>>1067233
Can we? We are part of a different nation and this government is difficult to communicate with for their own citizens.

There is too much uncertainty to give up on your food right now. The priority should be your own survival, but you can try to consume only half of your portion to send the rest to your neighbor later if you feel you can afford to.
Exchange a few messages to get a better understanding of his circumstances and to explain what happened on your end. This decision should not be taken lightly and doesn't need to be made immediately.

1/2 Cross 2023/07/20(Thu)18:00 No. 1068354 ID: 78048b
File 168990120097.png - (1.88MB , 1280x975 , GA26.png )

>I think the situation has progressed to the point in which we can do something directly to help.

You’re already this deep into things, you may as well get Davey helped out while you can.

>Exchange a few messages to get a better understanding of his circumstances and to explain what happened on your end. This decision should not be taken lightly and doesn't need to be made immediately.

You tell Davey that there isn’t a need to commit to the decision right away, especially considering that starvation isn’t an immediate threat any time soon, only a future one.

He blinks, then nods in affirmation.
“Yeah… you’re right! Even if our metabolism is a little faster than surfacedwellers are, we should be fine for a while.”

Soon enough, Davey’s tapping away a response message to the request he’d received. Though his fingers are dancing over the keypad, you can’t really see the contents of what he’s writing up which you proceed to ask him about.
Davey responds, “I’m just telling him that I can’t afford it right now either, since my own pantry was blocked off. We’ll have to discuss it again in future.”
Though as he presses send, he exhales with a pained expression.

2/2 Cross 2023/07/20(Thu)18:00 No. 1068355 ID: 78048b
File 168990121860.png - (2.31MB , 1382x1037 , GA27.png )

You ask Davey what’s wrong as he sits on the little stool he used to access the console, his head between his hands.

“I really hope that… Nico doesn’t judge me too much for this. My neighbour.”

“I mean it when I said that I don’t know him well at all; and the few interactions that we have had haven’t been great. He’s meant to be some kinda… fancy bigwig type over at central. Apparently he chose to live here to get space away from the busier parts of the city.”

It definitely does feel odd, hearing that a supposedly relevant official is living somewhere obscure, and not necessarily well-provided for, since Davey talks about his relative isolation.

“What if he accuses me of being selfish when the disaster ends?”

“Or worse, what if I somehow cause him harm because I didn’t agree to it out the gate? There could be ulterior motives for that message!”

What’s that supposed to mean? Ulterior motives for food reasons?

“Oh… I guess this is something unique to the Undercity… um. I’m not sure I should be talking about this, honestly.”

There seems to be a lot of weight behind that.

“To put it one way… when it comes to the city officials, as a civilian you should try to listen to them however you can. Non-compliance is seen as… potentially treasonous. O-oh, but, that doesn’t mean that people just… disappear, right? I haven’t seen it happen myself, so maybe it’s fine!”

…Does… does Davey not get the implications of that? Why didn’t he tell you BEFORE you told him to send that message?

“Ah… ah, hahah…”
He starts laughing to himself, a worried look in his eye. “I hope that Nico’s not trying to act on official duty or anything… there’s an Undercity saying, that when we’re at home, our uniforms do not matter. I… hope that’s true.”

This could be a problem.

>>1068355
Tell him that the response he gets to his message about putting it off until later will decide how he should proceed. If his neighbor is a bit pushy about it then he'll have to cave, I guess.
Is that the only other person he can contact?

...something worth bringing up is that the reason his neighbor didn't get food is that his pneumatic pipe might be broken... is he sure that the food will be delivered, and not just get stuck and wasted?

>>1068355
"You'll just have to live with that. But I think you need to ask yourself about the context of where you've made the decision.

I'm starting to wonder if that cave in was... well, I wouldn't declare it was scheduled, as it would hamper productivity. But I suspect the officials calculated a risk-reward formula and decided that cutting corners in natural disaster mitigation was worth the profit. That letting nature occasionally take its course is part of the system."

1/3 Cross 2023/08/25(Fri)21:34 No. 1070903 ID: 78048b
File 169302447447.png - (2.21MB , 1382x1037 , GA28.png )

“The best thing to do is to wait for his response. Depending on what it is, then we can figure out how to proceed.”

Davey nods.
“You’re right, Rory. Besides… I’m still stuck here. I can’t do much besides wait.”

“But at least I have you for company!”


