Repacious creditor

[forthteller]

Aug 6, 2018 23:34:13 GMT -6 texican said:

FT,

Interesting chapter.... Thanks....

With the hardliners in Russia, how long until the nukes fly?.?.?.?

The war will be in full force in America....

Texican...

Americans still have missile defense and could deploy more EMPs. Enough threat to deter any hostilities. I think the hard liners are more interested in re establishing the old USSR and possibly expanding even further to the west. Not much to stop them now. They also have far superior ground forces. I doubt they even care what is going on in the USA. 

[texican]

Aug 7, 2018 0:23:40 GMT -6 forthteller said:

Aug 6, 2018 23:34:13 GMT -6 texican said:

FT,

Interesting chapter.... Thanks....

With the hardliners in Russia, how long until the nukes fly?.?.?.?

The war will be in full force in America....

Texican...

Americans still have missile defense and could deploy more EMPs. Enough threat to deter any hostilities. I think the hard liners are more interested in re establishing the old USSR and possibly expanding even further to the west. Not much to stop them now. They also have far superior ground forces. I doubt they even care what is going on in the USA. 

FT,

Do not forget the goals of the Russian hardliners to dominate the world and bring the world down to their shit hold level especially with the capitalists turning Russians now at room temperature....

Texican....

[forthteller]

Chapter 42



Alana, Cheryl and Alisha



2 Days after WWlll



“I just don’t get it. This radio seems fine but there is nobody on. No chatter, nothing,” complains Alana as she is at the controls of her ham radio for the third time today. “Something must have taken out my antennae but I have tried all three.”

“3 Antennas? Queries Cheryl.

“I have one on the house, one on the shop and one near the top of the big cedar at the front of the house. They can’t all be down.”

Cheryl absorbs the information. “Maybe we were in the blast radius of one of the impacts.”

“Possible. I need to go out and check tomorrow.”

Cheryl looks down the hall to the entrance door. “What if there is radiation and our bunker gets contaminated by it?”

“The back door is to a small decontamination room with the actual exit door to my workshop. Either way, we need to know.”



3 Days after WWIII



Alana wakes and looks at the clock on the wall. 6:00 AM. She decides that today is as good as any for testing the outside air. She gets dressed and heads over to her storage area in the 4th sea can. She has an older surplus radiation suit. It is not much but it should protect her long enough so she can go up and make an assessment. She grabs her Geiger counter and quietly passes through the sleeping container. Cheryl is awake and sitting up.

“Sneaking out on us?” She says with a big smile.

“You know it. Kidding aside, I am going out to check to see if it is safe or not. We have to turn the air intake on regardless but I would like to know what to expect. I have some more oxygen tanks in the garage. If the radiation is too bad but falling, I may be able to rig something that will give us some more time for the levels to dissipate. It all depends on which way the wind is blowing and if it rained lately.”

With that, Alana pulls her emergency breathing apparatus and face mask on and snaps it to fit. With a shrug she is off but before she leaves, she takes an AR just in case.

She enters the decontamination room and closes the door behind her. With her Geiger counter out front, she cautiously opens the steel door at the side of the grease pit. Still dark out and no power, she flips on a penlight. The clicking of the counter stays steady. Out the door, she stands in the pit and looks around the shop at eye level. Holding the Geiger counter up, nothing unusual. She puts it in a pocket and climbs up the ladder on the wall.

Once up on the main floor, she shines her flashlight around and looks at the devastation. Half the shop has collapsed at the north side and the red car is buried beneath a beam and scattered debris. The h1 looks untouched. To the north she can see sky and cloud through the collapsed roof. Scattered clouds. She holds out the counter, nothing unusual. She can hear noises coming from the house and decides to investigate.

With a second thought she decides to go and get Cheryl to back her up and climbs back down into the pit. Into the small entrance she goes. Opening the second door she sees the two roommates there with enquiring looks.

“well, do we still have a world to live in?” Says Cheryl.

Alana takes a breath and replies. “Only went out into the shop but the roof is collapsed on the north half. No abnormal radiation so the bombs must have landed far enough away to spare us. I didn’t go out of the shop because I can hear noises near the house. We need to check it out but I need you to back me up Cheryl.”

Alicia pipes up, “what about me?”

“You stay here until we get back, the door gets locked behind us, 4 knocks a pause and three more is the code. Don’t open it unless you know it is us. Also, lets turn the ventilation system on, it is getting a little stuffy in here.”

Alecia, being a younger and less experienced person poutingly complies but makes it obvious she is not too happy with the decision.

As they are talking, they can hear pounding echoing down the hallway of sea cans. They all rush down the hall towards the other end, Alana stopping to close and bar the back exit door follows them to the basement entrance. By now it is obvious, someone is on the other side, banging on the door and trying to find a way in. They can hear muffled voices but cannot make out what they are saying.

Alanna motions them all back to the far sea can and quietly retreats back to it, the others quietly following. Opening the gun cabinet, Alana hands Cheryl a Glock and a smaller Walther to Alicia. She then takes out another Glock for herself and another AR for Cheryl. All the women select and insert a magazine in all the weapons, check the safety is on and chamber a round. Alana removes 2 silencers and hands one to Cheryl. They both pocket the cylindrical object. They all take an extra mag and Alana closes and locks the gun safe.

“Let’s go Cheryl. It will take them hours if ever to get that door open. They would need a torch to get in and even then, the door is double layer ¼ in plate steel with 4 inches of re-enforced concrete in between. Jason made it.”

Stealthily, Cheryl and Alana make their way into the grease pit. They peer over the edge and see nothing moving as Alicia closes and bolts the door. Alana covers Cheryl as she climbs the ladder and heads into a sheltered corner of the shop. She visually sweeps the area and motions to Alana all clear as she covers her while she climbs out of the pit.

Alana creeps over to the south west entrance door and can see the morning light beginning to overcome the night darkness. She motions to Cheryl who comes to her sides and also looks out. Alana points to the north west corner of the house and then at herself. Then to the north east corner and to Cheryl. She then makes a circle motion and points to her eyes.

Alana sets out first, and crouching, runs to the corner as Cheryl covers her. Nothing yet. No noise. With a wave, she motions Cheryl to take her position. Once both ladies are in position Alana shoulders her rifle and takes out her Glock and the silencer. She threads it on her gun. From across the back of the house, Cheryl does the same.

Quietly they both slink up the sides of the house, staying low enough to not be seen through any windows. Cheryl peeks around the corner and can see the back of a man smoking a cigarette and carrying an automatic weapon. Half turned is a woman, also armed with an automatic weapon. Both are dressed in ill fitting combat fatigues and winter jackets with local militia unit markings. The mans jacket has a large dark stain on it and two holes in the back.

She sees Alana peek from her side and the woman who was looking in that direction sees her too. The woman Motions to her partner and as she raises her fully automatic military weapon, she cautiously walks towards the far corner. Cheryl creeps from her position and sneaks up on the man with the stained shirt. He is focused on what his partner is doing and stiffens with a start when he feels the barrel of her gun pressed to his lower back.

“Quiet,” hisses Cheryl and he makes no sound. The woman reaches the corner and as she is about to peak around the corner, the barrel of her rifle which was past the corner is wrenched from her grip and clatters away. Alana grabs her by the collar and pulls her to the ground and flips her face down. The woman was so startled by the speed of the maneuver, she barely resisted. Alana looks up and sees Cheryl with her man already face down, knee in his back and handgun pressed to his neck.

Alana fumbles around her pockets and finds nothing to restrain the two. Nothing. She rummages around the pockets of the woman and only finds 2 full magazines. Some granola bars and a pack of cigarettes. No id and no personal effects.

Cheryl, the ex police officer had several zap straps in a pocket of her cargo pants. Snapping one on her person, she pulls him to his feet and walks over to Alana where she hands her a zap strap to do the same. Alana wraps the zap strap around the woman’s wrist, twists it and wraps it around the other. She zips it up and stands. “How do we keep them quiet?”

“I have some duct tape, give me a second.” She rummages around her many pockets and withdraws a flattened roll of duct tape. She rips of an 8-inch strip and hands it to Alana. “here.”

Immediately she rips another strip off and is about to tape the mouth of the man. She stops and asks him, “how many inside?”

“F#$% you, I aint telling you anything.”

Alana grabs him by the collar, sweeps his feet out from under him and slams his face into the dirt. “How many?”

Sputtering through blood and cracked teeth, “2. They got a truck coming back with a torch any minute bitch. They are gonna shoot your ass and when they let me go I am gonna adjust that attitude for you.”

“Tell me why I shouldn’t just shoot you here?” Cheryl says as she cocks her Glock.

“Because you are a cop and cops gotta play by the rules. Got news for ya, worlds over, aint no more rules. Might as well shoot me now cause if I get away I sure as hell will shoot you.”

“Like the guardsman you killed to get that uniform?”

F#@ker had it coming, they all did. This place has a massive survival shelter and lots of supplies, guns, food and fuel. This asshole and his friends thought they were going to get it for themselves. We have lots more coming so you’re just wasting your time with me.”

Whack, Cheryl smacks him across the head with the but of her gun. “He is just stalling, we gotta move before reinforcements arrive. Let’s lock them in the wood shed.”

“Great idea,” says Alana as she begins marching her ward towards the woodshed. Cheryl follows dragging her ward by the collar.

“Lucky this is a skinny little shit.” Says Cheryl.

They arrive at the shed and Alana opens the door and pushes the woman in, forces her to the ground and zaps her ankles. Alana follows, roughly dragging her charge over the threshold.

“I think we need to go lethal from here on out, I don’t think we will have the opportunity to take them alive again.” Remarks Alana.

“Agreed.” Cheryl holsters her Glock and takes her rifle off her back.

“I think we should use the Glocks. Close quarters and all.”

“OK, never thought I would hear that from a soldier though.”

They circle the house and enter the front door, Alana first. After she clears the room Cheryl does the next room first, they see nobody so they slink down the stairs. They can clearly hear two people discussing the door and how it may be constructed.

“Bitch knows we are out here, she could just let us in and we may let her live.”

“Are you serious?’

“Just saying. She was well prepared, wouldn’t be too bad to have someone with her skill on our side. She’s pretty hot for an old bird too.”

With a click, Alana says, “old bird is right behind you, hands where we can see them.”

