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 at the most."
"That's soon," said Chris with a grimace "Then, we'd better get moving, Al."
"I've spoken to some contacts in the South Africa Forces," said McLeod, "They'll be happy to take any of your men who want to join them."
Chris nodded. At least, it was an option for anyone who did not want to leave Africa.
He hardly said a word to Al on the way to the base, and his heart was heavy when he mounted the steps to the veranda, and entered the office.
Harry was waiting for them.
"Good to see you, Chris," said Harry warmly, "but I hear the news isn't good."
"No, it looks like the end of Nelson's Army." said Chris, and he could not control the frown which wrinkled his brow, as he followed Harry upstairs to the sitting room.
"Commander Chris," said Maria, her face beaming, "It long time. You no come and see us."
Chris smiled at the black woman who took care of them at the base.
"No, I'm sorry, Maria, I've been busy, and I have a new baby to think about now."
Maria beamed at him again, "He be fine soldier too one day." She said and left them with their coffee.
"We'll have to do something for Thomas and Maria and the rest of them," said Chris, "We can't just dump them when the base closes down."
Harry and Al agreed. It was a way of life for the Black community living in the village, which had been built for them down among the trees by the river. They had served the base well over the years.
"Well, my friends," said Chris sadly, "It looks like the end of the line."
"But it was great while it lasted," said Al, "I'm going to miss you guys and all this."
"You'll go back to the farm, will you, Al?" said Chris.
"Afraid so. I'll just have to settle down and become a farmer. God knows how I'll stick it." Al grinned.
Harry sat quietly with his head resting on his hand.
"And what will you do, Harry?" Chris asked.
Harry looked at Chris, "Right now Scotland looks like paradise. I'd like to come to Daggers, and run the chopper business from there. Maybe tag along with Paul on the odd mission." he said with a slight smile
"Great," said Chris, "I'd like nothing better, mate. I don't want to lose all my friends. You could do an odd job for us too, Al, so that you don't get bored with life."
"Sure," said Al, "I'd like to take some of the troopers with me anyway. I need some security for the farm, and I guess I can get away with a small force there."
Chris was thinking out loud.
"Paul and Myrna are staying at Daggers, and we'll need two troops there, I think. Though, for practical reasons, we're going to have to make each one dedicated. No swapping roles. Paul's men need to be too highly skilled to waste at the training centre, so we'll have to choose men for the training role who really want it."
"That leaves two troops here," said Harry.
"I know," replied Chris, "I feel bad about that."
"Well, if I take eight men with me, and Harry wants the two pilots, that leaves thirty to place." said Al.
"McLeod says the South African Reccondo will take them if they want to go." said Chris.
"That will probably suit some guys," said Harry, "There's a lot of Rhodesians who won't want to leave Africa."
Chris was thoughtful, "Look, if we get a lot volunteering for the Reccondo, we can absorb the rest into Daggers. We'll manage to fit them in somehow."
"Okay, I suppose we'd better go and break the news to them, if that's all settled." said Harry who was not looking forward to the task.
"Not quite," said Chris, "There's McLeod. I would still like to use his contacts and his knowledge. It could be useful for Paul too."
"That's surely not a problem, mate," said Al, "We hardly ever see him personally anyway. He's still only a phone call away, even it is from the other side of the world."
"Okay, that sounds good," said Chris, "We can't put it off any longer, guys. Let's go talk to the Squadron."
Harry picked up the phone and called the troopers to parade. Ten minutes later, the three of them stood on the veranda looking at the faces below them.
Chris' face was grim as his gaze swept over the silent group of forty men. They had heard the news, and were prepared for the worst.
Chris stepped forward and hesitated. He had no idea what he was going to say.
"Don't look so miserable, Boss," shouted a trooper, "We'll send you a Christmas card every year."
Chris grinned as the tension broke, and a buzz of chat and laughter rippled through the crowd.
