The big net jerked rapidly off the rooftop swaying precariously below Liberty as they climbed above the building. Graham winched it up and locked it into place beneath the liberty’s belly. Nick could now see the streets below already jammed with Trancars and cabs. There were only a few roads leading into the mountains from the Trancab terminus, and as they flew overhead they saw that most were blocked by fleeing cars. Some people had abandoned their vehicles, forcing others behind to do the same. Women carried children, and children carried pets, like ants marching, crawling, filing around every object, fixed on their destination. Police on horseback threaded their way through the throngs of people, calling from loud hailers for calm.
On the way to Brian’s house they passed over a dairy farm at the foot of the hills. Several men on horseback were driving a small herd of cattle up into the hills. ‘Heaps of people will make it to safety.’ Graham yelled above the roar of the jets. ‘I bet just as many refuse to budge, either not believing or just plain stupid, thinking that nothing will happen to them. Some idiots will stay to witness the bloody event close up!’
‘We’ve never seen big tsunami in Australia before, they probably think it’ll only be very large storm waves and some minor flooding.’ Nick shouted. ‘I’ve seen them in the Philippines, where even small tsunami caused huge damage. There it is!’ He said, pointing to a break in the vegetation below. ‘Brian’s house, the one with the flat roof there.’
Graham hovered low over the house and flipped the lever that held the net in place. Nothing happened.
‘Nick you’re going to have to lean out and release the net while I hover just over the roof. Here, clip this safety harness to your waist first, don’t want to lose you yet.’ He shouted above the noise. ‘Pull the yellow rope that’s attached to the cleat just outside the door, that’ll release just one side. I don’t want to drop the net.’
Nick gingerly manoeuvred his way out through the door. Violent wind slashed mercilessly at his body, forcing him back against the side of the Veto, one elbow stinging sharply as it smashed against the door sill. Wincing with pain he glanced at the net spinning below his feet, and fighting giddiness, he leaned over and fumbled for the yellow rope. He jerked it swiftly, releasing the net as instructed, and it’s contents spilled out in all directions over the roof. Red-faced from the exertion and with shaking legs he scrambled quickly back into the cabin. ‘Phew!’ He whistled through clenched teeth, ‘I’ll stick to boats in future.’
Graham laughed. ‘I bet you’ve met with worse than that at sea. Are you up for more?’
‘Sure, why not!’ Nick was secretly beginning to like this Veto flying. The world was a different place from up here. Strangely he felt safe, the Veto offering a fast retreat from the dangers below.
‘Can we go to the hospital and see if we can find Karen?’ Nick asked.
‘Yeah but first let’s take a look around.’
***
Graham pushed the guidance lever forward and swooped westward, climbing swiftly into the mountains. Lush, dense Gum trees obscured the view below, and the previous summers high rainfall led to rampant undergrowth, which when dried out during the coming months, would feed the raging bush fires that often devastated these forests. Now there was a different kind of devastation on its way; men who would strip the lower reaches of forest just as surely as any bushfire, taking wood to provide fuel for fires, only they wouldn’t allow the regeneration to follow. They would tear at its heart and lay it bare, one species sacrificed for the survival of the other.
They passed over small pockets of clearings where farmers had razed the trees to dig dams. Wherever nature afforded a level section of ground, farmer had planted crops, usually just big enough to feed his family. On the top at Beechmont to the south, the terrain flattened out into grassed slopes and verges. Small communities and homes dotted the countryside. The army swarmed where cattle had once contentedly grazed, flattening the soft lime green grass with their jeeps and leaving deep tracks in the soft earth. Dull khaki tents raised their ugly faces on the landscape, forming a lumpy, grey-green carpet. There were many places on this mountain, where a man turning slowly in a circle could see before him a changing vista of ocean, valleys, mountains and sky.
