The Fighting Illini - P&S: Illinois
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same here, Zoom. Get healthy, then come back to the thread
Thanks guys. I'm slowly but surely typing up a new update, but I'm not sure when it'll be finished.
Chapter III
Warday-Part I
Springfield, Illinois
February 21, 1984
1155 ZULU/5:55 AM
Governor Jim Thompson looked out of his window at the pre-dawn light. It looked like today would be a good day. He hadn't slept since the beginning of the war on February 18th, save for a nap on the afternoon of the 20th. The government would leave Springfield for good that day, with him, Ryan, and Edgar going to the University of Illinois and Donnewald, Hartigan, and Burris going to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
George Ryan ran into the room, panting and out of breath.
"Sir, they used a nuke in Germany." he said, a look of morbid dread on his face.
"A NUKE? THEY USED A FUCKING NUKE?" he shrieked. "To hell with the evacuation plans, we're leaving now."
The duo ran out of the Governor's Mansion and drove to the State Capitol, where the rest of the cabinet was already assembling.
1230 ZULU/6:30 AM
Carbondale, Illinois
Mark Porter had woken up rather early. With nothing else to do, he walked downstairs and turned the TV on.
"Reuters News Agency is reporting that a nuclear weapon of undetermined power was used over an area in northern West Germany."
That was all that Mark needed to hear. He ran upstairs and woke up his parents, who drove off like madmen to the local store to stock up on goods.
He rode his bike down the street to Daniel Mills' house, and practically pounded the door down knocking.
"What the hell do you want?" asked a groggy Mills as he opened the door.
"They used a nuke in Germany." said Mark.
"They did WHAT?" screamed Daniel.
"Wake up your family and come over to my place. My parents went to get supplies."
5 minutes later, the Mills family was at the Porters' house.
1245 ZULU/6:45 AM
Springfield, Illinois
"Let's go, time to haul ass. We have to leave the capital now!" screamed Thompson.
The cabinet jumped into the helicopters that would take them to their new emergency capitals.
Cries of "Wait, what about the-" were cut off by shouts of "Forget it!" as the helicopters lifted off from the State Capitol. As Springfield awoke, they looked to the skies and saw groups of helicopters fleeing the capitol. As they turned on their TVs, they found out why.
1415 ZULU/8:15 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
Governor Thompson was sitting at a table in his command post at the University. Radio contact was established with the Carbondale group, and they were constantly feeding each other news and updates.
"Sir, they used another one. This time it was the Soviets. Kassel's gone." said Ryan.
Shock was etched across everyone's face as realization set in. The war had just escalated even further.
"I'm going to make a speech." said Thompson. "I want every radio station in Illinois picking up what I'm saying."
"Sure thing, Jim." said Jim Edgar. "When are you going to make your speech?"
"30 minutes." said Thompson.
1445 ZULU/8:45 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
"Ladies and Gentlemen of our state, good morning to you. As most of you know, two nuclear weapons have been used in Germany. This war has escalated to the nuclear stage. As this time, Illinois is under a state of emergency. Martial law is being declared. Anyone who is seen looting or committing a crime will be immediately arrested. What is most important now is to stick together as a state. We must be strong in the face of this threat. The government of Illinois is sheltered at a safe location, and will be up and running in the event of an all out nuclear war. May God bless us all."
-Governor James R. Thompson
1545 ZULU/9:45 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
George Ryan ran into the command post again, a piece of paper fluttering from his hand to the floor.
"Sir, they've used gas. The Soviets used chemical weapons." said Ryan.
"Get on the radio with Carbondale." said Thompson.
Ryan ran into the radio room and put a headset on.
"Saluki, Saluki, this is Lima-Golf Actual. We have a confirmed use of nerve gas in Germany. Standby for any new information. Lima-Golf out."
1745 ZULU/11:45 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
Ryan ran into the room again, where Edgar and Thompson were discussing Edgar's target list.
"Sir, the Soviets have hit Joint Command Headquarters at Heidelberg. There's also unconfirmed reports of other tactical nuclear exchanges." said Ryan.
