CAUTION... CAUTION...
CAUTION... CAUTION... CAUTION...
STANDARD WARNING
This
story is of an erotic nature.
I wouldn't dream of telling
you what you can or can't read but if the law, in your part of the
world, says you must not read this sort of fiction then please go
read something that they'll let you.
Don't break the laws,
change them.
CAUTION... CAUTION... CAUTION... CAUTION...
CAUTION...
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A Story in The Swarm Cycle Universe
A Piece of my
Imagination
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Swarm Cycle is a collection of stories manufactured
around a concept introduced by the Thinking Horndog positing an alien
invasion and Earth's reaction. The intent is for this to be a
multi-author universe similar to the popular Naked In School stories.
If you're a budding author of erotica or sci-fi and see something
here that strikes your fancy, pop over to the Author's
Page for more info on what's going on here and how to submit a
story for this collection. The rest of you are probably here to read,
so...
---oOo---
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters,
places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or
are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or
persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental
©
2007 Duke of Ramus.
All rights reserved.
---oOo---
The Swarm Cycle Universe
Copyright © 2007
The Thinking Horndog
---oOo---
I'd like to thank Mulligan for his assistance in turning
this into a better story than my initial effort, any errors remaining
are of course mine.
---oOo---
"Well, that's fucked it," said Tony when he
received his CAP score. Whilst six point two was a reasonable score
and it clearly showed he wasn't a complete loss to the human race it
wasn't high enough for him to volunteer for the Confederacy
Marines.
His friend Bob looked over at the outburst and
asked, "You too?"
"Six point two,"
said Tony confirming out loud his score. "What did you
get?"
"Exactly six," replied his friend in
disgust, "which means we're both stuck here," he concluded
with a shrug.
The pair of them took the high tech. ID
cards that the machine had spit out with their incriminating numbers
on and shoved them unceremoniously into the back pockets of their
jeans and left the testing centre.
"What d'you want
to do now?" asked Bob looking to Tony for leadership as
usual.
Tony took a look around and didn't see anything
encouraging. "Well, it's two hours before the first ferry back
so we may as well get something to eat." He glanced back at his
friend before snorting, "Come on, you'll feel better after
you've chomped your way through a couple of burgers."
Bob
was decidedly the larger of the two boys outweighing his friend by at
least fifteen kilos though they both topped out at one metre
eighty-eight. The hard work the two of them put in routinely on their
parent's farms meant that neither of them was out of shape.
Entering
their favourite fast food place the boys looked around and were
surprised to see a small crowd gathered around a man in the corner.
As they approached the counter they started to hear what the man was
saying.
"Simply put we are asking why should these
aliens decide who should go and who should stay?"
After
waiting for the muttering to subside he continued, "What we
believe is that until these aliens agree that all of the human race
should be evacuated no one should be allowed to leave."
Tony
raised an eyebrow at his friend who shrugged in response. Still half
listening the pair placed their substantial order for burgers, drinks
and doughnuts as in the background the man continued talking, his
voice clearly carrying through the quiet that surrounded him.
"I
know that this is hard to accept, especially if you're one of the
ones that these creatures have singled out for survival but isn't it
right that all of us should stick together in the face of this
menace? Isn't it right that everyone should be treated the same -
after all - it tells us in the Bible that we were all created equal?
Why should the few - the privileged few at that - be allowed to
survive whilst the rest of us are left here to perish?"
The
voice of the man was rising with each question he asked and around
him the crowd was becoming more animated in response. Tony looked at
his tray and decided that he didn't want to get involved with the mob
and led Bob to the outside seating area. It may have been chilly but
at least it was quiet and away from any potential trouble.
As
they sat down Bob looked back at the crowd and asked his friend, "Do
you think he had a point in there?"
"Oh he had a
point all right," said Tony, "but I doubt if it was a valid
point."
"Why not?" asked his friend.
Tony
took a sip of his milkshake before answering. "Think back to
when the Darjee turned up," he said, "everyone concerned -
from the Yank President to the village idiot - made it clear that, at
best, they'd only be able to get a third of the people away. They
told us then that they were going to test everyone so that they could
have the pick of the crop to carry on the human race. The rest of
us," he included himself for the first time, "would have to
stay here and take our chances. If we were lucky we might even win
the fight."
"But if we did what he's saying in
there then we'd all get away," said Bob.
"You
think so?" asked Tony. "Did you notice how he didn't tell
anyone where the extra ships were coming from to carry all these
people? Nor did he tell us where the new colonies are that were going
to absorb these extra evacuees." Tony took another sip of his
drink before adding, "and I bet under his new rules it'll be him
and his friends who get to decide who goes where and in what order
not the rest of the people who put them in a position to decide. At
least we know the Darjee have been honest even if we don't like the
results."
Bob looked back at the crowd and Tony
watched as enlightenment occurred.
Finally Bob asked,
"What do you think his CAP score is?"
"I've
no idea Bob, but one thing's for sure," Tony said, "I bet
it's lower than ours."
---oOo---
Blerwick Island was a small island off the West Coast
of Scotland. It was roughly nine kilometres long and three kilometres
wide of sharply rising crags and broken heather covered hillsides.
The single town, a large village really, was centred on the natural
deep-water harbour that was the original reason for humans to be on
the island.
The island had two major industries, fishing
and farming, both of which had been in decline for the last thirty
years or so. The island was part of the lands held by the Earl of
Carnforth and had belonged to that family for several hundred
years.
In the middle of the eighteenth century the then
Earl had built a retreat on the island to get away from the growing
industrialisation that was starting to appear around his ancestral
home on the mainland. The retreat he had constructed was known
locally as Carnforth Castle but was actually based on a large hunting
lodge that the Prince Regent had had built in the Forest of Dean. In
the early nineteenth century the Lodge had been the location for many
of the Earl's parties and had led to several new cottages being built
in the nearby town to accommodate his staff.
Although the
current Earl maintained the Lodge he hadn't actually used the
property for over fifteen years and currently there was only a staff
of three in residence. Paul Smythe was the estate warden and had
overall responsibility for the upkeep of the Lodge. He was assisted
by George Marchiondale, the groundsman who was responsible for the
formal gardens and the small shooting preserve and Rosalind Grace who
acted as housekeeper.
Blerwick was also the home of Tony
and Bob as well as their respective families. The families had been
tenant farmers of the Earl of Carnforth for as long as the island had
been in his possession, eking out a living that was barely above the
subsistence level. It was only recently that both families had
started taking in tourists and had seen an upturn in their
fortunes.
The visitors came to see the various sea birds
that made their home on the western cliffs of the island, facing off
into the wild Atlantic Ocean. The two families had worked together to
produce comfortable if basic hides overlooking the cliffs and
advertised their presence on the Internet, an innovation that was the
idea of the two young men who'd been sent to school on the mainland.
Tony and his family had converted a barn into two holiday apartments
while on their neighbours' farm they'd adapted their old home into an
apartment and moved into the modernised barn.
Following
the success achieved by the Collins and Stewart families several of
the nearby farms had followed suit and now the island was attracting
a steady but small stream of visitors throughout the year.
The
total population of the island excluding the visitors had fallen from
a high of six hundred between the two World Wars to a meagre two
hundred and twenty. Of that number more than half worked in the
various offshore industries like fishing and on the gas platforms and
were only home for one week in four.
As Tony and Bob well
knew, the island could be a lonely but beautiful place to grow up.
---oOo---
"I believe, Madam Chairman, that we really do not
have any choice," the dark skinned woman stood tall as she
addressed the committee members clustered around the table. "We
have been placed in loco parentis of these girls and regardless of
this ridiculous decision, that they become adults at fourteen, we
cannot absolve ourselves of that responsibility."
"That's
all very well, Ms Roberts," said the older woman from the head
of the table, "but their guardians have been extracted and as
they are all older than fourteen they, unfortunately, have been left
behind. Legally we are in a very difficult position," she smiled
grimly, "after all, they are legally adults and we cannot keep
them here if they wish to depart."
Ms Janine Roberts
drew in another breath, she half agreed with Margaret Mackie but she
couldn't just throw her girls out because their parents had been
lucky enough to get away especially with the way that things were
descending into anarchy. "Madam Chairman, under the agreement
that all the guardians signed, which I believe is still binding in
law, the young ladies cannot leave the school unless they have a
place at another teaching establishment. Clearly, with their
guardians no longer on the planet that cannot happen and therefore
the agreement is still binding. Which means we are responsible for
them until they are eighteen, adults or not."
The
only male at the table raised his hand slightly, a single finger
pointing upwards.
"Yes, Rector?" asked Margaret
Mackie, glad of a short reprieve from Janine's onslaught.
"Wouldn't
that agreement become null and void when the term fees are not paid?"
he asked.
Betty Clark, the school treasurer field the
question easily, "It would Rector, but that isn't going to
happen," she said. Catching several raised eyebrows around the
table she continued, "The Confederacy is honouring any financial
commitments that the volunteers entered into for the term of said
agreements." She pushed her glasses up and rubbed the bridge of
her nose for a moment before dropping them back into place.
Continuing she said, "I believe that it was originally intended
to ensure that young adults, who had to stay behind, were able to
keep their family homes without fear of repossession. But it applies
to all financial commitments that the extractees had so school fees,
like ours, will be paid until the girls are eighteen."
"Oh,"
responded the Rector and then dropped back, his part in the meeting
effectively over.
Erika J?er raised her hand and Margaret
acknowledged her right to speak.
"What everyone here
is saying," she said in her accented English, "is that the
school is fragmenting," she held up her hand to stop
interruptions, "whether we like it or not. In it's current form
the school will not survive the impact of the Sa'arm and the Earth
First group." She glanced around and received several nods of
agreement, "What we need to decide is what we are going to do
about it?"
Before anyone could start Erika continued,
"Because of our legal commitment to those whose guardians have
been extracted we appear to be left with only two choices. We either
soldier on as we are and try to mitigate the trouble when it happens
or we split the school and go our separate ways."
Faced
with that simple stark statement the board of governors sat in
silence for several minutes.
Janine Roberts eventually
shuffled back to her feet and spoke, "I believe that the
benefits to all of those who we are here to help and support can best
be met by dividing the school in two. Therefore I propose that we
split the school with those who wish to support the Earth First group
remaining here, as they appear to be in the majority. Whilst those of
us who support the extraction process as it is now being implemented
moving to Blerwick and begin a school there."
Margaret
Mackie sighed with resignation and asked, "Do I have a second
for the motion?"
"Aye," responded Erika and
Betty immediately.
"All those in favour of splitting
the school raise a hand," she said despondently, knowing that
the school she'd supported for the last twenty years was falling
apart before her.
The vote was carried as those who
believed in the extractions wanted to get away and those who thought
that the Earth First group was right were happy to get rid of them.
The next hour was spent with the governors thrashing out the what,
when and how of the separation. Neither party was willingly giving up
all the things that had made the school so successful over the
years.
In the end a compromise was reached and the two
halves were free to go their separate ways. As the protagonists left
the boardroom Erika turned to Janine, "How many do you think
will be going with us?"
