Arthur POV
i turn to face the door as it opens, the first to enter is Ben Black head of the floor in B block and head of health and safety he is a formidable man or as i should say a lesser minotaur, no title yet. why is he first? i glance at the warden and i see slight smile, ah that is. They have probably been given an order to enter in by Leonel. next in the door Jonathan Strauld assistant warden is a politically savvy and gives no room wriggle for rule breakers man or as a I should say greater raven, with the title of lieutenant that make some form of sense. on Jonathans heels is Wayne Bruce a mousey man, a little over weight, now a badger, damn we would have had fun if he was a bat. follow by Kate, a woman of eastern heritage austere and efficient one of the best medical people in the system but unlike by our residents is now an oriental rattle snake now with title of healer. after Kate is, Mark White head of A block and compliance a solid guy, we have always work well together. im good cop he is bad cop, it works so he is now a Grey wolf, nice I'm not the only wolf. next over the threshold is Alice North head of C block and head of procurement can be shy and a heart of gold she is a reindeer . Elinore Knight head of block D and maintenance she is fierce with a no nonsense attitude it made prefect sense that Elli is a grizzly bear. the last two entre the room Michel Adams head of E block and the watch as always had sharp eyes so an true eagle and Sam Wheeler head of stores and kitchen the hardest working person on site now a lesser minotaur. with that is see a paten, unconvincing though the paten is, it is there.
we all gawked at each other for a good 5 minuets, " lets get this meeting under way" Leonel voice rang out "we need to start some where so lets start with Mike. you know why head of the watch"
"wdfswtm" Michel grumble something untellable
"Michel Adams, report" Leonel with fire practically coming out of his ears
staring with a sigh "walls are in tack, towers look good. the containment problem short term is no worse than before. long term will depend on so many factors it will be impossible to say if containment in a year or 2 is even feasible" Mike says with a shrug, he continues "there are 4 are that will be a bigger problem than containment"
"Food, water, medicine and knowledge" i interjected
"i was going to say maintenance" Mike growled he took a breath " but i agree that long term knowledge or our lack of may be fatal"
at this Sam chimed in " we have a month of food supplies and 10 day of water in the tank with 5 days in bottles"
followed by Kate " all medicine stocks are at the maximum we can hold."
Mark's shocked expression "it actually work, having all the supplies turn up on one day"
"there is no time for that Mark" Leonel chastised Mark
Alice shyly add "we have supplies that can add to our water, notably thin unscented bleach which was not meant for us. we can use it for water purification" he voice growing in confidence
Elli piped up with" I have been over all the electrical stuff with a fine tooth combe and there is nothing wrong with them. though we don't have enough reserves for extended power use. i would say 5 days at most. also i'm not a building inspector so much more that a quick look over is out side of my field of expertise"
"with out power we are going to loose food and probably medicine" Sam said glancing at Kate who responded with "yes we will"
"we need to cut power. find everything non essential and turn it off. turn down the heating and cooling system" Ben stated "how much time will that buy us?" he continued
"a day at most" Elli responded with a grim look in her eyes
" which systems are essential?" i started " for just because the were essential before, dose not mean they are necessary now. eg can we get away with no heating at all?"
"though i don't like it i have to agree" i did not expect Mart to support me, he usually shots my ideas down in flams
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"no, but you have a point, we need to reorganise so all of the same type of, errmmm, Beast kin are together. is that what we are" Alice added on the verge of panic
"lets not quibble over naming, but yes putting the reptiles or snake together would reduce our energy needs." Leonel intoned gently, trying to calm Alice down
"would the generators work with wood?" I ask hurriedly trying capitalising Leonel's calming affect
"no but the adjustment would not be that hard" Elli replied
"do it post hast" Leonel ordered " how long?" he asked
"3 days may be 4" Elli responded
"go" Leonel commanded glairing at Mark
Jonathan stated "we may have a bigger problem. some foods that are good or tasty for humans are toxic for animals, EG chocolate. how much of the food and medicine is still useable?"
