The Fourth Phase

SIXTEEN

The swell of the waves rolled under the fiberglass hull of the boat. James watched the Indonesian Sigma-class corvette draw closer. A smaller RHIB◦— rigid-hulled inflatable boat◦— broke away from the grey hull of the ship and moved out to meet them.

James planted his feet wider and tried to move in sequence with the sea, assessing the boat as it approached. A figure stood apart from the other men, back straight, head held high. James guessed that this was Captain Arif Koto.

As the boats drew together, he was pleased to see them unarmed, as he had requested. The boats bumped, the contact vibrating under his feet.

James’s soldiers helped the Indonesians into the boat. Once they were aboard, the pilot gunned the engine, the bow lifting slightly at the extra power. James clasped the Captain’s hand in greeting and indicated for him to sit in one of the boat’s three spare seats. The accompanying soldiers remained standing. James breathed in, savouring the fresh salt air. He swivelled around to face Koto, getting a better look at him. He had jet black hair and mocha skin. His limbs were thin, but he had a large paunch.

Koto, seeing where James directed his gaze, patted his stomach. “Too much curry, Colonel.”

James let out a bark of laughter. Despite his displeasure at the arrival of the Indonesian refugees, he admired Koto for his tenacity at finding a new home for his people. They had spent the last few weeks sailing the Pacific, looking for that home. Who was he to deny them that? Hadn’t everyone on earth been a refugee at some stage? His own ancestors had fled slavery on Hawaiki and sought new lands, spending months and years searching before finding a virgin land tucked away in the deep Pacific. Some believed the land had been populated before the Maori, by a people called the Moriori. James smiled to himself, remembering the oral history of his Iwi. It told stories of a people to the south and the outlying islands, a peaceful people of great songs. People now lost to the mists of time.

He looked back at Koto, who was assessing him in turn by the way his eyes flicked back and forth. He watched over Koto’s shoulder as Great Barrier Island drew closer. James had stationed a platoon of soldiers on the small dock. They saluted as the boat nudged against the wooden piles. James stood and indicated with his hand for Koto and his men to disembark first. James’s men stood at attention as he led Koto to an awaiting vehicle.

The Jeep turned away from the dock, past a small fisheries building and into the village hugging the shore. The civilian population stood in doorways and stared out their windows, trying to catch a glimpse as the Jeep sped past, heading to the FOB.

Badminton stood at the open door, saluting as James led Koto into the head room. Happy to see the refreshments had been laid out, James waited until Koto had seated himself.

Taking his seat at the head of the table, he indicated for Badminton to shut the door. Hearing it snap shut, he placed his hands on the table and looked at Koto. “I must admit, Captain, this is a very unusual way for two officers to meet. But these are trying times. With so few of us remaining, my superiors have ordered me to reach an agreement with you. For the record, I don’t agree with them. In my opinion, people of different religions and moral beliefs always end up killing each other. History, if anything, has taught us this time and again. But I’m an officer of the New Zealand Army, so I will abide by my orders. But that doesn’t mean I have to like them.”

Koto shifted in his chair, holding James’s gaze. He cleared his throat. “Thank you, Colonel. I thank God that he blessed us, that we not be turned away again. We want nothing but peace. As you can see, we are unarmed and have shown no sign of anger… anger? Is this the right word? Please my English is rusty.” James nodded, so Koto continued. “I know you must be asking yourself, why didn’t we stay in Indonesia, we have thousands of islands? But I assure you, Colonel, we tried. We lost so many people to those Jinn, time and again we just escaped with our life. But praises to God we survived. Island after island we tried. The ones with no Jinn, we couldn’t live on. So I decided, Colonel, to try out here in the Pacific.”

James steepled his fingers together. “Why not Australia? Big country, lots of room.”

Koto smiled and leant back in his chair. “Yes, Australia. In truth be told, Colonel, the Aussies… they don’t like us. Think all of Indonesia is to blame for Bali bombing, for all the boat people over the years. They have bigger navy. Too risky, we come here. Kiwis friendly. I think I was right.”

James nodded in agreement. As much as he loved Australia and he honored the ANZAC spirit, they did tend to be aggressive. Koto had made the right decision in choosing to avoid Australia. He glanced out the window at the bush-clad mountains. He never would’ve thought that he would be negotiating with refugees during the Variant apocalypse. He pushed his personal feelings aside and looked back at Koto.

“We have some islands not far from here. A group called the Mercury Islands. The Brigadier is offering your people the biggest one. In exchange, he asks that you sign accords to farm the land and trade with us in the future. He also asks that you provide whatever military assistance we require now and in the future to help defeat the Variants, or Jinn as you call them, infecting our mainland. Captain, I don’t think you will get a better deal. A treaty is being drawn up as we speak. I hope you honour this treaty better than the last lot did.”

Koto raised an eyebrow at James. “The last lot?”

James let out a sigh. “Yes, the last lot. You’re going to have to learn some New Zealand history if you want to live here, Captain. The British signed a treaty with the Maori in 1840, at a place called Waitangi. They promptly ignored it and destroyed our way of life.”

Koto nodded his head. “We will honour our agreement, Colonel. In this new world, we must if we are to survive.”

“Yes, I agree with you, Captain. Let’s hope so. Please join me for some food. Looks like the men caught some nice crayfish this morning.”

James reached out for a plate and started to fill it. There was a knock at the door. Badminton entered. Saluting, he said, “Sorry to interrupt, Sir, but I thought you would like to know. Captain Johns just radioed. He’s asking for immediate evac. They’re alive, Sir.”

“Very good, Lieutenant. What do we have available? Let’s get our troops home.”

“That’s the thing, Sir. It’s all on Mayor, dealing with that.”

James clenched his fist under the table.

“Ahh… Colonel?”

James looked over at Koto. “Yes?”

“Perhaps we can be of assistance. In honour of our agreement, I mean. We have a helicopter that you can use.”

James looked at Badminton, then back at Koto. “How soon can it be in the air?”

“Fifteen minutes, twenty at the most.”

“Make it so, Captain. And thank you.”

James got up out of his chair and walked over to Koto. He reached out, offering his hand. “Let this be the start of a real treaty, Captain.”

Koto grasped his hand in a two-handed shake. “Let’s get your men home.”