"Get on the radio with Carbondale again. Tell them we're going to Code Black and to bunker down and get ready. Strategic nuclear release is possible at any moment." instructed Thompson.
Ryan again put on a headset, and spoke to James Donnewald over at Carbondale.
"Saluki, Saluki, this is Lima-Golf actual. Tactical nuclear weapons have been exchanged in Germany. Golf actual is instructing that you go to Code Black-prepare for strategic release." said Ryan.
Same time
University of Southern Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois
"Roger, Tango actual copies. We are going Code Black." said Donnewald.
He walked to the command post that had been hastily erected in the past few days.
"Alright everyone, we're at Code Black. Governor Thompson has notified us that there has been a tactical nuclear exchange in Germany and strategic nuclear exchange is very possible." said Donnewald. Although his voice was firm, his mind was weak. He thought of all the poor people who would die today.
1753 ZULU/11:53 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
This is an Emergency Action Notification (EAN) directed by the President.
Normal broadcasting will cease immediately.
All stations will broadcast EAN message one, preceded by the attention signal, per FCC rules.
Only stations holding NDEA may stay on air in accordance with their state EBS plan.
Broadcast message one.
The EAN came through on the fax machine at the command post. Ryan ran into the situation room holding the paper, white faced.
"Sir, we have an authenticated EAN from the President." said Ryan.
The room went silent.
"God almighty...." whispered a shocked Thompson. "They've done it. They've gone and done it."
Same time
University of Southern Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois
Donnewald received the same message at the same time. He presented the paper to the room, and then led a prayer.
"Our Father, who art in Heaven...."
Same time
Carbondale, Illinois
"EVERYBODY GET TO THE BASEMENT NOW!" screamed Mark Porter's dad. "GET THE SUPPLIES TO THE BASEMENT! GO GO GO!"
The Porter and Mills families had never run faster in their lives.
1845 ZULU/12:45 PM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
The situation room was a scene of commotion and utter hell. George Ryan was briefing the Governor on the status of the state.
"Here's what we know so far-the Chicagoland area took a pounding. We can confirm hits at O'Hare and Midway, as well as one in the Loop. There's also reports of strikes in Evanston, Tinley Park, Elgin, Aurora, and Naperville. Springfield took a strike to the airport. Apparently, another missile was heading for Springfield but it fell short and detonated about 10 miles southwest of the city. Most of the city center's intact, but they're seeing massive fallout." said Ryan.
Governor Thompson rubbed his temples to relieve the stress. "Go on." he said.
"We can also confirm 2 hits in the Quad Cities and 1 hit in Peoria. Joliet apparently took one too. Scott Air Force Base is gone, and for whatever reason Kankakee got hit too." said Ryan. "The northeastern portion of the state is covered in fallout."
"Get on the radio and see what you can pick up. I need a nap." said Thompson.
Ryan walked to the radio room, followed by everyone in the command post. They all wanted to see what was still out there.
Ryan turned the radio up all the way and turned the dial.
"This......Rockford......gone.....fallout.....firestorm.....send help...."
Ryan turned the dial again.
"Please help.....Des Moines....gone...."
Another turn.
"At this time....Kenosha, Milwaukee, Madison......massive casualties...."
Turn.
A weak yet firm and beautiful voice filtered through the radio.
"Etot Den' Pobedy
Porokhom propakh,
Eto prazdnik,
S sedinoyu na viskah.
Eto radost'
So slezami na glazakh.
Den' Pobedy!
Den' Pobedy!
Den' Pobedy!"
The voice stopped for a minute, and then spoke again.
"Eto ne Den' Pobedy. Eto Den' Smerti."
The voice paused again, and then spoke.
"Bog s mnoy."
Then came the sound of a single gunshot. Then silence.
"Does anyone understand Russian?" asked Ryan.
"I do." said a young intern. "He sang a song first called Victory Day. Then he said 'This isn't Victory Day. This is the Day of Death.' Then he said 'God is with me' and then he shot himself."
The room went silent. This was the new reality. This was the New World.
