by David Buck
‘Kulibari. It is a word which means turtle in many aboriginal languages.’
Vic looked appreciatively at the tall aboriginal footballer as he replied.
‘Well I like that name James and I have not heard of it before. Do you know the new colony has a lot of native animals not seen for many years? There will be plenty of good hunting and fishing to be had.’
James looked at the large selection of vehicles along the road and noted their contents as he replied.
‘Amanda and I would like to go, but I will not go without Rachael and Amanda will not go without me.’
Vic sympathised with James, even though Rachael’s mother was his more staid sister and would not leave Earth.
‘James if you do make it through then look us up, otherwise the best of luck.’
James had quickly shaken hands with Vic, his daughter and his three sons before leaving to drive back to the pizza shop. The amount of vehicles present around the marshalling point meant that the journey took ages.
James was brought back to the present moment as he loaded the pizzas in the small work car for his final run for the night. Two thumps sounded on the roof of the car and he straightened suddenly from inside the car. As he looked around nervously as he spotted two young men wearing their loud yellow striped hoodies, with one carrying a back pack, grinning in amusement at him. The slightly smaller man appeared somewhat glazed over and James knew he was often like that as the first young man spoke.
‘Ha Muddy, I got you going there mate, so have you learnt to kick that football yet?’
James suppressed a wise crack as he replied.
‘Ahmed, what are you and Raff doing over here? If any of the Banger Machine sees you around here you will be sorted out.’
James knew Ahmed well from football as they had both played colts football in the same side last year. James had then moved onward after being drafted by West Perth for the reserves just four months ago.
‘Take it easy man. The Bangers are probably fully out it by now. So are you going anywhere near Albany Highway tonight?’’
James suppressed another snort as he replied.
‘Ahmed, I don’t want to know what you have in Raff’s back pack and Smokey will skin me if he sees you in his car.’
Ahmed gave him a good natured grin, and joked with the still silent and glazed Raff about their ‘sometime mate James’ as a vehicle slowed and then sped up away from the pizza shop.
James watched the car accelerate way and now spoke urgently.
‘Ahmed! Raff! Get in the back seat and keep quiet. That could have been a Banger associate.’
Ahmed and Raff immediately quietened and quickly hopped into the back seat of the delivery car. James then drove them over to the other side of the railway line into Cannington and relative safety near the highway. He then did his last deliveries for the night, and as he returned to the pizza shop he braked hard at an intersection and heard a thump from the rear seat. Raff, obviously half asleep or worse, had left his back pack behind and Smokey would be expecting him back soon. James pulled the back pack into the passenger front seat in real annoyance as he drove and he heard a sharp metallic clunk.
James stopped the car in a driveway and a quick look inside the bag confirmed the presence of another striped hoodie, a packet of drugs, a silenced handgun and several clips of ammunition. James swore profusely as he started driving back to the pizza shop again, and he noted his own beat up four wheel drive was now back. He was surprised he could not see Rachael or Amanda, and as he had only been gone fifteen minutes was really surprised to see Smokey lying on the shop floor behind the counter with blood streaming from his face.
Jenny was tending to her husband as she requested an ambulance on the telephone line. James now rushed into the shop and noted two familiar handbags emptied out on the floor. Betweens shouts of pain from Smokey and sobs from Jenny he got the whole story. Four Banger boys had come looking for Ahmed and Raff after getting tipped off. They had bashed Smokey and threatened Jenny even as the two girls had returned in his four wheel drive from their nursing shift to pick him up. The men had robbed and then forced the two girls into their own four wheel drive before leaving only minutes earlier.
Jenny was beside herself with fear as she cried.
‘James, they are viscous raping mongrels and the girls have to be rescued. They also threatened to return and burn the shop with us in it if we report what happened.’
James quickly gathered his keys and most the girl’s belongings from the floor as he replied.
‘Get home and do not open the shop for a few weeks. I am going to get the girls back.’
A cold feeling of decisiveness came over James as he realised what he must do with brutal clarity. He gathered under his arm a few empty pizza boxes and raced to the small car to get the back pack. He then loaded what he carried into his four wheel drive before racing off to the large high walled compound he had delivered pizzas to on previous nights.
James did not try to think what would happen to both girls if he did not reach them soon. Both were tall and attractive, and his younger sister had even done some modelling last year. As James entered the street he made a real effort to slow right down. He drove to the gates and then spoke into the security camera. James was banking on the gate keeper not knowing the full story. A torrent of sound was coming from the club house as the Bangers were renowned heavy metal followers.
‘I have four pizzas for your boss and I am in my own car as I am then going home.’
A gruff voice acknowledged James, and the door to the nearby gatehouse opened to yet more noise as the gate itself was opened. James moved the car forward, and stopped halfway through the gate as he quickly pocketed his keys and then grabbed the back pack. A snort of indignation came from the Banger associate as he stormed over to James from the gatehouse.
