Trek Through a Ravaged Land

In this prequel to the epic climate science fiction "Trek Across a Changed Land," it's been only twenty-five years since climate-related disasters led to an economic meltdown, a failed geoengineering attempt, and, in retaliation, a Blackout War where EM pulses destroyed electronic systems taking out the power grid and most satellites. Sea level has risen five feet and continues to rise at an accelerating rate, but worse, erratic weather is hindering attempts at farming and any hope of restarting civilization.

We return to find George Reynolds on his second trek down the East Coast to collect crucial data needed to predict the weather. This time George is accompanied by his second wife, Ruth, who nursed him back after the tragic murders of his first wife and twin daughters. The question is whether their marriage can survive being joined at the hip for over a year on this trek. Their mission and lives will be threatened by an EF4 tornado, flooding, wildfire, weeks of trekking through a heat dome with deadly temperatures, and by the greatest danger—the people they encounter on their journey.