War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1157 The Trouble Caused By Karan

The conditions are definitely not good on the third floor of a small hotel. The moment the door of the room near the stairs was knocked, Wei Ran, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, woke up immediately. When he turned over and got up, his hands There was also an extra pistol.

"Victor, are you inside?" Outside the door, Hugo's inquiry dispelled Wei Ran's vigilance.

Putting away his pistol, Wei Ran leaned against the wall and opened the door a gap. Seeing that Hugo, Valoro and Karan were all outside, he opened the door without a pause, yawned deliberately and asked , "Have you contacted Brody?"

"not at all"

Hugo shook his head helplessly, walked into the room, sat down on the bed and explained, "Brody's colleague answered the call, and the other party said that Brody was on a business trip to the UK, and it will be around the end of October." return."

"So we wait for him to come back?" Wei Ran asked indifferently.

"We'll talk about this later," Hugo said, looking at Karan, "Have you made it clear to Haili?"

"Clarified"

Karan lit a cigarette and explained, "Hayley couldn't find any suitable jobs in Sydney, so she decided to follow my advice and go to Brisbane to try. I wrote a letter to my dad and asked her to take Go back, my dad will definitely help her find a job as a cashier that satisfies her."

After finishing speaking, Karan spread his hands and said confidently, "It doesn't matter if you can't find it, at worst, go to work on the farm."

"When is she leaving?" Hugo asked as he lit a cigarette.

"Tomorrow morning"

Karan explained, "I bought her a plane ticket, so she can go back soon. Now it's just a few of us who are left with jobs. If you want me to say, let's just buy a boat by ourselves." gone."

"If I have the money to buy a boat, why should I come out to be a sailor?" Valoro had already lit his pipe while speaking, and suddenly, the air in this small room became even worse.

"What sailor doesn't want to have a boat of his own"

Hugo laughed and joked, "But we really haven't bought a boat yet, Karan, you must be going to accompany Haili today, right?"

"Of course." Karan nodded, and said quite proudly, "Her roommate even gave us the dormitory."

"Come back to us immediately after sending her on the plane tomorrow." Before Hugo finished speaking, Karan ran out of the room with a cigarette in his mouth, not forgetting to make a series of promises by the way.

"Looks like we're the only ones left"

While Hugo was talking, he had already figured out the envelope that the captain asked the sailor to hand him alone before disembarking, and took out the letter paper inside to look at it.

"What's wrong?" Wei Ran couldn't help asking.

"nothing"

Hugo said and handed the letter to Wei Ran, "It's the same as we guessed, and Karan and Valoro's salary and my salary are put together. In addition, Dad Damon reminded us to be careful, lest Revenge by those brazilians.

Also, he gave us a three-month vacation, and asked us to go to work on the cargo ship Damon after his ship finished the voyage to and from Brazil in three months, and he will fire all the Brazilian crew at that time . "

"Papa Damon is a good captain"

When Wei Ran was reading the letter, Valoro was smoking a pipe and said, "There are not many people in Sydney Harbor who are willing to use black crew members. Maybe he is the only one. It seems that I will lose my job in the next three months."

"I'll go to the Cactus Bar later"

After Hugo finished speaking, he had already stubbed out the cigarette butt. He lay on the bed and said indifferently, "Maybe there will be a good job for the bartender at the Cactus Bar. Don't worry, Valoro, you will definitely have a job."

"In this case, how about I go out for a stroll first?"

Wei Ran was really fed up with the second-hand smoke in this small room, he had already stood up while talking, and picked up the gas mask bag - if there was really a gas mask in this bag, he might be able to hold on for a while longer.

"Buy me a few packs of cigarettes and bring them back"

Hugo yawned and said, "If you come back earlier, can you help me get some food?"

"If I can find it, I will buy it back." Wei Ran opened the door while speaking, "Walolo, do you need anything?"

"Buy me some razor blades and socks, of course, and wine and sausages and meat pies, you're sure to get meat pies, they're everywhere."

