“So, we’ll be powered, then! No more pedaling, eh!”
“Only for as long as the algae ethanol lasts!” Tony said. “No one really knows how far we’ll have to go!” He went on to describe the intricate system of ropes, pulleys and gears Mr. Kowalski and Duncan had designed as an alternative, man-powered mechanism for when they ran out of fuel. A simple switch shifted the propeller gears from the engine to the three rows of pedal benches that could seat up to fifty people at a time.
“So, sooner or later we’ll all have to pedal, I’m afraid.” Tony smiled.
“Knew it was too good to be true,” Flynn grinned back at his friend then glanced around the solid dome above their heads. “This is all great, but… how’re we going the get out of here when she’s all ready to sail?”
“Duncan hasn’t told anyone yet,” Tony replied. “I guess we’ll just have to trust him… trust that he knows what he’s doing.”
TWENTY SIX
“What is it?” Madison whispered in alarm. Flynn had stopped pedaling, and was now straining his eyes at the darkness behind them, his body tense. Flickering in the distance, the Archipelago lights were their only source of light.
“Thought I heard something!” Flynn said, looking back, trying to see in the darkness. “Sounded like a splash…”
“Probably a seal, or a dolphin,” Madison said. “What else could be out here at this hour?”
“I don’t know. It sounded more like…” Flynn stopped talking and waited a moment. It was dead quiet, not a single sound could be heard, except for the water lapping against the sides of the Seeker. “You’re right! It’s nothing.” He slid back on his seat and started pedaling again. “Maybe I’m just tired!”
Flynn wasn’t just tired! He was exhausted! He could barely keep his eyes open. He and Madison had hardly gotten any sleep for over a week now… A few hours here and there, stolen in between jobs. That was all. Flynn had never before performed so many dives in such a small period of time…. He felt drained! But all this work had to be done, no question about it. It was down to him and Madison, together with Pharrell and Clay to gather and supply the Ark with all the essentials for the trip. Duncan had given them a list with what was needed, and they had gone out searching. They had scavenged for vacuum packed medication, bottled water and canned food, tools of any kind, big and small, light bulbs, rechargeable batteries… the list went on and on! They had to dive for all that, and ferry it to the Ark’s cargo hold. Flynn had lost count of how many trips they had made back and forth between the Archipelago and the Power Plant. It didn’t matter. The Ark depended on him! And he wasn’t alone. Everyone involved had been working around the clock to finish the ship. A few more days, Flynn thought, and they’d be ready to sail. He could see the black shadows of the smokestacks now and steered the raft toward the chain-link fence.
“I don’t think I’ve got the strength to go down tonight!” Madison said as they glided toward the fence. She was half lying on the seat next to Flynn.
“Me too… I’m spent!” He yawned. “Let’s dump the cargo and go get some sleep.” Flynn got up, dragged his feet to the back of the raft and crouched down to untie the net holding his “catch of the day”. It consisted of a large load of canned food, a collection of tools and copper wires, which had been scavenged from three different locations. He was fighting with the knot, when he heard something and froze… The splashing sound again! Loud and clear this time, very rhythmical and coming closer… No, that wasn’t a seal, or a dolphin, or any other sea creature. Flynn knew what that sound was. A pedal-propelled raft! And they weren’t expecting any company, because Duncan and the rest of the gang were down below, working on the Ark.
Suddenly, the beam of powerful floodlights was upon them! Blinded, Flynn shielded his eyes and staggered back. Madison was up on her feet and by his side in an instant. Their raft was now a brightly lit stage, with the four smokestacks as its sinister backdrop. Instinctively, Flynn’s hand reached for his diving knife.
“Stay where you are, Perry boy!” Leo Van Zandt’s voice rang out from behind the strong light. “Or I’ll shoot you right there on the spot!”
Flynn let his hand fall and squinted. He could just about make out where Leo was standing and saw a pistol flash in his hand. The Van Zandt raft was now only a few feet away from them. Flynn did his best to scan the deck. It appeared empty, and that Leo had come alone. They still had a chance, he thought.
“Throw your knife in the water Perry boy,” Leo ordered. “Now!”
“You can’t touch us,” Flynn said, trying to keep his voice steady. “We’re Free Scavengers. Duncan Roth is our boss, and we only answer to him and your father.”
“Hah! You’re nothing, Perry!” Leo sneered. “You’re a criminal, that’s what you are! Do you honestly believe you’re so valuable to us? That I’ll get in trouble with my dad for killing lowlife scum like you?” He paused for a moment and pointed the gun at Flynn. “No, I won’t hesitate to shoot you! Your boss isn’t here to help you, now is he?”
Flynn and Madison stood frozen in the middle of their raft, staring back at Leo.
“But before I get rid of you Perry boy…” Leo drawled, “you’ll tell me exactly what’s so special about these waters here.” He waited for an answer, but none came. “I’ve watched you come and go all week long… So there’s got to be something down there.”
“There’s nothing… just random scavenging stuff,” Flynn lied.
“Really?… In that case, you won’t mind if my men drop some mines round here, would you?” Leo asked, pointing to the lights that had suddenly appeared in the distance. Motor boats! They were moving fast, heading towards the Power Plant.
Flynn clenched his fists and tried not to blink or say anything that might give away the terror he felt. It wasn’t just his and Madison’s lives that were in danger now. If Leo was going to mine the waters all around the Power Plant, then the Ark would never be able to sail away.
“Start talking,” Leo exploded, “or I’m going to count to three and put a bullet through your brain.”
Leo’s raft had now drifted almost against the Seeker, and the two vessels were only inches apart. What were his chances if he were to jump the bastard, Flynn wondered.
“One…” Leo had begun his countdown.
Flynn tensed his muscles. His mind was racing. He had to do something and the best he could think of was for Madison and him to try and dive into the water before getting shot. Madison squeezed his hand hard, as if she had read his mind.
“We’ve got to warn everybody,” Flynn whispered and she held on to his arm even tighter. “They’ve got to launch the Ark before it’s too late.”
“I know!” she whispered back. “But my parents… I can’t leave them behind, Flynn!” She turned to face him, and he saw the tears running down her cheeks. She quickly wiped her eyes dry and stepped away from him.
“Two!” Leo drawled.
Madison took a deep breath and shouted, “Leo, wait! I’ve got a better idea.”
Leo Van Zandt lowered his gun a fraction.
“There’s no need to shoot him,” Madison said as she moved farther away from Flynn. “We leave him here in the water, take his raft back, and he’ll be dead by tomorrow… Drowned or eaten by sharks.”
A sly smile spread over Leo’s face. He saw how Madison’s words had taken the Perry boy completely by surprise… “Great idea, beautiful! A slow and horrible death,” Leo said and aimed his gun back on Flynn. “Shooting him would be way too easy.”