>Is he sure that the food wasn’t delivered and didn’t simply get stuck?
You ask Davey about the stability of the pneumatic tubing.

“Hmm… normally these tubes aren’t supposed to get stuck, and there are systems in place for detecting blockages to reroute packages when necessary. I guess it could happen, but if it did, he probably would have mentioned it?”

A part of you wonders if the cave-in had been orchestrated. Use explosives in the right place and a lot could happen. But Davey’s anxious enough already, so you keep it to yourself.

You also tell Davey that there’s probably other people Nico could ask if he’s really struggling.
“I suppose so… it would be rather awkward if everyone said no.”

2/3 Cross 2023/08/25(Fri)21:34 No. 1070904 ID: 78048b
File 169302449605.png - (2.30MB , 1382x1037 , GA29.png )

Davey steps back as a fresh new package drops into the collection area.

“Is that from Nico?”

“No… I…”
Davey looks worried, his whiskers twitching.

3/3 Cross 2023/08/25(Fri)21:35 No. 1070905 ID: 78048b
File 169302454025.png - (2.14MB , 1382x1037 , GA30.png )

“Packages are supposed to have proper authorization and certification! I never asked for something like this!”
From what it seems, the package is indistinct, wrapped in paper of some kind. An ambiguous bundle.

The package sits in the receptacle, an ominous aura around it. You don’t hear anything besides Davey’s breathing.
There’s no NEED to open it, is there?

If it has no authorized recipient, it's up for grabs.
Look it over a few times and open it.

Ask Davey to share his thoughts. I don't fully understand his concern.

If the fear is about the government knowing he received a package that violate the rules there is nothing to be done about any possible paper trail on the other side of the tube, but assuming there is no register of where this end up the safest option is to keep it in secret.

Since your neighbor is politically relevant it's possible your addresses were accidentally mixed. That would mean you were meant to be left to starve while he was a priority, and this mysterious package could be something intended for him outside official procedures.

Unless I'm misunderstanding something you got to find out what's inside to decide what you should do with it.

Examine the package. How heavy is it? Does it rattle? Is it making any noise? Does it smell like anything? Are there absolutely no identifying marks? How securely is it wrapped?
All sorts of physical evidence can give us clues as to its origin and purpose.

No, no need to open it.
Eat it with the wrapping.

But honestly, it's not a bomb, even corrupt politicians won't explode someone for not giving food on the first "no".

At worst, it's somethig that shows whoever sent it is not fooling around and wants food now, which means it's already our problem.

I can't see what it is from here. Is it something particularly alarming? They wouldn't be sending you a weapon, would they? Surely they're not sending you something that... would only be of use to someone who's not going to be rescued?

1/2 Cross 2023/09/25(Mon)19:36 No. 1073243 ID: 78048b
File 169569578435.png - (2.33MB , 1382x1037 , GA31.png )

First things first, you ask whether the package is in response to how you answered Nico or not.

“I… I don’t think it’s from Nico. He’s a city official, right? He wouldn’t risk doing anything like this. Unauthorized deliveries are taken VERY seriously by the Party. They insist on overseeing as many of the deliveries in the Undercity as they can, if I’m caught with this, depending on what’s inside, I could be severely punished! ”


You tell Davey that, at this rate he has to examine it. It’s even possible that yours and Nico’s addresses were mixed up, leading to this unexpected delivery.

“Well… okay. But I’m putting on some gloves first… if this is a prank in poor taste, I want to have some protection on.”
He scampers out of the room, returning freshly equipped.
“Okay… I’m going to do it.”

He leans over, reaching for the package.

2/2 Cross 2023/09/25(Mon)19:36 No. 1073244 ID: 78048b
File 169569580967.png - (2.21MB , 1382x1037 , GA32.png )

“It’s blank and unmarked…”

He gives the package a gentle shake.
“Doesn’t make any sound when I shake it.”

His whiskers twitch as he sniffs the bundle, before recoiling.
“Ick. It smells… chemical. Not the good kind.”

Finally, he unwraps the bundle, stumbling as he drops the contents onto the console.Whoever had packed it didn’t do a good job of arranging it neatly, it seems.
The opened package is full of foil holders of pills, row after row of them stacked atop one another. Little beads seem to be inside, but it’s hard to tell from your television’s screen.


“Oh… that can’t be good.”
You ask Davey if it looks like it’s medication or something more illicit.
“I think it’s the latter… if it was prescription, it would be in proper boxes and everything.”

