The Codetalkers (The Rebelutionaries Series: Book 2) Read online

Chapter 6

  I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with

  sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forego their use.

  -Galileo Galilei

  Maya and Jake hi-fived each.

  “Thunderbirds are go!” they shouted in unison.

  Zac eye-rolled.

  “I can’t believe you two have talked me into this! I’m not usually such a push-over. In fact the rest of the Australian team wouldn’t even dare challenge my say on the matter... You realise when Gordon hears about this, I’m gonna have to plea insanity!”

  “What’s so insane about trying something hard?” retorted Jake. “The other day you used that example of Whyatt Roy - you reminded me his tenacity helped him win a seat in the Australian senate when he was only 20, remember?”

  “And ever since you dropped me from the chopper you’ve been encouraging me to be adventurous - like Amelia Earhart and Jessica Watson,” added Maya.

  “...and determined like Abby Sunderland!” supplemented Jake. “Like if a girl of 16 can attempt to sail solo around the world, the three of us should be able to attempt a two day trek through a bit of bush.”

  “Abby needed rescuing,” replied Zac, rubbing his creased brow. “And I’m worried we might need rescuing too... Jake - did you answer all those questions on the health form for the Young Geoscientists Workshop honestly?”

  “Yeah. I haven’t got back ache or sore legs or anything. I’m just not very coordinated.”

  “You don’t need to be co-ordinated for this trek. Just agile. Which you are.”

  “So you think I’m the weakest member of the team then?” asked Maya hotly.

  “I didn’t say that Maya... I’m just trying to make the right decision.”

  Zac ran his hand through his hair.

  “I know my own physical and mental limitations... I have a fair idea of Jake’s. But I hardly know you...”

  “So? Ask away until you know me.”

  “It’s not that simple Maya.”

  “Yes it is... Question from Zac!” chirped Maya, holding an imaginary microphone to his mouth. “Maya, can you mentally handle the trek? Answer from Maya... Yes, Zac, I can handle it providing there aren’t any caves. Or any E/M weapons that generate earthquakes that cave in caves.”

  Zac chuckled.

  “There are some caves, but we don’t have to go anywhere near them.”

  “Then you know my mental limitations... I haven’t got any other secret phobias Zac. I promise...”

  Zac looked past Maya in the direction of the Pass.

  “Have you got any pain at the moment, from the trip so far? Blisters, bruises, sprains...”

  “None that are bothering me.”

  “Are you tired because of the trip so far?”

  “Are you kidding? I use more energy going shopping!”

  Zac and Jake laughed.

  “You’ve travelled a lot Maya... Have you ever had Ross River Virus? Lyme’s disease? Malaria? Anything that might flare up from exertion and leave you weak?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Have you got any old injuries that are likely to play up?”

  “Old injuries?”

  “Maya. You’re 27.”

  “So are you!”

  “Answer the question.”

  “No I haven’t got any old injuries... Or any current injuries... Or any pain in the neck, legs, hips, joints, back, feet or shoulders. Come on Zac. Let’s make tracks.”

  “Not so fast...”

  Zac cleared his throat softly.

  “Are you menstruating Maya?”

  Maya’s eyes danced in amusement.

  “You’re blushing Zac!”

  “Answer the question Maya. Have you got your periods?”

  Maya laughed.

  “Dave would be proud of you asking a woman such a personal question! I must tell him you asked it when we get back.”

  “Maya you’re not making this easy.”

  “I know!” giggled Maya mischievously.

  “I don’t understand Zac. Why do you want to know if she’s got her monthlies?”

  “Because girls lose iron during that time of the month, and if their overall iron levels are too low, even mild exertion can leave them short of breath and weak. They’re also more prone to muscle cramps and pain at that time of the month. And often more emotional due to hormonal fluctuations. And some get headaches, backaches, stomach aches or low grade fevers. And then there are the rarer but more serious complications associated with tampon use. Like toxic shock syndrome and cysts which make even just walking painful.”

  “Far out... It doesn’t sound like much fun being a woman at that time of the month. I just thought girls lost a bit of blood. If a girl ever tells me she’s got her monthlies I’m going to be sympathetic.”

