by Leo Nix
Wiram was the first to speak and Sundown was grateful, he didn't quite know what to say. “I can only speak for myself but I don't think we need to join your mob and come under military jurisdiction to run a guerrilla force. We can just as easily act as a special, independent commando unit. I'll be walking out of here if we join your army. I've done my stretch and I won't be going back there.”
Pedro nodded then spoke, “I agree with you, Wirrie, we have something special here and no one's going to put me back in uniform. I say supply us, sure, throw us some heavy weapons to hold any armour they sends our way. Provide a detachment of thirty or forty men, two APC's and your ASLAV and we'll work with you. But don't try to control us, we did well enough without you lot.”
The captain had been observing their tone and body language, he spoke next. “Fella's, we expected you to say no. We haven't just walked in here to take over, but we think you should consider our offer. We can easily set up a standing patrol here by ourselves, but you already have one and a reputation of toughness and success. Your mob are battle hardened and we want you to join us to consolidate the eventual move to take back our country.” He stopped when he saw the hostility in their eyes.
“No one wants to join the army, mate,” this was Halo, the warrior who worshiped all things military. “No disrespect, captain.” Turning slightly he nodded across to the major. “Or to you, Major. But we are doing fine as we are right now. Just send us that standing patrol, some armour, set up your observation and ambush points and we'll work together. I don't see anything wrong with that.”
The major shifted uncomfortably then his face hardened. “We expected this, an independent commando is fine, we can live with that, but when we move to take back our country you'll need to come under military command. We don't want people running about causing more problems for our government than we already have. We have plans to take back our country from the terrorists and it'll be as one force, one command and one rule. If you can't accept that then we will be walking out of here and you won't be seeing us again. No support, no armour and no reinforcements, or any kind of backup, when you need it.”
The major's voice softened and he turned to look at Sundown. “I suggest you come back with us to Third Army command in Alice Springs and negotiate with our general. As it is you are a rebel organisation, without authorisation to use weapons or engage in action of any kind. Your commando is another terrorist threat the Australian Army have the authority to execute at any time. Under Military Law we don't need the government's permission to walk in here and wipe you out.” The major thrust his chin out at Sundown and continued. “I don't need to remind you Sundown, that you have created a marvelous commando here. Your community are self supportive and they worship you. As I said before, we have not found a single community with the structure and harmony we've found here. I would hate to have to destroy it. But I will if we consider you a threat to the Australian Government and its people.”
Wiram and Halo stood up their faces red and their hands clenched into fists. Pedro's lips were flecked with spittle as he mouthed soundless curses. Tricia quickly stood up and spoke clearly in her best British, private-school voice.
“Thank you, Major Thompson. If you and your captain would care to come outside and have some refreshments we would like to talk in private, without you, to discuss this matter. It's best we take a break and I'll get the girls to serve dinner.” She walked around the table and ushered the two officers out of the room.
“Fuck off!” cried Halo once they had left the room. “There's no way we're going to let them destroy what we've created here. Who do these pricks think they are!” He was furious.
“That, my friends, is the military in action. Now you can see what I had to go through. I'll go walkabout before I join that mob again.” Wiram stood his hands clenching and unclenching.
“OK, settle down everyone.” Sundown's voice was soft and he remained seated. “Let's get some food into us and have a chat. There's a few things I want to discuss with you before we meet with them again.”
Andy looked at Pedro then at Sundown. “Sundown, you're probably thinking what I'm thinking. But yes, let's get some food into us first.”
Tricia had returned with Mel and Jeda and a tray of food, they ate while they talked. Sundown asked each in turn for their views and held the conversation tight and to the point.
“Folks, this is our community and their safety depends on our decision today. Just remember we represent our family here and the future of the children and oldies. OK, Pedro, I can see you're stewing up there. I know you're in pain but if you don't mind hanging around for a little longer I need you here with me tonight.”
“Harrumph,” said Pedro, he hadn't eaten anything all day. The staph infection was now in his blood and slowly killing him, he had no stomach for food. “I say stuff 'em! But that arrogant prig is just doing his job, I know, but what he says is bullshit. But, it's also absolutely bloody true. They can declare us terrorists if we don't fight under the government's authority. We don't need their weapons or their men, we actually don't need them at all, we know that. But when push comes to shove and they take up the big fight to drive those Revelationists out of the country, and they'll win you know, we need to be on their side.”
“I think we should push for a position as an independent commando, one that rules itself and not under direct control of the army,” said Halo and Wiram nodded his assent.
“Tricia? What do you think?” asked Andy.
“I need more time. We have a community here and if they're under threat I'll not live with myself. I say we ask them to give us some time to think it over. Then we send a delegation to Alice Springs and meet formally with their head of army,” she said.
“Andy? What are these thoughts of yours?” Sundown had yet to add to the conversation preferring to wait until everyone else had spoken.
