Read Base for Free Online Page A

as their lot. All the years she’d spent in her holidays volunteering on aboriginal missions where her mother had been a doctor, teaching women about contraceptives and control over their own bodies.
    Ruth stood, aware her heartbeat was way too high. She put her hands on her hips as she looked from Armstrong to Lea and back to the captain. ‘Are you insane? This isn’t a slave auction. You don’t get to give one of my friends away.’
    Captain Lang turned to her. ‘You have an objection to me assigning Lea to the best man I have in order to guarantee her protection?’
    â€˜Damn right I do. Lea is a brilliant doctoral student, not a trophy prize for a navy man shooting braindeads.’
    â€˜I’m okay, Ruth. Really I am. In fact, I’d like Phil to look after me. I’ve never had any man look after me since Dad died.’ Lea’s face had turned crimson, her ears pink. ‘No man has ever promised me anything so wonderful.’
    â€˜Lea, are you nuts?’ Ruth rubbed her hand across her forehead. What could her brilliant university medal-winning friend be thinking? ‘They’re just words. You don’t need him. You’ve always looked after yourself.’
    â€˜Things aren’t the same anymore, are they, Ruth? These men are the only ones keeping order and I need order to continue my work and try and find a cure for this virus. I’ve spent my whole life studying towards my doctorate. Not having any social life. For what? There’s nothing out there anymore. I want to be with Phil. I’ve made up my mind. Please don’t make a fuss. I want this.’ Lea stepped into Lieutenant Armstrong’s arms.
    He leaned down and whispered something in her ear. She giggled like a schoolgirl.
    â€˜Lea has consented, Ruth. Respect her decision,’ the captain said.
    â€˜Respect?’ On some level, she knew she was overstepping the line. But dammit, she hadn’t been brought up by her single doctor mother who’d worked twenty-four seven to keep her bright daughter in one of Sydney’s best private girl’s schools, to take crap from men. Women should have a say in their own future. ‘You have no right to lecture me on respect. You’re offering a woman as a prize.’
    â€˜Hoo-Yah,’ the men chanted.
    The captain held his hand up to silence the men. ‘It’s a different world from three months ago. No one did anything to protect the women and children. I’m putting my best men on the job.’
    â€˜Like hell you are. Let’s call this what it is. You’re offering my girlfriends as an incentive for your men to work harder.’
    The green of the captain’s eyes darkened. ‘I’m giving my men a reason to get up in the morning. Most of these men fought in the Middle East, saving other people’s families, then came home to find their own families dead.’
    Ruth looked around the hall. Dressed in their uniforms, everything looked so normal and nice, but it wasn’t and maybe it never would be again. ‘I’m sorry for your losses, but we’ve all suffered losses. You don’t have the right to use women as a panacea for your wounds. You’re bringing women here onto the base, promising them safety without explaining exactly what you expect them to do in return.’
    A grin spread across the captain’s handsome face. ‘I’ll explain it all to you slowly in private. Now sit.’
    Laughter rumbled around the room.
    Hatred, raw and fresh, rose in her chest. The man had deliberately patronised her in front of his men. She was about to retaliate when she saw him make a hand gesture and noticed two men move into position behind her seat. Jack had restrained her once and she knew he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. She sat, fists clenched, overwhelmed.
    The captain turned his attention back to his men. ‘Vassar. You have volunteered on every dangerous