by Muga, D. M.
If I had been there, things would have turned out differently.
Alexander knew in his logical and rational brain that there was no way to know for sure, but the thought from his heart kept on returning. One of the only things that kept his guilt and grief away, was his purpose. The purpose of finding out as much as possible to help his friends, and what was left of humanity, survive and adapt to this world after the Blue Hole Radius.
Most of the High Desert was in chaos, due to people fighting over food and other resources. This area was northwest of them, and relatively close.
The farmland areas to the southeast, toward Menifee, Murrieta, and Temecula, were doing considerably well. They had a set of routines and similar marketplaces of their own. It did certainly help that there was a good deal of farmland in the area and that the people were much more accustomed to the rural style of living.
Alexander had found it interesting that he had always thought of San Francisco, Hollywood, and Los Angeles when people talked about California. He was intrigued to find so many different ways of life in the very large state. Now, what was the only known civilization left of Earth One.
A few weeks back, Alexander had found out that most of Los Angeles was in ruins. It was one of the first places to become essentially devoid of human life within the Radius.
Hollywood had all but burned down to the ground. Between looting, people not knowing what to do, and even a few suicide cults formed within the rich and famous.
When Alexander had told the others of the news, Ben and Steven had laughed at the suicide cults put together by a few of the celebrities that had survived. “Good riddance to the lot of them. They were more useless than a screen door on a submarine.” Steven had said. After the two men had a good laugh, Eileen had admonished them for taking delight in others suffering, and they had both shut up quickly. Alexander had found it rather intriguing how the four of them blended into a sort of family over the last seven weeks.
From what Alexander had heard from what was left of the news and Ol’ Betsy, the mountain communities in Angeles National Forest and what was left of Los Padres National Forest were doing fairly well.
There were some coastal areas that were faring well enough. Most of them had fallen into chaos over the last seven weeks. Catalina Island was surviving exceptionally well and guarded their ports with strict scrutiny. Alexander had been in contact with a couple that was retired on the island. They had told them stories of being able to see the smoke and fire coming from Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Those major hubs of civilizations were essentially wiped off the map.
All of them were speechless when he had told them news of the major beach cities. It became evident that Californians do enjoy their beaches and didn't like hearing of their demise. Some of the only major beaches that had survived since the onset of the Blue Hole Radius were Dana Point down by the south rim of the Radius, Oxnard Shores, and the State Beach in Ventura, both by the western rim of the Radius.
Ben had asked Alexander the week following the MS13 Battle, “Any news on what’s left of the U.S. Military?”
Alexander had not known, but he scanned the airwaves for the next week to find out. Ben was curious if there were enough of the U.S. Military left to make a positive impact and project some sort of security for the survivors. Alexander agreed but was also thinking of the military as a factor to be used as defense against the possibility of their returning predecessors from Earth Two. Alexander was still very fearful that their coming was not one of saving grace, but one of impending doom.
After reaching Edwards Air Force Base, Alexander had found the information that Ben had wanted to know. The only functional military bases still left standing were Edwards, up to the northern part of the Radius and the March, toward the southeast. March was inactive and more of a museum and transit base during the days prior to the Blue Hole Radius. Edwards Air Force Base still being around was much more encouraging to the group, since it had been the Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe.
Nonetheless, Ben was annoyed with the fact that Camp Pendleton had been just outside of the radius. “We could have really used some good Marines during all of this. Hopefully the Air Force can hack it.” Ben had said, upon finding out the news of military installations.
After researching the Radius on the SuperNet and hearing stories on the airwaves, he had learned a great deal about their new world. Alexander had found it interesting that the closer to the epicenter of the Radius, the more devoid of life it had become over the last seven weeks. It was the outer areas of the Radius that seemed to be surviving and adapting the most efficiently and effectively.
Alexander had contributed this to several primary factors. First of which was the population density. The higher the population density of an area, the more likely that it was going to fall into chaos. Alexander had surmised that people were not used to taking care of themselves. Without a unified government to tell them what to do and provide them with a sense of security, they fell within a matter of days.
The closer that people were to the epicenter of the Blue Hole Radius, the worse off they were. On the other hand, the people along the edges of the Radius were mostly cut off from others and forced to either adapt or die off. Alexander, Steven, Eileen, and Ben had discussed these scenarios to great lengths.
The second primary factor was the dark side of human nature and how quickly some had shifted toward that side of their humanity. Without rules to govern and punishments, people did as they pleased and this often led to dire and devastating situations. This was another topic of great discussion at the dining room table during meals. In fact, Alexander had ascertained that it was likely Steven Reilly who had convinced the good Sheriff to be so strict after the MS13 Battle.
The good Sheriff Patterson had set up roadblocks and checkpoints for the mountain community and it had been relatively quiet since the MS13 battle. Nonetheless, there was this feeling of impending doom, and he knew Ben had felt it too. They had talked about it on several occasions when they were by themselves. Most of the rest of his spare time was spent with Steven and getting used to the area, his new home.
