by Leo Nix
Hooky was a soccer player, a handy forward who scored as many goals off his own foot as he did setting up his team mates with accurate crosses. Soccer was his passion, as it would be, given that his mother and father came from Glasgow, Scotland. His father was a professional soccer player back in the seventies. His mother said that she never saw him during the soccer season because his father was training and playing matches all over the United Kingdom. But as a born and bred Perth boy Hooky enjoyed surfing as much as he did his soccer.
Danielle, on the other hand, came from refugee parents. Originally from Afghanistan her parents fled to Pakistan to try to escape the Taliban's persecution of her people, the Shia Hazara's. Her family were from warrior and merchant stock. They could sell ice to an Eskimo then turn and fight a battle high up in the Hindu Kush mountains. Both herself and her brother were born in a refugee camp waiting to be resettled in Australia.
While her brother entered the army and became an armoured cavalry sergeant, Danielle entered the police force. Their parents had witnessed the atrocities of religious terrorism first hand in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, they felt honour-bound to instil in their children a love for law, order and tolerance.
Sadly, both her parents suffered post-traumatic stress. They were tortured at the hands of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, religious terrorists, and sometimes the tension at home was unbearable. The sooner the siblings entered the forces the better Danielle and her decided.
When Danielle arrived at Pine Gap she was interviewed so many times she lost count. The first and the final interviews were with Commander Cullen. Danielle was impressed by the woman and swore to be as much like her as possible. She was invited to be part of the security team at the Pine Gap base and jumped at the chance.
Her friend Hooky was also invited to join their growing security force. She was delighted when she heard the news, the two now had plenty of opportunity to meet and talk. But once again Hooky's old problem struck him down. Every time he wanted to sit next to Danielle he became tongue-tied and stupid, so he gave up. That created its own problem. A woman as attractive as Danielle is never without courtiers and soon a swarm of potential suitors began to chase after her. Hooky was back to feeling like the great loser he was back in high school.
One lunch-time, as Hooky tried to walk past her to get to an empty table, Danielle grabbed his arm. “Hey, Hooky, why aren't you talking to me? I have a feeling you're trying to avoid me.” Danielle wasn't smiling, in fact, thought Hooky, she looked forlorn. That stopped him in his tracks, 'what would a beautiful young woman with every drone male in the facility clamouring for her attention want with me?' he thought as he stopped beside her.
In a facility with a dominance of males between twenty and forty years there weren't enough eligible females to go around. Those women who made it to Pine Gap were usually career girls who easily dominated their targeted man - powerful females abounded. Danielle wasn't like that, she was a pushover and simply couldn't cope with the unwanted attention.
Hooky just stood there, holding his tray of food in his hand while he struggled to think of something to say, fearful he would just say something stupid.
“Ah, I'm sorry, Danielle, I just thought…” it was happening again, he just couldn't say a damn thing. Those gorgeous, big brown eyes mesmerised him.
“Well, you could sit with me for lunch once in a while?” Danielle felt hurt that her friend Hooky, of all people, would abandon her to all these strange, hungry men.
It was the forlorn attempt at a smile that made Hooky pull out a chair and sit with his colleague. Over the course of the hour he began to relax and they chatted like old times - like they did on their trip from Meekatharra; like they did listening to the ocean waves by the campfire at Shark Bay. By the end of their lunch break Hooky felt he had a chance. Danielle felt safer knowing her friend was just shy and feeling a little lost.
“Hooky, let's meet up again tonight at dinner. We'll go outside and talk like we did in the desert. What do you think about that?” she asked. His eyes, bright with anticipation, reflected an urgency to say 'yes' despite his many insecurities.
'Yeah, yeah, sure, if you think that's a good idea. I'd like that." They both stood and… just stared at each other. Their eyes locked as something magical passed between them, something they both felt - it felt nice. The moment was broken by a call from their team leader, lunch was over.
“See you then.” Then Hooky was gone, a slight smile on his face and a pain in his chest that felt strangely pleasant.
