The Republic of Oz

by Ian Wisby

  “Son of a bitch. Okay, I’ll get units over there ASAP,” said Ethan, and the call disconnected.

  The main concourse at Sydney’s Central Railway Station was packed with dozens of people. Most of them were residents coming into the city from the outer suburbs, however, some were also tourists heading out to explore what Sydney had to offer.

  Tariq arrived at the train station. He was dropped off by his Islamic brother and made his way into the main building.

  As he got inside, he passed numerous people as they were heading to the CBD.

  He was sweating profusely as he made his way towards the platforms where several trains were pulling in. Tariq walked up to the green railing.

  He then removed his jacket, which revealed his improvised explosive vest. “Allah Akbar!” he shouted. At that, Tariq pressed the trigger on his detonator.

  BOOM!

  The explosion was brutal. The blast ripped through the curved ceiling of the station.

  CHAPTER 10

  IT WAS THE most the most horrifying event to take place. News of the catastrophic terrorist attack in Sydney’s CBD, soon travelled across the entire country.

  News channels across the nation were covering the attack. A giant plume of thick, black smoke began to rise into the air. Moments after the explosion, emergency response units were dispatched.

  Fire engines from the New South Wales Fire Department were already en-route in order to attempt to extinguish the ferocious blazes that had been triggered by the blast.

  People nearby Sydney’s Central Railway Station were running away in all directions, covering their mouths from the thick dust and smoke that clogged the air.

  Moments after the bomb went off, the city’s emergency alert warning siren was wailing throughout the CBD. It was part of the city’s emergency alert system that warned people of an attack.

  Personnel at the Criminal Investigative Branch were in panic mode. Staff members were racing about the main operations centre trying to get on top of their tasks, when news of the attack came in.

  CIB Inspector Mick Greer came out from his office. He was about to address his team. “Ladies and gents, can I have your attention for a moment?” he said. Everyone stopped working and turned to their superior. Phones were ringing in the background. “We’re in a heightened state of emergency…As you know, about five minutes ago, a terrorist bomb went off at Central Railway Station,” he said.

  There was an indistinctive chatter of conversations amongst the detectives. “We need to remained focused on crisis management…Our office has a direct line of communication with the Premier’s office, so I want all updates to be filtered and distributed to my channel as soon as possible,” he said. “Right now, the AFP has detained Mahmoud Al-Hakim, the terrorist behind this attack. Detective Sergeant Ethan Cooper is on his way over to the terrorist safe house to conduct an interrogation,” he said, “right, let’s not waste any more time. Let’s get to work people.” And at that, everyone carried on with their tasks.

  After his speech, Mick wandered over to Felicity’s station. She was somewhat distraught by what had happened, and Mick knew that she got a bit emotional about these sorts of things. “Felicity, are you okay?” Mick asked, as he leaned against her desk. Felicity looked up and she was fight back the tears.

  “Ugh, yeah, I’ll be okay Boss. I just can’t believe something like this happened…Again,” she replied, and Mick nodded.

  “I know…But the good news is we have the man behind the attack. So hopefully there won’t be another one,” said Mick. Felicity didn’t say anything after that. She just gave him a brief smile.

  “Right, I’m going to update the Superintendent.” He then turned and headed back to his office.

  * * *

  CIB Detective Sergeant Ethan Cooper pulled up in his black Range Rover Sports vehicle.

  He parked just outside the townhouse in Mascot – the Islamic extremist group safehouse – Ethan sat there in the front seat of his vehicle.

  He couldn’t believe that there was a terrorist attack in Sydney.

  On the way over, he’d been listening to reports on the radio. They were stating that upwards of sixty people had been killed and that dozens more severely injured. Right now, he was determined to find out what Mahmoud Al-Hakim knew and whether or not there were more terror attacks planned.

  Ethan turned off the ignition. He climbed out and made his way towards the house. It was like a crime scene. Police officers were everywhere, armed with assault rifles and wearing tactical gear.

