Chapter Thirty-Seven:
Ben Hur

Unsurprisingly, the ADF men they had captured had nothing to say about their leader and where he would have taken Buffer and the X, so, as Mike retired to his cabin on Wednesday night he felt just as useless as ever before. The evening had been spent snapping at everyone that walked past him, from Nav to RO for not taking the call himself. It was stupid as he'd left the X as CO while he was at the Kanimbla, but it was easier to blame everyone else than to admit he knew perfectly well it was no one's fault. Just, he felt so useless with Kate being held as Barnes' captive. It was worse than any other time. He didn't know what Barnes was capable of. He didn't know his enemy.

But, realising he'd never get to sleep without apologizing to his crew, he went to the bridge and called on everyone he'd wronged that afternoon. Ten minutes later they stood before him, looking tired and worried he would snap again. Instead he just sighed. "I'm sorry for this afternoon and evening. It was wrong of me to blame the rest of you. The X made her own decisions and they aren't yours to burden."

Nav broke into a smile. "Thank you sir."

The CO looked at her. "Nav, I'm sorry for snapping at you." He looked at RO and Dutchy who'd also been burdened with his bad mood. "You two as well. You did the right thing, listening to the X, and you shouldn't be punished for that." The two men just nodded.

Nav stepped forward. "No you're listening to us again, sir." She smiled, failing to keep the insult from her voice. Mike took it. He deserved it. "I was wondering if you think we should interview the two men from the Stuart that the army men captured."

Mike nearly smacked himself in the head. He had forgotten about them. He grinned at Nav. "I think that's a brilliant idea. But maybe it should wait till morning."

Nav nodded, beaming again. "Yes sir." Then she went back to her seat at the navigation controls, failing to cover a smile. The two men went back to bed, yawning widely as they left. Then, glancing at Nav with a smile, he left the bridge.

"Navigator has the ship."

Nav glanced at him. "Navigator has the ship sir."

As the Hammersley crew were settling down to sleep, Kate was still wide-awake, staring into the trees. Now she knew what was out there she was more scared than ever to sleep. They were worse than anything she could've imagined.

When Barnes had first uttered their name she'd gasped, worried, but then he'd elaborated. They were more than usual. They were special operations. They were well trained. They were killers. They were heavily armed. And worst of all, they clearly didn't want the Australians there.

Barnes had seemed amused by the looks on she and Buffer's faces as he'd told them, as if he was surprised they hadn't guessed it before. "You really think they can avoid a good fight? Especially one with uranium involved. Uranium, the core of nuclear, is the most valuable substance these days. More than oil, more than diamonds or gold. Forget Texas tea. Green gold they call it. Green gold. The most valuable substance in the world, sitting here under all these trees and natives. It's basically crying for their involvement – to 'free' these people." He laughed heartily. "Have to say, never trusted that county."

"They want us out of here, to get that uranium?" Buffer asked.

Barnes had nodded, still grinning. "Absolutely. And you know that lot. Kill first, ask questions later. Just ask the French and the Islanders. Yeah, we heard about it."

Kate frowned. "The islanders?"

Barnes grinned. "Favourite little trick of these guys. Mimicking locals."

Kate had then realised. "Villa Morte!" She looked at Buffer. "That wasn't the islanders?"

Barnes shook his head. "I checked out Villa Morte, or whatever you call it, myself. Not islander method. Too clean. Too perfect. It's definitely them. Fooled you didn't they?"

After that Barnes, smug and superior, had shut up, refusing to answer any more questions. Buffer believed he didn't know anymore, but either way he knew more than they did. Kate frowned. All the time they had spent on the island, had they been too involved in self-preservation to notice all the clues. Why had Barnes, who'd been here a lot less than they had, seen them all?

But that had been hours ago. Now, bats flying overhead, Kate was scared to sleep. They were out there, likely not sleeping themselves, maybe watching them. They wanted the Australians out of here. Would they really kill them to achieve that? Would they go that f…

"X?" A voice nearby asked.

It was Buffer.

The pair had been tied around a tree, with the trunk between them, to ensure they couldn't untie each other and escape. Nearby Barnes and the other ADF man were fast asleep, they not burdened by a possible death at the hands of…

"X, are you awake?" Buffer asked again.

Kate realised she hadn't answered him. "Yeah, Buff, I am." She turned but couldn't see him. "What's wrong?"

"About what Barnes said. Who's out there. Do you think he's lying?"

Kate frowned. "I don't think he has any reason to. He could have told us nothing. His explanation just seems to make sense."

"Yeah, but, they're allies!" Buffer exclaimed, clearly struggling to comprehend the new enemy.

"So are the French." Kate pointed out.

Buffer sighed loudly. "True." He was silent for a minute then continued. "Assuming Barnes is right, and it is them, we're screwed. We can't fight them off like the French. They're special ops."

