Emperor of a Dead World (44 page)

In order to conduct the experiments, the doctor prepared two doses of serum. The first he injected into a rabbit and in the second he soaked pellets that he fed to another unfortunate hare. Though many objected to bringing creatures to the island, Dr. Moreau loved the idea of being on an island and experimenting with creatures. He felt he was finally living up to his name.

When everything was ready, Brad set out. He was not taking a great risk because he did not need to go into the city. The creatures would swim out to him. As they made their way toward the mainland, Brad glanced back at the island. Behind the wake of the boat, the diminishing refuge looked deserted and lonely but he knew the hopes of the future lay on that singular place on earth. Brad’s reflection abruptly ended when a man bumped into him to lean over the side to vomit. The sea was ruff and this man lost his battle of self-control.

As they neared the bay, Brad, Tyrone and the others prepared to capture their prey. They had not even gotten to the bridge when the first victims swam out to greet them. Tyrone cast out the net and easily caught eight creatures. He then pulled the net up tight to keep their heads out of the water. After a brief and successful trip, Sam took them back to the island.

On the way, Brad performed the first test. He injected one of the creatures in the head with the serum and the thing immediately started flailing around. Within three minutes, it was dead. He injected two others and witnessed the same results. Satisfied, he sat and waited until they got back to the island. Once there, they tied the net to a dinghy and pulled the four surviving creatures to the shore. Brad had killed three with the serum and the fourth had drowned. They now used their leashes to put two creatures into each cage and then fed them the rabbits. The two that ate the rabbit injected with serum died within an hour. The ones that ate the other rabbit had different results. One died about two hours after eating but the other consumed a smaller portion and survived. They now filled a bowl with a mixture of serum and water. The creature died about twenty minutes after drinking.

On the heels of this success, Dr. Gachet inoculated everyone with the hope that he would soon be able to harvest their blood for serum. He also intended on treating everyone at Palo Alto, the racetrack and Sunny Park Estates. This would protect the people and create new donors.

Once they had treated everyone, they began soaking rabbit food, cat food, dog food and anything else that rats may eat in serum. Their intent was to fly the drones over the rat-infested areas and drop the pellets. With a little luck, the offspring of these rodents would also carry the cure and ironically, just as rats had spread the plague of the fourteenth century, they would now carry the cure for the plague of the twenty-first century.

After they had taken all these measures, Dr. Moreau sat amongst the most esteemed of his colleagues to address them.

“There is still one more thing we must do,” he began. “This disease is a worldwide crisis and we will not cure it from this island or from a couple of remote communities.”

“What do you suggest?” asked Professor Johnson.

“We must report our findings to a central location, a place where others may also be communicating.”

“Do you believe such a place exists?”

“In order to find out we must travel to the source of the disease. We must go to the place where it all began.”

“Are you referring to Hawaii?” Brad exclaimed.

“Somehow, I must get a message to Dr. Manette. Unfortunately, the drones cannot travel three thousand miles so I am bewildered on how I can accomplish this task and I am open to any suggestions.”

“If you must get a message to Hawaii I am your man,” Sam spoke up.

“You are willing to sail three thousand miles?” Dr. Moreau inquired.

“I am prepared to sail around the entire world if I must,” Sam retorted. “There is nowhere I cannot sail or any sea that can hold me back. When I was young, I sailed the seven seas with nothing but a small schooner. After passing the Rock of Gibraltar, I went through the Alboran Sea then traveled along the Balearic, the Tyrrhenian and around the Mediterranean. From here, I crossed the Aegean, the Ionian and the Adriatic then finally stopped to relax in Venice. If you give me your message, you can rest assured I will deliver it without fail. Trust me or not I don’t give a damn, for my name is Sailor Sam.” He sat back, folded his arms and frowned at the men.

“Very impressive,” Dr. Moreau smiled. He was hoping Sam would make this offer.

“You do not plan on going alone?” Professor Johnson asked.

“I will take a crew of three men besides myself. I already know the brave men who will volunteer.”

“Can you carry all the fuel you will require?” asked the professor.

“Ha,” Sam laughed. “Aeolus will supply all the fuel I need in the form of wind. All I need is for Brad to make one more trip to the mainland so I can commandeer the vessel of my desire. There are many worthy yachts in the San Francisco area that can make the trip without complaint. I am sure I can acquire a sixty or perhaps an eighty footer that will suffice.”

“We can go tomorrow,” Brad announced without hesitation. “I need to get some fuel for my return to Long Beach.”

“You are leaving?” his mother exclaimed.

“Yes mother, I must return home. You and father are of course welcome to join me.”

She looked at her husband not knowing how to respond.

“This is now our home,” the man said.

“I understand,” Brad replied, “But I as well must return to my home. There is someone I left behind and I need to get back to her.”

“The girl you told me about while I was sitting by your bedside,” his mother asked.

“Yes mother and when things get better I will bring her and your grandson here for a visit. I also hope that someday I can show you the fortress I have built.” He glanced at Tyrone. “The fortress we have built.”

“Where is this fortress?” his father inquired.

“Bradstantinople,” Tyrone smiled.

“Don’t listen to him,” Brad laughed. “The fortress is in Los Alamitos.”

“The racetrack you mentioned?” his father asked.

“It is much more than a racetrack,” Tyrone stated. “It truly is a fortress and you should see it.”

“I will bring you when it is safe,” Brad assured them.

“We look forward to that day,” his father said.

Brad turned to Sam. “Tomorrow we will get your yacht and fill all the ships with fuel. The men are healthy and all have received vaccinations so the danger should be at a minimum.”

“I will inform the volunteers,” Sam replied as he headed off.

“I wish you could stay longer,” his mother pleaded.

“I know mother but I have already been away too long.” After saying this, Brad walked out and stared across the sea at the coastline. Soon San Francisco and then the entire world would be a safe place again.

“Are you dreaming of giving up the dictatorship and returning to private life?” Tyrone asked as he joined Brad.

“That will be a happy day for everyone,” Brad returned.

“It will be happy only because it will mean you have won the war and now the world is safe. No one wants you to abdicate.”

“They will be happy with you as my successor.”

“No ho, not me,” Tyrone said with his hands up.

“You have everything but the title Tyrone. Why do you reject it?”

“It ain’t me. I belong in the background.”

“Who then,” Brad asked.

Tyrone thought for a minute then shrugged his shoulders. “Tom.”

“He is a good man and he is already well respected. He is an excellent choice.”

“He is no general.”

“He does not need to be. The president was Commander in Chief and he never led a campaign.”

“That is true. It looks like General Rudy or should I say Secretary of Defense Rudy will lead the troops.”

“Have it your way,” Brad shrugged.

Tyrone sighed and said, “Do you know what is eating me up?”

Brad looked at him.

“If I had known I had these damn antibodies I could have saved my family.”

“Now that you do know we can finally save the world,” Brad assured him. “Let’s get some rest. I want an early start tomorrow.”

The next morning after they acquired the yacht and filled all the boats with fuel, Sam headed west to Hawaii with the winds of Aeolus at his back while Brad headed south to his home and his love.

Several days later, Dr. Manette was standing on his balcony staring out at Maui when he saw a bright colored sail on the horizon. He turned to his wife and cried, “Someone else lives.”

She ran out and looked then said, “I hope they bring good news. The only thing we have to tell is that Dr. Solator, the man responsible for it all, has hanged himself.”

Dr. Manette sighed. “Perhaps they found have the cure.”

His wife smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “That is news I am sure many people will be happy to hear.”

                                               
The End