Damn things never quite work right.

[goinbust]

Date and Time: Saturday afternoon
Location: Under an overhang near the transport building
Characters: Jim Raynor and Open
Summary: A man, his damaged armor, a hammer and the helmet radio all have a meeting
Warnings: None of note

It had been a while since the party, and a while since the last mission. It probably was time to adjust his armor. There was that fellow that offered to help but Jimmy just wanted something to focus on that wasn't drinking or wandering about. As "Sweet Home Alabama" played from the radio in the helmet loud enough to be heard nearby Jimmy fiddled with the bullet riddled armor plates and the hissing hydrolic units of one of the arms.

"Damn thing, need a bloody engineer to keep this up. Or something louder to play music."

Comments

[oncearanger]

"How exactly will the music help you fix it?" Billy said, puzzled. He'd popped right over from a bout of training, intrigued by the familiar music and captivated by the sight of armor.

[goinbust]

"Nice distraction? Keeps me from gettin mad at the damn thing? I dunno."

[oncearanger]

Billy just grins at the music and looks over the worktable curiously. "Just as impressive as you said. I'll try to get a room in the garage going so you can work in better conditions---less rain exposure would probably be good for it."

[goinbust]

"Dunno, we've rewired these things under worse conditions. Really don't know much about it other than how to hit the damn thing so the targeter lines up."

[oncearanger]

"Can you show me that?" Billy asked.

[goinbust]

"You want to watch me bang on the fusion pack till it works right? Or do you want to see the system?"

[oncearanger]

"The system," Billy clarified, looking over the suit eagerly. "I don't think the pounding's necessary at the moment."

[goinbust]

"Primary computers system and power supply, as long as the main body is over there. Working on the auto targeter in the arm here, other arms and legs are over there by the body and the helmet is com and life support. But I've been using it for the radio."

Jim nods and pats on the helmet assembly.

[oncearanger]

Billy counts off the parts, picturing their inner workings in his head with his best guesses. "That's an interesting rewiring. Looks like it's holding steady."

He gives it one more visual check. "Any upgrades you're looking for?"

[goinbust]

"Nah, this is pretty top of the line. Stimpacks are too risky so I don't usually keep them in system but honestly, as long as it keeps the things trying to kill me out I'm happy with it. Just took a few too many hits last time we were out and had to strip out the armoring that got beat to hell and the damaged hydraulics."

[oncearanger]

"Huh. Those should be fixable, it just takes time to create replacement parts." He stared down at the systems, studying every detail he could.

[goinbust]

The armor looks like it was incredibly well cared for, till maybe 2 missions ago. Right now the servos have a fair amount of dust in them and it looks like while it did its job in stopping several bullets, the patch work is really just patch work.

"Good to know. Had a guy back home did all of this, was a genius in cobbling fixes together from nothing. You guy's probably'd been better off swiping Rory than me in all honesty."

[oncearanger]

Billy rubbed his chin with thought. He sketched out a few ideas on his tablet, then shook his head. "If they only took mechanics we wouldn't get anywhere on the front lines. Don't worry! I can clean and fix this in a day or so."

[goinbust]

"Guess there is that. Maybe they need a few loudmouths who jump without thinkin too."

[oncearanger]

"That's what you call yourself?" Billy asked, staring up at the strange soldier. "Huh. Well...regardless, I don't think this'll be a problem to fix."

[goinbust]

"I've been a lot of things over the years. Probably too many things. Lately I've been a professional rabble rouser and problem causer for the local government."

[oncearanger]

"The Initiative, or before that?" Billy wondered. He hadn't really chosen a side yet, but he did wonder about all the rebellion he saw.

[goinbust]

"Nah, back home. Here I'm still trying to figure out what's going on."

[oncearanger]

"You're not alone there," Billy mumbled, finishing up his visual inspection of the equipment. "But that's a good thing http://exsiliumlogs.dreamwidth.org/181263.html?replyto=20473615#sometimes. I imagine we'll be put through more stressful group situations in this war."

[goinbust]

"Dunno, genocide is pretty stressful, here its just been rainy but still. We all fight the good fight in our own way, right?"

oh god what was that I'm sorry

[oncearanger]

"Right," Billy agreed.

He looked up a second later, clearly alarmed. "Genocide?"

No worries, sometimes computers can be nuts

[goinbust]

"Back home I was chasin someone who's responsible for 8 billion Terran deaths, and the bastard that basically made her into that monster. The whole professional rabble rouser thing."

[oncearanger]

"Eight billion? That's more than the entire population of my planet..."

Billy winced. Whatever it was, it sounded horrible. More horrible than he could easily comprehend. He shook it off with a groan.

"But they probably need someone prepared to deal with extreme threats like you."

[goinbust]

"Dunno about that. I've fought them, but can't say I ever won, I just survived. Then the Queen of Blades went to sleep. They were wakin up back home and they pulled me here. I'm hopin they have some sort of cure for the virus that makes the zerg zerg here and that's why I'm helpin out."

[oncearanger]

Billy's attention was definitely firmly locked on the man. "Did you ask? They have cures for viruses of our worlds if they'll prevent any of the transports from living healthy lives."

[goinbust]

"Didn't get a good answer. Have a feeling it may be a carrot and stick sort of thing and I've played that game before."

[oncearanger]

Billy sighed, rubbing at his forehead. "Some promises really are that way. But I know from experience that they do have some of the cures, and they'll use them if they're a threat to one of the transports. I hope you get what you need eventually. But until then...can I help you with the armor at all?"

[goinbust]

"I'd love the help, I know how to do base stuff, but this thing needs actual care from someone who knows how this stuff works."

He rubs his head a bit.

"But yeah, a cure for the zerg infestation would be damn helpful where I come from."

[oncearanger]

"I can handle it," Billy was sure, sounding confident. "I've been working on stuff like this for years."

[goinbust]

"Thank's pal, drinks are on me if yer a drinkin man."

[oncearanger]

"I don't think I need a drink yet, but I'll keep it in mind."

[goinbust]

"Well the offer is open."