Author's Note- Hi everyone. It is a new week so it is time for a new chapter and an extra long one this week too. But before that I would like to thank Hurricaneclaw, Juniper Laurel, Fata Moon, Anon, and Bookwormally for taking the time to review. Also an extra special shout out for Pruhana for being the wonderful beta on this chapter.

Disclaimer- I do not own Hetalia, and nor do I currently own any states.

Chapter 4- Missing

When other nations looked at America, they sometimes had a hard time understanding how he managed to keep track of all fifty of his states. The truth was, most of the time he didn't. For the most part states were capable of minding themselves, and when America was indisposed they were also perfectly capable of running the entire nation…well, they agreed of course. Given the diverse range of cultures and personalities, was a rare event. Luckily in a real emergency most of the other states were willing to listen to the decisions made by the original thirteen.

"Okay everyone." The State of New York cleared his throat, causing the other states on conference call to quiet. "I assume that you all know what is going on, I also expect that everyone has completed their assigned tasked. We will report going from south to north starting with Georgia. Georgia, what is the state of the state phone tree. Has everyone checked in?"

"I have been able to locate all states and territories with the exception of Alaska, and Wyoming. Though I believe the reasons we could not reach Wyoming were not related to the recent earthquake." Georgia southern drawl sounded tinny over the phone. "In addition I did not have direct contact with California or Montana as they are currently deployed to Vietnam. Montana appears to be in good health, but California is currently in the U.S.S. Midway's infirmary with unspecified injuries."

"Alright, please keep us posted on the attempts to contact Alaska and Wyoming. I want them both found so we can make sure that we don't have a repeat of the 1871 Chicago Fire situation." There were murmurs of agreement to New York's comment. It was hard for the states to forget that in their haste to focus on the devastation of Chicago Fire, they had failed to recognize that another fire, the deadliest fire in the nation's history, had happened on the same day only 250 miles to the north. After a few seconds of silence New York broke the contemplation by calling on the set of states. "North Carolina and South Carolina, state of evacuations."

"Hawaii and California have yet to see the full effects of tsunami waves, but they have still evacuated low lying areas on all islands and have cleared the harbors."North Carolina's bell like soprano voice chimed in.

"Other American Territories and allies, such as Japan and Mexico, around the Pacific Ocean have also put in place their tsunami evacuation plans. It is hoped that these evacuations will prevent the fatalities experienced in Alaska, Canada, and Oregon."South Carolina's tenor added.

"All American allied nations around the Pacific Ocean have stated that they will contact us when the tsunami reaches their shores." North Carolina ended the twin states report.

"Very good, you two let us know if Hawaii needs more resources to pull off these evacuations. On to Virginia, what can the US Geological Survey tell us?"

"At this point, not much. We know that this was the largest earthquake that the USGS has ever measured in North America, and only the second earthquake to set up something called a free osculation wave. Basically the earthquake was so large shook the entire planet, and the earth is still vibrating and probably will continue to do so for the next few days."Virginia voice choked for a few moments, then she continued to speak.

"Unfortunately, it is very difficult to predict just how damaged Alaska will be from an earthquake as large as this. We simply don't have anything to compare it to, but we can say that much of the towns and cities will be partially or completely destroyed. There are no known types of building which could remain standing on an unsteady material like the deltas most Alaska communities are built on that can withstand that intensity of shaking for over four minutes. Add the tsunami and we are looking at the most powerful natural disaster in North America's history and the geologists were taking the eruption of Novarupt into the account."

"Have there been any physical reports of the amount or extent of the damage?" New York voiced the question that on the back of the other states minds.

"It was already dark when the wave hit most locations, and it will not be possible to map the extent of the damage until we get more daylight." Virginia admitted. "What is known is that harbors along the entire coast of North America have been severely damaged by the tsunami. The brief radio messages from Alaskan cities such as Anchorage seem to indicate that these communities were either completely leveled by the earthquake, on fire, or swept away."

"Thank you for that report Virginia, we all hope that daylight will bring answers. Maryland, what is the state of our national security?"

"I at least have some good news." Maryland quietly tired to lift the mood a little. "While we did lose communication with Clear Air Force Station for a period of six minutes, they are currently fully back online and there have not been any other issues with the defense network. While we will continue to monitor conditions in Alaska, we have come to the conclusion that our national boundaries have not been breached."

"That is good news, Delaware can we hope that the report on the state of Army and Air Force will be as optimistic?"

"I can't say that it is as positive."Delaware admitted. "We currently have limited communication with Alaska's military headquarters, which is located in Anchorage. The initial reports indicate that both the Air Force and Army bases in Anchorage have been heavily damaged, but they have maintained military readiness and currently there are no known military casualties."

"Pennsylvania, have we gotten any additional information about the state of civilian casualties?"

"There has not been any substantial information, but due to the scale of the disaster the Red Cross and other relief organizations are classifying the earthquake as a mass casualty event." Pennsylvania's voice was tired and pained. "Under that classification they are expecting deaths in the hundreds or thousands."

