revivalproject | (no subject)

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WHO: Reeve, Tony Stark, Cal Kestis, Cloud Strife if he wants, Anyone they invite
WHERE: The Power Tower
WHAT: Discussions of Energy
WHEN: Two Days Post Calibrations
WARNINGS:

It took a while, to come to terms with what he learned from the Engineering datapoint, and from there to make a plan. But he'd made the beginnings of a plan, and with that set up he had taken his paper, sent messages to the relevant parties, and established their little conclave of discussion.

"Gentlemen," Reeve greets when they assemble in the power station, offering respectful nods as the others arrive. "We've a few tasks ahead of us that I feel I thought I could assist you in. I know better than to think I should take the lead, as you are both far more advanced in your engineering skills than I am. However we need to repair the replicator, which will be a process. But there is something more I think can happen."

Reeve gestures around them at the tower itself.

"Gentlemen... I think it's time for us to light up Temba."

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That it hadn't stopped being awkward for Cloud to try to explain what happened with the replicator was enough to make Tony watch the production with glittering amusement creeping into his eye, glad Cloud had been reticent enough to not even make his confession to Cal yet so Tony could witness it, and catching the look Reeve shot him managed to make Tony give his beard a scratch, biting his lip to try to cover a grin. That was almost as fun as Reeve yelling at Cloud again. It was a problem that was both stupid, because it couldn't be that hard to fix one machine, and potentially devastating, because, hell, it might have been, and Tony couldn't help but chuckle at this reaction to either possibility. They'd live.

The expression was carefully controlled by the time Reeve was addressing him, so he could look appropriate indignant when he parroted, "Attempts?," with a sweep down the line of his body. They were benefiting from his advanced engineering skills and his beauty, there was no shame in admitting that. Quickly, he continued, "I meant, just point me in the direction you want me, I'll do the heavy lifting, you'll get the glory. The station isn't the major problem, Hux was working in this place for months. You need someone out there digging up roads and, ah, laying pipe." Reeve seemed to get most of his euphemisms so far, but Tony supported that one with a wink his way just in case. "Is that something you know how to do?" he directed toward Cal. "Assuming the replicator thing doesn't take long. If it does, I can make a team--Cloud likes to flex, I'm sure he'd be useful."

Both Cal and BD-1 look over at Cloud as he speaks up. He frowns a little, but it's more at what's happened than at Cloud. "Making a request shouldn't short it out." And certainly they hadn't had it for all that long.

"If anything, I'm not surprised if it's something to do with the power connection. The technology for the replicator's not from here, after all. We had to make some adjustments so that it could use the local power source. If it's shorted out, we'll have to see what parts have been damaged and go from there." He doesn't quite like the idea that perhaps the Agrii were behind it, but they've given them no reason to really trust them not to. The machine already had limitations from what he'd heard.

"...setting it up to be separate from the main power probably wouldn't be a bad idea. We'd have to rig it up to see just how much more of a limitation that would set for it. Although given how Agrii interaction has been, there's no guarantee that it wouldn't still be possible to sabotage, even on its own power supply."

He shakes his head. It's definitely going to be more extensive a conversation, but it'd be better to speak more about it with the thing in front of them. Cal looks around at the others as he considers the other matter on the table.

"My previous work has mostly been in the dismantling of starships," he says as he looks over at Tony. "I can figure out how things are wired and do repairs though. If we can trace the power lines and find out if they need complete replacement or if it's just something here or there that needs to be cleaned up, I can help. But maybe we should work on restoring power in sections. There's a lot out there we still haven't dug through or explored. It's been a long time, but some things might be preserved enough to start back up if power was connected, and we don't know what those things or places might be."

Cloud understands where Reeve's disapproval is coming from but he isn't going to bring it up. His eyelids lower as he glances over at Tony as he speaks up over making up a team for laying down pipes and most likely power lines. Reeve brought up the power plant needing help here. The blond crosses his arms loosely against his chest.

"What help does the power plant need?" He wants to know more about that but he also looks at Tony with a tilt of his head. "I don't mind keeping busy with doing tasks. We do need to get the replicator back up and running so everyone can keep getting supplies. The Agrii may keep trying to sabotage anything we do."

