Traveller Probo
100. Turkey

The chopper lurched into the air with more acceleration than usual. Captain Kartal had a habit of rapid lift off and landing which, to the uninitiated, made the stomach swoop uncomfortably. On this occasion the action seemed to be even more extreme than normal, perhaps even performed angrily.

The chopper reached cruising altitude and then accelerated back to their base at Ilidag as if the devil himself was after them. Even for one as used to choppers as he, the take-off was impressive. Hami looked to Captain Kartal and then to Deniz but neither seemed eager to converse. Princess Prudence seemed even icier than usual, if that was possible. Deniz appeared as surprised by their rapid ascent as he was. Both men seemed to opt to hang on for dear life and let Captain Kartal get whatever was bothering her out of her system. She was impossible to predict. Today she seemed even moodier than usual and, following their reprieve from her fractious moods for the past weeks, appeared back to her usual ways.

As if reading his thoughts, she threw the craft into a savage bank that had him thrust against his restraints, not the most comfortable of situations. “Hey! You okay?” called out Hami into his mic but she seemed to hunker into her shoulders a little more and ignored him.

The flight passed in uncomfortable silence. Hami couldn’t figure out why she was so mean? He didn’t expect to like everyone he worked with. Some had annoying habits. Look at Chuck for example. There was one utter pain in the arse when it came to personality flaws but when it came to training for the job, he was the best Hami had ever known. Ozzie was right to have him on board and the men loved him.

Then there was Captain Kartal. She had been a bitch of the highest order and Ozzie had tried everything he could to have her reassigned. Then there was that one patrol when he discovered her weak spot, her love of horses. Captain Kartal had been cooperative, even pleasant, since then. It was if her time on the horse had exposed a hidden humanity. Sure, he had heard she had seen some pretty hairy action and had been highly decorated. Hami knew what that was like, to go through the personality change action could bring. He had struggled but Ozzie and the lads saved him, even if he did have to work with Chuck.

It was the horse thing. She had changed, though it seemed that only Captain Osborne, the horseman extraordinaire, could get through that frosty wall even Hami couldn’t breach. Who would have thought?

After that day she had been all dewy eyed. If Ozzie had been of the inclination, he could have had her there and then.

The lads had all enjoyed a quiet chuckle about it.

Princess Prudence, the prime bitch, and Ozzie, the iron man himself. That would be a laugh.

…

Hami’s head came up as their craft hurtled onwards. The rugged Turkish countryside gave way to extensive olive groves that draped the hillsides like a gown. Though not as emerald green as his native New Zealand, Hami appreciated Turkey as a rich and bountiful land.

He had to think this out clearly.

Ozzie had to deal with the deaths of the two Turkish Travellers. Hami suspected that could become a political shit-fight. From what he could gather, the Varangians had set up the whole patrol so they could kill off the Travellers and blame it on enemy action. Hazan and Ahmet had been two of the toughest soldiers he had ever met. He hadn’t seen all of the footage but Ozzie told him it had been gruesome. Some of the historians and military staff were working to piece the scene together, with footage from each of the lads who had been there. They would be briefed but Ozzie had a lot on his plate at the moment. Even the politicians were getting involved.

Poor bastard. He was going to go horse riding but now this had all blown up he hadn’t had time to scratch himself.

…

Hami squinted curiously at the back of Princess Prudence’s flight helmet.

By the time they landed, he knew what he had to do. He casually asked to discuss some operational issues with Captain Kartal. As the chopper powered down, Deniz wandered to the base kitchen to scrounge for food and coffee.

Captain Kartal turned to glare at the trainer, having resisted Hami’s past romantic efforts in the past but Hami smiled. “This is all about something you should know. But we have to step out to discuss this quietly, if I may.”

They walked about twenty metres away from the craft, so they wouldn’t be bothered. She had removed her helmet and angrily glared up at the big New Zealander. Hami inwardly smiled.

“Captain Kartal, I have to tell you something which has yet to be announced but it is something I think you should know.” He looked around to make sure no one was nearby. She was defensive, arms folded, and her pretty face in a scowl.

She did have a pretty face.

Well, he’d soon know if he was right.

“It’s about the mission. Captain Osborne has been out of contact for yesterday and today because there’s been a disaster. A couple of our lads, our Travellers, have been killed,” he explained and then paused. He noticed the pilot’s face soften from a scowl to a frown.

So far, so good.

“So, why do you tell me this?” she asked defensively.

Hami paused, suddenly unsure. “I know Captain Osborne booked the chopper to be flown to a ranch to do a spot of horse-riding. I also know that he’s been locked into some pretty high level talks since before then. Everything’s on lockdown until the government is properly briefed but we’re all trying to find out what happened. I’m guessing he didn’t get time to tell you, because I’m sure you would have flown him there. Being stuffed around is all part of the job but I thought you should know.”

Her face had softened. “Who died?” she asked.

Hami frowned, “Not sure but I think it was a couple of the Turkish troops. I can’t give any details because I’d only be guessing. It’s been pretty hard on all of us but I thought it best that I apologise on the boss’ behalf. I know you were sitting around for most of the night.”

Captain Kartal nodded and murmured, “That is bad.”

“Yeah. It’s been tough. Old Ozzie was dead keen to get out on the horses. He’s really keen lately. For riding horses I mean,” added Hami. “I remember how well you did on the patrol we ran a while back.”

The pilot frowned and then gave a small smile, “It was my first time on a horse.”

Hami gave a small chuckle, “Well you did great. You had the best teacher. Did you have fun?”

Captain Kartal slowly smiled, animosity and the lost Travellers momentarily forgotten, for the moment at least. “It was something I’ve always wanted to do, from when I was a girl. The horses were beautiful.”

Hami nodded, “Have you done much riding since? You should do it more often, now you’re with our bunch.”

The pilot gave a small blush and frowned, “I have been riding since but I have a lot to learn. I think I will make it a hobby.”

Eureka!

Hami smiled, “Well it certainly seems to be the best country for it. We have our mounts here at the base as well. Maybe Ozzie can show you the ropes some more.”

“Ropes?” asked Captain Kartal.

“I’m sure he’ll be happy to teach you more horse riding skills. He’s a legend. No one could teach you better than he,” smiled Hami.

“But not now,” added the pilot. Her face had cleared from her habitual frown, so Hami could appreciate what a pretty one she was. Ozzie! The bastard! He was making moves on old Princess Prudence. Good on him! Captain Kartal shook her head and gave a small laugh. “Thank you,” she smiled.

Hami nodded and walked to the base, feeling particularly pleased with his observation. Now food was the priority, so a visit to the kitchen was in order.

He ran into Chuck, who watched as he approached. Hami had the self-satisfied smile of a man who had finally figured something out.

What he didn’t see was Chuck look from the chopper and Princess Prudence, and then to Hami, with his eyebrows raised in surprise.

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