Prelude (Part B) - Fort Ohm, First Morning

Roland, whose been halfheartedly listening, his attention fixated on his grub, decidedlypipes in.

"Well I don't know much about machines like thems they have serving us or fighting us really. I just know anythings been turned on has a surefire way of being turned off. I reckon it can't be much harder n' rassling them big gators down south."

For a moment Roland consider this comparison.

"In any case I ain't got nothing 'gainst no hunk a metal. I'm just looking for something new out west. Grown a bit tired of what I seen around these ends and I'd sooner put it all behind me. And heck I wouldn't say no to a little adventure."

"Thanks, kindly, Coppertop. We'll be right along shortly. You certainly are one informative marvel." Doc turns back to the group and makes small talk as he cleans his plate, deciding to make a quick trip by the quartermaster's to check on his two experimental devices before he shows up to the training barracks.

"Good morning, my good man. I'm one of those that came down to join up with the rangers. I turned over a couple of crates of valuable materials when I rode in and I was just hoping to check on them before I went off to the morning's orientation." Doc gives his best winning smile, trying to push down the concern that he has about the valuable equipment that he's brought with him. He hasn't slept in a building separate from them since the earliest prototypes and having them so far from him and not under his careful eye is eating at him slowly, even though he has no reason to suspect the rangers of foul play. Standing here in front of the guard, he wonders if he's started to develop an unhealthy connection with the devices, recalling the psychiatric theory of inanimate attachment that he'd learned in medical school, but quickly dismisses the thought.

"I'm sure they're in fine shape, but I just wanted to double check." He holds a hand out to shake and show that he's unarmed.

Doc makes his way over to his crates and opens them to inspect the contents, paying special attention to the Galvanic coils and tesla dynamo to ensure their integrity, as well as the devices themselves. He cradles the coils in his hands carefully, holding them up to his ear to listen to the quiet hum that's ever present in a well-charged coil.

When he's satisfied that none have been damaged or tampered with he will stand and turn back to Gilliard, "Much obliged, sir. I greatly appreciate your care of these objects. I do hope they'll serve as prototypes for invaluable tools for our push across the Mississippi." He pulls his watch out and takes a look at it, "Oop, and with that I must take my leave, I'm afraid. Orientation waits for no man!"