Ten Seconds Until Blackout

A large set of double doors opened slowly, letting sunlight enter a warehouse. Two dozen soldiers on the inside had their rifles aimed, awaiting anyone who walked through.

"Lieutenant Colonel Lycan!" One of the soldiers yelled in surprise, lowering their rifle, "You're back already?"

"Yes, it's me." Riley announced, walking through the door slowly with her hands up, "Things went well; my team and I returned immediately to ensure it stays that way."

Randy, Major Wheatfield, and three other soldiers walked into the room behind her, welcomed by a thousand nervous soldiers.

The storehouse had pallets of food supplies stacked twenty feet high along the walls and three pallets high on shelves throughout.

While there was enough food to last a single person a decade, there were over ten thousand people at the base. The supplies would only last six months if well rationed.

In the center of the warehouse were thousands of civilians and soldiers' families.