Post by Commissioner Warrior™ on Aug 27, 2010 10:36:41 GMT -5
We were still both very unaware of everything, but persevered nonetheless. I looked around, analyzing the barren wasteland around us for the time we were still up high in the mountains. I figured that now would be the best time to survey things, and try to get a view that might give me a hint. Something I could see that might provide even the slightest clue as to what has happened here. The moment I stepped back to do this, removing my thought process from instinctual survival and analyzing what was around me, some things which should have been obvious became very clear. My immediate reaction was to grab the two gas masks we had in the bag, also surprisingly fortunate to have been located in my 'bomb shelter'. I put one on and handed one to Kendra giving her a simple look that communicated she need not ask but put it on that moment.
While we weren't in any immediate danger, were we to stay this high up for much longer without protecting our breathing, suffocation and lung problems would not be far off. The reason, the entire atmosphere appeared to be littered with volcanic ash. While it did not appear the volcano itself was anywhere in sight, the ash was quite present. And as dangerous as things seemed here, I got the immediate feeling that things were much much worse where it erupted.
From there, we quickly made our way down the mountain. It was not quite as difficult as I expected. It seems going down a mountain is merely a game of 'don't fall so far you die', on repeat. It did take some time, but we made our way safely all the way down to the mainland. From there, we discovered the main highway but I could not perceive direction due to the ash cloud blocking direct view of the sun. I glanced around, tried to take a guess by surroundings I might recognize, and just picked a direction. Things were clear enough at ground level that we could go without masks, but we always kept them handy in case things got thicker at any time.
Some time later we made it to what appeared to have been a rest stop sort of area. It looked mostly abandoned, save for a few cars coated in volcanic ash that looked like they hadn't moved in weeks. I realized that as deserted as things looked, there wasn't any being certain until we went in. I drew my shotgun and Kendra her revolver. We approached the front entrance carefully, keeping eyes and ears ready and alert. The doors were glass at one time, but had been entirely shattered and left merely open frames to step through. A careful step and we went in, as things seemed to get entirely too quiet. A few moments later we stepped into what looked like a main lobby and as odd as it was, amongst the mostly powerless area, I could hear a generator in the distance, that seemed only to be powering a large wall-mounted television.
The same string of a news program seemed to be repeating, but it immediately got mine and Kendra's attention and left us mesmerized by every word.
[/i]
The news program showed a common anchor talking as part of a local 'Channel 5 News' station. Everything about it was surreal, as she spoke to what had happened. The first segment seemed to have been prior to more recent events. She held her stack of papers, amazingly seeming to remain a general composure as she spoke some frightening words.
News Anchor: We have breaking news this moment that our one time enemies and one time allies, England, have committed an act of war against China. Earlier today, England hit an area of Northern China with a large nuclear bomb, decimating the area and leaving thousands upon thousands dead. Surrounding areas are feeling the aftermath, and this has left many wondering how other countries and how the United States will react.
There was then a break in the broadcast, a shift as if changing to a different one some days later. The same anchor, less well composed and appearing confused and frightened spoke again.
News Anchor: We now have confirmation that an all-out nuclear war has begun. The United States has retaliated against England by bombing them, and many other countries are drudging up old enemies and allies. These alliances and rivalries are causing many countries to react by bombing other ones. Scientists are not yet aware of what effect this will have both on worldwide climate and weather. In addition, the radiation in the area near the explosions has not been discovered as to what exact effects it will have.
Just then, she turns and looks off screen as if to get news from another person, something likely breaking and urgent. She gasps, holding her hand over her mouth and turning to the camera only to deliver an extremely difficult message.
New Anchor: Only moments ago, a nuclear warhead was detonated directly on the White House. President Obama and many other members of the government were inside and have died in the blast. We...we will have more info as it becomes available.
The shift comes once again, going to even later and another new broadcast. It is yet the same woman though, providing information and appearing quite unkempt and uneasy now.
