Sundown Apocalypse

By Leo Nix

The end of days is at hand. Terrorist organizations have taken out all superpowers, cleansing the planet of the 'disease of civilization'.

In this radically changed world, small bands of survivors face an overwhelming enemy and fight back the only way they can: with sudden and savage violence. One of them - a man only known as Sundown - struggles with his inner demons while trying to keep his group alive.

Together with an ex-IRA commander and a retired CIA agent, they lead a determined band of survivors to defeat their enemy. But can they survive the harsh, unforgiving Australian desert?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Next Chapter
• Release date: Jan 31, 2022
• ISBN: 486751814X

Book preview

Chapter 1 - The Apocalypse

Matthew 24:3 - As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age.

* * *

A frog croaked in the pre-dawn spring air, but Emma didn't notice as she slumped in the powerful arms of her two male companions. It was dead quiet as they approached the 1st Cavalry Regiment sentry post.

You lot again? I thought your last front and centre with the colonel was enough? Emma, you're heading for a court martial you know. The sentry leaned out of his box grinning at what had become a regular event.

She's dead-set paralytic, Wayne, give us a hand will you, mate? asked Larry helping to support Emma as best he could.

The private opened his box just as Emma opened her eyes and lifted her hand. He was mesmerised by the tiniest hand gun he had ever seen. It was silver, fitted neatly in the palm of her small hand and sported a mini silencer. He didn't hear the 'tak' as the bullet entered his throat below the chin and entered his brain. The sentry was dead before he hit the ground.

Emma shrugged out of the arms of her two companions and reloaded her derringer. She had to stifle a laugh, that was the best thing she had done since bedding the lieutenant, 'now he was a wild one,' she thought with a smile.

The two men grabbed the sentry's body and dragged it into the shrubbery. One stayed behind to replace him, pulling on his cap and taking up his A3 Steyr Bullpup assault rifle. All was normal again at 1st Armoured and the frog resumed its croaking.

Lieutenant McCarthy crouched with thirty of his comrades, faces blackened, armed with AK47 assault rifles and assorted pistols. He waited patiently for his watch to count down to zero hour. If all went according to plan they would have the keys to the armoury and codes to the regiment's equipment within the hour.

Waving for his platoon to gather around he called them to prayer: Lord of hosts grant us the skill and courage to carry your sword against our foe this day, and cleanse the disease of civilisation from your creation. Amen. Looking at his men with calculated satisfaction, he continued, "Together please, 2 Samuel 22:38, I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, And I did not turn back until they were consumed. And I have devoured them and shattered them, so that they did not rise; And they fell under my feet. The crusaders finished their prayers and prepared to begin the Apocalypse, as foretold in the Book of Revelations.

The lieutenant knew that success would give them command of A and C Squadrons. He felt the tug of resentment inside his chest, it was the only dampener to the enthusiasm he would feel. Only yesterday his superiors had passed him over for promotion, once again. The LED on his watch briefly lit to highlight his narrow, ferret-like features in the darkness. Only minutes remained before he would have the revenge he was so desperate for.

Emma and Larry boldly made their way to the administration building. They knocked loudly then walked in on the duty officer and his sergeant. The duty staff were busy watching English football on TV.

Yes, privates, what is it? asked the sergeant, annoyed at being interrupted. The duty officer pulled on his cigarette grimacing as Manchester lost the ball again. He didn't bother to look up.

Emma raised her silver derringer and shot the sergeant in the face just as Larry raised his Browning 9 mm and fired point blank at the lieutenant. The single bullet hit him in the temple, blood and brain matter exploded from the side of his head. The terrorists high-fived, their coup was almost complete. With a giggle they leaped across the desk and into the heart of regimental headquarters.

Larry took the duty officer's keys and swipe cards then unlocked the weapons store. He fired up the computers and released the codes to the regiment's storeroom. The two armoured cavalry squadrons consisted of ASLAV's, APC's, weapons, supplies and recovery vehicles. The terrorists now had armoured superiority in the city.

