May 13, 9:34 P.M. Los Angeles Police Department
Detective Gumshoe sat on a wooden crate, drinking coffee. He looked around at the large amount of ambulances and helicopters lifting people from the site where the bomb exploded. He himself had to be pulled from the disaster zone. He pulled out his portable TV, which still worked for some odd reason.
"The bomb that exploded over U.S. Highway 19 was as powerful as 8 kilotons of TNT. It was like a small scale atomic bomb. The hypocenter extended off of the bridge and around the water under it, which was vaporized instantly by the explosion. The death toll is currently estimated at 482 people."
Gumshoe sighed, "And I bet that thousands more will die tomorrow from radiation poisoning, if that bomb was atomic. I don't understand why the Mad Bomber can kill so many people without any guilt or remorse. Maybe he isn't even human. Maybe he is part human, part machine, sorta like Darth Vader. But that isn't possible."
The sky had a brown haze that was rather thick, and it had gotten significantly cooler since the bomb went off.
Gumshoe thought, "This is what they meant by nuclear winter. When those huge bombs go off, the dust released blocks out the Sun. The crops will be killed, and it'll reach record lows in no time. The Mad Bomber is trying to destroy the whole Earth now, it seems. Then again, if that bomb was nuclear, I don't stand much of a chance now, because I have probably been exposed to fallout."
He switched the television to the weather radio. A computerized voice announced, "You are listening to NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, transmitting at 162.55 megahertz. Today's high was 72 degrees. The record high was 83 degrees, which was set in 1898. Today's low is 59 degrees. The record low was 42, which was set in 2011. Please stand by for a message from the National Weather Service."
Suddenly, the Emergency Alert System tones sounded. After they ended, a computerized voice came on. "This Special Weather Statement is broadcast from the National Weather Service. It has been issued for the following cities in California: Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and San Bernardino until 9:11 A.M. Tuesday."
"At 9:20 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, National Weather Service doppler radar indicated an abnormally large system of clouds moving out from the city of Los Angeles and across the western United States. The National Weather Service is at a loss to explain where the clouds originated from, although it is believed that these clouds were created artificially.
The following effects are expected: The temperature will severely drop over the next few days. The average high will be 23 degrees, and the average low will drop below freezing. High wind gusts will create a windchill of around -10 degrees. Snowfall of up to 1 to 2 inches or more is possible for the warned areas.
Most crops will be damaged or destroyed. It is recommended that all farmers pick their crops or shelter them in greenhouses until the weather returns to normal. Blizzard conditions are possible, and travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, attempt to use public transportation instead of driving by yourself.
Some power lines may be damaged, and the power may go out during this event. Should you lose power, put on large amounts of winter clothing and tune a battery powered radio to this station. It is recommended that you go to a store in order to get items you may need, such as a flashlight, boots, a shovel, and non-perishable food.
The 7 P.M. to 5 A.M. curfew is still in effect. Anyone found on the streets during these hours will be subject to arrest. You are only allowed to be out of doors if you have a life threatening emergency. Also, the telephone system will likely experience a high number of calls, so call family using a landline. Only call 9-1-1 if you have a life threatening emergency."
The future of the whole U.S. looked bleak at this point. All Detective Gumshoe could do is hope that the Mad Bomber's intentions were not to eliminate millions of people in order to make a point.