Vanishing Point

  Katherine left the table where she had been working and sat down beside him on the edge of the Kombi in the open space of the central side doors. She looked at him with her big, blue eyes.

  ‘It’s not your fault. I wanted to come with you. I didn’t want to stay back at the flat while you explored the country and, in spite of this, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Things happen. It will be all right. Don’t worry.’

  Alec leaned towards her and she put her head on his shoulder. He gently stroked her hair. He loved its smell after a shower and at night would nuzzle his nose into it as it covered his face when she lay on top of him. But now it had the smell of desert dust. It would be so good to be home once more and shower. They sighed simultaneously and sat staring out on to the sandy road, hoping that soon they would hear or see a vehicle. Not a sound. In the heat of the day, even the birds were silent. In the distance the track and fence shimmered in the rising heat waves.

  ‘What day is it?’ Katherine suddenly asked.

  ‘Not sure. Let’s see. Hmmm.’ Alec’s mind tried to work backwards from now to the day that they left Adelaide. Out in the bush, with no radio or newspapers, and no routine, it was very easy to lose track of the days. ‘We left Adelaide on the tenth. That was Sunday. Got to Ceduna on the twelfth. Then up to the first granite on the thirteenth.’ Alec took his geological notebook from this pocket. He counted the days of sampling then said, ‘That means yesterday was the twenty first because we’ve been gone nine days. It was Thursday. That makes today Friday. If a vehicle doesn’t come down the track today or tomorrow it’s unlikely anyone would come before until Monday. In these parts most people would go to the coast on the weekend rather than up here.’

  ‘What are we going to do, Alec? What if no-one comes and we’re stuck here?’

  After a brief silence Alec responded. ‘Look, if nobody comes today or through the night, then tomorrow afternoon I’ll start walking towards Ceduna. I’ll have my compass and the map. If I head due south from here I should hit one of the farm tracks. They carry more traffic than up here. If I don’t meet up with someone on those I’ll just keep going until I come across the Eyre Highway. There are bound to be trucks there and I’ll get a ride into Ceduna, find a garage with a mechanic and be back here in no time.’

  ‘How long would that take?’

  ‘Don’t know off hand. If I start walking early before it gets so hot, it shouldn’t take more than about, say, twelve hours to get to the highway —’

  ‘But that’s a full day!’

  ‘And then I should get a lift within a short time. I’d probably be in Ceduna tomorrow or, at worst, Sunday. Hopefully I’d be able to get to a garage pretty soon and have someone out here by Sunday sometime. If things don’t go smoothly it could be as late as Monday but that would be the worst case scenario.’

  ‘So long? Have we got enough water and food? I really don’t feel comfortable being out here alone, even if there hasn’t been much traffic. It’s a bit scary, especially with Carolyn.’

  ‘I agree. It’s not ideal, but what alternatives do you suggest?’

  ‘I guess we don’t have many, do we.’

  ‘We’ve been camping for the past week and you’ve been fine.

  You’ll be all right for just a couple more days, at most. It won’t be any different because I’m not here, just a bit lonely. You’re not worried, are you?’

  Katherine looked glum and her eyes glistened. ‘No, not really but I can’t say I’m wildly happy at the thought being out here all on my own, especially at night.’ She was more concerned about her baby than herself. What seemed like an interesting adventure in the outback now seemed like an ominous threat to their safety. She forced a smile. She didn’t want Alec to feel more guilty than he obviously already did. While travelling and camping Katherine really had enjoyed the isolation, the remoteness, the feeling of being alone with her husband and baby. Now she would have welcomed a crowd of tourists, a bus or even the company of passing traffic.

  Alec held her close and gave her a firm hug.

  In an effort to appear less worried than she felt, she leaned back, still encompassed in his arms, and smiled up at him.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ she said softly. ‘I’m sure things will work out and … well even if I am here for a couple of days we’ve got everything we need. My main worry is water and we have a small supply plus your clever way of collecting. It seems to be working. The bucket’s already got some in it and there’s a bit in the little plastic bags on the bushes. From here they look pretty, almost like little Christmas decorations!’

