by Leo Nix
“Ooops, sorry girls, that's army talk. I promise to watch my manners in the future,” he said awkwardly.
“Cut the bullshit, Johnny, these girls here were knocking out terrorists while you were playing soldier in Alice Springs. I doubt there's a swear word they haven't heard. Besides,” Pedro winked, saying in a mock British voice, “we've got proper British nurses and British nurses bust balls too.” He chuckled softly to himself when he saw Glenda and Pinkie giggling with him.
Tricia patiently continued with what she needed to be agreed upon today. “Louie, we're backs to the wall here. In the middle of the desert in the middle of the apocalypse and we have nothing. I don't see a choice really. I've been talking to your medics and they said they'd like to set up a unit to study medicine, natural and modern. Their thoughts are the same as mine, we need to set up a university-style course to continue training our field medics and our hospital staff. I'd like to go to Alice Springs and talk to the hospital heads there and find out who knows what and get this training program happening.”
Pinkie was half listening, lost in thought about Glenda's pregnancy. She picked up on the Alice Springs comment. “Hey, Sundown, that's a great idea. Why not send Tricia in Bill's plane? It's only a day trip. The sooner we get our medical supplies and trained staff, the sooner I can stop worrying about Glenda.”
Sundown looked around and saw heads nod in agreement. “OK, Shadow, can you grab Bill for me some time today, please? I'll need to chat with him and organise a flight out. Tricia, are you up for a trip in the next few days? I've got to see Vic anyway.”
“You bet, Sundown. Glenda has plenty of time and I'm confident the girls and I can handle her birth, but it's the wounded I'm worried about. We've been lucky so far. Slimmy was too close, so was Pedro.” Tricia turned to look at her dear friend and frowned. “Pedro, I was going to ask later but, how's your legs these days? I notice you've not been using your prosthetic legs very often.”
“Well girlie, one thing I can tell you is my butt no longer fountains when I fart.” He enjoyed the chuckle around the table. “Actually, the truth is me legs still hurt if I put weight on 'em too much. I'm not sixty years old anymore and I've decided I'll let the younger lads do the hard work from now on. I'm just easing into retirement and I don't need legs for that.” He looked wistfully at Tricia then at his friend Sundown.
“That's fine, Pedro, but no retirement for you. Major Louie here said he and Johnny want to set up an NCO and officer training program at the palace. Seems Fat Boy disobeyed my orders to stay out of the tunnels. He found a room full of paintball equipment and crossbows, archery things, swords and all sorts of ancient weapons. Johnny Walker's been down there with him and a few of his lads are still sorting it out. Johnny said you might want to use the gear as part of your training program.” Sundown scratched at a mosquito bite on his arm. “Paintballs and swords… can you imagine what those idiots got up to here? There are other things down there that I'm too embarrassed to talk about.”
“You mean the sex rooms?” offered Pinkie with a cheeky smile at her husband.
“Yes Pinkie, thanks for reminding me, sex rooms,” he said dryly. “And what about the room filled with gold and silver bars? Or the cash room and that room full of pistols and silencers? What were they planning I wonder?” Sundown took another piece of Fatima's cheese and popped it into his mouth.
McFly had been silent all this time but the talk of hidden treasure in the tunnels forced a question to form in his mind and it just popped out.
“They didn't find any fishing gear by any chance did they, Sundown?” His eyes twitched with anticipation.
“Damn it, McFly,” said his wife, Shadow, sitting beside him. “You've got that big lagoon out front to play in. Sergeant Ahmet said he saw some huge fish in there, he thought it might be barramundi. He said he wants you to run a course on fly fishing for the boys too.” Shadow hid her smile from her husband.
“Bullcrap! Did he really said that? Ahmet really did say that? Did he? Sweet!” came Matty McFly's ecstatic reply. The rabid fly fisherman's eyes popped and he stood up to leave.
“Captain, are you going somewhere special?” asked Major Lewis flatly.
“What? Aw shoot, umm, may I leave the table?” he asked then realised what he'd said when everyone laughed. “I mean, is this meeting over yet?”
