by Leo Nix
The prisoners told the two sergeants everything. Names, numbers, equipment… the most important information was that there were no land mines. It helped when they knew they'd be travelling with their captors and a land mine would kill them as well.
Nulla secured them to the inner panels inside the Bushmaster and told Riley to guard them. Riley smiled an evil smile and pulled out his hunting knife.
“Don't you worry, Nulla. If these boys try to escape they'll be gutted and skinned like I've done to several of their friends in the Flinders Ranges.” He eyed the two terrorists, they shrank back as far as they could from the wild cattleman with the big knife.
Blondie took the message and deciphered it in her head. “Right everyone, we've only got till sunset to sit in this sardine can and listen to these two love-birds making love.” As she looked through the bushes she could see Little lying on his back with Jaina lying beside him in their make-do tent. “My goodness, they might have finally exhausted themselves,” she sighed.
“We've only got the one rifle, Blondie. Two magazines, that sort of makes it a bit difficult if we get caught in a fire-fight. What's your plan if Ahmet gets pushed back?” asked Poole. “We can't go back into Marree and we can't stay here. Slimmy's going to die if he doesn't get treatment.”
Blondie thought for a moment. “If we get stuck here and the fight doesn't swing our way we'll go through them. I'll drive, you take the AK and shoot. We drive fast through the road block and if we die we die.” She stopped then reached across for the code book and radio.
“Poole, take these and bury them over there, here's my knife, carve a strip in the bark running down the tree. If we don't make it they won't get the codes. If we do make it we can come back later and retrieve it.” As she turned to hand him her knife she saw Jaina mount the enormous girth of her lover again, she just sighed in resignation.
“And don't go in that direction, the lovers are at it again. We don't want them to feel embarrassed now do we.”
Lieutenant Donata was getting angry. Those two lazy sods he sent to investigate the listening post hadn't returned and it was almost dark. 'They're no doubt sitting inside the truck drinking and smoking joints. Bastards!' he thought. They had deliberately ducked out on doing their duty and disobeyed him. To make matters worse the mosquitoes were enormous and damned hungry.
With the setting of the sun, or what could only be a suggestion of sunshine in the gloom cast by the rain and heavy black clouds, the mosquitoes were out in their millions. Finally he'd had enough and got up.
“Damn it!” he grunted loudly. “Private, grab your poncho and come with me.” The two staggered, slid and slipped on the muddy road. As they approached the truck in front of them they were surprised by a gruff voice and an arm around their necks.
“Don't mess about lads, move a little too fast and this knife will cut your guts open. Then they'll spill all over this muddy ground just like Humpty Dumpty's innards,” said Julian who'd already done one turn on duty and was now on his second.
As he and Luke brought the two to the Bushmaster, Ahmet smiled broadly. “Well I'll be. Two more little birdies have come along to find the worm. Boys, come inside, it's warm and it's dry.” He held the door open while Nulla frisked them for weapons. He found thin-bladed knives in their boots where most of the Stosstruppen liked to hide them.
The lieutenant looked at his two privates and scowled at them. “Idiots! What the hell did you get yourselves caught for. Now look what you've done!”
“Sorry sir, but we're in the same warm truck as you are, and it's still raining out there. I suggest you just shut-the-hell up and enjoy it while you can. Seems this lot want their stockade back and we're now just spectators.” Normy smiled smugly at his young lieutenant.
“I'm sorry too, I'm going to have to gag and secure you. We don't want you wriggling about when we head into your position and start killing your terrorist bastard friends. If any of you move, Riley here will cut you with his big knife, won't you Riley?” said Sergeant Ahmet.
“You bet I will, Sarg. I know how to gut a sheep, a kangaroo and even a Revelationist, but I've never gutted a Stosstruppen yet, but I sure want to.” He smiled his evil smile once more as he picked at his nails with the point of his razor sharp knife.
“Damn it!” was all Lieutenant Donata said as Ahmet bound and gagged him.
