Land of Flatwater: Protect and Survive Middle America
- Thread starter Chipperback
- Start date
IOTL Nobody bought the F-20 Tigershark (although a number defense analysts said the F-20 should have flown off the sales shelves.)
ITTL Canada saw a need in expanded air defense for the RCAF, and given their experience with the F-5, began a purchase of the F-20. As of 2/21/1984, they had 40 examples in service.
Somewhere in the Northwest Territories, there are Russians. Air Force, mostly. A relatively small disrupter force trying to hamper North American recovery any way they can with what they have.
Of course mother nature is doing a good job with disrupting recovery...especially in the midwest. A snow storm that started in the Canadian Rockies ripped through Montana, Wyoming and Colorado...and now blankets Western Nebraska and will move east through Nebraska and Kansas
And now a Sneak Preview -- Brought to you by....Mutant of Omaha Nuclear Holocaust Insurance.
A concrete bunker near the Tu-22M3 crash site -- near North Platte, Nebraska 7:50pm Mountain Standard Time -- Thursday March 8, 1984.
The national guard lieutenant and the staff sargeant lead an impromptu briefing with a cadre of 2nd lieutenants. They've been ordered to bunker, ride out the growing snowfall, but at all cost secure the site..and the dangerous cargo inside.
"Staff what to you think?" the ANG lieutenant asked.
"Sir, once we get the okay, I want to set up the perimeters," the staff sargeants. "They'll try to get back here, especially if they think we are disrupted. We can hold them off until we get can get the weapon away, and the same time, we have a better chance of killing them."
One of the 2nd Lieutenants, spoke up...Sir, staff sargeant...are you saying that the orders are 'shoot to kill' if we find the crew of this aircraft.
"You have problem with those orders, Second Lieutenant."
"Actually, I do..and so would the U.S. Army and the Navy, Air Force, Marines...and National Command Authority," the second lieutenant replied in a very scholarly voice.
"Prisoners can be exchanged. You want some American crew to spend the rest of the their life in the Gulag because there wasn't a Commie to swap for them?"
"That isn't very likely...second lieutenant.....uh.."
"Kingsley, sir...and if there's one thing I learned at West Point is the matter of international law as it relates to international law at war...and I've haven't heard that anybody has called for any ceasing of hostilities. We are still at war."
Staff sargeant leaned over to the Lieutenant, "Who is this guy...and where the hell did we get him from?
"One of the guys they sent in from Riley...Advanced training course for the repple-depple," the Lieutenant whispered. "We had take some in because Riley was mobilizing to send troops to Europe. We just happened to get two guys in the mix that are from way out of town..Kingsley and Magglione....Live from New York City."
Staff Sargeant was in disbelief. "New York butterbars...In Nebraska?..."
The other New Yorker overheard the conversation. "Believe me Sarge, this ain't Studio 54 for us, either," he whispered to Kingsley.
"Stuff it, Carlo."
"It's your fault," Carlo whispered back. "That Sarge at Fort Riley put us here probably because you pissed him off."
FEMA-NEMA Refugee Camp/Wagner Mills -- Schuyler, Nebraska -- 8:50pm -- Thursday March 8, 1984.
"Honey," the woman cried..."I need help here....ooooh.."
The man raced to his wife..."Sweetie, are you okay..."
"My water broke."
to be continued
Last edited:
What a hope, fear, anticipation and anxiety filled event. The first post nuke-exchange baby (the first that we the readers have been introduced to that is). I see this as a pivotal moment in the story. How this child comes into this world will set a tone and trajectory for the balance of this story.
BTW, nice Wild Kingdom reference.
Actually, this was real..sort of.
A writer in Omaha cooked up this idea for a graphic design based on the Mutual of Omaha Insurance logo in 1983. Instead of familiar Indian head, he replaced with a real gory version of it...and "Mutant of Omaha" was born. By the next year, he had T-Shirt printed up, coffee mugs...a lot of merchandise and it was rather popular. So popular that Mutual of Omaha sued the guy for copyright infringement and the insurance company won the suit.
I wish I had kept my t-shirt. They are collectors items these days lol.
Chip great updates!
I am torn as to wether the Soviet move into Canada should be described as brilliant or as senseless. Their supply line is for most purposes gone unless they can scavenge supplies from abandoned Canadian installations, which is what you described. Even then this is pure brocken back war, except that once the stockpiles run out they won't be replaced for some time.