Chapter 16 – In Darwin's Shadows
The stealth Black Hawk dropped Pipeline and Murphy at an out-of-the-way football field in Darwin. Tanner was waiting for them and ushered them into his SUV.
“Hi guys, I'm Tanner, your guide for this evening.” He was tall, had his mother's charm and blond hair and his father's boyish good looks.
“You sure have your mother's sense of humour,” said Pipeline as he pushed Murphy away to sit in the front seat. Murphy chuckled, it was like they were on holiday. It was hot, steamy and it was 3 am in the morning.
“My turn in the front on the way home!” said Murphy, automatically putting his rifle within reach as he pulled his Glock18 and chambered a round. “Where are we going, Tanner?”
“I've got two operatives I want you to meet, they've got material for Pine Gap. We've lost all contact for some reason. I need Commander Cullen to hear their information,” he replied. “Oh yeah, before I forget, leave your weapons in the car, the guards will definitely search you when we get to our rendezvous.”
Tanner took them to a hotel known as 'Shags'. It was once a lively, pleasant place, but since the apocalypse, it was a place known to provide for everything a terrorist's black heart desired: sex, drugs and power games. Tanner led them to the guarded entrance where they were searched before permitted entry. He ushered them through a throng of uniformed, drunk Revelationists. Murphy and Pipeline noted that there were three different uniforms present and that they were generally segregated by armed security guards.
“What's with the security?” asked Pipeline as they sat on a bench looking out onto a brightly lit courtyard filled with drunken revellers.
Tanner looked around and explained the situation in the Northern Territory city of Darwin.
“We've got three Reverends here, each has his own battalion, and their own ambitions to rule them all. Whoever wins Darwin rules the north and access to Asia. There's a lot of wealth, trade and power out there to the north and Darwin is the gateway.” Tanner laughed, it was light and soft, like his mother's. “We're waiting for my team, Barry and Laddie, we manage the three reverends. I want you to listen to what they have to say. No notes, nothing in writing or recorded, just listen. We've got maybe a half hour so keep the questions till they finish their reports. I want Commander Cullen to hear it directly from your own observations.”
As they waited Pipeline watched the assembled patrons milling around the bar. Some were dancing, some drinking and some asleep in their chairs or on the floor. It looked like a normal Friday night crowd in a bar anywhere in the world.
“What's the security here like, Tanner?” he asked.
Tanner looked around. “Nothing for us to worry about, the security guards are there to stop the three battalions killing each other. They take their weapons at the door. Security is run by the Priests, anyone who crosses the Priests is dealt with, no one returns when they visit.”
Murphy turned to look at Pipeline then at Tanner. “Hell, that's one way to control them, can't say I'm upset by it.”
They watched as a group of men and women, all uniformed, enter one of the private entertainment rooms. When the door opened they could hear loud music and what sounded like some heavy partying.
“What's in there?” asked Pipeline, though he might have guessed.
“That? Oh, just one of those private parties, you know, sex, alcohol, drugs… they get high and have fun. We use it all the time as a reward for the guys and gals we u
se in our games. All three battalions use drugs and sex as a reward.”
“They're noisy,” said Murphy as the sound levels rose with the arrival of the newcomers.
“That's nothing, just wait another hour or so when the drugs kick in,” replied Tanner. “I prefer to sit next to these rooms, it's a good way to disguise our little meetings. Besides, some of the battalion staff we use know me. They like me to see them enjoying their rewards.”
As they were talking two well dressed middle-aged men pulled up chairs and sat at their table. They put their beers down and introduced themselves. Tanner introduced the SEALs, then got straight down to business.
“I told our friends here we have a half hour, but we're running a little late. So I think we'd better cut that down to ten minutes. I've got to get back to Reverend Albert for another meeting. OK, let's get started, you first, Barry.” Over the next ten minutes the three secret servicemen told their story of how the three battalions were at each other's throats - even before the apocalypse.
