A New World Book 3. The Day the Lights went Out

The Day the Lights Went Out

A New World

Book Three

Terrence Aubrey

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2011 - 2014 Terrence Aubrey.

All rights reserved worldwide.

All contents copyright 2013 by Terrence Aubrey

All rights reserved. No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the Author and publisher.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction, an invention on the part of the author. All names, characters and places used within this trilogy have been invented, from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, places or localities is completely coincidental.

ISBN 978-1-62314-534-7

About the Author

Terrence Aubrey was born in Bristol, England, the only son of a Ballet dancer mother and composer father. Rebellious of nature and from an early age, he abandoned his education at the earliest possible moment, fifteen. He showed no inclination of following in the artistic footsteps of his parents during his formative years.

Preferring a self enlightening process, he set off upon an adventure that led him to experiment with understanding the mind and the development of self awareness. During that period he enjoyed extensive World travel across the countries of Europe, the America’s, north and south and the FSU. He found those travels, enriching, mind opening and educational and in equal measure.

He discovered both a passion and love of writing by chance, while establishing a website. It was a website than required a lot of varied content. That ultimately led him to the writing of many articles upon diverse subjects. That in turn led to him creating a blog. The leap from blogging to writing full length novels was a gradual process.

Many of his novels reflect his environmental concern for the way we, the human race have evolved and the consequences that path has led us towards. Whilst many of his novels are dramatic, even apocalyptic, they also show a way forward. Whether you believe that way to be better or worse than the current status quo is for you to decide.

Terrence Aubrey currently lives on a farm in southern Spain and cultivates Avocados. He has four sons, three dogs and writes. He has now published several works of fiction.

Prologue

Can you imagine a World, or life without electricity? Four AM on the twenty third of November, two thousand and sixteen was the day the lights went out.

The story so far

It was now more than three weeks since the day the lights went out in the City of Phoenix Arizona. The group of power workers from Phoenix Power now knew that the problem was far more widespread.

Phoenix, Arizona was plunged into darkness at four AM November the twenty sixth of November, two thousand and sixteen.

A small group of power workers from Phoenix Power, the sole suppliers of power for the city of Phoenix work through the night. They are faced with a mystery, nothing is down or broken, in fact everything is as it should be.

Phoenix is effectively plunged into chaos, there is no functioning communication. Paul Sanderson, the plant manager dispatches six technicians to investigate the situation further afield. Using the plants powerful BMW motorbikes he sends four of his men elsewhere in Arizona, New River, Apache Junction, Buckeye and Gilbert. This was the only means of knowing how widespread the power outage was. For good measure he dispatches a further two of his technicians further afield, one to El Paso, Texas and one to Pueblo, Colorado.

The news that the technicians bring back is worrying. All four of the chosen towns within Arizona are without electricity and equally there is no physical or logical reason why this should be.

Even more bizarrely they discover that vehicle lights will not function, even whilst vehicles fire up normally, illogical.

It is decided that a small group of them should set off in convoy to investigate the mystery further afield. Girlfriends, ex girlfriends and a dog included.

Rapidly they give up the cause, something inexplicable has taken place. Realising that without electrical power life within America was about to change dramatically, they change the nature of their mission.

They head south to Florida with the intention of setting up a farm. They have effectively become a group of survivalists.

Unknown to them a small, but powerful group of military commanders to the south have declared martial law. They are increasing convinced that the power has been turned off intentionally.

As they drive south the situation deteriorates rapidly and they encounter increasing military road blocks.

Out of the blue, a young and extraordinarily gifted young girl joins them, pairing up with their sole fellow traveler. She would become increasing crucial as they journey south, as would her knowledge and wisdom. Despite her young age, barely 18, her depth of knowledge ran deep, very deep.

Eventually they encounter an army road block and discover the untruth’s that the armed forces have been fed.

A mutiny begins under the reluctant leadership of a young Corporal. It slowly spreads in the hills of New Mexico. One afternoon after Paul and their new recruit take a break from helping the growing number of soldiers in open revolt; she tells Paul the nature of the problem.

