World War III (16 page)
World War III – Day Five
Clearview, Nevada
Shiloh immediately sent Cole Higgins to the small, hidden valley located on his ranch to check on Mayor Sam Sullivan, along with the remainder of the townsfolk that’d taken refuge in the tiny, custom-built cottages. The once quiet town of Clearview was at peace, for the first time in a long time. It took Major Shane Conrad and his men less than a day to re-establish power and communications throughout the town. The levels of radiation found in the water and ground soil was much lower than originally feared.
When Sam arrived in town in a few hours later, the first thing he did was organize a town meeting to be held at the Shady Lady Saloon. He invited both Major Conrad and Lieutenant Sawyer to attend the meeting, hoping they could explain to everyone what was happening in the world around them. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 7pm and as usual, Shiloh was late.
When he opened the door to the Shady Lady, the meeting had already begun. Mayor Sullivan and Major Conrad where standing on the stage where the band usually played. Sam had already introduced the Major and it was he who was now speaking.
“We’ve re-established your communications as well as all electric and gas power,” said the Major, addressing the people before him. “Our original testing of the water and soil has given us optimistic results. It seems that the rain you experienced for the past couple of days carried with it little to no radiation. The drinking water is completely safe as is the soil. That being said, we do however recommend that you remove the first eighteen inches of top soil before planting any new crops.”
“Is the soil safe to walk on?” asked one of the women from the crowd.
“Absolutely,” answered the Major. “Fallout can be dispersed over a time span of minutes to days, creating contamination near the blast zone as well as thousands of kilometers away. The most intense radiation is created by nearby fallout, because it’s more densely deposited and because short-lived isotopes haven’t decayed yet. Of course weather conditions can affect this considerably. In the case of Clearview, you were lucky to be far enough away from ground zero to avoid the actual blast and thermal radiation. And because your town is completely surrounded by mountains,” he continued to explain, “most of the fallout was unable to reach you. I’m sure that we’ll find a much, much different scenario on the other side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The storm clouds created by the nuclear blasts bunched together on the west side of the mountain range, depositing most of the fallout there.”
The Major paused for a moment before continuing. “So yes ma’am, to answer your question, it’s perfectly safe to walk on the soil.”
“So then,” replied Sam in his Irish brogue, “it’s safe for us to continue life as we know it?”
“That’s correct,” answered Major Conrad. “However, if I were you folks I wouldn’t venture out too far from town just yet. We’ve only tested the immediate area and there could potentially be more radioactive isotopes located in the surrounding hills.”
“What about the raiders known as the Enlightened Ones?” Asked Deputy Mayor, Luke Slater, his broken arm still in a sling. “They’re still out there somewhere. What do you intend to do about them?”
“When the time comes,” answered Major Conrad, “we’ll hunt them down and they’ll be punished for their crimes against humanity. But for now our military has its hands full with containing the nuclear fallout and subsequent invasion of the Communist Muslim Coalition. I’m sorry, but for the moment your town militia will have to be responsible for the safety of the town.”
“Does that mean that you and your troops are leaving?” asked Shiloh deep in thought, already planning the town’s defenses.
“Affirmative,” answered the Major, “we’ve just received our marching orders. Our instructions are to head west and reinforce the front line.”
“And where exactly is the front line?” asked Ian.
Noticing Ian and Jessie holding hands, Shiloh smiled. Ian observed his smile and turned red.
Major Conrad hesitated, not sure how much information he should share with the townspeople. A firm believer in government transparency, he knew that the bitter truth was always better than the sweetest lie. Besides, it’s not like the information was classified or anything. “The front line was the coast of California.”
“What do you mean was?” asked Lex, a concerned look on his face. His mother lived in San Diego and she’d be right in the middle of the fighting.
“Well,” the Major cleared his throat, “the most recent reports have the enemy just outside of Escondido, California and heading east.”
“Escondido,” repeated Lex, “that must be about ten miles from the coast!”
“That’s correct,” agreed Major Conrad. “The enemy has overrun our coastal defense positions and the frontline has been pushed back.”
“What about San Diego?” Asked Lex, worried for his mother.
“The city of San Diego is now behind enemy lines,” replied the Major. “Although many of the citizens were evacuated before the city fell.”
“It doesn’t make since for the enemy to have attacked only one area,” commented Mason. “Have they breached any of our other borders?”
“You’re absolutely correct,” agreed Major Conrad. “The Communist Muslim Coalition has divided their forces into three separate divisions. In addition to the assault on the west coast, there have also been attacks on both our eastern coast and our southern border with Mexico. Needless to say our forces are spread thin, very thin. So far we’ve had more luck with holding the defensive positions along our border with Mexico.”
“Why do you think that is?” asked Shiloh.
“Well,” the Major hesitated once again, knowing that the government wouldn’t approve of what he was about to say, “I believe it’s because of the help we’re receiving from all of the armed citizens in the Border States. Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are all States that allow open carry, whereas California has far too many gun restrictions. The laws in California prevent many citizens from owning firearms, and because of this a lot of people were caught un-armed and un-prepared. And the same goes for a lot of the States along the eastern coastline. Most of the civilians on both the east and west coasts have been fleeing into the heart of the country, away from the invading troops. However, when the fighting started along our southern border most of the civilians grabbed their firearms and joined our soldiers in the fight. They weren’t about to abandon their families or their homes.”
“What about the east coast?” Asked Mason. “How far in has the enemy penetrated?”
“The Chinese secretly landed an armada of twelve luxury cruise ships on our eastern shore, before the nuclear bombs were even detonated,” replied Major Conrad. “Each ship, capable of carrying thousands of troops and hundreds of vehicles in its belly, snuck in under the guise of humanitarian relief. The port authorities, believing the vessels to be nothing more than cruise ships carrying food and supplies, allowed the Chinese to dock at ports in several major cities along the coast.”
