The Cadet Sergeant Major

by Christopher Cummings

  “Margaret? She’s fine sir,” he replied as casually as he could. He wanted to deny she was ‘his girl’ but didn’t. She was part of his group of friends anyway; and his little sister’s best friend.

  Lt McEwen turned to him. “I’ve heard she is going to marry you Graham. Is that right?”

  Graham blushed. He knew Miss McEwen was only teasing him- or was she?

  “Who told you that Miss?”

  “She did.”

  ‘Bloody Margaret!’ Graham thought in exasperation. “News to me Miss.”

  “The man is always the last to know,” Lt Maclaren added sagely.

  The other officers laughed. Graham blushed brick-red. But he could not get annoyed at Margaret.

  “You could do worse CSM,” Capt Conkey said absent-mindedly as he read a page of orders. “She’s a very nice girl; as loyal as they come.”

  “Yes she is sir. But I actually wasn’t planning such an event for a few years,” Graham replied stiffly.

  This caused a ripple of good-natured laughter from the officers, making Graham blush again. He shrugged. He had never hinted at such a thing to Margaret; and she had never suggested anything to him; but somehow it seemed natural.

  While walking back to where the members of HQ were preparing their evening meal he turned the idea over in his mind. He didn’t know how he really felt about Margaret. She had been his devoted admirer for about five years. At times it annoyed him intensely. ‘She follows me round like a faithful puppy!’ he had cried on more than one occasion. ‘But she certainly is loyal; and honest; and nice,’ he conceded. ‘But she hasn’t got eyes like Allison’s, or tits like Barbara or Kellie Jones. In fact she’s hardly got any tits at all.’

  Feeling a bit confused he joined the others and sat down. Allison smiled and passed food to him. He smiled back and said thanks. After taking his share he passed it to Peter.

  ‘Gosh!’ he noted with surprise. ‘Peter looks very matey with Kate O’Brien. I wonder.... Nah! Pete’s not impressed by girls. He’s just being a gentleman.’

  CHAPTER 8

  THE LANTERN STALK

  The training activity programmed for the second night was a ‘Lantern Stalk’ to teach basic field craft; and to develop self-confidence. A kerosene ‘Hurricane’ lantern was to be hung from a tree as the objective. Defenders were to patrol the approaches to it. The cadets had to reach the lantern without being detected by the guards. If they were to move back out of sight and try again.

  The exercise area was a rough rectangle formed by the Flinders Highway, the Canning Road, Sandy Ridge and the low, timbered ridge running from the camp to the Highway. The lantern was on this ridge, about two hundred metres down from the camp. The start point was the Burdekin Plum tree on Bare Ridge which had been Peter’s check-point the previous night.

  The ‘defenders’ were the CUOs, sergeants and HQ; with the OOCs on the boundaries for safety (and to stop cheating). The platoon sergeants had to move their platoons to the start point where they would be met by the OC, QM and CSM. Before starting they would be given a lesson on ‘Night Vision’ by Lt Hamilton and revise ‘Sounds at night’ and ‘Night movement’. The OC would then take the CSM and platoon sergeants and deploy them as the forward line of guards.

  Just after dusk Capt Conkey gathered all the ‘defenders’ at the officer’s fire. Peter stood among them and listened.

  “There will be three lines of defenders,” Capt Conkey explained. “They will form patrol lines between Sandy Ridge and the Highway. The first line will be the CSM and platoon sergeants. They will deploy in the open valley below Bare Ridge along the line of the small creek there. You are to be in three pairs. The second line, about one hundred paces back from the small creek is to be from HQ. Sgt Bronsky, you group them in pairs and spread them evenly across the front. Position the stretchers and First Aid Kit in the centre.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Capt Conkey went on, “The last line is to be the CUOs in two pairs.” He looked at them and they nodded. He went on, “Now, remember that Priority One is safety. No running, no physical contact:- no tackling or grabbing and so on. Secondly remember the aims of the exercise. They are- One- to develop the First Year Cadet’s self-confidence at moving in the bush in the dark. Two- to practice fieldcraft skills. Our aim is not to defeat them. If they are doing the right thing they should be able to creep past us. Is that clear?”