  Ethan was somewhat of an expert with interrogations; he knew exactly what to say and do. He’d been through the same thing himself after having been captured by the enemy during his time with the SASR.

  Ethan was led into the house by a uniformed police officer. He was then shown into a room where he saw Mahmoud Al-Hakim tied up to a chair. It looked like he’d been through the washing machine several times.

  He looked over to the right and saw his friend, ASIO Intelligence Officer Simon Harper. He was talking with several AFP officers.

  He spotted Ethan and waved at him. “Ethan, thanks for coming…You heard about Central?” asked Simon.

  “How could I not. It’s all over the news,” he replied. He then looked over at Mahmoud. “Has he said anything yet?” Simon shook his head.

  “No, just excuses. I figured you could give it your personal touch,” Simon joked. Ethan chuckled.

  “I’ll give it a shot…Have you found anything else on Mahmoud’s phone?”

  “Yeah. There were two coordinates…The first one was obviously Central Station…The second we’re still waiting on confirmation,” said Simon.

  “I see. We need to find out where Daniel Carmichael is heading. You got his number?” asked Ethan.

  “No. I thought you guys had all that?” said Simon. Ethan shook his head. He then started taking out his phone and punching in a number.

  “Tech Ops, this is Meyers.”

  “Hey, it’s me. Have you got Daniel Carmichael’s mobile number?” he asked.

  “Ah, yeah. I just need to look it up in the system. Hold on.” Ethan could hear her typing away. “Okay. I’ve got it…It’s 0409 971 225,” she said.

  “Okay. I want to run a passive triangulation on that number. We have to find out where he is. Can you call that number?”

  “Yeah, I’m just setting up a trace now,” she said. She continued to type at her keyboard. Ethan checked his watch. “Okay, calling the number now,” she said, as she dialed the number. The number started ringing.

  * * *

  Daniel Carmichael was still sitting in the passenger seat of his car. He had the gun trained at his brother, Eric, who was driving.

  He suddenly felt his mobile phone buzzing in his pocket. While still holding the gun at Eric, he quickly got out the ringing phone to see who it was.

  When he finally got it out, he looked at the screen, but he didn’t recognize the phone number that was calling.

  He stared at it for a moment. “Who is it?” asked Eric, as he looked over.

  “No idea, just focus on the driving…Turn off here,” he said. Eric indicated and turned the corner.

  “Ethan, I managed to trace the mobile. Looks like Daniel Carmichael is on the move,” said Felicity.

  “Where’s he headed?”

  “He’s just turned off Southern Cross Drive. He’s now heading West on Wentworth Avenue,” said Felicity, as she could see his location on the screen. “Looks like he’s headed to the airport, Ethan.”

  “Son of a bitch…It must be the secondary target…Alright, I’m heading to his location now. Get Diane over there now with a backup unit. Let the Boss know,” said Ethan.

  “Copy that. Be careful, Ethanol,” said Felicity, and then the call disconnected. Ethan walked over to Simon. “I think I found out where our friend Daniel Carmichael is headed…We found him driving out near the airport. I’m heading over there now.”

  “You want backup, Cooper?” as
ked Simon, but Ethan shook his head.

  “No, I’ve got units en-route. Plus, I need you to stay and keep interrogating this arse hole,” said Ethan. Then he turned and started heading to the door.

  As he climbed into the front seat of his car, the GPS device turned on. It was showing a live tracker of Daniel Carmichael’s location. Ethan started up his car and sped off in that direction.

  * * *

  After driving for about twenty minutes or so, Daniel Carmichael and his brother were nearing their destination. Of course, Eric was still petrified by the fact that his own brother was threatening to kill him, and he was holding a gun at him. Eric was focusing on his driving.

  He’d just entered onto Qantas Drive. Daniel sat there silently. “Where are we going, Danny?” asked Eric, softly. Daniel didn’t say anything. He just sat there, and he had his eyes closed. He was praying to Allah. “Danny, please…Whatever it is your doing, you don’t have to do it,” said Eric. Again, Daniel didn’t respond. Instead, he opened his eyes to see where they were.

