Transition Plan Chapter 42: First Homecoming Part 29 - Confrontation

As Tarzan predicted, a few days later, the massive Clayton Shipping Limited freighter appeared in the oil men's harbor late in the day, announcing itself by continuous loud steam whistles and by launching flares and firing its eight pound cannon.

Cheers resounded from the oil men. Wallace and Quentin were relieved. It had been an eternity - it seemed to them - for the freighter to arrive with more men, equipment, real English food, and hopefully some special treats for the men – loose women recruited by Cedric to satisfy them. The ship was long overdue. The oil men knew to meet the freighter in the morning, as its crew would be overburdened with the tasks of getting the ship anchored and prepared to get the huge amounts of equipment ready for the oil men prepared to unload, to vastly expand the drilling and exploration over a much wider area of the jungle spread over several encampments. More of the jungle would have to be cut down to support the operations, including building more dwellings, and massive hunts would begin, to expand the food supply to feed the tripling of the expedition's population. They'd have to bridge and dam the river below the falls to get their equipment further into the jungle. It would ruin the fish, crocodile, and bird habitats, but they didn't care. This was about profits and power. Animals were to eat or hunt for sport.

…

The echoes of the freighter's arrival signals echoed up into the jungle river valley and highlands like distant thunder. Jane and Tarzan were playing with Jana and having a grand time together while Terk and Kirok were gathering food together in the jungle for the family, and as Terk whispered to Jane's giggle, 'a little alone time'. As they played with his cousin's daughter, Tarzan and Jane gave each other a supportive glance knowing it would only be a few months before they had their own child to care for as well, and she gave him a tender kiss and smile. At the sounds of the freighter ship, their heads swiveled, knowing the moment had arrived. Each got grave looks, knowing the challenges ahead, and hugged each other for strength.

Upon both couples' hasty return the nest, Terk and Kirok knew what this meant, and sadly hugged Tarzan and Jane as they prepared to leave for the first encounter.

Tarzan and Jane announced to the family, "We have to go. We must meet our Greystoke family members to confront the oil men."

Kirok assured his friend and leader, "We'll be watching in hiding, Tarzan. Just give the word if anything goes wrong."

…

Out on the waters, the long cruise to nowhere was over for Captain d'Arnot and his crew, "Look alive, mes amis! Helmsman Bonheur, bring her about, and head to Tarzan's cove. We have two passengers to pick up before we spring a little surprise on the leaders of Cedric's oil expedition."

"My pleasure Captain. The men are tired of going in circles. They're ready for some real action and to go home. They want to see the Count and Countess again. We all miss their friendship and laughter."

The Captain noted, "That we do. A gentle reminder Bonheur: she's going to be a lot bigger now, and it will be harder for her to get around on a moving ship's deck. We'll need to all help her. Both have been in the deep jungle. It's been nearly two months, and they're not likely to have said a word of English during that time. They'll be more animal than human at first."

"I understand, sir. Their ability to adapt is amazing. But I wonder what kept the freighter, Captain?"

'We'll know soon."

…

On the eastern side of the oil exploration site, on the border between Nigeria and the land of the Mangani, hidden in the jungle, the ship's sounds were heard by Abassi and Femi and the warriors, who'd only just arrived in the Mangani's coastal lands with their warriors a few hours before. The timing was perfect. Abassi was worried that pregnant and nauseous Femi had not had enough rest in going the long journey from White Rock back to the village, only to return again to the land of the Mangani. He was afraid that much travel would weaken her or threaten the baby's health, but she dismissed the thought, and just kissed him. She was strong as a water buffalo, but he was still concerned for her safety against the oil men if combat ensued.

Abassi ordered his men, "By morning we have to be hidden in the trees at the bay to see what the oil men do with Count Clayton's ultimatum. The animals will be there too. Everyone must wear their armband or you could be attacked by accident by the animals. Let's pick it up."

