by Dennis Elder
“Afraid not,” said Johnny. It should diminish some, but we’re just as cooked as the people on the side that takes the direct hit.
No one said anything for a few more seconds.
Then Marylin said, “What about shelter. How deep would we need to be underground to survive?”
Slowly Kevin looked up at Marylin.
“Well, we’ll still get say 1500 rads on our side. We’d have to be in a basement or under a foot or two of concrete,” said Kevin.
“I know just the place, suggested Marylin.
Kevin turned to Johnny on the computer monitor to say goodbye.
“Better get going bud. Find a safe place if you can,” said Kevin.
“Afraid there’s no basement in this building,” said Johnny, very softly.
“Then find another building,” responded Kevin.
“Come on. Let’s go!” shouted Marylin, as she stood with the door open to the building’s stairs.
Kevin jumped up and Marylin and Kevin passed through the heavy metal door as it slammed shut behind them.
But Johnny didn’t move. He knew there wasn’t enough time to find shelter.
“Too bad,” he said to himself. “We could have been famous.”
Chapter 14: A matter of chance
The Gamma Radiation Burst was over halfway to the earth by the time Marylin and Kevin found the lowest level in their building and sat down against a concrete wall.
By the time it reached earth, Kevin’s radiation estimate was a little low. The actual total rad count that hit the earth was closer to 2,100. It swept over, through and around the earth in a millisecond and then continued out into space.
The satellites were the first to feel the impact. All powered and computerized circuitry fused instantly and, in some cases, began to burn. All ground to satellite radio and video transmissions ended abruptly. Inside the orbiting space station’s compartments, where there was oxygen and electrically powered devices, sparks erupted into flames. Where fire found fuel cells or other combustible materials there were violent explosions. The few astronauts that didn’t die from compartment explosions, were instantly overcome with radiation poisoning. Almost immediately they felt like throwing up and most fell unconscious within 15 seconds. Thankfully those feelings were only temporary due to the fires and inevitable chain of explosions.
Within a few days, and now without power, the lower orbit satellites would begin to light up night skies as they burned during re-entry. The higher orbit stations and other satellites would take much longer to descend. But each would finally succumb to the pull of earth’s gravity and provide a brief and glittering display before finally coming home. Only the very few hardened military satellites would survive.
After the satellites died, a millisecond later radiation struck the planet’s surface and the earth’s electrical infrastructure was instantly overloaded.
Power surges created blackouts on every active electrical grid. Where electric lights and other powered devices hummed along, they were instantly inundated and began popping, sparking, shutting down, or bursting into flame. Electric razors stopped working. Blenders quit. Hair dryers exploded in the hands of their owners. Wherever there had been electric light there was now darkness.
The most exposed half of the planet was either just waking up or in the middle of its day. Millions were on the road to work. Every moving car on the road suddenly lost power. Power steering quit. Power brakes wouldn’t work. Computerized engines experienced electrical overloads and then sparks began to fly. Where the sparks found something to burn there were small fires. In some cars the small fires found gas lines and then those cars exploded. Because it was in the middle of the night in America there were fewer cars on the road. But they all experienced similar problems. Russian tractors reaping fall wheat stalled and quickly halted in the middle of their fields. The millions of German car headlights traveling over their perfectly constructed autobahns suddenly looked like thousands of little fireflies bumping randomly into one another as their individual lights flickered, faded, and then died. Australians down under started crashing their cars into one other. Slowly, but surely, everything rolled to a halt. Traffic and movement on every road on the planet ended. In less than a minute there wasn’t a single vehicle moving – anywhere.
Tree life all over the world suffered from the radiation. Pine trees or conifers were most affected. The cellular structure that makes up a tree’s membrane were suddenly ruptured. Nearly every living tree that was directly exposed to the sun was rendered dead. Trees on the other side of the planet did a little better. Those that were protected from the sun by the shadow of a mountain or other thick structures survived. Most everything else died.
It depends on the time of day, but at any given moment there are about 20,000 planes in the skies. Take an average of say… 100 people in each plane. Simple math says about two million people were in the air when the Gamma rays hit earth.
In an instant every single commercial jet, private prop plane and military fighter lost power. The sudden radiation burst fried all computer controlled flight components and in most cases, fires erupted. Those with better glide to weight ratios stayed in the air the longest. Planes more reliant on computers instantly nosed down and began picking up speed as gravity pulled them toward the earth. As each plane’s maximum speed was exceeded, exterior rivets began to rip loose and aluminum metal tore itself apart. Most planes exploded before they hit the ground or ocean. In less than five minutes the skies were clear of all air traffic.
