by C. Mahood
(Let the record show, another strike, another tooth lost)
Todd- Sorry you were saying? It gets harder to speak the less teeth you have, so try not to be so bloody smart eh?
Racket – Fine, let me spell it out for you then! If you haven’t worked it out already, you most likely never will. We needed Mr Thomas to go under the smoke screen of a cartography mission, but in fact he possesses the interests in social anthropology, something that would lend itself well to learning about cultures. We know that the Winged man left signs to where we went to. These were ancient symbols. Mr Thomas found several. That when translated would be co-ordinates, thus leading us to the winged man. We had suspected dimensions as they were described in the book. All was going well until your crew ruined it all.
(Racket points over towards Captain Jones)
Todd – Jones crew?
Racket – Yes, on Atria, I knew those people were disappearing, they stopped making offerings even though I knew they had the gold for it. When I saw what that bitch of a queen was doing, I knew I needed to change the leadership. So I did.
Todd- And look where that got you eh?
Racket – Yes exactly where I need to be!
Todd – tied to a char in defeat?
Racket – Defeat?
(Danny laughs)
Racket – I thank the winged man for your short sightedness. While I am here and so being you, most of my forces have been engaging in the flooding of this city. Such revolt cannot be tolerated. A judgement was made of Sub York, the city was found guilty and was to be flooded. It has already begun.
Todd – Sorry to be the one to tell you this buy, but your forces were wiped out on the assault earlier. Game over.
Racket – yes that was unfortunate, but it only takes a team of three to flood a district. We started with the extermination with the residential districts. Then the industrial, the prison then the central districts followed by the docks.
Todd – you what? How could you?
(again another strike, Racket falls to the ground, still tied to the chair, Todd continues to kick)
Racket – Stop! STOP!
Todd – Everyone get back to the docks we have to stop this now!
Racket – You can’t, its already started. Look!
Captain Maria Jones
May 18th
We made our way to the windows. From this height you could see the other districts all around us. Small explosions began at the tops of two district roves. I could clearly see the glass crack then cave in. It took seconds before the water's weight crashed the entire district flat. There was a surge in air bubbles rising up but after that calmed all I could see was things begin to float. Furniture, clothing, sheds and walls and baths, sinks, then bodies. Slowly rising and then sinking again. The room was silent, except for the sound of Danny's Laughing. Captain Todd lifted him from the ground, dragged him to the window and slammed his face toward the flooded district. “LOOK WHAT YOU DID” he shouted at him. “This blood is on your soul, if you ever had one, now its black, you are worthless, scum, less important than shit on my shoe” He slammed his face towards where the second explosion was, an industrial district. Again, there was flash then the glass cracked and the weight of the water caved in, the white bubbles rose then the dust settled. A third explosion came from behind us. “Where was that?” I asked “Residential three” Replied Danny. The Captain Erupted in anger and slammed Danny so hard into the glass that it shattered. Danny plummeted forward, turned and grabbed out to catch the ledge. His had pierced in a large share of glass, impaling him to the lip of the window, he screamed for mercy, begging us to pull him up. I moved forward to aid him but A hand was placed in front of me and pushed me back slightly. Captain Todd walked forward, put his foot on Danny's hand and pressed down. The glass shard snapped under the weight, with a scream from Danny. He removed his hand and Danny fell. We didn't even give him the curtsy of watching him fall, instead we turned our backs and walked towards too far side window. From there we looked for the district just destroyed but instead we saw only a small crack in the glass and a small fall of water coming through. The explosion did not seem to have done enough damage. There were three men climbing the exterior of the glass now. They must be the saboteurs. Grey men. Captain Todd shouted to his met to get to the district as quickly as possible. He would start evacuating all he could then his crew would seal the tunnel. I volunteered to help seal the other tunnels with my crew. I ordered Mr Thomas and my assistant to return to the ships. Mr Thomas had command of the winged lady and Lieutenant Hartley would take the Annabel to stop the grey men from finishing the job they had started.
The pan was in place and we had to act as swiftly as we could.