Perhaps the only thing to do is for Davey to keep hold of it.

“But if the rescue team comes and searches through my house, they’ll end up finding it!

There’s a bit of a shuffling sound as Davey looks through the paper the pills were wrapped in.
“There is a note on it, but it seems to be in some kind of code… I don’t really understand it. It’s full of dots, I guess it would be morse code? But I wouldn’t know what it means...”

“What should I do? I seriously can’t keep this… I mean, I could report it, but what’ll happen to me? I’m not the type to go outside much… if someone decides to pin something on me, I’ll be ruined!”

Oh I should have specified not to open it, apparently.
>>1073244
Most likely, someone had the same thought that they couldn't be rescued with it in their home, and sent it to someone at random. Try not to touch anything with your bare hands. Hold the note up to the camera please, I want to get a better look at it.

Then... hmm, reporting it immediately seems like the wisest thing to do. The only other option is to hot potato it along, and I for one do not approve of making this someone else's problem.

Funny, I was just about to propose hot potatoeing it.

Now that I give it a second thought, I believe yes, let's hot potatoe it.
Do it to Nico, even, if you think he can figure you did it.

I see three options: flush it, hide it or cooperate with the police.
You can discard the pills slowly with a functional toilet, that way there will be no evidence of illegal contraband in your possession. This does not solve any possible record of the package destination, so the police or the drug dealers can still conclude you received it depending on factors outside your control.
Hiding it will be the ideal solution in case the drug dealers later demand their contraband back. If you fear organized crime more than the government this is the best you can do. I don't know why the rescue team would search your house extensively, but if that is a concern dig a hole and bury this box.
Cooperation with the police is only risky because of their level of corruption. I can't really judge this because I'm not familiar with the political circumstances, so I can only take your word that they would blame you to help the true culprit. If that wasn't a concern this would be the best option: not only you don't have to take risks maintaining a secret you wouldn't be a great target for revenge from the criminals because "you just did what you had to" and "don't know anything".

Are those plastic explosives? You could blast a way out of there!
Try it out. Make a controlled fire next to the cave-in.

Also, I just thought of something: Why not mail the dirt you're excavating until you've made an exit? Just mail it to the government for 'disposal'.

I think reporting it, preferably in a way that leaves a paper trail, remains Davey's best bet.

Dots? Are they bumpy dots or just written dots?

1/3 Cross 2023/10/29(Sun)16:54 No. 1075893 ID: 78048b
File 169862368328.png - (2.02MB , 1312x1006 , GA33small.png )

Time to consider the options.

“Can you package it back up and send it to someone else?”

Davey peers down at the package, his mouth puckering into a sour expression.
“I mean, I could… but that’s just passing the problem onto someone else. And I can’t just send the package without authorization, if I try sending it through official systems, then I’ll be in trouble for sure.”

“What about flushing it down?”

“That could work, but I’m not sure that putting this into the sewage system is a good idea. What if the people who sent it here by accident want it back?”
That’s a good point. Holding onto it for now until a more ‘conspicuous’ way of reporting it would come into effect.

>Are those plastic explosives?
Either the TV’s resolution is that low, or your eyes are failing you. Those are clearly drugs.

Another question comes to mind, this time about the notes from before.
“Davey, are the dots bumpy dots or just written dots?”

He unfurls the note again, and you hear the crinkling of paper.
“Ah, written dots and dashes. It’s kind of long though…”

“Just hold it up to the screen and I’ll write it down.”

You retrieve a piece of paper and start to transcribe.

..- ..-. .... .--. ..-. .-.. .--- / -.-- - / .-.. .-- .--- -.. -... -- -. -..- .--. .--- .-- / -.... ---.. ----- ....- ----- .....

Whatever it is, it’s probably Morse Code, right? Something to think about for later. More pressing issues are at hand.

“Okay, what about reporting it? You do have the communication systems up, right?”

Davey nods.
“Yeah, I could go and contact an official with a report! That way, I’ll at least have an alibi, right?”

Seems like a plan then…
Until you once again hear a noise rattle the room.

2/3 Cross 2023/10/29(Sun)16:55 No. 1075894 ID: 78048b
File 169862370309.png - (2.35MB , 1382x1037 , GA34small.png )

“Um.”

The telltale sound of another package dropping into the chute is more than apparent.

Davey bends over, retrieving what seems to be a tube-shaped capsule.
“It’s… just a note inside of the capsule.”

