Epilogue

The survivors of the power station raid congregated the next morning in Le Clem’s medical ward where Joe, Sir Bors, Samuel and Corporal Kitten were all resting together.

Kitten was already up and sitting on Bors’ bed and they were chatting animatedly. Her strong Amazonian features had taken on an altogether softer demeanour in the light of day. Samuel was sat in a chair next to Joe’s bed where he was helping him with a cup of tea.

Rob, Kyle, Tara and Annette joined them. After the greetings had subsided, Kyle said, “The power station is most likely way beyond repair, which is perhaps not a bad thing. The remaining few bands of rebels have surrendered and joined the ranks of the refugees camped out around Le Clem. There’s somewhere in the region of five thousand people under our protection now. It will hopefully be enough to retake at least the centrally fortified section of the city. It’s going to be tough, but I think we can rebuild it and just maybe it will be better than it was before.”

“That’s not hard,” Rob said and managed to conceal most of the cynicism.

“Paul’s still in there,” Joe uttered and looked anxiously from Rob to Kyle.

Samuel rested a hand on his shoulder and slowly shook his head. “No, Joe. He’s not. Paul is gone.”

Joe turned away and sucked in several deep breaths. Rob watched his friend wrestle with his emotions and felt his own swell up too. So much loss. So much sorrow.

Tears were rolling down Annette’s cheeks as she embraced her two boys.

Changing the subject, Samuel said, “You know, with people like Ravensworth running the show, the city will always be prone to corruption.”

Kyle tore his eyes away from his fellow Newton survivors and said, “Last night we got in touch with the Empire – Ravensworth’s own ivory tower – and told them that the rebellion had been quelled and we were restoring order. They were kind enough to give us their coordinates for resupply.”

Wiping his face, Rob turned to them and asked, “What have you got in mind?”

“The Harrier is being fuelled up as we speak to go shove a couple of air to surface missiles up their arse. It’ll sink like a stone and if anyone manages to make it to a lifeboat we’ll sink them too. Ravensworth and his cronies are finished.”

“Sounds like you’ve got everything under control,” Joe said, wiping his own moist eyes.

Kyle planted his hands in his pockets and focussed on his two friends. He appeared at once vulnerable and alone. “I’m going to need people I can trust to help rebuild.”

Rob looked expectantly to Joe.

With a sigh, Joe said, “I just want to go home.”

Rob managed a smile. Gesturing to Annette and Tara, he said, “Sorry, Kyle. So do we.”

Kyle opened his mouth to protest, but then closed it again. His shoulders dropped and, his tone heavy with resignation, said, “If that’s what you want.”

“Mind if I tag along too?” Samuel asked. “I think my wandering days are well and truly over.”

“You’d be more than welcome,” Rob said in earnest. Turning to Bors and Kitten, he asked, “What about you guys? You’d be welcome too of course.”

“My home is the Black City; for all her sins,” Kitten said. “But thanks for the offer.” She tried not to make a show of it, but she offered a sideways glance towards Sir Bors.

“I think I might just stick around. You never know when a damsel in distress might need a helping hand.”

Kitten nudged him, but smiled all the same.

***

When Joe was recovered enough to travel, Kyle equipped them with two 4x4s and enough supplies and equipment to get them started.

The docks around Le Clem had transformed into a thriving community of portacabins and tents. The reclamation of the city had yet to begin, but preparations were being made in earnest.

The two 4x4s were idling with Samuel, Tara and Annette already waiting inside. Rob and Joe stood to one side with Kyle.

There was an awkward silence, but then Kyle looked up into the clear blue morning sky. A warm breeze was blowing in from the east coast and it brought with it a fresh ocean air that managed to displace the usual odours of death, decay and excrement. “It’s going to be a lovely day,” he said finally.

“First one since … I can’t remember,” Rob said and felt a sudden surge of acute sorrow.

Kyle dropped his gaze back down from the heavens and stared at his two friends. “If you should change your minds … or if you just get bored up there …”

“We’ll know exactly where to come,” Joe said and smiled.

Kyle nodded then held out his hand. Rob knocked it aside and hugged him. “Goodbye, mate.”

Joe embraced him next, albeit more delicately.

Kyle watched the two 4x4s pull away through the shanty town of Black City survivors as Evan walked down the gangplank to join him on the dock. Without turning to him, he asked, “Do you think I’ll ever see them again?”

Evan clapped him on the back and said, “Maybe, my friend. Maybe.”

THE END