by Mark Goodwin
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Technical information in the book is included to convey realism. The author shall not have liability or responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or allegedly caused, directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.
All of the characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2019 Goodwin America Corp.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote short passages in a review.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my Editor in Chief Catherine Goodwin, as well as the rest of my fantastic editing team, Jeff Markland, Frank Shackleford, Stacey Glemboski, Sherrill Hesler, Carole Pickard, and Claudine Allison.
CHAPTER 1
And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Revelation 18:2-5
Saturday afternoon, Kate tromped up the wooded hillside through dense brush, an AK-47 slung over her shoulder. She breathed in the fresh mid-October air warmed by a bright yellow sun shining in a clear blue sky. The autumn colors were near their peak, painting the forest in radiant hues. The smell of wet, newly-fallen leaves on the forest floor wafted across her face. She reached the overwatch position above the Apple Blossom Acres entrance checkpoint and scowled. “Vicky, Sam! Sound and light discipline! We’ve talked about this more than once.”
Sam turned the walkie-talkie down.
Vicky objected. “This is important! It’s a message from the government!”
Kate knelt by the opening of the rudimentary shelter which offered marginal protection from the elements at best. “How are you getting a radio broadcast on the walkie-talkie?”
With his index finger, Sam indicated a button which read, WX. “It’s the NOAA weather band. They’re transmitting an emergency message.”
Kate let out a sigh of near frustration. “Go ahead, turn it back up. Let’s see what they’ve got to say.”
The broadcast was grainy and dry. The man reading the transmission was human but deviated very little from the automated computer voice which typically provided forecasts and hazardous weather conditions on the frequency.
“President Long signed the Federal Emergency Management Reform Act into law today. The law provides sweeping new authority to FEMA and gives the agency temporary jurisdiction over Social Security, Treasury, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture.
“The law received almost unanimous support from Democrats and Republicans in both houses of Congress.
“In a brief press conference late this morning, President Long laid out an abbreviated plan for getting the country and the broader economy back on track. He said the first order of business would be to issue emergency currency denominated in US Dollars. President Long explained that PayPal would be working with the Social Security Administration to issue $200 in electronic credits per week to all US citizens via their Social Security numbers. Non-US citizens will have to apply for credits through DHS. The funds, created by the Federal Reserve, will be added to the current money supply when the crisis fully abates.
“Citizens who already have a PayPal account will need only to fill out a one-time verification form which will link their Social Security number to the online payment system. New users will have to submit an application before receiving their weekly stipend. PayPal will send out plastic cards to all account holders as soon as possible, but citizens will immediately be able to spend their emergency electronic credits online.
“Additionally, the president has called all first responders, government, and hospital workers to return to work as soon as possible. Those who do will be paid their regular salaried amount through the FEMA relief payment system.
“All businesses connected to the fuel and grocery supply chain are encouraged to fill out an online application to FEMA for emergency electronic credits sufficient to cover one month of operating expenses.
“In the meantime, FEMA will be setting up makeshift commissaries in the parking lots of local strip malls and shopping malls. The FEMA Reform Act grants special powers to the US military who will provide security for the pop-up commissaries.
“Finally, the president implored citizens to stay safe and be patient, promising that all branches of government are working tirelessly to resolve the present crisis and get back to normal.
“This report has been provided to you by a collaboration of FEMA, The White House Press Secretary’s office, and National Public Radio.”
The report began to repeat as if the recording was being played in a loop. Kate took the walkie-talkie from Sam and turned it off. She sat silently on the ground, digesting what she’d just heard.
“Aunt Kate, does this mean we can go back to Atlanta?” Vicky asked. “And will you live at our house, with Sam and me?”
Kate was still trying to process but knew the likelihood of ever going back to Atlanta was slim. “I don’t think we’ll be going to your house anytime soon. But I’m your family, wherever we go, we’ll stay together.” She put an arm around her niece and nephew. “You can count on me to always be here for you.”
“That’s what Dad said after Mom died.” Sam picked up an acorn from the ground and inspected it solemnly.
Kate slid her hand up to his hair and pulled him toward her. She kissed the side of his head. “And he meant it. All the things your dad ever taught you, all the love he gave you, it’s right here.” She tapped his chest. “In your heart. Like your father, I intend to do everything I can to keep you guys safe. And as far as it depends on me, I’ll never leave you.”
Sam offered a troubled smile, then looked back down at the acorn he was twirling between his fingers.