To Femi, he privately expressed his remaining concern, "Femi, I am still very worried your being here. If things go badly, someone must carry our family forward."

"Life is not worth pursuing without you at my side, Abassi. Besides. Who possesses a truer spear than I, husband?"

He sighed, "Only you, Femi. No man has ever bested you."

"Only you, husband, and that is why we are wed. You won my hand that I myself had offered. And for you, my dear, handsome Abassi, I gladly gave it to you."

"I do not deserve you."

"Yes you do, who's going to keep you out of trouble, dear husband? I need to fight alongside Jane as well, husband, who is far more pregnant than I and will fight as fiercely as any jungle animal mother will do. It is our pledge to the man-spirit's family."

"I know. But I worry."

"As I do for you. But like Tarzan and Jane, you and I are one. We fight as one, as well as live and love as one. With them, our friends, we will drive these greedy men out of our land and Tarzan's."

Abassi smiled, "We are one forever, my queen."

She promised, "I will bear you a very strong son, Abassi. He will make you proud."

"Not as proud as I am of you, Femi.""

They kissed and took a long passionate hug and prepared for Tarzan's word, once this first confrontation was finished, hopefully peacefully.

…

After swinging through the jungle to the treehouse, Tarzan was tired, carrying Jane, who was almost 20 pounds heavier at over six months pregnant.

But he didn't complain and looked out of the treehouse balcony and saw the Destiny on its way to the cove, "It's time. We need to get ready, Jane."

They uncovered their luggage from the Destiny and took their English clothes, including a set that would make them look very noble, and hopefully intimidating, to the oil men as the Count and Countess, and put them in an overnight bag. They didn't need to wear them yet, but knew that they needed to adhere to a more modest dress code among their English crew and especially around the oil men. Fortunately they had their Destiny sailor crew uniforms to wear for now.

But in the event of a confrontation, they would have to have maximum mobility and be stealthy in the jungle, and would have to revert to their jungle ways to prevail, leaving civilized behaviors behind, but still with a degree of modesty if they were seen by any of the English. Tarzan made sure he packed his loincloth. Jane picked up her scant loincloth, sighed, and realized her current shape made wearing hers totally hopeless. Tarzan noticed her frustration.

He was kind but suggested, "I guess we'll have to figure something out, dear. No one but the family, our Nigerian friends, and I deserve to see your pretty body."

"Yes of course dear. I do have an idea."

Jane took the brown bolt of cloth from Tarzan's mother's trunk, and just as she had fashioned her loin cloth long ago, she deftly made something like a modern strapless, halter top-style sun dress. The front had fabric cups to gently hold her breasts and, with Tarzan's help, tied the ends around the back of her neck, giving a backless design to it. She let Tarzan's hand drift down her bare back, and momentarily into the cups, which gave her goosebumps. To aid climbing and swinging, if she had to, the skirt was very short. To accommodate her still growing belly, it draped over her baby bump completely in front. It covered her modestly enough. She modeled it for her husband.

He noted, beholding her with a very pleased look, "That's very nice Jane. You're as pretty as ever. That will be just fine for being around the men, but you know how I prefer you."

She smiled and giggled, "Thank you dear, I do know. And I prefer you dressing the same way. Even though I know that I look like I am wearing a tent. But look on the bright side, it's open at the bottom. I did that as much for you as for my comfort."

She temptingly pulled up the skirt part, revealing her dense triangular patch of curly auburn hair and bare, ample, round bottom.

He smiled as he ran his fingers through her for a moment, eliciting a welcome shiver from her at his touch, "Well what do you know, Jane? You just made a maternity loincloth!"

They both laughed.

She took off the new 'maternity loincloth' and packed it and his loincloth in the overnight bag, and secured their treehouse. They dressed in their drab Destiny sailors' worksuits.

Wearing the heavy fabric merchant marine uniform was very unpleasant to Tarzan. It was scratchy and very hot, "I hate this."

