Desert Strike E-Book

Leo Nix

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

After winning the command of the Alice Springs military force, Sundown's commando is in a position to pose a real threat to the Revelationist terrorists.

What was supposed to be a holiday patrol to the hot springs on the Diamantina plains turns into a nightmare for the commando, and only heroic sacrifices can save them. A startling development with the secret Pine Gap facility may prove to be a boon or a curse for their group, and for Sundown himself.

Desert Strike is the fourth novel in Leo Nix's Sundown Apocalypse series: hard-fitting, fast-paced adventure in the harsh Australian Outback. This is a standalone novel, and can be enjoyed even if you haven't read other books in the series.

Leseprobe

Desert Strike

Sundown Apocalypse Book 4

Leo Nix

Copyright (C) 2017 Leo Nix

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2019 by Next Chapter

Published 2019 by Next Chapter

Cover art by Stephen Kingston

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author's permission.

A special 'thank you' to Marja and Terrie for your generous support and the difficult task of proof reading; to Peter, for his ongoing technical assistance in all things military. I am especially indebted to Danny for his awesome editing and US military insights without which this book would be far less readable and enjoyable.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and show respect, to the first Australians, our land's traditional custodians, the Australian aboriginal people.

Dedication: To my brothers, James and Mark, who supported my every hair-brained idea.

Use anger to throw them into disarray, use humility to make them haughty.

Tire them by flight, cause division among them.

Attack when they are unprepared, make your move when they least expect it.

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness.

Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness.

This way you become the director of your opponent's fate.

Sun Tzu, The Art of War (circa 5th Century BC)

Chapter 1 - Of Horses, Camels and Donkeys

“Hey, watch out there!” yelled Nulla instructing the Alice Springs boys working with one of the wild horses. “These brumbies can kick backwards so don't walk around his tail 'til he knows you a bit better.”

Nulla's leading horse-breaker was Kristofer, he loved horses, always had. In Darwin he would go riding when he was off duty. It was a good opportunity to pick up girls but right now he wasn't so keen on horses or girls. They'd been at it all week and he'd lost count of how many horses and camels they'd rounded up and broken in.

“Nulla, it's got to be knock-off time, mate. Come on, we're all stuffed,” cried the lean, suntanned horseman coughing up a lungful of dust and sand.

“Not until we finish this mob. Only three more to go then we'll call it a day,” said Nulla, wiping the sweat from his eyes for the umpteenth time.

“That should only be an hour or so, beauty.” Kris cracked a smiled for the first time that day.

“That's three each, mate,” Nulla managed to grin back at him. With the constant heat, scorching sun and choking dust they were all simply exhausted.

Sundown had taken Chan off patrol to help them. The young ex-Revelationist was doing way too many back-to-back patrols trying to get payback for losing his best friend, John. It was good to see him laughing as he helped along with the bike patrol boys and a dozen of the Alice Springs troops experienced in working with horses and camels.

Some were kangaroo, dingo and pig shooters; some were stockmen from the cattle stations; and some just loved animals. Together they'd broken in over two hundred horses and camels.

“Nulla, what sort of horses are these anyway?” asked Simon. The dark-haired, lanky teenager, leaned heavily on the stockyard rails. His chest still heaving with the effort of lifting the bar for the wranglers as each horse or camel entered for training.

“Most of these are Walers. They're what's left over from the Australian Light Horse. They had the last successful cavalry charge in the history of warfare. That was at Beersheba, in the deserts of Palestine during World War One,” Nulla called over his shoulder as he was about to head over to see if Fat Boy had arrived with their lunch. “They bred Walers for the British soldiers of the East India Company a few centuries ago. They're tough, courageous and have a gentle nature.” But catching them in the wild and breaking them in was time consuming and hard work.

Arthur was seated just above Simon on the timber railings of the yard. His face was covered in fine, red desert dust, and there were rivulets of dirt running from his scalp to his chin. “Hey Nulla, where did camels come from? Are they Australian too?”

Nulla turned and trotted his horse over to the boys. “Arty, both horses and camels were brought to Australia. Horses arrived with the convicts and the camels came later, to carry supplies to the stations and homesteads out in the desert.” Nulla shook his head and wondered what on earth kids learned at school these days. “They carried wool, minerals and farm produce to be sold in the cities. With the arrival of the railways and trucks they were left to run wild.”

Simon was deep in thought and looked up as Nulla finished explaining. “So, if camels came from England, how come they can live in the hot desert? Shouldn't they die from heatstroke?” he asked.

Again Nulla shook his head in disbelief. “Camels came from Arabia and the horses came from India,” he paused and thought for a moment, “at least I think so anyway.” He tipped his hat back off his forehead and considered how to extract himself. He'd only had a few years of schooling himself, just enough to read and write.

“You'd better ask Heidi or Tricia… or someone who finished school. I'm not really sure where horses or camels come from.”

Simon winked at Arthur who grinned back, the tracks of mud on his face made him look like a zombie.

“Does that mean you don't know, boss?” he asked, his mischievous grin caught Nulla's eye and he knew Simon was back to his old tricks.

“I tell you what, boys. If Luke knows where horses and camels come from, I'll shout you all a beer.” Nulla knew this would shut them up.

“Boss, what if Luke doesn't know? Do we still get a beer then?” Simon was always willing to push Nulla every chance he got.

“Well, let me just say, if Luke doesn't know then you all owe me a beer.”

