Aboriginal Vision

Bert was on an installation team of General Dynamics engineers who were implementing a computer system upgrade at Pine Gap, a joint Australian-US satellite tracking station, located 19 kilometers (12 mi) south-west of Alice Springs, Australia, that employs about 700 Americans and Australians. She had been at the Joint Defence Space Research Facility for only three days and the engineering team she was on was exhausted. One of their crates containing critical computer equipment had been smashed by a forklift driver in California and they had to wait for a replacement server to arrive, so they had time to investigate the countryside.

The installation team of four decided to rent a car and explore the territory southeast of the base. There was a canyon they wanted to explore and even though it would be a long ride, they were ready to leave the government-controlled environment for the open road.

Bert and her coworkers, all engineers, were aware of the long straight almost empty road ahead of them but were comfortable having conversations among themselves. No one would be bored. They also knew to look out for rogue cattle, kangaroos and lizards who wandered onto the road. They were aware that accidentally hitting one of them came with a hefty fine, not to mention a car repair bill from the rental company. To this end, they all spent time scanning the area out the windows of the car, at the vast desert landscape and the long road ahead.

They found the canyon and watched their boss, Josephine, as she took off down the canyon walking with a long stick and her camera hanging around her neck. Eugene followed her. He was not much of a leader himself but was a great systems engineer who went with the group on almost every occasion. He never had any suggestions himself but was very receptive to others.

Bert was the software engineer of the group who also did a lot of research for them. Daniel was the linchpin of the four-person team. He was a computer, network, and electrical engineer who knew their astronomical equipment inside and out. He was also the one whose presence was requested by the joint research facility.

Bert was only there because she refused to do other work for GD unless they first sent her on this mission. They complied and told her, “Your real estate just went up among the managers here” which delighted Bert because that’s the reason she blackmailed them. It’s time they recognized me as a valuable member of the team, not just a junior engineer.

The group of GD engineers wandered through the canyon for almost an hour when one of them remarked, “This looks just like Arizona. I’m not that intrigued. Bert, can you tell us something unusual about this area?”

Bert replied, “This area is known for its aboriginal tribes. You can’t see any of them, but they are all around us. There are a few who don’t mind being noticed, but for the most part, stay hidden. I brought my camera specifically to take pictures in case I find any who will allow it.”

The group looked around the small canyon and took a few pictures, but soon tired of the terrain and walked back to their car. They climbed in and continued down the road to search for more mountain areas.

As they were driving, they noticed the quiet surrounding them and that there were no other cars on the road. Looking out the windows they remarked about the flat, brush-filled landscape.

“I don’t think anyone could survive here, do you?” asked Daniel.

Josephine said, “I wouldn’t be stuck out here for anything. I wonder if anyone is here? I don’t know where they could hide.”

Just then Bert looked out the window to her left past Eugene and saw a figure half obscured by a small bush. The shadowy figure had the appearance of a small human with dark skin. Bert couldn’t be sure, but thought they had white hair and lighter than normal skin once the sun shown on them. Their clothing was light colored, so the person blended in with the soft brown dirt and scrub brush.

“Stop! There’s an aborigine over there. I want to take a picture. Sit back, Eugene!” yelled Bert. Daniel slowed down but not soon enough, and the aborigine disappeared in the rear-view mirror. “Did you get a picture?”

“No, my camera jammed. It has never done that before. Eugene, did you see it? Did you see the person?”

“Yes, but not well enough to tell much about what or who it was.”

“Well, okay, I guess I’m not supposed to get a picture of an aborigine today.”

“Maybe another time, Bert, but I’ll bet not. I believe you when you say we are not supposed to see them. Also, if this person was all in white, what does that tell us? Maybe a ghost or an albino or something?” asked Josephine.

“Okay, now I’m not sure you should be the engineer leader of our group, Jo. I’ve never heard you talk like that before,” said Daniel.

Jo smiled, “You don’t know me.”

“Hmmm, maybe I should try harder.”

Bert looked at Eugene who didn’t react.

They continued down the road at a slower pace before noticing lights flashing on the horizon. When they got there, they had to slow down and come to a stop. There had been a flash flood, which was not all that common in that area, and the flashing lights were police and an ambulance. “Looks like an overturned car in the river on our left,” said Daniel. The others looked out and saw some people on the bank, far away from the edge of the rushing water, looking at a bouncing car moving slowly down the river.

Bert said, “That’s odd. I wonder if there was a thunderstorm or mudslide near here. I didn’t hear or see anything.”

“Damn. I think we need to turn around and go back to the base,” said Jo.

Daniel turned the car around and they drove back to the base, making sure they kept below the speed limit. They continued to look out the windows for kangaroos, cattle, lizards, and now aborigines.

“Well, that was a trip to remember,” said Eugene.

Bert sat back. Finally, he speaks!

She wondered about the occupants of the car in the flash flood. I’m sure we’ll hear about it tomorrow. No one looked too panicked, so I think they made it out okay. I sure hope so anyway.

As they pulled into base, they noticed there were lights on in the cafeteria and decided it was time to eat. Bert looked out the window at the old military buildings and thought about dinner. It’s too bad they all learned how to cook from the British.