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[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

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[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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[plate_builder]

Sleep and I are rarely friends, Tony.

[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.

[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.

[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. ]

[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.

[in_extremis]

[That does not help Tony decide how he feels, but]

Hey.

We both know it doesn't, but okay, if you don't care, I don't care.

Have you been having nightmares?

[Look how much he doesn't care.]

[plate_builder]

[Reeve sighs and looks away from the screen. Dammit, Tony, he'd been dodging it]

Yes.

[in_extremis]

[Tony is smarter than he looks. And that's pretty smart.

He's also pretty sure Jon can give people nightmares, so this has to be a careful inquiry.]

What else is new?

[Nailed it.]

Mini can chaperone, if you need someone to cuddle. If that's your thing. I can even do all of the talking, if you don't want to talk about it. I'm willing to make that sacrifice. There's some new shit in the place every day, you know, that's a lot for the processors to get through, if you're sleeping easy you're not paying attention.

[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.