“We will speak when I return,” the general told him.
Something inside of Rush was unsettled, the information just scared him a little. So much so, that, figuring what the hell, he was already in trouble, he used his connection and a dedicated line at base to contact NASA, and pretty much … lied about the information.
Time was of the essence and there wasn’t much time left.
“We think we discovered something here,” Rush told them. “Can we send the information your way?”
Oddly, NASA had a man named Gary Boothe not fifty miles away speaking to students who planned to watch the light show.
Rush got him clearance and Gary arrived. Gary didn’t dismiss the discover. He immediately got on the phone and NASA began their own calculations. Unfortunately it was only hours until impact when everything was confirmed. Only enough time to get the president out.
Since that moment, Rush had done nothing but get things ready. Send out trucks, pick up supplies, pack the trucks that may be needed to go out to aid people. Nothing went as planned. Things went awry with the wave. His efforts had to be maxed out and amped up when the eruptions occurred. Rush wasn’t planning on the need to evacuate the entire states of California, Washington and Oregon. Now he had to add several others to that as well. Nevada, Iowa and Wyoming.
Everything changed, including his goals. He worked non-stop on building communications, reaching out, helping the president come up with a viable plan. When of course the president listened.
The president was a good guy, down to earth, but Rush thought he was a bit spacy.
He reviewed his most recent orders on things to prepare and that didn’t mesh with what he had in mind. The president’s plan would not work with all that was happening, and Rush had to tell him.
For the first two days, Rush was buried in the communications room, speaking only to those he worked with and communicating with the president via a man named Charles.
That had to change.
There would be no chance of miscommunication and Rush requested to speak to the president.
“Thank you for meeting with me, sir,” Rush said. “I appreciate you taking the time.”
“What’s going on?”
“Sir, we are facing the possibility of being buried under three feet of ash. With the storms that are predicted, personnel and survivors remaining may have to move to the entrances and the tunnels that lead to the heliports, because we stand a chance of losing our air filtering system.”
“Should we all evacuate?”
“I would think it was wise to move those we can, if we didn’t need this facility to command I’d say we all leave. I do advise you leave with the Chief of Staff. You can’t and shouldn’t govern under three feet of ash.”
“This is the only place still standing on this side of the county that has the technology to command, I can’t leave Colonel, I appreciate your concern,” Parker said. “I’ll stay and weather it out. Anything else?”
“I have taken the liberty of initiating refugee centers and have informed them to register names as they pass through. Even if they want just a cup of water, get a name,” Rush said. “There are a lot of people coming from the west that have a lot of family worried about them. We need a way for people to locate each other.”
“Agreed,” Parker said.
“We can’t guarantee efficiency or quality at this point. We are just getting things up as fast as we can. Also, we are preparing a rescue and surveillance truck. I will be dispatching that truck south to monitor Interstate 10. I have that scheduled to leave within the hour.”
“Can I ask why that highway.”
“The shaking has stopped, meteors are finished and the ash is filling the sky. Right now we have people leaving six states with nowhere to go. We have to give them direction. We have to give them a destination or we’re going to have chaos.”
“FEMA is working on that.”
“FEMA isn’t doing much right now. We managed to get ahold of the Texas Emergency Response and they are sending an expedited medical set up to the Tucson city limits.
“Why isn’t Arizona handling that?”
“They are not accepting refugees, sir. Travelers will be rejected. That is why we are setting up the camp right now as we speak. There are reports of massive civil unrest in Phoenix.”
“That’s insane.”
“Yes, well, it’s not good. Communications, at least radio, are up and reports aren’t good. That’s another reason we need to give refugees a destination. We have the Emergency Alert system ready to start. We are going to broadcast at the strongest signal we can, trying to reach every radio big and small. We have divided destination cities by state. “
Parker paced back and forth. “We are supposed to come together at a time like this. Why is this the first time I am hearing about it?”
“Because prior to this morning, the only true communication we had was with Russia and a man in Mammoth Mountain. We are moving as fast as we can.”
“I appreciate it.” Parker nodded. “Do what you feel needs to be done, Colonel, get that rescue truck out? If we can spare it, get another truck with survivors.”
“Yes, sir.”
Parker walked toward the exit. “Thank you again.”
After the president left, Rush immediately returned to his tasks. He would give his all and do all that he could, but he was limited and realistic. It wasn’t just part of the country affected, it was the entire world. He wasn’t sure that a few refugee centers would cut it in the long run. The chaos in Phoenix and other cities were just the beginning. He feared anything they did would be like putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound. Without a permanent fix, humanity, just like that wound would eventually bleed out.
It was like Christmas in July, only a lot more gray.
Parker stood at the western opening of the mountain. It was higher than ground level, about three stories, and it led to a manmade cliff used for helicopters.
That heliport was covered with ash that swirled with the winds. The sky was dark gray and the fast moving clouds flashed with lightning as large clumps of ash dropped from above.
What happened to the world?
