“You have food?”
Laughing, Dee replied, “We sure do. C’mon.”
Dee led them off the jetty and up the path towards the villa. The kids followed, with Alice bringing up the rear. The children looked wide-eyed at all the soldiers walking around, guns slung over their shoulders.
Reaching the old house, she ushered them into the kitchen and pointed to the table. A few of the kids asked for the toilet. After Dee showed them where it was, she returned to the kitchen. She never would’ve thought she would be preparing a meal for six hungry children. It was only after the end of the world and meeting Boss and George that she started to warm to kids. Seeing the children sitting at the table gave her a warm, motherly glow. She subconsciously rubbed her belly. Maybe she and Jack still had time for children.
The kitchen door banged open and Jack walked in, his legs bandaged around the thighs. Dee smiled at him as he took in the scene. Max padded in behind him and gingerly sat down on his bed next to the fire. Alice stood up from the table as Jack walked over.
Dee kissed him on the cheek, searching out his blue eyes. “You good?”
“Yeah. Just a flesh wound.”
Dee elbowed him in the ribs. “’tis but a scratch,” she replied.
Smiling, Jack glanced over her shoulder at the dining room. “What’s all this?”
She turned away from the stove. “Alice. Jack. Jack. Alice.”
Alice pushed back her chair and moved around to meet them in the kitchen. She reached out and hugged him. “The Jack?”
Dee barked out a laugh. “Yes. The Jack.”
Jack looked between the two women. “Okay? What’s going on?”
Dee turned to him. “Alice hid with me down in the basement back in the beginning with the others and Boss. Jack, she saw Boss, George, and the Trophy King in Tauranga.”
“When?”
“Earlier today.”
Jack pursed his lips together. Grimacing, he rubbed a hand through his hair. He let out a sigh. “That must have been those boats we saw from the chopper. We’re definitely going after them tomorrow. I don’t care what Ben says.”
“He’s already agreed, Jack. Let’s eat. Ben’s coming up later to talk it through.”
“All right. I’ll give you a hand.”
Dee turned back to her cooking, busying herself with the task. Thoughts of what that abomination was doing to her boys frightened the hell out of her. Jack moved over next to her and started cutting up some vegetables. She smiled at him, grateful for his silent encouragement. She knew that he was just as keen to get them back. Dee felt wrung out and turned around. In the last twenty-four hours she had found out her mother was probably alive and an animal geneticist, she had hiked up a mountain to escape a Variant horde, and to top it all off, the Alpha they called the Trophy King had attacked their haven and captured her boys.
Dee stared down at the bubbling cheese sauce. It was time to end this.
TWENTY-TWO
The star cluster known as Pleiades hung low in the early morning sky. James smiled at the sight. The festival of Matariki was tonight, his favourite time of the year. Commonly known as the Maori New Year, it was an occasion to remember those lost in the past year, among other things. The civilian population had insisted they celebrate it. He was happy to oblige, and thought it would be a good way to welcome the new arrivals from Indonesia.
He turned, looking over the campground he had sequestered for the refugees. The medical staff were bustling around in preparation. He had insisted that everyone be tested for the Hemorrhage Virus and other common diseases, as well as malnutrition, before being placed in the temporary housing. His gaze drifted out into the bay. HMNZS Te Mana had arrived last night to assist. Seeing the ship settled his nerves somewhat. So far, Captain Koto had kept his word that they were merely seeking refuge. James was a cautious man, so he had ordered his men to stay alert and vigilant. Satisfied with the preparations, he jumped in the awaiting Jeep and headed back to the FOB. He had a helicopter pilot to discipline.
James looked over the man standing to attention in front of him. He kept his face clear of emotion and stared into the man’s eyes. He was struggling to keep his seething anger in check. The pilot had dark hair and brown eyes. He carried a little weight around his middle, as though all the sitting down in the cockpit had forced his fat to his middle.