“Julian, stand-to for a little longer mate, you boys deserve a medal.” Julian and Luke smiled at each other, they'd caught all the prisoners and were feeling quite chuffed about it. Another five minutes in the rain was nothing after the glowing praise from their superiors.
“Sarg, I've just picked up Blondie's signal, she's ready. Wiram wishes us good luck.” Donna pulled the headphones from her head and prepared for the Bushmaster to head out.
“Right, driver, time to head off,” called Sergeant Ahmet. Cambra was told to stay ten metres behind and as soon as the firing began to pull up behind the Bushmaster. This should allow space for Blondie to pass on the muddy, narrow track. The commandos were to race out of the vehicle and pour fire into the stockade and any enemy they see.
Private Julian roared into the Patrol One position while gunner Wilmott opened fire with the 7.62 machine gun. Cambra and Pellino set up their FN Mag machine gun on the bonnet of the Bushmaster to lend a hand, but the fight had gone out of the terrorists.
First the rain, then the mosquitoes and then trying to set up camp in the miserable weather. They dropped their gear and weapons to put up their hands. There was not one shot fired towards the commando.
Blondie raced towards them, slowed then stopped when she saw the rout. She pointed, speaking quickly, “Poole, see those three running, shoot them.”
The terrorists were only a few metres away trying to escape. Their trousers and boots were wet and heavy, their feet dragged in the clinging sand and mud. Poole leaned his whole body out of the window and opened fire, the three terrorists fell to the ground.
The boys collected every weapon and ammunition magazine they could find. Anything they might find a use for was fair booty to them. Poole made sure he got his wrist watch back.
“All right, back to the vehicles, we've got a collection of prisoners here, a spare Jeep and five bikes to bring home,” roared Ahmet as the rain once again came down like cats and dogs. “Blondie take some of these prisoners in the back of your Jeep, Lance Corporal Poole, tie them up please.”
He looked at Pellino and nodded. “You take the other Jeep and jam these prisoners in the back. Luke and Arty, you boys make sure they're searched and secured. The rest with me.”
Luke and Simon did most of the body searches. They found things no one else would have thought to search for.
“Nulla taught us well,” smiled Simon as he stuffed another pistol into his webbing pouch. He had quite a collection now, he even had to find extra pouches to fit them all in.
Donna had the honour of reporting their success to both Alice Springs Command and Wiram.
“And Wirrie, not one bullet our way, not one,” she said excitedly. He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the good news. The night battle at Birdsville several months ago had nearly unsettled her, today's successes were like a gift to boost her confidence.
“Well, missus Donna, you have just seen how well the Australian military can carry out a successful operation against those miserable bastards, umm, terrorists. Do you think you're ready to take command of a patrol now?” he asked.
“Wirrie, seriously, no way. I think I'm cured. I don't want to be a soldier any more. The rain, the mosquitoes, the noise, the boredom. No, if you marry me I might be a good wife though,” she said and the CB went quiet on the other end.
Donna could hear Gail's voice in the background, “What was that? Married?”
Eventually Wiram spoke, “Will you have me even if this war lasts forever?” he asked.
“Of course, now where are we going for our honeymoon?” she giggled when he swore, “and you'd better not swear so muc
h, you're getting just like Pedro.” She giggled again. Wiram knew her elevated mood was probably the result of the action and the release of nervous tension.
“I would be honoured to marry such a beautiful young woman as you. Hurry home, Donna.”
“When I get back to Birdsville we'll have a bash-up wedding ceremony at the Christian Palace for the entire commando, what do you reckon?” she said.
Sergeant Ahmet tried not to listen but everyone in the cab could hear, even the prisoners jammed together - under Riley's watchful eyes. There came whistles from outside as the commandos climbed into their vehicles and onto their mud spattered bikes, it was time to head back home.
“Congratulations Donna, congratulations Wiram! See you when we get home!” yelled Ahmet into the mic as the Bushmaster roared into life.
The action at Patrol One secured an entire platoon of terrorists, but no one knew what they would do with them once they arrived at Birdsville.
