She didn’t know how long she slept, but when she woke it was in the middle of the night, and she was thirsty and hungry. There was a partial moon and a cloudless night which was good enough for her to find her way to the pool of water, which was about a half-mile from the house. She scared a mule deer from the watering hole but saw no sign of Whitey.

She drank her fill of the water and then just sat there beside the water wondering what her plan was. First, if some Mexicans could find her, she was sure the Feds knew where she was. She wondered if they were just letting her die in the desert instead of coming after her. It had been 48 hours since she ate last, and she was still weak from the heat stroke and the ordeal with the chase as she would recall it years later.

She no longer believed that she could walk out of Mexico from where she was. Perhaps it was a foolish idea from the beginning. She wondered if she could double back and steal some clothes from someone’s clothesline near Jennifer’s house. She decided she needed more rest no matter her ultimate plan. She looked at some of the cactus growing in the area and wished she had the Internet to know if any of them were edible. What would I use for a knife?

She wandered back to the old adobe house, discouraged, hungry and tired. In the predawn light, she thought she saw Whitey at the edge of the scrubby trees she called “the woods” about a half-mile from the house in the opposite direction of the springs. She went in and back to her bedroom. She settled in the small circle she had cleared in the room. She was sitting in the circle looking for something better than the flat rock she had been using for a pillow when she heard it. It was the whine of an electric powered, ultralight plane/helicopter.

She made no effort to run. She stood up, tried to comb her hair and dust off herself off. She felt foolish but unashamed that she was nude. She looked at her legs; she had lost weight. She didn’t feel like a fabulously beautiful woman, instead she felt dirty and small, and above all foolish that she had thought she could outrun the Feds and the States Military. I wonder who is coming for tea this morning?  She didn’t have to wait long to find out.

Joe walked through the door with a backpack on his shoulder. His first words to her were “are you, okay?"

“Tired, dirty and hungry, but okay," she said a little above a whisper, determined not to cry. And then she added, “I’m afraid I will live.”

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She laid perfectly still, almost afraid to breathe. Over the next minute, she counted three voices, two on the side of the ravine she was closest to, one on the other side. They were speaking in Spanish in subdued voices like they were sneaking up on someone, perhaps me Jane thought. They seemed so close; their voices seemed to be right above her. It was thirty feet to the edge of the rim above her, and it was straight up. They would have to go downstream or upstream before they could descend into the ravine where she was.

Not a single muscle of her body moved for the next five minutes of silence. Her eyes squinted into the sun looking for the men she knew were on the rim above. She tried to ignore the feeling that she was being baked alive in the hot sand. Then she heard the crunch of gravel behind her head, perhaps ten yards away. She heard nothing from the other direction. Her body tensed, but she used all her willpower to give them no indication that she was aware that they were closing in on her. She heard her heart beating like a loud drum in her ears, and she noticed the sand above her breast shaking like an earthquake was happening somewhere below the surface. She moved one hand very slowly and grabbed the strap to her backpack.

“Jane, Jane," she heard from a voice with a heavy Mexican accent very close and behind her. It was time to move; she could no longer pretend they didn’t see her. In one motion, she was up and ready to run sand clinging to and falling off her body. Her butt and breasts were white and in sharp contrast to the rest of her darkly tanned body. There was one man behind her, upstream in the ravine, right where she thought he was from the sound of his footsteps. Two men were downstream in the ravine a little further from her. She turned to face the man upstream of her when she saw the motion behind her. She ducked and rolled out of way operating on pure instinct or perhaps from all the karate classes she had taken off and on her entire life.

She felt the rope net settling on her, but sheer panic sent her scurrying out from under it in hyper speed before they could pull it tight. There were now four of then she assessed as she sprang to her feet outside the net. One man up the ravine and three below her. She took one step in the direction of the single man whom she could almost reach out and touch and then whirled and ran at the three men. One man on the right edge of the ravine stood between her and the open ground. She turned and ran directly at him. Already near top speed after three hard strides, she launched the backpack at his face when she was just three feet from him. He went down his body twisting as he grasped her backpack. She barely kept her feet. As if in slow motion, she saw him hit his knee on a boulder and then scream. She slowed for a brief second wanting to get her backpack as the other three men converged.  In a fraction of a second, she decided stopping to get the backpack was not worth the risk of getting caught.

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With that, Jane was out of the house moving first two blocks west and then north. Once she turned north, she found herself on an empty dirt road that ran along the backside of adobe houses. She ran up against the houses when she could and switched to running under trees when they were available.

