Forewarned

By S.K. Reyne

An eye-opening reality becomes the subject of survival.

The action-packed adventures and lethal dangers are presenting themselves in record numbers all over the world. There is no escaping the inevitable.

Concentrations of carbon dioxide are causing temperatures to rise to dangerous levels on land and in our oceans. The earth is mutating at a rapid pace as scientists attempt to reverse the effects of global warming.

Subterrestrial pressure is releasing toxic gases from our earth, and our atmosphere is undergoing a deluge of caustic chemicals.

Jason Grant unites a team of scientists who discover a major contributor to the drastic changes from a chemical imbalance in earths mesosphere that has altered the jet stream, causing violent and extreme weather conditions.

Mother Nature is spuming her venin viciously in her attempt at revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781532044656

S.K. Reyne

Most of my adult life, my profession was Interior Design. I spent close to fifty years doing what I loved. I retired at age 65 began a new journey in writing. Ive only just begun publishing my work, but over the last ten years Ive written short stories, childrens books and novels. I look forward to each and every new adventure. S.K. Reyne

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

One afternoon after collecting his samples he stopped at the roadside inn to get a bite to eat before finding a motel for the night. He took a seat at the counter where he was greeted by a middle-aged waitress with a big smile exaggerating the fire engine red lipstick which at some point in her younger years was probably quite appealing, however somewhere between the 40’s and 50’s it lost its allure. Taking the pencil that was stuck behind her ear that was exposed from the B-hive hairdo, also from a bygone era… Hi, my name is Dorothy, with a twang that could have been Kansas or somewhere Middletown USA, can I get you some coffee? Without waiting for a response, she sat down a menu and reached around for the hot pot of coffee and a cup. Pouring the coffee, she said, I’ve seen you in here before, you campin` in our area?

Jason smiled, Something like that.

The door opened sounding the bell attached to the frame above the door. Dorothy looked up and slid her tongue across her bottom lip and put on her welcome smile, Hey Hank, you’re runnin` late.

Yeah, had to show a property on the mountain.

Taking a seat, a couple stools down the counter, he reached his hand over and offered it to Jason, Hey, I’m Hank Cooper, local Real Estate guy.

Jason took his hand. Jason Grant; any good buys out by Horseshoe Lake?

"You lookin` for a weekend place; I know `bout a real fixer up the hill a way.

No, I’m looking for a permanent residence or land where I can build a cabin.

Handing Jason a card, Hank said, I’ll have a look in the morning`, you stayin` around here?

Jason offered his hand, At the motel down the road. I’ll stop in to see you about 9:00 a.m., before I head out to collect the rest of my sample readings.

What kind?

Soil samples, I’m a geologist.

That was a couple of years ago.

With the equity form the sale of his house, he bought acreage and built a log cabin with all the comforts of suburban living. The only difference would be a fifty-mile trip to the market.

After two years of recording gas phenomenon around the globe, he had discovered a connection. With three major factors present, that connection became a reality right in his own backyard. All three factors were present.

First, he was in an area where there was frequent ground movement. Second, the activity created pressure and third, gases were being emitted into the atmosphere.

CHAPTER 2

Jason, deep in thought, picks up the phone on the fifth ring.

Jason? Watson, Mike Watson at Berkley.

Mike, it’s been years, how’d you find me?

Through a mutual friend, Dean Fisher. It seems he’s kept tabs on your work. In fact, that’s why I’m calling…I need your input on some activity in Indonesia and he said you’d be the man to talk to. Can you spare some time? I can fly in tomorrow.

That’ll work, I could use some counter input and some company.

***

The ride from the airstrip brought back memories of their college years.

Remember back when we took that road trip to Baja in the 70S?

You mean when Max Fairchild and I had to carry you back to the hotel? Mike said remembering.

Ah yeah, well that was a lifetime ago.

From the highway, the ten-mile road to the cabin was like forty miles of bad road, definitely not on the state highways’ road repair list.