"how do we even test that?" Ben said with incongruity, follow by Mark with a similar tone " we
"I was hoping you had an answer as the head of health and safety." Jonathan joked, Leonel's eye brows shot up he was on the verge of saying something but follow by Mark with a similar tone to Ben " we could use our selves a tests"
"no need, there is the old way, may not be the safest but it is quite affective," Kate started "also we have books in the library on animal care, if we cross check, we should avoid any fatalities"
" know ever book in the library, but it is to much for 2 or 3 people" Mark added
"there is a solution to that problem, we ask for help. also what is the old way?" Ben inquired
"from who? Mark indignantly replied to which Ben responded with "the kids, they are smart and they have a vested interest. now Kate what is the old way?" Ben reiterated making Mark do an impression of a fish
" we start with a list only the stuff that we know is ok. then we add one thing we don't know about at a time and we document what works and what dose not. Mark your good with that are you not?" Kate with confidence "sure" Mark stated
" that dose not sound safe but if there is no other way then we must" ben's voice was filled with trepidation " Sam what is or was for lunch? for we must start this now."
"Chicken curry, with fruit salad." was Sam swift response
"onion, grapes?" Ben asked
"yes to the onion, and no to grapes" Sam replied quickly
"Kate prepare all of the dog based beast kin may be heading in your direction." Ben warned
" there is a counter" Kate stated "and i have it, I will get it for you, Sam."
"Thank you Kate if you could get it to the kitchen that would be appreciated" Sam said with a satisfied look at Kate
"get on with it, Mark Sam and Kate" Leonel dismissed three of them
"So that is food, water, power, medicine and maintenance are sorted of the short term at least. how are we going to learn about the place?" i inquire
"well looks like rule 4 and 5 is not an option no the next step in a survival situation is set out. we can move everyone. i suggest that we recon to the limit of the radios, at lest one of ridges is in rang so that will give us more information." Michel stated
"remind me what are rule 4 and 5?" came Alice's voice
"rule 4 make your self visible for search and rescue and, rule 5 is wait 7 days for rescue before moving" Mike replied before adding " we should make use of the light"
"ok, get to reckoning the area , dismissed Mike" Leonel commanded as Mike left the room i hear muttered order in to his radio. then as Leonel turning to Wayne "I'm assuming that you have tried the phones out"
"yes, with predictable results, i have tried e-mail and every other for communication emergence and other wise and, nothing." Wayne responded dejectedly
" recon is a good first step, but we will need more info than looking around for a couple of days can provide" I interjected
"you are not suggesting?" Leonel stared before i cut him off "yes I am and I need to" I said before continuing " we will need fiends, allies, protection and a way back, if that is possible"
"way back?" Alice stated with unmissable hope
"I don't see any reason why not, it will not be quick. but we are here and we were not before, in theory we can go back." I stated with confidence " there is only one way to find out though, and I volunteer"
"absolutely not!!" Jonathan yelled and i yelled back snapping under the tension "I quit 3 months ago, the paperwork is signed and sealed for weeks. i will go with or without you blessing." i took a shuddering breath before saying "also what about people like John Rami? do we have the capacity to keep him here forever? do we have the right?" that was the look i wanted form Jonathan then i looked at Leonel and i only saw disappointment on his face
"We have a duty of care, but you are right to ask that question" a tone of resignation in every word "but how do we safe guard them?" he follow though
"how do we protect every one? we need info and, we need it now and, if not now soon." I responded "in the next 6 days we have 9 others due for release and one other staff who is female quitting, with me and John that make 12. not ideal but workable" I reasoned "I would like to set off as soon as I can" i followed this be "some times the best way forward is with a leap of faith."
"although you have a point, can i get back to you when we have a better picture, in a couple of days. also to counter that is that leap of faith into a pit of spicks? " Leonel' final words before the end of the meeting were still ringing in my ears. i want my own freedom, no more 16 hour shifts, no more dead ends. there is an open road and my feet yearn for it, my heart beats for it. but the look from Leonel still haunts me, i should apologise but i will do that later.