Noah's Ark: Contagion (31 page)

“Not wrong as such. This isn’t easy. We knew a lot of those people…”

“What people, Coote? What’s happened?”

“You will recall that you and the original landing party were surprised that nobody from the base had taken shelter in the underground levels, as the asteroid passed over?”

“Yes, of course. It looked like there had been people there up until the last minute, but that they had just…disappeared.”

“Those people, rest their souls, had taken shelter in the dry dock. It made perfect sense, of course. The underground dock is made from very thick, very strong reinforced-concrete walls. Designed to withstand a direct strike from a torpedo. It was by far the strongest area in the base. I would have done the same thing; ordered all personnel to take shelter in there as soon as it became apparent the threat that the asteroid posed.”

“They didn’t make it, did they? I would have heard by now, if there were survivors. Did they suffocate?”

“Worse, I’m afraid. The dock has certain defensive features. If the systems believe it is under attack, it opens the flood gates. Literally, opens the flood gates. It fills with water so as to match the pressure outside and allow any submarine within to make a fast exit. The asteroid triggered the system.”

Neither man spoke for a moment. Each was overwhelmed by the thought of hundreds of people, maybe even thousands, escaping certain death, only to then be drowned in the very place that had saved them.

“Do you know…how many?” Jake asked finally.

“No. It would be difficult to count. It’s been more than three weeks since the asteroid; the bodies were not well preserved. The members of the committee who were up to it met briefly and agreed that we should continue with the plan. There is nothing we can do for the dead. Ralf’s team are in the process of flushing the dock in readiness for our arrival.”

“What about our electricity? From what I hear, the last time we disconnected the
Ambush
from this ship we nearly blew the place up.”

“Your engineer chap, Martin, assures us he has things under control. He’s on top form by the way, recovered from his little accident.”

“Yes, I saw him yesterday. He called in, to see Lucya, really.”

“He’s been working with a certain Mr Sanderson, who I understand is something of a hero now himself. They have made improvements to the electrical connection between our vessels that will allow the
Spirit of Arcadia
to more easily switch to diesel power. So I’d say it’s all under control, old boy. Nothing to worry about.”

“Sounds like it,” Jake said, unable to keep the slightest hint of bitterness out of his voice.

“Now then, old chap, don’t go thinking we’re managing fine without you! Your antics down in that base saved every one of us. Had you not found power, food, and most importantly those rather marvellous machines, the chances are hundreds would have died before anyone went back to explore further. And besides, this ship needs you. The people need you. You inspired confidence before, and now with stories of your heroic swim across the loch you have reached almost celebrity status.”

Jake turned a shade of pink, but said nothing.

“Well, it is time I left you. You have more visitors waiting outside, one of whom is very eager to see you both. So I shall say goodbye for now.”

Coote shook Jake’s hand, smiled kindly, and opened the door. Ewan came into the room, and behind him was Erica.

“Jake!” she shrieked. “They wouldn’t let me come and see you. They said you needed to sleep a lot.”

“That’s true, but I’m glad you’re here, Erica.” He gave the girl a hug. He really was pleased to see her, to his own surprise.

“What about Lucya? When is she going to wake up?”

“Soon, I hope. Very soon.”

Erica approached Lucya cautiously. Ewan nodded at Jake, then slipped back outside, leaving the three of them alone.

“Why has she got all those wires all over her?” Erica asked.

“They’re there to tell us when she wakes up.”

“Can I touch her?”

“Of course you can.”

The girl tentatively took Lucya’s hand in her own.

“Hi, Lucya,” she whispered. “Um, it’s me, Erica.” She waited for a response, and when none came she looked uncertainly at Jake.

“She might be able to hear you,” he said kindly. “The doctors think so anyway.”

“You have to get better soon, okay?” the girl said, looking back at her. “Everyone else is getting better. Captain Jake found the machines to make people well again. Everyone is talking about it. And he found food, too! I’ve just had lunch. Beans on toast with brown sauce and little sausages. It was yummy! When you wake up, you can have cakes, and chocolate, and tea, and loads of nice things.”

Erica’s face fell. “Daddy would have liked all that food. He liked eating. He said the best thing about coming on the ship was all the food we could eat. I think he would have been happy now.” Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back, brave beyond her years. “Lucya, please wake up soon. You have to wake up so you can look after me. Mummy died, then Daddy died. You said you and Jake would look after me, so you can’t die, okay? You mustn’t, because then there won’t be anyone else!”

Her emotions got the better of her and, no longer able to hold them back, tears cascaded down her face. Jake grabbed her and pulled her close to him.

“It’s okay, Erica,” he whispered in her ear. “Lucya’s going to be okay, I promise.”

Jake closed his eyes, feeling terrible at making a promise he knew he couldn’t possibly guarantee. All he knew was right now, that’s what the little girl needed to hear. He stroked her hair, trying to reassure her. As he did so, he became aware that she was no longer sobbing. She sniffled, rubbed her eyes, and her face lit up, as if she had witnessed a miracle. He followed her gaze, and understood at once what had changed. Lucya was watching them both, eyes wide open, and a faint smile on her lips.

Epilogue

“A
RE
YOU
SURE
I can’t persuade you to stay on board, Mandy?”

“It’s tempting, Jake. But this is another kind of opportunity. Six weeks ago we thought the planet was a goner, and now we get to start a whole new community. That’s an amazing thing.”

“This community will miss you.
You
were amazing, you know?”

“Aw, shucks. I was just doing what I trained to do. Besides, Grau is getting better every day. I saw him walking about this morning. He’ll be off the crutches in no time, you’ll see.”

Jake and Mandy stared out over the loch in silence for a while. It was a beautiful morning; the sun had just broken over the tops of the mountains and was spilling onto the water, painting it a shade of emerald. From behind them came the sound of children playing on the sun deck.

