Colder Than Ice Read online

  “First off, you won’t freeze. Each of the vans has a heating unit. And second, get used to the conditions. On the move to the dig site we’ll be living in tents. I’m sorry people, but this place doesn’t have a five star rating.”

  “I think we all know that,” Allison interjected. “Why don’t you just tell us who has what container and we’ll be on our way.”

  Michela pretended to check the papers in front of her instead of reacting to Allison’s belligerent tones. Deliberately avoiding Allison’s eyes, she replied, “Because of the number of people here at the moment, we’ve been allocated two vans of four beds each—one for the men and one for the women. They’re vans one and two, just down the stairs, off the main building.”

  Allison flung her head back. “Isn’t that snug. I can’t wait.”

  “What are the shower arrangements? I feel like a nice long soak,” Dianne asked.

  “Sorry, Di,” Michela said. “The shower arrangements here are pretty tight. They’re set to a timer and automatically turn off after five minutes. We’ve been allowed a shower now and one before we leave, so think of the other people on the station and use the water sparingly.” She quietly chuckled at the shocked look on Dianne’s face. “Now, if there’s nothing more, the women will be in van one and the men in two. Training starts at nine tomorrow morning, with breakfast at seven-thirty. I’ll see you then.”

  She’d barely finished her final comments and Allison was out the door. She studied her digital tablet. As the door closed behind the departing group, she growled in frustration, only to hear Sarah’s laughter.

  “I take it all back. You have the patience of a saint,” Sarah said.

  “She’s driving me crazy. If she’s angry over what she saw then why doesn’t she damned well come out and say it? I swear to God, she’s the most frustrating woman I’ve ever met.”

  Sarah patted Michela on the back. “Look at the positives. It’ll be good for your study.”

  ALLISON PULLED HER beanie from her head, removed her jacket, and sat down in one of the conference room chairs. She watched as other members of the group also disrobed as they laughed among themselves.

  Derek Fowler, the second-in-command of Wills Station, cleared his throat to gain the group’s attention. “It was good to see that so many of you were familiar with a ski-demon. It doesn’t matter that not all of you managed to master the art of driving the sno-trak. I assume Rob’ll be doing the bulk of the driving there and back.

  “I know I gave you a quick brief on the station emergency procedures, but I’d like to remind you about the emergency huts that are located throughout Antarctica. If you pull out your maps we’ll go on.” Derek waited until there were at least two team members to a map.

  “These are a lot like the dongas you slept in last night. They carry emergency rations and bedding, enough for a group to sit out a blizzard. As you can see, these are already pre-plotted on your maps. Now, if there are no questions, I’ll run through the emergency evacuation procedures to be used when recovering a team member from a remote site back to the base.”

  Despite the importance of the information being presented, Allison’s mind wandered. Were all the stores ready for travel yet? Had anything been broken in the move? She was dying to get back to checking the equipment.

  At the next break she looked around the room, attempting to locate Michela. I really do need to get back to checking those stores. The idea of asking that woman to be excused riles me no end, but if I have to sit through another briefing I may commit a murder. She turned to Rob.

  “Where’s Dr. DeGrasse?”

  Rob shrugged. “Buggered if I know. The last I saw of her she was heading off with the Wills Station team leader. They were deep in discussion about something or other.”

  Allison thanked him and turned to the window. Looking over the white landscape, randomly dotted with a cornucopia of modern and not-so-modern buildings, she mentally vented her spleen. That’s all this group needs is a bloody oversexed woman on it. For Christ sake, can’t she keep her mind on the job at hand? If she can’t, then one of us will. She quietly took her leave and went to the warehouse and the expedition’s stores.

  MICHELA TICKED OFF her task list on her digital tablet.

  “I’ve gone through your two primary means of communication, but unfortunately if we get solar flare activity you won’t be able to contact us. If this happens you should re-establish comms at the next available opportunity. You’ve got enough backup fuel should your solar power unit not work. But in deference to the environment, I’d prefer you keep fossil fuel use to a minimum.” Maddi rubbed her hands on the back of her jeans. “That about covers it. Any questions?”

