Gordon Under Attack: Outback Exodus, #4

By Dawn Millen

Jenn’s Diary Entry

31 January 2014

Today we saw the settlement come face to face with a shocking incident and I am still reeling from the impact, so are many of the others. We came under attack from a marauding band of thugs from one of the cities. It happened late in the morning, we were at our most vulnerable at the time.

Our settlers face the ultimate danger which follows disaster on a great scale. Gangs of roaming thugs who think to take what they haven't worked for. See how they cope with the problems this issue bring forth. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn Millen
• Release date: May 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386164203

Dawn Millen

Dawn Millen was born in North Wales UK has lived for long periods in New Zealand and currently lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia.  Dawn was widowed in late 2010 and wrote her first book, “Widowhood 101” was published in May 2012 and quickly followed by “Widowhood 102 – The Diary Entries” and “Widowhood 103 – Tears Grief”. Widowhood 103 was written in collaboration with Annie Watson. These books describe Dawn’s journey through the death of her husband and the first year of widowhood. There are more books planned for the series over the coming years as the changes wrought by the loss of her much loved husband become apparent. “Outback Exodus” was Dawn’s first venture into publishing her fiction work and the story has been written with a deep love of Australia which expands across the vast Outback and culminates on the beautiful East Coast Flood Plains.  “Settled on the Coast”  followed “Outback Exodus” and continues the story of the band of travellers as they set up their new lives  Gordon Under Attack takes you into the first year of settlement and the gangs which threaten the safety of the village. Sloan carries forward the story of the saviour of the village of Gordon.  New Generations carries the story of the settlement of Gordon 50 years into the future. If you enjoy the work please return to the place of purchase to leave a review. Dawn now adds a new series which has spun off from the Outback Exodus which picks up where Sloan finishes. The new series is called The Long Road South which was released in February 2017.   Connect with the Author on line Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/dawn.myfanwyn.millen https://www.facebook.com/JourneyfromWetoMe Amazon       http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008NF9JLK

Book preview

By

Dawn Millen

Outback Exodus Series

Book 4

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

All Rights reserved

Copyright © 2014 by Dawn Millen

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase another copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the place of purchase and buy another copy. . Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 1

Jenn’s Diary Entry

31 January 2014

Today we saw the settlement come face to face with a shocking incident and I am still reeling from the impact, so are many of the others. We came under attack from a marauding band of thugs from one of the cities. It happened late in the morning, we were at our most vulnerable at the time.

The day started out bright and very warm with beautiful clear blue skies, a lovely breeze to combat the enervating humidity. Once the washing was finished and the lunch made I headed outside with the twins in their pram. James was sitting in his usual spot, I pushed the pram over and we placed the babies on a blanket on the ground while we chatted. Things seemed normal as we watched the rest of the village go about their day. There was singing from the school room and I could hear the clatter of the hammer over in Raymond’s Mechanical Workshop, where smoke was rising from the newly built forge. There were other women hanging out washing on the lines which stretch among the trees behind the first row of cottages and small children ran around playing chase and riding their bicycles. It was just a normal summer morning in the small village of Gordon.

A sudden commotion out on the river flats drew my attention and I spun around at the sound of shots and shouting. A loud shout from the observation tower which pointed inland was a counterpoint to the disturbance. Thomas had spotted where the kerfuffle was coming from. He was standing in the tower pointing to the south west with a shaking hand. His voice slid up and down the scales as he cried out. Raiders, we have raiders coming up the road from the old highway.

I leave the pram with one of the other women before I quickly run to the tower and climb the ladder hand over hand, my feet slipping on the rungs in my haste to see what is going on. I hear footsteps pounding across the grass as Gavin heads towards the tower. I am almost at the top when I feel the ladder shake below me as he starts his climb.

I enter the tower proper and walk to Thomas against the south western side. His hand is still pointing and his face is pale with shock and horror. Aunty Jenn they are shooting the cattle and are chasing someone down there. She is trying to hide from them but she can’t get away from the motorbikes. There are not enough trees to hide behind. His voice shakes with terror as he tells the story.

In an instant Gavin is there and we peer down as I wrap my right arm around Thomas and pull him close. The binoculars are fixed to Gavin’s eyes and his mouth takes on a grim line as he watches what is happening. I’m going to get Steve and we are going to have to head down. If I can get a couple more of the boys too it will help as there are at least 10 of them out there. It looks like Sally they are chasing; I just hope we can get there in time. I don’t like the look of this at all.

With those few words Gavin is off across the platform of the lookout tower and sliding down the ladder as quickly as he can, feet only touching every few steps and hands leaving flesh on the rough wooden rails of the ladder.

I grabbed the binoculars Gavin had dropped to the floor and place them against my eyes. Sally is still running, but I can see she is slowing as her energy reserves are falling, she is staggering and I can see the motorbikes starting to circle around her. Hanging the binoculars back on the hook I start towards the ladder guiding Thomas down too. I will send an adult up to watch the road to town from now on. Small boys do not need to see what may happen next.

Gavin, Steve, Raymond and Rhys are already headed towards a 4 x4. All carry rifles, they are checking loads and safety catches as they walk. They seem calm but are moving quickly. Everything checked they get into the vehicle and speed off down the hill towards the area where the attack is taking place.

I call out to Paul and he comes running over with a rifle slung over his shoulder. Quickly explaining what is going on I ask him to take the watch in the tower and once I have his agreement. Thomas and I head off towards James and the babies on the blanket. James has already started to pull the pram towards him and is leaning forward to pick up the first of the babies as I arrive.

I heard the shots Jenn and saw Gavin and the boys leave. Thought I’d better start getting these kids up off the ground and in their pram so we can all get somewhere safe. James’ elderly voice is calm and controlled although his face has taken on a strained look and his eyes have hardened. If you will pick up young Jacqui for me Thomas, I will get Jenn to push me and you can push the pram, we will head for the school house as it is brick and more solid than most of the houses." James encourages Thomas to move and to help with the movement of the babies and within moments the children are picked up and placed back in their pram.

As we head across the green to the newly built school house I start to call out to the older men and women of the settlement. I request that all those with small children head into the school house and barricade themselves in with the children and elderly. I request they take some food and water so there is no need to leave the safe place for a while. Mum and Dad head over quickly escorting their elderly charges and picking up small children along the way. Soon the school house is packed with people and Sandra is organising where everyone will go. James, Thomas and the babies go in with the