“Do you really think there are more survivors, somewhere out there?” said Mandy.

“I’m certain. Those two headless bodies came from somewhere, didn’t they? And the rafts?”

“Maybe they were from the base. Maybe a few got out before the rest…you know.”

“They probably didn’t decapitate themselves though, did they? Somebody must have done that. And that somebody could be part of a bigger group.”

“That’s what worries me. What if they’re mad, or evil, or both?” Mandy turned to look at Jake, her hair dancing around her face in the gentle breeze. “Isn’t it safer for the ship to stay here, in the loch?”

“We’ll be fine, Mandy. We’ve got the protection of the Royal Navy. I don’t want to tempt fate, but I feel like we’re meant to survive somehow. It’s like we’ve been chosen. We were spared by the asteroid, and now we’ve come through this whole virus. I’m not a religious man, but it almost feels like someone is looking out for us. It’s as if we have a mission, a purpose.”

“Like setting up satellite communities of volunteers in old military bases?”

“Maybe. Why not? If that virus had finished us off, it could have been the end of us, the end of mankind. This way we get an extra chance. Two communities means double our odds of survival.”

“I hope you’re right. And I also hope you find out what happened to those dead men.”

A young voice called out, making them both turn round.

“Mandy! Lucya said you’re going soon. Is it true?”

“Hi, Erica. Yes it’s true. But I wasn’t going to leave without saying goodbye!” She bent down and picked up the girl, a big smile on her face. “Hey, Lucya, how are you feeling?”

“Good, thanks. I had my check-up with Janice this morning. She says I’m fighting fit and ready for duty.”

“So we might get lost after all, if you’re navigating!” Jake teased.

“Aren’t you scared about living underground, Mandy?” Erica asked.

“No, not scared exactly. It’ll be strange, not seeing the sun. But we’re going to start clearing lots of space outside, getting rid of that nasty ash. So we won’t be underground the whole time.”

“I don’t think I’d like it,” the girl said, screwing up her nose and making a face. “What if the lights stop working?”

“We’ve got some very clever engineers who are going to be living with us, so if anything like that happens, they’ll know how to fix them.”

Erica considered this, and seemed satisfied with the answer. “How many children are staying here?”

“Twenty-five,” Mandy said. “And seventy-five grown-ups.”

“Will they have to go to school? Lucya says I’ll have to go to school soon. If there’s no school, it might be better staying here! What do you think?”

“All the children will go to school, Erica. And the mums and dads will go to work. We’re going to be like a proper little town. And you’ll go off exploring, on the
Spirit of Arcadia
. You might find more little towns, or even make some new ones, just like we’re making a new one right here.”

“Jake says we’ll come back and see you again.”

“Well I hope so! And when you do, I want to hear all about your adventures, okay?”

“Okay!”

She put the child back on the deck and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“I have to go now. I’ll see you soon. Now you look after Jake and Lucya, okay?”

“I will, I promise.”

The nurse straightened up. A little way along the deck a sailor was waiting patiently.

“That’s my ride,” Mandy said. “I’d better not keep them waiting. Don’t want to miss the last raft!”

“You take care, Mandy,” Lucya said. “Thank you, for everything.”

The women embraced, then Lucya turned away. She didn’t want Erica to see her crying.

“Jake, take care of yourself.”

“You too, Mandy. And good luck. All being well, we’ll be back here in three months. I’m looking forward to a cocktail on a terrace, overlooking the loch, okay?”

“It’s a deal, Captain Noah. Gosh, I hate long goodbyes. I’m outta here. I’ll see you soon, guys!”

Mandy sighed, turned, and left without looking back.

“Where are we going to go, Jake?” Erica asked, looking up at him wide eyed.

“We’re heading south. Somewhere warmer.”

“Will we find more people?”

“I hope so, Erica. I really do.”

###

The Adventure Continues

Noah’s Ark: Encounters

In the two months since the world ended, the survivors aboard the
Spirit of Arcadia
have endured more than their fair share of challenges. Dwindling supplies, a deadly virus, and of course, the terrible toxic ash that has rendered all land uninhabitable.

Now, finally, there’s reason for hope when a strange signal shows up on the radar. Could it be that others have survived too? Might it shed light on the mysterious discoveries the
Arcadia
has made on her journey south? Or is the signal something altogether more sinister?

Captain Jake Noah and his crew have some tough decisions to make on behalf of the community. Decisions that lead to quite unexpected consequences. Decisions that could shape their entire future.

Encounters
, the third book in the Noah’s Ark series, is available now from all good bookstores.

• • • • • •

The Faslane Files: Volume One

Deep beneath the bank of a Scottish loch, one hundred men, women and children are beginning a new life. An outpost for the remnants of humanity, their mission is simple: to survive in a world rendered uninhabitable by a giant asteroid. Safe from the poisoned world above, they begin their task with vigour. But they are blissfully unaware of the terrifying danger that lurks below.

Discover the fate of Mandy Chalmers and the other ninety-nine volunteers as they start their new life in the Faslane base, in the first volume of this exciting spin-off series.

The Faslane Files: Volume One
is available now from all good bookstores.

• • • • • •

If you enjoyed this book (or even if you didn’t), please consider leaving a review at the store you purchased it from. Feedback from readers not only helps more people discover the story, it’s also fuel for authors, and is the single best way to help get more books out there. Thank you.

Also By The Author

Noah’s Ark Series:
 

Survivors

Encounters

The Faslane Files:

Volume One

Dreamshifters Series:

Parallel One

Parallel Ties

Parallel Lies

_____________

Available from all good bookshops. Find out more about Harry’s books, and receive priority notification of new releases:

www.HarryDayle.com

[email protected]