Rogues Origin: Book I - Rogues Apocalypse Read online

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  Rogues Apocalypse:

  Rogues Origin

  Post-EMP America

  By

  Mack Norman

  ∞

  Copyright © 2017 Mack Norman. All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. All events, names characters, and places are the product of the author’s imagination or are used as a fictitious event. That means that I thought up this whole book from my imagination and nothing in it is true.

  All rights reserved. None of this publication may be copied or reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher.

  Published by Newalk LLC.

  Owensboro, Kentucky

  ”

  ∞

  Introduction

  Like many people, I always wanted to write a novel, and it was high on my bucket list. I started several times and failed because I weren’t no good at all that damned English stuff. I was very good at telling stories and could keep my friends spellbound as I wove a yarn about this or that while we were driving to and from our golf outings or out camping. I just couldn’t put the words on the darn page.

  That changed quickly several months back when I was sitting in at the bar at a golf club in northern Alabama and overheard a man talking about the books he had published on Amazon. The barmaid asked if it was difficult to get a novel published and the man said, “Publishing a book is easy, anyone can do it. The trick is to tell a story that people want to read if you want to sell books.”

  Using his advice I have now written and published this first in a series of stories that will make of my series Rogues Apocalypse.

  Rogues Apocalypse: Rogues Origin

  Rogues Origin tells the story of how some unique people survive and prosper during an apocalypse caused by a nuclear EMP attack on the USA and the rest of the world. These people are unique because they quickly decide to do what it takes to survive before everything falls totally apart. The main characters are a Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction writer, a crooked Federal Marshal, an NYPD Policeman, a Mobster, and a woman who is a mob enforcer. This unlikely band of misfits sees the apocalypse coming a few hours before the rest of the people around them and take action.

  What would you do if you knew you had a few hours before the shit hit the fan. These people take action and fight back against the apocalypse.

  I think you will agree that I told a good story after you read this book and I hope you like my Rogues Apocalypse Series and leave many excellent reviews on Amazon.

  Mack Norman

  This book is dedicated to my girlfriend and proofreader, Jill, who has been a great help keeping me on track and making me cut down on the cussing and sex in the books.

  Thanks to my friends, AJ Newman and Cliff Deane who have helped me publish my novel and help with Beta Reading.

  Mack Norman

  ***

  NOTE: To help thank my mentors for all of their hard work helping me write and publish my novels I am plugging some of their works below.

  AJ Newman, my mentor, has 18 novels published on Amazon and specializes in Post-Apocalyptic stories. A few are:

  The Adventures of John Harris Series

  Alien Apocalypse Series

  Family Apocalypse Series

  The Alone in the Apocalypse Series

  The Day America Died Series

  Virus: Strain of Islam. (With C. Deane)

  These books are available on Amazon:

  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HT84V6U

  To contact the Author, please leave comments @

  www.facebook.com/newmananthonyj

  My good friend Cliff Deane has five great Post-Apocalyptic novels on Amazon. If you like Post-Apocalyptic stories, you’ll love these books.

  The Vigilante Series Virus: Strain of Islam……. (with AJ Newman)

  These books are available on Amazon:

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XG1XPQM

  Please visit Cliff’s Facebook page:

  https://www.facebook.com/mustangpublishingllc

  ∞

  Books by Mack Norman

  Rogues Apocalypse Series:

  Rogues Origin

  Rogues Rising

  Rogues Empire*

  (To be published spring 2018)

  These books are available on Amazon.

  To follow me on my Facebook page click on:

  https://www.facebook.com/mack.norman.73

  ∞

  Prelude

  Current News – from the headlines!

  March 2017 - What if North Korea detonates a nuclear weapon over the Pacific?

  If North Korea launches a nuclear warhead-armed ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. should attempt to shoot it down and then push for a naval blockade of North Korea.

  The concern here is real.

  In recent weeks, North Korean officials have hinted that they may launch just such a test. As one Pentagon official told reporters, Tuesday, "I would fully expect if [Kim's] telling us he’ll do it, he’s going to."

  The threat is exacerbated by two other factors. First, the recent tunnel collapse at a North Korean nuclear test facility may motivate Kim Jong Un to believe an atmospheric nuclear test is necessary to save face. Second, as President Trump prepares to visit South Korea next week, Kim may want to send a uniquely aggressive message.

  Regardless, if Kim acts, the U.S. cannot sit idle.

  Washington Examiner

  April 15, 2017 - North Korea Postpones Nuclear Showdown With US

  SEOUL — North Korea did not go through with a possible nuclear test Saturday, after the United States demonstrated a credible threat of military force in the region and China increased economic restrictions against its economically dependent ally, but Pyongyang did later conduct a missile test that failed.

  The missile was launched early Sunday from the Sinpo area on the North's east coast, where the country has a submarine base. The U.S. Pacific Command said the missile blew up almost immediately and that its type was still being assessed.

  Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presided over a military parade to celebrate the April 15 birthday of his country's founding leader the late Kim Il Sung, the country’s most important holiday known as the Day of the Sun.

  “Kim Jong Un had planned a fight with the U.S., but decided to give up the plan,” said North Korea defector and analyst Ahn Chan-il with the World Institute for North Korean Studies.

  VOA News Letter

  11/02/17 - A TUNNEL collapse at North Korea’s key nuclear testing site has sparked renewed fears of a major radiation leak and environmental disaster.

  It is understood about 100 workers at the Punggye-ri nuclear site were killed in the collapse which took place around September 10 and followed Pyongyang’s sixth atomic test earlier that month, Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi reported.

  A second collapse during a rescue operation meant it was possible the death toll could have exceeded 200, according to the broadcaster.

  News.com.AU

  Future News – from the headlines!

  12/ 01/ 2037 – North Korea warns that it will detonate a nuclear device in the Pacific Ocean 800 miles west of the coast of Japan on January 1, 2038.

  North Korea placed the United Nations members on notice to avoid the test area 800 miles west of Japan and 700 miles south of the Kamchatka peninsula. Russian and USA UN Ambassadors have condemned the action and threated grave consequences if the Nuclear EMP resulting from the nuclear blast damages any Russian or USA owned territories. All commercial shipping and air travel have been told to stay 1,000 miles for the blast zone.

  Newalk News Group

  01/01/2038 �
�� The USA reports North Korea detonated a low yield thermonuclear device approximately 100 miles above the ocean this morning. Early reports say the test accomplished the North Korean goals of killing electronics on test ships and causing several unpiloted drones to fall from the sky.

  The Washington Conservative Free Press

  01/07/38 – The President of the USA will tell his country tonight in a fireside chat that North Korea’s EMP blast caused four American and three Canadian aircraft to crash and disabled over thirty fishing boats and three heavy freighters. He will tell the country that he will put NK on notice that another EMP blast will result in a nuclear attack ON North Korea.

  Voice of Freedom Press

  02/27/2038 – North Korea detonated a nuclear EMP device 500 miles south of South Korea and contact has been lost with most of the country including three of the USA military bases. The US President is expected to ask Congress to declare war on North Korea today.

  ∞

  Chapter 1: The Bar

  March 13, 2028

  Max was disgusted with the world situation, the airport delays, and the lousy waitress. He had a brainstorm and thought; this is the start of my next post-apocalyptic novel. It could be a series. What more could a reader ask for than a man half drunk in a bar waiting on North Korea to nuke the USA and discussing his survival plans with random strangers that later have to band together to survive?

  Then he thought, that might be the beer and whiskey talking, and I’d better think it over when I get home.

  The Nashville Tavern Bar and Grill at the Nashville International Airport was crowded as were all of the restaurants at the airport due to the weather delays. Max Heard had missed his flight along with a thousand other angry people. The odd thing was that when Max checked the Weather Channel, there were no severe weather issues anywhere in the nation. Max was on his third Yazoo City Hefeweizen and was pissed about the delays.

  His cell phone rang, and he saw the caller was his father, “Hi Pop, what’s happening out in Wyoming?”

  His Dad talked fast, “Son, you need to get your ass home as fast as possible those damn Koreans are going to nuke us. That EMP blast back in January did more damage than the government told us and I think it also was responsible for knocking out my damned satellite TV channels.”

  An exasperated Max stared at the TV, “Dad the North Koreans didn’t nuke your satellite TV stations, but I do believe our government is hiding the extent of the damage from us. My flight was delayed due to weather, but I should still be home tonight. Tell Mom and Angie that I love them and miss them.”

  “You’d better make an honest woman out of that girl, or someone else will lasso that hot body and take her pretty butt away from you. What have you been waiting for a sign from God to get engaged and marry her?” his dad said.

  “Dad, I care for her, but I just don’t know if she is the one for me. She doesn’t want to stay out west and keeps trying to get me to move to Indiana where her folks live. I’m not leaving Wyoming for her or anyone else. I’ll probably break up with her when I get home. Dad, I need to go. Love you and tell Mom I love her. Skip saying anything to Angie. Goodbye.”

  “Bye son, keep your nuts safe and rent a car. At least a car won’t fall out of the air if we get nuked. Oh, by the way, I bought 400 pounds of beans, 600 pounds of rice, 1,000 - 9mm, 1,000 - .556, and 5,000 - .22 LR yesterday,” his Dad said before Max hung up.

  “Great Dad. We can survive and kill a bunch of Zombies,” replied Max.

  Max was 42, had dark hair, and was athletic. He played golf and tennis at the country club and ran when he had time. He had dated Angie for over two years, and she lived in a town twenty miles away. His busy schedule promoting his books, writing several screenplays based on his books, and writing more books kept him very busy, and he didn’t spend enough time with Angie.

