The image cut to static and then to a blue screen. A second later, a dozen or so other feeds on the wall screen did the same. "Paul, what's going on?" Buzz said to his producer. "I thought Montaine's people said they had this fixed.""I don't get it." Paul checked some readouts on a different screen. "We should be up. This is showing all our equipment is...."At nearly the same time, all the blue screens switched to black with the words EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM in bold white letters near the top. Three short screeches sounded, followed by a long, high-pitched tone. Seconds later our comms began to buzz the same way."No," JoBell whispered. "What now?""This is an automated emergency recording from the United States federal government." The male voice from the screen sounded completely fake, like it was coming from an antique computer. "A debilitating thermonuclear detonation has been detected in Washington D.C. If you are receiving this message, take shelter immediately and conserve all food, fuel, and water. Repeating. This is an automated emergency recording from the United States federal government..."Thermonuclear detonation. The missing warheads. President Griffith had been trying to find them, but it was too late. This couldn't be happening. Excerpted from The Last Full Measure by Trent Reedy All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
