The Continent of St. Louis

By J. L. Reynolds

     Southern Californians had long been accustomed to the occasional jolts of small earthquakes, and for the most part had come to ignore the small jolts and considered them as more of a  reminder that they lived in an area that was dissected by the great San Andreas Fault along with many other smaller fault lines.

 

     Vince Davis, the director of the Seismic Center located in San Diego, California, had been awakened from sleep at 2:00 AM the morning of August 18th, 2009 by the jolt of a small earthquake, not unlike many others he had experienced since moving to San Diego and taking over his position as director of the facility.  He felt no urgency in regard to the earthquake, knowing the Seismic Center would be monitoring the quake.  What he didn’t know, but would soon learn, was that the small quake was just the beginning of something more devastating and ominous.  Something that he and his assistant, Jim Lewis, never imagined could happen.  The two, caught up in the disaster, would band together with a group of new found and dedicated allies, forming a courageous force of defiant individuals. The government of the United States, no longer viable, crumbled and fell apart under the fury of the all-consuming disaster. Military and government officials alike deserted their posts, as Washington and the White House burned.  If the group was going to survive, they would have to find their own way, and do so by their own means. In a short period of 35 days, they would find themselves in a constant struggle against nature and the enemies they would encounter along the way.  He and his allies are ultimately forced to abandon their mountaintop headquarters and go to St. Louis, where they will have to make their last stand and face the power of the mighty New Madrid Fault.      

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 4, 2008
• ISBN: 9781467857369

J. L. Reynolds

   J. L. Reynolds was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1939.  He lived and worked in the Kansas City area untill he retired from T.W.A in 1994. He was never trained as a writer, but has written many poems and songs over the years, none of which have been published.     This novel is his first attempt at serious writing. The completion of this novel marks a new path he has chosen to follow.  At the time of this printing, he has written three other novels that will complete the story of The Continent of St. Louis.  The subsequent novels that complete the story will be published and released in the months to come.    His philososphy on life is that a person is never to old to try something new or different.  Success, he feels is not what others may say or think regarding your work, but rather the satisfaction the individual gets completing something they have started.       

Book preview

PROLOGUE

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANS FIRST FELT the beginning of the end of their world at two in the morning, August 18, 2009. The dreaded big quake, long anticipated from the San Andreas Fault, began along the Imperial Branch and was recorded as 3.0 on the Richter scale by the Southern California Seismic Network, located in Los Angeles and San Diego. The initial data coming in from sensors placed in the Salton Sea area was noted, but caused little concern for seismologists on duty. Southern California had experienced many small earthquakes in the past including a series of minor cluster quakes that had occurred in the Salton Sea area as recently as 2005. Earthquakes of that magnitude were common throughout Southern California and known to be no threat to modern structures.

Area residents who were wakened by the minor shock wave were, for the most part, indifferent to it and were not prepared for the violent intensity of the aftershocks beginning just ten minutes later. The first massive aftershock sent residents not trapped inside their crumbling homes into the streets seeking safety, as the ground continued the merciless upheaval beneath their feet. The streets in every neighborhood were torn open, breaking gas mains that released spewing, pressurized gas upward. The panic, felt by all, turned to doom as the gas was ignited by downed electrical lines and erupted into massive fireballs of searing flames. No one still alive knew the significance of what was yet to come. With electrical feed gone, radio, and television communication was lost. Area police, fire departments and other emergency personnel had been caught unaware. Unable to cope with the holocaust facing them, they became victims as well. By 2:30 a.m., those who were still alive and trapped inside their homes, died from the ensuing firestorms as they swept through the cities consuming everything in their path. Death had come swiftly through the darkness like an unseen and vicious predator. There would be no avenue of escape or salvation for the thousands of victims trapped in its path of annihilation and destruction. As the shock waves intensified the bed of the Salton Sea collapsed in a thunderous roar. Seconds later, a giant whirlpool formed and rapidly gained momentum. The inertia of the rotating water’s force lay claim to all that lined its shores, taking all down, as the water funneled into the depths of the Earth. For the millions of unknowing, and so far unaffected, Southern California citizens, certain death now lay waiting at their doorsteps.

By 4:00 a.m., all responsible government agencies had been notified of the seismic activity now calculated at 8.5. Disaster and emergency response agencies were called by state officials and began assembling for the task that lay ahead. At dawn, they would be dispatched to the stricken areas to assess damage and provide initial medical and emergency services to the victims of what was now being described as the worst disaster to strike the state of California in recorded history.