As she says this a shuffle from the far side gets Cheryl’s attention, she rounds the corner and fires her Glock at the third person who was about to open fire. Both the other men go for their weapons and before they even bring them to bear, Alana has expertly shot both in the head. With all three down, the two sprint up the stairs and then up to the next floor.

Cheryl says to Alana. “If they outnumber us by too much they will corner us up here. We would be trapped. How about one of us goes out the back and circles around to the front. They will most likely come in the front and find the guards gone. Some may go in to investigate, whoever is inside would get the drop on them. The outside person gets the drop on the outside ones when something starts inside. We could pincer them.”

“Good plan. You take the outside. We need to give them a chance to separate. If they all decide to come inside, wait until the last one is just entering and take a shot, I will know they are all in and take them from in here. If we are lucky we will catch some in the basement. Only way out is up the stairs and they would be sitting ducks. If they separate, whoever gets the best opportunity can take the first shot and at that point we both go.”

Cheryl trots down the stairs and says, “lets do this.” She heads through the mud room and into the garage, closes the door to the house and goes out the back door into the yard.

Cheryl sneaks around to the southeast corner of the house and takes cover in an overgrown lilac bush. She can see the road and driveway entrance from here and for an hour she waits. No traffic passes at all on the road. “Wow” thinks Cheryl. “Even with the shortage of fuel and parts, a few cars would have passed by now.”

In the upper window, Alana peeks out through the sheer curtains. The same thoughts are passing through her mind. An older lifted 4-wheel drive comes into view and slows, it turns into the driveway and pulls up to the house. An Oxy Acetylene outfit, complete with a cutting torch is strapped in the back along with 3 men sitting or standing at the back of the cab.

Alana cannot tell if there are two or three people inside the cab and if any are in the small back seat. As the truck comes to a stop, two of the men in the back hop over the box and nimbly hit the ground. The third is hastily loosening the ratchet straps. Once free, he rolls it to the back as the other have dropped the tailgate and are ready to lift it down.

The driver, a female in jeans and ski jacket jumps out and a man similarly dressed exits the passenger side. They both circle around the truck as the three men from the back wrestle with the welding cart.

It is only after the cart is on the ground that one of the men shout, “where did Lucy and Mark go?”

The driver responds, “Those two have been getting a little friendly lately, I bet they are in one of the buildings out back getting it on. Let’s get this crap down to Max, we will sort out the two lovebirds later.”

The lone female enters the front door and heads for the basement stairwell. Alana can see her pass from her hiding spot on the upper landing. Down the stairs she goes followed by two other men. The two with the welding caddy are not visible yet when she hears, “What the f@#$.”

To the stairs Alana sneaks, poking her Glock first and then peeking, she can see Cheryl already has two in her sights with their hands up. Alana sprints to the door leading to the basement and yells down. You are surrounded. There is no way out. Drop your weapons and come up one by one or we will come in by force.

One of the men downstairs rounds the corner shooting and starts up the stairs. Alana fires two quick shots, he drops and falls back down the stairs he had ascended.

From below, a female voice. “we are coming out, don’t shoot.”

Behind her, Cheryl has her two men zap strapped and is just strapping their ankles.

“Alana shouts down, drop your weapons, hands up, don’t make any sudden moves. One at a time.”

She hears a clatter. “Sidearms too.” Another clatter.

The woman starts up the stairs but before she gets to the fifth step a man comes around the wall at the bottom and points a firearm up the stairwell. 2 well placed shots and he tumbles back to the concrete floor.

“You can join him if you want.”

“No. I am coming. I am not armed.” Says the woman from the basement as she holds her hands high in the air.

Alana readies some zap straps, “ok, come up, slowly, keep your hands in sight.”

The woman does. As she gets to the top, Alana roughly grabs her by the wrist and spins her face first into the wall. She quickly frisks the woman and cuffs her. “Let’s put them in the living room and try to figure out what to do with them.”

Cheryl helps the other two to their feet and has them hop into the living room. She puts them on the floor beside the sofa. “I am going to get the other two out in the shed.” Cheryl heads out the door and rounds the corner..

After she leaves, Alana starts questioning the woman from the basement. Where are the bodies of the national guardsmen?”

“Who?”

“The national guardsmen you killed when you took over the house.”

“We just got here. There were no guardsmen, just you and your friend. We were told you were inside the bunker.”

“Who told you?”

“Mike. He said the lady here had a huge bunker, he had some night pictures of it and lots more of her loading it up with all kinds of suppies. We thought if we couldn’t talk you out, we could cut you out.”

“And kill me as soon as you get in?”

No answer.

Just then, Cheryl comes in with the other two hopping on their shacked legs. She ushers them into the room and sits them on the floor.

“Get any information from these three?”

“I did but we should find out if it matches with what these two know.” I think I want to know where the owner of that combat jacket is?”

“The man in the combat jacket says, Screw you. When we don’t get back our crew is going to send more to find out why.”

Cheryl looks at Alana. “Do you think your truck works?”

One of the men on the floor says, “look at the road, nothing on it. Nobodies cars or truck work. Like the atomic bomb stopped everything electrical. All the phones, all the radios, every thing. Our truck was in a metal quasit hut. It is the only one we have working right now.”

Cheryl looks at the man on the floor. “Who are ‘We’?”

“Nobody.”

“I think we need to take them in to the authorities. Let’s take your truck if it starts and theirs as well. We need to get Alisha to drive.” Alana says as she starts for the basement door. She goes down the stairs and walks up to the barely scratched door. She picks up the hammer and hits the door 4 times, pauses and hits it three more times. Moments later she hears some tapping from the inside. She repeats the code. Within a minute, clicking noises, a clunk and the door opens. Alisha is standing there with her handgun pointed outward. Seeing Cheryl, she lowers it.

“Come on. We need to take a trip to town.”

“No radiation. How come there is no power?”

“We don’t know. Maybe something to do with the nuclear bombs. Put the gun away. Let’s go.”

Cheryl closes the door and locks it using a secret lock actuated by a hidden remote lever. They head upstairs to the living room where Alana is standing guard over the 5 captured gang members.

“Gonna go get my truck,” says Alana. She walks out the front door and circles around to the shop. The damage to the building is so severe she cannot get the shop door open so she goes to the open and broken door and enters the shop. Climbing in to the truck, she put the keys in the ignition. The engine turns over and fires. She leaves it idle for about a minute and puts it in gear. Putting it in gear and stomping on the gas pedal, she smashes through the garage door, drives through the debris and around the side of the house. She parks in front of the doors, puts it in park and jumps out.

Into the house she goes, “Okay everyone, lets saddle up.”

Cheryl and Alisha, who are guarding the captives get them up and usher them out the door and into the waiting H1 4 door pickup and the pickup truck the bandits had come in. Alana drives her truck and Alisha drives the other truck. Cheryl jumps in the back of the pickup truck and now is brandishing her AR. The silencer hidden away and her Glock back in its holder.

They drive out the front with Alana stopping for a moment to close and put a fresh lock the gate. Into town and straight to Mt Vernon police headquarters they go. Alisha pulls up to the building that is now being guarded by the national guard. From the back, Cheryl says, “We have some prisoners here and we think they may be guilty of killing some national guardsmen.”

[texican]

FT,

There's three women that you do not want to mess with....

Thanks for the chapter....

Texican....

[forthteller]

Aug 23, 2018 1:13:06 GMT -6 texican said:

FT,

There's three women that you do not want to mess with....

Thanks for the chapter....

Texican....

I know of several persons in my life that are actually like this, well trained and well prepared should a major catastrophic event happen. Most think they are crazy, conspiracy theorists, alarmists or worse. In reality. when it does happen, these will be the survivors that all the rest will flock to for protection or try to rob because they had the foresight to prepare.

All the primary characters in this book are highly skilled in one or more other areas but they all have excellent survival skills and high integrity. These qualities are major reasons why they always win in small conflicts. Teamwork, common objectives, altruistic motives and also it is fiction and I get to choose the winners.

Thanks for reading

[forthteller]

Chapter 43


Justice



3 days after WWIII



“The senior man out front says, wait here, I will get the chief. He disappears into the building and a few minutes later the Chief of police comes out with the guardsman and he immediately recognizes Cheryl.

He gazes at the two vehicles and the restrained invaders. “Howdy girl, I see you have come out of retirement. What do we have here?”

“These people thought they could come and take over my survival shelter by force. We had no idea until we heard them working at my entry door this morning. There were 10 in all. 5 didn’t chose to surrender so they are needing pickup. Two are wearing stolen National Guard uniforms and I believe they may have killed some guardsmen to get them. The one here named mike has two bullet holes in his jacket.”

“Suzie and Jose, I recognize. Both goonies and I am pretty sure we already have warrants for your arrest. The other three, we will likely be able to identify locally. I will get someone to interrogate them and you can all make a statement. Leave the trucks parked here, not like there is a lot of traffic these days. Come on in ladies.” Pointing at the restrained people, he says, “Sergeant, can you escort these people to their temporary quarters please.”

Inside, the police are a mix of military and civilian police. They are working together and Cheryl notices an adjacent room where there is a Ham radio base station with two military men and a civilian operating it. The Chief leads them to his office and ushers them in. “have a seat ladies, would you like some coffee?”

Alicia says, “water for me.” Cheryl and Alana both opt for a coffee. Another police officer that Cheryl recognizes comes into the room and a few moments later the chief comes back with a tray with 5 drinks on it.

“We all knew you had something down there, I guess you had your truck protected too. If it wasn’t for some of you preppers, we wouldn’t have a radio, vehicles or even lights.”

Cheryl leans forward and asks, “protected from what? I saw the mushroom clouds but there is no sign of any damage here, what happened to the power and all the telephones. We have been underground for three days and only came out this morning.”

The chief looks perplexed, then realizing, “of course you wouldn’t know, if you have a radio, it would be out too. What we know is that someone, probably the Chinese, detonated several EMP devices over the United States before they launched the nuclear missiles. Our sources tell us that the west coast was hit by at least 5 large nuclear devices.”

“The EMPs knocked out every electronic device around unless it was protected by something called a faraday cage. Antennas are relatively easy to repair as only the transistors, resistors, fuses and diodes need to be replaced. Once all the repeater stations have been repaired we will have UHF on line again. Hydro lines will take weeks if not months as they have been overloaded at hundreds of points and almost every connection. Telephone and fiber optics are fried even the top techies don’t know why.”

