Vladimir Todorov - Archipelago N.Y. - Flynn

“Now, pay attention here!” Duncan pointed at a dial on the control panel. “One of the most important instruments to keep a constant eye on is the depth gauge!”

He had already explained to Flynn what would happen to the unpressurized hull if they went too deep. The Ark could not sink below sixty feet without the risk of imploding. It all sounded unreal to Flynn. He was still having trouble accepting the idea that this massive ship could sail underwater. It was hard to believe.

“This is your sonar here,” Duncan continued, pointing at another instrument. “Your radar’s next to it. Then there is the machine section panel with the fuel gauges, lights and engine throttle…”

Duncan kept going as Flynn stared at all the amazing instruments he had never seen before. Instruments, Duncan and Mr. Kowalski had salvaged and collected painstakingly over the years. Instruments that now stood restored and fully functional in front of him!

“And finally…,” Duncan said, “…your radio! Once we get closer to Dry Land, we’ll try to pick up a signal. That’s if they’re still broadcasting any…”

He was interrupted by voices echoing inside the Ark ’s belly. Shouting could be heard on deck and the banging of hatches being closed. Footsteps rattled the metal staircase leading up to the cockpit, and Mr. Kowalski’s head popped round the door.

“I think we’re ready, Duncan!” He wiped the beads of sweat from his blackened forehead.

“Everybody inside?” Duncan looked out of the windows of the cockpit.

“They’re all in and strapped to their seats!” Mr. Kowalski nodded as he squeezed himself inside next to Flynn. “It’s a bit packed down there, but space is tight, you know.”

“OK, Walter, grab a seat…” Duncan glanced at his watch. “We detonate the cluster bombs in five minutes!”

“Come on, Flynn.” Mr. Kowalski plopped himself on the long car seat bolted to the floor and tapped the space next to him.

Flynn’s heart was racing… It was happening now! For real! He felt dizzy as he ran the frayed seatbelt across his chest and buckled up. Duncan, still standing, checked his watch again and picked up a large remote control. Legs apart, firmly planted on the floor, he braced himself for the blast. Then he pressed the single red button on the remote!

Flynn shut his eyes and held his breath. He counted the seconds. One, two, three…. Nothing! Then… a loud bang near his head made him jump with a start. He opened his eyes. No, that wasn’t an explosion! It was Duncan. He had just smashed his fist on the dashboard! Flynn saw the look of anger and despair in his eyes… The Ark wasn’t going anywhere…

“Let me do it, Duncan!” Mr. Kowalski moved away from the window and looked back at Duncan. “I know exactly where the charge is! I was there when we rigged the place. Besides… I’m too old to make this journey, really… I’m better off staying back here…”

Duncan shook his head. “I can’t let you go, Walter! You know the Ark inside out, all the systems… everything! There’s no one to replace you on board!”

“Duncan!”

“No!”

Flynn’s eyes shifted between the two. He had followed their argument for the past minute or so, after the explosive charge hadn’t gone off as planned… It had malfunctioned, and now it had to be detonated by hand… Someone had to go out of the Ark and do it manually. But that someone, even if he survived the blast, would never be able to get back inside the ship… It was going to be a suicide mission! Flynn’s mind was racing as he considered what was at stake… He knew he had to do something… He had failed so many people that night. He couldn’t even get Madison down to safety… and that weighed heaviest on his heart. The guilt, the anger, and the thought that he would never see her again made Flynn suddenly jump to his feet… Madison had been so selfless in her actions, and now it would be his turn. “I’ll go!” cried Flynn.

Both Duncan and Mr. Kowalski turned and stared at him for a long moment.

“Great! Another one who wants to be a hero, here!” Duncan finally spoke. “I don’t need sacrifices… I need people to sail the Ark away! I need people to find Dry Land!” He paused for a moment and looked them both in the eye. “You two are these people! Flynn… Sit yourself behind the steering column!”

“But…”

“Don’t argue!” Duncan took his belt and harness off as he was speaking, “You are now the captain of this ship! All these people at the back are your responsibility! Your father, Tony, Ann and the rest are counting on you… Walter will help you with everything else!” Duncan took out the map of Dry Land from his bag and slapped it on the dashboard. “You know what to do! Stay in your seats and brace yourselves… The blast will come in no more than a minute!” he told them, stepping towards the door.

“But, Duncan…” Flynn cried, “it’s your ship, you can’t just…”

“It’s yours now, Flynn!” Duncan smiled wryly. “Someone’s got to start building another one, don’t you think?” He winked at Flynn, and before anyone could speak, the man was gone.

The blast came shortly after Duncan had left the cockpit… A number of tremendously loud detonations shook the whole structure, and then a wall of water rushed in and slammed into the Ark . The vessel shuddered violently as it began to free itself from the braces holding it to the walls and ceiling… For a moment, all Flynn could see was the swirl of white foam engulfing the cockpit… Then the lights in the cavernous hall went out, the water shorting the circuits.

“What happens now?” Flynn shouted over the roaring noise.

“We wait!” Mr. Kowalski’s voice came from the darkness.

The Ark began to creak and moan from the rising water pressure. They heard a loud bang as something heavy crashed against the hull. It was followed by another crashing sound, and then another… They were being hit by hundreds of pieces of debris… Loose parts of broken rafts, barrels, scaffolding… everything that had not been cleared away in time was now whirling around and slamming violently against the ship. Flynn jumped in his seat as another thunderous jolt shook the ship… something else had broken away… The Ark trembled and began to list to one side.

“Ouch!” Mr. Kowalski grunted, but his face remained composed. “There goes the support pole!” he said to Flynn.

There were more cracking sounds as one by one the support beams snapped. Suddenly, the Ark was free and the water carried her up like a leaf. She began to spin around at dizzying speed… Any moment now, and they were going to get smashed against the ceiling! Flynn dug his nails into the seat, bracing for the impact. But instead of being crushed, the Ark slowed abruptly her spin, then bumped gently against the domed roof and began to slowly float back down.

“What happened? I thought…” Flynn whispered hoarsely in the darkness of the cockpit.

“We got lucky! The water hit the ceiling first, equalizing the pressure!” said Mr. Kowalski, his voice full of relief. “We made it through the blast stage, Flynn!”

Shouts came from the deck below them. There was a water leak. A small one, but they could not remain under water for too long. They had to hurry out!

“OK, OK, OK!” Mr. Kowalski was off his seat and working the controls with a manic look on his face, trying desperately to start the engines.

After a few failed attempts, they finally came to life with a sputter. “Go, go, go!” Mr. Kowalski screamed at the panel and crossed himself three times.

The sudden reassuring roar of the engines made the old man fall to his knees in silent prayer. Power was up. The headlights flickered and the beams shot through the murky water, illuminating hundreds of pieces of junk floating around them. “She’s all yours now, Flynn!” Mr. Kowalski grinned and moved aside. “Go easy on the throttle!”