Chapter Eleven

Pike, tired and stressed from his ordeal in the jungle, despaired of keeping up with the indefatigable Mr Konrad, who had insisted they simply change clothes and make a return trip to the casino almost as soon as the press conference that covered their arrival back in Cairns was over.

The excitement of the attention of the press and his frustration at losing the Z Batch yet again had heightened his metabolic rate.

He was wide awake and knew he would be so for many hours. Darkon’s adrenalin flow was something spectacular even by the standards of his own time.

Pike’s weary call to his wife received a frosty response.

The next morning, Darkon was still glowing with energy despite not having slept a wink.

He looked smooth and powerful as he strode towards the helicopter that was to take him and the other Konrad Industry officials to the oil rig. Pike on the other hand looked as though he was dying on his feet, with black circles surrounding bloodshot eyes.

The press contingent had been ferried out in relays to give the television crews time to set up their equipment.

It was the noise of the choppers landing that woke the five children from their desultory dozing. Zara found a gap in the piles of cartons and checked out the scene in front of her. It was a busy one.

Television crews were setting up their equipment, reporters were searching for their name on the chairs which now lined the deck in front of the podium and waiters and waitresses of all ages were scurrying about, putting cloths on small tables and pouring ice into containers that housed beer, champagne and wines.

Zara watched carefully as another chopper landed and a handful of people, teenagers, jumped onto the deck. They were ushered into a room that led off the deck and shortly they emerged wearing aprons and bow ties.

This gave Zara an idea.

“We can pretend we’re attendants,” she whispered.

“Good idea,” whispered Ben. “On these shindigs nobody knows who’s who when it comes to waiters. Come on.”

No-one noticed them as they came from the pile of boxes and walked quickly into the room from which they had seen the waiters emerge.

Inside were more people, busily handing out aprons and ties to anyone with an outstretched hand. In no time at all the five of them were thoroughly disguised as waiters. They went out onto the rig again, busied themselves and kept their heads down as they kept a check on the helicopters as they arrived.

The television cameras were all in line and ready to go when the chopper that carried Darkon and the official party arrived noisily on the deck. Darkon, looking head and shoulders taller than everyone else, stepped from the aircraft. The wind from the revolving blades ruffled his hair.

He smiled at the assembled gathering and strode to the podium, with the other officials following as quickly as they could.

The helicopter pilot then switched off the engines and there was a strange silence, broken only the swishing of the rotor blades as they spun slowly to a stop.

Immediately there was a barrage of questions fired at Darkon, but he simply smiled and motioned for silence.

“Questions later,” he said. “First we have two very special events.”

Darkon began to speak and told the Press gathering how the new oil pipeline was going to benefit Australia, with its high quality crude and fail-safe protection of the Barrier Reef area.

“The environmental safety precautions are the most stringent ever put in place on an ocean pipeline,” he said. “There was an outcry from the conservationists when my company first applied for an exploration permit.” He smiled, charmingly, and added. “Now even the greenest of greens has accepted that there is more chance of being hit by a meteorite than an oil spill.” He paused for the expected applause, which was led by the Konrad Industries officials.

The Z Batch kept out of the mutant’s sight, but they could see him clearly.

“He sounds so plausible,” said Zoltan. “If you didn’t know who he was you’d want to believe everything he says.”

“He isn’t saying anything that helps us,” said Zara. “We still don’t know what he’s up to; his vibrations are almost in a euphoric state. He’s planning something and it’s something he thinks will be the greatest event in history.”

Darkon then continued.

“So, I declare this pipeline officially open.” With that, amid television lights burning brighter and cameras flashing furiously, he pressed the switch that turned on the turbine that would drive the pump.

The decks vibrated heavily for a second and then settled down to a steady hum. When the hubbub died down there a voice shouted from the crowd.

“What about this other announcement Mr Konrad? The medical miracle we’ve heard rumours about.”

Darkon smiled, his eyes blazing. “Oh, that...” He paused dramatically.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Konrad Industries have discovered, developed, tested and is about to market, the world’s first cure for all types of cancer.”

There was a murmur from the crowd, but he spoke on.

“The cure was found on your own Barrier Reef, and was fast-track developed after the initial breakthrough was made here in Cairns. The results of a combined world-wide research blitz by Konrad Industries’ scientists have resulted in this cure.

“It comes from a naturally occurring organism which has been genetically engineered to attack the cancerous cells. It has been developed so that it can be taken in tablet form. You will each be given a special press kit immediately the conference is over and that will explain the technical details for those who want to know more.

“But for simplicity’s sake, we call our product the Cancer Cure pill, because that’s what it is and that’s what does. Thank you.”

