by DB Daglish
Copyright © 2014 by DB Daglish
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at the address below.
D.B Daglish
Manukau, Auckland
New Zealand
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.dbdaglish.com
Publisher: Naquadah Publishing
Cover design: Liquid Design
All spelling is in United States English.
Language used may be in a colloquial vernacular, relevant to New Zealand or Australia, within the relevance of the story.
A
NEW
DEATH
Chapter 1
Even in hardship, human beings love adventure and the unknown, and as such an excited chatter spread throughout the waterfront area. Four larger ocean-going yachts had finally arrived for the expedition. Excited children were playing along the beachfront as there were now forty-eight children at New Haven, the second largest population in the country. Akaroa now had forty-nine. It wasn’t a competition exactly; but the women were in no doubt that the best way to survive was in greater numbers. There were by now, no threats of interference or confrontation. Life was calm, happy, and full of hope.
The two largest yachts were manned by six people each from the New Haven population. The other two had six and five respectively. Age was irrelevant as those selected had been trained and tested for three years in the oceans between all the current population bases, including Gisborne which now had a small community of twenty five. Each had someone trained in medical matters but they were under no illusion as to what could go wrong. No weather forecasting existed for this trip. If they sailed into a bad storm, only skill and luck would keep them all unharmed at best, or alive at worst.
No definitive time frame had been set for this expedition - just the goal of contact. They were hoping to see how others had feared since ‘the event’, the outbreak that had killed all but a few lucky human beings all those many years ago. Chris’s had flown to Australia in year twelve, and that trip revealed much, but the return flight almost met with disaster and would never be attempted again. He was now sixty-three and happy to stay at New Haven and keep watch over the radio’s. A new mast was built on the highest hill looking east to try to keep contact as long as possible. Even if the yacht radios failed, it would be unlikely that all four could fail at once; or so he hoped. They could fish; but meat might be a problem and they were aware of the need to hunt when they reached Australia, or ‘the land of Oz’ as it was referred to. After all, Oz was a fantasy land to most, due to the current unknown state of the people, or the land.
The nights feast was large, consisting of self-produced food from the large farms that had now been set up just a little further inland from the coast. This road was kept open and was the only one that looked anything like those from twenty-seven years previously as most roads were becoming impassable. Kaikoura could still be reached by one of the few vehicles still working, but beyond that all roads were cut by slips and overgrowth. Even their favored holidays spots to the west needed boat access these days.
Roy was now the oldest living soul in the whole country, fully aware of the hardship yet to come in fifty or sixty years as equipment failed and clothing supplies wore out. Weaving looms were built and many became skilled on them, but he was glad he would not have to endure what many who were young and knew nothing of pre ‘event’ days, would regard as a normal life. For the children were taught history, but all agreed they preferred the life they lived as opposed to the restrictions of money and technology. To them, this new world was full of hope and adventure.
When Taylor had disappeared all those years before, he lost a great friend, probably the best of his life. Afterwards he gradually lost interest in the future; at least as far as any enthusiastic effort was concerned. Tomiko cared for him as best she could, but Roy began to wander in the hills just as Taylor had done. Finally she scolded him, insisting he stay close or at least take someone with him to prevent a tragedy like Taylor’s. For Tomiko’s words were the only ones that held any effect on this old man. Sadness came over her when he finally appeared to be losing his memory, becoming confused occasionally. But tonight was different, for he was fully alert and excited. Tonight he stood as the banquet proceeded when a gong sounded banged for all to be silent. Chatter ceased instantly, for even the children understood the purpose of the gong and Roy now had the full attention of everyone in the banquet hall.
“Wow, that works well doesn’t it?” he joked. Many laughed who were old enough to remember the old life. “I have been asked to bless those about to embark to this…well; it’s quite an epic journey really, isn’t it? We have no idea of the weather in the Tasman Sea will be like nor what you will find when you get there. But we wish all of you a safe journey and may providence take care of you and return you all to us safely.”
He raised his cup and all did the same.
“To a safe return!” he said, and all repeated his words and drank for the blessing of the journey. Then the festivities continued at the previous volume.
It all seemed a bit underwhelming really. But there was nothing else that could be said without waffling, and in these latter days Roy spoke little unless he needed to. He quietly left the building and wandered down to the park bench and sat looking out over the harbor.
He sat there in private thought for what seemed like a few hours. A thought came to his mind that no one had noticed he was missing from the feast, when Ricki quietly rode by on a bike; Jaybee the dog running behind as usual. Riding the full length of the waterfront he turned and came back to where Roy was sitting.
“I thought no one had noticed I was gone,” Roy commented as Ricki stopped and sat beside the recognized elder of the group.
“Oh, we noticed. But a few of us thought we’d let you have some alone time. I’ve been back at the meeting room watching you the whole time old man,” Ricki said in his usual joking manner.
