The Swarm: A Novel

by Frank Schätzing

  ‘Are you kidding? We intend to assist that vessel. Out.’

  Greywolf was signalling frantically from the bow. ‘They’ve got to get away from here!’ he yelled.

  The orcas had changed course. They were no longer bearing down on the Devilfish but swimming out towards the open sea, in the direction of MS Arctic.

  ‘Shit,’ cursed Anawak.

  A humpback soared out of the water directly in front of the motor-boats, a corona of droplets shimmering round it. For a moment it was suspended in the air, then it dropped to one side. Anawak gasped. The motorboats continued unharmed through the cloud of falling droplets.

  ‘MS Arctic! Pull back your boats! Clear the water! We’ll take care of this.’

  Shoemaker cut the engine. The Lady Wexham’s bridge jutted through the surface at an angle and the Devilfish halted in front of it, where a dozen men and women were huddled. The swell crashed against the bridge, spilling over the side. Anawak saw more people on the viewing platform in the stern. As the waves battered the boat, they hung on to the railings, like monkeys in a cage.

  The Devilfish chugged forward between the bridge and the platform. Beneath the Zodiac, the Lady’s main deck shimmered green and white. Shoemaker manoeuvred the boat towards the bridge. A powerful wave seized the Devilfish and raised it into the air. The boat rose like an elevator till they were level with the bridge. For a moment Anawak was in touching distance of the outstretched hands. He looked into the frightened faces, seeing hope mixed with horror in their eyes. Then the Devilfish plummeted.

  ‘This isn’t going to be easy,’ said Shoemaker, through gritted teeth.

  Anawak glanced round nervously. The whales had lost interest in the Lady Wexham. They had regrouped further out and were targeting the two motorboats, which were trying feebly to evade them.

  Anawak knew they had little time. The whales could return at any moment and, in any case, the Lady was sinking fast. Greywolf crouched. A steep wave took the Devilfish and lifted her. The peeling paint of the bridge flashed past. Greywolf launched himself into the air and grabbed hold of a ladder on the side of the boat. The water rose to his armpits, then the wave fell away and he was left in mid-air, holding on by one hand, a living link between the people above him and the Zodiac below. He lifted his other hand towards the bridge.

  ‘Climb on to my shoulders,’ he shouted, ‘one at a time. Cling to me and wait till the boat comes, then jump.’

  The group hesitated. Greywolf yelled his instructions again. A woman grabbed his arm. In no time she was on his back, hugging his shoulders. The Zodiac rose. Anawak grabbed her and pulled her in.

  ‘Next!’

  At last the rescue operation had gained momentum. One after another the passengers dropped into the boat. Anawak wondered how much longer Greywolf could hold on. He was bearing his own weight, plus that of each passenger and dangling from only one hand while waves surged over him. The bridge groaned piteously as the metal warped and cracked. Now the skipper was the only one left. A sudden screech filled the air - the bridge had taken a hit. Greywolf’s body smashed against the side of the ship and the skipper lost his balance and skidded off the deck. A grey whale raised its head above the waves. Greywolf let go of the ladder and dropped into the water. Coughing, the skipper surfaced a few metres ahead of him and reached the Zodiac in a couple of powerful strokes. Hands stretched down and pulled him in. Greywolf made a grab for the side, but was knocked back by a wave.

  Behind him, a few metres away, a blade rose through the water.

  ‘Jack!’ Anawak rushed to the stern. Greywolf surfaced and swam rapidly towards the boat. The dark blade pivoted, and followed. Greywolf reached up and clutched the side. The orca was ready to lunge. Anawak snatched Greywolf and, helped by others, heaved him into the boat. The orca looped round and swam off. Swearing, Greywolf broke free of the solicitous hands and slicked back his long, dark hair.

  Why didn’t the orca attack? wondered Anawak.

  I’m not afraid of the whales. They won’t hurt me.

  But that was all talk…

  Then it dawned on him. The orca couldn’t have attacked. The flooded deck beneath the Zodiac meant the water wasn’t deep enough for it to launch itself. Unless, of course, it had learned from its South American cousins how to hunt in the shallows or on dry land.

  The Zodiac’s period of grace would last until the bigger vessel sank. It was crucial that they used it.

  Anawak heard screaming.

