Sammy’s Scavengers had found buildings at the southern end of the island suitable for storage of precious metals and jewellery, while the old museum adjacent to the ruins of St Barbara’s Church had been cleared of debris so it could be used to store artwork. Fortunately, the island was accessible by only a single road, Whale Island Way, and Rats quickly established a security force to protect the island and its contents.
Sammy was visiting Whale Island as part of an inspection tour and was attending a meeting with the warehouse manager and the Colonel in charge of security when they were interrupted by a message for the Colonel.
“Sir,” puffed the corporal who was the cause of the interruption. “My sergeant is aware you are in an important meeting. He said we need your assistance. He said bloody urgent, sir.”
“Well,” said the Colonel, “Let’s go and see what the problem is. Corporal, you’re on duty at the access checkpoint?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, lead the way. Sammy, would you like to join us?”
“Of course.” Sammy was very intrigued and wondered what could have caused such a request by the security sergeant.
They rode in a service vehicle to the checkpoint, while the corporal returned on his bicycle. The sergeant was waiting for them. As Sammy exited the vehicle, she looked up, along the road towards the mainland. “My goodness,” she exclaimed. “Camels. There must be hundreds of them—with thousands of armed Rats”
“Yes, ma’am. Sir. That’s my problem. They say—this person—this Rat says she is in command. There are 150 camels, all loaded with scavenged valuables, and something like fifteen thousand Rats. All female. All armed, they even have rocket launchers. They have another hundred camels out on the road. I just didn’t know what to do—.”
A dusty and slightly dishevelled Rat stepped forward and saluted. “Ma’am. Colonel, sir. The sergeant is correct, I’m in charge. My name is Belle 21 and we’re from Western Australia. I have one hundred and fifty camels loaded with gold, silver and uncut diamonds, from Kimberley, Kalgoorlie and other parts of the country. Another hundred camels are carrying our gear. We’ve ridden and driven these ugly animals across continents and my girls are exhausted. There are fifteen thousand of us. We sailed from Perth to Kenya first. Bandits attacked us a number of times as we travelled across Africa to Morocco. We lost about two thousand Rats and also sixty or seventy camels. We got all the bandits, though. Eventually we reached Spain, and from there travelled by ferry to Portsmouth. As I said, my girls and I are exhausted. Can we unload these bloody animals and then sleep for a week? Or maybe two?”
“Belle, what a marvel. Colonel, over to you to assist and care for these people. Belle, I am Sammy 13, and I’m in charge of the Scavenger project. You’re very welcome, you and your girls.”
“Thank you.” Belle 21 seemed to visibly relax. “We got off the ferry from Spain this morning, we had to charter it just for us. Then I was worried because no one seemed to know where you were located. Fortunately, we found a Rat who directed us. We’ve been on the road for six months, and I never, ever want to see a camel again.”
“But why girls? Why no males?” queried Sammy.
“The first team was all males. They went north, up south of the Himalayas, to try to find the Silk Road. There were just too many bandits. We lost them all. They buried the treasures they were transporting, and one day we may be able to recover that. So we decided we’d bring another load across the middle of Africa.”
“I’ll want to hear all the details.”
“Yes, Sammy. When I’ve rested and recovered a bit.”
Colonel Alb 45 addressed his sergeant. “Call out all the guards, whether they’re on duty or not. Get the duty captain involved, quickly. Tell him I want these camels taken to the warehouse and unloaded and the loads inventoried. Get transport here for anyone who’s too exhausted, take them to our barracks, and we’ll feed them while we sort out where to accommodate them. Belle, if some of your girls can help—?” He waited while Belle had a quick discussion with some of her lieutenants and when she nodded back, he continued, “Very good. Get to it, Sergeant.”
Sammy put her arm around Belle. “You all must be exhausted. We’ll set up temporary barracks, there’s an old office building we can clean up, on the south-western end of the island. First, let’s get you all cared for. Does anyone need medical assistance?”
Sammy changed her plans and remained on the island while the newcomers were settled in and their camel loads inventoried. She was an eager listener to their tales of bandits and travel. On the third day of her stay, the warehouse manager approached Sammy to provide his report.
“Ma’am, the girls”—the term was now common usage—“brought an amazing quantity of uncut diamonds with them. Bags full. The diamonds almost fill one of our store rooms. I think we need to increase the number of guards because once word of this gets out, we’ll be at much greater risk.”
“I think the girls can be added to the guard unit.”
“But—but—they are only just past being younglings—and—and they’re girls.” He paled as he realized his error.
“Yes, a number of us are just past being younglings and yes, we are girls. We’ll discuss those matters later. What about the gold and silver?”
“Major amounts. So far we’ve checked and weighed five thousand pounds of silver and ten thousand pounds of gold. This is worth three or four hundred million pounds. Some of the gold is in the form of large nuggets, and they may command more, on the open market. We’ve processed just over three-quarters of what the girls brought in, so it’s going to total close to five hundred million pounds. Plus the uncut diamonds. I just don’t know how to value them.”
Later, Sammy had a discussion with Belle 21. “I just can’t visualize the amount of work involved. Or the difficulties you experienced to get here,” Sammy said.
