Desert Strike (Sundown Apocalypse Book 4)

by Leo Nix

  “I'm very proud to say that John was my mate. It was on that miserable, rotten day when I teased him about how many kills he'd made. He said 'two shots two kills and go and get stuffed'.” There was laughter but it quickly died down. “Then the bastards came at us again and again and each time John fired he'd called out his score - 'three shots three kills' - 'four shots four kills'. I know I should have stopped pushing him along, but we were going to be overrun and every kill kept us alive. We'd almost run out of ammunition and the Revelationists Strosstruppen still outnumbered us twenty to one.”

  The crowd was quiet, even the kids listened, their eyes wide. “Beamy here, was on the sand wounded and so John handed him his pistol. He told Beamy that when we were overrun he should shoot the first two terrorists then Mugga then himself. It was that sort of situation.” He paused for a second then continued, wiping at his eyes. “John said he was prepared to die,” and Halo's bottom lip began to quiver, “he'd lived a good life and death wasn't something he was afraid of.” Halo took a deep breath and steadied himself. “He was ready to be with his God and he was at peace with himself.”

  Beamy was standing next to Halo as his support person, but it was he that needed support as tears dripped freely down his cheeks. He clearly remembered that miserable rotten day too. Lorraine came over and pulled Beamy into her breast as he sobbed in full view of the community that he had so effectively given everything to protect.

  Tricia stood beside Halo knowing this was going to be tough for him too. She'd been busy in the sick bay telling off drunken teenage soldiers and knew this was going to be but a short respite. There was no way she would let her partner make this speech alone. It was important to Halo and to their beloved community.

  “Then John stood up and fired again. He called out to me,” Halo paused and sniffed, his eyes had begun to water some more, “he said to me, 'five shots five kills Halo'.” Another pause as he sniffed and wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve. “We were under a lot of strain. We'd run and fought all night and all day, in the pouring rain too. Our bikes were weighed down by our wounded and now we were down to our last bullets. It was just us, our pistols and if it went on any longer it would have been knives.” Halo was back in control of his emotions and wanted to continue like this right to the end of his speech.

  “John knew we were down to the wire and so killed the terrorist leaders first then whoever he could get in his sights. But when he went for his sixth kill they were waiting for him.” Halo went quiet, his Adam's Apple jerked up and down several times as he tried to calm himself. He then looked up and raised his beer high into the air and called to the crowd, “In memory of our mate, John, I declare this marksmanship finals begun.”

  They started with knife throwing and Obi-Wan thrashed everyone with four out of five bullseyes. Next was pistols at twenty five metres which saw Chan quickly move into first place, followed by Pipeline and Obi-Wan right behind him. At the third stage shoot-out Koala Bob won the assault rifles at fifty metres but Obi-Wan and Pipeline were now only one point behind. The unscoped rifle was won by an outstanding shoot off between Chan and Roo who scored the most points right out to one thousand metres.

  At this stage there were just five points separating the five competitors. But the scoped rifle shoot had to be done a second time. The cable ties and sticky tape holding Koala Bob's scope to his much loved .303 Lee Enfield had broken.

  It looked like it was going to take all afternoon so Halo declared a five round shoot out at one thousand metres. If anyone lost their bits and pieces then that was just tough luck, because he had a port competition to get to.

  Right at the very end, a willy-willy came up, blowing clouds of dust which now hid the targets. It even upset Roo's marksmanship. So the five men, all good mates by now, got together and agreed the best thing to do was to draw straws.

  It turned out that not only did Koala Bob get to speak to the teenage girls he was so fond of, but he also drew the long straw and won the competition. He was a celebrity that day winning the inaugural, 'John's Five Shots Five Kills Trophy'.

  Around mid afternoon Fat Boy held a 'cook-off' against all comers. Tricia and Andy commented on how wonderful the atmosphere was probably because, for the first time in twelve months, the commando could finally let their hair down. Everyone was pretty much tanked and had been drinking and partying since dawn and the cook-off was a hoot.

