hadn't seemed to divert his focus. Laying down his project, the tutor reached just beyond his vision.
"You may wish to try some of this juice. It's very sweet and quite nutritious."
"Thanks." Alonzo paused from drinking the smooth gold liquid to ask, "What are you making?"
Yale smiled and glanced down at his project as he picked it up to show the pilot. "It is a cane for Morgan. Julia feels he shouldn't need the crutches much longer but would like to continue to take some weight off his leg. I just need to finish polishing it and then it will be done."
"A cane?" He carefully eased himself up with the tutor's help, leaning slightly forward before reclining onto the offered pillows. He moved cautiously, his hand drifting protectively in response to the subtle tug on his abdomen where the feeding tube had been removed that morning. "How did you get the wood to do that?"
"Do what?" Yale turned the cane to examine it closely.
"That knot on the end."
The tutor chuckled deeply. "That is a burl. It is where the tree was exposed to some sort of injury which disrupted the growth pattern. I thought it would make a good handle."
"Are we still at the river?"
"Yes, Alonzo, we're still at the river," Yale reassured him with a knowing smile. "We have accomplished quite a bit over the past several days but still have much to do before we attempt to cross the river. The raft is coming along quite nicely; the frame is in place and the deck is very nearly complete."
"How much longer do you think before we can start travelling again?"
"We have been reviewing where we are each evening. I would expect one more day before we send the TransRover north then another day or two after that at a minimum to get everything into place and the raft finished."
"Hey!" Julia ducked into the med-tent with a wide smile at the sight of the pilot sitting up.
He beamed back at her. "Hey, yourself. Done with Morgan? A guy has to get some sleep around here, you know?"
"Don't look too eager. You're next."
Alonzo's grin faded a bit but the merriment never left his eyes. His eyebrows rising, he looked over to the chuckling tutor before asking her, "Don't you think I've been through enough?" He feigned seriousness. "Maybe I should get a second opinion first…"
With an amused snort, Julia shook her head at the pilot. Even she was amazed at the changes in him. Just in the few days since waking up at the river, Alonzo's recovery had been almost exponential in nature. She knew in her heart they had a long way to go but there was finally a light at the end of the tunnel.
Gathering up his tools, Yale rose. "I will take this as my cue to leave. Julia, do you need anything before I go?"
"No. I think I'm all set. Thank you, Yale."
Patting Alonzo on the forearm in response to his mouthed thanks, the tutor exited the tent, carefully drawing the flap closed as he went. As much as he was never left alone, Julia had been insistent that Alonzo have some privacy now that he was recovering and had been especially firm about his therapy.
Finished putting her kit away, the doctor turned to him. "Ok, Mr. Solace." After slipping him out of his shirt, she helped him lean forward off the pillows and then to lie flat on his back. Picking up the small jar of succulent oil, she matter-of-factly stated, "We need to work on your back again today."
Seeing his expression cloud as he obediently rolled over for her without a word, she lightly rested a supportive hand on his shoulder. This was the hardest for him, she knew – Rogers' crew's distressingly crude treatments had left an indelible impression on the pilot; one which would take a great deal of time and patience to overcome. She would keep this session as brief as possible, mindfully keeping him with her in the present the entire time. Softly speaking to him, she couldn't miss the restrained flinch as she rested first one then the other hand on his bare skin.
A few hours later, Devon tapped lightly on the med-tent frame. "Julia?" Not receiving a response from the silent tent, she pulled the flap back enough to peek inside.
Silently entering, Devon saw the doctor sound asleep in her chair next to Alonzo, her head resting on his chest, one arm possessively flung across him. The pilot loosely embraced his lover with one hand while the other rested lightly on her temple, his palm covering her eyes. Devon smiled at the peaceful tableau – she had been worried about the two of them since this whole nightmare started and was pleased to finally see them so contented. She crept backwards out of the tent and tucked the flap back into place.
