The Lion, the Serpent and the Goat - Adult Language

[Akura]

Sabah Shipyard, Coronado System
Workshop Deck D3-Epsilon

"So where'd you learn so much about ships?"

"Not just ships, Kusari Ships. And I have a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Fukuoka Island University"

Zoey had hoisted her Chimaera up, rolling herself underneath using a little metal creeper*, she had removed several of the hull panels from the ship, revealing the intricate Samura power-plant underneath.

"Seems an awful lot of work for one fighter. What's wrong with our Nyx?"

"There's nothing wrong with the Nyx, it's a great ship. It's just not my ship. This Chimaera has seen me through a war, three large-scale battles and numerous combat operations. I've seen and done more in this ship, than I could in a lifetime of flying a Nyx. This Chimaera has pulled me out of really bad situations, she's flown me safely through fire and shrapnel. When I fly this ship, I feel like we are one"

"So it's sentiment?"

"Aye, sentiment. That and, like most Kusari things, the ships are rather different to those found in the rest of Sirius. I've been extensively trained to fly Kusari ships" Zoey ran her palm against the underside of the Chimaera, briefly pausing before reaching her hand out to Francis. "Make yourself useful and pass me that spanner, 34B"

Francis snatched the 34B spanner off of the dolly, and passed it down to her, peeking at the wiring in the belly of the ship.

"Are you disconnecting those lines?"

"Yeah, just a couple more to go"

"My father was a mechanic, he told me he'd build me a ship some day, one that I could use to earn my way in the universe. Told me that knowing your way around a ship would be more use than going to a fancy college. He was a real shoulder-to-the-wheel kind of guy" Francis reminisced, straightening up some, "I never really knew the guy, he got blown up in an accident with some H-Fuel"

"Touching" Zoey quipped sarcastically, wheeling herself from under the fuselage, "Would you give me a hand keeping the power-plant steady while I raise it out of the framework?"

"Sure thing" Francis moved around to the starboard side of the ship, leaving Zoey on the port side.

They each held the top portion of the exposed power-plant, Zoey kept one hand free allowing her to control the mechanical winch.

"Alright, easy does it"

Zoey pressed down on the green button, the winch buzzed with life and began taking the strain with it's tungsten steel ropes. As the power-plant was freed from the fuselage, many wires and cables trailed beneath it, some still connected to the engines, RCS systems and rear weapon hardpoints. Zoey released the button, allowing the power-plant to hang free for a moment.

"Thank you" Zoey spoke, sorting through the various cables connecting the hanging power-plant and the ship. She began disconnecting them, one by one.

"I should really go get washed up and changed, I have more flight training in an hour or so" Francis released grip of the power-plant, being careful not to cause it to swing in the slightest.


*creeper - A tool used by auto mechanics, a low-profile, wheeled platform whereupon one may lie supine and gain better access to the underbody of a vehicle