"About a third is my
guess," she answered rubbing her eyes. "You know I wish
there was some other way of making them," she indicated the
crowd that was gathering opposite them, "see that this is the
best for everyone in the long run."
"You believe
that, even if you get left behind?"
"My CAP
score's only six point four," said Janine, "I'm one of
those who's going to be stuck here but that doesn't make keeping
everyone else here right, not by a long shot."
"Don't
get me wrong Janine," said Erika, "I agree with you totally
but I think you're going to have a hard time convincing that lot to
be altruistic."
"To be honest Erika, I'm not
even going to try," said Janine. "If they're too blind to
see that getting away from here and the trouble that's brewing is the
only realistic way of doing things then I don't want them with us."
---oOo---
The three women watched from the observation deck of
the small ferry as the island grew in size before them and looked at
what they hoped was going to be their new home. They were greeted by
a grey morning over a grey rock that was only brightened by the
greens and purples of the bracken that covered most of the hillsides
before them.
In the harbour were six or seven small boats
that had clearly seen better days, which was also as good a way as
any of describing the houses that overlooked the quayside. The only
signs of brightness are the reds and blues that covered the doors to
the diminutive fishermen's cottages.
Above the harbour
with no clear way of getting to it was what they assumed was
Carnforth Castle, the residence that they hoped to turn into a school
away from school for the girls who'd been put into their charge. The
journey here had been long and arduous trek for the three women and
they were looking forward to having time to relax before they started
preparing for the arrival of the students.
The ferry nosed
up to the jetty and the forward ramp was lowered slowly down. The
three women joined the four locals in walking across the ramp
dragging their suitcases behind them. They stood on the windswept
quay and looked around seeking assistance but there was nothing or no
one in sight.
"Now what?" asked Betty looking at
Janine.
"I really have no idea," she replied
looking at the letter that Margaret Mackie had given her. "This
simply says that the Lodge can be used as a school and that the staff
there know we are coming."
Erika had been looking
around as the two women talked and let out a chuckle, which attracted
their attention. "I think we're going to have to walk," she
said.
"What!" exclaimed Janine looking in horror
at the hill the Castle was stood on.
"Look around
Jan," she said, "Can you see any motorised transport at
all?"
The women looked and were surprised to find
that Erika was correct. Apart from two hand carts at the end of the
quay there didn't appear to be any transport anywhere.
"Oh
shit," declared Betty looking at her large suitcase in
trepidation. "Do you suppose there will be anything up at the
Castle they could send down?" she asked hopefully.
"I
doubt it," said Erika as she watched someone approaching on what
appeared to be a tricycle.
Whoever it was appeared to be
heading for the ferry as he piloted the strange contraption onto the
quay and headed towards them.
The young man stopped about
ten feet from them and stepped off the machine and turned to collect
something from the basket on the back of the trike.
"Afternoon,"
he greeted the women as he moved past them and onto the ferry. From
where they stood they could hear him greet a couple of the crewmen
before he slipped into the wheelhouse. He was only out of sight for a
couple of minutes before he reappeared and headed back to his
machine.
The three women had stood there and watched not
saying a word. It was Erika, who seemed to be the least stunned of
the three who intercepted the man as he walked past them."
"Excuse
me," she called out, "Young man."
The young
man stopped and looked at the three women. The one who was talking
was slim with blond hair and quite tall. With her were an older woman
who had dark hair with a few grey streaks in it and a shortish woman
who was fairly plump. All of them were dressed in grey business suits
and, to his amusement, heels.
"Yes Miss?" he
replied.
"We're supposed to be going to the Lodge,"
she said, "and I was wondering if there was any transport we
could use."
The young man chuckled, then stopped
himself. "I take it that no one has told you about the island?"
he asked.
"No," said the woman shaking her
head.
"Nothing new there then," he said. "There
is no motorised transport on the island," he said, "we
haven't got any roads or a fuel supply for them to use." He
looked at the luggage the three women had and his better nature came
to the fore.
"Look," he said, "I can help
you get your cases up there but you're going to have to walk."
He glanced at their feet again and suggested; "If you've got any
flat shoes in your luggage I'd change now while I get a trailer for
the bike."
With that he walked off towards the end of
the quay and the carts that were there.
"Well I don't
know about you two," said Erika as she reached for her case,
"but I'm going to take his advice."
By the time
he returned with the trolley all three women had their cases open and
were digging out flat shoes or, in the case of Erika, a pair of
walking boots. He hooked the trolley to the back of his bike and
waited for the women to fasten their cases.
Janine looked
at the trolley and asked, curiously, "Is that yours?"
"No,"
he replied for emphasis, "I'm not sure who got that one but
they're all pretty much of a muchness."
"But
isn't that stealing?" Janine asked sounding shocked.
The
young man smiled, "Not here," he said, "as long as it
comes back eventually it doesn't really matter. It's the same with
most of the stuff here." He took in their shocked looks and
added, "I've helped make three of these things and haven't got a
clue where they are."
He picked up the first case and
casually dropped it into the trolley before reaching for Janine's,
"In most cases they end up back here as this is where they are
most useful." He turned and found Erika with her case in her
hands so he stepped back and let her add it to the top of the
pile.
"If you'll follow me I'll lead the way,"
he said changing into the lowest gear on the bike and slowly starting
to turn the pedals.
The four of them made their way from
the harbour along a gravel track and started to climb the hill. "So
what's your name?" asked Janine.
"I'm Tony,"
replied the young man, "and what are your names?"
"I'm
Janine Roberts and this is Betty Clark," she said indicating the
short plump woman who was starting to puff. "The Amazon,"
she said indicating the woman striding along effortlessly "is
Erika J?er." Her comment got a laugh from both Tony and
Erika.
"So what brings you here?" Tony asked and
was greeted by silence as the three women exchanged glances.
What
followed was both cryptic and confusing.
"Should we?"
asked Betty.
"I don't know," replied
Janine.
"We should," stated Erika.
"Why?"
asked Betty.
"They'll know eventually,"
responded Erika as Janine looked on undecided.
"Isn't
that better that knowing now?" replied Betty.
"I
don't think so, if nothing else we'll need help eventually,"
said Erika. All of which had Tony well and truly confused.
"You're
right Erika, we shouldn't need to hide," said Janine before
turning her attention to Tony. "We're setting up a school at the
Lodge."
"Why here?" asked Tony thinking of
lots of places that he'd consider as preferable locations for a
school.
"To get away from the idiots in the Earth
First party," said Erika explosively.
"Erika!"
"Sorry
Janine but it's true," said the tall blond not sounding
repentant at all.
"Are they the ones who are on about
stopping all the extractions until the Darjee agree to take
everyone?" asked Tony.
"Those are the ones,"
admitted Janine nervously.
Tony nodded, "I met one
last time I was on the mainland," he said. "Thought he was
an idiot then and I haven't seen anything to change my
opinion."
"What about the rest of the people
here?" asked Janine doing her best to mask her anxiety.
"I
doubt if you'll find many of them that would disagree with me,"
he said, "especially after they've given it some
thought."
"That's half the problem," said
Janine, "people don't think before they react."
Tony
smiled at the worried woman, "I wouldn't worry about that around
here," he said, "we've got so much time we always think
things through before we react." He grinned, "It's why some
people call us slow," he paused for a moment before adding, "but
not to our faces."
Erika let out a very unladylike
snort before turning red and looking away.
The track they
were following swung to the right and before them stood the gates to
the Lodge. The two wrought iron gates stood open and inviting,
displaying the well-tended gardens within. It took the group another
five minutes to actually reach the main door to the Lodge where a man
stood waiting for them.
"Afternoon Tony, what have
you got here?" asked Paul Smythe the estate warden.
"Afternoon
Mr Smythe, they're a bunch of school teachers who believe that you're
expecting them."
"Mr Smythe, I'm Janine
Roberts," she said stepping forward and holding out her hand, "I
hope you are expecting us."
"I am," said
the man shaking the woman's hand, "though nobody actually said
when you'd be arriving. If you'll all come this way we can have a cup
of tea and get acquainted" He turned to Tony before he left and
asked, "Can you put their luggage in hall for me Tony?"
"No
problem Mr Smythe," said Tony who turned and grabbed the first
case. Erika stepped forward to take it and Tony said quietly, "It's
alright Miss I'll see to it. You go with the rest and keep an eye on
things," he finished with a wink.
Erika looked at him
for a moment before returning the wink and following the rest into
the Lodge.
---oOo---
"The Earl has informed me that the Lodge is going
to become a school," said Peter as he settled into his armchair.
The three women had already taken seats around the small reception
room and appeared tense as the tone of his statement swept over
them.
He continued, "He didn't give me any more
details than that and now you've arrived with little in the way of
warning." Peter frowned, "I suppose you'd better tell me
what you're expecting?"
Janine was annoyed with the
man because of his apparent attitude but she was determined to make
the most of the situation. She sat up in her chair and began, "The
Earl and his family have been associated with our school for a long
time and with the current problems he has generously allowed us
access to the Lodge. We intend to run a full school here for
approximately seventy students along with the necessary
staff."
Peter surprised her then by asking, "I
understood that the school had nearly three hundred students?"
"It
does," admitted Janine, "but we are only bringing those who
wish to come."
"Why is that?" pressed
Peter.
"Are you aware of what is happening in the
country?"
"We do have television here,"
said Peter allowing a certain amount of sarcasm to creep into his
voice.
"Sorry," said Janine contritely, "At
the school some of us felt that it would be better to get away from
the possible trouble that was brewing but there were those who felt
that there would be no trouble. At a board meeting last month it was
decided to split the school and after asking it was found that the
majority of the students elected to stay in London."
"Why
did you feel it was necessary to leave?" asked Peter, "I
mean the government is assuring everyone that they have no intention
of allowing anarchy to rule."
"They may be
saying that," said Janine, "but several of the CAP testing
stations have already been attacked and we've all seen the reports on
those extractions that have been disrupted." She looked Peter in
the eye, "What you may not have heard is that after those
extractions had been stopped people were killed. All of the
volunteers in those locations died as did many of those people who'd
made it obvious they'd be willing to go as concubines."
"How
do you know that?" asked Peter shocked.
"My
brother was a policeman and told me about it," Janine said with
tears appearing in her eyes.
Peter had picked up on the
past tense of her statement and asked softly, "Was?"
"He
died in the line of duty three months ago," she said, then added
significantly, "during an extraction."
"I
see," said Peter and that explains why you're so determined to
get away from the city he thought.
Just then the door
opened and a woman entered carrying a large tray. Peter stood up and
crossed towards an occasional table, "Ladies, this is Rosalind
Grace, she's the housekeeper here. Rosie, this is Janine, Betty and
Erika," he said indicating each of the women in turn, "they're
here to set up the school the Earl told us about."
The
woman placed the tray on the occasional table and nodded to each of
the seated women before she set about serving tea.
"So
ladies, what have you decided so far?" asked Rosie.
