2042: The Great Cataclysm (32 page)

Within minutes Nick followed him through the open rooftop door. The cold night air clutched at his dry throat chilling him instantly. His eyes flashed immediately to the dark shadow crouched within ten metres, her black hulk taking up a large part of the roof space.

‘You beauty.’ Graham yelled, scurrying over to the Veto. He patted the side of the cabin lovingly. ‘I’ve never been so glad to see you baby. Let’s get you loose.’

He stooped under the big jet thrusters and instructed Nick how to remove the steel anchor cables on the Veto pad as the others arrived. ‘Thank God I took the time to tie her down thoroughly.’  He yelled to Nick over the wind. ‘All that shaking would’ve surely moved her, maybe even over the edge. She seems to be unharmed.’

Nick looked back to see Veronica struggling with the locker door. ‘We haven’t got time for that.’ He shouted above the wind. ‘We’ll have to leave it. We can always come back later.’

Disregarding Nick, she wrenched open the door and moments later emerged with a small case. ‘I had to get this.’ She shouted, as she rushed back and climbed on board Liberty.  ‘Our medicines and all my jewellery and some old money.  We’re going to need it to buy food later.’

‘Good thinking.’ Karen said, buckling up her seatbelt. ‘That’s if there’s any food to buy.’

Graham pressed the starter button and the Allison jets spat into life. Liberty rocked as the jets built up speed waiting for Graham to release her from her perch.

‘Let’s go take a closer look at this mongrel.’ Graham growled, confident now that they were out of danger. He pushed the guidance lever forward and slowly lifted Liberty into the turbulent air.  She shuddered against the wind threatening to throw her off the roof, but it was no match for the powerful jets and she zoomed to port as she lifted gracefully into the night sky.

The thing that took their attention the most was the utter pervading darkness all around them.  The feeling of loss returned to Nick, and an emptiness he couldn’t explain. Brian? It had to be Brian.

Graham banked carefully over the roof, and switched on the Liberty’s Night scanner searchlight mounted on the belly of the Veto, and the Spectrolab night sunlight on the nose. The two lights blazed in big arcs, yellow ribbons thrusting ninety metres out into the night sky as he turned westward. Graham played the spotlights over the scene below, searching eagerly for positive signs.  They all stared, shocked into silence by the devastation revealed by the golden beams of light, and a cold shiver crawled down Nick’s back. Entire skyscrapers had simply disappeared!  There was nothing but foaming, frothing water, they could see no other man-made structure other than the Phoenix complex throwing deeper shadows over the blackness. As they turned the lights picked up another building looming eerily no more than thirty metres away. ‘Look!  What building is that?’ Veronica cried.

‘I think it’s the Marriott Hotel, but I can’t be sure.’ Bill yelled.  The lack of other structures and lights made it difficult to find their bearings. The spotlights hopped around in a frantic search for a target to land on, finding only water as the sea thrashed below.

They were heading out to sea now, the phosphorescent chain of lights beckoning them like an impish child, tantalising, mesmerising. They came upon the wave within minutes, as it rushed headlong toward the land. The fairy lights bobbed directly beneath them and like those adorning a Christmas tree, they twinkled merrily, colours dancing. Communication was difficult as the noise from the jet thrusters combined with the deafening roar of the wave below rendered the earphones ineffective, so they watched silently, spent of all conversation.

Nick shifted uncomfortably in the front passenger seat. He had never ridden so close to death before and the feeling of dread was overwhelming. Graham held the Veto level with the crest of the wave and the sensation of ‘riding’ it was almost euphoric. Liberty was being buffeted by the gale force winds, and she plunged and rose, churning their stomachs as Graham expertly guided her safely above the downwash.

They rode above the wave, fascinated by the speed and force of the churning popping lights. Suddenly the lights burst out in all directions, shooting off into the sky like a fireworks display on New Year’s Eve. ‘It’s cresting, about to break!’ Nick shouted to Graham.

Graham pulled back and banked sharply, rising up and away from the wave. He circled around and hovered briefly, getting his bearings. ‘Looks like she’s gone to ground! That was some ride! Are you all okay?’

Veronica sat stiffly next to Karen wide-eyed and pale, her knuckles white as she gripped the edge of the seat. ‘I’m fine, but Bill’s not doing too well, he’s still losing blood.’

