Danger Down Under

By Paul Holbert

Most people look forward to their annual vacations. Some want to relax and do nothing while others seek the thrill of diving with man-eating sharks or bungee jumping from a suspension bridge high above a rock canyon to stir up their paltry existence. In Danger Down Under, a group of ordinary people from different walks of life find themselves in an extraordinary position.

After recently leaving the military, Gary and his wife, Amanda, are hoping a vacation to Australia will mend their strained marriage. A day of charter fishing ends with them stranded by a storm on a small island with six fellow vacationers, none of whom had any such activities in their getaway plans. It’s the kind of thing that would make a body hire a new travel agent.

While the group of castaways deal with their survival situation, Dr. Larry Williams, a scientist studying marine life off the northern coast of Australia, discovers an unusual chemical imbalance of unknown origin in many of his specimens. As he searches for the cause, local residents begin to disappear, throwing a panic into the police department and the authorities to mobilize and join in on the quest for answers. Research leads Dr. Williams to a library in Sydney that hints of a convoy from Germany sunk in 1943 by the American navy on its way to Japan with a cargo of nerve agent. He also finds corroborating evidence from the local hotel manager whose uncle served as a coast watcher and begins to expose the cover-up of a leak that is causing genetic aberrations in the water, one of which is an oversized Komodo dragon. Mysteriously the uncle is poisoned.

Concern over the fate of the shipwrecked tourists grows as the police deal with missing people from the town, and Lt. Harry Morgan, commander of the search and rescue station, sends several vessels out to comb the area. Little does Dr. Williams know that there are forces at work trying to hamper his research and prevent him from learning any more than he already has. He eventually convinces his friend, Capt. Dave Weeks, an army officer stationed in Hawaii, to listen to his conscience and help him expose the cover-up. Risking his career and possible imprisonment, Captain Weeks steals secret files about the convoy and leaves for Australia to assist the scientist.

As science and government head on a collision course, the creature prowling the strait in search of food terrorizes Gary and his fellow castaways. It has developed a healthy appetite for human flesh, by the way. Concerned that their safety is in jeopardy, they decide to launch Gary out in their life raft to hopefully run down a passing boat or plane only to have him pounded by a storm. He is finally picked up by one of Lieutenant Morgan’s cutters but, thanks to the storm, no longer knows which direction he came from.

The story comes to a head when Gary attempts to lead a rescue mission back for his wife and her fellow castaways before government agents can find them. Standing in their way is the government bureaucracy that wants to keep the secret intact and the creature that man’s indifference has created. There are no boring 35mm vacation slides from this trip.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796020502

Paul Holbert

Paul Holbert, a twenty-year military veteran, discovered a passion for writing while completing his graduate studies at Troy State and LaSalle Universities. His duties as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare Specialist combined with extensive travels to different parts of the globe combine to fuel an adventurous and easy to read writing style directed at both the casual and avid reader. An experienced military instructor and part-time college teacher, Paul plans to pursue a career in education or as a corporate trainer after his upcoming retirement from the Army.

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Copyright © 2019 by Paul Holbert.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-7960-2049-6

                eBook            978-1-7960-2050-2

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:   03/11/2019

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1   A Well Deserved Getaway

Chapter 2   Suspicions

Chapter 3   Trouble on the Horizon

Chapter 4   Ominous Signs

Chapter 5   An Unexpected Detour

Chapter 6   Stranded

Chapter 7   Shipwrecked

Chapter 8   Danger Realized

Chapter 9   A Revelation

Chapter 10   Get a Clue

Chapter 11   A Clear Danger

Chapter 12   Discovery

Chapter 13   Exposed

Chapter 14   The Hunt

Chapter 15   Revelation

Chapter 16   Crisis

Chapter 17   The Finale

Epilogue

Chapter One

A Well Deserved Getaway

The clock on the wall seemed to stand still as Gary glanced at it every few minutes. He still found it hard to believe he was embarking on his first real vacation in years. Working for Belco only six months, he was getting two glorious weeks off…with pay. Sure he’d traveled all over the world while in the Army but he never really had the chance to see or do anything. That was all changing with this trip.

