Emperor of a Dead World (40 page)

Before they walked out Brad turned back to the professor. “What happened to the men that sent everyone to this island?”

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. “They never came here.”

Brad returned a puzzled look then followed the doctor to the examination room and told him everything he had learned from Dr. Moreau. After the examination, he joined the others and found they had already set up the radio and installed an antenna on the peak of the island. Without hesitation, he called the racetrack and explained the situation to Tyrone. He told him he needed at least fifty well-armed men and informed him that Hank had been making swords and shields and he needed everything the man had prepared. After this, he sat in frustration and anxiety while he waited for the men to arrive.

Chapter 33

Within three days, sixteen ships appeared on the horizon carrying over one hundred men along with weapons and supplies. They had selected their fleet based on the parameters Sailor Sam had given them. The ships had to be reliable vessels with a cursing speed of at least twenty knots and a fuel capacity fit for a four hundred mile journey. Before Brad and the others had set out for the island, Sam had considered many boats in the local marina and Brad had relayed this list containing the exact location of the boats to Tyrone.

As soon as Tyrone received Brad’s request, he called the men together and they immediately began preparing weapons and supplies. While they were doing this, the drone pilot mapped out the route they must take to acquire the ships. The following day, they set out before dawn to gather these ships and by late afternoon, they headed off on their journey. The next day shortly after noon, they arrived at the island.

When Brad heard someone call out that ships approached, he ran to the shore. He could not believe his eyes. On the bow of the leading ship, Tyrone stood with a broad chest and noble stature. Behind him, many other brave men smiled and waved. Once they anchored, they got in their dinghies and rowed ashore.

“I can’t believe you are here already,” Brad said as he walked up.

“This is all you have had on your mind for years,” Tyrone replied. “When you said you had found your parents I knew it was time for the conquest I had promised you before we started the great wall.”

“I cannot thank you enough,” Brad said as he glanced toward the shore. “Who have you brought with you?”

“Over one hundred of the bravest men ever born,” Tyrone replied.

Brad looked around and asked, “Where is Rudy?”

“I made him stay behind. This is a very dangerous mission and I could not put all three of us in jeopardy at the same time.”

“That was probably wise,” Brad said as he looked at the men. “Am I justified in asking them all to risk their lives?”

“They volunteered to come before I even had a chance to ask.”

This news almost brought a tear to Brad’s eye. To change the subject he asked, “How did you acquire these ships so quickly?”

“The hardest part was getting to the docks. In order to do that, I brought an extra hundred men to help us get the boats and see us off. After that it was easy money.”

“I do not know how I will feed all these men but I will certainly try,” Professor Johnson said as he joined them. “Now that we can no longer get to the mainland we cannot replenish our provisions.”

“We brought our own food,” Tyrone replied, looking the professor over. “We did not come to be a burden on our gracious hosts. Besides, once our mission is over you will be able to go ashore and collect all the supplies you need.”

The Professor gazed at Tyrone and sighed. He knew he could never convince this man not to make this hopeless journey.

“This is Professor Johnson,” Brad said to Tyrone. He now faced the Professor. “This is Tyrone. He is responsible for the safety and well-being of all of our people.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Tyrone replied. “You are the one that started it all.” He turned to Professor Johnson. “Brad has built two safe havens and saved hundreds of people all with the intent of one day rescuing his parents. Tomorrow he will finally achieve that goal.”

“You and all these men are putting forth a gallant effort but your goal may be more than anyone could ever hope to achieve,” the professor replied.

“We did not survive all these years and come this far just to fail,” Tyrone shot back. “We will achieve our goal and God save anyone or anything that stands in our way.”

“I have never met a more determined man in my life.”

“Yes you have,” Tyrone smirked as he gestured toward Brad.

“Where should these men spend the night?” Brad asked in order to change the subject.

The professor looked at all the men and frowned.

“We will eat and sleep on the ships,” Tyrone quickly stated. “We just came ashore to feel the solid land. Where have you been staying?”

“I and some of the men have been staying in my parent’s room,” Brad replied. “The sailor and a few others choose to remain on the sea.”

“If there is room I should stay the night with you so we can go over your strategy,” Tyrone suggested. He really did not want to sleep on the boat again.

“Sounds good,” agreed Brad. “After we eat we will discuss our plan.”

“I do not mean to be a bother,” Professor Johnson broke in. “But I must ask if you both truly understand the danger.”

“Do I understand the danger?” Brad shot back more hotly than he meant to. “I understand that every minute my parents are over there their lives are in extreme danger.”

“Please forgive me. I suppose I would do the same thing under the same circumstances. Still, I feel compelled to try to keep you from rushing to your death. If I did not warn you of the dangers, I would be guilty of murder or at the very least manslaughter. You must understand that the place you wish to go is simply… Well to put it clearly… You cannot possibly hope to survive. I must also say that it truly grieves me to point out that your parents may no longer…”

“Professor,” Brad interrupted. “You are a good man but let me be clear. My parents are alive and I will get them safely back to this island.”

“We will get them safely back to this island,” Tyrone corrected him.

The Professor shook his head and sighed. “You are free to stay as long as you like. Good luck and I pray that God will watch over you.” He glanced nervously at the large army Brad had so quickly gathered then turned and hurried away.

“He meant well,” Tyrone shrugged. “But if God has anything to do with this I question his methods.”

“This is the work of Man,” Brad returned as he watched the departing professor. “He does not understand that I do not have a choice. As long as there is a chance that I can save my parents, I must. If I die then so be it. I would rather die trying to save them than live with myself if I did nothing.” He looked Tyrone in the eyes. “You and the others are not obligated to join me.”

“It maddens me that you would suggest such a thing,” Tyrone flared. “Do you really think I could just stand here and watch you go?”