“Hey boss, we're under age and you're not allowed to give us alcohol. So if we win then we still don't win do we?”

Nulla grinned, his eyes crinkled into slits and he laughed. “I think you grow smarter by the day, Simon. I can't give you alcohol but I can give you a kick up the rear-end if you don't open the gate for Kris here.”

Kris was waiting patiently to enter the training yard with his camel while Simon jumped down off the fence. With the help of his friend, Arthur, they lifted the solid timber gate open for what was probably the hundredth time that day.

“Come on boys, slowly, just let them get use to you. You're their friend, their protector not their dominatrix,” called Kris, teaching the boys how to break in the sensitive camels the 'Nulla way'. “Remember, camels are like horses, they're herd animals, they like company. They form friendships and they like to follow. Herd animals like to belong to a group. We're their herd and you're their leader so do it gently and calmly.” It became his mantra: 'gentle, calm, slow'.

“Boys, all my life I've broken horses the old way, but this sure beats a jarred spine and a broken head. Where I came from horse breaking was a trial of manhood. For Nulla it's a game of out-psyching them. I'd rather this way.” Kris eased his muscled, raw-boned frame onto the stock yard railing.

“Nulla said he learned it from his uncle. They trained horses on the properties they worked together. He said his uncle could talk to horses and they listened,” said Simon as he jumped nimbly from the raw timber rails when he heard Fat Boy's raucous call. Together they headed over to the food truck for a late lunch prior to heading back to their Christian Palace home.

Sergeant Nulla made sure everyone had a full plate in front of them before he helped himself to Fat Boy's food. When he saw Luke sit down he walked over to join his boys.

“Hey Luke, I've got a quiz for you. Can you tell us where horses and camels come from? Your mates wanted to know and I said if anyone knew, it was you.”

Luke looked up at him and considered the request. “Well boss, seems to me that camels came here with the Afghans so they must have come from Afghanistan. And horses came with the British back in 1788 with Captain Phillip and the first fleet from England. So, horses came from England and camels from Afghanistan. Did I get it right?”

Some of the stockmen were listening and gladly pitched in their opinion. “Luke, horses came from England? Nah, mate, they're from Asia. The Mongols introduced them to the rest of the world. Genghis Khan conquered India and Asia and right up into Europe at one time, all on the backs of their horses. Did you know the Mongols had twenty remounts each?” said one beefy cattleman through a mouthful of stew.

“I read it was from America. They had little horses growing there millions of years ago. They had camels too, I think, before they migrated around the world across that land bridge in the Arctic. Those little camels turned into big camels in Asia and into lamas in South America,” offered another cattleman considered to be a bit of an intellectual.

“The Spanish brought them to America you dumb-arse, they weren't already there. That Columbian guy, Christopher someone, he invaded America with his horses and killed all the indians with them,” said another who always offered everyone the benefit of his opinion.

Simon piped up, “Nulla, which is it? You have to choose the answer.”

Nulla held up his hand, he knew he was screwed no matter which opinion he chose. “Well boys,” Nulla pulled his hat off and scratched his head in exasperation. “I have no bloody idea which is the right answer. I'm going to ask Tricia and Andy tonight, I reckon they can decide. For someone who never finished high school, let alone primary school, I haven't got a damn clue.”

“Does that mean we win?” Arthur had taken to speaking freely with Nulla since their time on the Arkaroola wilderness to Birdsville trip. After Luke told everyone how Arthur had been blown up and shot twice he'd become a bit of a legend in the commando.

For once Nulla didn't have an answer. “Well, Arty…” he paused, thinking, he knew he was cornered but he wasn't in the habit of backing down or giving up either. “I tell you what, let's raise the stakes. If Andy or Tricia don't know I'll make you boys a special drink of herbs and spices, it might even contain some contraband. How's that?”

The three teenagers looked at each other suspiciously. “Herbs and spices? Contraband? Nulla, if it's curry powdered then the answer is yes!” said Simon. His two mates weren't as keen on curry so they decided to take the initiative themselves.

“Nulla, Arty and I'll settle on a glass of Andy's home brew beer, cut in half and you can add the other half from Fatima and Mel's lemonade – a shandy. We don't trust your contraband, it's probably that stinky desert tobacco.” Luke looked up at his friends who nodded excitedly, they loved Andy's shandies.

The men around the camp fire had been listening intently to the conversation. They were interested now they knew the boys were in a competition with their sergeant.

“So this is a competition is it?” called one cattleman. The boys nodded in response. “Well in that case we need to discuss it as unionists and decide on the proper rules for such an important competition.” The others sitting around the camp fire called out in agreement.

“I propose that if Andy and Tricia come up with the same answer, an agreement that is, then let that be the official answer,” proposed the cattleman who said horses came from Asia. The men replied, “hear hear”.

The bloke who said the Columbian named Christopher defeated the indians with horses then said, “and let the reward be a shandy, one glass of Andy's brew mixed fifty fifty with lemonade for the boys to share. And Simon can get a curry drink if he wants,” he added to a chuckle or two and more “hear hears”.

Nulla was a union man from way-back as well and joined in. “Yep, that's fair, I'll agree to that. Now what's my reward if Andy and Tricia don't agree where horses and camels come from?”

The horsemen started to argue over Nulla's reward. “I would ask as to why Nulla should get a reward in the first place?” called a red haired giant finishing his second helping of Fat Boy's stew. “Why don't we all get a reward then if that's the case?”