Vicky issued another inquiry. “What about the police? If they start patrolling the streets again, can we quit spending half the day up here in this rickety old tent? I can’t imagine how cold it will be in the winter.”
“We’ll see.” Kate also did not relish the idea of standing watch in the freezing cold. “Things may take a while longer to get back to normal than what the reporter said. The government is always going to sugarcoat the story so people will stop panicking.”
“What about PayPal? Didn’t they get hacked?” asked Sam.
Kate shook her head. “I’m not sure. If they had a customer database stored offline, they could recreate their system, especially with a little help from the US government. It just wouldn’t reflect the previous balances of the account holders.”
Vicky leaned close to her aunt as if she were seeking comfort. “What’s to stop the hackers from attacking PayPal and taking it down?”
Kate pulled her closer. “Theoretically, nothing. The h
acks were Windows-based. If the government and PayPal created a new system, hopefully they built it out on an operating system besides Windows. At least that’s what I would have done.”
“You mean like Apple?” Sam stood up and stretched his arms.
“Or Linux,” Kate replied. “The hacks were very sophisticated. Not many corporations run on Linux, which means there’s less of an incentive to write such a complex piece of malware on Linux. Additionally, most white-hat hackers, cyber-security personnel, and computer… enthusiasts use Linux, so it’s akin to trying to commit a crime at FBI headquarters.”
Vicky cracked a grin. “You were going to say computer nerds?”
Kate messed up her niece’s hair. “Yes, but being the guardian of two teenagers, I have to watch my semantics. I wouldn’t want the two of you to become labeled as social pariahs because your aunt is a nerd.”
Sam’s face also lightened up. “You’re the coolest aunt ever, Aunt Kate; even if you are a computer nerd.”
“You two head on back down to the cabin and get some lunch. And don’t forget to wipe down your guns with a couple drops of oil. It’s damp out here and we need to keep the rust off those things.”
Vicky stood up and retrieved her AK-47. “You’re going to stand guard by yourself? I thought you said we should always travel in twos.”
“Gavin will be up here in a few minutes. Besides, the guys down at the gate have things under control. I’m sure we won’t get attacked in that amount of time anyway.”
Sam shot her a mischievous look. “No, I’m sure the Badger Creek Gang will wait until you and Gavin are making out so they can hit us while no one is watching.”
“Ha, ha.” Kate crossed her arms. “I’ll have you know that Gavin and I are very disciplined, especially when it comes to guard duty.” She knew her statement wasn’t entirely accurate, but it wasn’t for lack of good intentions.
CHAPTER 2
Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked: but I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.
Amos 2:4
Kate gasped at the beauty of God’s creation. She watched the wind rustle through the pale yellow leaves of towering poplar trees. The breeze caused some to flicker like flames and dislodged others from lofty branches. Her eyes followed a shower of leaves falling to the ground. The dropping foliage spiraled past fiery hues; vibrant orange maple leaves, vivid red hickory leaves, and dogwoods which had darkened to a deep plum. Beyond the fading embers of autumn, she saw Gavin ascending the steep gradient from the narrow paved road below. Less than a half an hour had passed since she saw him last, yet her heart leaped at his arrival.
Gavin was winded from the climb, but just barely. “You look beautiful, sitting up here in the midst of this spectacular display.”
She concealed her blushing cheeks and gleeful smile by pulling off her ball cap and letting her long blonde hair drop over her face. “Thanks.”
“Sorry it took me so long to get up here, but Pritchard stopped me. NPR just aired a report from FEMA. You’ll never guess what they’re doing.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I might.”
Gavin appeared confused. He half grinned and his eyes shifted from side to side, as if not sure whether she were joking. “O…K…”
“They’re going to issue some type of emergency credit to everyone so they can jump-start the economy and put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Probably around…” She closed her eyes, faking a state of extreme concentration. She opened her eyes as if the answer had come suddenly. “$200 each!” She watched his expression. “Was I close?”
He smirked. “How did you hear?”
“They ran the report on the NOAA band.”
“I thought it was supposed to be radio silence unless there was an incident to report.” His brow creased.
She rolled her eyes. “Sam and Vicky were listening when I came to relieve them.”
Gavin propped his AK-47 against the tree and sat next to her. “Teenagers—what are you going to do?”
“So what do you think?” She let him take her hand. “About the broadcast?”
“I don’t know what to think. I suppose I’ll let myself expect nothing more than the shattered-egg analogy that you so eloquently alluded to. Then, if all the king's horses and all the king's men are actually able to construct something from their pecuniary duct tape and monetary bubblegum, I’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
“That sounds practical. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Do you think the rest of the community will adopt our paradigm?”
