2042: The Great Cataclysm

by Melisande Mason

  ‘Wow, what a ride.’ She said bending before Nick to catch her breath. My heart’s going a hundred miles an hour.’ She straightened smiling, and the instant their eyes met Nick felt a weird sensation of falling. He blushed as he reached to pull her to safety. They waited impatiently for the medical kit and ropes followed by Alex who managed to land without incident.

  ‘Just like bungee jumping without the kick back.’ He laughed. They signalled Liberty and watched as she banked away to the west. Nick’s two-way crackled. ‘Going home for a nap,’ Graham joked. ‘Call me when you want some more action.’

  Nick flicked the transmit switch on the two-way. ‘Navy War ship below. Do you read me? This is Nick Torrens. I’m on the roof of the building beside you. I have a doctor and nurse with me. We’re going into the building. Over.’

  ‘Torrens, this is the war ship Mittagong, Hold for Dave. Over.’

  Dave’s anxious voice came in. ‘Nick! Welcome aboard. We can see people on the ninth floor, but we’ve been unable to get a message through to them. It will make things a lot easier now you’re here and we can communicate. Over.’

  ‘Okay, Dave. I’m glad you’re down there. I’ll call you once we’ve found them, standby. Out.’

  Nick glanced anxiously around from the rooftop. ‘We’ll check for people on each floor as we go down.’ Nick suggested. ‘Let’s go!’

  They made their way down the emergency stairs, stopping at each floor to thoroughly search for injured survivors. The top three floors were empty, as was the shopping arcade. The damage was horrendous. Windowless walls bore huge cracks, some threatening to fall out into the sea below. They saw blood stains on the concrete stairs leading down from the thirteenth floor.

  ‘Someone’s badly injured.’ Alex commented.

  Chapter Forty-eight

  Nick and Karen continued their search, finding nothing until they reached the ninth floor. The emergency door to the stairs was swinging open, and gathered in the internal foyer away from the howling wind, were a group of twenty or so silent people, and some children huddled together in fear. Karen gasped when she saw a man among the heads of another small group to their right raise a gun. She grabbed Nick’s wrist to warn him. Too late! Nick jerked forward when the gun rammed into his back.

  ‘Well, well, well. What have we here!’ A thickset man sporting a rakish flaxen beard and clad in Navilon and denim appeared before them. Large deep blue eyes peered suspiciously from a handsome face, and thick blonde wavy hair fell into his eyes. He spoke in a cultured clear voice, not unlike Hud’s; the thin man they had come up against before the tsunami. ‘Which one of you gentlemen is in charge?’

  Nick stepped forward. Without speaking the man jerked the two-way pod from Nick’s hand and examined it, grinning evilly.

  ‘What’s this, then? Just what we wanted! Now those bastards down there are about to find out who’s boss here. Jilly get over here! Watch them.’

  Jilly appeared still chewing gum but looking much less threatening, and considerably tired. The sly smile she wore before no longer apparent.The two Wyatt Earp revolvers now consigned to her. ‘You bastards got any guns? She asked. ‘If you have you’d better hand them over.’

  ‘It was you I saw running across the walkway just before the tsunami.’ Nick said.

  She tossed her head toward the man. ‘Yeah, Bobby saved me. Real hero.’

  ‘You finished?’ Bobby said to her. ‘Now we’ve decided that we’re to be rewarded for caring for these lovely folk here.’

  He gestured toward the cowering group. ‘I would like you to contact your boss down there and tell him we require a speed boat, a million dollars and valid charge cards. Tell them to drop the money on the roof. We’d also like some ropes, and oh yes, some fresh food would be great. I’ll give them four hours. If they don’t respond to my demands, I’ll throw one of these nice folk out there.’ He said pointing to the open space that was once a wall of windows.

  ‘Ask for more money?’ Jilly whispered to Bobby.

  ‘Shut up bitch! ‘Do it!’ He demanded of Nick.

  Nick called Dave and relayed the demands. ‘They mean business Dave. They’re one of the group who shot Bill. Can you get that much money? Over.’

  ‘Yes, but I don’t know about four hours. I can get the charge cards but don’t know about the money. We didn’t prepare for this type of contingency. Any chance of extra time? Over.’