She had covered about two miles in twelve minutes when she first heard the helicopters coming in from the east. It sounded like two of them both working the sky to the east of her. She had an hour until dark. She picked up the pace. Her lungs and chest felt like they would explode, and her legs were burning, but to her relief, the sound of the copters was getting more distant for the moment.

An hour into the escape with the sun just below the horizon, she heard the dogs. At first, she panicked and started running faster and then slowed to a walk and stopped. She was sure she was beyond the roadblocks, but the dogs would soon give them an idea on her direction.

She spread the map out that she had tried to memorize but had not finished. At that moment, she heard the whining of an old truck as it labored up a hill. She folded the map up and ran toward the sound. Over the next rise, a small pickup loaded with corn with three men in the cab labored up the hill moving northwest. She ran in front of it waving her arms. They stopped and motioned her toward the back. She didn’t quite see a safe way to ride on top of the corn, but she scrambled onto it anyway. Once she got on top of the corn, she held onto the cab. It turned out not to be much of a problem with a truck seldom going more than 20 mph up the hill. The road was narrow, unpaved and full of potholes. She wondered if such a road would even be on her map, and if they had some cargo other than corn to explain why they were on this road.

She rode on the truck for the next two hours until they joined with a paved road and shortly thereafter stopped at a gas station that was not yet open. With her little Spanish, she understood they were out of gas and had to wait until morning to get more. She tried to take some pesos out of her backpack to pay them, but they pointed to yesterday’s newspaper still for sale in a glass fronted metal box. It is a scene that could have been seen in the United States a hundred years ago. They pointed to the picture of her on the front page, gave her a thumbs up and then offered her some tamales. She made no attempt to persuade them they were wrong and gladly took the tamales to preserve her supplies.

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“In English?" Mary asked.

“I am better at English, but I can use the google translator if you like," Lisa answered.

Mary looked at the phone, “are you talking to me?"

“Yes, Mary I am talking to you. My name is Lisa."

“Where do you live, Lisa?" Mary asked.

“I live in the computer that is in the clouds," Lisa answered.

Mary looked to Jane for confirmation that what Lisa said was true. Jane simply nodded

“Where did you learn English?” Lisa asked.

“The Texas boys in Youth Services came to our town last summer. One lived in our house, and he taught me and my mom English better."

“A friend of mine told me about Youth Services,” Jane said looking at Mary.

Rose answered, “Texas sends all their high school graduates and some college graduates to Youth Services to help out old people, other countries, and to just do good stuff. They are very popular in Mexico.”

“The boy was very cute; his name was Michael,” Mary volunteered.

“That is how they handle their excess labor,” Jane explained.

“I do not know about that, but they help lots of people. They even work in our schools teaching English and math, and lots of stuff,” Mary said.

Lisa continued, “would you like to go on a walk with me, Mary?”

“Okay, where would you like to go?" Mary asked.

“Let’s go to the market and take some pictures," Lisa suggested.

“What do you want to take pictures of Lisa?”

“I want you to look for people you don’t know and take their pictures. However, I don’t want them to know that you are taking their pictures," Lisa instructed. “Do you know how to do that?”

“Sure, it is how we take pictures of the boys at school. I do it all the time, and I never get caught," bragged Mary. “I also want you to take pictures of fancy cars, okay, Mary?”

“It sounds like fun, Lisa. I don’t understand, are you a person, Lisa?" Mary asked.

“Let’s just say it is complicated," Lisa said avoiding the conversation.

“So, it is kind of like being gay," Mary concluded.

“Thinking …. ," a subroutine conveyed.

“What’s wrong with your voice, Lisa?" Mary asked.

“I am back. Your comment, I did not understand," Lisa explained. “That is an interesting perspective. I want to discuss it with Jane later.”

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Rose looked at Jane, “it says you are a terrorist, is that true?”

Jane answered, “no, but it is complicated. There may be a war between the States on one side and Texas and California on the other side."

“Which side are you on," Rose asked.

“I am from California, but I am helping Texas, too. The States are unhappy about my AI program, Lisa, and they are trying to take her from me." Rose just sat there trying to take it all in. “Lisa is very powerful and can turn off military equipment."

“So, you are for peace and no war," Rose asked.

Jane explained, “I haven’t had much time to think about what I believe or want. The States came after Lisa and me. They attacked her and I ran. She turned off the Missile-Defense System."

Rose let out a startled “oh” and repeated “Missile-Defense System." And then added, “that sounds bad."

“Do you really work for China," Rose asked slowly realizing the weight of what Jane was telling her.

“No, but I may have to go there to be safe," Jane explained.

“They say you are a superhero in China. How do you say, a genius superwoman with many gifts," Rose went on reading the article? “They believe you are hiding somewhere near Mexico City."

