Homeland Defense

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Book excerpt

Chapter 1 - Sundown - Pedro

Shadow held Pedro’s limp, moist hand in both of hers and looked up at Lorraine.

“Is he going to die?” she asked softly.

Lorraine was sitting beside them both and nodded. “If we don’t get some antibiotics or penicillin into him soon, he won’t last the week.”

McFly entered to find his wife and Lorraine crying at Pedro’s bedside. “What? Is he dead already?” he blurted out when he saw the two girls in tears.

“Darn it, McFly, not so loud, he’ll hear you!” whispered Lorraine. “Can you please sit with Shadow and Pedro for a while?” A sob suddenly escaped her lips but she managed to continue before she fled the room in tears. “I’ve got to speak to Sundown about that drug order he’s sending Fat Boy to collect.”

“I’m not bloody dead yet, you boofheads,” croaked Pedro, his eyes still shut, “and I can hear every word, McFly.”

Shadow almost leaped out of her chair when she heard him, “Pedro,” she yelped as she hugged his emasculated body, “you scared the living daylights out of us.”

“Just keepin’ you’s on yer toes, me little missie,” he whispered.

“Pedro, hey.” McFly leaned over almost touching Pedro’s ear with his lips. “Do you need anything? A drink, a beer, a smoke or something?”

“Get out of me ear hole, yer boofhead! And yes to all of those. I’m bloody parched, I need a beer.” Pedro moved a little as he tried to sit up. “And not one of that bludger Andy’s warm, fruity piss he passes off as beer, I need a real beer. Get me a cold one from Harry’s secret stash.” The old man had a bit more force to his voice now as he slowly forced open his eyes. His skin was hot to the touch and yellowish, his eyes bloodshot.

“On my way old man,” said McFly with a grin. “And boofhead yourself, you old bastard, I thought you were dead.”

“I’ll bloody go when I want to bloody go! The old scythe-master ain’t tapped me on the shoulder yet.” Pedro lay back panting as Shadow propped him up with some pillows. “Shadow, me little girlie, can you push me up a bit more? I need to get into action when McFly brings me that cold beer. You can’t drink beer through a straw you know.”

McFly excitedly told everyone in the kitchen that Pedro was awake. When Billie heard he ambled himself into Pedro’s room like he owned the place.

“Hey, me ol’ son, Pedro, how’s it goin’?” he said sitting on Pedro’s bed, his skinny legs swinging back and forth like pantyhose on a clothes line.

“Hi Billie, got that hip flask on you, mate? I could do with a drop of the ol’ mountin’ dew.” Pedro smiled for the first time in quite a few days.

Gail was just on her way to Andrew’s office when she spied Billie entering Pedro’s room. She suspected what he might be up to, so she followed him.

“Billie!” she called through the open door in her proper British nurses voice, reserved for troublesome patients. “I can see you, and put that rum flask back in your pocket, or I’ll tell Tricia. She’ll cut your rum ration if your not careful.”

Billie stopped with his flask in his hand half-way to Pedro’s lips. “I’ll be damned! That woman has eyes in her backside I’m sure of it,” he said as he eased his flask back into his pocket. “Sorry, Pedro me ol’ son, that woman scares me, her and that damn Tricia. They remind me of me childhood in the convent school. Bleeding nun’s tortured the living daylights out of us kids, and I was one of them goody two-shoes too.”

Pedro pushed himself up into an awkward sitting position. He tried to yell but he only managed a whisper in retaliation. “Look wot you done, Gail, you big bully! You frightened me ol’ mate, Billie. It’s unfair scaring that nice old man.” He paused for a second then called, “Ya boofhead!” Then he eased back into the fluffed-up pillows.

“Darn it, Pedro,” said Shadow as she settled him in again, “just ease up a bit will you. McFly’s going to find a way through that incoming fire with your beer so just relax.” She wiped his sweaty face with the wet cloth.

Lulu and Donna came in with some soup and another jug of water. Pedro groaned, “Shit, not another bloody bucket of water. I’m up to me back teeth in water. Now ya’s have to add soup to it. I’m already farting like Niagara Falls,” he complained.

“Pedro, Lorraine said you have to have it, it flushes the muck out of your system she said. Come on, sit up and let us pretty, young girlie’s feed yer proper,” said the ever bright Lulu. For once she was almost serious. Like all of them she was afraid Pedro would soon pass away. “You’re sick Pedro so just let us help you.” She turned away and a tear escaped from the corner of her eye to drip onto her t-shirt.

“OK, but only if ya help McFly bring me a cold beer, or I won’t drink a drop o’ that butt fountain-water.” Pedro was slowly coming back to his old cantankerous self.

