Bear Grylls - Burning Angels

There was the snarl of a powerful engine, and the form of a RIB drew out from its place of hiding. It cut through the lake’s surface, shortly arriving at Jaeger and Narov’s feet.

The figure in the prow had a shock of untidy sandy hair above a straggly beard. He had to be a good six foot two inches tall, and he was white, as opposed to the rest of the men in the boat, who were local Africans. He was dressed in plain green combat-style fatigues, and it hadn’t escaped Jaeger’s notice that he had an assault rifle cradled in his arms.

The rest of those in the boat were dressed and armed likewise, and they had Narov and Jaeger covered with their weapons.

The tall man fixed them with a stare. ‘What are you doing here? Some mistake that you are here, I think?’

Jaeger decided to play dumb. He thrust out a hand in greeting. The figure in the boat didn’t make a move to take it.

‘And you are?’ he demanded icily. ‘And please – explain why you are here.’

‘Bert Groves, and my wife, Andrea. We’re English. Tourists. Well, more adventurers, I guess. Couldn’t resist the lure of the crater – had to take a peek. Cave drew us in.’ He gestured at the warplane. ‘Then this thing drew us further. Kind of incredible.’

The figure in the boat frowned, suspicion further creasing his brow. ‘Your presence here is remarkably… adventurous for tourists, to put it mildly. And it is also dangerous, on many levels.’ He gestured at his men. ‘I had reports from my guards that you were poachers.’

‘Poachers? No way.’ Jaeger glanced at Narov. ‘We’re newly-weds. I guess we were swept away by our African adventure and maybe not thinking straight. Call it honeymoon spirit.’ He shrugged apologetically. ‘I’m sorry if we caused any trouble.’

The figure in the boat readjusted the hold on his rifle. ‘Mr and Mrs Groves – the name is familiar, I think. You are booked into the Katavi Lodge, for an arrival date of tomorrow morning?’

Jaeger smiled. ‘You got it. That’s us. Tomorrow morning at eleven. For five days.’ He glanced at Narov, trying his best to act like the world’s most besotted husband. ‘Newly married and determined to live life to the max!’

The eyes of the man in the boat remained cold. ‘Well of course, if you are not poachers then you are most welcome.’ There was little corresponding welcome in his tone. ‘I am Falk Konig – the head conservationist at the Katavi Game Reserve. But this is not the recommended route via which to begin a honeymooner safari, or to make your way to our lodge.’

Jaeger forced a laugh. ‘Yeah, so I figured. But like I said, couldn’t resist the draw of Burning Angels Peak. And once you’re on that ridge, well – you just can’t stop. It’s like a real-life Lost World out there. Then we saw the elephants heading into the caves. I mean, that’s one awesome spectacle.’ He shrugged. ‘We just had to follow.’

Konig nodded stiffly. ‘Yes, the caldera shelters a very species-rich ecosystem. A truly unique habitat. It is the breeding reserve for our elephants and rhino. And that is why we make it off-limits to all visitors .’ He paused. ‘I have to warn you, we have a free-fire policy within the breeding reserve. Intruders can be shot on sight.’

‘We understand,’ Jaeger glanced at Narov. ‘And we’re sorry for any upset caused.’

Konig eyed him, suspicion still lingering in his gaze. ‘Mr and Mrs Groves, this was not the wisest thing to have done. Next time, please come via the normal route, or you may not enjoy such a peaceful reception.’

Narov reached out to shake Konig’s hand. ‘My husband – it is all his fault. He is headstrong and always thinks he knows best. I tried to dissuade him…’ She smiled, apparently adoringly. ‘But it’s what I love about him too.’

Konig seemed to relax a little, but Jaeger found himself choking back a suitably cutting response. Narov was playing her part to perfection. Maybe too well – he almost got the impression that she was enjoying this.

‘Indeed.’ Konig offered Narov hand the barest of handshakes. ‘But you, Mrs Groves – you do not sound so English?’

‘It is Andrea,’ Narov replied. ‘And these days, as you know, there are many English who do not sound very English. For that matter, Mr Konig, you do not sound so very Tanzanian.’

‘Indeed, I am German.’ Konig glanced at the massive warplane tethered in the water. ‘I am a German wildlife conservationist living in Africa, working with a local Tanzanian staff, and part of our responsibility is also to safeguard this aircraft.’

‘It’s Second World War, right?’ Jaeger asked, feigning ignorance. ‘I mean… unbelievable. How in the name of God did it end up here, so far beneath the mountain? Surely it’s too wide to have made it through the cave entrance.’

‘It is,’ Konig confirmed. There was a wariness to his gaze still. ‘They removed the wings and hauled the aircraft in here during the height of the rains, in 1947, I believe. Then they hired local Africans to bring the wings in afterwards, in sections.’

‘Mind-blowing. But why here in Africa? I mean, how did it land here, and why?’

For the briefest of instants a dark shadow flitted across Konig’s features. ‘That I do not know. That part of the story is long before my time.’

Jaeger could tell that he was lying.

Konig gave a curt nod towards the warplane. ‘You must be curious, no?’

‘To see inside? Of course!’ Jaeger enthused.

Konig shook his head. ‘Unfortunately, it is strictly off limits. All access is forbidden, as is any access to this entire area. But I think now you understand that?’

‘Got it,’ Jaeger confirmed. ‘Still, it’s disappointing. It’s not allowed by whom?’

‘The man who owns this place. Katavi is a private game sanctuary, run by an American of German descent. That is part of our attraction to foreigners. Unlike the government-run national parks, Katavi is operated with a certain Teutonic efficiency.’

‘It is a game reserve that works?’ Narov queried. ‘Is that what you mean?’

‘Pretty much. There is a war being waged against Africa’s wildlife. Sadly the poachers are winning. Hence the shoot-to-kill policy introduced here, as a desperate measure to try to help us win that war.’ Konig eyed them both. ‘A policy that very nearly got the two of you killed today.’

Jaeger chose to ignore the last comment. ‘You’ve got our vote,’ he remarked, genuinely. ‘Butchering an elephant for its tusks, or a rhino for its horn – it’s a tragic waste.’

Konig inclined his head. ‘I agree. We lose one elephant or rhino on average every day. Wasteful death.’ He paused. ‘But for now, Mr and Mrs Groves, enough questions, I think.’

He ordered them into the RIB. It wasn’t exactly at gunpoint, but it was clear that they had no option but to comply. The boat pulled away from the warplane, the bow wave setting the seaplane rocking. For her size, the BV222 had an undeniable grace and beauty, and Jaeger was determined to find an opportunity to return here and uncover her secrets.

The RIB took them to where an access tunnel threaded its way out of the cave system. Konig flicked a switch set into the wall, and the rock-cut passageway blazed into life, courtesy of electric lighting recessed into the roof.

‘Wait here,’ he ordered. ‘We will go to fetch your things.’

‘Thanks. You know where they are?’ Jaeger queried.

‘Of course. My men have been observing you for some time.’

‘They have? Wow. How d’you do that?’

‘Well, we have sensors positioned in the caves. But you can imagine, with animals always in and out, they are forever being triggered. And anyway, no one ever trespasses this deep inside the mountain.’ He eyed Narov and Jaeger pointedly. ‘Or at least, not normally… Today, something surprised my guards. An entirely unexpected sound. A series of gunshots—’