The plug has been pulled on Man kind’s folly, she tells him and it will not be put back in!

The further southeast the convoy of the Phoenix Power workers progress the more dangerous the situation becomes.

The army was taking over towns and cities across New Mexico and in many cases confiscating food, fuel and other essential supplies. The situation was rapidly deteriorating, the sky now frequently filled with columns of smoke from sacked towns.

The mutiny army, led by young Corporal Phil, was meantime growing in strength. The soldiers stationed in the hills of New Mexico, mutiny, once the untruths that they have been fed is explained to them. The young Corporal’s army begins to grow and rapidly.

The convoy member’s face a dilemma, do they continue south east, or try to help the mutiny army they have unwittingly helped create? They do both at the same time, two of their members return to help the young Corporal while the rest continue south east!

When they reunite it is near the border of Oklahoma, it is highly dangerous. Pockets of the heavily armed forces lie all around.

They finally make it across the desert and into Oklahoma, but not without cost. Another young woman joins the convoy, the daughter of friends of Mitch, the astonishing young lady from the New Mexico hills. She is of American Indian decent and can guide them further south and east through too Arkansas.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, the power workers resort to ever slower and more remote country roads and tracks. Meanwhile, west of them, huge battles are taking place. The young Corporal is determined to overthrow the army hierarchy that is causing so much death, destruction and suffering.

Increasing numbers of soldiers join up with the young Corporal. There follow a series of battles between the now huge army of mutineers and the official army. These take place all across southern New Mexico.

Jasmine’s parents and brothers decide to abandon their farm join the power workers, destination Florida. The rest of the Hells Angels make the same decision, almost one hundred of them.

Paul Sanderson suggests that they find a place to hole up and hide for a while. He felt that to continue south, as the war raged, had become too dangerous. It was an idea that worked fine for a while, but only a while. Unwittingly their chosen hiding place was within ten miles of a main east west road.

They discover by accident, that massive convoys of huge destructive fire power are being sent west towards New Mexico from Texas. Their purpose was obviously to put down the revolution led by Corporal Phil.

The power workers must warn him, but how? The only means of finding Corporal Phil would involve travelling back through, what was now, effectively a war zone.

Synopsis

The situation had become both difficult and dangerous; the power workers were effectively now traveling through a war zone. Unwittingly they had instigated a mutiny, a revolution, within the American army.

Massive military convoys of huge destructive capability are pouring out of Texas and heading Corporal Phil’s way. Jeff, Jasmine and Mitch set off to try to warn him, a very dangerous mission.

It had taken the power workers more than three weeks, but they were still barely halfway to their destination, Florida. Danger, or no, they must continue south. What were their plans once they arrived in Florida? They were essentially going to start over, start farming and become self sufficient.

How they would achieve that was something they didn’t know. What they did know, was if they wished to survive the new reality they must either become self sufficient, or die trying.

Chapter 1

Day 28

A Continuation

Paul felt a sense of frustration and disempowerment, not something that he was accustomed too. It was more or less twenty four hour’s now since Jeff, Jasmine and Mitch had departed. They had departed upon a noble, but dangerous mission to warn Corporal Phil of the huge army convoys heading his way from Texas. They were army convoys of sufficiently enormous destructive power to stop Corporal Phil’s revolution in its tracks. If Jeff, Mitch and Jasmine could avoid the army and if they could reach Corporal Phil in time, he might have a chance. They were operating on blind faith; they didn’t actually know where he was.

Paul and his co-workers from Phoenix power had been travelling south east now for almost a month. They had set off from Phoenix initially to search for the cause of the power failure, but had quickly given up, once they found that nothing was damaged.

Having come to the conclusion that something extraordinary had transpired they changed course and were now halfway to Florida! They were now in affect a group of survivalists and had chosen Florida as the place to make their stand.

They had heard rumours that Corporal Phil was now leading a huge army and had been totally victorious in New Mexico. Never the less they felt he needed to be made aware of the danger heading his way. Jeff had set off without actually knowing where Corporal Phil would be, but assumed that by now, both he and his army would be widely known throughout New Mexico.

