The Sleeping Army Awakes

Part 33 Corniche

The GPS was clearly indicated the rendezvous spot and although Ivo hadn't been able to park the Corniche quite at the agreed location, because of  the flooding from the previous day's torrential rain, he had parked at the nearest available lay-by. He hadn't wanted to protrude into the roadway because of all the trucks thundering past. Spencer was forced to walk an extra two hundred metres down, parallel to the main road but compared to the rest of the journey that was child's play until he ventured to cross the road.

As if to underline the problem, just as Spencer arrived, a large convoy of robotic vehicles started their journey to the lumber mills almost completely blocking both lanes of the road. They rumbled noisily past him sending clouds of pungent smoke into the air and splashing the standing water on the road, soaking the verges time after time with miniature tsunamis of muddy water. The flashing of twenty rotating yellow warning lamps was almost hypnotic.

Ivo waved and smiled at Spencer from the other side of the wide but only sparsely metalled carriageway. He had to laugh. Spencer looked faintly ridiculous bobbing and weaving in impatience, trying to spot a safe gap in the traffic to cross over to the other side.

It was quite a while before the last train of trailers passed and Spencer could make his way across the road dodging the puddles to the awaiting car. As Spencer approached, Ivo left the drivers seat and opened the back door for him. He was wearing his full chauffeur's uniform in the Zeli Corporation colours including the cap.

"Sorry was long walk," Ivo apologised, "If I stop where you tell me, then we are in middle of deep puddle. You would have to swim to car. You lucky that it not raining today. I've been here week and it rain every day. Mr God you look torrible!"

The word "torrible" was a combination of the words horrible and terrible that Ivo had mis-heard early on when he had been learning English.

"Well I'm here now." Spencer said. "Do you have a spare shirt and a towel?

"As always I come to your rescue. Hurry up and get in Spencer. Some of these trucks don't steer so well!" Ivo said in English, "I'm worried that if I stay here any longer one of swine might side-swipe me. While back more bits of lumber fell off last trailer. Those things have no drivers you know. Even if they drop they don't stop!"

"And there are so many drivers out of work!" Spencer said switching to Slavik knowing that Ivo was more comfortable speaking in his native tongue. "The old girl seems bit muddy. I hope that you're going to clean it before Sir Percy sees it!"

"Sir Percy to arse!" Ivo swore, also replying in Slavik. "That swine. Where is that sow pig anyway."

"Sir Percy stayed up on the hillside with his new binoculars watching the wonders of the modern age raping the countryside!"

"I hope he goes blind watching!" Ivo said. "I hope that some of crows that he has made without home will peck out his eyes! Look at them circling round and round."

He pointed to the skies and sure enough the sky was almost black with crows and other birds.

"Is bad omen!" Ivo stated.

"Fakt?" Spencer asked using the nearest equivalent to the word, "indeed?" that he knew.

"You know that I usually travel in back?" Spencer asked, "Do you mind if I travel in front with you today Ivo?"

"Make yourself at home!" Ivo said. He closed the back door with a satisfying clunk, "Come on in young Mr. Butler and you're welcome. It will be nice to have some company for change. Seats are more comfortable at front anyway."

"Sir Percy never gives me choice." Spencer smiled, "I usually have to ride in back next to him just in case he has any little tasks for me and frankly it depresses me having to sit next to him. That man never has anything nice to say about anyone. Anyway view is better from front."