Colder Than Ice Part 19

Thinking about yourself yet again. "That won't be dismantled as it was put here under trial conditions. Under the agreement, only the people who installed it are qualified to remove it. This fits in well with our plans. It means Rob can disconnect power progressively until there's only power to the two remaining apples. That power will remain until the day we leave for Wills Station."

"What about the impact of the helicopters landing near the site?" Allison asked.

Michela smiled. "That won't be a major problem. We'll establish a LZ on the far side of the site. The only time the helo will get close is when the load master slings our kitchen and carries it on its merry way. The weather forecast indicates the wind should be pretty calm for the move back to the station. It should take about four hours there and back, with the loading taking advantage of the extended light conditions and extra helicopter crew."

Michela turned to Rick and Dianne. "For you two this will be an especially long day, but Maddi a.s.sures me there's now enough spare living s.p.a.ce in the main building that we'll all be accommodated in there. Any final questions?"

"I'd still like to give it one more try at finding the location of the photographer's hut," Rick said.

Michela shook her head. "I understand, but I don't think we have the time. When we return to the station I'll ensure that the site's marked to prevent any possible site egress or damage. Maybe it's a consideration you can make for subsequent digs, finding the hut that is."

"If you think I'm coming to this G.o.d forsaken place ever again, then you've got another thing coming," Rick said.

"And Antarctica will be grateful to see the a.s.s end of you too, mate," Sarah muttered for only Michela's ears.

ALLISON, RICK, AND Dianne confirmed the site was relatively stable until the next dig. Rob, Sarah, and Michela progressively broke down the camp, crating equipment and stores for the journey to Wills Station and Hobart. Rob and Sarah moved into the mess hut when the googie was dismantled, to live in until they took over the second apple when Rick and Dianne departed.

Fortunately the weather held and the first helo lift arrived at eight the following morning.

Allison was surprised at the helicopter crew's efficiency. "What are they doing now?"

Sarah pointed to where the crew was working. "They're checking to make sure the boxes within the mess hut are well stowed or the load may s.h.i.+ft during its move to the station. Then they'll rig it within a chain frame which will be hooked onto a lead that will be suspended from the helo. Once that's complete the load master will get off the top of the hut and the helo will carry it away. The load master will then be picked up on the next trip."

Allison frowned. "We put a heck of a lot of stuff in there. What happens if it's too heavy to lift?"

Sarah smiled. "Do you remember the other day Rob was filling out a chart of what we put in the hut?" Allison nodded. "He was raising a cargo manifest. This details the weight or at least the approximate weight of everything in there. He then totaled this and added the weight of the container to make sure it didn't exceed the under slung load tolerance of the helicopter. Trust me, it didn't by a long shot. It'll be fine, don't worry about it."

It wasn't long before the helicopter returned, and set down on the LZ. Using the sno-trak, the artifacts from the dig and the remainder of non-essential stores were transported into the bowels of the aircraft before Rick and Dianne boarded for the flight back to Wills Station.

The team watched the helicopter until it was no more than a speck on the horizon. "Thank Christ they've gone," Rob muttered.

"Rob, that's enough," Michela said. "Remember you've got a sea journey with Rick to contend with yet."

Crossing his arms, Rob smugly smiled. "That may be so but I'm banking on the journey being as rough as the trip down. If that's the case then Rick will spend most of his time in his bed or praying to the porcelain G.o.d. But you know the best bit about that?"

Sarah laughed. "What?"

Rob threw his arm around Allison's shoulders. "This time this young lady can enjoy herself instead of playing nurse maid. The idea of Di cleaning up after that b.a.s.t.a.r.d does my old heart good."

The group shared a laugh. The long-range radio crackled to life.

"Finlayson Base this is Wills Station. Michela, this is Maddi, do you read me, over?"

Michela went to her daypack where the radio was stored, but not before she saw Allison stalk off in the opposite direction. "Maddi, this is Michela, go ahead."

"Michela, our meteorologists are recording the possibility of enhanced solar flare activity in the next twelve hours."

Michela frowned and clicked her tongue, as she recalled the ability of such activity to render useless their long-range communications. "How long is it expected to last?"

"They're not sure, but you can bank on being out of contact for at least three to four days."

Michela removed her beanie and ran her fingers through her hair. "I guess there's nothing we can do about it."