  “Hey - don’t get me wrong. Girls can still be active when they have their periods. But Farliga Pass is mega-active. And even fit people describe it as strenuous.”

  “Well while you two discuss womanhood like it’s a medical disorder, I might go find myself a lonely bush. In case there are even less bushes on Farliga Pass...”

  We are not human beings on a spiritual journey.

  We are spiritual beings on a human journey.

  -Stephen Covey

  Ryan looked up from the surveillance equipment as John Cunningham walked into the ops centre.

  “Sir... A party of three civilians has entered the Pass.”

  “Probably just misread their maps and strayed off the public trail. Disregard the intrusion.”

  “Begging your pardon Sir, but I believe they’re intentionally taking the Pass trek.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because I’ve recently finished my Officer training at the Academy.”

  John Cunningham curbed his desire to laugh.

  “Congratulations Captain. Although around here we don’t generally address each other by rank for reasons which will probably become clear to you. Coming back to your statement about their intent, let me rephrase the question. What evidence suggests they may be deliberately taking the Pass?”

  “About an hour ago the scanner picked up a H.F transmission on 5360. The conversation was between six people. Three at a base. Three mobile here in the park.”

  “5360? That’s an Australian RFDS frequency isn’t it.”

  “Affirmative Sir.”

  “Were the speakers Australian?”

  “Three were definitely Aussies. The other accents were American and Aussie American.”

  “What were they chatting about?”

  “The conversation seemed neutral. The woman was complaining about the trail being hard and the team leader making her do additional push-ups. And the young man was doing his share of complaining as well. Although the team leader didn’t seem too perturbed by any of their complaints.”

  “And now he’s decided to give them a taste of a much more difficult route? Interesting strategy. Anything else?”

  “Yes Sir. Someone from the group triggered a low powered 121.5 Mhz beacon about ten minutes ago.”

  “As a marker? Now that is curious. Do you have a fear of heights Captain?”

  “No Sir.”

  “Good. Let’s winch ourselves down on the platform and see what they’ve left behind, eh?”

  Ω

  “Hey check out this strange shadow on the cliff-face in my photo!” exclaimed Jake. “It looks like two men sitting on one of those platforms that they use to get materials up when they’re building skyscrapers.”

  Zac looked at the image in Jake’s camera, then slowly surveyed the area with keen eyes.

  “I agree it does look like a builders’ platform. But there’s no sign of anyone around. Or any winch cables. It must be a trick of the light.”

  “Maybe your camera’s fed up of taking photos Jake. How many have you taken now?”

  “808,” smiled Jake.

  Maya laughed and leaned over Jak
e’s shoulder to look at the image.

  “Freaky. It really does look like two people’s heads. I know. Maybe it’s Zac’s protective angel Jireh - with an offsider. Dropping down so they can follow us up the Pass.”

  “Well I’m glad we have their protective company if it is,” retorted Zac. “We’ve got a tough couple of days ahead of us...”

  Ω

  Ryan walked over to the skeleton dressed in an airman’s uniform and picked up the tiny object which had been left in the flight goggles.

  “It looks like the signal’s coming from this Sir.”

  “A traceable locator button. Intentionally left in Skully...”

  “This thing’s got a name?”

  “Skully’s flying goggles are a drop off point here in the Park for messages between units... Although that’s not common knowledge,” said John reflectively.

  “So you think it’s to tell someone that they’ve digressed off their planned route?”

  “That’s how I’d interpret it.”

  “There’s some tiny words engraved on the button in French. Except I don’t know enough French to understand what it means.”

  John held the button at a distance so he could focus on the letters.

  “Le Potier sait l’argile... Hmmm... interesting.”

  “Do you know what it says Sir?”

  “It translates roughly as, The Potter knows the clay... Sounds like some type of team motto. Let’s get back up topsides and you can run a search on it for me, eh?”

  Ω

  Jake slowed down to snail’s pace and snapped another series of panoramic photos.

  “How many photos is that now?” ragged Maya.

  “I’ve only taken about twenty since we passed Airman Skully... I just have to take photos of this though. It’s so...”

  Jake stopped mid-sentence.

  “I want to believe you Zac, but I’m still struggling with the idea that this could have formed in a short span of time... This whole gorge is just so ancient looking... I mean it looks millions of years old...”

