Read Online 36 Hours: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series by Bobby Akart - Free Book Online
Authors: Bobby Akart
got to get you to school.”
Lelan Statom, the Channel 5 staff meteorologist, began his weather report, which highlighted the record heat wave. He showed video clips of heat-exhausted joggers in Centennial Park and passed-out homeless people in a makeshift camp near the Cumberland River. The unusually warm weather was expected to continue, as indicated by another video clip of the morning sun causing heat to rise off a paved asphalt road.
“Mom, listen to this,” started Alex. “This is from the UK Daily Mail .”
“The what?”
Alex quickly ate two spoonfuls of oatmeal and replied with her mouth full, still focused on the iPad. “The Daily Mail , Mom, from England. It’s one of the top newspapers in the UK, and they always post stories online that our newspapers won’t.”
“Ooookay.” Madison stretched out her reply. She grabbed her coffee road cup out of the cabinet and poured the last of the Folgers into it. She mixed in her cream and sugar as Alex explained further.
“The headline reads SOLAR SPLASH ,” she began. Alex, who was wearing her customary Davidson Academy uniform, clinked her spoon in the bowl as she polished off the remainder of the oatmeal and then pushed it away. She began reading.
“In the hours before dawn, a solar flare blasted directly toward Earth and, shortly thereafter, it caused the aurora borealis to be seen throughout the UK and into much of Germany. In the wake of the large solar storm, those in luck will see the northern lights dancing in the night sky for days to come. Forecasters announced that people who live in high-altitude locations and as far south as Portugal will be privileged to see the aurora borealis through Thursday and Friday nights, assuming it remains strong enough.
“Officials warn, however, despite the breathtaking beauty of the northern lights, scientists believe these massive geomagnetic storms can cause widespread disruptions in the use of GPS and airline travel. The Civil Aviation Authority, in conjunction with the Americans’ FAA, will be releasing an advisory statement at 4:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time.”
Madison studied her daughter as she took the empty bowl and placed it in the dishwasher. She wondered if Alex slept at all last night. This solar flare business was beginning to become an obsession.
“Alex, I understand this is getting a lot of interest in the news, but it is also a regular occurrence. The planet experiences northern lights all the time. Even that article didn’t raise any alarms.”
“But, Mom,” Alex started, but cut off her own thought.
Madison picked up Alex’s backpack and set it on the kitchen table. She gestured for the iPad and tucked it safely inside. Then she gave her daughter a reassuring smile.
“Honey, I promise to keep an eye on this situation, just like I would any other threat our family might face. Honestly, solar flares have never been on my radar before, so I want to thank you for not only bringing them to my attention, but teaching me what you know.”
“I know, Mom. They can be dangerous. We’re not ready for something like this, and Daddy’s in Texas. What if his flight is canceled or something?”
Madison flipped off the kitchen lights and turned off the television monitor. She led Alex out of the kitchen and opened the side door, where they were greeted with a rush of hot air. This is ridiculous for September.
Chapter 14
15 Hours
8:00 a.m., September 8
White House Situation Room
Washington, DC
David Lemmon had been friends with NOAA’s Administrator Kathryn Sullivan for over thirty years. As he reached retirement, he found himself performing ceremonial duties on behalf of Secretary Sullivan as they related to NASA. The two piloted the Space Shuttle Challenger on its mission into space in 1984. Together with Sally Ride, the three worked closely together during the investigation of the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters.
Today, Secretary Sullivan called on her old
Lelan Statom, the Channel 5 staff meteorologist, began his weather report, which highlighted the record heat wave. He showed video clips of heat-exhausted joggers in Centennial Park and passed-out homeless people in a makeshift camp near the Cumberland River. The unusually warm weather was expected to continue, as indicated by another video clip of the morning sun causing heat to rise off a paved asphalt road.
“Mom, listen to this,” started Alex. “This is from the UK Daily Mail .”
“The what?”
Alex quickly ate two spoonfuls of oatmeal and replied with her mouth full, still focused on the iPad. “The Daily Mail , Mom, from England. It’s one of the top newspapers in the UK, and they always post stories online that our newspapers won’t.”
“Ooookay.” Madison stretched out her reply. She grabbed her coffee road cup out of the cabinet and poured the last of the Folgers into it. She mixed in her cream and sugar as Alex explained further.
“The headline reads SOLAR SPLASH ,” she began. Alex, who was wearing her customary Davidson Academy uniform, clinked her spoon in the bowl as she polished off the remainder of the oatmeal and then pushed it away. She began reading.
“In the hours before dawn, a solar flare blasted directly toward Earth and, shortly thereafter, it caused the aurora borealis to be seen throughout the UK and into much of Germany. In the wake of the large solar storm, those in luck will see the northern lights dancing in the night sky for days to come. Forecasters announced that people who live in high-altitude locations and as far south as Portugal will be privileged to see the aurora borealis through Thursday and Friday nights, assuming it remains strong enough.
“Officials warn, however, despite the breathtaking beauty of the northern lights, scientists believe these massive geomagnetic storms can cause widespread disruptions in the use of GPS and airline travel. The Civil Aviation Authority, in conjunction with the Americans’ FAA, will be releasing an advisory statement at 4:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time.”
Madison studied her daughter as she took the empty bowl and placed it in the dishwasher. She wondered if Alex slept at all last night. This solar flare business was beginning to become an obsession.
“Alex, I understand this is getting a lot of interest in the news, but it is also a regular occurrence. The planet experiences northern lights all the time. Even that article didn’t raise any alarms.”
“But, Mom,” Alex started, but cut off her own thought.
Madison picked up Alex’s backpack and set it on the kitchen table. She gestured for the iPad and tucked it safely inside. Then she gave her daughter a reassuring smile.
“Honey, I promise to keep an eye on this situation, just like I would any other threat our family might face. Honestly, solar flares have never been on my radar before, so I want to thank you for not only bringing them to my attention, but teaching me what you know.”
“I know, Mom. They can be dangerous. We’re not ready for something like this, and Daddy’s in Texas. What if his flight is canceled or something?”
Madison flipped off the kitchen lights and turned off the television monitor. She led Alex out of the kitchen and opened the side door, where they were greeted with a rush of hot air. This is ridiculous for September.
Chapter 14
15 Hours
8:00 a.m., September 8
White House Situation Room
Washington, DC
David Lemmon had been friends with NOAA’s Administrator Kathryn Sullivan for over thirty years. As he reached retirement, he found himself performing ceremonial duties on behalf of Secretary Sullivan as they related to NASA. The two piloted the Space Shuttle Challenger on its mission into space in 1984. Together with Sally Ride, the three worked closely together during the investigation of the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters.
Today, Secretary Sullivan called on her old
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