Post-Pandemic: A New World

Chapter Twenty Four: The War Of Salt Lake City

September 2nd 2025

Salt Lake City was exactly what the Phoenixes had expected it to be. It was quiet and smelt of death. There was not a single light on in Salt Lake City and it was as quiet as a mouse. The sign that said the city's population had been vandalised and had a large crack going down it. Bridge could barely make out the number "200,000" on the sign and could see dust covering it. The rocky mountains were of course one of the most incredible regions of the United States, but now they were becoming one of the most dangerous. As the Patriotic American Army controlled Colorado and was planning on taking over all of the rocky mountain States and the Phoenixes who had been recruited in Denver had heard rumours of a war of some kind taking place in Utah. No one was sure if these rumours were true, but the Phoenixes were about to find out.

As the Phoenix Convoy headed into the City, they could hear the sounds of gunfire in the distance and see fires raging in other parts of the City. As they got further in they saw something horrific: a battle between two distinct factions. These two factions were fighting each other for control of a hospital, with one faction fighting to retain control of it and the other fighting to take control of it. The Phoenixes all quickly took cover within their vehicles and Bridge yelled "Weapons ready!" Many Phoenixes got their rifles ready for battle, if it came to it. Most of Their weapons had been in the possession of Joe and His people, but They had scavenged some from an old military plane that crashed not to far from Salt Lake City. As the Convoy sped past the hospital, some Phoenixes could clearly make out the flag flying at the top of the hospital and Bridge instantly recognised the man in robes, blowing a horn in the air. This symbol was most commonly associated with Mormons, strict Christians who sought to live lives without violence and live in peace. But as the Phoenixes could see, the Mormons of Utah now had to fight for their freedom and their rights to live peaceful and non violent lives against their enemy.

As the Convoy sped away from the hospital, Sebastian, who was hiding below the chairs, said "We've got to get out of here! We won't last three days in this madness!" Michelle and Eleanor, the two pregnant women of the group, had both sat down on the floor and were being protected by five Phoenixes. That was when a Mormon family of two loving parents and four children was spotted by the convoy, running as fast as they could. The mother of the family had been shot in her right leg and was being carried by Her husband. Bridge got out His walkie talkie and yelled through it "Full stop!" The convoy came to a stop and Bridge rushed to the front. He pulled the lever that opened up the door and said "Get in here NOW!" The family didn't think twice, they rushed in as fast as they could. The oldest son was cradling His little sister in His arms and She was crying Her eyes out after hearing all of the explosions and gunfire. The mother of the family was laid on one of the chairs by Her husband who said "She's been shot, We need a doctor over here!" Anna quickly rushed over and examined the wound as best as She could. Horrified by the gruesomeness of the wound, Anna said "The bullet went right through Her! It will have to be stitched and bandages will have to be rapped around it!" That was when the Phoenix Convoy started going again and Solomon asked the Mormon whose wife had been shot "What the heck is going on around here!?" The Man looked at Solomon and said "Let Me explain, the name's Mr Brown and as you have noticed, its an all out war! The Mormon Resistance and the Atheist Republic have been fighting each other for weeks!" Bridge's eyes widened upon hearing what Mr Brown had said and asked "What's the Atheist Republic?" Mr Brown looked at Bridge and while Anna put pressure on His wife's wound to stem the bleeding "After the Fall, an anti-religious man took over the City and established the Atheist Republic. They think that religion is to blame for the Fall and want to destroy it all! The Mormon Resistance has been trying to overthrow them for months and now there are riots everywhere!"

Indeed Mr Brown was telling the truth, as the Phoenix Convoy quickly passed a street where a massive riot was taking place. Mormon protesters were rioting against Atheist Republic Police and the Police were actually shooting protesters dead where they stood. That was when a pipe bomb was thrown at the police and it exploded! Resistance fighters then emerged from the alleyways throughout the street and engaged in an all out battle with the Police. It was horrific and Bridge said through his walkie talkie "Attention all Phoenixes, We need to get out of Salt Lake City as soon as possible! Remain calm and keep your rifles by your side. We'll get through this". The Convoy then sped through the City, with Phoenixes keeping their rifles ready to shoot down any Atheist fanatics they saw. Along the way, Anna carefully stitched up Mrs Brown's wound and wrapped linen bandages around it. It had saved Her life, but now the floor was covered in blood and Michelle had to look away out of fear of going into labour early. Eleanor almost vomited, but kept Her composure and took deep breaths in.

Finally, the Convoy escaped the City and Bridge said through His walkie talkie "All Phoenixes, We are to head out of Salt Lake City at full speed. I repeat, We head out at full speed". The bus and the three R.Vs of the Phoenix Convoy then sped away from Salt Lake City as fast as they could. With the people inside eager to escape the gruelling war that was tearing the City apart. Michelle and Eleanor sat back down on their seats and as the Brown family all sat down together, Bridge extended His hand to Mr Brown and said "Welcome to the Phoenixes". Mr Brown thought for a moment, but then chose to accept the offer and shook Bridge's hand. He then said "Thank you, where are We headed anyway?" As Sebastian helped Michelle onto Her chair, He looked over and said "San Francisco". Bridge then said to the Browns "After all, nice place for a fresh start and where we're going to save the world". Mr Brown looked confused as He asked "What are you talking about?" Bridge looked at Mr Brown and sternly said "You are not going to like this one bit".

So the Phoenixes had escaped yet another plight. They had passed through Salt Lake City as a Civil War unfolded there and they had saved six Mormons from death. Boosting their numbers to thirty eight members in total. But Bridge knew that although they had escaped Salt Lake City, worse yet was still to come.