  “Fair enough... Read out what your guidebook says about this section of the Park...”

  “Okay... It says, The mineral content of the layers remains the same over a kilometre of vertical height...”

  “Stop right there... Think logically about what you just read... the mineral content of the topsoil under our feet would have to be different to the mineral content of the soil during the most recent ice age in the 14th Century, and it’s also most likely different to the soil deposits before the ice age, agreed?”

  “Yes - because the vegetation that thrived when the climate was warm between 900AD and 1200AD might not have germinated during the ice age which followed in 1300AD... And a different distribution of species or even different species are probably growing here now than those that grew before the last ice age.”

  “Right... So if the mineral content of all the layers we see in this kilometre high rock is the same, what does that suggest to you as a geophysicist?”

  A flicker of realization on Jake’s face.

  “Well - it implies a similar temperature and similar vegetation growing when all those layers were laid... And that implies a short time frame... hundreds or at max thousands of years... but not millions,” said Jake reflectively.

  Ω

  Ryan handed the printout to John.

  “Sir... The results of the search on the personal locator beacon motto. Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. I had to get through about ten levels of protection codes.”

  John’s eyes flickered with interest.

  “Hmmm... Specialized scientific research unit with fifteen teams worldwide... Headed by Professor Gordon Macca... Department of Geophysics, University of California...”

  John paused and looked amused.

  “... Military status - classified...” he continued reading aloud. “...Team leader Professor Zachariah Canney... Traditional name - Ataniq... Hmmm... interesting... Preferred name - Zac... Military status Cat 1 P & P...”

  Raised eyebrows and a drawn out whistle from John.

  “...The unit investigate the misuse of E/M weapons in triggering natural disasters and suspected incidents of geophysical warfare which threaten national security and the free world...”

  John looked thoughtful.

  “Hmmm... Very interesting young people... Grant them full clearance...”

  Ω

  “Check out the layers in the canyon... I guess you don’t think they took millions of years to form either - like I’ve been taught, right?”

  Zac laughed.

  “You’re free to disagree Jake. But since fellow geophysicists have observed layered canyons form rapidly at other smaller eruptions like St Helens, it should at least make you question what you’ve been taught, because what you’ve been taught is based on assumptions not observations. For instance at Mt St Helens, geologists observed thick beds of ash deposited in less than an hour and these deposits displayed fine laminations, so this observation disproved the theory that long periods of time were needed to form fine layers. We also know that at Mt St Helens, rocks with visible fine layering were also produced within hours by surging flows of water and mud from the crater of the volcano. If you examine the layers closely, under those June 12 layers are the air-fallen debris from the nine hour eruption on May 18, 1980. And over them is another layer due to the March 19, 1982 mudflow deposit.”

  “In other words, layering that scientists would normally say took millions of years to happen has been observed to happen over a very short period of time,” mused Jake.

  “Ah ha... And the canyons which contain small streams didn’t take eons to form either. One particular canyon which formed after the eruption of Mt St Helens has been nicknamed the ‘Little Grand Canyon,’ It’s about 100 feet deep and about 1/40th the size of the Grand Canyon. But we know it formed in just one day after a mud-flow.”

  “One day?” echoed Maya.

  “Yep. No canyon there one day; next day it’s there. Then the newly formed river started flowing through it. The important point is, the eruption that formed that canyon was a small, localized event as volcanoes go. And if a mediocre eruption like Mt St Helens can create a 25 ft high wall of rock and a canyon overnight, what could have happened all over the world during some of the more spectacular volcanic explosions? ”

  “Like Tambora, Santorini and Krakatau?” murmured Jake.

  “Yep... Or Huckleberry Ridge here in Yellowstone. They reckon that eruption was 2,500 times greater than Mt St Helens...”

  “Rad!” breathed Jake.

  Zac laughed warmly.

  “Radioactive dating of rock that formed in the 1980 St Helens eruption has given “ages” of thousands - even millions of years. We know that age is wrong though, because we were there and saw the rocks form...Which implies the fundamental assumptions behind radioactive-dating are wrong too.”

  Jake chewed on a thumbnail pensively.

  “So all this sedimentary rock around us could have actually formed quickly,” he mused. “Like it did at Mt St Helens.”