He sat back in his chair and stared out the office window thinking about how fortunate he was while in the Army, to go back to school and finish his education before getting out. His diploma and military experience helped him land this job as a training supervisor. It was a tou8gh decision to make to leave the service, but with all of the turmoil and the constant deployments, he knew it was time to go. Leaving before he reached the ten-year mark made sense for him even though his wife, Amanda was not that happy about it. She’d grown up a military brat herself and was comfortable with the military lifestyle. When he came home and told her he was getting out, she was angry that he had not consulted her before making the decision. It created a strain on their already rocky marriage despite the fact that he was making twice his Army pay and they could afford a new house and other’s things he could only dream about on a sergeant’s pay. He was hoping this vacation to Australia was the beginning of repairing his relationship with her.

The ringing phone on his desk brought him back from his day dream. It was his boss, Mr. Waxman. Hey Gary, are you ready for this trip?

Can’t wait, Gary said.

Well, you’ve been doing such a good job while you’ve been here, I’m just hoping we don’t fall apart without you for a couple of weeks, Mr. Waxman chided him.

I’m sure they will be fine sir, Gary responded. I’m more worried about getting my money’s worth out of this trip. It was expensive. He was glad Mr. Waxman suggested the getaway though.

It’s only an hour from quitting time, Mr. Waxman said. Why don’t you call it a day and get an early start on your packing?

That sounds good sir. I appreciate that. As he hung up the phone, Gary tough about how different his life was now. It was a far cry from the twelve-hour, high pressure military days. Sure he had deadlines and responsibilities here but he also had input into how things got done and when to call bullshit on things he didn’t agree with. Now that he’d landed the job and career he wanted, it was time to put his personal life back in order.

Amanda Sanders watched her parent’s house grow smaller and smaller in her rearview mirror. Turning the corner, she realized she hated leaving their fiver-year-old daughter, Christy, with her parents while they went on vacation but she knew this was just what she and Gary needed to patch things up. Ever since Gary left the service without so much of a Honey, what do you think? she had given him little or no chance to make their lives better even though she had to admit they were. Even his success and the new house didn’t seem to satisfy her disappointment and she felt guilty. Gary was a good husband and always looked out for them. Somehow she needed to remember the man she had and not the one she though he was supposed to be.

Looking at her watch, she realized time was growing short and there was still a lot of packing to do. She also thought about the house. She couldn’t go away on vacation with a dirty house. It was part of her upbringing as a military kid. It would have to be cleaned. Oh she could already hear Gary laughing at here but she didn’t care. It was always nicer coming home to a clean house. She was thinking…she will put him to work helping her when he comes home. After all, she was sure he hadn’t forgotten how to prepare for an inspection.

Summer crept up on the growing city of Colorado Springs and Cheyenne Mountain over the past several weeks and Jim noticed a change in the air as he drove to school every day. Even though it was May, he could occasionally see his breath in the mornings. He loved it here but was looking forward to the end of the school year and a break from the noisy junior high where he taught science and chemistry. He loved the beaches even though he spent little time around them when he was young. He finally swore that he would never live more than an hour away from one after growing up in Iowa but then this job became available right after college and with his student loans, the pledge for a beach life to a back seat to reality. He was looking forward to this trip to Australia even though it would cost him an extra year to pay off those loans.

He loved teaching but set his sights on something higher than the classes he currently held. Jim really wanted to teach college but there were no openings for college professors with only an undergrad degree so he knew he would have to bide his time and go back to school. That meant he would have to get his master’s degree while he picked up experience teaching here. He was only twenty-five and it was early in his career.

Jim just closed his tiny locker in the teacher’s lounge when he heard a voice behind him, So what are you planning for this evening. He turned to look right in the eyes of Rachael Cunningham. She was one of those teachers he had dreams about in junior high. Tall, red hair and blue eyes. Students considered themselves lucky to have her as a teacher because she was young and had a way about her the kids liked. Of course she’d caught his eye a time or too also. Up till now she’d never given him more than a passing hello or a smile if she saw him in the hall.