“That's right,” came the union view.

The intellectual added, “If Tricia and Andy can't agree, and if Luke got it wrong, I propose Nulla gets a day off nagging everyone.”

To that everyone roared with laughter and Nulla was forced to accept a surrender.

“Righto fella's, I give in. History was never my best subject anyway. In fact none of them were.” He joined in the genial laughter. It was a perfect ending to another day in the bush where they could all enjoy just being alive and free.

“Hey, Fat Boy!” called one of the sunburned stockmen as he stood to get another serving of stew. “Has Andrew finished brewing that beer he promised us thirsty horsemen? We haven't had a beer in two weeks and I'm about jack of it.” He looked around at the nodding heads.

“We've run out,” replied Fat Boy. “Andy said it's gonna take a few more weeks for the current brew to mature ready to drink.” Fat Boy had lost weight but not an ounce of muscle. He was still the biggest bloke in the commando. “Come on, fella's, even Halo wouldn't drink it.” He laughed and his roar echoed through the dust-flecked shafts of the setting sun.

Halo called out from somewhere among the cattlemen, “I heard that, Fat Boy!”

“Andy said,” Fat Boy paused for emphasis, “we even have to preserve the wine and spirits at the palace because we're running out of that too.”

“That's just bullshit, Fat Boy,” called another one of the men. “I think it's time some of us brewers made our own and challenged you and Andy's monopoly. I reckon we could out-brew you pair hand's down,” he added, “and I reckon we can make better whiskey too.”

The boys had scoured the countryside for miles to bring in saddles, bridles and all kinds of horse and camel gear. They found some food and other goodies like four wheel drives, trucks and trail bikes but sadly, what beer they did find went in the first week. Sometimes it was 'finders-keepers' and many didn't return until their hangovers had cleared. Although this did happen, most of the commando shared what they found, but it wasn't enough to go around.

Since the apocalypse, alcohol had become an important defense mechanism for everybody in the commando - perhaps for everybody in the world.

“Tomorrow we start bringing the camels and horses in to the house paddocks and start training them to handle people, rifle fire and then patrolling as a group. We all need to learn how to handle them. We'll each need a dozen remounts so that means you'll work with your own mounts, horses and camels, every day. They're your mounts and if you treat them properly, they'll stand by you through thick and thin.” Nulla lifted his eyes to gaze into the red sky of the afternoon remembering his uncle and their times together.

“My uncle knew some of the Light Horse fellas who were at the Beersheba cavalry charge in 1917. I told you that already, but you know what?” The broad shouldered aboriginal looked at his attentive troops. “He said that when they came home many of them went straight out to the bush to find a replacement for their neddys. Sadly some blokes never recovered after they found out their horse was shot and sold for meat at the end of the war.”

Simon tipped some of Fatima's precious home-made curry powder onto the remains of his beef stew. As insensitive as ever to the sentiment of the conversation he said, “Hey boss, I'd rather ride my bike than a camel or a horse.”

Nulla turned to look at Simon and screwed up his face, he was always amazed by his teenage protégé's simplistic approach to the complexities of life. He watched Simon massacre his food with his never-ending supply of curry.

“When your bike runs out of fuel, then what?”

“Get some more. We've got trucks and fuel drums,” replied Simon speaking through a mouthful of food.

“Arty, would you please tell Simon what's wrong with that?” said Nulla now sitting with his own plate of Fat Boy's delicious stew and Mel's fresh baked 'desert bread'.

Arthur spoke up clearly, he did that more often these days. It seemed the more time he spent with the men of the commando the more his confidence grew.

“Well, Simon. Nulla is saying that horses and camels can eat the grass and stuff in the bush but bikes need caches of fuel everywhere. They use the same fuel as cars and four wheel drives. Don't forget that the Bushmasters and ASLAV's burn diesel. So any cars and trucks that use diesel have been grounded, except for emergency use. We need to conserve what we have and not waste it. Horses and camels can help us do that.” Arty smiled and looked around at the nodding heads as the men grabbed their cups of black tea and sat back to enjoy the boy's banter.

“But what about speed and what about water? Deserts don't have water bottles growing on trees you know,” came Simon's somewhat tortured reply, even he smiled at the silliness of his argument. But, being Simon, he just wouldn't let Nulla have the last say. Not that he ever won that competition, not against Nulla, only Heidi had ever done that.

“Simon, you are a dick,” said Luke as he finished his stew then tapped his plate on Fat Boy's food truck for another serving.

“Simon,” said Nulla in the voice he sometimes used to make a point with his boys. “I'm going to put you on the camel patrol with the rest of the bike boys. If you don't like it after a month I'll give you back your bike. How's that for a deal?”

Simon looked up from his empty plate and licked his spoon one more time to get at the last traces of curry. “Boss, you're on.” He considered himself lucky to have won that small concession from Nulla. Simon knew that two almost-wins in the one day was the best he'd ever get against the 'Boss'.

Kris was perhaps the quietest of the men in the patrol. He worked solidly and was proud of his ability to handle a horse. “Nulla, let me help these cameleer bike boys when we get back to the palace. Anything that can go nearly two weeks without water and eat anything that grows is pretty impressive, I reckon.”

Major Lewis, or 'Louie' as he was now known, had earlier spoken to Nulla and Kris announcing that Sundown wanted camels for their future desert patrols. While everyone wanted horses the argument for camels came from the experienced cattlemen and desert hunters. Horses would be best suited to manage their large cattle herds and to help short range patrols around the house paddocks. Camels would best be used for the long range patrols into the deep desert itself.