"We all know that everyone is going to do everything in their power to try to minimize the loss of life." New York said in comfort before calling on his neighbor to the south. "New Jersey, how are the arrangements for getting California back into the states going?"

"Our contacts within the Red Cross are already making the arrangements for California to be flown home for emergency family leave. Texas is currently preparing to fly to Vietnam to replace him." Pennsylvania explained.

"Good…" New York paused, and then continued. "Connecticut, what is the state of the Coast Guard and Navy?"

"Both the Navy and Coast Guard have declared a state of emergency." Connecticut spoke easily."All vessels within the affected areas have been ordered to travel to the nearest town or village to assist with evacuations. All available Coast Guard vessels from the Aleutians to Washington State are currently in route and they should beginning to arrive at the heaviest affected ports by tomorrow evening. The navy is also sending ships to aid the naval base at Kodiak Island. It was severally damaged by the tsunami, but they are currently working to get the sea ice off of the airstrip so they can start flying in the needed food and medical supplies."

"RI, Where is America?"

"Alfred will be arriving at the naval airstrip in Bethesda, Maryland in three hours. Maryland, Virginia, and a full medical team will be waiting for him at the naval base when his plane arrives. I will let everyone know if there are any changes to the flight plan." Rhode Island said timidly.

"Great…"New York cleared his throat again."New Hampshire, what is the state of communications with the affected areas?"

"It is a mess up there, but it could be a lot worse. Basically the primary communication relay station for the State of Alaska was based in Anchorage. As far as we can tell that station was completely destroyed during the earthquake. Luckily the landline that runs from Anchorage to Fairbanks survived, as well as the line from Fairbanks to the Yukon. That meant that the people of Alaska were able to jerry rig a communication center. I am glad to now say that we have both a phone and teletype connection with Anchorage."

"What about the other communities?"Pennsylvania spoke before thinking. New Hampshire replied without missing a beat.

"That is a different story… Emergency officials have been able to talk to most large towns via HAM radio, but there are smaller communities which have had no contact with the outside world all night."

"I have a feeling that communications are going to be our biggest challenge in this disaster." New York admitted before moving on. "I won't call on Massachusetts as he is currently in route. Which means it is Maine's turn to report. How is our contact with Canada?"

"I have been in nearly constant communication with New Brunswick. Our Canadian counterparts were a bit frustrated that they were given no warning about the tsunami. That changed a bit once they realized that the reason that the warning did not go out was because Alaska's communication systems were too heavily damaged to be useful."Maine commented."The Canadian Provinces have given their condolences for the American lives lost in this national disaster, and have offered any resources they have on hand as long as it does not hamper with the recovery effort in British Columbia."

"That is really good to know Maine, and please let New Brunswick know that we are willing to offer Canada any resources that the United States can spare beyond the supplies needed for the Alaska effort." New York took a few deep breaths before saying the words that would end the conference call. "Alright everyone, if there is no other reports that need to be made I believe we should end this conference call. I know that we will conference again at 6 pm EST, but I would like to remind you that if you have any major domestic issues come up inform me call immediately. In any national emergency our first priority needs to be keeping ourselves healthy. Remember if you get sick you will only be an additional burden on the nation."

Flying into Anchorage was almost like landing on another planet. Even through darkness and lightly falling snow it was clear that prior to the earthquake this sheltered valley had once held an organized little city. That city was now a jumbled mess. The large searchlights being used by the rescue workers showed homes were turned on their sides, office buildings were reduced to piles of rubble. When the C-130 Hercules landed it was pretty clear, that the damage was even more spectacular from the ground.

"Sir…" The voice caused personification of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts stop staring at the broken landscape and focus on the middle-aged soldier standing front of him. "Sir, we need you to move we have we need clear the runway so that we can accept a supply plane in from Fairbanks."

"Oh…" Massachusetts blinked stupidly for a few moments, until he processed the words that were being said to him. "I am sorry. I will move immediately."

"Thank you, sir." The soldier said tiredly over his shoulder before moving to usher the other newly arrived aid workers off of the tarmac.

For this first time since landing Massachusetts got a good look at the people working near the airfield. They were a curious group. Their uniforms indicated that they were mostly military, but the mixture of regulation and non-regulation items (such as a pink but comfortable looking knitted hat) seemed to indicate that these men had reported to duty in a hurry. And they probably hadn't been home yet, Massachusetts added to himself after getting a good look at the dark circles under their eyes and the smears of dirt and grease on their faces.

"Aren't you supposed to go with the Red Cross people?" The voice made Massachusetts turned around. When he did, he saw a military officer staring at him, head cocked to one side.

"Actually, I am with the CDC, the Center for Disease Control. I was sent assess the status of the medical care and sanitation needs of the community, you know so the government knows what medications and things to send up…" Massachusetts tried to explain, while handing over a thick stack of travel documents.

"Oh, so you are a?" The man asked as he paged through the papers.