News Anchor: Leading scientists...or...the ones that are left. Uhh...leading scientists are analyzing the effects of this sudden nuclear energy released on our planet. It appears that it is sending world-wide weather and climate into extreme and immediate turmoil. Natural disasters are occurring in frightening strength and frequency all over the Earth. The most notable one so far in the United States is the eruption of long the sleeping supervolcano, Yellowstone Caldera, located in the heart of Yellowstone National Park. Most of the surrounding areas have been coated in volcanic debris and cooled lava, while an ash cloud has infested the air and made the closest reachable areas extremely difficult to breath in. We...we will have more information as it becomes available.
It is then that the feed skips again, cuts off, and immediately starts over from the beginning. It appears that all of it is running on a constant loop.
Nuclear war? Yellowstone Volcano? What...the...fuck? I turned to Kendra, who seemed both scared, confused, and intrigued all at the same time. Which honestly frightened me in some ways. She seemed more controlled and okay with what was happening that me. It's amazing that I raised such an amazing daughter, but disheartening that I can't be stronger. Or am not being, I certainly can. And I must now, for her and for myself. I turn to her and speak, “I don't know how honey, but we'll get through this just fi-”
Before he could complete his sentence, a stray bullet connected with Warrior's side. It was far enough away from his core to not hit anything vital, but the horrible shot did connect and tear through a bit of his far left side. Warrior clenched in pain only to hear a second gunshot. The first sounded like it was from a modern pistol of sorts, but the second was without a doubt from Kendra's revolver. He glanced up and saw a middle-aged man holding a pistol crumble forward onto a table, a bullet between the eyes that left him certainly dead. Kendra remembered the double-tap rule though, as she stepped forward and placed one more in the back of his skull.
She then turned to me, as I managed to hobble to a large chair and fall into a seated position. She got out the first aid kit and began helping me bandage myself without a moment's hesitation. I smiled, as thankfully it was only a flesh wound. “Looks like I'm gonna have to be more careful from now on, huh?” She grinned and looked up at me, “Yeah. I'm not going to be able to save you every time.” I got bandaged and made the decision that we were going to spend the night and perhaps longer at this place. Kendra checked the rest of the area, making certain that things were clear. They were, and we found a large cot to sleep on for the night. As darkness encroached upon us, we slept easy for that night. The next day would simply be one more adventure, something I am sure we'll have to get used to from now on.
[/i]
While we weren't in any immediate danger, were we to stay this high up for much longer without protecting our breathing, suffocation and lung problems would not be far off. The reason, the entire atmosphere appeared to be littered with volcanic ash. While it did not appear the volcano itself was anywhere in sight, the ash was quite present. And as dangerous as things seemed here, I got the immediate feeling that things were much much worse where it erupted.
From there, we quickly made our way down the mountain. It was not quite as difficult as I expected. It seems going down a mountain is merely a game of 'don't fall so far you die', on repeat. It did take some time, but we made our way safely all the way down to the mainland. From there, we discovered the main highway but I could not perceive direction due to the ash cloud blocking direct view of the sun. I glanced around, tried to take a guess by surroundings I might recognize, and just picked a direction. Things were clear enough at ground level that we could go without masks, but we always kept them handy in case things got thicker at any time.
Some time later we made it to what appeared to have been a rest stop sort of area. It looked mostly abandoned, save for a few cars coated in volcanic ash that looked like they hadn't moved in weeks. I realized that as deserted as things looked, there wasn't any being certain until we went in. I drew my shotgun and Kendra her revolver. We approached the front entrance carefully, keeping eyes and ears ready and alert. The doors were glass at one time, but had been entirely shattered and left merely open frames to step through. A careful step and we went in, as things seemed to get entirely too quiet. A few moments later we stepped into what looked like a main lobby and as odd as it was, amongst the mostly powerless area, I could hear a generator in the distance, that seemed only to be powering a large wall-mounted television.
The same string of a news program seemed to be repeating, but it immediately got mine and Kendra's attention and left us mesmerized by every word.
