Our New Home: Our New Home, #2

By Richard Sheppard

The saga continues. While applying his new skills to his latest role of modern day Noah, Dick receives death threats from the Oil Cartel and Drug Trafficking Organisation to wipe out his business and the lives of his family and close friends. It's up to Dick and his daughter to eradicate the threats before it becomes too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Sheppard
• Release date: Aug 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386955597

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

OUR NEW HOME

First edition. August 3, 2018.

Copyright © 2018 Richard Sheppard.

ISBN: 978-1386955597

Written by Richard Sheppard.

Our New Home

Book Two

by

Richard Norman Sheppard

Contents

Warning

Chapter

One - The Construction Site Inspection

Two - (a) The Test Drive (b) Production Meeting

Three - (a) The New Freight Company (b) Scourge Epidemic

Four - The Media Announcement

Five - The Presentation

Six - The Airbus Aircraft Concerns

Seven - (a) Supply and Demand (b) Receiver of Bad News

Eight - Death Threats

Nine - The Airbus Electric Motors Test

Ten - The Curtis Shipping Company Meeting

Eleven - Seafarers

Twelve - The Airbus Maiden Flight

Thirteen - La Rioja’s New Car Sales Office

Fourteen - Vendetta

Fifteen - The Around the World Inaugural Flight

Sixteen - (a) Cockpit Crew (b) North to South

Seventeen - More Fun and Games

Eighteen - The Pleasure Cruise

Fragment from Book Three

Epilogue - Dedication - Copyright - About the Author

Warning

Authors suggested age restriction – 15

This trilogy contains some:-

violence,

blue language,

sexual connotations,

and religious references throughout,

which some people may find offensive.

Our New Home  - Book 2

Chapter 1

The Construction Site Inspection

WITH A GOOD nights sleep behind him, Dick drove to the airport and by the time he arrived, it was still dark. The sign of life was at a minimum, save for a few securities guards and two staff members able to take charge of the hire car. Everything sorted out; all he had to do was wait for the aircraft. Although he is not much of a coffee drinker, he settled down with a cup from the vending machine as that was all they had on offer, and bloody awful it was too. He could not understand why people drank the stuff.  

Coffee needs a gallon of whiskey in it to make sure it’s dead he said to himself, and as if someone had said it to him, he nodded his head in approval.

Much to his relief, the aircraft arrived close on its scheduled time slot, so he left the cup of warm mud behind to have something decent on-board and waved goodbye to the staff and security guards as he walked to the aeroplane. Once on board, and after they exchanged pleasantries, they set off for Maitland Airport where they were to pick up the girls en route to La Rioja. He settled down to the breakfast Helen had served him.  

Upon arrival, Ivan, together with all the girls, boarded the plane and because of the time the journey would take, he agreed they topped up the fuel tanks.  Thereafter they were on their way, and when Kerri helped Helen, Dick noticed the two of them had struck up, what seemed to be, a great friendship. During the flight he put all, including Helen, in the picture of what was happening up North, and because Phil had a good team running the show, the first cars would hit the streets soon.  For him, and although he behaved himself, the rest of the journey seemed to be one big party.

Did you ask Phil if he wanted to join us on this trip? Cassie asked Dick.

I did but before I said to him I needed someone there of authority representing me, he declined. He’s too far engrossed with his new toy which has exceeded his greatest expectations, he informed Cassie. Mmmm… now there must be a title for a novel in there somewhere, he thought.

They arrived at La Rioja just after 3:00 p.m. and found the airport Manager had organised the same hangar for them. After a short discussion, Dick hired three people carriers to share amongst themselves. This was to create a sense of independence as he warned them he would spend a lot of his time at the construction site.

They arrived at the hotel and to their pleasant surprise discovered they had the entire place to themselves, but then it wasn’t a big place either. Once they had settled in he phoned Felipe to inform him of their arrival. The two arranged to meet at their favourite restaurant at 6:30 p.m. and everyone decided to go. But as they still had time yet, some of them relaxed either in or around the pool.