“We’ve got an eye on you. Do not report the package. If you do, consequences will follow.”
Davey’s hands shake as he lowers the sheet of paper.
The taste of bile lingers in the corner of your mouth.

“Ah… well, there… there goes that plan, ha ha ha…”

Great.
“Did they say anything else?”

His whiskers shake. Compared to the flooding from before, this problem seems like a new bag of caltrops.
“They told me to wait for further instruction, but that’s it…”

3/3 Cross 2023/10/29(Sun)16:55 No. 1075895 ID: 78048b
File 169862373335.png - (2.08MB , 1277x1007 , GA35small.png )

A mouseman getting embroiled in an organised drug smuggling ring was one of the least likely possibilities of trouble brewing when you sat down this evening.
“Ah… what should I do, Rory? I’ve never been in this kind of situation before and it’s making me feel a little worried.”

It’s a tough spot to be in.
Can you even trust his government to do their job effectively? On the other hand, it may be even worse for Davey in the long run if he complies, as he’ll be implicated. The return note won’t be enough proof to protect him, especially since all these pneumatic tube deliveries are unmarked regardless.

Hm. The question is, who's it really from?
Davey: Write the following return message
"GET ME THE @#$% OUT OF HERE!"

>>1075893
Translating from morse...
UFHPFLJ YT LWJDBMNXPJW 680405

It's encrypted. ROT21.
PACKAGE TO GREYWHISKER 680405
Hrm, what to do with the numbers... well, ROT21 goes back 5 letters in the alphabet, maybe we do the same with each digit? That would be 135950.

What do we do with this information? He's being threatened and someone is watching him, but how is he being watched? It could be the same way you're watching him... Should probably keep the information private for now. If the criminals know he knows the secret message, they might try to eliminate him. They can't do anything to US though. For now, we should try gathering information on it ourselves. Find out who Greywhisker is.

Hmm, ask Daveth what his last name is. If it's NOT greywhisker, and the number doesn't match his address, then that proves the package was not meant for him. If he's found with it, he'll be fine.

Consequences worse than starving to death because you can't get out of your house due to earthquakes? I really don't think this is all that important right now, given the circumstances.

Has he considered uh... doing the drugs?

Send it back to wherever it was sent from.
If you find you can't send it back, hot potatoe it.

I'm feeling lucky, punk.

>>1076055
Problem is we don't know where it came from. Whoever is involved, they have the postmaster in their pockets so that they can deliver things without a marked address.

1/3 Cross 2023/12/05(Tue)15:54 No. 1078740 ID: 78048b
File 170182047914.png - (2.32MB , 1382x1037 , GA36.png )

“Can you send it back, Davey?”

He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t know how to send these packages back without direct approval myself, and I don’t have the other side’s address.”

>Whoever it was has the postmaster in their pocket so they can send packages without an address
That may not be the case; there may be ways to crack the delivery system. But whatever it is, it’s flawed, otherwise the package wouldn’t have arrived at Davey’s.

You look over at the transcription of the code that Davey received, turning it over in your head a couple of times. Soon enough, the cipher becomes apparent to you and you’re fairly sure that you’ve got the right code.

2/3 Cross 2023/12/05(Tue)15:55 No. 1078741 ID: 78048b
File 170182049978.png - (2.10MB , 1327x1008 , GA37.png )

>PACKAGE TO GREYWHISKER 135950
“Davey, I’ve got a question. Do you know who or what Greywhisker is? Is it your surname?”

He strokes his whiskers, deep in thought.
“W-well… that’s not my name, but it does sound familiar…”

He turns his attention back to the computer console, clattering away at the keys.
“Ah! Well, there’s a place called ‘Greywhisker’s’! It used to be a bar of sorts, I saw ads for them outside my window, before the cave-in happened… didn’t pay it much attention because I don’t really go drinking but… I am friends with the proprietor. I don’t think these guys would know that though.”

So it confirms that the package wasn’t intended for Daveth to begin with.
But if he’s friends with the owner… would sneaking a message in with the package be possible?

3/3 Cross 2023/12/05(Tue)15:55 No. 1078742 ID: 78048b
File 170182051806.png - (2.13MB , 1305x1037 , GA38small.png )

Before you can contemplate whether or not to give Davey the information, another clatter, and a package falls through.
You can hear Davey audibly swallow, but finally, he grabs the package and unwraps it.

