Battletech: Planet's Fall

Again the mech warrior came to the Hangar after recon to do what the penguin feel is best... repair mechs. Alex has the knack for it finding the right parts to make the engine run.

//
D8 LA more repairs Tech Mech: 8d10o10k3 25

"It's rare to see a mechwarrior in here actually working on a mech. Even rarer when it's not their own. You keep coming down to the hangar, don't ya?" Kenna calls out as he strolls over to Alex working.

"Huh?" Alex looked at who was talking. "Ah...Kenna is it?" The Mechwarrior cleaned the hands with a rag. "Not many do... but this one is my lance's mech... Not many understand the mechanics and pilot them into battle." Alex explained. "This is a hobby of mine like a drag race driver being a mechanic as well. Perks if one doesn't go well one can go to the other."

"That's my name, but you can call me Chief Mechtech Gaudin. You can also introduce your damn self before I kick you off my hangar floor. Don't they teach kids to be polite anymore?" He clicked his tongue and shook his head. "And it had been not go badly. Don't you be making work for me."

Alex arched a brow. "I thought you already knew my name since you are on the briefing and probably knew it from the other techs talking about the mech warrior that help fix the Assassin..." Alex shrugged. "But if an introduction is in lieu. Sergeant Alex Kovac at your service sir." The Penguin smiled. "Sir I am not... this mech is my lance, I know that your people are busy with other mechs... I want to help... I know my way around these machines... And any other that you may want me to look at."

"Maybe I do, but this is the first time we've spoken. You trying to rile me up? Didn't anyone tell you I get cranky?" He placed his hands on his hips. "Sergeant Kovac. Alright." He nods in satisfaction. "Yea, that rings a bell. Vindicator's pretty rugged, but that hit it took was just unfortunate. It's going to take some time to fix. Reckon you'll be busy with her too much to look at anything else, but thanks all the same."

"Sometimes the eyes need rest of looking at the same thing for long periods of time so looking at something new would give a rest to sore eyes." Alex explained. "I would stop if it bothers you too much... but I think we can use all those skilled to help out in what is best." Alex cleared some sweat from the brow.

"Pitch in if you like, but I'm not assigning any mechwarriors any set work to do. You all could get put in active duty any moment and that'd mess with my work rotas." Kenna points out. He moves over to the gantry lift, getting on and taking it up to where he could get a better look at the Vindicator's torso.

"So, making progress?"

"Well yeah... The Leg is almost done... And I am making slow progress on the engine... but it is the most damaged part." The wannabe mechanic explained.

"They're big, complex and tricky. I wouldn't recommend working on it unless you really know what you're doing. Do something wrong and you may permanently damage it." Kenna warns.

"I know..." Alex lowered the head and sighed. " That is why I have to study the schematics very carefully and try my best to not mess up"

"Hmph. You say that like I or all the actual mechtechs don't exist."

Kenna stares at Alex for a moment only to huff and undo his tool kit.

"I'll give you a few pointers so you don't break anything. When you do come in here, I'll have one of my assistants come over. You know, make sure you don't break anything or hurt yourself." He says, fiddling with his tools and no longer looking at Alex. "Can't have that. Too much damn paperwork. Takes time away from the job. So, one will help you out a bit." He was grumbling a lot for someone effectively lending Alex a member of staff and being about to share with him some wisdom.

"Old habits die hard, sir. It is not that I am denying the other techs work." Alex replied. "Nor questioning their capabilities... with all your respect...you seem to be questioning mine right now." Alex moved to inspect some of unfixed damage on the engine. "If you want someone to inspect my work... I won't mind."

Alex's resistance appeared to tick Kenna off. He gestures at the sergeant and the Vindicator as he lets out an exasperated noise. "I ain't seen you fix anything major and you've not mentioned any formal qualifications. Hell yeah I'm questioning your capabilities. What do you expect? Me to just nod and be all 'yes mechwarrior, in you come mechwarrior, touch whatever you like mechwarrior, shall I get you some tea mechwarrior?' This is my hangar space. You need to convince me you have capabilities. I don't need your permission to inspect anyone's work. Now, do you want some pointers and to stop wasting my time, or am I going to have to kick you out of here and further have to waste my time having a word with the CO?"

Alex arched a brow. "I shall get some pointers Sir. I am sorry that my formal education had to be stopped by the happenings of life." Alex moved to watch the old man's instructions. The young mechwarior kept quiet.

"That's better. Well, pay attention now. I don't like to repeat things."

Kenna, for all his bluster and prickliness, does then start to genuinely share some insight into the Vindicator with Alex. Particularly accessing the engine and what order to fix the sub-components for best effect. How to bypass some of the diagnostic checks to get the results quicker and thereby save time. What tools worked best for what, although Alex certainly knew that much, and when he'd need to call an assistant to help.

It was a good three quarters of an hour with no sign of Kenna slowing down, and he was working on the mech as he talked, before he gets shouted up to by one of the mechtechs. His attention was needed elsewhere.

"Hmpf. Typical. And we were just starting to make some progress. I'll get one of them to send you an assistant."

(Alex gains a free raise [+5] to all Technician (repair) rolls related to this Vindicator for the rest of the game. In future threads in the hangar Alex can call on a Mechtech Assistant to assist him, gaining +2 to Technician rolls)