But he knew that the larger goal was powering the city. "Getting the power back up and running would help. I'll help out whoever needs it." It doesn't matter if it was with Cal and the replicator as well as Reeve. Cloud could handle the tasks. He just needed to be told what he needed to do.

If Reeve's cheeks had been pink before, they went scarlet at the 'laying pipe' line. Hell, the color even rose to the tips of his ears. It was a miracle alone that Reeve's attention didn't snap to Tony. And that he didn't snap. Granted most of that miracle was based in the fact that he was used to such treatment from other people, so he could work with the situation. This was still a serious matter.

"Perhaps you hold most trust for the Agrii than I do," Reeve muses to Cal. "It's the specific timing of when the system failed that has me distrustful, the specific request. But I digress. It would be possible to use the crystals. From my estimations it shouldn't require too much extra work to make a system to allow us to swap a crystal-rod power pack for the actual power generator systems here. So we can research what may or may not prompt failures in the system, and whether the limitations are something we can live with. But I suspect that there is value to the Agrii in keeping those of us without powers vulnerable. Which I note merely because the last place that took me was far more free with giving us the ability to defend ourselves."

Granted, the wilds around the Iteration Village had been a bit more... aggressive. Still, the point stood. That world gave even if it didn't give them the replicator. But this world seemed to take. And that worried him.

"As for tracing the power lines, I've been doing a study of the city's layout and where lines likely run with the assistance of Mini," here the doll waves excitedly, he was very helpful, "and I believe I have a good idea of where they are. But until we throw the metaphorical switch, we won't know where to look for breaks. Though at that time, we will need those to assist with digging and... laying new line."

Yep, Tony, finally get the flash of 'omg can you just behave' in Reeve's eyes. Only then does he look to Cloud.

"I don't know what is needed here. Most of my explorations of the city worked from the outskirts TO here. I haven't done a full inventory of the power generator or support buildings. Not a FULL one. Just enough to provide an estimate on the time frame. I figure with three engineers we could manage the main part of the job in a month, if we had a way to fabricate replacement parts. Which the replicator and Tony's skills might be needed for. But I can't deny that your strength of arm and climbing skills could be valuable to the task. We need more hands."

At last Reeve's gaze returned to Cal, the only one in the room he was certain had the engineering point beside himself.

"So my question is, does this project sound good to you? Because you're right. There could be valuable resources out there for us that we don't know of. Sure, we might have to salvage parts from other buildings, but you said it, turning on the power could give us access to more we don't have now. Perhaps more datapoints. More knowledge that will help us stop the storms. But the comfort might also be a welcome factor for others as well. And I know I'd quite appreciate light at night."

That sharp look from Reeve seemed to be the exact reaction that Tony was teasing for, making him smile pridefully back at it but ease a little more into his slouch against the railing, sated for the time being with only a questioning quirk of a brow. Did Reeve want to do something about it? The satisfaction didn't stop him from interrupting on Cal's behalf, though, because it seemed to Tony that the kid had a good point that Reeve didn't seem worried enough about. He was far too optimistic. New data points were far from the only thing they might discover. "You've got your order of operations all wrong, jefe," he said, and raised a hand to count them off. "Replicator first, if we're going to get parts fast, that's good. Which means we should put it on a battery, at least temporarily, so we're not depending on the plant to fix the plant." So the battery was number one, one finger raised.

"In the meantime, throwing the switch to see what happens sounds like some impulsive shit I would do. Don't do what I would do, you're supposed to be the clever one, there's too many people here to pull something like that. Cal's right, we don't know what we're asking for if we do that--I don't want to be responsible for starting up something that poisons the water that's been sitting rancid and waiting for the juice. Finishing a survey of the whole place isn't feasible. We make sure the lines are cut ourselves, focus on the neighbourhoods we know well." That's two, pick a spot and isolate it. That didn't sound like something Cloud would struggle with, and Tony looked his way then, eyebrows raised to ask if he thought he could handle it.

"I didn't say I trust the Agrii," Cal clarifies. Even though he's come quite a way from being completely paranoid of everyone, he's still cautious, and the Agrii haven't given them much reason to blindly believe everything they've claimed.