"That isn't the worst of it. They've also picked up a major storm front heading in your direction that's due to hit within eight hours. There's no way you could make it back to the station in that time. I suggest you maintain your position until the storm's pa.s.sed."

Michela turned to Rob and Sarah. Sarah held up her hand. "We're on it. We'll check the huts and ensure everything that can be tied down, is."

Michela nodded and returned to the radio. "We'll batten down here. I won't break camp until we can establish communications with you and determine the storm cell's pa.s.sed."

"That sounds fine. And, Michela, take care of yourself. I'd like to see you back here soon and in one piece."

"I'd like to see all of us in your location and in one piece. Keep an eye on Rick and Di, will you."

"Michela, this is Maddi, roger, out."

Michela put the radio back onto her pack and headed to her apple. She entered the hut, put her pack on the bed, and turned to Allison. "Maddi says there's a storm cell coming and it's due to be upon us in the next eight hours. I'm sorry to disturb you, but we really do have to ensure the camp is safe."

Allison closed the book she was reading and quickly stood. "Sorry, I was engrossed in Finlayson's diary. I really didn't want it to go back to the station with the rest of the artifacts. Speaking of artifacts, will Finlayson's hut be okay during the storm?"

Michela held back a terse response when she saw the concern on Allison's face. She gave Allison's arm a rea.s.suring rub. "I don't know, but it's been here for over one hundred and ten years, so I don't think it'll give its place up in history all that easily. Besides, Rob's boarded the hut's entrance, so the worst that can happen is the snow will cover it over again."

"What needs to be done?"

Michela picked up her heavy-duty work gloves. "Rob and Sarah have started checking the anchor points for their building. If you could check out the short range radios for serviceability that would be great."

Allison pulled on her jacket. "Why the short range radios? I thought their distance was limited."

Michela nodded. "They are, but Maddi also said solar flares were expected. This'll cut out our communications with Wills Station. I want to be able to at least talk between the two apples once the storm hits. I'm going to check the anchor points of our apple. Can you tell Rob and Sarah we'll meet in their hut in, say, ten minutes?"

"Okay. I'll grab the radios from the sno-trak and meet you there." Allison turned to the door, halted, and turned back to Michela. "Is there anything else I can do?"

"Can you make sure the blizzard rope around the base is still anch.o.r.ed correctly? Once this storm hits there'll be no telling what will happen." Michela followed Allison through the door. Pausing on the top step, she looked at the deceptively blue sky that displayed no hint of the oncoming storm. Here we go again. Small s.p.a.ces and Allia"I hope we don't end up murdering each other.

MICHELA QUICKLY COMPLETED a check of the camp and entered Rob and Sarah's hut. She pulled her beanie from her head. "The wind's already picking up out there. I don't know if the weatherman got it right this time."

Sarah laughed. "Well, it wouldn't be the first time they got it wrong. What's the plan?"

"If we still had the googie I'd have recommended we all bed down in that. The apples are a little too small for four people over an indeterminate period of time."

"What do you mean indeterminate period of time?" Allison asked. "How long do you think the storm will last?"

"You never know how long these babies are going to last," Rob said. "I've been in one that went for twenty days before it blew itself out. Don't worry though, this one may be as short as the last storm that blew through here."

Michela nodded. "Rob's right, but I'm going to err on the side of caution. We'll pull the emergency rations and power from the storage container in the sno-trak and divide them between us. Once the storm hits I don't want any unnecessary movement outside the buildings. It looks like we're going to have to wait this one out. At least the short range radios will allow limited communications between the apples."

THE STORM HIT the camp three hours before its forecast arrival. While it was uncomfortably close within their apple, Michela and Allison used the time to focus on their respective tasks. Allison occupied the hours reading and cataloguing Finlayson's diary, pausing only when an extra-strong gust of wind buffeted the hut. Michela collated her research notes and made a rudimentary start on her final report. They worked through the early evening, stopping only for refreshments and dinner. As the storm continued to lash the sides of the hut they went to bed, both hopeful that the morning would bring an end to the storm and the forced occupation.

The following morning Michela woke and wasn't surprised to hear the sounds of the storm. It looks as if we're in here for another day. Looking around, she saw that Allison had already risen.

Allison brushed her hair and smiled. "Good morning, sleepy head. Feel like some breakfast?"

Michela sat up. "Thanks. What have you got planned for the morning?"

