by Parker James
The President greatly appreciated Meehan’s insight and had for quite some time. President Andrews’ question was very broad. General Meehan paused to gather his thoughts, not so much in that he hadn’t worked out what the possible outcome would be or the appropriate response on the part of the U.S. and its allies, but developments were occurring at such a rapid pace and the situation was an extremely fluid one. After a brief period of silence General Meehan began to let his opinions be known.
“Mr. President, you ask a very complicated question indeed,” Meehan replied, again pausing.
He stoically awaited the President’s reaction despite the fact that not only was he willing to give his opinions fully, it was simply that he needed to hear the question asked one more time. Tensions were running high, and although Meehan didn’t outwardly show his deep concern he was not immune to the gravity of unfolding events.
President Andrews never had to overtly threaten anyone in his entire career, neither during his time spent in the military nor that spent in Congress and then ultimately the White House. It had always been his tone that changed people’s minds and attitudes.
“General Meehan,” the President said somewhat indignantly at first yet quickly softening. “I have asked you a direct question. All opinions are valued at this conference, most especially yours. We are facing an unprecedented situation, so I shall ask you once more. What is your opinion on the matters at hand?”
Perhaps it was Meehan forcing the President to again ask the question despite knowing he was out of line. When the President asks a direct question, a direct answer is expected. That was the rule. Fully aware of the disrespect he had shown the Commander-in-Chief, for all of his strength and reliability General Meehan needed to hear it again, for he had a great deal to say.
“My apologies, Mr. President,” Meehan said, now all business. “I have many thoughts on the matters at hand, as difficult as it is for us all.”
The General quickly became the person that he’d always been, and the President would soon understand Meehan’s initial reluctance to express his views fully, as he would hold nothing back. It was surprising that McCreary was quiet throughout this confrontation, yet he had known Meehan for most of his career and although above him in rank, held him in the highest of regards. He’d rarely known the General to be wrong in his interpretation of things, even during their time spent together as they went through West Point. McCreary had too much contact with Meehan over the years to form any other opinion, and so he remained silent and listened as Meehan began his discourse.
“Mr. President, within the next three days, if not sooner, it is my personal opinion that the world as we know it will cease to exist. What I am about to say is based upon the facts as we know them peppered with a degree of speculation on my part, yet also based upon the assessment of our analytical teams here at NORAD.”
“And I put myself in the mindset of the Russians, Chinese, Indians, and Pakistanis. They are at war and their citizens starving. A number of nuclear weapons have already been used in this war which is occurring on multiple fronts. The Chinese as well as the Indians and Pakistanis have little or no choice other than to attempt to secure what little food stocks are left available, most of which is located in Russia. The leadership of these countries have removed themselves to their secured bunker sites. Escalation is inevitable; the widespread use of their full arsenal of high-yield nuclear weapons likely. It may be a matter of hours or days, but I believe it will happen in very short order. Although we have little or no communication with these countries, according to your prior orders we have broadcast our intentions that the United States and our allies will remain neutral and not respond in like kind. We shall defend ourselves with interceptor ballistic missiles and drones only and will under no circumstances use our own offensive nuclear weapons. If we do, it would be absolute suicide on a global scale, and our allies agree.”
“Most of our bunker systems, thanks to Professor Enghult, have the ability to withstand a near direct nuclear hit, and possibly even a direct hit on any single one of these facilities. Our drone fleet will be used in an interceptor capacity only, and has been outfitted with EMP resistant guidance systems that we believe will also be able to withstand high levels of radiation, but that is uncertain. Despite disruptive electro-magnetic pulses, they should be able to continue their mission on an automated basis, but again that is not a given. Regardless of our transmissions indicating non-interference, we have as of yet heard no response from the warring parties. If and when nuclear war occurs, I anticipate a large number of nuclear warheads will be headed in our direction, and although we have the ability to intercept a number of them, we won’t be able to stop them all. Our major population centers will likely be heavily targeted as well as our offensive nuclear ballistic missile fields in the Dakotas. NORAD will also be heavily targeted. If it comes to all-out war, using our own offensive weapons would utterly devastate the planet and we would be cutting our own throats.”
Meehan paused as the President and Joint Chiefs took in this harsh yet realistic assessment. During the course of their careers each and every one had attended numerous roundtable discussions concerning various possible outcomes resulting from the use of nuclear weapons on such a massive scale, and truly knew it could quite possibly portend the end of mankind. The President was solely in listening mode and didn’t take the opportunity during the General’s brief pause to ask any further questions.
General Meehan again continued.
