Chapter 9
She listened as her friend spoke but didn’t take anything he said to heart.
Veronica knew all too well the misconceptions about an EMP strike.
It was a common misbelief that such an attack would completely wipe out any sort of electrical device.
Given how far technology had come, it was mostly accurate, but if you had an older vehicle or device, you might still have power.
In reality, the closest anyone had gotten to an accurate portrayal of that reality was a film from decades before when the lead had successfully started a car after switching out several parts.
One of the reasons she coveted the old motorcycle she was rebuilding was because of its simplicity.
Even if an EMP strike large enough to wipe out the entirety of the nation was deployed, pre-WWII military vehicles and civilian cars should still run under the right circumstances.
It was one reason the government hadn’t updated much of its ground technology over the years.
The older beasts, like the tanks, motorcycles, and jeeps, could still be used, presuming they hadn’t been running during the initial EMP blast.
Still, it didn’t give her much hope for the general public.
Even if the military had a handful of running tanks and vehicles, the rest of the nation would be in a panic.
Humanity simply wasn’t capable of surviving without technology anymore.
The vast majority relied on it every day of their lives.
There would be a few outliers who understood the threat that had been presented years ago, but now they’re hard work and resources would be a huge target on their backs for the rest of the population.
“There are a lot of vehicles built before the fifties that should still have electrical components that work. With that being said, many of the newer cars have computers that would have been fried immediately,” Veronica said.
“If you were to replace all the electrical ports on your hot rod, you could probably have it up and running.”
“What are you going to do?”
“The first thing I’m going to try to do is start this bike and see if I’m right about everything. I’m pretty sure that the old copper used in these components is capable of surviving an EMP since they weren’t installed.”
He chuckled. “I already pretty much deduced that, but I meant, what are you going to do after that? You’re more than welcome to come back to the house.”
“I really have things that I need to do and a few people that I need to check on back in Colorado.”
“I thought as much, but the offer still stands. You know as well as I do that my wife will welcome you into the home until all of this blows over. I can’t stand the idea of you being out there on your own, but the choice is yours.”
Veronica was touched by the man’s offer, knowing he meant every word of it.
His wife was a loving and matronly figure she loved just as much as she did the old, burly garage owner.
Yet thinking of her own family back in Colorado, Veronica knew she couldn’t take him up on his offer.
Her gut instinct told her that whatever had transpired, it was only the beginning of things.
It was going to be a long and treacherous journey back to her family’s homestead, but Veronica had to try. It wasn’t even a question in her mind.
The instant she’d realized something bad had happened, her heart was with her brothers and the rest of their community.
Gregory didn’t seem too concerned about what was happening.
Like so many of her fellow Americans, he genuinely believed the government would keep them safe and protect them at all costs.
Veronica, having grown up in an incredibly conservative area, though, knew better than to trust in their elected officials to make sure that small, rural communities were safe.
Their first allegiance would be to the armed forces, with the rest of the nation coming in second.
“I really appreciate the offer, and I know your old lady would gladly let me stay with both of you, but I really need to check on my family in Colorado and make sure they are all safe and sound.”
“I understand, but that’s going to be one hell of a long drive or ride in this case. Especially knowing that you’re going to have one of the only running vehicles in the country, aside from what the military can get up and running,” Gregory said.
“Well, for what it’s worth, this thing isn’t up and running yet. Even if I don’t get it running, and I’m wrong about everything, I’m going to have to find a way to get to my family.”
“You know, all of this could be something that’s just local and happening to us. For all we know, the rest of the country is probably doing just fine.”
“I really hope that’s the case. I’d hate to think that most of the country, if not all of it, is completely in the dark now, and they might not even have a clue what happened.”
Gregory smiled. “It sure would be nice if it’s something that’s just local to us.”
“It would be, but I definitely don’t think that’s the case. Something of this magnitude just doesn’t happen to a little area like ours. I feel like it’s something more.”
“Unfortunately, I think you’re probably right about that. I still don’t think it’s a bad idea to keep our hope alive that something this dangerous has happened to the entire nation. I don’t know how our country can come back from something like this.”
Veronica nodded. “I wonder about that, but I think our nation as a whole is going to figure it out sooner rather than later.”
The conversation came to an abrupt halt as Gregory held up his hand and turned away from her, jogging back to his office.
He returned moments later with a book bag and a small pistol in his hands.
Instantly, her stomach lurched. She wasn’t a fan of guns, though she understood the role they had to play in the world.
“I know it’s not much compared to what you could have, but this bag has a few cans of food and a couple of bottles of water.
I also took the liberty of throwing in a small first aid kit,” Gregory said.
“There is about half a box of ammo for the pistol in the bag as well. I’m sure the country is going to figure things out, but I also know how people react to just a bit of bad news, so I’d feel a lot better if you took it with you. ”
“I can’t thank you enough, but I really don’t want to take any of your resources, especially at a time like this.”
“Nonsense. My old lady would never forgive me if I let you go out there without having something to protect yourself with.”
Veronica smiled. “She’s one hell of a woman, that’s for sure. Thank you for everything, and I’ll make sure to get it back to you as soon as the chaos dies down. I really hope it doesn’t get as bad as I think it will.”
“You better bring it back to me in one piece. Though I prefer if you come back in one piece over the weapon.”
She chuckled. “I’ll come back as whole as I can. I can assure you of that much.”
“I know you will. Now, are you ready to fire up that motorcycle yet, or are we just going to stand around talking about the future?”
Veronica nodded and smiled at her friend as she took the offerings he had provided.
It wasn’t the first time she’d held a gun, but it still wasn’t a sensation she enjoyed.
Double-checking to make sure the safety was on and the weapon was loaded, she tucked it into the back of her jeans beneath her belt.
Turning her attention back to the motorcycle, Veronica took a deep breath and quickly said a silent prayer that she had done everything right.
It was the same prayer she sent out each time she worked on something, knowing that the smallest hitch in a plan could set a mechanic back hours or even days.
Veronica knew she didn’t have that sort of time to be backtracking mistakes.
If the bike didn’t work, she would have no choice but to set out on foot.
The thought alone made her stomach clench with trepidation.
It was time for the final test. She had gone through and double-checked all the fluids, including adding gas to the top of the tank.
She had done the math in her head and looked over everything a third time, just to be sure.
Now, there was no reason left to stall. If the nation had truly been plunged into the dark, her family needed her more than ever.