Data collection, from the area surrounding the Salton Sea, was lost early on. Sensors, still in service beyond that area, now relayed what appeared to be rolling earthquakes along the San Andreas, Anza, Banning and San Jacinto Faults. Seismologists, stationed at all locations along the California coast, looked on in disbelief as they received and confirmed the information of the earthquake’s spread and fury. They helplessly witnessed the evidence of what apparently was an enormously, massive series of earthquakes, enveloping a vast portion of Southern California. Indio and Palm Springs, north along the faults, reported severe damage and destruction. San Diego also reported similar, but significantly higher levels, of destruction as the tense minutes passed, and the disaster spread.

Panic set in on the seismologists on duty at Caltech as their equipment received and recorded, rapidly rising signals, confirming the increasingly stronger activity moving north along the faults toward Los Angeles. Professionalism and responsibility broke down and were forgotten issues, as they abandoned their posts, in an attempt to flee the oncoming disaster and save themselves. Unknown to them and everybody who would soon be dead, the Pacific Plate was moving northeast at rate never imagined.

Franklin Sullivan, the Governor of California, was in Los Angeles with his family and was awakened and informed of the disaster in the Salton Sea area. As the shock waves began to reach the Los Angeles area he contacted White House officials who woke President Carter Lemming from sleep. After informing the president of the disaster that was then reaching Los Angeles, Sullivan requested immediate federal assistance. President Lemming assured Sullivan of federal cooperation and while on the phone, he summoned and instructed an aide to draw up documents declaring a national emergency in the state of California. Ten minutes later, he signed the declaration, giving Governor Sullivan authorization to call up the National Guard and declare martial law. As the streets of Los Angeles shook, Governor Sullivan and his family were picked up by military helicopter from the roof of his hotel and whisked away to his office in Sacramento.

As the earthquakes intensified in the Los Angeles area, San Diego and the surrounding area was being consumed by the disaster. The San Diego-Tijuana border was overrun with mobs of armed Mexican citizens who were storming the border entry and firing on the Border Patrol who lost the battle as their numbers thinned. As the crazed mob broke through the border defenses they killed anyone who got in their way as their madness spilled onto the streets and freeways of the cities to the south of San Diego. Interstate 5 and 805 became bloody corridors as motorists were dragged from their vehicles by car-jackers and murdered by the seemingly insane mobs bent only on self preservation. Stolen cars and trucks, filled to capacity, with the fear crazed illegal refugees joined the local residents in their mad dash to escape the disaster that shook their vehicles as they drove north at maddening rates of speed. Unwilling to slow their vehicles down they crashed headlong into the rear of slower vehicles as the streets and freeways of the San Diego area became clogged. As the crush of vehicles intensified, traffic began piling up as the gridlock tightened and came to a complete standstill.

San Diego Police Chief, Wayne Brewer had been alerted early on and had called in all off duty and reserve officers after notifying the mayor and emergency response officials. Local broadcasting stations, which were monitoring police bands, recklessly sent all on duty reporters and camera crews out to cover, what appeared at first, to be minor activity. Anxious reporters who had not heeded warnings from police were airing live broadcasts of the early stages from scenes throughout the city. Burning buildings, tended by firemen, were seen behind them as they nervously looked over their shoulders pointing to and describing the destruction as it unfolded. Fire trucks and ambulances screamed past the reporters as the ground began to shake more violently. Without warning, electrical transformers began to explode showering sparks down, scattering the reporters’ back, as they ran for safety. Shortly thereafter, electrical feed to San Diego and the surrounding area was lost, plunging the area into darkness. Police and firemen became overwhelmed as thousands of citizens began pouring out into the streets. As the panicked crowds increased, all semblance of control was lost. Those in charge were left with no choice other than to abandon their posts and join the ever-growing tidal wave of the desperate trying to escape the escalating disaster. There would be no organized evacuation and there had never been any chance of gaining control. With only the raging fires to illuminate the landscape, the San Diego area and its citizens were now caught up in the full force of the disaster.

San Diego’s downtown became consumed by fires and explosions. Lindbergh Field had been stormed and was filled to overcapacity by mobs of uncontrolled citizens. As the shockwaves grew stronger and struck the airport, hundreds were trampled to death in the resulting melee. Unable to withstand the relentless assault, the terminal and passenger concourses collapsed with a tremendous, ear shattering roar, heard only momentarily by the soon to die. The runways and tarmac were split and torn open. Exposed underground fuel tanks exploded, emitting tremendous fireballs of burning fuel that rained down and consumed everything as it spread. There had been no flights to safety or escape for anyone. Lindbergh field had become a giant crematorium as the fires raged on.