  Capt Conkey looked hard at them all. “I know you all want to win but it is a teaching exercise, not a testing exercise. So we must make it possible for them to sneak past, if they use proper fieldcraft. That means you must patrol up and down, not stand in one place. If you stand still and shine your torch around you block them and they have no chance. The ground isn’t broken enough and there isn’t enough undergrowth. So keep moving. Only shine your torches on the little grubs who are playing silly buggers.”

  He gave more details on how to challenge and what to do with cadets who had lost both lives. “Platoon sergeants, have you all got your bundle of lives? Good. OK CSM and sergeants, get the company moving. Go along the road. I will meet you there. Everyone else come with me.”

  Lt Standish was to remain by the fire with a few sick cadets. Peter saw Graham note their names and make sure that the platoon sergeants did the same. Lt McEwen walked off to patrol the Sandy Ridge track. Lt Hamilton and Lt Maclaren both climbed into Land Rovers and drove off; the 2ic to park beside the Highway and the QM to wait at the start point. Both vehicles carried First Aid Kits.

  Capt Conkey picked up the lantern and led off, the others following in single file. As they dodged around a tree in the dark Peter felt Kate bump into him, apparently accidentally. He then noted that she was walking close behind him. His mind began turning over whom to group with whom.

  At once the idea came to him. He knew it was fraught with peril; but the temptation was fierce. The more he tried to reject it the stronger it seemed to become.

  ‘I can organize it so that I am alone with Kate!’

  Peter wrestled with this temptation while they tramped down through the dark bush. ‘It’s a risk,’ he thought. ‘But it might give me a chance to talk to her.’ He knew in his heart it was wrong, a silly idea which could get them both into trouble; but his heart was hammering furiously and his skin seemed to tingle.

  Capt Conkey paused to suspend the lantern from a low tree then led them on along a cattle pad. A hundred paces further on he halted and called the CUOs to him. With his powerful torch he indicated their patrol line.

  “Two each side of this cattle pad,” he said.

  In the distance they could hear the hubbub of noise as the platoon sergeants prepared their platoons to move. From half a kilometre away the CSM’s voice cut sharply through the still night air. “Platoon sergeants! Shut those platoons up! This is a military exercise, not Pig Day at Goombungee! Move in silence.”

  There was an instant cessation of noise, except for the occasional sergeant’s bark. Peter grinned. ‘Good old Graham.’

  As he stood in the dark listening to the OC Peter felt Kate bump into him again, her elbow pressing against his.

  ‘That is not accidental!’ he thought. His emotions became a mixture of panic and delight. This swayed him. ‘I could put Costigan and Lacey together right down near the Highway; then Allison and Denton. Kate and I could go in the middle with Kellie Jones and Leah Allen on our right and Henning and Parnell up near the Sandy Ridge track,’ he thought.

  As the OC led them on Peter turned this plan over in his mind, worrying about whether it was too obvious. He wasn’t sure but decided he would have to be with a girl anyway as the sexes were uneven. ‘So it might as well be Kate.’

  Capt Conkey stopped in the middle of a wide dip. He used the beam of his torch to point. “Put the First Aid Kit and stretcher there. OK Sgt Bronsky, this is your line. Patrol North-South. Use compasses if you need to. Make sure your people are spaced out all the way to both boundaries. You organize them.”

  “Yes
sir.” Peter found his throat dry. It seemed difficult to speak. The OC turned and walked on alone towards Bare Ridge. Peter swallowed and licked his lips. His heart was pattering at what seemed a frantic pace and he couldn’t seem to hear properly.

  Turning to the others he said, “Right, here is the plan. Staff Costigan, you and Cpl Lacey go all the way down to the Highway. Cpl Broadfoot and Cadet Denton will be next. They will link with myself and Cpl O’Brien who will be here. Cpl Jones, you and LCpl Allen go up there on the right,” He clicked on his torch to point. “And Lance Corporals Henning and Parnell go up onto Sandy Ridge as far as the vehicle track. Move off straight away and I will walk along and check the line. Off you go.”