"Oh, more of the same I suppose. I really do want to finish this diary before I have to hand it over. Are you continuing with your research?"

Michela nodded. "Yep. But if I'm to get anywhere I better get up."

Allison carefully placed her brush on her already overloaded makes.h.i.+ft bookshelf. After ensuring it was stable, she walked toward the stove to make breakfast.

ALLISON CHECKED HER watch, surprised to find it was mid-morning. She closed the book and rubbed her tired eyes. "Ugh, this is murder. Elizabeth was a prodigious writer and this cursive text is b.l.o.o.d.y hard to read."

Michela put down her pen and watched as Allison rubbed the base of her neck. I could do that for you if you like. She mentally slapped herself. "I know what you mean. It's been years since I've had to write freehand. I'm sure recording my research would have been a lot easier if my digital tablet hadn't died when it did. It's amazing what we get used to, isn't it?" Allison nodded. "Hey, have you found any reference to whether Elizabeth told the rest of the crew that they were being led by a woman?"

"Not really. From what I can see, she traveled as a male and that makes a little sense. Who's likely to follow a woman to the bottom of the world?" Allison rose and turned to the small gas stove. "Would you like a cup of hot chocolate?"

"If you're offering. Thanks very much." Michela watched as Allison pulled her own mug from the makes.h.i.+ft shelf at the end of her bed. "You know if you put anything else on that it's likely to break."

Allison looked at the shelf and then shook her head. "Nah, I'm sure there's a little more s.p.a.ce on it."

Michela laughed and then watched Allison's back as she prepared the beverage. The relative warmth of the hut allowed them to dress in only one layer. Her eyes traced a path from Allison's warm trousers to a long sleeved skivvy that clung to her curves. Not too skinny, that's nice. Certainly nicely built for her outdoor work. Wonder what it would be like to run my hands over the delicately muscled planes of her back.

"Earth to Michela, are you there?"

Michela looked up. Allison was on the other side of the table, the skivvy offering a relatively unimpeded view of her shapely figure. Michela forced her eyes away from where they desperately wanted to look and stared at the steaming mug Allison had placed in front of her. "Thanks." She picked up the mug, blew on the liquid, and took a sip.

Allison sat down. "Can I ask you a question?"

Michela took another drink of hot chocolate. "Ask away."

"You remember the night at the coffee house?" Michela nodded. "You said you'd been in a long relations.h.i.+p, four-and-a-half years, I think. Why did you break up? I mean, you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"It's okay. It's a little easier to talk about now," Michela said. "My partner, or should I say ex-partner's name is Natalie. We were together for a long time, but most of that time I was away on one field trip or another. I suppose I can't blame her really, breaking up that is. When I think about it now I can't help but wonder whether I was running away from commitment, trying my best to not develop any lasting emotional ties. I'd been hurt before and now I'm wondering whether I was ever true with her in the relations.h.i.+p. Maybe she's better off with someone else."

Allison pondered Michela's response. "Did you love her?"

Michela ran her fingers through her hair and gazed around the cabin as if looking for an answer. She returned her attention to Allison. "I used to think I did but now, well, I'm not so sure. What about you and Rick? That is, if you're okay to talk about it."

Allison dismissively waved her hand. "No, I'm over it. I don't really know what I saw in him in the first place. I suppose there was a time when I thought I loved him and believed he was the only one for me. But recently we'd grown apart. Strangely enough while I'm none too happy with his new choice of partners, it's not that which bothered me the most. I think it was his deceit." She took a sip of her hot chocolate. "I mean, if he'd had enough why didn't he say so?"

Michela nodded. "I know what you mean. Imagine my surprise when I came home from visiting Charlotte Finlayson, to find my work second-in-command with his hands all over Natalie."

"Did you say his?" Allison asked. "That had to be painful. What did you do?"

"I walked out but not before saying that when I told him to keep abreast of the situation it didn't mean fondling my partner's b.r.e.a.s.t.s as well." She paused at Allison's reddening cheeks. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be that explicit."

Allison rose and turned to the small makes.h.i.+ft sink. "No, that's okay. After all, you were only telling the truth." And besides, Alli, your reaction has more to do with you thinking what it would feel like to have Michela's hands on parts other than those not covered by clothes. "I really don't want to go back to the diary just yet. How about a game of cards?"

