Sierra Nevada (1983: Doomsday)

Sierra Nevada, also known as the Sierra Nevada Union (SNU), is a nation of 350,000 people located in the western region of the former United States. The current boundaries of the SNU are defined as the former state of Nevada, with the exception of Clark County and the extreme southern regions of Nye and Lincoln Counties; and portions of El Dorado, Placer, Alpine, and Mono Counties, California east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The nation is a mosaic embodying elements of the old American west alongside the 20th Century. In search of stability in the new world following Doomsday, citizens have come to embrace and emulate the frontier and pioneer spirit which inspired those of earlier times. However, the SNU is a nation also shaped and forged by the violence of the post-war world, tending to be suspicious and cautious in dealing with others in light of battles over the years with various attackers. With the dawn of the 21st Century, the SNU has slowly begun to change aspects of its isolationism and as of 2010, active internal discussions are underway to consider joining the NAU.

Pre-Doomsday
Prior to Doomsday, Nevada had been the 36th state, gaining statehood in 1864 during the Civil War in order to throw support behind the election of President Abraham Lincoln. Originally part of the larger Utah Territory, Nevada had separated three years earlier due to animosity between non-Mormons and the Mormons who controlled the rest of the region. From statehood and well into the 20th Century, Nevada’s history was shaped and dominated by mining, especially of silver, and would become known for one of the largest silver strikes in American history, the Comstock Lode. With the 1930s, Nevada began to undergo a series of changes which would transform its future, with the legalization of gambling; the establishment of easy marriage and divorce laws; and the construction of Hoover Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. The decades following World War II, would also see the transformation of the city of Las Vegas, located in the southern Nevada, into the state’s population center as it became the premier destination for entertainment and gambling. Although the seventh largest US state, 80% of the land was directly controlled by the US government.

At the time of Doomsday, Nevada had a long relationship with the US military and was home to a number of military bases, mostly in the southern part of the state. This included Nellis AFB near Las Vegas; Indian Springs AF Auxiliary Field; the mysterious USAF test site at Area 51 in Groom Lake; Fallon Naval Air Station; and the Hawthorne Army Ammunition Plant, the largest US army ammunition storage site in the nation. Southern Nevada was also home to the Nevada Nuclear Test Site operated by the Atomic Energy Commission, where both above and underground nuclear test had been conducted since World War II.

Doomsday
Nevada became aware of the impending Soviet attack through radio and television reports at about 5:52 PM (PDT) on the afternoon of September 25, 1983. The initial reaction of shock, confusion, and disbelief, quickly generated into chaos and panic as thousands of tourists fought to escape the cities along with local residents. Governor Richard Hudson Bryan, who had taken office nine months earlier, was in the state capital when he received the news. Working quickly, he called for the immediate evacuation of the major cities of Las Vegas, Reno, Carson, and Fallon. Additionally, he issued a series of directives declaring a state of emergency; imposing martial law and dusk to dawn curfew for everyone not involved in emergency operations; and activating the National Guard. He ordered the National Guard and Highway Patrol to work together in maintaining order; securing the border; and assisting with evacuations. Governor Bryan's instructions were immediately sent throughout the state shortly before electricity and most communications, including computers, televisions, radios, and telephones, abruptly failed at 6:14 PM severing internal and external links.

Beginning at approximately 6:30 PM, a number of Soviet warheads began to detonate across the southern region of the state. The hardest hit region was the Las Vegas Valley, where it was later estimated at least three one megaton warheads exploded, destroying Nellis AFB; the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson; and several smaller communities. The mountain ranges ringing the valley helped to contain much of the destructive force. This, along with the massive firestorms which were generated, resulted in the total destruction of the area. Although several thousand people were able to escape via Routes 15, 93, and 95, most were trapped within the valley due to traffic jams and congestion, and as a result perished. A pilot, who escaped the North Las Vegas Airport, later described: "As I flew over the famed strip I saw nothing but chaos. Flames and smoke were billowing from some of the buildings, including the hotels. The roads were packed with cars, trucks, and buses, all filled with people trying to escape. Some vehicles had collided, others overturned, and some had even caught fire. Everywhere it seemed as if thousands of people were running every which way, unsure of where to go or what to do. Many had abandoned their vehicles and were running on foot in a frantic effort to escape. It was a terrible sight I have never forgotten all these years later."

