Colder Than Ice Part 8

"Leave it to me."

MICHELA HEADED TOWARD her quarters, knocking on the doors of her group as she went. She gave them ten minutes to meet her in the mess.

When everyone had gathered, Michela allocated tasks for the following day. "There'll be about a two-hour delay between when the first stores depart by land and the main body of people depart by air. This will give enough time for the equipment to be on its way, while also catering for the two-person advance party to meet the stores at the other end. Alli and Rick, I'd like the two of you to be on the first chalk made available to us."

Rick tilted his head. "What's a chalk?"

"It's just a name given to a list of people who are flying by helicopter from one point to another. You and Alli can check the stores as they arrive and ensure they're placed in a separate bay, away from the others. Di, you and Rob will be first to leave in the main body, followed by Michael and Ewan and finally Sarah and myself. I've already spoken to the Wills Station team leader and she's confirmed we can rendezvous in the station's conference room once we've arrived. From there we'll be allocated our quarters for our stay. By eight tonight I'll post the flight details. The brief on immersion suits will take place about a half hour before you fly tomorrow. Any questions?" Michela hadn't missed the look on Allison's face at the reference to Maddi.

"I'd rather go by road," Allison said.

Michela turned to Allison, who stood in the corner, her arms tightly folded across her chest. Oh dear, here we go. I'm sure this won't be the last time we'll clash swords over the next couple of months. She took a calming breath. "I'm sorry, Alli. I don't know that we were given any option. The vehicles used to move stores aren't people carriers. They've s.p.a.ce for a driver and that's all. If you were to travel in one you'd freeze."

Allison shook her head. "I don't care. I'd rather go by road and freeze. In fact if it's only six miles, why can't I walk?"

The group curiously watched the argument, and Michela gave Sarah a questioning look. Sarah quickly shook her head.

Rick put his arm around Allison's shoulders and gave them a good-natured shake. "What's wrong, Alli? It's only ten kilometers. It's not like it's going to hurt you know."

Allison forcefully shook away his arm. "What would you know? Your first helicopter ride was only a few days ago."

"G.o.d, what's wrong with you? Are you pre-menstrual or something?"

Michela silently groaned at Rick's short-sighted nature. I can't believe you said that, you d.a.m.ned Neanderthal. There's something else bugging her, can't you see that? She caught herself, realizing that she hadn't initially picked up on what was now obvious.

"That wraps it up," Michela said. "Tomorrow will be busy and I ask you to follow the directions from the crew. We'll meet again in the Wills Station conference room tomorrow night. Now are there any more questions? Fine. The time's now your own." Allison strode out the door. "I guess that means the meeting's over." The remainder of the team filed out, leaving Michela and Sarah.

Exasperated, Michela ran her fingers through her hair. "What the h.e.l.l is going on? First she walks out on the captain's briefing and now she walks out on mine. Obviously you know something I don't."

"It took you a little while to pick up on her body language. And you call yourself a psychologist."

Michela rolled her eyes. "I know. I think I'd prepared myself for a confrontation and was blind to anything else. What's the problem?"

"I'm not sure I should be telling you this, but Alli was in a helicopter that went down over water. From what she's mentioned, I think she's lucky to be alive. Remember when we went to Macquarie Island and she stayed on board?" Michela nodded. "That's when she told me what had happened."

Michela mentally kicked herself for being so blind to what, given her profession, should have been obvious. "You're right. I should have picked up on her mood. But it doesn't change things. She's still going to have to leave by helo. Any suggestions on how we achieve this?"

"Short of tying her up and throwing her on the chopper?" Sarah laughed at Michela's outraged expression. "Seriously though, I think if we could talk her into taking a light dose of a relaxant that should be enough to calm her for the short journey."

Michela nodded. "That sounds like a possible solution if she'll listen to it. I can rearrange the chalks so that Rick and Alli fly second last and Di and Rob go on the advance chalk. Di's more than capable of supervising the checking of the equipment. I better go and mend some bridges with Alli."

MICHELA QUIETLY KNOCKED on Allison and Rick's cabin door. As she mulled on how to broach the topic with Allison, Rick opened the door.

"Michela, did you forget something?"

"No, I need to speak with Alli regarding a change to the chalk arrangements tomorrow." Michela wondered how much she should tell Rick. "I intend to fly Alli out in the second last chalk tomorrow to give her a chance to get used to the idea. Don't worry. I'll make sure you can fly out with her."