The scuffles between the military and civilians are predictable, since under the kind of stress everyone is it is very easy for some to use and abuse their newly found powers. In this context scrip is worth its weight in platinum so frankly we sadly can't be surprised that weird things are happening.
I am torn as to wether the Soviet move into Canada should be described as brilliant or as senseless. Their supply line is for most purposes gone unless they can scavenge supplies from abandoned Canadian installations, which is what you described. Even then this is pure brocken back war, except that once the stockpiles run out they won't be replaced for some time.
The scuffles between the military and civilians are predictable, since under the kind of stress everyone is it is very easy for some to use and abuse their newly found powers. In this context scrip is worth its weight in platinum so frankly we sadly can't be surprised that weird things are happening.
I would kick a puppy for one of those shirts. Okay, maybe not, but it'd be cool to have one.
Here's a contemporary article: http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...etWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=x_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5181,2097736
Jason
My first post on this forum in nearly a year (I was on the verge of getting into trouble in Chat), but as a 1986 graduate of Georgetown, I must protest: 1984 was NOT Villanova's championship year; it was ours. Ours, ours, ours. (And I was in Seattle for it.)
1985 is The Year We Don't Discuss. (I was there too.
)Can't tear myself away from this timeline!
Welcome, Philadelphus
welcome to the Land of Flatwater, Philadelphus
In an upcoming installment, a rather notable basketball person will be making an appearance.
And i'm doing two short stories to celebrate March Madness on a the leading candidates for this seasons coaches of the year in men's and women's college basketball.
I think you'll like this story, because his story truly began on the last night of the 1982 NCAA Tournament...The battle between North Carolina and Georgetown...the rise of a dynasty...and the rise of a coach.
John Thompson looked at the flight itinerary. He never thought he'd go this far to recruit a kid, but when a friend in the admissions office noted this application was filled with some very convincing press clippings, Big John had to take a look and take the risk.
"I like tough East Coast kids, I never thought I'd recruit a kid from this far away. Maybe he can walk on."
"John, my brother's been coaching for 20 years," the admissions man said. "He knows some basketball, and he says this kid could help you..help us...Lanky, quick...good shooter..and he'll get in the school. We need all the help we can get to get this program to the level we want."
Coach Thompson, picked up his suitcase, "I need to get myself out to Dulles...It's a long flight to get there.
coming soon..
welcome to the Land of Flatwater, Philadelphus
In an upcoming installment, a rather notable basketball person will be making an appearance.
And i'm doing two short stories to celebrate March Madness on a the leading candidates for this seasons coaches of the year in men's and women's college basketball.
I think you'll like this story, because his story truly began on the last night of the 1982 NCAA Tournament...The battle between North Carolina and Georgetown...the rise of a dynasty...and the rise of a coach.
John Thompson looked at the flight itinerary. He never thought he'd go this far to recruit a kid, but when a friend in the admissions office noted this application was filled with some very convincing press clippings, Big John had to take a look and take the risk.
"I like tough East Coast kids, I never thought I'd recruit a kid from this far away. Maybe he can walk on."
"John, my brother's been coaching for 20 years," the admissions man said. "He knows some basketball, and he says this kid could help you..help us...Lanky, quick...good shooter..and he'll get in the school. We need all the help we can get to get this program to the level we want."
Coach Thompson, picked up his suitcase, "I need to get myself out to Dulles...It's a long flight to get there.
coming soon..
Flatwater Will Continue
Don't worry. Flatwater hasn't ended. We're just taking a break to plan the next chapters of the story.
But I can tell you -- Things are going to turn darker. Even with all the hardships, Nebraska has been rather fortunate.
But the strain is starting to show. Strain among a weary, hungry populace.
Strain among the a leadership pushed to spiritual and mental breaking points.
A main character will be a major focus of the time ahead, along with a few characters we've have heard from in awhile, and two others from another part of the P&S universe...who just happened to find their way into this Twilight Zone.
Don't worry. Flatwater hasn't ended. We're just taking a break to plan the next chapters of the story.
But I can tell you -- Things are going to turn darker. Even with all the hardships, Nebraska has been rather fortunate.
But the strain is starting to show. Strain among a weary, hungry populace.
Strain among the a leadership pushed to spiritual and mental breaking points.
A main character will be a major focus of the time ahead, along with a few characters we've have heard from in awhile, and two others from another part of the P&S universe...who just happened to find their way into this Twilight Zone.