“What’s this one say, Davey?”
The crinkle of paper crackles through your speakers before he starts reading.
“We can help you out if you help us. It’s for the greater good.”

You find yourself frowning. You’ve found that people who say the words ‘greater good’ usually have a lot of skeletons in their closet.
“Greater good? Aren’t they smuggling drugs?”

Davey’s whiskers twitch, his little beady eyes squinting at the packaging of the package he’s got in his other hand.
“I… I suppose it wouldn’t be easy, getting funding if you’re trying to rebel against the Party. But I can’t tell if these are prescription or… something else.”

Finally, he ends the message off with a stilted set of numbers.
“Send to this address: 758392”.
That’s different to what the note’s numbers are, either possible translation for the numbers.

Wrapping up the note and stuffing it into his pocket, Davey peers at his camera setup - and you.
“Um… if I leave the package, apparently they’re going to route something through it? They’re unspecific about how I’ll be able to send it through…”

Now the question is whether complying is a good idea or not.

You're trapped in your apartment, alone, with no sign of help arriving. Except these guys. They seem sketchy as fuck, but they are literally the only people you have to rely on. In other words, comply.

...but yes, sneak a message in. Let him know you're in trouble and acting under duress, but at least, alive. Speaking of which, check on your plants. Water level is OK?

I'm not sure what the long therms consequences will be, but don't forget you have dire short therm problems to deal with. Do what you must.
After you get rescued, would leaving the city be an option? Honestly this is the only way I imagine you can untangle yourself from the pressures exerted by a tyrannical government and criminal rebels. Either escape to somewhere else like the surface or try your luck as one of the revolutionaries.

1/2 Cross 2024/01/14(Sun)06:31 No. 1080971 ID: 78048b
File 170524267124.png - (2.20MB , 1296x1010 , GA39.png )

“Davey, are you sure there’s no help arriving?”

He shakes his head.
“N-no, but I’ve never heard of people simply being abandoned, right?”

The alternative is any information about that being covered up.
“Have you ever considered leaving the city, Davey?”
He ponders the question for a moment, scratching his chin.

“Ah, but that’s… I guess you don’t know, since you’re from outside here… but the Undercity doesn’t really have any other alternatives. Certainly not for someone like me, no!”

Then, he looks directly into the camcorder.
‘Besides… I hope that my plants can help fix the food shortages in this city one day. If I run away from all of that, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself!”

There’s a faint courageous look in his eye. Conviction.
Rare, for a person such as yourself.

But speaking of the plants, you remind Davey to check on his plants’ water levels.

He scurries out of the room and you’re left with your own thoughts.
Things started simple this evening, what with you helping a little fellow on the other side of your TV, but now? It’s like the poor fellow has his life in your hands, considering he’s been quite receptive to your advice.

Finally, he returns. Seems there weren’t any issues while you were gone.

“Whatever choice you make Davey, should be yours.”

Considering he’s the one whose life is in danger, it should really be his decision in the end.

“I think…”
He mulls it over, his whiskers twitching.
“I can’t accept what they’re doing. Even if I help them out, there’s nothing saying that they can’t blackmail me with evidence of me helping them.”

He turns to look at the hastily-packaged ball of drugs.
“Are you going to report it, then?”

“Well… I don’t know… I’d rather not give them any reason to go after me. Maybe I’ll just get rid of the package altogether.”
Flushing it down the toilet is still an option, if he wasn’t too worried about it getting into the sewage.

2/2 Cross 2024/01/14(Sun)06:34 No. 1080973 ID: 78048b
File 170524287084.png - (1.99MB , 1251x953 , GA40.png )

Another rattle-clunk, the telltale sign of a delivery.

“Oh! A followup….”
He unfurls the scroll, reading the contents aloud again.
“If you help us, we can guarantee that this will be the only job you'd need to do for us - upon completion, we will send word that you and your fellow residents are in dire straits.”

Davey frowns, putting the note back down.
“I… they’re really wanting me to do this. I guess we did take a lot of time to decide whether we wanted to help or not. Maybe the receiver reported back or something.”

“Are you going to trust them, Davey?”
It’s odd that they’re so persistent, too.

“What they’re saying isn’t the worst, but…”
But will they go back on their word?
Davey trails off, deep in thought.

The group smuggling this stuff around seem a little desperate. Is a small package of drugs really worth going through all of this hassle of negotiating with him?
Even though Davey’s mostly made his decision, you can’t help but wonder if there’s more you can advise him on. Especially since he seems conflicted about it.