“Matty, sit back down. We haven't finished yet and I have a feeling your misses is just teasing,” said Sundown.
McFly looked at his wife and his face changed from disappointment to one of, 'damn, you got me that time.'
“Sorry Matty, I just couldn't help it. You left yourself wide open, my man,” chuckled Shadow.
“OK, back to order,” called Andrew, keen to get to his book work. “I'd like to report on the progress of our vegetable gardens and general food situation.” He waited while everyone stopped laughing and settled down. “Thanks. We've had two months of fine spring weather and the gardens have flourished. We'll have daily fresh herbs and vegetables very soon. Fat Boy's hydroponics system is producing a growing supply of fresh vegetables. We have a reasonable amount coming through now but not enough for everyone, every day - but we're close. The cow herd is producing a surplus of milk and we're making yoghurt and cheese, as you can see here on our table. Unfortunately we've just about run out of wheat flour so grains are a problem. That means we're struggling to get enough beer brewed for the soldiers and drinkers, and we've no bread, sorry Sundown.”
Sundown, the ex-baker and bread scientist, nodded. He already knew the situation was bad and despite he and Fat Boy's best efforts, along with Mel and Fatima's creativity, basic bread was no longer on the menu. They still had some wild bush grains along with some rye and wheat growing in their hydroponics system but it was a long way from harvest and simply not enough to go around.
Tricia looked at Andy and quickly jumped in before he started talking again. “Andy, I've spoken to the pharmacist in Alice Springs, he's wanting to set up an opium and cannabis garden there. The pharmacist said we might be able to produce a decent painkiller with some luck.”
Andrew stared at her for a moment. “Are you saying they want to grow heroin?”
“Yes, it's what our most effective painkillers are derived from. Opium's been cultivated for at least 5,000 years.” She stared at him for a moment. “Andy, it's for medication only, and no bastard's getting their hands on it,” she replied heatedly din her proper British nurse's voice, with added emphasis on 'bastards'.
“OK, as Sundown says, 'you outrank me in the medical department'. We've got nothing else and narcotics is something I know nothing about. I'll just butt out of the conversation then, won't I.” He paused, shook his head in bewilderment then came back to life. “If anyone wants to object you'd better do it now.”
Sundown looked at Tricia and saw she meant business so stepped in to support her. “I see no reason to object as long as it's managed by the Alice Springs medical staff and no one else gets their hands on it. We need every form of medicine we can get and if it saves one life or eases the suffering of one of my Commando, I say we go for it.” Sundown looked at the last piece of cheese but hesitated. “Umm, Tricia, when you get to the Alice, make sure you have a good chat with this pharmacist fellow. If we do this we do it properly, or not at all.”
With a look of annoyance on her face Tricia couldn't help herself snapping at him. “Properly? I'm a damn professional, Sundown!” She abruptly stopped fuming and calmed down when she saw the hurt look on his face. “I'm sorry… well, I take that as a yes vote.” She turned to Pedro. “Pedro, can you please tell Fat Boy to call by my office tonight? He might know where to get some plants.”
“I don't care for it myself but if it helps our wounded then let's give it a try.” Major Louie Lewis paused and looked around. “But can we now get back to our meeting? What about our fuel situation, Andy? Captain Walker said he's optimistic we'll have enough fuel for ongoing armoured patrols for the next two years if we can keep th
e underground fuel tanks clean and dry.”
“We're on track, Louie. By introducing horse and camel patrols, we should cut our demands down dramatically. Fuel absorbs moisture over time. It deteriorates and we'll eventually need some sort of method to clean it.” Andy looked around at his friends seated at the table. “Two years we've got but we really need a petroleum engineer, know of any?”
The major nodded. “As a matter of fact we've got a few. Some of the men from the oil industry were in Darwin when the apocalypse hit. They've joined our command, I think some are here at the palace. I'll get them in to speak with you.”
“Thanks. Louie, you'd better get onto those experts ASAP.” Sundown said and turned to Nulla. “How long do you think before the boys will be out on camel patrol?”
