Chapter 232
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Tuesday March 6th marked exactly one year since Samuel's followers detonated a nuclear bomb in Illinois. It also marked 502 days until impact. Eve was becoming worried about her friends. She didn't know if Jacob had made it to his family. She hadn't heard anything from Nadia since last June. If she went back to help in Sangala, she could've easily gotten caught in the crossfire. Even if the fightig ended soon, it would take years to identify all of the dead, they didn't have years. And with all the fighting in Texas, Eve had no idea if Adam was alive. She'd sent him letters, the eagles mailed them, but never told Eve where Adam was. Eve also thought about the approaching deadline, no children born after December 31st would be permitted into the Arks. If Eve ever wanted children, she'd have to get pregnant very soon. Other female prisoners considered this option. They fell into two groups. The patriotic ones planned to get pregnant from male prisoners. They hoped that new fathers would have more lottery chances after the war. Others wanted to become pregnant by the guards. Their reasoning was that Mason would give them more chances if they gave birth to a loyalist's child. Eve didn't know which side she'd choose. But if she didn't choose quickly, the point would be moot.
Thursday March 8th was exactly 500 days until impact. Every time the countdown dipped into another 100 days Eve became a bit nervous. This time it was also less than ten months before the first lottery drawing. Most likely, Eve would get her first rejection then. The war would likely be over before then, at least that's what she hoped. If the news was accurate, the Collective States of America wouldn't exist in another three months. But there was always the possibility of another war starting up again before this one even ended. On this Thursday, colonel Sadler made this announcement.
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Sadler: Attention everyone. I have just recieved word that the government of North Korea is demanding use of American Arks. They are threatenig to use nuclear weapons against this country, if we don't capitulate. Washington believes we'll be at war with North Korea within the week. President George Mason believes we cannot win, if we are fighting amongst ourselves. Therefore, I have been instructed to make you an offer. If you agree to join the United States army, agree to fight for it against North Korea, you will have your record wiped clean, even earn more chances in the lottery. The choice is yours.
Eve thought about the offer. A chance to be free again, did sound appealing. And Eve's instincts about defending her country came back to her. Would she even have to fight? Mason was getting more soldiers as a show of strength. Maybe that would be enough to frighten North Korea away. Then Eve realized, North Korea must be desperate to threaten America like this, probably desperate enough to attack away. Could Eve really judge them for this? Hadn't her side tried to steal American Arks? Douglas had claimed they were fighting for freedom, but really it was about self-preservation. If Eve joined the army, before long she'd have to kill some poor North Korean person. Maybe younger than her, probably forced at gunpoint, desperately trying to protect their family. Eve had done enough killing for one lifetime. She wouldn't do that again, not even for this.