04 Desert War (Soldier of the Queen #4) by Griff Hosker

Author:Griff Hosker [Hosker, Griff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0D6FG9Q12
Goodreads: 214360736
Publisher: Sword Books Ltd.
Published: 2023-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

Jack

Chapter 13

The four men were some of the ones who had come with us to take the agent. They were relatives of Mohammed and I realised that this was more of a clan thing than anything. The officials had been concerned about the Russian connection. The Russian pistol that Mohammed now wore around his waist was clear evidence of collusion. The British brought money but the Russian bear just brought control. We rode hard and we rode fast back to Shardin. When we reached the camp, however, it was deserted. What had happened to my men and the engineers? We had been away for just five days. We rode to the goat farmer and he pointed to the east. “Your men, Lieutenant, came yesterday. They said that the engineers wanted to find somewhere else to drill. They are in a valley two miles to the east. Shall I take you there?”

I shook my head, “No, my friend, you watch your flock. You have been more than helpful. Did the warlord return?”

“Not yet.” He looked troubled, “If he returns, Lieutenant, I will have to tell him where you have gone.”

“Of course, and do so without being prompted. We will be ready.”

We soon found the camp. They had not yet begun to drill. The tents were up and the toilets dug but that was all. This time the ground ran northwest to southeast. The ground rose on both sides but was not as high as on the first camp. One thing we had brought back with us was kindling and Mohammed set his men to unload the camels. We would have fires to help us to cook. George Reynolds, Ken and Syd joined us.

“Well?”

“The agent told London that we were dead. They now know that we are not but who knows what damage that has caused?”

Ken was angry, “When I get my hands around his scrawny neck I…”

“He is dead but something else you should know is that he was colluding with the warlord. He had a Russian gun and he knew of the attack on the camp. They will return.” The three nodded. “Is that why you moved?”

George shook his head, “We discovered that the last camp was not one where we could find oil. This one seems likelier.”

Ken saw my disappointed face and said, “Drilling for oil is a hit-and-miss activity, Jack. We may still be here long after your contract has expired.”

“We can’t leave you here without protection.”

George shrugged, “And I would not expect you to stay here without pay. We will manage.”

“Then the least we can do is to make this more defensible. While you set up your drilling rigs we will make this into Fort Hopeful.”

I went with Syd and we walked to the highest point we could find. “This is not as good a defensive position, sir. If they had come to the other place we might have held them up but here…I tried to dissuade Mr Reynolds from moving but he was adamant.”

“Syd, the purpose of this expedition is to find oil, not to be safe from attack.

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