The Journey of Kyle Gibbs Box Set

by Wayne Marinovich

Chilemba and Jackson walked behind Etienne Leclerc as they crossed the empty Givet town square. The group of twenty-four Africans walked slowly, looking at all the strange marble and white plastered buildings with their slate and terracotta tiled roofs. Most of the windows had iron trellis balconies with flower boxes hanging from them, and the odd curious face appeared, to watch them as they passed. They entered the large warehouse through a heavily guarded door and walked past disused military tanks and trucks.

  They were taken to a side store where an old man with straight white hair measured them up for size and barked commands to two young teenagers, who issued them with fatigues, eating utensils, toiletries and boots. All these were packed into large green Bergens, which they loaded onto their backs. Once they were fitted and given their kit, Leclerc ushered them all into the armoury where they were given a mix of sub-machine guns and magazines of rounds.

  Chilemba loved the feel of the cool metal in his hands and although not familiar with the weapon, knew that with a little practice, he would master it. Just as they were about to leave the armoury, he noticed a gun rack near the back of the room full of his beloved AK-47s. He stopped and spoke to Etienne. ‘Are those all AK-47s at the back there?’

  ‘Yes, we got those in a shipment from Russia many years ago, but none of them seem to work, and we don’t have the time and personnel to fix them,’ Etienne replied.

  ‘Jackson and I have used them for many years and have also rebuilt many from parts pirated off others in the past. If we can get two working, can we use them instead?’ Chilemba asked.

  Etienne thought for a while and then spoke to the armourer, who excitedly nodded and welcomed them to try.

  ‘I will take everyone back to the barracks. You two stay here and see how many of these you can get working,’ Leclerc said.

  ‘Yes, sir,’ Chilemba said, taking one of the AK47s down from the shelf, the metal making him feel alive again.

  ‘Sergeant Leclerc?’ Chilemba called to the man who was heading to the door.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Does your man have any machetes? It is our traditional weapon.’

  Leclerc translated the request to the old quartermaster. The old man grinned and pointed to a shelf at the back of the armoury.

  • • •

  ‘Are you sure they can be trusted?’ Christophe asked, leaning back in his large leather chair. He sipped on a large brandy, holding the glass below his nose as he peered over the edge at Alain.

  ‘I believe they can be. It seems that their goal is to establish themselves here in France, and they’ve indicated that they have no interest in returning to Africa. I have a good feeling about them and think they will be of great benefit to the Givet army. One of them has a commanding presence and has shown a lot of leadership. We are short of unit leaders, and he could become one,’ he replied, with a glint in his eye.

  René raised an eyebrow. ‘Is that a personal or professional opinion? Are you falling for this one too?’

  ‘This has nothing to do with personal feelings, you bloody idiot.’

  ‘Let’s not get into this again, shall we?’ Christophe said. ‘Alain, get these men in front of me tomorrow morning, and I’ll decide for myself,’ the mayor ordered.

  ‘Of course,’ Alain said.

  ‘Also, just so you are aware, we have a Phoenix Guard unit in town, and they’re holding military exercises with our current teams, so keep our new men away from that.’

  ‘Interesting. How are we doing?’ Alain said, looking across to Rene, who folded his arms.

  ‘Badly,’ the mayor replied. ‘Have those two men here at nine a.m. sharp.’

  Chapter 26

  Givet, France - 2028

  Gibbs shifted in his seat, trying to get comfortable. The combat webbing and pistol that he wore as part of the official GGC uniform were not conducive to sitting on sloping couches. He looked at his watch and then shifted position again.

  ‘Is that the third or fourth time you have checked your watch in the last five minutes?’ Christina asked.

  Gibbs forced a smile and looked away across the lobby. ‘I do so enjoy standing on ceremony for men I have already met.’ He turned at the sounds of approaching footsteps.

  ‘Deputy Minister, I apologise for the delay. The mayor is running late, but he will be available shortly,’ Alain said.

  ‘How bloody long is ‘shortly’, mate?’ Gibbs said.

  ‘It’s quite okay, Captain,’ Christina said placing her hand on his arm. ‘Please tell the mayor we’re happy to wait.’