They came upon a large area that had been turned into an airfield littered with Vetos. ‘That lot’s mine.’ Graham said, pointing with pride. ‘Courtesy of the Australian Government. There’s fields like this all ‘round the country.’ They could see a road leading to the airfield lined with water tankers, parked so closely behind each other they resembled a train. As each tanker disgorged its payload into commandeered water tanks, it was driven to another parking area and left to languish with the other useless machines, its life suddenly cancelled like a used cheque.
‘I just realised something Graham. We should get Brian back to his house before squatters take it over. He’ll have to guard it.’
‘I’ve already thought of that, four of my men are down there and they’re armed. Nobody’s getting in there without a fight.’ He looked at Nick’s surprised expression and added. ‘Dave’s suggestion. He knew we would end up there.’
Nick shuddered at the thought of people huddled outside in the forest, waiting like animals for a chance to scurry in and take what they could get. Would it really end up like that? Men turning into primitive scavengers, fighting for a scrap of food?
Graham turned the Veto back toward the Coast and the calm ocean rushed to meet them. The sun reflected on the peaceful water, it’s surface shimmering and glittering like thousands of tiny mirrors. They approached the large flat roofs of the Northern Hospital, where army Veto were loading patients. Graham could see nowhere to land, other than a flat roof of a nearby building, and he was not sure if it was strong enough to land on, so gently hovered just above, forcing Nick to jump the two metres to the ground.
‘You go and find Karen.’ He shouted above the engine roar. ‘I’ll come back here for you.’
Nick ducked low under the jet thrusters, and set off to search for a way down from the roof. Luckily the exit door was not locked, and he was soon running down the street to the hospital. He ran through the main entrance where people inside were rushing in all directions. His breath rasped, burning his lungs, and he slowed his pace, making his way to the nurse’s station. He looked around at the strained faces of the nurses, all too busily occupied to notice him. Stretchers lined the hallways, manned by frightened wardsmen and nurses waiting to load them on to the waiting Vetos and jeeps outside.
***
Nick hurried through the corridors peering into every room. He found Karen deeply engrossed in conversation with a foreign-looking man whom she introduced as Doctor Alex Videon, Chief Administrator of the hospital. Whereas the staff wore plain body suits, he wore a sleek maroon jack-suit that gave him an air of superiority. She looked older, tired, her neat body suit he had admired earlier was stained with blood, and for once her hair was in disarray.
‘Karen you look exhausted. How long have you been here?’ He asked. The sight of her made his knees go weak, she looked so vulnerable he wanted to take her in his arms.
‘All day I’m afraid Nick, and it looks like I’ll be here a while yet. We moved all the supplies and most of the equipment yesterday. The critical patients left early this morning but we still have quite a few to go.’
‘Yeah, I saw them in the hallways. We’ve only got six to eight hours before it hits us. I think it’d be better if we leave now. Graham’s waiting for us.’
Karen’s face paled. ‘No! I’m staying.’
‘He’s right Karen.’ Alex urged. ‘There’s plenty of willing hands. You’ve done enough here, you’ll be needed elsewhere.’
‘Has anyone heard from Brian?’ She asked wearily, turning to Nick.
‘The phone lines are jammed, so I doubt he could get through to anyone. I reckon he’ll be heading for the house eventually. Knowing him, he’ll probably want to cover every bit of the drama himself. Although I don’
t know what he’ll do with it, there’ll be no papers printed for a while. I don’t think he’ll want us to spend time looking for him.’
Karen reluctantly agreed to leave the hospital, but only if Nick would take her to Bill’s penthouse. ‘I’m not leaving him there, we’ll drag him out if we have to. I’ll be back in a minute, I’m just going to the loo.’
‘What about you Dr Videon?’ Nick asked. Are you coming with us?’
Dark smudges like daubs of grey paint beneath Alex’s eyes told the story of his lack of sleep, and thick black stubble poked through the surface of his face. ‘No, I’ve got to finish up here and make sure everyone’s out. Karen’s invited me to stay at her house, so I’ll make my way there when I can. I should be out of here in a couple of hours.’