  A grey whale had smashed into one of MS Arctic’s boats. Debris flew into the air. An engine howled as the other boat spun round to make its escape. Anawak stared at the spot where the whale had pulled the boat under, and saw a line of grey humps heading their way.

  Now it’s our turn, he thought.

  Shoemaker seemed incapable of movement. His eyes bulged.

  ‘Tom!’ yelled Anawak. ‘We’ve got to fetch the others from the viewing platform.’

  ‘Shoemaker!’ Greywolf snarled. ‘Can’t you handle it?’

  Trembling, Shoemaker seized the wheel and steered the Zodiac towards the platform. A wave surged beneath them and the bow struck the railings where the passengers were stranded. He was breathing heavily, trying to jockey the boat closer so that people could jump in.

  The grey whales bore down on them, set on a collision course with the Lady Wexham. The wreck shook with the force of the impact. A woman was thrown off and landed screaming in the water.

  ‘Shoemaker, you moron!’ shouted Greywolf.

  Some of the passengers on the Zodiac rushed to pull the woman on board. Anawak looked at the Lady. How long could she withstand a fresh wave of attacks? We’re not going to make it, he thought in despair.

  Then something incredible happened.

  Two mighty bodies rose up on each side of the boat. One was instantly familiar to Anawak: its backbone was covered with a pale criss-cross of scars so they’d nicknamed it Scarback. The elderly grey had already outlived most others of its kind. Both animals lay still in the water, rising and falling on the swell. Then one of the whales discharged its blow, followed by the other. Clouds of tiny droplets wafted over the water.

  The real surprise wasn’t so much the appearance of the two greys, but the effect they had on the others, who promptly vanished underwater. When they resurfaced, they’d travelled a considerable distance from the boat. Orcas continued to circle the wreck, but they, too, had backed off.

  Somehow Anawak knew they had nothing to fear from the new arrivals. In fact, the two greys had scared off their attackers. There was no telling how long the peace would last, but the unexpected turn of events gave them some breathing space. Even Shoemaker had stopped panicking. He guided the Zodiac confidently under the railings. An enormous wave surged towards them and they shot upwards.

  ‘Jump!’ Anawak shouted. ‘Now!’

  The Devilfish rose on the swell and sank back down. The people on the railings leaped after it, crashing one on top of another, amid screams of pain. Some landed in the water, but were soon fished out. Eventually everyone was aboard.

  It was time to make their getaway.

  But not everyone had jumped. Crouched behind the railings a boy was crying, face buried in his hands.

  ‘Jump!’ shouted Anawak. He held out his arms. ‘There’s no need to be afraid.’

  Greywolf joined him. ‘When the next wave comes, I’ll fetch him.’

  Anawak glanced over his shoulder. An enormous wall of water was heading straight for them. ‘That might be sooner than you think,’ he said.

  The two grey whales sank below the surface. The sea around the Lady gurgled and foamed, then the bridge disappeared in a whirlpool of water. Her stern rose into the air and the Lady Wexham slid bow first into the depths.

  ‘Get closer!’ shouted Greywolf.

  Somehow Shoemaker obliged. The Devilfish’s bow struck the Lady’s deck as she sank, with the boy still clutching the railings. Greywolf shoved his way to the stern, but a wave hit the Zodiac and
a veil of frothy water billowed over the rails. As Greywolf leaned out to grab the boy, the Devilfish tipped, he lost his balance and crashed to the deck, but he didn’t let go. His arms supported the boy like two firm tree-trunks. His bear-like hands were locked around his waist. Then the Lady Wexham vanished into the depths.

  Shoemaker thrust the throttle forward. The waves rolling in from the Pacific were long and regular. They wouldn’t pose a risk to the overcrowded Zodiac, providing that her skipper was careful. But Shoemaker had recovered his cool. The Zodiac shot over the crest of a wave, sank down the other side and headed for the coast.

  Anawak glanced back at MS Arctic. The second motorboat was nowhere to be seen. A fluke plunged into the water, waving in what seemed to be a mocking farewell. A humpback…He would never see another whale’s tail without a sense of foreboding.

  A few minutes later they passed the narrow strip of land that separated the open water from the lagoon.

