Chapter 184

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On Saturday September 30th Eve heard the news. Election day would continue on schedule. Tuesday November 7th. Santos was up for re-election. They would also vote on who exactly to send to be their representatives in Los Angelas. The voting age had been lowered to sixteen. This meant that Eve would actually be able to vote, at least once. She didn't know much about the candidates for congress, she wasn't sure if Santos was even being challenged. But one particular issue was on the ballot. Whether to give the governor the authority to withdraw from the collective. Eve planned to vote against this. She knew that if Texas had the right to secceed from the union, it had the right to secceed from the collective. But with the collective, Eve was a veteran, fairly good odds of getting into an Ark. But in the Republic of Texas, she was nobody, an enemy and a murderer. A part of Eve feared she deserved to be nobody.

On Sunday October 1st Amy and Eve were walking home. Amy still hadn't heard about her parents, she was worried. Eve hoped that this early autumn afternoon would help. Then officer Burkle, a Texas Ranger, said she wanted to talk to Eve, ask her some questions. Amy offerred to come with Eve. She didn't say it outloud, but it was clear she wanted to keep Eve safe, from the police neccessary. But Eve said she'd be fine. She was sure it was just normal procedure, and she wanted to help. In truth, Eve feared it was far from serious. Her time in prison, with the Sons of Liberty, and as a police informant. This made her loyalties somewhat suspicious. Whatever Ranger Burkle did, Eve wanted to keep Amy out of it.

Ranger Burkle brought Eve to a holding room and asked her to wait. Eve was getting used to this procedure, the police making her wait alone in order to frighten her. After dealing with colonel Park a Texas Ranger didn't seem particularly scary. Eve figured she'd be back soon. Indeed, Burkle came back with food, even offerred Eve a ciggarette as they talked.

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Burkle: I'd like to talk to you about your roomates.

Eve: They're okay.

Burkle: Miguel Sanchez is loyalist, yet he remains in Texas. Do you know if he has contact with the United States?

Eve: Not that I know of.

Burkle: Not even his son?

Eve: If he does he hasn't told me. Mr Sanchez doesn't exactly approve of us taking over his home.

Burkle: I guess I can't blame him. And what about Lee Cheng? What do you know about the Brotherhood of the Wolf?

Eve: I've heard the name. I don't really know what they're about.

Burkle: They support the collective government and opposse the Republic of Texas. We believe they're planning terrorist operations to disrupt the election. Lee Cheng is a member of the Brotherhood.

Eve: I don't believe Lee's a terrorist.

Burkle: Maybe you're right. Your past activities indicate that you believe in protecting innocent life.

Eve: The Koran says all life is important.

Burkle: Indeed. If someone were planning to put a bomb on a bus full of random civilians, you'd tell the authorities right?

Eve: Ofcourse.

Burkle: Even if you believed in the individual's ideology?

Eve: Yes.

Burkle: Thank you for talking with us. That's all. If I need anything else, I'll call you. For now, I'll give you a ride home.

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When Eve returned home, Amy kissed her immediately.

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Amy: I was worried about you.

Eve: I'm fine, or as fine as I can be for the next 658 days.

Amy: Why'd they want you?

Eve: Asked me some questions about our housemates. I think she also wanted to remind me that they're in charge.

Amy: Be careful around them. And, remember that we're in a relationship. We can protect each other, and be honest with each other.

Eve: I know. Thanks for reminding me.

Amy: Always.