Lieutenant McCarthy glanced down at his watch one more time then gave the signal to move. The Crusaders raced across the parade ground to the administration building and noted that the door was wide open. This was the sign that their commando's had successfully taken control of regimental headquarters.

Lance Corporal Jabba and his five comrades were up early, early enough to fit the silencers to their pistols. Jabba nodded for his squad to gather and he whispered a prayer for their success: Lord of hosts it is Apocalypse Day as foretold by Your prophet, Saint John. We, Your holy army, are about to face our greatest challenge. Grant us the strength of Your arm to guide our bullets to the hearts of Your foes, amen. There came a whispered, amen, from his comrades.

He looked one last time at his watch then, with a nod, they began the job of executing their platoon mates. They went through the dormitory with only two troopers waking to see what was making that annoying 'tap tik tap tik' noise.

That was easy, we should have been given the job of doing that for all the barracks. Hey Jabba, I wonder how our guys are doing at the water treatment plant, they should have finished poisoning the water hours ago. Hey, does anyone know if that poison kills everyone who drinks it? asked Trooper Liddel, he held his silenced USP 9 mm at the ready while reloading in the darkness.

The poisons teams will do exactly what is asked of them, Liddel. Just shut up and follow your orders. And don't drink the damn tap water you idiot. Jabba paused for a few seconds as he looked at his watch again, OK, everyone, time to change and show our colours as Crusaders of the Revelations. The terrorists quietly divested their over-uniforms to reveal their trade-mark black T-shirts with its white Hebrew writing - 'Apocalypse'.

Wait for the shooting to start then head over to help the APC commander. Warty, don't forget you need to be at the ASLAV's and APC's to get them babies running. Make sure you stop by HQ so the idiots there don't mix up the codes. You know what a pair of airheads Emma and Larry are, Jabba whispered.

The roar of vehicles cranking brought a ripple of tired voices as troopers startled awake in the darkness of pre-dawn. No-one in the regiment knew what was going on. Expecting an inspection or drill of some sort, NCO's leaped from their beds dressing in the one fluid motion.

Lance-Corporal Hill raced out of his barracks to see what was going on and was the first to be met with a burst of automatic fire - he tumbled down the stairs. Unsuspecting troopers ran out of the barracks only to be hit by more rifle fire. There were screams of pain and the sound of muffled orders as the members of 1st Cavalry tried to form some sort of weaponless defence. It was useless, the enemy bullets went right through the soft sided dormitory walls. Lieutenant McCarthy's murderous assault killed and wounded most of the squadron before they even had time to dress.

Major Barrett couldn't sleep and was up working when he heard the sound of gunfire. He jumped up and carefully parted the curtains to see his own officer, Lieutenant McCarthy, directing what clearly was a terrorist assault against his own regiment. In a sudden panic he leaped to his communications system and began broadcasting.

'Damn,' he thought, 'I can't get an open communications channel, they're all jammed.' The major stood and looked back outside. In the brightening dawn he recognised more of his own troops dressed as terrorists firing at his men. He barricaded the door then went back to his transmitter. In desperation he tried an open channel broadcast on the police and ambulance frequencies. He wasn't sure if anyone would hear him.

Fire superiority, men! Exterminate these heathens! the lieutenant screamed in the heat of battle and blood lust. He paused to fire his pistol into the face of a kneeling trooper holding his hands in the air. The lieutenant's eyes reflected a mixture of lust and excitement as he yelled, Kill them, kill them all!

Lieutenant, signals report someone's broadcasting from within the compound, said one of his men tapping his arm.

The lieutenant stopped, a bewildered look came over him. He turned and snapped, Direct Corporal Warren and his section to search the officer communication's room. I can't believe those damn commando's missed it, useless dick heads!

The major was still broadcasting on the police and ambulance channels when he heard banging on his barricaded door. Some seconds later there came the sound of breaking glass and he saw a grenade roll towards him. Giving it a cursory glance he continued broadcasting. He knew he was a dead man.

