by Leo Nix
Nulla saw the hopeful look in his eyes but shook his head. “Sorry, mate, that's a no go. We don't have time. I need you boys here to help pack our gear. Besides, it just might bring the Revelationists right to our doorstep. This is exactly the time we need to be under cover and as quiet as mice.”
The look Arthur, Simon and Luke gave Nulla made him laugh out loud. “Haven't I been training you fella's to think for yourselves. Luke, why did I say `no'.”
“Because you're mean and stopped having fun when you were three years old and now you don't want anyone else to have any fun,” sulked Luke.
“Right, spot on, I am a mean bastard who'll keep you alive. Now go and grab the food bags Fati and the girls have packed ready for stacking. Simon, did you store the water on board where I told you?” He continued giving orders and keeping the boys busy so they wouldn't annoy him any more.
Phil watched the exchange with Nulla and Luke. Once the boys were gone he walked over. “Nulla, how do you think the boys will go once we head off? Do you think they'll stick to the plan and not ride off all over the place? Just curious.”
Nulla's grin said it all. “My boys know that if they play up on me, they'll lose their rifles. It's simple arithmetic Phil, find their weak point and jab it once in a while, they soon learn.” He went over to Phil's tool kit to help the old man sort out the essentials to take with them.
That afternoon Nulla called the boys over. “I've been thinking, fella's. Simon, remember that shopping centre we stopped at, where we found Glenda? Those people we said we'd come back to visit?”
Simon nodded.
“Do you think you could ride your bikes there tonight and check the place over. See if anyone left any messages in the bin. If there are survivors then contact them and report back here. Do you reckon you can do that by yourselves?”
The boys were already nodding excitedly. Luke spoke up, “You betchya boss! We'll start planning right now! Come on guys, we have some planning to do. We leave at midnight!”
Nulla spent half the night on the CB radio talking to Sydney Charlie and the Birdsville commando. Although he didn't give his plan away he did ask about the Flinders Ranges. Both contacts told him that the Flinders Ranges was probably a no-go hinting at heavy Revelationist activity. They reported there were sympathetic farmers who would report anyone they found on their properties to the church. They also said there were prison farms in the Quorn and Hawker regions.
It was all bad news and Nulla decided to keep it to himself while he thought of his options. Pulling out the maps he spent part of the night looking at properties north of Adelaide and around the Murray River. There had to be a safe place where he could take his people and decided to head north and just see what happens. He wanted to get out of Adelaide first, then they would make up their minds. If the Flinders Ranges was out then he decided to try the Murray River, perhaps near Morgan. He'd decided earlier that Birdsville was just too far for their small group at this time.
By dawn the next morning the three teenagers had returned and were eating breakfast when Nulla came in. He was unshaven and tired, he rubbed at his eyes to get the sleep out of them.
“How'd it go boys, find anything, any signs?” he asked them.
“Nothing, no messages, no people,” said Simon resignedly. He slumped back into his chair exhausted.
Luke added, “We saw another pack of dogs though. We had to shoot some. Don't tell Glenda, but they were vicious, they went wild when they saw us. They must've made their home inside the shops, that might be why we didn't see anyone. When we went inside they attacked us. One knocked me over and nearly killed me. There were about twenty of them and some of them were really big.” Luke lifted his shirt to reveal a welt on his side but no puncture wounds. Then he showed his arm which was bruised and had been bleeding. Fortunately the boys were wearing their leather riding jackets, even big dogs would have a hard time biting through those.
“Hmm, better get Heidi or Fatima to check that out, you might get rabies from them. Arty, how did you go mate, did you manage OK with your leg?” asked Nulla.
“Yep, all good, Nulla, my leg held up fine, it's sore now though. That was quite a long ride and those night goggles are really awkward. I shot some dogs too, it was pretty crazy.” Arthur spoke slowly but now he was getting into his story his voice came to life.
“We weren't even ready for them. They spotted us before we spotted them and they came at us. Look at Luke's arm, they knocked him over, they nearly killed him. Simon and I had to shoot some, then they ran off.”