So, Jason, what have you been up to the past few years? Sorry to hear about Katherine. How are you? You hanging in there?

"Yeah, you know. After Katherine died I didn’t know what to do for a long time. Nothing that ever mattered before seemed to matter then. A few months of feeling sorry for myself and lost in the past, I sold the house and moved into a single room and felt sorry some more. One morning I went to Starbucks where Katherine and I went sometimes and realized that the things that were important to me were also important to Kathrine and she would have wanted me to continue my work. So, I packed my bag, drove out here and found a real estate agent and bought this acreage and had a cabin built and Brick and I moved in; it all seemed so right. It’s twenty acres, a year-round creek; it a great place to work and Brick has room to roam. At least that’s what I had pictured; old yeller running through the woods, my macho dog. The way it turned out; Brick got his name because that’s about how fast he moves. In fact, he usually only does that when it’s time to eat.

I got the place at a great price, partly because it’s so remote and the road takes a four-wheel drive to get to. But, all in all, it fits… So, let me ask what brings you all the way from Berkley in this weather?"

We can talk about that over a good bottle of Brandy…I didn’t come empty handed after all.

"There’s a storm brewing, Jason said looking out over the horizon. We better get on up to the cabin. In that first year while the cabin was being built, I stayed in the loft in the barn which I had built before any construction started on the main structure. That year I found out what they mean when they say mountain storms; I had rain, snow, hail, winds, trees blocking the road. After the first storm I had the barn insulated and sealed and it made a suitable work area. The generator took care of the electricity and I learned to be pretty creative at meal time.

***

Mike expected to find a little mine shack that had been brought up to date over the past few decades with inside plumbing. As they drove up the drive, he was shocked to see a modern two-story log cabin with a sprawling covered porch that wrapped around both sides of the house. In the back was a barn with the double door big enough to drive a snow plow through. Wow, man, you’ve been holding out. I didn’t expect this form the hermit I imagined you to be.

It’s home. Come on in, you can bunk in the first room on the left at the top of the stairs.

Mike took his bag up the log stairs admiring the natural log banister and split log steps with the bark still on the underside. The room was a good size with a log bed that looked like it was built for Paul Bunyan himself. The bath was almost as big as his bedroom in his apartment in San Francisco, with a shower that was made of natural stone. The shower head was a replica of an old cistern pump that had been converted and matching cistern faucets on a counter of real stone and an old axe handle to hang towels on.

Coming down the stairs, Mike noticed numerous things that were anything but run of the mill. Wow, I’m impressed. Who decorated this place?

Guilty as charged, Jason said coming out of the kitchen with two steaming mugs of coffee…want to see the rest?"

The downstairs was a simple plan. The front door opened into one huge room with a twenty-five-foot ceiling of wood logs, some of which still had a branch or two attached with lighting worked into the natural flow of the limbs as well as branches coming off the walls in pre-planned locations for the best lighting. The stone fireplace stood on one wall and reached to the ceiling with, instead of a mantle, there was a half a canoe and an elk’s head that made a real statement. Talk about a conversation piece. In front of the fireplace were two overstuffed leather sofas and two overstuffed chenille chairs with an infusion of autumn colors, each with its own side table inviting enough to sink in and enjoy a hot toddy.

Off to the left was an office or study equipped with a library of knowledge within the massive Cherrywood bookcase and desk. Not your everyday look, but formal of the cherry worked great with the rustic walls and distressed wood flooring that continued on into the kitchen.

The glass ceiling over the last fifteen feet of the kitchen sloped to the rear wall and through the grid of glass you could see the tree tops swaying overhead and whatever the weather, was there to behold.

Jason led Mike into the great room and they each found comfort in their own chair where they sat and watched the fire take hold with the popping of cinders and wet bark. With everything else to steal his eye, Mike had missed the lump curled up near the hearth. That must be Brick. I see what you mean. Jason raised his mug and the two men toasted their long overdue reunion.

