3.5 - The Incidence of Accidents

"Nathan begins his work for VP Davenport, makes too much noise early in the morning, and makes a new “life-long” friend."

Synopsis
Nathan is by the dormitories of the Lightning Riggers, tinkering on something. He calls Davenport, telling him he doesn't think "he" is coming, to which Davenport replies "he" is moving and on schedule. A Lightning Rigger, Tommy, approaches and asks Nathan what he's doing, saying that he nearly overslept because his alarm didn't go off. Nathan says that is because he's working on the electrics for the block. When Tommy, annoyed, asks why he wasn't notified, Nathan replies that he pissed off his boss and is now being called out of bed at all hours. Tommy calms down and helps Nathan with the panel he's working on. He asks what Nathan did to piss off his boss, to which Nathan replies that he's dating his daughter. Tommy is impressed and wishes him luck.

Tommy leaves and notices Nathan following him along. Nathan claims that he's supposed to wake one the crews next. Tommy says they should be fine as the power wouldn't go out in that bunker as they get their electricity straight from the Lightning Rigs. Nathan makes up a scientific sounding explanation for why the power is out in those bunks too. The explanation doesn't make any sense to Tommy, who says that Nathan must be really smart to understand all that. Nathan says he recently got admitted to the Science Academy and Tommy congratulates him and offers to show Nathan the way to the bunkers.

When they reach the door, Tommy explains he won't be coming along as he's working on a little side project. He built miniature Rigs he sends up with balloons, containing sensors for wind speed, humidity and temperature. He hopes to be able to predict storms and keep people safe that way. Tommy says that he was interested in joining the Science Academy as well, but got sent to the Lightning Rigs due to his Identity Variance Score. Nathan is very impressed with Tommy's project, and Tommy is happy to receive praise from someone initiated at the Academy. Before Tommy leaves, Nathan asks him if anyone "upstairs" knows about his project, and Tommy says that Nathan is only the 3rd person he talked to about this.

After Tommy is gone, Nathan calls Davenport to check in. Davenport asks where Tommy is always going this early, and Nathan explains about his project. Davenport claims that since Tommy is doing it to improve productivity it's alright, and asks Nathan in which direction he went, as he'd like to send Tommy a thermos of coffee as a thank you. Davenport then tells him to head home.

Back home with Erin, she asks him how his first day of working with her father went. When Davenport enters, Nathan excitedly tells him what a good guy Tommy was. Davenport informs him that Tommy was killed in a tunnel collapse shortly after their meeting.

Trivia

 * In 3.1 - Neal Henderson in the Wilderness, Dora mentions a Lightning Rigger who does "something with balloons" and sometimes comes over for tea. Since Tommy mentions having talked to only 3 people about his balloon project, including Nathan, Dora is apparently one of them. In 3.7 - The Final Task of Ol’ Silty, Ol' Silty mentions having helped out Tommy with his project sometimes, making him the third person.
 * In the Davenport's home the song Rolling Down to Tunnel Three, a Lightning Rigger working song, can be heard. It was later released as a mid-season extra during season 7.

Cast

 * Narrator — Ansel Burch
 * Nathan Rourke — Clayton Faits
 * Vice President Davenport — Ben Aldred
 * Tommy Del Ray — Ryan Schile
 * Erin Davenport — Abby Doud