[Video | 002: Trade Negotiations]

[pepperspray]

[It certainly hasn't taken Pepper long to both find a desk and have it covered (neatly!) with papers. Although the backdrop is the overburdened hospital, and although her hair is back in the sort of no-nonsense ponytail that says there's been no time to properly wash it, she looks much more in her element: grave, precise and direct as she looks to the camera.]

The supply situation at the hospital is getting critical. We've managed to stretch things a few more days, but normal resupply rates won't keep pace with the demand in the wake of the fire. There's a settlement to the south of here where some trade has been conducted before.

Is anyone interested in a trade mission? Do you have any useful skills you can bring to bear for one? Travel is dangerous here, I've been told, so bodyguards as well as negotiators could have a role. You'll also need to be able to work with the local population -- this is a show they've been running a lot longer than we've been here.

Comments

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[newguy]

Steve Jinks, ATF. And yeah. It's a combination of experience and being either blessed or cursed, depending on your theistic outlook.

But what do you know about the locals? I haven't had a chance to talk to them yet. They were all born here?

[and then, because his first post seemed to make such facts worth noting:]

I'm from America, 2011, if that means anything.

Re: video

[pepperspray]

Really? America in 2012, here -- I'm with Stark Industries. Pepper Potts.

[By 'with' it's more like 'handles all the boring critical parts of finance needed to let Tony continue to ignore questions like funding; but it will do.]

I think we did a couple contracts for ATF a few years ago, come to think of it. But you're certainly a welcome asset.

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[newguy]

[And he's sure they did too, though he can't remember it. She's not lying, though, which is all he needs. Stark Industries is definitely a Thing, Steve decides.]

I hope they worked out okay. I'm in sort of a...weird department Internal transfers are like a box of chocolates, blah blah. You know.

[He does know what he's going to get, though, and there's just a bit of covering his own ass and more importantly, the ass of National Security. Just in case. Always just in case.]

It's nice to meet someone from my own time and place, though.

Re: video

[pepperspray]

[She huffs a little laugh at that, wryly sympathetic.]

You're telling me. I'm lucky -- there are a couple people I know who also ended up here -- but then you have the giant robot.

In any case, it will take me a few more days to finalize negotiations with the local trade reps here -- I'm trying not to jump in and take over, but they're understandably wary. Are you all right with some rough travel? The nearest town is two days away by horse-drawn wagon.

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[newguy]

[Giant robot?? Yeah, Claudia would have been all over that in a heartbeat if it were part of his timeline, and he's sure the government would have let her, because he's all over that in a heartbeat, and he doesn't even have the excuse of being a hopeless tech junkie. So, Miss Potts must be from some alternate Earth, Steve decides with considerable regret. Seriously. Giant Robot? Color him jealous. Alternate universe Claude gets all the cool toys, dammit.]

I haven't found anyone, unfortunately. Or fortunately. Probably fortunately.

[They have way more important things to do.]

Yeah, I'm good for travel. I have all of the standard training, but I wasn't wearing a gun when I showed up. I guess that means we should get going soon? Don't want them to be too wary, or they might think we're artificially driving prices down.

[Not that he's eager to go, or anything.]

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[pepperspray]

[Don't take it too badly, Steve. After all, if you were in Pepper's universe you'd probably be dragooned into SHIELD and never have a moment's peace again.]

I'll let you know as soon as we're ready to muster out -- working with the locals is proving a challenge. I'd recommend getting a gun, though -- there are bandits along the route, and we'll be returning with the most valuable commodity this world has. I think I remember...

[She trails off, glancing down at a smartphone and flipping through a few apps with an abstracted expression.]

Yes. A woman who identifies herself as Commander Shepard was on the network offering to share some weapons in exchange for services rendered. I believe she's the one with the dinosaur.

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[newguy]

[...why does that sound like his department.]

Yeah, that sounds like my department.

[Man, even in the afterlife]

I'll get in touch with her and see if there's anything I can do.

Re: video

[pepperspray]

Good. Let me know if there's anything else you need -- I'm still learning the ropes of the supply chain around here, but I'll keep my ears open.

Any specifics you need to know about the route, tactically?