The gracefully, curved San Diego-Coronado bridge spanning San Diego Bay, collapsed as the shockwaves intensified. The desperate occupants of fleeing vehicles crossing the bridge had no chance as the bridge gave way plunging them helplessly into the dark bay waters below. As the relentless onslaught continued, the beautiful and brightly lighted Bay City of Coronado was succumbing to the earthquake’s fury. The beams and joists of the luxury Hotel Del Coronado creaked and groaned as the 120 year old beach front landmark was shifted from its foundation. Seconds later it crumbled into a mass of splinters and rubble entombing its affluent guests and employees inside as fires were ignited and began to spread.

San Diego Bay became filled with hundreds of overcrowded boats packed full of panicked individuals who had somehow managed to push their way on board the boats before the docks collapsed. As the wallowing boats made their way toward the open sea, the waters of San Diego Bay began to churn unmercifully. The congested boats were soon swamped and capsized, spilling the doomed occupants into the tidal wave of water that had reached them from the shore. Their frantic struggles to save themselves ended when, they and their boats, were sucked under as the bay floor split open and collapsed into the Trench Fault below. For those, if any, still alive in the water or on land, there would be no salvation. They and San Diego were lost.

Other cities along the coast also succumbed as the shock waves rolled north. The core of the nuclear power generating station at San Onofre was split open, releasing its deadly radiation into the atmosphere. Death would now be a lingering certainty for those who had escaped the earthquakes initial fury. Southern California’s demise had crossed the threshold, taking along with it any hope of survival. What remained would be unfit for life of any kind for years to come. The end had come swiftly and without warning or mercy.

The White House was now on full alert. President Lemming had called in his advisors and had given orders to send Air Force reconnaissance aircraft to over fly the stricken area. Utilizing infrared cameras, the destruction was documented and recorded in the darkness. At 8:00 a.m. EST, President Lemming, surrounded by his advisors, reviewed the photos transmitted to his office from Air Force High Command. The photos showed vast and wide-ranging destruction in Southern California. Salton City and Desert Shores on the west were no longer seen. Both had been swallowed up by the Salton Sea’s collapse. Where the Salton Sea had been, there was now a great depression with steam rising miles into the air. San Diego and Los Angeles were in total ruins. The president and his advisors unanimously agreed that no one could have survived the destruction seen in the photos. Heeding advice from experts regarding the destroyed San Onofre nuclear power plant, all rescue attempts slated for Southern California were called off. It had been only three hours since the disaster had begun. Dawn had yet broken over Southern California.

President Lemming began his emergency broadcast at 9:00 a.m. EST from the pressroom of the White House. Surrounding him were his Military Chiefs’ of Staff and the leaders of the House and Senate. All networks, cable and satellite television, as well as all radio stations, carried his message live. He told Americans that the United States was in a desperate situation. He described the destruction currently known, and the northward path it was taking. He showed the photos and video collected from the disaster areas as it had existed just three hours before. He then declared a national emergency for the entire country and ordered all commercial broadcasting and Internet service stopped at the conclusion of his speech. He cited the panic and hysteria that inconclusive, undocumented commercial broadcasting, web blogs and e-mail would cause as it always had in other emergencies. With outcries from news agencies and civil libertarians echoing in his ears, he stated that only the Emergency Broadcast System would release official government warnings and reports, relating to the disaster. Listeners were advised to turn on their radios for the hourly updates until the government had the situation well in hand.

He asked that calm and order be maintained in the currently unaffected areas that were now under martial law. He extended the coverage of the martial law order which now encompassed the entire West Coast. Until notified otherwise by the Emergency Broadcast System, citizens were to conform to all orders given to them by the designated authorities in their areas. He ordered FEMA and other federal disaster support agencies into action immediately. He called an emergency meeting of both houses of Congress for later in the day. He then ordered the Stock Market, Federal Reserve and all banking facilities throughout the United States, to close their doors immediately in an effort to avoid panic and financial ruin for the country.

He acknowledged orders had been issued to all active and reserve military personnel, Federal Marshalls and other federal police, along with state, county and city police in Southern California to 24/7 active duty under the command of Governor Sullivan. He advised officials of Northern California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington to be on a readiness alert to prepare their citizens should the northward movement of the earthquake continue.