  There were a few groans and some muttering from those who had to walk the furthest. To Peter’s relief no-one voiced any objection. The pairs went trampling off into the night using their compasses and torches. When they were safely out of earshot Peter turned to Kate.

  “Is that alright Cpl O’Brien? Are you happy with that? I mean being with me?”

  “Yes Peter, I am,” Kate murmured in a husky voice which seemed to vibrate through the bone of Peter’s skull. She stood very close to him.

  Peter swallowed to moisten hi suddenly dry throat. “I .... I wanted to... to be alone with you,” he stammered. “So we could .... could talk.”

  “That will be nice,” Kate replied. She moved closer so that their elbows touched again. Peter felt his emotions bounding. The physical contact seemed to set him on fire.

  Kate went on, “I’m glad you did. It was very clever of you to organize it. I hoped you would. I want to be alone with you.” She pressed closer. “I like you.”

  Peter’s heart leapt. For a few moments he couldn’t speak. No girl had ever said that to him before. ‘I must be dreaming! It’s too good to be true.’

  He turned to watch where the others had gone. Torches were visible bobbing through the trees. The torches of the two pairs of CUOs were clearly visible behind them. No-one was within about a hundred paces. Distant shouting on Bare Ridge indicated the platoons arriving at the start point. He took off his webbing and dropped it beside the First Aid Kit. Kate did likewise.

  As Peter turned towards Kate his fingers brushed against hers. It was like an electric shock. She didn’t move away. Their hands bumped again. ‘Should I try to hold her hand; or is that going too fast?’ he wondered. He didn’t want to frighten her off. Almost as though someone else controlled his body he reached out, aware he was risking a sharp rebuff.

  There was a moment of fumbling before Kate eagerly gripped his hand. Peter was exhilarated. He was also surprised at how warm her hand felt. ‘And how smooth! It feels very nice.’

  His heart began to pound even harder. Physical desire seemed to surge through him. He rapidly became aroused.

  ‘I’m glad it’s dark,’ he thought. He didn’t want to frighten or offend Kate.

  They stood in silence for a few minutes. Peter was in turmoil. ‘What do I do next?’ he worried. In the distance he heard Graham’s voice as he silenced the company for the OC. It recalled him to his duty.

  “I’d better walk along and check everyone is in the right place,” Peter said, his throat feeling so dry he almost croaked. “Come with me and I will leave you with Allison while I walk down to the Highway and back.”

  Reluctantly he let go her hand, turned on his torch and began walking. Kate followed. As they walked Peter was very aware of being more aroused than he could remember and it seemed to dominate his whole being.

  ‘Thank heavens it is dark. No-one will notice,’ he thought.

  The distance to the Highway was only about 300 metres and the two groups were easy to find. They stood talking beside a small gully about half way down. Peter made the gully the boundary between the two groups then, satisfied they were in the right place, set off back. There was no need to leave Kate so she walked with him. He was still aroused and it showed no sign of subsiding.

  Using their torches to light the way he and Kate quickly returned to the centre. Peter could see two torches about a hundred metres to the north, up the gentle timbered slope. Kellie Jones and Leah Allen he surmised. A few minutes walk brought them together.

  Kellie shone her torch on them as they approached. “Hello you two. What have you been up to?”

  Kate giggled. “Wouldn’t you like to know!”

  Peter blushed and felt guilty, because of what he had been thinking. He was quite gruff as he checked the two girls knew where to patrol. Satisfied on this he looked around while the girls talked and joked. A torch further up the slope indicated where the two boys were.

  ‘They are in the right place,’ he decided. Now he just wanted to get Kate on her own again. He said, “Come on Cpl O’Brien, we’d better get back. The exercise must be due to start.”

  Kellie fired a parting shot as they walked away. “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do you two,” she cried.

  “We won’t!” Kate laughed. Peter blushed. Was it that obvious? Or was he just being hypersensitive?

  Back at the First Aid Kit Peter turned off his torch. Kate did likewise. They stood about a pace apart. Peter was amazed that he was still aroused. He hesitated, unsure what to do. ‘I don’t want to spoil things by rushing them,’ he told himself.

  While he was reasoning with himself Kate stepped closer.

  “Do you like me Peter?”