Bill slumped against the window, his strength fading. Karen reached over to check his bandages. ‘I know you want to give us a good run for our money Graham, but I think we should get Bill some medical attention. He’s lost quite a bit of blood and he’s getting weaker.’

Graham could see other Veto lights approaching them, two maybe three. ‘Here come the cavalry!  Probably wondering where we suddenly appeared from. I haven’t had time to communicate with base.’ Graham remarked picking at his headset. ‘25094 reporting in, this’s Liberty. Over.’

‘Is that you Bronson?  Where the devil have you been?’ A voice crackled back. ‘We’d given you up for dead, over!’

‘No such luck, I’ve got some passengers on board, one badly wounded. Where’s the nearest medical camp? Over.’

‘Follow us, we’ll take you right in. Out.’

***

Graham was frantically playing the searchlights, and was amazed when they fell upon the dark shapes of the Phoenix. ‘She’s still standing!’ Bill whooped. ‘All four towers!  They all cheered. It was almost as if the Phoenix was a living thing who had faced a challenge and won. The mood on board changed from fear to relief as the group realised their ordeal was almost over and they would soon place their feet squarely on Mother Earth again.

Nick alone remained tense, apprehensive of the coming challenges they would have to face, aware that the morning light would bring heartache and despair. He wondered how his friend Josh and Laura had fared in America. He prayed the Platypus and her crew would be safe, Sam and Wolf were the most capable men he knew. He longed to be back on board, knowing how much he needed her in one piece, she would be their home now. Lost in thought Nick was already planning their future.
 
I think your role is about to change when you arrive here my beauty. You and I will have different work to carry out, I hope you won’t mind being a coastal boat for a while.

Chapter Forty

Camp B

They approached the dark hills rapidly, where the twinkling lights of a camp beckoned Liberty down. Graham was accustomed to flying over vast oceans at night for hours on end in his 797, gazing into black night that offered no guiding light. It was an odd feeling flying in the dark knowing you were over land where lights should be blinking.

She landed gently and Graham had no sooner silenced the roaring jets, than helping hands reached in to guide them out, taking Bill first, placing him carefully on a stretcher. Karen gasped as she recognised Alex gently covering Bill with a blanket.

‘I came when I heard it was Graham’s Veto.  I knew you’d be with him.  I’ve been sick with worry for hours, where have you been?’ He asked accusingly.

‘We were trapped in Uncle Bill’s apartment. It’s a long story.’ She answered noticing his startled look. ‘We haven’t got time now. I’m glad to see your okay, but you look exhausted.’

Alex’s clothes were crumpled and dirty, his face drawn and weary. ‘There’s not many doctors here and untold casualties, mostly from the stampeding exodus. We’ve set up a hospital in the Scout Hall here. It’s not very good but at least it’s out of the weather.’ He trembled as he spoke. ‘It’s a Godsend you’re here, but it looks like you need some rest. I commandeered a couple of tents for you. I’ll take you there after we give Bill some attention.’

‘I could use some coffee.’ Karen added. ‘It’s been a horrendous night.’

‘Never mind the coffee.’ Bill grinned climbing off his stretcher. ‘Where’s the scotch?’

‘Good to see you’re in your normal high spirits.’ Veronica added smiling at her own joke.

An old fashioned roofless jeep rolled up behind them, and Alex with his aid helped Bill and the others on board. Graham had landed in the makeshift airfield which was no more than a paddock, far from any roads. The jeep bumped and rattled over the rough terrain, shaking their weary bodies fiercely.  It was an uncomfortable ride and they were relieved when they finally approached the Scout Hall.

Army jeeps and people were scattered everywhere. The only light on the scene came from inside the Scout Hall, and from a few lamps positioned around its perimeter. Children cried as mothers tried in vain to calm them. Khaki army tents three or more deep formed a circle around the hall. It was hard to see in the dark, but the area looked like a war zone, armed military men stood with laser-guns at the ready.

Karen blinked painfully as she entered the hall. The sudden sharp light flung itself against her tired eye balls, tearing at the nerves and sending a stab to her head that started a headache. When she opened her eyes again she was startled by the scene in front of her. Stretchers covered the floor leaving just enough room for one to step between them. Women sitting, some nursing children lined the walls. A few nurses worked frantically bandaging wounds, offering medicines and generally trying to pacify hysterical injured people.

