Juggernaut

'We've work to do. I think we're wasting time, Neil. We have to get on the road at once. We can discuss things as we go.'

'Go where?' I asked.

'To Bir Oassa. While you've been jabbering I've been thinking. The war hasn't started yet and we don't know that it ever will. All this is speculation so far. If there is no war we're still in business. But if there is I would like to be a good deal closer to Bir Oassa than we are now. Sadiq has told us that the new airfield is open, so there's one escape route for us at least. Here there's nothing – we're like sitting ducks. And we can't go back. If there is a war the two main towns will be worst hit and the docks a shambles.'

His words made sense and his voice was firm.

Ben Hammond was almost jubilant. 'Right, let's get on with it. We've got pretty good fuel reserves, water too. We were supposed to be restocked with food but we're not short yet.' His mind was into top gear, sorting out the priorities and he was obviously glad to have something positive to do.

Kemp went on, 'Captain Sadiq thinks there may be shooting. We must talk this over with the men. Ben, call them all together for me, please. I still wish to God Geoff was with us. He's better at this sort of thing.'

'You're doing fine,' I said. 'Better than me. I agree that we can't just sit here, and there's another good reason for pressing on.' My mind was working again.

'And what's that?'

'Tell you in a moment. You go on ahead; I want another word with the Captain first.' I stared hard at him, and as before, he picked up my cue and said at once, 'Right. See you soon.' He went off, taking Ben with him. I turned to Sadiq.

'This is a hell of a mess, Captain. I'm glad you intend to stick with us. I've been admiring your foresight. The gun emplacements, for example.'

He expanded. 'You noticed that? I was told to be aware of possible danger.'

'What do you really think is going on?'

He took off his cap and scratched his head, and the smart soldier became an ordinary, slightly baffled man. 'Colonel Hussein is going to meet the Seventh Brigade, which is stationed at Bir Oassa. Then they will all come south. Back here, unfortunately,'

'Won't they stay there to protect the oilfields?'

'No-one will attack the oilfields. Both sides will need them. But here at Kodowa…' He took out a map. Kodowa was about thirty miles north of us, sprawled across the great road, and the only sizeable town in the vicinity. We had reckoned on using it as a major restocking depot.

'From Kodowa a road also goes east and west,' Sadiq was saying, 'So it is a crossroad. Also the heart of Kinguru country. If it was taken by rebels there would be little Kinguru resistance left. So the Seventh Brigade must come down here to protect it, to hold this bridge as well. Hussein will meet them somewhere north of Kodowa.'

'Christ! We're right in the thick of it, then. What about the air force base near here?'

'It is just outside Kodowa. It makes it very difficult to take the town, if the Air Force has really gone with the rebels. That is why Hussein will not stop there.'

'And do you think the Air Force has gone over – or will?'

He shrugged. 'Very hard to say, Mister Mannix. But I think 'Yes. So do I.' We were silent for a moment, and then I went on. 'I thank you for your frankness. It is very necessary that we keep each other aware of all that we know, Captain. I think I must go and join Mister Kemp now.'

I had a hundred questions still. For one thing, I would very much like to have asked his personal convictions. As a Moslem he might well be against the Kinguru rule; he already had one Moslem superior and the head of the Seventh Brigade might be another. But there was a limit to what I could ask him, and for the moment I had to rely on the fact that our convoy might be felt worthy of protection by both sides, so that Sadiq's loyalty would not affect his usefulness to us. But it was one hell of a nasty situation.

I joined Kemp just as his meeting broke up. There was much talk as the crew went about its business, and Kemp turned to me with relief. They're all a bit shocked, naturally, but they're willing to bash on,' he said. 'There's been some talk of danger money, though.'

'Good God! There's not a shot been fired yet – and may never be.'

'It's just one man. A trade union smart boy.'

'You'd better remind him he's in darkest Africa, not home in dear old England. The guy who comes at him with a rifle won't ask if he believes in the brotherhood of man, or look at his union card. Who is he?'

'Look, he hasn't -'

'Basil, I must know all the factors. Who is he? I'm not going to say or do anything, just keep an eye open.'

'His name's Burke, Johnny Burke. He's a damned hard worker and a good crewman. For God's sake don't make much of this.'