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

[standsentinel]

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.

Comments

[Filtered Video]

[standsentinel]

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.]

[Filtered Video]

[knightoflight]

[He nods.] That makes sense.

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

Re: [Filtered Video]

[standsentinel]

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.

[Filtered Video]

[knightoflight]

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.

[Filtered Video]

[standsentinel]

[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.

[Filtered Video]

[knightoflight]

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

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

[Filtered Video]

[standsentinel]

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.