Die Trying

Chapter One: The Sacrifice

Chapter One

The Sacrifice

January 1

00:50 Hours

Suffolk, England UK

RAF Fairford Military Base

The celebration leading up to midnight was not apparent in the goings on at the base, though an undercurrent of anticipation was. Hope for the coming year, health, and promotion, love...all the aspirations we hold for ourselves and loved ones, quietly steeping under the mantle of the mundane day to day auspices of military duty.

Although most of personnel were bunked and asleep, the activity was constant. This night, however, smiles were easier and an occasional "Sir, Happy New Year Sir!" could be heard.

31 December

18:51 Hours

Manhattan, New York USA

63rd and Park

Hailing a taxi was becoming a lesson in futility as the evening wore on. Heading into Times Square was impossible. Flurries of snow drifted downward hypnotically, an elegant dance of graceful pirouettes. The clouds were reflecting the lights of the city, illuminating the streets and buildings with a marmalade twilight color while masses of humanity crowded the sidewalks, each one on their way to somewhere else.

If you didn't already have plans for the night or reservations, you weren't going to find any...or you were on your way to join the million plus partiers gathered, all waiting for the ball to drop.

January 1

05:52 Hours

Astana, Kazakhstan

Sarayshyk Street

The kitchen at the Hotel Baiterek is crowded with two people inside of it. After all, the hotel has only 23 guest rooms but you cannot beat the value and proximity to the governmental complex just steps away. The Baiterek Monument Tower is not far and does not cast its shadow through the front entrance however; the House of Ministries building does...when the sun finally does rise.

Most of the guests had just returned to their rooms after a night of greeting "Father Frost" and celebration. A few, hard core stragglers in the lobby were partaking of breakfast. Two old friends were carrying on a vigorous, champagne induced debate as to if the temperature had been -36˚C or -38˚C on the first day of the New Year.

December 31

16:53 Hours

Denver, Colorado USA

East 46th Avenue

Homeless Shelter

It had been especially cold that week and the strain was evident on the stores of clothing provided by the mission. Few coats and hats remained. No gloves or mittens, scarves or boots were available. Volunteers scrambled to prepare hot dinners for the hundreds that had gathered in a line which stretched around the block and on into the darkness. There were not enough cots needed to provide a warm, overnight resting place for those in need, let alone enough space to put them.

Many attempts were made to offer words of comfort and hope for the coming year but the reality was, the sheer volume of people was overwhelming and the care givers were ill equipped and unprepared for the level of need they were seeing.

January 1

08:54 Hours

Alice Springs NT, Australia

Parson Street

Northern Territory Police Station

The air conditioning in the building had been broken for two days and it was always hot this time of year.

There was no more room in any cell. Spaces that had been designed for two now held six to ten. What had caused this group of revelers to turn to an angry mob was unclear. One moment there had been song and camaraderie, the next there was broken glass and blood.

None of the officers had been at the site where the first punch was thrown and now, all they could do was fill out endless reports for everyone in the lockup. It was going to be a hellishly long morning.

December 31

14:55 Hours

Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii

Royal Kunia Country Club

A late tee time was nothing to complain about. The views were compelling and the course challenging. Breezes wafted the scent of plumeria and sea air playfully up the plains and over the greens offering an occasional need to alter the loft of a long drive but that was what made the game fun.

Well, a cold ardent beverage and friendly wager also added to the enjoyment of spending the holiday in paradise. Idle talk was heard that watching the fireworks displays from the lanai of the clubhouse later would make for incredible memories.

January 1

11:56 Hours

Apia, Upolu, Samoa

Faatoia Road near Falealili Street

Fishing is easy in Apia. Take your choice between the East and West rivers, cast your line and wait. Being a tiny village bordered by two other tiny villages making up the "Downtown District", waiting is what is done best.

Ineffectual planning had meant flooding, pollution, hazardous drinking water and little chance for a quick solution. The old Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral offered hope for those who wait. The new one does now. Industrial buildings are rising faster than the flood waters during cyclone season.

January 1

11:57 Hours

Anadyr, Russia

Anadyr Ugolny Airport

The cold of winter had come early which meant the ice road to the sea ports was open but nothing was getting through today. Headlamps on any vehicle could not penetrate the heavy fog, while the wet snows that blanketed the landscape and showed no signs of stopping prevented forward motion.

You get used to living without sunlight. This time of year, this far north, the level of darkness is just slightly less with the sun approaching its daytime zenith but it doesn't mean much. When the weather is the way it is, all you can do is stay inside and ride out the storm.

December 31

17:58 Hours

St. Louis, Missouri

Gentry's Landing Apartments

The view of the Gateway Arch and river from the Southeast corner of 16th floor was reason enough to live there. Working a half block away at the Federal Reserve Bank was another. Already home, washed, rested and dressed for the evening.

Standing on her balcony in the brisk night air, the first Old Fashioned on its last sip, Elizabeth Martin gazed toward the monument. There would be fireworks later and she had a front row seat. Now, her door buzzer rang and she went to let her date in. They had dinner reservations on The Hill at 7:00pm.

December 31

23:59 Hours

Dublin, Ireland

St. Stephen's Green

The weather was perfect, 42˚F and not a cloud in the sky. The crowd grew more excited as the seconds ticked away to midnight. Hopes and dreams for the coming year sparked by the anticipation of the grand fireworks display which was seconds from beginning. Couples kissing, friends singing, whole groups dancing and waving flags. Glow stick and necklaces provided a colorful radiance on the faces of the multitudes.

The countdown had begun. The chant from ten was deafening were you caught in the sea of people. When the count reached one, a battery of mortars launched their volley skyward and an inferno of flames rained down upon the city.