by Leo Nix
“OK everyone, time for bed.” Turning to the young lovers Nulla said, “and no hanky-panky while on patrol.” He looked at everyone now alert and waiting for their orders for the morrow. “I want all patrols out an hour before dawn. Stand-to is false dawn, anyone I find in bed after that becomes my personal toilet.”
“Don't try it on him guys,” called Luke still in entertainer mode. “He really will pee on you if he catches you asleep. One time I woke up staring at the most frightening sight a teenage boy could ever witness.” He paused as everyone waited expectantly for what this might be. “You guessed it, Nulla's hairy apples and hose pipe!” He roared in laughter along with everyone else.
Nulla nodded in agreement. “He's right of course, it's hairy and scary down there. Righto, serious now please. Here are tomorrows orders: Cambra, Halo and Assassin patrol south; Wiram and McFly you're up north; Roo, Riley and Bongo you fellas head out east and you might want to check out that homestead nearby; Arty, Simon and Luke you go west. Our Pine Gap specialists will stay with Sundown and the Girl Guards. Staff Sergeant Obi-Wan will command the camp defences tomorrow.
“I want Kris and Shrek up before everyone else to prepare the camels and help the cameleer's get going.” He looked at the nurses sitting upright and enjoying the entertainment. “Tricia, you, Heidi and Donna have breakfast to prepare for the patrols so you've got to be up with Kris and Shrek. And Gail, you, Lorraine and Jaina have the cameleer's lunch to prepare and pack before you go to bed tonight. If you see Jenny and Jeda you'll find it ready but it needs to be put aside so the dingoes don't steal it.” He watched as the commando settled and their heads nodded as he called their names.
“Lulu and Danni get to sleep in until stand-to.” He smiled when they let out a soft 'whoop!' “Each watch will need to be aware that the camels are hobbled but they'll wander in the night. You already know it, but remember there's dingoes aplenty around water, they'll be curious to see what they can steal from us. They've bred like crazy since the apocalypse and no one's been out shooting to keep their populations down, so just be careful because the camels will be skittish.
“Tomorrow we go out armed and prepared for contact. We're miles from anywhere so I don't expect anything, but just in case, be prepared. We only have enough ammunition for one solid contact so don't drop any of your magazines while on patrol.” He leaned down to pick up a stick that had fallen away from the fire. “We only have the one working radio so you're all on your lonesome, don't break a leg. I know we're getting low on ammunition but if you can, bag a kangaroo or two for dinner, that would be nice. And,” he looked around the group smiling, “if you're up early enough you get to share a hot spa with Dog, Black Dog, Wiram and me.” There were groans from the youngsters.
“Wiram and myself will take first watch tonight, Harry you and Sue-Ellen have mid watch while Sundown and Pellino have the final watch and will wake everyone for stand-to.” Nulla stepped back from the firelight as he began to prepare for his watch.
Everyone stood up, those with jobs stayed back a little longer while the rest headed for bed.
As Sundown crawled into his swag he said to Pinkie, “Honey, I'm a bit nervous about this patrol. I woke up this morning with that same feeling I had on the day of the apocalypse.” He pulled the swag over them both. It was getting cold and they snuggled together for the warmth, and for the nice cuddle. “Pinkie, I want you up early too. In fact I want everyone up early. If anything happens, I want Black Dog to stay with you, to protect you.”
Pinkie just grunted. She was exhausted, it had been a hell of a day. Three days on a camel's back was a daunting trek for anyone. Sure, they'd had time to soak out their aches and pains in the hot spring but tonight was their first full night's sleep. The opportunity to sleep in was dashed by Nulla's announcement that stand-to was false dawn. It was the promise of another three days camped by the spring that had kept her spirits up but now Sundown had to go and drop this on her.
“Darl, go to sleep, we'll worry about it in the morning. Besides, Wiram and Nulla are warriors, they know how to run a battle better than anyone, even you. You've just got to let go sometimes.” With that she rolled over and was soon asleep.