The grenade exploded sending searing metal shards into his face, chest and abdomen. Major Barrett considered himself a tough man, but he screamed just as loudly as his wife when she gave birth to their first child. Blood pumped from a severed artery in his neck, it was a quick death.

A golden dawn fell upon the collapse of 1st Cavalry. The unarmed soldiers had been routed by the terrorists and the survivors paraded semi-naked in the early morning light. Many of the terrorists guarding them were members of both squadrons.

There was no jeering or talk between the prisoners and their guards. A seething anger and resentment separated them like a brick wall.

One NCO with his arm running blood into the dirt of the parade ground called out to his corporal. Warren, why are you doing this? You've turned on your own mates. And Emma, why? His face reflected his confusion and betrayal but neither Warren nor Emma bothered to answer him.

As the sun rose higher in the sky the smell of death filled the air. Some of the wounded wavered and fell where they stood. There was now a quick, whispered conversation between the lieutenant and Corporal Warren.

Everyone sit down where you are, commanded the corporal, please don't talk or move or you will be shot. As you can see this is not an exercise. The Church of Revelations has taken a stand against the corruption and filth of civilised humanity. You represent the first force to be brought down in our glorious crusade to cleanse the world. Please bend your heads and close your eyes while we say a prayer of thanks for our successes today.

Damn you and your religion! yelled one of the officers only to be met with a stony silence from his captors. The officer looked defiantly towards his former subordinates, his chest heaving with frustrated rage. A nod from the corporal brought a single pistol shot and the brave man collapsed, twitched once and was still.

Lieutenant McCarthy brought his men to order and led the prayer of thanks. He then calmly stalked among his ex-comrades-in-arms, pistol in hand.

Ah, Captain Phillips, I seem to remember you gave me a negative report last year. Our beloved Lord told me I was to be promoted and you deliberately defied Him. That's a crime against our Lord on High. He smiled as he shot him where he sat on the gravel parade ground. And you, Major Neville, you passed me over twice for promotion, remember? That was a crime against the Lord our God too I believe.

You're crazy, McCarthy, you're a damn psychopath! In his rage the major tried to stand but McCarthy kicked him back down. The lieutenant smiled as he put the barrel of the pistol to his former superior's head and pulled the trigger.

Calmly walking among his former friends he executed seemingly on a whim stating their crime before pulling the trigger. Officers he had shared dinner with the night before looked up at him with unabashed hatred.

What are you doing lieutenant? demanded the colonel, rousted from his bed and now standing with his wife and teenage daughters. His face was a mask of indignation and horror. As commanding officer I demand you cease what you're doing and place yourself and this… rabble, under arrest!

The colonel turned to the terrorists watching the extermination. You will obey me! Corporal Harris, Corporal Warren, cease this mutiny and put Lieutenant McCarthy under arrest, immediately! he barked, his eyes cutting into them.

Lieutenant McCarthy turned to his former superior. You, and squadrons A and C, are now mine and the Crusaders of the Revelationist Church as of now. The Apocalypse has begun, Colonel. My people, the true Crusader Angels of Light, have control of your regiment. In a few hours the general of Army Charlie will be talking to you about your surrender.

I demand that you stop executing my men, stop the killing. You have us under your control, this murder is unnecessary, the colonel pleaded, almost begged as he looked around. Only now did he notice that most of his officers were lying dead on the ground.

McCarthy stopped talking, his face twitched and contorted. He swung his fist and hit the commander in the face knocking him to the ground. From now on you do what I say, and if I say jump you say, 'how high', got it! He giggled as he stepped over to the colonel's wife and ripped her night dress exposing her heavy breasts.

The lieutenant called to his comrades spreading his arms wide at the compound and their prisoners, Brothers, this is all ours, we're going to have a party before our Lord ordained General arrives. The colonel's dear wife, his daughters and our much loved cavalry ladies wish to comfort us… and I haven't forgotten my darling Crusader Angel-girls. The colonel and officers are yours to play with when the general has finished with them.