Rick smiled. "I understand what you're saying, but I think this is one of Alli's moods. We're here now and I'm keen to be off this tin can. Can't you reorganize it so Di and I fly out first and, say, Rob fly with Alli?"

Michela was lost for words. You obviously don't know about Alli's fear of flying, do you? And you couldn't give a d.a.m.n over why she feels the way she does. You selfish p.r.i.c.k! She struggled to rein in her temper. "I'm sure it could be arranged," she curtly replied. "In the meantime, do you know where I can find Alli?"

"She's in the cargo hold, doing a final equipment check. I swear the girl can be so single-minded sometimes that she just lets the rest of the world pa.s.s her by."

Michela thanked Rick before heading to the hold. Sometimes that's not such a bad idea. And she's a d.a.m.n woman, not a girl you misogynistic creep.

Michela quietly walked to the bay holding the stores for the Finlayson expedition. Realizing her presence was still unnoticed, she took the opportunity to watch Allison work. Her face was a picture of concentration as she ticked off items from a checklist. Allison curled her hair behind her ear, offering Michela a view of her high cheekbones and strong features. Michela's eyes traced a path up Allison's compact body, lingering on the tight waist, concealed in jeans and complemented by a long sleeved woolen skintight top that nicely outlined her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. b.r.e.a.s.t.s? Back up there a minute, woman. She's straight, remember? And what's more, you're not exactly on her Christmas card list at this moment.

Michela cleared her throat. Allison turned around.

"What do you want?" Allison demanded.

"Good afternoon to you, too." Michela bit off any further sarcasm. "I hope you don't mind, but Sarah spoke to me after you left the meeting. Why didn't you tell me about your dislike of helicopters? We could have worked something out."

Allison shrugged and returned her focus to the tablet in her hands. "I really didn't think it was any of your business."

Michela took a calming breath. "It is when it concerns one of my team."

"Don't worry. You needn't worry about me. I'm sure you've got other more pressing issues or people you need to speak with."

I swear she's baiting me. Michela resisted the temptation to be equally sarcastic. Losing her temper would get her nowhere. "Sometime over the next few days I'd like to sit down and discuss a few things with you but we don't have that luxury right now. I'm sorry about your experience with the helicopter, but it's the only way we can get you from here to the station. If you wish, Sarah can give you a mild sedative, enough to calm you for the journey." Allison shrugged. "If I could, I'd move you by land. If you want the sedative please speak with Sarah about it. If you need to talk with me, I'll be in my cabin. Feel free to drop by."

"Should I knock first, just in case you're preoccupied?"

Refusing to take the bait, Michela left Allison to her work.

MICHELA RAISED HER head as the door to the Will's Station conference room opened and Sarah entered. "First here. I hope you don't want a gold star. Hey, how did things go with Alli?"

Sarah leant against the desk that dominated the room and removed her jacket. "Things went fine. I was surprised to hear that Rick wasn't flying with her. I can't believe all he wanted to do was to get here. If she was my woman I wouldn't let her out of my sight."

Michela laughed. "Why does that not surprise me? You're a softy at heart, aren't you?"

"Rick's, oh I don't know, a bloke and a single-minded one at that. I spoke with Rob and gave him the bare facts about Alli and flying, and he couldn't have been more helpful. Now there's a real softy, even though he doesn't look or act like it most of the time. And anyway, Rick got his comeuppance by being in the first chalk."

"What do you mean?"

Sarah chuckled. "Just before the first flight was due to take off there was an almighty gust. The Katabatic winds were playing up again. I swear he was green before he even got on the helo. Thank Christ I wasn't flying with him."

They both laughed. "So, how's Alli?"

"She's fine."

The rest of the team filed into the room.

Michela quickly glanced at Allison, reluctantly thankful that her sullen features indicated the effects of the sedative had worn off. Rubbing her hands together, Michela smiled at the group's expectant faces.

"We're finally here," she said. "Now, Michael, I know you're not all that keen on more training, but there's a little bit more we've got to do. This will involve a quick brief on the Station's safety procedures, followed by training on one of our four ski-demons and our sno-trak."

"What's a ski-demon and a sno-trak?" Michael asked.

"A ski-demon is like a SKIDOO, just a different brand name," Rob replied. "A sno-trak, to put it politely, is an all terrain, tracked and heated washing machine that can fit four to five people per cycle, as well as tow a payload of about two tons."

Sarah laughed at the look on Michael's face. "Rob's right. They're very capable machines, but riding in them is like being tossed about in all different directions. For those of you who have read about the equipment in Antarctica, they're a lot like the HAGGLUND, which for many years was the vehicle of choice down here."

