On the Beach by Nevil Shute

Is there anything in it to affect this operation?”
    “I don’t think there is. He found a high level of radioactivity—atmospheric radioactivity—over the whole area, greater in the north than in the south, as you’d expect. He submerged—let’s see” he took the typescript back and turned the pages quickly “—he submerged in Latitude Two South, off Parnaiba, and stayed submerged for the whole cruise, surfacing again in Latitude Five South off Cape Sao Roque.”
    “How long was he submerged, sir?”
    “Thirty-two days.”
    “That might be a record.”
    The Admiral nodded. “I think it is. I think he says so, somewhere.” He handed back the typescript. “Well, take it with you and study it. It gives an indication of conditions in the north. By the way, if you should want to get in touch with him, he’s moved his ship down into Uruguay. He’s at Montevideo now.”
    Peter asked, “Are things getting hot in Rio, sir?”
    “It’s getting a bit close.”
    They left the office in the Navy Department, went down into the yard, and got into an electric truck. It took them silently through the empty streets of the city, up tree-lined Collins Street to the Commonwealth Offices. In a few minutes they found themselves seated with Mr. Donald Ritchie, the Prime Minister, around a table.
    He said, “I wanted to see you before you sailed, Captain, to tell you a little bit about the purpose of this cruise, and to wish you luck. I’ve read your operation order, and I have very little to add to that. You are to proceed to Cairns, to Port Moresby, and to Darwin for the purpose of reporting on conditions in those places. Any signs of life would be particularly interesting, of course, whether human or animal. Vegetation, too. And seabirds, if you can gather any information about those.”
    “I think that’s going to be difficult, sir,” Dwight said. “Yes, I suppose so. Anyway, I understand you’re taking a member of the C.S.I.R.O. with you.”
    “Yes, sir. Mr. Osborne.”
    The Prime Minister passed his hand across his face, a habitual gesture. “Well. I don’t expect you to take risks. In fact, I forbid it. We want you back here with your ship intact and your crew in good health. You will use your own discretion whether you expose yourself on deck, whether you expose your ship upon the surface, guided by your scientific officer. Within the limits of that instruction, we want all the information we can get. If the radiation level makes it possible, you should land and inspect the towns. But I don’t think it will.”
    The First Naval Member shook his head. “I very much doubt it. I think you may find it necessary to submerge by the time you get to Twenty-two South.”
    The American thought rapidly. “That’s south of Townsville.”
    The Prime Minister said heavily, “Yes. There are still people alive in Townsville. You are expressly forbidden to go there, unless your operation order should be modified by a signal from the Navy Department.” He raised his head, and looked at the American. “That may seem hard to you, Commander. But you can’t help them, and it’s better not to raise false hopes by showing them your ship. And after all, we know what the conditions are in Townsville. We still have telegraphic contact with them there.”
    “I understand that, sir.”
    “That leads me to the last point that I have to make,” the Prime Minister said. “You are expressly forbidden to take anybody on board your ship during this cruise, except with the prior permission of the Navy Departmentobtained by radio. I know that you will understand the obvious necessity that neither you or any member of your crew should be exposed to contact with a radioactive person. Is that quite clear?”
    “Quite clear, sir.”
    The Prime Minister rose to his feet. “Well, good luck to all of you. I shall look forward to talking to you again, Commander Towers, in a fortnight’s time.”

CHAPTER THREE
    Nine days later