Free Day by Day Armageddon by J. L. Bourne Page A

some NVGs ASAP.
     
      If today were a normal day, my fellow squadron officers and I would be getting shit faced at a random bar on the river walk. It was my birthday, and I know they wouldn't allow me to stay inside like this. Well, I guess the celebration would have to wait. I had a shot of whiskey with John and toasted to survival.
     
      Goodnight.
     
     
    VI - Proverbial Beans
    January 30th, 1534 hrs
     
      Bad news. While monitoring the television, and radio, John and I came across the first government broadcast in weeks. It was being transmitted over every available TV channel, and over the AM bands, I think because AM carries further than FM. It was the First Lady. In a solemn voice she relayed, to what was left of the United States, that the President had perished in an un-dead attack and died a week earlier. The armed forces were now in control of the Vice President. She went on to say that the VP was in a secure location and that she hoped the best for America and the world.
     
      She warned of rogue military factions that had deserted over the past weeks, and hoped that they would come to their senses and return to fight for their fallen Commander-In-Chief
     
       She saved the best for last.
     
      She asked that anyone able to hear the following announcement, to do their best to spread the word, as she was sure that not many survivors had electricity, or access to a TV or radio. She then spilled the proverbial beans.
     
       "The President has authorized the use of tactical nuclear warheads on all major cities. On February the 1st, at approximately 10:00 AM, Central Standard Time, a strike force consisting of Joint Navy/Air force bombers will deploy high yield tactical nuclear warheads on major urban centres. We believe that this retaliation strike will give us the advantage we so desperately need to take back our country, and our world. The use of our photo recon aircraft have revealed major populations of the un-dead in and around the targeted cities. If you are able to travel, and can hear this message, I urge you to make preparations to evacuate. We will now broadcast the list of designated target areas. Please look closely at the bottom of the television screen."
     
      I could now see tears rolling down her face.
     
      Nope, she wasn't bullshitting. They were going to do it. I watched and crossed my fingers. I knew my city was the 8th largest in the United States. I didn't kid myself. As the "letter R" cities rolled by, John and I held our breath. There it was. San Antonio. We are a target. I live eighteen miles from the Alamo. The Alamo was in the centre of San Antonio. The blast radius would be at least twenty miles, depending on the warhead. I bet they weren't taking any chances, meaning the blast radius would probably be more like fifty miles.
     
      The instant that thought crossed my mind; I watched as the doomed cities rolled by on the bottom of the screen, a precautionary tutorial was being displayed. "Minimum safe distance, 150 miles from ground zero."
     
      I looked over at John and said, "I think it is time we thought about leaving this place."
     
    January 31st, 2341 hrs
     
      Situation is not improving. John and I loaded up the Hummer for our trip to the racetrack. We will be going out tonight. The moon is out, so visibility will be ok. The text on the emergency broadcast is warning survivors that bombers will be dropping electronic sound decoys in the centre of the city to draw the un-dead in so that they will maximize the effectiveness of the explosion. The warning also made sure to mention that this would cause much more activity within the dead ranks.
      The jets flew overhead today at around noon and dropped their payload.
      I know it must be loud if I can hear it from this far. It is sort of a high-pitched, oscillating whine.
      Annabelle doesn't like it, but she is getting used to it.
     
      It's hard to believe January will be over in a few minutes.