‘Either stay the hell out or get the heck in so I can close the flaming gate.’
The Banger reached the window of his car; James lifted his right hand with the hand gun from his lap, and shot him in the face twice. James left his car and as he walked over to toss the back pack into the gatehouse, he spotted a handgun with a silencer and two clips sitting on a coffee table with a security card. After quickly swapping weapons and leaving the gatehouse, James then noted the four wheel drive parked in the driveway.
He could also see other vehicles and boats that were lined up under a large patio along the back fence. In moments James was inside the main house by using the security card on a side door, and heading towards one of the larger front rooms. He then encountered a Banger in the kitchen, who turned from an open fridge as James shot him three times in the chest and head.
All the time the loud heavy metal music continued to reverberate through the house and James slowed his breathing down as he loaded another clip. It would not help the girls if he got himself killed now. He moved carefully through the front rooms and spent several seconds listening to establish that they must all be in the large bedroom. James turned off the lounge room light and then slowly opened the bedroom door with his left hand, as he held the gun tight in his right hand.
James did not pause to look at what was happening as he dropped to a knee and fired two shots at the tall Banger looming over Rachael, who was kneeling on the floor at the end of the bed. The Banger collapsed in a bloody heap and thrashed for a moment, even as James fired two more shots at the two men tearing at Amanda as she lay pinned on the bed.
The larger Banger took a bullet to the head and soundlessly dropped to the bed. The smaller Banger, still a larger man than James, fell from the bed and backed into the corner of the bedroom with his good arm clutching his shoulder, even as James now stood and killed him with two more shots. James paused and was fixed to the spot as the reaction to what had happened now set in. He nearly dropped the gun for a moment as his eyes took in the dead men.
Amanda quickly jumped from the bed, paused for a moment to wipe some blood splattered on her arm, and t
hen took the gun from him. As he looked down at Rachael, she had slowly climbed to her feet and moved into his arms. He wordlessly folded his sister into the hug he gave his fiancée and said nothing for several seconds.
A loud section of the music then brought him to his senses and Rachael whimpered again in fright in his arms. James retrieved his handgun as he steered both girls towards his four wheel drive with his arms around the both of them. As soon as he could hear himself think he asked the girls if they needed to go hospital. Amanda replied first as she pointed to the security camera and made a futile attempt to straighten her torn tunic.
‘James, I think we are both okay, but more Bangers could turn up soon. We have to get away from here and probably out of the state for awhile.’
Rachael now spoke and she sounded on the edge of hysteria, even as James held her tight and looked with concern under light from the gatehouse at the large bruise marring her left cheekbone.
‘They will seek us out and kill all of our families if they can recognise us from their security footage. They will pay off who ever it takes to deal with us. Even the police will be of limited help.’
James again felt the steel resolve he had felt earlier as he looked at the gatehouse, and he knew that the well intentioned police would not be enough to protect them. He looked at the club house again, and as he gave instructions, he handed Amanda his car keys.
‘Both of you take my four wheel drive and go to Vic Mitchell and his family at the airport. I delivered pizzas out there tonight as they are going through that gateway very soon. Do not call anyone or go home, just go now and I will see you there shortly.’
Amanda wanted to argue, but she had the sense to back off as she felt the fury boiling now in James. She got Rachael into the car and they carefully drove off towards the airport. James watched them go for a moment before he raced down to the back of the house. The Banger four wheel drive was a late model diesel with a nearly full tank, and the keys were in the ignition. No doubt the now dead men had enough reason to feel secure in their own home. He grabbed a torch from the car and quickly made an inspection of the back yard, and found it to be a treasure trove.
James crossed to the seven metre express cruiser and quickly rejected it, as the inboard cover was off and the engine was removed. He looked at the next boat and realised that it was a sleek and modern eight metre trailer sail boat with a small inboard engine. He quickly verified that boat hull was intact, the mast was present and that trailer was capable of being towed. In minutes he had the four wheel drive reversed, and the trailer hitched up, before he slowly made his way in the car down the drive and then out past the front gate.
James stopped the car and quickly made his way back to the rear of the compound again. He had spotted a few jerry cans in a small open tool shed next to the long patio. He grabbed the two heaviest jerry cans and carried them to the front gate, pausing to pick up a large bucket along the wall on the way. James then left one jerry can at the gate, and entering the gate house carrying the second jerry can. He quickly spotted the security camera setup, complete with hard drives, in an open wall rack.
James then emptied several litres of fuel from the jerry can into the bucket before sealing the jerry can and leaving it well outside the door. Returning inside, he then threw the bucket in one fluid move at the wall rack and raced for the door. A solid rush of air pushed him out the door as the hot electronics ignited the petrol and it exploded into a wall of flame. James did not even stop to look as he gathered the jerry cans and hurriedly made his way to the four wheel drive. In moments he had the two jerry cans stored behind the front seats and he slowly drove off towards the airport.
