Story - Camp Life [Part 3]

[Author's note: Two quick points before the story 1)This part, both the story and generating the image, took approximately 2 weeks, so this falls within my schedule of releasing a new part every 1.5 to 2 weeks. This goal feels more realistic and achievable now. 2) It was a fun ride to get to this image. I had originally made this using the new PixAI Edit Pro, and the results were very good...but the model made them look like male fashion models, which was an odd look for the scene I was trying to build. PixAI Reference Pro had a really good top panel, but the sides of the circuit box were all over-embellished and looked...wrong. Lastly I used the much cheaper Edit 4.0 and that was perfect. Aside from the edit in the prompt, the base image was pretty much what I was looking for. Lesson learned: The more expensive models are great for when you need more details/action/control over a scene, but for the comics I make here, to help tell the story, Edit 4.0 is good enough and much cheaper. Still, I don't regret using Edit Pro. If it weren't so expensive, I'd play with it more] [Author's 2nd note: The previous part is here: [ https://pixai.art/artwork/2027719010381645342?utm_source=copy_web ] but story pacing-wise, this part really picks up after this part: [ https://pixai.art/artwork/2017300931047664279?utm_source=copy_web ] Also, for newcomers, Mirei and Akinori are capable of telepathic communication and none of the other characters are aware of it (yet). It's our little secret for now. The part covering this is here: [ https://pixai.art/artwork/2023039041614905941?utm_source=copy_web ]] Akinori and Morris make their way to the rear of the park ranger's station. Akinori leads the way to the radio equipment while Morris follows. Morris has since grabbed a small tool bag with tools and parts in it. “The radio tower is just over here, Mr. Morris.” As Akinori guides Morris along, we can see the extent of the damage to the circuit box exterior and wiring along the tower. Morris winces. “Oooooooh. Damn, this could be rough. You said all this damage happened during a storm?” “Yes. We had a really bad thunderstorm come through a few nights ago. Rain, wind, and even some hail for a brief time. How bad do you think the damage is, at least at first glance?” Morris opens the doors to the circuit box and closely examines the circuit board and components. “Well, at first glance it doesn't look too bad. I see some burnt out fuses...which isn't a problem because whoever maintained this last was smart/kind enough to keep some spare fuses here on the inside of the door.” Morris continues to inspect the circuit box while Akinori stands behind him and looks over his shoulder. “The circuit board here seems to be in good shape...I'm not seeing any evidence of component failure, no corrosion, wiring within the box seems good enough...hmm. Say, Akinori? Do you know if this box still takes power, or did someone shut it off via this unlabelled switch, which I assume is the master switch?” Akinori replies with a slight hint of defeat. “I had shut it off shortly after the storm ended. The storm had brought down so many heavy tree branches, the whole area was an electrical hazard. I haven't turned the master switch on since. Unfortunately, while I have some electrical experience, my knowledge is still very limited.” Morris replies with a word of encouragement “Hey, you knew enough to shut the power off and cut the circuit. A lot of folks don't know how to do that, let alone why they should do that. You said you cut the power because of all the rain and debris that was here earlier. Do you mind if I turn it back on? I'd like to see if this still takes power and if there are any noticeable faults.” “Sure. You seem to know much more than I on this matter. Shall I take a few steps back?” “It wouldn't hurt to do that, sure. Take a few steps back and I'll flip the master switch here...wait, let me put on some insulated gloves first.” As Akinori steps back, Morris puts on a pair of insulated gloves and replaces all of the dead fuses on the circuit board. Once the bad fuses are replaced, Morris proceeds to turn on the master switch. A few lights blink on the circuit board. A tiny onboard speaker proceeds to give a few chirps and beeps. Components behind the circuit box begin to hum with electrical life...then the two are both shocked and surprised by a series of cracks and pops above them. Much of the wiring along the tower has breaks in it, causing sparks and minor electrical arcing. Morris quickly shuts off the master switch. He turns to Akinori and gives his assessment. “Well Akinori, the damage seems mostly isolated to the bad wiring on the tower. The circuit box here seems to be in working condition. Thankfully the only problem there seemed to be bad fuses, which was an easy job to fix. The real problem here, it has to be the wiring along the tower...and maybe the antenna and attached Radio Unit. I won't know until I climb the tower, which thankfully is less than 25m (~80ft) tall. This isn't a difficult job to do, but it looks like it will be a long one. We're going to be here, at least an hour, maybe an hour and a half, but...I don't think it'll take more than two. We're definitely getting this done today.” Akinori sighs with relief. He takes a brief moment to reach out telepathically to Mirei, in order to share the good news. ^Mirei, I have excellent news. Morris has assessed the damages to the radio tower and he believes we can get it working again today. He believes the work needed won't be longer than an hour or two^ Mirei squeals with joy. ^NO WAY! REALLY?! Aki, that's wonderful news!^ ^It sure is. It's also nice to have someone at camp who knows more about electrical work than I do. I should be leaving now. I don't want our new friend to get suspicious.^ ^Ok Aki. OH! Before I go, ask Morris how long he thinks he, Addams, and Mei-Lin will be staying. I'm still helping Addams collect tools so he can look at/repair the vehicles over by the garage.^ ^Understood. I'll ask once an opening presents itself. I don't want to raise any suspicions when I ask.^ Akinori end the conversation and returns to speaking with Morris. “I have to say, Morris, I am relieved that you know so much about electrical work. There might be a few more things Hardev and I would want you to look at. Say, it never really came up before, but how long will you and your two friends be staying here?” There was the organic opening Akinori was hoping for. Morris doesn't seem suspicions and replies as one would normally do. “Well...it's hard to say. I know Addams will want to stay for, hmm...at least several days, maybe a week or two. If we're being absolutely honest here, our main goal was mostly fleeing the Federal Union and finding someplace safe to hide in Outlaw Country. I'd have to talk with Addams about this, but I know we'll be here for at least a week. Hey, who knows, if this place has the resources we need and it's safe enough, we might even stay here longer...AH!, that is if camp leader Jiang would allow us.” Akinori chuckles “Haha, I don't think you have anything to worry about, Morris. Between you and your friend Addams, you both seem quite knowledgeable about several important fields. I'm sure he would be happy to have the three of you around for a while. There is an issue with sleeping arrangements though...there are a few cabins on site here, but those rooms are for the militia that regularly patrols around the area. There is room up at the park rangers station, that's where Mirei and I are staying, but before we came here, Hardev and the militia have been using the building as storage. We would need to clear up some space, but there are enough couches and such that we could easily accommodate you, Mei-Lin, and Addams.” Morris inquires further. “How's the food situation here?” “A lot better than you would think. Traders come through here regularly and they take credits as well as barter for goods. Outside of that, there is a vegetable garden nearby, Hardev regularly hunts fresh game animals, and the camp organizes biweekly trips to a large trading post that's only a kilometer away. The next trip should be coming up soon.” “Bro, this place is looking better and better! Say, how long are you and Mirei looking to stay here?” Akinori is actually surprised by this question. He has reasons to answer this question very carefully and not say too much. “Well, we're in a similar position as the three of you. We had to leave quickly and most of our attention was focused on that. Outside of actually getting here...ah yes, that's right. We're currently waiting to reach out to Mirei's mother. She and Mirei's little brother are supposed to meet us here once her little brother is discharged from the hospital.” The last part has caught Morris's interest. “Hospital? Is everything alright” The two young men continue their conversation while Morris continues to inspect the wiring along the radio tower.