Shelter: Book 2, A Long Days Night (27 page)

Chapter 18

The mob in the other homes are woken by the storms, many who look outside are frightened by the storm. They pack the little they have and try to escape before the storm bears down on them. Men, women and children are quickly grabbing whatever they can reach. They’re running down steps and out of houses they’ve lived in for weeks. They exit the houses and scatter, people run in every direction. Some run into the storm front, others run away from it. Lightening flashes, it strikes poles, killing small groups of people gathered under them. The wind is driving the heavy cold rain almost horizontally, the running people aren’t prepared for such a powerful storm which was caused by a Canadian cold front that was brought into the south from the dipping jet stream. The cold front smacked into a warm, humid front moving north from the Gulf of Mexico. The two fronts merged in mid-Tennessee. The resulting storm is causing enormous damage, small towns are disappearing under funnel clouds, much-needed crops are destroyed by extremely heavy rainfall which floods farm fields. Golf ball sized hail is falling like snow. The winds are strong enough to knock people off their feet. The limited electrical power is off due to downed power lines. With almost no repair people available it will be a very long time before electrical power is restored. The nation's depleted fuel supply means generators only operate a very limited time. Solar cells are ripped off roofs, windmills are spun so fast that their bearings overheat, some of the large wind blades are ripped off of their hubs. Central Tennessee is getting pounded. The very heavy rain is causing the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers to rise above flood stage which will soon cause additional damage. Thousands of people in Nashville are rushing to fill sandbags to try to hold the rising river back. Many remember the flood of May 2010 when the Cumberland River rose to a height of 51 feet, the latest projection is for the river to crest at 53 feet which will flood most of Nashville again. In 2010, twenty-six people died from the flooding, due to the limited resources, the Governor of Tennessee reviews reports projecting over two thousand will perish in the new flooding. This doesn’t count the deaths from tornados and from the lack of electrical power, clean water or diseases. The Governor asks for volunteers to help the middle section of his state. He places calls to the Army commands operating in Illinois to speed up their journey to Tennessee so they can provide much-needed aid. The Governor tells his staff to report to the streets to help in any way they can, he changes into a pair of work boots before he joins the people filling sandbags. The lines of dirty people working to save part of Nashville includes average people, politicians, country western music stars and even criminals, everyone left in the city is working together. Mother Nature looks at the lines of people filling sandbags and laughs, she knows there are way too few people to make a difference. At the end of the day, Nashville and Knoxville are both under five feet of water. Fifty years of music history is destroyed when the Grand Ole Opry is flooded, then catches fire. In 2010, it took two years to recover from the flood damage, this time the Governor knows there won’t be a recovery, the resources aren't available to pay for the recovery. Most of the countries insurance companies are already in bankruptcy court, the too large to fail banks have failed, the Federal Government is broke and fighting a war against China so they don’t have to give up territory as payment. The Governor stands on the Cumberland River bank with tears in his eyes, he fought to protect his state from the problems that swept across the country, he tried to provide a backstop for families who were quickly caught up in the economic meltdown, he’s watching the flood waters destroy any chance he had of saving his state, he knows he’s lost the battle. As he fills sand bags, he watches a large swell in the river heading towards where he’s working, he yells to everyone, “Get out of here, that swell is going to crash on us. RUN!”

He manages to save a few, but not himself, from the large breaking swell that crests over his position along the river.

Unlike the flood of 2010, this time large areas of Knoxville are also flooded, the destruction of the two cities creates additional homeless with no place to go.

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Our backup generators cut in when we lost external power. However, they will provide electrical power for only a short amount of time. The outside door is jammed shut. If we can’t figure out how to get the door open we’re going to be forced to use the emergency exit tunnel which will put everyone on the other side of the hill and far away from where our houses were.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Then, we have real problems.”

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

“Captain, what is wrong?”

“American tanks have joined the party.”

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

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

“Yes, sir.”

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

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

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

“I thought we had plenty of fuel.”

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

“What am I supposed to do?”

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

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

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

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

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

“The Greek people bought the story.”

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

“Is it that bad over there?”

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

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

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

“What about the peacekeepers?”

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

“Then we really are all alone?”

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

Chapter 19

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