DISASTER: Too Late to Prep

by Terry McDonald

  “Are you worried about what you saw on the news?” Max asked.

  “Yes sir. Are we going to get bothered out here? Can the bad guys find us?

  “Son, in this world a person is never a hundred percent safe. Things may get worse, but it will take a while for trouble in the cities to affect people in rural areas. We’ll do our best to be prepared in case trouble does come.”

  “Will you shoot the bad people?”

  Max thought about the question before answering. “If I have to, I will, but I’ll try to just wound them.”

  “Will I have to shoot a gun too?”

  Max tried to make a joke to help relieve his son’s fear. “Lord, let’s hope not. You’d probably miss and shoot our trees to death.”

  The joke didn’t work. “I’ll try harder with Mister Jacob and Mister Otis,” Bobby said.

  Max could tell by the catch in his son’s voice that he was near tears. He tussled Bobby’s hair again as they entered the kitchen. “You’ll get better.”

  After supper, Max took Kelly aside to talk to her.

  “Bobby is terribly frightened by what he heard on the news. After the dishes are finished, I’m sending you two up to bed.”

  Kelly started to protest, but Max continued speaking. “We’ve all had a long hard day's work. I don’t want to single him out by sending him up to bed by himself. He’s tired enough to fall asleep when his head hits his pillow. Dorrie and I are going to walk to the road to check the mail. We’ll wait in the living room for you to come down before we start a discussion about what’s going on.”

  “Okay dad, as long as you wait for me.”

  “Absolutely. You’re the smart one of the family.”

  Kelly grinned at his statement. “Smarter than you, that’s for sure.”

  “Hey,” Max said to her back.

  ***

  Kelly was waiting for them in the living room.

  “You nailed it Dad. I looked in on Bobby after I went to the restroom, and he was out.”

  “Stress on top of a long day did him in. He’s frightened.” Max said.

  Kelly stood to pull a small notepad from the rear pocket of her jeans, and addressed her parents.

  “Bobby may be frightened, but I’m terrified. I made some notes from what I heard on the radio. Do you want me to catch you up before we turn on the screen?”

  “Please do,” Max, requested, moving to sit in his armchair. Dorrie sat on the couch beside her.

  Kelly looked at her notes. “I’m going to condense what I wrote. A lot of it is useless speculation.

  “A total of seventy-seven refineries were attacked by large, remote-controlled model airplanes carrying some form of incendiary explosive. Over sixty of the refineries are totally destroyed, and most of the others were damaged enough to put them offline.”

  “That’s a lot of places. Who did it? Who’s claiming responsibility?’ Dorrie asked.

  Kelly looked up from her notes and shrugged. “No one has claimed responsibility yet. All that’s known is the attacks were coordinated globally and happened within a one hour time frame.”

  Max shook his head. “With so many targets there had to be a tremendous number of people involved in such a vast operation. It doesn’t make sense. People talk.”

  “That’s the question asked the most by the news people and many of the politicians they interviewed. There’s speculation that our government and the governments of other nations are involved, that they knew a group was planning something and for some reason let them go forward, not knowing the true scope of the planned attack. Everybody’s just guessing.

  “The rioting keeps spreading. About an hour ago, the president gave a short address, telling everyone to remain calm and wait for an announcement this evening at nine.”

  “Thank you Kelly. That was a lot of useful information.” Max glanced at his watch. “Ten minutes from now. What else do you have in your notes?”

  Kelly flipped through some pages. ‘Let’s see. Here in the US, food stores looted, I mean mobs of people stripped the shelves of everything. Drug stores, the same. Long lines at the gas stations resulted in most of them pumped dry. Some gas sold for fifty dollars per gallon, but that stopped after the killing of station employees by irate, desperate, customers.

  “The National Guard has been called up by several states and they along with many state and local police units were given permission to use lethal force.” Kelly broke the pace of her recital and looked up from her notes.” They’re doing it too, killed thousands of rioters and looters, here in the US. It’s worse overseas. People are being machine gunned and run over by tanks. Iran used poison gas on a huge crowd that was only supposed to put people to sleep, but it killed hundreds of them.”

  Dorrie nodded in sympathy to her distress. “I think this is it. This is the beginning of the end.”

  Max glanced at his watch again.

  “It’s time for the president to make her announcement.”

  Dorrie reached for the remote on the coffee table and turned on the screen.

  They were a little early, but a minute later, ‘Hail to the Chief’, began playing, and the president came to the podium about midway through the rendition, waved his hand for silence began speaking.

  “My fellow Americans, as everyone knows, our country has been attacked on our soil, within our borders. It is not known with certainty, which country or group is responsible for this act of terrorism, but rest assured, the perpetrators will be brought to justice along with any nation that rendered aid.

  “On the global front, this attack was a determined effort to destroy the vital lifeblood of our modern society. Without fuel, specifically refined oil products, civilization as we know it, cannot exist. In the short term, the terrorists have succeeded. America does not have sufficient reserves on hand to disperse to the general populace. What we do have will be used to continue the vital services for the defense of our country.