"Believe me not as much as you will in a suit, shoes, and cravat in 120 degrees tomorrow. I'm not thrilled about that yellow maternity dress either, dear."

Tarzan complained, "Don't remind me."

In the sailors' uniforms and carrying their overnight bags, the pair made their way carefully down the steep cliff side to the hidden cove, and saw the Destiny right off shore and a launch was making its way to them.

D'Arnot himself was in the rowboat, and greeted them graciously as they came ashore, "My Lord, so good to see you again! My lady, you look simply radiant."

"And I feel like a 140 pound sack of wet barley," she joked, stroking her belly.

The Captain chuckled, "Not to worry. You have a whole ship full of men dedicated to your comfort, M'Lady."

"And my husband!" she said as she gave a special smile to Tarzan as she squeezed his arm.

It was evident to the Captain that Tarzan took very good care of his wife, and they seemed as healthy as when they left the Destiny. But it did seem she was very big with about three months to go. She was no frail girl, but pregnancy was hard on even the sturdiest women. Tarzan's strong genetic stock was going to give her a very big baby.

As they boarded the Destiny, the men were also surprised at how large she'd gotten, but all offered encouragement and praised her for being so brave living in the jungle over six months pregnant. She completely filled out the largest work shirt the men had. Everyone tried to help her, and she was very thankful. But her best helpmate was still always Tarzan, and she smiled demurely at him at his constant care. He had enough on his mind with the confrontation ahead and yet he never neglected her.

The young couple held each other as the busy crew got the sails up and underway for the short trip to the big bay where the freighter was anchored.

Before dusk the two crew Captains, first mates, and the Count and Countess met and reviewed the plans for the morning. The freighter Captain was gracious in meeting the Count and Countess and pledged his service to their plan personally.

Captain McNally apologized for being late, "The Germans colonists in Togoland to our west stopped us on the high seas and demanded to inspect our cargo. They were searching for weapons. They detained us without explanation for days, but then let us go. The Germans are becoming more and more belligerent both here and in their homeland. I fear war is ahead of us."

Everyone concurred with that with concern, but they went on with their own plans. Tarzan described the weeks of surveillance with Jane, and she laid out all her hand drawn detailed maps showing where everything was.

D'Arnot chuckled at her resourcefulness, "I believe, Lady Jane, you could be a cartographer with your art talent. This is one of the most detailed maps I've ever seen. But I don't understand how you got close enough."

"Camouflage, Captain d'Arnot," said Tarzan proudly.

"Indeed? Masterful, my dear Count and Countess. I should like to see it."

Jane shot Tarzan a look and grinned.

Tarzan quickly changed the subject, "That won't be necessary. It didn't work as well as we thought. We almost got caught. We left footprints unfortunately, and they would have surely determined us to be human, not animal. The oil men know something is afoot. Their security director is a professional."

"I know him. His name is Quentin. He is talented and one of Cedric's meanest thugs. But they don't know everything. He knows nothing of the true abilities of the Lord of the Jungle and his mate."

She blushed and thanked the men.

Tarzan noted that while they would seem outnumbered, the jungle would be alive with support should anything dire happen tomorrow and in the coming confrontation. The freighter Captain didn't truly understand how the animals could help them in their battle, and how Tarzan could command them, but listened to the plans for them.

D'Arnot was impressed at how the animals would help in essential ways if the need arose, and assured his Captain McNally with relief and confidence, "Believe me, everything in this jungle obeys the Count."

They also took comfort that the Nigerians were in hiding and would help.

D'arnot said, "Young Jonathon, I believe you have once again tipped the odds in our favor. Even though I know you didn't want to endanger the animals, I appreciate that they are prepared to assist us."

"Ultimately this is their fight too. There will be no fighting tomorrow, but we will be ready if they try. All of your men must be dressed so, and no harm will come to them from the animals," Tarzan explained, showing them the left arm bands.

"Bonheur and Captain McNally, you know what to do for the men."

