Belonging to the Iceman

Losing What Is Most Important

"Icey!" Dan called as Kimi was busy breaking in a pretty little filly.

He had been at Emu Creek for two months now and had picked it up like a natural. While it took many to shake their 'Jackaroo' tag, Kimi was already one of the best Stockmen on the Station and was earning a name for himself across the Northern Territory.

"Mornin' Dan," he said, bringing the filly back to a walk as she circled him in the training yard. Oddie was tied to the fence waiting with Senna.

"Icey, I need to know about your past," Dan said seriously "you're not even Australian, do you have a Visa? Are you trying to become a citizen even?"

Kimi stopped the filly and turned to face the Head Stockman of Emu Creek Station.

"Dan, where is this coming from?" Kimi asked, "what have I done to deserve this suspicion?"

"Kimi, you've just come in and made a name for yourself and I respect that, but you've also made some enemies...I have been working with some of these men for years and we've been through so much! What they would kill to be where you are now, I am torn between choosing you and them when it comes to Mustering."

"Well it's up to you Dan, you do what you need to do to make these musters work, but when I first came here as just a Jackaroo you taught me that we can't Muster without us working as a team! Now I'm sorry if I have tread on any toes I did not mean to barge in and take anyone's place, and if you need to know I have an up-to-date Visa that's valid for twelve months"

Several of the Stockmen had come to listen to Dan and Kimi.

"Icey, did you really mean that?" Mitch asked, standing on the rails of the stockyard "You're not just here to hide from your past?"

Kimi eyed the young stockman "I am the 2007 and the 2014 Formula One World Champion for Ferrari, Mitch and if you don't believe me Google my name Kimi Räikkönen, I admit, that I came here because I quit driving for Ferrari because there is a woman that I love that is married to another. Now I have beaten the shit out of him a few times, but she loves him nonetheless and now he is driving my Ferrari in the 2015 F1 season! When I first came here I said I wanted a career change didn't I?"

Mitch nodded and so did many of the other men.

"I am not here to just barge in and take people's jobs and livelihoods and even their pride, their way of life! I know I am not of Australian birth, I was born and bred in Espoo, Finland, in the snow and the ice, now if you want me to go I'll go! I will gladly pack up my stuff, buy Oddie and Senna off of you and go!" Kimi told them.

Shane Walker, the owner of Emu Creek Station had come to stand among the men.

"Icey," He said "Come up to the Homestead, we need to talk"

He followed Shane and Senna went bounding after him.

"Senna, stay." Kimi told the cattle dog.

The large homestead opened his eyes. The stockmen never really went into the house; they had the Stockman Quarters at the back of the Homestead.

He admired generations of Walkers and decades of Stockmen in photos on the walls in the front hall.

"Kimi?" Shane gestured, at the door to his private office.

As the Iceman sat, Shane poured him a nip of Whiskey.

"Kimi, this is from a man to a man, Emu Creek Station is going under, times are tough, and don't know how much longer we can keep going..." Shane said, solemnly

"If this Station is in trouble why pour me a glass of Whiskey Mr Walker, what do you want me to do?" Kimi asked.

Shane shook his head and said "I don't know, Kimi..."