While the mechanics of industry and technology were hit hard, humans took the very the worst of it. Their fragile bodies were never designed to withstand the devastating effects of gamma radiation. Anyone above ground, awake or asleep, was instantly overcome with effects of harsh radiation poisoning.
Those on the side of the earth facing the sun felt instantly sick. The lining in their stomachs was destroyed. Within seconds their internal organs began to bleed, and their central nervous systems were severely damaged. Some of those who survived car crashes stumbled out of the automobiles and fell to the ground. Nearly half stayed in their seats and passed into unconsciousness, their seatbelts still securely fastened.
Those who were sleeping, who did not pass out, instantly doubled up in pain. Mom’s watching their kids board school buses dropped to their knees. Those few who tried to crawl to the bus door never made it. And anyway, the bus drivers were either out cold or writhing in pain themselves. Children and the elderly were most susceptible and were the first to die. Thankfully most died in seconds. Some lived an hour or two. The most unfortunate would die within a few days.
On the other side of the earth the radiation level was lower. In the northern hemisphere, in Canada and Alaska the rad count dropped to about 1300. South America received about the same.
From about Montana south to the end of Central America the passing solar rays blew over the earth at its lowest strength, about 600 rads. But even at that level the results would similar for most everyone who was above ground. Vomiting and internal hemorrhaging would be widespread. Diarrhea would keep most survivors indoors. Hair loss would begin in a few days. The only difference for most would be death would come more slowly, over weeks or in some cases months.
Those in North and Central America, who had phones and the strength to attempt it, tried to dial 911. But all cell and landline equipment went dead. Most phones wouldn’t even turn on. Some survivors tried their TVs hoping to get some information. Others turned to the Internet, but nothing electrical would respond.
The North and Central American survivors who could crawl tried to make it outside, hoping someone would hear their cries for help. But none came. Neighbors and work associates were all just as sick. The police, fire departments, EMTs, and hospitals were all incapacitated.
The earth had taken a terrific punch to the gut. It was certainly down for the count and it would be a long time before it got up again. Maybe this was how the dinosaurs became extinct? Maybe it had ha
ppened several times before. If so, it would probably happen again.
Most living beings on the planet were now dead or dying. Only the few animals that found protective shelter had survived. Most plant life was dead.
However, a few humans remained untouched. They were the lucky or unlucky few – depending on how you looked at it. The recent wave of radiation had passed them by. Their survival had been just a matter of chance really - angle of the earth relative to the Sun, timing, below ground… just a matter of chance.
Chapter 15: Notice the road
Deep in the nearly finished Anaheim Police station basement, Boon Seteran was the first to wake up. Slowly he sat up on the edge of his holding cell bed. When he finally opened his eyes, he noticed it was pitch black dark. Even the soft green glow of the Exit sign leading to the stairs was gone.
“Man, its dark down here,” mumbled Boon to himself as he slowly rubbed his shoulder.
He took a bullet there three years ago. It always ached a bit when he woke up in the morning. He looked down at his wristwatch and pushed the light button to see what time it was. But the light did not come on. He gave his wristwatch a tap or two with his index finger but still the light did not come on.
“Batteries again,” whispered Boon as he slowly stood up and stretched. He lost his balance a bit in the darkness and then stood still for a moment. He grabbed a towel from the shower last night and hung it on the chair across from his bed. He groped for it in the dark and when he found it he turned to where there should have been an open cell door, and promptly walked face first into the bars.
“What the…” objected Boon as his head bounced off the bars.
A few snickers were heard from two other cells.
Boon reached out and took hold of the door with both hands. He tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Tyrone!” accused Boon. “You dick!”
There was a moment of silence before Tyrone slowly responded. “Seems like somebody accidently shut Boon’s door last night.”
Jake Oliver couldn’t help but let out a laugh. He had helped Tyrone shut Boon’s door after they were sure he was asleep.
“Having trouble with the accommodations, sir?” asked Jake with a hit of sarcasm.
“OK, Mr. and Mrs. Butthead. Open the door,” responded Boon.
“Of course, sir. Let’s see if I can get a hold of room service and send someone up to accommodate your request,” replied Tyrone in his best imitation of a hotel operator.
The practical joke on Boon and the resultant banter had brought everyone awake. Mark Harris sat up on the edge of his bed and stretched his head side to side before his spoke, “What’s with the lights?”
Sam Watkins was up too. He looked up at where the exit sign and said, “At least the emergency lights should be on?”
Dr. Martin was up now. He rubbed his eyes and said, “Anyone got a flashlight?”
Almost immediately a small light erupted from Randy Phillips key ring. Because it was so dark the small light lit up the entire floor to some degree. Everyone started getting up and moving.
