Chapter 34
Geoff is probably in the lab talking to Trevor and Nicola, so I decide to stop there first before I go to the Command Post. The three of them are sitting at a table in the corner of the lab talking.
“Hey, do you guys mind a little company?”
Trevor says, “No, we don’t mind at all. Have a seat.”
“What are you guys working on?”
“We are trying to figure out how much antidote to make for the trip to Perth. Nicola figured about 1cc for every 20 kilograms (45 pounds) of weight. I’ll just explain it in pounds so you can follow easier. The sheep station has 150 sheep, nine employees, and seven horses. The average weight of a Merino sheep is 150 pounds, the employees are 220 pounds each, and the horses are Australian stock horses weighting about 1100 pounds each. We need a total of about 750cc of antidote for the station alone. We should probably have some extra for Taylor just in case he needs it. I’ll make sure he gets the formula for the antidote,” Trevor explains.
Geoff asks, “How long will you need to make that much antidote?”
Nicola replies, “We should be finished by tomorrow afternoon if we work around the clock. It requires constant attention, so if Trevor and I split the shifts, we will be able to finish it as promised.”
“Excellent! I’ll put the jet on standby to depart for Perth tomorrow afternoon around 4:00 p.m. Kobi, do you and Derrick want to come with me to Perth? I would like Dane to come also. I know you have tickets to fly back to the states departing out of Perth, and I know you want to go see Mrs. Jones.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. I would like to go with you to the station and see Mrs. Jones. I am eager to help out any way I can. I wish Derrick and I didn’t have to go back home. I really like it here.”
“I wish you guys could stay too. I definitely have a place for you on my team and I know that Derrick could get a job at the zoo here in Darwin. This place would be like heaven for him”
“I know. Are you seriously making an offer?”
“Yes, I am. We have a variety of departments within the CDC that would benefit from your knowledge. I know you aren’t done with your degree, but we have excellent schools here in Darwin and I am sure they would transfer all of your credits.”
“I will have to talk to Derrick about that. I would love to stay here. I love
Australia, and I enjoy working here at the CDC. For some reason, it feels right being here, like it is where I am supposed to be. It’s hard to explain.”
“I know what you mean. When something feels right, you know it. Talk to Derrick about it, and let me know later. No worries.”
“Thanks Geoff, I really appreciate that.” I give him a big hug and kiss him on the cheek. I think I embarrassed him a little bit because his cheeks turned red.
“Geoff, did you request Henderson to fly us?”
“Yes I did, but with such nasty bump on his head, he might not be cleared medically to fly by the flight doctors. We’ll see.”
I am really looking forward to seeing Mrs. Jones again. Geoff talked to her yesterday and told her he had the antidote and would be flying out in a few days. She has no idea that I am coming, so I’ll surprise her. Taylor and Geoff have been in constant contact with each other and have a video conference call scheduled for 3:00 p.m. today to discuss and firm up the plans. Geoff asked us to sit in on the meeting.
It is almost time for the conference call, so Geoff and I head to the Command Post. Dane and Derrick are already there laughing and cutting up like two fraternity brothers. They have become such good friends through this ordeal. Dane is like the brother Derrick never had. I have to admit that leaving Australia in a few days is going to be difficult. I have really grown to love the country and have made so many friends here in such a short time. Derrick and I seriously need to talk about the possibility of moving here.
“Hey guys, what’s so funny?”
“Nothing honey, Dane was doing his best impersonation of John Wayne. I
didn’t know John Wayne had such a thick Australian accent. After the meeting,
you should hear him TRY to imitate “The Duke”. Seriously funny stuff.”
“After the meeting, Dane. Hey, Geoff wants us all to fly with him to Perth tomorrow. They are going to administer the antidote on Mrs. Jones station.”
Dane replies, “That sounds great! There are a lot of sheep that need the antidote, so the more hands on deck, the better.”
“Are we planning to leave from Perth after we are finished at the station?” Derrick asks.
“Yeah, I guess so. Geoff has made me a serious offer for employment at the CDC here in Australia. Can we talk about it later, over dinner?” I whisper in his ear.
“Sure, no problem,” he replies quietly.
Dane leans toward Derrick and whispers something in his ear. I can’t hear what he is saying, but Derrick is nodding his head up and down. Then Dane pats him on the shoulder and gives me a big grin. I have no idea what that is about.
The three of us start discussing how we are going to administer the antidote. If we set up the chute again and bring the sheep in through the chute one by one like we did when we were collecting the blood, we can inject them as they pass through.
Dane has a puzzled look on his face and says, “There is one thing that has been bothering me about the sheep. They have been held in the upper pasture this entire time. They are still eliminating waste, so how are the animal control officers keeping the waste from going right back into the ground. I see a vicious cycle ahead. How are they going to keep the sheep parasite free while the land is being decontaminated?”
