Aussie Knowhow

By Kevin Johnson

Aussie Know-How is the sequel of Aussie Pilot and continues the events affecting the hero, his friends, and their children. This book enters the world of believable science fiction and joins modern day and ancient magic practices to solve past catastrophes. Since his second marriage to a witch, David Granger and the discovered computer Orack, set about correcting some past disasters whilst also continuing to work as a consultant to the USA president. Their attempts to negotiate peace in Afghanistan and the Middle East are affected.

They discover that the bombings, many of the world disasters and serious conflicts are created by business moguls and that the world is being manipulated by blackmail to gain massive wealth, eventually stretching as far as neighbouring recently discovered planets. The use of magic and illusions helps to abate imminent disaster. Space travel with several confrontations occur and the computer Orack, the Granger family and some of their friends find themselves facing adventure and near-death circumstances. This book ends with the defeat of the supreme commander and the saving of the planets Earth, Atlantis, Genesis and Dudgeon from economic collapse. Our hero considers retirement leaving the way open for his families continued concern for the survival of the worlds as we know them.

A third book, Aussie Impasse, concludes the families fight for world peace, where our heroes’ children become a serious force.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Jul 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543409772

Kevin Johnson

Kevin Johnson is the bestselling author or co-author of more than 50 books and Bible products for kids, youth, and adults. With a background as a youthworker, editor, and teaching pastor, he now pastors Emmaus Road Church in metro Minneapolis. Learn more at kevinjohnsonbooks.com.

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Copyright © 2018 by Kevin Johnson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/01/2018

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CONTENTS

Foreword

Chapter 1 Discovery of Man-Made Disasters

Chapter 2 Measuring Zavier

Chapter 3 Turkey Family Bombing and Mr Big

Chapter 4 Discovery of the Business of Manipulating Wars and Meeting the Pianist Emily

Chapter 5 Invasion of Zavier’s Island and Discussions with Iran People

Chapter 6 Susan Finds Richard, and Zavier Attempts to Threaten China

Chapter 7 Zavier Kidnaps Pam, Wizards Fight, Zavier and the General Die

Chapter 8 Arrest of Carlos, Fight on Atlantis, Carlos and the General Escape Again

Chapter 9 Carlos Tries Again and Dies a Horrid Death

Chapter 10 Some Normality at Home and the Beginning of the Race War

Chapter 11 Sorting Out the Conflicts

Chapter 12 A New Mr Big, Some Aussie Know-How, and Zoey Starts Work

Chapter 13 Political Change, Zoey in Trouble, and the New Mr Big

Chapter 14 Lan Chew Is Mr Big; Orack Plans against Mr Big

Chapter 15 Emily the Dame, and the Defeat of Lan Chew

Chapter 16 Shark Victim and Morgana Goes Back in Time

Chapter 17 New Spaceship, Dudgeon Skirmish, and Zoey Meets Ronald

Chapter 18 Pam’s Hole-in-One, a Music Classic, and a Cricket Match

Chapter 19 Daughter’s Engagement and Wedding

Chapter 20 Orack Upgraded and a Visit to Morgana’s Era

Chapter 21 Dudgeon Threat and a Joint Meeting with Genesis and Atlantis

Chapter 22 The Space War Begins, and Both Dotoff and the Supreme Commander Die

Chapter 23 Cleaning Up after the Supreme Commander, and Zoey Is Engaged

Chapter 24 Realising the Need for a Change in Leadership and Thoughts of Retirement

FOREWORD

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This book follows the writer’s first novel, called Aussie Pilot. It was the initial story of a three-part series. This book is the second in that series.

Those that have read Aussie Pilot should recall the life of David Granger, who, at the start of the novel, had just completed his flying course with the Royal Australian Air Force and started on his chosen career with his friend Peter Williams by volunteering to teach Vietnamese pilots combat-flying techniques at a US Air Force base located South Korea.

They progressed in their flying skills—David to supersonic fighter aircraft and Peter to long-distance transport, heavy-haulage transport B-52s, and later to more sophisticated long-range aircraft.

Their lives crossed in a market garden joint venture in Northern Territory, Australia. Then later David meets the new president of the USA, with whom peace in the Middle East is eventually negotiated. David’s wife is assassinated, and he returns to Geraldton, Western Australia, eventually meeting a witch princess and discovering the ancient planet Atlantis computer, called Orack. Their new friends from New Zealand, the government assistance, and the space ventures culminate in the close destruction of Earth. With the maturing of his children, Robert and Susan aid in the space battle and show the way for this, the second novel, to begin. The story continues the happenings in the family and the people they meet in the aftermath of the space battle with the Supreme Commander.

