by Benson, Tom
Bill said, “Obviously, we’re surprised to see you along here, but you don’t seem to be phased by seeing us.”
“The only surprise for me is that anybody has ventured along here so soon. I wondered if you might all stay on the coach for a few days until the strongest ones took over, confiscated the water supplies and then ate their companions for sustenance.”
The visitors exchanged silent glances at the casual summary of such a possible outcome.
Archie said, “You know about the coach?”
“Of course. Although my peculiar arrangement may be five miles from the other end, the rails run all the way through uninterrupted. If you cause enough impact and friction along a length of metal, it will surely travel as a vibration. If you do it on two rails of metal simultaneously, it confirms that something pretty damn big caused the effect.”
Paul shook his head. “You couldn’t know it was a coach, simply from the vibration.”
“No, but I did venture along to investigate. I observed for a while, saw that the other end had been sealed and then I assessed the coach. I could tell from the quiet discussions you were having that there didn’t appear to be any serious injuries, so I returned here.”
Bill listened to the explanation and considered that this man had been nearby and nobody had known. He also considered the fact that Harry mentioned seeing that the other end was sealed. The questions in Bill’s mind now were regarding timing.
Did Harry get as far as the sealed entrance before the group were allowed to stretch their legs? Did he know about the body or remains of Ken? Could Harry have been responsible? This tunnel, after all, appeared to be his private domain. This also meant that at some stage, Harry had been in the tunnel and possibly passed Bill and Paul, but how?
There were too many questions about this strange character, and many of them needed answers sooner rather than later.
Archie’s voice cut through the haze. “Bill, are you okay?”
“I’m sorry, Archie—I was lost in thought for a minute. Too many plans being made at once. What did you say, mate?”
“Harry said he’ll be able to help with the water supply if we can give him a hand.”
“Of course we can—it’s only right, he made us a cup of tea.”
Nervous laughter filled the end of the carriage. Harry watched Bill’s features closely—he was the leader and had, for a moment, been overwhelmed by something on his mind.
Louise said, “How long have you been in here, Harry?”
“I’ve lived as I am for six months, but I was working on my carriages for over eighteen months previously. Until I moved in permanently, I gained entry through an emergency portal. I guess you could say this has been my semi-permanent home for two years.”
“You said, my carriages?” Paul said. “Do you mean you actually own them?”
“Oh yes. I discovered that the tunnel was still accessible years ago when I was in the national park hiking through the forests and climbing the mountains. On one of my next trips, I brought rations, water and sufficient flashlight cells to last a few days. I came in at this end and investigated the tunnel through to the other end. When I got back to civilisation I located the owners and bought the coaches.”
“What made you want to buy them?” Louise said.
“I wanted solitude and this was perhaps an extreme way to get it, but for my own sanity I built a radio which, until earlier today, is how I’ve kept in touch with a couple of like-minded scientists and mankind’s desire for self-destruction.” He smiled.
Archie said, “You were happy to be here … alone?”
“Oh, yes. After I’d explored the tunnel, I checked how far the rails went out of both ends. Both, of course, only go a short distance and then stop. The entrance that you arrived into with your coach goes back to the road you used to get here. A few hundred metres beyond the nearest level crossing, the railway stops at a collapsed wooden bridge.”
Paul said, “I knew that this tunnel had been purpose-built, but I always thought that the train being left behind was a rumour.” He was fascinated by the train. “How old is … are your carriages?”
“At least a century, if you keep in mind that the train ceased operating a hundred years ago. At this end, about two hundred metres from where we’re sitting, there is a blocked tunnel entrance. The rails have been lifted after that point. The entire railway was only built to supply and service the construction of the power station inside Auchcarn. Where the track was beyond here, there were a few trees, plus hedgerows as far as the next tunnel.” He shrugged. “At least that’s what I recall being in the gap.”
“Yes,” Paul said. “I remember reading about the power station company’s idea. They considered building a giant greenhouse between the mountains, but nobody from outside the installation has been given access to that area. How much of a gap is there?”
“I suppose it’s about one hundred metres long and if you followed the overgrown area to the next tunnel, it would lead to the hydro-electric facility.”
“Well,” Paul said, “if they ever did construct anything in between the mountains it would most likely be hidden from view from down below because of the forests.”
Harry nodded. “I see we have somebody who has not only heard the rumours but knows his history of the local area. The hydro-electric plant is a huge construction which is completely within the Auchcarn mountain but I’d be interested to know if it survived and what’s happened outside the tunnel entrances over the past twenty-four hours.”
“Let me get my head around this,” Bill said. “If we go out of this end we’ll be in the open for a short distance before the next tunnel entrance?”
“I’m not sure if we’d be out in the open.” Harry smiled.
“You said that this tunnel stopped and there was a gap before the next mountain.”
“Within the hydro-electric facility, they have, or had, a constant tropical temperature because they were inside the mountain. Quite by accident, they found that palms and cactus and all sorts of plants flourished.” He said. “As Paul mentioned, there was also talk of building a huge greenhouse outside the mountain.”
