by Leo Nix
He looked again at Blondie, she was calm and in control as always. “I got smashed off my face at the strip club with my old mates in the gang while Blondie did all the work. We've got this down pat you know, I keep the opposition busy while my sister gets on with the job.” He stopped as Blondie took over.
“Sundown, I don't want you talking about this to anyone, we've still got unfinished business with the Revelationists.” She paused and a funny smile played across her lips as she looked deeply into his soul. “My demon says I can trust you, so I can tell you the truth.”
Sundown nodded in acknowledgement, waiting silently.
“I'm one of the Tajna Služba, the church's secret police. I've been working under-cover with them for years. I've killed, I've done a lot of bad things to survive. If the commando here knew the truth they'd hate us. Fat Boy and I don't want that, we need you.” She stopped talking to look at him with a frankness that he knew expressed honesty and respect, “We need your friendship,” she said simply.
“When we reconnected with the Revelationists in Mount Isa, we melted back into our past life, it was easy. But after our little visit it's unlikely they'll be very kind to us, at least the Mount Isa church won't be. They're feuding with the other churches, that lot always did, so it's unlikely word has gone out about our raid. Anyway, I can pull rank with some of the big boys, they like my, umm, good looks and bubbly personality shall I say.”
She smiled a bitter smile and continued. “If ever we need to draw the Tajna Služba card, it's still there. I can say I was on Tajna Služba business that day in Mount Isa and leave it at that. But the Tajna Služba are a dying breed. Last count there's only a half dozen or so of us left alive in Australia. The church elders will be more than happy when we're all gone. We're now of little use to them. The Tajna Služba have done what we were created for and our time is almost over.”
Their commander nodded and asked quietly, “What were you created for, may I ask?”
“When we were young we lived all over South Australia, anywhere our father could find work. We're Wilson's so we were given preferential treatment where ever we went in these parts.” Blondie looked across at Fat Boy who laughed out loud.
“Sundown, you might want to say that my little sister and I were abused and brutalised by our own family. When we were old enough to care for ourselves we left the Flinders Ranges and travelled around Australia, in hiding most of the time. To stop the attention we were getting, me, the tough fat bastard and Blondie, the gorgeous model, pretended we were husband and wife. It helped stop the unwanted attention and it stuck.” He nodded at Blondie to continue.
“We joined the bikie gangs and then the church. We were popular with everyone. Fat Boy and his charming ways attracted the tough boys and my looks opened doors to the church elders and their bank accounts. We ran drugs and information all around the country, and into Asia. We were indoctrinated into the Tajna Služba and continued with what we did best: running people and weapons, setting up meetings, organising training on selected farms and outback properties throughout Australia.
“You could say we helped make the Ravens Claws, elite Talens, Crusaders and the Deaths Heads what they are today, the best. We handled the money and the contracts. We made a fortune Sundown, the church made us filthy rich.” She eased back in her seat and stopped talking. Blondie finished the rest of her beer. “And that, Sundown, is our story. Tell anyone and I'll have to kill you.” A demonic smiled crept across her face.
“If I tell anyone it'll be because I've already sliced your beautiful throat,” he replied with a matching demonic smile.
Sundown deliberately stopped his demon playing Blondie's game. He cleared his throat, “What I need from you are numbers, information on Mount Isa, the Raven's Claws and the Crusader battalions. I need to know everything you didn't tell Major Thompson in your debrief. I don't give a rat's arse what you did before the apocalypse, you know that. When you put your lives on the line for my best mate, Pedro, it made you my blood brother and sister.” He put out his hand and they repeated, “Blood brothers and sisters.”
“If you need me or my brother to kill for you, all you need do is ask, Sundown. You're someone we can trust and my instincts tell me you are just like us, ruthless. Us demons are always true to our word,” she added with a slight smile. Sundown looked at her and saw she was as serious as he was.
“That we are,” he answered, then took a deep breath to clear his mind for more detailed work. “OK, let's get down to the details shall we.” Sundown pulled out a note pad and began writing as they debriefed what they'd held back from the major.