The bike patrol arrived soon after lunch the following day. Beamy and the One One Charlie soldier, Mugga, were immediately taken into the first aid room, Gail and Ahmet's medic did their best to make them comfortable.
Beamy said he was used to getting shot up, and within minutes of arrival was asleep. He slept for almost twenty four hours. His was a slow recovery this time and he became as irascible as Pedro. When Lorraine arrived she would take on the role of nurse, mother and lover to the twice-wounded Beamy.
Most of the wounded, who didn't return to Alice Springs with Sundown, were recovering at the 'palace'. Slimmy, Mugga and Beamy elected to stay at Birdsville because at least they could feel useful manning the CB with Gail and Assassin.
At dinner on their second night back in Birdsville, Nulla again called the commando to quieten down. Everyone was there, Ahmet's crew along with Doff and the survivors of his crew, and the Bravo bike team.
“Wiram; Sergeant Ahmet; Sergeant Doff; Bravo team,” he acknowledged each in turn and then faced the commando. “When we were in Adelaide we often heard reports on the terrorist's radio of their contacts with Sundown's Commando here in the desert. Yesterday we witnessed just how tough this commando really is. We are a tough force of warriors who refuse to compromise under any circumstances.”
He stopped to reach into the bag he held in his hands. “I have here the Spartan sticks for our returning warriors, to welcome you back to the land of the living. This is a reminder that we are now part of our community, and encouraged to release our anger and fears and to re-embrace our gentle side. While on patrol we were called upon to do things, vicious and violent things, that we now need to leave behind us.”
Nulla then called each name. As they came forward he handed them a stick with their name carved on it. The wounded Beamy was there, in a state of discomfort but he was determined to stay for the duration. It was a sombre and serious affair. No one smiled, no one spoke.
Finally he called John's name. Chan and Halo stepped forward to accept their friend's name stick. Together they took it and placed it reverently on the mantelpiece above the fireplace. It had been cleared to receive the unclaimed sticks. They stepped back, waited a few seconds, turned then went back to their seats.
Nulla then asked Sergeant Doff to come forward and read the names of his crew, those from One One Charlie, the Bushmaster crew, and the Patrol One troopers. The survivors accepted their sticks silently returning to their tables. He then called the names of those who were killed and one by one he lay them on the fire mantelpiece beside John's.
“Sundown's Commando!” Sergeant Doff's voice was firm as he included everyone in the room. “We morn our losses tonight in the traditional manner. When Sundown arrives we'll honour them again, remembering our friends, their funny ways, their bad habits and their courage. We'll tell stories of their acts of bravery and drink to their memories.” He stopped and turned to the name sticks on the mantelpiece.
“Commando!” he called loudly in the silent lounge, “Attention!” the assembled men and women stood at their tables. “A minutes silence for our comrades, please.” Afterwards they settled back to finish their meal, and thus the wake for their lost comrades began.
Halfway through their meal Wiram stood and called for quite once more. “Men and women, sorry to interrupt your meal but we now have a platoon of terrorists to watch over. We'll run interrogations tomorrow and give them jobs around the place. We have gardens to look after, trenches to pump dry and defenses to put up. I think we have enough to keep them busy until Sundown and his troop arrive to take them off our hands.”
Looking around he noticed how the commando were different, something happened to them over the past few days. Wiram thought of what words would best describe what he saw and he came up with 'confident, solidarity, uncompromising'.
Chapter 24 - Sundown's Challenge
Sundown's convoy of four ASLAVS with their 25 mm cannons and machine guns with the six Bushmasters carrying soldiers and crew, was on the Hay Track, half way across the Simpson Desert. They were still on their way to the Christian Palace.
The group had taken a day longer than expected because Billie wanted to stop off to visit his tribesmen in the middle of the desert. By this time they knew of the successes and losses of the commando's patrols, so one more day wouldn't matter now.
Billie left McFly behind to travel alone and attend to his tribe's secret men's business. McFly had a feeling Billie wouldn't be back. It wasn't anything Billie said but it was in his manner and in his eyes. McFly watched Billie say 'goodbye' to the convoy, the people around him and to his friends. It was a moment McFly would never forget.
