The Crash: An EMP Survival Story (EMP Crash Book 1) Read online

  The Crash

  EMP Crash Book 1

  Kip Nelson

  Contents

  Copyright

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Copyright © 2016 by Kip Nelson

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Prologue

  Somewhere in the very near future...

  The political situation in the world is tense. The major powers of the free world revel in their technological and moral superiority, yet those in less fortunate countries see them as arrogant and self-righteous. Ever since the invention of the atom bomb the threat of a nuclear war has been present, yet the devastating effects on the world have been a natural deterrent. Surely no leader wants to be the one to plunge the world into a nuclear holocaust? But as the years went by, some small countries saw the bigger ones taking more and more power, getting richer and fatter while they languished at the bottom of the food chain, casting envious glances at their rivals.

  Throughout human history war has been a natural state for many. World powers such as America, Britain, and other European nations feel as though we have made great strides in moving beyond our petty struggles, to a brighter, unified future. Yet, there are those who would seek to take us back to our savage roots, to try undoing all the years of progress humanity has made.

  Not that they would admit it to the general populace, but many of the world’s leading politicians worried about the growing political crises. Every day peacekeeping forces were distributed around the world to quell acts of terrorism in Middle Eastern countries, where terrorist groups continually waged war against what they saw as the invasion of democracy and American ideals. They saw the new world and did not want to be assimilated into it. So they turned to hate and fear and wielded them as weapons, causing a fever to grip their fanatical followers. Their dead became martyrs and the ground wars bled America and other countries dry.

  All while the diplomats tried their hardest to solve the disputes, but to no avail. And then there was North Korea. The mysterious nation, so often clouded in a vague mist of rumor and hearsay, had grown even more isolated. No longer were tourists permitted to visit the country and when it shut its borders every non-native person was expelled. The lines of communication had been severed with everyone; even trade agreements were broken. For a world in which information was exchanged freely on the internet there was nothing about North Korea, only speculation.

  The North Korean dictator had made it clear that any foreign devices such as surveillance drones would be shot down and considered as an act of war, and he boasted a formidable arsenal. While many people thought this was a bluff there were some that were concerned the small nation held a stockpile of nuclear weapons. Discussions in Washington and European capitals often concerned what they dubbed the 'North Korean Problem,' yet nobody had any solutions. It seemed all they could do was wait and pray that North Korea stayed out of world affairs.

  Then, one fateful day, on a date that would be lost to the annals of time, but was no less important than the day when the first hydrogen bomb was tested, a breakthrough happened. Before then, the only way to cause vast electronic disruption had been with a nuclear explosion. But in doing so, the world would have been obliterated and the loss of life would have been incalculable. Then scientists discovered a new way, a bomb that could disrupt the electrical frequencies and fry electronic devices without casting the world into a bleak nuclear winter.

  Drawn-out ground conflicts such as World War II were a thing of the past. Never would the world see its kind again. The next war was going to be a short conflict, a conflict where the size of an army was insignificant. It all would be decided by a push of a button. Some people were smart enough to know that the way to bring down the free world was not to bomb the land and kill the citizens, but to take out the electronic infrastructure. So much was run through electronics that the whole world would be plunged into chaos. Banking and currency gradually had moved to being electronic, and most information was stored that way as well. Not to mention the prison systems, where electronics kept the doors locked. If these new bombs were detonated around the world, the human race would be thrown back to a time when the borders between countries were more expansive; when people were cut off from each other and the rest of the world.

  Nobody was quite sure who detonated the first bomb. The most popular theory was the North Koreans finally had broken their isolation and decided to take part in the world again. But instead of trying to become a part of the democratic world order, they simply had stomped their feet and brought the world down with them. However, it was known that some terrorist groups had plans for these types of bombs as well. The simple fact of the matter was the explosions were so swift and thoroughly destructive that there wasn't any way for people to find out, because almost immediately any electronic instruments became useless.

  Chaos followed as people realized that their cell phones weren't working. Mass panic gripped billions of people as they saw the beginning of the end of the world. Prison doors were unable to close and violent offenders stepped out. The same thing happened in mental hospitals. In ordinary hospitals those who were living via life support machines quickly lost their lives. The roads and freeways were filled with accidents, and in the air, pilots scrambled to try guiding their powerless planes to safety, while their passengers closed their eyes and prayed that something would save them.

  After so many years of dominance the democratic alliance had been brought to its knees. Its citizens were now powerless and had been deprived off all the comforts and luxuries that technology had brought them. The world had ended, and a new one had begun.

  Chapter One

  “Don't leave,” Mack said, his voice even and steady.