Michela nodded. "Rob will be the driver for one of the two sno-trak's traveling with us to the dig site. The other will carry the rest of the group and will return to station once we've been dropped off."

Ewan held up his hand. "What about the rest of the stores?"

"Some of our equipment has been pre-positioned. The portable solar power plant organized by the Finlayson Corporation has been put in place and will be waiting us on our arrival." Michela held up her hand, waylaying the outraged response that looked about to erupt from Allison. "Using Sarah's coordinates and resonance testing of the ground, they've made sure they weren't putting it anywhere near the actual historical site. In fact, it's a good forty yards from where Sarah took her core sample, Allison. If historical records are any indication, you're not going to find a building that big in Antarctica.

"On top of that, the hut that will serve as our kitchen and office will move by air. Weather permitting, this will be flown out tomorrow to our base camp by a Chinook as an under-slung load. Using the trailer on the sno-traks and a sixteen ton BOB-trak 5000, we should be able to move the remainder of our equipment."

"I'll be the bunny. What's a BOB-trak 5000?" Ewan asked.

Sarah chuckled. "It's more commonly known as BOB, which stands for beast of burden. Think of an enclosed rectangular tractor on tracked wheels, like a tank. Like the old NODWELL, if you're familiar with that." Ewan nodded. "They're a very handy piece of transportation for scientific expeditions because of the heavy loads they can tow."

Michela nodded. "Sarah's right. It will be our workhorse. Unfortunately, because of the speed of the BOB-trak and my intent to travel as a group, our movement will be relatively slow. Loaded, the vehicle's top speed is about twelve-and-a-half miles an hour in good conditions. Only experienced operators are allowed to drive these so we'll off-load our stores and then the driver of BOB will return to base, accompanied by the driver and the second sno-trak."

Dianne stifled a yawn. "That's fine but where are we sleeping tonight? I'm about ready for bed."

"Long term expeditionary are allocated a room in the building we're in," Michela said. "Because we're only going to be here for a short while, we've been put in two of the dongas outside. And Michael, before you ask, these are the living vans. You'd have seen them when you arrived."

"You're not talking about the refrigerated containers outside? G.o.d, we'll freeze," Rick declared.

"First off, you won't freeze. Each of the vans has a heating unit. And second, get used to the conditions. On the move to the dig site we'll be living in tents. I'm sorry people, but this place doesn't have a five star rating."

"I think we all know that," Allison interjected. "Why don't you just tell us who has what container and we'll be on our way."

Michela pretended to check the papers in front of her instead of reacting to Allison's belligerent tones. Deliberately avoiding Allison's eyes, she replied, "Because of the number of people here at the moment, we've been allocated two vans of four beds eacha"one for the men and one for the women. They're vans one and two, just down the stairs, off the main building."

Allison flung her head back. "Isn't that snug. I can't wait."

"What are the shower arrangements? I feel like a nice long soak," Dianne asked.

"Sorry, Di," Michela said. aThe shower arrangements here are pretty tight. They're set to a timer and automatically turn off after five minutes. We've been allowed a shower now and one before we leave, so think of the other people on the station and use the water sparingly." She quietly chuckled at the shocked look on Dianne's face. "Now, if there's nothing more, the women will be in van one and the men in two. Training starts at nine tomorrow morning, with breakfast at seven-thirty. I'll see you then."

She'd barely finished her final comments and Allison was out the door. She studied her digital tablet. As the door closed behind the departing group, she growled in frustration, only to hear Sarah's laughter.

"I take it all back. You have the patience of a saint," Sarah said.

"She's driving me crazy. If she's angry over what she saw then why doesn't she d.a.m.ned well come out and say it? I swear to G.o.d, she's the most frustrating woman I've ever met."

Sarah patted Michela on the back. "Look at the positives. It'll be good for your study."

ALLISON PULLED HER beanie from her head, removed her jacket, and sat down in one of the conference room chairs. She watched as other members of the group also disrobed as they laughed among themselves.

Derek Fowler, the second-in-command of Wills Station, cleared his throat to gain the group's attention. "It was good to see that so many of you were familiar with a ski-demon. It doesn't matter that not all of you managed to master the art of driving the sno-trak. I a.s.sume Rob'll be doing the bulk of the driving there and back.

"I know I gave you a quick brief on the station emergency procedures, but I'd like to remind you about the emergency huts that are located throughout Antarctica. If you pull out your maps we'll go on." Derek waited until there were at least two team members to a map.

