Karin looked around the basement, seeing other shapes move out of their huddled positions in the dim light of a few flashlights.
"It's over, right?" said a voice to her right
"Think so?"
"Yeah."
Karin looked around. More flashlights were on, but she still couldn't identify everyone.
"Roll call!"
"Posly!"
"Rainey!"
"Sorey!"
"Goodman!"
"Smith!"
"Frankel!"
"Harrington!"
"…Green!"
"Hawkins."
She went over the roster in her head. Heather had Saturdays off (lucky civilian!), so she was at probably safely home. Beck had called in, telling her he was late but on his way. He should have been nearly here by the time the tornado hit, though. He must have been pinned down en route, forced to seek shelter wherever he could find it.
"Ok, let's get upstairs and see how everyone else did."
"Major Beck, come in please. Repeat, Major, please respond."
"Beck here."
"Are you ok?"
"We're fine."
"We?"
"Heather and I. I was on Second street when I heard the tornado."
Karin rolled her eyes at Lts. Posly and Goodman, who sniggered into their hands. Second street was a block from Heather's place and less than half a block from the office. Moreover, the office door wasn't locked whereas Heather's was. None of them were surprised at this lack of logic in the face of impending danger. She waited for them to silence themselves before she keyed the radio again.
"Well, we're going to need you here ASAP, sir. Heather, your help would be appreciated."
"We're coming."
Setting down the radio, she shook her head.
"When is he going to wake up and smell the coffee?"
"I give it another three months."
"Three months until he comes to his senses, or three months until she forces the issue?" Posly asked.
"Hmmm." She saw the wheels turning in Goodman's head.
"Guys, can it. We need to get to work. You can start the betting pool later."