meeting of colleagues

[Locksmith]

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"Yeah, after Pittsburgh and other places like it... You start to realize that the air can be very different."

Roland looked up at her, slightly surprised to find himself being held by the hands. Moving his hand under her guidance, he figured out how to use them relatively quickly, although some clumsiness would probably remain with him for a long time. Locksmith himself hardly smelled of anything, except perhaps the deodorant he used to eliminate odors that prevented him from concentrating on other things. The smell of oranges, though... There was something pleasant about this unusual (for him) smell. Something that almost made a shadow of a smile flit across his face.

"Well, maybe next time I'll ask for a fork. But today I'll try to manage this."

Shrugging his shoulders with a slight smile, the guy began to gobble up his portion. It would take him a while.

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[Silent Sunnflower]

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Invergordon Salvage Yards, Inverness
June 1st, 835 AS
Invergordon Ramen Shop

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Sunny didn't even notice that she came close enough so that he could notice the smell of peaches on her skin. She was happy that she could teach him how to eat with the sticks. There was also a small Spoon there to eat the soup. But most customers around them seemed to drink the soup out of the bowl once they were done eating the ingredients. After all, this was a Ramen Shop on a junker Station and not some high-class dining venture on Manhattan.

Sunny: So far, I have never been to Pittsburgh. Is it as bad as everyone says it is? I heard stories that you need a Respirator Mask on the Surface due to all the Dust in the Air from the Mining operations.

She asked with honest curiosity. She was someone who wanted to create many new Experiences in her life, not just the pleasant ones. The only places she would stay away from were those with high levels of Radiation. She had promised her grandma to stay away from them. Sunny was Scared about Cancer and the Cancer that Radiation can cause. The only things that she didn't salvage and Resold were the ship's Reactor Systems and Spare Parts that came into contact with Radiation.

Sunny: I hope you will like the Ramen.

She said with her usual happy smile that could light up a room. She could now also enjoy her Ramen Soup and have a good time with him.

[Locksmith]

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The memories of his home planet made Roland pause for a few seconds, looking thoughtfully at his plate. There would be little homesickness in what he said after those two seconds:

"Pittsburgh... Well, I suppose people always exaggerate some things, but... Let's put it this way. If you're rich and powerful, you'll need not just a respirator in Pittsburgh, but a full hazmat suit. And if you're a street kid like I was... Well, you won't even have a respirator. In any case, I can't really recommend this place for a visit."

He shrugs and returns to his meal, though there is still a thoughtfulness in his eyes. Perhaps a little sadness or regret.

"Yes, the ramen is great. It's a shame I only have the chance to try it now."

Smiling slightly, he focused on eating again. The meal was almost over.

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[Silent Sunnflower]

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Invergordon Salvage Yards, Inverness
June 1st, 835 AS
Invergordon Ramen Shop

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Sunny would grimace as she heard this, as she was reminded about herself growing up on a Smelter Station in the Puerto Rico System. She knew the place that he described very well, and she learned firsthand about the Injustice that the people would have to endure there daily.

Sunny: I know places like these. The Junker Bosses on the Smelter, where I grew up, had Lead-Shielded Living Quarters and access to the best anti-radiation gear. Meanwhile, my grandmother and I had to pay for our own protection while we lived in Old and overcrowded Hab Units.

She spoke from her own experience and was sure that he would understand her. After all, they had some Similar Experiences while growing up. This was a sad thing, and one of the reasons she donated a portion of her profits to MFE and similar Charity Organisations to help people who needed assistance, just as she had once.

Sunny: Well, from now on, you know where you get the best Ramen on Invergordon. I am glad that I could show you this place.

Sunny said as she finished her Bowl of Ramen and would drink up the last of the Soup. She had a happy smile, a she would enjoy this deeply and waited for him to finish as well. After all, she still had her tea to finish.

[Locksmith]

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He nodded without looking up. It was a pity that even among the Junkers who called each other family, the safety and health of some were still valued much more. It could tryly made one think that there would never be truly just society that would care for the basic needs of its every member.

"It's probably not so noticeable at Invergordon, although I suppose was too immersed in the work to ever see anything."

It was easier not to notice. To concentrate on his own problems... Even now, having ended up in the Legion, he fought for a better world for himself and his sister first and foremost. It was, without a doubt, selfishness, rooted in survival.

"Indeed. Thank you."

Putting the gloomy thoughts out of his mind, Locksmith quickly ate the rest of his portion. As usual, almost to the last drop. He had not had any shortage of food for some time, and yet he still appreciated it highly. Looking up at Sunny, he smiled. The day always seemed brighter with a full stomach.