At the restaurant, Dick introduced those who had not met both Felipe and Juan. After a slap-up meal they left the restaurant by 8:30 p.m. and Dick asked both Felipe and Juan to join him back at the hotel. There they briefed him and brought him up to date on the construction sites progression.

To his delight, it seemed the two of them were pushing the builders to their limit and toyed on upping their monthly retainer but decided it to be too soon. By 10:00 p.m. he thanked them and said it was time for him to retire as he would prefer an early start and therefore hoped to be at the site by 8:00 a.m. the following morning.

He arrived at the site at 7:45 a.m., and as he turned left off the main road and then right, the quality of the laid tar surprised him. He now turned sharp left and following the newly constructed road, which ran alongside the left mountain, Dick stopped when the road straighten out and got out of the car. He noticed in the distance the huge mound of soil Felipe warned him about for it seemed to go on forever due to the digging to make way for the fuel tanks.

While he stood there a few cars and trucks travelled in either direction of him, but as to their purpose, he knew not. Most of the drivers waved at him. He got back into the car and re-set the odometer as he wanted to get an idea what distance had already been tarred. This part of the road followed the left-hand-side of the mountain until it met the main mountain. As he drove, it still amazed him how smooth the surface of the road was, and as he approached the corner where both mountains met, which formed a gorge, he noticed he had travelled over eight and a half kilometres, which seemed about right to him. The road did a right-hand turn and followed this part of the mountain for another five and a half kilometres and ended up at the huge farmstead where the alterations looked close to being finished.

Once again he stopped the car and got out. As he admired the vastness before him, he tried to estimate how big the workforce was but he gave up, and also gave up trying to count the different machinery on site. Big trucks, front end loaders, diggers, Tractor-Loader-Backhoe (TLB), and many other types the likes of which he’d never seen were running around in all directions while not bumping into each other either.

Although it was bright, the actual rays of the sun were only now just peeping over the top of the mountain, and with all the highs and lows; his daughter and son-in-law would have been able to take some magnificent photographs from where he stood.

He walked towards the main farmhouse and a man approached him wearing a white hat who addressed him in, what Dick understood to be, a rude manner. Quien cono eres tu y que cono quieres aqui? Esta es un area restringida, he barked.

Dick did not understand a word he said, so he asked him if Felipe, Juan, Rafael or Manolito were on site. But the nice man in the white hat, in return, also did not understand and he barked the order once more. Dick also repeated what he had asked but noticed the situation was about to get out of hand for the blokes face was about to explode from the amount of blood he was now pumping into it from rage.

The nice man in the white hat wasn’t as tall as Dick, but more thick-set with a rotund stomach which made him confident in the art of handling himself. So with this confidence, he strode towards him and with his big right hand; threw an almighty punch towards Dick’s face.

In that split second the all American movie flashed before Dicks eyes. What he visualized was how the main character would always catch the flying fist in his hand thus stopping the aggressor from striking the intended target. So what was Dick to lose? He moved his head to one side and in the same instance, caught the flying fist in his right hand.  

Fuck me, it worked, he said to himself in utter amazement.

As he carried out this marvellous trick he squeezed with all his might and to his horror; he not only felt but also heard a multitude of bones breaking. The poor chap dropped like a sack of potatoes to the ground screaming in utter excruciating pain. Three other chaps, who were close by, heard these screams and they ran towards the commotion to find out what was happening.  

Dick put his hands up to informed them he did not speak Spanish and asked if anyone of them spoke English, then blurted out Inglés in the hope it would prevent an all-out massacre.

While the poor chap screamed and wriggled around in pain, one of the other guys said yes in his limited English, so Dick got him to get Rafael on the phone. He handed the phone to Dick who said to Rafael to get to the farmhouse before he died. He also asked him to get an ambulance and he would explain the situation later. He handed the phone back.