Land Of Flatwater: Phoenix
BASE FOXTROT/Nebraska Combined Forces Aerodrome -- McCool Junction, Nebraska -- Thursday March 8, 1984 9:30pm Central Standard Time.
Dr. Jaymie Rykeman
Patient Log: 3/8/1984
Subject: multiple.
The snow is coming down now. Its hard they say topside. They've locked down here.
The rad numbers they say are high. Morale seems down. According to the communications people, there may have been another bomb set off somewhere west. I heard someone say it was in Montana, but nobody can really know for sure.
Not knowing is wearing on everyone. Every person I see during the day is scared most of the unknown. All of this of unknown, and yet they all look to me and my fellow doctors.
Like I have any answers for them? I don't. I can't even pretend. "Fake it 'til you make it" doesn't work in psychiatry. If I can't give a definitive answers, I won't give a fake one.
What answers would anybody have? Look at how much we've lost. That's the one thing that these people all have to deal with. Everybody has lost something. I lost my fiance in Omaha, because he wouldn't come with me. He didn't believe it would go this far. He was wrong.
I think of the pilots, I am actively caring for four of them now. All of them shellshocked at what they saw. One of them Lt. Smithey, I don't think will ever get a plane again. He saw the Russian destroy that dam in North Platte. Guilt-ridden. Sobs nearly everyday.
At the opposite spectrum is Lt. Trofholz. He can't wait to get another plane, yet I won't clear him. Not yet. He barely comes to session and he when he does, he is beligerent most times. Deep down he is really skittish and nervous. He cries in his sleep. I know that. He admits he has visions of his wife, that something will happen to her and he afraid he will not be there.
The two other pilots lost their families in the blasts, and they know it. One of them lost a close friend while he was in the air and just came to grips with it.
No one is immune from the post-attack blues. Not even Governor Kerrey. I saw him three days ago. The Governor is tired but he stay with it. He bursted into tears in his office. He felt ashamed of that, if only he knew that Brigadier General Griswold did the same thing.
All over the state many are doing the same thing. Suicides are happening more. We've lost 5 personnel here at FOXTROT since February 22. I fear Lt. Smithey could be next, that why we have him under guard in decontamination for now.
The kids are the hardest. I hear stories about the kids. Some of the upper brass have families in a camp near FOXTROT. Most of the other bases have family there. And there are the FEMA-NEMA camps and survivors. I see Captain Orr's daughter maybe once a day. She's a 'lil trooper. She's ashamed that she get scared and cries.
Little one, your dad cries, too.
I wonder how many other little ones are crying now? How many stressed people we have? The answer? Every living Nebraskan, hell every living American.
Everybody on earth who saw what we saw on February 21, 1984.
What will we tell the children to come?
Whenever I think about that, I wonder why the hell am I here.
Colfax County Medical Center -- Schuyler, Nebraska -- same time.
"Hang on Honey," the man said. "It will be fine..Just breathe."
The woman was on a gurney with a group of people including Rick and Ed pushing her into the ER. Nurse Cyndi Trofholz leading the way along with the ER chief and gynocologist found among the refugees. Another group of nurses and Colfax County CDUs moved a bed into place. The outside was pitch dark now..the only light were the bulbs in the ER and a bevy of halogen flashlights..
"OOOOOOOOH!" The woman wailed..."OOOOOOH!!!! Miiiiike!!!!!!"
The man squeezed her hand, "I'm here, sweetheart...I'm here"
The man was worried and scared. Dishelved, the way many of the living are. "Please," his voice tremored. "Can you deliever this baby? Will everything be alright? Oh God, my wife....my baby...Please help them."
Cyndi tried to calm him, "Sir, we can do this. Please sir, calm down.."
The man was worried, nearly sobbing holding his wife's hand. "I hope my child will forgive me.."
The woman was sobbing, "She will, darling...she will...I love you Miike....OOOOOOOOOH!!!"
to be continued...Macragge's back. Duck and Cover's back...Pro Aris is rockin'.....Welcome back to the Land of Flatwater.
BASE FOXTROT/Nebraska Combined Forces Aerodrome -- McCool Junction, Nebraska -- Thursday March 8, 1984 9:30pm Central Standard Time.
Dr. Jaymie Rykeman
Patient Log: 3/8/1984
Subject: multiple.
The snow is coming down now. Its hard they say topside. They've locked down here.