“Fully 50% of our citizens in this country alone will be lost within the first half hour when this inevitability occurs. We can only hope that our bunker systems are not targeted, yet the only thing holding back those inclined to do so is the threat that we will out of necessity respond accordingly, targeting their own bunkers. What citizens are not killed should this scenario come to its logical conclusion will be exposed to vast amounts of radiation which will take millions of more lives in a matter of months. There will be pockets, areas in the world that will not be targeted, but plant and animal life will be equally devastated. It’s the “nuclear winter” scenario. While there is always the hope that the warring parties have received our non-interference transmissions, I am most certain that they will target our major cities knowing that their own citizens will be decimated by those who they are currently fighting. Couple this with the fact that the nuclear genie has been out of the bottle for a number of decades now and the hatred of the United States by countries too numerous to count, most especially those located in the Middle East, we will without a doubt be targeted. The Middle East, with its long-standing history of inter-tribal hatred as well as that of the Israelis will go the route of Korea; it will simply cease to exist. Most of the Israeli citizenry has already been evacuated over the past several months and allocated space within the bunker systems located in Australia.”
“All global satellite communications will be down for three to six months unless adjustments are made; our satellite imaging systems will be unavailable. We will be completely blind for a period of time. Assuming the bunker systems work as planned, our only source of reconnaissance and communications will be our drone fleet, which is why it is imperative that a significant number be kept in reserve should this scenario come to pass. Forest fires will break on a grand scale and will continue unabated for months. Although most plant life will be decimated, it will not be completely so. There will be mass extinctions of various animal species. South America as well as Africa will not be as severely targeted since they do not represent a significant nuclear threat, but the radioactive fallout as well as lack of food will absolutely decimate the population on these continents, with losses estimated at well over 95%.”
This was quite a bit to take in. All who were listening were well aware of the implications of nuclear war and the outcome of such should Meehan be correct. Theoretical discussions were one thing; staring it straight in the face was another. The room became completely silent as Meehan’s words hit home.
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After a brief period of time the President spoke.
“General, do you envision any other possible outcome or an ability on our part to prevent this scenario from occurring?”
“Mr. President, if we had more time perhaps that could be the case. But to directly answer your question Sir, no, I do not.”
“Suggestions, General?” the President said.
“Mr. President, other than the steps we’ve already taken, none. We can only hope to ride it out as best we can and pray for the survival of what plant and animal life may remain in the southern hemisphere; assuming they’re targeted on a limited basis. The continued survival of mankind for the foreseeable future will be underground for years to come, if not decades.”
The President turned to Enghult.
“Professor Enghult,” he asked. “How many of our 2,000 bunker sites have reached completion?”
“All of them, Mr. President.”
“And have they been sufficiently stocked with food supplies?”
“Not completely, Sir, but sufficiently enough taking into consideration the suspension chambers which will minimize food requirements and hopefully further progress in the area of hydroponic food generation.”
“All sites combined within the States have a total capacity of 80 million individuals. What are our current levels at, Professor?”
Enghult had to think for a moment. When the President had recently ordered that all citizens swarming the sites be permitted into the bunkers, the occupancy numbers had changed significantly.
“Approximately 68 million, Sir.”
“And will this extend the overall length of our survivability? We had planned on more people within all bunker sites.”
“Assuming the full functionally of the suspension chambers, which has already been confirmed, it will add an additional twelve to twenty-four months at the most. Assuming hydroponics lives up to our expectations, our overall length of time will be determined at a later date.”
President Andrews then turned to the Conyers.
“Professors, are there a sufficient number of chambers within the bunker sites as well as qualified staff?”
Mitch took the lead as he looked at Anya.
“There are a sufficient number of chambers within the bunkers, Mr. President; however, staffing levels need to be increased significantly.”
“And in order to extend the available food supplies within the bunkers, how long will it take to place the individuals designated into those chambers taking into consideration our current limitations?”
“With current staffing levels, over two years allowing for sufficient medical preparation time for the subjects.”
Mitch suddenly caught himself; he was speaking of living human beings as subjects and thought how odd it was that he’d chosen that word.
Professor Enghult had been looking at the monitor that General Meehan was on, the map of the world clearly visible behind him while the others in the room were glued to the President and his line of questioning. Enghult’s eyes suddenly looked on in utter disbelief, and what he saw was startling; several red lines appearing out of nowhere from central China. Seeing Enghult’s change of expression the others in the room looked toward Meehan and saw the main screen behind him in the Command Center while an aide ran up to the General and whispered in his hear. A commotion could clearly be seen. It almost seemed surreal as first dozens and then hundreds of red lines appeared. To a person everyone in the Control Room gasped; mouths agape. President Andrews looked over as General Meehan interrupted.
“Mr. President, our satellites have just picked-up multiple, repeat, multiple intercontinental ballistic missile launches emanating from the Asian continent in the number of hundreds, if not more.”
President Andrews understood clearly; time had run out.
“General Meehan,” he said, “Launch all ballistic missile intercept systems immediately and advise our allies to do the same.”
“Understood, Mr. President.”
Meehan turned and picked up a secured line.
It had begun - The Prophecy was upon them.
Episode 10: “Nuclear Holocaust”
* * *
Perhaps it was the timing that was coincidental, but just as this scene began to unfold Erin woke from her surgery and the first words out of her mouth were, “Where are my parents?”
Veronica remained at Erin’s side throughout her latest ordeal after speaking with Anya in the corridor and answered simply, “They’re in a very important meeting right now, sweetheart. They wanted to be here but couldn’t get away; they had no choice. Your mom asked me to look after you and make sure you were alright. By the way, my name’s Veronica; my dad was with you in the helicopter ride. He was the older man in the uniform.”
