'Yes, thank you,' answered Kim graciously.
There had been no mention of any kind of ablutions, so Kim, taking a towel and soap and a change of undergarments, wandered down to a shallow pool in a fast-flowing watercourse downstream of the village. She was surprised to find Stephanie in the same spot. Without saying much, they both washed sitting in the pool.
Kim glanced at Stephanie and tentatively ventured, 'I've noticed recently that you seem unhappy with your position in the organisation. Is there anything I can help you with?'
Stephanie looked at Kim for a long moment. Like most people in The Settlement, she trusted Kim and admired the way she had singlehandedly rescued Susan and her grandmother at the time of the flood.
'I will be frank with you,' she said eventually. 'I feel undervalued, probably because I'm not a Bower.'
Kim bit her tongue.
'I know I'm as bright as anyone in the village and I have been very diligent with The Academy. I'm the best shot we have, including Tanya. I'll have completed my vet training within months and I need more responsibility.' She stopped, perhaps wondering if she had said too much to one of the powerful Bower family.
'Tanya and David are well aware of your talents,' answered Kim. 'They hold you in very high regard; I think that was demonstrated by your inclusion in the shooting competition. You've just turned twenty-one?'
Stephanie nodded.
'I agree there's a need to expand the control beyond the Bower family and that's been discussed from time to time. Our current expansion program will create the need to maximise our collective talents. As I see it, the Bower family will have no choice but to widen the management group considerably, very soon. Please remember though, David and Tanya are the reason we are alive at all.' She stopped to collect her thoughts. 'I'm happy we've had this conversation and I'll respect the confidential nature of it. But I'll do everything possible to put you in a position of responsibility where you will need every ounce of the gifts you have.'
They looked at each other and embraced, just as Irene walked through the trees shielding the pool from the village.
'Oh, sorry,' she said as she stood her ground, 'I didn't mean to interrupt anything.'
'You didn't,' answered Stephanie as the pair slowly disengaged.
'I was going to suggest you could use the bathroom facilities in the main building, but I see you've already done the natural thing and washed in our beautiful stream,' said Irene as both Kim and Stephanie unselfconsciously stood up in the pool and carefully dried and dressed.
'Thank you,' answered Kim. 'This was very refreshing, but I'll mention your offer to some of the others.'
Irene looked curiously at both of the bathers as they walked back to their separate tents, trying to understand the relationship between the pair.
When Irene was out of earshot, Stephanie grinned at Kim. 'Best keep her guessing.'
Kim nodded and laughed.
The evening meal was just as delicious, but finished early in view of their planned departure the next morning. There were a few lovelorn couples, and the atmosphere was subdued, in contrast to the joyful tone of the previous evening.
Kim idly wondered how Irene could so easily dismiss centuries-old human feelings. Humans are not cattle and sheep. As sure as I'm sitting here, some of the couples Irene so carefully manipulated into each other's arms will have genuine feelings for each other.
Kim spent ten minutes after dinner ensuring everyone in the troop knew what the program was for the next morning. 'I would like to be back home in four days, so we can't tolerate any delays.'
She returned to the main building to confirm arrangements for the group's departure and to thank Irene personally for her hospitality. As she approached, she could hear the sounds of a furious argument. She stopped in the shadow of a nearby tree and listened.
'There's no reason to change anything,' shouted Irene. 'They'll leave, the babies will be born, and we'll live our lives as before. There may be some female visitors coming here from time to time, but that's all.'
'I want to visit The Settlement and leave with them tomorrow,' said a tearful voice.
'You understood the arrangements when you asked for refuge and came to join us. You don't have permission to leave. I can see you're temporarily infatuated with the boy I arranged for you. In days you will have forgotten him.'
There was silence and more crying.
'There'll be a visit to their place in the future,' she heard Irene say. 'But we need to leave our silly emotions behind, so I'll decide who goes.'
