Chapter 362

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There were only 33 days until impact. Most likely they'd all be dead soon. But Eve still feared death, and the angry mob. She confirmed what Zoey had already told her from the president. Between Eve's military experience, and her communication skills, she would indeed soon be on the front lines. She was scheduled to ship out with the new recruits on Friday. The mob would likely tear her apart, do horrible things before putting Eve out of her misery. Eve was beginning to fear that Zoey had the right idea.

Fot three days Eve trained with other "soldiers." For her, this was something of a refresher course, the others were new, very new. Major Keeler was in charge. Eve wasn't neccessarily afraid of dying, even the mob, as much as who she was leading into battle. These were children, some just 12 years old. Eve had enough blood n her hands, she didn't need this. Keeler didn't seem to care much. Keeler was in his early fifthties, a career marine. He'd fought for the loyalists in the war, and against Gardner's coup. Keeler was completely loyal to the country he had served since September 2001, lying about his age to join after 9/11. But the United States of America had an experation date. If the capitol was about to fall, he wanted to die defendingit. Neither Keeler nor Mason seemed to care that this move might be seen as a desperate move by a defeated leader. Perhaps that was exactly what it was.

There were a number of death cults in D.C. claiming the name Finis Generatium. Perhaps the strangest was one where women deliberately got pregnant, then killed themselves. Their theory seemed to be that they could essentially hitch a ride to Heaven if they died with an innocent life inside of them. Eve believed Keeler was a member of this religion. He taught his recruits that there was honor in dying for your country, that this was the reason they were recruited, to die with honor. Keeler also taught them to shoot the enemy directly in the head, he saw litte point in torture or making them suffer. Keeler felt there was honor in giving one's enemies a quick death in battle, releasing them from the pain of this life. Eve feared that Walker's mob would not be so merciful when they breached the capitol. Others were recruited from the special courts, they went from killing for no reason, to killing for their country. According to one rumor two women, one eight months pregnant, the other with a two month old, made a strange pact. The new mother shot the pregnant woman in the stomach, killing her unborn child. Her friend repayed her by drowning here friend's two month old. These women then confessed what they'd done in the courts and awaited punishment. What happenned next varied from story to story. Some said they were drafted into the army, others said they refused and were executed by firing squad, holding each other's hands. In the old days one of these women might've turned on the other for the possibility of being paroled one day, assuming they were mentally fit to stand trial. It was hard t remember a time when the criminally insane were given psychiatric help instead of being shot immediately, or desperately recruited into the military. The night of June 19th Eve was invited to a strange ritual. Major Keeler made it clear she didn't have to go, but was welcome to go. Eve agreed after hearing what it was. Keeler was inducting them into Finis Generatium. Five new recruits, including Eve, the youngest among them was fifthteen. They bowed down while the priestess loaded a gun with one bullet, and planned to shoot each recruit once. They might all survive, or one might die. Eve had played Russian roulette once, but backed out. It seemed Jack wasn't crazy, he was just ahead of the curve. Eve closed her eyes as the priestess walked to her. She didn't open them even after she heard the click. She had survived, again, but someone else would likely die. She heard the gunshot. Eve was worried, but didn't scream. Noone did. They envied this 16 year old, her pain was over. And it had been a bonding experience. They had killed together, risked their life together. Eve knew she had survived this baptism. She was now a member of Finis Generatium.

June 20th 2036. Exactly one month until impact. Eve was suppossed to march out with Keeler and other young recruits. Except for the major, Eve was the oldest recruit here. They were being sent to the wall. Maybe the angry mob wouldn't attack children, or maybe they'd realize Washington was lost. There were twenty soldiers younger than Eve. Because of Eve's experience she was made a captain, Keeler's second in command. Such promotins were common in desperate times. Eve felt some pride in being an officer in the United States army. This wouldn't last very long, but it was something. Before Eve left she kissed Zoey goodbye. Then she marched off to her ultimate destiny.