Enter the Apocalypse

by Gondolfi, Thomas

  "N-nuclear explosions c-cause huge el-lec-tromagnetic p-pulses," Nathan said. "At l-least we can be sure the n-nanos will b-be dead."

  "Yes, but is there not a way to create an EMP without the explosion?" Yuri asked.

  "An air b-burst!" Nathan exclaimed. "Of c-course! We s-set the m-missile to explode at an altitude of s-say, twenty m-miles. The r-radiation and the b-blast wouldn't be a problem, b-but the EMP w-would knock out everything electronic w-within four hundred miles.

  "Saint Petersburg will be completely shut down," Petter warned.

  "Saint Petersburg would rather be in darkness than dead of smallpox," Yuri replied.

  Bonnie turned to Petter hopefully. "Can you program this thing to do that?"

  "Yes."

  "Then hurry. We've only got a couple hours before those people reach the next town."

  ***

  A nuclear missile launch is a spectacularly unsubtle thing. Bonnie, Petter, Nathan, and Yuri stood on the hill and watched as the olive-green cylinder shattered the barn, engulfed the house in flames, and propelled itself into the sky on a column of fire. Their eyes tracked it nervously as it pushed into the atmosphere, no doubt setting off every radar alarm from Moscow to Washington. When the missile was nothing but a bright speck in the dark blue morning sky, it exploded with a blinding flash. Bonnie threw up an arm to shield her eyes. After the flash came a huge bright orange ball of fire surrounded by a halo of spiky gray cloud.

  Bonnie had just started to worry that they wouldn't know when the EMP had reached them or whether it had worked when Reiner's radio, in the pack at their feet, threw a geyser of sparks. The town's power lines exploded. Every light at the bioweapon factory on the opposite hill went out. And Nathan's body relaxed in the middle of a seizure.

  "Did it work?" He croaked.

  "I would say so," Petter replied, frowning at the ruined lump of metal that had been Reiner's radio.

  They sat there in the wheat and watched as the firework display they had created died down and the sun broke over the horizon, highlighting a comfortingly normal criss-cross of passenger jet contrails and scattered high altitude clouds. Bonnie took a deep breath and allowed herself to think that it might really be over.

  After a while, they realized that they still had work to do if they wanted to go home. Nathan went into town to look for any means of transportation not fried by the EMP, which pretty much limited them to bicycles and horses. Petter and Yuri began to collect the bodies of the victims for cremation, and Bonnie went back to the lab on the hill. She needed disinfectant. A lot of it.

  Remembering what had happened to Reiner, she nearly jumped out of her skin when the gate creaked, but none of the bodies littering the lawn moved. She picked her way carefully through them, eyes down, heart hammering. She didn't see the one sitting on the steps until she was almost on top of it. When it raised its head, she let out a screech, tripped over a corpse, and landed on her ass. Then she saw its face.

  "Reiner!" Bonnie shouted. She scrambled up and threw herself at him in an awkward, space-suited hug. She'd never been so happy to see another person. “How did you survive?”

  “I remember what you are saying to Ian, unt lie still underneath them. Eventually they are going dormant, and after the explosion, they die.”

  There was something in his voice that made Bonnie uneasy. He sounded...gloomy. "This is good, right? We won."

  Reiner gave her a bleak look through his faceplate. "One of the bodies, she has this in her hand."

  Reiner handed her a crumpled, bloodstained sheet of computer paper. On it were thirty names and addresses, many of them in Russia but some in Europe, America, and other parts of the world. The first name on the list was Robert MacLeod, 12 Shepherd's Lane, Kirriemuir DD8 5CY, Scotland. Two thirds of the names, including MacLeod's, had lines drawn through them.

  "Oh, shit," Bonnie breathed. Her knees went out from underneath her and she thumped down onto the step next to Reiner. "It's a hit list."

  "They send not one fuck-you but twenty," Reiner said.

  "And we just knocked out every telephone, radio, and car engine within four hundred miles," Bonnie finished.