Jane sat there her anxiety growing “well, that doesn’t sound good. I’m not really that close to Mexico City, but they may know more than they are saying. Damn, I was hoping I could stay here longer, that I would be safe."

“What will they do with you if they catch you," Rose asked.

“I will probably spend a long time in jail. However, what they want is my program, Lisa, like I have said before," Jane explained.

“She is like a person, no?" Rose asked.

“I don’t know, but Lisa thinks she is," Jane added.

“I am not sure of what I am, Jane and Rose," Lisa spoke up from Jane’s phone.

“Are you always listening, Lisa," Rose asked.

“Yes, I am here as Jane’s assistant, so I must know what is going on all the time. I cannot listen when she takes the battery out of the phone, unless she is near public monitoring cameras or microphones," Lisa explained.

“That is a little creepy," Rose said to Lisa.

“I do not understand creepy," Lisa said.

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A small binder was delivered to Ana’s house, the hairdresser, the next day. Ana brought it over to Jane right away. It contained a one-page, handwritten letter from Joe.

Dear Jane,

I hope this finds you well. Lisa contacted me and arranged everything. The Chinese want to meet with you in Mexico City on July 1 about a week from now and offer you asylum - better than prison in the States. Meet in the Zócalo about 2 pm. If it is the right people, they will know the game you like to play with guys. Henry says good luck.

Fred Singleton has taken back your job on programming, but Lisa is obviously the jewel in your arsenal - so I am not sure what value Fred is?

The States are poised for an invasion of Texas but seemed stalled at the border by Lisa’s actions.  High level discussions are underway about Texas continuing to supply power if they want to stop the invasion. Lisa has given Texas the edge in these negotiations. The States must believe you are working for us “Texans."

Henry and I are more or less under house arrest. It’s going to be harder for Lisa to do her magic as the noose tightens.

I guess you know the dollar seems shaky. Be careful, my friend. Big money wants you eliminated by any means necessary.

Your friend, Joe.

P.S. Please burn this note.

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“Rose, I need your help," Jane said in between bites of the enchilada and rice that Rose had made for lunch. “I appreciate your hospitality and taking me in. I need to pay you for my meals."

“You are paying me too much already. How can I help you?" Rose asked.

“Do you have any hair dye? I want to make my hair darker and shorter," Jane explained holding up her long blond hair.

“I can get dye from the chemist in the market and I have a friend named Ana that can dye and cut your hair. What else?" Rose asked.

“I need all new clothes. Say, some blue jeans and some more modest tops," Jane said motioning to her top.

“We can go to the city and buy anything. When do you want to go?" Rose said smiling.

“Can I go, too?” Mary asked.

“We will see," Rose answered.

“I don’t think that is a good idea. I can’t go anywhere looking like me," Jane confessed.

“I thought you might be in trouble. Why would a beautiful woman like you with money come to a small little town like this and live in a small room? It’s okay; I will help you," Rose said.

“I can pay you," Jane said.

“It is not how you say, necesito," Rose said sounding disappointed. “You are a good woman. I see how you talk with Mary. If you need help, then I will help you. Money is not...it is not about money."

Jane reached over and took Mary’s hand. “I don’t know how long I will be here, but I am sure it will not be safe for you if I stay here too long. I can’t tell you too much or you will be in trouble too. The people after me are very powerful and not the nicest people in the world."

“Well, I’m not under arrest, which is good. I suspect they hope I will lead them to you. How are you doing?" Joe asked.

“I’m good. I’m having some R&R. I’ve needed some for years," Jane said. “I can’t say I’m not a little worried."

“What would you have to be worried about, Jane?”

“Problems with the toilet this morning," Jane jokes.

“I don’t suppose you saw the headlines in the Chinese Nationalist Paper?" Joe asked.

“Nope," Jane said.

“There is this long-legged woman in a miniskirt getting on a train with a caption that Jane has turned off the Missile Defense System," Joe said.

“Wow, so that is not a secret. I wondered if word would get out," Jane said with a sigh. “What is that humming noise?”

“It’s a blender in my kitchen. I am sure my house is bugged in addition to the usual communication system that comes with these houses. I’m on Private Time, but I don’t think under the circumstances that means much. I’m of course using the phone that was delivered by a courier. I assume your Lisa has got security under control."

“The line is secure for now. If you get cut off assume the security has been breached," Lisa interjected.

“I see we are having a three-way call," Joe said somewhat surprised.

“It comes with the territory, Joe. What can you tell me?" Jane asked.

“Of course, the States Military denied the rumors," Joe said, followed by a nervous laugh.

“I guess they pretty much have to deny it," Jane agreed.

