Collapse Series (Book 10): State of Hope by Lane Summer

Author:Lane, Summer [Lane, Summer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | Dystopian
Publisher: Writing Belle Publishing
Published: 2017-06-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Athena Strike Briefing – 0500 – President’s Headquarters, Morro Bay, California

General Beckham briefs us all on what’s about to happen. He stands in the center of a large meeting room, three slide projectors displaying rotating aerial shots of the Athena Strike Fleet moving closer to the California coastline. From the air, it looks like thousands of cigars floating on the surface of the Pacific, gently drifting toward shore.

If only that was the case.

The militia leaders representing the other states join us, all of us dressed in our own uniforms, homemade patches and ugly scars and worn rifles. We are a motley bunch, but we’ve got heart, and I keep reminding myself of this truth as I begin to feel overwhelmed by the sheer size and magnitude of Omega’s million-man army.

“General Hart and I will deploy at 0800,” General Beckham explains. “We will be overseeing the western front from Monterey, where we will be collaborating with Admiral Greg Boyd’s tactical strike fleet.”

Admiral Boyd nods gravely.

“The rest of you,” he goes on, “have your orders.”

Above Beckham’s head, a map is displayed on the screen. It shows the different militia insignias strewn across the Pacific Coast, indicating the placement of each state militia. Nineteen different locations, from Washington to the bottom of San Diego. I grimace unconsciously, knowing that there are way too many holes in our defenses. Omega will worm their men through those holes and barricade themselves behind our forces, attacking us from behind, and drawing us into a kill zone.

Yet we have little choice. We can only try to form a wall where we can and fill in the gaps with tactical strike missiles and naval protection. We have some help from the United States Air Force…although in comparison to Omega’s endless resources, even our mighty fighter jets seem skimpy.

I raise my hand, and General Beckham acknowledges me.

“Yes?” he says.

“Why are we going to Monterey? Last time I was there, Omega almost leveled it.”

“We’ve rebuilt it. At the moment, it’s our most fortified coastal position.”

“And what about President Banner and the first family? Where will they be?”

“They’ll be kept safe, away from the front lines.”

“Where?”

Beckham sighs, “The Central Valley, Commander Hart. You remember Camp Freedom, of course?”

“Yeah,” I reply. “I remember it.”

“Sector 13 has also rebuilt the fortress. It’s far from the fighting but we’ll have direct communication with the President. He’ll be safe there.”

“Sector 13’s been doing a lot of rebuilding lately,” Manny mutters. “Why don’t you just go ahead and rebuild the whole bloody state while you’re at it?”

“That’s the plan, Lieutenant Costas,” Beckham points out. “Any questions?”

We continue the briefing for a little while, and I realize something: this could very well be my last one. If the Athena Strike is successful, we will either be surrendering…or we’ll be dead.

I’ll never surrender, I think. I’ll find a way to die fighting before they force me to submit. I will never give in.

I like to think that everyone else feels the same way, and because of that, we will somehow manage to gain the upper hand against Omega on spit and vinegar alone.

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