He waited while the driver secured the bullet-proof canopy over the small electric car. The other two Secret Service agents climbed into the back seat. It was the only car in the complex with a cover, and afforded the president security should he wish to tour the complex. His wary eyes peered around the gloomy cave and he wondered why his residence was the only one without a view. Not that the scenery was worth looking at, but at least the other blocks had Navilon walls, giving them a less than prison feeling. Outside his private block the sign simply read, White House, and it was the only block in the complex to carry a name. Visually it’s exterior was different to any of the blocks, it was not high, just two floors, but long and narrow. It had been set back into a cave in the gouged-out earth, allowing for an entranceway beneath it that gave one the feeling of entering the dark mouth of a large shark. Jagged outcrops of sharp rock protruded from the ceiling and the walls glistened with crystals in the pale artificial light.
The driver turned the small car and drove out of the cave into the main tunnel and Walker drew in his chest as he looked at the engineering marvel around him. The tunnel’s walls were smooth, resembling a large railway tube, and at least fifty feet high to allow each resident block to be four floors high and at least as wide. Fluorescent light tubes positioned all the way along the centre of the roof either side of the silver foil air conditioning tube, struggled to provide much more than a dim bluish glow. Resident blocks positioned along the way cantered back into the earth, held in position by large steel beams rammed into the surrounding tunnel walls. Each time Walker ventured out into this unearthly place he felt vulnerable, threatened by some unseen malevolent hand, so much so that he had no intention of touring the complex at any time. He hurried the driver along and was relieved when they arrived at the administration centre.
The operations room was crammed with people who barely noticed his entrance. He saw Bob Anderson’s greasy head bobbing back and forth over the crowd like some disconnected marionette.
‘Always count on that sleaze bag being on top of the heap.’ He muttered to his aide. The crowd parted as he made his way over to the observation screens where Anderson was barking orders to the lowered head of a communications officer.
‘Thank God you’re here Mr President.’ He sneered. ‘This shit head won’t listen to anything I say.’
The man jumped up and saluted Walker. ‘I’m only following orders Sir.’
‘It’s all right Major. Can I have a word outside Anderson?’
Anderson scowled and reluctantly followed him out into the hall. ‘What the hell are you trying to do Anderson? Start another riot. These men are under Cooper’s orders.’
‘Jesus. What’s the good of being Secretary of State anymore? May as well be a bloody office boy!’
Walker sensed a rising panic in Anderson and empathised with him immediately. ‘I know how you feel Anderson. It’s crazy, but it’s only temporary. We’ll be back in the saddle soon. Just hang in there.’
Anderson saw he’d gone a little far and lowered his voice. ‘Yeah. Maybe you’re right. Can’t be too soon for me.’ Worth had kept his distance since they had taken up residence in Rockwell, and it was worrying him. He wondered what his plans were. How long was he going to allow this incompetent weakling to remain Chief?
They returned to the operations room to watch the closed circuit television screens, as they unfolded the drama happening outside the entrances to Rockwell. Large teams of armed military guards patrolled the entry gates to the tunnels, repelling the frantic civilian survivors attempting to gain access from every point. Yesterday there had been violent riots when masses of hungry men and women stormed the gates. Children had been herded to the back of the mob to wait until the riot had ended.
The army threw tear gas among the crowds and some retreated, while others pushed forward toward the army personnel who were ordered to open fire. First they downed four men at the front of the crowd. The people stopped for a few seconds, then rushed at the soldiers hurling rocks and abuse. The soldiers fired again, this times loosing several rounds of ammunition. Bodies fell onto bodies with dozens killed or injured before the crowd understood their efforts were useless, and fell back sobbing.
Scenes like this were happening at every entrance to Mt Rockwell. The death toll was rising and there was a growing wave of resentment and hatred toward the military personnel. The camps set up by Star Flight for civilians were far from adequate, and unable to handle the masses seeking refuge. Food was rationed as they had no idea how long they would have to remain in the camps. There was another level of survivors who were dying in droves, those who were not fortunate enough to get into the camps, and were forced to find shelter wherever they could. Like stranded nomads they wandered around the perimeters of the camps begging for food and clothing, only to be turned away by the soldiers on guard who did not dare to allow one single person to break the line, fearing further uncontrollable rioting. In the first few days after the calamity it became apparent that if this situation continued, too long many more lives would be lost.
Admiral Deakin, despite his reservations, did have the sense to take some of the fleet to sea so they still had a Navy. Katla volcano was erupting in Iceland and another volcanic island had emerged to her west near Greenland. The displacement of the ocean generated monstrous waves in the Atlantic and many ships had been lost.
In other parts of the country large ships had began limping home almost immediately, but were unable to come close to the land. The new waters were unchartered and cluttered by wrecked structures just below the surface, so men put ashore in liberty boats and were instantly besieged by desperate frightened people, who attacked them ferociously and stole their boats. Some made for the ships at anchor and were repelled by volleys of laser blasts and others left for parts unknown looking for surviving towns.
Despite the comforts inside Rockwell, arguments among the personnel developed and every order was challenged. President Walker called emergency meetings but the stunned Senators began acting like children, disoriented, undisciplined, and short-tempered. The only plan they could put in place was the distribution of food throughout the complex where they were sequestered, and even this soon became a shambles. Large amounts of food began disappearing and an investigation was launched to find where it had gone. Police were engaged in policing their own people. No-one could be trusted.
The reports relayed from the community centres on the outside were spasmodic and reported only the dire circumstances of the people, the devastation and the level of the sea that had not retreated. The discontent soon turned to outright rebellion by a certain few who tampered with the air-conditioning plants. Weapons had been restricted, but factions of rebels soon found ways to acquire some. Guards were murdered, equipment was confiscated and soon there was an alternative society of malcontents. The army were constantly putting right sabotage attempts, and dampening down tempers. General Cooper spent many hours in conference with President Walker and his top staff devising schemes to control the unrest.
Cooper knew it would be only a matter of time and the lawlessness would escalate inside as well as outside. All their previous plans had to be reassessed. Nothing was as they had expected, even though Nick and Josh had warned them, they had not been fully prepared for the holocaust that came. As he had expected Walker was floundering like a man treading water. The General’s army were doing what they could, but until regular communications could be established, there was little they could do for those not in their immediate area.