Chapter 296
.
This hospital appeared to be mostly neutral territory during the rebellion, which was still going on. The doctors were under orders to give treatment to loyalists first, civilians second, and rebels last, only if they could spare the medical resources. Eve's injuries weren't serious, eventually they'd question her about the bombing, but for now they had bigger problems. Dr Weber treated the most seriously injured, regardless of affiliation. When loyalists were cleared to leave they returned to the fight, rebels were held prisoner, likely for prisoner exchanges. Around 6pm they brought Eve her dinner, a tv dinner of meatloaf. While she was eating this she heard an announcement over the PA system.
.
"Attention hospital employees. The John Brown brigade has taken control of this building. You should continue your normal functions for now. You will give medical care to rebels first, then civilians, then to loyalists only when you can spare the medical reources. John Brown thanks you for your cooperation."
.
By Monday morning things seemed to have calmed down. Rebels and loyalists were both here, and not causing problems. They watched tv together, mostly "Simpsons" re-reuns at this point, and even played cards together to pass the time. The John Brown brigade freed the rebel prisoners and held healthy loyalists as prisoners. These healthy ones were expected to help out as orderlies. Weber was still treating patients equally regardless of politics. Eve wasn't scheduled to leave until Tuesday. By Monday afternoon there was talk of an upcoming prisoner exchange. Sector guards might be allowed to leave the sector. Eve thought about this, she had worked at the police station, governor Jenkins might not know she planted that bomb. This could be her chance to leave with Hope and escape later.
On Tuesday Febuary 12th Eve was being examined by Dr Weber before her release. It was unclear to some which side she was on, so they'd let her go. It seemed she'd have to either choose the rebels again, or sneak out with the sector guards. During the examination they heard an announcement, the conflict was over. President Mason and governor Jenkins had agreed to let the rebels hve the Brooklyn sector. They'd be withdrawing loyalist forces at midnight, when the peace became official. Eve was happy, they'd won. They no longer had to live under George Mason's oppression, he was really letting them go this time. As Eve thought these things she realized, she was a rebel now. Dr Weber seemed less than thrilled. He'd remained neutral during the uprising, how would the sector's new government treat him? For that matter, what kind of government would be established? In all the excitement Eve hadn't really thought about these little things. This could be problematic.
After being released from the hospital Eve went straight to her church. many people were here to hear the terms of the peace treaty. The loyalists would leave, wouldn't interfere with whatever government the rebels established. All those who collaborated with the loyalists, they and their families would be allowed to leave peacefully tonight. The rebels said they were exiled, Jenkins said they had earned the right to be American citizens again. There were only a few exceptions. Wounded loyalists too injured to leave the hospital would be treated until they were healthy enough to leave. Mayor Ford was going to be tried in the sector for war crimes, such as involvement in the purges. If convicted it remained unclear what would happen to him, prison, exile, execution. The rebels promised to stay in the sector. This was suppossed to be a new government of God. What happenned in the corrupt secular world was not their concern. Those who'd remained neutral during the uprising had to stay in the sector, live with whatever government emerged. Since there wasn't enough time to build more Arks, the rebels would still have their names in the four remaining lottery drawings. There would likely be trading between this sector and the loyalists. The Brooklyn sector retained a numer of trees and plants that the Arks would need, and the sector might still be dependant upon this for food. But, as of midnight tonight, they were once again in control of their own destiny.