Captain Lewis was in a bad way after losing his brother. He struggled to mix with the rest of the boys, even the alcohol did nothing to ease his grief. Pinkie was watching and at a nod from Tricia they both settled down and spent most of the night talking with him. Every now and then one of the old hands came over to lend a kind word and there was not a moment where he felt left out.
The wake continued long into the night. Andy kept the diesel generator on for the lights, and the beer in the freezer was just cold enough to satisfy even the hottest and thirstiest digger.
Assassin and Beamy swapped CB duty to enjoy the party. The boys had their guitars out and Lorraine played piano. Even Billie did a little entertaining, playing the spoons. When his rum ration ran out Andy gave him credit for another, making the old timer's grin broader than a wide-mouthed desert frog.
Ever the entertainer he prattled to his growing audience, “I thought me spoons were out of tune but yer know wot? The more rum I drink the more in-tune they sound!” He smacked his gums together and sang another bush ballad keeping time with his spoons a'tapping.
Towards midnight Gail came in to get Tricia and Lorraine. Together they quietly left to look in on Pedro. The drugs were old and Gail said that he was having a bad reaction to them. Beamy was now off duty at that time and raced, staggered is more like it, out to the mechanics shed and told them to get a move on.
“You better have the Cessna ready by first light, because Pedro might not make it.”
Chapter 10 - Crossing the Simpson Desert
It was late winter and the morning was cold but it didn't stop Bill and his crew from firing up the engine on the Cessna 172. It made a sputtering noise and at first the mechanics thought it would die on them. But, with a chug and a puff of smoke it burst into a full-throated roar. The three men looked at it in amazement and slapped each other on the back laughing. They'd been up all night and were exhausted, but this made up for it.
Lorraine hurried in when she heard Sundown wanted to talk to her. “What's wrong, did you need something urgent?” she asked slightly out of breath.
“I sure do Lorraine. I want you to escort Pedro, in Bill's plane to Alice Springs, right now. It sounds like it's ready. I need Gail to stay here on the CB and Tricia is busy running around as my number two and can look after the wounded. I know you've been flat out with the wounded too, but you know Pedro's condition better than anyone else.” He looked at the dark circles under her eyes and her untidy hair. “You've been up all night haven't you?” he asked kindly, knowing she was extremely competent and completely dedicated to their little community.
“I'm exhausted, Sundown, but Pedro's sick, very sick. The drugs Fat Boy and Blondie brought back have been out of cold storage for nearly a year and they're useless. In fact they appear to have made him sicker than he already was. The only thing of any use are the pain killers. If we can get him to the hospital in Alice Springs he has a chance,” said the tall, peaches-and-cream faced British nurse.
“I'll just check with Bill to find out when he's ready to go. He's out at the aerodrome running it in now. Are you OK about flying in that patched up contraption?” asked Sundown with some concern in his voice.
“If Bill's brave enough to fly it, I'm brave enough to go with Pedro in it. Yes, count me in.” As tired as she was Lorraine scurried out to prepare Pedro for the trip.
“Hey, Beamy, is it all go-for-launch with the repairs?” Sundown asked as he wandered out to the shed and met with Bill's assistants.
“Hey, Sundown,” replied a very tired Beamy. “It sounds like Bill's got the thing going well enough to fly. As far as we can tell it's in reasonably good nick. Bill said the plane was an expensive one and had all the bells and whistles. It's been kept in good condition, he said. Better wish him luck because he's not a pilot but a mechanic,” said Beamy with a wry smile. Sundown wasn't sure if it was in fear or joy.
Bill told everyone to step away while he tried to get the Cessna into the air. The One One Alpha communications operator had radioed Alice Springs to keep an eye out for the Cessna, they gave the aeroplane's call sign and details. Bill set his radio to the correct frequency and spoke to the command centre in Alice Springs himself.
With a nervousness he'd not felt for some years, Bill crept the plane out on to the recently repaired runway and taxied to the end. He put the plane's nose into the slight morning breeze, kicked up the revs and the plane responded beautifully. The boys on the ground cheered as Bill raced down the runway, lifted off the ground and into the air like he was born with wings.
