Free Archipelago N.Y.: Flynn by Vladimir Todorov Page A

the start of a new generation,” Dr.
Zamora suggested.
    “Excellent idea!”
Van Zandt seemed suddenly very animated. “Find out who’s come of age. Help those
boys and girls pair up... The sooner they start making babies the better. We’ll
replenish our livestock on the Lower Side in no time.” Van Zandt laughed,
feeling very pleased with himself. “Now, read that Departure List to me.”
    “We have
fifty-three people altogether. Forty-eight adults and five kids. I’ll start in
alphabetical order: Greg Andrews, Sandy Chia…”
    Suddenly, Dr.
Zamora was interrupted by rapid tapping sounds coming from outside one of the boardroom’s
big windows.
    “Hold on Oscar,” Van
Zandt said, getting out of his chair. “Looks like we’ve got some urgent mail…” He
walked briskly over to the window where a steel-grey pigeon was waiting. It had
landed on a small perch attached to the window’s sill. The bird tapped its beak
on the glass again. Van Zandt opened the window, scooped the bird in his hand,
and then carefully retrieved a folded scrap of paper out of the pouch round the
bird’s neck. All eyes were on him as he opened the note and silently read it. “It’s
from Jenkins,” he said, frowning. “Another tower’s partially collapsed on the
Lower Side! It’s taken down two bridges… Quite a lot of casualties!”
    “I’m on my way!”
Duncan Roth stood up immediately and was already half way out of the room.
    “Me too!” Jordan said
and followed the Rottweiler.
    “Go to work,
gentlemen!” Van Zandt peered out of the window in the direction of the Lower
Side. “The Departure List will have to wait.”

SEVEN
     
    “Antonio's not
feeling well today, Flynn!” Mrs. Romero shook her head, her eyes full of worry
and pain.
    Flynn was trying
to peek inside Tony’s apartment, but his mother had now completely blocked the low
doorway with her body. “Can I come in and see him? Just for a minute?”
    “Better not…. I
want him to rest… not get too excited.”
    “But we’ve got
to...” Flynn began to say something and stopped. “Never mind, I’ll go and get
him some more medicine… That’ll fix him.”
    “It won't help
much, Flynn!”
    “Then what will,
Mrs. Romero?”
    “Dr. Omar says
Tony needs stronger food, mountain air ... whatever that is anyway… we don't
have it,” said Mrs. Romero wringing her hands. “And he’s had to report Tony’s
condition to the Government…. to Dr. Zamora’s people!” The poor woman choked
up, her eyes filling with tears.
    “Mom, who is it?”
Tony's voice came from inside the apartment. It sounded weak.
    “Nobody, son,”
Mrs. Romero said over her shoulder, never taking her eyes away from Flynn. “I'll
be right in.”
    “Well, I'll drop
by tomorrow, then,” Flynn said.
    “Please, don't!
He's not going out any time soon!” She hesitated then grabbed Flynn’s hand and
leaned closer. “Tony doesn’t have a pair of lungs like you do ... made out of
steel… he can barely breathe, Flynn!” she whispered, her voice full of
bitterness. Mrs. Romero let go of Flynn, stepped back inside and closed the
door flap.
    Flynn felt
terrible. He had truly believed the medicine would help Tony get better, keep
him going…. It had been Tony's last hope after all those visits to Dr. Omar and
the Lower Side Infirmary, the miserable little hospital ward on the corner of
Bridge and Broad Street Canals. It occupied the lowest two floors of the
building, so patients didn’t have to be carried up and down stairs and
walkways. The Archipelago had a much better medical facility on the Upper Side,
but it was off-limits for the Lower Siders. Dr. Omar did all he could for the
sick and those wounded in accidents around town. He was another ancient, spared
from the Departure List, like Mr. Kowalski. Over the years the man had
performed miracles, considering the lack of medical supplies and the appalling
conditions he was working under. He had even come up with a few