"We
were just starting to discuss what we needed with Peter,"
replied Janine.
Peter returned to his seat and waited
whilst Rosie found herself a place. "I've given the matter some
thought but without exact numbers to work with it's been a bit
nebulous," he said, "but I believe the upper rooms could be
turned into dormitories." He paused to take a sip of his tea
before continuing, "I'd thought at first that we might be able
to squeeze eight beds into each room but, if your numbers are right,
we should get away with six to a room."
Rosie
frowned, "We'd have to get the beds and wardrobes shipped in
from the mainland."
"I know," said Peter,
"I'd have to get the buggies from Tam again." When he saw
the visitors looking confused he explained, "When we have to
move something particularly large or as in this case a large quantity
of items I contact the golf course over on the mainland and use their
electric golf buggies to move things. It's a lot easier than trying
to carry things up from the dock by hand."
Recent
experience ensured that the three women agreed with the warden's
logic.
"How many class rooms would you need?"
asked Peter returning to the matter in hand.
"We tend
to work with around ten students to a class," said Erika joining
the conversation for the first time, "so seven or eight rooms
would be ideal."
Peter nodded before asking, "Would
you need a gymnasium?"
"Most of the girls do
volleyball or netball," answered Erika, "as well as Tae
Kwon Do. So some sort of a gym would be helpful."
Peter
nodded his understanding before his next question, "What about
administration space, would you need any offices and how many staff
will there be?"
"A couple of offices would be
handy but as long as we have somewhere to keep the files securely we
can get by without," replied Betty.
"There will
be eight teachers and four assistants," added Janine, "that's
in addition to the three of us."
Peter sat and
thought for a while as the women sipped at their tea; eventually he
spoke. "I think it'll work," he declared. "There are
sufficient rooms upstairs to set up dormitories for the girls and if
we use the barn as a gymnasium we should be able to set up the
classrooms down here." He smiled at Betty, "I'm afraid that
the office space will be down in the cellars but they're not dark or
damp so it shouldn't be to much of a hardship."
He
returned his attention to Janine, "The estate still owns six
cottages in the town so we can put the staff up there and that will
just leave enough room for the three of you to stay here."
He
picked up his teacup and finished off the drink, "Let me show
you around so you can get a feel for the place and we'll start
planning how we'll make the necessary changes."
Feeling
much happier the three women from London relaxed for the first time
since their arrival on Blerwick.
---oOo---
What followed was three weeks of unprecedented
activity on the island, not just at the Lodge although that was the
centre of attention, but everywhere. The port was so busy and the
ship so full that the owners of the ferry put on an extra sailing
each day just to cope. On the island itself the farmers and their
families found themselves being roped in to provide labour and in the
town several women were employed to clean the parts of the lodge that
hadn't seen activity for several years. Another group was let loose
on the cottages that belonged to the Lodge getting everything ready
for occupation.
Nearly everyone in the town turned out to
assist or witness the seemingly endless stream of beds and wardrobes
that made the journey from the quayside to the Lodge. The constant
travelling up and down the hill ensured that the borrowed golf
buggies with their attached trailers earned their keep.
After
a hard days work Tony was relaxing with Bob outside the only pub in
town whilst watching the sunset over the Lodge on the hill. "You
know," he said breaking the tranquil silence, "the students
begin arriving tomorrow."
"Yeah," said Bob,
"I know."
"So what do you think our chances
are?" Tony asked, "I mean, there are going to be seventy
odd girls up there between eleven and eighteen and there are what,
eleven, twelve of us on the island in that age range?"
Bob
thought for a moment and then realised that Tony was ignoring the
island girls, "Yeah about that," he said, "even less
if you leave out the likes of Les and Virgil who are almost
married."
"So there's going to be you and me and
possibly Phil and Andrew," Tony said naming two fifteen-year-old
boys, "who'll be after the older girls."
Tony
started making patterns on the bench with the condensation off his
glass, "If the girls are split equally by age," he said,
"then it'll mean that there are going to be about ten sixteen
year olds and the same for seventeen and eighteen year olds." He
grinned, "Worst case we'll have half a dozen girls each to make
a play for."
"Come off it Tony," said Bob,
"You'll have a chance at the lot, the rest of us will have to
make do with your cast-offs." Bob could have sounded bitter but
he didn't, as far as he was concerned he was simply stating a
fact.
"Don't be stupid Bob," replied a grinning
Tony, "it's not that bad, besides I fancy that teacher, Erika. I
reckon she'd really be worth the effort."
"That's
half your trouble," said Bob, "to much ambition. I don't
understand why you don't just settle for what's attainable?"
"But
that's no fun," replied Tony before he lifted his pint.
Before
Bob could continue the discussion they were interrupted by the
arrival of Constable Glossop. Don Glossop was the only lawman
assigned to the island and only managed to actually visit the place
about twice a week, not that there was a lot for him to do when he
was there. Even so the force had provided a combined cottage and
police station for those times when he was forced to stay on the
island.
"Evening boys," he called and then,
because it was expected of him, "you're not going to over
indulge in that now are you?"
"Not us
Constable," replied Tony. He took another sip and then asked,
"Will you be joining us?"
"I'm afraid not
tonight, I've got to go up to the Lodge and make sure that
everything's OK up there." He couldn't help grinning when he
asked, "I take it you're aware that the girls are arriving
tomorrow?"
"Strange you should mention that,"
answered Bob, "we were just discussing the very
subject."
"And?" asked the
Constable.
"Tony here reckons they're going to be
like lambs to the slaughter!"
"I wouldn't bank
on it," replied the lawman, "remember, these are all city
girls, they're likely to be much more worldly wise that the girls
around here." His grin widened, "Which is probably just as
well with you around!"
Tony grinned back at the
Constable, "That just makes it more of a challenge," he
said.
"I suppose it does at that," said the
Constable. "Well you take care and go easy on that stuff. I'll
see you around," he said and turned away to begin the long walk
up to the Lodge.
The following morning Bob and Tony were
amongst the most blatant of the bystanders when the ferry pulled into
the quayside. Waiting for it to tie up were ten of the borrowed golf
buggies and perhaps another dozen people, a few of who actually had
legitimate business there.
In many ways the boys were
disappointed as the girls began to disembark. It had been early
morning when the girls had been awoken and told to get dressed and
they'd been instructed to make sure they dressed up warm. They'd only
had to look out at the grey morning that greeted them to heed the
warning.
The result of this was a steady stream of girls
crossing to the buggies dressed in trainers, jogging suits and thick
coats. One thing the boys didn't know was that the teachers escorting
the girls had split them into three groups by age and had sent the
middle group across first. So the twenty-seven girls the boys looked
at as they crossed to the buggies were between fourteen and
sixteen.
Bob looked at Tony, "Well I don't think that
was worth rushing my chores for!" he said.
Tony
nodded, "It didn't look that impressive did it?" he said
and then grinned. "Mind you I bet they took one look at us and
thought the same."
Bob looked at Tony in his overalls
and found himself grinning, "You could be right there."
"Well
I guess that's it until the next ferry comes in," said Tony with
a shrug, "Come on, lets get back and see what needs doing."
"I
won't be bothering to come back," said Bob.
Tony
glanced back over his shoulder and did a quick calculation, "I
reckon it's going to take them three trips to get everyone here,"
he said, "so I'll be back for the last ferry and then have a
pint."
"Not me," said Bob, "I'm
watching the football tonight."
"Boring,"
said Tony as the pair set off back to their farms.
---oOo---
Tony carried his beer from the pub and settled onto a
piling at the end of the jetty just as the last ferry of the day
pulled in. Gossip in the pub had informed him that the second batch
of girls for the school had been even younger than the first group,
which is what he'd sort of been hoping for.
He took a sip
of his beer and looked on as the crew went about the routine task of
securing the ferry and preparing to unload the last lot of passengers
for the day.
First off were the half a dozen or so
islanders returning from a days work on the mainland and then there
seemed to be a bit of confusion before a group of young ladies filed
off. Simply by looking at them from a distance Tony could tell that
these girls were older. Their silhouettes were much more inviting
than the younger girls he'd seen first thing in the morning.
He
was concentrating on them that much that he nearly dropped his pint
when a horn went off behind him. His head snapped towards the sound
and he came eye to eye with Erika, who was driving the first of a
convoy of buggies. She grinned at him knowingly as the nearly silent
vehicle rolled past followed by the rest of the transport the school
had been using.
Grinning to himself at getting caught
ogling he raised his pint in salute before getting to his feet and
walking down the quayside to get a better view and offer any
assistance if it was needed. By the time Tony reached the crowd Erika
was out of the buggy and was directing operations.
Several
girls were gathered around Erika when Tony reached them, she glanced
up and smiled, "Ladies," she said, "allow me to
present Tony, who was the first man on the island to help us when we
arrived." Tony felt himself blushing as Erika continued, "he's
also single so be nice to him!"
A flurry of giggles
and a couple of interested looks from the girls greeted this
statement.
Erika continued, "Tony, these young ladies
make up the senior class. This is Katherine," she said pointing
to a petite redhead on her right, " and next to her is Lorraine
and then Martha." Erika turned to her left and continued, "these
two are Patience and Prudence, who in case you hadn't noticed are
twins." Tony had no difficulty in identifying the tall, slim
blondes as twins but didn't have time to stare as Erika introduced
the final girl in the group, "and the girl at the end is
Susannah," she said. The last girl was a raven-haired beauty who
was also big; if Tony hadn't known that it was impossible he'd have
taken her for one of the augmented Marines he'd seen pictures of on
the television. She was over six feet tall and built like a brick
outhouse but didn't look to have an ounce of fat on her. She also
appeared to be incredibly shy if the way she blushed and looked down
was anything to go by.
Remembering his manners Tony said,
"Good evening ladies, I hope the journey wasn't to arduous,"
and after he'd received a couple of muttered replies he turned his
attention to Erika. "I was just going to ask if you needed any
help?" he said raising an eyebrow.
It was Erika's
turn to blush as it occurred to her that the young man was flirting
with her. "Oh no, not tonight Tony," which when Martha
giggled caused her blush to deepen. Tony grinned before bidding the
ladies goodnight and wandered back down the quay with his pint in
hand.
As the girls got on the last golf buggy Lorraine
called from the back seat, "Ms J?er, are all the boys here that
sexy?" Which was greeted by another fit of giggles from the
other occupants. Erika still quite flushed, glanced over her shoulder
and grinned in reply, "Unfortunately they're not." Then
seeing the looks on the girls' faces she added under her breath, "or
maybe that should be fortunately."
---oOo---
Deborah Remark looked around the dining room and still
felt wonder at the decor, the place hadn't been changed that much to
accommodate the school and the old oil paintings still adorned the
walls. As head of catering it was her job to feed the children and
staff at the school, and she'd been grateful for the help that Rosie
Grace, the housekeeper, had given her.
It was also her
responsibility to see to the behaviour of the students at meal times
and whilst, generally, there were no problems she'd seen the odd case
of over exuberance. She understood that it was just the girls letting
off steam after a fraught few months but they were supposed to be
ladies. Just because it was their first day here it didn't give them
the right to behave like football hooligans.
