Shelter: Book 2, A Long Days Night

by Ira Tabankin

  I look at our three uninvited guests, “I guess the question of what to do with them is settled, we can’t open the door to toss them outside. I don’t want to shoot them here and smell up our main door. I believe God has told us to spare them.”

  Franco shakes his head, “I wish he would have found a different way to tell us than to drop a tornado on our heads. I need to get outside to check on the damage. I don’t know if we have a motor problem or if something came down and is jammed against the door stopping it from opening.”

  John adds, “Franco, there’s also the small issue of our electrical power. We always feared someone would figure out where the windmills and solar panels energy went, now we don’t have to worry about it, but we do have to worry about getting energy into the shelter. The generators will supply electrical power for the lights, the security and medical rooms. The large fans will run only for short bursts, we’re going to quickly feel the lack of the fans, the temperature will rise inside the shelter. If we rest we should have no problems surviving, however, we have to reconnect our electrical power.”

  I sadly look at John, “My friend, I think the windmills and solar panels are gone. My gut says the tornado tossed them into Georgia. We’re going to have to rebuild them.”

  John looks very concerned, “Jay, do we have extras?”

  Franco smiles, “John, we have extras, however, getting to them and installing them could be an issue. The extra parts were buried behind where Tony’s house was.”

  “Shit, all the way at the backass side of the farm. Couldn’t you guys have selected a better place to stash the backups?”

  I shake my head, “John, it took a while to get the backup parts, I didn’t want them anywhere near us. I thought burying them at the far back end would be a place no one would look for spares to be hidden.”

  Before we continue, we’re interrupted by one of our ‘guests’, “Guys, this is all nice and all, but I’ve got to use the bathroom. Can you direct me to the ladies room?” Said the young lady dressed in her bra and panties.

  I look at her, “Someone give her a shirt to wear, let’s open the inner doors and put a plan in place to check every system.”

  John says, “Let’s make sure our uninvited guests don’t run away, I suggest we bind their ankles.”

  Franco asks, “John, where are they going to run?”

  “I don’t know and frankly, I don’t care. We have enough issues to deal with. We don’t need these three running loose causing us who knows what kind of problems.”

  “I agree with John. Tie their ankles together, Franco you and your sons escort them to the closest restroom, then lock them in a supply room.”

  “Jay, it’s going to be dark and hot in there.”

  “So what? We were about to toss them into the storm, at least they will be alive, uncomfortable, but alive.”

  Everyone nods in agreement. “I’m going to enter my code to unlock the inner doors.”

  Franco asks, “What happens if those doors are jammed closed too?”

  “Then, we have real problems.”

  @@@@@

  Captain Sarnoff watches the US Army patrols packing and preparing to move out. He wonders what’s going on. A few hours ago it looked like they were going to remain here for a few days which would have made attacking them much easier than attacking them on a road march, without knowing where they were headed. Sarnoff is thinking, what is going on? Where are they going? I wonder if they are going to take everyone or leave some behind. Before he’s finished with his thoughts, he’s interrupted by the sound of tanks. He uses his pair of high power binoculars, Oh double shit, just what I do not need. Where did they come from? A platoon of US M1 tanks and additional armored vehicles with additional troops. I did not sign up to fight tanks. Let the American militia fight them if they want, I am taking my people away from this location. “Nikita, we need to leave, quickly and quietly.”

  “Captain, what is wrong?”

  “American tanks have joined the party.”

  “I understand. I will get the men ready to leave. Where are we going?”

  “South, we were originally ordered to North Nashville that is where we go. We will set an ambush for the Americans there. Maybe Darkenov can get us some anti-tank mines or new RPGs, without either we do not stand a chance against tanks. Nikita tell him, his choices are to either supply us new weapons, or a new target.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  @@@@@

  The people of California begin to block freeways and streets in the cities until the governor agrees to hold a vote for or against the Chinese offer. The governor calls the President for help. “What do you expect me to do?”

  “Can’t you send me some troops to break up the strikes?”

  “That will only push the people towards the Chinese who may use it as an excuse to come to the aid of the people the government of America is using force against. Plus, I don’t have any troops to send you, or the fuel to get them there.”

  “I thought we had plenty of fuel.”

  “Yes, HAD. With no oil coming from the Middle East and most of our refineries not functioning, we’re almost out of fuel. The strategic reserve had to be allocated to the military.”

  “What am I supposed to do?”

  “Sell your case to them, take your message to the streets. Whatever you do, do it quickly. I think we’re going to have to allow a vote, just make sure our union friends are ready with their ballots to ensure we win. Nothing can be left to chance.”

  “Mr. President, I’m sure it’s only a small number of troublemakers who are thinking about joining China.”

