Radioactive and The Decay Dystopian Super Boxset- A Dirty Bomb and Nuclear Blast Prepper Tale of Survival

by James Hunt

  "This is Wells. I got a female civilian in custody now, found her walking down the runway."

  His report frightened Samantha. Who was he talking to? Perhaps the transmission was going directly to Senator Bryant. Had this guard any idea about the underground bunker? Was he protecting Bryant's group? Samantha felt trapped, along with an insatiable urge to escape. She had gone too far to give up.

  Chatter came back over his radio to which he nodded. He set down the radio, took off his hat, and let out a big sigh while looking over Samantha.

  "You got any ID on you?" he asked.

  Samantha shook her head in disappointment. "I lost it," she said. "When everything went south."

  The guard scratched his head. "Hmm," he said. "So what's your name? He grabbed a clipboard with a pink-colored form on it. He held a pen waiting for Samantha to answer.

  "My name is Samantha," she said. "Samantha Thompson."

  She felt that there was no sense in providing a fake name or being dishonest. It could possibly prolong her stay even longer.

  "So what are you doing here, Samantha?" he asked.

  She mentioned nothing about the underground bunker. Her story was brief and simple. "I ran out of gas outside the airport, I was looking for a place where I could get some fuel. It got dark out and I got lost. That's pretty much it," she said.

  "And what kind of car you drive?" the guard asked, scribbling over the form.

  "A 2011 Chevy Tahoe," Samantha said, without hesitation.

  "Okay. Now before we go on, let me look you up in our system here," he said turning towards the security station.

  "Sir, if you don't mind, I want to ask if you know anything about what's been going on out there. I haven't heard much," Samantha said, walking towards the counter.

  What she had heard came directly from Senator Bryant. He had told her of the nuclear strikes, the obliteration of Washington D.C., the lack of food and power. He described a world in which the very air was poisonous to breathe. A world that was uninhabitable. Much of what he said turned out to be an exaggeration the minute Samantha emerged from the bunker. But how bad off was everything else?

  "It's not a pretty sight ma'am. World War Three is on the way. States on the East Coast took it bad. Terrorists say there's more and that they could strike anywhere at any time. Everyone is in a panic. Governor declared martial law. Like I said, not a pretty sight."

  Samantha sunk onto the counter in defeat with her arms crossed over the surface. She placed her head down and sulked.

  "But how do you have power?" she asked, raising her head up.

  The guard turned around in his swivel chair to face her. "They got the power back on line after a few weeks. It was out for a while. Part of a national grid shut down."

  "But it doesn't make any sense. How did they do this?" Samantha asked herself.

  "Excuse me?" the guard asked.

  "Nothing," Samantha said. "I just wanted to believe that things weren't as bad as they were saying."

  The guard began to type Samantha's information onto his keyboard when he noticed some movement on one of the security screens. Two figures moved past the screen, then onto the other. They came from the direction of the airport and we're approaching his building.

  He tossed the clipboard down on the desk and jumped up from his chair. Samantha perked up after his sudden movement. She wasn't sure the reason for his scrambling. The guard grabbed his handheld and spoke into it.

  "I got two unidentified persons coming this way, requesting immediate backup," he sounded.

  He looked closer into the screen and could see a man and a little girl walking along as if they hadn't a care in the world. From her vantage point, Samantha couldn't tell who the figures were at all. The guard turned to Samantha and pointed a finger at her.

  "You stay right in your chair; I need to go bring those two in here. Don't even think about running," he said grabbing his hat and flashlight.

  Before Samantha could say a thing, he was out the door, locking it behind him. She remained standing, looking for any way out. But if she escaped the building, then what? He would probably just track her down. She took a step past the counter than back to the other side. Her mind was racing; she couldn't make up her mind. Senator Bryant. Escape. The police. Conspiracy. Nuclear war. Paul. Julie. Home. She took a few steps back and fell into her chair, exhausted. She was tired of running and tired of thinking.

