by Dave Brown
Patty was practically bouncing off the bulkheads as the Folly closed in on New Taiwan. After the local pilot arrived, Jones had come down from the bridge and called out a few names to the people on the bow, hers included. He motioned for them to join him back near the tower. She hurried after him and they were soon joined by Dr. Hayes and George Anderson.
“All right, you're in the first group out. Errol and I are takin' you all... where's Anne?” None of them knew where she was. “Never mind, I'll find her later. Anyway we're goin' over to sort of check things out. Patty and George, you've both been pullin' cross-over duty on electrical and mechanical so you'll be in charge of that. Bernard, you already know what you're up to. Y'all got two goals. One, see what we can offer these folks and two, see what they can offer us. Don't make any deals or arrangements. Just look, listen, and report back.”
He turned and headed below decks without another word, presumably to find Anne. Patty rushed down to her quarters and put together a pack with some note pads and her sketchbook. She tried waiting patiently in her room but couldn't handle it for more than five minutes. New people! New projects! It was so exciting. She remembered the nervous anticipation at her first sight of the Illustrious a month before, only to have it shattered by an ugly cloud of black smoke on its deck. This time they had already met three people that said the place was okay, that it was even somewhere in the vicinity of normal. It was almost too much.
It took another hour to get them in position for docking, the longest hour of Patty's life. She stood on the deck watching the nearest ship, a big container carrier with a black hull, creep along next to them. Finally the Folly reversed thrust and came to rest. Lines were thrown from the container ship across the ten foot gap and then a pair of gangways extended and secured. They were all there watching, but only six of them would be going across the first time. Errol left Stoneham in charge and told everybody staying behind to keep straightening up. Then Patty was walking across a plank behind George and stepping onto a new ship full of new people.
#
Zeke turned out to be a full service guide, not just a pilot. After handing Errol and Jones off to somebody higher up in the community, he took Patty, George, Anne, and Dr. Hayes on a tour of the busiest parts of New Taiwan. Whenever he wasn't telling them about some specific point of interest, he filled them in on the general make-up of the island. Fifteen massive cargo ships were lashed together all in a row. Most of them were container carriers like the Boi do Mar, where the Folly was tied up. The ships on each end of the row were kept clear on one side for mooring anything big enough to need the space. Along the long sides of the row were dozens of smaller craft, also lashed together to form a network of habitable spaces.
“These big ships didn't need much crew, if you can believe it. Boi, for example, only needed thirteen. So there was plenty of room,” Zeke told them as they walked from one container cluster to another. “All those little guys came in full of refugees since they were the ones that could get to shore.”
Some of the container ships had loading equipment built in, and there were a couple geared bulkers like the Folly, though much bigger. The planning committee, as the highest authority on the island was known, spent weeks maneuvering those ships around before settling down into the long row configuration. They used the gear to arrange all the containers on board in usable patterns to serve as pre-built spaces for whatever purpose might need them.
“We've tried to keep things organized but we've had a little randomization here and there. Most of the containers in the center are residential, commercial around that, industrial on the outside.”
“Industrial?” George said, amazed.
“Well, as best we can. We bring in raw materials and do what we can to make stuff we need.”
Patty was intrigued. “Where do you get the raw stuff?”
“A few sources. A lot of smaller craft make runs out to the garbage patch and bring back bulk plastic. Once you sanitize that stuff it's amazing how useful it is. There's a cruise ship that got converted into a sort of labor transport. People buy a spot, work on board en route to wherever they're going to raid, then it's every man for himself. Whatever they bring back, the ship gets a cut.”
“They raid... what exactly?” Hayes asked.
“The old world,” Zeke said, and Patty thought he sounded a little sad.
Hayes pressed the matter. “Isn't that dangerous?”
“Too right, but they say they know what they're doing. Nobody from that ship gets aboard the island without an exam first, and they're not supposed to let anybody come back aboard from shore without the same thing. So it's a double line of defense. Ask me, it's worth it. Pulling garbage out of the sea is one thing but actual stuff from a hardware store or a shipyard is a lot better.”
They arrived at a set of containers used for crops, though the variety they had on hand was much less than what Patty was used to on the Folly. Anne took an immediate interest and began talking with Zeke and one of the people that worked there. Hayes motioned for Patty and George to step away with him.
“That thing about raiding bothers me,” he said, his voice low. “We saw what happened to the aircraft carrier. Eventually somebody's going to slip.”
George nodded. Patty couldn't agree so easily. “You heard what he said, they check twice. They can't even get back aboard the ship without a check.”
“Look, it's not like were settling here permanently,” George said. Patty felt a sudden sinking feeling in her stomach that made her realize she had been hoping for just that. George continued. “We're probably going to do some trade, then wander off for a bit. We may visit periodically but any situation with the dead will be pretty obvious when we show up.”
“You're probably right. Still, all these other people. It just seems wrong to put them in that kind of danger.” Hayes shrugged and returned to the spot where Anne was eagerly discussing nutrients and soil consistencies. George followed him, but Patty stayed put, lost in her own thoughts. Even before Pablo died she was getting desperate for some sort of change. Now that they were here the idea of leaving felt like taking away the best thing to happen to them in four years, just after they'd found it.