Smaller warheads targeted other sites, including one which exploded 45 miles outside Las Vegas over Area 51 at Groom Lake. Since no communication has ever been received from the site, it is believed all personnel perished. [An SNU expedition in the late 1990s reported the area to be a small lake, with the dry lake bed having filled with water due to increased rainfall.] The town of Mercury, home to AEC scientists and personnel of the Nevada test site was also destroyed, with most of the population of 10,000 perishing. To the northwest a 550-kiloton warhead, struck the Hawthorne Army Ammunition Plant. Although a large portion of the population from the town and depot managed to flee before the strike, heading north along Route 95, at least 1000 perished when the warhead exploded over the depot. It was later determined a second device aimed at the site missed and detonated in the desert near the Excelsior Mountains.

As of Doomsday, the total population of Nevada stood at just over 800,000 people, with more than half, approximately 463,000 people, concentrated in and around the city of Las Vegas. It would later be estimated, that nearly 60% of the state’s population, or just over 500,000 people, along with approximately 10,000 tourists, perished in the initial attacks and within the week from injuries and radiation exposure. By mid October 1983, the total population, concentrated mainly in the northern part of the state, would stand at approximately 300,000.

Post Doomsday
The morning of September 26, 1983, brought thunderstorms and heavy rain throughout Nevada, helping to dampen fires burning from the strikes and reduce fallout. In Dayton, which had become the temporary state capital, Governor Bryan and other key members of the government did their best determine conditions throughout the state. Working with still functioning emergency and citizen band radios, contact was established with highway patrol commands in Reno, Carson, Elko, and National Guard armories in Winnemucca, Yerington, Reno, Carson, and Elko. Together, they confirmed no evidence of any strikes in their areas. With his communication network limited, Governor Bryan felt it was critical to try and ascertain the condition of the entire state and assure citizens their government still existed in Carson. To this end, he ordered the highway patrol and National Guard to assemble and equip several small expeditions to travel to the state's respective borders and carry out these tasks. They were to report back in person, or if possible, by radio. On September 27, the governor returned to Carson under police protection to reestablish the state government and begin emergency operations.

Given the average travel time across the state from west to east took only five to six hours some expeditions would return within days, while others took longer than a week. Able to reach locations such as Wells, Ely, West Wendover, McDermitt, and Tonopah, teams were able to confirm everything in the northern and central part of Nevada was intact, with the exception of electricity, phones, and most electronic equipment. They reported several trains were stranded and blocking railroad tracks, including the Amtrak California Zephyr near Wells, the solid state transistors of their locomotives burned out. Contact had also been made with Fallon Naval Air Station, where air force police were working with local authorities to patrol the city and surrounding area.

Reconnaissance units, who had traveled south, reported a far grimmer situation. They relayed by radio eyewitness accounts of mushroom clouds in the directions of Las Vegas Valley and Mercury and reported Hawthorne as being ablaze with Route 95 blocked. Thousands of refugees, many badly hurt and suffering injuries including flash burns and radiation sickness, were clogging roads heading north such as 95 and 93. A complete breakdown of law and order had occurred in many locations such as Pahrump, Beatty and Alamo, and citizen militias were trying to block roads. Especially troubling, Geiger counters were reporting the presence of heavy radioactive fallout. Upon receiving this news, the governor called for a complete evacuation of any survivors south of a line running east from Ralston to Caliente in the west. It is unknown how many headed this call, but it is believed at least 10,000 headed north.

