Read Online Zero Hour: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series (The Blackout Series Book 2) by Bobby Akart - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Bobby Akart
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band together, pool our resources, and help one another through this crisis. In the spirit of cooperation, we are asking our neighbors—all of you and those who couldn’t attend today—to bring extra food, water, and supplies to our daily meetings.”
Alex asked, “Does he drink a lot ?”
Jimmy nodded his head as he looked down. “I don’t think my stepdad ever wanted to be a father. He liked my mom, and they got married. I was part of the package deal. His priorities are my mom, a full liquor cabinet, and his big gun collection. I don’t even think I rate in the top ten on the list.”
Wren was winding up the meeting. “Also, please check on your immediate neighbors. Make sure they’re safe. If they’re not home, make a note of their address and bring it with you to the next meeting. We’ll pay particular attention to their homes while they’re away.”
Alex looked up from the rock Jimmy was rolling around under his black Converse sneaker. She studied his clothes. Black, frayed shorts. An AC/DC tee shirt. Black hair and an earring. His appearance screamed rebellious teen.
Alex, like her father, was a Type A personality. If she weren’t a girl, she’d be an alpha male. She sensed weakness in Jimmy. His mentioning a big gun collection presented an opportunity for the Rymans. Apparently, Jimmy didn’t know the loose lips sink ships rule.
Chapter 12
DAY THREE
10:00 a.m., September 11
Ryman Residence
Belle Meade, Tennessee
“Mom, there are wildfires burning out of control all over the country,” said Alex as her mother walked into the living room. The Rymans were settling into their routine by the start of day three.
Like most families, their previous life was full of activities—work, school, and household chores. Entertainment in the form of television, music, and computer browsing would take up hours of a typical day. Without power, these regular pursuits no longer existed. Security was most important followed by information gathering.
“How’d you find that out?” asked Madison.
Alex wound the crank handle of the ETON FRX3 radio made to the specifications of the American Red Cross. The rechargeable weather alert radio with a solar panel and hand turbine power generator not only provided information, but it had a USB auxiliary input to charge other devices.
“The emergency alerts are being broadcast continuously now. The message from yesterday is still being repeated, but NOAA is also issuing warnings for specific areas of the country. The wildfires are everywhere because of the heat.”
When the power grid collapsed, cell phone service and normal broadcast networks crashed with it. However, the military had its own parallel intranet and secured closed satellite communications systems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, and several other dedicated radio stations across the AM band operated within the same shielded wiring system as the military.
When the airwaves weren’t cluttered with cell phone calls and radio station broadcasts, a signal could travel much farther. By retuning the frequency calibration of a radio, it was possible to pick up ham radio operators near the AM frequencies.
“Here, grab a bucket,” said Madison. She and Alex walked outside to the pool, scooped up a five-gallon bucket of pool water and carried them into the bathrooms. Although the power outage prevented the toilets from refilling on their own, the tank lid could be removed and refilled manually, enabling the toilet to function.
“Can I go with Dad to the meeting again?” asked Alex.
“Sure,” replied Madison. “Is it because of the boy you met?”
“No, not really,” replied Alex. She had an idea but didn’t want to mention it to her parents yet. They’d probably overreact and make her stay home. “I don’t know. He’s younger than me and not at all cute. Different is a better word. It’s just nice to talk to someone else, do you know what I mean?”
They
Alex asked, “Does he drink a lot ?”
Jimmy nodded his head as he looked down. “I don’t think my stepdad ever wanted to be a father. He liked my mom, and they got married. I was part of the package deal. His priorities are my mom, a full liquor cabinet, and his big gun collection. I don’t even think I rate in the top ten on the list.”
Wren was winding up the meeting. “Also, please check on your immediate neighbors. Make sure they’re safe. If they’re not home, make a note of their address and bring it with you to the next meeting. We’ll pay particular attention to their homes while they’re away.”
Alex looked up from the rock Jimmy was rolling around under his black Converse sneaker. She studied his clothes. Black, frayed shorts. An AC/DC tee shirt. Black hair and an earring. His appearance screamed rebellious teen.
Alex, like her father, was a Type A personality. If she weren’t a girl, she’d be an alpha male. She sensed weakness in Jimmy. His mentioning a big gun collection presented an opportunity for the Rymans. Apparently, Jimmy didn’t know the loose lips sink ships rule.
Chapter 12
DAY THREE
10:00 a.m., September 11
Ryman Residence
Belle Meade, Tennessee
“Mom, there are wildfires burning out of control all over the country,” said Alex as her mother walked into the living room. The Rymans were settling into their routine by the start of day three.
Like most families, their previous life was full of activities—work, school, and household chores. Entertainment in the form of television, music, and computer browsing would take up hours of a typical day. Without power, these regular pursuits no longer existed. Security was most important followed by information gathering.
“How’d you find that out?” asked Madison.
Alex wound the crank handle of the ETON FRX3 radio made to the specifications of the American Red Cross. The rechargeable weather alert radio with a solar panel and hand turbine power generator not only provided information, but it had a USB auxiliary input to charge other devices.
“The emergency alerts are being broadcast continuously now. The message from yesterday is still being repeated, but NOAA is also issuing warnings for specific areas of the country. The wildfires are everywhere because of the heat.”
When the power grid collapsed, cell phone service and normal broadcast networks crashed with it. However, the military had its own parallel intranet and secured closed satellite communications systems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, and several other dedicated radio stations across the AM band operated within the same shielded wiring system as the military.
When the airwaves weren’t cluttered with cell phone calls and radio station broadcasts, a signal could travel much farther. By retuning the frequency calibration of a radio, it was possible to pick up ham radio operators near the AM frequencies.
“Here, grab a bucket,” said Madison. She and Alex walked outside to the pool, scooped up a five-gallon bucket of pool water and carried them into the bathrooms. Although the power outage prevented the toilets from refilling on their own, the tank lid could be removed and refilled manually, enabling the toilet to function.
“Can I go with Dad to the meeting again?” asked Alex.
“Sure,” replied Madison. “Is it because of the boy you met?”
“No, not really,” replied Alex. She had an idea but didn’t want to mention it to her parents yet. They’d probably overreact and make her stay home. “I don’t know. He’s younger than me and not at all cute. Different is a better word. It’s just nice to talk to someone else, do you know what I mean?”
They
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