WELCOME TO THE NEW LAND OF LINCOLN
Warday-Part I
Springfield, Illinois
February 21, 1984
1155 ZULU/5:55 AM
Governor Jim Thompson looked out of his window at the pre-dawn light. It looked like today would be a good day. He hadn't slept since the beginning of the war on February 18th, save for a nap on the afternoon of the 20th. The government would leave Springfield for good that day, with him, Ryan, and Edgar going to the University of Illinois and Donnewald, Hartigan, and Burris going to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
George Ryan ran into the room, panting and out of breath.
"Sir, they used a nuke in Germany." he said, a look of morbid dread on his face.
"A NUKE? THEY USED A FUCKING NUKE?" he shrieked. "To hell with the evacuation plans, we're leaving now."
The duo ran out of the Governor's Mansion and drove to the State Capitol, where the rest of the cabinet was already assembling.
1230 ZULU/6:30 AM
Carbondale, Illinois
Mark Porter had woken up rather early. With nothing else to do, he walked downstairs and turned the TV on.
"Reuters News Agency is reporting that a nuclear weapon of undetermined power was used over an area in northern West Germany."
That was all that Mark needed to hear. He ran upstairs and woke up his parents, who drove off like madmen to the local store to stock up on goods.
He rode his bike down the street to Daniel Mills' house, and practically pounded the door down knocking.
"What the hell do you want?" asked a groggy Mills as he opened the door.
"They used a nuke in Germany." said Mark.
"They did WHAT?" screamed Daniel.
"Wake up your family and come over to my place. My parents went to get supplies."
5 minutes later, the Mills family was at the Porters' house.
1245 ZULU/6:45 AM
Springfield, Illinois
"Let's go, time to haul ass. We have to leave the capital now!" screamed Thompson.
The cabinet jumped into the helicopters that would take them to their new emergency capitals.
Cries of "Wait, what about the-" were cut off by shouts of "Forget it!" as the helicopters lifted off from the State Capitol. As Springfield awoke, they looked to the skies and saw groups of helicopters fleeing the capitol. As they turned on their TVs, they found out why.
1415 ZULU/8:15 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
Governor Thompson was sitting at a table in his command post at the University. Radio contact was established with the Carbondale group, and they were constantly feeding each other news and updates.
"Sir, they used another one. This time it was the Soviets. Kassel's gone." said Ryan.
Shock was etched across everyone's face as realization set in. The war had just escalated even further.
"I'm going to make a speech." said Thompson. "I want every radio station in Illinois picking up what I'm saying."
"Sure thing, Jim." said Jim Edgar. "When are you going to make your speech?"
"30 minutes." said Thompson.
1445 ZULU/8:45 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
"Ladies and Gentlemen of our state, good morning to you. As most of you know, two nuclear weapons have been used in Germany. This war has escalated to the nuclear stage. As this time, Illinois is under a state of emergency. Martial law is being declared. Anyone who is seen looting or committing a crime will be immediately arrested. What is most important now is to stick together as a state. We must be strong in the face of this threat. The government of Illinois is sheltered at a safe location, and will be up and running in the event of an all out nuclear war. May God bless us all."
-Governor James R. Thompson
1545 ZULU/9:45 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
George Ryan ran into the command post again, a piece of paper fluttering from his hand to the floor.
"Sir, they've used gas. The Soviets used chemical weapons." said Ryan.
"Get on the radio with Carbondale." said Thompson.
Ryan ran into the radio room and put a headset on.
"Saluki, Saluki, this is Lima-Golf Actual. We have a confirmed use of nerve gas in Germany. Standby for any new information. Lima-Golf out."
1745 ZULU/11:45 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
Ryan ran into the room again, where Edgar and Thompson were discussing Edgar's target list.
"Sir, the Soviets have hit Joint Command Headquarters at Heidelberg. There's also unconfirmed reports of other tactical nuclear exchanges." said Ryan.
"Get on the radio with Carbondale again. Tell them we're going to Code Black and to bunker down and get ready. Strategic nuclear release is possible at any moment." instructed Thompson.
Ryan again put on a headset, and spoke to James Donnewald over at Carbondale.
