Höllenbadt: Book two of the Torus Saga

by Berg, Michael

  Chapter 30

  John and Tobias had been working day and most nights, on constructing a suitable scanning device to ensure they remained safe from both the Agent, and from detection by the authorities. They had successfully constructed an algorithm based on the data parameters within John’s stealth device, but had expanded the resonance properties to a frequency John was certain, would hide the presence of the scanner and thus, avoid detection of them via use of the device. The summer harvest was over, where all at the farm had made an effort to make use of the good weather and store the supplies well. News of the events in the United States, and the ensuing pressures their leaders placed on other nations, including Peru, had travelled quickly, and so the entire group became intent on storing and providing for themselves in case there were difficult times ahead.

  On this particular evening, the weather had turned grey with dark clouds flowing down from the high peaks around the valley, bringing enormous amounts of rain with them. The wet season was a period during the new year and on towards the start of the autumn season, and they were now in the throngs of it heaviest deluge of both rain and wind. As they all sat eating a meal of grains, vegetables, breads and fruits, the local men told the others what they could expect in the coming weeks.

  “We will see periods like this, and then we will get a few sunny and hot days, only for the rains to return where we will have to be indoors,” Manuel told them.

  “So that will be a good time to get working with that mill stone, won’t it honey?”

  “Yes Kerry Ann. I do find your affection for the mill interesting.”

  “Well, my mill kept me going for all those years up in Nebraska. Without my mill, I wouldn’t have lasted very long…and I wouldn’t have these strong arms.”

  “When do the seasons begin to change?” Jake asked.

  “Oh, around April we will see the rains start to become less and less. Then it goes dry for a long time.”

  “And the water for the steam engines. I guess that is why you have such large tanks?”

  “Yes, see there is not so much rain for many months, so we need to store a lot to run the machines. The river provides for a time, but it begins to get smaller in mid winter around July. Then, in spring when the mountain snows begin to melt, the river runs again for us.”

  The following morning, Juan asked if John and Tobias could help him make repairs to the steam engine used to run the grain cutter. It had served them well during the harvest, but as it is with machines that are so old, it required regular maintenance to keep it operating.

  “She is a beautiful engine,” John remarked as the three men stood assessing what repairs were needed.

  “Yes. I have had it many years now since before those times when the authorities brought in the identification chips. Diego and I had thought of establishing a community here on the farm that was not so dependent on the machines and technology of these times. We saw it as an opportunity to live more in the ways where life was about being active for doing what our relatives had lived like more than a century ago. They seemed to live much more of a simple life than the present times with all the devices and computers managing everything and making the minds of many so lazy.”

  “Yeah, I agree there. Even though I know a lot about technology myself…so too does Tobias, I consider the simple ways to be rewarding. When I was in Alaska, all I had was my little bag of technology, and an old aeroplane I would fly. Otherwise, it was a life at the frontier, and very similar to what you have aspired to.”

  “I began to feel the same way after the authorities decided my knowledge of the operations at HAARP, were too much for their liking. I can see the value in simplicity. It…um, seems to invigorate your senses and makes you think of ways to survive, or to make good with what you have.”

  “Yes it does Tobias. That is why we built this farm here. Soon enough, our friends came to join us, for they could see the same values. Lolita is especially one for living in such a way. She does enjoy the rural life and growing food ourselves for us to eat. The manufactured provisions in the cities seem so artificial to her…and us. But now, the engine. I think we need to re-make this cog here, and also the push rod running from it.”

  “So we need to fashion some iron. Do you have any scrap metals?”

  “Oh yes. That is why Diego and I went to the city when we first met you, aside from obtaining power cells for the rifles. We were travelling to acquire any scrap metals we could find for this very purpose, but we were only a little successful. It seems as though metals are also becoming scarce.”

  “And the forge?” Tobias asked.

  “Come. We will light the forge, and you two can help me melt down the scraps and pour them into the mould.”

  Tobias worked the bellows as Juan stacked the fire, whilst John prepared the mould. They worked well together in synchronicity, where only after a short time, the fire was at the right heat, and the mould ready for them to begin.”

  “It sure is different doing it this way,” Tobias remarked as he watched Juan pour the molten metal into the mould John was holding with a large set of tongs.

  “Yeah mate. It makes you feel like you are much more of the process, rather than just setting it all up using technology.”

  “Now hold it steady,” Juan said, as he poured the last of the metal.

  A minute later, John plunged the newly made cog into a pale of water with a hiss, causing steam to billow in the air around the men.

  “Now we must file it down,” Juan said as he prepared an area where they could work on refining the shape of the piece. “Tobias, can you prepare the fire again for the rod whilst John and I work on this?”

  “Yeah, sure. Anything. I am really enjoying this work.”

  “That’s good, as there will be many instances where we do this work in coming times. These old machines do require a lot of maintenance at times.”