The chap carried on speaking to Rafael and Dick noticed a slow but continuous change in the chaps face. He looked at Dick, then at the other two guys, said something to them,   then they did the same thing. He looked at Dick once more, looked at the phone in puzzlement before ending the call. This all happened in mere moments.

The chap turned to the other two blokes and Dick understood by their ever changing expressions they were just informed as to whom they were addressing, all the while forgetting about the poor chap on the ground.

What seemed an age for Dick, Rafael arrived and before he even greeted him, he lunged into the three workers. He was about to put his boot into the face of the poor chap writhing around on the ground when Dick said No no,.... it wasn’t his fault. He was only doing what you hired him to do. He didn't understand who I was, and we didn't understand each other either, so because he was not prepared to take a chance, he threw a punch at me and he lost.  

Ahhhhh….. I’m so sorry Dick, Rafael said as he held out his hand towards him as they now greeted each other.  

Rafael, in Spanish, introduced him to the other three. They apologised to Dick in their best of English but he told them not to worry about it for his concern was about the chap who was still screaming his head off.

Why don’t they put him in my car and drive out to meet the ambulance. That way it will save time, Dick suggested to Rafael who declined and said they were to use his car. Dick recognised one word Rafael used and that was ‘andale’.

The two of them looked at each other and smiled. I want all his medical bills paid for by me and he still gets full pay for as long as the work carries on here. I will give you the money as extra and I don’t care if he’s not even fit enough to return for duty,… understood? Dick said and Rafael nodded his head in acknowledgement. Dick continued. Okay, so now the fun is over, would you mind showing me around?

They both got into Dick’s car but Rafael was to drive as he knew the way around the site. While we are here at the cortijo, I mean farmhouse, sorry Dick, would you like to start here first?

No need for apologies, Rafael. It is I who should apologise to you as I, the foreigner, cannot speak your language in your own country. Unlike Britain where they allow all and sundry in, then we have to bow down to them by learning to speak, read and write their language in our own country. That’s wrong. But yes, a good idea. Let’s start here.

Rafael showed him the way into the huge entertainment building which housed the massive swimming pool, and Dick asked Why would anyone build a swimming pool inside a building like this when you’ve got huge grounds and lots of sunshine here?

Well that’s a good question and the only thing which comes to mind is on few occasions you can get strong winds in this area. It can generate a lot of sand, dirt, leaves, and all the other things a swimming pool doesn’t like. It too can sometimes get cold here at night in winter, believe it or not. Perhaps the farmer must have been a rich man, so in his case, why not?

Yeah, why not indeed, Dick replied. You’ve done an excellent job with the building. Tell me, where do you store the chlorine and the acid?

Ah, another good question. We have none.

You have none? Dick said in astonishment.

Yes, that’s right. We have none because we turned it into a pool that uses salt. So I hope you don’t mind?

A swimming pool that has salt instead of chlorine and acid put into it, Dick repeated Now that’s a good idea, and do we have a supply?

Yes there is and I’ll show you where it’s stored,… follow me.

Rafael took Dick outside the building towards the back where he opened a door and led him inside. This is where they used to store the chlorine, and all the other things you use for a pool. So I got the boys to clean it out, paint it, and as you can see, all the stuff you require is here, including the bags of salt, Rafael said as he pointed at a heap of hessian sacks.

Mmmm… I remember seeing a couple of people wearing those things as clothing knocking at my front door, Dick mulled. How many are there? he asked Rafael, who said Well as they were on a bargain I got you twenty, and as you only need to put one bag into the pool every three months, you have about five years supply.  

That’s great. Thanks for that, but you say I throw a bag into the pool? How do I do that? I mean, must I cut the bag open and pour the salt into the pool or what?

Rafael walked over to the bags and he made to pick one up and showed Dick the porous hessian material. Yes you can cut the bag and pour the salt into the pool but it’s far easier to throw the whole bag into the pool and wait two days for the salt to dissolve. You now remove the bag and by then, it will be empty.