“Lorraine, for the tenth time we’ve given the list of medications to Fat Boy and Blondie, it’s safe in their hands. We’ve given them a list of Cessna parts too. They’re heading off in just a few minutes.” Andrew was sitting in his office with Sundown studying the maps for the two biker’s rescue trek. It was just on dawn and the place was starting to crawl with soldiers and Sundown’s commandos.

A head poked in through the office door. “Sundown, ah, Andrew, you don’t mind me joining you for a minute?” It was Captain Lewis’ smiling face. “We’ll soon be heading back to Alice Springs but we’ve just heard that there’s a bit of a crisis happening. Do you need some help?”

Sundown looked across at him and nodded. “We sure could do with some extra fire support, Captain.”

“So what’s this about, Sundown? We heard Pedro was dying or something.” The captain’s face was now serious.

“Yeah, he took a turn during the night. Lorraine and Tricia said that he needs penicillin or antibiotics but we’ve got nothing like that here so we’re sending Fat Boy to Mount Isa for it. It’s the closest large town and it should have what they need,” replied Sundown. “You’re saying that Major Thompson wants to help?”

The captain’s face lit up in a smile that threatened to break his face in two.

“Yes he bloody-well does!” he almost yelled. “I was praying that something like this would happen. We’ve not had a proper stand up stoush - ever! Me and the boys were hoping that meeting you lot would give us somewhere to point our 25 mm guns.” He let out a little ‘whoop!’ and then stopped, calmed his face and continued. “Sorry, Sundown, I got a little carried away with myself. Right, what do you have planned? I’m sure the major will permit you to advise us.”

“Thanks, Captain Lewis, we certainly do appreciate this,” said Sundown smoothly. “OK, we’ve got Fat Boy and Blondie heading into Mount Isa in about five minutes. They’ll be riding their Harley-Davidson. I was planning to send Wiram and an armed squad with our two machine guns to set up an ambush about three hundred click’s from here and another just outside Mount Isa itself. But if you can take your ASLAV, and we include one of our commandos, that should be enough. What do you think?”

“They’ve got, what, six hundred kilometres to Mount Isa? Fat Boy should be able to do that in a day, even though it’s mostly dirt, hmm.” The captain rubbed his chin, thinking. “Our intelligence tells us the terrorists have multiple road blocks and the township’s controlled by them and the local bikie gang. We’ve had the town under surveillance for months and every exit and entry point is covered. They’ve started preparations to move against you lot too.” The captain nodded guiltily at Andrew and Sundown, then continued quickly. “We weren’t going to tell you until we knew for certain that you were with us, but you might as well know now.”

“Thanks for telling us, Captain,” said Andrew drily. “We will need your ASLAV to run up there in about an hour, do you think you could manage that?”

“Better than that, we’ll send two bushmasters and the ASLAV and hit them up the arse once we get Fat Boy out of there.” The captain was almost salivating. “Leave it to me, I’ll get it sorted out right now.” The captain paused, “so, who did you want to send with us from your commando?”

Andrew looked at Sundown and said, “Assassin hasn’t had much time on patrol and he’s been pestering to get away from the CB listening post again. Not McFly, he’s asked to have a break from patrolling to spend more time with his missus, Shadow. Not Wiram, I want him here to run the Birdsville Track and Marree patrols. What about Cambra and Donna?”

Sundown ran his fingers through his thick, greying hair as he assembled his thoughts. He really wanted to go with the patrol himself. A ride in one of those Bushmasters at one hundred kph would be fun, he thought.

“Yeah,” he said at last. “Send Cambra and Donna, she deserves a break. Oh, hang on, Lulu and Danni might get upset. Hmm, OK, Cambra and his girls, Lulu and Danni, they work well together. I know the girl’s are busy fussing over Pedro but I’ll offer it to them anyway.” He was thinking out loud, something he did a lot these days. “OK, I’ll get them in here and ask them.”

The captain headed out to his crews while Sundown went to find Cambra and his fan club. He knew Cambra looked after the two teenagers like they were his daughters and they adored him in turn. The problem, he realised, could be with those hot blooded soldiers all crammed into the vehicles for several days. But then on second thoughts he was sure the girls could handle themselves well enough, he’d seen them in action enough times to know that. Besides, he thought, if they could handle the terrorists at the mines they can handle our own soldiers.

Sundown knocked as he walked into Pedro’s room. McFly was trying to hide Pedro’s beer behind his back.

Shadow innocently said, “Hi, Sundown,” as she looked around nervously to see if Lorraine was behind him. Lulu and Donna’s face had flushed a bright red.

