— So you're a cleaner, right? — Evelina sat down next to Caroline. Now the most important thing is not to scare Lina away and be as careful as possible in words. Although, Muller had no idea at all what she could talk about with the scavenger, who was sitting next to him in an unknown way, in blood and flesh on the Ground. Obviously, Caroline's survival comes first, and considering the meager arsenal that Lina is wearing, life here is not sweet. A dirty Bnl uniform, sewn holes in some places, glasses on the forehead and a cloth mask, not even a respirator.

— Yes — And the lack of special equipment affected the voice itself. It is creaky, as if the toxic atmosphere has settled on the ligaments here for many years. Although, perhaps, Caroline's voice was originally like that.

— Good... — Evelina took out her tablet and began writing a new entry that would be named after her main character. Lina was an exception to the rule, it would be a sin not to record information about her, — How long have you been here?

— Uh, all my life — Lina said a little uncertainly.

— Are there any other people here?

— No... — After a short pause, Caroline replied. Her face visibly darkened. Honestly, this interrogation began to strain Miss Exception to the rule.

— Where did you get the dog? — Seeing that a painful topic was raised, she decided to turn her attention to the dog. This husky was an equally interesting discovery for Muller. Unfortunately, most pets were left out of the Axiom, it is very rare to see them.

— I found him... — Caroline was gathering her thoughts, because she had hardly spoken for a very long time. Only monosyllabic phrases, and commands for Archie — He was little then... Stuck in a hole, I helped. I took it to myself... — Well, it may not have been very exciting, but given the long period of time without any attempts to tell something, it is quite acceptable. And most importantly, Evelina's goal was achieved.

— It's amazing...

— What?

— It doesn't matter, — Muller waved away, — So, have you met plants during your directivity? — Considering that Lina does not know what it is about, Evelina decided to add details, — They are green in color, with leaves. They grow on the ground, maybe you've seen them somewhere... — It turned out to be more difficult than she expected — For example, in paintings, advertisements, books... — It sounds kind of confusing, but Muller hopes that Caroline got the gist.

— Ah, yes, there is — It took a moment for her to understand - I found it today.

— Really?! — Evelina couldn't believe her ears, accidentally shouting. Finding a man with a dog on Earth was just incredible luck, not to mention talking to him. And if you add a plant here, it turns out that Muller won a lottery ticket from fate. After so many years of working as a ranger, she will be able to complete her mission! — Ahem, can you show it to me? — Evelina said more calmly.

— Okay, why?

— I'm afraid I can't tell you. It's personal. But I need to see the plant — the rangers were not the last in the hierarchy of crew members on Akioma. And as a Research Center in general. No one will talk right and left about their directive. Evelina cannot yet be one hundred percent sure of Caroline's intentions, so it was rash to tell secret information.

— Good... — Lina didn't expect such a harsh answer, but she didn't press him. Probably, if she doesn't speak, then there are reasons for it. Although it's a bit insulting.

— And where is it?

— Home.

— Do you live far from here?

— No, it's close, — Caroline hesitated, trying to remember where she actually lives, — T-trailer on the bridge.

— On the bridge? Isn't it too dangerous? He could collapse at any moment — to which Lina shrugged her shoulders. She's already used to the truck, and there's all the stuff. Although, Muller's experience was justified, — Okay, then when will we go? Now or tomorrow? — Evelina glanced at her watch, it was half past eleven. It's pretty late.

— For now — Caroline decided not to delay. She doesn't really want to sit in the basement, and the sandstorm has already ended, judging by the calm upstairs.

— Whatever you say — Muller got up and went to the exit, but there was a snag: the door wouldn't budge, the debris of the building blocked it from the outside. In this scenario, you will not be able to get out. Or rather, it would not have worked, but not in this case.

— Step back — Lina noticed that Evelina's costume began to glow brighter, and widened her eyes when she was able to open the door with relative ease, pushing aside the rubble. And it was not easy to do this, it would take horsepower, which, unfortunately, Caroline does not have. But Muller did. Even by the look of it, you can't tell that she was straining too much.

— How?... — Lina was speechless from this.

— With hands and God's power — Evelina couldn't resist joking, but Lina's perplexed face reminded her who Muller was dealing with. Of course, how would she know about humor? You'll have to keep your puns to yourself— Don't pay attention. Come out.

Evelina decided to keep quiet about her strength, but the secret was simple: it was all thanks to her costume. It was developed on the basis of advanced nanotechnology and had the ability to give the wearer superhuman power. At the same time, looking minimalistic, in a businesslike style. All the signals came directly from the brain through an implant, which was introduced at the age of sixteen, when Muller and all his comrades were learning to control this miracle and the pride of the scientific world. Well, a drop of your own physical capabilities. Evelina had an athletic, strong physique.

Caroline cautiously went out, beckoning Archie, who had been playing with a stick all this time, and looked around. It got even darker outside, and the flashlight magically did not appear in Lina's bag.