Okay, but can we still use the pool while the salt is dissolving? Dick asked, to which Rafael replied Yes you can, and I must also tell you that although it's salt, it’s nothing like the sea and your eyes don’t go red once you’ve been swimming under the water.

I must remember to order a few more bags, Dick cogitated for he now looked into creating salt water swimming pools for inside the mountain once they started construction within.

With enough stupidity for one day, Dick made for the exit and walked back into the entertainment hall as he wanted to see the stage and what the rich farmer was about in entertainment. His expectations were too high as it was just another stage with nothing new or different to the many other stages he himself had performed upon.

He inspected the kitchen and the huge bar area before heading back down to the other end again, towards the swimming pool area. He wanted to inspect the many toilets there, combined with changing rooms, for the bathers convenience.

I wonder why there aren’t separate toilets or changing rooms in here?  

I can't say, Rafael replied and I was waiting for you to get here to show and ask you what you want us to do.

Can you turn them into two sets for male and female?

It’s your money Dick, and if you have money, you can do anything, not so? Rafael asked, and Dick replied True. Please do it.  

They, once again, went outside where they walked the perimeter of the building and as there wasn’t anything untoward, they walked to the main farmhouse. Dick was awestruck. Bloody hell,... I still can’t get over the size of this place. It’s big.

It’s bigger than big, Rafael replied, to which Dick asked Have you finished in here as well?

Yes, we have finished almost everything here, but there’s just a few items we have to complete or have to change. Then we need to finish the outside clean-up, although most of the brick and grass areas are okay. I suppose in another week we’ll move out from here.

Dick looked around and said Good. Once finished, I want you to sort out who might want to stay here as I want to push the workforce a bit harder. If they stay here, there won’t be any travelling for them. Will it work?  Dick asked Rafael, to which he replied Only a few of them will… perhaps. But that’s a big perhaps. I’ll speak to them and find out who’s interested.

Well sort something out, even if it means you do it on a rota type basis where you turn them around on a five or seven day basis, Dick suggested.

Yes, I understand what you mean and I might just have to do that, Rafael acknowledged. But it will all depend on the amount who will accept the offer. Some of them can be funny that way.

Okay, if you get any, then you might have to hire a few housekeepers and cooks and I’ll pay for their services and the food. But if the workers want alcohol, that’s to their account, and if they smoke, it’s outside the house. In fact, there’s never any smoking in any of the buildings. If any of them don’t like this ruling, they are never to come anywhere near these buildings. It’s that simple.  

That’s more than fair and the workers who accept this will love it, Rafael replied Can they use the pool?

Yes, I don’t mind. They must treat it as their home but, and this is a big but, they are also to be neat and tidy at all times. Anyone who isn’t can no longer live here and will have to commute as they do so now. Also, there is to be no spitting. If there is anything I despise more than a corrupt government, it’s someone who spits. Anyone caught spitting anywhere on the properties is out of here, never to return. Is that understood?

Yes it is. I agree and I’ll implement all that, Rafael assured him.

They had just finished the tour of the farmhouse, and were on their way out, when a car approached. It stopped and out stepped the three workers from earlier on. They explained to Rafael they met the ambulance just as they turned onto the, not so busy, main arterial road. There the paramedics treated the bloke at the road-side before being taken to the hospital. They looked at Dick, smiled, waved, and were on their way.

The sound of more traffic and another two cars appeared, one with two occupants, the other with one. Manolito, Felipe and Juan had made their appearance. As they alighted, they each greeted Dick with a warm smile.

Welcome back, Felipe said while shaking Dick’s hand, to which the others followed suit.

Are you enjoying your inspection of the construction site and what you say of the progress so far? Manolito asked Dick.

I’m pretty well impressed, and I didn't expect you to be this far ahead.

How you say in English? You dangle a carrot in front of… well, you know what I mean, said Manolito as he expressed himself to the best of his English speaking ability, but Dick understood and acknowledged him.

Dick turned his attention to Felipe and asked, once again, if all the bank transfers still happened with no problems. It’s all working and there’s nothing to worry about.

