by the time Toki finally spoke. ‘OK, listen in.’
We all moved an inch closer to him so as not to miss a word. ‘Soon as it becomes light enough for us to see where we are going, we move to the edge of the maize and take cover in the irrigation ditch that runs in the open ground. That way we can wait up until the Apaches start hosing down the fields, plus we don’t need to worry about getting hit by their rounds. Then, once they’ve done their bit, we can start moving and link up with Sergeant MacKenzie. Any questions?’
I had one. ‘I’ve only got four rounds left – that’s it. What happens if we run into them on the way out?’
There was a short pause before I heard the sound of grating metal. ‘Fix bayonets,’ came the reply.
I didn’t keep mine in its metal sheaf like Toki, so I pulled my bayonet out from where I had jammed it into the webbing of my body armour. I twisted it into the barrel of my rifle, and checked and double-checked it was on tight.
This was getting really scary. I’d never actually used one before, at least not in real life. I’d only done it back in the UK while we were training. We’d practised screaming at sand bags as we charged towards them making what was supposed to be a terrifying face. You had to put on a war face to frighten the enemy as well as rev yourself up a bit. That way you’d be able to do the business with your bayonet when you finally reached him. It was all a bit of a laugh in training. I never really thought I might have to do it for real.
Si was feeling the pressure, too. ‘Mate, we’re outnumbered. There are shedloads of ‘em out there.’
Toki’s voice remained calm as ever. ‘If we move through the maize slowly and quietly, we shouldn’t bump into any of them. But if it kicks off, we’ll take them one at a time. That’s right, isn’t it, Briggsy?’
I managed to mumble a yes, but it didn’t sound very convincing.
Toki ignored my fear and carried on. ‘In here, they’re going to have to be within a metre or so before they see you. And when they do, you got to be quick. Remember, grip the weapon. Get your body behind it, the butt tucked in under your arm. Ram that lump of metal into him before he has a chance to do anything to you. Aim for the centre of what you can see of him. His bones and kit will resist a little, so keep your body weight behind the weapon. Take him down, leave him dead or alive, and just keep moving on. Fight your way out of the field and take cover in the ditch.’
Flash spoke quietly but urgently. ‘It’s first light, Toki.’ He was right. The eight-foot-high maize field was beginning to take shape.
‘You ready?’ Toki fixed his eyes on Flash, who took a gulp of air before he answered slowly and steadily, ‘Ready.’
Toki then checked out Si, although to be honest, when his reply came he sounded less sure.
Toki then fixed his eyes on me. ‘You ready?’
My mouth was so dry I couldn’t get the words out.
‘Briggsy, you ready?’ he repeated.
I swallowed hard and tried to sound confident. ‘Ready.’ It was more of a squeak than an answer.
Toki started to move through the maize, ‘Single file, behind me.’
Chapter Fifteen
Flash and Si fell in and I followed behind, each of us a couple of metres behind the other. We needed to be spread apart as much as possible to prevent a burst of Tali fire taking all four of us down at once, but not so far apart that we couldn’t see the next man in front.
The maize rustled as we pushed ourselves through. I held the pistol-grip of my rifle with my right hand. My left was around the barrel, keeping the bayonet raised, ready to take on anyone who came near. I desperately hoped they wouldn’t. With just a few rounds each, staying hidden was going to be our greatest weapon.
As I inched my way slowly through the field, a head of corn banged against my shoulder and made me jump like a startled rabbit. Even a snap of straw under my feet made me flinch. I could still only see about two metres ahead of me, but I could hear all four of us breathing heavily.
Every