Still suffering from shock, he answered, well Miss Cunningham, I plan to go home and pack for my vacation. What about you?

She smiled. Call me Rachael, Jim. I plan to cook a little dinner and curl up on the couch to watch a movie. Care to join me?

The look of surprise on his face had to be evident. If it were any other night I would love to, Jim said but I have to finish packing and be ready to leave for Stapleton early in the morning. He was cursing his luck. Why now?

Where are you running off to? She seemed genuinely curious.

I’m taking off to Australia for ten days.

That sounds fun, she said.

It should be. I’ve been looking forward to this for three months now.

Are you going alone? The smile on her face revealed the mischief in her question.

Yes. I have this thing for the ocean. Of course you don’t get to see that anywhere around here do you? Jim asked.

No you don’t. I hope I didn’t make a fool of myself by asking you over. She was a bit embarrassed. It’s just that you always stuck to yourself and I never knew if you were involved with someone or not.

Jim was elated. I really appreciate the invite. Would you hold it and give me a rain check when I get back?

I don’t see why not, she said. She handed him a piece of paper. My number is on there. Call me when you get back. She started to walk away and then turned back to him. Send me a postcard will you?

I sure will, Jim said. He watched her walk away. Now that’s the kind of girl my mom warned me about, he thought laughing. Drop dead pretty and a bit mischievous. Around her all year and she’d never spoken to him once in detail. At least he had something to look forward to when he returned. He checked his locker to make sure it was secure and then turned to walk out the door of the teacher’s lounge.

Doctor Lawrence Williams was no stranger to Australia. He’d been down under now for about two months. It wasn’t the way he planned to spend all his time here but TriChem felt it was important for him to come and follow up first hand on some of the reports their Honolulu office received. They received multiple reports of dead fish cropping up in various locations along the north shore and one swimmer even complained about headaches and rashes after swimming along the beach near Darwin.

After a number of tests, he’d found elevated enzyme levels in some of the local fish and water samples. Cholinesterase levels were also elevated in some of the shell fish they pulled for the shoreline as well. Larry, as most people called him, was starting to form a few theories but none that he could make public without fear of the bots in the white lab coats coming to haul him off with a new straight jacket. He needed more samples and time to run tests before he would consider releasing any information. He was also operating out of his hotel room without all of the proper lab equipment so verifying some of his findings was difficult. He was sending samples back to his lab in Hawaii and this was slowing his progress down immensely.

At least the weather was cooperating. The sun was out most days and the wind wasn’t blowing too hard. If he was not working, it would be the perfect spot for a vacation. Just this morning, as he walked along the beach looking for samples, he noticed a number of tourists already spread out on the nice white sand and a few locals with fishing lines tossed out into the surf. Despite his work it was a wonderful place and he was actually being paid to be here. A small consolation. His thoughts were interrupted.

Good morning doctor. It was Ernie the hotel manager. He’d been especially nice since Larry arrived. He wasn’t sure if it was because Ernie hoped Larry would find something to make his hotel famous and attract tourists or simply the money his company was spending for Larry to stay there.

Hey Ernie, what are you doing out on the beach so early?

I went to your room and saw you were gone so I thought I might find you out here. A delivery came for from Hawaii last night so I thought you might want to know as soon as possible. Ernie smiled.

As they walked back to the hotel, Larry wasn’t really paying attention to Ernie’s constant chatter. He was wondering what was in the delivery and hoping it was more equipment and some test results he’d been waiting for. There were so many strange findings he really wanted some concrete answers.

C’mon doc. Ernie directed him to his office and produced a box and a large envelop. What do you think it is?

I guess I will find out soon, Larry said. He stared at the outside of the envelop as though he could read through to the report inside. He took the items, thanked Ernie and left. He made his way upstairs to his room and after closing the door. Began tearing the seal off the envelop. His heart was racing. He began reading. The tests verified what he already knew. There were definitely high levels of enzymes in the water around the shore but it didn’t quite explain why. The cholinesterase was present in stronger concentration. It was probably time to gather some samples from further off shore.

Amanda pulled into the driveway and was surprised to see Gary’s car there. It was earlier than his usual quitting time. Gary, where are you? she called as she went in the front door.

