Zero Hour: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series (The Blackout Series Book 2) by Bobby Akart Read Free Book Online Page B

or that. With the world at a standstill, a simple item like a garden tool or a box of nails became highly sought after items if you didn’t have them already. Madison took on the role of inventory specialist, cataloging the items they had and also high-value items to target. From a safety perspective, she agreed with Colton they had a limited window of opportunity to make these runs. With each passing day, the night would become more dangerous.
    “Any luck?” Madison asked Alex as she entered the living room. Alex was assigned the duty of monitoring the radio.
    “Yes, actually, there is something,” she replied as she took the plate of eggs and bacon. “Wow, thanks, Mom.”
    “You’re welcome, dear. Enjoy these while you can. It may be a while before we see eggs again.”
    Alex set the radio on the coffee table and turned up the volume to the emergency broadcast she found on a ham radio frequency. The broadcast was a continuous loop recording, but the information provided grabbed Madison’s attention. She joined her daughter and listened.
    Following a long beep, the broadcast began its two-minute loop. “ We interrupt our programming. Important instructions will follow. Again, this is a National Alert issued by the Department of Homeland Security. The President of the United States has declared a national state of emergency. The text of this declaration can be found posted at local federal buildings and military facilities.
    “Effective immediately, until ended by a presidential decree, the President has declared the following to be in effect. A curfew has been established until further notice. All citizens are required to remain in their homes during the evening hours. During daytime hours, citizens are encouraged to shelter in place.
    “Local law enforcement and the National Guard, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be establishing shelters for those displaced from their homes or who are in need of special assistance. Food and water distribution centers will be announced in the coming days. You are encouraged to utilize these services as a last resort only.
    “In furtherance of these directives, the President has instructed the National Guard and local law enforcement to break up any unlawful assemblies and confiscate weapons, magazines, and ammunition, such actions determined to be in the best interests of the nation and the safety, health, and general welfare of its citizens.
    “Willful violations of the provisions of the President’s declaration shall be punishable by imprisonment and asset forfeiture. All American citizens will now fall under the jurisdiction of military tribunals established by this declaration.
    The electronic beeping indicated the end of the broadcast and the beginning of the next loop. Alex turned the radio off and set her plate on the table. Madison stared at the radio for a moment. She was glad to hear something, although it was not what she expected. Rather than telling them it was going to be okay and that our government is there for you , Madison felt like she was being told to remain under house arrest and instantly felt depressed.
    “Whadya think, Mom?” asked Alex, breaking Madison out of her trance.
    “I don’t know what to think, Alex,” replied Madison. “I guess, I mean, I kinda hoped to hear something was being done about the power. Instead, I feel like a prisoner in my home.”
    Colton rounded the stairs and joined them. “I heard the announcement upstairs. One thing is certain, the government will attempt a response, but they will be overwhelmed and will experience mass defections of their personnel. As society deteriorates, police and National Guardsmen will opt to protect their families rather than fight the looters and thugs in the streets.”
    “Who’ll enforce the law, Daddy?” asked Alex.
    “I’m afraid, at least for a while, our nation will have to experience life without the rule of law,” replied Colton. He sat in the