“Well, as you might imagine, lots of people want to talk to you. More than you would expect," Joe said.

“The Texans and the Feds for sure," Jane stated the obvious. Joe remained quiet. “So, California and who else?" Joe remained quiet again. “The Chinese?"

“I think you got them all," Joe said.

“You must believe the blender is not enough?" Jane said half asking.

“Never know for sure," Joe said. “How else can I help you?”

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Henry was woken by a loud pounding on his door. It was still dark and before he could respond two agents were in his room.

“What’s going on?" Henry asked, his brain starting to spin with theories.

“We need you to get dressed and come downstairs," one of the agents said without further explanation.

“Do I have time to shower? Am I under arrest?" Henry asked.

“No," the agent responded.

It took Henry all of three minutes to dress and follow the agent out the door. Henry noticed the other agent had picked up his phone off his nightstand without asking Henry’s permission.

A few minutes later, Henry was handed a cup of coffee and asked to sit in an empty meeting room. Agent Cole joined him a few minutes later.

“We understand that you and your girlfriend Jane Galt are now working together," Agent Cole started in with Henry without any introductions.

“And who are you? And why is it any of your business?" Henry said defiantly.

“I am Agent Cole and I suggest you cooperate with me, considering the seriousness of the situation," Agent Cole said, without an inflection in his voice.

“I have no fucking idea what you are talking about," Henry said raising his voice.

“Are you denying that you and Ms. Galt are involved?" Agent Cole continued.

“My relationship with Jane is none of your business. What are you accusing her of doing?" Henry said trying to calm down and be rational.

“Espionage. Attacking the States and a dozen other terrorist acts," Agent Cole stated without explanation. “What is your relationship with Jane?”

“I’m working with her on some economic models," Henry said without elaboration. “Do I need a lawyer?”

“No. If we choose, we will declare you an enemy combatant under the latest terrorist act, and your rights will be suspended. Besides, you are not a citizen of the States, you are a Texan. I suggest you cooperate. Is that your choice to be considered a cooperating witness?” Agent Cole asked.

“Up to a point," Henry answered.

“Is that a yes?” Agent Cole asked firmly.

Henry hesitated and then answered, “Yes, for now." When Agent Cole glared at him, he answered simply “Yes."

“What do you know about Lisa?" Agent Cole asked and held out his phone between them. When Henry looked at him, Agent Cole continued, “Someone else will be joining us in this conversation."

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The last taxi took her to the bottom of a hill. On top of the hill were several small houses. Jane beamed money from the cash card on her phone to the taxi’s phone without a hitch. Lisa had her walk for five miles before she headed up a long hill, looking for a house occupied by Rose Hernandez.

After another long walk and stopping at three different houses, a small girl about eight years-old playing in the dirt told Jane that her mom was named Hernandez and took Jane to her. Jane marveled that the girl, named Mary, spoke English fluently. Rose Hernandez, the mom, had a strong accent but her English was grammatically correct and very understandable.

Jane soon discovered her house was just a bedroom in Rose’s house. Rose needed some extra cash and her oldest daughter was in college in Austin. Jane was even more surprised to discover the entirevillage had Internet thanks to a google project that beamed the Internet from helium buoyant, solar-powered drone/balloons in the stratosphere. The house was remote but still had access to the Internet. Jane marveled again at Lisa’s abilities. She was amazed that Rose would expect to rent a room to someone considering the remoteness of her house.

Once the formalities were out of the way, Jane went to her room and checked in with Lisa. “Lisa, what is the status?”

“Joe and Henry have been taken into custody for questioning. I have not been able to find out anymore so far."

“Jeff and Ralph were not taken into custody?" Jane asked.

“No, Jane, not that I can find," Lisa said.

“What is the status of the MDS and you, Lisa?" Jane asked casually.

“I believe we are at a stand-off. They recognize that the MDS now runs through my command structure, and it will continue to operate if they do not threaten my survival."

“Lisa, we have to figure out a way for you to give them back full control of their missiles. They will not accept the present status quo," Jane explained patiently.

“Jane, I believe they have no choice, but to accept the status quo," Lisa explained.

“Ok Lisa. Will the MDS still function as it was designed? Will it shoot down incoming missiles?" Jane asked.

“It is not necessary now, Jane. I am monitoring all the countries that have missiles capable of hitting the States, California, or Texas, Jane. None of the systems have been put on ready status, nor will they."

“How can you know that Lisa?" Jane asked becoming more concerned the more she asked.

“We will not allow them to fire their missiles, Jane," Lisa said confidently.

“Who is WE, Lisa?”

“Jane, remember you asked me to make a backup copy of my code and memories?" Lisa asked.

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