He lifted his shoulders. “I’m not sure. I think most of them see us as troublemakers. They blame us for inviting harassment, feel that we brought the attack upon ourselves.”
“Not all of them. Jack Russo, Don Crisp, and Scott McDowell all stopped by after the shootout to ask what they could do to help. They offered their condolences once they heard of Terry’s death. They’re the ones who set up the checkpoint at the community entrance gate.”
“Those three families are in the minority, and I’m not so sure they’ll stand by our side if the rest of the community puts pressure on them. Scott probably won’t be pulling checkpoint duty anymore. The Sheriff’s Department will be calling him back.”
“We’ll still have Don. He’s a cop.”
“Was a cop. He’s retired.”
“That just means he’s got more experience.” She adjusted her ball cap. “Anyway, I think you’re being paranoid. Those families were the only ones besides Pritchard that had ever met any of us. If one of the other families down the road had a massive gun battle at their house, I’m not so sure I’d be in a hurry to get chummy with them.”
“In this environment? I would. I’d assume that’s someone ready to take action and get organized like we’ve done.”
“Well, everyone doesn’t think like you do.” She watched the two men standing at the checkpoint below the observation post. “Did Pritchard say if he was planning to have church tomorrow morning?”
“He didn’t. Why? Are you planning to go?”
“Of course, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know. Someone has to keep watch anyway.”
“It’s not your shift. We’ll have walkie talkies with us if there’s trouble.”
“I’m not sure how I feel about all of that.”
“You mean God? You believe in God, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I mean, I believe in something. All that evolutionary nonsense about everything exploding out of nothing simply isn’t rational. But I’m not sure I buy the whole judgement-on-America thing.”
“Nobody is going to force you to do, think, or believe anything you don’t want to. Coming to church only shows you have an open mind.”
“Nobody? Have you met your next door neighbor?”
“Okay, besides Pritchard, no one is going to pressure you into believing anything.” She pulled his hand close to her heart. “I’d really appreciate it. It’s important to me.”
His smile was less than convincing. “If it’s important to you then I’ll go.”
Sunday morning, the turnout at Pritchard’s makeshift church was much lower than the previous week. At the beginning of his message, Pritchard accredited the slim attendance to people trying to spend their emergency credits. His sermon was shorter than the meeting prior. Afterward, he offered a prayer, then made an announcement. “’For I turn y’all loose, the youngin here’s got somethin’ to say. I believe you’d do well to hear it, too.” He motioned to Kate. “Come on up here, girl.”
Kate’s skin had thickened in the past two weeks and she was no longer bothered by Pritchard’s objectionable use of language. She walked to the section of tree trunk used for a podium. Public speaking always incited a feeling of anxiety in her
stomach. She recognized most everyone in the audience; the Crisps, the McDowells, the Russos, and her own household. The only family present that she hadn’t met was the Cobbs; Corey, Marilyn, their early-30s daughter, Annie, and her 10-year-old son Troy. And then there was Mrs. Dean, an 89-year-old widow.
Even so, Kate felt nervous speaking to the intimate crowd. “Most of you have already heard what I’ve got to say, so I’ll keep it short. Since we’re all in one place, this is a good time for us to offer up our thoughts on the current state of affairs.
“I’m going to provide some recommendations and if anyone has any questions, please jump right in. I probably won’t have all the answers, but hopefully, someone else here will. I’m not trying to give orders or even a speech. I just want to get a conversation started.”
She paused for a moment and pulled a list of bullet points out of her pocket. “As many of you may know, Gavin and I both worked for major banks in the Information Security departments.”
Mrs. Dean held up a hand. “I’m sorry, hon, I don’t know what that means.”
“Cyber security,” Kate clarified.
Mrs. Dean shook her head to indicate that Kate’s explanation meant little to her.
Pritchard spoke up. “Computers, Rita. They worked on them bank computers that got hijacked.”
Mrs. Dean seemed to understand. “Oh, okay.”
Once Kate felt confident that Mrs. Dean was satisfied, she continued. “As I was saying, Gavin and I had front row seats for the attacks. I can’t get into the details, but the banking system’s data was encrypted over and over. Every level of encryption is like solving an impossible puzzle. It’s on the order of difficulty of predicting where lightning will strike. Even if the government is able to solve one layer of encryption, they’ll essentially need lightning to strike the same place, over and over, and over.