Sipping on his pipe, Valoro joked self-deprecatingly, "You know, niggers can't enter the store."

"I'll help you buy these things." Wei Ran said while helping to close the door.

Going downstairs to leave the hotel, Wei Ran stood at the door and opened the envelope containing his salary first, took out a stack of Australian pounds from it, and stuffed it into his pocket without counting.

Looking left and right, he first took out the toad glasses that had been brought along on the Johnston destroyer from his bag and put them on, then took out the military flag camera, and while walking and stopping, he also took pictures of many extremely The urban landscape with the characteristics of the times.

Undoubtedly, Sydney in 1957 naturally could not see the famous Sydney Opera House in later generations, and because of the White Australia policy that was still being pursued in this era, there were not many black people on the busy streets. After all, even Valoro was able to stay with them in that small hotel, all because of Hugo's face.

After inquiring about the policemen wearing white helmets on duty on the street, Wei Ran also successfully found a row of shops, bought all the things Hugo and Valoro needed with great interest, and bought a few extra boxes Film and two suits and a pair of boots.

Wearing new clothes, new shoes and new socks, Wei Ran changed the film for the camera, and then continued his journey of sweeping the streets and taking pictures in this era.

As for whether these photos can be kept or not, he actually doesn't care. The metal book can give him the best negatives.

With such a Buddhist mentality, he also went farther and farther, and purchased some medicines and medical equipment that might be available in a pharmacy he found by accident on the way.

Just as he was carrying his big bags and small bags and was about to hail a taxi to return to the hotel, he heard a woman screaming from an alley and a familiar man roaring.

Is it Karan?
Wei Ran froze for a moment, then ran into the alley with his things in his hands, and then he saw, behind a 90-degree corner at the end of the alley, in the shadow behind a building, there was a sailor he saw familiarly coming from He covered the mouth of a girl in a dress with his hand from behind, and in his other hand, he held a dagger against the girl's neck.

And in the depths of this gap in the building, which is only one meter wide, there is a strong man whom Wei Ran has never seen before, punching and kicking Karan who is a head shorter than him.

Looking at the direction coming in behind him, Wei Ran put down the things he was carrying, and rushed over with a stride.

Before the sailor turned his back to him and held the girl to watch the excitement, Wei Ran slapped him hard behind his ear, easily knocked him unconscious, and then pushed away the dagger held by the other party first. At the same time, the other hand grabbed his neck and took a step back, easily removing the danger of the girl in the dress.

"Dang!"

As the dagger fell to the ground, the strong man who was beating Karan finally looked up at Wei Ran who suddenly appeared.

"Victor!"

The girl who was full of tears and despair also turned her head at the same time and called out Wei Ran's name in surprise.

"You're the goddamn Victor?"

The strong man rubbed his blood-stained fist, hooked his hand towards Wei Ran, and threatened with a lewd expression, "Come here obediently and let me break your leg, and then tell me where Hugo is, or I will kill you." Let that pretty girl carry my child."

"Really?"

Wei Ran showed an indifferent smile, raised his voice slightly and asked, "Kalan, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Hayley, hiss. Are you okay?"

Karan, who was leaning against the wall, gasped and grinned, and replied, this young man is resistant to beatings, and he has perfectly protected his face after being beaten twice.

Hearing this, the girl named Hai Li in Dress immediately wiped the tears from her face and shook her head, then was dragged behind by Wei Ran.

"Go around the corner and stare"

Wei Ran pointed behind him, "Help look at the things I just bought, and remind us if anyone comes over."

"Okay, okay!" Haili glanced at Karan worriedly, and ran to the corner with three steps.

"Since you're done chatting, come here quickly." After the strong man finished speaking, he hooked his hand at Wei Ran again.

"The past is no longer needed"

As Wei Ran said, he pretended to put his hand into the gas mask bag that was still on his shoulder, and when he pulled his hand back, he was already holding a matte titanium alloy pistol!
There is no need to remind at all, the savage man just now raised his hands very simply, and said nervously, "Hey! Friends! There is no need to use guns in our conflict. This is Sydney. If you shoot."

