by Leo Nix
Chapter 11 - Special Operatives
Sundown was usually first up each morning. Sitting outside with him were Pedro, Liam and the dogs. Cat was asleep on Roo and Charlene's bed. The dogs went crazy on mornings like this. Sundown threw sticks while Liam or one of the other children chased them.
“Sundown, what's this?' asked five year old Liam bringing over a piece of canvas strapping left behind in the dark last night.
“Let me see… that's a piece of belt that the soldiers used to tie things down in their helicopter,” he answered, handing the canvas webbing back to his little mate. A minute later Liam was back with more bits and pieces.
“That's a piece of webbing one of the soldiers dropped. You might want to hold on to it in case he needs it.” He threw another stick and the three dogs raced after it. Red Dog was missing, probably preparing to birth her litter of pups, Sundown thought.
'Sundown, matie, you'll do your rotor cuff throwing sticks all day like that, Just relax,” said Pedro rolling a cigarette with real tobacco. Sundown looked at him and then at the cigarette enviously.
“I picked a great time to give up smoking but if I didn't, Pinkie would have kicked me out of her bed.” His eyes crinkled at the edges. “She said I smelled like an old chimney. I was flattered by the chimney but 'old' was what made me stop.”
“Matie, them girlies are always trying to control us wild men of the desert.” The old man licked the shred of newspaper he used to roll his tobacco and lit up. It flared brightly and Liam watched in fascination.
“Pedro, what's that?” asked the youngster reaching to touch the glowing cigarette Pedro held between his fingers.
“Be careful little laddie, that'll burn ya like a fire.” He pulled his hand upwards, out of reach, not quite sure how to handle a child's curiosity. Pedro liked to get up early so he could be with Sundown for an early morning cuppa and smoke. He also did it so he could enjoy the company of the commando's children.
“Them kids matie, they amaze me. They have no fear and they have no sense of danger. How the hell did the human race survive?” he muttered to Sundown as Liam wandered off to chase Roo's dog.
“Damned if I know, Pedro,” said Sundown as Liam came back with more bits and pieces of lost equipment and rubbish, some of it too sharp for little fingers. Pedro and Sundown were about to go and clean up the enormous paddock of dangerous looking objects when their rescuers arrived.
It was Roo and Charlene. “Hi Sundown,” called Charlene. Roo smiled and the two older men nodded in greeting.
“Roo, you know how to say 'Hi' to Pedro and Sundown, so go on,” she prompted the silent kangaroo shooter.
“Hi, Sundown. Hi, Pedro,” he said clearly but in a gentle nine year old voice. Roo lost his grandfather at that age and stopped talking, completely. Now his speech was back at that same age. Charlene was surprised he could talk so clearly but she was a little dismayed his voice was somewhat, immature.
“Hi Roo. Hi Charlene, and a nice job you're doing there too,” said Sundown admiringly. He'd not had much time to talk with the new comers, especially Charlene. Every time he saw her she was chatting with someone.
Since she and Katie arrived the two were inseparable as they plied their healing skills. Charlene was the counsellor and Katie the hands-on healer. The two worked together a lot of the time and the Commando enjoyed chatting with the two attractive young ladies at meal times.
“I don't get much opportunity to talk with friends or newcomers these days. Even playing with Liam in the mornings is a rare treat.” Sundown rubbed at cat's ears as it jumped into his lap. “Roo, do you think you, Riley and Bongo would like to go on a camel patrol with us and the bike patrol boys? You and Bongo haven't had much chance to get out since your trip to the Flinders and I'd like Riley to spend more time with the rest of the boys. What do you think?”
Sundown had decided that most of the patrolling should now be done by the army boys from Alice Springs. Nulla's 'house rats' from Adelaide, and his own commando, were exhausted from almost a whole year fighting and living on the edge.
The soldiers of Alice Springs Command loved it. They were keen to finally have a crack at the enemy and spent their free time talking with anyone they could get their hands on who had seen action. He knew he had to keep his team up to speed but a few months rest would make them sharper and tougher.
