Gillian came and helped me. I couldn’t help but notice the glances we received from the other members of the team. I was also aware that she was almost making an effort to be more feminine now, so I smiled.
We reached the island the next day, around noon. And Mickey and I agreed that we just sail around it first, to reconnoitre the island from the sea to start.
There were signs of smoke coming from inland, so we knew that there were some people there, somewhere! There were no beaches or coves, and the whole coastline was jagged rocks and reefs. No wonder no one had ever landed there!
We anchored a little way off shore, so I kept watch with the infrared night glasses. I watched four black males as they came to the trees by the shore, where they watched the boat.
We had deliberately anchored on the opposite side to where we intended to land, but the watchers remained with us for most of the night.
Mickey weighed anchor at first light, so I had everyone up and ready. It took about an hour to get round to the other side of the island, as we steamed straight out, as if to leave, and then made a slow turn round to return on the right side to land.
I loaded everyone into the rib, with all the equipment. Then we were swung out on the arm and dropped onto the water. I fired up the 150HP Mercury engine, and we were off! It was high tide, so I had marked the gap in the reef where I hoped we would get in. There was quite a swell, so as we approached the reef, I could see the rocks break the surface.
But I had a forty foot gap, and made it easily! I powered into the small mouth of the stream. There was a small sand-bar. I pulled onto it, lifting the engine clear.
“Right, everyone out, and all equipment out!” I said. “And no talking, at all!”
They scrambled out, piling the boxes of equipment on a grassy bank. We pulled the rib clear of the water, hiding it in the long grass. I swept the sand so the marks of our arrival were removed, and then I led the small party inland for a spell.
I found the first path within a few minutes, so we stayed on it for about twenty minutes. I noticed a small hillock to my right, and carefully, we made our way towards it. I tried to ensure that no grass was broken, or stems cut, and that our passage was as inconspicuous as possible. But these were civilians and hopeless!
The hillock was ideal for my needs, as I found a flat area for our camp. It had height for view and vantage. It was open, so no sneak attack could be mounted. There was shade from the sun in the form of three tall trees, and there was fresh water nearby.
I had the team pitch the tents. There were three tents, so the idea was for pairs to share. Gillian grinned, as she found herself sharing with me.
I became aware that we were being watched within about fifteen minutes of our arrival.
I couldn’t see them, but I knew they were there.
I sat on the top of the hillock, with my M16 in my hands and a Glock in a holster on my belt. I also had a .357 magnum in a shoulder holster.
The team finished putting up the tents, and Russell came up the hill.
“When do we try to contact them?” he asked.
“We don’t!” I said.
“We must; that is why we are here!”
“They already know we’re here! They’re watching us right now!” I said.
He spun round, looking worried.
“I can’t see them!” he said.
“Neither can I, but I know they are there!” I said, not moving.
“So what do we do?”
“Bring the generator up here, with the lamps!” I said, so they brought them.
I set the lamps up, so as to give 360 degree light round the hill, and primed the generator.
“Build a fire and start cooking. No one leaves the camp!” I said.
“What do you intend?” Russell asked.
“They’re curious, as they aren’t used to people deliberately landing here, so they’re waiting to see what we’re going to do. They’ll watch us all night, and they’ll be staring into bright lights, so I’ll have a look at where they live!” I explained.
“You can’t leave us here alone!” Russell moaned.
“I won’t be far away, so if you hear any shots, just run for the boat and take off!” I said.
I could tell that Gillian wasn’t happy with that plan, but they all agreed.
We sat and had a meal. I had one person on lookout with a pump action shotgun, at all times. I gave each of them a Glock, instructing them how to use it. Then I blacked up in my Navy SEAL kit, and slipped out of the camp.
I smelled the first man before I saw him. There were six watching the camp. Each of them was naked; carrying a short stabbing spear and a couple had a crude bow and arrows. They were barefoot and smeared in mud, to take off the sheen of their skin at night.
I followed their tracks and found their village. It was placed in a small valley, with tall, thick trees masking their existence from inquisitive satellites. I counted about forty huts, so worked out a population of nearly two hundred.
I made my way back to our camp and slipped back in. Gillian was on guard, so I snuck up behind her.
I sat down, saying, “Hi babe!”
She jumped a mile, spinning round with the shotgun. Again she didn’t make a sound.
“You bastard, don’t you ever do that again!” she said, anger flashing from her blue eyes.
I laughed and kissed her. “You sure are beautiful when you’re angry!” I said, as she lowered the shotgun.
“You frightened me, Ed! Please don’t do that again!” she said. I felt a real heel, so I went to take her in my arms. She stopped me.
“Go and get cleaned up, I’m not cuddling you like that!” she said.
I cleaned myself up, changing into jungle greens again. Then I was back up the hill.
“Any movement?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“Go and get some sleep, I’ll stay here until dawn!” I said.
“I’m fine, I’d rather stay with you!” she said.
“Suit yourself, but don’t complain if you get tired tomorrow!” I said.
She smiled, “I’ll be fine!”
So we stayed together, watching and waiting.
The sun came up, but still nothing had happened. I killed the generator and had a think. Then I walked down to the edge of the jungle and pulled out my machete. I knew they were watching me, so I drew a large circle on the ground, about twelve feet across. Then I went and got two camp chairs, placing one on the tent side of the circle and the other on the jungle side, both facing into the circle.
Then I went and opened the box of items we had brought intending to barter with. I took out a plain cooking pot and put some Hershey bars in it, taking them out of their wrappers first.
I went back to the circle, placing the pot on the ground just inside the circle by the outer chair.
I then went and sat in the other chair and waited.
Chapter Three
Gillian.
Ed had everyone stay in the tents, as he just sat by his circle for hours. Russell was getting impatient, but after five hours, a man appeared on the tree line, about thirty feet from the empty chair.
He was a black man, of Negro appearance. I would say of Hausa descent, with broad nostrils and a large mouth. He was naked, with a string around his waist, and a small quiver on the string. He had different coloured mud smeared on his body, which gave him a camouflaged appearance. He had a short spear in his right hand and a small bow in his left. I say small because the English longbow was around two metres long, this was half that.
He was about 5’6”, but lithe. His hair was short, so he looked to be in his mid twenties.
I saw Ed tense, and then raise both his hands, showing open palms to the man. Keeping his hands out to his side, he slowly stood and squatted next to his chair. He gestured for the man to join him, at the other side of the circle.