Kim was shocked at the exchange. She had no idea Irene had quite such a grip on her fellow Amazons. In a few minutes, a weeping girl ran from the building and disappeared into one of the nearby cottages. Kim waited five minutes, knocked on the open door, and politely entered the room where a group of older women were conversing quietly. The conversation abruptly ceased. Irene looked up anxiously, glancing at the open door regretfully.
'I just wanted to thank you personally Irene, for the hospitality we enjoyed here.'
Irene nodded, but Kim was made to feel she was intruding.
'We'll be leaving at dawn and I will follow up on the things we discussed.'
'Thank you,' Irene answered dismissively. 'Only female visitors please. We'll see you in the morning.' Irene waited pointedly until Kim left.
Kim decided she'd heard enough as the building's door was firmly closed behind her.
Pleased to see that Academy discipline had held up, as the first light appeared in the East, Kim proudly inspected the mounted troop. She rode around the camp area to see that there was no rubbish and that nothing had been left behind. Irene and a small group of Amazons stood by the door of the main building.
'Thank you and goodbye,' said Kim as she leant down in the saddle and formally shook Irene's hand. 'You can expect to hear from us shortly, within a month I would say.' They cantered out of the yard.
Half an hour along the rough path, they were surprised to see three Amazon women, on horseback, in the middle of the track ahead of them. Two were part of the "procreation" team.
One equally young woman, obviously taking the lead, approached Kim as the troop halted. 'I'm Felicity. We'd like to join you and visit The Settlement,' she said breathlessly.
'I know you need permission to leave as part of an agreement you signed when you were granted a place in the village. Do you have that permission?'
Felicity shook her head uncertainly.
'I assume that if you break the agreement, you stand to lose any rights you might have here?'
There was a sense of hesitation from the group. 'How did you find all that out?'
'It's true, isn't it?'
Felicity nodded.
'In time, you will be very welcome to visit us,' Kim continued. 'But we want to establish a long term relationship with your group. If you came along with us now it would upset that, possibly destroy any hope there may be of cooperation. Others in your group may miss out on their opportunity to interact with us.'
Felicity nodded.
'Visitors will be coming to your village, quite soon I expect. I'm sure this will break down barriers and get Irene to relax some of the conditions she's imposed on you. So, please reconsider your request and return to your colleagues. I'm quite certain that, within months, people from The Settlement will come to live here and that will be reciprocated on your part. This way no animosities will develop.'
'Irene is an impossible dictator,' said another one of the escapees.
'Yes, if our cooperation is to thrive that will have to change. I'm quite certain if you still want to live with us in around six months' time, you will be able to do that with Irene's full cooperation. Please don't rush things.'
The three went into a huddle. There were some tears from all three as Felicity returned and said, 'We are very grateful for what you've just said. You're right. We didn't consider the consequences. We'll go back now.'
'Go back by a different route,' offered
Stephanie. 'You don't want to bump into anyone else on this track on your return, and you probably need to be sure your absence hasn't been noticed.'
'You really do understand how things work around here,' answered Felicity, with a frown.
The two girls kissed their lovers farewell and the troop watched as Felicity waved and then guided her companions onto another ill-defined path. They heard them galloping off.
'Good advice,' Kim whispered to Stephanie. 'Quietly see if you can find out whether the boys knew anything about the girls' plan.'
'My advice is not to pursue that. They'll have listened to what you just said and realised the plan was stupid. There's no purpose rubbing salt into the wound. I will do as you ask, though, if you disagree.'
'You're right, thanks, leave it,' she said as they cantered off.
Some hours later as the troop made good progress on their homeward journey they became aware of the sound of galloping horses. Shortly afterwards, Irene and a group of five Amazons came into sight. All the Amazons were armed, much to Kim's dismay. 'We are looking for some of our women who, without permission, were going to try and come with you,' announced Irene breathlessly and without ceremony.