Riley, Katie and their two children were also bunked down in the servants quarters, a few doors down from Roo. The rugged cattleman was a favourite with the soldiers but he kept a smouldering anger inside. It sometimes forced him to avoid company, it also upset Katie.
Charlene looked at Roo, prompting him to reply to Sundown's question.
“I think, yes. Bongo's good and Riley's good,” he said and smiled when Charlene hugged him with her good arm.
“Beauty!” said Sundown, “and how is the counselling going, Charlene, do you enjoy being here and helping out?”
“I love it here, Sundown,” she said and shifted over to lift Liam into her lap while he tried to tie the broken webbing to his small frame. “I've met the man I love and I've made so many great friends.” She was all smiles as she leaned across and kissed an embarrassed Roo. “Living the way we did, hiding in houses, afraid the terrorists would trap us or grenade us. It was hell, Sundown, every day was just hell. Here you've got the expanse of the desert plains. You can see anyone sneaking up on you for miles. Give me the desert any day.”
Sundown nodded in agreement. “And how's the arm going, any progress with your elbow or shoulder, any movement yet?”
Charlene eased her skinny arm out of its sling and moved it a few inches back and forth. It looked more claw than hand. “It's coming along slowly but it's really painful. Lorraine's given me exercises and Roo helps me. I have more movement than I've ever had. Lorraine said that, because I've had it immobile for so long, it's going to take a long time to get movement back into it. She said I'll probably not get my shoulder to move because the bones were smashed and fused together, like a knot. So we're working on the elbow, with a tiny bit on the shoulder. But I'll get there.”
Sundown noticed just how happy she was. The morning sun shone on her golden hair and the light in her eyes matched the morning glow. No wonder everyone loved her, he thought. Not only was she nice to look at but her manner and attitude was something special, something he rarely saw in people. In fact, he realised, Charlene was one of a kind.
“Charlene, Nulla told me you've been talking to Blondie. I don't need to know anything about what you talk about, that's your job not mine. He said that Blondie's responding well. He said she's coming out of that dark place she was in. I'd just like to say that the work you've been doing has been noticed. You're becoming one of the commando's greatest assets and you've only been here a few months.” Sundown looked back at Roo. He had a question he'd wanted to ask for a while now. “I'm really curious to know how you helped get Roo's speech up to speed so quickly too.”
The young lady was a little overwhelmed. Sure, she'd been doing what came natural to her but for someone like Sundown to notice? She thought he would be too busy running the commando to notice someone as insignificant as her.
“Thank you Sundown, I appreciate you saying those nice things. I just want to help, that's all. As for Roo, well I had access to all those books on psychology from the city and the university when we went there.” She paused, that was why Tony was killed and Arthur wounded. It was a horrible time she would rather forget. “I tried some hypnosis with Roo and took him back to nine years of age, when he lost his grandfather. It worked. I'm amazed as much as everyone else. That was a miracle.”
It was Roo who put his arm around her, something he hadn't done in public before. “I like you Charlene, you're good,” he said in his funny voice.
“Roo?” Sundown looked at him strangely. “I don't think I've ever heard so many words come out of you in all the time I've known you. Not only is your girlfriend an angel but she's also a miracle worker. I thin
k we need Pedro to find a suitable name for you, Charlene, something that describes angels doing miracles perhaps?”
Pedro just smiled and eased back into his wheel chair puffing away at his mangled cigarette. He watched curiously as Roo whispered to Lenny to go and get Charlene's doll and show Sundown and Pedro. Lenny dashed into their room and came back with Kimberly, the pink, Power Ranger doll. Charlene kept it as a reminder of her power to face and overcome her personal grief and loss.
“Look Sundown,” said Roo smiling broadly, “Charlene's angel.” His arm was still around Charlene and she snuggled into it.
As the kids ran off with the dogs, Sundown wondered why he was so lucky to have such selfless people around him.
By now there were others up and walking around. The four early risers watched as Katie told the kids they had to wait before getting Annie out of bed. Riley now stepped out of their room. The tall cattleman walked over and asked if anyone wanted a cup of tea.
