"Were there a lot of them, I wonder?" Kelli asked.
"They'd found five already within the area they're patrolling. Seems there are a lot of them along the river."
"How wonderful."
Lana was quiet. Mike's gaze fell to her.
"Great job with the generator," he said. "We didn't think it would ever work."
"Thanks," she said.
"I understand you want to cross the river."
Lana nodded.
Mike gazed towards the Mississippi. "We could use someone like you here. In fact, all the cities along the river could."
"I really need to get to Colorado," Lana said quietly.
"The PMF has subs. They can take you to the opposite bank, but they're the first to say not to do it. No one makes it onto the bank with the security the feds installed to keep us Easterners from crossing," he said with a shake of his head. "I'll think about it. I'd rather see you alive and here than blown to pieces trying to get across the river. You could always wait a few weeks or so to see if they disable the security."
Lana sought the words to convey her urgency without revealing just how important it was.
"The girl misses her family, Mike," Kelli said. "She fixed the generator. She definitely contributed. If she wants to leave, she can help us check the receivers then go her own way."
Mike sighed. "All right. I'll talk to the PMF. None of us know enough about the receivers, so we do need your help before you go."
"Of course," Lana said, her hopes rising. "I can check them tomorrow."
The couple exchanged a look. Mike rose and left. Lana shifted, sensing she'd said something to cause the silent communication between Kelli and Mike.
"If you're alive, I'm coming for you. Just give me some sort of sign."
Lana froze at the words. It took a long moment for her to register Mike hadn't spoken them, and the familiar voice came from the implant in her ear.
"You feel all right?" Kelli asked.
"Yes, thanks. Just … I think I need some sleep," Lana said, standing abruptly. "Come, Jack." She itched to grab her micro or tap her ear and respond.
Brady-her Guardian-was alive! Lana's body went on autopilot as her mind returned to her fall from the helo. She'd seen Brady thrown from it and no bodies wash up on shore. While she knew his genetic engineering made him harder to kill, she'd never imagined he'd survived. Even hearing his voice, she couldn't help thinking she'd heard him because she wanted to hear his voice again, not because she actually had.