Once on the roof they had no time to catch their breath before Graham arrived in the Veto, and the wind and downdraft from Liberty lashed them fiercely as they battled to catch the ropes and the sling Graham was sending down. Liberty was being buffeted every which way by the strong wind, any moment threatening to crash onto the roof. The noise of the wind and the jet thrusters was deafening and Nick felt his eardrums about to burst.
Graham signalled, and he jerked Liberty away from the roof creating a force that beat against their chests, almost knocking them to the ground. All hopes of rescuing any of the people with Liberty vanished.
***
Nick put some of the hostages to work after hauling the bundles of rope down from the roof.
The looters had not returned to where the hostages were huddled together on the remains of ninth floor. Alex looked like death, his clothes were smeared with blood when he had attended some injured people, and his dark springy curls drooped around his face, yet he remained calm as he offered sympathy to Margaret’s father .
Then another sound joined the howling, hot wind; that of an outboard motor racing away from the building. Nick moved quickly where he could see the fleeing speedboat, his mind racing in tune with the wine of it’s motors, then an enormous ear splitting explosion roared above the other deafening noises. Instinctively Nick ducked then looked in time to see a huge flame, topped by a pall of thick black smoke billowing skyward from the surface of the water.
‘The speedboat! Shit!’ Dave had wired it! He had no intention of letting them escape! Nick groaned as he thought of Margaret, the poor innocent girl they had taken hostage. Now he understood Dave’s reticence. He turned to see her father slither down the wall sobbing. He rubbed his forehead and ran his fingers though his hair but strangely felt a detachment.That poor man. So much tragedy...so much pain….
Nobody spoke, they had no more tears or words to describe the horrors they had faced, afraid of what was to come. Nick chose some of the stunned hostages and showed them how to make a rope ladder, hoping to snap them into action, hoping they could make a ladder long enough to reach the surface of the sea, because the sling Graham had dropped would be very dangerous, especially for the children. He planned to use both. They worked together silently tying the knots while he went down stairs to see what they were up against.
Nick moved carefully down the emergency stairs, sharply conscious of the need to tread very carefully, testing each section before placing his full weight on the stair. Jagged cracks crept down the outer walls beside him, which in places had been torn from the building and thrust into the sea. The fixed Navilon panels inserted in the exterior walls for natural light had shattered, exposing the stairs to the open air on every landing, allowing the wind to whistle and whine through the building. He rounded the corner onto the seventh floor and stopped sharply. The stairs before him fell away to a void seventeen metres below, where the angry sea swirled and pounded the forest of vertical steel girders that had been driven deep into rock to support the entire structure. Chunks of broken concrete and reinforcing clung to sections of the horizontal checkerboards of steel girders that provided a base for each concrete floor.
He returned to the hostages and began checking all the knots in the ladder.
‘I need three volunteers to help me get the ladder downstairs.’
Three men immediately stepped forward.
‘It’s a bit tricky getting down there. What’s your name?’ Nick said to one of the men in his thirties who had so far not uttered a sound.
‘J….J..eff.’ He stuttered. ‘Jeff. Sawtell.’
‘Right Jeff. You look like a strong bloke, you’ll be in the middle. Tie yourself to the railing on the next floor where you can, but before you do, test it’s stability, then pull the rope tight so the others can use it as a second safety hold.’ He turned to the others. ‘One of you do the same as Jeff, go right down to the last landing and tie on. The other will help me drag the ladder Okay?’
It took them over half an hour to get the ladder in place, where Nick secured it and dropped it down through the checkerboard of steel to the water, relieved to see it almost reach the thrashing sea surface. He and the third volunteer returned upstairs to ready the group for the descent.
