Breakdown: An EMP Survival Thriller (The EMP Terror Series Book 1) Read online

  BREAKDOWN

  EMP TERROR SERIES: BOOK 1

  by J.R. Tate

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  COPYRIGHT

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CONTACT INFORMATION

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  MORE BOOKS BY J.R.

  This book is a work of fiction and is for your personal enjoyment only. Any similarities to names, places, or events are coincidental. This book may not be resold or given away to another person. It may not be transmitted in any way without written permission from the author.

  Copyright © 2017 by J.R. Tate

  Cover art by J.R. Tate

  Book Description:

  A situation of this magnitude had always been talked about – but could it ever really happen?

  Jake Shepherd is piloting a flight to Seattle when out of the blue, his aircraft falls from the sky. The power-grid across the United States crashes, leaving all computerized machines crippled, sending the country into a disastrous tailspin.

  Alice Shepherd is working the emergency room when hundreds of injured people pour in needing help. With no electricity, resources are limited—Once the back up generators fail, the hospital will not be able to handle the influx of patients being brought in, guaranteeing that all hell will break loose.

  Everyone is speculating and panicking. No one knows what really happened. The only thing everyone can agree on is their simple, convenient, technological world is gone. Everyone is left to fight—Kill or be killed. Survive or die.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Authorities are urging caution - a credible threat has been released toward the United States. The threat level has been raised to the red level and there have been increased security measures at all international airports and security checkpoints at the borders. We are asking the public to stay alert and if something or someone seems suspicious please call your local police station or dial 911.”

  Jake Shepherd sat down in front of the television, his microwave dinner steaming in front of him. He was only halfway listening to the news - it was the same old thing over and over again. A terrorist group had bombed someone, there was a shooting here, a stabbing there, and another sex trafficking network uncovered where most people would least expect it.

  Grabbing the remote, he flipped through the channels. It was as if each news station was run by the same people, only different reporters pasted on screen to prove individuality of the networks. Multitasking, he dipped his fork into the corner section of the meal, cringing when the utensil wouldn’t push through the hard top layer of the refried beans. Damn it, he had overcooked it again. His phone buzzed on the coffee table beside him and he grabbed it, answering it immediately.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Jake. It’s me. They’re having me stay until at least midnight. Apparently, there was a huge wreck on the interstate and we are bombarded in the ER for the foreseeable future.”

  “I figured it’d be a late night,” Jake replied, forcing the fork to stab through the ruined beans.

  “Why is that?”

  “They already asked you to stay a couple of hours late. Seems like every time that happens, it ends up being a complete double shift.” He tried to hide his frustration but it was hard. “I’m just starting to forget what my wife looks like, you know?” Jake stifled a laugh and attempted to cut through the enchilada that was buried in some kind of cheese sauce. He could already feel the reflux in his chest.

  “Don’t be silly. And don’t forget to pick up Dylan from soccer practice. He should be done in about thirty minutes.”

  “I won’t forget, Alice. I promise. I’m just going to finish up this fine enchilada dinner and I’ll head to the soccer fields. Don’t you worry about us.”

  There was a short pause in the conversation and the background noise seemed to be getting louder. “Oh lord, I regret ever buying those. Look, I gotta go. They’re bringing in a wave of patients and there’s a few who are critical. I love you, hon.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Jake ended the call and put the phone on the table, diverting his attention to the TV. CNN was also focused on the terror threat and he gave up, turning everything off and sitting in silence. The real news would be complete peace across the nation. Now that would be something to tune into.

  The house was dark, the only light illuminating the living room was the lamp on the end table next to him. The second hand on the clock ticked and he tried to shove the negativity aside. Alice was a damn good nurse. Her commitment to the job was admirable. With their busy jobs, their schedules never seemed to mesh well and the one night off together for the week was thwarted due to a massive pileup on the highway.

  Jake gave up on the enchiladas. Even if he under-cooked the food, the beans would be too hard, the enchiladas like leather, and he’d rather just get some takeout on the way home from getting Dylan. Their son would have no objection to grabbing a greasy hamburger after a hard day of workouts. The kid never denied junk food.

  Glancing at his watch, he decided to head to the soccer fields. They weren’t far from the highway where the wreck had occurred so the chances of a traffic jam were likely. Grabbing his hat, Jake stepped out on the porch, taking in the humid summer evening, the air warm and thick, hinting at possible rain later on. As expected, the traffic was backed up and moving slow, and his normal ten-minute drive took almost twenty. Dylan was standing with a few teammates as Jake pulled up and fist bumped all three of them as he jogged to the truck.

  “Hey, kiddo. How was practice?”

  Dylan threw his duffel bag in the backseat and climbed in the passenger side, the edges of his scruffy hair wet with sweat. For some reason, all of the boys on his junior varsity team were sporting 1970’s style haircuts, his son included.

