Read The Cadet Corporal for Free Online Page B

soil offered smooth walking. By now their eyes had adjusted to the starlight and visibility was quite good. The dark shapes of a few scattered trees in the distance were the only vegetation. Graham quickly realized that a tree on the crestline ahead of them was their next objective but he resisted the temptation to point this out to Kirsty.
    She obviously worked it out for herself, particularly when the flicker of a torch showed under the tree. “That big tree is the next check point,” she said.
    Graham agreed and they walked quickly on. He was pleased when they covered the distance in only five minutes and no-one caused any problems. Lt Hamilton, the unit QM, was there with the Company Quartermaster Sergeant, Coralie Bates. Also there was 2 Section, Cpl Costigan. They were departing as 4 Section arrived.
    â€œWho’s that?” Costigan called.
    â€œFour Section,” Graham replied.
    â€œHuh! Late and lost probably!” Costigan replied in a sneering tone.
    The fact that they were late caused Graham to flush with shame and annoyance. With an effort he ignored the comment and went over to Lt Hamilton. Lt Hamilton was a slim officer in his late twenties. He had a moustache which he continually stroked, a gesture Graham found irritating. ‘Fancies himself with the ladies,’ was the rumour.
    As quickly as he could Graham worked out the next leg. Lt Hamilton added a spur by saying, “You had better get a move on. It is nearly twenty one hundred. It is only fifteen minutes to the cut-off time.”
    That sent Graham’s heart rate soaring with anxiety. ‘This is only the third checkpoint,’ he thought. With feverish haste he worked out the next leg and showed his sums to Lt Hamilton. The OOC nodded and said they could go.
    â€œLet’s go Four Section,” Graham said, while quickly setting the compass.
    â€œI’m tired. I want to stay here,” Andrews replied.
    â€œNo way, not unless you are really sick,” Graham snapped back. “
    â€œI am sick,” Andrews replied.
    Staff Sgt Bates stepped forward. “No you aren’t Cadet Andrews. You just want a ride back in the Land Rover. Get moving.”
    Andrews grumbled but he moved. Graham handed the compass to him. “Your turn, now get moving.”
    There were more grumbles but Andrews took the compass, lined it up and, to Graham’s intense relief, started walking. “Thanks,” he whispered to Staff Sgt Bates.
    The next leg took them north across the gravel Canning Road and on over the wide, flat top of Bare Ridge. As they crested the rise Graham noted a bright cluster of distant lights. So did the others.
    â€œOooh!” Lucy cried. “What are those lights?”
    â€œCharters Towers,” Graham replied, naming the town.
    â€œIs it far?” Kirsty asked.
    â€œTwenty or thirty kilometres,” Graham replied.
    â€œOh, as far as that,” Dianne said, the disappointment clear in her voice.
    â€œI wish I was there,” Lucy added.
    â€œMe too!” Halyday cried.
    â€œNever mind gaping at the bright lights of the big city,” Graham said, “We are late, so keep walking”
    â€œI’m tired,” Dianne replied.
    â€œAnd I’m getting a blister,” Andrews added.
    â€œSo walk fast and we will get home quicker,” Graham said.
    With a steady flow of grumbling the section continued on over the crest to a gully where they found the 3 Platoon staff, CUO Mitrovitch and Sgt Yeldham. A glance at his watch told Graham it was 2107hrs. ‘Only eight minutes to the cut-off time,’ he thought anxiously.
    Even so CUO Mitrovitch gave him the next leg to do. Graham set rapidly to work. This time it only took Graham three minutes to do the calculation. As he showed it to CUO Mitrovitch she nodded with approval. “Very good, that is the quickest so far, and you even got it right.”
    Before Graham could answer her Kirsty bumped against him