“Did Karen make you do that, or was it Tomiko?”
“It was my decision. But Karen smiled at me when I got up so if I hadn’t…”
“Yeah,” Roy laughed. “I know!”
They sat in silence for some time without speaking until Roy sighed deeply.
“You know, I was just thinking of Taylor when you rode by,” he murmured.
“You miss him aye? We all do you know?”
“Yes I know. But it was more than just that. Twenty seven years ago, ha…” he laughed, “almost to the day, Taylor rode past me on his bike as I sat in a car thinking I was alone. He was the first living human being I had seen after my family died. I thought I was all alone and I had just finished watching a suicide flight; and wondering if I should do the same.”
“Kill yourself?” asked a stunned Ricki. “That’s just for cowards!”
“Maybe it is. But I am not a coward Ricki. I remember thinking the same thing the day after I recovered. But as I was saying…I saw Taylor cycle past with his dog following. At that moment you rode by Ricki - well, it was quite emotional for me.” And he went silent again.
“You know what old man? I’ll tell you something I’ve never told anyone, not even Karen.”
“Sounds serious?”
“Nah. It’s just…you know that day we cremated Julie in the boat?”
“Crail Bay?”
“Yeah. Well, afterward Errol told me he was not well and didn’t expect to live long. When he died he wanted me to do the same thing to his body. He felt close to me and visa-versa since I found him after the plane crash.”
“Yes. That was a nice bond. You loved that old man and watched over him!”
“I’m going to do the same for you. Did you know he gave me his prized pocket knife? When he went missing I placed it in a kete and hung on a cross I erected there. Nothing remains of it now.”
“Not quite!” Roy chuckled as he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small knife and handing it to Ricki.
“What? How…did you take this?” he asked.
“Yes. Now before you go all native and spiritual on me, it would have just rusted away. It was something of a time I wanted to keep hold of. I have nothing of Taylor’s except…” and he stopped.
“Ito?” Man - we all know that one. Well, not the kids, but all the older ones know Taylor couldn’t have kids.”
“Really?”
“Really! Anyway, he gave that to me!” Ricki said pointing at the knife.
“Yeah, well it’s yours,” he said handing it over. ”But I want you to do something for me when you get back.”
“Yeah, I know Pop’s. It’s all good and you aren’t in any danger of dying yet. A little forgetful at times, maybe a leash is needed?”
“Look you little punk,” Roy teased back. “I should throw you off the wharf.”
“Again?” Ricki laughed.
“Yeah. Ha. Remember that day? That was the first day you decided to join us,” he said as he smiled remembering the incident. “I threw you off the wharf and you hid under it and I thought you’d drowned.”
Ricki chuckled. “That was so funny man. You were panicking and didn’t notice us laughing and then you swam down one final time and it hit you…”
“Yes. Finally recognizing your voice as you called down to me. I was so pissed off!”
Back inside at the meeting room, Karen watched them laughing and then embrace, before Ricki got on his bike, whistled for Jaybee and began cycling back to his wife. He placed his in the cycle rack and sat on the bench beside her.
“Seemed interesting?” she questioned.
Reaching into his pocket he produced a small penknife.
“That’s…that’s your old penknife. You told me you lost it. Where did you find it?” she asked.
“Long story really. It was men stuff!” was all he would say and she placed her head on his shoulder as they watched Roy stand up and slowly walk back, waving to them as he went back to the dining hall.
“I’m going to be looking after him,” he suddenly said.
“But he has Junior as a watcher. Even you have Ito to keep an eye on you. Crikey, even Lenny has one now. Now it’s hard to think of what happened that day isn’t it?”
Ignoring her reference to the gun battle he continued. “Yes, he does have Junior, but there are things someone so young cannot do. I watched over Errol, and I’ll do the same for Roy. He is the elder here, Karen! My culture used to show respect for elders.”
“As we still do here sweetie,” she replied and put her head on his shoulder once again.
The day drew on and excitement filled the entire bay. However, there was one who was more serious than most. Don guessed it was either his age that made him cautious of this expedition’s success, or just that everyone was overemphasizing their party mood to cover up for their fear. Worry or expectation of loss of friends and loved ones, was a real threat, even if it was only for four to five months.
‘You worried mate?” asked Harry. He had come up from Akaroa not so much to help but just for the sense of adventure. At forty eight he figured he’d only get one chance to do this and besides, Akaroa was in good hands and running well. Harm was eighty and still fighting fit which annoyed many younger ones who did not feel so good around the age of sixty.
“Yeah, a little,” he said in reply as he let out a huge sigh. “I’m sixty-four Harry. Should I even be going?”
“What makes you ask that?”
“I’m not as strong as you guys!”