"Charlotte!
Gabrielle! If you would be so kind as to return the spoons to their
rightful place."
The two girls froze, and then slowly
lowered the two serving spoons they'd been using as weapons back into
the tureens and returned to their seats. Charlotte bowed her head as
Gabrielle said, "Sorry Ms Remark."
"I know
you are, Gabrielle," said Deborah softly, " but you know
how to behave and playing with the implements isn't right."
Around
the table several of the other young ladies looked bashful and
quickly calmed down. At the head of the table Eloise glanced at
fourteen-year old Beatrice and asked, "Are you OK,
Bea?"
Beatrice looked up with tear filled eyes, "I'll
be alright," she said, "I was just thinking of mom and
dad."
Eloise sighed, "It's tough I know,"
she said, "but you'll be alright and they are definitely
OK."
"I know, getting extracted was what they
wanted, I just wish it had happened six months earlier, then they
could have taken me." Two small tears ran over her red cheeks
and Eloise reached across the table and held her hand, offering what
little comfort she could.
"Come on girls, finish up,"
called out Deborah Remark, "the older girls should be here any
second and I need to feed them also tonight."
Eloise
tugged on Bea's hand, "Come on, let's go get the best seats in
the TV room," she said before dragging the younger girl away,
she was followed by the rest of her classmates as the dining room
emptied.
"Charlie, what's on," called Eloise as
the pair, still holding hands, entered the room put aside for the
television.
Charlotte Bronson glanced up and replied, "The
News, and then they're showing Notting Hill again."
"That'll
do," said Eloise dragging Beatrice onto the small sofa, "I
need something relaxing after today."
"Cool,"
said Charlotte as she curled up in the armchair she'd already
commandeered.
"This is the six o'clock news from the
BBC with Dermot Kaplinsky and Natasha Murnaghan. Tonight's main
headline is the destruction of the CAP testing stations in
Knightsbridge, Regent's Park and Whitehall. Although no one was
injured the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that there was no
warning given. A spokesman for Earth First deplored the act of
terrorism but said it was perfectly understandable. Similar attacks
have been reported in Beijing, Berlin, Paris and Washington."
The
picture on the television displayed the scene of carnage around one
of the testing stations, the voice over continued, "Good
evening, this afternoon without any warning being given explosive
devices were detonated at the Confederacy testing stations in three
locations around London. Similar explosions have occurred in many of
the capital cities around the world. It is generally felt that this
is the work of the more militant elements within the Earth First
movement. Fortunately in London there were no reported casualties
though the Prime Minister has put this down to luck when he was told
about the incident. The Home Secretary has ordered a full
investigation telling the BBC that the perpetrators will be bought to
justice and these acts of terrorism will not sway the Government from
doing all in its power to support the efforts of the Confederacy in
its war with the Sa'arm."
The crowd of girls watched
on in relative silence as the story unfolded before them. Pictures of
the injured being evacuated in both Beijing and Washington showed
that not everyone had been as lucky as the Londoners. In Washington
the Secretary for Homeland Security stood before the devastated
testing centre and declared, "This is a continuation of the war
on terror and just because the people that did this are fellow
Americans it doesn't make them any less despicable than Bin Laden and
his heathens. Terror wherever it comes from will not be allowed to
destroy our way of life and we are already taking steps to counter
these atrocities. All CAP testing stations will receive increased
protection from both the local and state authorities. In addition,
individual mobile testing stations will be deployed to any
organisation that requests them." He looked directly into the
camera, "This will ensure that anyone who wishes to do the right
thing will have an opportunity to do so away from the prying eyes of
the zealots, zealots whose only aim is to save themselves at the
expense of others."
Gabrielle called out from the
back of the room, "Charlie, turn it down 'till the film starts
will you, this is just too depressing to watch."
Without
waiting for any other comments Charlotte hit the mute button and
looked around, "At least we're well out of all that sort of
stuff now that we're here."
Beatrice spoke up from
the sofa, "For now, but how long will it be before those people
start looking for us?" she asked with a quiver in her
voice.
Irene, who was the most aggressive of the
fifteen-year-old students piped up from her position on the floor,
"Let them come," she said, "by the time they get here
we'll know everyone on this island. It'll make spotting outsiders too
easy."
Gabby giggled, "and then what?" she
asked.
Irene batted her eyelashes at her friend and said,
"Why, then I'll get one of the big, handsome boys around here,"
her voice dropped, "to kick the crap out of the bastards and
throw them back in the sea!"
The girls greeted this
statement with giggles and one or two added a few lewd comments about
how Irene would get her help.
Beatrice whispered to
Eloise, "Do you think we could find some boys to protect
us?"
Eloise pulled the younger girl in tight, "If
you can't find a boy, I'll protect you," she said and kissed Bea
on the cheek. The younger girl snuggled under the protective arm of
the fifteen-year old and relaxed.
---oOo---
Tony dropped onto the bench seat outside the pub with
a sigh and took a swallow of his beer before looking up at Bob. "You
know, I never thought that having this many girls here would cause us
a problem?"
"I blame the government," said
Bob in reply after wiping the froth off of his lips. "If they
hadn't lowered the drinking age along with everything else then we'd
have been able to get to the bar without any hassle."
"True,"
said Tony, "but then we'd have been drinking illegally."
"And
your point is?" asked Bob.
"True," said
Tony with a shrug, well aware that everyone on the island drank at
the pub and nobody, including Constable Glossop, would have done
anything about it. "But the girls wouldn't have know that, would
they?"
Bob watched as one of the girls they were
discussing, dressed in a very short skirt and a see-thru top, slid
past on her way to the bar. He grinned across the table at his friend
and said, "It may be a pain getting to the bar with them here
but they definitely improve the view."
"Amen,"
said Tony in agreement and then caught sight of a group of adults
approaching and as soon as he identified Erika J?er he fell silent.
Bob glanced over his shoulder and saw the same group and shrugged,
his friend had it bad for the first time in his life.
Betty
looked around and saw that there wasn't a free table available and a
quick glance at the pub door showed that it was packed inside as
well, "Bugger," she muttered.
Erika glanced
about and came to the same conclusion but then smiled, "Don't
worry, Betty, I'm sure the boys there will be willing to share their
table."
Betty looked at the table Erika had indicated
and laughed, "Oh yes, I'm sure your boyfriend will
share."
Before Erika could respond Rosie asked,
"Boyfriend?"
"Yes," said Betty, "That
tall boy over there, the one called Tony, he's been making eyes at
Erika ever since we got here." She looked back at the statuesque
teacher and added, "and she's been just as bad."
"No
I haven't," burst out Erika going red.
"Yes you
have," said Janine Roberts joining in the teasing.
"Well
he is a handsome lad," said Rosie getting into the swing of
things, "though I think you'll break a few girls' hearts if you
take him away."
Erika beat a verbal retreat, "Well
you go and ask them if we can share and I'll go and get the drinks,"
she said before turning for the crowded bar.
"Nudge
up," said Rosie to Bob as she used her ample hip to push him to
the middle of the bench. On his far side Betty dropped down
effectively trapping the young man between two plump older women, he
looked across at Tony with an expression that reminded his friend of
a startled deer. On his side of the table Janine lowered herself much
more delicately to the seat beside him and smiled, leaving the far
side of the seat available for Erika when she returned. Tony glanced
around once and then looked at the empty space and swallowed as his
imagination and hope combined.
Rosie looked around before
asking, "So boys, what do you think of the changes the school
has brought here?"
The still flummoxed Bob answered
truthfully, "They've improved the view but getting to the bar
has become a right pain in the arse."
The women at
the table burst into laughter as Bob went beetroot red, "I
mean... uhmm… I'm sorry..."
Betty dropped her
hand on his and said sweetly, "It's all right Bob, we understand
what you mean." Which may have calmed the young man down a
little but put his pulse rate up through the roof as he stared at the
woman's hand holding his.
"And what do you think?"
asked Janine looking at Tony anxious to see how the islanders felt
about her school.
After a short pause Tony said, "As
Bob just said I think having this many new people here will improve
the prospects." Spotting Janine start to scowl he said abruptly,
"No! Not just the sex side of things," he wiggled his
eyebrows at the older woman, "though that will in all likelihood
be an improvement, but simply by having different people here, from a
different background will open up possibilities for all of us to gain
experience." Tony looked across at Rosie, "I'm sure you've
been told how limited the opportunities are on the island and how
most people head for the mainland to get ahead."
Tony
waited until he received an indication that his audience understood,
"Well with the way things are going over there and with you
people here I think a lot of us will stay on the island to gather
that experience rather than fly away." He took a sip of his beer
before adding, "And I for one am looking forward to gaining that
experience."
"Gaining what experience?"
asked Erika who'd made it back to the table as Tony wound down.
As
quick as a flash Betty was in there, "Tony was just saying how
he looked forward to gaining experience from you rather than having
to go to the mainland."
Erika blushed but nowhere
near as much as Tony did, Bob spluttered into his pint and Rosie
added, "And it's not just the sex side of things he's hoping for
an improvement in either."
Erika sat down next to the
severely embarrassed teenager and tried to quell things by saying,
"I'm sure we'll be able to discuss the matter later, in
private." Before she started to hand out the drinks to her
grinning friends.
Once the drinks were distributed she
said, "I understand one of those Earth First people came across
on the ferry this afternoon."
It was like throwing a
bucket of water over the group as all merriment disappeared.
"Where
is he now?" asked Janine.
"According to the
landlord he's talking to the Constable."
"I
wonder what he wants?" asked Janine clutching at her gin and
tonic.
"He'll be here to stir up trouble," said
Betty, "they always are."
Bob was staring down
the road and than interrupted, "If he was with the Constable it
looks like he's coming here."
Heads at the table
whipped round and observed a fairly non-descript man walking towards
the pub accompanied by an unhappy looking Constable. The reaction
from the teachers' table caused others to look that way and muttered
questions concerning the identity of the stranger could be
heard.
The man spoke as he arrived, "Good evening
ladies."
A few of the girls responded with muttered
greetings but that was all. Constable Glossop moved away from the man
towards the table the teachers were sat at. Before he could say
anything Janine pounced, "I take it you couldn't get rid of
him?"
"No Ma'am," replied the Constable,
"So far he hasn't broken any laws and although I think his
beliefs are abhorrent he is just as free to talk about them as you
are to discuss yours."
"I'm sorry Constable,"
said Janine, "I know you're right. It's just so frustrating that
he can spread his poison and there is nothing I can do about it."
"I
wouldn't worry to much," replied the Constable, "if he
starts sprouting off in the bar he's likely to get thrown out on his
ear." When Janine looked puzzled Don Glossop added, "Around
here people take objection to strangers coming over from the mainland
and telling them what to do and that I suspect is what he's going to
try."
"What do you mean?" asked Betty
probing for information.