Well, if you want to destroy the life saving medicine, turn your back on the only people who've offered to help you, and give up on any chance of rescue, just dissolve the pills in water, then feed it to your plants. The microbes in the soil should make short work of them in a year or two.

They're already sending you bad stuff. Imagine what they could send if you make them mad.

Just follow instructions, you have their notes as evidence at the least.

Davey: Agree to the request, but ask for more information about them, and a copy of their manifesto.
Rory: Do research on this resistance movement and whether or not they're preferable to the authoritarian government.

Davey, how is this connection set up? I think they might be signal jacking, considering how they seem to know what you're considering.
It might be possible that they're recording the signal as well...

I think in terms of blackmail, they don't need you to hold onto the evidence.
At this point, I don't think there's a choice.

1/2 Cross 2024/02/10(Sat)23:51 No. 1083126 ID: 32ff81
File 170763790770.png - (2.00MB , 1310x999 , GA41.png )

Is there a possibility that the medicine that they’re shipping around is going to help save lives?
…Probably not. Even if there’s a regime running the Undercity, shipping medical supplies around like this, unlabelled, raises a lot more questions. There’s a chance - but considering the circumstances, its unlikely.

It’s also entirely possible that they’re listening in on your conversation somehow.

“Davey… I’m sorry to say, but maybe compliance is the right choice here. We don’t know the bigger picture, and I don’t want you to be making more enemies. At the end of the day, you’re still being pressed into this, so I doubt anyone would blame you for this choice.”
Hopefully.
You keep mum on some of your thoughts - best not to say some of this when it’s very likely that they’re listening in on you.

Davey bites his lip, his whiskers drooping a little.
“Ah… alright. I understand. I trust you, Rory.”

He leaves the camera on the desk as he goes to retrieve the package.

He waddles over to the tube’s receptacle, the wrapped package present with him.
Davey keys in the numbers, before placing the package in and closing the lid on top of the tube.

There’s a big sucking sound, and a ‘whoosh’!
Seems like the pneumatic piping is still working perfectly fine despite the recent issues with the landslides and earthquakes.

“What now?”

“I suppose we wait?”

2/2 Cross 2024/02/11(Sun)00:04 No. 1083128 ID: 32ff81
File 170763869008.png - (1.89MB , 1166x940 , GA42.png )

A few minutes pass without any kind of response.

Then, the telltale sound of a new tube.
Finally! You were wondering if that shady group had just up and abandoned Davey.
"Your help is greatly appreciated. We've alerted the most skilled individuals, and you might want to secure your belongings. We have obtained data indicating that there’s another earthquake projected to soon impact your district."

He pauses, lowering the piece of paper.
“Another earthquake?”, you ask.

“That’s… odd. I thought the first one was a fluke, but normally we’d get warnings before they hit. The tubing system doesn’t seem to be down, but…”

“No, other part. Secure your belongings? Are they bringing in a drill or something?”

Davey’s eyes bug out a little as a realization dawns on him.
“Ohhhhhh no. I thought… oh no. Another one. I… I have to fortify this place, otherwise the roof’s going to come down in my greenhouse! The first earthquake’s already done enough structural damage!”

“Breathe, Davey, what’s the matter?”

“If there’s a second earthquake but there’s still no notice… then that means someone’s intentionally withholding the data from the governing body. These warnings don’t get sent out lightly, after all!”

“So they’re keeping the data away from the government?”

“I don’t know! But maybe someone wants Nico dead, and maybe that’s why things have been so odd… why the response team’s taken so long. But we only have so much time left…”
Davey, stroking his ears in stress, mutters to himself aloud.

“If they’re wording it like that, then we only have around half an hour before things get shaking. Ahh, goodness, I’m glad I still have that spare fortification kit prepared, ohh but I’m going to have to dig it out and…”

That means there’s only so much time left to prepare before the place starts shaking up.
And what about Nico or his neighbours? Is he going to have enough time to warn them?
Besides his plants, what else should he prioritise to try and live through this?
Maybe planning things out first is in order.

Secure anything that holds food and water first. After that write a quick letter to Nico. If there's time, then protect anything sentimental.

Consider the possibility that one of the power players involved has created foundation-destabilizing technology.

That means making small earthquakes.

Two major shocks at once is too big a coincidence. Even with aftershocks, you'd think the government would have protocols for major chain earthquakes. No, someone, somewhere, is busy letting you all die.

