"I can't promise much turnout, but I can publicize your event once things are more certain. Perhaps you're going to recruit Tabby's growing horde to help you prepare the area?"

"Yeah. She's been taking that Superhuman League thing real serious...think we should be worried?"

"I actually feel better about her since she's thrown herself into that. It's a constructive outlet for her energy. And heroes wouldn't turn people who would abuse their new powers, would they?"

"I guess not. And the cape looks nice on her."

"I think I could get one of the old coal plants online long enough to support a big grand fair. Lights and rides, even. Favors for favors though."

"And what would those favours be?"

"Trustworthy help with some of what's left of the internet. Field trips to cell phone towers and the like."

"I can do that!"

"Very good. You'll have a few dozen kilowatts when the time comes, I'll make sure of it."

"Hurray! Anything you need done now ish?"

"I'm good for now, actually. Come back tonight and I'll give you a little minimum training."

"Kay." He heads out into the ice.

Smells like a band of looters is in the general area.

He prepares himself for epic combat and investigates.

These guys would probably describe themselves as scavengers, not looters.

They're dressed in heavy clothes, and dumping various stuff from the abandoned shops into bikes festooned with baskets and bags. One person, a lookout, shouts when he sees Zeke.

Maybe epic combat can wait. "Hello!"

"Hi! We'll be out of your hair in a few minutes!"

"You need any help?"

"Thanks but no thanks. The Acquisitions Department is doing well enough on its own."

"The who?"

"We're a field team for the Acquisitions Department. We go out and acquire stuff. It's the basis for all profit-moving operations."

"Did Nick form a punker squad or something?"

"I've heard of the 'punkers'. The Exchange Department likes them. But we're the Survival Corporation, and the Acquisition Department head is Sherry Ortega."

"Oh, I get it, you're playing buisness! Me and Tabby used to do that. Danny bought me out."

"I wouldn't say we're playing business. The end of the world has created a lot of market space. We have actual factories still running, you know."