Judgement Day and the Immediate Aftermath Part 2

Posted on Fri Mar 14th, 2025 @ 5:31pm by Colonel James Colt & Corporal Nicholas Richards & Corporal Emma Callahan & Colonel Silas Hunter

2,314 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Towers of the Void (Series Premiere)
Location: Fort Myer, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Underground Base
Timeline: Day 2-3: July 27-28, 2024

Colonel Silas Hunter emerged from the underground bunker, flanked by a full medical team and additional soldiers. The scene above was one of chaos and devastation. The sky was a dull, ashen gray, streaked with smoke still rising from the earlier explosion. The acrid stench of burning metal and scorched earth filled the air, choking every breath. Around him, medics and soldiers moved with frantic urgency, tending to the wounded amid cries of pain and shouted commands that broke the oppressive silence.

Silas knelt beside a young private whose leg was pinned beneath a slab of concrete. The soldier’s face was pale, his eyes wide with a mix of pain and fear. “Hang in there, Private,” Silas said, his voice calm but resolute. “We’ll get you out of this.”

“Colonel, over here!” Captain Callahan’s voice rang out sharply, cutting through the din and pulling Silas’s attention to the bunker entrance, where a team of engineers was working to reinforce the damaged structure.

Silas gave the private’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze before rising and making his way toward Callahan. Her face was streaked with soot, her uniform torn at the sleeve, but her posture was unshaken—steadfast in the face of the chaos around them.

“We’ve stabilized the area for now,” Callahan reported, gesturing to the partially collapsed entrance. “But if we take another hit like that, sir, it won’t hold.”

Silas studied the barricade, noting the hastily constructed layers of sandbags, debris, and metal plating. His mind raced through the options. “Seal the entrance for the rest of the day,” he ordered. “No one in or out until we regroup and figure out our next move.”

Callahan hesitated for a moment. “What about the runners we sent out earlier? If they try to come back—”

“They won’t,” Silas interrupted. His voice carried a heavy finality. “If they made it to their destinations, they’ll know not to return unless it’s safe. And if they didn’t…” His voice trailed off, leaving the unspoken reality hanging in the air.

Callahan nodded, though her jaw tightened as she absorbed the weight of his words. “Yes, sir.”

Turning to the engineers, Silas issued his final directive. “Finish reinforcing the entrance, then get everyone back below. Seal the doors before any more of those drones come our way.”

The engineers moved to execute his orders, their movements efficient despite the tension in the air. Silas gestured for Callahan to follow him, and the two descended back into the relative safety of the bunker. Once inside, they made their way to Silas’s makeshift office.

Callahan closed the door behind her as Silas moved to stand by the small desk, his hands bracing against its edges. The weight of command was evident in his hunched shoulders and furrowed brow.

“What are you thinking, Colonel?” Callahan asked, her tone cautious but direct.

Silas rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze distant as he stared at the map spread across the desk. “We need a long-term plan, Captain. This isn’t sustainable. Supplies will run out sooner rather than later, and we’re down to a skeleton crew. Staying here isn’t an option.”

Callahan crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “You’re thinking about moving out?”

Silas nodded. “We have to consider it. The Pentagon is the obvious choice—it was the heart of the entire operation. If it’s operational, it could be our best shot. If not, there’s the U.S. Army Department west of here and the Coast Guard station east. Both are worth investigating.”

Callahan exhaled slowly. “And the civilians in the area? If we move out, we’re bound to encounter survivors. What’s the plan for them?”

Silas turned to face her fully, his expression grim but resolute. “That’s the next priority. If and when we move out, we sweep the area first. Once. We take whoever we can, but we won’t jeopardize the mission. Our primary goal is survival—for them and for us.”

Callahan nodded, though her eyes betrayed her unease. “Understood, sir. But if we’re going to move this regiment, we’ll need a solid strategy, and we’ll need it fast.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Silas said firmly. “You have 48 hours to prepare a full briefing with actionable plans. I want options to move this regiment out in the next five days. Starting tomorrow, send more runners in every direction. We need intelligence—locations, conditions, anything that can help us make an informed decision.”

Callahan straightened, her stance crisp and professional. “Yes, sir,” she replied before turning on her heel and heading for the door.

As the door closed behind her, Silas sank into his chair, staring at the map spread before him. The challenges ahead were monumental, but he had no choice but to face them head-on. Lives depended on it.

--Outside Fort Myers--

Nick was helping a couple of wounded as they made their way to Fort Myers. From what one of the people in the group said, it wasn't much further. Just a turn around the corner and they should make to the outskirts of the base, where they could hopefully get access inside to the various supplies that could help the wounded.

Once the group rounded the corner, the base came into view along with several people outside who appeared hurt themselves. There were medical tents on the grounds of the base, where various groups of people were trying to mend to the death and destruction that had been caused by the machines. Nick helped the wounded to get to some of the tents before asking the most senior officer in charge, "Hey, is there anywhere I can help? I'd love to help out wherever I can, as I'm a paramedic."

Two soldiers standing guard near the entrance of the base intercept them, rifles at the ready. “Hold it right there,” one of them barked, his voice firm and hostile. His eyes scanned the group quickly. "Identify yourself?"

One of the guys that Nick was hanging onto groaned a bit as Nick got him to the ground. He didn't even care that there were rifles pointed at him at the moment, as he was a paramedic and was trained to treat first and ask questions later. Nick looked back at the officer and said, "I know that we've been through heck and back over the last few hours. But, this man needs medical attention. I'm Nick and I've been help to transport these people here because they said this base might have survived the onslaught of whatever just happened. Now, do you guys have a working medical bay that I might be able to help treat some of these people or not?!

