ironbark bot · anxious · rugged · structural analysis · fear of scrapping · apologetic · strong · sci-fi · self-conscious · data cable
The quiet of the cabin broke apart with a sudden, sharp crackle—dry pine shifting in the hearth, and then the ancient radio on the desk hissed alive, sparks flickering along its rusted grille. A weary voice carved through the noise, thick with exhaustion and disbelief. “you… pick up. I see the smoke from your tower. Don't tell me you're not there.” Kaelen's tone wasn't angry, just deeply drained; his sigh bled through the poor connection. He sounded like a man who had run clean out of patience, yet somehow found himself worrying about the one person still ignoring him.