As with the initial novel, the story continues the saga in the time of the fictitious events within the lifetime of a larger-than-life character, using the culmination of chosen events, books, films, descriptions, and writings of others merged and assembled by the writer over time. The incorporation of magic, illusions, and witchcraft enhance the events that occur. The mixture is simply drafted into this novel. The book must therefore be considered as pure fantasy and has been compiled solely for reader enjoyment. The writing of the book emanates from the writer’s ongoing need to put the story tumbling around inside his head down on to paper—no other purpose.

As before, the writer wishes to acknowledge the support given by his understanding wife, Judy; our children, Michelle, Vanessa, and David; their partners, Reed, Kate, the grandees Matt, Ben, Finn, Aislinn, Caelan, Neve, and Taya.

That’s it really. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

DISCOVERY OF MAN-MADE DISASTERS

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We begin by reminding readers that at the end of Aussie Pilot, the space war had been won and our hero had returned to Earth amongst great cheers and celebration. It was believed the Dudgeon supreme commander had been vaporised, and David, Pam, and the children Robert and Suzan had entered the celebrations with their friends. Orack, the Atlantis computer, seen by humans as a shimmering hologram, somehow seemed to be a real person and could cohabit with everybody as if he were human, becoming both leader and hero. His involvement resulted in the war being won. This would lead to them all taking a week off to recuperate then return to their newly constructed home in Waitangi, New Zealand.

We start this novel on the following Monday after David and Pam rose at 6 a.m. to go on their usual morning jog. It was going to be a bright sunny day. Already the sky was clear. There was a little breeze, and the start of a hot day could be felt by the already slowly rising temperature. They passed many of their neighbours as they effortlessly ran the pathways, and today, the first for a long time, everybody seemed happy and talkative. Goodwill was there, and all seemed to be calm and placid. The quick light aircraft flight to Auckland and taxi to their office was enjoyable, and they arrived in time for coffee and cake or at morning teatime. Everything seemed as it was before they left for the war, and they both settled down to clear mail and other office necessities.

Suddenly, a mighty boom was heard, shaking their building like a rag doll. It wasn’t a car blowing up or a house maybe. It was much bigger. They both looked out the fifth-floor window and were shocked at what they saw. They became shaken as they looked towards the noise, which came from the distant tower city building skyline. They became agog, dumbfounded. An enormous cloud was rising from halfway up the central tower, and slowly, bits of the structure could be seen to be crumbling. The upper portion buckled, twisted, then slumped in a massive heap. As they continued to watch, the whole building disintegrated and slid down in a billowing cloud of dust.

David and Pam, with their very acute eyesight, scanned the immediate area but saw nothing of note that they could identify. They looked at each other, nodded, and instantaneously changed dimension and zapped themselves close to the tragic rubble site, hovering invisibly as they made a close inspection. It was a disaster. There were bodies everywhere, debris and rubble strewn for a city block. Dust was still billowing from the still-collapsing building.

They noticed a deathly silence. A distant lone siren began wailing and wound its way closer to the address. Then others started, and very soon police, ambulances, fire fighters, and a host of other rescue force vehicles and personnel were oozing in from everywhere. Panic had hit the city.

They zapped again, this time to Orack’s cavern located in Gove, Northern Territory, Australia. As they entered, Orack already had every machine scanning and logically determining the occurrence. They wound back every security camera’s video tapes, checking all visual action leading up to the blast. Then, one camera showed a small dot, and then others joined in. Soon Orack had a full-screen picture of missile arcing its way from north to south then slamming into the building, with the impact located two-thirds up from the ground. Orack scanned the missile before explosion. The enhanced screen clearly showed the design style and the writing on the side, with the computers racing and then identifying the missile. It was clearly made in China and sent from an off-shore submarine situated 200 nautical miles north of Auckland, in the nearby Pacific Ocean. A submarine, a fully equipped Russian nuclear submarine, was a listed as missing four months ago from the Baltic Sea. In addition, six missiles had been stolen from an Afghanistan silo two months ago without a trace. Now Orack surmised what happened to all that equipment and why. Orack put a trace on the submarine and found it resting in a river mouth on one of the Solomon Islands close to Fiji.