  Ω

  “Sir... About the research scientists. Do you think they’re on a training exercise?” ventured Ryan.

  “No... And I don’t think they’re lost now either,” replied John, lowering his binoculars.

  “What action should we take Sir?”

  “Keep the party under surveillance in and around your planned activities... Actually, get Charlie to show you how to use the facial recognition programme. I’m interested to know if Professor Canney is in the party...”

  “Anything else Sir?”

  “Yes... Organise a roster to monitor and record all further communication on 5360. I want a transcript of every conversation. Even if it sounds innocuous...”

  “Yes Sir.”

  A pause.

  “Begging your pardon Sir, may I ask why we’re putting the party under surveillance if you don’t consider them to be a threat?”
>
  “Because the person who left this behind didn’t manually select the 406 Mhz beacon to initiate a search and rescue.”

  “Maybe he just doesn’t know how to use it.”

  “Possibly. But this particular tri-frequency duress beacon is not available to the general public. So it’s reasonable to assume any civilian with one in their possession has a knowledge of how to use it.”

  “So why did he intentionally trigger the weakest signal?”

  “At a guess I’d say he knows we’re based in the area and he’s covertly requesting that we keep an eye on his team’s progress.”

  “In case they need help?”

  “Well, it’s something I’d do if I wasn’t confident my team could make it through Farliga Pass.”

  “Why’s he taking them through Farliga Pass if he’s not confident his team can make it?”

  “That’s a very good question Captain... I suspect in due course we’ll find out the answer to it... You see what else you can find out about them... I’ll go rustle up Charlie for you.”

  Ω

  “So you think some of the natural rock formations on earth might have been formed by Noah’s flood?” confirmed Maya.

  “I believe they were. Because if a small, localized flood due to a small eruption at Mt St Helens can form a canyon 1/40 the size of the Grand Canyon in a day - what could a worldwide flood which lasted more than a year achieve?”

  “A year? But I thought it just rained for forty days.”

  “It rained forty days and nights. But everyone was on the ark for another 11 months while the flood waters subsided. During which time some major catastrophic geophysical events would have been happening worldwide around them. Petrified forests often contain a mixture of trees that grow in widely different ecological zones and geographical locations today, which is further evidence of the global nature of the Flood.”

  “And that fits in with the evidence I found back at the hot springs... because if sediment layers are wet with volcanic or mineral laden floodwaters, they could become quickly petrified. Like the aircraft prop.”

  “Actually I’ve got photos of other examples of quick forming rock if you’re interested...”

  “We’re interested!” piped up Jake and Maya in unison.

  Zac laughed and brought them up on his phone.

  “See - this is a roll of No 8 fencing wire that became encased in sandstone in 20 years - it was on a farm up in the Coral Coast region of Western Australia... And these petrified bags of flour were normal flour when this flour mill closed down in Arkansas 1903... And these stone hats and clothes were formed when Mt Tarawera erupted about 150 years ago. And see these keys with the plastic tag and the dinky car? They’re obviously modern items, but they’re already semi encased in stone.”

  “Boy - a field trip with you is an eye-opening experience!” laughed Jake. “None of my lecturers ever mentioned quick-forming rock in my course.”

  Zac nodded.

  “Eyewitness accounts which don’t fit the popular opinion are often overlooked by lecturers and uni texts. But if you know what to look out for Jake, the evidence is all around you...”

  Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them and He proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires.

  Let us trust His skill and thank Him for His prescription.

  -Sir Isaac Newton.

  “How are they holding up Charlie?” asked John.

  “The weaker members of the party are both obviously feeling it. Young Zac’s opting to allow them to stop whenever they want to. They’re making reasonable time though. Even with double the stops we’d make.”

  “I found out what P & P means Sir,” added Ryan.

  “You did? What’s it mean?”asked John.

  “Prepare and Protect. It’s an obsolete classification, used to say someone was training to be a Navajo codetalker during the war.”

  John nodded. Charlie’s eyes twinkled.

  “Who’s got a P & P classification anyway?” asked Charlie casually.

  “The Professor,” replied Ryan. “He has something called a Cat 1 P & P status.”

  Charlie’s eyebrows flickered with interest. John smiled faintly.