  ‘Thank you, Madame,’ Alain said, bowing his head slightly.

  ‘Gibbs, please calm down. We’re here to try and find a diplomatic solution to this issue. Getting yourself all worked up will not help anyone.’

  ‘I hate being at the beck and call of little men in drab suits,’ Gibbs said.

  ‘Really? I’d never have guessed,’ she said and smiled at him.

  After a further twenty minutes of fidgeting and glaring, Alain Rubert came out of the mayor’s office and walked up to Christina. ‘Once again my sincere apologies, Deputy Minister, the mayor will see you now.’

  ‘Thank you kindly,’ Christina said.

  Gibbs glared at Christina and was about to say something to Alain when two uniformed Africans with long dreadlocks caught his eye. The shorter of the two men looked at him before glancing at Christina with lust in his eyes. He had broad shoulders, a barrel of a chest and thick arms, one of which slipped up to his dagger that was on his belt.

  Gibbs’s gaze was locked on the taller of the men, and he felt his heart quicken. He sensed an icy coolness about the man that only comes from constant exposure to hardened battle and struggle. The man clenched his jaw and slipped his hand down to the grip of the AK-47. Only Gibbs noticed this subtle movement and rested his hand on his Glock in the holster on his waist.

  ‘Gibbs? You coming?’ Christina said as she waited for him near the office door.

  When he turned around, she saw his face and her heart start pounding. The primaeval look of someone who had just seen real danger. His eyes had narrowed into a distant stare.

  Gibbs followed Christina into the mayor’s office and over to the large chairs in front of the desk.

  ‘May I present Deputy Minister Christina Anderson from the GGC in London,’ Alain announced.

  The mayor stood up and paused as he caught sight of the stunning blonde woman in front of him. He moved around the desk and took her hand in his. He leant down and kissed the back of her hand. ‘It is indeed a pleasure, Deputy Minister. Welcome to Givet.’

  ‘Thank you, Mayor Magne,’ she said. ‘I understand you’ve met Captain Gibbs before.’

  ‘Yes, indeed. Good day, Captain,’ the mayor said, nodding at Gibbs.

  Gibbs acknowledged him, looking down at the mayor’s hand which still gripped Christina’s hand for a little longer than was appropriate. The Mayor hastily withdrew his hand, a smile on his face.

  ‘It makes a nice change not to have boring male politicians visiting from the GGC. Old men constantly trying to convince me to become a warlord, under the guise of protecting the last of the world’s energy,’ he said, looking intently into her blue eyes.

  ‘I might be a lot younger, Mayor, but I happen to share many of the ideals with those older politicians of whom you speak. The world is in trouble, and we’re in grave danger of reverting to the dark days of anarchy.’

  The mayor laughed. ‘It is wonderful to hear the plight of the human race all rests on the compliance of a small town in France. You flatter us greatly, Deputy Minister.’

  ‘A man of your stature and intellect clearly realises that you do have a large part to play in consolidating the planet’s resources for the good of all. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so keen to protect them as you are currently doing,’ Christina said.

  ‘I see that you have been briefed to debate this issue from the outset. I‘m afraid I have not changed my mind about joining the GGC,’ the mayor said, smil
ing at her from behind the desk.

  ‘And I intend to try and convince you otherwise,’ Christina said, smiling back at him.

  ‘I’m intrigued to find out how you intend to do that. Why don’t we debate this over dinner tonight at my residence?’ the mayor said.

  ‘Now wait just a minute’ Gibbs said.

  ‘It’s quite okay, Captain. I’m sure that the mayor can vouch for my safety. I accept your dinner invitation, Mayor,’ she said.

  ‘I certainly can, Deputy Minister,’ the mayor said with a glint in his eye.

  ‘Please, Christophe, call me Christina,’ she replied.

  Chapter 27

  Givet, France - 2028

  Christina and Gibbs walked in silence towards the boat that was tied up on the River Meuse. A group of laughing children ran past them, playing a game of catch. Four old men were playing a game of boules in the dirt to the side of the square and were arguing over one of their throws.

