‘I just realised something Graham. We should get Brian back to his house before squatters take it over. He’ll have to guard it.’
‘I’ve already thought of that, four of my men are down there and they’re armed. Nobody’s getting in there without a fight.’ He looked at Nick’s surprised expression and added. ‘Dave’s suggestion. He knew we would end up there.’
Nick shuddered at the thought of people huddled outside in the forest, waiting like animals for a chance to scurry in and take what they could get. Would it really end up like that? Men turning into primitive scavengers, fighting for a scrap of food?
Graham turned the Veto back toward the Coast and the calm ocean rushed to meet them. The sun reflected on the peaceful water, it’s surface shimmering and glittering like thousands of tiny mirrors. They approached the large flat roofs of the Northern Hospital, where army Veto were loading patients. Graham could see nowhere to land, other than a flat roof of a nearby building, and he was not sure if it was strong enough to land on, so gently hovered just above, forcing Nick to jump the two metres to the ground.
‘You go and find Karen.’ He shouted above the engine roar. ‘I’ll come back here for you.’
Nick ducked low under the jet thrusters, and set off to search for a way down from the roof. Luckily the exit door was not locked, and he was soon running down the street to the hospital. He ran through the main entrance where people inside were rushing in all directions. His breath rasped, burning his lungs, and he slowed his pace, making his way to the nurse’s station. He looked around at the strained faces of the nurses, all too busily occupied to notice him. Stretchers lined the hallways, manned by frightened wardsmen and nurses waiting to load them on to the waiting Vetos and jeeps outside.
Nick hurried through the corridors peering into every room. He found Karen deeply engrossed in conversation with a foreign-looking man whom she introduced as Doctor Alex Videon, Chief Administrator of the hospital. Whereas the staff wore plain body suits, he wore a sleek maroon jack-suit that gave him an air of superiority. She looked older, tired, her neat body suit he had admired earlier was stained with blood, and for once her hair was in disarray.
‘Karen you look exhausted. How long have you been here?’ He asked. The sight of her made his knees go weak, she looked so vulnerable he wanted to take her in his arms.
‘All day I’m afraid Nick, and it looks like I’ll be here a while yet. We moved all the supplies and most of the equipment yesterday. The critical patients left early this morning but we still have quite a few to go.’
‘Yeah, I saw them in the hallways. We’ve only got six to eight hours before it hits us. I think it’d be better if we leave now. Graham’s waiting for us.’
Karen’s face paled. ‘No! I’m staying.’
‘He’s right Karen.’ Alex urged. ‘There’s plenty of willing hands. You’ve done enough here, you’ll be needed elsewhere.’
‘Has anyone heard from Brian?’ She asked wearily, turning to Nick.
‘The phone lines are jammed, so I doubt he could get through to anyone. I reckon he’ll be heading for the house eventually. Knowing him, he’ll probably want to cover every bit of the drama himself. Although I don’t know what he’ll do with it, there’ll be no papers printed for a while. I don’t think he’ll want us to spend time looking for him.’
Karen reluctantly agreed to leave the hospital, but only if Nick would take her to Bill’s penthouse. ‘I’m not leaving him there, we’ll drag him out if we have to. I’ll be back in a minute, I’m just going to the loo.’
‘What about you Dr Videon?’ Nick asked. Are you coming with us?’
Dark smudges like daubs of grey paint beneath Alex’s eyes told the story of his lack of sleep, and thick black stubble poked through the surface of his face. ‘No, I’ve got to finish up here and make sure everyone’s out. Karen’s invited me to stay at her house, so I’ll make my way there when I can. I should be out of here in a couple of hours.’
‘We’ll make sure that you are, it’d be dangerous to stay too long. Make sure you’re on the last Veto.’
‘I’m ready.’ Karen said returning. ‘Alex, please don’t wait too long.’ She pleaded. ‘We’ll need you up there.’ Nick watched as she kissed him lightly on the cheek. Seeing her this way sparked thoughts of Laura. Although their relationship had ended, he wished he knew if she was safe. A man could face all obstacles with courage and strength, but he acknowledged the deep need for the comfort that a woman offered in times of trouble, the emotional strength and calm that was part of her makeup. He knew she would be thinking of him, and he passed his thoughts across the universe on the wings of a prayer that she would be safe.
Nick called Graham who had managed to land the Liberty safely on the roof and was waiting when they arrived. Nick helped Karen climb on board, and the smell of her Chanel perfume so close made his stomach clench. When she settled in her seat she glanced quickly back at the hospital and Nick saw a tear escape her eye, and he knew she felt sad as she said goodbye, knowing this may be the last time she would see that beautiful hospital.
It was nearing eleven am. Three hours since the first warning signals had been received.
Chapter Thirty-three
The Bahamas
The Nuclear powered 280,000 ton super liner Summer of the Seas was docked in the Bahamas at the Nassau Cruise terminal awaiting the boarding of her 7500 passengers. Built in 2040, twenty decks high, and four hundred metres long, she could travel at 30 knots and was the among the largest ships afloat at this time.
After the initial warnings had been announced on June 5, Cruise ship companies had widely advertised that passengers at sea would be safe, and offered heavily discounted fares. Intrepid travellers from inland cities were promised the once-in-a-lifetime experience of watching the event of several tsunami up close.
When the devastating earthquakes and tsunami warnings were broadcast, Captain Saunders on Summer of the Seas was reeling from the shock of the magnitude of the quakes, when the communications officer called from the radio room.
‘The International Maritime Authority have just ordered all cruise ships to go to sea within the hour Captain. Those already at sea must stay at sea until given permission to return to shore.’
‘Good lord.’ He wheezed. ‘The passengers are not due to start boarding for another hour. We can’t just leave without them.’ He turned to his first mate.’Sound the boarding alarm. Now!’
On shore the passenger terminals were in chaos. Sirens rang out and a jumble of excited voices called for passengers to board immediately. Well wishers rushed the exit doors, and passengers charged toward the boarding gates. The terminal staff were overwhelmed, and all boarding procedures were abandoned.
On board Summer of the Seas the gangways were bulging with people pushing their way onto the ship. The 3000 strong crew, unable to handle the sudden onrush of passengers, abandoned their posts for safer areas on the ship, leaving passengers to find their own cabins.
In the engine room the steam turbine engines were on standby, supplying power for the generators to run the ship’s various systems. The crew went into action preparing the ship for immediate departure.
Sirens from other ships docked beside Summer of the Seas were howling, calling their passengers to board. The noise was deafening and frightening, and each Captain nervously paced their wheel-houses praying they could get all passengers on board in time.