outer_divide | [VIDEO | 005: Hot Under The Collar] (Wednesday Evening)

Kaidan's looking much less stressed and mid-combat than his last network post, we must say. Of course, he's still got deep bruising across half of his pretty face (and it seems strangely on its way to healing, given the timespan) and there's that shiny technological collar hanging around his neck. Too, he seems to be mentally willing back a pretty vile headache, if the squint to his eyes and the pain lines at the corners of his mouth are an indication.

But... not mid-combat. This is a plus. He appears to be underground, in some sort of half-salvaged space that might look familiar to a few of the more community-minded tech heads. He's even gotten the bare bones of some lighting in place.]

I didn't want to add to what's already a bitch of a cleanup, but I need a hand. Specifically, I need three pairs of them, and so does anyone else who got stuck with one of these.

[One hand lifts, patting the collar by way of example.]

Come to my workspace if you've got some spare time and don't mind helping out. I've also got a couple other things I can't pull off alone. One's for some heavy lifting -- I don't want to go into detail on here. The other... well, you've seen what happened to the fields. I have a plan that might get some more food on the tables, but it needs manpower. If you're up on 20th century technology or later, I need your help. Hell-- if you can be taught quickly how to hold a soldering iron, I could use you.

I can't really offer payment, outside of information and maybe some salvage, but if this works then maybe we don't starve.

Either show up or reply to this -- and put a filter on it if you can -- if you want to know more.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Wing nods. But it merely confirms what he knows: no one can repair him. He'll have to be more cautious.]

Ah. Do you have a place in mind? Perhaps two, in case one is discovered? And is there any component in particular I should prioritize?

I'm actually thinking the Doctor might have an idea or two -- have you talked with him?

[Kaidan's not up on a lot of the man's backstory, but he's pieced together enough to know that he can futz with technology well beyond Kaidan's own grasp of it. But his tone is more one of speculation, and he drops it in favour of immediate business.]

I'm sending two drop points to you now. They're probably the closest you can get to some underground sites I've had my eye on. As for priorities, take anything that would be difficult for other people to shift -- we can manage the smaller debris.

I have not spoken with any Doctor. The hospital is too small for me.

[Doctors and hospitals go together, right?]

[He nods, acknowledging the data transmission.]

Are these sites secure, or shall I stay to guard one?

Oh, not a doctor, the Doctor -- it's a title. He can pull off some pretty crazy things, by his reputation and from a little that I've seen. Patching you up might be inside his reach.

[Kaidan looks mildly sheepish as he clarifies -- apparently it doesn't take long to get past surprise at the name and right into just going with it.]

The sites are more or less secure. A lot of what I hope to salvage'll be turned right back around to trying to help the folks here, so I'm hoping that will be enough to earn some good will and leaving it alone, but if you want to keep a loose eye on things now and again, I won't object. No need to park by it or anything, though.

Oh. [He'll just accept that. The Doctor. All right.] I'll definitely try to find him, then.

[Because he could use a good look-over. ]

So I should be looking at tradable items as well? And they may have left, erm, armor and weaponry we could use.

[He hates the thought of fighting, but seeing them attack the hospital, and Eliot's lecture, have made him begin to realize they need to be ready to fight, really fight.]

[He frowns.] If I were too obvious and attentive, I may draw attention, actually.

Yeah. That's why I'm thinking be casual about it -- if you're doing some rounds in general, people aren't as likely to notice if you're paying attention to a couple areas. Even robot-jets can fade into the background if you're predictable enough.

[He seems almost amused at this -- humanity is not without its foibles and blind spots.]

[He nods.] That makes sense.

I'm afraid that actual war--these kinds of thinking--is new to me.

In a perfect world, nobody would have to figure out how to think tactically. Since it's not a perfect world, here or elsewhere, that's why I do what I do. Normally, I'd say it's so others don't have to. But here...

[He trails off, eyes focusing on the middle distance for a moment before returning attention to Wing.]

I'll help you where I can.

Here, your expertise means you can help defend people. Save lives.

[He frowns at the other's distant look.] Though I am sorry for the price you've had to pay to gain that knowledge, friend.

[The distant look comes back into focus with a crooked smile and a lift of one hand.]

I paid it willingly, so no regrets there. We'll always need our soldiers as well as our saints, and I happen to be pretty decent at the soldiering. As for you... I think you can learn some strategy without having to dive right into the violence. Starting patrols and keeping an eye on things is a good beginning.

Willingness is good, but that doesn't lessen your sacrifice.

I just want to do more. We shouldn't have to live like this.

Well, if it's comforting to you on that score... we can't.

[There's a wry frankness to his tone that suggests his musings aren't really meant to be entirely reassuring, at least not conventionally.]

The situation's not stable. It will either get worse if we do nothing, or if we act stupidly, or it will get better if we're smart. So, one way or another, we and everyone else aren't going to stay like this.

[VIDEO | 005: Hot Under The Collar] (Wednesday Evening)

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