Nulla nodded filing the information away in his mind. “How'd the bikes go? Did they make any more noise than what we expected?” Nulla asked Simon, the more engineer-minded of the three.
“Perfect, Nulla. We need to tell Phil he's done a great job. The bikes didn't make any more sound than a purring kitten and they still had power. He'll be stoked with that,” Simon replied.
Nulla had almost finished the debrief. “And did you follow patrolling protocols? Safety and silence?”
Arthur looked at Simon and Luke and they nodded to him to continue. “Yep, we did it exactly as we trained. The night scopes are awkward just like the goggles but they saved our lives.” He stopped and looked back at the boys who nodded encouragement to continue. “I wanted to take point and I remembered to take the safety off my Steyr, that's what saved us from the dogs. If I hadn't done all that training in the dark, the dogs would have killed us.”
Simon added, “I wanted Arthur up to speed and put him out front. He saved us. The dog that got through was a giant and knocked Luke over before we had a chance to move. Arthur fired and hit a lot of them. The noise frightened the rest of the pack before they got to us. He must have hit four or five of them in about three seconds. I shot the one attacking Luke with my `special'.” Simon smiled as he pulled it out from his shoulder holster to caress it lovingly. “Arthur had to finish off the ones we wounded. It wasn't nice but now we're all blooded. Boss, that was good practice for Arty, thanks.”
“And boss,” said Luke, “there were no survivors at the centre. We checked everywhere. I guess the dogs ate anyone they caught because there were signs of bodies they'd been eating. Those dogs have taken over the shopping centre and either the people have escaped or they died. I don't suggest we go back, we were too late to save them. I hope Glenda didn't have any friends there.” Nulla nodded then directed them to get some sleep. They were leaving that night and they needed to be fresh and alert.
The night was dark, the weather cold and the night vision goggles made everything seem pale. Nulla knew how hard this would be, so he made sure everyone was comfortable wearing their night vision gear.
Every night for three or four hours he had them wearing the goggles inside and outside the house - running, lying down, sighting through their weapon scopes. Both vehicles had a sunroof the dwellers could stand up in and fire from. Right now he had Heidi in the back of Phil's Toyota standing, weapon at the ready and nigh vision goggles on. Glenda was doing the same in his vehicle.
They had their maps and everyone was drilled in the exact route they would take and the alternatives if there was trouble. Heidi had run the map drills and she had done it with night vision goggles at night, and in full vision in the daylight. If anyone became lost or separated, they knew where to meet up. They had backup plans for their backup plans, thanks to Heidi.
Nulla was still unsure of their final destination but said nothing, deciding that their next stop was probably the best time to tell everyone the bad news. He just wanted to get the hell out of the city no matter what, and if they changed plans now, then they would never leave.
Each vehicle and biker had a short wave radio, the boys had theirs strapped to their shoulders and connected to their helmets after some clever electrical wiring by Simon and Phil.
Heidi had devised a series of squelches and clicks so they wouldn't have to talk. Nulla was so impressed that he gave her full reign to teach everyone the sounds. She dr
illed them diligently before they left. Some nights she made everyone communicate in squelches and clicks only.
Heidi was in her element directing the action once again. “Guys, I don't need an action figure like Charlene, because, as Phil says, I AM an action figure! Action Heidi!” she would announce.
Charlene's spirits were up and she was now taking responsibility for some of the tasks, even telling Simon and Luke what to do. The boys loved it. Their adolescent hormones were riding high as they flirted with the two young women.
Lucy and Annie were just as excited as everyone else. Lucy spent a lot of time with Glenda and Nulla. She fawned over Nulla to the point that Glenda became a little jealous. Nulla never noticed, being so busy with their preparations. Glenda heard what the poor mother had been through and knew her fascination with Nulla would eventually wear off. But all the same, she had her man and she wasn't going to let him get too close to Lucy, not after all the hardship they'd been through.