At the same time these events were unfolding, refugees had begun to pour into Nevada from Utah, Oregon, and Idaho, but most from northern California. Although no firm figures were ever recorded, it was estimated an upwards of 40,000 people may have arrived. These survivors brought news of strikes in other areas, confirming the loss of Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Sacramento. To handle the influx, state and local authorities established several refugee camps, most in and around the Carson City-Reno-Sparks region. Reports of violence committed by refugees, as well as concerns remaining resources would be overwhelmed, Governor Bryan took the step of ordering the National Guard and Highway Patrol on October 4, 1983, to work with local officials in blocking off all major road and rail arteries into the state, including Routes 6, 80, and 319 from Utah; 93, 95, and 140 from Idaho; and 447 and 395 from California. In a blunt statement, the governor told them to use all reasonable force necessary to stop the refugees and turn them back. In some locations, armed civilian patrols would take up the slack, setting up and patrolling road blocks. In the absence of a state government, the adjacent California counties of Placer and El Dorado agreed to jointly work with Nevada in blocking routes out of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Highway 80, which allowed access through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, was blocked at the key pass outside of Truckee, CA, with National Guard tanks blocking the route and training their guns on anyone attempting to break through.

The Birth of the SNU
On October 24, 1983, nearly a month since Doomsday, Governor Bryan was finally able to hold an emergency conference in Carson City to discuss the crisis. He succeeded in bringing together many surviving key state leaders and legislators; mayors of a number of Nevada and adjacent California cities and towns; and community leaders. Governor Bryan briefed them on the situation and what they were facing. He stated bluntly, there was no evidence help was coming from anyone, least of all the federal government even if it still existed. They would have to take whatever steps were necessary to ensure they lived. He proposed a union of the surviving areas of Nevada and those parts of Placer and El Dorado Counties east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in order to coordinate resources and manpower. To emphasize this unification, it was named the Sierra Nevada Union (SNU).

The entire group agreed if no contact was forthcoming from the federal government within one year, the union would hold a convention to enact a more permanent form of government. For the time being though, an agreement was reached acknowledging Governor Bryan as being overall in charge and allowing Placer and El Dorado to send delegates to the state legislature. Emergency committees were established to oversee a number of areas, especially security, food, energy, refugees, and water, answerable back to Governor Bryan. Food and fuel rationing was implemented and all food and energy stocks and facilities were placed under the direct control of the union. A civil defense force consisting of elements of the California and Nevada National Guard, members of the US military, and former or retired military personnel would be created to ensure security for the union, enforce and protect the borders, guard food and energy sites; and patrol refugee camps. Highway Patrol and local law enforcement would handle matters internally. The union met with farmers over the next weeks to discuss ways of getting food to markets and increase production for the future. They offered the farmers whatever resources they needed to do this

1984: Refugee Crisis and Unification
By late March 1984, the situation was tough but had stabilized for people in most communities scattered across the SNU. In and around the Carson-Reno-Sparks-Lake Tahoe area the situation was far more difficult with over 100,000 people being concentrated in the area, nearly half refugees residing in various camps. The continued rationing of supplies meant there were times when people went hungry or could not be medically treated to the extent they would have been pre-Doomsday. Tensions had begun to grow among many refugees, specifically those from out of state, who felt they were being treated as second-class citizens and denied the same care as opposed to state residents. By April 1, 1984, events were building up for a major explosion, waiting for the right spark to ignite them.

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1990s: First Contact, Spokane War, and Loss
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Government
The government of the SNU was officially established under the terms of the Sierra Nevada Constitution signed in early 1985. Under the agreement, the nation’s capital is based in Carson City, which functions as a federal district separate from the surrounding county. The SNU government is structured along the lines of the former state of Nevada and incorporates many elements of the former state constitution and US Constitution, including a Bill of Rights. It is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Executive
<p style="text-align:justify">The President and Vice President are popularly elected to a term of six years, but are restricted to no more than two terms in office. Upon the death of the President, the Vice President serves the remainder of the term. If this period is more than three years, they are limited to running for only one term in office. The President holds the title as commander of the armed forces and chief executive of the nation. The President appoints, with the Assembly’s approval, cabinet secretaries who oversee key areas of the nation. This includes Defense; Foreign Affairs; Agriculture; Energy; Transportation; Technology; and Education.