  Over the past few days his stubble had grown, salt and pepper, just like his hair. Grace was standing with her back to him, arms folded, trying not to show him her trembling lip. They were standing in a small room and spoke in hushed voices. There were a few paintings on the walls and a couple of chairs, but neither of them were sitting down. The door was ajar; their host had just left them for a couple of minutes. They were thirsty and hungry, but over the past few days had grown used to the dryness in their throats and the aching in their stomachs. Through the door they could smell the sweet scent of dinner cooking, and hear the sound of pots bubbling and plates being placed on the table. There had been some moments when neither of them had thought they'd hear those sounds again.

  “We have to go; don't you see it? There's something wrong with these people. I don't trust them,” Grace said, still with her back to Mack. The young woman's eyes darted toward the door, afraid that the woman was going to come back to them while they were having this discussion. Mack moved behind her but he didn't touch her.

  “There's nowhere to go, Grace. Do you really want to go back out there right now, when there's a meal being cooked for us, when we can actually sit down at a table and feel
civilized again?”

  “I never thought you'd be the one to put ourselves in jeopardy for the sake of a meal. I've lived on the run before. I've gone without. I know how to survive. There's something odd about them. I think this is a trap and we shouldn't trust them.”

  “Look, I get that they're a little unsettling, but I can understand it when they've been living out here in the middle of nowhere for so long. Not everyone is a bad person, even in this situation. While some people are desperate I think we should try enjoying the generosity of people while we can.”

  He paused, and when Grace didn't reply he added, “What's the alternative? You run out there into the darkness? We need to stick together, and I for one would prefer to enjoy a warm meal and a roof over our heads. I know it's not easy, but we need to start trusting people if we're going to make it through this. I'll keep an eye on them though, and if anything does happen we'll both be ready, okay?”

  Grace nodded, finally turning to face Mack. As they finished talking the door was nudged open by Kathryn, who stood there looking up at them with her blinking black eyes and hair as white as a dove, skin wrinkled, and little winces of pain appearing on her face as her aching joints moved.

  “Dinner is served, if you would kindly follow me,” she said, and led the way to the dining room.

  The two of them followed her along the hallway then turned into a room on the right. A huge light hung over the table, but it was not powered. Instead, there were candles all over the room, making everything seem eerie and only serving to exacerbate Grace's nerves. She and Mack sat closest to the door. Kathryn took the seat at the head of the table while her husband and son, Tom and Harry respectively, already were sitting on the other side of the table. Mack took a thick napkin, unfolded it with a flourish, and set it across his lap. Grace watched him carefully and mimicked his movements. She picked up the knife and fork and was ready to slide some vegetables onto her plate when Mack shot her a glance and shook his head slightly. Then he gestured with his eyes to Kathryn, who closed hers and clasped her hands in prayer.

  “Dear Lord,” she began, her voice ringing out in the still silence, “we thank you for bringing these new friends to our table, and we are grateful that you have provided us with enough food to take care of them. Each of us are humbled to be your devoted servants and will do whatever you task us with in the days ahead. But for now we shall enjoy this feast you have prepared for us.”

  While she was speaking Grace frowned, and only closed her eyes because she was afraid of what might happen if she was caught with them open. Before them lay dishes and plates filled with vegetables, roast potatoes, carrots, and broccoli, as well as a plate with thick slices of tender and juicy meat. Otis leaned forward and began spooning potatoes onto his plate before Kathryn admonished him.

  “Now, now, dear, you know that's not the way we do things in this house. Our guests must be terribly hungry. Please, help yourselves,” she said, handing Grace one of the spoons.

  Grace took it and felt all eyes on her as she took a bit from each plate, and then a slice of meat, mumbling a thank you. Now that the food was in front of her it pushed aside her fears, and it was all she could do not to dive in, savagely attacking the food on her plate. Mack was more controlled, taking the food with ease, while Otis and the others waited patiently.

  “I'm surprised you're not trying to conserve your food,” Mack began as he put a large helping of broccoli on his plate, “not that I'm complaining, but I would have thought that given the circumstances you would have wanted to ration things out.”

  “Oh, there's always a source for food,” Kathryn said with a coy smile.

  If Grace hadn't been so busy eating she would have felt very unnerved at the way Kathryn spoke. But the old woman continued in a normal tone of voice, “We believe God will protect us as long as we continue living by his word. In truth, this whole thing hasn't changed much for us. We've been living out here for a long time. We know how to grow our own crops and how to breed animals. Of course, I will miss my shows and Tom will miss listening to the baseball, but we've got each other, and that's all we really need to survive.” She smiled at her family.

  “It does seem like you have things figured out,” Mack said.

  “It's just a shame that the Lord saw fit to cast the world into darkness because of all the sinners,” she said.