“Holy crap! Look at that, Beamy, the bastard can really fly that thing,” called Wiram in amazement.
The boys hung around for five minutes but got bored watching Bill loop the loop and spin, slip and slide like a pro. They brought up the aviation fuel drum and prepared to fill the tank when he came back down.
Captain Lewis had his Bushmaster on the side of the airfield and called out to let the boys know Bill was coming in to land. Wiram waved his hand to Lewis indicating they were ready.
Slowly, gently, Bill eased his plane on to the runway and taxied over to the fuel drum. He climbed out gently after switching off and going through his checks. He hadn't spoken a word and everyone was politely waiting. There was now quite a group of spectators from the hotel who'd heard the noise and had come out to see the spectacle.
“What?” he asked when he noticed the crowd. With a slightly startled look on his face he asked again. “What's everyone staring at?”
Wiram stretched out his hand and they shook. “You, that's what! You did it Bill, you damn-well did it!”
Sundown had Pedro and Lorraine sitting in the four wheel drive waiting to get in the plane. He called to Bill, “Nice work mate, when you're ready we'll load you up. Pedro's awake but he doesn't quite know where he is.”
After the plane had lifted off and was just a speck in the sky Pinkie leaned on Sundown's shoulder and said, “Sundown, what if the plane doesn't make it? What if Pedro, you know, gets to Alice Springs and they've got no more medications?”
“Pinkie, I don't want to think of that.” He paused for a second. “Hey, I thought we agreed, no more worries because we're about to head off on our own adventure. It's our second honeymoon, remember?” He grabbed her hands and did a little jig.
“I know but last time we went on a honeymoon the world ended. What will we find when we get back from this one I wonder,” she said, looking into his now closed face.
“Pinkie, you sure know how to put a damper on things don't you.” He dropped her hands and walked away to the hotel by himself. Wiram was about to get a lift back to the hotel. But seeing Sundown looking lost and lonely he ran across to walk with him.
Shadow was watching and walked over to Pinkie, now standing by herself. “What's wrong with him?” she asked.
“Hi, Shadow. He's worried about his mate, Pedro. I should have been a bit more sensitive, silly me.” Pinkie looked thoughtful. “Poor Sundown, he takes things so seriously sometimes,” she said and the two headed back to the hotel to pack their gear. Billie was already sitting in the front seat of the four wheel drive.
“Hi missus! Hi Shadow! Come on, hurry up, I'm bored and I want to get on me way. I've got family out there and I'm in a hurry to see them,” he called fumbling to hide his stolen bottles of rum under the seat.
The major had spent many hours with Sundown, Wiram and Andy the previous night discussing the trip across the Simpson Desert. Captain Lewis was back from the dark place he had been and was now organising the departure of their small convoy. Sergeant Ahmet was called in for his briefing and things began to fall into place for their to the Australian Third Army in Alice Springs.
The three vehicles were now ready for their trek across the desert. The Bushmaster led the convoy followed by Sundown's four wheel drive, the major brought up the rear with his ASLAV. Although the going was rough everyone was in high spirits, even the soldiers who were sadly leaving their new home and heading back to the boredom of the Alice. They had some stories to tell their mates though, and that was something they looked forward to.
Major Thompson had his mini-flag stuck up inside his ASLAV and every now and then he caught himself admiring it. The night before he did have a few drinks with the two aboriginal girls and they did drink him under the table, well sort of, he admitted. Andy's home brew had a kick and the major resorted to cutting it by half with some of Mel's lemonade made from bush fruits, fermented to bring out the citrus flavours. It wasn't alcoholic but it tasted nice, and even nicer mixed with Andy's home brewed beer.
The whole exercise of finding, meeting and mixing it with the Birdsville commando had been an incredibly moving experience for the major. He came from a family of soldiers who could trace their lineage back to the Crimean War and the charge of the Light Brigade. He wasn't certain if his ancestor was at the charge but the information they uncovered suggested he probably was at the battle that day. To have been in a similar situation, leading his men into battle against overwhelming odds, and against a well trained enemy, was the highlight of his career.
