Putting in a sixty meter rise produced a nightmare.
Major cities along the west coast of the United States were under water. The California coast would be gone and a huge body of water extended from Chico to Fresno. At the widest it was fifty miles across, swallowing everything, except Sutter Butters which would become an island in the middle of it all.
Death Valley National park would be a lake.
The middle US was a mess. San Antonio, Houston, Baton Rouge … submerged. Water would bleed through the rivers flooding everything north, all the way to Memphis.
On the east coast it would be just as tragic, if not more.
Not a single coastal city would be spared.
Water would be carried two hundred miles inland.
Florida was gone with the exception of a one hundred twenty square mile area. The simulator predicted only one spot in the entire state would survive.
Ironically and oddly, it was Gainesville.
If Gene were a religious man, he’d call it the New Jerusalem. Spared by the methane, spared by the storms and water. A safe haven. The new and only beach front property remaining in Florida.
“Wow, that looks bad,” Wiley said.
“Are you kidding me? We knew it would be bad.”
“We’re safe.”
“A lot of good that does us,” said Gene.
“We can survive. Your friends are up there alive. Anyhow …” Wiley rolled his chair closer. “Want to hear some good news?”
“There’s good news.”
“Yes, I believe there is.”
“Then tell me.”
“I was looking at the models. Trying to collect all data before we lose power.”
In was almost a reaction motion, Gene tossed his pen in the air and slammed his hand down. “We’re losing power?”
“Oh, yeah, we can’t expect the lights to stay on forever. Generators will kick in here giving us six hours.”
“Great.”
“But the good news is … we’re looking at another eruption here at about three tomorrow afternoon. It won’t be as big, and I don’t expect the levels to be as strong. I believe that will be the last one for this area.” He reached for his clipboard. “I have charted other areas, they aren’t as lucky, but it could be worse. Dallas, Cleveland, Reston, these places …” he pointed. “Another eruption in two to three hours, followed by one more after a two hour reprieve. But here … west.” he pointed. “One more at these and then it’s done.”
Gene’s eyes widened and they finally held a twinkle of hope. “Vegas.”
Wiley nodded. “Should be safe now. Levels in that area are slowly rising, but will get there. Maybe not as late as ours, but by late morning.”
After glancing at his watch, Gene reached for his phone. “That’s a little over eight hours.” He hurriedly dialed.
“Who are you calling?” Wiley asked.
Gene signaled with a finger for Wiley to wait and he exhaled in relief when Tom answered. “Tom, hey, sorry I didn’t get back to you. I didn’t have anything to tell you.”
“That’s okay,” Tom replied. “You’re getting back now. Do you have something? Tell me you have good news.”
“I do,” Gene replied. “I know where you can stop and rest for a little while. I know where you can land.”
FOURTEEN – TAKE OFF
Flight 3430 - Las Vegas, NV
It was information overload for Gabe, a crash course in flying a 737. Although he was very happy, he was just assisting. Not that he wasn’t familiar with the panel and deck, he just wasn’t comfortable.
Captain Jeff explained everything he did like an instructor as if he expected to die or something.
If Gabe had to, he could fly the plane, he could even land it under normal circumstances, but he was happy as they flew into Vegas, he wasn’t in control, especially as they landed.
He could see the power was still on in Sin City. Streetlights mapped out the roads, even the strip was bright and flashy, as if everything was normal.
The lights had to be on automatic.
Unless Gene was wrong and everything was actually fine.
He knew that wasn’t the case as they flew over McLaren airport just before circling to land.
It was dark.
A few lights in the airport, but not a single runway was lit.
The clear Vegas sky allowed for the moon to give some light, but not enough.
Gabe was glad he didn’t have to land the plane.
Jeff had decades of experience, and a navigation program that aided in the landing. Not once did the captain let on he was worried or nervous.
Gabe didn’t know how he did it.
To him it looked like they were touching down in the abyss.
Calm and Collective, Jeff must have seen the worry on Gabe’s face.
“Just watch the lines,” Jeff told him. “I know it looks like a simulator, but it will guide you. As a matter of fact, pretend it’s a simulation.”
“Lot easier said than done. This is real.”
“Makes you all the better.”
And with that, he seamlessly touched down.
Slowly he moved the plane to the apron near the terminal. Just looking at the building, everything seemed normal, there were lights on from what Gabe could see. Yet, he knew ‘normal’ was far from the case.
When Jeff brought the plane to a stop, he fiddled with his watch. “Timers set. Six hours. That gives us time to rest and get off the ground and leaves room for error.”
“Are we staying on the plane?” Gabe asked. “I think we should let everyone out. We at least have to move the bodies from cargo.”
“And also from there,” Jeff said. “I picked this terminal because it’s never busy.