He ordered all air and land travel west cancelled. All airlines, with passenger aircraft on the West Coast, were ordered to act as convoys, along with military transport planes, to evacuate all coastal cities that were now unaffected. He also acknowledged an order had been given to Navy Command and the Coast Guard to send all available ships to all operational California ports to be used for evacuation purposes. He next ordered all trucking and air freight companies to immediately cease operation to and from the West Coast, in an effort to free up highways and flight paths for evacuation use and expedited delivery of emergency equipment and supplies. Essentially, the United States was being shut down, starting with the West Coast and causing a feeling of the unknown much like it was after 9/11.

As the president concluded his broadcast, he asserted that the United States was now involved in the biggest battle in its history. He asked for a complete compliance to his orders by all, stating failure to do so would be dealt with swiftly and accordingly. There was no mistaking the seriousness of his tone or demeanor. He had shown the world and the citizens of the United States the image of a president in charge. Shortly thereafter the nation was plunged into media darkness as the plugs were pulled.

Not long after the president had concluded his message, he was told the president of Mexico had called requesting aid and assistance with the disaster in his country. President Lemming returned his call telling him there would be no immediate assistance from the United States. Mexico and its people would have to take care of themselves for the time being. As the angry president of Mexico hung up, President Lemming issued orders to close all non affected border crossings from California to Texas. He then issued orders to call up National Guard units in the border areas to reinforce the Border Patrol and gave authority for both, to shoot and kill, anyone trying to cross the border. Shortly thereafter, President Lemming was informed that Canada had closed its border to Americans in retaliation to the United States for not assisting Mexico. Leaders around the world, one after the other, aired their critical complaint in disbelief toward the president for his seemingly uncaring attitude for his neighbors to the south. They withdrew their support, declaring no help or assistance would be given to the United States. The most powerful nation on Earth was now on its own.

CHAPTER 1

VINCE DAVIS HAD BEEN awakened early Friday morning by what he thought was the typical jolt of a small earthquake. Vince had grown up in the St. Louis, Missouri area and had graduated from the University of Missouri School of Engineering in Rolla, Missouri some ten years earlier. He had completed and received his master’s degree in geological engineering at age twenty-four. He was working on his doctorate when he had been offered and accepted the assistant administrator position of the Seismic Center, located on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. While working at the center, he had completed his doctorate and had taken over as administrator of that office when his predecessor, Dr. Wilson Leyland, had retired. Vince had gotten used to the occasional tremors felt in the area. He had grown up with knowledge of, and had studied the New Madrid Fault and its occasional small activity, throughout his college years. In his studies, he had learned that in the years 1811 and 1812, several strong earthquakes had occurred in Southern Missouri along the Mississippi River. Those disturbances were now considered to be the largest series of earthquakes, to have occurred, in a single given area of the American Continent in recorded history. Modern day seismologist had estimated the enormous earthquakes that occurred over the two year period to have reached levels of 8.0 or higher. The shockwaves emitted by the recurring earthquakes had been felt by many cities along the East Coast and had completely destroyed the small river city of New Madrid, Missouri, for which the fault was named.

Vince was a ruggedly handsome, dark haired man of thirty-four. His six foot frame was muscled from years of outdoor activity. He had spent all his free time studying the faults and geology of his native state, as well as Southern California’s abundant fault lines. He had researched data from previous seismic activity worldwide, gaining great knowledge into one of nature’s deadliest weapons, the earthquake.

Vince still felt a bit groggy at that early hour of the morning as he sat up in bed. The clock said it was 2:01 in the morning. Was I dreaming, or was that the real thing? He thought as he lay back down. If that was the real thing it must have been quite a distance away, and no threat to the local area, but I guess I should call the office and see what’s going on, if anything.

He didn’t expect to hear anything much, but his curiosity was aroused. Just as he was about to pick up the phone, it rang in his hand. He answered, seeing the office number in the view screen of his phone.

Vince here, what’s going on?

It was his colleague and best friend, Jim Lewis, who worked the night shift at the lab.

Vince! You have to come down here right now! Jim insisted.

Why, what’s up?

Did you feel that quake a few minutes ago?

Yes, what did it read on the scale? Vince asked.

It was a 3.0, located along the Imperial Fault in the Salton Sea area.

A 3.0? That isn’t anything, Jim! Why did you call me?

I know it isn’t, but it’s not that!

What is it then?

The scale is showing a rapidly increasing reading that indicates it may have been the beginning of something larger. You better get down here! Jim exclaimed.