“I want you to make sure every bloke who touches a horse or camel knows how to ride and care for them,” Major Lewis told them.

When they arrived back at the Christian Palace that evening the Girl Guards were there to greet them. They fussed over the horses like they were Red Dog's puppies.

“What is it with girls and horses?” asked Halo. “Can't you girls see these are working animals and they deserve respect not cuddles.” He turned to Heidi, “One day they'll be going into battle and cuddles just won't cut it then will it.” Halo led his horse into the fenced home paddock with the other tired horses. The girls followed and helped the men rub their horses down.

Halo wasn't finished though. “But if any of you lovely girls want to help then you are most welcome.” His boyish smile meant he would prefer if they did the work.

Nulla decided he'd better take control as he spied Heidi about to jump down Halo's throat.

“Girls, you can help any time you're off duty, but please, ask permission from the boys.” When he saw Heidi about to open her mouth again he quickly continued. “I'm sure none of us will say no, but it's just a sign of respect to the animals and their riders. Ask Kris if no one else is around.” Heidi now closed her mouth and watched Nulla suspiciously. “Righto, everyone, finish grooming your horses then shower and supper on the rooftop. I heard Andy say his new beer is ready.”

“Nulla?” called that familiar voice and Nulla could feel the hackles rise at the back of his neck.

“Yes, Heidi?” he said politely, knowing she was going to speak even though she knew he'd probably say no.

“Well, so… girls like horses and I think the Girl Guards should get horses too.” As she spoke he lifted his eyes to the heavens. Heidi noticed and then said a little more firmly. “Come on, Nulla, don't be so blasted stubborn. Girls are better at riding and caring for horses than men, it's a known fact.” That last bit was louder than the rest. Nulla was well aware that this teenager with the body and smile most men would die for was just starting to wind up.

“Kris, Simon, Luke, come over here, boys. Arthur, you'd better stay well back.” Kris knew from first hand experience that what the girls wanted they always got. Not by bullying but because they were so darn cute that everyone gave in to them. Simon and Luke just stood by smiling. They knew what was coming and wouldn't miss it for the end of the world.

“Yes boss?” said Simon and Luke together. Kris reluctantly loped his tall, lean body over.

“You boys heard the boss-girl, what do you think?” he asked, his face was now a blank space.

“Simon, if you don't support us…” Heidi left the sentence unfinished.

“Simon, if you want to live… I suggest you be on our side,” said Lulu giggling behind her hand. Lulu was keen on Simon, they had sat together every chance they could before they'd left for the muster.

“Boss, I think the Girl Guards are right on the ball with this,” grinned Simon. “If we can just find a few donkeys for them that should make them happy.”

“Simon! I'm going to beat you for that!” cried Lulu. The teenagers spent most of their spare time together now, usually sitting by the lagoon talking - as teenagers do in every society. “Bloody donkeys!”

Halo over-heard the conversation and wandered over. “Donkeys?” he asked curiously. “I love donkeys, Lulu. I'll capture one for you.” He was actually quite sincere. Nulla felt a laugh struggling to burst from his chest.

“Nulla, can we take the girls out-bush and get some donkeys? Donkeys are very intelligent and gentle, I think they'd be perfect for our Girl Guards.” Halo, at five foot ten and almost as wide across the shoulders was completely unaware of Heidi's stare.

She smiled to herself as she saw a crack in the door and quickly jammed her foot in. “Nulla,” she started, but seeing his look she quickly changed tack, adding in a seductive voice, “Boss, can I suggest Halo and these lovely, handsome boys, go back and catch some mounts for us? I don't care much for donkeys though.” Her voice was soft, sexy and her face was turned slightly upwards. The fading afternoon sunlight caught her sensual throat and cleevage. She'd seen Glenda do it when she wanted something from Nulla and was now doing it herself every chance she got. She found it worked with the other males, except Captain Johnny Walker. Nothing worked on their Girl Guards captain.

“Kris, what do you think?” called Nulla still chuckling inside. He silently admired how Heidi would do anything to get her way.

“Yeah, we could do that. We know where the donkeys hang out. They really are beautiful creatures once they trust you. They take a bit more care than horses but I think they would be well suited to the Girl Guards needs.” Kris' comment made the boys laugh out loud.

“I mean, no, I didn't mean to be rude when I said that, Heidi. I mean, donkeys are special creatures, they're not like horses. They think differently, more like humans. Yeah, I'll take you out in the morning, if Nulla lets us.” He looked sheepishly at Nulla.

“OK, I'll give you five days to bring back enough donkeys to train as pack animals for our patrols. If they work out OK we'll keep them.” Nulla had never worked with donkeys but he was willing to try if Kris thought he could make it work.

Heidi smiled at Danni and Lulu, turned and grinned at the boys. Lulu went up and hugged Kris. “While you're out there I think you should round up some horses for our house patrols. What do you think, Kris? If you do that for us we'll make you something special for supper tonight, something just for you.” She giggled as she winked at Danni and Heidi. “You're our saviour against this mean, wicked man.”

Nulla laughed softly to himself. He knew he'd been manipulated into saying exactly what he was planning on doing anyway, though not with donkeys.

