Donny had plundered pretty much everything he could carry when he turns to Cat. [color=firebrick]"Found something huh? Alright, let me get my rope."[/color] Grabbing the rope he used a while ago, he would be able to secure it to a large piece of rubble wedged into a corner. It was nothing but darkness down there. Donny brought his torch closer to illuminate it, now feeling the heat coming out of it. [color=firebrick]"Could be a gas pocket. If that's the case, you'll need your gasmask, and this."[/color] Donny hands Cat one of the glow sticks. [color=firebrick]"An open flame, or even an errant spark, could fry you faster than a cold wave would freeze you solid. If you still feel like going down there at least. If there is a busted cast vein, that at least implies that hole leads to something with access to some sort of fuel. And if we can access that, we can buy our way into any settlement."[/color]

Natural gas was one of those things that was common, or even forgotten, in the past but now could have entire civilizations built around them. Be it natural deposited opened up because of the calamity or man-made containers stored in secured bunkers, those gasses could fuel settlements and ensure they stay warm in even the harshest of storms. They could also be used to power electronics, which themselves are critical to access things such as illumination, water filtration, or even fuel for vehicles. Even just a little could be used to keep a home warm for over a year, which basically made that home a king's palace as long as anyone else cared. But the risks were considerable. As Donny mentioned, it wouldn't take much to turn a gas deposit into a fire bomb. And that's before taking into consideration the sort of mutants who would also be attracted that that warmth. Strange things that live deep underground, and become strange, warped monstrosities.

[color=firebrick]"Your call. Maybe just take a peek, see what's around? If nothing else, sure as hell beats going back out there into the cold. It's actually kinda comfortable standing here."[/color] Donny could feel himself getting warmer from this heat vent, and he even opened up his coat to allow the heat to reach inside and dry him. Smelled terrible, but that's not unusual in this world. Cat may have also notice that Donny had taken some air fresheners and put them inside of his jacket, perhaps as an attempt to smell clean at least.