He was just coming down the stairs wrapped in a towel. Hi hon. Waxman let me go early so I thought I’d get a start on the packing.

She looked at him and laughed. That’s a heck of an outfit.

Yea. I had to clean myself up.

You should have waited. I was going to finish the packing and clean up the house some before we left.

Already done, Gary said. I’ve vacuumed, dusted, cleaned the kitchen and packed all but a few things you may want to throw into the suitcase.

She was surprised. what have you done with my husband? She looked around. The house did look pretty neat.

How was Christy?

She was okay. You know she loves to stay with grandma and pop. They’ve already promised her a full schedule of activities so I think she hardly noticed when I left.

Well that’s good. I know she got used to me being gone while I was in the military but we are both leaving here for this trip.

I think she’ll be fine, Amanda answered as she put her bag down. I want to go up and finish packing."

What would you like for dinner? Gary asked. I can take you somewhere.

That would be nice, she called back down as she went up the steps. "But I don’t want to be out late. We have an early flight tomorrow and it will be a long trip.

Jim was just finishing his own preparations and sat down for a microwave dinner of chicken, mashed potatoes and peas. As usual, the potatoes were still cold in the center. No matter. Nothing like home cooking he thought. He should have taken Rachael up on her offer of dinner. He still could have been home early enough for a decent night’s sleep. As it was though, he couldn’t wait to get on that beach with a fishing pole. That was tomorrow. Tonight he would have to settle for his half cold dinner and a sit com or old movie on television.

Chapter Two

Suspicions

Even though Dr. Williams enjoyed his current surroundings, his findings caused him to lose sight of the real beauty. The beaches of Australia were always a place to marvel at with their beautiful white sand and pristine water. The climate and the Great Barrier Reef offered tourists a tempting lure for more years than anyone can remember and the north shore provided for some of the best surfing in the world. It was also a haven for scientists who came to study a myriad of marine life including the Great White Shark. Now, as Larry read and studied the test results he’d been getting, he realized that Australia could soon be known for something much more sinister than anything he’d encountered before.

He was racking his brain to figure out why samples in the middle of the Pacific Ocean would have such elevated levels of enzymes and cholinesterase, especially the types he found. During World War 2, there were a lot of naval battles and shipping activities in the area. In fact, just to the east was the sight of one of the most famous naval battles of the war, the Battle of the Coral Sea. It was here, in May of 1942 that American forces battled ships from the Japanese Imperial Navy and forced Admiral Yamamoto’s fleet to give up invasion plans for New Guinea.

Dr. William’s would you like some more coffee? the server asked interrupting his train of thought. Larry enjoyed coming down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. The food was good and the staff was friendly. Sure. Fill it up please, he answered holding out his cup. He stuck his head back into his report. After a few more minutes of reading, he saw Ernie come into the restaurant and walk to the counter.

Ernie, you got a minute? he asked holding up his hand so the hotel manager could see him.

What’s up doc? Ernie asked walking over to the table.

God I hate those three words, Larry said. It makes me feel like a cartoon character.

Sorry, Ernie said. What can I do for you? He sat at the table.

"You’ve lived here most of your life haven’t you?

Since I was six, Ernie replied. My parents moved here after the war to start a tourist business. That’s how I ended up with the hotel.

What can you tell me about the war in this area?

It depends on what kind of information you’re looking for. Ernie picked up a left over piece of toast.

I know there were a lot of battles around here and other shipping traffic but did you ever hear of any ships that came from the Atlantic theater?

Doc, are you forgetting your history? The Atlantic war was a long way from here and we were fighting the Japanese, not the Germans.

I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t have a good reason, Larry said. I know there were rumors that some suspicious ships were seen periodically in areas in the Pacific. Maybe your parents mentioned something?

Come to think of it I do remember some talk when I was a kid. But no one believed it and most everyone thought it was just old men making up stories.

Larry’s interest was piqued. What did they say?

Supposedly, there was a convoy of ships that came through here towards the end of the war that no one could identify but then it disappeared. The coast watchers talked about it at the start. Then it just became folk lore.