Sundown lay on his back with Pinkie's head resting on his arm. He stared at the enormous expanse of the Milky Way above him. It stretched from one horizon to the other. With both the moon and the starlight it was almost bright enough to read by.
As he did on most nights he closed his eyes and brought up an image of Shamus. Over the next half hour he discussed his concerns with his mentor who had died almost a year ago. How it seemed a lifetime since their first meeting at the Birdsville Hotel, he thought.
He watched as his inner Shamus showed him the best way to prepare for a contact with the enemy in this particular location. Sundown stayed in a state of semi-consciousness going over scenario after scenario to cover every possibility. As his inner world faded Sundown heard Shamus' voice, “Sundown, tomorrow our Commando will be blessed a hundred fold, but there will be sacrifices.”
Sundown shivered unconsciously as he drifted into deep sleep.
Roo's evening ritual was to send his dream body on patrol allowing him to sleep soundly at night. If anything threatened he was always forewarned and prepared. As the night wore on his dream body became restless, much like the night before the Arkaroola wilderness fight. He woke when he heard Sundown and Pellino noisily waking everyone for stand-to, he knew this was going to be a day of hardship and sadness.
Chapter 14 - The Warrior Sisterhood
Riley, Roo and Bongo weren't due to finish their patrol until that afternoon. It was mid morning and there was plenty of time to explore, so Roo decided they should investigate the homestead of a cattle family he knew nearby. The abandoned farming property was inside their patrol area and close to the spring.
Going out on patrol together was a good opportunity for the three to become reacquainted. Bongo in particular was keen to relax and enjoy his time with Roo and Riley, they'd become close friends from their time in the Arkaroola wilderness.
Bongo handed his tobacco pouch and papers to Riley. They both folded their feet over their camel's saddle, trying to copy Roo while they rolled their misshapen cigarettes. Roo was born to the saddle but neither of his friends had the skill to stay upright for long.
“Damn it, Roo, how do you do that Afghan thing with your legs. I keep falling over,” laughed Bongo, his boyish personality was coming back now he was out patrolling with his best friend.
Roo's voice had already begun to change from his earlier nine year old voice, it was starting to mature. He called out over his shoulder, “It's practice, Bongo.”
“Bullshit, Roo. There's a secret you're holding back from us. Come on, what is it?” said Riley.
“I'm not, it's practice,” Roo repeated. One thing Bongo noticed was that Roo couldn't make a joke, he lacked the verbal dexterity and mindset to do that. He still thought in all five senses at once. His thoughts were complete - sounds, pictures and sensations, not in words. So his statement was simply a statement, and no bullshit. It didn't stop his friends from stirring him up though.
“Smarty pants, it's because you've got Afghan blood, that's why you don't fall off,” said Bongo. Then he realised Riley was Roo's cousin and he had Afghan ancestry too. “Bugger! So do you, Riley, so what's your excuse, mate?” he challenged Roo's part Afghan cousin.
“Me?” answered Riley, “I've got no excuses. My Afghan blood must be well diluted because I'm blowed if I can sit like that without falling off this desert tank under me.”
They arrived at the homestead where they quickly settled and hobbled their camels. They had plenty of time to explore the single-roomed stone building while the commando soaked in the hot springs less than a kilometre away.
As they quietly pushed the door open they saw the table set for four people. Riley opened the oven to peer in then called out to his mates. He pointed to a petrified roast still in its baking tray. There wer
e tools and equipment placed carefully on hooks and pegs and two double bunk beds were ready made for the owners return. It was spooky and no one spoke as they respectfully explored the homestead.
Suddenly Dog and Roo lifted their heads in unison to listen. “What's that?” asked Roo in his peculiar young voice. “Truck.”
Bongo and Riley heard it a second later. They pulled their weapons off their shoulders and readied for a fire-fight. Was it terrorists or perhaps the owners returning? They were unsure. The three raced to the front door but just as they opened it a woman's head appeared in the doorway. Behind her they saw armed Revelationists.
Before the amazed commando's could do or say a thing the woman ordered frantically, “Get out of my way! I'm coming through and so are my girls.”
