(no subject)

[runningred]

[from here}

The view behind the door is one of desolation. Windswept and bleak. If there was ever vegetation here, it is long gone. The air is thin and cold, acrid with smoke. Jay reached into his belt and pulls out a small rebreather and goggles, offering a set to Gav.

Stock shudders on Jay's shoulder, making soft sounds of distress. "It's okay, darling. You're safe with us."

Comments

[street_sparrow]

In essence, then, they are orphans and he nods sadly.

"Are these the last, Stock?"

[runningred]

Stock gives an affirmative sound in answer and helps Gav and Jay stow the last of the survivors.

She hovers for a moment. ~There is something I must find. I will meet you outside~

Jay watches her start to hover away, looking alarmed. "Where is she going?"

[street_sparrow]

"She wanted to go and find something", Gavroche says, watching her go. "She said she'll meet us outside."

[runningred]

Jay shakes his head and shoulders the bag. "We can't let her go alone." He follows the direction Stock went.

It isn't easy to climb through the ruined building but Jay's surprisingly flexible for a broad shouldered guy.

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche certainly isn't letting Jay go alone, when there could be anything out there.

He follows, quick and agile.

[runningred]

Stock makes her way into a smaller chamber, too small for the humans to follow. She buzzes around a pillar of coloured crystalline structure. She uses her force field to push on the shapes, light pulsing inside them weakly.

After a moment of pushing, one of the structures opens and a small blue crystal is released. She takes it with care and retracts part of her casing to slide it inside.

~We go now~

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche looks at the crystal with respect.

"I'm glad we could save that too."

[runningred]

~Recordings. It will tell us what was done here~

Jay reaches out to cup Stock as she comes back to them. tucking her gently into his jacket. "Alright. Time to get out of here."

[street_sparrow]

"Back to the bar", Gavroche agrees, reaching out in a silent offer to carry something.

[runningred]

Jay gladly hands over one of the sacks. The collective weight of the survivors isn't exactly light. He's quiet as they walk back towards the door, clearly planning the next step.

[street_sparrow]

"What are you thinking?" Gavroche asks quietly. "Whatever did this, seems to be gone for now."

[runningred]

"I'm thinking Stock is the best person to answer that. I'm thinking I need to remodel the workshop, get a big generator running and get all of the survivor's juiced up again. But slowly. Some of them aren't going to be able to move without some serious repairs."

[street_sparrow]

He nods.

"At least it's easier to repair their bodies than human ones - in a way - and get them back to full working order."

[runningred]

"True, I guess. But it took me month to get the triplets running again. Longer still with the twins and they weren't half as bad off as these guys. And the babies look like a whole world of messed up."

Stock's voice comes soft from inside Jay's jacket. ~we trust in you~

[street_sparrow]

"The babies are going to be difficult", Gavroche says quietly. "I couldn't feel anything physically wrong with them at all."

[runningred]

"Looked like they'd turn feral, the way they were coming at you and Stock."

Stock makes a small, unhappy sound from within Jay's jacket as they near the door.

[street_sparrow]

"Stock said nobody ever got time to teach them better. But they're still young, there's hope."

[runningred]

Jay nods and unzips his jacket enough let Stock to get out.

She hovers for a long moment, looking back in the city. Part of the dome they were under collapses, sending a gout of dust into the air. ~all dead now. The city is gone~

[street_sparrow]

"Maybe", Gavroche says gently, "maybe we can find you a place to make a new city."

He won't suggest rebuilding this one. Let it stand as one massive grave.

[runningred]

She doesn't answer at once, even as Jay leans out to stroke her. ~we will decide together. When all are warm~

Jay opens the door for them, feeling the cool rush of air from the bar.

[street_sparrow]

"As it should be", he agrees, focusing on Stock. "And if you decide to stay in Milliways, that's okay too."

[runningred]

She ducks a nod and turns her back on the fallen city, heading thought the door.

Jay rests a hand on Gav's shoulder in thanks as they pass through the door. "We've got a lot to do."

[street_sparrow]

"Anything I can do towards it", he says firmly, "you've got."

[runningred]

Jay nods. "I'll take you up on that. I'm going to need your help as a translator at least till I can get Stock upgraded."

He closes the door after them, blocking out the dusty air and makes for the garage. It's getting quite late by this point. "First step will be to get them all out of the foam and onto charging docks. From there, the rest can wait till tomorrow." Not that Jay will sleep tonight.

"Can you and Stock brain-storm some way to keep them all sleeping?"

[street_sparrow]

He nods. "I could try something with wizardry, but I might need to be here to maintain it. Stock, any ideas?"