Preparing for A Journey

Posted on Thu Jan 30th, 2025 @ 6:24am by Corporal Emma Callahan & Colonel James Colt

1,249 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Towers of the Void (Series Premiere)
Location: Montana
Timeline: 48 hours after attack

James and Emma listened to the radio and gathered whatever fragments of information they could. The present situation was in a word, nightmarish. The world had been turned upside down. Mankind had been toppled from his throne by the very machines he made to serve him. Now it was war between man and machine. To say the news was bleak was an understatement and both Emma and James were shaken by it. However, both were also resolute in not running away even if such a place existed but rather in fighting back.

After listening to the last message on the emergency broadcast channel calling for resistance and to fight back against the machines, James looked over to Emma. "Emma, we need to get to Fort Meyer. It is in Virginia, not far from D.C. From everything we've heard, D.C. wasn't hit with a nuke. So, the base should still be there and have troops there. Going to be a long trip, so we need to prepare and think on what we need to take with us."

Emma nodded. “We should pack what we can carry easily, there’s no knowing if we’ll be able to get back here for the rest of the supplies, but we can cover the hatch when we leave. “I’ll take the extra medical supplies, there’s no knowing how many survivors might be out there.”

James nodded, "Alright Emma, that is a good idea. They will come in handy. We also need to take at least some of these weapons and spare ammo. Along with food and everyday items like matches, for starting a fire, a small mirror if we have one for signaling maybe a pen and paper for notes. as phones are no longer working." James replied evenly and firmly.

“Agreed. I already have some of those in my backpack, the rest we can pack into the bags I saw in the storeroom. “We’ll take these before we leave..” She handed out the anti-radiation meds. “We don’t know how much radiation is in the air, these should help fend off radiation sickness. There won’t be any radiation detection equipment down here.”

"Good Emma. We need to take as much as we can safely and easily carry. We don't want to bog ourselves down on the trip. James answered as he accepted the anti -radiation meds. Last thing we need is to get sick." He shook his head "Wish we had some radiation detection equipment but no use complaining about it," He looked at her, "We'll make do."

Emma nodded as she set about sorting what they needed for the trip, they could always return for the rest of the supplies with military reinforcements, if they needed too.

James returned Emma's smile as they set about gathering supplies, weapons as well clothes for the long and doubt hazardous journey the two had before them.

~ A little while later ~

Emma stood looking at their baggage. “I think that’s all we’ll be able to carry without weighing ourselves down too much. Maybe we should wait until after dark, make sure things have quietened down enough to venture out?”

James looked at the two overstuffed bags at their feet. "That is an excellent idea Emma, we will wait until after dark. As we wait, we'll listen to the radio and see if we can get any more information." He grew silent and then asked, "Have we got batteries for the flashlights. We'll need them to light our way as we make our way through the debris."

Emma nodded. “I’ve got plenty in my rucksack, I always kept it well packed but never thought I’d ever face needing it under these circumstances though.”

"Good thinking Emma. I am glad you are so organized." James answered and then in a more somber tone of voice added, "I don't think anyone did."

Emma looked at her watch. “Okay we still have a few hours left before dark, let’s try and get some rest while we can.”

"You take the cot Emma, I'll nap in the chair, we need the rest as this is going to be a long and perilous journey." James remarked.

Emma nodded as she made sure everything was ready before she walked over to the camp bed, sitting down on it she removed her shoes before laying down. “Wake me if anything happens?”

James nodded, "You can count on it Emma." Yet even as he said it, he wondered just what they would find on their long trek. Would they find a sanctuary where they could fight and rebuild, or would it be ruins and destruction?

Laying on the bunk Emma stared at the wall wondering just what they’d face when they emerged from the bunker, as her eyes grew heavy she didn’t even remember drifting off to sleep.

James watched Emma drift off to sleep. Once she was asleep, he got up and walked over to the radio and sat in front of it. Turning the volume up just enough to hear it and not wake Emma. The news such as it was fragmented and disjointed but talked of fighting back, forming resistance groups. He looked back at Emma. He was glad they had found each other again he just wished the world hadn't gone to hell when they did.

A couple of hours later Emma awoke with a fright before realising she was just dreaming. Sitting up she sighed before noting James was still awake. “Have you had any sleep?”

James turned to look at Emma. He shook his head from side to side. A sheepish grin on his face, "No, Emma I haven't. I've been listening to the news what there is of it, and it isn't good. Major cities have been nuked as have military installations. No information on President or Vice President or if there is still a government and if so, who is in charge."

Emma nodded. “We should get out of here, get to your base, if it’s still there.” She shook her head. “How could this have happened? It’s... like some disaster movie!”

"We've got a few hours till sunrise and I rather us see what we're walking into and through then stumbling around in the dark." James replied. "As to how this happened. If the bits of news are correct Some narrow-minded people with tunnel vision went and activate Skynet and thereby giving it complete control over the United States military forces." he finished still finding it hard to believe any of this. "It's the worst kind of disaster movie Emma. As it is real."

Emma nodded. "Damn right! We should try and find some transport of some kind when we get above ground, it'll make our journey quicker, but at the same time it might draw attention to us as well."

James didn't rush an answer. He considered what Emma said, and she made a good point. "Very true Emma and correct. I think a car would definitely get us noticed. However, a motorcycle might not draw the same notice as it is much smaller and unable to carry no more than one or two people and may not be views as a threat. In addition, it would make our trip much easier for sure."

Emma nodded, "Let's hope so, because we'll find out in a few hours."

James nodded, "I agree Emma. Right now, all we have is hope."

 

RSS Feed