"Snapped!"

The strong man didn't finish his sentence, but Karan behind him slammed a brick on the back of his head!
"Plop!" The strong man fell to the ground very simply, followed by unconscious twitching of his limbs.

"Snapped!"

Before Wei Ran, who was frowning, could say something, Karan picked up the extra-strong brick and slapped the strong man on the head again.

"Karan!"

Wei Ran put away his gun and grabbed Karan who was about to take the third shot. The two shots just now had already collapsed the skulls of the brawny man. It seemed that this guy would not survive.

"Clang"

Karan only realized what he had done when he dropped the brick in his hand, and panic appeared on his face.

"He's dead." Wei Ran said after putting his hand on the strong man's mouth and nose for a test.

"What should we do? What should we do?" Karan asked in panic.

"Don't panic"

Wei Ran looked around as he spoke, and then looked up at the outer walls of the two buildings. Fortunately, there were no windows on them.

"Why are you here?" Wei Ran asked as he dragged the corpse to the end of the gap between the buildings.

"I was going to buy Hailey some presents"

Karan said in a little panic, "Then they got stuck here. They wanted to take Haili away, and they wanted to break the legs of the four of us, so that we could never be sailors."

"I'm here to watch"

Wei Ran whispered, "You take Haili to find Hugo first, and let them come here after dark, go quickly."

"Can"

“Don't waste your time”

Wei Ran pointed to the corner while speaking, "There are my newly bought clothes and shoes, you go and change them, there is also a hat inside, remember to wear it."

After finishing speaking, Wei Ran took off the toad mirror on his face and handed it to the other party, "Remember to return it to me, and take back the things I bought by the way, go quickly, don't let the girl wait too long, She must be more scared now than you are."

Hearing this, Karan subconsciously glanced at Haili's direction, and finally said in a panic, "I'll be back soon."

"After dark," Wei Ran reminded, "Come back after dark, go change your clothes, remember to go farther before taking a taxi."

"Yes, after dark, I'll be back after dark."

As Karan said, he stumbled and ran to the corner. With the help of the girl named Hai Li, he changed into Wei Ran's newly bought clothes. The two of them ran out of the alley with all their things, and went to the alley in a panic. After running for a street distance, I stopped a taxi and got in.

And in the crevices of the dimly lit buildings deep in the alley, after confirming that the strong man was indeed dead, Wei Ran carefully checked his body, and put all the things that could prove his identity into his pocket in the bag.

He just finished his work here, and the sailor who was knocked out by himself also made a movement.Seeing this, Wei Ran sighed secretly, and before the other party opened his eyes, he stabbed the Mauser bayonet that suddenly appeared in his hand against the ribs in his chest, and pierced his heart accurately.

Wei Ran didn't know whether this person deserved to die, but he knew that when Karan accidentally slapped the strong man to death with a brick, the sailor who held Haili hostage was destined not to survive.

And even if he didn't do anything, when Hugo and Valoro came, they would still kill him to silence him.

During the slightly long wait, the sky gradually darkened, and when the alley could not be seen, and the stars could be seen in the narrow night sky above, a Ford sedan also stopped at the entrance of the alley.

Soon, Hugo and Valoro walked into the alley in the dark, calling Wei Ran's name softly.

"come in"

Wei Ran, who was hiding at the corner, greeted in a low voice, and after the two of them walked in, he took out a lighter that had just been turned over from the corpse, lit a cigarette, and pointed at the scarlet cigarette butt. Behind him, he whispered in the mist, "Both are dead."

"I found a boat that can go to sea tomorrow morning"

Hugo, who was holding two sacks in his hand, seemed to have guessed the ending a long time ago, and said in a low voice while waving to Valoro, "That's a whaling ship recruiting nuclear registration, they have been recruiting special and port ships recently There were also white mates and bosuns who dealt with maritime patrols, and sailors with whaling experience.

