Chapter 356
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There was a time, seemed like centuries ago now, when Eve had really admired president Mason. She still hadn't forgotten what he did, the effects on people at St Patrick's. But she also now saw him being playful with his granddaughter, giving Rebecca piggy-bank rides. Some days Mason had no time to play, and put her in other hands, sometimes Eve's. She saw his fear for Jed, regretting giving him permission to enlist. They were united in their fear for Jed. Eve saw Mason desperately trying to get food to needed areas, trying to insure that as few people as possible starved to death. She saw his frustration when that became difficult, if not impossible. She saw Mason's other quirks. Watching the news on three different stations at once, or giving orders to his cabinet, while on the toilet. A polite was of saying that would've been he was too busy to take time off, even for that. And ofcourse, there was the mob gathering outide Washington, made angrier through hunger, sweltering heat, and fear. The president was worried what this mob would do to the people of this "modern Babylon." Eve started to remember why she had once admired George Mason.
It seemed irnic. The planet was on the verge of another ice age, yet it was incredibly hot. It was expected that things would get even hotter come July, before impact. Some almost looked forward to ELE, at least it would be a change. NASA estimated the asteroid would hit the Atlantic ocean near Washington, and a giant wave would destroy the capitol. Some in Walker's camp believed this wave would be a cleansing baptism, sparing the rightous and ushering in the Millenial Kingdo. Eve wondered, perhaps she'd be able to see this kingdom from the other side of the wave before she was destroyed. The heat made it difficult for new soldiers to train. From what Eve could tell, they didn't look very promising to begin with. They were disorganized, lacking discipline. Many were under-nourished, could barely stand. Eve figured the president would likely "Ask" her to join this army, despite her past treason. With the enlistment age being twelve, the kids seemed to be the most enthusiastic. To them, it seemed like a game, one that offerred rare treats like chocholate and soda. Clearly more soldiers would be needed to defend the capitol. Mason was offerring starving refugees with barely one month to live the food they needed to survive. If that didn't attract the people that they needed, what would.