“Well, I'm not up on military law but the major is right. As Pedro said, the army, as an extension of the Government of Australia, have the right to declare our commando a rebel organisation. The Australian Government are still our ruling body until we know otherwise. We need to think carefully about what we want to do next. I was thinking we have two plans of action.” He stopped to make sure he had everyone's attention. “Firstly, we can disband and go our separate ways, some to the Flinders Ranges, some to the Alice, some can go bush or set up in a homestead somewhere. Or we could accept their invitation to join up and come under their umbrella as an independent commando, but that means we will have to fight under their orders. But I have a feeling there is a Plan C as well.”
They all looked at him, no one smiled until Pedro began chuckling. “You're a funny bastard, Andy, you knows what we'll do don't you. You've already seen the outcome of this meeting. But OK, let's throw this out some more. What if we tells them to piss off? We could head off to Flinders as a community and set up there, but then we'll be fighting more terrorists and more often. We'll attract more attention and the army will drop in again with the same offer. Then what?”
“We've heard nothing from Roo and Bongo. They've been gone three weeks and still nothing, we don't even know if they're alive,” said Halo. “We don't know if the Flinders is safe. I agree with Pedro, if we go there we'll just be fighting closer to the terrorists home base. We need to negotiate our best deal, maybe as a parallel company, one independent and one military? Maybe, like the last world war we can enroll as volunteers for the duration. Strewth, I don't know Sundown. What if this mythical Third Army, turns out to be a bunch of morons with a psychopath leader like the terrorists, but with army uniforms and armour?”
Sundown looked at Halo and nodded, it was time to show his hand to his trusted committee. “Those are my thoughts too, Halo. These soldiers could just be con-men in uniform, though they do act like regulars.” He looked at Wiram who nodded at the last point. “OK, thought so, so if they are regulars then they'll do whatever they are ordered to do, even if their leader, this general of the T
hird Army, is a psychopath.” Looking at each one he continued. “I know that we seem to be in a tough position, but this is what we'll do.” As one the group leaned forward as though Sundown were whispering.
“Andy, I need Fat Boy to go back to Longreach and get those aeroplane parts for Bill. I need Roo and Bongo back with a report on the state of the Flinders Ranges, and I need to know exactly what sort of man runs this Third Army.” He looked at everyone, they were staring at him intently, waiting for his decision.
“I assure you I won't sell us out. We have always considered our people first, that's not going to change, not now, not ever. We make the best decision for our people, our family, even if that means we join them. Does anyone think otherwise? Please, speak up now.” No one moved and he continued to wait for their nods of agreement. Slowly, one by one they agreed. He looked across at the two warriors who finally gave an affirmative nod.
“More than anything, I need to buy time. If I think we can continue independently, we will. It all rides on what sort of leader this army general is. If I'm not satisfied that he is one of us…” he paused and smiled.
Andy filled the silence, “You're planning to take command of Third Army aren't you.”
Sundown looked at his admin officer and nodded. “I'll let my berserker out. Is everyone on the same page with me? If I need to take command of Third Army, I plan to.” Sundown looked around at his committee and smiled. His demon twin sat quietly inside his being watching, hoping.
Andy and Pedro both chuckled quietly as Tricia got up and left the room. Wiram and Halo stood in shock.
“Boyo's, you really didn't think our Sundown would lead us into damnation now did you?” said Pedro gleefully. “Why, he's already led us there!” He roared as he wheeled his chair out into the passage way calling for Wiram and Halo to join him, a new lease of life in his limbs.
It was five minutes later that Tricia came back with the major and captain in tow and sat them down. There were only the five of them, Wiram and Halo had left with Pedro to resume their conversations over a beer and to talk with Bill and Fat Boy.
Tricia flashed her eyes repeatedly trying to get Sundown's attention but he didn't notice. Instead he quickly reopened the meeting.
“I do apologise for being rude,” began the major, “we came here to offer support and knew you wouldn't be pleased. But the alternative is not pleasant. Sorry but we do need to know your intentions.” The major sipped at his bush tea, enjoying its pleasant taste.
“We haven't reached a conclusion yet, but we do wish to participate in the push to remove these terrorists. We're prepared to do whatever is needed to get the job done. I'll go to the Alice and meet your Third Army leader and speak with him personally. You understand that as head of this community I need to know that my people will be looked after properly. After all, I'm hearing this for the first time and I need to know whether you can back up your words once we get to Alice.” Sundown smiled politely.
“Fair enough,” replied Major Thompson. “We leave tomorrow morning, you can take your second in command. We don't have much room but an extra one won't put too much strain on our comfort.”
“Tomorrow? That's less time than I need. I want to speak with everyone in my community, and I'm firm on that. I need three days at least to sit and talk to everyone, and my committee need to sort out exactly how we wish to manage this transition.” Sundown again smiled. “I don't see anything wrong with your proposal. In fact, I can see we could compliment each other very well.”
Sundown saw the lined faces of the officers relax and knew he was back in control. “Give me a week and then I'll drive myself across the Madigan Line. It's going to be tough going after that rain but I'll do it and we'll meet up in Alice by the end of the month. If your army head doesn't like it then I need you to convince him. I have a successful community here and that's worth a few weeks wait. He's waited this long surely he can wait a little longer.”