Why is it so important to me, she asked herself. Inexperienced with introspection, she had no ready answer. She looked around the deck at containers and haphazardly built shacks. She took a deep breath and her nose was filled with a rich bouquet of different scents. The air was buzzing with a virtual orchestra of voices and machine sounds. She could barely hear the ocean, or smell its salty air. It felt like life, and she realized she'd been haunted by death for far too long.
Chapter 14
Errol and Jones sat at a table in a dining area on one of the big ships. They each had a steaming cup of what their waiter called “sea tea.” To Errol, it tasted a little like miso soup. They were waiting for a member of the planning committee, Mr. Seung. An assistant to the committee had taken them on a tour of the administrative facilities and then given them some slips of plastic with numbers engraved on them. They were vouchers for committee trade, a form of currency that anybody on the island would accept since they could turn them in for materials from the committee's resources. A free lunch, Errol thought and smiled to himself. A pair of empty bowls sat on the table in front of them. They had contained something similar to the sea tea, but there were mysterious chunks of something chewy and slightly sweet mixed in as well. Errol decided to pretend it was potato soup and call it a meal.
A man approached their table and offered his hand. “Captain Stimsky, I'm Seung Jin,” he said, “Planning Committee, security and defense seat.”
They shook hands and made their introductions.
“Are we meeting with the head of security because we're some sort of threat?” Errol asked.
“Certainly not. I'm simply the only committee member available this afternoon. We like to have someone meet personally whenever a ship your size visits for the first time.”
“What
about the smaller ships?” Jones asked.
“There are fifteen committee members and a lot of work to do, as you might guess. It's not that we don't care about the smaller craft, we just have to prioritize our limited time.”
“But the big fish with more resources get your personal attention,” Errol said.
Seung looked at them both for a moment, appearing confused and perhaps a little offended. “Gentlemen, you seem to have some ideas about what goes on here that aren't accurate. We're trying to help everybody, no exceptions. Time is a resource like any other and we have to find the best things to do with it, but any person is welcome and encouraged to speak with us if they have need.”
Errol felt his face redden. After their experience with the carrier and the sub, he must have let some paranoia take root. Jones seemed to be thinking the same thing. “Mr. Seung, our apologies. We had some trouble with raiders recently and I think it made us a bit suspicious of new people.”
“I'm sorry to hear that. What sort of raiders?”
“A sub. Wanted to board us.”
“How did you escape?”
Jones grinned. “Actually they did the escapin.' A friend and I convinced them we weren't worth the trouble.”
Seung put on a smile of his own. “You wouldn't happen to have destroyed two hatch covers, fore and aft of the conning tower, would you?”
Jones nodded. Errol looked up, embarrassment forgotten.
“So you're the ones that gave the Santa Fe a black eye. I think New Taiwan may owe you more than just a free lunch. Captain Miller has seemed rather... deflated since you robbed him of diving capability.”
“The Santa Fe?” Jones asked. “Shit, I think I might know this Miller. He was a cocky lieutenant when I left the Navy, two years before the fall. Somehow I don't think he came by Captain's bars legitimately.”
Seung's face turned serious. “He didn't. One of his men defected to us several months ago and gave us a great deal of intelligence about the Santa Fe. Miller led a mutiny not long after the collapse.”
His distaste was obvious. “You sound like you have pretty strong views about mutiny,” Errol said.
Seung nodded. “Before my exciting career as a committee member I was captain of this very ship.” He looked around, pride and nostalgia in his eyes. “I hope to return to that duty when my term is up.”
“Term? You're elected?”
“I was not. The current, and first, committee is made up of the captains of the spinal ships, as we call them. We agreed at the outset that we would serve a two year term and then organize open elections. We want to prove we learned something from the end of the world. Greed and lust for power are what nearly destroyed mankind, not some necromantic virus. We're going to do better this time.”
Errol was truly impressed. He glanced at Jones and saw his friend nodding in agreement. Maybe this place was what they had been looking for all along. “Well, I'm quite in awe of what I've seen so far. You seem to have done well with limited resources.”
“And you as well, Captain Stimsky. Mr. Hong told us about your facilities. You seem to have built the right ship at the right time, a truly lucky break if I've ever seen one.”
Errol blushed and hoped Seung would interpret it as modesty. “Just coincidence.”
Seung leaned in, looking a bit tense as though he had something to say but didn't know how. “To put it bluntly Captain-”
Errol interrupted him, “It's just Errol.”
“Errol, then. To put it bluntly we could really use your help. Your time and expertise would be of great value in making New Taiwan better able to support itself. We're not asking for any material resources, only some consulting.”
Errol nodded, “I think that's perfectly reasonable. In fact I already told some of my people to look around and see where we might be able to help.”
