Pollen Season

"Pathetic waste of my time!!" David sneezed as he poured the final sack of grounded pine over the rotating propeller. He stood back as the upturned blades from an enemy helicopter thrust the brown dust skywards. The wooden specks obscured the starry heavens before catching the land breeze. From there, they began their ride out to sea.

David switched off the huge fan as he dragged the empty sacks behind him. His feet crunched the cold, gritty sand as he headed back to camp. Looking out to sea, he studied the line of undulating white lights as he has for many nights. If he listened carefully, he could even make out an occasional word or two bouncing from the bobbing boats anchored five kilometers or so from shore at low tide.

A tall figure garbed only in a white T-shirt and a green camouflage pants appeared beside him, empty sacks slumped on his arm.

"Alex, got sent to do this too eh?" David said.

"Yap Dave, the fourth time this week. But orders are orders. I’m sure the Sergeant knows what he’s doing."

"We hope." Dave answered.

"When do you reckon they’ll attack?" Alex tilted his head towards the boats.

"The One Wayers? You know better than me. Sergeant said they are vaccinating against BCG. Can’t see why though." David shrugged.

"Their standard procedure when entering another country." Alex said.

David swatted his neck. "Darn gnats!! Anyway, I don’t see why we should just sit and wait to be attacked. We can swim close and hit them with our grenades."

A white floodlight arched across the dark waters around the boats. "That’s why. And that’s not counting infrared. They’ll intercept us way before we can act." Alex ran his hand down his bare scalp.

"You assume they’re in better shape than we’re. They may have American tech, but in all likelihood it’s in disrepair."

"True, given that there have been no American or European industry for over ten years. Still, we’re just twelve men versus about fifty. That’s excluding the local hippies who’ll probably throw flowers at the One Wayers instead. And no, I doubt we’ll receive more aid from the New Zealand Army, if it still exist." Alex said.

"The Sergeant better not ask us to save the hippies when the One Wayers attack. They are trouble enough as it stands." David grumbled. "Pity United China withdrew from international affairs."

"You dare blame your Chinese leaders, Private Chen? Not surprisingly, they withdrew when any help they provide are either lost or misconstrued in an increasingly fractious world. Opps, hippie coming."

A young woman, illuminated dimly by the electric lamp she held strolled past them. Smiling, she traced the symbol of peace in the air as she headed north.

"Join us in the path of peace and love. Renounce violence." She said as she lifted her purple veil. "Do what delights your Divine Within."

Alex’s voice turned authoritative. "Good woman, go back to camp. North Beach is dangerous. Sergeant’s order cordon it to civilians."

The young woman turned around as black hair fell around her face. "Lieutenant, your orders are that of war. Mine comes from peace. Krishna will protect me with love."

"I’m afraid that Lord Krishna will need to put that in writing. As it stands, orders are orders, sorry Ma’am. Private, please guide this lady back to safety." Alex finished.

David smirked mentally before reining the woman in. "This way," he said. Oscillating between the role of equals and the role of private to lieutenant remains one sticking point in their friendship.