sections. In each section was the image of a high ranking official or a top military officer. Behind Joe, the entire wall served as large projector screen which currently showed the recorded satellite feed of New York Harbor as the missile streaked up from the harbor and the nuclear weapon that detonated at ground level.
Once the video played twice, Joe clicked the projector and the image shifted to a slide with bullet points outlining the known information. Unfortunately, there were more questions than facts.
"We know that four weapons were detonated at exactly 200km altitude," Joe continued. "We know the high-altitude EMP bursts have caused significant damage to electronics and to the power grid. Our systems were protected because we use all optical transmission lines with hardened electronics on the repeater stations. We're not sure at this time what the long term impact will be, and we can reasonably expect failures on the diesel backup generators from faults introduced in the wire windings. As it stands, we have limited power available at critical points, but communications have been slow and intermittent with domestic and international bases."
"What kind of exposure are we looking at overseas?" Admiral Fitzsimmons, the Chief of Naval Operations asked as the blood drained from his face.
"As I said, Admiral, our communications overseas have been intermittent at best," Joe replied. "No current reports of attacks as of yet. All staff members have been placed on the highest alert readiness status. Per our established disaster protocol, there should be active combat air patrols over all foreign bases at this point."
"Who hit us, and how did they get in without our knowledge?" Defense Secretary Davisson asked.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Secretary, but we just don't know yet," Joe admitted. "There are several front runners, but we'll need spectral analysis of the radioactive material to determine where the bombs were manufactured, and the only place we know that is available is GZ1."
"You mean New York," Secretary Davisson interrupted, his voice hard and cold.
"Yes, Mr. Secretary," Joe continued without breaking stride, "and as of yet, we don't have the means to coordinate that kind of search and recovery effort."
General Alexander, Army Chief of Staff, cleared his throat and asked, "Is this thing over yet, or are we expecting another hit?"
Joe shook his head. "General, I don't know how to answer that. We haven't been able to re-establish communications with half of our bases here in the U.S. NORAD's comm. link is flashing in and out, and we have intermittent radar coverage at best. Most of the info we're getting is from our secure satellite links. From those images, it looks like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami were all three hit with ground level nukes. There are clear indications of widespread fires over most of the area our geo-synch satellites cover. Beyond that, we just don't know. We're gathering data currently and as soon as we have more information we'll deliver it. That process is slow given the current state of the power grid and the lack of any reliable communications."
Secretary Davisson sighed heavily. "So basically, what you're telling us is that we don't know how bad it really is, we don't know who hit us, and we don't even know if it's really over yet? What do you suggest we tell the President, Captain?"
"Pray," Joe said when nothing else would come to him.
"Thank you, Captain Tillman," Secretary Davisson said in a strained voice. "Keep at things on your end, and we'll continue working at it from ours. I want another brief in 2 hours, and keep us updated as new information becomes available. Our first priority has to be establishing communications outside the secure optic network. Get on it, Captain. Dismissed."
One by one, the panels on the screen went dark.
Ch. 5
Morning After
Eric rolled Christina’s sleeping bag up and tied it as tightly
Once the video played twice, Joe clicked the projector and the image shifted to a slide with bullet points outlining the known information. Unfortunately, there were more questions than facts.
"We know that four weapons were detonated at exactly 200km altitude," Joe continued. "We know the high-altitude EMP bursts have caused significant damage to electronics and to the power grid. Our systems were protected because we use all optical transmission lines with hardened electronics on the repeater stations. We're not sure at this time what the long term impact will be, and we can reasonably expect failures on the diesel backup generators from faults introduced in the wire windings. As it stands, we have limited power available at critical points, but communications have been slow and intermittent with domestic and international bases."
"What kind of exposure are we looking at overseas?" Admiral Fitzsimmons, the Chief of Naval Operations asked as the blood drained from his face.
"As I said, Admiral, our communications overseas have been intermittent at best," Joe replied. "No current reports of attacks as of yet. All staff members have been placed on the highest alert readiness status. Per our established disaster protocol, there should be active combat air patrols over all foreign bases at this point."
"Who hit us, and how did they get in without our knowledge?" Defense Secretary Davisson asked.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Secretary, but we just don't know yet," Joe admitted. "There are several front runners, but we'll need spectral analysis of the radioactive material to determine where the bombs were manufactured, and the only place we know that is available is GZ1."
"You mean New York," Secretary Davisson interrupted, his voice hard and cold.
"Yes, Mr. Secretary," Joe continued without breaking stride, "and as of yet, we don't have the means to coordinate that kind of search and recovery effort."
General Alexander, Army Chief of Staff, cleared his throat and asked, "Is this thing over yet, or are we expecting another hit?"
Joe shook his head. "General, I don't know how to answer that. We haven't been able to re-establish communications with half of our bases here in the U.S. NORAD's comm. link is flashing in and out, and we have intermittent radar coverage at best. Most of the info we're getting is from our secure satellite links. From those images, it looks like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami were all three hit with ground level nukes. There are clear indications of widespread fires over most of the area our geo-synch satellites cover. Beyond that, we just don't know. We're gathering data currently and as soon as we have more information we'll deliver it. That process is slow given the current state of the power grid and the lack of any reliable communications."
Secretary Davisson sighed heavily. "So basically, what you're telling us is that we don't know how bad it really is, we don't know who hit us, and we don't even know if it's really over yet? What do you suggest we tell the President, Captain?"
"Pray," Joe said when nothing else would come to him.
"Thank you, Captain Tillman," Secretary Davisson said in a strained voice. "Keep at things on your end, and we'll continue working at it from ours. I want another brief in 2 hours, and keep us updated as new information becomes available. Our first priority has to be establishing communications outside the secure optic network. Get on it, Captain. Dismissed."
One by one, the panels on the screen went dark.
Ch. 5
Morning After
Eric rolled Christina’s sleeping bag up and tied it as tightly
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