Kahali International Airport
09:00 16th February 1969
We Shall Wear The Flame Lily, as the pig Latin motto of the Overseas Volunteer Battalion reads, stood proud in gold beneath the crossed assegai badge on Corporal Von Tonder's left sleeve. The assegais were lain across a stylised flame lily, that beautiful flower chosen by the white population of Kalumba as their symbol. Before the OVBs came into existence it had been worn proudly upon the breasts of his adopted homeland's sportsmen and was a strong link to the natives who revered the flower as symbol of fertility. But now it was a symbol of hate, worn by men like Louis Von Tonder.
Like many early recruits to the OVBs Von Tonder came from Afrika and fully bought into the principles of apartheid. He knew he was far superior to the natives of this continent and he acted on his beliefs taking every chance he had to exercise what he saw as his rights. Tribal councils complained bitterly to the local police commissioners that OVB units were torching kraals on minimal evidence and arresting black men for nothing, some even alleged that the OVBs were torturing and executing prisoners without trial. But despite a lack of evidence the rumours were building and destroying any attempt by the government to win the hearts of the people and the OVBs were withdrawn from the frontline, ostensibly for training.
Von Tonder fondly remembered those days and how he had strode so proud, a crusader in this heathen land. A warrior of God destroying the twin evils of communism and atheism that were as rampant as malaria in those damned blacks. And now look at him, him a combat veteran relegated to administrative duties. Today's orders were to collect the latest recruits for the OVBs from Kahali International Airport. KIA, killed in action, like so many of his comrades he mused to himself. He felt he should be out facing the black menace in the field, not collecting another bunch of idealists, adventurers and criminals to join his unit. That was surely a job the kaffirs could be trained to do, hell the government here even trained the bastards to fight so why the hell was he here? He suspected it was probably to do with him striking a picaninny who had dared to not give up his seat on the tram for him, fucking liberals he thought to himself and spat viciously upon the white marble floor of the foyer.
Glancing down he saw his glob of spit had already been polished away by an Uhali in a smart airport uniform, Von Tonder caught the cleaners eye and very slowly and deliberately let a glob of saliva drop from his mouth between his highly polished boots. Tucking his thumbs behind his belt and flexing his back Von Tonder smiled a satisfied smile as the black timidly bent and wiped up the saliva from between his legs.
Feeling a tad more cheerful he crossed to the door of the terminal and stepped out on the runway and watched the sky to the north. He checked his watch and stamped his feet impatiently until he saw the airliner approaching and stepped back inside the main building. The aeroplane would kick up great amounts of dust and he did not want to dirty his impeccable uniform, while he waited he leafed through the wad of papers his CO had given him. Among them was a list of those who had already signed a contract, assorted scum from all over the world were on his list, then he found a few blank recruitment forms and remembered he was to try and recruit from amongst all patrons of the airport. As he waited for the passengers to be passed through customs he glanced over the form and chuckled at how much it had changed since he had signed up.
Overseas Volunteer Service Contract
I, ............., do swear to serve with honour in the Overseas Volunteer Battalions and act in full compliance of the laws of the Republic of Kalumba. I declare all the following information to be true:
Date of Birth:
Nationality:
Military Service:
Criminal Convictions:
Religion:
Medical Conditions:
Upon signature of this contract I agree to serve no less than four years in the Overseas Volunteer Battalions with honour and fidelity and preserve the laws of my new homeland.
Von Tonder looked up from the papers and saw that the passengers were finally through customs. Checking his watch he saw it had taken over half an hour. He sighed thinking this was what the future was like if they kept giving kaffirs jobs that should go to good, white folk. But he knew the reason a black was working the Customs, the entire civilised population of this land was already serving at the front or in some other capacity assisting the security forces in the struggle against communism and could not be spared for such a banal task as checking passports.
"Gentleman" he addressed the disembarked passengers "I am Corporal Von Tonder with the Overseas Volunteer Battalions, I understand that some of you are here for transfer to your training unit, if so kindly hand over you contract of service and follow me. If any of you other gentlemen are here to sign on then please take a form and complete it as quickly as possible, I do have a war to fight."
Outskirts of Usutu, Lebombo
12:35 16th February 1969
Edwin Bundani Nleya sweated profusely in the midday sun, he had lived his whole life in this sun and it was not the heat making him sweat. It was a cold sweat of fear, for today he was greeting a number of foreign advisors from friendly governments and was away from his camp in the mountains. There he was safe, his men around him and only a single route in but the last three times he had ventured from this safe haven both SCF and SIDP had tried to kill him, his right hand man Percival Mbere had been killed by car bomb and six of his bodyguards had once been slaughtered in a supposed safe house. He knew that some elements of the minority regime in his homeland realised that their cause was lost and were ready to negotiate for peace, but was fully aware that many still believed in white superiority and would fight to the bitter end to maintain the status quo.
Thus his reasons for venturing this far from safety, his comrades abroad had managed to gather some support for his cause and a few governments had promised him military support. Now he was ready to greet them, disguised as a taxi driver he was readying himself for the drive to the terminal. He mopped his brow with his handkerchief and replaced his cap, constantly worried his false moustache would come loose and a SIDP man would recognise him. Then it would be all over, a burst of automatic fire and he would be killed. Another black corpse in the white man's brutal fight for survival in this brutal land. Like so many of his brothers he dreamed of peace and happiness but until this war was won only sadness remained for Mother Kalumba.
Finally prepared he drove the battered old vehicle into the bustling streets of Usutu, deftly avoiding the hordes of beggars and street sellers who were so absent from Kahali. Was this the future for an independent Kalumba? More suffering and hardship? No, he swore to himself he was fighting this war not for himself but for his country and his countrymen. He would forge a better land and his new comrades would help him do so. Head down he walked into the airport terminal, noting with glee the complete lack of white faces it would be nigh on impossible for even the devious SIDP to follow him here, and headed to the door marked arrivals. Taking from under his coat a rough cardboard sign, with International Mining Conglomerate upon it, he joined the serried ranks of over drivers and hoped he had the correct flight for the advisors.