Okay, I’ll get my clothes on and head down. You call the others and tell them what’s going on. Tell them to get to the office as soon as possible. I’ll see you in a half hour.

What do you want me to do if any of the students call or come in?

We can’t have any students there, Jim. If they come in, send them home. Vince hung up and thought. I’ll just skip the shower and shave. I’ll probably just end up coming back home in an hour or so anyway.

He had just finished dressing and was headed to the garage for his car when his whole house shook. Damn! This is the real thing and this isn’t any 3.0! He looked at his watch. It was 2:15. Steadying himself, he got in his car and backed out of the garage. I’ve got to get to the office fast. He thought, feeling the ground trembling beneath his wheels.

Using his emergency radio, he contacted the local police dispatcher. He identified himself, his vehicle and location east of El Cajon, and requested an emergency police escort to his office.

A cruiser will be waiting on Interstate 8 at Magnolia. The dispatcher said.

Thanks! I’ve got to go! Vince replied.

Wait! What’s going on? I have to alert the rest of the department!

Tell them a 3.0 quake occurred about ten minutes ago in the Salton Sea area. Vince replied.

Is that what I’m feeling now? The dispatcher asked.

No, what we’re feeling now is bigger, maybe a 4.0, I don’t know yet. When I get to the office and see what we’re facing, I’ll advise the authorities at that time.

Vince keyed off and called the office on his cell phone.

Vince, where are you? Jim asked.

On the 8, picking up a police escort. What’s the reading now?

It’s up to 4.5 and it’s escalating!

Damn! Vince exclaimed. I’ll see you soon!

Vince saw two cruisers waiting as he approached the Magnolia Street freeway entrance. He had placed his portable, Amber emergency light on the roof of his car for identification. With one cruiser in the lead and the other following, they made their way west on Interstate 8 toward the UCSD campus. The trip was not easy. Freeway traffic had virtually come to a stand still when they got closer to the campus. Many of the cars and trucks on the freeway had pulled off onto the shoulder, while other drivers had stopped in the middle of the freeway, abandoning their vehicles, not sure what was happening or what to do. Emergency vehicles with red lights and sirens were everywhere. Vince cussed and honked his horn as the panicked and inconsiderate drivers weaved in and out of traffic, narrowly missing him several times. The tremors seemed to be intensifying as he slowly made his way toward the campus. It was 3:30 a.m. when Vince finally reached the office. Jim, along with the two others that had arrived, looked frantic.

What’s the situation? Vince yelled.

It’s all around us, Vince! Something is pushing hard and it’s moving everything to the north. It has to be the Pacific Plate, there’s no other explanation for something like this to be happening!

What do you know for sure? Vince asked, seeing the panic on Jim’s face.

The Rose Canyon Fault is involved and so are the San Diego and San Clemente Trench Faults! It’s like a giant cluster quake completely surrounding San Diego!

Where did it start, Jim?

I don’t know exactly where it started, but the Imperial Fault down into Mexico is involved, so are the Anza, Brawley and San Jacinto Faults. With each shock wave, the magnitude increases. There can’t be much left of the Salton Sea area!

Have you advised the authorities? Vince asked. The emergency and disaster response people need to be advised of the seriousness of this!

Hell yes! Jim replied. They said they’re going to do what they can, but Jesus, this is incredible!

Clam down, Jim! Have you heard anything from L.A?

Yes, we’ve been ordered to evacuate! The governor’s office is sending a Marine helicopter from Miramar to pick us up!

Where are they picking us up?

On the roof, they’re taking us to join the staff in L.A!

Okay, come on! Let’s get up to the roof!

They’re not going! Jim said, speaking of the other two employees. They’re going to try to get back to their homes. They have families, and they’re not leaving without them. There’s no time to get their families, and not enough room for all of them in the chopper, even if we could get them. It’s just you and me and we need to get up on the roof now!

We’re not leaving them here! Vince protested. We can drop them off with their families before we head north. They won’t be able to drive back to their homes. The roads are already jammed with traffic. They’re going with us!

Jim agreed and hurriedly started gathering a few items he thought might be needed.

Come on, Jim! They’ll have anything we need when we get to L.A!

Looking back as they ran, Vince thought. How could this have happened so fast? We’ve had no indication of anything of this significance. Trying to find an answer as they ran up the stairs to the roof, he yelled to Jim. We must have overlooked or misinterpreted something.

How could we have? Jim yelled back. We both checked and monitored all incoming data, so did all the other stations! None of us saw any indication of what’s happening now!