  She gazed sightlessly toward the horizon as the horror crawled up her spine. It wasn't over. It was just beginning. A black dot traced a white line in the blue as it arced skyward. She blinked, finally recognizing the criss-crossing contrails for what they were. Not passenger jets, but missiles.

  The Tide Turns

  Lisha Goldberg

  Editor: Mankind can enter the low pressure of space in ships and suits. Why can’t enemies we’ve destroyed for time immemorial do the same?

  Tampa Bay Beach BeaconWednesday, June 1

  Weekly newspaper serving greater St. Petersburg, Florida

  PASS-A-GRILLE BEACH — On Sunday afternoon, one dozen tiny vehicles rolled out of the waves at Pass-a-Grille Beach. Surprised bathers described the vehicles as “silvery and fish-shaped.”

  Snack Shack manager Sam Freed said, “There’s never been anything like this They were seven or eight inches long and had floppy tails. I couldn’t tell if they had wheels, but they sure could move.”

  Mary Moyer, a frequent visitor to Pass-a-Grille, noted that the vehicles delighted onlookers, especially children. “The kids had a blast chasing them up and down the shoreline. Nobody came close to catching one.”

  Police officer James Greis believed students at nearby Eckerd College developed the cars as a prank. “No crime was committed, nobody was hurt, so there’s no need to pursue this.”

  Eckerd College denied any knowledge of the fish-shaped mechanisms.

  Sarasota Herald TribuneMonday, June 6

  Daily newspaper serving the communities of western Florida

  VENICE BEACH — Scores of tiny, unidentified vehicles appeared in the waves near the shoreline. “They darted around swimmers for maybe fifteen minutes,” said lifeguard Steve Rayburn. “Then about fifty of them came ashore.”

  Shoreline fisherman Aaron McNulty caught one of the vehicles with his bait bucket. “I swear I saw a pair of eyes inside that (expletive deleted) fish car,” McNulty said. “Then the little (expletive deleted) leapt right out of my bucket and headed for the waves. As soon as that happened, the rest of those little (expletives deleted) followed.”

  “We don’t know who’s behind this,” said police officer Harold LeBlanc, “but we believe this is a harmless prank.”

  Go to the Herald’s website to see videos of the fish-shaped vehicles.

  Tampa Bay TimesMonday, June 13

  Florida’s largest daily newspaper

  ST. PETE’S BEACH—Stunned beachgoers watched “an army” of alien vehicles emerge from the ocean and drive across the shoreline. Two people went to Palms of Pasadena Hospital for burns they received when they touched a vehicle. Police are investigating whether this was a deliberate attack or an accident.

  Peter O’Hare, an eyewitness to both this and the Pass-a-Grille encounter, says that this time things were decidedly different. “These vehicles looked much bigger, about two feet long. They were shaped more like snakes than fish, and they were silver with brown splotches.”

  Beachgoer Annie Spade explained how one woman became injured: “She was bending down to pick up a shell when one of those things zoomed out of the water and ran over her bare foot. She didn’t say anything at first. Then she started to scream.”

  An unnamed police source admitted, “This one is a puzzle.”

  Visit the Times’s website for videos and more eyewitness reports.

  Tampa Bay TimesWednesday, June 15

  MADEIRA BEACH—Neither police nor scientists can explain the dozens of large vehicles that seemingly exploded out of the bay and rained down on the boardwalk of John’s Pass, a popular fishing village. Marina director Tom Franks described the vehicles as “gray and white, dolphin-sized, and having blowholes on the top.”

  Rose Smith, on vacation from Toronto, described how one vehicle snatched a hot grouper sandwich
from her hands. “I saw lots of silver teeth, and I felt a wet, smooth tongue on my arm. Then I saw these eyes. These black eyes that laughed at me from inside a metal suit.”

  No one reported any injuries, but damages are estimated to run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Shopkeepers complained of broken windows, damaged merchandise, and gouged floors. Restaurant owners experienced the highest losses.

  “They forced their way into our freezer,” complained Fresh Catch manager Daryl Hopkins. “They used these retractable gizmos to clean out our whole stock. Plus, we have to close down and sterilize everything. Who’s going to pay for all this?”