“We have some dab hands at horsemanship and cameleering. Kris is a natural and we've not had a single injury or incident. I think you can give us two weeks to settle the animals in and get everyone up to speed. At this stage, a dozen camels each for long range patrols and we'll need a dozen horses each for the cattleman and the house guards.” He saw the questioning glances among the group. “Yes, we'll need that many remounts. Did you know, Genghis Khan's Mongols had at least twenty remounts each? No? Well that's the sort of numbers we need, that plus fodder.”
“I didn't know you read the encyclopaedia of Mongol conquests, Sergeant Nulla,” said Major Lewis looking at Nulla with squinty-eyed suspicion, followed by a deliberate grin. “So, Andy, how do we do that?”
“I've spoken to Nulla and Kris about that very concern.” Andrew took his glasses off and rubbed vigorously at the lenses with a cloth. “The desert has enough feed for now and we can easily move the mobs around from paddock to paddock. We add new animals as we lose them or they become injured. Those horses are just what we need to look after our cattle. This property was a cattle station and all the adjoining properties ran cattle too. The fences, water troughs and paddocks with the best pastures are all set up for us. We've enough cattle to feed an army plus a hungry Commando. We won't starve.” His face broke into a smile as he put his glasses back on. “I heard Halo's been taking the girls out to train their mounts, donkeys?”
“Yeah,” laughed Nulla. “The Girl Guards wanted in on the act. I knew they would. They just love their horses and I'm confident they'll do a great job in caring for them. But them donkeys, well, even Kris hasn't been able to train them into mounted cavalry. Kris and Halo have some of the boys trying to train them as pack animals, but for the most part they're pretty darn stubborn, and smart.” He turned to look at Sundown. “The girls have their own horses and camels now. I've got the girls hooked, Sundown. We now have our Girl Guards occupied and off Johnny's back, for a while at least.”
“Johnny, you should be pleased with that I should imagine,” said Sundown with a light chuckle. Captain Johnny Walker just smiled in reply. “So, what about the guard dogs, I hear they're doing well too. And Red Dog, when is she due to drop her litter?”
“Should be soon, maybe a few more weeks at the latest. Kris said we've got a few dog handlers in the Commando who can train the pups as guard dogs. Captain Walker said he wanted to keep at least two for the palace. The others should be trained to go on patrol with the cavalry,” replied Nulla.
Andy squirmed in his seat. He was restless and ready to get back to his work. “Louie and I have saved this for last.” He paused thinking how best to present this last piece of news. “Vic called and said he had a visit from the Pine Gap people. He said their commander wants to speak with you, Sundown. Seems they have a lot of staff, men, women and children, inside their facility. It's only a few kilometres from Alice Springs. What do you think?”
Everyone at the table stopped what they were doing for the second time.
“Pine Gap? So they've finally decided to talk to us?” said Nulla. “I wonder what's wrong. Maybe they've run out of water, or they're sick of playing dungeons and dragons?”
Sundown ran his fingers through his hair as he thought. “Louie, can you please tell Vic I'll be flying in tomorrow or the day after? This should prove very useful. A thousand or so staff, skilled soldiers, trained and qualified technicians and medical personnel…” Sundown nodded to himself then called the meeting to a close. “Shadow, you'd better get Bill here right now, thanks.”
Chapter 3 - By Snake Or By Arms
Corporal Normy arrived at Longreach with his band of exhausted Stosstruppen and comfort lady, Nancy, after their escape from Birdsville. It was a gruelling eighteen hour drive, complete with two punctures and a scorpion sting to one of the mechanics while changing the tyres. They were met with the warmth and camaraderie he was expecting as conquering heroes. But as the days passed a coldness settled over the township. Where the Stosstruppen once walked boldly down the streets and were greeted as heroes, they were now shunned and avoided as though they were infected.
It was while drinking with the locals that the Stosstruppen platoon members learned that the elite Claws had a new commander. Colonel Bartlett liked to run things his own way and found any reference to his battalions brethren, the Ravens Claws, distasteful.
The head of the Mount Isa Revelationists, Reverend Thomas, insisted the new name reflect the theme of his original battalion, the Ravens Claws. After some blustering and posturing he got what he wanted, just as Colonel Bartlett got what he wanted, a new and distinguished name - the Mount Isa elite Claws were now called 'Talons'.
