by Dorothy Skinner

Created on: August 22, 2008   Last Updated: May 05, 2010

When The Dealing's Done

Chapter 1.

End of an Era.

Chris leaned against the table and watched his baby son trying to pull himself up at the couch. Steven would be one year old next month.
"What is it, Chris?" asked Kate, looking up at him.
Chris had just put the phone down after speaking to Alister McLeod in Rhodesia.
Chris' face tightened, "Smith's conceded, and Rhodesia has just officially become Zimbabwe just to appease the U.N. and the Nationalist groups." he said.

"But, what does that mean for Nelson's Army?" Kate asked.
"It means," said Chris slowly, "That they sure as hell won't want us there. I'll have to go out to the base. I'm sorry, Sweetheart, I probably won't be back for Steven's birthday."
"Sure now, it can't be helped," said Kate, trying to sound more understanding than she felt, "But be careful, Chris."
He kissed her, "Could you pack a few things for me, Princess," he said, "I have to see Paul and Myrna before I go."
Chris left Kate and drove to Daggers, where Paul and Amy were just finishing a meal.
"Trouble, Chris?" asked Paul when he saw Chris' face.
"Not yet," replied Chris, "But you can bet there will be for us out in the new Zimbabwe before long."
He explained what had happened.
"Paul, could we absorb any more men here at Daggers?" he said thoughtfully.
"Oui, mon ami," said Paul, replying in his native French before reverting to English, "We can find them work. There's plenty of security jobs around, but we're full to the seams as it is."
"Okay, thanks," said Chris, "See you when I get back. Keep an eye on Kate for me."
Chris did not need to say that to Paul. He knew Paul would always take care of his family when he was away, and as Amy accompanied them to the door, he smiled fondly at her. She was radiant in her second pregnancy and he kissed her cheek.
"Take care of this one too," he said to Paul, and grinned at them, as he and Paul briefly shook hands.

Security was tight at the airport when Chris arrived, and he was thoroughly searched before he was allowed through. Al was waiting for him, and they drove straight to McLeod's office.
"Hello. Alister," said "Chris, "What have you learned?"
"It's not good, Chris," said McLeod, "The SAS is to be disbanded. Two thirds of the country is already under martial law with ZANU and ZAPU stirring up trouble everywhere. There are already murmurings about your presence here. They say you're a potential threat to national security, and they're proposing legislation to make Nelson's Army illegal. You have a few months

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