"Hang tight, ladies," Alex instructed as he gunned the engine. This was probably as many passengers as he was likely to get. Everyone else was going to have to fend for themselves. The Humvee roared past geek and refugee alike, out of the warzone that Camp Pendleton was rapidly becoming.

"Duck!" he yelled as the vehicle smashed through the chain-link perimeter fence surrounding the installation. Debris went flying, but the car was tough and heavy. A fence would barely scratch the paintwork. Outside the camp, he turned onto Baslione Road, one of the only thoroughfares in this isolated place. Around, the vast desert scrublands stretched on for miles. Alex considered turning around and heading into the base housing, but shook his head. The suburban homes would be deathtraps. No, into the wilderness.

"I'm Alex," he yelled to his passengers over the roar of the engine. "Alex Culver. I play for the Kings. Maybe you recognize me." He gestured to the younger chick who seemed to be having some trouble breathing. "She alright?"

While waiting for a response. Alex kept his eyes open for other vehicles. Surely others had escaped, maybe he could meet up with some of them. Safety in numbers, after all.