"Aye, Captain," said the two men simultaneously.

When everyone was satisfied they'd rehearsed their lines and coordinated their actions with every contingency for the confrontation tomorrow morning, they concluded the meeting. It was late, so everyone went back to their respective ships to sleep. Maybe.

...

Jane and Tarzan enjoyed the special comfort of their private cabin bed together after a more than a month of being gone, and they bathed in their cozy tub to relax and love each other before turning in for the night.

Jane joked, experiencing the difficulty of both fitting in the tub together with her large belly, needing much of his help to get settled into the tub and into their much-desired joining, "Jonathan, I do believe our tub is getting smaller. Can we get a bigger one?"

"Based on our first experience in your tub, I thought you liked it tight and cozy."

She leaned in and kissed him, remembering the magic of that night, "Indeed, husband and father-to-be."

After loving each other in their bath, and drying each other, she stood in the mirror examining all her changes. She was truly not happy with her shape, with her drooping big breasts, and the stretch marks forming, including the dark brown line forming down from her now 'outtie' navel all the way into her pelvic area, one of the signature marks of a pregnant woman, "Tarzan, I'm enormous and getting all these ugly marks! How can you love me like this?"

Tarzan quipped with a sly but heartfelt smile and twinkle in his eye, grasping her hands in his, "I always thought that with you being pregnant now, there's so much more of you to love!"

She rolled her eyes, "You're sweet, but I don't believe you for a second. Flattery will get you nowhere, even with a pregnant woman, ape man!"

He chuckled, "Unless you weren't just now paying attention in the bath, it just did! Not to mention all the other times…"

"Hmmm. I suppose so, my mistake, dearest!" she whimsically kidded as she hugged him and guided them both into their bed to cuddle up to sleep.

They wrapped themselves nude in the skin-soft coolness of the satin sheets, snuggled tightly back to front, kissed goodnight, and slept like they did in their grass nests. They were totally relaxed and mentally ready for the confrontation.

…

In the morning they dressed in their Count and Countess outfits. They found them unbelievably hot and uncomfortable.

Jane hid her bow and arrows in her bustle. The quiver was full, with all the arrows recovered after the snake battle, augmented by arrows that d'Arnot had on the Destiny.

"Clever, my dear," Tarzan noted.

"A girl just never knows when she's going to need a bow and arrow handy, my dear husband!"

…

Tarzan, Jane, the Captains of the Destiny and the freighter and a number of supporting sailors, fully armed, stood on the sandy beach of the bay in the morning light. The two ships framed them from behind. Jane needed her parasol to break the sun and heat. It wasn't much help. Her tendrils clung to her cheeks.

She could see the sweat pour from Tarzan in his Count's regalia, "Are you going to be all right, dear?"

"I'll be fine. Thank you."

A small entourage of oil men drove down from the oil field in a rickety, rusty truck with the hood missing. They immediately saw something was not right.

The oil explorers were surprised to see the Destiny at anchor alongside the freighter. Only two men they knew used that ship - that worthless John Clayton and Sir Cedric. Clayton's bluster never bothered them, but they were afraid that they would incur the anger of Sir Cedric, which could be terrible and swift. They had nothing to show for their labors for months.

They were even more shocked to see a young man dressed in a formal English suit with a Count's crested sash. On his arm was a beautiful but very pregnant young woman dressed in canary yellow maternity dress with a big bustle. She looked extremely uncomfortable in the many layers of tight-fitting maternity dress and petticoats, but was roughing it out standing by her husband. Nobility was so prissy in the real world outside their mansions.

The leader of the oil exploration expedition Wallace spoke, "Greetings, my Lord and Lady and Captains. We are very glad to see you, but my Lord and Lady, I must confess, I have never ever seen you before. Who are you?"

Tarzan spoke firmly, "I am Count Jonathon Clayton, Lord of Greystoke. This is my wife, the former Jane Porter, Countess of Greystoke."

