Chapter 20

We landed headed north to south on the only runway. We came in over the beaches and flew in low and slow to attract attention. We thought we saw people. We landed and the Humvee made its usual ride. Upon locating fuel, we refueled and taxied over to the terminal for the night. The beaches were calling me but we had spent plenty of time there previously.

George wasn't hurrying us to return to Sydney. I don't think Trina ever hurried or became upset. She wasn't quiet or shy and retiring but she never seemed to be in a hurry and managed to find time to talk to everyone. George was happy and, on the few instances that his smile failed, he would look at her and she would be smiling at him. It was sweet but scary.

David and I talked about our location and possible visitors but we both figured that any visitors would show up tomorrow except for those having nasty intentions. We set out sentries and went to our bed rolls.

It was early in the morning around four that one set of sentries alerted us to intruders coming onto the airport property. David acknowledged them and we went outside to investigate. They weren't bad at it but we were noticeably better at sneaking. We were close enough to listen when one of them said, "There's the plane. They have to be somewhere."

I quietly said, "We are right here." They froze in place. "Drop your weapons. I think we'll have a little talk, guys. However, if you shout or try to run a silenced pistol will ruin your morning." They dropped a rifle each along with a pair of pistols and knives.

David came up and frisked each one. He said, "They're clean and will live a little longer." We had and used handcuffs on them. Their hands were locked behind them and each had a leg cuffed. David said, "Let's start with your names."

The one who had spoken before said, "I am Clary McDonald and he is Dustin Fellows. We live here at Cairns. We wanted to know about the plane and its people. We didn't mean any harm to people. We just wanted to watch and see what kind of people you might be." Both were early twenties or very late teens.

I said, "Trying to sneak up on people can be dangerous to your health. You're just lucky that we were in the mood to investigate rather than just shoot you."

The one named as Dustin went white. He stammered, "Have you killed men before?"

"Yes, but only intruders and men attempting to take what or who wasn't theirs."

Clary said, "What are you going to do with us?"

David said, "We could stake them out and find out if there any crawlers that like their taste." He chuckled nastily. "Are more coming behind you?"

Clary stammered this time. "I don't know. We left on our own. The chief won't like us to be missing without his knowledge. He will probably come over this morning to investigate."

David said, "Well, we will hook you up at the fence. You can wait for your folks to come. Tell them that entering the airport property armed will be considered a hostile act. We meet deadly force with deadly force. We can be good friends. Which we will be is all up to your people."

David unhooked their legs and we walked them to the gate and hooked them to it. We went back inside the airport property, gathered their weapons, and met up with our sentries, Ruth and Elijah. We bedded down beside them for the couple of hours before everyone would be waking. In the distance, we could see the two men at the gate.

We rested easily. About an hour after daylight, Jacob said, "David, Bobbi, where are you?"

David said, "We picked up a couple of intruders that Ruth and Elijah saw last night. We have them cuffed at the fence and are waiting to see if we get company."

"Okay, we will start breakfast. If you need us, give a call. Jacob out."

We waited patiently. Breakfast was brought out and we ate. It was the middle of the morning when people came to the gate and saw Clary and Dustin. Three men came to the two and seemed to listen. It didn't sound like the newcomers were happy with what they had been told. After a few minutes, one man handed his rifle and pistol to another and entered the airport through the gate. He shouted, "I have retained a knife only for some protection. We have a wild dog problem."

David shouted back, "Okay, come ahead. We can talk."

The man started forward and we skittered back before standing and allowing ourselves to be seen. We left our rifles. We had our swords and I had a pistol in a covered holster. When the man was fifteen feet away, we said, "Good morning."

He was startled. He said, "G'day. I am Ian Porter. I've been leading here at Cairns for the last year."

David said, "I am David Lewis and this is my wife, Bobbi. We lead the expedition. We're from America."

He looked at the two of us and said, "Those are some bloody big swords. How did you get them?"

I said, "The hard way. We each fought for them in single combat."

He said, "Remind me not to make you angry. My wife is all the woman that I can keep happy."

"Is she here?"

He replied, "Yes, she is. I had a hard time convincing her that I should come alone. We have children and she needs to be with them if something happens to me."

I said, "Tell your folks to come on but keep the rifles down. We have shooters watching."

"Yes, Ma'am. Could I get the keys to the handcuffs and release the boys. They're awfully tired of standing."

David tossed him the keys. He said, "Thanks." He turned and shouted, "It's okay. They're friends. Someone run down here and get the handcuff key." A small crowd came down and a boy took the key and ran back to release Clary and Dustin.