  Michela shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’m sure the occasional issue will come up, but I’ll deal with those as they come along.”

  Maddi smiled. “Yep. Down here thinking on your feet can be the difference between success and failure. By the way, what’s the matter with Alli? I said good morning to her this morning and she gave me a look so scary that it could convince small children to eat their veggies.”

  “I know what you mean. Apparently, she saw you leave my quarters the other morning and she’s had a bee up her ass ever since.”

  “So, why should it bother her, what you do with your social time?”

  “I think it’s got more to do with the fact she’s made a wrong assumption,” Michela replied. “My dealings with her over the past six or so months indicate she’s a little proud and doesn’t like to be wrong. I mean, you should have seen the accommodations hut last night. Di and Alli occupied the two beds down one end, with Sarah and I down the other end. In between was an assortment of hanging towels, as if Alli was afraid that Sarah and I would spend our time gawking in her general direction.”

  Maddi patted Michela’s shoulder. “It sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you. A word of advice. Clear the air before you leave here. The last thing you want is dissent at a remote site. And, of course, if there’s a problem with the sleeping arrangements, you could always bunk with me tonight.”

  Michela grimaced. “Oh, right. That would be a great solution.” They both laughed. “You’re right about solving things. I wish she could be a little more adult about it.”

  Michela left Maddi to her work and went to where the rest of the team was training. She wasn’t surprised that Allison was absent and, guessing Allison’s location, headed to the warehousing area of the station. Seeing Allison in the far bay, Michela calmed herself as she searched for a benign way to begin the conversation. Allison, wearing a less than savory expression, acknowledged her presence.

  Pasting on a smile, she walked to Allison. “You seem to have your work cut out for you here. How’s the stores reconciliation going?”

  Allison glanced at Michela. “I’d have thought that was the least of your worries, given your obvious preoccupation with Maddi.”

  All thoughts of rational discussion left Michela as she fought to retain a calm appearance around the other people in the bay. Aware of prying ears, she moved close enough so that only Allison could hear her. “That’s it,” she uttered through clenched teeth. “Come with me, now.” She turned, not bothering to see if Allison followed her.

  Michela walked out of the warehouse and into the main building, in search of the nearest vacant room. When she found one, she waited by the door for Allison to enter, and then closed it quietly behind her. “Just what is your problem? You’ve been like a damned bear with a sore head for days now and I’ve just about had enough.”

  “You’ve had enough? You’re bloody well not the only one. You must think I’m so terribly gullible buying your story of lost love. I can’t believe I was so stupid to even believe you. I’ve no doubt you and Maddi had a good laugh on my behalf. I think the thing that pisses me off the most is that you lied to me.”

  Michela shook her head. “I’ve never lied to you about anything.”

  “Bullshit you haven’t,” Allison repl
ied, hands on hips, legs apart.

  “Seeing as how you think I have, when did I supposedly lie to you?” Michela asked.

  Allison laughed. “At the coffee house of course.”

  Michela squinted as she tried to recall the discussion they’d had that evening. “I never did. We discussed Sarah’s sexuality and you asked me questions about what my type was. At no time did you mention gender, not that it’s any of your damned business anyway.”

  Allison threw her hands up and wheeled around the room. “Isn’t this a fine state of affairs? Two bloody lesbians in the group. I suppose the two of you will have a fine time together, keeping each other warm. I hate to think where that leaves poor Dianne in the sleeping arrangements.”

  Michela could feel the last of her control slide away. “Didn’t you listen to anything I said that night regarding choice? I’m not interested in Sarah and I’m sure as hell not interested in Dianne.”

  Allison closed the distance between them. “Of course you’re not, you’re more interested in Maddi. It’s a shame she’s not part of the team.”