Nick began tying the rope around each person. ‘I’ll go first and help each of you onto the ladder. Karen you’ll be second last. Alex you go down after Karen.’ After they were all tied safely together he surveyed their pale faces. ‘Now whatever you do I want you all to stay close to each other and hug the inside wall. Hold onto the rope and the railing as you go down and watch your feet. We’ll all be safe if we take our time. If one of you stumbles the other person behind you will break your fall, so you can’t fall far.’ I hope, he thought silently,or we’ll all go with you. ‘Any questions?’ None came forward as his eyes roamed over each hostage imparting his outer confidence, hiding his internal trepidation. Nick’s leadership had come to the fore and he had succeeded in calming them somewhat, which in his mind was the most important thing. Panic causes mistakes and they couldn’t afford any.
He instructed everyone again to hug the interior walls, and they followed like timid sheep in single file, backs against the wall as the wind wailed around them.
Above the noise of the wind and roaring sea another frightening sound prevailed. The steel groaned and creaked, and the incessant wind whistled and howled through the grids, creating an eerie, ghostly sound that made the hairs on the back of Nick’s neck rise.
His attention was diverted as four rubber ribs from the Mittagong came into view below them and men in orange all-weather coats threw ropes to secure them to the buildings girders.
He untied the ropes from the first person and helped him onto the ladder. ‘You’re going to swing around a lot, but don’t panic, and hold tight.Don’t let go. Use your legs to kick away if you swing too close to the steel.’ He ordered. Karen braced herself behind him, holding the rope should it tear from the railing where Nick had tied it. The hair-raising fearful groan of the concrete remains of each floor grinding against steel petrified them and they were fearful the entire building could collapse around them, crushing their bodies before they could escape and they pushed forward to climb onto the ladder. ‘Whoaa. One at a time.’ Nick cautioned. ‘The ladder’s not strong enough to hold more than one person at a time. We have to wait until the person in front is all the way down.’
The women climbed down first and were helped aboard the ribs by the Navy rescuers. Nick slipped the sling under each child’s arms in case they should fall from the ladder, lowering it as they climbed down. His heart pumped wildly as the children followed one by one into the waiting arms of their rescuers below. Large swells lashed the ribs drenching them in a spume of spray, and buffeted them mercilessly as they made their way back to the stern of the frigate where a landing gangway had been lowered.
The hostages scrambled up the gangway to the ship followed by Karen and Alex who waited on the deck of the Mittagong, relieved to be out of danger as Nick climbed aboard. The last to leave.
Chapter Fifty
Navy Hospitality
The forlorn group were immediately taken below to the crew’s mess decks where they were given fresh clothes and allowed to shower and clean up, then to the canteen where the cook was handing out water and steaming coffee with hot bread rolls.
Nick was bone tired, his body operating on sheer muscle tone which was beginning to shutdown. The headache he had been fighting for weeks returned, this time accompanied by nausea brought on by the anxiety of the past few hours when they were in the hands of the looters. He secured a coffee and asked directions to the wardroom where he was sure he would find Dave, where he could tackle him about the speed boat.
‘Why did you have to kill them? You’re as bad as they were!’ He accused.
‘Nick, we had no choice. We have to show these people who’s boss. If we let them get away with that where would they stop? Other’s would soon hear of
their success and we’d have uncontrolled gang warfare. You don’t seem to understand that we’re facing anarchy here. The way we react now will determine our future.’
‘What about the money?’ Nick asked.
‘Counterfeit.’
Nick thought for a moment and realised Dave was right. ‘I’m sorry. I guess I’m a little overwrought. It’s been a harrowing month for me with one thing after another. I just hated to see that young girl die.’
‘I know how you feel, but we had no way of knowing they’d take a hostage into the boat, just as they didn’t realise we had to stop them.’
Nick felt better, he had a lot to learn. ‘Got to get some shut eye.’ He muttered, and shuffled off back to his allotted pokey cabin in the Petty Officer’s mess that felt like heaven as he collapsed on the bunk, not bothering to remove his clothing, allowing the darkness to cushion him into a deep troubled sleep.