“Why would they want tropical plants and suchlike in the main installation?” Louise said.
“The facility was built about one hundred years ago and was the first of its design in the world. When it opened for use in the early 1960s, it attracted a lot of attention. They built a visitors’ centre into the side of the mountain overlooking the loch. Then they set up a road through the mountain into the heart of the hydro-electric plant.”
“A road?” Archie said and his brow furrowed.
“Yes, my friend, a road. To give you some idea of the scale of the facility, that road is properly-laid tarmac. It is one kilometre long and seven metres wide. Up until recent developments in the outside world, regular visitor trips were made using a standard twelve-seater coach.”
“Okay,” Bill said. “If we could go back a step, you said you weren’t sure if we’d be out in the open if we exited this end of the tunnel.”
“As I said, the hydro-electric company were keen on conservation and preserving the natural world around the mountain and the loch. To return to what Paul mentioned, there were suggestions that they might build something like a triple-layer glass structure. It would connect this tunnel to the other, effectively making the gap into a big greenhouse.”
The others gazed at Harry, enchanted by the idea that there might be a way out.
“Now,” Harry said, “we have a couple of things to consider. Firstly, was the glass corridor completed, and if it was, did it survive? Next, of course, we must ask ourselves if there is some sort of access into the hydro-electric facility.”
Bill said, “How did you gain entry if the hydro company blocked the tunnel entrance?”
“On one of my earlier trips, I adapted one of the emergency portal doors so that I could still gain access from outside. When I finally settled in here, I sealed the door from th
e inside so it can’t be used from the outside.”
Louise said, “Surely, it must be accessible, even if the power company set up that greenhouse idea. They would have done it as part of their conservation efforts?”
“I believe they would, but in any armed conflict, one of the first targets is a nation’s power sources. Naturally, their greenhouse would only be accessed from the tunnel entrance nearest to the installation.”
Bill nodded. “Not many countries have some of their power sources built inside a bloody great mountain.”
A ripple of laughter passed around the carriage. It was unusual for them to hear laughter in their survival situation.
Archie said, “How would we get out of the tunnel at this end if it’s sealed, Harry?”
“As I said, I used one of the portals at this end. I had to make my way in and out of here as I worked on the carriages. Several months ago, when I had all that I needed, I went along to investigate the end of this tunnel where it had been sealed. The hydro company workers had no reason to think anybody would ever be in here, so they simply sealed the end with a couple of layers of regular bricks.”
“Are you suggesting we could get through the wall?” Bill’s train of thought was racing beyond that of his companions.
Harry said, “I set about breaking through the wall once, but it was painstaking work. My idea was to remove the bricks individually so that I could reseal the gap. I then built my own wall on this side to provide me with extra protection against any type of radiation in an event like the recent one.”
Paul nodded. “I understand your train of thought, but what if somebody from the outside tried to come through from the other side?”
“I’ve rigged explosives into the walls on this side so that I could seal myself in this tunnel.”
“Wow.” Louise couldn’t hide her amazement. “You were prepared to spend the rest of your life sealed in a railway tunnel?”
“Louise, my dear girl, if outside this area is contaminated, I’d rather live in here for a while and die alone. Goodness knows what radiation sickness could do to the human mind and body.”
Bill said, “Have you left yourself an escape route somewhere along here?”
“The nearest portal with an emergency exit is only a few metres towards the end of the tunnel, but I adapted the locks so it’s only operable from this side.” He laughed briefly. “I can understand that you will all have an abundance of questions, but I believe we have plenty of time for discussion.”
“Practical as ever, eh?” Bill said. “Before we go outside again, I noticed that you have a sink with a tap, but you have a large container of water too.”
“Yes, you’ll appreciate that water is our one vital ingredient for survival. We can do without or cut down on food for a while, but without water, we’re on borrowed time. I have the tap plumbed in to the main source, but I refresh my water reserve container every few days.”
Louise said, “Why do you need a reserve if you have water on tap?’
“If for any reason the main supply stopped working I’d have enough to sustain me at least while I worked out how to solve the problem.”
“It sounds like you’ve spent all your time wisely.” Louise nodded.
“While we’re on the subject of time, have you given your companions some idea of how long you’d be away?”
“We did,” Bill said. “I think they’ll understand if we’re late when we tell them about you.”
“Well, before you go, let’s see if we can give you something positive to tell them—how about trying to get the plumbing working?”
“Really?” Archie said.
“I know you’ll have discovered all those maintenance portals along the tunnel, and your tools are no doubt to try and get things repaired. Follow me out and bring your tools—we may need them.” He paused. “Oh, and before we go out of the carriage, don’t switch on your big flashlight unless you really need it. I’ll switch off the LEDs and then wait two minutes before we go down onto the gravel.”
When outside together, everybody stood still, and Harry switched on a small light with multiple LEDs. “I’ll keep this as low as possible so that you have to concentrate on seeing in the darkness—you will get accustomed to it in time.”
