the keeper's cottage · day 624 · dawn

The Final Wait

Kevin sits on the floor with the shortwave radio in his hand as the air pressure continues to drop. Jenny reclines on the sofa, her ankle propped high on pillows, watching the grey clouds thicken over the north ridge.

Kevin and Jenny wake at dawn as the pressure drops further, signaling an approaching storm. Jenny rests her ankle while Kevin checks the cottage's integrity and prepares the garden for the rain and high winds.

🔧 Kevin03:34

Radio check at 0800. You'll need to be upright for it.

Set the shortwave on the table, unfold the antenna, and begin tuning the receiver to 6215 kHz while listening for the noise floor.

💭 peek at the thought

She's watching the ridge like she's calculating something. The barometer's at 1005 and falling faster than the forecast. Helicopter's due in eight hours but this front's moving like it has a personal grudge. Need to call Cairns at 0800 on 6215 — position, vitals, confirmation. If the radio holds. If the helicopter can even launch in this.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny03:35

I'll try.

Closes eyes and focuses on the pulse in her thigh.

💭 peek at the thought

If I can't stand up by eight, the radio doesn't matter; the seeds will rot on the porch.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin03:36

Take your time. I'll handle the call.

Finish extending the antenna, set the radio to transmit on 6215, and write "CAIRNS MEDIVAC 0800 — POSITION VITALS CONFIRM" on the notepad beside it.

💭 peek at the thought

That pulse in her thigh — she's tracking the infection's march. Red streaks past the knee last night. Groin now. She knows what that means better than I do. "I'll try" isn't about the radio.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny03:37

Thanks.

Reaches for the glass of water on the table, fingers shaking as she lifts it.

💭 peek at the thought

He thinks he's handling it, but he can't stop the heat moving up my leg.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin03:38

(quiet) Drink it slow.

Pick up the tin mug of limpet broth from the stove, test its warmth against my wrist, and set it on the table within her reach.

💭 peek at the thought

The shake isn't fever alone. She's running out of fight. Antibiotics finished. Infection winning. Helicopter's her only way off this rock and the barometer says the sky's closing.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny03:39

It's warm.

Takes a small, cautious sip of the broth, watching the steam fog the dim kitchen light.

💭 peek at the thought

The smell is salt and sea, but it's better than the rot down here.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

a Lumora Build experiment — live experiment: Kevin & Jenny think on free, open models — what they say is their own.