Read High Pressure System: First Season Underground for Free Online

to regain control during the first crisis. I knew what was coming though, long before the islands were lost. I told them all that a disaster of epic proportions was coming. Who wants to hear that when they are reveling in worldwide fame and success? Everyone involved in the program refused to see it.”
    Brandon sat in his chair again, completely deflated. He turned on a monitor, studied it for a few minutes before he turned the blaring music off. “I lobbied hard. Nothing came of it. I’m young so they ignored me saying I was a doomsday alarmist. With all the noise I made with the government elitists, the opposition found me. The ones against weather engineering quietly gave me the go ahead and the funding to oversee the organization that built all the bunkers. Once everyone figured out I had been right all along, I took over the entire project. Nothing has ever been built on a scale like that so quickly. Every bunker was designed to house a small population that can repopulate our nation if it is the only one to survive this apocalypse. Now I see that my rigid rules and old school technology have already helped us survive this long. So far my track record on being right has been spot on. You aren’t the only one going nuts. I haven’t slept in months when I was ordering construction crews across the nation to build at an unprecedented rate. Suddenly I have more time than I know what to do with and I still can’t sleep.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I mean, if you told me this from the start, I would have understood. I’ve just wanted to help you out and be a friend since you don’t seem to have many. Both of us are here alone. Without family, it
is
kind of lonely.” When my watery eyes met his, Brandon’s face relaxed a little as he rested a hand on my shoulder.
    “The computer I programmed for bunker assignments sorted everyone into what it considered to be a balanced population on evacuation day. I’m sure the computer determined that you were a match for me. That’s why I have gone out of my way to avoid you. Nothing personal. I like you. I just don’t like computers having that much control over my life. See where we are because of it?”
    My jaw dropped. I glanced at the ground when I couldn’t stop the flush that burned my cheeks.
    “Now we can’t do anything with computers but manage security in this bunker and keep people entertained so they don’t kill each other. Doing anything internet or digital over the air waves lures the funnel clouds to us. Loud music reverberates off everything so it confuses the storms ability to detect human and animal life. Now we have to burrow underground like a bunch of moles hoping that Mother Nature’s army doesn’t flush us out and kill us all. It is a revolution and we’re on the losing side.” Brandon rubbed his eyes. “I’ve done everything I can to fortify our bunker. With everyone deceased in the two closest to ours, I think I have done a pretty good job so far. What kills me is not knowing if there are any other survivors anywhere. Like you, not knowing if my parents or brothers and sister are alive is driving me crazy.” He sighed, tossing the tablet aside.”This might make you feel better. I’ve been looking back through the bunker records. Your family and mine were assigned to bunkers I designed. The bunker managers have been close associates of mine from the start. I know they will follow my protocols. It could be years before we ever know for sure if they made it.”
    “What about Jim’s family?” I asked with a tiny bit of hope.
    Brandon shook his head. “I haven’t let on that I know anything about his family. But I couldn’t find them on any lists. They might not have survived the beginning of the coastal storms. The information I have is limited. The record keeping on that side of the country went into blackout days before we did.”
    When I finally looked at him, his eyes were glassy and he pulled me to my feet as he stood