“Of course, the second line of numbers.”
“What happens next?”
“Once you enter your code and you use your fingerprints to verify your ID, the computer will prepare the launch order, it would normally be sent to the Navy’s TACAMO planes which will transmit the launch codes to the submarines. Since they’re grounded, we’re using the slow, low frequency code to send a three letter launch message to the subs. Once they have the launch orders, the captains will ask their XOs, executive officers, and weapons officers to verify the launch order. Once verified, the captain will remove his launch trigger from his safe. Then he and his XO will insert their launch keys and turn them at the same time. After the keys are turned, the missiles can be launched. In the bottom of the silos is a small solid fuel rocket engine and pool of water, the engine burns and turns the water to steam, the pressure pushes the missile out of the silo, when the missile breaks the surface, its engine ignites and off it goes.”
“What’s the time from launch to impact?”
“That depends on the distance. Anywhere from a few minutes to almost twenty minutes.”
“Thank you. I’ve entered the launch codes and my fingerprints.”
“Thank you, the computer has accepted your information. We can expect the first Trident launch within five minutes.”
“Will they launch?”
“Yes, sir. They are trained and they train for this mission, they’ll launch.”
President Lanoha nodded as he watched the Trident missiles begin to break the surface and zoom into space towards their targets. Each missile carried between 4 and 10 warheads. The targets were Russia’s missile bases, Air Force bases and some were dropped into basins where Russia hid their remaining SSBNs. The warheads dropped into the basins, their explosions sent shock waves through the water destroying the submarines which had survived the splinter and rock strikes. The explosions also sent radioactive water and steam into the atmosphere where it returned as radioactive rain.
Nuclear mushroom clouds sprouted up over every Russian military base. They added their own debris to the atmosphere, the massive cloud quickly circled the northern hemisphere, blocking the sun. The water and steam thrown up by the splinters and nuclear explosions dropped deadly radioactive rain over much of Europe, China and the Pacific.
All the while the American nuclear response was taking place, the ring of fire continued to erupt and send millions of tons of debris into the atmosphere. The scientists had projected it would take at least a month for the skies to darken. They were surprised when it happened within 48 hours. The scientists said the snows wouldn’t start for at least three months, they were also wrong about that. They started within days due to the amount of moisture the splinters and nuclear weapons had thrown up into the sky. The snows mixed with a Polar Vortex which drove the cold and snow across Canada and into the States. An effect of the splinters was a shifting of the ocean currents. The Gulf Stream was diverted, instead of crossing the Atlantic, it looped back and turned south in the middle of North Carolina. The lack of the warm Gulf Stream and the dark skies meant the temperature in the UK dropped by thirty degrees and continued to drop. The same happened across Europe. Most of the population had never experienced such cold weather. Millions died from exposure when they lost electricity because the gas pipelines which brought lifesaving gas to fire their heaters had been destroyed. People froze in their own beds.
There were thousands of car accidents as people attempted to escape the cold weather. The roads quickly froze, leading to many accidents which the first responders stopped responding to due to a lack of officers and resources. As the temperature continued to fall, people froze to death, some in their cars, while some were hitching a ride to warmer, safer locations when they died from exposure.
@@@@@
Jon was overjoyed to have his family surrounding him. Erin asked him, “How are we going to reach our new home now that we’ve lost our Suburban?”
“I have no idea, I haven’t been able to speak to the Colonel since the explosions and fire. I know he was burned. I heard it wasn’t too bad, but he’s been very busy and hasn’t has had any time to see me. I’ve asked the soldiers I know and no one knows when the convoy is leaving or even what’s going on. All they tell me is the Colonel will tell them when he wants them to know.”
“What about the rumor mill? It usually always knows things before they’re announced.”
“Nothing. Not a damn peep. For all I know we’re stuck here for the foreseeable future. It seems like we’re stuck here for a long time.”
“Why? There’s nothing here.”
“There’s the town down the road. I know they’re sending scouts into the town every day. Whatever they’re bringing back is taken to the back of the building to a series of tents they’ve set up. That area is off limits to us and even most of the soldiers.”
Erin asked, “I wonder why. I guess since we’re their guests they’ll tell us when they want us to know.”
A soldier came over to Erin and Jon, “The Colonel would like to see the two of you.”
Jon responded, “Okay. Just let us get our coats on.”
Jon was surprised when they saw the Colonel had a real office made of wood and metal taken from local empty homes. There was also a potbellied stove someone had placed in the center of the room to provide heat and keep a small coffee pot warm. Colonel Spivey smiled at Erin and Jon, “Please come in and have a cup of coffee. It’s real and the pot was only made ten minutes ago. It’s really good.” An aide grabbed two mugs, both
