by Leo Nix
“Charlene, what are you thinking? A penny for your thoughts?” asked Heidi.
“Well… I was just thinking about last night and how frightened we were. We lost it, except you, Phil and Arthur. I made a mess of myself. I should have been the one to challenge those soldiers at the back door. I should have called out and stood up for my friends. When will I ever get over this freaking fear I have.” She slumped into her chair her eyes starting to well with tears.
“Blimey, Chas, it should have been me. I should have had the courage to go outside and challenge them, not you.” Arthur had taken Tony's role in championing Charlene when she spoke up.
“Knock it off you lot, I'm the oldest and it should have been me.” Now Phil put in his bit as he stood up and flexed his muscles. The aged man was so thin it made Annie giggle. When Phil smiled the tension was broken.
“I'm sorry everyone, I just keep remembering I was once a whole person who would take on the world.” Charlene stopped for a moment and glanced around for Annie. “But now things are different and I'm going to make my life what it was before this apocalypse. Annie, do you still have those Power Ranger toys?” Annie nodded, “Would you bring them out for me please?” asked Charlene.
When Annie came back she carried a shopping bag full of action toys. “Is this what you wanted?” she asked Charlene, her face filled with expectation.
“Yes, now pick one that's a real hero, just for me, for me to keep. I need an action hero of my own,” said Charlene.
Annie tipped the toys onto the table and the adults watched as she named and stood the toys in a row while she considered Charlene's request. “Ah, this one, Kimberly, the Pink Ranger! That's you, Charlene.” Annie smiled and handed it to her friend. “You can have this one, I've got spares anyway.” She turned to the adults, “Anyone else want one?”
“That's OK, Annie,” said Lucy coldly. “Charlene's the only one who needs a Power Ranger, the rest of us can do without.” She helped her daughter pack the toys away. Arthur and Heidi looked at Charlene and winked. This wasn't lost on Fatima or Phil either.
When Lucy and Annie had gone inside Fatima spoke up. “It's been a hell of a night, let's not read too much into what Lucy said.”
“You're right, Fati. Lucy's had a tough time losing Tony and then last night topped it off. We need to be mindful of our own limits too,” responded Phil, seriously. “But in the meantime I'm going to feed the chickens and gather some eggs. Coming with me, Charlene?”
“Me and Kimberly!” she said as she jumped out of her chair eager to escape the tension only Lucy could bring to disrupt the dweller's harmony.
Glenda wasn't happy at being asked to stay behind but she knew how important this meeting was for Nulla. The group had decided that it should be Simon who escorted Nulla to the meeting with the dwellers. Luke would stay behind with Glenda and listen on their CB for enemy activity.
“We've only got an hour's bike ride, Simon, so get a move on,” yelled Nulla from his bedroom.
“I'm sorting out my weapons, I've lost my 38 and can't find it. Glenda!” he called from his bedroom, “where did I put my 38 after we arrived here?”
Glenda was in the lounge room sewing buttons onto her sweater, Luke was at the radio. “Simon, it's on the bench where I left it. Next to the biscuit tin.”
She didn't even look up when she heard Simon's grunt as he found it. “Thanks, did you clean it?”
“Yes, I used the pull-through and oiled it. Came in handy, didn't it?” Now she looked up and saw Simon's face break into a huge smile.
“Yeah, sure did, she's a little beauty isn't she.” He wandered off spinning the chamber planning to oil and re-arm it ready for their trip. “You just never know when you might need a small hand-gun like this baby.”
Nulla left Simon to cover him as he approached the back door. They had broken a hole in the fence in readiness for a fast retreat if they needed it. Simon wore camouflage paint and both wore their night-vision goggles. Nulla could see the lit candle at the back door and a big sign that said `WELCOME'.
He knocked on the door and announced clearly, “Armoured Cavalry, Sergeant Nulla, please open the door and show yourselves.”
Charlene opened the door and went straight to the soldier. She extended her good hand and began crying. Nulla saw her arm in its sling, he took her hand and said softy, “We're here to help you. Please, is it safe for my trooper covering us, to come inside with me?”
