That’s almost the background story for my character Karen.
An extract from my first novel.
Karen watched Joann stretch and yawn as she looked out of the jet-liner’s window.
‘I had hoped that we would never return to this place,’ Joann said. ‘My parents lost their family to these people. I do not wish for my children to share their fate.’
Karen followed Joann’s gaze out the window and down to the vast fields below. ‘Not all Germans are bad. Many have changed. Three of Germany’s elite soldiers are protecting your children. And Zimmer is almost enjoying himself negotiating a safe passage with their military for our helicopters. Just a shame the Austrians are not as helpful.’
Joann sighed. ‘This does not make our memories any better. We should not stay here for long.’
‘Do you want to come with us to Israel?’ Karen asked as she turned to Ashley’s parents.
‘No, too dangerous,’ Joann replied. ‘We have seen enough wars. We want to rest and watch our children become adults.’
‘Ashley may wish to follow Zorik back to Israel,’ Karen said. ‘Will you let her go?’
Joann turned to Karen. ‘I want to meet your Zorik. I will judge if he is a good partner for Ashley.’
Karen laughed. ‘My parents were like you when I was in high school. My boyfriends had to be tough to survive their interrogations. They all failed.’
‘I have a question about your parents,’ Joann said. ‘Why did your mother let you go into this work?’
‘My mother never knew about the Mafia,’ Karen replied. ‘She died almost a year after my brother was killed in Lebanon, and about a year before the Mafia became a part of our family’s business.’
‘So how did you get into the Mafia?’ Artem asked.
‘My family’s first business was in commerce,’ Karen said. ‘My grandparents setup a few banks in what was to become Israel to help Jewish refugees with finances and employment. Later, my parents expanded our operations into Europe and then Russia. The Mafia was a recent addition. My father made the choice as a reaction to mourning his partner and son. I reacted in a different way; using my university studies as a means of hiding from our loss. One morning I realised how harmful the Mafia was, and I convinced my father that we should return to our family’s original purpose. The next day he gave everything to me, and prepared our home for a Mafia war.’
Artem yawned and shuddered. ‘Why did your mother die?’
‘The doctors couldn’t tell us; they didn’t know,’ Karen replied. ‘I supposed Simon’s death was too much for her.’
Joann bowed her head. ‘If Ashley goes with you to Israel, treat her like your own child. Soldiers with big guns are not enough protection. I want you to watch her all the time.’
Karen smiled. ‘I am not that old. Ashley could be my little sister. This doesn’t matter anyway. If you allow Ashley to become Zorik’s partner, then she will also become my family.’
And the German soldiers’ (mercenaries’) background almost matches this setting too.
Another first novel extract.
A private Tu-154 raced towards the midday sun, flying high above the Aegean Sea as it traced around the Turkish coastline. Inside the jet-liner twenty-six mercenaries sorted through their weapons and equipment.
A Canadian SEAL sighed in relief as he set down his pack and M21 rifle next to his leather chair. ‘I’ve been in a few rushed deployments, but nothing like this. I’m sure there’s still a rubber bullet lodged somewhere.’
‘Interesting times, yes?’ a heavyset German said as he sat next to the SEAL. ‘We have not been introduced. I am Wolff von Gallant.’
The SEAL smiled and shook Wolff’s hand. ‘I’m Jason Webber.’
‘A good name,’ Wolff replied as he set aside his HK21 machine gun. ‘These are my brothers, Juan and Karl.’
Jason turned as the other German soldiers, both armed with HK21s, sat opposite them. ‘Any relations to an actor called Arnold? You guys look like Leopard tanks with ponytails. What does your family do; hand-craft battleships for the village markets?’
‘We come from an old family in Rhineland,’ Karl replied as he tucked his plaited blonde hair under the collar of his body armour. ‘Military service has been a family tradition since the Prussian Empire.’
‘A source of pride for many generations,’ Wolff added. ‘But that pride is lost.’
Jason shifted in his chair. ‘Ah. You’re a family of Barons, and the social elite often join the military elite. That would have meant the Nazi command in World War Two.’
‘You are correct, although there is more,’ Wolff said. ‘When the First War began our ancestors served in Palestine. They were frequent guests in the Jewish villages, and they fought with remarkable ferocity in defence of their hosts. This is why we are here now. War clouds gather in the east. If Israel is attacked the IDF will be asked not to respond. So we have joined this private army to defend Israel and family honour.’
Jason smiled and scratched his short black hair. ‘You guys are serious, huh. I’m just here for money and girls.’
Note: Wolff is Krista’s father in my current work. Also, my first novel is set in 1989 - 1991, and Wolff referred to the build up to the 1991 Gulf War.
Just realised there’s a slight chance Wolff’s ancestors met Karen’s ancestors in the desert, and they might have been friends.