“I was just asking Roo if he'd like to bring you and Bongo along on our camel patrol. What do you think, Riley? It'll be the bike patrol boys, some of the Girl Guards and most of the old commando crew, the originals,” said Sundown nodding for that cup of tea.
“I'll get the tea, Riles, you sit and talk for a while,” called Katie winking at Charlene as she sent the kids off to play with the dogs. She reminded Liam and Elle to be careful with Red Dog because she had babies inside her.
Just then Danielle arrived with Annie. Lucy was half asleep and carried a mug of Mel's coffee in her free hand while the other held onto little Harry's hand.
“Look what I found, Katie. He was looking for Annie, to take her to see if Red Dog had any puppies.” Lucy sat down with the rest and sipped her coffee.
“Hi, Lucy,” said Sundown, it was becoming a busy morning and yet he relished this opportunity to touch base with his commando. “How's training going? Didn't you get to sleep out with the camels last night?”
“Hi, Sundown. Annie's been sick these past few days but she seems to be better this morning. I had to sleep in the unit to keep an eye on her.” Lucy knew what was coming next. “When we go on our trek Katie said she'll look after Annie. It's going to be OK, Sundown.” She continued when she saw the concern in his eyes. “I volunteered for this job and by hell or high water I'll see it to its end. Them bastards killed my husband and I'm prepared to do anything I can to pay them back, bullet by bullet.”
“Hi all, hi Lucy,” announced a cheery but tired Bongo. He smiled at Lucy but she wasn't looking. Charlene noticed it though. She'd watched Bongo trying to get Lucy's attention ever since they met on the desert crossing from Arkaroola.
“Hi Bongo. How's the leg going?” she asked sweetly. “I saw you chasing the kids yesterday. It seemed to be holding up well.”
“Yeah, I can run now. That's better than last month when all I could do was limp about and crawl on my butt. Lorraine said I'm ready for patrol but only local. She said I was allowed to join the Girl Guards.” He laughed and there were smiles from the others. Most of the commando knew he was keen on Lucy but she just didn't appear to be interested.
“Bongo, you've been invited to join the camel patrol with Sundown and the originals. Did you want to go?” said Charlene trying to get Lucy interested. Lucy's ears pricked up and she looked around, she was interested.
“What? Me? Sure, I'd love to,” he said and picked up a smooching Cat at his feet to sit him on his lap. Cat thought he was in heaven with so many of his human slaves spoiling him.
“You, Roo and Riles will be joining us. I'd like Chan to come along but he won't leave Doff's Bushmaster patrols. That might be a job for you, Charlene. When you get a chance see if he'll talk to you.” Charlene nodded, she'd already been asked to speak to him.
Sundown was pleased that Roo's cousin, Riley, wanted to go along with the camel patrol. The tall, dark and ruggedly handsome cattleman was popular because of his quiet, reliable manner. “We have some training to do before we go on a proper patrol and that's better than sitting around getting bored.”
“What about us girls Sundown, we've only got a few weeks training to go, can we come too?” asked Lucy. Her face looked younger and brighter in the morning light than he'd noticed before.
“Yes, the Girl Guards are coming too, I believe, but I've got to talk with the Pine Gap commander first. There's a lot of planning to get through today and I have a feeling a short desert patrol on camels, would provide a good break for all of us.” Before he could elaborate the Pine Gap boys came across from the kitchen with plates of food and mugs of coffee to join them.
“Hi guys!” said one of the tall Americans with a plate piled high with Fatima's minced meat pie and some sort of bush herb sauce. “Mind if we join you?”
Sue-Ellen was just behind them. Her hand rested on her hips like a school principal as she introduced everyone. “This is Soldier of Fortune, biggest Delta gun slinger you'll ever see. That blond-haired surfer over there is a Ranger, our staff sergeant and crypto-analyst at Pine Gap. We call him Obi-Wan but he looks like Yoda when the light hits him at the right angle. These two trying to hide behind me, are SEALs. That one's Murphy, the only fellow to get left behind and survive a day by himself with no one to talk to but Taliban terrorists.” Murphy shyly shrugged his broad shoulders nearly spilling his mug of coffee.