“It’s OK everybody it’s only me for crying-out-loud.” Sundown nodded to McFly who quickly brought the bottle out from behind his back and handed it to Pedro.

“Ahhhhh,” sighed Pedro taking a long pull on the bottle, “give me that any day! Sundown, me ol’ matey, what’s happening? I can hear footsteps racing everywhere, are we under attack or something?”

“Nope, not that I know of, except for your legs and blood poisoning we’re just dandy.” Sundown smiled brightly as he clasped his friend’s proffered hand. Pedro pulled his friend in close to his mouth.

“I’m not well, matey, when I fart me butt squirts and it’s damn embarrassing. Can you tell the girls to leave off with the water and just give me beer?” He winked at his friends around him. Just then he loudly passed wind, and what may have been a bit more than wind. “Sorry, can someone get that for me?” He let out a soft laugh. “I never knew what a relief it would be to let someone else clean me arse for me.” He chuckled again but Sundown and everyone else knew that those tears weren’t necessarily happy ones, the poor old warrior was in a lot of pain.

“OK, everyone out,” announced Lorraine as she and Tricia entered. They could smell Pedro’s latest production from the other room. “We’ll look after this, we’ve done it a million times before. Just give us a moment and then we’ll leave you in peace.”

“Thanks ladies, and please be gentle with him, I need him back on deck by the weekend. And Lorraine, while you’re wiping his butt please don’t wipe his smile away?” Sundown tried to make a joke but not even Pedro responded. “Well, that sure went down like a lead balloon,” he said as he walked out with the others.

The break gave Sundown the opportunity to sort out what he was really there for. “Lulu, go and get Danni and Cambra, please. Bring them to Andy’s office, pronto. I need you all there five minutes ago,” he said.

Lulu looked up realising something exciting was in the air. She raced away, her wide smile shone bright against her dark skin.

“Sundown,” said Captain Lewis, “Major Thompson is now free to see you about our patrol to Mount Isa.”

“Fine,” said Sundown. He unconsciously scratched his ear lobe as he replied, “tell the major I’ll meet he and his crew leaders in a few minutes.” He turned and quickened his pace as he walked back to Pedro’s room.

As Sundown entered he saw Pedro patting Fat Boy on the back as the giant of a man leaned over his bed hugging the withered old warrior. Pedro looked up at Sundown with worried eyes.

“Sundown, me big boofheaded friend here won’t stop crying.” He turned back to Fat Boy, “Now stop that and let me up, yer squashing me.” He patted Fat Boy on the back some more. Blondie stepped over and pulled Fat Boy off him.

“Hell, you’d think I was already dead the amount of people who’ve come in here crying. Now stop it, it’s upsetting me.” He turned to Sundown again. “Fat Boy says he’s on a ‘Mission from God’ to get some drugs for me. Mount Isa is it? I know I’m crook but that’s a long ride to fetch a bottle of pills for someone old and decrepit like me.” Sundown noted that Pedro’s voice was stronger than it was earlier.

Fat Boy sniffed and wiped the back of his hand across his face. “You’re worth it mini-me, me skinny little brother. I might not come back though, that’s what’s worrying me and Blondie. We, ah, we don’t really have a good reputation in Mount Isa but if anyone can pull it off it’s Blondie. I’m just the driver this time.” Fat Boy pulled off his bandanna and wiped at the remaining tears on his face.

“Pedro, say your good-byes. I’ve got to get these two on their way. I’ll be back in a half hour.” Sundown lowered his face to hide his sadness then turned to lead the two adventurers off to Andrew’s office. He caught up with Jenny who was walking along the corridor. “Jenny, can you sit with Pedro for a while, please, until I finish sending Fat Boy and Blondie off?”

Jenny nodded, “Sure, Sundown, I was just dropping in for a yarn with him anyway. I’ll wait for you.”

The bikers took off in a cloud of dust and were well on their six hundred kilometre journey of salvation not long after the sun had risen above the horizon.

It was a crazy morning. Everyone was awake and had said their farewells to Fat Boy and Blondie earlier. Now they were ready to wish good luck to the armoured patrol.

The three vehicles were being checked over by their crews while the crew chiefs busily sorted out supplies. With three extra crew members, Cambra elected to go with the ASLAV while Lulu and Danni happily put their kits in with the soldiers of Bushmaster One One Bravo under the rapid-speaking Sergeant Ahmet.

Sundown went back to talk with Andy. He needed to get his head around what was happening and he found Andrew was the only one who could do that for him.