  Go to the Times’s website to see video coverage.

  Tampa Bay TimesThursday, June 16

  MADEIRA BEACH—Three police divers are missing, presumed dead. The divers disappeared while investigating the waters off John’s Pass. The popular tourist destination remains closed while police and scientists continue to inspect the scene.

  Tampa Bay Times Saturday, June 18

  Headline: No More

  St. Pete Police received a text from a phone belonging to a police diver who disappeared at John’s Pass. The message read, “No more.”

  Police do not know who sent this message, nor do they know what it means. An unnamed source confirmed that police have sent a reply to the text, but no details were provided.

  The Boston GlobeMonday, June 27

  Headline: We Are Under Attack!

  What started out as a peaceful day ended up as a nightmare for hundreds of visitors to The New England Aquarium. Untold numbers of fish-shaped vehicles destroyed the Aquarium and sent about eighty people to area hospitals. Injuries included burns, bites, abrasions, and broken bones.

  While touring the ruins, Boston’s mayor confirmed, “They caught us completely off guard. We’ve been monitoring the events in Florida, but we never imagined anything like this happening here. Unfortunately, it did. And we got it worse.”

  An Aquarium spokeswoman provided details about the assault. “They leapt right out of the Harbor and went to work shattering every tank. They ate a number of our residents, and kidnapped the rest. They ranged in size and shape from about five inches to ten feet. The larger ones resembled sharks and dolphins. They seemed more interested in damaging exhibits than attacking tourists. I think most people got hurt because of sheer panic. Emergency exits are difficult to find in the Aquarium’s low-level lighting.”

  In the midst of the chaos, Carol English, here on a day trip from Rhode Island, had a surreal experience. “A squid snatched my purse. And if that’s not weird enough, now my car is missing.”

  Boston police confirmed that an Aquarium guard captured one fish vehicle. The vehicle is now being held at a secure, undisclosed location. No other details are available.

  After destroying the Aquarium, the fish vehicles returned to Boston Harbor.

  The Boston GlobeThursday, June 30

  Headline: Logan Airport Under Siege

  Days after the Aquarium attack, armies of crustacean-shaped vehicles scrabbled across Logan Airport runways. Nearly seventy people were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Most were diners who were injured when dozens of shrimp, scallop, and snail-shaped vehicles obliterated the Legal Seafoods Restaurant in Terminal B. A host of crabs punctured tires on fifteen jet airliners parked on the tarmac.

  Subhead: McCartney Loses Famous Bass

  LOGAN AIRPORT—Dozens of lobster vehicles chased Sir Paul McCartney and his bandmates as the group headed toward a private jet at the far end of Terminal A. McCartney’s party tossed away their personal possessions and raced inside their aircraft.

  The lobster vehicles allowed the plane to take off safely; however, they went to war with each other over the possessions left on the tarmac. When the fight subsided, the victors carried off the spoils including, unfortunately, McCartney’s Hofner bass. Sir Paul used this guitar throughout his Beatle days to record such hits as “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Let It Be.”

  It’s unclear at this time whether the lobsters knew the musician’s identity. In a statement to the press, McCartney said that he is “saddened and stunned,” but he plans to continue the rest of his tour as scheduled. The musician wishes a speedy recovery to all those injured at Logan and elsewhere.

  Reverse 911 Telephone CallFriday, July 6

  Greater Boston Area

  “This is the Boston police. If you live within two miles of Boston Harbor, we recommend that you find other accommodations further from the water. All public waterfront properties are closed until further notice. No boating activities are allowed on the Harbor or the Charles River. Anyone caught violating this closure will be arrested. The following public transportation systems are closed indefinitely: Logan Airport, Amtrak trains, commuter boats, and commuter rail. The blue, silver, and red subway lines are closed. The orange and green lines are operating on a Sunday schedule.”

  CNN Television NewsSaturday, July 9

  “Scientists still have no explanation for the worldwide onslaught that originated from Earth’s oceans. What started as a few tiny vehicles at a Florida beach has now spread to every corner of the globe. Marine-related industries such as public aquariums, fish restaurants, and marinas are subject to the most attacks. Secondary sites include manufacturing plants and science buildings at universities.

