While Kelly's companions searched for more evidence of sabotage, Kelly himself waited in the complete darkness of the bosun stores. After 3 days, he was visited by Moore himself. Moore questioned Kelly in more detail, both about the whiskey (to which Kelly confessed completely) and the poison/caustic soda (which Kelly did not know about and denied involvement with). Interestingly enough, Moore also asked Kelly for evidence of who would have placed the poison there assuming Kelly was innocent. When Kelly didn't have any idea, Moore concluded the interview by asking if Kelly needed anything. A flashlight and flask of whiskey was later delivered.

After much discussion, the remainder of the group decided on a two-pronged approach. They checked the holds first, and also scheduled a "distraction", during which the saboteurs would have ample opportunity to make mischief. During this distraction, group members would lie in waiting in the holds.

A search of the holds revealed 5 bottles of caustic soda in the airplanes. The party left the soda in place after rendering it inert with baking soda. Further inspection revealed that the trail radios and camp radios had been melted with caustic soda. This brought the list of sabotage up to: Reefer sabotage, dog poisoning, oxygen tanks, blasting caps, and the radios.

Rachel set up a night of "entertainment" with Moore, to include ballroom dancing lessons and skits by Rachel and Giles. Moore suggested that the night of 5 October would be appropriate. As it approached, excitement on the ship swelled and bets on Giles vs. Colt (getting a kiss from Rachel) were placed. Moore was the emcee for the event, telling hilarious jokes about expedition members. Ballroom dancing was first, men leading men in many cases. For those lucky enough to dance with Starkweather (who danced like a dream), the lessons went well. For those with Moore (who danced like a bad dream), things went a bit less smoothly. Following the dancing, a barber-shop quartet comprised of Winslow, Sykes, LaRoche, and Pulaski sang wonderful songs.

Finally, Rachel and Giles took the stage. Catcalls and whistles were the norm every time the two actors got close. Those who placed bets had to wait until the last scene to collect, though; they closed with the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. The kiss was much-applauded by some, and cursed by Colt (who, despite his loss of money, couldn't help but smile).

In the hold, as the applause swelled when Rachel and Giles took the stage, the hatch slowly, gently, ever so quietly opened. A shadowy figure walked quickly towards the plane, removed the caustic soda from its hiding place, and went down the ladder. Wallace and Olaf were waiting for the saboteur; Wallace followed him down the ladder. He was standing in front of the Fairchild, leaning into the engine. Wallace recognized the man as Henning, one of the mess boys he had spotted earlier. A fight ensued, during which Henning threw the (mostly inert) caustic soda into Wallace's eyes, blinding him. With help from Olaf, Henning was eventually subdued.

After getting the doctor to splint Henning and flush Wallace's eyes, a makeshift tribunal was set up and Wallace described the events. Henning is thrown into the bosun stores with Kelly.

The next day, Shaftoe and Miles checked the Fairchild; since the caustic soda had been rendered mostly inert, there was not any damage to the engine. Further examination of all engines, though, reveal another act of sabotage: full-strength caustic soda had been poured into all three generator engines, ruining them.

Upon later questioning, Henning admits guilt amid angry accusations that Starkweather killed his brother. He was carried away, yelling that he didn't regret a single thing and that he would have his revenge. Kelly was deemed innocent, but excused from further expedition service once the ship reached Melbourne.

The journey to Melbourne from there was morale-boosting, helped by alcohol, rugby, dancing, races, and other such things. Wallace had most of his sight back by the time the SS Gabrielle pulled into Melbourne on 12 October.

The week in Melbourne had highs and lows; Giles bought (with his poker and "kiss" winnings) free drinks for the entire expedition the first night; depositions on all of the sabotage were given; newspaper articles about the sabotage were discovered to have been printed while the Gabrielle was at sea (carefully orchestrated by Starkweather).

In addition to the fun, supplies needed to be replenished; the expedition members checked everything in the holds once more, ordered more supplies, and made Pemmican. (Yes, you read right.) This last was the most unpleasant part of the Australian stay, the making of Pemmican involved large vats of animal parts and other sticky substances.

Wallace also helped in the acquisition of a new pilot to take Kelly's place: Jack Driscoll.

At 3:30AM on 17 October, the Gabrielle headed South for the final leg of their journey.

[cue music of doom.......]