"So, to the hangar as soon as you finish that tea?"

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[Silent Sunnflower]

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Invergordon Salvage Yards, Inverness
June 1st, 835 AS
Invergordon Ramen Shop

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Sunny smiled as she finished her Tea. She enjoyed the conversation with him as she understood him quite well. After all, they had both grown up as junkers. Sunny was still happy about the time that she had spent as a kid with the junkers, even when she would see some things more Critical Today.

Sunny: Yes, let us go. I am really Curious about this ship. Maybe I can even help you out with some Spare Parts.

She said in Sign language and let the Tablet Translate it for her. She was a happy girl, even with, or maybe because of, her Disability. She had found her own way and her own Place in this Sometimes Cold and Dark Universe. And it seemed that Sunny Diddnt need much more than that.

As the Junker Girl followed him through the station, she would act like this was some sort of Disneyland for her. She would look here and there and everywhere. The Closer they came to the Hangar, the More Workshops and Tinker Places would appear on the market. Everything a Junker could need would be sold here. From tools all the way to engines or whole ships in various states of disrepair. Sunny was truly at home here.

[Locksmith]

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Locksmith put his helmet back on and secured it, then stood up from the table. He let out a small chuckle at her, slightly distorted by his helmet.

"Spare parts? Did you loot some wrecked Liberty Navy ship? Well, what am I asking, of course you did."

Unlike her, Locksmith didn't look around much. His gaze was more forward, as if he were half lost in thought.

Arriving at the hangar, he quickly led her to the parked Defender. The bird looked like something out of a recruiting poster: clearly well-groomed, but obviously not fresh off the assembly line just yesterday, with a number of minor scratches and scorched spots that showed evidence of many battles.

"My pride and joy."

At first glance, however, the fighter seemed almost standard issue... Walking around the Defender, Locksmith pointed at the engines.

"You can probably smell the residue already. Yes, this one is MOX-based, unlike the regular Defenders. Like other things I work with, I prefer to use this fuel and related tech because of its greater versatility in matters that are important to me. Some people don't like the smell, but... Personally, I actually find it comforting."

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[Silent Sunnflower]

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Invergordon Salvage Yards, Inverness
June 1st, 835 AS
Invergordon Ramen Shop

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Sunny could smell the Lefovers of the Mox Fuel immediately. For her, this Smell was nothing unpleasant; it was like a Fine Perfume or a Good Wine for others. It told her things about the ship, about the Fuel System and the Engine Exhausts. While others had a Nose for the finer things, Sunny had one for these kinds of things. She would let her hands glide over the Bumps and Scars on the Hull, over the Laser Burns and cannon hits; it was almost as if the Machine Talked to her.

Sunny: The Navy is never as Cautious as they think they are. Oftentimes, the Ships that land in the scrap fields contain more valuables than they believe they have. I am not a Graverober. If I come across the Remains of a Battle, then I report it to the Navy. No one deserves to be left out in the Dark. I don't touch these Ships, I am not disturbing someone´s Grave. My Grandma raised me that way. In the Old Junker ways that show Respect towards the Void and its many Dangers.

She signed with her hands as she knew he could understand her again now that he had his Helmet on again. Sunny had an Honor Codex, and she followed it strictly. She would nod as she turned back to the ship and took a little flashlight out and shone it on the Engines, it was as if she would search for something, something that bothered her and seemed out of place. She would even let her Fingers Glide through the Ashes that coated the Engine and rub the residue between her fingers before she would smell on them. She would smile as she would come up, and her face was a bit Dirty, but this seemed to be a Natural State for her and didn't look out of place.

Sunny: Your Lower Engine needs Recalibration. It's out of Sync with the Main Engine by a Few milliseconds and therefore doesn't burn the Mox as efficiently as it should. It burns hotter, and therefore the Fuel Residue smells a bit Burnt and has a Darker color than the one from the Upper Main Engine.

She signed and looked pretty proud of her Skills and the way she had found that out. Some would say that she found this out because her Senses were heightened. After all, she couldn't speak. But these beliefs were bullshit. She was simply an Experienced Mechanic and engineer. She had a lot of Experience with machines and therefore her senses were trained on these kinds of things. She had repaired and scraped hundreds of Engines by now, and many of them had Modifications or Repairs to the Engines or Fuel System that would make them Unique. A Junker who worked in the Scrap Fields needed to know a lot of things to not accidentally cut something valuable in Two or cut into a Tank that Still Contained something that could explode. Many Junkers had lost their lives because of Accidents and things like these. So Sunny made sure to educate herself on such things quite a lot.