  "Can I help the two of you?" the guard said, stopping Paul and Julie dead in their tracks.

  His light shined onto Paul's face then Julie's. They both covered their eyes and squinted in response.

  "Yes sir, I'm sorry. I'm a United States Congressman, Paul Thompson. I'm looking for certain persons so that I can relay important information."

  Julie looked at Paul in wonderment. She was surprised that he had gotten so into it. He even deepened his voice while speaking with a different inflection.

  "Just don't overdo it," Julie thought.

  "Congressman, as you should know, this is a restricted area. Who is it that you're looking for?" the guard asked suspiciously.

  "What's your name, sir?" Paul asked, trying to sound affluent.

  "My name is Robert Wells, I'm with airport security. I assume this young lady is your daughter."

  "Yes--" Paul began.

  "Yes, my name is Julie Thompson," Julie responded in an airy voice.

  "The man I'm looking for may or may not have already passed through, but you probably know him very well. His name is Senator Jeff Bryant."

  The guard went silent and stared both Paul and Julie up and down. Paul felt like he might have made a mistake.

  "Mr. Wells?" Paul asked. "Is everything okay?"

  Wells narrowed his eyes. "I think you need to come with me," he said with a serious tone.

  Paul and Julie looked at each other. "Okay..." Paul said, drawing the word out. "I guess we can do that.” They followed Wells back to the security building not prepared in any way for the surprise that awaited them inside.

  Samantha sat with her head down and hair hanging in her eyes thinking of a way to escape. The only viable option seemed to be to run as far away from the airport as she could. There was only one guard and he was a little heavyset. If he didn't have his golf cart she felt that he could easily be outran. She was running out of time. There was no doubt in her mind that Senator Bryant had started the search for her. She couldn't imagine going back with Bryant and his strange assortment of guests. Maybe she could consul in Wells, the security guard. Was he aware that there were people staying below? He had to be. He probably worked for them. She had the laptop, which was her collateral. She could tell the guard everything and maybe he would help. Senator Bryant was not who he seemed, that much Samantha knew. If she could convince others of his actions and the seemingly criminal and treasonous scheme documented on his laptop, she could cut through the lies and get to the truth of what was actually happening around the country.

  Suddenly, the airport guard, Wells, entered the room talking. Samantha looked to the ground, scared to death that Senator Bryant had found her. "I'm not saying I don't believe you, sir, it's just unusual that any such person looking for Senator Bryant would arrive unannounced. I'll have to call contact him first and get verification," Wells said.

  "Yes, I understand," Paul said with a tinge of uncertainty.

  He tried his best to conceal any panic and to follow through with their plan.

  Samantha remained in her seat looking at the ground. Her hair hung down on both sides, blocking any view of her features. She faintly recognized the voice speaking to the guard. Paul, Julie, and Wells made their way to the counter.

  "Wait one minute, and have a seat while I check in with the Senator," Wells said.

  "No problem, thank you," Paul said.

  Samantha's heart raced with the mention of Senator Bryant. It was time to run and damn the consequences.

  Julie turned to examine the woman sitting in the line of chairs behind them. S
he looked exhausted and nervous. Her hair swayed as her head sunk lower and lower. Paul watched the guard carefully as the man picked up the phone. The security monitors glowed behind him. On one of the monitors Paul could see him and Julie and a tired looking woman sitting behind them. A strange sensation jolted through him. He knew the woman.

  Paul twirled around and studied her. Her hands gripped the sides of her chair as she tried to control her breathing. Paul felt like he had walked into a dream. Julie noticed the intense focus Paul showed towards the vagrant woman when, all of a sudden, she was filled with the same kinetic energy.

  Julie turned to the woman as Paul grew closer. The guard pushed some buttons on the phone and waited. Samantha could feel that she was being watched. She slowly lifted her head to see who was standing before her. If they were friends of Senator Bryant, she was more than likely finished. As the two figures came into focus, she saw not two of Bryant's goons, but a man and a child. Samantha stared in absolute wonder. She felt an electric tinge on the back of her neck that traveled downward. Julie and Paul stared back in similar disbelief.