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The next morning, with no trees close enough to shore to anchor the cables, a stanchion needed to be built to moor them to the shoreline. One crew leapt into building the reinforced anchor while the rest continued working on the boat nearby.
They tried to get as much done as possible because they would lose several sets of hands the next day when the TransRover would venture the ten kilometers upstream to attempt to ford the river before working its way down to the other side of the crossing. Mazatl, Walman and Magus were chosen to stay with the large vehicle while everyone else would be crossing with their camp and equipment as soon as the TransRover was in position and the ferry was completed.
More to burn off nervous energy than anything, John Danziger checked the vehicles yet again before turning in for the night. He didn't like the situation they were in at all. Even though they knew they would eventually encounter obstacles such as this, it didn't make it any easier to finally come across one. As much as they relied on the maps and tried to anticipate what to expect, between the Council omissions and dealing with an untamed world, G889 had a way of humbling them.
Nearly all Station born, most of the group could not swim; some could barely keep afloat. A few in their group, Mazatl, Bess, Alonzo – seemingly the ones who had most embraced their new world and were more game to trust the planet and try new things – had become quite competent during the few opportunities they had to try in still waters. But, much of the water they had dealt with thus far in their journey was moving water; too shallow or swift for much more than wading. Danziger was proud and relieved that True was a strong swimmer. Uly had tried swimming, but, as much as the boy's coordination had improved in their time on this planet, he had only developed a strangely flailing dogpaddle with much effort. For a child who had spent the first eight years of his life struggling to breathe, the concept of holding his breath was terrifying. With all that in mind, Danziger had insisted a good swimmer be on each shore as long as possible in the event of an accident.
Leaning on one of the scaffolds, he eyed to the unfinished raft resting on the beach, reviewing it with a mechanic's seasoned eye. They had culled a simple design from Yale's database and modified it to their needs, available materials and abilities. The raft was just long enough to accommodate the DuneRail with a built up deck and hinged ramps on both ends; the two sides were slated to have a meter high wall with guides on the outside for the stabilizing cables and an enclosing rail fence above it. Once completed, with the ramps up, it would be fully enclosed up to two meters above the deck on all four sides. Currently looking more like the washed up bones of a prehistoric beast, Danziger mused how the unfinished craft seemed so insubstantial when compared to the imposing waterway it was being asked to cross repeatedly with all their worldly belongings onboard. Yale and Cameron had assured him this plan would work but he couldn't seem to escape the overpowering dread which shadowed him relentlessly.
Motion by the fire caught his attention. Danziger could see Morgan struggle onto the crutches before hobbling to his tent with his wife supporting him. Looking down at his feet, the mechanic closed his eyes, shook his head and sighed. They were down two people, four if he counted the people required to stay with them. What's more, they were committing to this dangerous crossing with two invalids who were unlikely to be able to do anything to save themselves if something were to happen. Danziger wasn't much of a gambling man, he preferred sure things and he didn't like the odds.
Devon emerged from her tent to wander over to him. "We got a lot done today," she remarked, surveying the small scow curiously.
"Yeah. It should be done by the time the TransRover is in position."
"How many are following it to the ford?"
Danziger allowed his eyes to wander the camp before answering, "We can't afford to send as many as we probably should. I figure I could take Baines in the DuneRail in case there are any problems. There were a few places we might need to do some clearing to get it through. Once they get to the river, if it bogs down, there's not much we'd be able to do anyways."
"If we lose that vehicle--" Devon crossed her arms against the chill that thought brought.
"Yeah, well, let's just hope we don't."
"Hope, Danziger?"