  Fat Boy's voice could be heard above all else, his endless stream of jokes kept everyone laughing. He called on Halo to compère the cook-off with him. Bouncing off each other they did such a great job that no one left the lagoon until the competition was done. As it got dark Fat Boy stoked up his barbecue and had it roaring once again for the Commando's evening meal.

  After a hectic day of fun everyone returned for their evening entertainment beside the lagoon.

  Shamus Day was an ordered affair with a proper bar and the drinks were served by bar staff - thanks to Pellino's splendid organisation. It included a beer and fortified wine competition, and now that Andrew was making his own spirits, called 'Palace Whiskey', there was a spirits competition as well.

  By the evening meal everyone was pleasantly satiated with food and alcohol. The women who organised the food and entertainment schedules was led by Mel and Wilma. By sunset they were frazzled but so pleased with how things turned out that they gladly handed their aprons over to the younger girls. They then had the rest of the evening off.

  Each armoured personnel carrier had their own beer brewers, wine makers and distillers. It seemed there were more alcohol specialists than any other occupation in the Alice Springs Command. The dozen or so Bushmasters and ASLAV's produced a variety of beers, wines, ports and spirits and the competition was fierce. Master brewers, winemakers and distillers abounded and were traded back and forth according to who had what to trade. It wasn't uncommon for a master distiller to run batches through his own still for several of the crews.

  “The main problem is fermentables,” explained Luke to Danni, leaning on his shoulder and staring lovingly into his eyes. “Beer needs a special yeast which makes alcohol. Every crew has their own secret strain. But the main fermentables are sugar and malt, which is almost impossible to get hold of. I've seen the crews use potato peelings, sweet potatoes, vegetable scraps, grass seeds, molasses and even desert yams.”

  Luke smiled at Danni's attentive gaze. He had no idea she wasn't listening, she was just enjoying his passion to explain things to her. “If someone let the beer spoil from wild yeasts or mould or bacteria, they'd be in big trouble. These armoured cavalry boys are serious drinkers, just look at Nulla.” He finished, then quickly moved his face close to kiss her gorgeous, ruby-red lips.

  The hearts of each crew would stop beating as the judges results were posted up on the brewers competition notice board. By the end of the day almost all reserves of alcohol had been consumed and Andrew was forced to bring up supplies from the palaces underground cellar.

  In the end there were winners but the losers argued it was because their distiller or their brewer made the winning drop. It was decided that when they had enough grain from Longreach they would hold a proper competition using decent fermentables.

  For the record, the ASLAVS won the spirits competition hands down winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd because they had the master distiller for Angoves of Renmark. He'd won multiple awards for his St Agnes Brandy and explained that his forty year old brandy was worth $750 a bottle. He stated that Cambra's Jameson Whiskey was over-rated.

  The beer competition went to Ahmet's Bushmaster crew who'd recently found a sugar stash on one of their forays into the outback. They'd discovered a truck on one of the isolated cattle station miles from anywhere. It was loaded with bags of sugar. They decided it must have been on its way to Mount Isa when its axle broke. Where the owner was no one knew. Once their secret was out they were forced to hand over their supplies. Fat Boy took control of distribution to all cavalry crews and was able to supplement he and An
drews brewing supplies as well.

  Andy and Fat Boy's 'Palace Port' won the fortified wine competition, probably because the competition was very thin. Only one bottle of wine was produced because there were no grapes. What sultanas and raisins the palace had went into cakes and deserts. With the arrival of the bags of grain from Longreach not only did the bread eaters celebrate but there was even greater rejoicing from the drinkers. Wheat grains can be malted for beer making and if they can get their hands on enough barley grain then that would be an added bonus.

  Throughout dinner they were entertained by Sundown and Wiram along with half dozen others playing guitar and singing the commando's much loved songs. 'Eagle Rock' and 'Stairway to Heaven' being Shamus' favourites became everyone's favourites that night.

  Not once did Nulla call out for a Slim Dusty song, but he was tempted. The musicians did a round-robin taking it in turns so they could all socialise and finish their meals. When one lot was ready to eat they simply passed their instruments to the next set of musicians.