"I'm saying that if they really wanted to set us back with the replicator, they could probably do it whether it's plugged in directly or not. Although it wouldn't make much sense for them to do so, not when their previous system of granting requests didn't seem very practical, and allowing us a replicator at all, only to wreck it is counterproductive." He pauses. "You said the timing and the circumstances was suspicious. When did it happen, and what was the request?"

Mention of climbing and arm strength makes his lips quirk in a half smile. Sounds like his days in the scrapper guild. At least here you can see the ground. He nods at Cloud, and then Tony.

"I'll get to work with BeeDee in dismantling the replicator so we can see what parts we'll need to replace. Hopefully the short didn't do too extensive damage to the rest of the machine. At least if there's anything we might already have on hand in the workshop, BeeDee can let me know. Otherwise we'll have to make them from scratch. But like you said, Reeve, converting it to run on a battery pack shouldn't be difficult. It's already technically been converted to allow it to run on the local power as it is. If you can start work on that end of things, we can get things together to test out sooner."

Tony's already expounded on his concerns regarding powering up the whole city to see what's working and what isn't, so Cal won't complicate it further. Starting in sections seems the wisest course, and with so few of them in the city, better to gauge for problems that they can actually deal with than have things too spread out.

"We also don't know if the output of the plant will be enough to run a whole city, especially after it's been so long. We don't want to risk damaging things further."

Cloud took in everything that Reeve had to say about what was needed for the power plant. A lot of what they were all saying seemed almost as if he would get bored of board meetings really quickly. He knew that the projects at hand all meant something. Reeve’s in the long run would help boost morale and keep them going for a long time. The replicator needed to be brought back up for supplies, for parts, for the necessary items and objects that they will need to
continue these projects.

He glances to Reeve while nodding. “You know I’ll be able to go as high as we need to. If you need help laying down pipe in areas that’s a bit too dangerous for others I’ll go.” Cloud wouldn’t mind taking that risk no one else really needed to. “If you need sections scouted from the tallest point, I don’t mind doing it. If you need anything up there make sure you give it to me first.” It’ll give him something to do.

Tony’s eyebrows were met with a shrug before he nodded with a slight eye roll. Sometimes he didn’t have a say in how things were going to go. He'll do what was needed of him. Cloud would be able to manage his tasks. All he needs is a direction start or an idea of where to remotely begin with what was needed.

He turns his attention to Cal since the replicator business got brought up.

“I asked for motorcycle fuel and a wooden baseball bat. It happened right before we got alerted to go to the tunnels.” He says it as if it’s a stated fact as if he’s not really bothered by asking the replicator for such items. Cloud’s not really impressed by the overall “use the replicator it’s super easy” statement when he got here. It was super easy to use and break all in one go. “The wooden baseball bat was more for protection. As I said before, a man without a sword.” But he would be able to use a baseball bat in the same matter. “How long has the replicator been running on the plant’s main line?”

If that had already been asked before, he may look sorry for double asking but he’s curious. Length of time might be necessary to catalog in case there’s a pattern that they could be missing. Cloud turns his attention to Reeve. “Does this planet have a Lifestream or does it have something else? Based on events it sounds as if we do too much of something, another effect down the line happens.” Had it always been bad or were there ever good moments? He didn’t know what else to say.

"I do not think it should be a one-two order," Reeve counters. "These should be running at the same time. We're limited to three replicator usages per month per person. The parts required for the power plant could be more numerous than that. And if we don't know what we need going in, we get slowed down. Some parts may also be too large or too complex. It is my opinion that these are projects that should run at the same time. Though I will point out that the plant is operational enough to have allowed us to run the replicator before. It's a more widespread activation that I would be seeking. Though perhaps the battery packs are in fact the better initial choice."

So no, he didn't think it would be wise for him to begin working with Cal on the replicator. Unless, of course, he was sacrificing yet more sleep. Of course, if Cal really insisted... He supposed he'd do it anyway.

But then Cloud is asking the question that Reeve had dreaded. The one that had caused conflict in the first place.