Legislative
<p style="text-align:justify">Despite a considerable amount of heated debate, it was ultimately decided to create one legislative body, the Assembly, the argument being in the post-war world the new nation’s national security could be affected by decisions of importance taking time to wind their way through two bodies versus one. The Assembly holds sessions in the former Nevada Legislative Building in Carson City, meeting twice a year to cover matters of importance. They may be called into an emergency session by the President. All members are popularly elected to terms of four years; restricted by term limits to no more than three consecutive terms; and are barred by law from running again for office until eight years have passed. The original apportionment of legislators was deemed unfeasible due to the reduced population and as such was reconfigured. Under the SNU Constitution, each county (or district) elects five representatives to the SNU Assembly.

Judcial
<p style="text-align:justify">The Judicial System is modeled along the lines of the old Nevada Judicial System, in which there are only two sets of courts, district and supreme. All judges are elected to their posts. In cases where distance would interfere with timely proceedings, the district judge may travel to a location and preside over trials. All verdicts may be appealed to the five justices of the SNU Supreme Court. However, in a major change as opposed to the old Nevada Constitution, the Supreme Court may waive the hearing of an appeal and let the District Court ruling stand.

Law Enforcement
Law enforcement in the SNU falls into two categories, local and national. Local police and sheriff departments are still responsible for providing law enforcement in their individual regions. Statewide however, it is provided by the Sierra Nevada Marshall Service (SNMS) established in 1986 by the SNU to replace the Highway Patrol. Marshals carry out a number of duties, including: patrolling highways by motor vehicle or horse; protecting key government officials; investigating crimes which involve the state or cross jurisdictional boundaries; and escorting prisoners.

Foreign Affairs
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Military
<p style="text-align:justify">In the first two years following Doomsday, the defense of the nation was carried out by the Sierra Nevada Defense Force (SNDF) whose numbers stood at approximately 3,000. They consisted of Nevada and California National Guard personnel; members of the old US military; and retired or former military personnel. Following the Goldfield massacre in 1985, the push was made to create a larger military force which was not only concurrent with Sierra Nevada's new status as a nation, but which could provide security and protection along its borders from outside enemies. This led to the creation of the Sierra Nevada armed forces, which was divided into two areas: the Sierra Nevada Army (SNA) and Sierra Nevada Air Force (SNAF). As of 2010, the total number of the armed forces stands at 11,000 army and 1,000 air force personnel.

Sierra Nevada Army
The SNA is divided into four areas: cavalry, infantry, armor and artillery, and special forces.

Cavalry
<p style="text-align:justify">Because of limited availability of gasoline early on, military units guarding the borders began to utilize horses to patrol and carry out reconnaissance. Additionally, the use of horses allowed for greater mobility in traversing the unique rugged landscape of the SNU. With the official creation of the SNA, the decision was made to reintroduce the horse cavalry. Divided into five squadrons, each contains 800 troopers, broken down into four companies of 200 each. The 1st SNU Cavalry is assigned to the western border; the 2nd to the northern border with Idaho; the 3rd to the eastern border with Utah; and the 4th and 5th Cavalry to the large southern border. The cavalry operates out of forts spread out across the SNU's borders. Troopers must know how to fight mounted and dismounted. Standard issue weapons, include an assault rifle, automatic pistol, and a modified saber. Each company carries at least two machine guns and two mortars for heavy fighting. A number of units also utilize, depending on availability, RPG launchers. Communication is relegated to field radios.

Infantry
<p style="text-align:justify">Infantry comprises four battalions of 1000 soldiers each, subdivided into four companies. Each battalion is assigned to a permanent base in one of the four military regions the nation is divided into. Additionally, some companies are assigned with providing security to such regions as key rail and energy facilities. In the event of an emergency, infantry companies are dispatched to provide support to the cavalry.

Armor and Artillery
<p style="text-align:justify">Armor consists of two battalions of 1000 each, each comprising four companies of 250. Artillery however, consists of four companies of 200 each. Weaponry is basically pre-Doomsday tanks, armored carriers and cars, and artillery which belonged to either the National Guard or US military. Beginning in the early 1990s following the clash with Spokane, the SNU instituted an ambitious plan to design and build a factory capable of producing new tanks and armored vehicles. Within two years, a factory was completed and since has produced a limited number of armored vehicles to supplement or replace aging equipment. Armor and artillery units are spread out amongst the military bases of the SNU, providing support to infantry and cavalry as needed.