"Saluki, Saluki, this is Lima-Golf actual. Tactical nuclear weapons have been exchanged in Germany. Golf actual is instructing that you go to Code Black-prepare for strategic release." said Ryan.
Same time
University of Southern Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois
"Roger, Tango actual copies. We are going Code Black." said Donnewald.
He walked to the command post that had been hastily erected in the past few days.
"Alright everyone, we're at Code Black. Governor Thompson has notified us that there has been a tactical nuclear exchange in Germany and strategic nuclear exchange is very possible." said Donnewald. Although his voice was firm, his mind was weak. He thought of all the poor people who would die today.
1753 ZULU/11:53 AM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
This is an Emergency Action Notification (EAN) directed by the President.
Normal broadcasting will cease immediately.
All stations will broadcast EAN message one, preceded by the attention signal, per FCC rules.
Only stations holding NDEA may stay on air in accordance with their state EBS plan.
Broadcast message one.
The EAN came through on the fax machine at the command post. Ryan ran into the situation room holding the paper, white faced.
"Sir, we have an authenticated EAN from the President." said Ryan.
The room went silent.
"God almighty...." whispered a shocked Thompson. "They've done it. They've gone and done it."
Same time
University of Southern Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois
Donnewald received the same message at the same time. He presented the paper to the room, and then led a prayer.
"Our Father, who art in Heaven...."
Same time
Carbondale, Illinois
"EVERYBODY GET TO THE BASEMENT NOW!" screamed Mark Porter's dad. "GET THE SUPPLIES TO THE BASEMENT! GO GO GO!"
The Porter and Mills families had never run faster in their lives.
1845 ZULU/12:45 PM
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
The situation room was a scene of commotion and utter hell. George Ryan was briefing the Governor on the status of the state.
"Here's what we know so far-the Chicagoland area took a pounding. We can confirm hits at O'Hare and Midway, as well as one in the Loop. There's also reports of strikes in Evanston, Tinley Park, Elgin, Aurora, and Naperville. Springfield took a strike to the airport. Apparently, another missile was heading for Springfield but it fell short and detonated about 10 miles southwest of the city. Most of the city center's intact, but they're seeing massive fallout." said Ryan.
Governor Thompson rubbed his temples to relieve the stress. "Go on." he said.
"We can also confirm 2 hits in the Quad Cities and 1 hit in Peoria. Joliet apparently took one too. Scott Air Force Base is gone, and for whatever reason Kankakee got hit too." said Ryan. "The northeastern portion of the state is covered in fallout."
"Get on the radio and see what you can pick up. I need a nap." said Thompson.
Ryan walked to the radio room, followed by everyone in the command post. They all wanted to see what was still out there.
Ryan turned the radio up all the way and turned the dial.
"This......Rockford......gone.....fallout.....firestorm.....send help...."
Ryan turned the dial again.
"Please help.....Des Moines....gone...."
Another turn.
"At this time....Kenosha, Milwaukee, Madison......massive casualties...."
Turn.
A weak yet firm and beautiful voice filtered through the radio.
"Etot Den' Pobedy
Porokhom propakh,
Eto prazdnik,
S sedinoyu na viskah.
Eto radost'
So slezami na glazakh.
Den' Pobedy!
Den' Pobedy!
Den' Pobedy!"
The voice stopped for a minute, and then spoke again.
"Eto ne Den' Pobedy. Eto Den' Smerti."
The voice paused again, and then spoke.
"Bog s mnoy."
Then came the sound of a single gunshot. Then silence.
"Does anyone understand Russian?" asked Ryan.
"I do." said a young intern. "He sang a song first called Victory Day. Then he said 'This isn't Victory Day. This is the Day of Death.' Then he said 'God is with me' and then he shot himself."
The room went silent. This was the new reality. This was the New World.
WELCOME TO THE NEW LAND OF LINCOLN
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Abhakhazia
Banned
By dropping a bomb 10 miles Southwest of Springfield you destroyed my High School's traditional rivals.
But I'm glad most of Springfield was missed. I hope my dad has fled to his parent's house in Jacksonville so he's okay. Or, since he worked for the Attorney General, he might be safe in Carbondale with Neil Hartigan.
