The Lost Sword

by Pitt, Darrell

  ‘And what happened to the painting?’

  ‘Taken by a criminal,’ Edgar said. ‘A foul man, he broke in while I slept, but as I say...’

  ‘Nobody owns anything.’

  ‘That’s right.’

  Before Jack could respond, Scarlet stuck her head down the stairs. ‘Are you coming?’ she called. ‘Or have you moved in?’

  Edgar said he wanted to stay and learn more about the whale and Jack headed back up on his own.

  On the way back to the hotel, Scarlet asked Jack what Edgar had been speaking to him about.

  ‘Oh, nothing,’ he said, vaguely.

  As soon as they reached the Imperial, it was clear something had happened. Mr Doyle was speaking to an agitated Einstein in the foyer.

  ‘Ah,’ Mr Doyle said, turning to them. His face was grim. ‘I’m glad you’re here. There’s been another murder.’

  They followed the detective to a residential building in Dome One. In an apartment on the third floor, they found Blair standing over a dead man. Jack grimaced. No matter how many times he saw dead bodies, he never got used to it. The victim had also been killed with a knife.

  ‘Who is this man?’ Scarlet asked.

  ‘Fingal Wilde,’ Blair said. ‘He’s the new manager of Roads and Residential Development here in Mizu City.’

  ‘Do you think he was killed because of his specialty?’ Jack asked Mr Doyle. ‘The same as Davidson?’

  ‘I’m not sure why someone would be killed because of their knowledge of how to build a house or road.’ He leant down, pointing to a small rectangular bloodstain on the floor. ‘What do you make of this?’

  ‘I’m not sure.’

  Mr Doyle’s eyes angled to Wilde’s hands. Grasping one, he slipped on his goggles to examine it more closely. ‘This makes no sense,’ he murmured. ‘These hands are rough.’ Turning to Blair, he said, ‘You say this man was a manager.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Then why are his hands rough? Surely he wasn’t a labourer.’

  ‘That’s probably from his previous job.’

  ‘Which was?’

  ‘Chief of the Waste Management Plant.’

  ‘That’s it!’ Mr Doyle said, leaping to the feet. ‘We must not dawdle. Wilde wasn’t killed because of his new job. He was killed because of his old one!’

  They raced through the domes to the Waste Management building. A loud grinding came from the other end. The waste tray seemed to be in operation.

  A man lay unconscious on the ground near its controls. Once again, these had been smashed beyond repair.

  Mr Doyle quickly revived the man. Introducing himself as Tanner, the man pointed to the tray.

  ‘The outer hatch has already started to open,’ he said. ‘The city will flood if we don’t shut it.’

  He tried manipulating the controls, but they were inoperative.

  Tanner pointed to a panel inside the tray, just above the rubbish. ‘There’s an emergency locking system in the tray. The outer doors can be closed from there.’

  ‘How do we get to it?’

  ‘Someone’s got to jump in.’

  Jack grimaced. The tray was half filled with rubbish and salt water. He didn’t relish climbing in, but it had to be done. Removing his green coat, he climbed onto the edge of the tray.

  ‘Have a hot chocolate ready for me,’ he said.

  ‘Jack!’ Mr Doyle started. ‘Are you sure—’

  Jack landed in the water and swam through the stinking water to the panel. Pulling it open, he peered in and saw the release lever. He tried turning it, but it wouldn’t budge. The water continued to rise.

  ‘Let me help you with that,’ he heard Scarlet say from behind.

  ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Taking a bath!’ she retorted. ‘Did you really think I’d let you do this alone?’

  They both gripped the lever. Resisting for another moment, it abruptly gave way. They heard a new machine kick into gear as a metal cover started to draw across the top.

  ‘What’s going on?’ they heard Mr Doyle cry out.

  ‘There’s something wrong with the controls! The ejection system’s activated. It’s going to release into the ocean!’

  ‘Well, stop it!’

  Darkness enveloped Jack and Scarlet as the lid closed on the rubbish drawer. Beyond, they could still hear Mr Doyle and Tanner struggling to stop the machine. Jack gripped Scarlet’s arm. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said, trying to sound confident. ‘They’ll find a way to get us out.’

  ‘I’m sure they will.’

  The minutes passed. Finally they heard Mr Doyle banging on the lid.

  ‘Can you hear me?’ he yelled.

  ‘Yes!’ Jack called. ‘What’s happening?’

  ‘We can’t stop the ejection system. The controls are too smashed. But there’s a slide drawer to your left. We’re sending something down that can save you.’

  Metal clanked and a faint light appeared as a slide drawer shunted open. Inside, they saw a lamp accompanied by two man-sized gelatinous lumps—one red, the other blue.

  Grabbing the lamp, they shied away from the strange shapes.

  ‘Jack,’ Scarlet said. ‘What are they?’