“Yes, yes, it's safe here. Please come inside, we've got a banquet for you. We're so happy to see you.” She broke down just as Heidi and Phil walked out to meet their rescuers.
Nulla explained the situation as he saw it. Despite the let-down at such a tiny number of rescuers, the dwellers were enthused by Nulla's composure, confidence and his positive manner. All but one that is.
“So there's just you, two other fighters and your girlfriend?” asked Lucy acidly as her face contorted into a frown.
“Yes, you could put it that way, madam, but we've outfought the entire terrorist army all year, and that's all it took. I'm sure you will agree we can handle ourselves.” Nulla didn't take shit from anyone, and this lady hadn't shown one ounce of respect since his arrival.
“I wouldn't put my trust in a handful of civilians or soldiers like your lot. It's not even the damn army, why should I?” continued Lucy her face tight with suppressed emotion.
Heidi looked awkwardly at Phil, who nodded and spoke. “Lucy, that's enough. If you want to stay here, you're welcome. Fati and I are too old to go waltzing around the country-side anyway. But at least give the others a chance, and Annie.”
“We put so much hope in that letter you left behind.' Lucy completely ignored Phil.”What a damn let-down, especially after the torture of last night thinking you were the terrorists stomping around outside the house. You scared the daylights out of us. Aren't you even sorry? You come here with this, this child, expecting us to greet you as the all conquering hero come to rescue us. What a damn let-down you are!"
The dwellers looked down at the table top. Heidi had begun serving the meal but suddenly no one felt like eating. It was so uncomfortable she fled back to the kitchen. Fatima walked in just as Lucy finished speaking. Not having heard any of the conversation she picked up straight away that something was wrong.
“Oh, isn't anyone hungry? I've made a lovely entrée of deviled eggs, hot and spicy like everyone likes them…” Her voice petered out to silence. She quickly exited to the kitchen wondering what was happening. Charlene got up taking Annie with her to the kitchen with the excuse of helping. The girls were deserting.
“Looks like it's just us boys and you, Lucy. You've managed to ruin everyone's dinner, thank you. I hope you're satisfied now?” Phil was fuming but controlled himself. He had never really felt comfortable with Lucy, in fact, no one really did, but tonight she excelled herself.
“I don't care, Phil, I've lost everything. I wish I had died when I was sick and if I had known I was going to lose my good husband, I would have killed myself then.” She started to cry, big sobs wracked her body. Her shoulders shook and an enormous roar escaped her lips. It was frightening to listen to. Simon stood up almost knocking his chair over and retreated to the corner lounge chair not knowing what to do. Nulla just stood and walked around the table to Lucy.
“Lucy,” he said firmly but softly, “we're here to do our best for you. I don't give a rat's arse if you don't approve or if you don't want us to help, but we're here anyway. When you stop your slobbering and whining we can talk like adults. And that `child' I brought with me has killed his share of terrorists. He's a warrior and I wouldn't trade him for a dozen elite soldiers.”
Nulla leaned forward and took Lucy in his arms drawing her deep into his powerful chest. She struggled but he wouldn't let go. Lucy began screaming and tried to hit him but he held firm.
Eventually she stopped struggling and wept. Hardhearted Lucy now held Nulla seeking to bury herself in his safe, secure manliness. She
cried and the tears helped wash her pain and suffering away.
Phil, Arthur and Simon watched in amazement, none of them expected the evening to turn out like this. At first they thought Nulla was going to slap her, especially after what he said to her. When he held her and wrestled with her they didn't know if they should get up and stop him. But now they were grateful they didn't. Lucy sobbed quietly in his arms as meek as a kitten. Simon looked shyly at Arthur who caught his eye and gave a weak smile. It was a `holy shit did you see that?' smile.
Heidi looked in on them from the entrance to the kitchen and noted everything. “Is it OK to bring the food in now? It's going to get cold and taste horrible.”