  ‘No man. Four hours is it!’ Bobby sneered.

  ‘Sorry Dave they won’t negotiate. Please just do as they say, we’ve lost enough lives. I’m sure they’ll carry out their threat. Out.’

  Nick was astounded by the demand for money, and didn’t they know charge cards would be worthless now?

  This ninth floor was occupied by four apartments, and the group were being held in the gloomy centre foyer area where the lifts opened, where the only daylight emanated from the open door to the emergency stairs, which faced the southern side of the building, where a landing clung to the inner wall of the building, hanging precariously exposed to the elements, the outer wall having been ripped away. The doors from the foyer to the apartments had been kept closed, ensuring the group remained under their control.

  Bobby stationed himself near the stairs door along with Nick while they waited for the boat.

  ‘What’s your name?’ Bobby asked.

  Nick ignored him.

  ‘I said ... what’s your name? At least you could be polite and answer me.’

  ‘Sorry.’ Nick said. ‘I’m not in the mood for conversation. Seeing we’re going to be stuck here for hours, I’m going to try to catch up on some sleep.’ With that, Nick removed his shirt and bundled it up for a pillow.

  ‘Suit yourself.’ Bobby said and wandered back to Jilly.

  Nick had no intention of sleeping but wanted time to think. He beckoned Karen to join him so they could whisper to each other.

  Not long after Jilly cried out, and they all looked to see a speed boat approaching from the west, bouncing like a jack rabbit over the choppy waves, heading toward the outer south-western corner of the building.

  Nick and Karen rejoined the captives, who he guessed had been held hostage by the gang since the tsunami had done their worst. The looters were unable to find food or water, so they were exhausted, injured and irate; a dangerous combination. Alex tendered the injured, while Karen was permitted to search for water. Each time someone wanted to use the bathroom they were escorted by one of the looters to an apartment that still had a toilet, but not in working order, so it was an unpleasant and necessary exercise.

  Chapter Forty-nine

  The four-hour deadline approached and there had been no word from Dave. Bobby instructed Nick to make contact again. ‘Come in Dave, it’s Nick. What’s happening? Over.’

  ‘The boat’s secured below. There’s a delay with the cash and charge cards I’m afraid. We can’t just go to a bank and get some! HQ’s working on it. Over.’

  ‘Well, I’m afraid you gentlemen are not taking us seriously.’ Bobby fumed. ‘We’ll see about that! Time we showed them we mean business.’ He walked toward a young man huddled by the lift with a young woman and grabbed him by the shoulder, holding his gun to his head. The girl screamed as Bobby pushed him out through the emergency door onto the unstable landing.

  The young girl lurched at Bobby, pounding his back with her fists. ‘No. No. No, please, don’t hurt him!’

  Bobby swung around and hit her on the side of her head. She fell to the ground sobbing.

  ‘Dave! I think he’s going to throw a hostage into the sea. Where the hell’s the ransom? Over.’ Nick cried in desperation.

  ‘Sorry Nick we’re trying. Stop him! The money’s on the way it’ll be there shortly. Out.’

  Nick looked despairingly at Bobby who shrugged his shoulders casually and rolled his eyes. Then he stepped toward the landing poked the young man in the ribs with his gun forcing him to the edge. A woman clasping a child to her legs begged unashamedly.
r />   ‘Somebody stop him!’

  ‘No-one can stop Bobby once he makes up his mind.’ Jilly drawled. ‘You should’ve done what he said.’

  They heard the thin wild scream as the young man hurtled from the landing on his death flight to the ocean below. Screams, accusations and exclamations of shock from the hostages followed as they huddled together rigid with fear. Karen leaned into Nick’s back and hugged him, sobbing quietly and he longed to turn around and cradle her in his arms, but common sense told him not to reveal a weakness to these criminals. Moments later a murderous Bobby re-entered the foyer with hatred written across his face, and they had no doubt that he would carry out any threat he made.

  ‘He has another two hours. Get on that radio and tell them there’ll be another high dive every thirty minutes if the money’s not here! Next time it’ll be that little lady behind you.’

  ‘Do something Nick!’ Alex pleaded wringing his hands. The thought of Karen being thrown from the roof terrified him.

