THE BEGINNING Book Two (THE EVENT)
Page 29
It was Tusan’s intent to strike both countries while they were most vulnerable. Any officer that questioned how he knew this information or that either country was responsible soon found himself in front of a firing squad.
He was being driven by the passion of making China the most powerful country on the planet and nothing was going to get in his way. He had always hated the Americans and filthy Russians. He blamed President Nixon for opening the door to China so it could become a whore for the American conglomerates that were here to line their pockets with the sweat of cheap labor.
His mother had died in a sweat shop making tennis shoes for an American company and he vowed then to make them pay for it with their lives someday. Now he was in a position to make good on that if they could only find a way to deliver the nuclear bombs in time.
“General Tusan. Sorry to interrupt you sir but this is very important.”
“More important than my breakfast? You had better hope so,” he said looking sternly at the soldier who had barged in.
“Sir, we have picked up radio transmissions. They are coming from America,” he said.
“What? You are sure?”
“Yes sir. I was sent to ask you to come to the communications headquarters. We have a translator and they are taking down the message. It seems to be automated.”
“I will be there as soon as I dress,” he said, dismissing the soldier. Automated transmissions from America? How are they doing that? He dressed and hurried over to the headquarters.
“Attention,” a soldier shouted as he came in the room.
“Stand down. I want to hear the transmission,” he said.
The man at the controls flipped on a switch and the unmistakable voice of an American drifted through the room.
“This is The United States of America calling all nations. We have been attacked by an unknown force and believe all nations on earth have suffered much the same fate. If you are receiving this message please respond on 109.9 Mz. We have satellite tracking capabilities and have been monitoring the other countries. We know that the entire northern hemisphere has suffered the same devastation. We do not know about the southern hemisphere at this time. If you are able to contact the United States please do so as soon as possible so we can discuss possible cooperation that will mutually benefit all nations.”
A few minutes of silence followed and then it started to repeat. Everyone turned to the General.
“Can they actually monitor our situation?” he asked.
“If they have their satellite network operational. They could take pictures of what was happening with every pass.”
“Can we do that?”
“I don’t know General. Most of our scientists were above ground and perished. We can try to find someone with that kind of knowledge but it will take time, if they even exist.”
“What about the Russians? Can they do the same thing?”
“Maybe. They aren’t as technologically advanced as America but they may be able to do the same thing given enough time and the right people.”
“Why can’t we do the same thing?”
“General, we have no network in place yet. We were working on it but still lacked certain technology. We were still some years away even though the Clinton administration helped our advancement a considerable amount. He gave us access to much of the technology we were missing.”
“The Americans. I hate those people,” he said, balling his fist.
“Sir, it would seem the Americans are in the same shape we are. Whatever attacked us, must have attacked all the nations.”
“So they want us to believe. How would we know? They know we can’t monitor their country so they can say anything they want. This is nothing more than a ruse to make us think they had nothing to do with it,” Tusan replied.
“But..”
“Enough, I said it was a ruse and that is just exactly what it is. Do you understand me?” he said, he eyes wild and darting.
“Yes General,” they all said quickly.
“I will hear no more talk of this. We will make no attempt to contact them is that clear?”
“Yes sir,” everyone replied. This was not the time to challenge the General. When he was in one of these moods it was best to say nothing more than ‘Yes sir and No sir’.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHINA
Corporal Zim had been listening to the message over and over. He was convinced that the Americans had suffered the same fate. It made no sense to believe that they perpetrated the devastation. If they had, nothing was to prevent them from coming here and taking over the rest of the country.
He was sure that General Tusan’s hatred for the Americans was clouding his judgment. A pre-emptive strike made no sense at all. If they had caused all of this then attacking them made no sense because they would retaliate in full force. If they were in the same shape, attacking them made no sense either. What would be the point? Just to kill the remaining few Americans left? What would that accomplish? Even if we did strike first, he reasoned, they would have more capacity than we would. They were more advanced and had much greater capacity to wage war.
It was crazy but what could be done? If he talked to anyone, it would be found out then he would be taken out and shot. Whatever he did, it would have to be done carefully and quietly.
“This is the United States of America calling with an urgent update. We have now been in contact with France, Germany, Italy and England. All countries are reporting the same general devastation that we have suffered. We have many theories as to what caused all of this but no definite proof. We urge any nation that can hear us, to contact us as quickly as possible to discuss the future of mankind. We are appealing to all leaders in every country within the range of this message to contact us immediately.”
Zim took off the headphones and went into the next room. He handed the note over to the HQ supervisor.
