Event: Day 265 [OPEN]

[bastionpc]

Who: Several NPCs and you
Open: Open
When: Day 265
Where: The Bastion in general
What: Everyone adjusting to the new land, plus some bad news from Nathaniel.
Format: action
Warnings: Lnone

[First, the good news: everyone came back more or less alive and well, and they had a core! After some deliberation, eventually it was decided upon that adding more land to the Bastion (as well as improving the efficiency of power use in the Bastion, so that the extra land is not a strain on the already limited power) is the best use of this Core.

Once the core has been integrated into the Bastion, the land expanse is almost immediate. Several chunks of the nearby Skyway (monster-free, thankfully) attach themselves to the Bastion, nearly doubling the available land. In addition to the flat plains, lake, river, and hills, there is much more flat land, and a few sharp peaks (nowhere near tall enough to be actual mountains, but they are made of rock and have the same jagged edges and steep inclines that a mountain would have) have attached themselves to the north-eastern side of the Bastion.

In addition, several empty buildings have sprung up in the south and western parts of the Bastion, along with a large empty area clearly left open for tents or more structures. With all of the new land and buildings, the Bastion should be able to hold several hundred residents comfortably. Provided the people could be found to fill those spaces, the Bastion could be a small town now!

But today is not entirely a day of good news. Around midday, Nathaniel calls a meeting by the monument to discuss some things, and he doesn't look happy at all.]

Okay guys, I'm just going to be honest here. We've got some trouble brewing.

For starters, I haven't been able to pick up the energy signal from that other core. Either it's been buried, or it fell off the Skyway, or something else got to it. It may come up later, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Along with that, we've got another mess on our hands now. Remember that group of Ura that you guys have been talking to? Well, they left this letter in the place where we leave written communication with them. Zahi translated it for me, and long story short, their crops failed and they're asking us for help.

We can give them supplies, but the farm doesn't grow enough to feed both us and them. If we found another core we could expand the farms to make it feasible, but there's no telling when we'll find another core. Our other option is to start growing our own farms on top of what the automated farm grows for us, but that won't actually help for several weeks, even months. They could possibly starve by the time that pays off. There's also the problem of how to get the sheer volume of food they need out to where they are. Their numbers are about equal to ours, and it's not a trip we could make every day, and most foods would spoil by the time we got it to where they are, so that's something to keep in mind too.

As near as I can tell, we can either help them out until they can grow more food, or we can ignore the request and let them fend for themselves. If any of you guys have another idea of what to do, we can discuss it.

I'll leave the decision up to you guys, but whatever you choose, make the decision quick, so that whatever you decide to do can be put into motion as soon as possible.

Comments

[dragonsorcsandwolves]

[Both his muscles and his wings.

Rob wouldn't ever have suggested using a dragon as a beast of burden, but since Paar's volunteering...]

We'd probably need to make some kind of pack or howdah for you, or a really big cart for you to pull.

...

Or a blimp. Then you'd still be able to move at some kind of flight speed. We don't have helium, hydrogen is just asking for trouble, would hot air work for something that big? Have to ask Colin. Need material for the main part, might have to just get the Monument to make it...

[Whoops he's slipped into his own little world of trying to figure out how this would work.]

[cyan_maid]

[Jane hadn't been here barely a day, and already this new world had thrust its problems towards her. Did she have the right to a say, so fresh to it all? Who could say she did or didn't?

She lingers on the outskirts of the group, her frown deep as all this new information rolls around in her head. Gently, she taps the nearest person's shoulder and asks,]

These Ura folk...how far away from here are they, exactly? I thought this was the only place that could support life anymore...

[freedom_engineer]

We're all strangers to someone. They'll think the exact same thing about us.

I'd rather help them, and not be strangers to them.

Later on, when we're not strangers, and we need help from them... It would be nice to not have someone over there "We shouldn't die for strangers." And it would be even nicer if the rest of the people over there don't have a reason to agree with them.

[freedom_engineer]

Why would I make sure you don't press the shiny buttons?

That's half the reason the fun, shiny buttons exist!

But seriously... You wanna learn, I'm happy to teach you. We've got a lot of needed skills here, and I think you've got what it takes to become a grease monkey.

[findsrisks]

Well, how would you get better at it, if you didn't try?

I think if you offered really terrible ideas, someone would tell you that. But you seem like a good enough person that your ideas wouldn't be that bad anyway.

[freedom_engineer]

You wanna help 'em. right?

