Network | Video

[plate_builder]

[From the first moment the video is on, it's clear Reeve hasn't had NEARLY enough sleep. But isn't that just his way? Still, he looks positively exhausted today, and the video includes Mini-C pushing a cup of something steaming to Reeve's hand. The man doesn't even seem to notice as he lifts it and takes a hearty sip before starting.]

Good afternoon all. I would like to let everyone know that through the diligent work of several individuals here, power has been restored to a larger portion of the city. Please extend your thanks to Tony, Echo, and Cal for all their hard work.

[Reeve himself does not wish thanks. He just wishes to keep working.]

There have been some issues, of course. There are, as always, issues with breaks in the power supply network. Therefore we ask for your help and feedback. If there are buildings you are finding have issues with power supply, please advise me, or drop a physical message at the Restoration Committee building, just south east of the fountain. There are likely areas we still need to work on power lines to, and it will take time for us to survey to figure out where they are.

Also, I would like to offer myself as assistance to anyone whose ship currently lacks an engineer. I've been trying to do what I can for the damage in our crash landing, however I've only been able to deal with external issues on the ships I cannot access.

[Another long sip of his water.]

Of course, with water and power in a better place now than it was when we arrived, my question becomes what projects of comfort we might turn to here in Temba. Yes, I know our greater goal of returning home, but I find myself in need of projects.

Comments

video

[beholding_archivist]

[ While Jon may not look thrilled, he also doesn't look appalled either. His expression is a neutral one, just as the setting he replies from is utterly neutral: Just another desolate room in one of the plenty desolate buildings. The most obvious piece of the picture is Tony's brightly colored, shiny gauntlet, half resting in Jon's arms, half being held like a tool. It's a heavy piece of equipment, don't judge him. ]

Tony informed me that you need someone to use his glove to- Map out some infrastructure.

[ Yeah, those... Were the words. But somehow they sound utterly wrong to Jon now that he has used them himself and the doubtful look he casts down at the piece of armor unfortunately isn't hidden from the camera. ]

[plate_builder]

[Ah. Jon. Seemed that Tony had strong armed the man into the confrontation so to speak.]

Yes. He had alluded to a tool that would be useful with subsurface surveying. Being his technology I imagine it must be quite useful.

[And really, he doesn't know what to say about any of this.]

The narration shall fix its previous error

[beholding_archivist]

It is.

[ Jon says, looking back up from the apparently not brightly colored, yet still fantastically shiny gauntlet. The easy admiration for Tony's work isn't missed either. ]

... Right. Seeing that Tony won't be able to use it for a while, he entrusted me with it and I am learning to use it to the best of my capabilities. Therefore I will assist you in that matter.

[plate_builder]

[Oh Jon, if only this wasn't so tense.]

We can set up short appointments to evaluate areas as needed. Or, if it will record the data independently and it can be gathered and output, I could provide instructions on where and Tony could help with the how.

[beholding_archivist]

[ Jon takes a deep breath. ]

Whatever works best, I suppose.

I... Will admit that architecture has never been a strong suit of mine. I can use the glove, but at least at the moment I don't know what to even look for.

[plate_builder]

In this situation it's less a matter of architecture and more infrastructure or city planning. When we know where things are underground, we can better handle repairs if something goes wrong.

So my goal is to find a way to survey things. In addition, we might find areas underground, like the calibration tunnels but different. They might hold useful answers for us.

[beholding_archivist]

Right. I at least can see the reason in that - And I believe I get the idea. Get scans of the buildings and what lies beneath, create a map that isn't just ruins and roads and look out for old, long abandoned tunnels that were once used to transfer prisoners to the harbor and ship them off to Australia.

[ A pause, and an inhale. ]

So. Where do we start?

[plate_builder]

[Well now, being in each other's company again? A hard thing to fathom.]

That is exactly the idea. Though I must ask, what is Australia? Is that another planet?

[Damn non-Earthlings, right? Still, Reeve is considering carefully.]

I think we start with either me coming by the library, or however you wish to call it these days, or you come here so we can test to see if Tony's work will do what I need.

[beholding_archivist]

[ Another pause follows here before Jon releases a sigh through his own tension. ]

It certainly is- A Place.

[ Australia, that is. There are certainly people willing to claim the continent presents a whole different world in itself. Jon shakes his head lightly. ]

Not important right now. I will come over and we can get this taken care of.

[ He will consider being offended in Tony's stead for this apparent doubt in Tony's creation. Better than trying to think what he would call the library. 'Den of the local monster' feels... Somewhat too appropriate. ]

[Video]

[on_repeat]

[Echo almost laughs, but it stops short of becoming an actual sound. Instead, he continues to look a little surprised.]

Me? Not that I don't appreciate the recognition, Reeve, but I was just doing whatever I can to help out. I mean, you should also be receiving some of the thanks.

[plate_builder]

Hardly. It was my project that I brought you on to. I am not certain that it really is appropriate to consider me someone to thank when I'm the one that pulled you into this.

[on_repeat]

Right, that's a fair point. But you're still helping the rest of the city with these projects and any subsequent maintenance that comes down the line.

[plate_builder]

I've lived so much of my life going about this work, that I don't think I could fathom living life without projects such as these.

Perhaps I'm an addict.

[He chuckles at that idea.]

[on_repeat]

[The clone chuckles as well.]

Some would say it's a particular and specialized interest. Or maybe you're just a hard worker who needs to keep busy.

[plate_builder]

Sadly, I don't know how to do much more than work. Haven't since I was in my early twenties. So yes, a very hard worker.

[on_repeat]

[His brow lifts, but he can relate.]

I wish I could give you some suggestions, but I've never had this much free time in my life.

[plate_builder]

Neither have I. There have always been projects, goals. I know we seek to stop the storms, but I also know that is not in my skill set unless it turns out to be created by some large machine that taps the energy of the planet itself.

[He does have a very specific skill set in some ways.]

[text]

[in_extremis]

Sleep can be a good way to avoid a problem too, I've heard. And I have it on good authority that a few hours at a bar can clear that right up.

[plate_builder]

Sleep and I are rarely friends, Tony.

[in_extremis]

You should try putting yourself out there. You're much more charming than you give yourself credit for.

[plate_builder]

Tony, I am perfectly aware of how charming I can be. However, there is work to be done, and nothing to dally over.

[in_extremis]

You're dallying right now.

[plate_builder]

[Reeve laughs.]

Thanks, Tifa. And I'll have you know I have coffee. I'm not going to sleep when I have a cup.

[in_extremis]

I don't know how I'm supposed to take 'Tifa', but I'll assume it's a compliment.

[Why do these guys keep calling him other people's names?]

So, you put on a pot not because you had something going on, but in case you could scrounge something up. I'm still wondering what the actual problem is.

[plate_builder]

She's a mother hen.

[Tony, if people are callig you by other people's names, that's concerning.]

I'm not sleeping well, Tony. The coffee helps.