“We’ve got Chan and John on patrol with the other Bushmaster down south. Sergeant Doff and his One One Charlie isn’t it?” asked Sundown. In answer Andrew pointed to the wall map covered in pins and then to the enormous wall calendar next to it.

“Ah, good, and we’ve got Cambra, Danni and Lulu with the armed patrol…. McFly, Shadow, Pinkie and myself will be taking one of our four-wheel drives with Major Thompson’s cavalry across the Simpson Desert to the Alice...” Sundown paused while he tried to remember everything he needed to discuss with Andy. “I’ve been thinking I might take Billie as guide and interpreter. He’s from the region we’ll be crossing, he knows this country and the local language. If we get into strife and need help from the local aborigines they’ll be more inclined to talk to Billie than us.”

Andrew nodded assent and Sundown continued. “I need Bill and Wiram to get that aeroplane fixed and running. If the drugs don’t help Pedro, I want him flown to Alice Springs, pronto.” Andrew nodded once again and pointed, it was all up there on his pin board and wall calendar.

“Good, yeah, now for Donna. I want her and Wiram to work together from now on. He’s managed the commando by himself up to now. Halo has helped but I really want him to focus on training. Besides, I think Wiram fancies Donna.” Sundown looked at Andrew and winked, a light smile on his face.

“Matchmaker now are we?” Andrew grinned. “I’ve noticed, and so have Jeda and Bill. Donna never misses an opportunity to be around Wiram too.” The wily old administrator continued. “What do you think of this major organising the armoured patrol to Mount Isa? Do you think he can control himself? I’d prefer the captain to run it but…”

“He reminds me of Captain Mainwaring from that British home-army show,” interjected Sundown his thoughts racing. “A doddery old beggar but his heart’s in the right place I think. He certainly seems to be keen enough. You know how Beamy told us of his conversation with the Bushmaster crew?” Andrew nodded. “Well, this is exactly what they need, a proper contact. I’ll tell Cambra to make sure it happens. We’ve got to let these soldiers know what we’ve been doing all this time. Besides, they really need blooding. It might as well be on our watch with some of our best commandos. I think Lulu and Danni will make it easy for the boys to side with us when the time comes.”

“You think of everything, Sundown. Just don’t get too clever or it might blow up in your face,” warned Andrew.

“The way I see it, Andy, this is our best and only opportunity to bond the two officers and their crews to us. My thoughts, and this is confirmed by what Beamy said, is that this mob in Alice Springs are a bunch of yobbos who couldn’t organise a root in a brothel.” Sundown chuckled, there was no way he would ever have said that out loud a year ago. “We bind them to us now, through blood, sweat and tears. Then we’ll call on their loyalty when we need it.”

The major spoke to Sergeant Ahmet, “Sergeant, gather the men, thank you.” He then turned to Sundown. “Sundown, would you like to say a few words before we leave?”

“Thank you, major, yes, I would.” Sundown stood beside Major Thompson and Captain Lewis while the three armoured cavalry crews gathered together.

“Squadron, attention! Stand at ease!” cried Sergeant Ahmet in his rapid-fire high pitched voice. He spun on his heels and saluted the major. “All present, sir.”

The major saluted smartly and stepped forward to claim the command position, which was one step in front of Sundown.

“Men, today we go on a special mission. We have all spoken with Sundown’s Commando over the past few days and know the burden they have carried as front line fighters against these terrorists. They’ve been at it since the beginning of the apocalypse.” He looked up into the sky for a moment then continued. “Our commander has ordered that we avoid conflict at all costs.” The major’s voice rose in anguish, “and we have followed his orders to the letter for months!”

He stopped and looked back at the faces of his command and smiled. Speaking softly now he continued. “Well men, today I am going to tell my commanding officer, General Hughes, Alice Springs Command, Third Australian Army, that we have been informed of a strong Revelationist Church force, moving down from Mount Isa, and that we intend to intercept it.”

“Silence in the ranks, please!” commanded Sergeant Ahmet as several of the cavalrymen swore excitedly.

“Thank you, Sergeant Ahmet. I know you lot think that we have run like cowards at every contact. That’s not quite correct though, is it. We have preserved the only armoured military force still operating on the Australian mainland, beside the Abrams of 1st Cavalry.” He again looked upwards as if expecting something to appear in the skies above him. “Today we go forward into enemy territory to assist in the rescue of one of our own, Lance Corporal Pedro Owens, formerly of 3rd RAR, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma and anywhere the CIA and ASIO sent him. He needs medications that we simply can’t get here in Birdsville.” Again he paused, then looked at his men’s excited faces. “Are you with me?” he asked quietly.