“You know what, Evans? I don’t even want you to explain to me why you abandoned Team Renegade. Because of you, the one scientist left alive in New Zealand who had any chance of finding a cure to this mess is dead. Gunner Tony Jones is dead. Captain Johns and the rest of his team are lucky to be alive, no thanks to you. I’m stripping you of your wings. You have six months of sentry duty. I look forward to Captain Johns catching up with you.”
James waved him away, dismissing him. He was still seething at the pilot’s cowardice when there was a knock at his door. Badminton entered.
“Morning, Sir. The Indonesian pilot’s report,” he said, handing James a manila folder.
“Thank you, Badminton,” James said, dismissing him.
James flicked through the pages in front of him. Nothing stood out in particular, and everything confirmed what Johns had reported. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to knead out the stiff muscles. His eyes glanced at the Vodka bottle tucked away on his bookshelf, whispering to him to take a sip. James looked back down at the report, reading about the fortified mountain top. Johns had reported it also. He couldn’t help but smile to himself at the thought of an old-fashioned Pa holding out against the Variant hordes. Pride surged in his heart for the resilience of his people. Against all the odds, there were still people alive out there. New hope for his family in the East Cape rose to the forefront of his mind. The Renegades had proven themselves out in the field.
He contemplated sending them on a reconnaissance mission to search for more survivors holding out like Hone and his people after Mayor Island was sorted. Perhaps he could send them to search for Major Hinds. Thinking of the attack, he sighed and swivelled around to the old typewriter. The Brigadier wanted his report.
When he had finished his report, James walked down to the rugby ground in the town. He was keen to see the Matariki preparations for himself. The civilians had been cautious at first after being informed of the refugees. Heated arguments had broken out about whether they should let them in. Half wanted to welcome the refugees, the other half wanted to send them on their way. James had informed them of his orders. Thankfully, humanity won the day.
He reached the rugby ground and glanced around. Several marquees had been set up with long tables stretching along their lengths. Lights had been strung up, linking the tents, and then winding their way up the trees at both ends. Diesel generators sat at the far end. People were gathered around a huge burning open pit, where a Hangi was being prepared. Piles of food wrapped in aluminium foil sat waiting for the fire to die down. Once the fire had heated the rocks enough, the rocks would be extracted and all the wood removed. The rocks would then be placed back in the hole and hit with wet sacks to create steam. Then the food would be placed in old shopping trolleys and lowered into the pits, the heated rocks piled around them, and the wet sacks added before the earth was piled back on top, forming a mound. Three hours later, the feast would be ready.
James looked up to the sky, hoping the gathering clouds stayed away.
“Colonel!”
James turned to the source of the voice. Captain Koto strode towards him, smiling as he looked around. The two men shook hands. “Ah Captain. Thank you for helping us out with your helicopter.”
“You’re the most welcome Colonel. Thank you for all this,” Koto gestured with an arm, waving at all the activity. “It’s like Thanksgiving, yes? I’m happy to try the Hangi.”
James smiled at him. “Thanksgiving? Close. We call it Matariki, Captain.”
“Please, call me Arif. Matariki?”
“Yes Arif, Matariki. Our new year.” James pointed to the nort
h east. “Matariki means ‘Eyes of God’. When the stars rise, we come together to remember those that we lost in the past year. So many this year. Crops have been harvested and seafood collected. Tonight we will enjoy the feast and welcome you to New Zealand. Some people will sing and dance.”
Arif turned back to James. “We’ve lost so many people. It seems strange to have a feast. We must carry on, though. So thank you, Colonel.” Arif smiled. “I’m just glad it’s not Ramadan yet, so my people can enjoy your hospitality.”
James didn’t reply; he was lost in thought. Thinking of his time in Iraq. Thinking of all the mates he had lost, both now and before the Variant scourge. Matariki had arrived at a perfect time. Everyone needed a night off. But they had to stay vigilant. You never knew what was lurking in the shadows these days.