“If you girls join our 'animal management team' then you'll have to do a lot of the work, you know that, don't you?” he said seriously. “Our boys'll be out on patrol for weeks at a time and they'll need their remounts cared for while they're away. Can you promise me you'll do that? Every day up at the crack of dawn, feeding, grooming and caring for the animals?” He saw their faces melt with joy.

Danni spoke first. “Nulla, boss, if you let us have our own patrol animals we'll do anything for them.” The girls had quickly learned that if they used the term 'boss' the way Luke and Simon did, Nulla was a lot more agreeable.

“Righto, it's now up to you lot. Let's get cleaned up and you can plan how you're going to bring back that herd of donkeys… and maybe a horse or two.” Nulla chuckled to himself as he walked off to talk with Andy and Captain Walker - there was always so much to be done.

The entire community at the Christian Palace became animated when Sundown announced that their troops would soon be mounted and sent out on training patrols. The commando soon began to organise itself into horse and cameleer cavalry from the many volunteers both men and women.

Every day some of the soldiers and their families came out to watch the boys training and handling their mounts in the stockyards behind the palace. It turned out that although they looked cute, the stubborn donkeys were more of a damn nuisance than anything. Both Kris and Halo agreed that they would train them as pack animals – or just keep them as pets.

Jaina was still getting a feel for her new found friends in the commando. As she had been with the Revelationist Intelligence some of the community treated her somewhat diffidently, some outright rudely. Jaina wasn't one to hold back though. She easily won friends and just as easily made enemies. Fortunately Donata, Chan, Blondie, Fat Boy and even Poolie, her former prisoner, stood up for her.

Private Jason Little, her genius but awkward boyfriend, had become a welcome addition. His boyish enthusiasm for anything anti-Revelationist won everyone over. It wasn't too long before he was accepted as a member of Sundown's Commando.

“Hey, Jason! Hey, Jaina! Want to come with us to see the donkeys?” called Assassin leaning out of his truck window. “Kris and the boys are going to spend the day training them. It should be fun.” The lovers had just arrived from the Birdsville outpost and were taking their breakfast outside.

Jason Little, the small young man with the wide girth, suddenly stopped eating his plate of beef and bean porridge, as if he'd been shot. Jaina looked at him curiously, so did some of the others.

Assassin looked at Jason and asked, “Are you OK, Jason?”

Jason had a mouthful of bean porridge in his mouth and it began to dribble onto his shirt front as he said in a small voice, “Donkeys? You mean real donkeys? Are we allowed to touch them?”

“Yeah, you like donkeys then, Jason?” Assassin laughed.

“Yes, I love donkeys. I've loved donkeys since Shrek.” He turned to Jaina excitedly. “Jaina can we go. Please, can we go with the boys?”

His well-developed girlfriend took the plate from him and set it down on the bench. He'd spilled most of it anyway.

“We'll go with the big boys.” She smiled then asked affectionately. “But since when have you liked Shrek's Donkey? You've never said anything about it before.”

“I never told anyone because they'd laugh at me. But Sundown wouldn't let anyone laugh at me here and neither would you or Blondie.” He giggled like a kid as he ran and tried to get into the back of the truck, but it was too high for his short legs. Everyone else was now settled in for the ride except Jason and Jaina.

“Assassin, can you please come and help Jason get in the truck?” called Jaina. Jason tried again and again but he was so clumsy that, despite the well-meaning hands grabbing at him, he stayed firmly on the ground.

“Mate, hold still and I'll help you up,” said Assassin as he grabbed him by the waist and lifted. The boys in the truck heaved too sending Jason over the back board to fall in a heap on the floor.

Assassin then helped Jaina into the truck although she really didn't need help - but she was female after all. All the ladies considered Assassin Creed one of the most adorable men of the commando. At just on six foot tall, blond haired, broad shouldered and a surfer's muscles that put everyone else to shame, he was constantly teased by Halo and Beamy for being the 'best looking bloke in the commando'. They reminded him of it every chance they got. Assassin had no idea what they were talking about which made the girls gush even more.

“There you go, Jaina. Just make sure young Shrek here doesn't fall out. It's a bumpy ride.” Assassin then climbed into the truck cabin to begin their journey to see the donkeys.

Chapter 2 - Post-Apocalypse Newcomer

It was their weekly management meeting and an impatient Tricia had matters she needed to discuss. Pinkie brought in some of Fatima's home-made cheese for everyone to try as they settled down to their meeting.

“Sundown, before we begin we've got some news for you but we need to invite someone in to tell it,” said Tricia as she looked outside to see if her special visitor was ready. Nulla sat there grinning as he struggled to keep his mouth closed, he didn't want to spoil the girl's fun.

“What special visitor? Did someone just drop out of the sky?” Sundown asked absently as he enjoyed this new type of 'Fatima cheese' made from their small but growing herd of milking cows. It was the best he'd tasted so far.

Pinkie led Glenda into the room by the hand and the men stopped eating to look up. This was something they hadn't expected.

“Hi Glenda, so how's things? Ah, so what's so special? Has Nulla been a boofhead again or something?” asked Pedro. He was just as perplexed as the others.

“Nulla already knows, Pedro, but the big news is… we're going to have a baby.” Glenda had picked her nails to the bone worrying over this moment but, despite rehearsing her lines, it came out in one rushed sentence.

There was a moment of stunned silence until Sundown stood up and slapped Nulla on the back. Then he walked around to gather Glenda in a bear hug.

