New York Run

FOREWORD

It is 100 years after World War III. Give or take a year.

The good news? The planet is still here.

The bad news? The planet is still here.

The massive radiation and the staggering array of chemical-warfare weaponry unleashed on the globe precipitated an environmental disaster of incalculable proportions. In the U.S., much of the soil has been contaminated beyond reclamation, principally in the vicinity of nuclear strike zones, “hot spots.” The climate has been altered; former fertile land might be withered dust, while former dry areas might receive an abundance of rainfall. The wildlife and human gene pool has been drastically affected by the radiation and the chemicals. Mutations are commonplace. Giantism increasingly frequent. The landscape is overrun by savage creatures of every conceivable shape and size.

Civilization is on the verge of complete collapse.

Chaos rules.

Almost.

Lingering outposts of humanity are resisting the rising tide of darkness, stubbornly clinging to the old ways or forging new paths of progressive development.

In the forefront of the strengthening forces of light, at the vanguard of the effort to reassert mankind as the dominant species on the planet, is the Freedom Federation. Comprised of a loose confederation of disparate groups, the Freedom Federation is valiantly striving to reestablish order in a world gone mad. Six factions constitute the Federation: The Civilized Zone is the official title for a section in the Midwest embracing the former states of Kansas. Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Oklahoma, portions of Arizona and the northern half of Texas. The government evacuated thousands of its citizens into this region during the war. Denver, Colorado, spared a direct hit during the conflict, became the new capital.

Montana has become the exclusive domain of the Flathead Indians, free at last from the white man’s yoke.

The Dakota territory is the home of superb horsemen known as the Cavalry.

In northern Minnesota, deep underground, secure in their subterranean city, reside the people known as the Moles.

Also in northern Minnesota, in the former town of Halma, live the refugees from the Twin Cities called the Clan.

And finally, not far from Halma, on the outskirts of Lake Bronson State Park, in a survivalist compound constructed by a wealthy filmmaker named Kurt Carpenter immediately prior to the war, dwells the smallest faction in the Freedom Federation—but the one with the most influence.

Carpenter’s descendants are called the Family, and their 30-acre compound is known as the home. Like the Spartans of antiquity, they are renowned for two features: their wise leadership and their fearless fighters. The 15 Family members responsible for the defense of the Home and the preservation of the Family, collectively called the Warriors, have established a reputation for valor in combat matched by few others.

Several of the Warriors have ventured into uncharted realms east of the Civilized Zone. They’ve discovered that the city of St. Louis has become the turf of an outlaw motorcycle gang, the Leather Knights. And they’ve learned that the Russians have control of a corridor running through the center of the eastern half of the country.

They’ve also heard about other… things.

Evil things. Menacing things. Things better left alone. Things to be avoided at all costs.

Unless they come calling at your door…