  One of René Chabal’s men helped them into the boat because it was low tide and the water was twelve foot from the top of the tidal wall. They clambered across to benches that traversed the hull. ‘What is the matter, Gibbs?’ she asked, breaking the silence between them.

  ‘Nothing,’ he said, without breaking his stare.

  ‘Clearly, something is bothering you,’ she said.

  He turned to her and gave her an icy stare. ‘So now you’re clairvoyant?’

  ‘Well, if you insist on sulking like a petulant child, I have to assume that something is bothering you.’

  ‘I don’t know, Christina. Perhaps, it’s the fact that you’re having dinner with that lecherous Frenchman. Accepting a date in front of me was a wonderful way to let me know how you feel.’

  ‘What? It’s not a date. It’s just business, and you know that.’

  ‘He was drooling all over your hand, and you accepted his offer of dinner so quickly that you cut me off in mid-sentence.’

  ‘That’s ridiculous, Gibbs. It’s a diplomatic engagement and part of what I do for the GGC. It’s simply business, not pleasure,’ Christina said, folding her arms and looking in the opposite direction, ending the conversation.

  • • •

  Gibbs was sitting on an old bench outside the stone barracks, scouring the maps when he noticed Christina walking across the courtyard towards him. She looked breath-taking in a black cocktail dress, and he felt his heart lift at the sight of her. With each step she took towards him, he noticed her face getting more and more determined.

  ‘You look lovely, Christina,’ Gibbs said, smiling as she came to a stop in front of him.

  Taken aback, Christina expected a more hostile conversation. ‘Thank you, Gibbs,’ she said. ‘I don’t often get to wear this dress.’

  ‘The greasy Frenchman will not be able to keep his hands off you,’ Gibbs said.

  ‘You know what? I don’t have time for this,’ Christina said and turned away.

  ‘Christina… Wait!’

  She turned, staring at him. ‘What, Gibbs, more childish remarks?’

  ‘Please sit down and let’s talk,’ Gibbs said. Christina stood for a few moments and then walked over and sat next to him.

  ‘I’m sorry for the snide remarks. You’re right, I guess I’m a little jealous, but I think it is perfectly natural. It’s a feeling that I’ve not felt for a while, and I should know better than to treat you like this,’ he continued.

  ‘Yes, you should,’ she said, her tone softening a little.

  ‘For a minute there, I convinced myself that you had only been using me and because you were bored from being stuck in London,’ he said.

  ‘That is just plain silly, Gibbs. There is nobody else. Just you. Although, I must confess that I have not been altogether honest about my reasons for being here in Givet,’ she said. ‘The Grand Founders are convinced that Christophe Magne either is Vargen or has close intimate knowledge of his identity and whereabouts. My job is to get closer to the man and to try and ascertain which it is,’ she said. ‘Personally, I don’t think that he is Vargen.’

  Gibbs nodded. ‘I see. Well then, there’s even more reason for me to come along because it will be dangerous if something goes wrong.’

  ‘I did think it was a bit of a risk, but there seems to be too much tension between you two already, and it might alert him that we think he’s a suspect. That would be dangerous for the Phoenix Council, who are still keen to recruit him. It would be like inviting the fox into the henhouse,’ she said.

  ‘I understand the GGC need to get this man on board, but at what cost? What happens if it turns nasty and you’re alone down there in the town? No, if I cannot be there with you, then you have to at least take Shredder or Killey as an escort. They can wait for you and escort you back.’

  ‘Okay then,’ she replied, squeezing his hand.

  • • •

  Chilemba lay back on his bed for about half an hour thinking about the brown-haired uniformed man they’d seen in the mayor’s office. A man who was good that the business of war.

  ‘That man at the mayor’s office. He’s a man who has fought many battles,’ Chilemba said.

  ‘Yes, brother. I saw it in his eyes too.’

  ‘But you were so busy looking at the woman with the white hair.’

  They both laughed. A knock on the door caused both Chilemba and Jackson to grab their machetes. Jackson slipped behind the door as Chilemba went to open it. Alain Rubert stood there smiling.

  ‘Chilemba, may I talk to you?’ he said. Chilemba nodded and stood aside, letting the small man enter the room before closing the door behind him.