The three men froze, uncertain what to do as an older woman and five Crusader women carried two of their wounded mates into the stone house. Bongo and Riley immediately leaped forward to help the girls ease their injured into the ancient leather chairs.
The woman turned to Roo and said calmly. “Hi Roo, how's Shamus and Pedro going?”
Riley and Bongo stopped what they were doing and looked at the two curiously. Bongo noticed the new-comers looked fatigued and agitated. There was also a sense of urgency, a panic, in the air. He could see that these girls had been in a fight. They were now preparing their defenses inside the stone homestead.
“I'm good, Martene. Shamus is dead and Pedro is good,” he replied.
The woman, who must have been in her early sixties, frowned. “What did you say? Did you just speak?” she asked, completely taken aback.
“Yes,” was his simple reply. Roo rarely smiled, but he did then.
“How is it that after all these years you're suddenly talking now, young man?” Martene held the door open while she spoke, glancing every few seconds in the direction they'd come from.
“Charlene's nice and Bongo and Riley help me,” said Roo, his smile grew larger, prouder.
“Bloody wonders never cease do they,” said Martene absently as she once again checked the desert expanses outside. Then she felt a horrible feeling in her chest. “Shamus is dead? Oh, I'm so sorry Roo, he was a good friend, a very dear man. But Pedro's fine?” For a split second she looked confused then sad, elated and finally hopeful.
But her expression changed quickly, she visibly snapped herself from her thoughts. “Boys, get the hell out of here,” she said forcefully. The boys now noticed her face was streaked with dusty rivulets. “If you don't leave now you'll be fighting the whole Ravens Claw army with us.” They saw that the mature woman with the engaging looks had a captain's insignia of the Longreach Crusaders of Light Battalion on her shoulders.
Martene spoke to the question in Bongo's eyes. “We've been fighting off a company strength Ravens Claw patrol all night. We're now at war with the Mount Isa battalions, they and us are no longer best friends.” She stopped as she directed her small band to cover the windows and continued. “You've got about ten seconds to get out of here. There's sixty or more Ravens right behind us. Today me and my girls are going to paradise but we'll take some of them bastards with us.”
Riley had already summed the situation up in his mind when he turned to his cousin. “Roo, you'd better head off and get Sundown, quick. Ride like the wind, cousin!” Roo nodded and raced for the door knowing that if anyone could handle a camel in full flight it was him. Turning to Bongo, Riley continued, “I'm staying to help, this just isn't right.”
Bongo looked at the girls, they were exhausted, most were bandaged and bloody. They reminded him of what the commando had looked like after the mines fight.
“I'm staying too, Riley. I'm not going to leave these girls to fight and die alone. And I'm not leaving you behind either, you're my blood too you know,” he said quietly then bent to help the young lady tending one of the wounded girls.
“Boys, please don't,” pleaded Martene, “we're already dead, but thanks for the kind offer. Now get the hell out of here, I don't want you sacrificing your lives for nothing. Damn it!” She finished with a high pitched yell as she pushed at the door and opened up with her automatic. The other girls at the front windows did the same.
A convoy of trucks and four wheel drives carrying the Ravens Claw company swung towards a dip in the sand dunes and poured out a stream of soldiers. They quickly skirmished onto the sand dune and opened fire in return.
In a moment the incoming fire ranged accurately on the homestead. Bongo saw the bullets hitting the wall opposite, smashing glasses in the only cupboard in the room. He grabbed the nice looking girl beside him and together they crashed to the floor. The bullets smashed loudly on the stone walls outside, those inside ricocheted dangerously around the room.
Bongo had his face in the woman's hair and sighed as he noticed how nice it smelled - of sweat and something else, the scent of a woman.
“Hey, lover boy,” the girl murmured in his ear, “we hardly know each other. Do you always knock a girl off her feet on your first date?”
“Sorry, I'm Bongo.” He looked into her red rimmed eyes and introduced himself. He couldn't help but smile as he breathed her scent deep into his body again.