  Max lived in a lovely modern ranch house on 200 acres in Wyoming. He wrote science fiction and post-apocalyptic novels and moved to Wyoming to be safe from the hordes of people that would wreak havoc on the world around the large cities. Max wrote about brave men and women who fought and killed bad people but wasn’t brave himself.

  His mom and dad moved into a guest house behind the main house a few years back. He had the two bedroom home built especially for them and included a bunker below the house for his dad’s prepping. Max was a prepper as was his dad. Max was rich from his book sales and hired his dad to tend to the ranch and watch over it while he traveled.

  He started his work career as an office manager for a mobile home manufacturer below Nashville and advanced to operations manager a year before his first novel skyrocketed to number one on the New York best seller’s list. Max actually worked a couple of months extra so the company could find and train a replacement. He was a nice guy.

  Max saw the waitress walking toward him, “Can I get a Jim Beam and Coke. Make that a double shot.”

  “Of course sir,” the somewhat dull looking waitress responded.

  “Thanks and how soon can I get a table?”

  “Sorry sir, but it will be a while. You are next in line but might have to share with other people,” she added.

  His phone rang again, and this time it was his girlfriend, Angie on the phone. He dreaded the call because she was pressuring him to marry her and move to where her parents lived.

  Max answered as usual, “Hello doll, how are you today?”

  “Max, I miss you, and you need to get back to me. Your Dad has scared me half to death with all of this talk about North Korea bombing us,” Angie said.

  Max was a bit relieved that she didn’t hit him up about when they were getting married, so he tried to keep on the North Korea topic, “Doll, you had better listen to my dad and stock up on some food and water. Make sure you have your pistol with you when you go away from home.”

  “Don’t worry about me. Your mom made me stay at your house until this crisis is over. I’ve moved all of my clothes and stuff into your room. My cat loves the ranch, and your dad stored my furniture in your barn,” Angie rambled on until Max caught the moved furniture part.

  “What do you mean moved furniture?”

  “Why silly man, we are practically married, and I am now living with you. I must say that I will need to redecorate the…”

  Max was mad enough to bite through a nail when he made a crackling sound between words, “Doll … I … dad …. you,” and hung the phone up.

  He was boiling mad at his mom and dad for allowing her to move in his house; he would kick her ass out as soon as he got back in town. Well, then he thought maybe he’d wait a couple of days later after he got back in town.

  Max sat at the bar fuming about his selfish girlfriend moving in with him until a table came open. He saw one of the TV’s was on Fox News and the talking head droned on about that idiot over in North Korea, and some Iranian Prime Minister had swapped missile technology for nuclear bomb parts. He went on to say this could be very bad for the world. Max was the only one in the bar watching the Fox station, and he actually took notes on what the news person said.

  “Hey, bub, what is that idiot saying that is so important? Has Rocket Man done something stupid again? The Sports Illustrated Swim Suit girls look much more interesting on the other TVs.”

  “Sorry, what did you say?” Max looked at the man.

  “I was just wondering why you are so interested in what is going on in North Korea,” replied the man sitting next to Max.

  “I write science fiction books and this stuff is just the way many of my post-apocalyptic novels begin. Sorry, I’m Max Heard,” Max replied.

  “I’m Greg Hines, and I’m a logistics expert. I read some science fiction but mainly read action and adventure books. I got into prepping a few months back so I probably should be reading your books,” said Greg.

  “I’ve been a prepper for ten years and will be glad to give you some tips. I live out west in Wyoming in a little town called Cody. I‘m trying to get back home to my dog and my gir
lfriend, but the supposed weather delay is screwing up everything.” Max replied.

  “So I’m not the only one who loves their dog more than their girlfriend. Mine just told me that I have to stop traveling so much or she is going to leave me. Hell, I’m a consultant, and I travel 60 percent of the time,” said Greg.

  “My dogs never cause me any trouble and always love me when I get home. My girlfriend is just too high maintenance. She is a great woman, but she is all about herself and her little circle of friends and wants me to move to Valparaiso, Indiana where her parents live. It’s right there by Chicago and I hate Chicago and the North. I love her but can’t stand her parents or her friends. They are a bunch of whiny liberal snowflakes. I write fairly conservative novels, and they make fun of my beliefs,” replied Max.

  Greg replied, “Like there is no free lunch, the government wastes my money, and welfare is not an occupation. Why don’t you get rid of her.”

  “She’s damn good in bed, and I like her, so I put up with her shit.”

  “Sounds like my girlfriend.”

  Max raised his glass and clinked it against Greg’s glass and said, “We think alike my friend.”

  ◊◊◊

  “Well, Deputy US Marshal why don’t we get down to business before the cop gets back from the john. My friends say that you are a reasonable man and have needs that I can take care of for certain favors,” said Mongolusio who was the Marshal's prisoner.