The men were frightened for their own safety though. They wanted the SEALs to ask Commander Cullen for a new communication channel. The satellites were out and they had no way to contact Pine Gap. They didn't know of Bluey but they did know someone was making it hard for them to communicate via the satellites.
The spies were afraid that their current status would be compromised if they tried to change their usual practice of passing on information. A courier would be suitable but that required helicopters or desert travel and they were certain neither method would be approved. They needed another means to maintain communications with their base.
It was now time for Tanner to get his visitors back to the helicopter but as he went to leave a drunk tripped and fell on the table spilling drinks and knocking the table completely over. The two SEALs immediately went on alert, several of the security staff turned to look at the disturbance. When they saw the SEALs they knew something was going down in 'Shags'.
“Hey! You lot, stay where you are,” called one of the guards, a squat, beefy man who looked like he was poured into his uniform then the legs and arms trimmed off. Three more security staff walked over, their night-sticks out and pistols at their hips.
Tanner took one look and realised that if he didn't step in the SEALs would go into action. He really didn't need his cover blown. Even if they managed to escape his role as 'eyes-on' in Darwin would be over.
“Piss off! You're spoiling my party,” cried Tanner at the drunk on the floor. He kicked him savagely in the ribs then turned to the guard. “Dale, get this dumb shit to the Priests, he's trying to compromise my commission.”
Dale, the squat, gnome-like guard, stopped and looked at Tanner and his companions. “What's happening here, Tanner? Who are those military types you're with?” He looked at the two other men, quickly recognising them as part of Tanner's group, “ah sorry guys, I see you're at a meeting. I was just checking, that's all. I'll get someone to throw this bum out.”
“Come on guys, we have to get out of here, quick.” Turning to Dale he said, “Thanks, Dale, can you escort us to my car? I need to get them to a meeting with Reverend Albert and we're already late. I don't want to upset him with the news that Shags security held me up. You know how pissed he gets.”
As they walked down the corridor to exit onto the car-park the three other security guards joined them. Tanner nodded for Barry and Laddie to melt off into the darkness. The gas lanterns at the entrance to the hotel barely shed enough light for him to see his SUV. The sound of the security staff crunching their boots on the gravel was magnified in the fading light.
Tanner stopped when the group got to his car, he turned and looked to see the guards only a few metres away, walking with a purpose towards his two SEAL friends. Dale, the squat orc-like security staffer, was yet to realise he had more security at his back.
“There you go, Tanner, make sure you put in a good word to the Reverend for us, thanks, mate.” As he turned he stopped, saw his three security staff friends only a metre or two from the SUV and realised that there was going to be some action. Dale pulled his night-stick in anticipation and spun to face the two SEALs.
“You pack of stupid pricks,” stormed Tanner, “I just told Dale here that this is my commission and I don't want to have to explain to the Reverend Albert, or the Priests, that you bastards have interrupted their plans. So why don't you lot go back upstairs and look after the hotel.” He knew it was pointless trying to convince them.
“Sorry, Tanner, we have orders just like you do,” answered one of the security. He had tattoos on his forearms and one of his front teeth was missing. “These two friends of yours are strangers. I think the Priest's might want to have a word with them before your Albert does. Only yesterday Priest Ambella told us to investigate any newcomers, especially those we consider military. These two certainly meet that description.”
The two lean, mean SEALs took one glance at each other then at Tanner and moved - fast.
Even with their night-sticks out and the cover-flaps off their pistols the four security guards were no match for the two SEALs. Tanner froze as he watched the action, fascinated at how smoothly the SEALs disabled the four security guards. He fantasised that, given the chance, he could have done just as well as Murphy and Pipeline.
“Tanner, do you have any flexi-cuffs or rope in your SUV?” asked Murphy, his breathing was heavy and fast. Two of the enemy would need cuffing the other two were dead.
