Nuclear Winter Series by Akart, Bobby (i read a book txt) 📗

were working without pay despite the fact it was true. “I’m sure there will be a relief package coming out of Washington or Tallahassee when this is all over that compensates everyone. However, Hank, we have to get to the point where we turn the corner. That’s why I’m here.”

“How can I help?” he asked and then gulped. Dammit, Hank. Two unforced errors. Get in the game!

“Well, I’m glad you asked. I’m calling on everyone, business owners and local residents alike, to pitch in to help their neighbors. I refer to it as shared sacrifice. During these unprecedented times, we need those who have a little extra to assist those who are barely scraping by or who are without.”

“Okay,” said Hank, stretching the word out as he prepared for the big reveal.

“How are you folks making out here on Driftwood Key?” She glanced around Hank’s office and through the windows. If one didn’t know better, nothing appeared out of the ordinary except for the perpetually soot-filled cloudy skies and the lack of resort guests.

“We’re, um, okay. Thanks.”

The mayor leaned forward to the edge of the chair to look Hank in the eye. “I wasn’t referring to how you were doing, Hank. I’m referring to what you can contribute to help sustain your neighbors and the community which you’re a part of.”

“What exactly are you asking for, Lindsey?” She was no longer the mayor in Hank’s mind but, rather, Sonny’s ex-sister-in-law.

“For one, we need more deputies to protect the community, as you well know.”

Her tone of voice indicated to Hank that the conversation was now adversarial. He tried not to bare fangs.

“We gave at the office. Mike. Jessica. Remember them?”

The mayor wasn’t satisfied with those already in her employ. “You, Phoebe, and Sonny are too old for the tasks we have in mind. Jimmy, however, would be a great addition to our border guards.”

“We can’t spare him. Jimmy’s fishing abilities feed my family.”

“I’ll assign him a night shift so he can continue to do the fishing chores for you. Besides, did you forget how to fish since all this started?”

Dammit! Hank was cornered. He looked for an out. “I’ll have to speak to his mom and dad.” He tried to remind Lindsey that Jimmy had loved ones, and he wasn’t just a tool he could loan out.

“Do that, and let Mike know so the sheriff can work him into the schedule. Now, let’s talk about your hydroponics and greenhouses. How are they producing?”

“Not enough to feed the Florida Keys,” replied Hank angrily. She’d already collected one scalp—Jimmy’s. Now she wanted Hank to feed the Keys?

The mayor leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. She studied Hank for a moment. It was time to play hardball.

“Listen, are you aware of the president’s declaration of martial law?”

“No. Well, vaguely. Haven’t had a chance to mosey down to the post office to read it.”

“Well, let me give you the CliffsNotes, okay?” She stretched her hands away from her body with her palms face up to create an imaginary scale. One was much higher than the other.

She continued. “Here’s how shared sacrifice works. Up here. In this hand, is Hank with his Driftwood Key Inn. Now, it’s producing enough food out back to feed the Albrights, the Frees, and the many guests who normally fill your fancy bungalows.

“In this hand are a dozen or so families, your neighbors, who can’t grow their own food or who couldn’t afford to empty the store shelves before the wealthy did. Now they’re hungry and they’re desperate, and some are even dying of starvation. If we don’t do something to help them, they’re gonna be at your gate again tonight out of desperation.

“You might be able to kill them or turn them away. But tomorrow night, there’ll be another group and then another and then another.” She paused to catch her breath and allow the scales of shared sacrifice to even out.

“This is where shared sacrifice comes in. Driftwood Key contributes the food it would ordinarily feed to its guests. Otherwise, it might just go to waste, right? Meanwhile, that food goes to all of these families, which keeps them alive and, more importantly, content, so they don’t do something rash like attack your precious inn.”

She allowed her arms to wave up and down until they eventually balanced out. She adjusted herself in the chair and then gently folded her hands in her lap.

“Are you getting the picture, Hank?” she said with a toothy, disingenuous grin. “And let me make it just a little clearer for you. The president’s declaration gives me the absolute authority to make it happen by whatever means necessary.”

The conversation was over.

Chapter Thirty

Sunday, November 3

Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center

Northern Virginia

As predicted by some in the Helton administration, China invaded North Korea. Following the near total destruction of Pyongyang and strategic DPRK military bases by U.S. nuclear missile strikes, the Beijing government ordered troops to the North Korean border. With South Korea in disarray as it tried to recover from the North Korean attack on Seoul, China saw an opening.

From a geopolitical perspective, China could never allow the U.S. to hold influence over the North, whether it be through improved relations with Pyongyang or the takeover of the Korean peninsula by Seoul.

The Chinese military incursion into North Korea occurred with remarkable swiftness. There was little left of the North Korean military, so they were unable to mount a defense. After the Chinese tanks crossed the Yalu River and their Chengdu J-20 fighter jets strafed the countryside to eliminate any pockets of resistance, they were welcomed by the North Korean people with open arms.

Chief of Staff Chandler had been a constant fixture by the president’s side since those first few hours at Mount Weather. Now he was surrounded by a steady stream of aides who relayed messages to the president from world leaders. The two men cleared the president’s office to speak privately.

“They’ve got to be out of their minds,” the president lamented