He suspected that clearly, he would know when the time arrived. The file was lengthy with instructions and other useful information. Immediately, Dayyan started giving the men instructions.
Dayyan sent all four of his cell members except for Naseem to the two separate storage lockers Dayyan had rented in other parts of Glendale. The group took the two older trucks, loaded up the contents from both lockers, and returned to the shop. Dayyan gave the men strict instructions to leave all the crates and boxes closed and locked and just return them to the shop. Dayyan did not want to disclose his “stash” to everyone until the event happen. Three of his cell members who had men in splinter cells of their own made phone calls directing the faithful go to three different locations immediately and wait for instructions. Additionally, they were ordered to remain until further contact was initiated.
The shop was hot and smelly with the eleven men remaining all afternoon and evening. Dayyan collected all cell phones and placed them on a center table. For necessary phone calls, the caller would use the phone speaker with others nearby listening. No one was permitted to leave alone. Even when using the small restroom, the door had to remain open. A large order of pizzas ordered from Dominoes arrived early in the evening. Dayyan had used the time to read the more detailed instructions. A list contained a large number of hard and soft targets labeled as “Targets of Opportunity.” Another list contained names of sympathizers who may be of value. Dayyan committed as much as his brain could hold to memory. Boredom was setting in while the men waited.
At 10:30 p.m., something did happen. WNN was playing on the Satellite TV. Suddenly an obviously shaken-up newscaster came on and interrupted the scheduled financial show. The newscaster was in the large editorial room instead of the fancy news set. People were running in all directions behind the worried-looking newsman. All of them looked scared and shaken. Something big was happening. The female newscaster spoke in a shaken voice, “Reports are flooding into the newsroom of a massive explosion in the Washington, DC, area. We are trying to get witness reports now, but communications systems are not working…”
The newscaster paused as an assistant handed her a slip of paper which she started reading, “We have reports from outside the metro DC area. People are describing a huge mushroom cloud. Some are also reporting a massive flash as far away as Baltimore. Other reports are coming in of large-scale power fai—” The screen went blank for a moment. Naseem picked up the remote and change to Fox News. The screen was displaying “Fox News Alert” and it appeared as if technical difficulties were confounding the network as it tried to switch to a live person. However, it also went black. Naseem pressed the previous button on the remote and it switched back to WNN. Scrolling text was the only thing on the screen: “Stand by for instructions…this is the emergency broadcast system…this is a real emergency…”
Naseem switched to the local channel 7, Eyewitness News. A newscaster was broadcasting from the news set, “We have many reports of a massive explosion possibly nuclear in Washington, DC. We are trying to get our affiliate correspondents on the phone.”
The female to his right broke in, “Phil, we have Eyewitness reporter Gail Sanderglass on the phone. She is calling from Annapolis Maryland. Gail, what can you tell us?”
A broken and static-filled response came, “Diane, we were driving back to our hotel in Annapolis and the entire sky to the west lit up. We then saw an ominous glowing cloud start to form. A shock wave hit us about thirty seconds ago. Our car was rocked strongly. We can now hear dozens of sirens in the background. Three police cars just wen—”
Then that channel also went black.
A few seconds later, the power in the room went out. Dayyan made his way to the workbench and turned on a large lantern style flashlight. His men were standing silent and staring at him and one another. Everyone seemed stunned. The room was silent. Dayyan found several more flashlights and handed them out. Dayyan went to the front of the store, and the others followed. The men lined up at the windows and looked out to a pitch-black street. Dayyan opened the front door and stepped out. No lights were visible except for a few car headlights down the block to the left. Cars were stopped at various places in the street. Many at odd angles and places. None of the cars were moving. He could hear many of them cranking over as the drivers tried to restart the engines. He listened but did not hear any of them restart. People were getting out and opening the hoods of the dead cars.
Dayyan looked at the group of men now surrounding him and spoke. “Well, my brothers, it has begun. A great blow has been delivered to the Great Satan. Our mission now begins. We shall now rise and join the extermination of the infidels. You have been trained for this mission, and it is time to begin.”
Dayyan went back inside with Naseem following. Slowly turning one by one, the new army reentered the store.
Chapter 4
2345, Day Zero, Las Vegas, Nevada
Lee walked down the exit stairs of the parking garage and out onto Carson Street between 3rd and 4th streets carrying the backpack, chest rig, and fanny pack. He was trying hard to get a stride going and balance the heavy load. The September night was cool, but he was already sweating from the heavy weight of his pack. Having the packs surrounding him added to the heat buildup and sweat. Sweating this much meant his water use would be high.
Lee turned to the right and headed west toward the railroad tracks. The tracks ran east and west between him and the Interstate-15 freeway to the north. The tracks would be Lee’s route out Downtown Vegas. Railroad tracks in general took a straight line and were the shortest and most level routes. Lee knew the streets and freeway were going to be a dangerous place. The stranded people from the electronically fried cars were now without water, food, and help. His large survival bag would be a natural target. Railroad tracks, normally being the last place a person would want to go, would now be the ideal place.
Lee tried to stay in the shadows as he moved along the buildings passing people on the street. The moon was about three-quarters full, having been full a few days earlier. Now high in the sky, it was casting plenty of light, which made walking without a flashlight easy. However, the uneasy feeling of walking down a mostly dark Las Vegas street was haunting. He continually looked around and kept close eye on anyone nearby. People were moving around aimlessly. For the most part, people he saw looked stunned and shocked and were staying with their cars or lurking in small groups talking.
It was about thirteen short blocks to the railroad tracks. When Lee reached Main Street, which was parallel along the tracks, he saw a lot more people. Several stalled or parked taxis were ahead, and a large group of drivers were gathered near them. To avoid them, Lee moved as far out of the street as possible. One of the drivers did call after him, but Lee ignored him and dodged between several broken-down cars as he crossed Main Street.
The smoke from the massive fire was bad and starting to sting Lee’s eyes. The orange glow over the freeway was ominous and huge. Lee kept to Main Street for about a block until he found a debris and junk-ridden path that seemed likely to lead to the tracks. The path was worn and littered with broken wine and beer bottles and other trash. As well-traveled as it looked, Lee guessed it to be a homeless path to the railroad tracks.
When Lee reached the tracks, he stopped, took a knee, and remained still for a minute or so to survey the scene. Seeing no one, he got back up, shouldered the pack, and started to move west along the tracks. A service road provided an easy path as long as he watched for litter, debris, or large rocks. Lee worried about being in the open with the moonlight, making him easy to spot. He would need to remain vigilant and keep his head on a swivel. His pack created a large blind spot to the rear, forcing him to spin every fifty paces or so. He would spin to his right then left, looking back for any danger coming up from behind.
Lee walked for about a mile without problems.