"I know that's more your game, Adair—"
Devon smiled, the firelight reflected in her eyes. She shook her head wryly. "I suppose it's gotten us this far…"
"Well, let's just hope it gets us another hundred meters." Danziger granted her a tight smile and a pat on the shoulder before heading to his tent.
ooooooooooooooo
The first shafts of sunlight found most of camp congregated around the TransRover, helping with the final preparations for their trip. The wood and equipment for any necessary cable scaffolding had been loaded the day before as was their camping equipment. The small advance crew's food and personal items were to be stowed in the cab with Walman during the crossing but were piled in the back for the trip to the river so Magus and Mazatl could ride in comfort. Baines and John Danziger hopped into the DuneRail to lead the way and help them get to the ford safely.
They followed a winding course, doubling back twice to find a better passageway for the larger vehicle. Even though Danziger had reset its solar panels horizontally before leaving their prior camp, they still found themselves balancing precariously atop the vehicle several times to cut a clear path through the tangle of branches. With all the delays, it was well past noon by the time they reached the ford.
Once there, they considered the shelf critically, looking for any good reason to abort their plans. Not finding any, after a quick lunch and quicker goodbyes, it was time to put their plan into action. Danziger checked the vehicle one last time and caked all the bearings and relays again with a grease he had concocted from cooking grease and ground mica. A cable was attached to the TransRover's winch in the rear; this was to be dragged behind the vehicle in case it bogged down and needed to be tethered to the shore so it could be reeled back in.
Once that was laid out, Walman jumped into the cab of the truck while Magus and Mazatl hopped into the bed in back. With the fear that someone could become trapped in the cab if the TransRover tipped, it had been decided that only the driver would remain in the front of the vehicle during the actual crossing. John guided Walman to the best spot along the water's edge. He watched the water lap against the tires for a few minutes before, with a reluctant grimace, he gave Walman a shrug then tipped his head in the direction of the opposite shore. His hands on his hips, the mechanic stepped back next to Baines to watch.
The large vehicle lumbered into the water, its six wheels churning up silt and long, serrated green blades of vegetation as it progressed. Its entry was choppy as the shale twisted and slid under its weight. Water surged against its side, seeking the shortest route to its destination at the distant sea. The wheels slipped and gripped repeatedly then disappeared from view as the river got deeper, their continued effectiveness being measured by the vehicle's agonizingly slow progress.
The vehicle suddenly dipped forward with a jolt. Clinging to the frame, Mazatl and Magus scrambled as they were abruptly flung into the back of the cab and water lapped over the side. Standing on the shore, Danziger willed the large mining vehicle across. Next to him, Baines leaned further forward, choking on a shout. With a loud shudder, the TransRover keeled sideways, pivoting on an invisible axis.
The mechanic watched Mazatl and Magus sway helplessly as they clung to the frame in the back of the truck as the swift current swirled around their feet. Their tent started to float and Magus grabbed at it to ensure it was secured well enough to not be swept away. Looking into the water, the crewwoman saw a large shadow drift slowly towards them. She mutely grabbed Mazatl's shirt, tugging at it frantically as she spied other shadows swimming to join it.
The vehicle hung in place for an agonizing moment before lurching forward again, its front wheels suddenly popping back into view while the rear dipped lower as it negotiated an underwater fissure on the shelf. Water streamed from every possible opening when the rear wheels finally engaged and the deck rose to ride high across the rest of the crossing. Reaching the opposite shore, Walman drove the vehicle well clear of the bank before halting to survey any possible damage.
Finally remembering to breathe, Danziger swung his mouthpiece down. "Good job! You had me worried there for a minute."
"You aren't the only one!" Magus replied with a laugh. She nervously looked through the gear set towards the water.
Danziger grinned into the eyepiece at the crewwoman. He looked over to Baines, noticing the tech looked like he was about to faint. Clapping the man on the arm, he nodded at his look of relieved wonder. "Ok, let's have a P.O.V. of the undercarriage. How's it running?"
"Running good," Walman answered readily as he scrambled under the vehicle to give the mechanic a look.