Somehow, this must have been connected to the cluster quakes that occurred around this time in the southern Salton Sea area in 2005. They must have been the warning for what’s happening now!

Maybe! Jim yelled back. But that activity died down and nothing of any significance has happened since!

I’ll get to the bottom of this when we get to L.A! Vince yelled as they climbed the stairs in a run.

The earthquake was intensifying as they ran. They could feel the building amplifying the effect of the quake under their feet as they took the steps two at a time. They burst out of the door and onto the roof, expecting to see the helicopter waiting. It wasn’t there or anywhere in sight as they searched the night sky.

Damn! They should have been here by now! Jim exclaimed.

I’ll call L.A. and see what’s happened! Vince opened his cell phone and got no signal response.

Some of the cell towers must already be down. I can’t get a signal! He yelled.

The other two men tried their cell phones with the same result. Panic showed on their faces and Vince saw it. I’ll go down a floor and use an office phone! He yelled.

Don’t waste your time! Jim yelled back. The phones are dead! They quit working before you got here!

The building shook more violently and lost electrical feed. The lights went out for a few seconds and then flickered back on as the emergency generator kicked in.

We can’t stay up here any longer! Vince yelled. The whole place could go at any time!

The force of an explosion hit them and knocked them off their feet. A huge ball of flames erupted into the night sky from the direction of the airport.

They aren’t coming, Jim, let’s go! Vince yelled as he got up.

Wait! Hold on. I think I hear a chopper. Listen! Jim shouted.

The group looked toward the direction Jim pointed. Yes, by God! There it is! Jim yelled as the helicopter came into view. It’s the Marine helicopter! They made it!

The helicopter slowly descended and hovered just above the roof of the building. A Marine corporal, standing in the doorway, yelled to them. Dr. Davis!

I’m Davis! Vince shouted back.

Get in! He yelled.

As the group climbed in and sat down, the corporal slid the door shut and signaled the okay to the pilot. The helicopter lifted off, clearing the roof, just as the building began to crumble beneath them. Suddenly, as if imploded, the whole structure collapsed with a tremendous roar and disappeared into a cloud of dust and rubble in the darkness below.

Jesus! Jim said. That’s what I call cutting it close!

Buckle up, men, we’re on our way to L.A. The corporal said.

Wait! Vince said. These two men aren’t going to L.A. I want them dropped off near their homes. They have families in Santee and Lakeside they want to be with.

Hold on! The corporal keyed his radio. Lieutenant, two of the men have families in Santee and Lakeside, they want to be dropped off on the way.

Okay! The pilot replied. But we’ll have to drop them in a parking lot or football field. Gillespie Field has been shut down, they’re not allowing any traffic.

The two men nodded their heads, and one said. Okay, we can make it from there.

As they turned and headed inland, Vince looked below and saw the emergency lights of police and fire trucks mired down in the massive pile-ups and gridlocks of freeway traffic trying, in vain, to escape the holocaust. The great city of San Diego, was succumbing to the relentless assault. Unattended Fires were burning out of control in every direction. They put off a bright orange glow that lighted up a dense cloud of smoke that was billowing up above them. An endless river of headlights dissected the city, revealing the urgency of the thousands below, who were caught up, and snarled, in the crush of the desperate evacuees. Damn! Vince thought. How could this have happened? The Marine chopper rose higher revealing a panoramic view of the city. The magnitude of the disaster became more apparent the higher they went. The dying city below reminded Vince of the firestorms that had destroyed Dresden and Hamburg during World War Two. There had been nothing left of both cities, and few survivors. He thought of the beauty and splendor of the San Diego landscape that was being relentlessly destroyed as they flew overhead and wondered if he was dreaming. He looked toward the mountains and his eye caught a stream of vehicles that had cleared the city and were heading east on both sides of Interstate 8. He knew if they made it over the mountains, they would be heading straight into the Imperial Valley, where the disaster must have begun. We’re lucky to be alive. He thought. We escaped by the narrowest of margins. As they flew on, he realized the thousands of helpless victims below would not be so lucky.

The Marine helicopter hovered close to the ground at the Santee High School football field. The two men jumped out and ran off in different directions, stumbling as the ground shook under their feet. Vince looked at his watch, seeing it was almost 5:00 a.m., he thought. All this has happened in the last 3 hours. I hope they make it.