Jason, I’m sure you have heard about the current activity on the island of Java.

Indonesia? Right.

There are a couple of active ruins over there. They’ve had to evacuate Mount Merapi; the same fire mountain that killed thirteen hundred when it erupted in 1930. Well, in May of 2006 the government was drilling for gas and it triggered an eruption of mud. It has completely covered up twelve villages; ten thousand families were displaced in a matter of days. Christ man, nothing they’ve tried has been able to stop the flow. First a trickle and by morning a scalding torrent. Some blame the drillers but others claim it was caused by and earthquake.

Was there any seismic activity in the area at the time? Jason asked.

"Two days earlier. The only problem is the earthquake wasn’t strong enough and it was 170 miles away in Yogyakarta. That was dismissed by Richard Davis of Durham University of England. Not to mention he has evidence for how the drilling would have caused the incident. Davies’ own studies concluded the eruption was triggered by the drilling, and the attempt to control a huge influx of water and gas that fractured sections of the borehole. They’ve tried to plug the hole with concrete but it failed to halt the flow.

The politics surrounding this disaster are as muddy as the landscape which was stated in an article that came out in the National Geographic this month. The smell of sulfur just hangs in the air."

Have any tests been done on other gases? Carbon dioxide for instance? None that I’ve heard of. Mike replied.

Jason stood and walked to the fire to arrange a log that was just starting to catch the flame, I’ve been running tests on some of the lakes and surrounding areas. Tomorrow morning, if you’d like, we’ll take a drive over to the east shore and I’ll show you something I think you’ll find really interesting.

After Jason moved to the area he started hearing reports of events around the camp areas. At first, he viewed them as normal occurrences, but things kept showing up in the local papers so he decided to chart the happenings and found a key factor to each incident. Campers reporting headaches and dizziness, strong sulfuric residue, dead birds, trees dying for no logical reason. Then last July in Mammoth Lake a report of the deaths of three men on ski patrol.

"I drove up to Mammoth to take a look around after a sighting by some campers of bubbles erupting from the surface of the lake. Mike, I’ve been working with the Long Valley Observatory and the total discharge of Carbon Dioxide gas at the Horseshoe Lake tree kill area range from fifty to one hundred fifty tons per day. As you know 30% of CO2 can cause unconsciousness and death.

Five days ago, a sixty-year-old hiker took off in the morning and around noon called his wife on his cell phone and said he had become disoriented. This is a man that has lived in the area for twenty years and is an avid hiker. To me this suggests over 10% emissions."

I heard something about that on the news the other night. Jason, maybe he ventured into a low area that had high concentrations. Have they found him yet?

It’s been five days Mike, and with the weather we’ve had chances are slim he’ll be found alive.

***

Not to change the subject, but tell me Jason, what keeps you held up in the middle of nowhere? Don’t you miss civilization? Your love life can’t be too exciting. I have a friend; she’s a freelance journalist and she does independent surveys for the University; I think you two would have a lot in common, someone you could actually talk to the understands our lingo.

Jason raised his eyebrow and gave Mike a look that suggested a change of conversation. How about a fresh one? Brandy I mean, as he got up to stoke the fire. I hope you like Salmon, Mike. He walked to the kitchen and put the Salmon steaks in to bake in lemon and rosemary that he had prepared before going to pick up Mike, and checked the baking potatoes he tossed in the oven while Mike was checking out his room. No cracks on the cuisine, I sort of developed a knack for cooking…or should I say eating.

Mike raised a hand and said, "You’ll get no ribbing from me. I’m starving;

Just then, thunder cracked so loud it rattled the window panes. Sounds like the Gods are hungry too.

Jason, all our years of study, nothing has really changed. The ground shakes and spews like it has for hundreds of years. What’s so different now?"