After they had completed their tour, and Dick satisfied with those buildings together with the general layout of the grounds, he had no reason to carry on, so they headed off to the runway dig site. Because he had a people carrier, he asked Manolito to drive, so they all travelled in the one car.

As they got closer to the huge mound of soil, only then did he appreciate the enormity of the project and the amount of different vehicles being used impressed him. Manolito stopped the car, and they all walked a few yards closer where he put Dick in the picture about what was transpiring regarding the work in progress.

The concrete being poured over there, Dick asked is that for the slab they’ll affix the fuel tanks to?

The question wasn’t directed to any of them in particular, so Rafael said it was and they had laid seventy other slabs.

When are you expecting delivery of the tanks themselves?  

They should deliver the first ones by Tuesday next week, replied Manolito.

Dick, if only for a moment, absorbed the site but in silence to embed the mental picture on his brain. He visualized in his mind’s eye the first VC10, flown by himself, making its approach far in the distance making touchdown a quarter of the way up the runway.

What are all those furrows or trenches over there for? he asked while pointing.

You will find a few trenches coming from each slab. They will carry the piping and electrical cabling conduit to and from each tank to the filling point and,... also the electrical point which will be around that area over there, Manolito replied and explained by waving his hand around while using his index finger as a pointing stick.

What’s going on over there? Dick asked, while pointing at a spot but this time in the opposite direction and far away.

They’ve cleared the area where we will build the factory to house the cars. The hangars will be just in front, Rafael replied, and he too explained by using his arm and hand.

They drove around to the far side, back past the farmstead down a dirt road. This was to give Dick the opportunity to perceive the start of construction of the car housing facility and the hangars. Because of the rugged terrain, there wasn’t anything for Dick to work out at this stage as the work was still in progress, but it gave them a sense of achievement by showing off this area to him.  

This dirt road, do you want us to tar it as well? asked Manolito

No. It’s not a necessity, so don’t worry about it, Dick replied. Good. Can we go back to the foot of the mountain where the runway will end? he asked, although it was more of an instruction.

They all got back into the car and drove the few kilometres to where he wanted to be. There they all clambered out where Dick studied the area and got the essence of where the tarmac of the runway would be and explained how far he wanted it to run.

Gentlemen, I want you to please make sure the tarmac runs right up to this spot, Dick instructed them by using his left index finger and the tip of his right shoe and pointed to where the tarmac was to run to and end.

So you want it to go right up to and even touching the foot of the mountain? asked Manolito, who did not know it was the point where the opening to the mountain was.

Rafael said if the machinery was unable to handle it, the last few metres would be by hand and also said it wouldn’t compromise the quality of the work.

Have you started work on the other side of the arterial road yet? Dick asked in case they had.   

Yes, Rafael replied I’ve got a specialist team in over there who are looking at the strategic spots for all beacons and antennas. Also, they need to work out where to build the subway for the farmer in case he needs to have access to the other side of his property.  

Would you like to go over there? Juan asked Dick, and he replied No, not now thanks. I’ll do that tomorrow.

Dick spent the rest of the day with them and at 4:00 p.m. decided he had had enough and they would see him the next day. When he arrived back at the hotel he found the rest of them weren’t there, so decided to have forty winks while he waited for them to come back. As he lay down on his bed there were telltale signs of a certain alien becoming visible, and Joel appeared.

Hello, Dick said to him.

Hello. I’m not staying long but I’m here to inform you I have already had one of our doctors look at Carlos when he was on his own.

Who the hell is Carlos? Dick asked feeling all confused.

Carlos, the person whose hand you crushed to pieces.

Oh that guy. How’re his injuries?  

He’s okay and will be back at work in a few days’ time and when he gets there, leave him alone will you. Also, don’t be fooled but if the other’s had attacked you, there would only have been one winner and that would have been you. You should have faith in your abilities, Joel said to him in what almost sounded like a funny way.