The two men stood side by side for some time, lost in their separate thoughts, as the preparations continued. James couldn’t help but wonder if they were doing the right thing. Should they be enjoying festivities while others suffered at the claws of the Variants? He had yet to think of a way to defeat these monsters. He hoped that whatever Dr Katherine Yokoyama had discovered would help turn the tide. The Americans and the British were busy fighting all manner of horrors, if the reports filtering in were to be believed. New Zealand, like before, had escaped those monstrosities. Sitting out here in the deep South Pacific, New Zealand had developed unique and strange fauna. And the Variants haunting the land were no different. Reports had told him that most Variants had broken off into packs with an Alpha leading, that they continuously fought amongst themselves, fighting over the last scraps of food. How long before they turned their attention to the islands the last dregs of the Kiwis now called home?
He shivered, thinking of Mayor Island. The Alpha Captain Johns called the Trophy King had attacked the island with a band of human collaborators. James reached out and clasped Captain Koto’s hand, shaking it. “Please excuse me, Arif. I have duties to attend to.”
“Thank you, Colonel. I’ll see you tonight.”
James nodded and pivoted. He signalled to his driver to bring the Jeep around. As he made his way across the rugby ground, he murmured his greetings to those working. He was happy for the boost in morale the festivities would provide, but he had a war to plan.
TWENTY-THREE
Dawn broke over Mayor Island, bathing it in pinks and purples. Jack lay snuggled against Dee, the covers pulled tight against his chin as he battled to keep the early morning chill out. He stared out the window, watching as the sunlight changed the colour of the ocean.
He loved the early morning, that half an hour before the world really woke up. He used the time to reflect, meditate in a sense, to get his thoughts in order and prepare for the day. Most of the time, Jack had movies buzzing around in his head on a loop. Scenes played themselves out, sometimes mashed up like some crossover movie.
He concentrated on his breathing; he inhaled deeply and let each breath out slowly. It was a way to centre himself. After leaving school, he had gone straight into an electrician’s apprenticeship. He had worked long hours, six, sometimes seven days a week, eventually running his own business. At thirty, Jack had felt burnt out. On a whim, he had decided on a trip to Thailand. When he got there, he’d read a pamphlet in a backpacker’s, in which a week-long retreat at a Thai Buddhist monastery was advertised. Skeptical at first, Jack had been pleasantly surprised. There he had learnt to calm his racing mind using different techniques. Something he was thankful for now, because today his mind was racing like an F1 car. Serious doubts ate away at him. He wasn’t a soldier, so how were he and the others going to rescue the boys? He knew the horrors of the meat locker they were most likely in. Tears welled up, threatening to spill over. He pushed closer to Dee, enjoying the feel of her skin on his, her warmth. He breathed deep, catching the sweet scent of her shampoo.
Dee stirred against him and opened her eyes. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“How long have you been awake?”
“Not long. An hour or so.”
“Okay.” Dee searched for his hand under the covers. Finding it, she squeezed it tight in hers. Jack squeezed back and kissed her, savouring the feel of her lips. He couldn’t get the feeling out of his head that today was going to be his last. He wanted to go and bring the boys back home, but a part of him wanted to stay under the covers with Dee. Make love to Dee. Forget the world for a while. Just be them again.
“Can I ask you something, Dee?”
“Yeah.”
“When you came after me, how did you cope with the hopelessness of it?”
Dee poked him in the ribs. “You’ve been thinking, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, I know. I’m just worried that whatever we do won’t be enough. We’re not soldiers, Dee. Up until a couple of weeks ago, we’d hardly fired a weapon. What if we’re too late?”
Dee brought her arms up, and cradled his head in her hands. “When there was a chance you were in Karapiro, I had to find out. I honestly didn’t think I’d make it out of there, but I had to know. The thought of you being eaten by those monsters chilled me to my core. I figured that if I found you dead, then at least I could die knowing. Whatever the outcome, we would be at peace together. I feel the same now. I’m not letting that Trophy King add the boys to his collection. Alice said the prison camp she was in gave children to the Variants. I’m going to help them, even if it means dying in the process.”