  “Slow down, and turn to the right up here,” said Danny. Eric continued driving. They were now on Airport Drive. Eric began to slow down. He then indicated and made the turn onto a small bridge.

  Ethan Cooper was heading in the same direction as Daniel Carmichael. He was monitoring the GPS tracking device. He could see a red dot on the screen and it was slowly moving.

  He then immediately got out his mobile to dial a number. He was calling Diane Faulkner. “Detective Faulkner.”

  “Hey, Dee, it’s Ethan. How far away are you?”

  “We’re just driving through Mascot. We’re on O’Riordan Street.”

  “Copy that. Carmichael is slowing down. Looks like he’s heading into an industrial area. Where are the backup units?”

  “We’ve got a tactical team coming in on your position. They should be on site in less than five minutes, over,” said Diane.

  “Good. Get here as soon as you can,” said Ethan, and he disconnected the call. Detective Sergeant Diane Faulkner was driving in an AFP vehicle with another officer. They had their emergency police sirens going and blue and red lights flashing.

  Finally, Danny Carmichael forced Eric to pull over to the side of the road. Eric did so and parked on a dirt patch. “What is this all about, Danny?” said Eric, getting worried.

  He then looked up as he heard a big passenger jet fly overhead.

  They were directly underneath the flight path to jets coming into land and taking off at Sydney Airport.

  “I’m sorry brother, but this is where I leave you,” he said. At that, he struck Eric across the face with his gun. Eric was knocked out, cold.

  Daniel got out of the car. He slipped his handgun under his belt.

  Then, he went over to the boot and opened it. Inside, he grabbed hold of the handle to a long, green, rectangular shaped case.

  It was an army green case, with military writing all over it. Daniel looked up again and saw yet another passenger jet taking off. It soared overhead, and Daniel could see its landing gear retracting as it climbed.

  He took the case and started making his way across the grass. Several hundred metres away, there was a small footbridge over a swamp river. It only went half way, but it was enough for what Daniel needed it for.

  He stepped up onto the bridge. He got half way across before placing the case. As he dd so, he unlocked it, revealing a military standard issue FIM-92 surface to air stinger missile launcher. It was one that the Australian Army used in Afghanistan.

  Daniel was planning to use the missile launcher to take out a large passenger jet. One shot with a missile, and the jet would crash land in the middle of the city, causing mass chaos and high casualties. Daniel began to assemble the missile launcher.

  It took him about thirty seconds to put it together, as he’d had some practice over the past six months.

  Ethan Cooper pulled up in his Range Rover Sports. He pulled up behind Daniel Carmichael’s vehicle. As he got out of the car, he immediately took out his Glock 19 handgun, and cocked it.

  He spotted Eric Carmichael in the front seat of the other car. Ethan raised his gun and cautiously approached it. As he got closer, he saw that Eric was unconscious. “Son of a bitch,” Ethan cursed.

  Just then, he turned to see another Range Rover pulling up. It had its emergency lights flashing. Both Diane and the officer climbed out wearing their tactical vests and holding their guns.

  “Ethan, are you okay?” asked Diane.

  “Yeah, fine. Eric Carmichael is in the car. He’s unconscious. Which means the brother is nearby,” said Ethan. Another jet came flying overhead. All three of them looked up at it. “We’ve gotta move,” he said. The three of them started making their way across the grass.

  Then, Diane Faulkner spotted him. She saw Daniel Carmichael taking up position on the small footbridge. He’d already setup the stinger missile launcher and now had it placed on his shoulder, ready to fire. He was just waiting for the right moment.

  “I’ve got him!” Diane shouted. Ethan came running over to where Diane was.

  At the airport, a large Boeing 747 passenger jet was lining up on the runway, preparing for takeoff. This was going to be Daniel’s target. The 747 started rolling down the runway.

  Within a matter of seconds, it would be in the air. “Daniel Carmichael!” Ethan shouted. He raised his Glock 19 handgun and aimed it at him. Daniel’s heart was racing.

