Vegas Preview

This is just my notes about the city, it hasn't been put in story form quite yet, but I though you would like to know what else I have planned.

Los Vegas. A heaven in the desert, and a bomb ready to go off with all the force of the ones they used to test fifty miles to the Northwest.

Isolated from the rest of civilization, the zombie presence is next to nil. Alien walkers are at a major disadvantage when advancing across the open terrain. (Lack of cover, and lasers attenuate in air, giving them a shorter range than human weapons) Several regiments of armored units and soldiers are arrayed throughout the area, and most of the US army command staff is present as well. Furthermore, the leaders of SLAASH (Strategic Laser, Air, Atomic, and Space Head quarters - the replacement for SAC) reside there as well. In short, Vegas is the de facto head of the entire military might of the USA, and a replacement for the civilian government should NEST be destroyed. It also means they have launch authority for over 800 nuclear tipped missiles.

People flocked to this city because of its protection, but without considering its ecological circumstances. Rationing of food and water is consistently in effect, though unlike NEST, they can keep the casinos lit up at night. Its status as a haven has also brought in many different groups that have notable difficulty getting along, and if simple racial and ethnic tension wasn't enough, there is the classic soldier vs civilian problem, and quite a bit of competition between the soldiers themselves. Although there is more to Vegas than the strip, factories are limited, and parts for military equipment even more so, which is a recipe for disaster in the high maintenance desert.

A more disturbing discussion arises with whispers of the so called "Strangelove faction". There are a few that are willing to launch those ICBMS, put in the call to the subs on patrol, and send the aircraft past their fail-safe points. While most of these are to be directed at the aliens, a few would also be targeted on NEST and other enclaves to ensure the rise of a military junta.

In addition to over 1200 warheads in US service (MIRVS), the Zion Concordat and Persian Collective Society have 800 apiece, and the other 9 nuclear powers have similar force levels. A few alien ships in orbit retain the ability to push around asteroids and initiate a KT event if they chose the right one.