  Two hours later, they had finished successfully making the cog and rod, and so they set about fitting them into the steam engine. When they had greased them sufficiently and then manually tested their working, they all exclaimed with delight in seeing the engine return to a working state.

  “A job well done I would say,” John said.

  “Indeed. And thank you. You have saved me many hours of labour.”

  “Hey, it is the least we can do. After all you have allowed us to live here with you.”

  “You are welcome Tobias…and you John, and all the others. Your presence here has been a blessing since the very day you arrived.”

  “Well, what’s next? Surely there is something we can do. What about some grain milling?”

  “I think Steve, Kerry Ann and Diego are taking care of that.”

  “Um, Ok. Let’s pay them a visit then and see how they are going.”

  The short walk over to the mill was in the pouring rain, and so by the time they arrived, all three men were soaking wet. John and Tobias had not taken more than a brief glance at the engine used in the mill house before, and when they stood there seeing it operating smoothly, they both expressed their admiration for the work Juan had done in restoring the old machine.

  “Throw some more wood in please honey.”

  “Sure Kerry Ann. We thought we would come over and see how you two are going. So how is it going?” John asked as he threw a few logs through the small door into the engine’s firebox.

  “Oh it is all good honey. Diego, Steve, and I have just about enough grain. Lolita asked if we could mill enough to make a large bag full. I suspect she is intending to do a lot of baking.”

  “Is there anything we can do for you?”

  “Not so much. I think Kerry Ann and I will be finished soon.”

  “Ok. Give us a shout if you need anything then.”

  By evening, Lolita had prepared fresh breads and cakes for them to all enjoy as they sat in the house, crowded around the dining table. The rain continued heavily all day, so she had invited them all to join the others in the house to spen
d the evening together, rather than stay in the barn to eat.

  “Are there many festivals around these parts during the year?” Lyle asked.

  “Oh yes, there are some,” Ricardo replied. “But they are not so much like they were in times past.”

  “Why?”

  “Since the authorities began to see celebrations as inefficient, and then the Agent has made things quieten down. People still hold the festivals, mostly though as so many are distracted, they are not so willing to attend. There is the La Virgen de Candelaria in Chivay – a town not so far from this valley. It celebrates the Christian religion. And there are festivals more of the older Peruvian cultures, but these times are so difficult so they are not like they used to be.”

  “The Incas had a history around here didn’t they?”

  “Oh yes. Many ancient relics, carvings, and festival dances come from the time of the ancients. Around Lake Titicaca, there are many celebrations. Some of them are in worship of the great Condors that fly between the mountains, especially over the Colco Canyon.”

  “The peoples of this place are very much a celebratory people,” Chan remarked.

  “Yes. They have always aligned themselves with the elements of the mountains, the deserts, the animals, and the rivers. They were their lifeblood, and so they have always paid respect to such things. It is a shame there is not as much celebration in these times.”

  “We saw that at Toro Muerto as well. Many of the carvings there were about this celebration and homage to the elements…”

  “Ah, consider this perhaps Lyle. Rather than homage, maybe they are merely in respect to them as part of the natural progression of life.”

  Lyle thought about his choice of word for a moment, in response to Chan’s suggestion, and he could see his point, where rather than to worship as a deity or element of superior being, the celebration could be more of an awareness of the alignment.

  “I see what you are saying Chan. It is not a notion of superiority, rather the understanding of each place within the progression.”

  Next morning, Carmel and Raynie were tending to Frieda, when John and Tobias appeared with a proposition. “We are thinking of travelling to Arequipa and having a look around for some items I require, and also to check and see of any of the others who came with us on the jet, might have left a message for us at the restaurant we agreed on. I am also thinking of taking a look at the airport to see if our jet is still there.”

  “Do you think it would be gone then John?”

  “I’m not sure Carmel. With the latest news, I am feeling uncertain about it not being taken by the authorities.”

  “But only you have the algorithm key to operate the jet.”

  “Yes I know. But they might try and crack the code.”

  “Ok. What do think Raynie?”

  “Who else is going?”

  “Just us. I asked Lyle and Jake and they were not keen, nor was Chan. I didn’t ask any of the others, other than to tell Juan we would look for any scrap metal for use on the forge. Maybe it is better if us two just go.”

  “Um…I’ll come with you.”

  “Ok.”

  “Raynie?”

  “I think I will stay…here with Jake.”

  “Sure. We thought you probably would. We should be back later tonight, if we get moving now. I estimate we will arrive there by midday, then take a look around, and then leave the city before dusk.”

  Frieda seemed happy to be towing the cart along with its three passengers towards the city. They had departed as soon as possible and had made good time as the sun climbed towards it high point in the clear blue sky.

  “What exactly are you and Tobias after in Arequipa John?”

  “We require a few elemental parts for the device I have been working on. Just a few wires and capacitors.”

  “Is it a scanner?”