  The boat pulled up at the jetty, crammed with people. In the moments following their return, the sight of the unscathed Devilfish was Davie’s only comfort. They read out the names of the missing. People collapsed in shock. Then the crowd dispersed. The Zodiac’s passengers nearly all had hypothermia. Most were taken away by friends or family to be treated at the nearest clinic. Some had sustained more serious injuries, but no one could say when the helicopter would arrive to take them to Victoria. The radio was still jammed with reports of new horrors.

  Davie had been forced to endure hostile questioning, accusations and defamation. Physical violence was threatened if the passengers didn’t return. Roddy Walker, Stringer’s boyfriend, had put in an appearance, telling everyone in earshot that they’d be hearing from his lawyer. Yet no one was trying to establish who was really to blame. The idea that whales might attack unprovoked was rejected out of hand. They were placid creatures - like people, but nicer. The surviving tourists rounded on Davie and his skippers, as though they were responsible for first-degree murder. According to their accusers, they were irresponsible, took unnecessary risks and went to sea in battered old boats. It was true that the Lady had seen several seasons, but she didn’t deserve to be posthumously maligned. No one was prepared to listen.

  At least her crew and the majority of the passengers were escorted home safely. Most remembered to thank Shoemaker and Anawak, but Greywolf was hailed as the hero of the hour. He was everywhere at once, talking, listening, organising and offering to take people to the clinic. He was trying so hard to be a Samaritan that Anawak felt sick.

  Greywolf had risked his life; there was no doubt about it. And, of course, they were right to thank him - on their knees, if he insisted. But Anawak didn’t feel like it. This sudden burst of altruism seemed deeply suspect. He was sure that Greywolf’s efforts to help the Lady Wexham hadn’t been as selfless as they seemed. It had been a hugely successful day for Jack O’Bannon. He was the one they’d listened to and trusted. He’d always said that whale-watching would end in a disaster - well, if only they’d listened…And now this! Soon people would attest to his clear-sighted prescience. He couldn’t have hoped for a better platform.

  Furiously, Anawak paced up and down the empty office. They had to find out why the whales had behaved like that. Suddenly he remembered the Barrier Queen. Roberts had been going to send him that report. Now he needed it urgently. He went to the phone, dialled the operator and asked to be connected to the shipping line.

  Roberts’s secretary answered. Her boss was in a meeting and couldn’t be disturbed. Anawak mentioned his involvement with the Barrier Queen, and intimated to her that his business was urgent. The meeting was even more so, she assured him. Yes, she’d heard about the catastrophic events of the past few hours. Full of motherly concern for his welfare, she commiserated sympathetically - but refused point-blank to put Roberts on the line. Would he like to leave a message?

  Anawak hesitated. Roberts had said the report was confidential. He didn’t want to get the MD into trouble. Maybe he shouldn’t mention it. Then he had an idea. ‘It’s about the infestation on the Barrier Queen’s bow,’ he said. ‘There were mussels and some other organic material stuck there. We sent some to the institute in Nanaimo. They need fresh stock.’

  ‘Fresh stock?’

  ‘Fresh samples. I suppose you’ve checked every inch of the vessel by now?’

  ‘Of course,’ she said, a strange undercurrent in her voice.

  ‘And where is she now?’

  ‘Still docked.’ She paused. ‘I’ll tell Mr Roberts it’s urgent. Where should we send the samples?’

  ‘To the institute in Nanaimo for the attention of Dr Sue Oliviera. Thanks for your help.’

  ‘Mr Roberts will be in touch directly.’ The line went dead. He’d been fobbed off.

  What was going on?

  His knees started to tremble. He felt exhausted and despondent. He leaned against the counter and closed his eyes. When he opened them, Alicia Delaware was in front of him.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ he asked tersely.

  She shrugged. ‘I’m fine. There’s no need for me to see a doctor.’

  ‘Oh, yes, there is. You were in that water, and the water here is darned cold. Now, run along to the clinic before anyone decides to blame us for your frozen intestines too.’

  ‘Hey!’ She glared at him. ‘None of this is my fault, OK?’

  Anawak straightened up from the counter and walked to the window at the rear of the office. The Devilfish was moored outside as though nothing had happened. It was drizzling lightly.

  ‘What was all that rubbish you told me about leaving the island?’ he said. ‘I broke the rules to take you with me. I only did it because you gave me that sob story.’