The meal turned out to be a success after all. Fati fussed over everyone, especially the two newcomers. Lucy was subdued but kept leaning her head on Nulla's shoulder, only to bury her face in his chest and cry some more. Nulla held her tightly in his arms each time.
“Folks,” he announced at the end of the main course, “we have a chance to get away from the city. To make a life of our own, in the country somewhere. We aren't too sure yet where but I know I will be doing my duty as appointed, to build a resistance and fight these terrorists until they are no more.” He paused. “Anyone who wants to join myself, Simon here, Luke and my partner Glenda, are welcome.”
Charlene spoke first. “Nulla, how are we going to do it? How can we cross the country without being caught? That's my concern, being caught again. Look at me.” She lifted her frozen left arm and tried to straighten it, without success. “That's what they did to me, and I don't want another experience like that, none of us do.”
“We're in touch with a group in Birdsville. If all goes well we'll hook up with them, join forces.” Nulla continued, “We listen to every conversation these terrorists say on their CB network, and that's a secret so don't tell anyone. If we take the back roads we'll have an open run once we get out of the city, then all the way to the Flinders Ranges. It can be done with planning and night driving. We got here, we survived here, and we'll soon be leaving here.”
“Can you teach us to shoot?” asked Arthur speaking for the first time. He looked at Nulla and Simon's rifle in the corner of the room and their military gear, he shivered with excitement.
“Simon?” Nulla passed this to his man-at-arms.
“Yes, Arthur, we can do that. You'll love the Steyr too, it's awesome,” Simon said with a grin.
“OK, count me in.” These were his last words that night too.
“Me too. I want to learn to shoot as well,” said Charlene. Everyone looked at her in surprise, even Lucy and Annie.
“How are you going to shoot a rifle, Charlene? You've only got one arm,” said Annie. Lucy squirmed uncomfortably trying to hush her daughter up.
Charlene wasn't going to let anyone dampen her enthusiasm, not even little Annie. “I'll learn, honey, I'll learn somehow. I've felt so damn useless all this time and now I want some revenge. Thanks Nulla and Simon for coming to visit us, I now have hope that we'll survive this mess. Now, can you teach me too, Simon?” She looked directly at the teenage warrior who shifted awkwardly in his seat under the gaze of this pretty, blond-haired beauty.
“Yeah, sure, I can teach you to shoot. I've taught girls before. I mean, I taught Glenda, and she saved our bacon with just a pistol. Sure, I can teach you how to shoot.” He smiled at her knowing he was doing the right thing.
“My boys will teach everyone how to shoot, in fact, we all need to know how to defend ourselves.” By this time Fati was preparing to serve dessert, a delicious sago pudding with a mixture of Indian spices and a baked cake base with a jam layer.
“I'm sorry, but did you just say you're going to teach us how to shoot? You mean with rifles and stuff?” Heidi asked as she spooned the last piece of curried carp into her mouth.
Nulla looked up from his empty plate, “Yes, Heidi, everyone needs to know how to protect themselves and each other. If you come with me you learn how to kill. I hope that's not a problem?”
Heidi sat quietly mouthing a few words but nothing came out. Arthur looked on, he'd never seen Heidi speechless before.
“I, I guess it's all right,” she finally said. “We've never really had to use weapons before. In fact, we were afraid to because it'd draw the terrorists to us. But if you can get us out of here then I want to learn to shoot too.”
“Lucy? Do you want to learn to defend yourself too?” Nulla asked looking directly into her eyes. He wanted to give her the opportunity to have her say, before she withdrew into herself.
“I want to learn how to kill them. Any thing, any way, any weapon, I don't care. I'm with Charlene, I want revenge for what those cowards did to us, all of us.” Lucy returned his stare. “Nulla, yes, I want to learn to shoot too.”
Fatima and Phil weren't sure what they wanted to do. The more they listened to Nulla the more they wanted to go with him. But they were now quite settled in their twilight years with their chickens, vegetable gardens, fruit trees and books. What more could they want in life?
At the end of their dessert Nulla stood up and announced, “I've got to get home to my missus.” He motioned for Simon to follow. “She'll be wondering where I am. I'll be back tomorrow with Luke and then we'll talk some more.”