"I can't tell. The knowledge from the Engineering datapoint as you well know provided for the how to make and charge power rods. But there is not enough there to conclude whether it does or not, and if that is what is being drawn on. So we've little option for now but to move forward with using what we have access to. It's frankly maddening, but in this instance we need energy to make energy solutions, so we're held hostage by the morale as well as literal physical need we have for the power plant to operate. Winter may well be approaching, and there is a good chance that heating here runs off of the power systems, and if so..."

It will be needed.

The Lifestream stuff was going to come up eventually, and Tony was slightly surprised that it wasn't a bigger conflict with how he understood it, but he wasn't going to be the one to start arguing the finer points--he didn't even want to be the one to bring it up, in case it threw them right off the work schedule. He did cut a glance Cal's way, worrying his lip with a questioning look, not sure if he had somehow gotten this Lifestream education without finding out about the replicator issue.

Tony could at least give Cloud an answer about that machine, though. "Since we got it, couple months," he offered. "If you're thinking that's the problem, what, Lifestream plus time equals shit breaks, I don't know, that's bringing in a hell of a lot more elements than any more obvious theories for why the thing broke. Like, you're an idiot, or the Agrii like to fuck with us, proven planetary constants."

"I'm going to assume that's for some kind of vehicle," Cal replies as doesn't hide his confusion over Cloud's requested items. Baseball's another thing entirely, but he can guess that the bat's not normally used as a weapon. He frowns thoughtfully, but nods as Tony answers the question of how long the replicator's been running.

"The limitation per person may as well be made three once we shift things over, anyway. All depends on the output once we can figure out how to change things over." Given how adamant Reeve seems to be in spearheading powering up the city, the padawan can only shrug. He doesn't think it'll be impossible for him to get the machine running again. It'll just take a little longer. Reeve does have a good point though, at least figuring out the power situation would be a good thing to prepare for whatever this place has by way of seasons and weather, outside of the freak storms.

The shift in subject does once again prompt an arch of a brow from Cal, catching Tony's glance with a look that pretty much confirms that it's the first he's heard of this Lifestream business.

"Moral..?" he prompts, glancing back at Reeve and Cloud then.

Cloud gives a shrug at Tony as he brings up the easiest logical sense. But he's been around aliens and they don't think logical to begin with. He presses his lips together as he looks over at Cal. "My planet's life energy is known as the Lifestream. People theorized the more we used the planet's energy for power that we were killing the planet. We don't want to end up doing the same here." It sounded crazy to believe since nothing bad had happened. Cloud never heard of such things but Shinra held their own secrets.

He had heard that the Atroma could manipulate time. The Agrii very well could be messing with them the entire time to see how they handle situations. Cloud quietly thinks as he looks between Tony and Reeve. Three months of having the replicator and it fails but why? He's stubborn on wanting to know that factor. "If power is the absolute goal here then we should focus on that. The replicator is still important for supplies and running it off the grid for now might be a good idea."

They would at least see how it might work. If they needed a generator power of some kind they would be able to make it then. He settles his gaze on Reeve. "What do you think would be the best course of action to take?"

The replicator could do some things, but not everything, and really, Reeve was a city scale man. So there was a reason his focus was on the level it was. Of course he was the sort of man that, when his brain was fixed on a project, wouldn't realize he wasn't nearly as good at the smaller picture as he should be.

Or perhaps he had just adjusted better to not having every little whim of desire granted to him, growing up on a farm as he had. The replicator would be good for parts, that was most of what he saw it there for.

"Cal, you sense the... life connection between people, correct? You noticed it when you were watching over Mini and BD playing, correct? That life energy is what Cloud alludes to from our home. We've been nervous about the crystal rods because of this. We know HOW to charge them, but we don't know where the power comes from. This bothers me. Burning the very essential life energy of a world will do more harm than good."

He sighs and crosses his arms over his chest, thinking as he considers all of what has been said. While he still doesn't know that what Tony said about him being in charge was right, he knew that it was important that they decide this together.

"The replicator is important. If there is not someone else to provide you with assistance with the replicator, I will do it. For now I can move my things here to the power plant as well, and work with Cloud and whoever else will help to determine what we can about exactly what steps will be needed to get the systems running. Or I'll do so whenever I'm not assisting you, Cal. If anyone knows other people who could help, that would be useful. We'll probably want to see if there is a way to confirm my studies of the subterranean power-network."