"A bureaucrat." Massachusetts replied flatly. "I know I may not be the most qualified individual, but I have done some disaster work in other countries and I was available to leave at the drop of a hat…and I don't think that the CDC expected this level of disruption…"

"Things could be a lot worse." The older man smiled tiredly. "That said we would be grateful for any outside resources the CDC could send us, especially along the line of vaccines. We are inoculating as much of the population as possible against typhoid, but our supplies are going to fall far short of the demand." The officer said, handing the stack of papers back to Massachusetts. "Is there anything that I can do to facilitate you assignment?"

"There is one thing…" Massachusetts chewed on his lip trying to figure out the best way to make the request. "In order to do my job, I am actually going to have to go and inspect the hospitals. If possible I will also need to talk to the physicians."

"Well, we as you can see, we are a bit swamped, but if you check into the main desk they might be able to find you a nurse aid or maybe one of the Grey Ladies to help show you around at the military hospital. As to getting to the other medical facilities?" The medical officer shrugged. "We can probably loan you in one of the base taxis. It will be a bumpy ride, most of the streets were heavily damaged by the quake, but the army worked through the night to clear a few avenues through the city."

"Thank you, Doctor…?" Massachusetts asked after glancing at the medical insignia on the man's uniform.

"Lt. Harold Morris, pharmacist, and you?" The man extended his gloved hand.

"Adam Jones." Massachusetts took the offered hand and shook it. "Thank you Lt. Morris. And now I better be going, the sooner that I can start with the survey, the sooner I can get out of everyone's hair." Massachusetts had just picked up his pack and was about to strike out into the camp, when the officer cleared his throat loudly.

"Um Sir?" The lieutenant was clearly trying to keep a straight face as he spoke.

"Yes?"

"The military hospital is in that direction." Lt. Morris nodded in the opposite direction while smiling broadly. He glanced at his watch and shrugged. "Tell you what? I am going to take you there."

America hated that he had to make this portion of the journey alone, but part of him that was secretly grateful that Canada was no longer sitting beside him on the plane. It wasn't that he didn't love his twin…no, it was because he felt responsible for the pain that Canada and his states were going through. Watching his trusted northern neighbor puke until blood came up almost tore America's heart out. He had wanted to protect his twin so badly, but right now America had his own problems to deal with.

The tsunami had just hit Hawaii and was currently flowing down California. It didn't seem like Hawaii had experienced too much damage. The state had acted on the warning he had received. The evacuations, coupled with the fact that the tsunami that hit Hawaii was far smaller than expected meant that flooding was limited to harbors and beachside properties.

California had not been so lucky. The series of tsunami hadn't even traveled halfway down the state, and there had already been deaths. America didn't know exactly where or how, he just knew that some of his citizens had been swept out to sea and drowned. It made him sick. But it was the thought of how many more had been lost in Alaska was what finally made his stomach rebel. By the time the C-135 Stratolifter landed in the United States, America was huddled in his seat shaking from pain and exhaustion. It took a soft hand on his forehead for him to look up at the concerned faces of two of his states.

"Where is Alaska?" America pleaded.

"We don't know." Maryland said, an edge of fear creeping in to his voice.

"Where is Alaska? Why won't anyone tell me where she is?" At this point America was almost willing to beg.

"Alfred, calm down. We are telling you the truth when we said that we don't know. But that doesn't mean that we are not doing everything in our power to solve that problem. Massachusetts is already in Anchorage. He has checked all of the hospitals and she wasn't there." The Commonwealth of Virginia spoke softly, tried to comfort her nation. "He is currently helping search the downtown area of the city, hopefully, that will help us find her."

"I need to go there…"

"No." Virginia interjected flatly.

"But…" America tried again.

"No, we will not take you to Alaska." Virginia countered; her voice had as much give as a cement wall.

"I need…"

"You need to be in a bed. By the look of you, probably a hospital bed at that." Virginia was trying to use her maternal voice on him and it was making America feel sick. If Virginia was trying to get him to lie down, then Alaska must be in bad shape.

"Please, don't make this harder than it need to be." Maryland practically begged him.

"And if I refuse?" America asked defiantly.

"We have a presidential order to sedate you if it is necessary."

Historical Note- In the story, distance plays a major role. Distances in Alaska are in a completely different scale than the rest of the United States. Alaska happens to be 663, 267.26 square miles (1,117,854 square kilometers). This is well over twice the size of Texas and approximately 21% of the total area of the United States. Due to Alaska's shape, it is also nearly as wide and tall as the continental U.S. Because of Alaska's sparse population, there is limited land transportation infrastructure, which has made the state dependant on travel by air and sea. A good example of this can be seen in the city of Anchorage. In a city of 380,800 residents (roughly 40% of the state's total population) 8 airports and the largest port in the state with the capability to accommodate anything from small private boats to large container ships.

End Note- Welcome to the end of the chapter…so what do you think of the story so far? What can I do to make your reading experience better?

Next Chapter- Devastation- Canada gets a firsthand look at destruction caused by the tsunami in British Columbia. America is a terrible patient and the search for Alaska continues.