“I didn't know, you can't tell. You're so slim. Congratulations to you both. This is the best damn news we've had since, well, since the apocalypse. We now have hope for the future, a brighter future,” he said, struggling to find the right words for such an occasion. He wiped absently at his eyes which had suddenly grown moist. Then everyone was up and hugging. Even Pedro had a tear in the corners of his eyes as he wheeled himself across to hug Nulla now standing proudly beside Glenda.

“Hey, all of you, shoosh. I'd like to make a toast,” said Andy lifting his glass of communion sherry which the palace seemed to have an abundance of. “To the happy parents-to-be and to our first post-apocalypse baby.”

Everyone grabbed the nearest glass of wine, water or tea and repeated, “To the parents and our first post-apocalypse baby!”

Glenda smiled making her face glow with joy. “Thank you, but nothing much has changed except we're going to add another member to this wonderful Commando.” She stopped and became somewhat serious. “Nulla and I, and our group, we lived in fear waiting to be discovered by the terrorists every single day. That was before we crossed the deserts to be here, our sanctuary. When we arrived you so generously took us into your hearts, sight unseen. We're so glad we made the choice to come here to start our family.” Glenda started to cry and Pinkie came to her aid. Together they left to get more supplies for their little celebration.

Tricia brought everyone back on track as they began to sit back down. “I'll personally be taking care of Glenda and the other women who need obstetrics. Lorraine and Gail have experience in midwifery too.” The commando's head nurse paused before announcing, “I've got a few updates. After our last meeting we've begun physiotherapy and rehabilitation work with Katie and Lorraine in charge. We've some injured men and women who need therapy but they've been neglected. My fault, but now we have some respite from the fighting, we can start seeing to Charlene's shoulder. Bongo's leg needs therapy but he is up and walking on it so that is good news. We've got Roo's arm but that seems to be coming along fine. Then we've got Arthur's arm and leg which, I'm afraid…” she stopped and turned to Nulla and Sundown. “I'm taking him off all fighting patrols because he pushes himself too hard. He has such a strong ethic to give everything he has, such a courageous young man. Lorraine wants to get him in for some physio work before he goes back to patrolling. Beamy, well he's been shot up too many times and his breathing… it sounds awful. It's going to take some time before we allow him to go on any fighting patrols too.”

Sundown nodded. “Yep, take Arthur and Beamy off the patrol rosters and anyone else you consider needs a break. Tricia, how about Slimmy, how's he doing? Last I saw he was sitting outside sipping a beer with some of his mates in Birdsville. Is he going to be OK?”

“Slimmy wins the 'You Lucky Bastard Award', Sundown,” said Pedro. “He's looking good. It must be them bullets whizzed past his tubing and just left a few holes in him.”

“Yes, Slimmy's doing well, Sundown, but it was a close call. We really need to look into alternatives for antibiotics. The Alice Springs hospital has next to nothing in the way of antibacterials now. Pedro was just lucky, he was given their last infusion,” said Tricia.

“I studied biochemistry, antibiotics was one area I worked on in the food industry. We used the older class of drugs which worked a treat, but my knowledge of biologicals is limited and very dated these days. What about natural medicines, aboriginal remedies?” asked Sundown, looking at both Tricia and Nulla.

“My mother was our tribal healer back in the old days and her favourite remedy was Castor Oil,” offered Nulla. “I think it stopped Arty and Glenda's wounds going septic. We might consider it for inflammation as well as constipation. I know Katie used acacia bark and clay for Bongo's blood poisoning in Arkaroola when he and Roo were shot up. It's an old aboriginal remedy we used when I was a kid too. We could get Katie and maybe Jeda and Jenny too, to teach us a bit more. Katie learned a lot from her father, he learned it during his time working with the desert aboriginals.”

Major 'Louie' Lewis wasn't so easily convinced. “I'm not so sure we should trust dirt and oil, it might kill more than it heals. Isn't there someone in Alice Springs who studied this sort of thing? What about Darwin or Pine Gap?”

Captain 'Johnny' Walker spoke up. “Forget Pine Gap, Louie, we've tried all year to get them to join us - you know that. They'll never share anything they've got. That yank bitch they've got in charge has busted more balls than our entire commando have dangling between their legs.” He stopped talking and his face turned bright red as he realised what he'd just said.

“Ooops, sorry girls, that's army talk. I promise to watch my manners in the future,” he said awkwardly.

“Cut the bullshit, Johnny, these girls here were knocking out terrorists while you were playing soldier in Alice Springs. I doubt there's a swear word they haven't heard. Besides,” Pedro winked, saying in a mock British voice, “we've got proper British nurses and British nurses bust balls too.” He chuckled softly to himself when he saw Glenda and Pinkie giggling with him.

Tricia patiently continued. “Louie, we're backs to the wall here. In the middle of the desert in the middle of the apocalypse and we have nothing. I don't see a choice really. I've been talking to your medics and they said they'd like to set up a unit to study medicine, natural and modern. Their thoughts are the same as mine, we need to set up a university-style course to continue training our field medics and our hospital staff. I'd like to go to Alice Springs and talk to the hospital heads there and find out who knows what and get this training program happening.”

Pinkie was half listening, lost in thought about Glenda's pregnancy. She picked up on the Alice Springs comment. “Hey, Sundown, that's a great idea. Why not send Tricia in Bill's plane? It's only a day trip. The sooner we get our medical supplies and trained staff the sooner I can stop worrying about Glenda.”