You know, after the end of World War II, Valoro and I worked on an ocean-going fishing boat, so we successfully won these two positions, and found a job for you and Karan by the way.

I've spoken to the captain of that boat, and we'll be on board tonight, and they're going whaling early tomorrow morning, and they'll be calling in Brisbane next time. "

"With those two corpses?" Wei Ran asked in a low voice.

"Can't leave them here"

Hugo glanced at the car at the entrance of the alley, and said helplessly, "Karan is just as likely to cause trouble as his brother. He is not suitable for being a sailor. When we return to Brisbane, I will persuade him to return to the farm." Work so he can spend every day with Hailey too."

"What about you?"

Wei Ran asked with great interest, "Are you still planning to continue to be a sailor? I remember that the wizards of Waloro's tribe told you that you would die at sea."

"You still remember what happened so long ago"

Hugo smiled, and lit a cigarette against the warm wall like Wei Ran, but did not answer the question directly.

After a while, Valoro put the two bodies in sacks and dragged them out. The three of them divided into two groups and carried the two sacks into the trunk of the car.

When the three got into the car, Karan, who was sitting in the driver's seat, immediately asked nervously, "Where are we going to escape next?"

"Escape back to the hotel"

Hugo said angrily, "Wait for you and Victor to get out of the car first, and Valoro and I will go to dispose of the corpse."

"Brother Hugo, will there be any trouble?" Karan's tone was trembling.

"Don't worry, there won't be any trouble." Valoro answered Hugo's question casually, "Hurry up and drive."

Hearing this, Karan frantically started the car and nervously drove it to the door of the hotel.

"I'll pick you up before dawn"

After Hugo finished speaking, he pushed open the co-pilot's door, and walked around from the front of the car to the driver's seat. At the same time, Wei Ran also pushed the door, and greeted Karan who got out of the car and walked to the hotel. At the same time, he did not forget to ask , "Where are my sunglasses?"

"Glasses?"

Karan subconsciously touched his trousers pocket, and then touched his coat pocket, "I seem to put it"

"Forget it in your head"

Wei Ran shook his head helplessly, reached out and took off the sunglasses on the opponent's head, put them into the glasses case and threw them into the satchel.Everyone could see that Karan's heart was flustered.

"Your mental quality is too bad"

Wei Ran said bluntly, and then changed the subject without waiting for the other party to speak, "Where's Hai Li?"

"Upstairs, upstairs."

Karan, who followed Wei Ran to the third floor, hurriedly said, "Hugo opened a room for her, and made an appointment to take her to the airport tomorrow morning."

"Have you two had dinner yet?" Wei Ran changed the subject endlessly, and at the same time diverted the other party's attention.

"No, I didn't eat." After Karan finished speaking, his stomach also made a rumbling sound in response to the occasion.

"How did you and Hai Li meet?" Wei Ran continued to change the subject.

"We were classmates in high school, and her dad was making cowboys on my family's farm."

"Why does that bastard keep troubling you?" Wei Ran asked a new question as he began to climb up to the third floor.

"Probably because the first mate used Damon's boat to secretly smuggle things was exposed by Brother Hugo and was expelled." Karan subconsciously lowered his voice and replied.

After talking about the topic here, the two also came to the third floor. After Wei Ran opened the locked door with the help of the dim light in the corridor, he pushed Karan into the room.

Pulling the curtains and turning on the light, Wei Ran searched for the medicines and other things that he bought before dark, helped Karan deal with the fight wounds on his body, and then randomly pulled out a bottle of whiskey, and took it out under the cover of the satchel. The kettle in the metal book, after pouring out the black tea inside, poured most of the whiskey into it, leaving only the bottom of the bottle as high as a fist.

Unscrewing the lid and handing some meat pies to Karan, Wei Ran opened the door and said, "Eat something and sleep well, I will guard the door, and bring your violin, That way, you might be more at ease."

Hearing this, Karan immediately took the food and drink, walked out of the room with his violin case with a shotgun in it, and walked into a room with a door next door.

