Jè and Kevin step away and catch their breath before returning to the bags. Kevin dumps one onto the floor, disgorging a cloud of dust, chemicals, and rat droppings into the work space. Jè does the same with the remaining bag and a plume of dust fills the engineering bay. Coughing and sneezing, they pull on the rusty chains to open the ancient garage doors and step into the station’s courtyard for some fresh air.
When the dust clears, they return to the engineering bay and continue assembling the gear they’ll need. Jè says to Kevin, “Let’s not waste more time digging through this mess. We’ll take a backup multi-meter, some hand tools, and as many deep cycle batteries as we can carry. Kevin agrees, “It’s usually the dead batteries or contaminated fuel in the generator. If we need more fuel or batteries, we’ll have someone send them. What about our personal gear?” Jè considers and replies, “It’ll be freezing up there. Let’s take all the sleeping bags and cold-weather gear we’ll need. Then we can get help to carry the batteries and tools.” Kevin grins, “From what that younger priest told me, we’ll have more than enough helpers. I’ll carry an extra load myself if it helps me avoid those Ceyes pastors.” Jè laughs ruefully, “And we won’t need any of those ex-military guys that make me so nervous.”
The Head Engineer opens the door from the office area and looks at the pile of debris in the middle of the engineering bay. “Tim just radioed down from Delmas. He wants to know if you guys are on your way yet.” He looks at the pile and the empty station SUV outside the engineering bay. “What do I tell him?” Kevin and Jè look at each other and Kevin’s face breaks into a mischievous grin. He winks at Jè and responds to Head Engineer, “Tell him that I’m trying to find all the manuals that we gave his Alabama friends.” Head Engineer grins, “Oh, I’ll gladly pass that along!” They all laugh until he continues, “But for my own sanity, what exactly do you want me to tell him? I can’t believe I’m the negotiator between God-almighty Tim and you!”
Kevin says with his best innocent face, “If he doesn’t come down here until next week, he’ll never need to see me again. He won’t need to be on short-wave with me all month either, because Jè has a radio that he keeps in our kitchen.” Jè starts to chuckle, expecting what will come next from the Head Engineer. “What do you mean, last time Tim will see you? You’re covering for me this summer when I go back to Indiana.” Kevin shrugs, “You better work that out with Tim. He doesn’t want to see me at the station all summer. Sounds like I’ll be fired by the time you get back anyway.” Kevin dusts his hands off and pulls on some leather gloves, “Tell him we’re loading up and will be on the mountain fixing the transmitter this week.”