  Nick felt his hands shaking as he called Dave. ‘He say’s you have two more hours. He’ll throw Karen into the sea if the money’s not here in thirty minutes, and a hostage every thirty minutes after that until you get the money here. For Gods sake Dave where is it? Over.’

  ‘We’re trying our best but the communications are stuffed up. It’s being flown in from Amberley RAAF base west of here as we speak. Over.’

  ‘Iknow where Amberley air base is. He has eighteen hostages, including five children and us. There’ll be a lot less if he doesn’t get it.’

  ‘I know, I know. Any idea who these people are Nick? Over.’

  ‘Christ Dave. No! Does it matter?’

  ‘Do you have a plan B?’

  ‘What do you mean do I have a plan B?’ Nick snapped. ‘Just get it!’

  ‘You know I will.’ Dave answered cautiously. ‘I’ll keep you up to speed. Over.’

  ‘These bastards have nothing to lose Dave. Over’

  ‘I wouldn’t say that. Over.’

  ‘Yeah, maybe. It doesn’t look like that from where I’m standing. I want to know everything that’s going on. Don’t let us down Dave. Over.’

  ‘Just stay calm. Don’t do anything rash. Okay? I’ll be back to you soon. Stand by. Out.’

  ***

  The next two hours passed interminably slow and the hostages, despite being petrified about who would be killed next, were angry and arguing among themselves. Nick made no attempt to intervene, letting them vent their fears on each other.

  The looters kept their distance whispering among themselves. Nick could see that they, too were becoming agitated. He was trying to think of a way to stop them carrying out their threats should Dave fail to get the ransom. He was going to stop them, one way or the other.

  Karen busied herself telling the children stories. Alex had attended to those who had wounds and now that he had less to do, his gaze followed Karen’s movements, which did not fail to get Nick’s attention. Good luck mate. He thought.You had your chance and failed, it’s time for someone else, someone who can give her the love she deserves. He surprised himself with those thoughts. He thought about Laura and days gone by, but she had hardly entered his mind since he had seen Karen again. He kept glancing at his watch ticking off the passing minutes.

  True to his word, Dave called almost on the deadline. His voice was sombre, even and unemotional. ‘It’s on the way. Graham just radioed in, he’ll be overhead with it in a minute. Over.’

  ‘Graham? I thought he was in Brisbane. Over’

  ‘Yes, but when he heard of the situation here, he insisted in flying to Amberley to get the ransom. Over.’

  ‘I warned you Nick. There’d better not be any tricks, or she goes.’ Bobby sneered. He beckoned Jilly who shoved her gun under Nick’s chin while he grabbed Karen and pushed her toward the door. She looked back at Nick with terror written all over her face, and he felt his heart pounding as his eyes locked onto hers. She whimpered quietly as Bobby forced her onto the landing then up the stairs to the roof. Nick had never felt so helpless in his life.Oh God,he pleaded. Please don’t take her.

  They watched breathlessly as Liberty approached rapidly, to hover like a giant wasp before them and a cheer went up from some of the hostages. Nick realised now how important Karen had become to him, how she had relit the strong desire he had when he first met her, she was the most exciting woman he had ever known and he panicked now her life was threatened. He had been given this chance only by suffering the loss of his brother. He had loved Laura but not with the intensity he felt for Karen, she was someone he would die for and he felt almost like he was on that roof alongside her. Somewhere, somehow, his spirit had become entwined with hers. He could feel her terror, her courage. He hung his head and felt the gun jab into his neck.

  On the rooftop, Bobby held Karen’s wrist in a vice like grip, watching as the bag was lowered from the Veto, all the time threatening to throw her off. They bent against the downdraft from the Veto that threatened to hurl them both from the roof. ‘Pick it up! He ordered Karen. She lurched forward and grabbed the bag as he watched the Veto bounce and rock dangerously high above their heads.

  Bobby looked at Karen and something about her defiant stand earned his respect. ‘Get downstairs!’ he growled, pushing her through the doorway. ‘Before I change my mind.’

  She ran down the stairs stumbling, shivering, head full of pain, outwardly brave, dying inside. ‘I wish youhad thrown me off!’ She screamed back to Bobby.

