Chapter 352
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June 1st 2036 was a Sunday. Many found themselves in some formof church this day. With the final selection done most Americans lost their final chance to survive ELE. Before 2/4 America had over four hundred million people. Today, just over three hundred million, less than two percent were in the Arks, or were selected. America had done better than most countries in that respect, but far too many would die very soon. Eve was among those with mixed feelings. She'd never see her baby again. Hope might have a long and happy life, but without her mother. But it was also a strange relief, she wouldn't have to live with depriving someone else of their survival. Retrieving the last of the chosen would be difficult, if not impossible. And Jed would be needed. He hadn't completely recovered from his wounds. But all who could fight, even at lower strength, were needed. Eve knew she was technically the other woman regarding Jed. But she and Zoey could bond over their mutual fear.
Jed Mason was scheduled to be deployed on June 2nd. The night before, the first family went to the Washington Colliseum. In a big spectacle, some of the leaders of the military coup were executed. Specifically, they were beheaded like Gardner. Some went to the chopping block with four coats on. Even summer nights were sometimes cold, they feared if they shivered, their enemies would say it was from fear. Others begged for their lives and had to be dragged to their execution. The crowd cheered the beheadings, as did the audience watching from their televisions. President Mason hoped this could placate people, turning their anger against those who'd deprived them of their Ark spots. And this seemed more reasonable than those who wanted these leaders' young children to fight each other to the death, as Gardner had forced Zoey and others to do. Jed and Zoey brought Eve with them tonight. They'd likely all be dead in 49 days, quite possibly less. Eve had to admit, she enjoyed seeing these bastards get what was coming to them.