  He could see the three police detectives standing there with their guns aimed at him. He didn’t care, he was too focused on taking out that jumbo jet.

  He held his finger on the trigger of the stinger missile, preparing to fire it. “Daniel, if you fire that weapon, I will be forced to shoot you!” said Ethan. Ethan knew he had only seconds to make a decision.

  “Ethan, another plane is about to take off!” Diane called out, as she spotted the 747 rotating. “Here it comes!” Daniel was seconds away from firing the missile. The FIM launcher locked onto the heat signature of the 747.

  As soon as it came in range, he would be able to fire. Diane watched as the jumbo lifted off the ground. It was heading in their direction. “Ethan, take the shot!” Diane shouted. Ethan raised his gun slightly higher. He squinted to get a better aim.

  Daniel went to pull the trigger on the missile launcher. Within a split second, Ethan fired a shot. It struck him below the knee, forcing him to drop to the ground. At the same time, he dropped the missile launcher, and it fell into the swampy water.

  Daniel was still alive, clutching his gunshot wound. He was breathing heavily. Ethan started advancing towards Daniel, cautiously.

  He still had his gun aimed at him. Diane and several officers were also advancing towards him.

  Daniel’s hand was covered in blood, as he used it to apply pressure to the wound. Daniel had one last play; to take out the detectives. He still had the handgun under his belt.

  Using his other hand, he carefully reached for it. “Slowly, put your hands above your head!” Ethan shouted. He was about twenty metres away from Daniel, so he had a clear shot at him. Daniel took hold of his gun. He then rolled to his right and went to take a shot at the detectives.

  But thankfully, all three of them reacted quickly. They each fired shots at Daniel, killing him instantly. Daniel’s lifeless body lay there on the concrete bridge, surrounded by a pool of thick, red blood.

  All of them looked to see the 747 jumbo jet soar into the sky, untouched and heading to its destination.

  2 YEARS LATER

  CHAPTER 11

  THE SOUND OF screeching tires filled the night air as a now beat up black full sized sedan went speeding down Hindmarsh Drive, trying to shake the much larger black bullet-proof Range Rover that followed it in close pursuit.

  Ezra Wellington was doing his dead level best to lose them, by making a sharp left onto Tamar Street, almost turning the car on its side, then a swift left again onto Mugga Way. He thought he had lost them.

  His sigh o
f relief was only short lived as he made it to the safety of the suburban area of Red Hill. Not even getting halfway down before a hard crash came from the driver’s side. These bastards obviously knew this area as well, if not better, than he did.

  Ezra tried to restart the car and drive away, but he was unable. He had no choice, except to get out and try to hoof it to safety. If there was such a thing anymore, for people like him anyway. He was now officially The Man Who Knew Too Much.

  Ezra did his best, as the world spun, and his vision began to blur from the impact.

  He had to get away or at least die where there would be too many witnesses for them to snuff out without too many questions being asked.

  The driver and passenger side doors opened on the beast of a Range Rover. It was obviously also government issue. He made his move over the gear stick and out the passenger side.

  His sneakers crunching the broken glass on the pavement, as he pressed his back against the vehicle. Taking a deep, ragged, breath and grabbing his Glock 9mm handgun from his side holster.

  Ezra quickly stood to his feet facing the attackers and firing several shots over the top of his now mangled vehicle. They were taken by surprise; mission accomplished, giving him time to make a run for it down the road.

  He had to make it to the Westfield Shopping Complex in Woden Valley. Even though, it was the middle of the night. Surely, there must be someone there.

  Someway he could call for help. A security guard perhaps.

  As he ran, he barely had time to muse over how different of a turn his life had taken. And, just how swiftly.

  If someone had told him a couple of weeks ago that he would go from almost getting a promotion within the company he worked for to a person of interest running for his life down a Canberra highway in the middle of the night.

  He would have had them put in a loony bin.

  Ezra had done everything he had known to do to get away from his pursuers. Ditching his phone, all of his credit cards, and sending his family out of the country.