"It appears that your
request for one of the mobile CAP testing stations has become common
knowledge, he was asking me if I knew about it and where it was,"
replied the Constable. "He was sprouting on about it being an
abomination against humanity and it was my duty to see that it was
destroyed."
Tony looked annoyed, "And that idiot
is going to do it on his own?"
"I doubt it,"
said the Constable. "If he can't get the locals to do it I'm
guessing that he'll turn up with a bunch of bully boys and try to
smash it."
Tony started to bristle but the Constable
held up a hand, "It's all right, Tony. He just thinks that I'd
be unable to stop him if it comes to that, and he's probably right.
After all I'm not here all the time."
"No, but
we are," said Tony.
"That you are, but these
people have been getting more violent as time has gone on, they're
actually turning up armed and we," the tap to his chest clearly
indicated the police, "are not allowed to be armed 'in case we
escalate the violence'."
"So if they turn up we
just let them have the system?" asked Janine.
"That
would be the sensible thing to do," replied the lawman looking
disgusted.
"What sort of weapons do they have?"
asked Tony.
"Normally just a few handguns along with
bats and knives," answered the Constable.
"No
shotguns or rifles?" asked Bob, thinking he knew what his friend
was up to.
Don Glossop grinned, "Nothing like that,"
he said.
"Interesting," said Tony and then shut
up as Rosie and Erika stared at him.
A yell from the bar
shattered their silence.
"Bugger off you fucking
idiot!"
Don looked towards the door and sighed, "I
better go and rescue the idiot before I have to arrest someone for
doing the right thing," he said, and then set off slowly for the
door. Before he got there a grunt was heard followed by a whimper and
then the body of the stranger came flying out of the doorway and
bounced a couple of times before it came to rest against one of the
picnic tables.
"You ignorant fools," yelled the
man from the floor, "If you don't get rid of it we'll do it for
you and you'll always be outsiders."
"Excuse me,
Sir," said Constable Glossop taking a firm hold of the man's
jacket, "But you're disturbing the peace and I'll have to ask
you to leave." He glanced at his watch and then added, "If
you're quick you should be able to make the last sailing otherwise
I'll have to put you in a cell for the night."
The
man staggered slightly and then headed for the ferry, calling back as
he went, "You're as bad as them you stupid prick, you'll see
what happens, when we come back. Just wait and see."
Tony
watched the man retreating for a moment and then settled back in
thought.
---oOo---
Bob caught up with Tony on the edge of town the
following morning. "Tony, are you serious about going up against
these Earth First people?"
"What do you mean,
Bob?"
"Exactly what I said," replied Bob.
"Are you seriously going to get ready for when they come
back?"
"To be honest, Bob, I'm not sure."
Tony looked to the skies for a moment before continuing, "I
don't like them and even if I thought they were telling the truth I'd
be against the way they are doing things." Tony paused again,
"You know the girls as well as I do, do you think they're in
league with the devil?" He looked across the island landscape,
"this place is our home and even if we can't get away should we
stop those who can." He shrugged, "To be honest I'm
probably just going to sit back and watch what happens."
Bob
looked amazed, "I'd have thought you'd be leading the defence?"
he said.
"I guess I'm just reacting to the fact that
I'm probably going to be stuck here when those Sa'arm arrive,"
Tony answered truthfully. "I don't see why I shouldn't be
allowed to go but those are the rules and I lost," Tony scowled,
"I suppose I don't see it as my problem."
"That's
not what you were saying last night," responded Bob
hotly.
"Last night I was thinking with my balls,"
said Tony, "Now I'm using my brain. If the Confederacy wants
people to be extracted then they'd better make sure that they're
available when they want them."
Bob turned and
stormed off leaving Tony who stood there shaking his head at his
friend's departure. He turned to go on and nearly collided with the
Constable.
"Don't worry Tony, he'll be alright once
he's calmed down."
Tony frowned, "I thought you
had to be back on the mainland today"
"Officially
I do but I thought I'd hang around, just in case," replied the
Constable.
"Just in case," said Tony, "You
expect them to be back that quickly?"
The Constable
shrugged then was silent for a couple of minutes before looking Tony
up and down. "Tony," he said, "Serious question time,"
he made sure he had the young man's attention and then asked, "What
are you going to do when the Earth First people come looking for the
test centre?"
"I just told Bob..."
Don
stopped him; "I know what you told him. I also know you. So
again, what are you going to do when they come looking for the
machine and don't care who gets in the way?"
"Shit!"
Don smiled, "That's what I suspected."
"OK,
so you know me better than I know myself," said Tony, "but
I don't see what good that's going to do."
"As
things stand it probably wouldn't be a lot," said Don, "but
if they hold off till next time I'm back I can probably give you a
few things that will make a difference."
"Such
as?" asked Tony.
"Wait and see," said Don,
"Just promise me that you'll try and keep a lid on things if
they come back and I'm not here."
"You think
they're that obvious?"
"Oh yes," said Don,
"Although it hasn't made the news yet I've been getting reports
that the Earth First group are becoming a proper little terrorist
organisation. It seems that they're getting inside help from the
civil service and some policemen."
When Tony looked
shocked Don nodded, "Yes some of my own are siding with the
idiots."
"What else has been happening?"
asked Tony.
"Around here it's not so bad but over in
Glasgow and down in London it's almost turning into gang warfare.
Ireland is turning to shit as it looks like the UVF and IRA are
getting together and are making noises about throwing the government
out north and south of the border." Don shook his head, "The
Government keeps sprouting off about sticking to its policies and
supporting the Confederacy but so far they've confined the Army to
barracks and are limiting what the police can do. They won't even
declare that the Earth First group are terrorists!"
Don
looked around to make sure they were alone, "To tell you the
truth Tony, I think law and order is going out of the window and
nobody seems to care."
Tony pondered for a moment;
"You think the island can go it alone?"
"I
doubt it," said Don, "It's not big enough and doesn't
produce enough so it'll always be dependent on the mainland."
"So
we're going to have to give up eventually?" said Tony.
"Or
move somewhere else."
"Such as?" asked the
young man.
"At the moment I fancy Anglesey,"
said Don, "My brother is with the North Wales police and he's
been dropping hints that those who favour things as they are now are
heading that way. If he's right and not just bull-shitting me then
I'll probably wait for it to turn tits up and go and join him."
"Do
you think it's wise to wait that long, I mean they set up the school
here so they could get away from London?"
It was
Don's turn to shrug, "I don't know Tony, and I don't think
anyone does. It feels like it's every man for himself and I'm not
sure how many people are willing to make the sacrifice that letting
other people go to the colonies whilst standing aside calls for. Look
at your parents," he said, "I'm sure they want the best for
you and would be willing to make the sacrifice for you, but for
someone else, I'm not so sure."
He looked out to sea
before continuing, "What's happening out there is that mob
mentality is taking over. The strong are coming to the top without
the normal checks and balances to keep things even. It means that the
majority, who really don't spend any time thinking things through,
are being led by the nose. Sooner or later that is going to lead to
conflict and if enough people in positions of authority have gone
over then law and order will fail and anarchy will reign."
Tony
looked at Don who appeared to be defeated. "Then you really
think it's hopeless?" he said.
"No," said
Don, "I believe that when things fall apart it will become a
case of local people making decisions and backing them up with force,
not national policies or global controls. Just people like you and me
standing up to the bullies and making them go somewhere
else."
"Which is what you want me to do, isn't
it?" asked Tony.
"I guess it is," said Don.
"I thought about asking someone like your father or Paul Smythe
to take charge but I don't believe that they would want to try and
run such a thing, they have too much to do already." He shrugged
again, "Most people are happy to follow, no matter who is
leading them, you just have to get someone to stand up and say follow
me," he grinned at the young man, "and I've volunteered
you."
"I guess I'll do it then," said Tony
returning the Constable's grin.
---oOo---
Tony was sat in his usual place outside the pub when
Erika came down the hill. He watched her approach whilst marvelling
at the fluid motion of her hips and the gentle quiver of her barely
contained breasts. Like most males Tony had nothing but praise for
the changes in wardrobe that the threat of invasion had brought
about. Erika was a case in point, the thirty something teacher was
dressed in a white wrap-around tennis skirt and a white bustier top
which showed off her mature body without making her look like a
tramp. A trick that more than one of the pupils at the school had
failed to achieve in his opinion.
He was still watching
the pub door when she reappeared with a drink in her hand. Spotting
him she smiled and crossed to his table.
"All alone?"
she asked.
Tony looked around, exaggerating his movements
and then sighed theatrically, "So it appears."
Erika
couldn't help but chuckle; "Do you mind if I join you?"
Tony
thought, 'Do I look stupid enough to say I mind,' but said, "I'd
be delighted." Which was also the truth.
After a few
minutes of inconsequential chit-chat Erika said, "Don Glossop
was up at the school earlier and mentioned that you'd agreed to look
out for the school."
Tony stared at the teacher in
shock; he hadn't done anything of the sort, well, not
really.
"That's not strictly true," he said.
"What I agreed with the Constable was to look into dealing with
any sort of bully boys that turned up here."
Erika
smiled a knowing sort of smile, "and that would include the
school, wouldn't it?"
"Well, yes," admitted
Tony.
"Then I was right to thank you," said
Erika.
"If you look at it that way," said Tony
admitting defeat, "I guess you were."
"So
what do you plan to do?" she asked.
"At the
moment there's not a lot I, or anyone else, can do," said Tony.
"I've had a chat with a few the guys who are MY age and even a
couple of the blokes who work around town and we've agreed to get
together whenever the ferry arrives. You know, hang around the
quayside just in case anyone kicks off."
He shrugged,
"I need to ask the Constable if he'll get the Captain to call
ahead and warn us if he has any strangers on board. Other than that I
haven't done much."
Erika leant forward, which did
wonderful things as far as Tony was concerned and asked quietly, "Do
you think there will be trouble?"
Tony frowned,
dragging his gaze up from her cleavage before replying, "Probably,"
he said. "Not at first, but if they persist on trying to get
onto the island and causing unrest I guess it's inevitable."
"What
will you do then?" Erika asked rocking her shoulders gently from
side to side to tease the young man.
Tony swallowed hard,
knowing she was teasing him but unable to break away. "I guess
we'll end up fighting," he said looking up and into her eyes, "I
hope it doesn't come to that but it may."
"What
about weapons, things like that?" asked Erika realising that
Tony was taking things much more seriously than she would have
originally envisaged.
"We've got a few shotguns on
the island but it's one of the things I want to speak to the
Constable about when I get a chance," he said. "Ask him
what we can do and what we can't."
"Well he's up
at the school having supper with Janine," said Erika before
downing her drink and standing up. "Come on, we'll go and see
him now."
Tony found himself standing before he
realised what he was doing, shaking his head in disbelief he moved
around to the tall woman's side and matched her pace as she began the
walk back up to the school.
Going in through the more
convenient back entrance Erika called out, "Rosie, I'm back,"
and after a short pause, "Is Janine about?"
Rosie
popped her head out of a pantry, "She's retired to her room
with... Oh hello Tony."