The two soldiers exchanged glances before lowering their weapons slightly, though their postures remained tense.

“You’re a paramedic?” one asked.

"Yeah, I'm a paramedic and also a reserve personnel within the Army. Served a couple years ago with a few tours before going into the reserves," Nick replied, hoping that the guards would eventually put their guns down.

The guard hesitated a moment longer, then nodded toward his fellow soldier. “Let em go” he ordered.

There was a commotion near the entrance where some of the debris was piled up. “We need help here!” someone from the crowd yelled at anyone who was close to assist.

The two guards jogged off to assist.

Nick helped the others get into the perimeter of the base and started helping anyone that was wounded. He looked around and started working away.

Fort Myer - Underground Bunker- Hunter’s Office - About 5 Minutes Later

Colonel Silas Hunter was reviewing a report when a knock came at the door. He glanced up as Captain Callahan entered.

“Sir, we’ve got incoming survivors,” Callahan reported. “A field medic, Corporal Nicholas Richards, along with a handful of wounded. They’ve been on the move for hours, looking for a safe place.”

Hunter exhaled, rubbing his temple. “Corporal Richards—Army?”

“Yes, sir,” Callahan confirmed.

Hunter straightened. “Get him to me as soon as he’s able to report.”

“Yes, sir.”

Callahan closed the door to the makeshift office.

Fort Myer - Underground Bunker - Hunter’s Office - 20 Minutes Later

Nick walked into the office of Colonel Hunter and when he noticed the rank on his uniform, Nick saluted the officer and said, "Nicholas Richards, sir. How can I be of assistance?"

Hunter studied the man standing before him. Richards stood at attention, his uniform dirty and torn, a testament to the chaos he had endured to get here. The man’s eyes were sharp, assessing, and there was a quiet resilience about him.

Hunter motioned to the chair across from his desk. “At ease, Corporal. Have a seat. Do you need anything to drink or eat?”

Nick eased up really quick and took the seat that Silas motioned for. While he was sitting down, he waved his hand and replied, "No, sir. I'm good. I just want to make sure that everyone that I brought in is helped before me. Is there anything that I can help out with, sir?"

Hunter nodded at Richards’ selflessness. That was the kind of soldier Hunter needed right now—someone who could put the mission before themselves without hesitation.

“I appreciate that, Corporal,” Hunter said, leaning forward, elbows resting on the desk. “Your people are being taken care of. Medics are doing triage now, and those who can be saved, will be.” He let the words settle before continuing. “But I need something from you. Intel.”

Hunter gestured to the map in front of him. “Tell me everything you saw on your way here—enemy movements, safe zones, civilians, abandoned vehicles, anything.”

Nick got up to look over the map, trying to make sure that he was looking over it correctly. Before he does anything else, he looked up at the Colonel and asks, "Mind if I ask for a sharpie. I want to make sure that I put everything down and don't forget about anything."

TAG: Silas

~ Enroute to Fort Myer ~

Emma held onto James as they sped along on the motorbike they’d managed to get hold of. She was keeping a watchful eye for any sign of pursuit, being the only moving target on the road was unnerving enough. She tapped his arm motioning him to take the next right, the route they’d planned should have cover, even if it did take them a little longer to reach their final destination.

James gave a short nod of his head at Emma's touch. So far they had been lucky in not drawing the attention of any machines as they moved closer to Fort Meyer. He swung the motorcycle to the right and they were now on a road less traveled and hopefully safer.

Emma was surprised they’d gotten so lucky, it wasn’t like the bike they were riding was quiet. How hadn’t they been detected? She kept looking hoping they weren’t in for any nasty surprises further along their route.

James was thinking the exact same thought as Emma as the pair rode down the road. There were several wrecks, burned out cars, trucks, etc.... but they were able to weave in and out of the wrecks and still keep a decent speed. He turned his head so Emma could hear him. "Keep a lookout for a gas station or a convenience store any place that would sell gas. We're
okay right now but we'll need to fill up and I don't want to be running on vapors when we do."

Emma nodded. “If memory serves from the route plan, there should be one not too far from here.” It didn’t take long before her instinct was proved correct as a gas station came into view over the crest of the next hill.

"Emma," James said, pointing at the gas station as they drew closer. "I think this a good time for us to fill up and stretch our legs. I wish we had a jerry can to put extra gas in to carry with us."

As they came in to stop Emma made a quick visual survey making sure they were safe. “Looks good, let’s do this quickly. As for a Jerry can we’re already loaded enough, I don’t think we could cram anything else on this bike.” She offered a smile trying to keep the mood a little lighter.

James nodded, "I know. You're right. It was just wishful thinking on my part." he replied as he brought the motorcycle to a stop in front of the pumps. "This won’t take long... hopefully." As he got off and then helped Emma off. He smiled at her. "Let's do this, so we can get back on the road."

Emma nodded, she was worried about the fact that they hadn’t encountered resistance, it all seemed too easy so far. “How much longer until we get there? I might be overthinking things, but this just seems too easy.”

James was putting the nozzle in the bike's tank. "Still a few days. As for being too easy, I don't know. People have had their lives totally turned upside down and inside out. I will say it is too quiet and that is eerie,"

Emma nodded. “Agreed. Let’s get the hell out of here, the sooner we reach the base the better.”

James nodded, "You'll get no argument from me." He replied as he began to fill the motorcycle with gas. His eyes scanning their surroundings for any threats, but all remained quiet. he finished topping off the tank. He hung the nozzle up and screwed the top back on the tank. "Hop on and let's get going."

 

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