The submariners had been busy during the last week. Ewan had paid him regular visits and kept him up to date on events. Coote had taken charge—temporarily, Ewan assured him—and had organised rolling missions to the base to bring back supplies. The storm had abated and they had been able to bring the ship and the submarine closer in to the shoreline. By releasing more of the Spirit of Arcadia’s inflatable emergency life rafts, they had brought over not only a number of medical supplies, including the machines that were monitoring Lucya, but also food supplies to replenish the empty kitchens. Head Chef Claude Dupont had avoided the virus and was now revelling in his role as one of the most important people on the ship, preparing protein-rich rations for everyone. He saw it as his professional duty to get the population back to peak fitness via their stomachs. Jake was reflecting on all of this when a familiar voice jerked him out of his reverie.

“Captain Noah! How are we doing, old chap?”

“Not bad, Coote, not bad. I wish I could say the same for Lucya.”

“She’ll pull through, you mark my words. She’s made of strong stuff that one. You’ll see, the two of you will be supping vodka on the sun deck before you know it. I might join you, although mine’s a single malt.” Coote touched the side of his nose conspiratorially.

“How’s the plan to get into the dry dock? Ewan said you were sending a task force to get the undersea door open and take the Ambush into the base.”

“That is indeed the idea. You found us enough food in there to keep this ship supplied for months, but it’s going to take us months to bring it across if we rely on the rafts. It makes more sense to load up the Ambush in dry dock and then transfer it over in bulk. As you know, the door can only be opened from the inside. As you also managed to find a way to get the power on in the base, the task should have been a simple one. Ralf led a team over there to flood the dock and get the door open…” Coote’s voice trailed off.

“What is it? Something went wrong, didn’t it?”

“Not wrong as such. This isn’t easy. We knew a lot of those people…”

“What people, Coote? What’s happened?”

“You will recall that you and the original landing party were surprised that nobody from the base had taken shelter in the underground levels, as the asteroid passed over?”

“Yes, of course. It looked like there had been people there up until the last minute, but that they had just…disappeared.”

“Those people, rest their souls, had taken shelter in the dry dock. It made perfect sense, of course. The underground dock is made from very thick, very strong reinforced-concrete walls. Designed to withstand a direct strike from a torpedo. It was by far the strongest area in the base. I would have done the same thing; ordered all personnel to take shelter in there as soon as it became apparent the threat that the asteroid posed.”

“They didn’t make it, did they? I would have heard by now, if there were survivors. Did they suffocate?”

“Worse, I’m afraid. The dock has certain defensive features. If the systems believe it is under attack, it opens the flood gates. Literally, opens the flood gates. It fills with water so as to match the pressure outside and allow any submarine within to make a fast exit. The asteroid triggered the system.”

Neither man spoke for a moment. Each was overwhelmed by the thought of hundreds of people, maybe even thousands, escaping certain death, only to then be drowned in the very place that had saved them.

“Do you know…how many?” Jake asked finally.

“No. It would be difficult to count. It’s been more than three weeks since the asteroid; the bodies were not well preserved. The members of the committee who were up to it met briefly and agreed that we should continue with the plan. There is nothing we can do for the dead. Ralf’s team are in the process of flushing the dock in readiness for our arrival.”

“What about our electricity? From what I hear, the last time we disconnected the Ambush from this ship we nearly blew the place up.”

“Your engineer chap, Martin, assures us he has things under control. He’s on top form by the way, recovered from his little accident.”

“Yes, I saw him yesterday. He called in, to see Lucya, really.”

“He’s been working with a certain Mr Sanderson, who I understand is something of a hero now himself. They have made improvements to the electrical connection between our vessels that will allow the Spirit of Arcadia to more easily switch to diesel power. So I’d say it’s all under control, old boy. Nothing to worry about.”

“Sounds like it,” Jake said, unable to keep the slightest hint of bitterness out of his voice.

“Now then, old chap, don’t go thinking we’re managing fine without you! Your antics down in that base saved every one of us. Had you not found power, food, and most importantly those rather marvellous machines, the chances are hundreds would have died before anyone went back to explore further. And besides, this ship needs you. The people need you. You inspired confidence before, and now with stories of your heroic swim across the loch you have reached almost celebrity status.”

Jake turned a shade of pink, but said nothing.

“Well, it is time I left you. You have more visitors waiting outside, one of whom is very eager to see you both. So I shall say goodbye for now.”

Coote shook Jake’s hand, smiled kindly, and opened the door. Ewan came into the room, and behind him was Erica.

“Jake!” she shrieked. “They wouldn’t let me come and see you. They said you needed to sleep a lot.”

“That’s true, but I’m glad you’re here, Erica.” He gave the girl a hug. He really was pleased to see her, to his own surprise.

“What about Lucya? When is she going to wake up?”

“Soon, I hope. Very soon.”

Erica approached Lucya cautiously. Ewan nodded at Jake, then slipped back outside, leaving the three of them alone.

“Why has she got all those wires all over her?” Erica asked.

“They’re there to tell us when she wakes up.”

“Can I touch her?”

“Of course you can.”

The girl tentatively took Lucya’s hand in her own.

“Hi, Lucya,” she whispered. “Um, it’s me, Erica.” She waited for a response, and when none came she looked uncertainly at Jake.

“She might be able to hear you,” he said kindly. “The doctors think so anyway.”

“You have to get better soon, okay?” the girl said, looking back at her. “Everyone else is getting better. Captain Jake found the machines to make people well again. Everyone is talking about it. And he found food, too! I’ve just had lunch. Beans on toast with brown sauce and little sausages. It was yummy! When you wake up, you can have cakes, and chocolate, and tea, and loads of nice things.”

Erica’s face fell. “Daddy would have liked all that food. He liked eating. He said the best thing about coming on the ship was all the food we could eat. I think he would have been happy now.” Her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back, brave beyond her years. “Lucya, please wake up soon. You have to wake up so you can look after me. Mummy died, then Daddy died. You said you and Jake would look after me, so you can’t die, okay? You mustn’t, because then there won’t be anyone else!”

Her emotions got the better of her and, no longer able to hold them back, tears cascaded down her face. Jake grabbed her and pulled her close to him.

“It’s okay, Erica,” he whispered in her ear. “Lucya’s going to be okay, I promise.”

Jake closed his eyes, feeling terrible at making a promise he knew he couldn’t possibly guarantee. All he knew was right now, that’s what the little girl needed to hear. He stroked her hair, trying to reassure her. As he did so, he became aware that she was no longer sobbing. She sniffled, rubbed her eyes, and her face lit up, as if she had witnessed a miracle. He followed her gaze, and understood at once what had changed. Lucya was watching them both, eyes wide open, and a faint smile on her lips.