As we discuss these issues aloud, Geoff interjects, “Taylor already took care of that problem. He had the animal control officers’ transfer the sheep back to the lower pasture and built a special containment area on the upper pasture that allows the waste to be washed into a collection trough where it could be treated before it is disposed of. It took about a day to install the system and appears to be working just fine. It’s not permanent and can be removed once the crisis is over. So after the sheep are given the antidote, they will be routed back to the same containment area. The containment area can be divided into two sections. Right now the sheep occupy the entire area, but when we start to move them out, a fence will be used to herd them over to one side of the area to allow for an exit and an entry point. Taylor designed the system and it should work like a charm.”
Geoff continues, “The sheep will be held in the containment area until the entire farm has been treated and is parasite free. Taylor built an add-on containment barn for the horses too. The crop dusters have already been working on the grazing land, spraying bleach and other chemicals trying to kill the parasite.”
The big television screen in the Command Post has a picture of a conference room on it, so I am assuming that is the CDC office in Perth, and we are waiting for Taylor and Matthew to commence with the video conference call. It is a live feed because I see Taylor and Matt entering the room. They sit down at the table and push a few buttons and I hear, “Hello?”
Geoff pushes a few buttons and he says, “Hello” As soon as Taylor sees Derrick, Dane, and me, he jumps up and sticks his face right in front of the camera that is located in between the microphones. He knew we were alive, but I guess seeing is believing.
“I’m so glad to see you guys!”
“It’s good to see you too!” Dane says with a huge grin on his face.
Geoff goes on to explain, “Nicola and Trevor should have the antidote ready by tomorrow afternoon, so we are planning to fly to Perth tomorrow evening. Derrick, Kobi, and Dane are going to come give us a hand at the sheep station.”
“That’s wonderful!”
“We should be wheels on the ground around 7:00 p.m. Do you mind making reservations at the hotel for us, plus the pilot?”
“No, not at all. Four rooms, correct?”
“Yep. Me,
Derrick and Kobi, Dane, and the pilot. That should do it.”
“Okay, consider it done.”
The meeting lasted for a few more minutes and then we said our goodbyes and disconnected the video feed. The only thing for Derrick and me to do now is get to the hotel and get our stuff packed. I also want to give Henderson a call.
Dane is going to meet us for dinner around 6:30 p.m. in the hotel restaurant, so that gives Derrick and me about two hours to get packed and talk about the possibility of moving to Australia. We decide to leave the lab and head over to the hotel and get started with the large task of packing. As we exit the command post, I see Cole and his little girl coming around the corner. He sees me and reaches down to pick the little girl up.
He whispers in her ear, “That’s the lady that gave me Buddy.” He looks at me, “Hey, Kobi. This is my little girl, Ella. Ella, this is Miss Kobi and her husband, Mr. Derrick.” He taps Dane on the shoulder and says, “And this guy right here is Mr. Dane.”
Ella smiles and buries her head into Daddy’s chest. She is super cute.
I walk over to her and gently wiggle her foot and say, “Hi, Ella. Your Dad told me that you really like the rat I gave him. Is that right? Did he tell you that I have one just like that at home. His name is Buddee, too. I just spell it different.”
“Yes ma’am. My Dad told me about your rat. It was really nice of you to buy my Dad a rat, because he was really lonely here without me.”
“I knew your Dad was really lonely without you here, so the rat would be good company until he could see you again. I kind of thought you would like him too. Am I right?”
She nods her head yes. “Do you let your rat run around at home?”
“The only place he is allowed to run around is on the bathroom floor, while I am taking a shower. I have a tub next to the shower and usually put my towels there so when I get out, I don’t have to walk far. He likes to climb up those towels and look at me through the glass. I don’t think he can see me, but he knows I’m there. I always put my hair up in a towel when I get out. One of his favorite things to do is climb up the towel-headdress and sit right on the very top, like a meatball on top of a pile of spaghetti.”
She starts to giggle, uncontrollably. Cole is grinning from ear to ear. “What a sweet girl you have there, Cole.”
“I know. She amazes me all the time.”
We visit for a few more minutes and explain to Cole that we have to get over to the hotel and start packing because we are leaving tomorrow. We give each other a quick hug and Derrick, Dane, and I leave the lab. As I walk away, I turn around and give Ella a wave good bye. She is smiling at me and waves her tiny hand in the air.
We need to start packing, but I seriously want to talk to Derrick about Geoff’s offer. There is a coffee table with a couple of chairs in the room, so we decide to sit there and discuss the offer.
“Geoff has offered me a job working at the CDC and will allow me time to finish up my medical degree. How do you feel about that?”
“I am floored by his offer. This is a great opportunity for you, but is it something that you are interested in doing?”