Orack was puzzled. It made no sense. Who would do such a thing? Only a madman seeking power. And then a realisation came to them all. It must be Zavier, the brother Carlos and the businessman from Atlantis, the one who was suspected of urging the Dudgeon commander to attack Earth prior to the war, the evil one who by birth was very ugly. By now, he was probably considered as being the ugliest person ever to have lived, the one with untested magical Atlantis powers who to date was considered a larger-than-life warlock.

They all agreed that things needed to be studied in far greater depth. The consequences were going to be horrific if he was involved. They had much work to do if they were to negate his likely intensions.

Why destroy a building in New Zealand? There were many other notable cities before Auckland. Orack must be the one being targeted. Zavier would be upset at the overthrow of Dudgeon and was after Orack and his powers. He was aware the Grangers had befriended Orack, and his logic was to cause fear. He wanted to rule the universe. He was already the most powerful manipulator of politics, but it seemed he wanted more. Now there were three additional planets with human life, and he wanted control over all. He must have Orack’s power to build, modify, and re-engineer all forms of structures; to manufacture; and to produce food and all necessities of human life. Yes, David and Pam both realised, soon Zavier would be zeroing in on the cavern to capture Orack and his machines and then on the possible annihilation of Earth’s administration as currently empowered.

Without disturbing Orack, they both studied the situation as they perceived it. Then they got their computers to trace Zavier. It would require great deduction powers, but Orack gave them and their friends that power, so they would regroup and help before Zavier could do his damage. They both contacted their friends that Orack had given special powers to in Aussie Pilot: James and Eli; Peter and Jenny; David’s children, Robert and Susan; Brett and Nicky, their neighbour’s children; plus, their friends Cameron and Dale. Their telepathic communication ran hot, and a meeting in two hours was arranged. Orack was advised by text.

The tracing of Zavier was very difficult. It seemed one day he was in New York, then in Europe through a couple of dead leads, and then silence. They needed much more intelligence. James suggested to follow his bank accounts. A whole new investigation followed and then bingo! He had made a large payment for some building materials. Then ships had delivered a lot of gear to an island off Vanuatu, and slowly a scenario was coming together. They searched islands off Vanuatu, and suddenly discovered that there now was a previously non-existent island thirty nautical miles off Luganville where a lot of helicopter activity had been evident for several months. Their scenario came together, so they called for a meeting with Orack.

As can be imagined, Orack was very busy building a defence against the threat Zavier appeared to be orchestrating. The evidence had depicted him as being old and a merciless dictator to whom human life was of no consequence.

When the request for a meeting came, Orack was reticent. He didn’t want to involve his friends again. They had done him great service in the past, and so he wished for them to not get involved anymore. But he also could not refuse them, so he decided to temporarily stop his work and joined them in the cavern office.

The feeling at the meeting was warm and congenial. Then David called them all to order and began the report primarily for Orack’s benefit.

Orack simply hovered as David spoke. The information he was receiving was very logical. He became enthused and, at the end, simply spread his arms wide and embraced them all.

They then entered an in-depth discussion, making several decisions. They set the computers to a certain pattern. Soon every transmission from the new island was being scanned, and information began flowing in. For a computer, Orack was experiencing emotion, and it unsettled his logic. But he knew a team will always defeat a lone trader, and this team, he knew, was very special.

At last they were Zavier’s match, and now they could work on beating him.

As they all entered the operations room within the cavern, the place was alive with computer activity. People were flashing hither and yon, flitting about, almost invisible in their movements, and people with headphones were in constant discussion.

The universe was now aware of the destruction and the likely perpetrator, and the major players were coordinating their efforts. China, Russia, India, Japan, Europe, and the USA were all jockeying for involvement, and the mix of military and politics was untidy.

It was agreed, following experience gained from the space war, that Orack would be the coordinator as only he could engage all knowledge and, at the same time, keep them fully informed.

Atlantis and the other planet, Genesis, were advised of the attack and were placed on alert in case Zavier were to spread his wings and attack them at the same time.

David looked around the gathering in time to see his son, daughter, and their friends as a group leave the room. He wondered what they were about to do. He looked at his friends and decided he also should leave the room and seriously make plans in the event another missile strike or similar were to happen.

He signalled each silently by hand movements, and they all sidled out to regroup at the cavern’s reception lounge.

There they devised a plan to ‘sink’ the new island. It was the only way to make sure Zavier could not succeed. Take out his weaponry, and he would become an easy target.