  * * *

  The sound of birds and the slight breeze ruffling the leaves heralded the end of the day. The sounds and air movement relieved the blanketing, stifling daytime heat during which even the ever-present little black flies carried out their irritations in silence. Both Alec and Katherine tried to sleep when Carolyn was sleeping, but it was an exercise in futility. With eyes closed their brains went into overdrive, thinking of the passing of time and what they might do if assistance did not arrive. While the sun was still casting long shadows Alec walked to the pit to see how much water had collected.

  ‘Bucket’s about half full,’ he announced. He looked back to his wife. ‘I am really sorry about this, Kath.’

  ‘Of course you are, but it isn’t your fault. No-one could have predicted that the Kombi would break down, and I really did want to be with you.’

  ‘No, I mean the fact that I didn’t foresee the potential problems. I should have carried a spare battery. After all, this isn’t really the sort of vehicle one takes out here, on these roads. I should have waited for the university Land Rover. One really needs a four-wheel drive out here.’

  ‘The Kombi went fine. Even a four-wheel drive might have had a flat battery.’

  ‘True. But if I’d waited —’

  ‘Yes, but you yourself said the Land Rover wouldn’t have been available until after Christmas and you wanted to get started with the field work. If you’d waited another six months it would be another six months or more before you finished and you could get a better job. With Carolyn, we need the money. It really is not your fault.’

  ‘I just feel so bad about it all,’ he responded.

  ‘I know. But it could have broken down anyway. There’s no guarantee that you wouldn’t have problems with a different vehicle. I mean, the battery was new. Why should you expect it to go flat?’

  After a brief silence Alec looked her in the eye with that determined look that Katherine had become used to.

  ‘Kath, I’ve made up my mind. We can’t just sit here waiting for someone to drive past. There’s just no bloody traffic on this track. Our water supply will last only about three days, even with the leaves and the pit transpiration system. Carolyn is going to need more water and you too, with breast-feeding. Before sunrise in the morning I’m going to get up and walk across country to the main road. From there I should be able to hitch a ride into Ceduna and get help.’

  Katherine ignored the uncharacteristic swearing. ‘Isn’t that risky? I mean, you’d be gone at least twelve hours, maybe more.

  What if someone comes?’

  ‘Like I said, I don’t like leaving you on your own out here, but really, what alternatives have we? We talked about this. What happens if we just sit here waiting and no-one comes along? We could run short of food and water. What then? I’d have to hoof it then and it would be even more risky leaving you with no supplies. No, it looks like I just have to do it.’

  ‘How sure are you of your timing, or even managing to hitch a ride?’

  ‘Not sure about anything. If I leave here early in the morning and head due south - I’ve got the compass and aerial photographs so there isn’t much chance of getting lost - I should intersect the Eyre Highway about here.’ Alec put his finger on the road map, indicating a point some twelve miles south of the dog fence. ‘If I go slightly west, then I could possibly intersect with this track,’ he pointed to another l
ine on the map, indicating a poor quality road leading to the Koonibba settlement. ‘It’s slightly longer but there’s a possibility of traffic heading along that road so I’d get a ride sooner.’

  ‘It seems like six of one and half a dozen of the other. If you walk the shorter distance it could be quicker, but if you take the longer route there’s a chance of a lift. You’ll have to decide once you start walking. In this heat you’ll have to rest up in the main part of the day. So, how long before you reach the main road?’

  ‘I’ll take water with me. If I walk at about three miles an hour through the scrub it should take about four hours. Let’s say I walk from first light, that’s about five thirty, until about ten. That gives me about four hours. From there to town depends if I get a ride or have to walk all the way. If I walk a bit in the dark and start really early I’d get to the highway about midday, then I’d surely get a lift.’