‘There’s another hospital about a mile from here.’ Alex advised. ‘It’s the local community hall and much bigger than this. That’s where we took all the critical patients from the Northern. I’ve got three doctors down there but I’m manning this one myself. There’s a few doctors out in the field as well.’

Nick returned from where they had set up a coffee canteen and handed Karen a steaming cup. ‘I think we all need some rest before we can be of use here. Karen’s far too exhausted.’

Karen smiled at him, grateful for his concern and feeling a slight satisfaction in his proprietary interest in her, but she disagreed. ‘No, I’m okay Nick. They need all the hands they can get. Lead the way Alex.’

‘You’re exhausted Karen, you’ve been on your feet since early this morning.’ Nick protested as they walked away.

Graham had been talking to some army people outside while Nick and the others were in the Scout Hall. He joined Nick, Bill and Veronica as they made their way to their tents, falling silently into step beside Nick, hands in his pockets, hunched up against the wind lashing their backs.

The warm wind began to tear at their clothing, rapidly increasing to a howling hot blast of air which forced them to the ground, where they lay trembling beneath its ferocity. In the darkness people scrambled for cover, falling over each other as they made their way to the groaning flapping tents. Nick and Graham helped Bill and Veronica to their feet and they trudged toward their tents, struggling to remain upright against the gale force wind. Many hastily erected tents tore past them, giving up their fight to remain grounded. Dust ripped at their skin and the cries from terrified people melded with the pounding wind to create a hideous banshee wail.

Graham bent low against the wind. ‘What the hell’s going on Nick? Why’s the wind so warm?’

‘It’s what I feared all along but I wasn’t sure how it’d turn out, um, I think the redistribution of water has caused the earth to tilt. If the ice at the North Pole’s been broken up by the earthquakes there’ll be less weight there. I’m not a geologist so I can’t explain it, but it’s probably what’s affecting the climate, turned it upside down so to speak.’

‘Shit!  What does that mean?’

‘It means we are going to see massive climate changes. A little like global warming, but much faster. Who knows what that outcome will be.’

‘That’s all we need.’

They found two tents standing strongly side-by-side and after securing them further, settled Veronica and Bill into one and were making themselves comfortable in the other when Graham finally spoke.  ‘Nick I’m sorry mate, but I have something to tell you.’

Chapter Forty-one

The Aftermath

Japan was one of the few countries that refused to ban international flights and Japan Airlines Flight 712 was two hours out of Tokyo airport en route to Los Angeles when Captain James Connors received the message that was to change the lives of the two hundred and seventy-five American passengers returning home, and sixty Asian tourists aboard the Boeing 797.

The Captain had completed his switchover to automatic pilot and was just about to leave the flight deck when a clearly audible crackle came over his earpiece. ‘Flight 712, This is Tokyo Control. Do you read? Over.’

‘Hello Tokyo Control. This is Flight 712. I read. Over.’

‘Flight 712 the predicted earthquakes in the Arctic region, Hawaii and the Pacific region have started. The tsunami warnings have gone out. There may be some disruption to ATC at your destination. Many airports have already been closed down. Do you understand? Over.’

James turned his wrist to check his watch. 4.15pm. ‘Yes, Tokyo Control.  I read you. Are you telling me that Los Angeles is in some danger? Over.’

‘We don’t know Captain. All flights out of there have been grounded. There’s some serious communication problems. The air waves are jammed. Maintain your present altitude and heading. Los Angeles ATC will advise more on your approach. Good Luck. Out.’

‘Good luck?’  Connors repeated. ‘Seems to me that we’re unlucky to be in the air while this’s going down.’ He looked across to his young co-pilot, Pete Simmons. ‘Did you copy that Pete?’

‘Yeah. What d’you make of it?’

‘Problems at Los Angeles airport? You don’t suppose there’s been an earthquake there too?’

‘Nah!  Probably just bad weather.’

‘Yeah. Well, we’ll know more when we get within range of LA ATC.’

