Christian vaguely remembered their swift conversation through neural net with Daniel, back then Christian was busy with urgent work to restore the outer armor and organising security of Kadesh after the alien incursion into the station's perimeter. "That's right, I already contacted you about this. To be honest, I had somewhat forgotten about our communication - at that time, I had a bizarre idea and contacted you swiftly while its been rolling in my mind." He put his beer glass on the table and pushed it slightly to the side, picked up the sample and turned it over in his hands. "Quite heavy for such a small sample." He looked at it more closely. "An unusual white shade, not at all like Hyperion's armor. As I understand it, you decided to start from scratch, without using our usual alloys?" he said, placing the specimen in the center of the table.
James picked it up and looked at it appraisingly. "Obviously much heavier than the original armor, but nothing compared to my day today," he said, putting the sample back down and taking a big gulp of beer. "I don't think it will greatly affect the ship's maneuverability. And considering we have a new power plant, there's no such thing as too much armor..." Christian interrupted him. "What about the material's characteristics? If we're basing this on the best armor in our arsenal for capital ships and stations? What about the expected technical characteristics? Have virtual or physical destruction tests been conducted?"
Donagan locked eyes with Burton and dropped the teasing entirely. He slammed a palm against the table. “Well, it’s made from—and tested by—the finest skulls o’ our enemies, o’ course!”
The joke landed with a thud. He quickly recomposed himself, clearing his throat. “I’m ashamed ye didnae recognise our iridium. The outermost layer and the coat makes heavy use o’ it.” He snatched the cube back. “Only a handful o’ trials so far. Energy-based weaponry dissipates quite nicely, but the kinetic side still needs refinement. Iridium alone won’t cut it there.”
He sighed, more thoughtful now. “Once I nail the right balance for that last alloy, this armor sandwich will be a damn sight more effective than what we’re runnin’ today.”
James, who'd been visibly fading after a rough day, suddenly perked up and genuinely cracked up at the joke, chiming in "So what's the percentage boost to the composite if we use Corsair cannibal skull dust?" Christian kept it going "Hmm, I've held iridium plates in my hands and know what that material's like, but Donnie, you're going dark on me. Definitely a few Corsair skulls in this specimen alone. Every time I look at this thing, I get this pit in my stomach - makes me wanna eat my neighbor or down a ton of synth paste" he laughed too. "Although, I can see this is actually an alloy of something else…" and right then a muffled sound came from his terminal. Christian rolled his eyes and said "Damn. Should've left this thing on the ship." He pulled the terminal out of his pocket and dropped it on the table and pushed the button to answer the call., Hologram of Jack Anderson, co-captain of Hyperion, popped up above the table. He smiled, sizing up the companions with an appraising look. Christian nodded at him "I'm guessing you need me there and can't take a single step without me?" Jack broke into a grin "Sir, perceptive as always. Hate to pull you away from dinner, but the receiving party wants to go over the estimate with you after the last meeting with the Nomads…" Christian nodded calmly, "Be there soon." and cut the connection, slipping the terminal back into his pocket.
He looked at his friends expectantly "Well, I'm glad that besides catching up the old-fashioned way we got all the business stuff sorted. Don't hold it against me, the schedule's brutal." He glanced at James "Before you pass out on me, I'm gonna need you on Hyperion. You're looking way more alive now. Deal with Jack and the Livadia bureaucracy bullshit and the best suite on Hyperion is all yours." Christian let out a big yawn, James got a little heated… "I'd rather rot in hell than take your luxury suites, no better than a prison cell. But then again, you've got consistently hot water, which is a system-wide rarity." Christian reached out his hand and James used him as leverage to stand up "Easy there, big guy!" Christian yelped and they nearly fell over laughing like a couple of idiots. "Yeah well, if Hyperion's got as much muscle as you do, Vega's got this in the bag." Christian was nearly crying from laughing "Buddy, you're clearly wasted already, like the rest of us honestly. Next time we gotta eat more before we drink. And if you wanna keep measuring like in the school, do it in the bathroom, considering where Vega is versus where Hyperion is." Christian looked at Donagan "C'mon, old man. Walk us to the launch pad. Maybe we'll grab another drink on the way…"
Donagan eyed the two wrecks swaying in front of him, quietly wondering whether they were capable of reaching anything at all—besides another glass of alcohol. He could feel the drink creeping up on him as well, and before long he found himself joining their laughing fit, shaking his head even as he moved in to help.
“Aye, that seems a reasonable option… considerin’ ye’re both three sheets tae the wind.”
As Burton barely managed to stand, laughing the whole time, Donagan added, deadpan:
“Four sheets, even.”
He rose, took hold of them both to steady their stumbling, and gestured toward the exit with mock formality.
“Now then. If these fine ladies will allow me, I’ll show ’em the way.”
He started guiding them toward the launch pad while James and Christian kept cracking jokes, snorting and wheezing between fits of laughter. It was going to be a long walk. A very long one.
“I’m wonderin’ if medical’ll be able tae handle the sheer amount o’ toxic waste ye’ll be haulin’ aboard once we get ye there.”
As the trio left, the bar slowly reclaimed its silence, their laughter echoing fainter and fainter down the corridor.