Jack kissed her on the cheek. “I’m so glad you did come, Dee. I want you to know that I bless the day that I met you. Up on top of that waterfall. I fell in love with you that day. You saved me, Dee, saved me from a life of loneliness and gave me hope.”
“You too, Jack. I was lost to the crazy world and then you come along. Yes, you gave me hope too. A new hope.” She grinned as she said the last part.
Jack let out laugh. “You are now officially part of the tribe. The movie geek tribe.” He snuggled back into her, holding her tight. The doubts in his mind lingered, but Dee’s words had given him the courage to rise. She had given him the courage to take up arms and fight the monsters that had infected the beautiful land that was his home.
We’re coming for you, Trophy King. Enjoy your rest, for today will be your last.
Jack spent a couple of hours preparing his gear for the battle. He packed his green hiking pack, stuffing in extra food and ammo. He cleaned his AR-15 and Glock like Ben had taught him. He sharpened his rusty red-handled machete before securing it to the side of his pack.
Alice had the rescued children up and fed. The kids raced around outside on the small lawn. Jack marvelled at how quickly the kids had adapted and accepted the new situation. Twenty-four hours ago they had been held captive, awaiting an horrific fate.
Jack changed out the batteries on his and Dee’s two-ways, checking they had full power. He glanced at the clock. Ben wanted them in the war room at 08:00. He walked over to the kitchen and flicked on the kettle. He wanted to enjoy a cup of tea with Dee before heading out into the unknown. His mind drifted, thinking of his grandfather fighting on D-Day in 1944. Had he drunk his tea, thinking that it could be his last? He and all those thousands of men had risen that day, knowing full well that it could be their last. They went off to war so others could live on in peace, free of fascism and tyranny.
Jack let out a breath, calming himself. Today is our D-Day.
The village was well awake as Jack and Dee walked down the path, heading for the FOB. Signs of the battle were still evident, but everyone had pitched in, trying to get the town back to normal. He nodded a greeting to the two guards posted at the old hotel entrance.
They stopped outside the War room and knocked. Jack paused to look around the harbour. At the far end of the bay, three helicopters sat idle on the concrete. Army personnel were loading supplies into them and refuelling them.
“Enter,” came Ben’s muffled voice.
Jack pushed on the door and stood to one side to let Dee past.
Ben and two sergeants stood at the large table, a couple of maps spread out in front of them. He smiled as he saw them. “Ah. Jack, Dee. Good morning.”
Jack hesitated, unsure whether to salute or not. Dee walked over and hugged Ben, saving him from his indecision. “Morning, Captain.”
“Jack. Dee. This is sergeants Hollis and Bryant. They’re going to assist us on this mission.”
Jack shook both their hands, noting their strong grips. They looked like serious Army. He was glad for their help. They were going to need all the support they could get today.
Ben looked each of them in the eye. He pointed down at the map in front of him. “All right. This is what we have. We have three choppers and thirteen soldiers. Including us. We need to come up with a distraction so we can enter that hell-hole and extract the boys and any other civvies alive. I’m going to plant explosives and, once we are clear, blow that meat locker to hell.”
Jack grinned. Yes. A big kaboom would do the trick. Smash that cursed place apart and flood the land, returning it to the river valley it once was, drowning the demons from hell with it. Images of war movies played through his mind, men screaming and explosions ripping them limb from limb. He glanced up at Dee, smiling at her. He looked back to the map, tracing the Waikato River with his finger back to the other hydroelectric dams farther upstream. A spark of an idea formed in his mind. “Captain, how much explosive do you have?”
“Enough. What are you thinking, Jack?”
“Well, okay, this is crazy, but what if we set off a small explosion here at Arapuni?” Jack pointed down to the map. “It’s what, twenty kilometres upstream? As far as we know, the Trophy King reigns over them as well, if there are Variants in there too. So we head south in one chopper while the other two head north. At a set time, we set off the explosion, hopefully pulling enough Variants out of Karapiro. We skirt around the mountain and then drop in, landing on the roof.”
The Fourth Phase Page 18