Erika giggled like a
schoolgirl, "How long have they been missing?"
Rosie
glanced at the wall clock and did a quick calculation, "about
forty-five minutes."
Erika crossed to a coffee
percolator, "Would you like a coffee Tony? We can wait in the
library for the two of them to finish."
"Err,
yes please," stuttered Tony and then blushed as Rosie smiled at
him.
Erika handed over a cup of the strong aromatic coffee
and slid her now free arm through his before leading him through a
heavy door and into one of the traditional rooms at the Lodge. The
walls of the library were covered in old oak shelves packed with
leather bound volumes. Scattered around the room were dark green
leather chesterfield sofas and traditional tile-topped side
tables.
Erika led the way to a corner seat and after
placing her coffee on the convenient table lowered herself down. She
looked back at Tony who was standing there awkwardly and patted the
seat beside her.
For a moment Tony felt like a lamb going
to slaughter and then figured what the hell and mimicked her actions.
As he settled back Erika lowered her head onto his shoulder and
snuggled in. Poor Tony popped a boner and didn't dare look to see if
it was obvious.
Erika didn't say a word, just began
running her fingers gently over his chest and as time passed she
allowed them to flow lower and lower. For his part Tony sat rigidly
for the first couple of minutes then his own fingers started flitting
around her shoulder and down her side. Around the time her fingers
ran over his jean protected erection she twisted her neck and Tony
found himself with his lips against the oldest woman he'd ever had
the pleasure of snogging.
An hour later and the now sated
naked couple still hadn't drunk their coffees but they knew each
other intimately. They were enjoying a quiet snuggle when the door
opened and Janine burst in, "Erika I heard you were... Oh God,
I'm sorry... I'll..." and still spluttering Janine turned and
fled.
Tony blushed but Erika gave him a light slap on his
naked leg, "Come on, get dressed and we'll go and talk to the
Constable."
---oOo---
For a week nothing untoward happened and then Tony got
a phone call from the harbourmaster who was relaying a message from
the ferryboat's Captain. Five men who had tickets to Blerwick Island
had boarded the ferry and the Captain didn't like the look of
them.
Tony put in a couple of calls to the closest farms
and then ran down to the town and grabbed anyone he could find to
assist. By the time the ferry approached the harbour he had done
everything he could to be ready.
The ferry pulled up and
the normal passengers started to disembark, this was the signal for
Tony and John MacGregor, the landlord of the island's pub, to begin
walking down the length of the quay. At the far end of the quay and
effectively behind anyone who got off the boat two more men stood up
and started to move towards the unloading ramp.
As chance
would have it the five men were the last to leave the boat and they
did look strange, in a place where dull colours tended to be the
mainstay these men were all wearing the same bright green jackets.
The almost military haircuts and heavy boots on their feet also
helped to mark them as different.
When the group hit the
quayside they advanced towards the town in a wedge formation, whether
by intent or just a natural coincidence was hard to say.
John
MacGregor grinned and said under his breath to Tony, "That's the
silly bugger I threw out of the pub last week, you know some people
never learn."
Tony looked the group over carefully
and saw that the man on the right did look vaguely familiar. "So
they are Earth First thugs then," he said and looked behind him
and gave a short wave to let the last group know that they were in
business.
When the two groups were about ten feet apart
Tony spoke up, "That's far enough!"
Instinctively
everyone stopped and the Earth First group exchanged glances before
the man at the front asked, "Is there a problem, sonny?"
Tony
could hear the rest of his group coming up behind him and see the two
men behind the thugs so felt he was as ready as he was ever going to
be. "Not if you 'gentlemen' will turn round and get back on the
ferry," he said returning the implied insult with a smile.
One
of the men called out, "This is a public highway, and you've no
right to stop us." The yell was greeted by a withering look from
the man at the front of the group.
Tony looked at the man
who'd spoken and shrugged his shoulders, "Actually you're wrong
there, this island is the property of the Earl of Carnforth and as
such is private property, so you can be asked to leave, we're even
doing it politely"
"And if we don't want to go?"
asked the leader with an evil grin as he took in the size of the
group that Tony had gathered and didn't seem particularly
impressed.
"Then I suppose we'll have to put you back
on the ferry," said Tony stepping to the side and bringing the
pickaxe handle he'd been holding behind his back to the fore, beside
him John MacGregor mimicked his actions.
"Do you
think that's really necessary," said the leader as his
compatriots produced a couple of knives, a pipe and a length of
chain, but fortunately no firearms.
"Well I hope
not," said Tony, "but if it is then the gentlemen behind
you will be more than willing to assist us in our civic duty."
The
leader didn't flinch but one of his friends looked back and then
hissed something to which the leader nodded. "It would appear,"
he said, "that we'll be leaving for now." He then glared at
Tony and added, "You know we'll be back and then we'll sort out
you and the alien-loving-scum that you're protecting?"
"That's
up to you," said Tony, "we'll be waiting," he declared
as he watched the five slowly return to the ferry.
John
MacGregor announced, "Come on, let's get a drink - on the
house."
Tony nodded, "Just as soon as the ferry
departs," he said and then grinned at John's look of
disappointment.
A cold and in most cases boring hour
followed as the ferry went about its normal turnaround operations and
the two groups watched each other along the deserted length of the
quay. Tony knew that next time, and he was sure there would be a next
time, things would not be so easy.
As the ferry finally
departed the group headed for the pub and a well-earned beer.
---oOo---
Don Glossop arrived at the quayside and looked on as
the ferry crew unloaded two green fibreglass cases, which, from the
way they struggled appeared to be pretty heavy. Paul Smythe, with one
of the golf buggies that had become a permanent feature of the
island, was there to greet him.
Paul looked at the cases
on the back of his buggy and frowned, "Are you really sure this
is necessary, Don?"
The Constable looked surprised
and then asked, "I take it you've heard about the run in that
Tony had with that bunch of thugs from the mainland?"
When
Paul confirmed that he was aware of the altercation Don continued,
"Well when they said they would be back they meant it."
"I had a word with the desk sergeant in town,"
the Constable continued, "and he told me that the group Tony
threw off the island are hanging around the town centre spreading
tales about what's happening over here. He also let slip that the
undercover guys had told the Chief that the bunch from here are
expecting another gang to join them from Glasgow and that this new
mob are probably going to be armed."
Don nodded to
the green cases, "I'm hoping that these will make things more
equal if things go down that route."
"Don't you
think that it will just escalate things, I mean giving out guns means
that someone will be tempted to use them?" asked the Estate
Warden with a look of disgust.
"Paul have you any
idea how many shotguns are on the island? If anyone here wanted to
start a war they could have done without any help from me." He
nodded back at the cases, "These are just a different type of
gun, one that will mean that your friends don't have to get as close
and put themselves into danger."
Still looking upset
Paul turned in his seat and took hold of the steering wheel, "Come
on, and let's get you and this lot up to the Lodge."
Don
got in beside Paul and sat pensively as the Estate Warden set out for
the Lodge, worrying about Paul's attitude and fretting that it might
be indicative of the way things were going on the island.
At
the Lodge Don was pleased to find Tony, Bob and several others
waiting for him. As he stepped out of the buggy Tony moved forward
and asked, "Are these the 'goodies' you promised?"
Don
smiled, "Yes," he said happy that at least on person was
happy. "If we can get down I'll show you what I've got."
Tony
waved a couple of big farmers forward and stepped back taking Don
with him, "So what are you giving us?" he asked."
Don
dug around in one of his deep pockets and pulled out a leaflet, he
checked that it was the right one and handed it over to Tony.
"They're some guns that we took off a drug runner," he
said. "Why he was carrying these wrapped up like this we don't
know, he couldn't use them in this condition. The best guess is that
he was delivering them for someone when we caught him."
Don
moved around the buggy to the two boxes and waved his hand at the
larger of the two, "That one contains six AK101 assault rifles,
which, I am reliably informed, are an advanced version of the
terrorist's favourite, the old AK47." He pointed at the second
box, "That one contains half a dozen weapon kits, you know,
magazines, slings, things like that and more importantly six thousand
rounds of 5.56mm NATO ammunition."
"Won't anyone
miss this stuff," asked Tony.
"No," said
Don, "no one knew it had been recovered." He shrugged, "a
friend of mine figured that there was enough evidence with the drugs
the fellow was carrying to convict him. So he kept this stuff for a
rainy day."
Tony looked shocked but Don ignored his
reaction, "Alan was the first of us to realise the way things
were going. He started making preparations while the rest of us were
sitting around moaning into our tea."
"What else
is in there?" asked Tony, pointing to the boxes after he'd
recovered.
"The training manuals for the rifles."
Tony raised an inquisitive eyebrow but Don just continued, "Don't
worry, they're in English as well as Russian and a few other
languages. There are also a couple of low light scopes with all the
bits and pieces to look after them and a couple of Russian radios. I
doubt if they'll be much use as they don't have manuals and all the
labels are in the funny writing they use."
Tony
helped to open the box containing the rifles and lifted the first
black weapon from its place. The magazine and barrel looked familiar
from the images he'd seen on television and in the press but the
black stock and butt plate were definitely different. He tossed the
rifle up and down a couple of times and said, "Weighs about
seven and a half pounds," before looking a little sheepish. "I
better get these put away before somebody sees them," he said
and began organising getting the rifles and ancillaries into the
cellar of the Lodge.
Paul Smythe had been brow beaten into
allowing the Blerwick Militia, as it was being called, to set up in
one of the cellars as it had been argued that the school was the
obvious target for any attacks. He hadn't been happy but had caved
under pressure from Don, Janine and Tony.
Tony had managed
to get fourteen other people to volunteer to help him act as a
defence or police force for the island but, unfortunately, this was
in addition to their normal activities. In the end a system, very
much like the one used by the volunteer lifeboat men had been
established. A siren, actually a reminder of the Second World War,
had been found to be serviceable after a little tinkering and had
been moved to the Lodge. At the first sign of trouble it was to be
activated and the volunteers would head for their cellar. The first
six there got the assault rifles and headed off to deal with the
trouble whilst the rest got together and taking whatever weapons were
available followed.
Everyone had managed to get a go with
the rifles, including firing off a couple of magazines worth of
rounds before Tony declared that the system was up and running.
Nobody was particularly happy with the system but all agreed that it
was the best that could be done under the circumstances.
All
they could do now was wait and hope that they wouldn't be needed.
---oOo---
Tony rolled away from Erika as the nerve-jangling wail
of the siren crashed through their romantic smooch.
"Oh
shit!" he exclaimed as he staggered to his feet. He was
fastening his shirt as he headed for the door pursued by a topless
Erika, who called out "Isn't this a drill?"
"No,"
he called back as he headed down the wide staircase passing several
girls who were looking around in confusion.
At the bottom
of the stairs Tony nearly ran into Janine who was looking around,
"There you are," she declared. "The harbour master
just rang," she said. "He says that the thugs are coming
this way. They left the mainland thirty minutes ago on the ferry and
another boat."
"Why haven't we heard from the
ferry boat Captain?" asked Tony.