The Marine helicopter was about half way to L.A. when the corporal returned and said. We’ve just received new orders, sir, there’s been a change of plans. The president has declared a national emergency for all of California. He has ordered the evacuation of all California coastal cities immediately. Air traffic is restricted to eastbound directions only. He paused to let his information sink in before asking. What the hell is going on down there, sir?

Vince and Jim looked at each other.

Hell, we don’t know any more than you do! Vince snapped back and asked. Where are we headed now?

We were given orders to take you to Area 51.

Area 51! The government’s denied the existence of Area 51 for years! Vince exclaimed. I’ve heard that it’s a nuclear waste dump! Why are we going there?

I don’t know, sir, we’re just following orders. The corporal said. We’ve been given special clearance to land there. None of us have been there before. The lieutenant said it’s normally a no-fly zone. I guess we’ll know more when we get there.

Vince and Jim were stunned.

What’s this all about, Vince? Jim asked. Why would they take us there?

Hell if I know! A little less than four hours ago, I was asleep in bed and you were working. Now we’re heading for a place that’s not supposed to exist!

As they neared their destination, Vince could see a strange looking military base below. Nothing but desert surrounded it for as far as he could see. A high fence bordered the whole area. At the entrance and around the perimeter, there were what appeared to be guard towers facing toward the desert on all sides.

So this is Area 51. Vince thought. Doesn’t look like much of a place. I wonder why it’s always been such a secret.

Look! Jim said, breaking his thoughts. It looks like they’re evacuating the base!

Vince looked and saw several military transport jets and at least fifty helicopters on the airstrip loading lines of military personnel.

Why in hell are they bringing us here? Jim asked. It looks like they’re all leaving.

I don’t know. Vince answered and looked closer at the base headquarters as they descended. The tarmac was alive with activity as trucks shuttled the personnel from the hangers to the waiting aircraft. As each lifted off they circled around and headed west. We’ll know what this all about in a few minutes! Vince thought.

As they touched down and left the helicopter, they were met by armed Air Force APs in a Jeep. Please get in the vehicle, Dr. Davis. The driver said.

Hey, how in the hell do you know who I am? Vince asked. What’s this all about?

You’ll be briefed when you get inside, sir. Please come with me.

Vince looked at Jim, not knowing what to think, and asked. Are we under arrest? Have we done something wrong?

No, sir. Please get in the Jeep.

Vince and Jim climbed in and they headed for an office building in the center of the base. As he looked back, Vince saw a group of Air Force personnel boarding the helicopter they had arrived in.

Where is everyone going? Vince asked the driver as the Jeep stopped.

I don’t know, sir. This way please, follow me.

As they went in the door, an Air Force colonel met them.

Dr. Davis? He looked at Jim and Vince.

I’m Davis. Vince replied. This is Jim Lewis.

I’m Colonel Richards. He shook hands with both. This way, gentlemen, there are others waiting to see you.

They passed through a guarded security check station and then boarded an elevator. What the hell? Vince thought. This place is only two stories. These military people must be really lazy bastards.

Inside, Colonel Richards pushed a button, and they started down. Vince was caught off-guard, expecting to go up and wasn’t ready for the sudden drop.

What the hell, Colonel? I thought we were going up!

It’s all down from here, sir. We’re going to sub level four.

Sub level four! What kind of place is this? Vince asked.

You’ll see.

As the door opened, they saw a brightly lighted, concrete-walled corridor, which led in only one direction.

This way, gentlemen. The colonel said.

This way! Hell, what other way is there? Vince asked sarcastically.

Colonel Richards laughed slightly, gave a disapproving look, and walked on.

Military! Vince thought. No sense of humor.

At the end of the corridor, an open area widened out to the right and left and went on for about a hundred feet. Office cubicles lined the room. Very few had personnel working in them.

What is this place? Why does the Air Force have a secret base here? Vince asked.

It’s not a secret base, Dr. Davis. It just doesn’t have a name. In here gentlemen, please. Colonel Richards slid a swipe card in the reader of a stainless steel door, and they were led into a room that branched off the main expanse. Seated inside were several military officers, from all branches of the service, as well as a few other men, dressed in suits.

Once inside, the colonel said. Dr. Vince Davis and Mr. Jim Lewis, sirs.

An Air Force general stepped forward, extending his hand. Welcome, gentlemen. I’m General Maxwell Morgan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs’ of Staff. We’ve been expecting you.

Have we done something wrong? Vince asked hesitantly.