Wait, my mom was in college in Carbondale in '84...I could be born earlier. Silver lining, I guess.
But I'm glad most of Springfield was missed. I hope my dad has fled to his parent's house in Jacksonville so he's okay. Or, since he worked for the Attorney General, he might be safe in Carbondale with Neil Hartigan.
Wait, my mom was in college in Carbondale in '84...I could be born earlier. Silver lining, I guess.
What did your dad do that made him work for the Attorney General? Depending on what it is, there's a pretty good chance he made it to Carbondale.
Abhakhazia
Banned
He was Assistant AG in the 90s, but he was just starting out in the 80s. I'm not exactly sure.
If he reached Assisstant AG in the 90s, then I'm guessing he would've been important enough to be taken to Carbondale along with Neil Hartigan.
I feel like the only second wave P&S writer without a strong state leader or state plan to survive! Louisiana, Illinois, and Nebraska all have strong, competent state level government. And I've got a rocket scientist who was under impeachment for corruption and using state office to engage in cronyism. Thankfully, he won't survive February 21st!
I may be portraying George Ryan in a positive light, but the guy was corrupt and served prison time for it. My state has a nasty habit of making corrupt politicians. As I get further along in my story, you'll see that Illinois isn't as prepared as you think.
My parents were living in Lvov, Ukraine at this time in 1984, and I wouldn't be born for another 11 years. Although, both my parents owned dachas further south near the Carpathian Mountains, so hopefully they would've had the common sense to head down there in the event of a situation like this.
Chapter III
Warday-Part II
Somewhere around Chicago, Illinois
Sometime around 18:15 ZULU/12:15 PM
The man took the cover off of his classic 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. He sat down and the engine roared to life, just as it had back in '67. The man smiled, thinking back to his last summer before he was sent into 'Nam to fight the VC.
Good old Victor Charlie, he thought.
He opened his garage and drove through his neighborhood. Everywhere he looked, people were shoving items into their cars and driving away. The man drove for a little bit, and then turned on the radio.
...again, this is WGN 720 AM, broadcasting a last song to all of you faithful listeners out there. Goodbye, and may God protect you.
The song then started. It was a song the man recognized from Vietnam, one of those songs that people had always listened to over there.
Oh, a storm is threat'ning
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away
The man put on his sunglasses and gunned his car down the empty stretch of road heading into Chicago. He was all of that was left of his family; has parents died in a car crash, and his brother died in 'Nam, and he had been looking for a way to kill himself recently. Nuclear warfare offered that solution.
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
The next instant, the man was vaporized. Chicago had just gotten it's share of instant sunshine.
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Warday-Part II
Somewhere around Chicago, Illinois
Sometime around 18:15 ZULU/12:15 PM
The man took the cover off of his classic 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. He sat down and the engine roared to life, just as it had back in '67. The man smiled, thinking back to his last summer before he was sent into 'Nam to fight the VC.
Good old Victor Charlie, he thought.
He opened his garage and drove through his neighborhood. Everywhere he looked, people were shoving items into their cars and driving away. The man drove for a little bit, and then turned on the radio.
...again, this is WGN 720 AM, broadcasting a last song to all of you faithful listeners out there. Goodbye, and may God protect you.
The song then started. It was a song the man recognized from Vietnam, one of those songs that people had always listened to over there.
Oh, a storm is threat'ning
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away
The man put on his sunglasses and gunned his car down the empty stretch of road heading into Chicago. He was all of that was left of his family; has parents died in a car crash, and his brother died in 'Nam, and he had been looking for a way to kill himself recently. Nuclear warfare offered that solution.
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
The next instant, the man was vaporized. Chicago had just gotten it's share of instant sunshine.
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
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This reminds me of a line from THREADS where a a group of blokes were talking in the pub before the bomb drops, and one, full of typical bravado says something along the lines of "I intend to be pissed out of my head and right underneath it when it goes off".
