They rode above the wave, fascinated by the speed and force of the churning popping lights. Suddenly the lights burst out in all directions, shooting off into the sky like a fireworks display on New Year’s Eve. ‘It’s cresting, about to break!’ Nick shouted to Graham.
Graham pulled back and banked sharply, rising up and away from the wave. He circled around and hovered briefly, getting his bearings. ‘Looks like she’s gone to ground! That was some ride! Are you all okay?’
Veronica sat stiffly next to Karen wide-eyed and pale, her knuckles white as she gripped the edge of the seat. ‘I’m fine, but Bill’s not doing too well, he’s still losing blood.’
Bill slumped against the window, his strength fading. Karen reached over to check his bandages. ‘I know you want to give us a good run for our money Graham, but I think we should get Bill some medical attention. He’s lost quite a bit of blood and he’s getting weaker.’
Graham could see other Veto lights approaching them, two maybe three. ‘Here come the cavalry! Probably wondering where we suddenly appeared from. I haven’t had time to communicate with base.’ Graham remarked picking at his headset. ‘25094 reporting in, this’s Liberty. Over.’
‘Is that you Bronson? Where the devil have you been?’ A voice crackled back. ‘We’d given you up for dead, over!’
‘No such luck, I’ve got some passengers on board, one badly wounded. Where’s the nearest medical camp? Over.’
‘Follow us, we’ll take you right in. Out.’
Graham was frantically playing the searchlights, and was amazed when they fell upon the dark shapes of the Phoenix. ‘She’s still standing!’ Bill whooped. ‘All four towers! They all cheered. It was almost as if the Phoenix was a living thing who had faced a challenge and won. The mood on board changed from fear to relief as the group realised their ordeal was almost over and they would soon place their feet squarely on Mother Earth again.
Nick alone remained tense, apprehensive of the coming challenges they would have to face, aware that the morning light would bring heartache and despair. He wondered how his friend Josh and Laura had fared in America. He prayed the Platypus and her crew would be safe, Sam and Wolf were the most capable men he knew. He longed to be back on board, knowing how much he needed her in one piece, she would be their home now. Lost in thought Nick was already planning their future. I think your role is about to change when you arrive here my beauty. You and I will have different work to carry out, I hope you won’t mind being a coastal boat for a while.
Chapter Forty
Camp B
They approached the dark hills rapidly, where the twinkling lights of a camp beckoned Liberty down. Graham was accustomed to flying over vast oceans at night for hours on end in his 797, gazing into black night that offered no guiding light. It was an odd feeling flying in the dark knowing you were over land where lights should be blinking.
She landed gently and Graham had no sooner silenced the roaring jets, than helping hands reached in to guide them out, taking Bill first, placing him carefully on a stretcher. Karen gasped as she recognised Alex gently covering Bill with a blanket.
‘I came when I heard it was Graham’s Veto. I knew you’d be with him. I’ve been sick with worry for hours, where have you been?’ He asked accusingly.
‘We were trapped in Uncle Bill’s apartment. It’s a long story.’ She answered noticing his startled look. ‘We haven’t got time now. I’m glad to see your okay, but you look exhausted.’
Alex’s clothes were crumpled and dirty, his face drawn and weary. ‘There’s not many doctors here and untold casualties, mostly from the stampeding exodus. We’ve set up a hospital in the Scout Hall here. It’s not very good but at least it’s out of the weather.’ He trembled as he spoke. ‘It’s a Godsend you’re here, but it looks like you need some rest. I commandeered a couple of tents for you. I’ll take you there after we give Bill some attention.’
‘I could use some coffee.’ Karen added. ‘It’s been a horrendous night.’
‘Never mind the coffee.’ Bill grinned climbing off his stretcher. ‘Where’s the scotch?’
‘Good to see you’re in your normal high spirits.’ Veronica added smiling at her own joke.
An old fashioned roofless jeep rolled up behind them, and Alex with his aid helped Bill and the others on board. Graham had landed in the makeshift airfield which was no more than a paddock, far from any roads. The jeep bumped and rattled over the rough terrain, shaking their weary bodies fiercely. It was an uncomfortable ride and they were relieved when they finally approached the Scout Hall.
Army jeeps and people were scattered everywhere. The only light on the scene came from inside the Scout Hall, and from a few lamps positioned around its perimeter. Children cried as mothers tried in vain to calm them. Khaki army tents three or more deep formed a circle around the hall. It was hard to see in the dark, but the area looked like a war zone, armed military men stood with laser-guns at the ready.
Karen blinked painfully as she entered the hall. The sudden sharp light flung itself against her tired eye balls, tearing at the nerves and sending a stab to her head that started a headache. When she opened her eyes again she was startled by the scene in front of her. Stretchers covered the floor leaving just enough room for one to step between them. Women sitting, some nursing children lined the walls. A few nurses worked frantically bandaging wounds, offering medicines and generally trying to pacify hysterical injured people.
‘There’s another hospital about a mile from here.’ Alex advised. ‘It’s the local community hall and much bigger than this. That’s where we took all the critical patients from the Northern. I’ve got three doctors down there but I’m manning this one myself. There’s a few doctors out in the field as well.’
Nick returned from where they had set up a coffee canteen and handed Karen a steaming cup. ‘I think we all need some rest before we can be of use here. Karen’s far too exhausted.’
Karen smiled at him, grateful for his concern and feeling a slight satisfaction in his proprietary interest in her, but she disagreed. ‘No, I’m okay Nick. They need all the hands they can get. Lead the way Alex.’
‘You’re exhausted Karen, you’ve been on your feet since early this morning.’ Nick protested as they walked away.
Graham had been talking to some army people outside while Nick and the others were in the Scout Hall. He joined Nick, Bill and Veronica as they made their way to their tents, falling silently into step beside Nick, hands in his pockets, hunched up against the wind lashing their backs.
The warm wind began to tear at their clothing, rapidly increasing to a howling hot blast of air which forced them to the ground, where they lay trembling beneath its ferocity. In the darkness people scrambled for cover, falling over each other as they made their way to the groaning flapping tents. Nick and Graham helped Bill and Veronica to their feet and they trudged toward their tents, struggling to remain upright against the gale force wind. Many hastily erected tents tore past them, giving up their fight to remain grounded. Dust ripped at their skin and the cries from terrified people melded with the pounding wind to create a hideous banshee wail.
Graham bent low against the wind. ‘What the hell’s going on Nick? Why’s the wind so warm?’