"I've no idea,"
said Janine, "but if they left thirty minutes ago they'll be
here soon, won't they?"
"About ten minutes,"
said Tony, "if they stick to the ferry schedule." He
started to think, ignoring the people around him. There was no way
that anyone could get from the town to here and back again so if he
was going to do anything it had to be with the people that were here.
He needed more information so he turned round towards the stairs and
nearly flattened Erika who had been stood behind him.
"Sorry,"
he said catching hold of the topless teacher. "Can you get the
rifles out and ready for whoever turns up, I need to see what's
happening out there."
"How are you going to do
that?" she asked.
"From the tower," he said
reminding her of the small tower that was built on the seaward end of
the Lodge. It wasn't a real castle tower but it did have a trap door
that allowed people to stand on the top of it.
Tony
impulsively kissed Erika on the cheek and headed for the
stairs.
Erika watched him for a couple of seconds and then
turned to Janine and grabbed her by the arm, "Come on, let's get
things ready."
Standing on the top of the tower in
the murky twilight Tony looked out to sea and managed to spot the
ferry approaching the harbour. Behind it and moving away from the
ferry was another, smaller boat that looked familiar. Tony watched it
for a minute before he was able to identify it as the Tarfish 770
that was used by the lighthouse keepers as a resupply vessel.
Tony
looked from the ferry to the Tarfish and tried to estimate how many
people were coming and after a minute or so gave up. One thing was
for sure; the Tarfish wasn't heading for the harbour, which meant it,
must be heading for the beach below the Lodge.
After a
brief moment Tony decided what to do and dropped back down into the
building hoping that sufficient reinforcements had arrived. By the
time he got to the cellar Janine and Erika had all the weapons loaded
and belts available with another four full magazines for each weapon.
Also in the cellar was Paul Belling from a nearby farm and the six
girls that made up the senior class.
Tony was
disappointed, only he, Erika and Paul were actually familiar with the
weapons, which didn't make his options any better. Deciding to stick
with his initial ideas he began giving orders and hoped that they'd
be followed. "Paul, I want you to escort the girls down to the
town. You'll be taking four of the rifles with you and I want you to
try and link up with the rest of the guys down there."
"You
think there's going to be trouble?" Paul asked as he fitted the
ammunition belt.
"Looks like it," said Tony.
"There's a bunch of them on the ferry heading for the town but
if you're quick you should be there before they dock. There's also
another bunch heading for the beach and I'm going to try to stop
them."
"Got it," said Paul as he hefted his
rifle and looked across at the teenaged girls with a grin. "Come
on then ladies, it looks like I've got you all to myself."
The
girls returned his grin a little nervously and then festooned with
rifles and ammunition belts they followed the farmer as he headed for
the town.
"Well Erika, shall we go see what we can do
about our uninvited guests?" asked Tony gripping the AK101 a
little more tightly than was really necessary.
"Oh
goody," said Erika, "you've got a plan."
""Yes,"
said Tony glad that she seemed relaxed. "The only real way up
from that beach is along a fairly narrow path. The path comes out by
the old observation post, I figure if we set up there then we can
keep them from getting to the school."
The
observation post he'd mentioned was little more than a brick built
gazebo with a solid back and a view over the beach to the sea. It was
in a poor state of repair but its position about fifty yards from
where the path came over the steep drop to the beach and at the head
of a short gully meant it was the logical place to set up.
Grabbing
one of the low light scopes Tony headed off with Erika close behind
him.
Tony entered the gazebo and was surprised at how
clean it was inside given the state of the actual building. He got
Erika down on the floor and looked along the gully towards the cliff
edge and was happy that anything coming over the edge would be
silhouetted against the lighter sky.
"OK darling,"
he said, "you stay here and watch that gully, if I'm not back
before they appear, give'em hell."
"Where are
you going?" Erika asked, concern showing in her voice.
"Just
over there," said Tony pointing off to one side. "I want to
see what they're up to. You never know, they may not be doing what I
think they're doing."
Erika snorted and then settled
down as her young lover slowly trotted away from her and closer to
the enemy.
Tony, feeling sure that the invaders wouldn't
have made it to the beach yet, headed in a straight line for the
cliff edge and on arrival dropped to his stomach. Laying the AK
alongside him he bought up the low light scope and had a look around.
What he saw amused him at first as the Tarfish was side on to the
waves and in danger of being swamped but his joy faded as whoever was
guiding the boat managed to get it pointed at the beach and drove it
hard onto the packed sand.
Six men got off the boat and
after a bit of milling around, during which several fingers were
pointed at a short man who'd been in the wheelhouse, they headed
towards the far end of the path. The boat was left floundering across
the beach, clearly abandoned as far as the invaders were
concerned.
His view wasn't particularly good but using the
scope he could make out what looked like a couple of shotguns and
possibly a rifle amongst the group. Deciding that was enough he
headed back to the gazebo and Erika.
Tony slid in beside
Erika and told her to relax, "It's going to take them at least
ten minutes to get themselves sorted out and up that path."
He
lay there for a couple of minutes and then something that had been
nagging at him came to the fore. "Erika, are you going to be
alright, you know, shooting these people?"
Erika,
who'd been giving the matter some serious thought ever since she'd
left the Lodge, answered confidently, "Yes." She then
rolled onto one side so she could see her young lover clearly, "I've
done nothing but think about it since I picked up this rifle and I've
come to the conclusion that to protect the girls I can shoot them."
She frowned, "I'd much prefer that they went away peacefully but
it isn't going to happen."
Tony looked quizzical so
Erika continued, "We may have split from the college but we
still have friends there, including the chairwoman, Margaret Mackie.
She's been sending Janine regular updates on what she's been
learning." Erika looked troubled, "Tony, the Earth First
people have been killing volunteers, not officially but whenever
they've been able to disrupt an extraction the volunteers have turned
up later dead."
"You think that's what's going
to happen here," asked Tony, "that they're not just after
the testing machine?"
Erika nodded, which Tony could
only just make out in the increasing gloom. "Then we'd better
make sure that these lot don't get past us, hadn't we?" he said
looking back towards the sea.
---oOo---
"Bob, we need to get up to the Lodge," said
John from behind the bar as the siren screeched out.
"Come
on then," said Bob returning his half-full glass to the
bar.
Betty looked over to the pair and asked, "Should
I come with you?"
"I wouldn't bother," said
Bob, "it's probably just Tony having another practise."
As
the pair left the pub they looked around and noticed a couple of
other men heading for the track up to the Lodge. Bob set off after
them as John looked out to sea and saw the two boats clearing the
headland.
"Bob," he called out stopping to get a
better look.
Bob slowed and looked back and then in the
direction the landlord was staring. His forward progress ground to a
halt as the second boat moved away from the ferry.
'That
doesn't look right," he thought as John said, "That's the
lighthouse boat, what's it doing out here?"
Realisation
hit the two of them at the same time. "Oh shit," said Bob,
"It's for real."
John nodded, and then added,
"There's no way we can get up there and back down
again."
"Bollocks," muttered Bob as he
watched the ferry heading for the harbour entrance. "Now what do
we do?"
"Know anybody in town who's got a gun?"
asked John.
"A couple," said Bob.
"Right
you go and get them and I'll see what I can organise here." When
Bob was still standing there John barked, "Bob! Get a move
on."
The youngster shook and then took off like a
scared jackrabbit. John went back into the pub to tell the few
customers that it looked like trouble was here for real.
"What
are we going to do?" asked Betty.
"Well I'm
hoping that Bob will get back here before anything goes off,
otherwise things could get a bit difficult," said John as he
poured himself a drink.
"What if he doesn't?"
asked Betty getting more worried.
"Then I guess we
get out of here and hope that Tony can stop them up at the Lodge,"
said John staring at the coal fire.
"Isn't there
anything we can do?" asked Betty starting to annoy John.
"Well
if we had some mines or something we could slow them down but without
guns it's better to get out of their way," replied the
landlord.
Betty looked at the half full vodka bottle on
the counter and a synapse spat somewhere in her memory, "What
about a Molotov?" she asked.
"What?" said
the confused barman..
"You know, a petrol bomb, the
Molotov cocktail, could we make them?" Betty asked suddenly
enthused.
"No petrol," said John.
Betty
waved at the bottle on the bar, "That stuff would do," she
said.
Slowly John became enthusiastic, "You're
right," he glanced around and then started grabbing bottles.
"What else do we need?"
"Rags,"
replied Betty getting caught up events. "You soak the rags in
the same stuff as you're putting in the bottles, then tie a knot in
the end and force it into the neck of the bottle." She grinned
at the barman, "Then you light the rag and throw it at the
bastards."
"Lets get started," said John
dragging the bottles he found over to a table. "Pull down that
curtain, we'll use that for the rags."
Above the town
Allen Rogers and Gary Mackeson, the two men that Bob had seen heading
for the Lodge met Paul Belling and the girls coming down. The weapons
were exchanged and the three men started back down to the town. The
girls glanced across the harbour and saw that the ferry had arrived
before turning back and heading for the Lodge.
John and
Betty were behind a small switchbox half way down the quay. John kept
glancing around the edge, waiting for the men to start getting off
the ferry. Quietly he said, "I wish Bob was here."
"Why?"
asked Betty, "Aren't I good enough for you."
"Betty,
you're more than good enough," said John, "but Bob was
going looking for a couple of guns and I'd sooner have them than all
the petrol bombs in the world." He glanced around again and
muttered, "Here they come."
Eight men had made
their way to the quayside and were sauntering along it. The leading
pair had a shotgun each carried in the crook of their arms. Behind
them it was difficult to see what weapons they were carrying.
"I'd
better warn them," said John and before Betty could say anything
he got to his feet.
"Hold it right there," he
called out. Ahead of him the men slowed but kept walking, their
weapons still pointing downwards.
"I said stop,
you're not welcome here.," he shouted angrily.
One of
the men at the front looked towards his partner and then raised his
gun. John dropped straight down as the gun fired, its blast clearing
the top of the switchbox causing no damage as it passed.
Behind
the box John flick his trusty petrol lighter and ignited the rag on
the first of the six bottles they had, he held his bottle to Betty's
and then threw it, allowing just the enough of his head to appear to
see where he was aiming. Less than a second later Betty launched her
bottle.
The men on the quay stopped to watch the bottles
coming towards them almost in disbelief.
John's bottle
landed at the feet of the leading pair and shattered, its now flaming
contents scattering back amongst the group. Fifteen feet in front of
the group Betty's first throw smashed into the quayside and covered
it in flame.
The quayside became a scene of confusion as
men who were burning tried to put out the flames whilst others in the
group desperately tried to avoid catching fire. John's second bottle
arrived adding to the panic.
The man at the front yelled
charge and set off along the quayside, three of the men following
him. John launched his third bottle at where he judged they'd get to
and Betty followed suit. In accordance with their original plan John
then headed back along the quayside heading for the pub.