After listening for a while, Wei Ran closed the door, took a shower as quickly as possible, then opened the door, moved the chair to the door of the room, guarded the smoking mosquito coil, and used those meat Pies, sausages, ham, etc. eat and drink to fill up the stomach bite by bite.

After a sleepless night, at dawn the next morning, Valoro ran up to the third floor, beckoned Wei Ran, Karan and Haili to go downstairs with their respective things, and got into the cargo bed of a Ford truck , drove straight to the direction of the airport.

After sending Haili to the airport in the shortest time, the truck turned around and drove to the pier, and finally got stuck in the parking lot.

"Come on, it's time for us to get on board."

As Hugo said, he pushed open the car door, and beckoned Wei Ran and Karan who were in the cargo compartment to bring everyone's luggage down. By the way, he casually left the car key in the key hole of the truck door.

While walking to the berth, Hugo explained in a low voice, "I told the recruiting captain that I wanted to bring some things to my friends in Brisbane, and the shipping fee would be deducted from my salary. He agreed, and before dawn, I and Valoro have sent those two aboard."

After finishing speaking, Hugo changed his voice and said, "Now let's talk about the work of the few of us. Karan and Valoro go to work in the kitchen, the old rules, remember to leave some delicious things to bring back every day.

Victor, you go to the warehouse to be responsible for the registration of the entrance and exit.Usually we are sailors on this ship, but we don't have to participate in whaling activities.Only when the marine patrol boards the ship for inspection and the like, it is enough for us to come forward to deal with the inspection. "

"It's an easy job," Valoro said cheerfully.

"It is indeed an easy job, but unfortunately the salary is a little bit worse."

Hugo muttered and said nothing, but pointed to a boat at a remote berth in the distance and said, "The place where we work is that flower."

Hearing this, Wei Ran subconsciously looked in the direction of the other's finger, and then raised his eyebrows involuntarily. Hugo's description was true, it was really a flower.

If the description is more detailed, it is a British flower-class submarine destroyer widely used by the Allied forces during World War II.

Of course, this destroyer has now removed at least all the weapons and equipment on the surface.Or rather than being dismantled, it was restored to its original state as the Southern Pride Whaler.

"I asked Captain Damon yesterday. According to him, this ship was bought by several recruiters half a year ago and then sent to the shipyard for renovation."

Hugo pointed to the "Nagazuka Maru" written on the ship's side, and introduced with some gloat, "The captain of this ship is also one of the owners. It is said that this is the fourth voyage since it was converted into a whaling ship. , It seems that the previous three times did not yield much, if this voyage still does not yield anything, I am afraid that the poor recruiting captain will have his seppuku."

"Did you find such a nuclear whaling ship on purpose?" Wei Ran asked with a strange expression.

"Of course it was on purpose"

Hugo stopped in his tracks, lit a cigarette and took a deep sip, pointed to the flag flying on the whaling ship and explained, "Everyone who knows us knows that the four of us would rather work on the dock than We will go to the recruiter's ship, so even if the murder happened, no one would think that we would be hiding on a nuclear recruiter's whaling ship."

Without waiting for Karan, who looked guilty and uneasy, to say something, Valoro also took over the conversation and said, "After we arrive in Brisbane, if the matter is exposed, you and I will go back to Papua and live in the tribe for a while. .”

"Brother Hugo, Brother Valoro, and Brother Victor, I'm sorry, I...I caused trouble for everyone." Karan said guiltily.

"What a stupid thing to say"

Hugo reached out and hooked Karan's neck, and said as he walked to the boat, "Okay, let's get on the boat quickly."

"How many people are on this boat?" Wei Ran, who was walking at the end, asked abruptly.

"Not counting the captain and us, there seem to be more than [-] people." Hugo said as the cigarette butt flew off, "I don't know if they can catch the whale."

"Sure," Wei Ran blessed with some anticipation, "This whaling ship will definitely reap a lot from this voyage."

(End of this chapter)