  “Let me be clear. Within a few days, all domestic supplies of refined oil products will be gone. To put it simply, there will be no fuel for your vehicles, for heating, for truckers to deliver supplies.

  “Citizens of the United States; Hard times are coming. What fuel, food and other supplies you have on hand will be all you will have in the near future. Many areas, including large metropolitan populations will soon be without electrical power.

  “Not only will there be a shortage of fuel, in the interest of safety and national security, I have ordered all nuclear power plants shut down into safe mode. This action will cause disruption in the delivery of water to your taps and cell phone and internet blackouts.

  “Rest assured that your government is doing everything within its power to cope with this disaster, but our resources are limited and our ability to respond is greatly constrained by the lack of fuel.”

  The president continued speaking for several more minutes, detailing other initiatives like bringing home most of the soldiers from overseas posts, cooperating with allies to insure a fair disbursement of refined products from unaffected areas. The defense department deployed additional troops to guard the few refineries still in operation.

  The president’s final words were chilling.”

  “Against the wishes of my advisors, I am going to speak honestly, because you are my fellow Americans and I love you. Have no doubt we at the Federal level will do everything within our power to predicate a return to normalcy, but for now and for the near future, our goal is to defend our nation and to protect our vital interests beyond our shores. You are on your own. Work with, and depend on your state and local governments. Form citizen groups for mutual support through these terrible times ahead. Ultimately, each individual’s safety and survival is in their own hands. I will return often with updates on our progress. May God be with you!”

  Following the President, the Chairperson for National Security issued statements about the continuing mandates of martial law. A nighttime curfew from sundown to sunrise would remain in
effect for all cities with a population of over a hundred-thousand. Law enforcement agencies had authority to use lethal means to enforce it. He also declared that the stock exchange would remain closed for an indefinite time.

  A series of speakers took turns at the podium. All prices for goods frozen, Payments due to financial institutions, including mortgages, suspended until further notice. Citizens encouraged to conserve what they had and to plant gardens. Supply efforts to most cities halted due to continuing riots and the danger to emergency response personnel. The litany of woes went on, but as Max said, standing to switch off the screen.

  “We’re screwed.”

  Dorrie was shaking her head in disbelief. “That was too fast. How is it possible for the Federal Government to fold so quickly? I don’t understand.”

  “Mom, they talked about that on the radio while I was helping you in the basement. One of the experts said the plan was perfect. Everyone was worried about protecting the oil fields and pipelines, but the key targets that would do the most long-term damage were the refineries. He said oil wells could be brought back online fast and pipelines could be repaired, but a refinery takes years and millions of dollars invested before the first gallon of gas is produced.”

  Dorrie wasn’t satisfied with Kelly’s answer. “But what about our reserves the government has.”

  Kelly shook her head negatively. “That’s oil, not gasoline. We still have some refineries in operation, but the government will need that gas for the military.”

  Max spoke to quell Dorrie’s anxiety. “According to Jacob, the new fuel tanks we invested in, the propane and diesel, should last for two years at least. By the time we run low, things will surely have improved.”

  “It’s the ones who haven’t prepared like us who are going to be hurting,” Kelly said. “The big cities only have a few days food on hand at a time. The way the looting and burning is going on, maybe they’ll run out sooner. Most of the gasoline stations are already pumped dry by panic buying.”

  Trying not to show it, Max was as stunned as Dorrie by the swiftness of the disaster. “I know there has to be quite a bit of gasoline and diesel in storage tanks ready to be shipped, but I bet the feds have ordered the companies not to release it. That’s probably why the president knows that we, the people, are up shit creek without a paddle. I’m glad he showed some backbone and told us so.”

  “Dad, I don’t want to scare you, but something else the internet survival boards warned about was the displaced people in the cities leaving in hordes once the food runs out. There seemed to be a consensus that it will happen in three waves.”

  Max looked at his daughter. “I guess you are the smart one of the family. Tell us about the waves.”

  Kelly grinned back at him. “Told you I was. Anyway. Wave one is the people who have a place to bug-out. They really do call it ‘bug-out’. That’s a place out of the city where they stored supplies and other stuff to help them survive an apocalyptic event.”

  “Okay, I can see that. The first wave, the smart ones,” Dorrie said.

  “The next wave will be the ones who have no supplies at all. Sooner or later they’ll realize they have to get out of the city because of the gangs and the lack of food. They’ll leave in their cars if they have one or on foot if they don’t. That wave will be big.

  “The next wave will be huge, and drawn out as the people who hoarded food exhaust their supplies. When that happens, they and the gangs who live by stealing from other people have to leave the city. They’ll invade the suburbs. I don’t know how long it will take for the suburbs to fall, but we have a wide buffer zone of burbs between us and the city of Atlanta.”

  Max frowned and said, “Thank you, Kelly, What a mess. Condensing your report, we have between a week and perhaps as long as a month before we need to worry about a major invasion from the hordes leaving Atlanta.”

  “It’s not that simple Dad. A lot depends on how fast society collapses. There are bunches of people who will take advantage of a lawless situation. Once the suburbs are gone, I don’t think the police force out here in the country can do much in the way of protecting us. Really, with as many nuts as there are in the world, someone might try to invade and rob us tomorrow... tonight even.”

