New World Order
Subtitle
The image to the left is an approximation of the track line in between the city where Denver and Olivia are from (Unnamed Rd near Portland), to the city where Olivia was being sent to (Unnamed Rd in Wyoming).
The distance is approximately 1,300 miles. The trains can travel near 300 miles per hour, meaning the trip would have taken about 4 1/2 hours. The train was attacked somewhere in between Portland and Bend, Oregon.
Communication:
Before the world fell into disrepair, communications technology was at its height. Satellites orbit the earth, beaming signals all over. However in recent years, some of the satellites have falling into disrepair and there is currently no way to get back up into the atmosphere in order to repair them. Provided you have the right sort of technology, it is possible to use the signal from the remaining satellites to communicate farther distances. Domed cities can interact relatively well in this way, though the overall distance doesn't reach very far in the grand scheme of things. There is almost no international communication. Those people who live outside the dome are stuck with a more remedial technology. While some can piggy-back onto a stray satellite if it is in close enough proximity, the range capable with their devices is significantly less than that of the cities. Most do have devices that can communicate with radio waves that can travel up to ten miles in any direction, provided there is no significant obstacles.
Travel:
Traveling in between domed cities is possible, but risky. High-efficiency maglev trains cover the great distance. While the trains can reach speeds of 300 mph - assumed to be much faster than any dragon can fly - the dragons as well as other predators have figured out that these trains are somewhat vulnerable targets. Humans who live outside of the domes typically attack them for the valuable food they're usually ferrying in between cities. Because the trains are so important, it is extremely rare for your average Joe civilian to be taking a casual jaunt to the next town over. Human passengers are restricted to guards and important political officials. Travel by air is completely impossible thanks to the dragons, and too many unidentified sea monsters now lurk in the water, leaving international travel entirely out of the question.
Government:
Each domed city is entirely independent of one another. Because travel and communication is so restricted, there is little influence from one city to the next. It is a very similar situation with the groups and clans of humans that live on the outside.