  "M-mom?" she asked.

  Samantha gasped and put her hand over her mouth. "JULIE!" she shouted, falling to her knees. She grabbed Julie and pulled her in with such force, that the girl nearly fell over. "Oh my God, is it really you?"

  Paul stood overhead staring blankly at the strange sight before him. "Samantha? SAMANTHA!" Paul said.

  The guard suspiciously took notice of their heightened embrace, still waiting for someone to answer the secure line on the other end.

  Samantha rose from the ground with Julie attached to her waist. She looked at Paul and screamed as tears flowed like water.

  "PAUL! I don't believe it," she said.

  Paul nearly tripped running to Samantha. They threw their arms around each other and hugged while a floodgate of tears flowed from their exasperated eyes. Julie squeezed herself from between them as Paul placed his hands on Samantha's face and kissed her.

  "It's you," he said. "I knew we would find you. I just knew it!"

  They kissed again as the guard curiously peered over the counter. "You guys know each other?" he asked, holding the phone.

  "Yes," Paul said turning around. "This is my wife."

  The guard looked at them with deep suspicion. "Your wife?" he asked.

  "Yes," Paul said, remembering that Wells was on the phone. "I don't think it's necessary to call Senator Bryant now. I think we'll just be heading back."

  Samantha grabbed Paul's arm and pulled him closer. "Don't let him make that call," she said with deep conviction. "We're in serious danger."

  Samantha and Paul attempted to downplay their long-awaited reunion as Paul turned to the guard and went to the counter.

  "Headed back where?" the guard asked.

  "I told him, honey, that our car broke down, and that I got lost," she said.

  "Yeah, but you didn't mention them," Wells replied, pointing at Paul and Julie.

  "It wasn't important at the time, I was just trying to get back," Samantha said.

  "No one is answering anyway," Wells said, putting down the phone. "Now, why didn't you mention your wife earlier? And what is your business with Senator Bryant?"

  Paul attempted to continue the role if they had any chance of getting out of there. "I'm not at liberty to discuss those details, sir. I simply wish to get my wife and leave. I'll check in with Senator Bryant tomorrow."

  "You can't just waltz into this airport and leave as you please. Congressman or not, this has been declared a restricted area by the governor of Colorado. You, of all people, should understand that. This lady here had no identification and her story, frankly, doesn't add up," the guard said walking to the counter to meet Paul.

  Paul reached into his jacket and pulled out Samantha's pocket book. Once open, he got out her Pennsylvania State Driver's License and flashed it to the guard. "Here, I have her ID. Her story should check out now. I believe we will leave now."

  Wells came around the counter, clearly riled up. "Hold on a minute. There's still the question of how you got in here in the first place."

  "Like my wife told you, our car broke down. I have important information that we were planning on sharing with Senator Bryant. While my daughter and I were trying to get assistance with our car, my wife went ahead looking for Senator Bryant. We were told he was at the airport."

  Wells blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of Paul's tall tale.

  "I think I should call Senator Bryant first," Wells said, walking back to the phone.

  Samantha looked to Paul, signaling him. Paul walked closer and as they pulled in for another kiss, she whispered to him. "We need to run, now!"

  Paul nodded then knelt down to Julie who was still in a state of glazed awe. "Are you feeling okay?" he asked her. "We're going to go for a little run, just follow me and your mom."

  "Pete's sake, it's about time you guys answered there," the guard said, finally getting someone on the line.

  "Now," Samantha said.

  She picked up the laptop and cradled it in her arm. The family held hands and slowly inched for the door.

  "The gate is about fifty yards down the runway. That will lead us out of here," Paul said.

  "Yeah, I got this bunch here, said they were coming to see you," Wells said. In the security monitor next to him, Paul, Samantha, and Julie slipped out the door undetected.