Sundown looked around and saw heads nod in agreement. “OK, Shadow, can you grab Bill for me some time today, please? I'll need to chat with him and organise a flight out. Tricia, are you up for a trip in the next few days? I've got to see Colonel Thompson anyway.”

“You bet, Sundown. Glenda has plenty of time and I'm confident the girls and I can handle her birth, but it's the wounded I'm worried about. We've been lucky so far. Slimmy was too close, so was Pedro.” Tricia turned to look at her dear friend and frowned. “Pedro, I was going to ask later but, how's your legs these days? I notice you've not been using your prosthetic legs very often.”

“Well girlie, one thing I can tell you is my butt no longer fountains when I fart.” He enjoyed the chuckle around the table. “Actually, the truth is me legs still hurt if I put weight on 'em too much. I'm not sixty years old anymore and I've decided I'll let the younger lads do the hard work from now on. I'm just easing into retirement and I don't need legs for that.” He looked wistfully at Tricia then at his friend Sundown.

“That's fine, Pedro, but no retirement for you. Major Louie here said he and Johnny want to set up an NCO and officer training program at the palace. Seems Fat Boy disobeyed my orders to stay out of the tunnels. He found a room full of paintball equipment and crossbows, archery things, swords and all sorts of ancient weapons. Johnny Walker's been down there with him and a few of his lads are still sorting it out. Johnny said you might want to use the gear as part of your training program.” Sundown scratched at a mosquito bite on his arm. “Paintballs and swords… can you imagine what those idiots got up to here? There are other things down there that I'm too embarrassed to talk about.”

“You mean the sex rooms?” offered Pinkie with a cheeky smile at her husband.

“Yes Pinkie, thanks for reminding me, sex rooms,” he said drily. “And what about the room filled with gold and silver bars? Or the cash room and that room full of pistols and silencers? What were they planning I wonder?” Sundown took another piece of Fatima's cheese and popped it into his mouth.

McFly had been silent all this time but the talk of hidden treasure in the tunnels forced a question to form in his mind and it just popped out.

“They didn't find any fishing gear by any chance did they, Sundown?” His eyes twitched with anticipation.

“Damn it, McFly,” said his wife, Shadow, sitting beside him. “You've got that big lagoon out front to play in. Sergeant Ahmet said he saw some huge fish in there, he thought it might be barramundi. He said he wants you to run a course on fly fishing for the boys when you get a chance.” Shadow hid her smile from her husband.

“Bullcrap! Did he really said that? Ahmet really did say he wants me to run fly fishing classes? Did he? Sweet!” came Matty McFly's ecstatic reply. The rabid fly fisherman's eyes popped and he stood up to leave.

“Captain, are you going somewhere special?” asked Major Lewis flatly.

“What? Aw shoot, um, may I leave the table?” he asked then realised what he'd said when everyone laughed. “I mean, is this meeting over yet?”

“McFly, sit back down. We haven't finished yet and I have a feeling your misses is just teasing,” said Sundown.

McFly looked at his wife and his face changed from disappointment to one of, 'damn, you got me that time.'

“Sorry McFly, I just couldn't help it. You left yourself wide open my man,” chuckled Shadow.

“OK, back to order,” called Andrew, keen to get to his book work. “I'd like to report on the progress of our vegetable gardens and general food situation.” He waited while everyone stopped laughing and settled down.

“Thanks. We've had two months of fine weather and the gardens have flourished. We'll have fresh herbs and Fat Boy's hydroponics system is producing a growing supply of fresh vegetables. The cow herd is producing a surplus of milk and we're making yoghurt and cheese, as you can see here on our table. Unfortunately we've just about run out of wheat flour so grains are a problem. That means we're struggling to get enough beer brewed for the soldiers and drinkers and we've no bread, sorry Sundown.”

Sundown, the ex-baker and bread scientist, nodded. He already knew the situation was bad and despite he and Fat Boy's best efforts, along with Mel and Fatima's creativity, basic bread was no longer on the menu. They still had some wild bush grains along with some rye and wheat growing in their hydroponics system but it was a long way from harvest and simply not enough to go around.

Tricia looked at Andy and quickly jumped in before he started talking again. “Andy, I've spoken to the pharmacist in Alice Springs, he's wanting to set up an opium and cannabis garden there. The pharmacist said we might be able to produce a decent painkiller with some luck.”

Andrew stared at her for a moment. “Are you saying they want to grow heroin?”

“Yes, it's what our most effective painkillers are derived from. Opium's been cultivated for at least 5,000 years.” She stared at him for a moment. “Andy, it's for medication only, and no bastard's getting their hands on it,” she replied heatedly in her proper British nurse's voice.

“OK, as Sundown says, 'you outrank me in the medical department'. We've got nothing else and narcotics is something I know nothing about. I'll just butt out of the conversation then, won't I.” Andy paused, shook his head in bewilderment then came back to life. “If anyone wants to object you'd better do it now.”

Sundown looked at Tricia and saw she meant business so stepped in to support her. “I see no reason to object as long as it's managed by the Alice Springs medical staff and no one else gets their hands on it. We need every form of medicine we can get and if it saves one life or eases the suffering of one of my Commando, I say we go for it.” Sundown looked at the last piece of cheese but hesitated. “Um, Tricia, when you get to the Alice, make sure you have a good chat with this pharmacist fellow. If we do this we do it properly or not at all.”