Sue had started supper early, it was only five thirty and the Sun was still quite high, but it had seemed a good idea. The holiday spirit that they had been enjoying the last few days had disappeared as Jeff, together with Mitch and Jasmine had driven out of their camp. She hoped that a good supper with perhaps a good bottle of wine or two would help lift everyone’s spirits.

Jeff, Jasmine and Mitch had now been travelling since just after Sun rise and practically without a break and had almost come unstuck. They practically bumped into an enemy convoy, as they turned onto the only major road nearby. Only through the raw power and speed of the big BMW bike had they got clear and were now several hours ahead of the massive enemy convoy heading towards New Mexico.

Jeff was making good progress, even increasing his speed a little. He wanted to cover as much ground as possible before the Sun went down. They had paused, but very briefly to clean themselves off from the desert dust, throw together some sandwiches and quench their thirsts, but that was it. Jeff consulted Jasmine upon their progress; she thought that it was about another eighty miles to the state border of New Mexico. How much further before we encounter water, he had asked her. About one hundred and eighty miles, Jasmine had guessed.

Jeff glanced at the Sun, about another hour of daylight. He would continue as long as possible into the night, quite how long depended upon the moonlight. Luckily the road he was following was straight, straight, straight and Jasmine had told him it would remain so. Jeff was conscious that he had no clue how they were going to find Corporal Phil, but equally, was confident that they would.

Corporal Phil enjoyed both his supper and the beer that washed it down and decided to take a stroll amongst his troops. They had fought a hard battle, a battle that had arrived out of nowhere, but ultimately, they had been victorious. Some losses had been sustained amongst his troops. It was something he was only to discover later. One tank together with its entire crew had been wiped out and several of his troops had sustained minor injuries.

His thoughts wandered, Commander Franklin would now be several hundred miles west, as he made his way to California. Captain Benjamin and Captain Walter’s must by now be somewhere in either the north or south of New Mexico.

Corporal Phil guessed the Texan border was not so far in front of them. He hadn’t bothered to check his map, what was the point? He would continue to lead his army east. Sooner or later they would encounter the armies that he must either persuade to unite with him, or defeat.

The soldiers that had been detailed to inspect the defeated convoy began returning, they had encountered not one soldier, only twisted and torn wreckage and fields of abandoned tanks. The soldiers had clearly fled.

Sue had made a special effort, aided by Sandy and Jenny and there were two courses, a first! The first course was tomato soup, made purely from tomatoes, plus some spices and herbs. It was quite delicious and popular with everyone. The second course was equally delicious, diced mushrooms and nuts together with a Broccoli and cheese sauce.

Sue was heartened to feel everyone’s spirits rising as they enjoyed her efforts. She had also produced the best wine they had recently bought, a bottle of Californian white and a bottle of red from Chile.

There is also after dinner entertainment, she told them, as they sipped wine around the glowing embers of the fire Jake had put together. It wasn’t cold, but like Sue, Jake had felt a special effort was needed this night.

Yes tonight and for one night only we will present you with, ‘Les femme’s fatal de la Convoy’. The guy’s clapped while the girls looked at her questionably! She winked at them.

Sue gathered the girls together and explained her reasoning, they each agreed with her. She then told them to go dress with more than they were accustomed too.

A strip tease will not be very teasing if you are practically naked to start with! She’d explained, unnecessarily. Within five minutes they were ready and returned to the camp fire. The guy’s clapped.

I forgot to tell you, you are the band! Sue told the guys! The girls lined up, each looking stunning and clothed from neck to toe, the first time they had dressed so in quite a while.

The guy’s had picked a Leonard Cohen song they all knew, a song from way back, ‘Suzanne’. Jake had opted to be vocal guitar while Paul, Ron and Mike sang, though none of their voices were deep enough.

Jake was actually quite good at the guitar parts, he knew them off by heart.

The girls put on quite a show and had taken Sue’s advice; it was both languid and slow. Each of them had managed to find long, flimsy and flowing dresses.

