“You’re the most welcome Colonel. Thank you for all this,” Koto gestured with an arm, waving at all the activity. “It’s like Thanksgiving, yes? I’m happy to try the Hangi.”
James smiled at him. “Thanksgiving? Close. We call it Matariki, Captain.”
“Please, call me Arif. Matariki?”
“Yes Arif, Matariki. Our new year.” James pointed to the north east. “Matariki means ‘Eyes of God’. When the stars rise, we come together to remember those that we lost in the past year. So many this year. Crops have been harvested and seafood collected. Tonight we will enjoy the feast and welcome you to New Zealand. Some people will sing and dance.”
Arif turned back to James. “We’ve lost so many people. It seems strange to have a feast. We must carry on, though. So thank you, Colonel.” Arif smiled. “I’m just glad it’s not Ramadan yet, so my people can enjoy your hospitality.”
James didn’t reply; he was lost in thought. Thinking of his time in Iraq. Thinking of all the mates he had lost, both now and before the Variant scourge. Matariki had arrived at a perfect time. Everyone needed a night off. But they had to stay vigilant. You never knew what was lurking in the shadows these days.
The two men stood side by side for some time, lost in their separate thoughts, as the preparations continued. James couldn’t help but wonder if they were doing the right thing. Should they be enjoying festivities while others suffered at the claws of the Variants? He had yet to think of a way to defeat these monsters. He hoped that whatever Dr Katherine Yokoyama had discovered would help turn the tide. The Americans and the British were busy fighting all manner of horrors, if the reports filtering in were to be believed. New Zealand, like before, had escaped those monstrosities. Sitting out here in the deep South Pacific, New Zealand had developed unique and strange fauna. And the Variants haunting the land were no different. Reports had told him that most Variants had broken off into packs with an Alpha leading, that they continuously fought amongst themselves, fighting over the last scraps of food. How long before they turned their attention to the islands the last dregs of the Kiwis now called home?
He shivered, thinking of Mayor Island. The Alpha Captain Johns called the Trophy King had attacked the island with a band of human collaborators. James reached out and clasped Captain Koto’s hand, shaking it. “Please excuse me, Arif. I have duties to attend to.”
“Thank you, Colonel. I’ll see you tonight.”
James nodded and pivoted. He signalled to his driver to bring the Jeep around. As he made his way across the rugby ground, he murmured his greetings to those working. He was happy for the boost in morale the festivities would provide, but he had a war to plan.
TWENTY-THREE
Dawn broke over Mayor Island, bathing it in pinks and purples. Jack lay snuggled against Dee, the covers pulled tight against his chin as he battled to keep the early morning chill out. He stared out the window, watching as the sunlight changed the colour of the ocean.
He loved the early morning, that half an hour before the world really woke up. He used the time to reflect, meditate in a sense, to get his thoughts in order and prepare for the day. Most of the time, Jack had movies buzzing around in his head on a loop. Scenes played themselves out, sometimes mashed up like some crossover movie.
He concentrated on his breathing; he inhaled deeply and let each breath out slowly. It was a way to centre himself. After leaving school, he had gone straight into an electrician’s apprenticeship. He had worked long hours, six, sometimes seven days a week, eventually running his own business. At thirty, Jack had felt burnt out. On a whim, he had decided on a trip to Thailand. When he got there, he’d read a pamphlet in a backpacker’s, in which a week-long retreat at a Thai Buddhist monastery was advertised. Skeptical at first, Jack had been pleasantly surprised. There he had learnt to calm his racing mind using different techniques. Something he was thankful for now, because today his mind was racing like an F1 car. Serious doubts ate away at him. He wasn’t a soldier, so how were he and the others going to rescue the boys? He knew the horrors of the meat locker they were most likely in. Tears welled up, threatening to spill over. He pushed closer to Dee, enjoying the feel of her skin on his, her warmth. He breathed deep, catching the sweet scent of her shampoo.
Dee stirred against him and opened her eyes. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“How long have you been awake?”
“Not long. An hour or so.”
“Okay.” Dee searched for his hand under the covers. Finding it, she squeezed it tight in hers. Jack squeezed back and kissed her, savouring the feel of her lips. He couldn’t get the feeling out of his head that today was going to be his last. He wanted to go and bring the boys back home, but a part of him wanted to stay under the covers with Dee. Make love to Dee. Forget the world for a while. Just be them again.
“Can I ask you something, Dee?”
“Yeah.”
“When you came after me, how did you cope with the hopelessness of it?”
Dee poked him in the ribs. “You’ve been thinking, haven’t you?”
“Yeah, I know. I’m just worried that whatever we do won’t be enough. We’re not soldiers, Dee. Up until a couple of weeks ago, we’d hardly fired a weapon. What if we’re too late?”
Dee brought her arms up, and cradled his head in her hands. “When there was a chance you were in Karapiro, I had to find out. I honestly didn’t think I’d make it out of there, but I had to know. The thought of you being eaten by those monsters chilled me to my core. I figured that if I found you dead, then at least I could die knowing. Whatever the outcome, we would be at peace together. I feel the same now. I’m not letting that Trophy King add the boys to his collection. Alice said the prison camp she was in gave children to the Variants. I’m going to help them, even if it means dying in the process.”
Jack kissed her on the cheek. “I’m so glad you did come, Dee. I want you to know that I bless the day that I met you. Up on top of that waterfall. I fell in love with you that day. You saved me, Dee, saved me from a life of loneliness and gave me hope.”
“You too, Jack. I was lost to the crazy world and then you come along. Yes, you gave me hope too. A new hope.” She grinned as she said the last part.
Jack let out laugh. “You are now officially part of the tribe. The movie geek tribe.” He snuggled back into her, holding her tight. The doubts in his mind lingered, but Dee’s words had given him the courage to rise. She had given him the courage to take up arms and fight the monsters that had infected the beautiful land that was his home.
We’re coming for you, Trophy King. Enjoy your rest, for today will be your last.
Jack spent a couple of hours preparing his gear for the battle. He packed his green hiking pack, stuffing in extra food and ammo. He cleaned his AR-15 and Glock like Ben had taught him. He sharpened his rusty red-handled machete before securing it to the side of his pack.
Alice had the rescued children up and fed. The kids raced around outside on the small lawn. Jack marvelled at how quickly the kids had adapted and accepted the new situation. Twenty-four hours ago they had been held captive, awaiting an horrific fate.
Jack changed out the batteries on his and Dee’s two-ways, checking they had full power. He glanced at the clock. Ben wanted them in the war room at 08:00. He walked over to the kitchen and flicked on the kettle. He wanted to enjoy a cup of tea with Dee before heading out into the unknown. His mind drifted, thinking of his grandfather fighting on D-Day in 1944. Had he drunk his tea, thinking that it could be his last? He and all those thousands of men had risen that day, knowing full well that it could be their last. They went off to war so others could live on in peace, free of fascism and tyranny.