[Colin glances around, then leans in closer to Zulf and whispers with a lowered voice.]

Even if we vote against it... go get Rob's cart and one of Zuko's ostrich horses. Ask her to show you the most docile one.

Me and Rin are pretty much in charge of the cannery, I can guarantee that I'll be looking the other way if you wanted to take as much food as you can load up.

I'm going to be needed here for a while yet, sadly, so I won't be able to join you on this trip. But... I do need to see Zed soon. There's things we need to discuss. He was inprisoned at the jail, we found his cell-mate's journal.

Unless you can think of another Zed that survived the calamity...

[findsrisks]

[Oh hey, it's that new girl who just showed up! Nanaki will definitely listen, and then explain things to her.]

It's more that this is the only location that's completely safe from the monsters out there. People can survive out on the Skyway, but it's really hard to do. Those two over there-

[She points to Zahi and Zayna, who are standing not too far away.]

They lived out there for several months before they finally found us. And this group of Ura, they've lived out there this entire time. It certainly isn't easy, they have to deal with monsters, land that breaks up and reforms at will, no real day or night cycle, no seasons, and so forth. But they've managed to do it.

[findsrisks]

A hot air balloon might work, but can anybody here actually fly one?

[She does not want to be the person to test one, especially not when falling could mean falling forever.]

[freedom_engineer]

They're a healthy distance away from here. A little over a day's walk.

And this isn't the only place that can support life. I just think it's the only place that can do so comfortably.

[He shakes his head then.]

It's a complex situation.

[freedom_engineer]

I suspect one of the Ostrich horses could be taught rather quickly. They're domesticated animals. If Zuko were there, we could see to it rather easily, but yeah, not without a few hiccups. We'll probably need to buy harnesses, honestly... since I don't think anyone here is a leatherworker. To say nothing of the lack of decent leather in the first place.

If you bring the wood to my shop, I can see about helping you out, and showing you how to reinforce stuff to make it stronger. I've certainly got enough supplies for that.

... The barge has complications of its own. I'd like to use it, but it's an armed Caelondian vessel. I don't think the Ura will be happy to see something like that approaching them. Even if it's carrying food.

The Ura are a little over a day's walk from here, if I'm remembering correctly.

[freedom_engineer]

Okay... so, here's my thoughts.

With what we have, we can only help for a couple of weeks. And that's going to take some sacrifice on both our part, AND on the part of the Ura.

Our Cannery can probably give them about a week's worth of food, give or take, with the reserves we've got right now. I expect that will probably take two trips with the one cart we've got, though Rob and I are going to work on building another one here immediately. That will give us a little time. More, if the Ura have some food reserves.

We can help more, but... BUT that is going to take a lot of planning and work. Fortunately, I've already laid the ground work for some things...

First of all, we need to expand the farms and develop some extra ones that people will have to man. I can get started on building some hydroponic farms, if people are willing to work at them and help me out with construction. They're a vital facility that every Corsican colony builds first, they help that much. I also plan to show the Ura how to do it, but I don't know how readily they'll take to it. And that's a long term solution, not a short term one...

Next... we need to stop focusing on tasty, comfort foods and start focusing on long-term, survivability foods. Our regular meals don't need to take much of a hit, but we do need to start developing long term stores. I've got recipes for Fruit Cakes and Fish Cakes with massive shelf lives and high nutrient values... and there are other long term foods out there as well. I could use a little help to research those. Rin will need to cook them, and she'll probably need some help there as well. Fortunately, the new kitchen I made for her a while back is capable of large-scale food preparation.

[There's a wicked grin. You really think he'd focus on creature comforts when he can prepare for survival with only a little extra work on his part?]

Next... That doesn't solve the problem of immediate food needs. Fortunately, I have something that does. A few of us have been developing a fallback position at the observatory. Including seeding it with food. I've planted fruits and veggies out there about a month back, and I've been checking on it regularly. Some of it's fallen prey to nature, but some of it's good.

I'm... not happy about giving up my fallback's food supply, but there's a lot of food out there we can spare for the Ura, and it's whole purpose is to be there in case of emergency. I think this qualifies. Plus, the squirts and Gasfella over there know me. I wouldn't say we've got good relations yet, but I've been taking care of them, and they've been willing to leave me alone and even lend a hand here and there. The food is as safe as it can be without being here.