Davey needs to find the best spot - the area in the house that gives the best chance of survival and escape - and then reinforce and resupply that specific area. Take the food and water to that location, then nail in some extra struts and find some way to stack heavy appliances near the ceiling.

Which neighbours are the nicest/ most sociable? Send a warning to those and tell them to pass it along to everyone else in the neighbourhood.

Send one to Nico too with a jar of food, cause why not.

After that, secure all the plants and food and water you can. We don't have time for non-vital things.

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It does seem a little odd that this other group is able to detect when an earthquake is about to hit Davey’s neighborhood. But it would be a bit of a stretch to assume that there’s technologies in the Undercity that let people create earthquakes of their own, wouldn’t it?
No matter. Davey’s life is at risk, and you have to keep him centered while he fixes things.

“What’s the safest room in your house right now, Davey?”

He gestures towards the screen.
“The tube room, actually! They’re pre-fortified specifically because its so important!”

Good, good. That’s that covered.
Onto the next.
“Secure the rest of your food and water supplies, Davey! And anything sentimental!”

The mouse jumps in response to your voice.
“O-On it!”
The little mouse scampers out of the room, rushing back with a couple of supplies.
“Not a lot left, but it should be enough for some time!”

Seems he also brought his photo with him.
Probably best not to poke at whether or not he has anything more.

“You’ve still got time, right? Put in some extra reinforcements for the tube room and your garden if you can.”

The mouse mutters to himself, dragging what seems to be a large box of building supplies out with him, taking out what looks like a car-jack.
“Good thing these are easy to use and carry… I wouldn’t have the strength to use the other stuff in the fortification kits.”

He tows the jack behind him, disappearing for a few minutes before returning.

“Garden’s been reinforced! It’s my most important project, so I made sure to take care of it first!”
Then, pushing up the jack toward the middle of the room, he cranks it until it reaches the ceiling.


“That’s everything! Now, I just hope I’m… ahh!”
Davey’s home begins to shake.
Violently.

“O-o-o-o-o-h-h-h-h n-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o…..”
The little mouseman is jittered up and down by the sensations.
Hopefully the fortifications hold.

Though you don’t feel any of the shaking yourself, the violent jittering seen in the camera is more than enough to get the impression across. The lights flicker on and off - and the sound of something crashing in the back can be heard.

Soon, the shaking stops.

Is it me, or does the screen look a bit different now?
“You alright, Davey?”

The shaken mouse stands, giving a thumbs up.
“I’m a little rattled, but compared to the first quake, this isn’t too much more!”

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“What’s the situation like down there, Davey? I heard a crash from the camera.”

Davey scampers off-screen for a bit.
“There’s a big hole in the wall now, actually! Shouldn’t be too much of a problem, there’s little debris in the area, so whatever it’s from, it’s pretty reinforced!”

He angles the camera to face it. It’s much too dark to see inside.

“Why’s there a hole? I thought your houses wouldn’t have critical vulnerabilities like that.”

Davey turns his head toward the gloomy opening.
“It doesn’t seem to be a full hole? More like, there’s a gap… then a metal wall of some kind. I see a hatch of some kind? Must be a maintenance tunnel for the pneumatic tubes. I guess they built it like this because if they go down, then the system would fail?”

A maintenance tunnel? That does make sense, but…
“But then why wouldn’t they let civilians evacuate through the tunnels?”

Maybe this is how other mail ends up here. Were the other group using this tunnel to send Davey those messages?

“I don’t think anything even mentioned the existence of these tunnels… this is pretty new to me. I guess whatever these tunnels are, they aren’t good for lots of people to move through.”

Then the government must be keeping them secret on purpose.

“Do you think you could get the hatch open, Davey?”

“I’m not sure… I’m not very strong and that hatch seems quite rusted.”
If we need to, I’m sure there’s other ways of prying the damn thing open.
But should we even let Davey explore there? For all we know, it’s even riskier than before.

Can't dismiss any possible escape routes. At least have him try to open it and look around what's on the other side.

Hmm, my first thought was that some kind of drilling vehicle is causing the earthquakes and that's one of its hatches, but that would've been very audible. Maybe there's some kind of underground facility beyond the hatch that's responsible for the quakes?

Well, to open that hatch he's going to need leverage and/or rust remover. Some kind of long iron bar should work, or that wrench he used earlier.

No guts, no glory. Let's try to oil up that door with whatever we have at hand pry it open.