It was the 'making of men' time and Billie was needed. As one of the elders he wanted to be part of what he felt was his last opportunity to give back to the people of his mother's blood. When he returned two days later his health was failing him. He told Pedro that he didn't expect to make it back to Birdsville.
His friends sat with him throughout the night: Lorraine, Pinkie, McFly, Shadow, Sundown and Pedro. They sat together, talking quietly, discussing the future and reflecting on the past.
An hour before dawn Billie called McFly over and whispered in his ear. “The spirit mother and father told me you'll be comin' out 'ere one day. They said for you to follow yer path and stick to it. I'm not sure what they mean but they said you should 'ave listened to them and ducked like they told you,” he whispered softly.
“Ah, yeah, they did say that. It was when I was in the fight with John and his mates. I stood when I was supposed to duck, I got clobbered,” replied McFly with an embarrassed smile.
“Ah ha, that explains it. If the spirit elders say do somethin' then don't muck about.” Billie lay back in his swag and pulled one more time on his rum flask. It no longer held rum but the spirits the aboriginal community made in their stills. The old warrior said it was good enough, it put fire in his belly.
By dawn Billie was gone, gone to walk the stars with his father and mother spirits. McFly sat a quiet vigil until he felt a sudden urge to walk in the desert. He felt something pulling at him like someone held on to his belt and yanked him up out of his chair.
“Matty, where are you going?” asked Shadow softly.
“I don't quite know, but I feel an urge to get up and walk out in the scrub for a while. I guess it's to say goodbye to Billie, in my own way. I'll be back in a few hours, there's something I have to do but I don't know what.” He pulled on his pistol belt and slung his sniper rifle over his shoulder and set out into the desert.
The rain had stopped and the landscape had burst into bloom. Patches of sand slowly disappeared as green grasses and coloured flowers covered everything. The desert plants fought to reproduce their kind before the heat dried them out.
A few hours later McFly climbed to the top of a sand dune and looked down upon the most amazing sight, a lagoon filled with ducks, geese and probably teeming with fish.
“I don't believe it,” he sighed, “and here's me without my fishing gear.”
; From behind some low stunted bushes he watched as four aboriginal men came into sight. They carried an assortment of rifles and spears. In their nets were fish, snakes and fresh water tortoises.
“Hey!” called one of them as they walked up the sand dune towards him. It was a well muscled man in his late twenties, he was much the same age as McFly. “I seen you brother. I seen you in my dreams last night.”
When McFly looked at him strangely he continued, “My grandfather told me I'd meet you here. He told me in my dreams on his way to be with the ancestors. Will you sit and eat with us? Then we'll collect our grandfather.” The young man introduced himself, “My name's Frank, what's your name?”
McFly listened while the men chatted quietly among themselves. Frank was curious as to why he'd seen McFly in his dreams.
“Why, McFly? Why did you come and speak with me? Did you know my grandfather very well?” he asked.
“Yes, quite well, your grandfather smoked me on our way in to the desert country. He introduced me to your land and I saw your elders, the spirit man and woman.” McFly paused to eat more of the sweet tasting fish. The four aboriginal men stopped talking and looked at each other incredulously.
“What?” exclaimed the eldest man of the group, a wiry man in his forties with raised scars on his chest and shoulders. “Billie smoked you?” They spoke in their own language for what seemed ages and McFly felt a little uncomfortable, not knowing what they were saying.
“So the spirit ancestors spoke to you?” asked Frank at last, “that's strange, if that happened then you should be dead. We've never known any white fella to be smoked before. Billie must have been shown that you were one of us.” The four men looked at McFly and he stared blankly back at them.
“I what? Billie danced and lit a fire and smoke blew in my face and I fell asleep. I thought I saw these two old people.” He gave a confused smile. “No one told me I was 'one'. What the hell does that mean?” He felt they were making fun of him, he wanted to get up and leave. But he was also curious because the men were obviously serious, they continued to look at him.