The Rain Circle, page 13
‘100 per cent sure? No-one can be 100 per cent certain of anything.’
‘Oh yes, you can be, if you have the right science and application.’
~~~~
Every morning May surveys the well-being of the hens, topping up water and feed before inspecting nesting boxes for eggs which she carefully places in a cane basket. The young hens are starting to lay almost daily now while their older Sussex sisters are not so productive yet command first rights for use of the nesting boxes. The hens like scratching through a layer of straw, clucking contentedly and occasionally pecking for loose grain or insects. Cradling her egg basket under one arm, May appreciates the calm surrounding her. Feathered friends untroubled by the woes of the world appear to enjoy her company, or at least ignore it, and are only slightly disturbed by the arrival of Christian whose hands cling to wire netting as he peers through.
‘How’s the hen lady of Buckleboo?’ he asks.
‘Not bad Finn man,’ she replies, surveying a figure that clearly is weaker now than when they met just a couple of months ago. ‘Do you really have to do this? You should be resting and getting treatment, not trying to make rain.’
She asks why we just don’t try to find another suitable planet if our own is dying. After all, people are already living on Mars.
An invitation is accepted to sit with him on empty herbicide drums outside the hen house and enjoy the morning sun. May rests the basket on her lap and appeals to Christian to leave saving the world to others. He’s too ill and it’s not fair.
While the kindness is warming to his soul, Christian thinks he must justify his work by explaining that jumping onto another planet is not as easy as it sounds.
‘Going to Mars has been exciting but the colony we put there is living in a controlled environment; even when people venture out in their suits it is controlled and stifling,’ he explains. ‘It’s not a place where we can live normally. Even if it was, we don’t deserve it after stuffing up the planet we’ve got. And if we are lucky enough to find a planet around another star where the temperature and everything else meets our needs, the question is how we get there.’
Visiting Mars, he describes, is like going to the next room of your house. With present technology it will take 50,000 years to get to the nearest star that has planets and much longer to arrive at one with a planet like ours. What is the longevity of the planets we chase well beyond our own star, we have to ask. Are they at a stage where conditions threaten our capacity to survive? How will generation after generation live through the journey? If people do make it they will wobble about like newborn foals until a gravitational balance is found. Outer space is not as simple to journey through as movies make out, where time and distance, let alone gravity and environmental differences, don’t seem to come into calculations.
‘Sure, being a scientist means I have to consider hurdles can be overcome,’ Christian stresses to May. ‘But right now we have to find solutions to climate change using the technology we have, on the planet where we’ve evolved.’
He tries to reassure her he is not overdoing it and is not about to fall over soon. The look on her face tells she is not convinced.
‘Heard you saying to someone that you have to do this rainmaking thing the way you are because governments aren’t willing,’ she says. ‘Bit of a rebel are you?’
‘You can say that. History shows people will react when authorities don’t reflect the needs of societies. People may be motivated to do what is right rather than what is acceptable, as the writer Franz Kafka once said.’
‘Can’t people just take action on global warming themselves without breaking any rules?’
‘Oh yes. And they do. Many millions of people are now vegetarians, which makes a difference. Some have even cut out milk and take pills for their calcium because we know it takes a thousand litres of water to give us one litre of milk. So wasteful.’
‘A thousand litres of water? That can’t be.’
‘Yes it does take that much water. You need water for the pastures, water for the cows to drink, water to wash down the yards and to clean the milking machines. And this is on top of the amount of methane cows belch out each day.’
‘Wow. So if we all made an effort you wouldn’t have to put yourself though what you’re going through right now?’
‘It would definitely make a difference for everyone to take an interest in their own contribution to global warming. However, this project can make a very big advance in reliable food production and climate moderation.’
There is a break in conversation while Christian gathers his breath.
‘Go and rest, Christian,’ May advises in a kindly tone, rubbing a hand over his shoulder. ‘It makes me really sad to see you like this. Please look after yourself. I worry about you.’
12
Ceduna 31st August 2036
Friday nights at the hotel are happy and loud in the coastal town of Ceduna when live music complements such dinner specials as half price schnitzels. Tonight it is a little busier than usual and additional tables have to be set up for a group of about 30 men and women. The extras don’t say much and don’t stay on after eating, unaffected by an appeal from the band’s lead guitarist that they can’t walk out now. They shouldn’t believe all the reviews they read, the musician jokes, imploring those leaving the venue to give the band one more chance.
In a warehouse in the light industrial area on the edge of town, Kris Pavic and fellow fishermen Ryan Crawford and Tony Jonas have set up rows of plastic chairs for the visitors who are now filing in. Looking them up and down, Kris is not sure all of them are physically fit enough for the job in hand. He doesn’t want anyone getting the bends, falling foul of a preying great white shark or drowning through inattentiveness and exhaustion. What these men and women have in common is diving experience. Many are abalone divers known to Kris. Some are recreational divers, recruited from around South Australia, who think they are here to help construct an artificial reef. Chatter through the rows of seats ceases as three men and three women walk in and take seats facing the audience. From a lectern Kris announces the presence of Helga Steinert and John Modlinski who are engineers, as well as professional divers Petra Jenke, Conrad Medhurst, Marco Altmann and Molly Sydenham.
