Chapter 232 Finding One Another
The commanding officer stationed at the interceptor base is named Colonel James Harrison. As a seasoned veteran with extensive experience in missile defense systems, Colonel Harrison is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) program within this strategic military installation. His duties involve coordinating with the National Missile Defense (NMD) command, ensuring the readiness and maintenance of interceptor missiles, and supervising the tracking and potential engagement of any inbound hostile ICBMs.
Colonel Harrison's role is critical, especially given the heightened global tensions and the increasing sophistication of missile technology. He works closely with a team of highly skilled technicians, analysts, and military strategists. Together, they monitor global missile activities, analyze potential threats, and execute defensive measures when necessary, which is a job he impressively executed.
Now he has to inform the higher-ups about this recent development.
As he stepped into the communication room, Colonel Harrison was surrounded by the hum of high-tech equipment, all designed to function seamlessly in extreme conditions. This setup is vital, especially during the current zombie apocalypse, where conventional communication infrastructures are compromised.
The room was equipped with redundant power supplies, including backup generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), ensuring that even in a power outage, their operations would continue uninterrupted. Satellite Communications (SATCOM) systems, vital for global outreach, were in place, enabling the team to bypass local network disruptions.
"Get me a line with the POTUS," he instructed one of the technicians.
The technician nodded, swiftly navigating through the secure communication protocols. The room was equipped with a secure, dedicated communication line to the Raven Rock Mountain Complex, also known as the underground Pentagon. This line was part of a classified network, designed for continuity of government operations during national emergencies.
Using encrypted satellite channels, the technician established a stable connection, bypassing the usual communication hurdles faced in the zombie apocalypse scenario. These satellite channels were part of the Military Strategic and Tactical Relay (MILSTAR) system, which provided global, secure, jam-resistant, and near-real-time communication for the U.S. Armed Forces.
Once the line was secure, Colonel Harrison picked up the receiver. The screen in front of him displayed a secure connection status, ensuring that the conversation would be confidential and inaccessible to unauthorized parties.
"Mr. President, this is Colonel James Harrison from the Midwest GBI site," he began, his tone formal yet urgent. "We've had a situation with an inbound ICBM, likely a Minuteman heading towards New York City. But it self-destructed before impact. We're currently analyzing the trajectory and attempting to trace the launch point. Preliminary analysis suggests it originated from Southeast Asia. Was it you?"
"It's not us, Colonel. We don't even have the capability to fire our nukes because some stupid thing happened…"
That stupid thing was that all personnel that were manning and operating ordnance were infected. The nuclear subs, silos from around the world…all compromised as if it was a planned sabotage.
"Then how come there is a Minuteman missile heading to New York City?"
"That is what we are trying to figure out. Maybe it's not one of ours but enemies. China and Russia could have fired those nukes."
"But we have no way of knowing if their government is still active, and I don't think they'll be able to know the systems required to operate the minuteman. Sir…this is a serious national security matter."
"I know, I'm talking to the Joint Chief of Staff and my National Security Advisor about it. Look, if it originated from Southeast Asia, then most likely it's in the Philippines. We have a silo there, built during the cold war. It's classified but I'm declassifying it now for you."
"Is it active prior to the apocalypse?"
There was a moment of silence from the other end of the line. The president could be asking someone there, to verify it.
Twenty seconds later, a response came.
"According to the records, the silo in the Philippines was deactivated and decommissioned years ago, before the zombie apocalypse," the President's voice came through the line, somewhat uncertain. "However, with the current state of the world, it's possible that it might have been reactivated or taken over by an unknown entity. We can't rule out any possibilities at this stage."
"Well, Mr. President, we have to make sure that this thing never happens again. To do that, we have to locate who fired that missile and why."
"We are not certain that it's in the Philippines but I'll see what we can do from here. Thank you, Colonel, we are ending this transmission now."
***
Meanwhile, at the New Clark International Airport.
"Sara, have we located the origin of the interceptor missile?" Richard asked.
"Not yet, sir," Sara responded, her eyes scanning the multiple screens in front of her. "We're running a deep scan using the satellite data, but it's a complex process. The satellite's tracking capabilities are powerful, but pinpointing a specific launch site involves sifting through an immense amount of data."
"Give me an estimated time."
"Give me another hour."
An hour later, Sara called Richard over to her station. "Sir, we've located the origin of the interceptor missile. It was launched from a site in the Midwest, specifically from a facility near Fort Riley, Kansas."
Fort Riley, Kansas, was known for its military significance, and the presence of a missile interceptor site there was not entirely surprising, given its strategic location in the central United States. The revelation, however, indicated a level of operational capability that suggested the U.S. Armed Forces were still actively monitoring and responding to threats, despite the chaos caused by the zombie apocalypse.
Richard absorbed this information, processing the implications. "Fort Riley, huh? That means the U.S. military command structure is still functioning to some extent. Possibly with their president or the leadership being alive."
"Sounds like a job to me," Graves said as he walked forward.
"Yeah…it does sound like your job," Richard said, glancing at Graves.
"Heading to the United States eh? Every survivor assumes where I'm from. I'm finally getting to see it."
"Yeah…we are going to continue our nuclear mayhem in other parts of the world. You prepare to ship out to the United States. Let's talk to the man behind the stations directly."
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