I think there will be quite a few cases of this kind of suicide by nuke throughout the world, people who understand, or think they understand what is going to happen and decide to end it all as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Chapter III
Warday-Part III
Arapaho National Forest, Colorado
Sometime around 1815 ZULU/11:15 Mountain Time
Vyacheslav really hated the cold. For whatever reason, his dad and some family friends had decided to go camping. In Colorado. In the middle of winter.
Vyacheslav unzipped his tent and stepped outside. A few fresh inches of snow had fallen overnight. He looked around and saw his friends Dmitri and Evegeny sitting by the fire, cooking eggs. He walked over and sat down on a log.
"Where's our dads?" asked Vyacheslav.
"Probably out for a smoke, how should I know?" responded Dmitri.
As Dmitri spoke, the dads walked back into the camp.
"Looks like the kids got breakfast cooked up." said Dmitri's dad, Sergei.
The men sat down on logs and grabbed a scrambled egg from the pan. Evgeny's dad took a bite, and spit it out immediately.
"This tastes like-"
He never finished his sentence, as multiple mushroom clouds shrouded in hues of yellow, red, orange, and black rose into the sky from the east. The men and boys stared at the clouds for a solid 5 minutes, trying to comprehend what had happened.
Eventually, the 3 dads gathered up all their stuff, flung it into the RV they had rented, and yelled at the kids to get in.
"Where are we going?" asked Dmitri.
"Remember how we flew in here on my plane? We're going to try and fly back to Illinois on it." said Vyacheslav's dad, Ilya.
He turned around and spoke with Sergei and Sasha-Evgeny's dad-and turned around to the boys.
"Do any of you have a map?" he asked.
"I do." said Sergei. He rummaged around in his backpack and took out a map of the National Forrest and the surrounding area, and handed it to Ilya.
Ilya took the map and went back up front to discuss how to get back to Eagle County Regional Airport.
The boys caught snippets of the conversation, hearing things like "We need to avoid Vail" and "There might be riots" and "What if we run out of fuel?"
The rest of the ride went by in silence. 2 hours or so later, the group arrived at the airport, which was deserted and had a thin haze setting over it.
"That's odd. Vail is pretty busy this time of year, why are there no people at the airport?" said Sergei.
"Maybe they've already taken all the planes and left." said Ilya. "Whatever the case is, it's not any of our concern. We need to fuel up and get going."
All of a sudden, an idea came to Vyacheslav's head.
"How about we scout the airport and see if anyone left anything of any value behind? Like food, water, maybe even knives." he said
"Great idea Vlad!" said Ilya. He turned to the rest of the dads. "Sergei, Sasha! Give them the pistols. I've got my Model 29."
Sergei and Sasha handed their kids an M1911.
"The guns are for your protection. You never know what could be out there." said Ilya.
The kids and Ilya went and searched the airport, and came back with some peanuts and chips. Meanwhile, the plane was being fueled and was ready to fly.
Sasha sat down in the pilot's seat, with Ilya sitting down in the co-pilot's seat. Although it was Ilya's plane and he knew how to fly it, Sasha was the more experienced pilot.
"What's this plane called again?" asked Sasha.
"It's a Beechcraft Super King Air." said Ilya.
Just as they were about to take off, they heard a pounding noise on the side of the plane.
"What the hell?" said Ilya, and he opened the plane's stairway. He saw a man standing there, looking like he had just seen the devil.
"Please let me in! I'm being chased and they'll kill me if they catch me!" said the man.
Ilya listened, and heard gunshots in the distance.
"Oh, what the hell. Get in!" he yelled at the man. The man climbed into the plane and Ilya closed the stairway. He ran back into the co-pilot's seat and yelled at Sasha to get the plane off the ground.
The plane started to coast down the runway when gunshots started hitting the sides of the plane.
"Get this plane in the sky, now!" screamed Sergei.
"I don't have enough speed yet!" responded Sasha.
"We're almost out of runway!" yelled Ilya.
"Come on baby, lift your big ass for Sasha." said Sasha, and sure enough, the King Air lifted it's big ass. The Russians (plus 1 American) were on their way back home.