'Really!' said Kim, feigning surprise and pointedly looking around. 'None of your people are here. We've not seen anyone else today. What makes you think anything else?'
'We heard rumours several of the women were planning on joining you down the track,' Irene had the grace to look sheepish.
Kim looked at her sternly, 'Irene, any relationship with us has to be based on trust. We haven't seen any of your people.' All the pursuers looked ashamed as Kim continued, 'If you are unable to trust us, then say so and we'll leave it at that. We do have other fish to fry.' Kim tried to look angry.
'No, no,' said the women in chorus, with panicked looks.
'We apologise,' said Irene. 'We've been isolated for so long we've forgotten how to trust people.'
Kim continued contemptuously, 'What on earth would you have done with that rusty array of weaponry. Chuck all that rubbish away is my advice. It's completely useless and doesn't look like it's been cleaned for years.'
The women looked around uncertainly.
'Let me see that thing.' Stephanie pointed at a revolver. The owner reluctantly handed it over. Stephanie gingerly opened the weapon. 'It's rusty,' she said. 'When was this last used? Look, the shells are more or less rusted in.' With some effort she prised all six shells from the weapon. 'I wouldn't trust any of those,' she said as she tossed them all into the bush. 'They would probably do you more harm than anyone you were aiming at. Properly cleaned up, this revolver should be serviceable though.' She handed it back to the embarrassed woman.
One of the other women handed over her weapon to the nearest member of Kim's troop. 'Perhaps you'd better look at this one too,' she said as Kim moved a few metres away with Irene.
'I'm serious. Do you still want to pursue the things we discussed yesterday,' Kim asked. She was certain she knew the answer, but wanted to further intimidate Irene.
A pale-looking Irene answered, 'Yes, certainly. We obviously overreacted. I unreservedly apologise for my suspicions. I would be grateful if you would continue as we agreed.'
'Okay,' said Kim, closing the discussion, as they rejoined the others.
Within a short time all the weapons had been examined. 'Of the six we have inspected, five are currently unserviceable,' announced Stephanie. 'A couple may, with a bit of attention, be useable again. Hang the rest on the wall as museum pieces.'
Irene and the very contrite group of women turned for home and cantered away.
Four days later Kim, asking Stephanie to accompany her, walked into Tanya's office to make a verbal report. Tanya had only been back from her own journey for a few days. She listened without saying much for the hour that it took Kim, with Stephanie making useful additions.
'What do you think we should do?' she asked, when Kim had finished.
Kim nodded at Stephanie.
'We should strike while the iron's hot,' answered Stephanie, confidently. 'Susan and two assistants should go and see what's possible to improve their technology, and a few more to start security training. We need to encourage attendance for some at our Academy as well. I think they're fortunate they've been left alone. If they'd been attacked they would have been destroyed.'
'I brought a few of the solar panels with me,' added Kim. 'I'll give them to Susan.'
'We'll have to think about how we can provide medical assistance in the longer term. Evacuating emergency cases back here by helicopter would be a start. I'm sure other issues will emerge, although their food supply is good.'
'What about the abandoned farmyard?' asked Tanya.
'And presumably many others,' said Kim. 'I suggest we treat that separately. After we get things going with The Amazons.'
'Okay, we need to get Mark and Joe into all this. Let's reconvene in the morning. Thank you both for a job well done.'
As they were about to leave Tanya's office, Stephanie talked about the changes they had observed in the countryside. Everything was much wilder than they were used to, although it was only a few years since the flood, the consequent de-population, and the increased rainfall. 'Perhaps the country will become forested again like it was before European settlement.'
'I suppose we must try to keep paths open,' said Tanya.
'Yes, if we're going to re-settle these areas. The longer we leave it the harder it'll be. Although, with the smaller population, the demand for land is much lower for now,' Stephanie continued.
Tanya thought, For someone so young, she really does have an extraordinarily wide perspective, I must see if I can tap into that somehow.