The rad numbers they say are high. Morale seems down. According to the communications people, there may have been another bomb set off somewhere west. I heard someone say it was in Montana, but nobody can really know for sure.
Not knowing is wearing on everyone. Every person I see during the day is scared most of the unknown. All of this of unknown, and yet they all look to me and my fellow doctors.
Like I have any answers for them? I don't. I can't even pretend. "Fake it 'til you make it" doesn't work in psychiatry. If I can't give a definitive answers, I won't give a fake one.
What answers would anybody have? Look at how much we've lost. That's the one thing that these people all have to deal with. Everybody has lost something. I lost my fiance in Omaha, because he wouldn't come with me. He didn't believe it would go this far. He was wrong.
I think of the pilots, I am actively caring for four of them now. All of them shellshocked at what they saw. One of them Lt. Smithey, I don't think will ever get a plane again. He saw the Russian destroy that dam in North Platte. Guilt-ridden. Sobs nearly everyday.
At the opposite spectrum is Lt. Trofholz. He can't wait to get another plane, yet I won't clear him. Not yet. He barely comes to session and he when he does, he is beligerent most times. Deep down he is really skittish and nervous. He cries in his sleep. I know that. He admits he has visions of his wife, that something will happen to her and he afraid he will not be there.
The two other pilots lost their families in the blasts, and they know it. One of them lost a close friend while he was in the air and just came to grips with it.
No one is immune from the post-attack blues. Not even Governor Kerrey. I saw him three days ago. The Governor is tired but he stay with it. He bursted into tears in his office. He felt ashamed of that, if only he knew that Brigadier General Griswold did the same thing.
All over the state many are doing the same thing. Suicides are happening more. We've lost 5 personnel here at FOXTROT since February 22. I fear Lt. Smithey could be next, that why we have him under guard in decontamination for now.
The kids are the hardest. I hear stories about the kids. Some of the upper brass have families in a camp near FOXTROT. Most of the other bases have family there. And there are the FEMA-NEMA camps and survivors. I see Captain Orr's daughter maybe once a day. She's a 'lil trooper. She's ashamed that she get scared and cries.
Little one, your dad cries, too.
I wonder how many other little ones are crying now? How many stressed people we have? The answer? Every living Nebraskan, hell every living American.
Everybody on earth who saw what we saw on February 21, 1984.
What will we tell the children to come?
Whenever I think about that, I wonder why the hell am I here.
Colfax County Medical Center -- Schuyler, Nebraska -- same time.
"Hang on Honey," the man said. "It will be fine..Just breathe."
The woman was on a gurney with a group of people including Rick and Ed pushing her into the ER. Nurse Cyndi Trofholz leading the way along with the ER chief and gynocologist found among the refugees. Another group of nurses and Colfax County CDUs moved a bed into place. The outside was pitch dark now..the only light were the bulbs in the ER and a bevy of halogen flashlights..
"OOOOOOOOH!" The woman wailed..."OOOOOOH!!!! Miiiiike!!!!!!"
The man squeezed her hand, "I'm here, sweetheart...I'm here"
The man was worried and scared. Dishelved, the way many of the living are. "Please," his voice tremored. "Can you deliever this baby? Will everything be alright? Oh God, my wife....my baby...Please help them."
Cyndi tried to calm him, "Sir, we can do this. Please sir, calm down.."
The man was worried, nearly sobbing holding his wife's hand. "I hope my child will forgive me.."
The woman was sobbing, "She will, darling...she will...I love you Miike....OOOOOOOOOH!!!"
to be continued...Macragge's back. Duck and Cover's back...Pro Aris is rockin'.....Welcome back to the Land of Flatwater.
Norman'll probably be fine. The NSSFL has no real strategic value to the Soviets, and as far as I know, no military bases are in the vicinity. So it should still be standing, unless a stray Russian bomber crew assumes that Moscow really, really hates the National Weather Service, which in that case, things may be different.....but I doubt it.
Orville_third
Banned
How is the NWS network working? Weather info can mean the difference between life and death here more than OTL. How are the other major NWS facilities doing? (A lot of forecast offices and radars may have been taken out with strikes simply by being near airports.)Norman'll probably be fine. The NSSFL has no real strategic value to the Soviets, and as far as I know, no military bases are in the vicinity. So it should still be standing, unless a stray Russian bomber crew assumes that Moscow really, really hates the National Weather Service, which in that case, things may be different.....but I doubt it.
Has SKYWARN been activated to do other weather observations?