Okay, I understand what you mean. Question: Any idea how the aircraft are coming along? he asked Joel as he was sure he’d be able to answer the question.

Everything is way ahead of schedule so why don’t you go pay them a visit when you get back.

Yes, I’ll do that.

Good, in that case, until the next time... Joel said, and in a flash, disappeared.

With closed eyes, Dick lay back down on the bed and analysed the events of the day. In what seemed like no time at all, he awoke by Chloe shaking him on his left arm.

Oh, I must have fallen asleep, he said while sitting up.  

Have you had your supper yet?

No.  

Good, she replied because we are going to our favourite restaurant in about a half an hour, if you want to tag along?  

Yes I do. When have you known me to turn down good food?

You… never.

Who’s going? Dick asked, and she said All of us.

Right, I’ll have a shower.

Mmmm… I wondered what smelt on the ripe side, said Chloe as she smiled.

Watch it, he said as he entered the bathroom.

At the restaurant they were all seated at the table which comprised 4, four-seater tables put together and Dick found himself at the head of one which he did not mind. It meant his long legs had enough room in which to manoeuvre around and not to get caught up with the table legs or the table itself.

As he faced the entrance door of the restaurant, he observed the people as they either entered or left the building. While waiting for their orders, they sipped at their drinks when Dick spoke in a curious manner.

What the hell is that? he asked in a loud, but not too overpowering voice.

What the hell is what? Chloe asked in reply.

That, Dick exclaimed That thing over there who’s just walked in. You can’t miss it, he now said as he used his eyes as an indicator towards the subject. All the girls laughed as they now glimpsed at what it was he was looking at.  

It was a young girl of about twenty-seven years old and stood only one metre sixty-five centimetres tall which is nothing at all unusual. However, she was overweight by about thirty kilograms and her face appeared round by this extra weight while her stomach, rotund. But that too wasn’t something out of the ordinary either in today's overindulging society of junk food.    

Okay, Dick enquired so please tell me why the laughter?

All right, listen to this because I’m sure you will not believe your ears, Chloe said to him. We noticed her earlier on today and someone overheard us talking about her. This person explained to us she’s from the UK and visits La Rioja without fail this time of the year, every year.

Yes, but that’s not the problem I have. I mean, look at her. There’s no way anything about her is natural. What the hell’s going on with her?  Dick asked, and they all looked at him while controlling their suppressed laughter.   

Relax now as I’m trying to put you in the picture, replied Chloe.

Okay, fire away.

Once a year this bird has cosmetic surgery done and so far she’s had hair extensions put in. This includes semi-permanent eye-liner, teeth veneers, semi-permanent lip liner, lip Botox, forehead Botox and teeth whitener. Five,... yes five boob jobs, semi-permanent eyebrows and marks on her skin from sunbeds, and to round it off, she has heart-shaped tattooed nipples, Chloe informed him while sporting a huge grin and a funny expression on her face.

He looked at Chloe whereupon he sported a look of confusion and amazement at the same time. She’s taken her cosmetics to the extreme and has an identity crisis, he said in amazement.

I wonder what her poor parents are going through? Dick considered, and as he did, the first lot of starters were being placed upon the table. He continued. Well, all I can say is she looks bloody ridiculous. There’s not one ounce of beauty about her person at all, so for her sake I hope she oozes loads of inner-beauty. But then, I suppose, in today's society one shouldn’t be surprised and, therefore, should always expect the unexpected.

As he wanted to be at the site early again the following morning, he left them there to get on with their partying, and as it was a perfect night, he walked back to the hotel. When he arrived, he asked the receptionist for a 5:00 a.m. wake-up call and retired for the night.  

The following morning he decided he would spend most the day at the farmhouse and would contact Phil, via his laptop, to inquire how he was fairing. When he arrived, the night shift were just about on their way home and the day shift about to start.

They all seemed to scatter around in all directions, almost like people at a shopping mall. People who were none too sure why they were there or where they wanted to go to, except these workers got something done. He stopped at various points on the way to compare the completed work from the day before. It impressed him.

