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

[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. ]

[plate_builder]

[True enough. Quite the monster, by controlling others. But Reeve has seen worse.]

Once we figure out how to make it all work, it might well be something you can do without me. You won't be forced to be in my presence.

[beholding_archivist]

[ There's always room for worse. And yet it doesn't negate the fact...

At some point between his previous and this message, Jon has begun walking, wearing the gauntlet on his left hand while carrying the phone in the other and now casting a frown down on it. ]

Am I being forced?

[ A direct question that would easily have been compelling had it been asked in person. As it is, all it causes is a crackle of static to distort the screen for a few short moments. ]

[plate_builder]

I could not, and would not, seek to force my presence upon you. However, I do expect you're only doing this as a favor to him.

[To Tony.]

Interesting. make note of where you are. There might be interference there, we'll want to evaluate that.

[beholding_archivist]

[ The frown lingers. ]

Tony.

[ There. He says it for you. ]

And I don't owe my boyfriend any favors, just as he doesn't owe me any. Tony merely informed me that this needs to be done and left the decision to me. My offer to assist was my own choice.

[ It's that simple. ]

As for that interference...

[ A pause, then: ]

No. Never mind. I can see your building up ahead.

[plate_builder]

[Wow, Jon, that's a very possessive term to use. But Reeve doesn't mention it or flinch away from the declaration.]

Thank you. I shall heat some water. I think I have tea around here somewhere.

[It isn't his favorite, but he keeps some around anyway.]

[beholding_archivist]

[ Don't flinch away from reality, Reeve. But rest assured that Jon is still getting used to the term himself. Though he does frown a little at the offer of tea. Tea that, apparently, is around there somewhere. Which isn't a very reassuring thing to hear.

He can't exactly hide the huffed little sigh. ]

... Jesus. I'm not coming over for tea. Especially if that means you need to track it down to its hiding place first. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I can survive without tea for a while.

[ And having actually arrived, Jon ends the video feed and knocks at the door of the building once before entering. ]

Also I am here.

[plate_builder]

[The reality is the one they have created. It doesn't mean he has to like it, Jon. Or the tension. Jon knocking at the door comes as Reeve's half under a table, banging his head and wincing. Then he's rushing for the door. Which he opens with a wince.]

It's called hospitality. My mother raised me to believe in it.

[beholding_archivist]

[ The door opening has Jon look up at the other man. He doesn't tilt his head back enough to not have him peer over his glasses, however, and the raised brow may be a little more prominent that way. ]

Believing in something doesn't automatically make one adept in a matter. Let me just say that being offered something in a way that makes it sound like some long-forgotten leftovers left catching dust in a corner for months is not necessarily appealing.

[ Just a little piece of advice, offered with a small, if not somewhat tense smile. And a moment later, Jon brings up his gauntlet-wearing hand, palm up, between them. ]

I believe we have some work to get done.

[plate_builder]

[No, he's not adept in it, but Reeve sighs. He's trying.]

I care about the gestures. But no one comes to me for tea. And Mini tidies up sometimes, when I leave things out. AS you can see...

[He gestures around. The walls are covered in sketches and diagrams. HIs table covered in papers and notebooks and other tools. There aren't a lot of clear pieces of space, save a hotplate where he clearly heats the water for his drink.]

But yes, we can work. Any chance you know how to direct the gauntlet to do subsurface scans?

[beholding_archivist]

[ Come on now. No need to flaunt your brilliance and how you actually have knowledge and abilities to be of use around here. Jon is well aware that the only reason he can actually do anything for a change is because Tony can't properly use his own devices at the moment.

Hence, he doesn't comment on the state of the place and rather turns his attention to the gauntlet, flipping it around so the palm faces down while pulling out his phone again with the other hand and turning it on. No, he still hasn't changed the selfie of Tony the man has set up as his phone background. ]

No one comes to me for tea, either. They come expecting books.

[ He muses, his attention on the screen of his phone as the glove comes to life, the centerpiece set into its palm glowing. ]

There. It's scanning.

[plate_builder]

[Yes, Tony would be the sort to put his picture on someone's phone, wouldn't he? That was just the person he was. And Reeve was unbothered by the image or reminder. What was the point.]

How intriguing.

[He moves closer to try and see what is going on.]