Karen followed, exhaustion catching up with her as well, yet she was unable to sleep and instead lay tossing on a narrow bunk. The past few days had surpassed all others in her life and she found it hard to come to terms with the impact and the changes wrought. She thought about Brian and their years together, and softly said goodbye to his memory. The ghost of Sean still lingered and she wondered where he was, if he was still alive. She felt somehow that he was. He was certainly still alive in her mind, and now another man captured her thoughts, adding to her unrest. Her nerve-racked body refused to relax and one stream of thoughts after another attacked her weary mind, sending it racing, tormenting her senses. Never-ending conversations flashed by, future plans crowded in pressing for recognition. Frustrated; her head throbbing now, she fumbled in the dark for her medical bag seeking a sedative to calm the torrent. Finally, a warmth spread through her body as the nerve ends began to unwind and she slipped gradually into a coma-like sleep.
Dave allowed them to sleep the rest of that day and the following night, knowing they were both exhausted, and the ship was not going anywhere. Alex however, was up and around and making himself useful. At daylight the following day the seas had calmed, but there was no sign of them receding. The remaining towers of the Phoenix stood alone, like three misty ghosts in the early morning light, their steel walkways twisted and tangled at odd angles. The Marriott building beside it had slipped into its watery grave sometime during the night leaving another pile of rubble beside the remains of the Phoenix tower.
The Mittagong’s Navilon cocoon was open and Dave stood on the deck with a steaming coffee in hand, watching the rapidly growing arc of bright red sun nudge her way higher up on the eastern horizon.
‘Beautiful, isn’t it?’ Nick said quietly as he joined Dave.
‘Why’s the sun rising so far in the south? Why is it so warm?’
Dave listened intently as Nick explained his theory.
‘Will it tilt back?’
‘It’s what I’ve been scared of since this whole thing started, when we found the new fault line. I think it will tilt more as the last of the ice melts. It’ll change our seasons forever.’
Brilliant rays of glimmering colour danced on the surface of the water and a rosy glow filled the sky with the promise of a clear perfect day.
‘Look at the way the sun’s filtering through the open walls of the Phoenix, it’s almost like a futuristic painting, only no-one would paint buildings in the ocean!’ Nick said.
Finally the calmer sea splashed lazily against the steel girders supporting the towers, no longer hurling her mighty power in anger.
‘Do you think they’ll remain standing?’ Dave asked.
‘Yeah, after what they’ve been through, I think they’ll be there for a long time. A reminder of what used to be. Maybe we should make them a memorial to past civilisation. They’ll make a great land mark for ships at sea.’
‘Marking what?’
The question remained unanswered as both men fell into silence, sipping their coffee and watching as the commercial boats that had survived returned from the sea.
Dave broke the silence. ‘I could use a man like you on my team Nick. What’re your plans now?’
Nick racked his elbows on the deck railing, stroking his moustache deep in thought. ‘I don’t know mate. The Platypus will be here soon. I can’t go back to the States, that era of my life is over. I guess I’ll find something to do here.’
‘God knows there’s going to be a lot to be done.’ Dave said. ‘Right now I can’t think beyond today and tomorrow, one step at-a-time, but if you’re interested, I know there’ll be room for you and the Platypus. You’re going to need fuel and we have the only supply.’
‘Thanks Dave. Let me think about it. I’ll decide when she gets back and talk to my crew if that’s okay.’
‘Sure take all the time you need. Meanwhile, if you want something to do, we have to distribute face masks to all those people returning on the boats. Graham’s in Brisbane again, the damage there’s unbelievable. You’re going to have to get ashore by boat and it won’t be easy. Tomorrow will see a high risk of contamination from the onshore debris and bodies washed in by the tsunami, they’ve created a huge barricade to the roads up to the mountains. All the survivors here will have to stay out here until we can ferry them to the shore. Not a pleasant thought at the moment, but the Vetos are deployed in areas where survivors can’t reach safety by any other means. In the meantime we have to contact all those boats out there, explain what’s going on and get the masks to them. If they attempt to enter without protection, they’ll run the risk on contracting any number of diseases.’
