Chapter Thirteen;
Morning Breaks

Nav put down the phone with a sigh then turned to Swain who stood by the door, watching her. It wasn't hard to figure out it was bad news. He frowned. "What's happened?"

"The Queensland Premier has been killed. He was in Townsville."

"Jesus Ch…" Swain caught himself. "What's going to happen now?"

"I don't know. They've called in an emergency Premier, but who knows? I guess it depends on whether they can find the men responsible."

Swain frowned deeply. "How was he killed? I mean, was there one specific group involved?"

Nav shrugged. "He was burnt to death in a hotel fire. It could've been an accident, but with the large amount of people on the mainland starting trouble it could well have been done on purpose. The police are on it, but they're under-manned."

"As usual." Swain breathed, remembering his own time in the police force. "What can we do? Do they want us to return to base?"

Nav shook her head. "No. Base hasn't been compromised. There are no problems there. The Commander just wanted us to know what we will eventually be going back to."

"So, what do we tell the crew?"

Nav sighed. "The truth."

***

Bomber frowned at young Alex as he ran the length of the hall away from his father and towards his mother. Jessie had insisted on joining Bomber when they gathered for information on the mainland, leaving Alex with his father. Bomber knew why. Their mother was still in Mt Isa, determined never to leave the little farm they had grown up in, even if it was now nothing more than a dust bowl. Whereas Bomber probably should've been worried about their mother, she wasn't. Jessica was worried enough for both of them.

"Do you think they'll go to Mt Isa?" She'd whispered to Bomber during the news, a question that Bomber had returned with a completely blank look. "Do you think these mobs will go after the farm?"

Bomber had just snorted. There was a better chance of rain. "And get what? Dust? Some dead sheep? I don't think mum will have any problems on that front." But still Jess had looked worried, chewing her lip the entire meeting. It was something that hadn't escaped Spider's notice.

"Is your sister okay?" He asked, joining Bomber as she reached the end of the cabins, watching Jess carrying her young son back to their room. "She looked a bit, I don't know, scared by this news."

"She's worried these mobs will head to Mt Isa. I told her she's being stupid." Spider just shrugged. She turned on him. "Aren't you worried about the farm? I mean, Innisfail is basically just down the road."

Spider shrugged again. "We don't have anything worth taking and anyway, cane is good when it burns." He chuckled. "Nah, we'll be fine. Dad's thinking of getting up and selling out anyway. I guess if they burn it down we'll get the insurance money and that's probably worth more than the property on sale."

"Look at you Spider. You're a walking insurance scam." Bomber grinned, turning and heading back towards the galley. Spider instinctively followed. "Where will your dad go, if you sell out? I mean Sydney's pretty much out of the question isn't it? And Melbourne's practically gone."

"Perth. Apparently they're doing okay over there. Nazi-style water restrictions and incredibly high unemployment, but at least they aren't on fire. Looks like the west is won." He joked. Bomber shook her head, stepping into the relative cool of her beloved galley. "My brother Rick lives there. He's still a jerk but at least he's one that's offering mum and dad a room if they want it. It's that or face the 60 degree onslaught in Darwin. Turns out it's too hot up there for even anarchy."

Bomber just shook her head. "So is Cairns but that didn't stop them." She glanced up at the sound of footsteps and saw Buffer walking past. "Hey Buff, you hear about the mainland?" Buffer hadn't been at the meeting.

Buffer nodded. "ET filled me in. It's what happens I'm afraid."

"'The rout of civilisation, the massacre of mankind.'" Spider quoted under his breath. Buffer just chuckled and continued on his way.

Bomber glanced at him. "War of the Worlds?" He glanced up and nodded. "Please don't tell me you've read something more advanced than 'Spot The Dog Bakes A Cake'."

"It was the radio play actually. The musical version." Spider grinned and wiggled his fingers in Bomber's face. "Ulla!"

Bomber cast her eyes skyward. "I should've guessed that."

"I'll have you know that 'Spot The Dog Bakes A Cake' is a very interesting read." He prodded Bomber in the rib, right where he knew she hated it. She just glared at him. "What? It was a birthday cake for his father!"

"Oh go tell Cassandra, I imagine she's the only one who gets you, what with her being three and you having the mental age of a two-year-old." He poked his tongue out at her. "Actually, now you mention it, even she probably thinks you're immature."

"Sticks and stones Bomber, sticks and stones." He gave her a peck on the cheek. "Sticks and stones…" He left and Bomber, shaking her head, went back to work.

***

"TONKINS!" Hunter called. The wiry young assistant came running. He skidded to a halt in front of his boss' desk looking like he'd just been slapped by a fish. He was sure he was in trouble for something.

"Ye… yes sir."

"Tonkins, get me Remington."

"Remington sir?" Unlike Hucknell, Remington was actually a man. Well, a nickname for a man whose real name wasn't important. It was a name derived from one thing – Remington Steel. Remington was a cold-hearted killing machine, a man made of metal, and he could bring down the toughest men with a click of his fingers. He was also Hunter's closest ally. "But he's in the A…"

"I know where he is Tonkins. Get him and his stupid crew on the line. I have a job for him. Tell him it's lucrative and will get him paid millions when the final plan goes through."

"Sir? He's already on a mission from the Argentinean Government. He's been promised 10 million. Why would he come back from that?"

Hunter growled. "Get him on the line Tonkins. And if he refuses to listen tell him the Colonel sent for him. Trust me, he'll come."

Tonkins gasped at a name he hadn't heard in years. "Sir, I thought the Colonel was in prison."

"Tonkins, get Remington. Then you can go research the Colonel all by yourself." He glanced back up at Tonkins. "GO!"

Tonkins skedaddled.