In everyone’s mind, whether fear or fascination, at some point, they envisioned the end. A doomsday scenario. Never would Parker have believed he would be facing something that had never crossed his mind.
“You need to cover your nose and mouth,” Charles said. “Eyes, too.”
“I’m not out there.” Parker turned and looked at Charles who did wear a facemask and pair of goggles.
“You’re still breathing it in.”
“Look at it,” Parker said. “This is horrible.”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
“Are you scared of going out in this?”
“Can I be honest? I’m more scared of staying. This is only going to get worse. It’s going to fall and keep on falling.”
“And it’s still the beginning.”
“Excuse me.”
Parker faced Charles. “I didn’t want to believe it. I was inside seeing none of this. My view of the world was a few satellite images sent from the Russians. Now … now it’s real. I see how truly this is the beginning of the end. You know, we sit in there, and we talk about long term. We draw blanks, we say, ‘let’s wait until the dust settles, see where we are’. The dust, my friend, will never settle. What we do right now, in the immediate is all we can do.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is and you know it. There is no long term. There is no aid coming from overseas, there are no celebrities getting together to sing a song. It’s not just here, it’s everywhere. And this …” Parker pointed to the sky. “And every other thing that’s happened, the dust and ash will circle the globe. I read what Gary wrote, but I didn’t want to believe it. Temperatures will drop, pretty much the next ice age, we’ll lose seventy percent of crops, water will become polluted, and in six months, we as the government will have e
xhausted every resource we have to give. We’ll have to stop because we won’t have anything to help them with.”
“Then why are we doing this?” Charles asked. “If it’s such a futile attempt.”
“Like the Colonel told me, we need to give people direction. Give them hope, and maybe, just maybe they can hold on to that when they’re on their own. Sooner or later, it will be every man for himself. And if we think the world is bad now,” Parker said. “God help us all then.”
TWENTY-FIVE
CJ knew it, because CJ knew his father well. They were fine. Better than him, Mindy and the others.
The moment he saw his father standing outside of the terminal door, he raced forward, swept his son into his arms and embraced his father.
Covered in ash, CJ knew the reunion had to be short lived.
A woman he didn’t know was with his father, and ushered everyone inside, urging them to take advantage of the running water and wash as much ash as they could from their skin. She also stated there was plenty of abandoned luggage and for them to search out clean and dry clothes.
CJ knew that was a good idea. His skin burned from irritation, and even though he wore that facemask, it was caked with ash and he started to cough.
Mindy tried to put on a good front. She showed enthusiasm when she met Guy and Carter, then shrieked in relief upon seeing Ruben.
Then she quickly excused herself to go get cleaned up.
“It’s bad out there, Dad,” CJ said. “Getting worse by the minute.”
“Abby there,” Guy pointed. “Says it was some sort of super volcano eruption and this isn’t going to stop.”
“Do you think it’s safe here?” CJ asked.
Before Guy could answer, Abby, who was walking by, paused and interjected. “No. The ash is heavy. The roof will collapse before long, that’s if it doesn’t rain first.”
“Thank you, Greta Garbo,” Guy said.
“We talked about the trucks,” Ruben said. “The tanker and getting a truck. We could get on that now.”
“Head out in the morning?” Guy asked.
“No.” Abby replied. “Who knows how much ash will fall by then. We already run the risk of clogging up the engines. Our best bet is to go as soon as possible.”
Guy sighed out. “You have an answer for everything.”
“I’m just trying to help.”
“When do you propose we leave then?” Guy asked. “It’s not even noon and dark out there. It’s gonna take a few hours to get the trucks and these folks ready. We’ll be driving at night before long, then we won’t see anything. The ash is bad enough and dangerous.”
“We stop,” Ruben suggested. “We get things ready, we go and we stop when we can’t see. We should go get the tanker and the truck.”
“Alright, I’ll go,” Guy said.
“Or me,” CJ said. “I can help.”
“No. Stay here, CJ, you need to get cleaned up. Guy … just stay put.” Ruben replied. “Abby, do you want to go with me? Can you drive one of those?”
“I played a truck driver once in a crime show.”
“Christ,” Guy grumbled.
“We’ll be back,” Ruben said, “In the meantime, get everyone situated and informed.”
Guy nodded.
CJ couldn’t help but chuckle at his father’s irritation. After Ruben and the woman walked away, he ran his hand over Carter’s head and then faced his dad. “I’m going to go get cleaned up. I won’t be long.”
“We’ll try to find you some clothes,” Guy said.
“Thanks.” CJ stepped away. “I’m glad you guys are okay.”
“Dad?” Carter called out. “I drowned. I died and everything, ask pap.”
CJ stopped walking.
“Oh, stop,” Guy said. “You’re exaggerating. He’s exaggerating. Go get cleaned up.”
CJ smiled and hurried off.
“Now, why would you say that?” Guy asked Carter. “We can save that for later.”
“I’m glad he’s okay and with us.”
“Yeah.” Guy pulled Carter to him. “Me, too.”