George Thomas
May 19th
The events that unfolded in the central building were mind boggling. This “boy” was evil incarnate, claiming to preach the message of hope and do the acts of God, but yet dealing in only death and suffering. His death was a direct result of his ill lived life. Once our orders were given, we all acted fast. The lifts were being filled with bodies so we had to take the stairs, all running down, some tripping and scrambling for their feet as they descended but once we all emerged we split up. Hartley and I ran directly towards the dock, Captain Todd and Maria's crews split up in different directions. The sound of the water crashing in the distant district was very audible. When we made it to the docks we noticed that much of the crews were away, we had only four, myself, Mr Hartley, Mr Ironforn and Eleanor. Not enough to move two ships. Due to the repairs that still needed to the Annabel we took the winged lady. Eleanor knew the way and Mr Ironforn had studied the workings so dis embarking was easy enough. We sailed from the dock, out of the airlock and into subterranean wilderness. While sailing past the bubble districts we could watch the crews leading evacuations and moving people through the tunnels. There were much more civilians that I had imagined charging through. In the distance I could see Captain Todd's crew scrambling to seal the tunnel. The water was filling up the district to the level of their knees. They were breaking wood and hammering it to the walls. As we drew closer we could see the grey men with their air suits hammering the roof and the cracks. Hoping to break it open. Surely they knew that on completion and success of their task their outcome would be death? The commitment of religious fanatics should be applauded to a certain degree. Pulling closer still they had not noticed us, until Mr Ironforn opened fire. A harpoon shot from our hold and impaled one of the three grey men. His body quickly emptied its blood into the water and his body fell. Gliding slowly down the curve of the district roof. The remaining two turned and opened fire. A second harpoon was fired and a second man fell, although the harpoon had stuck him to the metal frame on which he was standing. The third man fired two shots at us then stopped. He must have realised then that the end was neigh so he turned his back to us and opened fire on the district roof. More cracks appeared. We pulled back as Lieutenant Hartley believed the pressure and the direction the propellers were turning could bring the roof down, so we moved backwards. The Grey man had emptied his ammunition until he had only one left. He aimed it at us then instead turned the gun at himself. Firing into his helmet. I hope he died from that shot as drowning is truly a fear I have. Looking through the glass we could see the water to rise higher. Most of the crew had safely escorted everyone out and were now trying to seal two of the three district tunnels. Behind them however more grey men emerged from the prison district. They were not firing as I am sure Captain Todd had not seen them.
They advanced out and took cover behind the ring wall, separating the houses from a ring road that circled the district. From there they could make their way round to the entrance and ambush Todd and the crew with ease. We had to make a decision to warn them. I asked Mr Ironforn to fit me into an air suit. Used mostly for exterior repairs when travelling in the airless rift, but would work perfectly under water.
He lowered me down from the airlock in the cargo hold. The winged
lady softly descended deeper also, meaning I could jump out to signal the crew. I only had to jump a few feet to the ocean floor. I felt heavy and cumbersome, it is very difficult to walk this far under water, the darkness makes it much worse too. I made my way to the edge of the district wall. I was only a matter of feet from the crew but with the sound of crashing water and panic in the district I am sure they heard nothing of me banging the glass. It was silent outside in the ocean but I can only imagine the deafening sound inside. From where I stood I could only see Captain Todd and one of the sooties the rest were at the far side of the district. I Found out later that they had finished sealing the district tunnel and joined Captain Maria's Crew, aiding in the final extraction and sealing of all adjoining district tunnels. Captain Todd turned to see me. I pointed at the large concentration of Grey men now moving forward. They had not opened fire but I have since learned that they had almost surrounded and filled the district. Captain Todd fall back behind a wall and pulled the sooties with him. A young boy named Garry. I never learnt what his surname was but, He is one of the bravest boys I have known.
The Grey men were advancing closer now. I banged the glass and moved to the right, with the hope of distracting them. I caught the eyes of two of them. Unfortunately, I feel this gave away my plans. My subtle looks to the captain were noticed. I saw smiles appear on the grey men's faces, from under the hoods, they looked to ready their weapons and turned towards the door once more. Moving back to where I could see the captain and Garry, I banged on the window once more, as the two turned to me again Captain Todd launched himself of the wall, landing on the men and forcing them to the ground. He kicked one in the face as he got to his feet, then swiftly snapped the next of the second. Lifting his weapon, he turned to the first and opened fire, hitting him square in the central mass. Killing him slowly. The commotion raised the awareness of the other grey men in the district. They opened fire and all began to move towards their position. The water was beginning to rise now to the waist level. They could not take cover now as the water rose above the level of the wall. Young Garry had such fear in his eyes, but instead of turning, running or breaking down. He moved to the tunnel door and finished sealing it, and checked for any leeks that may have appeared. I could not hear what Captain Todd shouted to him but I can only guess it was words of comfort. Garry stopped what he was doing and returned to the captain's side. They ducked down low and Made their way to the glass. They put their hands on the glass. Opposite mine. I could not read the lips of the captain as the water was rising to his shoulders now. His eyes told me all I needed to know. Not filled with tears or fear, but passion, anger maybe, it may be odd to write this, but I felt pride. I felt that the captain was proud of not just Garry but me. I do not know why? He looked up to where he could see the ship and saluted. I know that was a signal for Lieutenant Hartley. I am sure it was.
The moments that followed are moments that shall never leave me. The gun fire was ricocheting all around the Captain and Garry. They ducked under the water and lifted up the weapons of the two grey men He had killed moments ago. Instead of firing back at the grey men however, who's numbers were vast now, they looked at each other, Captain Todd put his hand of Garry's shoulder then they both began to fire upwards. Towards the water falling from the roof. They emptied the entirety of both the weapons into the waterfall overhead. Once the weapons were empty they dropped them, turned to me, and both saluted. A giant crack sliced past my hand and then I felt the earth shake. They had finished the job started by the grey men, the entire district imploded. I saw only a glimpse of the captain then for as I was forced back by the pressure of air expelled once the water rushed in and the roof collapsed. I was forced back over twelve metres from the sheer force. I landed on my back. I could see some of the light breaking the surface of the water. The air that had escaped from the implosion was rising up now, spreading outwards as at rose, expanding wider like a rising mushroom. It had calmed and dispersed before it broke the surface. For anyone riding the waves above, they would not notice it had even happened. Maybe a few bubbles would pop, like the breath of a fish or flies skimming a pond on a warm spring evening.