  “Although it doesn’t make sense,” continued Ryan. “I mean, he’s from Alaska so it’s unlikely he’s a Navajo codetalker. Besides the codetalkers must all be old timers by now.”

  Charlie went to reply. John shook his head almost imperceptibly and casually peered through the telescopic sight.

  “Hmmm... Our Alaskan friend’s physique suggests he’s capable of making the trek, although he’s got quite a sweat-up... Hello. He just took some cans out of one of their packs and put them in his own...”

  “He’s done that several times already,” interposed Ryan. “Every time they leave their packs unattended he secretly takes weight out of them and puts it in his own pack.”

  “Is that right? How many times have you seen him do that?”

  “Four or five,” replied Ryan.

  “That explains why he’s got a sweat-up...” murmured Charlie.

  “It’s only a few extra tins,” shrugged Ryan.

  John raised his eyebrows.

  “Tell me Captain... Under what circumstances would you clandestinely take the weight out of the packs of your other team members and carry it yourself up a 70 degree incline?”

  “I guess if someone was injured... Or possibly if I was pressed for time.”

  “I’d go with ‘pressed for time’. It looks to me that they need to get out of the park in a hurry so they’ve decided to take our Pass as a shortcut.”

  “Should we intercept them and tell them the Pass is too difficult for untrained civilians?”

  “Not yet. They don’t appear to be too distressed... But if anything happens which warrants our intervention, let me know immediately.”

  John eyed Charlie silently. Charlie acknowledged him with return eye-contact.

  “Yes Sir,” replied Ryan, oblivious of the communication between the other two men.

  Ω

  “Maya, you’re favouring one leg. Have you pulled a muscle?” probed Zac.

  “Nah... I’m just a bit tired... Actually I might just visit the great outdoor dunny since we’ve stopped.”

  Jake waited until Maya had walked off.

  “I didn’t know girls go to the toilet so much when they exercise heavily,” he whispered. “That’s the fifth time she’s had to go and I haven’t even needed to go once.”

  Zac’s eyes danced.

  “I haven’t been counting, but now that you mention it, it does seem a little excessive. Perhaps it’s her way of catching her breath in private...”

  “Do you think she can hear us?”

  “No. She walked off a fair distance. Why?”

  “I didn’t want to say anything in front of her, but my legs are sore. On the inside bit.”

  “Near your jocks?”

  Jake nodded awkwardly.

  “And the sore is spreading down.”

  “Sounds like your jeans have chafed your inner thighs a bit. Have you got any lighter weight pants similar to what I’m wearing?”

  “Just my PJ’s. But I’m not wearing them around Maya.”

  Zac laughed and rummaged through his pack and produced a tin of antiseptic powder.

  “Try dusting some of this on the inside of your thighs. It absorbs sweat and helps prevent prickly heat and friction burns.”

  “Thanks... Um. I’ll think I’ll go hide somewhere to do this...”

  “Take your time. There’s about another mile of this scrambling uphill stuff and then it plateaus out for a bit. We’ll stop on the flat for lunch...”

  Ω

  “Mad Max is on final,” said Jed casually.

  “Is someone arriving?” asked Ryan.

  “Yes. We have two men joining us for a short term stay. One is a deskie who’d like to participate in your R & R fitness pro
gramme during his leave. The other has just come back from an overseas assignment and needs to recharge, but will probably participate as well. And of course we’ll all participate in your programme and be part of your surveillance roster as well.”

  “But Sir... It’s a violation of Section 4 for a lower ranking officer to tell a higher ranking officer what to do.”

  “Is that right? What’s my exact rank Captain?”

  “I’m not sure Sir.”

  “So how do you know he’s a higher rank than you?” joked Rod.

  Ryan looked confused.

  “Hey Captain. I’m an airman!” piped up Charlie.

  “No you’re not,” frowned Ryan.

  “Prove I’m not!” retorted Charlie.

  “And I’m a cadet!” chirped Jed.

  “You can’t possibly be a cadet... They don’t let blokes your age be cadets.”

  “Are you calling me old, son?”

  Ryan shook his head violently.

  “No Sir.”

  Smiles from the older men.

  “And I’m an airman too!” piped up Rod.

  “Yeah right.”

  Rod grinned cheekily.