Charlene appeared to have suddenly become the dwellers spokesperson. “Nulla, thank you for coming here. We look forward to seeing you and Luke tomorrow night. Simon, don't forget your promise and please find some spare weapons for us soon.” Simon nodded. “When we wake up later we're going to talk among ourselves. We should have some answers and some questions for you when you come back.”
The two warriors nodded and turned towards the door. Just then Lucy rushed across the floor and threw herself into Nulla's surprised arms. “Thank you,” she said simply. She kissed him on the lips then stepped back.
“And Nulla,” Fatima called just before they left. “The night after I want the four of you to come and stay with us for a few days, maybe move in with us. Then we can plan exactly what to do. If we agree to go we'll need solid planning. Besides, we've got spare bedrooms and clean sheets and I'm sure Glenda will enjoy the female company.” Phil and the others nodded.
The small group of house dwellers experienced various levels of excitement as the two army representatives walked into the early morning darkness.
Chapter 22 - Nulla and Charlene - Leaving the City
They moved in over the next few nights and things settled down to a routine of training and planning. The group agreed that they should take two four-wheel drives only, more would slow them down and most likely cause them problems. They found two large Toyota Cruisers which Phil and Arthur worked on together giving them a thorough service and then outfitting them for the trip.
In the meantime Simon and Luke taught the girls and Arthur how to handle the AK47 and the Steyr. They didn't do any live firing but they pulled them apart and drilled the process of managing a misfire, magazine changes, cleaning, oiling, running with a weapon, aiming and night vision firing.
Within two weeks the company had spent every day drilling with weapons by day and by night. Even Annie enjoyed the exercises and was proving to be just as proficient as the others. Simon took command of the training using the same methods Nulla used with he and Luke.
Fatima spent a lot of time cooking and preparing meals, she also organised Heidi and Charlene to begin packing and storing their dried food and cooking gear into plastic containers. Nulla and Phil showed Simon, Luke and Arthur how to pack the vehicles in the most efficient way.
Phil enjoyed the company of the boys more than he thought he would. He was amazed at how quickly the two teenagers engaged with himself and Arthur, and how well they picked up the mechanics of servicing the vehicles.
Glenda felt a little lost until Fati took her under her wing and gave her odd jobs to do. Glenda wasn't a cook, she was more a communicator, but she soon learned house management and food preparation as quickly as the girls had done when
they had moved in together.
The boys spent a lot of time together working on the vehicles and their weapons. Nulla finally agreed to allow the three boys to ride motor bikes while everyone else went in the Toyota's. Their reasoning was that it made more room for everyone else, they could fit more food and equipment in and they could ride shotgun in front and behind in case of an ambush. It certainly made sense but as in all things Heidi felt she should have been consulted first.
It took three weeks of working days and nights, constant patrols, training and many extra trips to the supermarket and hardware stores.
The night before they were to leave Heidi walked into Phil's workshop to check on things.
“Phil, do we have silenced mufflers for these damn noisy cars and bikes? The terrorists will hear us for miles,” she asked with her hands on her hips.
Phil looked at her, then at Arthur, then at the bikes. “Well, Heidi, I never thought of that.” He stopped what he was doing and called to Arthur, “Arty, looks like we have extra work to do tonight, can you go and get the boys please?”
“Hmm, just as well I was here to remind you isn't it,” she said and walked back out a bright smile playing across her face.
Arthur and the boys rode their push-bikes to and from the motorcycle shops bringing mufflers and baffles and all sorts of odds and ends for Phil to work with. It took three extra days before he was satisfied the bikes rode as silently as he could make them without losing power or speed. The two vehicles were fine. He did try to modify their mufflers as well but gave up. Throwing his tools into their bags he declared they were ready.
“Nulla?” Arthur said as they inspected the equipment, tied extra ropes to the roof racks and repacked the trailer. “Nulla, can we go out tonight, just us bikers, and trial run our bikes? We need some practice before we leave.”