‘This is not the first visit to Ceduna for our six overseas visitors,’ Kris announces. ‘And this is not about building an artificial reef as some of you have been led to believe. It is about building a platform for a rainmaking experiment.’
He refrains from swearing people to secrecy for fear of prompting leaks. Instead he makes everything appear normal and well-planned.
‘If you look behind you there is a stack of long metal poles and clamps for fitting them together to make a sort of lattice,’ he says. ‘Your job will be to connect things together under the supervision of Petra’s team. Later she’ll demonstrate how you must click everything together. And the engineers Helga and John will explain how hoses and vents are threaded through and connected to the horizontal and vertical lines. Last time, when we undertook a very small scale test off Ceduna, this lot did it all on their own in a day. The base was less than a square kilometre, however, so they didn’t have to work that hard! This time the base is 78.5 square kilometres, filling a circle of 10Km diameter and 31.5Km circumference. That’s why we’ve recruited you all for a week to get the job done, hoping to finish about a week ahead of setting off the rainmaking system.’
It is explained that concrete blocks are already in place and will act as markers and anchors. On the first day, when they are at sea aboard three vessels, they will familiarise with the blocks by viewing them on screen, where data will be relayed by sensors recording currents and visibility at each block site. Next there will be training dives and anyone unable to cope with deep water diving or has trouble working on the framework will be asked to take a role on deck. They will still be valued, just re-assigned and fully paid.
The mood through the large steel shed is palpable. There is a sense of adventure that is uplifting and while not wanting to curb enthusiasm, Kris warns of the risks of long periods under deep water.
‘If we signal to you that we want to pull you out, and we’ll do it slowly of course, you’ll do what you’re told. Don’t object when the project divers Petra, Marco, Conrad and Molly want to inspect your diving equipment or give instructions when you’re down there working. You’re being paid, so do your job. Thanks for coming on board. Now, any questions?’
There are plenty of questions about technical matters and none about background to the project. For this lot the focus is on the adventure. On schedule at 9pm the Ceduna Kentucky Fried Chicken enterprise delivers several buckets of Family Choice while Kris, Ryan and Tony pull out eskies full of cold stubbies of beer and bottled water.
13
Lahti, Helsinki and Adelaide early September 2036
Chaos for international flights following restrictions on fossil fuel use means Susanna has not been able to be too particular about times of departure or destinations. She’s happy, however, to leave on September 9 for Adelaide and spend some time relaxing and visiting places of interest in the city before Inka can join her six days later. There are thoughts of taking a wine tour of McLaren Vale and going to Cleland Park to cuddle a koala. Bushwalking also appeals.
Susanna and Miro have driven to Helsinki with Venla on the day of departure. This is because their youngest has been invited by Maria Laakkonen to discuss the music scholarship examination that is fast approaching.
‘I am willing to give any tips I can,’ Maria tells them at the door. ‘Although I am certain you have put in all the hard work, haven’t you Venla? Come in please. And Susanna, you said your flight is at five? So come back at, say, three? This will give us a couple of hours.’
It is a very cordial greeting and Miro and Susanna go away to wander through the city’s newest art gallery. A fortnight earlier Susanna tried to raise the possibility with Maria that Christian had an interest in Australia associated with his research. The idea was dismissed. Offence seemed to be taken at the suggestion her son was being deceptive, so the subject will not be raised again today. While Susanna and Miro are perusing works by emerging Finnish artists, Venla is in the Laakkonen home playing a piece she has selected for the examination. The music pleases Maria, who remarks about her confident yet sensitive touch.
‘My husband is not on the selection panel this year so there is no conflict of interest,’ Maria says. ‘If panel members are anything like him I know they look for potential, apart from current ability, so a tip is to be careful about how you present, even when you are not playing. Be confident yet respectful.’
A collection of five violins is shown to Venla and one is selected for a short demonstration by Maria.
‘This one is made by the luthier Giovanni Battista Guadagani. I used it for the concert in Lahti. Here, play something on it if you like.’
Venla is delighted to take the instrument. She closes her eyes and absorbs the rich sounds it produces.
‘You play it very nicely and I want you to use it in an orchestra one day. For now though, and I’m not being mean, you must use the violin from your school. You know it better and you won’t go into the examination looking too pretentious.’
Another tip she gives is that while it is not a good idea to diminish the importance of Sibelius it is common for young people to be so fixed on him they can appear to be limited in compositional outlook.
‘I adore him of course yet there are so many composers who inspire me,’ Venla offers.
‘And who may they be?’ Maria challenges with a smile on her face that comes from enjoying the presence of a young and energetic person in her home.
‘Mozart and Beethoven are so important of course and I particularly like Robert Schumann as a composer.’
‘Why Schumann?’