  “What do you mean?” Grace asked, swallowing a mouthful of food.

  “Well, it's quite clear that, just as in the time of Noah, people became sinners. We all know it. It was just time for the Lord to clean house again. Sadly, good folk like us also have to suffer, but I'm sure we'll get by, and I think he has a plan for us all.” As Kathryn said this she looked around at the pictures of Jesus hanging on the walls.

  “I'm pretty sure it was the North Koreans who detonated the bombs, not God,” Grace said. Mack looked at her, worried that she was going to make the situation tenser than it needed to be.

  “And who do you think put the idea in their heads to make those bombs? I admit it seems strange that God would choose them as a conduit through which to act, but we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord.” Otis and Tom chuckled at this as they grimly chewed their food. Grace was about to say something else to further the argument when Mack interrupted her.

  “Whatever caused the disaster, I'm sure that as long as people share your attitude and determination we'll be okay. I have to say, this food is delicious, and I'm not just saying that because I haven't eaten properly in what feels like forever,” Mack said with a warm smile. Kathryn seemed charmed by him.

  “Oh, it's nothing, I just whipped it up in the kitchen. It's only a basic meal, but it'll give you everything you need to help you on your way! Where is it you said you were going to again?”

  Grace and Mack looked at each other, wondering if they should disclose their plans to these strangers. The question hung in the air. Mack took a sip of water while Kathryn looked at him with her beady eyes. Tom and Otis stared at them, too, chewing in the same monotonous rhythm. Grace was caught wondering if she should say anything at all. But then they heard a crash. Their necks snapped around in the direction of the sound, so they didn't notice the worried glances exchanged between their hosts. Then, there was a loud cry of help, and Mack rose from his chair.

  Chapter Two

  Sometime earlier...

  The jet was flying through the air. There were about seventy passengers on board, as well as the cabin crew. One of these passengers was Thomas 'Mack' Mackenzie, an army officer on his last job before he finally could retire and spend time with his wife. While on the job he tried not to think of home, but this time he couldn't stop himself. He thought about returning to a loving embrace, a long kiss that would never end, and then, perhaps, they would try for the child that they always had wanted. Mack had been in the army for as long as he could remember. Now that it was coming to an end it seemed surreal, but he knew it was the right decision. It was time for a new chapter in his life, a new challenge.

  But before that started he still had his one last job. Mack was a large man with an athletic, muscular build that had been honed after spending years in the army. He had a granite jaw, was clean-shaven, and his clothes were free of creases. If people knew he was escorting one of the world's most dangerous criminals, they would have assumed that it would be an imposing man. Yet, sitting beside him was an unassuming young woman in her early 20s, her dark hair dyed with a rainbow streak. She had a petite frame, and only looked more petite beside Mack. Her left hand was attached to his right hand by handcuffs. Her name was Grace, but in another life her name had been C1PH3R, a renowned hacker who had been responsible for a number of cyber-crimes. After an extensive search the army finally had located her physical whereabouts. It was Mack's job to make sure she was escorted back to a secure location where they could pick her brain to disrupt a hacking group that she was a part of, and perhaps even one day utilize her services.

  Mack was sitting in silence, patiently readin
g a book as the constant thrum of the engines rumbled through the small plane. Grace was sitting with a scowl on her face, wishing she could be anywhere else. A woman sitting opposite them looked over and saw the handcuffs, then cast a judgmental eye upon Grace. The young anarchist bristled and cursed loudly at the woman, who looked aghast and didn't seem to know what to say. The outburst also had caught the attention of a few other passengers, who turned their heads. Mack leaned over Grace and apologized to the woman, then settled back with his book. After a few moments he spoke quietly.

  “You know, lashing out at strangers isn't going to do you any good. What's wrong?” he asked.

  Grace folded her arms and turned her face away from him. Mack shrugged and went back to reading his book intently, not following up his question. After a while of Mack flicking the pages, Grace's eyes drifted toward the book and eventually she asked him what he was reading. He flicked over the cover, holding the book between his thumb and forefinger, and showed her the title, although she didn't recognize it or the name of the author.

  “I much prefer e-books,” she said haughtily.

  “With an e-book reader I can have thousands of books at my fingertips. I don't have to worry about lugging around a library, and I can read anything from old classics to new indie authors who just want their ideas to be heard. I'm surprised you don't have one. I thought the army was modernized now?”

  “I guess I'm just old school,” Mack said.

  “Well, I think you'd better get with the times. Soon enough they'll just stop printing books like that and everything will be electronic. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there will be specialty stores, but books like that will be like antiques.”

  “You really think they're just going to stop printing books?” Mack asked skeptically.