“I'm Denise.” She pulled her face back so she could look into his eyes, she liked what she saw.
Bongo peered back at her. “Denise, I know this is a stupid question with bullets flying around and all, but, can I ask why you girls all have short red hair?” Bongo knew it was an innocuous question, especially given the circumstances. Besides, he needed an excuse to keep her gathered in his arms.
Denise shook her short hair to get some of the dust out of it and Bongo's breath caught in his throat. “We're Crusaders, the Warrior Sisterhood, the personal bodyguard of the Abbess Leonie.” She didn't try to get up but let her body lean into his. He made her feel safe. Denise thought that right now was a good time to have a good looking man's protective arms wrapped tightly around her.
The sounds of battle raged above them. Cries of pain, screams of anger and Martene's voice cut through their special moment. “You two! What the hell! This is not a love nest, we're at war! Get up and fight damn it!”
Bongo released his arms from around Denise's slender body and helped her up.
“Come on, we'll take this window. You take that side and I'll take this one,” he said pulling the curtains down and letting the heavy rod fall between them.
Denise saw two Ravens Claws running towards a clump of bushes, right in front of them, and opened fire.
“To answer your question,” she spoke between bursts and ducking down as incoming fire spattered around them. “We have red hair because we're a sisterhood, we do everything the same. And because it makes us look pretty.” She smiled at him. Bongo grinned and nodded in agreement. Denise then whispered so only he could hear, “and you're not bad looking yourself, handsome.”
Riley held tightly to Roo's dog. It was usually quite comfortable with the sounds of rifle fire, having lived with a kangaroo shooter all its life. But when Roo raced out of the door and the tension in the room increased, Dog started to fret.
Roo drew his knife as he raced for the door, sliced through the rope between his camel's feet and then leaped onto its back. He had the beast up and running in moments. No other member of the commando could have done that. But within a few seconds he heard the wet slap of bullets striking his camel's side. It shuddered then collapsed back to the sandy ground it had just risen from.
As he was falling Roo grabbed his Ruger American rifle from its leather pouch and jumped to the ground. With bullets zipping past his ear he threw himself behind the water trough. A burst of automatic fire smashed against its concrete side and he was soon covered in shards of cement and grey dust.
Dog must have sensed what had happened to his master because it wrenched itself free of Riley's arms. In one bound Dog jumped through the broken window and within seconds was by his masters side at the trough. Riley saw Dog disappear as Roo's arm dragged it behind c
over.
“Shit! Roo!” Riley had one foot on the window sill when Martene grabbed him and pulled him to the floor. A burst of machine gun fire spattered against the wall and into the room.
“Get down you idiot! Do you really want to die that much?” snarled Martene, her heavy breathing made her voice harsher than she intended.
“That's my cousin out there, he's trapped, they'll kill him!” Riley screamed in panic as he wrestled with the Sisterhood captain.
“You go out there and they'll kill you deader'n road kill. Haven't you got someone you want to live for?” She forced her voice to soften as she tried to calm the wild cattleman.
A picture of his wife Katie and their two children came to him and he shuddered. How close was he to throwing his life away?
“If you're OK I'll let you up. Take position here and cover your cousin but don't try that again because next time I won't stop you.” She let him stand then moved back to her own position.
She called across to Riley. “Roo's my friend too you know. He, Shamus and Pedro spent a lot of time with me and my family back in the days before this hell broke lose on the world.” She paused to fire several rounds at their enemy.
“We're going to die anyway, just make sure we take a few of those traitors with us.” There was still a question that had been at the back of her mind. “So why are you boys sacrificing your lives for us girls?”
“Martene, if we ran that would be dishonourable and disrespectful, to you and to us.” He looked down at his feet for a moment. “I guess that sort of says it.” Riley looked up to snap off single rounds at a group of Ravens Claws trying to get behind Roo's position at the water trough. “Besides, Roo and Bongo almost died saving me and my family. This is the right thing to do.”
Martene nodded understanding exactly what he meant. She then recognised that both Riley and Bongo were firing single shot. “You boys low on ammo?”