Betty,
who after seeing how far short her first shot had been, had saved her
second shot, waited to see what happened. Her last throw turned out
to be just about perfect, engulfing the charging group in flame. Only
the leader came through the cloud of fire, screaming at the top of
his voice.
Betty rose and hurled the last bottle straight
at him and then spun away. Her throw was too good and it hit him full
in the chest but failed to shatter, the bottle bounced off and over
the side into the dark water. Glancing back Betty saw the man slow
and start to raise his shotgun.
The next thing she knew
she was face down on the quay in pain from her grazed knees and
elbows. A quick glance showed the man walking towards her with an
evil grin on his face. Betty tried to get up but her ankle screamed
as soon as she put any pressure on it and she fell back to the
floor.
"I'm going to enjoy this bitch," said the
man when he reached her, "and then I'm going to personally kill
everyone of you alien loving scum on the island."
He
raised the shotgun to his shoulder.
Boom.
His
torso flew backwards and then there was another man standing over
Betty, His shotgun pointed at the prone man and barked again, almost
cutting him in half from twelve feet away.
Betty focused
on the man over her, "Bobby," she cried.
The
young man bent down and helped Betty up, though she had to put her
weight on just one leg.
Taking the bull by the horns,
Bobby gave the diminutive secretary the shotgun and swept her into
his arms. Once happy that he'd got a firm grip he started down the
quayside towards safety. Behind him the Earth First thugs were
dispirited and in disarray. The invasion from the ferry was
effectively over.
---oOo---
"Tony!" hissed Erika, "I thought I saw
something, movement right there." Immediately the fact that
she'd been feeling cold and the mind numbing fear disappeared in a
rush of adrenaline. Beside her Tony allowed his breath to escape
slowly and turned his full attention to the area of change between
the dark land and the lighter sky. He watched as first one silhouette
and then another appeared against the lighter skyline; he was
surprised at how casually the group was moving.
"Select
automatic," he said quietly to Erika reiterating what they'd
gone through earlier and listened for the click as she obeyed him.
"OK darling," he continued trying to remain and sound calm,
"don't fire until I do, understand, do nothing until I fire and
then aim for the man on the right."
Beside him the
wide-eyed Erika responded, "Yes, yes, the one on the right,"
she said as she pulled the rifle even tighter into her shoulder and
tried to line the thing up with her designated target. Alongside her
Tony kept his head up to see more clearly, he was waiting for more
figures to appear to make that initial burst more effective.
When
the fourth shape came into view he raised his rifle and sighted low
on the first target he'd seen cross the skyline and squeezed the AK's
trigger gently. The rifle bucked in his hands and started to drift
and climb as it hammered away throwing hot spent cartridges around
the observation point. He released the trigger and was pleased to
hear the second weapon chattering away beside him. He lowered his
rifle slightly and took a look over what had now become a
battlefield.
Beside him Erika released the trigger as the
weapon locked open and lowered the barrel of her rifle. She was
reaching for her second magazine when she realised that Tony had
stopped firing. She couldn't see a thing, nor it turned out could she
hear anything. She turned to Tony and found him staring intently
towards the cliff edge. She fitted the fresh magazine clumsily and
then followed Tony's lead, hoping that they'd already done enough to
drive the men away.
Below them on the cliff path there was
chaos. The group had been led to believe that they were attacking an
unsuspecting school and after a rough crossing and a scary beach
landing they'd believed that the easy part was to come. Now it looked
like two of their party were badly wounded if not dead and one of
their number, who'd made it below the crest, was bleeding from a
shoulder wound and moaning like a banshee. Throw in the fact that
they had no idea what they were up against, other than that they were
armed with automatic weapons, and their enthusiasm for the fight at
hand had vanished.
Tony waited until everything had become
quiet and then called out, "If you go back down to the beach
you'll be left alone," he paused, "try to come up and
you'll die." He paused again before adding, "Your choice,"
before settling down to wait nervously.
The three Earth
First thugs still on their feet looked at each other and without any
discussion grabbed their injured colleague and headed down the path.
Their descent to the beach was much quicker than the climb up had
been and they reached the bottom without any major mishaps other than
a few swear words.
The Tarfish they'd appropriated for the
crossing was still in the surf, rocking gently as each wave passed
under it. The group didn't hesitate on the exposed beach before
wading out to the boat and clambering aboard though they had to
struggle to get the injured man aboard. The original guy who'd
piloted the boat to the island returned to the wheelhouse and managed
to get the motor started and moved the small boat out of the waves.
Once everything had settled he looked out of the wheelhouse and
called across to the rest, "Where too?"
One of
the men called back, "The harbour, we'll join the rest of the
guys." He looked up at the cliff top and added, "If they've
done OK we'll come back and kill those bastards."
Up
on the cliff top Tony watched all this after checking that both prone
figures were in fact dead. Watching the direction the boat took Tony
was reminded that he might be needed in town so he headed back to
Erika and then they took off to the Lodge.
---oOo---
Just outside the island's small harbour the Tarfish
came very close to being rammed by the ferry which was making its own
hasty departure. The two halves of the Earth First invasion force
held a yelled conversation and the Tarfish once again took up station
astern of the ferry as it headed back to the mainland in
defeat.
After the two vessels withdrew the defenders
retired to the pub where everyone, especially those who'd actually
taken part in the battle of the harbour were invited to partake of a
few free drinks courtesy of John. Betty hadn't allowed Bob to move
from her side from the moment he'd carried her through the front door
and laid her down gently on one of the bench seats. Her ankle had
been wrapped in a towel containing most of the ice that had been
available and she'd been plied with drinks for her part in the
battle.
As far as she was concerned Bob was the greatest
hero ever, not just of the battle she'd been part of. That he and
John disagreed with her was irrelevant as far as she was concerned,
Bob had rescued her from certain death and that was all that
mattered.
An hour later and most people were feeling
merry, Tony and Erika, along with most of the students and staff from
the Lodge had appeared and joined in the party once Tony had
satisfied himself that the battle was over.
Eventually
Paul Belling belched and announced loudly, "That's it, I'm
full," he belched again and started for the door, "Goodnight
all," he bellowed. Janine took his departure as the signal to
round up the girls and head back to the Lodge on mass. Ten minutes
later and there were only five people left in the bar. John stood
behind it with Erika and Tony leaning against it. In the corner of
the bar was Betty, still accompanied by a very mellow Bob.
"Erika,"
called Betty, "are you going to be able to help me back up the
hill?"
Erika tore her gaze away from Tony and looked
around, "I, uhmm, I..."
"You don't need to
go back," said John, "There are a couple of rooms upstairs,
you can use one of them."
"Are you sure?"
asked Betty, "I wouldn't want to put you to any trouble."
"No
trouble," said John, "they're always ready in case we have
visitors from the mainland." He glanced towards the door, "That
is welcome visitors."
"How do I get there,"
Betty asked.
"Bob knows the way, he can help you,"
said John with a grin.
Betty looked at Bob from under
lowered eyes and asked quietly, "Will you help me Bob?"
Bob
was defenceless. At that moment in time he'd have done anything Betty
wanted, and carrying her upstairs was not going to be a problem. He
struggled slightly to get her into his arms but once there she
wrapped herself around him and he headed for the stairs and the first
available bedroom.
As Bob lowered the mature woman to the
bed she shocked him by saying, "Bob, I know that I've already
thanked you for saving my life, but I want to thank you properly."
She looked at the younger man nervously and fluttered her eyelashes,
"I hope you don't object."
Objecting was
suddenly the furthest thing from Bob's mind as Betty struggled to
pull her thin top over her head. Stepping closer he muttered, "Here,
let me get that," and grasped the bottom edge and pulled
upwards.
Bob just gazed at her as she slowly lay back on
the bed, her naked breasts settling as she relaxed. Laying there in
just her tight pants and sandals Bob fought an urge to dive on top.
Instead he gently removed her shoes, being particularly careful with
her injured ankle. When it came to removing those tight pants Betty
wiggled from side to side to assist, which caused some very
interesting and distracting things to happen with her ample
boobs.
Bob found himself dropping a pair of pants to the
floor as he gazed at Betty, her pussy barely covered by a thin panel
of white translucent material that made up the only substantial part
of her thong. Betty slipped her fingers under the elastic waistband
of the thong and pushed it downwards over her hips exposing the
little bush she'd left above her pouting pussy.
Bob was in
pain from his dick, which was like a poker sticking awkwardly across
the front of his jeans; his brain had turned to jelly as he stared
spellbound at the naked woman before him.
Betty started
to worry, why wasn't Bob doing something?
Bob went red
then quietly admitted, "I've never done this before, you know,
made love to a woman. I've read about it, even seen a few porn films,
but never..."
Betty was so relieved, "It's OK,
just come here and I'll guide you. It'll be fine," and she held
out her arms to the nervous young man. She pulled him into her arms
and dragged him onto the bed with her before kissing him full on the
lips. She slipped her tongue between his lips and gently explored his
mouth. As her tongue withdrew Bob found his own following hers as he
experienced the joys of kissing a mature woman.
After
several minutes of steadily more passionate snogging Betty broke away
and reached for the belt on Bob's jeans. "Come on, let's get you
out of those clothes, they're just getting in the way now," she
said as she whipped his belt open.
Naked at last Bob
slipped down the bed and gazed at his first real life pussy,
tentatively he extended his tongue and began to explore. Above him
Betty offered guidance and suggestions as she taught the young man
and then enjoyed his efforts.
"God, you're getting
good at that," Betty declared as her first orgasm neared, "If
you keep that up there won't be a woman who can resist you," she
panted as her knees rose higher and her heartbeat accelerated. "Oh
God..." she gasped at last.
Bob looked up and saw her
nipples were erect and almost pulsing they were that hot. Betty
opened her eyes and then reached down, "Come here," she
said pulling him up her body. "I've got to have you inside me."
Keeping her legs wide she reached down and grasped his
throbbing manhood and carefully lined him up with her more than
adequately lubricated channel. "Now Bob, push slowly," she
said and felt his red-hot erection penetrating her willing
body.
Slowly Bob began to rock his hips, moving his prick
in and out of Betty's hotpot. The slow speed she was allowing him was
the only thing that was keeping him from shooting his very first load
into a woman. That slow speed didn't last long as his own needs
over-rode his willingness to move slowly.
He started to
accelerate, his hips pounding and his breathing became erratic. Then
he was there, his hips locked forward and he felt as though his
entire being was draining out of the little hole in the end of his
dick.
Above her Bob went, "Ughh, ughh, ughhhhh..."
and then slowly lowered his body to hers.
Betty smiled
happily as she lay there with her male blanket. That may not have
been the best she'd ever had but Bob was hers now and he was young.
He'd rise again shortly and then they'd start making love like she'd
dreamed it would be, like it was meant to be.
Downstairs
at the bar Erika looked longingly at Tony, "You know he's not
coming back down, don't you?" she said wistfully.
Tony
nodded and then looked over the bar at John, who smiled back and gave
him a nod. Tony took Erika by surprise when he reached for her and
before she could put up any sort of struggle she too was headed for
the stairs in a young man's arms.
---oOo---