"I know." She frowned at the figure of Barnes. "Why do you think he wants us?"

"The bounty? Hostages? My father is a wealthy property developer and your father is wealthy as well."

Kate shook her head though he couldn't see it. "No, it's more than that. It's to do with the Tobruk, that's why he asked about it."

"Whatever he does, I know he doesn't intend for us to come of this alive."

"Why do you say that?" Kate asked, confused.

"Something I heard the second night we were in their custody. Barnes was talking to Lyons, Lyons ribbing him about his dead son and wife. Barnes doesn't have anyone and he hates people that do. He told Lyons that he wanted to teach the world a lesson, that's why he's here. To show people they should never underestimate the old guy."

Kate frowned. "What? He's mad."

"Preaching to the converted here ma'am." Buffer said, the smallest smile evident in his voice. Looking at Barnes Kate frowned. There was much more to Barnes than just madness… but what?

Thursday morning
0720

Mike put the two plates of food in front of the young men. Swain sat down across from them, watching as the men eyed the food warily then picked up their forks.

"We didn't poison it, if you're wondering. We're not the enemy here, we're apparently on the same side." Mike glared at the men, both of them cowering slightly.

They were both only young. Both Able Seamen. One, the gangly red-haired one, turned out to be Lincoln 'Platters' Stone, a Steward. The other, a little older than Platters, was Garth 'Budgie' Wright. He was a Bosun's Mate. They both wore tired looks and neither met Mike's eyes as he spoke to them. Earlier Swain had got their details out of them, after much convincing them at Lyons really was dead, and now was Mike's turn.

"We need to know what you know about Trevor Barnes, the head of the bounty hunters."

Budgie looked at Platters and finally the man gave in. "What do you need to know?"

"Where he'd go with the hostages. What he intends to do with them."

Budgie spoke up. "We don't know where he'd go. He's erratic. A loony." He paused. "As for the hostages, they're trade."

Mike frowned. "What?"

Budgie continued. "He never intended to hand your men in for bounty. We heard him talking about it after Lyons left for bed most nights. We'd be on the bridge, just talking to some others, and Barnes would come up with his slimy sidekick Hunter. The man looks like a frog."

Mike recognised the description and realised it was the man that had grabbed Kate the afternoon before. "Yes, what would he say?"

"He'd say that if it were up to him we'd all be taught a lesson, but unfortunately for him we were protected by Lyons. Said he couldn't wait to get his hands on some of your men so he could fulfil his wish."

Mike frowned, not quite understanding. "What wish?"

Platters answered. "He's power hungry. Wants to use people to buy power. Buy his way into things. Thinks that the only way to succeed is in politics where he can build a portfolio, maybe one day control defence."

Mike finally got it. "He's using them." He nodded. "I get it."

Swain looked at Mike. "I'm glad you do sir because I don't."

The two young Stuart men looked up at Mike and he gave Swain a small smile. "Let me explain it better." He glanced at the men. "Correct me if I get anything wrong."

"Sir." Budgie replied.

Mike launched into what he had been waiting for someone to do. "Over the last few years the ADF have made a lot of enemies, particularly amongst those who oppose the war in Iraq. Unfortunately too many people strongly affiliate the Defence Force with the war rather than the defence area of the sector. Too many people who hate the war now hate us and the people who send us to war. I believe most of them do actually understand that we, as people, are not the enemy, but there will always be those that hate us."

Swain gasped. "You aren't saying they're going to use the X and Buffer as martyrs are you?"

"Not in the physical sense, no, however I can expect Barnes to use them as psychological martyrs. Imagine this – a man comes home from a tiny little war that people know little about. He has between him two high-ranking officers, both from wealthy families and with decent educations. All he needs to say is that he found these two terrorising the poor, innocent people of Libertile to gain support amongst those who hate the ADF. He will become their leader. Maybe one day soon run for politics and get in."

Swain frowned. "But then what? Surely the X and Buffer will be freed?"

Mike sighed. "I don't think they will, no. Unfortunately they will know the truth about Barnes and why he was at Libertile. They will be disposed of as soon as their purpose is done. Barnes will gain supporters as the years wear on and we find ourselves in more useless wars killing more innocent civilians."

Swain shook his head. "How could he? Who would vote for him?"

"One of the suburbs of the major cities' south and west. These areas are poor and unfortunately lacking in many amenities most take for granted. They lack proper school and proper homes. As far as they can see, and with reason, too much money is getting pumped into war that could be pumped into their communities. They feel abandoned by the government. Even the current Labor one has let them down. They hate voting because they know that whoever gets in will not represent them. Unless – then someone like Barnes comes along and hey presto, they have a new visionary. Someone who gets it, or at least looks like he does." Mike looked at the Stuart men. "Is that about right?"