“I've got nothing, use their belts and shirts. I'll help get these two into the back then I'll cover the fight marks on the ground. We've got to get the hell out of here,” he replied as he opened the trunk for the dead bodies.
They dropped the bodies into the bushes on their drive back to their rendezvous with the helicopter. There was no traffic and where they were headed, to the long-abandoned footy-field, it was unlikely anyone would discover the bodies.
“What do we do with these two?” asked Tanner, though he was quite aware what one of the options was.
Pipeline looked at him. “Tanner, leave them with us. You'd better get back to your meeting with your reverend. Good luck, we'll pass what we've seen and heard to Commander Cullen, we'll send her your love.” He didn't smile, no-one felt all that happy with how things had turned out.
“Good luck, fellas. I hope to see you around in better circumstances, then maybe we can finish that drink.” Tanner stepped on the gas and disappeared towards Reverend Albert's seedy headquarters.
It was early summer when the Black Hawk finally arrived at Pine Gap. Immediately Major Sam Samuels attended Commander Cullen's office to debrief.
“Commander, I never give you grief over anything. I see a snake - I cut it's head off myself. I never ask someone to come and cut it off for me. You've known me for years and not once can I recall ever asking you for help with something that I could deal with myself,” he began, fast and furious, his emotions aroused. Sue-Ellen smiled, she knew what was coming.
“That's correct, Major. We go back a long way, Sam, I've always admired your individualism and excellence of service,” she said.
“Well, Sue-Ellen, it's that damn Bluey. He has so pissed me off over control of the communications satellites, damn it, over everything, that I am about ready to fly down to… where-ever the hell he lives… and carve him a new ass hole.”
“Sam, I don't recommend that,” Sue-Ellen cut-in gently. “Bluey runs the entire show at the moment. He links me up with the rest of the world and supports me against the terrorists. I've known Bluey for twenty odd years, Reece was his mentor for a lot of that time.”
Samuels didn't know any of this, it was news to him. In fact, he realised, there was no way he would normally be in touch with Bluey, he was one of the intelligence spooks. Reece, Sue-Ellen, the whole intelligence community, kept their secrets to themselves and Bluey was beyond top secret. It was only the apocalypse which had brought them together now.
“I didn't know that, Sue-Ellen, sorry. So
Reece knew him? Well, that explains his bad manners then doesn't it,” he chuckled. It was an old joke between them.
One night Sam Samuels and his wife took Sue-Ellen and Reece out to dinner. The normally quiet and reserved Reece took offence at the conversation of the people on the table next to them. It turned into an argument and finally to blows. When they laughed about it later they would always bring up how rude it was for Reece to listen-in on someone's private conversation. From then on the story was always about how bad mannered Reece was and not about how stupid the couple at the other table were.
“Yes, Bluey certainly is rude and bad mannered, but he is crucial to us. I have a plan to regain control, but I have to do it so he thinks it's his decision. There are still a few obstacles I have to work through before I'm ready to tackle Bluey for control of the satellites.”
“I'll just have to let that one fly. On the other matter, Sue-Ellen, the SEALs met with Tanner and his team. I understand that they need a private communications channel. They've lost contact and I guess Bluey might be the one to organise that link with you - is that what you're getting at?” Samuels asked, his eyebrows raised.
“I try to play my cards close to my chest but yes, Bluey's been busy setting up communications with the entire planet, he just hadn't managed to reconnect Tanner and his team as yet. That's why I needed the boys to drop in, catch up on the gossip and find out how my son and his team are doing. It seems that Tanner has things under control. Pity about the Shags incident, the loss of a few security staff might raise a few questions. But these are violent times and things do happen.” Commander Sue-Ellen Cullen, head of the Pine Gap security facility, pulled a cigarette from the packet on her desk.
“Samuels, how are the crew? You had a bit of a hard time of it in Western Australia I understand. How are the boys recovering?” She lit the cigarette and blew smoke up towards the ceiling, “and are you OK? I heard you had to eat meat to survive.”