  ‘If you’re walking in the dark I don’t want you falling in a wombat or rabbit hole and injuring yourself. You’ll be out there alone so I just want you to be extra careful.’

  ‘I will be, don’t you worry about that! I’ll be thinking of you and Carolyn all the time. Once I get to town I’ll get a mechanic organised, so don’t expect me back until Sunday, maybe even Monday. Count the days!’

  ‘I’ll be counting the hours!’

  Alec looked at the map again in the fading light. ‘On the other hand, there are some farm tracks south of here so I might even get a ride sooner. Here’s hoping!’

  Having made the decision, they relaxed slightly and spent the evening as if it was just one of their usual camps. Alec was only slightly concerned about leaving his family alone but the lack of traffic, once a frustration, now allowed him a degree of confidence they would be all right. Katherine was a very competent camper.

  After Carolyn dropped to sleep, the couple decided to go to bed early in anticipation of the early start. Alec was in the fold-out bed first and, as Katherine sat on the edge rubbing cream on her heels, he leaned over and, putting his hands under her pyjama top, cupped her breasts. He pulled her down towards him.

  ‘I love you so very much,’ he whispered as he kissed her.

  ‘I love you too, sweetheart,’ was all she managed before he covered her mouth with a lingering kiss.

  ‘Shh, don’t wake Carolyn,’ Katherine managed to murmur before rolling on top of him.

  Alec loved this position. He could feel her whole body, stroke her enticing narrow waist as it curved smoothly into her hips, and feel the tickle of her hair as it covered his face. He kissed her breasts, guiltily tasting the sweetness of escaped drops of milk. He felt so at one with her as she allowed his gradual entry.

  He groaned and Katherine gently covered his mouth with her hand.

  They made love quietly, moving slowly. Alec suppressed his usually noisy passion as best he could knowing how well Katherine controlled her own emotions, rarely making a sound. She loved his hands, his long, slender hands, and the way they caressed her. All over her body they wandered, sending ripples up and down her spine. Together they smothered all the concerns of their predicament with the overriding pleasures of the moment.

  She whispered, ‘I love you. I love you so much.’ They became one and he softly whispered, ‘I love you too, my beautiful wife.’

  They were still in each other’s arms as they dropped off to sleep.

  * * *

  Alec was up well before the birds. It was still dark when he crept out from under the sleeping bag. He had been awake for some time before he rose, listening to the snuffling sounds coming from the bassinette and Katherine’s rhythmic breathing. He found it comforting to realise she was sleeping soundly. He took it to mean she was not particularly worried about their situation. Alec, who felt responsible for their situation, was not so sure and worried about what was wrong with the Kombi. Would they be able to drive it back to Adelaide? If not, then…

  ‘I’m racing ahead of myself,’ he muttered as he pulled his parka in around his chest against the early morning chill.

  Soon Alec had the fire lit. The billy was huddled against the wood as if for warmth. On his haunches before the small flame, Alec was feeding the little fire more twigs and branches when he heard Katherine stir. She emerged from the Kombi stifling a yawn while stretching, her hair still ruffled from sleep.

  ‘Morning, Kath.’

  ‘Morning.’

  ‘You slept well.’

  ‘Mmm. Reasonably, considering. Carolyn didn’t wake after the last feed and she’s still sleeping.’

  ‘I’m almost ready to go. I’ve packed two water bottles in my rucksack and restocked the pit with fresh branches. There was over half a bucket of water. I’ll have a mug of tea and some of the cracker biscuits then be off. Do you mind if I take the oranges? There are only three left. And an apple? I’ll leave rest for you.’

  Katherine nodded. ‘Will that be enough?’

  ‘It should be. With luck I’ll be able to have a good feed in Ceduna at lunch time! Get some help then back here to fetch you.’

  In the Perth offices of the Australian Geological Organisation, known by all as AGO, Petri Koivu, Senior Geologist and Project Leader, was facing his managers. It was not a happy meeting. Petri had been managing a number of the company’s exploration projects in Western Australia and developed a new model for the origin of economic mineral sands deposits. This led to a novel concept for exploration techniques aimed at locating new resources.

