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"--We thought perhaps we could modify existing radios to work with our construct. I've heard that your, ah, colleagues have modified cell phones in similar ways. Hawk's drawn up the spellwork for replacing the receiver portion, there--"

"Oh, uh," Hawk interjected, somewhat sheepishly, "That's why the spell looks kinda weird, 'cuz I wrote it. Mari says it'll work fine, I just arranged the parts differnt than usual."

Numair, who was sitting tucked against Hawk's side, waved a hand. "It will work fine!" he said blithely. "It's a perfectly sound construction for a spell."

The two of them were sitting on a low metal bench underneath a large tree, in the speckled light that came through the canopy. Vlad stood before them, looking over a sheaf of papers with some bemusement, a basket of cherry tomatoes on one arm. After a time, Numair asked him, "So, er. What are your thoughts?"

Vlad offered the basket to Hawk, who leaned forward. "Mm, seems doable to me," he said. "What kind of timeline are we talking about?"

Numair put his hands together, his green eyes cast down. "Ah, well," he said, "I was hoping we could have everything ready for the next Assembly hearing in two weeks--"

"Two--!" Vlad sputtered. "You want us to sneak this many radios into Aetheri in under two weeks?"