You’ve done nothing wrong, Dr. Davis. General Morgan replied. We have a proposition for you. But before we get into that, I’d like you to meet the other Joint Chiefs’ that are here. This is Admiral Jack Hadley of the Navy, General Alan Dixon of the Army, and General Lawrence Haskell of the Marines.

Vince had no idea what proposition General Morgan was talking about, or why they were now standing among such a group of high-ranking military officers. Shaking hands all around, he asked, Gentlemen, why have we been brought here? What proposition are you talking about?

General Haskell answered. You both know something serious is happening on the West Coast.

Serious may not be the best way to describe it, General! Vince suggested.

General Haskell went on, ignoring Vince’s comment. You two are the only West Coast seismologists who were rescued.

Vince and Jim looked at each other in disbelief and Haskell went on.

When your helicopter was redirected here, San Diego had been hit by a 7.5 quake. It’s gotten worse since then. All the faults surrounding San Diego are now involved. San Diego and Southern California are a total loss.

A total loss! Jesus Christ! Are you sure, General? Vince asked.

Yes, I am, Dr. Davis. Haskell replied. The shock waves grew larger at an alarming rate after we rescued you. They traveled up the San Andreas Fault so fast Governor Sullivan was left with no other choice than to declare an emergency and issue orders to evacuate Los Angeles. There wasn’t enough time to get any organization in place. Caltech and Los Angeles have been wiped out. We were unable to save anyone there and we’re not making any further rescue attempts. The Nuclear power plant at San Onofre was destroyed, releasing its radiation into the atmosphere. If anyone is still alive in Southern California, they won’t be for long.

That’s hard to believe! Vince exclaimed astonished at what he was hearing. He knew it was bad in San Diego, but all of Southern California? San Onofre, L.A. and Caltech wiped out? He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, and couldn’t imagine why he and Jim were rescued before the others.

Why did you rescue us first, General? Why us and not L.A.? He asked.

I was told you were informed that President Lemming declared a national emergency for the state of California. Haskell said.

Yes, I was. Vince answered, and looked, at the others seated in the room. They were all staring right at him. Their faces were grave and unreadable. He could feel their cold, fixed, eyes boring into him, as if trying to see what was inside. Christ! Go on, get this over with! He thought.

President Lemming issued the order personally. My orders were to rescue you first. Haskell said. General Morgan will explain the reason for that. I sent the helicopter for you, in compliance with the president’s orders. Please be seated, gentlemen.

Vince and Jim sat down. All, except General Morgan, followed suit.

CHAPTER 2

THE EARTHQUAKES, NOW DEVASTATING California and Mexico, have no precedent in modern times. General Morgan said. The government of the United States was caught off-guard. We have to find a way to get back on track. That’s the reason President Lemming has brought you here, Dr. Davis.

Why me? Why am I special? Why did President Lemming select me over the team in L.A.? Vince asked.

I’m getting to that, Dr. Davis. Morgan replied. The quakes moved so fast that it involved the L.A. area within minutes after it struck the San Diego area. The L.A. office was a secondary rescue mission to your own. Our orders were to rescue you first and at all cost. The disaster overwhelmed the military right along with everyone else. We barely made it in time to rescue you. There wasn’t enough time to rescue your colleagues in L.A. We were almost too late to save Governor Sullivan and his family. Most of his staff is presumed lost, along with most of the population between San Diego and Los Angeles.

Vince and Jim again looked at each other in disbelief.

Gentlemen, have you met Governor Sullivan, of California? General Morgan asked.

Vince hadn’t noticed that Governor Sullivan was among the suited men in the conference room. Standing up, Sullivan came over to Vince and Jim, with hand extended, and said. I met Dr. Davis when he was appointed head of the San Diego facility when Dr. Leyland left, but I haven’t met the other gentleman.

This is Jim Lewis, my assistant, Governor.

Glad to meet you, Mr. Lewis. Sullivan said, shaking hands with both.

Governor Sullivan will now take the floor. Morgan said.

Thank you, General. Sullivan replied. Dr. Davis, the president of the United States has asked me, in his name, to offer you a very important government appointment. That’s why you were brought here.

What kind of appointment? Vince asked.

His wishes are, that you will accept and take over, the position of director of an ongoing seismology task force the government has situated here at Area 51.

The government has a seismology task force set up here? Vince asked, not believing his ears.

"Yes, that’s correct. Your former colleague, Dr. Leyland, came here after his retirement and was in charge of the task force, until his recent death. Before his death, he had decided to retire from this facility and had selected you to replace him. Unfortunately, his