‘We’ll make sure that you are, it’d be dangerous to stay too long. Make sure you’re on the last Veto.’
‘I’m ready.’ Karen said returning. ‘Alex, please don’t wait too long.’ She pleaded. ‘We’ll need you up there.’ Nick watched as she kissed him lightly on the cheek. Seeing her this way sparked thoughts of Laura. Although their relationship had ended, he wished he knew if she was safe. A man could face all obstacles with courage and strength, but he acknowledged the deep need for the comfort that a woman offered in times of trouble, the emotional strength and calm that was part of her makeup. He knew she would be thinking of him, and he passed his thoughts across the universe on the wings of a prayer that she would be safe.
Nick called Graham who had managed to land the Liberty safely on the roof and was waiting when they arrived. Nick helped Karen climb on board, and the smell of her Chanel perfume so close made his stomach clench. When she settled in her seat she glanced quickly back at the hospital and Nick saw a tear escape her eye, and he knew she felt sad as she said goodbye, knowing this may be the last time she would see that beautiful hospital.
It was nearing eleven am. Three hours since the first warning signals had been received.
Chapter Thirty-three
The Bahamas
The Nuclear powered 280,000 ton super liner Summer of the Seas was docked in the Bahamas at the Nassau Cruise terminal awaiting the boarding of her 7500 passengers. Built in 2040, twenty decks high, and four hundred metres long, she could travel at 30 knots and was the among the largest ships afloat at this time.
After the initial warnings had been announced on June 5, Cruise ship companies had widely advertised that passengers at sea would be safe, and offered heavily discounted fares. Intrepid travellers from inland cities were promised the once-in-a-lifetime experience of watching the event of several tsunami up close.
When the devastating earthquakes and tsunami warnings were broadcast, Captain Saunders on Summer of the Seas was reeling from the shock of the magnitude of the quakes, when the communications officer called from the radio room.
‘The International Maritime Authority have just ordered all cruise ships to go to sea within the hour Captain. Those already at sea must stay at sea until given permission to return to shore.’
‘Good lord.’ He wheezed. ‘The passengers are not due to start boarding for another hour. We can’t just leave without them.’ He turned to his first mate.’Sound the boarding alarm. Now!’
On shore the passenger terminals were in chaos. Sirens rang out and a jumble of excited voices called for passengers to board immediately. Well wishers rushed the exit doors, and passengers charged toward the boarding gates. The terminal staff were overwhelmed, and all boarding procedures were abandoned.
On board Summer of the Seas the gangways were bulging with people pushing their way onto the ship. The 3000 strong crew, unable to handle the sudden onrush of passengers, abandoned their posts for safer areas on the ship, leaving passengers to find their own cabins.
In the engine room the steam turbine engines were on standby, supplying power for the generators to run the ship’s various systems. The crew went into action preparing the ship for immediate departure.
Sirens from other ships docked beside Summer of the Seas were howling, calling their passengers to board. The noise was deafening and frightening, and each Captain nervously paced their wheel-houses praying they could get all passengers on board in time.
As the hour of departure approached, people remaining on the dock aimed their cameras to watch these behemoths all leave the terminal together, something unheard of, and a spectacle to see. Dozens of tug boats tooted and darted in all directions, trying to guide the ships out of the docks. The ocean churned with great white foaming wakes, trailing out to sea as far as one could see. Then the onlookers began to flee as loudspeakers repeated warnings of the tsunami to come. Those remaining on the island had been warned to evacuate, but like many, refused to believe the low lying island surrounded by coral reefs and sand shoals would be wiped out.
The only high point in the Bahamas was Mt Alvernia on the tiny Cat Island, one hundred and ninety-four kilometres south east of Nassau. It’s highest peak was only sixty-three metres and the entire island was only seventy-seven kilometres long. At it’s peak it could barely accommodate the 2000 inhabitants of the island and would probably sink into the depths of the vast Northern Atlantic Ocean.