“Hi, Veronica. I liked your dad, he seemed nice. The other one was nice too – he helped me when I first got hurt.”
“Oh, you mean Major Hastings. He’s been friends with my father for a very long time; he’s almost like my uncle. I’ve known him ever since I was your age.”
Veronica was surprised that Erin was so coherent considering what she’d been through, asleep one moment and completely wide-awake the next. It struck her that this young girl who seemed so fragile had an unusual inner strength. “One of the benefits of youth,” Veronica thought. She had absolutely no idea that Erin, who she suddenly found herself caring about would one day have the entire future survival of mankind within her hands.
“I think so too,” Veronica added. “I heard you had a pretty rough day; your parents told me all about you. The doctor said that you’re going to be as good as new. If you’d like, I’ll go let them know that you’re okay; they’ve been very worried about you. Would you like me to do that?”
“I would if it’d be okay.”
“Tell ya what, how about I go right now and I’ll be back quicker than a wink. How’s that sound?”
“Alright, Veronica.”
Veronica squeezed Erin’s hand gently in reassurance, and getting up from her chair on the side of the bed headed straight to the control room where the Conyers’ were in a meeting with the President and Joint Chiefs. She was unaware of how truly dire the situation was, but was on a mission and single-minded in letting Mitch and Anya know that their daughter was alright. After leaving the hospital it only took a minute to get to the control room, and once she arrived found the entrance guarded by four rather intimidating secret service agents, each one with a deadly serious look on their face. As she came closer, one of the agents blocked her path as the other three looked on, Veronica suddenly finding herself facing 225 pounds of brick wall. It was the 20th Level of Bunker Site 1, and excluding the dome Level 20 held the second highest level of security. Her mere presence indicated that she had the proper security clearance to be on Level 20, but despite that the agents still weren’t taking any chances. The agents weren’t privileged to know what was happening within the control room; their only concern being that those who were inside remained safe, even if it meant giving-up their own lives.
“I’m sorry ma’am, no one’s allowed in the control room at this time,” the beefy agent said politely. It wasn’t so much stated as a question but more as an unyielding certainty. Veronica knew in a broad sense that the international situation was serious but as of yet was unaware that large-scale nuclear war had broken out. She was on a mission, and using the only means available to her tried to throw her weight around by using her father’s name in the hope of making the Conyers’ aware that their daughter was awake and had come through the surgery just fine. Switching gears she put on her authoritative voice.
“Agent, my name is Veronica McCreary, General McCreary’s daughter. It’s extremely important that I get a message to him on a matter of utmost urgency.”
The agent knew very well who General McCreary was, and the fact that this was his daughter did carry some weight as he looked over to his superior for guidance. Agent Phillips approached the two of them and addressed Vero
nica directly.
“Ma’am, with all due respect, no one, and I mean no one is allowed to enter the control room at this time.”
At a loss, Veronica changed gears and asked Phillips if it would be permitted that she give him a written note. Phillips thought for a moment, and only because Veronica was the daughter of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs decided to allow it, and without saying a word walked over to a nearby table and opening a drawer pulled out a pencil and small notepad, handing both to Veronica. Writing quickly she scribbled the following – ‘Mr. and Mrs. Conyers: Erin is wide-awake and came out of the surgery just fine. Don’t worry about her; she’s more worried about you. I’ll stay with her as long as it takes until you’re able to get here. Awaiting your reply’. Signing her name she folded it over and addressed the note to ‘General McCreary’ sincerely hoping that it would do the trick, and handing the note to Phillips he immediately opened it and read what she’d written. Phillips’ first inclination was to not allow the General to be disturbed, feeling that the information wasn’t sufficiently important, however decided to allow it after all and walked over to the door of the control room and gently knocked, handing it to one of the agents on the inside who in turn seeing it was addressed to the General summarily handed it to him. At the moment McCreary was glued to the monitor and gave Veronica’s note a cursory glance, and despite the concentration required on the matters at hand pointed to the Conyers’ and directed the agent to give them the message. President Andrews, guessing what was in the note deferred to McCreary’s judgment.
Mitch and Anya read Veronica’s note with a great sense of relief, Anya also scribbling a brief reply. “Veronica, thank you so very much. Unable to leave; will be there as soon as possible.” Anya signed her name and returned the note to the agent who again handed it to McCreary. Reading it quickly McCreary simply said “okay,” not wanting any relevant information about what was currently happening to leave the room under any circumstances, but he also thought it was better that the Conyers’ give their undivided attention to the war unfolding before them without having to worry about their daughter’s well-being. They would play an integral role in future events, and having been associated with them for these many years took pity on them. The secret service agent returned to the door with Anya’s reply and gave it to Phillips who was patiently waiting outside. There wasn’t any need to read it; he knew it had already been approved and handed the note back to Veronica. Opening it quickly she read Anya’s reply, and thanking Phillips profusely headed back to the hospital and looked after Erin as if she were her own, and would continue to do so until the Conyers’ were able to get there.