What do you mean it just disappeared? Larry thought that sounded a little far-fetched.

You got me doc. I just know it was a rumor but no one could prove it.

Who else would know about this?

What are you getting at doc?

I’d like to get some more information that’s all, Larry said. He never was any good at lying but he didn’t want to disclose too much information right now. Isn’t there a library on the other side of town?

Yea, sure. Just hop in any cab and they will take you right to it, Ernie said. Anything else I can do for you?

Not right now Ernie but you’ve been a big help. Thanks. As the hotel manager walked off, Larry figured the best thing to do would be to check the local maritime records. Before doing that, however, he was going to make a call to see what kind of assistance he could get from his contacts back in Hawaii, or more specifically, Johnston Island, the Army’s chemical warfare storage facility tucked out into the Pacific Ocean.

The flight out of Honolulu was right on schedule as it touched down with a bump at the airport. The weather was beautiful and the breeze, heavenly. Australia is known for its temperate climate and as the plane taxied to a halt, Amanda strained to see out the window.

Isn’t it pretty? Gary asked as the doors opened.

It will be even nicer when we get to the hotel and a nice shower. It’s too bad we couldn’t have stayed over in Hawaii for a while when we stopped there, Amanda answered.

Gary was disappointed. C’mon Hon. I thought we were going to make something good out of this trip. It’s our chance to relax and just enjoy.

She looked at him. You’re right, she said. I’m just tired and ready for a little rest.

We’ll get to the hotel soon and you can get some rest. We have plenty of time so there’s no need to rush, Gary said. He grabbed their bag from the overhead compartment and led her towards the planes exit.

The scenery also took Jim aback as they landed. His flight was long too and he thought about how good a shower would feel. He was hoping for a good night’s sleep. The air was warm and dry. Nothing like what he just left in Colorado.

The baggage carousel was busy as his fellow passengers pulled luggage from the rotating platform and checked nametags. As Jim reached for his bag, he heard a voice behind him, Evening mate. Need a taxi?

He turned and saw a large man in shorts standing behind him. Yes, I do. How far is Darwin? he asked. He eyed the man closely and was a little afraid to follow him to his cab. He looked like he could eat most of the food at the airport concessions. Not that Jim cared but he was a little messy too. He could see the headlines now. American tourist disappears." He chuckled aloud.

Something wrong mate? the driver asked as he placed Jim’s bag in the car.

No, Jim answered. Just thinking out loud.

Well, Darwin is only a short distance from here so it won’t take long to get there.

As the taxi rolled out of the airport, Jim rolled down the window and could feel some of the cool air inside the taxi rush by his face. He took a deep breath and sucked the smell of the ocean deep inside his lungs. It smelled good. He’d always loved the water and now he had a chance to spend the next week basking in the sun, surrounded by ocean. How’s the fishing? he asked the driver.

I haven’t done much lately myself, the man answered looking in the rear view mirror. The boats usually do well. That’s your best bet. Fishing along the shore has been slow lately from what I hear. Do you plan to drop a line while you’re here?

That’s one of the reasons I came, Jim said. That and the beaches. You say they have good charters?

They go out every day. The cabby turned his car into a parking lot and Jim noticed the sign. This was his hotel. Try one while you’re here, the driver said as he got out to get Jims bag.

I will do that, Jim said as he handed the man a tip before heading inside the hotel.

How do you like the room? Gary asked his wife as she came out of the shower, hair still dripping.

It’s nice. I’m hungry though. What do you say about some dinner after I get dressed?

Since we’re both tired, why don’t we just have dinner in the hotel restaurant tonight? The man at the desk said they were open until nine. A nice quiet meal and a good night’s sleep would do us both some good.

That suited Amanda just fine. That would be lovely. Give me a few minutes to finish. She wanted to eat but she was also tempted to call back home to check on Christy but they just left home and she knew what Gary would say if she wanted to call home already.

We will call home tomorrow to let them know we made it and check on Christy if you want to, he said interrupting her thought.

She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Okay. Why don’t you go down and get us a good table? I will be down in about ten minutes. And order me one of those drinks. The ones with the little umbrellas. She watched Gary head out the door and decided she would try to make herself look extra nice.

