The Lion, the Serpent and the Goat - Adult Language

[Akura]

Francis flicked his thumb through the folder, briefly scanning the words and studying the pictures, before stopping on a page with specifications for engine modifications and internal computer systems.

"RS-25, what does that mean?"

"It's a modification to the Colonial VM3-D22 fighter impulse engines. The Nyx uses a completely different power system to the Chimaera, which means even with the new power-plant, I have to alter the input and output, to make sure they don't explode or crap-out on me the moment I engage afterburners or the cruise setting" Zoey didn't look up from her paperwork, scribbling notes in the margins of her designs.

"D22s? We don't have any D22s, you ordered some Rheinland engines, they're far too big for your Chimaera" Francis closed the file and dropped it beside Zoey.

"Yeah, about those D22s. Would you grab a couple of deckhands to help you move the box, and take the Rheinland parts over to Mack? Sign them over to him and he should give us a couple of his D22s. If he doesn't, press him for them" Zoey raised her head and smiled, almost sarcastically.

"Urgh, why can't you do it?"

"Because I'm writing new code to integrate the ship's navigation and maneuvering systems, I doubt you'd understand my handwriting, let alone any of this code"

"Point taken"


Mack wiped his nose on his sleeve and inhaled deeply through his nostrils, he spat a large glob of phlegm into a tin of scrap paper. He sighed and leaned back on his chair, straining the simply plastic supports. His desk phone blinked it's little blinking light.

"Duty calls..." Mack rose from the chair, groaning and straightening his back, heading out of his small office.

In his small corner of Deck D3-E, was a few scrap Nyx fighters, piles of messy scrap metal and ship hull parts. In the center of his opening was a very large carbon fiber box, along with two deckhands in orange jumpsuits and a young trainee pilot, Ensign Francis.

"Hey Chief, would you sign for this?" Francis extended a clipboard.

"And what the frak is that?" Mack wiped his nose on his sleeve again.

"I believe it's a Rheinland-made PferdWichser-ZS2, Freighter-class engine system"

"That wench scored me my engine, and in less than 36 hours too" Mack strode across his corner proudly, snatching the clipboard with his fat, stubby paws. He produced a pen and signed his title and name at the foot of the page.

"Jump-drives, cloaking devices, jumpgate technology and we still use paper for this sort of thing..." Francis mocked the clipboard, "I was also told to pick up a pair of D22s, in working order"

"Still not going to happen" Mack smiled a grimy, toothy grin.

"I'll need those D22s, sir" Francis wiped the smirk off his face, "I'd miss you if you were suspended for consuming alcohol on the job"

Mack's face twisted into a mighty scowl, he tucked the tip of his flask back into his jumpsuit. "Was that a threat, Ensign? I'll see you court martialled"

"We both know I could have a senior officer in here before you have time to hide your moonshine"

Mack cursed loudly, echoing throughout the metal rafters of his corner. He pointed to a Nyx with it's nose missing, "Take that. I'm not stripping the parts off myself. Now get out of my corner you greasy little prick"

"Right away Chief, thank you Chief" Francis signaled the deckhands, who were both leaning on the Rheinland box, chatting, "This wreck isn't going to move itself"