The concentrations. Jason raised his eyebrows and taking a sip of his brandy… Over the past two decades the increase is alarming. It’s becoming a silent killer. Our government keeps it hush hush all in the name of economy. I don’t think you’d find any of them hiking in the Mammoth Mountain area. They tell everyone the trees are dying due to smog or some beetle that infested the forest. If the public knew how volatile these low areas are there would be mass hysteria and nobody would visit national parks or reserves. Thousands visit this area each year and true there are only a handful of incidences, but the numbers are growing."

After dinner both men sat watching the fire. Mike decided the Salmon with the lemon herb sauce was the best he had ever eaten and the zesty romaine salad a work of art. I’ve never heard of grilled romaine salad and that sauce on the Salmon…wow. Maybe you should change your calling and open a little bed and breakfast.

***

Mike was up early and was already in the kitchen with the ham and eggs under control. A couple cups of coffee and the men made a plan for the day. They loaded their gear in the Yukon and took off for the east shore of Horseshoe Lake.

Mike, take a look at these natural collapse pits. As the level of the lake declines, I find a high concentration of CO2 and wait until you see this. Jason took off to the west.

Mike stood looking at the crack of the earth and his eye followed it right into the lake. What the hell is this?

I’ve set up sampling grids all over this area to report measurements of the flow of gases. They give me a report on fifty to one hundred sites at any given hour and I can access it on my computers at the cabin. The flux has remained at relatively high levels since 1996. Digging up loose soil in this area is especially dangerous for children or pets. There is any number of gases that could be released. One is more lethal than another. Another problem is the number of people who ski or camp in these areas who are totally unaware of these problems.

Jason, last night I mentioned a friend of mine. I was just joking around last night but she’s a free-lance journalist and it looking for a local project. Maybe you could just talk to her. Her name is Dawson Howe.

Jason and Mike walked along the lake for an hour to the west and then headed back to the Yukon with some live samples. On the drive back to the cabin, neither Mike or Jason had much to say. Jason, even though he didn’t want to admit it, was curious who this Dawson Howe was. He’d heard the name, probably in one of the journals.

CHAPTER 3

Dawson had just finished up an article she had been working on for National Geographic Association on the effects of volcanic activities effect on global warming. It was a good article chocked full of fact and theory but she was glad it was over and she was ready to get away for a well-deserved rest.

As the claw foot tub filled with steamy water, Dawson poured a glass of wine and put on a Patsy Cline CD and slipped into the water for a relaxing bathing. Putting everything form the past few weeks out of her mind. Dawson tried to imagine a place where she could tune out the busy world; no phone, no news, no meetings or schedules.

The next morning the sun was shining through the filmy sheers in Dawson’s bedroom. She woke rested and without a care in the world. She had a few loose ends to take care of and then the next month was all hers.

Dawson checked her day calendar:

Call Mike to check in

Sisters B-day/ send flowers and card

Mom and Dad leave for Europe

Don’t forget to call Mike.

OK, OK. How tough is that. Dawson pressed auto dial.

Flowers Plus, Julie speaking.

Julie…Dawson, I need a favor, I’m down to the wire. You have my sis on file and mom and dad. First, mom and dad; send them a bon voyage bouquet and my sister, a birthday bouquet and wine. You pick and charge it to my Visa. Thanks, I owe you. Done, check; check. Maybe I should give Jamie a jingle. After all she is my only sister. She voiced aloud.

Jamie…Dawson. You are up for a birthday on the 5th. Since you are older, I thought I’d call with regrets. Just kidding. How are you? What’s new in Oregon?

"What’s new with you, brat? I’m just doing the same ole, same ole, working.

When am I going to be part of your busy schedule?"

As a matter of fact, I just earned a whole month off. Maybe I can work you in…they laughed. I’m thinking a road trip. Let me make a plan and I’ll get back to you in a day or two. Maybe we can celebrate you’re getting older with a few margaritas.