“We had over one hundred thousand Rats exploring and mining diamonds in the Kimberley, and they were very successful. Another hundred thousand were prospecting for and mining gold and silver. We all want to be part of the Star Team, we want to travel to the stars. Every one of my girls has earned an uncut diamond as a bonus, and we paid those out in advance. Difficulties? One day I’ll try to write it all down.”
“Now I have a couple of needs, both of which you and your girls have created,” said Sammy. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. I need a very good site manager here and I need reinforcements for our security. We’re now holding a tremendous amount of gold and silver, your uncut diamonds, and other jewellery; besides which, the museum contains hundreds of valuable paintings, statues and other works of art.”
“My girls will enjoy the challenge of securing this site. They’ve fallen in love with the island and with its history. So have I. It’s all so green. However, I’m not sure what I can do about your site manager requirement.”
“I have a simple solution. I want you to take on the role.”
“Me? But I’ve no experience—”
“You do have experience. Massive amounts. I want you to work for me, to continue to put your experience to good use. Now, let’s add five thousand of your girls to the security force. The remainder I’ll employ on the island. We can use them to improve the buildings, clean up the gardens, remove some of the old wreckage: there are numerous tasks which will help us improve this environment. It’ll be a comparative holiday for them, I think. Unless—you want to take those camels back to Perth?”
Belle shuddered. “No, thanks. I have seen enough of them. Can we give them away to someone? A zoo? Mounted cavalry? Set them free in Europe somewhere? France, perhaps? As long as I don’t have to care for them, I accept.”
“Good. I’ve asked Sam 32nd to visit, he’ll be here tomorrow. He’s looking forward to meeting you all. He’s very impressed with your contribution. I told him I was going to recruit you and he’ll be pleased to hear you have accepted. Now go talk with your girls and make sure they agree, as well.”
Sam 32nd was indeed impressed and asked Sammy to assemble the girls. When they were all ready, he gave a short speech. “I have heard about a valiant band of Rats called Belle’s Girls. I congratulate Belle and all of you. Very well done. Somehow, we’ll communicate with the other Rats who did the prospecting and mining and thank them as well. Of course, when we load Shen Ark, you and they will board the starship. With your contribution, we are very close to raising the amount we agreed upon in our contract with the Shen. I understand all of you are going to remain on the island and work for Sammy. I suggest you relax and enjoy yourselves for the next day or two, because she’ll find work for all of you. Thank you again.”
Later, Sam 32nd spoke with Sammy and Belle. “Sammy, your scavenger project is exceeding all my expectations; indeed, it was a very good idea of yours. Belle, I cannot emphasize enough how impressed I am with you and your girls. Welcome to our team. Remember, if there’s anything you need, please ask. Now show me the inventory: I want to see what you brought before I head back to London.”
***
Chapter 23
Sally had decided to study for her degree in London, to the surprise of almost no one who knew her. Her major was molecular biology, which apparently did surprise her family. Her reasoning was that she wanted to understand the causes for the remarkable changes in Rats.
Sally was sharing the upstairs portion of a house near the Embassy with her sister, Sasha. Freddie was a welcome visitor and spent most of his spare time with them. Or with Sally, rather. She was confident her university grades at the end of her first year would be high, because she had been very industrious, as she explained to Freddie.
“Dr. Engineer, I said I would work hard, and I did. Now do you think we can relax for a week or even two, because you’ve been working very hard, as well?”
Freddie said, “So you worked hard, did you? Which day? I must have missed it?” He avoided the thrown cushion.
“You could come home with me and visit with my parents. They’d love to see you.”
Sasha, on her way to the Embassy, walked through the living room where this debate was taking place. “Who would love to see Freddie?”
“Mum and Dad.”
“Oh, I agree.” Sasha gave Freddie a searching look. He grimaced and seemed to signal. “Very well, I’ll break the news. Sally, Rats have agreed to sign the contract and pay the deposit to purchase Shen Ark. They’ll do all this today. As a result, Sam 32nd wants Freddie to carry out his inspection of the starship, starting as soon as possible. There,” she smiled sympathetically at both her sister and Freddie, “I’ve broken the bad news. Freddie, the contract signing meeting is scheduled for midday, instead of this afternoon. His Highness just messaged me—you probably have an update, as well. I’ll leave you two, now.” Sasha continued on her way.
Sally sat back on her chair, tears welling. “You didn’t tell me,” she complained.
“The decision to sign was made late last night. Which is why I came over this morning. I knew you’d be upset, and I think Sasha knew I was struggling with how to tell you.”
“Oh, Freddie.”
Freddie was nonplussed; he had no experience in coping with a crying woman. He sat on the edge of Sally’s chair and tried to console her.
“Sally, it was scheduled to happen eventually. You know, we had discussed this a number of times.” His realism did not reduce the volume of Sally’s wails. Freddie paused for a moment, then decided to release all the bad news. “Shen are landing the shuttle here on Friday, so I have only two days to prepare. I’ll be gone for three months.” He half cuddled, half held Sally from his awkward position on the edge of the chair.