“Newer cars and trucks are junk as they are so full of electronics that almost nothing works. They all have electronic fuel injection, fuel pumps, electronic ignition and dashboards and all the airbags have depoyed. We have our mechanics working on every carbureted vehicle we can find.”

Cheryl absorbs everything she has just heard. “So, we have had no communications with the east for 3 days and wont for how long? What are we doing to secure ourselves?”

The chief looks at the ladies and with a pan of his hands, says, “what you have just seen. Martial law with a curfew of 10 o’clock. We have been provided with communications and a compliment of National Guards to help us secure peace and we have a 3-judge panel and legal advisors who sit every day at 2 to hear cases. We have been provided with vehicles and rations for our people and their families and they have provided us with temporary power. From the communications I have received, all the communities in the northwest have it about the same.”

“communications, how are you communicating?”

“Ham radios. Every police department has a base station

“What we need now is to get your statements and gather evidence for court this afternoon. I will be right out there.” He steps out and immediately another uniformed officer with a pad of forms enters.

The officer who just entered says, “We are just going to take a statement and other officers will go back to your place to gather evidence and retrieve the bodies. We will get this wrapped up today. Justice is very swift these days.”

Alana reaches out and hands him some keys. “For the gate and the house and all the outbuildings.”

He leaves, jangling the keys behind him.

Alana tells the story, the officer interrupting a few times to probe for more details and to get the information verified by Cheryl. Once completed he says, “just to confirm, they said they killed the guardsmen but you haven’t seen the bodies.”

Alana says, “only the man wearing the uniform with the holes in it admitted that but the woman in the other guardsman uniform seemed to affirm that but she never said so.”

OK, that is all we need. “Can I get you two to sign here.” They both sign and all three ladies get up and leave the room followed by the two police officers.

Outside, the H1 and the pickup truck are both guarded by the military. Cheryl and Alicia circle to the passenger side of the H1. “What about your truck,” says the police officer.

“Not ours,” says Cheryl. “It came in to my yard with the intruders. Keys are in the ignition.”

The police officer says to the military guardsman beside him, “can your people put this into the impound yard. We should search it to make sure there is nothing hidden.”

“Certainly Sergeant.”

The police sergeant heads around the corner and reappears in a military police hummer and stops behind the pickup truck. The second officer climbs in and they all leave for Alana’s house.

As they drive up to the gate, it is open and 2 military hummers and a medical troop carrier is in front of her house. 2 enlisted men are carrying a gurney with a body on it. They hand it in to 2 more enlisted men in the truck. As Alana passes, she glances in and sees some unceremoniously stacked bodies on the floor, 5 in all, and three covered bodies neatly on gurneys. The 2 enlisted men come back from the bushes with a fourth body, covered by a blanket as this one is obviously naked. They pass this gurney up and it too is neatly placed on a holder designed for this.

The officer in the truck in front of Alana is already talking to the lead investigator who looks like he may be forensics. “The guardsmen were all killed around 12 hours ago and the five goonies are all around 3 to 6 hours ago.”

“Goonies?”

“Yes sir. I recognized 3 of them from mugshots and one in person. Goonies sir.”

“Very good. Weapons?”

“Guardsmen were all shot by 5.56 and 7.62, I don’t have the resources to get ballistics and the goonies were all shot by 9 mil.”

“Anything else to report.”

“Looking at Alana with a knowing look he says, not that I can think of right now sir. I will write it up and get it to you at headquarters in an hour.” With that he is off.

The senior investigator says to Alana and Cheryl, “can I see your rifles ladies? Just need to check to see if they have been fired.”

They both hand them over. He sniffs the barrels and checks the breach. Neither has been fired.

“Handguns?”

He looks at both, smells them. Both have been fired.

“Looks open and shut to me. Let’s get out of here gentlemen.” He looks at the ladies and asks, “what are you going to do if the goonies stage another attack?”

“Cheryl winks at the officer, bring you some more prisoners.”



At 2:00 o’clock that day



The five captives are marched into court, the three judges looking down on them. Bailiff reads the charges.

The center judge looks at the prosecution. “Are we ready to proceed?”

The prosecutor, who was the crown prosecutor of county court previously, gets up and makes his statement about the facts as they see them, and hands the bailiff the signed statement of Alana and Cheryl. I have three witness, your honors. The investigator who took the statement, investigated the site and who questioned the accused. The forensic investigator who attended the crime scene and an expert gang investigator who is familiar with the goony gang and questioned each of them separately.”

The Judge looks at the defense side of the courtroom. “Do you have your defense of these accusations ready?”

“3 of my accused claim they had nothing to do with the killings and that they were only brought in to open the door. Their evidence given separately corroborates these claims. They are willing to testify against the other 2.”

With this, the two in the combat uniforms turn menacingly toward the other three and the man with the holes in his shirt lunges for the man closest him, “I will kill you Carlos and we will goony your whole family, you traitorous bastard. Yo hear me, your dead man.”

A guardsman behind the accused seat grabs him by the head and puts him in a choke hold. Looking up at the judge, he says, “tell me when.”

After about 30 seconds the judge says “now.” The guardsman lets go and the accused slumps back to his seat. Horsley, he says, “I have my rights.” Looking at his legal counsel he says, “you saw that, he assaulted me.”

The Judge in the center says, “we all saw you attack a fellow accused and our guard restrained you until you stopped resisting. One more outbreak and it will be a full minute before he lets go, do we have an understanding?”

“Understanding? I have my civil rights; this trial is a sham and I haven’t been read my rights. Nothing I said can be used as evidence.”

The center judge says, “I don’t know if you noticed the mushroom clouds or the fact that nothing works anymore but the world changed 3 days ago and if we want to survive as a society we need to pull together. The old system where you can use expensive legal counsel and technicalities to get off on crimes you committed is long gone. We deal in facts here and the facts are you made a statement to the investigator and he was under no obligation to read you any rights. I intend to hear what he has to say. You will get an opportunity to provide your own evidence, this is what justice should look like.”

The center judge slams his gavel down. Let’s get this trial underway. “Present your case Mr. Dilley.”

Your honor, I would like to call our forensic investigator. Please be aware your honor, our technology is severely limited with recent events.”

The bailiff calls him to the stand and has him swear on the bible.

“Can you identify yourself please?”

“I am Detective sergeant Marcus Edmond, the senior forensic investigator with the Seattle police Department. I was at my parents’ home on the night of the attack and am now assisting the Mt Vernon Police force until I am able to rejoin my own department.”

“Thank you. Can you tell us what you found at the property of Alana Watts?”

“5 bodies in the basement. All shot with a 9-mil handgun. They all had powder residue from firearms. There were two automatic weapons, 5 handguns, 2 shotguns and 2 semi automatic weapons in the basement. None of the hand guns nor any of the shotguns had been fired but all the others had been fired multiple times. The angle of penetration was from above indicating they were in the basement and shot from the stairs.”

“Of the 5 bodies, we have positive ids for 3 of the victims. They are all members of the Goonies gang, the other two, we are still trying to ID.”

“I found 32 bullet impacts along the stairwell from both 5.56 and 7.62 slugs. A locked massive safe door or possibly a survival shelter door in the basement with no external locks or other opening devices. Obvious signs of someone attempting to open it with pry bars, a grinder and a sledge hammer. A cutting torch was at the front entrance. It is my opinion that these people were intent on getting in that door.”

“In the bushes I found the bodies of 4 National guard soldiers. Two were undressed, one shot twice in the back, one in the back of the head and the other two in the chest. The bullets I recovered were 5.56 and 7.62. There were no weapons to be found and none of the victims had fired a shot.”

“That is everything I can report. I can run ballistics at the Seattle lab to determine which firearm shot whom but I have no way of knowing who was holding that weapon when it was fired.

Peter Dilly stands and says to the judges, “that is all I want to ask.”

The Judge asks the defense if they would like to cross examine the witness.

Alex peters stands and says “yes, your honors.”

“Detective Sergeant, you said they were shot from above. Is they any way of knowing if they fired first or if they were defending themselves from being attacked themselves?”

“Objection, your honor. These people were trespassing and attempting to break into another persons property. That person had every right to use the force necessary to protect their property.”

The head judge says, “that may be true Mr. Dilly but we are not here to determine if the home owners are justified in shooting the victims. We are here to determine if the 5 accused were looting and if they are guilty of murdering four National Guard soldiers. Please answer the question Sergeant.”

Detective sergeant Edmond answers. “I can only tell you what I can see from the forensic evidence, I have no way of knowing who fired first or what their motives were.”

“Thank you, sergeant, no more questions.”

“You may be excused Detective Sergeant Edmonds.”

As he steps down the center judge says, call your next witness please

“The prosecution calls inspector Howard Maxwell to the stand.”

Inspector Howard Maxwell takes the stand and when prompted by the bailiff, swears on the bible.

“Inspector Howard, could you tell us what your responsibility is in the Mt Vernon police department?”

“I am shared by several municipal police departments and am called in to investigate gang related activities and crime. I was actually in the Mt Vernon department station at the time we became aware of the killings.”

“And you investigated the killing of the 4 guardsmen and the

5 suspected looters?”

“I did.”

“How did you become aware of the crime?”

“A retired officer and her friends came to the station with the 5 accused. I had the accused taken into custody and took a statement from the three women.”

The prosecutor stands and walks towards the bench and hands a stack of forms to the Bailiff. “I would like to submit this as evidence. It is the signed statements of the three witnesses.”

The defense stands and says, “your honor, I would like to have a copy of the statements and a short recess to look at them.”

“You have 10 minutes. Bailiff, get him a copy please.”

The two leave together and the rest of the court goes out to stretch their legs.

10 minutes later. “court is now back in session,” shouts the bailiff.

The bailiff asks the inspector to retake the stand. He does.

The middle Judge says, “can you please continue your line of questions.”

“Did you interview the accused?”

“I did. Separately, with the defense lawyer present. I have three signed statements but the other two declined to make a statement.” He passes the statements to the bailiff.”

“Are you familiar with any of the accused?”

“Yes. I have personally met several in my investigations. The ones I know are members of the local gooney gang. One of the top lieutenants is Mike, we do not know his last name. He was the one wearing the combat jacket with the bullet holes in it.”

“We also know that Mike and several other members share a house two doors away from the victims house. It is likely that he had surveiled the Watts property while she was building her survival shelter and knew what was in it.”