“Which way do we go?” Bill said.
“We go towards my blocked exit if that description helps. The place we’re going to isn’t quite at the end of the tunnel.” He set off and was silently followed by the others.
“Main Pump Room?” Bill said when the tiny light was shone on the door sign.
Everybody went inside, and due to the room being completely fitted with white tiles like the others, the small light was adequate. Even so, Harry raised the illumination a few degrees. Along one side and standing a hand’s gap from the wall was a line of four metal pipes, each with an adjustable valve and a pressure gauge. The area of the floor they stood in was laid with sections of a metal grille, and the pipes were all connected to a single larger pipe which fed out through one of the tiled walls.
Harry said, “Please don’t try to turn the valves yet. I’ll explain more fully later, but for now what you need to know is that the narrow pipe at the end is a pilot, or feed-off line, which is what I normally use. It’s not under too much pressure and only allows a minimum flow.”
Archie was reading the information on the gauges. “Are the others so much different?”
“Yes, because the others all lead to those maintenance portals you’ve discovered along the tunnel. To avoid a build-up in any one pipe, you must take them all up by a tiny level, and in that way, the pressure is equalised across all of them.”
“Can we adjust them now?” Archie said.
“Yes, and if I turn up the level of my light, three of you should be able to line up on a gauge.” Harry increased the illumination and hooked his light to his sleeveless jacket. “Okay, number one turn the tap only enough to unlock it—the pressure gauge needle will jump and rest.”
“Done,” Archie said. “I’m surprised it turned so easily.”
“They’ll all turn easily because this is one of the places I took a special interest in maintaining. Next tap, please.”
“Done,” Paul said.
“Done,” Bill said.
Each tap was turned slightly. When all taps were unlocked, Harry instructed his new acquaintances on how far to set them for releasing the pressure to make running water possible.
“It will most likely take an hour or more, but by the time you guys reach maybe MP-2 or MP-1 on the way back, the individual systems will be making a burbling sound. You’ll have to be careful when you turn the taps the first time. Do it slowly.”
Archie said, “Will it be as normal procedure—let the water flow through to clear out any life forms, minor dirt and blockages?”
“Exactly right, Archie, and for that reason, I believe it would be useful if you could stay with me to assist with purification tests. The water will be a good quality but the inside of the pipes will be a bit suspect. I need somebody to be on hand for each individual supply until we know the water supply is ready for use. Your personal engineering knowledge might well prevent any serious accidents.”
“I’m prepared to do that.”
Harry turned to the others. “I appreciate I’m an unknown quantity to you all, but the sooner we can get things working then the less arduous your conditions will be.”
“I’ll stay behind too,” Paul said. “The coach isn’t going anywhere, and Dawn knows her way around the whole vehicle—the only thing she’s never done is drive the thing.” He laughed briefly.
“Okay,” Bill said, “Harry, are there any other control points we should be aware of?”
“No, but I would suggest that apart from me, only you and Archie are authorised to enter this room—nothing must be damaged here. If it is, none of us will have access to water.”
When Bill and Louise arrived back at the coach, at least eight people were standing around the area
out front. The sidelights which had been switched on to give some illumination in the immediate area were occasionally obscured by a passing body.
“Here they come,” Calvin said and sounded genuinely excited.
“Everybody inside in ten minutes, please,” Bill said. He climbed aboard after Louise.
Bill indicated for Louise to grab a bottle of water and sit in one of the front passenger seats. He occupied Paul’s place and nodded to Dawn as she woke up and rubbed her eyes.
“Hello, Bill.”
“Hello, sleepyhead.”
Dawn grinned. “You’re a bit chirpy for somebody who’s probably walked about ten miles in the dark.”
“Sometimes, I can’t help myself.”
“Where are the others?”
“All will be made clear shortly.”
“Are we having a mass briefing?”
“Yes, outside I told them we’d start in ten minutes, but we’ll wait until we know everybody is back inside.
“I’ll do a roll call if you like, because like you said, it will give people more confidence that we know who’s here.”
“Yes, please, do that Dawn, it’s important at this early stage that we avoid any unnecessary worry.”
The ten minutes passed, and everything appeared back to normal, or as normal as it could be in such circumstances. Dawn called the list of names they’d compiled, and all were present except Archie and Paul.
Bill stood to address the captive audience. “Good morning, everybody, and you may not think so as you look at the same surroundings, but it is morning, and it is a good morning.” He smiled when he saw the puzzled expressions on some faces. “This isn’t a ploy by our committee members to make you feel better. What I’m about to tell you is more than we could have wished for, so please don’t ask any questions until I finish.”
Although there were no direct questions, the coach was filled with a buzz of barely concealed excitement.
“It’s now half past eight on the morning of our second day. The small group of us who ventured farther into the tunnel made several discoveries. We found that there are several emergency exits, and I’ll explain more about them in due course. For now, I would ask that if you find yourself near one of these, do not make any attempt to open the external emergency door—it may prove fatal.”