[/i]
The news program showed a common anchor talking as part of a local 'Channel 5 News' station. Everything about it was surreal, as she spoke to what had happened. The first segment seemed to have been prior to more recent events. She held her stack of papers, amazingly seeming to remain a general composure as she spoke some frightening words.
News Anchor: We have breaking news this moment that our one time enemies and one time allies, England, have committed an act of war against China. Earlier today, England hit an area of Northern China with a large nuclear bomb, decimating the area and leaving thousands upon thousands dead. Surrounding areas are feeling the aftermath, and this has left many wondering how other countries and how the United States will react.
There was then a break in the broadcast, a shift as if changing to a different one some days later. The same anchor, less well composed and appearing confused and frightened spoke again.
News Anchor: We now have confirmation that an all-out nuclear war has begun. The United States has retaliated against England by bombing them, and many other countries are drudging up old enemies and allies. These alliances and rivalries are causing many countries to react by bombing other ones. Scientists are not yet aware of what effect this will have both on worldwide climate and weather. In addition, the radiation in the area near the explosions has not been discovered as to what exact effects it will have.
Just then, she turns and looks off screen as if to get news from another person, something likely breaking and urgent. She gasps, holding her hand over her mouth and turning to the camera only to deliver an extremely difficult message.
New Anchor: Only moments ago, a nuclear warhead was detonated directly on the White House. President Obama and many other members of the government were inside and have died in the blast. We...we will have more info as it becomes available.
The shift comes once again, going to even later and another new broadcast. It is yet the same woman though, providing information and appearing quite unkempt and uneasy now.
News Anchor: Leading scientists...or...the ones that are left. Uhh...leading scientists are analyzing the effects of this sudden nuclear energy released on our planet. It appears that it is sending world-wide weather and climate into extreme and immediate turmoil. Natural disasters are occurring in frightening strength and frequency all over the Earth. The most notable one so far in the United States is the eruption of long the sleeping supervolcano, Yellowstone Caldera, located in the heart of Yellowstone National Park. Most of the surrounding areas have been coated in volcanic debris and cooled lava, while an ash cloud has infested the air and made the closest reachable areas extremely difficult to breath in. We...we will have more information as it becomes available.
It is then that the feed skips again, cuts off, and immediately starts over from the beginning. It appears that all of it is running on a constant loop.
Nuclear war? Yellowstone Volcano? What...the...fuck? I turned to Kendra, who seemed both scared, confused, and intrigued all at the same time. Which honestly frightened me in some ways. She seemed more controlled and okay with what was happening that me. It's amazing that I raised such an amazing daughter, but disheartening that I can't be stronger. Or am not being, I certainly can. And I must now, for her and for myself. I turn to her and speak, “I don't know how honey, but we'll get through this just fi-”
Before he could complete his sentence, a stray bullet connected with Warrior's side. It was far enough away from his core to not hit anything vital, but the horrible shot did connect and tear through a bit of his far left side. Warrior clenched in pain only to hear a second gunshot. The first sounded like it was from a modern pistol of sorts, but the second was without a doubt from Kendra's revolver. He glanced up and saw a middle-aged man holding a pistol crumble forward onto a table, a bullet between the eyes that left him certainly dead. Kendra remembered the double-tap rule though, as she stepped forward and placed one more in the back of his skull.
She then turned to me, as I managed to hobble to a large chair and fall into a seated position. She got out the first aid kit and began helping me bandage myself without a moment's hesitation. I smiled, as thankfully it was only a flesh wound. “Looks like I'm gonna have to be more careful from now on, huh?” She grinned and looked up at me, “Yeah. I'm not going to be able to save you every time.” I got bandaged and made the decision that we were going to spend the night and perhaps longer at this place. Kendra checked the rest of the area, making certain that things were clear. They were, and we found a large cot to sleep on for the night. As darkness encroached upon us, we slept easy for that night. The next day would simply be one more adventure, something I am sure we'll have to get used to from now on.
[/i]