  Ryan drew a deep breath and glanced at John.

  “So what would you like to be, Sir?” he asked in a smoothly patient tone.

  “I think I’ll be a four star General!” grinned John.

  “That’s delusional!”

  Raucous laughter.

  “...and it’s in direct violation of Section 4 - Article 3. You absolutely can’t say you’re a higher rank than you are!”

  “Is that right? Hear that boys! The Captain says, I’m not allowed to be a Lieutenant General!”

  Everyone doubled over with laughter.

  “All right then. I’ll be an airman basic then... Unless something crops up, which prevents that. Then I’ll be a Lieutenant General again.”

  Ryan rolled his eyes.

  “What type of something might crop up around here? This is just a boring Airforce rest-camp.”

  Faint smiles all round.

  “Come along Captain. I’ll show you how to access the templates so you can draw up a surveillance roster for Cadet Jed and Airmen Charlie, Rod and John...”

  Ω

  Paul Riley glanced down at the doll-house sized buildings beneath them.

  “Well here goes nothing,” he said, nervously repositioning his glasses.

  Mike Gregory glanced briefly at Paul.

  “First time here?”

  “Yes. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m on holidays...”

  Silence.

  “Have you been here before?”

  “No.”

  “Are you on holidays too?”

  Mike drew a deep breath.

  “Nah. I’ve been ordered to come here.”

  “Well I guess getting ordered to come here is better than getting ordered to do guard duty. Or clean dunnies.”

  Mike smiled faintly. Paul extended his hand.

  “My name’s Paul. I’m a First Sergeant. In admin at Malmstrom.”

  “Mike. Major. Ex-Afghanistan.”

  Paul’s jaw dropped.

  “You’re a Major? Er... Sorry I didn’t salute you earlier Sir. I didn’t realize...”

  “Not to worry. You been in a chopper before?”

  “No Sir.”

  “Thought as much. You clouted your head when you got in.”

  “Don’t clout it when you get out!” added Mad Max, as he set the chopper down in a faultless landing.

  We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we don't know,

  afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us.

  But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger.

  -Tad Williams

  “What were you doing in my pack?” growled Maya hotly.

  Zac startled and looked up at Maya, his heart beating wildly.

  “I was pulling out some canned food from your pack. For lunch.”

  “I don’t need my pack lightened! I can carry the load you gave me this morning!” protested Maya.

  “I didn’t say you couldn’t carry the load,” replied Zac carefully. “I just felt like braised steak and onions for lunch. And those cans were stashed in your pack.”

  Silence.

  “You saw what was in the plastic bag didn’t you?”

  “I didn’t intentionally invade your privacy Maya... But yes, I saw.”

  Maya looked away. Fragile.

  Zac set about wordlessly heating the canned food. Jake rejoined them.

  Silence. Jake eyed them both curiously.

  “Hey... I’m not very cluey when it comes to interpersonal stuff, but even I can tell if I gave you both pistols at ten paces there’d be a bloodbath.”

  Maya’s pursed lips trembled slightly.

  “Will one of you tell me who made who mad first when I was off taking photos of the gorge?”

  “I accidentally found something in Maya’s pack. In her dirty clothes bag. When I was looking for the braised steak and onions.”

  “And that made her mad?”

  “No, it made me mad.”

  “Do you know why it made him mad Maya?”

  “I’m the one who should be mad!” fumed Maya. “He invaded my privacy!”

  Zac rubbed his wrinkled brow and pushed away his exhaustion.

  “Maya. I made the wrong decision about attempting Farliga Pass, because you lied to me.”

  “I didn’t lie to you. I just avoided your question!”

  “Maya. A lie of omission is a lie. And now I don’t have a clue whether to turn back or keep pressing forward...”

  Silence. Maya sighed noisily.

  “Alright. I’m sorry I lied to you. But I honestly thought you were making a big deal out of nothing. I don’t normally have any of those side effects when I’ve got my periods.”

  Jake turned scarlet.

  “Sorry you’ve got dragged into this conversation mate,” said Zac apologetically. “You can hi-tail out of earshot if you want to.”

  Jake made embarrassed eye-contact with Zac.

  “Is it a lie of omission if you don’t tell someone something that you’ve found out about someone else?”