Longreach was an unusual township. Although it was run by the church, not everyone was a member and they had no slaves. The townsfolk worked steadily to run the community and also support the church, they were basically church employees. Some Crusader wits called them 'serfs'. It was modelled on the feudal system of medieval times - the church owned everything. The people worked and were supported in kind by the church itself.
Their control extended south and east towards the Queensland coast which included the region's extensive wheat and grain fields and farmlands. They ran protection for the farmers keeping raiders and looters at bay. The Longreach Revelationists were respected for their genuine compassion for those they were responsible for.
At one time the farmers had a problem with the Brisbane Revelationist Battalion raiding their supplies. It suddenly stopped the moment the Longreach battalions hit their headquarters. The Abbess' all-girl, Warrior Sisterhood Battalion, threatened the Brisbane general at gunpoint and they'd had no trouble since. The officer in charge of the operation, Captain Martene, was sharp, driven and as hard as nails – like her girls.
One fine morning the Abbess Leonie called Corporal Normy to her lavish office. In one corner he noticed several enclosed glass terrariums – they contained snakes which looked very much alive. There were several Taipans, the deadliest snake on the planet, and another three contained fat, evil looking Death Adders. Both species will kill; the first within minutes, the other a slow, painful death within a few hours.
As he entered, Normy saw his Stosstruppen company's 'comfort woman', Nancy, seated at the table next to the Abbess. He scowled to himself, 'What the hell is she doing here?'
The Abbess Leonie was Longreach's charismatic preacher who held control of the central Queensland parish of the Revelationists. As one of the founders of the International Revelationist Church in Zurich, Leonie was entitled to call her Longreach battalion the 'Crusaders of Light'. A tribute to her obvious leadership skills and her genuine compassion. The Abbess had returned from her missionary work in the South Pacific islands to be with her family in Longreach for the glorious Apocalypse. She loved her family, she loved her flock and they seemed to love her in return.
More than her flock she loved her little sister, Nancy. When she first learned that her beloved sister was being used as a comfort slave, she was outraged.
'How dare anyone treat my sister as a slave,' she thought. What was more upsetting was that the Adelaide church had used her as a sex slave.
Throughout their difficult childhood, Leonie looked
out for Nancy, at school and church outings. Her little sister was just one of those kids who had so few life-skills that she was the perfect victim. The Abbess wanted revenge for the Stosstruppen's disrespect, but distance and Sundown's Commando prevented her sending anyone to the rescue. She could have her revenge now that the Stosstruppen were delivered to her.
With the Adelaide Stosstruppen's arrival, and with Nancy among them, she was going to make sure they paid for abusing her sweet sister. Abbess Leonie knew that revenge is best served cold and, to her delight, none of the newcomers knew what they were in for. Once her outrage had cooled, she called for the corporal of her most loathed military unit in the Revelationist Church.
“Corporal Normy, I believe you know my little sister, Nancy?” began the Abbess. Just like the snakes in her collection, she held her prey dumb-struck with her eyes.
For a moment the corporal stood speechless but quickly found his voice and his cunning.
“Yes Abbess, I do know your God-blessed sister quite well but I didn't know she was your sister. Nancy was part of our company for this past year and she's held an esteemed position as comforter for our men and women. I have a great deal of respect for her,” he answered carefully, his eyes shifted from face to face noticing for the first time that there were others in the room.
“I would like to draw your attention to the words you spoke a few days ago. May I quote what you said?” She turned towards the sweating corporal as she waved to her sergeant-at-arms to close the large office doors.
“I can't say I remember much of what's said in every conversation I've ever had, Abbess. But please, if you wish, go ahead.” His eyes shifted from the closed doors to the terrariums, and then to the elderly men and women surrounding him. They sat silently in comfortable opulence, in ornate chairs lining the walls of the Abbess' office. He felt like a naked gladiator in a Roman arena.
“You said, 'Get the fuck down, bitch. Do what you do best and hurry it up this time.' I believe that may have been in reference to a head job from my sister?” The Abbess turned to Nancy who nodded softly.