  “New and more horrifying assaults are taking place in Asia. Groups of seven to ten whale-sized vehicles are singling out corporate executives, chasing them down city streets, and eventually crushing them. There are also reports of whale excrement erupting out of sewers.”

  Fox Television NewsMonday, July 11

  “CNN is no more. After yesterday’s horrific attack on CNN headquarters in Atlanta and other sites in New York and Chicago, the surviving CNN journalists have either gone into hiding or announced intentions to join other news stations.

  “Scientists believe that the attack was inspired by a CNN editorial suggesting that we drain the world’s oceans. Minutes after this report aired, eel-shaped vehicles poured into CNN’s buildings and altered the electrical current. It is unknown at this time just how many individuals lost their lives from electrocutions and fires.

  “In addition to monitoring our broadcasts, marine life is sending out text messages through stolen cell phones. Scientists, police, and communication specialists are trying to interpret messages that read, ‘No more,’ ‘Stop,’ ‘Fix it,’ and most disturbing, ‘Ha ha.’”

  The Boston GlobeTuesday, July 12

  Headline: Goodbye and Thank You

  This is the final print edition of The Boston Globe. We have evacuated our headquarters and will continue to report as long as we can via the Internet. Because the world’s monetary systems have collapsed, we will no longer charge for subscriptions.

  Thank you to all our loyal readers who have kept us in business since 1872.

  Good luck to us all.

  Fox Television NewsFriday, September 30

  “Three months after a fish vehicle was captured at the Boston Aquarium, scientists have successfully opened it.

  “Inside, scientists found the remains of one flounder, most likely dead from starvation. The flounder was floating in salt water.

  “Here now are the first images inside a fish vehicle. You are looking at tiny levers and buttons designed specifically for this vehicle’s operator. This counteracts recent theories that the vehicles ran by remote control. This also tells us that everything we thought we knew about marine intelligence is completely wrong.

  “What you’re now seeing is a photograph that was not created by humans. The photo was attached to an area just over the flounder’s head. The image shows the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This undersea area acts like a massive tornado comprising plastics, chemicals, and other human debris.

  “Does the photo represent a rallying point for the assailants? Or is it something innocuous, perhaps a reminder of home?

  “All this brings up more questions than answers. Fir
st and foremost is this: What’s next?”

  And I Will Sing a Lullaby

  Trevor James Zaple

  Editor: The apocalypse may not matter excepting that it crystalizes action from those emotions to which we dare not give voice. It seems too high a price to pay for those without the mental fortitude to make decisions.

  "He's only five minutes late. He said he'd be here."

  Charlie watched the sky lighten so subtly that it might not have happened at all. The skyline of downtown stood black and imposing against it, lit faintly here and there by the always-on fluorescents on certain floors. At quarter to five in the morning, the slumber of the skyscrapers seemed imposing; they were like sentinels, keeping a grave watch upon the world, the line of their gaze hidden in the shroud of the early morning.

  "He's not here, though," he said. He kept his eyes on the sky, in part to avoid looking at Lisa's face as he made his decision. "He's not here and we're already five minutes behind schedule. We can't spare any more time to wait for him."

  "He'll be here."

  He forced himself to look at her. She had taken a seat on the bench and was staring down the path from which they'd exited the grove. Her hair was dishevelled and her shoulders were slumped.

  What time did she even get to sleep last night? He tried to remember when he'd heard her coming in the door. Even in this crisis she caroused, and Charlie couldn't understand it. Under the oppressive threat of looming annihilation, a rousing celebration was the last thing on his mind. Had she returned before the bars closed, or after? It had been a close thing either way. Had he fallen back asleep before the phone had begun its insistent ringing? The entire period between hearing Lisa come stumbling in the door and talking to Jason over a crackling, quiet connection was a foggy blur.

  He took the backpack off his shoulders and rooted around in it. He came out with a wide-backed hairbrush and poked Lisa in the shoulder with it. She jumped, and turned her head angrily. When she saw the hairbrush she sighed, and took it from him.