As the guys musical support began each of the girls began to unbutton shirts, raise skirts, or release shoulder straps. The guys were trying to remember the words, though Jake was a rock with the melody.

It was twenty minutes before they rejoined their men having striped down to their underwear. Jake and the guys had, had to ad lib for most of it, but the mood had lightened.

For ten minutes they shared light chit chat until gradually and two by two they retired to their tents.

I’m going to have to stop, Jeff told them. There isn’t enough light to continue, it’s too dangerous. Luckily, Jasmine knew vaguely where they were.

If you can keep going for a few more miles there are some rocky places we can hide behind, just in case, she added. Jeff agreed, slowing down even more, he was tired and the light was poor.

Just here, Jasmine told him after ten minutes had passed. He pulled to the right, following her instruction and she guided him until she was sure they were safely out of sight of the road. Jeff was relieved to turn the bikes engine off.

Jasmine and Mitch busied themselves with the sleeping bags, undressed, draping their clothes over the rocks and then helped Jeff out of his clothes. Soon they were snuggled up cosily within the sleeping bags, Mitch and Jasmine cuddled up side by side of him and Jeff was asleep in seconds.

Chapter 2

Day 29

Mitch awoke with a start; it was the discordant sound of tracked vehicles, as they dragged and ground themselves over the tarmac. Jasmine was stirring and Mitch gently coaxed Jeff to wakefulness, she guessed that it was maybe four AM. Jeff and Jasmine became fully awake, as the discordant the noise from the enemy convoy gradually increased. The enemy convoy had kept going through the night, Jeff realised. Not only had they caught them up, they were now overtaking them, shit.

Mitch told them to wait, as she crawled from their makeshift bed for the night to retrieve their clothes. She was as stealthy as a cat and within minutes returned soundlessly.

Damn, they kept going, how can they see? Jeff asked, feeling a sense of exacerbation and frustration.

They have secured kerosene lamps to lots of their jeeps and tracked vehicles. Mitch explained. My guess is they are only travelling at ten miles per hour, and remember they can change drivers.

Mitch realised that both she and Jasmine should have taken shifts at driving, something that had not occurred to her! They had all incorrectly assumed the enemy convoy would also halt overnight. An error! They were clearly in a rush to get to wherever they were headed.

Now what to do, Jeff said, thinking out loud and feeling bitter frustration, they had just thrown away a four, or five hour lead!

Right now nothing, Mitch told them calmly. We must wait very quietly while they pass and that will probably take quite some time. They were unconsciously talking in whispers. Jasmine, do you have any ideas? Jeff asked.

Only one, we must risk riding through the desert, but to do that we must first wait until they have passed and for daylight, yes? It was obvious, but Jasmine felt she should point that out. They are travelling very slowly, so overtaking them will not be a problem, but it will not be easy and we will leave a huge wake of dust in our wake.

Firstly we will need to head at least ten miles into the desert before we head west but there is a risk, Jasmine admitted. Actually, I should drive, for sure I know the desert better than you, there is a very real danger of becoming bogged down in sand drifts, the last thing we need.

Both Mitch and Jeff had to agree with both her suggestion and analysis of the situation.

We should try to get back to sleep, Mitch advised, not easy I know. The discordant sounds of the tanks and halftracks seemed as like something from hell. But we must try. We need to be fresh for today and this time Jasmine, or I will relieve you if you tire Jeff. We must try to warn Corporal Phil before it is too late.

They slept, but fitfully, the clanking grinding din would die down occasionally, but only until the next section of tracked vehicles passed. Eventually sleep came to each of them.

The Hell’s Angels were not happy chappies, it was understandable, this was now their forth night at the lake and they didn’t have a clue as to what was happening. Mick wanted to return to the Power workers camp and find out what the hell was happening, despite the danger. Chuck had talked him out of it, afraid for his safety, but would not be able to restrain him forever.