Seung seemed to relax. “I'm very glad to hear that. We seem to share some of the same principles. We aren't asking for handouts either. The planning committee has authorized a down payment in fuel and fresh water for your agreement to consult with us.” He pulled a sheet of paper from an inside pocket of his jacket and slid it across the table. “These are the areas we hope you'll be able to upgrade, based on our reports from Mr. Hong. If there are any additions or removals you would like to make, I'd be happy to make a note of them now.”
Errol picked up the sheet and looked over it. Agriculture, water production, and electricity generation were at the top of the list of a dozen items. “We've had to deal with all these issues on a regular basis. I'm sure we'll be able to help.”
Seung looked pleased. “Excellent! I have assigned one of our administrative staff, Renee Devoux, to be your liaison with the committee for the duration of your stay. I'll have her meet you at your ship within the hour and you can begin working up a plan of attack.” He stood up from the table, Errol and Jones quickly following suit. They shook hands again and then parted ways.
“Well, this is excitin',” Jones said. Errol couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not.
“Why don't you track down our team and get a report, then come back to the Folly and fill me in. You got a walkie on you?”
Jones pulled it from his pocket.
“Great. Give it to them if they don't have one, I want to be able to call them with questions while we talk to this liaison.”
“You got it, boss.” Jones strode away, smooth and confident as always. Errol was struck by a desire to be like him. Instead he shoved his hands in his pockets and walked back to the south end of the spine where the Folly was tied. The thought of a new project with planning and research to be done lifted his spirits a little, but he couldn't completely shake the lingering guilt that flared up when Seung had mentioned his lucky break.
Chapter 15
Anne inspected the improvised pipe fittings for the nutrient delivery system. They looked good and tight, but there was only one way to be sure.
“Okay, open it up,” she said.
Her partner in the endeavor, a local woman named Julia, nodded and turned a valve control. A second later water began misting from the pipes up into the root area where plants would later grow. Anne examined the fittings. No leaks anywhere.
“Yes! We got it!” She and Julia shared an excited embrace. They had spent a lot of time trying to find a way to make pipes and fittings from the available raw materials. This new set was simple to build and they had plenty of the necessary items on hand. It looked like New Taiwan would be able to implement large scale aeroponic crops, resulting in a huge savings in fresh water and a significant boost in crop yields. On top of that, Anne had been able to test out her theories in a less critical environment. Now she knew she could make aeroponics work on the Folly, too.
Three weeks had passed since they first arrived at the ramshackle island. The entire crew of the Folly was hard at work upgrading or even completely rebuilding many of their systems. The original project, four years ago, had called for the careful creation of a self sustaining environment, but once complete all it needed was maintenance. The New Taiwan Project, as some of them had started calling it, had a new design parameter: expansion. The systems they put in place needed to be easy to duplicate so capacity could grow as needed. Patty had been busily teaching classes in building simple wind turbines. Barbara had designed and built a new desalination module that was three times as efficient as the best on the island, though still far short of the Folly's plant. With Anne's aeroponics breakthrough, they had the three big topics covered.
She quickly gathered up a dozen loose sheets of paper, covered in hasty pencil sketches and calculations. “Okay, I'm going back to the Folly and clean up these plans. Then we'll start running off copies and get them distributed. Your people should be able to start cranking out aeroponics units in a week, tops.”
Julia was grinning ear to ear. “You've done so much for us, it's just amazing.”
Anne smiled but didn't quite know what to say. “Well... we're all in this together n
ow.”
A sadness passed over the woman's face, the kind Anne had seen hundreds of times before on the faces of her friends. The ghosts of the old world brought back by a phrase or a feeling. They would never go away, not completely. Good, Anne thought, maybe we won't mess up so badly again if we remember them.
“You best get started then. Thanks so much, Anne.”
They hugged again and then Anne left, walking south and weaving through containers and tents. The aeroponics test lab was on Pride of Panama, five ships in from the south end of the spine.
“Anne!” A voice was calling her name. She looked around and saw Svetlana Lebedova hurrying toward her from the Pride's tower.
“Lana!” she shouted and held her arms out. The little Russian pilot almost bowled her over when they made contact. They laughed and hugged and laughed some more.
“So good to see you, Anyuta.” Anne smiled at the sound of her diminutive name, given to her by Lana when they ran into each other two weeks ago.
“Good to see you too, Lana. How've you been?”
“Good! Always good when I am flying. How is project?”
Anne couldn't keep back an excited squeak before speaking. “I got the aeroponics test working. We'll be growing full crops in no time.”
“Wonderful! You are... what is word, genius?”
“Well,” Anne said, but she was in too good a mood to be modest. “Yes, the word is genius!”
Lana hugged her again. “Oh, I want for more time but I must go. James and I are required for special job.”
“Ooooh, sounds exciting!”
“No.” Lana's face turned serious. “Large ship overdue and there is no radio contact. Committee is very worried. James and I go to look for them.”
Cold anxiety pierced Anne's chest like an icicle. The project was going so well, she didn't want to hear about things like missing ships. “Well, good luck. We have to get together when you get back.”
“Is finished deal,” Lana said, smiling. They embraced one last time and then Anne watched her new friend jog away to find her husband.