Free Infested by Mark R Faulkner Page A

defend the capital. But, it appears there’s no capital left to defend, or
anyone to defend it from. We can’t do a damn thing about these blasted
spiders.”
    “Do you know where they came from?” I asked.
    The Captain pointed at the low, metal ceiling, “They seem to have
fallen from the sky.” He leaned forward, massaging his temple with his
fingers.
    “The meteor storm,” I said to myself more than anyone. “Do you know of
anywhere that’s not been…?” I thought for the correct word, “infested?”
    Again he shook his head. “We were on a joint exercise with the
Americans on the night of the storm. Quite impressive it was. I’ve never seen
anything like it. A few hours later, the call came in to return home ASAP.
The American boats got the same call and so we each went our separate ways and
sped home under full steam. The Chinese ships we were tailing did the same
thing by the look of it. So, no, it’s everywhere.”
     
    He questioned me for a while longer but neither of us had the heart for
it. I didn’t see much of the Captain after that, I suppose he had a lot on his
plate. The small matter of my missing leg didn’t seem quite so important, with
the human race on the verge of extinction. I soon got used to it, and nowadays
I manage well with a crutch.
    We stayed at anchor in the Thames Estuary for a few more weeks, during
which time we amassed quite a flotilla, mainly of fishing boats but also a
smattering of Royal Navy ships, two nuclear submarines and no less than three fully
laden super-tankers. We were joined by four French warships and their
accompanying boats and ships and although I played no part in the negotiations,
they were accepted into our fleet.
    During this time, I was not the only one to spend long hours standing
on deck, staring longingly at the grey coastline of Blighty, knowing full well
that to set foot upon home soil would mean a sure and painful death. Then the
day eventually came when I stood near the stern, on the helicopter pad, and
watched England recede into the distance behind our churning wake as we set
sail in search of a new home.
     
    I can’t remember how long ago that day was, but ever since we’ve all
been clinging to the hope that somewhere on this watery planet there is an
island just for us; free of infestation, lush and bountiful. A place where we
can live out the rest of our lives in peace.
    ###

 
    Novels by the
author
     
    Flux
     
    The Dark Stone