"I'm sorry, guys," Chris said, "It's not my doing. The new Zimbabwe doesn't want us around, but if any of you know of any other Country which does, we'll look at it."
Chris told them the options open to them. Including the troop currently at Daggers, there were fifty-six men for whom they had to find new careers.
"Look, we've got a few weeks," said Chris, "Take your time to think it over. We would like to know what every one of you wants, and then we can decide if we can give it to you. I promised I wouldn't let you down, and I'll do my damndest to see that you're all fairly treated." he paused briefly, "I just want to say thanks, guys. I couldn't have wished for a better bunch of troopers, and I know that goes for Harry and Al too. Drinks are on us tonight."
Chris ran down the steps and stood among the men with whom he had fought and lived for so long. They were more than paid mercenaries. They were his family, and he was going to miss every one of them.
Just at that, the duty trooper came out of the office, "Mr. McLeod for you, Boss," he shouted.
Chris waved in acknowledgement, and left the troopers talking to Harry and Al to answer the phone.
"It's a job for you," said McLeod, "In Zaire. The Congolese rebels have seized the mining town of Kolwezi. The Belgians are reluctant to go in and rescue their people there, and the mining company wants you to go and get their senior manager and a consignment of gold out." McLeod paused, "It's ironic, isn't it. Your last duty in Rhodesia is to help a Country which has been instrumental in destroying you."
"Very funny," said Chris sarcastically, "I hope you're charging them well. I can't see the Europeans sitting back and doing nothing, Alister. Keep in touch. We don't want to get caught in the middle."
Chris went back outside, and held up his hands, "Okay, troopers," he grinned, "Your last chance. Nelson's Army has a job. How about if we all go? Any objections, Al, Harry?"
"Hell no," laughed Al, "But what's this "we" "You've been taking life too easy to keep us with us."
"Watch it, Sterne," grinned Chris, "I can give you a run for your money any day. I'll take the chopper, and the rest of the men. You and Harry take two troops overland. Let's go."
"I said he was soft," laughed Al, "Can't take the rough stuff on the ground. He has to ride in the chopper." The troopers laughed with him as they ran off to collect the equipment they needed.
Chris grinned as he watched Al go, "I'm going to miss that guy, Harry." he said.
Harry laughed, "Sure, like a thorn in your side." he said and he too disappeared towards the stores.
They only left two men and the radio operator at the base, and the rest of the Squadron moved out north for Zaire.
Before they left, Chris contacted McLeod.
"The Belgians are appealing to the French government for help." McLeod said, "You should have a couple of days before they act. Reports say there are fifteen hundred rebels in Kolwezi."
Kolwezi was in the center of the copper mining area of Zaire. The Union Miniere was the main mining company involved, and was responsible for over two thousand Europeans and their families.
McLeod had already given Chris details of the location of the senior manager and his family. They had about six hundred miles to travel to reach their destination, and they motored as fast as they could to reach Kolwezi in the early hours of the morning.
They could hear the sound of mortars and machine guns with sporadic bursts of rifle fire. Fires burned across the town.
Chris had already arrived in the chopper, but was unable to use it for surveillance without being seen, so they left it and the land rovers about half a mile form the town and moved forward on foot till they came to the outskirts of the town.
Chris crawled forward with Harry through the long savannah grass beside a house at the end of a street. There were rebels running along the street and into the houses, looking and killing as they went. Suddenly, a group of rebels came out of a house dragging a white woman who was screaming hysterically. They raped her in the road, and when the last man had finished with her, they shot her dead. They had already killed her husband.
"Jesus, they're animals!" whispered Chris in horror, sick that he had to watch and not be able to do anything to help without giving away their presence.
He was glad he was leaving Rhodesia if this is what it might come to. When the rebels had moved on, they ran unseen through the gardens until they reached a select residential area with large colonial style houses. The rebels had not yet reached it as they carried out their systematic pillaging.
The troopers did not knock before bursting into the mansion, and they faced servants brandishing a shotgun at them. Harry had to duck to avoid the shot while the others disarmed the frightened retainers. Their master was summoned. He was Belgian but he spoke good English.