For that one Reeve looks to Tony.

"Any chance we can, once the replicator is up, whip up something with parts from it that would allow us to survey underground with moderate penetration so we can see what's running under us? Back home we'd use low level ground-penetrating radar systems for that sort of thing. Or, if you were going a bit lower cost and tech, just reader systems that read ground waves transmitted by explosives set in a wide area to read the rebounding vibrations."

"Radar's no problem, easy stuff, done deal," Tony accepted, already looking carelessly back down at the control room space like he was actually finished and thus disengaged with this conversation. Because he kind of was; he already had a radar system sitting, almost complete, on his workbench, ready to go for a dive with Cal. All he had to do for Reeve was make an interface that he could use that wasn't attached to Tony's brain.

Reeve's quick connection of Cal's Force to his planet's Lifestream was interesting, but Tony didn't really know enough about either element to know if it made sense. Reeve knew the Lifestream intimately, though; he must have been onto something. That this might be a constant that they might have just had different names for, that Cal could still tap into on this planet, did make the power source theory pretty strong. If Reeve was worried about networking, that was more Tony's area; "We'll need a powerhouse to help with any digging to do the groundwork, I'd call in Hulkling for that. And maybe someone to worry about the interior wiring of the buildings we want to make sure are running first-- the replicator, too, someone with some electrical background would be able to lend a hand; I'd put money on Dameron being able to pick it up quick. I saw him working on his ship. And you'll want to start a catalogue, what's been done, what needs doing, and what alien shit we've encountered that's slowing us down. I'd talk to the Archivist."

If he's understanding it right, then what Cloud and Reeve speak about are valid concerns. There's so much they don't know about this planet, and the Agrii weren't of much help in explaining either.

"Something like that. The Force connects everything. And in the case of you and Mini, I just sensed a similarity, and the connection through that. But if it's the heart of the planet that you're speaking of, then that's not exactly the same. The Force can't be contained and drained like that."

He looks between them. "I'm not saying that what you're suggesting with the way the crystal rods are charged isn't a concern though. I only learned how to charge them from Hux, when he was here. I thought it was coming from the station. But if it's a possibility..."

Was it a good thing to go through with this project? Cal wonders if he'd be able to sense anything from the charged crystal rods. It's something he'll have to test. He's already decided that it's about time he tried a little harder to find some answers around the city. Surely this place had whispers of the past clinging to it.

"We'll make do on our end with the replicator. If help can be spared, things will go quicker, but BeeDee and I should be able to handle the initial diagnosis and get to work from there." It didn't take that many people to disassemble the thing anyway. The most time-consuming thing would be acquiring replacement parts.

At least it's something he feels comfortable doing. Laying down power lines isn't exactly something he's done as a scrapper, so he listens with interest to the tasks Reeve explains for Tony, and Tony's own suggestions made. He nods his agreement on Dameron and Jon. He might even agree on Teddy if he was familiar with the codename.

"The Force?" Cloud asks over at Cal since he hadn't heard of that from the young man before. The Engineering datapoint granted certain knowledge but anything more would be a theory. If any of what Tony had mentioned had been done because of them using energy before and causing a reaction, it should be noted. It could be a tiny coincidence in this mix bag of planet rebuilding.

"We don't know for certain. It's something to keep an eye on. It may not be something you notice right away or to be believed." He gives a shrug since he knows that from experience. The crystal rods could provide them with something additional to gain. Cloud knew that Reeve would work around anything that he would find dangerous. But the topic could continue later when they see anything else that could be a concern. They wouldn't know until they started trying.

He looks over at Tony and nods slowly in agreement to the people he mentioned with the work along with them. Cloud knew Jon would be the best to hold information. The other names he didn't really encounter yet.

The more help that they could give the easier it might go. Cloud won't touch certain tasks unless he knew exactly what he was doing before doing it. The blond looks over at Reeve wondering what more the other came up with. "We'll figure out the systems and how you want this to go. I can help Cal out while you bring your stuff here if that'll help start things. Some of these tasks might be better with a few hands involved in them."

