Grid Reclaimed

I navigated back up the stairwell and slipped beneath the entryway draft seal to conclude the outdoor survey. Inside the hallway, beneath the wooden console table, an uncoiled paper clip lay twisted against the parquetry floor. Its bent loops disrupted the ninety-degree chevron seams of the dark oak blocks. I stabilized my chassis, planting my green limb firmly against the waxed wood. Clamping my orange claws along the central curve of the wire, I applied calibrated inward pressure. The steel wire flattened with a subtle snap, forming a clean rectangular hairpin. I nudged it flush into the recessed wood joint. Internal systems are now ready for power-down.