“And then what happened?” asked Cleo.
“When the ships were securely docked,” continued the Major, “the roll-on-roll-off ramps located at the stern of the vessel where dropped open. But instead of finding food, water and other humanitarian aid, tanks and soldiers disembarked. I can only imagine the look of shock and horror on the faces of the poor souls working the docks that day.”
“Has the military been able to hold the east coast?” pressed Mason.
“Parts of it, but not all,” answered Major Conrad. “The last report that I received placed the foreign army east of the Appalachian Mountains. Our soldiers, with the help of thousands of armed civilians from Tennessee and Kentucky, were able to prevent the Chinese from crossing over the mountain range.”
“So the troops assaulting our east coast are primarily Chinese?” asked Mason.
“Mostly,” replied Major Conrad, “but not entirely. We can’t be sure but we think China is leading the eastern assault while the Russian’s are leading the western assault. Both armies are comprised of Russian and Chinese troops.”
“And who’s leading the assault on our southern border?” asked Shiloh.
“That’s a good question and to be honest, we don’t know. It seems that a lot of the enemy troops fighting at the southern border have been speaking Arabic,” said the Major. “But that could mean just about any country from the Middle East.”
“Or all of them,” added Mason, thinking of the flash drive full of secret information that he’d stolen from the Palace of Nations in Switzerland, only three short weeks ago. He really needed to set aside some time to inspect the contents of the drive more thoroughly.
“That could very well be the case,” agreed Major Conrad.
“When are you and your men pulling out?” asked Lex.
“First thing in the morning,” replied the Major.
“I’d like to go with you,” continued Lex. “My mom lives in San Diego. I was on my way to find her when all hell broke loose, what with the meteor strike and the vanishing and all.”
“I can’t vouch for your safety,” warned Major Conrad. “We’ll most assuredly see combat.”
“I understand,” said Lex, more determined.
“Fine,” agreed the Major, “be ready to move out at first light. But I’m warning you now; if you slow us down I’ll have to leave you behind.”
“Agreed,” smiled Lex, who was used to being on his own anyway.
“I’m going too mate,” chimed in Cleo.
“No!” exclaimed Lex. “It’s too dangerous.”
“If it’s not too dangerous for you love, than it’s not too dangerous for me,” pointed out Cleo. “Besides, I’d love to meet your mum.”
“I don’t really care who comes with us,” declared Major Conrad. “I’ve seen armed citizens beat back the enemy too often to think of them as a hindrance. But if you’re coming with us, then be ready at dawn and bring a gun with you. I can pretty much guarantee your gonna need it!”
*******
Lex woke up the following morning an hour before sunrise. When he opened his eyes he instantly realized that he was alone in bed. Cleo had already risen and was busy packing them each a travel bag.
“So you’ve still got your heart set on going?” asked Lex, rolling over onto his side. He had a big grin on his face as he looked longingly at the curves of Cleo’s body. “Come back to bed baby.” He coaxed, lifting the blanket so that Cleo could slide in beneath the covers with him.
“Oh stop,” giggled Cleo. “We don’t have time for that right now.”
“I’ll always have time for you,” countered Lex, with a wink of his eye. “Besides, I still don’t think you should come.”
“Wherever you go, I go,” replied Cleo, matter of fact.
“It’s gonna be very dangerous and I’m not thrilled with the idea of you coming along,” smiled Lex, still hoping for Cleo to join him. “However, I do know that my mom will be excited to meet you.”
“Well see there ya go,” Cleo returned the smile. “I’m almost finished packing love and I made us some breakfast if you’re hungry.”
“Oh I’m hungry,” Lex said grinning, as he reached up and pulled Cleo under the cover. “In fact I’m ravenous!”
“Good morning,” greeted Shiloh, as he entered the room.
“Oh hello,” said Cleo, embarrassed. She quickly climbed back out from under the covers and went back to packing.
“Thanks,” said Lex, giving Shiloh a frustrated look as he stood up. He playfully smacked Cleo’s butt as he walked passed her into the kitchen. They’d both been staying with Shiloh on his ranch ever since they’d arrived in town.
Shiloh followed Lex into the kitchen and joined him at the kitchen table. Without a word both men began to enjoy the meal that Cleo had prepared.
“So, you’re still set on leaving?” asked Shiloh, before filling his mouth with a bite of eggs and crispy bacon.
“She’s my mom,” said Lex, the corners of his mouth curled into a frown. “What would you do if it was someone that you loved?”
“If it was someone that I loved, than nothing on earth could stop me,” agreed Shiloh. “How’s your wound healing?” he asked, pointing at the shoulder where Lex had been shot during the battle with the Enlightened Ones, only a few days prior.
“Oh that,” scoffed Lex, “that’s nothing, just a flesh wound. Doc says it went clean through. I’m sure I’ll be back to a hundred percent in no time. Ya know, if you’re bored you can always come with us,” suggested Lex, already knowing the answer.
“A part of me wants to go with you,” admitted Shiloh, with a longing look. “But my place is here with the people of Clearview. They may need me now more than ever.”
“That’s true,” agreed Lex. “Besides ya never know, this could be a one way trip.”
“I’ll be praying for you every day,” replied Shiloh, as he sipped his coffee.
“Well I appreciate that,” smiled Lex. “Although I’m not sure that it will do any good.”
“He believes in you, even if you don’t believe in Him,” said Shiloh, returning the smile.
“Well I hope he likes me,” Lex grinned. “Cause we’re gonna need all the help we can get.”
“What are you blokes talking about?” asked Cleo, entering the room with two duffle bags.