  When she entered the lobby she ran to Nick who clutched her to him. He felt her heart beating so fast against his chest. He wanted to kiss her when he saw the warmth in her purple eyes. Could she be falling in love with me? He thought. What was it that created an awakening of strong feelings for another human being? A sudden rush, a reddening of the skin, a tingling unexplained? What was it that stunned the senses? Everybody remained still, wondering what the looters would do next, new hope of rescue gleamed in their eyes.

  Jilly snatched the blue duffle bag Graham had delivered to the roof. They whooped and hollered as their hungry hands skimmed greedily through the contents, their attention diverted from the hostages.

  A loud scraping, grinding noise snapped everyone’s attention to the east and Nick opened a door to an apartment that was confining them to the lift foyer, in time for them to witness the nearby south-west tower begin to crumble and fall. They filed into the room and watched it disintegrating in a shroud of dust and spray and foam before their eyes. It tilted and slowly, agonisingly, slid down into the sea. A sixty metre pile of rubble was all that remained of the south-east tower. Great waves created mini tsunami radiating out in all directions from the ruins. The walkway connecting it to their building had snapped, flinging steel girders through the air like cannons, some crashing toward them, others spearing into the ocean below.

  ‘Shit! Let’s get the hell out of here!’ Bobby screamed. ‘Before this building goes down too.’ He gathered up the money and as they left Bobby grabbed a pale fragile-looking girl who had been cowering beside an older man near the door. ‘Just for insurance!’ He sneered at Nick. ‘We’ll let her go when we get to land.’

  ‘No. Take me instead.’ Nick said, believing Bobby would kill the girl.

  ‘Now why would I want to do that? No-one’s going to let an innocent girl die, but you? I think they’d shoot you in a minute. Jilly grab some ropes, chuck the rest into the sea.’ He ordered.

  ‘Please.’ An older man cried. ‘She’s my daughter. Don’t take her. Margaret!’ He called after her.

  Nick knew they would kill the girl and his heart went out to her father but there was nothing he could do. He didn’t know how they planned to reach the speed boat and he really didn’t care. The others were safe.

  For now.

  Nick flicked the two-way radio. ‘Dave, they’ve gone! We’re okay. They took another hostage, a young girl called Margaret. He said if you leave them alone they’ll release her once they get ash
ore. They took all the ropes. Over.’

  There was a brief pause before Dave answered and Nick sensed something odd in his voice. ‘Yeah, they’re no idiots, they’ll need the ropes to drop from the building to the speedboat, it’ll be very dangerous it’s quite a jump to the sea.’

  Dave continued in a strange business like. ‘Nick, may I suggest you get all those people down to the bottom floor immediately. I’ll get Graham to drop some more ropes on the roof before he heads up to Brisbane. Make some rope ladders, hurry! That building could tumble anytime, the sea is systematically eroding the foundations. Out.’

  ‘Roger that Dave. Out’

  Nick turned to Karen. ‘Graham’s coming back from Camp B with more ropes. I hope Bobby doesn’t get it into his head to come back and force Graham to let them board the Liberty.’

  ‘I don’t think that’s in their plans. Besides, Bobby saw how impossible it would be to get to it.’ Karen replied. ‘The wind up there’s so strong Graham could hardly hold the Veto still. There’s no way he could land. He’s risking his life up there.’

  Nick looked around at the scared faces of the hostages. They would have to move fast. ‘Alex you come with me. We’ll get the ropes while Karen gets everyone organised.’

  Karen’s face was white and her hands trembled. Nick gently touched her arm.’You okay?’ he asked.

  She grabbed his wrist. ‘I’m just so frightened. Please hurry back.’

  Nick though for a moment, then grabbed one end of a rope the looters had left and wound it around the steel handle of the exit door to the landing then tied it around his waist. He handed the loose end to Alex. ‘Here. Tie yourself on. Just in case.’ He grimaced. ‘It’s not long enough to reach past the next floor. Karen, hold onto the rope and when you feel it pull three times untie it and I’ll pull it up.’

  Alex and Nick made their way up the stairs to the rooftop treading carefully over the cracked steps that were broken in places and pulled away from the wall, all the while wondering if the building would remain standing. More than once they were precariously close to the edge and in mortal danger of falling. Nick jiggled the rope back and tied it to each landing as they climbed.