[ text and video combo, jan 7th ]

[devotedtothecore]

[ bright and early, splayed on the network feed in somewhat old-timey poster fashion: ]

IMMEDIATE HELP WANTED

with the

Refurbishment and Construction

of

Shelters and Outposts

for purposes including but not limited to

Accommodation, Assembly, Defense, Medical Aid, Technical Support, Supply Reserves, Agriculture

and other prospective services to Transports and other associates.

All forms of assistance and input welcome and encouraged

including but not limited to technical aid, general labor, delivery and supply, security, liaison with third parties, and crew support.

Inquire in this post for further details.

----

[ video version ] (available within the same post, should one be preferred)

[ Have a rumpled-looking engineer eying the screen with a stony look, arms folded, leaning casually back in his chair. There's a worn topographical map of the Exsilium city-state area tacked up on the wall behind him, surrounded by sheets and sheets of blueprints and schematics, ranging from floor plans to wiring diagrams to the layout of the guts of a generator. ]

Good day. ...I'll make this as succinct as possible; we're setting up centralized Transport shelters, or outposts here on the ground, and we need as much help as we can get to get them fully equipped.

It matters not whether you have technical expertise, though whatever you have on that front would also be useful; if you've the time to spare, and would see some progress made in our being here, you're welcome to join in.

If you'd like to help but you're not sure how you can, speak to me.

[ He gestures one-handed at the map behind him; the main "city" area, or at least the area with relatively more locals resident, is a patch of highlighted orange running along the river Thames and other waterways. More and smaller patches dot the map, indicating villages and towns; though anyone who's done some thorough scouting of their own might find that not everything's there.

There's four locations circled, of which three are in green (one in the warehouse district of the city; another more on the outskirts, slightly removed from the orange patches; one more located in the highlands and far from orange altogether.) The fourth in red, with "N.I. - To Be Confirmed", is recognizable as the current site of the Transporter. ]

We've managed to stake claims, more or less, on at least three of these four sites; I'm going to give an overview of them and their coordinates, and what we might do with them, and how.

[ What follows is a briefing; essentially the contents of this post. It takes no longer than a few minutes, laid out as plainly and simply as he can, though he takes care to describe out loud what he's indicating by hand (being aware of at least one visually-impaired member among the Transports.) ]

....and that's about it, for now. If you've any questions or comments, feel free.

We're aiming to commence full construction by the 10th.

(( OOC: APOLOGIES FOR THE SLOWDOWN IN REPLIES I'll get to everyone's as soon as I can ))

Comments

text.

[ex_longanimity327]

I'm game. Question, though, how'd you feel if I drag five more people along?

text

[devotedtothecore]

More assured of the success of this project.

Could you give their names and a sum of their relevant skills?

[Video]

[hornedomen]

This is a good idea. I'd like to help.

[Video]

[devotedtothecore]

[ An affirming nod. ]

Where are you at present? And have you any particular skills or abilities we should know of?

[Video]

[pactfulfilled]

I'd like to help, too. The sooner we can accommodate everyone and get things running smoothly again, the better.

[Video]

[devotedtothecore]

[ Restlessly tapping the back of a pen against the table, as he nods. ]

The newest group of Transports will be arriving tomorrow, and that will mean another few dozen of us in need of shelter, food, and adequate clothing.

[ Sounding disgruntled about this, but it's more about the fact that they don't have as much as they should ready for those guys, and with the weather far more unforgiving than it was before... ]

Your name?

video.

[selfequipped]

I'm interested—I already told Kate about this, but here's an "official" sign up. I'll be bringing my friend Noh-Varr along for extra help.

video

[devotedtothecore]

Noted. Kate Kane, you mean?

Voice;

[hellosailor]

You sure that's a great idea?

[Sully doesn't sound particularly happy, for a couple of reasons. Not least because this throws a wrench in his own plans. Outside of that, though, he does have legitimate concerns.]

I'm thinking a great big noticeable facility where a bunch of obvious outsiders flock to might be something that the UE would take note of. You can't assume the locals would keep that quiet. Disappearing and dead guy was apparently very insistent that we not be found.

Besides, I'm not hot on the idea of everyone being in one easily bombed location. Maybe that's just me.