"Who are you?" he asked, "You're not with the rebels."
"No, " said Chris, "Your Company hired us to get you and your family out of here. You're Mr. Giraud?"
Giraud nodded.
"They also mentioned a consignment of gold." said Chris.
"Yes," said Giraud, "Gold bars from our mine nearby."
"How many of you?" asked Al.
"There's just my wife and me. Our children are away at school, thank God." said Giraud, jumping at the sound of gunfire from outside.
"Looks like the rebels have arrived," said Harry, "Don't worry, Mr. Giraud. Our guys are already in position with machine guns to defend the house."
"What's to the rear?" asked Chris.
"There's a large garden." replied Giraud
Chris and Harry moved quickly through the house to the terrace overlooking a large expanse of lawn, which in better times had hosted many garden parties.
"Can we get the chopper in here, Harry?" said Chris
"Sure," said Harry, "I'll radio him."
"Road runner leader to flying fox. Come in. Over." said Harry.
"Flying fox receiving you loud and clear. Over." The pilot relied.
"Rabbits alive and well. Pick them up behind the hutch. Roadrunner over."
"Flying fox on our way. Over."
"Take care, Flying fox. Bandits all around. Roadrunner leader out." and Harry closed down the transmission, as Chris issued orders to the troopers to carry the crates of gold outside. There were six in all.
Gunfire outside intensified as the rebels tried a frontal assault, but they were beaten back by crossfire from the two machine guns positioned each side of the house. Other troopers were firing from upstairs windows, and Al was in the garden checking that the troopers were in position to defend the chopper when it arrived.
Suddenly, there was a scream from the drawing room where Giraud was sitting with his wife. Chris beat Harry to the door, and threw it open. One rebel held Giraud at gunpoint in a chair, while tow others held his wife by her arms. Her blouse was ripped down the front, and one man was leaning over her.
Chris had already drawn his Browning, and he fired at the man on the left of Madame Giraud, killing him instantly. The other rebel grabbed the woman, and pulled her in front of him, with his rifle at her neck. She whimpered in fear, crying out to her husband.
However, Harry had fired simultaneously at other man holding her husband when he turned towards them as they burst into the room. The first bullet hit him in the shoulder, and as Giraud struggled free, he fired three more shots in rapid succession to kill the rebel. Harry turned to the rebel still holding Madame Giraud, and stood with Chris confronting the now desperate man
"Leave her alone," Harry said in Bantu, the main language in Zaire, "Move away from her now."
The man did not move, "Back off, or I'll kill her," the man replied, also in Bantu, and Harry stopped.
"Please don't hurt her," pleaded Giraud, "I'll give you money, jewels, anything."
"Throw your weapons down, white man." The rebel said to Harry.
Harry did not move, and the man raised his rifle at Harry and fired from his waist. The bullet missed Harry, and imbedded in the wall behind him, but before the rebel could aim again, the window behind him crashed to the floor, showering glass over the man and his hostage.
Al hurtled through the panes, protecting his face with his left arm, while holding a dagger in the other hand. He grabbed the man' hair, and pulled him savagely backwards, at the same time thrusting the dagger up underneath his rib cage. With a thrust of his knee into the man's back he heard the man's neck snap, and Al relaxed, the threat now gone. He threw the body aside and caught Madame Giraud as she fainted into his arms.
"Timing perfect, as usual," said Chris as he helped carry the unconscious woman to a chair. Her husband wept openly and stroked her forehead as she started to recover. He reverted to his native French when he spoke to her, and she put her arms round his neck while he gently consoled her. When she was reasonably calm, he rose to his feet.
"Thank you, thank you." he said, his voice choked with emotion.
They searched the grounds again, and tightened the cordon around the house in case more of the rebels had infiltrated their defences, but they came to the conclusion that the two inside had been hiding in the house before they arrived.
