"You're from the manual labor class?"
"I am. I guess my grandfather was at one time a friend of Mr. Tim's. He contacted Mr. Tim when I was four, after my mother died. I never knew my father. Mr. Tim paid for my education and training. He sponsored my entrance into government service. I've worked for him since."
"I never would have guessed," Guardian said.
"Everyone assumes I was born into this class."
"You carry yourself like you were. Look, I'm being summoned to hunt some bad men. God willing, I die in battle sometime soon. If not, I'll make you a promise. Keep my men with food and water, and I'll marry you if our paths ever cross," he said. "I don't starve, and you don't die alone. Sound like a good plan?"
"I don't think either of us will live that long, but I'll agree to your terms," she replied with a laugh. "Be safe, and don't be in the facility when the alarm rearms."
"Will do. Guardian out."
Lana's smile remained as she crossed the helipad towards the barracks. She tried not to think of the Guardian dying. He had been with her since the world began its plummet into chaos, and she hoped he remained at the other end of the network until the world righted itself. It was not likely for the paths of a soldier and a member of the political elite to cross paths, but he was the closest thing she had ever had to a friend since leaving her home at the age of four. Mr. Tim kept her too busy to allow her time to have her own life.
Her stomach fluttered at the idea of her Guardian offering to marry her. He was brusque and candid, two traits she hadn't yet gotten used to. She'd daydreamed of what he looked like. Even if their paths never crossed, his offer still made her feel special in a way she'd never had time to experience with another man.
The net buzzed, and she tapped her implant to open her channel.
"Lana." General Greene's gruff voice held a tense note.
"Yes, sir?"
"Are you in the hub?"
"No, sir. You sent me home," she reminded him.
"Someone's in the hub, and it's not me or you. You seen Arnie?"
"No, sir."
"You may want to make your way back here. I think you're the only one who knows how to fix anything that madman breaks."