Frank Jones cell was closest to a light switch on the wall and he reached out to flip the switch with his left hand. But nothing came on.
“Huh,” offered Frank. “The light switch isn’t working either.”
Susan Jenkins already found the bathroom door. When she opened it and tried the interior light switch it failed to work either.
“Bathroom light doesn’t work either,” said Susan as he let the door close behind her.
“Probably just a power failure,” offered Mark. “New construction.”
Randy Phillips was up now and had found his small LED flashlight. The added light made it much easier for everyone to see.
By now almost everyone was milling around the hall. Most were standing in front of Boon’s cell. Those closest were laughing at Boon’s closed-door predicament.
“Very funny. Now will someone please find a way to open this door,” begged Boon.
“Tyrone,” asked Mark. “Figure out a way to get Boon’s door open”
“With pleasure,” answered Tyrone with a huge smile on this face.
“And while you’re at it, see if you can find out why the power’s out,” continued Mark.
“Will do,” replied Tyrone.
“Take my flashlight,” said Randy as he handed it to Tyrone. Then Tyrone headed up the stairs.
“I’m going up to take a look around too,” said Sam Watkins. His questioning mind was alert now. He caught the stairs door just before it closed and followed Tyrone.
After the metal door slammed shut the only remaining light came from Randy’s key ring. A moment later Doc Martin turned on his cell phone. The glow lit his face as he searched for any new text or e-mail messages. He noticed there was no cell reception on his phone.
“No cell service down here,” said Doc Martin.
“Must be the depth of this basement,” said Frank.
A couple of others tried their phone and got the same results.
“No bars,” said Jake as he looked has his phone’s screen.
“Me neither,” said Junior Taylor. “Which is a strange.”
“Why’s that?” asked Mark.
“Cause I had two to three bars last night when I checked my messages,” replied Junior.
Just then Tyrone came down the stairs and through the door. Sam was right behind him. Both grabbed their shoes.
“You all better come upstairs and take a look at this,” said Tyrone. “And I’d put your shoes on if I were you.”
There was silence for a moment. The Mark said, “OK, let’s get our shoes on.”
Everyone ducked into their individual cells and slipped on some additional clothing and their shoes, and then reassembled at the stair door.
“What about my door?” asked Boon, still stuck in this holding cell.
“That might be the least of our worries,” said Junior as he opened the door and the led the group up stairs.
“At least leave me one of the flashlights,” pleaded Boon, as he stood at his cell clutching the cell bars.
“Be right back,” said Randy as he brought up the groups rear with his small key ring light.
The door shut with a clang and Boon was left in total blackness again. He backed up, found his bed and took a seat.
Once the group reached the upstairs and opened the service door they were temporarily blinded by the incoming sunlight.
There were moans and groans from most everybody as they spilled into the lobby and lifted their hands to shield their eyes. Tyron’s suggestion to wear shoes was on target. The floor of the Police lobby was covered with shards of glass. Their footsteps crunched as they moved toward the front door. The lobby’s lights along the walls of the entrance had exploded.
“You tried the power?” asked Mark.
“Yup,” responded Tyrone. “The breaker box is fused. Part of it is melted.”
“Any fire?” continued Mark.
“Yep. But it didn’t spread,” answered Tyrone.
Sam was standing by the door and looking out its thick but very small window. He tried the entrance doors, but they were locked.
“Could we open these doors please?” asked Sam.
“Why,” responded Mark.
Sam didn’t turn away from the small window and continued to look out as he spoke. “Because we might have a much bigger problem than just a power failure.”
The group took Sam’s cue and moved toward the walls to the right and left of the entrance doors. At about 5 feet there was a long glass window on both sides of the door. These windows were equally thick. Everyone looked outside trying to see what was bothering Sam.
“Out there,” said Sam. “You see it?”
“See what?” responded Doc Martin.
Boon had given the key to the front door back to Mark last night. Mark reached into his pocket and slid the key into the front door’s big lock, twisted the key to the left, and opened
the door.
The group moved out of the building and into the sunlight. The sun was up, and everyone was squinting in the beautiful Southern California sunshine.
Sam was the first one out and after a couple seconds he was the farthest away from the building. He shouted back to the group, “Notice the road,” as he pointed to the closed construction gate.
“Notice what?” Asked Frank.
“Exactly,” answered Junior. “There’s nothing there.”
“Right, not a car or person has crossed that opening in the last 30 seconds,” said Sam.
“So what,” said Jake.
“That’s a major road. It’s Katella if I’m not mistaken. Six lanes across. It should be crawling with traffic by now,” continued Sam.