“And his fellow Seal is Pipeline. He's long, he's slippery and he goes on and on and on. Just ask anyone who's had to share a flight with him.” The heavily built Afro-American smiled broadly but his mouth was full of breakfast and he didn't get the chance to prove his nick-name.
Sue-Ellen charmed everyone, she relished being outside in the morning sunshine with the people she so dearly wanted to meet.
“This lady, my dear commando friends, is Commander Sue-Ellen Cullen, of the US Navy. Sue-Ellen is in charge of the Pine Gap facility.” Sundown paused and looked with a mischievous light in his eye. “Sue-Ellen is a spook, so be careful what you say,” he grinned. “Seriously, welcome aboard commander, Deltas, SEALs and Rangers and our Black Hawk boys over there.” The flight crew were already working hard overhauling their aircraft which had played up on their flight the night before. “We enjoy having new faces and especially those who know how to kill Revelationists. I know you've been watching the apocalypse from a distance but if you hang around Sundown's Commando long enough, you'll get the chance to see it up close and personal.”
At that Sue-Ellen's face went red. She wasn't going to let Sundown get away with this 'spectator' dig, “And who told you we haven't been up close and personal with the terrorists, Sundown?”
Sundown stopped grinning and looked at her clearly confused. “I gathered that, being holed up inside your compound for a year in the middle of the desert, probably meant you had observed but not made contact…” He stopped talking because he knew he might be on very unsafe ground. This woman had a reputation for busting balls and he knew he was stupid enough to stand with his legs wide apart. “Umm, commander, maybe you'd better educate me on what you have been up to?”
Everyone was watching the interplay between the two commanders. One was their beloved Sundown, who always had time and a kind word for everyone. A leader who led from the front and put his own life on the line for his people, his family. The other was an unknown. A tough bitch by the look on her face. She appeared to be about to explode, ready to launch an attack at the very one who held their commando together.
“Commander?” said Charlene stepping in to calm the waters. “We would all like to welcome you, and your men, to our Commando at the Christian Palace. I don't think you've met any of us so I'll introduce you.” Before Sue-Ellen had time to speak, Charlene began to introduce everyone. Immediately the soldiers and their families stepped across the emotional divide to become friends. Even Sue-Ellen had to change tack and join in.
When the introductions were made Sue-Ellen took control of Charlene before she had a chance to move away. “Thank you, Charlene,” she said in her lovel
y American accent. “I admire how you rescued your leader. Sundown should learn not to step into the lioness' den because that's how people get their heads bitten off.”
Everyone went quiet and the chatter stopped as they waited for Sue-Ellen to play her next card. “But you know what, the lioness has decided she isn't hungry today. But she has one paw on his chest and won't let him up until he promises to take me and my boys with him on this patrol. The one I just heard him talking about. Perhaps I'll tell him what my boys have really been up to, if he behaves himself.” There came a collective sigh as everyone released their breath.
Sundown's lips parted as he was about to speak but he closed them again, wisely. Instead he nodded, “Sure, I'd like that. You are more than welcome to come on our inaugural long range camel patrol. I even have an acronym for it, LRCP. But be warned our young American heroes, Sundown's Commando are rough, tough and uncompromising. If we meet the enemy on patrol, we'll wipe them out…”
“With the assistance of my special forces here no doubt.” Sue-Ellen said dryly.
“Why yes, of course, that's what I was going to say next.” He stopped knowing full well he was back to digging a deeper hole. “It's time for breakfast. I see you boys have already begun. Sue-Ellen, please join us in the dining room. You boys had better come along and meet everyone. The entire commando are curious to see these mysterious Pine Gap special operatives. They think you're all aliens and spooks.” He winked as he led them inside for second breakfast.
The four aircrew ate where they were, busily going over their Black Hawk with a fine toothed comb. They were trying to find bugs in the electrical system that developed on the flight over. They were determined to fix it before they were called on to fly again. It meant they might have to strip the entire electrical system down to find the fault.
Pedro rolled his wheel chair up close beside Sundown. “Hey, Sundown, what's this about our patrol? I thought we agreed it was just going to be a small group? Looks like you've invited every man and his dog to a party.”