“Yeah, I am very interested. They do have medical examiners on staff with the CDC, and I would like to work in that capacity. But, I can also do some field work if I get bored with the dead bodies. I think this job will offer a lot of variety and be more of a challenge. You know how I like a good challenge.”
“Yeah, I know. You married me didn’t you?”
“Honey, you’re no challenge. You were easy.”
“Good one, Kobi. No, seriously, it this something you really want to do?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Well, I have to admit something to you Kobi. Ever since we arrived here in Australia, I have felt right at home. There is something about this place that makes me want to stay too.”
Listening to him say the very things that I am already feeling is remarkable. It is amazing that two people can be so in sync with each other.
“I know what you mean. It’s like we belong here.”
“I know! Dane is like a brother to me and I am really going to miss him. We have made so many great friends here. The funny thing is they are really friends. They don’t seem fake like the friends we have at home.”
“That’s exactly how I feel. Do you think you can get on with the zoo here
in Darwin?”
“Maybe. I was kind of thinking that maybe Dane and I could start a tour company or work together as guides in the Outback. When you first mentioned moving here, that was the first thing that entered my mind when I thought about what I would do for work here. Honestly, I think there is more opportunity for me as a zoologist here then there is in St. Louis, MO. I think we should do it. ”
“Are you serious?” I am so excited, I am about to jump out of my skin. “I
can’t believe we are going to move to Australia. Are we really going to do it? I’m a little nervous, are you?”
Derrick reaches out for my hands and tells me to take a deep breath and look him in the eye. I do as instructed and look into his gorgeous eyes. He says, “Yes, we are really going to do it.”
I jump up from the table like a school girl who has just been crowned Prom Queen. I start jumping up and down. Then I grab Derrick and hug him until he finally tells me he needs to breathe now. I am so happy. The fact that we are both excited and happy about our decision tells me that we have made the correct decision. I can’t wait to tell Dane at dinner. I hope he will be as excited as we are.
One thing that I do need to do is call Henderson. I didn’t hear from him today and I want to make sure that he is doing okay. I dial his number and he answers the phone on the third ring.
“Hello?”
“Hi. Henderson, is that you?”
“Yes, it is. Who is this?”
“It’s Kobi.”
“Oh, hi, Kobi. How are you guys doing?”
“We are doing fine. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing fine. I’m sorry I didn’t call you today. I have been with the doctors all day trying to get clearance to fly tomorrow. They finally cleared me this afternoon, so I will be able to fly you guys to Perth tomorrow evening.”
“I am so glad. Hey, do you have any plans for dinner tonight?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I am having dinner with my daughter tonight since I am
going to Perth tomorrow. Why, what’s up?”
“Nothing that can’t wait until I see you tomorrow. We are planning to be at Base Operations around 3:30 p.m., so I guess we will see you then.”
“Sounds good. I am looking forward to it. Are you riding shotgun?”
“Absolutely!”
“That’s a girl. I knew you were a tough cookie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, Henderson, enjoy dinner with your daughter. Manana.”
Derrick and I start the dreaded task of packing up the suitcases, but for some reason, we are not unhappy. I can’t imagine what that reason could be…
We are headed to the restaurant to meet Dane for dinner. I hope he is as excited about the news as we are to tell him. He is already seated at a table and motions to us as we walk into the dining area. We head over to the table and he stands up and throws his arm out toward Derrick and they shake hands like best friends.
“Good to see you, Brother!”
“Hey man, what’s going on?”
“Not much, I just packed a little bag to take to Perth. I’m sure glad I don’t
have to pack your room up.” He starts laughing.
“Dane, Kobi and I have some news we want to share with you. You are the first to know. We have decided to move to Australia.”
“What, are you kidding?”
“No. We are as serious as a heart attack. Geoff has offered Kobi a job, and will give her time to finish her medical degree.”
“Dude, you and I can w
ork together. I don’t know what we can do, but we’ll figure something out. Oh yeah man, this is heaps good. I’ve had a good feeling about the two of you since the day I met you. I don’t normally get this friendly with all of my clients, but there was something different about you. I can’t put my finger on it, but I am glad you are moving here.”
“Awesome.” Dane’s reaction did surprise me just a little bit, but I knew he felt a connection with Derrick, and now I know that the feeling between us is mutual. Funny how he had the same thought about working with Derrick.
“When are you planning to make the great migration?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t worked out any of the details yet. Kobi has about six weeks left on this semester, so it will be at least two months before we leave.”
We order dinner and a few beers and enjoy the rest of the evening. Finally, about 11:00 p.m., Derrick and I decided that we should get back to the room and pack a little more. There is no reason for us to go into the lab early in the morning, so we will be able to finish in the morning. At 1:00 a.m., we decide to call it a night and hit the sack.