  “Lots of running. I think coach was pissed that we lost last night.”

  “It’s good for you. Mom’s working late. How about we stop off at that burger joint on the way home? I bet you’re starving.”

  ***

  “Did you see the news tonight?” Alice slid in beside Jake, her warm body pressed up against him in their bed.

  “I vaguely listened. What’d I miss?” Jake reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers in hers. Despite her long hours of work, her palms were as smooth as silk and her touch reminded him of how much he missed their time together. They both had great careers but sometimes, it wasn’t worth it.

  “They raised the terror threat up to red again. That’s the most elevated level.” She spoke with her eyes closed but her fingers tightened around his, strengthening the embrace. She had made it home around twelve-thirty, which was earlier than he had expected.

  “Yeah, but it’s at that level almost eve
ry other week, isn’t it?”

  “I figured you’d know better than most, being a pilot and all. Don’t they encourage y’all to pay attention to those kinds of things?”

  Jake rolled over on his side, hugging her from behind. Her body nestled into his and for a second, neither of them spoke. He hadn’t seen her in several days and the last thing he wanted to talk about was another potential threat to the country. The days after September Eleventh made them all wake up, and unfortunately, complacency was beginning to settle back in, and he was guilty of becoming numb to everything along with the rest of the nation.

  “I do keep an eye on it, Alice. But what can I do? If we stop flying, the terrorists win. They want us to sit around fretting. That’s why they dish out the threats.”

  “What time do you need to be at the airport tomorrow?” Her voice was low, muffled up next to the pillow. She’d be asleep in a few minutes. It was taking every bit of energy she had just to stay awake and chat with him.

  “First flight is at ten AM. I’m on the Dallas to Seattle run tomorrow.”

  “Oh, good. At least we can have coffee together.” Alice glanced over her shoulder at him, popping one eye open long enough to say, “Please be careful. I know flying is the safest way to travel but you know I worry. You’re a damn good pilot…” She opened her mouth like she was about to say something else but nestled back into the pillow.

  “And you’re a damn good nurse. Get some sleep, babe. We’ll have breakfast together tomorrow. Good night.”

  She responded with a low murmur that was likely her half-asleep version of “good night”. It was close enough for Jake and he switched the lamp off, settling into the complete darkness that overtook the room. Terror threat red level. They’d definitely talk about it in briefing at work. It was a shame that was becoming a normal topic on their daily agendas.

  The next morning, Jake was up early. Alice’s worry about the terror threat passed onto him like she was sharing some contagious sickness that spread through touch. He had been a commercial pilot for twenty years - and despite his experience on the job, a twinge of excitement and nerves always coursed through him on mornings before he had scheduled flights. The adrenaline rush is what kept him doing it - the feel of the airplane as it sped down the runway, the inertia on his body as he pulled the yoke back for take-off. And the landing - there was nothing like knowing he got the passengers safely to and from their destinations. The skid of the tires on the asphalt, the flaps set to slow the plane down, and the hum of the landing gear as it edged out from the bottom of the plane.

  Jake loved to fly and it all started when his father had taken him up in his small Cessna. He was just a private pilot but that is what heightened Jake’s interest in turning it into a career. Being in the military also provided in his life path. And then things like terrorism had to come in, shadowing the industry and making everyone just a bit more guarded, including himself. But as he had said before - if they lived in fear to go on with their normal, everyday lives, the terrorist won, and it was no way to live.

  Alice would be up soon and he gathered a carton of eggs, orange juice, and some bacon out of the refrigerator. The coffee was brewing next to the stove and he pulled a loaf of bread from the pantry. A good breakfast would do her some good after the long shift she had put in yesterday. Dylan would need to get up soon as well - the soccer team had to be at school early on Thursday mornings for weight training. He also made a mental note to call Sophie before his flight - she was off to college in Boston and he felt like he hadn’t talked to his daughter in ages.

  “What’s the occasion?” Alice came down the stairs, rubbing a towel through her wet hair. Her bathrobe clung to her, accentuating her curves, and Jake wished they could have a little time to themselves. Yawning, she went straight for the coffee, pouring a large mug. “Yum, strong just like I like it.”

  “Good. Do you want fried or scrambled eggs?” Jake held up the spatula, turning the slices of bacon that were now drenched in grease. Alice was always health conscious and was careful about the food she ate, but she grabbed a crunchy strip off of the plate and nibbled on it with no objection.

  “Scrambled will be just fine. Thanks, hon.”

  “You doing okay?” Jake finished the eggs and popped a couple of pieces of bread in the toaster.

  “I’m good. I could just use a day off, you know?”

  “You and me both. A day off together. Dylan could go stay at a friend’s house or something. We could, you know…” His eyebrows danced as he insinuated something he was sure she’d easily catch onto.

