Peter Holmes, A lieutenant commander in the Royal Australian Navy was to report to Australian navy headquarters to receive his next assignment in the Navy. During the interview Peter is assigned to be a liaison officer aboard the U. S. S. Scorpion, an American nuclear submarine. The U.S.S Scorpion is one of only two useful subs working with the Australian fleet. Both are American nuclear submarines that happened to be south of the Equator when a nuclear war killed all life in the northern hemisphere. These subs are extremely useful because they do not require petroleum, which before the war was imported to Australia.
After determining what had happened in the war, the remaining American navy has been commanded to follow orders from the Australian navy, which is now using the two subs to map the aftermath of war zones. They can safely navigate into the area if their supply of uncontaminated air is enough as well as if they stay submerged. The Scorpion is to use its periscope and loudspeaker to determine if there is anyone left alive in its area of exploration, and to also measure radiation levels going north from Melbourne. The U.S.S Scorpion’s mission is to determine if radiation fallout from the cobalt bombs used in the war has killed everyone in the northern …show more content…
Much of the remaining population has begun to fool around. John Osborne has begun driving his Ferrari, running it on a mixture of ethanol and other fuel. Many people have brought out their cars and begun using up their secret stashes of gasoline. Osborne enters several auto races in his Ferrari, and determines to race in the Australian Grand Prix. Peter Holmes buys several items for Mary to use caring for their baby, house and yard, and humors her plans for the garden and the ways they’ll enjoy it next year. Sir Douglas Froude is doing his best to consume his club’s stock of excellent sherry before the