Wallace was shocked at this revelation, that changed the entire equation, and thinking fast, asked, "I truly beg your pardon, sir and madam, for doubting your claim, but how is that possible? There is no surviving noble family. Count Greystoke was lost in the jungle nearby and presumably died with his wife and son more than two decades ago."

Tarzan explained, "I do know all the stories, and you are right to doubt, when entrusted with such a great task as yours for so long here in the jungle. However, you would be mistaken in that assumption. His son survived. That would be me, good sir."

That staggered Wallace and his security chief Quentin, "I accept your word as truth, Count Greystoke. You do resemble the original Count. But I must ask. Why are you here? Surely a Count and Countess have better things to come to the steaming hot Nigerian jungles for a vacation."

Without hesitation, Tarzan stated, "There is no better thing I can do than to be here in person to announce to you that as of today, this expedition is ended, and I thank you profusely, good sirs, for your labors on behalf of my estate and its businesses."

The oil men were shocked and angered, but remained calm. Wallace's patience with the insistent unexpected young Count was wearing thin, and he motioned Quentin to remain silent, and he continued to engage the Count, "Begging your pardon again, Lord Clayton, but Sir Cedric ordered us to explore for oil to make us all rich and him richer. And for you, Lord Clayton."

Tarzan stated flatly, "Sir Cedric no longer gives orders for this company. I possess enough riches in one lifetime and pay my loyal employees of the trading company well."

The implication of not following orders was clear and unsettling to Quentin and Wallace.

Wallace responded curtly, "With all due respect, Count Clayton, we will not obey your orders until we get confirmation from Sir Cedric. He chartered this expedition. He runs the oil exploration company for the peerage. Cognizance over the company's management has always been delegated by the former Count, your father."

Tarzan concluded that it was time to take the gloves off in this verbal sparring match, "Mr. Wallace, may I be clear. Cedric no longer works for the company and runs nothing. I directly control the company. I fired him, but he wouldn't take just being fired for an answer. Cedric actually no longer lives. His treachery against me and my family got him killed by his own people who knew his ruthlessness was against every precept of Clan Greystoke. I run everything in the peerage now, including the oil company, to guard against men like him. And those in his hire… You will kindly obey my orders now, please, good sirs, if you wish to remain in my employ and in my trust."

Tarzan could sense hundreds of well hidden animal and human eyes watching the escalating drama from the trees behind them. Jane held in her pride at Tarzan's adept talents in negotiations. One day he was the Lord of the Jungle, the next he was every bit a nobleman of the English Empire. It was amazing.

Taken aback, and having no answer to Tarzan's chastisement of them, Quentin and their body guards pulled out their pistols and rifles at the Greystoke party, but instantly were matched by d'Arnot and a dozen of his men. Quentin was expecting to cause fear in the Count and Countess. It shocked him that they didn't even flinch. Jane said in an uppity noble tone, and used her new her parasol to push Quentin's barrel out of their direction, "Sir, It's impolite in English society to point an elephant gun at a pregnant woman."

An incensed d'Arnot yelled, "How dare you point weapons at the Count and Countess. I could have you all arrested for this! What is the meaning of this insurrection against the Count?"

They lowered their weapons, but did not sheath them, not really sure what to do. Wallace was deep in thought at their next move, but Tarzan seized the moment.

Tarzan bit his lip at Jane's clever fearless quip, which put the oil men at a loss, and said, "I will forgive that outburst. You men are tired and less prone to good judgment after months here in the jungle. As I was saying, this expedition is over. If you would all kindly dismantle your equipment and bring it to put it on this empty cargo ship, you can all go home for another job I have for you. If you do not, I have people here who will make you dismantle the equipment. Or do it for you. If you obey my orders, I will let you keep your jobs and find another good assignment for you. If not, you are all fired."

