[Audio: The Hot Zone] Monday evening, week 18

[pepperspray]

This is Pepper Potts.

I'm going to keep details thin in an open broadcast like this, but I've gotten information from a contact that suggests a potential location for the start of this current disease outbreak.

It will require travel over water, so air transport or the ability to transport yourself or others will be required to accomplish this in a timely fashion. There's also a risk of active disease agents still being present, so some sort of containment gear might be good.

My talents are very much not medical research ones, so don't ask me for details, but this might, I hope, help people who do have those talents figure out just what's going on here.

Comments

[video]

[knightoflight]

I can offer transport and I seem immune to this disease.

I'd like to help.

[Encrypted video:]

[pepperspray]

[Pepper's expression falters from its usual seamless calm, real relief flashing in her smile as she spots Wing. After a moment to twiddle the feed settings to some Stark-level encryption, she sends him a copy of the map from Captain Silene.]

Wing, you are absolutely one of the people I hoped would respond. Thank you.

[Encrypted video:]

[knightoflight]

Please don't thank me. It means so much to be able to help.

[He acknowledges the map with a small nod.]

Tony Stark said he can help me with decontamination. Is that all right?

[Audio]

[nodavinci]

And I was hoping to play pirate, too.

I'll get the details in person. Especially the "what sort of samples are we looking at here" part.

[Audio]

[pepperspray]

Well, I was just talking to one. At least, I'm pretty sure she's one. And she does seem to keep making passes at me, which gives her a certain kinship to you, I have to say.

[Audio]

[nodavinci]

You know, if you wanted to arrange a liason, it might help strengthen alliances...

[His teasing tone is hard to miss.

The fact that the swerve in topic will probably chase off anyone listening in is absolutely just a coincidence. Honest.]

[thefuzzyguy]

Um... Transport is kind of a specialty of mine... And I guess I should stop talking about that. And I was sick, but I'm much better now.

[Oh, Kurt, you little liar. He does look a little like death warmed over, even with the help of the inducer, but he's not coughing his lungs out anymore.]

[Encrypted Video:]

[pepperspray]

[Pepper's answer comes in the form of some twiddled settings that apply encryption to the video feed that matches his. Her expression creases with judicious concern.]

Normally, I'd say absolutely not, with the way you're looking.

[And the fact that he's, y'know, a teenager. But beggers and choosers, and she's certainly seen him around the hospital.]

But we're a little short on options, and I've, um, arranged some transportation there. Do you know Wing?

Re: [Encrypted Video:]

[thefuzzyguy]

[A teenager who's entirely too accustomed to this sort of thing.]

Oh, ja, giant robot, hard guy to miss. I like Wing.

[Video]

[professorwolf]

[Have a tired-looking but smiling werewolf, Pepper.]

Apparently you are the dispenser of marching orders around here, Miss Potts. Is there anything I can do to be of assistance, that does not require my actually traveling?

[Because air transport plus werewolves does not for a good idea.]

[Video]

[pepperspray]

[Pepper looks a little tired herself, but her dimples do make an appearance at that observation.]

It seems to be turning into a bit of a habit. Although really, it's just the result of networking.

As for assistance... well, we're going to be losing a few able-bodied people to this expedition. Would you be able to handle some additional supply delivery or wellness checks around the City?

[Video]

[professorwolf]

Of course. Simply leave me a list with names and addresses, and I will add them to my run about town in the morning to see what they need.

[Because mornings are no longer for sleeping. He snatches a few hours in the afternoons, but only on a good day. He, however, is an immortal with the ability to go a few days without sleep-- Pepper he's more concerned for.]

Are you getting enough sleep, between all this networking of yours?

[ video ]

[weapabilities]

I'd like to help in any way I can. I'm immune, for uh. Obvious reasons. I can't... fly or swim, but I do have a ground vehicle mode that can carry a few humans- er. Human-sized organics.

[filtered video ]

[pepperspray]

We don't actually have transportation large enough to carry you I think. I'm sorry.

[And, quietly and gently, Pepper does honestly seem to be so.]

That said, if the expedition's successful, they're going to need a place to work on things, and there are areas of the ship that are inaccessible. Do you think you could work with some of the people staying behind to clear them out, or get them up and running?

[filtered video ]

[weapabilities]

Ahah, that's fine, I understand.

I'd be happy to do anything where I can be of use, honestly. Just point me in that direction and I'm there.

[steamosaurus]

Oh, I would love to be of some assistance! I'm afraid most air travel around here seems to be built for hominids, but if I happen to be wrong, I'm an excellent piolet- ah-choo!

[Yup, the dinosaur is definitely sniffly.]

Forgive me, I seem to have caught a bit of a cold. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the illness going around, though.

Anyway, I can assist... ground transport, if there's no airships capable of handling my size.

[She sounds a bit sad and wistful. Boy, does Darwin miss flying.]

[Filtered Video:]

[pepperspray]

[Why yes, that really is a dinosaur talking to her. An educated-sounding one. With a cold. Pepper draws upon all the talents honed over a decade of finding Tony Stark in compromising situations and keeps her expression pleasantly businesslike.]

Transport out to the site would be a problem, but there are definitely some projects here that need some work. Specifically, I'm concerned about making sure that any samples brought back can be studied in a safe environment. I think there are some labs on the ship, but they're not in good repair...

[redledgerdays]

I'll go. [she's not medical, but she can at least keep people safe]

[Encrypted Video:]

[pepperspray]

[Pepper's expression shades through assessing to relieved and ends up settled back on businesslike over the span of about 1.5 seconds. She caps it with a quick nod, and a small twiddle fo settings that encrypts rather than merely filters her return transmission.]

I'm glad. Tony's in as well, and I have someone providing air transport. I'll be leaving it to people not me to actually be on the ground out there.

[OOC: Edit! The OOC sign up thread is over here:]

[Audio]

[evervarying]

You know, it's probably too much to ask that the decon chambers still be working after a crash, but I've never been on a spaceship that hasn't kept at least a few spare containment suits around for emergencies.

[Audio]

[pepperspray]

You knowledge of spaceships exceeds mine, but that's... very useful to know. Thank you.

Do have ideas about where they would be?

[audio]

[sadandsingle]

I'm healthy - so far, anyway - and I can lend a hand wherever I'm needed.

[audio]

[pepperspray]

Oh, good. I'll be staying back, but you've worked with Tony before and you don't seem to have gone insane. If you think you can keep that trend going, I think you'd be an excellent addition to the expedition group.

[Audio] → Answered on Tuesday Afternoon

[golden_retriever]

[ Have a tired sounding Eliot. It had been a long three nights for him. ]

Hey darlin'. Sounds like you've got enough people goin'.

[Audio]

[pepperspray]

[By the time the answer comes, Pepper is already in the thick of approximately fifteen other things, of varying degrees of related to the excursion. She still spares Eliot a quick smile.]

Some good interest levels, and some good talents. How are you doing?