  Michela looked at the ceiling, her teeth and fists clenched in exasperation. Woman, you’ve walked a fine line long enough and you’ve just crossed it. She returned Allison’s steely gaze. “Just what is it that really bothers you, Dr. Shaunessy? That I had great sex or that it wasn’t with you.”

  Allison slapped Michela and the sting caused Michela to take several steps back in surprise. Allison closed on her. “How dare you! Lady, you certainly have an unrealistically high opinion of yourself and you must be blind as well. I prefer men not women and even if I did prefer women, if I woke up with my arm around you I’d gnaw it off to get away.”

  “For Christ’s sake, what is your problem then?” Michela roared.

  The door opened and Sarah’s head popped in. “I was passing by and thought I heard world war three starting. What’s going on in here?”

  Allison pushed past Sarah. “Why don’t you ask her? She seems to have all the answers.”

  Sarah stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. She silently watched Michela run her hands through her hair and rub her neck in an attempt to calm her emotions. Michela turned to Sarah, the red mark still evident on her face. “What the hell happened to you?”

  Michela gingerly touched the mark. “She slapped me.”

  “She what?” Sarah carefully checked Michela’s face for any permanent damage. “I think you need to reassess her position on the team. If this is the way she responds to authority, then you don’t know how she’ll act out in the middle of nowhere.”

  “No, I deserved it. I lost my cool and said something entirely inappropriate. It’s a wonder she didn’t do any further damage.”

  Sarah leant against the door. “What did you say?”

  “You know there’s been tension ever since the incident with Maddi.” Sarah nodded. “It came to a head this morning and I asked her what her problem was. Things got a bit out of hand and she started carrying on. I got angry and asked her what her real problem was. I asked her whether it had to do with the fact that I had great sex with another woman or the fact that it wasn’t with her.”

  Sarah cringed. “Ooh, no wonder she tried to deck you. Why did you say such a thing?”

  Michela rubbed her forehead with the heel of her hand. “I don’t know. She drives me crazy sometimes. I managed to control it in Mount Cook, but, lord, she can be so damned painful.”

  Sarah tilted her head and her eyes lit with understanding. “I don’t mean to be rude here, but I’m wondering whether I was right about the sexual tension thing between you and Maddi. Or was Maddi merely a release for something you’re feeling for someone else?”

  Michela whipped her head around and stared at Sarah, prepared to deny her suggestion. Try as she might, she couldn’t. “Aargh! The woman frustrates me to hell and back.” She rubbed her forehead, closed her eyes and then once again opened them. “But damn it all to blazes if I don’t like her. And what’s worse, she’s with that useless piece of crap that treats her like a doormat and she’s happy to be with him. Look at him. She nurses him through a voyage and as soon as he’s better and she needs him, he’s too busy wanting to be the first of the team to land on Antarctica. I swear he drives me crazy and she drives me insane because as an intelligent woman she can’t see through his facade.”

  “I’m not going to give you a lecture on the dangers of falling for a straight woman. I’m sure you’ve heard all those before,” Sarah said.

  “Thank you,” Michela curtly replied. “But it does raise some accommodations problems once we get to the site. Allison made a passing comment regarding us sleeping in the same hut. You know I trust you but I don’t want to add fuel to the fire.”

  Sarah snapped her fingers. “Damn it. There goes my chance to have my way with you.” Michela gave her a withering look. “The answer’s simple. Obviously Alli and Rick will be in one hut, Ewan and Michael in another. Rob and I are used to close quarters, so we can share. That leaves you with Dianne. Something tells me she’s not your type, so Alli should have nothing to worry about. And, besides, Di’s clueless to the developing situation here. In fact her mind’s been elsewhere through the whole voyage.”

  Michela nodded. “You’re right on all counts. That should solve our long-term arrangements, but can you imagine the look on Alli’s face when I explain the tent arrangements for the trip to the site? Females in one tent, males in the other.”

  Sarah chuckled. “If I were you, I’d have that discussion in a room full of people. Less possibility of damage that way. I better go find Allison before she beats up on anyone else. And you keep your nose clean and stop starting any more fights.”

