PROLOGUE - ...Of Blue Sapphires
"Plan for what is difficult when it is easy, do what is great when it is small."
Sun Tzu, THE ART OF WAR
Mark Bethea
Mark BetheaYA Fiction, YA Literature, bestsellers, apocalypse, sniper, helios, anthropology, Berkeley, solar flareComment
CHAPTER 1 - "Helio-What?"
He would be a Helio-Anthropologist, perhaps the first. And, if his theories were correct, he would probably be the last.
Mark BetheaYA Fiction, YA Literature, apocalypse, Idaho, Northern California, Sheriff, Deputy, DUIComment
CHAPTER 2 - Welcome to Twin Pines
When Stanley did finally leave, he got into his car and drove straight through to Northern California. He didn’t even stop at his apartment to gather his belongings.
CHAPTER 10 - A Freak of Nature
Using his military experience, Ernie’s simulations started with him assuming the role of the attackers. He meticulously planned his attacks to take full advantage of what he perceived to be Fort Porter’s most obvious weaknesses. Then he would figure out ways that a small force inside Fort Porter would deal with the attack. When Izzy was 9 and Jake 12, Ernie and the whole family spent several hours every Sunday evening playing the simulations as a game.
CHAPTER 15 - Countdown
Things were pretty much the same for most of Jake’s first year at college. Izzy made the rounds, cared for her horses and continued to amaze both George and Ernie. George obsessively amassed supplies and provisions at auctions, closeout sales and through his contacts. And Ernie oversaw the operations at the ranch. George counted the days, reviewed his research and waited. They all waited. Meanwhile, outside the walls of the ranch, life went on.