With a look of annoyance on her face Tricia couldn't help herself snapping at him. “Properly? I'm a damn professional, Sundown!” She abruptly stopped fuming and calmed down when she saw the hurt look on his face. “I'm sorry… well, I take that as a yes vote.” She turned to Pedro. “Pedro, can you please tell Fat Boy to call by my office tonight? He might know where to get some plants.”

“I don't care for it myself but if it helps our wounded then let's give it a try.” Major Louie Lewis paused and looked around. “But can we now get back to our meeting? What about our fuel situation, Andy? Captain Walker said he's optimistic we'll have enough fuel for ongoing armoured patrols for the next two years if we can keep the underground fuel tanks clean and dry.”

“We're on track, Louie. By introducing horse and camel patrols we should cut our fuel demands down dramatically. Petroleum absorbs moisture and deteriorates over time so we'll eventually need some sort of method to clean it.” Andy looked around at his friends seated at the table. “Two years we've got but we really need an engineer, know of any?”

The major nodded. “As a matter of fact we've got a few. Some of the men from the oil industry were in Darwin when the apocalypse hit. They've joined our command, I think some are here at the palace. I'll get them in to speak with you.”

“Thanks, Louie,” Sundown said and turned to Nulla. “How long do you think before the boys will be out on camel patrol?”

“We have some dab hands at horsemanship and cameleering. Kris is a natural and we've not had a single injury. I think you can give us two weeks to settle the animals in and get everyone up to speed. We've now got enough camels for our long range patrols and a surplus of horses for the cattleman and the house guards.” He saw the questioning glances among the group. “Did you know that Genghis Khan's Mongols had at least twenty remounts each? No? Well that's the sort of numbers we need, that plus fodder.”

“I didn't know you read the encyclopaedia of Mongol conquests, Sergeant Nulla,” said Major Lewis looking at Nulla with squinty-eyed suspicion, followed by a deliberate grin. “So, Andy, how do we do that?”

“I've spoken to Nulla and Kris about that very problem.” Andrew took his glasses off and rubbed vigorously at the lenses with a cloth. “The desert has enough feed for now and we can easily move the mobs around from paddock to paddock. We add new animals as we lose them or they become injured. Those horses are just what we need to look after our cattle. This property was a cattle station and all the adjoining properties ran cattle too. The fences, water troughs and paddocks with the best pastures are all set up for us. We've enough cattle to feed an army plus a hungry Commando. We won't starve.” His face broke into a smile as he put his glasses back on. “I heard Halo's been taking the girls out to train with their own mounts, donkeys.”

“Yeah,” laughed Nulla. “The Girl Guards wanted in on the act. I knew they would. They just love their horses and I'm confident they'll do a great job caring for them. But them donkeys, well, even Kris hasn't been able to train them into mounted cavalry. Kris and Halo have some of the boys trying to train them as pack animals but for the most part they're pretty darn stubborn, and smart.” He turned to look at Sundown. “The Girl Guards have their own horses and camels now so I expect that they will be too preoccupied to annoy Captain Walker, for a while at least.”

“Johnny, you should be pleased with that I should imagine,” said Sundown with a light chuckle. Captain Johnny Walker gave a lopsided smile that showed he wasn't convinced. “So, what about the guard dogs, I hear they're doing well too. And Red Dog, when is she due to drop her litter?”

“Should be soon. Kris said we've got a few dog handlers in the Commando who can train the pups as guard dogs. Captain Walker said he wanted to keep at least two for the palace. The others could be trained to go on patrol with the cavalry,” replied Nulla.

Andy squirmed in his seat. He was restless and ready to get back to his work. “Louie and I have saved this for last.” He paused thinking how best to present this last piece of news. “Colonel Thompson called and said he had a visit from the Pine Gap people. He said their commander wants to speak with you, Sundown. Seems they have a lot of staff, men, women and children, inside their facility. It's only a few kilometres from Alice Springs. What do you think?”

Everyone at the table stopped what they were doing for the second time.

“Pine Gap? So they've finally decided to talk to us?” said Nulla. “I wonder what's wrong. Maybe they've run out of water, or they're sick of playing dungeons and dragons?”

Sundown ran his fingers through his hair as he thought. “Louie, can you please tell the Colonel I'll be flying in tomorrow or the day after? This should prove very useful. A thousand or so staff, skilled soldiers, trained and qualified technicians and medical personnel…” Sundown nodded to himself then called the meeting to a close. “Shadow, you'd better get Bill here right now, thanks.”

Chapter 3 - By Snake Or By Arms

Corporal Normy arrived at Longreach with his band of exhausted Stosstruppen and comfort lady, Nancy, after their escape from the Sundown's Commando outpost at Birdsville. It was a gruelling eighteen hour drive, complete with two punctures and a scorpion sting to one of the mechanics while changing tyres.

They were met with the warmth and camaraderie he was expecting as conquering heroes. But as the days passed a coldness settled over the township. Where the Stosstruppen once walked boldly down the streets and were greeted as heroes they were now shunned and avoided as though they were infected with a disease.

It was while drinking with the locals that the Stosstruppen platoon members learned that the elite Mount Isa Claws had a new commander. Colonel Bartlett liked to run things his own way and found any reference to his battalions brethren, the Ravens Claws, distasteful.

The head of the Mount Isa Revelationists, Reverend Thomas, insisted the new name reflect the theme of his original battalion, the Ravens Claws. After some blustering and posturing he got what he wanted, just as Colonel Bartlett got what he wanted, a new and distinguished name - the Mount Isa elite Claws were named the 'Talons'.