  The last event was the 'Shamus Whiskey Raffle'. Cambra announced the lucky winners after everyone had finished the evening meal. Each would get a taste of the famous Jameson Gold Irish whiskey. There wasn't enough for anyone to get drunk but it sure was going to be good fun.

  Cambra stood on a wooden box above the crowd and announced loudly, “Laddies and lasses, winners of the hottest contested raffle in the history of the post-apocalypse world.” He paused while everyone stopped laughing then held the Jameson Gold bottle high in the air. “Here, before you, is the very same Irish whiskey made famous by Shamus, the master strategist of Sundown's Commando. The very same whiskey he drank on the night of the Marree Hotel fight.” Cambra started to giggle but with great strength of character forced himself to resume. “It is now history that he spied my two hundred dollar bottle of whiskey, perched high on a shelf in the Marree Hotel bar room. I made sure to put it so high that only my dog could hear its song of joy. Thereupon Shamus placed his hands around the bottle and pulled its precious cork from its top.”

  With a flourish he pulled the cork from the bottle in his hands. “Next, he placed the contents of the bottle into his body, like so.” He tipped a little into his open mouth. There came a groaned sigh from the assembled whiskey drinkers.

  “Whereupon the hotel establishment's handsome owner, myself, came upon him drinking the bottle of very expensive whiskey.” Cambra began laughing again. He'd been drinking Andy's spirits with the boys most of the day and was already quite plastered.

  “When mine eyes fell upon the bottle in Shamus' hands those same eyes went straight to the top shelf in my hotel bar room. Seeing the gap the bottle was supposed to fill that handsome publican's blood pressure burst like a water pipe.” He stopped to catch his breath, he wiped the tears from his eyes and composed himself. “Despite the publican's best efforts to wrestle that very expensive bottle of Jameson whiskey from Shamus' hands of steel, not one drop remained.”

  Cambra now lifted the first winner's tiny crystal cup in his free hand. “And so, as Shamus would say if he were here today, 'cut the bullshit Cambra and get on with it laddie' so I shall.” Thereupon he proceeded to pour until the bottle was empty.

  The evening ended with Beamy's recital of Shamus' last speech given on the eve of the Mines Battle. He was killed in action, the first Sundown's Commando to give his life for their freedom. It was later said there was not a dry eye among the commando when he finished.

  Everyone knew the boys had gone into the Marree camp to retrieve the whiskey but not many knew the outcome of the administrative committee's inquiry.

  Cambra was ordered to hand over all proceeds to the committee, to be managed by Andrew. The Pine Gap crew were pardoned on account they were in support of the patrol and had been ordered to 'participate in every and any action' by their commanding officer.

  To her credit Sue-Ellen had no inkling of the patrol and was going to rip Obi-Wan another orifice until Sundown asked her not to.

  “Sue-Ellen, your boys safeguarded our idiots. They aren't to blame and I'd rather let the responsibility rest on the shoulders of those who are,” he said.

  Cambra, Halo, Assassin, Chan and Donata were paraded before the committee.

  Major Lewis called them into the committee room. “What you lot did was beyond belief. Not only did you deliberately hide your activities but your actions placed our entire operations, and thus your community's lives, at risk. You are hereby formally reprimanded and your punishment must be shown to fit your actions.”

  Major Lewis now handed out the committee's punishment. “Specialist Chan, in light of your excellent performance you will be excused the punishment handed to the others. We understand that your continued exposure to battle stress has contributed to your recklessness. Therefore you are removed from the front line and confined to the palace and the Birdsville outpost to train the new recruits for a period of no less than six months. Dismissed.” Chan, his face set and emotionless, saluted, turned on his heel and left the room.

