Chapter 219

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On the morning of Wednesday Febuary 7th Eve was eating breakfast. Jacob came up to her, asked to talk to her in private. Eve realized this was probably to make sure none of Hamilton's informants heard anything.

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Eve: What is it?

Jacob: My cousin in Amarillo, he says there might be an outbreak there.

Eve: I'm sorry.

Jacob: Thank you. I have to go there, help protect him and his children. I asked Hamilton, he refused, saying there was no proof. But between this, and loyalist forces so close, I have to go. There are others coming with me. You're welcome to come with us.

Eve: I can't. I don't have any family left. Figured I'd stay and lend a hand. But I won't turn you in dessertion.

Jacob: Thank you. Actually, you're on guard duty tonight, right?

Eve: Where's this going?

Jacob: From where you're stationed, you'll probably see us leaving.

Eve: So I'm suppossed to just let yoy dessert, when I could be shot for that?

Jacob: That's why you should come with us.

Eve: I'll consider it, but I can't promise anything. If you leave, you''ll be taking your chances.

Jacob: Fair enough.

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Jacob had put Eve in a bad situation. As she saw it, she had three options. She could dessert with the others. They'd be on the run from the collective, never knowing when capture would come. Even if Eve could make it to loyalist territory, she'd be in prison for murder, possibly treason. Mason had promised amnesty to collective desserters, but Eve was still a murderer. Eve could turn Jacob in, get in good with Hamilton. But then she'd have to again live with the guilt of betraying her friends yet again. The third option was to do nothing. Look the other way when they desserted, hope Hamilton didn't figure out she'd betrayed their side. Any of these options carried the risk of death. Even with only 529 days until impact, death still frightened Eve.

Eve stood at her post on Wednesday night. She was suppossed to warn her comrades about enemy sightings. Hamilton also made it clear to report any desserters. Eve hadn't reported Jacob's plan just yet. She could still radio her people. She could even shoot Jacob on the spot, say she had no idea of his plans in advance. Maybe desserting herself wasn't the worst idea. Whatever her choice, it became clear she would have to decide quickly.

Sure enough, Jacob and four others came up to her in the middle of the night. Two of them were also suppossed to be on guard duty, they were also desserting. Jacob asked Eve what she wanted to do.

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Jacob: Have you made a decision?

Eve: Yes. I'm staying.

Jacob: Hamilton will know that you let us go. He'll have you shot.

Eve: Maybe. But maybe he'll decide that, with all the dessertions, he needs everyone who's willing to stay and fight. I figure it's 50/50.

Jacob: You stay, you'll get shot. It's anyone's guess which side.

Eve: You might be right. But I can't betray my friends again. I won't inform on you, but I won't abandon those who stay. If that costs me my life, so be it.