“Thank you, your witness,” He says to the defense attorney.

“Defense has no questions, your honor.”

Mike jumps up, “no questions, what kind of defense attorney are you? Cross examine him, trip him up, he has to be biased.”

The soldier behind him pushes him back down to his seat.

The defense attorney looks at mike and says, “he told the truth, the court will make its decision based on the truth. I am not going to try to get you off on some technicality. I am only here to insure you receive a fair trial and so far, you have.”

Next witnesses are the three defendants who are willing o testify against Mike and Lucy.

The Prosecutor hands their sworn statements to the judge who looks them over and passes it to the judge to his right. He looks it over and passes them to the judge on the far left.

The center judge says, “young lady, I would like you to take the stand.” To the female defendant who was guarding the door.

She refuses, citing the 5th amendment.

The judge says, “very well, we will go on the evidence we see here. You did show up in a military uniform which is in itself is an offense. I would like the young woman who was there to open the door to take the stand then.”

She stands and begins towards it, Mike, two seats down, makes a threatening move. The soldier behind him grabs him in a sleeper hold, looking up at the judges he says, “Your honor?”

The Judge orders the man to be handcuffed to a ring along the left wall on the defense side. “You can stand for the remainder of the trial, young man. I can assure you young lady, he will not have the opportunity to harm you and he will not be given the opportunity to have someone else do it.”

After the woman is seated she takes the oath and swears on the bible. She looks around the courtroom and watches as the prosecuting attorney stands and approaches. Swallowing, she now is the most terrified she has ever been.

“Could you tell the court who you are and your connection to the Gooney group?

“I am Lucy Garcia, I am what is known as a dreamer. I was brought to the US illegally when I was 2 years old. I have been here all my life but I have never received citizenship. I have been involved as a technical serviceperson for the group since 2020. I do mechanical repairs, weld and build things for the group.”

“Are you aware that the vehicles you repair or dissemble are for illegal purposes?”

“Yes.”

“Are you aware that some of the vehicles you repair are stolen.”

“Yes.”

“Are you aware that some of the vehicles you repair are used during the commission of murder.”

“Yes, but I never participate and am not even present when these things take place. Once a person becomes a member of the goonies it is for life, there is no leaving alive. I will be dead within a week when you send me to jail so my testimony today is actually a death warrant.”

“So why would you be willing to testify and why would we believe anything you have to say.”

“My boyfriend was one of the men shot in the basement today and my parents and my son died from the virus, I don’t care anymore. The whole wolds gone to hell, throw me in jail.”

The judge on the right looks at her and remarks, “with an attitude like that, why did you not walk away before?”

Resignedly, she answers, “I have no where to go.”

“Very well, Mister Dilly. You may continue.”

“Do you know the defendant who is handcuffed to the wall?”

“Yes, he is Mike Guzman. He is a member of our gang.”

“The goonies?”

“Is he a leader in the group?”

“I don’t think so, I think he is muscle but I try to keep to myself. I don’t want to know anything”

“Do you know how he got the uniform?”

“No, I don’t. He wasn’t there when I got there with the cutting rig. Jose and Carlos were unloading it and bringing it down to the basement for me, they didn’t make it because the lady there already arrested them. I haven’t even seen the door.”

“Do you know what they had planned to do to the people inside once you got the door opened?”

“I have heard about the lady who owned the house. I expected a gunfight so I was planning on cutting out as soon as it was opened. I think she would have won any gunfight.”

“So, they sent you down to cut open the door, then what happened?”

“When I went down the basement with Jorge and Roberto they saw the bodies and all hell broke loose.”

“How so?”

“Lady from up top yells down to tell us we are trapped and drop our weapons. I had a handgun so I dropped it. Jorge just kicked an AR that was laying on the ground and Roberto had picked up a big assault riffle so he dropped his smaller AR. She then ordered us to drop our handguns. They both did at the same time as Roberto went around the corner shooting with the new rifle. On fully automatic.”

“Did he hit anything?”

“Doubt it. He fired the full clip and she shot him dead with one shot as he was changing the mag.”

“What happened then?”

“She told us to give up again so I thought we were going to. I started up the stairs, Jorge behind me. He had his AR still and was behind me, I heard him bring the weapon up so I ducked. He fired twice and she shot him cleanly, right in the forehead. Next time she ordered only me to surrender, I did. That lady never misses.”

The center judge leans over and looks straight at Lucy. “You just told us you didn’t care if you die, why didn’t you fight it out then?”

“I am no killer, I had no beef with her. If they get me in the pen, I intend to defend myself and whoever gets me may live but they will remember me.”

The prosecutor says, “your Honors, I think I have asked enough questions, I don’t think we need to question the others. I am prepared to rest my case.”

The center judge looks at the defense, “do you have any questions?”

“Yes, your Honor. The two who were helping you with the welding equipment, who are they?”

“Jose Ramirez and Carlos Sanchez.”

“And are they members?”

“Prospects. Jose is a mechanic from Seatle. He worked for the GM dealership before they shut down. I don’t know what his family is like, we are not allowed to talk when we are together. Carlos is new but I don’t know anything about him. I just know he works in the chop shop getting parts as well.”

“Were they part of the assault plan?”

“No, I doubt they even know how to shoot a gun.”

“They were carrying and so were you, is that goony policy?”

“Everyone carries. Handgun at minimum and AR if possible. There are two other gangs trying to get our territory, they want everyone to carry.”

“Do they train you.”

Laughing, she answers, “that would make a lot of sense but no they don’t. Most get their training from watching movies or in action. That’s why I thought this lady would kick our asses in a firefight.”

“A firefight. You sound like you have military knowledge. Did you serve?”

“I did. I was a regular forces aero engine technician. My last posting was at Fairchild AFB. After I got discharged I worked for boing until they shut down in 2018. I lost everything before I got involved with the goonies.”

“And you got an honorable discharge?”

“I did. I did one tour in Iraq but decided to get out after my commitment expired.”

“Thank you, the defense rests.”

An outburst from the left of the courtroom. “What the f#@$, this isn’t a trial. What about the defense case. What about our rights, what about a jury of our peers, what about…”

Slam, “court adjourned, we will be in my chambers for a bit to discuss the case. Everyone be back in 15 minutes.



15 minutes later. 4:15 pm. The three judges exit chambers and re seat themselves at the bench. The senior judge slams his gavel and says, “we have a verdict.”

He reads from his list. “Mike Guzman. We find you guilty of 4 counts of 1st degree murder in the deaths of Private Adams, Private Jantzen, Corporal Torrez and Corporal Soto. All Members of the 88th from Ft Lawton. We also find you guilty of the lessor charge of second degree murder in the deaths of your co conspirators and of home invasion, attempted murder and attempted looting. We herby sentence you to death by firing squad.”

“Suzie Guzman. You have also been found guilty of 1st degree murder and second-degree murder in the deaths of the same individuals. You are also sentenced to death by firing squad.”

“Lucy Garcia, you are found guilty of looting, attempted murder and attempted break and enter. You are hereby sentenced to 5 years imprisonment at a work camp. We will reduce that to 1-year confinement to barracks at Fairfield AFB where you will work under close supervision on light aircraft. After this year, your performance will be assessed and if adequate you will be offered an opportunity to reenlist for a minimum of a 5-year commitment.”

“Carlos Sanchez and Roberto Ramirez, you are both found guilty of looting, attempted Break and enter and carrying illegal weapons with intent. You are both sentenced to not less than three years in a work camp in the state and any interaction with gang members will result in a longer term and transfer out of state.”

Slam, gavel hits the bench. “Court is adjourned, sentences to be carried out forthwith.”

The judges stand and file out of the courtroom. The convicted murderers are led out to the back where they are offered the opportunity to stand at the wall and take their punishment. Both scream and fight back, demand an appeal and a new trial. They are both dragged to the posts embedded in the ground, arms wrapped around the posts and Cuffed. 3 soldiers ready their weapons. The soldier from the courtroom gives the command. “Ready, aim, fire.”



Justice is swift in the new world.

[papaof2]

With very limited resources (power, water, food, able-bodied workers) there would be few to no appeals and all confinements would involve working or starving. Need people producing food, etc, not watching other non-productive people.

[9idrr]

Next case.

[forthteller]

Aug 26, 2018 19:00:16 GMT -6 papaof2 said:

With very limited resources (power, water, food, able-bodied workers) there would be few to no appeals and all confinements would involve working or starving. Need people producing food, etc, not watching other non-productive people.

While I wont put it in in this book, I would think the work camp they are going to would be a farm or the like and they will work or starve. The new reality demands harsh and swift judgement. Lucy has skills that are necessary in the new society, she will re appear in a future chapter, me thinks.

[gipsy]

Need a lot more trials like that these days

[texican]

Justice is swift in the new world.

FT,

Justice will generally carried out at the location....

The three illegals were involved with criminal enterprise that included murder.... They got more leniency than they deserved....

Texican....

[forthteller]

Aug 27, 2018 11:34:06 GMT -6 gipsy said:

Need a lot more trials like that these days

We do. It takes years to conduct some trials and the perps get off because some overworked officer forgot to notarize a statement or a piece of key evidence was found without the correct warrant. In my world we would have 3 judges and they get to ask questions, no twisting the facts, no technicalities. Guilty is guilty. 

[forthteller]

Aug 27, 2018 18:53:27 GMT -6 texican said:

Justice is swift in the new world.

FT,

Justice will generally carried out at the location....

The three illegals were involved with criminal enterprise that included murder.... They got more leniency than they deserved....

Texican....

They got off lightly in todays jails but not at a future work camp. I envision a work camp where you only get food, water and other necessities if you work and produce. The girl has skills needed in the new world and the other two will find that 3 years in a work camp are worse than 10 years in todays jails. I did 3 weeks confinement to barracks in the late 70s and I can tell you I would rather spend 3 months in a civilian jail. A year is going to make or break this girl. Thanks for reading.

[forthteller]

Chapter 44



Day 3 after WWW111



David.



“Pull, pull, pull,” shouts David as he and several others attempt to drag the fallen stairway to the side. The earthquake had cracked the bunker foundation and it had collapsed in several places during the aftershocks. The computer room and most of the newer construction done by David’s crew was intact but the building above it was old and the entrance into it was as well. In addition, they had access to all the survival supplies, water and air ventilation, plus David had already gotten in contact via shortwave radio with those above ground.