The chopper landed under fire, but was protected by the
troopers in the garden. The gold bars were loaded first, and then Chris helped Giraud and his wife into the chopper.
Chris escorted them with five of the troopers. They took off under heavy fire, but the chopper rose quickly, strafing the rebel positions from its own guns, turning south towards Zambia and home.
Harry and Al spent the night fighting off increasing numbers of rebels, and then made the most of the lull next morning when the enemy pulled back.
Chris was already back at base, and had handed over the
Girauds with the cargo to a Company representative. He was with McLeod when Harry called from the phone in the house, which was still operational.
"We're pinned down here, Alister," said Harry, "Nothing we can't handle right now, but it could get worse."
"Oh, I don't think so, Harry," said Alister with a smile, " The French are on their way. They should be arriving soon, and you'll be bale to get out while the rebels are otherwise engaged."
Harry passed on the information to Al and the rest of the troopers, and they held off the renewed assault in high spirits.
In the mid afternoon. Four C-130 transport planes, supplied by the U.S. Air Force, droned overhead in the sky above Kolwezi. They began dropping the three companies of the 2e REP, the French second Foreign Legion Regiment, into the town. The French paratroopers rapidly seized key positions, and beat off attacks from the rebels.
To reinforce their colleagues, the rebels surrounding the house left for more strategic targets, and Harry and Al practically walked their troops out to the waiting land rovers.
Nelson's Army was back in Zimbabwe by nightfall the next day with no casualties.
The fourth company of the 2e REP had arrived in Kolwezi with heavy weapons, and chased the rebels into the countryside, killing two hundred and fifty of them.
The French released the Europeans, and stayed on for a few days to help restore order before flying back to their base in Corsica.
"Well!" said Chris, as he stood on the veranda, "Quite a successful; operation for our last together. What do you say, guys?"
Chris laughed as they cheered.
"It's even better than you think. Even these two don't know," he went on, turning to indicate Harry and Al.
He lifted a wooden packing case to the steps with some difficulty, for it was obviously heavy.
"Brought your lunch, Boss?" called someone and they all laughed again.
"Better than that, Jim." said Chris and kicked the box down the steps where it split open and twenty-four gold bars spilled out in the sunshine.
"Hey Boss, been robbing a bank?" called someone, "Maybe that could be our new career."
This provoked another burst of laughter, and Chris grinned.
"Not this time, mate," he said, "it's from a grateful husband."
"That makes a change from the ones with the shotguns." retorted someone else.
"You're right there, mate. As if I would. It means though, guys, that you'll all have a nice bonus to take with you. Now all, we would need to know is what each of you wants to do, so let's go to the bar, and get that drink. Commander Sterne and Commander Shaw will see you one at a time. I have to go to Salisbury, and turn this into hard cash. I'll join you when I get back, if any of you are still sober."
Chris went to see McLeod first, and together they took the gold to the bank.
"It's been a pleasure knowing you, Commander." said McLeod as they sat in a bar and had a drink together.
"Oh yes, I'm sure," grinned Chris, "We didn't exactly get off to a good start, but I'm grateful for your perseverance, Alister. I hope we can still work together. You're still part of the team."
"Yes, I'm sure we can, Chris," said McLeod, "I'm not getting any younger, and I'm looking forward to having more time to do other things, but I'll still be working for Daggers, and doing the best I can to get you work."
"I'll see you and Jane before I go, and I'm sure we'll be back to visit." said Chris as he shook hands with Alister.
He then went to see Agnes, and she opened the door to him with her little girl on her hip.
"Oh, it's you!" she said, as if he was someone who visited regularly, "What have you done with Al this time?"
"Hey, sweetheart, don't I get a kiss from my favourite girl?" Chris said and kissed her cheek.
The child giggled, and Chris tickled her chin.
"We had a job to do, Sweetheart," Chris said, "Al's at the base. He might not be back till the morning." he said with a grin, knowing the type of farewell the Squadron enjoyed.
"Chris, why does it always have to be Al? Can't you find anyone else?"