The regiment's commander sat back up, his bound hands were turning blue. He opened his mouth to protest but his former subordinate kicked him in the face and he collapsed back to the ground. McCarthy continued to savagely kick until the colonel was unconscious, his face a mass of gelatinous blood. The colonel's wife screamed hysterically as she watched this unbelievable horror unfold in front of her.

McCarthy stepped over her husband to back-hand her across the face. He hit her so hard that her teeth cut into his hand. Cursing he brought it to his mouth.

You rotten cow! he screamed and spat in her face. You'll get special treatment for that! His face contorted then immediately broke into a delighted smile as he realised that he was enjoying himself. Turning to his men, aroused, in the blood-lust of battle, he yelled, Well, Crusaders? What are you waiting for, these girls are hungry for your affection!

It was fortunate for humanity that their sister squadron, B Squadron, was performing live-fire training in the Adelaide Hills.

Chapter 2 - Pinkie

Pinkie woke to the usual morning chorus of bush birds. The comely middle aged-woman crawled from the tent beside a white, geared-up four wheel drive. She hummed as she poured water into a blackened billy and turned on the gas cooker.

As she opened the tent flap, cups held precariously in her free hand, she saw her husband of one month sitting up staring into space. Love, are you all right? she asked with wary concern in her voice. Was it another of those dreams?

Dimas was not quite awake. He shook his head to clear it as he replied, I'm OK, it was that same blond-haired bloke but this time there were bodies piled on top of each other. I felt so much hate, Pinkie, so much hate that I killed him. There was something weird too, a demon as thin as a knife blade. It made me feel happy. He paused as he cast about in his mind for more details. "I saw a dead man too. His eyes said he was dead but then he spoke to me and said, 'Just do what you must do.' "

Pinkie pulled his face to her breast and held him to her. I wish there was someone we could see who would stop these damn nightmares. They terrify me, love. We should be having the time of our lives not freaking out over these blasted dreams.

The dawn chorus rose to a crescendo only to die down just as suddenly. Dimas eased himself free of her grasp and looked into her eyes. I've always had vivid dreams, but nothing like this. I don't know what's wrong but something must be very wrong.

We'll get into Birdsville by dinner time then we can relax. Pinkie rubbed his neck and shoulders, How does that sound? A luxurious soft bed, hot showers, food and a cold beer. She smiled to herself, she wouldn't mind that one little bit. Maybe it was the heat of the Simpson Desert that brought these bizarre dreams. Maybe they'll stop when they get into the air conditioned hotel at Birdsville, Pinkie hoped so.

They agreed that they would keep on driving, right through their usual lunch break, arriving at the Birdsville Hotel just after midday. The honeymooner's had lived on freeze-dried meals for the past month and were mighty sick of them.

It had been Dimas' idea to spend their honeymoon in the Simpson Desert. They had looked forward to it from the moment they planned their wedding. Right now they just wanted to check into the pub, wash off the desert and then enjoy a cold beer and a rare steak.

They pulled up some distance from the hotel unable to get closer, the place was in turmoil. Cars were racing in and out at speed not caring if they hit other cars or even people. At the hotel, people were milling around the bar entrance restlessly. Some were arguing and three men were pulling at a pair wrestling on the ground.

With the races over it should have been festival time in Birdsville with satisfied tourists packing up to return to their homes a thousand kilometres away on the coast. There was definitely no festival atmosphere here. People were throwing hastily packed bags into their cars and wagons. Others argued and many were crying. The caravan park across the road was like a seething nest of ants. People rudely knocked each other over in their rush to get to their caravans and be on their way.

As Pinkie and Dimas entered the Birdsville Hotel they heard a squeal and the sickening smack of a fist on soft flesh. They turned towards the sound and watched in horror as the young bar-girl was knocked to the floor. Two beefy men and a drunk, fat woman had pushed behind the counter and were now grabbing packets of potato chips and bottles of liquor with their greedy fingers.