  "There's a man, woman, and child. The man says he's a Congressman. Says he's got information for the Senator. Their story is all messed up. I had them held in here for trespassing."

  Paul slowly shut the door and looked around for signs of any other guards. The family stood holding each other for a moment.

  "I love you, mom," Julie said. "I'm so glad we found you."

  "I love you too, baby," Samantha said rubbing Julie's back.

  "We should run now. Just follow me," Paul said. He began to lightly jog as Samantha and Julie followed. They were soon upon the gate and over it.

  Chapter Nine

  The Mastermind Plot

  "You want to send someone else up here to meet them or not? If not, I want them off the premises," Wells said into the phone, annoyed. He turned to the waiting area and noticed them missing. He looked around to all the different areas of the room; they were nowhere to be seen. "Hold on," he continued. "Wait, wait. They're not here anymore. They fucking left. I'll get back with you."

  Wells slammed down the phone and ran from behind the counter. He glanced back to the security monitors. There was no movement on any of the screens. "Son-of-a-bitch," he said. It was as though they had been ghosts. He grabbed his flashlight and scurried out the door in a mad dash.

  In the underground bunker, a stocky security guard named Tyson held the phone. A dial-tone sounded, prompting him to hang up. He exited the office and walked out into the familiar narrow hall of the bunker. Guests, security, and people who made up the "help" passed by him in quick movement searching each and every room. A massive hunt had been ignited throughout the bunker to find Samantha and recover the laptop she had stolen. Tyson made his way to Senator Bryant's room. Ten or so people were gathered around rapidly talking over each other as Bryant sat upright on his bed, nursing his head wound.

  Tyson cleared his throat and spoke. "Excuse me, gentlemen, I know we're still searching for the woman, but I received a call from the front desk about a family being taken in. The man in question said that he was a Congressman here to see Senator Bryant. Said his wife was named Samantha too. Kind of strange that they have the same name."

  Senator Bryant perked up. "Where are they now?" he asked.

  "Last I heard from Wells, they left. He's going to track 'em down."

  "What do you mean, they left?" Bryant asked.

  "I mean he was on the phone then he said they left."

  The room went quiet as Bryant and the others thought to themselves. Suddenly, Bryant reached over on the nightstand, grabbed his wallet, and opened it. After fishing thro
ugh the wallet, he tossed it back on the stand.

  "She escaped the bunker," he said.

  Everyone looked at Bryant, confused.

  "We're not going to find her anywhere around here. She's got my laptop and we don't have much time."

  "What happened here, anyway, Senator?" an elderly man in a silk bathrobe asked.

  "She attacked me, that's what happened," Bryant quipped.

  "You brought her down here, Jeff. She was your responsibility and now it would seem that she got the best of you, and all of us as well," a snide-looking man said as he took a gulp of brandy.

  "She should have never been down here in the first place! What in the hell were you thinking?" another man with static gray hair belted out. Murmurs of approval followed.

  "If she gets away with whatever information you let her steal, I don't think I have to remind you of the repercussions you're going to face. You've compromised the entire plan and should take complete responsibility," the elderly man added.

  "I don't need any of you to tell me what's at stake here," Bryant said, angered. "She couldn't have gotten far. I admit, my personal judgment was a bit...questionable, but I have the situation under control."

  Bryant got up from his bed, disrobed and put on a pair of slacks and a business shirt. "We're going up, and all of you are going to help me. Remember, we're each a part of this. I won't be the only one facing repercussions in the end. I shouldn't have to remind you of that either."

  Deep concern grew on the faces of every man in the room. The security guard, Tyson, stood patiently waiting for the group to make up their mind. "Let's go," Bryant said.

  Paul, Samantha, and Julie made it back to the Malibu undetected. Samantha hadn't asked them any questions yet, but spoke once they got in, with Paul at the wheel.

  "How on earth did you manage to find me?" she asked.

  Paul started the engine and put the car in reverse. "I'm still trying to figure that out myself," he answered.