By the time he arrived at the farmhouse it was well after 8:00 a.m. and he found himself at the huge kitchen table. Before he did anything, he tested the electric socket if it was working. It wasn’t.

Just as well I charged the laptop battery, he reasoned.

He placed the cooler bag, which the hotel staff had organised for him, on the table. This he put behind the laptop and wondered why he had not left it on the floor. So he looked at it but left it there as it was not in the way of anything, not that there was anything on the table for it to obstruct. He was just about to contact Phil when Felipe and Juan walked in.

Morning Dick, they shouted as they entered the vastness of the kitchen area.

Good morning chaps.

Dick, I hope you don’t mind but we’ve got other business to attend to today. So we won’t stay, if that’s okay with you? asked Felipe.

No guys, not at all. If you need to go now, then please do so. I can always rely on you so do whatever it is you must do, he said and they shook his hand while thanking him.

He logged on to the video link and Phil answered and Dick asked him for the progress so far. The entire factory is now no longer being run from the main grid as our generators are doing their thing. Also, Jonathan and the boys are coming here tomorrow to collect their cars.  

Ah, the fat man you say. Wonderful, Dick replied What about yours and Julia and the other folks there?

The fat man, Phil enquired all confused Who the hell is the fat man?

Oh it’s just a stupid nick-name I’ve given to Jonathan I got from a TV sitcom I once watched years ago, only I haven't told him.

Oh all right, Phil replied while chuckling. Okay, now about our cars. No,...  that will only be in another two days’ time. Besides, we’re not in too much of a hurry. Question: Have you wondered what might happen now we’re, let’s say, going to be giving away free energy to the world?

Mmmm… Dick said as he lent back in his chair that’s a good question and one that requires a good answer. Free energy. Well that should lead us to clean air… mmmm… remember, we are living on a planet where we humans are addicted to crude oil and all of its by-products including petroleum. Now what happens when you dump free energy onto the world markets? Dick asked, and before Phil responded, he answered his own question.

I cannot give an answer to that question, but I can only surmise the stock markets around the world,… well, things might just plummet and economies may collapse overnight, which might lead to recession, unemployment and you never can tell, even war.  

Are you worried? asked Phil.

Worried? Hell no, not one bit. If any of it does ever happen, it will only happen in years to come and by then, it will be too late anyway. So for me, there’s nothing to worry about at all, now is there? Ummm… changing the subject. How are the 4×4s, the ones we are giving to El Presidente and his wife, coming along?

They should be shipped out in about two-and-a-half weeks’ time, replied Phil.

Okay. When the time comes, you can come with me to do the hand-over of the cars to the government officials.

Yeah, that’s a nice surprise. I’d like that.

They carried on talking about the rest of the project, and when Dick decided they had spoken enough, said he would see him on his return. He got hold of Jonathan and they too spoke at length about how the business was going, but Dick wanted information on how the work force was behaving.

They still say you are their, dare I say it, saviour? Jonathan replied, and Dick said they shouldn’t be silly.

It was fast approaching lunch time, so Dick took a break and headed out to the site. He got a glimpse of Manolito and Ricardo and set off in their direction where he spent the next hour with them before they drove to the other side of the road to observe how the work was progressing.

There wasn’t much of a road to talk about but it was enough for a 4×4 to handle. Trenches had been dug and filled with concrete to be the support for the lights. Conduit to carry the electric cables were being installed, and far in the distance he noticed movement. What’s going on over there? he asked Ricardo.

Those are the surveyors still checking out the best installation spots for the various beacons. The beacons you will need when making your approach on landing.

Ohhhhh… yes. That would be most essential, wouldn’t it? Dick replied.

Yes, and they are even around that bend over there, Ricardo said as he pointed towards the far distant mountains. but you mustn’t expect any progress at the moment as it’s still too soon for the major works to begin. Would you like to go up there? he asked Dick, who said Yes, let’s go.

They travelled for what seemed an age only because the soft sands