Dave departed leaving Nick feeling optimistic. His strength was beginning to return, but his body still ached all over. His muscles were strained and pinched, not ready yet to recommence their duties, although the headache had finally lifted leaving him feeling clear-headed at last. Emotionally he was far from being calm, a pain stabbed in his chest and a tight knot filled his abdomen. His mind was full of unanswerable questions.Must do what Dave suggested, one step-at-a-time, he thought. The sun penetrated his open jacket, massaging the surface muscles on his chest with a soft warmth, spreading drowsy ripples throughout his body. He gulped the last of his coffee and went below to his cabin. This time he undressed and took a long hot shower before falling back into the bunk and finally into a restful sleep.
Chapter Fifty-one
The New Day - The aftermath
The sound of a horn blaring stirred Nick from his deep slumber. The cabin was dark. How long had he slept? He fumbled for the light and blinked as his eyes became accustomed to the pale white light from the bedside lamp. He glanced at the clock, eleven thirty? His stomach rumbled as he yawned and slowly stretched. Muscles felt a little better. Food might be a good idea, wonder what sort of lunch they serve in the Navy?He casually strode down the companionway, climbed the ladder and upon opening the door to the deck was startled when confronted by the black coat of darkness.Good God!He thought.I’ve slept all day.
Making his way forward to the bridge, he found the seaman on watch on the port side. ‘Evening, Sir. How you feeling? Looks like you couldn’t pull the skin off a rice custard!’
Nick laughed weakly. ‘I’m much better thanks. Hungry though, any chance of getting some food?’
‘I can organise some scran for you, just be a snack though. Rest of the crew’s below.’ He called to the other man on watch to take over and led Nick down to the galley where he left him to raid the refrigerator. The ship was quiet and there was nothing to do but return to his bunk, where after reading for a while he was surprised to find himself sleepy again. He snapped off the light and drifted off, until startled by the ship’s wakey, wakey call at six am the next morning.
He found Dave topside with the Captain. Nick felt totally refreshed now and eager to get ashore. ‘Morning Nick.’ Dave’s bright blue eyes twinkled. ‘We were wondering when you’d surface. The masks have all been distributed. I was going to wake you, but Karen asked me to let you sleep. The Captain has organised some boats t
o take us in. We’ll round up the flotilla out there first.’ He gestured toward dozens of vessels drifting for as far as the eye could see. ‘Obviously we can’t let them come any closer, who knows what’s below the surface.We’ll get the people off and ferry them in. They’ve all been advised of the procedure. Let’s go and have some breakfast.’
Smells from the wardroom tantalised their nostrils as they made they way below deck. Karen emerged wearing navy camouflage overalls and shirt borrowed from the Slops Chest. Her dark hair was neatly in place and her face scrubbed clean of make-up. Nick was startled by her natural beauty and blushed as she nudged close to him at the table. The weary beaten cloud over her eyes had lifted, revealing a deeper purple glow, almost a glimmer. The cook looked on with pleasure as they wolfed the scrambled eggs, sourdough bread and orange juice.
After breakfast, with the Captain’s permission, Nick placed a call to the Platypus.
‘Capsicum to Platypus. Come in Platypus. Over.’
The radio crackled noisily. ‘Platypus here.’ Nick was ecstatic to hear Sam’s familiar New York drawl. Sweeter words he had never heard.‘Bout time you called boss, we’ve bin really worried. We’ve bin hit by more huge gales, but we’re okay. We’ve got some strange reports from land. Hard to decipher, everyone’s gone crazy. What’s it like there? Over.’
‘Pretty wild Sam. Is everything okay on board? How did she come through the tsunami swells? Over.’
‘No problem, just like you said boss, great big swells. Never seen anything like it and hope I don’t see it again. Wolf wants a word. Over.’
‘Nicky, We’ve been so worried.’ Wolf butted in. ‘How is everything in Australia? Over.’
‘Just as we predicted Wolf. Horrendous! I spoke quickly with Josh and Laura in Washington, they said there’s catastrophic damage everywhere. The whole area here where I used to live has been inundated by the sea and we can only communicate through the military, so news is limited. This entire city of millions of people here has been wiped out. We’re stuck on board a Navy frigate at present, waiting to get back to shore. Are you still on schedule? Over.’
2042: The Great Cataclysm Page 31