Immediately Finn wondered whether John and Jess’s farm would be affected. He didn’t think they could take it if they had to abandon their home a second time. ‘Is the Winton area going to be evacuated?’ Finn asked.
‘If the place was going to be evacuated, it’d be evacuated already,’ the lieutenant replied.
Finn was relieved to hear that John and Jess would be unaffected by the relocations. Knowing they’d be fine, he felt the pull of responsibility to get back with his squad.
‘So where’s the nearest base to me? I’ll go there tomorrow,’ said Finn.
‘You’ll need to get yourself to Rockhampton. From there we can arrange transport for you.’
‘Rockhampton. Okay. It’ll take me a day or two, but I’ll leave tomorrow.’
‘I’ll let them know to expect you.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘No problem. And well done on your escape. Sounds like we’ll need a thorough debrief when you’re back.’
Finn walked out of the pub and into the warm morning sun and buzzing street. He felt conflicted. The last thing he wanted to do was leave Jess. He savoured every moment with her, but at the same time he wanted to stand beside his mates again. Christ, my mates, he thought to himself. Only four of them had made it out.
Climbing into the Patrol, he started the engine and headed back to the homestead. The drive back seemed even longer than usual, as he mulled over his predicament. He wanted to stay and finish helping John and Jess. It was the least he could do for them. But at the same time he felt like he should be with his mates, even if it was just herding civilians around. The really hard, heavy work on the homestead was almost done. John and Jess could finish the rest themselves. Soon his conscience would be able to let him go and he could get back to his mates.
Chapter 20
It was 0500 hours, pitch-black and drizzling steadily at Christchurch airport. The two B-5 stealth bombers taxied into a huge hangar, engines deafening to unprotected ears. The planes looked like huge angular boomerangs, the wings melding into the fuselage seamlessly. The powerful lights of the hangar reflected off the black, wet surface of the planes as they came to a standstill, ushered in by the ground crew.
The US Air Force normally used the enormous hangar for covert survey missions to map out the enormous oil reserves in the Antarctic region, as well as for scientific flights down there. Now the only other aircraft in the hangar was an enormous C-8 Galaxy transport, which had arrived before the B-5s. The Galaxy carried the logistical support equipment for the bombers. The Americans had brought a crew of 20 technicians and scientists, who would ready the plane and its nuclear cargo for the mission. As soon as the B-5s began to wind down their engines, technicians busied themselves, attaching power cords, fuel lines and numerous other cables to their fuselages.
After 20 minutes of shutting down, the pilots climbed out from beneath the planes. They were led immediately to an area where they were checked for radiation and helped out of their flight suits which, due to the altitude the planes were to fly at to avoid detection from Chinese surveillance, were more like astronaut suits. For the rest of the day the planes would be prepared for the mission. Every millimetre would be thoroughly checked by the technicians and pilots. While the aircrews were doing this, the scientists would be testing the circuitry and diagnostics of the nuclear devices.
Later that morning, General Stephens was in his office with Sarah, Fletcher and General Draven. Draven was brought in to update them on the relocation of the civilians. He, like the vast majority of military officials, was unaware of Operation Fulcrum, believing that the mission was to remove civilians from the region and to accept defeat.
Stephens looked across his desk at Draven. ‘So, Paul. You’re 100 per cent sure that the areas now deemed to be Chinese territory have been cleared of all civilians? I want your personal assurance that there is not a single Australian in that region.’
‘Our boys have been through that region with a fine-toothed comb. We have cleared out everyone within the demarcation lines,’ replied Draven punctiliously.
Stephens nodded. ‘Good. Have all your men remain outside the demarcation line and guard all routes into the area. I don’t want any civilians deciding to nip back home, is that understood?’
‘I’ll make sure that it’s locked down tight.’
‘Thank you, General. That will be all.’
Draven stayed put. ‘Stephens, I hope you are seriously working on the terms of your leadership agreement. I know we are in the middle of a crisis, but I believe the Australian people would sleep better at night knowing there will be an end to military rule at some point in the near future.’
Stephens gave Draven a level stare. ‘I assure you, Draven, I have no interest in appointing myself leader for life. I’ll deal with the documentation next week. That will be all.’
With that, General Draven stood and turned to leave the office. On his way out, he bumped into Anne McKinnon, the government’s senior meteorologist, on her way in. Draven paused and looked back. Why is Stephens seeing a meteorologist? he wondered to himself.
McKinnon finished her briefing and left the room. Sarah and Fletcher stared at General Stephens.
‘Well, it looks like we’re all set to do this then,’ said General Stephens, leaning back in his chair.
Fletcher looked anxious. ‘Draven noticed the meteorologist when he left. He even did a double-take. Do you think he suspects something?’
‘Nothing surer,’ said General Stephens. ‘He’s a suspicious bugger, Draven. His mind will be working overtime trying to figure out what we’re up to. But by the time he does, it’ll be too late.’
‘I suppose so, Marty. But all the same, too much is at stake to have him blow the lid on us now,’ said Fletcher, unwilling to brush it off.
‘Draven is not a concern,’ Stephens said firmly. ‘Now, more importantly, the stealth bombers have landed at Christchurch and are being prepped for the mission. Tonight we will observe the mission from the American Embassy. They have full satellite telemetry and operational control and we will be able to communicate directly with the pilots from there.’
Sarah was silent. She felt dizzy. She couldn’t believe Fulcrum had come this far. What began as a wild conjecture was now about to become a reality, with very real consequences. After the previous night’s incident with Matt, she was very much on edge. What they had done was clearly illegal and she could only pray that the situation would be resolved quietly. The repercussions would have to be dealt with once this was over.
‘Sarah,’ said General Stephens. ‘You okay? I don’t want you losing your nerve at this stage of the game.’
Sarah blinked quickly. ‘I’m fine, General. Sorry. I was just thinking about any possible way General Draven might have to find out what’s going on.’
‘He won’t. Don’t worry about Draven,’ Stephens said, exasperated. ‘Let’s keep our eyes on the prize here, guys. Don’t let him break your focus. I can handle him.’
‘Yes, sir,’ replied Sarah sheepishly.
‘All right. I want you both at the embassy by 1800 hours. The B-5s will take off at 2000 hours. Sarah, can you ensure that fire, ambulance and hospital services are all put on alert this afternoon? No need to give an explanation — just have them on alert.’
General Draven walked to his office, not feeling right. Something was going on that he wasn’t being let in on. He was well aware of the excesses that rulers who were not accountable to their people were capable of, and this situation was setting off alarms in his head. Despite the fact that he was not part of the Stephens’ inner sanctum, he was still a high-ranking official with extensive access to records and intel. He decided to put this to use. Pulling MiLA out of his briefcase, he called his personal assistant.