The scene gave David his first smile since the attack.The scene gave David his first smile since the attack. Marder was physically impressive for a human, and the idea of him looking at all uncomfortable in the presence of the smaller Mephit was almost laughable. But David, at 150cm and the shortest member of his own crew, had long ago learned not to laugh at such differences. "So," he said, addressing Denni, "How are things, Chief Engineer?" She laughed tersely and said, "They could be better. Come on, I've got to patch Morrow number three." She turned, her tail nearly hitting David in the process. "Actually," she continued, "it could have been much worse. You keep good hardware, David." "Thank you," he said. "Doesn't help turn a profit nowadays." She pulled out a power rachet and began spinning out the eight bolts that secured the normally sealed fusion plant to the floor. She pulled the casing off and tossed it aside easily, landing with a clang on the floor. David caught himself envying her the strength her creator had given her. "Still," she said, scanning the guts quickly with a rad counter, "It may have saved our lives. You may not buy Pendorian computers, David, but using Parma hullmetal on your fusion plants may have saved me and your two friends from rad poisoning." He smiled. "Thank you." He wondered if her wording implied she was not one of "his friends," and what that could mean to him. Denni sighed as she reached in with a chip-puller and began throwing individual chips and whole circuit boards to one side. "Can't believe the processor power these things need. I'm going to have to go through every one of those and find out what's still working. |