  Dorrie gasped. “Jesus Christ, Kelly. Are you suggesting we may need to use our rifles and guns to shoot people? I know we talked about it in the abstract, but I’m having a tough time coming to grips with the thought we may be shooting to kill other humans.”

  “More than that, Mom, I’m suggesting we don’t have enough ammo for our weapons. We need more. Lots more!”

  Max spoke into the vacuum following her exclamation. “I agree with you Kelly. I’ll speak to the O’Donnell’s tomorrow. They probably know a local source of ammunition. We should arm ourselves from now on…, well, maybe not Bobby. We’ll have to be sure he’s always in sight of one of us.”

  “I want a shotgun,” Kelly said.

  “What about you, Dorrie?” Max asked.

  “I... A shotgun like Kelly,” she replied, sounding confused and flustered.

  “Kelly, I think you should carry a pistol too. Next to me, you’re the most accurate with one. I’ll carry the other .45 and one of the assault rifles. Dorrie, I’m serious about this. I want your shotgun within reach at all times.”

  “Dad, I’m going to need some rechargeable batteries for my pocket radio. I think it would be a good thing for me to monitor the news, especially local stations. I’d like a solar charger too.”

  “The Radio shack in Clarksville should have that. Dorrie, Kelly. You heard what our President said about possible power failures. I think most of our electric is hydroelectric from the dams on the Chattahoochee River, but if I remember correctly, nuclear may be in the mix. How about you two break out our kerosene lamps and I’ll fetch a container of kerosene from the barn. After that, let’s get some sleep. I want an early start tomorrow. We still have tons of work to do and I want to talk to the O’Donnell’s about how to defend ourselves.”

  ***

  The following day, Tuesday, Max drove the truck south, towards Clarksville to purchase more ammunition for their weapons. There was very little southbound traffic, but he noticed several heavily loaded cars and pickups headed north. Some of the cars and pickups were pulling utility trailers. A few travel trailers whizzed by too.

  A mile before the city limits of Clarksville, he saw a pawnshop advertising ammunition for sale, and decided to check the place. From behind the counter, a short, plump, heavily tattooed man with a shaved head greeted him as he entered the store.

  “Howdy mister. Don’t reckon I’ve seen you before. You passing through?”

  As Max approached the counter, he saw that the man had a pistol lying on the glass top near his hand. He stopped three feet short of the counter.

  “Are you expecting trouble,” Max asked, indicating the pistol with his eyes.

  “County sheriff stopped by earlier and said there’d been a few robberies in Clarksville. You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I guess with the mess that’s happening it’s wise to be cautious. No, I’m not passing through, but I am new to the area. I just moved here with my family.”

  “You must be the folks that moved into Maggie’s place.”

  Max smiled to look friendly even though he didn’t like the man’s attitude. The fact that the proprietor of a random store in this rural area had heard of his family was disconcerting. “That’s us. I’m Max Henderson.”

  Learning Max was a resident in the county seemed to relax the man. “Glad to meet you Max. People ‘round here call me Trader Bob. What can I do you for today?”

  “I saw the sign that you sell ammunition. I need to purchase some.”

  “Done been to Clarksville have you? There’s not a bullet left in town. They sold out yesterday, even Walmart and Sports Academy.”

  Max didn’t correct him. “You still have some though. Right?”

  “Haven’t sold a box
since the trouble started. Nobody wants to pay my new prices.”

  “You bumped them up a bit,” Max, asked, knowing already the answer.

  “Bumped ‘em up a lot. Supply and demand. I have a supply and the demands high. I’ll get my price once it sinks in the stores won’t be resupplied.”

  Max played along. “I can’t blame you for wanting to cash in…, Okay, Trader Bob, I’m going to pull out my wallet and get my list. I’m telling you so you don’t shoot me.”

  “Good thinking, Max. Do it slow.”

  Max removed his wallet from a back pocket and laid a paper listing the caliber of the bullets he needed onto the counter and stepped back.

  Trader Bob looked at the list. “The 5.56 and the .45’s I’ve got in plenty. The twenty-gauge shells, maybe a thousand rounds. The .303 is a different story. I stocked two-thousand rounds ten years ago, before I knew better. Haven’t sold a box since that day. All they’ve done is gather dust in the back storage. Seeing as how they’re so old and I can’t guarantee they’ll all fire, I’ll make you a deal on the batch. Hell, I’ll sell them at cost. They other’s will set you back.”

  “Can I use a debit card?”

  “That suits me, as long as it goes through. Last day though. I’m going to close my accounts tomorrow and deal nothing but cash from now on.”

  “Great. Give me a price on the .303s, and all the shotgun rounds…, let’s say, five thousand of the 5.56 and two thousand of the .45s.”

  Pointing to the wall behind the counter, Max continued, “I see you have a small .22 rifle on the rack. That and a thousand rounds for it.” Max thought Bobby would be more comfortable with the lighter weapon.

  “You want .22 longs?”

  Max had no idea, but figured Trader Bob was suggesting what was best. “Yep, .22 longs.”