The woman glanced up from her plate, surprise on her features.
"I have … family in Colorado," Lana said. It wasn't completely untrue; Mr. Tim was in Colorado.
"A few people have tried. No one has come back," Kelli said slowly.
Because they're dead, Lana guessed. There were likely some nasty security features on the other side of the Mississippi left over from the East-West Civil War. Lana's access was limited to the eastern part of the country. She could see nothing in her micro beyond the River.
"Hey, Kelli." Two soldiers-one in black and one in gray-approached. The one in gray spoke.
"Hi, Leo," Kelli said with a smile. "Anything on patrols tonight?"
Lana studied the soldiers. They were well armed and their uniforms pressed and clean.
"Nothing. It's a good thing. Found a few more refugees just south of here. You have room in the warehouse?"
"We do. We had another refugee wander into the town today," Kelli said, motioning to Lana.
Lana braced herself as the two looked her over carefully.
"Welcome," the man in black said at last. "She looks healthy."
"Seems that way. We didn't test her for radiation yet," Kelli added. "The equipment isn't working again."
"We can send someone to fix it," the soldier in gray said.
"I didn't expect to see you working together," Lana said, unable to help her curiosity.
"Still our country," the PMF soldier said. "We're just trying to keep the people safe for now."
"You have a common goal," Lana said thoughtfully. "Interesting."
"We're all there is here in the States," the military regular said. "The rest of the military is overseas. Domestic protection fell to PMF. For once, someone in the chain of command had some common sense."
"Only time in history," the PMF solider said with a snort. "Kelli, you checked her profile?"
"She's clean," Kelli confirmed. "Sorry, Lana. We welcome everyone with open arms but are cautious nonetheless. We've thrown a few in the prison we created and sent a few more home with these guys. No idea what happens to them then."
"Better you don't know," the PMF soldier said with a smile. "Nice to meet you, Lana."
"Thanks," she managed.
"How're the kids?" the other solider asked Kelli.
"Very well, thanks," Kelli said with a warm smile. "The radiation treatments we found in the feds' storage facility worked. Thanks again to your docs for showing us how to use them."