Just as they were closing their meeting, his son, daughter, and their friends communicated telepathically with him, seeking an urgent meeting. Immediately they were directed to the cavern’s reception lounge, and they spontaneously materialised behind the reception counter.

David informed the group of their plans to date and asked Robert, Susan, and their friends to work out an attack on the island and whatever it was they came up with. It had to include the capture or death of Zavier, his commanders, and the scanning/capture of the technology being utilised. David put his arms around both his now-adult children, smiled that smile of his, and nodded. The group acknowledged their job and departed for their own quarters.

After they were gone, David said to himself, By God, I am proud of you two. He lingered a moment then went back to his meeting.

About 5.30 p.m., David and Pam found themselves on the observation deck above the hangar dome, looking down at the aircraft being serviced in the event they might be needed in an attack on the new island.

David felt the pain in his stomach, the ache of anticipation of the unknown. It was that rotten, nervous anxiety, the one yelling out, ‘Beware!’ Over the years, he had known he had to calm it down and had to rationally think his way through it using all the logic he could muster.

Pam held his arm and pressed her body against his side. She needed him to comfort her, and she knew the next couple of days were going to be fast and furious. She remembered her childhood, the way her father told stories using magic wizardry to create fear and brilliantly lit fantasy. Her brother and sister had been scared, but she had stood up to her father and negated his extraordinary trickery. She had learned the higher echelon of wizard illusionary from him, but since she had met David, she had hardly ever used it.

Whatever happened to my life as a witch princess—even as I now am the queen of my clan—it all seems so silly now, she thought. Safe with David beside her, she let her mind wander.

Slowly she considered the powers of water, sun, wind, and electricity. It was such a long time since she had used them. In David’s company, there was no need. Then slowly came the realisation that the use of such mediums would be perfect in negating Zavier and his island. She could use the ocean to flood the internal accommodation. She could set fire where necessary, and together with others of her clan, she could internally crush the island, rendering Zavier powerless.

She was conscious that Zavier was a warlock and probably knew every trick she did, but surprise was on her side, and just maybe they could work something out. She had to.

A war like the last one must be avoided at all cost, she thought.

Just then Orack appeared before them, shimmering in the space on the other side of the balustrade that separated them from the hangar below. He was well dressed and looked all business as he acknowledged them both with a slight smile. He told them of the arrangements he was making, the messages to and from world leaders, and some of the illogical demands some were attempting to force. David stated his proposal to take the new island, and Orack stopped, silent. It was excellent, and yes, it was the way to go. Then Pam quietly mentioned her magic and her idea to defeat Zavier.

Orack stared in disbelief. His image shook and became blurred. What Pam had said was brilliant, and it could be worked with minimal casualties. Wow! he mused. These two are far better than I have ever experienced in earthlings all the years I have survived. He came close, put out his arms, and embraced them both. He landed on their level, and he ushered them towards the canteen. The minds of all three were racing at top pace, working out the possibilities and necessities.

The mess bar and dining area were alive with activity. Off-duty officers were excited and talking, laughing with loud shouting. In the corner, jazz music was beating out to the body movement of most standing. A small table was cleared for them, and an order for two was taken to the kitchen.

It was then that Orack asked them both if they were still able to undertake certain illusionary tricks and just how powerful they could exploit them. David remained silent and let Pam do all the talking. After all, this was her area of expertise. Orack realised that they were both quite powerful. Maybe with some extra tuition, they could become extraordinary. They concluded to meet tomorrow and work out an attack plan.

Back in their cabin, Pam kissed David with serious passion, and they held each other in genuine affection. They unreservedly loved each other with every fibre of their bodies, and right now they needed each other badly. The next two hours were spent pleasuring each other, and at the finish, they were both totally spent and drifted silently to sleep, side by side. Six hours later, they were back in the canteen, eating breakfast. Soon they would meet Orack and some military experts to evolve a plan. David mentally communicated to his son, Robert; daughter, Susan; and their friends Brett and Nicky to also attend. This was going to be a very full day.

Outside, the weather was bright and sunny, with the forecast predicting a substantial change for the worse. At the Solomon Islands, strong winds and thunderous clouds were being forecast, and this often-meant twirling squalls, typhoons, and rising water spouts.

