All The Help We Can Get

JP with Omni, Kronos, A.Patient.Man, and Chismevious

8.3.5 SW
19:42/21 SW-CP-Local Time
Crowning Point > Residential Hex

"I wish they were ordinary flies," Irving said shaking his head. He leaned over and started to gather his supplies, packing tools into a lightweight carry case.

"Any chance I can come with ya? Help carry some tools or something?" asked Jensen.

"I'm not sure what administration would make of it - but personally I would appreciate the help." Irving said nodding to Jensen.

“I’ll join, you.” piped in Vera. “I have some experience with heavy machinery and tech. Better than waiting around here in the dark.”

Irving Shusett smiled at the synthetic woman. "Very well then, let's get to it. The more the merrier!"

Irving, Jensen, and Vera packed their gear and made their way down to the lobby of the Residential Hex. Vera and Jensen made sure to pack firearms just in case.

On the way down, Irving received an order on Sutter-Lynk comms to head out to a tower just north of the settlement with downed lines.

Irving tapped and prodded with a stylus at the screen of his Sutter-Lynk device, the software re-rendered zooming in to the allocated tower. "Alright, got the location. Tower up north."

The lobby was full of flashlights and electric lamps as several of the colony’s stragglers and latecomers were still hanging about chatting and theorizing on what the hell was happening. Some of the colonists gave the group looks of intrigue and conspiracy as they were exiting.

Outside, Flynn Sharpey pulled up to drop off two more.

“Hey, where do you think you’re off to?” said Sharpey from his seat of the ATV as they came outside to the front plaza.

Shusett was oblivious to the attention himself and the other two were receiving. His head was a mess, it felt difficult to focus on anything. Even dealing with the storm flies felt unusually difficult. A lot had happened so fast and he just wanted to be done with this.

Flynn looking confused as to why there were people exiting when he was supposed to be dropping them off.

“Hey, you all, over there!” Flynn yelled in the direction of the group exiting the hex. “I thought I was bringing people in? Didn’t realize all my damn work here was in vain!and people were just up and leavin’. Something going on that I can be a part of, because playing taxi ain’t my thing?”

"Sorry, why does it matter what we are doing?" Shusett asked. "I'm just reporting to the business, nothing you have to worry about, Mr?" he went quiet and waited for the man to give his name.

Flynn looked puzzled as to why he received that type of response.

“Sorry, let me back up a bit. Name’s Sharpey, Flynn Sharpey with the Colonial Security.” He extended his hand for a handshake.

“I’ve been rounding up these colonists all evening and these fucking flies… Anyways, it looks like you all are about to go on and have a little fun, fun that I could and would certainly like to be a part of”

"Well if you are a marine I imagine you have experience in dealing with these parasites. We could use the help," Irving Shusett rubbed his stubble covered chin.

“Anything to get me off of taxi duty would be fucking awesome! And bugs, I’ll take care of 'em for ya one by one or by the dozen!” Sharpey said back with a little bit of enthusiasm in his voice.

Flynn took a look at the assembled group and nodded his head. “Looks like a good group to be in the shit with. So where y’all headin’?”

"Before I answer let me check with my 'friends' here," Shusett turned around to Vera and Jensen. "Should I tell this guy? The help would be appreciated, but what if he learns too much about us?"

"I'm not telling if you're not." said Vera with a smirk. "Besides, you said these weren't normal flies and it sounds like we will need all the help we can get."

Irving nodded, "I guess you're right, but if this guy smells a rat and suspects any of us being off. Then I'm sorry but you are on your own." Shusett's voice was whispered and panicked, he was still terrified that someone would suspect he was something more than a technician.

"I do wish we could lay a bit lower than our present circumstances seem to allow, but Vera's right. One more Jarhead won't hurt, and we're big kids. We can keep our mouths shut." Whispered Jensen, sounding a bit more tense than he cared to admit.

"Alright then, I guess we're the least of everyone's concerns with all the madness around here at the moment. We'll let him in on it," Shusett said. He turned back to Sharpey: "Yes, Mr Sharpey. We'd gladly accept your offer of any help."

“Great!” Flynn exclaimed. “Follow me.” Flynn motioned for the group to follow. “In the short amount of time I’ve been here, I’ve been well acquainted with the area. Let’s head to the Vehicle Bay and grab a bigger truck and some PPE, if you want and/or trust me”

Unbeknownst to the group, Sharpey had excellent hearing and maybe overheard some skepticism of him joining the group. By inserting that comment and leading them to where he said and providing them with what he said, Sharpey hoped they would start to trust him a bit more.