Agnes looked tired as she spoke.
Chris put his arm round her shoulder as they went inside, and took the little girl from her and sat down.
"She's like you," he said, bouncing Kirstie on his knee, "Agnes," he went on, suddenly serious, "Come and sit down, Sweetheart."
Agnes curled up on the couch beside him, and let Kirstie hold her finger.
"Sweetheart," said Chris, "I have never made Al take any duty he didn't want. We had a job, our last with the Squadron. We all went."
Agnes did not say anything.
"You know, Agnes, " he went on, "You mustn't strangle Al. He has a wild spirit, like you, and he'll shrivel and die if you don't let him fly from time to time, and I don't mean in his plane."
"I know, Chris," Agnes said, and she put her head on his shoulder.
Kirstie reached out for her, and Chris held them both.
"I'm afraid," she said softly, "Al doesn't really want to be a farmer. I'm afraid he might eventually run away from it, and from me. A baby changes its mother more than it changes its father." she finished sadly.
"Agnes, this isn't the girl I left here two years ago." said Chris, "Of course you've changed. Your body has changed, and you're bound to feel different. Christ!" he paused and laughed, "Here you go again. These are things you should discuss with your mother, not me."
Agnes laughed too, "But I can talk to you, Chris," she said, "You understand."
Chris hugged her, "Then promise me that you'll support Al, and not give him any hassle. He wants you to be happy, Agnes, happy and carefree. You can do that even with a dozen babies. You have no money worries with Al. Just enjoy life, especially while you're young."
Agnes sat up and punched his arm, "You're not so old yourself, Chris," she said, "Let's all go out before you go back. Dancing. That would be nice. I'll get my sisters to come."
"That's better Sweetheart," said Chris, "Now you make yourself beautiful tomorrow night, and it's a date."
Chris kissed her forehead, and left to join the party back at the base.
It took them two or three days to collate all the information from the troopers about what they wanted to do. The majority of Rhodesians and other African nationals elected to join the South African Reccondo, a highly trained reconnaissance Commando unit, specialising in hot pursuit missions tracking guerilla groups. Some of the men decided to give up a military career all together, and others joined the army of the Country of their birth. When the count was eventually taken, Chris was left with an additional twenty men who wanted to go to Daggers. Paul's troop wanted to stay together, and there was no opening there. Two of the men were the pilots Harry wanted with him.
"Okay," said Chris, "Let's take a risk and employ them at Daggers. As long as they're prepared to do anything, we can just about afford them till I think of something they can do."
They dismantled the base, took all the paperwork to Alister McLeod, and sold the equipment and weapons where they could.
The land on which the base was built, they gave to Thomas and Maria to run as a communal farm so that all the Blacks who had worked at the base would have employment. Al was going to keep an eye on them and advise them.
In a few days Al would be taking Agnes and Kirstie to the farm where he was born, and which he would inherit one day.
"You have a great a family there, Al," said Chris, as he said goodbye outside Al's house.
"I know. She's my responsibility," Al grinned, "And I'm glad I took it on, mate," he said.
"Don't lose touch, Chris," he added, his blue eyes serious, "I need a good friend."
Chris gripped Al's right hand and held his arm with the other. "Just say the word my friend, and I'll be right out here any time you need me."
They looked at one another, but neither said another word.
Chris waved to Agnes who was standing at the door, and then turned and jumped into the land rover.
Al went to stand beside Agnes, and he put his arm round her shoulders.
"I'm going to miss that guy." he said and waved to Chris.
"Me too." whispered Agnes, her voice choked with emotion.
Chris drove the land rover back to the former base to pick up Harry and the twenty men leaving with them. They were giving all the vehicles to Thomas.
Chris hugged Maria, "Now take care, do you hear, and if you need anything, contact Mr. McLeod in Salisbury." he said.
Maria wailed, tears rolling down her face, "Commander Chris, Commander Harry. My men all gone. I no happy." she said.