84 | John W. Warner IV We could Takuta exploded. Fuck all that! With respect, mum, I lost a lotta mates at Tobruk, hundreds. I want to kill as many of these bastards as I can, not blow up a single lorry and call it a day. Revenge is never a good battle tactic, nor is anger. Keep your head, and dont toss a wobb, said Bea sternly. After a few moments of silence, she asked: When the plane picked you lot up at Jalu, what were New Zealanders doing there? He took a deep breath. Mum, we were lorried down there with some Aussies to help secure that spot, oases are important to hold, right? After one bloody week it was time to evacuate when Jerry moved south in big numbers. Ive been shuffled all over North Africa and Im damned sick of it. Gwafa added: I was there to escort mon Capitaine to Alexandria as his bodyguard. He had important business there. His attache was chained to his wrist. A pompous ass of an aristocrat. T know, said Bea. My real job on the fflght was to babysit him from a distance, a possible traitor, but that went south of course. I was having a go for a time with the pilot, we met in Alex on leave. Anyway, I love to fly, and I jumped at the chance for a flight over to Libya. As usual, I got more than I bargained for. Getting to be a bit of a habit, like betting on longshots at the Derby. Quiet minutes went by as Gwafa composed his thoughts. Madame…maybe the fisherman is correct. We are not pigs, but little mice,pefifes souris. I know it is suicide, but we mice should steal one of the big tanks, perform serious action, blow things up. They would never suspect. Jamais. Bea gigged a bit, vibrating, then belly laughed. Funny, you…you sound like me a long time past. But now Im not as.. .as reckless. I tend to meditate things over and weigh the facts and risks carefully. No more rash actions for me. Ive learned my lessons the hard way. Gads, a Panzer.. .thats just rich. Takuta became enthused. Im in, matesteal a tank. Were all going to die sometime. Cmon, mum. Bea ruminated a bit. Now you both have gone mad in the sun. No chance. Ill not consider it for a tenth of a second. We should concentrate on finding camels, food, water, and a compass, then hightail it to the east. Isnt there a Berber caravan coming anytime soon?