He stepped back and then he and Pike fielded question upon question for more than thirty minutes before the Press contingent was satisfied. Then Darkon took over the microphone himself.

“Thank you for your attendance and attention,” he said. “And now, those who don’t have immediate deadlines please avail yourself of the food and drink, for those must leave, the helicopters will ferry back to the mainland. Thank you.”

The party then broke up and Darkon handed over the proceedings to the Public Relations department. He motioned to Pike and the two of them stepped from the rostrum and they quietly disappeared through a doorway that led into the operations room of the oil rig.

Zara motioned for her friends to follow as she hurried to the door and concentrated hard, trying to pick up what was happening inside.

Darkon was completely unaware of the presence of the Z Batch. He was close to seeing his plan come to completion and his mind was filled with nothing but the final act of his personal drama.

“It’s a good show Pike,” he said, rubbing his hands together. The product will make a lot of money.”

“And it will be a great benefit to the human race as well,” said Pike. “Isn’t it strange how so often cures are found in the simplest and cheapest forms? Anyone will be able to afford the cure, even the poorest nations in Africa.”

Darkon laughed the laugh that terrified people and Pike felt his hair stand on end at his neck.

“We’ll make more money than you’ve ever dreamed of, Pike,” said Darkon.

“I doubt it,” said Pike, with a short laugh. “That mollusc will be identified in no time at all once the opposition get their hands on just a single tablet.”

Darkon’s eyes narrowed. “That’s where you’re wrong,” he said. “No-one but Konrad Industries will ever have access to it.”

Pike looked puzzled.

“You’ll see,” said Konrad. “Now I want to see the rest of this rig. Take me down to the lower depths, where the undersea well is tapped and attached to the pipeline.”

“I didn’t realise you were interested in the technology,” said Pike.

“Just show me,” demanded Darkon, and so Pike led the way through the door into the lift that would take them to the depths of the rig.

As soon as she was sure that the room was empty, Zara led the others into the room. She fastened her eyes onto the lift lights, which were rapidly descending until they stopped at the bottom number.

“What’s he up to?” asked Zoltan.

“There’s only one way to find out,” said Zara. “We’ll have to follow him, come on.” She moved towards the fire stairs exit.

Ben and Kylie began to follow, but Zoltan stopped them.

“We have to do this alone; we have no right to bring you into further danger.”

“No,” said Zara. “This time we really need them. Kylie and Ben, you come with us, and when we get down to where Darkon is, I want you to stay out of sight. When we find out what he’s up to he’s bound to become violent. If anything happens to us, then it’ll be up to you to go back to the deck and raise the alarm.

“Whatever he’s planning, he must not be allowed to get away with it.”

Kylie and Ben nodded gravely and so they all set off down the long steel stairway. Their breath seemed to echo off the walls and, even though they stepped softly, the footsteps too seemed to echo.

But they were not disturbed and finally, sweating in the intense heat generated in the depths of the rig, they reached the lowest level.

Zara motioned for perfect silence when she heard Darkon’s voice.

“So Pike, this is where it all begins, where the oil comes from the earth and into our pipes.” There was a metallic knock. “What a catastrophe if the pipe should break.”

“No worries about that,” said Pike. “It would take an earthquake about 15 on the Richter scale or an explosion that would wreck the entire rig to crack these pipes.

“They’re made from a new alloy, rust proof, rot proof, and sabotage proof. It’s stronger than any other metal on the market.”

“But still breakable?”

“Only by an earthquake or a massive explosion.”

“There’s going to be one.” said Darkon quietly.

The Z Batch listened in horror.

“An earthquake? That’s ridiculous,” said Pike.

Darkon’s eyes blazed and he grabbed Pike by the arm.

“No earthquake. There’s going to be a massive explosion and the oil will gush right out into the sea, billions of tonnes of it. Imagine the pollution.”

Pike pulled his arm away.

“What on earth are you saying?” he asked, as fear washed over him. “You’re talking like a madman.”

A black look crossed Darkon’s face. “Mad am I? Listen to me. Konrad Industries owns the islands at the top end of the reef doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” acknowledged a bewildered Pike.

“I’ve checked out the currents and prevailing winds and when the oil gushes out in this spot, it will devastate the entire reef, except for our islands. Can’t you see? The entire species of the cancer cure mollusc will be wiped out, except for the colony on our island.

“We will have a complete monopoly on the cure. We will make more in a year than we would ordinarily in twenty years. And the money will put my company in the forefront of genetic engineering, and do I have plans for that.”

Pike backed away.

“You are crazy,” he said. “I told you the only way to crack that pipe is an explosion that would wreck the entire rig. No-one would escape, not even you - your luck wouldn’t save you from that Konrad.”