“This just came in,” he said.
“A different message? What do you think we should do with it?”
“I do not know. That is why I came to you. Do you think the General really wants to hear it?”
“From what I saw, I would say it would not sway his opinion one way or the other. He has made it very clear that the Americans are to blame and nothing is going to change that. This will just be seen as another ploy by the Americans to get us to believe they were not responsible,” he said, handing the note back to Zim.
“Then we just disregard this message?”
“I would think that would be the safest course of action.”
“What do you really think?” Zim asked, indicating the new message.
“What do I think? What I think does not matter. I think what the General tells me to think. To do anything else is asking to look down the wrong end of the barrel of a gun. I do not intend to do such a thing,” he said.
“That could be dangerous as well. Attacking the Americans could lead to the demise of everyone.”
“Careful what you say. It is dangerous to have such thoughts and it is certainly dangerous to say them out loud. I suggest you go back and listen to the headset and forget this conversation.”
“Yes sir,” Zim said and went back to the booth.
He was going to get no help there.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
USA
“How do you want to proceed?” Captain Sims asked.
“I’m not sure. I think we should discuss it as a group,” Randy replied.
“Maybe we should just say nothing. Sort of let it get out by word of mouth. Not draw any attention to it at all,” Pierson added.
“Or we could just post it and let events unfold,” Margaret Olson suggested.
“I think if we are sure this is the course we want to take we shouldn’t puss…beat around the bush,” Captain Miller said.
Captain Miller had been asked to join the committee since Captain Richardson was under house arrest. He wasn’t afraid to speak up as everyone quickly learned.
“Post it and put it on the radio. Look, once we start down that street we can’t really control it any longer so we might as well just get it out there and deal with it.”
“So we just tell everyone that if they want to leave they can,” Randy said.
“Look, it won’t take but a few days before everyone knows anyway. We might as well show we have nothing to hide and are not trying to form a military government.”
No one spoke for several minutes. Each was trying to rationalize how this would all play out. To tell the population that they could leave at any time with the only restriction being they couldn’t return was a departure from what they had been doing up until now.
“How would we handle it?” Margaret asked.
“I suppose we would require them to register as they leave. I’m sure some would slip out without doing it but we should try to control who leaves so they can’t return,” Pierson added.
“Do we give them a grace period?” Randy asked.
“I don’t see why we should. They want to leave then the hell with them,” Captain Sims replied.
“Hold on. People make mistakes. I mean, I screw up all the time. I don’t see how it would hurt if we gave them a thirty day grace period. If they return anytime within the thirty day period we would allow them to come back as long as they picked up where they left off,” Randy said.
“You know, that could actually work to our favor. If and when someone does come back it has to be for a good reason. People will hear about it and think long and hard about leaving,” Margaret chimed in.
“I think we are being too soft,” Sims insisted.
“Okay. Let’s break this down. Each of you write down how you think we should let the population know that they can leave if they want to. Secondly, write down how you think we should handle it if they do leave. And third, what do we allow them to take. I know we haven’t talked about that but I would like you to put that down as well,” Randy said.
“I guess I just thought they would be allowed to leave with what they could carry,” Sims spoke up.
“Hey, whatever you want to put down is okay. We will look at everything and then come to a consensus on how to handle this,” Randy told him.
Paper was passed out and each member pondered his or her reply. It was not easy for some and others were able to put their thoughts down almost immediately. Randy waited until everyone was finished before speaking.
“We will come back to that in a minute. First I want to talk about the problem we were having with the sewage treatment plant. Captain Miller can you bring us up to speed.
“The biggest problem is everything was computer controlled when the new plant was built five years ago. Now we have to do everything manually and no one is really knowledgeable enough about how it should all work.
We are not able to process the material the way it should be done and that is resulting in a pungent odor that people complain about from time to time. When the wind comes out of the southwest it gets pretty rank just about every place.”
“So the problem is one of getting our techno whizzes to figure out a way to get the computer system back up and running?” Randy asked.
“In a nutshell. Unless we can come up with a better way of processing the waste, the smell will only get stronger as we get more people.”
“I’ll have our technology team visit the plant. I’m pretty sure they will come up with a solution darned fast if they have to spend a few days there,” Randy said smiling.
“Yeah, I don’t like visiting there to see what’s going on for just a few hours. A couple of days will definitely be a motivator,” Captain Miller agreed.
“And our group in Utah. What’s happening with them?”
“Trouble is coming. They are starting to probe into Colorado. We haven’t had any skirmishes yet but honestly it is just a matter of time.”
