o dress. At the door he paused
and turned back. "Fill up every possible container you've got empty
with water. Right now! Fill the bathtub and half the kitchen sink.
Just use the other half for drain. And make every drop count. I don't
know how long I'll be gone but I'm sure they'll be cutting the
domestic water off any minute now."

* * * * *

Alec heard the wail of sirens in the distance as he climbed into his
car. Threading his way onto the expressway, he switched the radio to
standard broadcast band.

[Illustration]

"... Is little damage reported," the voice of newscaster said in
matter-of-fact tones. "Seismologists at the University of California
and Seattle University have placed the epicenter of the quake within
fifty miles of Pullman, Washington. We repeat, there has been little
damage and no reports of personal injury in the Spokane area. However,
communications with the Pullman-Moscow, Idaho area have been
temporarily disrupted. Early reports from the quake center seem to
indicate possibility of heavy damage and possible injuries there.
There is no confirmation at this time but stay tuned for details as
they ..." the announcer paused, then continued. "Here is a bulletin
just handed me from the Greater Spokane Municipal Authority.

"The quake has caused some minor damage to water mains in some areas
in the city. Crews are now being dispatched to the scene to make
repairs but in the meanwhile, domestic water supplies are being shut
down while the repairs are in progress to conserve water supplies.
Only emergency water line are being maintained for fire and disaster
control. The Authority says water service will be resumed shortly and
there is no need for alarm."

Alec shut off the radio and concentrated on the traffic. By the time
he reached Regional headquarters, traffic flow was already increasing
and he caught glimpses of family cars piled high with obviously
tossed-in belongings, heading out of the city.

The gate to Region Six headquarters normally stood open twenty-four
hours a day. Now it was closed as an armed security guard stopped him.
The officer stooped and peered into the car. "Hi, Dr. Patterson, go
right in." He waved to another guard on the gate and the portals swung
open.

"What's the check for, officer?" Alec asked.

"I don't really know, doctor," the guard replied. "Must be something
to do with the quake. All I know is that we got ordered to check all