  “That’s more like an accessory to the fact.”

  “Then you’d better growl at me as well as Maya.”

  “You knew she had her periods?”

  “I didn’t know when we started out. But I saw the thingie she left half buried in the ground back where we stopped for morning tea. I didn’t realize what it was at first. Until I examined it more closely...”

  “You deliberately looked at it?” asked Maya indignantly.

  “I pulled it apart with sticks. Did you know there are four different layers in one?”

  “Gross Jake!”

  “It wasn’t gross Maya. It was really interesting. I’ve never pulled apart one before. Have you Zac?”

  Zac hid his smile behind his palm.

  “I’ve mucked around with them a few times over the years.”

  “Did you get yelled at by some girl when you did?”

  “I remember Mum growled at me one time for trying the absorbency test on one. But I think the real reason was I got growled at was because I used up half a bottle of tomato sauce.”

  “You used tomato sauce?” echoed Maya in disbelief.

  “I was a kid!” grinned Zac.

  Maya doubled over with laughter.

  “You’re both gross!”

  “And you’re both smiling again. So let’s keep it that way. Come on Zac. We’ve covered a quarter of the distance if your map’s right. There’s no point turning back now. Even if Maya told a lie of omission and I was an accessory to the fact.”

  Zac rubbed the back of his neck with his fingertips.

  “Jake we’ve only done the easiest leg of the trip so far, and you’re both already worse for wear. And now I’m really concerned that we’ve bitten off more
than we can chew.”

  Jake and Maya exchanged glances.

  “Truth time Maya. Absolutely no lies of any sort. How are you really feeling physically now I know you have your periods?”

  Maya moistened her lips.

  “Well I’ve got a dull ache on the left side of my groin which I don’t normally have... But other than that I feel fine Zac.”

  “Are you losing more menstrual fluid than normal?”

  “Well I’m using more tampons than usual and flooding unexpectedly onto surfboards. But that’s not abnormal for me Zac When I’m active, it’s often a heavy flow day. And then the next couple of days are just a lot lighter.”

  Zac exhaled noisily and looked off in the distance at the top of the Pass.

  “Maybe I should call Mad Max...”

  “Listen Zac... It’s really nice to know you’re concerned about me. But I know my own body - what I can and can’t handle. And I’ll let you know if there’s something going on in my body I’m worried about. I promise...”

  “Alright, but I’m trusting you to keep that promise... By the way Jake, how’s the chafing around your...?”

  “Sshhh!” gasped Jake, diving at Zac and clamping his hand over Zac’s mouth.

  Zac lost his balance under the unexpected contact and fell backwards. Jake found himself sitting on top of Zac.

  “Whoops... Sorry I got carried away play-fighting,” murmured Jake self-consciously.

  Zac laughed and remained flaked out on the ground as Jake climbed off him.

  “Nah... It’s great to see you coming out of your shell... Sorry I nearly slipped up in front of Maya. It seems I’m embarrassing you both today without meaning to.”

  “You’re probably just tired. You look very hot and sweaty.”

  “Well I think it’s time we got even with him Jake!” teased Maya.

  “Okay, you have permission to get even with me.”

  “This’ll be fun!”

  “I dunno. Zac’s not easily embarrassed.”

  “Let’s start by searching for something embarrassing in his backpack, since he did it to me! Bring it over here Jake.”

  “Okay...” shrugged Jake. “Far out Zac...What have you got in here?! I can’t even lift your pack.”

  Zac quickly rolled up into sitting position and eyed Jake.

  “Leave it Jake. You might strain yourself. Just search through it where it is.”

  “Wait Jake. Don’t take anything out... I want to see if I can lift it.”

  Maya attempted to pick up the pack then shot Zac a glance of disbelief.

  “I knew my pack was getting lighter! I can pick my pack up with one hand. And Jake’s with the other. You’ve been taking gear out of our packs and putting it in yours haven’t you?”

  “I’ve hiked a lot Maya,” said Zac softly.

  “And I’ve hiked enough to know that you’re carrying an unfair share of the load!” retorted Maya.

  “I’m fit enough to carry the load Maya.”

  “Show me your shoulders.”

  “Maya!”

  “I think you’ve embarrassed him,” observed Jake.