Chapter Thirty-three
The Amazons, Continued
Within a few days, Tanya walked out into the village, found Stephanie and said, 'Can we just go for a wander. I've something I'd like to talk to you about.'
Looking surprised, Stephanie answered, 'Of course.'
She wasn't afraid of Tanya, rather in awe of her competence and necessary aggression. Stephanie hadn't been part of the posse that had destroyed the raiders, but had heard the stories, greatly admiring Tanya's audacity.
'I'd like to visit The Amazons and I want you to come with me,' suggested Tanya.
Stephanie was not going to be railroaded into some inconsequential situation, so she asked politely, 'What are your expectations of me?'
Tanya laughed. 'Smart question! You and I will try to come to an agreement with Irene and then I thought you could remain there and run the relationship.'
'Thank you. What do you think that will consist of, at least to start with?'
'Pretty well what you suggested a day or so ago when we met with Kim.
They agreed to take Susan and two assistants. Susan had told them she'd be able to use the panels Kim had brought back with her, probably just on the housing. They decided to take four women with a good Academy record to start a training program.
'While there, it'll really be up to you to bring ideas to the table and decide how seriously to pursue them,' said Tanya.
'I'm very flattered and would love to be a part of the plans for The Amazon establishment, but I have a few questions.'
'Go on.'
'I need to complete my vet degree and where does Kim stand with this idea? She broke the ice there after all. Also, where do you stand with this women-only business, which in my view will cause problems and is a brake on future development?'
Tanya looked at her shrewdly. 'Don't worry about Kim. She reacted enthusiastically when I broached the subject of you running the show over there. I've other plans for Kim, but just need to get my thoughts together on that one, so keep it under your hat. With the women-only issue, I understand from Kim that while some of the women may be gay, most seem to be hetero and might welcome a change in the environment.'
'Yes, many loved having the boys over there even though Irene had manipulated the situation to suit her. I'
ve no doubt the "haven for women" theme has come to the end of its usefulness and many of the residents there would now welcome having a few men around.'
'You'll be the only vet in the establishment over there, so your practical experience will increase by leaps and bounds from day one. Take all of the books you need to complete the theoretical study and then return here for the final exam. What do you make of Irene?'
'As an individual, she is as tough as old boots, very strong and forceful. She has kept that group together through some difficult times, especially the recent isolation. She seems to be lacking in any understanding of people's emotions and feelings though; her philosophy regarding reproduction is wholly agricultural. And we know she reacts strongly when her authority is threatened.'
'You both handled the escapee situation well,' observed Tanya. Kim had told Tanya about Irene poisoning the men, but Stephanie still had no knowledge of the incident.
'Mostly Kim's doing,' said Stephanie. 'But Irene needs careful handling and is going to struggle to compete with the new authority represented by The Settlement, especially when The Amazons realise it's benign. I think, in a short time, most of The Amazons will come to see us as the authority and not Irene.'
Susan loved seeing young Barry, now four and a half years old, grow up; during her now quite frequent absences, she knew Chloe doted on the little boy and look after him like her own. Chloe had taught her almost everything she knew about rearing a child and she knew The Settlement was safe, children ran about everywhere in the village, free of wheeled vehicles.
Although she had accompanied the group on the trip to The Vikings, she was pleased to be asked to go with Tanya and Stephanie to The Amazons, despite having to again leave Barry behind. She had spent time with Joe and Jason making absolutely certain she was able to successfully install the solar panels and enjoyed the responsibility of helping to select two girls to assist her.
Two weeks after Kim's return from The Amazon village, Tanya, Stephanie, and Susan, together with four female troopers and Susan's two female assistants, set off for the village. Each member of the party led a heavily-laden packhorse carrying wiring and tools suitable for solar installations, and as many spare rifles and ammunition as they were able to accommodate, Stephanie's books, and the normal supplies for a four day trek through the bush. All were excited by the new venture, particularly the few who had never been on a mission before.
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