This last part was the third primary factor, impending doom. The people that were confined within the Blue Hole Radius for 1,410 years woke up to a whole new world and reality. This new world was devoid of human life, except for those that were within the Radius. This combined with the widespread knowledge from the SuperNet, and knowledge of people coming from an Earth Two, made people afraid. People often act irrationally when they are afraid of the unknown.
So, Alexander had broken it down to their primary factors: population density, adaptability of humanity, and the fear of the unknown. These factors played a large role in whether you survived or not. Alexander remembered feeling feelings of gratefulness and new beginnings after the first few days in Steven Reilly’s cabin. Alexander was all but sure that he would have been one of those that didn't survive the first week if it had not been for Ben, Steven, and Eileen.
Alexander was more than grateful for Steven’s hospitality and they got along famously. It was more of a formal friendship and they mostly discussed academics, government, and the varying possibilities for their future.
Eileen gave Alexander hope and showed him that people can move on from tremendous pain and suffering. Eileen had not had it easy during the first few days of the Radius. That being said, she was doing relatively well two months into the Radius. Some might say that she was actually happy. Alexander noticed that she certainly looked happy with Ben.
Then there was Ben… Alexander had found that over the last seven weeks, Ben had become a true friend. Sure, Steven was closer to his age. But it was Ben who had brought him back from the brink. Alexander was not sure what he would have done if Ben had not found him in the airport bar and asked him to come with him. One thing was for certain, it would not have been good, and he certainly would not have lasted this long.
Alexander found himself pondering the though
ts of his newfound friends, his new home, and everything else in between. Anything that could keep his mind off his daughter and his beloved wife.
During the early hours of this Sunday morning, Alexander’s focus was shifted toward the High Desert region. He was trying to discern if trouble was possibly coming their way. Alexander scans the airwaves on Ol’ Betsy, focusing on frequencies that he had luck with contacting people in the High Desert in previous weeks.
As Alexander scans the frequencies, he picks up a voice. “This is Desert Eagle. Anyone on the Radius airwaves this morning? Over.”
Alexander keys his mike on Ol’ Betsy. “Good morning, Desert Eagle. This is Cornell, here. Over.”
Ol’ Betsy sparks to life. “Cornell! How’s mountain life treating you? I thought you might be on this early in the morning. Over.” The man referred to as Desert Eagle responds.
Alexander had coined the name Cornell, since he was previously a scientist at Cornell University, prior to the world before the Blue Hole Radius. His friend on the radio was a retired Senior Master Sergeant from the Air Force. Alexander had acquired a few details from his radio contact, and friend, over the last six weeks.
They had found each other the week after the Radius time lapse had ceased. Desert Eagle was actually his point of contact that knew a great deal about the military and what was left. As luck would have it, Desert Eagle was still in contact with some of his old friends in the Air Force. He had recently retired, having been stationed at Edwards Air Force Base. Afterwards, he moved close by to Mojave. Mojave is just over twenty miles away from the base. It was a desert town and didn't sound ideal to Alexander. However, Desert Eagle had apparently enjoyed the area enough to retire in the small town.
“Mountain life is going pretty well. The Marketplaces are working effectively, and people are getting along well enough, up here. Much better than down the hill. Over” Alexander responds.
“That’s good to hear, Cornell. And yeah, that sounds about right with those big cities. I can’t see how they are faring well at all. I’ll keep my old ass in this small desert town. Thank you very much. Over.” Desert Eagle replies.
Alexander laughs lightly. “How are things going out there, in the desert? Any new news from your old military friends? Over.”
“Not sure, exactly. The whole reason I jumped on the airwaves this morning was to find out about what I saw earlier this morning. Over.”
What he saw? What did he see, I wonder?
Alexander keys the mic. “What did you see, Desert Eagle? Over.”
Desert Eagle continues. “It looked like a comet but then it stopped, slowly. It was in the direction of Edwards. Nothing hit the ground, because I didn’t see any explosions or crashes. But it was definitely something. I got on here to see if anyone else did... and I wasn’t just losing my mind. Ya know? It was there, and then it wasn’t. But it was dark. Over.”
A comet that doesn’t hit the ground… Could it be the Leviathan, from Earth Two? No, it’s too soon. Wait… It has been about two months. Not quite, but close.
He keys the mic. “Has anything else strange happened since then and how long ago did you see the ship? I mean object. Over.”
Desert Eagle keys the mic with laughter. “So, I wasn’t the only one thinking about it. My first thought was it had to do with those transmissions. The first one, and then the second one that comes on at 0800, every damn day. Do you think it could be the Leviathan? Over.”
Alexander sits there quietly for a moment. If it is the Leviathan, then our world’s about to get much more complicated. I hope my concerns are wrong and it won't be like nuclear weapons versus sticks and stones...
“Cornell, are you still there? Over.” Desert Eagle replies.