“Rubbish mate. You’re a farmer, well – you were. Besides, your engineering background has helped us design some things for the boats. What do you want to do, stay here and wait to die?” he probed.
“Is that a challenge?”
“Yes Don, if it needs to be. Karin is dead, you have no children, and New Haven is running well…what other reason have you got to stay when there is fun to be had out there?”
“Fun? The Tasman Sea is no picnic mate, and besides we have no idea of weather patterns anymore. The only thing we know is that this month should be the safest and quietest time to go, but it can be a rugged ten to twelve days, even if all goes well. If it gets bad we could be blown a long way off course, become separated, sink…” he shook his head, “Just might be dangerous that all!”
“Look, if you don’t go we have no more time left to replace you. Gabby won’t let Rob go, Stu is needed here with Judy being unwell…even Amy won’t let Ben go. Ryan is only going because Storm agreed to it. Unless you want to let one of the younger ones go…Maki for example…”
“No!” Don interrupted. “Too much confusion and last minute regret. I’ll go. And you are right, I have nothing to hold me here.”
“Look, you are not expected to be outside in rough weather anyway. We have already arranged you for inside duties at the roughest of times, excepting an emergency. So relax.”
“So you are all treating me like an old man?”
“Sixty-four isn’t young, man! Besides, we aren’t sailing all four months. We expect to be on land for most of it if we find people. We can do what we like over there. If not much is happening, or there is any danger…we just sail home!”
“Yeah, it’s not like we haven’t taken crews up and down the country here aye?”
“Exactly,” Harry agreed. “Our two communities have had every child over ten on at least a two or three day cruise. We could crew one yacht up with thirteen to seventeen year olds and they’d probably fare better than the rest of us.”
“Why didn’t we?”
“We can’t afford to lose young ones. The populations depend on them. You know this.”
“Yet we have how many coming anyway?” Don asked.
“Fin and Dee…oh, and Donny from Tauranga. You guys have Ho and Tia.”
“Well there is a crew of five right there. Why not give them the opportunity on the Hope. Don’t let them ask, offer it to them?”
“Mmmm, I’d never thought of that. We’d need a skipper for them. Maybe Geo,” he said thinking out loud? “We’d need to discuss it first.”
“Why? They aren’t children anymore Harry. They aren’t like the weak teens of previous years, these kids are mentally strong, hard workers, strong, mature…” and he left that hanging.
For some time Harry sat, quietly thinking. Finally he stood to his feet but said no more about it.
By nightfall the partying was over and most agreed they need some sound sleep for the journey so went to bed early. A few remained to talk and plan, Andy being one of them.
“We could spend two days here and then we…”
“Whoa!” Fallon exclaimed. “Are we on some sort of pre-booked travel schedule now? I thought we were just exploring?”
“We are!”
“Well what if we need to stay longer in Sydney…or we just want to because of the beaches or something?”
“We can do that, but it does not leave us much time to get up to Brisbane and back down to Melbourne and anywhere else we might want to go.”
“Time?” Ben asked.
Andy stopped. Michael just slapped his back and walked for the door.
“Where are you going then?”
“Me?” asked Michael. “You don’t need me, and you forget, I’m the planner and I agree with Fallon. Just take it as it comes. Treat it like an adventure; after all - there is no schedule.
Take your time, have some fun, take it slow and be safe.”
“I have to agree with Michael,” Ben decided, and got up to leave as well. Rob, who has been sitting back listening, stood up and followed Ben out the door.
“Really…?” Andy said throwing up his hands.
Fallon put her hand on his knee and patted it in a mock condescending way, smiled and left also. The five sheets of paper he’d been working on were promptly torn up and chucked in the fireplace.
Ryan was another who was in the room; but silent - which was so unusual for him.
“Hey, I had something to add to that list,” he moaned as he watched the paper burn.
“Really?” asked Andy hopefully.
“Nope, just kidding mate. Now go get some sleep and we’ll see you in the morning.”
“Hah!” Andy snorted in disgust. “Well, are you leaving with me?”
“I’ve been thinking about Caroline mate. Storm has let you go, but I have no wife to leave. But do you not think you should stay behind?”
“Why. What could happen?”
“Oh, just precautionary. There are others that could take your place,” Ryan said.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Andy asked as he smiled.
“No, just trying to stop the planning while we are away. It would drive us nuts. Now piss off and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Andy could see he was serious. Not about him, but about missing Storm and he quietly made his way to the door to leave his friend to his own thoughts. Turning around he strode back, and put his hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “We all miss her mate.”
Ryan’s head leaned on Andy’s hand in acknowledgment. As his friend left, he quietly wept.
In the kitchen Nick greeted Andy as he entered.
“Still up mate?”
“Yeah, I’ve been talking with Ryan about the trip.”
“You’re still keen on going?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I. It’s been planned for months.”