Sounds great. Talk to you in a day or so.

Dawson reached for the brochure ‘Ski Washington State, Oh yeah. Just the excuse she needed to buy that cute little ski outfit. Baby blue with white fur trim around the neck, cuffs and edge with matching ski pants and white fur boots to cuddle by the fire in and look like a snow bunny. Oh, not to forget sipping a warm Brandy.

She picked up the phone on the third ring. Oh, Mike, I was just about to call and check in. I can’t believe this month is over. I’ll drop all my notes and the report off by FedEx before I take off. I have a month off and I plan to use it well.

Speaking of…uh, Dawson, I have a favor to ask.

Well don’t. The answer is no. I have a month set aside for me and …

Dawson, please, I just need your input; won’t take but a few hours of your …

Mike, I’m leaving here tomorrow morning headed for Oregon and then on to Washington state for some R&R, much deserved I might add. San Francisco is not in my travel plan.

Perfect…Dawson, just listen to me. I’m not in San Francisco, it would be right on your way and perfect timing. Just an hour, come on you owe me.

Oh, Mike, don’t pull that, you owe me. Crap! I just need some time to regenerate.

And you’ll get it Dawson, just an hour of your time.

Oh, good Lord Mike, whatever, where are you? Dawson pressed record on the recorder and got the directions as Mike dictated, because from past experience, Mike sometimes left out small details. What’s this all about Mike/

I’ll tell you when I see you. Just meet me where I said and you can ride the rest of the way with me. Thanks kid.

***

Dawson couldn’t remember the last time she could go shopping for more than an hour; so today she was going to make a day of it. Within an hour she had showered and dressed and she made a mental list of must haves and was on the elevator to the parking garage. First stop, Macy’s for a few personal items, just in case… and a pair of flannel pajamas. Next stop, maybe a massage, if she had time after the beauty salon.

Dawson got there just a few minutes before her appointment and told the receptionist she also wanted a manicure and a pedicure. Why not, a girl deserves a special treat once in a while. By the time she finished at Cliff’s Clips, she only had an hour to get across town to get her ski outfit. By 6:00 p.m. she had accomplished what needed to get done and was looking forward to the little Italian restaurant around the corner from her apartment. Spaghetti Eddies wasn’t exactly gourmet dining, but it had a certain charm conducive to tired feet.

Eddie greeted her at the front door. A portly, Italian gentleman who loved to greet his customers and make them feel welcome. Dawson ordered one of her favorites, fettuccini Alfredo and a small Italian salad. One couldn’t enjoy all this without a good glass of Merlot accompanied by the evening news reported from the TV in the corner.

***

Bright and early, Dawson was eager to get on the road. Once she was out of town and away from the busy streets, she turned up the radio and listened to a pop station. After an hour she switched to a George Michael CD. It was a three-hour drive from Fresno to where she was to meet Mike in the Mammoth Lake area.

When she reached the sign that said, Last chance for food for 100 miles, she slowed the car and looked for the small café that Mike had described. She parked in front and went in for a cup of coffee and waited for Mike to arrive.

The green vinyl flooring had many scars it had earned over the years led to a counter of laminate which had lost its color and pattern. The red vinyl stools boasting a retro leftover from the 50’s had seen better days and the venetian blinds that hung in the windows must have traveled that road from another era also. Although the décor was lacking, the warmth and genuine smiles of the few locals at the counter was not. Each one turned to give a nod or a smile to Dawson as she made her way to a booth by the window.

CHAPTER 4

Jason and Mike had spent three days in the field and spent the fourth day going over charts and readings. They took their readings back to the cabin and entered the new data into the computer to compare the new readings with the previous readings from the day before.

Jason, you remember I talked to you about Dawson Howe? Well, I contacted her yesterday and she has agreed to meet with us for a few hours.

Jason looked at Mike, And what? When? Why? What would she have to bring to the table?

"I don’t know, but she’s been around; heard