  “Mr. Governor, I’m not so sure. I think your trouble makers want to remain part of the USA, I think it’s many of our supporters who are enraged because their entitlements have stopped that want to jump ship and go to China thinking they will restart the flow of freebies to them.”

  “I’m sure our supporters understand there was a small economic problem and everything will return to normal very soon.”

  “I’d like to think you’re correct, however, our polling shows the majority of our supporters want their welfare payments back and their flow of freebies back. They’ve lost faith in us to keep their supply flowing. They’re hungry and upset that their cells phones don’t work, most areas don’t have electricity. I’ve tried to throw the blame on the Tea Party and other right wing nuts, but our polls are showing the general public isn’t buying it.”

  “The Greek people bought the story.”

  “What good did it do them? They’re on the verge of another war. Germany is preparing to invade the rest of Europe to force repayment or they will confiscate whatever assets they can in order to pay back the German banks.”

  “Is it that bad over there?”

  “Yes, I’ve asked the media not to report it. I see no reason to stir up any feelings here. Plus I’d hoped the UN would have arrived this week with generators, hot food, and water.”

  “What’s holding them up? The people will change their minds when they see the entire international community helping them.”

  “The only countries in the UN who have agreed to help, have no resources available to get here. Plus they want to be paid in gold from our treasury for any assistance they provide.”

  “What about the peacekeepers?”

  “Most are trying to hold onto their own countries or they’re preparing for war with their neighbors over resources.”

  “Then we really are all alone?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid we are. You’re going to have to deal with your problems as best you can. Just make sure the vote goes our way.”

  Chapter 19

  Captain Jefferson called ahead so his XO and other department heads are waiting for him when he lands. He holds a meeting in the wardroom as soon as he is back on board, “The Washington is out of the war. She took a DF-21 in the worst possible place, middle of the flight deck. There’s a huge hole in the flight deck, the steam lines for the catapults
are severed, the island is badly damaged, when I left, DC was still working to put out the fires. The good news is Commander Scott is still the Washington’s engineering officer, if anyone can get the ship back together it's going to be him. While I was there, he already had reactor one back up and running. Unfortunately, a number of aircraft had to be pushed overboard. Here're the facts; we have no operational carriers. I’ll repeat that, none, as in zero. When it comes to long-range attack, we’re it. Admiral Long has appointed us the lead ship of TF 66 which is us and six DDG 51s. Their job is to provide us with air defense, ours is to sink the Chinese fleet before they reach Pearl. Let me remind you if they reach Pearl, it’s game over. They will be able to take our base with all of our repair facilities and dry docks. They’ll get our warehouses of parts and weapons. Our job is to stop the Chinese fleet from getting to Pearl. We’re getting some help in a resupply and I do believe in miracles, we’re getting some additional sabot rounds for the main guns.”

  The men cheered the good news. The weapons officer stood, “Sir, my department and I have been working on an idea, it’s a little out of the box, but it might work.”

  “Weaps, I love out of the box, hell, we’re sailing in harm's way in a seventy-year old ship. What’s your plan?”

  “Sir we think we can reprogram the land attack Tomahawks to hit ships.”

  “Do tell.”

  “Sir, one aspect of the Tactical Tomahawk update was the ability to hit a moving target, we think we can program the computer to fly to a set of coordinates and when in the area look for the following image, which we insert as Chinese ships.”

  “Weaps, good idea, but we need the coordinates of the Chinese fleet in order to program the missiles.”

  The weapons officer hands Captain Jefferson two sheets of paper, “Sir, took these off of Google Earth’s bird. Confirmed them with our birds, sir we know where they are, they’re heading directly towards Pearl.”

  “Don’t sit here listening to my BS, get programming. I’ll make sure the resupply ship brings us additional birds.”

  “Sir, before I leave, why not have anything that floats at Pearl pull the same stunt the Chinese pulled on our boats, mine their approach to Pearl.”

  “Another good one, XO, send it to Admiral Long, he’ll get it to the base commander. Any other super ideas?”

  The radar officer says, “Captain while you’re asking the Admiral for things, how about a few of the Hornet’s self-protection jammers.”

  “I think I understand, you’re going to mount them on the ships, so if the slick 32s don’t work the jammers will. Have you worked out how to mount them in the air stream?”

  “Sir, top of the masts, we already have power lines running up the masts. We can confuse the shit out of the Chinese.”

  “Go for it.”

  “Lady and Gentlemen, we resupply in less than 90 minutes, about the same time our escorts will be ready. I want to be on the way to Pearl at 35 knots firing missiles and shells all the way to stop the Chinese. Any questions?”

  Looking around and not seeing anyone have any questions, “Let’s go get some and show the world the BB is still the queen of the seas.”

