Countdown to Armageddon Read Online Free PDF Page B

heads.
         “It’ll be like that, only a thousand times more powerful. Instead of just messing with our communications satellites, the massive storm will send electric static waves that will bombard the earth. They won’t do any damage to humans, but they will be strong enough to short out anything that has a battery, or anything that had a circuit board which can be short circuited. That means no cars will work, no computers, no electronics. Nothing you plug into a wall or put batteries into will work anymore.”
         He took out the small metal box from Jordan’s backpack.
         “There is, however, one way to protect things from being destroyed. I made this based on what scientists call a ‘ Faraday cage.’ Somebody named Faraday invented a concept whereby electronics were stored within a metal container, but were insulated from direct contact with the container. The idea is that when solar flares send electromagnetic pulses, or EMPs, toward the earth, they will hit the box and run around its surface. But the electronics inside are insulated from the EMPs. Therefore they are protected and can still be used.”
         He opened up the box so the boys could see the rubber insulation, and took out the radio.
         “As I said, I don’t know when it’s going to happen. It could happen while we’re at home. That would be the best thing. But it might happen while you’re at school, or while you’re en route.
         “ Jordan, if you’re at school and all the lights go out, try to call me. If the lights at school don’t work, and your cell phone doesn’t work, and none of your friends’ phones work either, then it’ll be time. When you go out to your car, you’ll notice cars on the streets in front of the school have all died.
         “There will be people getting out of their cars and looking under their hoods and scratching their heads, trying to figure out why everybody’s cars all died at the same time.
         “When that happens, leave all your books behind. You won’t need them anymore. Take this bike out of your trunk and put the wheels on it. It’s a racing bike. The wheels have thumbnuts so they can be installed quickly without wrenches. Put the wheels on the bike, put your backpack on, and ride home as quickly as possible.
         “People will try to flag you down, or ask you to get help. Do not stop. They may be friendly, or they may want to take your bike. People will be desperate and scared. Keep moving.
         “If someone does succeed in taking your bike, don’t put up a fight. Give it up without getting yourself hurt. Then walk home. Your school is just over twelve miles from home. I clocked it. You should be able to make it home in one day. If for some reason you can’t, find one of the cars on the road that is unlocked and sleep there for the night.
         “At some point, I want you to duck behind a building or some trees and take the radio out of the backpack. Put the batteries in it and turn it on, and then call me to tell me you’re on your way and when I can expect you. Do you understand?”
         Jordan’s lip quivered, but he nodded his head yes. Scott turned to his younger son.
         “Zachary, the same applies for you, but without the bike. Your school is only six miles away. You can make it in one day. You’ll have to take this backpack with you every day, but there is still room in it for your books and such. There are two bottles of water and some granola bars for each of you if you get hungry or thirsty on the way.
         “Zach, if you’re at school when everything goes out, walk out of school and head home. If any of the teachers try to stop you and say it’s just a power outage, ignore them. Walk right past them and out the door. Your life will depend on it. The same thing applies if the bus dies on the way to or from school. You’ll know it’s happened because all of the other vehicles on the road will die