While Magus and Mazatl gathered up the rescue cable and stowed it in the vehicle, Danziger directed Walman through a systems check, noting with pride how well the truck designed for mining handled the conditions they put it through. "It looks good from here. We'll wait until you get underway and try to pace you for a while in case anything crops up. How about your camping gear? Did you lose anything?"
"Nope. It looks like we're good to go."
"Ok then. Why don't you head out? We'll stay in gear contact as long as possible. As soon as we can reach camp, we'll let them know you're all safe." Signing off, Danziger headed for the DuneRail with Baines close behind.
With a series of slaps, silver fins flashed out of the water for a moment before disappearing. On both shores, they looked over their shoulders, uncertain of what they had seen, before driving away.
One crossing down...
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Morgan watched the ferry return for him and Alonzo with trepidation. So far, it had worked surprisingly well but the manner in which it occasionally bucked and twisted against its cable system alarmed the liaison; even with the solid sides to hang onto, it had nearly dumped passengers and equipment overboard a couple times all ready. Morgan nervously looked over to Alonzo where he was propped up nearby. The injured pilot was watching the ferry raptly, seemingly eager to climb onboard and experience the ride for himself. Morgan noticed Julia and Bess didn't seem to share the pilot's enthusiasm. They shared worried, drawn expressions as Danziger hauled the boat back to their shore with the ATV.
They were scheduled to be the second to last trip across, after Baines and the DuneRail and before Cameron, John Danziger, Zero and the ATV. Being the heaviest load, the DuneRail had made the ferry ride low in the water, causing the TransRover to strain to pull it against the perpendicular current.
Once it landed, the men carried Alonzo onto the boat. While the DuneRail crossed, there had been a heated discussion whether to secure the pilot or not and which was the more dangerous choice until Alonzo had interrupted to protest that he didn't want to be tied and left helpless if there was an emergency. Danziger only relented when the pilot allowed for the cot to be secured to the center beam. Morgan, Julia and Bess found seats near Alonzo along the built in bench, and, once they were ready Danziger signaled the opposite shore.
The wood groaned loudly as the tow cable tightened. The boat rocked over a swell, earning a pleased grin from Alonzo. He flashed a wink at Julia, who was too intent on the opposite shore to notice. Morgan felt the nausea building in his gut as the rhythmic rocking was interspersed with tugs from the TransRover as it slipped, grabbed and pulled at irregular intervals. Seeing the delight on Alonzo's face made him idly wonder if the pilot was simply too much of an adrenaline junkie or too heavily medicated to recognize the danger.
As they neared the midpoint, a sudden jolt shuddered through the small craft. Splinters flew through the air as a log rammed the scow to breach the side, sending them all ducking for cover. The cables strained under the added pressure, creaking at the sudden increase of weight. A strand of the upriver cable snapped, unfurling wildly from the remainder of the braided vines. With the log operating as a lever, the boat reared up nearly onto its side, sending everyone tumbling before breaking free and splashing back onto its keel.
When it righted and stopped rocking, the cot in the center of the boat lay empty.
"Alonzo!" Julia scrambled for the rail, looking frantically for him as Morgan pulled the VR gear off his head to look at the amused pilot.
"Where'd you go?"
"For a swim. You'd better not let Julia see this."
"I all ready did," Morgan admitted. "She fell in, too."
His eyes widening, Alonzo's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes, really. Morgan, you said it was a glitch," Julia sternly reminded him as she entered the med-tent with two bowls. She set one in Alonzo's lap before sliding a crate next to him to sit.
Morgan shrugged. "I don't know where that log came from… I didn't program it in."
"Well, then you may wish to speak with Yale about it," Julia suggested. "Thanks for sitting with him, Morgan. Danziger just called in; the TransRover crossed safely. They should be in position by sometime tomorrow at the latest."
Morgan swallowed nervously and nodded. He was relieved the mining vehicle was safe but its safe passage only brought his own closer to reality. Gathering up his crutches, he left the young couple to go find Bess.
ooooooooooooooo
end part 21