All for you

Chapter 13

Day 1 in Base

Apart from the writing test in NAPLAN, my hand has never cramped so badly. signature after signature and date after date. I try not to waste any time. Clock on the wall reads 1430 (2:30). fuckin serious?? I started the paperwork at 1400. The paperwork includes banking details, next of kin, my security risk to others and a stack more.

"Where are you staying while you're here?" Liz asks without facing me from her computer.

"Where am i staying?" I ask myself out loud before realising that I do in fact have no where to stay.

"I'll sort you out. There is student accommodation just a block or two from here. I can set you up there."

"Thanks. It hadn't even crossed my mind."

After multiple phone calls and dozens of questions, it reaches 1600.

"I get off work soon and we will need to continue this in the morning so why don't I take you to where you're staying?"

"Yeah sure. I'm looking forward to sleeping without rocking around all night."

I sign the final paper, put down the pen and stand up stretching my legs that are totally numb.

"Ok, just let me grab my stuff and I'll be back."

Liz walks out of the room. I walk over to the window that looks out on the docks. People are loading and unloading ships, other are refuelling, people are saying hellos and goodbyes and here I am, standing in a window about to join the navy.

Liz returns a few minutes laterwith her bag. "Come on. I found the biggest place just for you and if you're quick, it might be yours."

I follow Liz out of her office, out the door, out of he compound and into a street. We walk side by side talking about anything and everything. We arrive at what looks like apartments. It is all on a hill and it slopes upward showing the balconies with young cadets sitting happily on them. The front gate is a tall and sold metal. It creaks when Liz opens it. It sounds busy. Laughter echoes. We walk up the stairs and oh my god. It is sorta what I imagine heaven to look like: a massive pool, a bar, palm trees, people playing basketball and soccer and just general fun everywhere.

"Cool, isn't it?" Liz asks.

I cant manage words. My jaw is practically on the floor.

"Follow me."

Liz leads the way and I trail closely behind. She leads me around the side of the pool, down some stairs, into a building, up four flights of stairs, along a corridor, up some more stairs and up to a pair of big brown doors.

"199. Pretty much the best room in the student accommodation lodge."

Liz hands me a key and I nervously slide the key in the lock turning it. The doors gently swing open revealing a large area. I look back to Liz in astonishment.

"Well come on. It was hard for me to get the room. Don't tell me you don't like it?"

"Liz...I...It's...Oh my gosh...All this is.. for me?"

"Yep." she nods her head quickly. 'Come on. I've got some things to still sort out with you."

She pushes me through the door shutting them behind me and walks briskly down a short hallway and stand next to a large dining table, waiting for me.I catch up to her and sit down.

"Ok a few things. Firstly, you will need a phone. Here's a half decent one until we can get you a better one." Liz places a brand new iPhone 5c onto the table and slides it over to me with a piece of paper around it. "The note has the numbers of all your crew on Hammersly"

Liz digs around in her bag. There's knock at the door.

"Do you want me to get it?"

"Yes please. My bag has turned into a black hole."

I walk down the hallway and open the door, sticking my head around the edge. A security guard stands stiffly at the door with a large, black plastic box in his hands.

"Are you Elizabeth?" He speaks very sternly.

Without facing away from him I call out. "Liz, there is someone here for you."

She walks to the door and takes the box from the mans hands and returns swiftly to the table. I follow her.

"Ok Ivy, this is for you. I'm pretty sure you already know how to use it but in case anything happens you need to have this with you."

She opens the box to reveal a pistol. I don't say anything.

"Glock 17a. Heard somewhere you have wanted one."

"Yep. But uhh why do I need it?"

"Incase those men come to get you again."

"Am I not safe here?"

"I said incase. Better to be prepared than dead."

"Fair point." I say, pulling the box toward me. One gun, cleaning kit,eight extra magazines and each mag holds 16 bullets. 128 bullets. Not bad.

Liz also hands me a holster that clips onto the top of my pants and around my thigh. I stand up attaching it, loading the gun and placing it into the holster.

"Someone will bring you dinner at 1930. There are snacks if you want them. Alarm clock is set for 0730. Breakfast will be delivered at 0800 and then I will come and pick you up at 0845 to continue the paperwork and I will brief you on what else you will have to do. Sleep well. See you in the morning." She smiles and walks out.

"Holy fuckin shit. I'm a queen for a night."

I immediately explore the apartment. Once you enter the front doors there is a kitchen on the left. Past that is a large living room with a massive flat screen TV. Next to that is the dining room. Off the front of the dining room are large windows and doors that open on to the balcony. Opening the curtains, I can see right to the water. Off the right side of the room is a door. Inside is a large modern bedroom with what looks like a king sized bed, walk in wardrobe and off the side, a stupidly large en suite bathroom fitted with a bathtub that I might actually be able to lie in with my legs the length on the Great Wall of China. 

I walk back to the kitchen and like a cockroach, scavenge for anything I can find. I'm starving, didn't have breakfast or lunch and now it's close to 1700. I find a small fruit salad and devour that to satisfy my immediate hunger.

I go back to the dining room and clean my gun and later begin to set up my phone. The paper has more than just my crew's contacts but also Yvan's number, instructions for setting the phone up, wifi password, and everything else I need to know about the apartment. I need those instructions because the shower looks confusing as fuck.

After setting my phone up and finding some clean clothes, I have a hot shower, watch some TV and finally relax for a bit.

At precisely 1930 there is a knock at the door and a small woman standing with a tray.

"Oh thank you very much."
I take the tray from her and she smiles warmly.

I'm starving again. I rush the tray inside, set it down in the finding table and lift the lid to see a feast. Grilled fish, mash potato, vegetables, bread and ice cream.

After dinner and dessert I try calling for Yvan's number. He doesn't pick up. I get ready for bed. I make sure the door is locked, lock all the windows near or around the balcony, turn off all the lights and flop on to the bed. Im feeling tired for the first time in quite a few days.

I use the last of my energy to wriggle to the top of the bed and under the covers.  Soon I am fast asleep.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP.

It takes me a while before I actually become aware of the alarm. It's the worst noise. It almost drills into your head. So noisy but I guess it does the job. I turn it off and get ready, eat my beautifully delivered breakfast and get ready for Liz to come and pick me up.