The four-wheel drives were packed, the trailer was stacked with food, water and fuel, and the motor bikes ran like purring kittens. There was a mixture of enthusiasm and fear in the atmosphere as one by one the dwellers said goodbye to their home and climbed into their appointed vehicles.
Nulla drove out first with the trailer, stacked on top was a covered pen with Fatima's chickens and a rooster, Phil drove the other. Phil was an ex-rally driver, albeit a slow one these days. He was still driving cross-country treks right up to the time of the apocalypse.
Phil said he decided to go with them once he knew he wouldn't have to sit in the back seat. Fatima said she would follow her husband to hell and back if need be, as long as he promised to pull over when she had to go to the toilet. The girls giggled at that while the boys looked at the ceiling and rolled their eyes.
As the convoy rolled out of the garage right on midnight the boys shot ahead on their bikes into position. They pulled onto the main road while Simon took lead position with Arthur, Luke rode rearguard. The convoy was mobile at last and heading out of the city towards freedom - or so they hoped.
Chapter 23 - Sundown - Roo's Reckoning
The two led their heavily loaded horses and followed the tracks of Riley's truck. An hour before nightfall they heard rifle shots causing the horses to shy. Bongo turned to Roo, steadying his horse.
“Roo, I'll hold your horse while you go and check that out. I bet it's those terrorists shooting up Riley's home.”
Sure enough, they saw smoke rising from the direction of the farmhouse. Roo came back from climbing one of the few tall trees and grunted. Bongo looked at him for a moment and said, “Yeah, I knew they'd do that. It's a wonder they took so long to get here. Are they on our tail?”
Roo nodded then tried to speak, “mmm,” was all that came out.
“You're doing well, mate, soon you'll be talking so much we won't be able to shut you up.”
Roo smiled and pointed his chin towards the hills they were walking towards.
“Damn,” groaned Bongo, “more bloody hills to climb. I'm stuffed already and so's the horses. You sure we need to climb to high ground, Roo?”
Roo smiled and nodded, “mmm,” he said again and urged his horse forward. He lead the way up into the gully and towards a particularly high rocky outcrop. As he did so Roo pointed to his rifle and then to the rocks.
“Ah, sniping time is it?” asked Bongo, and Roo nodded.
They tied their horses to a felled tree behind the hill. While Bongo watered and fed the tired horses Roo grabbed his weapon, some extra water, and started climbing. He made sure he put the hill between himself and the two Range Rovers heading their way. The Wilsons were following the tracks of their two horses and Riley's truck.
When Bongo finally crawled into position he was exhausted. They drank from their water bottles as the afternoon shadows covered the hideout, just as the two Rovers crawled into sight. Roo nudged Bongo in the ribs and pointed to his double-taped clip. His held up his hands twice, twenty bullets.
Bongo nodded and said, “You're almost out of Gewehr cartridges? I knew that'd happen, you've been shooting too many kangaroos, eh?” He grimaced, “Just save them for the enemy and leave the harassing fire to my trusty AK.”
The vehicles were almost directly below when Roo fired and took out the driver of the first Rover. Bongo opened up and peppered the same car till his magazine was empty. As he reloaded Roo took out the second driver. The two cars were now trapped in the killing zone. Roo kept firing until Bongo finished reloading and took over.
Three of Wilson's men leaped from the rear vehicle and raced behind some rocks. They opened fire with automatics forcing Roo and Bongo to scamper back from their position – they had just lost control of the fire-fight.
“Shit!” said Roo frightening the life out of Bongo.
“Bloody hell, Roo, you've got to warn a bloke before speaking like that!” Bongo slipped in a new magazine. “You're just like a new born, your first word has to be a swear word.”
Each time one of them tried to look over the rocky edge a spray of bullets swept around them. Splinters of rock hit their faces and it was Bongo's turn to swear.
Roo suddenly swung his rifle behind and pulled the trigger. There came a roaring echo among the rocks and gully's as a blast of automatic fire came at them in reply. Bongo screamed as a bullet went through his leg and Roo's head was flung back as another ricocheted off the rocks and creased his scalp.