The second highlight was Halo handing him the flag for his squadron. The major felt a few tears form in the corners of his eyes as he remembered how he felt accepting the flag. He wiped them away with the back of his hand so no one would see.
Each troop carrier now consisted of driver, communications operator, gunner and troop commander plus himself in One Zero Bravo and Captain Lewis in One One Alpha. Five in each armoured carrier plus the five civilians. Major Thompson smiled to himself as he watched the landscape change from arid dirt and stones to the soft sands of the true desert. He was looking forward to every day with his troops. The major was in command once again and he felt comfortable, confident and wildly courageous.
That night they parked on the edge of the Simpson Desert almost on the Northern Territory border itself. The troopers had prepared the evening's meal and everyone was relaxed. As it grew dark the boys began talking of the contact they had with the Raven's Claws in Mount Isa.
“Sundown, what does it mean when there's two companies in the one town? I've never heard of that before,” said the captain.
“I spoke to Blondie and Fat Boy and they said they were from the single Raven's Claws battalion, but it was split into two,” replied Sundown. “One is their elite company, the Talens and the other company, Ravens Claw. Sometimes they're posted in the Longreach area to help them. The soldiers in Longreach are called the Crusaders of Light to distinguish themselves from the Ravens Claw of Mount Isa. The two regions compete against each other too.” He reached for his tobacco pouch but realised he'd given up smoking months ago.
“They compete to exterminate prisoners. Can you believe that? They go out and raid some poor bastard's farm then set them free in the scrub. They give them a gun or two and a head start. The Revelationists send out a squad from each company. Whoever brings back the most heads wins. They call it the 'Thunderdome Cup'.”
“What is it about these terrorists, Sundown? We've been fighting them for nearly a year now and still they keep pushing us. They've got the whole country at their feet yet they want to exterminate us?” asked McFly, sipping on his cup of tea.
Billie found he could easily sneak into his tent and put a few drops of his precious 'mountain dew' into his tea and was feeling quite cheery.
“McFly,” he said, “back in me dad's day anyone who acted like these terrorists do now, they'd go out to their house, take them outside and give them a floggin'. That's what these bastards need, a good floggin'.”
“It's not that easy, Billie,” said Shadow, “this is a world-wide organisation, they've had billions of dollars to play with. Millions of members handed over their entire pay each week to support this apocalypse. With that amount of money comes power, and with power there's always corruption. They corrupted their way into positions of power. I'd hate to have been in the cities when it happened, that's for sure.”
The major had his say too. “You're right, Shadow, it takes a lot of money to persuade people to look the other way. I'd say they had this prepared for years.”
“At least ten years, we've heard, major,” said McFly, who'd had many a chat with Chan and John over the past months.
Dinner was served and the group eased back in their deck chairs eating, smoking and talking in small groups leaving the discussion to those interested in politics. Someone pulled out a harmonica and began playing softly. By late evening everyone was asleep except the communications operator and the dingo's yapping in the distance.
They were well into their trip when the Defender axle broke and they spent two days repairing it. The first night Billie was restless, he just couldn't sleep and lay outside beside the fire looking up at the stars. The Milky Way was as bright as the moon on some nights in the desert.
McFly was up late and sat by the fire too, he didn't notice Billie lying next to him. He nearly leaped out of his skin when he heard the old man's voice coming from beside him.
“Shit, Billie! You scared the daylights out of me! What are you doing down there, I thought you were in bed?” he asked.
“Can't sleep. Me heads full o' songs and tribal stuff. They's calling me.” He sat up and found a chair to sit next to the fisherman. “This is my tribal country we're in now and it's making me restless. I need to go off by meself tomorrow and talk to the spirits of the land. I'll be back the next day. But right now I'm feeling the land. That's why I lay down on the ground, I can feel it, me blood's here, in the earth itself,” Billie explained, McFly thought for a while.