  Western Australia, colloquially ‘WA,’ was the major arena for minerals exploration since the recent discovery of exciting large nickel sulphide ore bodies by Western Mining Corporation. All over the state geologists searched for new deposits of nickel, gold and mineral sands. The pubs and bars were filled with the noisy chat of men talking about the latest discovery or the most recent float on the Australian Stock Exchange.

  Along the west coast of Australia deposits of valuable mineral sands were found. Their value lay in the fact that they were the major source of the exotic metal titanium, essential for the production of paint and plastic as well as being used as an alloy in aircraft manufacture. This was important for the Americans embroiled in the Vietnam conflict.

  The surge in the demand for geoscientists meant that young graduates, such as Petri, were fast-tracked into more senior positions. Some of the junior companies were offering very generous salary packages to anyone with a degree that included some geology and even undergraduates were tempted to leave their studies, a temptation to which many succumbed.

  The areas being explored lay in the southern part of the state where mining by a joint venture between Australians and Japanese had been in progress for the past decade. Very little land was available for latecomers to take title.

  AGO had given Petri the almost impossible task of finding prospective ground.

  ‘All I’m asking from you is to be able to present the basics of my model to the Hobart conference on new discoveries,’ Petri was impassionedly saying to his Group Leader, Chris Dorff, and the AGO Exploration Manager, Dr Colin Williamson.

  They were seated side by side on the far end of the long table in the conference room. Petri, whose hazel eyes faced the large windows to reflect the view across the Swan River around which the city of Perth had been built, sat directly opposite. Normally the river and its flotilla of small yachts made an appealing sight, but this morning the seating arrangement meant Petri was squinting into the sun.

  ‘Yes, I can appreciate what you want to do. However, your model has led to the discovery of a new a resource of over two billion tonnes. It gives us a major competitive advantage. We really can’t let this information go into the public domain at this stage.’ Williamson’s voice was firm and so was his attitude.

  ‘But you and Chris,’ Petri looked pointedly at his Group Leader, ‘have already had press conferences last week to announce the discovery on radio and in The West Australian and told them the basics of my new model.’ Neither Petri nor his team
were mentioned in any of the press interviews nor had they been invited to participate. Petri was angry and frustrated that his managers had indirectly taken credit for this major discovery. He was justly proud of his innovative thinking.

  ‘Come on, Petri, you know that was just a press interview. It was not a detailed description of the model. Until we have made full use of the leads it gives us and secured all the titles we need you cannot publish anything in the public arena.’

  There was a brief silence in the room while Petri calmed his emotions. Speaking in a soft, controlled voice he said, ‘Quite honestly, I am very disappointed in the company. I’ve been working with you since graduation. In that time I recommended the ground around Temora for gold and you decided against it. When NewGold Mining discovered significant gold reserves there your only comment was that I didn’t push it hard enough!’

  ‘That’s history. We had other programs and we had to allocate resources according to the information we had at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and yes, we should have followed up your recommendations then. But this is quite a different issue.’

  ‘All that I’ve done for AGO has received so little acknowledgement by management it’s natural that I should feel pretty upset. I know I’m good at developing new ideas, so why can’t you give me credit for it? For example, in the press reports of the Bunyip discovery it was only manager’s names that appeared. Some of those were not even involved in the program.’

  ‘We’re sorry you feel so strongly. We feel we have given you every support for your work, and the company is grateful. Your salary package has reflected your success. However, we cannot allow you to present a paper to the conference on your novel models.. That’s the end of it.’

  ‘Very well. I anticipated this and so here is my response.’ Petri leaned forward and handed an envelope to the Exploration Manager. ‘I feel that my contributions, and those of my team, to the success of the AGO exploration are not adequately recognised so I’m obliged to look elsewhere.’