But even here, Muller rescued the two of them by turning on the light on the glasses. It was enough to see at least ten to fifteen meters ahead. It was much more powerful than a simple Carolina lantern. Another handy feature of the suit.

— If you don't mind, I can take you and fly to the trailer. It will be faster — Evelina turned and looked at the confused Lina, who was clearly caught off guard by such an offer.

— No, you d-don't have to— Caroline stuttered in surprise. It even seemed to her that blood was rushing to her cheeks, but it was not visible behind the mask. Such close contact was eerily embarrassing and unusual. As if they didn't know each other well enough for that yet. Lina will get there on her own somehow.

— All right, then lead the way

And then there was silence between them. Caroline did not know, although, rather, she was afraid to start first. And Muller was more focused on lighting the road under her feet, and looking at Archie to keep up.

The dilapidated bridge that Lina had mentioned earlier appeared in the distance.

"How did I not immediately guess which place Caroline was talking about?" — Evelina remembered that she landed in Hudson Bay and saw it... Caroline's place. It's hard to call it a house. The outside is all rusty, small, probably without heating and sound insulation. And also not a worker, and even if he showed signs of life, Muller doubts that Lina knows how to drive cars. Maybe he looks neater inside.

Caroline came over and pulled the lever. The ramp, as usual, began to descend with a screech, opening the entrance to the residence of a new acquaintance to Evelina.

Lina motioned for Muller to come inside, closing the door and looking for the light switch from the garlands.

— Can I help you? — She lit up and Caroline pressed the button. In a moment, the entire space of the truck looked more like a cabin on Christmas Eve, even though it was only September outside. No wonder Lina decided to hang garlands, they created a festive mood, diluting the gray everyday life of the owner of the trailer.

Evelina turned off the flashlight and examined Caroline's "house". On the sides of many shelves with various objects of the past centuries that had caught Muller's eye before, but she did not attach importance to them. However, now she was looking at every little thing with interest. More precisely, no. Evelina couldn't figure out exactly what principle the objects were laid out on. This kind of chaos knocked her out of her rut.

Everything was clear on the ships, only basic analysis skills and normal eyesight were needed. And here everything is kind of messy. But looking at Lina, it seems that this is already a separate storage system, working according to its own rules, understandable only to her.

While Muller was looking at the shelves, Caroline was fumbling somewhere in the far corner, trying to get the very sprout that Evelina wanted to see.

— I found it! — Lina took the shoe with the plant and showed it to her.

Muller froze for a couple of seconds, staring blankly at the young escape, and then scanned this subject.

A sign of life has been discovered: a petiolate Oak sprout (ordinary).
Proceed to the implementation of the directive?

"Yeas" "No"

Is all this really happening in reality? Is this a dream? Evelina still faintly believed that she was actually seeing the long-awaited confirmation of the Earth's vitality in front of her. Of course, the overall picture makes much to be desired, but you can already start working with this. Or keep a close watch on this sector.

But before that, you need to fully explore the city. The more data there is, the more detailed a plan for the restoration of New York will be able to make a Research Center.

But there is another reason that does not allow you to click on "Yes" in the scanner right now. And, oddly enough, it's Caroline herself. The very fact that she was able to survive here already makes her a very unusual person. Muller has so many questions for Lina that Evelina won't rest until she gets to know her better. But it is obvious that Caroline will not tell everything at once, it takes more time to gain the trust of the survivor. And it's much more interesting to explore the ruins with a companion.

— Ev-ve-elin-na? — Muller pulled out of his thoughts the worried voice of the one that had filled most of Ranger's mind. Evelina has been silent for a long time, looking at Caroline's incredible find, which can change the whole fate of mankind.

— Oh, yes, yes, I'm sorry. Can I take it? — She took off the container for biological abrasives that hung on her belt and put an oak tree in it. Surprisingly, the shoe also fit into the case — Listen, I need to study this sector. Would you mind coming with me?

It was the second unexpected offer of the evening, but then Lina agreed almost without a doubt. Evelina made a good impression and Caroline does not want to return to the directive again. Even though the time they spent together is read out in an hour at most, but this hour was more vivid than the last few years.

— Great, then tomorrow we'll go out for the first reconnaissance — Muller put the container with the plant back, — I think it's time to go to bed.

Hearing this, Lina began to look around and realized that there was nowhere to put another person. It's a little cramped here, let alone two. The hammock is small, and besides, Caroline doubted that it would be able to withstand. On the floor, it's cold and hard, but outside...

— I'll sleep outside — These words shocked Lina. How is she going to sleep there?

Evelina decided not to try to explain, it's easier to show. Outside, Muller activated the cryocapsule, which in a couple of moments increased to its previous size. Just like that time, Caroline looked at it like a sheep at a new gate. The glass doors opened, and the briefcase automatically flew into its private compartment upstairs.

— Good night — Evelina said, before going into her "bunk."

— Good night... — Lina blinked a couple of times, checking to see if she was dreaming. Of course, she had already seen it, but from afar. It looks even more exciting up close.