The major had his chin cupped in his hand, thinking. “We'll leave the ASLAV behind with a squad to man it. They'll help you patrol and provide some backbone to your small arms.” He relaxed his arm and sat back up. “I'm glad you understand the seriousness of our situation, Sundown. Our resources are limited and our numbers small. Your commando may be the straw that finally breaks the back of the terrorists in our region.”
The captain cut in, “Sir, the Madigan Line might take them at least three weeks to cross.” He turned to Sundown, “why not use the French Line across the Simpson Desert, like we did?”
“Simple, you're heavy vehicles have no doubt chopped the track to pieces. It'll be unusable. That plus the recent rainfall has no doubt ruined it for even our best four-wheel drives. If we go any further south we'll run into the Marree terrorists, they've got posts just below the French Line. I'm not going to put my people at more risk than is necessary. Three weeks, it'll be hard, extremely hard, the Madigan Line is a tough haul and I'll need two vehicles and a squad of my own people, but it's safer. If you leave your ASLAV here I can afford to pull extra men off the front line. Besides, I might take my wife and have a second honeymoon on the trip across.” Sundown's face brightened at that thought. When he saw the officer's reactions he knew the meeting was his.
Captain Lewis turned to the major, “Well, I guess that's OK, the terrorists didn't come near us nor would they given our armour. There's over a thousand sand dunes to cross on the French Line, we had a tough enough time with it coming in here as it was. They'll never do it after we've gone through a second time, he's right. The general didn't expect us to have Sundown till the end of winter anyway so we'll still be in front by a month.”
“All right, we have your word on this?” Major Thompson extended his hand across the table to Sundown and they shook.
“You certainly do. I have a feeling we'll have a positive discussion and a satisfactory outcome. Sundown's Commando will go down in history as one of the pivotal commando's in turning around this whole damn apocalypse.” Sundown then invited everyone back to the main lounge and joined the crowd.
Andy jumped in before they stood up to leave. He'd been thinking of what they needed and now was as good a time as any. “Major, before we finish, there are supplies we urgently need. Namely medical supplies and ammunition for specialist weapons like our sniper rifles, grenades and the Javelin. Some body armour would help too. We'd like more vegetables and fruits. Is there any chance of pushing this through?”
The major nodded slightly. “When Sundown gets to the Alice he can requisition anything he wants. We might not have much though, we're flat out maintaining our own troops and civilians, tinned goods for the troops is limited. But I'll see what I can do.”
“Major, one more thing if you please,” said Andy. “Our radio team need to be able to communicate with you. Can your boys teach our team your code? It'll save a hell of a lot of wasted time.”
The major smiled, his thin lips pursed as he spoke, “Certainly, but you do realise that as a rogue commando I don't have the authority to divulge our communications codes until you have been inducted into our military. Any communications will need to go through our communications officer posted here with you.” `Bingo!' he thought and his smile broadened. He'd finally scored a point against these tough commandos.
Andy grinned back at him. “Yeah, I knew you'd say that, but it was worth a try.”
As they left the room Tricia grabbed Sundown by the arm and pulled him off into the kitchen. “Sundown, I just spoke to Beamy. He has some important information and you need to hear it. It's good, damn good.”
Chapter 21 - Nulla and Charlene
When dawn broke, Charlene woke to see the back door open and she could hear Heidi crying softly outside. She carefully untangled herself from a blanket that had been thrown over her and went straight to her dear friend. In Heidi's hand was a note.
“Heidi, what is it? Where'd you get that? What does it say?”
“It was left behind last night, it's from the Australian Arm
y. Someone from the army left it here and we thought it was terrorists. I'm such a fool.” She burst out laughing and crying at the same time. Charlene sat beside her in the early morning sunlight, barely warm enough even though she was wearing a jumper. She put her good arm around her friend and hugged her.
“But what does it say! Read it to me!” she cried, she needed to know.
“It says we're saved, they're coming to rescue us.” Heidi then handed the note across to Charlene who read its short verse avidly.
“They'll be here tonight, I can't wait. What a relief!” She hugged Heidi again and kissed her on the head.
“What on earth is going on out here?” It was Phil, he'd barely slept all night. His eyes were bloodshot, his face sagged and his scant hair stood at all angles. He looked tired and aged.
Heidi stood up and hugged him, her tears smeared across his cheeks. “Phil, it's the army, they were the ones who visited us last night, look!”
Phil took the note and read it several times. “I can't believe it, why didn't they bloody-well come knocking instead of scaring the hell out of us?”
“I guess they didn't want us to shoot them as intruders. Seems pretty smart in some ways. They sure frightened us didn't they.” Heidi was still crying and turned as Annie came outside to see what all the fuss was about.
“Go tell Auntie Fati and your mum to come outside, we have a special surprise for them,” she whispered to the little girl.
“A surprise? Yeah! Mum! MUM!” Annie ran off into the house waking everyone.
The group sat outside in the autumn sunlight drinking Fatima's fresh-roasted coffee. They chatting excitedly about what they were going to do when the army arrived. Fatima worried what she should cook for them while Arthur worried if they would accept him into their ranks, he so wanted revenge against the terrorists. Charlene was excited but she was also quiet, too quiet for Heidi.