Free Bomb (9780547537641) by Theodore Taylor

governor.
    There was tension in the air, caused by Abram. It was like the hushed minutes before a thunderstorm struck. Sorry looked around at the other families. Their faces were blank, waiting for words from the mighty white Americans who had delivered the atoll from the Japanese.
    Abram remained standing, staring at the governor. Deep distrust was in his eyes.
    With a grunt, Grandfather Jonjen got back to his feet, lifted his chin, and stood beside Abram and Sorry, planting his cane in the sand defiantly. Then Tara joined Jonjen, studying the governor, too.
    Finally the governor spoke, and Azakel, after a pause, said, "You know about the atom bomb?"
    Juda said, "Yes, we know," glancing at Abram. All heads turned to look at Sorry's uncle.
    The governor spoke again and Azakel said, "The Americans must now test this weapon in a different way, and Bikini has been chosen as the atoll for these necessary tests."
    So that's why the Sumner is in the lagoon,
Sorry thought.
    Abram shouted, "No!" and the people turned to look at him again. They had been startled by his loud cry. He was glaring at the governor.
    Juda said, "Let Azakel finish."
    Abram shouted again, in English this time, directly to the governor. "No atom bomb here. Look what it did to Hiroshima!"
    Then Sorry's mother pleaded with her brother. "Please, Abram, please sit down and let him finish."
    The governor and all the other officers and Jeimata were frowning at Abram. They had not expected to find anyone on Bikini like Abram Makaoliej.
    Sorry immediately thought of the albatross that had moaned when it passed Nantil two years ago.
This was what the bird had been moaning about. The atom bomb.
    Translating again, Azakel said, "It will be done for peace and security around the world."
    "Whose peace and security?" Abram yelled in Marshallese, then in English.
    The governor took a deep breath and spoke again.
    Azakel said, "Many warships will be anchored in the lagoon. The tests will find out how well the ships will survive in future attacks."
    The
ailīnkan
had come to Bikini once again, Sorry thought. First the Spaniards, then the Germans and the Japanese. Now the nice Americans, first offering candy, then the atom bomb.
    "There are atolls where no people live," Abram said distinctly, both in English and in Marshallese.
    "But none with a lagoon this large or this deep," Azakel argued.
    That wasn't true. Kwajalein's lagoon was much larger and deeper, Sorry had heard.
    Azakel said forcefully, "The Americans have flown everywhere. It has to be a place free of storms, where the wind blows in one direction and where the sea currents avoid fishing grounds and inhabited islands, an area where whales do not travel."
    Sorry remembered that Abram had told the people about the poison that came from the bomb and made everyone sick. Radiation! It could come through air or water. "Let the Americans fly some more and find another place," Abram said in both languages. His hands were clenched into fists; rage showed around his mouth.
    The navy officers looked at the paramount chief for help. Jeimata said stonily to Juda, "Make him be quiet."
    Juda looked as if he wanted the sand to swallow him up. He said weakly, "Please, Abram ..." He glanced toward Sorry's mother for help. Her expression didn't change.
    The governor took a deep breath and tried to ignore the troublemaker, speaking again. Azakel interpreted. "They will move everyone and all of your possessions; provide new houses, provide you with food—"
    "Don't listen to him!" Abram shouted in Marshallese.
    "Be quiet, Abram," said Leje Ijjirik.
    "You can return here in several years," continued Azakel, translating. "Everything will be restored to the way it is this morning."
    Sorry could see that Azakel was sweating. His brown skin had a reddish tinge.
    "Liar!" Abram shouted at the governor. He was trembling with anger. "The bomb will poison our earth, kill our trees, poison our lagoon. No coconuts, no fish—"
    Juda said,