<><><><>
The oversized Cal U sweatshirt was in a rose colored carry on, left at gate four. Mindy found it, took it to wear, but before she placed it on, she covered her mouth, to block out the noise, and sobbed in a bathroom stall.
There were many reasons why she cried. She tried to put on a great front, a strong front, but she was folding inside, not to mention, she knew something was wrong with her body. She literally could not go on anymore, and couldn’t be happier they were finally stopping. She took a while getting cleaned up, but she felt emotionally and physically better when she left the women’s room.
As she walked out, intent on looking for Ruben or CJ, she saw Marty at Gate Two.
He crouched on the floor by a connected row of seats. Rose lay on those seats, eyes closed while Marty wiped her face. Neither looked like they had done anything but just sit down. Marty was still covered in ash.
She walked over to the couple.
“Hey,” she said gently. “I can watch her if you want to go change clothes or clean up.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m fine.”
“Marty, we’re going to be leaving soon. We have to get out of the area. Maybe we can find some help for her.”
“We aren’t going, Mindy. Don’t worry about us.”
“Of course, we do. We all do. If we get Rose to a doctor, they can help her.”
“My dear,” he spoke softly. “She’s in God’s hands now.”
“Marty, I know you …” Mindy’s voice trailed off when she realized what he meant. She reached out her finger tips, touching them softly to Rose’s face. Her skin was cold and hard. “Oh, Marty, I am so sorry.”
“I am, too.”
“We can take her with us. Take her so we can give her a proper burial.”
“No. I’m not going.”
“If you stay behind, you will die.”
Marty only raised his eyes.
“Marty, please.”
“I spent fifty-two years married to this woman. Life isn’t life without her.”
Mindy’s lips pursed in sadness when she heard him say that. “Okay. If you need me, I’ll be right over there.”
“Thank you.”
She gently grazed her hand over his as she walked away. Ten feet was all she moved and the sharp pains began again in her abdomen. She sat down by the windows with a heavy sigh.
She needed a rest, just a short rest, she prepared to close her eyes when Ruben came to her.
Mindy smiled.
He sat next to her and glanced out the window. “Good view?”
“Yes, it is. It looks like snow.”
Ruben took her hand. “How are you? You look … you look …”
“Focus, Ruben, you know the word you want to say.”
Ruben sadly smiled. “Sick.”
She took a deep breath, looked around and lowered her voice. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Sure.”
“I got hurt, Ruben. When we were hit by the wave, I got hurt. I don’t know how exactly. I’m in pain, I want to cry, I’m weak, dizzy, and I think … no, I know I’m dying.”
“Mindy. No. No. Maybe you’re hungry, or dehydrated. I am sure you’re fine.”
“I’m not a medical professional, but I know this isn’t fine.” She lifted her sweatshirt exposing her swollen stomach. Her belly button was dark and a purple ring formed around it. She touch her skin. “Hard as a rock and it isn’t those abs I have been trying to get back.”
“Mindy, we will get you help. I will get you help.”
Emotional, Mindy spoke with a whimper. “Isn’t it too late?”
“No. It is never too late.” Ruben placed his arm around her, drawing her nearer to him.
She just wanted to fold, crumble right there, then she heard CJ’s voice and she sat up, wiping her eyes.
“You alright?” CJ asked as he approached.
<
br /> “Yes, fine. I missed Ruben.”
“I bet. And I bet you’re glad he’s fine. I got you a water.” He extended a bottle to her. “One of those expensive, fancy ones. I figured since you were a celebrity, this is what you drank.”
“Thank you.” Mindy reached for it.
“Hey Ruben,” Abby called then appeared from the escalator. “Your radio is picking up. We have the Emergency Alert giving instructions.” Just as fast as she appeared she raced away.
“I need to hear this,” CJ said.
“Me, too,” said Mindy.
“You need help?” Ruben asked her.
“I’m fine. I’m fine,” Mindy stood. While she still felt horrible, internally she was happy. The emergency alert was good news. Help was out there, somewhere. All was not lost.
They gathered around in silence listening to the yellow radio that Ruben had to wind twice during the long message.
This message will repeat.
Due to multiple volcanic eruptions, the following areas are under immediate evacuation …
Then the computerized voice went on to list states.
Evacuation stations are located in cities that are designated by states. Please visit your state’s stations only. Space at refugee camps is limited to first come basis.
For safety purposes, extreme caution should be exercised when in the vicinity of the greater Phoenix area, if at all possible, it is advised to avoid that area.
Use caution when traveling.
Use caution when traveling outdoors. Volcanic ash is dangerous to the respiratory system.
The announcement was seven minutes long by the time all dangers were listed and evacuation stations announced.
Guy was ready, he waited for the cities to be named for those leaving southern California. Paper and pen in hand he prepared to write down the locations, but didn’t need to. There were only three for those in California.
Tucson, Las Cruces, and Midland.
Wouldn’t every major area, even small town, still standing, still functioning, be open to helping and aiding those seeking refuge?
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