Randy sat back in his chair and shook his head. More killing? How does it ever end? They have Nevada, Montana and the rest of the southwest to roam. Why come to pick a fight with us?
“The satellite is tracking them?”
“We have one parked right over them at all times. The resolution is getting better and better so it isn’t as difficult as it was just a few months ago.”
“Okay. If it looks like they are getting serious about attacking I want to know immediately,” Randy said.
“Randy, I know you want to have a peaceful solution to everything and I understand that. I sort of do, but sometimes it simply isn’t possible. I have been upgrading our training and we have better weapons but if they bring the fight to us we are not in a very good position to fight back. We are in a valley here and unless we hold the high ground we could be in a world of hurt,” Captain Miller said.
“Even with the weapons we have?” Randy asked.
“Those can only do so much for you.
We need to hold the high ground and with our manpower it isn’t possible.”
“So……?”
“We may be forced to strike first. Right now where they are located they are in a low area. High ground is on three sides of them. They don’t have satellite capabilities. We do. We could eliminate them before they knew what hit them.”
“They don’t know how we are laid out to defend ourselves. Don’t you think that would offset the higher ground?”
“Randy, they do know. You are fooling yourself if you think they don’t have spies in Colorado Springs right at this very moment. They are locating our men and probably making maps. They will know our strength and weaknesses, I can guarantee you that.”
“How do you know this?”
“I have my own spy that has worked her way into a group that is under the influence of a guy named Kyle Whitter. He has been meeting outside of town with a group of malcontents.”
“How do you know he is a spy? I mean, maybe they just want to leave and think we will stop them.”
“Except for the fact that he is having them map our military locations, types of weapons and where our storage facilities are located.”
“Yeah, I guess that would pretty well do it,” Randy replied.
“Should we arrest him?”
“Why don’t you just invite him to meet with us? Kind of nice like. And if he doesn’t want to, then arrest him.”
“I should go now. The longer we wait the more chance he has of just taking off. They have been meeting for three weeks.”
“Go.”
Colonel Miller excused himself and when he was gone Captain Sims said, “I sure wouldn’t want him as an enemy. That guy is something else.”
“I’m just thankful he is here,” Randy replied.
“I second that,” Margaret said.
“Uh, one last thing before we break up. How are we coming on the electric car situation?”
“Just fair. I know you want to get rid of all petroleum vehicles but so far it has been a struggle. We have one that is good for a range of maybe fifty miles and goes only forty miles per hour but it’s a step in the right direction. They are nothing more than glorified golf carts at this point,” Dan Pierson reported.
“Keep on it and if you need any further resources let me know. I’ll try to get whatever you need,” Randy said.
“What about the papers?”
“Ah, yes. I want to look at them and I will report the results at the next gathering,” Randy replied, ending the meeting.
CHAPTER THIRTY- SEVEN
USA
“You’re Kyle aren’t you?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Oh no reason really. It’s just that I’ve heard your name mentioned a lot lately and I wanted to introduce myself.”
“Okay, again, why?”
“Oh don’t be so modest. Aren’t you the leader of the group that plans to leave Colorado Springs?”
“Sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now if you will excuse me, I have some things to take care of.”
“Look buddy, you are full of it. I don’t know anything about that.”
“Well, you see, the problem is we found this map and a lot of notes in your house. It just kind of makes us wonder what you are up to.”
“You have no right to go into my house. Who the hell do you think you are?” Kyle said, getting in Miller’s face.
“Back down Whittler, you don’t want to go one on one with me.”
“Up yours,” he said and sent a sharp straight jab towards Miller’s face.
Miller knew it was coming. He could see his eyes and his body tense up. He rolled his head yanked it back at the same time. The blow whiffed by his face and he brought his right hand up hitting Kyle with the palm of his hand just under his jaw. Kyle’s head snapped back and he went down hard.
“Smooth move. You’re a real tough guy,” Miller said, yanking him up by his shirt.
“You son of a bitch,” Whittler said, rubbing his jaw.
“Hey, I could have killed you if I wanted to. You’re lucky you agreed to come along nicely and have a little chat with us.”
“This is why people want to leave. This is a military police state.”
“In that case, I guess you’re under arrest for treason. I think that is the death penalty if I’m not mistaken.”
Kyle looked at him with a shocked expression on his face.
“Oh lighten up. Just kidding,” Miller said turning him around and putting plasticuffs on him.
He took him to the committee room where Randy was still working.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you might want to meet our infamous Kyle Whittler,” Captain Miller said, pulling him into the room.