David was now spending 75 percent of his time with his computers and in communication with the leadership of the fledgling nation of Cascadia. The rest of the time he was orchestrating the shoring up and clearing of the bunker with the intent of having it repaired and continuing to use it. The destroyed warehouse and production facility above it will provide excellent camouflage until the UN threat is totally gone.

They have been working for days to gain access to the upper building without causing further collapse. Up top crews are waiting to do what they can once David and his people let them know the building is adequately shored. On top of personal safety for the 15 people in the bunker, David is also concerned about his computer equipment.

Common practice when a building has collapsed due to natural or manmade disasters is that any means possible, including heavy equipment, in utilized to gain access to the places where live victims are. In reality, most concrete construction will not collapse everywhere and there may be several habitable spaces inside where people may be able to survive for prolonged periods of time. Sometimes it is the digging and motion of the heavy equipment that causes further collapse of bearing structures and floors. Add to that, trapped people inside frequently do not have communications with those outside and they do not have the expertise to know what is supporting and what can be moved away to safely effect escape. In addition, for longer periods they frequently do not have access to the supplies and water to survive.

David looks at the steel stairs they just pulled away. “if we cut the stringers off we can measure and cut them to the correct length and insert them under the opening on opposite corners. Once we do that, I can signal Brad and he can start removing the walls from above without causing another cave in.”

Peter Kemp, one of the security details says, “I can do that with Michael here. We brought the cutting torch and welding kit. I can weld plates to the top to attach the stringers to but I am not sure what we can do on the floor to stop it from sliding out.”

“Another security detail person, Sarah, says, “Why not weld a stair tread to one end and bolt it to the floor with something. We may have a hammer drill in the tool room.”

“Great idea, we will get started. I am pretty certain we will figure something out.”

David, looking on is amazed at the ingenuity of the people trapped down here with him. “I am going back into the computer room to let the people up top what we are doing. Remember. Until we get those shores in the stairwell could collapse as the floor is old and full of cracks. As we have already noticed, they didn’t put much steel in this building.”

David walks into the computer room and smiles as he sees everything working exactly as it should. Without outside connections it is impossible to transmit what it is doing but David knows the programs written by Jessica and himself will greatly help as they attempt to re start the economy, disperse resources and mobilize the survivors.

Number one is to find out which communities are on board and which are not. So far, almost every community in Washington is on board, a few are worried about a federal government backlash. David is convinced an all-out civil war is on the horizon in the east and he knows for certain that 75 percent of California is gone. No help is coming from the east and likely no resistance either.

Picking up the Mike on the ham radio, he selects the channel and calls out his sign, “hello CQ, CQ, CQ. This is KA1DDS. Kilo Alpha one Bravo Delta Sierra. Standing by for ET1FJS, Echo Tango one Foxtrot Juliet Sierra.”

Static, some clicks and David repeats his call. “hello CQ, CQ, CQ. This is KA1DDS. Kilo Alpha one Bravo Delta Sierra. Standing by for ET1FJS, Echo Tango one Foxtrot Juliet Sierra.”

Static, some clicks and someone replies, “this is foxtrot, Romeo three Charlie Victor Oscar. I have you. Someone has been sent to inform Kilo Alpha on Bravo Juliet Sierra of your request. Do you copy?”

“Copy, this is foxtrot, Romeo three Charlie Victor Oscar. Expected time to arrival please.”

“Less than 2 minutes if Echo Tango one Foxtrot Juliet Sierra is available.”

“Juliet Sierra here, who am I speaking to.”

“Kilo Alpha one Bravo Delta Sierra out of Seattle.”

“Affirmed. Can you give status.”

“We are stabilized. Should have access to outside in 2 to 3 hours. Everyone safe and no injuries. All the equipment is secure and functioning. What is your status.”

“We have secured all the unaffected lower mainland communities south of the Fraser and Agassiz. North of the Fraser is secured as well by Lt. Colonel Matias Marchand of the 39th with a mixture of air, navy and army reserves from units throughout BC but who reside in the Mission to Coquitlam areas. They have over 1000 members spread through the northern portions of the river.”

“Are you in good standing with the municipal authorities and municipal police, and regional RCMP?”

“We are. The UN forces have all retreated to the hope slide area but we have information that they have been recalled to head east to reinforce the Eastern stronghold. It is my opinion that we should aid them in their efforts to get out of the area.”

“I will pass on your recommendation to the consolidation committee. We are organizing a free referendum for April that will ask if the States of Montana, Washington and Oregon wish to secede from the Union. If a super majority of 60 percent wish to, we will officially present our decision to the United States government. If they vote no, all of us who are involved will immediately be arrested for treason and likely turned over to the United States government.”

“Do you have military and local support?”

“Yes, we do. All the reserve units and regular forces are on board. Every municipal government and most of the federal authorities are also on board. All are willing to risk arrest and imprisonment. We are all agreed that United Nations slavery is not an option.”

“It is my opinion that a majority of those in the communities we are safeguarding will also be of the same opinion and I can Guarantee all of Alberta is also in agreement. I will put forward a request to all the municipal and provincial authorities that they also hold a referendum along the same lines. I think it would be expedient that any who do not wish to remain should be offered a safe way to exit if we do choose to secede and they should be compensated for any property they leave behind.”

“Agreed. Be advised, this system is not secure at the moment. In areas not hit by EMPs they could be listening in and throughout the USA, others are coming on line as we speak. They could be listening in for details so I am devising an encryption program so that we will be able to communicate without fear of details being intercepted.” David knows the vote will be held in February but he wants those listening in to think it is in April. He knows they will expect him to encrypt communications.

“I have to get back to my duties, can you get me details as soon as possible.”

“Can do, Juliet Sierra. Out.” David puts the mike back on its holder with a smirk. Those listening will have a big-time surprise coming when he gets out of this dungeon.

David gets back to his encryption program and with a smile starts entering lines of code. The key to a good encryption program is that people should be able to talk into a mike as they would talk to another person face to face. The laptop converts it to gibberish which gets decrypted by another laptop at the other end. Over in the corner is a stack of over 100 brand new laptops, each will get a different encryption code and only David’s system will have the common key. Secret communication will be essential until the nation is established, military is coordinated and production is back online. After that, negotiation will be the norm for any intergovernmental relations.

“We are ready. The columns are in and I think it will hold while we open the entrance.”

“Good job, says David as he gets on the radio to contact Brad.”

Selecting channel 122.85 David says only, “stabilized. Lift away.” To Michael he says, “lets get everyone clear, just in case.”

Michael leaves and gets everyone away from the stairwell. Minutes later, a slight rumbling sounds and dust and small debris begins to rain down. As they look on, the broken concrete wall covering the entrance begins to move, the stairwell continues to hold but cracks do appear to be widening. Slowly, sky begins to show and shortly an opening large enough for two abreast is open to the outside world. The rumbling stops, dust stops falling and a rope ladder drops into the hole.

First down the ladder is Brad. With a smile, he finds David. He walks right over and holds out his arms. David backs up, holds out his hand for a shake. Brad gets the message and takes his hand in a firm grip and says, “glad to see you are all in one piece, doesn’t look like you even needed rescuing.”

“Actually, we could have gotten ourselves out without your help but it would have taken a few more days. We have a back entrance and I think we can still get out that way. Stairwell was smaller so it may not be as difficult to clear with proper tools.

Brad looks around the bunker, “Looks pretty stable down here. We can put in steel columns and reinforce it. Do you want to continue operating from here?”

“I have the system, backup power and everything I need down here. No reason to move.”

“I never even noticed, you have lights on down here. How do you have power?”

“We have a propane powered backup generator and 8 Tesla wall mount batteries. When the batteries fall below 80 percent the generator comes on and recharges them. We have enough fuel for about 6 months and things should have been resolved by then.”

“I guess your dad taught you well.”

“You don’t seem too much of a slouch either. I noticed you showed up with a 4-wheel drive truck towing a trailer with a functioning excavator on it. I know you have a survival shelter up at camp. Bet you were in there 3 nights ago.”

“Actually, I wasn’t. An idiot neighbor who knew about it thought he was being smart and went in it first. He must have thought he was locking me out and leaving me to the nuclear storms without shelter. I found out the next day when I was checking for radiation with my equipment.”

“So where is he now?”

“Still in there, I locked it from the outside and then reburied the opening. I came down to the city to see if I can help here. Jessica is over at her parent’s place, helping with setting up a defense plan in case things get ugly. They hardly got any damage from the earthquake.”

“When are you going to let him out?”

“I talked to the National Guard encampment on the way here. They are going to do it. He will be arrested and charged for looting when they get him. They can unlock it and shut the air supply down. He will have to come out, right into the waiting arms of the military police.”

“When can you get Jessica back here? I really need her to help me with setting up a proposal for a fiscal system for the new country should the referendum be successful.”

“Referendum?”

“We were the first in the nation to get communications back up and we are trying to get enough support together to hold a referendum on seceding from the Union. BC and Alberta are doing the same. If we get enough support before the rest of the country gets its act together, we should be able to develop enough of a defense system so we can actually do it. 2 or 3 years down the road, we may actually be able to develop diplomatic and trade relations with what is left of Canada and the United States.”

“You are Canadian, what do you think will happen there?”

“Slam dunk. Most of the federalist sentiment was centered in Vancouver and Victoria. Both cities are totally obliterated and the outlying areas are so full of radiation that the residents are sick and dying and desperate for help. Ottawa and the east have the same problems as the USA does so it is not likely any help is forthcoming. My dad and several other reserve commanders are securing the area and providing relief. All the military, police and local governments are in support of our initiative. Alberta was in favor of separation before the event.”

“When do they want to hold the referendum?”

“On the ham we have been saying April but we are holding it starting end of January, through to middle of February. We wanted them to think they have time to get their offensive together. I know they have spies within our ranks so we need to be very vigilant.”

“How would you hold a referendum over 20 days?”

“We have voters lists so we are going to do it at the distribution centers, door to door and at every workplace. Our goal is to get a minimum of 75 percent of the people to vote. The sealed boxes will go to counting centers who will count the votes in full view of several officials and in front of a camera. Each box will be resealed and stored in a secure, fireproof storage facility. Results for individual communities will be kept secret until all communities have counted, reported and stored its votes. I will personally turn myself in to the authorities if the vote does not get 60 percent and all the other leaders have vowed to do so as well.”