***
Chapter 6
Omerio had arrived several hours earlier at the site of the former Dradfer main colony. He had made his way directly to the far larger Cephrit and Deltas Vass fleets orbiting further out from the Barus cruiser squadron and the research ships. The Barus agent ignored repeated hails from the Admiral Baredio to come first to the Barus cruiser squadron.
Omerio had then spent a considerable amount of time in the board room of the Cephrit flagship talking to the Cephrit station master who was now attached to the Cephrit fleet. He found it interesting that only two Deltas Vass drones were present at the meeting. He did note that they were concerned with the station master now telling Omerio that the involvement of the Maveen was confirmed.
The station master had at first not made a sound apart from a clicking noise that he remembered from his training to be a sign of both panic and hot anger. The station master had been joined after a short delay by several senior Cephrit officers with two silent Deltas Vass drones, and Omerio had to start his story over again. The senior Cephrit male had used the start over to quickly go though Omerio’s logs, and he pointed out a series of gaps in the later parts of his recordings to Omerio.
The Barus trader replied slowly and clearly with his story as he knew that any confusion on his part could be seen as guilt or deception by the Cephrit in their foul mood. After repeating his story verbatim a third time, a fleet officer left the room and returned a short time later to interrupt the meeting.
‘Senior sirs, the specific damage to the Barus scout matches the account of Omerio we see in front of us. The ship is hardly space worthy and Omerio will have to go aboard either our own fleet or join the Barus fleet.’
Omerio now was asked to wait in the corridor as excited chirrs erupted from the assembled Cephrit officers in their own strange language. The Cephrit station master and the Two Deltas Vass drones silently watched him leave before turning to the Cephrit fleet master. The drones again remained silent as the station master now spoke quietly in his soft chirring voice.
‘I believe the body of his account on the malicious actions by the Tilmud. The use of the Voorde scourge is an act of war against our interests. I think Omerio is misdirecting us about how he survived, but I feel that he is not out to do damage to us.’
The fleet master considered the station master’s views carefully as he made his own concise reply.
‘My views are similar station master. He is up to something and we will get the knowledge of it after we deal with the treacherous Tilmud. For now he may return unhindered to the Barus squadron.’
Omerio was summoned back in to the board room and was informed of the group decision, before being thanked for providing the information to the Cephrit. As he left the meeting he was escorted to his ship by the station master himself, who chirred softly once they were alone.
‘Omerio know that we are grateful and appreciative of your important information, and you will leave here amply rewarded. However our suspicions have been activated by your surprise survival against the Tilmud frigates. I must know if there is any risk to the Cephrit by whatever agency aided you?’
Omerio paused and looked at the Cephrit as he framed a careful reply.
‘The galaxy is a big place station master, and what may seem commonplace and trustworthy, like the Tilmud, is anything but so. Conversely the unknown that we fear or have reasons to distrust may actually be our greatest friends in the strategic sense. I put great emphasis on the strategic sense station master. Finally I thank you for the news of the Maveen.’
The Cephrit paused for a moment to consider the statements and Omerio activated the hatch to his ship. The Barus trader and the Cephrit station master bowed to each other as the Cephrit chirred a polite good bye.
‘You have a safe and profitable journey Omerio, until we meet again.’
Omerio undocked his damaged ship and made the slow journey across to the Barus flagship cruiser. As he checked over his still damaged ship he saw that his ship’s hold now held a fortune in rare metals, and a quick check of his ship computer revealed a large increase in his funds. Also he noted that the last comment of the station master had not included the traditional farewell were the blessing of the Zronte and adherence to their edicts were stated. Omerio pondered the significance of that omission as he contact
ed the Barus cruiser to request landing clearance.
***
Captain Narindestat fumed as he looked over the detailed status report of the damaged aero spike engine. The standard diagnostics indicated the engine was fine, but when the captain had fired up the engine in test mode the fail safes kept shutting the engine down. Marenkestat then had cautiously stuck his head through the wide access hatch as the engine had stopped moving, and reporting seeing one of the heavy brackets holding the primary shaft actually flexing slightly from side to side. The captain actually yelled at that point in frustration.
‘This cannot be happening and we will never get off this backwater at this rate!’
He had then ensured the engine starter was offline and now replaced Marenkestat in the access hatch.
Narindestat gave the primary shaft a hearty smack with his gloved hand and swore volubly in Trader tongue. Garendestat and Marenkestat moved off a short distance as the captain, now in a foul mood exited the access hatch and looked around as he spoke.
‘The pressure differentiation from our submersion has actually cracked the rear and central supports for the primary shaft. I have never seen that even after a pitched battle in my earlier ships after which we then limped home.’
The captain now looked thoughtful for several moments, as he turned to regard the two younger Traders and put them to work again.
‘How Halbindestat and his team missed it I will never know, nice find Marenkestat. Now you and Garendestat will both need to access our engineering spares and see if we have anything suitable to replace the brackets. And of course now Halbindestat and his best engineers are not available.’