“Tyrone…”

“What! Are you going to say that once before I did not go? Are you going to throw that in my face? Do you not remember how I agonized over that decision? Do you not know how…?”

“Tyrone,” Brad shouted.

Tyrone stopped and stared at Brad.

“Thank you,” Brad said with sincerity and gratitude.

“No problem,” Tyrone shrugged, a little embarrassed by his outburst.

“You are the best friend I have ever had,” Brad smiled.

“I feel the same way,” Tyrone admitted. He then added, “We sure have come a long way since you almost shot my head off.”

“It was the only way I could stop you from killing me.”

“I often wonder if you missed on purpose.”

“What do you think?” Brad smiled as he walked away.

“I think you tried to hit me,” Tyrone laughed.

“A lot has happened since those days,” Brad replied as he glanced back. “Now if I aim at something, I hit it. Come on. I’m hungry.”

Tyrone followed and after dinner, they spent the evening going over maps and discussing their plan of attack.

In the morning when they headed off only a few residents came out to wish them luck. Professor Johnson was not among them. He could not look men in the eyes that would soon be dead. After thanking the people for their kind words, Brad and Tyrone returned to their ships and crew.

By the time they got on board, all the ships had gathered to listen to Brad’s orders. He had only begun to speak when someone shouted that more ships approached. He turned and gazed in wonder as a barge surrounded by ten ships came towards them. No one said a word but everyone felt relief and joy. As Brad watched, he could not believe his eyes. Standing on the bow of the barge Mickey waved proudly. Behind him, forty others stood with two dozen horses. Even a few women had volunteered for this hazardous mission.

“I cannot believe it,” Brad laughed. “The cavalry has arrived.”

“Did you think I would desert you,” Mickey smiled.

“How did you gather all these people so quickly?”

“The ones with me on the barge I trained to ride and care for the horses. The sixty or so in these boats,” he said as he pointed, “all came from Sunny Park Estates. When I said you needed help, they came without hesitation. As far as the barge is concerned, I prepared it and my escort a long time ago for just such an occasion.”

Brad shook his head in awe. He was now over two hundred strong with a cavalry for support. When he grabbed hold of the barge, a muscular woman with tattoos and a deep voice helped him up.

“We would do anything for you sir.”

Brad thanked her and as he looked her over, it was clear she knew how to survive and he was thankful she had come.

“This changes things a little,” Tyrone said as he joined Brad.

“Yes it does,” Brad agreed. He turned toward the ships. “Gather around,” he shouted. “I will lead the way with eight ships behind me in a V formation. The barge will follow with eight ships on its starboard side and five off to the port and five astern. We will go under the bridge and stay to the right of the two islands then dock on Pier 3. Are there any questions?”

No one responded.

“I will lead the ships on the starboard side,” Tyrone called out. “If anyone wants out, then overboard now and swim to the island. You will not get another chance.” He then directed all the skippers to their positions.

No one deserted though many gazed toward the island as they departed. Ironically, it would have taken more courage to abandon this mission than it did to stay and fight a life or death struggle with the creatures. Once they were underway and heading to their destination no one regretted his decision to stay.

It took over an hour for the ships to reach the mainland. As they approached, Brad turned to Mickey. “I do not know how effective these horses will be against thousands of creatures.”

Mickey faced his cavalry and bellowed, “Armor up.”

They instantly produced armor and began suiting up the horses.

“Where did you acquire all this?” Brad said in awe.

“A little here a little there,” Mickey shrugged. “We got some from Medieval Times but most Hank and his boys had to make.”

Brad walked over and ran his hand across the smooth thin sheet of multi-colored aluminum that a man had attached to his horse.

“Light-weight and strong,” Mickey commented.

“It might work,” Brad shrugged. “Where did you get all the aluminum?”

Mickey pointed at Tyrone. “Beer cans. We have been collecting them and making this stuff for a long time.”

Tyrone chuckled at this comment. “I wondered why you collected all my empties. I thought Brad was making you recycle.”

“We did recycle,” Mickey smiled.

Brad and Tyrone laughed then returned to their ships.

“Suit up,” Tyrone shouted as he jumped aboard his own vessel. “We are going in hot and this is going to be the battle of your life.”

As the flotilla neared the bay Brad looked back to see that the men were in proper formation and ready to fight. He smiled when he saw that each had a sword and shield with many wearing light armor on their arms, legs and chest. Upon their heads, they wore everything from bicycle helmets to motor cycle helmets to welding masks with clear lenses. Some even sported football helmets in honor of Brad. When they entered the Golden Gate, Brad held his sword high in the air as a signal for all the men to prepare for battle.

Passing through the center of the bay, they encountered no problems until they crossed under the bridge and neared Alcatraz Island. Here the creatures began to take notice of the ships moving through their waters. To prepare for the imminent attack, Brad placed his sword in its sheath and picked up his bat. When he did this all the men on his ship, as well as several others, did a similar exchange. He had explained the advantage of this weapon and many of the men had brought along bats, clubs, crowbars or some other form of cudgel to defend the ships.

When they passed Fisherman’s Wharf and got closer to land, the first creatures came to challenge the ships. As they approached, Brad waved his bat to attract them. He wanted the first kill. In order to achieve this honor he told Sam to head into the crowd. When Tyrone saw this, he told his skipper to speed up so he could challenge Brad for the title of first blood. Now the race was on and there were enough victims for everyone as the horrid things filled the water and came upon the boats like a torrent wave. When the two brave men finally engaged the beasts no one could say for sure who deserved the glorious title of first kill. After this brief contest, all the others got their chance for glory and the bay turned crimson as they slaughtered the beasts that attacked their vessels.