“You know that if it comes to that you will be tried for treason and probably shot?”

“I do and so do the others, we would rather live free and we would rather die than live under the yolk of a fascist or communist regime.”

“Count me in too. I will do whatever I am asked to do.”

“Do you have contact with the Stans?”

“Only when they contact me.”

“I am sure they will, for now, insure the safety of Jessica and Sam Rodgers. Their financial expertise will be essential in restarting a thriving free market economy.”

“I don’t know where Sam is or if he is even alive.”

“Then I guess your next job is to find him and get him to safety.”

“Here is irony for you. I am standing here taking orders from a 20-year-old after I just rescued him.”

“I don’t give orders. I make suggestions and when they make sense, people do them.”

“Ok. I will do what you suggest. Should I bring Sam here when I find him?”

“Probably best. He can make his own decisions but I would like you to give him that option.”

Brad heads out, his first stop will be Sam’s apartment to see if he is there.

David climbs the rope behind him and after standing at the surface he surveys the damage. Most of the building is destroyed as it was of tilt up construction and when the first wall went down the floor caved in knocking several other walls down.

It does not look like there is an easy way for people to come and go without being seen and he really wants his computer center to remain a secret for a couple more months. At present, at least 30 people know about the computer center and while those outside do not know what is in it, they do know it is an important part of the resistance. He will need top security and air cover should the corrupted UN forces decide to bomb the center.

David walks over to a very attractive young officer and waits until the young woman gives him her attention. “Excuse me Lieutenant, can I have a word with you.”

Lieutenant Ruiz looks at David and is about to dismiss him because of his small stature and obvious youth but his confident nature causes her a second thought and she says, “what can I do for you?”

“I am David Smit, I need to talk with your commander about getting some more security here.”

Incredulously she says, “David Smit, you’re kidding, do you have some ID?”

“I understand, I get it all the time, here you go,” he says as he hands her his BC drivers license and his Canadian passport.”

“But you are only a kid. Everyone knows about you.”

“I am 21, I graduated from MIT when I was 17, I could have done it sooner but the public education system is so lame they held me back for years. I could have my PHD by now. Don’t let my looks fool you.”

“Wow, I am honored to meet you. Nobody is going to believe me.”

“You cannot tell anyone what I look like, I need to be able to walk the streets without getting harassed. Please keep this to yourself.”

“I can connect you to my commanding officer, Colonel Holmes. He is in charge of the Seattle Reserve units.”

“Excellent. Do you have his ham call number?”

“I do.” She says as she hands him the number. “My name is Lt. Maria Luiz, I will probably be assigned to whatever security detail he puts on your operation. I am sure we will work well together.”

“Thank you. I am sure we will,” David says as he turns and heads back towards his bunker entrance. Brads people are already putting in steel poles for shoring and other construction materials are being passed down the now enlarged opening.

Once down, David quickly identifies the senior construction supervisor and heads directly over to him. This man does know who he is so he immediately gives David his attention. “We will be about two days down here and another few up above, building a new entrance and clearing the parking area and garage. Hope it doesn’t interfere with your work too much.”

“Not at all, you are doing an excellent job, just glad to know someone is able and willing to do it. I have another task that needs attention, can I show you?”

“Certainly, lead the way.”

David leads him through a veritable maze of hallways and storage rooms to the far end of the 85,000 square foot basement. He had selected this building because it had been constructed on an 8-inch slab, over a honeycomb of 10 ft, 10-inch concrete walls. Why? Nobody knew because most of the sections were not even accessible until 30-inch opening had been cut in the concrete to access them. The building was about 65 to 70 years old which would mean it was built around the beginning of the cold war. No records of the basement were at city hall and no archives of the engineering were available. Everyone involved in its construction was dead and only rumors had proliferated. David believed none of them until they actually purchased the building themselves and began exploring the maze.

Stopping at the far end, another stairwell is visible. This one has a set of rusted steel stairs that used to lead to a landing at the top. The stairs have collapsed and the landing looks like it could give way at any moment. “By my calculations, we are on the other side of the street, under the Tremco paint manufacturing plant. I have been inside there but I cannot see where the exit is. Is there any way we could access this and get it available for a back exit?”

“No problems at all. Take about two weeks but the guys in the plant will know something is going on down here.”

“Can we survey it from down here and figure out exactly where it will come up?”

“Not exactly. But within a couple of feet. Concrete and steel will interfere with a compass. This many jogs and rooms will make it difficult to get exact measurements because I can tell the concrete is not plumb, level or square. By the way, this concrete is a lot older than the slab above. Probably 20s or 30s I would guess.”

“Thanks. Let’s get the survey done and start shoring up the stairwell. I will get in contact with the owners of the paint company and see if I can work something out.”

They both wind their way through the maze, David goes back to his computer room and the engineer goes back to his construction.

Over to the Ham radio he goes and with a second thought, he decides to go see the commander in person. Back to the rope ladder he goes. Climbing up, he sees the people working to clear the area. “It will be obvious this place is important.” Thinks David.

He heads over to the Lt. “Hello Lt Ruiz, is there any way one of your people can take me over to see your commander.”

“Certainly, Mr. Smit. I have an ambulance that needs to go back. You can go with him.”

“Please call me David. That will be fine. Where is it?”

“Come with me David. I will arrange it. She shoulders her rifle and heads in the direction of the road. As they clamber over the debris she remarks, I cannot believe there is anything safe down there.”

“The engineers are making it safe. Thanks for the ride,” he says as he opens the passenger door.

“Corporal, can you take this man to the Colonel. He needs to see him right away. Tell him it is on my orders.”

The 30ish black corporal looks at the kid and then the lieutenant with a questioning look. “Okay, you’re the boss.”

He starts the truck and dives away towards the armory where the colonel office is. David sits in the passenger seat. Neither talks as the corpsman feels put out by having to take this kid to the commanding officer and David does not want to irritate him any more than he already is.



Over to the East of the city, two men have just left a room where a large 1500-watt ham radio is installed. They have transcripts of every conversation the unit has picked up and also transcripts of conversations picked up by other radios in contact with this one.

“If we can intercept their messages, how do we know they cannot intercept ours?”

“We don’t. you broadcast on an open band and hope nobody is listening in to that one. We also have no way of knowing if we have intercepted all their chatter.”

“Chatter. You sound like one of the geeks in the other room.”

“If it wasn’t for those geeks in the other room we would have no communications at all. It will be over a week before we have proper communications with New York. Until then, those geeks are it. I think you need to show them a little respect.”

“You have spent enough time with them, you know how to operate the system. Why don’t we just get rid of them and you take over with your crew?”

“Because they own the system and we rented it from them with the intention of them getting to operate it. It is worth a substantial amount and they need to assure it is not abused.”

“Who cares what they need. Lets just expropriate it and kick them out. They may not keep quiet about what they are hearing as well. Actually, we should arrest them and put them out of the picture until our people put a stop to this referendum.”

“Lock them up for 3 months? On what charge?”

“Look who’s suddenly going all legal. We don’t need a charge; national security will be our reason. Like I said, you been hanging out with these geeks too much, they probably infected you with their freedom bullshit. Remember, freedom is BS if you have to starve to get it. We are here to provide for the people, sometimes you have to give up some of your freedom for security.”

“Got news for you. Lots of Americans are not willing to give up freedom for security, lots of Canadians too. It is only us Europeans who have willingly done that and look what it got us, nothing. These guys had radios up and running on day one, they have somehow got all their military and lots of civilian vehicles going, they have aircraft flying and they are the ones in the city with heavy equipment rescuing people.”

“Talk like that can get you arrested, and listening to it can get me arrested as well. Lets just do our jobs and shut the f#$@ up. Deal?”

“Fine. We need to get this information over to headquarters and let them deal with it.”

The FBI man leaves the room. He clicks off the recording device in his pocket, believing he has found the leak. Little does he know; the leak is not his partner from the UN. His partner has gradually seen the futility of their actions and has only just recently begun to voice his trepidation. His admiration for the American spirit has grown to the point where he is now questioning the justification for everything they are now doing.

The leak is the person who the FBI man will promote to take his partners position. Sometimes karma is like that.

[9idrr]

Karma don't care.

[forthteller]

Sept 2, 2018 16:48:42 GMT -6 9idrr said:

Karma don't care.

Thanks for reading 9idrr.
Some think Karma is some magical or mystic thing. What it actually is, we reap what we sow. Lying and cheating, stabbing one another in the back, double crossing our contemporaries and putting ourselves ahead of the team means that we will be surrounded by others who do the same. 

[misterjimbo]

Kinda like another meaning for "Birds of a feather flock together" and "What goes around, comes around."

Thanks for a good story.

[texican]

FT,

I will personally turn myself in to the authorities if the vote does not get 60 percent and all the other leaders have vowed to do so as well.

Stupidity....

Never ever give up....

Those that gave up at Goliad were slaughtered by the Santa Anna.... Wasted fighting men....

Did those at the Alamo give up?.?.?.? No, they fought until they could not longer fight or were dead....

There is only one way....

Live Free and Die Free....

Texican....

[forthteller]

Sept 2, 2018 22:09:09 GMT -6 texican said:

FT,

I will personally turn myself in to the authorities if the vote does not get 60 percent and all the other leaders have vowed to do so as well.

Stupidity....

Never ever give up....

Those that gave up at Goliad were slaughtered by the Santa Anna.... Wasted fighting men....

Did those at the Alamo give up?.?.?.? No, they fought until they could not longer fight or were dead....

There is only one way....

Live Free and Die Free....

Texican....

That is the gamble they are willing to take. They want to build a democracy, not an autocracy. For that, it is essential the people get to vote, however, if the idiots vote to let the globalists take over, they deserve what they get. The vote is going to be in the 70 percent for secession anyways. Gonna eventually end up with three distinct societies. 1 hardline communist through Asia, Russia and Europe, one extreme fascist regime in southern hemisphere and pockets of libertarian free enterprise countries who work together for the common good. 

[texican]

That is the gamble they are willing to take. They want to build a democracy, not an autocracy. For that, it is essential the people get to vote, however, if the idiots vote to let the globalists take over, they deserve what they get. The vote is going to be in the 70 percent for secession anyways. Gonna eventually end up with three distinct societies. 1 hardline communist through Asia, Russia and Europe, one extreme fascist regime in southern hemisphere and pockets of libertarian free enterprise countries who work together for the common good.

