Melvin strode in, followed by another man that Jake didn’t recognise. An older man. He was carrying a gun.

More men filed in behind him. Including Melvin, Jake counted fourteen in total. There were no women. The man with the gun shut the door to the bridge and sprang the bolt, locking out anyone who might have a key.

“Sit down, Jake,” Melvin said.

He didn’t really understand what was going on, but he was in no mood to argue. He went back to his captain’s chair and sank into it.

“So is this mutiny?” he asked.

“No, it’s more democratic than that.” As Melvin spoke, the man with the gun stepped up to his side. The others remained silently at the back of the room. “You made a promise. If there was no longer any chance that the owners of this ship had survived, there is to be an election.”

Martin looked on, saying nothing.

“From what you and your men have reported from your landing expedition,” Melvin continued, “we understand that time has come. There are no more survivors. The world as we know it is gone. You and your crew are no longer employees. We are no longer customers. We are all equal. We are all simply survivors. And it is therefore right that we choose who is to be in charge, a leader.”

“You’re right,” Jake said.

“The election is to be held today, immediately. You will put out a call instructing anyone on board who wishes to participate to go to the theatre, cinema, and casino. We have people in all three locations ready to hand out ballot papers.”

“No,” Jake said, simply.

“I’m sorry?”

“I said no.”

“What happened to ‘you’re right’? Do we need to force your hand?” Melvin glanced at the men behind, and the man with the gun stood next to him.

“Nope. No force necessary. And no election, either. Well, unless you want to run against anyone else. But not me, you’re not running against me. I’m done. You’re right, I’m no longer an employee, I no longer represent the owners of this ship, there are no owners now. I have no more right to be in this chair than you, him, or anyone else.” He pointed at Martin, who continued to remain silent. “To be honest with you Melvin, I didn’t want to be in charge. I never had any grand aspirations to climb the career ladder as far as captain. I certainly don’t want the responsibility for three thousand souls given what’s out there now. Our days are severely numbered, and you are more than welcome to see out those remaining few from this seat.”

He got up, walked towards the door, patting Martin on the shoulder as he passed by, but without looking at him.

“Wait!” Melvin stepped to the side, blocking Jake’s exit. “You can’t leave the bridge. I need a pilot, and you’re the best qualified.”

“Well it’s like you said Melvin, there are no employees any more. I don’t work for you, or anyone. You’re in charge now, so that can be your first decision can’t it? Choose who you’re going to hire. I’m not applying for the job, by the way. Pedro’s good, and I think a couple of the junior seamen survived. I’m sure they’d be happy to interview for the position, or ministerial post, or whatever you decide to call it. Have fun.”

He walked around Melvin, unbolted the door, and left without looking back.

Forty-Two

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, can I have your attention please. This is an important announcement that concerns everyone aboard this ship. My name is Melvin Sherwood. For the last two days I have been representing the interests of passengers on the Spirit of Arcadia. Today is one of the most important days in the history of the human race. Today, we start over. A new community. A community of survivors.

You will no doubt already have heard certain rumours regarding a landing party that was sent to the town of Longyearbyen today. Their mission was to discover the fate of the world. What they found, was not good news. I will not lie to you, and this is difficult to hear and to accept I know, but the town and everything in it have been destroyed. The landing parties findings show beyond all shadow of a doubt that, as we feared, the world as we know it has ended. Anyone who survived the heat and storm of the asteroid itself, must surely have perished in the highly toxic ash that it deposited. Maybe, somewhere, there are survivors who made it to some kind of shelter. But even they are unlikely to survive an encounter with the ash when they resurface. We are forced to conclude that the population on board this ship are the sole survivors of the human race.”

Melvin paused, partly for effect, and partly to gather his own thoughts, unaware that every corner of the ship had fallen silent as people listened to his crackling voice on the PA, hanging on his every word.

“Most of us joined this cruise as paying customers, passengers. We were looked after by crew members. Now, there is no distinction. We are all survivors. As many of you know, it was my intention to stand in an election against Acting Captain Jake Noah as the person who would represent the people, and led us in our quest for survival. Captain Noah has chosen not to stand. Indeed the captain has, I am sorry to say, abandoned his seat with immediate effect.

Every community needs a leader, and we must choose one as quickly as possible. I am therefore calling for a debate about the immediate direction we should take, and for and an election to choose a new captain. Anyone who believes they are the right person for that role, may present themselves. Everyone over the age of sixteen years should have a vote. I extend an invitation to all aboard to join with me in the theatre this evening at nine, where those wishing to stand can make their case, and we—as a democratic community—can decide our destiny.

Make no mistake, the times ahead will be difficult for us all. We will have to make some tough choices, unimaginable choices. History may not look kindly on the decisions we will make, but we must do what is necessary in order to survive.

Thank you for listening.”

Forty-Three

JAKE LOOKED AT the speaker inset in the ceiling above his bed. It had just fallen silent.

“Hardly Churchill,” he said to himself.

He rolled over, and tried to go to sleep.

Someone had other ideas though, and within minutes a rapid knocking at his door arrested his slide into unconsciousness.

“Go away.” He didn’t want to see anyone.

“Jake, you’d better open up and tell me what on earth is going on.”

Maybe, he decided, he could make an exception for Lucya. Besides, she was the most stubborn person he knew, there was no way she would leave him in peace. He forced his eyes open and went to let her in. She barged past him and stood at the end of the bed, hands on her hips.

“What are you doing in here? I mean, I am assuming you did hear what Melvin just said? Why aren’t you going upstairs to kick his ass? Come on! Jesus Jake, if you’re worried about Tania, don’t be! She’ll have to look out for herself!”

“Lucya, calm down.”

“Calm down? Have you completely lost it? Kiera said you got a bump on the head. Did it knock all sense out of you? We need to go and stop him! Set the record straight!”

“The record is straight. There’s nothing to get worked up about.”

“He thinks he’s in charge!”

“He is in charge.”

A stunned silence. Lucya dropped to the bed, mouth open. She tried to speak, realised she didn’t know what to say, so stopped again.

“Melvin’s right,” Jake said. “I have no more right to be in charge than him or anyone else. So I let him take over.”