Michela laughed, happy to break the tension that had been building between them. "Are you a glutton for punishment? Last time we played I beat the socks off you. Are you sure you want to try again?"

Allison curled a finger at Michela. "Bring it on, woman, bring it on."

Oh, Alli, if you only knew. Michela retrieved the cards and dealt the first hand of their card-playing wara"one that lasted the stormy afternoon.

MICHELA TRIED HARD not to laugh. "You said nothing of the sort."

Allison pulled on a flannel s.h.i.+rt over her skivvy as a tinge of cold seeped through the warmth of the hut. "I did, too. The deal was whoever lost at the cards not only had to cook tea, but wash up as well. I can't help it if you couldn't focus on the cards."

It was entirely your fault. If I wasn't preoccupied in trying not to look at you, I'd have whopped your rather pleasant a.s.s. Michela kicked herself for the fortieth time that day, reminding herself to keep her mind above her belt buckle. "Don't worry, we'll try again after tea and I'll leave you for dead."

Allison shook her head. "Maybe tomorrow. I really do have to get some more of the diary read. I know once we get back to Sydney, it'll become the centrepiece of old Peterson's collection."

Michela frowned. "Peterson, Flinders Museum patron? Isn't that Di's last name?"

Allison nodded. "Daddy's the museum's patron."

"So that's where Di fits into all of this. That explains a lot."

"I've no doubt in the near future she'll be the head of at least one of the Museum's departments. But for the moment, the diary's under my charge and so I'm going to make the most of it."

MICHELA WAS STRETCHED out on her bed studying her notes when she thought she heard a sniffle. She looked to where Allison was seated reading the diary and frowned at seeing her silently weeping. She quietly put down her notes, went to Allison's side, and put a soothing hand on her shoulder. "Are you all right?"

Allison's distraught tear-stained face nearly broke Michela's heart. Michela pulled around a chair, sat beside Allison, and took her hands in her own. "Honey, what's the matter?"

"I've just read the diary entry where Elizabeth reconciles she's not only lost most of her crew, but their s.h.i.+p hasn't turned up. They're stranded, with no possible hope of rescue. The pain in her words is too much to bear. I can't help but wonder what must have gone through her mind, knowing she'd never see her wife again. That must have been heartbreaking." She sobbed. "How could she stand such a separation?"

Without thought, Michela took Allison into her arms, allowing her to weep. She could only offer murmured words of encouragement.

Finally Allison looked up and searched Michela's face.

"Why are you so kind to me?"

Michela brushed away a stray tear from Allison's cheek. "Why shouldn't I be? As I said before, no matter how much we disagree, I'm still your friend and friends do this for one another. They're there when the other needs support."

Allison took a tissue and wiped her eyes. "I don't know what came over me. I was okay until I started thinking of Elizabeth here, dying all alone and away from Charlotte, who'd never really know what happened to her. The more I thought about it the worse things got." She blew her nose. "Do you think they were really lovers in the true sense of the word? Or was it merely a Boston marriage?"

"Does it really matter? I think loving someone has more to do with how they make you feel and how you make them feel in return. Were they soul mates? Most likely. I think being lovers has more to do with the emotion behind the act than the act itself. Boston marriage or lovers in the s.e.xual sense, does it make a difference?" Michela closed the diary. "I think we've both done enough work for today. At this rate, by the time the storm breaks we'll be blind. How about we both get some sleep?"

Allison nodded. "I suppose you're right, yet again."

Michela stood and headed for her bed when Allison grabbed her hand. Michela turned back and was rewarded with a hug.

"Thank you for being my friend," Allison whispered before she broke contact and went to her side of the room.

Michela uttered a small "good night" and prepared for bed. This storm's got to finish soon. Or I'm likely to implode.

ALLISON AWOKE AS the relentless wind buffeted the small apple. Snuggled up against the wall she swore she could feel the fibergla.s.s structure flex with the wind. While she knew she was safe, her thoughts were preoccupied with what had been her sole focus for the last eight weeks. What if the barrier Rob put up doesn't hold and snow gets into the hut? We could have done more harm than good in creating a wind tunnel inside the structure. That wind tunnel has the potential to blow the fragile building across the snow.

No matter how hard she tried to rationalize Rob's work, she couldn't sleep. She looked at Michela and was relieved to see she was still in a deep slumber.