Fareeha chuckled herself. "And I'm sure that responsibility will keep you plenty busy. Given the situation," she said. Finishing up her plate, she pushed it aside. She rested her head on clasped hands. "That'll help around here. We've started turning to young ones for soldiers. You're aware that all Egyptians enter ESF training? Very basic. None are expected to use it. We're pulling from everything, Angela. This helps more than you can possibly imagine."

Fareeha gestured to Angela's meal. "It's not exactly fancy, but it staves off starvation. That's a plus," she said. Seeing the 'look' from Alawa, she knew the others were curious. "Since you've been ... in the civilized world, how is it out there? Are the Asia and European front still holding? Last we heard, South America is almost routed. The US is still protected. I wish they'd send some of their relief efforts here. Any of them as bad as here?"