  @@@@@

  Everyone in the shelter realize something has happened. The lights flashed, the fans which circulate the air stopped. A minute later, the emergency lights came on. People move from their rooms into the hallways. Anyone who was sleeping is awakened by the noise everyone is making. People begin making their way to our room, Lacy meets them asking. “Hi, what can I do for you?”

  “What happened?”

  “Where’s Jay?”

  “Why did the power fail?”

  “Is something wrong? Has the gang broken in?”

  “I want my rifle, I heard the alarm, we all saw the lights go out.”

  Lacy takes a deep breath, she decides to address the questions head on. “Listen, I’ll try to answer all of your questions I can. First of all Jay is and isn’t here.”

  The hallway is filled with screaming. Everyone is trying to get Lacy’s attention, Richard, asks, “Lacy, how can he be here and not be here?”

  People applaud and yell “YES!” in support of his comment.

  Lacy takes a deep breath, “He, Tony, John and Todd went outside the shelter. They went to our house to see what was going on while they were there…”

  She couldn’t finish, “What do you mean Jay went home? Why did he go home, but we can’t go home? When are we going back to our homes? This isn’t fair. He promised us we’d all be the same, yet you just told us he went home and left us all here. I want out, I want to go home!”

  Lacy raises her hands trying to calm everyone, “Please listen to me, and please just give me a minute to explain. He didn’t go home. He went to our house to investigate what was going on outside and to plan when we can all go home.”

  The angry mob in front of her doesn’t let her finish, “If it’s safe enough for him to go to your house it must be safe enough for all of us to go to ours. I for one don’t know why you intend to keep us here, I’m going to pack and go home.”

  Please, please listen to me. He’s not at our home, he’s here.”

  “Where is he? If he’s here why doesn’t he come out and talk to us? Has he gone loony again? I bet that’s it. Jay’s lost his marbles.”

  Fred walks to Lacy’s side. “Hush all of you. You sound like a room of old women arguing over a bingo game. Yes, Jay went to his home, something unusual happened, the Sheriff went to his house looking for him, after the sheriff left, Jay and his team went on their planned trip to see how we can get rid of the gang and return to our homes. While he was at his house, we received a weather warning of a giant storm. This storm dropped 30 inches of rain over the previous twelve hours. An EF4 or 5 tornado formed, I think it struck Jay’s house. It came this way which is why we don’t have any power. We have some very urgent issues to take care of, not standing around and yelling at Lacy that Jay went to his home. Where is he? I’ll tell you.”

  Everyone shuts up, the hallway gets completely silent, “He’s stuck in between the outside and first inside door. The tornado must have bent or jammed something in the outside door. It won’t open…”

  Fred might as well have yelled fire or bomb when they heard him say the outside door is jammed, they panicked. They started yelling over each other,

  “What do you mean the outside door is stuck? How will we ever get out of here?”

  “Oh my God, we’re stuck in here, we’ll never get out.”

  “We’re going to die in here.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “I want to speak to Franco, he built the shelter, where is he?”

  Others took up the cry to speak with Franco, Fred replied, “Franco is with Jay, as are Tony and John.”

  Fred didn’t mean to pour gasoline on a roaring fire, but he did. Everyone panicked, if Jay, who designed the shelter, and Franco who built it, are stuck in the small anteroom with their head of security and second in command, all was lost. Some in the group fell to their knees, crossed themselves and looked up towards the ceiling praying for help. People around noticed, they listened a minute then they joined him on their knees praying for help. Fred said, “My friends, I don’t know what else to say to you. I think it’s a good idea if we all pause in our discussion and ask God for help. If we ever needed it, it’s now.”

  One, three, five people bent down until everyone was on their knees, they may have been from different backgrounds and brought up to follow different religions, but they all believed in God. They believed in his love and mercy. They believed he could and if they prayed hard enough, he would save them. This was the south, the Bible belt where the President once said they were stupid for clinging to their bibles and their guns. The people in the shelter believed with all of their heart God would hear them and answer their prayers. Many felt funny after praying for giving Lacy and Fred a hard time. When they stood, they did so with their head bowed, they knew they’d
wronged their neighbor and loved one. Richard stepped forward, “Lacy, we’re sorry. This got completely out of hand. What can we do to help?”

  Fred looks at the group in front of him, “That’s better, this poor woman meant you no harm, she was trying to tell you the truth. The truth is we have a major problem. We think the tornado took down our windmills and solar panels. It most likely bent our door or jammed something against it. We’re going to have to use the emergency exit tunnel which comes out on the other side of the hill, a long ways away from here. We’re going to have to send some people to check the windmills and panels and some to check the front door. The generators weren’t planned to keep one hundred percent of the shelter running all of the time. You’re going to notice the temperature in here start to rise, this is normal.”