FT,

Only if the good guys eliminate the liberal socialistic leftists from America and Canada....

Communism Socialism Liberalism are not compatible with freedom....

Texican....
Live Free and Die Free....

[forthteller]

Chapter 45



Unintended consequences



5 days after WWIII



On the western borders of Voronezh; 2000 tanks, hundreds of armored fighting vehicles, artillery and other military equipment is poised. Over 100,000 troops are camped in the area, ready to advance. Equipped for winter warfare and armed with live ammunition, the men and women in white know that this is not an exercise.

In Rostov, a similar compliment of equipment and troops is mostly deployed and more are still arriving. Air support is also present but not nearly as obvious. This is meant to be a ground offensive and it will be fast.

Near Moscow, another contingent of over 1000 tanks and armored vehicles are preparing for war. Preparations are being made. Plans laid out and missions assigned. Soldiers stand in continuous lines as they are issued rations, ammunition and other expendable goods necessary for the next few days.

Tomorrow they set out for the Ukraine. The rebirth of the Soviet Union will begin with a new 5-year plan.



In Geneva, representatives of three of the five permanent members of the United Nations security council are meeting. They have limited resources and are trying to determine a course of action to curb the coming invasion of communist Russian troops.

Reports of massing resources have come in and surveillance from high altitude aircraft have confirmed those reports. With no satellites to provide information the only way to watch movements within Russia is with Tornado ECR aircraft and so far, 3 have been shot down by Russian anti-aircraft missiles. It is obvious to the council that Russia is about to invade the Ukraine and at present there doesn’t appear to be anything the UN can do about it.

The American envoy says, “why not an air strike.”

“They haven’t actually done anything yet. An airstrike would be an act of war on our part and would give them the justification to retaliate. They may actually be bluffing and are hoping for that response.”

The French envoy responds. “We don’t agree. It is the French position that the hardline communists who have taken over the Kremlin are going to attempt to re establish the former Soviet Union. And we are also concerned that when they regain control of former territories they may attempt to go further, into Germany and possibly westward.”

Looking at the British envoy, “what resources can you put forward?”

“We are stretched thin. Economically we have been tight for several years and military expenditures were some of the first cuts. Un troops have been evicted as it has become apparent the UN has two opposing factions and we have no way of telling who is who. In fact, we are bringing forward a motion to withdraw from the security council at the next sitting of the parliament.”

“So, your government would leave the European nations to defend themselves?”

“After we exited the economic union, England was able to withstand the majority of the worlds catastrophic events by looking inward and defending its own economic, social and territorial interests. The United Kingdom has its own problems but we believe they are best solved on our own. France would do well to do the same.”

The American representative cleared his throat. “The United States wishes to continue with the UN but at this moment we have very little to offer. All of our foreign based aircraft and equipment have been recalled and is now on its way back to the USA. As you both know, the EMP strike disabled almost all of our US based aircraft and ground equipment and it will be years before we are back up to full strength. We have civil wars breaking out and it looks like the west has sufficient support to attempt seceding from the United States. Nuclear hits at several strategic places have basically made it so the whole west coast is lost for the time being.”

“So, we can expect no support from either of your nations.”

“I suggest you talk to the Germans and the Italians. They are at risk as well and still have extensive military capability.”

“The Germans yes but the Italians were devastated by the ice age Virus and lost at least 5 million citizens with easily that many permanently disabled. They do not have the personnel to even operate the military equipment they have available.”

“So what.Your people are trained, your population was relatively un touched, why not work with the Italians?”

Sighing, the French emissary says, “we have many in our country who agree with the Communists. We will have to battle the threat from both fronts.”

As the meeting drones on, one thing is certain, Europe will be getting no support from any of its regular supporters, it is time to stand on its own.



Next day.

In Belin, a pre-occupied Hans Christenson is on his way to the Reichstag building to meet with several other generals and the Minister of Defense. They will be there to talk about the threat posed by Russia as it looks to be attempting a reunification of the former Soviet Union.

He has to take the subway as even high-ranking military can only get a vehicle on very rare occasions. Fuel is so scarce that almost no vehicles are travelling, all the diesel trains and busses are not operating and almost no aircraft are flying.

Suspiciously, Hans rapidly turns several times to try to catch anyone watching him as he exits the train car. He believes he is being watched but he cannot identify the source. On a bench, a man is reading a days old newspaper which is not that unusual these days as the papers are now only published two or three times a week. Over on the platform, several young people who are most likely on their way to school stand around chatting. Further up the platform is a man and woman having an animated discussion. Nothing unusual but Hans still has the feeling.

As Hans exits the platform and heads up an immobile escalator he doesn’t notice one young man disengaging from the group of youths. Hans climbs the final few steps as the young man begins his climb up. Hans turns the corner and heads toward the entrance of the Reichstag building. With a glance over his shoulder he crosses the street. Once at the other side he climbs the steps up to the entrance of the majestic building and enters one of the many doors. Inside, he feels safe but he still has the feeling that he is being followed.

Inside, Hans heads over to reception and after presenting his ID and explaining his purpose for being in the building he is asked to step into a small adjoining room. In there is subjected to a pat down search and a metal detector wand. His side arm sets off the alarm and he allows the security person to remove his service weapon. The security person opens a small lockbox along a wall, puts the gun inside and hands the key to Hans. “You can have this back when you exit the building sir. One of my people will escort you up to the office sir, sorry for the inconvenience.”

Hans takes the key and steps out the door and waits for his escort. Shortly a tall Gefreiter arrives and after crisply saluting says he is here to take the General up to room 2015 and that he will wait for him to leave, at which time he will escort him back. Hans recalls the days when he could enter this building and go to wherever he needed without any of this nonsense. These days, even those in uniform and elected officials can and have attacked others and have attempted to disrupt the official goings on.

In silence, they enter and ride the elevator up to the second floor. The doors open and the general steps out. The armed military guard behind him follows him as he heads for the appropriate room. Once at the door he excuses his escort who heads a few yards down the hall and disappears into a small alcove. In the alcove are 7 other military persons, all armed and all alert.

Hans opens the door with trepidation, “I wonder if they know and if so, how much?” So far, the secretary of Defense, Barry Middleton; the interim secretary general of the United Nations, Marisa DeSousa; and the number two man in the Roman Catholic church, Arch Bishop Edwardo Palmeno have been outed and all three have disappeared. It is only a matter of time before Hans gets outed too.

“Come in general” says a polite voice in German. “Glad you could join us, we have a seat for you right here.”

Hans detects the overtone of sarcasm but doesn’t know if it is because he is a few minutes late or because he is the ranking general present. He takes the seat and smugly smiles at the others in the room.

The Secretary of Defense starts with, “Gentlemen, we are here to determine a course of action to ward off what we believe to be a certainty.”

An admiral at the end of the table asks, “Certainty. How do we know this, the Russians could be just posturing to cause any outsiders second thoughts if they are to interfere in Russian internal politics?”

The secretary of Defense slides a large report down the table to him. “This tells me so. It is a report on who Sergei Valentov is, what he has done and said over the last 25 years and what he believes. This intelligence does not leave this room but we know for certain that he intends to restore the Soviet Union under a Stalinist type regime. Our intelligence analysts also believe that if he believes it possible, he will attempt to take the entire European continent and all of Asia.”

An air force general pipes in, “we have sent in several reconnaissance aircraft and they have all returned with the same information. Over 3000 tanks and another 1500 pieces of artillery amassed as well as all the supporting equipment along the border. Over 100,000 ground forces as well. This is no exercise. We tried to get a look at the air strength but lost several aircraft to anti-aircraft ground fire and MiG 35 fighters.”

Another army general looks at the air force general and asks, “you are telling us we have no idea what their air support would be like.”

“Correct, we have no satellites and limited fuel for our aircraft. We have done what we can but we cannot afford to continue losing aircraft because we don’t have enough fuel to send a full compliment of fighters to support the reconnaissance aircraft.”

“Why can’t we get more fuel?”

The secretary of Defense answers. “The middle east is in tatters; all the smaller countries have broken up into smaller warring factions. Oil wells and refineries have been the main targets for almost all sides. In the larger countries, the Islamic leadership has quadrupled prices and they don’t accept intur credits. They only take trade goods so we have to take those goods from our own people.”

The secretary continues on. “We have relied heavily on Russia for our crude oil and our refined product and as they have gradually reduced supply and now have cut us off completely we have almost no where else to go. Only one pipeline from Norway is still in full production but even with our refineries running full production we still do not have enough to supply the population and our military.”

“What about our allies. The US, France and Great Britan?”

“Most of the US based equipment and aircraft was rendered unusable by the EMP strike so the Americans pulled all their forces and most equipment out of Germany and the entire European continent and sent them back to the United States. They have to quell a rising civil war there. They have a separation movement in the west and another in the southwest. We won’t be getting any assistance from the US until it is too late.”

The secretary continues on, “France and the Great Briton are working with us as is Poland, Romania and Hungary. The smaller nations will provide whatever support and troops they can provide as well. But they all have supply problems as well. We believe that the best course of action is to build a line of defense along the polish and Romanian eastern borders and make a stand there.”

Hans slams his fist down and shouts, “and abandon the Ukraine?”

“It is unfortunate but we do not have the resources to fight on that front. If we were to engage in the Ukraine we would most certainly lose and there would not be enough left to stop them from marching right across Europe. Combined we have superior airpower but they outnumber us in ground force three to one.”

Hans who has roots in the Ukraine says, “how about some aircraft launched nuclear strikes?”

“They outnumber us there too and it is not likely we could get the Americans to launch a first strike on Russia.”



In Jordan, two non-descript trucks head west on highway 40. One, a cab and box with two average looking truckers in it and a cheese producer logo on the side. In back, 25 heavily armed and well-trained Jihadists are sitting around joking, and a few quietly meditating. Behind it is a tractor unit with a 40-foot trailer. On its side, the name and logo of a large dairy and cheese supplier out of Amman. Both are travelling at exactly the posted speed limit on the sparsely used highway.

As the trucks turn gradually south on the highway they begin to slow. As they merge onto the Jordan Valley highway the driver of the first truck can see his turnoff towards Prince Hussain bin Abdullah park and he takes it. The second truck follows. At the park waits several more jihadists with a smaller tractor trailer unit.

