Behind Mt. Baldy (59 page)

‘Heavens,
Barbara is really something!’ he thought. But then he shook his head. ‘No,
don’t start thinking like that.’ That got him considering the problem of
temptation- something he suffered strongly from as he really liked girls! 
‘How do we prevent Fraternisation?’ he wondered.

Fraternisation- improper
relationships- was forbidden by the Cadet Policy Manual. As the Company
Sergeant Major one of his main duties was discipline and while he knew that the
real supervision was the responsibility of the adult Officers of Cadets he also
had a key role to play. ‘And the cadet sergeants are the people I must depend
on to help prevent any problems,’ he thought, shifting his gaze to the
sergeants standing at the back of their platoons. What bothered him was the
feeling that he did not trust them all.

Graham
called the company to attention and handed over to Capt Conkey and the camp
began.  What follows is the story of an army cadet camp and of how Graham
and his friends coped with the unexpected problems that occurred.  For
cadets and ex-cadets the detail will inform and provide nostalgic flashbacks.

Because
this is a story about teenagers, and particularly teenage relationships, there
are some sexual references and coarse language. This book is written for young
adults and is not suitable for Primary School children

THE CADET UNDER-OFFICER

Graham
is 17 and is a Cadet Under-Officer in his army cadet unit. It is September. On the
third day of annual camp he encounters 15 year old Elizabeth, who has a
briefcase full of incriminating documents and is being hotly pursued by a gang
of crooks. Graham knows Elizabeth from school and decides to hide her while he
contacts the authorities.
But who to trust?
And how to do it?

Complicating
matters is the fact that 15 year old Margaret, a corporal in his platoon, is in
love with Graham. Jealousy rears its ugly head. Problems multiply and plans go
adrift. As the days go by the crooks become ever more desperate and Graham
becomes involved in the most challenging adventure of his young life.

The
story is set in the dry savannah country of inland North Queensland in the
Charters Towers district. There is fast moving action and authentic detail about
army cadets. Buy the book to join in with them as they try to use their
training to overcome the mounting problems.