  “Lieutenant Donata, your position as a senior and experienced officer in Sundown's Commando, was reckless and irresponsible. You are demoted to the rank of corporal. From tomorrow you will assume a support role in the training and management of the new recruits with Specialist Chan, the Home Guard, the Girl Guards and the guard dogs. You will be formally assessed as to whether we deem you suitable for promotion in three months. Dismissed.” Corporal Donata saluted the major and marched out of the meeting room, his back remained stiff and proud. Sundown noted this hadn't broken his spirit and was pleased. Donata was an honourable young man, he had plans for him.

  Major Lewis now called the three originals to stand to attention.

  “I won't go into the why's and wherefores for you lot. We know your motives were pure and we also know your performance for the commando has been exemplary. But what you did was set a poor example to the troops and endangered the lives of our entire community. The committee has decided that, rather than punish you with menial tasks which may cause resentment in the ranks, you will be invited to volunteer in a long range rescue patrol.” The three shuffled slightly, they knew what was coming.

  “Sergeant Doff has volunteered to command a fighting patrol to rescue Sydney Charley. It is dangerous, it may take a whole year to pull off. It may also be a suicide mission. You will be his first volunteers.” He stopped to look at the boys who didn't move a muscle. “I don't need to tell you what the alternative is.”

  Cambra stepped forward one pace. “Sundown, Major Lewis, members of the committee, we've already decided we'll go with Sergeant Doff. We would have volunteered regardless.”

  Sundown now stood up. “Thank you, boys. Sergeant Doff is the most experienced and respected fighting NCO in our command. He will need the best and you are our best. This decision wasn't easy for the committee, but it was necessary. If you would like to talk things over with myself or anyone here on the committee please do so. I believe Sergeant Doff is waiting for you right now. Dismissed.”

  Chapter 27 - Love Rules

  Sundown spent Shamus Day trying to show everyone that he was normal. He participated in everything, sharing the highs and the lows of the competitions, like a leader should. He complained when his knife throwing was so awful that he only had one knife stick in the board out of five attempts.

  “For crying out loud, Sundown! Throw the bloody thing like a demon will ya!” yelled Halo from the crowd. Sundown looked around and shrugged his shoulders. He threw again but to no avail. By now everyone knew of his berserker demon and prowess with the knife, but without it, he was a mere mortal.

  It was all good fun but when he sat down to eat his lunch he felt so alone in the crowd. Where was Shamus and Pedro his mate and confidante? Pinkie and Andrew were too busy running things behind the scenes and they had no time to talk to him - no one was there for him. 'Who rescues the rescuer?' he thought sadly to himself.

  'I'm just a miserable, lonely sod who do
esn't know who he is sometimes.' That was until Sue-Ellen brought her plate over to join him.

  “Hi Sundown, I heard you missed out on the five by five finals.” She stopped, looked at him, and tried again. “You're not in a great place are you?”

  It was Sundown's turn to attempt conversation. “Sue-Ellen, I'm feeling a bit flat and miserable. Pedro's in Longreach with his girlfriend, my missus is working and hasn't any time for me and someone I admire very much is about to leave for her home. There's not much to be happy about.”

  “I don't believe I'm hearing this from the great Sundown, what's really bothering you?”

  He looked up at the sky, there was some cloud cover but it was too thin and high to even suggest rain. As he closed his eyes he asked himself that very question - 'what really is bothering me?'

  He knew the answer he just had to admit it, eventually. “I guess it's life. I've seen too many dead people. I lost my mentor, Shamus, in our first action. That man meant a lot to me. We spent so much time talking, discussing world politics and fighting strategies, and just plain day to day things. But he had a way about him. He was calm, peaceful, in fact he read me like a book. He read everything like a book.”

  “I've known people like that, they do make an impression. But there's more, Sundown.” She put her hand over his to make him look at her. “There is more and you just won't admit it.”

  “Yes, you're right, there is more. Shamus told me I had a decision to make. One path led to honour and loss, the other path led to dishonour and success. I asked him what I should do and he gave me a glimpse into the future.” Sundown stopped, he didn't want to go on, it was too painful.

  Sue-Ellen made it easy for him. “Go on, I know the answer but I need to hear it from your lips.”

  It was difficult and he couldn't look into her eyes any more. “I've got to let you go.”