Once away from the docks and the passengers were settled, the ship headed east out into the North Atlantic Ocean, emergency drills started and the crew explained what the passengers could expect. When the tsunami approached, Navilon shields would be lowered over all the exterior decks and passengers were warned to listen carefully to all instructions. They outlined all the risks and advised passengers they ignore directions at their peril, and the cruise company would take no responsibility for injuries or loss. The atmosphere on board was charged with expectation mingled with some apprehension, but mostly excitement as every passenger armed themselves with cameras and binoculars.
They were two hours out when the Captain experienced a cold shudder and raised his binoculars to the horizon to see the dark line begin to undulate. He watched fascinated as the ship steamed ahead at 25 knots toward the monster he knew was rising to meet them. He instructed the navigator to realign the automatic pilot to meet the wave at the recommended 45 degrees, and ordered the Navilon shields closed.
When the forward port side of the ship rose up to ride the swell, the crew in the wheelhouse looked up at the black wall of water at an angle to them, and some whistled while others crossed themselves and held their breath. Summer of the Seas wallowed like a toy tug in a bathtub, veering and pitching with the swell. After an interminable time she settled on an even keel, only to be attacked again by faster and more violent waves, broaching her badly side-on to the wind and the sea. They had prepared for a pounding, and although everything was lashed down, the crew were running around the ship righting objects that had broken their ties, and passengers who had fallen in the passage ways. Those outside on the deck had been unable to hang on and were scattered everywhere nursing damaged limbs, while some crawled around looking for their cameras. The Navilon shields had protected people from falling overboard, or being drenched by the massive black waves crashing over the ship, but many were in shock, no-one had expected the waves to be so high, as they towered over the huge ship that rode almost forty metres above sea level.
Without warning the ship hit something head on. Hard. The shock waves rode through her violently as she ploughed into a stationery object in the ocean. The Captain who had been thrown across the wheelhouse screamed ‘Stop Engines!’ His head was bleeding and the rest of the crew lay strewn around the wheelhouse. He looked up to see fire raining down on the Navilon Shield above him. He couldn’t comprehend what was happening. The ship had stopped dead. Then slowly her bow began to rise up, hurling bodies and objects toward the stern. Loud screeches and explosions hammered their ears as Summer of the Seas began to slide backwards,with her bow rising further. The Captain and crew managed to scramble to their feet, grabbing for anything to steady them on the tilting deck, to see volcanic rocks and fire spewing higher than they co
uld see into the air in front of the ship. Rocks and debris pounded on the Navilon shield mercilessly until some breached the shell, and fell onto the upper decks where they started fires, and others splashed sizzling and fuming into the swimming pool whose waters now cascaded over the tilting decks.
‘Oh dear God,’ Captain Saunders cried. ‘We’ve hit a volcano!’
‘That’s impossible! There’s no volcano here.’ The navigator croaked.
‘There is now Jim, it’s just been born.’ He staggered to the intercom. ‘Damage report! Get up to the bow now!’
‘How long will our shield protect us from the lava?’ The navigator asked.
‘Not long. We’re too close, the lava will melt the shield. At the speed we hit, I imagine the damage will be too much for us to stay afloat.’ From where they stood, they could see the crumpled bow of the ship that was now at a 45 degree angle jammed up against the side of the rising volcano.
‘We can’t launch the lifeboats sir. We’ll be burnt up soon as we lower the shields.’ The first mate said. The bow began to rise again. ‘Shit. That bloody volcano is still rising our of the sea. It’s going to tip us further.’ He managed to add, before sliding backwards to crash against the wheelhouse bulkhead.
The noise slammed their ears like jackhammers as Summer of the Seas’ bow rose further up out of the water. The Captain could only imagine the devastation being wrought on his ship, as all four hundred metres of her began sliding irreversibly stern-first into the sea, landing with a tremendous splash that sank her bow beneath the water, where great gushes streamed into the huge hole created by the collision, pulling her down by the bow into the broiling ocean.
2042: The Great Cataclysm Page 20