"These are a lot like the dongas you slept in last night. They carry emergency rations and bedding, enough for a group to sit out a blizzard. As you can see, these are already pre-plotted on your maps. Now, if there are no questions, I'll run through the emergency evacuation procedures to be used when recovering a team member from a remote site back to the base."

Despite the importance of the information being presented, Allison's mind wandered. Were all the stores ready for travel yet? Had anything been broken in the move? She was dying to get back to checking the equipment.

At the next break she looked around the room, attempting to locate Michela. I really do need to get back to checking those stores. The idea of asking that woman to be excused riles me no end, but if I have to sit through another briefing I may commit a murder. She turned to Rob.

"Where's Dr. DeGra.s.se?"

Rob shrugged. "b.u.g.g.e.red if I know. The last I saw of her she was heading off with the Wills Station team leader. They were deep in discussion about something or other."

Allison thanked him and turned to the window. Looking over the white landscape, randomly dotted with a cornucopia of modern and not-so-modern buildings, she mentally vented her spleen. That's all this group needs is a b.l.o.o.d.y overs.e.xed woman on it. For Christ sake, can't she keep her mind on the job at hand? If she can't, then one of us will. She quietly took her leave and went to the warehouse and the expedition's stores.

MICHELA TICKED OFF her task list on her digital tablet.

"I've gone through your two primary means of communication, but unfortunately if we get solar flare activity you won't be able to contact us. If this happens you should re-establish comms at the next available opportunity. You've got enough backup fuel should your solar power unit not work. But in deference to the environment, I'd prefer you keep fossil fuel use to a minimum." Maddi rubbed her hands on the back of her jeans. "That about covers it. Any questions?"

Michela shook her head. "I don't think so. I'm sure the occasional issue will come up, but I'll deal with those as they come along."

Maddi smiled. "Yep. Down here thinking on your feet can be the difference between success and failure. By the way, what's the matter with Alli? I said good morning to her this morning and she gave me a look so scary that it could convince small children to eat their veggies."

"I know what you mean. Apparently, she saw you leave my quarters the other morning and she's had a bee up her a.s.s ever since."

"So, why should it bother her, what you do with your social time?"

"I think it's got more to do with the fact she's made a wrong a.s.sumption," Michela replied. "My dealings with her over the past six or so months indicate she's a little proud and doesn't like to be wrong. I mean, you should have seen the accommodations hut last night. Di and Alli occupied the two beds down one end, with Sarah and I down the other end. In between was an a.s.sortment of hanging towels, as if Alli was afraid that Sarah and I would spend our time gawking in her general direction."

Maddi patted Michela's shoulder. "It sounds like you've got your work cut out for you. A word of advice. Clear the air before you leave here. The last thing you want is dissent at a remote site. And, of course, if there's a problem with the sleeping arrangements, you could always bunk with me tonight."

Michela grimaced. "Oh, right. That would be a great solution." They both laughed. "You're right about solving things. I wish she could be a little more adult about it."

Michela left Maddi to her work and went to where the rest of the team was training. She wasn't surprised that Allison was absent and, guessing Allison's location, headed to the warehousing area of the station. Seeing Allison in the far bay, Michela calmed herself as she searched for a benign way to begin the conversation. Allison, wearing a less than savory expression, acknowledged her presence.

Pasting on a smile, she walked to Allison. "You seem to have your work cut out for you here. How's the stores reconciliation going?"

Allison glanced at Michela. "I'd have thought that was the least of your worries, given your obvious preoccupation with Maddi."

All thoughts of rational discussion left Michela as she fought to retain a calm appearance around the other people in the bay. Aware of prying ears, she moved close enough so that only Allison could hear her. "That's it," she uttered through clenched teeth. "Come with me, now." She turned, not bothering to see if Allison followed her.

Michela walked out of the warehouse and into the main building, in search of the nearest vacant room. When she found one, she waited by the door for Allison to enter, and then closed it quietly behind her. "Just what is your problem? You've been like a d.a.m.ned bear with a sore head for days now and I've just about had enough."

"You've had enough? You're b.l.o.o.d.y well not the only one. You must think I'm so terribly gullible buying your story of lost love. I can't believe I was so stupid to even believe you. I've no doubt you and Maddi had a good laugh on my behalf. I think the thing that p.i.s.ses me off the most is that you lied to me."

Michela shook her head. "I've never lied to you about anything."

"Bulls.h.i.t you haven't," Allison replied, hands on hips, legs apart.

"Seeing as how you think I have, when did I supposedly lie to you?" Michela asked.

Allison laughed. "At the coffee house of course."