Bug Out by G. Allen Mercer

been amazed at his ability to do things, and secretly felt that if anyone could survive what was happening, it would be her husband.
    Grace keyed her radio.  “Momma B, Bull’s-Eye wants to know if you are being threated by Freakers?  Over.”
    Leah had not expected that question, but it was her husband way caring for her the only way he could.  “Tardis Blue, affirmative.  Had to eliminated three yesterday.  Over,” she said, sadness rung in her voice.
    Grace thought about what her mother had just said.  She had shot people as well.  This new world sucks!   Grace relayed the message to her father and waited on a response.
    “He agrees that you should change the plan, Momma B.  He’s changing course to meet us here, at Bob’s.  He thinks you should come here, too.  He also says that you should not use the Rover, it will make you a target.  Over,” she said, not believing that her parents were deviating from what they had prepared for all of these years.  She also couldn’t believe that her father was advising that her mother go out alone.
    “Tardis Blue, tell Bob I just need to know where to go.  Over.”  She never flinched at the idea of going out alone and without the Rover.  Even though she could make it, the roads were most likely blocked and an operating car would draw attention to herself.  She could move quickly on foot and would take Daisy for extra protection.  She agreed with her husband.
    “Momma B. do you remember my first barn,” Grace spoke code that only she and her mother would know.  The reference was to the first barn where Grace took horseback riding lessons; it was about 10 miles from their house and over 30 miles away from Birmingham.
    “Affirmative, over.”
    “Bob’s oldest son, Joshua will meet you there at noon tomorrow to take you the next rest of the way.  Over.”
    There was a pause while Grace knew that her mother was formulating a response.  Grace knew what her mother’s next question would be, and she also knew how she was going to answer the question.  Finally, she knew that both of her parents could hear her…and they would not agree with what she was about to say.
    “Tardis Blue, how will I know Joshua?  Over.”
    “Momma B, you will know Joshua because I’m going with him.”

CHAPTER 16
     
     
     
    This is a broadcast of the Emergency Alert System and an official broadcast from the Government of the United States of America.  Broadcasting on all frequencies and all bands. Please stand by for an announcement from the President of the United States of America.
     
    “My fellow Americans, this is the President of the United States.  Two days ago, forces from the People’s Republic of China deliberately attacked the United States and the country of Canada.
    At 5:45 PM Eastern Standard Time, two Chinese satellites, illegally harboring nuclear weapons, detonated at approximately 250 miles above US and Canadian airspace.  The two resulting explosions in our atmosphere created what is known as an EMP, or Electromagnetic Pulse.  This weapon effectively crippled a majority of the domestic power grid and rendered useless most commercial, industrial and many military electronic devices.  The radius of the EMP covered most populated areas of Canada, the USA and northern parts of Mexico and plunged us all into chaos.
    Approximately five minutes after the detonation of the two EMP devices, the government of the PRC crossed all moral, human and legal boundaries by detonating two atomic weapons on the grounds of a country that was in a state of peace.  These two detonations destroyed the great American cities of Chicago and Atlanta.  This willing and overtly heinous act of evil ended the lives of over twelve million American wives, husbands, sons and daughters.
    Thankfully, our intelligence community was able to find and render useless two other atomic weapons intended for use in the cities of New York and Washington, DC.  These acts saved tens of