Warday-Part III
Arapaho National Forest, Colorado
Sometime around 1815 ZULU/11:15 Mountain Time
Vyacheslav really hated the cold. For whatever reason, his dad and some family friends had decided to go camping. In Colorado. In the middle of winter.
Vyacheslav unzipped his tent and stepped outside. A few fresh inches of snow had fallen overnight. He looked around and saw his friends Dmitri and Evegeny sitting by the fire, cooking eggs. He walked over and sat down on a log.
"Where's our dads?" asked Vyacheslav.
"Probably out for a smoke, how should I know?" responded Dmitri.
As Dmitri spoke, the dads walked back into the camp.
"Looks like the kids got breakfast cooked up." said Dmitri's dad, Sergei.
The men sat down on logs and grabbed a scrambled egg from the pan. Evgeny's dad took a bite, and spit it out immediately.
"This tastes like-"
He never finished his sentence, as multiple mushroom clouds shrouded in hues of yellow, red, orange, and black rose into the sky from the east. The men and boys stared at the clouds for a solid 5 minutes, trying to comprehend what had happened.
Eventually, the 3 dads gathered up all their stuff, flung it into the RV they had rented, and yelled at the kids to get in.
"Where are we going?" asked Dmitri.
"Remember how we flew in here on my plane? We're going to try and fly back to Illinois on it." said Vyacheslav's dad, Ilya.
He turned around and spoke with Sergei and Sasha-Evgeny's dad-and turned around to the boys.
"Do any of you have a map?" he asked.
"I do." said Sergei. He rummaged around in his backpack and took out a map of the National Forrest and the surrounding area, and handed it to Ilya.
Ilya took the map and went back up front to discuss how to get back to Eagle County Regional Airport.
The boys caught snippets of the conversation, hearing things like "We need to avoid Vail" and "There might be riots" and "What if we run out of fuel?"
The rest of the ride went by in silence. 2 hours or so later, the group arrived at the airport, which was deserted and had a thin haze setting over it.
"That's odd. Vail is pretty busy this time of year, why are there no people at the airport?" said Sergei.
"Maybe they've already taken all the planes and left." said Ilya. "Whatever the case is, it's not any of our concern. We need to fuel up and get going."
All of a sudden, an idea came to Vyacheslav's head.
"How about we scout the airport and see if anyone left anything of any value behind? Like food, water, maybe even knives." he said
"Great idea Vlad!" said Ilya. He turned to the rest of the dads. "Sergei, Sasha! Give them the pistols. I've got my Model 29."
Sergei and Sasha handed their kids an M1911.
"The guns are for your protection. You never know what could be out there." said Ilya.
The kids and Ilya went and searched the airport, and came back with some peanuts and chips. Meanwhile, the plane was being fueled and was ready to fly.
Sasha sat down in the pilot's seat, with Ilya sitting down in the co-pilot's seat. Although it was Ilya's plane and he knew how to fly it, Sasha was the more experienced pilot.
"What's this plane called again?" asked Sasha.
"It's a Beechcraft Super King Air." said Ilya.
Just as they were about to take off, they heard a pounding noise on the side of the plane.
"What the hell?" said Ilya, and he opened the plane's stairway. He saw a man standing there, looking like he had just seen the devil.
"Please let me in! I'm being chased and they'll kill me if they catch me!" said the man.
Ilya listened, and heard gunshots in the distance.
"Oh, what the hell. Get in!" he yelled at the man. The man climbed into the plane and Ilya closed the stairway. He ran back into the co-pilot's seat and yelled at Sasha to get the plane off the ground.
The plane started to coast down the runway when gunshots started hitting the sides of the plane.
"Get this plane in the sky, now!" screamed Sergei.
"I don't have enough speed yet!" responded Sasha.
"We're almost out of runway!" yelled Ilya.
"Come on baby, lift your big ass for Sasha." said Sasha, and sure enough, the King Air lifted it's big ass. The Russians (plus 1 American) were on their way back home.
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Hopefully we'll find out what the guy did to make himself so unpopular, but to find out that he's in an Aeroplane full of Russians just after a Soviet nuclear strike...
Out of the frying pan, as they say.