“Hell's bell's!” spat Bongo clutching at his leg while trying to squirm to safety in the tight confines of the small rock ledge. He eventually brought his AK47 to target the track behind them. More bullets hit the rocks above and rained shards of deadly quartz fragments at their heads.
All was quiet for a moment as both Roo and Bongo tried to get into a better position but each movement brought more incoming fire.
“Roo, I think we're stuck. We've got to do something.” Adrenaline was pumping through Bongo's system. “My leg's busted I think. I can't feel it. There's blood everywhere. Roo, keep an eye on them while I wrap something around it.”
Bongo groaned as he contorted his body around enough to tie his handkerchief over the wound. It was useless and didn't stop the bleeding so he ripped his shirt off piece by piece and wrapped it around his leg. He had lost so much blood that he fainted.
Roo was fighting waves of dizziness when out of the corner of his eye he saw the top of a head move on the track leading to their ledge. He snapped off a shot without having time to aim. He saw an explosion of blood and gore.
One of the men below screamed, “You bastards! I'm gonna kill ya's for that!”
Roo saw Brad scramble up the track firing one of the terrorist's AK47's from his hip. Bullets whipped towards him spitting dust and rock splinters. One hit Roo's arm snapping the bone while another tore a hole in his boot just missing his foot. As though in slow motion Roo awkwardly switched his sniper rifle to his left hand and snapped off a shot at his assailant. He saw Brad flung backwards as though pulled by a rope. His vision was blurring and things were happening in slow motion, but he refused to give up.
Roo was now almost out of Gewehr ammunition and his right arm was useless. The bullet had gone through his forearm fracturing the radius bone, he struggled to ignore the agonising pain. His lip bled where he'd bitten it and the blood from his head wound spread down his face and chest.
In a daze he heard the sound of the Rover starting up so he crawled back to the edge of the rocky outcrop. There was no more incoming fire. As the Rover reversed back up the gully, Roo slowly and painfully raised his Gewehr and sighted carefully. Just before it disappeared around a rocky outcrop he pulled the trigger and collapsed.
Riley's dogs found the bodies in the darkness. He flashed his torch and examined them, he recognised some. Cattlemen from the Flinders Ranges, some had once been his friends. He heard the horses whinnying and, shining the torch, he followed his dogs along the path Roo, Bongo and the two cattlemen had taken.
He saw
the two dead bodies, stiff in the cold night air. There came a pained groan and he froze. His three dogs sniffed the air and excitedly started up towards the rocky ledge above. Not sure who it was he decided it best to announce himself, just in case someone took a shot at him.
“Hey, its me, Riley, who's that up there?” he called.
There came a soft voice, “Me, Bongo. Roo too but it looks like he's dead. I can't reach him. You'd better come up and help me, I've lost a lot of blood, and I'm friggin' frozen.”
When Riley made it to the rocky ledge he almost fell as his boots slid on the spent cartridge cases. The dogs whined as they licked Bongo's bloodied face while he tried unsuccessfully to shoo them away.
“Strewth, Bongo,” Riley exclaimed in shock at what he saw. When he saw Bongo's bare chest, blood spattered face and hands, then his bandaged leg, he pulled the dogs back.
“Here, put this on mate.” Riley took his own jacket off and handed it to Bongo, then helped him pull it over his skinny frame.
“How many did we get, Riley, did we get them all? They'll be back if we didn't,” said Bongo through chattering teeth.
“Yes, it looks like you got them all. There's two Range Rovers down there and three dead men on the ground plus the two on the track behind you. I don't know how many in the cars though, or if any have run away. We'll look in the morning.” He turned to Roo and shined the torch into his closed eyes. Roo blanched and tried to lift his head. The dogs rushed him thinking they were now allowed to help. Roo yelped when one of them stepped on his broken wrist.
“Hey cuz, you decide to drop in unannounced again did ya? You keep doing that and you'll end up hurting someone.” His smile was forced and there was a catch in his throat as he spoke. Lifting Roo's head he checked him over but when he moved his arm Roo yelled and out came another swear word, “Shit!”