Chuck was feeling increasingly that they’d made a big mistake in joining up with the power workers. Sure, his farm couldn’t compete with the climate they were heading towards, supposed to be heading towards, he realised bitterly. One thing was sure; it sure beat where they now were. One, or two days maximum and Mick would go, of that he was sure. He would at least ensure that he took a heavily armed guard with him. Given that the sky had been cloudless for days and the moon was quite full they should make it within a day. He had to admit that he too was feeling frustration; it would be good to know what the fuck was happening. He’d even toyed with the idea of returning to Oklahoma and his farm.

Chapter 3

Day 30

Jasmine was the first to awake from the heat of the rising Sun. Tentatively and without disturbing the others; she climbed out of the sleeping bag then clambered up some nearby rocks. The road was clear, the enemy convoy had passed! Slithering back to the sand she retrieved one of the water containers and poured some water in a bowl which she poured over her head.

Jasmine had awoken feeling worried; it seemed that everything was coming apart. She knew her folks and the Angels would by now be feeling pissed off and couldn’t blame them. If only Paul had included them in the discussion to pause and hide for a few days!

In many ways the decision to hide out for a few days had been inspired, but only in some ways. Because Paul had confided his ideas in no one, his good idea had become a chaotic nightmare.

No, hopefully they would be able to warn Corporal Phil of the danger heading his way in time. Jasmine realised that she was looking forward to meeting the young Corporal. He had become an almost mythical figure in her imagination.

Jasmine only hoped her father would be able to calm her brother, Mick he was a hot headed at the best of times!

Two days Jasmine calculated, perhaps three at the most and they’d be back at the camp. Whilst she was the newest member of the convoy she would insist that they continue their journey south. She’d talk with Jeff and Mitch, maybe they would back her up. Failing all else, she would set off solo to Chucks camp, the situation was ridiculous.

Why the long face? Mitch asked, climbing from the sleeping bags.

Been thinking about my dad, my folks and the Angels, they’ve been stuck up at that lake for an age and I know them. They are not going to be happy bunnies at all. Mitch sympathised, it was a mess, but what could they do, they were heading in the opposite direction?

Probably small consolation, but it won’t happen again, Paul’s learnt his lesson. From here on in everyone will be included in any major shift of plans. Mitch told her, suspecting it was small consolation.

I just hope they don’t do anything stupid, especially my brother, Mick, I know him.

I’m sorry Jasmine, I feel bad about it too, but right now we need to remain focused. The success or failure of our mission could well determine the outcome of this revolution. Mitch said. I’ve felt the minds behind the actions of the official army. If they manage to overcome Corporal Phil it would be a disaster."

Jeff crawled from the sleeping bags, interrupting the conversation. They cleaned up, as best they could, dressed and finished off Sue’s sandwiches.

By the way, I think its Christmas day, Jeff told them. Jasmine and Mitch looked at each other, then Jeff and realised he might be right. It felt weird, they were stuck in a desert, the temperatures would probably again reach the mid nineties and they were involved in a war of epic proportions.

They shared a brief hug and that was the beginning and end of their Christmas celebrations. It was time to try and overtake the enemy convoy.

Corporal Phil’s army was up and ready, the entire squad had cleaned up in the river and was now enjoying breakfast. Corporal Phil had again studied his maps; they would soon be entering the desert, a mostly huge, flat expanse dotted with small barren hills.

After yesterday’s unexpected and unpleasant surprise, he had arranged with his Dispatch Commander for a small team of bikes and Jeeps to travel five miles ahead of the main convoy. He hoped that would give them sufficient warning of any approaching danger.

The system of inter communication between his thirty two convoys, via the dispatch riders seemed to be working. It seemed that only one other convoy had so far encountered any opposition, a convoy well north of them.

Breakfast over, the five jeeps and six bikes set off. The main convoy set off not much later, but at a speed determined by their tanks and half tracked vehicles. They were inadvertently heading straight into harms way.

Jasmine was riding the bike skillfully; they had set off due north and had already covered eight miles. Both Mitch and Jasmine were lightly dressed, Jeff too, it was already hot and was going to become hotter. They were each covered in a fine film of dust within minutes of setting off.