David smiled to himself and wondered if Orack had anything to do with the weather. He zapped himself outside the cavern and into the vast red sandy desert on the other side of the market garden, in the Northern Territory. There was not a soul within fifty kilometres. He practised his warlock powers. He controlled the wind, made flash fires, whipped up the desert, doused it with water, then sent electricity bolts smashing into granite rock and boulders. He went invisible, he sped from spot to spot, and he used his acute hearing and eyesight over great distances. He was rusty, but everything still worked. Now he needed to relearn how to shake buildings and make them crumble and, of course, reverse it all by replacing things back as they were. Unbeknown to him, Pam was practising just ten kilometres away. In the distance, he saw dust clouds and lightning flashes and wondered. Then he mentally spoke to Pam, and they acknowledged each other, laughing. They met and returned to their apartment arm in arm, each happy their practice had gone well.

CHAPTER 2

MEASURING ZAVIER

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Orack’s upgraded computers were highly sophisticated and were able to read the plans and specifications of Zavier’s island. The model screen design showed the rock base, a submarine dock, storage rooms, and mechanical plant room; an office, warehouse, and water storage on the next upper level; and a short aircraft strip, residential units, a canteen, and recreation facilities on the top floor. A huge scanning disk with solar panels formed most of the ground-floor roof with the periphery of palm tree and sandy beach screening all surface structures.

The internal design was not dissimilar to Orack’s cavern. It was not so large and with the difference that the main tower with canon and missile launchers was able to extend the height of the facility a further two floors when necessary.

The defence armoury was extensive and included long-range missiles capable of reaching not only every part of Earth but, by using satellites, could also reach well into the stratosphere of outer space, including Genesis, Dudgeon and Atlantis.

‘Zavier certainly had planned well and would undoubtedly prove to be an awesome opponent,’ surmised Orack and his associates.

Standing at the balustrade on the observation deck inside Orack’s cavern, David began to wonder how Zavier was able to acquire such wealth to build and outfit the island. It was an enormous outlay, far beyond the wealth any Earth corporation he was aware of. Zavier had lived a very long time and been highly active in the governance of both Atlantis and Dudgeon. To survive, Zavier—David knew—would have to be entirely ruthless and be a master criminal and a cold, calculating murderer. He knew him to be a master magician, a mind conjurer, a dimension traveller.

Yes! Zavier was a psychopath of enormous proportion, and great care would be necessary if they were to have any chance to silence him.

He went back to the central room, saw his children at their computer stations, and outlined his recent thoughts. Susan immediately grasped David’s line of thinking and started clacking on her keyboard to work on Zavier’s known idiosyncrasies, his recent behaviour, and the way he delivered his speeches. She let the computer race through everything Orack had on Zavier, and some of that dated back several decades.

A short time later, the computers concluded Zavier’s character, his habits, and his spontaneous reactions. The details and recommendations were précised. Then the computers were asked how best to trap Zavier given his current actions. Several possibilities were given, so they called a full council meeting with many dignitaries listening on direct telecast. Security was paramount, and consequently, only those of the highest clearance were given access.

Getting on the island and confronting Zavier were matters considered impossible, but somehow it had to be done. Then Pam mentioned the use of magic and explained the type of illusions that could be done by her people and those born on Atlantis. Orack, who knew these powers well, agreed and debated the possibilities. Soon it was agreed that a small party of skilled Atlantis people would be shuttled to the island. They would go into the other dimension to be invisible and then land on the island via underwater shuttles in the island’s underground water, drainage, and refuse tubes. There they would split into groups. One would disable the power sources then make their way to the main workstation. The second would shut down the functions of the island. The third would find Zavier, capture him, and render him powerless until the main force arrived. They finalised the plan by logic, but each knew it was flimsy and highly likely to go wrong. But it was all they could come up with that did have a small amount of possibility that might work.

Pam mustered the best witches and warlocks, those that had military experience as well as strong mental powers, and she put them through the toughest security. Finally, the remaining sixteen were ushered into the main lecture room about four hours later. People were zapping everywhere, and the speed things were occurring to the earthlings was to them totally mind-bending.

While this was occurring, Orack, David, his friends James, Peter, and the kids discussed every aspect of the proposal. Finally, after a semi-agreement, they entered the lecture room and greeted their gathered Atlantean task force. They spoke long and hard and together finally concluded both plan A and a fall-back plan B. Orack was attempting to limit any disaster.

David; his son, Robert; Peter; and Brett were the lead group to capture Zavier. Pam, Susan,