The Pole Shift

The Four Sons and the Himalayan Fleet

The four sons were competent sailors, they moved their craft away from the flotilla as a leaf might fall from a tree in a gentle breeze. They did not say goodbye to their people, determined to parley with the Himalayan Fleet before Lord Jimmy destroyed it. He had said as much the night before they left:

                "They are people yes, they are the children of the Pole Shift survivors that is true. They wield our fathers machines and Lady Helen is a child of theirs. That means their blood runs in yours. Believe this, they will not care. I have seen it!" There were roars and the drums had beat rhythmically. The seven spheres of the flotilla were thumbed to gun single bursts of plasma into the night sky. There would be no parley, Toorak had muttered to his brothers.

                By dawn they were gone. St Kilda and Collingwood were manic with the adventure, glad at last to be masters of choice. They had already composed a travelling song:

                Four Sons and Gets,

                Four Sons and Gets,

                See how they sail - see how they sail?

                They're off to meet the Himalayan fleet

                Whose eyes are rent and blood runs deep

                They're off to meet the Himalayan fleet,

                Those Four Sons and Gets.

The travelling song was taken up by the drums as the loop turned seawater into plasma. Their vapor trail lifted high behind them in the starry sky . The sea furrowed as they gathered speed. Toorak knew he could power the craft even faster, but understood the boat was not sound.  One day he would build a craft that would slice through the seas rather than plough.

                Days passed, they were tired of the travelling song. Collingwood was working on a greeting song with the occasional nod or shake of the head from St Kilda. Toorak held the sphere constantly, light electrical pulses emitted at certain points, of which he had never experienced. He wished for knowledge, what did the electrical pulsing mean? What message was being told? Other ships?  The sphere spoke a language of which he knew but a few words.

                The tug of the sphere indicated the location of the Himalayan fleet. It was as if the sphere would free itself from his hand and travel to the destination unaided. Toorak knew that was false and it was just a sensation that guided. The Lord Jimmy had handled all the spheres the night of the news.  Peering deeply, whispering, listening. Toorak sensed he was obfuscating something simple. He had asked, Lord, Lord? Show me more of the sphere! His lord had held his eyes, travelling into his future. Had there been an uncertain frown?  Lord Jimmy had mumbled, One day Toorak, maybe.

                                It was on the fifth day that a shout came from the Crow's Nest. Fitzroy had spotted the Himalayan fleet. Toorak fired their plasma in celebration and greeting. Within moments bright lights erupted on the horizon, a return welcome! But then the water around his craft erupted as it was struck. Further distant  streaks leapt into the sky, unsure of it meaning Toorak thumbed bursts of plasma to meet the eruptions. An enormous explosion filled the late afternoon sky.

                "They have engaged in battle!" Roared Collingwood, St Kilda whirled his ham arm, and their Gets wailed in fear. Toorak's index finger wheeled the fusion loop and the craft banked sending an enormous heave of ocean outwards as it changed abrupt direction. More burst of light and moments later the sea erupted again, but this time the Island Craft was struck too, reclaimed shipping containers were crumpled as they were hit. More streaks, this time Toorak pulled his thumb back then quickly forward, a great burst of plasma mushroomed above them and the enemies weapons disintegrated in an enormous blow of fire.

                "Away !"  Urged Fitzroy as he clambered down from the Crow's Nest, moments later the air was filled with a metal storm. Fitzroy was cut down, the front part of their craft crumpled and their peoples were obliterated. St Kilda screamed, blood streaming from his body:

                "Fire Fire!" Toorak knew it was no good, plasma could not reach the Himalayan Fleet, instead he whirled his thumb and sent an arc of blue up. Further explosions met the temporary shield as tragedy unfolded around them. Collingwood looked to him for an answer, his arm missing.  Toorak looked into his brother's eyes, they both understood their Lord had known this would happen. Instead of fear of death, great outrage filled them.

"Goodbye Brother." Said Toorak then dived into the ocean, still clutching the sphere.