Jasmine seemed to read the desert; seemed to know it, she was not driving fast, maybe twenty five miles an hour. Occasionally she made sweeping detours, around what she obviously considered to be dangerously deep sand. Jeff knew he would not have spotted it and was pleased to allow Jasmine to drive, at least in the dessert. They were now heading west. Mitch had pointed out that the dust trails would work both ways. If and when they spotted the enemies dust trail they could pull further away.

After perhaps a further twenty minutes they did. It was still some way ahead of them and the enemy’s footprint of dust must logically be much greater than their lone bike. Never the less, Jasmine angled a little more to the north, just to be sure.

It had been agreed between them that Jeff would always drive the bike, or ride pillion. Mitch was quite happy to take the outrider seat; she was their emergency shotgun rider.

After perhaps another fifteen minutes Jasmine shouted over her shoulder. She had spotted two bikes heading their way from the south west.

Whoever was commanding this convoy was covering all of his bases, he was obviously using scouts. Jeff explained the situation to Mitch, she took the news calmly. No longer did she feel hesitation in killing members of what she now thought of as the bad army.

When I tell you, turn south, I’ll deal with it, she calmly told Jeff. Jeff in turn relayed the information to Jasmine. They continued upon their converging and current path until Mitch shouted to Jeff, who in turn shouted to Jasmine.

Jasmine slowly turned south, the two bikes now coming straight at them. Mitch did not hurry; she wanted them both closer before she fired. She did not want any chance that either of these riders would survive and inform of their presence.

Mitch aimed at the furthest bike; she must have hit the gas tank it exploded. The second bike tried to take evasive action, but against Mitch it was pointless. This time she perhaps punctured a tyre, as the bike cart wheeled, the rider was thrown clear.

Jasmine slowed, the rider was still alive!

Do we want to take him prisoner? Jasmine asked.

No, resume our journey, he will be armed and it’s too risky. Jeff advised.

Jasmine continued west the limit of the enemy dust cloud just visible, they were slowly, but surely over hauling them. Jeff only hoped that they could get far enough ahead to find and warn Corporal Phil in time. He had hoped to be hours ahead of them by now. The fact that they had continued through the night had been an unpleasant surprise.

Sue’s efforts the previous evening had not been in vain, she was pleased to see, as Ron and Sandy clambered from their tent is obviously good spirits. They both waded towards her leaving their wash bags upon the shore. Sandy gave her a big hug; kissing her passionately and when she had finished Ron scooped her up. Sue looked very small in his arms.

What can we do for our super chef? Sandy asked.

You don’t have to do anything silly, Sue replied cradled like a child against Ron’s massive chest.

I know that, but we are going to anyway, you deserve it. I’ll tell you what, Ron you bathe her and for a treat I’ll make the coffee.

Just bathe her? Ron smiled.

That’s up to Sue, you Tom Cat. Sandy replied, with a smirk.

Well you heard the lady; please allow me to bathe you.

Sounds nice to me, I enjoyed it the last time.

I feel like a princess, Sue exclaimed with a big smile when they returned to the kitchen.

You are and you deserve all the pampering we can give you. You really lifted moral last night, your timing was perfect. Sandy said, handing her a coffee. How would you like to start your day, maybe with a massage?

Wow, now I really do feel like a princess! Yes please a massage would be lovely. People began to emerge from the tents. Even despite Sue’s efforts the previous evening the mood was pensive. It was understandable; the current situation was far from perfect. Jeff, Mitch and Jasmine were in danger and Corporal Phil was in danger. Paul was equally very aware that Chuck and the Angels were miles away and had no clue as to what was going on. He made an instant decision and made his way to Ron.

Ron, I’m going to run up to Chucks camp, I feel bad about their situation.

Not alone you’re not, Ron told him, I’ll come with you. The others had gathered round. Their current situation seemed to be going from bad to worse, now Paul and Ron were about to put themselves in harms way. Equally they understood Paul’s reasoning. Jasmine’s folks and the Angels had joined them in good faith. They were now camped up in the middle of nowhere and with no idea of what was happening. Whilst no one said anything, the consequences of Paul’s error of judgment, seemed to be amplifying on a near daily basis.