  IN A STATION the size of Wills, it didn’t take long for Sarah to locate Allison, who had retreated to their temporary accommodations. She closed the door on the prevailing outside wind and walked to the middle of the small room, giving Allison her space. “Say, slugger, that’s a mean right hook you have there.”

  Allison looked at the offending hand. “I don’t know what happened. I’ve never hit anyone before but she pushed me too far.”

  “Look, obviously there’s some ill feeling between you two, but I don’t intend to spend the whole expedition running back and forth dressing your wounds. You two need to learn to work together and sometimes that means biting your tongue.”

  Allison picked up her jacket and pulled it on. “I can’t believe what she did with that other woman.”

  “She’s an adult, she can do what she likes.” Allison snorted. “Just hear me out. Regardless of what you may think, she’s still a professional.”

  “Really? Is she?”

  Sarah shook her head, silently acknowledging how frustrating Allison could be. “If that’s the way you think about Michela, what do you think about me?”

  Allison waved away the comment. “That’s different.”

  “No, Alli, it’s not different at all. Michela and I are both lesbians. But that doesn’t mean for one moment we’re less professional than you, Rick, Di, or anyone else on the team for that matter.” She watched Allison struggle with the concept. “Look, I’m not telling you what you should and shouldn’t think or do. All I’m asking is for you to think about your actions today and the effect they could have on a small group in the middle of nowhere. And before you get on your moral high horse, I’ve said the same thing to Michela. Besides, I’ve no doubt that the last thing you want is to return to Australia with nothing to show for your efforts other than a group of splintered people.”

  “IT’S BEEN HOURS,” Rick shouted over the din of the jostling vehicle to Allison. “It was fun when we first left Wills Station and all those old buildings were great to look at. But, bloody hell, how long before we get there?”

  Allison leant closer to Rick. “If the weather holds we should be there in about nine days or so.” Rick nodded and Allison returned her gaze to the view outside, only to have her arm pulled by Dianne.

&n
bsp; “I thought these things went a lot faster than this. They did the other day when we were training,” Dianne said.

  “We’re traveling in convoy, so we only go as fast as the slowest vehicle. The slowest vehicle is BOB, the tractor thing out there.”

  Looking disgusted, Rick shook his head. “Who made that bloody decision? Hang on. Of course, it was Michela. Why can’t we cut away and let the damned thing catch up with us? We’re wasting time.”

  “It has to be that way. Things are different out here and people move in groups,” Allison said. “It’s a lot safer. What’s more, the stores we’ll need to start the dig are on that tractor. So even if we got there early, there’s very little we could do.”

  Rick shifted in his seat and attempted to get more comfortable. “I don’t care. It’s a pain in the backside. And what am I supposed to do, stuck in this damned thing for that long? At this rate I won’t have an intact bone left.”

  “I think Michela’s decision makes sense,” Dianne said. “After all, she’s only looking after the good of the team, right Allison?”

  Allison nodded. Despite her anger with Michela, she’d not discussed their disagreement with either Rick or Dianne. After all, how do I explain to them that two of their team members are gay? She was certain they knew about Sarah, who’d refused to conceal her sexual preference. But she was sure neither Rick nor Dianne was aware of Michela. She may be the biggest pain in the ass, but that’s no reason to discuss her private life. If only she didn’t rub me up the wrong way so often.

  Seeking some privacy, she returned her gaze to the view outside. It was white as far as the eye could see, with an occasional shift in the flat surface, signaling an ice field that resembled frozen waves, commonly known as sastrugi. Rising to sometimes a meter high, the sastrugi had been the bane of many of the early expeditioners who had been forced to go over them with dogs and sleds in tow. Twice that morning they’d been forced to diverge from their course. The first had been because of sastrugi and the second had been to dodge a crevasse field. While they could have gambled and taken the sno-trak across the ice bridges that sometimes formed over a crevasse, the risk outweighed the possible gain.