They both nodded. Swain just shook his head. "That's mad."

Mike nodded back. "Yes, but power mad, and apparently in society today that type of mad is perfectly acceptable."

A hand clamped over Kate's mouth and her eyes snapped open, not realising she had eventually fallen asleep during the night. Eyes wide she looked up at the face belonging to the hand. It was Barnes and his eyes were wide too, looking around him. He noticed Kate's stare and glanced at her, putting a sole finger to his lips to suggest she be quiet. He slowly removed the hand on her mouth, but Kate didn't even breathe. Barnes looked scared. Very scared. He stepped back from her then reached into the back of his worn jeans, pulling out a Browning that Kate recognised as her own. He checked the chamber and frowned. It was only half loaded, holding only 4 19mm NATO-issue bullets. He deflated, frowning at it, then clicked it back. Then, raising it slowly, he pointed the gun at the bushes to Kate's left. She snapped her head left at the sound of a bush moving. Someone or something was out there. Barnes' head moved towards the sound, his eyes narrowing at a spot in the distance. Then, another movement, this time to Kate's right. She gasped. They were surrounded. She took a deep breath, having just realised she wasn't breathing, and closed her eyes. This was it, it was over, it was the end for h…

Kate's eyes snapped open again at the sound of gunfire, just one shot, but it was enough. She watched Barnes' head snap back in an explosion of blood. The back of his head exploded, splattering Kate with his blood and brains, and Kate squeezed her eyes shut no longer wanting to look. Then, sensing he had crumbled to the ground, she opened her eyes again. There was Barnes, a mess on the ground, his face no longer recognizable, and standing over him two men head to toe in combat gear. Their faces hidden by masks, they looked like huge, dangerous praying mantis. All green and with masks so dark that Kate could only see her own bloody and scared face staring back. The first man glanced at the second then passed Kate headed for Buffer she guessed. Finally regaining her voice, she looked at the man before her.

"We know who you are. Why are you here?" She said, sounding tougher than she felt.

He was quiet for a minute then ripped off his helmet. Were he not the enemy she would say he was a handsome young man. Spiked-up black hair and big green eyes, he looked barely older than 28. He did however, Kate noticed, rank above her. Glancing at his shoulders she recognised the symbols. He was a Captain. He came to her, crouching down beside her, then cut her ropes. Then, offering her a hand, he pulled her to her feet.

"And I know who you are Lieutenant McGregor." He didn't remove his gun from his side as he assessed her wrists. They were marked from the tight ropes, but on the whole they were fine. "I'm Captain Hornet. That's all you need to know about me."

Kate glanced around her and realised Buffer was gone. She frowned at the Captain. "Where's Petty Officer Tomaszewski."

Captain Hornet shook his head. "It doesn't matter."

Kate narrowed her eyes at him. "Of course it matters. If you're going to kill us the least you could do is let me see him."

"I'm not going to kill you." He fished something out of his pocket. A small phial, holding what appeared to be water. "But I do want you to drink this." He pushed it into her hand.

Kate stared at it. "And what if I don't?"

Captain Hornet sighed. "Then I will have to kill you." He said, no emotion on his face. Kate bit her lip then nodded, unscrewing the lid and holding the phial to her mouth. He watched her the whole time then caught as she collapsed, laying her down slowly. As he'd expected she's been knocked out as soon as she'd consumed the drink. Then, leaving her there, the Captain left.

"Do the words 'running blind' come to mind?" Haynes asked with a grin.

This four-man team, only half of the boarding party that the CO had led out in a desperate search for the insane Barnes, headed west. Chisholm looked at Haynes. "See Luke, this is why you're still a Corporal and he's a Lieutenant Commander." He teased. Haynes ignored him.

Spider and Scruffy, who were walking behind, just snickered at the look on Haynes' face. Chisholm grinned back at them.

Eventually they came to a stop in a random clearing, grabbing water. It was a stinking hot day, at least 35 degrees, but there was no safety from it under the trees. The heat was humidity. Spider wiped some sweat off his forehead and sat down on a log, looking stuffed. Suited up in their shore search gear, they were dying underneath. Thankfully they had packed enough water to last them a week. Not that it mattered. Pouring one over his head, Chisholm was now down to three bottles.

"Heat too much for you old man?" Haynes teased.

Chisholm stared at him. "Don't talk to your senior like that." He requested, but it was half-hearted. Rank didn't matter to anyone anymore. And dying from the heat meant they cared even less now.

"Sorry sir." He gave his senior a half-asses Army salute. Chisholm laughed, but stopped at the sound of someone to their left. All of their turned their attention on a sole figure in the distance, stumbling towards them. They turned their guns on it but then Scruffy shrieked. "Kate!"