The first truck pulls in and passes around the smaller tractor trailer. The driver stops and his passenger jumps from the truck and circles around the back. He slides open the door and says something in Arabic. The men all stay in the truck but they are now prepared to rapidly exit if necessary. In the distance rockets can be seen heading towards Israel from Syria. Explosions can be heard and aircraft can be seen over the horizon.

The passenger who had opened the door knows that a bombing raid was to be launched today. Israel will retaliate with its superior arsenal. While the battle rages on to the north, surveillance and vigilance further north will be reduced. Without satellites to watch their frontiers and its aircraft busy with the bombing attack, Hussain and his group may be able to get to the tunnels and into Israel with their cargo undetected.

The leader of the group of plainly dressed men with the smaller truck walks over to Hussain. He looks inside and notes all the men there and with a salute he turns to Hussain. He greets him with a tight hug and three cheek to cheek embraces. He says as-salaamu aleikum to Hussain and Hussain says back to him, wa aleikum salaam. The two converse for a moment and go over to the larger trailer. After the doors are opened they both enter to inspect the cargo. With a nod the plain clothed man hands Hussain a briefcase. Hussain opens it for a moment, briefly checks the contents and closes it. He turns to the men watching him, nods yes and jumps from the back of the truck.

Quickly the men unload the cargo from the larger truck with a mobile hoist and they sling the cargo over and load it into the back of the smaller transport truck. Once loaded, they secure the load and close the doors. Once the doors are closed the men get in they leave the parking lot heading south.

The two men from the larger tractor close their doors and get in the truck, it heads south to the next interchange and takes the east exit. The leader with the briefcase gets in the passenger side of the small truck with the jihadists in back. Tightly holding the briefcase to his chest, he relaxes back into the seat. He has not been told what was in the crate but he is fairly certain it is some kind of a bomb. Looking at the briefcase, he praises Allah for his good fortune and for the good these riches will do in the coming struggle.

The smaller tractor trailer leaves last. Passing Skydive Jorden, the truck barely gets up to speed as it turns right and follows the road west. A short distance further the road veers north but the truck continues straight on. A few more kilometers north and the road veers to the right. The truck slows and pulls to the side.

A group of men pull back a camouflaged entrance to a tunnel. Beside it is a large portable hoist and it is already running. Men open the doors and clamber in to unsecure the load. Once done they slide it back on its rack so the hoist outside can reach it. 4 hooks are anchored on each of the 4 hoist points. The sling pulls taught and the hoist lifts it. As it lowers it to the tunnel entrance below a cart is wheeled into position. The load is lowered onto the cart and un hooked. The tunnel entrance is recovered, the truck is closed up, men scramble into the shadows and the truck drives away.

In the tunnel the cart is pushed and cajoled west, down, down, down. Several times the cart gets stuck in ruts and the men use levers, ropes, force and sheer will power to keep it moving. Even with the down slope, the heavy load takes 9 men to move and at some points they are actually attempting to slow it down.

At the lowest point which is directly below the Jordan river they pause for a break. Several of the men take prayer rugs down and lay them on the floor facing Mecca. They prostrate themselves in prayer for 7 or 8 minutes. Get up, roll up their carpets and put them away. Once again, they get to work moving the cart. Now it is uphill the whole way and the only way to move it is with a series of cable come along segments. They hook the cart to the unit and the other end to anchors in the wall and laboriously they hoist it up the tunnel to the surface.

Hours later they have the cart and its cargo up to the top of the other side of the river but the tunnel continues on. With renewed vigor they push on, all believing in what they are doing and praising Allah for the opportunity to participate in this great mission.

At Dawn the cart comes to the tunnel mouth and once again the entrance is exposed to the outside. This time a truck mounted crane is used to lift the heavy load from the tunnel and onto a waiting flatbed. In minutes the load is positioned, strapped down and men begin bringing crates of fruit and vegetables to load the truck with. Once the entire load is surrounded by stacks of crates on all sides they strap them down and load even more that are positioned across the top. The new load is once again secured. The tunnel entrance has already been closed and camouflaged and now only a truck hauling fruit into the city is there. 2 Palestinian men get in and begin the trip to Tel Aviv.

Inside the tunnel, several men have their prayer mats positioned towards Mecca and are now praising Allah for their success so far and the glory they will receive when they bring the infidels to their knees.

At several checkpoints the truck loaded with fruit and vegetable crates is given a cursory look. Sounds of incoming rockets and a few explosions in the distance have their attention. The truck rolls on towards its destination.

Heading west, past the Sha’ar Shameron interchange everything is going smoothly. No police, military or even civilians give the loaded truck a second glance. The driver and his passenger both praise Allah for their success and talk of the fame they will have for this great feat. Neither know that they won’t ever be returning home.

Slowing, the driver takes the exit and heads south on the Yitzhak Rabin highway. Cameras take pictures of the plate for tolls. After they pass the Nahshon interchange the truck continues south. As they pass the Lod interchange, the men look at one another and wickedly smile. They do not know what the cargo is but they know it will drive a dagger, straight into the heart of the great Satan.

As they pass Lod, the driver looks to his right and spits, “infidels,” he growls. Further south they pass Ramla on their right and slow to take the off ramp to highway 431. They merge and achieve the correct speed on the sparsely used highway. As the sign for Rishon Le Tsiyon comes into view, the driver slows and pulls off the highway. The driver intentionally drives over the shoulder, across a shallow ditch and into a grove of dates.

Coming to a full stop the two sit and wait expectantly. Men who were previously hidden in the grove appear and one clambers onto the back of the truck. He begins unstrapping the load. Another man joins him and the two quickly have the fruit crates covering the package free from the straps. Without a pause, the men push the crates off the top and they crash to the ground spilling fruit everywhere. They push more crates to the side, another one falling to the ground, striking one of the men on the ground. Nobody rushes to his aid as he lays there trapped under hundreds of pounds of dates. They clear the real cargo as a Blackhawk search and rescue helicopter emerges in the horizon.

The men on the ground hand up slings and clevis hooks. 3 men on the truck take the equipment and begin to hook it up on its lift points. As they do this the helicopter lands 100 feet away and a small bald man emerges and with a crouch, runs towards the flatbed. He reaches the truck and lifts his toolbox onto the deck. A man on the ground helps him up.

The small bald man takes his toolbox and heads straight over to the large crated package. He takes a crowbar and hammer out and pry’s the lid off the crate. With help from the men on the truck, tosses it over the side. He now has access to what looks like the top half of a rocket.

Opening a panel near the nose he takes a screwdriver and removes a plate over a mass of wires. He pulls the mass of wires looser and hunts for a couple of wires in particular. Once he finds the ones he is looking for, he cuts the wires. Using strippers and then electrical connectors, he inserts a device into the line. He takes another device from his toolbox and connects it to the now lit consul and puts it into the nose. The screen comes to life and numbers scroll across. He punches a code into the keypad and smiling, puts the panel back over the mass of wires. He screws it down and leaving his tool box there, steps back and jumps to the ground.

He gets into the chopper and it lifts off. As it rises, a cable begins to extend from its belly. The chopper flies directly over the flatbed and hovers as it finishes spooling out the cable. Men on the flat deck hook up the cable to a spreader already connected to the load. The chopper lifts off, straining to carry the weight. As it rises, the men jump from the flat deck. They join the perimeter people in a defensive position.

Unknown to the truckers, several squads have taken up perimeter defensive positions and three of the men have Man portable air defense guided missile launchers. These 9k34 Strela-3’s were purchased from corrupt officials in Russia years ago and have been stored in a desert cave for an appropriate occasion, which this is.

As the chopper rises, 2 Israeli attack helicopters appear in the horizon. No munitions have been fired and it appears they are there for a looksie. As they get closer, all three men on the ground fire their laser guided missiles. The choppers detect the incoming missiles and respond with evasive maneuvers and decoys. One of the choppers faisl to evade the missiles and it is destroyed midair. The other chopper pilot decides to disable the ground-based offense before investigating the chopper further.

As the chopper strafes the ground where one of the missiles was fired from, an incoming missile makes a direct hit and it crashes to the ground in a ball of flames. Collateral damage in the crash is one of the missile launching attackers, leaving two.

Several more attack helicopters are inbound now but the rescue chopper is already at three thousand feet and climbing. Both the men on the ground launch their missiles but at this range it is not likely they will lockon. Several of the incoming choppers launch stingers. The chopper continues to climb. The missiles close in.

“Give me a rundown on missile impact, I want you to continue climbing.” Says the balding man in Arabic.

“45 seconds to impact. 40 seconds, 35 seconds, 30 seconds, 25 seconds, 20 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds. Click, woom, nothing.”

From the ground, 25 or more men have turned to watch what is happening 5000 feet up, they all see a flash and then nothing as they are dashed to pieces on the ground. Miles around, civilians and military alike had all stopped to see the mid-air commotion. As the blast rolls outward, people who were still engaged in everyday life were blinded by the light and overcome by the blast moments later.

The mushroom cloud lifts in the air as the blast radiates beyond Tel Aviv and as far as the Jewish half of Jerusalem. As far south as Ashkelon is wiped out by the blast. The fallout and some of the blast will claim Palestinians lives but the terrorists justify this by claiming they will be rewarded by Allah for their sacrifice.

An hour later, the bombing from Syria has stopped, Israel is split in two halves with the two most important cities in the state demolished, more than half its population is dead and a majority of its military might decapitated. There is no United Nations or western might to save them now. The Jewish diaspora will be happening yet again.

[forthteller]

Sept 22, 2018 21:57:47 GMT -6 forthteller said:

Chapter 45
Sorry all for taking so long to post this chapter. My excuses are plentiful but the reality is I got a small case of writers block and couldn't figure out how to go from the personal stories to the bigger picture. Not sure if this works because by chapter 47 I have to transition back to the personal stories.
                    Forthteller

[papaof2]

Just start the chapter off the way the old silent movies changed scenes:
"Meanwhile, back at the ranch..."

There's a song that goes along with that: The Coasters' version of "Along Came Jones" - although a lot of people think it's "Along Came John".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFyr49TwuiI

There's also a version by Ray Stevens:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yYQ8CwZ1k8

[9idrr]

Well, ain't this headed in a wonderful direction? Thanks for posting this.

[texican]

Thanks FT for the chapter....

Your writer's block will clear up with a bottle of JD Black and a twelve pack of Coke A Cola....

Texican....