Page 43 of Carmine

“Yeah, judging from the map, the lava flow is travelling east. The flow will intercept Falling Rock Road and continue towards Shanks Gulch, and hit Rapid Creek. From there, I can only hope it follows the Creek down to Canyon Lake.”

“Heading straight for where the command centre was,” Susan confirmed.

“Yes. Shit, I can’t believe this is happening. There wasn’t an eruption like a volcano, but the ground split as the lava sought a release. Susan, I’ve not witnessed anything like this before,” Molly exclaimed.

“I’m sure you haven’t. Rivers of lava exist, but the floor splitting open on a laccolith? No. Impossible, but yet it’s transpiring. Molly, I noticed a cloud, but not a pyroclastic one,” Susan said.

“When the ground tore open, there was flying debris which flung dust and the usual culprits into the air. However, that was more about the ground splitting open than a cloud caused by a magma blast. The magma… oozed… is the best word… from the ground. I think there’s a chamber under the laccolith, which has laid dormant. The quakes shoved it upwards, closing down the space it had to flow. And when the quakes continued squeezingthe magma, it was forced up through fissures until the last quake broke the surface,” Molly babbled excitedly.

“Highly likely. I doubt the earthquakes were from the fault lines but where the magma pushed back,” Susan mused.

“I agree.”

“Molly, come straight to the command post; you’re needed here.”

“Okay,” Molly said and cut the call.

“Did you hear that?” she asked as I sped down the trail.

“Yes. Molly, how close is the lava?”

“Not close. Carmine, we’re good, but it’s headed in a different direction than I thought. I imagined the weak spot would be the north-east face, and it would head towards the Black Hill Caves and then Nameless Cave Road. I was wrong. Even though the entry point to Rapid City remains the same, the route is different.”

“Luckily, you decided, and the streets and homes near the SD-44 have been evacuated. I don’t think we’d have had time if you hadn’t made that call. Shit’s happening quicker than I expected,” I said.

“Lava can move much faster. I expect to see a slow, steady stream, but I was right, Carmine. The laccolith was active. A one in a billion shot. Damn, my theory is correct,” Molly exclaimed as we hit Jackson Blvd and headed towards the new centre.

The fallback point had been a school off of Sioux San Drive. The search and rescue team had also gone there. Rapid City was once more in a state of emergency.

Molly

I exited the car before Carmine stopped. Carmine let loose a dry chuckle as I dashed into the school and ran towards thecommand centre. Susan directed people on one side while the Search and Rescue group issued orders from the other.

“What’s the status?” I asked Susan, hurrying over to her.

“We have called for a helicopter to monitor the flow, and our teams are evacuating the surrounding area and heading here. We’ve got footage coming in from the cameras and the explosion was nothing like we’ve ever seen before. Not so much an eruption but a split in the earth, just as you mentioned. I can’t believe you were at the eruption point.”

“Susan, I filmed it as it happened,” I replied.

“Trust me, I want to watch that soon. First, let’s set up,” Susan suggested.

Everyone was rushing around as they kept checking for up-to-date data.

“Where do you need me?” I asked.

“With me for now. We have a press conference being set up. Naturally, the moment Buzzard’s Roost went active, the media blew up. Get ready, Molly, because this just made your career. You were right. There was volcanic activity, and we’re witnessing a never seen before event. Take the credit heading your way,” Susan said and disappeared as someone called her.

Carmine

“Where do you need me?” I asked Axel as I donned protective gear and kitted up. Axel glanced at a list.

“Gunner’s team. He’s not left yet. Go find him,” Axel boomed before turning his attention back to the laptop in front of him.

Ready, I looked around for Gunner and finally spotted him. With Gunner was Bobby Lucas from the RCPD, another officer, Savage, Lex, a fireman I didn’t know, and a dog handler.

“There you are. Let me check your kit,” Gunner said as I rolled up. I stood still as Gunner completed his checks and gave me an approving nod.

“We’re heading here, Sheridan Lake Road and evacuating that, Teepe Street, Lodge Street, and Arrow Street. Don’t let the residents argue. Most will wish to load cars and whatnot. They don’t have time. The priority is to get them out and onto the buses accompanying us and into hotels. They cannot drive their personal vehicles because they’d block the roads and cause casualties. We have two police officers with us. If you need help, radio for them. Let’s get the job done,” Gunner said as he showed a map.

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