Read Online Children of a New Earth by R. J. Eliason - Free Book Online

taking Amy.”
    Amy glanced across at the older men. Larry’s face showed sadness; he and Marlin had been friends for years. Horace and John looked like they had swallowed a bug. Willie’s face was its usual unreadable blank stare. Mark O’Malley showed open revulsion. He was the next to speak. “But her, of all people.”
    “That’s enough!” Jacob roared. “This is a military operation. I am in charge. Anyone want to question that?” No one did. “Right. It is my decision, and we are taking Amy, understand?”
    “Yes sir!” Luke threw out a little too fast and loud. Amy was glad of the support. Daniel followed suit, and Larry even gave her a slight nod as he added his voice.
    The rest of the men mumbled “Yes sir” sullenly. 
    “Good,” Jacob said. “Then we can get down to business. We leave tomorrow, so this is our last chance to discuss the mission. We’ve got some good news as well.” Jacob swallowed nervously as he realized that could be taken wrong. When Amy showed no sign of reacting he went on. “Amy, do you want to brief us about this Jeep of yours?”
     
    “I’m sorry about your dad,” Luke said as they left the community hall. The meeting had lasted all morning and when it picked up after lunch it would probably last all afternoon as well. Amy only understood part of what they were discussing. She didn’t understand the point. They discussed various strategies for dealing with any number of situations they were unlikely to even face.
    “Thanks,” she said. “Come up for lunch. Elisabeth always makes too much anyway, and I am sure Dad would like to see you before we leave.”
    He nodded his agreement. As they rounded the corner, Amy heard several of the others talking.
    “You don’t think it’s a good idea, do you?” Daniel was asking someone.
    “It will be bad luck,” Kurt replied, his voice sullen. Amy felt betrayed by his lack of support. She had always liked Kurt. “Dad says the mission is cursed as it is. He’ll not like this.” That explained a lot .
    “Oh your dad’s daft,” Daniel said. “He thinks everything is cursed.”
    “Maybe it is. Maybe we are all doomed.”
    “Oh, you’re just mad because we’re taking a woman along and you are still the weak one,” Mark laughed. “Look at it this way, boys, it will be kind of nice to have some around to cook and clean for us.” Shawn and Patrick both laughed.
    “Maybe more than just cook,” Shawn leered.
    “That grease monkey?” Patrick replied, “Yuck!”
    Amy went red but refused to acknowledge that she’d heard any of it. Luke looked away uncomfortably. When they were out of earshot, she exploded. “Those assholes! Who the hell do they think they are? Do they think I wanted to go on their precious mission? The whole damn lot of them could rot, for all I care. If it weren’t for Dad, I’d tell them to their faces. And if they think for one second I am going along to cook and clean . . .”
    “They’re just being immature,” Luke said. “Ignore them.”
    “Most of them are older than you,” Amy shot back.
    “I know. They just think that they have to talk like that to be considered men.”
    “And being a woman means putting up with it?”
    “No, of course not. They don’t understand the great American way of life, honor and decency and all that.”
    Amy rolled her eyes. Luke looked hurt. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “I am glad you don’t feel the need to act like a baboon. And if it’s any consolation, now I am glad that you were chosen.” He smiled and nodded. 
    When they got back to Amy’s house and told Elisabeth what they had heard the other boys saying, her sister was direct. “If they expect you to cook for them,” she said, “they have never had your cooking.”
     
    “When you get back . . .” Marlin trailed off, not wanting to give voice to the pleasant lie.
    Amy stared back, tears in her eyes. Looking at her father, she knew he wouldn’t last a week. As much as it would hurt