  “Doesn’t look possible in the foreseeable future.” Alice bit into her toast, a small glob of jelly smearing on her top lip. “I’m working another twelve today. And you know what that means. It’ll turn into a repeat of yesterday. How many legs to Seattle are you doing?”

  “Up to Seattle, down to Oakland, stop in Vegas, and then back to Dallas. I won’t be home until late, anyway. Sometimes the leg from Vegas to Dallas gets canceled, so I might be spending the night there. I’ll let you know what the flight schedule looks like. I’ve been keeping an eye on the weather. Looks pretty clear everywhere I’m flying.” He made his own plate and they both sat in silence a few seconds before he spoke up again. “I’m going to call Sophie on my way in. Have you heard from her lately?”

  Alice nodded and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “She texted me yesterday. A picture of her and a friend at some sporting event.”

  “A guy friend or a girl friend?” Jake asked, his stomach wrenching at the thought. It was one thing he had to accept - Sophie was living half way across the country and she was a pretty girl, hell bent on establishing her independence. One day she would bring someone home to meet the family. And Jake wasn’t ready.

  “It was a girl, Jake. I think her roommate.”

  “Oh, thank God.” Jake went to say something else but stopped himself when Dylan padded into the kitchen, his dark hair sticking up in every direction, one eye closed as he rummaged for the milk. “Good morning, sleepy head. You better move faster. You’re running late for weight training.”

  He mumbled something incoherent and Jake winked at Alice. “I’ll take him to school on the way to the airport. You take a few minutes extra for yourself.” Patting Dylan on the shoulder, Jake said, “Catch a ride with Randy or Rudy, or whatever his name is this afternoon. Neither of us will be home until after practice.”

  “You mean Ricky?” Dylan laughed and drank the rest of the milk straight out of the carton.

  “Ricky, Randy, Rudy… same difference. Let’s get moving.” Leaning toward Alice, Jake pecked her on the lips. “Have a good day, babe. Love you.”

  “Love you, too. Text me every time you land.”

  It was standard procedure and important to Alice that they communicate regularly. There seemed to be a bit more sense of urgency today than usual, and Jake wasn’t going to deny her peace of mind. If it were reversed and she was the pilot, he’d expect the same thing from her.

  CHAPTER TWO

  After dropping Dylan off at practice, Jake merged onto the freeway, headed to Dallas Love Field. He was thankful he worked for an airplane carrier that flew out of the smaller of the two Dallas airports. Dallas-Fort Worth International was a nice place but flights seemed to leave and arrive on time better at Love Field. Rush hour traffic was starting to pick up, and though the flow of traffic was still moving, it was slowing significantly and soon would be to a complete stop. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard. He still had some time to get there - he wasn’t scheduled to fly for another hour and a half.

  He connected his phone through the bluetooth feature and dialed Sophie’s number. It rang several times and went to voicemail. That seemed to be standard procedure lately with her. She was a busy girl and Jake had to assume she was in class and couldn’t talk.

  Turning the radio on, he was able to catch a talk show based out of the Dallas area. His main focus was on the traffic and he was vaguely listening t
o whatever they felt like talking about. But the mention of the terror threat level pulled him from his focus and he gripped the steering wheel tighter than normal. Why was this bugging him? With the way the world was going, leaving it at the highest level was probably the best practice. And with airport security, he didn’t have much to worry about. But poor Alice - she was a sitting duck at the hospital. Being an ER nurse allowed her to see so many various issues and sometimes, the safety around her was lacking.

  “Do you really think this new threat is credible?”

  “It must be for the government to heighten security.”

  “But usually, aren’t the serious terrorists not going to let their intentions be known? To blindside us with no warning or threat? It’s almost like a bomb threat - why warn people if your main intention is to kill as many people as possible?”

  Jake listened as the two DJs argued about it. It was amusing and also informative to hear two different sides - Jake was on the woman’s side. Why broadcast your intentions? But they still couldn’t take any threat lightly.

  “The moment we brush any threat under the rug is the moment we get attacked like that Tuesday morning in September.”

  “So, what does the threat entail? Airports? Bridges? Tunnels? For the government to even announce it to the citizens means it must be pretty serious.”

  “I don’t think they’ve released that much information. Authorities are just asking us to be on the lookout.”

  Traffic picked up a bit and slowed again - people in Dallas had no idea what the concept of merging meant and Jake gripped the steering wheel tighter, shifting his weight in his seat. His exit for Love Field was coming up soon so he made sure to get in the far right lane. The airport was only about ten miles away from where he lived but it took well over forty-five minutes to make the trek - he knew better than to leave right when rush hour started but taking Dylan to school put him right in the middle of it. He was glad to take their son to school - he didn’t want to pawn it off on Alice after she had to work a double. It was either her sitting in traffic or him, and with as edgy as she had been lately, he preferred to be the one going through it.