I law on my back for what seemed like an age. Not able to realise what had happened, not making sense of any of this senseless and needless death. Why are we as a species so hell bent on destroying ourselves? My breath was declining into short sharp gasps. My air had been cut off and I was beginning to fade. Making my way to my feet I began to walk. The dust was not settled. I felt as though I was walking through a sand storm. Everything was dark, a brown and blue shade of murky water was all I could see now. Two lights faintly flashed in the distance, but I could not tell how far or how close they were. My air had almost been exhausted now. I reached out towards the lights but lost my footing. As I felt I could see the ground ahead of me speeding closer to my face. As my helmet hit the ocean floor it cracked with a high pitched crack and pop. I felt all life being stolen from me then. The injustice of it. How could I continue on Captain Todd's legacy if I were not alive. Before my vision faded I was turned onto my back, my lift tasted of salt. The water was beginning to drip in through the cracks of my helmet. I felt myself being lifted however. This was not the rise of the Valkyries, taking my upwards, no, it felt very human. Lieutenant Hartley was visible to me now, he dragged me into the cargo hold of the ship and slammed the red button behind us, closing the bay door and expelling all of the water with a flash, like the blast of flame causing a balloon to rise instantly. This blast of while forced all the water out in a gust of wind. He unscrewed my helmet and fell down beside me. Neither of us said anything. We both knew what each other would say. I later thanked him for retrieving me. Of course. We never spoke of The captain. Any time it would seem natural to call for or confirm decisions, both of us would begin to call his name then stop before we finished. Trailing off into silence and bowing our heads.
We returned to the docks from which we left earlier. The ship handled well, from what Lieutenant Hartley told me. As we made our way there, we could see the aftermath of the battle. Four districts were flooded in total. Not counting the two we watched from the central building. Captain Maria's crew had sealed all of the key central and residential district tunnels, but left the connecting tunnels to where grey men holdouts were. The threat of the grey men oppression was lifted. I watched people returning to the central district. They were coming from all the adjoining districts and congregating on the central buildings square, around the pyramid. It acted as a beacon. A congregation point. People always feel safer when together. Strength in numbers. We lowered down and into the docks. There was commotion and noise, but no great applause. No welcome salutes, handshakes or claps. We were not greeted. The time to celebrate Captain Todd's life would come, the grieving must first begin. Everyone in Sub-York has suffered loss at that moment. All had lost mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, family, friends, acquaintances. Everyone was united in their grief. The Annabel’s crew were with the crew of the winged lady. They were stacking and moving valuables, food stuffs and rations for the people of the city. Captain Maria was taking charge, with such ease. She was perfect for this role, amazing and someone anyone could rally behind. Much like Captain Todd. A true leader. Willing to make the hard and ultimate sacrifices for the wellbeing of all others. Once the crew saw us, they looked behind and past us, looking for the captain. With a simple shake of his head, Lieutenant Hartley told them all they needed to know. Some fell to their knees, some simply just looked down, but all felt the same grief.
Captain Maria Jones
May 25th
What a man. How do we begin to repay the debt we own Captain Todd and young Garry?
The two men who saved this city at the cost of their own lives. It has been a week now since the great battle of Sub-York. Both my crew and the Crew of the Annabel have remained here. The rebuilding is great, both structurally but also politically. We have put in place a stable council. An elder from the first residential district s
its as council chairman, two community workers, three teachers, three officers of the old sub-York police department and two traders with links to the I.D.B complete the council. The decision by Captain Hartley, George Thomas and Myself was not well received, when we denied the winged man preacher a seat in the council, but we believed that by separating religion from politics, Sub-York has an opportunity to make history and prosper immensely.
Before we began to set these things in order, the day or morning came. After the fighting had finished and all had calmed down, the people took it upon themselves to begin singing. They praised the bravery of the dead and everyone took turns singing out the names of those they knew had died. It was deeply moving. Luckily none of my crew were lost, something I am so thankful for. The voice of Captain Hartley was heard loud, as he sang the names Todd and Garry. The Entire of his crew were standing tall in honour of their captain. As people finished the song, they sat again, in silence, heads bowed and a time of reflection was taken. Food was served by those near the boxes. Simple break and rice and things that could be salvaged and cooked quickly were passed around. Eating in silence is an odd thing, but respectful all the same. That evening everyone slept as a large group, families huddled together and those alone would join others in containing heat and safety.
The morning brought the first action. People were still grieving, obviously, but the desire to rebuild and not be defeated was overpowering the sadness. The allocation of housing was first in order. Many could return to their homes, but all of the survivors of the districts that were flooded were homeless. Orphans and children were welcomed into families with spare rooms and other families gave up their homes for larger ones in place for smaller flats in business and industrial districts. Over the week business has resumed, currency and payment was decided to be void until the city was once again stable. Trade was to be the commerce, compassion the currency.