Ron gave Mike their stash of cash to take care of and made a fuss of Brutus, before Sandy took him into her care. Even Brutus seemed anxious. Both Sandy and Angie took their men for a short stroll and in opposite directions. Mike topped up Ron’s fuel tank and put three rifles and one of his semi-automatic rifles in Ron’s outriders.

Both Angie and Sandy suppressed their concerns, as Paul drove out from the camp, Ron riding shotgun. Only when they were out of sight, did they each succumb to their emotions. Those remaining gathered around and offered their support. Sue knew that there was nothing she could do to lift spirits, not now and not until their people returned. Well there was something, she’d try and ensure that those remaining, pitifully few, stayed together.

Chuck knew as soon as their camp came to life that Mick had decided to return and confront the power workers. He didn’t even try to dissuade him. His eldest son took after him, a stubborn son of a bitch when he wanted to be. At least he was taking an armed escort and had chosen well. The guys he was taking with him were both tough and excellent shots. They were taking three bikes with out riders and were armed to the hilt. Each of the bikes was topped up with fuel and some spare cans also. Rifles, a couple of machine guns and even a couple of grenades and two old, but serviceable bazookas were loaded into the out riders. Mick wasn’t planning on talking his way past any army troops they encountered.

Jane took Mick aside and walked to the edge of the forest, Chuck and Todd looked on. They could vaguely hear Jane singing, she was singing in her native Navajo tongue and her palms were rested upon Mick’s head, as she did so. Mick seemed calmer when they returned. They were ready to leave and did so rapidly. Neither Chuck, nor Mick were ones for drawn out farewells.

Jasmine had gradually overhauled the enemy convoy and they had encountered no further enemy bikes. The Sun had risen, it was much hotter and they were all perspiring heavily. The slow speed at which they were travelling offered little or no respite from the heat. They were each of them completely covered in dust, Mitch and Jasmine now travelling half naked particularly so. They had both removed their vests and the dust was sticking to their sweaty skin. Jeff had offered to take over the driving, but Jasmine thought she should continue. Jeff did not disagree; Jasmine drove through the sand with uncanny skill. It was almost as though she could sense her way through the undulating landscape. Jasmine was now heading back towards the road; she could then up their speed. Jeff was aware that the enemy convoy was not far behind them. There were so many if’s, where was Corporal Phil likely to be, how far ahead of them was he and even if they found him, how much time would he have to prepare a defense?

Mitch had meanwhile erected and secured the pole and white vest that Sandy had given them. The last thing they wanted was for Corporal Phil’s army to think that they were part of the enemy army.

Jeff had retrieved his binoculars some five miles back and had for some time been scanning the distant horizon. He could see something, tiny specks upon the horizon and homed in on one of them. Yes there was no doubt, there was something heading their way. He told Mitch and then Jasmine. Mitch loaded first one, then another rifle.

They must be Corporal Phil’s men; Jeff reasoned to himself, the enemy would not be traveling in two opposite directions.

Jeff was actually disappointed, Corporal Phil’s army were much closer to the advancing enemy army than he had hoped.

Can we up the speed a little? he asked Jasmine.

Yes, maybe a little, the sand is beginning to thin we are nearing the edge of the desert. Jeff was conscious that Mitch and Jasmine were half naked. It was too late to do anything about that now! As Jeff continued to observe the horizon, the images became clearer. It was bikes, he counted six of them.

Corporal Phil’s lead dispatch rider carried a passenger as lookout. He had been training his binoculars upon the lone bike heading towards them for some time. It gradually became clearer; it was a bike with an outrider attached. He advised his companion, then the other riders. They began to converge into a V as the distance narrowed. A couple of the riders checked that their rifles were secure within their holders, they were. The lookout spotted the white flag, or so he assumed it to be and again informed his companion. He then signaled to the others riders, now much closer, his fingers in a V, the symbol of peace.

Jeff could see more dots on the horizon, five of them;