Special Forces
<p style="text-align:justify">Special forces comprise a single company of 200, broken down into eight platoons. They carry special reconnaissance, infiltration, and raids on enemy targets. Their operations are considered clandestine, with the rangers, as they are called, having done work in the lawless areas of California, Washington, and Idaho. To be serve as a member of this company, is considered a high honor.

Sierra Nevada Air Force
<p style="text-align:justify">The Sierra Nevada Air Force consists of approximately 25 planes and is based primarily out of Reno, Fallon, Elko, and West Wendover. It is a mix of pre-war Nevada Air National Guard and US Navy warplanes and modified civilian aircraft which have been repaired over the years. Smaller single engine planes tend to make up much of the air force, by providing valuable assistance to ground units. Modified with twin machine guns and able to carry at least two bombs, they provide air support to ground units; carry out reconnaissance over large areas; and evacuate casualties to hospitals. The fighter jets, including the Phantom F4C, tend be used in situations requiring fire power heavier than what can be provided by the smaller planes. Although they do not have the same technological prowess as they did in pre-war times, they are able to take off and land; strafe ground targets; either fire missiles or drop bombs; and communicate with ground via radio.

Economy
<p style="text-align:justify">The Nevada economy suffered a near meltdown as a result of Doomsday in that a significant portion of had been centered on the service industry, including tourism, entertainment, recreation, and gambling. In the years following, the main focus of the economy was to provide the necessary elements for survival. To this end, the SNU devoted extensive resources and manpower in these areas; however recovery was complicated because of the loss of electricity, communications, and technology as a result of EMPs. Restoration over time of these services would help to speed the process. As of 2010, the economy is primarily focused on six areas: Agriculture; forestry; animal husbandry; mining; oil and natural gas; and manufacturing. Strangely enough gambling and legalized prostitution continued to exist throughout the region and have in fact made a slow comeback.

Agriculture
<p style="text-align:justify">A significant area of the states pre-war economy, agriculture played a vital role in rural economies even though it employed less than 2% of the population. Since the war, agriculture has emerged as a matter of survival for the population of the SNU, with the government taking all necessary steps to aid existing farms. Agriculture was significantly increased throughout all areas which could sustain it, which included the introduction of terraced farming and hydroponics. The alteration in weather patterns because of the war has brought increased rainfall to the SNU which in turn has helped the desert areas to bloom and further sustain and increase farming. Agricultural crops consist mainly of alfalfa hay and seed, potatoes, barley, wheat, rye, oats, vegetables, mint, garlic and onions. Vegetables include carrots, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, and beans, and peppers. Fruits include apples, peaches, strawberries, and cherries.

Forestry
<p style="text-align:justify">Trees are harvested for construction and manufacturing. To prevent deforestation, the SNU has employed a vigorous agenda in planting trees.

Animal Husbandry
<p style="text-align:justify">Cattle, sheep, lambs, pigs, and turkeys are bred and raised for such items as meat, dairy products, and wool. Additionally, horses are raised in large numbers, used mostly in transportation.

Mining
<p style="text-align:justify">A variety of items are mined including gold, silver, diatomite, barite, clay, gypsum, limestone, lithium, carbonate, magnetite, salt and sand and gravel. There are also several small coal mines whose output is mainly used for transportation and energy.

Oil and Natural Gas
<p style="text-align:justify">Drilling for oil and natural gas in Nevada first began in the 1920s, but did not pick-up in the state until after World War II. It led to the discovery of several major fields including the Trap Springs, Grant Canyon, and Blackburn in Railroad Valley. By the time of Doomsday, fields were producing between 600,000 and 800,000 barrels of oil. Realizing the significance of energy in the post-war world, Governor Bryan ordered the National Guard and Highway Patrol to secure and hold the fields and the few refining plants which were located in the state. Since that time, such areas are protected by SNU troops as a matter of national security. Drilling continues, with success in such areas as Pine Valley. Supplies are kept in state, with gasoline stocks used mainly for the military, government, and agricultural needs. With the restoration of electricity in many areas, natural gas continued to remain the main source of energy for most plants, with the remaining powered by coal.

