Chapter 12

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Things calmed down somewhat after Mason lied to the people. The Arks were complete, fuel and livestock were being gathered. The president rememered, in his youth, being passionate about the environment, animal rights. That seemed irrelevant now. But if politicians hadn't fought against oil drilling or hunting animals for sport, there would be less of them today for the Arks. Zoey was doing her part with her filming of the Arks and work sites. Mason saw little reason to have her prosecuted for a non-violent drug offense. If that ever made sense before, it didn't now. That was why Mason was shocked when the only witness against Zoey, a friend who'd been given immunity, was found dead of a drug-overdose. Maybe she's had problems with drug abuse, but that didn't stop the conspiracy theories from popping up. Zoey had made amends with the girl, the vice-president wouldn't provoke him like that. Only that fanatic Benteen, the director of the FBI, could've theoretically had her killed. Jed knew the missles were a longshot, he kept asking permission to enlist. Sharon was against it. As short as their time might be, she still wanted her children alive. General Douglas was oppossed to Mason's lie. He believed people had the right to know the truth, to take precautions and protect themselves as best they could. Mason feared that Douglas would leak the truth to the public. One day, Mimi came to see her father. Mason had Secret Service agents with him during the meeting. As much as he loved his daughter, he wasn't taking stupid chances.

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Mimi: I want to tell you something, but you have to promise me you'll keep Rebecca safe.

Mason: Ofcourse. Sweetie, if you're involved with people who would hurt a four year old, you have to do the right thing and tell me.

Mimi: I need to tell you, about the conspiracy. General Douglas was involved, he set me and Pierce up for the plot to kill you.

Mason: Why haven't you said anything before?

Mimi: He implied there were others, some who would hurt Rebecca. I don't know who specifically that is.

Mason: We checked Douglas out, found no evidence.

Mimi: He never e-mailed or called me. We discussed everything verbally.

Mason: I believe you. Thank you, for everything.

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Mason ordered general Douglas arrested for treason and attempted murder. Some claimed he was merely jailing a powerful critic of his administration. If there were others involved they kept their distance. Perhaps arresting their boss scared them, or maybe they had a problem hurting a child. It was also possible that Douglas was bluffing when he said there were others involved. This actually brought his family closer together. Jed seemed to have forgiven Mimi after she ratted Douglas out. Mason allowed his son to enlist. Soon the public would know that ELE was still coming, he would need all the soldiers he could get. The night before this announcement, in July 2034, Jed Mason and Zoey Allen officially married. Tomorrow the president would officially announe that the missles had failed. Tonight, they were siezing what happiness they could. Mason's priest officiated the ceremony. George Mason, Sharon, vice-president Allen, even Mimi were all here to see them marry. Little Anton and Zena, Allen's younger children, were a flower girl and "orange boy." For whatever reason Anton wanted to give the guests oranges over flowers. Tomorrow would be a dark day, tonight, they would all share this moment.