"I'm not the type to give up on anything," Jon agreed. "And I won't let this place take me down. I want to be prepared for what is coming because I fear that not all of us are. The type of man that I am, I try to protect others. I try to put myself between danger and others. It makes it difficult here; how can I throw myself between an earthquake and someone I care about?"

At least Jess seemed to understand that to some extent. They would prepare for the worst and hope for the best; Jon could do nothing less and it seemed that Jess was the type of person who would do the same. He was a valuable asset.

"I will, however, prepare for the winter. That's something we know must be coming. It grows cooler every day. We must be prepared to endure it."