Doomsday Pillars

The United States Armed Forces consisted of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The President of the United States was the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and formed military policy with the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, both of which were the federal executive departments, acting as the main organ by which military policy was exercised.

These forces were considered the most powerful and the largest military force in terms of personnel with a total of nearly 2 million troops. This total was the third-largest in the world after India and China, it wasn\'t a surprise that the United States\' military budget was also the highest in the world, accounting for 36 percent of all the other countries\' defense spending. Of course, after the outbreak, all this changed completely.

In the Defense Base Area 51, there were more than 300,000 civilians. At first, the majority of these were ordinary citizens who had fled to this place over the past few months but eventually the families of those who were scientists, engineers, mechanics, troops, etc. were being permanently stationed here while the others were sent to one of 245 military bases or other camps.

President Elizabeth McCord visited Area 51\'s barracks and training ground located east side of the base. This vast empty area used to be an airstrip but since airborne vehicles were nonfunctional during these times, this space was allocated to soldiers and trainees. The whole area was filled with tents, and as she passed through them, everyone saluted her. However, a looming feeling of worry still filled her.. 

Elizabeth, accompanied by Secretary of Defense Mark Manson, James Randal, and members of the secret service, walked into another hangar that was the army\'s command center. Inside were ten people in distinguished military uniform welcoming them, two generals and eight colonels.

One in particular had an aura of seniority. He turned around and his chest showed all the achievements he had made over the years of his service. This was three-star general, Daniel Campbell. 

He saluted her with his gray hairs and said, "Madam President."

"Uncle, you don\'t have to be so formal to me," Elizabeth said as she smiled; the man returned a warm smile.

"Lizzi, give your uncle a big hug," Daniel said as he spread his arms open.

"Of course!" Elizabeth received this man\'s pleasant hug.

The man was Elizabeth\'s uncle and mentor. He was also one of the reasons why she had traveled far from the east coast to the west coast of Nevada. After a brief moment of reunion, they got back to business and all the officers sat in their seats and gave reports on the current condition of the army.

These officers had been recalling all their soldiers who were on vacation, and reserve forces to combat the zombies. However, there weren\'t that many soldiers who returned and most of them still received an MIA(missing in action) status. This could only mean a few things, either they had died when the plague occurred, fought with the undead but died, refused to return, or stayed with their families.

Several months had already passed, but only around 30,000 army personnel returned to service from their search on the states of California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. It was equivalent to a total of 30 battalions.

As of the moment, Area 51 had deployed eight battalions to guard the whole compound. That was 8,000 soldiers protecting the base with a total population of 300,000 residents. This ratio was simply absurd. So, to rectify this, the US army had been recruiting men and women in the base. At least 40,000 men and women were being trained and most of them were young. Elizabeth had seen these new young recruits going through initial training before she and her entourage entered this hangar. Thus, she couldn\'t help but worry earlier about the state of their fighting force.

One of the colonels raised a question, "Madam President, when are we planning to take back Las Vegas and Los Angeles?"

President McCord calmly answered, "Our top priority remains search and rescue. Taking back the city at this time is still not possible. We will lose too much with too little to gain."

"With all due respect, staying here and doing nothing is a waste of time! My battalion and I should be out there reclaiming the cities from the dead not babysitting!"

Elizabeth couldn\'t help but notice the officer\'s stress on \'my battalion\'. The soldier belonged to the US army to protect the country and its people, not to an individual person. She narrowed her eyes and looked around. It seemed that a few other officers felt the same. Elizabeth wanted to sigh, but she couldn\'t show weakness here when she knew many high-ranking officers didn\'t recognize a woman as the President of the United States of America during a crisis like this.

Elizabeth gave it a thought. She understood that reclaiming a city, Las Vegas or otherwise would boost the morale of everyone, including the citizens. After all, they were thirsty for a victory in their losing battle against the undead. However, she was still hesitant thinking of the inexperienced, young troops in training. If she sent them now, it would be akin to sending these new recruits to die.

After a moment of silence, she remembered the Doomsday Pillar and asked, "Uncle, how many troops have got access to the Doomsday Pillar?"

"We have only sent veteran soldiers but hundreds of people attempted to access the pillar without permission nonetheless. Because of that, we\'ve heard rumors of a new fighting group not part of the army."

"What do you think about giving access to all the soldiers?"

Before Daniel could answer, another general shared his thoughts and said, "Madam President, the inside of the Pillar is still full of unknown variables. We need to proceed with caution."

Elizabeth gave a glance to James. So far, he had given a lot of useful information and had always encouraged her to believe in that alien pillar. And he hadn\'t disappointed yet. She believed in him and wanted to trust him again for the Pillar\'s first floor. She still had to consider the possible casualties and the worst outcome.

After thinking for a moment, Elizabeth said, "Very well, I have decided. I\'ll enter the pillar and judge for myself."

"!!!"

All officers in the room had shocked faces. Some tried to dissuade her decision, especially her uncle, but she had set her mind. She wanted to see what was inside the Doomsday Pillar, herself, before ordering all troops access to the 34 pillars they had confirmed scattered across the United States of America.

Daniel gave out a sigh and gave up on convincing her. He then ordered troops to prepare the escort and accompany them to the Doomsday Pillar.

Elizabeth discussed a few more things with the other officers before dismissing them. After they had left, Elizabeth and Daniel had a closed conversation together.

"Uncle, it seems that not all state governments are supportive and ready to listen to orders. I have a feeling that America will undergo another revolution like the civil war. What do you think?"

"Lizzi, are you thinking that you don\'t deserve to be the president?"

Elizabeth was stunned. Indeed she had worked her way up in the US\'s government and had attained the 4th line of power. But she had never thought of becoming president.

"I—"

"You are my niece. I\'ve taught and watched you grow as a person and all. I believe in you and I\'ll support you all the way. In fact, I am glad that you\'ve moved here instead of staying at Fortitude. I assure you that at least three-quarters of the 30 battalions will follow my orders. You have my support and the people. That is power."

"Thank you, uncle."

"Lizzi, I have news for you. I\'ve also heard rumors that Texas is also gathering troops on their own."

"What? Why haven\'t I been informed of this?"

Texas state itself has the second biggest military power in all the state. The news made Elizabeth worried.

"It\'s not yet confirmed. But according to the reports of my scouts near the area, soldiers are converging and their leaders are declaring opposition against your leadership."

Elizabeth suddenly thought of a name and said, "General Max... Texas is his home state. He must\'ve returned there after escaping from Fortitude. He\'s popular and influential there."

Elizabeth\'s face darkened as she remembered his action of sacrificing the innocent just to achieve his goals. That explosion on Washington, DC was still clear on her mind. She felt pressured and the need to increase her strength and influence faster. It wasn\'t for her safety, rather, for the safety of her country\'s citizens from monsters but also from men like Max.

"I appreciate you informing me this, uncle," Elizabeth said as she nodded.

"All in all I think what you managed to achieve in the last few months was outstanding. With a 90% death rate, holding the country together itself already an achievement"

"Thank you uncle"

After a few more minutes, they went outside and got inside of the prepared vehicle that would take them to the Doomsday Pillar.