  “Yes. The one we used before was Ok, but I want to establish a far wider spectrum with this new one.”

  “Will it take the Torus?”

  Ah, yes…if Chan would allow it. But it will work fine without the amplifying properties found in the Torus. If Chan allowed us to use it, then it would probably be at least one hundred times more powerful.”

  “Detectable?”

  “Not really. It might be if someone was very close by. The algorithm I have built should take care of disguising its presence in almost every instance.”

  “The authorities will be after you John. The news recently is a warning for us. The Agent must have upset them considerably and you know they still want flux mechanics from you.”

  “Yes I do. We are just going to have to do what we can to stop them obtaining it…and me.”

  “How about a dose of my ray gun?”

  “I was thinking about that actually. During our work on the scanner, I thought it might be worth copying. The pulse rifles we have contain a particular data signature, and as they are authority issue, then it would be natural to assume, they would be able to detect them.”

  “So we are not just going to fetch parts for the scanner then?”

  “You got me Tobias. I was going to tell you as we travelled, but you have forced it out of me. Your efforts at creating such a rudimentary device are worthy of notoriety indeed. Without any use of data, possession and use of your ray gun would not be detected.”

  “Ah Tobias, you seem to often float around in the background thinking of this and noticing that, but you have given to us in ways perhaps you did not consider.”

  “Thanks Carmel. I do my best.”

  There were no messages left for them at the restaurant they had all agreed as a meeting place, when the three travellers checked. As they sipped coffee, they discussed how they were to approach the search in Arequipa.

  “I suggest we look in the more industrial areas of the city. We’ll do this before we go to the airport to check on my…our jet. Either way, if we go there first, or look for the parts we are after, the jet will either be there or not.”

  Arequipa still retained most of the industry supporting the on-going operations and lives within. When they came across the parts they required inside an old factory at the edge of the industrial area, after having tried half a dozen buildings previously, its occupant who sold them what they were after, also provided them with some warning advice.

  “The authorities have begun to crackdown in this city. Not for years, have we seen anything like it. Be careful, because they are watching for anyone they think is suspicious…and you three would be seen that way.”

  “Have they been to the airport?”

  “Yes they have. Some rumours are around of them finding a HyperJet there that they did not own. Who knows? Maybe it is the truth, or maybe not. Anyway, they tried to take the jet, so people say, but they couldn’t. They are probably watching out for whoever owns it to show up.”

  “I see. Well, thanks for the parts. They will be of great use to us.”

  “What are you doing with them? Nobody comes here to buy such things anymore. You must have some machines.”

  “Um, yes we do. Just an old steam engine we use to run a grain mill.”

  “Ah, so you live in the farmlands. Watch out there too. The authorities have already taken over a few of the farms close here to the city. They might come to yours as well.”

  “Really! Ok, um, thanks again.”

  “That’s Ok, but be careful. You three look out of place of sorts…even with your horse and cart.”

  “Will we still go to the airport John? That man told us to be wary.”

  “I think so. What do you think Tobias?”

  “Um, sure. If we stay a distance from the hanger, we could at least take a look.”

  “Exactly what I was thinking.”

  As they stood about one hundred yards from the open end of the hanger, looking as if they were local citizens with the clothes they bought in the city on the way from the industrial area, they could see the man’s warning was well placed. Four people who were obviousl
y officers of the authorities, stood at the opening with pulse rifles at their side.

  “We cannot approach any closer, but it looks like the jet is still intact.”

  “Yeah, I agree John. They will not be able to gain access until they crack the code. Lucky you were able to do so when we first checked the jets out at Seattle.”

  “Yes, a stroke of luck with my scanner being able to decipher the initialisations sequence to gain access and then to fire up the jet.”

  “Will it take them long to crack the code John?”

  “Not sure Carmel. Perhaps it will, or perhaps they might get lucky. But I tend to think on it taking longer than they would like. It is unlikely they would see many of these around here, and being a US based plane, they would have to somehow access data originating from there.”

  “Then we should hurry back to the farm John and make a decision.”

  “Why Carmel, we are safe here.”

  “For a time John. Think though, if they do ask the US for codes to access a HyperJet that has suddenly appeared in Arequipa, what will the US authorities do?”

  “Oh no! You are right. Let’s go now!”

  They departed immediately and drove Frieda as fast as they dared to push her for the remainder of the trip back to the farm. She was panting hard and dripping sweat when they arrived and called all the others for an emergency discussion.

  “We need to decide what we are going to do, and fast,” John stated to open the meeting. “The authorities are all around the jet in Arequipa, but have been unable to obtain access. It was Carmel who made me think of what I had obviously overlooked. If they ask the US for the codes to access the plane, then the US authorities are going to realise it was the plane we stole from the Agent. It is almost entirely unlikely that anyone else would have recently stolen a jet, so we are the obvious answer.”