audio; @Qubit [early in the cold snap]

[superposition]

Qubit here. Obviously we're having some hiccups with the climate control, but I'm working to get that back in order.

In the meantime, talk to me if you need a space heater or electric blanket. Preferably the latter, unless there's a pressing need for the former - less chance of blowing a fuse that way. Thank you.

Comments

audio;

[vosseeker]

[ Qubit's offerings don't help Starscream much, but perhaps there's another way to tackle that problem. ]

What kind of climate mediation system is in place here?

sorry for the delay!

[superposition]

[ ... Okay, on the one hand, Qubit doesn't really trust Starscream - I mean, he doesn't exactly trust anybody, but even less so - but this is more of a general-knowledge thing, it's not privileged intel. (This is also his thought process if someone asks him what he had for lunch.) ]

Hydronic radiant heating, primarily. It takes waste heat from the generators and surface level and cycles it throughout the complex. [ He expects Starscream to know the jargon, but for the audience at home, it just means heat transfer via water pipes. ]

But there's a secondary system of airborne nanites that can store and release thermal energy as needed. That's how they achieved uniform temperature control in open areas like the agricultural zone. Unfortunately, their little Christmas gala glitched out both systems simultaneously.

[ Still more unfortunately, Qubit's powers don't work on either nanites or plumbing, so he can't expedite the process in that regard. ]

audio

[nockturnal]

So it is being seen to.

I had wondered.

[superposition]

[ Well, well, a new user! ]

It is. I see to many of the technical issues around here, as a matter of fact. Who is this? I don't think we've spoken before.

[nockturnal]

My name is Hanzo.

I have only just arrived. So perhaps this state of disrepair is not unusual. I had no way of knowing.

[superposition]

Charmed. [ There we go, pleasantry quota has been efficiently filled. ]

Well, this particular state of disrepair is new. But the state of disrepair in general, that may still be with us a while longer. [ With a hint of pride: ] That said, you should have seen the place before Peter and I had a crack at it.

[nockturnal]

It is enough that those taking refuge here are not simply content to huddle in the wreckage.

[ They should take whatever opportunities present themselves. ]

How bad was it, before?

@lazarus | audio

[benhargreeves]

Hey, Qubit. I would really love an electric blanket but only if you have enough to go around to everybody who really needs them.

Is there anything I can do to help out with the repair efforts? I mean, I don't know shit about climate control but I can turn wrenches and hold stuff and run errands or whatever.

[ This isn't the first time Ben's gone out of his way to volunteer help in a crisis. Clearly, he has pretty strong ideas about doing the right thing and solving problems. ]

[superposition]

Oh, quantity isn't an issue. I can always make more. [ He actually had to dial up the features a bit to make it easier for himself, that's how simple it is. ]

[ As for how Ben can help, though...? Initially nothing springs to mind, but the man's clearly champing at the bit to make himself useful, as always, and it doesn't take Qubit long to come up with an idea. ]

As a matter of fact, I might just have something for you. Are you up for some plumbing?

[benhargreeves]

Okay, in that case I'll absolutely take one, thanks. I'm freezing my ass off.

[ Then Qubit asks if he is up for some plumbing and Ben just frowns at the device for several moments. He thinks back over their conversations. Had he implied at any point that he was a competent plumber? That he'd been trained at a trade school or... wherever it is plumbers learn to plumb? Ben knows a lot of things but his range of skills don't really encompass fixing stuff.

Voice full of skepticism, and a decent amount of amusement, he asks: ]

Um, maybe? Is that... a euphemism for something?

[ Look he's covering all his bases here. ]

[superposition]

[ deadpan ] It is not a euphemism. [ C'mon, Ben. ]

The primary heating system is hydronic - it cycles heat via water pipes, like a home radiator but on a larger scale. Now, the heating to the Agricultural Zone is still operational, thank God, but as we're only using a small fraction of that level, I'm planning to reroute some of the excess back into the system.

[ So yeah, literal plumbing. ]

But in order to do that, I have to be there, and I don't know what this disruption may have drawn out of the woodwork. So to clarify, I'd be doing all the actual plumbing - you'd be there watching my back.

[benhargreeves]

[ All of that sounds perfectly plausible, to Ben, though he's grateful when Qubit reveals he's not expecting any actual plumbing skills from Ben, himself. Watching Qubit's back? That's easy. That's right in his wheelhouse. ]

Oh, sure. That I can do no problem.

[ He says it with a complete reassured confidence, as if Qubit had asked him to add 2 + 2. Protecting people, watching their backs in situations way more dangerous than this one, is pretty much second nature to Ben. ]

Bodyguard duty is a piece of cake. Happy to help. Just let me know the details and I'll be there whenever.

[ Ben Hagreeves, as mission-ready as ever... ]

audio;

[writtendestiny]

How many blankets do you have?

[If there's a lot, she knows three furry creatures who will appreciate one a great deal.]

[superposition]

I can make as many as we need. Do you want one?

[writtendestiny]

Yes, please.

[He isn't asking, so she isn't going to mention the cats.]

How are you making them?

[superposition]

[ wryly ] How do you think? [ She's seen his power in action, after all. ]

[writtendestiny]

Ah.

[Yes, she still has that robot arm set on the side of one of the tables down in the labs.]

Could I watch?