Nation of Enemies Read Online Free

has changed over the past several years?”
    â€œI don’t think we have enough time for that.” He smiles. “But hospitals can better treat patients who have a MedID. Being able to quickly identify a patient’s medical history is essential in the treatment process. It saves lives.”
    â€œSome ­people don’t get MedIDs,” one of Ian’s classmates says. “How come?”
    Cole hesitates, considers his words carefully. “Every U.S. citizen is required to have one, but yes, some ­people choose not to. The chip was originally meant to streamline health care. But it also allows the government to see personal information. Some ­people don’t agree with that. They want their private lives to stay private. But the government thinks they can protect citizens better if they have access to certain areas of our lives. After the Planes Fell, they changed the MedID system. Law enforcement started using it to narrow the suspect list for terrorists. Criminals don’t want to be tracked by being scanned, right? So that’s one reason. But even some good ­people don’t want the government to know their personal business.”
    â€œSo they go to jail?” a dark-­eyed girl asks.
    â€œThat’s up to the police and the FBI. But they’re breaking the law by not having one.”
    â€œSo it’s not just our medical records?” the girl continues.
    â€œNo, MedIDs are also tied to driver’s licenses, social security cards, passports, bank accounts. Employers and insurance companies also use MedID information.”
    A blond boy asks, “Do visitors from other countries have to get our MedIDs?”
    â€œGood question. If they’re just visiting, they’re given a temporary locator chip. It’s like a MedID, but the only information on it is the person’s name, country of origin, and contact information. The system tracks visitors who stay longer than four weeks. But all ­people entering the U.S. on visas, work permits, or those attending college are given MedIDs. When they go through customs, there’s a MedID clinic right there at the airport.”
    Another girl raises her hand. “Do other countries make ­people wear MedIDs?”
    â€œJapan is the only other country participating in a MedID program,” he explains. “But the chips and technology are available worldwide. Other countries can deny ­people entrance based on MedID numbers. They’re more apt to allow in only ­people with clean chips. Many countries are happy to take our healthiest citizens who’ll be productive in their society.”
    The same girl asks, “How do doctors get new information on the chip?”
    â€œI bet you remember this from checkups with your doctor. We use an MRS—­a Medical Record Scanner—­and the information is sent wirelessly. Parts of the chip are encrypted, which means they can’t be changed. Things like your name, birth date, social security number.”
    There is a lull in the questions. Miss Johnson says, “Well thank you for your time, Dr. Fitzgerald. That was very informative.”
    Cole nods, pats his son on the shoulder. Ian beams and returns his attention to his class. At the door, Cole lingers. School should mean recess and lunches with friends, team sports and field trips. It pains him that his kids will miss all of that. But at least they won’t be sitting targets for rogue students and radical groups.
    Back in the kitchen, Lily’s reading a book. Cole takes a seat at the table, moves his chair next to hers. Placing both hands on her belly, he leans over and kisses her passionately, something he hasn’t done in far too long. When they part, she has tears in her eyes.
    She looks down at his hands. “I can’t bring myself to unpack the boxes. To put up pictures and artwork.”
    â€œI know.” He leans back in his chair and stares at the bare