Darkon grinned and set his Time Trekker for two minutes into the future. “Take off your watch and check the time,” he commanded Pike. “Then put it on the floor.”

The defeated executive did as he was bid. Darkon then took hold of his arm and pressed the transporter on the Time Trekker. In a flash they were gone and back again.

“Now check you watch,” said Darkon. “You’ll find its two minutes past the time when you took it off.”

Pike checked the watch.

“What have you done?” he asked, “some sort of conjuring trick?”

“More than that,” said Darkon. “Magic: time travel. I need you to run things later on. You’ve got a good business mind, you’re weak, but with me to guide you you’ll do the job, so when the explosion happens, we’ll trek back to safety, we won’t ever have been on this rig.”

Pike went pale.

“You mean it don’t you.”

“Yes,” said Darkon. “It’s simple business sense; you corner the market and you increase profits.”

“You’d really kill everybody on this rig and pollute an entire ecosystem just so you can increase profits?”

Darkon nodded.

“It’s insane; I don’t know how you could live with yourself.”

Darkon began to get impatient. “Why do you people always try to bring morality into business decisions? There’s only one thing that counts in business and that is winning.

“Now, you have a choice. You work with me, or you die here. What is it going to be?”

Pike’s mind was wrecked. “I’m with you,” he gasped through a mouth that was dust dry.

Darkon had Pike show him where the explosive were kept and between them they laid a huge charge around the pipe.

Zara was frantically trying to think of a way out the predicament. “What can we do?’ she muttered.

“Only one thing we can do it seems,” said Ben. “We’ll have to hit him over the head with something.”

Zoltan’s mouth fell open. “We couldn’t do violence,” he said. “Not even to Darkon.”

“Not to worry,” said Ben cheerfully, “We’ll do the violence, when he goes down you grab his time machine. That way he won’t dare to let the rig go up.”

“What are you going to use?” asked Zoltan.

“There’s bound to be something inside that room big enough to hurt him. Come on. You guys walk in, he’ll be so surprised he won’t notice us. We’ll creep behind him, grab something, and whack him with it.”

“It’s simple enough to work,” said Zoltan.

So the Z Batch burst into the room just as Darkon was placing the detonator. He whirled round when he heard the noise.

“You’re done, Darkon.” she shouted.

His face turned black with rage as he saw the Z Batch.

With a roar he sprang at the children, who scattered as he made his grab. Then Ben, who had found a huge single ended spanner leaning close to a pipe valve, swung it with all his might catching Darkon a mighty crack on the back of his head.

The mutant fell, stunned and Kylie quickly unfastened the Time Trekker from his wrist. But mighty as the blow had been, it was not enough to knock Darkon completely out.

He grabbed at Kylie and caught her wrist, so she tossed the Trekker in the air and Zara deftly caught it.

Darkon threw Kylie roughly to one side and staggered to his feet. There was blood oozing from his head.

“You’re coming back now,” said Zara

“Never,” said Darkon. “I’d rather die in the explosion than go back to Sanctuary.” He moved towards the detonator, but Ben, wielding the spanner, closed in on him, and the mutant stopped. The Z Batch and Kylie then moved closer. Darkon watched them warily, not moving, but then, with an incredible burst of speed he leapt forward and grabbed the Trekker from Zara’s hand.

Then, with a ferocious laugh, he shape changed into a fearsome looking wild cat, saliva dripping from its mouth. Automatically everyone backed away and the cat saw a space and bounded between the group and into the fire stairwell.

“Quick, after him,” yelled Zoltan.

“You’re joking,” said Ben. “That cat’d break your back with one snap of its teeth.”

But Zara was already moving to the door.

“He can’t do physical harm in shape change,” she yelled. “Come on, before he gets away.”

The children then bounded after Darkon, leaving Pike breathing heavily, wondering whether he had gone completely mad or not.

But left alone in the depths of the rig, his senses returned and he quickly began to dismantle the pile of explosives that he and Darkon had laid around the pipe.

Only when he was sure that it was completely clear did he move to the lift. Once inside he pressed the button and the lift shot to the upper deck of the rig, where the press and officials were eating, drinking and laughing, having no idea of the catastrophe that had just been averted.

Pike ran from the lift just as Darkon, in the shape of the cat rounded the final turn of the fire escape. The mutant, his pale eyes glittering malevolently, stopped and growled before taking a menacing step towards him; then with a snarl the leapt.

Pike fainted and fell to the ground, and Darkon stood over his inert form, growling, and his chest heaving. Seconds later the Z Batch followed Ben and Kylie into the room.

The cat spectacularly grew upright and changed back into Darkon’s true shape. He fastened the Time Trekker back onto his wrist with a grin of triumph.