Captain Connors was fifty-five years old and had been flying since he was fourteen. This was to be his last year in the air, as he faced retirement on September 30, a day he was not particularly looking forward to, although his wife Jean was ecstatic. She had put up with the lonely life of an airline pilot’s wife without complaint. Now they would have time together to do all the things he had promised when they married thirty years ago. He was very healthy, although a little overweight. The last weigh-in at his regular check-up put him at 222 pounds, far too heavy for his 5’10" frame. Years of sitting in an aircraft seat had given him flabby muscles. He vowed to change all that once he retired. Even so, he still managed to turn the odd flight attendant’s eye. He had plenty of offers, but other women did not interest him. Jean was everything any man could ever want. Perhaps retirement wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Pete Simmons on the other hand was twenty-six years old. Single, handsome in a rugged way and an all American boy. The female flight attendants loved his cavalier attitude and he certainly possessed a great deal of charm. Pete came from a wealthy family in Boston. His parents had groomed him for an academic career, but Pete had other ideas and chose flying because it offered excitement and a different way of life.

The direct six hour flight across the Pacific from Tokyo to Los Angeles had been routine. The passengers were a mix of business men returning home to their wives, people cutting short their holidays to go home, and some Japanese people who had heard the predictions but refused to cancel their long awaited holidays to America.

Senior flight attendant Simon Barker had just brought them the final coffee before approaching Los Angeles. They were approximately an hour out and flying at 30,000ft when the Captain began calling Los Angeles ATC. ‘Los Angeles Control. This is Flight 712. Come In. Over.’

He flicked the receive button and waited. No reply. ‘Los Angeles Control. This is Flight 712. Do you read me? Over.’  He repeated. Still no response. Puzzled, he checked the INS that kept track of their position when flying over water. Everything appeared normal. After confirming their position he unsuccessfully called ATC again. James flashed Pete a worried look. ‘I don’t understand. We’re well within range, they should have us on their radar now.’

Despite repeated attempts Captain Connors failed to raise ATC. He was beginning to think his radio was malfunctioning and quickly changed frequency to try to raise another aircraft in the area. They should have descended to 11,000 feet at this point and Connors was becoming very nervous.  The dead silence from the radio scared him more than he could imagine. An aircraft depended on that radio, it was its lifeblood until it landed safely on the ground. Any other instrument can fail, but please God - not the radio!

He muttered to himself. He knew it would be suicide to reduce altitude without guidance from ATC, particularly in the busy air-pace surrounding Los Angeles, but he was fast approaching the city.  At this rate they would have to circle back out to sea to come down. He checked the fuel gauges to ensure they had sufficient fuel.

‘We should be getting the ATS report any minute.’ Pete announced. They strained at the cockpit window trying to get a visual. There was very little cloud cover, which for Los Angeles was unusual. ‘I don’t understand, there’s no transmission. You’re sure on our position James?’

‘Positive. I’ve even checked the VOR.’  James had very little time to decide on a course of action. They approached what should have been Los Angeles Airport, but all they could see was complete darkness. Although it was 11pm Los Angeles should have been ablaze with light.

‘Must be a power outage. The whole city’s out. We’re going to divert.’ He checked the fuel gauges again. ‘We’ll head for Vegas Pete. I just hope we can raise ATC there. It’s only 30 minutes run.’

Pete flicked switches, ‘Yeah but without ATC it’ll be very dangerous. If we can’t contact them no-one else can, there’ll be planes flying blind everywhere.’

‘We should be okay, thank God we’ve got the new system that lets us take instant automatic evasive action to avoid a mid-air crash.’

‘Yeah, but we’ve only used it in the simulator room.’

‘It’s all we have, no other choice. Turn on the stewards alert screen.’ Connors said. The alerts screen was an innovation installed to alert the pilots of any terrorist threat on board the plane. Each steward could activate their alert that would give the pilots their position in the plane and the number of terrorists by pressing their name badge the required number of times. Connors pressed the head stewards call button.

Seconds later Simon entered the cockpit. ‘We can’t get ATC Simon, we’re going to divert to Las Vegas. I need the stewards to take a seat where they can monitor the sky for approaching aircraft and alert us of their position. We’re going to have to use our own air traffic control system, it won’t give us a safe flight path, but it’ll stop us crashing into another plane until we get into Las Vegas space. I want to see what’s around us ASAP.’

Simon blinked and looked from Connors to Pete, his face a lighter shade of pale as the Captain began to speak to the passengers. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Connors. There’s a large power outage in LA so we’re diverting to Las Vegas, please remain seated with your seat belts fastened. The stewards will be seated among you to monitor the cabin’s systems. We will be over Las Vegas in thirty minutes. Thank you.’