  ‘I don’t know!’

  ‘Jack and Scarlet!’ The voice came through the metal. ‘It’s Edgar! I’ve got Dr Hardy with me.’

  Then Jack realised. ‘Are these the jellysuits?’ he asked. ‘What are we supposed to do with them?’

  ‘You need to swallow the breathing hoses,’ Hardy yelled.

  ‘Uh, thanks for the offer, but...’

  ‘There’s no other way! We can’t stop the tray.’

  Mr Doyle’s voice again. ‘Listen to me,’ he said. ‘You must use the jellysuits. Do as Hardy says. Once outside the city, you can re-enter via the airlock on the western side.’

  Jack swam over to the creatures and shivered as he gently touched it. The creature felt like a warm water balloon. Pushing aside some blubber, he found the air hose. Like the tentacle of an octopus, it started twisting in his hand.

  ‘Place the air tube into your mouth,’ Hardy yelled. ‘It will automatically make its way down your throat to your lungs. You will start breathing normally in seconds. The jellysuit will envelop you and you’ll be able to safely swim outside the city.’

  ‘What about the pressure?’ Jack yelled. The water had risen so high their heads were bobbing near the top of the tray.

  ‘You will be protected,’ Hardy replied.

  Mr Doyle yelled again. ‘You must do it!’ he called. ‘Or you’ll die.’

  Jack pulled the two creatures from the slide tray and it shunted shut. He dragged the red one over to Scarlet, whose face had gone white.

  ‘Scarlet?’ he said. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘I can’t do it,’ she gasped. ‘I can’t put that thing into my mouth.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

 
‘It will be fine,’ Jack soothed. ‘I know it seems revolting—’

  ‘You can’t make me do it.’

  Scarlet drew back, utterly terrified.

  ‘Scientists have tested these jellysuits,’ Jack said. ‘I know they seem odd, but they work.’

  ‘I don’t care,’ Scarlet said, her eyes wide, staring at the strange creature. ‘I can’t do it.’ As Jack swam closer, she splashed away from him. ‘Don’t force me! You can’t force me!’

  Jack remembered what she had said about almost choking as a child, and having a phobia about things being stuck in her throat.

  ‘I’m not going to force you,’ Jack said, keeping his voice calm. ‘But if you stay here, you’ll drown.’

  ‘I can’t do it. The thought of that thing in my body...’

  ‘Then we’re both going to drown.’

  Scarlet’s eyes shifted from the creature to Jack’s face.

  ‘Because I’m not leaving you here,’ Jack continued. ‘If you decide to stay and drown, then I’m staying here too. But think of what it will be like for Mr Doyle. And for your father.’

  For a long moment, the only sound was that of the water spilling into the tray. Then Scarlet focused on Jack as if awakening from a stupor.

  ‘Of course,’ she said, swallowing. ‘But...you’ll have to do it.’

  Jack pulled the jellysuit towards Scarlet. Gathering her in his arms, he saw the fear again in her eyes.

  I don’t blame you, he thought. The idea repulses me too.

  ‘Close your eyes,’ he murmured. ‘I promise I’ll look after you.’

  Forcing her eyes shut, she nodded. ‘I know,’ she said. ‘Just make it quick.’

  Scarlet hesitantly opened her mouth. Placing the air tube between her lips, he pushed it in.

  At first, she was fine, but then she started to fight against him as the creature plunged down her throat. Her eyes bulged in horror.

  ‘Breathe,’ Jack urged her. ‘Take long, deep breaths.’

  Silently screaming, she clutched at him, but then closed her eyes and followed his instructions. Her chest rose and fell in panic, but slowly eased as her breathing turned to normal. When Scarlet opened her eyes, Jack saw no sign of panic. The creature shifted and cocooned itself around Scarlet.

  Now it’s my turn, Jack thought, releasing her.

  He swam over to his blue jellysuit. There was no time to dally. The water was almost at his chin. Finding the breathing tube, he brought it to his mouth and gently sucked it in. An instant later he felt it pushing to the back of his throat.

  No. Something’s wrong. I can’t breathe!

  He struggled with the tentacle, trying to pull it back out, but now he felt a blubbery hand on his arm. Scarlet, fully encased in the jellysuit, gave him a reassuring smile.

  Jack forced himself to breathe. The first breathe, he sucked in no air, the second, he received only half a breath, but by the time he breathed for the third time, he had a whole lungful.

  All the time, Scarlet kept a hand on his arm to steady him as he learnt to breathe using the creature. It wrapped itself around him as the water reached the top of the tray. The lamp went out, but they were able to see as clearly as if it was day.

  What was it Dr Hardy said? We have added an enzyme that allows the wearer to see in virtual darkness...

  A shockwave moved through the water and the drawer tilted sideways. Before Jack could react, rubbish and churning water exploded past his face, sending him tumbling.