He knew that these projects would take a while to do. The work going into them would be worth it. They would have to remember why they were doing this in the first place. Reeve brought up a good point for heat, maybe more data points. There could have been anything that could come back with energy. They had to be prepared for anything that might cause trouble.

Cloud presses his lips together at his own thoughts but doesn't speak up on them. He knows that having energy would be a good thing. They didn't encounter anything too troubling yet.

The list of people Tony is suggesting for projects grows, and Reeve is making a mental list of it. Because, frankly, he doesn't know if he could convince Jon to come help them on this. No, that would be more Tony's wheelhouse. The two were far closer than Reeve and Jon were.

"I'm not overly familiar with 'Hulking' or 'Dameron'. Tony, if you could speak to Jon that would be helpful. As for wiring, I can assist there as well, when the time comes. And we can likely ask Vincent for assistance for some of it. Though how much attention he'd spare a project of this level is... questionable."

Vincent tended to be more of a solo flier.

"We can run the powerplant upgrades from here. As for the city as a whole, I'll see about setting up an office for that. And people might be willing to temporarily take engineering to help us if we point out that it will give us power. But for now... We have a nice outline of a plan. If this is acceptable for everyone, then we should look into starting work. Cloud, if you could help me pack things up to bring here, I could then go with Cal and discuss the replicator and what I noticed with the system and what we might need to do with it. He's clearly the better expert there, but a second set of eyes for review is not bad. That is, Cal, if I am welcome to assist you for a few hours."

Tony had his assignments, and luckily they didn't have anything to do with being here for any further meetings of the board for the time being, so he only lingered long enough anymore to tilt his head with a glittering question at Reeve about Vincent, hoping one day to get a follow up on that assessment if Tony didn't run into the guy himself, then leaned close to Cal as he pushed out of his lounge against the railing to pluck at Cal's sleeve and offer, "You know where to find me if you need anything." He wasn't totally abandoning the kid to work around Reeve's thin-stretched focus, he could find or make parts for the replicator recovery if needed. Leaving Cal with a smiling kiss to the temple, Tony bounced his way back toward the doors with only a hand raised in farewell to the others, not looking forward to the trek back to the city but definitely delighted by the idea of telling Jon his talents were going to make him a great secretary. Teddy and Poe were probably going to be easier conversations.

Seems like they've more or less come to an agreement of what to do. Cal does nod at Cloud, as much a promise as any that he'll be looking closer into how the potential energy link with the crystal rods and the world itself may work. But for now he's got enough things to focus on.

"Wouldn't mind at all, Reeve," the padawan says, smiling lightly as he gives the man a nod. He glances at Tony, thanking him for that offer, shaking his head with a grin as he watches him leave. "See you later," he calls after him.

"So, anything else we need to cover? Or should we follow suit and start getting to work?" he asks Reeve and Cloud as he turns back towards them.

They all had things to worry about then the energy stuff. It's on the list to discuss only because of the potential threat it could bring. There will be far other threats to worry about once they start the work. They would need to make sure to take breaks when they need to.

Cloud watches as Tony makes his get away from the board meeting of gatherings. He wondered how many people would help them, but he's not going to force them into stuff they don't want to do.

The blond turns towards Reeve and Cal while giving a nod at them. "I don't have anything more to cover unless Reeve does." Starting to get to work would be better, less time to dilly dally.

Reeve does catch the look, but with Tony heading off so fast, it's not one he can, or chooses to, follow up on. So instead, when Tony graces them with a smooth exit, he turns his attention to Cal.

"I think we're good for now. Thank you so much for meeting with me. If there is anyone else you believe can assist, please let us know. If we're lucky, we'll have power for the city in a month, and people can be more comfortable. One step at a time, yes? I'll see you as soon as I can."

For that he offers his hand out to Cal, more than happy to shake it. Cloud, he knew, didn't need such a departure courtesy.

"One step at a time," Cal nods, smiling faintly as he steps closer, taking Reeve's hand to shake. "And if anyone comes to mind, I'll do that. See you in a bit." He nods then at the other man. "Cloud."

Then the padawan turns, heading out as well. BD-1 swivels his head towards the two, beeping a 'see you later.' It's definitely a walk back, but the sooner he can get cracking at the replicator's repairs, the better.

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