‘Vegas won’t be thrilled to take an unscheduled flight.’ Pete muttered.

James changed frequency and flicked the transmit button. ‘Las Vegas Control. This is Japan Airlines Flight 712. Do you read? Over.’ He held his breath waiting for the familiar reply.

‘Las Vegas Control. This is Flight 712. Please come in. Over.’

‘Flight 712. This is Las Vegas Control. Sorry about the delay Captain. It’s chaos here. Do you know what’s happened? Over.’

James puffed out his breath with relief. ‘Boy, am I glad to hear your voice. We only know we’re stranded up here, Las Vegas. We were scheduled to land at L A twenty minutes ago, but we’ve been unable to raise ATC. What’s going on? Over.’

‘All schedules flights into Los Angeles have been re-routed here. We believe LA has been hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami. We can’t raise the airport. We have you on radar 712. Over.’

‘Thank God. Can you bring us in? Over’

‘Yes 712, but it’s going to be a while. We’re under tremendous pressure. Planes are coming in from everywhere. Do you have sufficient fuel to circle for a while? Over.’

‘Fuel situation is not critical. Over.’

‘Okay. Go to flight level 100, 712 and hold. We’ll advise radial. Over.’

‘Flight 712, confirming level 100 and holding. Thanks Las Vegas. Roger and Out’

James wiped his brow and after taking the plane down to level 100, Pete climbed out of his seat. ‘I need to stretch my legs. I’ll brief the crew.’

***

Forty minutes later they received permission to leave the holding pattern and land. As they approached Las Vegas, James was startled by the number of lights visible below. He had flown in here many times at night and it was always a sea of lights, but this was something different. Long lines of lights radiated out far into the desert, like roads going nowhere. From ten thousand feet it looked like a huge rimless wheel with dozens of crooked spokes.

The autopilot intercepted the Glide-slope and Connors announced the landing check. Pete checked the undercarriage and flap indicators as James reduced power.

The altimeters read 500ft, then 400ft. The radio crackled. ‘Flight 712. You are cleared to land. After landing vacate the runway to the left and contact ground control on 9421. Out.’

At 300ft the runway approach lights appeared. James disengaged the autopilot which until now had been doing all the flying. A hundred checks went through his mind as the touchdown point rushed at him at 200ft per second. He focused on the centre line, gently pressed on the elevator controls and the main wheels began rolling on the runway. With a relieved sigh he reached for the nose-wheel steering wheel to taxi to his destination, checking with ground control as ordered.

‘I’d better explain to the passengers.’ He groaned to Pete after the aircraft had come to a stop. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen this is Captain Connors. We’ve landed at Las Vegas. Please don’t worry, arrangements will be made to take you to your scheduled destinations soon. In the meantime I must ask you to remain on board until further instructions. Thank you for your cooperation.’

He buzzed Simon and instructed him and the crew to remain with the passengers. ‘Pete and I’ll go and see what’s happening.’

When James emerged from the exit door he was concerned by the number of planes surrounding him.  He shivered, his shirtsleeves offering little protection from a cold wintery blast instead of the warm air he was expecting. The tarmac was illuminated by more lights than usual, and they were forced to dodge their way around baggage cars and trucks to cross to the terminal. The arrival and departure lounges were packed to capacity with more confused travellers waiting outside. Instead of finding the expected basic night shift on duty in the control rooms, they were bewildered at the sight of a more than full compliment of staff and a frenetic buzz of activity.

‘Must be worse than we thought.’ Pete said. ‘Every plane destined for LA must be here. Jesus, it’s summer, why’s it so cold?’

Bill Duffey, the airport Controller was surrounded by news men and was trying his best to maintain his temper.  James waited until the press had been disbanded by security staff and approached his old friend with trepidation. ‘Bill I’ve got a plane load of very agitated people out there. What can I tell them?’

‘Hi James. Sorry we’re in a real mess here. You heard what happened to LA?’ Without waiting for a reply Bill continued. ‘You’ll have to leave your passengers where they are for now. There’s no hope of flying back to LA. I’m afraid there’s not a room available in town. The military’s been flying people in here for three days. People are sleeping in tents.’