Alexander must have been lost in thought for more than a moment. He keys the mic. “Yes, Desert Eagle, I'm still here. It’s too soon to tell. You are closer to this than we are. If you could... Please touch bases with your contacts from the Air Force. I’ll be back tomorrow morning, but closer to 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. We’ll say 8:00 AM, right after the daily transmission. Over.”
“Thought I lost you there for a moment, Cornell.” Desert Eagle replies. “Sounds like a solid plan. I’ll be back on after the transmission tomorrow morning. 0800.” The mic is still keyed, but Desert Eagle pauses. “Where’s that high pitch sound coming from? Is that feedback or something? Hey Cornell? Are you hearing what I'm hearing? Over.”
Alexander looks around to the empty communications room with Ol’ Betsy in it. He can see through the window that the day is beginning to start and the night is slowly fading away, but he doesn't hear any high pitch sound.
He keys the mic on Ol’ Betsy. “No high pitch sound here, Desert Eagle. What does it sound like, exactly? Over.”
Alexander waits a full minute for Desert Eagle to reply, but there’s not one. “Desert Eagle, are you still there? Over.”
Another minute goes by without response and Alexander tries him again, with no luck. After ten minutes of trying to reach him, he stops and thinks about the situation.
Did he leave to go find out what was going on at Edwards? He did say “over” and that he would be back on tomorrow morning. Maybe he did leave. But what was that part about the high pitch sound? What if it was the Leviathan and it’s related?
Alexander leans back in the chair at the desk. He takes another sip of his coffee, rethinking the conversation.
After pondering the various reasons why Desert Eagle wasn’t responding, Alexander determined that he didn't have enough information to make a decision of what happened, or if anything happened at all.
It was early in the morning, and your mind has a way of playing tricks on you. Maybe I’m reading too much into this. Maybe he just went off to find out what was going on and will be back on tomorrow morning.
Alexander doesn’t notice Steven entering into the communications room, and jumps when Steven asks, “Any new news?”
Alexander proceeds to spill what was left of his now cold coffee onto his lap.
Steven laughs lightly and scratches the back of his head. “Sorry Alexander. Didn't mean to scare you. I thought you would have heard me walking in. Everything okay?”
Alexander turns to Steven. “Not a problem, Steven. My fault entirely. I was lost in thought and clumsy.” He stands up and looks at the coffee on his shirt. “I’d better go change before breakfast. What time is it?”
Steven replies. “It’s just past 6:00 AM. You go ahead and get changed and I’ll start up breakfast, before we get ready for our day at the lake and some well-needed fishing.”
Alexander starts making his way out of the room. “Right. See you shortly. Fishing sounds like it’s going to be a nice change of pace.”
“Yes sir-ree. And you can tell us what you were lost in thought about over breakfast. Because it seems like something…” Steven adds.
“Most definitely.” Alexander replies and nods. He then heads upstairs to his room. The room used to be the guest room, and Ben’s whenever he would visit. Alexander had gladly taken it over, instead of sleeping on the downstairs couch, the second week of being at Steven Reilly's cabin. Ben and Eileen had opted to share a room, which was the room on the bottom level.
Ben had said, “It’s a win-win situation… you get your own room and I get an upgrade in my bedroom situation.”
Alexander recalls laughing at him, when Eileen was standing next to him and wound up punching him in the arm.
“I’m just an upgrade, am I Benjamin?!” Eileen had snapped at him.
Those two are like cats and dogs… but I suppose it works for them. Alexander thought, reminiscing about the memory, as he changed out his shirt to clean up. He grabs his soiled shirt and takes it downstairs to the backyard.
He dumps it into a soap/water bucket, then proceeds to scrub it against a washboard they had found at the market a few weeks prior. Steven had explained that utilizing the washing board and hanging clothes out to dry would reduce the strain on the mount
ain communities water supply. They were all hoping that it would keep running. Alexander and the others saw it as a small trade off, still being allotted to have hot showers when they needed to.
So, Alexander spent a few minutes scrubbing the shirt along the washboard. He then dumps it in another bucket, filled with water and a small amount of fabric softener. Alexander shakes out the shirt and hangs it up on one of the laundry lines recently set up in the backyard of Steven’s cabin.
He heads back into the cabin and smells eggs, bacon, and toasted bread. “That sure was fast, Steven.”
Steven looks over and smiles. “Eggs, bacon, and toast aren’t exactly the most difficult things to make, Alexander. Takes a matter of minutes.”
Alexander nods and smiles. “The two lovebirds are getting up now. Your plate’s already at the table, Alexander.”
“Thank you, Steven. As always, it’s greatly appreciated.” Alexander takes a seat at the table and looks at the warm plate in front of him. “How are we doing with bacon and eggs, and bread for that matter?”
“Ah, yes… I was just looking into that, yesterday.” Steven replies. “We have a good amount of the freeze-dried egg stuff to last us a while. We also still have a good amount of frozen bacon. Bread will become an issue in the near future, seeing as we have one last full loaf here I just pulled out of the big freezer out back. But as for the eggs and bacon… I’ve been asking around for a few chickens and also asking around for a piglet or two.”