The Drongo Line

By Nashua Helmsman

Darren Malackey

Though Darren seems to know nearly everyone of note in the western deserts of the outback, hardly anyone knows much about him. Frequently seen riding his motorbike from town to village, Darren appears to be your typical wandering bushman. A bit of an amateur gold prospector, Darren avoids deeper commitments by always owing everyone money. Few would guess he could pay all his debts off at any moment, and then some. But the disguise of itinerant beggar hides a deep intelligence and a fierce desire to see Australia free. A founding member of the Dusty Roos, Darren does as much as anyone to advance their cause. His deep friendship with the outback Aborigines provides a rare link in perspective between two cultures. Rumor has it he carries a forbidden revolver in a back holster. But he’s never been arrested for it yet….

Gatling Marooga

Gatling is a young man from the Garawang tribe who came into possession of a hotel that forms the central gathering point of the small town of Karamba. Besides providing room and board for visitors, Gatling has what amounts to the only restaurant service for a 100 kilometers around, as well as beer and liquor. But Gatling became a Christian a few years ago, and has cut back on the alcohol service. Still making a go of the hotel, Gatling struggles with the changing cultural and political landscape of the nearby Aboriginal tribes, whom he is affiliated with, and the outside world, which somehow manages to affect his peaceful little bubble in the outback. Reluctant to overcommit to anything dangerous, Gatling’s life is far more complicated by Darren’s than he would prefer.

Tina Murray

One of the station hands at Lexington Downes cattle station, Tina is said to be Liam Clater’s best mustering pilot, and flaming good at nearly everything else she gives a go. Engaged to marry the true blue Luke Dressey, Tina matures into a very capable force to be reckoned with, especially after she trusts Jesus Christ to save her soul. Holding a tight bond with motherless Katherine, Tina does her best to fill in the maternal gaps for her boss’s daughter. The real mama bear instinct comes out in Tina anytime Katherine appears to be in danger. Can Tina save Katherine’s life when down falls all?

Sergeant Martin Glasbourne

Officer Glasbourne is responsible for policing an area the size of some small countries, but with fewer than 2,000 residents. While Martin Glasbourne could be accurately said to be his own best friend, he has approximately one other mate nearby, the incorrigible Roger Philbrick. Together these two plot to destroy the world, get rich quick, or at least get revenge on their enemies. Blood enemy of Darren Malackey, Officer Glasbourne finds himself at odds with 90% of the residents of his area, including practically all the Aborigines. That’s all right, if he can’t swindle the tribe out of their gold, he’ll call in help from the Western Australia Police Force to go scorched earth on Liam Clater’s station mob, and the natives, since the two forces seem to have joined up as allies. After all, the seeds of revolution have been sown in the outback, and Martin Glasbourne may as well become the hero to nip it in the bud. He is, after all, a hero in his own mind….

Moxie McClintoch

There’s a spunky little ball of fire in the town of Karamba, and her name is Moxie. Best known for her beautiful singing voice, Moxie has a music channel on the internet, thanks to her tech-savvy big brother, Lance. Their parents, Peter and Kim, own the chemist’s, news agent, and library in Karamba, and are friends with practically everyone around–with a few noteworthy exceptions. Moxie is Katherine’s best friend and foil, a loyal cobber with a big heart. Together, they are a knock-out team ready to take the hearts of Australia’s youth by storm. A new day’s coming, and Moxie and Katherine are winning hearts by the thousands.

Wait–what are these Aborigines doing?

It’s been a tightly held secret for over a hundred years! The fabled gold deposit known as Lasseter’s Reef is located on the sacred grounds of the Yarnangu tribe, in the Rawlinson Ranges. When their massive gold reserves are made public, the tribe decides it’s time to start mining in the creek. Will it be enough gold to finance a modern revolutionary war?

DANTA

I hope you like airplanes, because Ian Drewry’s company, Drewry Aviation of the Northern Territory, Australia (DANTA), is pumping out new planes faster than you can shake a control stick at them!

Designed to meet real needs in Australian civil aviation, some of Danta’s aircraft designs are being sold to foreign militaries and used in third-world conflicts…. But what has that got to do with the price of gold in Australia?