Voice;

[devotedtothecore]

[ It's a good point, and one he's debated back and forth on... ]

I'm aware. But we're not doing this in just one location, or doing it to be noticeable; we'll keep our movements as low to the ground as possible. And what we do in each place doesn't have to be as big as you might think.

video

[miscreant]

[Seviilia does not actually care about what happens to most people here, but once upon a time she had pointed out how regularly the United Earth favored bombing, and how they should fortify against it. She is not too pleased to hear of this effort for that reason alone. More attacks would delay any sort of victory, and chances of her returning to Azeroth.]

A foolish plan rooted in ignorance. Have you learned nothing of the enemy we face in this world? From the suffering our fighting force has already faced?

Do you recall what happened the last time we centralized?

video

[devotedtothecore]

[ He can't help but grit his teeth a little from the first words of the message, but reminds himself to focus on the gist of them, not the contempt they're laced with.

With a hint of an edge to his voice: ] I have not forgotten.

This is not intended to be a simple repetition of what was before. It does not aim to gather us in a single place and hold us there, but provide places to gather, and collaborate, in our movements against that enemy you speak of.

As scattered as we are right now, what has been accomplished since our arrival on the surface?

video;

[hymnals]

I'm guessing that 'medical aid' refers to the clinic, yeah? I'd love a hand in scouting a location and getting the place built, but I'd rather the clinic be separated from any other facility you're thinking of. Safer that way.

video;

[devotedtothecore]

[ He nods, turning to look behind him, eyes skimming over the map as he speaks. ]

Agreed. I felt that ideally, there would be some basic form of that aid available as well at some of the facilities, since in the event of casualties at those locations, they could at least be stabilized beforehand...

[ He circles a region on the paper with a fingertip; it's a section where the orange of the central city-state tapers off into scattered villages.

This is roughly midway between the areas under consideration. I've heard that a couple of subterranean homes have been vacated there, recently; the residents have migrated to other villages. It might be worth investigating.

voice;

[taggingwomprats]

Count me in. Sounds like a great project.

Voice;

[devotedtothecore]

Alright.

There'll be a more extensive briefing before we start; keep an eye on the network.

video;

[braavado]

I'll help. [No hesitation here.]

I've been looking for a place to fix up as a training center, since we don't have the Initiative really backing us anymore. Do you have enough buildings for all of those things you listed?

video;

[devotedtothecore]

Setting up some form of those things won't take as much space as it sounds. What we have at the moment should be good enough.

The museum is a fairly extensive underground space of its own; it's some distance from the city, but if that isn't a deterring factor, it may suit your aims.

text;

[alittlesweptup]

What part of 'we're doomed if the UE notices us, maybe we should keep things as low profile as possible' do you people not understand?

text

[devotedtothecore]

[ It's tempting to point out the number of ways they're already less than low profile-- the regular shuttle trips to and from the planet seems like the biggest red light, there--- but that debate isn't likely to go anywhere but into an argument. ]

If you've any solid recommendations, let's hear them.

Video;

[hotdate]

[He'll just raise his hand excitedly]

Oh, me, me! I'll help out!

Video;

[devotedtothecore]

[ That's some enthusiasm right there. ]

Your name?

text

[hyanaimne]

Other people said it better than I could, but it is a terrible idea. A centralized area will just paint a very large target on us.

text

[devotedtothecore]

[ ...times when he wishes someone else would do this job of actually proclaiming and explaining things. Machines are so much easier to negotiate with. ]

My phrasing may have been misleading, and for that, I apologize.

The aim is not to have a single, mandatory centralized area, but areas for potential centralization as and when needed. As affairs stand at present, we are the very opposite of centralized; but it also means we lack far more in the resources and combined capability to make moves with regards to the UE.

[video]

[highfrequency]

I can do heavy lifting, but...

[vague gestures]

We shouldn't over do it, though. We can make shelters for folks who don't wanna live underground but...yeah...

Build too much and someone is gonna notice.

[video]

[devotedtothecore]

[ From the weary, disgruntled look on his face, it's apparent he's heard the same from a number of others already. ]

...yes. I'm aware that discretion has to be first and foremost.

[ Rubbing at his temples with a hand. He could use a smoke, right about now. ]

We'll make the most of what's already in place, and modify it, rather than build entirely anew.

Video

[heartstorage]

Sounds like a good idea. I can help out!

Video

[devotedtothecore]

It's appreciated. Your name?