Manufacturing
<p style="text-align:justify">Although a small area of the economy, it was hit hard by the loss of electricity and damage to vital electronic systems. Light manufacturing did arise over time, but did not expand in any real way until the restoration of power. Confined for the most part to the big cities such as Reno-Sparks, Tahoe, Fallon, Ely, and Carson City, manufacturing includes production of farming equipment, clothing, military supplies, and canning of food products.

Transportation
<p style="text-align:justify">In the post war world of Sierra Nevada, most people get around by horse, bus, or rail. Gasoline powered vehicles are mainly used by the government and military or in the production/transportation of food. People are not prohibited from driving, but given the limited availability of gasoline and diesel, not many do. Nonetheless, the ability and freedom to drive anywhere one could, driven especially by stories of the pre-war generations, have and continue to inspire residents, especially those on farms, to actively experiment in producing bio-fuels, mainly from farm byproducts. Given the proliferation and ready availability of horses though, most have turned to using them for local travel and short journeys. When one wishes to travel farther, the railroad is viewed as the best means available. Buses are used for transportation in the larger cities and to smaller remote towns were the railroad does not reach.

Roads
<p style="text-align:justify">At the time of Doomsday, Nevada had a network of state and interstate highways which connected all major cities and towns. This included Interstate 80, which ran across the northern area of the state, and US Routes 6, 50, 93, 95 and 395. All these roads emerged unscathed following the war, with one exception. The strike on Hawthorne rendered part of US Route 95 impassable forcing detours via State Highway 361. In 1993, the SNU decided to reestablish this link with the decline in radiation in the region and instituted a major road building project. By 1995, the road reopened leading to renewed interest in resettling the region. These roads provide a vital ground link for transport and travel by motor vehicle or horse.

Railroads
<p style="text-align:justify">Over 2,000 miles of railroad track existed in Nevada in 1983. Most lines were located in the northern part of the state, with the remainder in the southeastern area. The majority of the tracks were owned and operated by Union Pacific Railway, who also leased them to the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway. Additionally, a number of smaller rail lines were in operation including Nevada Northern Railroad between Shafter and Ely and the US government operated Thorne Branch to Hawthorne. Amtrak’s Zephyr passenger train, which traveled between Chicago and Centerville, CA, passed through northern Nevada and serviced several stops. On Doomsday, most of these lines were undamaged with the exception of those in the southeast and in and around Hawthorne. Major rail yards in Sparks, Parr, Elko, and Carlin had also survived intact. Conversely, the electromagnetic pulses had burned out the solid state transistors essential to the operation of all diesel locomotives. This resulted in at least three freight trains as well as the Amtrak Zephyr being stranded on tracks.

<p style="text-align:justify">Given the limits of post-war transportation, the SNU looked to the railroad as a viable way of moving supplies and people throughout the nation. By the fall of 1984, railroad workers had successfully repaired a number of locomotives and in turn had cleared the tracks of stranded trains. This led to the reestablishment of train service to track connected areas. In an ambitious plan, the new SNU government announced in 1986 the intention of laying new railroad tracks to previously unconnected areas. Although a difficult and grueling task, which involved workers not only manufacturing the necessary materials but having to surmount rugged terrain, by 2010 the SNU could boast of having added nearly 500 miles of track and replaced older tracks to standardize gauges.

Aviation
<p style="text-align:justify">Air travel is mostly relegated to official military or government business given limited stocks of aviation fuel. The few private planes in operations are mainly prop or propeller driven or small single engine Cessna’s. The largest airfield is the Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Reno, which is the sole travel stop for anyone flying in or out of Sierra Nevada. Smaller airfields are scattered across the country, the largest being Carson, Elko, Fallon, and Ely.

Energy
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Communication & Arts
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