  It was like being thrown about by the surf at the beach. Reaching out blindly, Jack grabbed a rock, and held on. It took him a moment to realise he was no longer in the city. The drawer had closed, depositing him under the curve of the city, and he was on the ocean floor. From close up, the nearest dome was like standing next to a mountain. Thousands of tiny fish chased scraps of food, and through them Jack saw domes receding into the distance.

  I’m on the bottom on the ocean, he thought.

  It was mind-boggling. It had all happened so quickly that he had not considered what it would be like. Now he understood what the first people to walk on the moon would feel.

  Jack stood up unsteadily. Wearing the jellysuit, he felt neither hot nor cold, neither wet nor dry. His eyes scanned the ocean floor and he saw Scarlet slowly striding towards him. She gave him a wave, smiling.

  She had a red tint to her as if he was looking through crimson glass. Around the top of her skull was a darker ridge, like a halo, but nothing to indicate joins in the skin.

  Remembering his strange dream where Scarlet and Mr Doyle had ridden past on the back of the whale, Jack couldn’t help but laugh.

  They walked away from the city. The distant surface was miles above.

  A powerful longing seized Jack as he stared past the domes. Hardy had said the suit would supply oxygen and protection from the pressure forever. Jack had a strange urge to walk across the ocean terrain forever, exploring, discovering new places that people had never before seen.

  So how do we swim in these things?

  Jack tried to freestyle, but only succeeded in arrowing towards the bottom. Scarlet found breaststroke to be far more successful. As they rounded the dome to the airlock on the western side, Jack glanced back across the ocean floor.

  In the distance, so far away it looked like a star, he saw a glowing light. He blinked. The light was real, some sort of a metallic object giving off a constant, golden luminosity.

  Scarlet grasped his arm. Jack looked at her and pointed, but she shook her head and pulled him towards the dome.

  Let’s go.

  Reluctantly, he nodded. They kept to the western side, reaching an illuminated section under the city. Turning a wheel set into a circular hatch, they swam in and secured the door behind them. Another door slid open ahead and they stepped through.

  Finally they stood on solid ground as the water was pumped out. A door opened above.

  ‘Thank God!’ Mr Doyle cried. ‘You’re alive.’

  A dozen hands pulled them up. Within seconds they were gently extricated from the jellysuits, the breathing tube being the last part to be removed. Blankets were wrapped around them. Hot chocolate was supplied.

  Hardy could barely contain himself. ‘How was it?’ he asked. ‘What did it feel like? How—’

  ‘Enough of that,’ Mr Doyle snapped. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘We’re fine,’ Scarlet told him.

  ‘What about the city?’ Jack asked.

  ‘The Waste Management system is damaged, but repairable,’ Mr Doyle said.

  ‘I must question you later about the experience,’ Hardy said.

  Jack and Scarlet nodded, promising they would give him a full report. Mr Doyle insisted they return to the Imperial to change and eat.

  An hour later, emerging from the restaurant, Scarlet took Jack aside.

  ‘I need to thank you,’ Scarlet said.

  ‘What for?’

  She looked at him incredulously. ‘For saving my life!’ she said.

  ‘I do th
at all the time.’

  ‘Not like this,’ Scarlet said, reddening. ‘I’ve never felt such blind terror in my life. I’m ashamed at my loss of control.’

  ‘Everyone needs friends who can help them through hard times,’ Jack said. ‘But you can make it up to me.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘Try not to mention Brickie Blunderbuss for the rest of the time we’re down here.’

  ‘It’s Brinkie Buckeridge—and I promise.’

  He asked Scarlet about the glowing object on the ocean floor.

  ‘It could have been some rubbish from when they built the city,’ she said.

  ‘Maybe.’

  Later, Jack went in search of Edgar, and found him listlessly meandering through the park in Dome One. He brightened up when Jack told him about the glowing object.

  ‘It must be the sword!’ Edgar said. ‘We should retrieve it at once!’

  ‘But how will we get to it?’ Jack asked.

  ‘The diving gear, of course!’

  ‘I doubt Mr Doyle or the other scientists would let us use it for a treasure hunt,’ he said.

  ‘Oh, they won’t mind if we borrow it. We’ll have it back before they even know it’s gone.’

  ‘I don’t think—’

  Bar-room!

  The dome shuddered. Jack looked about in confusion. What was happening? He caught a glimpse of a large object moving past the dome wall.

  ‘It’s a submarine!’ Edgar said. ‘They must have fired a torpedo at the city.’

  It sped past at high speed and disappeared from sight.

  ‘Look!’ Jack said, pointing. ‘The dome!’

  A hairline crack appeared in the wall and water began to gush in.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Chaos spread through the city. People began running in all directions as an alarm sounded.