Dr. Williams tried for a number of times to get through to his office back on Oahu. He hated the time difference as the hours made it more difficult. He finally got a ring and a voice on his third try. It was Betty, his boss’ secretary. Hi Betty. How’s things back in paradise?

She laughed. I thought you were the one in paradise. How is the weather there?

Warm and breezy, Larry said. Betty was a nice lady and though Larry was in a hurry, he remained cordial with her. He needed to stay on her good side so he could get her help whenever he needed a favor. I need you to do something for me."

She acted surprised. What? You’re not calling me just to say hi or because you miss me? They both laughed. What can I do for you?

Larry could hear the bustle in the background. The place must be busy. What’s going on there?

Just another one of those crazy meetings.

Oh okay. Will you have time to make a call me for? I need you to call Captain Dave Weeks at Schofield Barracks. The army base was usually a hub of activity but he felt sure Dave would call him back quickly.

I think I can manage that for you. Is there anything special you want me to tell him?

Give him the number to my room and ask him to call me as soon as he can. Doesn’t matter what time.

Okay, she said. Do you want to speak with Dr. Augustine?

Larry didn’t have time to talk with is boss just now. No I don’t need to talk to him right now. Would you please make sure Captain Weeks calls me as soon as possible?

Sure thing Dr. Williams. Is there anything else you need?

No I’m fine otherwise I think. I hope to have some new samples in the next day or two though. Larry had a boat scheduled to take him out the next morning to take him further off shore to gather new specimens.

Okay, Betty said. Call and let us know if you need anything.

Thanks, I will do that. Larry hung up the phone. His attention turned to what Dave was going to say when he talked to him about his preliminary findings. He and Captain Weeks had gotten to be friends over the past eighteen months after they met at a lab symposium at Tripler Medical Center on the island. He was always there to help whenever Larry’s research became troublesome. His inside knowledge of the Army’s chemical weapons arsenal would be useful and his knowledge of Johnston Island made his insight very valuable. With a little time to kill, Larry headed for the pier to make sure his boat would be ready to go out first thing in the morning. He was thankful that most of the local people were gracious to him. Of course, he was sure the money he paid for their help was a contributing factor.

Jim couldn’t resist the lure of the ocean and after a dinner of flounder and fresh salad, he headed down to the beach for a walk. The breeze hit him in the face as he walked along and he loved it. Ever since he found out in science class as a kid that the ocean covered two-thirds of the earth’s surface, he was hooked. He couldn’t explain the draw but there it was. As he walked along, he noticed a light ahead coming from a pier. These must be the charters the taxi driver told him about. Moving close, he saw a weathered looking old man dressed in a pair of shorts and desk shoes. His tee shirt was faded from days in the sun. Good evening, he said to the man. Or is there another way to greet people here after dinner?

No, good evening is fine, Dr. Williams, answered.

My name is Jim. I was wondering if you were running a charter out tomorrow.

Larry, he answered holding out his hand. I’m afraid I’m not the skipper. I’m just here to check on my trip tomorrow. They shook.

Going fishing? That is what I plan to do. I wanted to find out about the boats and how they run their operation.

Actually, I’m a scientist from Hawaii studying marine life along the coast. I’m going out tomorrow to gather samples off shore.

Jim felt a bit out of his league but intrigued. He was a junior high science teacher talking to a guy doing field research. He was envious to say the least. I’m a science teacher from Colorado. I’m here for vacation.

Good to meet you Jim. If you’re here to fish, it’s usually good. Although some of the captains have complained that things have slowed down as of late.

That’s great, Jim said. I can’t wait to give it a try.

The two men shared a few minutes of casual conversation until Larry said he had to get back. They parted ways and Jim vowed to come back to catch one of the captains when he could find out more.

Larry just made it back to his room when the phone rang. Dave. Can you hear me? The connection was weak.

Larry. What’s so important that I had to call off my afternoon golf game? He laughed but he knew that Larry did not spook easily.

What comes to mind when I say the word ‘cholinesterase?’ Larry asked him.

There was