With a roar the three crews cheered. They fought the urge to break ranks and rush to embrace their major. Sergeant Ahmet called them back to order.

“Cavalry of the Third Army, the major would like a simple ‘yes’ or a ‘no’, thank you.”

“YES!” came their impassioned answer.

The two officers smiled proudly as Captain Lewis stepped forward to speak. “Before we rush off to prepare for the patrol we would like to extend our gratitude to Sundown’s Commando for their hospitality these past few days. We now look forward to a successful patrol and safe return. Sergeant Ahmet, before you dismiss the men, Commander Sundown would like a word. Commander?” He stepped back conceding the dominant position, reluctantly, to join the major, one step behind Sundown.

“Thank you. Major Thompson; Captain Lewis; members of Alice Springs Command.” He nodded respectfully to the two officers. “Our commando would like to thank you for accepting our invitation to join us on what will probably be a fighting patrol. As you know, Pedro has been the solid rock upon which we’ve built our commando and he is very precious to us. Those not going with you extend our wishes for your safe return.” Sundown waved at Cambra, Lulu and Danni to stand beside him.

“I am handing these three warriors over to you for the duration of this patrol. Please take good care of them, just as they will take good care of you. Good luck and…” but before he could finish he saw Halo running towards him. He looked comical with his camouflage jacket twisted awkwardly around his shoulders, his AK47 in one hand and his precious Deaths Head knife gripped firmly in his free hand. Halo pushed politely through the ranks of the armoured cavalry to stand at attention beside his three commando mates.

Sundown looked quizzically at him, Halo smiled brightly back.

“Forgetting someone, Sundown?” announced Halo in a loud voice for all to hear.

“Um, no. Halo, what’s this about?” asked Sundown. His creased brow made his weathered face look more confused than it already was.

“Major Thompson asked if I would like to go with him in his ASLAV. I had to get my gear. I’m sorry I’m late, boss.” He nodded to Major Thompson who smiled broadly back at him.

Sundown looked across at the major noting his grin and realised that he’d been played.

“Well… this does leave us short manned.” Sundown wasn’t going to take this lying down. “What about the patrol down south, who’s going to support them if things fall apart?”

“Beamy said he’d take my place,” said Halo quickly. His face revealed that he hadn’t really thought of that through properly.

Fortunately for Halo, Major Thompson cleared his throat and said, “Ah, Sundown, I am very sorry but Halo was so keen to participate and he will be of great value to us as one of your original hero’s. Besides, he swore you wouldn’t mind.” The major couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he spoke. He almost snorted trying to choke back a laugh.

“This is a bloody conspiracy! Bugger!” Sundown almost stamped his feet in frustration. He stared firmly at Halo. “Right mate! Go and get Beamy, if he can hold a rifle and hit that post there with a three round burst you can go.” There was no way Sundown would let the major put one over him. ‘You smart arsed, Dad’s Army sod’, he thought to himself.

Halo sped off and brought Beamy from the CB room where he’d been all morning.

“What’s this then?” Beamy asked Sundown and the troops. “Who said I was taking Halo’s place on patrol? I’m too busy flirting with the nursie girls, I’ve got no time for patrolling.” Beamy’s grin caused a ripple of muffled laughter among the soldiers and spectators watching with growing interest.

“Last time Halo tried to trade places with me I got shot up and damn near died. Bugger that,” he said as he lifted his AK47 and sighted at the post Halo had pointed out.

“Kids! Everyone! Cover your ears,” he called and then fired hitting the post twenty metres away fair in the middle. Beamy and Halo both turned to see Sundown’s look of resignation, he’d been played all right.

With his face a crooked image of loss and defeat Sundown said softly, “OK, you can go, Halo.”

He drew in a deep breath to regain his composure. “Beamy, you come with me when we finish here because I’m putting you on the next bloody patrol down south now that you’ve managed to heal up so bloody fast.”

The group in front of the officers were smiling behind their faces at this display. They loved the affection that was such an obvious part of the Sundown’s Commando community.

“Squadron!” called Sergeant Ahmet at a nod from the major. “Attention! You’ve got jobs to do boys, go do them. Dismissed!” The soldiers slapped each others backs as they laughed and joked all the way back to their vehicles to begin their preparations.

“Major,” Sundown smiled over at the Dad’s Army captain look-alike. “That was, well, cleverly done. I do expect results now that you that have my four best soldiers. Look after them for me.” They shook hands, Sundown turned and walked back to the hotel.

It slowly dawned on him that this was probably Andy’s idea. Sundown smiled then laughed out loud as he realised he’d been out manoeuvred by just about everybody.