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Authors: W.B. Martin
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General Edward Gale. That looks like you. Who else is with you?”
“Doctor Paul Kendall and his family. They were floating the Salmon when things went out. We’ve teamed up to get back to Boise. Any word on the road south, Sir?” Ed asked.
“There’s plenty of trouble around McCall. All those rich folks down there are attracting all sorts of problems at a time like this. What those bastards are going to do with all that stuff they’re stealing is beyond me, but all hell broke loose.”
“More reason I need to get back and get things under control,” Ed said.
“Then I’d be taking the back way. There’s a road down through the valley between McCall and Council that should be fine. Regular folks down there,” the man offered. “Here, we’ll get the log moved so you can drive around.”
“Any news from the Capital?” Ed asked about Boise.
“A couple on mountain bikes came through here two days ago heading north. They’d left Boise the day after the bang. Said it was scary as people realized what had happened and they descended on the grocery stores. Said it was getting out of hand as they rode out on Highway 55,” the man said. “But that’s the only news we’ve had.”
“Thanks. Has the Washington County Search and Rescue responded here yet?” Ed asked.
“Who do you think we are? Been here since we set up the roadblock the day after yesterday. We’ve got more people down by McCall keeping an eye on those bastards. They try to head up here, they’ll be surprised,” the man answered.
“Good work then, carry on,” Ed said. These men were technically now under his command if the governor had officially declared a State of Emergency. And if this wasn’t a State of Emergency, Ed couldn’t imagine what would be.
“Yes Sir, General. Glad to have you pass our checkpoint. We’ll be waiting for the real troops to come and relieve us, Sir.”
“Soldier, you are the troops protecting Idaho now. All of you Search and Rescue people. That’s what you’ve been training for. Good luck,” the general said. He saluted the guards and motioned Paul to drive around the logs. The guards made a good attempt at saluting back, except for one quiet soldier in the back.
Ed looked at him and the man snapped a perfect salute. He appeared to be in his sixties and carried a Colt AR-15, like he knew his work. As Ed studied the man, the man spoke.
“Sergeant Frank Bowers. Fifth Marines, Sir. Pleiku, Vietnam. You can rely on these boys. I’ll make sure of it.”
“USS Scorpion out of Subic Bay, Philippines myself. Long time ago, Sergeant. Carry on then. They’re in good hands.” Ed returned the salute. “Semper Fi.”
“Hoorah, Sir,” the old sergeant returned.
Paul pulled the car around the road block and stopped. He got out to let Ed drive. Everyone took their positions as Ed put the car in gear and pulled away. The guards struggled moving the log back into position and returned to watching the road to the north.
Driving through the center of New Meadows drew stares from the few locals out. Ed kept the Chevy moving slowly as he maneuvered around the dead vehicles clogging the road. The center had been busy the evening the lights went out. Now, nonfunctional vehicles were half shoved to the side of the road.
Finding the road suggested by the guard, Ed turned down the highway. They made good time as they traveled south through the quiet valley. Farms and ranches spread out on either side of the road. It was hard to imagine that such a peaceful scene hid the true extent of the sun’s attack.
Here in the daylight everything looked normal. Cows were grazing and horses ran through their paddocks. You just had to ignore the fact that there were no vehicles moving except their Chevy.
Suddenly the Chevy started knocking loudly. Ed hit the brakes and pulled it onto the shoulder. He switched off the engine as everyone piled out of the car. Ed reached under the hood for the latch, opening it to a stream of
“Doctor Paul Kendall and his family. They were floating the Salmon when things went out. We’ve teamed up to get back to Boise. Any word on the road south, Sir?” Ed asked.
“There’s plenty of trouble around McCall. All those rich folks down there are attracting all sorts of problems at a time like this. What those bastards are going to do with all that stuff they’re stealing is beyond me, but all hell broke loose.”
“More reason I need to get back and get things under control,” Ed said.
“Then I’d be taking the back way. There’s a road down through the valley between McCall and Council that should be fine. Regular folks down there,” the man offered. “Here, we’ll get the log moved so you can drive around.”
“Any news from the Capital?” Ed asked about Boise.
“A couple on mountain bikes came through here two days ago heading north. They’d left Boise the day after the bang. Said it was scary as people realized what had happened and they descended on the grocery stores. Said it was getting out of hand as they rode out on Highway 55,” the man said. “But that’s the only news we’ve had.”
“Thanks. Has the Washington County Search and Rescue responded here yet?” Ed asked.
“Who do you think we are? Been here since we set up the roadblock the day after yesterday. We’ve got more people down by McCall keeping an eye on those bastards. They try to head up here, they’ll be surprised,” the man answered.
“Good work then, carry on,” Ed said. These men were technically now under his command if the governor had officially declared a State of Emergency. And if this wasn’t a State of Emergency, Ed couldn’t imagine what would be.
“Yes Sir, General. Glad to have you pass our checkpoint. We’ll be waiting for the real troops to come and relieve us, Sir.”
“Soldier, you are the troops protecting Idaho now. All of you Search and Rescue people. That’s what you’ve been training for. Good luck,” the general said. He saluted the guards and motioned Paul to drive around the logs. The guards made a good attempt at saluting back, except for one quiet soldier in the back.
Ed looked at him and the man snapped a perfect salute. He appeared to be in his sixties and carried a Colt AR-15, like he knew his work. As Ed studied the man, the man spoke.
“Sergeant Frank Bowers. Fifth Marines, Sir. Pleiku, Vietnam. You can rely on these boys. I’ll make sure of it.”
“USS Scorpion out of Subic Bay, Philippines myself. Long time ago, Sergeant. Carry on then. They’re in good hands.” Ed returned the salute. “Semper Fi.”
“Hoorah, Sir,” the old sergeant returned.
Paul pulled the car around the road block and stopped. He got out to let Ed drive. Everyone took their positions as Ed put the car in gear and pulled away. The guards struggled moving the log back into position and returned to watching the road to the north.
Driving through the center of New Meadows drew stares from the few locals out. Ed kept the Chevy moving slowly as he maneuvered around the dead vehicles clogging the road. The center had been busy the evening the lights went out. Now, nonfunctional vehicles were half shoved to the side of the road.
Finding the road suggested by the guard, Ed turned down the highway. They made good time as they traveled south through the quiet valley. Farms and ranches spread out on either side of the road. It was hard to imagine that such a peaceful scene hid the true extent of the sun’s attack.
Here in the daylight everything looked normal. Cows were grazing and horses ran through their paddocks. You just had to ignore the fact that there were no vehicles moving except their Chevy.
Suddenly the Chevy started knocking loudly. Ed hit the brakes and pulled it onto the shoulder. He switched off the engine as everyone piled out of the car. Ed reached under the hood for the latch, opening it to a stream of
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