Wallace made a fateful decision, one he knew Quentin would support, "This is highly irregular, Count Clayton. We will finish our job here to find the oil and the vast wealth it will bring us. Even if you do not want more wealth. We want your equipment to keep drilling and so we are keeping it. We own this land."

Through gritted teeth, Tarzan explained, "In point of fact, I own this land, and if you are choosing to steal my property, you are also are trespassing on my land by not doing as I say. I will have no drilling by anyone on my land."

Quentin spoke up, "I do not believe you, Count Clayton."

Tarzan turned to d'Arnot and ordered, "Show them."

Bonheur pulled out the deed and trust of the land from the Nigerians to Tarzan and let them read. The two oil men leaders became increasingly angry.

Wallace seethed, "This deed does not matter. This is the jungle. English parchment has no bearing here. Only strength and those who occupy the land through sheer numbers count here in the jungle. Bring us the new equipment and go home to your cushy castle in England and enjoy the wealth you have."

Tarzan retorted, "How little you know of life in the jungle. This land is not yours to have, nor to damage it, or take the lives of the creatures in it needlessly. The freighter is empty. There is no new equipment – the freighter is here to take back the equipment you are operating for me, illegally now so it would seem, and depart. You will leave me, this land, the jungle and its animals in peace. Or you will go home in chains. Am I understood?"

Quentin scoffed, "Oh, my dear Count Clayton, we clearly understand you, but you have no power to enforce those orders. You, bunch merchant marine sailors, and a dainty, helpless, pregnant wife are not an army."

Jane stiffened in anger over that insult, but held her place as Wallace continued, "Your 'deal' with the Nigerians, contrary to the original deal, has no bearing and no effect on us. If you want the land you will have to take it from us. We claim the land and its riches for ourselves.. We are the ones who toiled and died her for months. You can't fire us. We resign from your worthless trading company. We will work freelance for the highest bidder for our oil. We will find it. If you want it all back, just try and stop us. We know we outnumber and out gun you. We are done with this conversation, Count and Countess. Good day. Have a safe trip home."

They wheeled and turned. D'Arnot's people tried to stop them. Tarzan stayed them, "No. Do nothing. For now, let them think they have the upper hand."

…

As Wallace and Quentin and their people bid a hasty exit in the truck, checking behind them for an attack, Quentin observed, "Did you see that husband and wife?"

Wallace responded, "Yeah, what about them? They are just helpless nobility who think they can order people around with a flick of the wrist and a bag of gold. All fluff."

"Remember the pair of gorillas that weren't gorillas?"

"Yes. So?"

"It was them. They were the ones spying on us. Their feet were the same size as the prints."

"A Count and Countess capable of secret spying in the jungle like natives or animals doesn't make any sense, Quentin. You're losing your mind to jungle fever."

Quentin gave a wary scowl to his boss, "I know I am right about this. There is much more to these two than it is seems. Be very cautious. I sense much danger in them being here. At least with Cedric you knew. We know nothing of these people. They appeared out of nowhere. I know of Clan Porter, they are all just a bunch of bumbling scientists. These two are too confident. There is a reason. We must find out why. And fast."

"The legend of the man-spirit of the Mangani?"

"Precisely…"

"Then we are doomed."

"No we aren't. Ape men aren't bullet proof."

…

Deep in the treeline, Terk whispered to Kirok and to Femi and Abassi, who had all found each other and hid together, "Whew, that was close."

Kirok responded to his mate, "I know. But Tarzan is keeping his plan."

Femi said to Abassi, "Is there nothing that flusters Tarzan? He and Jane stared down a barrel of a gun without flinching."

"Remember my queen, our spears had no effect on him and Jane only weeks ago. I think they've been on the wrong end of a gun before…"

...

Authors note: The jungle chess game gets more complex the closer we come to the end game. My tributes to Disney movies continue with your support! Femi's challenge to wed suitors taken from Disney's "Brave", only Femi wanted Abassi as her mate! Haha. And yes, the oil men were driving "Cars" star character Mater's great grandfather…