  “Yes ...yes I do!” Peter replied. “I think I’m in love with you.”

  “Oh Peter!” she cried. She stepped close, put her arms around his neck, pressed herself against him and kissed him. Peter was so surprised that for a moment he just stood. Then he put his arms around her and responded.

  He was very conscious that his hard maleness was pushing against her. ‘Maybe she won’t notice?’ he thought in embarrassed confusion. Kate pressed harder against him and Peter flamed with embarrassment and desire. ‘I hope she doesn’t mind,’ he worried. He groaned with desire and kissed her and without thinking ran his free hand up and down her back.

  From the expert way Kate delivered her kisses Peter deduced she had been kissed before. The knowledge made him both sad and jealous. ‘Well, what can you expect? She is beautiful.’

  Kate drew her face back but kept her arms tightly around him. She held her lower body against his. Peter squirmed in delighted confusion. His heart pounded.

  They kissed again. Peter’s senses reeled. He felt himself gripped by an emotional storm of an intensity he had never experienced; had never imagined possible. Half of him responded to the rising tide of passion. The other half registered disappointment that Kate was obviously very experienced. It dulled the aura of perfection he had bestowed on her; but this was quickly evaporated by the heat of his desire.

  Peter groaned. Torches were approaching.

  “Here come Leah and Kellie,” he croaked. Reluctantly he released Kate and they stepped apart. Peter found he could hardly speak his mouth was so dry. He felt his cheeks. They were scorching, as though he had a severe fever. He shook his head which seemed fuddled. He tried to act naturally as the two girls joined them.

  Kellie spoke first. “Hi there! We are bored. Has the exercise started yet?” she asked.

  “No, not yet,” Peter replied. He had trouble speaking and was worried there was a tell-tale tremor in his voice. He licked his lips and realized he was trembling. For something to do he went to his webbing and took out a waterbottle. The water felt cold and refreshing.

  Then Capt Conkey called on his radio to tell them that the exercise had begun. Peter answered after the CUOs and then told the girls.

  In the distance, over on Bare Ridge, they heard the CSM below, “Don’t run! Go slow. We don’t want any accidents.”

  “Sounds as though they are starting now,” Kate said. “Yes. I can see torches across the creek. They must be the sergeants.”

  “You girls had better get back in position,” Peter added.

  “OK. Come on Leah. Be good you two,” Kellie sa
id.

  The casual comment stabbed deep into Peter’s guilty conscience. Kate laughed. “Same goes for you!”

  The other two shrieked with laughter as they walked away. Peter blushed with shock at her comment. Kate snuggled against him and murmured. “Now, where were we?”

  Peter didn’t know what to do. He had never met a girl like her before but he had often heard Graham and Stephen talking them and had wondered what it would be like. Now he knew - and he liked it. Her touch sent a wave of hot passion surging through him. He felt an intense desire for more. He grabbed her firmly to him.

  Kate’s reaction was to hold him tight. “Oooh! Aargh! Mmmm!” she sighed, responding warmly.

  Peter almost lost control. He felt as though the blood pounding in his head would pulp the brain against the cranium. He kissed Kate passionately and stroked her back and arms. Their bodies pressed harder together.

  ‘Oooh! I shouldn’t be doing this!’ called a small voice from the back of his overheated brain, ‘Oooh! But isn’t it wonderful!’

  Through the mist of passion something made Peter look around. A wave of cold shock swept over him. Someone was walking towards them with a powerful torch and was only twenty paces away! Luckily the torch was directed on the ground. Peter hastily released Kate and stepped away from her. He clicked on his torch, directing it on the newcomer’s boots.

  Capt Conkey’s voice came to him like the worst echo of his conscience. “Who is that there?”

  “Sgt Bronsky sir,” Peter replied, hoping he sounded normal. He felt rising panic. Had the OC seen them?

  “Good. The exercise has begun. Are all your people in position?” Capt Conkey asked, in a voice which betrayed no apparent suspicion.

  “Yes sir,” Peter replied. “I went along and checked them all.” As he spoke his stomach churned with fear and guilt. Hot shame replaced the fright. His lust quickly subsided. He described where the other groups were, mainly to give himself something to say.