Eventually the tears ceased and Sally pushed Freddie away. He handed her his handkerchief and she took it in silence and wiped her face. At last she spoke. “Oh, Dr. Engineer. I’m sorry. Of course I knew that at some stage it would happen, that the contract would be signed, and you’d then head off to the Shen Ark. I just thought that if I had enough time, I could have wheedled you into staying. I just didn’t realize it all would happen so soon.”
“Neither did any of us. The timing has been brought forward, because Rats now have all the funds they need. They deposited a tremendous amount of gold, silver, and diamonds with the Bank of England yesterday.”
“Oh, what does this mean for us?” Sally wailed, the tears almost starting to flow again.
“You need to continue your studies. I’ll be working hard on the starship.” Freddie was taking refuge in a practical approach. He did not mention his planned three-month absence was an optimistic estimate. He knew it could easily extend to six months or more, as provided in the contract. He was taking a large team with him and they had major tasks to complete. There was a condition in the contract requiring Rats to confirm the inventory and technology within a set period, and Freddie knew both how difficult and how important his team’s work would be.
“Typical male,” complained Sally. “Stating the obvious and ignoring the emotional aspects.”
“Sometimes it’s the only way.”
“Wrong, totally wrong. Come with me, my dear Dr. Engineer.” Sally stood and led the way upstairs, to her bedroom.
~~~
Freddie arrived at the Embassy, on time for the re-scheduled meeting. Sasha looked at him inquiringly. “We kinda worked it out,” was all Freddie was prepared to say and Sasha nodded.
“Good. My little sister has a realistic head on her shoulders. Are you all right?”
“More or less. Three to six months away is going to be very difficult. However, there are no alternatives. We need to get this done.”
Sam 32nd arrived with Ser Glide, Ser Jan and Ser Nish. Sir Roscoe, the Bank of England representative was also in the group. Their presence signalled both the end of personal conversations and the start of the meeting.
Sam 32nd said, “Thank you, everyone. Let’s get to business. I know we’ve accelerated the process and you didn’t expect this point to be reached for another six or even twelve months. Neither did I, if the truth be known. Ser Glide, this is an occasion, for both Rats and Shen. We’ll both sign the contract today, now, and Sir Roscoe will formally attest the authenticity of our signatures. I have asked our Capins to join us, because they also will sign. As will Dr. Jones.”
Freddie sat up, instantly alert, the unexpected formality of his title taking him aback. He had totally forgotten he would also own part of the starship, as agreed previously with His Highness.
The meeting paused as the ten Capins entered and were introduced by Sam 32nd to each of the Shen and to Sir Roscoe. Sasha was also included in the introductions. Freddie who had already met the Capins at various times, now exchanged greetings and handshakes with them.
“Please sit,” directed His Highness. “Capins, each of you will sign where indicated by Sasha, then I’ll sign, then Dr. Jones, then Ser Glide and Ser Jan. Sir Roscoe will attest each of our signatures. When we have all signed, I’ll execute the document required by the Bank of England, to transfer the stated consideration from our account to the Shen account. Sasha, please.”
There followed an industrious scratching of pens as signatures were applied and validated in the sequence indicated by His Highness. A Rat photographer ensured images were captured of each signatory as he or she—four of the Capins were female—signed. When Sir Roscoe was satisfied with the executed state of the contract, he handed the Bank of England transfer form to Sam 32nd for his signature, the final step. When His Highness completed his signature on the transfer form, a massive cheer went up, initially from the Capins, and then from all the Rats in the Embassy. Sam 32nd smiled his quiet satisfaction with both the completion of the contract and the applause. He signalled, and a catering team rushed in with refreshments. As the caterers distributed food and drinks, he turned to Freddie.
“Congratulations to you, too, Dr. Jones.”
“Thank you, sir. I now need to earn the remainder my share.”
“I’m sure you will.”
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“Congratulations from me and Sally, too, Freddie,” added Sasha. “She messaged me.”
“Thank you, both. I know Sally regards this unfavourably, from her point of view. I dread to think about her reaction when Shen Ark departs.”
“We dread it, too. Both of us. It’s far into the future, though, isn’t it?”
“I can only say it depends. On me and my team, mostly. We have two major tasks. One is to validate and absorb everything we can about Shen Ark and Shen technology. The second is to develop what Sally calls my bubble machine. If only it were so simple. I need to be on board Shen Ark for both these tasks. Well, we can work on some of the theory for the bubble machine here, in London; however, once we get all the theory sorted and draft out our preliminary designs, we need to be on the starship.”
“Sally’s not going to be pleased.”
“She and I have discussed this. When the purchase seemed to be so far off in the future, it didn’t matter. Now, however—” he shrugged—“I suspect my schedule reads something like: spend the next six months on Shen Ark to carry out contract validations, back to London for perhaps three or four months, then back to Shen Ark. With maybe occasional visits to London. For as long as it takes.”
“Why you, Sally will ask.”
“She has, already. My answer is simple. Because I can. Or at least, I think I can.”
“Such a weighty responsibility for one so young.”
Shen Ark: Departure Page 18
