Desert Strike

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Book excerpt

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 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 smiled at Nulla for the first time that day.

“That's three each, mate,” grinned Nulla back at him, they were all exhausted.

Sundown made sure Chan was taken off patrol to help. 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 and cattlemen 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. It 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 Indian 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 with the convicts and the camels 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. “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.”

“Ah 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 waited patiently to enter the training yard with his camel while Simon jumped down off the fence. With the help of his friend, Arty, 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 the three heard Fat Boy's raucous call and headed over to his food truck for lunch.

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, 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 was considered not quite as intellectual but 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?” Arty had taken to speaking freely with Nulla, since their time on the Arkaroola wilderness to Birdsville trip. After Luke told everyone how Arty 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. How's that?”

The three teenagers looked at each other suspiciously. “Herbs and spices? Nulla, if it's curry powdered then the answer is, yes!” said Simon but now his mates, not as keen on curry as Simon, decided to take the initiative.

“Nulla, Arty and I'll settle on a glass of Andy's home brew, cut in half and you can add the other half from Fatima and Mel's lemonade – a shandy.” Luke smiled up at his friends who nodded excitedly.

The men around the camp fire were finishing up their meal and 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?” The boys nodded. “Well in that case we need to discuss it as unionists and decide on the proper rules for a 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 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. “But why should Nulla get a reward in the first place?” called a red haired giant finishing his second helping. “Why don't we all get a reward then if that's the case?”

“That's right,” came the union view. The intellectual said, “If Tricia and Andy can't agree, and if the boys 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 finished his meal. “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,” he paused for emphasis, “we 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 gazed into the red sky of the afternoon sun remembering.

“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.”

Nulla turned to look at Simon and screwed up his face, he was always amazed by his teenage protégé's comments. 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'.

Arty 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, the Bushmasters and ASLAV's burn diesel, so to save on diesel, any cars and trucks that use it 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 get 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 that voice of his, “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 joined Luke at the food truck with a smile knowing he'd won, well, sort of. He considered himself lucky. Two almost-wins in the one day was the best he'll ever get against Nulla.

Kris was perhaps the quietest of the men in the patrol. He worked solidly and was genuinely 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 long range 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 be responsible for the long range patrols into the desert itself.

“I want you to make sure every bloke who touches a horse or camel knows how to ride and care for them,” he 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.” Halo led his horse into the fenced home paddock. The girls followed and helped rub the horse down.

Halo wasn't finished though. “But if any of you lovely girls want to help, 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 he 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, so she 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. Arty, 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 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 loped his tall, lean body over reluctantly.

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

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

“Luke, if you want to live… I suggest you be on our side,” said Lulu giggling behind her hand. Luke knew she was keen on Simon. They'd 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 were always 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 even defend 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 said, 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 light caught her sensual throat. 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.

“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 the Girl Guards would be remarkably suited to them.” Kris was genuinely expressing his opinion but it 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're suited to our needs 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. “I think we'd better round up some horses too, for our house patrols. If you do that for us then you're our hero. 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 out loud. 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 a 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.

That week they brought in more camels, horses and donkeys than they'd planned. Nulla and Kris both rejoiced that their troops would soon be mounted and on training patrols in a few days. Already the 'mounted cavalry' was split into horse and cameleer cavalries.

Every day some of the troops 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. Being ex-Revelationist some of the community treated her somewhat diffidently, some outright rudely. Jaina wasn't one to hold back though. She won friends easily and made enemies just as easily. Fortunately she had Donata, Chan, Blondie, Fat Boy and even Poolie, her former prisoner, stand up for her.

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

“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 two lovers had taken their breakfast outside, to watch everyone preparing to leave for the station where the donkeys were kept.

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. “OK, 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's nice. He wouldn't let anyone laugh at me, 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 settled in for the ride except Jason and Jaina.

“Assassin, can you please come down and help Jason get in the truck?” called Jaina. Jason tried again and again but he was so clumsy that, despite the well-meaning stockmen 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. Assassin Creed was considered 'very cute' by all the ladies. 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 play with the donkeys.