Dimas was a sucker for good manners. He stepped behind the bar and knocked the first man away from the girl curled up on the floor. There was a scuffle and the second man hit him from behind. As Dimas slipped into unconsciousness he heard a drunken voice, You shouldn't be mixing it with us young bloods you stupid old fool.

Dimas woke up in one of the hotel rooms around midnight, his head throbbing. Pinkie was sitting beside him listening to the ABC radio.

She rested her hand on his chest and said softly, Love, the world's gone crazy, those fool Crusaders of The Revelations have finally made a mad attempt to take over the world. Maybe that's what your nightmares were trying to tell you last night.

She told him that the Revelationist Church claimed responsibility for a deadly virus outbreak and for poisoning city drinking water in almost every country across the globe. NATO was no longer a force, they had been wiped out. There was no news from the USA, all contact had ceased the night before.

Pinkie next told him that martial law had been declared and a twenty four hour curfew was in place. No-one was permitted to drive on public roads or they would be shot on sight.

'No wonder people were in a panic,' Dimas thought. Pinkie put her arms around him and closed her troubled eyes. They fell asleep in each other's arms fearful of what the dawn would bring.

Early next morning the power went off just as they finished showering. That was lucky, we got the last hot shower, said Pinkie, never one to miss an opportunity to see the positive side of a bad situation.

The sun was just on the horizon and the bush birds were singing the world awake. It was so peaceful that they decided to step outside into the fresh desert air. Sitting on a bench seat they quietly watched the sunrise over the sand dunes in the east.

Pinkie startled then smiled as two wild looking men stepped into the hotel courtyard. The first one was a white haired, moustachioed old man with a funny limp like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. The other had dangerous eyes which Dimas noticed and he immediately went on guard. He felt he was looking at someone who had died and come back to life.

'Dangerous. They're both older than me,' thought Dimas, 'maybe their mid-60's? Hard to tell. I wonder what they want, another fight?' He tensed himself expecting a confrontation.

It was an awkward moment broken by the Tin Man's gravelly voice.

Mornin' matey, it was you what stepped in to help the girlie at the bar last night, and was king hit for your efforts? he nodded to himself as he extended his hand. I would like to thank you. She's a friend of ours and that makes you our friend. I'm Pedro and this is my old mate, Shamus. You'll have to excuse his accent, he ain't English. Pedro grinned at his little joke.

Dimas stood up politely, he hadn't expected this. My name's Dimas, nice to meet you both, he said as they shook hands. I'm not much of a knight in shining armour though, it was me who needed rescuing in the end.

The two men sat down at the table to join them as Pinkie turned to her husband.

Love, these two gentleman stepped in and rescued you and that poor girl last night. They helped carry you up to the room and put you in the bed. Pinkie filled in the blanks for him. Dimas smiled at the two rough looking strangers. There was something about those eyes of Shamus though.

Boyo, if you don't mind, where does that funny name of yours come from? asked the white whiskered old man.

Dimas, it's Portuguese for 'sunset'. My father gave it to me because I was born right on sunset, Dimas replied.

Hmm, now that's a powerful strong time to be born matey. I think I'll rename you, Sundown. It's a powerful strong Aussie handle, it's a nice fit. Pedro was swaying slightly and smiling as Sundown realised that he and Shamus must have been up drinking all night. The two were well and truly plastered.

Thanks for coming to my rescue last night Pedro, and you too, Shamus. Dimas' bright smile lit the courtyard and both Pedro and Shamus chuckled delightedly. Pinkie stood up and said that she would see if she could organise some breakfast.

She paused, parting her lips in a slight smile, then she spoke, savouring the name, Sundown, hmm, sexy name. I think you should keep it, love. Turning to Pedro she said, Well Pedro, what about me, do I need a new name too? she teased.

He looked at her querulously and replied, I take someone's handle very seriously. His weathered face lit up as he spoke next. " 'Pinkie' describes you beautifully. Delicate, petite and always ready