Next... Raile brought up a good point earlier. There's still bound to be some food stores out there that haven't been found and raided yet. If we can find a military supply depot that hasn't yet been raided, we can probably feed the Ura for a good month or so. Rations are meant to LAST, so all we have to do is find a good stockpile.

Finally, and I'm hesitant to bring this up because it has a lot of complications on its own. But... if we can convince them to come here, the problem of transporting all of this food becomes moot. And we can get their help with new farming as well. I... don't know the first thing about THAT particular diplomatic headache, but it's an option.

Obviously, I haven't thought of everything, and there's a LOT of hard work to be done to make this work... but it's definitely possible. So, what does everyone think?

[freedom_engineer]

I'm already planning to go out there and build them some facilities... if they'll accept my help. That's a big thing. And I'll need some manpower to actually get it done. I don't know how much of THAT they'll be willing to lend me.

I am, after all, a man with a reputation...

[He glances in the direction of Zulf and Zuko, and he smirks.]

[notachickenhawk]

<I don't know if I can help with the tech stuff, but like I said, I can haul things for you if you want.>

[cyan_maid]

It certainly sounds like it.

[She pauses to nibble at her bottom lip, thinking.]

And from what's been said, the resources we have seem to be able to support us just as we are. But I just don't understand why an entire group of people out there don't pick up and move here.

[cyan_maid]

I see. But if it's so much trouble, what's keeping them from coming here? Besides the fact that goods would definitely be in short supply if there was a sudden flood of people here...

[findsrisks]

Well...you know, I'd like it if they came here too. There's a lot of them, and it would help to make this place feel less empty. But there's...bad blood between us and them, I guess.

The first time we came across them, they shot at us and nearly killed one of us. It was all a misunderstanding, but it's still made relations difficult at best.

[findsrisks]

[Nanaki listens and follows along, nodding as she considers it. No matter what angle they take, it's going to take a lot of work, and she still has worries too.]

We're absolutely sure this isn't a trap, right?

[Might as well get the biggest concern out of the way first.]

[freedom_engineer]

I'd say 70-30 in favor of it being legit. If it's a trap, it's a risky one.

The boy that cried wolf, and all that. They know we've got our guard up. If this is a trap and it doesn't work, they've pissed off the only other enclave of survivors.

Besides... I don't think anyone here trusts them enough to go in with open arms.

[freedom_engineer]

You weren't here a few weeks back. We're good for now, but our resources are strained.

It would be good if they came here, but... it wouldn't solve the problem. It would just consolidate everyone in one place. Easier to take care of, but a bigger drain on resources too.

Plus... there's a lot of mistrust, like Nanaki says.

[scary_music]

Oooh, does Ibuki really have to become a monkey? And a greasy one, too! Everybody will make fun of her, she'd totally lose her rockstar image! She'll be laughed at and told constantly to take showers! Terrible, what an awful thing to tell Ibuki, Colin-sama-chan!

... just kidding!

But if Ibuki gets to press all the shiny buttons, then, yeah, yeah, let's do it! Let's to the mechanical engineering thing! All the buttons!

[scary_music]

Listen, listen, Ibuki will let you in on a little secret!

Ibuki's brain to mouth filter, it's damaged! Broken! She says things without thinking! Could you imagine her trying to be political with a thing like that? Imagine it, imagine!

Here, Ibuki will demonstrate!

"Excuse me, Urarara-chans! We come bearing gifts of donut trees and other funny things! In exchange, please don't destroy our everything! We need that!"

Whoops!

[cyan_maid]

No, I understand that completely, it just strikes me very odd, is all.

[Mistrust...it's probably warranted in this sort of place, but it certainly doesn't help matters.] But we're still trying to help them, since...it's the right thing to do?

[cyan_maid]

[Her mouth falls open a bit.] Oh - Oh, my. Really? Doesn't seem like something smart to do, given that we're all relatively in the same boat.

[findsrisks]

[Nanaki still worries, but this will help her worry a bit less.]

It sounds like the main problem is the sheer quantity of food we would need to take them, so...what if, instead of us going to look for the rations ourselves, we tell them about places where there are caches of supplies? That, along with us taking what we can now, might be enough to help them, since they could probably go in a larger group and carry more than we could.

Also, maybe it would help if we offered to take on at least some of their people? Like, I know they're big about being independent, but maybe if at least the kids and the elderly are taken care of, that would make things easier for them.

[findsrisks]

You say that, but you just showed that you understand that wouldn't be the right thing to say.