  “Unbutton his shirt Jake.”

  “You win... I’m embarrassed and you’re even, okay?”

  “This is no longer about getting even with you Zac and we both know it. Take his shirt off Jake. I want to see his armpits and shoulders.”

  “Maya, it’s nothing!”

  “Then you don’t mind me looking at the nothing do you?”

  Jake stared at Zac’s exposed arms.

  “Your armpits and shoulders have got red welts and blisters. Ow! They must be as sore as my thighs. Sorer even,” said Jake sympathetically. “What should we do about this Maya?”

  “Get the first aid kit out of Zac’s pack... I’m gonna dress his shoulders... While I’m doing that, pull out every can of food he’s got stashed in his pack. We’ll go through our supplies, keep all of our dehydrated rations but leave some of the heavier canned food behind. That should lighten Zac’s load by at least 30kgs for starters...”

  Ω

  John wandered over to join the others with Mike and Paul in tow.

  “Good afternoon everyone. Meet Mike and Paul... How are our civilians doing Ryan?”

  “They lightened their packs a while ago Sir. They left some of their canned food on the trail near the clearing, with a sign that says ENJOY and today’s date.”

  “Hmmm... Have some men collect the food for our use. Then get ahead of them covertly and leave a supply of our food in exchange near the rope bridge. And leave some firewood as well... Judging from the height of the sun, they’re still aiming to make camp near the edge of the gorge tonight.”

  “Sir. It’s a violation of regulations to supply civilians with U.S. military rations unless authorized by a superior of the rank Lieutenant Colonel or above.”

  Charlie and Jed exchanged wry looks.

  “Management is doing things right Captain... Leadership is doing the right things.”

  “But Sir... Section 26 states...”

  “Thankyou for informing me of the violation,” interrupted John.

  “But Section 26, Article 2 states...”

  “I will personally accept the flak for the aberration from Section 26 if there are any repercussions. That will be all for now.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Eyes followed Ryan as he walked off. Mike spoke to John for the first time since he’d arrived.

  “What’s with him?” he asked softly

  “Fresh out of the Academy.”

  “And they’ve assigned him to you, to break him in?”

  “Well - one of us is gonna break... Time will tell which one of us.”

  Soft laughter. Mike watched Ryan pull out his iPhone and start texting someone.

  “You sure you’re not trying to break in a teenager?” he asked with raised eyebrows.

  John paused.

  “Well the Academy doesn’t accept anyone under 21, and he’s recently graduated as an officer after completing a two year degree...”

  “In what? Inflexibility?” murmured Mike.

  John laughed warmly.

  “Ya should’ve said you were acting under the orders of Lieutenant Colonel David Hopkins,” added Jed.

  “Who’s he?” asked Mike.

  “He was stationed here for years, alongside John.”

  “Back in the olden days when you were still a twinkle in your father’s eye...” elaborated Charlie.

  A flicker of a smile from Mike.

  “Dave exuded leadership,” added Rod. “He rarely ordered anyone. He was just one of those blokes you couldn’t say no to. And he coaxed you into doing the hardest things as a personal challenge. Didn’t he Charlie?”

  “He sure did... If anyone needs to be exposed to Dave’s mentoring it’s that wet-behind-the-ears pup...”

  “There’s an idea boys!” said John breezily. “Let’s send him over to Australia. Maybe Dave can teach him to use his sixth sense!”

  “Well get your Aussie mate to adjust his attitude while he’s at it,” suggested Mike.

  Stifled chuckling.

  “Unfortunately Dave’s retired. Wanna have a crack at adjusting his attitude for us instead Major?”

  Mike cleared his throat.

  “He’ll probably grow out of it.”

  “I agree. But adjusting his attitude now is likely to make him a better officer in a future combat role. Don’t you agree?”

  Mike’s eyes clouded and he returned to his withdrawn state without replying. Paul glanced at Mike then timidly spoke up.

  “It sounds like you’re taking him on as a personal challenge, Sir.”

  “We’re all taking him on as a personal challenge,” replied John. “Captain Adams just doesn’t know it yet!”

  All round smiles, including Mike.

  “For now though, let’s allow him to enjoy his newly-earned rank and go along with him... Go on. All of you scamper.”