[ The mention of finding a way up is all Claude needs to resume scanning their surroundings. Dragging over something to use as a way to reach the ceiling - mostly for his own benefit - crosses his mind, but it's also immediately removed since if someone is waiting on their help above, that'd take too much time. Even the few seconds could make a difference.
He steps forward, head tilted slightly in an attempt to follow the sound to pinpoint a more exact location for it. With the buildings around them still making the occasional settling noises as parts shift in a slow collapse, it takes some focus to tune those out for what's here (sort of) in front of them. It grows louder and louder as Claude advances into the building where rooms they couldn't see right away seem to be still standing, based on the ceiling being intact. Mostly. ]
Here.
[ Said with a point first to where there's a sizable hole allowing access to the floor above, and then to a cabinet half standing, half tipped against the wall as a convenient 'ramp' to climb. One nudge with his boot proves it's wedged where it is quite solidly, so after a couple seconds of quick calculation more for the ceiling part of this climb Claude wastes no time in vaulting it.
Dexterity comes in handy for that leap towards the ceiling, and so does the exposed supports to grab onto as both a handhold and - after a couple of attempts - to pull himself up to the next floor. Once on what seems like safe enough ground in yet another hallway with rooms abound, Claude pauses when the knocking starts up again. And louder this time; it's too rhythmic to be a random noise, and not rhythmic enough to be attributed to the tools used elsewhere. All the more reason he leans over to peer at Steve if he's still below. ]
There's almost certainly someone up here. I can't tell where they are, but they have to be close.
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He steps forward, head tilted slightly in an attempt to follow the sound to pinpoint a more exact location for it. With the buildings around them still making the occasional settling noises as parts shift in a slow collapse, it takes some focus to tune those out for what's here (sort of) in front of them. It grows louder and louder as Claude advances into the building where rooms they couldn't see right away seem to be still standing, based on the ceiling being intact. Mostly. ]
Here.
[ Said with a point first to where there's a sizable hole allowing access to the floor above, and then to a cabinet half standing, half tipped against the wall as a convenient 'ramp' to climb. One nudge with his boot proves it's wedged where it is quite solidly, so after a couple seconds of quick calculation more for the ceiling part of this climb Claude wastes no time in vaulting it.
Dexterity comes in handy for that leap towards the ceiling, and so does the exposed supports to grab onto as both a handhold and - after a couple of attempts - to pull himself up to the next floor. Once on what seems like safe enough ground in yet another hallway with rooms abound, Claude pauses when the knocking starts up again. And louder this time; it's too rhythmic to be a random noise, and not rhythmic enough to be attributed to the tools used elsewhere. All the more reason he leans over to peer at Steve if he's still below. ]
There's almost certainly someone up here. I can't tell where they are, but they have to be close.