She ran forward just as the X collapsed. Scruffy held her cousin to her feet then looked back at the others. "Help?" She asked them.

Haynes and Chisholm rushed forward, taking the X out of Scruffy's arms. She started to wake, her eyes darting before stopping on Emma. "Emma?" She asked.

Scruffy grinned. "Yes ma'am. Are you okay ma'am?"

The X nodded. "Yeah, I just… my head hurts." She squeezed her eyes shut as if the light hurt them. "Where are we?"

Scruffy frowned. "Uh, about 5 kilometres from the beach."

Kate looked at her. "We're on Libertile? The last thing I remember is talking to your father."

Scruffy glanced at Haynes who shrugged. "Ma'am, that was hours ago. That was yesterday afternoon." She checked her watch. "It's 1100, Thursday."

The X shook her head. "No, no it isn't." She opened her eyes. "Is the CO back from seeing Price yet?"

Scruffy looked distraught so Haynes led her away, giving her some breathing space. Sitting the X down Chisholm got onto the radio to Mike and Swain. Mike was ecstatic, but his tone changed when he heard about the X's condition. Swain explained it could be stress but he'd have to see her when they got back to the ship. Chisholm said they'd take her back straightaway. As he got off the radio he looked at Spider who was watching the X with wide eyes.

"You alright son?" He asked the Seaman.

Spider nodded. "Yeah, just, I've never seen her like this. She looks so confused. And she hasn't even mentioned Buffer."

Chisholm understood. "I'm sure you're friend will be alright." She smacked Spider on the shoulder assuringly then called Haynes back. Scruffy didn't look at X the entire way back as they led her back to the RHIB. No one blamed her. She wasn't the X they knew.

The CO called ET over as he put his radio down, allowing Swain to continue with the Colonel. "Maybe you should get back to the RHIB. Help them with the X."

ET frowned. "Sir?"

"I don't know what's happened but it appears she's lost her memory, back to yesterday afternoon Chisholm said. I don't know what it could be but it doesn't look good and I don't think they'll be ab…"

"Sir." A voice called, the tone telling Mike he'd found something. Glancing at ET, they followed the sound to where Swain and the Colonel stood over a bloodied figure. The Colonel glanced up at Mike. "Sir, it's Ben Hur."

Mike looked at Swain. "Is he alive?"

Swain nodded. "Just barely. He's conscious too. You can try talking to him if you like."

"Can't we move him then?" ET asked hastily, glancing around him. He was spooked by something Mike didn't know or have time to ask about.

Swain just shook his head slowly and pointed to something in Ben Hur's side. He said nothing aloud, Mike guessing the Kanimbla man didn't know about the tree root impaled in his side. Moving Ben Hur would risk him bleeding to death.

Instead Mike just turned his attention to the seriously injured man. There was no way he would be coming out of Libertile alive, and he seemed to know this. He slowly opened his eyes and, recognizing the Colonel, reached out a hand to him.

"Colonel." He smiled sadly.

The Colonel nodded and crouched down to his level. "Hey Ben." He sighed. "Had to be your lot, didn't it? Couldn't've been one of those pansy land guys, could it?"

Ben Hur chuckled. "Army that work with the Navy, so much better than the rest. But you already know that don't you?" He groaned out. "Should've gone with Black Box. Fun for all with that bloke."

Swain glanced at the CO then motioned him away from the others. "He's been marked like the French and Avenger except for, of course, the eyes."

The CO frowned. "This is getting out of hand. I don't know what is happening here but I'm going to see Price as soon as we get back."

Swain nodded in agreement. "I struggle to believe this is the work of Barnes. I mean, I know he's mad but surely this isn't his style."

Mike then realised what he hadn't asked. "How long do you think Ben Hur has been like this?"

Swain shook his head. "Not long. Obviously he's only recently fallen on the root, but the cuts are only fresh. I'd say, oh, less than 15 hours."

"Lyons has been dead for almost 20 hours so it's not him. And I can't picture his me…"

He was cut off as ET came running towards them. "Sir, it's Ben Hur."

They glanced back at the Lance Corporal as he struggled for breath. He was fading quickly. The Colonel was trying to help him, but it was futile. Swain went to him, but the CO just stood back and watched. Then, Ben Hur uttered what they all knew would be his final sentence. And, like the fairytales, he seemed to give away the culprit.

Looking up at Holdsworth, he gave him a brief horrified look. "Colonel…" He took a rasping breath. "Stuart." He finished.

Then he slumped and with a sigh Swain confirmed he was gone. Standing and wiping the last of Ben Hur's blood onto his overalls, the Colonel came to the CO, anger etched in his face. "That's it then." He looked in the direction of the Stuart as if he could see the frigate. "I'm going to kill them all for this."

A/N: Now that's incriminating evidence if I ever saw it. Or is it? Stay tuned…