  ‘Is Jackson not here then?’ Alain enquired, smiling.

  ‘Right here, sir,’ a voice said behind him, making him jump.

  ‘Good, glad you are both here and on your toes. I have a mission from the mayor for you two,’ Alain said, sitting on the edge of the bed. ‘Please sit down.’

  ‘Before we continue, Mr Rubert. Do you know the man who was in the mayor’s office this morning?’ Chilemba asked.

  ‘Man? Which man?’

  ‘The tall uniformed man, with the skinny white-haired woman. He had an emblem of an eagle on his arms and chest,’ Chilemba said.

  ‘Ah yes. Captain Gibbs of the Phoenix Guard. A military man with the GGC, the Global Government Collective I told you about. They’re not to be trusted. We believe they are here to attack us and take over our nuclear plant. They intend to force us to become part of their organisation. Well, they will try anyway,’ he said.

  ‘He is a dangerous warrior,’ Jackson said.

  ‘That might be true, and it’s one of the reasons I’ve come here tonight. The mayor wants you to form two elite teams, with explicit orders to counteract the captain and his Phoenix Guard unit.’

  ‘How many men in each team?’ Chilemba said.

  ’Ten to twelve in each, but they must be seasoned soldiers. The teams need to be quick, mobile and ruthless,’ Alain said. ‘You two will lead them and report directly to René Chabal. Is that clear?’

  Chilemba looked over at Jackson, who had a broad smile on his face. Chilemba nodded and said. ’We will get the teams together tonight.’

  ‘Good man. Get all your equipment together and be at the mayor’s residence before sun up tomorrow morning to get your detailed orders,’ Alain said, walking to the door.

  ‘Good night, Mr Rubert,’ Jackson said.

  Chapter 28

  Givet, France - 2028

  Christina and the mayor walked in silence from the lavish dining room, along a wood-panelled corridor into the vast library. She walked over to the large couch and sat down with a sigh. The dinner of cassoulet of white beans, braised pork, sausage and duck confit had been fantastic. She had a glass of fine cognac to sip on while enjoying the discussion with the flamboyant Frenchman, a warm glow spread through her.

  ‘Please continue, Christina,’ Christophe said, sitting down next to her on the couch.

  ‘There is nothing more
to say. The world that we knew fifteen years ago, is gone and although we won’t go back to the dark ages, we have to start forming a new civilisation,’ she said.

  ‘One based on being self-sufficient and more community conscious, no?’

  ‘That’s correct, although we still need leadership and the rule of law, and that’s what the GGC has as its core mission. Granted it may seem totalitarian at the moment, and we may not get everything right to start with, but our goals are sound, and so, I think we need to give it a chance to work,’ she said. ‘We’re all starting with a clean slate, and if you get involved at an early stage, you can be involved in the legislative process.’

  The Mayor of Givet sat and looked intently at this wonderful young woman and was about to reply when a knock on the door interrupted him.

  ‘Excuse me, Mayor, René and I need to have an urgent discussion with you,’ Alain said, poking his head through the partially open door.

  ‘Can it not wait until tomorrow morning?’ the mayor replied.

  ‘No, sir. It cannot wait,’ René said.

  Christophe got to his feet and was about to leave the room with his men when Christina said. ‘Mayor, please wait. You should have your meeting here. I’ll go to the ladies and freshen up. Could you direct me to the washroom, please?’

  ‘Of course, Christina,’ Christophe said. ‘René, please show the Deputy Minister to the bathroom on the second floor.’

  René led the way down the corridor to a narrow staircase. ‘Up the stairs, turn left and then the first door on your left.’

  ‘Thank you, René,’ she said, and he bowed slightly.

  Christina climbed the stairs, following them around to the second floor, where she sat down on the top stair. She heard the sound of René’s footsteps becoming softer and then heard the library door groan as he closed it behind him.

  ‘Shit!’ she whispered and took her shoes off. She made her way down the stairs, and slowly tip-toed along the corridor. Approaching the door, she could hear the mayor’s voice through the thin panels. It was a good thing she spoke French.

  ‘Will they be ready, Alain?’ he asked.