I am well over halfway through writing "The Chief."
Here is an excerpt:

"Prepping—preparing for the Apocalypse—is not a common endeavor in southern California. At least if it was, it was not a popular topic one discussed with one’s neighbors and country club associates. Self-reliance and hardy individualism, however, were quite usual for those who grew up in the desert region around the Salton Sea. Walter’s family lived here for generations. His grandfather settled here after coming home from the Pacific campaign in World War II. His son, Walter’s dad, returned after serving with the Marines in Korea. Walter was an Army medivac pilot in Vietnam."