‘He gives every instrument the chance to shine. He’s able to have several instruments playing at the same time yet they don’t mush together like porridge. There’s a sort of freshness and you experience the different components, like cornflakes and peaches.’
Maria is amused by the description. Put in a perfect way to describe the intentions and achievements of Schumann. In her usual habit of extending historical information, she asks Venla if she is aware of the compositions of Schumann’s wife, Klara.
‘Oh yes,’ Venla answers excitedly. ‘Klara’s compositions are vibrant. The Schumanns were like you and Mr Laakkonen. Both enjoying music every day. It will have been wonderful for them.’
Maria looks into the young face. Her own flushes with emotion.
On cue, the Aaltos are at the door at 3pm and they sense that a rewarding couple of hours has been enjoyed by both musicians.
~~~~
The flight to Adelaide via Munich and Kuala Lumpur is exhausting for Susanna who spends a day resting and thinking about things to do with her daughter. Also on her mind is Christian. No-one in the family is certain of the truth surrounding his evasiveness, so why not see if the police can help. On the morning of Wednesday September 10 she is at the enquiry counter of the South Australian Police Headquarters and is confused about whether she should file a missing persons report. Constable Phil Toy who is dealing with her enquiries suggests she file a report so they can formally start enquiries. It takes two hours to complete the form because she must state her relationship with the missing person, provide a description, recall dates of any contacts with the family and suggest any likely reasons for his disappearance.
Constable Toy, looking like a large teddy bear in his dark blue uniform appears in the doorway with a short woman dressed in plain clothes and looking well-groomed with short dark hair. She has an engaging smile and beautiful eyes, Susanna notices.
‘Can I introduce Senior Constable Christine Evans,’ Constable Toy announces.
‘Thank you Phil,’ she says with one hand extended for shaking Susanna’s hand and the other clutching a file already inked with the name Christian Laakkonen. ‘I’m Christine.’
‘And I’m Susanna. You’ll have to excuse my poor English.’
‘Forget it,’ Christine responds with a hand wave that dismisses the need to apologise for the way one talks. ‘I’m not good at it and I was born in England.’
Christine sits down with Susanna and reads the report, jotting down notes on her pad. Something that sends up a red flag is the abrupt ending of a relationship between Christian and Susanna’s daughter. It sounds like a break up but what is the cause? On the surface there appears to be none. And what about the two theories. One is that he’s gone bush to find peace and happiness and the other is that he is involved with some fantasy rainmaking project no-one has heard about.
‘What do you know about Christian’s personality? I mean, what is his usual character and have you heard from your daughter about mood swings for example?’ Christine asks. ‘Is he prone to running off? Is he depressed? Does he have contacts in Australia, particularly of the female persuasion?’
The answers are mixed with uncertainty on most counts although there is definitely no evidence of him seeking other female company when living in Lahti.
‘You state in the form that you believe your daughter and son-in-law so to speak, kept separate bank accounts. The reason we ask this question is that money transfers give us a trace. Where does he get money if you’ve said in the statement that he has no source of income?’
‘His parents give him an allowance and he’s done some occasional consultancy for universities. Not much.’
‘Not much allowance or not much consultancy?’
‘Not much consultancy.’
‘What sort of phone does he have?’
‘Like mine.’
‘Show me. Please’
‘Yes. An inbuilt solar charger. Good for tracing because the battery doesn’t die. Give me his number. Sorry, it’s on the form you filled out. Silly me.’
Christine says that will be all she needs for now and Susanna apologises for taking up her time, politely asking when they need to meet again, expecting it to be weeks and feeling awkward for approaching the police in the first place.
‘Tomorrow. See you at 11am. Do you know what Susanna, we deal with urgent cases like possible murder first as well as those that can be dealt with quickly to put everyone’s mind at ease. Yours is the second category, I’m sure. A lot of people come to this country from the other side of the world and just want to be lost for a while, believe me. They’re anonymous for a time. But we find them.’
An appreciative Susanna leaves Police Headquarters and heads for her hotel room to lay flat on her back and think about the possible outcomes. A daughter who is yet to know how much she has been used and deceived will be shocked when the truth is laid bare. Or are there yet unknown but acceptable reasons for Christian going off the radar. The information from Suvi and Jaako seems to be correct on the surface yet Christian’s mother is adamant from recent contact that he’s just taking time out. At the same time he may be wandering about confused. Perhaps he’s been picked up on the highway to be raped and murdered. Even murder without the rape is disgusting enough. And vice versa. What if all is well and there is a charge for wasting police time?
It is an anxious wait for the 11am appointment with Senior Constable Christine Evans next day. She greets Susanna at the counter right on time and guides her to a private interview room. The smile between dimpled cheeks suggests there has probably not been the discovery of a dismembered body with Christian’s description.
‘He’s been found.’
‘Oh thank you,’ Susanna exclaims, breathing out slowly and closing her eyes for a moment. ‘You have put my mind at ease. You have been wonderful. Where did you find him and what is he doing?’