[badnewsboy]

You've a few naysayers.

That means I'm in!

[devotedtothecore]

[ ....well, might as well not look this gift horse in the mouth. ]

It's appreciated. Your name? And any skills to note?

Action

[maddeninghatter]

[ SUDDENLY, OVER YOUR SHOULDER: ]

A piece of advice. Take some time to know who you're talking to.

Action

[devotedtothecore]

[ Nrgk. Stop doing that.

There's the stiffening shoulders of surprise, but he doesn't turn around. ]

...could you elaborate?

audio

[encharrneered]

[ Of course it would include something in the city's outskirts. Great. ]

Like there aren't already enough idiots mucking around the outskirts here. You start bringing materials through there en masse, you do it quietly or you don't do it at all, got it?

audio

[devotedtothecore]

[ Hey, it's not a bad location, is it? ]

Discretion is a high priority. Though if you or anyone you know of would be able to assist with ensuring it in logistic work, the aid would be welcomed.

Video;

[feel_nevermore]

So... you're the Initiative's new spokesperson or something?

Video;

[devotedtothecore]

I don't represent or act in any capacity for them.

[ He doesn't mentioned that there's not much of "them" to represent left, at this point. ]

[Video]

[knightofcourage]

I can help with...labor, I guess, or I can try and help with the animals. Do you get to choose where you go to start with?

[Video]

[devotedtothecore]

I'm open to preferences. But if there's an area of particular need, or one we're lacking in numbers for, I might request you start there.

That said, we do need people in both those places, and you're free to move between jobs.

[Video]

[curiousredsoul]

A wise idea indeed.

I can lend my aid where ever it may be needed. I have experience in the construction of defensive shelters in recent years and can assist with technical and logistical matters.

[Video]

[devotedtothecore]

[ .............you're a dragon.


Every time he thinks now I've seen everything...

Right. Regroup, damn it. ]

Duly noted, and appreciated. Do you know of one by the name of Kang?

voice

[oncearanger]

I'll be there to look over the plans if you like. I'm sure I can find suggestions to make as well.

voice

[devotedtothecore]

Give me a couple of hours. There's a number of modifications to make.

[ Sounding a little ragged over the line, but firm. ]

video;

[chosenfake]

[Fuck texting, he's horrible at it.]

I'm not really much of an architect, but I can work.

[There was a time where he wouldn't even consider volunteering.]

To be honest, I should've spearheaded this a long time ago. I just... After what happened before, I was afraid it would all be destroyed again.

video;

[devotedtothecore]

[ He takes a few moments to respond, spending them in quiet thought.

Finally, keying up the video: ] It's understandable. [ Bluntly: ] And we can't hold illusions of the chances of it happening again.

But it won't be today, or tomorrow, or perhaps for weeks or months or more, yet, and that is time we need to move in to prevent it from doing so altogether.

[ravenknight]

Greetings. I'm Lytegian, and I would like to lend a hand. I'm afraid I don't really have any knowledge of building, but I'm fairly strong. I've been looking around, trying to see if there are any houses of worship, and I can't seem to find any. Might I suggest the construction of a small, inconspicuous temple?

[devotedtothecore]

[ .....places of worship had hardly factored in Chrys's thoughts at all, being to him things as useless as the faith in overworldly beings they were rooted in; but he answers Lytegian politely, at least. ]

We could use your strength. As for your suggestion, we could look into it, but for the time being it won't likely be a first priority.

In the interim, I would suggest appropriating an existing building, or a room therein, for that purpose.

text; private

[mathematician]

[Because fuck being targeted by Break again...]

Bollocks those guys. I think it's a good idea.

-Don't... quote me on that though, please.

text; private

[devotedtothecore]

[ Sorry that guy's one of his associates too, Lowell.

The message gets a wry smile out of Chrys, at least. ]

I'll keep that in mind.

Have there been any problems with the new amenities so far?

[ After that whole screening rigmarole with the New Initiative (light knows he'd been close to biting someone's head off at some point), the best he'd been able to manage so far was two showers and a decent pair of latrines, and enough of an upgrade to the heat to make layers less of a mandatory clothing choice... definitely could be better, but not as bad as before. ]

Video | pls pretend this isn't late as hell

[astraia]

I can help. I'm no architect, but... [A wry smile.] I've done my share of rebuilding, and I can do heavy lifting.