[voice]

[synthedick]

[Can robots get tired? Because Nick sure sounds tired as he comes onto the network this evening. He's got work to do, though -- and only a limited amount of time to do it, if Fear's proposition still holds.]

All right, let's get a status report on what areas are clear.

[Which isn't as easy as expected, given several of the main landmarks of the city have been obliterated in the long assault. Better to make an attempt at it than not at all, though.]

Whether you're on the Guard or not, chime in. We've lost a lot of people in this madness, and we need to know every last one of them is gone... and if they're not gone, we need to know where they might be hiding.

That's all. [Click.]

Comments

[voice]

[synthedick]

Good call. It's a hell of a lot easier to hide when you don't have to breathe, eat, or sleep.

[He'd know, being a machine himself.]

Re: [voice]

[braveoff]

My thoughts exactly, and we can't afford to miss a single one.

[ He hesitates a little before speaking again -- he should get moving, it'll take awhile to search through the rubble on his own. ]

Can you let me know when the sweep's done? There's something else I think I need to talk to you about, but it's not as important as this.

[voice]

[synthedick]

[Whatever that 'something else' is might be able to wait, but Nick can't help but be curious. He'll have to be patient though -- Drake is right that this is more important.]

Will do. Be careful out there, all right?

Re: [voice]

[braveoff]

[ It's also not something he'd discuss over the network. ]

You too, man. I'll check in once I'm sure everything down here is clear.

[voice]

[synthedick]

Thanks. We're not out of the woods yet, but we'll make it.

[ voice ; private ]

[braveoff]

[ Drake gives a little sound of agreement and cuts the call, getting to work. He moves as quickly as he can but is sure to be thorough. Both temples are checked, then the ruins of the HQ and all the surrounding buildings. Every Null corpse he comes across gets its core ripped out, just to be safe.

When he calls Nick back he does so directly, privately. ]

South side is clear and quiet. Do you have a minute now?

[voice; private]

[synthedick]

[Nick sounds marginally less stressed as he answers this time; perhaps all the cooperation has given him a moment's peace.]

I can spare a few, thanks to folks like you getting out there and sweeping the streets.

Re: [voice; private]

[braveoff]

[ Drake hums softly at the approval there. ]

Just doing what I can, while I still can.

About that, though. I know the city's about to move, but can you think of anywhere secure enough for keeping someone contained?

[synthedick]

[He can't say he expected that question, that's for certain.]

The room we kept Sato in is in pieces along with the rest of the headquarters. I'm sure we could work out something with one of the other buildings that's still standing close by, if we have to. Why?

[braveoff]

You're going to have to.

[ He takes a slow breath, steeling himself for giving this explanation again. ]

I've got a condition that requires a special diet to manage. Usually Hope provides it, but since the initial attack, he hasn't been able to. And I don't know when he'll be able to again. Without it, I'm dangerous... it's only a matter of time before I lose my mind and attack someone.