  ‘I…’ She faltered. ‘I…Well, I really wanted to go. Are you mad at me?’

  Anawak turned to her. ‘I can’t stand being lied to.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘Well, why don’t you go away and let me get on with my work, then? Run along to Greywolf. He’ll take care of you.’

  ‘For God’s sake, Leon.’ She took a step forward, and he drew back. ‘I wanted to go on your tour, that’s all. I’m sorry I lied to you. The truth is, I’m here for another few weeks, and I don’t come from Chicago. I’m at the University of British Columbia, studying biology. What’s the big deal? I thought you’d find it funny—’

  ‘So that’s your idea of a joke? What’s so funny about someone taking advantage of me?’ He was losing control, but he couldn’t stop shouting, even though he knew she was right. None of it was her fault.

  Delaware flinched. ‘Leon—’

  ‘Why can’t you just leave me alone, Licia?’

  He expected her to go, but she didn’t. She just stood in front of him. Suddenly Anawak felt dazed. The office was spinning, and he thought briefly that his legs were about to buckle. Then his mind cleared and he saw that she was holding something.

  ‘What’s that?’ he growled.

  ‘A camcorder.’ She handed it to him.

  It was a top-of-the-range Sony handycam, encased in underwater housing to protect it from splashes.

  ‘Well?’ he said.

  Delaware made a despairing gesture. ‘I thought you wanted to find out why it happened.’

  ‘And you’d know all about that, I suppose.’

  ‘There’s no need to take your anger out on me, Leon!’ she retorted. ‘A few hours ago I nearly died out there. I could be sitting in a clinic, crying, but I’m not. I’m here and I’m trying to help. So, are you going to listen to me or not?’

  Anawak took a deep breath. ‘OK.’

  ‘Did you get a good look at the whales that rammed the Lady Wexham?

  ‘Sure. They were greys and hump—’

  ‘No.’ Delaware shook her head impatiently. ‘Not the species. The actual whales. Were you able to identify them?’

  ‘It happened too fast.’

  She smiled. It wasn’t a happy smile, but it was a smile all the same.
‘Remember the woman we pulled out of the water? I knew her from the Blue Shark. She’s in shock. She doesn’t know what’s happening. But when I want something, I don’t give up.’

  ‘Don’t I know it.’

  ‘I saw the camera hanging round her neck. It was strapped on tightly, which was why she hadn’t lost it in the water. Anyway, when you went out the second time, I talked to her and she’d filmed the whole thing. She was filming when Greywolf arrived. And as far as I remember, from where we were positioned, the Lady Wexham was behind Greywolfs boat.’

  Suddenly Anawak saw what she was getting at.

  ‘She filmed the attack,’ he said.

  ‘She filmed the individual whales. I don’t know how expert you really are at identifying them but you live around here and you know them. And with a camcorder you can take as long as you like.’

  ‘I suppose you forgot to ask her whether you could keep the camera?’ asked Anawak.

  She stuck out her chin defiantly. ‘What of it?’

  He twisted the camera in his hands. ‘All right. I’ll take a look.’

  ‘We’ll take a look,’ said Delaware. ‘I don’t want to be left out. And don’t even think of asking me why. It’s the least I’m entitled to, all right?’

  Anawak was dumbstruck.

  ‘And besides,’ she said, ‘it’s about time you started being nice to me.’

  He exhaled slowly, pursing his lips. He had to admit that Delaware’s idea was the best lead they had. ‘I’ll give it a go,’ he murmured.

  12 April

  Trondheim, Norway

  The summons came as Johanson was preparing to drive out to the lake. On his return from Kiel he’d contacted Tina Lund to tell her about the experiment in the deep-sea simulation chamber. They hadn’t talked for long: Lund was up to her ears in work, and spent every spare second with Kare Sverdrup. Johanson had had the impression that her mind was elsewhere, but whatever was bothering her didn’t seem to relate to her job, so he didn’t ask questions.

  A few days later Bohrmann called with the latest on the worms. The scientists in Kiel had been running more tests. Johanson had already packed his suitcase and was about to leave the house when he decided to call Lund and tell her the news. She seemed more focused now and jumped in before he could begin. ‘Why don’t you pay us a visit?’ she suggested.