“Now my friends,” he said. “Soon I will be gone from the rig. You’ve beaten me this time, but it is just a temporary set-back.

“I’m going back to before all this happened and plan better. This little scene will be repeated, oh yes it will, and then no-one will stop me.

“The rig will explode and the oil will gush into the sea. Then my future will continue just as if nothing had happened, so, goodbye my friends.”

He marched to the door and pushed it open, smiling as he shook hands with people, making his way to the edge of the oil rig platform.

“He’s going to get away,” said Zoltan in panic.”

“We can’t let him,” said Zoltan rushing after the mutant. He was within touching distance when Darkon laughed again, which brought conversation to a halt, and then slowly began to shrink. He was shape-changing into a sea-bird.

Zoltan suddenly remembered the jungle. He touched his pocket: the curare and the thorns. Quickly he pulled the sticky mess from his pocket and jabbed a thorn into it. Then, as Darkon was about to spread his wings he jabbed the bird in the foot.

Its wings wobbled for a second and then the bird fell, its body shaking, to the floor. Zoltan looked up in triumph.

“We’ve got him,” he said, picking up the now stiff sea-bird.

Pike then staggered from the operations room and the attention of the company guests focused on him.

Zara and Zoltan joined Zoltan, laughing with relief while Ben and Kylie looked on silently.

“Come on let’s take you back to Cairns,” said Zara

They held hands and were gone before anyone even knew they were there.

It was an event that Pike never dared to try to explain. In fact the only believable explanation he could find for his own appearance was that he had fallen down the stairwell. As for Konrad and the strange children, he tried to put them from his mind, for none of it made any sense at all. He preferred to think of it in later life as bad dream.

Konrad, he told people on the rig had caught a chopper out and was on his way back to America.

When the triumphant children arrived back in Cairns there was an awkward silence until Ben spoke.

“I expect this is it then,” he said sadly.

Zara smiled gently. “We have to go back and make sure Darkon is put safely away from where he can never escape.

“He’ll go into deepest sanctuary,” said Zoltan.

“Can we go with you, to your time?” asked Kylie.

Zara shook her head. “We can’t take you away from your life,” she said. “I explained that before. We have to go to our time, and you have to stay in yours.”

“Some life,” sniffed Kylie.

“It might be different now,” said Zoltan.

“Yeah, so you say,” said Ben. “But I can’t see it. We’re still broke and on the run from the cops.”

“You’ll do all right,” said Zoltan.

“We should go,” urged Zara. “We don’t know how long the curare will last. I don’t want to risk him regaining consciousness.”

So, the Z Batch held hands and after a farewell wave Zara pressed the transporter button.

Just before they disappeared Zoltan yelled: “Don’t forget, you still have the car, find out how it works, it will make your fortune.”

Then they were back in Dranton Zigorf’s lab again, with the man looking on with interest as they reappeared.

“You shouldn’t have reminded them about the car,” scolded Zara.

“Well,” said Zoltan. “It had to be invented sometime, why not then?”

He laughed and his Batch mates joined in.

Zigorf approached them and stared at the sea-bird.

“It’s Darkon,” explained Zara. “He’s alive but paralysed.” She held the bird out, holding it by its feet,

Zigorf took it, examining it curiously. “We’d better get this to the council right away,” he said. He communicated with the Council Leader and in minutes Zigorf and the Z Batch were in the Council Chamber.

The Leader looked at the bird, heard their explanation, and then called for a messenger.

“This is a matter that must be disposed of quickly,” he said.

The messenger came into the chamber and the Leader gave the sea-bird to him and ordered them to take the bird to deepest sanctuary.

“Er...maybe we should take off his Time trekker,” suggested Zara politely, pointing to the small ring that was attached to a wing tip.

The council leader smiled and detached the ring, handing it to a curious Zigorf. He dismissed the messenger. As he left, Zara was sure she saw a flutter of wing, but it was instantly inert again.

But inside the paralysed body, Darkon’s mind was still working and the look in the bird’s eye as it was taken away was pure evil.

Zara shuddered.

The Council Leader then pressed his communicator and spoke to the Commander of Deep Sanctuary. He told him to put Darkon in total isolation and, as soon as he changed shape back to his own form, to start on the medication he had been missing for so long.

“We’ll soon have him under control again,” he said.

Then he turned to the Z Batch.

“Once again you saved our time,” he said. “You have our thanks, but the Time Trekker must go back into its safe place until all its secrets are unravelled.

With a mixture of relief and reluctance, Zara took off the Trekker and handed it to the Elder.

They watched as he locked it away, wondering if they would every have to use it again.