Chapter 175
.
On Monday August 14th Amy and Eve left the oil site. It was only for a day bit still, their first day of freedom. It felt good to actually see a little bit of Texas. Until the mutiny Eve didn't even know this was near the small town of Arnett Texas. People in Arnett were excited, they were taking control of their own destiny. New flags were being flown, one in particular. Eleven stars in a circle, the new flag of the collective. They were also flying the republic of Texas flag, from the 1830s. Others were carrying pictures of wolves, which the rebels called themelves. Their new government held its capitol in Los Angelas. This all seemed exciting for Eve. She'd wondered if she had made the right choice. But these people really believed in the cause, they seemed proud of Eve's choice. This made her feel better, made Eve briefly forget, 706 days until impact.
Eve enjoyed her day off. They ate at a diner and saw a movie. Suppossedly she and Amy would be re-located within a week. Likely they'd become farm hands. Even if they remained at the rig it felt good to know they could have a little fun every now and then. As they were getting ready to return they saw a preacher collecting money. It was for a senior home that faced bankruptcy. Most residents couldn't take care of themselves, only about half of them had families to take them in. Without this home, many would either end up on the streets, or at a mercy clinic. Eve remembered a year ago, seeing the first lady and her daughter attending receptions to raise private money to save other such retirement homes and orphanages. Having gotten discounts from the diner and movie theatre for helping the collective army, Eve gave the preacher some money. She wanted to give more money, but feared being with nothing herself.
On Tuesday August 15th Eve was working her normal shift when Amy told her the news. On Friday they were having a naturalization ceremony. Basically they, along with numerous others, would take an oath, and officially become citizens of the Collective States of America. Eve was hesitant. Officially renouncing her original citizenship, this didn't come easy. Amy said it was important. Mason had his army on high alert. He'd lowered the enlistment age to sixteen, was considering bringing back the draft. It was important for Mason to know how many he'd be at war with if open war came. And the oath had certain benefits. Amy assured Eve that if they did this, by Friday night the CSA would have them living in a new home. This did make it tempting for Eve. But she also remembered what colonel Park had said. The first rebel who won his own kingdom, was Lucifer.