That man is just a touch to bright. It's amazing.

[beholding_archivist]

...he certainly is.

[ Jon muses softly in reply, almost to himself as his attention on the screen of his phone, attempting to understand. Eventually, he shakes his head with a small sigh, admitting defeat. ]

I barely know what I am looking at here.

[plate_builder]

May I?

[Reeve gestures for the phone. The readings might make more sens to him, seeing as he knew what he was looking for.]

If it's right, I could even fine tune it."

[beholding_archivist]

[ Jon doesn't argue and simple hands the phone over while keeping his hand with the gauntlet steady. ]

It's mostly numbers...

[plate_builder]

[Indeed it is. Reeve does some mumbling under his breath, all verbal math, and yeah. There it is.]

This is good. Very good. Come here.

[He's directing Jon to follow him toward the back room which is his residence, and gestures toward the sink there.]

Hold the gauntlet in this area.

[beholding_archivist]

[ And Jon follows the directions, even if a little awkwardly. After all, he hasn't come here for a tour through Reeve's living space. He will just remind himself that they are doing important work here. Which isn't necessarily wrong.

It's the praise that leaves him a little flustered, which he may not show due to remaining puzzled. ]

So I take it this does produce the results you need.

[plate_builder]

[No, he hadn't come for this. But this was hte best way to confirm some details from what he had already known. And Reeve looked truly delighted. Even turned a wide, bright smile on Jon.]

Yes, this will do indeed. Come outside. I have a theory as to where the subsurface power lines come into the building. If I get the right readings then I'll know. We'll be able to come up with the method to do all of this without wearing you out. I'll also have to alter some of the code on what he has here, to redirect the information flow so I can get this all to fit together for my usage.

[beholding_archivist]

...aight.

[ It's a confirmation, if a somewhat befuddled one. Jon may still not understand much, but at least he's not doing it wrong. That's a plus. Closing his hand, he lets if fall to his side while following Reeve outside. ]

At least they appear to have a power network here we have a chance to understand and work with. The data spheres they had to store their knowledge in only meant everything the Agrii had on record got destroyed.

[plate_builder]

I admit, it concerns me that the data spheres are all that is left, and what is more, so... lacking in knowledge.

[It bothered him. Was there no written word? Why did those systems survive but nothing else did? Was it truly the storms? If so, why did the data points survive. He guides Jon around the place with a sigh. At last he stops and points.]

Here. I think this is where the power lines come in.

[beholding_archivist]

You tell me. I picked up all the pieces, hoping to maybe find some half intact ones and searched the entire city for traces of any sort of written language or means of communication. Found a few pictograms here and there, but even those were rare.

[ Jon has fallen into a bit of musing while following and points and activates the gauntlet as instructed without giving the task much thought. ]

Not even traces of the sort of mundane vandalism you'd expect to find in a city this size. The ship gave us an idea, but- It's not built by the Agrii. It's an Atroma ship. Different technology.

[plate_builder]

Pictograms. I admit, I'm very intrigued.

[Not as intrigued as he is by the data feed on Jon's phone. Oh, this is lovely. It's all feeding in and it looks right. Reeve gives a delighted chuckle. Yes, this is what he needs. Now to figure out how to get the information to his own device. He offers Jon a wide smile.]

Well, if it comes to knowledge, I trust you and Tony to find it. Meanwhile, I intend to make sure that we're comfortable while the creative thinkers achieve what we need.

[beholding_archivist]

[ Certainly not the sort of words Jon has expected to hear. He falls silent for a couple of moments, settling with just holding the device steady and keeping it active in order for the other man to receive the necessary readouts.

Trust, eh...?

Jon sticks with the pictograms for now. ]

...they were bathroom signs, I assume. Over in what seems to have been a shopping center at some point. taught me about as much as that Agrii have four arms.

[ And he proceeds to gesture with his free hand towards his phone. ]

I suppose you will need that on your device.

[plate_builder]

Bathroom signs. Oh dear.

[Well, the Agrii arm numbers are pretty well known, so he guesses the point isn't very wrong. Not helpful. Still, he smiles. Because someone is trying to learn.]

Yes. I think I know how to change the pathway for the data output. Tony's code is beyond what I'm used to, but the datapoint here should let me work with it some.

[he hopes. If not, Tony can do that for Jon.]